EX-LOVERS' MISTAKE

“Yes, Mom. She said that all the things needed for the wedding tomorrow are all organized,” saad ni Zaeia sa telepono. Kausap niya ngayon ang kanyang ina na tuwang-tuwa dahil ikakasal na ang kanyang bunsong anak. Ganoon din naman ang nararamdaman ni Zaeia. Zaeia is getting married with Adonis, her long-time boyfriend at anak ng kaibigan ng kanyang mga magulang. She's absolutely thrilled because her dream fairytale is about to come true. “Sige, anak. Alam kong excited ka kaya’t sleep na at maaga pa ang preparation natin for tomorrow!” masiglang sabi ng kanyang ina sa telepono ngunit hindi nakasagot si Zaeia. Nagulantang siya sa kanyang nakita pagpasok niya ng kanilang mansyon. Tila pinasok ng isang magnanakaw ang kanilang tahanan dahil sa napaka gulong ayos ng mga gamit. Mayroon pang mga damit ang nagkalat sa sahig. Ngunit iba ang kanyang kutob. Hindi ito pinasok ng mga magnanakaw ngunit ng mga hayok sa laman. “Mom, c-come here,” pagtangis niya. Tumakbo si Zaeia paakyat sa kanila

“So, you’re pregnant?” usisa ni Elisha. Elisha and Zaeia had been great friends for a long time, having attended the same high school and college. Halos lahat ng sikreto ni Zaeia ay alam niya. A week after Zaeia's horrific experiences, the two of them traveled to America together. She desired to contemplate, clear her mind, and live in a peaceful atmosphere free of negativity and far away from those who had harmed her. She wants to begin a new chapter in her life. A new her, apart from what others have perceived her to be. “I'm unsure. I haven't taken a pregnancy test yet,” sagot ni Zaeia. Kalmado lamang siya ngunit ang totoo ay natatakot siya. Natatakot siya para sa responsibilidad niya bilang isang ina at ang magiging reaksyon ng kanyang mga magulang kung sakali. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Elisha dahil sa ginawa ni Zaeia. “Ano ang plano mo dito sa Amerika? Mag-isa ka lang if ever. Uuwi na rin ako ng Pinas after three days,” nag-aalalang tanong niya sa kanyang kaibigan.

Zaeia's twins had grown up so wonderfully in two years after 9 months of carrying them in her womb. Lumaki silang matalino at puno ng pagmamahal. Lahat ng atensyon ni Zaeia ay ibinibigay sa kanila. Hinding-hindi gugustuhin ni Zaeia na maranasan ng kanyang mga anak ang paboritismo na kanyang naranasan noon. She adores each of them equally. Ang kanyang kambal na anak ay isang babae at lalaki. Magkasalungat ang ugali ng dalawa ngunit pareho nilang mahal ang isa’t-isa lalo na ang kanilang ina. “Chocho, get up! Mom said that we would be heading to the bookshop to purchase new books and other stuff.” Chacha kicked Chocho's ass up to wake him up as she walked past his bed. As a result, they began battling on the ground. They're kids anyway, and their favorite game is physical fighting. Napahinto na lamang sila nang kumatok sa kanilang pintuan ang kanilang ina na hindi maipinta ang mukha. “Do both of you want to just stay here and read the same books, or do you want to stop arguing so we

“Zaeia!” sigaw ni Lucas ng kunwaring nilubog ni Chocho ang kanyang ulo sa dagat habang sila’y naliligo. Napatawa na lamang si Zaeia dahil sa kakulitan ng dalawa. Samantalang si Chacha naman ay kumakain lang ng strawberries sa kanyang tabi matapos nitong maligo. Tumayo si Zaeia at sinalubong ang kanyang anak ng isang tuwalya. Napaismid naman sa kanya si Lucas dahil hindi man lang siya binigyan ni Zaeia ng tuwalya. ‘Isip bata.’ “Let’s go back to our room na. Gabi na at sisinipunin kayo kung mag-swimming pa kayo. Bukas naman.” “Okay, mommy!” sabay na wika ng kambal. Bumalik na sila sa hotel na kanilang tinutuluyan. Ngayong araw ay ang kaarawan ng kambal. Hindi na nila hiniling pa ng magarbong selebrasyon. Mas pinili na lamang nilang i-enjoy ang kulay asul na dagat. Pagkabukas ng elevator ay bumungad sa kanila sina Elisha at Duke. Nagtungo ang tingin ni Zaeia sa kanilang mga kamay na magkahawak. Mas lalo pa itong hinigpitan ni Elisha nang mapansin na nakatingin rito ang kaibigan. La

Zaeia walked into the building with a smile on her face and her brow up straight as her confidence grew. The building was full with chitchats, with some scared of her as she was known for her harsh leadership while others grinning at her and that they were glad she was back as she made her way to her office only to discover Duke sitting in her chair.“What are you doing in here?” she asked in a monotone voice, her eyes shirked, her mood shifting due to the man in front of her.The twins held her hand as they sensed her deep emotion. She took her twins to her workplace while Lucas returned to the United States for critical neurology appointments.“We really looked alike,” he remarked while glancing at the twins.Nagkaroon naman ng halo-halong emosyon si Zaeia nang mapagtanto ang sinabi Duke.“What are you talking about? Anak namin sila ni L-Lucas,” she spoke in a stuttering tone, clearly concerned about Duke's plans. Duke laughed as he stood up and walked to the door and said, “Ganito