[ Flashback ]
“Are you sure you want to remove your hearing aids, my love?” tanong sa akin ni Mommy pagkababa ko ng sasakyan namin.
We just arrived at the party’s venue. We are in Cambridge right now. I’m staying here in Massachusetts because I’m studying business at Harvard and am running my own business here in the States, while my parents just decided to visit because of the party their business partner is hosting.
Pumasok kami sa Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel. Nasa likod ako ng mga magulang habang nasa unahan naman nila ang isa pa nilang business partner from the Philippines. I heard that he’s also a very close friend of my parents.
He seems very familiar but I don’t remember when and where exactly I met him. Not that it matters anyway. I just hope that my parents won’t introduce me to anyone. Ang ingay pa lang dito ay nagpapasakit na ng ulo ko.
There are a lot of cameras as we walked on the red carpet outside the hotel a while ago. I
[ Flashback continues ] Sumakay ako sa sasakyan ko at pinaharurot iyon para lang mabilis na makalayo sa kanila. I don’t want to talk them. I just want them to go home to the Philippines and leave me alone. I don’t need them here. Not when all they do in a span of hours is disappoint me big time! I want to talk to Varez but he’s already in the Philippines. He’s already in his post-graduate internship and he decided to do it back home. Kaya hindi ko siya p’wede abalahin. Should I just go back home like what my parents wanted? But my life is in here... in this place! I grew up here! I created my business here. And yet it also ended here. Halos dalawang araw akong nagkulong sa unit ko. Hindi ko hinayaang makapasok sina Mommy at Daddy sa loob kahit ilang beses ko silang naririnig na nagpapabalik-balik para lang i-check ko. I refuse to see them still. I am still mad at them for deciding things on their own and for easily setting aside my opinions. N
“How are you feeling?” Dr. Ricaforte asks me the moment I calm down. “Much better than a while ago,” I answer. He nods at my answer. “You could have just called my number, you know?” he whispers but I hear it. “You were probably busy and Varez just happened to be the one that came in my mind. I was panicking, Zac...” I reason out. “I know. I’m sorry,” aniya. “I just... wanted to at least be the same person again who’d find you in that state. Not that I want you to be in such a state, MJ...” Humalakhak ako nang mahina kaya napaangat ang tingin niya sa akin. He’s trying so hard to explain that I find it a bit funny. “I get what you mean, Zachary,” sabi ko habang tumatawa pa rin nang mahina. “This isn’t a laughing matter, MJ,” seryoso niyang tugon sa akin. Tinikom ko ang bibig ko at pinigilan ang pagtawa. Tumango ako. “I’m sorry,” I say. Umiling siya at muli akong hinigit nang marahan palapit sa kaniya. “I’m sorry I wasn’t
“Jade, this is Lucian Smith. My twin brother. Lucian, you know her, right? She’s Zachary’s wife... Marthania Jade Louise,” pagpapakilala ni Lucius sa amin ng kambal niya. I thought I was just having a panic attack. Akala ko namamalik-mata lang ako na may dalawa akong Lucius na nakikita pero a pair of twins pala ang dalawa. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na may pagkakaiba ang hugis ng mukha niya at sa istilo ng kanilang buhok. Lucius has more of an angelic face, while Lucian—his twin—has a feature in his face that is more defined. Lucian looks mature while Lucius looks innocent. That’s probably why I also saw a bit of a resemblance between Zachary and Lucius. They both have angelic faces. They both look innocent. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jade...” marahan pero may riing sambit ni Lucian. I uneasily smile at him. “Likewise,” tugon ko. “They just decided to visit me here, Jade,” si Varez. “Sila ang tinutukoy kong imi-meet ko rin. Kakarating la
Tulala akong sa living room. Zachary is busy washing the dishes. Kakatapos lang namin kumain. I can’t stop thinking about the twins. Lucian and Lucius’s parents died. Zachary continued telling me that their parents also died from a plane crash. It’s almost the same as my parents’ death. The only difference was that... their bodies were never found. Nag-crash ang plane sa karagatan at never nang nahanap ang katawan ng mga magulang nila. Of course, they don’t know if it’s an actual accident or someone was behind it as well just like in my case. Walang ibang ebidensya na may tao sa likod noon dahil hindi na-retrieve ang katawan ng mga magulang nila. I feel bad for them. I see myself in them. Maybe that’s why they were both so nice to me. They probably heard what happened to my parents and also feel bad for me. I just hope that they are no longer having a hard time because of what happened... unlike me. Because they don’t deserve the pain. I just don’t kn
“Someone is stalking me for the past weeks or months or I don’t know where it started! He has a number of stolen shots of me, my Tita Cecil, and my cousin, inside our houses. Now he has Manang Cinda! Klaus, please...” pagmamakaawa ko kay Klaus nang magkita kami. “Ms. Salazar, please calm down for now. I’ll help you. I’ll help you again, just... calm down, alright?” “I can’t calm down. I’m scared. I can’t do this alone. I don’t know who to trust anymore. So, please. Do something, Klaus...” I fall on my knees as I start crying. Hindi ako tumuloy sa condo dahil agad akong nakipagkita kay Klaus after ng tawag ko sa kaniya. I had no choice. I need his help again. I still don’t know if I can fully trust him again, but I will take the risk one more time. I am just this desperate for help. “I am continuing the investigation, Ms. Salazar. Even after our partnership ended, I still swore that I will continue helping you until I cover the truth. I promised Gillia
I remain standing near the door where Dr. Ricaforte went out. He was cold and emotionless. Hindi ako makagalaw dahil sa takot at sakit na nararamdaman ko dala ng kung paano niya na lang ako tignan kanina. It’s as if he really had had enough. Sinubukan ko iyong tanggalin sa isipan ko hanggang sa makarating ako sa meeting place namin ni Klaus. Instead of hurting myself by thinking about Zachary’s anger towards me, I just tried to focus on our plans. Sa ngayon, kailangan ko munang malaman kung ano ang kalagayan ni Manang Cinda. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako tinatawagan ulit ng stalker na ‘yon. While Klaus is doing his best to keep an eye on Tita Cecil and Aeliares with his men. I also asked him to tell Gil some minor details about their security cameras in their house. That they should replace the cameras or perhaps remove them for now. I just hope that Gil won’t get suspicious about it. But it’s also possible given that he already had his suspicions befor
Magdamag akong umiyak sa k’warto ko pagkauwing pagkauwi ko. Wala akong oras para rito pero ito ako ngayon, iyak nang iyak dahil sa bwisit na lalaking ‘yon. Kung mahal na mahal niya naman pala si Dr. Therese, ay sana hindi na siya pumayag na magpakasal sa akin! Wala rin naman akong balak na pilitin siya noon dahil mas makakabuti ‘yon dahil ayaw ko naman sa kaniya noong una. Ngayon... ewan ko na. I love him too much and I am starting to get annoyed by this fact. Dahil ang hirap hirap niyang hindian. Dahil nagsisimula na akong umasa at maging makasarili. Kahit alam kong hindi naman siya masaya sa akin. Sakit ng ulo lang ang dulot ko. I am not a wife material and he has been in love with someone else for all those years. Na nakakaya niyang hindi pansinin ang insulto ng babaeng ‘yon sa mama ko at... sa akin, dahil lang sa may sakit siya. Wala naman dapat akong pakialam kung maniwala siya sa sinabi ni Dr. Therese, pero nakakainis dahil nasasaktan ako ngayon. Hindi
“I’m sorry for everything I said,” tahimik niyang sambit habang hinahaplos nang marahan ang buhok ko. Nakayakap pa rin ako sa kaniya at hindi siya bumibitaw. Every time I would try to move away from him, he would pull me back in embrace me more and tighter. It’s as if he doesn’t want to let me go. Pero aalis ako. I have decided that I will leave for now. I need to escape for now. I need to prioritize my well-being and my mental health... and staying here... won’t help me achieve that. Staying here only caused me pain. It caused me to lose someone. I need to leave. Nanatili akong tahimik na nakahilig sa dibdib niya dahil ayaw niya akong pakawalan. Mas lalo akong mahihirapan nito umalis. Ayaw kong umasa pero sa mga ginagawa niya, sa ilang mga sinasabi niya... parang ayos lang na umasa ako... I need to remind myself that he’s in love with someone else. “I’m sorry... that Reese insulted your mother...” I shift on my position when he said t
Pagkababa namin sa parking lot ay hila hila niya akong pinapasok sa kotse niya. “What do you mean by us, Gil?” I asked him as he put his seatbelt on. His jaw was clenched hard and he didn’t answer me so I called him again. “Gil, please. I can’t let anyone know more about this. They might kill Klaus. I don’t want people dying on me anymore.” “And I can’t have you dying on us, Jade!” he exclaimed. “We’re gonna figure this out, together.” I sighed and covered my face with my hands. I was still trembling but I was lucky enough that I wasn’t having a panic attack right now. I couldn’t have myself losing my sanity right now. I need to save Klaus. We arrived at the place. It wasn’t a restaurant, though. It was my grandfather’s private property. Agad akong lumabas ng sasakyan ni Gil pagka-park niya nito. He was behind me when I was about to call for him. “What are we doing here?” I asked him. Malalim ang kaniyang buntong hininga at mariing tumingin sa akin. “I told you, we’re going t
I’m not sure what time Zachary left, but by the time I woke up. He was already gone. I felt him kiss the top of my head, though. And I felt him leaving the room but I was too tired and too sore to even get up or wake up. We had a rough night. We made love until we’re both exhausted.I sat down and stared at the door. After a while, I decided to get up already because I still need to work. I took a bath and did my morning routine. Then I went downstairs and ate the breakfast Zachary made for me before he left. I was smiling the whole time I was eating.Maaga akong nakarating sa office ko. I immediately started all the paper works left on my table. I also read a lot of proposals for a new project the company is planning. Not a single one fit my plans so I rejected all of it.“Jade, Lolo told me to invite your for dinner later sa bahay niya...” Gil appeared by the door of my office. Nakahilig siya roon habang nakatingin sa akin nang seryoso.“Hindi pa rin siya umuuwi ng States?” I asked
I cooked and prepared our dinner for tonight. Zachary messaged me that he’d be home by nine in the evening. Pagkauwi ko galing office kanina ay nagpahinga muna ako bago magluto ng hapunan. I was happy. I enjoyed cooking for us. For him. I hope he'll love the food. Iniwan ko ang nakahandang hapunan sa hapag at tinakluban iyon para hindi mapanis at masira agad. I went to my room and continued the preparation I’ve been doing since I decided to continue my investigation. But before I fully continue this, I wanted to find Klaus first. Wala pa rin akong balita galing kay Klaus and I still couldn’t find the right opportunity to ask Gil about him. I really want to find Klaus, but I don’t know where to start. I tried going back to the hotel where he was staying before but I found out that he already moved out. I don’t know where else to find him. If I ask Gil about Klaus, he might find out what we’ve been doing behind his back. Ayaw kong mag-isip ng kung ano ano, pero hindi ko mapigilan ang
“You can’t hear me?” Zachary said something again but I couldn’t understand it. Hindi ko iyon marinig. His lips were moving and I knew that he was speaking. Pero hindi ko iyon marinig. My ears are acting up again. It has been a while since something like this happened. I thought I would be okay but I was wrong. I forgot that I wasn’t fully healed yet. And now, it’s starting again. “What are you saying?” I asked despite not being able to hear what I said. “I’m sorry, my ears. I can’t hear...” I could feel my lips trembling. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. I didn’t bring my hearing aids. Zachary came to me. Lumuhod siya sa harap ko. His eyes were worried and bloodshot. He looked like he’s pitying me. I suddenly felt awful. “I’ll rest now. I wanna be alone while I rest. You can sleep in the guestroom,” I told him. “MJ...” I read the movement of his lips. He was close to me which was why I was able to understand what he said. “I can’t leave you alone. Why are you asking me to leave you?
[ Zachary’s Point of View; A Flashback ] I was there when my sister died. I failed to notice her struggle and pain because I was too busy studying so I could gain our father’s approval. My little sister, Zoe, was my comfort. The very reason why I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to cure her illness. But before I could even do that, she died. And it was because of my own negligence. “I’ve had enough of your defiance, Zachary. For once, I need you to do as I say. Marry the woman I want for you and I will let you continue your career. Defy me, and I will do everything in my power so you can never set foot in the medical field again!” That was my father’s bargain when I first told him that I would still continue my residency and my research. I didn’t want that. All of my life, I tried everything to make him proud. Even if it’s not from the field he wanted for me. I thought that if I became the best in my field, he would finally acknowledge all
“We can stay here for a few minutes more if you want…” Zachary said as he held my hand with his.Pinagmamasdan niya lang ako ngayon habang nakatingin pa rin ako sa puntod ng mga magulang ako. Ngumiti ako at bumaling sa kaniya. Then I shook my head a little.“I already told them what I wanted to say. We can go now. I want to rest,” sabi ko.Tumango siya at mas hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko.I feel so lucky to have him beside me. When he hugged me, I felt safe and comfortable, I never want to let go.When my parents died, I never experienced such a comforting love again. But with Zachary, I knew it was more than that. It was more than the love I felt when my family was still complete. Kahit ramdam ko ang kulang dahil sa pagkawala ng mga magulang ko, Zachary was able to easily fill its gaps with his gentleness.The day was over before we even knew it. Zachary and I rested the whole night and slept peacefully. I
“Are you sure you’re okay now? We can visit them tomorrow instead,” Zachary said as he helped me get inside our car, his voice like a fire that calms my soul in the midst of a cold winter. It was enough to soothe my heart. More than enough. “I’m okay. Let’s just go.” I smiled to assure him that I’m really fine. Habang walang tigil ang pag-iyak at paghikbi ko kanina sa office ng Daddy ko, Zachary was just there embracing me. He was like a soft pair of large wings that protects me from pain. And I realized that I became more and more dependent of him. I really have no idea if it’s a good thing or bad one. For once, I wanted time to stop. I wanted to stay in that moment. To keep him close to me. Before closing the door on my side, Zachary leaned down to touch my cheek, caressing them. He was looking at me with so much affection in his eyes I couldn’t help but want to drown in them. Pinagmasdan niya lang ako at hinayaan ko siya. I held his gaze as
We arrived at the airport. Kinuha ni Zachary ang mga gamit namin bago kami lumabas. There was an SUV waiting for us outside and we immediately hopped in.Tahimik kaming dalawa sa byahe. It was probably because of what we discussed back in the plane. We talked about my parents and his family. I told him that there was something I still wasn’t telling him. He respects everything. Ang galit ko sa kaniyang ama. Ang gulo sa isip ko tungkol sa mga hindi ko sinasabi sa kaniya. He respects my pace. He respects me.I don’t really know if I should allow myself to be this dependent on him. He’s not asking anything in return. It was so natural to him. Ang pakisamahan ako. Ang intindihin ako. Our differences were mode defined this time. I felt like I’m taking him for granted. No… I really am taking him for granted.Simula pa noon lagi niya na akong iniintindi. He was so good at putting up with me and my shortcomings. I was so high-maintenance I
We were both panting after doing a lot of make love rounds. My body was already exhausted even before we stopped but I just couldn’t get enough of him. I was lying on top of him, still panting. I also could feel his heavy breathing. Nakayakap siya sa akin habang marahang nilalaro ang dulo ng buhok ko. “Thank you…” he whispered. “For coming back to me.” I looked at him and kissed him again on his lips. I licked his lips and urged him to open up for my tongue. I kissed every corner of his mouth and he did the same. “We should shower and eat breakfast.” I chuckled after our kissing. Tumango siya at bumangon sa pagkakahiga, dala dala ako. Then he lifted me up and carried me all the way to my bathroom. Pagkatapos naming maligo ay dumiretso na kami sa baba para magluto at kumain ng breakfast. Zachary was busy cooking some fried rice with spam and egg. Nagluto rin siya na hiwalay naman ang spam at egg sa fried rice. After cooking, he placed t