I WAS BEING SUMMONED by Doña McKenna inside her private room on the next day. I’m really bewildered, especially because it seemed that it was urgent. Ate Mirasol even ushered me towards Doña McKenna’s private room. She opened the door for me. I whispered my gratitude which made her smile and bowed her head in return. Busy ngayon si Deus Paulo sa mga activities mula sa kaniyang SPED teacher na si Teacher Mafie sa loob ng kaniyang study room. Lagi siyang excited sa bawat sessions nila ni Teacher Mafie. Masaya ako na nag-e-enjoy siya. Malaki rin ang kaniyang naging progress kaya’t proud na proud kami. Habang si McKenzie naman ay mayro’ng meeting sa basement ng Casa Accardi kasama ang kaniyang mga tauhan lalo na’t bukas na ang birthday ni Deus Paulo. Gusto kasi niyang walang kahit anong kapalpakan at aberya ang mangyayari. Sobrang protective din siya pagdating kay Deus Paulo. Ayaw niyang mayro’ng masamang mangyayari kay Deus Paulo sobrang ikinatataba ng aking puso. Wala ngayon sa ak
I SMILED as both McKenzie and I kissed each side of the chubby cheek of Deus Paulo after we sang him a happy birthday song while the bubbles flew in the air. All of the guests were smiling widely and clapping their hands. The children were wearing party hats with Shark designs jumping in delight as they wanted to reach the colorful Shark balloons in the ceiling. Actually, maraming mga imbitado sa birthday party ni Deus Paulo. Sobrang ganda ng mga decorations at mga activities kaya’t enjoy na enjoy ang lahat. Talagang hands-on si Doña McKenna para maging perpekto ang lahat. My heart fluttered in delight, because I could really feel and see how much they love and cherish my son. We were really fortunate to be part of their lives. Halos buong mga tauhan mula sa Casa Accardi at ang ibang mga bata na mula sa Special Angels’ Home na sobrang malapit sa aming mga puso ay kasama namin ngayong araw. Tuwang-tuwa tuloy si Deus Paulo na nakikipaghalubilo at makipaglaro sa kanila. Ang Special
I SIGHED HEAVILY as I calmed myself from what happened. I’m trembling in fury at the unexpected crossing-paths of Deus Paulo and demons of my past which was really a complete chaos. The Canlas and even Pepejoh were now facing the wrath of Doña McKenna. ‘Hindi deserved ng mga Canlas na malaman na buhay pa rin si Deus Paulo. Wala akong ni-katiting na awa para sa kanila. Simula no’ng ikinahiya at gusto nilang ipa-abort ang aking anak ay pinutol ko na ang koneksyon niya mula sa mga Canlas.’ Ngunit hindi ko pa rin matanggap na sinaktan at tinawag na abnormal at halimaw ang aking anak lalong-lalo na ni Jona Joyce. Sobrang nagngingitngit ang aking kalooban. Kung puwede lang ay gusto ko silang patayin. Walang karapatan si Jona Joyce na saktan at pagsalitaan ng mga masakit si Deus Paulo. Isa lamang siyang kabit na bantay-salakay. Mas masahol pa siya sa hayop dahil sinira niya ang pagsasama naming dalawa ni Derson. Nakakahiya siya dahil handa pa rin niyang sunggaban ang mga tira-tira ko. N
I’M IN DAZED. I finally revealed my feelings to McKenzie. Doña McKenna really enlightened me with his world-shattering words of wisdom. She was able to know McKenzie and I’s promise with each other. And also, I’m afraid to let him go. I don’t want him to be in another woman’s arms which definitely made me possessive towards him. Nahuli ako sa sarili kong dila. Ngunit kahit gano’n ay masarap sa pakiramdam na wala na akong itinatago sa aking dibdib. Ni-hindi rin ako nakaramdam ng pangamba lalo na’t alam ko sa aking sarili na mayro’n kaming pangako ni McKenzie sa isa’t-isa na sobrang susuportahan ni Doña McKenna. Actually, mas lalong naging sweet at caring si McKenzie pagkatapos ng rebelasyong iyon. Pansin ko ang kinang ng kasiyahan mula sa kaniyang mga mata. Hindi rin niya ako kinalilimutang paulanan ng mga sorpresa na sobrang nagpapabalis ng tibok ng aking puso. Simpleng gestures lamang iyon mula sa kaniyan. Ngunit ang laki ng epekto nito sa akin. ‘Having a mutual understanding was
MY HEART CLENCHED as I saw McKenzie stood like a statue in the middle of the bed where Doña McKenna lay lifeless. There was no trace of blood all over her. I bet that her outfit was being changed. Doña McKenna was now wearing her best red dress with a golden scarf around her neck which was being paired with golden ankle boots. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully on her bed. But in reality, she wouldn’t wake up anymore. Her accessories were also completed, especially her golden engagement ring and wedding ring. Sobrang sakit at nanlulumo ako. Ang bilis ng pangyayari. Sa isang kisapmata lang ay kinuha na mula sa amin ang isa sa mga nagsisilbing ilaw at pundasyon ng Accardi. ‘Hindi na namin maririnig ang kaniyang boses at tawa. Wala nang mang-aasar sa aming dalawa ni McKenzie. At higit sa lahat ay hindi namin maririnig at makikita ang paglalambing niya kay Deus Paulo. ‘Hindi ko matanggap na wala na si Doña McKenna. Bibisitahin ko pa siya mamaya para kumustahin ngunit bakit
I SOBBED as I hugged Deus Paulo around my arms. Both of us were crying loudly as we bid our last farewell to Doña McKenna’s lifeless body inside the golden casket. She was wearing her best outfit like she always does with her complete accessories. We hugged and kissed her. But my son really had a difficult time letting go of her which really made my heart clenched in agony and pain. “W-Wowa! N-No! W-Wowa! H-Huwag mo po ni-iwan si Dut-dut, Wowa!” nauutal na palahaw ni Deus Paulo. Pilit siyang naglulumikot para makawala sa aking yakap. Ngunit mas hinigpitan ko iyon para ilayo siya. Ayaw niya kasing bitawan si Doña McKenna. Napakasakit magpaalam mula sa mahal sa buhay. Sobrang malaki ang aking utang na loob at pasasalamat kay Doña McKenna. Ni-hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa kabutihang loob niya sa akin. Ngunit kinuha na agad siya sa amin. “Hush. . . Tahan na, Anak. Lola needed to rest in peace,” pagpapakalma ko sa aking anak habang tumutulo ang aking luha. Biglang dumating ang mga lal
I’M FLYING IN CLOUD NINE. I couldn’t forget how McKenzie took my breath away after he returned from staying in the Castello di Accardi for days. He gave me a huge surprise which was a majestic proposal in the Casa Accardi that was glimmering in fairy lights and roses that made me emotional. He even involved Deus Paulo in it. My son was so adorable while holding a snow globe with a note inside. As McKenzie patiently waited for me as he dashingly kneeling in front of me while wearing his armored suit with golden emblem as a Mafia Lord of Castello di Accardi. I told McKenzie that I’m not into Doña McKenna’s inheritance. I would still marry him, because I’m in love with him. I don’t want to see him being married to another woman. He confessed everything to me that he didn’t care if his grandmother inherited all of her gazillion money and properties. He would be delighted if I accepted his grandmother’s wish for me, because I deserved all of it, and she would still help me throughout my
I COMBED my fingers to my light brown shoulder length hair as the water from the shower cascaded on me as I rinsed myself after I scrub my body with my favorite Vanilla Liquid Soap and put a Vanilla scented shampoo on my hair. I really loved the scents of it. These products were from the new launch of Artemis that were being sent by Ate Kate to me. Naging close ko silang dalawa ni Allyssa na halos hindi nalalayo ang edad sa akin. Natatandaan ko nang tinawag ko silang Mafia Queen at Madam ay pinagtawanan at inasar lang nila akong dalawa. Sobrang sweet at mapagbigay nila. Lagi nila akong binibigyan ng mga regalo kagaya ng mga products sa kani-kanilang mga negosyo na sobrang nagustuhan ko. Medyo nahiya nga ako sa kanila dahil panay ang pagbibigay nila sa akin ng mga regalo. Kaya naman ay pinapadalhan ko na lang sila ng home cooked meals na aking specialty. Sobrang nasarapan silang dalawa at gustung-gusto ng kanilang mga anak ang mga pagkain na regalo ko sa kanila kaya’t tuwang-tuwa ak
I GAZED at the serene sky as the waves were tamed as I stood near the shore. I couldn’t help but to smile as the sand went on my feet. I slowly lifted my hand to somehow make myself feel that I could touch the cloud that looked like a shark. “Happy birthday, Anak. Miss na miss ka na ni Mama. . . Sana ay masaya ka na kasama sina Nonna sa heaven. Mahal na mahal kita at lagi kang nasa aking puso at isipan,” I uttered softly as the wind blew on me which made my hair and the hem of my skirt dance. A lone tear escaped from my eye. “Soon, we would meet again, but for now, please guide us, being our adorable guardian angel. . .” We visited the private mausoleum of Deus Paulo, and sang him a happy birthday song. His private mausoleum was full of Shark balloons, cake and his favorite foods. After that, we headed here to Il Paraiso di Accardi to continue the celebration. It was a special place that my son really loved when he was still alive in this world. “Mama!” masayang pagtawag sa akin
MAFIA LORD MCKENZIE’S POVI HAD A TOUGH power and role to fulfill ever since I was born in this world, because I’m the future heir of being the Mafia Lord of the Castello di Accardi. The lives of every lineage worshiped and believed in my clan were on my shoulders.The Accardi Clan was one of the strongest in one of the boundaries of the Mafia Empire in Italy. At a very young age, my vision and perspective were wide open in the maze of the Mafia Empire. I needed to be strong and vigilant otherwise I would get killed which would make my clan be slaves to whoever nemesis of mine would defeat me. ‘And I don’t want that to happen. . . I wouldn’t let anyone under my wing be trapped in danger and be killed. Until I’m breathing and alive, I would really do everything to defend them against all odds.’Nonna always taught me to be strong and wise at all times or else I would be lost in the battle. I really admire her, because she was dauntless, strong and wise. I even didn’t see her being lo
I WAS BEING DIAGNOSED with Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I underwent treatments, because I became really out of my mind after Deus Paulo’s lifeless body inside the casket was being buried in the private mausoleum. Nawala ako sa tamang huwisyo at sinasaktan ko na ang aking sarili. Lagi akong nagwawala at umiiyak sa tuwing naalala ko ang pagkamatay ni Deus Paulo. Sobrang sakit nito para sa akin dahil pinipiga ang puso ko. Pakiramdam ko ay nawalan na ng saysay ang buhay ko lalo na’t hindi ko nagawang iligtas at protektahan ang aking anak.Mas lalong tumindi ang galit ko sa tuwing nakikita ko si McKenzie nang dahil na rin sa aking Postpartum Depression. Naging sarado ang isip ko at lagi ko siyang sinisisi mula sa pagkamatay ni Deus Paulo. Walang oras na sinisisi ko siya. Ayaw na ayaw ko rin siyang nakikita o lumalapit sa akin dahil naiinis ako sa kaniyang pagmumukha. Until I lost my sanity. I attempted suicide by cutting my wrists and sleeping inside th
AS MY FOOT filled with sand as I walked and mesmerized the beauty and serenity of the beach as the cold breeze swayed my hair and the skirt of my maternity dress, I couldn’t help but to bewildered why my heart seemed in pain. The sky was gloomy, and the waves were tamed. But I feel that a storm would come after this. “Mama!” masayang pagtawag ni Deus Paulo sa akin. Agad akong napalingon kay Deus Paulo. Sobrang cute niya habang tumatakbo sa buhangin. Gusto kasi niyang tumakbo nang tumakbo sa buhangin kaya’t talagang pumupunta kami sa beach kapag hindi kami busy ni McKenzie sa trabaho. ‘My husband and I would do everything to make him happy, because we really loved him so much. Gusto kong ibigay ang lahat ng mga pangangailangan ng aking anak. Lahat ng mga hindi ko naranasan no’ng pa ako ay gusto kong iparanas sa kaniya.’ Hindi ko napigilang ngumiti at bahagyang lumuhod para salubungin siya ng isang yakap. Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya tumakbo papalapit sa akin para yakapin ang ako
I WAS AWAKENED by a cold splash of the water through my face. My head and body was aching as hell including my deep wounds and scratches. I couldn’t help but to cough, and gasped for air as someone tugged my hair harshly which made me groan in pain. “Aw! Ang sakit naman, ‘no? Well. . . You really deserve to suffer pain in a hellish way, B*tch. Akala mo ba ay tapos na? Sad to say, hindi pa. And now, nasa exciting part na tayo at iyon ang kamatayan ninyo ng mga anak mo,” sarkastikong turan ng isang pamilyar na tinig na hindi ko akalaing maririnig ko pa hanggang ngayon. “J-Jona Joyce?” nahihirapan kong pagbanggit ng kaniyang pangalan. With that, Jona Joyce’s grip tightened on my hair which made me dizzy in pain. “Gulat ka, ‘no? Mabuti naman at kilala mo pa akong hayop ka. Akala mo ba hindi ko nakalimutan ang ginawa mo sa amin noon? Well. . . I’m being resurrected from hell to kill you, B*tch. Hinding-hindi kita bibigyan ng isang p*nyetang happy ending habang nabubuhay ako.” Hindi ak
I SIGHED HEAVILY as my heart clenched in pain on this day. It was the death anniversary of Auntie Sabel and my cousins. I really wanted to go to their private mausoleum to visit them no matter what happens, especially that I even dream of them. Kahit ilang taon na ang nakarararan, sa tuwing naalala ko ang nangyaring brutal massacre sa kanila ay hindi ko napipigilang maging emosyonal. Alam kong wala silang kalaban-laban mula sa mga demonyong iyon. Hanggang sa huli ay sinigurado kong naipaghiganti ko sila mula sa demonyo ng aking nakaraan. Ibinalik ko lamang sa mga demonyong iyon ang sakit at paghihirap na naramdaman nila. ‘Afterall, the demons of my past deserved to rot their souls in hell. Gusto kong masunog ang kaluluwa nilang lahat sa impiyerno.’“Amore Mio, do you still go there without me?” McKenzie asked for the ninth time which made me look at him with a smile.Nilingon ko siya pagkatapos kong ibaba ang hawak kong hair brush. “Ang kulit mo naman, Amore Bambino. Walang makakapi
I SIGHED DREAMILY as I looked at the ultrasound pictures that I have on my scrapbook in my pregnancy journey. Time flew past, and I’m already now on my seventh month of pregnancy, same goes as Girly who was in her eight months of her pregnancy. Gusto kong sabay kaming mag-celebrate ni Girly ng baby shower at gender reveal party sa Casa Accardi. Masaya ako na pumayag siya. Sobrang malapit talaga siya sa aking puso. At miss na miss ko na rin siyang kasama. Medyo maselan kasi ang pagbubuntis niya kaya’t hindi siya masyadong nakalalabas ng bahay nilang dalawa ni Consigliere Marco. Naiintindihan ko naman na kailangan niyang magpahinga muna pero hindi ko mapigilang maging emosyonal sa tuwing magkikita kaming dalawa. Kahit kasama ko si Cherry, iba pa rin kasi kapag kasama ko si Girly. Matagal din naman kasi kaming naging magkasama at alam na alam niya ang mga gusto at ayaw ko. Magkasundo rin kami sa lahat ng mga bagay. I’m dumbfounded and delighted to the wonderful news that Girly was c
I LOOKED INTENTLY while tears kept falling from my eyes as I stared at the new monitor that was installed inside the clinic of the Casa Accardi. All of the equipment needed by Dra. Yureka to monitor Girly and I’s pregnancy were complete here, so we don’t need to go to another clinic or hospital. It was also for our safety too. Actually, nang nalaman ni McKenzie na buntis ako ay pinatawag niya agad si Dra. Yureka na mabilis namang dumating sa Casa Accardi. Gusto niya kasing makasigurado na maayos ang lagay naming dalawa ng aming baby. Ngunit nagkamali ako, hindi lang pala isa ang nasa loob ng aking sinapupunan ko. While staring at the monitor above, my little pea-shaped baby had a loud heartbeat that could be heard loudly in the four corners of the clinic. McKenzie kissed me on top of my head as he caressed my hair softly. It felt surreal, and completely mesmerized that finally our wish had been granted. “You were already seven weeks pregnant, Lady Jessa. The baby was perfectly fin
MY HEART FLUTTERED FAST IN EUPHORIA as tears fall from my eyes while looking at the result of three pregnancy test kits on the sink. These past few days, I felt something was different in me, and I had a gut feeling that I must be pregnant, especially the symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, mood swings and weird cravings. With that, I decided to take a pregnancy test secretly, and went immediately to the comfort room inside my office here in Casa Accardi. Mas gusto kong makasigurado na tama ang aking hinala bago ko sabihin sa kanila. Ayaw kong masaktan sila. Ayaw ko naman kasing magsabi agad hangga’t wala akong katibayan. ‘Two red lines means positive. . . I’m really pregnant. . . It was a huge bomb for us this new year.’ Sobrang masaya ako lalo na’t nagbunga na ang matagal na dasal at hiling namin. Paniguradong matutuwa si Deus Paulo dahil gustung-gusto na talaga niya maging big brother. Indeed, it was a new year full of blessings and surprises for us. I’m really emotional and