I wake up to the feeling of coldness coating my skin, body. I could barely move, forcing myself to fully awake before I managed to open my eyes.I notice the thick blankets covering me and Shan beside me before I notice touch on my upper waist, hugging my skin tightly. My forehead creased, lifting myself as I attempted to turn my head around. I struggle until the weight lightens, and I finally manage to take a look to find Brent.I ignored the disappointment in my chest, and turned to him before resting my body on the bed once again. I started to take deeper breaths out of exhaustion from the effort, looking directly at his face. My stomach fluttered when he opened his eyes.His gaze immediately met mine, causing a bigger smile to appear on his tired face. He blinks slowly before letting out a soft sigh. "Good morning.""You said be home until next week?" A hoarse voice escapes my lips, and he chuckles."Surprise?" he said, softly laughing. "Uhm, Papa asked a favour if I could focus o

"He's a Luciano…?"At that moment, I felt helpless. Fear immediately invaded my mind, and I wasn't able to answer him immediately. He stared at me for a long minute before snapping me out of my thoughts."Please tell me the truth—""Cousin."His eyebrows rose. "Hm?"I looked back at him directly into the eyes. "He's a cousin."His face loosened up before he slowly nodded his head. "Binalitaan ka ba niya kung kumusta na ang kaniyang pinsan?"I slowly suck a part of my inner lip. My chest is pounding like crazy and I felt my hands are beginning to sweat. Napalunok na lang ako bago huminga ng malalim. "He… is dead."Brent didn't manage to ask another question when Shan suddenly cane out of nowhere, holding three packed ice cream cones.He didn't bring it up after, and we just continued on with life. Three days later, umalis na naman kami. Hindi para magbakasyon, kundi para bumisita. Matagal na rin nong huli kong pagbisita sa kanila."Mommy…"I turned to Shan as I placed the tote bag on

Dali akong napalingon sa likod at nakita ang isa sa mga babaeng kasama namin kanina sa conference room. I rose my eyebrows and pressed my lips together. "Erm, is that your car?" she asked. I take a quick glance at the slots before nodding. "Hala! I'm so sorry… Nagmadali kasi ako kanina, I'll ano na lang po!"And she did as she said. Hindi kami nagtagal doon at kaagad naman niyang nilabas ang sasakyan, at habang nag ba-backing ay napansin kong nagsimula na ring umalis si Christion. He drives his car out of the slot at dumeretso sa exit.I didn't make it a big deal and drove to Jollibee immediately."Mommy! I have surprise!" bungad sa akin ni Shan nang makapasok ako ng Bnb. Kaagad ko namang kinunot ang noo habang hindi mapigilan ang malaking ngiti sa labi."What is it? Ito na Jollibee mo, oh." I handed him the cellophane and he quickly received it before rushing to the counter. "Anong surprise?"I take off my shoes as I place my bag on the counter before wandering my eyes around the pl

"Kukuha rin po kayo ng eco-bag, Ma'am?"Inangat ko ang ulo sa cashier at umiling. "Ah, ito po." I turned to my cart, to my bag at kinuha 'yong mga tote bag na dinala namin. I place the bags on the counter at kaagad naman kinuha ng nagba-baggage. "Eight thousand seven hundred po lang lahat, may perks card po kayo?" the cashier asked, and I nodded. Binigay ko na ang card kasabay ng pera bago nagpatuloy palabas ng cashier at nagsimula na ang lalaki sa paglalagay ng mga pinamili namin.Pagkatapos kong mag check out ay kaagad kong hinarap si Brent na nakatayo sa waiting area. He immediately understood my gaze and walked towards me to take the cart before we started walking out."Sa'n tayo next?" I asked, keeping up with his pace. Brent looked down to me and shrugged his shoulders."Anong oras na ba?" he asked, and lifted his wrist, facing his watch to him. "Gagi, ten pa? Gusto mong kumain?"I nodded. "Sige. Drive thru tayo?" "May nakita akong post no'ng nakaraan, bagong restaurant daw di

Paggising ko ay nakita kong gising na si Shan, nakadilat ang mga mata habang diretso sa 'kin ang tingin. He lays down on his side with Brent behind him, still asleep.I turned around and reached for a my phone, at nang pagbukas ko no'n ay 8AM na. Ilang saglit pa akong nanatili sa kama bago tumayo na, at sumunod naman sa 'kin si Shan. Pagbaba namin ay dumeretso siya sa couch at doon humiga habang nasa kabilang couch si Niana, tulog pa rin.Nagpatuloy ako patungo sa kusina at naginit kaagad ng tubig, at nang marinig ako ni Shan ay tinawag niya ako. "Milo!"Hindi ko na siya sinagot at binuksan ang cupboard para kumuha ng Milo. Hindi naman nagtagal at nagising na rin si Niana nang nagsimula na akong magluto ng ulam, maybe because of the sizzling sound of the egg when it landed on the hot oil. "Shan, toothbrush na," Niana said, standing in front of Shan, yawning. The kid groaned, not wanting to move, causing Niana to have to bribe him until they began walking to the bathroom as I began