Hello! Salamat po sa patuloy na pagbabasa at pagbabahagi ng inyong mga gems kahit na antagal kong mag-update. lalo na po sa top 3. i super appreciate you po, mam Marj, mam Maehelenwatt at mam Ion reyes! salamat din po sa mga comments. sana patuloy nyo pong suportahan sina Migo at Lara hanggang marealize nilang mahal na nila ang isa't isa... hehe tagal di ba? Marriage before love po kasi ito, hahaha. salamat po ulit!
Tanghali na nakauwi si Lara kinabukasan. Dinaig pa niya ang may hang over sa tindi ng sakit ng ulo niya. May dalawang rason kung bakit. Una, dahil maga pa rin ang pisngi niya. Yari yata sa bakal ang palad ni Wendy that almost twelve hours later, mahapdi pa rin ang sampal nito sa kanya. Nagkukulay violet na nga ang pisngi niya. Pangalawa at mas nagpapasakit sa ulo niya kaysa sa una, nagising siya kanina na nakayakap kay Migo. Mabuti sana kung tulog pa ito. Pero bukod sa hindi niya alam na natulog siyang katabi ito, Miguel was already wide awake and already doing business in his phone. Hindi raw ito gumalaw para hindi siya magising. Kaya nagtiyaga ito sa maliit na screen ng phone nito habang nakahiga dahil ang braso niya ay nakayakap sa dibdib nito banda. Dinaig pa niya ang nakainom ng isang pitsel ng purong kape sa kagyat na pagkagising ng diwa niya. Kung may mas i-aw-awkward pa bukod sa violet niyang mukhang nahaluan ng pamumula at buhok niyang mahihiya ang pugad ng ibon sa gulo,
"Leave application denied, Lara. Come to the office. My secretaries couldn't be gone all at the same time." 'Yon ang sagot ni Miguel sa email niya. Lara was hoping she could take a leave. Bahagya pa kasing namumugto ang mga mata niya at sa tingin niya hindi pa siya handang makita ulit si Miguel matapos niyang aminin sa sarili na mayroon siyang "slight" feelings para rito.Kahapon ay hindi na siya ulit lumabas ng silid niya at nagdahilan na lang siyang masama ang pakiramdam niya. Kahit noong puntahan siya ni Miguel sa silid niya ay nagkunwari siyang tulog. Muntik pa nga siyang mabuko sa pagpapanggap niya nang haplusin nito ang pisngi niya. Hindi naman ito nagtagal at nagbilin na lang kay Auntie Rosette na kasama nitong nagpunta sa silid niya na siguraduhing kakain siya sa tamang oras. Umalis na ito ng bahay pagkatapos no'n. Lara sighed. How could he approve Ashley and Leonie's leaves and deny hers? Napipilitang bumangon siya. Late na siya kung tutuusin pero walang gana pa rin ang
"Tasya, kausapin mo 'tong si Lara. Napakawirdo niya nitong mga nakaraang mga araw," sabi ni Chester habang kumakain sila sa isang restaurant. She went out with her friends para alisin sa isipan niya si Miguel. At dahil treat niya, hindi siya pumayag na sa bar sila magkita. "Why so?" Nagdikit ang mga kilay ni Tasya. "Is it still because you've already seen your guardian, Lara?" Nasamid siya bigla sa kinakain niya. She did tell Tasya about it, pero kay Chester hindi. How could she forget? Ah, malala na siya! Nagpunta nga pala siya kay Tasya noon pagkatapos ng unang pagkikita nila ni Miguel and she mentioned the partial truth to her. But over the confused days that followed na si Chester ang available na hingahan niya ng sama ng loob while concealing the truth, na-mix up na rin niya ang mga detalye sa utak niya.At ngayon ay mukhang magigisa pa siya for not being fairly truthful to both of her best friends. "Nakita mo na si Mr. Villareal? Akala ko ba, nakakausap mo lang?" Gulat na t
"What's the problem, Lara? It's past one AM, don't tell me you're leaving at this hour?" Nangungusot ng mga mata nito na tanong ni Tasya. "Miguel is downstairs," nagpapanic na hinagilap niya ang mga gamit niya. Hindi siya makapaniwala na pupuntahan siya ro'n ni Migo. How ever did he know Tasya's address? Ah, malamang ay nakuha nito kay Auntie Rosette. The latter knew her friends and their respective addresses.But for Migo to bother to come and get her at the dead of the night? Why? "But why do you look so scared?" Naguguluhang pinanood siya ni Tasya."I'll explain later, or tomorrow. Got to go, Tash!" Hindi na niya narinig ang sagot ng kaibigan niya dahil patakbo na niyang tinungo ang pintuan. She hurried to the elevator and hit the down button many times as if it would hasten the lift going up. Nasa ground kasi ang tatlong elevators. Dahil disoras na at wala na masyadong gumagamit, mabilis namang umakyat ang isang elevator. Malapit na siya sa ground floor nang matauhan siya. B
Sabog ang utak ni Lara pagkatapos. Hindi niya maintindihan ang inasal ni Miguel. After he dragged her from the lift to his extravagant lavishly looking unit, bigla naman siya nitong binitawan, huminga nang malalim at nag-sorry sa kanya.Mukha pa rin itong galit. Pero hindi na katulad kanina. Lara, on the other hand, was still at a loss for words. Nakatingin lang siya kay Miguel na parang tulala."I'm sorry," ulit nito. "I didn't mean to scare you like that." Scare her? Hindi siya natakot. She just felt a little bit weird? Nang halos dumikit ang mukha nito sa mukha niya, she had the urge to close their distance. With a kiss, perhaps? So she wasn't scared… Nabigla pero hindi siya natakot.Sa naisip ay napahiya siya sa sarili niya. Why would she think of kissing him? "I lost it. I didn't—""Do you live here?" She asked, clearing her throat to change the awkward atmosphere. Not wanting to hear him say sorry further.All she wanted was to let him know it was okay. "I do.""It's beautif
"Happy birthday, Lola," bati ni Miguel sa seventy years old na si Cordelia, sabay halik sa pisngi ng matanda. "Miguel, akala ko ay hindi ka na darating," masuyong yumakap ang Lola niya sa kanya, earning ugly reactions from their big family."Pwede ba naman iyon, Lola? Na-late lang ako dahil may importante pa akong pinuntahan. But I won't let this day pass without seeing you on your birthday.""Alam na alam mong ikaw ang pinakahihintay ko tuwing kaarawan ko." The old woman smiled and caressed his cheek lovingly.Ngumiti siya. His grandmother's smile would always be enough para kahit wala ng ibang masaya sa presensya niya sa salo-salong iyon ay ayos lang sa kanya. The Villareal matriarch's birthdays had always been celebrated privately since the death of her husband, Simeon Villareal, almost ten years ago. Kaya sa araw na iyon, pamilya lang nila ang nasa malaking mansyon ng mga Villareal. But theirs wasn't a small family since nasa ikaapat na henerasyon na sila na naroroon. "Can we
"What did you find out about Chester Salas?" tanong niya agad kay Jaxen nang dumating siya sa opisina nang sumunod na araw. "His family owns a textile company, Sir. Currently, siya ang Vice President ng Operations. His friendship with Mrs. Villareal dates back when they were still in high school. So, they were really close—""Stop," inis na pigil niya. "I didn't tell you to validate their relationship to me." "Sorry, Sir," tugon naman nito na iniabot na lang sa kanya ang envelope na hawak nito na naglalaman ng mga impormasyon ni Chester Salas.Hindi niya maintindihan ang pangangailangan niya sa mga iyon. For future use, perhaps? Ang alam lang niya, mabigat ang loob niya sa lalaki. How dare he touch his wife? 'Kailan?' His mind asked him. Noong lasing ito at inaalalayan ito ni Lara? That was the only time he'd seen him together with his wife. At mukhang wala pa ito sa tamang huwisyo dala ng kalasingan. And yet, something inside him wanted to break his face for being that close to
Lara missed Migo. Pero sinisikil niya ang damdamin. Para maabala at makalimot, kung anu-ano ang ginagawa niya. Pumunta siya sa orphanage at nagdala ng supplies. Nakipag-interact siya sa mga bata ro'n. But at the end of the day, umuwi pa rin siyang malungkot. Tinulog na lang niya dahil wala naman siyang makausap tungkol sa nararamdaman niya. Nang sumunod na araw, hindi na niya makayanan ang guilt na nararamdaman niya for feeling something for Migo. Kaya naman nagpunta siya sa puntod ni Lena at paulit-ulit na nag-sorry. "Hindi ko sinasadya, ate!" iyak niya. "Hindi ko pa naman siya mahal. I mean, I've always loved him as a kuya. But lately, I'm thinking about him more than I should. I'm confused. I don't want this. Sorry, ate Lena!" Nakaupo lang siya sa harapan ng puntod nito, nakabaon ang mukha sa dalawang tuhod na yakap naman niya. "I feel so bad… I'm an awful sister to you, ate! I promise you, I won't let this feeling grow. I can't hurt you, ate. I don't want to hurt you!" She s
Seventeen years ago, Lara did not understand why she survived a massacre and her family didn’t. Even when her mind was etched with the face of their killer, all she ever thought was giving justice to their deaths. She knew she would see him again. And she was not wrong. Almost two decades passed, their paths crossed again. Now that she stood at the witness stand and she could see the horror in Stefano’s eyes, Lara was convinced that God allowed her to live for that very purpose. To make Stefano pay for the crimes he committed. Kanina, nang makita siya ng lalaki, labis ang gulat nito. Siguro nga, talagang inisip nito na patay na siya. Well, hindi niya ito masisisi. Nakita nito ang kalagayan niya noon dahil ito ang may kagagawan kaya siya tinamaan ng bala. Pero sorry na lang ito, hindi pa niya oras. Lara swore an oath to tell only the truth. At iyon din naman ang ginawa niya. But she was surprised by her own composure. She didn’t break down even when she recalled everything that happ
“Stop crying, I’m not dead yet.” Hindi malaman ni Lara kung matatawa siya o madadamay sa pag-iyak ng dalawa niyang emosyonal na mga kaibigan. After a week and a half since she almost died, Miguel finally allowed her friends to know about what happened to her and visit her.“Shut up!” nagkukusot pa ng mga matang ani Tasya. “You always do this to us! I’m scared the next time, we’ll just be mourning over your dead body!”“Lara, how could you not tell us? We get it that we might not be able to protect you like your husband could, but aren’t we your friends? At least let us know about what’s going on with you,” seryoso na dagdag ni Chester. His eyes were red from tears earlier. “I’m sorry,” aniya. “Hindi ko naman sadya na hindi talaga sabihin—”“I asked you!” agaw ni Tasya. “You didn’t tell me! Kung alam ko lang na delikado ang gagawin mo no’n, I should have never agreed to help you! Nagsisisi ako na hinayaan ko na hindi ko alam ang plano mo!”“Tash, sorry na… I didn’t want to tell you
“I think our baby is moving…”Lara laughed softly at what Miguel said. Nasa tiyan niya ang kamay nito at dinadama iyon kahit hindi pa umuumbok. “Is that so?” Alam naman niyang imposible iyon dahil ilang linggo pa lang naman ang sanggol sa sinapupunan niya. But she didn’t have the heart to correct him. Migo was just excited. “Then get ready, Migo. I’m sure paglabas niya ay isa siyang makulit at malikot na bata!”“Maganda rin, mabait, matalino, matapang at mana sa mama…” Miguel smiled gently at her. That warmed her heart. Lara was happy, so happy. “You want a daughter?” “Kahit son o daughter, ayos lang. Ang importante, pareho kayong maging maayos ng anak natin.” Umusod ito para masuyo siyang hawakan sa kanyang pisngi. “I love you, sweetheart…”“I love you too, Miguel…” Miguel bent to kiss her lips softly. Gustong maiyak ni Lara. She could feel her husband’s love for her and she was ashamed that she caused him to worry too much then. Pero sa kabila nang padalos-dalos na pagpayag n
“Sometimes I wonder why I am still alive. Is it for you to spoil me with visits like this?” Meredith rolled her eyes at him. Nakasandal lang ito sa headboard ng hospital bed nito nang abutan niya. “Araw-araw kang narito, Migo.”“It’s for you to realize that there’s someone who is not yet ready to lose you,” Miguel answered, lightly pinching his friend’s cheek. “As if!”Hindi fatal ang mga gunshot wounds nito dahil nakasuot naman ito ng bulletproof vest. Pero tinamaan kasi ito sa braso at balikat. She was just recovering now from her wounds. Pero ang sakit nito, patuloy na lumalala. “Have you made up your mind yet?”Meredith sighed. “Matagal na akong nakapagdesisyon, you know it. So, I don’t understand why you’re still trying to convince me every day.”“Mer, until you’ve tried everything, it’s not yet over. Besides, do you really want to leave me now?” pangongonsensya niya.“Cut it out,” natatawa nitong saway. “Hindi mo ako madadala sa ganyan. Alam ko na masaya ka na. Hindi mo na ako
“You should’ve just killed me,” mapait pero unremorseful na sabi ni Stefano.“We’re not the same, Stefano. I am not a killer,” tugon niya. Kalalabas lang sa ospital ng pinsan niya, pero sa kulungan ito idiniretso. Stefano’s arms were both gone. Gayunpaman, hindi kakikitaan ng pagsisisi ang lalaki sa lahat ng ginawa nito.“You are so full of yourself, Miguel. Darating din ang araw mo!” “Ang mahalaga, dumating na ang sa ‘yo. Show even a little remorse, Stefano. You killed not only the woman you claim to love, but also your own blood!”His cousin laughed bitterly. “You killed them.”“I didn’t. It was your selfishness and love for money that killed them. You killed them, Stefano.”“I’m the bad guy now?” Tila naiimposiblehan pa ito.“You’ve always been,” sagot niya. “Even before we met, you already ruined Lolo’s trust in you. Wala akong kinalaman sa lahat ng sinasabi mo na naging pagbabago. You made all the changes yourself.”Tumawa ulit ito. “Pwede kang tumanggi, Miguel. You didn’t. You
“Lena… It’s you… Lena!”Lara was utterly confused. Mistulang baliw na biglang naging maamong tupa si Stefano na nakaluhod pa habang gagap ang mga kamay niya. He was calling her by her sister’s name repeatedly. “Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” Kinalagan nito ang posas niya at pinaghahalikan ang mga kamay niya. “Are you hurt?” Diring-diri si Lara, but she was too afraid to do anything that might trigger Stefano to do something dangerous to her. “I knew that you’re alive!” He stood up and hugged her. “They all lied to me, Lena!” Nang yakapin siya nito at bahagyang mahila ang buhok niya, that was when it dawned to Lara. Her hair was down. Hindi niya namalayan ang paghulagpos no’n sa pagkakatali niya kanina. At kapag nakalugay ang buhok niya ay kamukhang-kamukha niya ang ate niya. Stefano was not able to differentiate her from her sister for a reason unknown to Lara. What was going on with him?“Alam ko na babalik ka!” Ikinulong nito sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya. Lara couldn’t say
“Stefano!!! Leave my wife alone!!!!!!!!!!”Tawa lang ang naging sagot sa kanya ni Stefano.“Do not hurt her!” “I’ll say it again, Miguel. From this time on, susundin mo lahat ng sasabihin ko. I’ll call you again.”Tapos ay tinapos nito ang tawag. Napasuntok siya sa manibela. Hawak ni Stefano si Lara. It was his fault! Dapat ay sa kinaroroonan ng asawa niya siya sumama. He could have protected her! “Location, Jaxen?” baling niya sa kasama na nasa backseat. His assistant was monitoring their distance from Lara’s last known location. Pagdating nila sa safehouse, mga tauhan niyang paisa-isa na lang ang hininga ang inabutan nila. The traitor knew where to shoot to kill. But what he was not aware of was that one of his comrades was able to plant a tracking device on him. Iyon ang sinusundan nila ngayon hoping na hindi pa nito iyon napapansin at inalis na para iligaw sila. Stationary ito sa kasalukuyan which meant that they were no longer moving. Kung base sa tawag ni Stefano na kasama
Lara was beginning to feel uncomfortable that she was too comfortable. She was being treated nicely and there was still no sign of Stefano even after arriving for several minutes already. Lima ang bantay niya sa loob ng isang may kaluwagang silid ng isang safe house. Ang dalawa ay nasa may pintuan, nagbabantay. Ang isa na mukhang lider ng mga ito ay nasa may bintana at panaka-nakang tsini-check ang paligid sa pamamagitan ng binocular. Ang dalawa naman ay nasa sulok, naglalaro ng cards. Habang siya ay tahimik lang na nakaupo sa sofa at pinaglilipat-lipat ang tingin sa mga ito na wari ba’y nalilito.Hindi iyon ang address na pinadala ni Stefano sa kanya. Nevertheless, it could just mean that he was trying to confuse her. After all, wala namang may alam ng lakad niya kundi silang dalawa lamang. But then the question was, where the heck was Stefano? Bakit siya nito pinaghihintay?She was calm a while ago, pero nang magsimulang maglabas ng baril ang nasa bintana at sipat-sipatin nito iyon
“Are you sure you are going to do this?” “Ngayon ka pa mag-aalala? Please, Miguel, I’m not a child.” Parang nakita pa niyang nagroll eyes si Meredith kahit na boses lang nito ang naririnig niya. She was not a child indeed. Pero hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala. She was going to do a dangerous mission for him and Lara. “Remember to prioritize your safety, Mer.”“You know that I have nothing to lose anymore. This might just give meaning to my life…” “I want you back safe and sound,” tugon naman niya. Alam niya kung ano ang tinutukoy ni Meredith. A few days ago, she confessed everything to him. And he was saddened a great deal. He was losing a friend to a terminal disease. Not that Meredith didn’t fight it. She did. Alone. She didn’t tell anyone until doctors already gave up on her. “If i’ll be back, I want you for myself, Migo. So, don’t ask for it,” biro nito. He let out a low chuckle. Pero totoong malungkot siya. When she told him about her condition, he was shattered. Meredith