Maeve’s POV“I can’t really come? I wanted to spend time with you too!” reklamo ni Juago habang hawak-hawak ang palapulsuhan ko. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapatawa nang mahina sa kaniyang itsura. Kagabi pa ito nagtatanong kung pupuwede ba siyang sumama sa akin ni Maverick. We are going to meet my brother. “You have a birthday party to attend to, remember?” nakangisi kong sambit sa kaniya. He needs to attend birthday party of Gen, her on-screen recent love team. “As if I wanted to. I can just show myself and go home immediately,” reklamo niya. I was supposed to come with him kaya lang ay ang tagal nang gustong makilala ni Kuya Mauricio si Maverick so I can’t cancel this again. Nakailang cancel na dahil hindi magkatugma ang schedule, well, ako lagi. Kuya is willing to miss anything just to see his nephew. Ms. Juliana will come with Juago today. “You can’t, your fans will surely want to see you attending her birthday.” Agad kong nakita ang iritasiyon niya roon. He doesn’t really like th
Maeve’s POV“What? I said I wanted to see my nephew too!” reklamo ni Mint habang nakatingin sa amin. Napanguso pa siya nang makita si Maverick na nakatingin sa kaniya. “I told you that we are going to talk about this. Why would you follow me here?” inis na tanong ni Kuya Mauricio sa kaniya. Mint just rolled his eyes. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapailing na lang din. Well, Mint is just as rebel as me. I was just shock that he’ll come here when our talk in Fun Hunts is not that good. “I’ll talk with him outside first.” Kuya looks like he was assuring me. “Let’s go outside, Mint Junio,” sambit ni Kuya Mauricio sa kaniya. Parang wala naman siyang balak tumayo at pinagtaasan lang si Kuya roon. “Why would I go, Kuya? I said I wanted to meet my nephew. Hindi ako aalis hanggang hindi niya ako pinakikilala,” sambit niya kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang mapahilot sa aking sentido. “It’s okay, Kuya Mau. Alam naman ni Maverick na tatlo ang Tito niya. He just doesn’t know that he’ll meet his two uncle
Maeve’s POV“I’m sorry, that’s the only decision I came up with. I can’t just communicate with any of you, I can’t just risk Maverick,” sambit ko na napangiti na lang din nang mapait. Kita kong nawala ang sama ng loob niya sa akin but his eyes were glaring again. “What about now? You talk with Kuya Mau! But you even forget to talk to me! Kung hindi pa ako pupunta rito’y hindi mo pa ako pakikilala sa pamangkin ko,” inis niyang sambit sa akin kaya napairap na lang ako. “Well, I thought when we talk in Fun Hunts, that’s already the end.”“Because you said so! You are the one who’s in fault here,” sambit niya pa kaya mahina akong natawa. Of course, kung pataasan lang naman ng pride dito, pinakamataas ang pride niya. Napailing na lang ako roon.“Sige na, ako na ang may kasalanan. I’m sorry… I’m sorry for not contacting you and just cutting ties with you,” sambit ko na napanguso pa. “Forgiven. Sorry din,” aniya na napanguso bago nag-iwas ng tingin. “I wasn’t there with you in your lowes
Maeve’s POV“But believe me he won’t send away Maverick that time or what. He plan to adopt him as his son while he wants you—” Agad siyang pinutol ni Mint doon. “Bullshit.” Hindi ko alam kung matatawa o mapapangiti na lang ako kay Mint. Agad kong tinakpan ang tainga ni Maverick kaya agad siyang napatingin sa akin. “Why, Nanay ko?” Mukhang hindi rin narinig dahil abala sa tetris ng laruan niya. “Mint Junio,” tawag ni Kuya sa pangalan niya. He just rolled his eyes tila ba ayaw nang makinig kahit hindi naman siya ang pinaliliwanagan. “Your words, Mint.” Napanguso naman siya roon. He just said sorry and proceed on cursing in a lower tone na para sa aming tatlo lang. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapailing doon. “That’s really bullshit, Kuya Mau, and you also know it. He didn’t ask for Maria’s opinion. Basta na lang siyang nagdesisyon. You think with Maria’s personality, she’ll like that? She doesn’t! Kahit na pa hindi niya ipadala sa kung kanino si Maverick that time, he’ll just practicall
Maeve’s POV“I knew it!” Naiiling na lang si Mint nang makita namin sa mall si Kuya Julius with his secretary. “You two are a stalker,” ani Kuya Mauricio na nginiwian silang dalawa ni Mint. “I have a meeting here,” ani Kuya Julius na sinimangutan pa si Kuya Mauricio dahil sa kaniyang sinabi habang buhat-buhat si Maverick na napatingin din kay Kuya Julius. “Sus, you never like have a meeting in this kind of place. It’s either your office or conference room. Ni hindi ka nga makaalis sa opisina mo. Ang sabihin mo you just wanted to see Maverick,” sbit ni Mint sa kaniya habang may ngisi pa sa labi. Iritado naman siyang nilingon ni Kuya Julius doon. “Shut up, Mint,” ani Kuya Julius na hindi na pinansin pa ang pang-aasar ni Mint dahil nakatingin na ngayon kay Maverick. “Hi, Kiddo…” he greeted to him. Naningkit ang mga mata ni Maverick sa kaniya.“Oh! You awe that guy! ‘Yong salbahe! You glawe at Nanay! I saw it!” ani Maverick kaya agad ko siyang inilingan. “Hah! Looks like I’m the se
Maeve’s POV“It’s okay, Kuya. I can just carry him…” sambit ko dahil nakatulog na si Maverick sa sobrang pagod na makipaglaro sa kaniyang mga Tito. “No, let us do this Maria… You are so small to carry him,” sambit ni Kuya Mauricio. “But I did carry him being this small you know,” ani ko.“I know… You always amaze us on what you can manage to do… Just let us do this please… You have been taking care of him on your own… Let us help you this time,” aniya na ginulo lang ang buhok ko. Sumunod kay Kuya Julius na siyang may buhat kay Maverick ngayon. They went on the SUV now. Kahit may sari-sariling sasakyan na sila. Sa kotse lang kami ni Kuya Mauricio sumakay. Mint is just beside me while Kuya Julius is just beside Kuya Mauricio in the front seat. Nakahiga naman sa lap ko si Maverick. Dahil sa pagod din ay natahimik na kaming lahat or maybe it was a little bit awkward pa din. Si Mint ay nakasandal lang din sa akin habang umiidlip. I just let him. Minasahe ko lang ang buhok niya panandal
Maeve’s POV“Okay na po, Manong Juan. I’ll take Maverick na po rito,” sambit ko kay Manong na siyang buhat-buhat si Maverick. “Okay lang po, Ma’am. Sabi po ng mga kapatid niyo na huwag daw po kayong hayaang magbitbit.” Napatawa naman ako nang mahina roon. “It’s okay now, Manong. Narito naman na po sa taas.” I even gave him again a warm smile just to assure him that it’s fine. Hindi niya pa alam ang gagawin noong una but he ended up giving Maverick to me. Nagpasalamat na rin ako bago ko dinala si Maverick sa master bedroom. Bahagya nga lang akong nahinto nang makapasok sa loot nadatnan si Juago roon. Napanguso ako para pigilan ang ngiti at ang mapailing na lang sa sarili dahil ang iniisip kong nasa party ngayon ay tulog na rito sa kwarto at mukhang natulog pa na basa ang buhok, medyo tuyo na ‘yon ngayon. Nilapag ko lang ang mahimbing na natutulog na si Maverick sa kama. Dahan-dahan pa para lang hindi magising si Juago. Maingat kong inalis ang suot na damit ni Maverick at binihisa
Maeve’s POV“By the way, Manong Juan said that your brother drop off?” tanong niya sa akin kaya napatango ako sa kaniya.“Yup, they drop off,” ani ko. “You should have invite them inside,” he said. “How could I? It’s not my house,” natatawang sambit ko kaya agad siyang napatingin na may simangot na sa mukha ngayon. “It’s our home. You can invite your family anytime,” he said. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang mapanguso roon. He looks like he doesn’t really mind it. And as if it was really my home if he talks like that. Mariin kong kinagat ang aking labi. My home is always been Maverick and now that he is talking like that, pakiramdam ko’y pati siya’y unti-unti na ring nagiging parte ng tahanan ko. I just smiled and nodded at him. “What about you? How’s the party? I saw some posts about how you gave Gen a gift,” sambit ko na napatitig pa sa kaniya. He rolled his eyes because of that. “It’s sister’s gift and the party is boring. I went home after I let the press see me,” he sad before
Kara’s POV“What do you mean? Ayaw kang panindigan? Aba! Gago pala talaga ‘yang ex mo!” Matalim ang mga mata komg nilingon ang Ate na umuwi ng probinsiya. May isang batang maliit ng kasama ngayon. “Lumayas ka rito, Gelli! Ayaw kong makita ‘yang pagmumukha mo!” malakas na sigaw ni Mama. Hindi matanggap na ngayon lang nagpakita si Ate at nagagawa pang umiyak ng sobra ngayon. “Tama na, Mama…” sambit ko dahil nakita ko ang isang batang nagpipigil ng iyak. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa kaniyang stuff toy habang nakatingin sa kaniyang Mama na nakaluhod kay Mama. Umiiyak at nagmamakaawang tanggapin sila rito sa bahay dahil tuluyan na silang tinalikuran ng kaniyang nobyo. Hindi ko mapigilan ang iritasiyon ko roon. Nakasalubong ko rin ang mata ng bata. Both of us are staring at each other. Pinipigilan niya ang kaniyang iyak subalit nang makita ata ang resting bitch face ko ay tuluyan na siyang napahagulgol ng iyak. “You don’t like me as well? Just like my Papa?” Aba, englisher pala itong ana
Maeve’s POV“Sana hindi ka na umuwi,” malamig niyang saad sa akin. Napanguso ako nang pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Paniguradong nagtatampo ito dahil sa flight kong na-delay ng 1 hour. I had my business trip. Kung pupuwede lang hindi umalis. I really enjoy seeing this side of her. I can’t imagine how hard it is for her when she was carrying Maverick on her own. How heavy it is for her lalo na’t emotional talaga ito ngayong buntis. You know, when you have someone with you, the one you are comfortable with, the one you think will really stay with you no matter what happened, it’s easy to let them know that you don’t want things. Na pupuwede tayong magbugnot sa mga taong ‘to. “Baby, I’m sorry… I didn’t know that there will be a delay.” Niyakap ko siya mula sa kaniyang likod habang nagluluto siya. I kissed her cheeks pero hindi siya lumingon. Humigpit nga lang ang pagkakahawak niya sa kaniyang sandok. “I’m sorry, I already take my leave so we can celebrate our wedding anniversary for week…
Juago’s POV“It’s okay. You can sleep here,” Maeve said. That was her first word to me after a while. Bumabalik na ang ngiti ng anak namin and this is the first time Maeve talk to me again. Madalas ay nilalagpasan niya lang ako o minsan ay dinadaan niya sa anak ang sasabihin. I know how hard it is for her to be casual with me, the reason why it was so meaningful to me when they went back to the Philippines and Maeve started to become my friend. “I’m sorry… For all the pain that Tatay has cause you…” bulong ko kay Maverick when the two of us stayed together in the condo. “It’s not you who did so, Tatay. Bakit mo sinisisi ang sarili mo po?” malambing niya pang tanong na ngumiti sa akin. Hindi ko lang mapigilan ang mapangiti nang mapait sa anak. He’s constantly reminding me that it’s not my fault. Lagi ko pa ring sinisisi ang sarili pero siguro nga’y malaking tulong ang lagi niyang pagsabi sa akin ng bagay na ‘yon at pati na rin ang pag-uusap namin ng masinsinan ni Maeve. I’m not the
Juago’s POVMaeve and I dated. As if all the days I was with her and our son just really make me feel so alive. It was so foreign to me. Something I never knew I will experience. I was just really happy to be with the two of them. Hindi ko nga lang akalain na ang kasiyahan na ‘yon ay mapapalitan ng sakit. Para akong nakalutang sa ere at biglaan ang bagsak. Ang lagapak ay mas masakit. Hindi ko akalain na doble-doble pala ang sakit na mararanasan at mararamdaman. Para akong pinong-pinong dinudurog habang pinagmamasdan ko si Maeve na umiiyak habang paulit-ulit na sinasabing gusto niyang makita ang anak namin. Para akong dinudurog sa ideyang nangyayari ang lahat ng ‘to dahil sa akin. I was the reason why my son is at danger right now. Pinigilan ko ang sariling maglandas ang luha mula sa mga mata. Para akong masisiraan ng bait hangga’t hindi ko nakikita ang anak. Hanggang alam kong nasa peligro pa rin ito. Fuck… Fuck… What will happened to my son? Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Kahit an
Juago's POV“Bakit hindi ko man lang makita ni anino mo sa Fun Hunts ngayon, Juago? Huwag mong sabihing tigil ka na sa mga kalokohan mo? Anak pa lang naman ang mayroon ka, ‘di ba? Hindi pa naman nakatali?” tanong ni Mike. One of my friend fro Fun Hunts. Just friend when it’s fun. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapailing na lang sa tanong din nito. “I’m already tied up and I’m too busy taking care of my child,” sambit ko na nagkibit ng balikat. Nilingon ko pa ang dahilan ng pagkatali ko. Hindi niya nga lang alam na nakatali na ako sa kaniya. I like her and it’s getting deeper each day but Maria Everest doesn’t really like me. Sometimes I felt like she’s not even interested at me. Oh, well, hindi lang naman sa akin kaya ayos lang. I just wanted to be around her and pester her until she catch herself falling to me. I know that I really sounds delusional but whatever. I never really had the chance to like someone and I think it’s petty hard or maybe Maeve is just really pretty hard. She’s hot
Juago’s POV“I said I don’t want to, Mommy. I’m still young to be lock upon on what Daddy wants. Ayaw kong magtrabaho sa kumpanya,” iritado kong sambit. Mommy called me late at night telling me about Daddy’s plan to make me as his successor. Hindi ko ‘yon gusto. “Your dad thinks that you are just playing around. If you don’t go home tonight, itatakwil ka na ng ama mo,” panakot pa ni Mommy sa akin. I can’t help but roll my eyes. I wonder if how many times Mommy already said that to me. The reason why I continue this modeling is just to annoy Daddy. I don’t know, wala naman kasi talaga akong gustong gawin. I just wanted to have fun and someone just cast me in one of a drama. It's fun so I received tons of casting and offer from various agency. I don’t mind it since I’m done with college. I already took what they want me to which is business however it’s just not for me. And now, they think that I’m doing this to rebel agaisnt him which is kind of true. I like annoying them too. Wala
Maeve’s POV“You look so beautiful. Kamukhang-kamukha mo ang Mommy mo when I got married to her,” Daddy said to me habang nasa tapat na kami ng pinto ng simbahan. Kita ko ang pangingilid ng luha niya roon. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapangiti nang mapait. I wish my mom was here as well. Sana’y nandito si Mommy para ihatid ako sa altar. Sayang lang at hindi ko man lang naranasan ang kalinga nito. “Daddy, stop crying. Masisira ang make up ko,” sambit ko sa kaniya. Napanguso siya bago humingi ng tawad. Sinubukan niya pang palisin ang luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata. “I’m just so happy. I thought I won’t be able to even look at you in the eyes. I failed you for how many years,” sambit niya kaya pinisil ko lang ang kaniyang braso. “No more regretting, Daddy. I already forget about that. It will just put pain for the two of us. Let’s just stop thinking about it,” sambit ko na nginitian lang siya. Daddy just smile at me as well. He walk me in the aisle. Akala ko hindi na ako iiyak pa but seei
Maeve’s POV“Maeve! Mamaya na ‘yan! The gift is here!” natatawang saad ni Ava. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapailing doon, nanlalaki pa ang mga mata sa kaniya but this girl doesn’t really mind how I glare at her. Bagkus ay natatawa pa siya sa akin. Mas lalo pang lumakas ang sigawan ng aming mga kaibigan when they unbox it. Para akong tinakasan ng kahihiyan nang makitang may mga macho dancer na inimbitahan ang mga ito sa party. “Where are you, Maeve?” Juago is already impatient on the other line. Mukhang nagtatanong na rin sa kaniya ang mga kasama niya sa condo ni Kuya. Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapanguso. “I don’t know as well,” sambit ko. Hindi ko maiwasan ang matawa at mailing habang nakikita ang mga single kong kaibigan na nakikisayaw rin sa mga ito. Ako ang pinamumulahan at nahihiya para sa kanila. Maski si Wednesday na narito ay nag-iingay rin, trying to hype the girls. Ni hindi ko na nasagot nang maayos si Juago. Kinukulit na rin ako ni Olivia at Ava kaya hindi ko maiwasan ang magpaal
Maeve’s POVNapalingon kami ni Juago habang nakatingin sa leader ng fansclub niya noon. Agad napatayo ang iba at hindi mapigilan ang mabuhayan ng loob nang makita si Juago. Humigpit lang ang pagkakahawak niya sa aking kamay roon. They were shock to see Juago right now. Mukhang nagbabaka sakali lang naman silang labasin nito katulad noon. “Juago,” bati nila sa kaniya. Some were already teary eyed while staring at him. Mukhang hindi makapaniwalang kinikita sila nito ngayon. “How have you all been?” Juago seriously asked. They were all silently watching Juago. Ganoon din ako na tahimik sa kaniyang tabi. I know this is a big step to Juago. To talk again with his fans. “We are good, Juago. How about you? It’s been so long since the last time we have seen you…” sambit ng president ng fansclub. “I know that this might be the last time that you’ll see us but still we want to say sorry that we aren’t there when you needed someone the most. That bad things happened from someone who also em