Chapter 28
I stood inside the restroom, gripping the edges of the sink as I tried to steady my breathing. My chest felt heavy, as if something was weighing it down, making it hard to move, hard to think.
I wanted to hate her for what she did. The way she dismissed me like I was nothing. The way she acted like my efforts didn’t matter. Pero kahit anong pilit ko, hindi ko magawa.
Maybe it really was my fault. Maybe I did something wrong. Maybe I deserved it.
I shut my eyes tightly and exhaled shakily, trying to push away the emotions threatening to overwhelm me again. I had already cried enough. There was no point in crying anymore.
Kailangan ko nang bumalik.
I wiped my eyes quickly, hoping my friends wouldn’t notice. With one last deep breath, I stepped out of the restroom, forcing myself to appear as normal as possible.
But the moment I reached our booth, Eliana’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Okay ka lang?" she asked, her brows furrowed with concern.
I blinked, realizing I had been standing there blankly, completely unaware of my surroundings. I hadn’t even noticed that I was already with them.
"Yes," I replied flatly, trying to keep my voice emotionless.
But Eliana wasn’t convinced. She squinted at me, crossing her arms. "Hey, you're not okay. Galing ka sa iyak, 'no?" she said, her voice slightly louder than intended.
I winced internally as Kinsley and Cecilia turned to look at us, their faces instantly mirroring the same concern.
"Anong nangyari?" Kinsley asked as she stepped closer.
"Anong problema? You don't usually cry," Cecilia added, her eyes scanning my face carefully.
I forced out a small, dry chuckle. "I'm okay. Hindi ba pwedeng napuwing lang?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Kinsley raised a brow before turning to Cecilia. "Oo nga 'no. OA naman 'tong si Eli," she said, making Cecilia nod in agreement.
"Whatever. Tapusin niyo nalang nga ginagawa niyo d'yan," Eliana huffed, rolling her eyes before finally letting the conversation drop.
As soon as the two were distracted again, she leaned in slightly and whispered, "I know you came from crying, Syl. Kilala kita. When everything gets hard for you, I'm here, okay?"
She gave my shoulder a gentle tap before stepping back to join Kinsley and Cecilia, leaving me standing there, unable to form a response.
I could only smile faintly, my heart clenching at her words.
How do they know me so well?
And why does it feel like, no matter how much I try to hide my pain, they always see right through me?
And as the morning faded into the afternoon, the atmosphere in the school grounds grew livelier.
Students bustled around, tending to their respective booths, laughter and chatter filling the air.
The scent of freshly baked goods from the café booth lingered, mixing with the faint fragrance of flowers from the wedding-themed stalls.
The energy was contagious, yet I felt completely disconnected from it.
I sat there, my hands resting idly on my lap, my mind still weighed down by everything that had happened earlier. The sharp sting in my chest had dulled, but it never truly disappeared.
My gaze drifted over our booth, taking in the intricate details we had worked so hard on. White lace draped over the corners, delicate paper flowers adorned the archway, and a simple yet elegant backdrop stood ready for couples to take their pictures. It was beautiful, almost dream-like.
“Syl! Tulungan mo naman kami rito!” Kinsley’s voice snapped me back to reality.
I looked up and saw her struggling with a roll of tape, frustration evident on her face as she tried—and failed—to secure one of the decorations. Cecilia was perched on a chair, carefully adjusting the final touches on the wedding arch, her brows furrowed in concentration.
I let out a quiet sigh before standing up and walking toward them. “Ano na naman ba ang problema?” I asked, trying my best to sound normal.
“Ang bagal kasi ni Kinsley!” Cecilia huffed, rolling her eyes as she continued working.
Kinsley gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? Hindi ako mabagal, ikaw kaya ‘tong masyadong mapili sa design!” she shot back, crossing her arms. “Besides, it’s not like we’re being judged for this or anything.”
“Actually, we are,” Eliana chimed in, her arms folded as she leaned against the side of the booth, watching the chaos unfold. “May teachers na iikot mamaya para i-rate ‘yung mga booths.”
That immediately caught Kinsley’s attention. “Huh? Seryoso?” she asked, her tone shifting from playful to slightly panicked.
“Yes,” Eliana confirmed, her sharp gaze flickering between them. “And kung gusto niyong may chance tayong manalo, ayusin niyo ‘yang away niyo. We have to be presentable. Imagine if the judges see you two bickering like an old married couple? Patay tayo.”
Kinsley scoffed but, after a moment, reluctantly handed Cecilia the roll of tape. “Fine. Pero ‘wag kang masyadong demanding, ha.”
Cecilia muttered a small, almost reluctant, “Salamat,” before getting back to work.
Just as the tension between them seemed to settle, a different kind of tension suddenly spread across the area.
I noticed it almost instantly—the shift in the atmosphere. The subtle yet unmistakable drop in volume as hushed whispers began to ripple through the crowd. The way people turned their heads, their attention drawn to something… or someone.
I didn’t want to look.
But my body betrayed me.
My heart pounded as my gaze followed everyone else’s, and the moment I saw her, it felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs.
She was here.
The person who caused this unbearable ache in my chest. The person who shattered the effort I had put into something so important.
She moved with the same effortless grace she always had, as if she belonged wherever she went. The sunlight caught in her hair, making it glow like something out of a dream. She was beautiful—she had always been.
She walked past the booths without a care, her expression neutral, unbothered. And just when I thought—just when I hoped—she would at least glance my way, acknowledge me, let me know that she saw me standing there…
She didn’t.
She didn’t even look at me.
Oo nga pala, sino ba naman ako?
I clenched my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought against the wave of emotions crashing over me.
“Are you okay, Syl?” Eliana’s voice was quiet, cautious. She had noticed. Of course, she did. She always did.
I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.
I wanted to leave.
I wanted to walk away, escape before this pain completely consumed me.
But a part of me wanted to stay.
A part of me still hoped that, maybe—just maybe—she’d turn around. That she’d notice me. That she’d realize the pain she had caused.
Seconds felt like hours.
But she kept walking.
Like I was nothing.
And maybe… maybe I was.
Why did I even expect anything in the first place?
I was nothing from the start.
--
As time passed, lunch break finally arrived. Our booth was finished, and it was time to eat. But I didn’t have the energy for it. Parang na-drain na lahat ng lakas ko. My body felt sluggish, my mind clouded, and before I even realized it, we were already inside the cafeteria.
I barely noticed my friends settling into their seats, but I remained frozen, staring blankly at the table in front of me. My thoughts drifted, replaying everything that happened earlier, over and over again. No matter how much I tried to push it away, the feeling in my chest wouldn’t leave.
"Kanina ka pa nakatulala d'yan, Syl!" Cecilia’s voice snapped me back to reality.
Napatingin ako sa kanya, and that’s when I noticed all three of them staring at me, concern evident in their eyes.
"I’m just tired," I muttered, hoping the excuse would be enough.
But Kinsley wasn’t buying it. "Hindi ‘yan uubra sa amin. We know something's bothering you," she said firmly.
I sighed in defeat. Hindi talaga ako makakatakas sa tatlong ‘to kahit anong palusot ko.
Instead of denying it again, I decided to ask something that had been weighing on my mind. "I have a question," I said, and instantly, their attention was on me.
"Go, what is it?" Eliana replied, her brows slightly furrowing.
I took a deep breath before speaking.
"What if… someone baked something for another person, kahit hindi naman sila marunong magluto, pero they still tried? They put effort into it, kahit papano. But then, when they gave it to that person, that person threw it in the trash. Just like that. Wala man lang second thought."
The table fell silent.
Eliana, Kinsley, and Cecilia all stared at me like I had just dropped a bomb in the middle of our meal. I could feel their eyes scanning my face, trying to figure out the real meaning behind my words.
Kinsley was the first to react. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Wait—so, let me get this straight. Someone tried to bake something kahit hindi marunong, just to make an effort for someone?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
I nodded slowly. "Oo. Pero nung binigay na sa kanila, tinapon lang sa basurahan. Like, without hesitation."
Cecilia let out a dramatic gasp. "Ang sakit naman nun! At fault man 'yung tao na 'yun o hindi, that’s still an effort! At saka, kung ayaw niya, hindi ba dapat kahit konting appreciation nalang? Hindi naman kailangan na itapon 'yun."
Eliana, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke. "Depende. What if yung ginawa niya nga talaga ay hindi niya matanggap?"
She locked eyes with me, and it felt like she knew exactly what I was trying to say.
Napayuko ako, gripping the edge of the table. "Pero... hindi ba unfair ‘yon? They were just trying to make things right."
Kinsley sighed, crossing her arms. "If that someone can’t even acknowledge their effort kahit maliit lang, then maybe they don’t deserve it."
"Or maybe..." Eliana interjected, her voice softer this time. "Maybe para sa kanya, hindi sapat ang effort na ‘yon to fix what happened."
I fell silent, her words echoing in my mind.
Maybe she was right. Maybe that wasn’t enough to fix what I did.
But was it really necessary to throw it away like that? To completely disregard the effort as if it meant nothing?
Maybe, no matter how much I tried, some things couldn’t be undone. And maybe, just maybe… I had already crossed a line that effort alone couldn’t fix.
The conversation died down after that, and we quietly focused on eating. Well, they ate. I barely touched my food. Wala akong gana, pero I knew I needed to eat. The afternoon was going to be busy, and I needed my strength for whatever was coming next.
I absentmindedly chewed my food, my thoughts drifting once again. But before I could lose myself completely, a voice suddenly interrupted our silence.
"We have a surprise for you later, Sylvia!"
Napatingin ako sa kaklase kong papalapit sa amin, a teasing grin on her face. She winked before walking away, leaving me stunned.
I blinked. A surprise?
"Problema nila, teh?" Kinsley muttered, her brow raised in confusion.
I simply shrugged. "I have no clue."
But deep inside, I had a bad feeling about this.
And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for whatever was about to happen.
---
I'm here at the gown shop where my friends picked the gown I will be wearing later. Sila ang pumili nito, and honestly, I don’t really trust their taste. Right now, they’re busy talking to the owner, looking so proud of themselves.
"Make sure I’ll like it. Maghahanap talaga kayo ng bagong bride kung hindi," I warned them, crossing my arms.
"You’ll like it, ako pa ba?" Cecilia replied confidently, flipping her hair, making me roll my eyes.
I was about to say something when the owner returned, holding a garment bag with care. She glanced at me and gestured towards the fitting room.
"Who will wear this? Can you come inside?" she asked.
Agad akong pumasok sa changing room. The moment I saw the gown, I paused. It’s not bad—maganda naman siya. The fabric was delicate, the design intricate, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the most comfortable thing to wear. Wala na rin akong choice, so I just sighed and nodded.
"I’ll help you get changed, ma’am," the assistance said politely. I nodded in response.
Medyo natagalan kami sa pagbibihis. The gown had multiple layers, and the corset bodice needed to be adjusted perfectly. It took a while, but after a few minutes, we finally got it right.
"Bagay sa’yo, ma’am. Ang ganda niyo po," the assistance said, smiling as she took a step back to admire the final look.
I forced a small smile and nodded. Then, with a deep breath, I stepped out of the dressing room.
The moment I appeared, the entire shop seemed to fall silent. My friends stared at me with wide eyes, their jaws slightly dropping.
"Tangina, ang ganda mo!" Kinsley blurted out, eyes sparkling with awe. But as soon as she realized how loud she was, she quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry po," she muttered, bowing her head slightly as the other people in the shop glanced our way.
"Bagay sa’yo. You look beautiful," Eli said, smiling softly.
"Ang sarap mo, akin ka na lang," Cecilia teased, winking playfully. I let out a laugh, shaking my head.
I was wearing a breathtaking white gown with a sheer corset bodice, revealing hints of my skin beneath the delicate floral appliqués.
The off-shoulder design highlighted my collarbones, while the deep neckline subtly accentuated my cleavage.
The soft, billowy sleeves added a romantic touch, blending elegance with just the right amount of allure.
"Let’s go? It’s already 1 PM, magsisimula na mamaya," Eli reminded us, glancing at her phone.
Tumango kaming lahat, nagpasalamat sa owner, and finally left the shop. The sun greeted us outside, warm against my skin, but the slight breeze made it bearable.
"Protektahan ang prinsesa," Kinsley joked, looping her arm through mine. Meanwhile, Cecilia dramatically held an umbrella over me as if she was my personal bodyguard. "Walang lalapit!" she added, making us all laugh.
Basta kalokohan, hindi talaga sila magpapatalo.
We reached the car and started driving towards the university.
The ride was filled with light chatter.
The moment we arrived at the university and stepped out of the car, all eyes instantly turned to us.
The whispers grew louder as we walked through the university grounds.
My hands instinctively went to the fabric of my gown, smoothing it down as I tried to ignore the weight of everyone’s stares.
My friends flanked me on either side, acting as my personal shield against the curious gazes.
"Damn, Syl. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were actually getting married today," Kinsley teased, nudging me playfully.
Cecilia grinned. "Right? Ang ganda mo kasi. Buti nalang kami pumili ng gown mo. Kahit hindi mo kami pinagkakatiwalaan, at least ngayon alam mong may taste kami."
I rolled my eyes. "Let’s just get this over with."
Eliana smiled softly. "You’ll be fine. And you look beautiful."
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself as we neared the wedding booth. The setup was breathtaking—soft white drapes cascading from the ceiling, delicate fairy lights twinkling like stars, and fresh flowers filling the space with a sweet scent.
“Ang ganda mo po, matagal na kitang gusto.”
A student confessed to me, and I was already expecting it to be a first-year student. Hindi ko na nga mabilang kung pang-ilan na 'to ngayong araw.
"Mamaya pa pila dito. Balik ka nalang mamaya, teh." Kinsley responded before I could even say anything. The student frowned, clearly displeased, but eventually walked away.
“Luh, mga bata nga naman.” Kinsley muttered under her breath, shaking her head in amusement.
I sighed, fanning myself with my hand. “When are we going to start? It’s already so hot in here.”
“1:30 pa raw pwede mag-start, and until 6 PM tayo dito,” Cecilia answered while checking the time on her phone. “Paramihan daw kasi ito ng pera.”
I glanced at the long line forming in front of our booth. “Magkano ba isang picture?” I asked, genuinely clueless about how this event even worked.
Kinsley grinned. “1k, one picture. But 2k if they want a picture with a hug.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What the hell? I wasn’t aware of the hug part!”
“Sorry na! Hug lang naman ‘yun, please? Malaking dagdag na ‘yan sa atin.” Kinsley gave me a sheepish smile, practically pleading with her eyes.
I groaned, rolling my eyes. I don’t like hugs. I don’t do physical contact, especially with people I barely know. The mere thought of having to hug dozens of students today was already draining me.
The event hadn’t even officially started, yet the crowd around our booth had already doubled. Students were eagerly waiting for their turn.
And then, just like that, the event began. One by one, students stepped forward, handing over their money in exchange for a photo—and of course, almost all of them chose the 2k package. I kept forcing a smile and giving out hugs, but my energy was depleting fast.
I just wanted to go home.
Then, suddenly, chaos erupted.
The students began screaming, their voices merging into one deafening roar. I had no idea what was happening, but from the way they were all looking in the same direction, someone had just arrived.
“Hi, honey.”
A familiar voice cut through the noise—calm, composed, yet effortlessly commanding attention. My stomach twisted as I turned to see none other than Ms. Dizon standing there, her expression neutral but with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Lahat ng estudyante ay nagkakagulo, their attention solely focused on us. The realization hit me like a truck—this was the surprise they had been talking about earlier.
“You look beautiful,” she continued, her voice carrying over the excited murmurs of the students.
I swallowed, forcing a polite smile. “Thank you, Miss.”
To be honest, I wasn’t comfortable with this at all. My gaze flickered to Kinsley, hoping for some sort of lifeline, but she was just standing there, smiling bitterly. I knew that look. She was hurt. And I hated that.
“I want to take a picture with you since I’m already here.” Ms. Dizon’s voice was teasing, playful—but there was something else behind it that I couldn’t quite place. “Actually, your classmates were the ones who brought me here. But I don’t regret coming, because seeing you was worth it.”
The students erupted in screams again, some even chanting my name. My pulse quickened. I wanted to disappear.
“Okay, I’ll take the picture now, Miss.” Eliana announced before I could even respond.
The camera flashed, capturing the moment between me and Ms. Dizon. The students around us held up their phones, recording every second of this unexpected encounter.
Ms. Dizon turned to me afterward, her expression unreadable, “You look tense, honey. Do I make you nervous?”
I forced out a chuckle, gripping the hem of my uniform tightly. “Just… overwhelmed by the crowd, Miss.”
She hummed, tilting her head slightly. “You’re not used to being the center of attention, but you’re handling it well. That’s what I like about you.”
And then it happened.
She wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me close to her.
The crowd went wild. Students clapped, whistled, and chanted louder, clearly entertained by the scene unfolding in front of them.
“Hug! Hug! Pay for the 2k, Miss!" sigaw ng mga estudyante rito kaya napatingin si Ms. Dizon sa akin.
My stomach dropped. I never agreed to this. Hugging strangers was one thing, but hugging Ms. Dizon—my professor—was something entirely different.
"If you're not comfortable honey, don't pressure yourself, okay?" she said, while smiling at me.
I shook my head and said, "It's fine, Miss. I don't really mind," which is a lie.
I hesitated, my body stiffening as I prepared to hug her. But before I could move, the crowd suddenly fell silent.
A hand wrapped around my wrist.
I turned to see Ms. Sanchez standing there, her cold gaze fixed on me.
"I never once permitted any student in this event to have physical contact with anyone," she declared, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Not even a simple hug—I never sanctioned such a thing."
Silence stretched between us, the energy in the air shifting dramatically. The excitement that had filled the booth just moments ago was now replaced by tension so thick it was suffocating.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest.