Mahigpit na ikinapit ni Belle ang isang kamay niya sa guard rail ng staircase. Bahagya siyang yumuko at itinukod naman ang isang kamay niya sa kanyang binti at doon naghabol ng hininga.
“Sa ngalan ng pera at pahinga. Sa ngalan ng pera… at pahinga,” paulit-ulit niyang bulong, hinihingal pa rin. She needed to tell that to herself kasi kung siya ang tatanungin, ayaw na niyang magpatuloy.
Suko na siyang talaga sa kahibangan ng araw na iyon! E kaso ambisyosa siya. Gusto niyang sumuweldo nang walang ginagawa kaya kahit na nanginginig na ang mga binti niya, sige pa rin siya sa pag-akyat makarating lang sa lintek na penthouse ni Zyrone.
She would’ve taken the lift, kaso ang sabi ni Marie, isa sa mga hotel maid na nakausap niya kanina sa ibaba ng hotel, mula raw 10th floor, mahigpit na ang security ng hotel. Utos daw iyon ni Zyrone upang maiwasan ang unnecessary media presence sa hotel. At dahil wala siyang choice kasi ambisyosa nga siya, mula 9th floor, pinili na niyang maghagdan hanggang sa marating niya ang penthouse sa 19th floor. It would have been an easy feat, for others. Pero dahil hindi naman siya athletic at never siyang nag-exercise sa tanang buhay niya, pakiramdam niya, imbes na hanggang sa ituktok lang ng hotel ang punta niya, diretso langit ang kakahantungan niya!
Tumunog ang cellphone niya sa bag niya. Muli, lihim siynag napamura. Kahit na hindi niya tignan ang text message, alam niya kung kanino iyon galing, kay Lee Ann na wala nang ginawa kundi ang mangulit sa kanya ng detalye sa nakalipas na halos dalawang oras mula nang sundan niya ang pamilyang Craig patungo sa Gold Hotel.
She’s only one of the few member of the media na nakatunog sa pag-alis ng mag-anak na Craig sa simbahan. At that point, she was very confident that her task would be easy. Subalit nang makarating sila sa Gold Hotel, ni hindi man lang siya nakalapit sa pamilyang Craig. Agad na kinordonan ng security team ng hotel ang lugar. Lahat ng entrances at exits ng hotel, bantay-sarado. Idagdag pa na nagdagsaan na rin ang iba pa niyang mga kasama na naghihintay din para sa anumang balita kay Zryone Craig, the ditched groom of the year.
She was about to give up when she saw a familiar face exiting the hotel, her neighbor, Marie. Then an idea sparked in her mind. It would be a little bit dangerous but if she would pull it off, garantisado naman niyang makukuha ang isang buong buwan na sweldo niya habang nakahilata lang sa kama.
She will disguise herself as a hotel maid like Marie.
Noong una, hindi pumayag si Marie sa plano niya. Natural, ilalagay niya sa alanganin ang trabahong ipinambubuhay nito sa pamilya nito. Pero nakiusap siya, nanuhol din ng tatlong-libo mapapayag lang si Marie sa plano niya.
Iginiya siya ni Marie sa likuran ng hotel-- sa bintana na ‘di-gaanong kataasan. Sinabihan siya nitong akyatin iyon at magkikita raw sila sa loob ng silid na iyon. She did as she was told while Marie entered the door intended for hotel employees only. Nang maakyat niya ang bintana, sinalubong siya ng dilim at alikabok. She reckon that she was in an old and dingy stock room when she used her cellphone to light the place. Matatakot na sana siya, subalit segundo lang ang binilang nang buksan ni Marie ang pinto ng silid, sa kamay nito ay ang isang pares ng hotel maid uniform. Nagmadali siyang nagbihis sa dilim habang nakikinig sa sinasabi ni Marie tungkol sa security measures ng hotel. Ang bilin ni Marie, kapag natapos na niya ang misyon niya, iwanan na lang niya ang uniform nito doon at babalikan nito kinabukasan. Umoo siya, punum-puno ng kumpiyansa sa sarili.
Pero heto siya ngayon, halos wala pa sa kalahati ng misyon niya, nanginginig na ang mga tuhod at malapit nang maubusan ng hininga.
Muli siyang nagngitngit. Ano ba na naman kasi itong napasok niya? Ngayon siya naniniwala sa laging pangaral ng Mama niya noong nabubuhay pa ito, “Ang taong magpaghangad, mapasakanya man ang lahat, hindi pa rin sasapat.”
Napabusangot na siya, may sundot sa kunsensiya niya ang pangaral na iyon ng nanay niya. Iba rin kasi talaga siya, masyado siyang ambisyosa!
Habol ang hininga niyang tiningala ang ilan pang palapag na aakyatin niya para lamang makarating sa lintek na penthouse ni Zyrone sa Gold Hotel-Manila. Kaya pa ba niyang umakyat?
For a while she contemplated again on giving up but then again, naroon na siya. All she needed to do is to reach the penthouse and get that damn exclusive interview with Zyrone or anyone close to him.
“Just one detail. Just one exclusive detail,” sabi niya sa sarili bago tumuwid ng tayo.
Nagsimula siya ulit humakbang hanggang sa marating niya ang landing ng kasunod na floor. She was about to step on the next plight of stairs leading to another floor when the door leading to the stairwell opened.
Agad siyang napasinghap. Humigpit din ang kapit niya sa balustre ng hagdan. Hindi siya kasi makapaniwala sa nakikita niya ngayon sa harap niya. Right in front of her was the ditched groom himself, Zyrone Craig.
His face was stern and red, like a raging god in all his fuming anger aura. He was looking at her with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows. At ni hindi niya magawang magsalita. Ayaw tumulay ng talino patungo sa bibig niya. Pakiramdam niya napipi siya pansamatala. At wala siyang magawa kundi ang makipagtitigan din dito.
She felt her knees buckled with his presence. Tama nga ang sabi nila, Zyrone’s presence is intimidating. He screams of money, class and power— all the things any other woman would be so weak for. But then again she’s not any other woman. Mayroon siyang paninindigan, matatag at maasahan.
“Who are you?” anang malagom na tinig ni Zyrone. Ang mga mata, nasa kanya pa rin. Naniningkit pa rin. “You’re a hotel maid? I don’t seem to recall your face amongst my employees,” sabi nito, humakbang na palapit sa kanya.
“Ha? A… e… b-bagong hire lang po ako, S-Sir,” kandautal na paliwanag niya, mahigpit pa rin ang kapit sa balustre ng hagdan.
Lalong nagdikit ang mga kilay nito. “What are you doing here?” tanong ulit nito.
Lumunok siya, kumurap, at mabilis na nag-isip. “M-may ano po… m-may nagtawag ng housecleaning sa ano… s-sa taas.”
“Why didn’t you use the lift then? At nasaan ang cleaning trolley mo?” tanong ulit nito, humakbang ulit palapit sa kanya.
My god! Question and answer portion!
Naramdaman niya ang muling pamamawis ng mga singit-singit ng katawan niya dahil sa mga tanong ni Zyrone. Mas masahol pa iyon sa panel interview noong nag-apply siya sa trabaho.
“A-ano po k-kasi… ano… takot po ako sa elevator. O-oo ‘yon! Takot ako sa elevator, S-sir,” alanganing paliwanag niya.
Sandali siyang tinitigan ni Zyrone, mukhang hindi pa rin kumbinsido.
“What’s your name again?”
Kumurap siya nang manginig ang ilang facial muscles niya. Madalas mangyari ‘yon tuwing nagsisinungaling siya.
“R-Restituta D-Dimaculangan po,” sagot niya sabay ngiwi. Hindi naman sa pag-aano, pero ang bantot ng pangalang naisip niya.
Zyrone huffed, murmuring something she doesn’t understand. Maya-maya pa, nakarinig sila ng mabibilis na kaluskos sa hallway.
Bumaling ito sa kanya bago mabilis na hinagip ang kamay niya at isinama siya sa pagbaba nito sa hagdan.
“E, S-sir, s-sandali,” reklamo niya. “Maglilinis pa po ako sa ano—“
“You look suspicious. You’re coming with me,” putol nito sa kanya habang madali itong bumaba ng hagdan. He was holding her wrist too tight, mukhang wala siyang balak pakawalan talaga. Wala tuloy siyang nagawa kundi sumunod na lang dito dahil kung hindi mangudngod siya sa hagdan. “You might come in handy when I get out of this building” dugtong pa nito.
Get out? Aalis ito. Saan ito pupunta? Tatakas ba ito? Magtatago? Pa’no na ang exclusive scoop niya? Dito na lang niya kaya ito interviewhin.
Ngumiwi siya. Baka mauna na siya sa first floor kapag ipinagulong siya nito sa hagdan dahil sa inis.
Malapit na nilang marating ang first floor landing ng staircase nang makarinig siya nang marahas na pagbukas ng pinto mula sa sa itaas ng stairwell.
Sabay silang napatingala.
“Sir!” sigaw ng lalaking kalbo na nakatunghay sa kanila ilang palapag ang layo mula sa kinaroroonan nila. Pamilyar ito sa kanya—kasama ito sa security ng hotel.
“Shit!” anas ni Zyrone, lalo pa itong nagmadaling bumaba ng hagdan. Pagdating sa first floor, tinulak siya nito palabas ng lobby. “Nand’yan pa ba?”
Naguguluhan siyang bumaling dito. “H-ha?”
“I mean the media people outside. Nand’yan pa ba sila?”
Bahagya siyang sumilip sa entrance ng hotel. Blockbuster and pila ng reporters sa labas—all looked desperate for a news scoop. And she can’t help but be proud of herself dahil sa dami nilang iyon, ang iba pa mga batikan na talaga sa news reporting, siya lang ang nakaisip na gawin ang ginawa niya.
Minsan talaga, naiisip niya na baka nga gifted child din siya, hindi lang halata.
“Hey, Miss! Quit daydreaming!’ gigil na pukaw ni Zyrone sa kanya maya-maya.
Agad na nalukot ang mukha niya.
Suplado pa rin talaga, lihim niyang usal. Pinigil niya ang umirap bago sumagot. “Marami pa po sila, Sir. Hindi po ‘yan sila mauubos hangga’t hindi kayo nakakausap. Kaya kung ako sa ‘yo, ikuwento niyo na lang sa ‘kin ang nangyari at ako nang magkukuwento sa kanila.”
Zyrone scoffed. Bumulong-bulong ulit. Maya-maya pa, lumingon ito bago nagmamadaling lumabas sa stairwell, hinila siya nito ulit patungo sa isang hallway malapit sa lobby ng hotel. They stood behind a big indoor plant—too big to hide both of them from passers by.
“My parent’s security team have been following me. Kailangan kong makaalis dito nang hindi ako napapansin. Think of a way,” utos nito bago nito inalis ang coat nito, ang naiwan na lang ang long sleeves polo nito na mabilis nitong inirolyo hanggang sa siko nito. “I’m giving you ten seconds to think,” sabi pa nito.
Lalong nalukot ang mukha niya. Wala sa sarili siyang namaywang. Ito ang tatakas tapos siya ang mag-iisip ng paraan? At may time pressure. Ano iyon, quiz bee?
Pabukas na sana ang bibig niya para magprotesta nang bigla siya nitong isinandal sa dingding at niyuko. Air became scarce in an instant when his face hover just a couple of inches away from hers.
“They’re here. The security team is near and looking for me. Be still, Miss,” he declared, his breath fanning on her face. He smelled of mint, lemon and a little bit brandy. And she found his scent domineering—sexy and lethal.
Nanatili sila sa ganoong ayos hanggang sa marinig niya ang mabilis na pagdaan ng mabibigat na yabag. After that, Zyrone eased and took a couple of steps away from her. He looked at his watch. “That’s it. You’re time is up. Tell me, paano ako makakalabas dito sa hotel nang hindi ako napapansin.”
Kumibot-kibot ang labi niya. Gustong-gusto niya talagang magreklamo but that will blow her cover off. She willed her brain to think until an idea clicked in her mind.
“May alam kong labasan, Sir pero sabihin niyo muna kung bakit kayo tumatakas,” dire-diretsong sabi niya. Nanalim agad ang mga mata nito.
“And who are you to question me?” gigil na sabi nito.
Napakurap siya sa gulat. “S-sabi nga, Sir, mag-iisip na,” aniya alanganin.
Mukhang kailangan na talaga niyang tanggapin, hindi siya makakakuha ng exclusive interview sa ubod ng antipatiko na si Zyrone.
“Miss, I’m waiting,” untag nito sa kanya maya-maya. Nang hindi siya makasagot, muli itong sumilip sa mga uwang ng halaman kung saan sila nagtatago.
Umirap siya. Talagang kunsumido na siya. She doesn’t care anymore about her disguise. Kung wala rin lang siyang mahihita sa suplado, mabuti nga sigurong umuwi na siya. Walang imik siyang naglakad pabalik sa stock room na pinanggalingan niya kanina.
Uuwi na siya. Bahala na.
Itutulak na lang niya ang pinto ng stock room nang may magsalita sa likuran niya. “Maalikabok d’yan. Papasok tayo d’yan?”
Gulat siyang humarap dito. “S-sumunod ka?”
Nalukot na ang mukha nito. “Of course, I asked you to take me out here haven’t I?”
Mas lalo siyang nakunsumi. Paano siya papasok sa stockroom nang nakasunod ito? Paano siya magpapalit?
“What are you waiting for? Open it, now!” nagmamadaling utos pa nito. Nang hindi siya gumalaw ito na ang nagbukas ng pinto. Nagmamadali itong pumasok sa stock room at nakita ang bintana kung saan siya pumasok kanina. She had left it open for just in case moments. Wala siyang nagawa kundi sumunod dito.
“You go first,” anito, tinuro ang bintana.
“Ha?”
“I said you go first. I want to make sure that it’s safe to climb out of this window, kaya mauna ka,” anito.
She scoffed. Ibang klase talaga ang suplado, mahilig manigurado. Siguro kung ito ang kasama niya sa isang zombie apocalypse, baka siya ang ginawa nitong alay.
Nagngingitngit man, sumunod na rin siya. Ibabalik na lang niya kay Marie ang uniporme nito pag-uwi niya mamaya. Kahit wala na siyang makuha sa mga ipinangako ni Lee Ann sa kanya. Ang importante, makauwi na siya. Kunsomido na siyang talaga kay Zyrone. Kaunti na lang hindi na niya ito matitiis pa.
“Antipatiko,” bulong niya, habang inilulusot niya ang hita niya palabas ng bintana.
“What did you say?” anito, inis.
“Wala, Sir. Ito na nga palabas na ko sa lungga,” sabi niya, pairap. Nang makalabas siya, nagmadali naman itong sumunod.
“Now what?” anito habang nagpapagpag ito ng alikabok damit nito.
“Nakalabas ka na, Sir. Tapos na ang misyon ko, uuwi na ‘ko,” supladang pahayag niya bago sinubukang humakbang palayo. Subalit mabilis nitong hinuli ang isang kamay niya at pinigilan siya.
“You cannot leave just yet. You need to get me a car,” nagmamadaling utos nito.
Namaywang na siya. “Naku, Sir. Pasensiya na. Laking riles lang ako pero hindi ako carnapper.”
He scoffed. “Shit!” anas nito maya-maya bago siya hinila sa mga service cars ng hotel na naroon lang sa malapit. Sumakto namang mayroong dumating na itim na sedan at nagbaba ng ilang tauhan ng hotel.
“Give me the car,” nagmamadaling utos ni Zyrone sa driver ng kotse.
“Sir Zyrone!” malakas na sabi ng isang empleyadong kababababa lang.
The yell caught the attention of a reporter smoking on the side of the hotel. Next thing she knew, tumatakbo na sa direksiyon nila ang mga reports na nasa harapan ng hotel.
“Give me the damn car, now!” gigil na sabi ni Zyrone sa driver. Taranta namang tumalima ang driver. Bumaling si Zyrone sa kanya. “Get inside the car!” sabi nito sa kanya.
Sandali siyang nataranta, bakit siya nito isasama?
She would’ve protested but Zyrone hurriedly opened the car's backseat door and pushed her inside the car. After that, he quickly settled himself at the driver’s seat. Ilang sandali pa, pinaharurot na nito ang sasakyan palayo.
Kanina pa hindi mapakali si Belle sa likod ng sedan. Bukod kasi sa gulat pa rin at naguguluhan ang kalahati ng huwisyo niya dahil sa mga pangyayari, pakiramdam niya ay puputok na ang pantog niya dahil ihing-ihi na siyang talaga!They have been driving for a solid two hours now, non-stop!Ngayon siya talaga nagsisisi kung bakit pa niya tinanggap-tanggap ang offer ni Lee Ann. She was forced to do attend and socialize with people not within her crowd. She was persuaded to talk to Zyrone, the most infuriating man she had ever met, just to get an exclusive scoop for their magazine. And now she was forced to go with Zyrone to wherever godforasaken place he plans to go! Idagdag pa na malapit na siyang magkaroon ng sakit sa bato dahil sa pagpipigil niya ng ihi.Lihim siyang nagngitngit. Gigil niyang kinalabit ang likod nito. Sandaling gumewang ang sasakyan.“Dammit!” singhal nito bago inayos ang manibela. Mukhang nagulat ito
Humigpit ang hawak ni Zyrone sa manibela ng sasakyan. He took in a sharp breath and focused on what he was doing—driving the hell out of the place as far away as he could. He was trying to rein in his anger for the writer who posed as his employee.What’s her real name again?Belle.Right. Belle Nolasco.How dare she invade his privacy? Going through such length as disguising as his employee just to get a story about him being ditched by Audrey.He scoffed.That’s why he doesn’t trust any of these people from the media. They’d pose as your friends and tell the world your secrets. They are all natural liars!And he can’t believe he’d almost allow one to pry into his life with ease!He raked his fingers through his hair. Belle Nolasco is the least of her concerns now. Ang dapat na iniisip niya, kung saan siya pupunta at pansamantalang magtatago—malayo sa mga magulang n
“Bakit mo ko binalikan? Akala ko ba galit ka sa mga gaya ko na ang trabaho ay pagkakitaan ang kamalasan ng iba?” nakaingos na tanong ni Belle kay Zyrone.He scoffed and slowly shook his head. “So, that’s what I get by saving your ass back there, huh? Right, you’re welcome, Ms. Nolasco,” sarkastikong sagot nito, ang mga mata nasa daan pa rin.Rumolyo na ang mga mata niya. She doesn’t mean to be an ingrate but she’s hungry, too shocked and too confused to even give a hell of a care to what he has done.Kung tutuusin, dapat nga talaga siyang magalit dito dahil kung hindi siya nito isinama sa pagkatakas, maayos pa sana ang buhay niya ngayon. She might be three thousand bucks poorer dahil sa ginawa niyang panunuhol kay Marie, but at least she would be in the comfort of her own home by now.But here she is again with Zyrone, driving to the dark of the night to some place only he knows.“
“Tell me something about yourself,” ani Zyrone sa kanya, ang mga mata nasa daan pa rin.They were still driving into the night to wherever but the only difference was, she’s now holding onto a siopao and a bottle of water. Dumaan sila sa isang bus stop na nadaanan nila at doon sila bumili ng pagkain. She’s thankful that the bus stop have a 24/7 souvenir shop and selling some shirts and shorts. Doon niya nalaman na nasa Pangasinan na pala sila. She bought themselves a pair of shirt and shorts. Doon na rin sila nagpalit ng damit. Mabuti na lang at hindi sila masyadong namukhaan ng mga tao na naroon sa bus stop kaya nagawa niya nang maayos ang pakay niya roon. And now she’s happily munching on her siopao and doesn’t care less to where they are going.“Well you already know my name and my profession. I’m 26 years old. Single but not ready to mingle. What about you?” kaswal na sagot niya bago muling kumagat
Nakahalukipkip na pinagmamasdan ni Belle ang guwapong mukha ng supladong si Zyrone. At habang tumatagal na nasa gano’n siyang posisyon, hindi na niya sigurado kung gusto pa niya itong gisingin o hindi.Hindi naman talaga kasi maipagkakaila na napakaguwapong nilalang ng suplado. Lutang na lutang ang American features nito—makakapal na kilay, matangos na ilong, at delectable lips. And his eyes… his cerulean eyes that can send to magic land in just once glance. Masarap pa rin talaga itong pagmasdan kahit na allergic siya rito. ‘Di ba, gano’n naman talaga ang allergens, enticing but deadly.Umirap na siya. Kung anu-ano naman ang naiisip niya. In as much that she wants to stare at Zyrone’s handsome face and keep him sleeping for her peace of mind, hindi niya puwedeng hindi gisingin si Zyrone. He has been sleeping for hours now! He even skipped lunch. At kahit na alas tres na ng hapon, hindi pa rin ito nagigising. And what&r
“Sige na, mag-igib ka na ng tubig,” ani Belle kay Zyrone nang nasa harap na sila ng poso. Latag na ang dilim subalit ngayon pa lang sila maliligo.Salubong ang mga kilay nitong bumaling sa kanya. “Where’s the faucet?”Agad na nalukot ang mukha niya. “Kuryente nga wala dito, faucet pa kaya,” nagsusungit na sabi niya bago ininaba sa harap niya ang gasera.May bitbit siyang gasera dahil bukod sa walang kuryente si Lila Mati, may ilang metro din ang layo ng banyo mula sa main house. Tipikal iyon sa mga lumang bahay sa probinsiya na napuntahan na niya.“So where will we get water?”“E d’yan nga sa poso,” sabi niya, tinuro pa ang poso na halatang luma na subalit gumagana pa naman.He looked at the manual water pump in front of him like it was a monster he needs to be afraid of.“Hindi mo ba alam gumamit n’yan?” tanong na niya.
When dinner came, wala silang imikan sina Zyrone at Belle kahit na magkatabi sila nito sa maliit na hapag ni Lola Mati. Ipinagluto sila ulit ng matanda ng piniritong isda at pinakbet. The dinner was simple yet scrumptious. Ang sabi pa nito, bukas ipagluluto naman daw sila nito ng ibang ulam upang hindi sila agad manawa sa pagkain. The old woman was really kind at hindi niya lubos maisip kung paano na lang at na may estrangherong gaya nila na aabusuhin ang kabaitan nito.And thinking about that, she was mentally reminding herself that she needs to wake-up early tomorrow to help Lila Mati in whatever way she could.Awtomatikong bumalik ang isip niya kay Zyrone nang magsalin ito ng tubig sa baso nito. He quietly downed the whole glass of water before he resumed eating again, silently.After Zyrone was done bathing, nakaligo rin siya… nang mag-isa. Hindi na siya nagpatulong rito sa pag-iigib at lalong hindi na siya nagpahintay rito s
Hindi agad nakapagsalita si Belle dahil sa ipinagtapat ni Zyrone sa kanya. So, Zyrone wasn’t originally an only child. He had a brother who died of drowning.“I-I’m sorry to hear that,” she said sincerely.Kahit na suplado ito at madalas magsungit, she can’t help but feel for him. Matagal na siyang ulila and she had lived a pretty rough life. At alam na alam niya ang pakiramdam ng mga nawalan ng mahal sa buhay.Hindi sumagot si Zyrone. Nagbuga lang ito ng hininga. Tila ito nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. Sinong mag-aakala na ang isang suplado at antipatikong gaya ni Zyrone ay mayroon ding malungkot na nakaraan? She had always thought of him as so entitled kaya ito ganoon kasungit
Thank you for sticking with me up to the very end of this book. This story is a witness to the many silent battles I had to face while writing it. And I'm still glad that despite the struggles, I can say that I have given Belle and Zyrone a beautiful ending they deserve. And just like Belle, we may enocunter a rough patch on our journey, but that doesn't mean we will have to remain in there. May we all find the courage to stand up after a fall, give forgiveness after getting hurt, and restore our faith in love after the pain. Thank you once again my beautiful readers. On to the next story! Keep dazzling!
“Jax Dominic!” nag-aalalang tawag ni Belle sa magtatatlong taong gulang na anak nang bigla itong kumawala sa kamay bago nagtatakbo sa direksyon ni Zyrone.She tried to hasten her walk kahit na alam niyang kahit na anong gawin niya hindi niya mahahabol ang anak dahil kabuwanan na niya sa ikatlong anak nila ni Zyrone. And according to her last prenatal check up with Doc Angel, she’s due to give birth any moment. And running is not just prohibited, it’s nearly impossible!She sighed and turned to Willa na siyang yaya na ngayon ni Jax. Nanikwas ang nguso nito bago nagmamadaling hinabol ang alaga nito. Natawa na lang sila ni Marco na siyang kasama nila ni Lillie na naglalakad patungo sa loob ng Prime Mall.Jax, just like Lillie, is really a handful. More active than Lillie was, actually. Her little boy loves to explore and discover new things like any kids his age. And he particularly has interest in cars and buildings. He has endless questions too with just about anything under the sun. E
Marahang naglakad sa aisle si Belle kasama sina Eliseo at Lillie. She still cannot wrap her head around what’s happening because she still thinks it’s impossible to happen at that very day when she received an answered prayer and a gift, but then again … it’s really happening!She’s really getting married to Zyrone… again!She looked up at the night sky peppered with stars, blessing them with their dazzle and beauty—a perfect background for their wedding ceremony. The air smelled soft and delicate, coming from the flowers surrounding them. And the music, sweet—full of promises.She quickly surveyed their guests. They were the same people who came and visited Zyrone today, people who had shared with their joy that finally the storm had passed and her little family is complete again. Their guests were just a handful compared to the number of people included in their original guests list. But she’s fine with it. They are the most important people in her and Zyrone’s life anyway. And she
Panay ang kabog ng dibdib ni Belle habang binabaybay niya ang hagdan patungo sa rooftop ng hospital. She took the stairs because the elevator on the floor were Zyrone’s hospital suite was in, suddenly was not working. And so she took the stairs instead. She’s actually quite thankful that the lift was not working because she had more time to think things through. She wanted to buy some time to think. She wanted to take careful steps on how she would handle the situation all by herself.Yes, by herself. Dahil apparently, wala siyang makontak sa mga kaanak niya—not Miranda nor Richard. Not even Eliseo! She had tried countless times to call their phones but her calls just won’t go through. Mukhang sabay-sabay na nag-off ng cellphones ang mga ito. Which is just so freakin' weird! Maging sina Marco at Leon, hindi rin niya matawagan. Not even Willa and Marie!At first she was having second thoughts about the note. Why wouldn’t she? She had just survived a kidnapping incident two-weeks ago. A
Lalong naiyak si Belle sa sinabi ni Zyrone. Walang sabi-sabi niyang kinalong si Lillie bago umupo sa gilid ng hospital bed. She looked at Zyrone and more tears fell from her eyes.Her emotions were overwherlming her, leaving her speechless but grateful.That day, she woke up and prayed to God to end her waiting. She thought that today, like all the other days that has passed, would be just another day of hoping and waiting. Never did she know that today, God will grant her pleas and bless her with a gift-- her very own miracles.Masuyo niyang hinaplos ang pisngi ni Zyrone. He leaned on her palm and another wave of warmth rose from her chest. “Y-you are really here. I-I missed you,” she tearfully confessed.Zyrone just smiled and said, “I missed you too and Lillie.”She smiled as she sobbed and gently pressed his free hand on her cheek. They are much warmer now—alive.Oh how she missed his warmth.Maya-maya pa, bumungad na sa pinto sina Eliseo, Leon at Marco. His grandfather quickly s
Nagising si Belle na nakahiga sa isang hospital bed. At first she was confused. Why wouldn’t she? The last thing she remembered was she just arrived at the hospital together with Marco after her secret visit with Laura and then…She gasped when the events came back to her all in one go. Nahilo siya sa parking lot. It was not long before that when everything around her went black. And now this… she’s waking up in a hospital bed, which she can surmise, based on the noise and curtains surrounding her, is located at the emergency room. Unti-unti siyang bumangon. Sakto namang nahawi ang kurtina na nasa may bandang paanan niya. Nagulat pa siya nang biglang lumitaw doon ang bulto ni Eliseo. His face was contoured with worry. She saw a glimpse of Leon and Marco outside the cubicle she was in nut they didn't come in with her grandfather. “I came as soon as I can. Itinawag ni Marco sa akin ang nangyari,” anang lolo niya nang tuluyan itong makalapit sa kanya. Marahan nitong hinaplos ang buhok
“Why are you here?” bungad agad ni Laura kay Belle, hindi pa man ito nakakalapit sa mesa na malapit sa kanila ni Marco. Bumaling si Laura sa kasama nitong pulis. “Ayoko silang kausapin. Ibalik mo na ‘ko sa loob,” utos nito.Subalit imbes na tumalima, tinulak lang ng pulis si Laura. The crazy bitch was forced to step forward until she was just a few steps away from her. The policewoman never left. She just stood behind Laura, alert.Laura looked at her with all the hate she could muster from the world. Like all she did for the past decades of her life was to live and breathe to hate. Well, that’s what Laura really did with her life—wasted life.Laura was wearing plain clothes. Her hair was in a messy bun and dark circles were visible under her eyes. Kumakalansing din ang mga posas na nakakabit sa mga kamay at binti nito. Malayong-malayo ang hitsura nito ngayon sa glamurosang Laura na nakilala niya.“Oh please, save your pity line to yourself.” The old lady rolled her eyes in annoyanc
Ten days. Ten lonely days.It has been that long since Zyrone was shot and yet… he is still unconscious. Doctors kept reassuring her though that he is stable and that they are confident that he will make a hundred percent recovery. But still, her worry will only stop when her husband will finally open his eyes and envelope her in his familiar warmth.Husband.She smiled bitterly. Tatlong araw na mula nang malaman niya kay Richard na hindi pinirmahan ni Zyrone ang divorce papers nila. And honestly, she doesn’t know what to feel about it. She’s happy that she’s still married to him and yet… the guilt that’s overtaking her was too much.She had spent three years hating Zyrone for the many things she thought he did but actually didn’t. She had deliberately hurt him several times but he stayed quiet and patient—telling her how much he loved her still despite of everything. She used to wonder where was his confidence was coming from. Ngayon alam na niya kung bakit.He really stayed true t
Umingit ang pinto ng private suite sa Angelicum Hospital kung nasaan si Zyrone. Agad namang napabaling si Belle sa direksyon niyon. Awtomatikong dumiretso ang upo niya sa sofa nang mapagsino ang nasa pinto. It was Richard.“Hi,” matipid nitong bati sa kanya bago tuluyang pumasok sa silid. Tahimik niyang tinanguan ang matandang lalaki at sinubukang umakto ng normal.But with Richard around, she knew she could never act normal. Heck! She didn’t have any pleasant memories with him, paano siya aakto nang normal?It has been almost a week now since the incident happened. Nakasampa na rin ang mga kaso laban sa mga Del Valle. At nai-transfer na rin nila si Zyrone sa Maynila—sa Angelicum Hospital and Medical Center. But still the same, her Zyrone is not yet awake. And though the doctors said that he is stable, no good news would count for her until he opens his eyes.Kaya naman, sa bawat araw na dumaraan, patuloy siya sa pakiusap sa Diyos na sana, bigyan pa siya ng pagkakataon kay Zyrone—pagk