Anino
My mind completely went blank after what I heard. My mother continued sobbing frantically which made me shake in panic even more. Hindi ko na nagawang pumasok nang tuluyan sa resort at nagmadaling umalis pauwi.“M-Ma, please c-calm down. Tell me what happened,” nanginginig ang mga kamay kong tanong.I roamed my eyes around to look for a cab. At kapag minamalas ka nga naman, sobrang tahimik ng highway at ni isang taxi wala man lang dumaan.“He d-dealt with a problem in the office. He was stressed out by it. At naabutan ko nalang siyang walang malay sa kanyang opisina. It was a good thing the ambulance came h-here quickly. H-Hindi ko alam ang gagawin, anak...”Sapo ko ang noo habang nakikinig kay mama sa nanginginig na boses. Oh God! I hope my father’s fine! Dahil hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko pag nagkataon.He was always desperate in telling me to go home and help with the company. And here I am being selfish at hCold"He saw what?!"Halos mapapikit ako sa lakas ng boses ni Bailey kinabukasan nang bumisita siya sa mansyon. He got so excited that I went home na agad siyang nagdeklara na bibisita. I can't stop him too since matagal niya nang gustong makita sa personal si Callar. Masyado naman siyang abala noon sa mga talents na hawak niya kaya hindi nagawang bumisita sa Australia.I just nodded at him. I'm still so terrified with what happened. Mabuti nalang at papikit-pikit na ang mga mata ng anak ko kaya agad ko ring naibaling sa iba ang atensyon niya. Even my parents were dumbfounded. Kaming lahat ay hindi nakagalaw sa naging tanong ng anak ko. I even hid that magazine after I tucked him to bed."Oh my god! Talaga?"I rolled my eyes sa pabalik-balik niyang tanong."Can you lower down your voice? Baka marinig ka ng anak ko," saway ko.I took a glance at Callar who's busy with his books and toys as usual. He seemed oblivious with
UsIf only I could disappear this instant, matagal ko nang ginawa. All I wanted that moment was to disappear without him knowing and seeing me. But I know that's far from reality. At kahit sa loob-loob ko alam kong darating at darating ang pagkakataong ito.Tahimik kong kinalma ang sarili at nag focus nalang sa ginagawa. I was relieved when it was almost done. All I wanted was to get out of there as soon as possible. I can still hear Santi's voice from afar at kahit gaano ko pigilan ang sariling huwag pakinggan ang boses niya, hindi ko magawa.Heavy footsteps from behind awakened me from my reverie. And before I knew it, he was right in front of me. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin at nakipagkamay sa mga katabi kong judges din. I cleared my throat with the indifference he's giving me. Or was I just imagining things?He's totally different from the last time I saw him. His physique let out a strong authority aura. No wonder all the staff went in chao
ResponsibilityHirap akong matulog ng gabing iyon. He walked away after what he said while I am left anxious and afraid. Hindi man sumagi sa isip kong mangyayari ito, lihim kong inasam na sana hindi. I expected him to be angry with me. Sa biglaan kong pagkawala nang hindi malinaw sa aming dalawa ang lahat. I can't blame him. Pero ang makitang ganoon nalang ang galit niya kanina, hindi ko inasahan.Hindi ko alam kung alin ba sa dalawa ang mas pipiliin ko. Ang makita siyang tila wala nang pakialam o ang harapin ang galit niya. I thought he'd moved on. I expected him to be. Lalo lang tuloy akong natakot sa posibilidad na malaman niya ang tungkol sa anak ko. It's much easier to deal with him myself. Pero ngayong maaaring madamay ang anak ko, nahihirapan ako."Ano'ng sinabi niya sa iyo?"I took a sip on my drink and turned to Bailey. Hindi ako dumiretso ng condo matapos ng nangyari. I would be too nervous he'd follow me so I stopped by at Bailey's plac
DadIt took me a while to calm and compose myself. I can just pretend we're strangers, right? Tutal ay iyon din naman ang ginawa niya noong una kaming magkita. Besides, I bet it's about work. Ang kaalamang iyon ang nakapagpanatag sa akin. Even though I am still so embarrassed with what happened awhile ago. I should still be given the benefit of the doubt dahil kakaumpisa ko pa lang naman. But now that I am in the position, I have to take responsibility of everything. Had I known that something is wrong sana nagawan ko agad ng paraan. Maybe I was too confident with the idea that the deal has been closed months ago."If this is about the report, I will take care of it and proceed with the initial plan.""And your team? What are you gonna do about them?" He scoffed."I still have to sort things out, Mr. Lopez kaya ako magpapatawag ng meeting ngayon. Rest assured hindi maaapektuhan ang project."I looked at him straight in the eyes. I must say I would have
EngagementPinilit kong alisin sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Callar ng nagdaang gabi. I tried to reason out in my own head that he was asleep that time and doesn't really know what he's talking. Kahit pa sa loob ko, labis ang takot at pangamba ko.I was mindful when I brought my son to the academy. He would normally talk about random things pero iba ngayon. He's silent and continues to look at the window."Baby, is there something wrong?" Tawag ko sa atensyon niya.He looked at me briefly then resumed his gaze outside the window. Hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito at natatakot ako."Is there a problem, Callar?"Umayos siya ng upo at panandaliang tumitig sa akin. I can feel something is wrong."Mommy, do I have a dad?" Nag-aatubili niyang tanong, bakas ang lungkot sa boses.I lost focus for a moment that I almost stepped on the breaks in haste. Agaran kong ibinalik ang atensyon sa pagmamaneho kahit na nanginginig na ang kamay sa nerbyos. Ito na iyon. Dumating
MineEverything happened so quickly that I wasn't able to react that fast. Pilit pa rin pinoproseso ng utak ko ang narinig kani-kanina lang. Most of the guests are shocked too. Sino ba naman ang hindi? Gayong ibang babae ang kasama ni Xander nang bigla nalang iyong inanunsyo ng matandang Del Rio.Sinapo ko ang ulo ko sa matinding hilo. I can't think of anything else but to go home and forget what I just heard. I just want to go home to my son.Naalimpungatan lang ako nang mapansin ang mahinang komusyon sa table nina Xander. He was trying to get away from his parents. Wala na rin sa table nila si Aurora. I didn't even notice her disappearance."Did you both know it was going to happen?"Iyon agad ang ibinungad ko nina Mama at Papa nang makauwi kami ng mansyon. It was a relief the party ended peacefully despite of the announcement of Donya Esmeralda. Kung may nakapansin man sa tensyon ng pamilya ni Xander ay iilan lang. Ni hindi man lang nga pinansin ng Donya ang apo niyang kating-kati n
GirlfriendNapakapit ako ng husto sa braso niya. His kisses are slow and soothing. Wala akong maramdamang galit sa paggagad ng labi niya. His kisses went deeper and I lost myself. I didn't realize how much I missed him until now. Ngayong hawak niya ako at hinahalikan, ang damdaming akala ko ay ibinaon ko na sa kaibuturan ng aking puso ay muling nangibabaw. Na kahit pa gaanong galit ang maramdaman ko, siya pa rin ang mahal ko.I gasped for air when his kisses went from my lips to my cheeks, down to my jaw. I tilted my face to give him access. Para akong malalagutan ng hininga sa init na hatid ng labi niya sa balat ko. He pulled me closer to his body."Answer me. Is it still him? Hmm?" He asked between his kisses.I groaned in protest when he stopped kissing me at bahagya ring lumuwag ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin.Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang marealize kung gaano ako kapusok pagdating sa kanya. I pushed him but he held me tighter. Naiangat ko ang tingin sa ginawa niya.
So BadIlang sandali pa bago ko nahamig ang sarili. Tuluyan kaming nakalabas ng mansyon nang bawiin ko ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak niya."What was that all about?" I spat.He breathe hard at ilang sandali pa bago tuluyan akong hinarap."What do you mean?" Maang-maangan niya."Pwede ba, Santi? If this seems like a joke to you then it's not funny at all!" Galit ko nang sambit."I am not kidding around," he said grimly."What are you even doing here in the first place? At ano'ng girlfriend pinagsasabi mo?"He was obviously taken aback with my remark. Ngunit agad din siyang bumalik sa pagiging seryoso. I know he's provoked. At hindi ko rin naman intensyong gawin iyon. I'm just being realistic here."Damn, may nangyari na't lahat hindi pa rin girlfriend?" Angil niya.I felt my cheeks burned up with what he said! How dare he say that to my face! After all the efforts I exerted to forget my foolishness last night!"I-It was just-""And don't give me the one-night-stand-mistake bullshit ev
Together"Punta ka sa bahay mamaya?"I looked up to see Xander's smiling face. It looks welcoming. Karamihan sa mga kaklase ko sa taong iyon ay kung hindi ako kinukutya ay walang may pakialam at nakikipagkaibigan. I don't mind either of those. I'm used to it. Kaya naman nakakapanibagong may lumalapit sa akin para makipagkaibigan."May mga gagawin pa ako sa farm," sambit ko habang inaayos ang mga gamit sa bag."Ipagpapaalam kita kay Lola Gracia. Nag-bake si mommy ng cookies para sa atin. Cianna's coming, too." Ngiti niya."Sino iyon?" Kunot-noo kong tanong. Wala naman kaming ka-schoolmate na ganoon ang pangalan."Family friend. Kalilipat lang nila rito."Wala na nga akong nagawa nang sumama siya sa bahay para ipagpaalam ako kay Lola. Mabilis din namang pumayag si Lola nang may galak. Kahit hindi ko sinasabi sa kanya, alam kong naririnig niya mula sa eskwelahan na kinukutya ako ng ibang bata. Kaya naman ganoon nalang ang saya niya noong unang beses na bumisita si Xander para makipaglaro.
PregnantLihim kong pinakiramdaman ang sarili habang tahimik na naghihintay sa visitors' area ng correctional. I don't know what have gotten into me for coming here. Hindi ko na pinagkaabalahang alamin pa ang pag-usad ng imbestigasyon ng mga pulis dahil ang mahalaga lang naman sa akin ay ligtas ang anak ko at maparusahan ang may gawa niyon. My son is too young to experience such things. At doble ang hirap at sakit na naramdaman ko bilang ina.It actually took me a ton of courage to come here and see Ivory. I don't know why I'm doing this but I felt like I have to do this in order to move on.Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang dalawang babaeng pulis hawak-hawak sa magkabilang braso ang nakaposas na si Ivory. She looked wasted. Wala sa focus ang nanlalalim na mga mata. Her pale lips rose for a sarcastic smirk when she saw me. Maya-maya pa ay bahagya siyang natawa."Who do I owe the honor of having you here?" She smirked.Ilang sandali akong natahimik habang pin
Wait"What the hell are you doing?"I went out of the car in the middle of the rain without second thoughts. Kahit ako ay hindi maintindihan ang sarili at padalos-dalos akong dumalo sa kanya. My heart skipped a beat when he turned to me in a grim expression. Basang-basa ang ulo niya pati ang mukha."You weren't inside," he murmured to himself.Sakto namang bumukas ang gate at lumabas ang ilan sa mga body guards na may dalang payong at tuwalya. I turned to Santi again and he still has the same expression. His jaw clenched and he looked away in anger."Let's go inside," I murmured after getting the towels from the body guards.Umihip ang malamig na hangin at bahagyang nanginig ang katawan ko. I jolted when I felt his arms wrapped around me as we walked to the mansion door.Nakaabang sa sala sina Mama at Papa pagpasok namin. Pareho silang gulat nang makita kaming basang-basa sa ulan. Then their gaze turned to Santi and they were taken aback."Oh my goodness, Cianna! Bakit naman kayo nagp
SoakedI have always wondered how all of it went wrong. We were happy. And I thought it was something that would last. Ni sa hinagap, hindi sumagi sa isip kong pwedeng mawala sa akin ang lahat sa isang iglap. My son is my everything. Kaya kong mawala ang ibang bagay bukod sa kanya.The sound of the gunshot still linger my ears until now. I heard commotions as I closed my eyes. Nang muli akong magmulat ng mga mata ay lalo lang akong nagimbal sa nakita. Hugging me and my son, and shielding us from the shot, was Lance.“L-Lance,” my voice tremble and my eyes heavy. Pilit kong iminulat ang mga mata para tingnan siya nang maayos.He just smiled lightly then coughed blood. I wanted to scream but I couldn’t open my mouth. Patuloy lang ang pag-agos ng luha ko na tila walang kapaguran. He fell on the ground then the commotion around became more evident. Huli kong nakita si Ivory na nakadapa sa lupa habang pinipigilan ng ilang nakaunipormeng lalaki.I shook my head to brush off the thoughts. Mar
GuiltIlang beses akong huminga nang malalim para kalmahin ang sarili. Kanina pa ako nanginginig habang hawak-hawak ang manibela. This isn't the time to panic, I scolded my mind. Mas importanteng makuha ko nang ligtas ang anak ko mula kay Ivory.Panay ang tanaw ko sa location na ibinigay ni Ivory hanggang sa makalabas ako ng syudad. Ilang oras ko pang binagtas ang makitid na daan na halos wala nang mga bahay sa paligid. Hapon na kaya unti-unti na ring kinakain ng dilim ang paligid.Few more minutes and I reached a dead end. Hindi magkakasya ang sasakyan ko kung pipilitin ko pang pumasok sa kagubatan. I dialled Ivory's number at sinagot niya naman iyon pagkatapos ng ilang ring."I'm at a dead end," agad kong sambit. I gritted my teeth as the seething anger enveloped me."May makitid na daan sa gilid ng kinaroroonan mo. Diyan ka dumaan. Sa dulo may makikita kang maliit na kubo."I roamed my eyes to look for the way she was talking about. Walang imik kong binagtas iyon hanggang sa tuluya
SaveHalos manginig ang buong katawan ko at hindi mawari kung saan maghahanap. Santi caught up to me and held my shoulders."What's happening?" Tanong niya, naroon ang pag-aalala sa boses. Ako naman hindi magkamayaw sa pagtingin kung saan-saan para hanapin ang anak ko."Si Callar... Ang sabi ng teacher dito naghihintay sa gate ang anak natin..."Abot-abot ang tahip ng dibdib ko at hinanap ang guard. Wala ito sa post at hindi rin mahagilap. Wala nang mga estudyante ang lumalabas mula sa loob at tahimik na rin ang paligid."Let's ask the teacher once again. Baka pinabalik nila dahil wala pa tayo," he said and pulled me inside.Naabutan namin ang teacher sa loob ng classroom na nag-aayos ng gamit. I roamed my eyes around but no one else was there. Lalo lang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Wala pang limang minuto mula nang tumawag ang teacher para sabihing nasa labas ang anak ko. Paanong..."Miss Juarez, ano pong atin?" Unti-unting nalusaw ang ngiti niya nang mapansing hindi na ako mapaka
DreamI know we have to talk things out. And here I am being stubborn again because I'm clouded with so much doubts and insecurities. Siguro nga may plano naman siyang sabihin sa akin, naghahanap lang ng magandang tiyempo. Or he's hoping the issue would die down on its own so he doesn't really think he had to tell me anything about it.Well that frustrates me even more. Lalo pa't ako ang itinuturong dahilan ni Ivory kung bakit mas pinili ni Santi na huwag nang tumuloy sa project na iyon.And damn, I know he wanted it so bad. He worked so hard for it. I know, more than anyone, how hard it is to give up on the things I love because of other things as well. At kung ang bagay naman na pumipigil sa kanya ay kami, how did he expect me to react? Of course I'd be mad! As much as I want to keep him with us, I can't just do that. And what hurts even more is he doesn't even share with me his dreams, his goals, his plans. I know nothing at all.Akala ko ba magkasama naming haharapin ang lahat? Wh
Selfish“Leave him.”Kung hindi lang siya seryosong nakatitig sa akin habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon, iisipin kong nagbibiro lang siya. I wanted so bad to laugh at her right now. She looked helpless and a hopeless desperate bitch.“Stop spewing nonsense, Ivory.” Matigas kong sabi.“Do you think I am just fooling around, Cianna? Or I am just saying all of these things because of what I feel for Santi? You’re totally wrong. Can’t you see you’re pulling him down?”Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. What the hell? Ano namang ginawa ko para hilahin pababa si Santi?“Pwede ba, Ivory? Kung wala ka rin lang namang matinong sasabihin, huwag mo nalang akong kausapin. You’re just wasting my time,” I said and turned my back on her.Just when I was about to take a step, she spoke again.“You really don’t know anything. O sadyang hindi ka naman ganoon ka importante kaya hindi niya magawang sabihin sa iyo lahat ng tungkol sa kanya?”Naikuyom ko ang mga palad sa sinabi niya. Now I am al
WantHindi ko alam kung ano'ng mararamdaman sa sinabi ni Jacob. My chest throbbed with the familiar pain."Baka tungkol sa trabaho ang pinag-uusapan nila?" I faked a smile. Pilit kong itinago ang panginginig ng boses.Right. I shouldn't drop into conclusions. Pero kahit gaano ko pigilan, hindi ko na mapirmi ang utak. Halos hindi ko na rin dinig ang malakas na tugtog ng musika."Maybe," kibit-balikat niya. "Anyway, let's just enjoy the night," ngisi niya at muli akong hinila nang marahan para makipagsayaw.Bago pa ako makapalag ay may mga kamay nang humawak sa braso ko mula sa likod. I felt Santi's familiar hold that I automatically turned to him. Madilim ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa kamay ni Jacob na nakahawak pa rin sa akin."Santi," I called his name in protest.He turned to me, jaw clenched so hard."Sorry dude," Jacob apologized, raising both his hands.I was about to say something when I noticed someone chasing after Santi. Natigil ito sa paglalakad nang magtama ang mga mata