Revised chapter! Enjoy reading>3
KABANATA 8 The sky is luminous because of the sun that turning into a beautiful sunrise again. Pa-usbong na ang araw ng makarating ako sa Cebu. Typically, the ride from negros to Cebu won't take me within a day pero I rode a craft by 1 am at ngayon ay tanaw na tanaw ko na ang nagtataasang building ng Cebu. The bus stop in Cebu south terminal and I immediately find a taxi para ihatid ako sa medical hospital. Pagod at gusto kung matulog pero sobra akong nag-alala para kay Miguel. I didn't contact my brother dahil naka-off ang cellphone nito and I'm sure he's doing it because he doesn't want me bombarding his entire vacation. Nakarating ako sa ospital at nakikita ko ngayon kung gaano ito katahimik, it's like a tranquil place you're willing to rest but inside it is really a heavy war. I really didn't like hospitals, it reminds me of sickness and deaths. Sumalubong sa'kin ang amoy ng iba't-ibang gamot sa loob ng ospital. Karen already texted me what room Miguel is staying. Pwede na
KABANATA 9 His hugs are my tranquility. Ang rupok mo talaga Clea at ngayon lunod na lunod ka na naman sa yakap ng asawa mo. How can I possibly stop liking and loving the warmth of him? The pain that I nurtured eventually vanish like a bubble into air at ngayon gustong-gusto ko na muli ang yakap at mumunting halik niyang binibigay sa buhok ko. "Let's eat. Hmm?" Bumalik ang tingin niya sa mga mata ko at ngumiti. His blue mesmerizing eyes, pointed nose, thick brows and his shaped face with his chiseled jaw are one of the many reasons why I can't seem to swim back because everytime I stare at his hues eyes made me drown even more. His ocean like eyes are my greatest weakness. Isang titig niya lang nakikita ko na naman ang sarili kung mas minamahal ang asul na karagatan kahit gaano kalakas ang mga alon at hindi ko alam kung saan ako tatangayin nito. Hinalikan niya muli ako at ngumiti. "Let's eat at ng maka-alis na tayo sa ospital na ito." We eat in silence but by how calm our bre
Kabanata 9.1 Papasok na sana kami sa hotel ng makasalubong ko ang kapatid. He give me his enrage stare as he see me holding Miguel's shoulder tightly. Inirapan ko lang sana siya ng tawagin niya ako. "Caprice." I rolled my eyes before averting my gaze back at him. "Let's talk." He lazily stared back as his hands were sulking inside his jeans' pocket. I look back at Miguel as he is also staring at us. He gives me encouraging nods before smiling. "Go. I'm waiting in our room." I let go of his shoulder as he kissed me before ruffling my hair, making me grunt in annoyance. I give him my annoyed look as my brother is scowling feet away from us. Mag-intay siya d'yan! Huwag siyang atat a! "Don't you dare go out in our room, Miguel. Kapag talaga ikaw wala sa room natin pagbalik ko, malilintikan ka talaga sa'kin." I give him my warning stare. Muli niyang ginulo ang buhok ko bago tumango ng nakangiti. He averted his gaze away from me and bore it into my brother's side as he give him
Kabanata 9.2 Naiinis ako kay Cleo. Ang dami-dami niyang alam! Hindi ko naman siya tinatanong! I hate it when he knew things, the truth and sometimes I really hate how the truth affect me. Iniwan ko siya sa labas at mabilis na naglakad papasok ng hotel. Nawala tuloy ako sa mood. I walk through our room frustrated and hurt. My brother just ruined my night! He's really capable of ruining things! Gad. Pumasok ako sa kwarto, bewildered as to why it is not locked inside. Miguel doesn't want our door open, it might be in the house or any other rooms we are staying in. Someone could have entered without any of us knowing kaya nagtataka akong pumasok sa loob. I'm sure Miguel is inside because I see his sleeper on the side of the doorway. Naiiling kung pinuntahan ang kwartong tinutulugan namin pero ni ano ng asawa ko ay wala naman. The bed doesn't even ruffled, someone hasn't mess it up with yet. Hindi pa nagulo ang mga unan and I know hindi pa napunta si Miguel rito. My heart is palpitati
KABANATA 10 Sitting in the kitchen's sink as my thoughts are clouded in dark abyss with a mug of coffee in my right hand. Masakit pa rin pala kahit paulit-ulit nalang ang senaryo. Pain after pain. Betrayal after betrayal. Unending pain. "Okay ka lang, babe?" Nakita ko siyang bumababa sa hagdan at may nag-aalalang mukha. I shook my head and smile. Okay lang naman kasi dapat. Sanayan nalang kasi ang sakit. "I-I'm okay Van, thanks." I said hesitantly as I jump in the sink and stand vigorously but failed when my vision started to blur. Wanting not to worry Van, I shake my head abruptly and smile again. I didnt want to worry the guy moreover, galing pa itong Maynila at nabasa din ng ulan ng dahil sa'kin. "You need to rest yourself, Clea. Ako na'ng bahala dito, magpahinga ka muna kaya sa kwarto? You really look pale, mi amoré." Natatarantang niyang sabi sa'kin ng makita niya hinihilot ko ang sariling sintido. Lumapit agad ito sa'kin and massaged my head gently. How I wish
KABANATA 11 Days passed like a blur, but my heart.. it is still breaking day by day, slowly. The happiness has long gone, forgotten as loneliness visit me again. I look at the sultry ocean as the strokes of the waves touch my feet soothingly. The ocean is still blue, just like my feelings, I'm in a deep shit blue. Funny as how my favorite color and feelings differ. I hug my shoulder firmly as the sun burn my entire body, a brand new day to get hurt. Again and again. I'm Cleopatra Montaverde a graduate in law, beautiful but broke at isang asawa na paulit-ulit lang namang niloloko at ginagawang tanga harap-harapan. I don't want to pity for the things that already happened at kahit lumuhod at umiyak pa ako ng dugo sa harapan ni Miguel ay kailanman hindi niya ako mamahalin katulad ng dati. If only I saw how things would go in our marriage life I hope I'm ready to face traversity in our lives, masakit iyong ikaw ang pinangakuan ng habang-buhay na pagmamahal ngunit sakit lang naman ang
Kabanata 12/revised "Finally we were able to get back to night life!" Masayang umiindak si Karen papasok sa bar. I see lot of cars in the parking area and I'm sure punong-puno na naman ang loob. "Ang daming tao." I commented when we finally entered the hall. "I'm sure na-miss mo ito. I'm happy na magkasama na ulit tayong magwalwal, Clea!" Natatawa niyang wika na parang lasing. Lasing ba siya? Kararating lang namin, a? Tapos siya parang ilang bote na ang natunga dahil sa kan'yang kilos! "Para kang lasing, Ren." I shook my head. Mabilis niya naman akong hinila papunta sa bar counter kaya nagpatangay nalang ako. Muntikan pa akong matalisod dahil sa mga taong nababanga namin. My friend is getting wild despite not having her drink yet. Parang baliw! "Cheers for your freedom! For a little while." Malakas niyang halakhak at kahit malakas ang tugtog rinig na rinig ko pa rin dahil sa laki ng tawa n'ya. I abruptly drink the tequila na ramdam kung tumagos ang lasa nito sa lalamunan
Kabanata 13/revised I moaned as he continue to devour my lips. Gumalaw ang kanyang mga kamay papunta sa aking dibdib. Mabilis niyang hinawakan ang dalawa kung bundok kaya napaliyad ako sa sensasyong dulot n'yon. "A-ahh" His kisses went down in my neck as he get an easy access when I tilted my head. He massaged my breast firmly making me gasp as pain and pleasure take control in my whole body. Pinakawalan niya ang aking dibdib as he draw circles in my tummy making me gasp in so much sensation. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagpintig ng aking kaibuturan. Ang aking halinghing ay kumakawala sa'king bibig na parang musika sa kan'yang pandinig at mas lalo pang inilakbay ang kanyang labi papunta sa'king dibdib. His mouth take control in my breast as he suck them like an ice cream, a hungry child for his mother's milk. "Mi-guel" I moaned when his hands traveled beneath my undergarments. Ang kaninang kamay na nasa sa'king puson at naglalaro ngayon ay dumapo na sa'king perlas. He cupped my w
Three I hate how fate play. Palagi nalang itong nagwawagi. Palaging nasusunod. Palaging dahilan ng mga sakit at lungkot. "You're alone?" Aaric asked. "Mukha ba akong may kasama?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Galit agad? Nagtatanong lang, a." Mabilis siyang umupo sa harapan ko which made me rolled eyes again. "Ano na naman ba ang kailangan mo attorney, Maur?" Naiinis kung tanong sa kanya. Kung saan-saan nalang siya sumusulpot na parang kabute! "Sabing Caed nalang, e." Kamot-kamot niya sa ulo. "Bakit sinusundan mo na naman ako, ha?" Free time ko ngayon at dahil wala pa naman kaming maraming case na hina-handle ngayon ay marami akong oras. "Grabe ka naman, miss attorney! Hindi mo ako stalker ha!" "Ano nga ba kasi ang kailangan mo? Huwag mong sabihin may gusto ka sa'kin? Sinasabi ko sa'yo hindi kita type!" Malakas siyang humalakhak na may kasama pang paghawak sa tiyan at naluluha na. "Hindi din kita type, Miss Attorney! Baka mapatay pa ako." May pa waksi-waksi pa si
2 Months being in the Philippines has been different. The way Joaquin entered in another school at kung paano s'ya nakatagpo ng mga kaibigan, he's enjoying his stay but I can't help but to get worried every single day na baka makita s'ya ni Miguel at magkakilala silang dalawa. I'm ready to face what the truth has to offer and its consequences but the mere fact that I still don't know how to explain everything to my son bothers me a lot. "Mom, let's go?" Kinalabit ako ni Joaquin ng makita n'ya akong nakatingin sa kanya ng matagal. I nodded and smiled as how excited he is to go to school everyday. Sana… kung dumating man ang araw na malaman n'ya ang lahat tungkol sa ama niya makita pa rin ako ng anak ko bilang mabuting ina. I can't endure the pain it will cause me if my son will hate me. "Wala ka na ba ang naiwan sa room mo? Are all your assignments done?" Binalingan ko siya ng tingin, he's busy looking around that he just nodded abruptly. Mabilis lang naman ang naging byahe nam
Una Kanina pa ako ikot nang ikot sa upuan ko dahil sa sobrang kaba. "Ang ganda mo, madam!" Exaggerated na wika ng baklang nagmi-make-up sa'kin. "Thanks," I replied hesitantly. I know I'm pretty pero alam ko rin na hindi naman basihan ang kagandahan para hindi ka ipagpalit. No matter what a woman has become, she may wear the crown in the universe, possess the beauty and perfection pero hindi no'n mababago ang isang lalaki kung gago na talaga siya. Men should change because they wanted to, hindi dahil gusto naming mga babae. We only want to be valued and love pero minsan kahit gaano ka simple ang gusto naming mga babae hindi pa rin nabibigay sa'min 'yun ng mga lalaki. "Sigurado akong ikaw ang pinakabunga sa party mamaya" agap niyang sabi ng makita niya akong nakangiti ng malungkot. I'm nervous. Nervous because after so many years I will finally see those who believe in me again. Ang mga investors na nahakot ko dati, they organize a charity event and I'm invited. No one knew I'
PART II I waited… for him to change. For him to love me the way I deserve. I'm no princess but I deserve to be treated right. To be loved and to be taken care of was my only dream. Pero hindi… hindi niya nagawang iparamdam sa'kin na mahal niya ako. He made me feel worthless at hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin magawang mahalin ang sarili ko katulad ng dati. I'm still broke and despite not wanting him anymore, I know he's my cure. "Mom, it's so hot!" Kitang-kita ko ang inis na rumehistro sa mukha ng anak ko. The sun is scornful making him grimace in annoyance as we headed out in the airport. I patted his head and smiled. "This is the Philippines, Quin. What do you expect?" I slowly laugh as I see him roll his eyes. "Can we go back in Norway now? I can't think I'll ever live here. It's so mainit, mommy." Ilang beses siyang nagpahid sa pawis niyang tumutulo sa Mukha niya kaya marahan ko siyang nilapitan at pinunasan. Habang lumalaki siya mas lalo siyang nagiging kamukha ni ano… h
KABANATA 32 "Mom it's family day! Yohooo!" kagigising lang ni Joaquin pero full energy nakaagad ito dahil family day ng school ngayon. Oo, pinasok na n'ya si Joaquin sa regular school after his birthday dahil normal naman ang anak niya and she realize na kahit magtago man sila sa kung saang bahagi ng kasuluksulukan ng mundo kung magtatagpuin talaga ang mag-ama ay wala na siyang magagawa. "Yes love, but before that you need to take your bath and eat breakfast. You want me to help you?" Nakangiti n'yang tanong sa anak at hinalikan ito sa pisngi. "Nope. I'm already a big boy mom so you don't need to help me now." Ngiwi naman nito sa kanya pero yinakap pa rin naman s'ya kaya mas lalo siyang napangiti. "Wait… did I just heard you pronouncing the 'r' sound without stuttering love?" Nanlaki ang mata niya ng ma-realize na nabigkas nga ni Joaquin ang already with the 'r'. "Yup. Tita Gorgeous and I practice it yesterday and I now can pronounce words with r sound with no sweat. Easy pea
"Help her doc, please." Pagmamakaawang wika ng kapatid ko. "No! You should have let me die..." Umiiyak kong usal pero mabilis lang na umiiling si Karen at tiningnan ang doctor. "Doc, pakalmahin niyo po siya." Karen pleaded. Umiwas nalang muli ako ng tingin sa kanila dahil pagod na pagod na ako. The nurse injected me something that I lost my consciousness again. Muli akong nagising. Agad na nilibot ng aking mata ang paligid at nakita kong natutulog si Karen sa'king tabi. Nakayuko siya, ang katawan ang nakaupo sa isang upuan at ang kanyang ulo ay nasa bed ko. She's holding my hands as if she's afraid I might run or something. Siguro gabi na dahil hindi ko naman nakikita ang nasa labas. I touch her hair kaya agad naman siyang napagalaw. "Clea...? Do you need anything? May masakit ba?" Nabukadkad siya at dali-dali akong tiningnan. "No," I shook my head and gently smile. "Tawagin ko lang si Doc, sandali lang." Sabi niya at mabilis akong iniwan sa kwarto ng ospital. Sinundan
"Magmumukmok ka nalang ba rito buong araw Clea?" Naiinis na usal ng kapatid ko at binigyan ako ng masamang tingin. "Just leave me alone Cleo." Inirapan ko siya at muling nagtalukbong sa kumot. Malakas niyang hinablot ang kumot kaya sinigawan ko siya. "Ano ba! I need to be alone!" "Kailan mo gustong mapag-isa? Habangbuhay? You'll not going to eat just because of that stupid moron." He said sternly but I avoided his stare. "You are sulking here while he's out there trying to win his campaign and he doesn't even think of you." Tumulo na naman ang luha ko dahil ang sakit niyang magsalita huh! "Bakit ba? Ano naman ang masama sa pag-iyak huh?" Humihikbi kong wika. "Walang masama sa umiyak, ang sa'kin lang dalawang araw ka ng nakakulong rito sa kwarto." Mahina niyang wika na tila naiintindihan niya ako. "Manood tayo ng balita sa ibaba dahil ngayon bibilangin ang boto ng mga mananalo." Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat pero malakas akong napahagulgol nang yakapin na ako ng kapatid ko.
Weeks had passed like a flash pero nandidito pa rin ako sa bahay. Nothing had changed 'tho, dahil dalawang araw nalang bago ang eleksyon ay busy na busy na masyado si Miguel at hindi na rin siya umuuwi ng bahay for the whole week. No text nor calls, para akong naghihintay rito nang milagro. I am not yet allowed to go out, and day by day mas lalo lang sumasama ang pakiramdam ko. Palagi akong nahihilo at kada gising nasusuka ako. Hindi ko alam kong normal pa ba ito, sa pagkain rin ay mas ginanaganahan ako kaya pakiramdam ko mas tumataba ako ngayon. "Hello?" Tanong ko sa kausap ko sa kabilang linya. Hindi ko na kasi tiningnan ang caller dahil busy ako sa pagpapak ng santol pero wala ng ketchup at ice cream nalang ulit. "Pack your things, aalis ka na d'yan sa inyo." Maikling wika ni Cleo at doon lang ako napatingin sa pangalan ng kausap ko at kapatid ko nga ito. "What? Why?!" Napatayo ako sa sinabi niya dahil hindi ko na naman siya maintindihan. "I already know everything. I just
"What now? You'll going to wait here, for what?" Naiinis na singhal sa'kin ni Cleo pero wala ako sa mood sagutin siya kaya inirapan ko nalang. "Clea ano ba? You weren't raise to become this hopelessly in love with someone who can't even ask if you're okay!" Matigas niyang wika kaya napayuko ako. "I am okay." Mahina ko nalang bulong na mas nagpataas at nagpakunot pa sa noo niya. "I should have bring you back to Norway. Look at yourself, you look extra pale and weary." Pinag-aralan niya ang mukha ko kaya napaiwas lang ulit ako sa kaniya. "Cleo... Okay nga lang, huwag ka ng mag-alala riyan." Sagot ko sa kaniya. Mahina siyang napailing. "Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa'yo Clea." He muttered. "Hayaan mo muna kasi ako and please don't tell anything about this to Daddy, papauwiin lang ulit ako n'on." I whispered. "Hanggang kailan kita dapat hayaan? Kapag hindi mo na kaya at pasuko na?" Seryoso niyang tanong at tingin sa akin. I deep sigh and shrugged my shoulders. "Baka kap