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THIRTY-SIX
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2022-03-18 22:06:27NIKKI'S POV
It was like the world suddenly stopped, and a bomb exploded right in my ears. I cannot begin to explain how terrible it felt to stand in this crowd, where everyone was cheering for the man I love and the woman, whom I thought was my friend. My heart literally broke into a million pieces, as I stood there, unable to move nor wipe the tears that were falling freely from eyes.What did I do to fucking deserve this?"Love... Please, let me explain..." Gale pleaded, but I only stared at him in confusion.The man Adhara was talking about, her first love, it was him. How come I had been so dumb?"Please, Gale. Don't come near me," I said in a quivering voice.Kulang ang salitang galit para ilarawan ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Sagad hanggang buto ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. It was the worst kind of pain that I've ever felt in my entire life.Nakarinig kami ng bulungan at noon ko napansin na nasa amin na pala ang tingin ng mga bisita. Adhara stood smiling oRelated chapters
Guilty Pleasures THIRTY-SEVEN
NIKKI'S POV"Did she eat already?"I heard Dad's worried voice. I'm not sure how long I slept, but when I slowly opened my eyes, it's already dark outside."Dad, Ate..." I called them.Agad silang napalingon sa akin, at muli ay nabalot ng pag-aalala ang kanilang mga mukha."Are you hungry, anak? Nicole, get your sister some food," utos ni Dad.Umiling ako. Hindi naman ako nagugutom, nasasaktan ako. Mas mabuti pang matulog na lang ako buong araw para hindi ko maalala ang sakit. Kapag gising ako, parang sirang plaka na paulit-ulit sa isipan ko ang mga nangyari.Ate Nicole walked out of the room to get me food. Bumangon ako at sinandal ang likod ko sa head board ng kama. Isang araw na pala ang lumipas, kaya ko pa bang magpatuloy?"Kumusta ka, anak?" si Dad.He sat down on my bed, and held my hand. I turned my gaze to him, and inhaled a deep breath. I asked myself the same question for so many times, and I know I'm not okay. It will take so much time befor
Last Updated : 2022-03-19Guilty Pleasures THIRTY-EIGHT
NIKKI'S POV"Dominique, Love! Mag-usap tayo, please..."Naalimpungatan ako nang makarinig ako nang malakas na sigaw at kasunod niyon ay ang pagkalampag sa gate namin. Mula sa bintana ng kwarto ko na nasa second floor ng bahay, ay kitang-kita ko si Gale na nakatayo sa harapan ng gate namin. Ilang beses niyang pinukpok at kinalampag ang bakal na gate, ngunit parang hindi niya iniinda ang sakit.Lumabas ang isa naming katulong at sinubukan siyang kausapin, ngunit patuloy siyang nagpumilit."Please! Alam kong nariyan siya sa loob. Please, hayaan niyo naman akong makausap siya, oh. Love! Hindi ako aalis dito hanggat di mo ako kinakausap!" sigaw niya.Umalis ako sa bintana nang dumako roon ang kanyang paningin. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko at pakiramdam ko ay para na itong sasabog. Isang araw ko pa lang siyang hindi nakikita, pero parang kay tagal na. My chest hurt big time, thinking about how he could say those words without remembering what he did to me. How can
Last Updated : 2022-03-20Guilty Pleasures THIRTY-NINE
NIKKI'S POV"Sigurado ka na ba riyan sa desisyon mo?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Camille.We were in the garden. It's saturday, and she decided to visit me since it's her day off. I sighed, isang linggo na pala ang dumaan. Isang linggo na puro sakit ang nararamdaman ko."I think it's for the best, Mille. Kapag nanatili ako rito, palagi ko lang silang maaalala. They are haunting me, Mille. Hindi ako makatulog ng maayos, at hindi rin ako matahimik. Everytime I see Gale's face, bumabalik ang sakit sa puso ko," I explained.I can't deny that I still love him. Hindi iyon nawala, at malabong mawala, pero mas nangingibabaw ang sakit. Bukod doon, mas komplikado na ang relasyon namin ngayon dahil sa mga nalaman ko."Nakakalungkot. Bakit kasi kailangan na humantong sa ganito? Akala ko pa naman siya na talaga," nanghihinayang niyang wika.I smiled weakly, "Akala ko nga rin, eh. Pero ganoon talaga ang buhay. Hindi lahat ng gusto natin ay nakukuha natin. Hindi lahat ng
Last Updated : 2022-03-21Guilty Pleasures FORTY
NIKKI'S POV"Mag-iingat ka roon, ha. Don't forget to call us often," bilin ni Ate.We were standing outside the airport, an hour before I board my plane. Kasama namin si Daddy, Camille at ang kambal. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango."Of course, Ate. Tatawag ako parati sa inyo. Mami-miss ko kayong lahat," naluluha kong sagot.I gripped my luggage tightly, trying to draw strength from it. Sa pag-alis kong ito ay mabigat ang dibdib ko. Iiwan ko sa lugar na ito ang lahat ng sakit at sama ng loob na nararamdaman ko. Iiwan ko sa lugar na ito ang puso ko at ang taong mahal ko."Girl ha, one chat away lang ako. Kapag inatake ka ng homesickness, don't hesitate to give me a call ha. Kahit nasa trabaho ako, sasagutin ko talaga ang tawag mo. Hindi naman ako pagagalitan ng boss ko, 'di ba Tito?" malokong sambit ni Camille.We all shared a laugh because of her remarks. That's what I really love about her. She could turn every serious moment into funny ones. Isa ito sa mga ba
Last Updated : 2022-03-22Guilty Pleasures FORTY-ONE
NIKKI'S POVI woke up to the loud ringing of my phone. Pupungas-pungas akong nagmulat ng mga mata ko at sandali pang napatulala nang na-realize ko na wala ako sa kwarto ko. It took me several minutes before realizing that I'm in Paris!Hinanap ko ang cellphone ko na kanina pa tumutunog. I smiled when I saw Ate's name on the screen."Ano ba, ate? Isang araw pa nga lang akong naka-alis, miss mo na agad ako?" I joked as I answered her video call."Tita Mommy! Where are you?" sigaw ng kambal habang nag-aagawan sa cellphone ni Ate."Nandito ako ngayon sa Paris. See that? That's the Eiffel Tower," saad ko sabay turo sa Eiffel Tower na malapit lang sa Hotel na tinutuluyan ko."Wow! I want to go there too, Tita Mommy!" namamanghang saad ni Thea."Sa susunod, I will bring you here," tugon ko.Naiiling na lang ako nang makita ko silang patalon-talon pa."How are you? Nakapaglibot ka na ba riyan?" sabik na tanong ni Ate."Ate, kagigising ko lang. It's only sev
Last Updated : 2022-03-23Guilty Pleasures FORTY-TWO
GALE'S POV"Any news about her?" I asked the man who was sitting in front of my desk.The middle-aged man held his cap, and removed it. He looked at me with a sad face and shook his head. Pang-limang private detective na siya na ni-hire ko para mahanap si Dominique."Still no lead on her, Sir. It's like she's gone without a trace," naguguluhan nitong tugon.Kumunot ang noo ko. Paanong bigla na lang mawawala ang isang tao? Not unless someone messes up with her records."It's okay. You did great. By the way, this is your payment. Tatawag na lang ulit ako," I said and handed him an envelope containing the amount of money we agreed."Thank you, Sir," aniya, saka siya tumayo upang lumabas ng opisina ko.The moment he closed the door, I heaved a deep sigh. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tinitigan nang matagal ang mukha ni Dominique. I touched the screen of my phone, wishing it was her face that I was actually touching. Pinahid ko ang butil ng luha na kumawala sa mg
Last Updated : 2022-03-24Guilty Pleasures FORTY-THREE
GALE'S POV"Are you out of your freaking mind? Why are cancelling the wedding? Everything's already been prepared! Gale, ilang beses nang na-postpone ang kasal niyo ni Ara dahil sa mga excuses mo, I can't let you back down anymore!" Mom shouted in my face.Nandito ako ngayon sa mansion para makiusap sa kanila na huwag ituloy ang kasal. "Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga kumpadre namin ng Daddy mo? Na hindi kami marunong tumupad sa usapan? Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng Ninong at Ninang mo? They're counting on us, Gale! We've planned this wedding a long time ago!" dagdag pa niya. Hindi ko kayang pakasalan si Adhara dahil hindi siya ang mahal ko. Kung may babae man akong ihaharap sa altar, si Dominique lang iyon.I felt my body shaking in suppressed anger. I never wanted to be part of this plan! Kung ang tinutukoy niya ay ang noon pang panahon na kami pa ni Adhara, then that's bullshit! Matagal nang natapos ang kabanatang iyon ng buhay namin."Kayo lang ang may gusto
Last Updated : 2022-03-25Guilty Pleasures FORTY-FOUR
NIKKI'S POV"Thank you, Pierre!"I tiptoed and kissed him on the cheeks. Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sinamahan niya ako para sa limang araw kong bakasyon sa Scotland. The place was one of my dream destination, and I'm beyond thankful to Pierre for going with me there.Sa loob ng isang taon na pamamalagi ko sa France, natutuhan ko na rin ang kanilang mga kultura at pamumuhay. Noong una ay aminado akong nahirapan ako na mag-adjust, lalo na ang magtiwala sa mga taong nakikilala ko, pero kalaunan ay unti-unti ko ring natutuhan iyon.Pierre had been my guide. True to his word, he never took advantage of me. Naging mabuti siyang kaibigan sa akin, kahit pa alam naming dalawa na higit pa roon ang pagtingin niya sa akin.I met a lot of people who showed interest in me, pero dahil hirap akong magtiwala, I ended up pushing them away."You're always welcome, Dee," he replied with a grin.Napangiti rin ako sa tinuran niya."I'll get going now, see you at the café," paalam k
Last Updated : 2022-04-01
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Guilty Pleasures LAST CHAPTER
NIKKI'S POVThe bright rays of the morning sun touched our skin, making us feel a lot warmer today. I looked around, and took a deep breath, realizing how peaceful this place is.I stood in front of a grave. Nandito ako para magpaalam, at makipag-usap sa isang tao na matagal ng nawala sa mundong ito. This will be the last time, because after this, I will surely go somewhere far away."Are you sure about this?" Gale asked from behind me.Lumingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti. I've never been sure. Napagtanto ko na kapag hinayaan ko ang sarili ko na masaktan habang buhay, ako ang talo. Kasi ang taong nanakit sa akin ay matagal nang tahimik sa kabilang buhay, habang ako, nandito pa rin sa pahina kung saan puro sakit at pighati ang nararamdaman ko."Y-yes, I am." I cleared my throat. "This is the only way for me to move forward, Gale. I needed to let this one out. I need to let go of my pain, and my anger...""I know." He replied.Lumapit siya sa akin at marahan niyang hinaplos ang mukha ko, sa
Guilty Pleasures SEVENTY-ONE
GALE'S POV"Nooooo!"A loud scream left my lips as I saw Adhara's car crashing to a ten-wheeler truck. Bumigat ang dibdib ko, at parang hindi ako makahinga habang tinitingnan ang wasak na sasakyan. Kusang tumulo ang luha mula sa mga mata ko.Mabilis kong itinigil ang sasakyan, hindi iniinda ang sakit na nanalaytay sa balikat ko. Bumaba ako at lumapit sa sasakyan. My heart was racing, fear consumed me.No! God, no! This isn't happening!Gusto kong paniwalain ang sarili ko na panaginip lang ito, pero ang eksenang tumambad sa akin ay patunay na totoo ang lahat ng ito.Wasak ang unahang bahagi ng sasakyan, at kita ko ang duguang katawan ni Adhara. Naipit ang dalawa niyang paa. Sa passenger side naman ay nandoon si Dominique. Wala siyang malay, at puno rin siya ng dugo. Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makita ko ang dugong umaagos sa kanyang binti.Fuck, no! Our child!Wala sa sarili kong kinatok ang bintana, pilit siyang ginigising ngunit nanatili siyang walang malay. Ayaw kong isipin na... Hind
Guilty Pleasures SEVENTY
GALE'S POV"No! Dominique!" sigaw ko habang dinidiinan ang paghawak sa balikat ko, kung saan tumama ang bala.Dali-dali akong tumayo sa tulong ng mga magulang ko at susuray-suray na tumakbo palabas ng bahay. Sinubukan kong habulin sina Adhara, ngunit hindi ko na sila naabutan pa."Gale, we need to take you to the hospital!" histerikal na sigaw ni Mommy."No, Mom! I won't go anywhere until I find Dominique and Adhara. Call the police!" I instructed.Mabilis kong tinungo ang sasakyan ko at nagmaneho palabas ng village. She wouldn't have gone that far yet.I hissed from the pain that filled my system. Kinagat ko ang labi ko para pigilan ang pagsigaw. Sandali akong tumigil sa tabi ng kalsada. I tore a part of my shirt and wrapped it around my shoulder. Napapikit ako at napamura sa sakit, pero hindi ko iyon ininda. I have to find Dominique. Kapag may nangyaring masama sa kanya at sa anak namin ay hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko.I wasted no time. Muli kong pinatakbo ang sasakyan at mabil
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-NINE
NIKKI'S POVMy mouth parted and my heart started beating so loud, seeing the look on Adhara's face. She's standing on the doorway, her hands were inside the pocket of her black cloak. Hindi ko naintindihan ang kaba na biglang lumukob sa akin, hindi ko na siya makilala. She's far too different from the Adhara I knew a year ago.Siguro nga ay pagpapapanggap lang ang pinakita niya sa akin noon, pero gusto ko pa ring paniwalaan na may kabutihan pa rin sa puso niya. However, seeing her face right now, I could only think of the worse. Masama ang tingin niya sa aming lahat.I gulped when she started walking towards us. Instinctively, Gale pulled me to his side."What are you doing here, Adhara?" Gale's voice was stern, and serious."I came here to claim what's mine," she said.Napasinghap ako, lalo na nang makita ko ang kakaibang ngisi sa mukha niya. She looked like she lost her mind, and the way she laughed, I can't stop thinking that maybe she lost her sanity."Akin ka lang, Gale. You promi
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-EIGHT
NIKKI'S POV"I'm really sorry for everything..."Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko. Tita Graciella was sitting in front of me, asking for forgiveness. It was something I never expected. After all, hindi maganda ang naging huling pag-uusap namin.I cleared the lump in my throat, trying so hard to stop myself from tearing up. Something warm touched my heart, and I felt as if it was burning. I always imagined how it would feel to make amends with her. And now I knew, the word happiness will never fit the way I'm feeling right now."I know saying sorry isn't enough to compensate for all the damage and pain that I caused you, but please know that I am sincere. I'm really sorry for all the things I did," she said, her voice started to crack.Her tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes. Something told me that she's not lying. Her eyes held truth, and genuine regret.Hindi ko na rin napigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak. Bumalik sa isipan ko ang lahat ng masasakit na salitang binitawan niya
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-SEVEN
LOUIE'S POVI glanced on my wristwatch, it's already a quarter past three which means she's already fifteen minutes late. I sighed, and told myself to wait for another fifteen minutes, and if she doesn't show herself yet, I will leave.The door suddenly opened, and I saw her walking inside with her eyes settling on me. Sa unang pagkakataon ay nakita ko siyang ngumiti ulit sa akin.Kumalabog ang dibdib ko at hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko. It's been years, but the regret I felt for not telling her the truth is still eating me."Gracie..." I whispered her name."Louie... It's been ages," came her reply.Binalot kami ng katahimikan. Nanatili lang ang mga mata ko sa kanya, pilit na inaalala ang dating Graciella na naging kaibigan ko. She's still beautiful and regal, the past years did a good job in maintaining her beauty.Habang nakatingin sa kanya ay napagtanto ko na iba na siya sa dating babae na minsan ay naging parte ng buhay ko. And along the memories of our friendship, the
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-SIX
GRACIELLA'S POV"Dominique is pregnant..."His words kept ringing inside my head. I couldn't take it! I wanted so bad to be mad at him, but when I looked at his eyes, I could see how happy he was. His eyes were filled with different emotions, and I knew it was all he ever wanted.Am I that heartless?Am I that selfish?Dominique stayed sitting on the couch, as Gale walked towards her, occupying the space beside her. He kissed her forehead, and it broke my heart. Gustong-gusto ko na hayaan sila, pero sa tuwing naaalala ko ang mga nangyari noon, hindi ko maiwasan na magalit.I trusted her parents, but they broke my trust.Unable to take the sight in front of me, I slowly backed down and left their apartment. Parang nawalan na rin ako ng lakas na pilitin pa si Gale dahil alam ko na mali ako. Alam kong mali ako, pero hindi ko pa rin talaga matanggap na sa dinami-rami ng mga taong pwede niyang mahalin, ang anak pa talaga ni Diana.Dali-dali akong sumakay sa sasakyan ni Ara na naghihintay sa
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-FIVE
GALE'S POV"Dominique is pregnant."My own voice resonating in my ears. Malakas na kumabog ang dibdib ko, lalo na nang makita kong nag-iba ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Tito Louie. Alam ko, I haven't yet done much to prove myself worthy of Dominique, but this pregnancy was unexpected. Nevertheless, I don't regret having her pregnant. The only thing I felt upon knowing about it is pure happiness.Umigting ang panga ni Tito Louie, habang si Nicole at Camille naman ay parang na-estatwa at hindi agad nakapagsalita.Naramdaman ko ang init ng palad ni Dominique nang ipatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa kamay kong nanginginig."D-Dad..." bulong niya.Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kaba at takot niya. Kitang-kita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang pangamba."What's your plan now?" Tito Louie asked.His voice was strained, but he didn't sound angry. Napalingon ako sa kanya, ngunit wala pa ring nagbago sa ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Seryoso pa rin ito at hindi kakikitaan ng kahit anong emosyon.Napatingin ako kay Domi
Guilty Pleasures SIXTY-FOUR
NIKKI'S POVI paced back and forth inside our room. I was restless, and worried about my family's reaction to our news. Our pregnancy wasn't planned, but it was the best thing that happened to us. And I'm hoping that this baby may unite our family, and strengthen our ties."Relax, everything's going to be okay," Gale whispered, wrapping his hands around my waist and giving me a soft kiss on my shoulder blades.I instantly relaxed under his touch."How can I?" I whispered back."I'm here, hindi ko kayo pababayaan. I will fight the world for you, love," he assured me.I nodded my head, and turned to meet his eyes. I can see the sincerity and honesty brooding in his eyes. He gave me a small smile before lowering his lips to capture mine.A few minutes later, we were already inside the car, driving towards the restaurant where we had a dinner reservation. We decided to let my family know first. As much as I wanted to invite Gale's family, I know it would only be full of tension and awkward
