All Chapters of The Rebirth of Love: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

THEA'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of antiseptic and the faint hum of hospital machinery as we walked out of the maternity ward. Bago kami umalis, nangako pa kami kay Jako na babalik para bisitahin naman ang asawa nito at syempre, 'yung baby. Nagbiro pa si Jako na kukuhanin n'ya bilang ninong si Ruan. Nadamay pa ako dahil kung si Ruan daw ang ninong, ako na lang daw ang maging ninang tutal ay parehas naman daw kaming single at magkasama naman palagi.The weight of the past few hours, the whirlwind of emotions, the unexpected turn of events, all settled upon me like a thick fog.Ruan, ever the stoic, seemed unaffected by the emotional roller coaster we had just experienced. He walked with a quiet confidence, his gaze fixed on the bustling streets outside. I, however, felt a strange mix of relief and confusion. The relief came from the realization that Ruan wasn't using the baby stuff as a way to subtly acknowledge their one-night stand, a fear that had been gnawing at me

THEA'S P. O. VMinuto na ang lumipas pero tahimik pa rin si Ruan. Muhang desidido na talaga s'ya na huwag magsalita ng kahit ano sa akin.The moon casting a silver sheen on the tranquil lake. Napakaganda. Doon ko na lang pinagsawa ang mga mata ko. The silence between us was a stark contrast to the cacophony of emotions that had erupted at the restaurant, a symphony of anger, hurt, and resentment.I gently move my hand and put it at rest gently on his. I am hoping that this could urge him to speak, to release the burden of his past, to let the words flow freely."My father..." sa wakas ay sabi n'ya. Pabulong lang 'yon pero ramdam ko na punung-puno 'yon ng bigat at emosyon. Napalunok ako at naghandang makinig,"he cheated on my mother with Charlene. It was... messy. I was too young, I couldn't understand it. How could he do that to her, to us?"I listened intently, my gaze fixed on the water, my heart aching for him. I've known him since we were children. Pero kilala ko lang s'ya noon b

THEA'S P. O. VI woke with a start, a disorienting feeling of being adrift in a strange, unfamiliar place. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the soft light filtering through the curtains, and realized I was lying in a bed, the crisp white sheets smelling faintly of lavender.A wave of confusion washed over me, followed by a rush of memories. I recalled the previous day, the chaotic family dinner, the unexpected trip to the lake, Ruan's confession, the rain-soaked drive home, and finally, my arrival at his house, where I had stayed to care for him.Nakatulog pala ako. Sinong naglipat sa akin dito? Si Ruan ba—wait, nasaan si Ruan?!I sat up, my heart pounding in my chest. I was in Ruan's bedroom, the walls adorned with framed photographs, the shelves lined with books, the air filled with the scent of his cologne. It was a space that felt both familiar and strangely foreign, a space that held the echoes of a connection that was both profound and impossible. The same room where we shared th

RUAN'S P. O. VI sat at the bar, my gaze fixed on the swirling amber liquid in my glass, my mind still replaying the scene in Hope's house, the accusing words, the look of pain in her eyes. Paulit-ulit. I took another sip of my drink.As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the bar."Ruan?"I looked up, my heart skipping a beat. It was Thia, a woman I had known briefly, a fling from a time when I was still lost in the haze of real life, seeking solace in fleeting encounters.She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint."Long time no see," she said, her voice a seductive purr. "Fancy meeting you here."She slid onto the stool beside me, her body pressed against mine, her perfume a heady mix of vanilla and jasmine."What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice flat, my gaze avoiding hers."I'm here for you, Ruan," she said, her voice a soft caress. "Napansin ko kasi na mag isa ka lang. Parang ang lungkot mo pa. You look like you could u

RUAN'S P. O. VI have to admit, I've been a jerk. Ilang araw ko nang tinitiis si Hope. I've been making out with other woman. Ginagawa ko 'yon sa office. Sa harapan mismo ni Hope. I can see her emotions—she seems hurting. Pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin.Pumapasok pa rin naman s'ya sa trabaho.Not until this day. The office felt strangely quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by a disconcerting silence. I sat at my desk, my gaze fixed on the computer screen, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me since Thea's sudden disappearance."Where is she?" I thought, my fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the desk. "Is she sick? Did something happen?" I tried to rationalize her absence, telling myself that she was probably on a personal leave, but a nagging feeling of unease refused to subside.I had tried to reach her, calling her phone, sending her texts, but she remained unresponsive. Her silence was a deafening roar, a constant remin