KABANATA 20

SERENE SALUSTIANagising na lang ako na nasa ospital, napaliligiran ako nina Killian, Maurice, at Drius. Napalunok ako at nagtatakang tumingin sa kanila. Pinilit kong bumangon, agad naman akong inalalayan ni Killian. "Serene... are you still feeling unwell?" tila nag-aalalang tanong ni Maurice."I think I'm okay..." I touched my temple. I feel a little dizzy. The doctor entered the room. She smiled at me then looked at her folder. Agad namang napatayo si Maurice na nasa tabi ko. "Doc, what's wrong? Why did she suddenly collapse? May sakit ba siya? Mamamatay na ba ang kaibigan namin?" tanong ni Maurice, bakas man ang pag-aalala sa boses nito, hindi napigilan ni Drius na pitikin ito sa noo."What the heck are you saying, Woman? Mamamatay agad?" saad nito habang nakatingin ng masama kay Maurice."Oh, no. Don't worry, Ma'am, Sir. Wala po siyang sakit. Pero dapat po iwas muna sa stress ang pasyente dahil makaka-apekto 'yon sa pagbubuntis niya."Lahat kami ay natigilan sa sinabi ng dokto

KABANATA 21

A/N : Sorry if ngayon lang nakapag UD. Sumuko saglit si phone hehe :) TYSM sa mga readers and followers. Lovelots 🫶🏻ALASTAIR SAGEHindi ko maiwasan isipin kung bakit sa aming dalawa pa ni Serene nangyayari ito.Hindi ba talaga kami para sa isa't isa? Bakit ganun? I love her so much, so much that its killing me..Natigilan ako sa pag iisip nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I looked at the screen and saw Zach's name. I wonder what he wants. I took a deep breath before answering the call."What do you want?," walang ganang tanong ko rito."Uncle, you have to get here as fast as you can." sabi niya na tila para bang kinakabahan."Ano nanaman ba 'to, Zach? I'm tired of your bullshits and just so you know, I have a flight to catch. So bye—" ibababa ko na sana ang tawag ngunit natigilan ako sa sinabi niya."You fucking crazy uncle, you're fucking unbelievable!" sigaw ni Zach. "Sige, wag kang pumunta rito sa bahay ni Serene para hindi mo na siya maabutan pati na rin ang anak niyo na ipinag-bu

KABANATA 22

ALASTAIR SAGE"Where is she, Zach?" humahangos kong tanong kay Zach pagkarating ko sa bahay ni Serene."She's gone. Umalis na siya kanina pa. I told you to get your ass here as soon as you can pero wala. Napaka bagal mo.. Hindi lang isa ang nawala sayo, Dalawa..." galit na asik nito..Bago pa man din ako makapag salita ay may sinabi siya na lubos na nakapag pagulat sa akin."By the way, You and your ex-girlfriend have a child together. Yun nalang siguro ang buoin mo.. Look, Uncle, Your ex-girlfriend hurt her. Saying awful things to Serene. Please, Uncle, for Serene and your baby's sake. Ayusin mo muna ang gusot mo. Let Serene breathe. Sinaktan ko siya, please don't do the same thing." naluluhang wika nito bago sumakay sa kotse niya at umalis.I have a kid, with Xyla? Fuck.Akmang sasakay na sana ulit ako sa kotse ko para umuwi at ipahanap si Serene nang makita ko ang kaibigan niya. Agad ko naman itong nilapitan.."Camille, please tell me where is she. I'm begging you. I can't live wit

KABANATA 23

SERENE SALUSTIAI felt a presence coming near me. When I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful woman walking towards me.Unlike me, the woman was wearing her footwear and she had a beautiful smile on her lips when our eyes met."Hi."I just greeted the woman back shyly. "Hello,""Are you a guest here too?" Tinuro nito ang resort na hindi kalayuan.Kaagad naman akong umiling. "No. Just walking around.""Oh, I thought you are." Tumigil ang babae sa tabi ko saka umupo din ito katulad ko sa buhangin. "Mind if I sit here?""No. Go ahead.""You looked really peaceful earlier that I couldn't help coming here," anang babae. "But now, you looked sad. I'm sorry for invading your space."Mabilis naman akong umiling. "No. I don't mind. Ayos lang talaga, miss."Bumuntong-hininga ang babae saka tumingin sa karagatan na nagniningning sa ilalim ng araw. "The weather is so nice today. Very peaceful."I remained silent because I really didn't know what to say, really. Especially when the woman started talk

KABANATA 24

ALASTAIR SAGEHearing nothing but silence, I felt and realized how much I missed Serene. How much I wanted to see her again. To hug her. Kissed her. To feel her warmth. To see her smile.Pulling my phone from my pocket, I opened the photos and looked for Serene's pictures.My fingers stopped sliding on my phone's screen when I found a photo of her, sitting on the sofa and watching something on her phone.It was a candid photo."Serene..." My face softened as I stared at her photo, "I missed you, baby."I closed my eyes and a lone tear slid from the corner of my eyes because of the frustration I was feeling. So what if I missed her? She doesn't want me anymore.May boyfriend na ito.Would she leave her boyfriend for me? Would she do that?Serene— Serene Salustia.I gritted my teeth.What I wouldn't give to change that to Serene Sage.SERENE SALUSTIAI was grateful to Yllana. My days went smoothly because of her. Halos malimutan ko na pansamantala ang mga problema ko dahil panay ang aya

KABANATA 25

ALASTAIR SAGE I was about to sleep after drinking a couple of bottles of beer when my fucking phone rang. It was my step sister. Massaging my aching temple, I answered the call. "Ylla, zup?..." Yllana groaned on the other line when she heard my gruff voice. "'Bro, you okay?" "... Just drank some liquor." I groaned as I got up, "Need something, sis?" "Alas, can you tell me how to make chili ice cream?" "chili ice cream?" I frowned. "Hindi ba ayaw mo sa chili, Yllana?" "Um, it's a gift." "A homemade chili ice cream?" "Yes." I was still frowning. "Seriously?" "Of course." I massaged my head. "Sis, may I remind you that you suck at cooking?" Natahimik si Yllana bago nagsalita. "But it's important. It's a gift. Please, brother?" Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako. "Don't bother making it. I will do it, then I'll send it to you early in the morning. How's that sound?" "Really?!" Yllana had a wide happy smiled. "Se— I mean, she'll love it! Thank you so much, bro."