Chapter 1

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-

-❀-

~October 2, 20xx~

“Saan ka pupunta?” Napalingon ako sa may gawing living room nang may magsalita.

“Aalis na ako.” Sagot ko, pointing at my suitcase as I held its handle.

I watched as he placed the newspaper down, standing up from his seat and looked at me with a serious look on his face.

“Babalik ka ng US?” Tanong nito muli na nakataas ang isang kilay.

Tumango na lamang ako at inayos ang suot kong sweater, kahit na ayokong umalis ay kailangan dahil nagtatrabaho ako ruon.

“Okay ka na ba?” Tanong ni ate Sera habang ito'y may ginagawa sa kanyang laptop.

“Oo, ayos na ako.” Sagot ko rito pabalik upang wala ng mahabang usapan.

Tumango na lamang ito at akmang bubuksan ko na ang pinto nang marinig kong magsalita si Kuya.

“Don’t forget to take your antidepressants, tawagan mo kami kapag nababalisa ka ulit.” Wika nito.

Lumingon ako rito. “I will, salamat ulit.” Giit ko at saka ito niyakap.

“Mahal na mahal ka namin, Emy. Always remember that.” Bulong nito as he hugged me back.

Tumango ako bilang tugon at ramdam ko rin na sumali sa yakap si ate, their embrace brought me comfort and peace before deciding to let go.

“I should be going now.” Wika ko with a small smile on my face.

“Ingat ka, ha?” Paalala ni ate Sera na siyang tinanguan ko.

Umalis na ako sa condo nila at dali dali akong nag-para ng taxi nang makalabas ako ng building.

“Saan po Miss?” Tanong ng taxi driver.

“Sa airport ho.” Sagot ko naman at saka umandar ang taxi.

~†~

Nang makasakay na ako sa eroplano ay dali-dali kong minessage si Dean upang alam niya na ako’y darating.

Dean: Ayos ka na ba, love? 

As soon as I read his text, memories of that endearment came rushing down my mind, causing me to set my phone in aeroplane mode just so I could get my mind off of it.

-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-

~♪~

“Welcome home, babe.” Bulong ko nang makita ko ito sa arrival area.

“Emy.” I called, loud enough for her to hear.

Lumingon ito sa akin at agad kong nasilayan ang ngiti na nabuo sa kanyang mukha, quickly fastening her pace as soon as she saw me. 

I was met with a hug from her, a warm hug which I longed for. And I can't deny that I missed her, because I did, I really do…

"I miss you." She mumbled as she still hugged me.

"I miss you too, okay ka na ba?" Tanong ko naman nang humiwalay na ako sa yakap nito.

She nodded. "I'm getting better, and I'll be fine…" She answered with a small smile.

Tumango na lamang ako at kinuha mula sa kanya ang bagaheng bitbit nito, my free hand holding hers as we made our way towards the exit.

~•~

"Wow." She started as soon as I opened the door for her.

Nakarating na kami sa bahay nito dahil ayaw pa niya magstay sa bahay na tinutuluyan ko, I don’t know what’s her reason pero hindi na ako nagtanong pa.

"You like it?" I asked as I placed her luggage down.

"You customised my house… just for me?" She asked back as soon as she looked at me.

I nodded. "Yes, a change of scenery can also help you heal. That's why I customised your home." Sagot ko, a small smile plastered on my face.

Ngumiti ito at lumingon lingon sa paligid, kita ko sa kanyang mata na siya'y manghang mangha sa ginawa ko, at mabuti nalang talaga ay naisipan kong gawin ito.

"Babe, pwede ba dito na lang natin ilagay yung cabinet? Dito sa dulo." Giit nito.

"Saan?" Tanong ko naman nang isara ko ang pinto.

"Dito, sa may sulok. Para hindi naman ganun ka-noticeable ang cabinet pag may darating na bisita." Sagot niya habang nakaturo sa gusto niyang pwesto.

Tumango na lamang ako rito at saka lumapit sa kanya, tucking a few strands of her hair behind her ear as a small smile was plastered on my face.

"I missed you so much, babe." Wika ko habang nakatingin rito bago hapitin ang kanyang bewang.

"I missed you too…" Sagot nito at walang alinlangan ko siyang hinalikan.

Ramdam kong gumanti ito at ang kanyang mga braso ay pumulupot sa aking leeg, her tongue moving in sync with mine, her kiss giving back the same intensity, her fingers intertwined with my hair whilst we did it.

“Dean..” She mumbled as my kisses trailed down her neck.

“You don’t know how much I longed for this moment, babe..” I mumbled back before lifting her up, making my way towards her room.

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-

~•~

“I. Miss. You. So. Much.” He stated for the nth time as he kissed my lips.

“I missed you too, babe.” I answered as I giggled.

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa kwarto at kagagaling lang ako nitong angkinin, our bodies covered with a blanket, his arm wrapped around my waist, his free hand placed on my cheek.

“Isa pa.” Giit nito na ikinatuwa ko.

“Magpahinga muna tayo babe.” Sagot ko habang tumatawa.

“Alam mong wala sa vocabulary ko yan.” Sagot nito pabalik at saka pumatong sa akin bago halikan ang aking labi.

“Dean.” I called out as his kisses trailed down my chest.

“Just one more, babe…” He retorted hoarsely before feeling his shaft entering inside me once more..

Gosh…

-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-

~§~

"Kamusta ka?" Tanong ko nang masagot ko ang tawag.

Kasalukuyang akong nasa opisina at nag aasikaso ng mga papeles nang tumawag ito, hindi ko alam ang rason pero mas gusto ko na rin siyang tumatawag kaysa mag-overthink ng kung ano-ano tungkol rito.

"Eto, kakatapos ko lang maglinis sa kwarto natin, susme, ang daming condom na nasa ilalim ng kama. Napakaraming kalat." Sagot nito at saka tumawa.

I laughed softly. "Ikaw talaga, sabi ko sayo wag mo nang linisin ang kwarto. Hinayaan mo nalang sana si Aleine." Giit ko at saka binigyang atensyon ang kung sino man ang nagbukas ng pinto.

"Mas gusto kong ako na ang maglinis, kaysa si Aleine ang gumawa. Baka ano pa ang makita dito." Sagot nito.

"I'll talk to you later, Lane. May gagawin lang ako." Rason ko habang nakatingin sa taong umupo sa sofa.

"Okay, text mo nalang ako pag pauwi ka na. I love you." Wika nito at saka pinatay ang tawag.

 Binaba ko ang cellphone at saka sumandal sa swivel chair, my one eyebrow raised.

"Sino ka?" Tanong ko habang pinaglalaruan ang ballpen sa isang kamay ko.

"Sir, ako ho ito, si Jelyn. Kaibigan ni Miss Forsythe." Panimula niya at saka tumayo sa kanyang kinauupuan.

"What do you need?" I asked seriously.

"Gusto ko lamang ho kamustahin si Axzie, eh hindi naman ho sumasagot sa tawag ko." Sagot nito. "At saka-" Naputol ang kanyang sasabihin nang sumagot ako.

"Do I look like… a person who knows everything? Do I look like some sort of messenger to you?" I asked ominously before placing the pen down.

“No, Sir. I’m sorry for asking.” Sagot nito sa akin.

“You can leave.” Wika ko bago ituon ang atensyon ko sa mga papel na pinipirmahan ko.

Hindi ko na ito narinig pang sumagot at narinig na lamang sumara ang pinto, bumuntong hininga na lamang ako at saka binuksan ang laptop, upang matapos na ang aking ginagawa.

~♪~

~Night time~

"Welcome home, baby." Salubong ni Thylane nang makita niya ako sa harap ng pinto.

"Hi." Sagot ko at saka hinayaan itong yakapin ako nang makalapit siya sakin.

"I miss you." She mumbled bago halikan ang aking pisngi.

"I miss you too." Sagot ko at saka siya inakbayan, making our way towards the living room.

"Kumain ka na ba?" Tanong ko nang makaupo na kami sa sofa.

"Oo, kakatapos lang. Gusto mo bang kumain?" She asked and placed her hand on mine.

"Busog pa ako." Sagot ko na lamang rito at saka hinawakan ang kanyang kamay at hinalikan ito, noticing our wedding ring on her finger.

"Lal, you're home." Napalingon kami sa may gawing hagdan nang marinig namin iyon.

"Yeah, kadarating ko lang." Sagot ko as I watched him stride towards the living room as well.

"Ano? Kamusta ka? Hindi na sumasakit ang ulo mo?" Tanong nito as he sat down on the couch in front of us.

"Hindi na." I answered plainly.

“Oo pala, may naghahanap sa asawa ni Kaji. Acy ba pangalan nun?” Giit ko muli habang inaalala ang pangalan ng asawa ni Kaji.

“You mean Axzie?” He asked as he opened the newspaper.

“Yes, someone was looking for her awhile ago.” I answered.

“Bakit daw?” He asked again.

“Nangangamusta lang daw.” Sagot ko at saka inakbayan si Thylane.

"Tara, kain tayo." Bulong ng katabi ko na siyang tinanguan ko.

"Kain muna kami, Jace." Paalam ko at saka tumayo, seeing him nod while reading a newspaper.

Nagtungo kami sa dining room at saka naghanda ng dalawang plato at silverware, helping ourselves dahil umuwi na sina Aleine sa oras na to.

"Anong gusto mong ulam?" Tanong nito habang nagsasandok. "May afritada at ginataang papaya dito." Dagdag nito sa kanyang sinabi.

"Afritada na lang." Sagot ko bago uminom ng tubig. 

‘Anong gusto mong ulam, love? Magluluto ako.’ Hinilot hilot ko ang aking noo nang marinig ko na naman ang mga boses sa ulo ko, hanggang ngayon ay naguguluhan ako kung bakit ko ito naririnig.

“Is your head throbbing again?” Thylane asked which caused me to look up.

“No, it’s the voices again.” Sagot ko na lamang rito as soon as she placed the food down on the table.

“What are they saying?” She asked as she sat beside me.

“Some nonsense shit.” I lied before eating.

Love… I wonder….

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-

~A week later~

I was currently cleaning my room when I spotted a box underneath my bed, it wasn’t too big, not too small either. But I was curious about the contents inside.

“I wonder what this contains.” I whispered, my attention shifting on the letter that was sticked to its lid.

Unfolding the letter, I quickly familiarised the writing as soon as I started reading it.

My dear beloved Emy,

 My wife, I’ll be leaving this place that we once called ‘our home’. But, I am going to leave this gift that I am about to give you for your upcoming birthday in August. Just so you’ll have a remembrance of me. I want to say sorry for all of the pain and harm that I have caused in your life. Gusto ko lang sabihin na ikaw lang parati ang pipiliin ko, kahit sa susunod na habang buhay. Ikaw at ikaw lamang, sexy bunny. You will always have a soft and special spot in my heart, my princess. You are a half of my soul,  a light that I needed in my dark life, the oxygen that I needed in my lifetime, and the receiver of the love I give.

I love you… always, and forever my love… -Theo

I wiped the dust off the box before opening the lid, wondering if Dean ever saw this when he customised the house.

Shocked to what I saw, the contents inside was a vacuum sealed shiba inu toy, an emerald coloured ring, a necklace with my name, then a picture frame… the two of us in our paired sweater…

"Emy?" Napalingon ako sa may gawing pinto nang may marinig akong tumawag mula sa labas.

"In a minute!" I shouted as I put the lid back on and putting it under the bed.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at nagtungo sa may sala, opening the door para sa kung sino man ang nasa labas.

"Hi, Dean." Wika ko na may ngiti sa labi.

"Hello, tara labas tayo." Giit nito sa akin.

"Saan tayo pupunta? Pati may trabaho ka diba?" Tanong ko naman.

"It's my day off, kaya tara, ilalabas kita. Para naman hindi ka parating naka kulong sa bahay mo." Sagot nito as he reached for my hand and held it.

"I'll think about it, naglilinis kasi ako-" Naputol ang aking sasabihin nang sumabat ito.

"Come on, makakatulong sa depression mo ang gagawin ko. Kaya tara, para naman makalasap ka ng sariwang hangin." Wika niya at saka ngumiti sa akin.

Akmang ako’y sasagot nang tinaas nito ang kanyang daliri, placing it on my lips to prevent me from talking.

“No more buts, darling. Just get dressed, hintayin kita.” Wika nito muli.

 “Sige na nga.” Ayon na lamang ang naging sagot ko bago magtungo sa kwarto upang magbihis.

Maybe going out wouldn’t hurt, right?