(Reese's POV)
BALISA ako habang nagmamaneho patungo sa apartment ni Olive. I didn't texted or called her that I'll be visiting her. Tinanong ko lang kung may lakad siya at sinabi naman niyang wala at nasa apartment lang siya. I'll just surprise her para hindi niya ako takasan. Baka kapag sinabi kong pupuntahan ko siya, magpalusot lang siyang may pupuntahan.Kailangan ko ng makakausap. Mababaliw ako kapag sinarili ko ang problema ko. And the conversation with Coz earlier didn't helped. Mas lalo lang ako na-stress.'Come home to me. I'll be waiting for you, wife.'...that's what he said huskily. Yes, huskily. Parang boses kagigising lang na siyang labis na nagpatayo sa mga buhok sa batok ko. Bumilis din ang tibok ng puso ko kaya umatras ako at nagmamadaling tinalikuran siya. Halos takbuhin ko na nga ang kinaroroonan ng kotse niyang madalas kong gamitin para lang makalayo kaagad sa kanya. Kung mananatili pa akong malapit sa kanya kahit sandali lang, hindi(Reese's POV)HINDI ko alam kung naka-ilang tagay na ako ng makaramdam ako ng pagka-ihi. Nang mapatingin ako sa center table, dalawang bote na pala ng soju ang walang laman at kalahati na lang din ang natitira sa boteng kasalukuyan naming iniinom.Bago ako tumayo at tumungo sa banyo, uminom muna ako ng tubig para ibsan kahit konti lang ang nararamdaman kong pagkahilo. Umikot pa ang paningin ko ng makatayo ako kaya muntikan na akong mabuwal kung hindi lang ako nakahawak sa balikat ni Olive. She looked up at me with a confused look. I shook my head, assuring her that it was just nothing.She nodded. Hindi niya pala napansin na muntikan na akong mabuwal kanina. And thanks God that she really didn't saw me dahil baka pagtawanan niya lang ako. Baka sabihin pa niyang mas mahina akong uminom kaysa sa kanya. And that's not true. Siya ang mas mabilis malasing sa aming dalawa. Siya ang laging unang tumatakbo sa banyo. Siya ang laging unang nakakatulog dahi
(Reese's POV)BWISIT. That's the perfect way to describe Joseph Coz Taylor right now. Napakabalahura ng bunganga. Ang dapat sa kanya ay nagmumumog ng holy water para mabasbasan ang bunganga niya. Kung ano-ano na lang kasing kabalastugan ang mga sinasabi niya.I'm not a greenminded. Well, maybe just a little. Pero simula no'ng nakasalamuha ko siya, kung ano-ano na lang ang pumapasok sa isip ko. Nakakahawa ang sakit niya.Nakakaloka. Ang hirap intindihin ng ugali niya. Napakagulo. Sobra. Minsan ang sarap niyang sapakin at ilibing ng buhay. Minsan naman ay hindi ko na alam kung matutuwa ba ako o maiinis sa pagiging tahimik niya.Coz brings out the best and worst in me. Parang ang sama-sama kong tao sa t'wing nag-uusap kami dahil parang inaaway ko siya. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi maiinis kapag hindi sumasagot ang tinatanong mo? 'Yong tipong bago kayo magtanungan, sasabihing 'you can ask anything', pero kapag nagtanong ka na, hindi ka naman
(Reese's POV)HINDI ko alam kung ilang oras na akong nakatulala lang sa notes ko. For the first 3 hours, okay pa naman ang oagre-review ko. Maybe because it's for the minor subjects at walang computations. But when I started reviewing for one of my major subjects, parang nagsilayas na lahat ng braincells ko. Natulala na lang ako at kahit na ano'ng pilit kong ipasok sa utak ko ang mga information, wala talagang pumapasok. Wala pa ngang exam, na-mental block na ako kaagad.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe I just need to rest. Maybe I overused my brain.I stood up and walked towards the mini refrigerator that Coz had prepared for me. Up until now, I still can't figured out why he prepared all of these things. Parang napaka-concern naman niya.Bakit niya kailangang gawin ito? May gusto ba siyang patunayan? Kung oo, ano naman?Gusto niya bang patunayan na kahit ano, pwede niyang gawin? I can't understand why. Bakit? Pwede naman a
(Reese'POV)Naramdaman kong nagulat siya sa ginawa ko. He stiffened as our lips met. But I didn't give even a single damn about it. It was just a peck. Just a simple and short touch of our lips. No big deal.I distanced my face from him with a wide smile still plastered on my face. I let go of him and excitedly get the plastic he's holding."Thanks, hubby." I happily said to him before tasting the fruit tea. And the moment I tasted it, my eyes automatically closed because of how delicious it is. "This is really good!" I happily chirped like a kid who got her favorite chocolate.I drank almost half of it before looking at Coz, the straw's still between my lips. My forehead creased when I saw his reaction. His looking at me dumbfounded, like he can't believe what he's seeing right now.Dahan-dahan kong pinakawalan ang straw ng mapagtanto ko kung ano ang ginawa ko, ilang minuto lang ang nakakalipas. Napalunok ako dahil sa katangahang nagawa ko.Damn, Rose Destiny!
(Reese's POV) HeE distanced his face a few inches away from mine. I stared at his eyes, not even blinking. Basta nakatitig lang ako sa mga mata niya. I don't know why but I was really mesmerized by his eyes. Ang sarap pagmasdan.Both of his hands still holding both sides of my waist, he pushed me back so that I can slightly sit in the corner of my table. And both of my hands are still encircled on his neck. I felt my cheeks suddenly heated up. I slowly unclasped my hands on his neck and let them fall on my sides."I need you to sleep now." He said, breaking the silence between us again. My lips formed into to thin line, realizing that he's right. "Your class will start early tomorrow."I tried my best to stop myself from smiling but I failed. Unti-unting may sumilay na ngiti sa mga labi ko at kitang-kita ko kung paano bumaba ang mga mata niya sa labi ko."Concern that I might get late in class?" I teased. I'm feeling comfortable with our
(Reese's POV) AND just like what he said last night, he really drove me to school. Pero bago pa kami makarating sa SU, mahaba-haba pang usapan ang naganap. Sinabi ko kasing h'wag na niya akong ihatid but Coz being Coz, hindi siya pumayag. Kaya naman ang nangyari, badtrip akong naligo at nagbihis. When I went to the kitchen, he was already there, sitting and waiting for me. And not to mention, he's glaring at me.The atmosphere was awkward. Halos tunog lang ng mga kubyertos ang naririnig. Walang gustong maunang bumasag sa katahimikan.Alice wasn't around since yesterday. I don't need to ask who prepared the food. I woke up late so it's not me. And this isn't the first time that he was the one to prepare the food. And also, he wouldn't even allow me to cook.I was about to open the door when he talked."You're class will end at 5?"Still holding the door's handle, I looked at him. "Why asked? You had my schedule." Medyo iritadong saan ko.His forehead creased
(Reese's POV)SUNOD-SUNOD ang naging paghinga ko ng malalim. Ngunit kahit ano'ng pilit kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko at pagaanin ang nararamdaman ko, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-agos ng mga luha ko.Dahan-dahan akong sumalampak sa sahig at isinandal ang likuran ko sa nakasaradong pinto. Still with my right hand clutching the part where my heart is, I closed my eyes as my tears continued to slid down my cheeks.Bakit ko ba ito nararamdaman? Ano ba ang nakita ko? Bakit ba ako sobrang apektado? Is this what they... No! This is wrong!Still with my eyes closed, I took a deep breath. And another. And another. Until I finally calmed myself down.It took me a few minutes before I opened my eyes and slowly stood up. And as soon as I already settled on my feet, someone knocked. And even without seeing who it was, I already knew.Once again, he knocked. "Open this door, Reese." He said. Not in a demanding tone or anything. It's like he's just normally talking to me.I
(Reese's POV)I was left dumbfounded. Awang ang mga labing sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa mawala na siya sa paningin ko. Lutang akong nagtungo sa kusina para maghanap ng makakain. And luckily, I found some takeouts above the table. Ininit ko na lang dahil tinatamad akong magluto.While eating, my mind went back to the scene earlier. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi pamulahanan ng pisngi dahil sa mga sinabi niya.I'm his responsibility 'cause I'm his wife. He even said whether I like it or not. But what really left me dumbfounded was the fact that he said that I'm his.What the actual fvck? Is he serious? Why does he had to say that to me? After what I witnessed?After eating, I immediately went to my room, reviewed for a few minutes before I decided to sleep. But I can't. Ayaw akong dalawin ng antok.Pabaling-baling ako sa higaan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko para dalawin ako ng antok. Kaninang nagre-review ako, inaantok
(Coz's POV)PINANOOD kong unti-unting nawawala sa paningin ko ang kabaong ng kapatid ko. Just the thought of not going to see her again smiling made me clenched my fist. Bakit siya pa? What did she do wrong for her to suffer these things? She don't deserved to be in this position. Whoever the reason behind this will pay...big time.Dumiretso kaagad ako sa opisina pagkaalis ko sa sementeryo. I have lots to do and I want to know who did that to my sister. I'll make that person's life a living hell. Hindi siya makakatakas sa ginawa niya.After some minutes, my Secretary entered together with someone I really know. Kaagad itong may inilapag na envelope sa lamesa ko. Sinenyasan ko ang Secretary ko na iwanan muna kami na kaagad namang sumunod."Nand'yan na po lahat ng gusto niyong malaman sa pinapaimbestigahan niyo, Sir," aniya.With gritted teeth, I opened the envelope and pulled out the documents. My eyes squinted at the words I'm reading. He's right. Narito na lahat ng kailangan kong m
(Reese's POV)WE'RE ENGAGED. It was an epic engagement but it's worth it. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa pinili kong desisyon. Sumugal ulit ako kahit walang kasiguraduhan na hindi na ako matatalo. Pero gano'n naman talaga kapag sumugal ka, hindi mo alam ang magiging resulta. Sana lang ay mapunta sa akin ang swerte at hindi ako matalo bandang huli.We're not perfect. Be both have our own red flag. But we're both working on that. He never ffailed to tell me how much he loves me every single day. At sa bawat hindi ko pagsagot, kita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya pero agad din namang nawawala at napapalitan ng pagmamahal. Hindi ko intensyon na iparamdam sa kanya ang gano'n at hindi rin ako naghihiganti sa ginawa niya.I was back to my reverie when someone snapped in front of my face."Kanina ka pa tulala habang nakatingin sa singsing mo, marecakes," nakangising saad ni Audrina. "Nang-iinggit lang ang peg?"I chuckled as I caressed it. "Hindi pa tuluyang nagsi-sinc in
(Reese's POV)THE night of the surprise came. He told me to wear something comfortable. Kahit hindi naman niya sabihin, talagang 'yon ang gagawin ko. I'm into jeans, not dresses. Shoes and not heels. Ni hindi na nga rin ako naglagay ng make-up at basta na lang sinuklay ang buhok ko.When I went out of the room and walked down the stairs, his attention went to me. May kausap ito sa cellphone pero ang atensyon niya ay na sa'kin. That made me smile. I believe him.I talked to his mother last night. She explained what happened after I left. She made me realized lots of things. And I was shock that their love story was almost similar to ours. Tito also fooled her—her words, not mine. Hindi raw niya ako pipiliting paniwalaan lahat ng sinasabi ni Coz. Ang tanging gusto lang daw niya ay subuan kong intindihin ang mga rason niya. After this night, kung hindi ko pa rin daw kayang tanggapin muli si Coz, desisyon ko na raw 'yon at wala na siyang magagawa.Ilang oras akong nag-isp kung ano ang da
(Reese's POV)PIGIL NA PIGIL ko ang sarili kong matawa sa itsura ni Coz. He looks confused but he still managed to nod his head. That made me smile. Tumayo ako ng maayos bago kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa ko at may tinawagan."Where the fuck are you?!" kaagad na bungad nito pagkasagot sa tawag ko. "Matinong sagot ang kailangan ko, Rose Destiny. Bigla-bigla ka na lang aalis ng walang pasabi kung saan ka pupunta. Letse ka talaga!""Relax, Olivia!" I said with a smile on my face as I stare at Coz who's still confused as to this moment. "I'm with him." There's no need to tell who I'm talking about. Alam niya kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. "I'll stay here for awhile. Don't worry about me.""Loudspeaker this phone right now!" she demanded like she's the boss of me. "Right now, Reese!""Chill. I'll do it," I said then did what she wants and put the phone above Coz's table. "She wants to talk to you." I mouthed to Coz and he just nodded."I know we're not that close, Taylor, but I want you to
(Reese's POV)WHAT he said caught me off guard. My eyes almost popped out as I stare at him looking at me softly. I can't believe that I'm seeing fondness in his usual cold eyes. Is this for real?Mapakla akong natawa. Mahina sa umpisa hanggang sa unti-unting medyo naging malakas. Hinila ko ang kamay kong hawak niya at tumayo. "Y-You..." Napa-iling ako habang natatawa pa rin. "T-That's a good joke," sabi ko.He pressed his lips as he stared at me. "I'm serious."Pinahupa ko muna ang pagtawa ko bago siya sinagot. "It didn't look as a joke to me." Seryoso siya? Mahal niya ako? Hindi ko alam kung nagpapatawa ba siya o nanggagago na naman para utuhin ako.I know it's not right to judge a person pero iba kasi pagdating sa kanya. I should be happy right now hearing him say those 3 words and 8 letters to me pero hindi. Sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa kapag narinig mo mismo sa taong mahal mo na mahal ka rin niya? That your love for that person isn't unrequited after all?Every woman deserve
(Reese's POV)GULAT ako sa nakikita ko at hindi ko napigilang umawang ang mga labi ko. Pero pagkaraan ng ilang segundo, nakabawi ako at naging blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko."What are you doing here, Mr. Taylor?" I asked in a business tone like he always do every time he's talking to someone. "What's the visit for?"And the brute just smirked at me. I gritted my teeth and stopped myself from smacking his face. Wala akong pakialam kung gwapo pa rin ito kahit na basa na siya ng ulan. Alam na ngang malakas ang ulan, naglakas-loob pang lusungin ito. Akala mo naman ay waterproof ang hudyo."I'm here to pick up my wife," he simply said like he's just asking for a water."Maling lugar ang pinuntahan mo kung asawa mo ang hinahanap mo," walang emosyon na sagot ko. "Wala dito ang hinahanap mo, Mr. Taylor," dagdag ko pa. Bakit ba kasi ito nandito?"Wala?" Mapakla siyang natawa. "Why don't you let me in—""Gago ka ba?!" hindi ko napigilang isinghal sa kanya. "Let you in? Bakit, aber? Sino
(Reese's POV)MY MIND tried to processed what she said but it's declining everything. Naguguluhan ako dahil bakit ako ang dahilan? Ano ang kinalaman ko sa kanya? Ilang buwan na kaming walang communication kaya bakit ako damay?"H-Hospitalized?... L-Last week?... B-Because of m-me?" putol-putol na paninigurado. I can't formulate the exact words that I want to say because my mind was in chaos. "Narinig mo naman ang sinabi ko, 'di ba?" medyo iritang sagot niya pero binalewala ko na lang."W-What happened? Is he okay? Na-discharge na ba siya?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko. Wala na dapat akong pakialam sa kanya, kung ano ang kalagayan niya, pero hindi ko maiwasan. Dapat kinakalimutan ko na siya pero hindi ko magawa.What happened? Ano na naman ang dahilan kung bakit siya naospital? Ano ang kinalaman ko? Okay lang ba siya?"Bakit ka nagtatanong ng gan'yan? Dapat kinakalimutan mo na siya, 'di ba? Bakit may pakialam ka pa sa kanya?""May pinagsamahan naman kami—""Pero niloko ka niya!" inis na p
(Reese's POV)"KANINO galing?" I asked Audrina after she handed me a box of doughnuts from Autumn's."Sa'kin malamang. Ako nagbigay, 'di ba?" She rolled her eyes."Kung isampal ko kaya sa'yo 'to?" I countered and acted like I was about to slapped the box to her. "Ano?" hamon ko pa.Instead of answering, she turned her back at me and even flipped her hair."Pikon ka talaga kahit kailan, Aurora." pang-aasar ko pa gamit ang nickname na ibinigay ko sa kanya."Tangina mo! Audrina ang pangalan ko, hindi Aurora, gago!" sigaw niya mula sa kusina na ikinatawa ko.Sa mga nakalipas na panahon, mas naging close pa kami. Minsan nga ay nagseselos na si Olive dahil mas madalas kong kasama si Audrina. Sabi nga ni Desiree, malapit na raw kaming magkamukha dahil halos kung nasaan ang isa, nando'n din ang isa."Tumanda ka sanang dalaga." aniya ng bumalik ito sa sala habang may hawak na tasa na sigurado akong kape na naman ang laman."Kape now, palpitate later." sabi ko nang maka-upo ito sa kaharap kong
(Reese's POV)AFTER knowing the news, hindi ko alam kung paano ko kinayang makauwi ng ligtas. I was shaking and nervous. Umiiyak ako dahil sa labis na pag-aalala.The news said it was not his fault but he was injured. At hindi nakatulong na hindi man lang binanggit kung ano ang tinamo niya. Nabalian ba siya? Nauntog ba? Wala. Walang nabanggit.The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was that I cried so hard upon reaching my bed. Gusto ko siyang puntahan. Gusto kong malaman ang kalagayan niya. Pero wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi umiyak na LANG. Umaasa akong maayos ang kalagayan niya. That he's not severely injured or something.When I woke up, I found Desiree peacefully sleeping beside me and holding my left hand. Dahan-dahan akong umalis sa kama para hindi siya magising. When I checked the time, it was already 9 in the morning.I went to the kitchen as I scrolled through my social media accounts, trying to find some news about him. Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang may