Nakatanaw ako sa dagat ng mga tao. I saw Janice sashaying her way towards the path where the emcee is talking. Puno ng mga bulaklak ang daanan. I can’t believe, Janice, a relative of mine is on her sweet sixteen birthday, noong una’y karga-karga ko lang, ngayon ay dalagang-dalaga na. She’d grown to be a respectful lady. Pinong-pino ang galaw niya at halos hindi makabasag ng pinggan ang mukha kung tingnan. I smiled as I continued drinking the wine that was given to me. Tiningnan ko ang cellphone ko kung meron bang text si Cevier at tama nga ako. There’s 20 unread messages. I wasn’t able to inform him because they invited me at the last minute when I was about to go home. Cevier: Where are you? I’m here outside your office? It’s locked. Is everything good? Sunod-sunod kong binasa ang mga text niya. This brute keeps texting me until now. Cevier: Baby, It’s been an hour, where is my reply? Are you mad? Pinaghahanap ka na ng security team ko. Me: Don’t worry, I’m alright. So

Nakatulala ako ngayon sa salamin. Namamaga ang mga mata, siguro dahil sa walang tigil na pag-iyak ko. Patuloy pa rin ang pag patak ng mga luha ko sa sink na hinahawakan. Sometimes, I always wonder why I’m always told upon ruling a massive empire at such a young age. I am grateful for everything that I have...more than thankful, even for the little things because that’s how the above expects us to do. To be thankful that he gave us the blessings...trust me, I’m thankful for it. Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng Daddy iyon. I remember the time that I was visiting the field, where the construction workers do their labor every day, I recalled that I was young. He slowly guided me and pointed at the project that our company is building. It was one of the Montebella’s project, the MHI. “You see that, Darya? Ikaw ang magmamana ng lahat ng iyan.” I pouted and shook my head. “I don’t want it.” He sighed. “Baby, I will give this to you. Ikaw ang gusto kong pagbigyan ng lahat ng mga ari-arian namin

“Okay…I’ll give you space. I love you.” Inabala ko ang sarili ko sa paglaro ng aking mga kamay. He sighed painfully. Tulala akong nakatingin muli sa kaniya at tahimik na hinintay na tapusin niya at patayin ang tawag. Pero hindi niya ginawa iyon. Kaya ako na ang nag end ng call namin. Kahit anong iyak ko, hindi pa rin nawawala ang sakit. Pagkagising ko ay agad kong nakita ang pamamaga ng aking mga mata. My voice is raspy too. Gusto ko mang mahiga buong araw ay hindi ko magawa dahil may kailangan pa akong aralin. Nakasandal si Anje sa aking balikat habang ako ay umiinom ng milktea, tulala dahil sa dami ng exam na ni-take naming ngayong araw. “Sa tingin mo, Darya, papasa ba tayo?” Tanong niya. I glanced at her. Times like this I know that she needs comfort. Even though she’s calm right now, I know her mind is in chaos. She’s really quiet these days. At alam na alam ko na may problema siya. “Kung nag-aral ka. Ang hirap naman kung sasabihin kong ‘oo’ pero hindi ka naman pala nag-aral

"This is all your fault!" Napapikit ako nang naramdaman ang hapdi sa aking pisngi. I touched my cheek as tears fall down my cheeks. I looked at her like I was questioning my worth.Tinuro ako ni Mama. She is crying, her face is red, and she's also breathing heavily. "How can you be so selfish! Alam mong nababaon na tayo sa utang! Pero ano ang ginawa mo?! You broke the engagement!"I stared at my dearest mother, wide-eyed. Growing up, I looked up to her. Pero ngayon, I hate how she is. How she chose to raise me with tough love instead of gentle parenting.I hated how she made me feel so little. Na kahit sa isang bagay na dapat talaga ako ang magdedesiyon, ay hindi ko magawa!"Ma! Am I really that selfish to refuse the engagement? I have the right to! He cheated on me—""Pero malulugmok tayo sa kahirapan! Hindi ka ba nag-iisip?!"I stared at her helplessly."And instead of making a solution, you're going to sacrifice me?! Ma! I am your daughter! I am not your sacrificial lamb!"Isang

“Cevier Montebella is spotted with the heiress, Gladyss Fererro kissing in the corridor of the high-end club in Taguig. Is this a sign of reconciliation between old lovers?”I saw the article pop-up. Pinindot ko iyon. I can almost hear my heartbeat. Pumikit ako ng mariin nang makita ang larawan na naroon sa article. Si Cevier na naka suot ng isang itim na suit, kissing Gladyss. He was wearing the tie I gave him while kissing his ex-fiancee. I couldn't believe it. But it wasn’t a surprise.Pumatak ang butil ng luha ko sa aking cellphone. He never failed to disappoint me. Hindi nalang sana ako naniwala na maaayos pa ito. “Naku, girl. Huwag kang umiyak masisira ang make up mo.” The make-up artist said.“Huy, Evan. Tulungan mo nga ako dito sa hair niya,”Tumayo si Evan galing sa sofa upang tulungan ang make-up artist. Tahimik akong nag-sccroll sa aking cellphone at nakitang may mga bagong articles na na release sa websites. “Excited nang matali si, Darya.” Biro ni Evan.That one articl