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KABANATA 29
Last Updated:
2024-10-06 10:50:42
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The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 30
RUAN'S O. O. V"Hold that damn elevator's panel, witch!”I shouted so loud as I hurried my way to the closing elevator. The woman inside immediately made a move to hold the panel and prevent it from closing. Binilisan ko naman lalo lumakad para maabutan ko 'yon. Waiting for another time could just result to further hassle. Late na 'ko kaya kailangan ko nang magmadali.After I made my way to the elevator, I settled myself and didn't bother to say even a word to the woman inside. It was despite the fact that she, just made a not so huge favor. And I called her a "witch" as well. Pero hindi naman s'ya nagreklamo so I guess, that's just fine with her. Or maybe, she's a witch for real. Kaya wala na lang sa kanya na matawag ng gano'n. Hindi ko na rin tiningnan 'yung babae.The elevator's panel close once again and this time, no one in a hurry came to disrupt it just like what I did. Sumara 'yon ng maayos at nagsimula nang umandar pataas.But just as it was about to go up, the lights suddenl
Last Updated : 2024-10-06The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 31
THEA'S P. O. V"Damn, that's the worst! You should've called the social security to take you away from them!”Natawa na lang ako nang makita ko kung ga'no kaapektado si Ruan sa mga ikinuwento ko sa kanya tungkol sa buhay ko. Invested na invested s'ya sa buong panahon ng pagkwekwento ko. And now, his reaction said it all."I know. Sobrang daming paraan na pwede kong gawin para makaalis sana ng mas maaga sa kanila, 'di ba? But I didn't do so. Ewan ko; siguro kasi mas nanaig sa'kin 'yung kagustuhan ko na may matawag pa ring "pamilya" kahit papa'no. Tsaka umasa rin kasi ako no'n na magbabago pa sila. Masyado akong napaniwala sa sabi-sabi nila na lahat ng tao, may capability pa na magbago. Majority siguro, oo. Pero hindi lahat. Isa 'ko sa mga buhay na patotoo sa bagay na 'yon.” sabi ko. Napahinga ako ng malalim. Kasabay no'n, unti-unting nabura 'yung ngiti ko. "Pero okay na rin siguro. Tsaka kaya baka hindi ako nagkaro'n ng lakas ng loob na tumakas dati, kasi baka hindi pa talaga 'yon 'yun
Last Updated : 2024-10-28The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 32
RUAN'S P. O. V"Who's your first love and where did you met her?”I was instantly hit by shock when Thea said those words. I don't even fucking know why I encouraged the thought of talking to her. Masyado s'yang maraming gustong malaman. He managed to ask those critical questions with regards to me. Nakakairita."Should I answer that?” I asked in a tired voice.She shrugged her shoulders as she smirked. "Five questions ang sabi mo; and I think this is just the fifth among my questions, so…”She looked straight into my eyes but I chose to look away. Then I uttered, "No one.”Her surprised expression instantly became visible."Ano'ng—”"That would be sixth. Wala 'yan sa usapan,” I muttered as I stood up. "Do you have your phone or something? Baka may signal na. Let's call for someone to help get us out of here.”Thea also stood up and started… touching herself. I mean, kinakapa n'ya ang sarili n'ya partikular na ang mga bulsa n'ya. Maybe, she's looking for the thing I asked her for. A c
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 33
ZARA'S P. O. VIt's past three o'clock and I'm currently outside my daughter's school.Ako ang susundo sa kanya ngayon dahil hindi raw pwede si Tristan. Call of duty, I think? Hindi ko alam. Isa pa, busy din s'ya sa expansion ng bar and restaurant business n'ya dahil magba-branch out na naman s'ya. But this time, sabay ang dalawang outlet kaya siguro sobrang busy n'ya na rinBut that's just fine. Kahit naman kasi busy s'ya, hindi pa rin naman s'ya nagkukulang ng oras sa'min ng anak n'ya. And one more thing, sinisiguro n'ya rin na meron pa rin akong "me time" para i-enjoy naman ang sarili ko outside our family affairs.Kanina, I received a call from Thea and she's asking me to go shopping with her. Next week na raw kasi 'yung annual Halloween Ball sa company ni Kuya Ruan. She's asking me to accompany her go shopping. Inaya n'ya raw ako dahil alam n'ya na rin naman daw na kasama 'ko sa mga invited. And that's one of the reasons kung bakit ako 'yung nandito at sumusundo ngayon sa anak na
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 34
THEA'S P. O. V"What's with the Egyptian costume? 'Wag mo sabihin na plano mong 'yan ang suotin sa Halloween costume party?”Napatingin ako kay Zara habang natatawa s'yang nakatingin din sa'kin at sa hawak kong Egyptian costume. She's carrying a pink ball gown. 'Yung parang pang-prinsesa.Kibit-balikat lang ang sinagot ko sa kanya. "I can be whoever I want to be. Costume party naman 'to, ano ka ba?”Tumawa s'ya. "Oo nga. But the thing is, why that? I mean, maraming inspo online about sa mga variety ng Halloween costumes. Magtingin ka muna kaya ro'n?”Umiling ako agad at sinabing hindi na kailangan dahil Egyptian talaga ang gusto kong maging ngayong Halloween."You can just be a princess kung wala ka nang maisip na concept,” suhestiyon pa ulit ni Zara pero tinawanan ko lang 'yon."I'm still a princess, Zara. An Egyptian Princess,” sabi ko at kinindatan s'ya.Nag-focus na 'ko sa paghahanap ng mas suitable at mas magandang Egyptian Princess' gown. Napatigil ako nang makita ko na suot ng
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 35
THEA'S P. O. VTonight is the night. It is the big night. Night of glamour, celebration, and well… horror.I am wearing the Egyptian Princess' dress I bought in the boutique almost a week ago. Ginastusan ko rin ang pagpapaayos sa isanf high-end salon para sa makeup at hairstyle ko; na syempre, Princess Ariadne-inspired pa rin.Habang naglalakad ako papasok sa venue ng Annual Halloween Party ng kumpanya ni Ruan ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasang kabahan. I am confident with how I look, yes. Pero ibang kaba 'yung nararamdaman ko ngayon. Kinakabahan ako sa posibleng maging reaksyon ni Ruan sa oras na makita n'ya akong nasa gan'tong ayos. It was clear that he likes historical stuff, particularly Egyptian ones. Pero handa naman kaya s'yang makita 'yung image na kasama n'ya sa portrait—na ilang daang taon nang patay—ay magiging parang buhay na buhay sa katauhan ko? Ano kayang magiging reaksyon n'ya? Would he like it? Sana.Nang makapasok na 'ko sa venue, lalo akong nakaramdam ng kaba na dinagdaga
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 36
RUAN'S P. O. VI don't know how long was I here.Sa bar ni Tristan. I am wearing my usual get up—long sleeved polo at pants. Malayung-malayo sa dapat na suot ko sa Halloween party na ginaganap ngayon ng kumpanya.I know, everyone was expecting me there. Pero anong magagawa ko? I don't fucking go. At wala sa ugali ko na ipilit ang mga bagay na talagang hindi ko gusto."Sir, kayo na lang 'yung last customer namin. 'Di pa ba kayo uuwi?”Tumingin ako kay Jako. Hindi na n'ya suot 'yung apron na part ng unifor n'ya. Naka-t shirt na lang din s'ya. Mukhang nakapagpalit na."Aren't this bar open for twenty-four hours? Umuwi ka na, hihintayin ko na lang dito 'yung kapalitan mo rito. I'm sure, mayamaya lang din may customer na kayong darating. Anong oras na ba?”Jako took a glimpse of the wall clock behind the counter."Alas dos na ng madaling araw, Sir. Tsaka walang darating na kapalitan ngayon dahil bilin ni Sir, hanggang alas dose lang 'yung bar ngayon dahil nga Halloween at may event sila na
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 37
RUAN'S P. O. VLast night, I saw Ariadne. I kissed her, I made love to her. I felt her.Fuck.Napabalikwas ako ng bangon dahil sa naisip ko. Pero napatigil din ako agad dahil biglang kumirot 'yung ulo ko. Nasapo ko tuloy 'yon habang nakapikit ako ng mariin. I secretly wished na sana, mawala na 'tong nakakagag*ng sakit na 'to.Last night with Adriane seems so real. Kahit alam kong napakaimposibleng mangyari, may parte pa rin sa'kin na nagsasabing totoo talaga lahat ng naganap at nangyari kagabi. O kung hindi man, ewan ko. Maybe that was really just a dream.Fuck, hindi ko na alam. Hindi ko na alam kung ano pa sa mga nangyari kagabi 'yung totoo at hindi.I look at the space beside me. It was empty. So, hindi nga totoo 'yung nangyari kagabi.A part of me was disappointed. Pero mas lamang 'yung natatawa dahil pakiramdam ko, para na 'kong tanga. Nababaliw. Umaasa na totoong naikama ko si Ariadne kagabi.'Yung bumalik pa nga lang s'ya ay imposible na. 'Yun pa kayang maikama ko s'ya? Kalokoh
Last Updated : 2024-11-05
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The Rebirth of Love SPECIAL CHAPTER 4
THEA'S P. O. VAmoy na amoy sa kabuuan ng kusina ang nakakatakam na pagkaing ako lang din ang naghanda at nagluto.I did this for Ruan. Pambawi sa lahat ng pag aalaga na ginawa n'ya noong nasa ospital ako.From the coffee I am making, my attention was instantly drew to Ruan when he entered the kitchen, his gaze sweeping across the table, avoiding mine. The coldness in his eyes was a familiar ache, a constant reminder of the chasm that separated us. I tried to bridge the gap, to rekindle the warmth that once existed between us.“Good morning,” I said, my voice betraying a hint of forced cheerfulness. “Breakfast is ready.”He grunted in response, a noncommittal sound that did little to ease the tension in the air. He sat down, his back ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on his plate. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.Nagsisimula na akong magtaka kung bakit gan'to s'ya. Ano bang problema? O may naging problema ba?I tried again, attempting to break through the wall of his coldne
The Rebirth of Love SPECIAL CHAPTER 3
ARIADNE'S/THEA'S P. O. VHindi man n'ya ako sinamahan nang ma-discharge ako—o si Thea—sa ospital, sumunod na araw ay dinalaw naman ako ni Ruan.But his coldness was a constant, icy presence. Kitang-kita ko ang laki ng pagbabago sa kanya. Kitang-kita ko 'yung sakit sa mga mata n'ya, para s'yang laging may hinahanap. Ramdam na ramdam ko 'yon—mula sa pag iwas n'ya ng tingin, sa paraan n'ya ng pagsagot sa akin. He mourned Thea, the real Thea, the girl he loved—a girl whose life I now occupied.One night, I found him in the garden, huddled beneath the weeping willow, his shoulders shaking silently. Tahimik lang s'yang umiiyak pero kitang-kita ko sa pag alog ng mga balikat n'ya ang sobrang pagdadalamhati. That sight tore at something within me, a raw, aching empathy that transcended the boundaries of my spectral existence.I understood his pain. More than he could ever know. Minsan ko na ring naramdaman ang sakit na 'yon nang sapilitan akong napaalis at naiwan ko s'ya nang hindi man lang ak
The Rebirth of Love SPECIAL CHAPTER 2
ARIADNE'S/THEA'S P. O VThe hospital doors swung open, releasing me into the blinding sunlight. Or rather, it released me. It felt strange, even now, to think of myself as inhabiting Thea’s body. Technically, ako pa rin si Ariadne—ang multo ng kawawang Egyptian princess. But the world saw Thea. Dahil katawan n'ya ang gamit ko at nasa loob ako nito.Oo, nakalabas na rin ako ss modernong mundo. Kaya bga nakilala ko si Ruan, eh. Pero ibang-iba pa rin pala talaga ang pakiramdam kapag buhay at may pakiramdam ka. The world, right now, was a confusing blur of unfamiliar sensations and sights.The car ride home was a silent film of contrasts. The smooth, cool leather of the car seat felt alien against my skin—or rather, Thea's skin. The way the sunlight warmed my face, the way the wind ruffled my hair… it was all so intensely alive, a stark contrast to my previous existence as a disembodied spirit. Yet, it was also a constant reminder of what I had taken, what I had become.The house loomed
The Rebirth of Love SPECIAL CHAPTER 1
RUAN'S P. O. V“Thea… she didn’t simply die,” Thea—or Ariadne, rather, began. Her gaze distant, lost in the swirling embers. “Her death… it was… a shedding. A leaving.”I shifted uneasily. This wasn’t the straightforward explanation I’d expected. Thea’s death had been declared a tragic accident. At oo, masakit. Pero parang mas pipiliin ko pang maramdaman ang sakit ng pagkawala n'ya—sa kaluluwa at katawan—kaysa patuloy kong makasama ang katawan n'ya pero hindi na s'ya ang nandoon.“Her soul… it departed,” Ariadne continued, her voice barely a whisper. “It slipped away, leaving behind… an empty vessel. A shell. A-At naalala mo 'yung sinabi sa'yo sa rooftop noon? No'ng tinanong mo ako kung may chance ba na magsama tayo ng maayos at normal?” She paused, her eyes locking with mine, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths. “'Eto na 'yon, Ruan. Nakita ko na 'yung perfect vessel. Kaya finally, magkakasama na tayo ulit.”A chill snaked down my spine. The image of Thea, vibrant and ful
The Rebirth of Love EPILOGUE
RUAN'S P. O. VDays have passed and the constant words from others about how Thea won't be able to wake up still lingers on my mind. And sometimes, I almost listened. Sometimes, the weight of despair became too heavy to bear, the whispers of doubt too loud to ignore. The thought of waiting, of hoping for a miracle that might never come, felt like an impossible dream.But then I would look at her, at her peaceful face, at the faint rise and fall of her chest, and the doubt would recede. I would remember the warmth of her smile, the melody of her laughter, the depth of her love. And I would know that I couldn't give up.I was rotten from deep within, a man burdened by the sins of his past, haunted by the ghosts of his mistakes. But my love for Thea, a love that had blossomed in the darkest of times, was the only thing that kept me afloat, the only thing that gave me the strength to keep going.I was a broken man, clinging to a hope that felt like a fragile thread, a thread that could sn
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 83
RUAN'S P. O. VThe hospital room was a sterile, white tomb, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic and unspoken sorrow. It had been three months since the accident, three months since Hope had slipped into that deep, silent sleep. Three months of agonizing hope and crushing despair.Matagal nang tumigil 'yung mga doktor na magbigay ng assurance sa akin na gagaling pa si Hope. Na magigising pa s'ya ulit. But no matter how kind their smiles are and no matter how gentle their words are, hindi ko pa rin magawang makumbinsi na isuko s'ya. They spoke of brain injuries, of the delicate balance of life and death, of miracles that were rare and unpredictable. They spoke of letting go, of accepting the inevitable.But I refused to listen. I refused to accept their pronouncements of defeat. I clung to the faintest flicker of hope, the whisper of a possibility that she might wake up, that she might smile at me again, that she might say my name. Babalik s'ya.Every day, I sat by her bedside, h
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 82
THEA'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of garlic and rosemary, a comforting aroma that usually signaled a pleasant evening. Parang atojo pa tuloy umalis. Lalo na nang pagtayo ko, parang bigla akong nakaramdam ng hindi maganda. Tonight, the smell seemed to cling to me like a shroud, a harbinger of the horror that was about to unfold.Kumaway pa ulit ako kay Ruan paglabas ko ng restaurant. Nakaupo pa rin s'ya sa loob pero kitang-kita ko naman s'ya sa salaming dingding. Alam ko na nakikita n'ya rin ako. As I walked to the sidewalk and before I cross the road, I took a quick glance at my watch confirmed my suspicions—it was getting late, and I needed to get home. Kaya tama lang din talaga na hindi na ako um-oo sa suggestion ni Ruan na isama pa ako. I excused myself from the table, a wave of relief washing over me as I escaped the awkward silence that had settled over the dinner.I breathe a sigh of relief—mostly like enjoying the cool night air. I took a deep breath, the crispne
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 81
1 year later… THEA'S P. O. VThe soft glow of the setting sun painted the city in hues of orange and pink as I walked towards the restaurant, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.It was our anniversary, one year since the day Ruan had promised to never let go of me again. One year since we had decided to face our demons together, to heal the wounds of the past.Isang taon na rin silang ayos ng mga magulang n'ya. It happened since they all decided to call everything quits. Nagkaliwanagan sila, nagkapatawaran. And I was indeed right. Sobrang daming bagay at side ng istorya ang hindi alam ni Ruan. Pero naliwanagan na s'ya nang magkausap sila ng mga magulang n'ya. Turns out, Ruan is really not who he seems to be. Mukha lang s'yang matapang at manhid; pero sa loob n'ya, nando'n pa rin ang batang s'ya na naghahangad ng kalinga mula sa mga magulang n'ya. And I saw that child when he cried while hugging his parents again after a very long time.Isang taon na rin, pero ni isa sa
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 80
RUAN'S P. O. V"Ready na ba kayo?” I smiled with Hope's energy. Sobrang taas ng energy n'ya at ramdam na ramdam 'yon pagpasok pa lang n'ya sa sasakyan."Good morning, Ruan. Hi, Shariya! Did you miss me?” sabi n'ya ulit."'Morning, my Hope,” I said.Shariya giggled and exclaimed, "Yes!"And just as that, the day unfolded like a dream, a series of joyful moments strung together like pearls on a silken thread. Hope's energy was infectious, her laughter echoing through the bustling streets, her enthusiasm contagious. Shariya, ever the lively child, bounced between us, her infectious energy a constant source of amusement. We were a family, a makeshift unit bound by affection and shared experiences.We started with a leisurely stroll through the park, the sunshine warming our faces, the fresh air filling our lungs. Shariya chased pigeons, her giggles echoing through the trees, her joy a balm to my soul. Hope watched her with a tenderness that tugged at my heartstrings, her eyes filled with
