“Yes, mother. No, I have yet to know today, if the Aguinaldos would let me. Yes, I will tell Sam. No, I’ll probably stay here for a while. Okay. Bye.”
Mabilis na isinuksok ni Aaron ang cellphone niya sa kanyang bulsa. It was barely six o'clock in the morning saubalit nakaligo na siya at nakabihis. He barely slept last night. He was excited for today. He promised Sam that he’ll be there when she wakes up kaya siya maaga ngayon.
He just got a little bit distracted when his mother called and asked him where he was. Ayaw pa sana niyang sabihin ang totoo, subalit sinabi na rin niya to ease his mother’s troubles. As expected, his mother was ecstatic. Ang gusto nga nito magpunta agad sa San Gabriel upang makilala si Charlie. But of course he had to explain the situation. Hindi pa nga niya nakakausap ang Daddy ni Sam at ni Lucas.
There are still things that needed to be discussed with the Aguinaldos. And of course, ang tungkol
“Where exactly are we going?” kunot ang noong tanong ni Samantha kay Aaron. It was just a few minutes after four o’clock in the morning and there she was, already awake and off to somewhere with Aaron.She barely slept last night or technically early that morning. Nasa isip niya kasi ang pa-secret ni Aaron. Sa trabaho niya bilang events planner, sanay siyang magplano ng surprises ng mga kliyente niya. She does her job as flawless as possible because that’s what her clients deserve—a high that only a surprise celebration that comes from the heart can give. And now that she’s clueless to what Aaron was about to do, siya naman ngayon ang kinakabahan. She’s half-excited and half-worried to be exact. At kahit na kanina pa siya sinasabihan ni Aaron na h’wag nang magtanong, nagtatanong pa rin siya.“I told you, babe, it’s a surprise,” ani Aaron, ang mga mata nasa daan pa rin.Humaba na ang
Hindi mapakali si Diego habang hinihintay niya ang tawag ng bago niyang boss na si Joshua Sandejas, ang bagong CEO ng Sandejas Shipping Lines. Today will be the first time that his new boss will be meeting the board. At hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang asahan. He had met Sir Joshua a few times before. Maayos naman ito, mukhang friendly. Subalit alam niyang nag-iiba ang ugali ng magkakapatid na Sandejas pagdating sa trabaho. They all looked serious and would accept no non-sense when it comes to work.“Ready na ba ang board room?” tanong ni Ms. Viviane sa kanya.“Ayos na, Ma’am. I checked it out myself,” sabi niya, kampante.“’Yong mga reports ng bawat departments, handa na rin ba?” anito.“Handa na po. Nakalagay na sa folders, ready for distribution.”Tumango-tango ang matandang babae. “Good,” sabi nito bago tumayo mula sa swivel chair nito. “I have
Pigil na pigil ni Samantha ang kaba habang pababa siya sa hagdan kasama si Charlie. The time has come when she'd get to introduce her daughter to the rest of Aaron’s family. At kahit na mainit naman ang pagtanggap ng ina at mga kapatid ni Aaron sa kanya kanina nang dumating ang mga ito sa beach house, hindi pa rin maalis sa dibdib niya ang kaba. Hindi para sa kanya kundi para sa anak niya.What if they are expecting something from her child at hindi nito magawa iyon? Paano kung magka-iba pala ang pagpapalaki niya kay Charlie sa nakagawian ng mga Sandejas? Siya ba ang sisisihin ng mga ito? Would that be a reason for them to dislike her for Aaron?“Mommy, my hand is ouchie,” reklamo ni Charlie. Agad siyang napabaling sa anak niya. Lukot na ang mukha nito, nakalabi na rin. That’s when she realized that she’s holding her hand too tight.Agad niyang binitiwan ang kamay nito at binuhat na lang. “I’m so sorry, swe
Muling nagpumiglas si Samantha. If this person holding her right now was really there to hurt her, she needs to fight back in every possible way she could. She will not let this person win. She will not—“Babe, stop moving. You might hurt yourself,” anang pamilyar na tinig ni Aaron sa likuran niya.She instantly relaxed and turned to him. She saw his familiar eyes that takes away her breath every time. Noon pa lang siya tuluyang nakahinga nang maluwag.“Are you trying to kill me?” gigil niyang tanong rito sa pagitan ng malalim na paghinga. Hindi pa rin humuhupa ang kaba sa dibdib niya.Aaron chuckled and snaked his hand around her waist. “Nagulat ka?” naaliw na tanong nito. She rolled her eyes in annoyance.“Anong klaseng tanong ‘yan? Would I squirm so badly if I wasn’t scared?” she replied just above whisper. “At saka anong ginagawa mo rito, lurking in the dark?&
“Kumain ka lang nang kumain,Gael. H’wag kang mahihiya,” ani Samantha sa bata na ngayon ay kasama nila ni Charlie na nag-aagahan sa front porch ng beach house.Kahit anong pilit niya kasi kanina, ayaw pumasok ng bata sa loob ng bahay nila. Nagdahilan ito na ayaw nitong pumasok dahil marumi ito. Nagpaalam na nga ito na uuwi na subalit pinigilan niya. Something in her heart was telling her that she has to at least let the kid eat before she allowed him to go.Kaya naisipan niyang magpahanda sa katulong ng agahan sa front porch. Mabuti na lang at pumayag ito. And now, there they are, silently eating breakfast at the front porch.The boy shyly glanced at her before he returned his eyes on his plate. Marahan ang bawat kilos nito, tila nag-iingat. Bakas din ang takot sa mga mata nito and that doesn’t settle well with her.Maybe she could talk to him to keep relax and enjoy his food or at least know a little bit about h
Masayang pinagmamasdan ni Samantha sina Gael at Charlie habang naliligo ang mga ito sa dagat. She was by the shore sitting on the sand under a big umbrella. It’s just 9 in the morning subalit masakit na sa balat ang init ng araw. And while a tan skin still looks good on her, she doesn’t want to get sun burned hence the umbrella.Tinanggal niya ang shades niya upang mapagmasdang mabuti ang anak niya na naglalaro sa tubig, ilang metro ang layo mula sa puwesto niya. Charlie was on her floaters while Gael expertly dives around her little girl. And every time Gael would resurface from the water, Charlie would giggle. Her daughter’s laughter was ringing in her ears and she can’t help but smile too. It has been a while since Charlie have had fun like that. Iyon na ang ikatlong araw mula nang makilala niya ang batang si Gael. And her daughter couldn’t get enough if her newfound friend.Kung sabagay, Charlie doesn’t
Hindi mapakali si Kristine habang nagpaparoo’t parito siya sa condo unit nila ng boyfriend niya. She had been staying there for almost 2 weeks now dahil ayaw na siyang pauwiin nito sa town house niya. Ang sabi nito, delikado kung maiiwan siyang nang mag-isa sa bahay niya matapos ang ginawa niyang eskandalo. At naniniwala siya rito.She knew she angered the Sandjases with the stunt she made at Madam Liza’s birthday party and that they might come after her because of that. But that serves them right. Paminsan-minsan kailangan din nilang bumaba sa pedestal na kinaroroonan nila at itapak ang kanilang mga paa sa lupa. Those entitled elitists needs to be slapped with the reality that world ain’t just sunshines and rainbows even for them. They need to know suffering too. And she’s glad she caused them just that.Last she heard from her boyfriend, nagkakagulo sa SSL. Aaron resigned from his position but was replaced by his brother Joshua.
“Daddy, please do my hair like Mommy does,” ungot ni Charlie kay Aaron habang pinupuno nito ng buhangin ang kulay yellow na toy pail nito. Natatawang tumingin si Sam kay Aaron. The leaves of the coconut tree from above them was casting a soft shadow on his handsome face. They were by the shore again enjoying the morning sun. Aaron turned to her too with a horrified look on his face. He looked confused and worried. Sigurado siya na kung may choice lang ito, baka kanina pa ito tumakbo. But it was his idea that today would be a Daddy and Charlie day. Ibig sabihin, she cannot interfere to help Aaron with whatever Charlie wants and needed to do for that day. Mula kaninang magising silang mag-anak, si Aaron na ang nag-asikaso kay Charlie. He helped their daughter with her breakfast and her vitamins. He even patiently answered all of Charlie’s questions that are getting weirder by the day. At nang mag-aya si Charlie na gumawa ulit ng
Dahil na rin sa pagod sakakaiisip at kakaiyak, tuluyang nakatuog si Charlie. Nang magising siya, madaling-araw na. She can’t believe she slept that long and missed dinner!Dinner. Shes' not supposed to miss any meals!She secretly groaned, realizing what she did.That has sent her to the edge of panic and relief all at the same time. Sandali siyang nakiramdam. Gael wasn’t cuddling her like he used to. She turned to her side carefully and she saw her husband sleeping on his side too facing away from her. Napalabi siya. Mukhang nagtampo na talaga sa kanya ang asawa.Hindi bale, today is officially their anniversary. She can tell him her secret now.Mabilis niya itong niyugyog. “Gael, wake up,” she whispered.He groaned, shifted slowly and lied on his back. Singkit ang mga matang tumingin ito sa kanya. “W-What? What is it?”Umusog siya kaunti palayo rito. “You have to get up. I’ll tell you something.”He huffed and clicked his tongue. Subalit bumangon din. Sandali itong bumaling sa orasa
“Again? Pero puno pa ang fridge niyan, love. Nakita ko kagabi nang bumaba ako sa kitchen,” reklamo ni Gael kay Charlie nang muli siyang maglagay ng dragon fruit sa cart. They were out grocery shopping in a local grocery store in Cancun. They have been staying there for a week now in celebration of their second wedding anniversary. It was a trip she didn’t really want to take at first because she easily gets tired lately. But when Gael told her that she will call the shots every time, she was in in no time.She rolled her eyes and faced him. “Can’t you get it? I’m not buying them for me to eat. I’m buying it because they looked cute,” pagrarason niya, muling naglagay ng dalawang piraso pa ng nasabing prutas sa cart.Gael huffed. “Should I buy you a dragon fruit farm?”“Of course not!” sabi niya, muling naglakad sa aisle ng prutas na kinaroroonan nila.“What about a grocery store then? You want me to purchase this grocery store for you?”Namawaywang na siya at hinarap ang asawa. “You
“Are you ready?” tanong ng Mommy ni Charlie sa kanya.She filled her lungs with air and gave her mother a slow nod. “Yes,” she replied smiling.Gumanti ng ngiti ang Mommy niya, nangingilid ang luha. Masuyo pa nitong inabot anag kanyang pisngi. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, sweetheart.”“Thanks, Mom,” sabi niya bago niyakap ang ina.They stayed like that for a while bago sila nakarinig ng katok sa pinto. “Hey, the music’s starting and all the guests are waiting. Don’t tell me may balak ka pang itakbo ‘yang anak mo, Sam,” said her father’s familiar voice outside the door.Natatawa nilang binitiwan ng Mommy niya ang isa’t-isa. Sandaling nitong pinunasan ng panyo ang gilid ng mga mata nito bago siya muling nginitian. “Let’s go. Your Dad cannot wait to give you away… officially,” pabirong sabi ng Mommy niya bago inabot sa kanya ang kanyang bouquet.When her mother opened the door to her room, she was met by her father’s loving gaze. “Finally,” anito, nakangiti. He gave her
“Ate, sa ‘yo na po ito,” anang sampung taong gulang na batang babae sa kanya. The girl was handing her a big white gumamela flower she probably picked near the gate of the orphanage. Napangiti siya, bahagyang yumuko bago tinanggap ang bulaklak na inaabot ng bata. “Talaga, akin na lang ‘to… ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?” “Chamy po, ate.” “Salamat, Chamy.” The child gave her a soft smile in return. Akma na sana itong tatakbo pabalik sa mga kalaro nito sa ‘di kalayuan nang pigilan niya ito. “Ano nga palang gusto mong maging paglaki mo, Chamy?” The child beamed at her.“Gusto ko pong maging nurse, Ate!” Sandaling nangunot ang noo niya. “Bakit naman nurse, Chamy?” “Gusto ko po kasing alagaan si Lolo Gael d’yan sa kabilang building.” Lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Lolo Gael?” Mabillis na tumango si Chamy. “Gael lang po kasi ang alam niyang banggitin. Kaya Lolo Gael.” Tumuwid siya ng tayo, hinayon ng tingin ang building ng carehome sa mga matatanda na naroon din sa compoun
It was a manic day for Charlie. No. It was chaos spelled in all caps.She’s running late from her appointment “Hey, slow down, beautiful. You’ll hurt yourself,” nakangiting sabi ni Gael sa kanya, sumandal pa sa hamba ng pinto ng walk-in closet niya.“Go away, Gael. You know I cannot be late today,” sabi niya habang naglalagay ng sunscreen sa mukha. Gael chuckled. “Bakit, hindi ka naman late a. You still have at least an hour and a half to spare.”She scoffed and picked up her blush powder. She won’t wear her full make-up today. “An hour and a half spare that I’ll spend for travel. You know how’s Manila traffic in the morning, Gael. It’s one of the worse and I can’t afford to be late today. Nakakahiya sa orphanage at carehome! At lalong nakakahiya kay Ate Sophie.”It’s true, kasama niya sa pagpunta sa bahay-ampunan at carehome ang kapatid ni Jasmine ngayon. Siguro, kung hindi lang kapapanganak ni Jasmine, baka kasama rin niya ito ngayon.Visiting orphanages was a thing she had been d
Gael jumped out as soon as the car pulled over infront of the police station. Doon sila dumiretso nina Gray at Jacob mula sa simbahan. Aside from Lena, wala nang sino pa mang nasaktan sa masamang insidente na plinano ni Alaric. And it was more than a relief for him. Now he can focus on one thing, ang puntahan si Charlie sa mismong police station.Pahapyaw nang sinabi ni Jacob sa kanya kung ano ang nangyari, subalit hindi pa iyon buo. And not only does he need to talk to Charlie for the full details but he also needs to see his wife to calm the lingering worry in his chest. The picture of Lena dying in his arms was still vivid iin his memory. And he cannot stop thinking that, it could've Charlie dying in his arms and...He shook his head, willing the unwanted thoughst away. Charlie is fine, he convinced himself before picking up his pace. He was at the director’s office in no time. Agad naman siyang hinarap ng pinuno ng kapulisan. Sandali niya itong kinausap at sinabi nito mismo sa ka
Sandaling namanhid si Gael sa kanyang nasaksihan. Panandalian niyang kinumbinsi ang sarili na imahinasyon niya lang ang lahat. Na nasa maayos na lagay si Charlie at walang kaguluhan na nangyayari sa mismong araw ng kanilang kasal. He even tried to blink a few times—willing the dreadful scenario away from his head. But when he opened his eyes, his bride, his wife still laid there on the cold ground, bleeding.With his chest constricting, he tried to stand up, wanting to go to Charlie as soon as he can. But his bodyguard nearby kept him from doing so. Anger burned his skin in an instant. He had to go Charlie and no one, not even the damn death god himself could prevent him from doing so.He turned himself onto the ground, lying on his back, and gave the bodyguard hovering over at him a straight jab to the jaw. Napaupo ito, bago siya mahilo-hilong binitiwan. He took that chance to crawl his way to Charlie, who fell near the entrance of the church. ‘I like the water, Kuya Gael. Can you t
Hindi matapos-tapos ang pagsipat ni Charlie sa sarili niya sa lifesize mirror na nasa kanyang hotel suite. Hindi pa rin siya halos makapaniwala na naroon nga siya at ikakasal ulit kay Gael. This time in a church and in the presence of their family. Well, some of their family. But nevertheless their families are present and that’s the most important thing.She looked down at her ring finger. The emerald engagement ring and the ink she had five years ago are there, a testament of everything she had gone through loving Gael. But she’s glad she finally made it right there at that very moment, when she can declare to the whole world that Gael is hers as much as she is his. That in the world of broken promises and dreams, of heartaches and of tears, Gael is her always—the one she will keep on choosing to love as long as she breathes.Her phone rang, immediately stopping her train of thoughts. Agad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang mag-register sa screen ang pangalan ni Gael. She picked
Kanina pa nasa harap ng salamin si Gael subalit panay pa rin ang pag-aayos niya sa kurbata ng kanyang suit. The damn thing just won’t align! Frustrated, he took it off altogether and huffed. He’s anxious for some unknown reason. Gray, who arrived last night, said at it must be the wedding jitters but he refuses to believe so. He’s just on edge because he didn’t get to see his wife and son for hours now. Sneaking in at Charlie and Levi’s hotel room crossed his mind a few times last night. With his skills as a former elite boduyguard, he could do that with no sweat involved. But his grandfather gave him a talk about keeping his word and just wait until it’s time for them to meet at the altar again. Subalit naging sobrang napakahirap niyon sa kanya dahil sa iisang hotel lang silang naka-check –in na mag-anak—just different floors. Idagdag pa na talagang makulit si Tala at panay-panay ang pagbabantay sa mag-ina niya, h’wag lang niyang makita ang mga ito. Gray told him to have a little