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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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.
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