Chapter: Kabanata 35Monday noon kaya busy ang lahat sa panibagong week. I was typing on my computer when an email from Iris came in.Agad kong binasa 'yon. It was from her personal email, which immediately made me nervous. Iris rarely used that unless it was something off the record.From: Iris V.To: Aya R.Subject: Just a heads-upHi, Aya. I wanted to let you know that PR and Corporate Affairs have been discreetly monitoring social media chatter about you and Mr. Madriaga. Some board members and external partners have already noticed the photos from last week’s site visit and the dinner rumors. They’re not making formal statements yet, but the Board is becoming cautious. A few investors have started asking questions, too.I’m telling you this privately because I know how things can spiral fast. Please be careful with public appearances or shared events for now. You know how the higher-ups value “image consistency.”I trust your professionalism, but I also know how easily people can twist a story.Napati
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-04
Chapter: Kabanata 34Matapos ang mahabang araw ay kita ko kung gaano kapagod ang lahat. Ang iba ay pinilit pa ring umuwi sa Manila. Pero ako, balak kong bisitahin si Nanay at Tatay.Nakaupo ako sa ilalim ng puno ng chile nang lumapit si Zedrick sa’kin pagkatapos, not minding the eyes following his movements.Tumingala ako at bahagya pang nasilaw sa huling sinag ng panghapong araw.“Any plans?” tanong niya pagkaupo niya sa tabi ko.“Balak kong umuwi sa’min,” sabi ko.He opened the bottled water in his hand, then offered it to me. Tinanggap ko ’yon saka mabilis na uminom.“Salamat,” bulong ko saka ngumiti.“Then let me join you,” sabi niya pagkatapos.Pagdating namin sa bahay ay si Tatay agad ang nabungaran namin. Nasa labas siya at nagdidilig ng mga tanim niya. Nagtataka pa ang mukha nang tumigil ang kotse sa harap ng bahay.Sa pagkasabik ko ay hindi ko na nahintay na pagbuksan pa ’ko ni Zed. I noticed how he smiled before he went out of the car too.“Tay!” tawag ko.Nanliliit ang mata na tinanaw ako ni Ta
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-22
Chapter: Kabanata 33Lumipas ang ilang linggo matapos ang pagkikita namin ni Mrs. Madriaga. Pero kahit kailan, hindi ko nabanggit kay Zed ang tungkol doon.“Packed up na ba ‘yung gamit mo for the site visit?” tanong niya habang nasa biyahe kami pauwi galing opisina.Nilingon ko siya saka ngumiti. “Yeah,” mahinang sagot ko.“I’ll pick you up at 5 a.m. then,” sabi niya.Tumango ako, at bago ko pa maibalik ang tingin sa labas, inabot niya ang kamay ko saka marahang hinalikan iyon. The gesture was simple, but it was enough to quiet every noise in my chest.Pagdating namin sa tapat ng apartment, agad niyang inihinto ang sasakyan. Kinalas ko ang seatbelt, pero mabilis siyang bumaba para umikot at pagbuksan ako ng pinto.And there it was again—that consistent kindness. He never failed to make me feel seen.“Coffee ka muna?” alok ko, kahit alam kong baka tanggihan niya.Ngunit sa halip na sumagot, marahan niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko.“I want to, but I need to wake up early for tomorrow,” malambing na sagot niy
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-16
Chapter: Kabanata 32By the time I got to the office, maaga pa rin ako. Tahimik pa ang paligid, at tanging tunog ng printer at pagbukas-sara ng mga drawers sa kabilang cubicle ang maririnig.Pag-upo ko sa desk, napansin ko agad ang reflection ko sa black screen ng monitor—still smiling. Napailing ako. “Get it together, Aya,” bulong ko sa sarili.Maya-maya pa ay dumating na sina Mira at Janus.“Uy, early bird,” bati ni Janus habang inaabot ang kape niya. “Ang aga mo ah. Nagbago na ang ihip ng hangin?”“Hindi naman,” sabi ko, pero ramdam ko ang init ng pisngi ko.“Hindi naman daw,” sabat ni Mira, halatang nakangisi. “Kahapon din ’to eh, nag-o-office overtime daw. Pero ‘yung ngiti, overtime din.”Natawa si Janus. “In love ‘yan, obvious na obvious. Spill na, Aya. Sino ang nagpapakilig sa’yo?”“Wala,” mabilis kong sagot, sabay inom ng kape. “Kape lang ‘to. Nagkataon lang na masarap ‘yung timpla.”“Sure,” sabay sabi nilang dalawa, sabay tawa.Napatakip ako ng mukha, at natawa rin pero pilit pinapakalma ang sar
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-13
Chapter: Kabanata 31Pero hindi natapos doon ang insidenteng ’yon.“Aya!” sigaw ni Sofia, isang gabi na nagdi-dinner kami ni Zed.Nagpaalam lang akong magbanyo, pero paglabas ko ay siya agad ang nasalubong ko.Paglingon ko sa mesa namin, nakita kong abala si Zed sa pag-check ng menu.“Nandito pala… kayo?” bati ko, agad kong binago ang tono ng boses ko.Sinadya kong ibaling ang tingin kay Zed. Sinundan niya ng tingin 'yon.“Oh, I was alone but I didn’t know Kuya’s here. Let’s join him,” mabilis niyang yaya, sabay hila sa akin. “Kuya! What a coincidence for us three,” dagdag niya sabay upo sa tabi ng kapatid.Shock was an understatement to describe his reaction. Nakita ko kung paano siya dahan-dahang bumaling sa akin, ang mga mata niya tahimik na nagtatanong.Agad akong umiwas ng tingin at hindi na nakaimik.Narinig ko ang mabigat niyang paghinga bago niya marahang pinakawalan ’yon.At imbes na tingnan pa ako, inabala niya ang sarili sa menu, habang si Sofia naman ay walang tigil sa pagkukuwento tungkol sa
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-07
Chapter: Kabanata 30"Huy!" halos pasigaw na bati ni Mira nang makita ako sa hallway. “Ano ’yan? Afterglow ng unang pag-ibig?” biro niya, sabay kindat.Napailing ako, pigil-tawa, saka ngumiti lang. “Kape gusto mo?” alok ko, pilit na binabaling ang usapan.Napanganga siya sa mabilis kong pag-iwas bago napahalakhak. “Aya! Wow, ikaw na talaga ang may love life!”Sumunod pa siya sa akin papasok sa pantry, bitbit ang tasa. “So, kailan mo naman ipapakilala sa amin ’yung jowa mo?” tanong niya, halos may kasamang tili.Natigilan ako saglit habang pinupuno ang mug ng kape. Hindi ko pa talaga naisip ’yon—kung paano ko ipapakilala si Zed. Paano ko sasabihin na kami, o na mahal ko siya pero kailangan pa ring magtago sa pagitan ng trabaho, ng pangalan, at ng lahat ng kumplikado?Tahimik akong napangiti. “Hindi pa siguro ngayon,” sagot ko. “Busy pa siya.”“Busy, ha? Ayan na naman ang classic excuse ng in love!” pang-aasar pa ni Mira habang sumimsim ng kape. “Pero sige na nga, baka naman surprise mo kami next time.”Ngu
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-05
Chapter: Kabanata 14I was already in a hospital bed when I woke up. Dahan-dahan akong nagmulat at kumurap-kurap pa nang masilaw sa ilaw ng kwarto. Sinubukan kong itukod ang kamay ko para bumangon.“Don’t force yourself,” sabi ng boses mula sa pinto.I immediately looked at the door. It was Timothy — with an expression I couldn’t read.“I-I…” Sinubukan kong magsalita pero parang pati ‘yon, hindi ko magawa. I felt so exhausted.Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maalala ang mga nangyari. Yumuko ako para tingnan ang bawat parte ng katawan ko. My arms were swollen, and my feet had multiple wounds. But my heart felt more shattered. Ramdam ko pa ang mga kamay ng mga hayop na ‘yon sa balat ko.Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga si Timothy bago umupo malapit sa kama. The moment I looked up at him, my tears fell. Nakita ko kung paanong gumalaw ang panga niya habang nakatingin sa mukha ko. Pero pilit kong pinigilan ang paghikbi.I felt hopeless and miserable. At parang gusto ko lang i-sumbong lahat ng nangyari sa’kin.He was si
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-06
Chapter: Kabanata 13Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay dumiretso ako sa kitchen. I walked past Timothy, who was already at the dining area. Prente siyang nakaupo at nagkakape na.“Oh, Miss Elara. Maupo na po kayo, nakahanda na rin ang almusal,” bungad ni Aling Mirna sa’kin.Bahagyang bumaling ng tingin sa’kin si Timothy. “Good morning. You’re up early,” he greeted, taking a sip from his cup.“Y-Yeah,” lang ang naisagot ko. Dumiretso ako sa fridge, kumuha ng orange juice, at mabilis na nagsalin sa baso. I drank it in one go, then placed the glass in the sink. “I need to go.”“You’re not having your breakfast?” tanong ni Timothy, may halong pagtataka sa tono.Agad namang nilapag ni Aling Mirna ang pagkain sa mesa. “Kumain ka man lang muna, Miss Elara. Para may lakas ka sa klase mo.”But instead of answering them, I reached for one toasted bread and took a bite. At akmang lalabas na ako ay tumayo rin si Timothy.“Let me drop you off to your school,” aniya.Natigilan ako. “No,” mabilis kong sagot. “I-I mean, nandiyan
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-05
Chapter: Kabanata 12Pagdating namin sa bahay, sinalubong agad kami ni Aling Mirna. Tanaw ko rin ang kotse na palaging gamit ni Mang Isko.“Miss Elara, kararating lang rin namin,” sabi agad ni Aling Mirna.Natigilan ako, saka biglang naalala si Mommy sa hospital. “Who’s with Mom, then?” tanong ko agad.“Eh, pinauwi po muna ako ng mommy mo para daw may magluto rito.”I immediately shook my head. "No, we can handle ourselves naman."“It’s okay. I arranged Elena’s private nurse.” Boses ‘yon ni Timothy nang makalapit siya.“Good evening po, Sir,” magalang na bati ni Aling Mirna.Tumango siya bago nagsalita, "Good evening," magaan niyang sabi.I stared at him for a while. Never ko siyang nakasama ng matagal, kaya halos hindi ko alam kung paano siya mag-trato ng kasambahay. That was the first time I witnessed his politeness toward our house helper.Mabilis ko silang iniwan at dumiretso paakyat sa kwarto ko.I slowly walked toward my bed, but I never really lay down. I just stood there, staring. Iniisip ko si Mo
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-04
Chapter: Kabanata 11“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, but her voice was barely heard.My throat tightened. “Mom…”She opened her arms slightly, and I didn’t even think twice. Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanya at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. Maya-maya pa ay niluwagan ko ang yakap. Baka mawala siya kapag masyado kong hinigpitan.“I’m here now,” bulong ko habang ramdam ko ang lamig ng balat niya sa braso ko. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t even know.”“You don’t need to apologize,” mahina niyang tawa, kahit halatang pagod na pagod siya. “I just didn’t want you to see me like this. Hindi mo kailangang alalahanin ‘to, baby.”Napailing ako, saka pinunasan ang mga luha ko. “You should’ve told me, Mom. I could’ve helped. I could’ve—”She gently placed a trembling hand on my cheek. “You’re helping me just by being here. You’ve grown so much, Elara. Your dad would be proud.”That broke me. Completely.Kinagat ko ang labi ko, saka ko naramdaman ang patuloy na pagdaloy ng luha ko. Wala na kong pakialam, basta humagulgol ako. My tears k
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-02
Chapter: Kabanata 10“So where exactly are we going?” tanong ko nang hindi ko makayanan ang katahimikan. “Hospital,” maikling sagot niya, hindi man lang lumingon. Napailing ako. “Wow, thanks for the very specific answer, Mr. Grey. Ang daming hospital sa buong Maynila, baka gusto mong bigyan ako ng clue?” “Basta malapit lang.” “‘Basta malapit lang’? That’s not an answer.” Nilingon ko siya, pero nanatili siyang nakatingin sa daan. “Ano bang tinatago mo, Mr. Grey? Si Mommy ba talaga ang pupuntahan natin o may business meeting ka na naman na ginamit mo lang siya as excuse?” Napapikit siya sandali, obvious na pinipigilan mag-react. “Tine, I don’t have the energy to argue right now.” “Well, too bad, kasi I do,” sagot ko agad. “You lie to me always, so forgive me if I don’t exactly feel like trusting you right now.” Hindi siya umimik pero kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya. The muscles on his jaw flexed as if every word I said was a test he refused to fail. “You’ll see her in a few minutes,” fi
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-28
Chapter: Kabanata 9The first thing I did in the morning was pack my bag. Agad kong hinagilap ang phone ko at nag-dial ng number nila Aling Mirna o Mang Isko. Pero wala pa ring sumasagot. Sinubukan ko ulit tawagan ang number ni Mommy. It rang and was picked up immediately. “Good morning po,” bati ng nasa kabilang linya. “Uh… this is Elara. Anak ni Elena Montesilva,” mahinang bungad ko. “Yes po, Miss Elara,” sagot niya. “Can you please send me what hospital she was admitted in?” I asked. “Ma’am, we are not allowed to disclose this information unless you have your father’s permission,” maingat niyang paliwanag. Hindi ako nakaimik sa sinabi niya. Like it was some kind of joke. “Nurse, I am an immediate family,” giit ko. “But Ma’am, sumusunod lang po ako sa gusto ng pasyente at sa daddy mo,” dagdag pa niya. “He’s not my dad, okay?” I snapped. “Uhm… sorry po, pero hindi po talaga pwede, Ma’am. Ako po ang malalagot,” nag-aalangan pa rin ang boses niya. Bumuntong-hininga lang ako at pumik
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-27
Chapter: Chapter 10San Felipe felt smaller when I returned for my second year. Not because it had actually shrunk. But because I already knew every corner of the Science Building.The noisy tricycles outside the gate, the covered court that used to intimidate me but now felt like just another familiar part of my day.“Finally, we’re not the baby batch anymore,” Lianne said cheerfully, while fixing the ribbon of her uniform in front of the library.“Finally,” RJ echoed with a grin. He was holding his huge tumbler. “At least we won’t always be the ones told to set up the lab.”I laughed, though there was still a flutter of nerves inside me. Second year meant heavier subjects, more fieldwork, and tougher pressure. But I also carried the quiet confidence I’d built from the previous year.By the second week, org activities were back in full swing. Green Circle had bigger projects this year. A barangay garden drives, composting workshops, and seedling distributions across different schools.“Ezra graduated la
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-11
Chapter: Chapter 9When I was discharged from the hospital, Nanay barely let me move a muscle. Every step I took came with a new reminder“Sweetheart, don’t tire yourself out.”“Aya, don’t go up the stairs yet.”“Stay here in the shade for now.”I just nodded to everything. I couldn’t blame them. I almost slipped away from them. So now, it felt like they didn’t want to let me out of their sight again.But no matter how close their watchful eyes were, the stillness of summer couldn’t hide the truth. That I came back here not just to recover. I came back to the place that once gave me a feeling I still couldn’t explain.“Aya!” Sofia called from the veranda, holding two glasses of cold juice. “Come here! Let’s draw together. I’ll paint while you sketch. Deal?”I laughed. “I’m always the one drawing.”“Then I’ll copy you,” she said with a grin.That was just like her. She was bright, carefree, and untouched by the heaviness around her.But this summer, I noticed something new. She seemed more comfortable wi
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-08
Chapter: Chapter 8The air was cool as we climbed into the jeep on our way to the falls. Lianne and RJ were already inside, laughing, while Paolo passed the fare up to the manong driver. Sofia sat beside me in a summer dress and a wide-brimmed hat. She didn’t look like she had just come from Manila at all. She looked like she belonged to San Felipe, that’s how happy she was. “Are you excited?” she almost shouted over the roar of the engine. I nodded. “A bit. It’s been a while since I last went there.” She was smiling like she had a light of her own. Paolo had been talking to her earlier about waterfalls in other countries. And even though I didn’t want to dwell on it, but the interest in her eyes was obvious. Me? I watched the trees along the roadside, while my hand gripping my bag tightly. I was smiling as I looked at everyone else’s smiles. When we arrived, the heavy rush of water crashing from the high rocks greeted us at once. Mist filled the air, and the sound of the falls sounded like it had a
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-06
Chapter: Chapter 7Time moved so fast. It felt like just yesterday I was carrying my old sketchpad under the Madriaga kalachuchi tree. Now, my first year of college was over. And with everything that had happened in a year, I felt like a different Aya had come back this summer.San Felipe College never ran out of noise. At noon, the covered court felt like a marketplace. Cheer practice, varsity training, org meetings. On the sides, org booths were set up. In the hallways, some people laughed, while others shouted.Me? I was usually off to the side, quietly sketching while looking at the plants by the science wing.“You’re always sketching,” Lianne teased one afternoon. She was sweaty from cheerleading. “That’s why every guy here is curious what’s going on in your head. You never shown any interest.”I shook my head while smiling. “I don’t need to.”“You don’t have to,” RJ cut in, stuffing fries into his mouth. “But a lot of guys want to show interest in you.”And that was true. Gio, Paolo, Ezra—each had
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 6If I looked back on the past year, it felt like a short film running endlessly at the back of my mind. All sunlight. All wind. All the scent of earth. And in the brightness of San Felipe, there were names I had slowly grown used to repeating quietly to myself.Sofia who always pulled me inside the mansion. And a… low voice, clear, with few words. But I could still feel it even now.I never said what or who it was. I never gave it a name. I never told anyone. But I knew it was real. Just like the lightness I felt every time I touched a newly sprouted plant.There were nights that stretched longer than others.On the veranda, I used to sketch while the light in the study stayed on. He sat there, head bowed over his papers. He never looked up, and I never looked directly. But I could feel it. We were both awake at the same hour, living in the same world.There were afternoons when my heart beat faster over simple things. Like when my pencil fell on the grass. Before I could reach for it
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-11-04
Chapter: Chapter 5Ever since the first night I faced the Madriaga family at the dinner table, something inside me had changed. Every time I stepped inside the mansion now, the air felt heavier, and I became more aware of every footstep I took. I didn’t want to admit it. But I could feel eyes following me.Not everyone’s. But one gaze was sharper than all the rest.Mrs. Celeste Madriaga’s.She didn’t have to say anything; I could feel it in the way she looked at me. Her movements were soft, composed, but her eyes. searched for answers she didn’t want to accept.Whenever I walked by carrying a tray, whenever I tended the plants with my head bowed, whenever I laughed quietly with Ma’am Sofia on the veranda, she was there. Watching. And every time our eyes met, I felt like my very existence was somehow wrong in her view.“Don’t mind Mama,” Ma’am Sofia whispered one afternoon as we lounged in the gazebo.She wore a sundress, her hair tied up loosely, looking as carefree as the wind. I sat beside her, quietl
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-29
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