Chapter 11Away"Ayaw niyang ibigay sa 'kin si Izen," hagulgol ko habang abala si Roxanne sa pagbunot ng tissue.She breathed a sigh. Mukhang nahawa na siya sa pagiging malungkot at worn out kagaya ko. Earlier when I was having the most intense weeping of my life, Manang was very lucky to tell me that she has a phone with her. Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa. I dialed my best friend's number.Walang pagdadalawang-isip niya naman akong pinuntahan. Hindi pa ako makapagsalita noong sinundo niya ako. I just told Manang to look after my son. I know he's gonna be safe with Ivan but who knows he might take him away.Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang gagawin ko kung magkakaganoon. Ang alam ko lang, kailangan ko siyang balikan at makuha ulit dahil hindi ko kakayanin kung pati siya, mawawala sa 'kin."Ano pa bang aasahan mo sa tarantadong 'yon?! Once an eng-eng, always an eng-eng! Ang kapal ng mukha niyang gag* siya!" gigil na aniya.Tinulungan ako ni Roxanne sa pagtuyo sa aking sarili. I cannot

Chapter 13LossIvan requested to have our family doctor called instead. Ginusto kong dalahin siya sa ospital pero iyon ang mahigpit niyang ibinilin sa ilang sandali bago siya panawan ng malay. Alalang-alala ako sa kaniya. Ginagamot siya ni Dr. Agoncillo habang naghihintay ako sa kanila sa sofa.Pumasok si Manang Lisa at si Marilyn na may dalang tubig at pagkain para sa akin. That's when I remembered that my clothes were stained with blood. Muling namuo ang mga luha sa aking mga mata. He was stabbed and bleeding. Hindi ko makalimutan ang pamumutla niya kanina.I accepted the glass of water and my pile of clothes. Nahihirapan akong sumimsim ng tubig dahil sa maliliit na hikbi. Hinagod ni Manang ang aking likod."Magiging maayos din ang lahat," she assured."Magpapasama na lang din po ako sa driver para masundo si Ice, Ate." Si Marilyn.Tumango na lang ako. Nilapag ko ang baso sa gilid. It was a good day, at least, because Ice was apparently out of the house. Hindi niya narinig ang nangy

Chapter 15HappinessSa inakala ko makakapagpahinga na ako pagkatapos sa presinto pero hindi. On our way home, I felt sick. Mas naramdaman ko iyon nang bisitahin ko si Ice sa kuwarto at malakas ang buga ng air-con.We were sitting side by side. Kinamusta ko siya at binasahan na rin ng paborito niyang comic book dahil patulog na rin naman. Naibsan kahit kaunti ang sama ng pakiramdam ko dahil sa wakas, kasama ko na rin ang anak ko."You were like arguing last night. But you told me that... humans aren't perfect so they can disagree with some things because of their differences. I didn't understand what happened but I'm okay now, Mama. I know you're worried," nguso ni Ice at inabot ang kamay ko.Halos hindi ako makangiti nang maayos dahil sa nararamdamang ginaw. Instead of enduring it, I sought heat by hugging Ice. Napapikit ako."You don't need to understand, Ice. You're still young. It's an... issue between adults. Between Mama and Papa. And you did a great job, baby. I hope you don't

Chapter 17 Story "Ivan is really a good help. I'm half relieved now. I just want your brother to be released. Sana'y aprubahan ang bail n'ya," Mommy stated over the phone. I just woke up from a tiring sleep when I received a call from her. Hindi ko alam. Imbis na makapagpahinga ako nang maayos, napuyat lang ako dahil sobrang lala ng ubo ko. "Tiwala lang po..." namamaos kong sinabi. "You sound sick. Are you okay? Don't make me worried even more, anak..." Naubo ako nang kaunti. "Uh... H-Hindi po. I caught some cold but I'll be fine." "You sure? I can go there. I will cook your favorite soup." "No need, 'Ma. Mas kailangan ka po ni Kuya. I can take good care of myself po. Don't worry, I'm old enough now..." She chuckled lowly. "I nearly forgot. You're still my baby girl for me, though." Tumakas sa akin ang isang tipid na ngiti. Bumuntonghininga ako at tumingala. Hinang-hina ako. I open my eyes whenever I feel my cough intensifies and I don't see Ivan beside me. I admit, umasa a

Chapter 19 Confusion Mukhang hindi nga yata ako — kami makakatulog. Quickly, he rose from his laying position. His brows pulled together quickly. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Why did he suddenly pay attention to it when I expect him to sleep soundly right after hearing me say those? I expected to get a cold shoulder from him again tutal, ang alam ko... wala siyang pakialam sa kahit ano tungkol sa kasal na 'to. "K-Kung gusto mo, ako ang kukuha ng abogado. I will... initiate the filing of annulment myself," I bargained hoarsely. "Are you out of your mind?" he asked coldly. Marahas akong napabaling sa kaniya. Ramdam ko ang umuusok niyang galit. His face contorted in irritation. Halos hindi ko siya malingon ulit. "Why are you staying here, then? You came back. Now you're telling me that you'll file an annulment?" his voice was dangerous. Wala akong maitugon sa sarkasmo niya. Fine, it's my issue. Hindi ko siya maiwanan sa ganoong lagay dahil sobra akong nag-alala. I knew I'd suffer the