"Please, not a word," Lara blurted out when she recovered. Pinigilan niya ang akmang paglapit ni Miguel sa kanya. Tasya sold her off. Kaya naman wala siyang choice ngayon kundi harapin ang asawa niya kahit na bakas pa sa kanyang mga mata ang ginawang pag-iyak. "Sweetheart, let me explain." May pagsusumamo sa tinig ni Miguel. "I don't wanna hear it," she stubbornly answered. "Kaya umalis ka na!" But in her heart, that's not what she wanted. Gusto niyang tawirin ang pagitan nila at yakapin ito. Yakapin ito nang mahigpit at sabihing ang tangi niyang gusto ay manatili sa piling nito kahit hindi siya mahalin nito. But she couldn't keep hurting herself, right? "Hindi ako aalis hangga't hindi ka nakikinig sa akin, Lara! You have to let me explain." Miguel took steps forward. "Tasya said you heard me and Meredith discussing about how I feel for you. I admit I might have said—""Stop!" Tinakpan ni Lara ang magkabilang mga tenga niya. It was a desperate attempt to stop him from telling he
"Marupok," tukso ni Tasya sa kanya. Kausap na lang niya sa telepono ang kaibigan. Kanina kasi, hindi na siya nakapagpaalam nang maayos dahil nagmamadali na si Miguel na iuwi siya. "Come on! Who was talking about forgiving quickly earlier? Sinunod ko lang ang payo mo," she rolled her eyes kahit wala naman ito sa harapan niya."Kahit 'di ko sinabi 'yon, alam kong isang suyo lang sa 'yo ni Mr. Villareal at bibigay ka na kaagad. My gosh, kung isang tulad niya rin ang hahabol sa akin, hihinto ako sa pagtakbo!" Kinikilig nitong sabi. "Hindi nga ako nakapagsalita nang kausapin niya ako kanina. Napatango na lang ako kahit na ayaw ko sanang papasukin!"Lara giggled. "Sira ka talaga!""Oh ano na? Bumawi kayo sa tampuhan?" Tasya teased, may malisya ang tono.Namula si Lara. Napahawak siya sa roba na tanging suot niya. Sumilip siya sa kwarto kung saan mahimbing ang tulog ni Miguel. Napagod kaya mabilis na nakatulog. Malakas na tumawa si Tasya nang 'di siya makasagot. "You're married and yet y
When Lara woke up the next morning, Miguel had already gone to work. Pero may iniwan itong bouquet of blue roses at note sa mesa sa kwarto para sa kanya. Tatlong salita lang naman ang nakasulat sa note – I love you.All smiles si Lara at kinikilig pa pero mabilis natapos iyon nang makaramdam siya ng hilo at pagsusuka. A few minutes later, her reflection in the mirror told her she looked horrible."What is wrong with me?" She asked herself as she prepared to get a shower. "Am I sick?" She took her time under the sprinkling warm bath habang iniisip kung bakit ilang araw na siyang masama lagi ang pakiramdam tuwing umaga. Pero nang maalala niya ang blue roses, nawala lahat ng iniisip niya. She hastily finished her bath at excited na binalikan ang mga magagandang bulaklak. She was happy. Her heart was full. She could really feel that Miguel loves her. To express her gratitude for the flowers, she took a selfie and sent it to her husband. "Thanks for the flowers. I absolutely loved t
Lara couldn't believe what just took place. Habang nakatingin siya sa singsing na nasa daliri niya ay parang cloud nine pa rin ang pakiramdam niya.Miguel loving her back was already a surprise to her. But him wanting to marry her again was another thing. It was beyond what she could have ever imagined. Lara was overwhelmed. At hindi niya rin ini-expect na gagawin nito ang proposal sa harapan ng puntod ng pamilya niya. When he popped the question, iyak talaga ang itinugon niya.It took her sometime bago niya nakalma ang sarili. Miguel had to stand up and pacify her nang hindi pa nasusuot sa kanya ang singsing. But she accepted his proposal with a big warm yes. It was just then that Miguel was able to breathe. Kinabahan daw ito that she would turn him down. "Why on earth would I do that?" tanong niyang may luha pang nakadungaw sa mga mata niya. Nakalabas na sila sa mausoleum."I don't know. You might not accept me. I was scared you'd say no." "How can I say no to you?" Yumakap siy
Hindi makapaniwala si Lara na kaharap niya si Stefano Villareal. Nasa isang cafe sila sa baba lang ng ospital. Hindi na kasi siya nakatanggi gawa ng hindi niya in-expect na makikita ang lalaki roon."Are you pregnant?" Tanong nito sa kanya. Hindi mawari ni Lara kung paano ilalarawan ang emosyon sa mukha ni Stefano. The look in his eyes was somewhat scaring the heck out of her. There was a danger that she couldn't fathom. Sa ilalim ng mesa, nakakuyom ang mga kamao ni Lara habang pinipilit na hindi kumawala ang magkakahalong takot at galit sa puso niya.Because there she was face to face with the man she believed killed her sister. How could Stefano still act like he didn't do such a horrific thing in the past?"Are you carrying that bastard's child?" Stefano rephrased his question.Lara shook her head. Pero siguro ay hindi talaga siya sanay magsinungaling. Because she denied her pregnancy and yet the man in front of her burst into a dangerous sounding laughter. It made her shiver.
“I’m giving you time to think,” sabi pa ni Stefano. “Here, I already saved my number on your phone. Don’t you dare reject my calls or even think of blocking me again. Sinasabi ko sa ‘yo, Lara, your life and your baby’s life are in my hands. Make the right decision, okay?” Hindi niya tinanggap ang phone niya kaya initsa na lang nito iyon sa kanya bago ito tumatawang lumabas ng silid niya. Naiwan si Lara na tulala. Ano ang gagawin niya? By now, she wasn’t gullible para maniwala na ginagamit lang siya ni Miguel. Mahal siya ng asawa niya. Miguel wasn't using her for money. Hindi ito gano'n. Kahit noon pa, wala sa pagkatao nito ang pagiging gahaman sa pera. Pero kahit na kung sakali ay tama si Stefano, Lara would still choose to stay beside Miguel. Mahal niya ito. Kung pati baby nila ay may gagampanan para makuha nito ang nais, alam niya na gaya niya, handa ang baby nila na magpagamit para sa daddy nito. But whether Miguel was using her or not, one truth remained. He was not safe ag
"What are you thinking?" Malambing na tanong sa kanya ni Miguel habang hinahalikan nang maliliit ang nakalitaw niyang mga balikat. They were in their bed and were just about to sleep after an intimate moment."Hmn?""Parang malalim ang iniisip mo. Kanina pa kita tinitingnan," her husband added. Nagpilit siya ng ngiti. "I am fine, Migo."Gusto niyang sabihin dito na buntis siya at magiging tatay na ito. Gusto niya ring sabihin na nakumpirma na niyang si Stefano ang pumatay sa pamilya niya at pinapalayo siya nito mula sa asawa niya. Gusto niyang sabihin na may sakit si Meredith…Pero sa dami ng gusto niyang sabihin, hindi niya alam kung paano sasabihin ang mga iyon. “I know you, sweetheart. Something is bothering you. Come on, you can tell me anything,” Miguel coaxed.“Am I that readable?” “You are.”Lara sighed. Humarap siya at sumiksik sa dibdib ng asawa. “You’re right. But I don’t know how to tell you,” she admitted. “What is it about? You are making me worry.” “I’m just think
“My fear has already happened. What will I do, George?” Dinala muna ng matandang katiwala ang kape sa bibig nito at sumimsim bago siya tiningnan. “Naalala ba niya si Stefano?” pangungumpirma ni Uncle George.Tumango si Miguel. Halos ala una na nang madaling araw at napwersa na lang ang matanda na magkape para hindi makatulog dahil hiniling niya ang presensya nito. Malalim na ang tulog ni Lara pero siya ay nanatiling dilat ang mga mata pagkatapos nilang mag-usap. Ni hindi niya nagawang pumikit sa takot na sa pagtulog niya, mangyari ang iba pa niyang kinatatakutan. Ayaw niyang magising na wala na ang asawa niya.Gaya kung paano na nagpaalam siya noon kay Lena na hindi sumagi sa isipan niyang iyon na pala ang huli nilang pagkikita na buhay ito. Since losing her, it has been Miguel’s fear to lose another loved one. In fact, thinking about it, maybe it was the reason why he stayed single for a long time. And even when he had already married Lara, he tried his best not to get her too i
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