A Little Less (or More) Than A Lover

Chapter 1

"Breathe in and pulse! One two three four..." 

Anna was steadying her breathing habang nakikinig sa Pilates instructor nya. She's currently in her light blue Pilates set - a skimpy sports bra enough to show the right amount of cleavage and a well-fitted pair of leggings that hug her ass quite well. She's very slim. Her physique is a typical yoga slash Pilates girlie bod. And she likes it that way. Her boobs might not be that big but her perky ass will speak for itself.

She's always been the type to love herself and her body so well. Ever since her recent break-up with her long time boyfriend of five years and ex-fiancé Malcolm, mas naging frequent na ang workouts niya. Halos umaabot na ng three times sa isang linggo na dati naman ay parang twice a month lang. With the wedding planning now on hold, she's got a lot more free time on her hands.

While doing her pulses, biglang tumunog ang smartphone niya. Didn't she put her phone on silent before her Pilates class started?

"Anna?" tanong ng instructor niya na medyo nairita sa ingay ng telepono niya.

"I'm sorry, Coach. Wait lang!" So Anna immediately stood up from her reformer to get her phone from her bag na nasa kabilang dulo ng maliit na studio. She quickly answered it after seeing her mom's name pop on screen.

"Yes, Ma?" she whispered. She stepped out of the room para hindi naman makaistorbo sa ongoing class. Her mom never calls, only when there's an emergency. So there better be a good reason for her calling at such a precious hour. Ang mahal kaya ng Pilates classes.

"Hija, tawag ng tawag ang designer mo. Hindi ka daw sumipot sa fitting supposedly today. Doesn't she know that the wedding is cancelled?"

She silently cursed to herself and checked her calendar. Yup, there's a supposed appointment today that she forgot to cancel... For one, hindi pa kasi announced sa lahat ng guests at suppliers ang cancelled wedding nila ng ex-fiance niya. It's only been four weeks.

"Sorry, Ma. Ikaw na lang magsabi na cancelled na ang kasal at hindi ko na kailangan ng wedding gown ngayon."

"You should start announcing it to everyone. Sayang ang oras at pera ng mga tao."

Why is it my problem now? Sino ba ang iniwan ng fiance sa ere? "Okay, Ma. I will. I'm sorry," she apologized as a dutiful daughter. Growing up, it has always been that way.  She was always respectful, obedient and the fixer. She will do absolutely anything for her parents because she loves them. Pero hanggang ngayon ba?

Isn't she allowed to grieve for a bit? Kahit one month lang? 

"Alright, i'll see you later over dinner. Your dad invited over your Titas and cousins for his birthday dinner. For sure, they'll be asking about your upcoming wedding. So at least, be prepared to answer their questions."

"Yes, Ma," she drily answered. It's been a month. Pero bakit parang walang pakialam si Malcolm? He's not even helping her cancel suppliers. Bigla na lang itong naglaho sa mundo? Malcolm's mom might be nice but she's also not one to help her with these things. So ngayon, lahat ng burden ng pag-cancel ng suppliers ay biglang nasa kanya?

"See you later, hija. Please wear blue. It looks better on you," pahabol na utos pa ng Mama niya before dropping the call.

She just stared at her phone for a good minute bago huminga muli ng malalim. How can she face her whole family with an embarrassing truth? Paano niya sasabihin sa buong pamilya niya that her supposed fiance left her and disappeared from the world? 

At bakit siya ang nakaatas na mag-ayos ng lahat ng gulong ito? 

She just breathed deeply at inayos ang high bun hairstyle niya bago pumasok muli ng studio. As always, ganoon naman di ba? She's always left to be the more mature one.