His Last Words
995 Words
Chapter 4
Upon Prim's awakening, it was already three in the afternoon. Swiftly, she readied herself. She adorned a white maxi dress paired with beige, backless designer loafers, aligning perfectly with the garden-themed party her mom had organized. She grabbed her rattan sling bag, placing her essential touch-up items for her light makeup.
As she gazed into the mirror, a smile graced her lips. White attire seemed to accentuate her, enhancing her glowing skin. It was a newfound radiance, a sense of rejuvenation reflected in her appearance.
She drove to her parents' place, opting to give Abi the day off, knowing they had a taping later. A quick text to Abi disclosing her whereabouts ensured someone was informed in case of an emergency. Before leaving, Abi teasingly called, mentioning Ian.
Arriving at her parents' home, a peculiar happiness enveloped her. Even from a distance, she could hear her mom's guests - mahjong buddies and golf companions of her dad.
"Primrose!" Her mother's voice echoed as she exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention towards her. "You made it!"
Primrose nodded, smiling. Of course, she had to be there, or else she'd risk another year of being ignored by her family while they continued their meddling ways.
"Yeah. Happy birthday. Where’s Lola?" Her question went unanswered as her mom diverted, inquiring about her company.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but no, he’s not here."
Naturally, she fabricated the existence of a boyfriend to deter her family from introducing her to the offspring of their acquaintances, avoiding their intrusive matchmaking.
"When will you introduce him to us, Primrose? You’ve been dating this guy for a while now," her mom queried, her English unnaturally stiff due to her recent personal English tutoring.
At 26, Primrose never imagined finding love. She abhorred the idea of commitment, preferring the freedom from being devoted to one person.
But her world shifted upon spotting a familiar figure golfing with her father. Uncertain if it was a mirage, she approached and, recognizing the sweet man who had occupied her thoughts, saw surprise in his eyes upon spotting her.
With an unusual appearance - thick glasses, shorter hair, clad in a plaid polo with a tee underneath - starkly different from Ian, who she woke up beside at his condo that morning.
"Ian, why are you... here?"
Before Ian could respond, her mom interjected. "Do you know my daughter, Professor Gian?" Primrose momentarily froze under the man's gaze.
“Professor Gian?” Primrose shot Ian a puzzled look.
“I’m a teacher…”
“So you’re working...”
“My friend recommended Prof. Gian for my language learning sessions, dear.” Prim nodded in agreement.
For reasons unknown, she felt an unexpected connection with the man. It was a first, feeling no hesitation. Primrose smiled, forming a sudden plan.
"Actually... he’s my boyfriend, Ma." She approached Ian, linking her arm with his, prompting widened eyes from Ian.
“Woah. Is this true, Prof?!” Her mom was ecstatic.
“Uh… yes.”
Suddenly, they were seated at the dinner table, her mom enthusiastically discussing various topics with Ian.
She despised this facade. Her mom behaving as though she had been there during her childhood when, in reality, Primrose had been alone. Now, they acted as if they cherished their only child, now that she could thrive on her own.
After enduring an hour of her parents' conversation, Prim managed to excuse herself for some alone time, eager to uncover the mystery between Gian and Ian's identities.
"Hey…" Prim called out as they walked through her parents' mini-golf range.
"What’s with the Gian and Ian identity?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Unfortunately, your boyfriend is Gian and not Ian. Do you want me to answer as Gian or Ian Letran?" Gian replied, evoking laughter from Primrose.
"Are you serious?" Gian shrugged and chuckled.
"Ian is my twin. I don’t live with them," he revealed, leaving Primrose stunned.
"No way!"
"Yeah. You know Ian. He wouldn't wear my style," Gian explained, leaving Primrose speechless.
"I'm sorry…"
"No worries. I had a great time chatting with your family."
"Well, I didn't," Prim admitted with a hint of remorse.
"You're lucky to still have them around," Gian remarked seriously.
"Is it okay if I ask why you don't live with them?" Primrose inquired.
"Well, since my girlfriend asked," Gian quipped, eliciting laughter from both of them, "As much as I don't want to hate them, I do."
They sat on a bench, sharing a moment of silence, an unspoken understanding settling between them.
Soon after, Prim's phone lit up with a message from Ian.
“Are you close with Ian?” Gian asked upon seeing Ian's name on Prim's phone.
“We just happened to meet.” Prim leaned back on the bench, glancing at Ian's message.
"Do you like him? I heard from your Mom you never liked someone before." Gian inquired.
“Maybe… maybe I’m starting to like him…”
"You have no idea, huh?" Prim looked at Gian, curious.
"About?" Prim replied, raising an eyebrow.
"About my twin," Gian added, intrigue evident in his tone.
"What about him?" Prim asked, feigning ignorance but with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
Soon after, she noticed an unfamiliar car entering their driveway. She prepared to approach when Gian abruptly cautioned her.
“Be careful, Prim. He’ll ruin you.”
That was the last warning from Gian before disappearing one July night in 2022.
He never showed up for tutoring sessions again and recommended a new tutor to his mom.
Prim glanced at her phone's lock screen, a silhouette picture of her and Ian by the beach. It was already March, almost a month since she read Tristan's message to her boyfriend.
“You look gorgeous as always…” a man in a gray tuxedo greeted her.
Before her stood Miguel Eros Bueno, the man who still harbored feelings for her, willing to lend support no matter what, when, and how.
- Writer
