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Chapter 3
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2021-12-11 18:13:00"Venice, anak. Kamusta?" Salubong sakin ni Mommy pagkauwi.
Naupo ako sa couch namin at bununtong hininga. By that, alam na ni Mommy agad.
"You didn't make it?"
Sumandal ako at pumikit.
Actually, di ko alam. Knowing na di ako nakaabot sa amount ng in-interview ngayon.
Sayang yung paghihintay ko.
Siraulo naman kasi e! Tinapos yung interview, dahil nabored?
"Anak?"
"Mom, di naman po totally na di ako tanggap. Uhm, pinapabalik mo kami kase limited yung ini-interview ngayon" sabi ko nalang.
"Kung ganon, may chance ka pa. Galingan mo! Alam ko namang kaya mo yan!"
Nagmulat ako at ngumiti saka nagpaalam na aakyat muna para makapag bihis at makapagpahinga na.
Binagsak ko ang sarili ko sa kama pagkatapos maglinis ng katawan. Alas syete palang pero gusto ko ng matulog.
Napatingin ako sa terrace ng kwarto ko ng bigla ko syang maalala.
---
"Mahal? Gusto mo bang marinig lahat ng plano ko?" malambing na tanong sakin ni Jeff habang tahimik ang paligid.
Wala nanaman sila Mommy at Daddy. Lagi naman eh at sa laging yon, si Jeff lang ang kasama ko.
Kaya pakiramdam ko, hindi ako nag iisa.
Hinawakan ko ang kamay nyang nakayakap sakin mula sa likod saka ako ngumiti.
"Sure, I wanna know" sumandal ako sa kanya at ramdam ko ang init ng yakap nya kahit pa sinasalubong kami ng malamig na hangin dito sa terrace ng kwarto ko.
"Hm, okay..." Pinatong nya ang kanyang baba sa balikat ko at ramdam ko ang pagngiti nya. " Gusto kong mabilhan si nanay ng maayos na tirahan. Mula bata ako, isang barong barong lang ang tirahan namin. Ilang bagyo ang dinaanan non pero matibay parin" rinig kong pagtawa nya. Pumikit ako habang pinapakinggan ang boses nya na sinasabi lahat ng plano nya.
"Tapos, patatayuan ko din si Nanay ng flower shop. Gustong gusto nya kasi ang mga bulaklak" humarap ako sakanya at nilagay ang dalawang kamay sa balikat nya.
"Matutupad mo yan. Ikaw pa? Napaka hardworking mo kaya" nakangiting sabi ko.
Ngumiti din sya na nagpatunaw sa puso ko saka ako hinalikan ng matagal sa noo saka niyakap bago bumulong.
"Syempre, para satin naman, mag tatrabaho ako at mag iipon para maibigay ko lahat ng gusto mo. Kahit gano pa kamahal yan, bibilhin ko para sayo basta ba may ipon ako" natawa nanaman sya pero agad lang tumulo ang luha ko.
Lalo ko syang minamahal dahil sa bawat salita nya.
"Oh, hala! Bakit?" Tanong nya at natatarantang pinunasan ang luha ko. "Ayaw mo ba? Wag ka nang umiyak"
"Sira haha. Na touch lang ako" sabi ko saka niyakap sya ulit.
I really love this feeling.
---
Di ko na namalayan ang pagtulo ng luha ko habang inaalala ang bawat minutong kasama ko sya.
It's been 4 years since then.
How is he? Natupad naba nya ang plano nya para sa nanay nya? May girlfriend na kaya sya?
By the though of him having a girlfriend breaks my heart. Sobrang mahal na mahal ko sya kahit ano pang estado nya but maybe, we love each other at the wrong time. I hope he will forgive me.
Nagising ako sa malakas na tunog ng cellphone ko sa side table.
Di ako makamulat dahil antok na antok pako. Late na din akong nakatulog dahil sa pagre-reminisce ko.
"Hello.." Antok na sambit ko.
"Ms. Venice Ocampo?"
"Uh yes? How may I help you?"
"I heard from Mr. Velozo na andito daw po kayo kahapon pero di na interview since Mr. Rivera ends the session. So, ngayon po, pinapabalik mo kayo dito to held an interview"
Napabangon ako at dilat na dilat na.
"What? Ako? Does that mean..."
"Uh miss, interview palang po. Itutuloy po since di natuloy kahapon. Anyway po, 11am po ang specific time ng interview"
Dumako ang paningin ko sa orasan. 9:26 AM palang. I still have hours.
"Okay, salamat"
Natapos na ang tawag pero humiga ulit ako. Niyakap ang unan pero di na ko matulog. Baka mamaya, makatulog ako tapos magising lampas alas onse na.
Kaya naman tumitig nalang ako sa kawalan.
I wonder, ang mismong CEO ba ang mag-i interview? Kung sya, ibig sabihin pag nakapasa ang sagot mo sakanya, deretso hired kana.
Well, sa buhay namin ngayon, di na ko umaarte sa trabahong papasukan. Kahit janitress, papatusin ko.
But, that's not what I've applied for.
CEO's secretary.
Yun kasi ang hiring nila kaya tinry ko. Although, wala akong ganung alam dun but I'm sure if ever man na matanggap ako, matututunan ko din naman about don kaya ayos lang.
Tumunog nanaman ang cellphone ko. Kinapa ko yun at tiningnan ang caller.
Oh, it's my friend.
[Veren!] automatic na napangiwi ako sa tinawag nya saken.
"You're sticking to the idea of combining the the first two letter of my first name to the 3 last letter of my second name, aren't you?"
[Oy, tigil tigilan moko kaka English mo ah! Nasa Pilipinas ka, ha!] napairap nalang ako.
"Napatawag ka nga pala?" Tanong ko saka gumilid ng higa habang yakap ang unan ko.
[Ah oo! I just wanna tell you pala na... Yuan finally proposed to me!]
Natulala naman ako at napaawang ang bibig.
Reishell Faye Caceres, my bestfriend for years now. Nagkakilala kami nung one time na naggala ako mag isa sa mall at pauwi na ko ng may mang snatch ng bag ko non tapos dumating si Reishell and what she did makes me stunned.
Tinapunan nya kasi ng iniinom nyang milktea yung snatcher tapos tinuhod nya sa private part.
And that's how our friendship began.
About her boyfriend, Yuan Charles, two years na din sila. Naalala ko pa nung time na pinakilala sakin ni Reishell si Yuan, I feel like a statue in front of him, hindi dahil sa nagagwapuhan ako kundi dahil ang lamig nyang makatitig but everytime tumingin sya kay Reishell, his eyes would turn soft and full of love and admiration.
Sometimes, naiinggit ako lalo pa at magkakasama kaming tatlo? Boom! Third wheel.
[Hello? Veren? Are you still there? Mukhang mas na shook kapa kesa saken ah] napatawa ako.
"Well, expected naman na yan, girl. Three years na kayo no at isa pa, di na kayo bata. Kaya nyo na yan" sabi ko nang makabawi sa pagkagulat.
[Of course! I wanna spend my life with him. Anyways, invited ka ah. Pumunta ka, walang busy busy ha?]
"Oo na, wala pa ngang trabaho eh"
[What?! Wala paden? Bulag yata yang mga kompanyang inaapplyan mo dzai] kahit di ko sya kaharap, alam kong umirap sya na ikinatawa ko.
"Well, mamaya, I have an interview.." Sabi ko.
[Where?]
"Rivera Towers"
[What?]
"Oo nga" napairap ako na parang andito sya sa tabi ko.
[Omygosh! Rivera Towers! Where Jerwin Rivera is!]
Oh, nadamay nanaman yung Jerwin na yun.
"Seriously? What's with the Jerwin?"
[Hala sya. Hindi mo paba nakikita ang mukha nya? He was drop dead gorgeous CEO of that company na pag iinterview han mo!]
"So?"
[Hay, jusko. Basta, goodluck. Wag sanang malaglag panty mo pag nakita mo si Jerwin]
"Tigilan moko ah! Di mangyayari yun! Anyways, para saan pala yang invitation mo? Don't tell me kasal agad?"
[Nah, engagement party. This Saturday, I'll text you the address basta punta ka ha?]
Saturday?
Kung matatanggap ako sa trabahong to, baka kahit Saturday, may trabaho ako pero pwede namang magpaalam diba?
[Hoy Venice Lauren, pumunta ka ha?] Sambit nya bago ako babaan ng tawag.
Okay, Saturday then.
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10:00 AM ako nagsimulang mag ayos ng sarili ko. I wore a blue long sleeve polo and a red pencil cut skirt saka ko tinali into ponytail ang buhok ko. Mainit din kase at isa pa, para kaaya ayang tingnan. Nagpaalam ako kay Mommy at Daddy at sinabi ko na sa labas nalang uli ako kakain for lunch dahil sure ako na aabutin ng lunch time yan. Ewan ko ha. Kinuha ko na ang bag at folder ko saka h*****k kay Mommy at Daddy. Pagkalabas ng bahay, muli akong huminga ng malalim. "You can do it, Venice" Nadatnan ko na andito na den yung mga applicants na natira kasama ko kahapon. Kumpleto na nga yata kami. Tahimik akong naupo at pilit kinakalma ang sarili ko. Don't be nervous, Venice. Isipin mo nalang na makakatulong ito sa Mommy at Daddy mo. Hindi ko maiwasang di mapangiti ng mapait ng maalala ko ang nangyari non. Hindi inaasahan ang biglang pagbag
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Nakatulala lang ako habang naglalakad palabas ng building. What the heck did just happened? Nagkatrabaho na ko agad, wala pa kong sampung minuto sa loob ng opisina nya at hindi pa nga nya ko naiinterview. Weird. But, anyway, masayang masaya naman ako ngayon. Finally, I have a job! Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko nang mapagtantong may trabaho na ko. Kahit ang weird ng pangyayari, atleast may trabaho na ko. Dumaan muna ako sa isang karinderya bago umuwi. Funny how we spend our money back then eating on a luxury restaurant but now, hanggang karinderya nalang ako. Ito ang tinatawag na, gulong ng buhay. "Venice, iha!" Bati sakin ni Aling Martha nang makita ako. Si Aling Martha ang may ari ng karinderyang ito at kilala na nya ko dahil madalas na akong kumain dito. Maging sina Mommy at Daddy ay nakakain na din dito. "Hello
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Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim habang nakaharap sa salamin. Kaya mo yan, Venice. Don't be nervous. Nakaharap mo naman na ang boss mo, so, kaya nayan. Pinasadahan ko muli ng tingin ang itsura ko at nang masigurong ayos na, kinuha ko na ang bag ko saka lumabas ng kwarto. "Anak, papasok kana?" Salubong ni Mommy saken habang naghahain ng makakain at si Daddy ay di ko alam kung nasaan. "Yes po, Mommy. Wish me luck" sabi ko saka h*****k sa kanyang pisngi. "Where's Daddy?" Tanong ko saka naupo sa may upuan. "Maagang umalis. May imi-meet daw na dating business partner" nagkibit balikat lang si Mommy habang patuloy sa ginagawa. I can't help but to reminisce how successful our business back then. Plenty of investors are investing on our chains of hotels and marami ding gustong makipag merge but sadly, it's all in the past now. At, imposible na rin sigur
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"For today, just make yourself used to your place and when someone came, just tell me through this intercom" sambit ni Mr. Rivera. He's briefing me about my job here as his secretary. He's nice enough na sya pa mismo ang magtuturo sakin nito ah. Kadalasan kasi empleyado ang nagtuturo sa mga bagong empleyado but, see? The boss was the one briefing me about my work. "You understand?" He asked. "Yes po" sabi ko then I smiled. He turned his back at me pero bago sya pumasok ng opisina nya, humarap sya at nagsalita. "Tell me if it's your lunch time" I just nodded then he proceeds to his office. Nilibot ko naman ang tingin ko sa pwesto ko. An overlooking view behind a swivel chair and a brown desk. Naupo ako sa swivel chair at tiningnan ang mga papeles na nandon. Profiles of some business man. Maybe, business partner ni Mr. Rivera. I keep
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"Let's go" Oh right, sinabi nga pala ng boss ko na sumama ako sa kanya, but I'm wondering kung saan ba kami pupunta? Nasa first floor na kami ng building at tingin ko, lalabas kami. Katahimikan lang ang bumabalot samin habang papalabas kami ng building. I noticed some people looking at our direction, looking at Mr. Rivera, to be specific. Nginitian lang ako ng guwardya na kanina'y binigyan ko nang kape kaya nginitian ko din sya saka sumunod sa boss ko. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa pamilyar na daan na tinatahak namin ngayon. Tahimik lang din na naglalakad si Mr. Rivera habang ako, naguguluhan kung bakit kami naglalakad sa pamilyar na daan. Daan kasi ito pauwi samin. Plano na ba nya kong pauwiin? Agad agad? Eh kung ganon, paano nya nalaman yung daan? O di kaya, may pupuntahan sya na dito din ang daan? Hanggang sa huminto kami sa isang pamilyar na lug
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Mr. Rivera entered his office pagkabalik namen sa building. Ako naman, nagsimulang pag aralan ang papeles. I studied every schedule, every business partners at kung maaari, minemorize ko ang bawat mukha ng business partners ni Mr. Rivera para kapag nadayo sila dito sa building, I'll immediately know who they are. I check my boss' schedule for today and saw that he has a meeting with the board this afternoon. I'll take note of this. Chineck ko din ang upcoming schedules nya at tinake note sa notepad na nakalagay sa gilid ng mesa. Habang binabasa ko ang files about sa Rivera Towers, my phone suddenly rang. I picked it up at nakitang si Reishell ang tumatawag. Anong sadya ng babaeng ito? "Hello?" [Veren, girl! What's up?] Inipit ko ang cellphone ko sa pagitan ng tenga at balikat habang patuloy na binabasa ang files na kanina ko pa hawak. Nagsusulat na
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"Done" I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Mr. Riv--Jerwin's voice. It felt weird calling my boss by his first name. "Uhh, salamat sir" I said. Bago pa sya tumayo para iligpit ang first aid kit, inunahan ko na sya. He stopped his attempt to stand up at hinayaan akong ligpitin ang first aid nya. "Next time, when that woman comes, don't let her come in" I heard him say while walking towards his desk. "Yes sir" Sagot ko bago naglakad papunta sa harapan nya. He looks up at me. "May kailangan pa po ba kayo, sir?" I asked. He stared at me for a while before shfting his gaze towards his papers and shook his head indicating that he doesn't need anything. "Just call me if you need anything, Sir" I slightly bowed at him kahit di sya nakatingin saka ako lumabas ng opisina nya. I sat at my chair then sigh tiredly. I lean my head on the table then closed my
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After contemplating whether I'll knock on his door or not, nagdecide akong manatili nalang sa kinauupuan ko at balikan ang mga papeles na nasa mesa ko. As lunch came, hindi ko alam kung bababa ba ko o magsi stay since wala naman akong ganun kakilala dito na co- employee ko. Kinuha ko nalang ang cellphone ko but natigil ako when I remember what Mr. Rivera said this morning. "Tell me if it's your lunch time" So, should I knock now and tell him na lunch time ko na? Pero naputol ang pag iisip ko when the door of his office opens then he came out. Our gazes immediately locks. "It's lunch" he simply said making me nod in approval. Akala ko aalis na sya but I got confused when he stayed standing infront of his door. What's with him? "Don't forget the party tomorrow night. We will go there by 6PM" he just said at naglakad na papaalis.
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Latest chapter
Still The One Epilogue
Warning: Violence Nakakunot ang noo ko nang makaharap ko si Aling Tere. Yung kapitbahay naming napakiusapan ko na bantayan si Nanay. Walang kabuhay buhay ang mukha nya ngayon na syang pinagaalala ko. Asan si Nanay? Gusto ko syang makita ngayon. Gusto kong humingi nang comfort sakanya at yakapin sya. "Aling Tere?" Inangat nya ang tingin sakin at nagulat ako sa luhang tumulo sa mata nya. "Jeff iho. W-wala na ang nanay mo" Posible pala yung sinasabi nilang pagtigil at pagkasira nang mundo mo. Dahil yun mismo ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Isama pa yung pagkabasag nang puso ko. Napuno nang sakit ang buong sistema ko at napaluhod nalang ako. "Iho, p-pasensya na. H-hindi ko alam n-na may sakit pala syang d-dinadamdam. Jefferson, pasensya na!" Sambit ni Aling Tere pero hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi ako makasagot dahil napalitan nang hikbi ang bawat salitang lalabas sa bibig ko.
Still The One Chapter 50
After my mom's burial. I stopped working. I also payed my Dad's debts but as my mom says, hindi ko sya pinyansahan. Ginamit ko ang natitirang pera para magsimula ulit. It's been 5 months since my mom's burial and still, the pain is with me. The pain is still buried through my system. I stopped working and just focus on fixing myself. I also went away like how I wish. About Jefferson, he's seems hesitant at first pero pinayagan nya ko. This is a good way to heal myself, he said. He always texts me. Pati sila Reishell. Her wedding happened one month after my mom's burial but I'm not able to attend. I just facetimed her after the ceremony. I apologized and congratulate her. Yohan and Tanya, I heard they are now a thing. They started dating months ago. Hera and Emman, they fixed their relationship. They clarified what they really are. I'm happy for all of them. Me and Jefferson didn't clarified yet what ou
Still The One Chapter 49
I woke up and my eyes immediately shuts dahil sa hapdi. My head also hurts. I got up and glance around. I stared at the figure beside me. There's Jefferson, sleeping beside me. Hindi ko man lang napansin but I found myself staring at him. This man is always there for me. Mula noon hanggang ngayon. Kahit nung panahong hindi ko pa alam na sya pala si Jefferson. He's always there. He always cares. I slowly leaned forward and kissed his forehead before I stood up. I wanna see my mom. Naghilamos ako at nag ayos. I didn't change my clothes. I'm still wearing a black blouse and black jeans at saka ako lumabas. I'm surprised to see Yohan, Tanya, Hera and Emman on the living room, sleeping. Where's Reishell and Yuan, tho? I glanced one last time at them and a small smile etched on my lips and I go outside. There are some people who's already there and I saw
Still The One Chapter 48
Warning: Violence I quietly sit infront of my father. Andito kami sa sala kwarto ko nag usap. Jefferson is also with me and some police officer for my father. "Start speaking now" I said. My father cleared his throat. "I was upset when I knew about your relationship with Madrid. Alam mo kung gaano ko inaalagaan ang imahe nang pamilya natin at sa nalaman ko, nagalit ako dahil alam kong kahihiyan yon sa pamilya" I gritted my teeth and continue listening to him. "I did blackmail you to ruin his mothers life if you didn't break up with him pero hindi ko pinakialaman ang nanay nya because you broke up with him" "I was happy when that happens. Walang dahilan nang issue na magiging dahilan nang kahihiyan. Pero, ilang araw lang, muling nagpakita si Jefferson sa tapat nang mansion naten at sobra akong nagalit don. Nalaman ko na ilang araw syang andun sa labas" I already heard this pero hindi a
Still The One Chapter 47
He quietly went beside me and lied down. He faced me but he didn't say something. He just stared. "My mom... I know, h-how she h-hurt us by how she insulted you back then" I started speaking. Umayos nang higa si Jefferson. Lumapit sya nang mas malapit sakin but still, he didn't speak. "But, I can't stay mad at her. I c-can see how she regret that and on those y-years, I manage to forgive her and also, my Dad. She always tells me how sorry she was and ramdam ko naman na bumabawi sya don. When I told her that I wanted to work, she seems hesitant but I insisted since I know how much she missed our life before. I started working to your company. She seems hesitant to let me at first when she heard about me working at Rivera's. Yun pala, alam nya yung nangyari noon. She knew what my father.. did to you.." My tears started to fall. Jefferson immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. I leaned my head on his chest
Still The One Chapter 46
Warning: Suicide Mabilis ang flight namin pauwi sa Pilipinas. Jerwin's parents immediately allowed us after knowing what happened. Nung makita nila ang pagkabalisa ko, they immeduately said yes at sila na daw muna ang bahala sa upcoming deals. Jefferson is now driving. Papunta sa mansion namin. I'm nervous at ilang ulit akong huminga nang malalim. I'm nervous in what I would see when I got there. Sana nalowbat lang si Mommy o kaya naman nahulog lang yung phone but... her words. Her words hunts me. Her words sounds farewells. Para syang naghahabilin. "Venice.." Jefferson's voice invaded my thought. I felt him held my hand and gently squeezed. I held back his hand. "Don't overthink. Okay?" He softly said. I just nodded and wait till we got home. Mabilis akong lumabas nang maiparada ang kotse sa tapat nang mansion namin. The whole mansion is so silent. Mukhang walang tao. I hesitantly st
Still The One Chapter 45
I immediately go to get my things and pull out clothes to change when we got to his condo. I sighed as I started to comb my hair. Nahiga ako sa kama at kinuha ang phone ko. I remembered my Mom. I should call her. Jefferson opened the door and smiled. He's now wearing a white cotton shirt and black shorts. He sits in my bed and taps the space beside me, asking if he could lay down. I nodded and started dialing my mother's number. Jefferson wrapped his arms around my waist and burried his face on my hair. I closed my eyes and leaned on his chest as I wait for my mother to answer. "Who are you calling, hm?" He whispered. "My mom. I want to know how she's doing" sagot ko kasabay nang pagsagot nang tawag mula sa kabilang linya. "Mom?" I called. A silence greeted me. Until I heard sobs. My eyes instantly opened and I immediately sit up causing Jefferson to sit up too.
Still The One Chapter 44
The meeting started and Jerwin immediately became serious and focused. Nawala yung kaninang nagtatampo nyang mukha. His father and mother seems calm too. And here I am, focusing on the meeting too. Mr. Gutierrez, the man who's making a deal with the Rivera's is speaking right now and I've been noticing how his secretary looks at the man beside me. She's quite young but older than me, I think and eversince she stepped inside with her boss, she can't take her eyes off Jerwin. And it irritates me but I calmed myself. It's immature kung papatulan ko at isa pa, I don't think I have the rights to act possessive. "Is that okay with you, Mr. Rivera?" Mr. Gutierrez asked. He smiled at his friend and waits for his answer. "Of course, your works and ideas always amaze me. And I already know that you're ideas would impress me" Mr. Rivera said. They shook hands and Jerwin did also.
Still The One Chapter 43
"Ready?" He asked while fixing his tie. Humarap naman ako sakanya and I immediately smile when I saw him looking at me with a smile. Last look at my appearance, I nodded and walked near him. Last night when he confessed that he's Jefferson. We talked and talked until we both fell asleep. I asked him why his face changed but he diverted the topic kaya hindi ko na pinilit. He seems uncomfortable talking about that. Did he change his face so that my Dad wouldn't continue his plan on killing him? But, my Dad seems to know that it's him since narinig ko yung usapan nila ni Mommy non. After talking, we both fell asleep. Next to each other. I remembered hugging him. Feeling the same feeling back then and it all come back. My heart feels satisfied after a long time knowing that Jefferson is back now. "Hey? Come inside now. Mainit dyan baka mapawisan ka" My thoughts vanished
