"Please take me back, Tart. Please give me one last chance. I'm begging you." He pleaded once again. I felt his tears are drenching my shoulder but I remained quiet. I was crying with him too. His body is already trembling. I can feel his fear by the way he hugged me. Maybe fear of losing me again? It was a tight hug yet so gentle. So gentle that it made me cry more. I hugged him back. Enough of this pain, enough of this heartache. It's time for me to hear him. To listen to his reasons. I don't want to live in pain anymore. I want to let go of this."P-please Baby, d-don't leave me. I c-can't, I really can't..." He breathes painfully. Even his voice sounds defeated. H e is like a soldier wounded in the battle. His soft sobs is so painful to hear and I don't want to hear it anymore. "P-please take me back again, Ysabelle. I'm begging you..."He cried miserably not minding if people can hear him and I'm sure they can. We are outside, just in front of our old house bamboo gate where
Hanuu daw?! Sheyt na malagkit ka Knoxx!Naghiyawan ang mga tao. May mga pumalakpak pa. "Haaaaay! Sa wakas!""Yehey!!! Happy na ulit ang Sir Knoxx namin!""Tabi! Tumabi kayo! Padaanin nyo si Sir Knoxx at ang asawa nya!" "Welcome home, Baby. I love you so much." Walang hiyang bigkas nito kahit may mga nakakarinig sa kanya. Yung iba nagtilian pa. Nahihiya tuloy akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanila. "Welcome home, Cara! Salamat naman at bumalik ka na!" Bati ng mga kapitbahay sa akin at ngumiti ako. "Hindi na magiging iyakin ang Boss Knoxx namin. Diba po Sir?" Biro nila na tinawan nya lang din. "I won't mind crying for my Baby, you all know that. I love her so much and it's fine with me." "Yun oh!" sabay-sabay nilang sabi.Hmp! Hindi ako kinikilig pero pigil ang ngiting gustong gumuhit sa aking pisngi. Naiimagine ko ang mapang-asar na mukha ng pinsan ko ngayon. "Pinsan galit pa rin tayo sa Sarmientong yan." Sigaw ni RN mula sa unahan dahilan para magtawanan ang mga kapitbahay namin.
"Pinuntahan ka niya." Unang pangungusap palang kumunot na ang noo ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni nanay. Andito kami ngayon sa silid ko. Nagliligpit ako ng mga gamit na dadalhin mamaya papunta sa cabana dahil doon kami magpapalipas ng gabi ni Knoxx. Doon kami mag-uusap.Oo usap lang. Wag kayong ano dyan!Kanina nung nagpaalam ako kay Nanay na doon kami matulog, nagtanong ito kung pwede ba kaming mag-usap saglit bago kami umalis. Pumayag ako kaya andito kaming dalawa ngayon sa silid ko. Tumawag na rin ako kay Daddy na hindi ako uuwi ngayong gabi sa bahay pero mukhang nauna nang tumawag si Knoxx sa kanya. Ang pinsan ko naman ay himalang nakikipagtawanan na sa mga kaibigan ni Knoxx, maliban kay Architect Villegas na kanina nya pa iniirapan. Mukhang lasing na rin ito dahil sobrang daldal nya na, kanina ko pa sya naririnig na may pinapahanap kay Gaden. Wala daw syang angal kong milyones itong maningil basta mahanap lang ang hinahanap nya. Madaming kaibigan nila ang dumat
"Noah. I'm Noah po." Tinuro nya ang kanyang sarili. " My name is Noah Bas—chan" Hindi ko na napigilan ang pag-uunahan ng mga luha sa aking pisngi. Niyakap ko sya ng mahigpit at humagulhol ako habang yakap sya. "I'm so sorry, Baby. I'm so sorry." "Wag po ikaw iyak, Mama. Noah,o-okay. Noah good boy po." He said but he's already crying too. "I'm sorry baby, I'm so sorry. It's my fault bakit ka nawala sa amin ni papa." Umiling ito sa akin. Ang maliit nyang labi ay nanginginig. Namumula ang dulo ng ilong nya at puno ng luha ang mga mata. "It's not your fault mama. Hindi niyo kasalanan ni papa. Wag po ikaw, iyak. Wag na po kayo iyak ni Papa." Ang maliit nyang kamay ay humahalpos sa mukha ko dahilan para lalo akong umiyak. Oh God. My baby boy is here. My baby is alive. He's so little but his words are comforting. I don't know how in the world happened he can speak to me like that. Oh Lord. My Baby Noah. He's true. He's really true. He looks like Knoxx. He's a little reminder of his
Long deafening silence. "I became the man I don't want to be,Tart."he said and looked at me those sad expression in his eyes. "But I don't regret. And I will never think twice doing it again for you." His eyes became misty. He blinked many times to stop himself from tearing but his eyes are now full of unshed tears. Inabot ko ang kamay nya at marahang pinisil. Wala g salitang lumabas mula sa akin. Gusto ko lang ipadama sa kanya na handa na akong marinig sa mga paliwanag nya. "When you left me I became heartless. I became ruthless. I don't care about others anymore. I just care about myself and how I could find you again." "Many people hated me. My employees were scared of me. Konting pagkakamali lang ng mga empleyado ko binubulyawan ko na sila and worst I'm terminating them without hearing their sides." "I lost you and in the process I don't know that I am losing myself too. I don't know who I am anymore. I became greedy of power. I became dangerous, a threat to anyone, not only
It takes too much time before we finished talking. Matagal bago ako dinalaw ng antok. Kinantahan pa ko ni Knoxx bago ako nakabalik sa pagtulog. Papalabas na ang araw nang magising ako at wala na sa tabi ko ang aking asawa. Naririnig ko ang mga putak ng manok sa labas at mga huni ng mga ibon. Pagtingin ko sa aking tabi may nakalagay na bouquet ng bulaklak doon na mukhang bagong pitas pa mula sa mga halaman ko. Meron din puting dress at puting sandals at may note sa ibabaw nito. Ysabelle my Baby, You are my then, my now, and my forever. I love you always, till eternity and beyond. Love, Tart Napangiti ako, inamoy ko ang bulaklak at mabilis akong bumaba sa kama. Pumunta ako sa banyo, naghilamos at nag-toothbrush. Pagkatapos nagpalit ako ng damit na binigay ni Knoxx pati ang sandals. Knoxx is back to his surprises again. Never ending surprises. Agh! Ang aga naman magpakilig ng asawa ko. Tiningnan ko ang sarili sa salamin. I'm wearing a simple yet elegant off shoulder white max
"Why are you quiet? Are you not feeling well?" My twin asked me in a soft voice. He even touched my forehead to check if I'm not feeling well. I smiled at him and shook my head. That's so sweet of him to ask. Siguro napansin niyang kanina pa ako tahimik. It's not that I'm always talking, 'coz I don't, by nature. I'm just sitting in the corner, looking at him while he's fixing himself in front of the mirror. I love looking at him, it's like I'm looking at my own reflection, the other version of me. Sa aming dalawa mas madaldal si Knight at mas palakaibigan. While I am on the opposite side. I am the reserved type. I don't talk a lot, not unless gusto ko or kapag kinakausap ako ng mga magulang namin or kapag nakipagkulitan ako sa kanya. Other than that, I prefer to be quiet. Like really quiet. In short, I'm snob. "You're so handsome today, Kuya." Papuri nya sa akin. Nakangiti pa ito habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang kabuuan ko. As if naman may pagkakaiba sa amin. We are identical
For the first time in my life, someone talked to me like that. People around me are dying to have my attention but this kid?This kid just dumped me. I feel like I'm being rejected. Am I rejected?But, she's just a kid right? She doesn't know what she's saying. She doesn't mean it. Maybe nakulitan sya sa akin? Am I makulit? Am I becoming like my brother? Should I shut my mouth and stop talking to her?When I looked at her again. Nakasimangot na ito. Tinapunan nya pa ulit ako ng tingin tsaka inikutan ng mata. What the heck?Did she just rolled her eyes on me?Oh, shit! Yes she did. This time with matching irap na. Like seriously? Anong kasalanan ko sa kanya?I was beyond shocked. I didn't expect her to do that. She's annoyed at me. But for what reason? I am just trying to help her."Kunwari mabait pero ang totoo hindi naman talaga." Mahinang sabi niya pero umabot ito sa pandinig ko. At nang mapansing hindi pa rin ako umaalis sa tabi niya nakita kong isa-isa niyang sininop ang mga
My wife loathed me. Tatay Ador's death didn't stop her from moving out of our place. When I called Alex to look after my wife and make sure no one's gonna hurt her again, he told me that they are already taking their things out of their house. This is what we planned but why the hell it fucking hurt me? Thinking that my wife will leave our place it feels like killing me. Ng daming magagandang alaala namin doon sa bahay nila. Doon na sya lumaki at nagkaisip pero ngayon kailangan nyang umalis dahil sa kasalanan di nya naman ginawa. Oh God. What have I done? Did I do the right thing? I was in the hospital and I want to come to her but my friends won't allow unless I'm cleared. Ginagamot ng doktor ang tama ng baril sa tagiliran ko. I was shot earlier today. I didn't even feel the bullet. I only found out when there's a blood in my shirt already. One of the governor's men did this to me. They ambushed me. Gumanti sa akin sa ginawa kong pagbaril sa kasamahan nila but he was dead alr
I thought everything was done and we can live peacefully again but I was wrong, again. It was just the beginning of another nightmare. The mayor died and so his men. Pagkaalis namin dumating ang mga dating niyang kasama illegal nilang negosyo at yun ang tumapos sa kanila. Ang footage lang nung mga lalaking sumunod sa amin ang nakita sa CCTV. Nilinis ni Montenegro at ng mga tauhan nya ang lahat ng cctv footage na maaring makapagturo sa amin na kami ang unang nagtorture sa kanila. Nung dumating ang mga pulis at reporter patay na ang apat. Akala ko talaga doon na magtatapos ang lahat pero hindi pa pala. Nagkabarilan ang mga tauhan ng mga De Lima at tauhan ni Nate bago pa kami makabalik sa ospital. Nabaril si Milo at ibang kasamahan niya. Walang namatay sa tauhan ni Castillo pero tatlo ang namatay sa kalaban. At ang masakla, nakatakas si Miracle. Pinaghahanap na sya pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin sa mahanap. Nagluluksa ang buong lalawigan sa pagkamatay ng 'butihing mayor' pero h
Trigger Warning: Read Responsibly (Please skip this chapter kung may pinagdadaanan ka.)__________________________________I'm alive but I feel like a dead man walking. I survived each fucking day broken and wounded. This is the hardest time of my life. Sunod-sunod ang problema ng pamilya. Kailangan dalhin si Mamá sa ibang bansa para sa gamutan nya. Knight's also having his own problem. Tumawag sa akin ang doctor nya hindi na raw regular na nagpapa-check up si Knight sa kanya. Tinanong ko si Knight kung may problema ba pero ayaw naman nyang sabihin. Ang sabi niya ayos lang daw sya at magsasabi lang kapag hindi niya na talaga kaya. Naniwala ako sa kanya sa pag-aakalang ayos lang talaga sya pero isang pagkakamali din pala ang ginawa ko. My twin was in deep shit and I should have known that. Everyday I have to juggle with our companies problem, our family's problem and my personal problem. It's not that I am complaining. Wala namang problema sa akin, sanay na akong humarap sa mga pro
My whole life, all I wanted to do is to make Ysabelle happy. I wanted to give her the love and protection that she deserves. I wanted her to have that smile plastered on her face. I want to give her the world. She is my precious. My first love. My first in everything. Our whole relationship was magical. It was so strong and powerful. She's the young girl who brought love and excitement into my life, made me realize how amazing it is to give your heart to someone. Because of her, I discovered a feeling I never could have imagined would be so strong. I am so delighted beyond words to have her in my life and I wish that I could spend all the time and the rest of my life with her. I love hearing her magical voice, her corny yet funny jokes which awakes me and my feelings. I love watching her innocent face, her beautiful eyes like an ocean. I love feeling the tenderness and warmth of her touch and love. She is all mine and I cannot share her with anybody. I am selfish when it
"Tart." Tawag ko kay Ysabelle sa mahina at mababang boses. Palakad na ito paalis. Hindi niya alam na nasa likod niya ako. Huli na naman itong lumabas sa classroom nila. Nahuli na naman ata sa pagkopya at mukhang may dinaldal na naman kanina. Now that she's grown up, she became more madaldal. Para itong kakandidato sa daming kakilala at kung saan-saan pa napupunta. Pero ang sabi nya strategy lang daw niya 'yun para madami siyang maibenta. Minsan nga hindi ko maiwasang magselos sa atensyong binibigay nya sa iba pero ayaw ko naman syang pigilan. I want her to grow happy, yung na-eenjoy niya ang buhay niya. But I also make sure that no one comes close other than me. I'm a jealous guy and I don't want it when I'm jealous. I'm the worst. "Tart!"Mukhang nagulat pa ito pagkakita sa akin pero agad naman nagliwanag ang mga mata nya. "Hi Tart ko!!!" May kasama pang tili ang pagtawag niya sa akin. Pawisan na naman ang mukha at hindi na nakaayos ang pagkatali ng buhok. Saan-saan na naman
"Wooooow!" "Ang gaaaaanda!" "Ang baaaaaango!" "Sure ka po Kuya na sayo ang van na 'to?" Nagniningning ang mga mata ng Ysabelle ko habang nakatingin sa loob ng van. I feel a little guilty that she cried because of my foolishness earlier that's why I'm here with her now in my van showing what's the inside. Tumango ako at ngumiti din sa kanya. "Yeah, this is mine." And it can be yours too, Baby. Of course I didn't say that, I don't want to creep her out. Lumawak ang ngiti nito at namamanghang tumingin sa loob. Ang ganda nya talagang bata. Mas maganda pa sya sa barbie niyang binili ko sa US. After more than a year of just simply looking at her from afar , finally we got up close. And I must say that she looks prettier each day. As I was staring at her I can see her beautiful pair of bluish gray eyes is twinkling. Literal na kumikislap ang mga mata nito sa paningin ko. Pwede pala ang ganun? Akala ko sabi-sabi lang nila ang ganun na kumikislap ang mata. But now looking at her
"Ano ang mga 'to, Senyorito?" Manong Ador asked looking at the boxes of groceries inside our car. I also bought two sacks of rice and meat for them. I called him because I want to give these groceries to him. It's been a month that the kid was with them. And I feel like I need to help Manong Ador for their food. Yes. Manong Ador and Nana Mildred adopted the kid. After that day that I talked to him, the next day they went to the orphanage to process the adoption of the kid. I talked to my parents about it and asked if they could extend help to the couple and my parents did. After days of processing with the help of my parents the orphanage granted the couple the adoption to Manong Ador and Nana Mildred. I ask Manong Ador to keep secret that I'm the one who convinced him to adopt her because I don't want the kid to feel that they adopted her out of pity. But Manong Ador told me there's nothing for me to worry because even if I didn't tell him he wont say anything. I'm happy that
"We can be your family. I will talk to my--" Pero hindi ko pa man natapos ang aking sasabihin, malungkot na itong umiling sa akin. "Ayoko nang maniwala. Ayoko nang umasa. Ilang beses ko na narinig yan sa inyong mayayaman pero sa bandang huli wala din namang umaampon sa akin. Walang bumalik para kunin ako. P-P-P-pinapaasa lang a-ako." She said and her tears became more. She started sobbing. Her small lips are trembling. She touched her necklace and held it tightly like she's getting strength from it. I extended my hand to reached her but she took a step away from me, shaking his head. She don't want. "Naging mabait naman akong bata. Hindi ako nang-aaway dahil akala ko kapag mabait ako may aampon sa akin pero wala din namang nangyari. Lahat umaayaw sa akin. Pero sanay na ako, tanggap ko na. Walang gustong umampon sa akin kahit magpakabait pa ako." "That's not true. You're a good kid. I can see it." I whispered but she shook her head, pained. "Sinasabi mo lang yan para pagaanin
For the first time in my life, someone talked to me like that. People around me are dying to have my attention but this kid?This kid just dumped me. I feel like I'm being rejected. Am I rejected?But, she's just a kid right? She doesn't know what she's saying. She doesn't mean it. Maybe nakulitan sya sa akin? Am I makulit? Am I becoming like my brother? Should I shut my mouth and stop talking to her?When I looked at her again. Nakasimangot na ito. Tinapunan nya pa ulit ako ng tingin tsaka inikutan ng mata. What the heck?Did she just rolled her eyes on me?Oh, shit! Yes she did. This time with matching irap na. Like seriously? Anong kasalanan ko sa kanya?I was beyond shocked. I didn't expect her to do that. She's annoyed at me. But for what reason? I am just trying to help her."Kunwari mabait pero ang totoo hindi naman talaga." Mahinang sabi niya pero umabot ito sa pandinig ko. At nang mapansing hindi pa rin ako umaalis sa tabi niya nakita kong isa-isa niyang sininop ang mga