After their judgy fiasco sa ball room ako dumiretso. It's all so magical with the set-up. Tables everywhere with an open bar and food franchises. Gobo lighting and the flowers are so beautiful! It's like magic! It makes you feel something, like a tick in your heart.
The waiter served shrimp canapes. Nakaupo lang ako sa isang table, alone, hindi ko rin naman kasi alam kung nasaan sila Kuya. Hindi ko rin kilala ang mga Enrique-Villanueva, we smiled and all but not really talked.
"Dani baby!"
Nine men called. I turned around to see my cousins in their black ties and suits, looking all so dashing and handsome. The Del Fuegos aren't only known for their business but their good genes. From the patriarch to their youngest one, a glimpse of our spanish descent are showing.
Lumapit sila and kissed me. "What are you doing alone here?" Kuya Rylan asked, he's wearing his smart glasses that fits his face perfectly.
Nangibit-balikat ako. Ayokong ikwento sa kanila kung anong nangyari, hindi na nga maganda ang intensyon ng kasal tapos sisirain ko pa. "N-Nabored po ako sa taas."
"How come our princess is bored?" si Kuya Theon, he has this black lip ring and long ruffled red hair. Bad-boy-wannabe but a cry-baby.
"Aren't you getting along with them?" si Kuya Declan and Kuya Chase, kambal sila, Kuya D has the more round face while Kuya C has the chiseled one and he has his short brown hair into a man bun.
Umiling ako bago pa ako makasagot naunahan na ako, hindi talaga ako nakakasagot kapag kasama ko sila.
"You want us to accompany you?" Kuya Xavier took a sip of his beer. Umiling ako. He's the one with piercings on his ear and tongue, got him into trouble while also living his career in stocks.
"Are they treating you nice there?" Kuya Ae asked. I hesitated to answer but I nodded. He's with the blue eyes, sila ni Kuya Io, but Kuya Ae has scar on his right brow.
Huminga ako nang malalim, naiistress na ako sa kanila, ang dami nila iisa lang ako. "Something's happening, Atalia, and you're not saying it." Kuya Orion interjected. Sasagot na sana ako pero he cut me off. "I'm a psychologist, baby girl, you can't lie to me."
Pilit akong ngumiti. "I'm just nervous, mga Kuya, I don't know why."
"Daneiris..." taas ni Kuya Alaric ng kilay. Yumuko ako at pinaglaruan ang mga daliri ko. His voice is so bossy it can make the whole country shook up. "What's happening?"
Nakapalibot sila sa aking lahat. Sunod-sunod ang paghinga ko sa kaba. Ayoko naman kasing sabihin, nakakahiya.
"Alaric, boys, baby girl, the wedding will start, go to your partners." Tawag ni Tita Kaia sa amin. I took a sigh of relief, not a save by the bell but a save of Tita Di.
Naglalakad na kami papunta sa chapel, inakbayan ako ni Kuya Riley. "You'll tell it to me later. Ako muna ang sasabihan mo." He whispered, humalik ito, and kinindatan ako.
Napangiti ako at pumunta na sa pila. Kuya Xav's my partner kaya tuwang-tuwa siya since he doesn't need to link arms with some girl he doesn't even know. Iyon ang sabi niya. We all took a picture first, by family, us cousins, with the bridesmaid and groomsmen, the bridesmaids, and groomsmens with the groom. Nakakapagod ngumiti lalo na kapag tinatapakan ni Estelle ang paa ko. Hindi ko naman sila inaano, irap sila ng irap sa akin.
I fisted habang sinubukuan pigilan ang luha ko kunwari akong may dinampot sa sahig para punasan ang mga traydor na luha. Kaya ko naman kasi pero hindi porket kaya ko hindi na masakit.
Paulit-ulit sila sa pagsabing ang landi ko na parang iyon ang pangalan ko. Gusto ko nalang matapos ang gabing ito at umiyak.
Muli akong huminga ng malalim, pilit na ikinakalma ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. Magsisimula na kasi ang kasal, ayoko ng matawag na papansin at malandi.
