Reeve."And you think what you are doing will work, Dodong Reeve? O baka naman torture and aabutin mo sa sarili mo. Huwag mo nalang kayang ituloy?""You scared shit!" Sapak ni Deigo sa ulo ni Morris."What the fudge! That was harsh, Digs. Let's do sparing and make it easy. Come on! Show me your combat moves."Pumwesto si Morris at naghahamon ng suntukan kay Digs. The two positions and seem like they're getting into this again."Damn, sure. Akala mo susuko ako? Huh, it's not in my dictionary, Digs. I am a man of my word, wisdom, and. . ." si Morris kay Diego."And dick!" Diego continued, and I chuckled. Diego let go a jab on Morris's face, but Morris was quick and ducked down. I shook my head and smirked again. The two is giving me the shits at this early. Nagsisimula na naman ang kabaliwan ng dalawang ito."You know what's hard on you, Mors? Wala ka yatang puso pagdating sa babae.""Yeah? I don't need them with me, Digs. Sakit lang sila ng ulo. Wala akong ulo. Kaya ayaw ko!" Sabay p
Melissa.Kabado man sa sarili ay nakangiti parin ako. I am waiting for someone to fetch me. Dapat sana ay mag-d-drive ako patungo sa studio niya. Pero tumawag si Manong Jaime, ang driver ni Frank at hindi niya ako maihahatid sa studio ni Reeve. May emergency kasi, kaya heto, tinawagan ko nalang si Reeve na matatagalan ako ng konti kasi mag b-bus ako patungo sa studio niya. Pero hindi rin matutuloy, dahil susunduin na niya ako ngayon.Dianne and Montreal took Madison this morning and they were early. They will take care of Madison for three nights. Nakakahiya man, pero wala rin akong mapagpilian ngayon. Kailangan kong matapos ang proyektong ito at ng sa ganoon ay wala na akong iisipin pa pagkatapos.Babalik na si Frank sa susunod na linggo, at wala na akong panahon sa mga bagay na ganito.I need money. A few extra ones for my father's treatment.Nahinto ang isang itim na sasakyan, and land cruiser ito. Umayos ako at nang makita ang pag-labas ni Reeve ay nagkagulong lalo ang tibok ng p
Reeve."Are you sure about it?" My brows furrowed as I looked Morris in the eyes."Bloody sure, Reeve. It's odd, but I think Melissa married Frank for something. I don't think it's love. Melissa's father owe so much from the De Matris. Sa tingin ko ito ang kondisyon ng pagpapakasal niya kay Frank.""What!? Damn, that's insane," Diego snorted."And not only that. You told me she left you early, two thousand twenty-one, right? Yes, there's a record of that. She arrived in the United States on that date but went to the hospital immediately. That's the only record I accessed through codes. Mabuti nalang at napasok ko ang sistema sa hospital na iyon, pero nawala rin and record ng ama ni Melissa.""Damn, what do you mean, Mors? May multo na ba sa hospital ngayon sa Amerika? Parang ayaw ko na yatang magpunta ng hospital ah." Diezel risen up from sleeping on the hammock."You gorilla! No. Not, of course. Someone is manipulating the system, dickhead!" Sapak ni Morris sa ulo ni Diezel."What t
Melissa."Reeve. . ." I shut my eyes when he kissed me. Alam kong mali ito, pero sa totoo lang ay siya lang din naman ang lalaking minahal ko.I have never once forgotten him. I love him with the whole of me. Pero sa mga oras na iyon, ay una kong inisip si Papa, at ang sitwasyon niya. At iyon lang din ang paraan ko sa mga panahong iyon.I tried to protect Reeve from him, and even until now, Frank never had an idea of who Reeve was in my life.Ang dami kong gustong protectahan sa mga panahon na iyon, at kasama na sina Tiya Esperanza at Manong Paeng. Although Reeve was my priority, I ended up marrying Frank to save my father from everything.Frank promise me to keep the treatment of my father and at the same time the land where Tiya Eperanza lived and Reeve. Pero sa pagdaan ng anim na buwan ay mabilis nagbago ang lahat.Frank promised to end our marriage in six months, but that was just a big lie. He just used me for that. He used me to gain more access to his family's wealth. He used
Reeve."Hindi mo siya anak, Reeve. The kid is not yours to begin with."My jaw tightened, and my heart deflated.Dammit."Are you sure, Mors? Did you check well? How come? Dammit." I swore in silence and turned around. I felt like everyone is playing on me, including Melissa."Oo, sigurado ako, Reeve. Inulit ko pa ito. Pinaulit ko sa laboratoryo. Hindi mo talaga anak ang bata. Here's the record?""That's bullshit, Mors. Inabot mo nga, pero sinabi mo na resulta sa loob. Nasaan ba ang excitement n'yan? You are a fucking kill joy, Mors. It's written all over your forehead, dickhead!" Tinapik ni Diezel ang balikat ni Morris at bahagyang natawa ito. Napatiim-bagang ako at agad na binasa ang resulta.Tama si Morris. Hindi ko anak si Madison."And who the hell is Madison? I'm fucking sure that Melissa. . . Oh, damn this! I don't want to accept this!" Inihagis ko ang papel pabalik sa mukha ni Morris at nagtagpo ang kilay niya. Natawang bahagya si Diezel."Stop smiling like a fucking lunatic,
Melissa."This is Reeve, anak. Kaibigan ko siya. Mabait siya at mapagkakatiwalaan mo."I smiled as I introduced Madison to Reeve. The two looked at each other seriously and Madison's brows crossed as he met Reeve's serious gaze. I swallowed hard. Kinakabahan ako sa titigan nang dalawang ito. Wala yatang gustong magsalita sa kanilang dalawa, at parehong titig lang ang nasa mga mata nila."And what do you do, Mr Reeve? Ikaw ang bumili sa poop painting ko 'di ba?" Nagtagpo ang kilay ni Madison kay Reeve."Yes, that was right. That was me." Kumindat si Reeve sa kanya at tahimik lang din ako sa gilid nilang dalawa. Parang wala ako sa kwarto ito at sila lang yata."I run the studio. And I have two more in the Philippines.""So, you run a business painting? Is that so? Are you making enough money for that?"Bahagyang ngumiti si Reeve at saka mahinang tumango. "A little bit. Enough to cater my needs and some of my employees." Tumitig si Reeve sa akin. "And more than enough to pay your mother
Reeve."Naapektuhan ang kalahati ng utak niya, kaya hirap siya sa lahat. Not to mention, the physical treatment and other rehabilitation therapy has to keep going for him plus his maintenance. It's costly."Doctor Martini Edwards explained everything to me. Mabuti nalang at kilala ako ni Marty Smith, ang head sa accounting unit. Kaya nakausap ko ngayon ay pribadong doctor ng clinic na ito."But back to five years ago. The improvement of the patient has risen significantly. Hindi man mabilis, pero nakikita natin ang bawat pagbabago sa kanya. Noon nga halos hindi niya maigalaw ang buong katawan niya at nakahiga lang siya sa kama.""But now, look at him. He can stand up and sit by himself onto his wheelchair. I don't think the verbal language will be back as normal. May chart siya sa gusto niya at itinuturo niya ito. Nalalaman namin kung ano ang gusto niya sa pamamagitan nito."I sighed and looked at the other room. Makikita ito mula rito, at naglalaro si Madison na kasama ang lolo niya
Melissa . "I'm not going to sign it, Melissa. You know my answers to that, right? Why bother asking me? What is it that you want? Do you want money? You have the access to that, as I've said, but you're not using it. What the hell are you up to? May dapat ba akong malaman na hindi ko alam na pinaggagawa mo!?" Matalas ang titig ni Frank sa akin, at may kasamang inis sa mga mata nito. "Then when are you going to let go of me, Frank? I want to -" "Why are you acting like this? This is not you, Melissa." He cut me off, and I was off guard by that. "Bakit? May ibang lalaki ka ba? Are you meeting someone behind my back?" "At ano naman ito sa 'yo? It's not like you are not having an affair." "But like I've said, Melissa. I broke up with Sasha. I ended our relationship." "What? Wala ka namang sinabi sa akin, Frank. I don’t want this. I want my freedom. Pinangako mo ito sa akin noon, Frank." Tinalikuran niya ako at sumunod agad ako sa kanya. Bumaba siyang hagdanan at mukhang sa kusin
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
Diezel.What are the odds? I'm so effing bored. I raked my hair in exasperation, feeling so frustrated.I'm back here in the business after Italy. I went to Italy to forget Anastacia, but damn it. I couldn't get over with her. I couldn't forget her. Every time I shut my eyes I always see her face, crying, pleading and I feel effing guilty about it.Kung hindi ako pinigilan ni Joel ng gabing iyon, ay tiyak kasama ko na si Anastacia ngayon.I was determined to leave because it was the right thing to do, even if my heart said no. I hesitated and briefly considered going back to Anastacia, but Joel stopped me. He told me there was no hope for me and Anastacia. If I chose her, it would only complicate everything.Damn him! Damn them!They think my life is a game, right? Eff them all.Yes, I have set my goals. I want to build a perfect family with an Italian heritage. That's the ideal gift I could give to my mother and to the whole clan. The Elders are hoping that I will produce an Italian
Anastacia.I was crying the entire time I was inside my bedroom. After he dropped me off yesterday morning, I never went out. I have no work anymore. I've finished all my work at Diezel's company, and I have no plans to look for other work at the moment. Ang buong akala ko pagkatapos ng masasarap na gabi namin ay iisa na kami. Nagkamali ako, dahil heto umiiyak ako ng wala sa sarili.I was hoping that he would come back. I never went to bed last night. I was waiting for him the entire time. My cell phone was not even turned off. I was waiting for Diezel to call me, but it never happened.Siguro nalilito siya at nag iisip? Iyan lang ang iniisip ko, na baka hindi siya nakatawag agad dahil nag iisip pa siya. Pero mukhang wala na yata, dahil dalawang araw na ngayon simula nang huli ko siyang nakita, at wala pa rin akong balita sa kanya.The two days have suddenly passed into seven days, and still, Diezel has not even contacted me.Mataas ang pride ko, pero sobra na ito. Ganun na lang ba
Anastacia.Naimulat ko ang mga mata at wala na si Diezel sa tabi ko. Bahagyang nakabukas ang bintana. Maliwanag na, pero maaga pa naman. Humikab ako at saka napangiti nang maalala ang ginawa namin. Nakakataba ng puso iyon, dahil ramdam ko na mahal ako ni Diezel sa kabila ng lahat. Gusto niya ako!Tumayo ako para hanapin siya. Lumabas ako ng kwarto niya at bumaba ng hagdanan."Diezel?" I called him, and my eyes surveyed his place as I descended the stairs.This place is massive. This is one of Diezel's place in town. "I'm here, Anastacia." He calls back.Binilisan ko ang hakbang. Nasa kabilang banda siya, sa baba, sa mismong opisina niya.Ang bahay na ito ni Diezel ay malapit lang sa opisina ng kompanya. Madalas na ako rito dahil na rin sa trabaho. Alam ko na ang lahat sa kanya, at pinagkakatiwalaan niya ako sa lahat ng bagay.Nakabukas nga naman ang pinto ng opisina niya rito, at nakaupo siya nang pumasok ako. Parang tinatapos lang ang ginagawa."Nagtatrabaho ka?" Nangunot ang noo