Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

Breaking the Rocks

It all started with Landon. Si Landon na pinsan ko at si Landon na kaibigan ni Exodus.

I wanted to strangle my cousin as soon as I stepped in front of the familiar municipal hall. This is where I first met Exodus. It's funny how we met at a municipal hall before. Bago ko pa man makilala si Exodus bilang pinsan ng kaibigan kong si Adina, nakita ko na siya noon dito. He was just a visitor.

Exodus has this dark aura outside of him. Sa aking paningin, hindi lamang itim na awra ang nakikita ko. He had these cute horns at the side of his head and a devilish grin plastered on his face. Kung hindi lamang siya gwapo, masasabi kong siya na ang hari ng kadiliman.

Napasimangot ako dahil naalala ko na naman kung bakit ako narito ngayon. Nakaputing bestida ako na hanggang tuhod lang ang haba. My hair was tied in a ponytail and the ends of it were curled. I had to convince myself to at least wear a minimal makeup nang magmukha naman akong kaaya-aya sa sarili kong kasal.

The familiar breeze of the ending of May cooled my warming face. Ah, what a good day to get married. Please, note the sarcasm.

Ngumisi si Landon nang tumapat ako sa kaniya. Naging mapaghanap ang aking mga mata at kumunot ang aking noo dahil hindi ko man lang nakita ang anino ng hangal na si Exodus.

"Where is your friend?" There was spice in my tone when I asked.

Tumawa si Landon at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang daliri. "Just relax. He won't run away from you."

Ngumiwi ako. "He tricked my parents. I didn't propose to him."

"Alam ko, pero iyon ang sinabi niya kina Tito."

"My parents believed it. Mas pinaniwalaan nila si Exodus na hindi naman nila kaano-ano."

"What can I say, Honey? My persuasion skills are superb." Kusang umikot ang aking mga mata. That cocky voice came from none other than the obnoxious Exodus. Nilingon ko siya at nakita siyang nakatayo malapit sa amin.

Napasobra yata siya ng ayos sa sarili. His hair was neatly polished and combed. Nakasuot siya ng puting long sleeves at ang dulo ay kinabitan ng silver cufflinks. He was wearing a dark slacks that covered his muscular thighs.

Humalukipkip ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He grinned at me before getting something from my side. Nakita kong inabot ni Landon sa kaniya ang itim na coat.

"Really?" Laglag ang aking panga dahil sa sobra niyang kapormalan. Inayos niya ulit ang dulo ng suot at tumingin sa akin.

"This is our wedding. I should at least look formal," aniya at pinaraanan ng tingin ang aking suot. Tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi.

"White doesn't suit you," aniya at parang nanunuya.

Nagsalubong ang aking kilay. "Excuse me?"

Tumawa si Landon sa aking likuran. Mas lalo akong umismid at hindi sila pinansing dalawa.

Wala akong kakampi. Lalo na kapag nandito na si Landon, walang-wala talaga akong maigaganti kay Exodus. My cousin thinks Exodus is such a mighty and clever man.

"Don't act like you don't want the wedding. We're both in this together, Honey," ani pa ni Exodus.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Bakit ba kailangan niyang ipaalala iyon? Nakakatanga kasi naaalala ko kung paano ko siya pinatulan sa deal niyang iyon.

I was drunk alright!

It happened when Marcus introduced Trisha to all of us. Nagkataong nandoon ako dahil naimbitahan ni Landon. I was the youngest among the circle. Ang mga kasama namin, puro nasa law school na. I was already on my fourth year in Engineering.