Ang buhay bilang mag-asawa ay nagiging mas mahirap para kay Kairah at Liam. Dahil sa kanilang arranged marriage, hindi nila nararamdaman ang pagmamahal at pagkakaunawaan sa isa’t isa. Ngunit hindi nila alam kung paano susundin ang mga plano ng kanilang pamilya.Isang linggo ang lumipas mula nang magdesisyon silang magpatuloy sa kanilang kasal. Habang naglalakad si Kairah papasok ng bahay, natagpuan niyang nakatambay si Liam sa sala, tahimik na nanonood ng TV. Hindi niya inaasahan na mag-uusap silang dalawa, ngunit may mga bagay na kailangang klaruhin."May plano ka bang gawin mamaya?" tanong ni Kairah, sinusubukang maging magaan ang usapan. Hindi pa rin nila magawang magtulungan nang buo, pero ang simpleng mga tanong ay tila isang hakbang patungo sa normal na buhay mag-asawa."Siguro," sagot ni Liam, hindi nakatingin kay Kairah. "Wala namang bago, Kairah. Bakit?"Kairah hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa kanilang kalagayan. "Wala. I was just wondering kung may pag-asa ba tayo." May pag-aali
Nasa loob ng kanilang bahay, magkatabi si Kairah at Liam sa kanilang sala, ngunit ang distansya ay tila mas malaki pa kaysa sa pisikal na pagitan nila. Hindi nila maitatanggi na ang bawat araw ay pareho lang—walang kaligayahan, walang pagmamahal, ngunit patuloy nilang ginagawa ang kanilang bahagi bilang mag-asawa.Isang gabi, habang ang ilaw ng living room ay malambot at ang mga anino ng gabi ay dumidilim sa paligid nila, si Liam ang unang nagsalita. Ang kanyang tinig ay mabigat at puno ng pag-aalala.“Hindi ko na alam, Kairah. Gusto ko sanang magbago ang lahat, pero hindi ko alam kung paano,” wika ni Liam habang tinitingnan ang kanyang asawa na nakatayo sa may pintuan. Siya'y nag-aalangan, nagtataka kung kailan maghahanap sila ng paraan upang baguhin ang lahat.Naramdaman ni Kairah ang bigat ng tanong ni Liam, ngunit hindi siya sigurado kung paano siya sasagot. “Gusto ko rin magbago, Liam,” sagot niya ng may kabuntot na kalungkutan. “Pero hindi ko alam kung anong paraan pa ang kailan
Habang patuloy na dumadaloy ang mga araw, ang buhay nilang mag-asawa ay puno ng katahimikan at hindi pagkakaunawaan. Si Kairah at Liam ay pareho nang nahulog sa isang rutang hindi nila nais, ngunit wala silang ibang magawa kundi magpatuloy. Ang kasal nila ay isang kasunduan na hindi batay sa pagmamahal, kundi sa mga hinihingi ng kanilang mga pamilya.Isang araw, nagkita sila ni Liam sa kusina. Habang siya ay nag-aalmusal ng mabilis, hindi maiwasang makaramdam ng matinding kabiguan si Kairah. Ang araw-araw nilang pakikisalamuha ay tila isang ritual na lamang, isang bagay na hindi nila pinili, kundi ipinataw sa kanila. Ngunit habang magkasama sila, hindi nila maiwasan na magtanong kung kailan magtatapos ang ganitong kalagayan.Dahil sa malalim na pag-iisip ni Kairah, naisip niyang magsalita. "Liam, kailangan ko yatang magtanong," wika niya, ang boses ay puno ng lungkot. "Paano tayo magpapatuloy sa ganitong buhay? Puno ng hindi pagkakaunawaan, walang pagmamahal."Si Liam, na abala sa pag
Unti-unting nagiging malamig ang bawat pagtingin at bawat salitang binibitiwan ni Kairah at Liam. Tila ang kanilang kasal ay isang palabas na wala nang saysay, isang relasyon na pinagpilitan ng kanilang mga pamilya, at bawat araw na lumilipas ay parang isang labirintong hindi nila alam kung paano lalabas.Isang araw, habang nag-aalmusal si Kairah sa kanilang maliit na mesa, pumasok si Liam sa kusina, binabati siya ng isang malamig na "Good morning," ngunit hindi nakatingin sa kanya. Pareho silang abala sa mga bagay na hindi nila maipaliwanag.Si Kairah ay nagpatuloy sa pagkain nang tahimik, ngunit hindi niya maiwasang tanungin ang kanyang sarili kung paano sila umabot sa ganitong sitwasyon. Nakatingin siya sa tasa ng kape, ngunit ang kanyang isipan ay magulo."Liam," wika ni Kairah, ang boses ay mahinang tila nag-aalangan. "Puwede ba kitang tanungin?"Luminga si Liam, ngunit walang galak sa kanyang mga mata. "Ano yun, Kairah?" sagot niya habang iniisip ang kanilang pinagdadaanan. "Ano
Habang ang kanilang mga hakbang ay patuloy na naglalakad patungo sa mas maliwanag na landas, si Kairah at Liam ay nagsimulang maramdaman ang bigat ng kanilang nakaraan. Sa kanilang mga mata, may mga tanong na hindi pa nasasagot, ngunit may mga pagkakataon ding sila ay nagsimulang magtiwala muli sa isa't isa. Isang hapon, habang sila ay naglalakad sa parke, muling nabanggit ni Liam ang kanilang sitwasyon.“Kung tatanungin kita ngayon, Kairah, ano ang nararamdaman mo?” tanong ni Liam, habang ang hangin ng hapon ay lumalaro sa kanyang buhok. Si Kairah, na mas pinili ang katahimikan sa nakaraang linggo, ay tumingin kay Liam. “Nahulog tayo sa isang sitwasyon kung saan tayo’y hindi na magkaintindihan. Minsan iniisip ko kung kaya pa natin magtulungan.”Liam ay huminga ng malalim, parang ninanais niyang maintindihan ang mga damdamin ni Kairah. “Sa tingin ko, Kairah, kaya pa nating magtulungan. Hindi ko alam kung paano, pero hindi ko kayang mawalan ka.”“Hindi ko rin alam, Liam,” sagot ni Kai
Nasa kanilang maliit na bahay, si Kairah at Liam ay nakaupo sa harap ng isang simpleng hapag-kain. Ang mga usapan nila ay puno ng emosyon at sinseridad. Si Liam, na palaging tahimik at hindi sanay magbukas ng puso, ngayon ay puno ng determinasyon."Liam, alam ko na mahirap para sa ating pareho. Pero paano ba natin magsisimula?" tanong ni Kairah, na tila nag-aalangan pa.Si Liam ay lumingon sa kanya, isang seryosong ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha. "Kairah, alam ko na masakit ang mga nangyari. Pero kung hindi tayo magsimula, paano natin matutulungan ang isa't isa? Huwag mong gawing dahilan ang nakaraan para tapusin ang lahat."Nagkatinginan sila, at sa kabila ng lahat ng mga pagsubok, naramdaman nilang may pagbabago. Si Kairah ay may mga sandali ng kalituhan, ngunit isang bagay ang malinaw sa kanya—gusto niyang magtiwala kay Liam, at ayaw niyang palampasin ang pagkakataon."Kaya mo ba talagang magbago, Liam?" tanong ni Kairah, ang kanyang boses ay puno ng pangarap at takot.Liam ay huminga
Sa mga susunod na araw, nagsimula silang maglaan ng oras para sa isa’t isa. Si Liam at Kairah ay nagiging mas bukas sa kanilang nararamdaman, ngunit may mga pagkakataon pa rin na ang takot ay nagiging hadlang sa kanilang mga puso.Isang araw, habang naglalakad sila sa parke, tumahimik si Kairah at tumingin sa mga puno na nakatayo sa paligid. Ang mga dahon ay nag-iiwan ng mga anino sa kanilang daanan, ngunit tila ito’y hindi sapat upang mawala ang bigat ng kanyang iniisip."Liam," tawag niya, hindi tumitingin sa kanya, "do you ever wonder kung may mga bagay na talagang hindi na kayang itama?"Liam, na naglalakad sa tabi niya, ay tumigil at tumingin sa kanya. "What do you mean?"Kairah ay huminga ng malalim bago nagsalita, "Ang mga pagkakamali ko... ang mga pagkakamali ko sa ating dalawa. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapakita sa’yo na hindi ko na kayang baguhin ang mga nagawa kong mali."Liam ay nilapitan siya at hinawakan ang kanyang braso. "I know you’re scared, Kairah. Pero, I’m not
Dati, puro pag-aalinlangan at takot, pero ngayon, tila may liwanag sa dulo ng madilim na tunel. Ang mga simpleng araw ay nagiging pagkakataon para muling magtulungan, magpakita ng malasakit sa isa't isa.Isang araw, habang naglalakad sila sa park, nagtanong si Liam, "Kairah, may mga bagay ka bang gustong gawin na hindi mo pa nagagawa?"Si Kairah ay huminto at inisip ang tanong. "Hmm, siguro... gusto ko sanang magtayo ng sarili kong negosyo. Hindi ko pa nasusubukan, pero... natatakot akong mag-fail."Liam ay ngumiti at tumango. "Walang masama sa pagtakot, Kairah. Ang mahalaga ay mag-take ng risk. Ako, personally, naniniwala ako sa'yo."Nagulat si Kairah sa kanyang sinabi. "You believe in me?""Of course," sagot ni Liam. "I’ve seen you overcome so much already. If you set your mind to something, you’ll make it work."Kairah ay hindi nakapag-salita agad. Dahan-dahan niyang napansin na ang pagkakaroon ng tao na naniniwala sa kanya ay isang bagay na matagal na niyang hinahanap. "I don’t kn
Kairah sat on the couch, the soft light of her living room spilling across the walls, casting gentle shadows. She wasn’t sure how long she had been staring into space, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened. The conversation with Liam felt like a moment suspended in time, something she hadn’t quite processed yet, but it lingered in her chest, warm and heavy, like a promise she hadn’t quite made. She hadn’t been expecting such a shift. Not tonight, not with him. And yet, here she was—aware of everything she had been hiding from. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, startling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Liam’s name flashed across it. Her heart skipped. It was late, too late for a casual call. She picked it up, her fingers hovering over the screen before she swiped to answer.“Hey,” she said, her voice softer than usual, still raw from everything she had felt earlier.“Hey,” Liam’s voice came through, warm and comforting. “I just wanted to check in. You
The following morning, Kairah woke to the gentle light filtering through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls of her apartment. The warmth of the sun felt like a quiet promise, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept yet. But it was there, undeniable. It was a new day. She sat up in bed, her thoughts still swirling from last night. The conversation with Liam kept replaying in her mind. His words, his touch, the weight of the silence between them—it all felt different. It was as if something had shifted, not just in the air, but within her. She wasn’t sure what to do with it yet, but she couldn’t ignore it. Kairah ran a hand through her hair, feeling the lingering tension in her shoulders. She had always been good at keeping her distance, at controlling what she could. But last night had been different. The walls she’d built around herself had cracked, and for the first time in a long while, she felt exposed. Vulnerable. And as much as she wanted to pull the covers bac
As they drove through the quiet streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound between them. Kairah glanced at Liam from the corner of her eye, unsure of how to fill the space that now seemed so pregnant with meaning. The night had unfolded in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The conversation had been more profound than she had expected, yet comforting in its simplicity. And as they neared her apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different—something important had shifted within her.Liam pulled up to the curb and parked the car, his hands lingering on the wheel as he turned to look at her. There was a soft intensity in his gaze that made her heart beat a little faster. She met his eyes, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than she had all night. “You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, as if sensing the change in her mood.Kairah swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wasn’t sure how to articulate what she was feeling, but she knew she needed to say somet
The night was just beginning, but the air between them had already shifted. Kairah sat back in her seat, feeling a mixture of nerves and something else she couldn’t quite name. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been this open with someone, or allowed herself to feel this much. As they enjoyed their meal, small sparks of connection ignited in the pauses between conversation. Liam’s steady gaze, his occasional teasing smile, and the way he seemed to listen so intently made her feel seen in a way she wasn’t accustomed to. She took another sip of wine, allowing it to settle the butterflies that had begun to stir in her stomach again. As Liam casually shared a funny story about his childhood, Kairah found herself laughing more freely than she had in ages. It was strange to feel so at ease, especially with someone she barely knew.Liam, noticing the change in her demeanor, leaned forward, his eyes softening. “You’re more fun than you let on, you know that?”Kairah chuckled, brush
Liam opened the car door for Kairah, his smile warm as he watched her slip into the passenger seat. The car was sleek and polished, a stark contrast to her slightly rumpled thoughts. She settled in, pulling her seatbelt across, the familiar scent of leather and the faint hint of cologne making her heart beat a little faster. He slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine smoothly before pulling out of the parking lot. The streetlights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows as they drove.The night was quiet, and for a while, neither of them spoke. Kairah's eyes drifted to the window, watching the cityscape pass by. The streets were lively, full of energy, but she felt an odd sense of calm. Being in Liam’s presence felt natural, like it was supposed to be this way. But with that calmness came the unsettling feeling that things were moving faster than she anticipated. *What am I even doing?* she thought, her mind racing again. She barely knew this man, yet here she was, go
Kairah’s mind was a whirlwind as she sat in her car, staring at the reflection of the building in front of her. The morning light was creeping in, casting a warm golden glow over the glass and steel. Her phone buzzed in the passenger seat, a message from Zara once again. Zara: Have you seen him again? How are you feeling?Kairah hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. She had barely slept, tossing and turning, and when she did sleep, it was filled with dreams of Liam—his smile, the way his eyes softened when he spoke to her. There was an unsettling calmness in her chest, like something was brewing inside her that she couldn't quite name. Kairah: I don’t know yet. It’s complicated.She pressed send quickly, not allowing herself to overthink it. She knew Zara would understand, but she didn’t want to burden her friend with all the emotions she couldn’t even make sense of herself.Kairah grabbed her things, stepping out of the car with a sigh. The office building in front of her seemed
As the quiet night stretched on, Kairah leaned back against the car, her hands gripping the door for support. Her mind raced, replaying everything that had just happened. There was something in Liam's eyes, in the way he spoke, that made her feel seen, understood. It was both comforting and overwhelming. She wasn’t used to this—this raw, honest connection that seemed to have blossomed so quickly between them. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool night air kiss her skin. The sounds of the city were distant, muffled by the walls she had put up around herself. She had spent so many years building those walls, thinking they would protect her from heartache. And yet, here she was, feeling the pull of something she had sworn off for so long. When she opened her eyes, she saw Liam’s figure disappearing around the corner, his broad back fading into the darkness. A strange emptiness settled in her chest, but it wasn’t one of regret. It was a longing—an undeniable urge to close
Liam, her heart still racing from the evening. She tried to keep her composure, but his presence made her feel a mixture of warmth and nervous excitement."Thanks for the dinner, Liam. It was really nice," she said, her voice softer than usual.Liam smiled, his gaze steady and genuine. "I’m glad you had a good time. I did too."There was a moment of silence between them, a quiet tension hanging in the air. Kairah felt her pulse quicken as Liam stepped a little closer, his expression more serious now. "I’d like to do this again," he said, his voice low but clear, the sincerity in his words unmistakable. "Get to know you better, outside of work. If you’re open to it."Kairah’s heart skipped a beat. She had been wondering if he felt the same connection, and now, hearing him say it out loud, made everything feel more real. She was hesitant, still unsure of what it would mean for her personal and professional life, but there was something in his eyes that made her want to take the chance.
Kairah couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty as she sat in her car, the engine running while she stared out the window at the dark streets ahead. The evening had been… different. She had enjoyed the dinner, but more than that, she had felt a connection with Liam that was hard to ignore. It was as if the dynamic between them had shifted in a way she hadn’t expected. She had always admired him professionally, but now, there was something else. She felt drawn to him in a way that went beyond their work relationship.As she drove home, her thoughts wandered back to their conversations. Liam had been genuine in his compliments, and the way he listened to her, really listened, made her feel heard in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She couldn’t help but replay his words in her mind—how he had called her driven and passionate, how he seemed to understand her in a way that few people did. It felt nice, but it also scared her. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let her guard d