CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: NEED SOME SAVING PART 2
Nigel’s Point of View
Everything happened so fast! It was like things happened in the blink of an eye!One moment the two criminals brought us our breakfast and we were being fed by Amihan. The next moment Karmine came looking some sort of a gangster or a Mafia Don!Yes, si Karmine na crush ko ang dumating. Crush ko talaga siya dahil sobrang cool niya sa paningin ko. Si Karmine na kaya ko nagustuhan dahil sa weird niyang pamamaraan kung paano niya naiiwasan ang mga loko-loko at bastos sa club ng hindi nagkakagulo at dumadanak ang dugo rito. Si Karmine na mas nadagdagan ang paghanga ko ng mapakalma niya si Mr. Lustre sa club noong minsang nagwala ito habang ang baliw kong kaibigan na siya mismo ang may-ari ng club ay walang ginawang aksiyon sa nangyari at wala ganoong pakialam sa mga nangyayari.Holy shit!She’s the same Karmine na nandito ngayon to our resCHAPTER FORTY: KARMINE, THE HEROAmihan’s Point of ViewThank God at dininig Mo po ang mga dasal ko. Natagalan man ang pagdating ng tulong Mo sa amin ay masaya ako’t ligtas at malayo na kami sa panganib na dulot nila.The past months are so hard, scary and even crazy. Nakakawala ng katinuan ang mga pangyayari. Walang kasiguraduhan kung ano ang mangyayari sa amin sa kamay ng mga masasama at nakakatakot na kriminal na iyon lalo na sa lady boss nilang si Astrid.I’ve already met that Astrid for thrice already: noong ipinasok niya sina Lolo Ben, Nigel and baby Eunice. That Astrid is so obssess daw sa friend nilang si Kiel. I already met Mr. Robert Mondragon, iyong first meeting namin ay noong ipinatawag nila kami ni Karmine sa meeting sa isang exclusive and expensive restaurant.Iyong sunod na meeting namin ay noong sinagot ko si Lucian after niya ako’ng ligawan ng dalawang buwan. Lucian did
CHAPTER FORTY: KARMINE, THE HERO PART 2Amihan’s Point of ViewKarmine Ruiz Lopez is my modern day superhero. My saviour. My tagapagligtas.Naramdaman kong may sumiko sa akin. Hindi naman malakas dahil marahan lang iyon. Para bang gusto lang akong magising sa daydream ko. Bahagya pa ako’ng napapitlag sa gulat. Kumunot ang noo ni Lucian sa inasal ko.“Ayos ka lang?” kunot-noong tanong niya sa akin.“Ha? Ah, oo! Oo! Ayos lang ako. Haha.” Natataranta pa talaga ako.Toinks! Ba’t ako tumawa? Mas binigyan niya ako ng weird na tingin dahil sa biglaang pagtawa ko.Napansin kong natanggal na ang mga kadenang nakapulupot sa mga katawan nila, ang kadenang mahigpit na nakapulupot sa buong katawan nila sa loob ng mga dalawa o tatlong buwan na yata.Tumagal pa kami ng mga sampong minuto pa para naman ay masanay na silang nakatayo na at para ay mahamig
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: DON’T TELL HIMKarmine’s Point of View Tsk. I don’t know what have gotten into me that I helped them. Is it because Max guilt tripped me? Is it because Ms. Katigbak was my then classmate and was my professor? Is it because of the old Mondragon? Or is it because of an innocent child that that insolent woman took? Napapagod na napabuntong-hininga ako. I don’t know. I honestly really don’t know kung bakit ko sila tinulungan. Five hours later ay dumating na kami sa ancestral home ng mga Mondragon. Tsk. Blame the traffic for the long hour of drive. “Dito na kayo mag-lunch, please. Pasasalamat na lang namin sa inyong tatlo.” The old Mondragon invited us for a lunch but I declined. “Hindi na. May pupuntahan pa kami.” I shook my head no at him. “Sure! We’d love to.” I glared at Max. Sinabi ko na ngang hindi ay talagang um-oo pa. She giggled at me, teasing me some m
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: FINALLY HOMEKarmine’s Point of View “Don’t you get it, Karmine? Kapag pinaalam natin ito sa kapatid ko ay ic-cancel niya ang stupid engagement niya sa Astrid na iyon! He’ll come back to you! You’ll revive your almost dead relationship with him! You’ll have my brother back and you will both be happy with each other!” pasigaw niyang habol sa akin habang tuloy-tuloy lang ang pag-alis ko palabas ng rose garden nila. Isang mahina at sarkastikong tawa ang pinakawalan ko habang hinaharap ko sila ulit. Tsk. Reina’s ignorance amuses me. Igaya ba naman ako sa pagiging selfish at user-friendly ni Astrid? Tinulungan ko ang pamilya niya dahil kailangan nila ng tulong. Tinulungan ko sila dahil kailangan ni Eunice ang tulong ko. Hindi dahil... “My God, Reina. Tinulungan ko kayo dahil gusto kong tumulong hindi dahil may hihingin ako’ng kapalit sa tulong na iyon!” Natapik ko ang noo ko. Bumuka ang bibig niy
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: FINALLY HOME PART 2Karmine’s Point of ViewThe fifteen year old Karmine is just like Atlas who carried the world with his shoulders. Feeling pain and sorry for herself for being abandoned by her own mother, the one who’s supposed to protect her and love her no matter what. Feeling fear for having such huge responsibilies at a young age, and feeling fear and confusion to the men whom claimed her mother had a huge debt at them. Now that her mother’s gone, she’s gonna pay for it one way or another.I shut my eyes tight when I felt the emotions the fifteen year-old me felt during that time. Those suffocating and painful emotions as the past horrid memories assaulted my whole being. Naitukod ko ang mga palad ko sa dressing table.My whole body is trembling. My mind is in turmoil. My heart is in so much chaos. It felt like it’s gonna explode with so much pent-up emotions.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: THE PARTYKarmine’s Point of ViewThe party of the golden wedding anniversary of the Great Saul Lopez and his wife, Marina Roque-Lopez is being held in the huge ballroom of one of the oldest mansion of the Lopezes which Saul Lopez inherited from his late parents.Everything in this night screams of elegance, extravagance, grandeur, wealth and opulence.From the huge golden chandelier with intricate carvings like those of a vines that hangs above the ceilings, the grand spiral staircase at the both ends, the expensive black, white and gold silk cloth that covered the tables and chairs, the quartet was playing soft music at the farend of the makeshift stage, the emcee was one of the most sought host in the country, and many more are only a prelude to how rich the Lopezes are.There are medias from different network and channels just to cover the whole event from different entertainment
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: PARTY GONE WRONGKarmine’s Point of ViewAfter giving such wisdom to Paula we decided to walked back to the ballroom, where the stupid and amazingly lavish and grand party is being held, hand in hand.Dug.Dug.Dug.My heart skipped a beat for an unknown reason.When I step my foot on the entrance of this huge mansion my heart skipped a beat and started beating so fast and loud it’s hurting my ribcage. It started beating so fast to the point na nahihirapan na ako’ng huminga ng maayos.I should’ve believe what my instinct are telling me earlier. I should’ve believe what my gut-feeling is warning me in the first place because if I did, then this wouldn’t have happened.This night is dangerous.I could feel and smell danger in the air.Difficult as it is, I tried to calm myself even if I wa
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: PARTY GONE WRONG PART 2Robert Ezekiel Mondragon’s Point of View “Oh,” Tinanggap ko ng hindi tumitingin ang canned beer na ibinigay ni Leroy sa akin. Mabilis na tinungga ko iyon habang ang mga tingin ay nakapagkit sa magandang tanawin na nakikita ng aking mga mata. This is the overlooking cliff, the place where I brought my beloved on our last date. That was the last time I’ve seen her, the last time I’ve got to see her beautiful face, the last time I get to feel her warmth, the last time I hugged and kissed her. The last time I’ve smelled her vanilla fragrance. I know I can never move on from her. Yes, she wasn’t the first woman I have learn to love in my life but I know she’s my great love. My one and only true love. I had a relationship with Astrid for years! But how come I didn’t notice she had a psychotic tendencies? That she had a criminal mind? I know Astrid is a brat, a
EPILOGUERobert Ezekiel Mondragon's Point of ViewA thought suddenly crossed my mind and I shuddered with that terrifying thought. "No, please, no!" I muttered, unconsciously, scared for the unknown.Samu’t saring emosyon ang nakikita ko sa mga mata niya. Naroon ang pagkagulat, pagkalito, pagtataka at ang pinakapinagtatakhan ko sa lahat ay ang awa at lungkot na bumalatay sa mga mata niya.“Manang, hey!” I snapped my fingers in front of her.“U-Uh, hijo. A-Ano nga ulit iyong tanong mo?”Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero naginangatngat na ng kaba at takot ang buong pagkatao ko. Pakiramdam ko ay may mali...May mali talaga pero hindi ko mawari kung ano iyon at kung bakit ganito na lang ako makaramdam ng takot.“Manang, naman!” naibulalas ko. Unti-unti na ako'ng nakakaramdam ng pagkainis. “Tinatakot mo ako, Manang! Ano na nga? Nasaan na ang mag-ina ko?” naiirita kong tanong sa hanggang ngayon ay clueless pa rin niyang mukha.“Hijo, Kiel, Diyos ko! M-Mag-ina?”“Yes, Manang Edna! Mag-ina! Ang ma
CHAPTER SEVENTY: A WONDERFUL DREAM Robert Ezekiel Point of View“Hooo.”Kanina pa ako palakad-lakad at paroon at parito dito sa labas ng Delivery Room ng ospital na parang sirang plaka.Hindi ko namalayang nangingiti na pala ako na parang baliw dito. Kinakabahan ako na natatakot na na-e-excite at natutuwa all at the same time!Sino ba naman ang hindi makakaramdam ng mixed emotions kung ang pinakamamahal mong asawa ay nasa loob ng Delivery Room at kasalukuyang nanganganak sa panganay mo na bunga ng pagmamahalan niyo?Hindi niya ako pinayagang samahan siya sa loob ng DR habang nanganganak siya sa panganay namin dahil baka raw ay mahimatay ako sa takot at baka raw ay bangungotin ako ng ilang gabi.Bahagya ako'ng napatawa sa kilig sa naisip. My wife is so sweet, isn’t she?Now, now, I really can’t blame my wife for thinking that way. Minsan ko na kasing naisip na manuod ng videos online about sa mga babaeng nanganganak and the third video I happened to click was the mother delivering birt
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE: AMIDST LIFE AND DEATH PART 2Karmine's Point of ViewI don’t know how long we were chained in the walls and detained here, but all I know is that each passing day, they are starting to despise me even more. “Masaya ka na ba?” Napapitlag ako sa biglang pagkausap sa akin ni Max.Napabuntong-hininga ako. Hindi talaga lumilipas ang isang buong araw na hindi ipinapamukha ni Max sa akin ang naging kasalanan ko. At kapag ginagawa niya iyon ay mas lalong nag-guilty ako. But as if my guilt and conscience can do anything to save us.“Hindi ako masaya, Max. Hindi rin ako natutuwa sa mga nangyayari sa atin kung iyan ang ipinupunto mo.”Hilaw na tumawa siya at tinapunan ako ng matalim na tingin, “Sino bang bobo ang nagdala sa atin sa ganitong sitwasyon? Hindi ba’t ikaw? Kaya ano’ng magagawa ng konsensiya mo? Maaalis ba kami noon dito? Maililigtas ba kami niyang konsensiya mo?”Tumunghay si Jelina at napapailing na tiningnan ako. She gave me a sad smile, “May anak ako, Karmine.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE: AMIDST LIFE AND DEATHKarmine’s Point of View“Argh!”I woke up with a splitting headache and my ears are ringing. Parang gusto kong biyakin ang ulo ko para mawala ang sakit at kirot.Sinubukan kong imulat ang mga mata ko pero halos hindi ko magawa. Ramdam ko ang pangangapal ng mata ko maging ng buong mukha ko na para bang kinagat ng ‘sangkatutak na lumilipad na nakakadiring ipis. Ni hindi ko nga magawang maibuka ng maayos ang mga mata ko dahil kapag sinusubukan kong gawin ay ramdam na ramdam ko ang sumisigid na kirot dito dahilan para mapilitan ako'ng ipikit ang mga mata ko.That mother-fucking-son of a bitch! I swear I will make him pay for all of this one day! One way or another!Hindi lang pala ang ulo ko ang sobrang masakit kundi maging ang buong katawan ko. Damn. What the hell did just happened?“Your plan backfired on you, huh.” My head snapped back—it added to the intensity of the pain I am feeling—when I heard that familiar cold voice of a woman I’ve known
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: THE ACT OF BETRAYAL PART 3Karmine's Point of ViewI was walking down the familiar hallways of this mansion that once housed me when I was under Howard’s care.Nothing much had change. It still is beautiful. The whole mansion screamed of wealth, money, power and opulence, although no matter how pleasing it is to the eyes some of its parts are burnt down, courtesy of me.Nakasalubong ko si Grayson na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay assistant ni Howard. He was holding some papers, yumuko siya ng magkasalubong kami at bahagyang ngumiti.“Hello, Gray,” nakangiting bati ko dahilan para ngumiwi siya.“Hello, Karmine. Uh, gotta go, ang dami ko pang kailangang gawin.” Awkward na ngumiti siya sa akin at itinaas ang mga papeles na hawak.He looks scared of me. Well, he really should. It's a good thing that Howard prepped his people when it comes to me.“How’s your job, Grayson?”Napalunok siya at bahagyang pinagpapawisan, “I am doing my job well. Anyway, I really need to go.
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: THE ACT OF BETRAYAL PART 2Karmine's Point of View"I'm sorry."Silly me.So damn stupid of me to think that they will understand me and forgive me for betraying them.My sorry is not and will never be enough for the damage I’ve done to them and the betrayal I’ve just committed. I bit my lips hard I felt the rusty smell and that rustic aftertaste of blood in my mouth as I let my tears fall, “I’m really sorry, guys. Oh, God! Patawarin niyo ako...”“B-Bakit? Bakit, Karmine? Hindi ba ako naging mabuting ama sa iyo? Hindi pa ako naging mabuting kaibigan? May pagkukulang ba ako? May nagawa ba ako'ng kasalanan sa iyo na hindi ko alam? Ano’ng mali ang ginawa ko sa iyo para traydurin mo ako—kaming lahat ng ganito kalala at kalupit? Nakalimutan mo na ba kung ano’ng klaseng hirap ang naranasan mo ng dahil sa kaniya? Kung—”“Correction, Westley. My darling doll suffered not just in my hands but yours as well. ‘Wag kang masiyadong maghugas ng kamay dahil isa ka rin sa dahilan
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: THE ACT OF BETRAYALKarmine’s Point of View“So, ano, Karmine? Napapayag mo siya, hindi ba?” excited at ngiting-ngiti na tanong ni Jelina sa akin pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa mala-haunted mansion ni Wolf.Hindi ako sumagot sa kaniya.“Hindi ba at napapayag mo siya sa plano natin? Right?”Nandoon silang lahat minus Brandon Adams who has been MIA since he let his undying love for Astrid go, in order for her to be with Robert. Too bad for her her plan failed. It all backfired on her. Sila ay mga nakatipon sa malawak at dim-lighted na living area habang nakaupo sa mga mamahaling upuan at mariing nakatitig sa akin.Hindi man sila magsalita ay alam kong ang gusto nilang marinig mula sa akin, sa sarili kong mga bibig ang balitang papabor sa amin. I know that they are expecting me to bring them a good news like I always does, but today is diferrent from the days before. And the news that I have now is exactly the very opposite of it.I sat on the single sofa and roamed my
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: ANOTHER DAY WITH THE MONDRAGONS PART 2Karmine's Point of ViewKulang na lang ng crickets sa sobrang tahimik nila at buo na ang sound effects. Napa-tsk ako pero ilang minuto pa muna ang nagdaan na sobrang tahimik ng lahat.The thick, tense and awkward atmosphere dissipitated when Juno asks us a personal question na ikinatawa ko ng malakas."Uh, so what are you guys doing in his room for hours?"He looks like a kid very curious of the questions swarming on his mind. Nilingon ko ang katabi kong pinamulahan agad ng mukha at nag-iwas ng tingin. Binatukan naman ni Bruno ang sariling Kuya dahil sa tanong nito.Humagikgik si Reina at tiningnan kami ng kapatid niya ng makahulugan habang itinataas-baba niya ang magkabilang kilay niya, "So, what did you guys do? I mean mula ten AM hanggang eight PM? Hindi naman puwedeng nag-jack-en-poy lang kayong dalawa sa kwarto ni Kiel, hindi ba?""S-Shut up, Reina!" paasik na saway ni Robert sa kapatid niya habang bahagyang nag-stutter p
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: ANOTHER DAY WITH THE MONDRAGONSKarmine's Point of ViewNapailing ako sa kaniya dahil mas nauna pa akong matapos mag-ayos kaysa sa kaniya, "Seriously, Robert? Sino ba talaga sa atin ang mas babae?"Kunot-noong nilingon niya ako. Muntik na ako’ng mapabunghalit ng tawa pero pinigilan ko dahil sa nakikita kong reaksiyon niya. Mukhang napipikon na siya.Ang bilis niya pa lang mapikon sa mga simpleng asaran lang."And what do you mean by that?"I shrugged my shoulders at him kunwari before answering his question nonchalantly, "Well, kanina after we made love mas nauna ka pang makatulog kaysa sa akin. Mukhang mas napagod ka pa kaysa sa akin and now mas nauna pa ako'ng natapos maligo at mag-ayos ng sarili kaysa sa iyo."Nanlaki iyong mga mata niya sa sinabi ko at namula ang magkabilang pisngi niya."Pfft—!"Iyon lang at napabunghalit na ako ng malakas na tawa sa harap niya. Natatawang sinalo ko ang tuwalyang ibinato niya sa mukha ko dala ng pagkapikon niya."Enough!"Hin