Bigla akong naalimpungatan sa kaluskos galing sa loob ng aming opisina. I quickly searched where those noises came from, when I saw Liam wearing his usual poker face, while…holding a food?I blinked in surprise, my sleep-addled brain trying to make sense of the situation. "Sir Liam?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion. "Haven't you gone home yet?"Liam turned to look at me, a sheepish smile on his face. "I... I lost track of time," he said, his gaze shifting to the food in his hands. "I thought you might be hungry, so I brought some food.”Hinanap ko ang aking phone and shit, it's 9:00 pm already. "I'm sorry if nagising kita.” Sabi ni Liam sa mahinang tinig. I don't have enough time sa mga kadramahan niya, and why is he acting like that? Nakakapagtaka."Tapos ko ng lahat gawin ‘to,” sabi ko habang tinitingnan ang mga pagkain na hawak niya, grabe nakakagutom. Ang bango!He did not respond to what I've said but rather he arranged the food and put a spoon and fork to some plates.
I felt like I hadn't slept at all last night. My body felt heavy, my mind foggy. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fatigue. But it clung to me, a persistent shadow that refused to let go.After Liam dropped me off last night, nakita ko si Zari na mag isa with a drink in her hand. The soft glow from the lights inside the house cast a warm glow on her, making her seem almost ethereal.We chit chatted a bit, since hindi na kami laging magkausap due to our different hectic sched. So ayun, medyo tipsy ako ngayon sa trabaho."I can't believe everything that happened," sabi niya at paulit ulit pa akong tinanong dahil baka raw nagsisinungaling lang ako at nag ilusyon. Ang bruha ginawa pa akong sinungaling. "Sis, it all seems so surreal." I just nodded to her and took a one shot.She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, sis," she said, her voice filled with something. "You certainly know how to keep life interesting.”Napasubo ako ng chicharon sa sinabi niya, “ika
"Akala ko ba hindi ka dadalo?" bungad ng aking kaibigan na si Zari.Honestly, I don't really have a plan to attend. But still, she's my best friend. Ayokong magtampo siya just because of my lame excuses. Well, it's her 24th birthday today, and same as before, nandito kami ngayon sa isa sa pinakasikat na bar sa Pilipinas.Ayoko talaga sa mga ganitong lugar, I easily felt dizzy, perhaps because nasusuka ako sa amoy ng sigarilyo and I'm not used to drinking alcoholic drinks.The dress I was wearing tonight was a classic navy blue, hugging my figure in all the right places. It was tailored perfectly, accentuating my waist and falling just below my knees. I paired the dress with nude heels that elongated my legs and added an extra touch of sophistication. A delicate silver necklace graced my collarbone, and I chose small pearl earrings for a timeless look.My hair was styled in loose waves, cascading over my shoulders, and my makeup was natural, highlighting my features rather than overpow
Maaga akong nagising at nag timpla ng kape. Habang hinihintay na kumulo ang tubig, tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana. Ang mga ibon ay nag-iingay na, tila ba nag-uunahan bumati sa bagong umaga. Ang araw ay unti-unti nang sumisikat, nagbibigay ng kaunting liwanag sa madilim na langit.Nang magsimula na ang tubig kong kumulo, inalis ko ito sa apoy. Hinugasan ko ang aking tasa at sinimulan kong magtimpla. Ang bango ng kape ay agad na kumalat sa buong bahay, nagbibigay ng kaunting kaginhawaan sa aking damdamin."Hesttiaaaaaaaaaa!!!" Isang malakas na boses ang umalingawngaw sa buong bahay. Tila nabibingi ang dalawa kong tainga. Gising na si Zari at nasa kanyang katinuan na siguro.Sino ba kasing hindi napasigaw kung sa paggising nya, wala syang saplot at tanging bra at panty lang.That's what you get, b'tch."There's no need to shout, Zariyah Azrael!" I scream while not looking at her in the kitchen with her pambahay dress. She looked at me furiously. Wow! Siya pa talaga ang galit."Don't yo
Ngayon ang unang araw ko sa trabaho. Maaga akong natulog kagabi para gumising ng maaga.I chose a sexy top paired with a high-waisted pencil skirt. The top was a deep red, accentuating my white skin and complementing my dark hair. The skirt was black, hugging my curves just right and ending just above my knees, striking a balance between professional and stylish.I added a pair of black pumps for height and a touch of confidence. I chose simple jewelry—a pair of gold hoop earrings and a delicate gold necklace. I wanted my outfit to make a statement, but I also wanted to be taken seriously.This was my first day of work and a new chapter in my life.I grabbed my bag, checked my reflection one last time, and headed out the door. I was ready to take on whatever the day had in store for me.Pagdating ko sa opisina, binati ako ng mga ngiti at mga kamay na handang makipagkamay. Nakakatuwa na maramdaman ang init ng pagtanggap nila.Tinuro ng isang babae ang aking mesa, kung hindi ako nagkaka
"I really hate being belittled," Sabi ko. I called Zari since hindi sya umuwi kagabi because of her hectic schedule at work."I know, Hest," she said gently. "Nobody deserves to be treated that way. And I know you; hindi ka basta bastang nagpapatalo." Her words resonated with me. I took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. I need to start standing up for myself more."Pinatay ko na ang tawag at tiningnan ang orasan. Maaga pa naman. Nandito ako ngayon sa labas ng kompanya. Dahil, maaga pa naman naisipan ko munang mag breakfast at sakto naabutan ko pa si Jeanne na humihigop ng kape."Good morning, Jeanne. Nag breakfast kana?" Tanong ko. Sinuklian niya ako ng ngiti at tumango. "Nag breakfast na ako before ako pumunta dito, Hest." Agap niya.Nag-order ako ng isang rice, orange juice, and ham. I don't need to eat a lot; dahil okay na ako sa katawan ko. Hindi naman ako mataba hindi rin payat. May kurba din ang aking katawan dahilan kung bakit muntik na akong maging modelo noong nakaraan
Naalimpungatan ako sa lakas ng aking alarm clock. Sinadya ko talagang e reset ito kagabi ng 5 a.m dahil marami akong gustong gawin.I wake up early, usually just as the sun is beginning to peek over the horizon. I start my day with a stretch and a yawn, shaking off the remnants of sleep.Pumunta ako sa kusina to prepare a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the room and jump starting my senses. While sipping my coffee, naaalala ko it's been months na pala akong nagtatrabaho sa kumpanya nila Liam at 3 weeks na rin na hindi umuwi sa apartment si Zari. Kumusta na kaya ang babaeng yun.I miss the times when we could just hang out without any worries, when our biggest decision was what movie to watch or where to have dinner. “Zar? Are you there?” Hindi na ako napag antay at tinawagan ko na siya.“Hest? Ikaw ba’to?” Wika niya. “So, hindi naka save yung phone number ko sa phone mo?” Agap ko sa malungkot na tuno. I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness, a longing for the simpler times.
The crunch of dead leaves under my feet echoes through the air as I walk towards our old mansion. The sound, a stark reminder of the passage of time, is the only noise in the otherwise silent surroundings. The mansion, once a symbol of our family's prosperity, now stands as a testament to the memories we've left behind.Hindi ko lubos akalain, na abandonado na ang mansyon na ito. The mansion looms ahead, its grandeur faded with time. The windows, once brightly lit, are now dark, mirroring the emptiness inside. Each crunch of the leaves under my feet feels like a step back in time, a journey into the past.Kinapa ko ang malamig na metal ng kandado na nakabitin sa gate. I saw how this created being protected from people trying to get inside, na kahit ang dating nakatira ay wala ng karapatan pa. At the top of the main gate, words were etched into the metal, “de bon augure” which means giving hope of success in french. It is quote that had been passed down through our family for generat