“Hey, bitch, are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik? Sabi ko sayo diba, sumama ka sakin, wag ka na magtampo tanga.”
Hindi pa rin ako nagsalita, hindi kayang i-absorb ng utak at katawan ko ang nakita ko, I did not made a scene, hindi ako nag iskandalo gaya ng mga dapat na ginawa ko.
Ayos lang sana kung kilala ko, or nagsabi sya, or hindi sya nagsinungaling, pero lahat yon ginawa nya, sakin. Hindi ako naniniwala sa lahat ng naririnig ko, dahil wala naman silang ibedensya, sabi sabi lang yon, at hindi ako naniniwala lang sa ganon. I love and trust Aiden.
“Hoy!” sigaw ni Yana, “Okay ka lang?”
Tumango lang ako, “Yamers uwi na tayo, sakit talaga ng ulo ko.” Dahilan ko na lang, kahit sa totoo na lang, gusto ko na talaga pumalahaw ng iyak, how could he fucking do this to me, how could he fucking cheat on me?
How could he do this?
Sino yung babae na yon? Nabuntis nya ba yon? Sya ba tatay non? Pero ang laki na ng tyan nya. So he has been cheating on me for that long?
Hindi pwedeng sinamahan nya lang yon, putangina, they are holding each other’s hands and kissed on the lips, kilala ko ang buong pamilya nya, he can’t lie to me. I can’t contain my anger right now.
Hindi na ko tinanong ni Yana, she knew something was off with me, she’s not my best friend for fifteen years, for nothing. Alam nya na ayoko magsalita ngayon, and I thank her for always respcting the space I silently asked her.
Hindi ako dumiretso sa bahay, I went to the nearest bar and distracted myself, it good thing, I’m of legal age, that I can go to the bar by myself, how could this happen to me?
I should break up with him, right?
Wala sa loob na naibaba ko ang bason a hawak ko, I can’t, I can’t see my future without him anymore. We did a lot of things together, we already plan our future after college, where to buy a house, a car, properties, and even how many kids we wanted, but how come after all those plans, he still manages to think of cheating on me?
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sunod sunod na patak ng luha mula sa mga mata ko, mga heart is aching, I can still breath, yes, but my dying, it’s painful that I’m dying. How could the man I love cheat on me after all these years.
Naramdaman ko na may tumabi sa gilid ko, I didn’t budge though, wala akong pakielam, I just want to forget tonight.
“Yow, Lex.” I heard the wine mixer greet the man beside me. “Usual?”
“Oo, parang tanga, tatanong pa.” tumawa lang sila parehas, sana ganyan din ako kasaya ngayon, sana pala hindi na ko nagpunta sa mall kanina para hindi ko nakita, para hindi sana ko namamatay ngayon, “Hey, that’s a heavy one for a little girl.”
This freak, kaya pala masaya, babae ampotek. Lahat ba ng lalaki ganito na? ahh, peste, ano bang gagawin ko sa boyfriend ko na walanghiya? But I love him, ayoko sya pakawalan, pero ayoko din ng cheater! Dad didn’t cheat on my mom!
“Hey, little girl.” This time, mas malapit na sya sakin, at hinawakan na nya ang kamay ko, “Dami mo na naiinom ah, may kasama ka ba?”
Iwinaksi ko ang kamay nya na nakahawak sa akin, “Don’t touch me, asshole,”
“Aba, ikaw na nga inaalala dyan, mag aarte ka pa, little girl nan ga para sweet.”
“Tangina?” hindi ko alam kung mabubuwiset ako o matatawa.
“Ano ba kasi problema mo? Hindi ka nan ga maganda, roblemado ka pa.”
“Wala kang pakielam, okay? Manahimik ka dyan, at uminom ka na rin, tatakbo ka bas a pagkapresidente?”
Tumawa lang sya at inisang lagok ang martini na hawak nya, “Anon ga kasi? Para mabawasan yan, hind isa nakikielam ako, gusto ko lang makisawsaw sa buhay ng iba ngayon, nasa mood ako.”
Tinignan ko sya sandali, at umiling, well, he’s a stranger, there’s always a saying, na mas okay daw mag open up sa stranger, no judgement, I sigh, I don’t want someone to pity me, however, I’ll still say it.
“I have a boyfriend, for years, we planned everything, pero nahuli ko ang tarantado kanina, may kasamang babae,-“
“Baka naman kaibigan lang, to naman, mapaghinala.”
“We’ve been friends for years before we got into a relationship, I know his friends.”
“Okay, continue.”
“Buntis yung babae na ka-“
“Ah, baka naman, tita nya, ikaw naman talaga, sinasa-“
“Tanga, patapusin mo kasi ako.” Tumango tango lang sya, at nanngalumbaba sa harap ko, kaya inirapan ko sya.
“Okay, sakit mo magsalita ah, continue.”
“Marami na nagsabi sakin na niloloko nya ko, pero hindi ako naniwala, because I have nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be bothered, pero, tangina? Nakita ko mismo? Naghalikan pa sa harap ko? Buntis? Malaki tyan? So how long have he been cheating on me? Seriously?”
“Ay tangina? Eh ano ginawa mo? Sinabunutan mo? Sinuntok mo boypren mo?” para syang nanunuod ng movie at nasa climax na.
”Hindi! Syempre nagulat ako! Tsaka buntis yon! Paano kung may mangyari sa bata? Sige nga? Edi ako pa nalagot don?”
Tinignan nya ko mula ulo hanggang talampakan, “Sabagay, mukha kang harmful.”
I looked at him with disbelief, “Putangina?”
Tumawa nanaman sya, “Oh dali siz, ano pa chika?”
TANGINA, mamamatay ako sa lalaki na to, daming alam!
One month after our wedding, I still couldn’t shake off the awkwardness that lingered between us. We followed the rules we set—business as usual. But there were moments, like when he’d bring me my coffee in the morning or when we’d share a quiet dinner, that I’d find myself wondering if there was more to this fake marriage than I’d originally thought.It was a Saturday afternoon when Lexus casually mentioned it. “Astrea,” he said, glancing up from his phone while I was sorting out some papers. “How about a proper date? You know, as a married couple.” His tone was light, but there was something about it that caught my attention.“A date?” I asked, pausing for a moment. “Are you serious?” It was one of those things I didn’t expect him to say. Our marriage was meant to be temporary, a mere formality, but here he was, suggesting a night out as though we were actually in a real relationship.He chuckled, seeing my reaction. “Yes, I’m serious. It’s been a month. We’ve been married for a whi
Dalawang buwan pa lang kaming kasal ni Lexus, at sa mga oras na iyon, maayos na ang takbo ng buhay namin. Ang kasunduan namin na magpanggap na mag-asawa ay hindi naging komplikado; we kept it simple. We stuck to the terms, walang masyadong drama, at ang mga tao sa paligid namin ay hindi talaga nakahalata na hindi kami ganoon ka-close.We went about our daily lives, doing things that married couples do, pero ang lahat ng iyon was just for show. We’d talk, share meals, and help each other when needed—pero deep down, alam ko na hindi ito yung klase ng relasyon na gusto ko.Pero it wasn’t so bad. Sa ilang pagkakataon, Lexus would step up and be there for me when I needed him the most. Parang ganun na lang kami—nagmumukhang mag-asawa, pero hindi kami ganun ka-intimate.One of the biggest milestones for me came when graduation day arrived. Laking tuwa ko nang makita siya, nakasuot ng simpleng outfit, ready to support me.“Hindi mo na ako kailangan gawing best dressed, Astrea, okay lang. Bas
The crowd’s cheers still echoed in my ears as I stood backstage, the weight of the performance slowly lifting from my shoulders. My final competition was over, and with it, one of the last hurdles before graduation. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, replaced by a strange mix of relief and emptiness.The backstage area was bustling with energy—other performers hugging, laughing, and snapping selfies. My classmates surrounded me, showering me with congratulations and kind words.“Ang sassy naman, Sis!” Clara, my teammate, exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels. “That final pirouette was flawless!”I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me despite my fatigue. “Thanks, Klang. Ang galing mo din dun kanina.”As the group buzzed around me, my eyes scanned the edges of the room. I told myself it was just a habit, looking for familiar faces, even though I knew exactly who I was hoping to see.And yet, he wasn’t supposed to be here. Lexus had made it clear he wouldn’t come.Pus
“Morning, Sunshine,” he teased, grabbing an apple from the counter, “Mukhang pangit gising natin teh, ah?”I sat at the dining table, the untouched cup of coffee in front of me slowly growing cold. My mind swirled with anticipation and nerves, the weight of the upcoming competition pressing against my chest. I needed to tell him.“Do you ever take anything seriously?” I asked, watching Lexus stroll into the kitchen like he didn’t have a care in the world.Lexus strolled into the room, a towel draped around his neck, his damp hair tousled from a shower. His usual easygoing demeanor felt both comforting and infuriating as I tried to muster the courage to bring up the topic.“Sure,” he said, biting into an apple with an exaggerated crunch. “Breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day, nakakapangit ang pagpapalipas nang gutom,”I rolled my eyes, setting my coffee mug down with a little more force than necessary. “I’m serious, Lex. Can you stop joking for two seconds?”He leaned aga
Hannah lingered near the doorway, her initial shock giving way to a more composed demeanor. She pulled out her phone and scrolled for a moment before glancing at Lexus.“I came to discuss the updates on the upcoming photoshoot,” she said, her tone professional now, though her eyes still darted toward me occasionally. “There’ve been some changes to the campaign, and I need your input.”Lexus nodded, leaning casually against the door frame. “Ah ganon ba, we can talk. Sa office na lang tayo siguro.”I busied myself with clearing the plates, silently retreating to the kitchen. As their voices faded into the hallway, I focused on scrubbing the dishes, each clink of the plates against the sink filling the silence. My chest felt tight, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.Hannah’s presence wasn’t unexpected—Lexus had told me he worked with all kinds of people—but the way she had looked at me… like I was an anomaly. It stung more than I cared to admit.Once the dishes were done, I wiped down the c
The sound of rain tapping against the windows set the tone for another quiet evening. I had my laptop open on the kitchen counter, trying to finish an essay that was due in less than 12 hours. My focus was razor-sharp until I heard a guitar chord strum from the living room.It started soft, almost pleasant, but it quickly turned into a cacophony of random notes. I sighed, closing my eyes to keep from snapping.“Lexus,” I called out without looking up. “Could you maybe not do that right now?”“Ang alin ba?” His voice floated in, dripping with faux innocence.“Turn the living room into a bad open mic night.”“Wow,” he said, suddenly standing in the doorway, guitar slung across his shoulder like a modern bard. “Ang lakas mo yata mag joke ngayon, teh.”I glared at him. “I’m serious. I need to finish this.”“Lagi ka naman talaga seryoso sa buhay mo,” he quipped, walking into the kitchen and plucking a grape from the fruit bowl. “Ever heard of a work-life balance?”“Says the guy who edited