I could tell I wasn't in my own room by the manly scent that greeted me when I woke up. While I relived the events before I fell asleep, I kept my eyes closed and felt my surroundings. I momentarily went into shock since I had assumed no one else was nearby when an arm unexpectedly snaked around my waist and a warm breath brushed the side of my neck.Slowly, it dawned on me. I am at Zachary's place. We're on his bed, sleeping together.Hindi ko alam kung paano kikilos, kung paano mag-iisip. Bahagyang nablangko ang utak ko dahil sa nangyayari. Hindi ko inaasahan ito.Is he still asleep?That explained why he's acting like this. His body moved unconsciously without knowing that I was the one who was beside him, not Eunice. I almost rolled my eyes in the back of my mind.Hinayaan ko siya habang nagpatuloy naman ako sa pagpapanggap kong tulog. Bukod sa pagod pa rin ako ay nararamdaman ko ang kirot sa aking buong katawan. Hindi na ako magtataka kung sakaling may mapansin akong mga pasa mam
I confidently strode down the hallway wearing a simple backless top and a short fairy skirt. Tracking down the classroom where my favorite professor was teaching. Mind the sarcasm.Two days passed, and during that time I did not attend any class. I spent my time relaxing and catching up on some projects that have been on my mind since I returned from the Philippines. I am a fashion designer, and I have my own clothing line. Even though it was not extremely famous, I could say that it was known somehow. I have four branches, two in America and two here in the Philippines.Hindi na ako nag-abalang kumatok at basta na lang pumasok sa loob ng silid. Katulad noon, agad na tumama sa akin ang paningin ni Zachary sa kalagitnaan ng kaniyang pagtuturo. Umigting ang panga niya at matalim akong tiningnan."Ms. Rodriguez," he mumbled and looked at his watch. "Are you aware that you are thirty minutes late for my class?" He raised his eyebrow and scanned me from head to toe.One thing I liked about
I was lost when Zachary brought me to his condo unit. At first, I thought he was going to ask for it—the thing that we'd been doing for the past few days—but I was shocked when he carelessly shoved me in his room, then left."Stay here." It was the only thing he said before leaving. Hindi na ako nakaangal pa o nakapagsalita man lang dahil sa gulat at pagtataka. Who wouldn't? Iritadong-iritado siya tapos ganito lang?He didn't abduct me, right?Para masigurado ay tumayo ako at ch-in-eck ang seradura ng pinto. Hindi iyon nakakandado. Lalo tuloy kumunot ang noo ko. Sinubukan ko ring tingnan ang main door pero maski iyon ay hindi naka-lock."What the hell is he thinking?" wala sa sariling anas ko.Sandali akong nablangko, litong-lito. Paulit-ulit kong binalikan ang mga nangyari pero ni isa ay wala akong makuhanan ng sagot sa inaasta niya ngayon. Mas katanggap-tanggap pa kung dinala niya ako rito para angkinin, pero iniwanan niya lang ako. Isang buntonghininga ang pinakawalan ko bago nag
I don't know how many hours I've been staring at the ceiling of my room. After my argument with my dad, I came here and never got out again. I didn't bulge even when the maid called me to join my family for dinner. Hindi ko gustong bumalik o bumisita sa bahay na ito. Kung hindi ko lang kailangan na pumunta rito para sa mga plano ko ay hindi ko gagawin. Sino nga ba'ng gugustuhing bumisita sa impyerno?Isang buntonghininga ang pinakawalan ko nang muling bumalik ang mga alaala ko. Kung paanong lahat sila ay sinaktan ako. Kung paano ako tinaluran ng ama ko na inaasahan kong kakampi sa akin. AMOY na amoy ko ang kemikal na amoy ng paligid nang magising ako. Nanatili man akong nakapikit ay hindi nakatakas sa akin ang mahihinang sigaw ng mga tao sa paligid ko. Nagkakagulo."Talagang ngayon niya pa talaga ginawa ito!" Boses iyon ni Daddy, bakas ang gigil sa kaniyang tono."Huminahon ka muna. Magagawan natin ito ng paraan," ani naman sa kaniya ng stepmother ko.May sumibol na kaunting pag-asa
Hindi pa man sumisikat ang araw ay umalis na ako ng mansyon at nagtungo sa aking boutique. Bumungad sa akin ang head manager ng shop na naghihintay sa akin upang i-assist ako. Isang matamis na ngiti ang binigay niya sa akin bago bahagyang yumuko bilang pagbibigay galang. "Good morning, ma'am," bati niya sa akin.Hindi ako normal na ngumingiti sa mga tauhan ko pero dahil masaya ang simula ng araw ko ngayon ay tipid ko siyang nginitian pabalik. Kitang-kita ko ang pagkabigla niya base sa panlalaki ng kaniyang mga mata."How's the sales?" I casually asked as I went inside the store.Malinis, mabango, at presentableng boutique ang bumungad sa akin pagpasok ko. Dire-diretso ang lakad ko habang inililibot ang aking paningin sa mga damit. Ramdam ko naman ang pagsunod niya sa akin."Maayos po ang sales natin this quarter. According po sa ating finance ay 6% ang itinaas ng market natin ngayon lalo na at successful po ang summer edition release," pagbibigay detalye niya. Tumango lang ako saka
I almost stumbled on the floor when, with full force, Zachary shoved me inside his unit. His eyes were dark and screaming danger. He rushed up to me and recklessly slammed me against the wall. My back ached along with my shoulders as he gripped them tightly, but I didn't really care for it."What the fvck are you doing, Atasha?" he said emphatically.I merely made a silly grin at him. "Saving myself?" I uttered. "Come on, Zachary. Nahuli na tayong dalawa, alangan namang ipahamak ko ang sarili ko, 'di ba?""Don't fool me, Atasha. The first time we did it, there were only the two of us in my condo."Nakagat ko ang ibaba kong labi dahil mas humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin, galit na galit."You know how hard I worked to earn my name and how much effort I put into my profession. How fvcking dare you ruin me?" his teeth were gritting as he said those lines.Hindi ko naiwasan na tumawa. Sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya at walang emosyon siyang tiningnan. Bahagya ko pang tinagilid ang u
The white ceiling welcomed me the moment I opened my eyes. I can also smell the chemicals that surround the room. I am in the hospital, I'm sure of that.Marahan kong inilibot ang aking paningin. Walang tao bukod sa akin. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansin ang s'werong nakaturok sa aking pupulsuhan.Kailangan ba ito? Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako at napatitig muli sa kisame. Normal na ito sa akin; ang atakihin sa tuwing nakakakita ako ng dugo. Nagsimula ang lahat noong nakunan ako. Maski ang buwanang dalaw ko ay hindi ko matagalan. May cases na hindi naman ako inaatake, iyon ay kapag clouded ang isip ko sa ibang bagay.Yes, it fvcking traumatized me.Natuon ang atensyon ko sa pintuan nang lumagitnit iyon. Unti-unti ay lumitaw ang bulto ni Zachary. Seryoso ang kaniyang mukha habang nakatingin sa akin. Agaw pansin ang nakadikit na band aid sa kaniyang ibabang pisngi. Nakasuot siya ng white coat habang may nakasabit naman na stethoscope sa kaniyang leeg. Mayroon din siyang bitbit na
I cracked a small smile as I placed the cake, teddy bear, and flower on the grave in front of me. I haven't been here in two years. Despite the passage of time, the hurt and remorse were still deeply embedded in my heart."Hi," I greeted weakly and caressed the marble tombstone where my baby's name was engraved.Angele Dei . . ."I'm sorry, anak. Natagalan si Mommy sa pagbalik." I let out a genuine smile. "How are you, baby? Are you playing well with the other kids? I hope you're always happy."Sinimulan kong buksan ang kahon ng dala kong cake at inilabas. Itinusok ko ang maliit na kandila sa ibabaw niyon at saka sinindihan. After that, I stared back at my baby again."Happy birthday to you. H-Happy birthday to you . . ." I paused when my voice started trembling. "Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you."My due date was supposed to be April 26, 2021. The happiest day of my life would have been that one. But that opportunity was stolen from me."Happy birthday, baby. I l