Liam’s P.O.V.
“I’m sorry, Diane. Were you saying something?” Natataranta kong tanong, habang hindi ako makatingin sa kanya nang diretso.
Sobrang bilis tuloy ng tibok ng puso ko ngayon. Pakiramdam ko ay sandamakmak din na pawis ang nararamdaman kong patuloy na lumalabas sa katawan ko. I nervously chuckled after. I guessed I would be crazier than I had ever thought.
“Kanina pa kaya ako may sinasabi sa’yo, pero hindi ka naman nagsasalita.” Ngumuso si Diane na parang batang inagawan ng lollipop. Ang sarap niya tuloy halikan.
Little did she know na pinagpapantasyahan ko na pala siya. Naramdaman ko na naman tuloy ang matigas na parte sa gitna ng katawan ko na ngayon nga’y nakatayo na. Agad ko namang tinakpan ‘yon ng unan.
Holy, crap! Liam, relax…
“Hmm, ano bang nangyayari sa’yo? You look so tensed. Wait,” sabi
Diane’s P.O.V.“Two drumsticks for my princess!” sabi ni Papa habang masayang nilalagay sa plato ko ang dalawang hita ng fried chicken.We were celebrating my tenth birthday at nasa beach kami. It was May 12, 1997 and we were enjoying our family outing here in Bonito Island, Batangas. Ang dami ring pamilyang magkakasama rito kaya masaya pa rin ako sa kabila nang mga nangyari kanina.Rinig na rinig ko ang hampas ng dagat sa may pampang. Ang ilang mga bata ay masayang naghahabulan, samantalang ang ilan namang mga teenager ay naglalaro ng volleyball sa buhanginan. Karamihan sa mga tao ay lumalangoy sa dagat o kaya naman ay gumagawa ng kung ano-anong water activities sa ilalim ng init ng araw.May mga pamilya rin na kasabay naming kumakain at ang ilan naman ay gumagawa ng mga kastilyong buhangin.
Diane’s P.O.V.“Good morning, gorgeous. How’s your sleep? Want to have some breakfast with me?” I woke up with someone planting small kisses on my face. Then, I saw how Liam greeted me with a heartfelt smile on his lips. It was indeed a good morning for me.Hindi ko maiwasan ang ngumiti. Mukhang sinasadya na niyang palabasin palagi ang dimple sa kanang pisngi dahil sa sinabi ko sa kanya kagabi. Nakabihis na siya ng suit na kulay gray at may dalang stainless tray ng pagkain.I was still lying on his huge couch before I decided to drag myself away from it. But unlike last night where I was completely naked, my body was covered with a comforter now—making me feel relaxed during my entire sleep.It felt like my father visited me on my dreams and he was reminding me of something he taught me throughout the years. Hindi lang ‘yon, parang pinapaalala rin
Diane’s P.O.V.“Hey! What were you thinking, sissy? Is something bothering you?” Karen was already preparing and sorting the food. Mabuti na lang talaga at medyo malaki itong desk ko.“Hmm, wala naman…” tipid na sagot ko sa kanya.“Anyway, may kasalanan ka pa sa’king bruha ka! Hindi ka pa nagkukuwento kung bakit hindi mo ako nasabayang umuwi last week ha? Did you stay at Mr. Handsome’s pad? Umamin ka! May nangyari ba na hindi ko alam? Did you two—oh my God!” Iyan na naman ‘yong sigaw niya na makakabuhay ng patay.“Uy, huwag ka ngang maingay!” nakangiting saway ko sa kanya. Mas kinikilig pa kasi kaysa sa akin eh, parang tanga. Pero kahit ganyan siya, mahal na mahal ko ‘yan.We agreed to use Mr. Handsome as our office codename for Liam. Mahirap na, baka may maka-misinterpret
Diane’s P.O.V.“We’re here, sissy. Oh my God, I’m so excited to wear my bikini!” I heard how Karen excitedly screamed. I wasn’t looking at her, pero alam kong nakataas pa ang mga kamay niya sa ere.Buong araw lang yata akong tulala sa naging biyahe namin. Nakakahiya tuloy sa kaibigan ko na nagsilbing driver for two hours from Quego del Mar until here, to think that she even started driving at five in the morning.Iniisip ko pa rin kasi ‘yong nangyari sa’kin two days ago. Sino ba naman kasi ang baliw na taong maglalagay ng patay na pusa sa loob ng locker ko? At talagang ginandahan niya pa ‘yong kahon para lang masabing regalo niya sa’kin ‘yon? I was mad at myself too. Ang tanga ko kasi para excited na buksan ‘yon sa pag-aakalang kay Liam nanggaling ‘yon.Karen immediately reported the incident to th
Diane’s P.O.V.“Kasal? Pero may nabanggit siyang kasal eh! Anong kasal ang sinasabi ng bruhang ‘to?” Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sharmaine, pero mabuti na lang talaga at hinila na siya ni Barbie palayo. Mukhang naubusan na rin ng pasensiya si Barbie rito.“Manahimik ka na nga, sabi eh!” bulyaw ni Barbie kay Sharmaine bago siya lumingon sa mga lalaking kasama nila kanina sa kotse. “Matt, Peter, kayo na ang bahala sa mga gamit natin ha? Lulunurin ko na muna ang isang ‘to nang mahimasmasan.”“Let me go, Barbie!” Si Sharmaine naman ay nagpupumiglas sa kaibigang mukhang sobrang higpit nang pagkakahawak sa kanang braso niya.“Sure, take your time!” tatawa-tawa namang tugon ni Peter kay Barbie na base sa mga ngiti ay tuwang-tuwa lang naman na nakikita niya si Karen. “Hi! Pasensiya ka na kay Sharmaine ha? Naiingg
Diane’s P.O.V.Halos magbuhol ang dalawang kilay ng kaibigan ko at halos lumuwa na rin ang mga mata niya sa tindi ng gulat. Muntik na ring magkulay-suka ang mukha niya at bigla rin siyang napaatras.Kahit ako ay napanganga rin sa pagkabigla nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ‘yong lalaki na chef friend daw ni Liam. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali dahil siya ‘yong balbas-saradong tisoy na chef na may berdeng mga mata. Siya ‘yong may-ari ng restaurant kung saan ako unang nagsuka.Mabuti na lang talaga at nailagay na namin ang mga pagkain sa countertop. I couldn’t imagine if Karen would accidentally slip them all out of her hands nang dahil sa reaksiyon niya. Sayang naman ‘yong mga pagkain kung matatapon lang.“Hey! And we’ve met each other again, Miss Highlights. Must be destiny, don’t you think?” He chirped.Then,
Diane’s P.O.V.“Alright, team. I hope that every one of you enjoyed the delicious breakfast that was cooked by our special guest here, Chef Samuel. Thank you, Chef!” Xielo excitedly said, which earned everyone’s clapping of their hands, except from Karen—who acted uninterested and in fact—just rolling her eyes.We were already gathering here at the breathtaking seashore in front of Liam’s resort. We were still sitting across a long table because we were so full by the breakfast prepared by Samuel.The Cheesy Breakfast Egg plus Polenta Casserole, Hearty Spring Salad with French Radishes, Ricotta Sausage with Spinach Strata, and Chocolate Pancake Puffs he made were all mouth-watering and deserving to receive a praise. I must say that he was indisputably a great chef.Samuel stood up, placed his hand on his chest, and slightly bowed at
Diane’s P.O.V.I looked at Karen and she had no other choice but to get paired with Samuel too. I even heard her asking him, “Gusto mong kayo na lang ni Diane ang mag-partner? I could withstand Leandro, but not you.”“It’s you who I wanted to get paired with, babe. Liam is my best friend and I will never break our bro code. So, to answer your question… ayoko nang sumali pa sa love triangle nila, ano?” Samuel replied before brushing his brown hair up.“Whatever, dude! I guess I have to waste my time here with you.” Karen flickered her eyes out of boredom. Hindi ko alam kung bakit inis na inis siya kay Sam.“Pero maiba ako. Is someone already dating you? Perhaps, ‘yong kasama niyong lalaki noong kumain kayo sa restaurant ko months ago? Do you like him? Sa inyong dalawa na lang ako makiki-love triangle. Is that okay with
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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