Novels by ImVictorique

The following day arrived much quicker than any of them had expected. The morning sun had barely risen to its full height when, true to their nature, Sean and Yvo found themselves at odds once again. The spark of their latest argument was neither profound nor pressing — it was the age-old question of transportation. More specifically, the debate centered on whose ride Lareina should take that day: Sean’s sturdy but timeworn bicycle or Yvo’s gleaming, high-powered motorbike.The three of them stood in the university’s sprawling parking lot, the very place where fate had first brought them together. Lareina stood off to the side, arms crossed, her shoulders sagging slightly in exasperation. She watched them like a weary spectator forced to endure a performance she had seen far too many times.“I already told you, she’s riding with me,” Sean declared, his voice sharp and unwavering. His eyes were locked onto Yvo, who, in contrast, looked entirely unbothered. Yvo was polishing his motorbi

It was their vacant period, and the cafeteria buzzed with casual chatter and the occasional clatter of trays, but at one particular table, Sean sat with his phone resting idly in his palm. He and Darren had claimed their usual spot near the window, the place where they always spent free hours between classes. Sean’s eyes were glued to his phone screen, waiting for the familiar vibration that signaled a message from Lareina. He was sure she would text him any minute, asking for a ride home like she always did. She was still finishing her last class of the day, waiting for dismissal.Yet, even as he waited, a strange sensation lingered in his gut — a quiet but persistent feeling that today was going to be different. He could not shake it off.His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Darren’s excited outburst.“Dude! You won’t believe this!” Darren nearly bounced out of his seat, his voice loud and brimming with pride. “My band got picked to perform at the Night Concert!”Sean’s eyes wi

Five months had passed since Lareina and Sean first crossed paths with Yvo at the university. At first, time had seemed to drift casually by, each day folding into the next, until they all fell into a familiar rhythm. A routine of laughter, banter, and shared experiences had formed between the three of them, yet the comfort that once defined their dynamic was slowly unraveling, or at least, that was how Sean felt.As the days turned into weeks, Sean could not help but notice how often Lareina and Yvo spent time together. The closeness between them was no longer subtle; it was tangible, visible in the way they talked, laughed, and exchanged looks that Sean was never part of. Sometimes, when Lareina would casually share updates about her day, Sean realized that more and more of her stories included Yvo. That silent realization weighed heavily on him, making him feel like a shadow, forgotten in the corners of her world. He wanted to remind her, shout if he had to, that her best

Lareina could not ignore it any longer. Sean had been unusually quiet the entire afternoon. Ever since Darren had gone home, nearly thirty minutes ago, Sean had not said a single word. It was unsettling. This was not like him at all. Sean was naturally talkative, always filling silences with stories, jokes, or random thoughts. His quietness was not just odd. It was alarming.Lareina sat behind him on the bicycle as Sean pedaled them home, the familiar sound of the tires on pavement filling the space where his voice should have been. She could feel the tension in his shoulders, the stiffness in the way he pedaled. She knew this mood. The last time she saw him like this was when another boy had asked her out right in front of him, and even then, he had not been this withdrawn.Growing increasingly frustrated, Lareina finally reached forward and tugged lightly on the hem of his polo.“Sean?” She called softly, hoping to break his silence.“Hmm?” Sean responded curtly, his gaze still lock

It was already late in the afternoon when Sean’s last class ended, concluding as smoothly as he had expected. It was the first day back after all, and most professors kept things light — introducing themselves, handing out syllabi, and giving a glimpse of the academic road ahead. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Sean stretched, slung his bag over his shoulder, and double-checked that he had all his belongings before leaving the room.There was no time to linger or catch up with classmates. He made a beeline for the Performing Arts building, where Lareina’s classes were held. His pace was brisk, purposeful, his mind already picturing the familiar sight of her waiting outside the building, probably waving excitedly when she saw him coming.As he walked through the busy hallways, students noticed him immediately. Being handsome, charming, and one of the well-known seniors in the Arts and Design program, Sean was used to the attention. He exchanged smiles and waves with both girls and

“Here we are!” Sean declared proudly as they came to a stop in front of a tall, modern building with wide glass doors and bold signage that read Performing Arts Building. The afternoon sun cast a soft glow on the structure, making it appear even grander.“This is the Performing Arts Building,” Sean explained, gesturing toward it. “Each floor is assigned to a specific year level. Since you’re both freshmen, your classes will be on the first floor. Convenient, huh?”Lareina’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the sight of the building. Before she could ask more, Sean extended a hand toward her expectantly. “Let me see your schedule.”Without question, Lareina dug into her bag, pulled out her neatly folded schedule, and handed it to him. Sean glanced over it quickly, nodding with familiarity at some of the course codes and rooms.“Let me take a photo of this so I’ll know your schedule. That way, I’ll know when to pick you up,” he said, already raising his phone and snapping a p

After five months...THIRD PERSON's POV. PAGOD na nagkatinginan sina Kaley at 'yong iba pang kaibigan ni Lucas sa kanya. Maging sina Luciana, Lucia at Luca ay nayayamot na habang pinagmamasdan ang kapatid na palakad-lakad sa harapan nila."Kuya, Can you just sit?! I'm feeling dizzy because of you!" Reklamo ni Lucia kay Lucas na napakagat na lang sa sariling kuko dala ng nerbyos. "She's right Lucas. Walang mangyayaring masama kay Rhea okay?" Paninigurado naman ni Rave. "I can't." Iling ni Lucas. "I did some research online and it says, masakit daw ang manganak. Baka nasasaktan ang asawa ko." Nag-aalalang dagdag pa nito. Nanggigigil na napatayo naman si Ruffa sa upuan at hinawakan ang magkabilang balikat ni Lucas."Calm down, Mars. She will be okay." Anya pa ng beki. Pagkaraan ay siya na rin mismo ang nagpaupo kay Lucas sa inupuan niya kanina. Lumipas ang ilang sandali ay lumabas na rin ang Midwife na nagpaanak kay Rhea kaya agad na dinalungan ito ni Lucas. "Kamusta ang lagay ng a

THIRD PERSON's POV. PAGKARATING ni Lucas ay agad niyang napansin ang asawa na nakayakap kay Rave. Dali-dali niyang hinablot ito mula sa kaibigan at mahigpit na niyakap. Mukhang nakilala naman siya nito sapagkat mas lalong dumiin pa ito sa kanya habang humahagulgol. "Ssh...I'm here. Tahan na..." Pag-a-alo ni Lucas sa asawa. Saglit siyang tumingin sa paligid habang nakayakap pa rin sa kanya sa Rhea. Napansin niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan na nakatingin sa kanila. At nagdilim ang mukha niya nang mapansin si Cristoff na walang malay habang nakatali.How dare him!Dahan-dahan siyang bumitaw sa pagkakayakap at kuyom ang kamao na lumakad sa kinahihigaan ni Cristoff para amabahan ng suntok nang biglang harangan siya ni Ruffa.May inis na tiningnan niya ang kaibigan. "Bakit mo ako pinipigilan? That b*st*rd deserve a punch! D*mn it!" Nanggagalaiting pahayag ni Lucas na hindi na makapagtimpi ngunit nanatiling kalmado si Ruffa. "Stop it, okay? Kanina pa iyan nabugbog ni Rave kaya nawalan ng m

RHEA'sNANDITO kami ngayon sa Condo ni Lucas. Hinahakot niya kasi iyong mga ibang gamit niya. Mga alas-dyis na rin mahigit dahil late rin kami nagising. "Hoy, Bilisan mo ngang mag-ayos diyan daig mo pa ko sa pagiging mahinhin mo eh." Reklamo ko. Paano ba naman magtiklop lang ng damit inaabot pa tatlong minuto bago matapos. In the end, nalulukot pa rinkapag ilalagay niya na sa maleta.At ang walang hiya, imbis na bilisan ang kilos, nginisian lang ako ng pang-asar."Edi mas maganda! Wala rin naman akong gagawin kaya standby muna tayo." Boses batang sabi niya.Umarko naman ang isang kilay ko."Ikaw Lucas! Tigil-tigilan mo ako ah! Namumuro kana kahapon ka pa sa mga kapilyuhan mo. Pasakan ko ng bulak yung bibig mo makikita mo." Inis kong saway sa kanya habang pinapakita ang malaking bulak na hawak ko. Hindi man lang siya natakot at pinagpatuloy lang ang pagtitiklop.Nanatili kaming tahimik hanggang sa putulin ito ng tumutunog na cellphone ni Lucas. Saglit na tiningnan niya ako bago tumayo

RHEA's"Ano na?" Maang kong tanong kay Lucas. Kasalukuyan kaming nakaupo dito sa sofa habang nanonood ng TV. Akbay-akbay niya ako habang nakasandal naman ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya. Habang si Mama naman ay kasalukuyang nang nagpapahinga sa kwarto niya. Alas-otso na rin kasi ng gabi at masamang magpuyat lalo na at kaga-galing niya lang."Anong ano na?" Takang tanong niya pabalik. "Iyong about sa bahay, hindi naman ako pwedeng bumalik sa Condo mo at ayaw kong iwan ang Mama ko hanggang hindi pa siya fully recovered." Turan ko. "About that, I think itong bahay mo na lang ang maging official house natin but sumama muna kayo sa akin sa Condo. Gusto ko kasing ipa-renovate itong bahay mo at palakihan since magkakaroon na tayo ng anak." Atat na wika niya saka tumayo kaya napaayos ako ng upo. "Where are you going?" Tanong ko ng akmang aakyat siya ng hagdan patungo sa second floor. "To your room." Payak niyang saad at umakyat na. Naiwan naman akong nagtataka. Sa room ko? Ano namang gagawin

RHEA'sDAHIL nga sa sinabi ni Mama no'ng isang linggo napagdesisyunan ko na magpa-check up ngayon. Kung bakit ngayon lang? Ewan ko. Kinakabahan din kasi ako sa magiging resulta at medyo naging busy sa work. Si Lucas, ayon kay Mama ay palagi raw dumadalaw sa bahay. May dala-dalang mga flowers and gifts na si Mama lagi ang tumatanggap. At nang dahil sa kanya, nagmistulang garden na ang bahay namin. Hindi naman makatanggi si Mama kasi sayang naman daw. If I know, nasuhulan na 'yan. Obviously, hindi pa rin kami nagkakaayos. Sa tuwing pumupunta kasi siya, timing na wala talaga ako sa bahay kaya ang lagi niyang nakikita si Mama. It's a good thing though, wala pa rin kasi akong lakas ng loob para kausapin siya. Anyways, kasalukuyan akong nandito ngayon sa opisina ni Doctor Rachelle, ang aking OB-gynecologist. Tapos niya na akong chineck kaya ang hinihintay ko na lang ay iyong resulta ng PT na pinagamit niya sa akin kanina. Medyo kinakabahan pa nga ako pero ganito talaga siguro kapag fir

LUCAS'MARIING napalunok ako nang tuluyang makaupo si Papa at Lolo sa upuang nasa harapan ko. Feeling ko para akong kriminal na kailangan parusahan."What the hell is this?" Walang paligoy-ligoy na panimula ni Lolo sabay bato sa akin ng isang sobre. Kinakabahang inabot ko naman iyon at dahang-dahang binuksan. Pagkakita ko ay literal na namutla na lang ako sa takot at sabay na napasinghap dahil bumungad sa akin ang mga picture namin ni Cristoff na magka-holding hands at meron pang iba. Mukhang kinuha ito noong time na active pa kaming dalawa sa pag-d-date."Hindi ba't sinabi ko sayo na tigilan mo ang pagigiging bakla mo ha? Bakit hindi ka marunong makinig. Where's your wife I need to talk to her! Bakit pinabayaan ka niyang magloko? Alam niya ba ito?" Galit nitong bulyaw na nagpatahimik na lang talaga sa akin. Si Papa naman tahimik lang sa tabi, hindi ko naman siya masisisi dahil alam kong pati siya tiklop kapag si Lolo na ang nagsalita. Batas kasi si Lolo at lalo lang lalaki ang probl