ELIO BLAZIEL SIERRAIt was past four in the morning when I finally arrived home from work. Exhausted but determined, I quietly made my way through the house, only to discover that Nika wasn't in our bed. Worried, I headed to the twins' room and found her sleeping soundly on one of the twin beds.Without bothering to change, I carefully lifted her into my arms, intending to carry her back to our bedroom. As I started walking, she suddenly stirred, her body tensing and shifting in my arms. The abrupt movement almost made me lose my grip on her.“Don’t move, baby. Mahuhulog ka,” I whispered urgently, trying to steady her.To my surprise, she stopped moving almost immediately, but I heard a faint whimpering sound. My heart sank as I realized that she was in the middle of a distressing dream. Her breathing was uneven, and her brow was furrowed in what seemed like pain or fear. What could be troubling her so deeply in her sleep?I tightened my hold on her, ensuring she wouldn’t fall. Her mu
ELIO BLAZIEL SIERRA Tamad na tamad akong pumasok ng ospital, at nadatnan ko pa si Ysrael, ang pinsan ko na may hawak na patient's chart. “O, kakapasok mo palang nakabusangot ka na,” natawang sabi niya nang makita ako. Nadia really changed him. “Pwede bang hindi nalang pumasok?” I asked, my frustration evident. I wanted nothing more than to turn around and go home. I want to lay beside Nika, hugging and kissing her. She’s my comfort, and I feel calm whenever I'm with her. Ysrael smacked his lips and looked at me with amusement in his eyes. “Damn, I can’t imagine seeing you like this, Elio,” he chuckled, clearly enjoying the rare sight of me being out of sorts. He returned the chart to the nurse’s station, crossing his arms as he leaned back, studying my face. “I just can’t think straight, especially knowing that Nika’s life is in danger,” I admitted to him, my voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like they were ripped from my chest. Ysrael’s smile faded as he saw the
Note: There's a sudden flashbacks in this chapter, kaya sana hindi malituhan. Malalaman din naman iyon kaagad. Happy Reading!ELIO BLAZIEL SIERRAI was about to turn away when she spoke again, her voice laced with venom. “Do you really love her? O baka mahal mo lang siya dahil nakikita mo lang si Veronica sa kanya.”I furrowed my brows, confusion and anger swirling inside me. My fists clenched involuntarily as her words sank in. What kind of twisted game was she playing? What the hell is she talking about?Nicole let out a mocking laugh when she saw the confusion on my face. “Really? You don't know? You've been sleeping with a woman who just looks the same as your late wife. Are you that much of a fool not to notice, Mr. Sierra?”Para akong binagsakan ng malamig na tubig nang sabihin iyon ni Nicole. But I remembered Nika’s frame in their house with her twin sister, who had been long gone away from them. Does that mean Veronica and Veronikka are twins? I don’t get it.Nicole leaned bac
— 30 years ago —“Ere, Tina!” Sigaw ng doctor habang pinagpapawisan itong hinihintay ang paglabas ng bata mula sa sinapupunan ni Tina.Halos mawalan na sa malay si Tina sa pag-eere pala lang mailabas ang ikalawang anak nito. Pawis na pawis at mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kanyang kapatid na si Ali.“Ere pa, Tina! Malapit na!”Ilang saglit lang ay napalitan ng saya ang mga tao sa loob ng silid na iyon nang marinig nila ang malakas na pag-iyak ng batang sanggol. “Isang batang babae, ulit Tina!” Galak na sabi ng ginang.Inasikaso ng mga nars ang mga bata, hanggang sa tumigil sa pag-iyak ang bunsong sanggol. Kaagad na nataranta ang nars na naglilinis sa bata, at kaagad na ginawa ang lahat para mabuhay ang bata.Kahit nanghihina si Tina ay napatingin siya sa kanyang mga anak, at napansing hindi umiiyak ang isang bata. “A-anong nangyayari? Ba-Bakit hindi na umiiyak ang anak ko? Hi-Hindi naman siya patay, ano?!” Kinakabahan tanong ni Tina, na halos sunod-sunod niyang naitanong ang mga iy
— 9 years ago —(A/N: para hindi maguluhan, total of 20 years. 20 years old na sila Nika (Elyse) at Nics (Miracle) dito.)“Mom, are we gonna stay here for good?” Tanong ng dalaga sa ina.Napatingin naman si Grace sa kanya. “Just for a month, Nics. We’re heading to London after this.” Casual na sagot ng kanyang ina.Napahalukipkip naman si Nica sa sofa ng kanilang living room. Malawak, makintab at napakalinis. Inilibot ni Nica ang kanyang tingin sa paligid, pero halos wala itong maalalang memorya niya sa loob ng kanilang mansyon. Tingin niya ay parang bisita siya rito dahil hindi niya man lang maramdaman na ni minsan siya’y nakatira dito.“Gagala ako, mommy!” Nica shouted and giggled before she stormed out from the mansion.Kaagad itong sumakay sa nililinisang sasakyan ng kanilang driver at kaagad na umalis. Napakamot pa sa ulo ang driver nang wala na itong magawa.“Veronica!” Sigaw ng ina nang makalabas ng bahay. Tumawa lang ang dalaga at nakuha pang kumaway sa ina, bago tuluyang mak
ELIO BLAZIEL SIERRAMommy Grace was in tears as she recounted the story, her voice breaking with each word. But it wasn't until I mentioned Mama Tina, who's been bedridden for years, that her tears turned into deep, wrenching sobs.Mommy Grace's sobs grew louder as she clung to Daddy Allan. "Tina wouldn’t like that... How... How could I tell her that Veronica is gone now?" Her voice was filled with pain and guilt, and though Daddy Allan gently caressed her back, trying to soothe her, it was clear that no amount of comfort could ease the regret that now consumed her. She wailed, her grief echoing through the room, refusing to be silenced.“H-Hindi mo ata kasama si Elyse…” Mommy’s voice trembled with concern.“She’s... She’s actually missing—gone... I don’t know where she could have gone, Mommy. I... I was hoping to find clues,” I replied, though I carefully concealed the real fear gnawing at me: that Elyse might have left me willingly. The uncertainty was unbearable, but I was determin
VERONIKKA ELYSE LAURIER“And they lived happily after,” I read the last part of the Little Mermaid story.Funny that these kinds of books still exist in our year. Kids are totally enjoying these books, especially Vien, who keeps me asking to read the same book again and again“Mommy, does a happy ending really exist?” Vienna asked while squishing her eyes. Kaagad kong kinuha ang kamay niya dahil nakakasama sa mata ang pagkusot rito.“What do you think?” I asked the little girl instead.Vienna pouted. Cute. I gently pinched her cheek, and she only giggled. “For me, it is, mommy. I want a happy ending for you and Daddy! I really wanted you to be our real mom,” she happily said, despite the drowsiness she felt.“Your mom will be lonely if she hears that from you, Vien,” I gently said while caressing her hair.Napayakap naman ito sa bewang ko at isiniksik ang ulo sa akin. Vlad is already sleeping; he's tired from playing all day; napakakulit kahit na may sakit sa puso.“She’s not here with
Kaagad akong napabalik sa sasakyan ko para kunin ang medkit ko. Naghanap narin ako ng telang malinis para maibalot ang bata at malinisan kahit papaano si Monica. At nang makuha ko na lahat ng kakailanganin—except sa tubig dahil ang mga gripo dito ay hindi tumutulo.I did everything I could to save them both. Sht. Hindi ko lubos maisip ang pinagdaanan ni Monica habang naghihinalo ito para lang maipanganak ang kanyang sanggol.Kung nanganganak siya? Ano 'yong narinig kong tunog ng baril? Or am I hallucinating?“Sandali nalang, Monica...”Mas binilisan ko ang pag-aasikaso sa bata at sa kanya. The baby’s pulse is weak, and so is Monica’s pulse. Hirap na hirap akong akayin si Monica habang bitbit ang bata.Sobrang nag-aalala ako sa kalagayan nilang dalawa. Hindi ko alam kung makakaligtas ba sila, but I will do everything to save my sister and my niece.Nang makarating kami sa sasakyan ay inilapag ko muna ang bata sa passenger’s seat, habang si Monica naman ay mabilis kong ipinasok sa loob