CHAPTER 06

 (CHAPTER 06) 

      HABANG NASA sasakyan ay hindi maiwasang mapatingin sa bintana ng kotse si Almedel dahil sa biglaang pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan. 

“Hindi mo nasabi na uulan pala.” kalmado ngunit may halong irita sa boses ni Almedel. 

“Sorry boss.. Ngunit hindi rin binalita ang tungkol dito.” agarang sagot ni Ryker Park, ang kanang kamay at personal assistant ni Almedel. 

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Almedel, pinipigilan ang kakaibang nararamdaman sa kanyang katawan. 

“Boss? Okay lang po ba kayo?” Ryker worriedly asked. 

Ryker knew that Almedel didn't like rain, he didn't even like water. Ryker also knew that there was something different about Almedel's personality, no one else noticed it but him. Whenever Almedel's psychopathic personality comes out, only Ryker is able to calm him down, only Ryker knows how and when to avoid it. Ryker is not just Almedel's assistant or right hand, but an older brother to him.

“Huwag na lang po tayong tumuloy, boss…” Ryker exclaimed as he looked at the rearview mirror. He’s really worried about Almedel’s condition. 

“I'm fine, we're already here so let's go inside. Everyone is waiting for me.” tugon ni Almedel habang nakapikit. 

Dali-daling nagsi-babaan ang mga bodyguards ni Almedel nang makarating sila sa parking lot ng company. Agad silang pumwesto sa paligid upang bantayan si Almedel, hindi alintana ang malakas na ulan. 

“Boss…?” kinakabahang tawag pansin ni Ryker kay Almedel. Hindi ito sumagot kaya nilingon niya ito, ngunit nagulat nang masalubong ang mga mata nito. Umiwas ng tingin si Almedel sa assistant na si Ryker at tumingin sa labas ng bintana. Malakas pa rin ang ulan, dahil dito ay mas lalong sumama ang pakiramdam niya. 

“Boss, maiintindihan naman po siguro ng mga tao kung hindi ka makakarating ngayon.” nag-aalala talagang sabi ni Ryker. 

Hindi sumagot si Almedel at binuksan na lamang ang pintuan ng kotse. Agad siyang pinayungan ng isa sa mga bodyguards niya. Ryker also got out of the driver's seat and walked towards Almedel. 

“Let’s go in…” Almedel’s expression makes Ryker worried as hell. 

Almedel walks ahead while one of his bodyguards holds an umbrella for him. He was so focused on the road that he didn’t see the girl, Kiyumi was running in front of him, her figure obscured by the driving rain. 

Kiyumi collided with Almedel, both of them stumbling forward, their bodies tangled in a brief awkward embrace. Kiyumi's foot slipped on the slick, wet marble of the fountain's rim. Almedel was out of balance causing him to fall, and they landed with a splash in the cool, cascading water. 

‘F*ck!’

“Boss!” sabay-sabay na sigaw ng mga bodyguards ni Almedel. 

Ryker and the other bodyguards quickly ran to help Almedel. Almost all of them went into the water to help Almedel, they didn't even notice Kiyumi who was panicking about what happened. 

“Boss! Okay ka lang po? Towel..kumuha kayo ng towel!” Natatarantang sigaw ni Ryker. Dali-daling tumakbo si Yunho Contreras, one of the best bodyguards of Almedel, upang kumuha ng towel sa loob ng company. 

“Towel!” agad na bungad ni Yunho sa secretary ni Almedel who was waiting for him to arrive. 

“Ha?” nagtataka nitong tanong. 

“Give me a towel, now!” Yunho shouted. 

“A-ano ka ba? Bakit dito? Hellooo..Hindi naman ‘to hotel para may towel..?” nagawa pa ring maging mataray ni Talia sa gitna ng pagkagulat niya sa hindi inaasahang pagsigaw ng cold at snob na bodyguard ni Almedel. 

Hindi sumagot si Yunho at nagmamadaling tumakbo palabas ng building, agad namang sumunod si Talia dahil sa pagtataka. 

“Ano bang nangyari? Bakit ka natataranta? Si sir? Nasaan si sir?” sunod-sunod na tanong ni Talia kay Yunho habang sinasabayan itong tumakbo, hindi alintana ang mahaba niyang dress at mataas nitong takong. 

***

“What the f*ck!” Almedel shouted, his face flushed with anger. “You! Who are you!?” Almedel angrily pointed at Kiyumi who was about to run and escape. “Face me and accept the consequences of what you did.” 

“Miss, humarap ka rito…” utos ni Ryker. 

Kinagat ni Kiyumi ang pang-itaas niyang labi. Kinakabahan at dahan-dahan siyang humarap sa kanila. Kiyumi gasped, her eyes widening in shock. The man, Almedel, his face contorted in a mix of surprise and amusement. Their eyes met, and the air crackled with a potent mix of recognition and awkwardness. Halos sabay din bumalik sa isip nila ang nangyari sa kanila One month ago.

“H-hiro…?” Kiyumi choked out, her voice barely a whisper. 

“Y-you…? Kiyumi felt a nervous laugh bubble up, her body still trembling from the shock of the fall. 

‘What a coincidence…’

Kiyumi’s breath caught in her throat. The past, their shared night, felt like a lifetime ago, yet the memory of his touch still lingered, a phantom sensation that sent shivers down her spine. 

“I…I should probably go,” Kiyumi mumbled, her gaze darting around, avoiding his intense stare. Kiyumi quickly turned around and ran away. 

‘Hutangin*mers! Bakit siya nandito? Paano nangyari yun?’

“Ohh, miss Yumi…” Natigilan si Talia nang lagpasan sila ni Kiyumi na para bang hindi sila nito nakita. 

“Follow her!” utos ni Ryker sa mga tauhan na agad namang sinunod ng mga ito.

***

The air hung heavy with the scent of jasmine and rain-soaked earth. The heavy rain had passed, leaving behind a sky bruised with purple and gray, but the air was still thick with humidity. Kiyumi's head pounding, she sat on the park bench, feeling the damp chill seep through her dress. 

The fall into the fountain had been a shock to Kiyumi’s system. The icy water, the sudden impact, the adrenaline rush of seeing the man she once shared a night with–it had all been too much. She had managed to scramble out, her legs shaking, but then the world had tilted, everything blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors. 

She remembered the feeling of her knees buckling, the ground rushing up to meet her. And then, darkness. 

Now, Kiyumi was slowly coming back to consciousness, the surroundings a muffled blur of sound and color. She felt a hand on her shoulder, a gentle touch that brought her back to reality. 

“Miss? Are you alright…?”

It was Haves Burke Milf, his face etched with concern. He was still damp from the rain, his jacket clinging to his broad shoulders. 

“I…I think so,” Kiyumi mumbled, her voice weak and shaky. Her head felt like it was filled with cotton wool, and her vision was still blurry. 

“You fainted,” Haves said, his voice laced with worry. “You were unconscious for almost four hours now.”

Kiyumi winced, the memory of the darkness flooding back. It was a feeling she never wanted to experience again. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness swept over her, forcing her to lay back. 

“Take it easy,” Haves said, his voice firm yet gentle. “Don’t try to move too quickly.” 

Haves helped Kiyumi to lean against the car seat. 

“I’m sorry…” Kiyumi whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m such a klutz.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Haves said, his smile reassuring. “It happens. The rain made the ground slippery.” biro nito. 

Haves reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, brightly colored handkerchief. He dabbed at her forehead, gently wiping away the beads of sweat that had formed there. 

“You’re still shivering,” he said, his gaze lingering on her face. “Let me get you something warm…” He opened the car door and then got out. Yumuko siya ulit upang tingnan si Kiyumi at nagpaalam. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Kiyumi watched him go, feeling a gratitude wash over her. He was a stranger, yet he had been so kind, so concerned. She had fainted in the middle of the park, a spectacle for anyone who happened to be passing by, and yet he had stayed with her, offering comfort and care. 

Kiyumi closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his touch linger on her skin. The world felt a little less chaotic now, a little less frightening. She knew she was safe, at least for now, thanks to the kindness of a stranger. And perhaps, in the midst of her vulnerability, she had found something new. A glimmer of hope, a spark of connection, in the aftermath of a storm. 

***

Mahigpit na nakahawak si Kiyumi sa dashboard ng sasakyan ni Haves. Pauwi na sila ngayon, Haves offered to take her home at pumayag naman si Kiyumi bilang pagpapasalamat. Alam naman niyang malaking abala rin ang binigay niya kay Haves kaya gusto niya itong imbitahang magcoffee sa condo niya. 

Ang nakakasulasok na amoy ng gasolina at sunog na goma na naghahalo sa maliit at makipot na espasyo ng sasakyan ay nagbibigay kay Kiyumi ng kakaibang pakiramdam. 

“Are you okay?” Haves asked, his voice strained as he wrestled the steering wheel. He glanced at her briefly, his eyes worried. 

Kiyumi forced a smile, pero ang ngiti niya ay nagmistulang peke at marupok. 

Ang totoo, ay parang masusuka na si Kiyumi. Ang mabilis at pagliko ng sasakyan, ang nakakahilong amoy ng gasolina, at ang kakaibang nararamdaman niya mula pa kanina had all combined to churn her stomach into churning, queasy mess. She could feel the bile rising in her throat, a bitter, acidic threatening to spill over. 

“I’m fine,” she lied through gritted teeth. “Just a little… motion sickness.” 

She tried to swallow the rising nausea, but it was no use. The car lurched again, and this time, the wave of sickness proved too strong to fight. Her vision blurred, and the world around her seemed to tilt and spin. She pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to hold it back. Suminyas siya kay Haves na ihinto ang sasakyan na agad naman nitong naintindihan. Haves pulled the car over to the side of the road, as soon as the car stopped, Kiyumi immediately opened the door and hurriedly got out. 

She felt a hot, acrid sensation in the back of her throat, a wave of hot, bitter liquid that threatened to explode from her mouth. Kiyumi gasped, her eyes squeezing as the vomit erupted from her mouth. 

Lumapit si Haves kay Kiyumi at nag-aalalang tiningnan ito. “You’re not feeling well…let’s go to the hospital.” Haves worriedly said. 

Umiling si Kiyumi. “No, I’m fine. I just need some rest…” nabigla si Haves nang bigla na lamang bumagsak si Kiyumi at muling nawalan ng malay. 

Agad na dinala ni Haves si Kiyumi sa hospital. 

***

Kiyumi slowly opened her eyes. 

Nagulat si Kiyumi nang makitang nasa hospital bed siya, nag-iisa sa kwarto at nakasuot ng hospital gown. 

She closed her eyes trying to picture Wynter’s face, his smile, his reassuring touch. But all she could feel was the pain in her chest, a void that seemed to grow with every passing moment. The room is cold, the air thick with the smell of antiseptic. She shivered, pulling her thin hospital gown tighter around her. 

The doctor, a kind-faced woman with a gentle smile, entered the room. 

“Gising ka na…” nakangiting bungad ng doctor. Ngumiti lamang pabalik si Kiyumi. “Sorry, but we have to run tests about your condition, just to make sure everything is alright.” 

Kiyumi swallowed, her throat dry. “Tests?”she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. “But I’m fine. I just… I just got sick.”

The doctor’s smile faltered slightly. “Don’t worry, I already have the results and I have good news, miss Sevellejo.” masaya at mukhang excited na sabi ng doctor. Ang kanyang mga mata ay kumikinang sa likod ng salamin. Nakatayo siya sa paanan ng hospital bed ni Kiyumi, may hawak siyang papel na naglalaman ng resulta ng tests na ginawa nila kay Kiyumi. 

“Ano po iyon, Doc?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Kiyumi. Mahina ang boses niya at halatang kinakabahan. 

“You are three weeks and five days pregnant, miss Sevellejo.” masayang balita ng doctor, ang ngiti nito ay mas lalong lumawak. “Congratulations. Huwag mong pabayaan ang sarili mo…”

Parang nabingi si Kiyumi matapos marinig ang sinabi ng doctor. Nag echo iyon sa ulo niya at paulit-ulit na naririnig sa utak niya. Naririnig niya rin ang malakas na kabog ng dibdib niya na tila ba gusto nitong tumalon palabas. Ang dami agad tanong na pumasok sa isip niya, at maski isa sa mga iyon ay hindi niya alam kung paano masasagot. 

“B-buntis po ako?” bulong ni Kiyumi, ang kanyang boses ay halos hindi na marinig. “Pakiulit nga, doc, mukhang mali yata ako ng dinig...” nakangiti ngunit halatang gulat na ani Kiyumi. 

“Y-yes, miss Sevellejo. May problema ba? Ayaw mo bang mabuntis?” the doctor worriedly asked Kiyumi. 

Umiwas ng tingin si Kiyumi at hindi niya namalayang may tumulo na palang luha sa mga mata niya. Agad na napansin ng doctor ang reaction ni Kiyumi, nilapitan niya ito at hinaplos ang likod. 

“Gusto mo bang tawagan ang boyfriend mo? Umalis siya kanina dahil may emergency daw siyang pupuntahan, binilin ka niya sa amin, at pinagbantaan pa kami kapag may nangyari raw sayong masama,” nakangiti at may halong kilig na kwento ng doctor. “Mukhang mahal na mahal ka ng boyfriend mo–”

“Boyfriend po!? Sino po?” nagtatakang tanong ni Kiyumi. 

‘Si Wynter ba?’

“Yes, yung binatang nagdala sayo rito. Alalang-alala siya, ayaw niya pa sanang umalis hanggat hindi ka nakikitang gumising, kaso ang sabi niya ay emergency daw kaya–”

“Teka, doc,” putol ni Kiyumi sa sasabihin ng doctor, naguguluhan kasi siya at mas lalong sumakit ang ulo niya dahil sa pinagsasabi ng doctor. “Hindi ko po siya boyfriend…” paglilinaw ni Kiyumi. 

The doctor pouted. “Really? Pero alalang-alala sayo ang binatang yun, kaya akala namin ay boyfriend mo at siya ang tatay ng pinagbubuntis mo,” nakangiting turan ng doctor. 

Hindi nakasagot si Kiyumi at iniwas na lang ang tingin sa doctor. 

“Eh, yung boyfriend mo? Gusto mo bang tawagan?” may halong pag-aalalang tanong ng doctor. 

Agad na umiling si Kiyumi. “Hindi na po, gusto ko na pong umuwi at magpahinga.” Kiyumi faked her smile. 

The doctor sighed and nodded. “Hmm.. Sige. Wait for me here, I’ll take your vitamins for your pregnancy…”

Sinundan ng tingin ni Kiyumi ang doctor na ngayon ay palabas na ng hospital room niya. 

Muling pumasok sa isip ni Kiyumi ang lalaking tumulong sa kanya. Nakita niya ang bag niya sa mini table na nasa gilid ng hospital bed niya, she reached her bag and took out the business card that the stranger guy had given her. 

‘Haves Burke Milf. Hmmmm, nice name.’

Kiyumi immediately returned Haves' business card to her bag when she heard the door open. Pumasok ang doctor na may sinserong ngiti sa labi. 

“Here, take this…” Inabot ng doctor ang mga vitamins kasama ang listahan ng mga vitamins na nireseta ng doctor para kay Kiyumi. “Sundin mo lang ang prescription na iyan para sa pag-inom mo. Never take any medications without the doctor's approval. Your doctor is your best resource for information about medications during pregnancy. Always prioritize advice and follow their instructions carefully to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby.” mahabang lintanya ng doctor. 

“Kailangan ko bang inumin lahat ng ‘to, doc? Andami po. Hindi po ba ako nito ma-overdose?” tanong ni Kiyumi habang nakatitig sa mga vitamins niya. 

Pagak na tumawa ang doctor dahil sa sinabi ni Kiyumi at saka umiling ito. “No, miss Sevellejo, para iyan sa inyo ng anak mo.” the doctor said and sincerely smiled to Kiyumi. 

***

Kiyumi wasn’t ready, not for this.. Not now. 

The whirlwind of emotions that followed was a chaotic storm. The first wave was disbelief. This couldn't be happening. She was so careful, so responsible. But here it was, a tiny life growing inside her, a testament to a moment of passion, a night she couldn’t even remember clearly. 

Then came the fear. Fear of the unknown, of the responsibility that suddenly felt overwhelming. Fear of her parents' reaction, of the judgment that will surely follow. But most of all, the fear of the man who might be the father. 

It had been a blur, a series of hazy nights, a string of names she could barely recall. Was it Hiro? The man who she had a one night stand with? Or maybe it was Wynter, the one who always made her laugh, the man who promised her the world, the man she loved the most and cheated on her. 

The uncertainty was a heavy weight, a constant knot of her stomach that tightened with every passing moment. Who was this child’s father? Would he even want to be involved? Would he be a source of support or another burden in her already chaotic life? 

A wave of nausea washed over her, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. She sank to the floor, clutching her stomach as tears welled up in her eyes. This wasn't how she imagined her life unfolding. She has dreams, ambitions, a future she had meticulously planned. But now, that future felt uncertain, a hazy silhouette obscured by the weight of this unexpected pregnancy. 

She was lost, adrift in a sea of emotions she couldn't comprehend. Fear, anger, confusion, and a flicker of hope–all mixed together in a chaotic cocktail she couldn't even begin to process. The only certainty was that her life had changed forever, and she was unprepared, terrified, and utterly alone.