I was currently working on some paperwork nang biglang tumawag si mama.I answered the call while still looking at the papers.“Hi, ma! What’s up?” I greeted.“Hi, honey. How’s work?”“It’s great. I am doing fine. I’m currenly working on our project for next month.” I answered.“It’s good to hear that. Pwede bang iwan mo muna ‘yan even for just three hours?”Napatigil naman ako sa ginagawa ko. “Why, ma? May kailangan ka ba?”“Nothing, honey. Wala kasi akong kasama ngayon. Naisipan ko lang na makipagbonding sa ‘yo. Gusto ko namang makasama nang kaming dalawa lang ang isa sa mga prinsesa ko. And besides, you have been working all week. You need a break.”“You know the pressure, ma. Ilang linggo na lang ay magaganap na ang party. Kailangan kong maging hands on baka pumalya pa tayo. Ayoko naman na mapahiya kayo.”“I know naman na hindi mangyayari ‘yon ‘cause you are the best. Magaling ka sa ginagawa mo. Hindi mangyayaring mapapahiya kami dahil sa ‘yo. Come on. Take a break kahit saglit. S
After mom sent us to my office, kaagad rin siyang umalis dahil aayusin pa raw niya sa mga shelves ang mga binili niya kanina.Siguradong matatagalan bago siya matapos sa gagawin niya dahil sa dami ng kanyang binili.Xyrie greeted everyone na nadadaanan namin. She is a lovely, friendly, and jolly little girl kaya gusto siya ng mga tao dito sa building. She would wave her hand at someone kahit na hindi niya kilala sabay na ngingitian sila.She grew up as an ideal little girl and she I will make sire she will remain this attitudes of her until she became a teen and adult. I just hope she would never change as I am not going to recover from it once it happens.We went straight to my office at naabutan kong prenteng nakaupo sa long couch ko si Ev while reading something in one of the magazines I used to read when I'm bored. He smiled when he saw us.Kaagad siyang dinamba ng yakap ng anak ko nang makita siya. Tumatawa naman siyang binuhat si Ev.I smiled while looking at them before I close
Late na akong natapos sa ginagawa ko. At para makapag unwind, pinili kong maglakad-lakad muna sa isang park na malapit lang sa building namin.The past few days has been quite stressful. Ang sakit ng pwet at balakang ko sa kakaupo. Halos hindi ko na magawa ang regular exercise na ginagawa ko.Suddenly, a thought about Vish came inside my head. Ano kaya ang itsura niya? Gwapo kaya siya? Why was he so confident when he said he will be competing with Ev? He won't say it siguro kung wala siyang panlaban.I laughed at my own thought. Pareho kaming walang profile pictures sa mga accounts namin kaya hindi namin alam ang itsura ng isa't isa.I went to sit on one of the beach. In front of me is the calm ocean which added beauty to this park especially when it’s night. There are warm color of street lights.This is the kind of scene I always sees in a romantic movies. There are couples around me na masayang nagkekwentuhan at nagtatawanan. This place suits for lovely couple who want some time wi
Today is my special day. It's my 35th birthday.I feel happy while looking at myself in the mirror wearing a sky blue fitted above the knee dress. It’s also sleeveless. Pinaresan ko iyon ng white three inch heels.Napabaling ako sa pinto nang bigla iyong bumukas. Bumungad sa akin ang excited at masayang mukha ng anak ko.She smiled and ran to me nang makita ako. Yumuko naman ako para salubungin siya. I then carried her."Happy biwtday, mama!" She happily exclaimed and kissed me on the cheek."Aww! Thank you, love." I then kissed her cheek as well.“Happy birthday, miss Jean!” Bati ni yaya.“Thank you! Pakidala na lang si Xyrie sa baba, susunod na ako.” I said. She just nodded her head pagkatapos ay tinawag si Xyrie.“Go with yaya, love. I’ll just prepare myself, okay?”Xyrie nodded her head. Pagkatapos ay ibinaba ko na siya. Kaagad naman siyang tumakbo palapit kay yaya saka nagpakarga sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay umalis na sila.My baby really does love being carried. Madalas pa nga ay nag
"I was what?" Tumaas na ang boses ko dahil sa sobrang pagkabigla.Namatay ako? Tapos binigyan pa nila ako ng desenteng burol? Seryoso ba ‘to?"You died. Matindi ang tinamo mong mga sugat sa kamay ng tiyuhin mo. You were almost unrecognizable. The fact also na hindi na stable ang katawan at kalusugan mo during that time, it was almost likely impossible for you to survive. You were declared dead after several hours. But, after everybody left, it was only you and me inside your hospital room, nang bigla na lang bumalik ang tibok ng puso mo. Nabuhay ka ulit and I told that news to your parents. But they had other plans. They wanted to protect from further damages so they decided to keep that fact from anybody else, even to your friends. Gumawa kami ng paraan para mailabas ka ng bansa and we succeeded. Hindi rin kami makapaniwala noong una na nabuhay ka ulit. Later on, I found out na nagkaroon ng mixed up ng mga resulta sa lab. Napunta sa ‘yo ang mga maling resulta. It turns out na hindi n
We finally arrived at our hotel room dito sa Pilipinas. We arrived earlier at the airport after a long flight.I am not supposed to be here. Pero kailangan ng representative para sa kompanya namin para sa isang celebration dito. I am representing our company. Dapat talaga si papa ang nandidito ngayon pero nagrereklamo na siya tungkol sa madalas na pananakit ng katawan niya sa sobrang kakatrabaho kaya I partially took over his position. Dalawang araw lang ako dito dahil hindi ako pwedeng mawala ng matagal sa mata ni Xyrie. She'll probably be looking for me from time to time kahit na nagpaalam na ako sa kanya.Kasama ko ang secretary ko. There are two separate rooms in the hotel.It's already eight in the evening. I looked at my secretary. She's checking the place."You go to sleep first. You need to wake me up early tomorrow." Utos ko sa kanya.Tumango naman siya sa akin at yumuko. "A'right, ma'am." She said before proceeding to her designated room.Pumasok naman ako sa kabilang kwarto
The party then started. The speaker started introducing the people responsible for this party including the president.This party is just a celebration for the success of partnership of foreign investors with this country.Every well-known companies' presence is important in this event. Isa iyon sa paraan para ipakita ang pagsuporta at tagumpay.There were music performances, from soft pace to high vibing songs.I somewhat enjoyed the show. Pero ang mga katabi ko, halos mamuti na ang mga mata sa pagkabagot.Nanatili lang akong nakaupo sa loob ng isang oras. Hanggang sa naisipan ko ng tumayo."Excuse me, girls. I'll just get to the restroom." I said.Tumango lang sila sa akin. "Don't be out too long. At least may kasama kaming mabagot dito." Segunda ng isa. Tinawanan ko lang silang dalawa bago umalis.I went straight to the bathroom and went to one of the cubicles. I can say that no one else is inside.After a few minutes, I heard the entrance door open. After doing my things, I went o
We spend our day going to different malls and amusement park para ipasyal si Xyrie. We wanted to make the most out of it while staying here.We headed to our hotel nang maaga para marami kaming oras sa paghahanda sa party na sinasabi ni Ev. Hanggang sa mag alas sais na ng gabi.I was amazed dahil buong araw kaming namasyal pero hindi man lang nagpakita ng pagkapagod ang anak ko. She still has the energy to party tonight. She isn’t even sleepy yet.She also looked cute dahil sa outfit niya. She is wearing a black spaghetti dress na abot hanggang sa mga paa niya dahilan para matago ang suot niyang white doll shoes. She is also wearing her black cat mascara.The three of us are wearing matching outfits. I am wearing a black fitted and backless dress na above the knee ang haba while Ev is wearing a black tuxedo and his neck tie is loose, he is also exposing a part of his flawless chest. Pareho rin ang mga mascara namin.“Shall we?” Ev asked. Kakapasok lang niya sa room namin. He is stayi
Vish's P.O.VI had the feeling that it was really her. My heart tells that it was her. She is back. I paid someone to investigate. The first time I saw her, I already knew that it was her.After many days of waiting for the result, the investigator that I paid finally called to meet me.I am casually sitting inside this mini cafe where there isn't much people around.I was hurt when she didn't recognize me the first time we met after all these years. My heart ache so much after she asked who I was.And my doubts disappeared when I kissed her. Her lips tasted the same as before. It didn't even change a bit. Her lips still taste sweet. It's making me crazy and vulnerable. I wanted to have her in my arms so bad. I wanted her so much that I am paying someone just to do an investigation to make things clear.When I saw that bastard who was her former doctor, I already knew that it was indeed her.One thing that kept me out from believing that it was her was her grave. I saw her dead body g
I am standing in front of one big house. This is his house. I've been here.Hindi na ngayon dito nakatira si Liah. They moved out after the divorce. Vish provided them a one expensive condo para doon na sila tumira ng anak niya.It has been a week. A week had passed bago ko naisipang lumipad pabalik ng Pilipinas para lang makita siya. Baka sakaling may pag-asa pa kaming dalawa.O kahit closure lang sana para sa anak namin. I wanted him to personally meet our daughter. Apat na taon ng buhay ni Xyrie ang lumipas nang hindi nakikilala ang tunay niyang daddy. I want to make it up to her. Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng kumpletong pamilya.I wanted her to feel all the love I could possibly gave her, the kind of love that I never experienced not until Vish entered my life.My heart's beat went fast as I slowly moved the small gate to get inside. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad palapit sa pinto.I stood there for a moment. Nag-aalangan ako kung kakatok ba ako o hindi. Hanggang sa kusa na lang na gumala
I fell asleep again after I laid my body on the bed when we got back from the place where Ev said me and my daughter lived.Ito 'yung bahay na pinanggalingan ko kagabi. Kaya naman pala may mga pictures ako dito dahil dito ako nakatira.When I woke up, mahimbing na natutulog sa braso ko ang bata kanina.Suddenly, in a snap, bigla na lang bumalik sa isip ko ang lahat ng mga nangyari. I realize that this is Xyrie sleeping on my arm. I remembered everything.Naging klaro na lahat ngayon sa isip ko. Nasagot na ang karamihan sa mga katanungan na nasa isipan ko sa mga nakalipas na taon.I smiled as I gently stroke my daughter's hair. I kissed her forehead. Rinig ko ang mahihina niyang hilik.Ev said she was crying because she didn't see me last night. She must've been frightened because I wasn't there with her.Napansin ko si Ev na kakagising lang rin. Nakaupo siya sa mahabang couch habang kusot-kusot ang kanyang mga mata.Bumaling siya sa amin. Napansin niyang gising na ako. He got up and s
Hindi ko na kaya. Sobrang sakit na ng ulo ko at parang nag-gi-glitch and utak ko.Malakas ko siyang tinulak. Narinig ko pa ang malakas na pagtama niya sa isang bahay dahilan para lumikha ng ingay.Mabilis kong binuksan ang pinto saka tumakbo palabas. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko pero hindi ko na siya pinakinggan o nilingon man lang.I took the exit kung saan walang mga tao. I was glad nang wala akong nakitang ibang tao roon kaya deritso akong nakalabas.I looked left and right, finding which direction I should take just to escape from this place.Gusto ko na lang makalayo. Gusto ko na lang maglaho para maproseso ko ang lahat ng mga nangyayari.My mind wanted to be alone.I was glad nang may dumaang taxi. Dali-dali akong sumakay roon saka nagpahatid sa condo ko.Wala na akong pakealam sa mga susunod na mangyayari. Ang gusto ko lang ngayon ay hindi ako makita ng mga tao sa ganitong sitwasyon.How am I supposed to face those people with this state of mine?Makalipas ang
Someone dragged me inside a mini room or a bodega. Judging by his scent and strength, I could tell that he is a man.He shut close the door and pinned me on the nearest cold wall. Iniharang niya ang malaki niyang katawan sa akin. Mataas siya sa akin ng ilang pulgada.“Shhh…” He hushed me. Malapit ang mukha niya sa akin. For some reason, he sounded familiar.Sinubukan kong magpumiglas. I pushed his chest pero marahas niyang hinablot ang mga palad ko and pinned them on the wall, up to my head.He also pinned his body on me na lalong nagpapahirap sa akin na gumalaw.Takot na takot na ‘ko. Halos lumabas na sa dibdib ko ang puso ko dahil sa lakas ng tibok niyon. Ramdam ko rin ang panlalambot ng mga tuhod ko.Lumipas ang mahigit limang minutong pagpupumiglas ko pero walang nangyayari at hindi man lang siya natitinag. Tahimik lang rin siya habang ginagapos ako, parang naghihintay lang siya na tumigil na ako sa ginagawa ko.Hanggang sa ako na nga ang napagod dahilan para tumigil na ako. Narar
I looked at myself in the mirror. I am wearing a beige maxi dress na abot hanggang talampakan ang taas. My hair is dyed into a light brown and it was semi curled.Kasalukuyan akong nasa loob ng fitting room, inaayusan ang sarili ko. My lips were pink. Makapal ang makeup sa mukha ko para masigurong hindi maging obvious ang mga pimples at eyebags ko.After putting my makeup, I proceeded on wearing my jewelries. They were all made of silver. Suot ko rin ‘yung necklace na binili ko noong magkasama kami ni mama sa pagsashopping.Tonight is the night that we had been waiting for. Thousand of guests have already arrived and they are all wearing elegant and highclassed outfits. 70 percent of our expected guests came at patuloy pa na nagsisidatingan ang iba. After ten minutes, magsisimula na ang party.Medyo nanlalamig ang mga palad ko dahil sa kaba. Masyadong maraming tao. Natatakot akong magkamali. Kanina pa rin ako pinagpapawisan at buti na lang long lasting at waterproof ang makeup na suot
Nakabalik na kami sa Canada. Pumapasok na ulit si Xyrie sa school niya. Ako naman ay inaayos ang problema patungkol sa upcoming event.While working something on my laptop, maya’t maya akong napapatingin kay Ev. He is also busy doing something. He took a one week leave from the hospital he’s working dahil nga sa upcoming event.I couldn’t stop thinking everything that had happened on our stay in the Philippines. Especially ‘yung paghaharap namin ng lalakeng nakasuntukan ni Ev.I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Not because I have some personal reason to do so. It was because of what he said that made me question Ev’s kindness towards me and Xyrie.I have the feeling that Ev is hiding something to me. I kept on talking a quick look at his face.If what that man said was true, this would be the first time Ev lied something to me. Pero hindi ako makaisip ng tama o eksaktong dahilan para magsinungaling siya sa ‘kin.Umiling iling na lang ako saka pilit na inaalis sa isip ko ang problema
Hanggang sa makabalik na ako sa hotel room namin, hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang mga pangyayari.Nadatnan kong natutulog sa long couch si Aya kaya ginising ko siya para pabalikin na sa kwarto niya.Pagkatapos ay tinungo ko naman ang kwarto namin ni Xyrie. Mahimbing pa rin na natutulog ang anak ko.Hinubad ko ang coat ko saka tumabi ng higa sa kanya. Magkaharap kami sa isa't-isa.Marahan kong hinaplos-haplos ang buhok ng anak ko. Pinagmamasdan ko ang maamo niyang mukha.As I was watching her, I realized she resembles someone. But, I cannot point out who. He looks like someone I saw from before.I just kissed her forehead and proceeded to close my eyes.At makalipas lang ang ilang segundo ay agad na akong dinalaw ng antok.***“We’re here,” anunsiyo ng binata nang makapasok kami sa loob. “Welcome to my office.”“Sigurado ka bang ayos lang na nasa opisina mo ako habang nagtatrabaho ka? Baka makaistorbo lang ako?” Medyo madilim rin ang paligid ng opisina siya. ‘Yung working table lan
We are supposed to stay here for another day pero tumawag sa akin kanina si papa at pinapabalik na kami sa Canada. Nagkaroon raw ng problema para sa food catering para sa magaganap ng event.I booked them a month ago. And I am shortly glad na they announced their backing off days before the actual event. May oras pa ako para maghanap ng ipapalit.Our flight will be tomorrow at noon. Xyrie's currently in bed. It's already seven p.m. Maagang nakatulog ang anak ko. She was tired these past few days.Dinaig pa niya ako na nagtatrabaho ng mahigit sampung oras sa isang araw.Kanina ko pa hinihintay si Ev para sabihin sa kanya na kailangan na naming bumalik ng Canada.I've been calling him the whole afternoon pero nakapatay ang phone niya. Medyo kinakabahan na ako kasi hindi naman siya ganito. Usually siya pa nga ang mas nauunang tumawag sa 'kin.Sumandal ako sa pintuan ng kwarto namin, naghihintay na dumating si Ev. Ilang minuto na akong patingin-tingin sa pintuan ng kwarto niya na katabi l