Bad Times at Sunrise (La Fortuna Series #3)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

Respect

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I was marrying who? Ico fucking Benavidos?

Sarkastiko akong ngumisi. No, we weren't. Not tonight. Not ever. Besides, may girlfriend na siya, 'di ba? Ayoko ngang maging dahilan ng pagkasira ng relasyon nila ni Hazel! I was just pretending as Aria so we wouldn't really push through this! Right! This wasn't happening. This whole thing's temporary, anyway.

"Ang ganda mo, sister! May balak ka bang pumasok sa modeling? Not that you'd need it 'cause the Casagrandes are hella rich, as in filthy rich, but if you want to enter the industry, just contact me! I'll hook you up with the bestest agency in the Philippines!"

Pumasok sa isang tenga at lumabas din sa kabila ang sinabing 'yon ng make-up artist. I was fidgeting while he was doing stuff with my face. Halos mapudpod ko na ang labi ko kakaisip kung tama pa ba 'tong ginagawa ko.

Obviously, it wasn't! The only consolation I got was the thought that Tita Sora was sane enough to see through our lie. Alam kong mabubulilyaso kami, 'di man ngayon, pero mangyayari 'yon. I was holding onto this comfortable life not just because I personally wanted to experience it, but also because I wanted Isabel to live her best life in her remaining days.

Ayos lang na mabulilyaso kami... but I wished it wouldn't happen before she passes away. I wanted her to think that we finally had our breakthrough. 'Yon lang naman ang gusto ko, e. Ang maging masaya siya.

"There! So pretty!" The make-up artist grinned. "Congrats on your engagement nga pala, Aria!"

Laurel, who was now beside him, smirked. "Oo nga. Congrats."

'Congrats mong mukha mo'. I wanted to say that but I stopped myself from doing so. Inirapan ko siya at lumabas sa silid na 'yon. Habang tinatahak ang corridor sa second floor ay rinig ko ang ingay sa dining hall na nasa ibaba. I stopped midway when I saw my face on a mirror that hung on the wall.

"Wow," bulong ko sa sarili ko.

Ako ba talaga 'to? I used to believe I was decent but now, I was... different. In a good way.

Nadepina ng make-up ang malalim kong mga mata at ang mataas kong cheekbones. My hair was tied in a low ponytail making me look classy and elegant. May pilak akong threader earrings at simpleng makinang na kuwintas. I was wearing a plain pink midi-dress with long-sleeves styled in wide cuffs. It made me appear sophisticated.

Somehow, the feeling was bittersweet. Alam ko kasing 'di ako 'to. 'Di ako elegante at kailanma'y 'di ako magiging gano'n. Ginusto ko naman 'to pero ewan ko ba. I felt like I was betraying the real Sunny Vega.

"Akalain mo 'yon? Engaged ka na matapos ng gabing 'to?" nang-aasar na wika ni Laurel sa gilid ko. "Nakakatawa!"

"Manahimik ka," malamig na tugon ko.

"Pero alam mo kung anong mas nakakatawa?" Naturally, I stayed silent. She grinned. "Si Aurora ang prospect fiancée ni Ico last year! So basically, nagpanggap kayo para 'di siya ma-enggage sa 'yo mismo!"

I scoffed and continued walking. "'Di 'yan posible. Hindi pa nakikita si Aurora last year."

"Kaya nga prospect pa, 'di ba?" she asked sarcastically. "At pwede pa rin 'yon, 'no! Pwede pa rin siyang ipangako kay Aurora kahit 'di pa siya nahahanap noon!"

So that was... fucked up. Actually, everything was fucked up.

This was like opening Pandora's box. Akala ko sa gagawin naming 'to ay magiging payapa na sa wakas ang buhay ko. Now, it was messed up as ever. What's worse was I couldn't back down. I already gave Cordelia hope. Ayokong bawiin 'yon sa kaniya.