Athena's POV
I arrived at my appointment, hoping for some clarity, but all I felt was the growing pit of anxiety in my stomach. I needed Justin's explanation, pero wala. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ang mapride o kung may nangyari na sa kanya. With a deep sigh, I pulled out my phone and tried calling him again. The ringing felt like an eternity, but there was no answer. Naka ilang ulit na ako tawag, pero wala pa rin."Justin, nasaan ka na ba?" I whispered to myself, my frustration growing with each unanswered call. I couldn't shake off the worry that something bad might have happened to him. Desperation crept in as I dialed his number once more, but still, no answer.I slumped on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. My mind raced with thoughts and questions. "Ako ba ang may mali? Am I being too prideful?" I wondered, feeling the tears start to well up in my eyes.A sudden knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart leaped with hope.Kalix's POVI was busy looking at my laptop when my phone rang. I saw Micka's name on my phone nanagpakunot ng noo ko. I immediately answer the phone. "Anong oras na? Hindi ka parin tulog?"- deretsong tanong ko pagkasagot ko sa tawag. "Oh sorry, is this Kalix?"- a familiar voice frome the other line pero hindi si Micka. "Yes? Who's this?"- I asked "It's Abigail if you still remember me, a friend of Micka... Ahm, pwede bang pasundo itong dalawang ito dito sa bar ko?"- she said "What? At this hour?" Hilot ko sa noo ko. 'It's already 3 am in the morning for god sake!'Ibinaba ko na ang tawag at iniwan ang report na ginagawa ko.I arrived at the bar, a sense of urgency gnawing at me. When I walked in, I immediately spotted Abigail as she raised her hand in front of one of the VIP's door "Kalix," she greeted, a concerned look on her face. "Buti nalang at andito ka na""What's going
Athena's POVI woke up with a pounding headache, the aftermath of last night's drinking session hitting me full force. My mouth felt dry, and my eyes were puffy from crying. For a moment, I forgot where I was, but then the memories of the previous night came flooding back. We went to Abigail's bar and we had drunk ourselves into oblivion.Sitting up slowly, I glanced around the room. I'm on my room."N-nakauwi pala kami kagabi?"- I asked as if someone will answer me. I saw water in my side table so I drink immediately. Beside it was a medicine for headache with a notes. "Drink this when you wake up, alam kong masakit ulo mo ngayon, text me okay?"- Micka.I took the medicine as I drink more water.It's literally 1 pm in the afternoon, medyo mahabang ang tulog ko but my head hurts. Umiikit din ang paligid ko so I went to my shower. I saw myself in the mirror.'I am so wasted'After kong magmuni muni sag
Athena's POVAs we entered the living room, I felt a mix of dread and anticipation. This was the moment I had been waiting for, but I wasn't sure I was ready to hear what he had to say.Justin sat down on the edge of the couch, looking more vulnerable than I had ever seen him. "Light, I... I don't even know where to start.""You don't know? Like you can start in why did you do that? Where have you been? Bakit hindi mo manlang sinasagot ang mga tawag ko? For god sake blinock mo nalang sana ako dahil man ok pa yata iyon kaya hindi mo sagutin ang mga putang*inang tawag ko!"- Seryosong sabi ko. "You knew how much I was broken when Czareenah left... Alam na alam mo Justin. Mas okay nga yata si Czareenah dahil nag iwan siya ng mensahe eh. Atleast I know. Samantalang Ikaw... Samantalang Ikaw wala... I was desperate to know why Justin. Bakit mo nagawa iyon?"- I asked in between my sobs. I saw a glimpses of puzzled in his eyes kaya medyo napatawa ako. Kinuha ko ang phone ko saka iniabot sa k
Athena's POV "Hi Doc kumusta ang last surgery niyo"- Tanong ni Nurse Micka as I was checking some patient's details. "Hayyyst, do I have to answer that nurse Micka?"- pagod kong sagot sa kanya."*Hehehe* sabi ko nga pagod na kayo eh, here, I bought that for you"- Micka said kasabay ng paglahad niya sa akin ng Isang inumin.I gave her a question look as I look at the drinks she gave me. May trust issue ako sa mga yelling drinks na binigay sa akin eh, ayokong mag expect. "It's a pineapple milkshake, hindi yan mango flavor promise"- sabi niya sabay taas pa ng kanyang kamay na para bang nanunumpa.Pagkarinig ko non ay nakangiti kong tinanggap ang inumin at ininum agad iyon. "Haayyyy... Heaven"- sabi ko na para bang nawala lahat ng pagod ko sa katawan as I taste it. "*Hahaha* people said you've changed a lot pero pagdating sa pinya ganon parin reaction mo"- masayang komento ni Micka. "Tssskk. Iyon tala
Athena's POVMalamya akong napabuga ng hangin habang nakatingin sa karagatan. I went into a week vacation matapos ang dinner na iyon. Sa ilang taong ko sa trabaho at ginugol ang oras sa pag-aaral para maging surgeon ay nagawa ko rin sa wakas ang vacation leave na karamihan sabik ang mga empliyado. This is my first vacation honestly, deserve ko naman siguro dahil sa dedication ko sa trabaho ko. I was distracted when my phone rang on my table. Nasa veranda ako as I'm having a little break of wine. At this instant, iisang lang ang kilala kong tawag sa ganitong oras so I just answered the phone even without looking at it. "So how's the first night of vacation lady Doc?"- it was Micka on the phone. "How's the shift doing nurse Micka?"- balik tanong ko sa kanya as I sound teasing her. "Tskk... Nag eenjoy ka lang jan eh"- she replied in a jealous tone. "So how is Montera?"- she asked."Good"- I simply answer. "Ma
Athena's Point of View"Pasok ka"- I said as I let go of Czareenah's hand saka pumasok ng tuluyan sa cabin kung saan ako magstay for two days.I smile at her, umiwas tingin siya sa akin but I keep on looking at her telling her 'it's okay'. I heard my phone ringing kaya sinagot ko muna when I saw Lallaine's name pop up on it. "Yes, hello?"- me"Nasan ka na? Bakit bigla kang nawala? Is everything okay?"- nag-aalalang tanong ni Lallaine sa phone. "I'm okay, Lallaine. Something just came up, I'm sorry hindi na ako nakapag paalam, pero babawi nalang ako I promise. Tell Mark for me please"-sabi ko."Okay, ako ng bahalang mag explain kay Mark then"- Lallaine said after niyang napabuntong hininga. Matapos ng naging usapan namin, I looked back to Czareenah as she was seating on the sofa, looking guilty at me. "Mother ni Ellion"- tuloy ko kay Lallaine na naka-usap ko sa phone. "I- I want to... I'm sorry"- nauutal niyang sabi saka siya napayuko. Tumabi ako sa kanya saka niyakap ng mahigpit
Athena's POV Natapos ang ang vacation leave ko na parang isang raw lang sa pakiramdam ko. Masyadong mabilis ang araw. Lalo na noong muli kaming nagkita ni Enah, pakiramdam ko kulang na kulang ang oras para sa aming dalawa. We are both catching up dahil sa mga oras na nasayang and I can say sa habang ng panahong na nagkahiwalay kami. We never change, except for our own maturity. "Kumusta ang bakasyon Doc?"- it was Micka na kapapaaok lang sa opisina ko. "It's good"- casual kong sagot sa kanya. I didn't bother to look at her dahil sa mga papeles ng mga pasyente ko."Tsskk... Good pero naghahabol ka ngayon ng trabaho"- mapang asar niyang sabi. I make face to her as we both laugh together. "So how is it pala? I'm so excited to meet her pero gosh! Hindi umaayon ang schedules ko!"- naiinis niyang sabi. Tinutukoy nito si Czareenah, sinabi ko sa kanya ang muli naming pagkikita ni Enah. She was so excited to meet her pero full load ang schedule niya buong buwan. And Czareenah would be
Athena's POV "The wedding will be next mouth"- Justin said."WHAT!?"- meNapalakas ang boses ko kaya naman nagsitinginan ang ibang mga costumers kung saan kami nakapwesto ni Justin. I looked at the costumers as mouthed 'sorry' to them. Bumalik naman sila sa kanya kanya nilang ginagawa. "Ang bilis naman yata!?"- I sound like a defensive one this time. Nag shrug lang si Justin as he look at the window."Nagiging masunurin lang akong anak"- he said without looking back at me. Tumingin ako sa glass window kung saan rin siya nakatingin. Mas lumakad pa ang ulan. Napako naman ang tingin ko sa dalawang estudyanteng nasa iisang payong. The way they are talking and looking at each other ay masasabi mo talagang magkarelasyon sila. They are both wearing the same uniforms but different color of ID lace which means magkaiba sila ng department. The boy is holding two bags which means the other one is the ladies bag. The s
Athena’s POV Weeks passed after Justin’s recovery, and although we’d had that heart-to-heart, things didn’t magically get better. Justin tried—oh, he tried so hard to make it up to me. Every time he’d come home early from work, he’d bring me flowers, my favorite food, or sometimes just a simple note telling me how much he loved me. Ilang araw din matapos ng paggaling niya ay bulamik ulit siya sa dati in terms of his work. Mas madalang narin. Siyang umuwi kaysa dati which made me more worried. Madalang narin nagkakasalubong ang oras namin. Days turned into weeks, and the stress of our situation started to weigh heavily on me. I found myself overthinking everything—every time Justin was late, every time he couldn’t explain where he’d been, my mind would spiral into worst-case scenarios. I knew I needed to stop, to trust him like I said I would, but it was easier said than done. Because of this constant anxiety, I stopped taking care of myself the way I used to. Meals became someth
Athena’s POVNatapos na ang operasyon ni Justin and I could still feel the tremor in my hands as I took off my gloves. Justin was finally stable, nagawa king natanggap ang mga balang nakabaon sa kanya, he's still unconscious at hindi pa namin alam kung kailan siya magigising. The thought of him lying on that stretcher, covered in blood, still haunted me. I had to stay strong, but my heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces.Tito and Tita is out of the country, nasabihan ko na rin sila about Justin pero pareparehas kaming walang alam sa nangyari. I still don't have any idea on what exactly happened, kung bakit siya nabaril and so on. As I walked out of the operating room, I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. My mind was racing. Paano ito nangyari? Sino ang gumawa nito kay Justin? “Athena,” It was Micka na siyang sumalubong sa akin. "How was it? Are you okay? Si Justin?"- tuloy tuloy niyang tanong. "Na-nagawa kong matanggal ang mga bala sa katawan niya
Athena’s POVI never imagined that just days after our wedding, life would take such a sharp turn. Few days after the wedding ay naglipat bahay na kami sa bagong bahay na titirhan namin —our own space, our sanctuary. Simpleng bahay lang din, which is Justin let me decide about it. Hindi masyadong makali, hindi masyadong maliit, sakto lang talaga siya at elegante tignan. Even the appliances Justin let me decide it, hindi ko nga alam kung bahay namin ito o bahay ko lang eh. If you're asking about us? Well ...*Flashbacks*"Paano ang kwarto?"- I asked him"Alam ko namang hindi ka parin komportable sa akin so I can use one of the guest rooms"- Justin. Lagi nalang siyang nakarely sa desisyon ko which is I know na nirerespeto niya ako but I also want his opinion pero..."Ok ..."- sagot ko nalang."So if ever our parents will be visiting we can pretend then"- pagpapatuloy ko. Tinitigan niya ako ng ilang segundo bago tuluyang sumagot. His eyes are blank which is mas nasasanay na ako kesa s
Athena's POV Nakaharap ako sa salamin, pinagmamasdan ang sarili sa puting gown na suot ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman? Ang kasal na ito ay hindi ko pinangarap na ganito. I may once wished na si Justin ang mapakalasalan ko but not this kind of set-up. “Okay ka lang, Tina?” Enah asked me, maid of honor."Yeah..."- tumango ako sa kanya. She gave me a smile Saka lumapit sa akin. "You're beautiful"- Enah.Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. "Nagdadalawang isip ka parin? Ngayon pa na isinuot mo na yan?"- tuloy nito sa suot ko"Masyado lang mabilis ang mga pangyayari, hindi kapanipaniwala"- mahinang sabi ko."You have your time after this Tina... Hindi mo naman isusuot iyan ang waiting here if hindi mo gustong mangyari to eh, you will have your time after this. You're here now"- Enah.Napatingin kaming pareho sa pinto dahil sa pagkakakatok. "Ohh my gosh!!! My darling... You're so pretty "- emotional na wika ni mom. Sunod namang pumasok si Nanay Tina (mommy ni Czareenah)"Napakagan
Content WarningThis chapter contains descriptions of prohibited drug use and explicit sexual content. These themes may be distressing or triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Athena's POV I was expecting na mamayang gabi pa dating si Justin, nagulat nalang ako nang makita ko siyang hingal na hingal sa tapat ng apartment ko 15 minutes after ko siyang tinawagan. "Ju-Justin..."- meHe finally burts a sign"Tama ang dinig ko kanina right? You're finally willing to listen... What happened 5 years ago? And... And you called me name?"-- mangiyak ngiyak nitong tanong sa akin. "Pasok ka"- sabi ko matapos kong tumango sa kanya. I felt him follow me, dumeretso ako sa kusina para magtimpla ng kape, umupo naman siya sa sofa. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagtitig nito sa akin kahit na medyo nakatalikod ako sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung anong maririnig ko sa kanya ngayon, I clear my mind so I won't expect
Athena's POV 'I felt someone kissed me in my forehead kaya tiningala ko kung sino. When I saw it was Justin I kissed him. It maybe a dream but atleast kahit sa panaginip manlang I can taste his lips again.' I woke up with a heavy head at parang pinipiga ang ulo ko sa sakit. "Drink this para mabawasan ang sakit ng ulo mo"- I heard a familiar voice. 'Nananaginip parin siguro ako' Unti unti kong ibinukas ang mga mata ko when I saw a blurry face. Inilagay nito ang gamot sa kamay ko at tinulungan akong isubo iyon. Pang apat na lagok ko ng tubig ay unti unting naging klaro ang mukha ni Justin sa harap ko. *Burrsstt* (naibuga ko ang tubig sa tabi ng kama ko) *Cough* *cough* "Hey, careful"- hagod ni Justin sa likod ko saka nagsalin ulit ng tubig sa baso and gave it to me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"- tanong ko Napansin ko rin na iba na ang
Athena's POV "Here come to bride!"- Micka shouted as I enter the room. Napakunot ang mga mata ko when I saw them cheering on me. Tatlo sila and ngayon ko lang marealized na may bagong mukha akong nakita. Her face is familiar then I realized kung saan ko siya nakita. Napangiti lang ito sa akin but I can see she's excited to hugged me dahil halatang nagpipigil ito. "Giselle? Is it you?"- sabi ko"KIYYAAAAHH!"- we both shouted in chorus. Hindi namin pinansin ang dalawang nagtatakip na ng mga tenga as we both jump into joy while hugging each other. The cozy ambiance ng VIP room sa resto bar made everything feel so intimate. Nakangiti akong nakatingin sa mga kaibigan ko. Finally, lahat kami nandito na."Grabe, finally! kompleto tayo"- I said."Cheers?"- Enah raise her glass."CHEERS!" Giselle, Micka and I shouted. "Any update with the wedding?"- Enah"Tuloy na tuloy talaga huh"- Micka"Tsskk"- I just shrug dahil nagsisimula na naman sila sa pang-aasar. "So sinong napili mong maid of
Athena's POV Kakatapos lang ng last operation ko, paglabas ko sa operation room ay usually mga guardian ng pasyenteng inoperahan ko ang nakaabang doon. My eyes where in him na nakasandal sa wall looking at me. "Doc..."- nag aalalang wika ni Mrs. Tranco.The guardians where waiting for me to speaking kaya napunta sa kanila ang pansin ko. "The operation is successful po, but still we wait for further results."- I said Sabay sabay silang nakahinga ng maluwag matapos kong sabihin iyon. "Thank you Doc... Thank you so much"- Mrs. Tranco."Ililipat po siya sa ward so doon nalang po siya hintayin"- sabi ko sa kanila saka tuluyang nagpaalam bago ko sila tinalikuran. I went to the opposite hallway, never looking back. 'What is he doing here again?'- Wala sa sariling tanong ko. Matapos kong nagbihis ay chineck ko ibang pasyente. "Doc! Overtime ka ngayon?"- Nurse Velasco asked me. "Nah, I'm having my last checking sa mga pasyente ko. "Ohh... Sakto, we're having a night out later kasama
Athena's POVI've been driving for hours pero malapit na ako sa resort. Isa ito sa favorite naming pinupuntahan ni Czareenah dati maliban sa mga view decks na napupuntahan namin kapag nagjojoy rides kami na ginagawa naming tambayan o kaya sa bukid nila mismo. Maliban sa magandang view ay may mga resto na pwedeng pagpilihan depende sa mood o sa gusto mo. They also have bars, cafes, karinderias and different resto styles like Korean resto, Japan and others. Sa 'Cafe Latte' ako dumeretso tulad ng napag usapan namin. "Tina!"- I heard Enah's voice behind me."Oh! You're here... Hi"- I hugged her. "Of course... Lagi akong sumasabay sa oras"- she said proudly. "Where's Micka?"- she asked. "Hahabol daw siya... But she's on her way na"- sagot ko sa kanya."Okay, let's go then"- Aya nito sa akin. Sabay na kaming pumasok sa cafe, sabay narin nag order ng meryenda. "Oh... I remember Giselle, is she coming?"- I asked her as we sat together. "Well, next month daw siya babawi, out of countr