Zachary seemed like a mystery to me throughout the following weeks. He's more attentive and careful around me. He looked like he was under a curse, and I was the one who cast it. He did all I asked and looked for without complaining. Well, he used to do that, but this time he doesn't seem to care, even if I torture him. One time, I found him secretly ransacking our room; he seemed to be looking for something that I couldn't guess. In short, he's acting quite oddly."We're going to the farm today. Do you like to come?" Zachary asked while carrying a tray of food in his hand.Napaangat naman ako ng tingin sa kaniya dahil nakaupo ako sa sahig habang nilalaro si Angel. Alas-sais pa lamang ng umaga pero nakaligo na siya. Hanggang ngayon ay naninibago pa rin ako kapag nakikita siyang naka-jacket, 'yong tipong hindi branded o mukhang bago. Inilagay niya ang kaniyang dala sa bed side table bago naupo sa gilid ng kama. Sinubukan niyang tawagin si Angel pero mabilis kong nabuhat ang kuting at s
I've visited a lot of farms and plantations, but I'm still in awe of where Zachary took me. Unconsciously, my lips curled into a smile, and I gradually closed my eyes when the cool breeze hit my face. I felt like I was being pulled into an abyss—no problems, feeling safe and secure. There are trees and plants around, as well as various animals that roam freely throughout the area."Dito ka muna kay Nanay Victoria. Tutulungan ko lang sina Mang Pidong sa panunungkit ng niyog," paalam sa akin ni Zachary.Wala naman akong nagawa kundi tumango na lamang. Inayos niya muna ang dala niyang mat at inilatag sa malapad na upuan na gawa sa kawayan. Pinagpagan niya iyon saka inilagay sa isang gilid ang inihanda niyang basket kanina sa bahay."I prepared some sandwiches and snacks in case you get hungry," he said."Okay," tipid kong sagot at inilibot ang paningin sa paligid."Do you want to tour around?" pag-iimbita niya.Napakunot naman ang noo ko. "Akala ko ba tutulong ka kay Mang Pidong?""Well,
Suddenly, all of my exhilaration subsided—possibly because I thought back on my past. I was quiet for the following few hours. I wasn't even moving from my position; I was just looking at my surroundings and Zia from time to time, who is now assisting Nanay Victoria in setting out the tableware for eating.Napabuntonghininga ako at tumingin sa mapayapang langit. Mapait akong ngumiti. Hindi ko maiwasang magtanong sa Panginoon kung bakit ko naranasan ang lahat ng masasakit na bagay na ibinigay niya. Para palakasin ako? Para mas ihanda ako?Pero kailangan ko ba lahat ng iyon?Maybe I wasn't a perfect child. Even so, I know that I have been an honest and good partner. I couldn't help but feel unfair. Why do I have to suffer all the pain? Why do I have to be the only one to be broken?Revenge. Only the ignorant don't realize that's wrong, but can they hold it against me?Two years ago, I was at my lowest point. I lost a child. I was cheated by people I trusted. The person I was hoping woul
I didn't return merely to get hurt once more. I strengthened myself with grief and hatred so that nothing could derail my plans at this time. I've learned my lesson, and I won't allow myself to lose the battle I picked.Moving toward the private room I intended to walk into, I wore a face devoid of expression. Only the sound of my heels could be heard as I passed everything else in silence. It made sense given that it's a formal, respectable place.Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas ay tuluyan na akong tumigil sa harapan ng isang malawak na pintuan. Tamad kong sinilip ang wristwatch ko at napakibit-balikat na lamang nang makitang hindi pa ako late para sa gaganaping pagpupulong. Humugot muna ako ng malalim na hininga bago unti-unting binuksan ang pinto. Palihim akong napaismid nang makuha ko ang atensyon ng lahat. Matalim na bumabato sa aking direksyon ang paningin nina Daddy, Tita, at Eunice. Samantalang bakas naman sa itsura ni Zachary ang pagkabigla nang makita ako.What a happy family.
Aireen and I were both speechless when we got to her apartment. My mind was still confused, which is why I didn't drop off at Nanay Victoria's house first. Besides that, I also plan to take the car and some of my things that she brought home after I called her before. I reviewed Zachary's laptop again to uncover further documents that would shed light on the situation, but I've gone through all of them one by one, and even with his lesson plans that were saved, I still didn't find anything in the end.Napahilot na lamang ako sa aking sentido at tuluyan nang sumuko. Pagod kong isinandal ang aking likod sa sofa at wala sa sariling napaangat ng tingin sa kisame, nagbabaka sakali na may ideyang papasok sa utak ko. Halos ilang minuto rin ako sa gano'ng posisyon hanggang sa mapalingon ako kay Aireen nang lumabas siya sa kusina, may bitbit siyang baso na may lamang lemonade juice at saka iyon inilagay sa center table na nasa harapan ko."Ano'ng sunod mong plano?" usisa niya habang umuupo sa
(WARNING: THIS CHAPTER MAY TRIGGER YOUR ANXIETY/DEPRESSION/PANIC DISORDER)"Thank God you're stupider than me. I thought I was the most dimwitted person on earth." I laughed mockingly and wiped my tears. "Do you really think you can shove that lie at me? You did me wrong and you still had the fvcking audacity to turn the tables to put the blame on me? Cut that shit and, for once, act like a man!" I screamed and pushed him hard on his chest.Para naman siyang walang lakas na nagpadala sa tulak ko. He looked lost. Nakayuko lang siya at tila nawalan ng planong magsalita pa."Ang kapal ng mukha mo para ipagpilitang nagloko ako! Ang kapal ng mukha mo para gumawa ng k'wento kahit pa alam nating lahat ang totoo! Putangina, anong klaseng tao ka? Tao ka pa nga ba?" Nakagat ko ang ibaba kong labi dahil gusto na namang kumawala ng mga hikbi ko. "Ganiyan ka na ba talaga? Ganiyan na ba talaga kayo? Lahat na lang ng kagaguhan niyo pipilitin niyong ipalunok sa akin. Putangina, anak ko ang pinatay ni
I felt someone brushing my hair as I awoke. Gently and sweetly, as though lulling me back to sleep. It was cold all around me, and there's also a strange, familiar smell that stings my nose."Baby, I'm always here for you. We will get through this," I heard someone mutter, and then felt something touch my forehead.Marahan akong nagmulat at bumungad sa akin ang namumungay na mga mata ni Zachary. Bakas ang pag-aalala at pamomroblema sa kaniyang mukha. Gulo-gulo ang kaniyang buhok at halos nangingitim din ang ilalim ng kaniyang mga mata, tila ba ilang araw siyang hindi nakatulog. Blangko lang naman ang ekspresyon ko, binalewala ko ang kaniyang presensya at inilibot ang paningin ko sa paligid. Puro puti ang pintura ng silid, nakahiga ako sa isang hospital bed habang may nakakabit na dextrose sa akin. Hindi rin nakatakas sa paningin ko ang benda sa aking pupulsuhan. Sa mga sandaling iyon ay unti-unting bumalik ang mga alaala ko bago pa man ako mawalan ng malay. Muli akong pumikit at pagod
It's been two weeks since Zachary brought me to his condo. At first, I had no idea why we didn't go to Nanay Victoria's house, but then I heard his phone call with his friend, Thelmo. He wanted me to be close to a psychologist so that if I ever thought about getting checked, it would be easy. I just shrugged it off and kept ignoring him. Napatuon ang atensyon ko kay Angel nang muntikan na siyang mahulog sa cat condo na binili ni Zachary noong isang araw. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pinag-aaksayahan niya ng pera ang pusa ko, kayang-kaya ko namang i-provide 'yon. I am her mother, he's a stranger. Ano'ng karapatan niya para umaktong co-parent sa pusa ko? Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kuting. Maingat ko siyang dinampot at dinala sa kama, hinaplos ko ang kaniyang balahibo habang bahagyang nakanguso. Sinubukan niyang kumawala sa kandungan ko para muling tumakbo sa cat condo na nasa gilid ng k'warto, pero pinigilan ko siya. "Ikaw, ah? Nagpapaloko ka sa isang 'yon," ani ko at umirap. "Cheap lang 'y