24 years ago
“Nagtapat na ‘ko kay Anna tungkol sa atin, Ruth. Pumayag na siya sa annulment,” masayang balita ni Joseph, ang lalaking lubos na iniibig ni Ruth.
Nagkakilala sila sa kumpanyang pinagta-trabahuan niya na pagmamay-ari mismo ng mga magulang nito. Siya ang sekretarya at ito ang boss niya.
Una pa lang, sadya na silang naging malapit dahil galing sila sa iisang lugar, sa San Gabriel—isang progresibong bayan sa Gitnang Luzon. Madalas itong magtanong sa kanya noon tungkol sa mga kakilala nila doon. Dahil matapos nitong mag-aral sa US ng masterals, hindi na ito nakauwi sa kanila at agad na tinake-over ang pamamahala sa Aguinaldo Real Estate Company.
Mabait si Joseph, maalalahanin, at magaling makisama sa mga empleyado nito. Kaya naman kahit na alam niyang bawal dahil may asawa at anak na ito, hindi niya napigilan ang sariling mahulog dito. &nb
Tiningala ni Samantha ang mataas na gate na nasa harapan niya. Ayon sa traysikel driver na naghatid sa kanya roon, iyon daw ang bahay ni Joseph Aguinaldo. Tanghaling tapat at masakit sa balat niya ang sinag ng araw. Kaya lang, parang nag-aalinlangan siyang mag-doorbell kahit na naroon na siya.Malayong malayo sa determinadong estado niya kanina nang tumakas siya paalis ng Maynila. Hindi alam nina Bettina at Aling Ness ang tungkol sa pagbisita sa kanya ni Mrs. Esteves ilang linggo na ang nakararaan. Nakukunsensiya man siya, sadya niyang pinili ang maglihim sa mga ito.Alam niya, sa oras na malaman ng mga ito ang balak niyang hanapin ang totoo niyang ama, pipigilan siya ng mga ito dahil sa kalagayan niya.Ngunit malakas ang udyok ng kung ano man sa dibdib niya na kailangan niyang puntahan ang ama sa San Gabriel. Kaya heto siya ngayon, bumiyahe ng higit limang oras upang sa huling sandali ay mag-alangan lang din.Wala sa sarili siyang nap
“Anna, my late wife, tricked me when she agreed with the annulment. Hindi niya tinotoo ang sinabi niya na siya mismo ang magfa-file ng annulment namin. Nagsumbong siya sa mga magulang namin. They threatened me. And I was willing to be stripped off of everything I have, makasama ko lang kayo ng Mama mo. But… Anna’s parents said they will haunt your mother and do what’s necessary.” Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ng Daddy niya sa kamay ni Samantha. Natigilan din ito, dumaan ang takot sa mga mata. Nakaupo silang mag-ama sa sofa habang tahimik siyang nakikinig sa paliwanag nito. “Call me weak or a coward, but at that time, I know I was doing the right thing. Anna’s parents were powerful because his uncle was the chief of police at that time. With their connections, I know their threats weren’t empty. At natakot ako para sa inyong dalawa ng Mama mo. Kaya pinili kong h’wag na lang magpakitang muli. Naging sunud-sunuran ako sa mga magulang ko at kay Anna sa sumunod na ilan
A tight smile broke into Samantha’s lips as soon as she heard the pre-landing announcement of the plane she was in. There was a bittersweet feeling stirring inside of her—a thing she had never felt for the past four years. Maybe that’s what you really get when you are going back to a place that broke you.At least now you’re home, anang isip niya.Home.Again, she smiled bitterly. Home is supposed to be a place of comfort, of joy, of beautiful memories. But for the last few years she had spent in the country was far from comfortable, joyous and beautiful.So, paano niya naisip na tahanan niya ang Pilipinas?Marahan siyang nagbuga ng hininga bago bumaling sa bintana. The morning rays of the sun was greeting her-- shifting her thoughts to the positive side of things.And then she realized, if it weren’t for those hardships, she wouldn’t become half of the woman she is now—e
Maingat na isinara ni Samantha ang laptop niya bago pagod na sumandal sa kanyang upuan. She just finished interviewing the last applicant for Charlize Elizabeth Events, her new company named after her daughter.Isang linggo na halos mula nang makabalik siya sa Pilipinas. And she hadn’t stopped working since. Mabuti na lang tinulungan siya ni Lucas na maghanap ng space for her to set-up her new office kahit noong nasa California pa siya. Of course, her brother used his connections to get the best deal on the best spot in the city. Ito na rin ang kumuha ng construction company to get her new space ready. It was almost done now. She just needed to set up her new office with couches and a few display cases to get her office up and running.She leaned on her chair some more before staring at the ceiling of her office. The white walls and ceiling instantly relaxed her. Hindi siya talaga nagkamali sa piniling minimalist design ng office niya. His bro
Samantha was stuck in the d*amn traffic. It’s almost 10 in the evening and she’s really dead tired. Kanina pa tumatawag ang Daddy niya sa kanya dahil hinahanap na raw siya ni Charlie.Kanina, matapos ang maayos na meeting niya sa mag-inang Cobarrubias, bumalik siya sa opisina upang i-check kung na-deliver nang tama ang mga items na in-order niya sa furniture store. She had the delivery of the items expedited. She rented a truck para lang mai-deliver ang mga binili niya on the same day. Good thing the store she went too had an in-house interior designer who helped her picked the things that goes well with her offices’ theme. Pagpatak ng alas nuwebe, sabay-sabay na silang umuwi ng mga kaibigan niya—with Mandy agreeing to drop Bettina home para makauwi na rin siya agad.But here she is, stuck in the endless traffic for almost half an hour na hindi niya alam kung saan nagmumula!Umusad ang kotseng nasa harap niya. But it was just for a few me
Aaron was driving furiously. He received a call from Kiel. Itinakbo raw sa ospital ang Mommy nila dahil bahagyang nahilo at napaupo sa banyo. And though his youngest brother assured him that their mother is fine, he wants to see for himself that she is really fine. He doesn’t want to take chances. The last time he did, someone dear to him died. He quickly shook his head and concentrated on driving. He knew being distracted at this of emergency will not do him any good. He needs to get to the hospital fast. But the damn traffic was not letting him! He cussed under his breath and tried dialing Joshua’s number. Nang tawagan niya ito kanina bago siya umalis sa penthouse niya, ang sabi nito susunod ito sa kanya sa ospital. But that was 20 minutes ago. Baka nga nauna na ito sa kanya roon. “Josh, are you already at the hospital?” mabilis na tanong niya sa kapatid nang sagutin nito ang tawag. “Aaron,” said the familiar voice of a woman on the other line. “Ana, where is Josh?” he hurrie
“You go and sleep, Aaron. I’ll be fine, son. Besides, we’re already in the hospital. What could go wrong?”anang Mommy ni Aaron nang sila na lang dalawa sa hospital suite na kinuha niya para sa ina. He was sitting on the couch while his mother was on the bed.“I will wait for you to fall asleep, Mom. You heard what the doctors said, you need rest,” he declared before fishing out his phone from his pocket. Alam niyang hindi rin siya makakatulog agad ngayon. So he better check his emails now.Maya-maya pa, naramdaman niyang natahimik ang Mommy niya. That’s when he lifted his gaze on her and found his mother intently looking at her.“Mom?” tawag niya rito.His mother forced a smile and gently patted the space beside her bed. Agad siyang lumapit sa kama at umupo sa mismong espasyo na sinabi nito. His mother immediately gathered his hands on hers before looking at him again.“You h
Samantha flashed her satisfied grin as she looked at the event styling of the party about to be held country club located inside the subdivision. Her styling team decorated the bare walls and makeshift stage with flowers, balloons and a single seater swing framed with pink poenies just like what Tita Elaine had requested. She had learned that the soon-to-be-mother, Charlotte, loves pink poenies. And though the event is really to celebrate the upcoming birth the grandchild of Mrs. Cobarrubias, she made sure that the mother would also be happy for the event. Knowing your customer“Sam, the guests are arriving,” bulong ni Mandy sa kanya maya-maya. She took a quick glance on her wristwatch.“Just right on time,” she mumbled before lifting her eyes to Mandy. “Tell the on-the-day coordinators to get ready and man the areas I have assigned them to,” she commanded in a professional tone. Agad namang tumalima si Mandy.Mu
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