Target When I arrived at my unit I saw a red envelope outside my door. Nagtaka akong napatingin dito. This is the same style of envelope na nakuha ko sa airport noong bumalik ako dito. Pinulot ko ito at agad na pumasok para hanapin ang envelope na tinago ko. Tinitigan ko ang dalawang envelope at kunot nuong binuksan ito. Nabitawan ko agad ng buksan ito at nanlaki ang mga mata. Both envelop is written with red marks with deadly skull. A threat. ‘Now…Surely I am aiming the right target–be safe’ My photo was covered with blood and a big red mark ‘X’ on my face. Anong ibig sabihin nito? Again? What it is? Kinabahan ako at agad na tinawagan ni Chimuel. “Levy?”. “Chim, can you…can you come over, please?”. Nanginginig ang boses kung saad dito. Hindi na ito nag tanong at agad na binaba ang tawag. Ilang oras lang ang hinantay ko ay narinig ko na ang mahinang tawag nito mula sa labas. Pagbukas ay bumungad sa akin ang nag aalalang mukha ng kaibigan. Agad akong yumakap dito at siniksik
Blood Hindi ko alam bakit ako kinakabahan ngayong araw. Hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na magkikita kami simula noong mag hiwalay kami. No. I always seen them. Laman sila sa lahat ng balita ma pa tv man o social media. Pilit kung pinanatag ang isip ko. I smile at Happy ng makasalubong ko ito sa hall way. “Oh! Creep! You’re smiling like a crazy person, Dr. Verde. Mukhang di ka gagawa ng mabuti”. Pabiro nitong sabi at sumabay ng lakad sa akin. “Tsk!”. “Kung makangiti ka kala mo di ka umiyak ng ilang linggo ah!”. Panunukso nito. I roll my eyes. Really? Tangina. Pina alaala pa talaga. Bakit nakalimutan ko ba? Iniisip ko pa nga lang ngayon diba? Kahit ang isip ko komokontra. I let out a long and heavy sight.“Tapos mamaya makikita—“I’m okay now. Isang buwan na naman ang dumaan’’. Tumango-tango ito ngunit alam kung di ito naniniwala sa sinabi ko. I let out a loud sigh, again.“Para saan yan? Kanina ka pa naka buntong hininga. Ang lalim ”. “It’s good for the heart, try it eve
2 years later… “I’m coming home!”. Masigla kung bati kay Chimuel. Sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi nito. “Yes! Thank you dear!”. Bakas sa mukha nito ang saya. “Finally! Chim, you will become a Tan in a days from now. I’m so happy for you and Yuhan”. After 2 years, Yuhan and Chimuel is now finally getting married. They delayed their wedding last year because I am still undergoing therapy. Hindi sila pumayag pareho na wala ako sa kasal nila kaya naman kahit na hindi pa ako pwedeng makakuha ng bakasyon habang nasa training ay gumawa ako ng paraan sa tulong ni Rowan. 5 days. Sandaling panahon man kahit paano ay makakadalo ako. After that incident 2 years ago, nagising ako na nasa America na. Tito and tita never leave my side. 2 months akong walang kibo, still processing… sa lahat ng pangyayari. I can’t believe Dr. Morgan did it at hanggang ngayon ay di pa din ito nahuhuli, ilang beses kung sinubukang tanungin sina tita tungkol sa nangyari ngunit maging sila ay walang alam. Chimuel and
Big day “You can open your eyes now, doc”. Gema one of the make-up artist said as I slowly open my eyes and saw her masterpiece in my reflection. “Woah!”. I gasp. I can’t believe I can be this beautiful. Really? Did I complement myself? Silver hair suits me better but I know I can’t keep this longer. I’m loving it, my features soften. “Thank you”. Gema smiles and waves at me while leaving in my room. Pagkatapos kung mag bihis ay agad akong bumaba para puntahan si Chimuel, this morning I woke up and feeling excited about my best-friend’s wedding. This is it! As I knock in his room his make-up artist opens it and welcome me. I saw Chim facing the mirror but his eyes goes wide when he sees me. “When did you dyed your hair? Hindi ito maari!”. He said dramatically. Napailing ako. “Tumigil ka nga”. Saad ko ng nakangiti dito. “This is my wedding day. Ako dapat ang maganda sa araw na ito!”. Natawa ako. “Bakit sino ba sa akala mo?”. Nakataas ang kilay kung tanong dito. “Gosh! Le
Big day “You can open your eyes now, doc”. Gema one of the make-up artist said as I slowly open my eyes and saw her masterpiece in my reflection. “Woah!”. I gasp. I can’t believe I can be this beautiful. Really? Did I complement myself? Silver hair suits me better but I know I can’t keep this longer. I’m loving it, my features soften. “Thank you”. Gema smiles and waves at me while leaving in my room. Pagkatapos kung mag bihis ay agad akong bumaba para puntahan si Chimuel, this morning I woke up and feeling excited about my best-friend’s wedding. This is it! As I knock in his room his make-up artist opens it and welcome me. I saw Chim facing the mirror but his eyes goes wide when he sees me. “When did you dyed your hair? Hindi ito maari!”. He said dramatically. Napailing ako. “Tumigil ka nga”. Saad ko ng nakangiti dito. “This is my wedding day. Ako dapat ang maganda sa araw na ito!”. Natawa ako. “Bakit sino ba sa akala mo?”. Nakataas ang kilay kung tanong dito. “Gosh! Le
So far away “Well…congratulations! Bye!”. Pabiro kung ibinigay ang mikropono kay Happy. Tumawa naman ito kasabay ng karamihan. Naiiling namang nakangiti ang bagong kasal. I smile at them, widely as I can. Holding my tears. Humugot ako ng malalim na buntong hininga. I might cry. I scanned the crowd. They are all smiling, sharing same happiness with the couple. Bumaling ako sa dalawa. “This is it huh? It is finally hitting me…can I still summon you at midnight for a drink without dragging your husband? I’m sucks to be a third wheeler”. I chuckle and pause a minute to inhale. “Aist! Why I am being emotional today? I think because I am the reason why you have to cancel your marriage last year. I’m sorry.”. Kita ko ang pag iling ng sunod-sunod ng dalawa. I smile at them. “As so you know Yuhan, I love you and I am thankful that you came into our life. Imagine the changed… from three chaotic buddies.” I eyed Happy. He is now grinning at me. “Got an additional emotionless, stoic man. Can’t
1 year later…“Scalpel”.“80% rate”“Cut”“Again”“Cut”“Close”“Heart bet?”“Normal, doc”.“Congratulation!”My heart flutters hearing those happy cheers. 1 year in Hawaii and I had a great time staying. This would be my last major surgery.“Congratulation Dr. Verde”. Mr. Min extended his arms, agad ko naman itong tinanggap.“Mukhang di ka ata masaya, doc”. Naiiling nitong saad.“Nah! The feeling is still overwhelming”.“Sabagay! Although I am not that expert, I must say you did an excellent job inside”. Saad nito at tinapik ako sa balikat.“Thank you! This hospital and my team really did well”.We are walking towards the hospital director office.“I want to drag you to Israel”. Saad nito habang binabati ang mga nakakasalubong naming pasyente.“Israel?”. Takang tanong ko.“Yeah! We have a medical mission there, together with other experts. To help those who are in the midst of war”.“Hindi ba delikado masyado?”.Umiling ito.“Hindi naman, lalo na kung madami kang matutulungan”.Tuman
HomeAfter Israel, I jump from country to country. Another 2 years had passed but still feels like it was just yesterday.Now I am staring at the letter that informing of my transfer from Tangems LA to Philippines as new assistant cardiologist. I got promoted!2 years it is…and my dreams is in my hands right now.Pinunasan ko ang tumulong luha. Hindi ako makapaniwala parang kailan lang.I called Chimuel for the good news.Finally…Finally…I’m going home for good.“Hey beauty!”.Napaintad ako ng may pumasok sa kwarto. My roommate. Haru Sandro Manalo a pediatrician. Isang pinoy din na nakipagsapalaran abroad. We became friends when he transfers from US branch to ours.“Hindi ako makapaniwala, uuwi na ako sa wakas”. Nakangiti kung sabi dito.“That’s good, I won’t have to give you a travel ticket for my wedding”. He said nonchalantly.My eyes grows widen.“YOU WHAT???”. Gulat kung tanong dito.“I’m getting married, beauty”. Nakangiti naman nitong baling sa akin.“No way!”. Saad ko na may
The promise of forever Levy Six months after Morgan was captured hindi din naging madali sa lahat ang mapanatag. Lalo na may mga tauhan itong loyalista. Ngunit siniguro nina Elijah, Yuhan at Namu na panatilihin ang kaligtasan ng lahat. “May I see the ring?” Excited na saad ni Happy pagdating naming sa bahay nina Chimuel. Iniharap ko ang aking kamay kung saad nakalagay ang malaking diamond ring. Elijah proposed last night while we were having our dinner date. It was not a fancy date but it was intimate and grand. Hindi ko akalaing pinaghandaan talaga nito ang lahat. Our friends are there, si Happy lang ang wala pero may partisipasyon ito sa plano. Kakauwi lang kasi nito galing nang Singapore. Happy is now the vice-president of TVS intertainment kaya mas lalo itong nagging abala. I was so happy. “Akala ko di na siya mag propropose eh” Pabirong saad ni Happy. “I asked you for tips”. Elijah said amusedly. Happy laugh. “Tips sa single na tulad ko”. Naiiling namang saad ni Happy. “
Close Call I can’t explain how angry I am seeing Morgan. May mga pasa siya sa mukha dahil sa mga suntok ni Yuhan. Nakayuko ito nang pumasok ako sa interrogation. “Finally! Nahuli ka din”. Mariing saad ko. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao para pigilan ang sariling sunggaban din ito. Series of flashbacks came in my mind, about how Levy almost lost his life the last time Morgan attempted. Nagtaas ito ng tingin sa akin at kumunot ang nuo. Maya-maya ay nanlaki an gang kanyang mga mata at nag pumiglas. “Wha-what is happening?”. Gulat nitong saad. “This is the end, Morgan!” Umiling ito. May mga luhang pumatak sa kanyang mga mata. Maya-maya pa ay tumawa din ito ng malakas. “Nakaharap din kita Elijah”. Saad nito. “Why are you doing this Morgan?” Mariing tanong ko. “I- I” Umiling ito. “Yuhan?” “What? You want to be killed? Ang lakas din ng loob mong gawin ang lahat ng ito. Pati inosenteng bata idadamay mo? Are you crazy?” Pasigaw kung saad. Hindi ko na naipigilan ang sarili. “Marga… She o
D-DayIt was all in a motion. Parang isang iglap ganoon kadali ang nangyari.Levy got bruises. Kahit anong ingat hindi din naming nagawa dahil may mga taong bumaligtad sa amin. Apparently, just like we plan, Morgan is also waiting for our next plan. Mabuti nalang at nagging alerto si Happy at Jano at agad na nakaalis sa lugar.Originally, they plan to spend the weekend in Batangas where Jano and Namu rest house resides. Ngunit habang nasa byahe ay tinambangan ang mga ito habang ang team naman naming ay nakapasok sa lungga nina Morgan. We capture him finally at ngayon ay nasa interrogation room ito.Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao.Levy is in another room with the rest of our friends. Hindi napigilan ni Yuhan ang sarili kanina nang mahuli naming si Morgan at agad itong sinunggaban ng suntok. Hindi na nito nagawang manlaban. Chimuel got hurt. May daplis ito sa balikat while protecting the kids. Chimuel was in the back of the car when the incident happened with the two Jacob and Farah. Levy w
The Plan“Tatambangan daw nila ang sasakyan ng doctor. Wala na daw siyang pakialam kung may mga madamay man”. Iyon ang sabi ng tauhan ni Morgan saad ni Namu at tiningnan kaming dalawa ni Yuhan.“This is crazy! He is crazy!”. Pagalit na saad ni Yuhan habang naka kuyom ang mga kamay sa taas ng mesa.My jaw lock.Nagngingit-ngit man ay kailangan naming kumalma lahat. Under surveillance na ang area kung saan itinuro ng tauhan ni Morgan ang hide out ng mga ito. Hindi na daw nito masikmura ang mga bagay na pinaggagagawa ni Morgan kaya naisipan niyang lumapit na kay Matias, hindi sa mga may kapangyarihan dahil malimit daw niyang makitang may mga naka uniporming pulis ang labas-masok sa kanilang hide-out.Sa ngayon wala pang kompermasyon mula sa mga authority na nagmamanman sa lugar ngunit may mga nakikita silang papasok na mga itim na van at ilang truck sa lugar maging mga taong may mga dalang baril. Ayun sa mga opisyal legal business daw ang permit na nakalagay at private area kaya di basta
PlansWhen our son came I thought of Levy’s reaction. I know we didn’t talk about having a family or even getting married. I hinted, sure, but didn’t have a time to prove it. Now that he is coming home I will do my best to get his forgiveness.Having a child is not easy as I envisioned it. There are times that I feel like I want to give up especially when Jacob starting to ask questions about his other father… his papa. I have arranged all Levy’s things in our pad. All the things that Levy wants to throw away when he learned about Mina and we broke up but I insists of living it where it belong. I can wait for him to forgive me.Good things that my friends forgive me when they learned about my plan. Jano was giving me tips about rising a child. Chimuel will always come by even without Yuhan. Happy will always bring something from abroad for Jacob, but the most special gift he had is a video from Levy singing happy birthday to our son. I bet Levy don’t have any idea who was he singing w
We’ve reach the final two chapter of Elijah and Levy story. Thank you very much!I still remember the day when Chimuel and Yuhan confronted me…“Ang kapal din naman ng mukha mo Elijah!”. Chimuel glared at me while Yuhan grips his boyfriend from charging.Hindi ako kumibo. Di ko alam kung saan ako mag uumpisa. This is not the things that I am expecting. Levy’s hurting and so I am.“That’s enough, love”. Mahinahong saad ni Yuhan. I look at him pleading. I know, Yuhan knows me. He nods but give me a look that stating he wants to know everything.Chimuel now crying. I averted my gaze.Kahit ako man ay di mapalagay. I love Levy as much but I can’t risk his safety. Lalo lang siyang mapapahamak kapag nasa tabi ko. I don’t care about mamita and Mina, they can marry each other if they want. And I didn’t touch her. Never sleep with her. I know… I will know if that ever happened. The last time I sleep with a girl was my last girlfriend who died in Morgan’s skim and I won’t let Levy have the sam
The Process Pursuing Levy is the best decision I've ever had. Siguro dahil pareho kami nang nararamdaman. When I hugged him all the burden in my heart vanish like a wildfire. The sparks I felt was unexplainable. Levy is everything. Everything to me. When we first made love it was euphoric. Like I felt that we both entered in a universe where the two of us were just the main character. Everything was perfect and I can’t get enough of him. I love him so much that I sometimes questions myself why I didn’t meet him in my early aged but I know everything has a reason at hindi kami aabot sa ganito kung nagkakilala kami ng mas maaga. Mamita will probably get on our way. Ngayon… Kaya ko nang ipagtanggol at gumawa ng sariling desisyon pagdating sa amin ni Levy. Madalas ay namamangha ako. Ganito pala talaga ang pag-ibig. Love indeed works myteriously. Hindi ko alam. Madalas ay di ko maipaliwanag ang saya tuwing magkasama kaming dalawa. When Morgan knows about him I was devastated. Ilang oras
Elijah… The beginning “Eli, please can you come with me?”. Zendy said while changing her dress for a brand launch. Hindi ko alam kung bakit popular ang brand na ito na kahit si Yuhan ay tenext ako kagabi para dito. Pinipilit akong pumunta. I sigh. “Alright”. Sagot ko dito at tumayo na din para mag bihis. Ang gusto ko sana mag relax lang dahil sa mahabang meeting na dinaluhan ko kanina. Kung hindi lang kay Yuhan di din ako pupunta. Even Namu is coming, ito daw ang gusto ng asawang pasalubong. Napailing ulit ako. Local brand naman ito. Nasa Pilipinas ang main branch. I pulled Zendy for a kiss that she immediately responded. “Should we stay?”. Mahina kung bulong habang bumababa ang mga labi ko sa kanyang leeg. “We can buy it from online”. Pag kukumbinse ko. Zendy giggles. “El no… I want to meet the owner of this brand because my grandmother want something from his store with his signature.” “Alright…but you better brace yourself later”. I smirk at her. She giggles. "Deal Mr. Han
Elijah… The beginning “Eli, please can you come with me?”. Zendy said while changing her dress for a brand launch. Hindi ko alam kung bakit popular ang brand na ito na kahit si Yuhan ay tenext ako kagabi para dito. I sigh. “Alright”. Sagot ko dito at tumayo na din para mag bihis. Ang gusto ko sana mag relax lang dahil sa mahabang meeting na dinalohan ko kanina. Kung hindi lang kay Yuhan si din ako pupunta. Even Namu is coming, ito daw ang gusto ng asawang pasalubong. Napailing ulit ako. Local brand naman ito. Nasa Pilipinas ang main branch. Pwede naman silang bumisita sa store pero mapilit si Yuhan. Ito lang din ang ipinunta nito dito. I pulled Zendy for a kiss that she immediately responded. “Should we stay?”. Mahina kung bulong habang bumababa ang mga labi ko sa kanyang leeg. “We can buy it from online”. Pag kukumbinse ko. Zendy giggles. “El, no… I want to meet the owner of this brand because my grandmother want something from his store.” “Alright…but you better brace yourse