"Why are you not boiling." I asked frustrated. My tears started forming for no reason. Para akong tangang umiiyak sa harap ng pinapakuluan kong tubig na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin kumukulo.It was late in the evening when I woke up because I suddenly crave for pancit canton. Ayoko naman gisingin si Gaden dahil alam kung pagod ito dahil buong araw nakabantay sa akin sa school. Ang sabi ko naman sa kanya ayos lang ako sa university pero ayaw niya akong iwan lalo at malaki na ang tiyan ko.He's too worried about me and our baby. Ayaw niyang nawawala ako sa paningin niya. Buong klase nasa labas lang siya ng room nakaabang sa akin.Pagdating pa dito sa bahay kanina siya pa ang gumawa ng lahat ng mga gawing bahay. Gabi na ng makapagpahinga siya dahil tinapos niya pa talaga ang pagwa-washing at pamamalantsa sa lahat ng damit namin. Siya na rin ang nagbabad sa lahat ng mga baby clothes na pinamili namin sa mall nitong nakaraang araw Nag-mop pa siya sa buong sahig. Kaya alam kong pagod siya.
"Ma'am, I received an email from one of the modeling agency who will be attending Paris Fashion Week. They are asking if their models could wear one of your creations. The details are here." my secretary handed me the blue folder with the file inside it. I didn't bother looking at the file she handed me. In my three years working as a designer, only few models were allowed to wear my master pieces and among chosen few is the famous, heiress of the Valderama's, none other than the bratty princess, Veronica Chrystelle Valderama and the sweet and adorable princess of the Dela Vega's, Samantha Corrine Dela Vega.Si Veronica at Samatha lang ang mga modelong pilipino ang hinayaan kong magsuot ng mga creation ko not because they are Kuya Nate's special someone and Kuya Simone's sister but because they are the models that comes first in my mind every time I'm doing my designs. Si Ver at Sam ang iilan sa mga modelong unang naniwala sa mga gawa ko. I'm picky pagdating sa mga modelo ko. It's
Why don't you let your sister borrow the money, Hon. Maybe they are really in need of that amount?"My Dad asked my Mom but Mommy remained not talking. We are on our way to Batangas rest house. We are sitting at the back seat, Manong Gilbert is the one driving and Yaya Mila is at the passenger's seat.It's already late in the evening. I'm sleepy but I cannot sleep because mom and dad were talking. I can't help but listen to their conversation since I am in the middle.Earlier, Tita Azon went to our house with her husband tito Art and their daughter Ariella. Hindi ko alam kung anong pakay nila pero narinig kong nagmumura si Tita Azon nung lumabas na sila mula sa library.When Ariella saw that her mom is annoyed she destroyed the barbie that she borrowed from me and then left like she didn't do anything. Hindi man lang siya nag-sorry na sinira niya ang barbie ko. Well, what would I expect from her? Ever since ganyan siya sa mga laruan ko, talent niya na sigurong manira ng mga bagay kahi
Life is not a rehearsal. Each day is a new show, new challenges, new audience, new participants, new characters. No-repeat, no rewind, no retake. Perform carefully, live the best, choose the best and do the best.We cannot do anything about what happened in the past but we can do something about our future. My past is not as important as what's ahead, I cannot let it poison my future...our future. But I have to do something to correct what's done wrong that almost cost me my life.My goal has been long overdue. I need to find the truth about what happened to my parents. I need to know who's behind all the chaos that happened in my life. I want justice. I need justice.I want my son to live a normal life, yung walang takot at hindi nagtatago. I want him to enjoy the life that I was deprived to. I want him to live freely, to grow with no fear. Nung nagdesisiyon akong bumalik dito sa Pilipinas, una kong inisip ang magiging future ng mga anak namin. Hindi habang buhay na magtatago na lan
"P-princess..."Awtomatiko akong napalingon sa taong tumawag sa akin. Kahit hindi ko pa nakikita, hindi kailanman nakalimutan ng puso ko ang nagmamay-ari ng boses na yun. Isang lalaki lang ang nagmamay-ari nun na kahit nakapikit ako o kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas tanda ko, tandang-tanda nitong puso ko.I turned around and stared at a man and saw his eyes full of unshed tears, doon na nag-uunahang mangilid ang mga luha ko.Am I dreaming again?Did God finally heard my prayer?"D-Dad?" my voice is shaking. "I-is that you Daddy?" I started sobbing. My heart is clenching. My mind couldn't process what I am seeing right now. Para akong nananaginip lang, isang magandang panaginip.His eyes watered at sa isang iglap inisang hakbang niya ang layo naming dalawa at mahigpit niya akong niyakap. My Dad is crying in my shoulder, yumuyogyog ang balikat niya habang nakayakap sa akin. Dinig ko ang mga hikbi niya na lalong nagpaiyak sa akin. "My princess..."He sobbed, lalong humigpit ang pagkakay
House of AddaAdda which means noble, someone who has high moral principle. Someone with a noble heart that gives a noble sense of moral support. My main concern in this company it's not only about myself. But about caring for my employees, supporting and guiding them. Knowing that their needs are met and bringing out the best in them. If you have those traits then you are welcome here. Here in the House of Adda, we grow together. We support each other. As I've said my success is my employees success.House of Adda, named after Lucas' dream of having a baby girl, Adda Lucienne. Ganyan ka advance ang asawa ko mag-isip. Wala pa nga si Adda pero may building ng nakapangalan sa kanya. This building is a gift from my husband Ret. Lt. Col. Gaden Lucas Montenegro as a gratitude for conceiving his first born son Aaden Clay Mijares Montenegro. Designed and built by the famous Architects in the country, Architect Vin Derick Valderama and Architect Calyx Zachary Villegas. Itong building na
"Pak na pak! Parang sinapak! Ang ganda mo talaga seswa. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit parang batang umiiyak si Sir. Lt nung naabutan ko siya sa gulayan ni Ate Norma noon eh. Sino ba ang hindi made-deads sa beauty na yern ha?" Pumalakpak pa ito pagkatapos gawin ang mukha ko.It was Avery who is talking non-stop.Kanina pa ito puri ng puri sa akin. Akala ko hindi na ito aabot ngayon para make-up-an ako pero bigla na lang sumulpot. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. Satisfied as to how Avery made me look today. I didn't expect na ganito kagaling si Ave, she made me look like a totally different person. My long black hair is tied neatly into ponytail making me look more sophisticated. Complimented with a bloody red lipstick, smoky eyes, highlighted cheek bones replacing all the soft features of my face making me look fiercer and dangerous. Clad in an extravagant black gown I personally designed for myself for this occasion. Plunging V-neck with mermaid high split evening d
"Are you happy with my surprise, Tita?"I couldn't describe the fear in Tita Azon's face as soon as she realized that the woman in the wheel chair is alive. She tensed and paled, para siyang nakakita ng multo..buhay na multo. Kung pwede lang siguro na tumakbo ito palabas ginawa niya na. But she can't do that 'coz my husband's men were already down stage.Her mouth parted as she looked at me. Nawala ang kaninang kumpyansa at yabang niya sa sarili. Pati si Tito Art na paiyak-iyak pa kanina parang natuklaw ng ahas. Ah hindi pala dahil siya pala mismo ang ahas. Ang anak naman nilang si Ariella, biglang nawala yung angas niya, namumutla din ang mukha nito. Hindi ko alam kung takot dahil sa kaalamang buhay ang mommy at daddy ko o sa katotohanang alam niya ang ginawa ng mga magulang niya? And this could be their end."What? You're not surprised, Tita, Tito? Did I fail?" Kunwari malungkot kong tanong.Hindi pa rin gumagalaw si Tita Azon at Tito Art kulang ang salitang gulat para ilarawan ang
"I can't bear the pain anymore, Mama. Everyday I feel like I'm dying. I can't sleep, I am hearing my Addy's cries calling my name. I am seeing her face full of tears begging for mercy. Sobrang sakit sa puso ko Mama. Hindi ko na alam paano mapawi ang sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Parang na akong mamatay..." I fell on my knees and cried hard in front of my mother. I couldn't remember when was the last time I didn't cry. Since that day they took my Addy from me, walang oras na hindi ako umiiyak. Para na akong mababaliw sa sakit. Hindi ko alam paano ko ipagpapatuloy ang buhay ko kung wala na siya. It's been how many weeks but I still we couldn't find her. Everyday the passes by I felt like I'm dying. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang kalagayan niya. Kung may nag-aalaga ba sa kanya, kung may kinakain ba siya. Ilang beses na naming sinuyod ang lugar na huling pinagdalhan sa kanya pero kahit bali-baliktarin ko pa hindi ko pa rin siya mahanap. My Addy, my poor baby... "Stop blaming yours
"Balita ko nasa school niyo daw si Kuya Gaden mo? Magtuturo daw siya dun ngayon, nagkita ba kayo ni KUYA mo?"What the fuck, Villegas? Ang kapal ng mukha ni gagong e-emphasize na KUYA ako ni Adrianna. Kung sungalngalin ko kaya ang bibig niya makakatawa pa kaya siya?Tang-ina kanina ko pa tinatawagan ayaw akong sagutin. Sineserbatuhan ko pa ang gago para ihatid niya sa sasakyan ko si Addy pero pinili nitong asarin ako. "Kuya Gaden! Kuya Gors, kamo. Kuya Gors as in gorilla, Kuya. Banas ako dun sa gurang na yun. Alam mo bang siya ang math teacher namin? At alam mo ang ginawa niya sa amin kanina? Nagpabida lang naman siya Kuya, wala pa nagang naituro sa amin nagpa-quiz agad. Ang feeling niya pa, napaka strikto, konting galaw lang nilalapitan agad. Akala mo naman hindi siya naka-try mangopya noon. Panay pa ang tingin sa papel ko anong akala niya sa akin, bobo? Wow, siguro kung nagkataong magkakalase kami, tiyak ako siya ang mangongopya sa akin. Feeling niya!"I can imagine her beautiful f
"He's the man that I need but...he left me."I didn't sleep the whole night. Parang sirang palakang paulit-ulit na nagpe-play sa utak ko ang mga sinabi niya sa akin. I didn't left her, I am with her all the time. I may not be physically present but I make sure that I am there. I am silently taking care of her from afar. I just need to do that because I have to. Dahil ako mismo , hindi ako sigurado kung kaya ko bang kontrolin ang sarili ko pagdating sa kanya. Simpleng pagdikit nga lang ng katawan namin noon iba na ang nararamdaman ko ano pa kaya ngayong dalaga na siya. Ayokong bastusin siya kahit sa utak ko pero minsan hindi ko nako-kontral ang reaksyon na aking katawan. I don't want my obsession with her to go too far. My conscience is stressing me every time I'm jerking inside her bathroom for fucking sake. I'm no saint I know, kaya habang maaga pa at habang kaya ko pa umiwas na ako. Sinunod ko ang utos ni Daddy dahil alam kong para rin yun sa ikabubuti ko...sa ikabubuti ng lahat.
I am with my friends inside the VIP room in Z lounge. Ang bagong bar na pagmamay-ari ni Dominguez. After kung makipag-usap kay Dad kanina na gusto ko nang magretire sa trabaho ko dumiritso na agad ako dito. He asked me what's the reason behind and I told him that I need to 'focus' on guarding my Addy at mahirap na baka masalisihan ako lalo na ngayong dalaga na ito. Muntik pang mabilaukan si Daddy ng kape na iniinom niya dahil sa rason ko pero Dad as usual, he supports all my endeavors. Si Mama lang ang inaalala namin at baka kapag nalaman niya ang totoong dahilan ko ay baka makutusan niya ako."Are you sure with your decision anak?" malambing na tanong ni Mama sa akin. Pinatawag nila ako ni Daddy ngayon. Pasimple kong tiningnan si Dad baka kasi pasekreto niya ding sinabi kay mama ang dahilan tiyak malilintikan ako pero mabilis din itong nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin. Mom is always a cool mama, kalmante at palaging mahinahon pero ngayon mas mahinahon pa ito, mas kalamante at halatang
"I'm having my period, Daddy."I thought I studied everything about her but I was wrong, there's one thing I missed. I missed to study this part, that's why I'm paranoid. I don't know what to do, I'm not prepared for this. I even called my Mom what to do with her because she said she felt a little bit discomfort. Mom, told me what to do, but still, hindi ako mapakali. I think we really need to see a doctor. "Please calm down, I'm okay."How could I calm down kung sa tingin ko namumutla siya? Baka maubusan siya ng dugo. Tsaka, is it not too early for her to have a period?"Tita Doc, it's her..." I stopped and look at her. I don't know kung pang-ilang araw niya na ngayon."I had it last night..." she answered shyly."Kagabi pa pala nag-start Tita." I continue talking to Tita Divine. I told her everything that Adrianna told me about what she feels inside. "It's all normal for a teenager like her. Just tell her to be careful...you know what I mean right?"Yes I know what she meant by th
"How are you, baby?"Her beautiful sad eyes welcomed me when I sat beside her. She didn't say anything, she just smiled and look away after.Sa tuwing dinadalaw ko siya ganito ang palagi ko nadaratnan. She's alone, malayo ang tingin at malungkot ang mga mata.It's been a year since that incident happened. But I know still she hasn't recovered. I feel so sorry for her .She's too young to be in this situation." I bought something for you. I hope you'll like it." I said and motioned the gift box I brought for her.These are sets of girly stuffs like colorful nail polish, hair curler, hair clips, make-up set, lip and cheek tint for kids. I googled all these, since I don't know what are the likes of young girls like her. I even ask the saleslady in the mall if these stuffs I bought are safe for her to use.I also bought her set of sketch pads and colorful pens and pencils. The house helper told me that she likes to draw, perhaps that's her way to make herself busy since she's always left
Ang sabi ni Mama, wag ko daw punuin ng galit ang puso ko. Dahil kapag pinuno ko ito ng galit wala ng space para sa mga bagong biyaya. Kaya lumaki akong wala akong dinadalang galit sa aking dibdib. Kahit sa tunay kong ama na tumalikod sa amin hindi ako galit.Tinanong ako ni Mama isang beses kung gusto ko bang malaman kong sino ang totoo kung ama, sinagot ko siya na hindi na.Kuntento na ako sa kanila ni Daddy. Kung noon madami akong tanong sa utak ko bakit niya kami iniwan, ngayon natutunan ko na ring tanggapin na may mga bagay talaga na hindi para sa amin. At baka isa na doon ang tatay ko, baka nga hindi siya para sa amin ni Mama.Pero kahit ganun pa man ang nagyari, malaki pa rin ang pasalamat ko sa kanya. Dahil sa kanya, nabuhay ako sa mundong ito. At kung saan man siya naroroon ngayon, dasal ko na sana masaya siya.Na sana maayos ang buhay niya. Kung darating man ang araw na magkikita kami, siguro nakatadhana na yun. Hintayin ko na lang ang araw na yun para sa amin."Your father is
"From now on, you will treat that baby like she's your younger sister. Inaanak na namin ng mommy ang batang yun kaya para mo na din itong itong kapatid."Kapatid? Hell no! Ayoko siyang maging kapatid. Kung may gusto mang akong maging kapatid yun ay si baby princess na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nahahanap ni Daddy. Siya lang ang gusto ko, hindi si baby girl."Ang ganda ng baby nila Hon, parang doll." Si mommy. "Gawa tayo ng--" pero hindi natuloy ni Daddy dahil tinakpan ni Mommy ang bibig niya.I'm listening to Dad and Mom, they're whispering words to each other but my focus was not on them really. Nakatingin ako sa labas bintana, pinapakiramdaman ang aking sarili kung bakit hanggang ngayon sobrang lakas parin ng tibok ng puso ko.Kanina ko pa ito napansin, kahit nung nagsimula na ang binyag at nakatingin lang ako sa bata pakiramdam ko kumakawala ang puso ko. Yung mga ngiti niya parang nanghahalina. Di kaya namaligno ako ng bata? Pero may maligno bang ganun ka ganda? No hindi malign
A week after my graduation in grade six, nagulat na lang ako ng biglang nagtanong si Mama sa akin na kung ayos lang ba sa akin na luluwas kami ng Maynila. May nag-offer daw ng trabaho sa kanya bilang waitress doon. May mga taga Manila daw na kumain sa karenderya na pinagtatrabuhan niya na naghahanap ng mga empleyado para sa bagong bukas na resto. Maganda daw ang offer sa kanya, mas malaki ang sahod kesa sa trabaho niya ngayon bilang washer plus may kasama pang accomodation para sa amin.That means new place, new adjustments. I have to leave again the life I had in Davao and start a new life in Manila. Pero wala akong problema kahit saan man, ayos lang sa akin. Ang mahalaga para sa akin ay kasama ko si mama saan man kami mapadpad. I trust my mother's choice. I will always honor whatever decisions she make."Sol, ito ang magiging tirahan niyo ng anak mo." Inilibot ko ang tingin sa apartment na sinabi nung manager ng resto kung saan magtatrabaho ang mama ko. Siya yung sinasabi ni Ma