*Alana*"Magkano po ito?" Tanong ko sa isang tindera ng mga keychain. I bought one for Allessandro.Kahit na medyu late na ako para sa Christmas Eve ay naisipan ko pa rin siyang ibili ng regalo. Bigla ko lang naisip nang makita ko ang mga keychain sa isang maliit na store. Ilang araw na kaya akong nag iisip ng puwedeng iregalo sa kaniya. Nasa kaniya na yata lahat ng bagay. Hindi ko naman siya kayang ibili ng mamahaling relo o kaya ng magarang sapatos. Jusko, kahit yata isangla ko ang sarili ko kulang pa sa mahal ng mga sapatos at relo ni Allessandro. Keychain na lang 'yong binili ko parang 'di ko kasi napansin na mayroon siya niyon. Paano kung ayaw niyang tanggapin o kaya hindi niya gusto?Napabuga ako ng hangin.Bahala na si batman.Alam kong masama ang loob niya sa akin dahil umalis ako ng bahay kahit ayaw niya at isa pa sumama ako kay Jack na alam kong sobrang pinagseselosan niya.Wala akong choice. I have to face him because I'm still his wife.Sa bahay pa rin niya ako uuwi.We
*Allessandro*It's been a few days since Alana left the house. I feel bored. I feel alone. It's my fault. All of this happened because I treated her just like she was nothing. I just can't allow myself to be weak. I'm Allessandro Castellucio, a man of honor and power. I have everything as long as I have money. I can do whatever I want without asking permission from anyone. I created this world and I don't want to destroy it just because I loved someone again. I'm falling for Alana and I don't want to admit it. I want to hide it and burn it until it becomes dust and gone. Alana deserved better."Mr. Allessandro, breakfast is ready." Magalang na tawag sa'kin ni Brenda pagkalabas ko ng kuwarto."Clean the table because I don't want to eat." Malamig na sabi ko saka tuloy-tuloy na lumabas ng bahay."Peru, Mr. Castellucio, kagabi pa po kayo hindi kumakain." Pangungulit niya."Then what? Do as I said or else I will fire you. " Naiirita kong wika.Wala ako sa mood makipag usap sa kahit na sin
*Alana*"What? Five thousand?" Halos hindi ko malunok ang laway ko sa pagkabigla.Ganoon kamahal ang mga apartment dito sa'min?Kaya ko naman sigurong bayaran 'yon buwan-buwan. Wala talaga akong choice. Ayaw kong umuwi ng bahay dahil alam kung magtataka si Papa. He's not recovered yet. Hindi dapat siya nai-stress. Isa pa, ayaw kung mas maging magulo pa 'yong sitwasyon. Ililihim ko ito hangga't kaya ko, hanggang sa makapagfile na ng annulment si Allessandro."Ano na miss, kukunin mo ba 'yong kuwartong ito?" Untag sa'kin ng landlady.Mabilis kung kinuha ang phone ko mula sa sling bag ko.Natutop ko ang bibig ko nang makita kung magkano na lang ang laman ng gcash ko.Paano ko pagkakasiyahin ang ten thousand?Todo kayod ako sa trabaho peru wala akong naipon. Isang masakit na katotohanan na kailangan kong tanggapin. Hindi rin naman kalakihan ang sahod ko bilang isang teacher at part time waitress. Sobrang mahal na kasi ng mga bilihin sa ngayon ni'y isang pirasong itlog halos sampung piso n
*Alana*Napatayo ako sa kama nang makita ko ang email ng isa sa mga inapplayan ko. Finally, after almost one week of job hunting, dumating na rin 'yong para sa'kin. Natanggap ako bilang isang English teacher sa isang private school. Medyu mahirap pumasok sa public school e, lalo na sa sitwasyon ko ngayon. Sapat na din naman ang halos apat na taon kong experienced bilang isang teacher. Binasa kong muli ang email.Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay tumalon-talon pa ako sa ibabaw ng kama.I have to call my gang.Siguro matutuwa silang lahat, maliban na lang kay Alena. Hindi ko pa rin siya nakakausap. Alam kong masama ang loob niya. Wala rin naman akong balak sabihin sa kaniya ang mga nangyayari. Walang tigil kasi siya kapag nagkuwento. Mahirap na baka mabuko pa ako ni Papa. Malalagot si Allessandro at ayaw kong umabot pa kami kay Tulfo.I have my job again. I can live again.I can live freely.Whoaa! I love my life again.I can do whatever I want to.But still, I'm married to Allessandro.Napabunto
*Allessandro*"She's working at Sun Valley Academy as an English teacher. She's renting an apartment on Boulevard Street. She still didn't have a car; she just rode a jeep or taxi when she went to her job. Her whole family didn't know that she was not living with you. She's dating Mr. Esposito." Mauro stated."What!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa huling sinabi ni Mauro.Is this serious?What the fuck?I clenched my jaw.I still can't believe why Alana is doing this to me. Is she insane?For God's sake"She's dating Mr. Esposito." He said again."Enough, Mauro! Enough!" I yelled.Mabilis na lumapat ang kamao ko sa desk ko. Hindi pa ako nakuntento, sinipa ko pa ang swivel chair ko.I was really mad."What the hell is Federico doing here in the Philippines?" Asik na tanong ko."All I knew was that he was visiting a foundation." Tugon naman ni Mauro.I chuckled.Federico Esposito is one of the Mafia members under Blue Knuckles. Nasa ilalim lamang siya ng pamumuno ko. Hindi ko lubos maisip ku
*Alana*"Oh my god. I really love dancing. Look at me! I'm dancing like a pro!" I almost shouted while continuing to move my body.Naramdaman ko na may biglang humawak sa beywang ko."Stop it." Bulong ni Allessandro.Did he hate my dancing?I don't care. I love what I am doing right now. Hindi ko kailangan ng opinyon ng kahit na sino. Manigas siya dahil wala akong planong tumigil sa pagsasayaw. Minsan lang 'to kaya lubus-lubusin ko na. Sana lang kinabukasan wala akong maalala. Alam kong 'di ako nakakahalinang tingnan peru wala akong pakialam. Ang tanging mahalaga ay masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. "Alana, can you please stop dancing? You look horrible and you forgot that you carry my name." Muli ay pabulong niyang saway."Leave me alone, Allessandro." Tugon ko habang sumasayaw pa rin. Sobrang nakakaindak 'yong musika."Alle, just let your wife enjoy tonight!" Giorgia shouted.Ngumiti ako.At least I have a supportive sister-in-law.Inirapan ko si Allessandro at muli na namang humataw sa
*Allessandro*I didn't expect Alana to leave me for good. Kahit hindi siya ganoon katagal na nanatili sa bahay ko ay parang nasanay akong nakikita siya, nasanay akong marinig ang boses niya. Hindi ko alam na sobra na akong na-attached sa kaniya. Hindi naman kasi talaga ako ganitong uri ng tao. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ang sarili ko. I just loved being around her. I'm longing for her. I'm afraid that I will get used to it. I'm afraid that I would love this pain. Alana is my wife, but she's not mine yet. She was untamed and I don't know how to tame her. She was different, something that caught my attention.Why do I have to think about her over and over again?Ni'y halos wala akong nagawa sa buong maghapon ko dito sa loob ng opisina. Nakatambak pa rin ang mga trabaho ko. I had a meeting today with Blue Knuckles, but I cancelled it. Nagiging irresponsible na ako dahil sa nangyayari sa puso ko. I have to get rid of these feelings.Next week I have to file an annulment. I don't want to po
*Alana*Ilang beses ng tumunog ang tiyan ko. Basta na lang kasi akong pumasok sa school ng hindi man lamang nagbreakfast. Maliban sa wala na akong time para kumain ay wala talaga akong gana. Mabuti na lang at may natitira pang twenty minutes para makapaghanda ako bago umalis ng apartment. Halos alas tres na ng madaling araw nang makatulog ako. Ayaw akong dalawin ng antok o dahil sadyang abala lang talaga ang utak ko sa kaiisip. Parang lantang saluyot na naman ang puso ko ngayon. Ilang araw na akong ganito. I was hurt. I think my heart is bleeding because of what I heard from Allessandro few days ago.Malinaw na malinaw sa pandinig ko ang lahat ng sinabi niya.Kasalanan ko naman kung bakit ako nasasaktan ngayon e. Masyado akong assuming. Umasa ako na Allessandro will never do the things my mother did. I became weak and blinded by love. This is what I'm afraid of. I became naive.I'm so stupid to think that Allessandro is different from anyone else."Miss Garcia, pinapatawag po kayo ni
*Allessandro*I thought I lose Alana. No words are able to describe how scared I was after I open all the hidden pages of my life to her. The hours that she was not with me was a torture. It felt like I'm losing my blood every seconds. I'm afraid I failed again but Alana was different to anyone just like my first impression after I glance at her walking on the aisle with a veil covering her face."Ay baklang palaka!" Gulat na gulat si Alana nang pumasok ako ng shower room.She covered herself with her hands."Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?" Halos sigaw niya.Ngumiti lang ako."I just want to check if you're done," I replied."Hmm... seriously?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya.Humakbang ako palapit sa kaniya.Bakas na ang baby bump niya. Hanggang ngayon nahihiwagaan pa rin ako sa mga nangyayari. I will be a dad soon, it's a bit terrifying and exciting at the same time."What?" Nakatitig siya sa mga mata ko."Am I not allowed to be here?" I teased.She opened the shower and wet hersel
*Alana*Kung kailan naman tila naging maayos 'yong marriage ko saka naman naging biglang tila isang bangungot ang lahat. Pilit kong tinakasan ang bangungot na ito sa loob ng mahabang panahon sa pag-aakalang maiiwasan ko ito habang buhay. Francesco was the monster that was creeping inside of me. He's the one who destroyed my childhood and my whole life. I suffered enough from his grudge. I pay for the sin that I haven't committed. Allessandro spent almost ten years trying to find the culprit in his parents deaths, and I'm here hiding, acting like I didn't know anything. It really kills me every time I see him. I'm stuck; I didn't know what to choose. I may be selfish, but I couldn't risk my life. I knew the whole damn truth, but my mouth was as covered with fear as my soul. I wouldn't die yet; I will be a mom in a few months. I had to be wise even though my conscience had persecuted me a million times. This is my way to live for my child, for Allessandro, and for all the people I love.
*Alana*"I want an ice cream." Lambing ko kay Allessandro."Alana, I'm working." Tugon niya habang nakatuon ang buong atensiyon sa laptop niya."Gusto ko nga ng ice cream." Pangungulit ko.He sighed.He looked at me."You can buy outside or call Mauro." Deritsong sabi niya.Napabuga ako ng hangin. Bakit hindi niya ma-sense 'yong gusto ko? Kahit sobrang nakakabagot dito sa office niya ay sumama ako dahil 'yon 'yong gusto niya. Ang dami ko dapat gagawin sa noodles house peru mas pinili kong samahan siya dito sa opisina niya. "Fine, I will call him." Aniya nang mapansing nakabusangot ako.Tumayo ako saka deri-deritsong lumabas ng silid. Nakakainis siya masyadong insensitive. Bakit kailangan pa niyang iasa sa iba 'yong dapat ay responsibilidad niya?Jusme! Nakakainis."Alana!" Sigaw niya.Hindi ko siya pinansin. Sa halip ay mas binilisan ko pa ang paghakbang ko hanggang sa marating ko ang elevator. Kaagad akong pumasok sa loob saka pinindot ang ground floor. "Ma'am Alana, uuwi na po ba
*Allessandro*"I will give you 10 days, Ricardo. Find out who's trying to destroy me, and if you fail, I'm sorry, but you will die." I whispered."How many times do I have to tell you I'm not involved in any of this sh*t?" He clenched his jaw.I shrugged.I don't care if he's involved or not; I wanted someone to pay for the mess they made in my life."Just do as I say." I ordered."And one more thing, I'm watching you." I warned as I tapped his shoulder."Don't threaten me, Allessandro. I'm not the enemy here." He smirked."I'm not threatening you. I'm just informing you. Don't you dare betray me." I whispered as I stepped away from him.If not because of Alana, he's now resting in his cold coffin. He was lucky that heaven still had mercy on him. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as I remembered what Alana had confessed to me. Is she really pregnant? Am I going to be a dad?So what will happen to our annulment?The questions in my mind were like sand on the seashore. I badly n
*Alana*"Alam mo sumusobra na talaga 'yang Andrea na yan. Kung makaasta akala mo pag-aari niya si Allessandro." Naiinis kong kuwento."Bakit ba affected ka? Ilang araw na lang ay hindi mo na asawa si Allessandro dapat wala ka ng pakialam sa kanilang dalawa ng Andrea na 'yon." Ani Molly.Tumulis ang nguso ko."Kanino ka ba kampi sa'kin o kay Andrea?" Puna ko.Ngumisi siya saka nag-peace sign.Nakakainit lang talaga ng ulo 'yong ginagawa ni Andrea. Kapag ako napikon ng tuluyan nako!"Siyempre sa'yo. Ang point ko lang naman ay dapat dedma mo na sila." Paglilinaw niya.Biglang dumating si Giorgia. Hindi yata maganda ang timpla ng mood."Alana, can we talk?" Bungad niya.Nakapagtataka ang pagiging pormal niya pati na rin ang tono ng boses niya.Ano kayang problema ni Giorgia at ang aga yata niyang napasugod dito sa noodles house. Hindi niya kasama si Giorge kaya alam kong hindi siya magtatagal.Lumipat kami ng area kung saan malimit lamang ang mga diner."I want a favor from you." Deritson
*Allessandro*I'm just giving Alana her right to be free, but I couldn't help myself when I saw her wearing Federico's shirt. I wanted Alana to live the life she wanted. It's true that love makes human hearts weak; that's what happened to mine. I destroyed my own wall and let myself be vulnerable. I wish I hadn't ruined my barrier, so no one was able to make me feel anything."How was your mission?" Tanong ni Francesco.I shrugged."Great," I replied.Malinis akong magtrabaho kaya walang sabit. I earned a billion dollars for shooting the president of Croatia, and that money belongs to Blue Knuckles. I just followed the order and got paid. I guess this is my specialty in life. I didn't have any conscience left because I threw it all away many years ago. I forgot about it since my parents' assassination. "Great, but look at you. Don't tell me your conscience started to persecute you." He laughed.I chuckled.I tried to lie and act like everything was incredible, but I couldn't convince
*Alana*Nagpupuyos ako sa galit. Hindi ko alam kung nananadya si Allessandro o nagkataon lang na ilang beses ko silang makitang magkasama ni Andrea. Magkasama sila sa isang party at ngayon laman sila ng news."Bakit parang pinagsakluban ka ng langit at lupa?" Tanong ni Alena.Kumunot ang noo ko.Kanina bago ako umuwi ng bahay ay kumain kami ni Molly sa isang Chinese restaurant. Ang sarap ng pagkain hindi uso sa'kin ang diet kaya lumamon na ako. Hindi ko pa nakakalahati 'yong dumplings ko ay bigla akong nawalan ng gana dahil sa pagpasok sa restaurant ni Allessandro at Andrea."Pagod lang ako." Pagsusunungaling ko peru sa totoo lang gusto ko ng bumuga ng apoy sa inis."Marcello invite for a dinner." Maya-maya ay sabi niya."Bakit ayaw mo siyang ipakilala kay Papa?" Tanong ko saka pasalampak na naupo sa sopa.I feel exhausted.Umasim ang mukha ni Alena."Bakit ko ipapakilala?" Nakataas ang kilay niyang tanong.Ibig sabihin hindi pa boyfriend ni Alena si Marcello?"Akala ko ba in a relati
*Alana*"Naghihintay kang habulin ka nang habulin ni Allessandro?" Tila nanenermon na tanong ni Molly.Isang malalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ko. Tatlong linggo na ang nakakaraan simula noong huli kaming nag-usap ni Allessandro pagkatapos 'non ay hindi na siya tumawag pa o nagpakita sa'kin. Bagay na ipinagtataka ko o baka napagod na siya. Baka sumuko na rin siya tulad ko. Mas okay nga 'yon at least hindi na magiging mahirap pa ang lahat. Peru bakit parang may parte sa puso ko na nalulungkot? Bakit tila may biglang panghihinayang akong naramdaman?"Hindi. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit hindi siya tumawag man lang o ano...." Hindi ko nagawang itulog ang sasabihin ko."Ano? Kulitin ka? Suyuin ka? Papadalhan ka ng flowers and sorry letters?" Bulyaw ni Molly."Hay nako! Bakit kasi tinulak mo siya palayo kung mahal mo pa naman talaga siya? May pa-annul annul ka pang nalalaman e ayaw mo naman palang mawala sa'yo 'yong tao." Patuloy niya sa panenermon.Nagkibit balikat lamang ako.Am I regre
*Allessandro*"What's Alana doing in Atty. Salazar's office?" Kunot noo kong tanong kay Marcello.He shrugged."Why don't you ask her?" Pabalik niyang tanong.Alana was too confusing. After we did our elevator thing, she didn't show herself to me again. I tried to call her, but maybe she blocked my number just like she always did. She's having a great time annoying me."She's avoiding me." Maikling wika ko.Atty. Salazar was one of my friends. I had to ask him what Alana's plan was."You guys are like the bulb in my room." He commented."On and off, it was like blinking non-stop. I don't understand what the problem is with it." He continued."I don't understand what her problem is." I replied."Do you still want to keep her?" Seryosong tanong niya.Heaven and hell knew how much I wanted my wife back. There's no doubt about it. "Marcello, Alana is my wife. I admit I married her because I had no choice, but it changed as I knew her completely." I reasoned. He sighed."We have to talk