I felt Zandrey squeezed my hand while we were waiting for Dad. We arranged a dinner for us- Zandrey, Mommy Emily, Dad, Andrei, and me. We decided to tell it first to them then saka namin iisipin iyong pagsasabi 'non kay Daisy.Magkatabi kami ni Zandrey sa upuan. I could feel the erratic beating of my heart. Alam ko namang hindi magagalit si Daddy kasi nasa edad naman na ako. Pero hindi pa rin ako napapanatag hangga't hindi namin nasasabi sa kanya."What's this dinner for?" Tanong ni Daddy. We just started eating."Uhh..."I rehearsed what I was gonna say to my Dad a hundred times. Kabisado ko na nga iyong linya ko. Pero the moment na nagtanong siya, para naman akong napipi and my mind can't seem to process anything at all."Mommy, I want the chicken," Singit ni Andrei na nagpapaabot ng chicken. I couldn't move so si Zandrey na ang kumuha 'nun."You good?" I heard Zandrey ask the kid."Yes, Daddy. Thank you po!" Andrei replied. Napangiti na lang ako sa sagot niya. Marunong na kasi siya
I don't know until when can I dodge that question. Para bang kahit 'nong walang nagtatanong ay sarili ko ang nagtatanong 'non. Halos araw-araw kong iniisip kung ano ba talaga, kung totoo na ba.Being asked if I love him is something I think I will never be prepared for. Walang salita ang makakapag-describe ng totoo kong nararamdaman. Kung meron man, marahil ay hindi ko pa nalalaman.I tried to look away from my Mom. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay mababasa niya sa mukha ko kung ano talaga ang sagot doon. And I'm scared. I'm still afraid of the things that might happen in the coming days. Kahit pa sabihin ni Zandrey na mahal niya ako ay hindi pa rin sigurado. Maari pa rin iyong magbago. Pwede ngayon mahal niya ako. Pero ang tanong, hanggang kailan?And whu would he love me? Do I have something he's been looking for? Do I possess something so extraordinary? I'm just a mediocre architect girl when we met. Nasa iisang mundo kami pero malayo pa rin ang agwat.Alam kong masyado na itong pag-ooverthin
Since everybody now knows about the baby, ang rami na nilang plano. They wanted to organize a gender reveal party, baby shower, at kung ano pa. But for now, we decided to have dinner together. Lahat ng mga taong malapit sa puso ko ay nandito.It was just a small dinner. Halos kami lang din. I was even looking forward to it kasi makakasama ko silang lahat nang hindi nag-aalala na baka malaman iyong sikreto namin. Well, now we don't have any secrets to hide.Kakarating lang nila Daisy at Dominic. May dala pa silang cake with the message, "Congratulations Ai and Zandrey!" My Mom also brought a pan of her baked lasagna. Sila Nanay Gina naman ang naghanda ng mga ulam which are mostly my favorite. Halos mga favorite ko iyong dala o ni-prepare nila.It is a happy night. Halos manakit na iyong pisngi ko kakangiti."Ikaw, Andrei. What do you want your sibling to be? A girl or a boy?" Daisy asked the kid. Nasa sala na kami lahat para lang mag-usap-usap. We just finished our dinner and we're hav
Since I wanted Zandrey close to me, we decided to stay in one room. Actually, it was dad who suggested it. Mas mapapanatag daw siya kapag kasama ko si Zandrey sa kwarto. Nasa taas kasi silang dalawa ni Andrei while I'm here on the first floor.Zandrey was busy taking out his clothes from his luggages. Nakaupo lang ako sa kama habang pinapanood siyang i-arrange iyon. I already emptied a closet for him.It was weird. Hindi ko alam kung ano talaga ang mararamdaman habang pinapanood siyang mag-ayos ng mga gamit. But I'm quite sure the baby's happy.For the first time, I'll be living with a guy. I mean, sure, we live in the same house with my Dad and our son. Pero kasi, ngayon lang ako makaka-experience na makakasama talaga sa kwarto iyong lalaki.Sometimes, I regret not dating around when I was younger. Siguro kung ganoon, marami na akong experience and I should have known better. Pero mas pinili ko kasing seryosohin ang pag-aaral saka ang pagtatrabaho. And well, the twins came so hindi n
Walang ngiti akong nanonood sa kanilang dalawa. The girl was being so touchy at parang gusto ko na lang siyang putulan ng kamay. Kung saan-saan na nakarating iyong kamay niya. Nag-iinit iyong ulo ko."You know, we should catch up some time. How about coffee? When will you be free?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong kay Zandrey. Sana man lang mapansin niyang may kasama iyong tao na buntis. Hindi 'yong parang hangin lang ako dito.Naiinis na tuloy ako."Lalabas na ako," mahinang sabi ko kay Zandrey. Hindi ko na hinintay iyong sagot niya saka diretso nang naglakad. Gusto ko lang makalayo na sa kanilang dalawa. Malalandi sila.Medyo nakailang metro na ako sa kanila nang ma-realize kong wala akong susi sa kotse. Iyong sasakyan ni Zandrey kasi iyong dinala namin. I'm not allowed to drive.Mas lalong uminit iyong ulo ko.Pagalit akong lumingon sa gawi nila. They were still talking. Actually, it was the girl who kept on talking. Nakahawak na siya sa braso ni Zandrey na para bang ayaw niya na itong pa
I woke up to quite a heavy morning sickness. Basta na lang akong nakaramdam na parang nasusuka kaya mula sa pagkakatulog ay diretso ako sa CR para sumuka.Zandrey probably heard me kasi agad siyang sumunod sa akin sa CR. He gathered all my hair for me para hindi iyon madumihan. I feel bad kasi mga isang oras pa lang ang tulog niya because he came from a graveyard shift. Pero kahit pagod ay umalalay pa rin siya.I realized just how easy really things are ever since he came here.Just like any other day, I still stayed in bed rest. Hindi muna ako bumalik sa trabaho o gumawa ng mabibigat na bagay kasi hindi pa pwede, unless the doctor tells me it's already okay to do things.I miss doing something, but I have to do this. I don't wanna be selfish and follow just everything I wanted. Hindi lang isa ang dapat kong isipin ngayon. May isa nang nadagdag. Konti na lang din naman ang matatapos ang first trimester. Siguro naman ay hindi na magiging ganoon kahirap.Matapos magsuka ay medyo naging o
Months swing by so fast. Iyong oras kapag masaya ka pala ay mabilis na lumilipas, hindi mo lang namamalayan.I was having all the fun while I was with Zandrey. He's so good at taking care of me. Maging iyong nasa paligid ko ay ibang pag-aalala ang ibinibigay sa akin.All of them are so excited to meet the baby. Kaya when we decided to finally have the gender reveal, excited ang lahat. Kanya-kanya sila ng hula."I bet it's a girl," Dominic said. Hinihintay na lang namin iyong mga bisita para masimulan na namin."Hindi. Lalaki yan!" Sagot naman ni Daisy. She was all smiles today kaya kahit papaano ay nawala iyong pag-aalala ko sa kanyang baka malungkot siya ngayob. Baka nga nasa utak ko lang lahat ng iyon. Maybe I was just indeed overthinking."Whatever it is, I'll be glad as long as it's healthy," nakangiti namang sabi ni Zandrey."Pero ano talaga gusto mo?" Tanong ni Daisy."Kahit ano," sagot muli ni Zandrey."Asus," biro ni Daisy. "Meron 'yan eh."Tumawa lang si Zandrey saka nailing.
I've been feeling so heavy lately. Ramdam ko nang malapit nang lumabas ang baby. Hindi na ako pwedeng maiwang mag-isa sa bahay because anytime, this baby will come out. Everybody was taking turns staying with me. Kahit si Daisy ay dito natutulog para samahan ako kapag night shift si Zandrey sa ospital. All our stuff are already packed and ready. Kaya kung sakali mang manganganak na nga ako ay diretso alis na kami.It's still past noon. Si Daisy iyong kasama ko ngayon kasi nasa ospital si Zandrey saka nasa work si Daddy. Si Mommy Emily naman ay bukas pa daw makakapunta kasi may inaasikaso. Hindi naman sana duty ni Zandrey but he was needed there kasi naaksidente iyong isang doctor nila kay siya muna ang pumalit."Everything starts at small naman talaga diba?" Daisy murmured. Pinag-uusapan kasi namin iyong plano niyang kompanya. She's been researching a lot these days at medyo may skeleton na iyong plano niya. I'm so proud of her."Of course," I replied. "Say for example, my shop. It st
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