My mother was right when she said that not all things go according to plans. She said they have their own ways of complicating lives. But all things, the easy and the complicated, also have their own ways of serving their purposes, and it shall make everything make sense one day.I waited for that day. Dahil gusto kong malaman kung bakit nangyari ang mga nangyari. In fact, I waited for so long.Kaso minsan pala sobrang tagal din ng paghihintay na dapat nating gawin."Ma'am, hinahanap ka po ni Ma'am Daisy," Janine, my assistant said. Napatingin ako sa kanya. She was all smiles kaya napangiti na lang din ako.Tinanguan ko na lamang siya and left my unfinished bouquet to her.Sunday has been the busiest day of the week. The orders are a lot more than the usual lalo na ngayon at Valentine's day pa at dalawa lang kami ni Janine ang nandito sa shop. I don't even know how we managed to make it half the day."Yes? What took you here?" I asked my best friend as I entered my office. She's alrea
"Sige na, Ai. This will be fun, promise!" Daisy said. Kanina pa siya nagmamakaawa sa aking samahan siya sa isang group date. May dalawang babae pa naman daw kaming kasama mula sa klase nila. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit ako ang pinipilit niyang sumama kung pwede namang sa bloc na lang nila siya maghanap."Ayoko nga," I replied. Binilisan ko iyong lakad ko. Pupunta pa kasi akong Library kasi vacant time ko. Ito namang si Daisy ay kahit late na sa klase niya ay andito pa rin at sunod nang sunod sa akin."Aira naman," malungkot niyang sabi. "Samahan mo na 'ko, please? Kasama kasi iyong crush ko. Ipapakilatis ko sana sa 'yo," she added.I stopped from walking. Huminto rin siya at tumingin sa akin, her eyes almost pleading. "At sa akin mo pa talaga naisipang ipakilatis? Sure ka?""Bakit hindi? Magaling ka namang mang-judge.""Gaga ka."Daisy laughed. "Totoo naman. At saka, ipapa-check ko rin kung may red flags ba. Magaling ka 'don eh.""So basically, isasama mo lang ako doon para i-judge
Feeling ko ang liit ng University namin 'nong nakita ko ang lalaking nakabangga ko kanina na nandito na ngayon sa harapan ko. I mean, ang dami naman kasing estudyante sa school! Well, baka coincidence lang talaga. Hindi dapat ako mag-overthink.Naramdaman kong sinipa ako ni Daisy sa ilalim ng mesa. Hindi ko iyon pinansin."Ikaw 'yong nakabangga ko kanina," I suddenly said."Yeah. I think it's me," he said with a smile. Tumango na lang ako saka ibinalik ang atensyon sa juice ko. "I'm Zandrey," he said sabay abot sa akin 'nong kamay niya.Tinanggap ko iyon. "I'm Aira.""Bakit naman ang tagal mo?" Narinig kong tanong 'nong Dominic kay Zandrey."Na-late ako kanina. Ang tagal kong nakapasok kasi nawala ko ID ko," I heard him said."Right!" Napalakas iyong boses ko sa narinig kaya napatingin sila sa akin. Agad naman akong nag-sorry. "Nahulog kanina. Isasauli ko sana kaso nakaalis ka na. Saka idadaan ko sana sa lost and found kaso nawala sa isip ko." Hinanap ko iyong ID niya sa bag kaso bigl
I could feel my face heating up in embarassment. Halos hindi ako makatingin sa kanya! Kung saan-saan ko tuloy naibabaling ang tingin ko. Para na akong tanga!"I'm sorry," I heard him said. Wala namang may sadya 'non diba? Pero bakit kasi!"I'm sorry too," I said. Saglit lang akong tumingin sa kanya and looked away hurriedly. Nakakahiya talaga!"Should we go back inside?" He asked. Mabilis akong tumango. Pakiramdam ko nahimasmasan na ako dahil sa nangyari.We went back to the KTV and it was the most awkward walk of my life! Buti na lang naisip kong hindi naman na kami magkikita after nito. Saka malaki naman ang University! Hindi naman ako nagagawi sa college nila. Iiwasan ko na lang din lahat ng mga nakaputi!Pagkarating namin ay medyo hindi na ganoon kagulo. Nakatulog na nga si Daisy. At nakasandal pa kay Jed! Para-paraan talaga ang bruha.Nag-aya na akong umuwi at sumang-ayon naman silang lahat. I had to retrieve the rest of my stuff from Daisy's car after getting the keys from her s
I never got myself in trouble before. Maingat akong tao kaya kampante ako sa mga desisyon ko sa buhay. Hindi rin ako sanay na pinapahiya ang sarili. I know how to get out of situations. I am that smart, as my Mom would say. Pero lately, parang gusto ko na lang ikahiya ang buong pagkatao ko.Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong nakatingin kay Zandrey na nasa harapan ko ngayon. I can see him suppressing a grin kaya mas lalo akong nahihiya. Gusto ko na lang magpalamon sa lupa at this very moment.Kung kanina ay malakas na ang tibok ng puso ko, ngayon ay mas lalo pang lumakas.Ngayon pa naisipan ng utak kong tumigil sa pag-function."Are you okay?" Tanong niya.Alam kong alam niya ano ang sagot sa tanong niya sa akin. Kaya hindi ako sumagot saka tumayo na lang nang maayos. I tried looking away. I can't keep on looking at him when he looks so amused. Mas lalo lang akong nahihiya.I heard him chuckled. "Kumain ka na?" He asked."I was going to," sagot ko na lang. "Nakuha mo na ID mo?" Tanong ko. Thi
After that lunch with Zandrey ay kanya-kanya na kami ng lakad. He still has his classes, while I have to go home. It was still weird for me to be friends with him. Hindi naman kasi ako friendly lalo na sa mga lalaki. Nagtataka pa rin ako how everything happened so quickly. Kanina lang I was determined to avoid him and now we have this weird connection.Or maybe he was just that good in making friends.I still have plenty of free time kaya nang makauwi ay tulog agad ang inatupag ko. But I set an alarm for two hours. Hindi naman pwedeng tutulog lang talaga ako maghapon. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-cram sa mga gagawin ko kasi mababaliw ako. I'm not much of a multi-tasker.When I woke up from my nap, I proceed to doing my plates hanggang sa makaramdam ako ng gutom. Timingly, Daisy was done with her classes and texted me she's on the way. Nagpa-take out na lang ako ng pagkain so we can eat it together."So you're telling me na he suggested to be your pretend boyfriend para tigilan ka na ni Char
Para akong lutang nang matapos lahat ng klase ko. Ilang beses pa akong nakabangga kasi tatanga-tanga ako.Kasi naman eh!Even when the classes are ongoing, all I could think about was what happened earlier. Unang araw pa lang ng plano namin ni Zandrey pero pakiramdam ko hindi ko na kayang panindigan. Dagdagan pa ng text ni Daisy na nag-aaya ng dinner. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung tatanggi ba ako o magpapanggap na lang na may sakit para lang makaiwas.Seriously, this should be easy. I just don't know why things are starting to be complicated.I just continued walking, unsure where I'm going. Ayaw ko pang harapin sina Daisy. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako makakatagal kung nasa harapan ko si Zandrey. Tatakas na lang siguro ako.With my tote bag on my right shoulder and books on my left arm, I walked cautiously. Panay ang tingin ko sa paligid, checking if someone can see me right now. So far, wala namang Daisy o Zandrey na umaaligid.I heaved a sigh. Para naman akong may atraso nito."Hey."Ay, puch
It's Wednesday and it's just the second official day of our deception. While I think it's still cringe, I also think it's quite effective.The entire day yesterday, even if I know Charles is just a few classrooms away from me, he did not come to see me. Noon kasi, lagi siyang dumadaan para magpapansin sa akin, kausapin ako, and all sorts of things he can do to make his appearance be known.Right then, I thought it was a red flag. Ilang beses ko na kasi talaga siyang tinanggihan and even explained myself, but he really can't understand or maybe he does, but he chose not to understand me. The thought of him being overly persistent is bothering me and giving me the creeps.Zandrey and I agreed on this deception to happen only in school, or wherever and whenever we need to. Pero itong isa, kahit walang taong nakatingin, sige pa rin.Just like now.I just woke up and when I got my phone to check it, a notification which says he sent me a message was the first thing I noticed.Good morning!
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