"I would like to remind you all that next meeting, we will have a long quiz. There's no need to memorize, just familiarize and understand the lesson. The coverage is from lesson 1 to lesson 4. That's all for this afternoon. Class dismissed," I said and arranged my papers.Isa-isa namang naglabasan ang mga estudyante ko. Nang wala ng tao ay naglakad ako papunta sa table ko at agad na naupo. Humikab ako at sinandal ang aking likod sa upuan. Sinipat ko ang aking relos at nagbuntong hininga. Alas tres pa lang ng hapon. May huling klase pa 'ko mamayang alas kuwatro pero ramdam na ramdam ko na talaga ang antok. Gusto ko na lang talaga na matulog pero hindi pwede dahil may kailangan pa 'kong tapusin.Paper works.Nagbuntong hininga ako at kinuha ang airpods mula sa aking bag pati na rin ang aking cellphone. I clicked my go-to playlist on my Spotify. Nilagay ko ang airpods sa aking tenga at binuksan ang dala kong pagkain. Kakain na lamang ako habang nagpapatutog para hindi ako antukin. When N
When you are in the right person, you don't feel butterflies flying in your stomach anymore, but a serene heart and peace of mind. You feel secure, and you don't have to pretend because he will accept you even if you're not wearing makeup, your best dress, and your killer stilettos. When you are in the right person, you can laugh at the top of your lungs without feeling ashamed because he loves it when he sees you laughing. When you are in the right person, you grow together. And when you're in the right person, you acknowledge your vulnerability and weakness side because you know in yourself that there is someone out there who's going to lean his shoulder for you.And all of them, I feel it towards him.I smiled while watching him pushing the cart. He was quiet serious while looking for my favorite brand of chocolate chip cookie."Found yah," he whispered and snapped his finger before he took it from the shelf.My lips parted. I didn't expect that he knew my favorite! "Hey, how did y
“Ano, may asawa ka na ba?”“Ilan na ang anak mo?”“Kailan ka mag-aasawa?”“Huh?! Lampas ka na sa kalendaryo pero wala ka pa ring jowa?”“Kaya ka siguro NBSB kasi choosy ka pagdating sa mga lalaki, ‘no! Hay naku!”“Bakit ayaw mong magkaboyfriend? Babae ba gusto mo?”“Naku! Tatanda ka talagang dalaga niyan, hija! Kapag may dumating, sunggaban mo na para mabigyan mo na ng apo ang mga magulang mo!”Sumasakit na ang ulo ko dahil sa kabi-kabilang tanong at sinasabi ng mga pinsan at Tita ko sa akin. Ni hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang uunahin dahil halos sabay sabay pa sila sa pagtatanong at lahat ng iyon isa lang ang bagsak.Bakit wala pa ‘kong asawa sa edad kong trenta’y dos?At ang sagot ko.“I’m still not ready po.” then I will give them a small smile.Mapa-family reunion, Christmas parties,
After a week of staying in Korea, umuwi na rin ako sa Manila. The plane has landed pero nanatili muna akong nakaupo. Ayaw kong makipagsiksikan. Kinuha ko sa bag ang cellphone ko dahil tumutunog ito, and there. . . Levy was calling me. Siguro’y nasa labas na sila kasi ang sabi nila kahapon ay susunduin nila ako ngayon.“Ano? Nakaupo ka pa rin d’yan?” bungad niya sa akin.I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “Alam mo namang ayaw kong makipagsiksikan, eh.”“Tama ‘yan, friend. Huwag kang makipagsiksikan sa mga taong ayaw naman sa ‘yo.”Kumunot ang noo ko at napangiwi. Napansin kong kaunti na lang sila kaya tumayo na ‘ko at kinuha ang handbag na nasa overhead locker. Nahirapan pa ‘kong kunin ‘yon kaya inipit ko sa tenga ang cellphone tsaka iyon binuksan.“Ako na, Miss.” a baritone voice spoke.“Oh, thanks.” I stepped back and let him get my travel bag.
”By the power vested in me, I now declare you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announced.I can’t help not to shed a tear because one of my best friends is now married. Tungsten unveil her and the most beautiful bride smile. I can see that Callie is really happy to tie a knot with Tungsten. He held her face and slowly kissed her on the lips. Nagpalakpakan kaming lahat. Megan and Levy cheered for our best friend. Umiling lang ako at dumako ang mga mata sa lalaking naging ka-partner ko kanina. He waved a bit and smirked. Tumango lang ako atsaka tinuon ang pansin sa kaibigan.Marahan naman akong siniko ni Levy na nasa kanan ko. “Mukhang may magde-date na pagkatapos nito, ah.”Hindi ako umimik. I don’t want to jump on a situation that I am not certain. Noong naglalakad kami sa aisle ay kinausap niya lang ako sandali kung magkaka-ano-ano kami ni Callie since ngayon niya lang daw ako nakita. So I answered h
“Calixta Gomez-Vargas!” Sigaw ko habang nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob ng aking sasakyan.“What the hell, Melly? Why are—““That Neon fucking Vladimir has a girlfriend?!”“What? Girlfriend? Tungsten, may girlfriend si Neon?” tanong niya sa asawa sa kabilang linya.I cursed and struck the steering wheel. I uttered some curses again and heaved a deep breath. I rested my head at the back of my seat and closed my eyes. I remember his girlfriend’s angry face. Tangina? Bakit hindi ko man lang tinanong kung may girlfriend ba ‘yong taong ‘yon? That was the first time I got humiliated big time! Marami ang nakakita roon at baka sabihin nilang kabit ako noong lalaking ‘yon where in fact I don’t even know that he has a girlfriend!“I don’t know, babe. He told me weeks ago that he and Shyna Aguilar broke up already,” dinig kong sabi ni Tungsten.Callie ut
"Girl, ayos lang naman kung ayaw mo, eh. Sinubukan ko lang baka may pumasa sa taste mo," si Levy na sumunod sa akin dito sa kusina.Nakanguso kong binuksan ang dala nilang pizza. Si Megan naman ay hindi kombinsido sa plano ni Levy dahil panay daldal ito. I am still afraid to date but I just thought that it's just an online talk. I can always say no to them. Tumayo ako at kumuha ng baso. I opened my fridge and get my favorite apple juice. I closed my fridge and sat on the chair. Sinalin ko sa aking baso ang juice at ininom ito. Sakto namang pumasok si Megan sa kusina."Want some?" aya ko.Umiling naman siya at tumabi kay Levy na ngayon ay hawak pa rin ang kanyang cellphone."Levy, huwag na lang. Uninstall mo na 'yan.
Para akong binagsakan ng mundo dahil sa pagkikita namin ulit. He's still smirking and extending his hand for a handshake, as if we're friends who didn't see each other for so long! We are not one! Iyong nangyari sa Switzerland three weeks ago ay isa lamang pagkakamali.Naging hilaw ang aking ngiti at nag-aalangan kung tatanggapin ko ba ang kamay niya. I could feel Callie's eyes on me as well as my other friends and his friends. I gulped the lumped in my throat. I am fucking nervous most especially that Levy's eyes laid on me. Even though she's weird, she's smart as well. Probably by now, there's a theory playing in her head. Even Callie, her eyes were squinted and I am pretty sure that she has a hunch right now.I cleared my throat. "H-hi! Uh, have we met before?"I trie
When you are in the right person, you don't feel butterflies flying in your stomach anymore, but a serene heart and peace of mind. You feel secure, and you don't have to pretend because he will accept you even if you're not wearing makeup, your best dress, and your killer stilettos. When you are in the right person, you can laugh at the top of your lungs without feeling ashamed because he loves it when he sees you laughing. When you are in the right person, you grow together. And when you're in the right person, you acknowledge your vulnerability and weakness side because you know in yourself that there is someone out there who's going to lean his shoulder for you.And all of them, I feel it towards him.I smiled while watching him pushing the cart. He was quiet serious while looking for my favorite brand of chocolate chip cookie."Found yah," he whispered and snapped his finger before he took it from the shelf.My lips parted. I didn't expect that he knew my favorite! "Hey, how did y
"I would like to remind you all that next meeting, we will have a long quiz. There's no need to memorize, just familiarize and understand the lesson. The coverage is from lesson 1 to lesson 4. That's all for this afternoon. Class dismissed," I said and arranged my papers.Isa-isa namang naglabasan ang mga estudyante ko. Nang wala ng tao ay naglakad ako papunta sa table ko at agad na naupo. Humikab ako at sinandal ang aking likod sa upuan. Sinipat ko ang aking relos at nagbuntong hininga. Alas tres pa lang ng hapon. May huling klase pa 'ko mamayang alas kuwatro pero ramdam na ramdam ko na talaga ang antok. Gusto ko na lang talaga na matulog pero hindi pwede dahil may kailangan pa 'kong tapusin.Paper works.Nagbuntong hininga ako at kinuha ang airpods mula sa aking bag pati na rin ang aking cellphone. I clicked my go-to playlist on my Spotify. Nilagay ko ang airpods sa aking tenga at binuksan ang dala kong pagkain. Kakain na lamang ako habang nagpapatutog para hindi ako antukin. When N
People say, "falling in love can be an accident but staying in love is already a decision." Xenon Jae Sebastian fell in love with me when I was in college. And he decided to stay in love with me until now. It felt surreal and unbelievable to found a love like his. A love that stays throughout the years.I desperately wiped my tears away and fixed myself when the door opened . He must not know that I'm eavesdropping. Xenon's face was a bit irritated, but when he saw me, he smiled immediately. As if he wasn't losing his patience towards her mother. I finally get this now, why he's irritated every time his mother is calling him. He was forced to date, someone. And I felt something weird when I'm thinking about it. I hate the idea of him dating another woman."Hey, babe. Good morning," he said and kissed my temple.I sighed. "Good morning din."He closed the door behind him and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Are you okay?"Umiling ako at ngumiti ng kaunti. "Yeah. Come on, let's eat."
I laughed when I heard a loud thud. I thought he would scream in pain because he fell on the floor but I guess he has a body of steel. His eyes were wide and his lips were half open. He knelt in between my legs and stared at me."W-what did you say?"Ngumuso ako at umiling. "Nope. Not gonna say it again."He groaned. "Come on, baby. Say it again."I brused his hair and run my fingers on his well-defined jaw. I smiled a little and stared at him. His eyes were like the stars."Ang sabi ko. . . magpahinga ka na."He sighed. "Iyong kasunod d'yan, Melly."My brows met. "I didn't say anything."My lips parted when he rested his head on my chest. I felt like my whole damn system trembled because of his sudden move. I am afraid he might hear the chaos inside my heart. I gulped the lump on my throat. I was about to say something when he cut me off."I thought you said that you're in love with me." He sighed. "But I guess I was just imagining things because I've been longing to hear that from y
As I looked back, the very first time I laid my eyes on him was when I was fifteen years old, in third-year high school. He has a cold yet funny aura which made me fall in love with him. He's passionate when it comes to his favorite sport, which is basketball. I saw him first during our intramurals. At first, I found him arrogant when I interviewed him for our school newspaper. He was the MVP that time, so I had to interview him and asked him questions.I never knew that that simple interaction would lead to something special. I was bewildered because Zircon would always call me 'Elle' and I don't know why. But he told me that he wanted to call me Elle because it means God is my light. And he considered me as his light because he was in deep darkness before we met. When darkness ate him at night, I was his moon. The moon that gave light and led him in the right direction.If I was his moon, I considered him my star. Because without him, my life would be boring.But sadly, if there's a
Humikab ako at kinapa ang aking unan na nasa aking tabi. Nang makapa ko ito ay kumunot ang aking noo. Teka nga. Bakit parang tumigas ata ang unan ko? Kinapa ko ulit pababa habang nakapikit nang may humawak sa kamay ko."Stop it, babe. Baka makapa mo ang hindi dapat makapa," someone whispered.Agad akong nagmulat at nanlaki ang mga mata nang makita kung sino ang katabi ko. Napasigaw ako at kinuha ang kumot para takpan ang aking katawan."B-bakit ka nandito?! A-ano'ng ginawa mo sa akin?!"Kumunot ang kanyang noo at bumangon. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na magkatabi kami sa iisang kama! Ang naalala ko lang kagabi ay nakaupo ako sa kandungan niya at tahimik lang. Napapikit ako. Diyos ko! Nakakastress naman ito!Malambing niyang hinawakan ang aking siko. "Hey."Inilag ko ang aking siko at hinigpitan ang kapit sa kumot na akala mo'y ito ang unang beses na may nangyari sa amin. Kabado kong nilibot ang aking paningin. Kinakabahan dahil baka may makita siyang pregnancy essentials. Hindi pwed
"Melly, bakit hindi ka makasagot?! Sino ang ama ng dinadala mo? Si Zircon ba?"Umiling ako nang umiling kay Mama. "Of course not!""Then tell me who? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na buntis ka? Bakit tinago mo sa amin ng Papa mo ito?!""Because I don't know how, Ma! Maski sa ama ng dinadala ko hindi ko alam kung papaano ko sasabihin sa kanya na iyong isang gabing pagkamamaling iyon ay nagbunga!" sigaw ko kasabay nang pagpatak ng aking mga luha."W-what?"I wiped my tears away and face her. Her eyes were bloodshot and at the same time bewilthered. I don't know how to say this to her. I don't know where to start. I tired to wiped my tears again but they kept on falling."Nang magpunta po ako sa Switzerland . . . may nangyari sa amin," bulong ko."So, it was a one-night stand?"Tumango at yumuko ako. Pinaglaruan ang aking mga daliri. My God! I can't find the right words to say because this is sudden. Iyong plano ko na sabihin sa kanya ng maayos ay biglang nasira!"So who's the father?"N
The choices we made would eventually make an impact on our lives. It may not be today, but sooner or later, the consequences of our actions would come. And we can't undo everything. All we have to do is to learn to embrace the result of our choices. And we can't blame them if we're in a bad situation because we are the one who put ourselves in that situation.Kadalasan, maraming tao ang sinisisi ang iba kung bakit nandiyan sila sa isang pangit na sitwasyon. Kahit ang totoo nito'y ang mga sarili naman talaga nila ang may kasalanan. Mahirap lunukin ang sarili nating pagkakamali pero mabilis tayong manisi ng ibang tao.Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi sa akin ni Callie. Malakas pa rin ang kalabog ng puso ko habang inaakay niya 'ko papasok sa kwarto. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung hindi dumating si Callie. Siguro ay tatadtarin ako ni Mama ng maraming tanong kung hindi siya dumating. At hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko kay Mama. Baka mapaamin na lang ako bigla at hindi ko alam k
Humikab ako atsaka humalukipkip habang hinihintay na bumubukas ang elevator. Medyo nahuhulog na rin ang talukap ng aking mga mata pero pinipigilan ko. Sinipat ko ang aking relo at tahimik na pumasok sa loob nang bumukas ang elevator. Si Xenon ang nagpindot sa button kung saang floor kami."Inaantok—""Excuse me," putol ko sa kanyang sasabihin nang magring ang aking cellphone."Oh. Sorry," he whispered.Kinuha ko sa loob ng aking bag ang cellphone. Tumaas ang aking kilay dahil hindi ko kilala ang numerong iyon. Tinitigan ko lang iyon hanggang sa mamatay ang tawag. Nang sulyapan ko ang repleksyon ko sa pinto ng elevator ay napansin kong nakadungaw sa cellphone ko ang katabi ko. Nang mapansin niya 'ko ay agad siyang umiwas ng tingin at tumikhim."Good thing that you don't answer unknown numbers," he said."Yeah. . . I want to protect myself from people. Mahirap na baka maloko pa 'ko."Tumango siya at nilingon ako. Tinago ko naman sa loob ng bag ang aking cellphone. Malapit na kami sa ami