Chapter 1

THE MAN who introduced himself as Ramses told her everything—slowly, patiently, as if he was afraid that too much information might overwhelm her fragile state. He spoke in a calm, even tone, pausing every now and then as though waiting for her eyes to lose that distant haze before continuing. He never rushed his words, never forced her to understand more than she could bear.

Slowly, the memories came back—fragmented at first, then clearer. The rain. The road. Her bare feet walking endlessly on an empty road. Running away from home. And then… getting hit by a car.

Her fingers curled weakly against the sheets as the realization settled in.

“So…” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to process everything he had told her. “I’ve been hit and run?”

Her body felt strange—heavy and stiff, as if it didn’t fully belong to her anymore. There was no sharp pain, no burning ache—just a dull numbness that reminded her she had been unconscious for far too long. She had been asleep for more than two weeks, Ramses said. Nakita lang daw siya nitong nakahandusay sa daan, duguan. Then he took her to the hospital and took care of her.

Ramses didn’t answer immediately. He only nodded once, gently, as if afraid he might say the wrong word and spill the whole truth. Ramdam ni Vivian ang matinding pag-iingat ng lalaki sa bawat pagkwento nito sa nangyari. But she didn't pay too much attention to that.

What mattered to her right now was that someone was there for her—taking care of her in this unfamiliar place.

“Why are you doing this?” She asked him in a curious tone.

Ramses smiled gently and caressed her hand. His touch light and careful. “Because anyone with a heart would’ve done the same,” he replied calmly. “I saw you lying there… in your own blood. And somehow, I couldn’t just walk away.”

His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles, grounding, reassuring.

“For now,” he added softly. “Let’s focus on getting you better. I’ll take care of everything.”

Vivian swallowed, her throat suddenly tight, unsure of what to feel, or how to thank a stranger who chose to stay and care for her when everything still felt so unreal.

The days that followed passed quietly.

Vivian stayed for a couple of days in the hospital, now fully conscious, with Ramses constantly taking good care of her. Halos sa hospital na ito tumira dahil sa kanya. He brought her meals, adjusted her pillows, and reminded her to take her medications on time and to drink water regularly. Inaakay din siya nito kapag naiihi siya o kailangan niyang maglakad-lakad. He acted like he was her personal nurse.

She told him that she can manage already, but he is so stubborn and wouldn't listen to her. Napakatigas ng ulo nito. Nahihiya na din siya dito, baka nakakaabala na siya sa pang-araw-araw na gawain nito. She might be slowing his life down, she felt like she’s becoming a burden to him already.

That thought alone made her uncomfortable, so she kept pushing him, gently and persistently, to live his life again.

He’s a bachelor and a handsome man. Anyone could see that. She knew he has a life to live and she doesn't want to be the reason to keep him from doing those things. She’s just a complete stranger to him.

“I told you, I’m staying here with you. You’re my responsibility now.” Sagot ni Ramses sa kanya, as she kept nagging him to go out sometimes.

Vivian forced a smile. She appreciated him, truly. But deep inside, something felt off. Hindi niya maipaliwanag pero may nararamdaman siyang… hindi tama. Everything felt unreal.

What’s his deal? Nobody helps a stranger this much. At least, not without wanting something. Pero ano namang mapapala ng binata sa kanya? Sa ngayon, tanging pangalan niya lang ang dala niya, bukod dun wala na.

Ramses comfortably sat down on the sofa just in front of her bed, stretching his arms as if he owned the place. “And besides, I like staying here in the hospital.” Nakangiting sabi nito na para bang siyang-siya itong nakatira sa hospital.

Vivian shook her head. What a weird man. Ano kayang trip nito sa buhay at gustong-gusto nito tumira sa hospital. Not to mention he sleeps there. Na para bang may gusto ito sa isa sa mga nurse kung magpabalik-balik, wagas.

She’s grateful for his care but… it's too much and just weird. Pwede naman siya nitong bisitahin once a week. Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Vivian at tumahimik.

“BY THE WAY, the doctor said we’re ready to be discharged by tomorrow.” Biglang sabi ni Ramses isang gabi habang nagpapagpag ito sa sofa para humiga.

Vivian froze.

She watched him settling into the sofa before speaking. “Ahm,” she hesitated before speaking, her fingers tightening around the blanket. “Where should I go after I get discharged?” Nahihiyang tanong niya sa mababa na boses.

The question hung in the air.

Alam na niya ang sagot.

She knows that she had nowhere to go. Tumakas lang siya sa kanila at isa pa, wala siyang kakilala sa lugar na ‘to. She couldn’t afford to go back home, malayo na ang narating niya, there’s no turning back anymore, not after everything. Papanindigan niya ang pagtakas niya.

Mukhang napansin ni Ramses ang malalim niyang pag-iisip at lumapit ito sa kanya. He suddenly patted her head and smiled.

“You can stay with me for now.”

Bakas ang gulat sa mukha ni Vivian sa tinuran ng lalaki. She immediately waved her hands while shaking her head.

“No, no, mukhang ang laking abala na ‘yon sa’yo.”

Nahihiya na siya sa lalaki. Mukhang nakakaabala na siya dito masyado. Alam niya sa sarili niyang wala siyang ibang malalapitan pero mas nangingibabaw pa rin ang hiya na nararamdaman niya. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone. She wants to be an independent woman for once, not a damsel in distress.

Kita niya ang mahinang pag-iling ni Ramses habang may munting ngiti sa mga labi nito.

He gently caressed her cheek. “Hindi ka abala sa akin, Vi.”

Vivian’s eyebrow raised at that nickname. “Vi?”

Ramses chuckled at her reaction. “In short for Vivian. Vivian is quite old-fashioned, kaya Vi nalang. Ayos ba?”

Tumango nalang si Vivian, it doesn't matter that much anyway. “Pero… I really can’t accept your offer. It’s too much,” aniya sa lalaki. “And besides, you’ve already done so much for me. ‘Yun pa lang, hirap na akong bayaran.”

Ramses sat beside her, holding both her hands. “Hmm, what about this…” he trailed off, thinking. “May condo ako na ‘di ko na ginagamit. How about you stay there? In return, just clean and maintain the place, then we're good, hmm?”

Tinitigan niya ng ilang segundo ang mukha ng binata, sinusubukang basahin ang nakatagong emosyon sa mga mata nito. What’s his deal? She asked in her mind.

His offer… was still unreasonable. Para sa kanya, walang makukuhang maganda o kapaki-pakinabang ang lalaki sa alok nito sa kanya.

“Ahm,” tumikhim siya. “‘Yun lang?” Tanong niya sa mababang boses.

He can't be serious, right? Parang hindi naman makatarungan ang alok nito. It's like he’s letting a stranger like her live under his roof… for free!

Ramses looked at her as if she had said something unusual.

“Yeah. Is it too much?” sagot nito sa kanya.

Vivian shook her head and chuckled slightly. He looked so clueless about the situation.

“Nothing,” tanging sagot na lang niya sa tanong nito. “If you say so… but I promise to pay you soon.”

Ngumiti lang ang binata at parang nanggigigil na pinisil ang pisngi niya. “No worries. Your comfort and safety are my top priority here.”

Napailing nalang siya sa tinuran ng lalaki.

“And besides,” dagdag nito habang inaayos ang kumot niya, “you’re still in the recovery period, so… leave the rest to me. Mamaya ka na mag-isip ng kung anu-ano.”

She smiled silently.

Ramses was acting like a caring big brother to her. A kind of care she hadn’t felt for a long time. This felt new. Everything felt new to her. The unusual care and concern she was receiving from a random man she barely knew.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Vivian at hinayaan ang maaaring mangyari sa hinaharap. Ang importante ay nakalaya at malayo na siya mula sa lugar na pinanggalingan niya.

For the first time in years, the future felt uncertain, but it finally belonged to her.