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
Monica didn't want to come with us to Elio's mansion. Mas gusto niya makasama si mama, kaya dinala namin si Monica roon. Mas kakailanganin niya ng pagmamahal ng isang ina. Nandoon rin naman si Tita Ali na kayang bantayan si Mon. Elio hired a private nurse for mama in case na hindi maalagaan ni Tita kung may mangyaring masama kay Mon. Nag-aalala ako. Monica is not in her right state. We found out that she's been abused by her boyfriend, and the gunshots I heard were from her. Hindi niya kayang isalaysay ang buong pangyayari. She's been too traumatized by her abusive boyfriend and the loss of her child. Kaya pinatingin din namin si Monica sa psychiatrist to help her cure. But as days go by, ilang beses nang nag-commit ng suicide si Monica. Na siyang naaagapan din kaagad ni Tita Ali dahil lagi itong nakabantay sa kanya. May nurse din naman sa bahay kaya mas lalong naagapan iyon. What makes me concerned about is our mother. She's stressing herself over Monica. Natatakot si mama na ba
VERONIKKA ELYSE LAURIER I heaved a sigh as soon as the rain poured down on us. Tag-ulan na naman at eto ang pinakaayaw ko sa lahat. Aside sa nakakalimutan kong magdala ng payong, ay may naaalala ako. Hindi naman sa pinakaayaw, ang dami lang naganap nang gabing iyon na hirap parin akong paniwalaan iyon. My ex-boyfriend cheated on me while my mom was on the verge of dying. We broke up under the heavy rain, both soaking wet, and my heart was torn into pieces. Basag na basag ako nang mga oras na iyon. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Akala ko ang taong mahal ko ay siyang magbibigay ng saya na siyang nag-aalis ng mapait kong nakaraan. Even though he knew my past experiences, my pain, my sufferings, he still chose to cheat on me. Ang lala lang kasi sa limang taon kayong nagsama, hinayaan kong lokohin niya ako, padamahin na mahal niya ako, at ako lang wala nang iba. I was overwhelmed with frustration, questioning why everything had happened to me. I found myself in tears, standing at the ed
Vien was deeply engrossed in playing with her dollhouse, arranging miniature furniture and dolls with meticulous care. She eagerly beckoned Vlad to join her, despite his initial reluctance. "C-come on, V-Vlad! It's fun," she urged, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Vlad hesitated, eying the dollhouse skeptically. "But Vien, this is for girls," he protested, crossing his arms.Vien frowned slightly, her brow furrowing in determination. "I-It's okay, Vlad. L-Let's just play together," she said still stuttering but trying to speak.After a moment of consideration, Vlad relented with a small sigh, realizing how important this was to Vien. As they started playing, Vien's infectious laughter filled the room, temporarily lifting the weight of their challenging circumstances."Tha-that's n-not h-how to do it, V-Vlad." I observed gently as I watched Vien patiently guide her brother through assembling the dollhouse."You're really good at it, Vien." Komento ko. Sumilay sa kanyang mukha ang sa
VERONIKKA ELYSE LAURIERKaagad akong napaupo sa gilid ni Sir Elio at kinuha ang phone ko to check on him. Napapoker-face nalang ako nang makitang tulog na siya. Humihilik pa. This guy is unbelievable!After what happened earlier, tutulungan lang ako?! Wait—what do you expect, Nika? A sex after the kiss?! Nakakahiya ka!I called Manong Jules to help me carry Sir Elio to his bed. Nang makasiguradong maayos na itong nakahiga ay chineck ko narin siya kung ayos lang ba siya. Mukhang ayos naman. Lasing lang.I called Doc Yasmir to ask something."Yow! This is Hira, Nika. Whatsup?" Napatawa ako dahil sa inakto ni Doc Hira. Para lang siyang bagets kung makipag-usap kaya mahal na mahal siya ng lahat kasama na si Doc Yasmir."Doc! Ano kasi," napatingin ako kay Sir Elio na mahimbing na natutulog."Si Sir Elio po kasi..." nagdadalawang-isip kung sasabihin ko ba."Com'on, Nika. Time is running and you know how much time is so-so-so precious to us. So, spill it.""He kissed me." I bluntly said. Nak
VERONIKKA ELYSE LAURIER Ilang minuto akong nakatitig kay sa kanya nang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto niya. Sabay kaming napatingin ni Sir Elio doon at nakita namin ang nakangising si Ate Tri. "Ang tagal niyo, akala ko gumagawa na kayo ng milagro!" "Ate Tri/Tri!" We said in unison. Ramdam ko ata ang pamumula ng pisngi ko sa sinabi ni Ate Tri. "What? You're both adults!" Ate Tri said mischievously. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kakaiba nang ramdam kong biglang lumamig at nang mapatingin ako kay Sir Elio, malamig na itong nakatitig. Feel ko sobrang dilim na ng aura niya. "Demetria." Tawag sa kanya ni Sir Elio. Bigla namang nagsitaasan ang buhok ko sa katawan ng tawagin si Ate Tri sa kanyang buong pangalan, aside, it was too deep, too cold, sobrang nakakatakot din na halos manginig na ang buo kong katawan dahil sa boses niyang iyon. "Com'on, Elio. Your kids are waiting for you," malumanay na sabi ni Ate Tri. Nakangiti siya na para bang hindi natatakot kay Sir Elio. Maybe she's used t