Warning: This chapter includes explicit sexual content and discussions of intimacy between characters. Reader discretion is advised.
Daniel laughed as soon as he felt my trembling body because of what he had said. Kaagad ko siyang pinalo sa braso, pero napahiga lang siya sa kama habang tawang-tawa parin.
Daniel looked at me with amusement in his eyes. “You should see your face, Haven. It’s cute,” he teased, and he burst into laughter.
I glared at him and shouted at him while hitting him in the chest with my hands. “Damn you, Daniel! ”
Tuwang-tuwa naman ang lalaki sa ginawa ko, habang hinuhuli ang kamay ko. I could feel the heat rising on my cheeks from his relentless teasing. It was infuriating! Daniel finally stopped laughing, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“But what if? What if, Haven, I did something to you? Would you like it?”He asked, and his tone suddenly got serious.
I stared at him, trying to gauge if he was joking or not. His question made my heart skip a beat. Would I like it? I really do enjoy his touch. Sometimes I find myself craving more, but what if he actually did something?
Napakurap at napasinghap ako nang ipasok ni Daniel ang kamay niya sa damit ko. Nakaupo parin ako sa ibabaw niya dahil sa biglaang paghiga niya.
Napaupo si Daniel, habang hindi inaalis ang tingin saakin. Humigpit naman ang pagkakahawak ko sa braso niya nang pisilin niya ang magkabilang gilid ng tyan ko.
I opened my mouth slightly, gasping as his fingers moved down my chest. “Do you like it? Should I go further, Francheska?”He spoke in a deep, husky voice.
His fingers explored my chest, then glided down to my stomach, leaving me breathless.
“Fuck, Daniel,” I muttered, biting my lip as his hand wandered up my thigh to my waist.
Naka-dress lang naman, kasi ako dahil alam kong sa yate kami. Hindi ko naman aakalain na ganitong mangyayari.
“Hmm, I can see that you really like it, Haven,” he said, his voice both seductive and teasing. Damn.
“'Yun nga lang, kung ako ba o si Baste,”
His words made me tighten my grip on his shirt. Kaagad akong napaiwas ng tingin kay Daniel at tumayo tsaka tumalikod sa kanya.
“Don't walk away like that, baby.”
I gasped as he pulled me back again, causing me to stumble into his lap. Nakatalikod ako sa kanya, his hands exploring around my body, and it's shameless of me that I didn’t even try to stop him.
I gasped as I felt his hardening groin pressing against my thighs. “Fuck. You’re making me aroused, baby,” he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“D-Daniel,” I called out to him. My heart’s pounding so fast; hindi ko na alam kung bakit. Sa kaba ba? Sa pananabik? Halo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko. Daniel and I have been teasing each other, but not to the point of hahantong sa ganito.
I felt his lips brushing against my neck as he moved my long hair aside. He wasn’t kissing my neck, just grazing it, which only heightened the intimacy between us.
“Hmm. Sorry, Haven. But I can’t let you go to Sebastian. I’m obsessed with your kisses, your touch, everything about you. Feeling this way only makes me realize that I need you more than anything.”
His words shocked me. Was he confessing his feelings right now?
“Do you even love me?” I asked, the question escaping my lips before I could stop it.
“Hmm, I’m not sure about love. But I go crazy over you, Haven,” he admitted, his voice low and filled with desire.
I furrowed my brows in confusion, but my body ached as Daniel pulled me even closer. I let out a soft moan as I felt his hardening groin pressing against me. The sensation was overwhelming. Why did it feel like this? Nagiging malandi na ba ako?
“I could give you more than he can, Haven. Why don’t you choose me instead? Just me.”
I closed my eyes as Daniel continued to explore my neck. He unclasped my bra and started massaging my breasts gently, making me feel good in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
“You like it?”He asked, but I didn’t respond, too absorbed in the sensations he was causing.
“I guess so. Your body speaks louder than your voice, my beloved Haven,” he said with a seductive edge.
Fuck. I was deeply trapped in his game now, unable to escape the powerful allure of his touch and the intensity of his words.
“Spread your legs for me, Haven,” Daniel whispered in a sultry tone. Despite his insistence, I kept my legs together, hesitating in a mix of anxiety and desire, although I feel like I’m getting wet as he continues his touch into my body. I like it. I like how he touches me.
“We should stop, Daniel,” I managed to say, my voice quivering.
Daniel’s soft chuckle resonated in my ear. “We haven’t even started yet, baby. Stop? God, I want to take you right now.”
His touch, previously tender, grew more assertive. I gasped as he spread my legs wider and began to explore me with his fingers. Each touch sent waves of pleasure through my body, causing me to tremble uncontrollably.
Leaning back against him, I felt as though I was being lifted to another realm by his touch—an overwhelming sensation that made me question if I was truly in heaven.
“D-Daniel,” I whispered breathlessly, my voice barely audible over the intensity of the moment.
My breathing became rapid, and I could feel the tension in my body escalating.
“Yes, baby?”He responded, his lips brushing against my neck as he continued to kiss me.
I instinctively placed my feet on the edge of the bed, giving him more access to me.
“Ahhh!” I moaned loudly as the intensity peaked, but Daniel quickly covered my mouth with his hand, making me silent and not to be heard by the others. This is insane.
I cursed him silently, my mind racing with frustration as my body arched and writhed in response to his relentless touches.
“Damn you, damn you, Daniel!” I hissed, my frustration evident in my voice.
Tumawa lang si Daniel at hinalikan ang leeg ko, kasabay non ang paglalaro niya sa hinaharap ko at sa hiyas ko.
“Fuck. Daniel, more please.” Pagmamakaawa ko sa kanya nang bagalan niya ang paglalabas pasok sa loob ko. Halos hindi ko na makilala ang sarili ko nang magmakaawa ako sa kanya, para lang mas lalo akong painitin sa mga haplos niya sa akin.
“Now my baby's asking for more,” he teased, his voice dripping with both desire and mischief. I felt the rush of my blood towards my face. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkahiya nang sabihin ko iyon at marinig iyon kay Daniel.
“Later, baby. That can wait, right? Baka hinahanap na nila tayo.”
“Palabasin mo muna, damn you, Daniel. Please, argh!” I pleaded, my frustration mixing with my pleasure. Malapit na ako e! Papalabas na. Shit. My innocence is now gone because of this unbelievable guy! Yet, I like it.
“Malapit na ako e! Fuck you!”He laughed, his amusement clear despite the intensity of the situation.
“Alright, alright,” he said, his fingers thrusting inside me with renewed urgency, as I had begged. His pace quickened, matching the rhythm of my desperate pleas.
“Ahhh! Ahhh!” I moaned softly, my voice muffled by his hand.
“Keep your voice lower, Haven,” he instructed, his breath hot and heavy against my ear.
Napailing ako. “I-I can't. Ahhh!”
My body moved in tandem with his rhythmic thrusts. “Ahh, fuck,” Daniel swore under his breath as he increased his speed, especially as I moved against him to feel his arousal more deeply.
“Damnit, Haven,” he groaned, his voice thick with desire.
“I’m coming...” I gasped, my voice barely a whisper as the pleasure overwhelmed me.
Despite my climax, Daniel’s fingers continued their relentless pace, pushing me toward another peak. I grasped his hand desperately, trying to signal for him to stop.
My body shook uncontrollably, and my breathing became shallow and uneven. Exhausted and overwhelmed, I leaned heavily against Daniel, feeling utterly drained from the intensity of our encounter.
“How was it?” He asked teasingly.
Napairap ako habang hinahabol parin ang paghinga. Nakasandal parin ako sa katawan ni Daniel.
Niyakap niya naman ako, tsaka niya hinalikan ang pisngi ko. “I want you, Haven. Can we make it official?” He asked.
Napatingin naman ako sa kanya at kita sa kanyang mga mata na nagsasabi siya ng totoo.
“Do you love me?” I asked once again.
“Does it really matter?”He shot back. I scoffed and stood up, pero masyado pang nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko para tuluyang makatayo ng maayos.
Napatayo din si Daniel para alalayan ako. “It is Daniel. You can't own me just because of your desires.”
“Then,” his breathing becoming heavy, “do you want me to fuck you without a label? What do you want? A fuck buddies?”
My lips parted as he said that. He's unbelievable!
“What am I supposed to do when I'm falling for you?” I asked, my breathing becoming shallow.
Nakita ko sa kanyang mga mukha ang pagkagulat niya. Kumunot ang noo niya, tila nagtataka.
Does he not really expect that? Anong akala niya, hindi ako mahuhulog sa mga small yet sweet gestures, niya? Sa mga salita na alam kong peke lang naman, pero nahulog parin ako sa kanya?
“Don't mind it,” I said, turning my back on him and going inside the bathroom to change.
Sobrang lakas ng puso ko. Did I really say that to him? Fuck, Haven. You're a mess. A really big mess. Feeling hurt because even after six months of being with him… Hindi ba talaga siya nahulog sa akin?
Nang matapos kong magbihis ay pagkalabas ko wala na roon si Daniel. I scoffed. Feeling shitty about what happened today.
Sabi na e. Hindi talaga magandang ideya ang humiga kami sa iisang kama. I know Daniel is just a teaser; we've been in a fake relationship for six months. Kahit na sabihin kong may pagtingin ako kay Sebastian; hindi ko mapigilang mahulog kay Daniel, lalo na't sobrang sweet niya saakin; kahit na sobrang palaasar niyang tao.
Am I really falling for him? Will he catch me, though? Or will it be one-sided love?
DANIEL FORTELEJOThe moment I laid my eyes on Haven, my heart skipped a beat. I know there's something in her that makes me want to be so close to her and to own her.Of course, that isn't easy with Baste and Hari with her sides. Laging nakabantay sila sa kanya. I get it, as their Tito Elio told them to take a look after Haven.Kahit na ganon, I ended up taking care of her too. Sobrang galit ko nang malamang inaapi siya—at the same time, masaya dahil ako lang ang nakakaalam. I became her knight in the shining armor. Funny, but it does sound like that to me. Her knight.“Wala ka talagang tiwala sa sarili mo, Haven.” Natatawa kong sabi sa kanya as I fixed her hair, dahil kulang nalang ay kainin na niya ang mga hibla ng buhok niya dahil sa palaging nililipad ng hangin.I tied it. Hindi ako marunong, pero para sa kanya, aaralan ko iyon. Wala naman akong mga kapatid na babae or pinsang babae para pag-aralan ang ganitong bagay, pero sa kanya ko nalang gagawin.Muli akong umupo sa harapan ni
Pag-akyat ko ay nakita ko silang nagkakagulo sa living area—the girls were playing Jenga, the boys were starting to drink outside in the bar area, and Finn and Hari were grilling some BBQ for dinner tonight. I didn't see Daniel, though. I wonder where he could be?“Haven, right? Come and join us!” Aya saakin ni Isla. I excitedly took a seat with them, even though my eyes were searching for Daniel.Naglaro kami ng jengga at ang matatalo ay pipitikin sa tenga. At ako na hindi masyado kagalingan ay laging natatalo.“Ayoko na nga!” Naiinis kong sabi. Tawang-tawa naman sila nang makitang namumula na ang tenga ko. Magkabilang tenga talaga! Nakakaasar.“I didn't know you weren't a great player, Ven,” Ana said with a chuckle.Naningkit naman ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Ana. At ang babae ay natawa lang. “Do I look like a player?”Tumawa naman ulit sila at pinalo pa ako ni Mila sa balikat. “Hmm, hindi naman, pero mukha lang naman.”Mas lalong naningkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi nila. “Parang i
Nang matapos akong maligo ay lumabas ako muli, nakasuot ng tank top at dolphin shorts. Nakalimutan ko kasing magdala ng pajama nakakainis. Sa sobrang excited ang dami kong naiwan sa bahay.Pagkalabas ko ay kaming dalawa palang ni Isla ang nasa sala. Naghahanap siya ng pwedeng panoorin sa tv habang balot na balot sa kumot at may hot citrus tea na hawak.“Nilalamig 'yan?” Natatawang sabi ko sa kanya.“Bwiset kasi, ang tagal namin nagbabad doon. Kaya binilisan ko na ang pagligo at feel ko lalagnatin ako.” Iritadong sabi ni Isla, tsaka bumahing pa.“Uminom ka na ba ng gamot? Tignan ko kung may dala ako.” Aalis na sana ako nang tumango si Isla.“Girl's scout a. Binigyan na ako ni Hari.”Napaupo naman ako sa tapat niya. “Anong girl’s scout. Future nurse ‘to.” Pagmamayabang ko.“Then, I'll be in your care, Nurse Haven.” Yumuko pa ito para magbigay ng pugay kaya binato ko ang unan sa kanya tsaka natawa.“Gaga, nasa pangangalaga ka na ni Doc Hari.” Natatawang sabi ko.Naningkit naman ang mga ma
“Hari!” Sigaw ko kay Hari nang kinuha niya ang novel na binabasa ko.Nasa loob kami ng yate at naghahanda sila para sa paggala mamaya sa Batangas. Sumasakit kasi ang puson ko at tingin ko magkakaroon ako mamaya, kaya nagpasya akong mag-stay nalang muna.Nagpaiwan si Daniel para alagaan ako, maging si Baste ay nagpaiwan din dahil may videocall sila mamaya ni Gen na nasa Paris ngayon dahil sa fashion week.Tumakbo si Hari, kaya hinabol ko siya kaagad. Erotic novel iyon, pinabasa sa akin ni Nova para hindi daw ako maboryo sa yate. Bakit ba kasi ako nagbabasa sa labas ng yate?! Kaasar!“Akin na sabi!” Sigaw ko, at hinahabol parin siya. Nasa upper deck na kami at nagpapatintero sa lamesa.“Ano ito, Cheska?!” Sigaw ni Hari nang mabasa ang iilang linya. Nasa SPG na part na kasi ako, at inagaw pa nga ni Hari.“Dahan-dahan niyang hinahaplos ang katawan—what the heck?!” Nanlaki pa ang mga mata niya nang mabasa ang iilang linya.Babasahin niya pa sana ulit iyon nang kinuha iyon ni Baste at siya
The game continued with laughter and playful banter until Daniel spun the bottle. It slowed and finally pointed directly at Hari. Hari, who had been laughing moments before, suddenly fell silent and pouted. With a sigh, he picked up a piece of paper from the fishbowl and revealed the word 'Dare'.“Kissed the one you like here,” Daniel said out loud, his voice carrying a teasing tone.Hari’s expression shifted as his gaze locked onto me. My heart began to race at the intensity of his stare. It felt like he was contemplating the dare with a mixture of desire and hesitation.Walang salita-salita ay kaagad na inabot ni Hari ang dalawang shots ng gin at kaagad na nilagok iyon. The room fell silent, with everyone watching his reaction with curiosity.“Woah. May crush ka dito, Hari?” Leo asked, clearly surprised.Inakbayan naman siya ni Finn na katabi niya lang. “Sana hinalikan mo para makilala namin!” Natatawang sabi ni Finn.Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil hindi matanggal-tanggal ang tingin n
Since that night, Daniel and I have become closer. As in closer, na hindi na mapaghihiwalay pa. Tawang-tawa naman si Nova habang tinitignan si Daniel sa pagiging clingy niya saakin, dahil mukha siyang tarsier na sobrang kapit na kapit saakin.Isla didn't say sorry about what happened last night, since it was just a dare. I did that to dare her, and she did it without hesitation. She also confessed to us—Daniel and I that she'd been eyeing him even before I came. But there are no hard feelings; Isla still treats us the same way as before. I hope it is still the same.Finn apologizes to me instead. “Pasensya na talaga sa pinsan ko, Ven. Ganyan talaga siya. Kaya nga problemadong-problemado si tita sa kanya kasi feel niya lahat ng ginagawa niya ay tama. Nasanay kasi sa kanila. Masyadong spoiled ng mga kuya at mga magulang.”Tumango nalang ako sa sinabi ni Finn about his cousin. I really don't understand, though. Mayaman naman silang lahat, pero hindi naman sila spoiled, especially Hari an
Warning: This chapter includes explicit sexual content and discussions of intimacy between characters. Reader discretion is advised.Kaagad kong itinulak si Daniel nang bumukas ang sliding door ng yate at pumasok roon si Isla na nagtataka kung anong ginagawa namin ni Baste. I bit my lips and bumped Baste’s body to continue my way outside, where all of them were staying and having fun.Nagtataka man si Isla ay hindi na siya nagtanong pa, but knowing her, maybe she would spread a word with her friends, or maybe even to Genevieve. Iniisip ko pa lang, alam kong susugudin na ako ni Gen.We keep sailing and make a day or two stop by the province na nadadaanan namin, para mamasyal, mamili ng mga pagkain, even souvenirs. Daniel and I took several photos together at minsan nakikiepal sila Hari, Theo, at Leo. We did dance tiktok too, together with the squad, and made the most of it. We brought a lot of delicacies from every province, and my favorite one is the piaya from Bacolod, especially the
Naglinis ako gano’n din si Daniel bago kami lumabas dahil tinawag na kami para sa hapunan. Nagulat ako nang makita ko si Isla at Nova na nasa hapag-kainan kasama sila Hari at Baste. Mabuti nga ay nawala na ang pamumula nang mukha ko dahil magmumukha akong kamatis habang kaharap sila.Anong ginagawa nila rito? Hindi pa ba sila nagsasawa na makasama kami? I mean halos isang buwan din kaming nasa karagatan, ng mga mukha lang namin ang nakikita namin sa yate.“Hiyyiee!” Bati ni Nova saamin.Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya at nakipagbeso. Ganon din ang ginawa nila Nova at Isla kay Daniel. Napatingin pa saakin si Daniel nang lumapit sa kanya si Isla kaya napangiti ako. He’s worried that I might get mad at him by letting Isla come to him. I actually not.Napatingin ako kay Baste na tahimik na kumakain, habang si Hari naman ay nakangiti saamin.“Are you sleeping here tonight? I will ask the maids to prepare a room for all of you.” Hari said with a smile. Such accommodating as ever.I bet Dra. Hira
Nagdadabog akong pababa ng mansyon dahil sa inis ko kay Hari. Hindi kasi ako pinapansin dahil lang sa naging kami na ni Daniel. Kaya hindi ko na alam kung paano suyuin ang lalaki! Ayaw na ayaw ko pa namang may away kami. Nakakairita. “Oh? Anong mukha iyan?” natatawang saad ni Kuya Vin nang makita akong pababa ng hagdan. “Mukha ng maganda, kuya!” asik ko sa kanya. Kaya hindi na mapigilang mapatawa ni Kuya Vin. Inirapan ko ito pero kaagad din akong yumakap kay Kuya na siyang ikinabigla niya. “Aba, nagpapalambing ang prinsesa ko,” aniya tsaka niya sinuklay ang buhok ko gamit ang kanyang kamay.“Eh kuya kasi, si Hari nagtatampo! Hindi ko alam paano suyuin, ayaw akong pansinin.” naiiyak kong saad kay Kuya. Eto kasi ang unang beses na magkaroon ako ng kaibigan na nagtatampo sa akin kaya hindi ko alam kung paano siya suyuin. I never had a friend. At ang paglalayo ni Hari sa akin ay para na niya rin akong pinapatay. Kainis. Silang dalawa lang ni Daniel ang ka-close ko sa school, tapos la
Namamahinga ngayon sila Nika, Elio, kasama ang mga anak ni Elio na sina Vienna at Vlad, kasama rin ang mga pamangking ni Nika na sina Harvin, Haven at Hari sa isang food stall matapos maubos ang enerhiya nila kakapasyal sa loob ng isang amusement park. “Tita punta ulit tayo rito!” masayang wika ni Hari, kaya naman ginulo ni Haven ang buhok ng bunsong kapatid. “Aba nag-request pa nga!” natatawang saad ni Haven. Napangiti naman sina Elio at Nika nang makitang masaya ang mga bata. “Sa susunod, Disneyland naman,” wika ni Elio para mapatalon sa saya ang mga bata. Habang kumakain ay bigla silang nakita ni Yarianne, ang pamangkin ni Elio. Masaya itong tumakbo papalapit sa kanyang tito at tinawag si Nika. “Tita Nika! Tito Elio!” masayang pagtawag ni Yari para makuha nito ang atensyon ng dalawa. Kasunod ni Yari ang mga nakakatandang pinsan na sila Atticus, Sean, Hari, at si Sebastian. Kasama din nila ang mga kaibigan nila Hari at Sebastian na sina Daniel, Genevieve, Nova, Mila, Ana, Finn,
I was packing my things when the door swung open. At nang linungin ko iyon, ay nakita ko si Hari na papasok sa loob ng kwarto ko, nagtataka kung bakit niya ako nakitang nag-eempake. “Where are you going, Cheska?” tanong ni Hari nang hablutin nito ang kamay ko para mapatigil sa pagtutupi ng mga damit. “Far away,” I replied with a bright smile. Akala ko kaya ko nang mag-stay dito, kasama sila Hari at Baste, pero hindi ko pala kaya. Kaya naisipan ko na lang na magpakalayo, malayo sa kanilang dalawa. “Akala ko ba mananatili ka dito?” tanong niya. Muli akong ngumiti sa kanya tsaka ko hinila ang kamay ko para magsimula ulit sa pag-eempake. Mamaya ay darating na ang chopper na pinadala ni Tito Elio para sunduin ako at ihatid ako sa lugar na nais kong puntahan. “This mansion brought me so many memories, Hari. With you and Baste and everything that made me feel to not let it go, but I have to,” I paused. “Feel ko hindi ako uusad kung mananatili ako rito—” “Iiwan mo ako?” His voice crack
Napatitig ako sa mukha ni Daniel na puno ng sugat at namamaga dahil sa pagsuntok sa kanya ni Hari, habang nasa loob kami ng ospital. Halos hindi ko na makilala si Daniel sa kanyang mukha ngayon. Daniel’s been sleeping for hours since that happened, and I feel sad about it, kaya hindi ko siya maiwan-iwanan dito sa ospital room niya. Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay ni Daniel at marahang hinaplos iyon, at habang hinahaplos ko ang kamay niya ay siyang pagtulo muli ng mga luhang kanina ko pang pinipigilang pumatak. I held his hands tightly and rested it on my forehead. Silently praying that everything will be okay now. “Cheska.” Hari’s voice was firm and cold. Ngunit hindi ko siya nilingon. Anong mukhang ihaharap ko sa kanila? Sa kanya? “Daniel! Daniel!” rinig kong pagsigaw ni Mrs. Fortelejo kaya ay napatayo ako sa kinauupuan ko. Mabilis namang lumapit si Mrs. Fortelejo sa kanyang anak at naghinagpis ito nang makita kung gaano kasira ang mukha ni Daniel. Napaangat ito ng tingin sa
“Buti naman nakapunta ka, Ven. Akala ko ikukulong ka na ni Daniel sa condo niyo,” natatawang saad ni Sylus nang makita akong papalapit sa kanya. Inirapan ko naman ang lalaki tsaka ako lumapit kina Nova. “Ven!” tili ni Nova nang makita ako. I stared at her attire, she’s wearing a revealing red dress na hindi lalagpas sa kanyang tuhod. Naka-messy bun naman ang kanyang mahaba at kulot na buhok. Finn is on her side, nakahawak sa bewang nito tila ba binabantayan mula sa mga lalaking gustong lumapit kay Nova. Lapitin din naman kasi ng lalaki itong si Nova. “Buti nakapunta ka!” sigaw nito tsaka lumapit sa akin at nakipag-beso. Halatang nakainom na si Nova, dahil kanina pa naman sila dito at medyo hindi na rin tuwid ang kanyang tayo, habang ako ay pinipilit ko pa si Dan na makapunta ako dito, pero in the end, nagalit lang siya at hindi na ako kinausap. Sa galit ko rin ay tuluyan na akong nagbihis para puntahan sila, at isaya na lang ang galit na nararamdaman ko. “Siguro badtrip na naman
Warning: This chapter explores sensitive themes such as abuse and trauma experienced by the protagonist. Reader discretion is advised. “Huwag kang magulo, Sylus! Tatadyakan kita!” Inis kong sambit sa lalaki nang kinukuha nito lahat ng mga papers ko para basahin at koreksyonan. Edi sila na matalino! Partida Fashion Designer ang kinuha pero mukhang mas may alam pa sa Nurse kesa sa’kin. “Ang gwapo ko para tadyakan mo, Francheska!” anas niya tsaka dabog na pinatong sa lamesa ang mga papers ko, dahilan para mapatingin sa amin ang mga estudyante dito sa library. Inirapan ko ang lalaki at inayos ang mga papers para ipapasa na sana nang sulatan iyon ni Sylus para koreksyonan, kaya ay gagawa na naman ako ng panibago bago iyon ipasa. Nakakainis. Kung kailan deadline na ay ngayon pa talaga sumingit ang lalaki. “Yo!” singit naman ni Isaac sabay tapon ng bag nito sa tabi ko at uupo na sana nang itulak siya ni Sylus gamit ang paa nito. Edi sila na ang may mahabang mga paa. “Bawal,” anas ni
Habang tinatahak ang daang palabas sa building na ito ay siyang walang hanggang pagbuhos ng luha ko. I can’t stop crying. And I don’t know why I am crying. I did the same to Daniel. Siya itong dapat may karapatang magalit at umiyak dahil sa mga kasalanang ginawa ko sa kanya. Anong iniiyak mo, Haven? “Haven! Sandali!” rinig kong paghabol ni Daniel sa akin. Saktong nasa baba na kami ng kompanya nila, hindi naman na masyado matao dahil mag aalas otso na ng gabi. “Teka, Haven. Please, sandali lang!” There was desperation in his voice, pleading for me to stop. His footsteps were getting closer, pero hindi ko magawang lumingon sa kanya. Ang sakit. Ayokong makita ‘yung tingin sa mga mata niya—ang galit at lungkot, ang sakit. Sobrang sakit. Kaagad din akong napahinto nang hawakan ni Daniel ang kamay ko, hindi masyadong mahigpit, pero sapat na para pigilan ako sa paglayo. Kaya kaagad kong pinunasan ang luhang walang tigil sa pagpatak sa pisngi ko. “Please, Haven,” pabulong niyang sabi
DANIEL FORTELEJO “Dan, can you stay for a while? I need you in the company. I can’t do it all alone,” pakiusap ni mommy habang nanghihina itong pinupunasan ang katawan ni daddy. Na-stroke si daddy nang malamang bumabagsak ang company namin matapos na magkaroon ng malaking issue sa bridge na pinapatayo sa Bohol-Cebu, na bumigay ang iilang bahagi nito. So far, wala namang nasaktan sa mga empleyado namin. Iyon nga lang, nawalan ng investors ang konpanya namin at binawi sa amin ang proyektong iyon. We had already lost millions because of that project, and now the government is demanding a refund for the money we spent on building the bridge. But how? All the payments they gave us had already been used for the project. We can't refund the money because if we do, we'll lose even more, leaving us with nothing. That’s why I pushed to finish the project. I knew it was our only hope. I worked tirelessly, day and night, organizing every detail, overseeing construction, negotiating with suppli
Kumain kami ni Hari na para bang walang nangyari sa aming dalawa. He keeps serving me food, habang patuloy ito sa paghigop ng kanyang sipon gawa ng pagkakaligo sa ulan at sa iyakan naming dalawa. Napanguso ako habang patuloy ito sa pagbabalat ng hipon para makain ko. Tulad ng sabi niya ay kakain kami no’n sa araw ng birthday ko. “Just eat a few, dalawa lang pala, ayokong mag-alala si Tita Nika,” ani nito sa marahan na boses. Medyo iba na rin ang boses nito. Kumuha siya ng tissue at pinunasan ang tumutulong sipon sa kanyang ilong. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang matawa sa kanya, dahil nakanguso ito habang pinupunasan ang ilong. “Sino daw magkakasakit?” I teased. Sinamaan niya naman ako ng tingin, pero kaagad ding huminga ng malalim. “I didn’t know you have strong immune system than I do, partida pareho pang doctor ang mga magulang ko, tsk.” asik niya habang patuloy pa rin sa pagpunas ng kanyang ilong dahil ayaw na atang tumigil sa pagtulo ng sipon sa kanyang ilong. Napailing na la