Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin ngayon matapos nang nangyari kagabi. Bakit pa ba kasi ako umiyak?! Kanina pa ako nagpapanggaap na natutulog pa rin sapagkat ayaw ko munang harapin si Jake. Jake kissed my face first before going out off the room that's why I have the time right now to breathe. Okay, Ash. Just act normally right now, hmmm? Act like what happened last night didn't happen at all. Dahan-dahan ang pagtayo ko at ang paglalakad papuntang bathroom. Hawak ko na ang glass door nito nang tumunog ang pintuan sa kwarto! Napalingon ako roon at nasilayan si Jake na naka sweat shorts at puting t-shirt! Fuck, napaka-simple lamang ng kanyang suot ngunit nagdudulot na ito sa akin ng kakaibang kuryente.I saw how his eyes checked me up. His forehead creased and there was a ghost of a playful smirk in his lips. "Are you okay?" Tanong niya nang nakangisi. "A-Ahhh oo," kinakabahang saad ko. Itinuro ko ang bathroom na nagpapahiwatig na kailangan ko nang pumunta roon. "S-Sige ah
"Walang nakaka-alam kina Lake and Take?" Huminto ako sa paglalakad upang tanungin siya tungkol dito. Nalaman kong hindi pala totoong kapatid ni Jake sina Lake and Take. This was his reason on why he didn't let the twin came with us here in Siquijor. Nandito kami ngayon sa Isla De Paraiso upang sulitin ang natitirang araw namin dito sa Siquijor. We planned to stay here for our last three days. Nakayuko si Jake habang hawak-hawak ang aking kamay. His long fingers are intertwined with mine. Napakasarap sa pakiramdam na maramdaman ang taong dahilan ng pag-ngiti mo. He looked at me and I saw how sadness came across his eyes.Ngumiti siya sa akin pero hindi nito natakpan ang lungkot na aking nakikita sa kanyang mga mata. "What's wrong?" Hindi ko na nakayanan pa ang tanungin siya nito habang hinahaplos ang kanyang mukha.He held my hand that's touching his face and brought it down to his lips. He closed his eyes and it touches his lips. Sa ilang araw na nakasama ko si Jake, pansin kong la
I don't know how to answer him. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang siya'y nakaluhod pa rin habang hawak-hawak ang singsing. The ring has a big pearl on its middle and it's surrounded with small pearls that looked like white sand. Is now the right time? Am I ready to start the new chapter of my life? I know that he already has confessed his love for me and how much he wants to be with me but...this is different, marriage is different. It is a lifetime choice. Hindi ko pa siya tunay na kilala and we started this relationship in a wrong way.I wandered my eyes around the place and saw that the instructors were not here anymore. Did he really plan this out? I tried to give him a genuine smile but ended up giving him a fake one. I don't know how to react! "I-I d-don't think...I don't t-think now is the right time, Jake," mahina kong saad sa kanya.Kahit na wala naman ng tao sa paligid, I still need to be careful. I waited and waited and waited for his response for minutes but then...he l
They say that love conquers all because it is the most powerful thing in the world. But for me, it's time. Time as it gives us the chance to love and to be loved, to reach the dreams we desire to have, to be someone whom we preferred to be, and to make a significant change for my family, for the society that I belong and live in, and for my self.This is why I always treasure the time that fate is giving me. Nobody knows when and where your time will be cut off. And the only thing that I need to do is to pursue what my heart really wants, to live the life I want, to love the person whom my heart beats for, and to be with the people who have a significant place in my life.It's been two days since I came back here in Cebu to celebrate the Christmas and New Year with my family. Sa nakalipas na dalawang araw na iyon ay lagi kaming nag-uusap ni Jake. He never forgets to update me and he always calls me at night.Nakangiti ako habang pinapanood ko ang aking mga magulang na masayang naghahan
Healing SeaHindi ko alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako mapakali. I felt like I needed to come back at my room and go call Jake. I felt like I have to bring back what I said and say sorry to him, that I didn't mean everything that I said.However, there is a part of me that thinks what I did was just right and in place. What he did was considered as cheating. He cheated on me with the girl he said not to worry about, Allison. But I know...that despite the anger that I have with Jake right now, I still think that I need to hear his explanations, on why Allison can easily go at his house, and what's the explanation of her endearment at Jake.I am jealous, yes. And fuck, this is the first time I have felt this as deep as I have ever expected. He may not be my first love but in my state right now, I could really say that he is my greatest love. Kaya naman napakasakit sa akin nang marinig ang mga salitang iyon kay Allison.I can't accept it. Hindi ko matanggap na paanong n
Touch"How did you get here anyway?" Andrei asked me.Nakaupo kami ngayon sa mga malalaking bato na nakapalibot sa dagat. Both of us were drinking alcohol and it is because of him. Siya ang may dala nito at pakiramdam ko talaga ay may problemang malaki ito eh."Naglakad lang." Simple kong sagot sa kanya bago ko inisahang lagok ang alak na nilagay ko sa shot glass."Damn, girl. Dahan dahan naman." Nilingon ko siya habang nakakunot ang aking noo. Infairness huh, he really is handsome and hot but sorry I am taken already."Eh hindi ba ikaw naman ang nag-ayang uminom? Bakit parang ayaw mo akong uminom ngayon?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya."It's not what I meant. What I meant is you have to be careful in drinking alcohol." He reminded me through his gentle voice.Nakatingin pa rin ako sa kanya at tinitingnan ang kanyang mukha. Even though he is smiling, the sadness in his eyes is still visible and I think he cannot hide it with a smile. Siguro kung sa ibang tao ay maaari pang maloko ni
The OrganizationNilingon ko siya nang sakupin ng takot ang buo kong katawan. But I've got not answer from him. He's just holding the steel wheel of his car and with the way he's holding it seems like he's going to break it in any minute. He is also clenching his jaw while looking straightly in front. Not minding me at all.Why is he mad at me? Sa aming dalawa, ako ang mas may karapatang magalit. It's christmas and I have just found out that the only girl I am worrying about, can easily go at his house and much worse in his room. Does he ever know how much it hurt me? In that small span of time, I already questioned my worth, my self, and his love for me. Tama ba na ipagpatuloy namin ito? I know that I still have to hear his side, his explanation. But, somehow, I feel like I don't want to hear it right now.""Uuwi na ako." Anang ko nang lumipas na ang labin-limang minutong katahimikan sa loob ng kanyang sasakya.He tilted his head at me and from the side of my eye, I saw how he has ha
Sunless DaysKinabukasan, I felt like there is someone who is shaking my arms, trying to wake me up. I ignored it and go back to my sleep when it continues, not minding whether I want it to be stopped or not. Small and unpleasant voice is meeting my ears. I don't know if there is really a voice talking to me or it is just because I'm so tired. Hindi ko pa rin iminumulat ang aking mga mata at pinipilit pa ring iniisip na ito ay sa panaginip lamang. Ngunit habang tumatagal ay lumilinaw na ang boses na tumatama sa aking pandinig. The voice is familiar but I can't figure it out just yet. "Ash...Ash...Ash!" It seems like everyone in the world has awaken by the voice who wake me up completely. I opened my weak eyes and it meets the person whom I don't expect to see right now, my mother.It shocked me that my mother came in my room and when I started realizing everything that has happened last night, dawn rather, I felt like my heart is going to break the cage that is locking my heart fr
Jake's POVWala na akong ibang hihilingin pa sa buhay ko. I am with my lovely wife. My dream. My daughter. The twins needed to go back to Spain because I already passed the throne to them. They aren't my real sons yes but they deserve it. At alam kong mapro-protektahan nila ito nang maayos. And its legacy will always be its legacy. Its principle will be always there to guide them. And we're just here to give them advice. "Daddy, does it look good?" Napalingon ako kay Snow nang itanong niya iyon. Hindi ko maiwasang mangiti nang makitang suot niya ang regalo ko sa kanyang unicorn-themed na costume dress. Lumapit ako sa kanya at lumuhod para maglevel ang mga mata namin."Yes, honey. You look beautiful," I chuckled. "Where's your mommy?"Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Nagbibihis pa, dad." Tumingin ako sa taas ng hagdan bago nagpasyang puntahan na siya roon. "Stay with Manang for a while hmmm? I'll just look for your mommy."She happily nodded her head at me then went to the kitchen, where Manan
Ash's POV"Oh anyare sa'yo?" Hindi ko pinansin si Gizelle at Jessica. Dumeretso ako sa upuan ko at saka roon nagmukmok. It's been a week since Jake and I broke up. Hindi naging madali sa akin noong una pero sa mga sumunod na araw, I finally learned to accept it. Isa pa, hindi naman kami nag-break ng may sama ng loob sa isa't-isa. But of course, it was still painful for me. Ito ang unang beses kong makipag-relasyon. This is also the first time I fell in love. Of course, may mga nagugustuhan na rin akong iba noon pa pero iba itong nararamdaman ko kay Jake. It's beyond crush. And I know for sure that it's love. Naramdaman ko ang pag-upo ng dalawa sa katabing upuan ko. Magkakatabi lang kami ng mga chairs kaya naman ramdam ko talaga nang naupo sila."Psst," sabay kalabit sa balikat ko. "Ano ba, inaantok ako," palusot ko. I heard them laugh and that made me look at them. Tiningnan ko sila nang masama pero tumawa lang sila. Gizelle then bumped my shoulder. "Ano bang meron? Hindi ka nama
Jake's POVI don't know much about love. I was a newbie. I didn't know how to handle a relationship. I was always conscious if I was doing the right way or not. And sometimes, I don't find myself being head over heels to someone, and yet I do. I know that I am ruthless and dangerous. I don't have a heart to any other people. If I would kill, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. But I know my limit. I don't just kill someone because I want to and I also need to consider the rules of Voltzki House as well as the Organizaçion. Pero hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko nang mandilim ang paningin ko kay Allison nang oras na nasa rooftop kami. I couldn't hold on! I couldn't stop my self! My anger had taken over me and at that moment, I felt like no one could ever stop me from hurting that girl! She's my friend, yes but I couldn't take her saying bad things to Ash! More on in front of my family! And much more in front of me!"Don't...you...ever...try..." I darkly told her. I held her jaw and nec
Jake's POVMany would think that I am fortunate because we are wealthy. But looking back at my childhood, I was so unfortunate. Unlucky. "Don't be weak, Jake! Shoot it! Kill it!" My mother shouted from behind.I am holding the gun while pointing it to my target—the wild pig. My hand is trembling as I try to keep my posture because I am scared that my mother would punish me if I fail this task. I adequately measured the distance and the speed of the wild pig before letting the bullet out of this gun. And I hit it. I heard my mother's clap. But I couldn't look at her and join her in her happiness...because I just killed an animal.I am a killer. I killed an animal. I killed a wild pig. I am a killer. Paulit-ulit iyong tumatakbo sa isipan ko. My mother is saying something to my elder brother, Blaze, about something. Pero wala sa kanila ang focus ko. Nakatutok lang ang mga mata ko sa baboy ramo na pinatay ko. I saw the blood rushing through the wild pig's body. I saw it trembled when
You have touched my HeartThe days are fast slipping away. Parang kahapon lang ay nag-aaral pa ako, working as an escort, pleasuring Jake in any possible way that I could because it's my work to do so...and I was paid for it, being a good daughter to our family, being a volunteer to the organization...that I once was thought helping other people...but turned out as just their facade to hide their illegal doings.I was hurt, Jake didn't wait for me and I thought he cheated and fell in love with Allision...that was why they married each other in spite of me begging. My parents faced a traumatic death experience, I thought Jake did it and blamed for it, I got away from everything and left the Philippines for good. Lived in Spain and gave birth to my hope, my peace, and my happiness, my Snow. I then met Jerkson again...my former classmate. He helped me in everything and he fell in love. He asked me marriage and I accepted it. Snow was kidnapped which resulted for Jake to know about her exi
My WorldKinabukasan ay totoo nga ang sinabi ni Jake dahil 9:00 pa lang nang umaga ay andami nang nakapila sa labas! Hindi niya man lang sinabi sa aking maaga pala ang oras na binigay niya sa kanila!Kaya naman nang pagbuksan ko sila ng pinto ay hiyang-hiya ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay kanina pa silang naghihintay sa labas. Buti na lamang at nakaligo na ako bago pa sila dumating. The twins and Snow are still sleeping while Jake is at the kitchen, he's cooking our breakfast. Pinadagdagan ko ang pagkain para naman may mai-offer kaming breakfast sa mga organizers. I also ordered him to prepare a snack for them in which he obliged. "Uhmm, I'm s-sorry for the inconvenience," nahihiya kong paghingi ng tawad sa kanila. Pinaupo ko muna sila sa mga couch na nasa sala namin habang ang iba ay walang maupuan dahil kulang na ang upuan! I thought iba-iba ang oras ng mga organizers na inimbita niya dahil sabi niya ay may schedule pero hindi niya naman sinabi na ang schedule pala na binigay niya ay y
Deserve"Mommy, we're now going back to the Philippines?" Masayang tanong ni Snow habang naghahanda kami para sa flight namin bukas.We're now going back to the Philippines to immediately start the planning for our upcoming wedding. I want it simply done but Jake doesn't want it. He wants it to be the best wedding of all time."You deserve everything good in this world, baby." I remember the time he said it to me. Kusa na lang lumitaw ang ngiti sa aking labi nang maalala iyon."Mommy?" Napahinto ako sa pagngiti dahil doon. "H-Huh?" I asked my daughter innocently.Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin at ngumuso kalaunan. "Why are you suddenly smiling, mommy? I'm asking po if we're now going back to the Philippines?" Ulit niya sa tanong niya kanina.I awkwardly gave her an awkward chuckle. "Ah, y-yes anak. Your dad and I want to get married in the Philippines," She smiled. "I'm so excited na po!"I laughed at her excitement. Nilapitan ko siya at saka hinalikan sa pisngi. "You love the Philip
Family Time"What exactly did she tell you hmm?"Nakasandal ang likod ko sa kanya habang nakababad kami rito sa bath tub. Katatapos lang namin kanina at napagpasyahan naming magpahinga rito sa tub. It's more comfortable here. Ang mga bula ay pinaglalaruan ko, iniipon ko ang mga ito saka hinihipan nang isahan.Inilapit ko pa ang sarili ko sa kanya dahilan para maramdaman ko ang kanyang pagkalalaki na hanggang ngayon ay matigas pa rin at handa pang lumaban kahit na katatapos lang namin ng dalawang round.Namula ako sa naisip."Na...nag-sex daw kayo kahapon and...uhmm...you two fucked a long time ago...when she was still your fiancé." Pag-amin ko sa kanya.His right hand snaked on my waist while his other hand is putting my hair altogether to kiss my nape. Paulit-ulit niyang pinapatakan ang aking batok at balikat ng kanyang mumunting halik. "It's not true," his husky voice conquered my ears.Hindi ako maka-focus sa sinasabi niya dahil sa paulit-ulit nitong paghalik sa akin. This is the
Marriage ProposalPagkatapos din ng linggong iyon ay lumipad kami papuntang Spain. Snow is a smart kid so even if we don't explain it to her, she will surely know it herself. Kadarating lang namin ngayon sa Spain at dumeretsyo agad kami rito sa Votlzki House para makapagpahinga. The twins were also here. Jake said that he gave the twins their own position in this Mafia House. Sa mga araw na wala siya rito para mamahala, ang kambal ang naging katuwang niya upang mapanatili ang kaayusan dito.Snow wanted us to rest in one room so we oblige. Jake is hugging me from the back while we watch the sun rises in the morning from our balcony. He is throwing small but long-lasting kisses on my neck. I tilted my head a bit to give him more access from kissing me."I always watch the sun because it reminds me of you," he said when he paused at kissing my neck.Napatingin ako sa langit dahil sa sinabi niya. It is so beautiful. The colors around the sun blended exactly with each other to produce suc