NIKKI'S POV
After spending some time with Adhara the other day, muli itong nasundan. Strangely, I started to feel comfortable around her especially when she shared her story with us. I can't help but to feel sad for her. Makikita rin kasi sa kanya na mahal na mahal niya pa rin ang first love niya."So, wala na talagang chance na magkabalikan kayo?" Camille asked curiously.Narito kami ngayon sa Heaven's Corner dahil biglang nag-message si Adhara na gusto niyang makipagkita. Nagkataon din na break namin ni Camille kaya kami pumunta. We were sipping on our coffee while waiting for her to say anything."I don't think so, pero hindi naman ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. He's my greatest love, my 'TOTGA', to be honest," she replied sadly.I suddenly had the urge to hold her hand, and so I did. Sa pagmamagitan man lang nito ay ma-comfort ko siya."Hey, nandito lang kami, okay? If you feel lonely, or if you remember him, just call us. WillingNIKKI'S POVI changed my clothes and went into the kitchen to look for something to cook. I sighed when I realized that my stocks are limited. Kinuha ko ang chicken mula sa fridge at hinayaan muna na matunaw ang ice nito habang naghahanda ng iba pang sangkap.Manaka- naka akong lumilingon sa sala kung saan naroon si Gale. He rested his head on the couch, and his eyes were closed. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na lapitan siya. I stood behind him on the couch, and gently touched his shoulder."Okay ka lang? You want some massage?" I asked.Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan iyon. Bahagya pa siyang nakangiti kahit na nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata niya."Okay na ako, love. Having you beside me is like a breather. Don't worry about me," aniya."Are you sure?" paninigurado ko.He simply nodded."Okay. I'll just finish cooking our food, and then we'll eat. For the meantime, magpahinga ka muna. I love you," I whispered, and kissed his forehead.Bumalik a
NIKKI'S POV"Where are we going?" I asked him.We've been on the road for quite a few minutes already, and our destination doesn't seem to be familiar with me.We are going through a mountainous terrain, but I couldn't complain because the view itself was very breathtaking."Hmm, it's a secret for now, love," he said.I didn't say another word, and contented myself with the view. We decided not to work today so we can spend time with each other. I must admit, it's kinda thrilling to ditch work, and just be with the one you love. Para akong teenager na nag-cutting class.I grinned."What makes you smile, love?" He curiously asked.Nakataas pa ang kanyang kilay na animo'y hindi siya makapaniwala na ngumingiti ako nang mag-isa. Well, it's kinda creepy if you'll ask me."I was just thinking, para tayong mga highschoolers na tumakas sa klase para lang mag-date," saad ko at saka iyon sinundan nang mahinang ha
NIKKI'S POV"Ma'am, I'm really sorry, but you need to have an appointment before you can see Ms. Suarez. She's busy at the moment." I glanced up when I heard the door to my office clicked open, followed by Mariz strained voice while explaining to someone."You don't know who I am, umalis ka sa dinaraanan ko bago pa man kita ipasesante rito," sagot ng isang pamilyar na boses, ngunit hindi ko mapagsino ang nagmamay-ari nito.I released the ballpen I was holding, and gathered all the scattered documents above my table. I looked at the visitor, and was beyond surprised to see who it was. Agad na napakunot ang noo ko, ano'ng ginagawa niya rito?We were never close to each other, hence, it made me wonder to what do I owe this unexpected visit."It's okay, Mariz. Let her in," I interrupted.Hindi ko kasi gusto ang tono ng pananalita niya sa sekretarya ko. My father taught me to treat our employees
NIKKI'S POV"Tita Mommy!"I automatically smiled when I heard the twins calling me. Kakababa ko lang mula sa sasakyan at mabilis nila akong sinalubong para yakapin."I missed you, kids!" I cried as I encircle my hands around them."No work today?" Napalingon ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Ate mula sa likuran ng mga bata.Umiling ako, "I took the afternoon off, ate."I smiled weakly at her. Dala marahil ng sari-saring damdamin na hindi ko maipaliwanag, lumapit ako kay ate at agad na yumakap."Are you okay, little sis? Is there a problem?" she asked.Humiwalay ako sa kanya at ngumiti nang tipid. I cannot lie to her, can I?"Ayos lang ako, ate. Don't worry about me," I said.Umiling-iling lang siya at hinila ako papasok ng bahay, patungo sa front porch ng bahay. Umupo kami sa couch, at ilang sandali pa kaming naging tahimik."You're not okay, Dominique. Sa akin ka pa ba naman magsisinungaling? I've been there, and I know how it feels like to have
NIKKI'S POV"Where have you been Gale?"He was silent for a moment, or maybe he just didn't know what to say. Hindi ko maalis-alis ang paningin ko sa mantsa ng lipstick na naroon sa kwelyo ng kanyang long sleeves. Kaya ba hindi niya ako sinipot, ay dahil may iba siyang kasama?"I'm so sorry, love... I—""You're what, Gale? Did you know I waited more than two hours for you? Para akong tanga na nakaupo doon sa loob ng VIP room, habang iniisip kung darating ka pa ba o hindi na!" sigaw ko sa kanya.I felt so humiliated, nararamdaman ko pa rin ang naawang tingin ng waiter sa akin kanina. Sa unang pagkakataon, hindi ko napigilan ang magalit. I cannot just stand here, and not think of anything other than that fucking lipstick stain his collar! Fucking lipstick stain!Natuliro si Gale at hindi nakapagsalita. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng gagawin ko, dahil first time na nag-away kami."You know, you could have told
NIKKI'S POV"Dominique, over here!" Napalingon ako nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ni Adhara. Pilit kong iniwasan ang makukulay na mga ilaw na siyang sumisilaw sa mga mata ko. Ang una at huling beses na nagpunta ako sa isang bar ay noong nakilala ko si Gale, pero ngayon, siya naman ang rason kung bakit ako napunta sa lugar na ito.I walked slowly, pushing other people that are blocking my way until I reached Ara and Camille's spot. Nasa sulok kami ng bar, kung saan mayroong isang lamesa at couch. They were already having a shot of margarita when I came."Wow, you look fabulous. You should often dress like that, babe. Bagay sa'yo," Adhara complimented me.Napatingin ako sa suot kong tube top na hapit sa katawan ko, na tinernuhan ko ng maong na palda na ang haba ay nasa ibabaw ng tuhod ko. I wore a high heeled stiletto shoes, had my hair curled and put on some make up. Maging ako ay hindi ko makilala ang sarili ko, para akong sinapian ng kakaibang espiritu.
NIKKI'S POVI woke up when the bright rays of the morning sun caught my sleepy eyes. I rubbed my eyes, as I clutch the blanket tighter to cover my still naked body. I cursed inside my head when I felt a throbbing pain in my head. Damn, hangovers!Unti-unti kong iminulat ang mga mata ko at bumungad sa akin ang pamilyar na kwarto ni Gale. I sighed, remembering what I did last night. I swear, hindi na talaga ako pupunta sa bar. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed of myself. Muntik na naman akong mapahamak dahil sa katigasan ng ulo ko.Bumangon ako at hinanap ang mga damit ko, ngunit hindi ko iyon makita. Paika-ika akong naglakad papasok ng banyo, para maligo. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and was beyond shocked to see a lot of marks in my body. Flashes of last night's rough lovemaking showed in my mind. I bit my lower lip, I can still feel Gale inside of me. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng mararamdaman ko pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari.
NIKKI'S POVPaano nga ba natin nasusukat ang katatagan ng isang relasyon? Sa tagal ng pagsasama? Kung minsan, dumarating ang pagsubok sa mga panahon na hindi natin inaasahan.Kung kailan akala mo, maayos na ang lahat, saka darating ang sakuna. Bibiglain ka na lang, at magugulat ka na lang hindi na pala kayo nagkakaintindihan.I sighed for the nth time. Pagkatapos ng insidenteng iyon sa bar, pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi na ako tutungtong doon, kahit gaano pa man ka laki ang problema na kaharapin ko. It was monday, and I was back to work.Katulad ng inaasahan, Dad scolded me for being reckless. But after that, he gave me a hug. Alam ko naman, magagalit siya sa akin, pero hinding-hindi mababawasan ang pagmamahal niya sa akin. He lectured on me, reminded me on how to act maturely. Maging si ate ay tumawag para mangamusta, at para sermonan din ako.Of course, I perfectly understand where they're coming from. Alam ko na ayaw lang naman nila akong mapahamak. No one