Amari Vann"Enzo is all settled now, pwede mo ng ipahinga ang isip mo, Vann" Hanna told me kaya napatingin ako sa kanya."Mas lalo lang magagalit sakin si Art kapag nalaman nyang tinulungan ng parents nya ang kapatid ko, I won't be able to clear my name to him""Pero you can't keep working, Vann! Crucial ang first stage ng pagbubuntis, do you think mas mapapatawad ka ni Art kapag may nangyari sa baby nyo?"Huminga ako ng malalim. Isang linggo na ang nakalipas and I was forced to stay in the Dela Cuesta's mansion while they all prepared the papers for our marriage.I deactivated my social media dahil sa dami ng mga taong nangba bash sa akin. I didn't know kung paano nila napapayag si Art sa ganitong agreement pero nagulat pa rin ako ng sya mismo ang humarap sa mga tao to let them know he is getting married to me.Pinalabas nila sa lahat na matagal na kaming magkarelasyon at dahil nasa tamang edad naman na kami, we both want to settle down na. All is good sa side ni Art, a lot of people
Amari Vann"Amari, good afternoon" nakangiting bati sakin ni Nana Belen."Good afternoon ma'am" bati naman sa akin ni Ate Susan, sya yung mid 30s na katulong sa bahay."Magandang hapon ho" bati ko sa kanilang dalawa, parehas silang abala sa pag aayos ng salas.Isang linggo ang mabilis na lumipas, hindi naman na ako kinukulong sa kwarto pero hindi lang ako lumalabas kapag nandyan si Art. Halos kumaripas ako ng takbo kapag narinig ko ng nagbukas ang gate na hudyat na paparating na si Art."May gusto ka bang kainin ma'am?" tanong sa akin ni Ate Susan."Wag ng ma'am, Ate Susan, parang hindi mo naman alam na asawa lang ako sa papel" sabi ko at pekeng ngumiti, may sasabihin pa sana ako kaso parang hinahalukay ang sikmura ko at kusa akong napatakbo sa sink para sumuka."Mukhang pinapahirapan ka ng pagbubuntis mo, Ate Amira" mabilis na nag abot ng tissue sakin si Lena. Mas bata ito sa akin ng dalawang taon, pamangkin ito ni Ate Susan, dito sya naninirahan sa bahay ni Art at tumutulong tulong
Art TheodoreI closed the file I am reading ng marinig ko ang pagbukas ng gate ng bahay ko.I went out of the car and went inside my house.Naabutan kong nakatalikod sa akin sila Nana Belen at naka tingin sa staircase."Lena, i check mo nga ang Ate Amari mo at hindi maganda ang pagtakbo nya palagi paitaas""Sir, good evening po" bati sa akin ni Ate Susan."Good evening" tipid kong bati sa kanila.Hinubad ko ang suot kong coat at nag diretso sa kusina to get me a bottle of water. Naramdaman ko ang pagsunod ni Nana Belen at Ate Susan.Mabilis na inilabas ni Ate Susan ang mga nilutong ulam para sa hapunan ko.Tahimik kong pinanood kung paano nya inaayos yung tray ng pagkain sa lamesa."Sir, anong gusto nyo hong kainin? Mayroon hong nilagang baka o yung paborito nyong kare-kare""Mas sumarap ho ata yung luto nyo Ate Susan" I told her.Saglit itong tumingin kay Nana Belen bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin at awkward na ngumiti."Ah, baka sa seasoning sir, nagamit na kasi ako ng magic sarap"
Amari VannGood morning po" bati ko kay Manong Jorge na syang security sa cityhall."Kamusta po kayo ma'am? Hiyang na hiyang ho kayo sa pagbubuntis, lalo kayong gumaganda" pambobola nito sa akin."Manong Jorge talaga napaka bolero, sya nga po pala, dumaan ako sa drive thru, isinabay ko ho kayo ng agahan, kayo na hong bahala magbigay sa mga kasamahan nyo dahil nahihiya ako" itinaas ko ang hawak kong tatlong plastic ng breakfast meal na nabili ko sa isang fast food chain."Ay nag abala pa kayo Ma'am Amari pero hindi ko ho ito tatanggihan dahil ito ay grasya" inabot nito ang mga pagkain. "Sira ho ang elevator ma'am, ayos lang ba na maghagdanan kayo?""Oo naman po, eat well ho" sabi ko at pumasok na.Kahit tila naninibago ay na appreciate ko ang paggamit ng flat shoes at rubber shoes. A new set of shoes came in the next morning at lahat iyon at flats. I am wearing a white rubber and a cute white dress.Nandito ako sa cityhall today dahil sabi ni mama ay sumabay na daw ako kay Art papunta
Amari Vann"Lena, dito mo sya ita times, para makuha mo yung value ng variable" sabi ko kay Lena."Ang sakit sa ulo ng math, my head is bleeding Ate Amari!" hinawakan pa nito ang ulo bago tumawa.I smiled and slightly brushed her hair.Nahinto ang tawanan namin ng bumaba si Art.Sa unang pagkakataon ay nag rest day ito! Halos hindi na nga ito umuwi para hindi kami magkita dati kaya naninibago ako."Good morning sir" bati ni Ate Susan."Amari, kumain ka na, sumabay ka na dito kay Art dahil hindi maganda sa buntis ang hindi kumakain sa oras" mula sa kusina ay lumabas si Nana Belen.Ito ang nagluto ng pananghalian namin, hindi ako nakapagluto dahil hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. I just decided to help Lena on her assignments.Saglit na tumingin sa akin si Art bago nito binalik ang paningin sa palabas sa TV."Nagluto ako ng adobo, ipaghahain ko na kayo"Just the sound of adobo ay tila masusuka ako, kanina ko pa nararamdaman iyon dahil sa amoy ng suka.I smiled politely and slightly shoo
Amari VannI feel like I am on a roller coaster ride, no let me correct myself, I feel like my feelings are on a roller coaster ride.These past few weeks, I really thought we are getting closer, there are times na I feel comfortable kahit na nasa bahay sya.But maybe I was wrong, maybe I'm the only one comfortable and he is just pretending to be nice after all."Amari" I heard a knock on my door after my name kaya I stood up to open it."Ate Susan, bakit po?""Ito, pina akyat ni Nana Belen dahil hindi ka na naman daw bumaba para maghapunan""Wala po kasi akong gana at grabe ang pagsusuka ko, parang hindi na nga po morning sickness ito, parang all day sickness na po""Kaya pala, akala naming lahat ay nagtalo na naman kayo ni Sir Art, mainit din kasi ang ulo palagi""Hindi po ate, baka pagod lang ho" sabi ko bago inabot ang baso ng gatas. "Magpahinga na po kayo, kaya ko na po""Sigurado ka ha? Kapag may kailangan ka wag kang mahihiyang gisingin ang sino sa amin""Maraming salamat ate s
Amari VannYour dad is amazing baby.I kept saying that in my head na parang sure na sure akong naririnig at naiintindihan ako ng anak namin.He opened the door for me, inalalayan nya ang ulo ko to ensure na hindi ako mauuntog and as much as I try to hide it, ay tila nasa ulap ang puso ko ngayon.He defended me again in front of everyone, not just everyone but in front of his family.His mom and dad along with Hazel quickly came over to us nung papalabas kami, they didn't expect that Victor guy will do that. Sabi ni mommy ay sadyang mayabang daw iyong pinsan nya kaya sya na lang ang humming ng tawad on his behalf.Tahimik na tumabi sa akin si Art, pinaandar na ng driver namin ang sasakyan. Habang nasa biyahe ay ramdam ko pa rin ang seryosong aura ni Art. I decided to remain quiet pero panay-panay ang pagsilip ko sa kanya.Nakakunot ang noo nitong bumaling sa akin kaya nagulat ako at nagbaba ng tingin."Are you seriously going to drink that wine?" may bahid ng inis sa tono nito."Ha?"
Art Theodore"I care about your interests and your voice." I looked around to look at everybody. "That's why I am here today dahil narinig ko kayo mga kababayan, at ipinapangako kong hindi kayo mag iisa sa muling pagbangon natin mula sa nangyaring sakuna rito sa Vista Querencia."Saglit akong napatigil ng makita ko si Amari sa gilid kasama ang ilang mga staff ko. I already asked her to come with me up here in the stage para masigurado kong hindi sya magigitgit sa baba pero she said she don't want to be in the spotlight and she prefers to blend in as one of my staff.Matigas ang ulo ng babaeng iyan. Once she set her mind to it, she will do it at mahirap na syang kumbisihin. Masyado ko atang na spoil ito simula ng hindi na ako magsungit sa kanya. Well, I am afraid na baka marinig ako ng anak namin at lately ang bilis sumama ng loob at ang iyakin ni Amari, kaya talagang pinagbibigyan ko na lang sya.My heart did a weird skip when I saw her smiling widely and waving her hand to a baby na
Art Theodore"Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, the famous John Lennon said. I used to think otherwise dahil just like what everybody used to know about me, I like everything to be planned out, I do not like when things go the opposite way" I told everyone.It was just one regular day for me. I was just visiting one barangay to give some rice and groceries sa mga mamamayan.I was greeted by a lot of people except for one person who seemed to be lost in the crowd.I was simply trying to flirt with her but I guess it didn't work dahil nilayasan nya ako. That was the first time that somebody did that to me.I even asked myself kung bakit sobrang interested ako sa babaeng yun, but maybe it is because I am lonely, I just got out of a long term relationship with Mira.I don't know what made me attracted to her so bad. I thought we won't see each other again, but fate have its own way to play with people like me.I was so selfish to blame her and made it difficult for
Amari Vann"Mrs. Dela Cuesta, do you want to drop by anywhere before we head home?" one of Art's security asked me."Uh yeah, I want to go to this dessert cafe, may gusto si Tatiana na cheesecake" I told him and then I showed my phone.May kinausap sya gamit ang communication system nila, telling them that we will reroute dahil dadaan nga sa cafe.I was surprised by Art's announcement, hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ng lalaking iyon pero hindi ko ipagkakailang natuwa talaga ako. He finally told everyone who am I to him. Dati, iniisip ko lang kung darating ba yung araw na magiging proud sya sakin at hindi na ako itatago sa publiko.I used to think that meeting him was a mistake, na ikinagulo lang ng buhay namin parehas ang pagkakamaling iyon but it turned out na, it was our fate. It is our destiny to be together, ang bumuo ng isang pamilyang parehas namin poprotektahan.I was lost in my thoughts and a loud sound made me deaf for a couple of seconds. I just felt the car makin
Amari Vann"I am delayed"That's what I told myself while staring at the mirror in the bathroom.What am I thinking? Sunod-sunod na kasi ang naging pangyayari that I literally ignored all of the symptoms.Just thinking about the possibility na buntis ako ay may matinding kabang bumabalot sakin.Art and I just got back and I don't know if it would be alright to surprise him with the news, if ever that I am.Naghilamos ako at nag decide ng bumaba para mag breakfast. I want to eat strawberry taho pero I know magiging hassle lang at kwestyonable kapag naghanap ako."Good morning mama!" masiglang bati sakin ni Tatiana.Mabilis naman na nagsilingunan ang mga taong kasama nitong nag aagahan. I smiled at them.Mabilis na tumayo si Art para salubungin ako, he immediately kissed the side of my head."Good morning Adi" he greeted me as he intertwined our hands guiding me to the dining table."Good morning po" I greeted everybody."Good morning hija, we are very thankful, you allowed us to visit
Amari VannMabilis kong pinahid ang takas kong luha. Ang emotional ko naman grabe.Art kneeled in one knee to level himself to Tatiana's height."Happy birthday, my princess""B-but are you really my papa?" That's the first word that came out of Tatiana's mouth. "Why didn't you tell me right away the moment that we met?"Art chuckled probably amazed by how witty my daughter is."Because I have to see first if you've been a good girl""And you still came even though I'm not a good girl" Tatiana's face is about to cry pero mabilis itong yumakap kay Art.The people around us started clapping as if they are on a show right now pero their claps slowly faded away as I focused on the two of them. Art was looking intently at Tatiana's face, memorizing every inch of it. He then turned his gaze to me and looked at me with a look that warmed my heart, he looked at me as if he is really proud how I raised Tatiana."Have you met Daddy Equinox? I think you and him will get along very well" Tatiana
Amari VannParang tinakasan ako ng lahat ng tapang at lakas ng loob ko ng marinig ko ang sinabi nya."She-she's not-"Please don't do that, Amari- we both know that she is mine, I don't know how this possible pero nararamdaman ko, the moment I saw her, ramdam kong akin sya so please just don't lie"I looked at Art and I can see confusion and frustration in his eyes."Art""Just please, I am begging you" he clasped both of his hands as if praying to me. "Anak ko yun diba?"Huminga ako ng malalim."Yes, Art. Tatiana is your daughter"Mabilis nyang naihilamos mula sa mukha nya papunta sa buhok nya ang mga palad nya and then he breathed in and out slowly as if calming himself."Aren't you going to ask how did I conceived Tatiana?"Tumingin sya sakin bago isinenyas ang kamay na magpatuloy ako."We stole your sperm donation for Mira years ago. Hanna was the one who brought it to me in Russia"His jaw literally dropped when I told him that na parang lahat iyon ay naging kasagutan sa mga tano
Nanatili ang paningin ko sa batang nasa harapan ko.Itinabingi pa nito ang ulo nya na parang nag-iisip din kagaya ko."I- I'm sorry, sir, baka nakukulitan ka na rito sa alaga ko" biglang sumingit yung nanny."No, it's fine" umayos ako ng tayo to get a better look.Ang imposible, napaka imposible ng nasa utak ko. Hindi ko napapansinb napapailing na ako."What did you say your name again?""I already said it mister, my name is as expensive as I am""Tati, let's go na hmm? Pasok na tayo ha tapos diba isusukat natin yung damit mo para sa birthday mo" her nanny told her.Nabigla ako ng magpapadyak ang bata."I told you nanny, I don't want to celebrate my birthday, I just want to go back to Russia!" pagkasabi nito ay mabilis nitong tinakbuhan iyong katulong.Mabilis naman itong sinundan ng huli and I remained on my position.Trying to erase the odd and impossible thought in my head.Maybe Amari just used some part of my name dahil lagi naman syang vocal how much she loves my name.I breath
Amari Vann"It's alright, Hazel" I told Art's sister while hugging her. "Tell Mommy Maureen that I forgive them, things happened and the only thing I or we can do is move forward""Ate Amari, sorry sa nagawa ni Kuya Art""Don't apologize on behalf of him, if I know your kuya don't feel sorry about what happened""Hindi ko talaga alam ang nangyari ate kasi alam naman namin that he only followed that woman to protect us, we can't believe as well na mabubuntis nya pala"Just hearing the last word send pain throughout my whole system."I can only wish your kuya happiness now, and give his freedom for their baby""Ate" halos maluha na ito. I hugged her one more time."Pursue your passion, hmm? Sige na, ipapahatid na kita" I told her and then she nodded.Nung maiwan ako ni Hazel ay syang pagpasok naman ni Equinox, looking so handsome dahil bago ang haircut nito."Ang gwapo mo naman senator""As always" mayabang nitong sagot kaya parehas kaming natawa."That's right, spend your time going on
Art TheodoreI was awakened by a soft knock in our door. A part of myself don't want to wake up but I know that I have to at some point.I pulled her closer to hug her tighter, gumalaw ang ulo nya kaya akala ko ay magigising sya pero hindi, she looks so tired and yet having her here brings peace sa panandaliang panahon.A knock interrupted my thoughts again kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi mag t-shirt para pagbuksan kung sino man ito. I covered Amari with the comforter dahil malamig pa rin sa kwarto.I opened the door to see Nana Belen, Ate Susan, and Lena at the door, all smiling brightly at me."Uhm g-good morning?" I gave them a confused eyes."Ay-ay good morning Kuya Art" Lena greeted me first."Good morning Art hehe" Ate Susan gave me an awkward smile."Magandang umaga hijo" Nana Belen greeted me. I nodded kaya naman tila natauhan ulit sila. "Anong gusto mong agahan?"Mas kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa tanong ni Nana dahil madalas naman alam nya na kung anong ihahain para sa alm
Amari Vann"I like the weather in here, mama"Nilagay ko ang cellphone ko sa bulsa ng coat ko pagkatapos kong magsend ng text message kay Art."I thought you prefer the winter in Russia" I asked Tatiana."Yes but the weather here in the Philippines is perfect for beaches and I want to go to the beach on my birthday" Tatiana jumped out of excitement."We'll go to the beach, anak""Will my papa come this time mama?"Parang kusang may kumurot sa puso ko dahil sa tanong nya.I knelt down to level myself so I can see her better."A-akala ko ba galit ka kay papa, you always say that-kaya akala ko""I am mad at him because he missed four birthdays already, he didn't bring me to school on my first day, I have no father on family day and even if I have Tito Rozen, Tito Raegan, Tito Enzo, and, Daddy Equinox,I feel like it would be better if I have my dad""Tati" mabilis kong niyakap ang anak ko."Can you tell him mama to stop flying airplanes for other people and just fly our private plane? I'l