“MARRYING MY EX'S UNCLE"

•••••••••••••• Anya stood at the altar, her heart a heavy weight in her chest. The white dress, the flowers, the smiling faces of her family and friends – it all felt like a cruel mockery of her shattered dreams. Just hours ago, she was supposed to be walking down the aisle to meet her happily ever after. Now, she was facing the crushing reality of her fiancé's betrayal. Mark, her fiancé for the past two years, had been her first love. They had met in college, fallen head over heels for each other, and built a life together, dreaming of a future filled with love and laughter. But just days come Mark had confessed to having feelings for another woman. "I don't love you, Anya and I won't marry you," he had said, his voice calm without even regretting it. "I fell for someone else. And I really don't love you and I am not marrying you now" sabi pa nito Hindi ko akalain na kaya niyang gawin sakin ito...parang panaginip lang ang lahat My world had shattered. I had been blindsided, heartbroken, and utterly betrayed. I tried to fight for our relationship, to convince Mark that we could work through this, but his mind was made up. He had chosen another woman. And now, here I was, standing at the altar, surrounded by the remnants of a wedding that would never be. Tears streamed down my face, blurring the faces of loved ones. I felt a deep sense of humiliation, a burning shame that threatened to consume me. Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. I looked up, startled, to see a man standing beside me. He was tall, with dark, piercing eyes and a strong jawline. He wore a suit that seemed to be tailored for his muscular frame, and a confident smirk played on his lips. "I'm so sorry, Anya," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. "It seems your day hasn't gone as planned." I was stared at him, my mind racing. I had never seen him before. Who was he? How did he know my name? "I'm Ethan," he continued, extending a hand. "Mark's uncle." My heart skipped a beat. Mark's uncle? I had never met Mark's family, and I couldn't believe that I was encountering his uncle at a time like this. "I saw you standing here, looking heartbroken," Ethan said, his voice soft. "I had to come and offer my condolences." I felt a surge of gratitude for his kindness. I shook his hand, her voice hoarse. "Thank you," I whispered. May uncle pala si Mark? Hindi ko alam iyon, hindi ko Naman kasi nakilala ang mga pamilya nila Ethan's gaze held me, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "You don't deserve to be treated like this," he said, his voice laced with sympathy. "Mark is a fool for letting you go." My heart ached at his words. I had been so focused on my own pain that I hadn't thought about the impact this would have on Mark's family. But Ethan's words were a balm to her wounded soul. "Thank you," I whispered again,my voice choked with emotion. "I'm here for you, Anya," Ethan said, his voice sincere. "If you need anything, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask." I felt a strange spark of hope ignite within me. I had never met Ethan before, but his kindness and his understanding were like a lifeline in the midst of her despair. As Ethan turned to leave, I felt a sudden urge to reach out to him, to tell him how much his words meant to me. But before I could, he was gone. I stood there, alone at the altar, my heart heavy with grief and my mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I had lost my fiancé, my dreams, and my faith in love. And as I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but wonder if why he comfort me, that's her nephew and I am nothing... Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko ba to, mahal ko si Mark pero bakit? Bakit nangyari ito sakin? Ano bang kulang sakin am I a trash? Dahil hindi man lang ako pinahalagahan Una mga magulang ko hindi ko nakilala at ang umampon naman sakin walang pakiaalam sakin paano na ako magsimula? I don't even know who I really am? Pero ng nakilala ko si Mark naging masaya naman ako pero di ko inaasahan to, nagloko siya sakin pero kanino? Napahagulgol nalang ako ng iyak dahil sa sakit na nadama ko ngayon... Agad akong umalis sa lugar na iyon at naglakad sa gilid ng kalsada at pumara ng taxi para magpahatid sa apartment ko... Nakauwi ako sa apartment na tinutuluyan ko ng walang gana, para akong isang lantang gulay Hinubad ko ang wedding gown ko dahil para akong sinasakal nito....nagbabad ako sa bathtub at isang Oras din bago ako umahon... I put a towel in my body and change a clothes when someone is knocking the door Who is that? I didn't expect a visitor today... Walang ano-ano ay binuksan ko ang pinto... I was shocked when I see my long time bestfriend Lindsay .... "Lindsay?" gulat kong sabi dahil biglaan naman yata niya Akong binisita "Oh but parang gulat ka? Di Ka yata masaya na nandito ako eh," sabi pa nito "Hindi naman, teka kailan ka lang nandito sa Pinas?" tanong ko nag baksyon kasi ito sa ibang bansa "I was stunned when I hear that your broken hearted now, tsaka kahapon palang Ako nakauwi, hindi Ka man lang nagsabi na ikakasal Ka na pala kaso nga lang," nahimigan ko rin Ang lungkot sa boses niya Ng Sabihin niya iyon "Ohhh I'm sorry, Anya," dagdag na sabi nito "No it's okay, ohh come in, Lin'' pagyaya ko sa kanya papasok... "Ohhh by the way I am here also to say that we have a party in my aunties house, birthday party iyon... birthday kasi ng uncle ko na asawa ng auntie ko so invite kita punta ka mamaya na yon, sabay nalang tayo" sabi nito hihindi pa sana ako pero para bang may nag udyok sakin na pumunata ako.. Hindi ko alam "Ahm, pero baka di ako welcome don?" tanging sagot ko nalang Kay Lindsay "Ohh come on your always there, ano ka ba kaibigan kita no dapat lang na isama kita ipakilala din kita sa kanilang auntie" excited niyang aniya Ngumuti nalang ako ng pilit sa kanya, ayuko sana pumunta dahil wala pa ako sa mood para mag party dahil sa nangyari, pero naisip ko rin na, opportunity ko rin to para makalimot... "Sige, pero-" Lindsay cut off my words "Ako na ang bahala sa damit mo okay?" dinugtungan niya na agad Wala kasi talaga akong ibang masuot dahil hindi naman marami ang damit ko nakatira nga lang Ako sa apartment dahil may trabaho din naman ako kahit papano pero Wala na akong budget para makapamili pa ng bagong gamit Dumating ang hapon at niyaya ako ni Lindsay mag shopping dahil bilhan niya raw ako ng damit....nahihiya na nga Ako sa kanya ehhh... Pero sabi lang niya na ok lng daw Siya na Ang bahala dahil parang Kapatid na din raw ang turing niya sa akin magkasing edad lang kami ni Lindsay pero subrang bait niya sakin...Ang gaan din naman Ng loob ko sa kanya... "Lindsay ang dami naman nitong pinamili mo para sakin?" gulat kong sabi dahil talagang Ang Dami niyang pinili at pina pack na nga niya "Don't worry, bagay yan sayo lahat kaya nga binili ko ehh..." sagot lang niya "Pero nakakahiya namn Sayo, gumastos ka pa hayaan mo utang ko to babayaran ko to pag nagkapera na Ako" sabi ko naman pero masayadong malaki to dahil Ang mahal ng mga ito "Ano ka ba naman hayaan mo na Ako, okay? Minsan lang naman to eh tsaka it's my pleasure to make you happy, namiss kaya kita" sabi nito ng nakangiti.. "Sige na nga, salamat talaga Lin" sabi ko nlng "No worries let's go, magpaparlor tayo, Tara" bigla nalng niya Akong hinila pagkatapos niyang bayaran ang cashier "Ano? Gastos lang yon" sabi ko naman "Anong gastos Ako bahala Sayo...Tara na, Hindi ito gastos dahil doon tayo sa pagmamay-ari ng auntie ko libre lang yon" sabi nito naku nakakahiya na to "Pero nakakahiya naman sa auntie mo" sabi ko pero ngumuti lang ito "Mabait naman Yun si auntie Arra eh, tsaka ok lng yun..." sabi pa nito at hinila na Ako Wala akong nagawa dahil Hindi niya talaga binitawan ang pagkahawak sakin... Sumakay kami sa sasakyan niya at agad nmn niya itong pinaharurot at ilang sandali lang nakarating kami sa sinasabi niya... Ang laki namn nito sigurado akong ang daming trabahante dito... Mayaman naman kasi talaga sila Lindsay Pumasok kami sa loob at agad namn kaming binati ng mga workers dito lalo na si Lindsay dahil kilala na siya rito