"Shit," I mumbled before I ran faster. "I will kill you when I catch you! I swear. Did you hear me?!" I shouted. I turned right before effortlessly going ahead of him on his way. I was still catching my breath when I looked sharply into his eyes."I said, I'll kill you, for real," I told him before getting the wallet he snatched. The police who were chasing him also arrived and quickly handcuffed him."Thank you, thank you!" she said when I gave her wallet to her. "Maraming maraming salamat, hija!""Be careful next time," I said before turning my back. I sighed before getting the alcohol in my pocket to wash my hands then I lazily crossed over to the other road with my hands placed inside my pocket. I was just quiet as I walked into Asher's condominium.I encountered two girls having a conversation when I entered the lift but I just ignored them. "Dito ata siya nakatira. I wanna see his face for real."I heard the girl say before giggling. When I reached the exact floor, I went out
"May parcel ka raw!" Aeris shouted from the living room. I immediately went down then hurried to the gate."Si Ma'am Alessia Mackenzie po?" he politely asked when I opened the gate."That's me!" I said like a kid, I even raised my left hand before getting a parcel."Paki-pirmahan nalang po ito, Ma'am," he handed me a paper. I was smiling widely while signing it. "Thank you, po."I closed the gate before heading back inside. "What's that?" Aeris asked me. I immediately went to the kitchen to wash my hands before opening it."What else? It's a bag!" I told her. I feel like my eyes turned into a heart shape when I saw the bag. I only ordered this yesterday and was really surprised that it was shipped immediately. This is so pretty!"Saan Ate mo?" I heard Asher's voice so my smile faded. I put the bag on the table before waiting for him to come to the kitchen."Hi," he greeted me. I just raised my brow on him. "Galit ka pa ba? Sorry na, hindi naman kita sinisisi kahapon. Sinasabi ko lan
"Come on! Don't make me work here again!" I said while following him inside his office. We're at his Restaurant again and I need to work because of that damn bag that arrived earlier. "That bag? I told you I ordered that last month pa! I swear!""Kahit na. Gumastos ka nanaman ng pera para sa bag. Kita mo? Ni wala ka ngang bitbit na bag ngayon. Anong gagawin mo sa mga 'yon? May balak kang magtinda online, ganon? Pa-mine na lang po," he sarcastically said."Come on! Please naman, if you let me work here as a cashier I might end up fighting one of your customers again!""Give me a valid reason," he said."I might cause trouble again!""I don't care," he crossed his arms before leaning on his desk. "Pumunta ka na ron, palitan mo na si Hannah.""Oh, please! Why are you doing this to me?" I asked him before massaging my head."Para malaman mo na kailangan mo munang paghirapan ang isang bagay bago mo makuha. Sa laki ng pera na ginagastos mo para lang sa isang bag na hindi mo naman gagamitin,
I remained in the living room after Asher went out. Someone called him at sigurado akong problema na naman 'yon sa Restaurant niya. Binalik ko ang atensyon na pinapanood namin nang marinig kong bahagyang tumawa si Rose pero wala na akong maintindihan. I have no choice but to just look at the TV, reading the subtitles. Pinilit kong intindihin kung anong nangyayari sa movie but I gave up noong wala talaga akong maintindihan. I just waited for the movie to end."Do you want to watch another movie?" she asked me. I shook my head before sighing. "Problem?" she asked me again. "Nothing. I'm just... tired," I told her honestly. I sighed again before talking. "I think you're right, my end is coming. I might die now... later, tomorrow. I don't know. Who knows, right? That I am about to disappear from this world." "Aren't you happy? This is what you have long wanted to happen." The deity asked her. "You're right," I agreed. "But I don't know why I don't feel happy at all. Now that I'm al
I don't know how I slept last night and how I managed to go to bed. All I can remember is that I'm just leaning my head on Asher's shoulder, nothing more. I didn't waste time na so I took a bath before going downstairs only to find out that Asher is there talking to Aeris."What are you doing here?" I asked him kahit na hindi pa ako nakakababa ng hagdan. They both turned their heads to me and suddenly shut their mouth which made me raise my brow. "Are you guys backstabbing me?"They both looked at each other before Asher stood up to greet me. "Good morning.""What?" masungit na tanong ko. Inirapan ko siya bago umupo sa pwesto niya kanina. "How's your work?" I asked Aeris."I'm still in the process of learning everything, not yet working," she told me. "And can you send someone else to teach me? Sobrang annoying kasi ni Kaito. He always finds time to annoy me. At sobrang kulit niya rin, he’s very talkative, too.”"He's not Kaito if he's not like that," I replied. "Ano nga? Anong pinag
Dumeretso ako sa sala para tingnan kung nandoon si Rose at hindi nga ako nagkamali. She was there, sitting pretty. I rolled my eyes before approaching her."Can we talk?" I asked seriously. She looked confused for a second before nodding. I turned my back to her before taking the way to the rooftop. "Waki's our brother, right? He's reincarnated with the same face, voice, and everything," I concluded. I saw lean against the railings as well."What's the matter?""Was the decision I made right? Tama bang kinuha ko si Ami?""Anong problema? Hindi ba gusto mong mabuo ulit ang pamilya niyo kahit na kayong magkapatid lang?" tanong niya. "He doesn't remember us," I stated. "And I don't want to force him to remember us."We became silent for a moment before I spoke again. "But I don't want Aeris to feel sad. Ayokong malungkot siya at mahirapan dahil hindi siya naalala ng kapatid namin. Sa aming dalawa, siya ang mas malapit sa kaniya.""What do you want to do then?""I don't know," I sighed
"I---""I know what you're thinking. don't try to tell me that," she cut me off."Rose...""Sia, ayan ka nanaman. You're being impulsive again. Basta-basta ka nanaman gumagawa ng desisyon. I told you to avoid doing that.""I know, okay? But at least this time it's for my family. Please? I am willing to pay---""Don't you dare say that in front of me. I am warning you," may diing sabi niya."Please," I pleaded. "I'm doing this for Aeris. This will be the last. Huli na 'to, I promise," I begged her."Alam ba ng kapatid mo 'to? Alam ba ni Asher?""They don't have to know.""Sia," she sighed. "This will be the last I'm letting you do the things you want."She hold my hand and in just a blink of an eye, naglalakad na kami papasok sa isang mansion. It's been how many years simula noong huling punta ko dito at ngayon, babalik nanaman ako."Alessia," she greeted us when we entered her office. She's Athena, one of the most powerful deity. "Sabi na nga ba dahil nakaramdam ako ng hindi maganda."
After giving me first aid, Asher called Kooper to make sure that I'm okay. Kaya naman neto ako ngayon ay nakikinig lang sa pagtatalo nilang magkaibigan."Sinong sumaksak sayo? Gago ka, Asher. Bakit hindi mo inaalagaan 'to?" bulong ni Kooper pero rinig na rinig ko iyon. "Tumahimik ka," suway ni Asher sa kaniya pero nagpatuloy lang ito sa pagsasalita."Namukhaan mo ba kung sinong sumaksak sa 'yo? May kilala akong lawyer, pwede ka niyang tulungan. May talent din 'yon sa pagdrdrawing idedes---"Malakas siyang binatukan ni Asher kaya natigil siya sa pagsasalita. "Sabi ko huwag mo siyang kakausapin.""Oo na! Ang sakit no'n ha!""Tapos ka na ba? Kanina ka pa nakahawak diyan. Bumitaw ka na o tatanggalan kita ng kamay?""Ang brutal mo! Ginagamot ko lang naman yung sugat, eh!" Nag-make face pa siya pero hindi nalang din pinansin ni Asher."Lumabas ka na. Hintayin mo ako ron," aniya. Niligpit na ni Kooper ang mga gamit niya bago tumingin sa akin at nagpaalam. I just mouthed thank you kahit na p
After trying a lot of extreme rides, Asher was obviously trying his best to prevent himself from vomiting. “Don’t ride the next one if you’re on the verge of vomiting. You can say no to them,” I told him. “Hindi naman ako nasusuka,” he denied.I rolled my eyes before looking at Aeris and Ami who seemed to be enjoying themselves.“Enough with the extreme rides later. You’ve had enough for this day,” I told Ami. Ami has a very weak body before. Hindi siya pwedeng mapagod ng sobra or else he’ll collapsed. “One last more, Ate,” he said sweetly. “One last more,” ulit ko bago ko sila hinayaang sumakay ulit.After trying the extreme rides. I let them go around to find things that they might want to buy. Ami isn’t really into expensive toys and he prefers food over anything else. “Is my baby happy today?” malambing na tanong ko habang pinapanood ko siyang kumain ng corn dog na binili niya kanina bago kami umuwi. “Yes, Ate!” he jumped out of joy before giving me a hug. “Thank you, Ate!
“What happened? Did you make him cry?” bintang kaagad sa akin ni Aeris nang makababa kami galing sa kwarto ko. “What a cry baby,” she teased Asher.Suplado siyang dineadma ni Asher bago pabagsak na umupo sa sofa. Napahilamos siya sa mukha niya bago ilang beses na hinila ang sariling buhok.“Ang sakit ng ulo ko,” he complained.“Who asked you to drink?” tanong ko kaagad sa kaniya bago nagtungo sa kusina para kuhanan siya ng tubig. “Next time you come to me drunk, I won’t talk to you anymore,” I warned him.“Hindi pa naman ako lasing, ah?” pakikipagtalo niya. “When did drunk people admit that they were drunk?” I raised a brow on him. “Curfew na! Umuwi ka na, Asher Ace Samonte!” pangtataboy ng kapatid ko sa kanya.Instead of letting him go home, I prepared the guest room so he could sleep there for tonight. “Talaga namang actions speaks louder than words ‘no?” Aeris said as she watched me taking care of Asher. Tulog na siya pagkahiga niya sa kama kaya naman hirap na hirap akong tangg
“I don’t have any particular type, Asher,” I sighed loudly before looking away. “Weh?” may pagdududa sa boses na tanong niya. “Ako, type kita,” he said seriously. I rolled my eyes. “Whatever you say.”When we got home, I saw an unfamiliar car parked from the outside. “Who owns this?” I asked in a whisper while still looking at the car.“Ah,” Asher chuckled. “Baka sa bisita ni Aeris.”“Visitor?” My brows furrowed. “You mean the dog borrower?”Ano?” Humalakhak siya ng malakas bago humarap sa akin. “Dog borrower? It’s Azai, Sia. His name is Azai.”“Well, I didn’t know. Aeries hasn’t introduced him yet,” I answered before getting out of his car. I quickly went inside the house. Just like what I expected, I saw Aeris and Ami in the living room, with an unfamiliar guy. “Ate!” Ami quickly came to me to give me a hug. He giggled before going to Asher to greet him as well. “May bisita po si Ate Aeris!” he declared. “Akala ko ba mamayang gabi pa kayo?!” she asked me. Ngumisi ako bago luma
"And where are you going?" I raised an eyebrow at Aeris when I caught her hurrying to put her things away in the living room."I'm meeting someone," aligaga pa ring sagot niya before getting her lipstick and facing the mirror."And who's that, someone?" I asked her again. "Is his name starts with---""Shut up, okay?" She interrupted me. "Yes, I'm going out with him. I'll make kwento later," she joked as she tried to copy my tone."How about Ami?""He's goin---""Ready na ako!"Sabay kaming napalingon sa hagdan nang marinig namin ang boses ni Ami. I was even surprised when I saw what he was wearing."Oh my God, you look so handsome, love!" malakas na sabi ko bago naglakad palapit sa kaniya para ayusin ang sintas ng sapatos niya. "And you smell so good!""Syempre, Ate! Sabi mo 'yon ang gamitin kong pabango, eh! Tapos tinuruan din po ako nila Kuya Asher ng hairstyle!" masiglang sabi niya habang pinapakita pa ang ayos ng buhok niya."Ang pogi pogi naman ng bebe ko! Halika at maghahanap ak
"Sia..." he said. "I like you."I didn't know how I reacted. Nakalimutan ko atang huminga sa mga oras na 'yon nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya."Huh?" I asked, still confused. I understand what he said pero hindi ko pa rin masyadong nakuha. "You what?""I like you," he seriously said. "And I'm asking your thoughts about that.""Uh," I said. "Like what?"He laugh a little. "Bakit? Okay lang ba?""Ha?"Doon na siya tuluyang natawa. "Wow, I just confessed my feelings for you. Tapos ganiyan?""Why do you like me?" I asked him."Hindi ko alam," sagot niya. "It just happens. Isang araw, alam ko nalang na may gusto na ako sayo.""Are you really serious?" paniniguro ko. "Well, thank you... if you like me. But I suggest you to please... stop," nakangiting sabi ko."What do you mean?" medyo gulat na tanong niya."That's not a good idea," I directly said. "It's not... it's no good.""Paano mo nasabi? Are you saying you're declining my confession?""Hindi. I am giving you advice on what you should
The fear of death is a result of the fear of living. Death is not the polar opposite of life, but rather an integral part of it.Hinihingal akong tumigil sa paglalakad saka pilit hinahabol ang hininga ko habang nakatungkod ang dalawang kamay sa siko, bahagyang nakayuko."I found you," mahinang sabi ko.There he is, sitting alone on the floor, looking up in the sky. Gustuhin ko man siyang lapitan kaagad but I had this urge to stay in my place where I can see his back. Where I can see him without him noticing it.For the second time, I heard him sighed. I smiled before looking at what he was holding. A candle and a lighter. Beside him is a bouquet of flowers, with a grave in front of him."Lapit ka."Napalingon kaagad ako sa likuran ko nang bigla siyang magsalita, ganoon na rin sa tabi ko dahil sa gulat. Does he knew I'm behind?"I don't like people staring at my back," he added pero hindi niya pa rin ako nililingon. I heard him sighed again that's why I decided to walk towards him. Sin
After what happened last night I didn't bother to open up a topic similar to that because I'm afraid that I might say something very honest again for the second time.Flashback..."She pondered that decision for a long time," I told him. "You'll need to make a bigger decision to let go than to hold on."A moment of silence wrapped around us. Walang ibang nagsalita pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon at nanatili lamang ang tingin sa ginang na kasalukuyan pa ring umiiyak, hindi matanggap ang pagkawala ng anak niya."Let's go home," I told him. I didn't wait for his answer because I had already walked away. I even texted Aeris to ask if the food already arrived pero mukhang tulog dahil hindi siya nagrereply. "Let me just check if the food is already inside or we'll just order something na lang," I told him but as soon as I got out of his car, he spoke."What about you?" he asked. I look at him with confusion on my face. "Would you rather... choose to make a bigger decision to let go or to hol
"Good morning..."I woke up because of the voice I heard. I haven't opened my eyes completely yet but I know that was Asher because of his scent."Breakfast?" he asked me while smiling. I saw him surveying me before looking at me again. "How are you feeling?""Feeling better," I replied before getting up. He stood up and approached me before fixing the few hairs that went to my face."Cute mo," he said before pinching my cheek which made me groan in annoyance."Masakit!" reklamo ko nang bitiwan niya. Tumawa lang siya bago ako hinila pababa. I saw Aeris who was already preparing the food."You cook?" I asked her."Ha? Hindi! Siya nagluto," dali-daling sabi niya na parang hindi makapaniwala na tinanong ko sa kaniya 'yon."Sabi ko nga," sabi ko na lang ng maalalang wala nga palang alam si Aeris sa pagluluto, just like me. "Okay ka na ba? Wala na bang masakit sa 'yo?" she asked me."I'm totally fine," nakangiting sagot ko. I waited for Asher to finish putting food on my plate before I s
After giving me first aid, Asher called Kooper to make sure that I'm okay. Kaya naman neto ako ngayon ay nakikinig lang sa pagtatalo nilang magkaibigan."Sinong sumaksak sayo? Gago ka, Asher. Bakit hindi mo inaalagaan 'to?" bulong ni Kooper pero rinig na rinig ko iyon. "Tumahimik ka," suway ni Asher sa kaniya pero nagpatuloy lang ito sa pagsasalita."Namukhaan mo ba kung sinong sumaksak sa 'yo? May kilala akong lawyer, pwede ka niyang tulungan. May talent din 'yon sa pagdrdrawing idedes---"Malakas siyang binatukan ni Asher kaya natigil siya sa pagsasalita. "Sabi ko huwag mo siyang kakausapin.""Oo na! Ang sakit no'n ha!""Tapos ka na ba? Kanina ka pa nakahawak diyan. Bumitaw ka na o tatanggalan kita ng kamay?""Ang brutal mo! Ginagamot ko lang naman yung sugat, eh!" Nag-make face pa siya pero hindi nalang din pinansin ni Asher."Lumabas ka na. Hintayin mo ako ron," aniya. Niligpit na ni Kooper ang mga gamit niya bago tumingin sa akin at nagpaalam. I just mouthed thank you kahit na p