I SLIGHTLY BLEW the soup from the spoon, and taste it. I slowly nodded my head in satisfaction at what I cooked. I immediately turned off the stove, and I felt Alas hugged me from behind.
“Ang galing-galing naman magluto ng baby ko,” papuri niya.
“Aba! Natural lang. Wala naman na bagay ang hindi ko kaya, ‘no? Suwerte mo nga at nakakatikim ka ng mga luto ko,” mayabang kong turan.
“Oo, hindi na ako tatanggi. Magaling ka talaga kahit saan lalong-lalo na kapag nasa ibabaw kita,” aniya.
My eyes widened, and looked left to right if som
I BIT MY LIP while staring at Coach Idy’s team who was really occupied on inspecting Zebby. They made sure that my lucky charm was indeed ready to be in today’s battle. I’m ready, and focused for this. I was indeed grateful that I had a rest yesterday to spend time with my family before I faced a battle. “Ayusin ninyo iyan, Tor. Kailangang hindi kayo pumalpak dahil oras na mangyari iyon ay mapapahamak si Trisha at ayaw kong mangyari iyon,” istriktang pagmamando ni Coach Idy. Tumingin sa akin si Tor at natatakot na muling ibinalik ang tingin kay Zebby para ayusin iyon. Ang ibang mga staffs ay sinigurado rin na nasa kondisyon ako. “Bathroom break muna ako, Coach.” paalam ko. Tumango naman si Coach Idy. “Sige, basta’t bilisan mo rin sa pagbalik, ha?” Ngumiti naman ako sa kaniya at saka umalis. Sobrang naiihi na rin ako kaya’t dali-dali akong nagtungo sa banyo. Walang tao pagkapasok ko kaya’t nakakuha ako agad ng cubicle. Habang umiihi ako ay narinig ko ang pagbalabag ng pinto a
AS I OPENED THE DOOR, I saw him standing, and waiting for my arrival. My heart swelled in delight, especially that he really supported me throughout this battle. “Oh, Anak!” pagtawag ni Tatay sa akin. “Nanalo po ako, Tay!” bulalas ko. With that I immediately ran towards my father like a little girl to hug him tightly. He patted my back lightly. I even felt that he kissed me on top of my head which made me more emotional. “Maayos ka lang ba, Anak? May masakit ba sa iyo?” tanong niya.
I STARED BLANKLY outside the window of my room while hugging his pillow. We kept finding him, but he was nowhere to be found. I waited for him to return, but to my dismay he didn’t show up anymore. I missed him so much, especially his clinginess, flirtiness, pervertness, and sweetness. I also missed his warmth that made me feel home and safe. It was still difficult for me to believe that he was truly gone. “Ka-tol,” pagtawag ni Cindy sa akin. “Nand’yan na ba siya?” tanong ko. She sighed heavily. Mas lalong kumirot ang aking dibdib. Alam ko na ang ibig sabihin kahit na hindi siya sumagot sa aking tanong. Ang hirap isipin na talagang binawi na siya sa akin. Napakasakit lalo na’t ni-hindi ko alam kung nasaan na ba siya o hindi kaya kung nasa maayos ba siyang kalagayan. “Hindi na siya babalik pa. Halos isang buwan na kasi no’ng iniwan ka niya nang walang paalam. Ni-hindi nga natin alam kung nasaan siya, Ka-tol.” aniya. Tumulo ang luha mula sa aking mata. Isang buwan na pala. H
I COULD SEE from my peripheral vision that the people inside the Municipal of Isla Fiji were staring at me scrutinizingly while some were even whispering to each other, and I could see they were curious as to what I am suddenly here. I didn’t mind them, and just continued to head towards my father’s office. “Tsk! Mukhang ngayon lang ulit sila nakakita ng maganda at sexy. Sige lang at magbulungan lang kayong mga pangit. Mainggit lang kayo dahil wala talaga kayong magagawa,” mayabang na turan ni Cindy. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita pa lalo na’t wala ako sa mood. Wala naman kasi akong pakialam sa kanila kung ano pa ang kanilang sabihin sa akin. Nang nakarating kami sa opisina ni Tatay ay kumatok muna ako sa kaniyang pinto at b
I STARED at Carl’s mother coldly while I’m still strangling her neck. I could see that she was gasping for air, and her face was pale. I loathed her so much, but I didn’t want to taint my hands with her blood. Padaskol kong binitawan ang leeg ng ina ni Carl at lumayo ako. Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya maghabol ng hininga habang umuubo-ubo habang hinihimas ang leeg. Nilingon ko naman si Cindy na nakatingin kay Horice na nakahiga na sa sahig habang umiinda. Sabog-sabog na rin ang kaninang ayos na ayos na kulay blonde nitong buhok. Naglakad palapit ang aking kaibigan at tumabi sa akin. “H-Hayop ka talaga kayong magkaibigan, Trisha! M-Mamatay na sana kayong dalawa!” nanggagalaiti nitong turan habang hinihimas ang leeg. “Lah? Ano naman po ang tawag inyong dalawa ni Horice, Aling Bernadette? Huwag ka naman pong magmalinis lalo na’t napakaitim pa sa bulok na basura ang budhi ninyong dalawa ni Horice. Kayo naman po ang nanguna kaya’t huwag ka pong pikon,” singit ni Cindy. She just gl
A LONE TEAR escaped from my eye as I stared at my father’s coffin that was being placed in my mother’s garden. Everything happened fast. In a blur, he also left me too. The pain still remained inside my heart, especially that he died, because of the stress caused by the betrayal of the people around him. He was dead on arrival, because of cardiac arrest. Now, I’m all alone in the darkness. Sobrang sakit na iniwan na ako ni Tatay at ang hirap tanggapin. Ni-hindi man lang inabutan ni Tatay na tuparin ko ang aking mga pangarap. Dapat magkasama pa rin kami dahil ipinangako niya sa akin na hindi niya ako iiwan pero hindi rin niya natupad iyon. “Ka-tol, kumain ka na muna. Ilang mga araw ka na rin na nakatulala habang tahimik na umiiyak. Sobrang nag-aalala na ako sa iyo,” pagtawag pansin sa akin ni Cindy. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa ataol ni Tatay. “Wala akong gana. Iwanan mo muna ako rito at mamaya na lang ako kakain kapag gutom na ako.” She sighed heavily. “Please, kumain ka n
MY BREATH HITCHED while I’m staring at the monitor above wherein, I saw two small pea-like shapes. I could also hear a loud heartbeat which made my heart flutter in delight. It was still surreal, and I’m completely mesmerized by the fact that I’m really a mother now. “You were already seven weeks pregnant. Kailangan ng dobleng pag-iingat lalo na’t kambal ang iyong ipinagbubuntis. Iwasan ang stress at kailangan kumain sa tamang oras. Sundin mo rin ang irereseta ko sa iyong dapat na inumin na gatas at mga vitamins para mas maging malusog kayong tatlong mag-iina. Sa ikalimang buwan ay puwede nating malaman ang kasarian ng iyong mga anak. Again, Congratulations, Mommy!” nakangiting pagbati sa akin ni Doktora Yesha, ang OB-Gynecologist na nirekomenda sa akin ni Coach Idy. Hanggang sa nakalabas na ako ng klinika ni Doktora Yesha ay parang nakalutang lang ako sa alapaap. Sobrang saya ko dahil hindi ko inakalang biniyayaan ako ng dobleng regalo. Lahat ng sakit at pangungulila ko kina Alas at
I SOFTLY HUM while I caressing my baby bump affectionately as I rock myself on the rocking chair. Weeks had passed, my father was now at peace with my mother. I slowly accept everything, and continue to live. My baby bump was showing-off which made me in euphoria that my twins were here for me to bring hope and strength as I cleaned my family’s name. Nag-file rin ako ng kaso sa pamilya ni Horice dahil puro kasinungalingan ang inilalabas niya para sirain ang pangalan ng aking pamilya lalong-lalo na si Tatay. Hindi ako papayag na ganito ang mangyayari at sisiguraduhin kong makukulong sila para pagbayaran ang kanilang kasalanan. Gusto kong makita sa likod ng rehas si Don Horrardo at mabulok. Walang kapatawaran ang ginawa niya. At walang makakapigil sa akin na labanan ko sila kahit na si Carl na ngayon ay Mayor sa Isla Fiji. Kalat na rin sa lahat ang balita na buntis ako at may mga nakapagsasabi na disgrasyada ako. Wala silang alam kaya’t hindi ko sila pinapansin. Ngunit hindi na rin a
AS I CLOSED THE DOOR after I changed my outfit for tonight that I’m truly sure that Maru would definitely be burned in desire tonight. I wore a halter neckline seductive gray lace bodysuit lingerie. The upper laced part emphasized the shape of my big breasts, and it was connected with a silver jewel in between my breast then also to my navel. I really loved the effect of it, especially it showed off my curves, and I felt sexy wearing this kind of lingerie. My long jet-black hair was fixed in a messy bun. Slowly I made my way towards bed where my husband patiently waited for me. I could see how he looked at me from head to toe, but remained in my breasts which made him licked his lips pervertedly. “Woah. . . You were so f*cking sexy in that f*cking lingerie, Baby. I couldn’t wait to make love to you all night long,” he exclaimed in delight while caressing shamelessly the bulge of his monster cock inside his white brief. His green orbs darkened in desire. Napadako naman ang ting
I POUTED MY LIPS as Toffee and Taffy adorably went closer to me, and gave a peck of kiss on my lips then hugged me tightly. My youngest twins were really clingy and so adorable. The three of us were left in our house, because Marsh and Mallow were in school while Maru was running some errands in Arum. “Ang mga baby ko ay naglalambing at mukhang may gustong hilingin sa akin,” usal ko. Both of them giggled which made my heart flutter in euphoria. “Ish klim po, Mama.” bulol na turan ni Taffy. “Plit. . . Usto po, Tapi at Topi po iyon, Mama.” singit naman ni Toffee. Hindi ko napigilang panggigilan silang dalawa dahil napaka-cute nilang dalawa. “Sige, kakain tayo ng Ice Cream,” pagpayag ko. Kitang-kita ko naman kung paano magliwanag ang mga mukha ng dalawa at hindi rin nagtagal ay pinugpog nila ako ng mga halik sa buong mukha na ikinatawa ko lalo na’t nakakakiliti iyon. The three of us immediately headed to the kitchen, and I opened the refrigerator, but I saw no trace of ice cream
I COULDN’T HELP BUT TO CHUCKLE as everyone was singing a Happy Birthday Song while clapping their hands to Toffee and Taffy who was swaying their hips adorably. Toffee wore his prince inspired outfit while Taffy wore a pink glittery princess gown. Both of them had little crowns on top of their heads. Mommy and Daddy were laughing out loud while recording this moment with their video camera. Mommy wore an elegant tube gold gown, and Daddy wore a black tuxedo with a golden-colored necktie. The quadruplets wore the same black tuxedo, but they had different colors of neckties. Maru’s necktie matched the color of my pastel blue halter neck gown while Yash, Miro and Sota had a silver-colored necktie. Sota even went beside Toffee and Taffy to dance which made Yash and Miro chuckle while sitting in the corner. The Arklentine really spoiled my children so much, and they even turned everything magical here in Nanay’s garden here in Isla Fiji. My parent’s house was filled with colorful balloons,
Maru’s POV BEFORE, I’m the most so-called multi-billionaire playboy bachelor of the town. My oozing charisma and sex appeal made every sexy woman worship me. They really loved the way I talked dirty to them while being a pervert, especially to the sexy ladies who had the assets that I’m fantasizing about the most, which were big breasts. Well, I’m not a saint, and I couldn’t live without sex. Without having effort, I could have what I want, especially that I’m the first born of the Arklentine Quadruplets. My parents, Lion Arklentine and Kagome Higurashi-Arklentine, were really generous to give us a luxurious life, and equal amount of love and affection. Until Mommy crushed everything by arranging me with an arranged marriage to Monalisa Juantivino, a daughter of Arklentine’s colleague and business partner. Actually, I don’t have any violent reaction to that, especially that I got an innocent looking fiancée who was also a sexy kitten in bed. She was also a famous motorcycle racer.
I SLOWLY fluttered my eyes open, and I couldn’t help but to groan in pain, especially at the back of my head. My heart leaped fast in fear, because I didn’t know where I was now. The door suddenly opened revealing Monalisa holding an envelope. “Oh, the curious cat was finally awakened! Did you had a great time following me, Trisha? Masyado kang tanga at nagpapabida kahit kailan. Hindi mo alam na ikaw mismo ang nagpapahamak sa sarili mo dahil sa pagiging pakialamera mo. Ano naman ang akala mo sa sarili mo, isang superhero? You were really a dumb bitch as ever!” sarkastikong turan ni Monalisa habang maarteng naglalakad suot ang red ruched side slit bodycon midi dress na pinaresan ng gold stilettos. Iba na ang suot niyang damit no’ng sinundan ko siya rito. “P*nyeta kang hayop ka! Mamamatay tao ka! Ang kapal ng mukha mong umarte na wala kang ginagawang masama sa harap ng mga Arklentine lalong-lalo na kay Maru! Oras na makaalis ako rito ay ilalabas ko ang itinatago mong baho kasama ang
WEEKS HAD PASSED, Monalisa and I were being civil to each other, and she even apologized for her mistakes in front of the twins, especially to Marsh. Still, Marsh and Mallow were aloof, and not close at her which she didn’t mind. Mommy and Daddy were delighted by the fact that everything was fine, and as much as possible settled. Monalisa’s baby bump was now showing-off, and she was thrilled to know what the gender of the baby was. Samantalang ang pag-aaral ng mga bata ay inaasikaso nina Mommy at Daddy. Nakontak din nila ang mga teachers at principal kung nasaan nag-aaral ang mga bata sa Isla Fiji para makapag-transfer sa homeschool muna at babalik ulit sila sa Face-to-face kapag naging maayos na ang lahat. Wala namang problema sa amin iyon ni Cindy lalo na’t sina Mommy at Daddy ang nag-asikaso ng lahat at tutok na tutok din naman ang mga tutors sa mga bata. May sarili nga silang silid na ginawang classroom at do’n sila nag-aaral kasama ang mga tutors. Napabalik ako sa reyalidad na
EVERYTHING WAS STILL SURREAL for me. As Monalisa was being discharged from the hospital, and returned here in the Arklentine Mansion, everything had changed. Mommy and Daddy made sure that she could do anything she wanted to which made her delighted. She even suggested having her very close personal maid from the Juantivino Mansion to make sure that she was always being looked after, and Daddy agreed with it. Talagang bumawi sina Mommy at Daddy kay Monalisa na sobrang ikinatuwa naman ng mga magulang ni Monalisa. Kulang na lang ang salitang spoiled para dito. Sa tuwing nasa sala o hindi kaya nasa paligid si Monalisa ay nasa loob lang ng playroom ang kambal. Ayaw ko pa rin na magkita sila lalo na’t hindi rin maganda ang huling nangyari sa kanila. Alam kong magtataka ang kambal oras na makita nila si Monalisa na kasama namin dito sa Arklentine Mansion. Paniguradong mahihirapan akong ipaliwanag sa kanila lalo na’t medyo komplikado ang nangyayari. “Sigurado ka ba sa gagawin mo, Ka-tol?
I SIGHED HEAVILY as I leaned on the wall on the cubicle inside the comfort room in the hospital where Monalisa was rushed in. My hands trembled as my tears fell from my eyes. It was still difficult for me to endure the pain. But the painful truth really hurt the most. Santino gave me the documents that I wanted to see including Monalisa’s pregnancy test kits, ultrasound pictures and results proving that Monalisa was really pregnant with my husband’s child. There were three doctors who even testified that the results were true. Ipinaliwanag din sa amin ni Doktora Cattleya, ang OB-Gynecologist na bawal ma-stress si Monalisa at dapat mag-ingat kung hindi ay magkakaro’n na talaga si Monalisa ng miscarriage. Kitang-kita ko na sobrang problemado at stress ngayon ni Maru habang panay ang bulong niya sa akin na mahal na mahal niya ako ng sobra pati na rin ang aming mga anak habang humihingi ng tawad. As usual, Monalisa’s mother made a dramatic entrance while being so hysterical. She even b
I COULDN’T BELIEVE that Monalisa didn’t do anything foolish as she stayed here in the Arklentine Mansion for days. She felt that she wasn’t welcome here, so she always stayed in her room or had a moment on the balcony connected to her room. The maids just delivered her some foods and necessities she needed. “Grabe talaga ang babaeng iyon at pa-special!” bulalas ni Cindy na nasa aking tabi habang nagpapa-breastfeed para patulugin si Baby Bunso. Nasa sala kami at nakaupo sa sofa. Nakatingin kami sa mga maids na mayro’ng dala-dala na tray na naglalaman ng iba’t-ibang mga pagkain habang paakyat ng hagdan. Kasalukuyan kasing nagpapahinga si Dick dahil medyo masama ang pakiramdam. Namasyal ang mga bata kasama sina Mommy at Daddy habang si Maru naman ay inasikaso muna sandali ang Arum. “Hayaan mo siya basta’t wala siyang ginagawang kagaguhan lalong-lalo na sa mga maids. Palibhasa ang mga maids lang ang kaya niyang saktan,” usal ko at saka sumubo ng prutas na Peras na sobrang tamis. She h