The Unwanted Engagement

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Perez!"

Kaliwa't kanang bati ang natanggap namin ni Markus nang dumako kami sa reception matapos ang kasal. Napuno ng saya at galak ang paligid namin. It was obvious that everyone is happy about this event---except me and Markus.

For the whole time, Markus and I just sat beside each other, we'll only talk if we are required to---but if not, he'll just remain his silence. Bihira lang din sya ngumiti. Kung tutuusin, mukha kaming hindi bagong kasal dahil sa ekspresyon na nananatili sa aming mga mukha. Hindi ko alam kung magaling lamang ba talaga kaming magtago ng totoo o talagang wala ng panahon pa ang ibang tao na punahin kaming dalawa dahil abala ang mga ito sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kakilala.

But no matter the reason was---the fact that Markus kept on ignoring my presence bothered me. Ilang beses akong nagtangkang kausapin ang binata---tulad ng eksena ng engagement party ngunit nanatili itong ilag. Halata sa awra nito na wala itong balak na kausapin ako. It pains me so much to find him ignoring me and keeping his distance. Mabigat sa dibdib lalo't nasanay ako na malapit kaming dalawa.

"Picture for the newly weds," The voice of our hired photographer caught my attention. The man is already standing in front of our table holding his camera, waiting for us to strike a pose. I gulped before turning my head at Markus' s direction, but even before I can finish turning, I felt someone's hand on my waist---encircling it. Nang sundan ng mata ko iyon, namataan 'kong kamay iyon ni Markus, akin 'ring napuna ang mabilis na pag-liit ng distansya naming dalawa. Inangatan ko siya ng tingin at natagpuan ko siyang nakatingin din sa akin habang may pekeng ngiti sa labi. "Time for a pose," He uttered lightly before nodding his head, as if telling me to go on.

Sa halip na makaramdam ng tuwa dahil sa pakikipag-usap nito sakin, kabaliktaran niyon ang naramdaman ko. The truth that he's just pretending to be okay because there are people looking at us makes my heart hurt. Talaga 'bang ganon katindi ang galit na nararamdaman nya para sakin na kaya 'niyang kalimutan ang pinagsamahan naming dalawa? Na kaya niyang balewalain ang pagkakaibigan namin?

Di na ba namin maibabalik 'yung dating kami?

I didn't know that I've been staring at him for a minute already. Basta ay nakita 'kong nagbago bigla ang emosyon ng kanyang mata, parang bigla iyong napuno ng pait. Pait para sa akin.

"Look at the camera and let's get this over," mahinang bulong niya sa akin bago binalik ang puno ng pagpapanggap na reaksyon ng kanyang mukha at humarap sa photographer na nasa harapan. Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi ang mapa-tikhim na lamang at pilit na magpakawala ng plastic na ngiti.

The photographer immediately took several photos of us, and when it was about to end, a sudden clinking of glasses resurfaced, followed by the audience's unified requests.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

My eyes widened upon understanding what they're requests. They wanted to see us kiss in front of them. Ang ganap lang kasi sa simbahan kanina ay nagawa naming daanin sa anggulo ang 'kissing the bride' part. Hindi naman napuna ng lahat na hindi talaga nagtama ang labi naming dalawa ni Markus, siguro dahil na rin sa excited na ang lahat kaya't hindi na nila pa iyon nabigyan ng importansya.

Pero ngayon...

Napalingon ako kay Markus. I found him closing his eyes hardly, as if trying his best to stay compose and calm. Its obvious that he's already at his limit. Dahil duon ay muli akong napalunok bago nilibot ng tingin ang paligid. Halos lahat ng bisita ay nakatingin sa akin, nakataas ang mga hawak nitong wine glass at patuloy iyong pinapatunog. Alam 'kong hindi sila titigil hangga't hindi nila nakukuha ang gusto nila. Eventhough its also against my will, I need to do something to stop them. Walang ibang paraan. Wala kaming magagawa.

With that thinking, I laid my eyes back at Markus before taking a heavy deep breath. I composed myself before leaning closer to him, pulling a part his tie and closed my eyes as my lips slowly descended to his'.

Unti-unting dumampi ang labi ko sa kanya kasabay ng malakas na t***k ng puso ko. I know that Markus won't like this, but we doesn't have a choice. Everyone is looking! We can't just ignore their bid.

Nanatiling nakadikit ang labi ko habang mariing nakapikit. I can feel the shock that Markus has felt after what I did. His body went rigid, and his lips remained closed. Hindi ko magawang imulat ang mata ko upang silipin ang reaksyon ng lalaki, lalo na't sigurado akong hindi ko naman iyon magugustuhan.

The loud applauses and cheers from the people around us woke me up and made me pull away from the kiss. Duon ko binuksan ang aking mata, at saglit na sinulyapan si Markus na natagpuan 'kong titig sa akin. Seryoso ang emosyon na nakita ko sa kanyang mata, ngunit may kahalo iyong kakaiba. Hindi ko mabasa. Nang hindi ko na matiis ang kakaibang titig nya sa akin ay nagpasya na akong ibaling ang atensyon sa mga nakapaligid sa amin.

Everyone has a smile on their faces, some of them we're giggling like crazy, while the others kept talking while showing off their phone's screen. I think they captured our kiss.

My fingers we're trembling as I sat on my chair. I took my wine glass and drink it bottoms up, hoping that the wine will calm my nerves.

I just kissed him! I kissed Markus! That's a first.

I gulped.

Somehow, I feel like the feelings I was hiding for years suddenly showed up. It suddenly resurfaced.

And I am aware that this feeling shouldn't be tolerated. This feelings should be kept,and stay hidden. Pag hindi ko ito napigilan, tiyak na ako lang din ang masasaktan.

Binalingan ko ng tingin si Markus at natagpuan ko itong umiinom ng champagne. Even though his face is emotionless, I can still sense his anger...his raging anger. Maybe...he's now worried about Kate's feelings If she sees the picture of the kiss.

Kate will surely get devastated.

I sighed heavily before looking down.

You just made everything more awkward, Eliza. s**t.

***

"Markus..."

"Stop."

My heart felt terribly in pain when Markus immediately cut my words. Pangalan nya pa lang ang nababanggit ko, ngunit pinigilan nya na. We're now inside the bridal car, on the way to the airport for our honeymoon. His parent's gift is a trip to Boracay, and the flight is scheduled tonight kaya't duon na kami papunta.

And since we are alone, I thought that its alright for us to talk---talk about what I did earlier, and talk about us---our friendship. But it was obvious that his anger towards me is too high. He cannot even try to listen to me---to my explanation. Ang bigat sa dibdib, pero wala naman akong magawa rather than to wait. To wait for him to finally accept our situation, and slowly heal.

Hindi ako susuko, at patuloy akong aasa na darating ang araw na magiging maayos kami ulit.

"Stop the car in front of that hotel," Markus words pertaining to our driver. Napatingin ako sa tinuro nitong hotel. Its a huge and expensive one. Pero, anong gagawin namin sa hotel? We should be at the airport at exactly 7 pm.

The driver stopped the car right in front of the entrance of the said hotel, and Markus immediately open the door on his side. Wala siyang imik. Mabilis ko namang hinawakan ang pulsuhan nya upang pigilan ito sa paglabas. Markus stopped because of my hold. "Anong gagawin natin dito? Hindi naman tayo---"

"I will stay here." He said coldly before pushing my hands away and get out of the car. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko sa sinabi nya, at nang matauhan ay nagmamadali akong lumabas ng sasakyan. Natagpuan ko naman siya na kasalukuyang kinukuha ang gamit nya sa trunk ng kotse. "Markus, we are tend to go to Boracay tonight. Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila Tita Mel kapag nalaman nila na nandito ka lang at hindi tayo magkasamang dalawa. We are still married even if we didn't want this---"

"Hindi nila malalaman kung hindi mo sasabihin," He butt in while giving me a cold stare. "Enjoy your self with that vacation, and I will enjoy myself here." aniya, bago tuluyang nilabas ang mga gamit, at nang mailabas na lahat ay agad itong naglakad at nilampasan ako. Nang sundan ko ito ng tingin ay tinatahak na nito ang papuntang entrance ng hotel.

Ramdam ko ang paninikip ng dibdib ko. There are people around us. They're looking at me, probably think why a bride like me is being left by my groom. Tears started forming on the corner of my eyes but it didn't stop me from rushing towards Markus and once again, held his wrist.

"Markus don't...please..." I uttered. My voice is soft, and it was a word of plead. This is the first night of us being a married couple, this day is the date of our wedding, and I want to remember it as if we are okay and we understands each other. Pilit 'kong papaniwalain ang sarili ko, na kahit ngayong araw lang na ito, makakaya naming magkasamang dalawa.

Markus was rigid, but he managed to make me let go his hand. Then without a word, he started walking away. Duon tuluyang naglaglagan ang luhang kanina pa nasa aking mata. Despite my pleading...he chose to ignore it. Ilang segundo din akong halos natulos sa kinatatayuan bago ko naisipang lumingon at maglakad palapit sa hotel entrance. Alam 'kong sobra ko ng pinagmu-mukhang tanga ang sarili ko, pero hindi ko susukuan si Markus.

I entered the hotel and I immediately caught the attentions of everyone that immediately showed curiousity and questions in their eyes. Some of them even scanned my whole outfit. However, my eyes immediately landed on the elevator. And there, I saw Markus...hugging Kate before they went inside the elevator together.

And for the second time this night,I felt horrible and pained for myself.