“Are you sure you didn’t forget anything?” tanong ni Sam sa anak.
Charlie’s brows furrowed and checked her little pony bag she had with her. Sandali nitong ininspeksyon ang laman niyon. Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo, nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kanya at ngumiti.
“Mama Duck and all of her babies are inside my bag now, Mommy,” balita nito.
Napangiti siya at marahang kinurot ang pisngi ng anak niya. Today is her baby’s birthday.
And she can’t believe how time flew.
Parang kailan lang noong nalaman niya na buntis siya. Even then she had never thought of Charlie as a burden even though her life was turning upside down. She always knew she’d fight life tooth and nail, just to give birth to Charlie. Kahit siguro hindi niya nahanap ang Daddy niya at si Lucas, she would’ve strived harder just to give Charlie a better life.
Her baby is her joy. Her very own miracle.
Maya-maya pa, lumitaw na ang isa sa mga katulong sa pinto ng
Kinarga ni Sam si Charlie habang namimili ng laruan ang anak niya sa isang kilalang toy store sa mall. She was glad that when she explained to her daughter na sandaling male-late ang ama nito sa pagsundo sa kanila, hindi na ito nagreklamo pa.They have been roaming the big toy store for minutes now. Subalit wala pang napipili ang anak niyang laruan. It seems like her daughter is very particular with her gift— the big duck stuff toy.“What about a doll, sweetheart? Don’t you like a doll?” aniya sa anak maya-maya.Umiling ito, tiningala siya. “Just duck, Mommy,” anito bago muling iginala ang mga mata nito sa hilera ng mga lauran na nasa harap nila.“Just let her choose, Sam. We have time,” anang Daddy niya na nakasunod din sa likuran nila. They only have two bodyguards walking with them.“What if she didn’t pick anything? Siguradong gulo ‘yon pagdating ng chopper, D
Agad na napangiwi si Sam nang magkamalay siya. Masakit ang ulo niya at ibang bahagi ng kanyang katawan. Para siyang nabugbog na hindi niya malaman kung ano. Nang mapilitan siyang magmulat, agad siyang binati ng ‘di gaanong naiilawang silid. She tried moving. Napagtanto niyang nasa isang luma siyang papag na gawa sa kawayan nang umingit iyon.She tried to push herself up out of the bed only to be stopped by the continued throbbing of her head. Frustrated, muli siyang napahiga at sinapo ang kanyang nanakit na ulo. Agad na gumala ang mga mata niya sa lugar na kinaroroonan niya.Walang kisame, diretsong bubong at mga lumang kahoy na beam ang nasa itaas niya. Doon nanggagaling ang kakapiranggot na liwanag na nagmumula sa labas ng bahay. Wala ring bintana ang silid. Kung mayroon man, it’s probably the part that was covered by an old plyboard. Nagkalat din ang mga sapot ng gagamba at amoy na amoy ang alikabok sa paligid.How the hell did I e
Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Ivan si Arturo De Gracia sa may pintuan ng silid nito habang sinusubuan ito ng agahan ng private nurse na kinuha niya para dito. The man is gaining health by the day. At sabi ni Dr. Matt, it wouldn’t be long and the man would soon recover from the trauma of what had happened to him. Responsive na rin kasi ito sa ilang mga bagay. Hindi katulad nang nakaraang mga araw ng ilang linggong lumipas na lagi itong tulala at hindi makausap nang matino. Malaking tulong na unti-unti na ring naghihilom ang ibang sugat nito sa katawan at mas malaya na itong nakakagalaw sa loob ng silid nito.Madalas, nanonood ito ng TV. Mostly English movies that have a happy theme and doesn’t have violent themes. Dr. Matt said those kind of movies will trigger happy memories of Arturo with his family who still doesn’t have any idea that he’s alive.Honestly, he’s getting bored. He’s supposed to go back to CIA for his next
Agad na hinarap ni Aaron sina Carlo at Dax.“Tumawag kami sa kakilala namin sa San Gabriel. There was a kidnapping that happened in the mall where Sam and Charlie were waiting for you. There was also an open fire that happened at the parking lot when the bodyguards found that Sam and Charlie was taken. Sam’s father got shot and one of the bodyguards was dead on arrival at the hospital,” pagbabalita ni Carlo.Lalo siyang nanlumo. Hindi niya mapigilang sisihan ang sarili niya sa nangyari. Maling-mali talaga na iniwan niya ang mag-ina niya sa San Gabriel. They were never safe anywhere but near him.He clenched his jaw, angry at himself.“The initial investigation is still rolling,” ani Dax. “There’s no lead yet for who did this—““It was my family’s damn enemy isn’t it? Kagagawan niya ‘to,” putol niya kay Dax, humigpit ang pagkakakuyom sa kamay.“A big cha
Samantha literally stopped breathing as she looked at Kristine while she points her gun at them. The crazy woman was throwing daggers at her with her eyes, challenging her to an eye duel. Subalit mabilis siyang pumihit patalikod at iniharang ang sarili sa anak na kanya pa ring buhat-buhat. And she’s more than sure that a little more time, Kristine will kill her and her daughter if she wouldn’t think fast to pacify the crazy woman. And then she thought… “Aaron, si Kristine! Hawak kami ni Kristine!” sigaw niya, hoping and praying that Aaron would hear her cries of help from the phone. Maya-maya pa, pumailanlang ang halakhak ni Kristine sa buong silid. Napilitan siyang lingunin ito. Hindi na nakatutok ang baril nito sa kanilang mag-ina. Wala na rin itong kausap sa cellphone. At ang mga lalaking kumidnap sa kanilang mag-ina, nakikitawa na rin sa babae. She cursed under her breath. Oh god! They are in the midst of crazy psych
Abot-langit man ang kaba, ni hindi kumurap si Samantha nang magsimulang maglakad palapit sa kinauupuan niya si Eddie. He was holding a gun in one of his hands. Sigurado siya, sasaktan siya nito kapag nakalapit ito sa kanya.She held her daughter tighter—praying that if it is really their end, they’d spare her daughter from any lingering pain that comes before death.Huminto si Eddie sa mismong harapan niya at walang sabi-sabing kinamal ang buhok niya sa likuran at pinilit siyang mapatingala rito. Pinigil niya ang mapahiyaw sa sakit when she felt Charlie stirried in her arms. Charlie must remain asleep.If this is the start of the torture Kristine has been saying, she doesn’t want this part to be seen by her child. Mabuti nang wala itong alam sa mga magiging paghihirap na dadanasin niya sa kamay ni Eddie.She met the dark menacing eyes of Eddie. They were no trace of mercy in any of those—just fury fo
Aaron anxiously drummed his fingers on his lap as he waits for an update regarding the capture of Eddie Espiritu. Naroon siya ngayon sa opisina ni Capt, Javellana. Doon siya idiniretso nina Carlo at Dax nang malaman nila ang tungkol kay Eddie kahit na sana ang gusto niya ay siya mismo ang susugod sa bahay nito. His bodyguards made the right decision in keeping him level-headed in facing the ordeal before he could do something irreparable. Maging ang mga kapatid niya, kinausap din siya—pinakalma siya at kinumbising hayaan ang mga awtoridad na gawin ang trabaho ng mga nito.Nai-coordinate na rin niya sa iba pang ahensiya ang nangyaring kidnapping sa mag-ina niya. At umaasa siya na habang kumportable siyang nakaupo sa opisinang iyon, maya-maya lang ay magkakaroon na rin ng linaw ang lahat.Ilang oras na ang nakakalipas mula nang malaman niya ang tungkol sa tunay na pagkatao ni Eddie. Ang taong lubos niyang pinagkatiwalaan. Ang taong itinuring niyang ka
Muli, nag-umpisa ang panginginig ng tuhod ni Samantha nang dumaan ang matinding galit sa mga mata ni Eddie. He looked like a monster ready to unleash his wrath on her and no amount of plea or anything could stop him.He was determined to hurt and torture her until he gets the revenge he’d been planning for in a long time.Napausog na siya sa gilid ng sofa dahil sa matinding takot.“Y-you don’t want to do this, E-Eddie. P-please,” pakiusap niya, muling pumatak ang luha.Eddie is blinded by revenge. At hindi siya sigurado kung makikinig ito sa kanya, but she has to try. She needs to.Subalit imbes na pakinggan ang pakiusap niya, natawa lang lalo si Eddie. “Oh, believe me, Sam. I’m more than ready to torture and kill you,” anito bago humakbang palapit sa kanya.She hugged Charlie tighter na nagpangyari upang tuluyang magising ang anak niya.“Oh good! The princess is awak
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