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
Natulog siya sa kanila. Hindi siya umuwi dito. Buong gabi akong nag-isip, hindi kaagad nakatulog at maiyak-iyak na dahil sa nararamdamang guilt. Ito ba ang paraan na naisip niya bilang higanti? Deserve ko 'to kung gano'n.Pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang malungkot. Kaya pag gising ko ng umaga, kaagad akong napa-tawag kay Inez at hindi niya na ako pinakinggan at dinala sa clinic."Stress," the Doctor said, returning his office. "The most possible reason is stress. Nalungkot ba kayo? Overwhelmed? Nagalit?"I sucked a small part of my lip from the inside before shifting my eyes to Inez, her eyebrows quickly rose before I slowly shifted back to Doctora, sitting in his chair and I nod my head softly. "Ayon. Misis, bawal na bawal po 'yang stress sa 'yo. Kahit less than two weeks ka pa, bawal pa rin po 'yan. Let us avoid whatever made you stress na lang po, ano?" Doctora calmly suggested, and all I could do is make a small nod. "Okay… kailan po
"I'm fine, I'm fine."I continuously shake my head, holding onto his arm as I stand beside the hospital bed. Tears don't stop falling, and my body is shaking. Kasalanan ko 'to, but he kept on trying to tell me how he's fine."Ella—"Mas lumakas ang buhos ng luha ko dahilan para napapikit ako. The ache in my chest worsened, as anger begins to build. "'Di ka okay. 'Di ka okay—""I am, please. Stop blaming yourself, El, please—"He paused as the door opens. Kaagad din akong napatigil at pinadiin pa ang pagpikit ng mga mata bago ako makarinig ng isang buntong hininga.Don Christopher clicked his tongue. "Oh, goodness, what happened?"His voice was coated with concern as his footsteps got louder and louder, approaching. Kaagad kong pinahid ang likod ng kamay sa mukha para mawala na 'yong mga luha bago bahagya kong idinilat ang mga mata, at natagpo kaagad ang mga mata ni Christion.Another soft sigh escapes Don Christopher. "Angel, hija, everything is
Christion has been in the hospital for 4 days, and in those 4 days, I have confirmed things; One, my husband has finally caught my attention; Two, I am somehow scared to lose him; And three, he's much of an asshole than I thought he could ever be."Ay, Sir, 'wag ho kayo mag-alala. Hindi po 'yan baliw, sadyang inutusan lang kami ni Sir Luciano na h'wag papatrabahuin ang asawa niya ngayon para alagaan siya," sabi ng Guard sa iyang employee at bumalik na naman sa 'kin ang kan'yang mga mata.The man plastered a small smile as he slightly bows his head before entering the building, muli kong tinignan ng masama si Kuya Guard, dahilan para mapatawa siya."Bawal po talaga kayo pumasok," he said and my eyebrows rose."Kuya, four days na akong walang trabaho-trabaho—"He lets out a chuckle. "Ma'am, pag papasukin ka namin, kami naman ang mawawalan ng trabaho."I lift up my head, letting out a soft groan as I shake my foot. I wander my eyes around as he continues to
I froze as I hear knocks from the front door. Kaagad kong inayos ang niluluto ko bago pumunta sa pinto at doon binuksan ko. My forehead creased, as Christion appears in front of me. He wears a huge smile on his face as he carries a backpack behind, hanging onto one shoulder. We stood there for a second before his eyebrows narrowed. "Before you say anything, I was legally discharged."My left eyebrows rose. "Really? As far as I can remember, next week ka pa dapat--""Aren't you happy to see me home na, Love?" he asked, as his expression softened before he formed his lips to a frown. I squinted my face before stepping out of the way, rolling my eyes. A chuckle escapes from his lips, and he enters the unit and his attention is quickly brought to the kitchen. "Woah, what's for dinner?" he asked, with his huge smile back, turning to me with excitement. "Guess," I said, pushing the door close before going back to the stove as he then followed after putting
"Hi, Ma'am Angel!"My head automatically turned to my left to see a female figure, waving at me with a huge smile. I ignore her address and waved back as I continue to walk towards his office. Nilibot ko pa ang mga mata ko sa paligid para hanapin si Mera ngunit hindi ko siya makita, kaya diretso na lang ako sa pinto niya at doon tumigil sa paglalakad. I lifted my hand and knocked on the door."Mera?" his voice echoed from the room, it was blurry but loud."It's me, An— Ella," I said, as loud as I can. "It's me, Ella.""Come in," he said, softly, and I quickly held the doorknob and pushed it down. As I open the door, I see him on his chair with his face expressionless while a woman stands in front of him across the table, with her head down."A simple coffee, you can't make? I hope you have learned your lesson, and we appreciate you considering our company but this is now your last day of your internship.""Sir, please. One last chance, I will m
Love… Is it the way you say my name? I ask myself and a memory flashes in my head, followed by another with a transition that seemed like a preview scene. The way you call me like that? Ella, Love, Ellove—Kaagad akong napapikit nang mariin at kinalas mula sa isipan ang salita bago kinalma muli ang sarili, and a series of memories comes flashing back in my mind. Especially about last night. Or is it the way you play our game? I asked myself. This was exactly the Christion I was meant to discover, and better. I never really thought he would give up that easily, and I never really thought it would end up like this…No. I'm lying. I had, once, twice, or I have lost count as it lasted. I've never known anyone like him, and I never have dreamed of nobody like him… He wasn't the person I thought I would end up with. Not the identity, but the personality. He has this something I was meant to answer to Amber's question last night that I just couldn't put up in wo
"What are you looking for?"I took a quick glance at him before turning back to the small dresses in front of us. I shake my head. For Carlos sana. "I just thought about Carlos."He chuckles, softly. "Okay, let's buy him something. He did mention a lot about cars…"I turn my head back to him, giving him a glare. "Not too much. Please."His smile widens as he chuckles louder. "Not too much. Yes, of course--"As he turned around, he suddenly stopped. He takes a quick glance at me before looking back forward, and my gaze follows a toddler. He looks younger than Carlos, well-dressed, neat, and has red wet eyes. Parang mangiyak-ngiyak na habang may nguso sa labi."Hi," Christion greets, squatting down to level the Toddler's height. "Do you have someone with you?"But he doesn't answer and deepens his frown. Looking with sad puppy-eyes, tears began to fall from his eyes, causing me to step in closer and squat right beside Tion, holding onto the Toddle
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