Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay tahimik ang unit. 6:30 AM ako nagising, alala ko pa nang tinignan ko pa talaga ang phone ko kung ano na ang oras dahil sa katahimikan.
I walk to the kitchen with my eyes are on his door, my eyes shifted to the sink to see the dish rack having a mug and a bowl. Nang hawakan ko 'to ay medyo basa pa. Malamig pa rin ang unit na parang naka on pa rin ang aircon, sirado pa rin ang mga curtain at ilaw sa counter banda ay naka-on pa.
I bit an inch of my lips before I turned back to his door. Hesitant, I slowly walk towards it as a series of different kinds of scenarios flashes in my mind. I knocked on his door three times to hear nothing.
Kumatok ako muli ngunit wala pa rin. I sighed in giving up and went back to the kitchen area, I opened the freezer part of the fridge and a much cooler air welcomed me as it crashed onto my bare skin. I take a pack of frozen chicken nuggets before I start preparin
Pangatlong araw na 'to na hindi kami nagtatagpo. At buong araw naman akong nagkulong ng kwarto, hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin. When I noticed it was not getting earlier, I decided to go outside to find the warm sunshine invading the living room. Giving it a soft vibe that I like.I smiled before heading to the kitchen and opened the fridge immediately to find it filled, as I expected. He didn't set any rules not to touch anything, it is both our condo after all.My mind once again went to place and I came across a conversation. I opened the freezer to find a lot of packed frozen food, and meat."Aba, oh, pinahanda pa talaga namin lahat ng ito for the both of you," Don Christopher started as we enter their dining room to find a long table filled with food. "Ito, c
"You know, I wanted to become a lawyer once."My eyebrows rose as I turn to him, he sits beside me as he place his mug on the coffee table before turning to me, resting his back. "Why didn't you?"He pressed his lips together. "Had to prioritize the company because of you know, only child." He shrugs his shoulder before turning back to the TV. "Why this, though?"I shifted my eyes to the TV to see the Korean drama Law School on. "Wala lang, it's been in my list for so long already. I think it's cool.""You like law stuff?" he asked and I turn my head back to him."Kinda? It's fun to watch, nakakaaliw whenever nag aaway sila," I said, honestly. "Ikaw? I saw
My eyes widen as we park right in front of the house, excitement builds up in my chest with my eyes attached to the car parked in front of us."They have visitors? You look surprised," Christion slope from the driver's seat, and I quickly turned my head to him.I shrugged my shoulders and opened the door on my side, grabbing a hold onto my hand bag before we exited the car and entered the house.The Veridiano's demanded me to come home, visit them, and Chrisiton chose to come with. Sunday naman at ang sabi niya wala s'yang kailangan gawin sa office kaya hinayaan ko na lang.Pagpasok namin ng gate ay rinig na rinig namin ang ingay sa loob. May nagtatawanan at may nag uusap naman, lahat ng boses ay p
"They will be just behind us, 'di ba, Tita?" Kuya Andrey asked, convincing Carlos who's in his arms.I plastered a wide smile on my face before nodding my head. "Yes, of course. Don't cry na, ah?" I slide my hand back and forth on his back as he continuously sniffs his nose, he lifts up his hand and wipes his eyes like a tired baby before I slowly step back."Say bab-- ""No! No ba-bye!" Carlos exclaimed, holding a frown on his face before turning to his Dad and hugged him tightly."Sige na, we'll get going na," paalam ko at tumango lamang si Kuya bago ako tumalikod, at doon nagtagpo ang aming mata ni Chrisiton. Kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin at naglakad na patungo sa sasakyan niya, kung nasaan siya
"Didn't I tell you to stay in bed?"I roll my eyes as I walk towards the counter, with my laptop in my hands. "I've been thinking…""Doesn't it hurt?" he asks, teasing, as I get closer, and I ignore him, sitting on the tall chair, causing him to chuckle. "Okay, what have you been thinking?"He turns around to me, holding a plate of breakfast, and I place my laptop on the counter. "I want a job."His head nodded as his eyebrows rose. "What do you want to do?"I press my lips together as the tingles enter my stomach. He sounds supportive, I like it. "Well I have this page sa Facebook and an Instagram art account… What do you think about me openi
From: ChristionhiMy stomach fluttered as I opened the notification banner, I sat down on the couch and crossed my legs before I sent a reply.To: ChristionHow was it?nagkita na ba kayoAnd he replied immediately.From: Christionyesprivate meeting with only us threeMy lips stretched for a wider smile.To: Christionand???From: Christion
Trigger Warning: Ms. Carrie Rage__________"Hi."My lips quickly locked close as I heard my own voice breaking. I sat on the grass with silence surrounding me before I swallowed my saliva."'Di ko alam kanino humingi payo… Sana nandito kayo, 'no? Para may masasandalan ako sa mga ganitong oras," I said, looking down to their grave stones. "Natatakot ako."I force my lips a smile, and the ache begins to expand from my chest."'Di ko alam bakit pero masama kutob ko dito." I let out a sigh, and recalled the event that happened yesterday. "Kahapon… tinulungan ako ni Inez, kaibigan ko. Siya 'yong una nakaalam." Napalunok ako muli bago huminga ng malalim. "I took a pregnancy test."Nagsimula nang tumulo ang luha ko at bigla na lang mas lumamig pa ang ihip ng hangin. I turned my head to my right, to the grave stone beside my parents'."Baby," I whispered, and licked my lips before parting it. "May kapatid ka na…"Napapikit ako nang kaagad kong maramdaman ang
I quickly stepped on the breaks, panting. My chest pounding, and my hands shaking as it grips onto the steering wheel. Nagpatuloy na ang sasakyang muntikan kong mabangga, kaya't hinintay ko na lang siyang makalayo.Ilang segundo akong nanatili roon kahit malayo na ang naabot ng sasakyan, I took my time to breathe before going back to the road.I focused my attention on the driving, hoping that he doesn't call again. My attention was only focused on the road until I arrived in front of Apex. I parked near the driveway and checked my phone.Doon, nakita kong hindi na siya ulit nagtext, at munting kirot ang naramdaman ko kasabay ng relief. 8AM na, at panigurado nasa office na 'yon. Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa at pinaandar muli ang sasakyan at dumeretso sa subdivision kung saan nakatira ang mga Veridiano.Pagdating ko doon, ay naguguluhang mga mukha ang bumungad sa 'kin. "Mabuti at dumalaw ka, nasaan ba ang iyong asawa?" Lolo
Kaagad niyang ginawa ang hiling ko. Nakaharap sa sa gilid ng sasakyan na nasa tabi ng akin, nakahawak sa kaniyang cellphone malapit sa kaniyang tenga. Ngunit hindi siya nagsasalita.He pulls his phone away and faces the screen, he types in and puts it back close to his ear. But nothing changed.He took a quick glance at me and looked down to his phone. Tion let out a sigh and turned to me, walking towards me, holding the same pitiful expression on his face."He won't answer," he said. "Do you want to go inside the car na? Pa-aircon ka muna, I'll try to call him again."I sighed, and shook my head. "I'll go na lang." I stretched my hand to him, and his eyes immediately dropped down to it as his eyebrows rose. "Phone ko—"He looks up to me. "You're definitely not going alone. Can anyone else go with you?"Another soft sigh escapes my lips. "Ciara needs me now, please."He nodded, and placed my phone in my hand. "Can I atleast call Inez—"I shake my head. "She's probably busy, I don't wa
"Aimee, paki kuha kay Dad para kakain na tayo."Kaagad tumango si Aimee at nilagpasan ako patungo sa itaas habang kakarating ko lang sa ibaba. Inayos ni Tita ang mga unan sa couch habang nandoon si Shan, nakahiga at parang natutulog habang hawak-hawak ang remote na nasa ibabaw ng t'yan. May kalakasan ang volume mula sa TV na parang nanonood na naman ng cartoons.As Tita Amara turns around, our eyes immediately met. Her smile widens bago siya muling humarap sa bata at inayos ang paghiga nito. "Alam mo bang napaka-aga nito lumabas ng kwarto niyo? Nagising ako 6AM at ganoon din siya." She placed a pillow on his head before turning back to me. "Kaya ayon, he helped me water the plants, and at nagwalis pa nga siya ng mga leaves sa labas."My eyebrows rose and a chuckle escapes my lips. "No wonder tulog."She nodded, walking towards the kitchen. "Napagod siguro. May lakad ka ngayon?"Tumango ako at sumunod sa kaniya patungo sa kusina. "Pupunta lang ako ng banko at konting grocery na rin,
"Shan! Your toys dito, oh!" I shouted, picking up the charger cables on the floor beside a small pile of legos spread at the corner. I neatly rolled the cables before opening the bedside drawer to find it filled with papers and other sorts of things.A sigh escaped my lips as I sit down the corner of the bed. Isa-isa kong kinuha ang mga gamit sa loob ng drawer na halatang hindi maayos ang paglagay. Napatigil ako saglit nang makakita ako ng isang notebook na itim.It has a leather cover and the pages seems to be thick. Umusog pa ako ng konti para may malagyan sa ibang gamit habang nilagay ang notebook sa ibabaw ng drawer at nagpatuloy sa pagkuha ng gamit mula sa loob.Maayos ko itong binalik hanggang matapos ako na may marami pang space na natira. I put the cables inside as well before standing up from the bed, and my eyes immediately caught the notebook once more.Kwarto namin 'to noon pa lang, paminsan-minsan kaming natutulog dito ni Ate kapag may nga events na nagagabihan na kami.
"But, Mommy!"I turned to the gear before shfiting it to park. I take a quick glance at Shan, and he looked at ne with his teary puppy eyes. I kept a serious expression on my face, looking at him directly in the eyes.He stopped for a moment and turned his head to the wind sheild as he began whining again, kicking his feet in the air. "Lowbat!""I'm not gonna repeat myself, again. We will charge your iPad when we get home—" I paused as he groaned, slouching on the seat. "Shan.""I want my iPad—""Why? iPad lang 'yon, it's not like that iPad is your whole world. Don't you want to go to the mall? Nandito na tayo," I said, trying my best to stay calm. "Do you want us to go home na?"He whined again, causing me to swallow."Do you want us to go home na?" I asked, repeating myself and he shook his head. My eyebrows rose. "Sige, you choose: uuwi tayo so that you could play on your iPad or gagala tayo with your Tito?"Hindi siya sumagot. He placed his arms on top of his chest as he drew circ
"What do you want, Love?"Shan looks up to me before shifting his eyes to the counter. "Chicken and friend and ice cream."My eyebrows rose as I nodded my head, I looked back at the cashier, meeting her eyes. "Chicken na lang po with medium fries, and sundae."She nodded her head and shifted her eyes to the computer. "Is that all, Ma'am?" she asked, and I nodded. "So basically, two chicken meals, two iced teas, one sundae, and two medium fries?"I press my lips together and nodded. Hindi kami nagtagal sa counter at kaagad na kaming umalis at naghanap ng mauupuan habang dala-dala ko ang tray namin.We stopped right in front of an available four seater table and placed the tray on the table as Shan immediately sat down. Nilapag niya ang kaniyang iPad sa lamesa bago kinuha ang kaniyang plato mula sa tray sabay ng ice cream cup.Umupo ako sa harap niya at kinuha na ang iPad niya para ilagay sa bag. Kinuha ko lahat ng order namin at nilagay sa gilid ang tray bago kami nag simulang kumain.
"Wow! Who is this?"A woman asked with a huge smile on her face. I look up to Tion to see his smile widen. "Ah, this E— Angel."She looks like she's in her 40's, yet looks very glamorous. She wears a simple casual dress, which suits her very well. Her brunette hair is softly curled, while her make up is only light. Her eyebrows and her eyes shifted to me. "Nice to meet you, Angel. I'm Evelyn," she said, "Well, I have to meet the others pa so enjoy kayo, ah?"Kaagad tumango si Christion at umalis na si Evelyn, I felt Christion's hands softly dig through my back, giving me a hint that we should go on. We walk around the bar, searching for seats, and suddenly, he leans closer to me as we reached the counter. "Birthday ng kaibigan namin ni Ethan, kakauwi lang galing Dubai."My lips parted as I nodded my head. "Required ba talaga may partner?" I asked as we sat on the tall chair together, he let out a chuckle, causing my stomach to flutter."For me? Yes," he said and called a bartender.
Paggising ko ay nakita kong gising na si Shan, nakadilat ang mga mata habang diretso sa 'kin ang tingin. He lays down on his side with Brent behind him, still asleep.I turned around and reached for a my phone, at nang pagbukas ko no'n ay 8AM na. Ilang saglit pa akong nanatili sa kama bago tumayo na, at sumunod naman sa 'kin si Shan. Pagbaba namin ay dumeretso siya sa couch at doon humiga habang nasa kabilang couch si Niana, tulog pa rin.Nagpatuloy ako patungo sa kusina at naginit kaagad ng tubig, at nang marinig ako ni Shan ay tinawag niya ako. "Milo!"Hindi ko na siya sinagot at binuksan ang cupboard para kumuha ng Milo. Hindi naman nagtagal at nagising na rin si Niana nang nagsimula na akong magluto ng ulam, maybe because of the sizzling sound of the egg when it landed on the hot oil. "Shan, toothbrush na," Niana said, standing in front of Shan, yawning. The kid groaned, not wanting to move, causing Niana to have to bribe him until they began walking to the bathroom as I began
"It would be better if you stare at me, looking less angry, you know?"I narrow my eyebrows and rolled my eyes. I wander my gaze around the room before looking down to my phone. Masyadong maaga kami ngayon, dapat pa namin maghintay ng iba pa.He sighed. "Tell me what you want."Hindi ko siya pinansin at pumunta sa isang social media platform bago nagsimulang mag scroll."I know that you won't go and look at me like that without having something in mind. I know you, Ella," dagdag pa niya, at kaagad akong nangilabot.Kanina nang nagkita kami sa loob ng building, nakatayo siya sa entrance habang diretsong nasa akin ang kaniyang mga mata. Nang makalapit ako ay hindi siya kumibo, tumayo lang siya doon hanggang nilagpasan ko siya at doon naramdaman na sinusundan niya ako. Sabay kaming pumasok sa elevator pero hindi pa rin kami nagsalita. The elevator was packed at magkatabi kami, nakadikit ang mga damit namin. My heart was racing."If this is about Shan—"Inangat ko ang ulo ko, dahilan par
"Kukuha rin po kayo ng eco-bag, Ma'am?"Inangat ko ang ulo sa cashier at umiling. "Ah, ito po." I turned to my cart, to my bag at kinuha 'yong mga tote bag na dinala namin. I place the bags on the counter at kaagad naman kinuha ng nagba-baggage. "Eight thousand seven hundred po lang lahat, may perks card po kayo?" the cashier asked, and I nodded. Binigay ko na ang card kasabay ng pera bago nagpatuloy palabas ng cashier at nagsimula na ang lalaki sa paglalagay ng mga pinamili namin.Pagkatapos kong mag check out ay kaagad kong hinarap si Brent na nakatayo sa waiting area. He immediately understood my gaze and walked towards me to take the cart before we started walking out."Sa'n tayo next?" I asked, keeping up with his pace. Brent looked down to me and shrugged his shoulders."Anong oras na ba?" he asked, and lifted his wrist, facing his watch to him. "Gagi, ten pa? Gusto mong kumain?"I nodded. "Sige. Drive thru tayo?" "May nakita akong post no'ng nakaraan, bagong restaurant daw di