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Shadows 90: The Big Reveal
Huling Na-update:
2021-10-31 01:17:59Diane’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
Kaugnay na kabanata
Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 01: Engagement Ring
Diane’s P.O.V.“I love you and I would never let go of you no matter what. You are my world and I would always fight for your love. I could afford to lose everything if that could mean winning you. If ever there comes a time in our lives that you didn’t want me anymore, I would never stop chasing you even if it means chasing you to the other side of the world.” Pakiramdam ko ay ako na ang pinakamasuwerteng babae sa buong mundo. I couldn’t stop myself from crying, most especially after hearing those words from him while he was kneeling in front of me. He took the box out of his pocket and opened it. Then, I was able to see the sparkling ring. He had loosened his tie as he was sweating profusely.“If it happens that you already had a change of mind… still, I would ne
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-23Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 02: The Rape Victim
Diane’s P.O.V.Hindi ako pwedeng makita ng mga kapatid ko sa ganitong kalagayan kung kaya’t dali-dali akong dumiretso sa loob ng kuwarto ko. Hilam ang mukhang hinubad ko ang punit-punit kong damit at patuloy pa ring umiiyak na naligo sa banyo.Paulit-ulit kong kinuskos ng sabon ang buong katawan ko sa pagpupumilit na matanggal ang bahid ng mga nakadidiring halik at haplos ng taong gumawa sa akin ng kahayupan na iyon. Sa sobrang gigil ko nga ay hindi naiwasang mamula ng balat ko.Hindi na nga nakapag-isip pa nang maayos ang utak ko dahil maski ang shampoo ay natatarantang ibinuhos ko na rin sa katawan ko. Desperado akong tanggalin ang mga pulang marka kahit na alam kong mananatili pa ang mga iyon ng ilang araw sa balat ko.Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko hanggang sa tulala akong napaupo sa malamig na tiles
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-23Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 03: Bits And Pieces
Diane’s P.O.V.“Mrs. Rivera, based on how Diane initially responded to me, it was confirmed. She has *post-traumatic stress disorder now because of what happened to her and that’s the number one reason why she needs to undergo psychological counseling,” Dra. Ava compassionately explained. “PTSD can cause vivid flashbacks and it may feel like the trauma is still happening at the recent time, so I’m hoping for your patience in case Diane will be troubled by her nightmares. She also needs to continue her medical and health treatments until her full recovery. She may feel upset most of the time, and I don’t know when she will recover. It could be soon, but it depends to Diane how she could help herself.”Tiningnan ako ni Dra. Manuel at saka maingat na hinimas ang aking ulo pababa sa dulo ng buhok ko na hanggang
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-23Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 04: Lunch With Friends
Diane’s P.O.V.Hindi na pumayag si Mama na bumalik pa akong muli sa club dahil kailangan ko raw munang magpahinga. Bukod sa nangyaring aksidente, kailangan ko ring pagtuunan ng pansin ang kawalan ko ng memorya.Kailangan kong araw-araw na mag-ehersisyo at tingnan ang mga larawan na kuha sa loob ng apat na taon na maaaring makatulong sa mabilis na pagbalik ng mga alaala ko. So far, I already remembered a few necessary things regarding the past four years.Ang ipinagtataka ko lang, kasabay ng aksidente ay nawala rin daw bigla ang telepono ko. Wala naman akong pakialam kung kinuha man ni Liam ‘yon. Pero, makakatulong din sana ‘yon sa mabilis na paggaling ko.Nakapagtataka ring bigla na lang daw nasira ‘yong DSLR camera na bigay raw ni Liam kay David, kung kaya’t hindi raw nakuha ng kapatid ko ‘yong digital copies ng engagement photos namin ni Liam. Ki
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-23Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 05: Seeing Liam Again
Diane’s P.O.V.Nang gabing maaksidente raw kami ay natagpuan sa kotse ng Liam na ‘yon ang signature pen ni Leandro, ngunit napatunayan namang wala itong sala dahil nasa Davao raw ito nang mga panahong iyon. His alibi was confirmed when police and detectives even flew to Davao to investigate and asked the people he got associated with. Was he that kind of a monster who could really kill his own sibling?Hindi ko na alam kung ano pang sumunod na nangyari sa kaso, or better yet, wala naman talaga akong pakialam. Kung hindi ako nakakulong lang sa loob ng bahay, Karen had been my spokesperson all the time. Gusto ko nang tuluyang makalimutan ang lahat, most especially, if that would only concern Liam.At least, hindi natuloy ang kasal namin na maaari ko pang pagsisihan sa huli, so I guessed, blessing in disguise na rin ang nangyari. Kung hindi kami naaksidente, patuloy lang akong lolokohin ng Liam
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-23Shadows of My Dark Past (Book 2) Shadows 06: The Phone Call
Diane’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
Huling Na-update : 2021-10-27Shadows 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 : 2021-10-27Shadows 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 : 2021-10-27
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
