“Just drop me off at any hotel we’ll pass by,” I told Waldo who was driving the car.
I didn’t bother myself to look at him. My eyes remained looking at the window where raindrops continuously flowed weakly. There’s still a thunderstorm threatening to destroy the peace of the people. But it is still not much felt in our vicinity. And unlike how vividly you could feel its warning last night, it offered silence the day after.
If this is what they call the calm before the storm, then it should be scary. I haven't experienced being in the middle of a thunderstorm. But since I have watched the news I would not ask to experience more. It’s downright scary.
I am not afraid of being harmed but I am afraid of others experiencing its wrath. Especiall
I opened my mouth to speak but ended up losing my voice caused by the shock Mizu’s words had brought me. Has the world usually been this small for Harris and I to meet this way? Has the world always been cruel for us to cross paths even though what I really wanted was to cut our ties completely? My mind suddenly got filled with confusion. My mind crumbled and became like a crumpled paper because of how this day turned out. The certainty I had felt earlier about staying in this place suddenly disappeared. I want to leave. To run away caused by the fear of getting myself hurt again the moment I saw Harris who robbed a big part of my being. "Is there a problem?" Waldo asked full of concern.  
“I’m confused,” Waldo said, finally breaking his long silence. I don't know if I should thank him for the silence he gave me during the whole duration when Mizu and I were talking. Or feel a sense of shame because once again he witnessed how low I am when it comes to the man I love. He may be silent the whole time but I know that he became more curious about me. "Curious about what?" I asked in a tone that would hide what I felt earlier.I just want to make it seem like nothing happened earlier.I led him into the elevator which he followed. I chose to stand with enough distance between us. I kept my eyes fixed on the metal elevator door. And since we were only in a small space, I could easily see his every move. "That Harris that you were talking about..." I felt a lump building on my throat upon hearing Harris’ name once again. i even needed to gulp just to free my airways. Damn his effect on me. "What about him?" I saw him wet his lips
I was soundlessly watching the quiet street in front of the La Majarica building. The surrounding has always been naturally quiet because it is located far from the highway and is indirectly hidden. The storm made the surroundings even quieter. Which somehow turned eerie.It's already past seven in the evening. And here I am filling my empty stomach with beer instead of a decent meal. Mizu is on my right, standing in the same position as mine. We both propped our elbows on the balcony railing of the room I was occupying. Like me, he was also holding a bottle of beer that he had brought for the two of us.True to his words, he really did visit me. I was actually not expecting his arrival anymore. I almost thought that he’d forgotten. And I was about to step outside to grab my own drinks. But even before I could do that, he was already standing at my door holding a bucket full of beer."You know what, Prescilla," Mizu carefully started.We've been here for a little while but both of us
We both fell into the trap of silence."But we both know the truth, Prescila. We know that you did not do what he was accusing you for," he replied, annoyed by my words. "Not your fault. You don't need to pay for the sins of others.""But that's the truth for him.""The reality is different for me, because I know who was at fault. I know who is to blame.” I felt his thumb running over the wounds I made on my own wrist. "I know it's hard and it can't be compared to anything. You got hurt by the loss of your child and the infidelity committed by your Harris. But do you think what you're doing weighs the same with the truth you believe in? Your life doesn't weigh the same with those lies. Don't waste your life. We both know that it's your fault. If there's to blame, then that would be your mom and my mom. It will never be your fault, Prescilla.”I kept nodding my head while trying to understand every word he said. If there's anyone who knows the truth besides me, it's Mizu. I only told h
"What are your plans today?" Katiya asked when I answered her call.It was three hours ago after Mizu pulled me into the room I was occupying. He forced me to stay here even though what I really wanted was to abuse the hours while Harris was in front of me. I can feel my cousin's tempering anger at the words I said.And despite his silence, I knew he had many things to say. He was not even given the chance earlier because of the call he received from the reception downstairs.The rain's getting heavier with each passing hour that made the people at the function hall stranded. And Mizu went there to attend to the guest while I stayed here in my room. Not that I intend to go there, but I'm too hurt right now to inflict more pain on myself even more.“I plan to do nothing but drown myself with alcohol for the rest of the night. How does that sound?” I asked in return.I began to massage my temple using my free hand because the effect of alcohol was finally kicking in. I'm already feelin
A knock on the door pulled me back from my reverie. "Call you later, Kat." I hung up after saying that. After placing the cellphone and bottle of beer I was holding on the table, I headed for the door. I almost dragged my body towards it to find out who the person was. I could feel the effect of alcohol that's making me dizzy, but my throat still feels thirsty for more drinks. "I ordered you some soup," Waldo said while entering my room even without my consent. "You shouldn't have bothered. I could do it on my own," I replied. I tried to stop him from entering but he immediately got away from me. "Just get here and eat this." I let out a sigh before following him. I don't know how to get him out of my life when he himself has been struggling so hard to enter. I don't know if I should be happy with his presence or be annoyed because what I really want is to be left alone. I don't want any complications in my life. I also don't want to involve myself with another m
"Follow what I command you, Prescilla," there was a threat in Mama's voice. I closed my mouth tightly and shook my head successively in protest of what he had been telling me. There's no way in hell that I would agree to this kind of shit. And I will never despise my son just because of him. Even if it would cost me my own life, I'd rather die than let them hurt my unborn child. I wrapped my womb with my two arms so that I could somehow protect the baby I was carrying. I'm only two months pregnant and I just found out today after visiting a doctor. I've been nauseous for a few weeks now and I've been feeling nauseous so I went to see a doctor. And the news about my pregnancy shocked the whole Santiago Mansion. Who would have thought that the daughter of the famous Santiago couple would end up getting pregnant early at the age of twenty-three. Single, although I have a boyfriend that my parents don't approve of. "I didn't bring you back to this place and swallow you to end u
I could feel my neck and back coated by my own sweat. I was running fast, trying to reach my destination while only consuming a small amount of time. The rush and nervousness consumed me at the same time, making me unable to think straight.I know how hard it is to fight time but this is what I'm facing right now. Time. Every drop that drains from the seemingly fine sand in the breakable clock that I have is also the food of great trepidation in my heart. No! Can not! I was even more anxious to run to the other side when my legs were shaking when I was finally exposed to what I was heading towards. I reluctantly went inside and was immediately attended to by the nurses who were there. Before I could speak, my tears started to fall. I couldn't find the courage to tell the reason I came here. Just thinking about it makes my chest tighten with pain. "My c-child..." I started trembling. "They did s-something to my c-child." I held my stomach tightly when I felt the pain again.
Waldo's POVRegret. Hatred. Agony. Those were the key players that controlled my life for the past years. I embraced those feelings, reminiscing about the reason why I ended up lost. Echoes of cries and their wailings still visit me in my dreams, reminding me of the grief we all felt that night of her goodbye. Years may have passion but the guilt and regrets still reside in my heart. Would I be able to escape this hell of mine? I tried to get up. To turn my attention to others to forget. But everything has no effect. It's just a short-term solution and after the day I'll be back to the point of collapse and no fight. I thought I would be able to cover up entering a relationship but I only gave myself more trouble. I know that simply getting into a new relationship won't erase the traces he left behind. I'm only fooling myself, what I believe to be a lie will never be true. "I know you love me. And I love you too much. I was exhausted, Waldo, to the point that I was no longer able t
I could not distinguish if I was comfortable or if I was just simply happy being out in public with Waldo. I can't imagine or change now that the two of us are together after more than a year that our paths diverged. And I feel like he is too. I couldn't even feel the wilderness in his every natural action. He was holding my hand tightly, intertwined with his while his thumb was gently caressing the back of mine. He's been doing that for a while, ever since we got out of the car after arriving at the mall he brought me to. Me too, I can't find it in myself to complain about holding hands with him. I could even feel myself seeking the warmth of his hand. "What are we going to do here?" I asked in surprise. I quickly looked at my clothes that didn't match what Waldo brought me. I was wearing a white casual split v-neck chiffon blouse that I paired with red peg-leg pants. It's a good thing I'm wearing white sneakers and not the office sandals that will surely sink the first step I ta
I was awakened by a noise coming from around me. That sleep indicates that someone is cooking or something in the kitchen of the house. Even the cutlery I could hear making noise. But my head's still spinning, something I have never felt for over a year. Instead of getting up, I just covered myself with a blanket and buried myself deeper into my soft pillow. But I couldn't go back to sleep because of the knock on the bedroom door. I didn't answer. I just remained motionless while waiting for that person to approach. I can't get the nervousness but the surprise is that I wasn't kicked. I am satisfied that I am far from harm. But how he got in here I don't know. Despite being tucked under the blanket, the familiar smell of Waldo's perfume still stung my nose. His familiar aquatic scent that I missed. The scent that used to give me comfort knowing that he was beside me. "Wake up, honey. It's already lunchtime. You need to eat," he softly said. "How did you get in here?" I asked inst
I almost slapped my forehead when my mind spontaneously added that. Although that was true, it was refreshing that I was so quick to admit it to myself. I took his silence as an opportunity to leave that place. Unlike before when I longed for its crowded, hot, and chaotic place, now I was enveloped in irritation. I just want to get out and leave. Inhaling fresh air instead of the smell of cigarette smoke and the overwhelming smell of alcohol. With my busy feet, I hurry to find the exit from the dance floor. Even though it wasn't easy, it was as if I was taken out of my sight when I felt the touch of the cold air on my skin again. I hurriedly went to the bathroom to clean myself up. Even though I haven't been in this place for a long time, I just want to leave immediately and sleep where I'm staying. I was leaning against the sink when I got there. I didn't do anything but I felt tired. But the momentary comfort and relief were immediately interrupted when I heard the door open. Bu
"You're all set, madam," said the woman who was putting lipstick on my face earlier. I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing that greeted me was the golden necklace around my neck. That's just thin. It also has a small dove pendant which is a symbol of freedom. The necklace was a gift I bought for myself using my first salary as an assistant social media manager three months ago upon the promotion my boss gave me at that time. Next, I looked at the simple make-up that the woman put on me. That's simple and not grandiose. There was almost no color except for my slightly red cheeks. My hair was simply tied up in a ponytail. Even my white spaghetti strap bodycon dress has no design. I just don't understand why even I was invited to this event when my role in the company was small. G&E Apparel, which stands for Grace and Elegance, successfully made its way to the top. Through the help of different social media platforms, TikTok most specifically, the brand became known. So now, you've
Life became the simplest with me living all alone. At the same time, it became more fulfilling to follow what I wanted to do. And I felt peace. Finally... peace has come for me. I finally had my silence after years of being trapped by all the noise and chaos of my world. I made a noise when I dropped the plate on the breakable table in front of me. Add to that the surroundings were very quiet because I was the only person there. I sat on the seat next to the broken table at the same time as I went down there with the lid open for what I had to do today. I focused my eyes on the front of the laptop. I started reading the reviews on the social media page of the company I work for. I became a part of a social media marketing team of a small clothing brand. And since I was just newly hired, I was assigned mostly to checking reviews and comments on their social media accounts. I work home-based and that's an advantage for me. It was only a week since I started this job. Even if I won't
"Would you be fine with me?" I grinned at Katiya. He's been so busy driving that even if I want him to do it, he won't let me do it. It's been two days since we've been on the road after leaving El Refugio. I also thought that Katiya would leave after the church and return to her family. But instead of leaving me, he went with me. We've been roaming around using the car, driving endlessly while looking for the right moment to settle down. We've been sleeping inside the car parked at a public parking lot. There is no problem with me. I'm enjoying it. The only thing that is mine is what Katiya left behind. I'm sure as hell that her child's looking for her, even Galan who's been chasing her for a long time. "It's OK."And because I wasn't convinced by what I heard, I simply took his cell phone from the dashboard. Katiya kept it shut down to cut any connection we had from El Refugio. But because I wanted to send him back there for Ezra, I opened it to make sure Galan had texts there.
Harris gently faced me. Just like me, shock filled his eyes when he saw me. He did a quick scan all over me before his eyes locked on mine, staring at them in a scrutinizing way. I looked for the familiar loss of my heart close to him. But none of the feelings I used to feel when I was with him are gone. And I felt thankful realizing that now. That finally, and thankfully, I'm over this man. "Prescilla," the smile that greets him is hesitant. "What are you doing here?" I asked casually. His eyes became dim so he couldn't meet mine anymore. "I was running some errands for my wedding with Melissa."An understanding smile formed on my lips when I realized why he was being awkward answering my question. "So, you're finally tying the knots, huh? Congratulations to you," I greeted with no pretense. It seems that he is still not convinced by my act so he has to stare at me as if he is searching the contents of my mind. I tried to give him my most genuine smile to make him feel that it w
The touch of cold wind on my cheek woke me up. My eyes squinted when the sun shone directly on my face. It's not that hot yet so I'm sure it's not that popular yet. I looked around and realized I was still in the car. The seat I was sitting at was already reclined while the window on my side was open. I turned around to see if Katya was there, thinking that the woman was no longer there, but her sleeping form appeared to me. Her mouth was slightly open showing signs of her deep sleep. His two arms are crossed over his chest. I moved stealthily in order not to wake her up. Even when opening the door, I did my best not to make any noise. Only then was I able to get to know the place where we are now? "What the hell?" It didn't take me five seconds before tears started streaming from my eyes. "It just might help you." I turned to Katiya who had now gotten out of the car and was looking at me intently. "Waldo is not the only one who needs to break free from the bonds that are wrapped