What the hell?
The woman kissed Mikael on his cheek.
Do they have a relationship or something? The woman only showed her silly face of which made Mikael's eyebrows to meet.
"Zaida! Stop it."
Kilala pala siya ni Mikael. Now the only thing I’m wondering is their relationship. Magkaano-ano nga ba sila? Pero hindi ko pa rin alam ang gagawin ko. I was just rooted at my place.
Then the woman faced me, wearing her silly smile. Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin. It was just a matter of seconds when something hits her realization.
"Oh, my goodness! You must be Mauveine Arellano, right?" iniayos niya ang kanyang postura at agad na napabitaw kay Mikael. Tuluyan niya na rin akong nilapitan. Muntik pa nga siyang matapilok.
Napatango na lamang ako sa tanong niya. Her expression immediately turned bright.
"I'm Zaida Valiente, and I'm Mikael's cousin." My jaw dropped open by what she has said.
I thought she was his lover or what. Muntik na nga akong masuka sa pinag-iisip ko.
I was about to offer my hand for a handshake but instead of accepting it, she wrapped her arms around me. Sa ginawa niyang iyon ay hindi agad ako nakagalaw. Bigla ko nalang kasing naalala ang dalawa kong best friend, si Deanne at Shaia. Zaida radiates almost the same vibe with them.
I could smell traces of liquor on her, so that explains her state right now.
“I’m sorry if I didn’t make it to your wedding, I’ve ran some errands for our company throughout the week.” Her voice came low. When we parted that’s the time, I answered her.
“It’s fine, Zaida. Right, Mikael?” iginiya ko ang aking tingin sa kanya. He still looks pissed, though. Bago ko pa man malaman ang sagot niya ay inagaw ni Zaida ang aking atensyon.
“Same old, Mikael. Don’t mind him, Mauveine.” Then she rolled her eyes at him.
“Wait…You’re not calling me ‘Ate’, Mikael! Isusumbong kita kay Tito Jarius!” she pointed her index finger at him, yet Mikael doesn’t seem to be threatened.
“As if a year counts, Zaida.” He lazily answered and he resumed eating breakfast.
She rolled her eyes at him and sighed in defeat.
I invited her to the back of the house of where there is a small flower garden. Naupo kaming dalawa sa isang wooden bench.
Doon ko napansin ang pagkakapareho nilang dalawa ni Mikael. Their beautiful deep brown eyes with a pair of thick and black eyebrows, fine nose, and well-defined face. I think those are one that makes up a Valiente, they are seemingly elegant and aristocratic, without even trying.
Bigla nalang akong naging conscious sa sarili ko. I wasn’t even prepared for any visitors today! I tucked one side of my hair behind my left ear to make myself more presentable.
Muli kong naalala ang sinabi niya kay Mikael kanina. She’s a year older than him. Should I call her ‘Ate’ too? I can’t help but to ask her.
Her lips formed into an upward curve then she answered me.
“Just call me ‘Zaida’, I’m used to be called like that.”
“But---”
“I know,
“I know you still feel so wrong about marrying Mikael despite of all of the return to your parent’s company…” she opened the conversation it was just too sudden for me to come up with that topic. With that I was not able to answer her.
Yes, I do feel so wrong that I got myself into this marriage. This is probably the greatest mistake I’ve ever done in my life.
She faced me, half-smiling. I let out a heavy sigh and I faced the ground, then she resumed to talk.
“Mikael’s been a jerk with girls these past few years, and that’s not a lie. I knew what he had been doing with the girls he had passively dated…” she paused for a while of which made me feel a little bit uneasy.
“But when he decided to commit to the wedding proposed by Tito Jarius, his father, I know he is being serious about this.”
I was just out of right words to say, and I didn’t even know how to react either.
Alam ko na napaka seryosong bagay ang makasal, but what’s even more serious is the responsibility that comes with it. Hindi lang naman nagtatapos sa pagpirma ng marriage contract ang lahat.
To bear for all of the shortcomings and hope for the best. Mikael and I didn’t even make it halfway by now, it is all just starting.
Zaida spoke once more.
“Do you regret marrying Mikael?” I was so stunned by her question. Yet, that’s the thing that I would agree with. Because I do, I do regret marrying him in the first place. I should have run away from all of these.
Yet, I didn’t.
“Yes, I do regret marrying him… But it isn’t just regret that’s within me, there’s also guilt. Lalo na’t pareho lang kami ni Mikael na naipit sa desisyon ng mga magulang namin. Our parents took our liberty by this marriage for the sake of our companies. I also feel so guilty for him.” I answered while maintaining my eye contact to her.
There was silence between us right after what I’ve said. Iniisip ko pa nga kung mayroon ba akong maling nasabi kaya hindi agad nakapagsalita si Zaida. Pero kung anong sinabi ko sa kanya ay iyon tugma iyon sa kung anong nararamdaman ko. I was being honest.
“I truly feel sorry for the both of you. Ang babata niyo pa, tapos nandito na kayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. How I wish I could help.” Her shoulders dropped.
“I just hope it’ll be better soon, Zaida.” Iyon na lamang ang nasabi ko sa kanya. Talagang wala na kaming pamimilian kundi ang gawin ang lahat para maging mas maayos ang lahat.
Well, everything really happens for a reason, and I hope that is reasonable enough.
Napatango siya sa sinabi ko. Ngumiti siya nang bahagya bago niya ako tinanong.
“Can I ask you for a favor, Mauveine?” her smile seemed so sweet, yet I couldn’t my breath to be more quickened.
I just nod at her unconsciously.
“Will you be at least faithful to Mikael?”
My eyes widened and my jaw-dropped right after Zaida said those words.
“W-why are you asking me this, Zaida?”
Her answer shocked me even more.
“Mikael’s mother had an affair with another man years back, and that caused his indecent history with girls.”