Gary didn't leave. He remained standing not too far from Aria. Hindi rin ito makaalis dahil malakas ang ulan, pero hindi rin naman kailangang manatili malapit sa kaniya ito. He could grab a coffee from himself if he wants to. Hindi nga lang siya kasama. It's funny how she was mad and hurt a few years ago when he learned about his cheating. And now, Aria couldn't feel anything. Tinanggap niyang hindi sila para sa isa't isa ni Gary. Kinailangang mangyari 'yon para hindi siya mapunta sa maling tao. It could have been less painful though. Hindi niya gustong makita ang pagtataksil ng dalawa sa akto. Aria wished Gary just broke up with her and moved on. "You're not married yet." Gary wasn't asking her. Hinayaan niya itong magsalita. "Hindi ka ba pinanagutan nang lalaking nakabuntis sa 'yo?" Nakaramdam ng inis si Aria. "We are together, and we're happy." At least, she didn't croak. Hindi pa rin sila ayos ni Randall. Bukod sa hindi nito pag-imik sa kaniya, pagyakap, paghalik at kahit 'yong
Hindi makatulog si Aria. Inis na inis siya kay Randall. Mas nauna pa nga itong nakatulog sa kaniya! Ano? Pagod na pagod talaga? She doesn’t want to turn on the lamp on her side. Gusto sana niyang magbasa para magpaantok. Nagkasya na lang siya sa pagbrowse sa social media account kahit wala siyang interes dito. You have one request. Iyon ang bumungad sa kaniya nang maka-log in. Si Gary? She deleted his request. There’s no thinking twice on that one. Napailing si Aria. Did he really think she would want to be friends with him after everything that happened? She can’t forgive and forget just like that. Mahirap ibigay ‘yon lalo na at hind naman humihingi ng paumanhin ang mga taong nanakit sa kaniya. Totoong wala na sa kaniya ang nangyari, pero hindi niya kailangang makipagkaibigan sa kanino man sa dalawa. Aria was watching reels when she received another notification. This time, it’s a message. At dahil wala ito sa friend’s list niya ay napunta sa spam folder. Si Gary. NA NAMAN. You de
Nangako siya kay Randall na hindi na maglilihim. But Aria doesn't know if it's a good time to tell him about Gary right now. Heto na naman siya. Mag-aassume na tama ang desisyon para sa ibang tao. Bahala na kung magalit ito sa sasabihin niya, pero wala naman siyang ginagawang masama. "How was your day?" pagkaraan ay tanong nito sa kaniya. "It was busy, then my laptop charger broke. I went to the mall to get a new one. Hindi ako kaagad nakauwi kasi inabot ako ng malakas na ulan. Nagpatila muna." "You didn't bring an umbrella." Sinusuklay ni Randall ang buhok niya gamit ang mga daliri nito. "I did, pero naiwan ko sa sasakyan." "Aria, you need to take care of yourself more." He scolded her but it was more like a gentle reminder when he said it. "I know. I'll remember next time." Saglit na katahimikan ang namayani sa kanilang dalawa. "I saw... Gary." Randall stiffened, and stopped playing with her hair. "You did? At the mall?" Tumango si Aria. "Did he talk to you? If he harrasse
Aria was putting the last piece of item on their luggage when Randall walked in. Ang mga bata ang inuna niyang intindihin kaya hindi siya nakapag-empake kaagad. As much as she wanted to go on a weekend with Randall, she hasn't been away from the kids this long. She can't help but feel nervous kahit alam niyang nasa mabuting kamay naman ang mga ito at may mag-iintindi. "Hey," bati nito sa kaniya at nang makalapit ay yumakap. Pinatakan siya ng halik sa kanyang pisngi. "All packed?" Tumango si Aria. "What's wrong? Masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?" Umiling si Aria. "I'm just... nervous. This is my first to be away from the twins. Sana akong kasama sila araw-araw." Ngumiti si Randall. "I understand. But it's just for the weekend. We can do a videocall with them if that makes you feel better." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips softly. "We need time together too. We will be back before you know it." "Okay." "I'll just take a quick shower then we'll go." The kids didn't even cry
It was one hot and steamy make up sex. They even showered together at kung hindi niya ipinaalala kay Randall na hindi pa sila naghahapunan ay hindi na sila makakalabas ng silid. It was a struggle getting dressed dahil panay rin ang hubad nito sa kaniya. She craves his touch at hindi madamot ang nobyo niya. Palagi nitong inuuna ang pangangailangan niya. Randall is one generous lover indeed.The restaurant is closing in forty-five minutes so they ordered as fast as they could. Now they’re waiting for their food to arrive. Pinagsasaluhan nila ang calamares. Randall is having wine, while Aria settled for pineapple juice. “What are we doing tomorrow?” tanong ni Aria sa nobyo. She wants to go swimming, pero gusto rin niyang makita kung ano’ng mayroon sa Cebu. Some people stay in resorts until they go home, but she wants to go outside and explore. “Well, there are a lot of water activities to choose from. We are going to have lots of fun tomorrow. Then we can end the day with a surprise.”
Aria shook hands with Tessa. The woman is very pretty and doesn't look her age at all. Tessa is aging beautifully at mapapa-sana all na lang ang mga babaeng ka-edad niya. Tahimik si Aria habang pabalik sila ni Randall sa may tabing dagat. Hindi nito natagalan ang pananahimik niya. "I did not date Tessa," natatawang wika ni Randall sa nobya. "Hindi ko tinatanong." Aria didn't want to glance at her boyfriend. She usually doesn't feel inferior, pero nang makita niya si Tessa kanina ay nakaramdam siya ng insecurity. Napakaganda nito at ang masaklap, mabait rin. Simple at walang halong kaartehan sa katawan. Tessa is a catch at masuwerte ang magiging katuwang nito sa buhay. Randall stopped walking at pulled Aria towards him. He kissed her lips sweetly at saka pinaglapat ang mga noo nila. "She is not my type. Kung gusto ko siya, sana noon ko pa niligawan." Aria didn't know what to say. "Ikaw ang mahal ko. Other women do not interest me." Humagod ang kamay ni Randall sa likuran ni Aria an
It’s been two weeks but Aria still can’t get over it. The trip. The proposal. And their wedding is happening in three days! Kaya pala umuwi sina Mama Nora ay para mag-intindi rin sa kasal at mamanhikan. They wanted to do it right this time. Sina Roxanne ay umuwi rin ng Pilipinas noong isang araw para saksihan ang nalalapit nilang kasal. “Just a minute,” wika ni Aria nang marinig ang katok sa pinto ng banyo. Nasa shop sila ng isang sikat na local designer. It turns out, pinsan pala ito ni Ashley sa mother’s side. They are here for the final fitting of their dresses.“Are you okay?” Si Roxanne pala ang kumatok. “You’ve been there for quite a bit.”Nakaramdam ng panunubig si Aria kanina kaya sumaglit siya sa washroom. Palabas na siya ng banyo nang makaramdam ng hilo. She didn’t sleep well last night for some reason.“I’m fine.” Napagbuksan niya si Roxanne na naghihintay sa labas. “Did your dress fit?” Tumango ito. “Ikaw na lang ang hinihintay.”Aria opted for an off white silk dress. S
Dahlia was so mad while driving on her way home. Laman ng isip niya si Aria, ang fiance nito at ‘yong singsing na ubod ng laki. Noong una niyang makita ito sa restaurant kasama ng ina ay wala naman itong suot na singsing. Aria didn’t even looked like she’s with someone. Every time Dahlia tries to stalk her in social media, wala siyang makitang picture nito. She didn’t know what was going on in her life, kaya naisip niyang baka homeless na ito sa New York at naghihikahos. If she was living the good life, bakit wala siyang nakikitang litrato nito?Unlike her, she posts everything that’s going on with her life. Her career as a businesswoman and part time modelling, from her engagement, pregnancy to her wedding were all over her profile. Even the loss of her baby ay hindi niya pinalampas. She made it so subtle that way it will create intrigues. Hanggang sa nagbuntis siya muli, and she did the same process all over again. Gary hated it, but it’s her account and she could do whatever she wa
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