Javion clenched his fists and turned around. Napagdesisyunan niyang pumasok na ulit sa pribadong kuwarto na inookupa ni Serene. Bumungad sa kaniya ang kalalabas lang mula sa banyo at nakakunot ang noo na si Serene habang nagtatakang nakatitig sa pintuan.Humigpit ang hawak ni Serene sa sabitan ng kaniyang dextrose. "Anong meron sa labas? Bakit may sumisigaw?"Lumapit si Javion sa kaniya at saka inalalayan ito pabalik sa higaan. "May pasyente lang na ayaw magpahawak sa mga nurses."Tumigil si Serene sa paglalakad at nagtatakang tumingin kay Javion. "Really? Bakit parang pamilyar 'yong boses? and if I heard it right, she shouted 'Javi'? Si Keizel ba 'yon?"Javion bit his lower lip and answered. "Yeah, it's Keizel. She don't like to be touched by anyone, that's why her reactions were like those."Serene stared at Javion, dumbfounded. "Ahm... what are you doing here then? Shouldn't you go and help her?""Should I?" he asked her back."Kahit naman sabihin kong 'wag, aalis ka pa rin naman..
Javion went home tipsy. Nanatiling nakahiga si Serene sa sofa at pinanood ang deretsong naglalakad na si Javion patungong kusina. Javion knows his limits and brandy lang naman ang ininom niya kaya hindi siya nakakaramdam ng kalasingan kahit pa na mag-isa niyang naubos ang dalawang bote na binili niya.Naglagay siya ng tubig sa baso at saka ininom iyon at lumabas ng kusina. Bumagsak ang mga mata niya kay Serene at saka siya sumandal sa hamba ng pintuan."How are you feeling?" Javion worriedly asked."Great, nakapagpahinga naman ako," she answered nonchalantly."Be ready for tomorrow," aniya Javion at lumapit sa hagdanan.Kunot-noong bumaling ng tingin si Serene sa kaniya. "Bakit anong meron bukas?"Javion gave her a deadpan look. "I have an interview on the national channel. I want you to come with me."Serene sit up and retorted. "Ha? Bakit? Hindi mo naman ako assistant ah.""You're my wife and I would love it if the world knew that," Javion answered nonchalantly as he proceeded on go
"Are you ready?" Javion asked.Humarap si Serene kay Javion. "Bakit pala may interview ka?"Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Javion. "Oh, you've finally decided to ask."Muling sumandal si Serene at saka humalukipkip. "Nalimutan ko magtanong kanina. So, bakit may interview?""I was invited because I was one of their brand ambassadors." Nagdiquatro si Javion. "And since they asked me if they can ask questions about my wife, I decided why not just bring you there."Serene's fists clenched. "Marami bang tao? Hindi mo naman siguro nalimutan na may enochlophobia ako 'di ba?"Javion glanced at her. "You don't have to worry about that. First is that because I am here and second, nag-request naman ako na kung pwede isang host at isang camera man lang."Serene closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I'll trust you on this one, Javion.""After announcing you as my wife, people would probably chase after you," Javion casually uttered.Nanlaki ang mata ni Serene at bumaling ng tingin kay Javion. "What
Serene grimaced. Keizel and Renoa smiled. Javion crossed his arms in front of his chest."Welcome to all of you. I hope maging maganda ang samahan natin sa isang buong buwan or until I realize and confirm something," anunsiyo ni Javion."I didn't mean to be rude, but pwede na umalis? Masama kasi ang pakiramdam ko," Serene asked.Tumango si Javion. "Yeah, sure. Have a good rest. Tatawagin na lang kita kapag luto na ang hapunan."Serene stands up and raises her hand. "Don't bother. Wala akong balak kumain ng hapunan just enjoy yourselves."Serene left. Napabuntong hininga si Javion at saka napa-iling bago binalingan ng tingin ang dalawa."Sorry for that. Nahimatay kasi si Serene kanina kaya hindi pa maayos ang pakiramdam niya," Javion explained."It's fine and naintindihan ko naman kung bakit siya naiinis," sambit ni Keizel.Renoa rolled her eyes. "She doesn't have the right though.""Renoa," may diin na sambit ni Javion. "Watch your attitude.""Copy, Kuya," sarkastikong wika ni Renoa.
Napahawak si Javion sa baba niya at saka ito napatitig sa kamay ni Serene. Naramdaman ni Serene ang pagtitig ni Javion kaya naman binalingan niya ito ng tingin. Kumunot ang noo niya."Bakit? Mali ba?" Serene asked."Nasugatan ka ba?" Javion asked at saka kinuha ang sandok mula sa kamay ni Serene at inilapag ito sa platito sa tabi ng kalan bago niya tignan ng mabusisi ang kamay ni Serene at tinuro niya ang hiwa sa daliri nito. "Namamaga 'to at may hiwa rin. Nasugatan ka?"Inagaw ni Serene ang kamay niya at saka inilagay iyon sa likuran niya kaya naman nagtatakang napatingin si Javion sa mata ni Serene."What are you doing?" kunot-noong tanong ni Javion.Umiwas ng tingin si Serene at saka ipinagpatuloy ang paghalo bago siya sumagot. "Wala 'yon. Bakat lang 'yon ng sandok kasi 'di ba kanina ko pa siya hawak.""I'll check that later." Pinatay ni Javion ang kalan at saka pinunasan ang pawis sa noo ni Serene gamit ang palad niya. "Tawagin ko lang sila Renoa.""Hindi ako kakain ah," sambit ni
Kinuha ni Serene ang cellphone niya ng mag-ingay iyon. She casually checked the caller's ID at saka sinagot iyon. She put it on a loud speaker and continued watching."Serene," bungad ni Javion mula sa kabilang linya."Si Kuya Zephyr nandyan? Sabay kayo nagla-lunch 'di ba?" deretsong tanong ni Serene.The other line went silent for a moment kaya kumunot ang noo ni Serene at chineck kung namatay ba ang tawag. When she confirmed that the call didn't end, she spoke again."Javion? Nandyan ka pa ba?" she asked."I am. Nagulat lang ako. Bakit hinahanap mo si Zephyr?" tanong ni Javion at halata sa boses niya na naiinis ito."May itatanong lang ako. Can you pass the phone to him?" kalmadong sambit ni Serene.Javion let out a deep sigh. "Wait for a moment... Hoy Zephyr, kakausapin ka raw ni Serene.""What's up, Serene?" masayang bungad ni Zephyr mula sa kabilang linya."Kunyari may pag-uusapan tayo," seryosong sambit ni Serene. "Just talk nonsense for a while."Zephyr chuckled. "I see, may I
-Serene's Graduation Day-"Congratulations, sweetheart!" masayang sambit ni Serjio at saka niyakap ang anak at inabot isang maliit na velvet box sa kaniya. "Here's my graduation present for you. I hope you like it."Nakangiting kinuha iyon ni Serene at saka inilagay sa bag niya. "I'll check it later, for sure naman Ojciec magugustuhan ko po 'yon. Ikaw ang nagbigay eh.""Sana nga. By the way, where's your mother? Hasn't she arrived yet?" tanong nito habang palinga-linga ang tingin niya.Binigyan ng isang makahulugang ngiti ni Serene ang ama niya at saka marahang tinusok ito sa tagiliran dahil para mapatingin ito sa kaniya."What?" natatawang tanong ni Serjio. "I'm just asking.""Sus, Ojciec. Namimiss mo na si Mama 'no? Bakit kasi hindi pa kayo magkabalikan?" kantyaw naman ni Serene sa kaniya.Serjio grimaced. "She doesn't love me anymore, Serene.""Akala mo lang po 'yon—Hi Mama!" Kumaway si Serene at saka nakangiting tumakbo papalapit kay Sarah at niyakap ito ng mahigpit. "I miss you!"
"Serene!" sigaw ni Zephyr at saka siya huminto sa paglalakad at hinabol ang hininga niya. "Para akong nagbabantay ng nakababatang kapatid."Serene laughed at saka lumapit kay Zephyr. "Alright, I'll stop."Hinawakan ni Zephyr ang pulo-pulsuhan niya at saka siya hinila papunta sa mga bench. Hinila niya rin ito paupo sa tabi niya. Sumandal si Zephyr at saka naghabol ng hininga."Ang taas ng energy mo. Bata pa naman ako pero sobrang init," hinihingal na sambit ni Zephyr.Serene smiled. "Sorry na, sinusubukan ko lang naman ituon 'yong atensyon ko sa ibang bagay."Zephyr gave her a worried look. "Ayaw gumana ng maayos 'yong utak ko kaya hindi kita mabasa. Are you okay? Ano bang iniisip mo?""Nah, I'm fine now. Nagi-guilty na ako," she laughed at saka kinuha ang panyo na hawak ni Zephyr at pinunasan ang pawis nito. "Sorry kung nagpahabol ako sa'yo. Natatawa kasi ako para kang—""Para akong nagbabantay ng nakakabatang kapatid? Yeah, you get that right. Sanay naman ako pero matagal na ulit sin
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