*Allessandro*Parang naglaho bigla lahat ng galit at poot na nararamdaman ko nang makita ko sa Alana sa loob ng hospital room ko. She didn't change. Her eyes were still my favorite place to stare for the rest of my life. She still had the charm that had stolen my attention since I first met her. Her voice was still my favorite lullaby.I didn't know why she left without asking what was really happening. She's just gone without any words, and it kills me every day. She's tough for torturing me. Alana was the woman I loved after Andrea broke my heart, and now she's back like nothing happened. She's the reason Alana left me. I've already told her everything, and we settled things between us on the day Alana left. I badly wanted to hug my wife, but I'm afraid she would reject me and push me away again, just like she did before. She's bold, and she was powerful. "I'm leaving now. I have work to do; your personal nurse will be here soon." Malamig ang tinig niya.Dalawang araw na siya ang
*Alana*"Tangna naman, Alena! Papatayin mo ba ako?" Humahangos ako habang sapo-sapo ang noo kong kumikirot sa sakit."Ikaw pa 'yong galit? Aba, e 'di sana hinayaan na lang kitang mamatay. Ilang gabi ka ng binabangungot, Alana." Bulyaw niya."Okay ka lang?" Maya-maya ay naging banayad na ang boses niya."Bitawan mo nga muna 'yang boots mo. Ang sakit ng noo ko bumukol yata." Daing ko."Sandali kukuha lang ako ng yelo." Nagmamadali siyang lumabas ng kuwarto. Ilang gabi ng matutulog sa room ko si Alena dahil sa wala na namang tigil 'yong bangungot ko. Muli na namang bumabalik 'yong malagim na dinanas ko noong maliit pa lamang ako. Malakas ang kutob ko na 'yong boses na naririnig ko sa bangungot ko ay boses ni Francesco. I shook my head.No. Maybe I'm overthinking. Hindi rin kasi ganoon kalinaw ang panaginip ko. Baka ibang tao 'yong nakita ko many years ago na may hawak na baril at walang awang pinagpapatay ang isang lalaki at babae na sa tingin ko ay mag-asawa.Huminga ako ng malalim.
*Allessandro*"Ang ganda pala sa Bali, noh?" Puno ng paghangang sabi ni Brenda."Paano mo naman nasabi?" Tanong naman ni Diego."Tingnan mo kasi 'yong mga pictures ni ma'am Alana. Oh, 'di ba sobrang ganda?" Ani Brenda."Oo nga, saan ba ngayon si ma'am Alana?" Usisa ni Diego."Nasa Bali. Nakakainggit nga e." Ani Brenda."Sige next anniversary natin sa Bali tayo." Boses ni Diego.Kilig na kilig naman si Brenda."Teka lang, sino 'yang kasama ni ma'am Alana? Bagong nobyo ba niya?" Komento ni Diego.Kumunot ang noo ko.Nasa kitchen si Brenda at Diego habang ako naman ay lihim na nakamasid sa kanila. Pagkatapos kong madischarged sa hospital ay tinawagan kong muli si Brenda. Mas gusto ko siya kesa sa personal nurse ko.Mabilis pa sa takbo ng cheetah ang ginawa kong paglapit kina Brenda at Diego. "Ay naku, sir! Dahan dahan lang po kayo sa paglalakad!" Natatarantang sigaw ni Brenda.Medyu masakit pa nga 'yong hita ko dahil hindi pa lubusang magaling 'yong sugat peru dahil sa narinig kong usap
*Alana*"Fuck! What should I do?" Alena cursed nonstop."Oh god! You saved my day, Alana. Here, tell them that I'm outside and I left my phone in my room." She said it hurriedly.Kumunot naman ang noo ko."Hello?" Nag-aalangan kong sambit."Who is this? Where's Alena? I'm Marcello's mom." Anang boses ng isang ginang.Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Alena na ngayon ay nakaupo sa sopa at nakatingin sa'kin."I'm Alena's twin. She went outside; she left her phone in the house." Tugon ko.Alena was clapping her hands while nodding her head."Oh. How long will she stay outside? I want to know if they already talk about the wedding date." Muling sabi ng ginang.Aksidente kong nalunok ang laway ko dahilan para masamid ako."Wedding date?" Tanong ko."Yeah, dear. They already informed all of us here that they were getting married soon." Anang ginang."I will tell Alena that you called. Nice meeting you, Mrs. Castellucio." I ended the call.Kaagad namang lumapit sa'kin si Alena. Kinurot ko siya sa t
*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
*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
*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
*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
*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