NAALIMPUNGATAN SI Ruby Rose nang marinig ang tunog nang humintong sasakyan sa kanilang garahe. Hindi niya namalayang nakatulog siya sa sofa sa may sala habang naghihintay sa kanyang asawa. Sinulyapan niya ang may kalakihang wall clock na nakasabit sa dingding. It was almost two in the morning, the last time she checked the time, it was ten in the evening, she slept for nearly four hours. Tumayo siya at lumakad patungo sa pinto upang pagbuksan ang asawa. “Welcome home,” bati niya rito nang nakangiti. She could immediately smell the alcohol from him, the stench was too strong that she wanted to throw up. He walked pass her without saying anything and entered their room without looking back. Ni hindi man lang siya nito tinapunan ng tingin kahit sandali man lang. Isinarado niya ang pinto at nagmamadaling tumungo sa sink upang ilabas ang mga kinain. She felt sick when she smelt the strong scent of alcohol. She drank water after she throw up, her stomach felt so empty and she was famis
HINDI NIYA ALAM kung ilang minuto na siyang nakatayo sa labas ng pinto basta ang alam niya ay kanina pa siya naroon. She sighed for the nth time and finally knocked on the door, she knocked two times but there was no response.“Are you sleeping?”Ruby Rose sighed in a mixture of disappointment and relief. Disappointment because she could not see him, she barely saw him for the whole week because he was always busy. And relief because her plan for that night would not be executed, even she thought that her plan was unreasonable. She was about to leave and go back to her room when the door opened.“What do you want? It’s late,” Russel Clarke said.Napalunok siya nang mapatingala sa mukha nito. He was really tall.Napahigpit ang hawak ni Ruby Rose sa kumot na nakapalibot sa kanyang katawan. She was trembling and it was not because of the cold. Hindi paman niya nagagawa ang binabalik ay para na siyang hihimatayin sa kaba.Mabilis siyang pumasok sa loob ng silid nito bago pa magbago ang is
7 YEARS LATER MANHATTAN, NEW YORK "What do you think is the first step to unlove someone?" the host asked. "You should stop seeing them. Seeing them often will always remind you how deep your affection towards that person. It'll be easier to unlove them if they were out of your sight. Focus on other things, pursue your dreams, focus on yourself." "That's deep. I'm wondering if it's based on your personal experiences?" "Maybe." Ruby Rose smiled playfully and shrugged her shoulders. Pinatay ni Ruby Rose ang cellphone at inilapag sa lamesa. Dinampot niya ang shades at isinuot bago umayos ng higa sa beach lounge chair.She smiled bitterly when she remembered what she answered to that question from the host of that vlog, the one she was watching on her phone. It was already uploaded in the internet.She was invited by a famous vlogger, who had millions of followers in Youtube and in other social media platforms, to be featured in one of their episodes. Their YouTube channel was known
“HMM…” Padaing na reklamo ni Ruby Rose nang masilaw sa liwanag mula sa labas. Pumasok iyon sa kanyang silid mula sa kanyang bintana na nasa uluhan niya. Someone opened her roller blind curtain and the sun was hitting her face.Itinakip niya ang kumot sa kanyang mukha at nagtangkang bumalik sa pagtulog ngunit may humila ng kumot niya. Wala siyang magawa kundi magising dahil mataas na ang sikat ng araw sa labas na tumatama sa kanya.She groaned like a wounded beast when she felt like her head was going split into two. It was the worst hangover she had ever experienced and last night was the first time she got wasted. Ni hindi niya maalala kung paano siya nakauwi sa kanyang apartment.“Get up and drink this.”Tinanggap niya ang binigay ng kanyang manager na pain reliever at baso ng tubig. Mabilis niya iyong ininom at isinandig ang likod sa pader habang nakaupo sa kanyang kama.“My head is killing me.”“You were so wasted last night; you couldn’t even stand up straight. If Carrie hadn’t c
“ROSE…”“RUBY ROSE…”“Ha?” Nagtaas ng ulo si Ruby Rose nang kalabitin siya ng kanyang kapatid na katabi niyang nakaupo habang kumakain sila ng hapunan. Tiningnan niya ito habang nakakunot ang noo.Nang ilinga niya ang mga mata palibot sa kanilang dining table ay nakita niya nakatingin sa kanya ang mga kasama. Her mother and father and her two siblings.Hindi niya gustong lumabas ng kuwarto niya kanina pero wala siyang magagawa. Iyon ang unang beses na nabuo silang pamilya sa harap ng hapag simula nang umalis siya.“What’s wrong? Kanina ka pa tinatawag ng mama mo. You don’t like the food?” Malcolm asked.Napatingin siya sa kanyang mga magulang at ngumiti. “It’s just jetlag, Dad.” Niyuko niya ang kanyang pagkain na kaunti lang ang nabawas. Hindi niya napansin kaninang nakatulala siya roon at nilaro-laro lang ng kutsara. Sumubo siya ng pagkain kahit na para bang babara iyon sa kanyang lalamunan.Tahimik siyang nagpasalamat nang makumbinsi niya ang mga ito. “How’s school?” tanong niya sa
“WHAT AM I even doing here?” she murmured and laughed nervously.Her, standing in front of Russel’s door felt like a déjà vu. Hindi niya maiwasang hindi maalala ang nangyari noong eighteen siya.Hindi siya nahirapang hanapin ang bahay ni Russel dahil alam niya ang address nito at ang house number noon pa mang hindi pa siya umaalis ng bansa.If her stare could bore, it would’ve put a hole in the door. Kanina pa siya nakatitig doon at hindi makahanap ng lakas ng loob upang kumatok.Ipinikit niya ang mga mata at inalala ang mga sinabi ni Joanna sa kanya. Tila ba nagkaroon siya ng lakas ng loob dahil doon kaya itinaas niya ang kamay at pinindot ang doorbell.Hindi siya mapakali habang hinihintay na bumukas ang pinto. Malakas ang kutob niyang naroon si Russel dahil nasa garahe ang sasakyan nito. The garage could only fit one car, she was assuming that he only had that car.Lihim niyang napigil ang hininga ng panandalian lamang nang bumungad sa bumukas na pinto ang mukha ni Russel. Nakasuot
SHE FELT the ringing in her ears when she woke up. Hindi niya maimulat ang mga mata dahil sa sakit ng ulo. Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto ay unti-unti nang rumirehistro sa kanyang pandinig ang mga boses sa labas ng silid.The voices were inaudible at first, until they became clearer as minutes passed by. They were two voices, no, there’s three, three familiar voices.Gusto niyang buksan ang mga talukap pero tila kay bigat ng mga iyon. Maging ang katawan ay nahihirapan siyang igalaw. She could barely feel her body that it was starting to scare her. What’s happening to her?Hanggang sa marinig niya ang pagbukas ng pinto at ang papalapit na mga yabag ay nanatili siyang nakapikit at hindi makagalaw. Tanging mga ungol ang kumakawala sa kanyang mga labi.Naririnig niya ang mararahas nitong paghinga habang nakaupo sa dulong bahagi ng kama.Ilang beses niyang sinubukang buksan ang mga talukap at nang magtagumpay ay nakita niya si Russel. Nang luminaw ang kanyang paningin ay una niyang napagtuonan
TANGHALI NA pero hindi niya gustong umalis ng kanyang kama. Ang bigat-bigat ng kanyang pakiramdam at nakakaramdam siya ng pagkahilo tuwing tumatayo. She did not know that being pregnant could be that hard.Yesterday, the doctor confirmed that she was pregnant. Ibig sabihin lang niyon ay hindi siya puwedeng bumalik ng Brooklyn. How could she tell Leny about it? Hindi pa niya ito natatawagan upang ibalita rito ang pagbubuntis niya. Leny already knew about her situation, how she wagered with her mother. Leny freaked out at first, pero wala itong magawa kaya hindi muna ito tumanggap ng mga project at gigs para sa kanya.She wondered if her mother told everyone about her being pregnant. Did she already tell Russel? How would he react? What would he do about it?Natatakot siyang malaman ang magiging reaksiyon ni Russel.The day after they had sex, Russel and Joanna announced that their wedding would be postponed. Hindi gustong i-cancel ni Joanna ang kasal kaya napagdesisyunan ng mga itong
THE KISS STARTED SLOW as if they were weighing each other’s feelings.Ipinalibot niya ang mga braso sa leeg ni Russel at hinila papalapit ang katawan nito sa katawan niya. She opened her mouth and met his tongue halfway.Tila may mumunting apoy na sumisindi sa kanyang katawan habang magkalapat ang mga balat nila.She could feel Russel’s weight against her and the hardness of his body. Nakipaglaro ang dila niya sa dila ni Russel at parang unti-unti na itong nadadala sa ginagawa nila.Russel’s mouth was so hot and wet. Everytime their tongue touched she felt electricity running down her spine.She touched Russel’s broad back until her hands found the hem of his shirt. Unti-unti niya iyong itinaas upang alisin ang damit sa katawan ni Russel. She wanted to touch his bare body and feet its warmth.Hindi naman siya binigo ni Russel nang tulungan siya nitong alisin ang damit nito.Itinukod ni Russel ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang gilid niya at tinitigan ang kanyang mukha. She stared back
SHE WAS HOLDING her phone and scrolling at random stuff when she heard a knock on the door. Mabilis siyang tumayo at binuksan ang pinto ng floating cottage nila. Bumungad sa kanya ang dalawang pamilyar na mukha.They were part of the group they saw during the day when they were island hopping.“We are having a campfire by the beach, why don’t you and your husband join us?” the black woman said to her. She had a beautiful smile on her face.Ruby Rose could stare at her face for a long time. She was really beautiful. She had a curly untamed her, it was framing her small face. What was her name again? Hindi niya maalala ang pangalan nito kahit na nagpakilala ang grupo na kinabibilangan nito kaninang nag island hopping sila.If she remembered it clearly, the woman beside her was her wife, who looked life European. The couple were travelling from one country to another.“Thank you, ahm…” she trailed off while trying to remember their names. But her efforts were futile.“Jessie, that’s my n
“WHAT DO YOU want for dinner, Rosa?”Nginitian ni Rose ang kanilang guide na si Jose na sumungaw sa loob ng floating cottage, he was a Dominican in his early thirties, with a charming personality. He asked her earlier if he could call her Rosa, and she said yes.“I could eat anything edible, Jose.”“Excelente!” Jose exclaimed in Spanish.Napatingin siya sa kanyang asawa na kausap na ngayon ni Jose. She was amazed hearing Russel conversing in Spanish. She was reminded that she had a genius husband.Russel was a multilingual. Noon pa man ay inaral na nito ang iba’t ibang lengguwahe. When she was a teenager, she asked him why he was learning different languages and Russel said that it could be an advantage in dealing with clients or investors with different nationalities. Noon pa man ay gusto na ni Russel na magtrabaho sa kompanya ng daddy niya. Gusto nitong makatulong sa kanyang daddy sa pagpapatakbo ng kompanya. Siguro ay ito ang paraan nito upang makapagbayad, kahit na wala naman iton
MABILIS NA TUMAKBO ang batang si Ruby Rose habang nagbibilang ang kanyang yaya. She was giggling while running away to find some place to hide. Napangisi si Ruby Rose nang makitang nakabukas ang pinto ng storage room. Mabilis siyang pumasok sa loob at isinarado ang pinto. Ang tanging ilaw na tumatanglaw sa loob ay ang sinag ng papalubog na araw mula sa maliit na bintana.Umupo siya sa sahig at sumandig sa may pinto, napahagikhik siya habang iniisip ang paghahanap ng kanyang yaya sa kanya. She waited for how many minutes, but her nanny couldn’t find her. Ruby Rose did not notice that she was starting to fall asleep. Hanggang sa tuluyan siyang makatulog. Pagmulat niya ng mga mata ay sinaniban siya ng takot nang walang makita kung ‘di kadiliman. Wala nang araw na pumapasok sa bintana ng storage room. Agad siyang tumayo at pinihit ang seradura ng pinto ngunit hindi iyon bumubukas. Kinalampag niya ang pinto at sumigaw, baka sakaling marinig siya ng kung sinumang nasa labas. “I’m here,
“MA’AM RUBY.”“Ha?” napatingin si Ruby Rose sa katulong na lumapit pa sa kanya at iwinagayway ang kamay sa harap ng kanyang mukha.“Okay ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa nakatulala. Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang pagkain? Gusto mong maghanda ako ng iba ng iba, ma’am?”“Busong na po ako, ate Judith,” aniya, pagkatapos ay iniligpit ang kanyang pinagkainan.She spaced out again. Napapansin niyang napapadalas ang kanyang pagkatulala. Hindi niya maalala kung ano ang iniisip niya kanina bago siya pukawin ni Judith. She was just… lost.“Umuulan na naman sa labas,” ani ni Judith habang nakatingin sa may veranda.“Puwede na po kayong umuwi baka abutan pa kayo ng baha.” Madilim na sa labas ngunit naroon pa rin ang house helper. Recently, she had been staying later than her usual schedule. Siguro’y sinabihan ito ni Russel para may makasama siya sa bahay. “Russel will be here any minute from now.”Judith was hesitant but Ruby Rose smiled at her and urge her to go home.Napabuntung-hininga si Ruby Rose at nap
SHE WOKE UP WITH an unfamiliar white ceiling. She was disoriented at first while staring at the ceiling until a familiar voice finally registered in her mind. Someone’s calling her name.“Ruby Rose, are you okay?”Napatingin si Ruby Rose sa kanyang mommy na nasa tabi ng kanyang kinahihigaan. Naroon din si Marigold, ang nakababata niyang kapatid na babae. Nakatunghay ang dalawa sa kanya habang puno ng pag-aalala ang mga mukha.She glanced at her mother’s hand that was holding her own hand. Hindi agad maproseso sa kanyang isipan ang dahilan kung bakit ganoon ang reaksiyon ng mga ito.Sinubukan niyang igalaw ang katawan upang hawakan ang kanyang mommy ngunit agad na sumigid ang sakit. Doon niya naalala ang nangyari sa kanya sa kanilang bahay.“H-How long… was I asleep?” she asked in a raspy voice. Her throat felt dry and rough.“You slept for nearly twelve hours,” her mother answered.“M-My baby…. W-what hap… pened?”Kinabahan siya nang makitang nagtinginan ang kanyang mommy at kapatid.
“ROSY, ARE YOU still there?” Mula sa pagkakatingin sa labas ng café ay nabalik ang pansin ni Ruby Rose sa kausap sa kanyang cellphone. “Are you sure you’re okay? How’s the baby.”She sighed silently before answering, “Yes, you don’t have to worry about me, I’m a little bit underweight but it’s nothing serious.”“You should eat often. You don’t need to be conscious with your weight right now. You should eat for your baby.”“I know. Thanks, Leny. And I’m sorry for leaving abruptly.”“It’s true that I am a disappointed when you announced that you will stop modeling when you are at the peak of your career. But everything happens for a reason, and you could always come back whenever you are ready. For now, just focus on yourself, and the baby,” Leny said from the other line.Nang dumating ang kanyang inorder na cake ay nagpaalam siya kay Leny. She was craving for sweets, so she stopped by at that café after she went to her OB.Mag-isa siyang pumunta sa kanyang doctor kanina, hindi siya n
NAALIMPUNGATAN SI Ruby Rose nang marinig ang tunog nang humintong sasakyan sa kanilang garahe. Hindi niya namalayang nakatulog siya sa sofa sa may sala habang naghihintay sa kanyang asawa. Sinulyapan niya ang may kalakihang wall clock na nakasabit sa dingding. It was almost two in the morning, the last time she checked the time, it was ten in the evening, she slept for nearly four hours.Tumayo siya at lumakad patungo sa pinto upang pagbuksan ang asawa. “Welcome home,” bati niya rito nang nakangiti. She could immediately smell the alcohol from him, the stench was too strong that she wanted to throw up.He walked pass her without saying anything and entered their room without looking back. Ni hindi man lang siya nito tinapunan ng tingin kahit sandali man lang.Isinarado niya ang pinto at nagmamadaling tumungo sa sink upang ilabas ang mga kinain. She felt sick when she smelt the strong scent of alcohol. She drank water after she throw up, her stomach felt so empty and she was famished.
THE NEXT DAY, Russel came home very late. Gising pa siya nang dumating ito dahil sadyang hindi siya makatulog. She couldn’t sleep with the fact that her husband was not at home. Nangangamba rin siyang baka hindi ito umuwi.Bahagyang napawi ang pangamba niya nang dumating ito. “How’s your day? You did not come home last night.”“I was busy.”Too busy to at least accompany your new wife on your wedding night? Iyon ang gusto niyang itanong dito pero hindi niya magawa. Alam niyang galit pa rin si Russel sa kanya sa mga ginawa niya.“Nakilala ko si Ate Judith kanina. I like her,” aniya. Judith was the stay-out househelper of Russel. Ito ang naglilinis ng bahay, nagluluto at naglalaba noon pamang bagong lipat ni Russel doon. The house was a bungalow at nag-iisa lang si Russel na nakatira doon noon kaya hindi kailangan ng maraming katulong para maglinis. There were only two rooms, a bedroom and a mini-library that was also his office. There was no maid’s quarters kaya stay-out si Judith.“G