Erykha Sunshine.What a short-tempered engineer.I almost twisted my lips in dismay as I looked at him, walking back and forth while talking to someone in the line. I should be going home right now, right? I should be. Kanina pa ako rito, at tapos na ako sa pinapagawa niya. Akala ko ba may family lunch gathering siya, eh, lagpas alas dose na.Ang inakala kong janitress ay PA pala.Oh, well, not bad, as I don't mind this job. I'm okay with this. It's a big bonus twist, and I didn't expect this."Excuse me, Sir?" I interrupted with a signaled in hand.Nahinto agad siya at kunot-noo akong tinitigan. He paused talking to someone in the line when I signaled the time using my hand."You have a lunch with family, remember?" I said in a whisper signed. Kahit papaano ay alam ko kung paano mag sign language, dahil pinag-aralan ko ito.Tumango agad siya at tiningnan ang oras sa relo na suot niya. Napansin ko agad ang relo niya. Ito lang yata ang magarbo at mahal sa lahat ng nasa katawan niya.
Erykah Sunshine.What the hell?Nabilaukan ako sa sariling laway nang marinig ito mula kay Glenn. Kumurap ako at hindi ko inalis ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Seryoso siyang nakatitig sa mga magulang niya at mas lalong humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.Straight away, I converted my stare at the people around us, especially his parents."What did you say?" Glenn's father asked in a stern voice. His eyes were deadly serious."Oh, my..." Glenn's mother gasped and covered her mouth in shock.Yeah. It's bloody, oh my god!I looked back at Glenn, asking for an explanation. But all I could get from him was a tightening stare that almost havoc my troubled heart.I want to contest and explain to them because that's the right thing to do. That's what my mind told me, but something is stopping me, and it's my heart.Kaya na imbes na ipagtangol ko ang sarili ay ngumiti akong tinitigan si Glenn at ang mga magulang niya na parang wala sa sarili."Pasensya na po kung nabigla namin kayo ni Glenn. We
Erykah Sunshine.Tawang-tawa si Nanay habang kumakain. Nakikinig lang siya sa kwento ko at namula na ang mukha niya sa kakatawa."Nay, ano po ang nakakatawa?""Wala, anak. Congratulations! May trabaho ka na. May asawa ka pa! Ayaw mo ba?" Ulit na tawa niya.I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It's not funny, like how Nanay wants me to laugh at my misery, thinking that Glenn is an absolute jerk.Yes. He is a damsel jerk in distress!"Huwag kang mag-alala, Eres. Bukas na bukas iba na ang mundo mo. Malay mo, baliw lang ang amo mo, at baka bukas ay babalik na ulit ang dating anyo niya. Kaya kumain ka na. Malamig na ang sabaw."Napatango na ako at mahinang napabuntong-hininga sa sarili. Baka nga tama si Nanay. Sadyang may tupak lang siguro ang engineer na iyon, at baka bukas ay okay na siya, at siguro makakalimutan na niya ang lahat.Oo, tama nga naman. Itulog ko nalang ito, at tiyak okay na sa pag-gising ko.MAAGA AKO NGAYON SA OPISINA. Dinaig ko pa yata ang in-charge sa reception dahil
Glenn Mondragon.I know it won't be easy, but I guess Eres's personality will make it easier for me. It's better to give this contract to a stranger than to someone who knows me and my family. Eres is just perfect for the rule.My brows furrowed as I read my mother's message on the phone again. She reminded me of tonight's dinner with the family. They want to know Eres, and now I am left with no choice but to woo her again and make amends with her."The contract is simple, Eres. You will work as my PA, and our relationship at work is secret. There's no need for them to know that you are my secret wife." I started the moment I stopped the car and parked it in my designated basement spot. She looked at me in confusion, and I understood that."Ano? Are you joking, right?""No. I'm not. Come on. I'll show you around." I smiled slightly and stepped out of the car. Hindi ko na siya pinagbuksan dahil sa iba si Eres kung kumilos. Mukhang kaya niya namang gawin ang lahat. Nakasunod siya sa a
Erykah Sunshine.What the heck? Oh, my goodness!I can't believe I agreed to this type of agreement. I never in my wildest dream would someone, a stranger, for instance, come to me and offer me this type of setting out of the blue.Nanginig ang tuhod ko nang makalabas sa gusali na kung nasaan ang penthouse niya. Napahawak ako sa dibdib at humugot nang malalim na hininga.Wala na si Glenn. Nauna na siyang umalis dahil may tumawag na kliyente sa kanya. Babalikan niya raw ako mamaya at dito kami magkikita sa penthouse niya.I don't need to go back to the office anymore as he will not be around there. He doesn't want me to accompany him to meet this new client because he wants me to pack all my things and move them to his place.This is insane. It's too fast, but I have no choice. I know this is crazy, but it is temporarily the solution to my problem.It's been months since I left home without knowing what was happening there. I don't want to know about them because I know my stepmother
Erykah Sunshine.Nerve crackling. . . este, wracking.Nanginginig ang tuhod ko at sadyang pinigilan ko lang ito. Peke akong ngumiti sa mga magulang niya, at malamig pa sa ice candy silang lahat makatingin sa akin.I cleared my throat and glanced at Glenn beside me.Naghahanap ako ng kakampi, pero mukhang wala akong maasahan kay Glenn. Dahil katulad din siya ng mga magulang niya. . . malalamig sila.Maraming pagkain at ang sasarap nito. Pero hindi ako matutunawan sa gabing ito. Puno ng kaba ang puso ko at ang katahimikan nila ay dumadagdag lang sa pag-aalala ko ngayon."How did the two of you meet?" Cheska asked. I didn't expect that it was coming from her. I anticipated Glenn's parents would ask me that, but I was wrong."Uhm, we-we meet in New York," pekeng ngiti ko. Nakatitig ako kay Glenn, dahil siya naman ang katabi ko, pero mukhang wala siyang narinig. Panay lang ang pag-subo niya at ganoon din ang mga magulang niya."New York? I see. . . That's explained why kuya always go over
Erykah Sunshine."It's not Singapore but Hong Kong," I corrected.Napaigting ang panga niya habang nakatitig ng husto sa akin. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi ko."Okay, Hong Kong.""Yes," I mumbled and looked away. It was a minute of silence, and my mind was totally blank. I was close to telling him that we should stop this madness, but now? It's getting insane."Glenn?" Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya. "Let's think about it first. I-I mean, getting married is not a joke. I don't know your plan, and I don't understand why you're doing this. If you are doing this to prove that you have moved on with your feelings from Saber, then don't do it. . . This is not right."Ayaw kong isipin niya na opurtunista ako. Oo, desperado na ako ngayon, at tama lang ang dating ni Glenn sa buhay ko para masolusyonan ang problema ko sa madrasta ko. Pero hindi parin tama ito.Marriage is sacred. It should be performed when two people are in love, which is not our case.He looked away and sighed.Gwapo si
ButterfliesZebedee Glenn."The hell, Glenn. What are you thinking, bro? Is this the best solution you could offer to your parents' needs?" Diezel looked at me in dismay.I shut my eyes and rested my back on the recliner. I'm not listening to him anymore. I'm so tired today. My mother knows what's happening. Matalino si Mama at hindi ko siya masisisi sa mga bagay na ganito. Iba nga lang si Papa. Okay lang sa kanya ang kung ano, basta meron.That's how easy my father is."You are lucky to have such a cool father."Naupo si Diezel sa isa pang recliner sa tabi ko. Isinandal ang likod at pareho na kaming nakatitig sa madilim na langit.Diezel was right. My father was cool and was opposite to my mother."Anong sabi ni tita?""Ayaw niya. She's against Erykah," sagot kong nakapikit ang mga mata."Can't blame tita for that. She likes Saber for the family. Why can't you go back with her? I heard the engagement was call-off."My jaw tightened. I'm not listening to Diezel again. I'm a man in my
Diezel.It's damn boring and I can't keep up with the boys schedules. They don't leave me, it's just that I was the one who wanted to be left out.I feel so lost and empty. Something is not right, and it’s a bother to wake up like this every morning. I'm tired of it, and tired of everything."Ciao, figlio mio! I miss you!"I spun my chair back to the door and saw my mother together with my fiancée, Caterina. The two of them look like mother and daughter. They have the same taste when it comes to clothing and food.Magaling magluto si Mama at ganun din si Caterina. Magaling sa lutong italian, at masaya ako dahil natitikman ang mga putahe na parang kay Mama na rin."Honey…" Caterina wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.I couldn't kiss back, and my lips just stuck still. She then let go and tangled her arms around my mother."I found the right wedding dress! You will love it!" siglang boses ni Caterina. "Oh, I'm so excited! I can't wait!""And I can't wait too, dear. I like my
Anastacia.Is he engaged? Soon to be married? Huh, good on him!After seven years, I never once checked about him or what's happened lately with the company. I don't want to hear any news from them, especially from him.Naging abala na rin naman ang buhay ko. Mahirap magpalaki ng kambal, at kahit ngayon ay nangangarag pa rin ako.Nawala na sa isip ko si Diezel. Hindi na ako interesado, at wala na akong pakialam kung nag asawa na ba siya o nagkaroon na ng maraming anak. Pero nang marinig ko kanina kay Dianne na engaged na siya ay nababagabag lang ako.Ba't ba ako ganito? Hay, naku, Anastacia!I can’t sleep, and it’s after one o’clock in the morning. I’ve already checked all the items I will deliver tomorrow after dropping the twins at school.Nakatitig na ako sa relo sa dingding habang inom ang chamomile tea. Tulog na ang kambal, pero ako? Heto, hindi man lang dinalaw ng antok.Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bag at saka nag-search sa app tungkol sa kompanya. Dito tumambad sa akin ang mga
Anastacia.My heart raced when I saw Zev's face. He's got bruises around the right eye like someone had punched him in the face."Anong nangyari sa 'yo? Who did this to you?"Napaluhod ako at ininspeksyon ang mukha niya. Hindi ko sila nasundo ngayon dahil delivery ngayon ng orders ko galing Amerika. Ako mismo ang kumuha ng mga ito sa pantalan. Kaya pansamantala si George ang kumuha sa mga bata."Tinanong ko rin, Ate. Pero ayaw magsalita. Ganyan na ang mukha eh. Gusto ko sanang kausapin ang guro nila, pero wala raw. Kaya umuwi na kami."Bitbit ni George ang bag ng dalawang bata. Inilapag niya ito sa gilid at saka namaywang sa likod ko."Patingin nga. Dios ko…" Tumayo ako at kumuha ng maligamgam na tubig. Pina upo ko si Zev at tahimik siyang nakayuko. Samantalang si Skye ay nasa gilid lang. Nakasandal sa dingding at pinagmamasdan kami."Ano ba ang nangyari, Skye? Who did this to your brother?"Siya na ngayon ang tinanong ko. Alam kong matigas ang ulo ni Zev at madalas ay hindi siya na
New BeginningAnastacia.Note: This is seven years later. The twins are now six years old.Binalot ko ang makapal na jacket sa katawan. Tumigil na ang ulan. Kailangan kong umakyat sa bubong kahit na hindi mabuti ang pakiramdam ko. Wala kong choice at kailangan ko ng gawin ito. Baka kasi mamaya ulit ay uulan na naman. Mas mabuting maagapan ko na ngayon.I need to climb up the roof to check the leak. The rainwater drips in Zev's bedroom. It's not that bad, but it really annoys me every time I hear the drip sound inside his room. It sounds frustrating, and my poor boy can't even complain. It hurts to the bones to see my children struggle along with me.Hindi man nila sinasabi sa akin ito, ay ramdam ko ito bilang isang ina. Naiinis ako at galit ako sa kung ano man ang sitwasyon meron ako ngayon. Wala akong ibang masisisi kung 'di ang sarili mismo."Mama? Aakyat ka?" Celestine Skye looked innocently at me, my sweet, beautiful baby."Yes, Skye. Get back inside. You will get wet, anak."Kin
Anastacia.Mama accepted it without knowing the entire truth about my secret. Only Tessie knows everything, and she promised me that she would never tell anyone about it.Bumalik na si Mama sa probinsya. Marami siyang ginawa para mapagaan ang lahat sa akin dito sa loob ng bahay. Babalik siya sa kabuwanan ko, at mananatili ng iilang linggo.May isang anak si Mama sa bago niya, pero malaki na ito. Nasa high school na si Neri. Mabait na bata at magalang. Malapit siya sa ama niya at nakakaingit ang closeness nila.I have no memories of my father. He left us when I was only five years old. Mama and he were never married. Since then, I haven’t seen him. The last I heard, he was doing well and living in Baguio with his five kids."Okay ka lang ba, Anastacia?"“Oo, okay lang.”Abala kaming pareho ni Kagawad Camilla. Siya ang kasama ko ngayon sa convention ng lungsod. Nasa Cagayan de Oro kami, at dalawang araw kaming mananatili rito dahil sa convention. Parte ito ng bagong proyekto na iniluns
Anastacia."Ano? Dalawang buwan!? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya? Hindi pwede 'to, Anastacia! Babalik tayo doon. Kakalbuhin ko ang lalaking 'yon!""Ang galing naman niya! Pagkatapos siyang magpakasarap sa 'yo ay ganun na lang ba? Wala lang sa kanya ang lahat? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya!? Pesti! Halika! Babalik tayo! Bilis!"Hinila niya ang paa ko at pinadyakan ko siya. Bumitaw siya at mabilis kong binalot ang kumot sa katawan. Umiiyak ako. Hindi hihinto ang luha sa mga mata ko dahil nasasaktan ako ngayon. Pinipilit kong magpakatatag, pero bakit ang hirap? Sinusubok ako ng tadhana at pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong pag asa sa lahat.I have no work, and I'm running out of money. What will I do next?"Anastacia…"Ramdam ko ang pag upo ni Tessie sa paanan. Minasahe niya ang paa ko, at tahimik siyang nakikinig sa hikbi ko.Promise, huli na ito. Bukas at sa mga susunod na araw ay ayaw ko ng umiyak. Nakakapagod umiyak. Nakakawalang gana sa buhay. Pero ganito naman talaga 'di ba? Kasalanan ko
Diezel.My eyebrow raised while listening to John. He's got less than twenty seconds before he fuck up. How the hell will he bring an investor to this project if he can't deliver his report properly? He can't even justify some of this. I'm not listening to him while I read his report. It's full of nonsense."Next!""B-But, Sir. I'm not yet done.""You're fired. Next!" I blurted out, fixing them with a hawk-like stare. When I locked eyes with them, they all averted their gaze."Damn it! Wala bang maayos na proposal sa inyong lahat? These reports are all boring! How will you bring a golden egg to the table if all your proposals are as boring and useless as shit!Tumayo ako at saka napabuntonghininga sa sarili. I need some air, or I could end up dismissing the entire team.Lumapit si Joel sa akin at bumulong."Your secretary is on the line. It's important, she said."I rolled my tongue, and Joel handed me the phone."Yes, Sharon?" I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not in a good mood already, S
Anastacia.Bago na ang lahat. Pinalitan niya ang lahat ng staff rito at hindi ko na kilala ang mga ito. Kahit pa ang gwardiya ng gusali ay bago.What the heck? Talaga bang ginawa niya ito dahil ayaw na niya akong makitang muli?Shit.Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung tama pa ba itong ginagawa ko ngayon. Nanginig tuloy ang tuhod ko, at peke akong ngumiti sa babae rito sa front desk. Nasa likod ko naman si Tessie."Yes, Ma'am. How can I help you?" She smiled, but it was obviously a fake smile. She looked at me from head to toe and back again."Uhm, I would like to see Mr. Dennis Ezequil Mondragon?" Kumurap kurap ako. Nilakasan ko na ang loob."Oh? Do you happen to have an appointment with him, Ma'am?""A-Appointment? Wala, Miss."Nawala ang ngiti ko. Inaasahan ko na ito. Kilala ko si Diezel, at kahit noon pa ay hindi siya basta-basta tumatangap ng bisita.Ang buong akala ko ay nandito pa sina Kimmy at Dora. Pero wala na. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanila? Nilipat din ba sila ni Diezel?"Sorry
Anastacia."Ano!? Buntis ka? At dalawa pa talaga? Shit!"Parang putok ang boses ni Tessie sa tainga ko. Sinabi ko na sa kanya. Wala akong ibang mapagsasabihan at siya lang din."At ano ang plano mo, aber?"Namaywang siya at seryoso akong tinitigan. Umiwas ako at nagpabalik-balik ang lakad ko sa harapan niya."Hindi ko alam. Nalilito ako, Tessie." Kinagat ko na ang pang-ibabang labi."No, Anastacia. I know what you're thinking. Hindi puwede 'to! Kailangan mong sabihin sa kanya! Sasabihin mo at sasamahan kita!"I paused and inhaled deeply."Paano kung ayaw niya? Paano kung ipagtabuyan niya ako, Tessie?"Takot ako, at hindi ako handa kung sakaling magkikita kami ulit. Hindi na kailanman sumagi sa isip ko na makipagkita sa kanya.After he abandoned me, I erased his existence. I hated him so much! I want to forget him. At kung kailan ay okay na ako at handa na ang puso kong makalimot sa lahat, ay saka naman dumating ang problemang ito.Talagang hindi ko na makakalimutan si Diezel dahil bu