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KABANATA 63
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2024-11-27 12:36:05Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 65
The world was a swirling vortex of colors and sensations. Althea found herself adrift in a sea of ethereal light, her consciousness tethered to a faint, familiar warmth. It was a sensation she couldn't quite place, a feeling of belonging, of being loved, of being whole.She felt a tug, a gentle pull towards a shimmering portal, a gateway to a world beyond her comprehension. She drifted through it, her senses heightened, her awareness expanding.She found herself in a meadow, bathed in the soft glow of a setting sun. The air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and the sound of children's laughter. She saw them, two small figures, a boy and a girl, their faces alight with joy.They ran towards her, their arms outstretched, their voices filled with a love that resonated deep within her soul. "Mommy!" they cried, their voices a chorus of pure delight.She felt a warmth spread through her, a sense of belonging she had never known before. "My babies," she whispered, her voice a soft ec
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 66
The hospital room was a stark, sterile reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded. Ruan sat by the bed, his gaze fixed on the woman who lay there, her face a mask of serenity, her breathing shallow and even. It was Althea, his Althea, yet not quite. He had seen the change, the subtle shift in her demeanor, the way her eyes held a depth of knowing that had never been there before. He had felt it in her touch, a coldness that had replaced the warmth he had always known. It was Ariadne, his Ariadne, trapped within Althea's body. He had been so desperate to find her, to bring her back from the grave. He had prayed, he had searched, he had clung to a sliver of hope that she might somehow be alive. And then, she had returned, but not as he had imagined. She was a union of two souls, a haunting, impossible amalgamation of the two women he loved. It was a miracle, a twist of fate, a cruel joke played by a malevolent universe. He looked at her, his heart a tangled knot of emotions. He felt
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 67
The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on Ruan, suffocating him with their starkness. The air hung heavy with the scent of antiseptic and uncertainty, a constant reminder of the impossible situation he found himself in. He sat by the bedside, his hand clasped tightly around Ariadne-Althea's, his heart a tangled knot of emotions.He had been so lost in the grief of losing Althea, the woman he had loved with a fierce, unwavering devotion, that he hadn't noticed the subtle shift in her, the change that had occurred when Ariadne's soul had taken refuge within her body. He had been so consumed by the impossible reality of their union that he had missed the most profound change of all.He had been so focused on the woman he loved, on the woman who was no longer the same, that he had forgotten about the life that was growing within her.The doctor had entered the room, his face a mask of professional concern, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of awe and uncertai
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 68
The sun streamed through the nursery window, casting a warm glow on the two cribs nestled side by side. A soft cooing sound filled the air, a symphony of innocent contentment. Ruan stood by the window, his heart overflowing with a love he had thought he would never experience again.He looked at Ariadne-Althea, her face serene as she cradled their newborn daughter in her arms. She had been a whirlwind of emotions since the twins had arrived, a mix of joy, exhaustion, and a quiet contentment that radiated from her like a beacon of light.He had kept the truth of their union a secret. No one knew that the woman he loved, the woman who was now his wife, was a vessel for two souls, a haunting reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded. He had kept it hidden, not out of fear or shame, but out of love and respect.He had learned to navigate this new reality, this impossible union of two souls. He had learned to see both Althea and Ariadne in her, to cherish the memories of both, to appreciat
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 69
Umiulan nang malakas, bawat patak ay parang isang maliliit na pagsabog sa nakakabinging katahimikan ng silid-aralan ni Ruan. Nakaupo siya, nakayuko sa kanyang mesa, ang malamig na ibabaw ng kahoy ay nakadampi sa kanyang mga bisig, ang kanyang mga mata ay nakatitig sa blangkong pahina sa harap niya. Ang mga salitang dapat sana ay madaling dumaloy, ang mga salitang kanyang pinaplano nang ilang linggo, ay natuyo, nag-iwan ng isang malungkot na tanawin ng walang laman na espasyo.Ariadne. Ang kanyang pangalan, binubulong ng hangin, ay nag-aalingawngaw sa malawak na kawalan ng kanyang puso. Ang takot, isang ahas na mahigpit na nakapulupot sa kanyang dibdib, ay naghihigpit ng kanyang paghinga, na nagpapahirap sa bawat paglanghap. Hindi siya nakatulog nang ilang araw, ang kanyang isipan ay isang walang humpay na karusela ng mga larawan, bawat isa ay isang malupit na pag-ulit ng araw na siya ay nawala. Ang parke, ang tawanan, ang biglaang nakakapanlalamig na katahimikan, ang walang laman na e
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 70
Mabigat ang hangin sa amoy ng insenso, isang nakakasulasok na tamis na hindi gaanong nakapagpagaan sa matinding kirot sa dibdib ni Elias. Lumuhod siya sa pagod at manipis na karpet, ang malamig na sahig na bato ay tumutusok sa kanyang mga tuhod. Ang nag-aalab na liwanag ng kandila ay naghahagis ng mga sumasayaw na anino sa mga dingding, nakakatakot at nakakagambala, na sumasalamin sa kaguluhan sa kanyang kalooban. Hindi pa siya naging isang taong may pananampalataya, ngunit ang desperasyon ay may paraan upang yumuko kahit na ang pinakamatigas na puso.“Pakiusap,” bulong niya, ang kanyang boses ay maliliit dahil sa hindi nailabas na mga luha, “Pakiusap, ibalik mo siya sa akin. Gagawin ko ang lahat, anumang bagay.” Ang mga salita ay parang walang laman, isang desperadong pakiusap sa isang tahimik, walang pakialam na sansinukob. Alam niya, sa kaloob-looban niya, na ang kanyang mga pakiusap ay nahuhulog sa bingi.Palagi siyang naging isang pragmatista, isang taong umaasa sa lohika at katw
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 71
Parang nag-iba ang mundo, ang pamilyar na tanawin ng lungsod ay naglabo at naging isang abstract na canvas ng umiikot na kulay at nakapipinsalang mga hugis. Natisod si Ruan paatras, ang kanyang kamay ay awtomatikong umabot upang patatagin ang kanyang sarili sa magaspang na pader na bato ng eskinita. Ang kanyang puso ay bumubog sa kanyang mga tadyang, isang mabilis na pagtambulin na sumasalamin sa kaguluhan sa kanyang kalooban.Para bang hinugot ang lupa sa ilalim niya, iniwan siyang nakasabit sa isang nakakapanghina na kawalan. Ang hangin, na minsan ay nag-aalab sa ingay ng buhay sa lungsod, ay ngayon ay makapal at mabigat, na dumadampi sa kanya na parang isang pisikal na timbang.Napakasensitibo niya, napakabantay. Nagtayo siya ng kuta sa paligid niya, isang santuario laban sa mga kalupitan ng mundo. Akala niya sapat na iyon. Akala niya kaya niyang protektahan siya mula sa kadiliman na kumitil sa kanyang sariling pamilya, ang kadiliman na nag-iwan sa kanya ng isang ulila, isang nag-i
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
