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Shadows 40: Choosing Leandro
Huling Na-update:
2021-10-28 19:51:13Diane’s P.O.V.
“Para kayong mga bata! May I remind you both na hindi ako basta candy o laruan na pwede niyong pag-agawan anytime you want! Kung hindi kayo mag-uusap nang maayos dito, uuwi na lang ako, at wala ni isa man sa inyo ang sasamahan ko!” galit na sigaw ko. Wala na akong pakialam kung pagtinginan pa kaming tatlo rito.
Nagtataas-baba ang dibdib ko sa pagsaway sa kanilang dalawa. Ganito ba talaga silang dalawa kapag nagkikita? Lagi na lang nag-aaway? I infuriatingly rolled my eyes.
Sabay naman silang nanahimik, pero kapansin-pansin pa rin ang labanan nila ng mga titig. Kung nakamamatay lang ang sama ng kanilang tinginan ay pareho na silang pinaglalamayan kanina pa, at baka pinagtitirik ko na silang dalawa ngayon ng kandila.
“Enough with that staring contest too, o gusto niyong dukutin ko ‘yang mga mata niyo? Magkapatid kayo,
Kaugnay na kabanata
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 41: Willing To Change
Diane’s P.O.V.“Leand?” patanong kong bigkas sa pangalan niya. My trembling hands were on my lap. Hindi ko rin mapigilan ang pangangatog ng aking mga paa. What if… nagkamali pala ako sa pagsama ko sa kanya?“Hmm?” tugon niya habang nagmamaneho. Saglit siyang sumulyap sa akin, bago siya muling tumingin sa daan. He attempted to hold my hands using his right hand, pero iniwas ko iyon sa kanya.“Can I really trust you?” halos pabulong kong tanong kay Leand habang kinukutkot ko ang mga kuko ko.“Of course, you can. Bakit mo naman natanong ‘yan, Diane?” mabilis niyang tugon sa akin.“If that’s the case, then prove it to me. Ikuwento mo sa akin ang lahat nang ginawa mo at kung ano ang naging papel mo sa apat na taong nakalimutan ko. May it be worse than what I could have ever thought about yo
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 42: Telling The Truth
Diane’s P.O.V.Bahagya akong lumunok, pero umiwas ako ng tingin. Itinuon ko ang aking atensiyon sa menu at kunwaring pumipili ng pagkain. It made me a lot even more uncomfortable when Leand attempted to kiss me.I even frowned. I didn’t even know how to react. Pagkatapos niya akong iligtas kay Zander ay ngayon lang ulit kami nagkita. What makes him think na magpapahalik agad ako sa kanya? Was he trying to replicate what Liam did before, knowing that I had an amnesia?“Paano tayo nagkakilala ulit?” tanong ko na hindi man lang siya tinitingnan.Naramdaman ko namang tila nahimasmasan si Leand at hinawakan na lang niya ang aking kaliwang kamay. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang gawin ‘yon bago ako tumingin ulit sa kanya.His eyes were pleading the moment his face blushed. “I had always known you since I was a graduating college s
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 43: From A Distance
Diane’s P.O.V.Damang-dama ko ang sinseridad ni Leand sa mga sinasabi niya. Pero pilit ko mang kapain sa puso ko, alam kong hindi ko talaga nararamdaman sa kanya ang kung ano mang kakaibang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing nakikita ko si Liam.Liam always made my heart flutter even from a distance. My heartbeats would effortlessly race just by hearing his voice in our paging system and without even knowing that it was indeed Liam.Hinalikan na nga ni Leand ang mga kamay ko, ngunit wala pa rin akong naramdamang kakaiba para sa kanya… pero si Liam? Wala pa siyang ginagawa, pero pinapakabog na niya nang husto ang puso ko. Wala pa siyang sinasabi, pero ginugulo na niya ang isip ko. Nakikita ko pa lang siya ay tumitigil na ang mundo ko.Paano pa kaya kapag pumayag na akong makipag-usap sa kanya nang maayos? Could true love mend all the heartaches he brought to
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 44: Calling For Him
Diane’s P.O.V.“Thanks for the time you spent with me, Diane. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life,” nakangiting sabi ni Leand.Hinatid niya ako rito sa amin at ngayon nga’y nasa labas na kami ng gate ng bahay namin. Malapit na ring mag-alas diyes ng gabi. Naubos lang yata ang oras namin sa pagkukuwento niya, kung kaya’t ang balak pa sana naming pamamasyal sa may seaside area ay naudlot na.“Thanks for the dinner too, Leand. Ang dami mo pa talagang pina-take out. Matutuwa nito sila Mama,” nakangiti ko ring saad sa kanya kasabay nang magiliw kong pag-angat sa dalawang malaking supot na nasa magkabilang kamay ko.“Maliit na bagay. Kahit gabi-gabi ko pang gawin ‘yan, basta ikaw!” Hindi na natanggal ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. “Anyway, I forgot to tell you this. Hmm… nakikisabay ka lang kay Karen if you ar
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-28Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 45: Conflict Of Interest
Diane’s P.O.V.“Okay, team. I want you to meet one of the young, richest, finest, and I must say, handsome, business tycoons in the Philippines and now the ABC’s Vice President for Finance—Mr. Liam Arthur Evangelista,” pakilala ng boss namin kay Liam pagkatapos niyang isalaysay ang lahat ng achievements nito sa business industry.“Thanks, Ma’am. That’s too much for an opening.” Liam humbly responded to Ma’am Beatrice.Tumango lang kaming lahat sa kanya bilang paggalang. Si Sharmaine lang naman ang mukhang tangang pumalakpak pa talaga.Nandito kaming lahat sa malawak na Conference Room sa ikawalong palapag. Sa gitna ng meeting room na ito ay may mahabang mesa na hindi naman namin nasakop ang lahat ng mga upuan.Si Liam ang nasa dulo nito sa pinakaharapan—head of the table kumbaga. Si Mrs. Aldama ang
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 46: In One Condition
Diane’s P.O.V.“Ako po, sir?” Bahagyang nagulat si Xielo sa naging tanong ni Liam sa kanya. Kumurap-kurap siya, pagkatapos ay inayos ang salamin sa mata at saka umupo nang tuwid, bago siya ngumiti kay Liam. “Hmm, c-classmate ko po kasi noon si Kyla… ‘yong kinakapatid niyo po.”Kyla? Sino si Kyla? Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko, but as much as possible ay hindi ko pinahalata ‘yon.Pagkatapos niyon ay mariin kong ipinikit ang dalawa kong mga mata sa pag-asang maaalala ko kung sino si Kyla, kaso ay wala akong natatandaang memorya sa kanya. Baka naman ex-girlfriend lang noon ni Liam na hindi ko naman nakilala.Should I stress myself on thinking about who is that Kyla?“Ah, right! Now, I remember. It’s nice to see you here. I’ll mention you to Kyla ‘pag nagpunta ulit ako
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 47: Euphoric Thoughts
Diane’s P.O.V.“Hey! What’s with that precious smile, huh?” I was on the process of finalizing the payroll accounts of rank-and-file employees when someone suddenly showed up. “Mukhang maganda ang araw ng sissy ko ngayon ha?”Hindi ko namalayan ang mabilis na takbo ng oras at nandito na pala si Karen sa loob ng cubicle ko. Naku, ang alam pa naman niya ay sasabay akong mag-lunch sa kanya. Hindi pa naman ako nakapagpaalam at ayoko namang mag-isa lang siyang kumain sa labas.Pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong ngumiti, but in the end, my lips only betrayed me. I felt euphoric—like nothing, or no one, could ever delete this happiness. “Hmm, nothing. Ganito naman ako palagi ha?” I said, pero halos umabot na sa dalawa kong tainga ang mga ngiti ko.Teka, bakit parang nagtunog-pabebe naman ako?“Don
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-29Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 48: Granting Her Wish
Diane’s P.O.V.[Flashback about what happened last night…]“Liam…” tawag ko sa pangalan niya.Lumingon siya sa akin at mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong tinawid ang pagitan naming dalawa. Siguro, dapat ko nang putulin ang kung ano mang pangit na nakaraan na nag-uugnay sa aming dalawa. Dapat ko nang matutunan ang magpatawad.“Diane? T-Totoo bang tinawag mo ako?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. Kitang-kita ko ang biglang pagkislap ng mga mata niya kahit gabi na.Tumango ako. “Baka gusto mong pumasok muna sa loob para… makapag-usap tayo nang maayos?” patanong kong sabi sa kanya.Sa mga sandaling ito ay alam kong handa na akong makipag-usap kay Liam. Handa na akong pakawalan ang lahat ng lungkot at sama ng loob na dapat sana’y matagal ko nang ginawa.
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-29
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
