"There's no way she did that," Javion denied.Zephyr smirked. "Believe what you want. As your friend, I'm just giving you a heads up. Serene is not a type of woman who you can control in your hands.""Why are you together in the first place?" kunot-noong tanong ni Javion."She personally went to me and asked if pwede ko siya samahan uminom and since kaya lang naman ako pumasok to get something, pumayag ako at sinamahan siya." Zephyr gave Javion a deadpan look. "Serene never asked me to drink with her, nag-away ba kayo?"Javion looked away. "It's none of your business. Thanks for sending her home."Zephyr nodded and closed the door for Javion and left. Inihiga ni Javion si Serene sa sofa at kinumutan ito at saka siya pumunta sa kusina para magtimpla ng kape. Javion took a seat and stared at Serene while sipping coffee from his mug. Zephyr left him astonished.Nag-ingay biglang ang cellphone ni Javion at nang makita niya ang pangalan ni Keizel doon ay kaagad niya itong sinagot. Inilapag
"Thank you so much for today and for the days that you were my senior, Doc Zephyr!" nakangiting sambit ni Serene at yumuko pa ito ng ninety degrees bilang pagrespeto na siya namang ikinatawa ni Zephyr.Zephyr grabbed both of her shoulders and made her stand straight. "Silly woman. We're friends, remember? and I'm looking forward to being one of your colleagues after your graduation. Nangako ka sa'kin kanina na sa Axfor Medical Center ka magtatrabaho pagkatapos mo grumaduate; kaya naman, hihintayin kita."Serene smiled and nodded. "Doc, yes, Doc!"Zephyr smiled. "Great, I'll see you on your graduation day. Good luck with your family dinner later and to your final examinations. Do well." Zephyr raised his right hand para makipag-high five kay Serene.Nakipag-high five naman si Serene kay Zephyr at saka ito kumaway. "Ingat sa pag-uwi!"Zephyr just gave her a thumbs up bago ito sumakay sa kotse niya at ipinaandar iyon paalis. Serene then went inside the house at dumeretso siya sa kuwarto
"Keizel's your wife? Hindi ba naghiwalay na kayo five years ago, Javion?" Javion's cousin named Sylphy asked.Javion grimaced. "Finally, someone asked. Everyone claimed and believed that she's my wife ng dahil lang naka-upo siya sa tabi ko at kasama namin siya sa lamesa, nonetheless, our relatives already jumped into conclusions and dad can't stop them anymore and decided to tell them to believe what they want to believe."Humalukipkip si Sylphy at saka inilibot ang tingin sa kabuuan ng kuwarto. "If she's not your wife, then where is she?"Javion pointed at the door with his thumb. "Outside, uubusin lang daw niya 'yong kape and then papasok na siya.""I can't wait to see her. She must be pretty since she's a Zabawa," nakangiting sambit ni Sylphy."She's indeed pretty—where's Shyloah?" Javion asked.Naglibot ng tingin si Sylphy sa kabuuan ng venue at saka siya nagkibit-balikat. "I don't know. Kanina kasama ko siya, that guy loves to explore remember? Maganda kasi ang interior ng restaur
"Thank you for coming, Serene," nakangiting sambit ni Reina."Pasensya ka na at pinagkamalan si Keizel ang asawa ni Javion. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung bakit inimbitahan iyon ni Renoa," bulong ni James na ikinatawa ni Serene."Ayos lang po 'yon, Dad. Thank you for inviting me po and hope to see you soon again," nakangiting sambit ni Serene."Hihintayin namin ang balita na buntis ka, hija," bilin naman ng Lola ni Javion.Nag-init ang mukha ni Serene dahil sa tinuran ng matanda at saka siya marahang tumango. "R-rest assured, Lola."Javion bid his goodbye at hinawakan ang kamay ni Serene. "We'll take our leave first.""Bye, Serene! It's nice meeting you! See you anytime!" sigaw naman ni Sylphy.Serene waved her hand and smiled at her. Binalingan naman niya ng tingin si Shyloah na nakahalukipkip habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Ngumiti ito at tumango kaya naman kinawayan din siya ni Serene. Shyloah and Sylphy exchanged their numbers with Serene's kaya naman madali na lang niya ito maco-contact
"Finally!" masayang sambit ni Serene ng makalabas siya ng building at nag-inat ng braso. "Tapos na ang paghihirap ko!""You done?"Napatingin si Serene sa lalaking nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa kaniya. Excitement filled her when she saw her Kazimir leaning against the tree with his hands in his pockets. Tumakbo si Serene papalapit kay Kazimir at saka ginawaran ito ng yakap."Ang aga mo ah, miss mo ako 'no?" pagbibiro ni Serene.Kazimir chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, though ilang linggo lang ang nakalipas since we last saw each other.""Right, saan mo naman ako ililibre ngayon?" naglalambing na tanong ni Serene."Where do you want—""She'll be coming with me."Serene gasped in surprise while Kazimir grimaced. Namulsa si Javion at saka tinaasan ng kilay ang nakasimangot na si Kazimir."Can't you stop meeting my wife, Mr. Zanders?" tanong ni Javion. "You're starting to get on my nerves and that's not a good sign at all."Kazimir scoffed. "And you're starting to get on my nerves too, Mr. Axfor,
"How was it?" tanong ni Javion at saka ito umupo sa kaharap na upuan ni Serene."Masarap, as usual. Wala kang pasok?" Uminom si Serene ng kape mula sa kaniyang baso. "Himala ah."Javion took a sip from his tea cup and replied. "It's my rest day today."Serene gasped and grimaced. "Rest day mo na naman? Walang katapusang rest day naman 'yan."Javion scoffed. "Just tell me if you don't want me here."Umirap si Serene at saka sumubo ng kanin. "Isn't it obvious—""that you don't want me here?" may diin na tanong ni Javion.Sasagot na sana si Serene ng biglang mag-ingay ang cellphone ni Javion. Without waiting for Serene's answer, sinagot ni Javion ang tawag without breaking an eye contact with Serene."Keizel, what do you need?" bungad ni Javion."Can you come, Javi? i -rest day kasi 'yong secretary at driver ko, I don't have someone to come with me at the hospital for my weekly heart check up," sambit ni Keizel.Javion nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'll be there.""Thank you so much, Javi!""My pl
"Serene, are you okay? Panglimang comforter na 'to," nag-aalalang sambit ni Izaiah at saka ipinatong pa ulit sa nakatalukbong na si Serene."I'm freezing," Serene whispered. "N-nakapatay naman 'yong aircon 'di ba?"Izaiah nodded at saka inilapit ang thermometer sa tainga ni Serene. "Let me check your temperature for a moment."Tumunog na ang thermometer kaya naman chineck na ito ni Izaiah. He gasped as he looked at Serene. "You're burning up, Serene. Forty degrees celsius na ang temperature mo.""H-huh?" naguguluhang tanong ni Serene at saka siya bumangon pero nang maka-upo siya ay biglang tumulo ang dugo mula sa ilong niya kaya naman dali-daling kumuha ng tissue si Izaiah at inilagay sa ilong ni Serene. "Your nose is bleeding, Serene," natatarantang sambit nito. "May masakit ba sa'yo?"Umiling si Serene. "W-wala naman—oh, 'yong tiyan ko medyo masakit.""May gusto ka ba kainin? I can cook, though it wasn't delicious like Javion's and Jethro's, nonetheless, it's edible," aniya Izaiah.
"Na-relax ka na ba? Can I talk to you now?" Zephyr asked.Javion's currently sitting on the stool beside Serene's bed habang si Zephyr ay naka-upo sa sofa na nandoon sa loob ng pribadong silid at nakahilig ang ulo sa pader. Javion doesn't want to talk to him because of what happened earlier at sanay na si Zephyr sa ganoong ugali ni Javion kaya naman tinitimpla pa niya ang mood nito.He's an aquarius after all. January peeps who easily change their moods in just a short period of time and they get irritated with just small matters.Zephyr lazily glanced at Javion. "You're being childish, Javion. Pansinin mo kaya akong hayop ka."Javion just gave him a deadpan look. Zephyr scoffed because of frustration. "Buwisit ka talaga kahit kailan," Zephyr mumbled.Dahan-dahang bumangon si Serene kaya naman sabay na napatayo 'yong dalawa at lumapit sa higaan nito. Javion tightly held her hand nang maka-upo ng maayos si Serene."Serene, are you okay?" Javion asked.They waited for her to open her e
JAVION"Javion fucking Axfor, bahala ka diyan, kanina pa kita ginigising," I heard Serene cussed at kasunod non ang pagsara ng pintuan.I immediately got up and went to the study table near me. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at saka tinawagan ang number ni Jethro. Kaagad naman itong sinagot ni mokong."Ano? Hindi ka pa ba pupunta rito? Itatapon ko lahat 'to," iritableng bungad niya.I heaved a heavy sigh. "Kung alam mo lang kung ilang beses bumalik dito si Serene para gisingin ako.""So, that's our problem now? Get your ass up here or we'll destroy what we prepared," Alexsei threatened from the other line.Kinuha ko ang velvet box sa drawer at saka tinitigan iyon. "Ano pa bang kulang diyan?""Gag—""Benjamin speaking, ako na ang kakausap sa'yo. Mukhang mumurahin ka na naman ni Jethro," wika ni Benjamin mula sa kabilang linya. "Everything are set, Javion. Kailangan lang namin ng mga mata mo para tignan mo kung okay na ba ang set up and then William and your clothes are waiting.""Alright,
"I have carefully reviewed the evidence presented in this case and have reached a verdict," the judge started.Nagsimulang kumabog ang dibdib ko. Napatingin ako sa aking relong pambisig. "After six hours, the judge has finally decided," usal ni Zephyr kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.I gave me a feign smile. "Kinakabahan ako, buti pa ikaw kalmado."Zephyr chuckled softly and shook his head in amusement. "Fun fact about those two lawyers... Izaiah and Benjamin never fail to win a trial."Napakurap-kurap ako at saka dahan-dahang ibinaling ang tingin sa judge nang magsalita ito. "After reviewing all the evidence and considering the testimony of the witnesses, the court finds the defendant, Keizel Paterson, guilty of kidnapping, robbery, fraud, slander, and breach of contract. The defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This concludes the trial. The court is adjourned." Kinuha niya ang kaniyang gavel at ipinokpok iyon ng isang beses sa sound bl
SERENENatapos ang meeting namin kasama si Salvatore. I was tensed and scared when I saw him pero ng tumagal-tagal ang pag-uusap namin ay unti-unti na rin akong nagiging kalmado at kumportable dahil na rin siguro kasama ko si Yohan at tinanong namin si Salvatore kung pwede namin i-record ang buong pinagusapan namin and he casually agreed.I really felt safe because Yohan graduated criminology and second course niya ang business management kaya naman ng mag-hire ako ng sekretarya at nakita niyang mas mataas pa ang sahod na inaalok ko kaisa sa pagiging pulis niya, he grabbed the opportunity and work for me.He was a licensed police officer kaya may kakayahan siyang magdala ng baril kahit saan basta dala nito lagi ang lisensya niya."Okay ka na ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Yohan nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan.I smiled at him and nodded. "Yes, okay lang ako." Sumakay na ako at isinara ang pinto. Umikot si Yohan para sumakay sa driver seat at ipinaandar paalis ang kotse ko. Nagtama a
Ipinarada ni Javion ang sasakyan niya sa tapat nf bahay nila Serene bago ito bumaba at pinagbuksan ng pintuan ang dalaga. He immediately offered his hand. Marahang natawa at napa-iling si Serene dahil sa inakto ni Javion. Tinanggap niya ang kamay nito at saka lumabas ng kotse. Binawi niya kaagad ang kaniyang kamay nang makaramdam siya ng kuryente dahil doon. She placed her hands on her back and she smiled. "Thank you for sending me home in one piece," pagpapasalamat ni Serene.Javion chuckled. "It's always my pleasure to send you home... safe and sound.""Utot mo, lagi mo kaya ako iniiwan sa ere kapag magkasama tayo dati, lalo na kapag tinawagan ka ni Heaven," sarkastikong sambit ni Serene.Kumunot ang noo ni Javion dahil napa-isip siya sa tinuran ni Serene at nang mapagtanto niya iyon ay natawa siya. "You're jealous? Kaya pala ayaw mo kausapin si pretty Heaven dati."Serene squinted her eyes as she gazed at Javion. "Is she really that pretty in your eyes? Para tawagin mo siyang 'pr
"After how many years! We finally gathered again!" masayang sambit ni Izaiah at itinaas ang kaniyang baso na may lamang scotch. "Shall we toast?"Everyone lifted their glasses and clinked them together in a toast. Umupo na sila at nagkani-kaniyang lagay ulit ng alak sa baso."Bakit biglang nanlibre si Javion?" Alexsei asked, rolling up his sleeves. "Did the sun rise from the west?"Javion frowned. "If I don't treat, you'll call me stingy, but if I do, you'll say it's impossible. What if we just chip in together instead?"Neiro chuckled and said, "I forced him. Mas mura nga namang magbayad ng bill sa bar, instead of paying my service fees, 'di ba?"Javion affirmed with a nod, remarking, "It's a good thing that you're aware na mahal ang service fee mo. Wala kaya siya sa presyo."Alexsei laughed. "Makareklamo ka naman akala mo hindi mo afford 'yong serbisyo niya. Barya mo lang naman 'yon."Ethan made an approving sound with his tongue. "Can't argue with that. I mean, he'd rather invest mo
THIRD PERSON"Mr. Salvatore, right?" Javion asked as he offered his hand for a handshake.Salvatore stands up and accepts his hand. "Yes, you're doctor Javion?"The other smiled and nodded. "Thanks for accepting my invitation." Bumalik si Salvatore mula sa pagkakaupo and Javion did the same thing. Salvatore clasped his hands together. "Where's my daughter?" he asked directly. "She's only the reason why I agreed to meet you."The corner of Javion's lips raised as he stared at him. "She's currently with my secretary." Javion rested his back and crossed his arms. "As Keizel's ex-acquaintance, you should know better that in this world, there's always a trade-off. Am I right?"Salvator swallowed his own saliva. Alam niyang mahirap kalaban si Javion at kahit na kasama sa plano niya ang makipagtulungan dito, hindi pa rin niya maiwasang makaramdam ng kaba. Javion softly chortled. "Do not tremble, Mr. Salvatore. Should you opt to align with me, rest assured, your not-so pristine reputation s
Lunch. This might be the lunch that I really anticipated so much after three years. I finally get a chance to eat with Zephyr and Javion after three consecutive years but what really melts my heart is that Heaven—'yong pinagseselosan ko lang noon—is finally one of my friends and syempre kasama ko rin ang anak ko. Sayang nga lang wala si Yohan at Kazimir, it would be one hundred times better if they were here."What are your favorite foods, baby?" Javion softly asked as he assisted Saira to eat her food. "Do you like vegetables?"Saira nodded her head cutely. "I love veggies! lalo na po 'yong tomato."Tumango-tango si Javion at saka sinubuan si Saira. "How about dishes? May paborito ka bang ulam?"She slowly tapped her chin as she swallowed her food. "I like fish, daddy. Lalo na po 'yong milkfish sinigang ni papa."Naningkit ang mga mata ni Javion at saka ito tumingin sa'kin. "Ipinaghihimay ba siya ni Kazimir? It was very rare for children to like bangus."Mahina akong natawa. "Oo, ipin
"Okay na kayo ni Zephyr?" Doc Heaven asked as she placed the tray down on the table and took her seat. "That man asked me multiple times to call you, baka kapag ako raw ang tumawag sa sa'yo ay sagutin mo.""Tumawag ka ba?" tanong ko at saka ko kinuha ang isang baso na may lamang mainit na kape at humigop doon. "Pagkagising ko kasi sa ospital na pinaglipatan ko, hindi ko na ulit nakita 'yong luma kong cellphone."Tumango-tango siya. "Oo, tinatawagan kita pero laging unattended and now I know why it is unattended." Inilabas niya ang cellphone niya at may mga pinindot siya doon. "Actually... kahit alam kong unattended ang phone mo, I still sent these photos to you. Look at it." Inilapag niya ang cellphone niya sa harapan ko.Kumunot ang noo ko ng hindi ko makita ng maayos ang larawan na nandoon kaya kinuha ko ang cellphone ni Doc Heaven at kaagad na nawala ang pagkakunot ng aking noo nang makita ko ng malinaw ang larawan na iyon."Swipe it, from right to left. I've been sending you messag
"Mommy, can I go with you to work?" tanong ni Saira ng hindi ito tumitingin sa'kin.Tinignan ko ang repleksyon niya sa aking full body mirror. Kasalukuyan kasing nakatayo ako sa harapan non at inaayos ang aking blusa.Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Sure, baby. My employees there are friendly and kind like the people from Switzerland."Nag-angat ng tingin si Saira mula sa paglalaro ng kaniyang ipad at saka ito ngumiti. "Really, mommy? I want to go there.""Alright, tapusin ko lang ito then let's change your clothes," I replied.Umupo ako sa dulo ng higaan para magsuot ng medyas. "Saira, do you remember what happened yesterday?""Ano po 'yon?" nagtatakang tanong niya kaya hinarap ko siya.I crossed my arms in front of my chest as I straightened my back. "You saw your daddy with another little girl right?"Nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at saka siya dahan-dahang tumango. "Yes, mommy. Is she daddy's anak?"Marahan akong umiling at saka hinaplos ang matambok na pisngi ni Saira. "No, baby. Hin