CHAPTER FORTY   Kumawala ako sa pagkakahawak niya sa akin pero hindi niya ako hinayaan. Mas lalong dumiin ang pagkakapit ni Manang sa braso ko. For sure, namumula na iyon. “This is a form of harassment, Manang! Pwede ko kayong kasuhan, nasasaktan ako!”   “Masasaktan ka talaga kapag hindi ka umamin sa akin.” giit niya.   “Ano bang gusto mong aminin ko?” inis kong tanong. Napipikon na ako at nawawalan ng pasensya.   Tiningnan niya akong mabuti. “Pinilit ka ba ni Sky? Ni-rape ka ba niya, Reign? Sinamantala ba niya ang kahinaan mo?”   Napanganga ako sa turan niya. My jaw dropped. How? How can she know? Hindi ba dapat tanong niya kung nakipa-sex ako sa gagong ex-boyfriend ko? Mas lalong gusto kong maiyak sa takot. Naguguluhan ako. Hindi niya dapat malaman.  

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO (SPG)   I blew a loud breath and rolled my eyes. “Do I have yo explain it to you? Really?” Hindi nawala ang pagkakunot ng noo niya. “Fine. It’s what you did to me. That’s the example. You fucked me until dawn then, you ran away. You didn’t honor the request in return for that fuck.”   Mas lalong nangunot ang noo niya. Bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin ng konti at humalukipkip. “What are you talking about? I invested in your Dad’s company and I bought half of the shares. I couldn’t buy it fully, a nuisance bought the other half for your sister.” saad niya. “I used a different name. Is there a problem? Do you want me to buy all the shares?” seryoso niyang tanong. “Just tell me, I’ll do it for you, babe.”   It’s my time to get confused at what he said. “I thought… you didn’t.” I whispered. Napailing ako. Well, hindi ko iyon nilinaw. I just assumed he bought it all for Rainbow. Hindi ko tinanon

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR   Most of us, we chase for a fairytale. We need saving from a prince charming when we are drowning of our own misery. Kagaya ng mga nabasa natin sa libro at napanood sa movies. I stopped watching and reading such schemes. Then, we get burned and shattered by our own hopes and by unworthy people. Reality slaps hard. Fairytale does not exist.   Pakiramdam ko noon may kulang sa akin. I know, I should not feel that way. Physically, I am a goddess. I am living a comfortable life. I have everything every person would want aside from one thing --- my father’s love. I always wanted to get his affection but I never succeeded.   When I was a teen, I only loved one boy. His name is Stephen, but I always call him Sky. At kung gaano kalawak ang sky, gannon din ang pangarap ko para sa aming dalawa. Nahanap ko iyong pagmamahal na hindi ko magawang makita sa sarili kong ama. He became my world. I thou

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX   I stared at him for a minute. Well, he looked sick. Worse than his first time. Maraming nakakabit na apparatus sa kanya. Parang pinupunit ang puso ko, alam kong kasalanan ko.   I just stood there about to cry. Then, he gave me his warmest smile. It indicates a new possible meaning. Mabilis akong lumapit sa tabi ng bed niya. “Akala ko hindi mo na ako dadalawin.”   “Dad,” I called him, my voice became raspy. “I’m sorry,” I said, my tears welled up. Hindi na ako nahiya, I cried in front of him.   He looked at me and shook his head. “No, anak. I’m sorry. I should be the one saying sorry.” He tried to wipe my tears.   Napalitan nang lungkot ang ngiti niya. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I forced you to be like that. I’m sorry you felt abandoned. I’m sorry that I was too coward to show my affection towards you, because I was scared that you would leave

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT   Natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa bathroom pagkatapos kong kumain. Manang bought pregnancy test kits and she wanted me to try them. Sabi sa instruction, two lines indicates pregnancy. I peed on several test kits. I called Manang when I am done.   Inalalayan niya akong bumalik sa kama. Siya ang nagdala ng PTs na ginamit ko. I just looked at her. “Anong nakalagay?” I asked, I am being anxious every passing second. Parang hindi ko makakayanan ang magiging sagot niya sa akin.   “Reign,” tono pa lang niya, I know it is going to be a bad news. Parang mayroong bumara sa lalamunan ko. Napailing ako. “Reign, anak…”   She went to hug me. Hindi ko siya hinayaan. “Tell me, Manang. Please…” I hate it when I feel the numb feeling. It suffocates me.   Ipinakita niya sa akin ang ilang P