“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.
“I wish I could stay here with you for a long time, but I'm afraid I won't be able to,” dagdag pa nito.
Humarap si Zaeia sa kanyang kaibigan na may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi, “It's all right. There's nothing to be concerned about.”
“Napakalapit mo sa mukha ko, Zaeia. Kitang-kita ko na mga muta mo!” natatawang wika ni Elisha.
Pagkatapos ay nagtungo na sila sa kani-kanilang mga kwarto upang magpahinga at ayusin ang kanilang mga gamit.
While arranging her things, napansin ni Zaeia ang isang frame sa loob ng kabinet. Basag-basag na ito at halatang luma na. Napaubo pa siya sa sobrang daming alikabok.
“Who is she?”
Kuha ang larawan sa Disneyland noong sila ay musmos pa lamang ni Kara. Lima sila sa larawang ito ngunit ang isang babae na kanilang kasama ay hindi nakilala ni Zaeia.
Sa buong buhay niya ay ang kasama niya lamang ay ang kanilang mga magulang at ang kanyang kapatid. Wala din naman silang naging yaya simula pagkabata.
Ipinagsawalang-bahala na lamang niya ito at itinapon sa basurahan dahil tutal ay basag basag na rin naman ito at may kalumaan na.
“Do I look pretty good in this dress?” ask Elisha. She's dressed in a glitzy red backless dress that emphasized her stunning figure.
“Yes, but we're going out to dinner! Konting galaw mo lang ay makikita na lahat!” sagot ni Zaeia. Tinarayan na lamang siya ni Elisha at bumalik sa kanyang kwarto upang maghanap ng ibang masusuot.
Zaeia had already decided on a black velvet off-shoulder dress. With simply natural makeup and loose braided pony hair, she looks stunning in a simple dress.
“Let’s go,” aya niya sa kanyang kaibigan na kanina pang nakaharap sa salamin.
From inside their car, Zaeia simply enjoys the ride. Matagal-tagal din ang nakalipas simula noong huli silang bumisita sa Amerika.
Elisha's group of friends were waiting for them when they arrived at the resto bar. Isa-isa nilang ipinakilala ang kanilang mga sarili kay Elisha ngunit nakuha ang kanyang atensyon ng isang matipunong lalaki na mukhang nasa kanyang mid-30s na.
“I’m Lucas and I work as a doctor here in America. It's a pleasure to meet you, Zaeia,” nakangiting wika nito.
Nagkaroon sila ng maikling kwentuhan at kamustahan hanggang sa napagpasyahan na nilang mag-order ng pagkain.
“Kahit ano na lang. When it comes to food, I'm not picky. Everything is my personal fave!” Zaeia spoke out, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
But as soon as the food arrived, she felt sick to her stomach. The dinner was delicious, especially the steak, but she couldn't handle it. Since Elisha knew what had happened to Zaeia, she accompanied her to the bathroom at doon siya nagsuka. Elisha stood outside the bathroom door, waiting for her.
Nang makalabas na siya sa cubicle, she looked in the mirror, convinced that she was indeed expecting a child.
Ngunit may isang babae ang panay tingin sa kanya sa kabilang dulo ng lababo. Her movements were being watched by her eyes, which made Zaeia feel uncomfortable.
Bago pa siya tuluyang makalabas ng palikuran at mayroon siyang narinig na huling kataga mula sa babaeng iyon. Tila mayroon itong kausap sa telepono.
“I'm pretty sure that is exactly her.”
Ipinagsawalang-bahala na lamang niya iyon at dumiretso na sa kanilang sasakyan. Sinabihan niya na lang si Elisha na siya’y ipagpa-alam sa kanyang mga kaibigan sapagkat hindi talaga maganda ang kanyang pakiramdam.
Ipinagmaneho siya ng kanyang kaibigan sa kanilang apartment. Dumaan muna sila sa isang botika upang bumili ng pregnancy test.
“Magpahinga ka muna sa ngayon, Zaeia.”
Pinilit niyang matulog sa biyahe upang mas gumaan ng kaunti ang kanyang pakiramdam.
Nagising siya dahil sa malambot na kanyang hinihigaan. Alam niyang nakauwi na sila at hindi na siya sa sasakyan natutulog.
“Pinaghanda kita ng pagkain para kahit papaano ay may laman ‘yang tiyan mo. Nag-research pa ako ha,” ani Elisha. Hindi siya pinansin ng kanyang kaibigan bagkus ay nakatitig ito sa hawak niyang pregnancy kit.
Napagdesisyunan niyang subukan ito. Nagbabakasakali na hindi pala siya buntis bagkus ay mayroong lamang siyang ibang komplikasyon o sakit sa kanyang kalusugan.
Naghintay siya ng ilang minuto bago tuluyang lumabas ang resulta ng test.
Dalawang guhit. Dalawang guhit ang lumitaw sa pregnancy test na kanyang hawak-hawak.
Napaupo siya at napaiyak. She couldn't tell if these were happy tears or if she was simply terrified of the responsibilities.
Hindi alam ni Zaeia kung ano ba ang dapat niyang maramdaman. Baby is a blessing pero ngayon na mag-isa lang siya ay makakaya niya ba? She promises to seek revenge on her sister, but how will she do so while carrying a kid in her womb? Her parents' first affection was for her; it was just her sister who kept interrupting and ruining things. She wants to raise her child in a loving environment. She doesn't want her child to have to go through what she did. Her wish is for her child to live a happy life. Napahawak siya sa kanyang puson habang umiiyak. Pinigilan niya ang sarili na umiyak dahil sa pagkakaalam niya ay bawal sa buntis ang umiyak o ma-stress. ‘Sorry baby, mommy will stop crying!’ She let out a sigh and slipped the pregnancy test into her pocket. Napaisip siya kung sasabihin niya ba kay Duke na buntis siya ngunit sa huli, naalala niya ang pangako niya sa lalaki. Sinabi niya dito na hindi niya ito hahabulin kahit buntis siya. And for her, Duke isn't ready yet to have a ba
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
In the end, Zaeia agreed to celebrate her children's birthday in the Philippines. Hindi pa siya handang bumalik pero mukhang kahit anong usap niya sa mga anak ay hindi pa rin niya ito mapapapayag. Her kids are smart. Daig pa nila ang nakikipag-usap sa kasing edaran niya. She's thankful that her children were both smart, there's a small chance na makuha nila ang katangahan ni Kara. "Mommy, we're so excited! I'm done arranging my clothes," Chacha said to her. Zaeia stroked her hair and rubbed her temples. She considers herself to have been duped. Her children had duped her into agreeing! "Well done. What about your brother?" tanong niya sa kanyang anal. Chacha shrugged her shoulders like she doesn't care about her brother at all. "Where is he?" Zaeia asked her daughter again. "He's using his computer again." Chacha answered her. "Alright, I will pack his clothes." She said but her daughter rolled her eyes. "Mommy, don't you dare! We aren't babies anymore! I'll talk to my brothe
“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 sighed when she saw her twins walking towards her. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin dahil halos hindi siya nakatulog sa mga rebelasyon na nalaman niya. She loved Elisha and treated her as her own sister but she still chose to betray her. Her eyes lacked emotions. "Mommy, what are you thinking?" Chacha asked her. She looked at her children with love and compassion. "Mommy, are you stressed? Maybe, you didn't like to celebrate our birthday here in the Philippines." Chacha sounds sad. Chocho hugged his twin sister. "Twin, mommy needs rest. Maybe she needs beauty time?" Chocho whispered to his twin. Chacha giggled. "We will go home. Did you two enjoy your day?" tanong ni Zaeia sa kanyang mga anak. Nakita niya na bitbit ng dalawa ang mga gamit nito. Napakunot ang kanyang noo ng makita na wala si Lucas sa likod ng mga bata. "Where's your uncle Lucas?" tanong ni Zaeia sa kambal. Her twin smirked. Tumingin siya sa paligid at nakita niya si Duke at ang ahas na kaibigan niya na naglalaka
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
Nakasimangot at hindi maipinta ang ekspresyon ni Kara habang pinapanood ang kanyang kapatid sa harapan upang i-propose sa mga shareholders ang kanyang plano upang umangat muli ang kanilang kompanya. Nalaman nila na masyadong nagpa-panic na ang mga ito dahil sa papalapit na pagbagsak ng kanilang kompanya."As of now, I talked and negotiated with those agents who resigned and they want to be part of our company again," Zaeia said using her business tone.One of the stockholders raised his hand, and Zaeia smiled lovingly at him to get their approval, then looked at her sister and winked at her, making her upset once more."They resigned in our company but still you choose to hire them again? Paano kung balak lang pala nila magtraydor sa atin?" tanong ng lalaki. Ngumisi naman si Kara sa naging tanong ng shareholder.“There have been several complaints of agents failing to complete their tasks correctly, yet you still opt to hire them? Why not attempt to find new ones?” dagdag na tanong na
Nakatulala lamang si Duke habang hinihintay si Elisha na lumabas. Napabuntong-hininga siya. Sigurado siya na siya ang ama ng kambal ngunit parating kinakaila ni Zaeia ang lahat.'Come on, man! The agreement will be void if you keep doing this,' Duke told himself. Iritable siyang napasabunot sa kanyang noo saka napalingon ng makita si Elisha na naglalakad papunta sa kanya. He secretly gulped. It's his fault, buntis na si Elisha ano pa nga ba ang magagawa niya?"What are you doing?" tanong ni Elisha kay Duke ng makita niya na sinasabunutan nito ang sarili."Nothing," sagot ni Duke. Mabilis itong pumasok sa kanyang sasakyan na pinagtaka ni Elisha. Pumasok na rin si Elisha habang inoobserbahan si Duke."What's wrong with you? Dahil na naman ba ‘to kay Zaeia?" tanong ni Elisha.Napakapit naman ng mahigpit si Duke sa mismong manibela."H-Hindi, may iniisip lang ako na proposal sa mga investor," dahilan niya kay Elisha. Elisha nodded her head and looked out the window. She keeps thinking Z