Isinirado ko ang gate ng bahay. I opened my car door and slumped inside. I started the engine and maneuvered the wheel and departed. Tahimik lang akong nagmamaneho ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Inabot ko ito at nakitang tumatawag na naman siya. I rolled my eyes before answering the call. “What? I'm driving, Rhys!” “Where are you? You should be here by now!” he said from the other line, sounding pissed. “Hindi ka ba makapaghintay?! I will be there in a minute, stop calling!” Iritadong saad ko at pinatay ang tawag. Kanina pa niya ako tinatawagan at pinapunta sa mansyon nilang mag pipinsan. I don't even know why he's asking me to go there. He's getting clingy, akala niya siguro nagkabalikan na kami. Assuming talaga kahit kailan. Nang makarating ako sa bahay nila ay ka agad akong sinalubong ng kasambahay nila. Inilagay ko ang trench coat sa coat rack nila sa loob. “Where is Rhysand?” I asked the maid. “Nasa baba po,” sagot nito na ka agad ko namang nakuha ang sinabi niya.
CHAPTER 9Our days went well. Nagkaayos na rin kami ni Rhysand. We treated each other like how we treated each other before. Some may think it's unfair and ang bilis lang ng pangyayari na parang hindi ko inisip ang nangyare noon. But what can I do? That was in the past, and I already forgive him for doing that, even though it still hurts me.Naghihiwa ako ng pang lunch ni Vanilla nang biglang may yumakap sa sa akin galing sa likod ko. I smiled and tilted my head for him to rest his chin on my shoulder. “Good morning,” he hoarsely greeted me. Lumingon ako sakaniya. I smiled and kissed his lips. Pinalalim niya ang halik ng maramdaman ko na nakasandal na pala ako sa sink.We heard footsteps running towards the kitchen. Ka agad kong itinulak ang lalaki at umayos ng tayo. We both looked at Vanilla na nakangiti rin sa amin. “Daddy I'm getting late, you should hatid me na.” Vanilla said and tugged his father's clothe meekly. Napalingon si Rhysand si akin. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi k
CornyI went straight to his company as soon as he called me. Vanilla is in Aljier's place kaya mag-isa kong pinuntahan ang ama niya. Nang makarating ako roon ay ka agad akong nag-tanong sa secretary niya. “Is Rhysand inside?” She looked at me and smiled. “Yes, po. May appointment po ba kayo?” Umiling ako sakaniya. “I don't have, but tell him that Fleur is already here.” ngiting saad ko. The girl nodded as she called her boss. Tumango-tango pa siya habang nakatingin sa akin. “Pinapasok na po kayo ni Sir, ma'am.” magalang na sabi niya sa akin. Ngumiti naman ako sakaniya bago pumasok sa opisina ng amo niya. I went straight inside and saw Rhysand sitting on his swivel chair, seriously reading some papers. He tilted his head to look up to me. I inclined my head as I gave him a smile. Tumayo siya sa upuan niya at sinalubong ako. “Hey,” he leaned to meet my lips. Napangiti ako bago sinuklian ang mga halik niya. His hands roamed around my body. Pinisil niya ang pwet ko na ikinaungol
Family Picture“There,” I said after I tied her hair. I moved backward a bit to scan her outfit. I dressed her with a neat white dress and a pair of baige barbie sandals. Naka ponytail ang buhok niya na may pink na ribbon. “Mommy, matchy matchy tayo!” she giggled. I smiled and held her hands. “Let's go?” Ngumiti sa akin si Vanilla at tumango. We went downstairs where Rhysand is waiting for us. Nang makababa kami ay nakita kong nag aayos ng camera 'yong lalaking kakilala lang din niya. He's a handsome photographer. Rhysand scanned us from head to foot while we were heading downstairs. His eyes brightened, mouth parted a bit as he walked towards us. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginaya kami sa pwesto kung saan kami kukuhanan ng picture. Nilapit niya nang kaunti ang bibig sa tainga ko, “Ang ganda mo,” he whispered. “You have a lovely beautiful wife and daughter, Rhys.” the photographer commented. “Of course she's my mom and I am mommy's daughter!” sabat ni Vanilla. Rhysand r
DaughterI picked the paper out of curiosity and unfold it. Hindi ko alam pero bigla nalang ako nakaramdam ng kaba at higpit sa dibdib ko. It's just a piece of paper so why is my heart racing so fast like a horse? My forehead creased while reading what's written on the long bond paper. Para akong nabagsakan ng langit dahil sa nabasa. Vanilla's Birth Certificate Bumaba ang tingin ko sa pangalan na naka ukit doon. My name is written on her birth certificate as the Mother. Natulala ako ng ilang minuto. I feel a tear drop on my cheek. How come my name is the one written as the mother of Vanilla? I am not her mother. She's not my daughter. Anak siya sa ibang babae ni Rhysand. So why? Bakit ang pangalan ko ang nakalagay? I was deeply thinking what's the reason. Nang may nakita akong litrato niya sa tabi kaya kinuha ko iyon. I stared, scrutinizing the picture of Vanilla, who's holding a teddy bear. Doon ko lang napansin na magkamukha kami. She looks like my younger self. She looks like
Revelation He slammed the table, grip his hands firmly and looked at me with his piercing eyes. “It was all planned from the beginning.” he uttered. Taas noo niyang sinabi iyon na para bang alam niya kung ano. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. “Plan? What plan? You lying to me?!” I sarcastically asked. “It was all planned! You getting into an accident, Vanilla's fake death when you gave birth to her, and you flying to Germany!. Lahat ng iyon ay planado, Fleur.” he exclaimed. Mas lalo lang akong naguguluhan sa sinasabi niya. Who would plan such a thing? Who would plan all of those to ruin us? Baliw lang ang gagawa no'n. “And you know who planned it? Your mother.” he remarked. My hands automatically flew on his face. How dare him accuse my mother. The Rhysand I knew will never accuse someone close to me, and someone I trust. “Don't you ever lie to me Rhysand. Hindi magagawa ni mommy 'yon! She was the one who was so excited about me giving birth and her having a grandchild. Kay
SpaceWala akong pasabing umalis at tumakbo papalabas ng bahay. I didn't look back and just crossed the road to ride a taxi. Halos huminto ang puso ko ng may malakas na busina akong narinig. Lumingon ako at nakita ang isang puti na sasakyan na patungo sa direksyon. I suddenly remembered the accident back then. Hindi ako nakagalaw at napatitig lang sa papalapit na sasakyan.Someone pushed me at the side of the road. “What are you doing?!” Rhysand asked angrily.Wala sa sarili akong napatingin sakaniya. “I—” I blinked many times. “Balak mo bang magpakamatay ha?!”Galit akong tumingala ako sakaniya habang may tumutulong mga luha galing sa mga mata ko. I tightened my jaw.“So what if I say yes? May magagawa ka? Suicide is nothing compared to what you all have done to me!” madiin kong sigaw sa mukha niya. “I won't let you! Babantayan kita minu-minuto at araw-araw just to save you from committing.” he said. “You can't save me!” I laughed. “Kahit magpakamatay pa ako sa harap mo ngayon,
Mother “I'm glad you already made a decision, Fio.” mahina at nakangiting sabi ni Mia. “Take care,” sabi niya bago pumasok sa sasakyan niya at umalis.I let out a heavy breath before taking a step. Tiningnan ko ang bahay. This is it, there's no turning back, Fleur. You need to face them. For Vanilla.Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto ng bahay at tiningnan kung may tao ba. I saw Rhysand sitting on the couch while staring on his phone. Nag-angat ito ng tingin at kita ko kung paano kuminang ang mga mata niya nang makita akong pumasok. He stood up and walked towards me. Bago pa man niya ako mayakap ay umatras ako at pinigilan siya. He cleared his throat and look down. “Si Vanilla?” tanong ko. “Nasa eskwelahan pa siya. I'll fetch her mamayang alas tres.” sagot niya sa akin. Tumango-tango ako at umupo. Nilingon ko siya na ngayon ay hindi alam kung uupo ba sa tabi ko o sa ibang upuan siya uupo. It's awkward. We just sat there and sometimes stare at each other. Mukha kaming teenagers
FamilyInilagay ko ang maleta sa likod ng sasakyan. Malakas na isinirado ko ang pinto ng sasakyan at pumasok sa loob. Umupo ako sa shotgun seat habang ang anak ko naman ay nasa likuran. Nilingon ko si Rhysand bago mag salita. “Let's go, we are already late.” saad ko at sinuot ang seat belt. Tumango naman siya at ka agad pinaansar ang sasakyan. He then, started driving. Malayo-layo ang pupuntahan naming resort. It's 2 hours drive from the house. Hindi ko rin naman talaga alam kung saan iyon at kung gaano lang kalayo ang alam ko. They planned this family trip since last week. All of them. O baka nga sila lang din mag pipinsan ang nandoon. “Mommy, maganda po ba ang place na pupuntahan natin?” Vanilla asked. Lumingon ako sakaniya at ngumiti. “I don't know, love.” sabi ko. Tumango-tango siya at pinipigilang hindi pumikit. I chuckled. “You can sleep while we are on our way there, it seems like gustong-gusto na ng mga mata mong pumikit.” She yawned. “Okay, mom.” tiningnan niya ang da
Know nothing Nataranta akong bumangon sa higaan at dumiretso sa kuwarto ni Vanilla. It's already 7:30 a.m dammit! Dali-dali kong inayos ang uniform na susuotin ni Vanilla bago pa siya matapos maligo. Nang marinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng cr niya ay ka agad akong napatingin sakaniya na bagong labas habang suot ang pink na maliit na towel sa katawan at hindi maayos na paglagay ng puting towel sa buhok niya. She smiled while looking at me. Naglakad siya papalapit sa akin at tiningnan ang damit na hinanda ko para sakaniya.She tilted her head to look at me, lips downwards. “Mommy... that's not my uniform for today po.” mahinang sabi niya sa akin at pumasok sa maliit na walk in closet niya.“That's for tomorrow, mommy... and,” itinaas niya ang isang uniform at ipinakita sa akin. “Eto po yung uniform ko ngayon po.” sabi niya.My mouth parted a bit. Tiningnan ko ang uniform na hinanda ko at ang uniform na kinuha ni Vanilla. Pilit akong ngumiti at nilapitan siya.“I'm sorry baby, hindi alam
Mother “I'm glad you already made a decision, Fio.” mahina at nakangiting sabi ni Mia. “Take care,” sabi niya bago pumasok sa sasakyan niya at umalis.I let out a heavy breath before taking a step. Tiningnan ko ang bahay. This is it, there's no turning back, Fleur. You need to face them. For Vanilla.Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto ng bahay at tiningnan kung may tao ba. I saw Rhysand sitting on the couch while staring on his phone. Nag-angat ito ng tingin at kita ko kung paano kuminang ang mga mata niya nang makita akong pumasok. He stood up and walked towards me. Bago pa man niya ako mayakap ay umatras ako at pinigilan siya. He cleared his throat and look down. “Si Vanilla?” tanong ko. “Nasa eskwelahan pa siya. I'll fetch her mamayang alas tres.” sagot niya sa akin. Tumango-tango ako at umupo. Nilingon ko siya na ngayon ay hindi alam kung uupo ba sa tabi ko o sa ibang upuan siya uupo. It's awkward. We just sat there and sometimes stare at each other. Mukha kaming teenagers
SpaceWala akong pasabing umalis at tumakbo papalabas ng bahay. I didn't look back and just crossed the road to ride a taxi. Halos huminto ang puso ko ng may malakas na busina akong narinig. Lumingon ako at nakita ang isang puti na sasakyan na patungo sa direksyon. I suddenly remembered the accident back then. Hindi ako nakagalaw at napatitig lang sa papalapit na sasakyan.Someone pushed me at the side of the road. “What are you doing?!” Rhysand asked angrily.Wala sa sarili akong napatingin sakaniya. “I—” I blinked many times. “Balak mo bang magpakamatay ha?!”Galit akong tumingala ako sakaniya habang may tumutulong mga luha galing sa mga mata ko. I tightened my jaw.“So what if I say yes? May magagawa ka? Suicide is nothing compared to what you all have done to me!” madiin kong sigaw sa mukha niya. “I won't let you! Babantayan kita minu-minuto at araw-araw just to save you from committing.” he said. “You can't save me!” I laughed. “Kahit magpakamatay pa ako sa harap mo ngayon,
Revelation He slammed the table, grip his hands firmly and looked at me with his piercing eyes. “It was all planned from the beginning.” he uttered. Taas noo niyang sinabi iyon na para bang alam niya kung ano. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. “Plan? What plan? You lying to me?!” I sarcastically asked. “It was all planned! You getting into an accident, Vanilla's fake death when you gave birth to her, and you flying to Germany!. Lahat ng iyon ay planado, Fleur.” he exclaimed. Mas lalo lang akong naguguluhan sa sinasabi niya. Who would plan such a thing? Who would plan all of those to ruin us? Baliw lang ang gagawa no'n. “And you know who planned it? Your mother.” he remarked. My hands automatically flew on his face. How dare him accuse my mother. The Rhysand I knew will never accuse someone close to me, and someone I trust. “Don't you ever lie to me Rhysand. Hindi magagawa ni mommy 'yon! She was the one who was so excited about me giving birth and her having a grandchild. Kay
DaughterI picked the paper out of curiosity and unfold it. Hindi ko alam pero bigla nalang ako nakaramdam ng kaba at higpit sa dibdib ko. It's just a piece of paper so why is my heart racing so fast like a horse? My forehead creased while reading what's written on the long bond paper. Para akong nabagsakan ng langit dahil sa nabasa. Vanilla's Birth Certificate Bumaba ang tingin ko sa pangalan na naka ukit doon. My name is written on her birth certificate as the Mother. Natulala ako ng ilang minuto. I feel a tear drop on my cheek. How come my name is the one written as the mother of Vanilla? I am not her mother. She's not my daughter. Anak siya sa ibang babae ni Rhysand. So why? Bakit ang pangalan ko ang nakalagay? I was deeply thinking what's the reason. Nang may nakita akong litrato niya sa tabi kaya kinuha ko iyon. I stared, scrutinizing the picture of Vanilla, who's holding a teddy bear. Doon ko lang napansin na magkamukha kami. She looks like my younger self. She looks like
Family Picture“There,” I said after I tied her hair. I moved backward a bit to scan her outfit. I dressed her with a neat white dress and a pair of baige barbie sandals. Naka ponytail ang buhok niya na may pink na ribbon. “Mommy, matchy matchy tayo!” she giggled. I smiled and held her hands. “Let's go?” Ngumiti sa akin si Vanilla at tumango. We went downstairs where Rhysand is waiting for us. Nang makababa kami ay nakita kong nag aayos ng camera 'yong lalaking kakilala lang din niya. He's a handsome photographer. Rhysand scanned us from head to foot while we were heading downstairs. His eyes brightened, mouth parted a bit as he walked towards us. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginaya kami sa pwesto kung saan kami kukuhanan ng picture. Nilapit niya nang kaunti ang bibig sa tainga ko, “Ang ganda mo,” he whispered. “You have a lovely beautiful wife and daughter, Rhys.” the photographer commented. “Of course she's my mom and I am mommy's daughter!” sabat ni Vanilla. Rhysand r
CornyI went straight to his company as soon as he called me. Vanilla is in Aljier's place kaya mag-isa kong pinuntahan ang ama niya. Nang makarating ako roon ay ka agad akong nag-tanong sa secretary niya. “Is Rhysand inside?” She looked at me and smiled. “Yes, po. May appointment po ba kayo?” Umiling ako sakaniya. “I don't have, but tell him that Fleur is already here.” ngiting saad ko. The girl nodded as she called her boss. Tumango-tango pa siya habang nakatingin sa akin. “Pinapasok na po kayo ni Sir, ma'am.” magalang na sabi niya sa akin. Ngumiti naman ako sakaniya bago pumasok sa opisina ng amo niya. I went straight inside and saw Rhysand sitting on his swivel chair, seriously reading some papers. He tilted his head to look up to me. I inclined my head as I gave him a smile. Tumayo siya sa upuan niya at sinalubong ako. “Hey,” he leaned to meet my lips. Napangiti ako bago sinuklian ang mga halik niya. His hands roamed around my body. Pinisil niya ang pwet ko na ikinaungol
CHAPTER 9Our days went well. Nagkaayos na rin kami ni Rhysand. We treated each other like how we treated each other before. Some may think it's unfair and ang bilis lang ng pangyayari na parang hindi ko inisip ang nangyare noon. But what can I do? That was in the past, and I already forgive him for doing that, even though it still hurts me.Naghihiwa ako ng pang lunch ni Vanilla nang biglang may yumakap sa sa akin galing sa likod ko. I smiled and tilted my head for him to rest his chin on my shoulder. “Good morning,” he hoarsely greeted me. Lumingon ako sakaniya. I smiled and kissed his lips. Pinalalim niya ang halik ng maramdaman ko na nakasandal na pala ako sa sink.We heard footsteps running towards the kitchen. Ka agad kong itinulak ang lalaki at umayos ng tayo. We both looked at Vanilla na nakangiti rin sa amin. “Daddy I'm getting late, you should hatid me na.” Vanilla said and tugged his father's clothe meekly. Napalingon si Rhysand si akin. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi k