ꜱᴀ ᴘᴀɴᴀɴᴀᴡ ɴɪ ᴀʀɪᴀ ꧁
𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟹，𝙾𝙲𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝟷𝟶
𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙻𝙰，𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙿𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚂
Mataas na ang sinag ng araw at ang bughaw na langit ay nababalutan ng mapuputi at naglalakihang ulap.
Nakatingin ako sa mga gusaling nagtataasan at sa mga taong abalang naglalakad tungo sa kani-kanilang paroroonan habang binabagtas namin ang daan papuntang paliparan.
Kasama ko ngayon ang ilan sa mga taong naging malaki ang ambag sa aking buhay.
Si Kuya Levy ang nagda-drive, nasa passenger seat si Yuan samantalang nasa back seat kami ni Roanne.
"Pwede naman akong bumisita sa inyo, hindi ba?" tanong ni Yuan habang nakatingin sa akin sa rear-view mirror.
Ngumiti ako sa kanya at sasagot na sana, ngunit naunang magsalita ang aking kapatid.
"You wish," madiin na sabi ni Kuya Levy habang nananatili sa daan ang kanyang paningin.
Tinawanan lang ito ni Roanne habang ako naman ay lihim na napabuntong-hininga.
"Mami-miss mo rin ako 'tol, bahala ka," kunwari'y naiinis na sabi ni Yuan bago bumaling sa labas.
My only response was to remain silent and let them work things out among themselves. Yuan and my brother still have a strong bond. I know in my heart that they still do.
To take us to the airport, Yuan and Roanne arrived earlier this day. Our departure is scheduled for today. It's something we've been working on for a while. We are no longer depressed over our separation because of this.
Although I will be missing Yuan a lot. I am certain of that.
We graduated from Ateneo de Manila four months ago. Myself and Kuya Levy received our bachelor's degrees in health sciences, Roanne in development studies, and Yuan in political science.
Gusto ni Yuan maging sundalo samantalang magiging doktor naman kami ni Kuya Levy.
Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang mag-vibrate ang aking phone. Kinuha ko ito mula sa bulsa ng aking pantalon at tinignan kung sino ang nag-text.
Napangiti ako sa aking nabasa. Tumingin ako sa rear-view mirror at nakita kong nakatingin din sa akin si Yuan habang nakangiti.
Napapailing ako habang nagre-reply sa message niya. Naka-background pa sa SMS ko ang picture naming dalawa.
"Buhay pag-ibig nga naman, nakakaumay kayo," pabulong na panunukso sa akin ni Roanne nang mabasa niya ang conversation namin. Tinawanan ko lang siya at siniko nang bahagya sa tagiliran.
I'm in a relationship with Yuan. Although we were friends before we got into a serious relationship, our close relationship began last year.
Let's go back three years ago.
° ° °
𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟶
𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙿𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚂
I miraculously woke up in the year 2010, despite my brother's claims that I was in a dangerous state and had been sleeping for a specific amount of time. My condition was later identified as infantile amnesia, which causes most people to lose memory of their first three to five years of life.
I kept asking God, "Why?" because I was initially unable to believe it. Why am I doing this? Why put me through this?
A flicker of light appeared out of nothingness as far back as I can remember, luring me in its direction. I was drawn to its warmth, and the next thing I knew, a young man was staring at me.
Puro puti ang nakikita ko at isang lalaking nakatingin sa akin na may bakas ng pagkagulat.
Matapos akong i-examine ng mga doktor, naiwan kaming dalawa no'ng lalaki.
Everything was so unfamiliar that I didn't know where to look. I had the impression that I didn't belong here.
"Kumusta na ang pakiramdam mo? May masakit ba?" biglang tanong ng lalaki. Alanganin ko siyang tinignan bago sinubukang magsalita.
But all I could do was groan.
Malungkot na ngumiti 'yung lalaki at marahang tinapik ang ulo ko.
"Huwag kang mag-alala, nandito na ako," paninigurado niya.
Despite the fact that I don't know him, I want to believe what he says. I felt empty, and I can't remember anything. This is not where I want to be.
At that moment, I didn't even recognise my own name or face. I think he noticed the fear in my eyes. He held my hand back then for that reason.
"I am your older brother, don't worry. You always call me Levy and you don't like to be called by your name so your friends call you Aria," Kuya Levy said.
Pinagmasdan ko ang kanyang mukha. Doon pa lang, nagtiwala na ako sa kanyang mabait na mukha.
"A-Aria?" nabigkas ko rin sa wakas.
I was only nineteen years old at the time, and Kuya Levy was twenty-one.
He went on to say that there had been a massive earthquake. The earthquake struck while we were away on vacation. We were in a popular tourist location — a cave. A big piece of rock struck me.
We were not with our parents that day. They were in Japan because that was where our family was based. They returned to the Philippines four times a year to check on me after learning about what had happened to me.
My brother claims that when our parents decided that we would move to Japan with them and our relatives when we reached legal age, we were still minors.
I was kept in the hospital for several months before being allowed to leave.
Nakabalik na rin ako sa pinapasukan ko noong college sa Ateneo de Manila kung saan nakilala ko si Roanne, my first friend mula nang magkaroon ako ng amnesia.
Despite her high status, Roanne maintained a low profile. Alongside my brother, we were often together. For an unknown reason, we gained notoriety right away.
We are siblings, but no one would ever assume that until they specifically ask. While most people aspire to have our appearance.
Up until the last term, in our second year, everything was going smoothly. Our final exam turned into an intersection while we were studying Philippine History. It was mandatory for us to complete our final exams with a partner from a different course. I was lucky not to be in the same section as Kuya Levy.
My brother and I had always wanted to work together, but we never got the chance to speak due to our notoriety.
My brother was serving as the student president at the time, and I was one of the school's top scorers. I excelled in journalism as well, which is another reason I used to compete frequently. Furthermore, there are always people who try to bring you down when you're famous.
To me, that made sense as well. When someone found out that I suffer from amnesia, their scheme backfired. Instead of being laughed at, I received more support and understanding.
Hindi ko magawang sabihan si Kuya Levy tungkol sa finals namin dahil palaging may nakabuntot sa amin sa school. Sa bahay naman ay hindi ko siya palaging naaabutan. Busy siya noon sa paghahanda sa pagdating ng araw na ipapasa na sa kanya ni Dad ang ospital namin.
I spend a lot of time in the library to get away from people who make fun of me. I always like to read books of all kinds and genres. Thus, my brain is very knowledgeable even though I don't know anything about my past.
I once found myself in the Filipiñana section at the very end of the library. Then I saw this particular book hidden beneath the bookshelf. I picked it up off the floor and stared at it because, for some reason, it felt magical.
Hardbound ang cover nito at may disenyong papel na may sulat sa language na hindi ko maintindihan. Halatang pinaglumaan na ng panahon pero maayos pa ang kondisyon ng libro.
A slender leather knot was securely fastened around the book. The pages were already a little stiff and brittle when I unfastened it. I decided not to force it open for fear that I would break it.
May nakasulat sa unang pahina pero hindi ko ito mahinuha dahil malabo na at may mga buradong letra.
Habang sinusubukan kong intindihin ang mga words na nakasulat sa libro, bigla na lamang tumunog ang aking telepono na noo'y naka-one missed call ringtone pa. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang magulat.
Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman noon nang aking mabasa ang message ni Roanne sa akin. Magkahalong disappointment at relief?
Relief kasi namomroblema na rin si Roanne sa paghahanap niya ng partner sa history at ngayon ay nakahanap na siya. Disappointment kasi ako dapat ang magiging partner ng partner niya.
I was really possessive of my brother at the time. He was the first person I ever met, and he helped me out when I needed it. I also wasn't prepared to let him go just yet. I have no desire to lend him to anybody else.
Sandali ko pang tinitigan 'yng message bago i-back, i-off ang screen at ilagay sa bulsa ng aking uniporme.
It was not appropriate for me to feel insecure about my friend. Consequently, I swallowed my sadness and buried it in the emptiness.
My gaze fell on a book in my other hand.
At the time, I couldn't help but feel enthralled with it and want to delve deeper. Nevertheless, what I read made me feel miserable.
Tinamad na tuloy ako noong magbasa kahit na gusto kong malaman ang content ng libro. Ibinalik ko na lang ito sa aking pinagkuhanan at tinandaan kung nasaan ito para balikan na lamang sana sa susunod. Ngunit hindi ko na nagawa sapagkat naging abala na rin ako sa pag-aaral.
Sakto namang nag-alarm ang aking relo. Senyales na quarter-to-three na at malapit na ang susunod kong klase.
Regretfully, I would have to work double time because the library building is far from the building where my next class is.
I turned around right away, and to my surprise, there was someone behind me. That's how I ended up running into this specific person.
Hindi naman kalakasan ang pagkakabunggo ko sa kanya. Pero may konti akong naramdamang matigas, kaya medyo nasaktan ang aking noo.
"Sorry po, sir," paghingi ko agad ng pasensya sa kanya. Normally, wala masyadong pumupuntang estudyante sa parteng ito kung hindi mga professors lamang.
Kaya nag-assume ako na isa sa mga professor ng school ang nabunggo ko.
Nakayuko ako habang minamasahe ang aking noo noon kaya hindi ko nakita ang facial expression niya. Narinig ko lamang ang halikhik niya dahila para mapa-angat ako ng tingin.
Not a professor, but a young man who was a student just like me.
Mas matangkad siya ng anim na pulgada kaysa sa akin. May kahabaan ang messy hair niya na kulay metallic gray pa noon. Mahaba ang kanyang pilikmata na bumabagay sa may kasingkitan niyang mata. Maputi ang kanyang balat samantalang mapula-pula ang kanyang labi. Lumalabas ang mapuputi niyang ngipin tuwing ngumingiti.
To sum up it all, he is painstakingly handsome.
"A, sorry. Hindi mo kailangan mag-apologize dahil wala ka namang ginawang mali," nakangiting sabi niya sa akin habang hinahawakan ang kanyang batok matapos mapansin na siya lang ang tumatawa.
Gosh, even his voice is angelic.
"Sorry," 'yon na lang ang nasabi ko. Yeah, ever since I met him, he has captured my attention.
Ngumiti uli siya at mukhang pinipigilan ulit niya ang kanyang pagtawa.
"Nag-sorry ka na naman. That's cute you know," sabi niya bago tumalikod at nagsimulang maglakad.
Although it wasn't the first time, I was really taken aback when he called me adorable.
Nakakapitong hakbang na yata siya bago niya ako lingunin.
"Yuan Karlo, by the way," nakangiti niyang pagpapakilala bago sandaling kumaway at tumuloy nang maglakad.
That was the first time we met. Even before everyone knew who I was, Yuan was already well-liked.
He is an elite, they said, and his whole family has close ties to people in positions of great influence. Except from that, Yuan is an understated athlete and a true prodigy.
Muli kaming nagkita noong araw ding iyon. Parehas kaming pinatawag ng dean at may ipinag-utos sa amin.
"Kailangan ko po ba talagang samahan si Yuan?" alanganin kong tanong sa dean.
Hindi sa ayoko noon kay Yuan. Pero nai-imagine ko na kasi kapag may nakakita na magkasama kami. Alam ko, iba ang iisipin nila. At ayokong ma-issue.
"Bakit hindi, Miss Marqueza? Pero it is not up to me kung sasama ka or hindi. You should ask Mister Crisostomo," sagot ng dean.
Magrereklamo pa sana ako pero naunahan ako noon ni Yuan.
Acting pitiful, Yuan begged the dean, "I need Aria in my life, dean! Please don't take my joy away from me."
Hindi lang ako noon ang nanlaki ang mata sa narinig kung hindi pati na rin ang dean.
"Hindi ako updated na nasa intimate level of relationship na pala kayo. You both are an expert at hiding it," hindi makapaniwalang sabi ng dean bago ngumiti.
Tatanggi na sana ako sa sinabi niya pero nagpaalam na si Yuan at isinama ako palabas ng dean's office.
"Hindi rin ako updated na may ganoon tayong relationship. Care to explain?" Sabi ko kaagad kay Yuan pagkalabas namin.
Tumawa siya ng bahagya at nginitian ako.
"Now that we've met, it's official what we have," Yuan teased, then gave my cheek a small squeeze.
Nanlaki naman ang aking mata at sandali akong nanigas sa aking kinatatayuan noon.
"Yuan Karlo!" sita ko sa kanya nang makabawi ako ngunit tumawa lamang siya.
Natigil lamang kami sa bangayan nang may tumawag sa akin.
"Aria," tawag sa akin ni Kuya Levy. Gusto kong lumapit sa aking kapatid. Pero pinigilan ko ang aking sarili noon.
My brother solemnly looked at Yuan. Pero hindi niya 'yon alintana at lumapit pa sa akin.
"She is my partner, brother-in-law. May problema ba?" nakangiting tanong ni Yuan.
"I am not your brother-in-law," paglilinaw ng kapatid ko. Tumawa na naman si Yuan at inakbayan ako.
"Malapit na 'tol," singit niya pa.
Since then, palagi na kaming magkasama ni Yuan. Naging magkaibigan din sila nina Roanne at Kuya Levy. Although nagagalit ang kapatid ko kay Yuan tuwing nilalandi niya raw ako.
Yes, landi talaga ang term na ginagamit ng kapatid ko. Yuan is really a happy-go-lucky person, hyper at madalas ay tinatamaan ng kabaliwan. Pero matalino naman pagdating sa academics.
At tulad nga ng sinabi ko kanina, nang mapansin ng nakararami na palagi kaming magkasama ni Yuan, umugong ang maraming usap-usapan tungkol sa amin.
I continued to consider him a friend at the time. Up until our third year of college, when my brother was a student about to graduate.
I remember having lunch in the cafeteria one day with Yuan, Roanne, and myself. The rumours that Yuan and I were dating, as opposed to before, were more persistent by now.
When the three of us were together, Roanne starts to make fun of us and act like the third wheel. Due to his thesis work, Kuya Levy was rarely able to spend time with us.
Noong una ay hindi ako apektado sa panunuksong ginagawa nila kahit na mukhang nag-eenjoy naman doon si Yuan.
One day, though, I started to gradually pick up on the occasional trace of sadness in his smile. At nagsimula kong gustuhin na mapasaya siya upang mawala ang kalungkutang iyon sa pag-aakalang ito ang isa sa mga dapat gawin ng isang kaibigan.
Little by little as time went on, I slowly began to notice every single detail. My eyes were always searching for him, and I yearned for his attention.
Dumadagundong na ang puso ko tuwing 'nilalandi' niya ako, na dati'y kalmado lang naman.
Minsan siniseryoso ko na ang mga biro niya. Hindi ko alam kung kailan nagsimula pero ang pagiging magkaibigan namin, nagiging magka-ibigan na sa paningin ko noon.
My brother helped me gain insight because it was the first time I had ever felt that way. He wouldn't approve of my confession, I already knew that. That Kuya Levy would take such offence at my affections for Yuan, however, caught me off guard.
He refused to explain when I pressed him to. Only when I noticed that someone else was holding Yuan's hand instead of mine did I realise why.
Later on, I discovered that she is Yuan's fiancée, Bella. Prior to my arrival in their lives, she was already engaged to Yuan. The moment I learned Bella's true identity — that she is the daughter of our province's governor at the time — it really hurt me.
In the Philippines, the Crisostomo family is a highly esteemed family. We are not the same, so my mother told me to avoid Yuan. Our worlds aren't the same. Yuan is the son of the armed navy's fleet admiral. His family's position in politics would be greatly strengthened by this marriage.
Pero may kaya rin naman kami, hindi ba? Kaya ko at ng pamilya namin makipagsabayan sa pamilya ni Yuan. Pero lahat ng rason at panghihimok ko ay binalewala ng aking pamilya.
Before meeting me, Yuan had never been in love with a woman, so even though he didn't love Bella at all, he didn't dispute the engagement.
Then I understood why Yuan's eyes occasionally had sadness in them. He has a lot more responsibility than I could have ever imagined, and the pressure and expectations are too great.
I gambled on it. I want to be the one to put that real smile back on his face. I want Yuan to know that he can count on my support and that I am here for him.
Even though I knew we wouldn't be together, I still had plans to tell him how I felt. I didn't do it, though.
Seeing Yuan and Bella holding hands and grinning at each other at an event made me feel helpless. Bella seemed to slap the harsh truth of being Yuan's fiancée in my face.
I cut off contact with Yuan ever since. We would suffer together, I knew that. However, I wasn't even sure how Yuan saw me back then, so it didn't matter what I decided — we would still be hurt.
Hindi rin nagtagal at nakahalata na si Yuan. Palagi niya akong inaabangan at kinukulit para makausap pero tumatanggi ako. Hanggang isang araw, magkasama kami ni Kuya Levy.
Yuan called my name and yelled at us — no, he exclaimed. He said my name in a way that made my spine tingle. My heart was racing so quickly.
"Come back to me, Aria. Mahal kita!" sigaw ni Yuan.
Hindi niya pinansin ang mga ka-schoolmate naming pinagtitinginan na kami. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin at nagsusumamo ang mga mata niyang pakinggan ko siya.
"Kaluguran daka..." sabi pa niya uli.
When I heard him say "I love you," something in me snapped, and I walked forward to face Yuan. His heart was begging, thumping along at my own pace. But I was stopped by Kuya Levy.
I'm not sure what took place. I just noticed that Yuan had moved towards us, and it appeared as though Kuya Levy had struck him in the face.
"Ano bang problema mo, 'tol? Sa tingin mo ba hindi ko ramdam? Lalaki rin ako, Levius. Alam ko ang nararamdaman mo kaya pwede ba tigilan mo 'yang pagpapanggap mo bilang isang mabuting ka—"
Yuan was about to say something when Kuya Levy punched him once more. That was the darkest I had ever seen my brother.
Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko no'ng una. Pero nang may pumigil na sa kanila ay nagawa ko na ring humakbang at pigilan sila.
That wounded Yuan, I knew. Despite realising that we shared the same emotions, I still went ahead and hurt him.
Yuan did not appear with me over the next few days, despite the fact that our experiences are dispersed across the campus.
I was unaware that during those brief days, Yuan managed to win over the entire university to his cause.
Intramurals noon sa Ateneo, maraming events at gimik ang mga iba't ibang department.
Habang tumutugtog ang hit song ng One Direction na 'What Makes You Beautiful', may mga sumasayaw sa quadrangle na naka-panjama outfit.
Akin nang naisip na pakulo lang iyon ng dance troupe ng school dahil karamihan sa kanila ay mga kilala kong members ng club. Maya-maya biglang nakisali na rin sa pagsayaw 'yong mga naka-jersey na estudyante na nasa paligid namin.
What was going on was already suspected by me. There was a flash mob, it was evident. One particular man caught my attention — he was always in the middle of the act and his eyes were fixed on a woman.
Nasa side kasi kami nina Roanne at Kuya Levy kaya side view ang nakikita namin.
Nang matapos ang unang kanta ay tinugtog naman ng isang banda ang 'I'm Yours' ni Jason Mraz na malamang ay kasama rin sa flash mob.
Sumama na rin ang mga batang naandon din sa quadrangle na malamang ay sinadyang pumunta sa Ateneo.
Subalit natigilan ako dahil sa narinig. Pamilyar kasi ang vocalist no'ng banda. Napatayo ako noon sa aking kinauupuan at hinanap ng aking mga mata kung saan nanggagaling iyon.
And I was right.
Yuan was the one. He was singing and he was staring at me. It seemed as though he was singing the song to me rather than the soon-to-be couple.
♩♪ ˢᵒ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉˢⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ, ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ
ᴵᵗ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ
ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉ
ᴼᵘʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ⁱˢ ˢʰᵒʳᵗ
ᵀʰⁱˢ ⁱˢ ᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵗᵉ, ᴵ'ᵐ ʸᵒᵘʳˢ ♬♪
I'm not sure how long I stood there listening to him sing until the song ended. The dancers moved around and obscured my view.
Hindi ko namalayan na humahakbang na pala ako palapit sa mga nagsasayaw kung hindi pa ako pinigilan noon ni Kuya Levy.
"Saan ka pupunta, Aria?" nagtatakang tanong ng kapatid ko.
One song ended and another began, and I was unable to respond. The mood softened and turned romantic.
♬♩ ᴬⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ
ᴬⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉˢ ᵇʸ
ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ
ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ♪♬
All it was was a voice. I'm positive even though I didn't see his face.
Following the shuffling, the throng parted, exposing a man dressed in a lightweight costume resembling a cat. However, his gaze was fixed on me rather than the soon-to-be couple. For what reason?
Keep me from falling even more in love with you.
That was what was going through my mind at the time. For despite the romantic nature of the song he was singing, his outfit wasn't appropriate for a romantic setting.
Yuan, that's for sure. He alone is capable of such things.
♪♩ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉˢ
ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ, ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ
ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵒʷ ᵒˡᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ♩♬
Not at all... Never give me a smile. I was not the intended recipient of this. They were the intended audience for this, right?
'Yan ang paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isip ko noon.
The soon-to-be couple was already dancing in the crowd when I looked over at them. The attraction was on our side, not on them, as I suddenly realised.
Tumingin ako kay Yuan at para bang tulad sa mga romantikong palabas, nang magtama ang aming mga mata, tila bumagal ang oras at naglaho ang lahat ng tao sa paligid.
Nanatili kami ni Yuan sa lugar na iyon pagkatapos ng kanta. Ang bawat kalahok sa flash mob ay umikot sa paligid namin, naghihintay kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari.
Naintindihan ko na noon na para sa akin ang sopresa na 'yon. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso na ibig na yatang kumawala sa aking dibdib.
"Gusto kong tumanda kasama ka, Aria," nagsimulang magsalita si Yuan gamit ang microphone. Natugtog pa rin 'yong kanta pero instrumental na lamang.
"Give me a chance, please. You are my one and only... Kaluguran daka. Mahal kita at ramdam kong 'yon din ang sinasabi ng puso mo," nag-iinit na pag-amin niya.
With a smile, he walked over to me.
"I knew right away that you were the only person I could ever hope to find love with. Inaamin ko na nakalaan na para sa iba ang aking apelyido bago pa man kita makilala. Pero sa'yo lang tumibok nang husto ang puso ko. I want to present you to God and everyone as my wife and my one and only woman, and for that reason, I can and will give up everything to be with you. Can you..." he seemed scared to say the next few words, as evidenced by his pause.
"Could you answer "yes"? Aria, are you ready to return my love? It's okay to be honest with me about how you truly feel," at last, Yuan said. He smiled and held out his hand to me.
I was quietly watching my brother's opinion for two seconds. But he did nothing so I took that as a green light.
I moved forward by taking one step, then two, then three. I rushed over to give him a hug.
Yuan gave me an even tighter one and twirled me around, exclaiming, "Yes!", to which everyone cheered. He then giggled at me while placing a ring on my left ring finger.
"This is my mark, Aria. Ako ay sa'yo, walang makakaagaw nito sa puso mo. Kaluguran daka," Yuan mumbled before seizing hold of my lips. It was more ethereal this time, and it stoked our deepest desire for one another.
We both caught our breath, and I whispered back into Yuan's ear, "Gihigugma ko ikaw, moo."
° ° °
I thought at the time that our love had overcome the ultimate test of fate. But I was too innocent.
There is a bigger secret than I realized — something I assumed I had already figured out.
Dadaan muna ang ilang taon at mababalik ang ilang siglo bago ko ito malaman.
I am the lie after all.
∙∙·▫▫ ≍ ⋟⋟۵ ⋟⋟۵⋞⋞ ▫≼≽▫ ⋟⋟۵⋞⋞ ۵⋞⋞ ≍ ▫▫·∙∙
Updates will be on every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Ang kuwentong ito ay hindi pulido at maaaring makakita ng wrong spelling of words, wrong grammar in a sentence at typographical errors. Maaari akong itama sa bawat pagkakamaling makikita ninyo. Salamat sa pag-unawa.
Paalala na ang iba ay maaaring taliwas sa katotohanan. Sinasadya iyon ng manunulat dahil sa napakatinding rason.
彡Exrineance
𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘐╹𝘜𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬╻𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘦