Hello! If you noticed, the previous chapter was too short. That's because I accidentally clicked 'release'. haha sorry po. Hindi ko pa talaga 'yon tapos when I accidentally released it. I thought it will reflect agad kapag nadagdag ko na iyong kasunod. But I had to wait pa bago iyon ma-modify. Sorry talaga. You can go back to the previous chapter. I believe the changes I made already reflected. Haha. Sorry, medyo sabaw lang talaga. Thank you all for reading. I appreciate all of you! :)
Masusubukan talaga iyong kakayahan mo kapag may pinagdadaanan ka. Lalo na kung marami ang nakasalalay sa kamay mo. You will realize a lot of things- may it be big or small. Mas lalo mong makikilala ang sarili mo at makikilala mo rin ang mga taong handang tumulong at manatili sa 'yo sa panahon na nangangailangan ka.Dad stayed with me during the interview and even brain-stormed with me on making sure that we pass through this hurdle.Mommy Emily would always text or call me to remind me I'm a great leader and a Mom. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa aking I am good at being both a leader and a Mom. She doesn't know but her words really inspired me.Lagi ring bumibisita at nangungumusta sina Daisy at Dominic. Daisy always tells me she's just a call away. Kapag kailangan ko daw ng kasangga ay agad siya lilipad papunta sa akin. Dom was so supportive as well. Kung anong tulong daw ang kailangan ko ay pipilitin niyang makatulong. Even Thaniel contacted me several times and offered help.And of course
Dahil sa dami ng mga nangyayari, minsan naiisip ko na lang sumuko. Kaso marami ang nakasalalay sa akin. Kaya hindi pwede iyon.We tried to do a lot of things to stop this problem. We even resorted to talking to Engr. Aragon personally just so we will know where he is getting this hate from, anong pinaghuhugutan niya, at anong pwede naming gawin para maitigil na ang paninira niya. I feel like we are at our lowest by doing this. Pero at this time, kung kailangan kong magpakumbaba, gagawin ko. For the sake of the firm and the people under me.Isasama ko sana ang abogado namin para harapin siya pero hindi siya pumayag. When I presented to see him just myself, I was quite surprised na pumayag siya. Ang akala ko ay mas magmamatigas pa siya."We're here to settle whatever we can settle with you," I said. Wala kung ano sa mukha niya. Prente lang siya nakaupo sa harap namin at nakatingin sa amin. siguro ay nagmamayabang na siya sa loob niya dahil dumating na sa point na lumapit ako nang ganito
"Wow, uhaw na uhaw ba tayo?" Tanong ni Daisy nang makita ang ilang bote ng alak na binili ko. I don't really know what I want to drink. Kung ano-ano na lang iyong kinuha ko. Gusto ko lang talagang maglasing kahit ngayong araw lang. Pagod na pagod iyong utak ko sa pakikipag-usap ko kay Engr. Aragon. Kung kailan okay na sana ang lahat, saka naman siya manggugulo. Hindi ko tuloy masabi-sabi sa kanilang pumayag na akong magpakasal kay Zandrey."Is it okay if we drink tonight?" Tanong ko. Baka kasi busy siya o baka may gagawin sila ni Dominic tapos heto ako at biglang sumusugod dito."Ikaw dapat ang tinatanong ko niyan. Okay lang bang uminom ka ngayon? Sinong kasama ng mga bata ngayon sa bahay?""Nandoon ngayon si Mommy Emily kasama iyong yaya," sagot ko. "Nagpaalam na akong baka hindi ako makauwi ngayong gabi." Kailangan ko lang talaga 'to. Bukas, balik reality na naman ako. Bukas na lang ulit ako mag-iipon ng lakas para harapin ang problema ko."Okay," Daisy murmured. "Pero bago 'yan, ka
"Good morning, Mommy," nakangiting bati sa akin ni Andrei. Gising na iyong mga bata. I can even see Andrew being carried by Zandrey. Day off niya kasi ngayon kaya kompleto kmai dito sa bahay.I automatically smiled upon seeing the view. Wala talagang mas magandang view kapag kompleto mong nakikita iyong mga mahahalagang tao sa buhay mo."Good morning. Why did you wake up so early?" I asked. Bumangon na rin ako mula sa pagkakahiga para maghilamos."Mommy, it's almost 9!"Nang mapatingin sa orasan ay totoo nangang pasado 9 ma na. Napangiwi na lang ako. Medyo mahaba nga iyong naging tulog ko. It was so far the most peaceful sleep I've had eversince the Engr. Aragon mess.And speaking of that, we already filed complaints against him. I really don't want to do it pero wala akong ibang choice. He made me do this. Kung sana tahimik siyang nakipag-usap at nag-settle, we won't get to this point.Ibang laban iyon kapag ang firm na ang sinisiraan. If it's just me, maybe I could take it. But not
"I told you this will be over," nakangiting sabi ni Daddy sa akin. Nang malaman niya iyong tungkol sa planong retraction ni Engr. Aragon ay agad siyang umuwi kahit hindi pa man officially nagsisimula iyong bakasyon niya. He said he wants to celebrate with us than be on vacation. Pakiramdam ko ay gumaan na iyong pinapasan ko. Sobrang bigat 'nong problemang iyon na pakiramdam ko ay nabaluktot ako. But thank God, the weight is finally off me now. Nandito lahat ngayon sa bahay. We decided to celebrate. Kasi deserve talagang i-celebrate na natapos na iyon. Everybody was very happy about it. Kahit si Daisy na maraming ginagawa para sa plano niyang business ay napapunta agad dito sa bahay. She did the last minute plans for this- the catering and all. I feel like I also brought the firm here kasi andito halos lahat ng Engineers at Architects namin. Even Jelyn, and the employees from the other department, and Janine are here. Lahat ay nagkaisa sa pagsi-celebrate. "Hindi mo tuloy na-enjoy i
"Walang paglagyan iyong saya ko sa nalaman ko," Mommy Emily said. Kanina pa siya ngingiti tapos maiiyak. "You are both so lucky," she added. Hinawakan niya iyong kamay kong may suot na engagement ring. "I never thought I'll witness this beautiful memory," dagdag niya pa. It has truly been a roller coaster ride for all of us. From thinking she's already dead, to actually knowing she's still alive, to discovering that she's Zandrey's stepmother, and a lot more things. Sobrang daming nangyari na minsan napapaisip na lang akong what a plot twist it really is. Masaya ako that she get to witness this. Wala ring paglagyan iyong saya ko na suportado kami ng mga mahal namin sa buhay. And most of all, my kids will finally have the complete family I never thought I'll have. Simula kasi 'nong umalis si Zandrey ay wala na talaga ito sa plano ko. I was contented being the only parent. Kaya ko namang buhayin ang mga anak ko. Kaya ko naman silang suportahan. Ilang taon kong kinumbinsi ang sarili
Hindi ko alam kung tama ba iyong naramdaman ko, but I really felt like something crushed inside of me. Valid naman iyong sinabi niya. Wala naman ata akong karapatan magalit. Pero kasi, nakakatampo lang. After that night, I didn't try to wait for him to go home. Hindi na rin ako nag-attempt na magluto kasi baka ma-disappoint lang ako. I know he's busy with work and all so I just chose not to tell him anything. Baka kasi pagsimulan pa ng away. I know it's important that we're honest about what we feel, but I just really have a hard time doing that. Siguro kapag naulit na naman, saka ko na lang sasabihin.We also don't have much time to talk the past few days. Pareho kasi kaming busy sa mga trabaho. Palapit nang palapit na rin iyong plano namin ni Daisy na partnership. May nakita na kaming building kung saan pwede gawing office. May mga pitch na rin kami ng designs. We have so much going on kaya hindi ko na masyadong naisip iyong pagtatampo ko kay Zandrey.When it comes to the wedding,
The kids were already asleep when I decided to go out of our room. Nasa iisang room lang kami ni Zandrey kasama ang mga bata. Tulog na sila, while I can't even sleep a wink. Maraming tumatakbo sa isip ko kaya kailangan ko nang may gawin para hindi sila masyadong gumulo sa utak ko.Wala na masyadong tao sa dalampasigan nang lumabas ako. It's already past midnight kaya siguro ay tulog na ang mga guests.I was wearing my long nightdress na pinatungan ko ng shawl para hindi ako masyadong lamigin. Kasi mainipis lang iyon kaya may nakakalusot pa rin na lamig. Pero hindi ko na iyon masyadong inisip. I just want a time for myself, a time to think, and a time to reflect.I sat on the shore just a few meters away from the water. Siniguro kong hindi ako maabot 'non para hindi ako mabasa. And I just stared at the darkness ahead of me.I feel like something is really wrong. Hindi ko alam kung ano mismo iyong mali pero ramdam kong may hindi tama. It concerns me and Zandrey. Alam ko namang busy siya
TW: Abuse, ViolenceZandrey's POVI was almost running late for my next class. Naharang kasi ako nina Jed at Dominic. Nag-aayang makipag-group date. To avoid prolonging the conversation, I just agreed to go. There's no harm in it. Besides, I might benefit from it. In whichever way, I'm not sure. Lagi lang naman akong game sa mga buhay nila. Lately, all I did was study and go home when I have the chance. I can't mess this up. Not when I don't want to be under my dad's roof anymore. Kaya kailangan kong pagbutihin ang pag-aaral. I know he has the wealth, but I don't really trust him in giving it to me as his heir. Baka may iba siyang anak, so I have to do well on my own. I don't really need his money.I passed by the Library since it was the closest route going to our building. But it was quite packed with students so I bumped into a girl."Are you okay? I'm so sorry," I quickly said. I helped her picked up her things that fell on the floor. When I looked up, I almost stopped.Man, she's
"Does your tummy still hurts?" Andren asked. He's holding a book while looking at me. Napansin niya sigurong napapangiwi ako."Konti. Pero hindi naman gaano," I replied."Mom, why don't you go to the hospital?" Andrew butted in. "Hindi pa naman siguro ako manganganak. Mararamdaman ko naman 'yon," I murmured. I inhaled-exhaled. This month's gonna be my month. We'll finally going to have our baby girl.Zandrey and I had been married already for 8 years. We already have three boys. And finally, after several years of waiting ay magkakaanak na rin kami ng baby girl. I was actually waiting for this. And it indeed came."Asan ba ang Kuya niyo?" I inquired. Andrew and Andren looked at each other. "Where's Andrei?" I asked again."Umakyat ng ligaw," Andrew replied laughingly. My eyes widened because of what I've heard. May nililigawan na ang anak ko nang hindi ko man lang alam? God, he's just sixteen!"What?" I asked, a bit panicking. Hindi pa siya pwedeng magkagirlfriend! Hindi pa siya pwe
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said. Dahan-dahan niyang itinaas ang belo ko and smile lovingly at me before brushing his lips to mine. "I love you so much," bulong niya when he hugged me. I returned his hug, even tightier."I love you more," I replied. I felt him kissed the top of my head."Hey, stop that. Picture muna," Daisy exclaimed after that long moment we just had. Naghiwalay na kami mula sa pagyayakapan and smiled at each other.We took pictures and a lot of pictures. We wanted to have as much documentation as possible. Masasabi kong ito na talaga ang isa sa mga pinakamasasayang araw ng buhay ko. I believe this is what Zandrey feels as well. Today, we just really happy because after everything we went through, all the backwards and forwards that came in between, we are finally here and are officially married.I am Maria Airaleen Alfonso-Del Fuerto now. And I think what a beautiful name that is.Who would have thought na ang dating "group blind date" lang sana at mau
It took him weeks to fully recover from everything. He had to go to a lot of therapy to fully recover. Mabuti na lang at walang ibang na-damage sa kanya. He still has to stay at home for some more time though. But that's okay. As long as he's okay and still breathing.He already knew about my pregnancy . I will never forget the huge smile on his face when I show him a picture of the sonogram. Thank God my body also recovered kaya wala na akong problema sa pagbubuntis.We decided to have the wedding after I gave birth to the baby. Ayokong malaki iyong tiyan ko kung ikakasal ako. We agreed to it and I know we're all set for that. Kailangan din munang manganak ni Daisy because she still wants to be the one who will organize it for us.We're currently in bed, both ready to sleep when I felt him hug me. Nang lingunin ko siya, nakita kong nakangiti siya sa akin."I can't wait to marry you," he mumbled. Natawa na lang ako. We're still quite far from the date we initially set.I remember when
Iyak ako nang iyak habang nagmamaneho si Thaniel. We were still an hour away from the hospital where Zandrey is. At hindi na ako mapakali. No one would tell me what's really his condition and my heart can't stay still. "Ai, please don't forget you're pregnant. Makakasama sa baby 'yan," Thaniel said, his eyes, still focused on the road. Ilang beses na niyang sinabi 'yon, pero kahit anong gawin ko, hindi pa rin ako matigil sa pag-iyak. Hindi ko alam kung paano kakalma pagkatapos ng nalaman ko. I can't help but blame myself for everything that happened. Kung hindi ako nagmatigas, siguro ay walang away at hindi mangyayari ito. From time to time, I text Daisy or Dominic for update but none of them has replied to my messages. Hindi na ako mapakali sa kinauupuan ko. Kung pwede lang paliparin itong sasakyan, kanina ko pa ginawa. Hindi ako relihiyoso. I don't pray as often. I don't call Him all the time, but at times like this, I have no one call but Him. Alam kong ang daming nangyayari t
Aira's POV I decided to take a vacation. Alam kong hindi dapat ako nagbabakasyon ngayon sa dami ng mga dapat gawin sa firm. Pero kailangan ko 'to. I needed to go somewhere so I can clear my head. If I don't do this, I might explode, so I needed a relaxing place where I can fully be alone with myself and my thoughts. "Siguro ka bang okay ka lang?" Thaniel asked. I asked him for help in booking a room in his resort. It was very last minute and I hate to take advantage of our friendship, but I just really need this right now. "I'll be fine, Thaniel," I responded. Mukhang hindi pa rin siya kumbinsidong okay lang ako. There was something in his face. I tried to smile at him pero mukhang naging ngiwi iyon. "Ang creepy," he commented. I rolled my eyes at him and he just laughed. "Siguradong okay ka lang mag-isa dito ha?" "Oo nga," I replied. "Just call me whenever you need anything, okay?" "I will." I shooed him away once again. Mukhang ayaw niya kasing umalis. Kailangan ko nang map
I woke up with a heavy head. Para akong dinaganan ng ilang daang sasakyan. I couldn't even stand up from my bed because of the heaviness I feel. "I cooked some soup. You should have some para mabawasan ang sakit ng ulo mo." I looked up and saw Mom standing beside me. When I looked around, I realized I was at my old unit. Wala na akong maalala kung paano ako nakauwi dito. "Si Dom na ang nag-uwi sa 'yo dito kagabi. Lasing na lasing ka," she stated as she walked towards me. Pinaurong niya ako sa kama saka siya tumabi sa akin. "Ano bang nangyayari, Zandrey? May problema ba kayo ni Aira?" Gulong-gulo na ang isip ko. Nauubusan na ako ng lakas sa tuwing naiisip ko ang mga nangyayari. Aira's still not talking to me. Her father punched me in the face. And now, I'm about to tell her Mom that I hurt her daughter.Why is this happening to me?"Come on, you can tell me everything, Zandrey," she murmured.I took a heavy breath before I started telling her everything that happened.It was not ea
I know she's hurting because of what she witnessed. I was hurting too because I unintentionally hurt her. Kahit gaano mo pala iwasan iyong mga bagay na pwedeng makasakit, you would still end up hurting them. Pero alam ko sa sarili kong wala akong kasalanan. I was just a victim too and I wanted to explain myself to her. But she's not giving me any chance to explain at all. I understand her, but I am also being put in a helpless situation.The entire time I was still busy at the hospital, maya't-maya pa ring pumapasok si Aira sa isip ko. I was so distracted at work that I just wanted to take the rest of the day off. Kaso hindi pwede. Walang ibang on-duty na doctor. So even if I really don't want to wait, I just did. I can't run away from my responsibilities here.When I got home, it was already late, and she was already sleeping. She locked the door. She must ahve forgotten I have a key so I opened it as slowly as I can.My heart instantly ached upon seeing her form lying on our bed. I
Aira has been so cranky these days. Madalas kaming hindi magkaunawaan, but I always make sure we still end up making up at the end of the day. Ang hirap kapag may galit o tampo siya sa akin. I feel like anytime, she'll push me away and I cannot go back to her. Konting pagkakamali lang ay natatakot na ako. Natatakot kasi akong mawala siya. One weekend, we had a beach getaway with our family and close friends. Pagkatapos lang iyon ng mga busy na araw. We thought everybody just needed a rest from everything. I know I do, kaya nang magka-chance ay pumayag ako. Daisy and Dominic announced their pregnancy. I'm so happy for them. Madalas kasi akong kausapin ni Dominic tungkol doon. After they their first baby, they had a hard time conceiving. Ngayon ay makakahinga na siya nang maluwag kasi dumating na ang panahon para sa kanila. The kids were already tired from swimming in the sea. Maging ako ay napagod din kaya agad akong nakatulog. But I woke up in the middle of the night. Naalimpungata