Kabanata 43: InosenteSunod-sunod na katok ang parehong nagpagising sa amin ni Caio. I yawned and stretched, not wanting to get up."It's 10?" Medyo gulat na tanong ni Caio. Nakaramdam ako ng hapdi sa sikmura kaya napabangon ako at umupo sa kama.Hinila ko ang kumot para takpan ang itaas na parte ng katawan. Bumaba si Cai sa kama at hinanap ang kanyang pang-ibabang damit saka sinuot iyon bago buksan ang pinto."Gunner?"Napalingon ako sa kanila."May nagpupumilit pumasok sa labas. Hinahabol raw ng rebelde.""What does it have to do with us?" Takang tanong ni Caio.Bumaba na rin ako at nagsuot nagsuot ng maikling bestida."Kailangan ng tulong mo. Tungkol kay Rochelle."Doon na ako lumapit sa kanila. Inakbayan ako ni Caio at hinaplos ang aking braso."Ano daw ang kay Rochelle? Bakit may rebelde?"Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting pagkabahala. Pero, malaki ang tiwala ko sa mga tauhan namin. Hindi rin naman mangangahas ang mga iyon dahil nasa lugar sila ng mga Herezo. Tanging sa mga malalayong b
Kabanata 44: Ang Selebrasyon"Wala nang mas rurupok pa sa inyong dalawa, Lath! Grabe, biruin mo! Five years? Five years kayong 'di nagkita?" Hindi makapaniwalang bulalas ni Vyann. Pa kumpas-kumpas pa ito ng mga kamay sa ere habang nagsasalita.Umiling ako at natawa. The men were on the side of the lake. Half of their bodies were dipped into the water as they were talking. Nagkatinginan kami ni Caio. Ngumiti ako sa kanya subalit kinagat lang nito ang ibabang labi. Alam kong kanina pa niya gustong lumapit sa akin kaya lang, ayaw niya sigurong makaistorbo sa amin."Malamang, sabik na sabik 'yan sa isa't isa. Kung ako lang in naman! Sus! Ang ganyang ka-guwapong nilalang? The hotness?! I can't! And look at Latti—she has it all!" Maarteng sabi ni Becca.Hanggang balikat na ngayon ang buhok niya na sobrang nababagay sa kanya. Mas lalo siyang gumanda at maganda pa ang katawan. I am very happy for her. I know that she's been through a lot, from coming out and doing everything she could so her
Kabanata 45: TerrainsPinaglandas ko ang paningin sa buong paligid. Ang mga puno ng narra na namumulaklak nang mahalimuyak ay nagbibigay ng lilim sa buong venue. Hapon na subalit hindi mainit ang paligid dahil nga sa mga puno. Tamang-tama lang ang liwanag sa buong lugar.Ang banayad na kaluskos ng mga dahon at ang huni ng mga hayop sa malayo ay lumilikha ng magaan at matiwasay na kalagayan ng kapaligiran.The sheer beauty of the whole ceremony site is striking and elegant. The decorations perfectly captured the essence of the vintage theme. Lacy curtains were draped from the branches of trees, and string of fairy lights twinkled overhead. The wooden benches for the guests were covered in soft, flowery cushions. The altar in the center front was decked out in delicate flowers, mostly dominated by white and in medium light shade of pink-red roses.Hinaplos ko ang aking tiyan at napangiti. Magtatatlong linggo na rin at dumating na nga ang araw na ito. Dobleng selebrasyon ito ngayon para
Wakas: Ang Tahanan"She's of the right age, Fergus. I guess, you must talk to Nicholas again about their marriage.""I am sure she will go ballistic over this stupid arrangement, Abuela. I'm not even her type." I snorted and dropped the utensils on my plate.Napahawak ako sa sentido ko. Akala ko tapos na ang usapang ito nang malaman nilang ang bata pa ng anak ni Tito Nicholas at Tita Colleen. Nakalimutan ata nilang pitong taong gulang pa lang iyon habang sampung taong gulang na ako noong una kaming magkakilala.I find her cute as a kid, alright. But now, I don't find her interesting or attractive. She's just a mere junior student when I saw her roaming around the university I am attending in LA. She was with her friends and probably, the young guy clinging his arm on her shoulder was her boyfriend. That is the last time I saw her."You don't have to worry anything, Ma. I'm sure, nakahanap na ng paraan si Nicholas para pauwiin ang anak niya. I heard, she's quiet... a rebel as how Nicol
Choosing to live independently in a highly urbanized city is a decision Latisha Thaviya Fallarco made at such a young age. Despite her parents prohibitions, she still managed to convince them by performing well in academics.She wanted to attend parties, get drunk and dance in the club, go shopping, and explore neighboring cities. She wanted to live her life to the fullest in the place she considered the best.Yet, she never saw the coming of an incident that would end that kind of lifestyle. She was forced to leave and be with her family.Latisha thought that living in a province would be hard for her, but she was wrong. In a particular town in Iloilo Province, she found her true home.Ps. This story is written in Filipino and English.
To the readers,This story may touch upon sensitive and potentially triggering topics that could evoke emotional distress or traumas.You may encounter depictions of violence, abuse, mental health struggles, loss, and other distressing experiences. These themes are essential in building the story, intended to evoke empathy and understanding. Yet, I recognize that it will have different impacts on every reader.This story contains mature content and scenes that may not be suitable for young readers. Reader discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding. I hope you will be able to find lessons and meanings within the pages of this story.Respectfully yours,Cristel Rossi
SimulaAng EskandaloKarma. A really bad karma. Or is it just what I thought?I guess, anyone who could enter my thoughts would probably wonder why being in a place where I cannot see any hint of progress just as the States...is being... unlucky; being in a big trouble for me.Yes. There is progress here. Yet, it is still far from the great lands of America.O siguro nga, tama naman ang sinabi ni Natacia. I am a stupid, careless, heartless brat who's only smart in class.One sip of whiskey from the glass I've been holding lately then I let out a heavy sigh. Tiningnan ko ang bote nito na nasa kaliwang kamay at ngumisi. I am smart, indeed. Not only in class, but also in sneaking alcoholic drinks."Dad is really not kidding..." Nakangisi ngunit may bahid ng inis na sabi ko habang ang tanaw ay nasa gitna ng dagat. Pagod ako sa biyahe ngunit hindi ko na iyon pa pinapansin. Hindi ko na iyon pa masyadong ramdam. Last week was just my legality and I already fucked things up. I wanted to scre
Kabanata 1: PangguguloDamn this body clock. I was not supposed to wake as early as this given that I still have a hangover. Nagpuyat pa ako kagabi.I rolled in my bed once more, trying to force myself to go back to sleep. I pulled the sheets angrily after realizing my sleepiness faded. Napahawak ako sa noo ko.My head feels like watermelon. I felt a pain in my stomach. It feels like something is burning my intestines and crumpling them.I get up slowly and took a sit. Naked. That is how I sleep. If not naked, then only wearing a lingerie.I pulled a blanket and covered my body. Medyo nakaramdam na ako ng lamig ngunit nasanay na rin naman ako. Huminga ako ng malalim. Ilang minuto muna akong pumikit habang nakaupo lang sa kama.Sa huli, tuluyan na akong tumayo at naglakad patungo sa bintana. As soon as I pulled the heavy curtains to the side, my room brightened with the morning sun.Ngunit, kaagad na kumunot ang noo ko. Is the sunlight at sunrise different here?“Oh—finally. You're awa