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Shadows 06: The Phone Call
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Diane’s P.O.V.
Naka-black tuxedo siya at may hawak siyang isang palumpon ng mga naggagandahang mga rosas na tingin ko ay para sa akin. Nakapostura ang buhok niya at hindi ko maitatangging gwapo siyang lalaki. Nang makita nga niya akong nakatingin sa gawi niya ay unti-unti siyang ngumiti.
Pero nang kinurap-kurap ko naman ang mga mata ko, saka ko napagtantong hindi naman pala talaga si Liam ang nakita ko sa unti-unting pagbabago ng mukha nito. Ibang tao pala—hanggang sa may isang babae ang lumabas sa restaurant at dagling sinalubong ang lalaking inakala kong si Liam. Napangiti ako nang mapakla.
Sa totoo lang, hindi lang ngayon nangyari ito. Hindi ko man sinasabi pero palagi na lang ganoon ang mga nangyayari—katulad na lang noong nakaraang linggo.
Palagi na lang siyang biglang sumusulpot sa paningin ko, pero ilang saglit lang din naman ang lilipas ay mare-realize kong
Kaugnay na kabanata
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 07: Baby Back Ribs
Diane’s P.O.V.Luke or Lucas Regor was Kuya Greco’s only son. Kababata ko siya. Iyon nga lang, wala akong ibang naaalala maliban na lang sa kung paano niya ako bully-hin noon dahil hindi raw ako maganda.The last time I saw Luke was before his flight to Europe to study Commerce together with her elder sister, and that was five years ago. Kuya Greco was separated from Luke’s mom, Ate Linda, who already resided in Belgium. Hindi na ako magtataka kung nakuha niya ang bago kong number kay Kuya Greco.What could be his reason to suddenly call me after all these years? Is he not yet over with all his bullying tactics? Did he also tried to reach me during the recent four years that I had forgotten? Just hearing about his name made me want to puke already, even though I hadn’t yet started eating.“Hello?” walang ganang sagot ko sa telepon
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 08: Another Nightmare
Diane’s P.O.V.“Arck… arck… ugh,” tuloy-tuloy na pagduwal ko sa lababo. I opted to puke at the toilet bowl, but I was running out of time. I wasn’t able to open even the nearest cubicle door to get inside.Kaysa naman sa sahig ako sumuka ay dito na lang sa lababo. Puro tubig lang lahat ang sinuka ko at kahit wala nang laman ang sikmura ko ay tila pilit pa rin itong iniipit para sumuka pa ako. Ang bilis din ng tibok ng puso ko at parang nangangatal ang mga tuhod ko.“Sissy?” Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng CR. Tumingin ako sa direksiyon nito at pumasok mula roon si Karen. Sinundan niya pala ako.“Oh my God! What’s happening to you? Okay ka lang ba?” nag-aalalang tanong niya. Banayad niyang hinahagod ang aking likuran, habang ako naman ay wala pa ring tigil sa pagsusuka. “If you don’t like to eat here, we
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 09: Diane's Pregnancy
Diane’s P.O.V.“Excuse me, Doc Vangie. You need to sign some papers,” bungad ng isang nurse sa may pinto na nakapukaw sa atensiyon ng doktora. Mabuti na lang. Kung hindi ay baka sa harap niya pa ako nag-breakdown.“Excuse me for a while. If ever you need of anything, I’m just at my office located at the second floor and left-wing corner of this building. Okay?” paalam ng doktora sa amin. Hindi pa rin ako umiimik at patuloy lang na nanginginig.“Thanks, Doc. Anyway, I’m sorry for talking to you that way. I’m just confused on what’s happening to my best friend,” narinig kong sabi ni Karen.“It’s okay, miss. I understand. Ms. Rivera was really lucky to have a best friend like you. Actually, I like your over-protective attitude. Excuse me for now.” Hindi ko na halos namalayan pa ang pag-alis no’ng d
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 10: Senior Accountant
Diane’s P.O.V.Hindi madali ang maglihi. Umaga, tanghali at gabi, wala akong ibang ginawa kung hindi isuka lang ang lahat ng mga kinain ko. Dalawang linggo na akong ganito. Wala rin akong ibang gustong kainin kung hindi hilaw na mangga at bagoong, samahan pa ng inihaw na pusit at ginisang kangkong—kung saan diring-diri naman ako noon.Sobrang nag-iingat din ako na malaman ni Mama ang totoo. Kaso, hanggang kailan ko naman kaya matatago ang lahat ng sintomas ng pagdadalang-tao? Paano na lang kapag lumaki na ang tiyan ko? Ang pagbubuntis talaga ang isa sa mga bagay na hindi panghabambuhay na matatago.Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon ni Mama tungkol dito at ayoko naman siyang labis na mag-alala. Masyado na kaming maraming problema. Mabuti nga at kahit magkakasama lang kami sa iisang bahay ay hindi pa rin napapansin nina Mama at ng mga kapatid ko ang kalagayan ko. Hindi pa rin a
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 11: New Environment
Diane’s P.O.V.Out of extreme astonishment, my eyeballs grew wider and those would even come out of their sockets. Napanganga rin ako. Kulang na lang ay mapasukan pa ng langaw ang bibig ko, kung hindi ko lang natakpan agad ito.Wow, I got an average rating of ninety-four! Totoo ba talaga ito? I even blinked back my eyes because I was beyond stupefied with my score.Then, Mrs. Aldama continued as I gave her back the documents. “You’re a best-in-thesis awardee way back in college, a CPA, and you also came from Evangelista Group of Companies, which is really a high-class company in terms of business. What more could I ask for? You will surely be an ace accountant here and I should treat Lorenz for recommending you!”Mrs. Aldama complimented before she asked me, “But actually, I was quite intrigued why you had to resign in the first place and apply
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 12: Black Suit And Tie
Diane’s P.O.V.Tahimik kaming kumakain sa Jerry’s Barbeque na nasa loob ng Quego del Mar Avenue Mall nang bigla na lang tumunog ang cell phone ko. Hindi ko lang pinahalata sa dalawang kasama ko, pero bigla na namang umatake ang mood swings ko.Wrong timing naman kasi ‘tong buwisit na caller na ‘to! Kung kailan pa talaga gigil na gigil kong nilalantakan ‘yong inihaw na pusit at bagoong?Nilunok ko muna ang pagkaing nginunguya ko at saka ako uminom ng maraming tubig. I opted to order an iced tea, but Karen suggested that I should drink more water instead.Grabe talaga ang best friend ko. Daig ko pa tuloy ang may personal nurse. But it was fine with me—I was more than glad to have Karen by my side and I would never trade her for anything else. Kahit na mas marami pang beses na tinotopak ‘yan, mahal na mahal ko pa rin ang kaibigan kong &
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 13: Pregnancy Journey
Diane’s P.O.V.One month had passed and thank God dahil hindi na gano’n kalubha ang paglilihi ko. Nagsusuka pa rin naman ako, but not to the extent na isinusuka ko ang lahat ng mga kinakain ko. I also experienced mild spotting. I was alarmed at first, but my *Ob-Gyn said that it was just normal and not a cause for concern.Fortunately, Luke had stopped bothering me too. I didn’t care about him but when Kuya Greco visited our house two weeks ago, I overheard his conversation with my mother while I was on the second floor and they were in the living room. He told my mom that his son went back to Belgium since Luke was only here for a short vacation.At doon nga ay inatake na naman ako ng pagsusuka. Sa halip na pumasok na lang ako sa kuwarto ko ay tumakbo pa talaga ako pababa sa hagdan at dumiretso sa kusina. Dahil busy si Mama sa pakikipag-usap ay hindi naman niya ako nakita.
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 14: Lunatic Officemate
Diane’s P.O.V.Napaangat ako ng ulo at nakita ko ang kasamahan naming Lead Accountant na si Zander. Sa sobrang lalim ng iniisip ko ay hindi ko namalayang nakapasok na pala siya sa loob ng cubicle ko. Magaling siya in terms of work, pero napaka-presko at napakalaki ng ego.Hindi lang ‘yon, mukha pa siyang manyak! And speaking of that, nandiyan na naman ‘yong mga malagkit na tingin niyang akala mong tinanggalan na ako ng lahat ng saplot sa katawan. Mayabang din ‘yan, pero wala sa lugar ang kayabangan.Gwapo at mukha raw siyang koreano sabi ng iba naming mga kasama. Pero para sa akin ay hindi naman siya kaguwapuhan, kahit na ano pang postura ang gawin sa buhok niya!“Are you talking to me?” tanong ko sa kanya pabalik. Naninigurado lang ako na hindi ako nagkamali ng dinig.“Yes. May iba pa bang Diane dito? You can tell me kun
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29
Pinakabagong kabanata
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 90: The Big Reveal
Diane’s P.O.V.“Oh, sorry… M-Mommy A. I honestly forgot but I remember it now,” atubili kong tugon. If my memory was right, I used to call her Mommy A before. The moment I struggled from being a rape victim, I suddenly had two mothers.That time, Dra. Ava was persistent enough at ayaw niya talaga na tinatawag ko siyang Doktora o Dra. Ava. I lived with her for a few months while continuing my psychotherapy sessions at kapag nga may nagtatanong kung bakit ako nakatira sa dating bahay niya, she would often joke around na anak daw niya ako sa pagkadalaga.“Perfect! I could say that you now fully remember me.” Dra. Ava pleasantly released me from her hug and diverted her attention to my best friend.“And also, Karen, right? I’m glad to meet you. Diane has been talking a lot about you over the phone. Please, make yourselves comfortable. You
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 89: Dra. Ava Manuel
Diane’s P.O.V.Glossy white walls surrounded with landscaped paintings, double-floating bridal staircases with exotic brown columns, sophisticated elevators, and high ceilings with cascading chandeliers and remarkable drapes, greeted us from the inside. All furniture varieties were properly placed at its own position creating a minimalistic style.The mansion’s interior bespoke amenities that were even imported from other countries. It was truly breathtaking and I could say that the mansion had more than ten enviable rooms in it, other than the living room space and what I pictured out to be a chef-inspired kitchen.There was still a huge space for decorations, and generally, the overall mansion provided a natural light and ventilation. What we were breathing was indeed fresh air and there was no need for an air-conditioner. Kahit sino naman ay bigla na lang mapapanganga sa l
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 88: Nashville Estates
Diane’s P.O.V.After buying some treats and fruits sa nadaanan naming convenience store, it didn’t take long for Karen and I to finally reach Dra. Ava’s house. But it was an understatement to only describe it as a house. Hindi na pala ‘yon ang dating duplex townhouse ni Dra. Ava and little did I know na mansiyon pala ang aming pupuntahan.It was indeed a celestial and luxury house of about five thousand square feet—built with three stories and it even had what I thought were some attic levels. The exterior alone of modern peach-colored bricks casts a shadow of lavishness and makes a sassy statement in the entire place.The terraces were boldly overlooking and could already satisfy a visitor, who was just eyeing the second and third levels. Sky-rocketing French-designed and prostyle-fiberglass columns were dominatingly crafted at their finest.Fr
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 87: Karen's Fragility
Diane’s P.O.V.“Best, if you really have to pull-over for us to better talk about it, it’s fine with me. I can wait. Isa pa, hindi naman aalis si Dra. Ava sa bahay niya at makakapaghintay naman siya sa akin,” I told Karen while gently wiping the tears on her right cheek using my handkerchief.Karen just nodded and parked at the right side of the road kung saan walang gaanong tao at mga sasakyan. She then pushed the ‘hazard’ button, alerting those within the perimeter that we were on a hazard—either having a mechanical problem, a flat tire along the way, or whatever they think was wrong with us.In this case, Karen should pacify herself first. She was overwhelmed by too much emotions and it wasn’t good for her. Lalabo lang ang mga mata niya habang nagmamaneho and I couldn’t afford to be in another car accident. That was the last thing I could have ever
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 86: Denial And Grief
Diane’s P.O.V.“Don’t lie to me, sissy. More than anyone else that surrounds you—well, even your siblings—it was me who can read you from head to toe. I can see right through you. Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na alam mo ang totoong dahilan kung bakit nagkaganoon si Liam at hindi lang ‘yon basta allergy lang. Don’t worry, I’ll seal my lips and whatever you share will only stay between the two of us. Deal?” Tumitingin-tingin si Karen sa’kin ngunit agad namang bumabalik ang atensiyon niya sa daan.“In three-hundred meters, turn left.” It was the female voice of Qooqle map on Karen’s infotainment system.I pursed my lips because I should have known her better. Karen wouldn’t share any of her secrets nang walang kapalit. She was quite clever… and most of the time, unpredictable.But being my most trust
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 85: Along The Highway
Diane’s P.O.V. “So, where are we going now?” Karen asked me while taking care of her car infotainment system—wiping it with some tissues at her hand. Ilalagay niya kasi roon ‘yong address na kailangan naming puntahan. Mahirap na, baka kung saan pa kami mapunta at bigla na lang kaming maligaw rito sa Batangas. “Here,” sagot ko. Pinakita ko naman sa kanya ang cell phone ko at agad niyang binasa ang address na nakalagay roon, habang nilalagay ‘yon sa touchscreen niyang car monitor. Hindi naman ako mapalagay dahil pagkatapos ng ilang taon ay madadalaw ko na rin ang doktorang naging malapit sa buhay ko noon. Namamasa rin ang mga kamay ko at bahagya pang nanginginig ang mga ito. Actually, kinakabahan talaga ako and I had to take a deep breath to be comfortable. Out of all people, I knew that Dra. Ava Manuel was the only person who could
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 84: You Are My Cure
Diane’s P.O.V.Kung makikita lang ni Lorenz ang eksenang ito ay tiyak kong magseselos talaga ang kumag. But as much as I wouldn’t want to hurt him, I wouldn’t want to betray Karen too. I couldn’t say that I entirely knew her feelings, pero ayoko namang pangunahan ang kaibigan ko.I would want her to decide for herself—to decide who she would choose to be with in the end. It doesn’t matter who Karen would choose, as long as she would follow her happiness.“What can you say?” I asked Liam. “Mukhang nagkasundo na ang dalawa. I guessed there was something deeper between Karen and Chef Sam… at mukhang higit pa ‘yon sa kung ano mang pagkakakilala natin sa kanila.”“Hmm, I guessed your instincts are right. But anyway… si Lorenz ‘yong ka-video call mo kanina, ‘di ba? Did you mention to him anyth
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 83: A Grand Proposal
Diane’s P.O.V. “Hmm… h-hindi pa kasi gising si Karen, Lorenz eh. You know her, right? It was still earlier than six and she’s not a morning person at all,” maang kong sagot while shrugging off my shoulders. “C-Can you call again later? Or… do you want me to relay your message to her?” I even straightened my posture para naman kahit papaano ay maging kapani-paniwala ang alibi ko. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko dahil kahit ayokong magsinungaling sa kaibigan ko, ginagawa ko na iyon ngayon. Namamasa rin ang mga kamay ko. Ang lakas ng boses ko kanina habang pinagagalitan ko si Lorenz, ngayon naman ay halos bumulong na ako. “Oh! I get it now, Diane. Was it Liam who called you? My bad! Sorry for being insensitive here. I forgot that you’re also busy rebuilding your own love story.” Then, he smiled. “No, it’s fine. I’ll call her again later. Or maybe, I could set a date and tell Karen everything I neede
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 82: Lorenz's Video Call
Diane’s P.O.V. “And how would you expect me to react, ha? Magpa-party dahil lang tumawag ka? Kung nandito ka lang eh baka nahampas pa kita!” gigil na sabi ko, pero hindi pa ako nakuntento roon. “You know what? Nagulat nga ako eh! Pagkatapos mo kasing hindi magparamdam sa amin nitong mga nakaraang araw, eh bigla ka na lang tatawag ngayon at malalaman kong buhay ka pa pala?” I contemptuously snapped at him. It was harsh, but I had to do it. Naiirita ako sa kanya, but at the same time… hindi ko mapigilan ang maawa. Pero, kasalanan naman niya ang lahat. “Hey! Do you have your monthly period, Diane?” natatawang buwelta niya sa lahat ng sinabi ko. “Can you please relax, take a deep breath, and hear me out first, okay? I’ve been trying to reach Karen ever since last night, but her cellular phone was damnably unattended. Hindi rin siya online eh, so I had no other choice but to call
