Reeve . "I want you to know, Tiya Esperanza, that the owner of this land trusted you with all his life," Glenn spoke to Tiya. I was behind him, listening to everything. "Naku, Engr Glenn, nakakahiya naman po sa may ari ng lupaing ito. Pero nagpapasalamat kami sa kanya, dahil nandito pa rin kami hanggang ngayon sa lupain na ito. Malaki ang utang na loob namin sa may ari," si Tiya Esperanza kay Glenn. "Pakisabi sa kanya, Engr, na taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng kabaitan niya. Sana bigyan pa siya ng maganda at mahinhawang buhay ng Panginoon," saad ni Manong Paeng. Glenn smiled and turned around to see me. His brows raised, waiting for me to say something. I nodded. "Honestly, Tiya and Manong Paeng, the owner of the land is here with me." "H-Ha? S-Sino?" si Tiya. Sabay silang dalawa ni Manong Paeng na napalingon sa paligid at pabalik-balik ang tingin nila sa bawat banda. Bahagya akong natawa sa kanilang dalawa. "Eh, si Dodong Reeve lang naman ang nandito. May aakyat pa
Melissa."We're nearly there, Melissa. It's going to be over soon."Napabuntong hininga ako at napaupo sa tabi ni Carmella. Ngayon ang ika-dalawang buwan ng proseso at pinal na pag-anunsyo ng Judge sa divorce namin ni Frank. Madison is not with me at the moment. Dianne and Montreal had him for a month now. The divorce is dragging me down, draining everything around me. Hindi lang ang pinansyal na bagay ang pinaglalaban ko, kasama na ang lahat ng karapatan ko noon sa mana.If money weren't involved from the start, this divorce would have long gone."It's disappointing that you signed the agreement, Melissa. Hindi mo sana ginawa, pero nasa sa 'yo and desisyon na iyon.""I want this done and be over with everything, Carmella. I could no longer wait for another month. It feels like I'm going to die."Totoo naman. Pagod na ako sa lahat at gusto ko ng matapos ito. Kung hindi lang sa huling testamento ng lolo ni Frank, ay wala na sanang problema. Pero dahil sa testamentong ito ay gulo ang
Reeve."Naku, Dong, okay ka lang ba sa ganito? Ako ang nahihiya sa 'yo, Dong eh.""Tiya, you are like a family to me. Wala na po kayong pinag-iba sa ina ko. Kaya okay lang po. I'm doing this for Melissa. It will be best if they will stay in the same old house. I want them here, Tiya."Emosyonal ang mga mata ni Tiya at mabilis niya akong niyakap."Salamat, Dong! God Bless you, Dong Reeve.""Salamat, Tiya." Haplos ko sa likod niya. Bumitaw agad siya at mabilis niyang pinunasan ang luha sa mga mata niya."Kailan ba ang alis mo, Dong? Kailan ka babalik?" Pinatuyo niya muna ang luha at saka ngumiti pabalik sa akin. Ininom ko na ang buko juice na ginawa niya."I will miss your buko juice, Tiya. Thank you for this." I put back the empty plastic cup on the table. I wiped my mouth and heard Manong Paeng still cutting some young coconut for Glenn."Siguro sa mga susunod na buwan, Tiya. . . I need to take care of my mother. She needs me."Mahinang tumango si Tiya at saka hindi na siya nagtanong
Melissa . "Salamat, Manong! Oh, heto baon ninyong dalawa ni Madisson, at may extra pang dalawang box para sa mga anak mo, Manong." "Naku, dai Melissa. Salamat. Gustong-gusto ng mga bata ang bento-bento na luto mo." "I love you, Mama! Buy me pasalubong later, okay?" "I will, anak. I love you too! Be a good boy, okay?" Madisson nodded and I kissed his cheek. Sandali ko silang pinagmasdan ni Manong hanggang sa mawala sila sa paningin ko. Manong Paeng will take care of him today together with his own two kids. Wala akong mapag-iwan kay Madisson dahil delivery namin ngayon ni Tiya Esperanza sa lungsod. I'm happy living now in the same land where I used to live with Reeve. It's been two years now, and living on Reeve's property without paying anything really helps me. Noong una akong dumating dito na kasama si Madisson ay nahanap ko agad ang puso ko. The place was the same, and what touch me the most was the house. It was way beyond what it used to be. Maraming nagbago, kasama na a
Carmella . "Ngumiti ka naman, Carmella. Type mo ba si Reeve at parang ibinaon ang mukha mo sa lupa?" "Oh, shut up, Glenn! Konti nalang at makakatikim ka na sa akin. Stay away from me!" Tulak ko sa katawan niya at natawa lang din ang walanghiya. I strode closer to Madisson. Mas mabuti pang sa bata ako makikipaglaro kaysa naman sa isang taong isip bata sa paligid ko! "Come on, Carolina, play with me. I want to be your playmate." I stopped and whirled around to see him again with a hawk eye. "Don't call me by that name, Glenn. I hate it." He chuckled. "And that only means one thing. I will call you more often, Carolina," he said, placing both hands on his hips. "May death wish ka ba, Glenn?" Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya at nahinto siya. Mukhang aatras na yata. "Nope. I don't want a death wish. I just want to be your friend," he joked and laughed. "Asshole!" Sapak ko sa ulo niya at umalma agad siya. Tinalikuran ko na ang mabilis akong humakbang patungo sa kumpunan ng mga bata.
CarmellaDownhill"Are you sure you're going to be okay?""Yes, Fel, don't worry. Hindi na ako bata para bantayan pa ano! Sabihin mo iyan sa asawa mo. I don't need his nagging every morning. I'm in good hands!" I responded with an open arms. I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply.Naka-speaker ang cellphone at maaga pa rito sa Victoria. I've toured almost all the countries in the world and settled here. I found my peace here down the countryside. Walang kapit-bahay. Malawak ang bukid at purong mga hayop lang ang nasa paligid.Drake and Diego has settled on their own and the clan is not making any troubles anymore. Naubos na yata ang mga demonyo sa paligid at lahat sila ay nagbagong buhay na.This is the new millennium of my life, and I'm happy. Life wasn't easy as I've been through a lot of roller coasters, after all. And whatever is left now is a peaceful life that I want to establish.Ang huling misyon ko ay tapos na. Maayos na sina Melissa at Reeve sa bago nilang pamilya."Gabriel alway
Carmella Noise I can't sleep! Kanina pa ako hindi makatulog dahil sa ingay na galing sa labas. Hindi ito malakas, pero nakakabulabog ng utak. Iyong parang musika sa tainga mo at hindi maalis-alis ito. "My goodness! At sino naman ang nagpupukpok ng martilyo sa oras na ito!?" I looked at the time on the vintage wall clock. It's past twelve midnight. Baliw nalang siguro ang gagawa ng ganitong klaseng gawain sa dis-oras ng gabing ito. Kung sa Pinas ito, ay maiintindihan ko. Nasanay ako sa maiingay na traffic sa paligid. The penthouse where I was living for one month was in Makati. I was living in the center aisle of it, and I got used to all the rapid noises and busy life of living. Pero ito ngayon. Nasa countryside na ako nakatira at dapat sana ay ang ingay lang ng mga tipaklong at palaka ang maririnig ko sa gabi. Maliban na nga lang sa mga kalabaw sa kabilang bakod na hindi naman akin! Maiingay ang mga iyon! Lalo na ang mga lalaki. Parang nakikipagtalo sa mga babae tuwing gabi.
Brodie."I'm sorry to tell you, Brod, but you must return to Victoria as soon as possible. Your father is dying and wants to see you before it's too late," our family's lawyer, Atty Simone, is on the line."I'll be in first thing in the morning," I responded. Even though it's against my will, I have no choice. I need to go home."Okay. I will fetch you. Bye," Atty Simone ended the call.I came home that same date. I'm glad that I wasn't that far from Australia. I was visiting the company branch in New Zealand when I got the call from Atty Simone. It happened so fast. It seemed like a dream, but it was no longer a dream as reality hit me.Pumanaw si Papa at nakausap ako sa huling pagkakataon, at narinig ko ang huling testamento niya."Fuck. Damn." I gritted my teeth and held my breath when I accidentally hurt my hand."Shit." I wiggled my fingers, and they were all okay."That was close," I said, looking at Almond beside me. He wiggled his tail. I showed him the cut from my pointy fin
Diezel.I hold the result in my hand, and my heart races as I read it. The twins are indeed mine, and a copy was also sent to Anastacia via the Captain of the Villa.Wala akong duda. Alam kong akin silang dalawa. Malaki ang hawig namin ni Zev, at si Skye? Namana niya ang mga mata ni Mama. Although she looks like more on Anastacia, but her eyes belong in my bloodline.Skye's smile and her deep dimple clearly reflect my traits. In contrast, Zev resembles a male version of Anastacia, yet his facial structure and lips share my characteristics. He may not have the deep dimple like Skye, but when he smiles, he retains that version of me.I need to go back. I'm done with everything and have made new arrangements with the heads regarding work. They can reach me online, and I can do my work online."Why are you not joining me for the food tasting today, honey? Hindi mo pa rin nasusukat ang damit mo. Kailan ka ba bibisita roon? Ikaw na lang ang kulang."I'm talking to Caterina on the phone. Sh
Anastacia.Talagang hindi niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagpahinga ano?Nagtagpo ang kilay ko at seryoso kong tinitigan ang dalawa sa iilang mga tao sa loob ng bahay ko. Maaga pa lang ay ginising na ako ng ingay sa labas.The group of medical team together with Diezel's lawyer and some security, including our barangay captain and police were here early and that shocked me!Hindi kabilang si Diezel sa kanila. Wala siya. Mabuti nga, dahil kung nandito siya ay tiyak sinampal ko na.The lawyer spoke to me first and explained the process, and I could only agree to it. They're calm, okay, and collective, and the barangay captain is a good friend of mine. We had a good talk.Ang kambal lang ang medyo nalilito sa sitwasyon. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito kabilis gagawin ni Diezel ang lahat. Wala pa akong sinabi sa mga bata. Wala pa silang alam! At ngayon na nasa haparan nilang dalawa ang isang nurse at doctor ay nalillito na ang kambal.Hindi nila alam kung para saan ito, at kung bak
Diezel.I sat stiffly in front of my two beautiful kids while Anastacia was making me coffee. I put on my best smile amidst the chaos inside my heart.I was nervous as hell when I landed in Cagayan de Oro. Reeve was with me, and we came together here.Malapit lang ang bagong hotel na pinapatayo ni Reeve rito at may bahay bakasyonan din siya, at doon ako pansamantala titira.I drove here with high hopes of seeing Anastacia and was shocked by everything. I didn't know we were having twins. I didn't know everything, and that pained me more.It deeply hurts me. I feel sorry, not for myself, but for the kids in front of me. I know I was an asshole, and I can't blame Anastacia for that. But for her not to tell me that she was pregnant was indeed selfish! How could she do this to me? Why is this happening? And the kids? Damn it.Iniwas ko saglit ang tingin sa dalawa at saka nahagip nang mga mata ko ang buong paligid.Simpli ang bahay na ito. Walang espesyal at normal ang lahat. Malaki ang l
Anastacia."What are you doing here?"Iba na ako sa dati. Hindi na kumakalabog ang puso ko dahil excited ako na makita siya. Iba ang noon, at iba ito ngayon. May halong takot na bawat pintig na pinapakawalan ng puso ko sa kanya. Wala na akong tiwala.Taas noo ko ulit siyang tinitigan sa mata."Are you lost? Mukhang nasa maling bahay ka yata?" I chuckled.His jaw ticked, and he looked at me coldly. His piercing eyes were like a dagger that straight cut right into me."So, this is where you are hiding?" He gritted.Kinabahan ako at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa pinto. Hindi ito nakabukas ng maayos dahil hinawakan ko naman. Kabado ako sa kung ano man ang makita niya sa loob. Kaya bago pa mangyari ito ay mas mabuti hindi na niya makita pa.“Excuse me? Did you say I was hiding?” I chuckled softly and pulled the door closer to me.Ako na lang ang nakikita niya ngayon at hindi na ang loob."Hindi ako kailanman nagtago, Diezel. I'm living here comfortably, away from those people who don't want
Anastacia.I looked so terribly ugly as I looked at myself in the mirror. I'm stressed and problematic with money, and here I am... sick.Simula pa lang noong nakaraang linggo ay hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Hanggang sa heto, bumigay na nga ang katawan ko.The kids are home because it's summer school break—no school for them and no summer activities. I felt sorry for my kids not attending any summer activities, but I'm short on money, and the bills are piling up. Isali mo pa ang butas sa kisame ng kwarto ko. Mabuti na lang at summer ngayon at hindi uulan.Skye and Zev asked me why I did not enroll them in swimming lessons. Sinabi ko na lang na kulang ang pera ko, at agad naman na intindihan ng dalawa ito. Nakakaawa nga, dahil lahat ng mga kaklase nila ay may ginagawa at sila? Heto nasa bahay.Hapon na nang nakaramdam ako ng gutom. Instant noodles ang kinain ko, kasama ang kambal. Nilagyan ko ng gulay at dalawang itlog ito, at masaya na ang dalawa. Para sa kanila ay masarap na
Diezel.I almost stumble as I exit my car, breathing heavily like a furious beast poised to attack.How dare she hide from me? How dare she lie that she's on pills and wasn't? Fucking dammit!"Sir Diezel. . . "Itinaas ko lang ang kamay kay Martino. Isa siya sa mga bodyguard ng bahay ko. Huminto siya at bahagyang yumuko at hindi na ako sunundan.I walk directly to the second floor where my office library is situated. I need to call someone—someone skilled at locating a person who is in hiding.Damn you, Anastacia!Napakuyom-kamao ako at ramdam ko ang panginginig ng laman. I understand that the odds may not be absolute, but I have a strong intuition that I'm the father. I need to discover the truth.Malamig ang aircon sa sekretong silid na ito, pero tagaktag ang pawis ko. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na bumalik ang ganitong pakiramdam sa akin.Once I activate my code, that will be the end of it. I will go against my grandfather and mother for this."Linus..." I clenched my teeth while en
Diezel.It's damn boring and I can't keep up with the boys schedules. They don't leave me, it's just that I was the one who wanted to be left out.I feel so lost and empty. Something is not right, and it’s a bother to wake up like this every morning. I'm tired of it, and tired of everything."Ciao, figlio mio! I miss you!"I spun my chair back to the door and saw my mother together with my fiancée, Caterina. The two of them look like mother and daughter. They have the same taste when it comes to clothing and food.Magaling magluto si Mama at ganun din si Caterina. Magaling sa lutong italian, at masaya ako dahil natitikman ang mga putahe na parang kay Mama na rin."Honey…" Caterina wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.I couldn't kiss back, and my lips just stuck still. She then let go and tangled her arms around my mother."I found the right wedding dress! You will love it!" siglang boses ni Caterina. "Oh, I'm so excited! I can't wait!""And I can't wait too, dear. I like my
Anastacia.Is he engaged? Soon to be married? Huh, good on him!After seven years, I never once checked about him or what's happened lately with the company. I don't want to hear any news from them, especially from him.Naging abala na rin naman ang buhay ko. Mahirap magpalaki ng kambal, at kahit ngayon ay nangangarag pa rin ako.Nawala na sa isip ko si Diezel. Hindi na ako interesado, at wala na akong pakialam kung nag asawa na ba siya o nagkaroon na ng maraming anak. Pero nang marinig ko kanina kay Dianne na engaged na siya ay nababagabag lang ako.Ba't ba ako ganito? Hay, naku, Anastacia!I can’t sleep, and it’s after one o’clock in the morning. I’ve already checked all the items I will deliver tomorrow after dropping the twins at school.Nakatitig na ako sa relo sa dingding habang inom ang chamomile tea. Tulog na ang kambal, pero ako? Heto, hindi man lang dinalaw ng antok.Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bag at saka nag-search sa app tungkol sa kompanya. Dito tumambad sa akin ang mga
Anastacia.My heart raced when I saw Zev's face. He's got bruises around the right eye like someone had punched him in the face."Anong nangyari sa 'yo? Who did this to you?"Napaluhod ako at ininspeksyon ang mukha niya. Hindi ko sila nasundo ngayon dahil delivery ngayon ng orders ko galing Amerika. Ako mismo ang kumuha ng mga ito sa pantalan. Kaya pansamantala si George ang kumuha sa mga bata."Tinanong ko rin, Ate. Pero ayaw magsalita. Ganyan na ang mukha eh. Gusto ko sanang kausapin ang guro nila, pero wala raw. Kaya umuwi na kami."Bitbit ni George ang bag ng dalawang bata. Inilapag niya ito sa gilid at saka namaywang sa likod ko."Patingin nga. Dios ko…" Tumayo ako at kumuha ng maligamgam na tubig. Pina upo ko si Zev at tahimik siyang nakayuko. Samantalang si Skye ay nasa gilid lang. Nakasandal sa dingding at pinagmamasdan kami."Ano ba ang nangyari, Skye? Who did this to your brother?"Siya na ngayon ang tinanong ko. Alam kong matigas ang ulo ni Zev at madalas ay hindi siya na