The next day, I forwarded the photos to our dean and the school's president. She wanted the evidence. So, I gave her it.
Paano kung ganoon din ang mangyari sa anak n'yang babae? Paano rin kung ibang kababaihan ay mas malala pa ang naranasan kaysa sa akin? Si Kiana na malapit sa akin ay nagawan ng kahayupan ng lalaking 'yon. Paano ang iba na paulit-ulit ding nakakaranas ng pang-aabuso mula sa kalalakihan? At, ang mas masahol pa rito ay kaya pa nilang magising araw-araw aninmo'y walang ginawang kasalanan.
Hindi lang iisa ang biktima niya. At nakakalungkot isipin na kung sino pa ang tinitingalaan ng iba ay ganito kasahol. I was even thinking to post the photos anonymously in the facebook but I thought that would be too much.
Sinama ko na rin si Sir Ramos. I posted on our school's freedom wall and there were a lot of students who also complained. The news sparked like a wild fire in the campus. Everyone wasn't expecting that to happen. Pagbabayaran niya ang gi
"I told you that you are not a bother. Stop opposing me and get in the car." He ordered. “Tsaka malabo na hindi tayo magkita, Jezrel. Girlfriend ka ng kaibigan ko. We will always bump to each other no matter what.”We were now at his car and nobody spoke. Napansin ko namang hindi kami patungo sa daan papunta sa amin."Where are we going?" Hindi siya sumagot. "Asher, I asked you, where are we heading to?""You'll see.” My forehead knitted in confusion. Hindi ko talaga maisip kung paano sila naging mag-kaibigan ni Dwight. One is playful, the other one is as cold as ice."You really don't want to stay with me, right?" Tumingin ako sa kanya."Hindi naman. I mean.. Uhh..–" The hell, Jezrel. Why can't you compose yourself?"I understand. I am not someone who's easy to deal with. But, you only see a part of me but not the whole me."&n
"Ako na." Pinigilan ko ang kamay ni Asher nang akma niyang babayaran ang iced coffee. I don't want to owe him another favor."No. Ako na. You went all the way here, ito na lang kahit papaano pambayad ko." Kontra niya pa."But I don't want you paying for me.""Then you'll pay next time. Okay na?"I pouted before I nodded. "Okay."After he found a seat for us, we settled there. Humigop ako ng iced coffee saka umiwas ng tingin. What would I be telling him of the reason why I was here? Hindi ko naman puwedeng sabihing naligaw din ako tulad ng parati niyang sinasabi. Gosh. Hindi ko rin maintindihan sarili ko."You okay?" he asked. Inangat ko ang ulo ko saka tumango. "You should've texted me that you'll go here.""Ano namang masama kung pumunta ako rito? Besides, I want to roam around your university, too. Saka, gusto kong makita ang mga iskolar ng bayan. I am not here for you." I almost scoffed with my words. Hindi ko alam kung kapani-pani
I woke up feeling heavy. Nanghihina rin ang aking tuhod nang sinubukan kong tumayo. In the end, I collapsed to the ground as all the energy left my body.I caught a severe fever that day. Mommy took a day off to take care of me. Ang sabi niya pa'y magha-hire s'ya ng katulong para may mag-aasikaso ng bahay.Nagulat na lamang ako nang magising ay nasa tabi ko na si Dwight hawak ang kamay ko. "Dwight?" untag ko.He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at me when our gazes met."How are you feeling?""M-Medyo okay na. Kanina ka pa?""Yes. Tinawagan ako ni Tita," he replied."Sana hindi ka
We were now currently talking about the group project. Ako naman daw ang matalino. I wanted to oppose, however no one's going to step up to lead. Ito kadalasan ang scenario, kapag matalino ka kailangan ikaw maging leader. But, it's not always the case. Hindi lahat ng matalino ay kayang maging lider. Magkaiba 'yon. Huminga ako nang malalim saka nag-take down notes na lamang. "Any suggestions?" untag ko. "Since, sabi naman ni prof dito lang naman tayo mag-interview, kailan natin sisimulan? May practice kasi ako sa cheering squad, e," sabi ng ka-grupo kong babae. I almost rolled my eyes. Anong ambag nito? Pa-print lang? "Alright. We'll start it right away," I said. "Ako may suggestion!" One of my block mates raised her hand. "Siguraduhin mong helpful 'yan, ah?" ani ng isang lalaki na sa pagkakatanda ko'y si Jake. "Oo nga What do you think of me?!" anito. "Try nating mag-interview ng maiitim, diba? Hindi na tayo maghahanap sa labas, at lea
Ilang beses kong tinitigan 'yung singsing na nasa daliri ko. He was not joking when he proposed to me. And it was still vivid in my head how he said those words to me like I mean everything to him. My heart fluttered again at that thought."Patingin nga uli." Kanina pa ako kinukulit ni Kiana, lalo na nang makita niya ang singsing. She couldn't believe it, too.Napatingin ako sa kanya. Medyo nahahalata na rin ang baby bump niya. May mga iilan na mapanghusga siyang tinitingnan. I wanted to rip of those faces! As if they knew what she went through.She looked at my hand again for the second time. "Talagang gusto ka ng itali, huh," aniya. Tahimik pa rin ako. "But, Jezrel I know Dwight is a good man. Pero, hindi ba maaga pa para d'yan?"I've been thinking of that, too since we came back. He wanted to marry me. It has been his plan, he told me. Marriage was sacred thing. I knew it."I know, Ki," I told her."Alam mo naman pala, e hindi
"Congratulations, babe!" Masigla kong bati kay Dwight. Today's his graduation. He even graduated with flying colors and I couldn't be more proud of him. I kissed him on the cheeks and he returned it with a gentle smile."Good day po." Bati ko sa mga magulang niya. Tinanguan nila ako. I've never talked casually with his parents. Siguro kasi ganoon talaga sila ka-aloof. Dwight was happy when they paid him a visit. Kakatapos nga lang ng ceremony. Pero, mabilis silang nag-paalam. They told us that theu had something more important thing to do. Hindi nga rin sila pupunta sa party mamaya."Babe.” I looked at Dwight and held his hand. "You okay?""Yeah," mahinang tugon niya."Hey, you should smile. It's your day." I poked his cheeks and cheered him up.We were now in his house together with his friends. They held a party for him. Na
Nang makalabas ako mula sa building kung saan ako intern ay nakita ko ang kotse ni Dwight kaya agad akong napangiti. He didn't tell me that he'd fetch me. Maaga siguro ang uwi niya. I tugged inside his car. Dwight welcomed me with a smile. "How's your day?" he asked. "Okay lang naman, so far. Though we're busy but that's the nature of our work. What about you?" "Still tiring, babe..." his voice was hoarse. He was busier than before. He worked in the weekdays and then he studied for board in the weekends. I moved closer and gave him a hug. Ngumisi siya. "You really have a way to make me smile, babe." "I will always be here to be your refuge and strength." "Thanks." He smiled. We stopped in a drive thru for a coffee because he wanted to spend this night with me. Bukas kasi ma
"Are you sure you won't stood me up again?""No, babe. I won't. We're going to spend this day together," he smiled and brought his mouth to my hand. I smiled in return. We were at his condo today, he ordered food for us."Dwight. Sabi ko ayaw ko ng popcorn diba?" iritable kong sabi nang makita iyon sa inorder niyo kani-kanina lamang."Really? Sinabi mo ba dati? Hindi ko matandaan." aniya."I did. Noong nakaraang movie date natin, gano'n din; bumili ka rin ng popcorn. Just the smell of it irritates me,""Then let's have something else.""Pizza na lang. I'm craving for it," sabi ko habang sine-set up 'yung papanoorin ko sa netflix.After watching the movie, Dwight talked about a lot of things. I hoped he'd asked about me, too. But he didn't. Still, I just sat there listening to him.&nb
Asher and Jezrel were happy with their family. Jezrel was now pregnant with their second child. Saksi ako sa mga napagdaanan nila. The smile on their faces was vivid. They looked so madly in love with each other. I couldn't ask for more.I guess this is how it ends. My first love whom I offered the world before finally settled with someone she chose to keep with for lifetime.Marco and Samara on the other hand, was happy too. I heard from him that Samara was pregnant with their third child. Sobrang sipag ng mokong. Natawa ako sa isipan ko.Johnson also finally got married. Akala nga namin ay walang balak eh. Pa'no 'tong tropa namin kahit dati takot mag-commit. Parang tanga. Nasaktan kasi 'yan dati kaya takot magmahal. But now look at him, he's now building a family with the love of his life and someone who she chose to keep with.Napangiti ako kapag iniisip ang mga pinagdaanan
"How sure are you with me?" She asked when we got home. We were lying on the bed while her arms are wrapped around me."I felt it. Ikaw lang gusto kong makasama, Sandra. Wala na akong ibang maisip na makasama kung hindi ikaw."Napangiti siya nang malawak. "Yieeee, kilig yarn?" pang-aasar ko pa."Edi wow, Dwight. S'yempre sure ka na sa akin. Ako ba naman pakakasalanan mo eh. Malamang sa malamang," pagmamayabang niya pa. Pinisil ko ang kanyang pisngi."Confident, huh?""S'yempre." Ngumisi siya. "I don't regret talking to you that night."Bigla ko rin naalala kung paano kami nagkita nang gabing iyon. When everything was blurry but then she came and gave me the light I was once hindered of. No'ng mga panahon na 'yon halos nabaliw ako sa ginawa ni Jezrel sa akin, pero ngayon makilala ko si Sandra. Worth it lahat nang nangyari. H
We try to work things out kahit may mga pagkakataon na hindi talaga kami nakakapag-usap nang maayos. Tulad ngayon, binabaan niya ako ng telepono. I vented out my frustrations on her which I shouldn't. I would be starting another project and it was killing me. Hindi na lang ako basta manggagawa, my father appointed me as the new president since he retired. And everything was heavy these days. Alam ko namang mali ako sa ginawa ko and I already apologized her. But she was not talking to me. Ito na yata ang pinaka-matagal sa phase ng relasyon namin na hindi kami nakapag-usap.I went to bar for a drink. It has already been days since Asher had been released. Unang hinanap nito ay alak. Baliw talaga 'tong mokong na 'to. Niyaya ko siyang uminom. Good thing, he was available."Nakausap mo na ba?" He inquired holding the glass of whiskey in his hands. Inikot ikot niya pa ito habang pinagmamasdan ang mga tao. He might really have missed the air outside. Lalo na dahil malakas tal
The first two months of not being with each other was so difficult. I wonder how do couples with long distance relationship? Never have I ever thought I would be in this state. My woman was away with me pursuing her dream and I was left alone here.Our communication was okay. It was more than okay. I had difficulty adjusting with her time zone but I was trying hard for her and she also did the same.I've seen her fashion walks online and her name was starting to become quite popular. She was new on that field but she managed to fight all the hurdles on her own. I couldn't be more proud with her.I already took the bath and today was our schedule for video call in Face Time. I was too to reach her but there wasn't response. Nag-message na ako sa kanya pero wala pa rin. This was the hardest being in this situation. You cannot just go to her when you want to. I was also busy with several projects. Inis kong bingasak ang phone ko dahil hindi pa rin siya sumasagot.
One night when we were at her condo. Sandra broke a news that made my heart devastated."I'm going to work abroad," she said.My eyes widened and my muscles tensed. "Why?" I tried to remain calm even though my voice was about to betray me."Napag-isipan ko na 'to matagal na. I want to pursue my modeling career abroad.""Are you sure? Or baka nagmamadali ka lang?""Yes, Dwight. I have to do this. I was scouted for a fashion week in Paris.""What about us?" I asked with my voice broke. "What about me, Sandra?"She cupped my face. "We can still work our relationship naman. We won't lose our connection.""I can't... Sandra... Mababaliw ako 'pag hindi makita."Her eyes brimmed with years. "Dwight naman... Please allow me to go. This is for me. Kaya naman nating gawan ng paraan, e. LDR
Alessandra feels home. Whenever I'm tired from work, I would go straight into her condo and sleep there. Mas madalas na nga akong matulog sa kanila kaysa sa bahay ko. She was no on the kitchen cooking when I went to her. Sa tuwing nakikita ko siya ay palagi akong nakangiti. Maingat na naglakad ako papalapit sa likiran niya. I hugged her and planted little kisses on her neck. "Stop it," she mumbled. The grin on my face did not disappear as I continued giving her sweet kisses on her neck until it reached her earlobe which was her sensitive part. "Ano ba, Dwight, parang tanga." She turned around to face me. Nakuha niya pa akong irapan bago ibinalik ang tingin sa ginagaw
"Do I have another scheduled appointment?" I asked my secretary beside me."None for today, Sir," he replied."That's nice. Sa wakas." I massaged my temple. It's been an exhausting day. My eyes were tightly shut. When was the last time I had a proper rest?Kanina lamang bumisita kami sa site para sa bagong project. Some Engineers were also with me. Bumalik naman kami bago mag-lunch."So, magbabakasyon ka talaga?" Johnson asked me while we were at his pad. Pagkatapos kong mag-trabaho ay dumiretso ako sa kanila. There's nothing to anticipate life these days. It feels like I'm just floating in the air, waiting to die. This feeling sucks. Ang mga kaibigan ko masaya. Si Marco ay may bagong anak. Si Johnson naman ay may pinakilalang babae k
Just when I thought I won't be seeing this woman, I saw her again right in front of my eyes, still surprise of our another encounter. Funny how the destiny was playing with us.She sat down across me. I recalled how we ended up at her condo. We shared about each other's agony that time when we were in a bar drinking. I was grateful for her staying with me the whole time. That was the moment I had someone I shared my burdens with. That was nice, honestly. We were both each other's company. I thought I won't be seeing her again. She was a stranger and still a stranger. She looked frustrated though. Marahil ay dahil nahihiya rin siya sa mga naikuwento niya."I didn't expect this." Pinaypayan niya pa ang sarili. Kumuha siya ng isang basong tubig saka uminom. Ganoon din ako. "Do you like me?" I almost spitted the water on my mouth with how b
When you're cheated, what should be the first thing to do? To blame yourself over and over again, asking yourself what have gotten wrong? Or to hate those who cheated behind your back? To tell you honestly, I didn't know what to feel. My mind went blank and the first thing that popped out was to get my gun. When Jezrel told me she was pregnant. My body was numb. Asher, my best friend, my brother whom I trusted the most betrayed me. Gusto ko siyang saktan nang saktan! Pinaulanan ko siya ng suntok. Because the fuck, what did I even do to deserve this? Alam ko naman may kasalanan ako. Pero tangina bakit sa lahat ng tao kaibigan ko pa? I kept on punching him. I was livid! Paano nila