“Zandrey…” I called. Medyo malalim na ang gabi pero panay akong nagigising. Hindi ako mapakali.I checked on Andrei earlier. Ang sabi kasi ng bata ay masakit daw ang ulo niya kaya hindi rin siya nakapasok sa school. I called Zandrey earlier what medicine to give Andrei. ‘Nong magkaroon siya ng sandaling break ay mabilis siyang umuwi para i-check ang bata. He left medicines and more instructions.Kanino pa iyong tanghali. Gabi na ngayon at hindi pa rin ako mapakali. Maya-maya akong nagchi-check ng temperature ni Andrei. Kanina ay hindi naman ganoon kataas iyong lagnat niya. But the most recent check I did, umabot na iyon ng 38.5. Kaya ang unang ginawa ko ay tawagan si Zandrey.“Hey… How’s Andrei?” Malumanay na tanong niya. I could hear him walking. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa niya ngayon. He’s still in the hospital.“Tumaas na naman iyong temperature. Should I just bring him there?” I asked. Masyado na talaga akong nag-aalala and in times like this and when it comes to my son, na
R18. “Baka magising si Andrei…” I said in a whisper. Medyo nahihirapan na akong magsalita. Every word I want to say is threatening to come out as a moan. Wala namang ibang tao dito na maaaring makakita sa amin o makarinig pero medyo may pag-aalinlangan pa rin sa akin. “We’ll keep it down, Ai…” he murmured against my skin. But I doubt we’ll be able to keep it down. Stopping a moan to come out is already a huge challenge. “Paano kung… m-magising ang bata…” Zandrey stopped kissing my neck and looked at me in the eyes. “At hanapin tayo? Baka may masakit ulit sa kanya. His fever might come back.” He just smiled at me, like he was so amused by me. “Andrei’s going to be just fine,” he said. He sounds so sure. Well, he’s a doctor. And hearing him say that kind of made me feel quite at ease. “You keep on stressing yourself about it. Let me help you forget for a while,” he added in a whisper. And the next I knew, his lips crushed on mine. It was an aggressive kiss, begging to be answered
Pareho kaming pagod nang bumalik sa kwarto. We tried our very best to keep quiet para hindi magising si Andrei. “I need to take a bath,” I whispered. This is the only way we can talk. Hindi pwedeng malakas iyong boses kasi baka magising ang bata. “Nagpapaalam ka ba sa ‘kin?” Nakangiti niyang tanong. May malokong ngiti na siya ngayon sa mukha. God. He’s a temptation I need not to see frequently! “I’m just informing you.” “Kailangan ko ring maligo. Gusto mong sabay tayo?” I looked at him with knitted brows. Ewan ko sa lalaking ‘to. Every chance he gets to entice me into doing the deed with him, he would definitely grab it. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung sino sa aming dalawa ang mas higit na kailangan iyong escape na ‘yon. “And what? Magkalat din sa banyo?” I muttered. Tinalikuran ko na siya para pumunta sa closet ko. I need to get clothes para doon na sa loob ng bathroom magbihis. Baka kung ano na namang maisip ni Zandrey kapag nakita akong nagbihis sa harap niya. Zandrey chuckled. “W
I wanted a complete family for Andrei. I really do. Because I know what it feels like to not have the other parent beside you.Lumaki akong walang nanay. Nagkamuwang ako sa mundo nang walang nanay. Hinarap ko iyong mga problema ko habang lumalaki nang walang nanay.I knew I grew up well. Kahit naman wala akong nanay, my dad was there. And even when he was a little neglectful of me before, itinaga ko sa utak ko na hindi iyon magiging habang buhay… that my dad will come to his senses and go back to being my dad.I had to be strong on my own while growing up. May mga mali akong nagawa pero naitatama ko naman. So far, I knew I grew up well.Pero iba pala iyong pakiramdam kapag ikaw mismo iyong hindi kayang ibigay ang buong pamilya sa anak mo. Noong ako kasi, kahit nakakalungkot, tinanggap ko na lang kasi iyon ang reality. But seeing my own son wonder why our set up is different from his other classmates, kind of hurt. Okay naman na kami ni Zandrey ngayon. Hindi na kami nag-aaway. May pagk
Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng preparasyon iyong gagawin ko. I don’t know how to prepare for me and my Mom’s meeting. Hindi ko siya gaanong kilala kaya nangangapa ako.But then I thought, kaya nga kami magkikita para makilala ang isa’t-isa. Why am I torturing myself so much?Dahil may ilang oras pa ako bago ang pagkikita namin ay nag-check na lang muna ako ng mga reports for the past weeks. Nagset na lang ako ng alarm para mabantayan ang oras.In the middle of focusing on work, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Zandrey.Are you still doing well there?May kasunod iyong emoji na mukhang bungisngis. For all I know, he’s trying to make fun of me. Alam niya kasing medyo hindi ako mapakali sa pagkikita namin ng nanay ko. He should be there pero dahil sa trabaho ay susunod na lang.I sent him an emoji with rolling eyes.Maya-maya ay tumunog na iyong phone ko.“Stop making fun of me,” bungad ko sa tawag niya. I heard him laugh from the other line.God, that laugh. It sounded so manly.
Our meeting started being awkward and very reserved. Ang akala ko ay buong araw na iyong ganoon kasi hindi naman ako iyong tipong mabilis maka-adjust sa isang tao. She’s my mom, but I still have reservations. Sa tagal ba naman naming nawalay sa isa’t-isa?But then she started talking about how she and dad first, how dad pursued her, and everything that happened before they had me. May kung ano akong nakikita sa mga mata niya habang kinukwento iyon. I wanted to ask her if she still loves my father, but I decided against it. I feel like it won’t be appropriate because dad has Mommy Miranda now.I was able to ask questions about her and her family. There was extreme sadness in her face while she was telling the story of his family.Mahigpit pala talaga iyong parents niya na grandparents ko. She thinks it’s best I didn’t meet them.Hindi na namin namalayan iyong oras. Matapos kasi namin sa resto ay lumipat kami sa isang coffee shop sa malapit. We stayed there to have coffee and some desse
The dinner was pleasant. It wasn’t as awkward as earlier. Siguro kasi andoon si Zandrey. Pero kahit naman wala doon si Zandrey, I think that dinner would still go well. Talking to my mother really helped me become more comfortable with her.Naunang umuwi si Mommy kasi may aasikasuhin pa raw siya kaya medyo nahuli kaming umuwi ni Zandrey. It was just a few moments after she left when we also decided to leave. Tumawag na kasi si Daisy at sinabing naiuwi niya na daw si Andrei sa bahay at mukhang inaantok na daw kaya napagpasyahan ko na ring umuwi.Zandrey and I brought our respective cars kaya hindi na niya ako kailangang ihatid pa. Ipinagtulakan ko na lang siyang umuwi na sa kanila kasi kailangan na niya ng pahinga. Ang alam ko kasi ay night shift siya kagabi tapos may duty ulit kanina kasi nakisuyo ang isang doctor na magpalit muna sila ng shift. That’s why I’m aware that he barely slept today.“Drive safely,” sabi ko sa kanya when we were at the parking lot. Magkatabi lang iyong mga s
Even with the clothes he’s wearing, I could still feel the heat of his body. I could feel how searing the kisses he’s giving me- from mouth, to my jaw, to my shoulder blades, and to my neck. Zandrey took his time discovering my upper body. Tila walang balat na walang bakas niya. Kahit medyo malamig ang dingding sa likod ko, I couldn’t seem to mind because the heat he’s giving me at the moment was enough to keep me warm.His lips then went to my breasts, walang segundo siyang sinayang as he quickly suckled on it. I arched my back to give him more access and that made me moan for his name. Iyong mga kamay ko ay halos nakasabunot na sa buhok niya because of how good he’s making me feel.Good thing my room was soundproof so I was confident that no one could hear from the outside.When he finished devouring my breasts, his face went up again and kissed me hard on the lips. He lifted me, so I wrapped my legs around his legs. Saka dahan-dahan siyang pumasok sa bathroom.Saglit siyang tumigil
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