Nobela ni Xtine Rome

Hindi na nagawang makipagtalo pa ni Denver kay Maica dahil batid niyang siya naman talaga ang puno’t dulo ng lahat. Kung hindi dahil sa kapabayaan niya ay hindi mawawala ang nag-iisang nag-uugnay sa kanilang dalawa ni Maica.Mabibigat na hakbang ang ginagawa ni Denver habang palabas ng ospital. Hindi niya na alam kung ano pa ang gagawin niya para mapanatili ang babaeng hindi niya naisip na matutunan niyang mahalin. Sumakay siya sa kaniyang sasakyan habang punung-puno ng bigat sa kaniyang dibdib. Alam niyang sa pagkakataong iyon ay talo na siya. Kahit na ano pang gawin niya ay hinding-hindi na muling mapapasakanya si Maica. Tanggapin niya man sa kaniyang sarili o hindi, alam niyang sumusuko na siya. Iyon na lang ang tanging magagawa niya para matahimik na nang tuluyan ang buhay ni Maica.Napahinto siya sa tapat ng isang simbahan kung saan may isang babaeng suot ang isang trahe de boda na halos kalalabas lang ng simbahan kasama ang groom nito. Unti-unting bumalik ang alaala niya noong

Napahilamos na lang si Denver sa kaniyang mukha habang nakatayo naman si Third sa harap ng pintuan ng operating room.Bigla namang may lumabas na doktor mula sa loob kaya sabay pa silang lumapit dito.“Sino po ang asawa ng pasyente?” tanong nito. Mabilis naman silang sumagot na mas lalong kinagulo ng dalawa.“Ako po!” sabay nilang tugon. Nagkatinginan pa silang dalawa na animo’y walang balak na magpatalo sa kanilang dalawa.“Maica, is still my wife!” pinagkadiinan pa ni Denver ang bawat salita niya para ipamukha sa kausap na siya pa rin ang legal na asawa.“Cut the crap, Denver! Alam mo sa sarili mo na maghihiwalay na kayo at ayaw na sa ‘yo ni Maica!” Hindi naman na napigilan ni Third na supalpalin ang kausap niya. “Isa pa, it’s not the time para makipagkumpitensya ka pa. Maica is in danger kaya stop being childish!”Napakamot na lang ng ulo ang doktor sa pagkayamot habang nanahimik na lang si Denver sa sinabi ni Third. Batid niya kasing tama naman ito. Hindi iyon ang oras para

Kaagad na napalitan ng lungkot ang mga mata ni Third nang marinig mula kay Maica ang sagot nito sa proposal niya. Unti-unting naglaho ang pag-asa sa kaniya dahil sa naging tugon nito sa kaniya. Kinakabahan man ay pinili niya pa ring baguhin ang dapat sana’y planadong proposal dahil ayaw niyang tuluyang masira ang mood nito ngunit nang mga oras na iyon, tila mood niya ata ang biglang nasira.“I see,” tanging nasambit niya bago ngumiti nang pilit.Akmang tatayo na sana siya nang ilahad ni Maica ang kamay nito sa kaniya.“I just remove first my wedding ring. Ang pangit naman kasing tingnan kung may suot akong wedding ring and engagement ring from different person at the same time.” Malapad na ngumiti si Maica sa kaniya habang naghihintay sa reaksyon niya.Gulat na gulat naman si Third habang pinagmamasdan ito pati na rin ang kaliwang kamay nitong nasa kaniyang harapan. “Nangangalay na ‘ko.”Doon lang tila natauhan si Third sa mga nangyayari. Buong akala niya kasi ay tumatanggi na ta

Halos isang buwang ding nagpahinga si Third sa ospital bago tuluyang namalabas ng ospital. Kahit paano rin ay nabawasan ang pag-aalala kay Third para sa kaligtasan ni Maica dahil nakakulong na rin naman si Julie. Batid niya rin kasing hindi naman ito guguluhin ni Denver pero para makasiguro ay lihim niya pa rin itong pinasusundan sa mga bodyguards nito para mapanatili ang kaligtasan ni Maica.“Make sure to report to me every details even the smallest one,” sabi ni Third sa isa sa mga bodyguard ni Maica.“Gladly, Sir,” tugon nito bago ito naglakad paalis kasama ang iba pang mga bodyguards.Napasandal si Third sa swivel chair niya at saka ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. Kahit paano ay masasabi niyang unti-unti na talagang nagbubunga ang lahat ng paghihirap niya. Batid niyang sa oras na magkaroon na ng resulta ang annulment case nila Maica at Denver ay wala na siyang dapat na ipangamba at tuluyan nang magiging opisyal ang relasyon nila ni Maica.Nagpasya siyang tumayo mula sa kinauup

Gulat at takot ang kaagad na namayani sa puso ni Denver habang papalapit si Maica sa kinaroroonan niya. Mabilis siyang tumayo at inayos ang sarili upang maging presentable naman sa paningin ng asawa. “Maica…” malamlam ang kaniyang mga mata nang salubungin niya ito ngunit himbis na lumapit ito sa kaniya ay nilagpasan lamang siya nito at dumeretso sa lalakeng sumalubong ng suntok sa kaniya. “Ayos ka lang ba?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Maica sa lalake. “Maica?” Tila gulat na gulat naman ito nang mapagsino ang kaharap. Humawak pa ito sa tagiliran habang iniinda ang tamang natamo mula kay Denver. “You need to go to the hospital,” sabi ni Maica rito. Dahil sa nasaksihan ay mas lalong nainis si Denver dahil hindi man lang siya pinapansin ng asawa. Mabilis niyang hinaltak ang braso nito at hinawakan ng mariin. “Can’t you see that I am here?” sabi niya kay Maica. “Mas inalala mo pa talaga ang sira ulong ‘yan kaysa sa akin na asawa mo. Look what he did to me?” Tinuro niya pa ang putok n

Sandali pang nanatili si Maica sa loob ng opisina ni Mr. Milendez habang pinanunuod ang replay ng kaniyang live broadcast. Ginamit niya na rin ang pagkakataong iyon upang basahin ang mga kumento ng mga nakapanood at masaksihan ang sunud-sunod na tawag na natanggap nila Mr. Milendez tungkol sa live. Masasabi ni Maica na halos lahat ng kumento ay pabor sa kaniya habang galit na galit naman ang karamihan kay Denver. Batid ni Maica na mangyayari iyon ngunit mas pipiliin niya ang sariling katahimikan kaysa sa asawang nagtaksil sa kaniya.“Mr. Milendez, I think I should take my leave. May kailangan pa kasi akong asikasuhin,” sabi ni Maica.“Sige, Maica. Pag-usapan na lang natin sa susunod ang mga bagong schedules mo,” sagot naman ni Mr. Milendez.Paglabas na paglabas pa lang ng building ay naroon na ang ilan sa mga reporters na naghihintay sa kaniya upang siya ay makapanayam ngunit ayaw niya nang magbigay ng karagdagang detalye dahil pagod na rin siya ng araw na iyon ay minabuti niyang h

After Maica’s pictorial for Bench Fashion Magazine, she hurriedly went to the Mango Fashion Group building for an urgent meeting. Even she was surprised when Julie called her about it. She didn’t know what to prioritize, especially since Julie was currently away. Her friend had gone home to the province to take care of her sick mother. Maica didn’t hesitate to allow her, knowing that family always comes first. Julie assured her she’d be back before Monday.For now, Maica had to attend all her appointments alone. Fortunately, Julie had already arranged her schedule, prioritizing the important ones. All she needed to do was show up. Another thing Maica was grateful for was the presence of her bodyguards, always ready whenever she needed security.“Hi! I’m here for a scheduled meeting with Mr. Calvin,” she said to the receptionist while looking at her smiling.Josh’s secretary immediately appeared to greet her.“Glad to see you, Ms. Delmundo. Mr. Calvin has been expecting you.”Maica smi

Maica lay quietly on her bed, staring at their plain white ceiling. She couldn’t get the recent encounter with Third out of her mind—especially since he had disappeared without a trace before. She never thought he’d change that much. From his looks to the way he dressed, everything about him was different.Before, he was content wearing a plain white shirt and ripped jeans. Now, he looked so formal in a navy blue long-sleeved polo, black slacks, and polished black shoes. His once messy hair was neatly styled in a brush-up haircut. The only things that remained the same were his tan complexion and the deep dimples on both cheeks, which perfectly complemented his straight nose, moderately thick brows, and just-right lips. His deep-set brown eyes matched his sparse lashes.A small smile formed on Maica’s lips as she recalled their unexpected reunion—of all places, at the Mango Fashion Group building.“You really changed a lot, Third,” she whispered to herself.She closed her eyes, lettin

“Maica, you have an appointment with Mr. Calvin this afternoon for the contract signing,” Julie reminded her.Maica took a deep breath as she stared at the ceiling of their room.“Is something wrong?” Julie asked, noticing her gloomy expression.“I’m probably just tired. My schedule has been fully booked for the past few days. I think my body is just looking for some rest,” she replied. “And about Denver’s cheating issue—I already confronted him, and you were right. I’m really glad I found the courage to talk to him last night. At least now, I have some clarity. I just jumped to conclusions too quickly.”“I told you. It’s always better to talk things out when there’s a misunderstanding so everything can be cleared up,” Julie said. “But about your appointment—are you still going, or do you want to rest today?”“I’ll go. You know how important time is to me. I don’t want to waste it just lounging around at home.”Maica knew that staying home wouldn’t do her any good. If anything, she’d

Maica had been waiting for almost an hour in the Emerald Tower’s waiting area before their car finally arrived at the main entrance. Just in time, Denver and Julie also showed up, looking utterly exhausted. “Thank God you’re here.” Maica immediately stood up upon seeing the two. “Good thing you had Julie follow me. I was practically lost in the basement parking, searching for Manong George,” Denver said, still catching his breath. “No wonder you look like you just took a bath in your own sweat,” Maica teased. “Come on, Maica. No one told us it was scorching hot down there. I was about to run out of air just looking for Denver,” Julie explained. “At least you found each other.” Concern was evident on Maica’s face as they walked toward the car. “Yeah, I was on my way up to the first floor when Julie spotted me running around.” Denver quickly opened the car door for Maica and Julie, and both hurried inside. Once they were settled, he took the passenger seat beside the driver. “Ma

“Maica, where have you been?” Julie hurriedly approached Maica, concern evident in her voice, as she found her sitting alone on a vacant bench in the waiting area of Emerald Tower. “Denver and I have been looking for you. Do you have any idea how worried he is?”“I just wasn’t feeling well, Julie,” Maica said, making an excuse. “But I’m okay now.”“Are you sure?” Julie’s doubt was written all over her face. “I’ve known you for so long, Maica. You can’t lie to me.”“Julie…” Maica’s voice started to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes. “I think Denver is cheating on me.”“What?” Julie gasped. “Denver? Are you sure about this?”“I overheard him the other day. I was about to step out of our room when I heard his voice outside. He was talking to someone. I don’t know who it was, but I heard him say he missed her. He even called her ‘babe’ and told her he loves her too.” Maica could no longer hold back her tears, covering her face with her hands. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t lose

Because of the heavy traffic, Denver decided to head straight to Emerald Tower, where Jane and her husband’s wedding reception was being held. “Yes, yes. We’re on our way.” That was all Denver said before ending the call. “Of all times for us to be in a rush, we just had to get stuck in traffic,” Julie complained. “Good thing Maica doesn’t have any more schedules after this, so we don’t have to worry about running late.” Denver focused back on the road, watching the red taillights flicker ahead of them. *** It took them over an hour before they finally arrived at their destination. Before stepping out of the car, Julie made sure her friend looked presentable enough for the event. “Hi, Jane.” Denver immediately greeted the ballerina with a cheek-to-cheek kiss before shaking hands with her husband. “Congrats. You really surprised us with this wedding.” “Actually, we’ve been planning this for a while. We just kept it private. You know how it is.” Jane smiled at Maica, as if hintin