CHAPTER 1
Cheska’s Point of View
When Kaye pointed out my period date, my subconscious is in turmoil. Hindi pa nakatutulong ang laging pagtitig ni Ace.
My friends call him Big Brother because he sees everything. Walang nakakaligtas sa kanya. So ngayon, ninenerbyos ako. Ano ang mangyayari kung may nabuo noong gabing ‘yon?
Ang ganda ng kasal ni Lise. And what Renz did? Wow… As in wow.
I can’t believe he asked for Lise’s hand way back when they were young. And he recordered it. That is a hell of a proposal.
Umiiyak kaming lahat pagbukas ng ilaw. Buti na lang waterproof ang eyeliners at mascara.
“Kung hindi pa love ‘yan, ewan ko na lang,” Trisha commented.
“That proposal defied the time. Na-in love yata ako nang kaunti kay Renz ah,” Diane commented while dabbing her eyes.
“That proposal erased his assholeness before. Hands up to that,” Sam said. “Wow.”
“I thought Red is already sweet but darn, Renz went for the kill. Ten over ten, I say.” Marie dried her cheeks that was wet because of her tears. Cailee is looking at us like we were crazy.
“Now, Cailee. Find someone like that, okay? You have your yardstick of good men in your life. Don’t settle for anything less,” I told Cailee as if the kid understands me.
The wedding is so beautiful that it hurts.
Party went on and on until midnight and I am already sleepy. My body is tired, but my spirit is still high. Kaye gave me non-alcoholic drink. No alcohol until we test. She said we… she insisted to be with me.
“Uy, Cheska. Parang ikaw lang hindi nalalasing, ah,” Sam commented on me. They are tipsy and loud.
“Si Cheska pa?” Lise said. Inabutan ako ni Lise ng isang shot ng tequila. Nagkatinginan kami ni Kaye.
“Pagod na talaga ako, Lise. Mauna na ako sa inyo, ah,” Paalam ko.
“Grabe naman. Kasal ko ngayon, pagbigyan mo na ako, Cheska.” Tinitigan ako ni Kaye.
Huwag mong iinumin.
Iyon ang sabi ng panlalaki ng mata ni Kaye. Nilagay ni Lise ang shot glass sa kamay ko.
“Akin na lang ‘yan,” Kaye said. Akmang kukuhanin niya ang shot glass sa akin nang harangin siya ni Lise.
“Next ka. Next,” Pagbabawal ni Lise.
Ano ang gagawin ko?
Kinuha ni Lise ang pipino na kanina niya pa ginagawang pulutan.
Okay naman ako sa pipino. Kinakain ko naman siya sa salad. Pero noong maamoy ko ‘yon, biglang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko. I tried to suppress my vomit.
“Uy, Cheska.” Binaba ni Lise ang pipino malapit sa akin.
“Okay lang.” Nakatakip pa rin ang ilong at bibig ko.
“Namumutla ka, eh.” Nadinig ng mga kaibigan ko ang sinabi ni Lise at agad akong nilapitan.
“Anong nangyari?” Tanong ni Tristan. “Give her some space,” Utos nito.
“Cheska?” I heard Tristan.
Nahihilo ako. Nasusuka ako. Nahihilo… Mabubuwal ako.
At nawalan ako ng malay.
