Halos lundagin ko pababa mula sa sasakyan ni Lev.
"What are you—"
Pierre cut me off as he stood and wrapped his arms around my waist. I stiffened as I heard his soft sobs, his head buried on the crook of my neck. Hindi ko magawang ialis ang mga braso niyang nakapulupot sa 'kin. Ano'ng nangyayari?
"Pierre, what are you doing here? Hindi ba't sinabihan na kitang huwag na lumapit kay Calli—"
"C'est fait, Lev. L'annonce est due dans cinq mois."
Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Nilingon ko si Lev na nasa gilid ko lang and he had a stunned look on his face. Nakatitig lang siya kay Pierre na tahimik na humihikbi sa leeg ko. His jaw clenched and he immediately ran to hi
Halos mapalundag ako sa gulat nang may tumapik sa balikat ko. My head snapped to the side and Millie's eyes were narrowed at me."Girl, kanina ka pa nakatitig sa screen ng computer mo. Mamaya lamunin ka na niyan," saad ni Millie sabay hagikhik.Umiling na lang ako at ngumiti. Everyone in the office was busy dahil minamadali na ipatapos ng kaibigan ni Pierre ang invitations at posters para sa debut ng kapatid nito at introduction ng bago nilang wine. Since yesterday, I haven't seen Pierre nor Lev's shadow.'Yong mga nangyari ba kahapon posibleng magkakonekta kina Pierre at Lev? But I thought Lev's mad at Pierre and I strongly believe Pierre feels the same way about Lev?"Hay, salamat. Makakauwi na rin," saad ni DK at nag-unat-una
"Calli, you alright?"Nawaglit ako sa malalim kong iniisip nang magsalita si Zion. I gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. Nandito kami ngayon sa sala ng bahay ni Lev. Good thing he's now asleep and we're waiting for their friend who's a doctor. Abala naman sina Manang Henia at Mang Terry sa pagluluto ng sopas. It was already 9:30pm so I told Ada about my whereabouts.I was mindlessly tapping my lips 'til the moments a while ago flashed in my mind. Lev kissed me. Pagkatapos no'n, parang nakalutang ako. There were… butterflies in my stomach that won't calm down 'til now.Maya-maya lang, may bumusina na sasakyan sa labas ng bahay ni Lev. Si Zion na ang sumalubong do'n, must be their doctor/friend."Stefano?" saad ko at na
Nagpalinga-linga pa 'ko sa paligid nang makapasok ako sa opisina ni Zion. We planned to meet today for his restaurant's menus. He gave me a quizzical look as I continued to glance sideways."Hinahanap mo ba si Lev?"My eyes immediately averted to the now smirking Zion. Naramdaman ko ang biglang pag-init ng mga pisngi ko."I am not. I-I don't want to get surprised. Puro kayo kalokahan—""So, hinahanap mo nga siya?" His smirk turned into a grin.Napairap na lang ako at naupo sa kaharap niyang upuan."Hindi," but my voice said otherwise.Nang ipe-presenta ko na kay Zion ang mga
Isang buwan na ang nakakaraan mula nang um-oo ako sa panliligaw ni Lev at bawat araw, nasu-surpresa pa rin ako sa kanya. Ada was the most ecstatic when she knew about me and Lev. Naaalala ko pa ang unang beses nilang pagkikita nang ayain ako ni Lev for a dinner date."Good evening," bati ni Lev sa 'min ni Ada."Lev, meet my bestfriend, Ada."Nilahad naman ni Lev ang kamay niya kay Ada na tinaggap naman niya."Hala, ang pogi mo nga talaga," bulalas ni Ada.Napakamot naman si Lev sa batok niya at pinandilatan ko si Ada. Walang preno bibig ni Ada. Bahagya naman akong tinulak ni Ada palabas.
"Nandito na si prince charming," bulong ni Millie sa 'kin habang naglalakad kami palabas ng office building.Hindi ko naman na napigilan pa na mapangiti nang matanaw ko si Lev sa labas na nakasandal sa hood ng kanyang sasakyan at ang dalawang kamay ay nasa bulsa.Wearing his usual sweatpants and black tee, he looked dashing. Nagpaalam na 'ko sa mga kasamahan ko. Nang makalapit na 'ko kay Lev at magtama ang mga mata namin, kumalabog bigla ang puso ko.He pulled me into a hug and he smells so nice."Aray! Langgam! Langgam!"Napalingon naman kami sa pinanggalingan no'n at nakita sina DK at Regan na nakangisi sa 'min. Agad na namula ang mga pisngi ko at kumawala ako
Isang linggo rin na nandito ang pamilya ko. Sa kasamaang-palad, bumalik rin sila sa Bataan dahil may trabaho na sina Mama at Papa at si Meiz naman nag-aaral pa.Sabi ko nga sa kanila rito na lang kami tumira. We could rent a larger apartment kaysa naman sa magkakahiwalay kami pero sabi ng mga magulang ko tsaka na lang daw kasi si Meiz nag-aaral pa sa Bataan.Hindi rin ako makapaniwala na isang linggo na kami ni Lev. I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine whenever I'm with him, thinking that the man I'm holding hands with is nowmy boyfriend."Ada, Lev just called me, sabi niya may pupuntahan daw kami," saad ko habang sinisintas ang tali ng puti kong Keds.I looked at my reflection on the mirror one last time to check if
"Order of miss Calli."Nang marinig ko na ang pangalan ko mula sa speakers ng café, tumayo na 'ko para kunin ang order ko. I gave my thanks to the waitress as I walked back to my seat, holding a tray.I just ordered iced almond latté and glazed chocolate donut to satisfy my sweet tooth. Alas onse na at wala pa rin 'yong ka-meet up ko na kliyente namin. I really hate people who don't value time.Habang kumakain, panay ang scroll ko sa iPad ko, tinitignan ang mga inihanda kong plates para sa kliyente namin ngayon. Our client's holding a surpise birthday celebration for her mother's 75th birthday and she wants us to take care of every detail.Mahaba-habang usapan 'to dahil pag-uusapan pa namin ang venue, cate
"The bloody red color matches the color of the logo and it compliments the matte black wine bottle. Overall, I think we're getting there."Sinulat ko naman sa notepad ko ang mga sinabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung product launch ba ang pinag-uusapan namin o details ng 75th birthday ng mama niya. 30 minutes has passed and we're still talking about their new wines.We were on video conference with Mrs. Dela Paz, the woman I was supposed to meet at Starbucks the other day. Hindi raw siya nakapunta dahil nakalimutan niya na may scheduled meeting siya no'ng araw na 'yon.Imbis na isang apology ang matanggap ko, all she said was'Ikaw naman kasi, ba't 'di mo pinaalala?'Since when did I become her secretary? At imbis na pumunta siya rito, nakipag-vid conference na lang s
To everyone who supported this story, Calli and Lev, and most especially me, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. I cannot express how happy I am because of the unconditional love and support you've given me. Re-writing this story definitely had its up and downs but because of your never-ending love, I've been able to reach this story's end. Though we've reached the completion of this story, rest assured that Calli and Lev's story doesn't end here. Their love story will go on until the end of time. Always. 'Til next time, my lumielles! xoxo,elle
Since I was a child, I've always wanted a fairytale love story. A prince charming coming to save a damsel in distress, eventually falling in love and living happily ever after. But growing up, I've realized that love doesn't always come dressed as rainbows and sunlight, that despite its vibrancy, a dark feeling resides with it and that feeling is pain. You can't say you've loved someone if you haven't experienced pain. I know that love has two faces, two personalities, but I didn't know that it would bethatdifficult to experience. My first major heartbreak was with Pierre. I thought he was the one, like most people who fall in love think. But whenthatnight happened, I thought I couldn't love again. I can't bear the pain I went through anymore. But if you know me and Lev, you'll know thatthatheartbreak was just a heads up for what's about to come. “Ang tahimik dito,” saad ko nang muling win
More than a decade agoThe doctors and nurses were in and out of my the ICU where my father was confined. I felt helpless as I stood on a corner with my body trembling and endless tears streaming down my face.I knew we'd come to this point, but I never realized it would be this early. I just got the old him back and now he's being taken away from me.Everything was just happening in a blink of an eye and I just couldn't keep up. I don't want to 'cause I'm not sure if I want to see the end of this.We were just playing basketball at our front lawn when he complained that his sides were hurting then he collapsed. My father didn’t wake up from that point on. I want to
"Happy birthday, Calli!"sabay-sabay na bati ng mga tao na nakasama ko sa buhay ko pagkapasok namin sa isang resort.I stood agape at the marvel unfolding right infront of me. My workmates, friends, and family all stood there, beaming at me. Hindi ko napigilan na mapaluha dahil sa tuwa."Thank you," I said in a shaky voice.Napalingon naman ako kay Lev na may malapad na ngiti sa mukha. I can't help but wonder if he planned this all along. He grinned at me and enveloped me in his arms, kissing the top of my head."You sneaky, man. How'd you do this? How were you able to keep this a secret from me?" sunud-sunod ko na tanong sa kanya.He kissed my forehead before answering
Warning: R-18 scenes ahead. Read at your own risk.I woke with an arm draped over my waist. Despite the roaring thunder and heavy pouring of the rain overnight, I slept through it all in peace. Dahan-dahan akong umikot para harapin ang lalaki na katabi ko ngayon. His face resonated warmness that I’ve never seen in a long time. Hindi ko napaigilan na mapangiti dahil sa nararamdaman ko ngayon.Alam ko na maaayos namin lahat ng nangyari. Hindi magiging madali lahat sa una pero alam ko na kakayanin namin ito. You never know you’ll have the strength and courage to fight for that special someone in your life. Us against all odds ika nga nila.Bumaling ako sa bintana nang mapansin na wala na ang malakas na ulan. A small amount of sunshine entered th
Pagkadilat ko ng mga mata ko, nagulat ako dahil madilim pa rin sa paligid ko. Madaling araw pa lang ba?Rinig ang lakas ng ulan at hangin mula sa labas. Kaya naman pala makulimlim at nakidlat kasi may bagyo at sa tingin ko nandito na ang bagyo. Inabot ko ang cellphone ko at nakita na alas siete y media na pala ng umaga pero parang alas kwatro pa lang ng madaling araw.Nag-unat ako at nagtungo na ng banyo para mag-toothbrush. Pagkatapos, nagtungo na ako sa may kusina at nakita na nanonood ng balita sina Mama at Papa. Paniguradong tulog pa si Meiz."Oh, gising ka na pala, anak," saad ni Mama.Tumabi ako sa kanila at nakinood na muna. Signal #2 na rito sa 'min at hanggang bukas ng madaling araw tatagal ang bagyo.
Isang linggo akong naghintay na magpakita si Lev. Ang tanga ko, 'di ba? Ako 'yong nagsabing tapos na kami pero naghihintay pa rin ako sa kanya. Para saan? Para ipamukha ko sa sarili ko na niloko't ginago niya 'ko? Was the pain I feeling not enough?Maybe I was so deep in his love that a part of me believes that he wasn't lying. Well, for his kiss, promises, touch, I thought those were real. Pero gano'n naman ang plano niya, 'di ba? Paniwalain ako na mahal niya 'ko.Right now he's probably thinking that I still love him despite the hell he put me through. Maitatanggi ko sa iba pero sa sarili ko hindi ko kaya. Siguro tanga talaga 'ko pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay. I never really learn.Nang sumapit ang ika-dalawang linggo nang 'di pagpapakita ni Lev, dito ko napagtanto na tapos na ang
Sa may dalampasigan ko siya dinala para wala ng makakita pa sa amin kung sakali man na magkatensyon ulit sa pag-uusap namin. Ayaw ko na madamay ang pamilya ko. Tama na ang kahihiyan na dinulot ko kanina. Ayaw ko na masundan pa iyon.Malakas ang hampas ng dagat at mahangin din kaya napayakap ako sa sarili ko. Tumigil na 'ko sa paglalakad sa harap ng dagat, dinadama ang pagtama ng tubig sa paanan ko. Ilang segundo akong nakatitig doon sahabang nasa tabi ko si Lev. Umusog pa ako ng kaunti para hindi kami masyadong magkalapit.His presence brought back a lot of memories. Fond memories of us that it was breaking my heart to be near him again. Maybe I was the only one holding so dearly to these memories, that the person I was supposed to share those memories with wanted nothing to do with me.
I woke from the shift of weight on my bed. Slowly opening my eyes, the only thing I could make out in my room was the dimly lit lamp shade beside my bed… and a man's silhoutte."Almost flew from Manila to Muntinlupa just to get here ASAP. By the way, sorry kung nagising kita."Napaupo naman ako bigla. The bed shifted when kuya stood to open the lights. Hindi nga ako nagkakamali, it was really Kuya Felix. Naupo siya sa tabi ko at muling bumalik sa 'kin lahat ng nangyari.It wasn't just a nightmare, it really is real. Niyakap ko ang mga tuhod ko at nagsimula na naman mag-init ang gilid ng mga mata ko. Tinanggal ni kuya ang pagkakayakap ko sa mga tuhod ko at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. He looked at me with such sincerity that I couldn't help but smile because I know that I'm not al