Lahat ng Kabanata ng Under His Possession: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

The courtroom buzzed with a low hum of anticipation. SV sat stiffly in the witness box, his face pale and drawn, his eyes reflecting a weariness that went beyond the physical exhaustion of the past few weeks. He had spent those weeks grappling with the aftermath of Giulia’s death, the chilling revelation of her deception, and the crushing weight of guilt that clung to him like a shroud. He had filed a lawsuit against Giulia’s estate, a desperate attempt to reclaim some semblance of control, to protect himself and his children from the shadow of her manipulative presence. He knew that the lawsuit was unlikely to bring back Janiya, or undo the damage that Giulia had inflicted on their lives, but it was a small act of defiance, a way to fight back against the darkness that had consumed them. The courtroom, a sterile, impersonal space, felt like a battlefield. Giulia’s lawyer, a smooth-talking, silver-tongued serpent, was a formidable opponent, his words laced with venom, his argument

The sterile white of the hospital room seemed to amplify the silence, the only sound the rhythmic beeping of the machines, a constant reminder of the fragility of life. Janiya lay still, her body a fragile vessel, her life hanging by a thread. The vibrant woman who had once filled the room with laughter and life now lay still, her face pale and drawn, her breathing shallow and labored. Two weeks had passed since the accident, two weeks of agonizing uncertainty, of hope dwindling with each passing day. Mamay, her mother, sat by Janiya’s bedside, her hand clasped tightly in her daughter’s, her eyes red-rimmed from countless tears. She whispered stories of Janiya’s childhood, of her laughter, her dreams, her unwavering spirit, hoping that some part of her daughter would hear, would respond. SV, his face a mask of grief and despair, stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the city skyline, a blur of lights and shadows that seemed to mock his pain. He had spent countless hours by Janiya

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the hospital window, casting a warm, inviting light on the sterile white walls. Janiya lay in her bed, her body still weak, her mind still a little foggy, but a sense of peace settled over her, a quiet assurance that she was safe, that she was loved. She had been given a second chance, a miracle after a brutal accident that had almost taken her life. The memory of the impact, the searing pain, the blinding flash of white, still lingered in her mind, a chilling reminder of her own fragility. But she was alive, she was safe, and she was surrounded by the people she loved most. SV sat by her bedside, his face etched with relief and happiness. He had spent countless hours by her side, holding her hand, whispering words of love and encouragement, his heart filled with a mixture of fear and hope. “Janiya,” he said, his voice soft and gentle, “I’m so glad you’re awake. I was so scared.”Janiya smiled, her eyes sparkling with a newfound c

Unti-unti nang naging malinaw ang paningin ni Janiya, parang isang malabo at umiikot na larawan ng puting pader at amoy ng gamot. Pumikit siya, masakit ang ulo niya, parang may tumitibok na kirot sa kanyang sentido. Sinubukan niyang umupo, pero isang matinding sakit ang tumama sa kanyang dibdib, kaya napilitan siyang humiga ulit."Dahan-dahan lang, honey," sabi ng isang mahinahong boses, at isang kamay ang marahang pinindot ang kanyang likod. Isang babae na may mabait na mga mata at nakaka-aliw na ngiti ang nakatingin sa kanya. "Medyo nakakatakot ang nangyari, pero magiging maayos ka."Sinubukan magsalita si Janiya, pero parang tuyo at magaspang ang kanyang lalamunan. "Nasaan… nasaan ako?" mahina niyang tanong, halos pabulong lang."Nasa St. Mary’s Hospital ka," sagot ng babae, malambing at nakaka-kalma ang boses niya. "Dinala ka rito dahil sa aksidente. Magiging maayos ka."Isang alon ng ginhawa ang dumaloy kay Janiya. Nasa ospital siya, pero buhay siya. Ligtas siya. Pero sumunod nam

Parang mas lalong lumakas ang katahimikan sa puting silid ng ospital, tanging ang ritmikong pagtunog ng mga makina ang naririnig, isang patuloy na paalala sa pagiging marupok ng buhay. Tahimik na nakahiga si Janiya, ang kanyang katawan ay parang isang marupok na sisidlan, ang kanyang buhay ay nakasabit sa isang sinulid. Ang masiglang babaeng dating nagpupuno ng silid ng tawanan at buhay ay ngayon ay tahimik na nakahiga, maputla ang kanyang mukha, at mababaw at hirap ang kanyang paghinga.Dalawang linggo na ang nakalipas mula nang mangyari ang aksidente, dalawang linggo ng nakakapanghinayang na kawalan ng katiyakan, ng pag-asa na unti-unting nauubos sa bawat lumilipas na araw. Si Mamay, ang kanyang ina, ay nakaupo sa tabi ng kama ni Janiya, mahigpit na nakahawak sa kamay ng kanyang anak, namumula ang kanyang mga mata dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagluha. Bumubulong siya ng mga kwento tungkol sa pagkabata ni Janiya, tungkol sa kanyang tawanan, sa kanyang mga pangarap, sa kanyang matatag na e