Fit Her Shoe [Gottfred & Lorin]

Kabanata 23

I ignored the growing pity in my chest when I found his eyes red and glassy with tears. Samantala, mabilis na nag-iwas naman siya ng tingin sa akin at saka tumikhim.

“Pack something suitable for a beach wedding. We will be leaving tomorrow morning,” pag-iiba niya ng usapan.

Before I could inquire further, he preemptively explained, “We have been invited to Ingrid’s wedding which I assume she already informed you.”

Hindi na ako sumagot pa at tahimik na lang na lumabas ng library, with a now-lost appetite for dinner. Instead, I readied my hand carry, packing everything I would be needing in the said beach wedding.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ng umagahan kinabukasan ay umalis na agad kami ni Gottfred. We rode his private jet in silence. Marami siyang dinalang trabaho na sa tingin ko ay sinadya niyang dalhin para magkaroon siya ng dahilan para huwag akong kausapin at pansinin.

Habang abala sa ginagawa niya ay inaliw ko na lamang ang sarili sa pagtanaw sa mga mapuputi at makakapal na ulap. And shortly after, we finally arrived at the beach resort.

Memories of our wedding day suddenly flashed at the back of my head—that marriage I never should have agreed on. If only I was wiser with making decisions back then, I wouldn’t be dealing with this divorce now.

Gottfred was on the phone when we landed. Meanwhile, I noticed along the shore the elegant setup for Miss Ingrid’s upcoming wedding. Cascading strands of seashells, pearls, and white roses adorn the altar where the ocean breeze gently dances with delicate chiffon drapes, creating a harmony of movement and grace.

I was captivated by the beautiful scene before me until I caught sight of the bride waving her hand at us.

“Lorin! Gottfred!” tawag ni Miss Ingrid.

Ngumiti at kumaway ako pabalik sa kaniya. Nilingon ko si Gottfred ngunit nakita ko siyang malayo na at mukhang hindi narinig ‘yong pagtawag sa kaniya. Or maybe, he intentionally did not look.

I sighed and just ignored him. Habang papalapit kay Miss Ingrid ay napansin ko naman ‘yong isang matangkad na lalaki sa tabi niya, who I assumed to be her fiancé, na sobrang pamilyar naman noong likod sa akin.

“Glad you made it here!” ani Miss Ingrid sabay yakap sa akin at tawag doon sa lalaking nakatalikod na nasa tabi. “Love!”

As his fiancée turned around, my mouth parted as I recognized him, the reason his back was so familiar to mine.

“Atty. Serrano?” gulat na gulat na pagsino ko.

Siya ang fiancé ni Miss Ingrid?

“Small world isn’t it?” hagikhik ni Miss Ingrid.

“Hello, Lorin,” he greeted with a warm smile while placing a friendly kiss on my cheek. “Just Gavian, remember? Anyway, it’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? How have you been?”