Third Person's POV"Mierda (Shit)," mahinang mura niya ng makitang tumilapon ang dalawang lalaki. Kating-kati na ang mga paa niyang lapitan ang mga ito para makita kung ayos lang ba sila. Nakakunot lamang ang noo nito habang nakatingin sa lalaking mukhang tangang nagtatago sa likod ng babae."Sinabi ko naman sa 'yong hindi ka magtatagumpay sa binabalak mo. Hindi na siya ang dati mong kilala."Napairap ito bago tumingin sa katabi niyang bigla na lamang sumulpot mula kung saan. Alam niyang bawat galaw nito ay binabantayan niya ngunit ang ipinagtataka niya lamang ay kung bakit hindi siya nito pinapakialaman sa tuwing ginagawa na niya ang balak niya."Vete a la mierda." (Fuck off) Bakas ang inis sa boses ng babae at tuluyan ng naglakad palapit doon sa dalawang lalaki nang nakaalis na iyong dalawa. "Molesto ya." (Nakakainis na)-----"Saan ka galing?" Asher asked me when I got back to his condo."I helped someone outside. Do you have alcohol?" I asked him. I forgot my alcohol at home. He
"Drink plenty of water so you won't feel dry," he told me when we got inside the house. He went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. After I drank that, I went straight to my room to take a shower. I left the door open so he would know that it was okay for him to enter.When I came out of the bathroom, I found him looking at the framed pictures I have inside my room. I didn't speak and just let him do it."Ikaw 'to?" he asked while pointing at a small frame. It was my picture when I was still a kid."Yes. My Dad took that photo," I answered him while drying my hair."Ikaw ulit 'to?" he asked again while laughing. He took the frame and showed it to me. "Ang dungis mo tingnan dahil sa chocolate sa mukha mo pero ang cute pa rin!" he said, obviously teasing me. "Ito pa, para kang nawawalang bata! Ang liit liit mo, pwedeng-pwede kang ibulsa!"I just rolled my eyes because of what he was saying. I had a lot of pictures when I was a kid because my dad loved taking photos. I l
disclaimer: long chapterAfter the incident, they decided to close the Restaurant for today. I am sitting now beside Asher and facing the two cops. I just crossed my arms while waiting for them. One was busy writing while the other was busy looking at every corner of the restaurant.I sighed and couldn't stop myself from talking. "Aren't we starting yet?" I asked impatiently. We've been sitting here for almost half an hour but still, nothing was happening. We're just wasting time."Wala kaming makuhang impormasyon tungkol doon sa dalawang lalaki." The man who was writing earlier said. I raised an eyebrow at what I heard. "Bukod sa marami ng nagrereport sa kanila dahil sa trabaho nilang magnakaw at kung anu-ano pang records ay wala kaming makuhang papeles na nagpapatunay na taga-rito sila at kung ano ang mga pangalan nila.""So?" I asked him again. What does he mean?"Ang tanging nakita lang namin sa kanila ay ito..." he took something from his plastic pocket and laid it in front of us
I woke up feeling someone holding my hand tightly. My eyes immediately widened when I saw Asher sitting on the side of my bed, his cheek resting on his left arm sleeping peacefully while holding my hand tightly."What are you---" I groaned in pain when I felt pain in my chest as I tried to get up. Because of the sudden noise I made, Asher woke up and I saw how he panicked when he saw me."Bakit? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Anong nararamdaman mo? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" He didn't know what to do first but he ended up sitting again and holding my hand as he looked into my eyes worriedly."What are you doing here?" I asked him again, trying to hide the pain I am feeling right now. "Sorry. Hindi kasi ako mapakali noong nakauwi ako kaya bumalik ako dito. Sinabihan ako ni Rose na magkunwaring hindi ko alam, na wala akong nalaman at siya na ang bahala sa 'yo pero hindi ko kaya," he explained. "Bakit hindi mo sinabi kaagad sa akin? Kung hindi pa ako bumalik, hindi ko pa malal
Dere-deresto lang ang lakad ko papunta sa Restaurant ni Asher. Sarado na halos lahat ng nakapaligid dito dahil anong oras na rin. Ang tanging nagbibigay na lang ng liwanag ay ang mga streetlight."Sia!" Rose shouted for the nth time but I didn't look back. "I swear, you will not like what you---"I could no longer understand what she was saying when I saw what was happening in front of me. "Asher..." I whispered. He tries to dodge all the blows given to him. "Asher!" I shouted and quickly approached him.I kicked the man in the stomach before going to him. "What happened to you? Are you okay? Why did you turn off your phone?!"He suddenly grabbed me by my shoulder and pulled me away from our place with all his might. I turned to the man and saw that he was holding a stick. I stood up and closed my eyes firmly. After a few seconds, I opened my eyes and looked at him. I shifted my gaze to the pole so he bumps there."Are you okay?!" I asked him again. He weakly nodded at me. "Don't clos
"Good morning!" Asher greeted me when I got down to the living room. I saw him preparing food on the table. "Kain na tayo," he stood behind me and pushed me to sit down. "Did you sleep well?" "What are you doing here?" I asked him. "Wala lang. Gusto lang kitang lutuan ng almusal. May gagawin ka ba mamaya? Samahan mo 'ko sa Restaurant.""Why would I go there with you?""That's my wish for today," he grinned before starting to eat. He's using his wish card again! "Come on, let's go! Wala ka namang gagawin, eh!" He said as he forced me into his car."Stop pushing me! I could ride your car without you pushing me!" I told him then rushed to get in his car before I slammed the door shut. I fastened my seatbelt right away before I let out a heavy sigh. "Don't you dare go somewhere alone. My sister might come to you again." I reminded him. He just nodded before driving.“Kaya nga sinasama kita, eh,” umiiling na sabi niya."Ma'am Sia, good morning po!" Vince cheerfully greeted me as I entere
"Is everything fine?" Rose asked me while sipping her coffee."Why didn't you tell me?" I asked her back. "Tell you what?""You met my sister before I did," I said before looking at her. "Do you have no idea about her or are you just pretending that you know nothing?""She's being protected by my sister. You know I can't meddle with someone else's property.""Don't say that as if my sister is a lot. She is no one's property," I quite angrily said.“Wala akong alam, okay na? My sister planned this.""I'm not buying that. Deity knows everything," I answered with my disbelieving voice."Can't you speak in Tagalog?""Can't you just leave?" I fired back. I glared at her before I turned my attention back to the movie I was watching. I don't even know why she's here. All of a sudden she emerges from nowhere."Anong plano mo? Anong gagawin mo?""What else? I'm planning to adopt them both. I'll give them the life they missed for the past years. The life they wish they had," I seriously said
I woke up the next morning when I heard someone knocking on my door. I turned my back to the door before placing my pillow on my head to cover my ears but he was so persistent."Wake up! Kanina pa ako tapos magluto ng agahan!" I heard Asher's voice before knocking again. I groaned in annoyance before getting up to open the door. I looked at him badly as soon as I opened the door but he just smiled at me before hovering over my clothes. He blinked a few times before averting his gaze."Grabe, alam kong bagong gising ka pero sana inayos mo muna sarili mo bago humarap sa akin," he said as he wiped her face using his hand. "Ano pang ginagawa mo? Magbihis ka na!" he commanded me before slightly pushing me. I unconsciously scanned my clothes and when I realized what he said I let out a soft curse before I slammed the door shut. "What the fuck. This was your fault! If you hadn't aggressively knocked..." I can't finish what I'm saying because of the embarrassment I felt."Sorry. Hintayin ka
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