August Misalliance

Prologue

“Happy birthday, Miss... Rowe.” Napalingon ako sa likod nang marinig ko ang malumanay na bati na iyon. Even though her voice was far from being sorry, it still sounded remorseful. And because it was my birthday, I tried to smile and say thank you but… Her face, her hair, her presence and everything – They all disgust me. They bring back unwanted memories.  Every damn time. All I feel is disgust, hatred, and envy. Everything she did to my family starts to crawl back and my eyes start to tear up again.

“Nasaan na ang birthday girl?!” Umatras ang luha ko nang marinig ko ang boses ng kaibigan kong si Rafael, my gay best friend. Hindi ko na inantay pa na makita niya ang babaeng kaharap ko dahil panigurado ko na kung ano-anong maaanghang na mga salita na naman ang lalabas sa bibig niya. It’s my birthday, I want to, at least, fill this day with positivity.

Nakangiti ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap. Ang mga luhang akala kong umatras na kanina ay nagbalik. Hindi dahil sa pagdating ni Raf kung ‘di ay dahil pa rin sa babaeng iyon. This wound will never heal again. All I can do is learn to live with it. And can you blame me if I haven’t figured out how to live with it yet? No. That will come in time.

I hugged Raf as tears start to fall down my cheeks. I pretended like those tears were tears of joy. But honestly, they were not. And Raf, being a close friend of mine, knew I was pained as I hugged him. “Ay nako, drama queen naman this girl! Dumating lang ako e!” Hirit niya para mapatawa ako. At natawa naman ako. I let go of our hug and wiped my tears, hoping that my make-up won’t be smudged.

Sa likod niya naman ay sina Allan, Greg, Rijane, at Trina – My closest friends / Officemates / Batchmates / Former Schoolmates. Yes, I’ve known them since high school. We went to the same high school, the same college, the same graduate school, and now, work under the same company. Only that I am their boss. Isa-isa ko silang niyakap nang mahigpit at kinuha ang kanilang mga regalo.

“Ano ‘to, Rij?!” Bulagtas ko nang abutan ako ni Rijane ng malaking paper bag ng Louis Vuitton. Alam kong big time siya pero hindi ko inasahan na ganito kamahal ang ireregalo niya sa akin. Nilakihan niya lang ako ng mata at saka natawa. “Gift at piece offering na rin.” Nauna na sa loob sina Raf at kami nalang ni Rij ang nasa labas. Kaya naglakad na rin kami papasok. Tumango ako sa sagot niya at napatigil sa paglalakad. “Huh? Piece offering? Bakit?”  Inalala ko kung may isang beses na bang nag away kami nitong huli mga buwan. Wala naman, ang huling away naming ay noong…

“Kasi hindi kita nasamahan noon kay… attorney.” Oh, right. I remember that time, I was really angry and frustrated that she stood me up when we were bound to meet with attorney Cuevas. Our smiles faded upon her mention of the word ‘attorney’.  Those times were my lowest points yet in my 43 years of life. I smiled again and looked at her to see her tearing up. I hate this. Naluha na rin ako dahil naluluha na siya.

“Ano ba! Masisira make-up ko ‘e!” Pabiro kong reklamo sa kaniya. Bahagya kong pinunasan ang luha ko at saka hinila na siya papasok sa loob. Okay na iyon. I want to temporarily forget about that phase in my life where I was on the verge of putting an end to my lifeline. I want to move on pero gaya nga ng lagi kong sinasabi, things will come in time. I’m already in the process of moving forward, anyways.

We went inside and parted ways as I placed her gift on the table. This party was unexpected, everything was, even her presence. Excluding her, this party is a gift from my company since I’ve been working for them since the moment I graduated from graduate school.

“But before this party, dedicated to… Soon-to-be-Mrs-again, starts!—“ Confusion took over me when I heard the opening. My officemates also gave me shocked expressions,  stares, and smiles which I reciprocated since I didn’t have any idea either about what the emcee was saying.

“I’d like to welcome a guess…” The lights went down for a couple of seconds and then lit up again with someone in front of me, on his knees, carrying a red box with a ring inside.

And the party began.

Author's Note:

Hi! I'd like to thank you for supporting me and my work by reading this chapter. May God Bless you.