Novels by ImVictorique

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 nawal

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

Lunch period unfolded quietly.From the narrow passage between the main building and the arts wing, Yvo stood quietly in the shadows. The place gave him a clear view of the campus while keeping him hidden from sight.Across the space, Lareina arrived first.She hugged her notebook lightly to her chest and glanced around until she spotted Sean walking toward her from the other building.“Hey,” she greeted softly.Sean stopped a few feet away. His hands remained tucked inside his pockets as he exhaled slowly.“Hey,” he replied. “Can we talk for a moment?”Lareina tilted her head slightly, sensing the seriousness in his voice.“Of course,” she said. “Are you feeling better? You’ve been absent for a few days after the night concert. You’re really okay, right?”Sean gave a small smile.“Yeah… I’m feeling better now.”She studied him carefully.“You looked really pale that night,” she continued. “I was actually thinking of visiting you, but your mom said you didn’t want to see anyone. I cou

Yvo sat with his head bowed over his desk, one arm folded beneath him, the other resting loosely at his side. To anyone passing by, he looked asleep, worn down by the long school day. His hair fell forward, hiding his eyes, and his stillness discouraged attention.But he was wide awake.His eyes remained closed while his hearing sharpened to the quiet conversation unfolding across the room. He did not move. He did not lift his head. He simply listened.Near the window, Darren and Lareina stood close together, their voices low.“I am just not comfortable seeing Sean absent for three days straight. Maybe he really is just sick,” Darren said, concern threading through his tone. “He did look awful that night.”Lareina nodded, hugging her notebook against her chest. “Yeah. It has been a long time since he performed. Maybe the stress really caught up to him. He has been pushing himself hard even before the festival.”The explanation was reasonable. Almost convenient.Yvo’s fingers twitched

Sean stepped out of the stall looking steadier than he felt.He did not lift his head right away. Instead, he moved straight to the sink, as if instinct guided him there, as if the simple routine of washing his hands could restore order to everything spiraling inside him. He turned on the faucet and let the cold water run over his fingers, focusing on the sensation. Cold. Sharp. Real. He scrubbed his hands carefully, deliberately, each movement controlled, measured.Only when he reached for the paper towels did he finally glance up.His breath caught.Darren stood a few steps behind him, worry etched deeply into his expression. That part Sean had expected. What he had not expected was the second figure leaning quietly against the counter near the sinks.Yvo.His posture was relaxed, almost casual, arms loosely crossed, but his eyes were sharp and attentive, fixed on Sean with an intensity that made his skin prickle. He had not announced himself. Had not spoken. He was simply there.Fo

Sean stumbled toward the nearest men’s restroom, his vision blurring as a cold wave swept through his body. He barely registered the concerned voices calling after him. The only thing he could focus on was the sink just inside the door. He gripped its edge as his stomach clenched violently, bile rising fast and unforgiving. His reflection stared back at him, pale and hollow-eyed, before he lurched forward and shoved open the nearest stall.He barely had time to drop to his knees before his body betrayed him. He vomited harshly into the toilet, the sound sharp and uncontrollable as it echoed off the tiled walls. Each retch felt like it tore through him, leaving his throat raw and burning. The cramped room magnified every sound, and outside the restroom, the sudden silence made it clear that everyone had heard.Darren stopped just short of the door, his hand hovering uncertainly in the air. “Sean,” he called, his voice tight with alarm. “Sean, talk to me.”Another wave hit before Sean c

Sean lowered the microphone back onto the stand and gave a final, respectful bow, while the golden spotlight highlighted the faint smile tugging at his lips. The applause washed over him in waves, and the cheers were loud enough to rattle the wooden stage beneath his feet. For a moment, he let himself bask in the energy, allowing it to calm the nervous tension that had clung to him just moments before.He stepped back and moved toward the side of the stage, taking a deep breath. His pulse still raced, yet a quiet satisfaction settled in his chest, along with a sense of pride from having poured everything he had into those few minutes. He adjusted his jacket and tried to steady his breathing as he walked through the backstage entrance.Darren was the first to greet him. His wide grin, paired with energetic claps, made Sean’s lips twitch. “Man, that was insane. You really brought it tonight. The crowd loved every second.”Sean gave him a small, exhausted smile and nodded. “Thanks, Darre

Sean slipped backstage, weaving through the flurry of students carrying instruments, props, and stage outfits. The lingering energy of Lareina and Yvo’s performance still buzzed in the air, and he spotted them near the dressing area, sharing a quick laugh.“Hey,” Sean said, approaching cautiously. His phone, thankfully still functioning aside from the lost recording, was tucked into his pocket.Lareina looked up first, her smile bright despite the faint flush on her cheeks from performing. “Sean! You made it!”Sean forced a small smile. “Of course, I would not miss it.”Lareina’s brow furrowed slightly as she studied him. “I am so happy. You looked pale earlier, and kind of out of it, and I was worried about you.”Sean blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I am fine,” he said quickly, forcing a laugh. “It was just something on my mind, I guess. By the way, well done. Your performance was really good.”Yvo stepped forward, crossing his arms with a faintly smug grin. “You mean our per

Three Months Later…The soft afternoon light filtered through the sheer curtains of the Villareal home, painting the living room in shades of gold and rose. Dust motes drifted lazily in the glow, moving as if time itself had slowed to match the gentle rhythm of this new life. The once-quiet house, once too large and empty, now carried a different music—the tender cries of a newborn, the shuffle of tired but eager footsteps, and the mismatched lullabies of a man who had discovered a part of himself he never knew he had.Lucas sat on the couch, his shirt wrinkled, one sock missing, and a burp cloth hanging crookedly over his shoulder. His tie lay abandoned somewhere hours ago, and his hair was disheveled beyond repair, yet he looked more whole than ever before. In his arms, baby Louis wriggled, fighting sleep with tiny protests until his father’s low, steady hum began to soothe him. The melody was off-key, half-forgotten, but full of love."I think he likes it when you sing badly," Rhea

The couple made their way straight to the mall, just as Lucas had promised. Inside the baby store, Lucas quickly found himself giving the sales associate specific instructions like a man on a mission.“I want that crib and that walker. Set them aside for me. I’ll pay for those now. Follow us after — we’ll choose more.”Then he darted toward a rack of clothes and held up an outfit far too large for a newborn.“What do you think, baby girl? I think this one suits him.”Rhea gave him a look, one eyebrow raised. He truly had no clue.“Um, sir?” the sales associate asked cautiously. “How old is your baby?”Lucas scratched his head, frowning. “He’s not born yet. He’s only four months along. Still inside the womb.”Rhea stepped in before things got any more awkward. “Where are the clothes for newborns?”The associate smiled with understanding and led them to a different section.Lucas followed, though he looked a bit grumpy.“What’s with the face?” Rhea asked quietly.“I just realized it’s st

The car screeched to a violent stop in front of the building. Lucas didn’t wait. He flung the door open even before the vehicle had fully halted and bolted toward the entrance, his shoes pounding against the pavement. A guard called out his name, startled by the sudden arrival, but Lucas didn’t slow. He barely registered the world around him. All he could think about was Rhea.He slammed the elevator button with trembling fingers. The light blinked back at him, maddeningly slow.Come on. Come on!Each second dragged like an eternity. His heart pounded in his chest, a rapid, painful rhythm that matched the chaos in his head. He was consumed by images of Rhea—her laughter, her cries, the way her body crumpled when she clutched her stomach. The panic rising in his throat nearly choked him.Please let her be okay. Please… both of them.The elevator finally arrived with a soft ding. Lucas rushed inside and stood rigidly as the doors closed. He paced, unable to stand still, his fists opening

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Lucas’s high-rise condo, casting a warm, golden hue across the polished floors. The air inside was calm but tinged with the quiet busyness of a couple preparing for a transition. Cardboard boxes sat half-filled on the floor, and an open suitcase lay on the bed, only partially packed with wrinkled clothes.Lucas sat cross-legged on the carpet, a shirt awkwardly crumpled in his lap. He stared at it as if trying to unlock the mystery of folding. Every attempt ended the same way: clumsily folded fabric that looked worse than before. With a shrug, he stuffed it into the suitcase anyway.Across the room, Rhea was watching him with an amused frown as she folded his jeans with far more grace. She had already filled two small boxes with his toiletries and books while Lucas was still struggling with his second shirt."Hurry up with the packing. You’re moving slower than I am, and I’m the one who’s supposed to be dainty here," she quipped,

Later that afternoon, Rhea returned home and found Lucas sitting in the living room, chatting with her mother. She didn’t know what they were laughing about, but Mama was chuckling like a teenager. Both of them froze the moment Rhea entered.She didn’t say a word. She just looked straight at Lucas."Let’s talk," She said firmly, then turned around and walked outside.She made her way to the small garden. The scent of flowers filled the air. Moments later, she felt him behind her. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable.“I’m so—”“Here.” She cut him off, handing him a brown envelope.Lucas took it hesitantly and opened it. Inside were the test results and the pregnancy kit.He stared at the contents for a long time, his hands beginning to tremble. Then he looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears.“I’m pregnant,” Rhea said quietly. “And yes, you’re the father.”Lucas covered his mouth with one hand, too stunned to speak. “Father? I’m going to be a dad? Oh God. Thank You.

Because of what her mother had told her a week ago, Rhea finally gathered the courage to schedule a check-up today.Why only now?She wasn’t entirely sure. Maybe it was fear. The unknown had always terrified her. A part of her was deeply afraid of what the results might reveal. Another part of her had been swamped with work, using it as a distraction. And then there was Lucas. According to her mother, he had been visiting their house often, never arriving empty-handed. Flowers, fruit baskets, home-cooked meals, and even simple handwritten notes. He never asked to see her. He only left gifts, like quiet offerings of apology. Mama was the one who always received him at the door. What used to be a plain family home had now turned into a sanctuary of fresh blooms. Her mother never declined the gifts, often saying it would be a shame to waste them. But Rhea knew better. Lucas had slowly and surely charmed his way back into her mother’s good graces.But not into hers. Not yet.Their relation