NeverMabilis ko siyang tinulak at tumalikod para itago ang pag-init ng mukha ko. I wanted so bad to scream but I couldn't let him saw me in this state. Kahit na nanghihina ay sinubukan kong ituloy ang paghuhugas ng plato ngunit nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan nang may matipunong braso ang pumalibot sa maliit kong bewang at yumakap do'n.I did not move as I remained frozen. His chest touched my back and sent shivers down my spine. He rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed me there. Sinubukan kong kumawala pero hindi naging sapat 'yon dahil sa panghihina. His manly scent enveloped me, his warm hands placed on my body was enough to reach my heart."S-Styx, ano bang ginagawa mo?" I told him and slightly moved."Can we stay like this for a while? I missed you." He sounded tired.Sinubukan ko ulit siyang itulak pero nagmatigas lang siya at mas hinigpitan ang yakap sa 'kin. Unti-unti akong nanghina at hinayaan siyang nakayakap sa 'kin. Lumipas ang ilang minuto at siya na mismo ang kusang guma
PastaIsang linggo na simula nang mag-stay dito si Styx, hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan niya balak dito pero wala rin akong balak itanong 'yon. Hindi natuloy ang balak naming pagpunta kahapon sa mall dahil sumama ang pakiramdam ko. Buong araw akong nakakulong lang sa kwarto at si Styx ang nagbebenta ng mga kakanin at sa gabi naman ay balot. Siya rin ang nag-asikaso sa anak namin."Do you feel okay?" Styx asked and placed a plate full of foods at the table. Tumango lang ako at mahigpit na kumapit sa kumot na nakatakip sa katawan ko. Wala akong lagnat at sipon o kahit ubo, sadyang masama lang talaga ang pakiramdam ko at madalas nahihilo. Gusto niya 'kong dalhin sa hospital pero hindi naman na 'yon kailangan dahil mababaw lang para sa 'kin."Eat a lot, you need to be healthy for our son." Umupo siya sa tabi ko at at kinuha ang pagkain. Hindi naman ako kumibo dahil wala talaga akong gana ngayon araw, bigla ko na lang talagang naramdaman 'to."Where's my son?" Isinubo niya sa 'kin ang i
Ay-ayaten ka"Mommy! Please let's ride there! Daddy, please!" Natatawa kong binalingan ang anak ko dahil sa sobrang kulit niya. Hindi ko siya masisisi, ngayon na lang kami ulit nakapunta sa theme park kayo sobrang excited siya at hindi mapakali."Sure but let's roam around first, may gusto ka bang bilhin?" tanong ni Styx kay Zenith habang hawak ang kaliwang kamay ng anak. Nakahawak naman ako sa kanang kamay ng anak namin, takot na baka mawala siya dahil marami ring tao."I want cotton candy!" Binilhan ni Styx si Zenith ng cotton candy pati ako, ayaw ko pa tanggapin no'ng una dahil hindi naman ako kumakain no'n pero pinilit niya ako at pinanlakihan ng mata."Saang rides gusto mong sumakay?" he asked our child. Zenith eat the remaining cotton candy and smiled widely."Sa carousel horse po," he said excitedly. Tumingin sa 'kin si Styx kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him blankly."Samahan mo ang anak mo," I murmured. His brows furrowed and glan
RegretsI began to walk in the field of green and fresh grass as I stared at my son. He giggled and wrinkled his nose while holding a bouquet of flowers, katabi niya ang ama na mariin ang titig sa 'kin at hindi umiiwas ng tingin.My cheeks flushed. I didn't say anything and continued walking until I stopped in front of them. I turned my gaze away as I felt nervous because of his presence. The beautiful view of the blue sky perfectly paired with the greeny things around us. Styx was wearing his usual office attire that made him more intimidating and attractive. I gulped as I clear the lump in my throat and held my breath when he touch my delicate hand."Beautiful," he murmured and brought my hand to his lips and kissed it lovingly."Thanks," I replied even I felt the whole damm zoo inside my abdomen."Mommy, you're pretty." My attention was drawn into my son when he speaks. I smiled at him with my eyes pooling with tears."Thank you, mi amor."Hinatak ako ni Styx paupo sa isang tela na
Pregnant"Kapag bumalik na tayo sa Manila, may magbabago ba?" Natigilan ako sa tanong ni Styx.Mayroon nga ba? I mean, nasanay na ko sa presensya niya at alam kong gano'n din ang anak ko. Hindi madali para sa 'kin ang muling pag-a-adjust but whatever happens, happened. Nakakainis dahil gano'n kabilis nangilid ang luha ko habang pilit pinapasok sa loob ng isang bag ang gamit ni Zenith. Ngayon na ang byahe namin pabalik ng Manila. Hindi ko alam kung anong buhay ang nahihintay sa 'min doon ngunit gusto ko nang harapin ang lahat. Walang mangyayari kung mag-stay lang kami rito at patuloy na magtatago.Maayos na rin naman kami ni Styx at alam kong wala na siyang balak na saktan ako at ang anak ko."Siguro," sagot ko na lang at nagpatuloy.I felt his presence beside me so I stopped and looked at him blankly. Puno ng emosyon ang mata niya at tila ba nakikiusap, sinubukan kong umiwas ngunit hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at hinarap sa kaniyang mukha. A tear fell from my eye. Mabilis ko 'yong pin
Two Aces Nagising ako na mugto ang mata at masakit ang ulo. Hindi ko na matandaan kung anong mga nangyari kagabi. It was tiring knowing that I had to recall all of those to understand what he said. Gusto ko na lang ibaon ang katawan ko sa kama at hayaan na lang mangyari ang lahat but I just couldn't let that happen. May anak ako at kailangan niya ako. Idagdag pa ang sinabi ni Styx na buntis ako, I had to make sure of that before doing something that could harm myself.Bumangon ako sa kama at itinaas ang kumot ng anak ko. Mahimbing ang tulog niya at nakayakap sa isang unan. I kissed his forehead and caressed his cheek before going to the bathroom to clean myself. After I took a bath, I wore my two-piece suit and put a light makeup. Sinigurado kong magaan lang ang kolorete sa mukha ko bago inayos saglit ang aking buhok at sinuot ang isang two inches heels. Nang matapos ay nananatili pa ring tulog si Zenith kaya naghintay muna akong magising siya bago umalis. Plano kong isama siya dahil
Betrayal "May appointment po ba kayo ma'am?" bungad sa akin ng secretary ni Duex. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang paghagod ng tingin niya sa 'kin.I raised my brow. Halatang bago lang siya rito dahil halos lahat ng empleyado rito ay kilala na ako. Not because I am the daughter of the former owner but because I am the major shareholder of this company. Hindi siya tago, ngunit hindi rin gano'n kabulgar sa lahat. Tanging mga empleyado at partner lang ng kumpanya ang nakakaalam. Pinasa ko ang pamumuno rito kay Duex dahil kailangan kong mag-focus sa plano ko noon kay Styx but now, if it's true that Duex was the reason why me and my son suffered, I won't hesitate to get back what's mine and make him pay for all of his damages."Hindi mo magugustuhan kung ako mismo ang magpapakilala sa 'yo," malamig na tugon ko at sinamaan siya ng tingin. She smiled nervously but she didn't listen."Ma'am, need po kasi ng appointment bago—" "Let her in." Nagulat ako nang may magsalita sa likod ko. His fa
SufferingsI didn't know that it's possible to feel comfort in the midst of the chaos. I could feel my heart thumping hard at the same time my mind rest for a while. Kahit na malabo sa paningin at pandinig ko ang lahat ay alam kong ligtas na ako sa kamay niya. I still believe that he cares for me. That what he said lately was not really his intention. Natabunan lang saglit ng galit at pagkalito dahil sa dulo, nanaig pa rin ang pagmamahal at ang pakialam niya sa 'kin bilang isang nag-iisang pamilya ko. I still remember the first time I had met him. I was really afraid that time knowing that I'm with someone I don't know. Even his name doesn't sound friendly at all. But despite this, he proved himself and worked for my trust. He embraced my torns and opened my eyes to see that despite my flaws, I am still delicate and fragile. He taught me how to love myself more before the person I've just met, not because that's required in every relationship but because the only person that will lo
"Daddy, can I play with Kerrin after school?" Zella, my seven-year-old daughter, asked. I put down my paper and glanced at her. She was peeking at the door of my room, pouting, and her hands were clasped. I motioned for her to come closer, which she did, but her mouth pouted more."Did I say that you should call him Kuya Kerrin because he's five years older than you?" I said softly. Zella snaked her arms around my waist and looked up at me."I told you, Daddy. I like Kuya Kerrin," she shyly said. I chuckled lightly, carried her, and made her sit on my lap. I removed my eyeglasses and started combing her hair using my slender fingers. I stared at my daughter's eyes and smiled as I saw that some of her features mirrored her mother's."But your mom won't like it when she hears it; you're too young for that kind of stuff, my princess." Zella bit her lower lip, trying to restrain herself from crying, but she couldn't. Umalpas ang luha sa mata niya at nahihiya siyang nagtago ng mukha sa dib
Wedding Day"Hindi ka iiyak! Hindi ka talaga iiyak, sinasabi ko sa 'yo baka matanggal ang makeup mo mamaya," bulong ko sa sarili habang pinapaypayan ang mukha. Styx and I decided to hold the wedding at his private resort in Zambales. Naging mabilis ang lahat ng preparasyon dahil may mga koneksyon siya.I was wearing my wedding gown and my makeup today. Simple lang ang gown na napili namin dahil beach wedding naman ang theme nito. Nauna na sina Styx sa lugar kung saan pagdadausan at mamaya pa ako susunod dahil kakatapos ko pa lang mag-ayos.My makeup artist entered my room after knocking. She smiled at me. Pinilit niya akong pakalmahin dahil paulit-ulit na namamasa ang mata ko sa sobrang kaba. Paano kapag hindi sumipot si Styx?! I swear, I'm going to make him pay if that happens.Matapos ang ilang minuto ay dinala na nila ako sa labas, malapit sa dalampasigan ang venue, at nakahanda na ang lahat nang makarating ako. I was wearing my veil while still standing outside the venue. Ngunit n
Zella"Mommy! Zella is crying!" papungas-pungas akong bumangon at lumapit sa crib. Zenith was the one who looked after his sister. Hapon na pero antok na antok pa rin ako kaya pinabantay ko muna sa kanya para umidlip.Lumapit ako sa crib at hinalikan ang noo ni Zenith bago binuhat si Zella. My daughter was now 1 year and 2 months old, and breastfeeding ko pa rin siya until now dahil sabi ng doctor ay healty raw 'yon."Very good, Kuya Zenith. Thank you for taking care of your baby sister," I said and caressed his hair. Zenith giggled and hugged me by my waist. Sobrang responsable niya tuwing siya ang naiiwan sa kapatid, unlike other children who get jealous when they have siblings.Buhay ko si Zella at tumahan na nang makita ako. I kissed her chubby cheeks, and she just cried again, obviously getting impatient because she's hungry. Binaba ko ang strap ng bra ko at pinadede siya. Zenith playfully covered his face and turned his back."Anak, you don't have to do that. Dito ka rin kaya du
Sweet Goodbyes "Where are you going?" Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan nang biglang may nagsalita sa likod ko. I was about to get into the car that would take me to the airport.Dahan-dahan kong nilingon siya at nakita ko ang pagdaan ng sakit sa mata niya. They are tears forming at the corner of his eyes at namumula rin ang mukha niya."Iiwan mo na naman ba ako?" Nabasag ang boses niya. Tumulo rin ang mga luha niya at mahinang humikbi. Sumikip ang dibdib ko at lumapit sa kanya para sana punasan ang luha sa pisngi niya ngunit tinaboy niya lang ang kamay ko at bahagyang umatras."You promised me that you would never leave me, pero heto ka, nagplano na naman na umalis nang hindi sinasabi sa akin. Tell me, Xhia. Do you really love me?" Hindi ko alam kung paano magpapaliwanag sa kanya. I need to stay away from them. Hindi ako makatulog knowing na lahat sila nasaktan ko, kailangan ko munang matutunan na patawarin ang sarili bago bumalik at ibuhos ang pagmamahal sa kanila.I stepped closer to him
Styx SyruisI wanted to bury everything and look for her again, but that wasn't exactly what happened. I am ready to forget what happened and start a new life with her because there's no point in lying to myself that I no longer have feelings for her.That day she stepped inside my office, I felt the familiar feeling in my chest, and my heart still beats fast for her. Alam ko na marami nang nagbago sa kanya at 'yon ang napatunayan ko nang magsimula siyang maging malamig sa pagtrato sa akin.I knew that Mr. Xedler, the man who adopted her, died of a heart attack, and I admit it was all because of me. I threatened him to tell Zyxhiaxy everything I knew about his underground business, and he was scared for a reason. Nakita ko kung paano siya matigalgal sa kinatatayuan nang makita ang lahat ng ebidensya na mayroon ako laban sa kanya.That day, he died while his knees were bent, and Duex witnessed it. Wala akong naramdaman na awa maski saglit nang makita siyang mabawian ng buhay sa harapan
A/N: I know some of you will be disappointed in Styx's reason for hurting Zyxhiaxy, but that's the only reason I could create for Styx to not prolong the story. You see, this story has already celebrated its anniversary, and I badly want to end Zyxhiaxy's agony and let her be happy. You can skip this chapter if it doesn't meet your expectations. Thank you. ***Styx SyruisWarning : ViolenceI wanted to bury everything and look for her again, but that wasn't exactly what happened. I am ready to forget what happened and start a new life with her because there's no point in lying to myself that I no longer have feelings for her.That day she stepped inside my office, I felt the familiar feeling in my chest, and my heart still beats fast for her. Alam ko na marami nang nagbago sa kanya at 'yon ang napatunayan ko nang magsimula siyang maging malamig sa pagtrato sa akin.I knew that Mr. Xedler, the man who adopted her, died of a heart attack, and I admit it was all because of me. I threaten
Styx SyruisWarning : Violence I remained looking at the door while hearing my parents exchanging words while yelling. My nanny, which was standing beside me looked at me worriedly but I remained my face blank."Siguro labas muna tayo? Maaga pa naman," she said while stammering. I held my trolley bag tightly as I hear my father's raging voice."Do you think I'm stupid to believe that you don't love that bastard anymore?!" His voice was filled with anger and jealousy. I couldn't believe that this happen everytime I go to school.I let my nanny held my hand and guide me outside the gate. I once look at the house I treated as home and after 10 years of existence, I couldn't feel any comfort in this house anymore.I was waiting for nanny Ayeng to arrive, she said she needs to go to the counter to order our foods. It's my first time eating in a fast food chain and I'm sure mom will get mad when she'd learn about this.I played with my fingers while recalling what happened earlier. Actually
The Sweet Revenge I sat on the sofa while waiting for someone to arrive. Nagpapawis ang palad ko sa sobrang kaba at hindi rin ako mapakali. I waited for almost 20 minutes, nang may marinig akong kaluskos sa labas. I sighed and smiled a bit, knowing that he was already here.I checked my gun under the study table and sat properly on my couch as if I weren't aware of his presence.Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pintuan dahilan para mapunta roon ang atensyon ko. I looked at him blankly as he stared at me with a hint of surprise."Hi," I said, almost inaudible because of the building lump in my throat.He stopped and closed the door behind him before walking in my direction. I swallowed the lump in my throat when I noticed that there was nothing in his eyes but rage. Malakas ang kalabog ng dibdib ko, at kahit anong pagpapakalma ko ay hindi ko iyon magawa."How are you, my dear?" I smiled as a lone tear fell from my eye. Kung sa ibang sitwasyon siguro kami ngayon ay magkalukumahog akong lumapi
Another Plan"Noong magising ako matapos ma-comatose, nagulat na lang ako dahil may bata sa tabi ko." Mahina akong natawa nang maalala ang itsura ni Zenith noong baby pa siya. "Kasi ang akala ko umabot lang ng araw o linggo 'yong pagkakatulog ko pero ang sabi ng doctor, anak ko raw ang sanggol." Humigpit ang yakap sa akin ni Styx at tila ba pinapakalma ang sarili matapos marinig ang mga sinabi ko. I felt comfortable talking about my past now, kahit paunti-unti ay kinakaya ko sa tulong ni Styx."What did you do next?" Binaon niya ang mukha sa leeg ko at mas hinigpitan pa ang yakap sa akin. Nasa kwarto lang kami at nakahiga sa kama habang nagkukwentuhan, magkasama na naman si Zenith at ang mga tito niya ngayon kaya may oras kami para gawin ito. "At first I was shocked," tumatawang sagot ko ngunit bakas doon ang sakit. "Hinanap din kita sa kanila but they told me that no one tried to look for me after I vanished just like that." "Tell me more, please." "I tried to reach out to you noo