Novels by Sham Cozen

SERRA “Dad,” I called him.It has been days yet he was still sad and listless.“What can do for yoy, sweetheart?” He forced a smile but the sadness in his eyes was visible.“I-I want to ask you about someone.” I lowered my head.“Come here.” He tapped the space beside him. I obliged and sat next to him. “About who?” he asked.“About my mom,” I stuttered.Hearing the last word he was grief-stricken. I felt bad asking about it.“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel like it, dad,” I sincerely said.He shook his. “It’s about time.” He smiled genuinely. “What do you want to know about her?”“What does she look like?” I asked even though I already knew.He moved away and pulled something out of the drawer of his bedside table. He gave me a round object. It was metal-like and silver in color with gold Vines and red roses all over.“Open it,” he told me after handing it over.I ran my thumb tracing the vine and pulled the top part upward. I saw myself, my reflection.“You’re a carbon

The moment the water swallowed me I held my breath. There’s no way I’m letting the cold enter me. I looked up but it’s all water above me. My hair floats over my head like seaweeds. In the rashness of the moment, I began flinging my arms out.I expect to come back out and I did. I gasped for air before sinking again. I kicked my legs and flapped my arms and I was back to the surface again. But each chance to breathe became further apart. Each breath was less than the last.I tried once more. The more I struggle the more disoriented I became. I felt like I’m trashing inside an invisible prison. My first instinct was to get some air but there should be something else. I couldn’t fight for air forever. I need to find a way out.I pushed with my legs and arms and when I was able to bob my head out of the water, I breath as deep as I could. The water pulled me again. I looked around and saw a wall. The fear I felt was overlain by hope. I flicked my feet and tried to reach the walk. It was

“No... That couldn’t be.” Kate staggered backward. “It should be there. I should be there,” she repeatedly uttered pulling her hair.I run towards her. “Don’t worry, Kate. We are going to find Lulu’s body.” I assured her and patted her shoulder.She yanked her shoulder away from my grasp and took a few steps backwards. She kept on pulling her hair and her eyes were restless. She didn’t know where to focus them.“W-What if that thing took it? W-What if that thing swallowed it?” Her breathing turned shallow and fast. She punched her head with boths hands wandering with little steps. She’s mentally unstable. I walked near her and caught her hands stopping her from hitting herself.“Stop it, Kate. You’re hurting yourself,” I told her.She already suffered enough. I couldn’t bear watching her like this.“That thing swallowed Lulu whole!” she squealed oogling her eyes at me.I grabbed her cheeks and made her look at me. “What thing, Kate? What thing?”After a moment of touching her face m

“I am sorry for ignoring you, guys.” Kate lowered her head. “I was just scared of Lulu. I’ve known her for years and I didn’t know she was capable of any of that. I know she won’t hurt any of you though. She was just after me.” Her voice cracked. I moved closer to her and rubbed her back. Comforting her is the only thing I could do for her right now. “Nothing of that is your fault, Kate. Monsters are made. Envy made Lulu into one.” I pulled her making her lean into me as she sobs. “But she is still the Lulu that we know. She’s a beautiful flower,” I added. She lifted her eyes to meet mine. “Will she become a flower forever? Are we going to meet her, the real her?” “No.” I shook my head. “In the next life I could be an animal or a plant or I could be in your body and you could be in mine. It depends on the decisions we make at this lifetime. That doesn’t mean we aren’t real. The real us is not our flesh but our soul.” I wiped her tears away. She nodded and smile. She leaned against

I dropped my phone after hearing what she said. I hastely went back to the elevator and ran again toward the gym. It was passed two in the afternoon already. “Serra, here!” Mandy waved her hand at me. I ran in thier direction. I gasped for air. “Where is Amanda?” “Amara called and they were together at the moment. What’s going on?” She looked both worried and confused. I looked at Lulu’s direction and Mandy already got what I meant. “Lulu!” I approached her. She turned around and faced me. She was wearing an ice-cold expression, far from the Lulu that I knew. Something was really not right here. I saw Kate died but her name wasn’t carved at the black scroll. I shook the doubt in my mind and focused to the present. “Lulu, grab my hand and get out of the body.” I lend my hand to her but just like before she just stared down my hand. “Yes, Lulu. Do it. Trust her,” Mandy encouraged. She looked at me and smiled. I was relieved to see her smile but my heart started to race pushing m

“Are you sure about that?” Grip asked. “Yes, bring me back to the mansion. I chose to front my fear.” I firmly said. He nodded and smiled. He was proud. He grabbed my waist and pulled me nigh him. Lulu’s and Dorothy’s name was already written on the scroll of death and today was the thirteenth day from Xyrus’ supposed to be death. I wanted to save them, to do that I need to watch dad’s every move. I was not certain if my plan would work but I have to try at least. “Grip, something’s off–” I turned around but he wasn’t here anymore. “Grip?” I sighed and just walked the long way toward the mansion. He was vanishing from my sight very often this days. It was a sign that he would leave and cross to the other side very soon. As I walk the garden I came across with bronze maids. They would avoid taking the same way as I do. They would even avoid staring in my eyes. I stared at the huge closed door before me. Just by thinking of going inside gave me goosebumps. I took a deep breath. I p

“Anastasia, kailan lang tayo nagkakilala pero sa maikling panahon na ‘yon alam kong mabuting ina ka at magiging mabuting asawa. Nakita ko kung paano pasayahin ng presensiya mo si Xeonne. Nakita ko kung paano pakalmahin ng haplos at boses mo si Xeonne,” mahina, malumanay pero tagos pusong mensahe niya.Bumalik sa isipan ko ang mga pinagdaanan namin ni Xeonne. Uminit ang mga mata ko. Ramdam ko ang bawat salitang binitawan niya.“Panalangin ko ay gabayan ng Panginoon ang pagmamahalan ninyo. Nawa’y maging masaya ang inyong pagsasama at sa mga panahon ng lungkot, galit at sakit sana ay piliin niyo pa rin ang isa’t isa.”Bago pa tumulo ang mga luha ko ay nakaabang na ang kamay ni Xeonne na may hawak na panyo. He knows me damn so well. Tinanggap ko ito at marahang pinahid ang mga luha.“Wala akong ano mang kayamanan maliban sa isang kuwentas,” aniya.Inabot sa ‘kin ni Xeonne ang isang kahon na gawa sa kahoy. Makikita sa desinyo nito ang kalumaan pero nanatiling makinis at malinis ang kahon.

“Photos time!” sigaw ni Alesia. “Of course, lady’s first, can we have the bride only on stage please.”“The stage is yours, your highness,” ani ni Xeonne sabay curtsy at bumaba ng entablado.Napailing na lamang ako sa inasta niya. Pumwesto ako sa gitna at dinala malapit sa dibdib ang boquet. After a few poses ay sunod na kukuhaan ng litrato ay si Xeonne. Bumaba ako at pumwesto sa likuran ng photographer.Pinanuod ko siya. Nakatayo lang siya at nakatingin sa camera pero ang lakas ng dating niya. Tindig pa lang ay agaw atensyon na. Pag siya ang ginawa kong mukha ng EMA ay siguradong papaldo ako.“Tingin sa camera,” sabi ng photographer.Tumingin sa direksyon namin si Xeonne. Bagama't sa kamera nakatingin ay parang nakatitig siya sa ‘kin. Sobrang lalim ng titig niya. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ka nang bumaba ang tingin niya sabay ngisi. Mabilis kong tinakpan ang dibdib gamit ang mga braso. Tumawa naman siya sabay bigay ng finger heart sa direksyon ko.Muli akong tinawag pabalik sa entabla

“Do you Xeonne Sage Monteverde take Engr. Anastasia Veda Sullivan to be you lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in wor, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall love?” the officiant said.“I do, in this life, to the next, and the other lives I shall live,” he swore squeezing my hands.“Do you Engr. Anastasia Veda Sullivan, take this man Xeonne Sage Monteverde to be you lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in wor, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall love?”“I do,” I answered smiling and nodding my head.“If there be anyone present who may shoe just and lawful cause why this couple may not be legally we'd, let him speak now or forever hold his peace,&rdq

Lumabas ako ng kuwarto at nadatnan sila sa sala. Si Xenon ay nakaupo sa sahig hawak ang dalawang toy truck. Si Alesia naman ay nakaupo sa couch habang may hawak na dalawang kutsara, ang isa ay pinantakip nito sa matang nangingitim. Si Xeonne naman ay nakatayo at nakahawak sa kurbatang hindi maayos ang pagkakasuot. Lahat sila nakatingin sa direksyon ko at puno ng pagkamangha ang mga mukha.“What?” salubong ang mga kilay kong saad.“D*mn, Wife,” mahinang bulong niya.“Mimi!” Tumayo si Xenon sabay bitaw sa mga laruang hawak at tumakbo sa direksyon ko.Yumuko at kinarga siya. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisnge ko at tinitigan ako.“Pretty! Pretty!” pumapalakpak niyang papuriLumapit sa ‘min si Xeonne. Hindi maalis ang tingin niya sa ‘kin. Inikutan niya kami.Huminto siya sabay sam

Nagising na naman ako na si Xenon na lamang ang kasama sa higaan. Napasulyap ako sa digital clock na nakapatong sa bed side table. Ayon dito ay lamapas hating gabi pa lamang.Napayakap ako sa sarili nang umihip ang malamig na hangin. Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan nito at napansing nakabukas ang pinto papuntang terrace. Inayos ko ang kumot ni Xenon bago bumangon.Tinungo ko ang pintuan ng terrace para isara ito pero nadatnan ko si Xeonne na nakatingin sa malayo at tila malalim ang iniisip. Madilim ang paligid at ang tanging pinagmumulan ng liwanag ay nagmumula sa bilog na buwan at hindi mabilang na mga bituing kumikislap sa langit.“Ano’ng iniisip mo?” Lumapit ako at napayakap sa sarili sa biglang pag-ihip ng malamig na hangin.“There’s this woman I know...” Panimula niya habang nakatanaw pa rin sa malayo.“Woman?” Napaangat ako n

“You know you don’t have to buy an island for me or anything at all right?” I grabbed his hand resting around my neck and pulled myself closer to him. His firm chest pressed against my back. I could feel his heart beating faster.“I know.” His arm tightened around my waist as he nozzles against my nape.The gentle warmth of his breath caressed my skin, sending chills down my spine.“But I want to,” he added and planted a long kiss on my neck.I turned around and was met by his intense gaze. I cupped his face and leaned over as I shut my eyes close. I felt his soft lips against mine. He grabbed my nape and deepened the kiss. He nudged me against the soft silk beneath us and with his lips still against mine, he swiftly climbed on top of me. The space on each sides my head slightly sunk as he ositions himself cornering me. I wrapped my arms around his neck kissing him like we’ve never kissed for years. Each kiss screams how I longed for him.Suddenly he stopped.Resting my head back, I