Trapped ✔ (Alpha Sigma Omicron #1)

1. Secrets Revealed

CHAPTER ONE

I looked at the ring with so much happiness as I recalled the night I said yes to Dylan. Para pa rin akong nasa alapaap sa tuwing naalala ko kung paano akong na-surpresa at umiyak habang nakaluhod siya sa harapan ko hawak ang singsing ng kaligayahan.

It was just a simple dinner but it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. Heto nga't magiging Mrs. Dylan Aiden Carter na ako. Ang sarap sa feeling!

Aramis Eduardo-Carter. Hm-hm. Isn't it beautiful?

When I was a kid, I was often asked what I wanted to be for my future self. Unlike the other kids, iba ang madalas kong sagot. I didn't want to be a teacher, nor any other professional in the field.

Simple lang ang gusto ko, gusto kong mag-asawa at magkaroon ng anak. Because I wanted a family so much. Pamilyang totoong kabilang ako. I was lacking of that so-called family growing up.

Madalas ko iyong hanapin noon. But then, I realized, some things, if they didn't want to be found, they would stay hidden.

Dylan came along in the picture of my boring life. With him, the dream I had years ago was slowly becoming into reality. Hindi lang basta siya sumulpot sa buhay ko, what mattered the most, he stayed with me after all those years. May pangako pa siyang kasal. I was just so happy. Ito ang pangarap ko kahit sabihin pang shallow. This is what I wanted ever since I was young.

Perfect boyfriend si Dylan. Sa limang taon naming pagsasama, hindi niya ako pinaiyak sa frustration o kahit anong kagaguhan. He made me feel so loved and cared for. He was a prince charming in every girl's dream – iyong tipong wala na akong hahanapin pa.

Siguro mayroon akong nagawang magandang bagay sa past life ko, kaya naman biniyayaan ako ng caring, sweet, faithful and perfect boyfriend sa present time. Hindi naman ako kagandahan pero ang haba ng hair ko, rejoice kasi ang shampoo ko.

Masaya akong ikakasal kay Dylan. But the process of this whole wedding thing was somehow frustrating. Ang dami palang isipin sa kasal. Dylan insisted to hire a wedding planner pero hindi ko tinanggap.

Maling-mali na hindi ko iyon tinanggap. Kasama sa pangarap ko noon ang magplano ng sariling kasal. Gusto kong ako ang kikilos at masusunod para sa pinaka-espesyal na araw ng buhay namin ni Dylan. Hinayaan niya ako sa gusto ko.

Isa pa, ang laki ng gastos. Alright, mayaman sila Dylan. I also have a job that supports me – at least I have a decent salary, pero to be practical, hindi naman kailangan ng bonggang kasal. Kahit civil wedding, okay lang sa akin.

Hindi ako mapaghanap, ang gusto ko lang ay maikasal sa kanya. What I prioritize the most, what comes after the wedding. Ayoko naman ng grandiyosong kasal pero maghihirap naman kami pagkatapos o mabaon sa utang. Ang diyahe!

Binuklat ko pa ang ilang pahina ng brochure pero wala pa rin akong magustuhang gown. I hate it, pakiramdam ko walang gown na pupwede sa'kin. The gowns are all perfect – they are too perfect, to the point na hindi sila babagay sa akin.

I want something conservative yet sophisticated cut of gown. Nag-set ako ng appointment sa isang kilalang designer, I'll visit her place in Ayala, Makati – she's making a name in the fashion industry and she's the sister of my best friend, Rainbow – they were not in good terms but I like her creations. Wala namang masamang maging casual sa isa't isa. It's not my story to tell.

"What's with the frown?" I almost jumped out of my seat.

Napatigil ako sa pagbubuklat ng brochure at hinarap ang bagong dating. She surprised me. "You seemed frustrated. Anong atin?" Xiana smiled at me as she pulled the chair.