-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Two months later~“Here, these are your calcium and ferrous sulphate. Take them once a day, okay?” My OB reminded me. “You did get a tetanus shot too, right?”“Yes, I did.” I answered with a nod.“Good, balik ka na lang kung may nararamdaman kang kakaiba o di kaya kapag naubos na ang vitamins mo.” She proclaimed. “Okay po, salamat po talaga.” Sagot ko. “Matanong ko lang din po kung ano ang nakalagay na due date ko sa chart niyo.”“Right.” She answered back. “It says here, March 21st is your due date.”“Okay, salamat po dito, Doc. Aalis na po ako.” Wika ko sa kanya.“Sige, mag-iingat ka. Wag mong kalimutan ang prenatal vitamins mo.” Paalala nito muli.I nodded in agreement before heading out, my hand caressing my belly as I head to my brother's car.“So? How did it go?” Lez asked me as soon as I made the final step.“Doctor Fernando gave me vitamins, of course.” Sagot ko.“Wala naman silang nakitang complication? Kay baby?” Tanong niya at sak
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~♪~“Hi, how are you?” Tanong ni Ria nang makapasok na sila ng hospital room.“Still sore.” Sagot ko at saka tumawa ng bahagya.“Groggy?” Tanong ni King.Tumango ako. “Asan si Momma?”“Nasa labas, hinihintay si Dad.” Sagot ni Lez nang masara niya ang pinto. “We're so proud of you, Ems.”“Yeah, nakayanan mo ang lahat. And we are thankful for that.” Wika ni Clydel.“I couldn't have done it without you guys, you helped me a lot.” Sagot ko sa kanila. “Especially Ria and Lez.”Napalingon kami nang bumukas muli ang pinto, and seeing Dad teary-eyed as he stared at me caused me to smile a bit.“Nasaan si baby?” Biglang sambit ni Momma nang makalapit ito sa akin.“Natutulog.” Sagot ko at saka tiningnan ang baby na nasa tabi ko.“May pangalan na ba siya?” Tanong ni Dad.“Nag-iisip pa ako, eh.” Sagot ko.“Let's name her Marie.” Saad ni Ria. “Para pareho kami.”“Kayla.” Suhestiyon ni King. “Kayla Marie.”“Pwede rin yun.” Wika ni Lez. “Or, Ria Corleen.”“I
-(JEAN EVOLET LUXEMBOURG POV)-~§~“What?” She asked shockingly.“You heard me, I’m pregnant.” I answered happily as I talked with her through the phone.“Oh my gosh, I’m so happy for you Eve. Congrats.” She answered back. “You are finally going to have a baby.”“God does indeed answer prayers, Lyn.” I intoned. “And I can't wait to see her.”“Make me a godmother once she's in your arms.” She answered happily.“Sure, I’ll never forget about that.” I said. “We should celebrate right now.”“Celebrate?” She asked. “Where?”“Here, at our place.” I answered. “I’ll text you the address.”“You're in the Philippines, right?” She asked. “If you're in some country, I can't go.”“Yes, we’re in the Philippines right now. My husband's working here for the meantime.” I retorted.“Okay, I’ll bring my daughter with me if that's fine.” She said. “I don't want to leave her.”“Of course, that way I can meet her too.” I answered happily. “I'll hang up now, I’ll text you the address.”“Okay, bye bye.” She
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~As the car came to a halt in the driveway, hindi ko maiwasan ang kabahan dahil pamilyar na pamilyar ang bahay na nasa harap namin.Puta..“Let’s go.” She started as she opened the driver's door.Akmang sasagot pa ako ngunit lumabas na ito ng kotse, at hindi ko maiwasan ang pagpawisan ng malamig dahil sa nakikita at nararamdaman ko.“Ma, nasaan po tayo?” Tanong ni Deanna.“Nasa bahay tayo ni Tita Eve, nak.” Sagot ko na lang at saka lumabas ng kotse.Pinagbuksan ko na rin ng pinto si Deanna at pinalabas ito, and seeing my plants outside of the yard thriving had me teary-eyed.“Mommy, are you alright?” Tanong nito muli.“I’m fine, darling.” Sagot ko. “Tara na, pasok na tayo.”“Beautiful, isn't it?” Eve asked as she waited in front of the doorstep.“It is.” I answered with a small smile.Heading inside, the first thing I saw was the painting I painted for him. It was still hanging on the wall, yet everything around it changed.From the walls p
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~♪~“Where have you been? It's late.” Wika ni Lez nang makarating na kami sa bahay.It was 8:30 in the evening, and Deanna already slept while we head home. And I couldn't erase the scene from a while ago.(Emy…)(Anong ginagawa mo rito?)Everything felt different, and he was–he was so matured looking. Those cognac brown eyes that were once filled with affection, were now filled with anger and disdain.“I am asking you, Emy.” Giit ni Lez na nakapagpabalik sa akin sa reyalidad.“Galing kami sa kaibigan ko.” Sagot ko na lang. “Iaakyat ko na muna si Deanna.”Kahit na tinatawag pa ako nito ay hindi ko na siya pinansin pa, at basta na lang nagtungo at umakyat ng hagdan bitbit si Deanna.~§~“Saan kayo galing, te?” Tanong ni Clydel nang makita niya ako sa backyard.“Galing kami sa kaibigan ko. Nag-celebrate lang.” Sagot ko bago sumimsim sa hawak na basong may wine.“Bakit parang hindi ka masaya?” Tanong naman niya ulit at saka umupo sa tabi ko.“Pag
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~♪~Kasalukuyan akong nasa balkonahe muli, at nilalasap ang simoy ng hangin habang tinitingnan ang buwan, at isang baso ng whiskey ang nasa kamay ko.“Theo, is everything alright?” She asked me for the fifth time.Ngunit hindi ko ito pinansin at sumimsim lang sa alak na hawak ko, hindi ko na rin alam kung ano ang pwede pang sabihin dito.“You’ve been avoiding me ever since Corlyn left, and I couldn't think of a reason for you to avoid me.” She stated. “I didn't do anything wrong or for you to get mad, but… I just want to say I’m sorry.”“Don't be.” I plainly answered before taking a sip once again.“Why not?” She asked again. “You’re like this because of me.”“No, no it's not.” I answered and faced her. “This is not your fault.”“Then why? Why are you avoiding me?” She asked again.“I have so many things in mind, and I don't want to open up.” I lied. “Especially with your state.”“You can at least talk to me, that way I can at least give you some comfor
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Kasalukuyan akong nasa mall, namimili ng mga regalo para sa anak ni Emy nang makita ko si Axzie kasama ang mga anak niya.“Oh, Lal. Kamusta?” Tanong nito na may ngiti sa labi.“Ayos lang ako, kayo?” Tanong ko naman. “Kamusta na si Kaji?”“Hanggang ngayon hindi pa umuuwi, busy daw sa trabaho.” Sagot nito. “Mabuti na lang tinutulungan ako ni Kuya Max mag-alaga.”“That's good to know, malaki na rin sila.” Giit ko at saka sumilip sa kanyang likod na kung saan nagtatago ang dalawa.“Oo nga, pero hindi sila sanay sa maraming tao.” Sagot naman nito. “Nao-overwhelm sila.”“Masasanay din sila, kung hindi, hayaan mo na.” Sagot ko na lamang. “Nga pala, kamusta na kayo ng asawa mo?” Tanong nito muli. “Narinig ko buntis daw siya.”“Oo, buntis nga.” Sagot ko at saka ngumiti nang bahagya.“Congrats, magkakaroon ka na rin ng anak.” Giit nito na may ngiti.“Oo nga, excited na ako.” Sagot ko. “Oh siya, aalis na ako. May pupuntahan pa ako eh.”“Sige, mag-iingat ka.”
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Nakarating kami sa isang parte ng bahay nila na kung saan walang gaanong tao, at hindi ko mapigilan ang inis na kanina ko pa nararamdaman.“What do you want to talk about?” I started. “Bakit ka nandito?” Tanong niya pabalik. “From what I know, hindi kita ininvite sa party ng anak ko.”“Ininvite ako ng kapatid mo.” Sagot ko. “And for the record, that's my child too.”“You're child?” She asked in disbelief. “She's not yours, Lal.”“She's mine.” I bravely answered. “You're both mine, Emerald.”“No.” She shook her head slightly. “We're not yours, and we broke up a long time ago. You already have a wife, so what's the big deal?”Hindi ako nakasagot dito dahil sa kanyang sinabi, ngunit isa lang naman ang pinunta ko sa party na ito.“Why can't you just let me see her and let me spend some time with her?” I asked. “It's not like I’m going to abduct her from you.”“I'm not going to allow that, and you have to leave whether you like it or not.” Sagot nito.“
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)- ~2 years later~ “Deanna! Halika na at malelate ka na!” Tawag ko habang nilalagay ang mga kailangan niya sa trunk. “Momma, I can't find my other shoe!” Sigaw nito na nagmumula sa loob. Nagtungo ako muli sa loob at kinuha ang lunchbox niya sa coffee table at tinulungan siyang maghanap, at mabuti na lang ay nakita ko ito. “Oh, ito. Suotin mo na.” Utos ko habang ina-alalay siya. Nang masuot na niya iyon ay kinuha ko na rin ang bag ko at sabay kaming lumabas, locking the door before heading to the car and made her sit at the back seat. “Momma, are we going to school?” Tanong niya habang ina-adjust ko ang seat belt nito. “Yes, darling. You’re going to school and Momma– Momma is going to work.” Sagot ko at saka siya hinalikan sa pisngi. “Isn't daddy ninong going to take me to school?” Tanong niya ulit. “No honey, because daddy ninong has work to do.” Sagot ko at saka nagtungo sa driver's side. Dali-dali ko nang pinaandar iyon at umalis, 30 minutes d
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)- ~•~ As I pulled up to the side of the road, nagtataka ako kung bakit may mga elf truck sa harap ng bahay nina Gelal, at ang daming lalaking naglalabas at nagpapasok ng mga gamit. “What the heck?” I whispered to myself and got out of the car. May namataan akong isang lalaking may hawak na clip board, ngunit bago ko ito tawagin ay may tumawag sa pangalan ko. “Yes?” Tanong ko nang namataan ko ang isang babaeng patungo sa akin. “You’re Emerald, yes?” Tanong nito pabalik na may bahagyang ngiti sa labi. “Ako nga, ba’t mo ako kilala?” Pagtataka ko habang hawak ang isang envelope. “Kuya told me everything about you, darling.” Sagot niya habang hindi umaalis ang ngiti sa labi. “Oh, okay. Kuya mo si Gelal?” I asked. “Never mind, nandito ba siya? Kailangan ko lang siyang-” “He’s not here, Emerald. He left.” Sagot nito sa akin. “Saan siya pumunta?” “He left for France, went to see his– I don't know. Wife?” Giit nito na parang hindi sigurado. “Oh– but, w
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Nang makapasok ako sa bahay ay inexcuse muna ni Mr. Luxembourg ang sarili dahil may aasikasuhin daw ito, at bago kami makasagot ay nagtungo na ito sa taas.“Eve-” Tawag ko ngunit nagtungo ito sa hallway.Sumunod naman ako rito bitbit ang aking mga bagahe, kahit pagod at puyat ako ay kinaya ko iyon.“This will be your room for now.” She stated.“How are you?” Panimula ko nang maituro niya sa akin ang guest bedroom.Kaming dalawa lang ang naroon, kung kaya’t inipon ko ang makakaya upang makausap siya.But even so, she didn't answer and just opened the door for me with the words “Dinner will be ready in 20.”And before I could say anything, she left. With no choice and due to exhaustion, I entered the guest room to settle my things.Patuloy kong minumura ang aking sarili habang inaayos ko ang mga gamit ko sa closet, at alam kong sinira ko ang kanyang tiwala– Big time.-(JEAN EVOLET LUXEMBOURG POV)-~•~As I was making some food for Gelal to eat, numer
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~Tuesday~“Sir, I have postponed every meeting you have including with your meeting with Mr. Ameer.” Panimula nito nang makapasok siya sa opisina.Tumango na lamang ako bilang tugon at saka ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa, ngunit hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang sinabi ni Emy sa akin nung nakaraan.(Tatanggapin ko kahit may kahati ako.)“Damn it, Ems.” I mumbled to myself and rubbed my forehead.“Sir, is everything alright?” Sambit ni Silas na naging dahilan upang mag angat ako ng tingin rito.“You're still here.” Sagot ko.“Akala ko po kasi may sasabihin pa kayo.” Sagot niya pabalik.“Wala, you may leave.” Utos ko rito na naging dahilan upang tumango ito at lumabas.Heaving a sigh, sumandal ako sa backrest ng swivel chair ko at tiningnan ang oras, seeing it was 4:40 in the afternoon.Sakto rin na tumunog ang aking cellphone, kaya kinuha ko ito at upang tingnan iyon.Eve: When are you arriving?She texted, yet I wasn't ready to reply. At least not yet.-(EMER
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~2:00~Patuloy akong naghihintay kay Gelal habang nasa harap kami ng bahay nito, at kahit ayokong umalis sa puder ni Callum ay mapipilitan ako.“Momma, why are we here?” Deanna asked as she yawned.“We're just waiting for Daddy Lal, okay? Kaunting tiis na lang.” Sagot ko at saka ito niyakap.“But I want to sleep na, Ma.” She yawned once again.Ngumiti na lamang ako nang bahagya at saka ito binuhat, letting her sleep in my arms as we waited.“Pasensya ka na kung nadamay ka sa gulo namin, nak.” Bulong ko rito at saka hinalikan ang kanyang noo.The cool breeze kept blowing as I waited, and I couldn't help but feel sleepy.A few minutes passed by, but there were still no headlights heading towards this direction, which caused me to sigh and close my eyes for a bit.-♪-“Emy.” Someone murmured my name, and all of which seems to be a blur.“Emy.” It called once again. “Emy, wake up.”As I came to my senses, with my vision getting clear once again, I
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~That night~“Babe, ayos ka lang ba?” Tanong ni Callum habang ako'y nakatingin sa may bintana.Nasa kwarto ako ngayon at pakiramdam ko wala akong ganang kumain, and to be honest, I want to be alone with my thoughts for a while.“Hey, what's wrong?” Tanong ulit nito, at ramdam kong lumubog ang isang parte ng kama.“Nothing.” Sagot ko na lang. “I want to be alone for a while.”“But Deanna is looking for you.” Sambit nito, forcing me to look at him as I felt his thumb and finger on my chin.Even though he said something, I didn't feel the need to answer him, and just looked away once again.“Can you please tell me what's wrong, Emy?” Tanong nito sa huling pagkakataon, ngunit hindi pa rin ako sumagot.Silence enveloped us and there was nothing I could think of an answer for him, all I could do was stare and remember the scene where-“Are you thinking about him?” He asked again.“Who?” I asked and looked at him.“Gelal.” Sagot niya, and there was s
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Friday~“Nasaan si Gelal?” Panimula ni Lez nang makarating ito sa hospital.“Parating na yun.” Sagot ko at saka nilagay sa bag ang aking cellphone.“Sana sa kanya nga si Deanna, hindi ako papayag kung ang gagong yun ang ama.” Wika nito at saka tiningnan ang bata sa tabi ko.“I thought you hated each other? Bakit parang nag-iiba na ang ihip ng hangin ngayon?” Biro ko sa kanya.Tumawa na lamang ito bilang tugon at nag-usap muna kami ng ilang minuto habang hinihintay si Gelal, hanggang sa dumating na sina Dad ay wala pa rin ito.“Nasaan na ba ang asawa mo, Emerald?” Tanong ni Dad sa akin habang nakakunot ang noo. “May aasikasuhin pa ako sa opisina.”“Baka po na-stuck lang sa traffic.” Sagot ko. “Tawagan ko na lang po ulit.”Kinuha ko muli sa bag ang aking cellphone at akmang pipindutin ang kanyang numero, nang biglang sumigaw si Deanna at saka umalis.“Deanna!” Tawag ko ngunit nakita ko na sinalubong pala nito si Gelal.Pinanood ko itong buhatin
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“Silas.” Tawag ko mula sa intercomm.“Sir?” Tanong naman niya.“Nakapag-book ka na ba?” Tanong ko rito. “Pumunta ka nga dito sa office.”Nang inalis ko ang aking daliri sa intercomm ay sakto rin itong pumasok sa loob, all while holding a cup of coffee and a croissant.“What is it, Sir?” He asked again and took a bite.“Gusto ko lang malaman kung bukas ako aalis, or next week.” Panimula ko at saka inikot ikot ang ballpen.“Next week Wednesday ang flight niyo, Sir.” Sagot niya. “Bakit po?” “Nothing, I just realized I still have a shitload of work to do.” I intoned. “You may go.” Tumango na lamang ito bilang tugon at saka umalis, leaving me alone with my thoughts.(If you don't arrive within a week, I will blow you to bits.)Heaving a sigh, I rubbed my forehead due to frustration. And there was nothing I could do except finish these before leaving.-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Verdanio Residences~Kasalukuyan kaming nasa main residence
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Habang ako'y nasa trabaho ay laking gulat ko nang makareceive ako ng mensahe mula kay Gelal, at nagtataka rin ako kung bakit.Theo: I’m dropping Deanna at your place, I need to be somewhere urgent.Tiningnan ko ang oras, seeing it was 10 in the morning. Kaya walang alinlangan akong nagreply rito.Ems: Last week mo lang siya kinuha, why so sudden?Theo: Evolet’s bleeding.Just by seeing his reply, I couldn't help but worry for his wife. And worry for his safety…-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)--♪-“Silas, is everything booked?” Tanong ko habang kami ay papunta sa office.“Yes, Sir.” Sagot nito. “Your flight will be on Wednesday night.”“Sige, cancel my meetings from Thursday to Saturday.” Utos ko rito bago ibaba ang tawag.Hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi kabahan para kay Eve, at pilit kong sinisisi ang aking sarili dahil sa sinapit nito.Kailangan ko na rin ipa-DNA test si Deanna, para bago ako umalis ay panatag ako na akin siya.“Daddy, where