Henrietta's Blade

Kabanata 31

Three weeks later

Today is the D-day! Luciel and Santi will be walking down the aisle to take their vows as husband and wives. Hindi maalis ang ngiti ni Santi habang inaayusan siya sa kasal niya. Finally, matutupad na ang isa sa mga pangarap niya. She's going to marry the man she's longing to be with. Hmm. Nasa'n na kaya ang step sister niya? She wants to see her reaction while they hold the wedding ceremony. Santi looks at her engagement ring, celebrating inside for her successful plan.

"Siguraduhin mo na maganda ako ngayon, okay? Gusto ko na nasa akin ang spotlight," utos ni Santi sa make-up artist. Ah~ she's really beautiful. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit ang karamihan ay nagagandahan kay Henrietta, that woman is not even pretty, so bold and have bad attitude.

"My daughter, I'm so proud of you," ani ng nanay ni Santi na kakapasok lang. Her mom bent down and whispers on her ears, "You did great."

Santi smiles smugly, "I know, mom. Nagmana ako sa'yo remember?" Ngumiti ang ina nito. Syempre, kanino pa ba magmamana ang anak niya?

"Ah! My princess!" tawag mula sa likod.

"Dad!" Tumayo si Santi at hinagkan si Reynold. The man kisses the top of his step daughter.

"Beautiful!" pagpuri ni Reynold sa anak.

"You flatter me, Dad," sambit ni Santi at nahihiyang ngumit at tiningnan ang mga naroon sa dressing room.

Henrietta accidentally passed and saw this scene. Her father's doting smile that could never show to her, the warmth of that hug, and how he cares about Santi could never be shown to her. He really doesn't care about her anymore, maybe her father really forgets about her existence. Ni minsan hindi siya nito kinumusta at dinalaw. Ano kaya sa feeling ang mayakap ng isang ama? Henrietta remembers that she even clings to his thigh when she was a child begging for him to stay but her father would make her let go and just left her. Gusto niya lang naman ng atensyon nito dahil hindi niya na ito nakakasama. 'Yon pala may ibang pamilya na itong inaalagaan at inuuwian.

Henrietta shifted her gaze at bumaba na ng hagdan. Mauuna na siya sa simbahan.

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The sun shines so bright. Maaliwalas ang panahon ngunit matindi ang init na ibinibigay nito. A woman went to Santi's side and wiped the sweat that was forming on her forehead.

"Gosh! Bakit ba ganito, masisira ang make-up ko," ani ni Santi. Isang babae din ang nasa kaliwa niya para paypayan siya.

"Okay! We gonna start. Ready the bride," paalala ng isang coordinator ng simbahan.

Huminga ng malalim si Santi at inayos ang wedding gown. This was tailored and designed by a famous fashion designer in France. It was a tube gown in a mermaid style. Kita talaga ang kabuuan ng hugis ng kanyang katawan. She loves to flaunt everything about her. Napatingin si Santi sa isang partikular na babae. Her step sister was also looking at her and she smiled brightly at her. See, Henrietta? Sa huli siya pa din ang nagwagi.

Henrietta wanted to roll her eyes. Alam niya ang tumatakbo sa isip nito. Santi thinks that she already won. Baka nakakalimutan niya na nandito pa ang isang Henrietta. The biggest threat of her life.

Luciel was smiling the whole time but his eyes kept glancing at Henreitta's side. Santi is beautiful but with Henrietta beside her, the latter will overshadow Santi. Alam niya na inggit ang magiging asawa niya kay Henrietta. He knows Santi's character pero mahal niya pa din ito.

"Take care of my princess, Luciel," ani ni Reynold at iniabot ang kamay ni Santi.

"I will, sir— Dad." Napatawa si Reynold sa sinabi ng binata. Lahat ng bisita ay nakitawa din. Some of them were whispering to each other dahil nga sa nangyari noon. 'Yong fiancé ni Henrietta noon magiging asawa na ngayon ng kapatid nito. Henrietta got cuckolded at nagawa pa na pumunta sa kasal ng kapatid niya, ah. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha. Kung sila 'yon hindi na sila magpapakita pa.

Nagsimula na ang seremonya ng kasal. Ang ngiting nakapaskil sa mga labi ni Luciel at Santi ay hindi mawala. It's the first time she saw Santi's genuine smile. Mahal niya nga talaga si Luciel but it doesn't change a fact na dahil mahal mo ang isang tao gagawa ka ng paraan para magkasira ang dalawa at landiin ito. It's not wrong to love, it's the actions that matter. Pero ayos na din 'yon. Henrietta deserves better.

"You may now kiss the bride." Nagsigawan ang lahat ng tao ng maglapat ang mga labi ni Santi at Luciel. Santi kissed Luciel deeply and her eyes cast at the side but Henrietta was looking at them boringly. Kainis!

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"Boss, mukhang patapos na ang kasal," sambit ni Yros nang marinig ang sigawan at palakpakan sa simbahan. They were also wearing formal attire para dito pero bakit nasa labas lang sila? Ampusa naman, sayang lang ang ginugol n'yang oras kung tambay lang sila sa labas.

"Hindi ba tayo boss papasok sa loob?" tanong niya at sinilip ang loob ng simbahan. Ang daming tao Reynold really put his effort to make this day wonderful for his step daughter. Nasaan na kaya si Ma'am Henrietta?

Speaking of the devil and she will appear. No, she's not a devil. She's not a bad person people want her to be. Sa mga nakaraang araw na nakasama ni Yros ang asawa ng boss niya ay hindi naman ito ang taong sinasabi ng karamihan. What he saw is a woman who is strong and independent. Napatingin si Yros sa boss niya dahil lumabas ito ng kotse.

"Bakit hindi ka pumasok sa loob?" tanong ni Henrietta nang makarating siya sa kinaroroonan ni Vincenzo. Nakatanggap siya ng message mula dito na nandito ito sa labas.

"It's boring," komento nito. "Come here." Vincenzo was just leaning at the car and waiting for Henrietta to come closer.

"Why?" tanong ng dalaga.

"Just come here."

Henrietta sighed. Ugh! This man!

Pagkalapit niya kay Vincenzo ay bigla nitong hinawakan ang mukha niya at inilapit ito sa mukha ng lalaki.

A sudden flash of the camera pointed at them.

Naitulak ni Henrietta si Vincenzo at napatingin sa lalaking tumatakbo ngayon na hinahabol ni Yros.

"W-wha—"

"Don't worry, I got this." Henrietta is doubtful but she will trust Vincenzo for this. Hindi naman nito hahayaan na ma-leak ang relationship nila.

"You have a nice ass." Vincenzo pinch her button and guided her inside the car. Hindi pa man nakakapasok si Henrietta ay bigla s'yang tinulak ni Vincenzo ng malakas.

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© _eysteambun