“Darling… I'm sorry… I'm sorry,” sambit ko. My tears are falling while Sandra is sobbing loudly.
Mas hinigpitan ko ang yakap at hinayaan siyang saktan ako hanggang gusto niya. If she'll feel better with it, then it’s fine
If she'll forgive me with it, then she can hurt me whenever she wants.
“Gago ka… River...Gago.... ka–” nanghihinang sambit niya.
My eyes widened in shock of how breathless she became. But before I could look at her, pikit na ang kaniyang mga mata at wala nang malay habang nakasubsob sa akin!
“Sandra… Sandra!” I called her and caressed her a bit with my trembling hands. Sinalo ko siya gamit ang aking mga kamay at saka sinubukang
Lumipas ang gabing iyon na puro iyak lang ang ginawa ko. Matapos akong kumain ay hinayaan kong matulog si Mama.Hindi ko maalala kung paano ako nakatulog noon. It was hard to sleep that time.Nagising na lang ako na nag-uusap si Mama at ang doktora. The doctor smiled at me before leaving.“Pwede ka nang umuwi ngayon, at huwag ka raw masyadong magpapaka-stress at masama iyon ngayong buntis ka,” sambit ni Mama.Tumango lang ako at muling bumuntonghininga.Nang tumingin ako sa orasan ay napansin kong pasado alas nueve na ng umaga. I looked at the side table and saw a bouquet of roses.“Galing kay River iyan. Nasa baba siya ngayon at inaayos ang bill mo.”
“What did you said?” galit kong tanong kay Estelle at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kaniyang pala-pulsuhan.Hinarap niya ako at halos saktan ko siya dahil sa aking nalaman. Tang ina naman!“I said it clearly! I sent the video to that wench!”“Bakit mo ginawa iyon?! Didn't I tell you that I'll send the video after Sandra gives birth?!” sigaw ko sa kaniya."Bakit ba patatagalin pa, Damien? Nagawa ko na–!”Nag ngitngit ang aking ngipin at naikuyom ko ang aking kamao, pinipigilan ko ang aking sarili upang huwag siyang saktan o sampalin dahil sa
It wasn't easy to forgive and forget. But for the last time, I want to give him a chance to say sorry. Hindi man madaling kalimutan ang nagawa niya sa akin, gusto ko pa rin siyang patawarin.Tinitigan ko si River na nasa labas ng kwarto.May parte sakin na naiiinis pa rin dahil kahit papaano, the video was real, and he still had a night with Estelle. Pero kahit ganoon, ang mahalaga ay hindi niya ako niloko.“I'll get going. He might kill me,” Damien said. Tumalikod siya at saka naglakad paalis.Hindi siya nilingon ni River na nakatingin lang sa akin. Damien talked to Mama, si River naman ay nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin at bumuntonghininga.River went inside and closed the door. He smiled sadly, then sat beside me.
“Say 'ahh',” I said after cutting the pieces of steak. Iginiya ko sa kaniya ang tinidor na may piraso ng steak at isinubo iyon sa kaniya.Sunod akong sumandok ng kanin at muling iginiya sa kanya.“Rice,” I said cutely, and he immediately opened his mouth.Ngumiti ako at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa. Sumubo muna ako ng para sa akin habang nakatitig naman siya.“Darling, I can eat properly. You don't have to do this,” sambit ni River.I smiled at him and shook my head. Hapon na yata kami kumain ng lunch dahil sa ayaw niyang tigilan ang pagsubok na humalik sa akin. Joradn’s kick that time is way too hard! It made me wonder. Ganoon din kaya siya kapag naipanganak ko na? I can’t wait!
I sighed and held her back while accompanying her to walk.Kung gusto niya lang namang lumabas ay pwede namang sumakay na lang kami sa kotse at mag-ikot hanggang magsawa siya.We'll tour the world once she gets better together with our son! Just not this time...“River—!” Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumigil at napahawak sa akin. She was holding her belly like it was aching.“What? What's wrong?” Nanginig kaagad ang aking kamay at hinawakan siya nang mahigpit. Sinenyasan ko si David na lumapit sa amin upang tulungan ako sa pagbuhat kay Sandra. Karamihan sa kanila ay kanina pang naka stand by at maging ang sasakyan ay ipinahanda ko na.“Oh my gosh, River!” Bahagya pa siyang nawalan ng
“Anong nangyari? Kumusta?” Mabilis akong tumayo nang makitang papalapit sa akin ang aming mga magulang.“Mom,” I called her.“Nasaan ang apo ko? Bakit biglaan? Anong oras pa kayong narito at bakit ngayon ka lang tumawag?” tanong ni Papa.“Her water broke while we're on a walk earlier. Nasa nursery po ang anak ko.” I smiled weakly at them.“Si Ate? Kumusta si Ate?” tanong ni Aubree sa akin.Bumuntonghininga ako at pagod na napatingin sa kanilang lahat. Nag-aalala na nga rin ako, eh. But I know that I should wait and have faith.“Hindi pa rin siya nagigising. The doctor said that it's because she's too tired. Th
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga sumunod na nangyari. I just woke up the next morning, and saw Jordan was peacefully sleeping at his father's chest.Ngumiti ako at tiningnan ang orasan. It was already six in the morning, and we have to prepare and leave for our wedding this afternoon.Naroon na ang aming pamilya. Some of the guests decided to stay there too. Kami nga lang ay narito pa sa Manila dahil sa trabaho ni River.“River?” Bahagya ko siyang tinapik bago ko iniangat si Jordan para ilagay sa crib nito.“Hmm?” Nagising si River at nilingon ako. I smiled at him sweetly and sat beside him. Niyakap niya naman ako mula roon.“Come on, we have to get up and prepare already,” I told him and str
5 years later... Malapit nang gumabi nang dumating kami sa Manila. It’s a long and tiring flight. Kung hindi si Lionel ang kasama ko ay paniguradong aantukin ako. We were both bored back in Hong Kong! Sobrang homesick kami roon. I am missing my husband and my son, while he’s very crazy thinking about his wife. Ganoon yata talaga siguro kanag sobrang mahal ang isang tao. “Please take your seats for landing,” anunsyo ko at inayos ang suot kong salamin. Napatawa ako nang maisip na gustong-gusto ko na talagang mag-landing kaagad. Apat na araw na ako sa Hong Kong at gustong-gusto ko nang umuwi. Actually, pareho kami ni Lionel na gusto nang umuwi. Nilingon ko si Lionel nang iangat niya ang kaniyang kamay. Ngumisi ako at nakipag fist bump sa kaniya. Ngayon na lang ulit yata kami naging magkasama sa iisang fligh
“I'll stay here for a bit. Iuwi niyo na lang muna si Jordan. Susunduin ko na lang siya bago ako umuwi sa bahay,” sambit ko at inihiga ang natutulog na si Jordan sa backseat ng van kung nasaan si Aubree. “Alright. We'll go home already. Umuwi ka rin agad at magpahinga…” Dad said. Tumango ako at hinawakan ang pinto para isara. I closed the door and watched them go. Tahimik na ang lugar. The tent was still built, but the chairs were gone already. Bumuntonghininga ako at saka nilingon ang sasakyan ng taong alam kong kanina pa nanonood. “You can come near if you want to. Hindi kita bubugbugin ngayon,” I said after sitting in the grass in front of the grave, knowing that someone can hear me.
I woke up the next day, feeling more tired than usual. Rinig ko ang pagiging abala ng lahat sa labas kaya't tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakahiga.Napabaling ang aking tingin sa kabilang bahagi ng kama. My tears fell once again at the sight of it.“Dad,” I heard Jordan knocking on the door.Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha at nilingon ang pinto. Jordan managed to open the door and ran immediately to hug me.“W-What's wrong, Jordan?” I asked him.Umiyak siya at mas humigpit ang yakap sa akin.“H-Have you had breakfast?” tanong ko sa kaniya. Umiling siya at narinig ko ang kaniyang hikbi habang nakayakap sa akin.
“You’re marrying Charlotte, and that’s final.” Napatanga ako sa sinabi ni Mom sa kabilang linya ng telepono. What the fuck?“Mom, I thought we’re on the same side? You promised me that we’ll convince Dad that I will never marry Cha!”Damn it. It’s been days since I went to Batanes with Cha. Pumayag akong pumunta rito, and even lied to my love that I have a business trip with Dad dahil nangako si Mom na tutulungan niya akong kausapin si Dad basta sumama muna ako pero…“I don’t like that girl, River! Kung ayaw mo siyang hiwalayan… ako ang maghihiwalay sa inyo.” Before I could even argue, ibinaba niya na ang telepono. This is frustrating!Pero hindi
She never really took me seriously at first. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sa palagay ko ay dahil iyon sa lahat ng katarantaduhang nagawa ko noon.It felt like all of my sins were recorded, and she became my punishment.“I don’t believe you, River. I’m sorry, but you’re unbelievable.” I couldn’t remember how many times Sandra replied this statement to me every time I told her that I like her very much.Kalimitan ay dinadaan ko na lang talaga sa pagbibiro ng pamimilit o di kaya’y pagsuyo sa kaniya. But deep inside, it’s slowly hurting me. It’s like she never trusted me.Imagine? She even tried to turn me into a gay just so her family wouldn’t know about it!
I ran to the hallway quickly and quietly. I don't want to attend the philosophy class. It's boring.“Hey, River,” Alice greeted me nang malampasan ko siya sa hallway.I winked at her and she held my arms. But damn, this isn’t the time for flirting.“I'll catch up with you later at the party. Right now, I just need to run away from class,” I said and kissed her cheeks.“Alright, see you later,” she said.I smirked and continued running. Surely, the lecturer will catch me in no time kaya mas dapat ko pang bilisan ang takbo. Madaya naman kasi at foundation day tapos may klase siya sa amin.
“I'm sorry, the patient died due to the wound in her chest and internal bleeding. Her ribs are broken, and it affected her lungs. Kung nabuhay siya… she won't be able to walk. Her legs are fractured badly.”That’s what the doctor told us.I stood up slowly and noticed Kuya Angelo wiping his tears.I bit my lip. I remembered our youth. She was blooming like a flower, and her brother was already building fences so no man could touch her.I had that flower. But somehow… I failed to protect her.“Gusto kong makita ang anak ko… pupuntahan ko si Sandra,” Mama Alondra told Kuya Angelo.“Makikita rin natin si Sandra. Konting tiis la
“River! What the hell happened? What did that bastard do to Sandra?” salubong sa akin ni Lionel nang makarating ako sa kanila.Bumaba ako ng sasakyan at ngumiti sa kaniya. He looks so worried and behind him is his wife. Nakita ko ang galit at panggigigil sa kaniya. It seems like Alejandro wronged them as well.Subalit nang makita niya kung gaano ako kalugmok ay unti-unti niyang ikinalma ang sarili. Dapat lang niyang ikalma dahil pinapahanap ko na si Alejandro. Ang gusto ko munang tutukan sa ngayon ay ang aking asawa.When Lionel sensed my mood, wari ko ay naintindihan niya na agad ang nangyayari. M-Maybe he already has an idea.“I-Is the news… t-true?” tanong niya sa akin. Ramdam ko ang pag-aalinlangan sa boses niya.
Without any hesitation, nag u-turn ako kaagad at mas binilisan ang takbo ng aking sasakyan dahil sa sinabi sa akin ni Vincent. I’m not sure what it is pero kung mula sila sa tower control at hinahanap nila ako ay paniguradong may kinalaman ito kay Sandra!“C-Come quick.” Iyon ang huling sinabi ni Vincent bago ko narinig ang hikbi niya at pagpatay niya sa tawag.I was too excited to go back. Thinking that Sandra is already there excites me. Goodness. Sana ay naroon na siya dahil kung wala pa ring balita ay hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko! Masisiraan na yata ako ng ulo.Gustong-gusto ko nang bilisan ang takbo ng aking sasakyan at makarating doon kaagad.The sun is already shining. I haven't slept or eaten yet. Gusto ko lamang makita ang aking asawa. Mabut
The storm is still preventing us from searching the sky clearly. Wala kaming ideya kung anong aircraft ang ginamit ni Alejandro... o kung talaga bang ginamit niya iyon.“Why are you still awake? Hmm?” I asked Jordan when I visited him.“I can’t sleep properly. Have you eaten?” he asked.I smiled weakly and shook my head.“You should eat. If Mommy comes back, she'll be angry if she'll know that you didn't eat,” he said and held my hand.Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang makita sa likuran niya si Dad.“How is everything going?” Dad asked.“The authorities are helping us too. Sinisimu