"Why did you do that? You don't have to." I asked and said when I cooled down. "I know what you are doing, Ice. You're driving her away. S-sorry. I invaded your privacy and the confidentiality of your condition." Kumunot ako, biglang napaisip."What do you mean? W-what are you talking about?" "I followed you the day you had a consultation with your Doctor and the day you learned the result, too. I'm worried that's why I did that." Natahimik lang ako. "If you want her to really give up, you have to make her believe that the thing she's holding up is no more. You can use me, Ice. It's my pleasure to help you. And I won't accept a no for an answer. Just on this, let me." [AVRY VALERI BLOSSOM]"Ma'am.. O-okay lang ho kayo?" I heard a female voice. That's the bartender, I guess. Alcohol was the first thing that popped up in my mind after my heartbreaking encounter with Ice earlier, so I ended up here at a bar again. And I think that would be the last time I will be seeing the love of
"I'm staying, honeybunch," Quinn said, which caused me panic. Just last night, she brought up the idea of not going back to Paris. We are currently having dinner in one of my restaurants. "W-what? No.." I raise to meet her eye, showing her my displeased reaction. "What the hell are you talking about, Quinn?" I asked just to make sure I didn't hear it wrong. "I want to stay, get married here, honeybunch. Ayoko na bumalik ng Paris. I want to settle here in my mother's homeland with you and build a family. Don't you like that?" She uttered, eyes fixated on me as she held both my hands and gently stroked them. Quinn is half Filipino and half French. "I have a life in Paris, Hon. I thought we have understanding?" Wala pa kaming one-year ni Quinn ng mag prose ako ng kasal. I met her at one of my gallery exhibits. I caught her then, staring for a long time at one of my Obra Maestra. She said she sees herself in that painting. At a glance, she looks genuinely happy and seems to be liv
[ICE QUEEN SAMSON] "Ice.. Ice!!" I was stunned sa biglang pagtaas ng boses ni Rocky—Nasa loob kami ng kotse niya at pauwi na. Sinundo niya ako kanina after ng klase ko. "S-sorry. What are you saying?" Tanong ko ng makabawi ako. Wala pala kasi ako sa sarili ko. "Okay ka lang ba? Kanina pa ako nagsasalita hindi ka naman pala nakikinig." "Sorry." "May masakit ba sayo?" Umiling ako sa tanong niya kasabay ng," Wala. Okay naman ako. Pagod lang siguro." "Are you sure? Sumasakit ba ulo mo?" Nag-aalala nanaman siya. "Gusto mong magpa check up tayo?" Dagdag pa nito. Panay ang tingin sa akin tapos babalik sa daan. "Relax.. Walang masakit sakin. Paranoid ka." Natatawang sabi ko. "Nakuha mo pa talagang tumawa. I'm being serious here, Ice." Hinawakan ko siya sa may braso para kumalma. "Okay nga lang ako." Pinanindigan ni Rocky ang pananatili sa tabi ko simula ng malaman niya ang tungkol sa sakit ko. Maliban kay Mommy, Ate Izzy, lolo, si Rocky lang ang may alam. Siya nga ang unang nakatu
[AVRY VALERI BLOSSOM]"You were quiet since yesterday. Is this still about not going back to Paris?" No.. It's more than that.Quinn knows how broken I was before she came into my life. What she doesn't know is whose. I never speak about Ice. Quinn could only see my suffering, but I didn't say anything to her. She only knew that I loved someone at that time. "Hey.. Talk to me. What's the matter, honeybunch?""Nothing. I'm just adjusting. You know. I'm not used to staying here anymore. Especially the traffic. So frustrating." She laughed, which eased me. "Yeah. Hon, there's still super traffic. By the way, I met someone the other day." "Who?" "We have the same name." Happily, she shared. "And I want her to design our house." I was surprised. I thought I was gonna design our home. "I knew that look. Don't be jealous. Just work with her. For sure, you gonna love her work too.""You allow me to work with a girl now?" I sounded amused. "She's an exception." She giggled. Another day
"Oh no. It's the same course." Magsasalita sana siya pero nag ring ang phone ko. Shit! Si Rocky. "Hello.. Rocky. Sorry on the way na ko ng bahay." "Ah ganun ba? Sorry, natagalan kasi ako sa meeting. Bagong investors." "Sorry.. Biglaan. Mukhang uulan na kasi." Pagdadahilan ko pero umuulan na din naman talaga. "Okay lang. Wala pa naman ako sa Samson kaya mabuti nag taxi ka na." Sorry Rocky. Wala ako sa taxi. Kasama ko siya ngayon. "Ingat ah. Chat mo ako kapag nakarating ka na." Sunod niyang sabi saka nagpaalam at pinutol na ang tawag. Sinulyapan ko naman ng palihim si Avry. Madilim na ang mukha nito. Hindi na katulad kanina. "Si Rocky pala sundo mo." She said in a monotone. Nasa daan lang ang focus niya. "Ah.. O-oo." Bakit ako nauutal? Ilan sandali pa nakarating kami ng bahay. Inalok ko siya na pumasok na muna. Nagalak naman ako ng pumayag siya kahit tila pangit ang timpla. Simple lang ang bahay namin pero maayos naman. "Ate Izzy.." Yumakap ako kay Ate kahit medyo nabasa ako
[AVRY VALERI BLOSSOM]I still can't recover from what I found out. I spilled coffee on Ice at the Love is Blind coffee shop and not on Xandra. They were wearing the same clothes when Ice changed, but Xandra was the one I talked to next.Are my eyes so blurry back then that I couldn't distinguish between them?Look at how greatly fate could play in our lives. It was Ice all along. I opened the door when I reached my penthouse, and Quinn, with crossed arms and a lethal stare, immediately met me. I'm dead...I forgot to update her on my whereabouts."Look, Hon, I'm sorry," I preceded before she could lash me out. I comprehended her temper, and I got used to it already. I know her very well. "Where the hell have you been? Did you throw your phone away? I've been calling and sending messages for almost two hours, Valeri!" "I'm sorry." That was all I could say with pleading eyes as I tried to hold her in my arms. "Are you?" She uttered In her sarcastic tone. "Zamantha and I met unexp
[AVRY VALERI BLOSSOM]Since I bumped into Ice, my mind seemed to storm out. I can't get her out of my system once again. It's starting to alarm and distress me even though she does nothing. "Ma'am.."My student was busy now with their activity while I was preoccupied with so many things that it gave me such a headache. I guess it was a wrong move going back. "Ma'am!" "Yes? Mr. Pascual?" Ano bang problema ng batang to? Early in the morning. "Can I excuse myself for a moment po?" "And why is that?" I asked with my stoic face. He's the guy from the last time who was talking with his pals about Ice. "Kikitain ko po kasi sa labas si Ice." My ears seemed surprised, and so did I when I heard her name. "For what?" I stood up, approaching him. "May pinaa-abot po kasi sa kanya yung pinsan ko," I remember.. Ka-block ni Ice ang tinutukoy nito. "I can get it for you-" "Hindi na po." My brows creased. "Gusto ko din po kasing makita si Ice." "You can't, Mr. Pascual. Focus on the task." I
"Thank you sa free lunch." Palabas na ako ng pinto. "I-Ice." Nahinto at lumaylay uli ang kamay kong pipihitin na sana ang doorknob. "Yes po?" Sambit ko ng makaharap. Ang lapit na pala niya. Isang hakbang na lang ata mawawala na yung gap sa pagitan naming dalawa. "Amm.. H-how's your relationship with Rocky?" Tama. Ang alam nga pala niya kami ni Rocky. "O-okay naman." Bakit niya tinatanong? "Ang tagal nyu na din." Pinaka titigan ko siya. I can't read anything. Sobrang kabog ng dibdib ko kahit hindi naman dapat. "Amm.. I-I'll go ahead na." Baka malate ako. No.. Baka anong magawa kong kagagahan kung magtatagal pa ako sa apat na sulok na to ng kwarto kasama ka... Tatalikod na sana ulit ako ng mapagtanto kong wala na siyang sasabihin pero bigla na lang itong humawak sa magkabilang braso ko at isinandal ako sa may pintuan. Shit! One inch na lang ata ang layo namin sa isa't-isa. Anong binabalak niyang gawin? I can sense desire in her eyes. Wag kang assumera Ice... Pukol ko sa sarili.