"We're going upstairs. I will follow," sambit ni Neil sa family niya kahit na wala na siyang balak bumaba pa dahil mas gusto niya kasama ang wife niya kaysa sa kanila, at naglakad na siya papunta sa kwarto nilang mag-asawa.Pagkarating sa kwarto ay dahan-dahan binaba ni Neil si Wendy sa kama para hindi ito magising at dahil tulog na ito ay hindi na ito nakapagpalit so, he is thinking of changing her instead. Pero bago niya ito palitan ay naisip niya muna magpalit para diretsyo na siyang tulog after niya rito. And in just a few minutes ay lumabas na siya sa banyo all fresh and clean. Nang makita niya ang asawa ay kumuha siya nang white pajama and sat behind her to unbuttoned her dress when his knuckles brushes to her skin na nagpatigil sa kaniya at nagpagising sa alaga niya. For a second ay tumigil siya at tumingin sa ari niya to see na it's alive just because of that touch na hindi niya sinasadya."Tumigil ka," bulong niyang saway sa alaga niya between his thighs at nagpatuloy na siya
I don't know how to answer her question. If I said no then, she will think that everything that I did is just for a show. But if I said yes, she will think that I have feelings for her...that I am not ready to talk about."I—um..." I hesitated and I looked down because she might read my eyes that can tell a thousand words of how much I care for her as not just a contract wife but, as a woman that I like.Yes, I gotta admit I like her. She gives me a weird feeling every time we are alone and together. Just like last night when I got inside her. She's the only woman that gives me this kind of feeling that is overwhelming and very hard to explain. "If you are unsure and you don't know the answer then, don't answer it," she told and diverted her eyes to the food she is eating.While I raised my head to meet her eyes but she was shunning me. "Wendy...I—" I tried to explain my side but she cut me off."No, do not try to explain yourself because I already know that you are not ready to talk
"Are you sure you want to go with me to the hospital?" tanong sa akin ni Neil while I am combing my long and thick brown hair. "Yes, I'm sure. Okay na ako, okay? Sure na ako'ng tapos na ang period ko," matigas ko'ng replied sa kaniya to let him know na naiirita na ako sa tanong niya, then tumayo na ako sa upuan after fixing my hair. "I'm actually ready to go," nakangiti ko'ng sambit sa kaniya."Okay, if you say so. Let's go then," tugon niya na hindi na ako tinanong ulit at baka mabigwasan ko na siya.Mabilis lang ang byahe namin papunta nang hospital since malapit lang sa palasyo at dahil maraming reporters sa front door ay sa likod kami dumaan."Aren't they tired? They've been here for freaking five days straight," banggit ni Neil while driving paikot ng hospital."Wala, naghihintay talaga sila nang news from the palace kung kumusta na ang King. Kahit ako ay curious, eh. Not unless, someone would stand up at magsasabi kung ano ang totoong estado nang King," wika ko at nagkibit-bali
"Where's your husband? Mag-isa ka lang now sa kwarto?" tanong ni Diana over the videocall."Yes, apparently. Nasa ibang bansa siya now and closing a deal according to his Mom. I don't know," kibit-balikat ko'ng response at nahiga ako sa kama after combing my hair.Hindi ko na alam ang iba pang detalye since he is not responding to my texts and calls. Ewan ko sa kaniya. "According to his Mom? Are you telling me na hindi ka man lang tinatawagan or tine-text ng husband kuno mo para lang sabihin kung nasaan siya, or send you a message to greet you and say 'hi'?" sunod niyang tanong at kumunot na ang dalawang kilay niya."Yup, magtu-two weeks na. One week to go at kapag hindi pa rin siya nagpakita sa akin aalis ako dito at mag-isa ako uuwi nang Pilipinas just like what we talked about. Wala na ako pakialam sa kaniya. Bahala siya sa buhay niya," mariin ko'ng sinabi na may pagtatampo sa tono nang boses ko dahil two weeks na niya ako hindi man lang kinakumusta. Makita niya kapag siya bumali
Tanghaling tapat ng dumating si Princess Lorainne sakay ng puti niyang sasakyan."I will just change my dress and I will head to the hospital to visit Dad," bulong niya sa sarili na may pagmamadali at nag-park siya kaagad ng sasakyan, bumaba at pumasok sa loob ng palasyo nang napahinto siya dahil nakarinig siya nang ingay mula sa hagdanan."What's that noise?" tanong niya sa sarili at dahan-dahan siya na lumapit to see what's happening."Wendy!!!" sigaw ni Neil na may inis sa tono nang pananalita niya dahil iiwanan na lang siya basta-basta nang asawa niya kaya hinabol niya si Wendy na pababa na nang hagdan na may dalang maleta.Kumunot ang dalawang kilay ni Princess nang makita niya ang dalawa na nagsisigawan na naging dahilan kung bakit nagtaka siya kung anong pinag-aawayan nila kaya naman lumapit pa siya nang husto to hear what they are fighting about."I said give it back to me!!!" sigaw naman ni Wendy at padabog na hinabol si Neil dahil inagaw nito ang gamit niya. Habang si Princ
"Are you going back to the hospital later?" tanong ko sa kaniya while he hugged me from the back."Yes, I need to, at marami ako idi-discuss kay Dad since I am taking a break," sagot niya and he planted small kisses on my left shoulder na naka-exposed."Gaano kahabang break ang hiningi mo?" I asked more para alam ko kung aalis ba siya ulit at iiwan ako."Just one week at sabi ni Mom ako muna ang bahala sa other businesses ni Dad at baka ma-overfatigue siya. We don't want him to have another stroke," malungkot niyang replied at ipinatong niya ang baba niya sa kaliwa ko'ng balikat."I see. Um...aalis ka ulit?" tanong ko at lumingon ako sa kaniya."Yes. Pero 'wag ka mag-alala dahil from now on isasama na kita. Two weeks without you is fatal, baby. I wouldn't dare to do that again since you are capable of leaving me lalo na kapag may kasama ako ibang babae. Baka isang beses pa ako umalis at makita mo ako na may kasamang ibang babae, hindi na kita maabutan dito at hindi na kita mahanap. Se
Masaya na nagkukwentuhan ang King at Queen kasama si Princess Lorainne nang dumating sila Wendy at Neil. Nagbatian silang lahat nang lumapit si Princess sa nakababatang kapatid. "Let's talk for a minute outside and there's something I want to talk about with you," sambit ni Princess ng seryoso at tumingin siya sa parents nila. "Excuse us for a moment," aniya at hinatak na niya ang kapatid palabas ng kwarto.Pumunta silang dalawa sa walang masyadong dumadaan na tao at doon ay nagharap sila."Okay, we're safe here," wika ni Princess ng makasigurado siya na walang tao sa paligid nila by looking left and right around them."You're acting weird," banggit ni Neil dahil napansin niya na iba ang inaasta nito."Me, weird? Mabuti nga at ako ang nakarinig sa inyo ni Wendy at hindi si Mom and Dad, dahil kung hindi panigurado ay papagalitan kayo'ng dalawa. Lalo na ikaw," mariin na tinuran ni Princess at dinuro niya ang dibdib nito."Anong pinagsasasabi mo? Can you elaborate to me what you're sayi
"Mom, go ahead and go home. I will be the one to watch Dad. You've been here for days," sambit ni Princess sa Mom niya after nila kumain at nag-aalala na rin siya sa kalagayan nito. "No, my daughter. I will stay here. You should be the one to go home and I know you are tired from work. I have nothing to do anyways so, I will stay here and watch your Dad," banggit ni Queen Kristine na hindi nagpatinag sa anak niya at dahil alam niya na marami rin ginagawa ito.Samantala si Wendy at Neil ay nagliligpit ng mga pinagkainan nila, at hindi nakikisali sa diskusyon ng dalawa."No, Mom. I will watch Dad—" matigas na pagpupumilit na wika ni Princess nang bigla siya natigil sa sasabihin niya dahil biglang nagsalita ang Daddy niya."Go home, my daughter. I rather want my wife to watch me than you. And I know you have a lot on your plate right now so, go and have some good sleep. We will be fine here," tinuran ni King Noha na mas pinili ang asawa niya na makasama kaysa ang anak nila."You're just
[Sad music]KING NEIL'S POVNakangiti ako'ng malungkot habang pinagmamasdan ko ang kambal ko mula sa bintana nang NICU.Masaya ako at ligtas silang nakalabas kahit na premature sila pareho.Just hold on, my babies, I know na nahihirapan kayo ngayon pero don't worry nandito lang ako. Ako ang bahala sa inyo ng Mama niyo. Hindi ko hahayaan na mawala ang Mama niyo.[End of music] After a while, nabalitaan ko na lumabas sa media ang news tungkol sa asawa ko na naging dahilan kung bakit maraming media na naman ang nag-aabang sa akin at sa labas ng hospital to get a closer view, but I don't have time for them right now. May mas importante ako'ng gagawin kaysa harapin sila ngayon.I am looking for a heart donor since my wife is still in the ICU that the only things that keep her alive are the machines around her.Then the night came, and I came home only to see a lot of concerned people with candles in their hands in front of the palace.Oh, that moved me.And because of that, I lowered my wi
KING NEIL'S POVAfter ng coronation and giving my statement to everyone, we headed to the dining table where Dad and Mom are."I am so happy for the both of you," Mom recited na hindi nawawala sa mukha niya ang ngiti while looking back and forth at me and Wendy."Thanks, Mom," nakangiti ko namang replied."By the way, son, I and your Mom decided to go to South Korea since you're the King now and they also have their Queen, it's time for us to have a vacation," Dad mentioned while glancing at Mom na parang napag-usapan na nila ito."South Korea? And how many months are you two planning to stay there?" curious ko'ng tanong so I would know kung kailan sila babalik."We already talked about it, son, we are thinking of staying for good in South Korea and come to visit here whenever there's an occasion especially to my grandchildren. We don't want to miss the fun but also, we need to let you and your family alone," sagot ni Mom instead na pinaliwanag sa akin ang gusto nilang mangyari."You'
"I promise, 'Tay, I will bring justice to your death. Sisigaruduhin ko'ng makukulong ang may gawa nito sa 'yo at hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi ko siya nakikita sa loob ng prisinto. Pangako 'yan, 'Tay. Mahal na mahal kita, 'Tay. Hanggang sa muli," mariin na bulong ni Shane matapos mailibing na ang Tatay niya sa huling hantungan nito. King Neil then approached her and he comforted her with his gentle touch on her shoulders and back. ——"After seeing all the evidence, I hereby sentence, Mr. Luis Walt, his whole life in prison and his license be revoked forever. So order," the Judge dictated with his final verdict after all the three trials and he slammed down the gavel to the table. Napangiti si King Neil, Shane, Kristine, Noha, at Princess Lorainne nang marinig nila ang minimithi nilang tagumpay laban kay Luis, na kinuha na nang dalawang pulis at ipinasok na sa loob para dalhin ito diretsyo sa prisinto. Then, napayakap si Shane kay King Neil after ng lahat, ganunpaman, paglabas ni
"Someone wants to talk to you," sabi nang pulis kay Luis na nasa loob ng prisinto.Napatayo naman si Luis dahil sa sinabi nito at dumating ang isang lalaki na naka-office attire. "Attorney Sill," tawag nito sa lalaki at ngumiti siya rito."Your Father wants to talk to you," Attorney mentioned and he take out his phone to dial Luis' father's number."I don't want to talk to him. I know what he's gonna say. Anyway, I have something to tell you. Open my laptop, the password is Shane with capital S, and when you opened it there's a folder name on the desktop 'New King', open that and you'll see a lot of documents about our new King. I want you to hire someone, someone who could upload those documents on social media anonymously. Got it?" seryosong sabi ni Luis, instructing him what to do. "Hire someone? Luis, I'm doing this because we're friends but I'm not helping you do that. That's against the law," Attorney murmured in response as he also stated their connection to each other."Just d
'Tay.Ang Tatay ko.Ang tanging tao na nagpalaki sa akin simula nang mamatay ang Nanay ko, sinuportahan lahat ng gusto ko simula bata pa ako, at ang taong laging nagliligtas sa akin sa bingit ng kamatayan sa tuwing nalalagay ako sa piligro ay ngayon wala na.Hindi maaari ito.Mabilis kami pumunta sa pinakamalapit na hospital kung saan dinala ang parents namin pareho ni Neil, at tulad ng inaasahan ko, dahil naaksidente ang dating hari at reyna ay maraming reporters ang nakapalibot kaagad pero mabuti na lang at marami rin guards ang nakapalibot para protektahan ang privacy namin. At dahil kasama namin ang mga bata ay tinakpan namin ang kanilang mga mukha pansamantala para hindi kami pag-piyestahan ng mga ito. Kahit na masikip at maraming tao ay nagawa namin makapasok para malaman kung ano ba ang totoong nangyari nang makita ko si Luis na nakatayo at kinakausap ang isang pulis kaya nilapitan ko siya since siya ang tumawag sa amin at naghatid ng balita."Luis," tawag ko at binigay ko si Ga
After the picture taking and singing to the birthday celebrants ay sama-sama naman sila nagpa-picture like one big happy family, and then, everyone sat down at a long rectangular table and started to eat happily because all attention is on the twins who are both in the middle of their parents who are working like a team to take care of their children. Eventually, all went to the sea and swimming habang si Shane ay naiwan sa lamesa para magligpit kahit na may mga nag-aayos din na mga katulong nang lapitan siya ni King Neil at tulungan."Ako na. Go ahead and swim there, join them," malumanay na wika ni King Neil habang nililigpit ang mga pinagkainan nila."Nah, I'm good. Siguro mamaya na lang kapag wala nang araw. Mainit pa," replied ni Shane at naupo to take a rest for a minute."If that's what you want. Mamaya na lang tayo mag-swimming. Sabay tayo," malanding tugon ni King Neil at siya mismo ang kinilig sa sinabi niya."Sira," natawang sambit ni Shane dahil simula kanina pagkalabas n
Mabilis na bumaba pareho si King Neil at Shane nang hagdan para hanapin ang nawawala nilang mga anak nang napahinto sila dahil nakita nila ang mga bata na nakikipaglaro pareho sa Grandparents ng mga ito."Oh, gising na pala kayo. Sorry, I already get the twins out of your room because I heard them crying kanina at ng sumilip ako sa loob, I saw you two were still asleep kaya naman kinuha ko sila at naglaro kami rito. Don't worry I already gave them milk, your Daddy made it a while ago," banggit ni Kristine while playing with the twins.Napangiti at nawala ang kaba sa dibdib pareho si Shane at King Neil after nila malaman ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit nawala ang kambal sa kwarto nila."Kumain na kayo, mga anak. May food na sa lamesa since maaga kami nagising, at maya-maya ay pupunta na tayo sa Mall to buy a swimsuit and more clothes for beach party later in the afternoon. Yehey, it's the twin's birthday!" paalala ni Kristine sa mga ito, sabay sigaw cheerfully dahil araw na nang kambal
"Yeah, right." Shane rolled her eyes in response and turned her back to him to fix her and the kids' things."I'm telling the truth," pagtatanggol ni King Neil sa sarili niya at sinundan niya ito para tulungan."Yeah, yeah," kibit-balikat na replied na lang ni Shane at binuksan niya ang closet para iayos ang mga damit ng mga bata pero napatigil siya dahil nakita niya na punong-puno ito nang mga bagong damit, just like he mentioned. "I told you, you don't have to worry about kids' clothes, Mom and Dad already took care of it. And I told them not to overdo it but they still did," nakangiting sambit ni King Neil nang napansin niya na napatigil ito, while he is standing at her back. He then sighed because he couldn't stop his parents."Okay," napangiting wika ni Shane at umikot siya to unpack their things when she suddenly bumped into him.He was surprised too on her sudden turn kaya nang nakita niya ito na mahuhulog dahil sa pagbangga sa kaniya ay mabilis niya hinapit ang bewang nito pal
"Good morning, Dad and Mom," masiglang bati ni King Neil at sinamahan niya sa agahan ang mga ito.Samantala si Noha at Kristine ay nagulat sa masiglang bati nito na hindi nila batid dahil tanda pa nila nang bumalik ito sa sariling bansa ay mainit ang ulo nito pero ngayon ay tila nagbago ito na ipinagtataka nila."Good morning to you, too, son," sabay na bati nang parents nito."Did something happen last night and you're in a good mood? Because just the other day, you seemed in a bad mood, that seems you have a lot on your plate but now...you seem very lively," lakas-loob na tanong ni Kristine sa anak, na nakaupo sa harap nito."Well, Mom, Dad, I and Wendy—I mean Shane was talking and we had decided to celebrate the twin's birthday here. They are going to fly here next month," nakangiting anunsyo ni King Neil na hindi rin maitago ang excited sa mukha at katawan niya."Really?!" laking gulat na sambit ni Noha sa anak dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang balita nito."Yes, Dad, that's true. And