Mag-log inShare
KABANATA 53
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-16 12:37:25Kaugnay na kabanata
Under His Possession KABANATA 54
JANIYA'S P. O. VTHE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED WERE A BLUR OF WHISPHERED CONVERSATIONS, FRANTIC PHONE CALLS, AND A CONSTANT SENSE OF UNEASE. Strike, despite the revelation, seemed to have accepted the situation with a strange, unsettling calm. He didn’t push, didn’t demand answers, didn’t try to force his way into our lives. He simply observed, his gaze lingering on the triplets, a flicker of something akin to longing in his eyes. Malayung-malayo sa reaksyon nito no'ng tinaboy n'ya ako maraming taon na ang nakalipas.Pinili ko na rin na iwasan na lang si Strike. We had already hired a new assistant, a young woman named Maria, to handle the day-to-day operations of the business. Kahit baguhan ay nakikita naman namin na magaling s'ya. She became our shield, our buffer, our way of keeping Strike at bay.But it was a delicate dance, a constant struggle to maintain the illusion of normalcy. The triplets, despite their young age, were perceptive, their innocent eyes noticing the tension, the awkw
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16Under His Possession KABANATA 55
JANIYA'S P. O. VPAGKATAPOS NG LAHAT NG NANGYARI, NAG USAP KAMI NI RYUU. WE BOTH AGREED THAT WE'RE NOT SAFE HERE ANYMORE. LALO NA ANG MGA BATA. "A-Ano kamong sabi mo? Aalis na kayo ulit?”Tango lang ang nasagot ko kay Papa. Bukas, aalis na kami pabalik sa bansa kung saan kami nakatira. Naisip lang namin ni Ryuu na dumaan dito para makapagpaalam ng maayos at makasama pa sila sa maikling oras."Bakit biglaan naman yata? May naging problema ba?” tanong ulit ni Papa.Nagkatinginan kami ni Ryuu. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanila 'yung totoong rason ng pag alis namin. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanila 'yung lahat ng nangyari."Eh, paano 'yung business na sinimulan n'yo rito?” It was Kuya Haru. Tita Heaven's first born and eventually, my stepbrother. Asawa na rin n'ya si Adrianne ngayon."I'll be staying here for a a little more while. I'll be the one to oversee the business. Susunod na lang ako ro'n kapag stable na lahat dito,” sagot ni Ryuu.Hindi na sila nagkomento pa.Before we left, I felt a
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16Under His Possession KABANATA 56
JANIYA'S P. O. VILANG MINUTO NA ANG LUMIPAS PERO HINDI PA RIN KAMI MAKALABAS SA KWARTO NA PINAGDALHAN SA AMIN KANINA. Nandito pa rin ang mga lalaking binayaran ni Strike para harangin kami. And even Strike is still here. Nakapalibot na sa kanya ang mga anak ko habang ako, nakaupo lang sa isang sulok at pinapanood sila.Hanggang mayamaya, biglang lumapit sa akin si Strike."Niya," tawag n'ya sa akin pero hindi ako kumibo. "I know we have a lot to talk about. But I'm asking you to trust me, to give me a chance, to let me be a part of their lives."Tinitigan ko lang s'ya.Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, ayoko na. Ayoko nang magtiwala ulit sa kanya. But as I looked at my triplets, their tiny faces filled with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of something akin to affection as they gazed at Strike, a wave of something akin to doubt washed over me.They were too young to understand the complexities of the situation, the tangled web of relationships that had brought us to this point. But the
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16Under His Possession KABANATA 57
JANIYA'S P. O. VHINDI KO INAASAHAN ANG LUGAR NA PINAGDALHAN SA AMIN NI STRIKE. Thousands of memories came back as I stare at the old Castillejos mansion loomed before us, its faded grandeur a stark contrast to the bustling city that surrounded it. It was a place steeped in my history, a place that held both happy memories and a sense of foreboding, a place that had witnessed the rise and fall of a family, a place that had been both a haven and a prison.Strike, his face a mixture of determination and a hint of something akin to hope, led us through the imposing iron gates, his steps echoing in the silence of the overgrown courtyard. Hawak ko sa kamay sina Chase at Cross habang buhat naman ni Strike si Cameron. Their innocent eyes wide with wonder, seemed to be oblivious to the weight of history that hung heavy in the air.As we stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The scent of old wood and dust, the faded grandeur of the high ceilings and ornate chandeliers, the echoe
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16Under His Possession KABANATA 58
JANIYA'S P. O. VPANAY ANG TAWA NAMIN NI MAMAY HABANG MAGKATULONG KAMING NAGLULUTO SA KUSINA. And of course, nagkwekwentuhan din kami. Marami-rami lang kaming lulutuin ngayon dahil bukod sa miss na miss ko na ang mga luto n'ya, gusto n'ya rin daw ipatikim sa mga anak ko ang luto n'ya."Baka kasi sakaling kapag natikman nila ang luto ko, baka hindi na sila umalis. Baka gustuhin na lang nilang dumito at mabuo ang pamilya n'yo.” Sinundan pa ni Mamay ng paghagikhik 'yung sinabi n'ya. Hindi ko naman s'ya masabayan dahil hindi ko talatang gustong mangyari 'yung sinabi n'yang 'yon. I still don't like the idea of staying here with my sons. Isa pa, wala ang "pamilya" na sinasabi ni Mamay na mabubuo. It just doesn't exist. Pero kahit na gano'n, hindi na lang ako nagprotesta dahil ayokong masira ang mood. Hinayaan ko na lang s'yang isipin ang mga gusto n'yang isipin. Besides, ngayon na lang kami nagkita ulit at ayokong magtampo pa s'ya.Habang nagluluto kami, rinig na rinig ang tawanan ng mga a
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-17Under His Possession KABANATA 59
JANIYA'S P. O. V"GUSTO N'YO BA, I-TAKE OUT N'YO NA LANG 'YUNG MGA NALUTO NATIN? SAYANG NAMAN 'YON. GUSTUNG-GUSTO KO PA NAMAN MATIKMAN NG MGA BATA ANG LUTO KO.” Napabuntung-hininga na lang ako dahil sa sinabi ni Mamay.Nandito kami ngayon sa salas habang naghihintay sa pagdating ni Ryuu. Hindi pa rin lumabas si Strike at Giulia; pero wala na akong pakialam sa kanila.We had been talking about the meals we had prepared, the feast that had been interrupted by the arrival of Giulia, the woman who had stormed into our lives like a whirlwind of anger and jealousy. The aroma of adobo, the tangy sweetness of sinigang, the savory richness of kare-kare, still lingered in the air, a reminder of the normalcy we had been trying to reclaim, the life we had been trying to rebuild. Pero ang buong akala ko na matitikman ko na ulit 'yon ay naudlot pa. All because of that witch Giulia. Pati ang kasiyahan ng mga anak ko ay naputol din nang dahil sa immaturity n'ya."Mom," Chase, the eldest of the tripl
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-17Under His Possession KABANATA 60
JANIYA'S P. O. VHINDI KO NA HALOS NAMALAYAN ANG MABILIS NA PAGLIPAS NG MGA ARAW. I was busy proofreading my article when suddenly, a call came. And to my surprise, it was Strike, his voice a mixture of concern and desperation."How's our sons doing?” bungad n'ya agad pagsagot ko pa lang sa tawag. Hindi man lang ako nakapag-"hello" muna.Napangiwi ako. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako sanay tuwing sinasabi n'ya ang mga katagang "anak natin" o iba pang kagaya no'n."They're… fine. Thanks for asking. Medyo matamlay lang sila. Hinahanap ka kasi,” pag amin ko."Oh, hell. Really?” Biglang naging puno ng pag aalala sa boses n'ya. He really had change. Lagi ko na s'yang kinakakitaan ng emosyon. Hindi na gaya ng dati na laging blangko 'yung ekspresyon n'ya.Tumango ako bilang sagot kahit hindi naman n'ya ako nakikita."Saktong-sakto. I was just about to ask you if… if you could drop by again? Kahit ipasundo ko na lang kayo.”Napakagat-labi ako."B-Bakit? Anong meron?”"Nothing. Wala naman.
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-17Under His Possession KABANATA 61
JANIYA'S P. O. VPAGKATAPOS NAMING KUMAIN, DUMIRETSO NA AGAD ANG MGA BATA AT SI STRIKE SA TAAS PARA MAGLARO. NAIWAN NAMAN AKO KASAMA NI MAMAY DAHIL NAG-VOLUNTEER AKO NA TULUNGAN S'YANG MAGLIGPIT.As of Giulia, hindi ko alam. Baka umalis na. Sana nga, umalis na.Pero mukhang hindi talaga ako malakas kay tadhana. Kahihiling ko pa nga lang na sana talaga wala na s'ya, 'eto at bigla na naman s'yang sumulpot mula sa kung saan. Mukhang sinakto n'ya pa na umalis si Mamay saglit.Hindi gaya ng kanina na nakangiti pa s'ya kahit peke, now her face is contorted with fury, her eyes blazing with a mixture of jealousy and hatred, stood before me, her voice a venomous hiss that sent shivers down my spine."I'm glad, alam mo pa rin naman pala kung saan ka nababagay. Somehow, marunong ka pa ring lumugar,” sabi n'ya.Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa hinuhugasan kong plato dahil parang gusto ko nang paliparin 'yon at pag-landing-in bigla sa mukha n'ya."What again this time, Giulia? Ano na namang lagim ang pi
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-17
Pinakabagong kabanata
Under His Possession EPILOGO
1 month later… JANIYA'S P. O. VThe courtroom was a symphony of whispers and hushed conversations. The air crackled with tension, a palpable energy that vibrated through the room. Giulia, the woman who had orchestrated the accident that had nearly taken my life, sat before the judge, her face a mask of defiance. "Your Honor," the prosecutor began, his voice a steady drone. "The evidence is clear. The defendant, Giulia, acted with malice aforethought, deliberately causing a car accident that resulted in serious injuries to the plaintiff, Janiya.”He recounted the events, the meticulous planning, the calculated actions, the chilling indifference to the potential consequences. I sat in the witness stand, my heart a heavy stone in my chest, reliving the terror of that fateful day."The defendant," he continued, "has shown no remorse for her actions. She has exhibited a complete disregard for the law and the well-being of others. She is a danger to society and must be held accountable fo
Under His Possession KABANATA 92
JANIYA'S P. O. VThe air crackled with anticipation, a symphony of laughter and whispered secrets. The sun, a benevolent witness, bathed the garden in a golden glow, illuminating the scene with a warmth that mirrored the love that pulsed through the air. It was my wedding day, a culmination of a journey filled with heartache, healing, and ultimately, a love that had triumphed over every obstacle.My reflection stared back at me, a vision of happiness in a white gown that flowed like a gentle waterfall. My heart, once burdened with pain, now swelled with a joy so profound it threatened to spill over.Earlier that day, as I stood before the mirror, my hand resting on my swollen belly, the doctor had uttered the words that had sent a wave of pure bliss through me. "Congratulations, Janiya," he had said, his smile mirroring the joy that illuminated my face. "You're going to be a mother of four.""Four?" I echoed, my voice filled with disbelief and delight. "Are you sure?""Absolutely," he
Under His Possession KABANATA 91
JANIYA'S P. O. VOras matapos ang naging pag uusap namin ni Ryuu, si Strike naman ang hinarap ko. The hospital room, once a sterile haven of recovery, was now transformed into a haven of love. The air was thick with the scent of lilies, their white petals mirroring the crisp white sheets that enveloped me. My body still bore the scars of the accident, my spirit felt stronger than ever.Strike sat beside me, his hand gently holding mine. His eyes, filled with a love that could melt glaciers, held mine captive."Janiya," he began, his voice a soft melody that resonated deep within me. "You know, I've been thinking..."I chuckled, a light, tinkling sound that echoed in the quiet room. "You're thinking again? Baka maubos na braincells mo n'yan, ha?” I teased, my voice laced with affection. "Anywats, what's on your mind?"He smiled, a smile that could rival the sun's brilliance. "Well, I've been thinking... about us.""About us?" I echoed, a playful eyebrow raised. "You know, I've been th
Under His Possession KABANATA 90
JANIYA'S P. O. VPag alis ni Strike ay dumating din agad si Ryuu. Hindi ko alam kung tinawag ba s'ya ng una, but whatever happens, I'm glad that he's here. Para maayos na ang lahat once and for all. Ryuu sat beside me, his hand resting on mine, his eyes filled with a warmth that soothed the ache in my heart."Janiya," he began, his voice soft and gentle. "I'm so glad that you're awake now. At masaya 'ko na nakakabawi ka na ulit ng lakas mo kahit papaano.”Ngumiti ako ng tipid.I squeezed his hand, tears welling up in my eyes. It felt like an eternity since I'd last seen him, since I'd last felt his presence."Ryuu," I whispered, my voice hoarse from disuse. "I… I have something to say. M-May gusto 'kong sabihin pero hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan. I'm… I'm aso sorry. I'm so sorry for everything."Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Ryuu. Parang nagtataka s'ya sa mga sinasabi ko."S-Si Strike,” banggit ko. "He's… He proposed.”Suddenly, his smile fade. Kitang-kita ko rin kung paano bigl
Under His Possession KABANATA 89
JANIYA'S P. O. VThe hospital room was a haven of quiet, the only sound the rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring my vitals. Strike sat beside me, his hand resting on mine, his eyes filled with a tenderness I hadn't seen in years. "Janiya," he began, his voice husky with emotion. "I know you're awake now. I know you can hear me."I squeezed his hand, a wave of warmth spreading through me. It was strange, this feeling of comfort, of safety, in his presence. It had been so long since I had felt this way.He talked about the weeks we'd been apart, the fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming love he felt for me. He talked about the triplets, their constant chatter, their innocent faces filled with longing for their mother.Sinabi n'ya rin kung ga'no s'ya nagsisisi ds mga maling nagawa n'ya at sa lahat ng sakit naiparanas n'ya sa akin. He apologized for everything, his voice thick with remorse."I know I messed up, Janiya," he said, his eyes pleading. "I know I hurt you. But I never
Under His Possession KABANATA 88
JANIYA'S P. O. VThe sterile white ceiling seemed to mock me, a stark reminder of my predicament. My body felt like a leaden weight, each breath a struggle. I was trapped, a prisoner in my own mind, watching the world go by from a distance. The weeks blurred into one another, a hazy tapestry of whispered conversations, hushed footsteps, and the constant hum of machines. I knew they were there, hovering over me, their faces etched with worry, their voices filled with hope. Strike, Ryuu, Mamay, my father, his new family, even my best friend, they all came to visit, to tell me stories.But I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t even open my eyes. I was a ghost, a silent observer in a world that seemed to be moving on without me.One day, a familiar voice, gentle and laced with concern, broke through the fog. Ryuu. He was sitting beside me, his hand resting on mine.“Janiya,” he said, his voice soft. “I know you can hear me. I know you’re in there.”He spoke of the triplets, their laughter echoi
Under His Possession KABANATA 87
The hospital room was a sanctuary, a haven of quiet calm amidst the storm that had ravaged their lives. Janiya sat by the window, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the sterile white walls. She watched the city unfold below, a bustling tapestry of life that seemed to mock the stillness of her own world. Two weeks had passed since the accident, two weeks since the world had almost ended for her. She had been given a second chance, a miracle that had left her reeling, her heart a fragile vessel, her mind a swirling vortex of emotions. She had woken up to a world of love and support, a tapestry of faces that had become her lifeline, her anchor in the storm. Her mother, Mamay, her unwavering rock, her source of strength and unconditional love. Her triplets, her reason for being, her tiny miracles, their innocent eyes reflecting a love that transcended words. And then there was Ryuu, his presence a constant in the chaos, his love a quiet, unwavering force that had held her
Under His Possession KABANATA 86
Parang nag-aapoy ang hangin, puno ng tensyon, isang nakakakuryenteng pakiramdam na mabigat sa paligid. Ang ambulance bay, na karaniwang magulo pero kontrolado, ay naging parang digmaan, isang kumukulong kaldero ng galit at lungkot. Si Ryuu, galit na galit, ay nakatayo lang ilang dangkal ang layo kay SV, nakakuyom ang mga kamao, at nag-aapoy ang mga mata. “Tanga ka!” sigaw niya, parang ungol ang boses niya. “Ikaw dapat ang nagbabantay sa kanya! Ikaw dapat ang nagpoprotekta sa kanya!”Si SV, maputla at payat, puno ng guilt at takot ang mga mata, ay hindi umatras. “Hindi ko alam,” nauutal niyang sabi, halos pabulong lang. “Hindi ko nakita ang trak. Napakabilis ng pangyayari.”“Hindi 'yan dahilan!” Singhal ni Ryuu, lumapit pa siya, amoy na amoy ang dugo at pawis sa hangin. “Ikaw dapat ang nasa tabi niya! Ikaw dapat ang nag-iingat sa kanya!”“Alam ko, alam ko,” pagmamakaawa ni SV, nakataas ang mga kamay na parang sumusuko. “Pasensya na. Pasensya na talaga.”Pero parang bato ang tainga ni
Under His Possession KABANATA 85
Ang hangin parang nag-aapoy, puno ng hilaw na emosyon—kalungkutan, galit, at desperasyon. Ang ambulance bay, na karaniwang magulo pero kontrolado, ay naging parang digmaan, isang kumukulong kaldero ng galit at lungkot. Si Ryuu, galit na galit, ay nakatayo lang ilang dangkal ang layo kay SV, nakakuyom ang mga kamao, at nag-aapoy ang mga mata. “Tanga ka!” sigaw niya, parang ungol ang boses niya. “Ikaw dapat ang nagbabantay sa kanya! Ikaw dapat ang nagpoprotekta sa kanya!”Si SV, maputla at payat, puno ng guilt at takot ang mga mata, ay hindi umatras. “Hindi ko alam,” sabi niya, halos pabulong lang. “Hindi ko nakita ang trak. Napakabilis ng pangyayari.”“Hindi 'yan dahilan!” Singhal ni Ryuu, lumapit pa siya, amoy na amoy ang dugo at pawis sa hangin. “Ikaw dapat ang nasa tabi niya! Ikaw dapat ang nag-iingat sa kanya!”“Alam ko, alam ko,” pagmamakaawa ni SV, nakataas ang mga kamay na parang sumusuko. “Pasensya na. Pasensya na talaga.”Pero parang bato ang tainga ni Ryuu. Dahil sa galit,
