"Doc Zephyr Kozlowski, hindi na ako tatanggap ng reservation mo, susuntukin na kita—""Doc Alliah, I brought you this. Galing 'to ng Egypt, 'di ba you like collecting antique things," putol ni Zephyr sa sasabihin ni Alliah at saka inabot dito ang isang brown na velvet box. "Here you go."Alliah glanced at the velvet box and pushed it away. "So who's the patient?"Zephyr smiled and points at Serene. "Her. Just a typical general check up for pregnant women."Tumingin si Alliah kay Serene at saka ito ngumiti. "Nurse Serene, tama?"Serene smiled back and nodded. "Yes po, Doc Alliah.""Take a seat." Umupo si Alliah sa swivel chair niya at umupo naman si Serene sa upuan malapit sa kaniya. "So, kaano-ano mo si Zephyr? Bakit siya nandito?"Serene glanced at Zephyr. "He's my best friend."Napatango-tango si Alliah. "Nasaan ang asawa mo?""Wala siya eh, busy at saka hindi niya pa po alam na buntis ako," she honestly answered."I see... palabasin na natin si Doc Zephyr ah, ayaw ko kasi siya maki
"Put me down," mariin na sambit ni Serene.Javion glanced at her and rolled his eyes. "For what? Para makasama mo la ng matagal si Zephyr? I won't let that happen."Kumunot ang noo ni Serene. "What makes you think that I'm cheating on you? Baka nakakalimutan mo, may kasalanan ka pa sa'kin. You slapped me, hindi ko malilimutan 'yon."Tumigil si Javion sa paglalakad at saka ibinaba si Serene. Nameywang siya at tumitig sa dalaga. Serene leaned against Zephyr's care and crossed her arms in front of her chest."Fine, tell me what you want me to do para mapatawad mo ako, pero hindi ko tatanggapin ang request na divorce at iwan ka rito," Javion suggested.Napairap sa hangin si Serene. "Paano kung ayaw kitang makita? Can you do that?""Bukod din diyan, because I won't let that happen," he replied.Umayos ng tayo si Serene at akmang magsasalita siya nang biglang mag-ingay ang telepono ni Javion. She saw Keizel's name flashed on the screen at mabilis din iyon sinagot ni Javion.Serene smiled at
Napatigil si Jethro at Serene nang makita nila si Javion na nakasandal sa pader sa tabi ng entrance ng restaurant. He seemed to be waiting for someone pero nang makita nito si Serene ay umayos ito ng tayo at namulsa."I'll send her home, Jethro," he uttered."Here's her food—"Serene snatched the paper bag from Jethro at lumipat ito sa kabilang side ng binata. "I'll take a cab ride home, Jethro. Ayoko sumabay sa pinsan ko."Jethro can't help but to laugh at saka kinuha mula sa kamay ni Serene ang paper bag. "I'll do it. Magkikita rin naman kami ni Izaiah sa cafe ni Alexsei."Javion glared at Serene. "Stop being so childish, Serene."Serene scoffed. "Ako pa talaga childish?"Nameywang si Javion. "Kung hindi ikaw, sino?""Ikaw, kapal din naman talaga ng mukha mo eh no. Ayoko sa'yo, hindi mo ba naiintindihan 'yon? Ayoko," naiinis na sambit ni Serene."Kahit na ayaw mo sa'kin, sa bahay ko naman ikaw ihahatid ni Jethro, kaya wala rin kuwenta, makikita at makikita mo rin ako," nakangising w
"Wait for me. If you really want to marry me, hintayin mong matapos 'yong kontrata namin ni Serene. After two more years, we'll get married," kalmadong sambit ni Javion."That long?" kunot noong tanong ni Keizel.Tumango si Javion. "Yes, I want you to consider my decisions for now, Keizel. I bought a villa sa kabilang subdivision ni Izaiah. I want you to stay there in the meantime.""Huh? Sino kasama ko doon?" she asked again."Kasama mo si Gwen, but don't worry I'll visit you every day to check on you," said Javion.Tumayo si Keizel. "Why do I have to stay there? Okay naman tayo rito ah?""We are okay, but Mom and Dad will visit here tomorrow and I don't want them to see you," Javion lied. "You don't want them to see you here right? Baka makita ka nila bilang isang home wrecker if they see you here and if that happened, we won't be able to get married because of them. Do you want that?"Umiling si Keizel. "Of course not. Sige, I'll go there. Nakuha naman na ni Gwen ang loob ko, I tru
"Should I go with my doctor look or my model look?" Javion asked.Kumunot ang noo ni Serene at saka naguguluhang tumingin sa binata. "Kailan mo pa kinailangan at kinonsider ang opinion ko?"Javion smiled and turned around to face her. "Now, I'm starting to change for the better."Serene looked at him, confused. "For the better? Magkakaroon ba ng peace sa mundo kapag nagsimula kang mangailangan ng opinyon ko?"Umiling si Javion at saka humarap muli sa malaking salamin. "Nope, I can't make the world at peace, but it can be a great start for the peace of our relationship."Naningkit ang mga mata ni Serene. "What's with you?""Nothing." Humarap si Javion at saka itinaas ang itim na coat at isang grey na blazer. "Model or doctor look?""You're really serious about asking me that?" tanong muli ni Serene.Javion nodded. "Yeah."Tumayo si Serene. "If that's the case, paresan mo na lang 'tong damit ko. Kung anong look mo na babagay rito."Bumaba ang tingin ni Javion sa suot ni Serene at saka s
"What?" kunot-noong tanong ni Serene."Zeleste, didn't we talk about this already?" naiinis na tanong ni Zephyr sa nakababatang kapatid.Zeleste chuckled. "Chill, Kuya. I'm just giving Serene a heads up on what I thought about Kuya Javion. Para alam niya kung sino ang pagseselosan niya."Napahakbang paatras si Serene at kaagad naman siyang inalalayan ni Javion. Zeleste's perfume was too strong for her to handle, she didn't like the smell of it and it made her feel nauseated and dizzy. She closed her eyes and buried her face on Javion's neck."Are you okay?" Javion whispered as he softly caressed her back. "Do you want to rest for a bit?"Serene nodded. Hindi na siya pumiglas nang buhatin siya ni Javion. "Dude, can you help me get a VIP room for Serene?" Javion asked."Yeah, sure. I'll give Izaiah a call," Zephyr replied as he pulled out his phone and dialed Izaiah's number.Javion worriedly looked at Serene's pale face. She's now closing her eyes and trying to stabilize her breathing
"I won't hope for you to do that, but give it a try," Serene uttered as she stared at the taho that she was holding. "Baka this time, makuha mo 'yong full trust ko."Javion smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Serene."Nag-angat ng tingin si Serene at saka tumawa. "Ang weird. Ang lumanay mo ngayon, wala ka bang dalaw?"Kumunot ang noo ni Javion. "Dalaw? What's that?"Umiling si Serene. "Wala, kakain na 'ko, baka malamig na 'yong lugaw."Tumayo si Javion at saka nilabas 'yong lugaw mula sa paperbag. "Malamig na nga, initin ko lang. Wait here."Serene smiled. "Thank you."Javion smiled back. "You're welcome."Ipinagpatuloy ni Serene ang pagkain niya ng taho. Surprisingly, she finished the whole tub in just three minutes at nang maramdaman niya ang pagke-crave niya sa lugaw, tumayo siya at pinuntahan si Javion sa parteng kusina ng unit. Zephyr was there with him. Nakaharap si Javion sa stove habang si Zephyr ay naka-upo sa stool at sumisimsim ito ng kape.Serene was about to walk forward when
Napangiwi si Zephyr habang pinagmamasadan si Serene at Javion na nag-uusap. He suddenly felt so bitter and he found them a bit annoying."Ano bang ginagawa niyo?" naiinis na tanong niya.Pa-inosnteng nag-angat ng tingin 'yong dalawa. "Ha? What's wrong?" naguguluhang tanong ni Javion."Why are you both silent? I mean, okay na kayo 'di ba? Bakit hindi kayo nag-uusap?" Zephyr asked.Kumunot ang noo ni Serene. "Ano namang pag-uusapan namin?""Stuff. A lot of different stuff. Marami kayong pwede pag-usapan, alam mo 'yon," he refuted.Javion scoffed. "Gusto mo lang makichismis eh."Zephyr smirked and sarcastically rolled his eyes. "Hindi ako lumalapit sa chismis, dude. Ang chismis ang lumalapit sa'kin." "The fact that you lowkey revealed that you are a chismoso. Iwan mo na lang kami para nakapag-usap kami," natatawang aniya Javion.Zephyr rolled his eyes at saka siya tumayo at may kinuha mula sa inner pocket ng coat nito. Sabay na kumunot ang noo ni Javion at Serene sa hawak nitong posas
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