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Shadows 28: Sibling Rivalry
Huling Na-update:
2021-10-28 19:43:35Liam’s P.O.V.
Akala ko ay ako ang manggugulat kay Leandro sa biglang pagpunta ko rito, but it ended the opposite scenario. My jaw literally dropped as I totally found myself in wide shock—hanggang sa hindi ko na nga naiwasang magpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa.
Sickened about how Leandro moved behind my back, I sneered while balling my fists. I don’t get it! What is Diane doing here? And… at this time of the day? Did she even sleep here?
Hindi ko alam, pero pakiramdam ko ay lalo pang hinigpitan ni Leandro ang pagkakahawak kay Diane nang makita niya ako. He was the same possessive and obsessive Leandro that I had known. His eyes were telling me that she was his and that—the tables had turned.
Is he brainwashing her? I trusted Diane, but not my brother.
Then, my forehead creased into a fr
Kaugnay na kabanata
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 29: Tap And Squeeze
Diane’s P.O.V.“No, Liam! Where are you taking her? She needs to rest!” I heard Leand angrily growled.“Then, let her rest with me. Don’t even bother yourself and leave her all to me, bro!” Liam mocked his brother as he shot back.It happened really fast that before I could realize it, I was already trapped in Liam’s arms… or should I say, my body was already placed on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I felt his fast pace while moving away, determined to have me all by himself.Not expecting the rivalry between these brothers, I was still dumbfounded. I saw how Leand tried to chase after us, but he failed because he incidentally fell from the stairs. Liam just bogged him down by cleverly pulling out the carpet, without thinking that Leand could be in a serious accident.Alam kong sariwa pa rin ang mga sugat ni
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 30: Her Safe Haven
Diane’s P.O.V.Completely puzzled, I looked at him straight in the eyes. Liam, holding me at this time, and just by kissing my knuckles in a memory—made even more sense than what I felt with Leand earlier. Actually, I didn’t even feel anything for Leandro… and everything right now seemed too far from what I felt for him through the years.Even barefooted and with just a bandage on my right foot, I should be leaving Liam here but why does it feel like I had to ask him about that abrupt memory? Though, there was something on my mind that held me back from asking him.Paano kung magsinungaling na naman siya sa akin?I didn’t know why, but in the end, I followed my heart instead of my mind. I gave in to my curiosity than to oppose what I was eager to know from him. I had to take the risk.“D-Does it happen… na&hell
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 31: Painful Weights
Diane’s P.O.V.“Hey, Hija! Why did you report to work so soon? Akala ko ba ay isang buwan ka pang magle-leave? And what happened to your lips?” nagtatakang tanong sa akin ni Mrs. Aldama nang makita niya akong pumasok kinaumagahan ng Miyerkules. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay kababalik lang niya galing States.“Po? W-Wala naman po akong sinabing gano’n, ma’am…” kunot-noo kong tugon. “About this naman po, nahulog lang po ako sa hagdan…” pagsisinungaling ko. Putok pa rin ang gilid ng labi ko, pero hindi naman sapat na rason ‘yon para hindi pa rin ako pumasok.Not going to work would not help me at all. Lalo lang madadagdagan ang mga iisipin ko kapag nasa bahay lang ako. Isa pa, wala rin naman akong gagawin sa bahay kung hindi ang mag-bake. My mother would not let me handle things, kahit na ang simpleng paglilinis.I am
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 32: Karen's Warning
Diane’s P.O.V. “Ikaw lang mag-isa?” tanong ni Liam, sabay abot sa akin ng ilang grocery bags. Bahagya ko itong sinilip at napag-alaman kong naglalaman ito ng ilang sangkap sa pagluto ng adobo, maraming patatas at mga tsokolateng nauna na niyang ipinangako sa kapatid kong bunso. “Naku, nag-abala ka pa talaga pero salamat.” Pinatong ko muna ang mga iyon sa mesa. “Yup, ako lang mag-isa. Sinamahan ni Dave si Mama magpa-checkup samantalang nasa school naman si Denise,” sabi ko habang inaayos ang ilang kalat na nasa sahig. Mga paper dolls at bahay-bahayan na naman ng bunso namin. It would only be a year before Denise finally became a teenager, but she was still fond of playing these. “No worries, baka sabihin ni Denise ay hindi ako tumutupad sa promise ko sa kanya—” Liam was still talking from tha
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 33: Office Serenade
Diane’s P.O.V.Natigilan ako nang bigla na lang may kumanta roon. Kunot naman ang noo na tumingin sa akin si Karen na para bang tahimik niyang tinatanong kung sino ang naroon. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako, bago niya inilinga paitaas ang kanyang ulo.I’m not perfect, I’ll surely make a mistakeLike any other, falls out and goes insaneHindi ako sure, pero parang pamilyar sa akin ang boses na ‘yon. Sa loob ng halos dalawang buwan namin dito, sanay na kami sa ganoong libangan ng mga katrabaho namin during break periods.Madalas ay sadyang ginagawang radyo talaga ‘yong paging system namin dito para sa mga gustong magkaroon ng sarili nilang concert—bawas stress na rin daw kasi sa trabaho. Niyayaya nga akong kumanta roon nitong si Karen minsan, ang kaso eh ayoko lang. Nakakahiya kaya!Our broadcasting booth was located
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 34: Diane's Visitor
Diane’s P.O.V.Mabilis na lumipas ang mga oras at nalaman kong uwian na pala, nang isa-isa nang magpaalam ang mga kasama ko rito sa loob ng opisina. Sharmaine was the last one to exit our office at hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang kakaibang pag-irap niya.Hinayaan ko na lamang si Sharmaine, tutal at wala naman akong pakialam sa kung ano ang inaarte niya. Hindi kami close, pero ayoko rin namang may makaalitan. Ako na lang ang naiwan dito sa office kaya ipinasya kong hintayin na lang si Karen dito dahil sasabay ako sa kanya.Buong maghapon lang yata akong tulala kaya naisip ko na lang na ituloy ‘yong mga balance sheet na hindi ko natapos kanina, habang naghihintay sa kaibigan ko ngayon. Habang ginagawa ko nga ‘yon ay hindi ko maiwasang kagatin ang ibabang labi ko at balatan ang ibang parte niyon.Hindi ko na rin alam kung ilang beses akong bumuntong-hininga. Ready na ba a
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 35: Leandro's Turn
Diane’s P.O.V.Mabilis akong nagpaalam kay Arrah at ibinaba ang telepono. Agad kong kinuha ang shoulder bag ko at saka nagmamadaling niyaya si Karen palabas ng cubicle ko.Hindi ko alam kung ano ang eksaktong nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na ito. Kung excitement man ito o kaba, I really didn’t know. All I knew was he patiently waited for me in a span of three hours. I didn’t want him to wait any longer.Ang gusto ko lang ngayon ay makita siya… dahil kapag nakita ko siya ay baka sakaling makalimutan ko na si Liam.Pero, tama ba itong ginagawa ko? Bakit ba napakaliit lang ng mundo naming tatlo? Kung pipiliin ko siya, sigurado naman akong mag-aaway lang silang dalawa. Saan ba ako lulugar?O mas tamang timbangin ko kung saan ako magiging masaya? Pero, sino naman ang pipiliin ko sa kanilang dalawa?
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 36: Epic Tug-Of-War
Diane’s P.O.V.Siguro ay napansin na rin ni Karen ang malungkot at nagtatampong reaksiyon ng mukha ko pagkatapos ng isang nakabibinging katahimikan na naghari sa aming tatlo, dahilan para bigla na lang niya akong yakapin. Napangiti lang naman ako pagkatapos ay niyakap ko rin siya pabalik.Leandro was fast enough to help me by getting the bouquet and the bag from me, bago siya muling dumistansiya sa amin. Kahit gaano pa kasungit ng kaibigan ko, hindi ko maitatanggi ang katotohanang mahal ko pa rin si Karen.Isa siya sa mga taong mapagkakatiwalaan ko, may amnesia man ako o wala. Hindi ko pa man tuluyang naaalala ang lahat ng pinagsamahan namin noon, alam kong isa siyang tunay at tapat na kaibigang hindi ko gugustuhing mawala.“I’m sorry, sissy. It wasn’t my intention na mag-eskandalo rito, pero mag-iingat ka kay Leandro. Alalahanin mo sanang parte siya ng nakara
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28
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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
