It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 51

51

Anastasia Elissa is still as beautiful as the day that I met her when we were kids. Ngunit nawala ang lahat ng kasiyahan sa puso ko nang makita ang magkakahalong gulat, sakit, at galit sa mga mata niya. At ngayon, hindi ko alam kung maaasahan ko pa ang inaasahan kong kahit kaonting pagmamahal niya para tumuloy siya sa akin.

"How can you do this to me?" Mahina niyang sabi. "Bakit ikaw?"

"Bakit hindi ako?"

I can't erase the bitterness in my voice. Talaga nga atang si Atlas ang gusto niyang makaharap sa altar.

"You are not my fiancé.."

"Yeah.." I whispered. "But I am your end game."

"Stupid plan. I don't want you to be my husband."

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay niya. Mahigpit at ayaw nang bumitiw. I might be the worst person in her life right now, but I want her to give me a chance.

Gusto kong umulit. Gusto kong gawin ulit ang bagay na akala ng lahat ay pagkakamali. Dahil kahit na kailan ay hindi ko pagkakamali si Anastasia.

"I want you to be my wife.." I said. "You're the only one I want."

I felt her froze. I didn't let go of her hand as the pastor continued speaking. Pangarap ko ito noon. Ngayon na nangyayari na ay hindi ko naman magawang maging masaya.

"Let your love and friendship guide you, as you learn and grow together. Experience the wonders of the world, even as patience and wisdom calm the restless nature. Through your new partnership, may you triumph over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you always find a safe place to call home.."

A safe place to call home..

She has always been my home. Mula noon, hanggang ngayon.

"I'll be your days and nights when you need them filled, your spark of life in the darkness, your hope when you're down and out.."

I looked straight into her eyes. Gusto kong malaman niya na kung para sa kaniya ay sa papel lang ang lahat, akin ay hindi. I married her today because I love her. I married her because I can't see myself with anyone else. I married her because I am committed to her, with the hopes that she is too.

"I will love you 'til the end of time.."

Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang nakikita kong mayroong mga luha sa mata niya. I don't want to imagine things but it looked real. Nang tumulo ang mga iyon ay nabasag ang puso ko. Marrying me is the saddest day of her life.

"Please, save this night for your rest. You can be mad at me tomorrow morning. You can shout and slap me.." I forced a smile. "Just not tonight, Asia. Alam kong pagod ka.."

Natahimik siya saka nagpatuloy sa panonood sa mga nagsasayaw. I painfully smiled when I remembered how long to has been since our last dance. Sino na ba ang kasayaw niya simula nang mawala ako?

"Bastos ka!" She screamed. "Why are you here!? Damn you! Jerk! Manyak ka!"

My eyes widened when I saw her hugging her chest. Halos sumabog ang galit ko at agad na hinila ang roba niya.

Why is she like that?! Balak niya ba ang pahirapan ngayong gabi?!

"Anastasia!" I shouted. "Ayusin mo ang roba mo!"

"Ang kapal mo! Bakit ka naririto?!" She shouted back. "This is my villa!"

Nagmamadali ko siyang tinalikuran saka ipinikit nang mariin ang mga mata ko. Damn it!