I quickly stepped on the breaks, panting. My chest pounding, and my hands shaking as it grips onto the steering wheel. Nagpatuloy na ang sasakyang muntikan kong mabangga, kaya't hinintay ko na lang siyang makalayo.
Ilang segundo akong nanatili roon kahit malayo na ang naabot ng sasakyan, I took my time to breathe before going back to the road.I focused my attention on the driving, hoping that he doesn't call again. My attention was only focused on the road until I arrived in front of Apex. I parked near the driveway and checked my phone.Doon, nakita kong hindi na siya ulit nagtext, at munting kirot ang naramdaman ko kasabay ng relief.8AM na, at panigurado nasa office na 'yon. Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa at pinaandar muli ang sasakyan at dumeretso sa subdivision kung saan nakatira ang mga Veridiano.Pagdating ko doon, ay naguguluhang mga mukha ang bumungad sa 'kin."Mabuti at dumalaw ka, nasaan ba ang iyong asawa?" LoloNatulog siya sa kanila. Hindi siya umuwi dito. Buong gabi akong nag-isip, hindi kaagad nakatulog at maiyak-iyak na dahil sa nararamdamang guilt. Ito ba ang paraan na naisip niya bilang higanti? Deserve ko 'to kung gano'n.Pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang malungkot. Kaya pag gising ko ng umaga, kaagad akong napa-tawag kay Inez at hindi niya na ako pinakinggan at dinala sa clinic."Stress," the Doctor said, returning his office. "The most possible reason is stress. Nalungkot ba kayo? Overwhelmed? Nagalit?"I sucked a small part of my lip from the inside before shifting my eyes to Inez, her eyebrows quickly rose before I slowly shifted back to Doctora, sitting in his chair and I nod my head softly. "Ayon. Misis, bawal na bawal po 'yang stress sa 'yo. Kahit less than two weeks ka pa, bawal pa rin po 'yan. Let us avoid whatever made you stress na lang po, ano?" Doctora calmly suggested, and all I could do is make a small nod. "Okay… kailan po
"I'm fine, I'm fine."I continuously shake my head, holding onto his arm as I stand beside the hospital bed. Tears don't stop falling, and my body is shaking. Kasalanan ko 'to, but he kept on trying to tell me how he's fine."Ella—"Mas lumakas ang buhos ng luha ko dahilan para napapikit ako. The ache in my chest worsened, as anger begins to build. "'Di ka okay. 'Di ka okay—""I am, please. Stop blaming yourself, El, please—"He paused as the door opens. Kaagad din akong napatigil at pinadiin pa ang pagpikit ng mga mata bago ako makarinig ng isang buntong hininga.Don Christopher clicked his tongue. "Oh, goodness, what happened?"His voice was coated with concern as his footsteps got louder and louder, approaching. Kaagad kong pinahid ang likod ng kamay sa mukha para mawala na 'yong mga luha bago bahagya kong idinilat ang mga mata, at natagpo kaagad ang mga mata ni Christion.Another soft sigh escapes Don Christopher. "Angel, hija, everything is
Christion has been in the hospital for 4 days, and in those 4 days, I have confirmed things; One, my husband has finally caught my attention; Two, I am somehow scared to lose him; And three, he's much of an asshole than I thought he could ever be."Ay, Sir, 'wag ho kayo mag-alala. Hindi po 'yan baliw, sadyang inutusan lang kami ni Sir Luciano na h'wag papatrabahuin ang asawa niya ngayon para alagaan siya," sabi ng Guard sa iyang employee at bumalik na naman sa 'kin ang kan'yang mga mata.The man plastered a small smile as he slightly bows his head before entering the building, muli kong tinignan ng masama si Kuya Guard, dahilan para mapatawa siya."Bawal po talaga kayo pumasok," he said and my eyebrows rose."Kuya, four days na akong walang trabaho-trabaho—"He lets out a chuckle. "Ma'am, pag papasukin ka namin, kami naman ang mawawalan ng trabaho."I lift up my head, letting out a soft groan as I shake my foot. I wander my eyes around as he continues to
I froze as I hear knocks from the front door. Kaagad kong inayos ang niluluto ko bago pumunta sa pinto at doon binuksan ko. My forehead creased, as Christion appears in front of me. He wears a huge smile on his face as he carries a backpack behind, hanging onto one shoulder. We stood there for a second before his eyebrows narrowed. "Before you say anything, I was legally discharged."My left eyebrows rose. "Really? As far as I can remember, next week ka pa dapat--""Aren't you happy to see me home na, Love?" he asked, as his expression softened before he formed his lips to a frown. I squinted my face before stepping out of the way, rolling my eyes. A chuckle escapes from his lips, and he enters the unit and his attention is quickly brought to the kitchen. "Woah, what's for dinner?" he asked, with his huge smile back, turning to me with excitement. "Guess," I said, pushing the door close before going back to the stove as he then followed after putting
"Hi, Ma'am Angel!"My head automatically turned to my left to see a female figure, waving at me with a huge smile. I ignore her address and waved back as I continue to walk towards his office. Nilibot ko pa ang mga mata ko sa paligid para hanapin si Mera ngunit hindi ko siya makita, kaya diretso na lang ako sa pinto niya at doon tumigil sa paglalakad. I lifted my hand and knocked on the door."Mera?" his voice echoed from the room, it was blurry but loud."It's me, An— Ella," I said, as loud as I can. "It's me, Ella.""Come in," he said, softly, and I quickly held the doorknob and pushed it down. As I open the door, I see him on his chair with his face expressionless while a woman stands in front of him across the table, with her head down."A simple coffee, you can't make? I hope you have learned your lesson, and we appreciate you considering our company but this is now your last day of your internship.""Sir, please. One last chance, I will m
Love… Is it the way you say my name? I ask myself and a memory flashes in my head, followed by another with a transition that seemed like a preview scene. The way you call me like that? Ella, Love, Ellove—Kaagad akong napapikit nang mariin at kinalas mula sa isipan ang salita bago kinalma muli ang sarili, and a series of memories comes flashing back in my mind. Especially about last night. Or is it the way you play our game? I asked myself. This was exactly the Christion I was meant to discover, and better. I never really thought he would give up that easily, and I never really thought it would end up like this…No. I'm lying. I had, once, twice, or I have lost count as it lasted. I've never known anyone like him, and I never have dreamed of nobody like him… He wasn't the person I thought I would end up with. Not the identity, but the personality. He has this something I was meant to answer to Amber's question last night that I just couldn't put up in wo
"What are you looking for?"I took a quick glance at him before turning back to the small dresses in front of us. I shake my head. For Carlos sana. "I just thought about Carlos."He chuckles, softly. "Okay, let's buy him something. He did mention a lot about cars…"I turn my head back to him, giving him a glare. "Not too much. Please."His smile widens as he chuckles louder. "Not too much. Yes, of course--"As he turned around, he suddenly stopped. He takes a quick glance at me before looking back forward, and my gaze follows a toddler. He looks younger than Carlos, well-dressed, neat, and has red wet eyes. Parang mangiyak-ngiyak na habang may nguso sa labi."Hi," Christion greets, squatting down to level the Toddler's height. "Do you have someone with you?"But he doesn't answer and deepens his frown. Looking with sad puppy-eyes, tears began to fall from his eyes, causing me to step in closer and squat right beside Tion, holding onto the Toddle
"Paconfirm na lang po. Medium iced caramel macchiato, two honey and nut oatmeal cookies, and one strawberry cake?" I pressed my lips together and nodded before she shifted her attention back to the screen. It takes her a few moments before she tells me the amount, and I pay. Kaagad naman akong tumalikod pagkatapos ng transaction, dala-dala ang inorder ko.Nilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa paligid, at nakitang marami ang mga bakanteng upuan, ngunit hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras at nagsimula nang maglakad patungo sa exit. Hindi ako pwedeng magtagal dito, lalo na't si Inez lang at ang guard ang nakakaalam na umalis ako ng office na mag-isa."Angeline! Angel!" Napatigil sa paglalakad, hindi gaano kalayo mula sa exit. My head automatically turned around, along with my body as I then wander my gaze once more to meet a familiar pair.My eyes widened, and his lips stretched for a smile, showing his teeth. "Angel! Finally! How have you been?"I felt my sp