I ran as fast as I could. I could hear his voice calling my name. I wanted to look back, but I can’t. “Dollina!” His voice was so loud and deep. Dahil sa mahahaba niyang biyas ay alam kong mahuhuli niya ako. “Please… Don’t. Don’t run away from me,” his voice cracked, and the pain and panic in his voice mixed up. Kinuha ko ang aking phone at tinawagan si Kyle. I couldn't reach him, his phone was in airplane mode. Si Reed ang sunod kong tinawagan. It took so many rings before he finally answered. Patuloy ako sa pagtakbo. Hindi ko na maramdaman ang hapdi sa aking paa na wala ng suot na sapatos. My feet are now numb from running nonstop. I heard the tiredness in his voice as he answered. “I’m sorry, I just came out from work— Wait, are you okay? Why is your breathing so fast? What’s the matter?” “R-Reed. Can you come and g-get me? N-Now. I need your help, Reed. Come here faster.” “F*ck— Where the f*ck are you? Tell me. I’ll go there,” he said. “I… I don’t know,” I cried. Lumibot an
“We finally… came back,” Mom said with a small smile on her lips. She turned to me and smiled. I smiled back and looked around the place. It's been years. “Ah. You’re just a little girl back then when we were still here. I guess you can’t remember your memories here,” aniya at hinawi ang hibla ng aking buhok na nakaharang sa aking mukha dahil sa hangin. You’re wrong, Mom. Even when I was just a kid back then, I can still remember your sweet smiles, your sweet words, and the comfort you’re giving to me. All of it when you’re still treating me like a princess. I forced a smile and looked down. “Let’s go?” ani Dad nang makalapit na sa amin. Pumasok na kami sa aming sasakyan patungo sa dati naming mansyon. Reed, Kyle and Levi called me as I arrived here in Spain. “Your Abuela called, Sadie. She wants to see us,” Mom said. Nilingon ko siya at dahan-dahan na tumango. “Is that okay?” I nodded and smiled, assuring her. She nodded and I looked away. I pursed my lips and unconsciously b
Sa pagtira ko rito sa Spain sa mga nagdaang linggo, kahit paano ay maayos naman ang buhay ko. Mom is now extra taking care of me. Alam ko na bumabawi siya sa akin. Nang makabangon ako mula sa paghiga ay agad ako nakaramdam ng hilo. Nanlalamig ang loob ng katawan ko. Sa bilis ng pangyayari ay nahanap ko na lang ang aking sarili sa banyo, nagsusuka. Ito na naman. Naulit na naman. Hindi lang ito ngayon nangyari sa akin. Ngayon ay balak ko nang magpa check-up kung ano ba itong nangyayari sa akin. It's always like this. Laging masama ang pakiramdam ko. And I once felt scared. Scared that maybe… I am sick. Hindi na normal ang nangyayari sa akin. "Buenos días, Doc." Nakangiti rin sa akin ang doktora at bumati pabalik. "So how are you feeling these days?" I sighed. Sinagot ko ang unang tanong niya. Marami pa siyang tanong na sinagot ko. Sa huling bitaw ko ng salita ay doon lang ako nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. That's when I noticed her expression. Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo habang titi
Sa dalawang buwan na pagbubuntis ko ay nahirapan ako. Kaya nang mag siyam na buwan ay mas dumoble ang hirap ko. “You still looked beautiful as always, Sadie.” Umirap ako at binato ang unan kay Levi. The three idiots filled my room with their laugh. Napahikbi ako at inayos ang buhok ko. “Stop!” I cried. Agad naman na naalerto ang tatlo at inalo ako. “F*ck. Sadie, I’m not—” “No! You’re saying I’m ugly!” “That’s not true, Sadie,” Kyle held my hand and kissed the back of my hand. “You’re never been ugly, Sadie.” “I’ll punch Levi for you. You want that?” Reed smiled playfully. “Hey! Motherf*cker—” “Levi!” Binatukan siya na Daven nang makapasok sa silid ko habang may hawak na tray ng pagkain. I was craving for adobo and Daven cooked it for me. “Serves you right,” Reed smirked. “Why are you hurting me?” Levi pouted at him. Nairita ako roon kaya akmang ibabato ko ang maliit na pillow sa tabi ko nang hawakan iyon ni Kyle at nilayo sa akin. “Don’t mind him. You’ll just lose
“Mom?” Sirena’s call made me focus my attention on her. She took a glance at her brother who’s quietly eating. “Archer and I will not be going to school tomorrow,” panimula niya. Nangunot ang aking noo sa narinig. “And why is that, Sirena?” Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Archer na ngayon ay sa amin ang tingin, para bang naagaw ang kaniyang atensyon.“It’s because… there’s an event tomorrow with–”“Sirena,” mariin na tawag ni Archer sa kaniyang kapatid. Ayaw nitong ituloy ang sasabihin ng kakambal. “What is it, Sirena? Tell me,” I said in a serious tone. That made Archer look down like he surrendered from stopping her sister. “W-We are having an event tomorrow at school and should come… with a father.” Ramdam ko ang lungkot sa kaniyang huling salita. Para akong tinanggalan ng hininga sa sinabi nito. I felt my chest tightened at their sad faces. Nagbaba ako ng tingin dahil wala akong maibigay na sasabihin. This is not the first time they open up about this. Tinanong nila ako noon kung
"Baby? Why are you still awake?" Nilapitan ko si Archer na nasa couch, nagbabasa ito habang hinihintay ako. He smiled when he saw me. I sat beside him and kissed his forehead. "I wanted to wait for you, Mamá. Sirena is sleeping already. I was with her in her room until she fell asleep, then I came outside to wait for you." I smiled sweetly and caressed his cheek. He's such a sweet little boy. No one knew that but me. Napaka lambing ng batang ito sa akin. I raised him very well. "So you're reading here while waiting for me?" He nodded and showed me the book he's holding. "I'm just advanced reading, Mamá." "You can continue that tomorrow. Let's sleep now. It's getting late." "Did you drink alcohol, Mom?" Natigilan ako at bumaling ang tingin sa kaniya. He was watching me like he was studying me. "It is okay, Mamá. You can enjoy yourself anytime you want. Don't mind us. You can hang out and have fun without us." Sinamahan ko siya sa kaniyang silid at tinabihan ko siya hanggang sa
“Mom, are you okay?” I nodded and smiled at Sirena. “Yes, baby. Don’t worry and enjoy your food.” “Mamá. You look bothered. Is everything alright?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Archer. Pagkatapos ng nangyari kanina. Hindi na ako makapante. I was worried. What if he saw me again? And this time with my kids? Will he tell it to him? Natakot ako sa nangyari. He saw me buying clothes for a little boy. I sighed and watched the two eat. Nawalan ako ng gana kumain. “Mommy. Are we going home na?” I nodded and started the engine of the car. “Yes, baby. I’m sorry. Babawi na lang ulit si Mommy. For now, we need to go home.” She nodded like a good girl. “Okay, Mom.” Nang makarating kami sa bahay, I tried to call Levi but I couldn’t reach him. Nagtungo ako sa room ni Archer. I saw him studying. He’s so focused on what he is doing. Parehong-pareho sila ng ama niya. Napailing ako at nilapitan siya. Niilingon niya ako at agad na inalis ang atensyon doon para ibaling sa akin.“I’m sorry, baby. We didn
I stiffened. I’m really so drunk that I am hearing a familiar voice. I was about to pull away from his arms when his strong arms made me face him. Nabigla ako sa ginawa niya. The place was so dark that I couldn't see his face properly. Dumagdag pa ang hilo ko. But when a light hit his face, I gasped. I felt my knees weakening. My lips parted and stopped from breathing. After so many years. Years that I haven’t seen him. Years that I was trying to forget him. Now that he’s in front of me, I don’t know anymore. I’m not ready. D*mn, I wasn’t even thinking about meeting him again. How did we cross paths again? His darkening and intimidating eyes. His perfect face that my kids have. He became more intimidating and had a strong aura. Pakiramdam ko ay nawala ang kalasingan ko. But maybe I’m just so drunk that I am hallucinating? I just wish I’m right. Tinikom ko ang nakaawang kong bibig. Pinilit kong lumayo sa kaniya. Nagtagumpay ako at mabilis na umalis doon. Agad kong kinuha ang bag ko