Epilogue
THE HEART, as how his mother had told him before, is a traitor, at nagpapasalamat si Tejano na hinayaan niya ang kanyang sariling pusong traydorin siya nito. Because if he kept deceiving his heart, he will never be this happy in his life.
Mula nang makilala niya si Stelle, nagkaroon ng halaga ang bawat paghinga niya. His heartbeat had meaning since then and his world slowly light up as her love conquered the darkness covering him.
Stelle was the ray of sunshine that made him grow from a tiny lifeless seed into a strong tree in a dangerous forest. The problems they faced along the way watered their relationship and now they knew, nothing could ever keep them apart anymore.
Natulala na naman siya sa ganda ng misis niyang malapad ang ngiti sa kanya. Umihip ang hangin at nilipad ang kulot nitong buhok, tila nasa isang eksena sila sa pelikulang gustong-gustong panoorin ni Stelle kasama siya.
Prologue"REMEMBER, Emeraudo. Nobody must be able to reach the most vulnerable part of your body." His mother held his hand tightly while her eyes are staring blankly at his. "A person's heart is a traitor. You must learn to deceive it. Do not let it control your thoughts. Do not let it overrule you."Nilunok ni Emeraudo ang namuong bara sa kanyang lalamunan. Gustong pumatak ng kanyang mga luha, ngunit malinaw na nakaukit sa mukha ng kanyang ina ang pagtutol."Push your tears back, Emeraudo. You are never allowed to shed a tear. What are you?""The Deceiver." Mababa ang tinig niyang tugon.Gumuhit ang ngiti sa mga labi nito. Matipid ngunit totoo. Parang sinuntok ang kanyang dibdib. It was the first time he saw that expression in his mother's face, as if it's the only genuine expression she was able to show him in the entire time they were together.Hinagod nito ng palad ang ka
Kabanata 1TAHIMIK ang kalangitang pinagmamasdan ni Emeraudo mula sa bintana ng silid. Walang ulang paparating at tila nais niyang dumungaw ngunit hindi niya maaaring itulak ang salaming bintana. He needed the reminder that he is trapped here, so he will master controlling his mind even more."Emeraudo, I want to go out. Papa is not home."Napabaling siya sa kapatid na nakatingin din sa bintana at may hawak na hawla ng ibong nahuli niya noong nakaraang linggo. The pigeon seemed lonely and sick, as if it's mourning for its freedom.Inilipat niya ang tingin sa mga mata ng kapatid na kamukhang-kamukha niya. Ang siyang dahilan kung bakit kinailangan niyang patayin ang kanyang ina upang mailigtas ito mula sa kanilang ama.The twins were separated when they were newly born. Nais silang itago ng kanilang ina mula sa kanilang ama ngunit siya lamang ang nagawang itakas. His twin was lef
Kabanata 2INSANITY. Stelle knew getting to the suite with the man is pure insanity but her mind no longer worked when he started kissing her roughly again. Bumigay ang kanyang mga tuhod at nalasing ang kanyang isip nang balutin siya ng kakaibang init sa katawan.She lit that flame, and now he's turning it into a massive wildfire with his touches and sultry trails of kisses.Napasinghap siya nang sa paglapat ng pinto ay diniin nito ang kanyang katawan sa pader. His hands immediately held the thin straps of her dress and pulled it down to her arm. Wala siyang suot na bra dahil sa disenyo ng damit kaya nang malaglag ang damit sa kanyang baywang, nagkaroon ito agad ng layang hagurin ng palad ang kanyang dibdib.She moaned inside his mouth as he ravage her lips, rough and so so wet like a hungry beast. He palmed her mound and gave it a squeeze she knew she'll never forget. Ang gaspang ng palad nito ay nagdala
Kabanata 3"I JUST FUCKED someone. And guess what? She called me Emeraudo." Naniningkit ang mga matang ani ni Emeraudo sa kapatid habang nasa silid sila."Uh, brother, you are Emeraudo." Halatang naguguluhan nitong sagot."Exactly. And you know what's funny? I never met her yet she knows my name." Tumaas ang kanyang kilay. "Are you going around the city sticking your dick in every woman you meet?""Of course not. I ain't like you."He snapped, kinagulat ang tugon ng kapatid. "Oh wow. So I'm the dickhead here? Is that what you're saying?"Natatawang umiling si Tejano. "All I'm saying is I never fucked anyone."Napakurap si Emeraudo. "Y—You never did it with Veronica or anyone else?""Nah. I'm saving myself for someone but I wanna sleep with Veronica once we're married."Nasapo ni Emeraudo ang kanyang noo. "Oh you're hopele
Kabanata 4"EMERAUDO Romani, one of the secret agents assigned to take down Cinco Mortales, died in his last assignment." Paliwanag ng babaeng agent habang nasa isang silid sila kasama ang matandang lalakeng nagngangalang Manuel.Kumuyom ang mga kamao ni Emeraudo nang matitigan ang itsura ng kapatid sa projector. He was badly wounded by multiple gun shots but what killed him was the gunshot in his chest."Gresso Lindstrom, the leader of Albana syndicate who's on the top list of human traffickers in the world, is behind your brother's death. Lindstrom has been a candidate for the Cinco Mortales leaders' circle for two years now but we don't know why he was refusing the offer."Nagflash sa screen ang mukha ng lalakeng nagpautos ng pagpatay ng kanyang kapatid. Dumilim ang mukha ni Emeraudo. Tinandaan niya ang bawat detalye ng mukha nito, sinisigurong sa oras na makaharap niya ay makikilala niya.
Kabanata 5NAAALIW si Agent Romani na pagmasdan kung papaanong namungay ang mga mata ng babae. Ni hindi nito magawang alisin ang titig sa kanya na para bang hinihigop niya ang lakas nito.To be honest, the feeling is mutual. It's being hard for him to step back already and keep his hands off her body as if his palm just got glued on her back. Her sweet perfume filled his nose, and now he's being tempted to bury his face on her neck to sniff all her scent."T—Tejano?" She asked, her voice a little shaky.Parang nagbunyi ang kanyang puso. So she remembers him pretty well? Hindi niya alam kung magandang senyales ba iyon, considering who he is now.Suminghap ito at hindi napigilang mapakapit sa kanyang coat nang humagod pataas ng batok nito ang kanyang palad. Lalong bumigat ang mga talukap nito at sa paraan ng pag-awang ng mga labi, alam niyang nabuhay niya ang parehong init sa kat
Kabanata 6MATAPOS maidala ni Ramirez si Veronica sa banyo at nasigurong wala nang ibang papasok, doon lamang pumunta si Agent Romani. Ayaw na ayaw niya sa lahat ay iyong biglang sumusulpot si Veronica kapag nasa ganitong sitwasyon siya lalo at dalawang lider ang naririto.Who knows if Chrome is inside the place, too? Malilintikan sila ni Ramirez. Idagdag pang may mga Wildflower agents na maaaring nakakakilala kay Veronica. They'd be in big trouble! Kahit naman sabihing sinisisi niya ito sa pagdedesisyon ni Tejano na sumapi sa MI6, hindi niya ito pwedeng hayaan na lamang na mapahamak.He made a promise to his brother's grave that he will keep her safe as much as he can, kaya lang minsan ay matigas ang ulo at nais talaga siyang puntahan. Gumagamit ito ng koneksyon para malaman kung nasaang lupalop siya ng mundo.Pinuno niya ng hangin ang kanyang dibdib. He needs to deceive her. Of all people, s
Kabanata 7NAKASARA ang mga mata ni Stelle habang ang kanyang mga daliri ay tinitipa ang mga nota ng piano. She's playing the Supreme's favorite classic song, while the Supreme is seated on her throne, her face covered with a thick red veil that's preventing everyone from seeing her.Sampung taon na rin mula nang mapunta siya sa poder ng Suprema. She was taken from a foster home by a couple, only to find out she'll be sold to the Supreme. Ilang taon din muna siyang nagpalipat-lipat ng tinitirahang pamilya hanggang sa mapunta siya sa Suprema na siyang naging permanenteng kumupkop sa kanya.She was spoiled by the Supreme with all the luxury in life every woman would envy, except for a mother-daughter bonding. Malamyos ang tinig ng Suprema ngunit tila laging may hagod ng pagbabanta sa boses nito tuwing nagsasalita. Tila ba isang maling galaw, magagalit ito. Iyon ang iniiwasan ni Stelle. Her journey of finding her new home was rough, an
EpilogueTHE HEART, as how his mother had told him before, is a traitor, at nagpapasalamat si Tejano na hinayaan niya ang kanyang sariling pusong traydorin siya nito. Because if he kept deceiving his heart, he will never be this happy in his life.Mula nang makilala niya si Stelle, nagkaroon ng halaga ang bawat paghinga niya. His heartbeat had meaning since then and his world slowly light up as her love conquered the darkness covering him.Stelle was the ray of sunshine that made him grow from a tiny lifeless seed into a strong tree in a dangerous forest. The problems they faced along the way watered their relationship and now they knew, nothing could ever keep them apart anymore.Natulala na naman siya sa ganda ng misis niyang malapad ang ngiti sa kanya. Umihip ang hangin at nilipad ang kulot nitong buhok, tila nasa isang eksena sila sa pelikulang gustong-gustong panoorin ni Stelle kasama siya.
Kabanata 31TULALA si Tejano habang tinitignan ang mga larawang kinuhanan bago ang cremation ng kanyang ama. Naroon din sa mesa ang wallet nitong pinakaingat-ingatan, at sa likod ng nakatiklop na larawan sa pitaka nito, ay isang memory card.Tejano took in a deep breath. He asked for the liberty to check the memory card. Hiningi niya ang oras na mapag-isa ngunit halos isang oras na ito sa silid, wala pa siyang nagagawa. His tears don't want to stop as he read the tattoos his dad inked on his own skin. Maliliit ngunit malinaw niyang nababasa.It's his mother's name, his twin's, and his...He cleared his throat and wiped his tears before he picked up the photographs that's in his dad's pockets. Nanginginig ang kanyang mga kamay, at nang tignan niya ang likod ng larawan, nanginig ang kanyang ibabang labi."Papa can take being the baddest person on Earth but in your eyes, my sons, I wish you see m
Kabanata 30MALAKAS ang kabog ng dibdib ni Tejano habang nasa sasakyang sumundo sa kanila ni Trojan patungo sa lokasyon. Haharangin nila ang trailer na may karga sa kanyang ama kasama ang ilan pang taong gagamiting mule para sa pagtransport ng bagong diskubreng droga patungo ng Inglatera.Tejano had been in a lot of deadly missions, but this one feels different. Siguro ay dahil alam niyang nakasalalay din sa kanilang team ang kaligtasan ng taong nais pa niyang paulanan, kung noon ay ng bala, ngunit ngayon ay ng napakaraming tanong.Tejano had been confused since the day Stelle and him got reunited. Noong sinabi nitong ang kanyang ama ang tumulong na makatakas ito sa Suprema, nagsimula nang maglaro sa kanyang isip ang maraming bagay.When Stelle said his father is aware which is which everytime he switches personality with his twin, he suddenly went on a trip down memory lane.H
Kabanata 29MALUNGKOT na pinagmasdan ni Stelle ang anak na nakatanaw pa rin sa bintana ng bahay. Nasa isang exclusive village sila sa Maynila kung saan nakatira rin ang pamilya ng partner ni Tejano. Nilipat sila nito roon dahil mas magiging ligtas daw sila, kasama na ang mga kumupkop sa kanilang mag-ina.It broke Stelle's heart when her own father said it wasn't the right time for them to meet. Marami pa raw itong dapat na intindihin at sa totoo lang, nagtampo siya roon ngunit wala siyang magagawa. Ang partner lamang ni Tejano at ang kanyang ama ang nakakaalam na natagpuan na sila nito kaya naman limitado rin ang paglabas-labas nilang mag-ina.Hinagod niya ang buhok ni Tj upang agawin ang atensyon nito. "Nak?"Tj's eyes gazed at her. "Mama, bakit hindi pa umuuwi si daddy? Akala ko uuwi na siya? Mawami pa din ba silang ginagawa?"She sighed. Kailangan na naman niyang magpapunta ng do
Kabanata 28STELLE felt the familiar kind of warmth she longed for years the moment the back of Tejano's hand gently touched her neck. Sumara ang kanyang mga mata at humagod ang kakaibang kiliti nang lumandas ang likod ng palad ng daliri nito patungo sa kanyang likod. He traced her spine with so much gentleness, as if he's savouring the moment they both craved for in a long time.Her heart was clawed with all the emotions she only feels with Tejano when he leaned his head to press featherlight kisses on her shoulder.His hot breath sent shivers down her spine, but when he encircled his strong arms around her waist, the corner of her lips lifted a sweet smile."I missed you. I missed your blue eyes that penetrate my soul everytime you look at me. I missed your sweet feminine scent that calms me but at the same time drives me insane. I missed your warm skin that brings me comfort when my whole wo
Kabanata 27HINDI nakakibo si Tejano nang marinig ang sinabi ni Stelle. Para bang ang dibdib niya, tila naging isang papel na nilamukos hanggang sa hindi na siya makahinga.So his father killed his brother and Veronica but helped Stelle escape? May kirot na gumapang sa kanyang puso kasabay ng pagguhit ng mapaklang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi."D—Do you think he killed my brother because he thought it was...me?" He laughed, a painful one. "I mean, he never paid much attention to me that's why it was so hard for him to know my brother and I were switching before. Maybe he killed my twin because he thought it's me and not his favorite son."Stelle's eyes turned soft. Hinawakan nito ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi saka ito umiling na tila nais pawiin ang gumuhit na lungkot sa mga mata niya. "No. Don't say that, okay? Alam mo ba? Whenever he brings me food, he always makes sure I got a glass of milk, too. He want
Kabanata 26GUSTONG tumawa ni Tejano nang makita kung papaanong namutla ang mukha ni Tyler habang nakatingin sa kanya. Yeah, that's right, asshole. Fear me. I'll never show mercy to those who dared to steal kisses from my girl.Napahugot ito ng hininga at halos hindi na maipinta ang mukha nang tignan si Stelle. "I...I almost forgot. Kailangan ko pa pala umattend ng meeting. Ha...Happy birthday na lang kay Tj."Ni hindi na nito na nahintay ang tugon ni Stelle. Dire-diretso itong nagmartya paalis ngunit bago sumakay sa sasakyan, muling tinawag ni Tejano."Oh, hey I think you dropped something!"Natigilan ito at halatang nahihintakutang tumingin sa kanya. Nang makita niya itong lumunok ay umismid siya bago siya yumuko na kunwari ay may dinampot. When he straightened up his back again, he showed his middle finger to Tyler as he smirked. "Your shit.""Tejano!" Sita ni Stelle.
Kabanata 25HUMIHIKAB na si Stelle nang dumating siya sa kanilang bahay pagkatapos niyang magtrabaho sa bahay nina Mrs. Tessa—isa sa regular na pinapasukan niya upang kumita ng pera. Mula nang umuwi sila galing ng Batanes, muntik na siyang sumuko at mawalan ng pag-asa sa takot na baka huli na nga ang lahat at hindi na sa bahay na iyon nakatira si Tejano.She felt really broken as a mother when Tj said he hates his father for not coming out, ngunit noong mga panahong kinikwestyon ni Tj ang sarili kung bakit ayaw raw magpakita ng ama nito, alam niyang siya ang mas dapat maniwalang may dahilan ang lahat ng nangyayari.Anim na buwan na mula nang makalipat sila sa Luzon. Nakapagtrabaho kasi sa isang plantasyon si Nico kaya nang masalanta sila ng bagyo sa Zamboanga, kinuha sila ni Nico sa Luzon kasama si Nanay Minerva at Tatay Anastacio. Now they're renting a small bungalow house and Stelle is still working hard to save money. She'll try
Kabanata 24"MANG TENAGO, tingin mo 'yon masawap yata 'yon. Lagi ako nibibili ng Tito Nico no'n." Anas ni Tj kay Tejano at tinuro ang hilera ng mga tindero ng streetfoods.Tejano looked at his innocent face. Napapalunok pa ito habang yakap ang native chicken nito.Tumaas ang kilay niya at hindi napigilang mapangisi. "Magpapahatid ka na magpapalibre ka pa ah?"Tj laughed and it was like music to his ears. His green eyes twinkled as his chubby cheeks revealed his dimples. "Mabait ka naman, Mang Tenago eh. Bili mo ako no'n o kaya bayad ko si Mayon sayo, gusto mo?"He sighed and parked the car to the side of the road. Ang bata pa ang galing nang manggantso ah?"Bakit nakarating ka ro'n ha? Hindi ka ba hinahanap ng mga magulang mo? Mag-isa ka lang paano kung mapahamak ka? You could have been hit and run earlier if I didn't see you."Tj pouted. "Hmm, eh k