CHAPTER 2
Primrose accepted Ian’s follow request.
Personal account niya ‘yon kaya naman iilan lang ang mga naka-follow sa kaniya.
Mostly, mga closest friends lang. Hindi nga kasama sa personal account niya ‘yung manager niya, kasi minsan, may mga lalaki siyang kasama na nilalagay niya sa i* story niya at iniiwasan niyang mapagalitan sa management.
Akala niya ay magc-chat si Ian, pero para siyang tangang naghihintay dahil walang message ang dumating.
“Ginagago ba ako ng lalaking ‘to?” tanong niya sa sarili niya habang naka-kunot noong nakatingin sa mga i* posts ng lalaki.
Bakas sa mga post niya kung gaano kayaman ang pamilya niya. Prim is kind of judgmental sa ganitong bagay lalo na kung alam niyang magastos ang tao, na hindi naman nila sariling pera ang mga winawaldas nila.
It irritates her.
Isa na rin siguro ‘yon sa mga rason kung bakit hinding hindi niya kayang masikmurang makipag-date. Kasi lahat nalang ng mga lalaking nagkakagusto sa kaniya, mga mayayabang na wala namang ipagmamayabang kung wala ang yaman ng mga magulang nila.
Hindi masisikmura ni Prim ‘yon, dahil siya, she worked hard for everything she has right now. Sa kaiisip at kaka-scroll sa feed ni Ian, nakatulog si Prim.
Paggising niya, nakita niya na sabog sa notification ang I*******m at f******k niya. Marami rin siyang tawag mula kay Abi--- actually, nagising siya mula sa tawag ni Abi.
“Hello?”
“Gumising ka na. Magtingin ka ng mga social media accounts mo, Primrose. Oh my gosh kang babae ka…”
“Huh?”
She immediately checked her phone, finding out na marami ng articles about sa kaniya at sa anak ni Ian Letran.
“Girl, anak ng mayor ‘yon, lumabas ka sa condo niya---”
“We did not do anything wrong. Hinatid niya lang ako sa parking space. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Well, that’s the truth, pero hindi ‘yon ang ibabalita ng media. We both know that. Kaya for now, mag-isip isip muna tayong dalawa, dahil panigurado, tatalakan tayo ni Ma’am Ji.” Sabi ni Abi habang nakaharap sa laptop niya.
“Bakit ba naging balita ‘to? Ang dami ko namang ibang lalaking nakasama, bakit dito pa ako na-link nang ganito?”
“Eh sinong tangang magl-like ng post ng tao na two years ago pa sa I*******m?” bigla namang nanlaki ang mga mat ani Prim.
“Fuck!” mabilis na in-open niya ang I* app niya at nakita nga niya na naka-like ito sa topless photo ni Ian at ang isa naman ay ang naka tuxedo ito.
“His I*******m account is public, Prim. You’re a celebrity. What would you expect?” napapikit nalang si Prim at maluha-luhang pinatay ang tawag ni Abi, dahil wala na rin naman siyang magagawa sa dami ng mga articles.
Napahimas siya sa sintido niya. Maya maya, biglang nag-ring ang phone niya.
It’s Ian Letran, calling her, sa i*******m. Sinagot niya ‘yon, kahit na naiinis siya.
“What do you want?” sinadya niya talagang iparinig ang inis sa boses niya.
“I’m sorry. I just saw the news. I’m sorry I dragged you into this. I know how stressful your career alone is, so I'll take care of it. Don’t worry. I’ll update you once everything is cleared up.”
He did not even let Prim talk, he just ended the call and Prim was left dumbfounded for she never experienced that ever. Ngayon lang siya naka-encounter ng lalaking tatawag sa kaniya at bababaan siya nang biglaan.
“Really? After dragging me into this, bababaan niya lang ako nang ganon-ganon na lang?” napamura si Prim nang mahina habang di mapakali.
She did her morning routine at nag-film na ng mga brands na napirmahan niya ng kontrata para mag-promote. Usually, kasama niya si Abigail to do stuff like this, pero busy ‘yon panigurado ngayon lalo na’t may issue siya.
After shooting for brands, she hurried to drive straightly sana sa shooting venue nila for today, only to find Ian Letran beside her car sa parking lot ng condo kung saan siya nakatira.
“I need your help.” Bungad ng lalaki habang sa isang kamay nito ay may dala-dalang paper bag ng lacoste and LV.
Namutawi ang katahimikan sa dalawa habang nasa loob ng sasakyan. They’re both inside Ian’s car to discuss about the papers na dala-dala ni Ian.
Hindi maka-keep up si Prim sa mga nangyayari. One second, nai-issue sila na magkasama, ngayon naman nandito sila sa parking lot. He’s so random and… handsome?
“So you need me to sign these papers?” nakatitig lang si Prim sa mga bond papers na nasa harapan niya na dala-dala ni Ian, trying to distract herself sa mga naiisip niyang kadeluluhan.
“My attorney wanted me to talk to you first before fixing the issue. She wants you to sign those, para alam niyang nakausap kita since hindi siya available today.” Sabi nito habang humihigop sa kape niya.
Binasa niya ang nasa papeles and everything that was written there ay based lamang talaga sa sinabi niya. Walang labis, walang kulang.
“Are you going somewhere?” Ian asked matapos pirmahan ni Prim at ibalik sa kaniya ang mga papel. Tumango si Primrose sa tanong nito.
“I wanted to give you something,” inabot ni Ian kay Prim ang dalawang paper bag ng mga bags siguro ang laman.
“I don’t accept gifts---”
“Well, please do, kasi hindi ko alam paano ako magso-sorry for dragging you into this mess lalo na’t alam ko na mga kabang partylist ng Dad ko ang mga nagpakalat no’n.” seryosong sabi nito kay Prim.
CHAPTER 3Nakasimangot si Prim habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kotse.“Just accept these gifts, Primrose.”“No.”“Yes.”“It’s an apology gift.”“You’re fixing it naman na kaya no need na.” natahimik si Ian.“Wala ka na bang ibang kailangan? Need pirmahan? If wala na, then aalis na ‘ko. Thanks.” Akmang lalabas na si Prim sa sasakyan nang inunahan ito ni Ian para tumakbo sa kabilang side ng sasakyan at pagbuksan si Prim ng pinto.Primrose is trying to be nonchalant as much as she can, dahil ayaw niyang aminin sa sarili niya na sa edad niyang ganito, ngayon lang siya kinilig sa isang lalaki.“Are you going somewhere? Pwede kita sundan, just for me to know na safe ka makararating sa---”“Wait. Why would you do that?” hindi makasagot si Ian.“Nothing. I just---”“No. I can manage. Bye.” She coldly said at sumakay na sa sasakyan niya atsaka impit na tumili at pinagtatampa ang manubela.Walang ideya si Ian kung gaano ka-grabeng pagpapanggap na hindi apektado si Prim sa presensya nito. Natigi
CHAPTER 4Paggising ni Prim, alas-tres na ng hapon. Mabilis na siyang nag-ready. Nagsuot siya ng white maxi dress at beige na backless designer loafers, dahil garden ang theme ng party ng Mom niya. Kinuha na rin niya ang ratan sling bag niya atsaka inilagay don ang iilang pang-retouch niya sa light makeup niya.As she looked at herself in the mirror, a smile crept onto her face. White clothes suited her perfectly, making her skin glow even more. It felt like a new radiance on her face. She drove herself to her parents' house anddecided to give Abi the day off, knowing they had a taping later. She sent Abi a quick text about her whereabouts, just in case of an emergency. Bago pa siya umalis ay tumawag pa itong si Abi at inaasar siya kay Ian Arriving at her parents' home, she felt an unusual happiness within.Pagka-park niya sa garahe ng bahay ng parents niya, malayo pa siya ay rinig niya na ang mga bisita ng Mom niya. Mga ka-mahjong nito at kasamang mag-golf ng Dad niya.“Primrose!”
Chapter 5 Napatingin si Primrose sa restaurant kung nasaan sila.The ambiance is bathed in warmth, soft lighting casting a gentle glow on the rich mahogany furnishings and plush velvet upholstery. The walls are adorned with sepia-toned photographs of jazz legends, their music immortalized in this sanctuary of sophistication. "Do you like it?" Primrose nodded. "My Dad designed this." Miguel proudly told Prim. Primrose approached every decision with meticulous consideration, especially when it came to moments like meeting Miguel. Despite their deep friendship, she grappled with the knowledge that Miguel harbored strong feelings for her, complicating matters as she was already committed to Ian. Feeling isolated in her situation, she found herself without anyone to confide in, particularly given the weighty expectations her friends held for her relationship with Ian. Seated together at a restaurant in Taguig, Prim and Miguel shared a meal, yet Miguel's gaze remained fixed solely on
Chapter 6"Food, candles... ano pa ba ang kulang..." pabulong na sabi ni Ian habang mag-isang nagp-plano sa kusina at iniisa-isa ang mga kailangan niyang gawin.Ian planned an intimate condo dinner para i-celebrate ang kanilang 8th month of togetherness, kahit na sa loob ng walong buwan na 'yon, bilang lamang ang kanilang pagkikita.Wala pa si Prim. Na-late siya ng uwi, dahil nag-overtime sila sa shoot nila para sa isang commercial niya. Ni-hindi niya alam na nasa condo niya na si Ian."Can you make the bouquet more special? It's a surprise gift for my girlfriend kasi..." Ian said as he talked with someone on the phone. From the cooking of the food, to the table setup, siya lahat. He does not want to hire anyone, because he really wants this to be special.It has been a month since nakapag-spend silang dalawa ni Prim ng oras para sa isa't isa. Ilang beses nang tinanong ni Primrose ang nobyo niya kung kailan sila makakapag-kita at magkakaroon ng bonding, pero laging 'soon' ang sagot n
Chapter 7Hindi makasagot si Ian. He is trying to find the right words to say. He cannot just tell Prim lahat lahat ng tungkol sa buhay niya. Para siyang naglalakad sa isang hibla ng alambre na nakasabit sa magkabilang bangin.Yes, mahal na mahal niya ito, pero hindi lang 'yon ganoon kadali."Tell me... Are you hiding something from me?" Primrose asked. Hindi biro ang tapang na inipon ni Primrose para itanong kay Ian ang tanong na 'yon. She has been sleep deprived, hindi makakain sa tamang oras, just because naiisip niya There's an interplay between the desire for clarity and the fear of what that clarity might reveal. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff, torn between the thrill of leaping into the unknown and the fear of what lies below."Babe..." hindi magawang masimulan ni Ian ang sasabihin niya."You're not, right? I mean, you're with me right now..." Prim said while trying to focus on cutting the meat on her plate."No, no, babe... there's nothing for you to worry about..
February 2023Nanghihinang napatingin si Primrose sa cellphone ng nobyo niya.It was not intentional for her to see that. It was not her intention to see that message. She was not looking for anything, it just popped up. That one message just popped up and it shattered her world.“God, please… wake me up if this is a dream…” she closed her eyes and opened them again, pero nandoon pa rin ang message.She unlocked Ian’s phone and deleted the message and blocked the number. She dwelled on whether what and what not to do and so, she decided to make him think that she does not know anything at all.“Hi there, babe…” bati ng boyfriend nito sa kaniya nang makapasok siya ng condo niya. He just went outside to get some food dahil late na silang nagising at hindi na sila makakapagluto.“Hi.”Just how long can you possibly love a person even after they hurt you?May matitira pa kayang pagmamahal, kahit na nasaktan na o tanging poot nalang ang mararamdaman?Sa buong buhay niya, hindi niya inakala
CHAPTER 1July 2022“Why aren’t you picking up your phone?” the man beside her na kagigising lang, asked nang makita nitong patay-sindi ang screen nito dahil sa tawag.“Hayaan mo lang, huwag mo pansinin. That’s work and it’s my day off. Hindi ko kailangang sagutin.” iritadang sabi ni Primrose at tumayo mula sa kama.Of course, it’s not work. It’s some other guy na naka-fling niya few weeks ago, bugging her and asking her for a date kahit na nilinaw niya naman na hindi siya nakikipag-date.Last night was wild for her, since it was her friend’s birthday na ginawa sa isang exclusive bar. Kaya siguro nagising nalang siya katabi ang isang anak ng mayor ng city nila na nakayakap sa kaniya.“Are you leaving already?” tanong ng lalaki nang makita niyang isa-isang isinusuot ni Prim ang mga damit niya na nakita niyang nakatupi sa couch.“Did you fold my clothes?” the guy nodded. Primrose smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.“You know, that’s thoughtful and sweet.” saad nito habang sinusuot a
Chapter 7Hindi makasagot si Ian. He is trying to find the right words to say. He cannot just tell Prim lahat lahat ng tungkol sa buhay niya. Para siyang naglalakad sa isang hibla ng alambre na nakasabit sa magkabilang bangin.Yes, mahal na mahal niya ito, pero hindi lang 'yon ganoon kadali."Tell me... Are you hiding something from me?" Primrose asked. Hindi biro ang tapang na inipon ni Primrose para itanong kay Ian ang tanong na 'yon. She has been sleep deprived, hindi makakain sa tamang oras, just because naiisip niya There's an interplay between the desire for clarity and the fear of what that clarity might reveal. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff, torn between the thrill of leaping into the unknown and the fear of what lies below."Babe..." hindi magawang masimulan ni Ian ang sasabihin niya."You're not, right? I mean, you're with me right now..." Prim said while trying to focus on cutting the meat on her plate."No, no, babe... there's nothing for you to worry about..
Chapter 6"Food, candles... ano pa ba ang kulang..." pabulong na sabi ni Ian habang mag-isang nagp-plano sa kusina at iniisa-isa ang mga kailangan niyang gawin.Ian planned an intimate condo dinner para i-celebrate ang kanilang 8th month of togetherness, kahit na sa loob ng walong buwan na 'yon, bilang lamang ang kanilang pagkikita.Wala pa si Prim. Na-late siya ng uwi, dahil nag-overtime sila sa shoot nila para sa isang commercial niya. Ni-hindi niya alam na nasa condo niya na si Ian."Can you make the bouquet more special? It's a surprise gift for my girlfriend kasi..." Ian said as he talked with someone on the phone. From the cooking of the food, to the table setup, siya lahat. He does not want to hire anyone, because he really wants this to be special.It has been a month since nakapag-spend silang dalawa ni Prim ng oras para sa isa't isa. Ilang beses nang tinanong ni Primrose ang nobyo niya kung kailan sila makakapag-kita at magkakaroon ng bonding, pero laging 'soon' ang sagot n
Chapter 5 Napatingin si Primrose sa restaurant kung nasaan sila.The ambiance is bathed in warmth, soft lighting casting a gentle glow on the rich mahogany furnishings and plush velvet upholstery. The walls are adorned with sepia-toned photographs of jazz legends, their music immortalized in this sanctuary of sophistication. "Do you like it?" Primrose nodded. "My Dad designed this." Miguel proudly told Prim. Primrose approached every decision with meticulous consideration, especially when it came to moments like meeting Miguel. Despite their deep friendship, she grappled with the knowledge that Miguel harbored strong feelings for her, complicating matters as she was already committed to Ian. Feeling isolated in her situation, she found herself without anyone to confide in, particularly given the weighty expectations her friends held for her relationship with Ian. Seated together at a restaurant in Taguig, Prim and Miguel shared a meal, yet Miguel's gaze remained fixed solely on
CHAPTER 4Paggising ni Prim, alas-tres na ng hapon. Mabilis na siyang nag-ready. Nagsuot siya ng white maxi dress at beige na backless designer loafers, dahil garden ang theme ng party ng Mom niya. Kinuha na rin niya ang ratan sling bag niya atsaka inilagay don ang iilang pang-retouch niya sa light makeup niya.As she looked at herself in the mirror, a smile crept onto her face. White clothes suited her perfectly, making her skin glow even more. It felt like a new radiance on her face. She drove herself to her parents' house anddecided to give Abi the day off, knowing they had a taping later. She sent Abi a quick text about her whereabouts, just in case of an emergency. Bago pa siya umalis ay tumawag pa itong si Abi at inaasar siya kay Ian Arriving at her parents' home, she felt an unusual happiness within.Pagka-park niya sa garahe ng bahay ng parents niya, malayo pa siya ay rinig niya na ang mga bisita ng Mom niya. Mga ka-mahjong nito at kasamang mag-golf ng Dad niya.“Primrose!”
CHAPTER 3Nakasimangot si Prim habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kotse.“Just accept these gifts, Primrose.”“No.”“Yes.”“It’s an apology gift.”“You’re fixing it naman na kaya no need na.” natahimik si Ian.“Wala ka na bang ibang kailangan? Need pirmahan? If wala na, then aalis na ‘ko. Thanks.” Akmang lalabas na si Prim sa sasakyan nang inunahan ito ni Ian para tumakbo sa kabilang side ng sasakyan at pagbuksan si Prim ng pinto.Primrose is trying to be nonchalant as much as she can, dahil ayaw niyang aminin sa sarili niya na sa edad niyang ganito, ngayon lang siya kinilig sa isang lalaki.“Are you going somewhere? Pwede kita sundan, just for me to know na safe ka makararating sa---”“Wait. Why would you do that?” hindi makasagot si Ian.“Nothing. I just---”“No. I can manage. Bye.” She coldly said at sumakay na sa sasakyan niya atsaka impit na tumili at pinagtatampa ang manubela.Walang ideya si Ian kung gaano ka-grabeng pagpapanggap na hindi apektado si Prim sa presensya nito. Natigi
CHAPTER 2Primrose accepted Ian’s follow request.Personal account niya ‘yon kaya naman iilan lang ang mga naka-follow sa kaniya.Mostly, mga closest friends lang. Hindi nga kasama sa personal account niya ‘yung manager niya, kasi minsan, may mga lalaki siyang kasama na nilalagay niya sa ig story niya at iniiwasan niyang mapagalitan sa management.Akala niya ay magc-chat si Ian, pero para siyang tangang naghihintay dahil walang message ang dumating.“Ginagago ba ako ng lalaking ‘to?” tanong niya sa sarili niya habang naka-kunot noong nakatingin sa mga ig posts ng lalaki.Bakas sa mga post niya kung gaano kayaman ang pamilya niya. Prim is kind of judgmental sa ganitong bagay lalo na kung alam niyang magastos ang tao, na hindi naman nila sariling pera ang mga winawaldas nila.It irritates her.Isa na rin siguro ‘yon sa mga rason kung bakit hinding hindi niya kayang masikmurang makipag-date. Kasi lahat nalang ng mga lalaking nagkakagusto sa kaniya, mga mayayabang na wala namang ipagmamay
CHAPTER 1July 2022“Why aren’t you picking up your phone?” the man beside her na kagigising lang, asked nang makita nitong patay-sindi ang screen nito dahil sa tawag.“Hayaan mo lang, huwag mo pansinin. That’s work and it’s my day off. Hindi ko kailangang sagutin.” iritadang sabi ni Primrose at tumayo mula sa kama.Of course, it’s not work. It’s some other guy na naka-fling niya few weeks ago, bugging her and asking her for a date kahit na nilinaw niya naman na hindi siya nakikipag-date.Last night was wild for her, since it was her friend’s birthday na ginawa sa isang exclusive bar. Kaya siguro nagising nalang siya katabi ang isang anak ng mayor ng city nila na nakayakap sa kaniya.“Are you leaving already?” tanong ng lalaki nang makita niyang isa-isang isinusuot ni Prim ang mga damit niya na nakita niyang nakatupi sa couch.“Did you fold my clothes?” the guy nodded. Primrose smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.“You know, that’s thoughtful and sweet.” saad nito habang sinusuot a
February 2023Nanghihinang napatingin si Primrose sa cellphone ng nobyo niya.It was not intentional for her to see that. It was not her intention to see that message. She was not looking for anything, it just popped up. That one message just popped up and it shattered her world.“God, please… wake me up if this is a dream…” she closed her eyes and opened them again, pero nandoon pa rin ang message.She unlocked Ian’s phone and deleted the message and blocked the number. She dwelled on whether what and what not to do and so, she decided to make him think that she does not know anything at all.“Hi there, babe…” bati ng boyfriend nito sa kaniya nang makapasok siya ng condo niya. He just went outside to get some food dahil late na silang nagising at hindi na sila makakapagluto.“Hi.”Just how long can you possibly love a person even after they hurt you?May matitira pa kayang pagmamahal, kahit na nasaktan na o tanging poot nalang ang mararamdaman?Sa buong buhay niya, hindi niya inakala