Chapter 1: Heartbreak

                                                       Fall in love... burn yourself for the one.

                                                             If it's not love, it will be a lesson.

                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                                             ~Arlet~

Some incidents in life are so erratic that they could leave a person speechless. When my happy family met with an accident, it left me in a pool of loneliness and took my parents away. Not more than that, it also left me with an injured vocal cord, taking away my ability to talk.

Nothing I would say mattered to the people or helped them to understand my condition, so I chose to shut myself down.

Not that I can’t talk, but by the time my weak nerves came up with a single word, the other person would lose their patience. So I contended.

It’s better not to speak when nobody is there to listen.

It’s been five years since I lost my parents. Because of social pressure, William and Debbie Amor, my uncle and aunt, adopted me. They maintained a reputed business of a textile firm.

But everything comes with a price, if not from your loved ones.

They never failed to accentuate the leverage they provided me by giving me basic human needs, including tuition fees. In return, I had to do all the chores and listen to every word they wanted to retrospect.

My elder cousin, an upcoming model, Reile Amor, reminded me of Cinderella’s sister- Pompous, Scornful, self-sufficient, and snooty. Not that I consider myself Cinderella because I know no charming prince is waiting for me. In fact, nobody knew I existed except Oliver in this house. He is Reile’s brother, the youngest and naughtiest.

I still remember he brought me a cupcake last week when I sat quietly in my basement room, watching my parent’s video and celebrating my birthday alone.

But all my complaints aside, when I meet my best friend, Milo Efrain.

He is more than I can explain in words. We have been together since I don’t know how long. Our mothers were best friends, and they passed those genes to us to continue the friendship bond. He is one of a handsome man, own an event management company.

But my entire day surrounds with only one name.

Ruben Rodriguez.

My heart stopped beating, and everything cessation whenever I saw him.

I never knew since when I was in love with him. Maybe when I was twelve or before that. I have loved him since the time I understood what love was, only to discern he never knew I existed in this world. He was like a moon taming me, teasing my every being, but I could never have him in my life. I mean, who would love to talk to a mute person when the hottest divas of this country surround you?

He was my school senior, and the rest was history. I never had the audacity to show myself to him. Scared, like a feline, I always hid and admired him. And now, he had become one of the youngest entrepreneurs and an icon of the hotel industry. It was easy for me to stalk him on social media, and god forgave me; sometimes, I forgot to pray at night but never forgot to wish for his well-being. Call it my foolish heart; he has become my rescue whenever sorrow surrounds me.

“Arlet, where the heck is my stiletto?” I jumped at my place when I heard her annoying feet stomping over the stairs.

“Mumma...” Riele railed.

“Yes, my baby.” Debbie moaned her name with care, but shot a dagger toward me.

“Did you take it?” I shook my head. Why would I take it, anyway?

“Then?” I pointed towards the cabinet.

Debbie walked to grab it and kept it nicely in front of her precious daughter. “Mumma, I am going out on a date.”

Well, it never mattered to me with whom she was licking the same ice cream, but my concern was that Reile was spotted twice with Ruben. In this entire world of desirable men, she only dated him.

Would you call me selfish if I prayed for them not to get along?

Maybe because Reile was incapable of giving true love, but Ruben?

He carried a reputation for being someone whom you could trust.

“What are you looking at?” Reile snorted.

“Ahh... I don’t want to see your ugly face before going out. Move away.” She pushed me aside.

Well, I wish... Ruben sees the real Reile.

“You need to mow the garden.” Debbie extended me the gloves.

I lowered my peer and settled with whatever life offered me.

It’s been three hours. I finished the chore and went to get a quick shower, removing all the itchy grass strands, but the strange noise coming my way made me go down and check first.

Something was playing on the television; seems like a video.

When I reached the last stair, I saw Reile cupping her mouth, and her eyes filled with happy tears.

“Look, who proposed to your sister?” William patted my back and helped me to move a step ahead, only to see Ruben opening a Tiffany & Co. box and proposing it to Reile.

Did he just..? Something shattered inside me like it never happens before. All those dreams I used to see in the basement, my rescue pursuits wrecked at that moment.

“Look, Mumma, look at the diamond.” Reile crinkled her eyes and nose, showing off her diamond to Debbie. It was indeed a valuable stone, but not more than my strewed heart.

As big as her diamond, I found the same fat tears rolling down my eyes.

“Isn’t it beautiful? Listen to his words.” Reile pointed at the screen.

The man of my dream had never looked so handsome; he kneeled and opened his heart.

“Reile Amor, you deserve the very best, someone who will back you up without limits, let you grow without borders, and love you without end. I want to be that man. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You are the one who is my home, my rock. Will you give me the honor of being the man you would like to share your life with?”

What felt like a pang of hurt? He had emotions, love, and everything I craved, but it was not for me, but for my sister.

Reile cupped her face and nodded. Not that I thought, but her eyes welled up. Was I wrong to think she was incapable of giving true love? Ruben snuggled the diamond ring, and I bit my lips as hard as I could because I knew there would be no one who wanted to hear the screams of this ruptured mute heart.

Even my sobs know how to suppress themselves when someone is watching me. “Look,” Reile extended her hand.

“Why are you crying?”

Why am I crying? Because you took away my moon and left me to live in the darkness.

I made a heart sign, raised my hand, and pressed it against my chest.

“You are happy?” She questioned, as she never believed it.

I nodded with tears; it was the first time she had hugged me in these five years.

“Me too.”