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KABANATA 46
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-19 15:04:52
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The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 47
RUAN'S P. O. VI stepped out of the gym, myp body still buzzing with the afterglow of my workout. The air felt cool against my skin, a welcome contrast to the heat of my exertion. I stretched, my muscles protesting the sudden shift in activity, and headed towards my room, my mind already turning to the day ahead.As I was about to enter my room, I paused in the hallway, my gaze drawn to the portrait hanging on the wall. It was a painting of me, a younger, more carefree version of myself, standing beside a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair the color of burnished copper and eyes that sparkled like emeralds, dressed in an ancient Egyptian costume.Princess Alriadne.The love of my life.I had met her all so sudden, a chance encounter that had blossomed into a whirlwind romance. She was everything I had ever dreamed of, adventurous, spirited, and free—'yun nga lang, multo s'ya. So ourl time together had been cut short, a cruel twist of fate tearing them apart.I had never forgotten
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-19The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 48
RUAN'S P. O. VI sat at the bar, my gaze fixed on the swirling amber liquid in my glass, my mind still replaying the scene in Hope's house, the accusing words, the look of pain in her eyes. Paulit-ulit. I took another sip of my drink.As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the bar."Ruan?"I looked up, my heart skipping a beat. It was Thia, a woman I had known briefly, a fling from a time when I was still lost in the haze of real life, seeking solace in fleeting encounters.She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint."Long time no see," she said, her voice a seductive purr. "Fancy meeting you here."She slid onto the stool beside me, her body pressed against mine, her perfume a heady mix of vanilla and jasmine."What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice flat, my gaze avoiding hers."I'm here for you, Ruan," she said, her voice a soft caress. "Napansin ko kasi na mag isa ka lang. Parang ang lungkot mo pa. You look like you could u
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-19The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 49
THEA'S P. O. VTHE NEXT MORNING. I sat at my desk, my gaze fixed on the computer screen, but my mind was a million miles away. The events of the past few days had left me feeling drained, my heart heavy with a mixture of heartbreak and determination. Kahit hindi kami okay ni Ruan ay pinili ko pa ring pumasok ngayon. Hanggang ngayon lang.I had finally made up my mind. I was leaving Ruan's company. I was going to start my own league, using the money I had inherited from my parents, a legacy that had been both a blessing and a burden. Lately ko lang din nalaman ang tungkol do'n kina Tito Roldan.I had always dreamed of starting my own business, of creating something of my own, of being my own boss. But I had also been afraid, afraid of failure, afraid of the unknown, afraid of leaving the comfort and security of my current job.But the pain of Ruan's betrayal, the shattering of my illusions, had given me a newfound sense of purpose. I was done being a pawn in someone else's game. I was
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-19The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 50
RUAN'S P. O. VI have to admit, I've been a jerk. Ilang araw ko nang tinitiis si Hope. I've been making out with other woman. Ginagawa ko 'yon sa office. Sa harapan mismo ni Hope. I can see her emotions—she seems hurting. Pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin.Pumapasok pa rin naman s'ya sa trabaho.Not until this day. The office felt strangely quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by a disconcerting silence. I sat at my desk, my gaze fixed on the computer screen, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me since Thea's sudden disappearance."Where is she?" I thought, my fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the desk. "Is she sick? Did something happen?" I tried to rationalize her absence, telling myself that she was probably on a personal leave, but a nagging feeling of unease refused to subside.I had tried to reach her, calling her phone, sending her texts, but she remained unresponsive. Her silence was a deafening roar, a constant remin
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-19The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 51
THEA'S P. O. VI watched Ruan sleep, his face flushed, his breathing shallow, his body sprawled across the couch. I had spent the past few hours tending to me, a familiar routine that had become a burden I couldn't seem to shake off.I had helped him undress, his clothes smelling of stale beer and cigarette smoke. I had cleaned him up, his skin clammy and slick with sweat. I had tucked him into bed, his body limp and unresponsive.I had tried to leave, to escape the suffocating feeling of being pulled back into his world, but something had held me back."I can't just leave him here," I thought, my heart aching with a mixture of frustration and compassion. "He's vulnerable. He needs me."I had been trying to move on, to focus on my own life, to forget about Ruan. But here he was, once again, dragging her back into his messy world.I had tried to ignore him, to pretend that he wasn't there, but his presence was inescapable, his actions a constant reminder of my heartbreak.I had tried
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-21The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 52
THEA'S P. O. VThe smell of burnt toast and something vaguely resembling scrambled eggs hit me as soon as I woke up.I stumbled out of bed, my head still fuzzy from sleep, and followed the aroma down the stairs.My kitchen, usually a haven of order and delicious smells, was now a scene of culinary disaster. The countertop was covered in a chaotic mess of burnt pans, spilled ingredients, and a lone, blackened spatula. And there, in the midst of the chaos, stood Ruan, his face flushed, his hair tousled, his eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment and sheepishness."Ruan?" I asked, my voice laced with a mixture of amusement and concern. "What on earth are you doing?"Lumapit agad ako sa kanya at inagaw ang sunog nang wooden spoon.He turned, his eyes meeting mine, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red. He looked like a lost puppy, his usual confidence replaced by a shy awkwardness."I... I wanted to make you breakfast," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. "To thank you for... f
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-21The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 53
THEA'S P. O. VPagbaba namin, hindi ko na hinayaan na pumunta sa parking lot si Ruan para kuhanin 'yung sasakyan n'ya. Instead, I pulled him across the road, down on the bustling street, casting long shadows over the small eateries that lined the sidewalks. Ruan stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the brightly colored banners and the tempting aromas wafting from the stalls."Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty. "I mean, it's not exactly... five-star dining. I can bring you somewhere much better."I chuckled, my heart warming at his hesitation. He was so used to the luxury of fine dining, the exclusive restaurants, the lavish buffets. This was a far cry from his usual world, a world of simple, homemade food, served on plastic plates and eaten with disposable utensils."It is the 'much better', Ruan. So, relax, I said, taking his hand. "It's just food. Pare-parehas lang naman 'yan, eh. The only difference was, mas mura rito. But trust me, sobra
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-21The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 54
THEA'S P. O. VSeveral weeks passed by since everything happened. The chaotic night, the whirlwind of emotions. We were back in a rhythm, a comfortable, familiar rhythm that felt strangely new. Ruan had been showering me with attention, taking me on dates, making me laugh, trying his best to win back my trust and my heart. And I, in turn, was falling for him all over again, my heart softening with each passing day.Ruan's birthday was approaching, and I found myself consumed by the task of finding the perfect gift. He had everything money could buy, every luxury imaginable. A new car, a designer watch, a trip to a private island—those were all things he could easily acquire. But I wanted something more, something meaningful, something that would truly touch his heart.I spent days brainstorming, scouring the internet, asking for advice from friends and colleagues. But nothing seemed quite right. Then, one afternoon, as I was staring out the window, my mind wandering, an idea struck m
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-21
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
