Athena’s POVI couldn’t hear anything properly anymore. All I could hear are my loud heartbeats, my breath, and the sound of my shoes every step that I take. I don’t cry but it’s heavy inside my chest.“Where’s Papa?” I asked as soon as I saw Miri.Miri was crying outside the emergency room. Her uniform was full of blood, so are her arms and hands. She refused to speak; she stayed whining while hugging herself.“Miri, what happened,” Mama asked Miri.Lalong hindi na nakasagot si Miri nang lumabas na ang doctor mula sa emergency room. Lumingon ang lalaking doctor kay Miri bago nito tinanggal ang face mask niya saka siya bumuntong hininga, I even saw him licking his lips.“Who is patient’s guardian?” the doctor asked.“I’m the wife.” Mama pulled me towards her back by holding my hand, “How’s my husband?”Judging Mama’s shaky hands, I knew she’s also scared. Kitang kita ko ang malalaking patak ng pawis sa noo niya at ang luha na pabagsak na mula sa mga mata niya. Kahit naman may galit si
Athena’s POVIlang araw gumugulo sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Papa sa video. How come our life gets tangled? Hindi ko parin maintindihan… bakit niya nagawang ilayo ako sa tatay ko? Alam kong mahal niya kami at ramdam ko iyon pero that’s too evil! Hindi ko naman kayang magalit dahil anong sense? Wala na rin naman siya."Athena, tawag ka ni Ma'am!"Bumalik ako sa katinuan nang hinawakN ako ni Miri sa balikat. Napalingon ako sa harap kung nasaan si Mrs. Liezhe na nag–aabot na ng papers. Tumayo nalang ako at kinuha na ang exam results ko. "Congrats, Athena, you did a great job in your exam," nakangiting papuri ni Mrs. Liezhe.Napatingin ako sa exam results ko. All twelve subjects are passed... not just passed, they are all A+ kung ikukumpara sa ibang bansa ang grAthenang system. I didn’t know I can achieve this kind of grades.“Kailangan mo lang palang magluksa para tumalino eh,” pangangantyaw nung isang kaklase kong lalaki na sinundan naman ng tawanan ng mga kaklase ko.“Nakakatuwa yon?
Athena’s POV[W: Contains minors drinking liquor, please, wag gagayahin.]“Well, it is partially your fault though, kung hindi ka gan’on umatake edi sana hindi ka naiwan mag–isa ng mga kaibigan mo,” pasigaw na sabi ni Ica habang umiindak pa.Sinasabayan niya ang tugtog sa loob ng club. Angsakit ng tainga ko sa lakas ng tugtog. Sobrang dilim ng paligid at may mga ilaw pa na iniikot ang buong club. Masikip dahil maraming tao kaya naman nakatayo lang kami nila Ica. So this is what a club looks like in person.Umirap ako kay Ica saka ako humigop sa orange juice ko, “Hindi ko ginusto yung epekto sakanya n’on pero bagay lang sakanya, masiyado na siyang umeepal sa buhay ko.”Nakita ko ang pagngisi ni Jess at nung isa pa nilang kasamang babae na kanina pa tahimik. May nakayakap kay Jess na lalaking mas matangkad sakanya habang pareho silang gumigiling. Naalala ko tuloy bigla si Rogel. Naghihintay kaya siya ngayon sa tree house?Speaking of Rogel, umilaw ang phone ko dahil sa notification na
•Year 2022, month of July: Red’s POV•A sound of clacking heels from a pair of red stilettos was filling the whole room. Behind the darkness of the shades that I am wearing, I can see how people made their sudden look on me; like a Goddess arrived. They all greeted me with a smile on their faces which I responded with a straight face.My palm is heated up by the coffee that I am holding on my right hand while my other is holding my new released black designer bag. I sipped at the cup of coffee that I was holding as I walked, making it appear as though I was just having a breakfast. It is in the US or here in the Philippines, nothing changes, I’ve got the same routine every single day.“Oh hi, are you the secretary here?” A man suddenly blocked my way. One of my brows automatically rises as I stopped my feet from walking. I slightly put my shades down then I looked at him from head to toe. He was wearing a white long-sleeve which he covered with a navy blue coat, his black slacks and
[Daisy's POV, Year 2004]"Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on (why does the heart go on?)..."IT WAS ALL BLACK FOR ME. My brows are slightly furrowed as I hold my chest. I don't know how the people react as I present them my talent. All that I know is that I love what I am doing... singing; to let all the feelings out of my heart in every lyric and to give all the expression through every note.As soon as I opened her eyes, my gazes went directly to the window on the second floor. A man was standing behind it; he was silhouette yet I know that he's enjoying what he's watching. Of course he should be, I am singing our song."Happy birthday, Mayor!" one of the guests greeted, Mr. Howards.I stayed standing behind my father's back, playing with my nails that I just get done early in the morning; nail polish can never last a day on my nails. I just smiled at the other guests or bow or shake hands when they offer. I can do nothing here but to act formal and comp
Daisy’s POV"You smell like a Daisy, Daisy," he huskily whispered. His face slowly went towards my neck; he sniffed it as if he smells some mentholated topical ointment, "It smells so good."He planted a kiss on my neck, down to my shoulder then to the end of it. I could hear his the way he breathe, his spittle are hot as it touches my skin. His smooches make noise which turns me on.I gripped onto his shirt in a tight matter, as tight as I closed my eyes. I slightly bit my lower lip. I let him and his lips do anything on my neck but then he’s tactless. He abruptly stopped kissing me as if he did not turn me on just earlier! "Stop being kind and let anyone kiss your body parts, Daisy," he commanded. I pursed my lips with my brows furrowed, "That's a sign of formality, Ros!"“We are in the Philippines, kissing on someone’s hand is out of our culture’s formality; he could have just shook your hands or bowed down with a hand on his right chest just like the old way.” He wrapped his arm
Daisy's POVPagkapasok namin sa loob ng bahay ay si Eros naman ang pumutok ang labi nang makatanggap din siya ng sampal mula kay Daddy. Si Tito Fredo ay nakatayo lang sa likod, he was gritting his teeth. Probably he's mad as he sees his child being hit by anyone else."Hindi ba malinaw ang usapan na you'll stay inside the house until the event is over!" singhal ni Dad. "My God! Your violence is exactly the reason why I don't want you to join any event of this family.""That douche is disrespecting Daisy, Tito. I cannot just let him do that," mahinahong pagpapaliwanag ni Eros.Tumayo nang deretso si Tito Fredo at nagkalad na palapit, "Yun naman pala eh, may dahilan naman pala ang bata. Hirap kasi sa'yo lagi mong pinag-iinitan ang anak ko."Mula sa likod ko ay hinawakan ako ni Mom sa braso, "Totoo ba 'yon anak? Binabastos ka ng anak ni Mr. Ferrer."I bit my lower lip as I nodded. Napayuko nalang ako ay lumunok nang mariin. Dahil sakin, napapagalitan pa ngayon si Eros."Fernan, pinagtang
Daisy’s POV Halos manlumo ako habang tinitignan ang resulta sa tatlong maliit na puting rectangle thing. Two lines. I'm... pregnant. Mahina kong pinalu-palo ang noo ko. Antanga ko, bakit hindi ako nag-ingat? Antanga niya rin, hindi siya nag-ingat! Pero ano bang malay ko na gan'on kabilis mabuntis, isang beses lang naman naming ginawa 'yon. "Daisy! Ano? May resulta na ba?" narinig ko ang boses ni Leizhe na sumisigaw mula sa labas ng banyo. Huminga ako nang malalim. Tagaktak ang pawis ko dahil sa kaba. Tumatakbo sa isip ko ang mga katanungan. Paano ko bubuhayin ang batang 'to? Kaya ko ba? Paano ko sasabihin kay Daddy? Ano nalang sasabihin ng iba? Everyone thinks that Eros and I are cousins, kapag nalaman nila ang balita. Paniguradong marami akong maririnig na panghuhusga. Pinalakas ko muna ang sarili ko bago ko binuksan ang pinto. There, I saw Leizhe and Axel wairing for me. Parehong may pag-aalala sa mga mukha nila. Hindi ako makapagsalita kaya kinagat ko nalang ilalim ng labi ko.
Athena’s POV[W: Contains minors drinking liquor, please, wag gagayahin.]“Well, it is partially your fault though, kung hindi ka gan’on umatake edi sana hindi ka naiwan mag–isa ng mga kaibigan mo,” pasigaw na sabi ni Ica habang umiindak pa.Sinasabayan niya ang tugtog sa loob ng club. Angsakit ng tainga ko sa lakas ng tugtog. Sobrang dilim ng paligid at may mga ilaw pa na iniikot ang buong club. Masikip dahil maraming tao kaya naman nakatayo lang kami nila Ica. So this is what a club looks like in person.Umirap ako kay Ica saka ako humigop sa orange juice ko, “Hindi ko ginusto yung epekto sakanya n’on pero bagay lang sakanya, masiyado na siyang umeepal sa buhay ko.”Nakita ko ang pagngisi ni Jess at nung isa pa nilang kasamang babae na kanina pa tahimik. May nakayakap kay Jess na lalaking mas matangkad sakanya habang pareho silang gumigiling. Naalala ko tuloy bigla si Rogel. Naghihintay kaya siya ngayon sa tree house?Speaking of Rogel, umilaw ang phone ko dahil sa notification na
Athena’s POVIlang araw gumugulo sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Papa sa video. How come our life gets tangled? Hindi ko parin maintindihan… bakit niya nagawang ilayo ako sa tatay ko? Alam kong mahal niya kami at ramdam ko iyon pero that’s too evil! Hindi ko naman kayang magalit dahil anong sense? Wala na rin naman siya."Athena, tawag ka ni Ma'am!"Bumalik ako sa katinuan nang hinawakN ako ni Miri sa balikat. Napalingon ako sa harap kung nasaan si Mrs. Liezhe na nag–aabot na ng papers. Tumayo nalang ako at kinuha na ang exam results ko. "Congrats, Athena, you did a great job in your exam," nakangiting papuri ni Mrs. Liezhe.Napatingin ako sa exam results ko. All twelve subjects are passed... not just passed, they are all A+ kung ikukumpara sa ibang bansa ang grAthenang system. I didn’t know I can achieve this kind of grades.“Kailangan mo lang palang magluksa para tumalino eh,” pangangantyaw nung isang kaklase kong lalaki na sinundan naman ng tawanan ng mga kaklase ko.“Nakakatuwa yon?
Athena’s POVI couldn’t hear anything properly anymore. All I could hear are my loud heartbeats, my breath, and the sound of my shoes every step that I take. I don’t cry but it’s heavy inside my chest.“Where’s Papa?” I asked as soon as I saw Miri.Miri was crying outside the emergency room. Her uniform was full of blood, so are her arms and hands. She refused to speak; she stayed whining while hugging herself.“Miri, what happened,” Mama asked Miri.Lalong hindi na nakasagot si Miri nang lumabas na ang doctor mula sa emergency room. Lumingon ang lalaking doctor kay Miri bago nito tinanggal ang face mask niya saka siya bumuntong hininga, I even saw him licking his lips.“Who is patient’s guardian?” the doctor asked.“I’m the wife.” Mama pulled me towards her back by holding my hand, “How’s my husband?”Judging Mama’s shaky hands, I knew she’s also scared. Kitang kita ko ang malalaking patak ng pawis sa noo niya at ang luha na pabagsak na mula sa mga mata niya. Kahit naman may galit si
Athena’s POVI woke up inside my old room. Ang alam ko ay sa sofa ako nakatulog, inilipat ata ako ni Papa. Binuksan ko ang cabinet ko, mabuti nalang at may naiwan akong mga uniform dito. Ano naman kung isipin ng mga tao na nagcheat ako? At least I have Papa who believes in me. Papatunayan ko sakanilang lahat na hindi ako nagcheat. I won’t let my hard to be mistaken as cheating.Nang makapag-asikaso na ako ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto. Pagbaba ko sa kusina ay nakita ko si Papa na naghahanda ng almusal. Pagkakita niya palang sakin ay ngumiti na siya nang malaki na para bang hinihintay niya talaga ang pagbaba.“Good morning,” bati niya. Naglalagay na siya ng tapa sa pinggan kong may fried rice na at itlog, “Special almusal para sa bunso ko.”“Bunso talaga?” I chuckled as I sat down on my chair. “Hindi naman po kami magkapatid ni Miri.”“Magkapatid kayo, iisa nga ang Papa niyo eh!”Ngumuso nalang ako. Though I always wanted Miri to be my sister, naiinis parin ako sakanya. Point 4 lang ang
Daisy’s POVNakayuko lang si Athena habang nasa loob kami ng guidance office, nakakrus pa ang mga braso niya at nakataas ang kilay.“Mrs. Guerrero, we both know that cheating is ground of suspension,” paalala ng Principal. “I’m sorry but we can’t do anything about this.”“Wala ho bang cctv sa locker’s area?” tanong ko sa Principal.“Wala hong gumagana na cctv sa banda roon,” sagot ng Principal.“Then why are you putting broken cctv’s inside the locker’s area?” inis na sabi ni Athena.“Athena, tinanong na kita kanina kung may pinagbigyan ka ba ng susi ng locker mo at ang sagot mo naman ay wala,” mahinahong paliwanag ni Athena.“Yes but it doesn’t mean that no one is capable of stealing it!” pagtatanggol pa ni Athena sa sarili niya.“Pero nasa iyo ang parehong copy ng susi mo,” sagot pa ng Principal. The Principal gasped for an air, “Hindi ko rin sinabi na hindi tayo gagawa ng imbestigasyon tungkol dito, pinapaalala ko lang na kapag napatunayan na nagcheat ka, you could be suspended.”N
Daisy’s POV“So what’s your catch?” I asked Axel as soon as Athena entered her school. “Bakit bigla mong sinusuyo si Miri ngayon?” pagtatanong ko pa.“Gusto ko lang magkalapit kami ng bata.”“Sa labing-anim na taon, ngayon mo lang gustong mapalapit sakanya?” pagtataas ko ng kilay sakanya. Ngumisi nalang ako saka ko tinignan ang huling rosas na hawak niya, “Masiyadong mo nang nasaktan yung bata, hindi pa ba sapat ‘yon para sa’yo?”He sighed deeply as I saw how he tightened his grip to his rose. “I know,” nanghihina ang boses niya nang sabihin niya iyon. “That’s exactly the reason why I want to make things up for her, I feel like I’m a horrible person.”Sumandal ako sa sasakyan ko at pinagkrus ko ang mga braso ko. “Buti alam mo,” pasaring ko. “Sinira mo yung buhay ni Miri, yung buhay ko, at yung pamilya namin ni Eros; you’re the worst…”“Look, makapal na ang mukha ko kung hihingiin ko ito sa’yo but please help me to have my daughters’ trust again.”“And what is it for me?” I smirked.“I
Athena’s POV “I know the quiz bee just ended and our school wasn’t successfully achieved the grand prize but our students Maica and Mirabella did their best so let’s give them a round of applause!” anunsyo ni Ma’am Leizhe. Nagpalakpakan ang buong classroom para kay Miri habang si Miri naman ay nananatili lang na tahimik sa tabi ko. Siguro disappointed parin siya tungkol sa pagkatalo nila, simula rin kasi n’on ay halos hindi niya kami pansinin ni Rogel. “You did great, Miri,” I whispered in between the sound of our claps. “But sometimes, our greatest is not enough,” tugon ni Miri saka naglabas nalang ng papel niya. Nagkatinginan kami ni Rogel na kasalukuyang nakaupo sa tapat kong upuan, narinig niya ata kami ni Miri. “Another announcement, my dear class,” ani Ma’am Leizhe. Lumakad siya patungo sa harap ng table niya, “Next week will be our exam week so I want you to prepare for that and I wish you the best.” Pagtapos ng lahat ng klase at mag-uwian na ay bigla nalang tumayo si Mir
.Athena’s POV“Salamat ha,” sabi ko habang naglalakad kami ni Rogel sa side walk ng kalsada. Nilakad lang namin mula roon sa bahay ng Strauss patungo sa condominium building na inuupahan namin ngayon dahil malapit lang naman. “You know what you made me feel better.”“Eh hindi nga ako nagsalita e,” he laughed.“Well sometimes people just need someone to listen not someone to talk to.” Tinapik ko ang likod niya saka ako ngumiti sakanya, “You’re such a good listener, Rogel.”He showed me a warm smile. Huminto na ako sa harap ng building kaya naman huminto na rin siya. Tiningala niya ang building, para bang kusa pang bumagsak ang labi niya dahil sa pagkamangha.“Angas, dito kayo tumitira?” he gasps then he looked at me. “Pangarap ko lang dati dito eh.”I playfully hit his shoulders, “You can always sleepover.”“Talaga?” he excitedly uttered.“Yes!” I answered. “With Miri, Ica, and ohh, I would love it if Cairo’s there.”“Ah…” bigla ang pagbagsak ng energy niya, may binulong pa siya na hin
Inilapag ko yung belt bag ko sa de kahoy na upuan. Dumeretso ako sa kusina para tignan ang mga nakatakip na pagkain. Tuyo at tortang talong ang nasa plato. Kumuha nalang ako ng plato para kumuha ng kanin tapos ay naglagay ako ng ulam sa plato ko.Habang kumakain ako nakatingin lang ako sa cellphone ko. Natatawa lang ako sa pinag–uusapan ni Ica at ni Miri tungkol sa math subject namin sa gc. Hindi naman ako natatawa dahil nakakatawa yung pinag–uusapan nila, natatawa ako kasi wala akong maintindihan.“Rogel,” narinig kong tawag ni Tatay. Pagtingin ko sakanya ay palabas na siya ng kwarto.“Tay.” Tumayo ako para magmano sakanya na pinagbigyan niya naman, “Si Nanay?”“Nagb–bingo kesa Pasing,” sagot ni Tatay. Napakamot siya sa ulo niya tsaka siya tumingin sa belt bag kong nasa upuan, “May pera kaba diyan, penge naman pang–isang gin lang?”Kinuha ko agad ang belt bag ko para hindi na makakuha si Tatay roon, “Eh tay, pangbaon ‘to ni Randy eh.”Kumunot ang noo niya sabay hila sa bag, “Magkano