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KABANATA 56
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2024-11-21 08:45:58Related chapters
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 57
THEA'S P. O. VThe room was silent, the echoes of anger and disappointment still lingering in the air like a heavy cloud. Ruan's outburst had left me reeling, filled with a sense of guilt and regret that weighed heavily on my heart. Zara approached me with a gentle touch on my shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion."Thea," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to my troubled soul. "This isn't your fault. You had the best intentions, and sometimes things don't go as planned."Her words brought a small measure of comfort, but the weight of responsibility still pressed down on me like a heavy burden. Nauna nang umalis sina Tito Roldan at Tita Charlene kasama ang anak ni Zara; maybe to help settle the aftermath of Ruan's outburst, leaving a palpable tension in their wake.Jenica, Ruan's mother, stood alone in the corner of the room, her eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and regret. I could see the pain etched on her face, the guilt that clouded her eyes. She
Last Updated : 2024-11-21The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 58
The rain hammered against the windowpane, each drop a miniature explosion of sound in the suffocating silence of Ruan’s study. He sat hunched over his desk, the mahogany surface cold against his forearms, his gaze fixed on the blank page before him. The words that should have flowed effortlessly, the words he’d been planning to write for weeks, had dried up, leaving behind a desolate landscape of empty space. Ariadne. Her name, whispered on the wind, echoed in the cavernous emptiness of his heart. The fear, a serpent coiling tight around his chest, constricted his breath, making each inhale a struggle. He hadn't slept in days, his mind a relentless carousel of images, each one a cruel replay of the day she vanished. The park, the laughter, the sudden chilling silence, the empty space where she had stood moments before.He had been so careful, so vigilant. He had built a fortress around her, a sanctuary against the world's cruelties. But it wasn't enough. The world, it seemed, had a w
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 59
The air hung heavy with the scent of incense, a cloying sweetness that did little to soothe the raw ache in Elias's chest. He knelt on the worn, threadbare carpet, the cold stone floor biting into his knees. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, grotesque and unsettling, mirroring the turmoil within him. He had never been a man of faith, but desperation had a way of bending even the most hardened of hearts."Please," he whispered, his voice hoarse with unshed tears, "Please bring her back to me. I'll do anything, anything at all." The words felt hollow, a desperate plea to a silent, uncaring universe. He knew, deep down, that his pleas were falling on deaf ears. He had always been a pragmatist, a man who relied on logic and reason. But now, faced with the unthinkable, the impossible, he was reduced to begging, to pleading with forces he didn't believe in. He had never prayed before, not truly, not with the fervent intensity that now consumed him. But the fear,
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 60
The world seemed to tilt on its axis, the familiar cityscape blurring into an abstract canvas of swirling colors and distorted shapes. Ruan stumbled back, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady himself against the rough brick wall of the alleyway. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the chaos within him. It was as if the ground had been pulled out from under him, leaving him suspended in a dizzying void. The air, once vibrant with the hum of city life, now felt thick and heavy, pressing down on him like a physical weight. He had been so careful, so vigilant. He had built a fortress around her, a sanctuary against the world's cruelties. He had thought it would be enough. He had thought he could shield her from the darkness that had claimed his own family, the darkness that had left him an orphan, a solitary figure adrift in a sea of grief.But the darkness had found her anyway. The news had come like a blow, a sudden, brutal impact that had shatter
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 61
The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on Elias, suffocating him with their starkness. The air hung heavy with the scent of antiseptic and despair, a constant reminder of the nightmare that had unfolded. He had spent the last few hours glued to the bedside, his hand clasped tightly around Althea's, his heart a leaden weight in his chest. He had seen the doctor's grim face, heard the words "dead on arrival" spoken with a cold, clinical detachment that had ripped through his soul. He had felt the crushing weight of despair, the suffocating certainty that his world had ended. He had wept, he had raged, he had prayed, but nothing had changed the harsh reality of her lifeless form.He had watched as the nurses went about their tasks, their movements efficient, almost robotic, as if they were dealing with a broken doll rather than a human being. He had felt a surge of anger, a primal rage directed at the indifference of the world, the cruelty of fate, the callous d
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 62
The hospital room, once a sterile haven of relief, now felt like a prison. Ruan sat by Althea's bedside, his gaze fixed on her face, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. The relief he had felt at her miraculous awakening had quickly given way to a chilling unease. Something was wrong, profoundly wrong.Althea's eyes, usually sparkling with warmth and mischief, were now vacant, their depths devoid of the familiar spark. Her smile, once a beacon of joy, felt strained, almost mechanical. The way she moved, the way she spoke, everything felt…off. It was as if he were looking at a perfect replica, a flawless imitation, but the soul, the essence, was missing.He had known Althea for years. They had shared laughter, tears, dreams, and a love that had felt unshakable. But the woman lying in the hospital bed, the woman he had thought was his Althea, felt like a stranger.He tried to ignore the growing unease, to convince himself that it was just the shock, the trauma, the lingering eff
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 63
The air in the chapel was thick with the scent of lilies and sorrow. The stained-glass windows cast kaleidoscopic patterns on the polished marble floor, a stark contrast to the somber mood that hung heavy in the air. Ruan stood at the altar, his eyes fixed on the ornate casket before him. His heart ached with a grief so profound it threatened to consume him.Althea. His Althea. Gone. He had never imagined a world without her. Their wedding day, a day that was supposed to be filled with joy and hope, had turned into a nightmare. The accident, a cruel twist of fate, had snatched her away in a blink of an eye.He remembered the last time he saw her, her face radiant with happiness, her eyes sparkling with love. They had been so close, their hands intertwined, their hearts beating in unison. Then, the screech of brakes, the sickening thud, the silence that followed, a silence that felt like a gaping wound in his soul.He had held her in his arms, his heart breaking as he felt the life dr
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 64
The hospital room was a sanctuary of hushed whispers and sterile silence. Ruan sat by Althea's bedside, his head bowed, his hands clasped tightly around hers. He had been there for hours, his grief a heavy cloak that draped over him, suffocating him with its weight.He had lost her. His Althea. His everything. The accident had been a blur, a cruel twist of fate that had snatched her away in a blink of an eye. He remembered the last time he saw her, her face radiant with happiness, her eyes sparkling with love. They had been so close, their hands intertwined, their hearts beating in unison. Then, the screech of brakes, the sickening thud, the silence that followed, a silence that felt like a gaping wound in his soul.He had held her in his arms, his heart breaking as he felt the life drain from her body. He had whispered promises, begged her to stay, but his pleas had been met with an unyielding silence. He had watched as they carried her away, her lifeless form a cruel mockery of th
Last Updated : 2024-11-27
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The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 85
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 s
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 84
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,
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 83
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 crispn
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 82
1 year lager… 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 s
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 81
THEA'S P. O. VKalat na sa balita ang pagkakahuli nina Tiyo Berting ar Tiya Purita. Kasama sa mga nahuli si Tejada—ang drug lord na dapat ay pagbebentahan sa akin ng mga walanghiya kong tiyuhin at tiyahin. The news of their arrests, of the drug lord and my relatives, had hit me like a tidal wave. Relief, so immense it was almost painful, washed over me. For years, the weight of their actions, the fear of what they might do, had been a constant shadow, a suffocating presence in my life. Now, that shadow was gone. Makakahinga na ako ng maluwag sa wakas.I sat on the edge of my bed, the worn, floral-patterned sheets a stark contrast to the sterile white walls of my room. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting long, dancing shadows across the floor, but it couldn’t penetrate the gloom that had settled over me. The air hung heavy, thick with the weight of the past, the echoes of whispered secrets and hushed conversations.I stared at the phone in my hand, its sleek surface cold
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 80
Mabigat ang hangin sa kapilya, puno ng amoy ng mga liryo at kalungkutan. Ang mga bintana ng salamin na may kulay ay naghahagis ng mga makukulay na pattern sa makintab na sahig na marmol, isang matinding kaibahan sa malungkot na kapaligiran na mabigat sa hangin. Nakatayo si Ruan sa altar, ang kanyang mga mata ay nakatitig sa masalimuot na kabaong sa harap niya. Ang kanyang puso ay nasasaktan ng kalungkutan na napakalalim na nagbabanta na lamunin siya.Althea. Ang kanyang Althea. Wala na.Hindi niya kailanman naisip ang isang mundo na wala siya. Ang araw ng kanilang kasal, isang araw na dapat sana ay puno ng kagalakan at pag-asa, ay naging isang bangungot. Ang aksidente, isang malupit na pag-ikot ng kapalaran, ay nag-agaw sa kanya sa isang kisap-mata.Naalala niya ang huling pagkakataon na nakita niya siya, ang kanyang mukha ay nagniningning sa kaligayahan, ang kanyang mga mata ay kumikislap ng pag-ibig. Napakasaya nila, ang kanilang mga kamay ay magkakaugnay, ang kanilang mga puso ay t
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 79
Sumisikat ang araw sa bintana ng nursery, naghahagis ng mainit na sinag sa dalawang kuna na magkatabi. Isang mahinang tunog ng pag-iyak ang pumuno sa hangin, isang simponya ng walang-sala na kasiyahan. Nakatayo si Ruan sa tabi ng bintana, ang kanyang puso ay umaapaw sa pag-ibig na kanyang inisip na hindi na niya mararanasan muli.Tumingin siya kay Ariadne-Althea, ang kanyang mukha ay payapa habang karga niya ang kanilang bagong panganak na anak na babae. Siya ay isang bagyo ng mga emosyon mula nang dumating ang mga kambal, isang halo ng kagalakan, pagod, at isang tahimik na kasiyahan na nagmumula sa kanya na parang isang tanglaw ng liwanag.Tinago niya ang katotohanan ng kanilang pagsasama. Walang nakakaalam na ang babaeng kanyang minamahal, ang babaeng kanyang asawa ngayon, ay isang sisidlan para sa dalawang kaluluwa, isang nakakagambalang paalala ng trahedyang naganap. Tinago niya ito, hindi dahil sa takot o kahihiyan, kundi dahil sa pag-ibig at paggalang.Natuto siyang mag-navigate
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 78
Ang puting pader ng silid ng ospital ay parang nagsara kay Ruan, sinasakal siya sa pagiging malungkot nito. Mabigat ang hangin sa amoy ng antiseptiko at kawalan ng katiyakan, isang patuloy na paalala ng imposibleng sitwasyon na kanyang nararanasan. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ng kama, ang kanyang kamay ay mahigpit na nakahawak sa kamay ni Ariadne-Althea, ang kanyang puso ay isang magulong buhol ng mga emosyon.Napakasama ng loob niya sa kalungkutan ng pagkawala ni Althea, ang babaeng kanyang minamahal nang may matinding, hindi matitinag na debosyon, na hindi niya napansin ang banayad na paglilipat sa kanya, ang pagbabagong naganap nang ang kaluluwa ni Ariadne ay nagkaroon ng kanlungan sa kanyang katawan. Napakasama ng loob niya sa imposibleng katotohanan ng kanilang pagsasama na hindi niya napansin ang pinakamalalim na pagbabago sa lahat.Napakasama ng loob niya sa babaeng kanyang minamahal, sa babaeng hindi na pareho, na nakalimutan niya ang buhay na lumalaki sa loob niya.Pumasok ang dokto
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 77
Ang silid ng ospital ay isang malungkot, malinis na paalala ng trahedyang naganap. Nakaupo si Ruan sa tabi ng kama, ang kanyang mga mata ay nakatitig sa babaeng nakahiga roon, ang kanyang mukha ay isang maskara ng katahimikan, ang kanyang paghinga ay mababaw at pantay. Si Althea iyon, ang kanyang Althea, ngunit hindi naman talaga.Nakita niya ang pagbabago, ang banayad na paglilipat sa kanyang kilos, ang paraan ng pagtingin ng kanyang mga mata na parang may alam na hindi pa niya nararanasan kailanman. Nadama niya ito sa kanyang paghawak, isang lamig na pumalit sa init na kanyang palaging kilala. Si Ariadne iyon, ang kanyang Ariadne, na nakulong sa katawan ni Althea.Napakadesperado niyang hanapin siya, ibalik siya mula sa libingan. Nanalangin siya, naghanap siya, kumapit siya sa isang piraso ng pag-asa na maaaring siya ay buhay pa rin. At pagkatapos, bumalik siya, ngunit hindi tulad ng kanyang inaasahan.Siya ay isang pagsasama ng dalawang kaluluwa, isang nakakagambalang, imposibleng
