Napasinghap siya dahil sa mga salitang binitiwan nito. All the anger she felt seemed to have been drained out of her as she heard what her father just said. Pakiramdam pa niya’y nanghihina siya sa rebelasyon nitong iyon.
Her father let out another shaky breath. Guilt was written all over his face as he had this faraway look in his eyes.
“Kung maibabalik ko lang sana ang mga oras… If only I was there that night… if only I did not leave the party early… siguro ay hindi nangyari lahat nang ‘to. Siguro ay buhay pa sana siya ngayon… She and that man would’ve been able to spend their lives together… Ang dami kong sana, Sky… and even after more than 30 years… I still carry that guilt and regret in my heart…”
Heneroso Bus
“Is this for real?!”Halos magkakasabay na bulalas nang mga kaibigan ni Sky. She had also just finished telling them the story about what happened several days ago between her and her father. Well, all except the New York University part… since hindi pa naman niya iyon lubusang napapag-isipan.Ava, Chiena, and Jax were now staring intently at the picture she placed in front of them. And from the looks of it, the longer they tried to gaze at the photograph, mas lalo lang din nanlalaki ang mata nang mga ito. Well, liban na lang marahil kay Julienne na noon ay kalmado lang na sumisimsim nang inorder nitong cold lemonade.They were all currently sitted inside The Delirium, ang bar na pag-aari ni Chase, who was Charlie’s first and only love. And speaking of Charlie, mukhang MIA yata ito nga
“If none of you are going to help me, then I might as well do it myself.” Nakasimangot na turan sa kanila nang kaibigan. Kinuha nito ang sariling cellphone at hinanap mula sa list of contacts ang numero ni Charlie. She then pressed the call button at ilang sandali pa ay nag-ring na ang kabilang linya. Natahimik naman sila habang pinapakinggan kung sasagutin ba nito ang tawag. Ngunit makalipas ang pang-anim na ring ay hindi pa rin sinasagot nang dalaga ang cellphone nito. It just rang… and rang some more. Chiena sighed dejectedly as she stared up at each of them. Akmang pipindutin na lang sana nito ang end call button nang sa wakas ay tila nahahapong sagutin na iyon ni Charlie. “I told you a million times, I won’t be going.” Pambungad kaagad nito. Out of nowhere
“Ayos na ako rito, anak. You should go ahead and take a time off. Baka ikaw naman ang magkasakit niyan sa sobrang pagtatrabaho.” Napatigil si Sky sa gagawin sanang pagsubo nang pagkain. She and her father were having lunch that time. Araw nang Sabado noon kaya kapwa sila nasa bahay lang nang kanyang daddy. It had already been more than a month simula nang magka-heart to heart talk silang mag-ama. That night really affected greatly their relationship. Paunti-unti ay nabago niyon ang kanilang pagsasama and opened a doorway for them to grow their bond. Simula nang gabing mangyari iyon ay naging mas madalas na ang naging pag-uusap nila at naging malaya na siyang bisitahin ito araw-araw sa kwarto nito. They talked about a lot of things… and even visited the grave of her mom together. Sa kauna-unahang pagka
Hindi makapaniwala si Sky sa nakikita. Mulagat siyang nakatitig lang sa screen nang tablet. Kung pwede lang na hindi siya kumurap ay ginawa na niya. She refused to let her eyes trail away from the screen even for a minute at baka bigla na lang maglaho sa paningin niya ang binata. Maging si Jax ay ganoon din ang reaksyon. Though initially, because of his shock ay kagyat na nagpalipat-lipat ang titig nito kay Ethan at sa tablet. But their wounded friend motioned for him to go on and watch, so he did. He went still as his eyes, too, never left the display again. Miguel was there, seating in what seemed like a wheelchair. Maayos na ang bihis nito. Taliwas sa inaasahan ni Sky, hindi na ito nakahospital gown na siyang dating suot nito noong araw na sapilitan itong tangayin sa pagamutan. Her husband was now wearing an all black turtleneck knitted sweater paired with
Tahimik lang na lumuluha si Sky habang nakatitig sa pulang kahong nasa kanyang harapan. It was the box that used to contain Miguel’s gift to her on their wedding night. Ngunit ngayon ay tanging mga naiwang sulat na lang nang binata ang pinagsisidlan nito… that and the silver cuff bracelet, na kung hindi pa siguro aksidenteng nahulog at natabunan nang kanilang mga damit ay baka natangay na rin nang kung sinumang naggalugad sa kanilang mga kagamitan. Kanina pa siya nakauwi mula sa pagkikita nila nina Ethan. It was almost dawn now ngunit ni hindi pa rin siya nakapagpalit man lang nang damit. Pilit bumabalik sa kanyang isipan ang mga huling naganap kanina sa ilalim nang abandonadong tulay bago sila maghiwa-hiwalay… Jax let out a sigh habang nakamasid sa munting siga na nasa kanilang harapan. The bounded documents were safely tucked beside him t
Agatha Isabelle Chan Honralez, 25 years old, daughter of former business moguls Santillan Honralez and Isabelle Chan, was found dead due to a gunshot wound in the head. Witnesses say there had been a car chase prior until the car which Honralez drove lost control and hit a nearby tree. The young woman was then seen running out of the said vehicle and going straight into the forest. A number of 10 men stocked with big guns emerged a black van and followed her suite. The next thing heard were gunshots being fired. Locals were terrified to interfere and even asked their identities hidden after giving out statements to the police. It was reported, however, that there had been one casualty. A 35-year-old male named— Ngunit doon na nagtatapos ang artikulo. The rest of it were burned at nangingi
To My Dear Valued Readers, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! 'Yun oh! Kamusta kayong lahat? I pray everyone is safe and doing well in life. Despite nga na nasalanta tayo nang bagyong Odette ay pilit pa rin tayong bumabangon. Fighting lang tayo... basta alive and healthy sa araw-araw at kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay, that's all that truly matters... Bear with mga Moonbebe ('yan na tawag ko sa inyong mga readers ko HAHAHA cute naman iiihhh). Si Luna King niyo po ay naging abala dahil sa sunud-sunod na mga pangyayari... Christmas is always the busiest time for me and my fam... Maraming tradisyong finafollow iiihh... Kayo ba, share niyo naman sa comment section mga ginagawa niyo tuwing pasko... <3 Enjoy your Christmas mga pipz... and don't forget to always thank God for the blessings of this yuletide season. Pahinga muna tayo, ha? Bonding-bonding with the family na muna... 'wag puro si Miguel ang hinahanap... lilitaw din ulit 'yun HAHAHAHA Last but not
For what seemed like the tenth time that night, nayanig na naman ang mundo nang dalaga. Her father’s sudden confession shook her being. It was not really the kind of revelation she expected to hear from him.“First Light Orphanage to be exact. It was managed by a religious congregation at ang nagpalaki sa aming mga kabataang naroon ay mga madre. Hmm… I think I was about ten years old when I asked Sister Superior about my parents. Ang sabi niya, hindi rin daw niya alam ang tungkol sa kanila. Ang tiyahin ko lang daw kasi ang naghatid sa akin doon sa bahay-ampunan. She stole me from my birth parents because according to her, they were about to sell me to a child syndicate… or something to that extent.”Habang nakikinig sa mga kwento nang kanyang ama ay hindi napigilang magbalik sa isipan ni Sky ang makailang ulit na tagpo sa p
Sky’s P.O.V.Sky couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at the man in front of her. No wonder he looked somewhat familiar! Because the more she stared at him, the more she realized the similarities he had with Alessandro. Both men clearly shared the same proud and pointed nose. At tulad ng binata ay nagtataglay din ito ng mga matang nangungusap at mamula-mulang malahugis-pusong labi. Are all men born from Vontillon lineage this perfect? But didn’t they say he’s over mid-fifties or something? Bakit tila yata nasa kwarenta pa lang ang edad nito? No! In fact, he could even pass for someone who’s in his late thirties! Hindi tuloy niya mapigilang mapatitig dito ng matagal. Ikiniling naman ng lalaki ang ulo nito habang halata sa anyo ang pag-aalala. “Is there something wrong, Ms. Bustamante? Nahihilo ka na naman ba?”Napakurapkurap naman siya habang pilit na ibinabalik sa tamang huwisyo ang isipan. Maagap din niyang tinanggap ang nakalahad pa rin nitong kamay subalit dahil sa pagmamadal
Sky’s P.O.V. Sky could feel her eyes shimmer as she stared at the last piece of the strawberry shortcake. She was already in for her second round of dessert at ngayon ay napupusuan niyang subukan sana ang naturang cake. It was supposed to be her first choice a while ago ngunit naagaw ang kanyang atensyon ng mga macaroons na naroon kaya iyon na muna ang inuna niya. Tutal naman kanina lang ng tingnan niya iyon ay mayroon pang tatlong cake ang nakahain kaya’t naisip niyang balikan na lamang ang mga iyon. Subalit heto nga’t nag-iisang slice na lamang pala ang natitira and she wasn’t sure if there was another refill for it. She was about to reach for the cake spatula ng may isang kamay ang naunang umabot niyon at mab
Sky’s P.O.V. Tigalgal na napatitig si Sky sa kanyang ama. She must’ve misheard him, right? Surely her father has not yet gone senile! Sa laki ba naman ng pagod at paghihirap na pinagdaanan ng kanilang kompanya para lang makuha ang mga naglalakihang kontrata mula mula sa Vontillon Corp, hindi siya makapaniwalang ganoon at ganoon na lang ito papakawalan ng kanyang ama!“W-What do you mean, Dad? W-Why would you want to cut ties with the largest company in the country?” Puno ng pagkalitong tanong niya.Her father had a hard look on his face as he stared at her. Wari ba may kung anong mabigat na alalahanin ang nasa isip nito at tila maigi pa nitong pinag-iisipan kung sasagutin ba siya nito o hindi. Bandang huli ay napabuga na lang ito ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga bago tumuwid muli ng tayo.“I no longer see any reason why we should still continue our partnership with them.” Maikli lamang ang tugon nitong iyon ngunit bakas mula sa bawat katagang binitawan ng kanyang ama ang pinalida
Sky’s P.O.V.“What are you doing? Did I not tell you not to leave my side?” Matigas ngunit mahinang turan kaagad ng kanyang ama ng harapin siya. The volume of his voice was enough for just the two of them to hear. Kasalukuyan na sila nitong nasa kabilang bahagi ng malawak na bulwagan, malayo na mula sa kinaroroonan kanina nila Alessandro. Ilan lang din ang mga bisitang nasa ibayo nila dahil bahagyang nasa sulok na iyon ng venue. Sky let out a soft sigh. “Dad, I did try to find you a while ago but I couldn’t. Ikaw ang bigla-bigla na lang nawawala at ‘di mahagilap. Where have you been all this time?” In truth, she did look for her father after she went to the lady’s room. She even strained her eyes looking around for him pero hindi talaga niya ito makita. Sa pagkakataong iyon naman din saktong nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Alessandro, and although she did not expect it, nilapitan at kinausap siya ng binata. Kahit pa para sa kanya ay nahahati ang kalooban niya sa saya at sakit sa muli
Alessandro’s P.O.V.“Up until this point, nothing suspicious had been detected.” Pabulong na wika sa kanya ni Ethan.Katatapos lang nitong kausapin si Max na noon ay nakapwesto sa ikalawang palapag kung saan overlooking ang venue. Alessandro could also clearly see the man from where they were standing. Nakatayo ito habang nakakapit sa railings at tinatanaw ang mga nangyayari sa kanila sa ibaba.“Do you think Hector backed out last minute seeing there are too many of our men surrounding the venue?” He heard Ethan ask. Balisa pa nitong palihim na iginala ang pangin sa mga panauhin.Siya naman ay marahang napabitaw nang kanina pa kinikimkim na buntong-hininga. He didn’t like any of these at all. Masyadong tahimik. Masyadong kalmado ang lahat. Biglang bumalik sa isip niya ang dalawang babalang nakasulat sa puting tarhetang nakaipit sa palaso. First, it warned him to be wary with the deliveries coming in and out of the hotel. Hence, Ethan made sure to secure the entrance, exits, and all th
Dear Valued Readers, Hello po ulit sa inyong lahat! Kamusta mustasa aking mga readers? Long time no read sa aking monthly Author's Note. Hehehe well ayun, you're all probably wondering bakit pautay-utay na 'yung pag-a-update ko. Sorry na po... huhuhu busy lang po sa aking other side hustles. Struggle is real pero go lang nang go. Rest assured na tatapusin ko po talaga ang novel na ito. Hehehe excited din akong mapiece together na 'yung mga pangyayari. Alam kong marami rin kayong mga katanungan at masasagot lahat nang iyan sa buwan nang jaraaaaaaaan: HULYO! HAHAHAHAHA omg omg siguro hate niyo na ako... 'wag naman hahaha peace mga kapatid! Sabi nga ni Sky diba, "Kapit lang!" So ayun na nga... give me time and space and the Milkyway charot hahaha nakakapressure and at the same time, nakakachallenge palang isulat ang ending. But I still hope you all like it :) See you soon! Love lots! ~Luna King
Alessandro’s P.O.V.Sinubukan pa niyang tumikhim upang muling ibalik sa dating tono ang boses. Damn it! Umayos ka, Alessandro!“I heard from your father his assistant couldn’t make it.” Sabi na lang niya.Marahang napatango naman ang dalaga. “Yes. Something came up last minute kaya hindi siya makapunta rito. May kinailangan kasi siyang asikasuhin sa Batangas and apparently, it’s one thing that can’t be postponed.”Natigilan naman si Alessandro. He suddenly remembered the property Señor Heneroso owned in Batangas. Sa pagkakatanda niya, may malaking farm doon ang mga manugang nang namayapa nitong asawa. He initial
Ethan’s P.O.V. Ethan felt the sound of the blood running through his veins and the loud thumping of his heart drowned the noise around him. His muddled mind tried its best to remember the background investigation he had once conducted on Sky. How come he didn’t notice it before?! Subalit bigla rin niyang naalalang hindi rin naman kasi siya nagtagal sa naturang paaralan. Siguro ay dalawang taon lang din ang iginugol niya roon dahil iyon nga’t nagtransfer na siya sa isang specialized military school. Kaya siguro hindi na rin iyon pinansin pa nang kanyang isipan… because it was just a minor detail in her past anyway. Isa pa’y ang siniguro niya noon ay kung anong pinagkakaabalahan nang dalaga at pati na rin ang tungkol sa kompanya nang pamilya nito. After all, the Poderoso did fail to get the business
Ethan’s P.O.V.Kaagad namang gumuhit ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Halos sabay din silang kumilos nang kaibigan upang tawirin ang munting espasyo sa pagitan nila upang saglit na magyakapan.“I didn’t know you were home! Ang akala ko nga hindi na kita makikita pa kasi roon sa Canada ka na lang maglalagi.” Aniya rito nang bumitaw na.Mavie laughed at his remark. “Grabe ka naman. Umuwi kaya ako rito three years ago. Sadly, kayo naman ni Alessandro ang hindi ko mahagilap. Nagpunta pa nga ako sa mansyon pero si Nana Leticia lang ang nakausap ko. Sabi pa niya, nasa US daw kayong lahat…”Bigla namang natigilan si Ethan. ‘Di yata’t ang tinutukoy nito ay noong panahong nagpapagaling pa si Alessandro. At natur