Forbidden Pleasure

Chapter 2

"Even though we were never supposed to be together, I can't be with anyone else, no matter the consequences."
— Nicole Gulla

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CHAPTER 2

Nanatili ako sa aking kinatatayuan. As a maid of honor, I need to stay within arm's reach of the bride. Baka sakaling may kinakailangan kagaya ng tissue, body pin and iba pa.

After saying their vows, lumapit ang isang batang lalaki dala ang unan na pinaglagyan ng wedding ring. Agad naman akong humakbang palapit at tinanggap ang unan na hugis puso. Inabot din sa 'kin ni Ate ang kanyang bouquet.

Kinuha ni Isaiah ang singsing. I choose to look away. Ayokong magtagpo ang paningin naming dalawa. Seeing him would only take me back to my past, and I don't like it.

Humarap sila sa isa't-isa. My sister is smiling while Isaiah isn't. Blanko ang mukha nito at walang emosyon ang mababakas sa kanyang mga mata. 'Di ba dapat ay masaya siya sa araw na 'to?

"Though we have heard the vows, which have shared by the bride and groom, words, once spoken, are carried away on the wind. Therefore, the wedding ring is a visible symbol of the promises that have been made."

Kinuha ni Isaiah ang kanang kamay ni Ate Resha. He placed the ring on my sister's finger. "Resha, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. That I will love you today, tomorrow, and forever."

Like what you're seeing, Sam? Dahil sa kalandian mo, nahulog ka sa maling tao. You can't just blame the alcohol for losing your hymen. It's your fault. I thought.

Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Ate. Kinuha niya ang singsing sa unan at sinuot kay Isaiah. I took my step back to my place and watched them.

Sabay na nagpalakpakan ang lahat nang maglapat ang mga labi nila. I forced myself to smile and clapped my hands as I shouted 'congratulations'.

Tinawag ang maid of honor at best man para pumirma sa marriage contract as witnesses. Lumapit naman kami ni Bryle.

Matapos ng pirmahan ay nagdesisyon silang kumuha ng litrato. I forced myself to smile and nodded my head.

Pumwesto kami sa malaking flatform ng simbahan kasama ang mga magulang ko at mga tita at tito ni Isaiah. Nakakapagtakang wala ang parents nito. They should be here, right? I mean, they are the groom's parents, they should be here.

"Stop frowning, Sam. We're taking a picture. Smile," mahinang sita sa akin ni Mommy.

Tumikhim ako bago ngumiti sa camera. The cameraman counted 1 to 3 and the camera flashed. Gustuhin ko mang ipikit ang aking mata dahil sa pagkasilaw, ngunit pinigilan ko 'yun. Nasasanay naman akong indahin ang silaw ng mga flash ng camera dahil nga sa dati akong model. During booksigning din sa labas ng bansa, 'di maiiwasan ang mga nakakasilaw ma flashes ng camera na nakakairita

"Sam!" Ate called me. "Let's take a picture together."

Napilitan akong ngumiti at hinawakan ang aking gown upang maglakad. Pumagilid naman sila mommy at si daddy ay inalalayan ako para makalapit sa puwesto ni ate. I saw Isaiah took a step back. Nginitian ko naman ito bago ako nakalapit nang tuluyan kay ate.

She immediately wrapped her right arm on my waist. She smiled towards the camera, and so do I. Pinilit kong paabutin ang ngiti sa aking mga mata. I'm good at faking it.

"Complete family naman!" my sister exclaimed.

Mahina akong natawa sa pagiging hyper ni Ate. Nakangiti namang umakyat ng flatform si mommy at daddy. Napakamot ako sa aking batok at inilibot ang aking paningin. I can feel someone's staring at me.