The following day... Aria is in the office with Ben this afternoon and discussing the campaign for Ariella. Ben told her that Randall paid for the campaign and added a compensation for the trouble Ariella made. Ayaw 'yong tanggapin ni Ben pero iginiit ni Randall dahil nahihiya sa inasal ng babae. "Hindi na itutuloy ang business niya pero binayaran pa rin ang project sa atin? That's a waste." Sarado ang pinto at walang makakarinig sa kanila kaya malaya silang makapag-usap sa Tagalog. "Yeah. Something came up. Ariella's first business will be closed down too." Sumandal sa swivel chair si Ben at bumuntong hininga. Kaya siya ipinatawag ni Nora ay dahil nalaman nito ang panggugulo ni Ariella sa opisina. News travel fast. Galing kasi si Nora sa agency at nagkasalisi sila ni Aria. Then she overheard Marinel talking to another staff about what went down on the meeting. Nahihiya si Nora sa inasal ng manugang lalo na at nasa office setting ang mga ito. "That's unfortunate. Sayang 'yong i
"W-What?" Biglang nataranta si Aria. Did Ben saw the similarities? Para siyang hihimatayin sa kaba, pero nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ito sa cellphone ay napakunot siya ng noo. "My brother is calling me. Excuse me for a second." Tumayo si Ben at sinagot ang telepono. Gusto niya sanang magpaalam na babalik sa desk niya pero hindi siya nabigyan ng pagkakataon. She wanted to give him some privacy at ayaw niyang pakinggan ang pag-uusap ng dalawa.She remained seated on her chair and because Aria has nothing to do, cellphone na lang ang pinagdiskitahan niya. Nagbrowse siya ng mga litrato ng kambal at parang nananadya ang memorya niya, ang larawan ni Randall nang maliit pa ito ay sumagi sa isip niya. Habang lumalaki si River ay lalo itong nagiging kamukha ni Randall. While Willow is half of her and Roxanne. Ang ugali ni Willow ay mukhang nakuha rin sa tiyahin kaya napakakulit. "Yes. Is there anything else I need to do? Perfect. So all we have to do is wait. Right, yes. Okay. I'll talk
Manila, PhilippinesTheir flight was uneventful but the kids looked like they enjoyed the flight. Aria saved enough money for business class kaya may leg room sila ng mga bata pati na si Manang. She figured she owe it to them including herself for not taking a trip home all these years. Na-enjoy pa ng mga bata ang panonood ng pelikula. Mahimbing rin ang naging tulog ng mga ito at nagustuhan ang pagkain. Her kids aren't picky with food ever since. Isa 'yon sa ipinagpasalamat niya dahil kinakain ng mga ito lahat ng inihahanda niya.River loves brocolli, while Willow loves carrots. Hindi mahirap pakainin ng gulay ang kambal dahil sinanay niya. Of course noong una ay may struggle rin. Salamat sa internet dahil nakakuha siya ng idea para maging appealing ito sa mga bata. She made shapes out of it and Aria would make up a story about the veggies. The kids love it. Bentang benta ito sa mga anak niya. A couple of people who works at the airport assisted them with their luggage. Itinuro lang
MANILA First day ni Aria sa trabaho ngayon at dahil hindi na Creative Manager ang posisyon niya, hindi niya maiwasan na hindi kabahan. She barely slept a wink last night, habang ang kambal ay mahimbing na nakatulog. The last three months went like a blur and time flies really when you're having fun. Aria enjoyed her vacation with the kids and her family. Kung saan-saan sila nagpunta at pinagsawa niya ang mga bata sa dagat. They met new friends in Batangas at araw-araw na may kalaro ang kambal na malapit sa edad nila. Nakita niya ang pagbabago sa mga anak. Willow became even friendlier habang si River ay nagiging madaldal na rin. Aliw na aliw ang mga lolo at lola niya sa dalawang bata at nadagdagan na rin ang timbang ng mga ito dahil kung ano-ano ang kinakain sa hapag. Medyo nalungkot ang mga lola ni Aria nang lumipat sila sa Maynila ng mga bata kasama si Manang. Nasanay kasi ang matanda na nasa Batangas sila at magkakasama sa bahay. Pero naiintindihan ng mga ito na mas convenient 'y
Inilahad ni Randall ang kamay kay River and the moment the little boy touched his hand-- Randall felt complete. He picked the boy up at habang karga niya sa magkabilang braso ang dalawa ay hindi man lang siya nakaramdam ng ngalay. "Smile, Daddy." Itinaas ni Willow ang magkabilang gilid ng labi niya para magmukha siyang nakatawa. He saw a little bit of Aria and her sister Roxanne at the little girl. "What's your name?" Sa wakas ay nakuha rin niyang magsalita. They were still standing outside at pakiramdam niya ay tumigil ang lahat sa paligid niya. The moment the kids called Aria's name, at nakita niya ang mga ito palapit ay dumagsa ang mga katanungan sa isip niya. "Willow." Nilingon nito ang kapatid. "Daz Yi-ver. And that's Lalang." Itinuro ni Willow ang matandang babae na kasama ng mga ito sa taxi. "Mama." Randall faced Aria at bakas ang pinaghalong guilt at kaba sa mukha ng babae. Hindi niya alam ang sasabihin dahil kasama nila ang mga bata. Ayaw niyang makita ng mga ito kung s
"Did you leave a note? Any contact details?" Umiling si Aria. "Then how am I supposed to find you? Am I supposed to guess? We wouldn't have this problem if you didn't leave me that morning," inis na wika sa kaniya ni Randall.Finally, he is showing emotions. Iyon ang hinihintay ni Aria. She can't stand his coldness. Kulang na lang ay gawin siya nitong ice sculpture. "Are you putting the blame on me?" "Sa akin ba dapat? Ako na nga ang nagmagandang loob na iuwi ka." Napanganga si Aria sa sinabi nito. Ang lagay ay kasalanan pa niya kaya siya nabuntis. Hindi naman niya ito pinilit na makipag-sex!"Nagmagandang loob ka kaya nabuntis ako. If you didn't take me to your house o kung kanino mang bahay 'yon, we wouldn't be in this situation."Randall smirked. "So you don't remember anything that night?" Kumunot ang noo ni Aria. "Hindi mo maalala na tinanong mo ako kung frigid ka?" Randall cleared his throat. "I told you I wouldn't know and you should just sleep on it, pero ayaw mong makinig.
Move in together. She was not expecting that at all. Was she expecting marriage? No, of course not. Two people should get married because they love each other and they want to spend their lives together-- not because they have a child together. It's usually marriages like that don't last. And if their marriage survived, that's because they worked really hard to keep it together. By working together, it means meeting halfway and making sacrifices along the way. "Aren't you married?" bulalas ni Aria. Napalakas yata ang boses niya kaya nagulat si Randall. Ngayon lang niya napansin na wala itong suot na singsing. So what, maybe he took it off. A lot of married men do that on TV. What's the difference in real life?"I'm not married." Kumunot ang noo ni Aria at magsasalita pa lang sana pero naunahan na siya nito. "I was never married.""P-Pardon?" "Long story but the marriage was not valid." Gusto sanang magtanong ni Aria kung ano ang nangyari but she figured it's not the right time. Mukh
Pagkatapos ng meeting ay gusto ng umuwi ni Randall at isama ang mag-iina niya sa bahay. He lives about forty minutes away. Ayaw niyang tumira sa condo kaya naghanap siya ng isang bahay na may apat na silid. He bought the house a month ago when Ben told him to take the CEO position. Palagi kasing mainit ang ulo niya so Ben suggested for Randall to spend some time in the Philippines. Kapag nasa New York ay maaalala lang niya ang nangyari at hindi siya makakamove-on. FLASHBACK Nasa conference room sila at kaharap niya si Javier. Katabi ni Randall ang lawyer at hinihintay nila si Ariella. As usual, late na naman ito at pa-importante. The lawyer has the result of the DNA test at selyado 'yon. Nang bumukas ang pinto at iluwa si Ariella na posturang postura ay walang mababakas na emosyon kay Randall. Pormal ang lalaki at wala siyang planong makipagkasundo kay Ariella kahit pa mapatunayan na anak niya si Aleli. It's over between them. Ariella tried to give Randall a kiss pero kaagad na um
The love you take is equal to the love you make. Hindi ka dapat maghangad ng higit pa sa kaya mong ibigay. If you are meant to have it— it will be handed to you even without asking for it. Sa buhay, importante na matutong mahalin at pahalagahan ang pamilya, pagkakaibigan, at higit sa lahat— ang sarili. Dahlia learned it the hard way compared to others. Aria had it all and lost everything in just one night. Gary was weak and succumb to the call of the flesh. Randall played the field and the past caught up to him. Ariella was sick but refused to get help. And then there's Alicia, who loved her daughter dearly but was quick enough to turn her back when she gave her disappointment. The truth is, life is never going to be perfect and people will not always have what they want— and that's okay. Learn to be okay with it because there is always a reason behind it. Most often than not, if you are not given what you want, it is because you will given something better. Life is not a walk in
Humahangos na dumating si Dahlia sa hospital at kaagad na tinanong ang nurse kung nasaan ang asawa niya. Gary on the other hand was still in surgery. A few minutes later, dumating ang mga magulang ni Gary. Pugto ang mga mata ng ina nito at bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng ama. Hindi pa rin nila alam ang buong pangyayari. All they have are bits and pieces of information from the police. They sat at the bench across from the operating room and waited for someone to come out. Tahimik na lumuluha si Dahlia. She is close to accepting defeat. Ang kaalaman na itinaya ni Gary ang buhay nito para kay Aria ay nagpapatunay na totoong mahal ng asawa niya ang dating girlfriend nito. It was painful. So painful that all these years, kasal na sila at nagkaanak ay hindi siya nagawang mahalin nito. Isang malaking sampal para sa kaniya 'yon at sapat para magising siya sa katotohanan na kahit ano'ng gawin niya, hindi niya mapapalitan si Aria sa puso nito. Her biggest mistake was betraying her friend and
One week later...The driver parked the car in front of the coffee shop. Naunang bumaba si Randall at inalalayan si Aria. She wanted a specific pastry kaya bago sila pumunta sa police station ay dumaan muna sila roon para bumili. Maayos na ang pakiramdam ni Randall at ang sumunod na check up ay walang naging problema. His wounds are healing nicely. Hindi magtatagal at gagaling rin ng tuluyan ang mga 'yon. "Can we eat outside for a bit? May oras pa naman at malapit na tayo sa police station," tanong ni Aria kay Randall nang maibigay ang order. "Sure. Let's stay here for a bit. Masarap?""Taste it. It's good." Aria's smiling kaya paniwalang paniwala naman si Randall na masarap nga. It turned out that it was very sour. May tamis rin pero napakaasim."M-Masarap nga." Pinigil ni Randall ang mapangiwi dahil ayaw niyang ma-offend ang asawa."Sabi ko sa 'yo e. Masarap talaga itong super lemon." Pinili nila ang pwesto sa may gilid. Nasa harap lang 'yon ng coffee shop at malapit sa sidewalk.
Naririndi na si Aria sa palitan ng salita ni Gary at Ariella. And they are starting to draw attention as well from the neighbours. It's a gated community with a nice neighbourhood. The visitors only need to present a valid identification and they can get in. If they look suspicious, the guard would call the owner of the house to validate the guest seeking entrance. Aria guessed Gary and Ariella didn't look suspicious so they let them through. "Can we please stop this? I don't know why the both of you are here but my husband just came home yesterday and we don't need this stress," wika ni Aria sa dalawa. Pinilit niyang magpakahinahon. The sun is getting hot and Aria wants to go inside the house too. Para matapos na lang ay aayusin niya ang pakikipagusap sa mga ito. "You don't need to see me. Si Randall ang gusto kong makausap." Iritable na si Ariella at pinagpapawisan na rin ito. Aria noticed the old car. Sigurado siyang hindi kay Gary 'yon. It must be Ariella's. "Ang loverboy mo na l
"YOU WILL NEVER BE WITH HER!" sigaw ni Dahlia. Nagising si Gary na pawis na pawis at parang umaalingawngaw pa rin ang boses ng asawa niya. It's not even six in the morning. Hanggang panaginip ay nadala niya ang huling sinabi sa kaniya ni Dahlia bago siya umalis. He is currently staying at his parents' home until he finds a new place. Balak niyang ibigay ang condo sa anak nila ni Dahlia. She would be the guardian of the child until such time. Hindi naman niya pwedeng paalisin ang mag-ina niya roon dahil walang uuwian si Dahlia. Her sister already sold their old house at bumili rin ito ng one bedroom condo. He's staying home today. Wala siyang ganang pumasok sa opisina. Simula nang maghire siya ng private investigator para kay Randall noon ay hindi na niya nasilip ang finances nila. He spent seventy thousand pesos to get information pero nauwi lang 'yon sa wala dahil alam na ni Aria ang lahat at tanggap nito ang nakaraan ni Randall. Ang akala niya ay magbabago pa ang isip nito kapag n
Na-discharge si Randall nang sumapit ang hapon. Additional tests were done and all returned normal so the doctor was comfortable to send him home. After three days ay babalik si Randall para sa check up. It helped that he was wearing a seatbelt then, but also— having a good vehicle helps. Kapag kasing-nipis ng lata ang body ng sasakyan, mas malala ang pinsala.“Daddy!” halos magkapababay na bati ni River at Willow sa ama. They truly missed him.“Careful with Daddy. He can’t lift yet so just hold his hand.” Nakinig naman ang kambal sa ina.Sinundo sila ng driver kanina sa hospital habang si Roxanne at Nora ay naiwan sa bahay para mag-asikaso sa pagdating nila. Nang makakain ng hapunan ay si Aria ang nag-intindi sa mga anak. Randall waited for the kids in bed and told them a bedtime story then kissed them goodnight. Masaya ang lahat na nakauwi na si Randall. Aria called her parents and told them as well pati na ang mga lola niya na walang tigil ang pagdarasal.They were already in bed
Roxanne didn’t leave until after dinner. Pinauwi niya ito para makapahinga at kagaya ng pinag-usapan nila ni Mama Nora, kung hindi pa gigising si Randall ay itatransfer na ito sa hospital sa Maynila. Hindi maiwasan ni Aria na isipin na baka may hindi nakita ang doktor kaya hindi pa rin nagigising si Randall. Aria already called the police and told them what happened with Ariella and Gary today. She is hoping it will help Randall’s case. Iimbitahan ng pulis ang dalawang binanggit niya para sa ilang katanungan. Naupo siya sa tabi ng kama ng asawa at hinaplos niya ang kamay nito. Inilapat niya ang pisngi roon at pumikit. When Randall wasn’t in her life before, mahirap pero kinaya niya. Pero nang iparanas nito kung paano siya mahalin, Aria didn’t want to spend another day without him in her life. She can’t imagine what her life is going to be like. “Baby, can you wake up now? Please.” Nangatal ang mga labi ni Aria at nagsimulang humikbi. "The children need you." Her voice broke. "I nee
“I—“Hindi pinatapos ni Aria si Gary sa sasabihin at mabilis siyang lumayo sa dating kasintahan. Fear crept up at kahit masama ang pakiramdam niya ay nilakasan niya ang loob. She went inside the car at halos hindi niya mapindot ang start button ng sasakyan sa nerbiyos. Ni-lock niya kaagad ang pinto for security.“Aria,” tawag nito sa pangalan niya nang makalapit. Kumatok ito sa bintana niya sa may driver’s side. “Ano’ng nangyayari sa ‘yo? Can we talk please? Ako na lang ang magmamaneho,” pakiusap nito. Hindi niya ito magawang tingnan. She focused on getting out of there. Kapag nagpilit ito ay tatawag siya ng pulis. He didn’t follow her home. Nang makarating siya sa bahay ay hindi muna siya bumaba ng sasakyan. Pinakalma ni Aria ang sarili at nang bumalik sa normal ang tibok ng puso niya, she got out of the car and went inside the house. Pinakiusapan niya ang kasambahay na kunin ang grocery sa trunk at dalhin sa kusina. Spending time with her kids for a bit calmed her nerves— only ge
Tumawag si Aria kay Manang para sa mga personal nilang gamit ni Randall na kakailanganin sa hospital. Hindi nagtagal at nadala ito sa kaniya ng isang kasambahay nila. Pinalitan niya ang blanket ni Randall ng mas malambot para maging komportable ito. She touched her arm and kissed it. As much as she wanted to kiss his cheek or lips, Aria was hesitant to do it. Baka masaktan niya ito. His skin looked so tender, and she has never seen her husband this fragile. Pinadalhan din siya ni Manang ng hapunan at ilang extra snacks including sandwiches kung sakaling magutom siya sa madaling araw. Pinilit niyang kumain para sa baby kahit na wala siyang panlasa. Aria held his hand and closed her eyes. Ipinagdasal niya ang kaligtasan ni Randall at nakiusap sa Panginoon na sana ay magising na ito. She stayed by his side a little longer and when she felt her legs being tired, saka lang siya lumipat sa sofa para itaas ang mga binti niya. Aria is taking care of herself and their unborn baby, and Randall