Raindrop's Tears

Master🥀

Published: 2022

Source: https://www.wattpad.com
Sandejas Legacy #6: Raindrop's Tears
 
Note: You can read this story as STAND-ALONE but for
BETTER reading experience, you can check the pinned book
in my profile entitled "Book Updates (Story Guide!
Check Here!) >> Book Guide for New Readers" for the
chronological order. You can still read this book in any order
if you like, just beware of some spoilers. Thank you! Enjoy!
--
Hi, Dear Reader!
Thank you for dropping by! Hope you could read these
first before proceeding to the story.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses,
songs, places, events, ideas and incidents are either product
of the author's imagination or used in fictitious manner. Any
resemblance to actual person, living or dead or actual
events are purely coincidental.
I do not own the photo used for the book cover. All credits
to the owners.
All Rights Reserved © heartlessnostalgia (Chennie Ann
Cerro)
Reminders:
-Stories are rated MATURED. Contains vulgar words and
explicit contents not suitable for young audiences.
-Some scenes/ideas were inspired in real life scenarios,
actual events, memes, social media posts, recent and timely
issues/topics and other books read by the author.
-Stories (mostly the old ones) may contain insensitive
jokes, verbal insults/abuse and misogynistic remarks that
readers may find disturbing. My apologies for this, the
stories (usually the old ones) were written years ago
wherein the author wasn't knowledgeable enough. However,
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-The stories will be edited once the author will have some
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-Stories are usually under romantic-comedy (for the
romance ones) and it may contain dry humor that others
may not find amusing. There are what they called Gen-Z
jokes and if you're not into this, kindly drop the story.
-READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. You've been warned.
Thank you for reaching this far! If the story wasn't your
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All Rights Reserved © 2021
--
Sandejas Legacy Series #6: Raindrop's Tears
"Sandejas Legacy continues..."
"Life happens when you are busy making other plans.
That it isn't about waiting for the storm to pass but to learn
how to slow dance with the rain."

Synopsis
 
Sandejas Legacy #4: Raindrop's Tears: Synopsis
How far would you go for your family? For Varsha Romana,
if it means having to live as her identical twin sister and
pose as mother to her twins and wife to Marcus Sandejas,
then so be it.
***

Varsha Romana, an abused OFW, finds herself back home

to the Philippines when she discovers that her identical twin,
Storm, left her husband and their kids. With no other choice,
Varsha assumes Storm's identity and poses as a mother to
twins Sunny and Sky and wife to Marcus Sandejas...who is
now blind. Varsha, as Storm, takes care of Marcus and their
kids, and though Marcus is doubtful his wife has finally
changed at first, she wins their hearts and trust back. Living
behind Storm's shadow, Varsha slowly falls in love with her
sister's husband...and finds herself in a twisted and wrong
affair. They say love conquers all, but when the truth comes
out, will love be enough for Marcus and their family to
forgive their switch?

DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.

COVER DESIGN: Louise De Ramos

--
"Sandejas Legacy continues..."

"Life happens when you are busy making other plans.

That it isn't about waiting for the storm to pass but to learn
how to slow dance with the rain."

 Varsha Romana dreamt of giving her family a good life—

working as an Overseas Filipino Worker, she endured
hardships, did every possible job so she could survive. She
was selfless, dedicating herself to her family kaya nang
nabalitaan niyang nag-rebelde ang kakambal at lumayas ay
kaagad siyang naalarma. She heard her sister's husband got
into an accident and lost his sight, she abandoned her own
children and that's when she decided to go home.
She might've not witnessed her niece and nephew
growing up personally, but just by hearing stories made her
fond of them and knowing the kids were abandoned—she
got no choice but to meddle. She posed as her sister,
pretended to be the children's mother and the famous
Marcus Aristaeus Sandejas' wife.
How long her love and devotion to her sister's family
would last? Sabi niya'y habang hindi tumitigil sa pagbuhos
ang ulan ay patuloy pa rin siyang magmamahal. Would her
love for them enough to heal the wounds her sister caused?
What if the tears she's been hiding behind the raindrops
falling showed up as the rain stops?
Simula
 
Simula
"Hey, beautiful. Could you please help me scratch my
back?" I stopped from sweeping the floor, glancing towards
the old man sitting on the couch and watching television.
I just stared at him, refusing to come because of that
pervert smile he was giving me.
"Come on, baby girl." He tapped the sofa. "Give your old
man a scratch, I can't reach my back."
Gulping, I gave him an awkward nod. Inilapag ko ang walis
sa gilid at inayos ang uniporme, marahang lumapit sa
kanyang pwesto at nakita ang pagsunod niya ng tingin
habang naglalakad ako.
I went to his back and lowered my body so I could help
him scratch his back, when I heard him make a lusty moan.
"Oh, more, Varsha!" I shivered when he suddenly did that.
I immediately withdrew my hand but he caught it, pulling it
back to his back. "Why stop?"
"Sir..." I called calmly. "It would be inappropriate-"
"Inappropriate?" he scoffed, laughing. "It is your job to
take care of me, woman!"
"Yes, sir." I nodded. "I know it's my job to take care of you-
"
"Then, why are you refusing?! What is that attitude?!" he
scoffed back.
"I am refusing to be harassed, sir," I explained formally,
doing my best to keep my respect for him as an employer.
"It is my job to look after you but it doesn't mean you have
the right to harass me-"
 "Are you fighting with me?!" His sudden harsh and loud
voice made me stop. I blinked and looked at his eyes turning
dark and demonic.
I was nervous. My hands were trembling but I looked at
him intently and shook my head.
"No, sir," I said. "I was just telling you my right as an
employee in this house."
"How dare you?! I paid you!"
"Yes, you did," I answered, "but you never paid my dignity
as a person."
Matapang ko pa iyong sinabi, pinagmasdan ang galit na
namuo sa kanyang mukha at hindi ko inaasahan ang biglang
pag-angat ng kanyang palad at dapo nito sa aking pisngi.
Nabuwal ako sa lakas ng ginawa niya, tumama ang
balakang ko sa may pader kaya kumirot iyon. My cheek
stung. I knew I was going to have a mark after this.
"You are a bitch!" Dinuro pa niya ako. "I paid you so you'd
take care of me and now?!"
Masakit man ang katawan ay sinubukan kong tumayo at
ipaliwanag ang sarili.
"Sir-"
"Varsha, what the hell is happening?" Naiwan sa ere ang
boses ko nang makita ang pagpasok ng babae kong amo
kasama ang anak niya na kaagad na nagulat nang makita
akong gano'n kaya dali-dali kong inayos ang tayo.
"Ma'am-"
"She was harassing me here, Annie!" the pervert
exclaimed. "I was just asking her to help me scratch my
damn back!"
"Ma'am, I was just-"
She raised her hand, stopping me from speaking.
"Don't talk, woman. I am not asking for your opinion!" she
scoffed.
"But ma'am..." I trailed off. "I just wanted to-"
"No talking!" she hissed, "leave and clean the bathroom!
How dare you talk back to us?! You are just a maid here!
Don't act like you're too high because you aren't!"
Sumikip ang dibdib ko, gusto kong sumagot at ipaglabang
muli ang sarili ko pero nahuli ko ang tingin ng batang
inaalagaan ko. She was hiding behind her mom's back but
she was peeking at me, her eyes gentle and innocent.
In the end, I decided to just calm down. Kahit sila ay mali
at gusto kong ipaglaban ang sarili ay natanto kong walang
mangyayari kung ganito ako. Baka mas ipitin lang nila ang
passport ko at tuluyan na akong makauwi sa Pilipinas para
makita ang pamilya ko.
"I am sorry." Nagpakumbaba ako at tumungo, walang imik
na kinuha ang walis at tinapos ang ginagawa bago
nagtungo sa banyo para maglinis.
The bathroom was smelly but it wasn't new to me, I was
not disgusted anymore-thinking how long I had been
working here. Kalat-kalat ang mga sabon, maraming mga
damit na hindi nakahiwalay...kaya tahimik ko iyong ginawa.
Pagod at nanghihina.
I proceeded to clean the toilet bowl and wipe the mirrors
clean. I sorted clothes and folded them after cooking for the
family I was working with.
"Varsh, there is food left here! Clean this up, we separated
some for you!" sigaw ng amo kong babae sa labas ng
kwarto kaya tumitig ako roon panandalian.
Separated some for me, huh?
Nang mapakinggan kong wala na sila sa may kusina ay
roon na ako nagdesisyong lumabas para tingnan at maglinis
ng pinagkainan, pero 'yon na lang ang pag-iling ko nang
makita ang iniwan nilang pagkain para sa akin.
It was literally the head of the fish and nothing else, ang
naiwan na lang sa kanina ay tira-tira sa kinain nila sa
serving plate kaya bumuntonghininga ako.
It wasn't like I was expecting they'd spare me some food
but it was better than nothing, right? Nilinis ko ang mga
plato nila pagkatapos kong kainin ang tira at gutom na
gutom pa man rin ay hindi na ako nagreklamo.
 At least, may laman. Kaysa sa wala, 'di ba?
I was so tired when the night came and I was done with
my housework. Tumitig ako sa basag na maliit na salamin na
hawak at nilagyan ng langis ang sugat sa pisngi ko dahil sa
pagkakahagip ng kuko roon ni Sir Andrew, ang matandang
boss na binabantayan ko.
He wasn't sick, I was just tasked to look after him and the
house dahil wala rito si ma'am at may pasok sa school
naman ang anak nila.
I frowned when it stung. Namumula ang pisngi ko pero
tumango-tango na lang ako sa sarili at inisip na makakauwi
na rin ako. My lady boss promised me she'd give me back
my passport next month so I was doing my best to do good
here, but an emergency came from home and they needed
me.
"Varsh, anak..." Nanay's worried voice filled my ear.
"Nay, napatawag ka?" tanong ko. "Kumusta po? Ang
dialysis mo, ayos na ba? Pasensya na po kung nahuli ako sa
pagpadala sa 'yo ng pera pampa-ospital."
"Ayos lang, Varsha, ano ka ba, anak..." she sighed.
"Tumawag lang ako kasi gusto kong tanungin kung kailan ka
makakauwi?"
"Nagpa-follow up po ako sa boss ko, Nay, kung kailan niya
ibabalik ang passport ko pero wala pa po 'kong nakukuhang
sagot mula sa kanya," mahinang sabi ko at napailing. "Pero
tatanungin ko po ulit, bakit, Nay? May problema ba riyan?"
"Kasi nag-aalala ako sa kapatid mo," she said, startling
me.
"Bakit, Nay? Anong nangyari kay Storm? Ang mga bata?"
tuloy-tuloy kong tanong.
"Ayos naman ang mga pamangkin mo, anak," aniya, "pero
si Storm kasi ay ayaw na alagaan ang dalawa. Nakausap ko
ang asawa ng kapatid mo, si Marcus? Ayon at hinahanap
siya, hinahanap daw n'ong dalawa pero..."
"Bakit..." I heaved a loud sigh as worry started creeping
in. "I called her the last time, Nay. Humingi siya ng pera
para daw sa mga bata, sinabi niya sa aking ayos at kasama
niya ang dalawa kaya bakit ganito? Kailan pa siya hindi
umuuwi?"
"Matagal na, anak," aniya. "Ayaw ko lang sabihin sa 'yo
dahil ayaw kong nag-aalala ka at dagdag iisipin pero kasi
ang mga apo ko...ang mga pamangkin mo, naaawa na ako."
Nangilid ang luha ko habang iniisip ang mga bata. The last
time I saw the twins was way back when they were born
bukod sa mga litratong pinapadala ni Storm and that was it,
umalis ako kaagad para magtrabaho para sa dialysis ng
Nanay, para sa kapatid ko, at para sa kambal.
"Ayaw kitang istorbohin, anak. Nalulungkot ako't kailangan
mong magtrabaho sa ibang bansa para matulungan kami
pero mas gusto kong umuwi ka na. Ayos na rin naman itong
perang iniipon natin para sa dialysis ko."
"Nay..."
"Alam kong mahal mo ang pagtatrabaho riyan bilang tutor
pero sana, sana makauwi ka." She sighed. "Nag-aalala ako
sa kambal, kapag bumibisita ako sa mga Sandejas ay
umiiyak sila."
Mabilis kong hinawi ang luha ko nang matantong nahulog
iyon sa aking pisngi at binasa ang labi.
"Opo, Nay. Namimiss na rin kita at ang mga bata," bulong
ko. "Kakausapin ko lang po ulit ang amo ko tungkol sa
passport."
When the line was off, I felt so down. Ipinikit ko ang mata
nang mariin at hinawi ang mga luhang nahuhulog sa pisngi
bago tinipa ang numero ng kapatid sa telepono, pero wala
akong sagot na nakukuha sa kanya.
It was either turned off kaya sumusubok akong muli pero
pinapatayan naman niya ako ng tawag.
Noong dumating na ang babaeng boss ko at tapos ko
nang asikasuhin at pakainin si Tasha, ang batang babaeng
inaalagaan ko, ay tinawag ko ang atensyon ng boss ko na
umiinom ng kape roon sa may balkonahe ng kanilang
mansyon.
 "Hello, ma'am," I greeted in my gentlest voice. Her strict
and cold eyes looked at me coldly.
"What is it this time, Varsha?" she asked me, annoyed.
"Aren't you finish with your whims?"
"I'd just like to follow up...about my passport, ma'am,"
mahinang sinabi ko. "My family had an emergency and I
have to come home."
"Here we go again," she gasped. "How many times do I
have to tell you that I would give it to you when the right
time comes? You have a contract with us, Varsha!"
"I know, ma'am." I nodded. "I won't run away, I promise. I
just want to ask if it's possible I could have ahold of my
passport right now? I just have to fix some papers and go
home."
"No," she said harshly. "There is no way I would be giving
that to you! For all I know, you'd escape us-"
"I promise, I promise I won't!" I murmured and knelt in
front of her. I could hear her loud gasps but I was so
desperate I clasped her hand and held it tight. "Ma'am, I'm
begging you, please."
"Varsha-"
"M-my family needs me!" I said desperately, my tears
starting to falling down. "I-I swear, I swear I won't escape
you. I'll fulfill my contract, I-I just have to get ahold of my p-
passport."
"I said no!" she screamed but I kept on shaking my head.
"Ma'am, please...please..." I begged. "I'll do my best to
work here for the rest of my remaining days, I just needed
to-"
Nahulog ang panga ko at napaupo sa lapag sa gulat nang
maramdaman ko ang init sa braso ko at mabilis akong
napalayo at naiwas ang katawan nang matantong ibinuhos
niya sa akin ang kape niya.
"I said no," she hissed while looking at me sharply. "I will
not give you your passport." Tinapon niya sa gilid ko ang
mug kaya nabasag iyon pero 'di ko inalintana ang sakit.
 "M-ma'am-"
"One more word and I'll jail you, woman!" She pointed me
with her finger. "I'll tell them you stole something from me."
"I didn't!" iling ko. "Ma'am, I would never do that!"
"But they'll believe whatever I say. You're just a poor maid
from another country. No one would believe you." She
shrugged, a devilish smile on her lips. "Shut up and don't
say anything again or I'll let you rot in jail."
She still left me despite my begging. Nang mawala siya sa
paningin ko ay nanghihina akong napaupo sa lapag.
Sumisinghap at patuloy na nahuhulog ang luha, sapo-sapo
ang brasong napaso sa ginawa niya.
"G-gusto ko lang namang u-umuwi..." bulong ko at
napatungo, yakap ang sarili. "G-gusto ko nang u-umuwi..."
I didn't know how long I cried there in the middle of the
night. I was shaking in the cold, nag-aagaw na ang pula sa
aking balat dahil sa paso pero namamanhid na ako sa
pagod, gutom, at sakit.
I didn't even know how I ended up here. Kung hindi lang
para sa pamilya ko, hinding-hindi ako magtatrabaho rito. I
should be practicing the course I finished but here I was...an
OFW to an illegal employer.
I had scars from their abuse and harassment but I couldn't
talk to the police because they had my passport. Gustong-
gusto kong tumakas at lumayo pero naisip ko ang nanay
kong nag-da-dialysis sa sakit niya, ang kapatid ko...ang
kambal.
"Ate Varsh, are you okay?" When I heard that voice, I
immediately fixed myself.
Nang lumingon ako at nakita si Tasha na sumisilip sa may
terrace ay dali-dali kong hinawi ang luha ko at tumayo
pagkatapos ayusin ang uniporme.
"Tasha!" I called with a small smile on my lips. "W-what
are you doing here, baby?"
She walked closer to me, observing my face. I gave her
another small smile to show her I was alright but just by the
look of her face, I knew she wouldn't believe me.
"I'm sorry about Mommy, Ate Varsh," she said in a small
voice.
"O-oh, it's okay, baby," malambing kong turan, lumuluhod
pa sa harapan niya para pumantay ako sa mukha niya. "Ate
Varsh is fine, don't worry. Why are you still awake, baby? It's
late. You should be sleeping."
"I overheard what she told you, ate," she said and I sighed
and nodded.
"We're sorry you had to hear that," lambing ko at hinaplos
ang kanyang pisngi. "It's nothing, come on, I'll take you to
your room. You have an early class tomorrow."
"I'm not sleepy, ate. Can I stay in your room tonight? I
wanna give you something," malambing niyang sabi kaya
nakuryoso ako pero hinayaan siya.
Isinama ko siya sa kwarto ko. Para 'di makita ng bata ang
nangyari ay dali-dali akong nagbihis at nag-ayos ng sarili
bago siya balikan at nakitang nakatitig siya sa mga frame sa
gilid ng kama ko.
"Ate Varsha, is this your nephew and niece?" she inquired
while looking at the photos of the twins on the frame. I
gulped a little before answering.
"Yeah." I nodded, tumatabi sa kanya bago hawakan ang
frame. "This is Sunny and this is Sky."
They were still so young there.
"Are they in the Philippines?" she asked. I nodded. "Are
they the reason why you want to go home?"
"Tasha..." I called gently. "Yes but it's okay, I'm just gonna
talk to your mommy."
"Do you miss them?" she asked me, and the glint in her
eyes screamed innocence.
Bumalik ako sa picture at hinaplos ang picture doon at
napatango-tango, nangingilid na naman ang luha kaya
tumikhim ako.
"Y-yeah." I nodded. "I do. I miss them...a lot."
 "Do you love them, ate?" she asked again and I nodded.
Ibinaba ko ang frame bago akbayan si Tasha at haplusin ang
buhok niya.
"I do, Tasha. I miss them so much and they need me so I
want to go home," I murmured. "But going home does not
mean I'll abandon you, hmm? I know you'll still find a better
nanny than me."
She stared at me intently and nodded, smiling.
"Ate, have you eaten?" she suddenly asked kaya natigilan
ako. Gusto ko sanang um-oo sa kanya pero biglang tumunog
ang tiyan ko kaya natahimik ako.
"Sorry," tumikhim ako. "It's okay, baby. Ate has eaten-"
"Here!" I was shocked when she took something from her
pocket and showed me a Ziploc with two cookies inside.
"Tasha..." My heart softened. "Thank you but that's yours.
I'm okay-"
"No!" She shook her head happily. "I want you to take this,
ate. You haven't eaten anything and you are hurt. I want you
to eat now."
Naluluha ako habang nakatitig sa batang inaalagaan ko na
ng ilang taon at nangiti dahil sa say ana ganito ang
pakikitungo niya sa akin. Parang anak ko na rin ang batang
ito, I basically raised her and that was why I was so attached
to her.
"You have to stay healthy so if you see them again, you
are as healthy and pretty as you are now," she said sweetly.
"Thank you, Tasha," I murmured gently and took the
Ziploc she was giving me.
Binuksan ko iyon at kinagatan sa harapan niya.
"Hmm, this is delicious!" I chirped. "Thank you, baby. Ate
Varsh is feeling energetic now."
"Really?!" Her eyes twinkled. I smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I'm strong! See?" I showed her my arm and
pretended I had muscles, earning a small giggle from her. It
made my heart jump.
 "Yehey! Ate Varsh is strong! Tasha is happy!" she cheered
and I chuckled, pinakagatan ko rin siya sa ibinigay na
pagkain bago ako humalik sa pisngi niya.
"I love you, baby. Ate is really fine," I said. She looked at
me again and I realized she wanted to tell me something.
"What is it, hmm? You wanna tell me something?"
malambing kong turan at haplos sa kanyang pisngi.
"I love you too, ate," she said, smiling and I nodded,
looking at her eyes intently. "I don't want you leave but I
don't like to see you sad, crying, and hurting."
"N-no..." iling ko at hinawakan ang dibdib. "I'm okay,
Tasha. What you saw was nothing-"
"But Mommy and Daddy are hurting you," she murmured
sadly.
"It's nothing-"
"No...no!" She shook her head at me. "I don't like hearing
you crying, ate. I want you to be happy just like you are
making me happy."
"Tasha..." I called her name when I noticed her eyes were
swelling with tears.
"I am happy because you're here with me b-but I know
you miss your family so much." She sniffed kaya ayaw ko
mang umiyak sa harapan niya ay nahulog ang luha ko at
dali-dali kong hinawi ang kanyang mga luha.
"Shh..."
"I want you to see your family because you miss them.
You stayed long enough to help us here in our house, to take
care of me, a-ate." Hindi ako nakaimik at lumuluha lang
siyang tiningnan.
"I hope you won't get mad at me but I did something b-
bad," she murmured and it stopped me.
"What?" I asked softly. "What is it, Tasha? Don't be scared,
tell me."
"I..." She pouted and took the small bag she was carrying.
"After hearing mommy screaming at you, I went to their
room while they were sleeping."
 Kumunot ang noo ko nang may kunin siya sa kanyang bag
at umawang ang labi ko sa gulat nang makita ang inilalahad
niya sa akin.
"O-oh my..."
"I t-took your passport, so you could go home to your
family, ate," malambing niyang sabi at doon na mas
bumuhos ang luha ko.
"Tasha..." I hugged her tightly and cried with her while her
small arms were hugging me.
"G-go, ate. I won't tell Mommy," she whispered. "Go home
now, g-go to your family. I love you and I want you to be h-
happy."
"Thank you, Tasha," I whispered and kissed her head
again and again. "I-I love you, baby. Thank you."
After tucking Tasha to bed, I didn't think twice in packing
my important things. Tinawagan ko ang kaibigan kong
kasama ko pag-uwi sa Pilipinas. She had been staying here
for a while now, waiting for me, kaya hindi na ako nag-isip
pa.
I didn't answer the calls I received from my employer. The
next morning, we got the chance to fly back to the country
and I was emotional.
"Thank you, Jas," I murmured in much appreciation while
hugging my friend.
"Welcome, Varsh," she whispered and smiled at me.
"Welcome home to us, I guess?"
Magkasama kaming lumabas ng airport at dumiretso
kaagad ako kay nanay na ibinalita sa akin ng nangyari, kaya
tinawagan ko ang kapatid at kinausap pero hindi lang kami
nagkaintindihan.
"Storm..." I called loudly on the phone, "where the hell are
you?"
"Oh, hi, sister!" she chuckled, sounding drunk. "Is it true?
You're home? Welcome back, I guess?"
"Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sa 'yo, Storm Raina," mariing
sinabi ko na at ipinikit ang mata. "Nasaan ka? You have to
see me now."
"O-oh, I won't." She chuckled more.
"Why did you leave the kids?" mariing sabi ko, ang puso
ay mas bumibigat habang nagsasalita.
"Simple." She chuckled. "I'm just tired of sticking around
with those loud-"
"How the hell could you say that to them?!" Humigpit ang
hawak ko sa telepono. "You promised me, Storm! You
promised me you'd-"
"Promises are meant to be broken, I guess?" She laughed
lowly. "Why don't you just meet them instead of nagging
me? Tutal naman ay nandito ka na? I guess you're
responsible enough to take over for me?"
"Damn you, Storm." Bumilis ang paghinga ko. "Damn
you..."
"Well, can't say no to that." Tumawa siya."But anyway, I
have to go. My boyfriend is looking for me."
"No!" I exclaimed, "Storm! I'm not yet done talking to
you!" I exclaimed but then what I heard next was the dial
tone.
She hung up on me. Shit.
Nakalipas ang araw pagkarating ko sa Pilipinas, nalilito.
Gulong-gulo ako sa nangyayari. I tried checking up on
them the last time and saw their father and it ended up to
something else. Naipikit ko ang mata sa naalala at
napailing. That was so wrong.
I was scared and nervous but I was thinking of Nanay and
the kids.
It took me awhile to stay at nanay's place after that
incident with him, contemplating about the rightful
decisions I would make.
"Varsh," nanay called. "Please...ang mga pamangkin mo.
Kailangan ka nila pati na rin si Marcus..."
Hindi ako nakaimik kaagad.
Napatulala ako sa kamay ko pero sa halip na tumanggi ay
mas mahalaga sa akin ang kambal kaya kahit natatakot ay
wala na akong nagawa.
Tumitig ako sa salamin at inayos ang diretso at itim na
buhok. Nagsuot ako ng simpleng shirt at pants at
siniguradong presentable ako.
Napasulyap ako sa frame na nakapatong sa tapat ng
salamin sa bahay at nakita ang picture naming magkasama
ng kakambal ko. Si Storm.
We had the same face, the same features. The same
everything. They wouldn't know it would be me, right?
I heaved a deep sigh upon staring at the familiar gate in
front of me.
You can do it, Varsh. You can do it.
Sighing, I pressed the doorbell and waited until I saw the
shocked househelp.
"Ma'am Storm!" bulalas nila nang makita ako kaya nag-
aalangan akong ngumiti.
"Hello," I greeted. "Nand'yan ba ang asawa ko? Ang
kambal?"
Nagkatinginan sila at base sa reaksyon ng tinginang iyon
ay kaagad akong kinabahan.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"Hindi mo po alam, ma'am?" a familiar nanny asked me
kaya napakurap-kurap ako.
"Alam ang?"
Nagsikuhan sila at ang isa'y napailing at pinapasok ako.
"Ikaw na lang po ang tumingin, Ma'am Storm," aniya at
nagtataka man ay 'di ko iyon ipinahalata at pumasok sa
mansyon.
"Ang mga bata?" I asked while looking around, trying to
see if I could see the kids but they weren't here.
"Ay, wala po, ma'am," sagot n'ong isa, "na kina Ma'am
Daru po kasama si Cookie."
I nodded slowly. Iniikot ko ang tingin sa buong bahay at
binasa ang labi ko para kumuha ng lakas ng loob.
"A-ang asawa ko?" Nilingon ko sila na muling
nagkatinginan pero tinuro ang hagdan.
 "Nasa kwarto po, ma'am," aniya. "Ayaw po kumain, ayaw
niya pong may pumasok sa kwarto. Baka magalit-"
"It's okay," I said and glanced at them. "Thank you." I
gave them a smile and noticed the shock filling the hollows
of their eyes.
'Di ko na pinansin iyon, umakyat ako sa hagdan
patungong second floor at kaagad binaybay ang daan
patungo sa kwarto niya. I was nervous and my heart beat
loudly inside my chest as I touched the door knob.
"You can do it, Varsh..." I whispered to myself and closed
my eyes. "You can do it."
It's not like it's the first time you see him, right?
Tumikhim ako, hinaplos saglit ang dibdib na nag-iingay
ang puso at ikinalma iyon bago unti-unting pinihit ang
seradura ng pintuan.
The cold air from the open aircon hugged my skin when I
got inside. It almost made me shiver but my eyes kept on
wandering around the room, looking for him.
"Marcus?" I called lowly, scanning the room for him, but
suddenly, I heard something dropping.
Napatalon ako sa gulat at kaagad na napunta sa banyo
ang tingin.
"Fuck!" I heard his voice from there. Tumakbo ako palapit,
mabilis na sumilip sa siwang doon at kinabahan nang
makitang napaupo siya sa lapag, medyo nakatalikod sa
akin.
Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip. I entered the bathroom
and ran beside him.
"A-ayos ka lang?" I asked, kneeling beside him-only to end
up with a parted mouth when I saw the white bandage
covering his eyes.
"A-anong..." Mabilis siyang nakaiwas sa akin. He didn't say
anything, kinapa-kapa niya ang gilid ng sink at hindi ako
nakagalaw kaagad nang makita kung paano niya mag-isang
alalayan ang sarili niya.
 He touched the sink, pinapakiramdaman iyon habang
tahimik na hinahanap ang daanan niya at nagmamadaling
napatayo ako at nilapitan siya.
"M-Marcus-"
"Don't touch me," mariing sabi niya sabay hawi ng kamay
niya sa hawak ko. "Fuck, I told them not to let anyone enter
my room."
Napapalunok akong napatitig muli sa benda niya sa mga
mata, mas naguguluhan.
"Marcus..." I called but he didn't answer me kaya muli ko
siyang inabot. "Tulungan na kita-"
"Who the fuck are you?" malamig niyang tanong kaya
natahimik na ako at 'di siya sinagot, sa halip ay muli ko
siyang inabot dahil wala na siyang mahawakan at baka
mawalan ng balanse.
"Don't fucking touch me!" he growled angrily and pushed
my hand away.
"Let me," I told him, muling hinuhuli ang kamay niya. "I
won't do anything, I promise. I'll just help you walk-"
"I can walk alone!" his angry voice roared, rejecting my
help, but when I saw him almost bumping on the side of the
door, I gently pulled him.
"Let me help you," I said and refused to let go when he
tried dodging my help. "Ihahatid lang kita sa higaan mo
tapos aalis na ako."
Hindi siya nagsalita pero hindi niya rin akong itinaboy na,
ramdam na ramdam ko ang tensyon sa pagitan naming
dalawa.
"Who the fuck are you?" he asked coldly. "Who the hell
gave you the right to enter my room?"
"I'm, uh..." Napalunok ako. "I'm a nurse. I just wanted to
help."
Hindi siya umimik pero sa sobrang tahimik ay dinig na
dinig ko ang malalim niyang paghinga.
Luckily, he let me settle him on the bed. Pinaupo ko siya
sa gilid ng kama at napatitig sa mukha niya, napansing may
maliliit at pahilom ng mga sugat at ang kanyang mata...
What happened to your eyes, Marcus?
I wanted so bad to touch the white cloth wrapped in them
but I hesitated and lowered my hand.
"I'll go," sinabi ko na lang bago tumayo. Tinitigan ko siya
saglit at tumalikod para umalis pero malakas na tili ang
lumabas sa labi ko nang basta na lang akong nakaramdam
ng hawak sa pulsuhan.
He pulled me. Bumagsak ako sa kama at 'yon na lang ang
panlalaki ng mata nang matantong nasa ibabaw ko siya at
dikit na dikit ang katawan naming dalawa. I got a whiff of his
perfume, and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of
my chest when I realized our faces were just a few inches
apart.
"Who are you again?" malamig at mariin niyang sabi, his
breath touching my lips.
"N-nurse..." I lied, my heart thumping loudly. "Let me go,
Marcus," mahinang sabi ko at sinubukan siyang itulak
paalis, pero mabilis niyang nahuli ang dalawang pulsuhan ko
ng isang kamay niya.
He pulled my wrist above my head and pinned it, making
me gasp.
"Marcus..." I called.
I caught how his forehead creased at 'yon na lang ang
gulat ko nang tumungo siya. I was confused at what he was
doing at first but I realized he as smelling me when the tip
of his nose touched the side of my neck.
"Liar," mapang-uyam na bulong niya at unti-unting inilapit
ang mukha sa akin hanggang sa magdampi ng bahagya ang
labi namin. "You can't fool me...wife." He smirked darkly.
Kabanata 1
 
Kabanata 1
"Marcus..." My breath labored.
Nangunot lang lalo ang kanyang noo at tumiim ang
panga. Isang mabilis na galaw lang ay nakaalis na siya sa
ibabaw ko at naupo sa gilid ng kama.
"Get out," he said coldly.
Napaupo ako, sumusulyap sa kanya habang malakas ang
kalabog ng dibdib.
"Marcus..."
"Get out," he repeated in a monotone and while looking at
his face and the white bandage covering his eyes, my heart
felt like it was squeezing.
What happened? Why was he like this? Hindi naman siya
ganito no'ng nagpunta ako para sumilip saglit! He was fine!
The kids were, too!
"Ang mga bata?" I asked, watching how his lips tugged
into a sly and cold smile.
"What now? You're concerned about the kids? Ano, wala
na ba ang perang kinuha mo sa akin?" matabang niyang
sagot at mas lalo akong nalito.
"Anong pera?" I asked, confused, and yet, he chuckled
nonchalantly.
"Stop shitting me, Storm," malamig niyang sabi. "Leave."
"But Marcus-"
"I said leave me the fuck alone!" he screamed, the veins
on his neck showing with his sudden rage.
My eyes teared up. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at
lumapit sa kanya ng bahagya. Hesitating, I lifted my hand to
try and touch his face but he caught it immediately.
 "Are you dumb? I. Said. Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone," he
said, gripping my palm tightly.
Napasinghap ako sa bigla at mabilis na hinila ang kamay
ko mula sa kanya.
"Ang mga anak n-natin..." I was scared and startled but
my mind kept on wandering to the twins.
"Huh..." he chuckled. "And now, they're our kids, eh? Sad
to say but you were stripped off your rights from them the
moment you abandoned my kids."
Mabilis akong napailing. "Anong ibig mong s-sabihin?"
"You can't take my kids. They are mine, you understand?"
His jaw was clenching while he was saying that. "Leave.
Huwag na huwag kang magpapakita sa mga bata."
Mabilis kong inabot ang kamay niya at hinawakan,
napatalon pa siya roon at pilit na kinuha ang kamay pero
hinigpitan ko iyon.
"But they're my kids too, Marcus!" I exclaimed, panicking.
"P-paanong wala akong karapatan sa kanila? I love them as
much as you do-"
"Oh, fuck you! You are only a mother to them when it's
convenient for you!" sigaw niya at hinila ang kamay niya
mula sa akin. "Nasaan ka no'ng kailangan ka ng mga bata?!
Tinaboy mo sila! Putangina, Storm! Mahal na mahal ka ng
mga bata pero..."
He shook his head and pulled his hair, groaning.
"Pero tinaboy mo sila! Na nagsasawa ka na sa amin! Dahil
kanino? Sa putanginang lalaki mo?! I gave you everything!
Ano? Mas mapera ba 'yan? Is he great at sex, huh?" Dumiin
lalo ang kanyang boses, tumaas ang balikat sa mabilis na
paghinga. "Kahit hindi na ako, wala akong pakialam, pero
'yong mga anak mo? Anong klaseng ina ka para iwan dito
ang mga anak mo?!"
My lips quivered, mabilis kong hinawi ang mga luha ko.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered. "Marcus, I'm sorry."
"Fuck you and your sorry," he murmured. "You are
bullshit."
 Umiling-iling ako, mabilis na pumunta sa harapan niya at
walang pagdadalawang-isip na lumuhod.
"M-Marcus, please..." I begged, trying to get his hand. "M-
magbabago ako! A-aalagaan ko sila, m-mamahalin ko, p-
pangako...I'm sorry..."
"You lost the chance of being a mother when you hurt my
children physically, Storm," malamig niyang sinabi at
napaawang na ang labi ko.
What the fuck did you do to the children, Storm?!
"A-anong..." My voice trembled. "I-I've hurt the k-kids?"
"I see you have amnesia now?" he spat mockingly. "I
would never forget the tears in my children's eyes, Storm
Raina. Whatever you do won't take the tears my kids shed
for a useless woman like you."
Hindi na ako nakapagsalita. I was frozen in my place,
kneeling in front of him.
Storm hurt the kids...the kids were hurt and it was
because of me.
Because I was...
"Leave. Ayokong makikita ka ng mga anak ko rito
pagkauwi nila." Acid dripped from his voice. "Mas ina pa ang
kapatid ko kaysa sa 'yo. I was a fucking mess, you see. I'm
blind. More reasons why you have to leave my children.
Hindi ka nila kailangan, Storm."
"Macky..." Mas lumapit ako sa kanya. "B-baka naman
pwedeng-"
"You're a bitch." I know I wasn't but hearing it from his
mouth made me feel it. "Wala ka no'ng kailangan ng mga
anak ko ng ina. Wala ka no'ng kailangan ko ng a-asawa,
Storm. W-wala ka."
He moved, tahimik nahiga siya sa kama at tumalikod sa
akin habang ako'y nakatulala lang sa kanyang likod. Ang
luha ay naging dahilan para manlabo ang paningin.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano pa ako nagtagal doong
nakaluhod sa may ibaba ng kama, nakatulala sa kanya,
walang lakas. I almost praised myself when I even got
enough strength to stand from the floor at sa nanghihinang
tuhod ay nagtungo sa pintuan para lumabas.
Before I left, I took a glance at Marcus lying on the bed
with his back against me at ramdam na ramdam ko ang
pagsikip ng dibdib ko habang nakatingin sa kanyang likod.
"Babawi ako," bulong ko sa hangin. "Pangako, b-babawi
ako."
When I closed the door behind me, I couldn't take it
anymore. Dire-diretso ang lakad ko papunta sa kwarto ng
mga bata at pagkasara ko pa lang ng pinto ay napaupo na
ako sa likuran nito at bumagsak sa lapag.
Frantically, I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed
my twin's phone number.
I put it on my ear. "Answer it, Storm," aariing sabi ko.
"Hello, sister!" Tumiim ang panga ko nang marinig ang
saya sa boses niya nang sinagot ako.
"What have you done to the kids?" malamig at mariing
tanong ko.
"What?" She sounded confused and mocking. "What did I
do-"
"You hurt the twins, Storm Raina!" matigas kong sinabi.
"You fucking hurt the twins!"
"Oh..." she murmured. "It's a natural thing, Varsha.
They're kids, I was just disciplining them as a mother."
"But you don't have to hurt them like that, Storm!" I
exclaimed. "You don't have to make them cry! You promised
me you'll take care of them and now...bakit mo sinaktan ang
mga b-bata, huh?" Nanghina ang boses ko.
"Varsha," she sighed. "That's what's mothers do.
Disciplining the kids. That's what good mother do-"
"Stop me with your bullshit," malamig kong turan. "What
happened here? Nasaan ang mga bata? What happened to
Marcus? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin ang nangyari sa
kanya? You're taking money from him? Did I not give you
enough? And you're cheating on him?"
 "Ang dami namang tanong." Napatawa siya sa akin pero
ni hindi man lang ako nangiti.
Ibang-iba na siya! This wasn't the sister I knew!
"I am not playing with you, Storm," I said coldly. "You
answer me right now while I'm still good to you. Huwag mo
akong susubukan."
"You'll figure it out, sis." She sighed. "And don't worry, a
part of that money you've been giving me and him are
going to nanay's dialysis. 'Yong iba ro'n, siyempre, sustento
na niya sa mga bata."
"You are unbelievable," bulong ko at naipikit ang mata
nang mariin.
"I'll be back soon if you like." She even chuckled playfully.
"For now, can you play wifey with my handsome husband?
Just so you know, he's a bit stern. Kaya 'di kami
magkasundo pero malay mo't mahuli mo ang kiliti niya."
"Damn you, Storm," bulong ko. "What am I? A fucking
substitute? You started this mess and now you won't take
the responsibility? Nagpakahirap ako sa ibang bansa para-"
"Stop with the drama, Varsha." She sighed. "I'm so tired of
everyone nagging me. You, Nanay, Marcus...and hell, I'm
sure you'll be annoyed by that damn Darshana and
Fleureah."
"Storm, hindi pa tayo tapos-"
"Oh, bye!" she chirped. "My boyfriend's calling me. Just
enjoy playing wife to my husband there, malay mo't makuha
mo ang loob n'ong dalawang makulit na bata," aniya at
bago pa man ako makapagsalitang muli ay pinatayan na
niya ako.
Gritting my teeth, my grip on the phone tightened.
Ano ba itong pinasok ko? If only Storm did what she
promised me, we wouldn't be in this damn situation now!
Iba na siya! How could she change so drastically?! How
could she be like this! I didn't fucking know her anymore!
I called nanay afterwards and she briefed me about
everything I missed. Ayaw ko mang guluhin siya dahil
nanghihina siya sa dialysis at nasa ospital pero ayokong
walang alam habang narito.
Turns out, Marcus had two siblings-Darshana and Audette.
Daru was his sibling who had been taking care of the kids
and I couldn't wait to see her and thank her for everything.
Marcus got into an accident, the reason why he became
like that, at kapag naaalala ko ang tingin niya noon kapag
nakikita ko siya ay nalulungkot ako. Those blue eyes.
Nanlumo ako. He didn't deserve that but I knew I couldn't
take back the mess my twin caused and while I was here, I
had to fix everything and I was starting now.
Hinding-hindi ko mababawi ang sakit na ibinigay ni Storm
sa kambal at kay Marcus, pero gusto kong bumawi sa kanila.
Gusto kong ayusin ang gulong nasimulan namin ni Storm.
I fixed myself. Naghilamos ako para hindi mahalata ng
mga tao na umiyak ako at inihanda ang sarili.
I checked Marcus first in his room and saw him sleeping
on the bed in the same position I left him. His back against
my direction in a fetus position, and it tugged my aching
heart seeing him that way.
Marahan akong lumapit sa kanyang pwesto, naupo sa
kanyang tabi at tumitig sa kanyang mukha. I couldn't see
his face clearly because of the white cloth covering his eyes
but I could see a glimpse of some scars near his forehead.
Sumikip ang dibdib ko, mabilis na nag-iwas ng tingin at
tahimik na kinuha ang comforter para iangat iyon sa
katawan niya.
He moved a little when I did that kaya natigil ako't
kinabahan at mabuti't 'di siya nagising kaya umangat ang
labi ko para sa maliit na ngiti.
"I'm sorry, Marcus," I mumbled. "You don't deserve this,
I'm so sorry. Babawi ako, pangako."
He hummed a little, his red lips protruded as he moved his
one hand just beside his ear.
Like a kid.
 Napangiti akong lalo at inangat ang kamay para sana
haplusin ang kanyang buhok pero naiwan iyon sa ere at
napailing.
"This is wrong," bulong ko at ikinuyom ang kamay.
Pagkatapos kong ipagsawa ang mata sa kakatitig sa kanya
habang malalim ang kanyang tulog ay lumabas ako.
Bumaba ako sa kusina pagkatapos at naabutan ang
dalawang babae roong nagkumpulan at nag-uusap.
"Hello, kumain na kayo?" I greeted, startled when they
immediately moved away from each other.
"M-ma'am, sorry po, nagkikwentuhan lang po," tuloy-tuloy
na sabi n'ong isa kaya nangunot na ang noo ko't nagtaka
pero sa huli'y ngumiti.
"Ayos lang, sige lang, kwentuhan lang kayo," sagot ko,
nabakas ang gulat sa kanilang mata. "But can I ask if I could
use the kitchen now?"
"Opo!" tango nila. "Opo, ma'am. Pwede. B-bakit naman
hindi?"
"Gagawa sana ako ng macaroons para kay Sky, may
ingredients kayang available rito?" marahang tanong ko.
"Opo...opo, mayro'n, ma'am," tango ng isa at kung tama
ang pagkakatanda ko'y siya si Nancy? I couldn't be so sure
but I remembered her when I went here in this house to
check the kids before.
"Salamat, Nancy," marahang sinabi ko.
Napahawak siya sa dibdib. "Kilala mo pala ako, aa'am?"
aniyang tuloy-tuloy kaya tumango ako at maliit muling
ngumiti.
"You are Sky's nanny," I said. "Correct? And..." Lumingon
ako at nakitang nakatitig din sa 'kin ang isa. "This is Alice,
you're Sunny's nanny."
Tahimik lang silang dalawa, nakanganga sa akin at
nagtaka ako. Naisip na parang ang daldal ko ata masyado
kaya nag-init ang pisngi at tumikhim.
"Bakit naman ganyan ang itsura ninyo? Mukha ba akong
multo?" natatawang tanong ko dahil nakatulala sila sa aking
dalawa.
"Hala! Hala, hindi, Ma'am Storm!" iling ni Nancy.
"Nakakagulat lang po kasi 'di mo kami tinatawag sa
pangalan noon tapos 'di kinakausap."
I felt bad at that, naisip ko kaagad kung ano-anong
kalokohang ginawa ni Storm kaya ngumiti na lang ako sa
dalawa.
"Pasensya na, ah? Wala lang kasi ako sa sarili noon." I
smiled. "Pero gagawa sana akong macaroons para kay Sky,
pwede kaya?"
"Opo, ma'am. Sure po," tango nila. "May ingredients po
rito si Ma'am Daru, gagawa sana no'ng nakaraan kaso 'di
natuloy. Pwede n'yong gamitin."
I thanked them when they helped me prepare the
ingredients for Sky's macaroons. I knew he liked this very
much kaya nga kahit no'ng nasa ibang bansa ako'y
gumagawa ako ng paraan para man lang mapadalhan ng
pagkaing gano'n ang mga bata.
Sky liked macaroons in particular while the little and
adorable Sunny liked nothing in particular. She enjoyed a
variety of sweets, kahit ano basta masarap ay kakainin ni
Sunny.
Natigilan ako sa paghahalo ng ingredients, sumasagi sa
isip ang dalawang bata.
"'Yong dalawa..." Sumulyap ako kina Nancy at sa isa pang
house help na tumutulong. "Are they doing fine in Daru's
care?"
Nagkatinginan sila. Si Alice na ang sumagot kaya
sumulyap ako sa kanya.
"Naku, ma'am. Sobrang bait po ni Ma'am Daru. Mama
Daru nga po ang tawag ng kambal sa kanya. No'ng wala po
kayo madalas, nandoon ang kambal, lalo na po kapag may
trabaho si Sir Macky tapos po 'yong naaksidente si sir."
Masakit man sa loob na gano'n ang nangyayari ay masaya
pa rin akong may tumatayong nanay sa mga bata.
"Do they stay there often?"
 "Ay, opo. Madalas nga kaming nando'n ni Nancy para
bantayan ang kambal, ayaw din po kasi ni Sir Macky na
nakikita siya n'ong dalawa na gano'n."
Natigilan ako sa paghalo. "Hindi alam ng kambal na
gano'n ang nangyari kay Marcus?"
"Ay, alam po," Alice answered me. "Umiyak po 'yong
dalawa tapos ayaw hiwalayan si sir no'ng nalaman pero
alam mo naman si sir, ayaw na ayaw niyang nakikitang
umiiyak 'yong dalawa kaya pinapapunta niya kina Ma'am
Daru o kaya kay Ma'am Reah madalas. 'Yong nurse po ni sir
t'wing gabi lang pumupunta rito."
Napatango-tango ako at tumitig sa ginagawa.
"I-is he doing fine, then?"
"Si sir po?" Nancy asked. I nodded. "Ayos naman po kaso
sobrang tahimik na ngayon. Hindi naman po sa tahimik na
siya dati pa pero mas sumobra lang ngayon. Madalas pong
nakasigaw at mainit ang ulo, pero naiintindihan naman po
namin kasi may nangyari sa kanya. Ayaw nga po niyang
pinupuntahan siya sa kwarto, miski ang nurse niya."
"Then who's checking on him?" mahinang tanong ko,
napapalunok. 'Di maipaliwanag ang hapdi sa dibdib sa
naririnig sa kanya.
"Dinadalhan po namin ng pagkain pero madalas po'y hindi
naman niya ginagalaw. Nagkukulong po sa kwarto,
lumalabas lang po kapag pinupuntahan ni Ma'am Reah dito
at inaalagaan."
I nodded, lowering my head.
"Kumain na ba siya ngayon?" I asked, remembering
seeing him falling in the bathroom earlier.
"Hindi pa po, ayaw niya raw po kaya 'di na namin pinilit,"
sagot niya kaya tumango ako at nanahimik na.
They were reluctant to talk to me at first. I knew this
might be because of Storm but after baking, I could see they
were becoming a little comfortable with me which was a
good start.
 Pinabantayan ko muna sa kanila ang bi-ne-bake ko bago
naghanda ng pagkain para sana kay Marcus. I put it on the
tray and went to his room, only to see him sitting on it with
his back resting on the headboard.
Nakakabinging katahimikan ang natagpuan ko
pagkapasok at miski ako'y 'di alam kung paano niya iyon
nakakaya.
I entered the room and opened my mouth to speak but he
did before I could.
"What are you still here?" he asked in a nonchalant voice.
"K-kain ka." Lumunok ako.
"Leave."
Hindi ako nagpatinag at mas naglakad pa patungo sa
kanyang pwesto.
"Marcus, kahit kaunti lang-"
"How many times do I have to tell you to leave me the
fuck alone, Storm?!" he exclaimed. "Ayokong makikita ka ng
mga bata rito sa pamamahay ko! Ayokong nandito ka,
naiintindihan mo?!"
"Hindi kita guguluhin, pangako," mahinang sambit ko.
"Gusto ko lang na kumain ka. Kagabi ka pa raw walang
kain."
"So you care now?" he asked. "What do you need this
time, Storm? A million? Sure, contact my secretary and
she'll give you what you want. After that, will you leave me
and my children alone?"
"Hindi ko kailangan ang pera, Marcus," paliwanag ko at
inilapag ang tray sa side table, tumatabi sa kanya sa gilid
ng kama. He moved away a little and it pained me seeing
him so disgusted of me but what could I do?
"I am here because I want to take care of y-you. To take
care of o-our kids." My voice broke. "Pangako, hindi ako
hihingi ng kahit ano tungkol doon. You c-can prohibit me
from anything about monetary issues. I am here for genuine
reasons, Marcus. Gusto kitang alagaan at ang mga bata."
 Hindi siya sumagot. Ni hindi siya gumalaw sa pwesto niya
kaya binasa ko ang labi at muling nagsalita.
"I promise, Marcus," mahinang sabi ko. "Nandito lang ako
para pakainin ka."
"I'm not hungry. Fuck off," matabang niyang sagot at
akmang hihiga muli para talikuran ako kaya dali-dali kong
inabot ang braso niya.
"Don't just think about yourself, Marcus," mahinang sinabi
ko na. "Think about your children. How about them?"
"Why are you involving my kids here?" he asked icily, his
jaw clenching. "Huwag na huwag mong idadamay ang mga
anak ko rito-"
"Think of it, if you won't eat. If you starve yourself to
death, what would Sky and Sunny feel?" Hindi siya
nakasagot sa sinabi ko. "Kung magkakasakit ka, paano ang
dalawa? Do you think they'll be happy you're s-suffering like
this?"
"They won't see me anyway," he murmured. "They're with
my sister."
"Yes, they can't, but do you think they aren't thinking of
you?" tanong kong muli at tumitig sa mukha niya, huling-
huli ang pagkunot ng noo niya.
He snorted, nag-iwas siya ng mukha sa akin pero mabilis
kong sinapo ang kanyang pisngi at ipinaharap siya sa akin.
"The fuck are you doing..." bulong niyang mariin at pilit na
lumalayo pero mas hinawakan ko ang kanyang pisngi,
mabining hinaplos ang kanyang pisngi pababa sa kanyang
panga.
"The kids love you so much, your whole family does. I
heard you're cutting them off...?"
"What could a nuisance like me give them, huh?
Headache? Bulag ako, Storm. Pabigat ako sa pamilya ko,"
mariing sinabi niya. "Stop me with your words like that,
woman. You won't move me with those wise words of yours.
You act like you care when you were the first one to leave
me first."
 Nangilid ang luha ko.
"Hindi..." bulong ko at pinakatitigan ang puting benda sa
kanyang mga mata. "I-I care for you, Marcus. I genuinely
do."
"Bullshit," he whispered back, mas nanghihina ang boses.
"You care for me, hmm? After you broke your promise to
me? That night when y-you came back, you promised me
we'd try and fix this and you didn't, Storm! You lied to me.
You fucking liar. You lied to me."
Napatango-tango ako, hinaplos kong lalo ang kanyang
pisngi at idinikit ang aking noo sa kanya.
"I-I'm so sorry, Marcus. I am s-so sorry," bulong ko pang
muli sa kanya. "I know it's too much to ask but c-can you
give me another chance? I promise, I promise I'll be a g-
good wife. I promise I'll t-take care of you and o-our kids."
"No..." iling niya. "I don't believe you."
Sumikip ang dibdib ko pero ayaw kong ipilit ang mga
bagay na mahirap ibigay. If I forced him to give me another
chance then it wouldn't be a genuine one. I must-somehow-
even if it wasn't me, try and fix the relationships my twin
had damaged.
"I understand." Tumango-tango ako at marahan siyang
binitawan. "Just eat now-"
"Ayoko," simpleng sagot niya.
"Marcus-"
"Ayoko," ulit pa niya kaya nakagat ko ang labi, nahuhuli
ang kilay na halos magsalubong kaya ngumuso ako.
"Para kang si Skyler," bulong-bulong ko pa pero narinig
niya ata dahil nagsalita na.
"He's my son, woman. Of course, we are the same." He
scoffed. Napailing ako.
No matter how stern Marcus was, I'd forever be grateful to
him for accepting the kids and taking care of them. He was
a great father, I knew. I'd do my very best for him to be
better.
At saka...para na rin sa mga bata.
 "Oh, siya, sige na." I gently put the tray on the bed.
"Kakain ka, okay? Susubuan kita."
"I can feed myself," sabat niya. "I can do it alone," he said,
lakas-loob pang humawak-hawak sa gilid niya. "Where the
fuck is it?"
Hindi ako umimik, pinagmasdan ko ang kamay niyang
kumakapa roon at saktong paglapit sa akin ay 'di ko alam
kung bakit pero dagli kong hinuli ang kamay niya.
He was frozen. I noticed how he was stunned, unmoving,
mostly when I filled the gaps of his fingers with mine. I
gripped it.
Lumalim ang paghinga niya. "Let me go."
"Bibitawan kita kapag pumayag kang subuan kita," I
offered.
"Storm Raina," mariing tawag niya at muling hinila paalis
ang kamay niya.
"Marcus Aristaeus..." tawag ko rin kaya napanguso na
siya.
"You are damn annoying, Storm. When did you became
this nosy?" he asked, nagulat pa ako nang makitang
nakaangat ang sulok ng kanyang labi.
I stifled a small laugh, tumitig ako sa kamay niyang hawak
ko at pinakiramdaman ang kalmado at mainit kong puso.
He was a mestizo. His skin was fair kaya kapag namumula
iyon ay kaagad mong mababakas. Matangkad at athletic
ang katawan, tila sanay sa nakakapagod at pisikal na
trabaho. I could see how proud his shoulders were and how
hardened his chest was despite the shirt he was wearing,
yakap-yakap nito ang kanyang braso at sa kita ko ang mga
ugat na naroon.
Mas mahaba ang kanyang buhok na itim na itim pero may
parteng kulay tsokolate. Mas matikwas iyon kaysa sa una
kong kita sa kanya, but unlike before his aura was much
darker. His prominent jaw could be seen even in his side
profile, his curvaceous lips felt like they were teasing even
with just a simple glance at them.
 I looked at the white cloth covering his eyes and felt like I
was in a museum watching art hidden from the world and
having the privilege to be the first person to see.
Why am I this attached to you, Marcus? This is so wrong.
You are my twin's husband and yet...
Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Mabilis kong
nabitawan ang kamay niya at napansin ang pagkakatigil
nito sa biglaan kong hila ng kamay ko.
The small smile on his lips faded, napaawang ang labi ko
nang marahas na lumunok siya at ikinuyom ang kamay.
"Marcus," I called, realizing what I just did. "S-sorry-"
"Stop pretending you care, Storm. I know how disgusting I
look right now. Hindi mo kailangang iparamdam. No one
could stand me, why am I even expecting you would?"
mahina, puno ng pait at malamig niyang sabi.
Kabanata 2
 
Kabanata 2
Kaagad kong pinagsisihan ang nagawa. I lowered my
head, trying to calm down and think of words to say to him
but I couldn't grasp any of it.
The pain and disappointment were visible on his face
despite that white cloth covering his eyes and I opened my
mouth to speak but closed it after a while when I realized
something.
"I'm sorry..." I said in a small voice.
"Leave," he said in a hard tone. "And don't ever come
back. Hindi ka tanggap sa pamamahay na 'to."
The pain on my chest felt like it was squeezing my heart
into pieces. Tila pinipiga, dinudurog pero wala akong
magawa dahil naiintindihan ko siya. Ang lahat ng
pinagdaraanan niya.
"Sorry..." bulong ko. "Hindi gano'n ang gusto kong
ipahiwatig, I-I pulled my hand because—"
"You're disgusted by a blind man like me." He chuckled
lowly. "I know, Storm. Just leave me the fuck alone and we're
good."
Napatungo ako. Tahimik na iniwan ko ang pagkain doon at
sumulyap sa kanya.
"I'll leave the food here," I said. "Please eat these. Huwag
kang papagutom."
Hindi siya umimik. Nanatiling nakatiim ang kanyang
panga at seryoso kaya kinagat ko ang labi at napatango-
tango.
I decided to go. Nakatungo akong palabas ng kanyang
kwarto at tahimik iyong isinara nang makarinig ng boses.
 "Storm," I heard a voice say, startling me.
Storm?
I was confused, 'di ko alam ang gagawin pero muling may
tumawag sa pangalang iyon.
"Storm!" a voice roared and my eyes widened when I saw
a beautiful woman with blue eyes resembling Marcus near
me. My heart hammered and panicked.
"A-ako?" I asked and pointed at myself and when her brow
shot up, that was when I realized what I did wrong.
"Yes, may iba pa bang Storm rito?" she asked me coldly.
This was Darshana, right? Marcus' sister?
"Ah..." I cleared her throat. "Sorry, Darshana," I murmured
and felt scared when I saw her sharp and observing eyes
looking at me.
I lowered my head, afraid she'd see through me.
"Look at me," she said strictly and I did, my heart
thumping so loud I felt like it was going out of my chest.
"Did you come back for good?" mariing tanong niya kaya
mabilis akong tumango.
"Yes, I'm sorry if I was g-gone...uh, may emergency lang,"
paliwanag ko pero napailing lang siya, tumaas ang sulok ng
labi at mapang-uyam akong tinitigan.
"Is that so? I hope you have your mind right now. Nanay
ako kaya alam ko ang pakiramdam ng mga bata, and if
you've come back for good then make sure of it. Ayokong
lulubog at lilitaw ka lang kung anong gusto mo. Isipin mo
ang anak mo, ang asawa mo, ang kuya ko," she pointed out.
"Hindi ka na single para isipin lang ang sarili mo."
Humapdi ang pakiramdam ko kaya kinagat ko ang labi.
Guilt crept inside my chest.
"Sorry, Daru, I'm—"
"I don't care for your reasons, okay?" she spat coldly. "Ang
gusto ko ay maging responsable ka dahil pamilyado ka ng
tao. Look at what happened to my brother. Looked at the
twins, they're looking for a family. Tandaan mo 'to, isang
beses ko pang malaman na mawawala ka na naman at
iiwan ang kuya at mga anak mo, hindi na ako
magdadalawang-isip na ipaghiwalay kayo. Ilalayo ko sa 'yo
ang mga bata at ang kuya ko, naiintindihan mo?"
Nangilid ang luha ko sa takot sa sinabi niya. Ang pag-iisip
na hindi ko na makikita ang mga bata at si...
I gulped harshly.
"H-hindi na ako aalis, sorry..." I said, my voice desperate
and begging.
"I don't know why my brother married you," aniyang
seryoso at nilamon ako ng hiya kaya itinungo ko ang ulo.
"I'm sorry..." I sighed. "Just...just please, don't take the
kids away from me. Don't take Marcus away from me." My
voice sounded so desperate.
She scoffed. She didn't answer as she walked past me.
Napapikit ako ng sinadya niyang banggain ang balikat ko at
tuloy-tuloy na pumunta sa kwarto ni Marcus, pabalagbag
pang isinara ang pintuan.
It pained me being treated that way but I knew I should be
used to it. Kahit naman kasi halos isuka na ako ng
employers ko noon sa abroad ay natiis ko naman sila. What
Darshana did was understandable, I—no—we were the
reasons why this family became chaotic.
Tahimik akong bumaba sa kusina. Naabutan ko sina Alice
na nag-uusap at kaagad na naghiwalay sa gulat nang
madatnan ako.
I flashed a small smile. Tahimik kong sinilip ang oven at
nang masiguradong luto na ang macaroons ay inihain ko
iyon.
"Ma'am, tulungan ka na namin," they offered and I let
them, feeling peaceful. Somehow, may maayos naman
akong nakakausap. Ayos na akong rito.
Nagtungo ako sa may guest room nang matapos kong
maghain. I didn't have any clothes with me so I had no
choice but wear Storm's extra clothes there.
"Ano bang klase 'to?" simangot ko nang matantong nasa
itaas ng tuhod ko ang isa sa pinakadisenteng damit niya.
Hapit na hapit iyon sa katawan ko kaya kitang-kita ang
hubog ng dibdib ko sa dress na suot.
Tumitig ako sa salamin at napasimangot nang makita ang
itsura ko. I looked well, okay...but somehow, my boobs felt a
little weird for me. Hindi naman sa sobrang kalakihan, sakto
lang pero dahil maliit ang katawan ko'y kitang-kita ang
hubog nito.
I knew some girls were envious of people with blessed
boobs, but me? I liked it more when they were just in the
right side. Ang hirap-hirap kaya tumakbo. Ang sakit minsan.
Ang itim na itim na mga mata ko'y kagaya sa mahaba at
itim kong buhok. Diretso at walang tikwas. I was petite and I
didn't know if I was beautiful because I couldn't see myself
as that. I was scarred from the experiences, from the pain,
and trauma.
Working abroad was hard and tiring. Ayos lang sana kung
maayos ang mga amo but my employers were one of the
worst. The only good thing I got there was when I got to
meet the wonderful Tasha and earn for my family. Hindi man
kalakihan ay kahit papaano'y nakakatulong sa dialysis ng
nanay.
Itinali ko ang buhok. Pagkababa ko sa sala ay abala ang
mga housemaid sa pag-aayos at kaagad kong tinawag sina
Alice nang makita ko.
"Ang mga bata?" tanong ko.
"Ay, ma'am, hindi po ako sigurado kung uuwi ngayon.
Wala pa kasing sinabi si Ma'am Daru kung babalik sila.
Nakita ko po kanina kumuha ng damit ng dalawa," Nancy
answered.
My smile vanished. Bumigat ang pakiramdam ko roon at
napasulyap sa macaroons na inihanda ko.
I nodded, a bit disappointed but I understood where
Darshana was coming from. I heard she was a mom and
that was her instinct—to protect the kids.
"S-sabihin ko ba, ma'am? Na pauwiin?" ani Nancy. Mabilis
akong umiling at hinawi ang buhok.
 "Ayos lang, para mas kumportable ang bata roon," I said
instead. "Si Marcus, kumain ba?"
"Ay, opo." Tila nagliwanag ang mukha ko nang sumagot si
Alice. "Hindi po naubos pero kumain na siya."
Mas lumawak ang ngiti ko. Mas buti na kaysa sa wala.
Muli akong ginanahan. Niyaya ko ang dalawang pumunta
sa kusina at naabutan ko ang isa sa house help na
nagluluto.
"Good evening po, pwedeng tumulong?" I called her
attention to ask and she looked startled at first because of
me but nodded.
"S-sige, ma'am," aniya. "Wala pong problema."
Nagluluto sila ng tinola. It made me smile when I smelled
the delicious scent from it and suddenly remembered Tasha,
the awesome kid I took care of before. She loved tinola,
aniya'y 'di raw siya nakakatikim n'on pwera na lang no'ng
dumating ako.
"Bakit walang gulay?" takang tanong ko at nilingon sila na
natahimik sa tanong ko.
"Kasi ma'am..." Napahawak siya sa batok. "Ayaw po ni Sir
Macky ng gulay."
"Huh?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Hindi pwedeng walang
gulay. Hindi kompleto ang tinola kapag wala n'on. Nakita ko
kanina pagpasok may malunggay diyan sa labas, 'di ba?"
"Opo." They nodded.
"Hmm, pwedeng pasilip muna nitong niluluto ko't kukuha
lang ako malunggay?"
Napanganga sila sa akin. Nagtataka man ay umalis ako
pero natigilan sa boses nila.
"Ma'am Storm!" they exclaimed. "Huwag!"
Kumunot ang noo ko at nilingon sila.
"Why not?" I asked seriously, biglang natauhang seryoso
ang pagkakasabi ko dahil sa mga itsura nilang takot. "I
mean—"
"'Y-yong malunggay po nasa labas," ani nila at nahihiyang
nakagat ko ang labi bago tumalikod mula sa kanila.
 I was confused when they followed me. Kinuha ko ang
nakita kong pang-sungkit doon at nakanganga lang sila sa
akin sa ginagawa.
"Ma'am, sigurado ba kayo riyan?" Nancy asked. "Gusto mo
patulong tayo sa mga guard sa pagkuha—"
"Ayos lang ako, kayang-kaya ko 'to," ngisi ko at nang
makakuha ng ilan at 'di pa kuntento ay kinuha ko ang maliit
na hagdan.
"Ma'am!" sabay-sabay nilang sigaw nang kunin ko 'yon.
"Ha?" Napatawa ako sa itsura nila. "Kaya ko," I said but
they helped me anyway.
Naiiling na binitawan ko ang pangsungkit. Umakyat ako sa
hagdan at inabot ang dahon pero halos mahulog naman sa
sigawan nila.
"Ma'am Storm! Santo! Bumaba ka riyan! Mahulog ka,
ma'am! Diyos ko!" Nancy exclaimed.
Mababa lang naman talaga kaya 'di ako natatakot.
Kayang-kaya nga ito gamit lang ang pangsungkit pero ayaw
kasi makuha n'ong dahon kaya ganito.
"Tawagin na lang natin sina Bogart, ma'am! Huwag ka
nang umakyat diyan!" sigaw pa nila kaya lumakas ang tawa
ko.
"Ma'am Storm!" Alice appeared, kasunod niya ang mga
guard na nagulat din sa akin kaya umiling ako.
"Ayos lang ako," paliwanag ko pa. I extended my hand to
reach the leaves and when I successfully did, I glanced at
them and raised it.
"Got it!" I exclaimed happily, smiling when they looked
relieved and clapped their hands because I succeeded.
"Tara na—" I murmured but it was cut off when my foot
slipped. Mahinang napasinghap ako nang mahulog ako mula
sa hindi kataasang hagdan, ang pang-upo ay bumagsak sa
lupa.
"Ma'am!" sabay-sabay nilang tawag sa akin, ang mga
mukha nila'y gulantang—akala mo'y hihimatayin sa
nakikita. "Sinasabi na nga ba!"
 "Ayos ka lang, ma'am?" Miski ang mga guards ay nag-
aalala. "Naku, baka nabalian ka po! Magtatawag tayo ng
ambulansya!"
If people here were this good, why did Storm do that?
"Hala ka, Bogart! Bilisan mo!" the head of the househelp,
Ate Ramona, exclaimed and when they panicked, a small
smile left my lips as it slowly turned into a chuckle.
"Ayos lang ako!" I announced, chuckling. Medyo masakit
man ang balakang ay kaya naman.
"Talaga ba, ma'am?" ani Nancy na tuloy-tuloy, lumuluhod
pa para abutin akong nakaupo roon habang hawak pa ang
malunggay. "Nahulog ka! Yari tayo nito kay sir!"
"Mababa lang..." turo ko pa sa hagdan. "Kaya ayos lang,
'di naman masakit," nakangiti ko pang turan, sa halip na
masaktan ay magaan ang pakiramdam dahil sa may nag-
aalala sa 'kin.
"Kahit na, nabigla, e. Sabi naman namin kasi sa 'yo at sina
Bogart na lang ang kukuha. At saka ayaw din naman ni sir
na masaktan ka." I was frozen at that.
"Pero ayos talaga ako, promise," I murmured. "Mas
matibay pa sa semento ang balakang ko." Marahan akong
tumayo nang tulungan ako ni Alice patayo.
"Hala, huwag ako ang isipin ninyo! Tingnan natin ang
lapag at baka 'yan ang nagka-crack," I explained, pointing
at the ground and chuckled when they glanced there all
together before laughing at my remark.
"Hala, ma'am. 'Di namin alam na mapagbiro ka pala," ani
Ate Ramona kaya umingay ang tawanan nila at nangiti ako,
hawak-hawak pa ang malunggay ay napabaling sa may
terrace nang natigilan dahil makitang naroon si Marcus at
tahimik lang na nakatayo, tila nakikinig pero tahimik ding
umatras. Humawak sa may pintuang salamin doon bilang
gabay niya at unti-unting naglaho sa paningin ko.
My heart dropped.
"Sigurado ka na po bang ayos ka lang, ma'am?" ani Ate
Ramona kaya mula sa azotea ng kwarto ni Marcus ay
sumulyap ako sa kanya't tumango.
"Ayos lang," sagot ko at ngumiti.
"Naku, ma'am! Iyong tinola mo mukhang ayos na," tawag
sa akin ng pansin sa pinabantay ko kaya dali-dali akong
pumasok doon, medyo kumikirot man ang balakang ay kaya
ko naman kaya nagtungo.
I washed the malunggay leaves first to clean it.
Tinulungan nila ako sa paghimay-himay n'on pero halatado
sa kanila ang pagiging alangan.
"Sigurado ka ba riyan, ma'am?" tanong nila sa 'kin. "Baka
po hindi kainin ni sir 'yan at 'di mahilig—"
"Hindi pwedeng hindi," I said and slowly spread the leaves
in the casserole. "Not on my watch," sinabi ko sabay ngiti sa
kanila.
It was awkward to see people watching me move inside
the kitchen. Noon kasi'y si Tasha lang ang nanunuod sa
pagluluto ko kaya nakakahiya ngayon na ganito.
Masaya ako no'ng natapos ko iyon. I didn't know why but
the house seemed livelier than it was the last time I was
here. Siguro ay dahil sa ilaw? O 'di kaya'y sa naririnig na
masasayang usapan ng mga tao sa paligid?
"Ma'am, hindi raw po makakapunta si Nurse Mary," Nancy
called my attention after she talked on the phone.
"'Yong nurse ni Macky?" I asked. She nodded. "Opo, may
emergency daw po sa ospital kaya 'di makakapunta. May
mga bilin lang po siya."
I listened to it, nagpresinta pa nga silang sila na ang
gagawa but I insisted. Dala-dala ang tray ng pagkain ni
Marcus ay inakyat ko siya sa kwarto niya no'ng sumapit ang
alas-nwebe ng gabi.
Puffing a deep breath, I lowered the tray before tilting the
doorknob to open it pero natigilan nang ang dilim at lamig
ang sumalubong sa akin. I couldn't see him but after a few
moments and my eyes adjusted, I saw him.
My mouth parted, seeing him curled up on the bed.
Nakatalikod siya sa akin pero kitang-kita ko ang panginginig
ng kanyang katawan.
"N-no..." Ang paos niyang boses ang pumailanlang sa
aking tainga. "H-Huwag...huwag."
I lowered the food on the ground. Halos malalaking
hakbang na ang ginawa ko maabot lamang siya gumagalaw
sa higaan.
Malalim ang kanyang paghinga at nanginginig, it was as if
he kept on grasping something he couldn't reach.
"N-no, please..." he said desperately.
"Marcus..." I called before reaching for his shoulder but he
was too quick to move his hand and change positions.
Huli ko na nang matantong nakahiga na ako sa kama,
nasa ibabaw ko na siya at hawak-hawak niyanang mariin
ang kamay ko at pinipisil iyon.
"M-Marcus," I called again and despite the darkness, I
could see his face from the light escaping on his curtains
from the post outside.
He was in full alert and full of adrenaline. Kahit anong
galaw ko ay mas dumidiin ang kanyang kuko sa pulsuhan
ko.
"Who are you?" mariing sinabi niya at mas dumiin. "Y-you
can't take me, okay? M-my kids need me...you can't take
me."
"Hey..." I called.
"No...no," iling-iling niya, mas bumibigat ang dagan sa
katawan ko. "You can't take me. You m-monster, you can't
take me."
He sounded so lost and confused, as if he was still trapped
in a nightmare. Ang kunot ng kanyang noo ay visible sa
paningin ko kaya alam kong hindi niya alam ang ginagawa.
"I'm not a monster," I said as gentle as I could but frowned
when his grip on my wrist tightened.
"Y-you are, you are..." he chanted, "d-don't take me a-
away from my kids. They...they need me."
I thought of a way to escape and wake him up kaya
marahang inangat ko ang isang kamay at inabot ang
kanyang batok.
"I'm not—"
"Liar!" he exclaimed and I was too quick to pull him
towards me until he was burying his head on my neck. "G-
get off me! You monster!" he exclaimed and tried pulling
away pero mas hinaplos ko ang kanyang batok ng marahan.
"Shh...it's okay, it's okay," I whispered gently. "Wake up,
Marcus."
He wiggled from my grip, his manly natural scent filled my
nostrils.
"It's just a dream," pag-aalo ko at mas hinaplos ang
kanyang batok patungo sa kanyang buhok at nang lumuwag
ang hawak niya sa pulsuhan ay tinulak ko na siya mas
palapit sa akin.
His weight felt heavier this time around and as I was
whispering for him to wake up, telling him it was gonna be
okay, I noticed how his breath settled and calmed down.
Mas bumigat siya at maya-maya pa'y gumalaw.
"S-Storm?" he whispered in my ear.
My eyes dropped closed. His voice felt like I was hearing a
sweet lullaby.
"Hmm, it's me," bulong ko, "it's okay."
"The..." Huminga siya nang malalim. "T-the monster?"
"Wala," bulong ko pang mas marahan. "Walang halimaw,
nasa panaginip lang iyon."
"But..." he trailed off. "It'll t-take me, Storm. 'Y-yong mga
anak ko, they n-need me."
Tila piniraso ang puso ko sa naririnig na mga salitang
namutawi sa kanyang labi. It was like he was hearing a
broken record that kept on playing again and again no
matter how hard he tried to make it stop.
"It won't take you," I whispered back. "I'd never let it."
Hindi siya umimik, no'ng una'y akala kong ayos na pero
mabilis siyang bumalikwas palayo sa akin na tila napapaso
at mabilis na naupo sa gilid, malayo sa akin.
 My eyes swelled, looking at how brave looking and strong
he was the last time I saw him and now he was weak and
scared.
Tahimik akong naupo sa kama at sinuklay ang buhok bago
siya tawagin, "Marcus."
"Open the lights," he muttered. Tumayo naman ako at
inabot ang switch at doon na nagkaroon ng liwanag lalo ang
kwarto.
It was chilling there. Kaagad kong inabot ang remote ng
aircon para hinaan kahit kaunti ang aircon bago napasulyap
sa pulsuhan kong namula dahil sa mahigpit na hawak niya
roon kanina pero ipinagsawalang-bahala ko iyon at kinuha
ang tray ng pagkain bago naupo sa kanyang tabi.
"What the hell are you doing here?" malamig niyang
tanong.
"Kain ka," I said. "Nagluto ako—"
"Ayoko," he said stubbornly and I expected it.
"Marcus, kailangan mong kumain," marahang sinabi ko.
"Pangalawang kain mo pa lang ito ngayong araw. Okay na
'yong kaunting kinain mo kanina kasi at least kumain ka,
pero iba itong ngayon. This is your last meal of the day and
you should eat."
Tumiim ang panga niya at hindi ako sinagot.
"Susubuan kita, ah?"
"I can eat damn well," mahinang sinabi niya. "Ako na."
"May sabaw ito, Macky," paliwanag ko. "Baka mapaso ka
pa. Ako na."
"No," he fought back. "Let me. I am not disabled!"
"Alam ko." Tumango ako at inilagaynang maayos sa
kutsara ang sabaw para hipan iyon saglit. "Pero hayaan
mong alagaan kita, oh, here and taste this."
Inilapit ko sa labi niya ang kutsara sa kabila nang halatang
pagtutol sa kanyang mukha. Tiim ang bagang at pirmi ang
mga mapupulang mga labi.
"Macky—"
 "I said no!" his voice roared, hinawi niya ang kamay ko
kaya nagulat ako't tumilapon ang hawak sa kutsara. The
tray moved too and a small part of the hot content inside
the bowl spilled on my leg.
I gasped in shock when it stung, standing abruptly from
the bed to take it off my leg. Mabilis ko ring ibinaba roon sa
lapag ang tray para 'di tuluyang matapon.
"Are you..." Napatingin ako kay Macky na umayos ng upo
at nakasulyap na sa akin, nakaawang ang labi at mukhang
nagulat din sa nagawa.
My heart felt like squeezing.
"Bathroom lang," mahinang sabi ko at dali-daling
nagtungo sa banyo para hugasan ang hita. When I lifted my
dress, I could see a small portion of it was already red. Dali-
dali ko iyong binasa ng malamig na tubig para kahit
papaano'y umayos at nang matapos ay pagod akong
napatitig sa salamin.
I looked like a mess, parang buong araw ata akong
naaksidente ngayon. Una na 'yong sa hagdan. What a start
for the first day.
"You can do it." I tapped my shoulder. "For the kids!
For...Marcus."
I inhaled a sharp intake of breath. Brushing my hair, I
opened the bathroom's door to go outside when I got
slammed on someone's chest. I stopped. Mabilis akong
napaatras at nabigla nang makita si Marcus na nakatayo sa
harapan n'on.
"Marcus?" I called.
He didn't say anything at first, he just kept on lowering his
head like a kid and because he was taller than me, I got a
glimpse of his regretful face.
"A-are you okay?" malamig pa niyang tinanong. Tunog
iyon seryoso pero alam ko ang tono niya.
"Ayos lang ako," sagot ko naman at kinagat ang labi at
naglakad palagpas sa kanya pero mabilis niya akong
naharang.
 "Are you sure?" he asked me abruptly. "I lost my control. I
didn't mean to do that."
Umangat ang labi ko sa ngiti sa tinuran niya, I chewed the
insides of my mouth and lifted my head to look at him
again.
"I understand. Labas muna 'ko, papalit lang sa guest
room." I touched his wrist—almost making him jump in
shock but he let me. Inalalayan ko siyang paupong muli sa
kama niya bago nagsalita.
"Doon muna 'ko," paalam ko at tahimik na tumalikod para
sana umalis habang bitbit ang tray para palitan nang
tawagin niya ako.
"Storm!" he snapped and that was when I shifted my gaze
on him to take a look.
"Hmm?"
I caught how he gulped harshly as he touched his nape
and cocked it to the side, licking his reddish lips with his
tongue.
"You'll be back, right?" he inquired and that was when my
jaw dropped. Nasa isip kong maganda para sa kanyang wala
ako pero ngayon?
"I-I'm just..." Umubo siya. "I'm just damn starving, hindi ko
makita 'yong pagkain. Baka mapaso ako sa s-sabaw."
Tumikhim siya.
My lips tugged for a playful smile, pinagmasdan ko siya
roon namumula ang mukha at napahawak sa dress.
"Babalik ako," I announced. "Wait for me. I'll feed you."
Ngumuso siya, hindi na umimik kaya nakangiti akong
lumabas sa kabila ng paso. Hindi ko na nga ata
naramdaman iyon at nakatatak lang sa isip ang nahihiyang
boses niya.
Mabilis akong nagpalit. Tanging ang shorts na maiksi at
spaghetti strap na damit lang ang nakuhang maayos sa
closet doon at nagulat nang pagbalik ko'y nakatayo siya sa
gilid ng kama.
 He was naked on top, his muscled and strong back
feasting on my eyes. Malapad ang kanyang balikat at
napalunok ako ng wala sa sarili nang napaharap siya sa
banda ko nang marinig ang pagsara ng pinto at matitigan
ang V-shape na lubog sa may gilid ng kanyang magkabilang
baywang pababa sa kanyang pants.
I swallowed painfully.
"Anong ginagawa mo?" I asked, trying not to be distracted
from the fact that I was ogling at him.
"Just changing the bedsheets. I messed it up," aniya at
napatawa ako nang masilip ang ginagawa niya't magulo nga
ang bedsheets at gusot.
"Ako na nga," tumatawa kong sabi. "Upo ka muna ro'n sa
sofa."
"Sorry..." He blushed. "I messed it up and yet I couldn't fix
it."
He looked like a shy kid I found myself pinching his cheek
and held his hand to pull him towards the sofa just beside
his bed.
"Ayos lang, let me," I muttered. "Basta ba kakain ka ng
hapunan ayos na ako."
"Is it okay?" nag-aalangan niyang tanong nang paupuin ko
siya. "I can help. Well, I'll try?"
"Kumain ka lang, ayos na ako," nakangiting turan ko bago
siya saglit na tinitigan at nagtungo na sa kama para ayusin
ang bedsheet at pagbalik ko sa kanya'y nakasandal lang
siya roon sa sofa at tila batang nag-aantay ng sundo.
I noticed he was already wearing a shirt now and my lips
protruded.
Sayang ang view! I shook my head, removing the earthy
and malicious things running inside my head.
I reached for his hand and it made him jump.
"Storm?"
"Hmm?" I hummed and gripped his calloused palm. "Tara
na, sa kama ka ba kakain or dito na lang?"
 "Kahit dito na lang," sagot niya. "Baka may magawa na
naman akong kagaguhan at mabuhos ang sabaw."
I smiled.
"It was an accident, Macky," I muttered. "Pkay lang 'yon."
Kinuha ko ang tray at pinatong sa lamesa bago siya
sulyapang tahimik na naman sa tabi ko.
"Iihipan ko, ah? Kumuha kasi ako panibago para mainit
ulit," paliwanag ko.
"Is your leg okay?" he asked.
"Oo," sagot ko, "kaunti lang naman ang nabuhos at saka
nabuhusan ko kaagad ng malamig na tubig. Mawawala rin
'yon."
Naramdaman ko ang pagbangga ng kamay niya sa akin
na nasa sofa. Dali-dali akong napasulyap doon at parang
mapupugto ang hininga nang umangat ang daliri niya sa
pulso ko.
"How 'bout your wrist?" he asked, "I gripped it too hard,
didn't I?"
"You were having a nightmare. I understand."
He sighed. "And your back? I heard you fell, Storm Raina.
What happened? Are you sure you're okay? And you can't
make excuses about me—"
"Kumuha ako ng malunggay mo," I stopped him.
"What?"
"Una, ayos lang ako. Mababa lang 'yong hagdan. Masakit
kanina pero nawala na rin at kumuha ako ng malunggay."
"For?" Kumunot ang noo niya.
"Basta, wala lang," I said and took the spoon. "Oh, siya,
huwag mo akong kwentuhan, Marcus. Halatadong ayaw mo
lang kumain, e."
"What?" His lips protruded. "Who said I won't?"
"Halata." Pinisil ko ang ilong niya. "Oh, kain na."
Inihipan ko ang sabaw na may kaunting kanin at
malunggay at inilapit sa bibig niya para matikman pero
parang kakasayad pa lang sa dila niya ay masuka-suka na
siya.
 "Isa!" I snapped. "Huwag iluluwa!"
He swallowed it painfully and stuck his tongue out like a
kid after.
"May gulay!" he whined. "Storm, who did the cooking?
Hell, I told them I don't eat this green thing—"
"Ako, bakit?" Tumaas ang kilay ko.
"Huh?"
"You know why I fell on the stairs? Because I took
malunggay from there and fell!"
"Bakit?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "Didn't they inform you I
don't eat this?"
"Yeah?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Who eats tinola with
nothing but meat? Ano? At saka sabaw lang? Anong klase
'yon? Ano ka, matandang walang ngipin?"
"The fuck?" he blurted out.
"Anong the fuck." Ngumuso ako. "Kulang na lang durugin
pa sa 'yo ang karne. Kumain ka na gulay, akala mo ba
maganda sa kalusugan 'yang pinaggagawa mo? Anong
kinakain mo, pancit canton? Ang daming gano'n sa may
cabinet!"
"What's wrong there?" he sulked. "I liked the chilimansi—"
"Tss, nga-nga! Huwag mo 'kong lilibangin sa kwento mo at
kumain ka ng gulay."
"But—"
"O-ouch..." Nagdrama ako't kunwari'y humawak sa
baywang ko.
"Storm? Bakit? Anong nangyari?" tuloy-tuloy niyang
tinanong. He was panicking now, I see.
"'Yong...balakang ko." I groaned. "Naghirap kasi akong
kunin 'yong malunggay tapos 'yong pinapakain ko ayaw
naman. O-ouch, mababali 'ata—"
"G-give me some," he muttered, panicking. "Kakain ako.
Kakain na." Ngumanga pa siya at halos mapahalakhak ako
roon pero pinigil ko ang sarili.
Uto-uto.
 Umayos ako ng upo at dali-daling naglagay muli sa
kutsara at isinubo sa kanya na kinain niya rin pero ang
mukha niya'y nangingiwi. It looked like he was going to
throw up so I faked a groan.
"A-aww..."
"A-another one," he said and swallowed the food painfully,
'di nga 'ata nginuya.
"Nguyain mo," I said and gave him another one pero no'ng
mukhang lulunukin lang niya agad ay pinalo ko na ang hita.
"Marcus, nguyain mo! Mabulunan ka sa ginagawa mo!"
"I-I can't." He coughed and reached for the glass of water
kaya tinulungan ko na uminom. "It's horrible—"
"Ano?!" I scoffed.
"Masarap!" he exclaimed back. "Sobrang sarap nga. K-
kulang pa, ah? Pahingi pa nga." He opened his mouth
impatiently kaya parang mamamatay ako sa kakapigil ng
tawa sa hitsura niyang parang kulang na lang ay mahimatay
sa kinakain.
Hindi naman gano'n kasama ang ugali ko kaya no'ng
bandang huli na'y tinatanggalan ko na ng dahon at
namumula na ang talaga ang mestisong kutis niya sa
reaksyon.
"Water..." He sounded like he was choking when he
finished the last spoon of food at inabot ko iyon sa kanya na
tuloy-tuloy niyang ininom.
"Fuck, cause of death: fucking veggies," bulong-bulong pa
niya kaya humalakhak ako at itinabi ang pagkain sa lamesa
bago siya lapitan.
"You sound amused, huh? Must be fun seeing me choking
to death." He pouted.
"Asus, Sky, ikaw ba 'yan?" Napatawa akong lalo nang mas
bumusangot siya, inabot ko ang tissue roon at inilapit sa
kanyang bibig. "Ayaw na nga sa gulay, napapakalat pang
kumain."
"How can you like veggies, huh? It's bitter and weird," he
whined again like a kid. "Pancit canton is better—"
 "Ayan, puro ka junk food. Puro ka unhealthy foods."
Bumusangot ako at hinawakan ang chin niya para punasan
ang kalat sa gilid ng labi, natigilan pa saglit nang
mahawakan ang patubong bigote niya.
"Mom was like that too." He sighed. "Si Dette lang 'ata
kaya niyang pakainin ng gulay. Everyone is trying hard to
eat so she won't get mad at us and you know what? Papa's
preaching us about being healthy or what pero kulang na
lang idukdok ni mama ang kutsara sa bibig niya kapag 'di
siya kakain."
Napatawa ako, naaaliw na pinagmamasdan siyang
nagkikwento ng gano'n sa akin at mukhang komportable
naman siya.
"I'm trying hard, okay? I want to be a good father." He
sighed. "I'll let the twins eat veggies at least three times a
week—"
"Oh? Tapos ikaw ang hindi? Practice what you preach. You
should show our children you're eating one so they'd follow
you."
Natigilan ako.
Our children?
A bitter taste spread inside my mouth. I must be
forgetting Storm. Hell. This was her husband and I was just
her damn substitute.
Natahimik din siya roon kaya dali-dali akong umiwas ng
tingin sa kanya at umakmang tatayo.
"Hahatid ko lang sa kusina," mahinang sinabi ko pero
mabilis niyang naabot ang baywang ko at sa gulat ay
bumagsak ako diretso sa kanyang hita, natitilihan at tila
tuod.
I was sitting sideways on his leg when I felt his face on my
neck, his nose touching my skin.
"Marcus..." tawag ko.
"I want this scent of you more," bulong niya at ipinaraan
ang ilong sa leeg ko kaya nagtindigan ang balahibo kasabay
ng malakas na pagwawala ng puso.
 His hand crawled on my waist as he buried his face more
on my skin, making my stomach churn more with
unexplainable feeling inside.
"I want this more. This scent. This...you." Lumalim ang
paghinga niya kaya dali-dali ko siyang nilingon at sa kabila
ng tela sa mga mata'y kitang-kita ko ang ekspresyon niya.
"A-ano bang mayro'n ako?" bulong ko at hindi na
napigilang iangat ang kamay sa kanyang batok para
haplusin ang buhok niya.
He placed his chin on my shoulder and I felt chills running
down my spine when he gave my cheek a feathery kiss.
"I should hate you," bulong niya. "Damn, I was so mad at
you."
"E, bakit ngayon..." Kinagat ko ang labi habang
pinagmamasdan ang lumbay sa kanyang mukha.
"This version of you...it felt so warm, Storm." Lumalim ang
paghinga niya at mas humigpit ang yakap sa akin. "A-ang
lamig-lamig pero ikaw...ikaw 'yong nagbibigay init dito,"
aniya sabay angat sa kamay kong nahuli niya at dala nito sa
dibdib niya.
Kabanata 3
 
Kabanata 3
Hindi ako nakatulog no'ng gabing iyon kakaisip sa
nangyari sa akin isang araw pa lamang na nandito ako. A lot
happened in just a single night and here I was thinking
about Marcus and the twins.
Malamig ang guest room kung nasaan ako nag-i-stay. I
found out Storm's clothes were here because of Marcus—
mukhang nagkagalit sila bago pa umalis ang kakambal ko
rito.
How he acted earlier made me feel something else. It felt
so wrong because yes, I was here to fix the mess my twin
made. I was here to take care of them, and yet Marcus was
still Storm's husband and we couldn't change that.
Natatakot din ako't baka ipawalang-bisa ni Marcus ang
kasal nila ni Storm, ayon kasi kay nanay na narinig niya
mula sa kambal ko'y kapag tuluyang naghiwalay ang dalawa
ay kukunin na ni Macky ang kambal at hindi ko na—namin
makikita ang mga ito.
I looked around the room where I was in and decided to
just turn the aircon off and open the ceiling fan instead.
Hindi kasi ako sanay sa ganitong kagarbong lugar. Ang
bahay namin nina Nanay noon ay simpleng barong-barong
lang at nito namang nagtrabaho ako sa ibang bansa'y nasa
storage ako natutulog.
Walang aircon. Walang electric fan. Maliit at madumi na
para akong bilanggo kaya ngayong nasa ganito ako kalaking
mansyon ay nanliliit ako.
Working as an Overseas Filipino Worker was hard. Akala
ng iba'y mayaman ka kapag nagtrabaho ka sa ibang bansa
pero mali sila sa aspetong iyon. It was hard—swerte na lang
siguro kung maayos ang employer mo pero sa kaso ko? I
was abused.
I did hard labor. I rarely ate. Pinakamaraming kain ko na
sa isang araw ay isang beses lamang at kung hindi lang ako
siguro lumaki sa probinsya ay baka hindi ko na kinaya ang
trabaho.
Mahirap na nga ang trabaho, madalas ay delay pa ang
sweldo. Matagal ko ng gustong umalis doon pero kapag
naiisip ko sina nanay, si Storm, at ang mga bata kaya hindi
ako sumusuko. Nobody knew I worked there as a maid aside
from my twin. Akala ng nanay ay naroon ako para mag-tutor
ng mga bata.
Napatungo ako, sumulyap sa hita ko at marahang inangat
ang suot na shorts at nakita ang peklat mula roon sa kanila.
It was that time when my employer, the lady, caught her
husband peeking at me in the bathroom like a crazy maniac
at sa halip na ang asawa ang sisihin, sa akin siya
nagbunton.
She accused me of seducing her husband and pulled me
out of the bathroom. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ang plantsang
katatapos niya lang gamitin at dumikit iyon sa hita ko.
She let me go after that but it was so painful I cried in my
room. Nagkasakit ako pero hindi ko madala ang sarili ko sa
ospital dahil 'di ako makalabas at wala akong pera
pambayad.
I only felt better when Tasha went to me and gave me
something to eat. She even took medicine from her mom's
room to give me one to help me with my fever.
Hindi madali ang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Swertihan
din talaga. Hindi lahat ng tao ay pangarap magtrabaho sa
ibang bansa at malayo sa pamilya. Hindi lahat ng tao'y may
lakas ng loob makipagsapalaran sa isang destinasyong
walang siguradong dulo.
Nakakalungkot lang talagang kaunti ang opportunidad sa
Pilipinas. Kung mayro'n may ay maliit ang sahod at hindi
sapat sa pamilya. If only our country prioritized Filipino
careers so that we wouldn't think about flying to a foreign
country to get the job and salary we deserved...
Ni hindi ito ang kursong tinapos ko sa kolehiyo. When I
graduated, I aspired to be the best in my job because I was
good in class, but opportunities weren't for me kaya
napilitan akong lumipad sa bansang hindi pamilyar sa akin
at pinatos ang kahit anong trabahong mayro'n para
maipantustos sa pamilya.
Kung kaya ko lang talagang manatili noon, ginawa ko na.
Hilom na ang sugat pero ang peklat ay nanatili roon kaya
napatitig ako at napangiti. But at least, I survived. It was a
good thing. Maybe I still had a purpose. The Almighty might
have given me another chance in life because I still had a
role to play.
Lumabas ako sa azotea para makalanghap ng sariwang
hangin. Nang tumama iyon sa mukha ay napapikit ako't
dinama iyon pero kaagad na natigilan nang makaamoy ng
usok.
I stopped, shifted my head, and was stunned upon seeing
Marcus in the terrace of his room just beside the guest
room.
Hubad ang pang-itaas niya, tanging kulay na itim na
pajama ang suot. He was leaning on the barricade, silent.
Dumako ang tingin ko sa biceps niyang firm at ma-muscles,
natigilan nang iangat niya ang kamay at inilapit sa kanyang
labi ang sigarilyo.
My mouth parted.
He was smoking?
Bumuga siya ng usok. Sumama iyon sa hangin kaya
nalanghap ko ang amoy ng sigarilyo niyang may halong
mint. He then licked his lower lip and put his cigarette on
the ashtray after a few blows.
I watched him like a cat from where I was, not even
making a sound so I could look at him this way for some
time.
 Hindi rin siya makatulog at base sa nakikita kong dilim sa
mukha niya't pag-igting ng mga panga ay alam kong may
iniisip siya.
He then reached his hand somewhere, as if looking for
something—his glass of liquor he placed on the barricade
and tried reaching for it and when he almost did, I gasped
loudly.
Natigil siya. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa pwesto ko.
"Who's that?" he asked, his body in defensive mode.
Dali-dali kong tinakpan ang bibig. Nanlalaki ang mata
habang nakamasid sa kanyang nakabaling sa pwesto ko.
Hindi ako umimik. Ni hindi na nga 'ata ako humihinga.
He then sighed and shook his head. "And now I'm
imagining things," matabang niyang sabi at 'yon na lang
ang paghinga ko ng maluwag sabay sapo sa dibdib.
Muntik ka na, Varsha!
He proceeded into searching for his liquor on the
barricade. Dahil nga sa hindi niya nakikita ay kinakapa niya
iyon sa paligid at nahulog ang panga ko nang muntik na
niyang masagi iyon.
"Sa kanan!" I exclaimed. "Matatamaan mo na, Marcus!"
He got it. Isang hablot lang niya sa baso't paling sa
pwesto ko ay muli kong natakpan ang bibig.
Shit. Ito ang mahirap kapag nerbyosa ka!
My eyes felt like they were going to jump away from the
sockets when he moved his body towards the place where I
was standing and it gave me a full view of his mouth-
watering and defined pectorals. May maninipis na buhok sa
may dibdib niya't hawak sa isang kamay ang baso ng alak
na kanina lang ay 'di niya mahanap.
"I knew it," he murmured while I was just looking at him
exaggeratedly, still covering my mouth.
Hindi ako magsasalita! I wasn't here! You're just hearing
things, Marcus!
He lifted the glass he was holding and lifted it up on his
mouth to take a sip, hotly licking his lower lip after.
 "You can't hide from me, Storm. I know you're there," he
murmured and it was a foolish move to even expect him not
to notice me after I screamed that.
"S-sorry..." Tumikhim ako at marahang lumapit na sa may
barricade kaharap kung nasaan siya. "Ano lang kasi, hindi
ako makatulog kaya lumabas ako rito para magpahangin
tapos nakita kita."
His lips pursed. They were still wet from drinking when he
lowered it again kaya suminghap ako.
"Huwag mong bitawan!" I exclaimed and raised my hand
kaya naiwan sa ere ang kamay niya. "Mahuhulog sa baba
'yan!"
"Huh?" he asked. "Where can I put this..." Ibinaba niya ang
kamay at sinubukang humawak ng paglalapagan pero naa-
anxious akong tingnan ang kanyang kamay na may hawak
pang baso ng alak.
"Don't," I said. "Huwag mong bitawan muna, baka
mahulog. Sandali, punta ako riyan."
"What? Wait, my door's closed—"
"Don't worry, I won't go to your door," I said at walang
takot akong sumampa sa may barricade.
"Don't tell me..." he trailed off.
"E 'di hindi," ngisi ko at mabilis na kumapit at ibinalanse
ang sarili sa maliit na sementong pwedeng tulayan patungo
sa kanyang terrace.
"Don't..." He cursed, "Fucking shit, Storm Raina!"
Humalakhak ako at umayos ng tayo para 'di mahulog.
"Don't worry, Macky, I got this," I even said proudly. "Dati
sa probinsya namin magaling akong umakyat-akyat—" I
screamed when I almost slipped but got a quick balance.
"Fuck..." He gritted his teeth. "Be careful!" he growled.
"Chill!" I laughed and walked a little more. "Sandali,
malapit na ako."
"Here." I was shocked when he lifted his free hand and
extended it somewhere. "Take it."
"I'm really fine—"
 "I said take it, woman!" he hissed. "Paano kung mahulog
ka riyan sa tigas ng ulo mo?"
"I told you, I was a great climber before. Madalas akong
sumasama sa pag-akyat ng bundok!"
"I don't fucking care, just take my damn hand and come
here quick! You think you'll live if you fall?"
Napatingin ako sa ibaba at 'di naman kataasan kaya
nagkibit-balikat ako.
"Oo, mababalian nga lang—"
"Stop reasoning!" he exclaimed, quite demanding. Mas
iginalaw niya ang kamay. "Take my damn hand!"
"Okay! Okay!" Napahakhak ako sa kanya. "Ito na, sandali.
Pero hindi kanan, Marcus. Nasa kaliwa ako." He then quickly
shifted his hand towards my side kaya tumawa na ako at
unti-unti'y inabot iyon.
Electricity ran from his hand into mine when our fingers
touched. His calloused hand pulled me gently until I climbed
on his terrace and sat on the barricade and grinned.
"See? I told you I can..." Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin
nang mawalan ako ng balanse dahil medyo dumulas ang
pang-upo, akala'y mahuhulog patalikod nang mabilis niyang
nahawakan ang likod ng baywang ko at hinatak ako pabalik.
Sa gulat ay napakapit ako sa may batok niya at namilog
ang mata nang maglapit ang mukha namin.
"Ang tigas ng ulo mo!" he growled angrily, still firming my
waist. "Ang kulit-kulit mo! Wala 'yang iniyayabang mong
umaakyat ka ng bundok kung mahuhulog ka rito, Storm
Raina!"
The mixed scent of his cigarette and liquor reached my
nose. Pirmi ang bibig niya at malamig na nagsasalita, mariin
at galit pero napapalunok lang ako dahil sa lapit ng mukha
namin.
Damn, he was hot.
Because he was naked from the top, I could feel the
warmth of his chest against the tiny fabric of my spaghetti
strap top. Ang lamig-lamig ng hangin pero ang init-init niya.
 "You are hard-headed! You could've waited for me to just
open the damn door instead of climbing here! Ano ka,
unggoy?!" he exclaimed back at seryoso siya pero
napabughalit ako ng tawa.
"Ano?! Unggoy? Ako?!" I exclaimed back, laughing.
"And now you're laughing," he spat. "You are not taking
me seriously, Storm."
"Nerbyoso ka kasi." Napatawa ako. "I wouldn't have fallen.
Kaya ko 'yan."
"Tss...says the woman who almost fell just a moment
ago," bulong-bulong niya kaya ngumisi ako.
I stared at him again to look at face, my cheeks heating
up with the closeness we had right now. Pantay ang mukha
namin dahil sa pagkakaupo ko sa may barricade. Our chests
were almost pressed in each other. Our faces were an inch
apart.
My eyes fell on his lips. He stopped too. Humigpit ang
hawak niya sa baywang ko kaya naikuyom ko ang kamay at
lumalim ang paghinga.
His tongue fell on his lower lip and moistened it. Huling-
huli ko rin ang marahas niyang paglunok at namilog ang
mata ko nang bahagya siyang umabante palapit kaya mas
nagpigil ako ng hininga.
When the tip of our nose touched, my heart thundered.
His scent intoxicated me that my eyes felt sleepy and
drowsy. Nahulog ang mata ko at napapikit, dinadama ang
alak at mint sa kanyang hininga.
I moved my body to try and kiss him but realized
something.
This was wrong!
Ipinaling ko ang ulo, ang labi niya'y tumama sa pisngi ko
kaya tila sasabog ang mukha ko sa init at mabilis na kinuha
ang basong hawak niya at inilapag na sa patungan.
"A-ayan!" I chuckled awkwardly. "H-hindi na malalaglag
'yong baso mo."
 He sighed and moved away, ang nahihiyang ngiti sa labi
ko ay nawala nang tahimik siyang bumitaw sa akin at
lumayo. Tila hinugot ang hininga ko paalis. Ipinikit ko ang
mata nang mariin nang mapansing umiigting na naman ang
panga niya.
"Macky," I called and he quietly walked on the other side
and rested his arms there.
"Thanks for helping. You can go," he announced coldly.
Kumirot ang dibdib ko, mukhang napasama na naman ang
naging dating sa kanya ng ginawa ko. Mabilis akong
bumaba sa pagkakaupo roon at lumapit.
"Marcus—"
"It's late, you should sleep," aniya, tahimik na nakasandal
ang mga braso sa matigas ang ekspresyon sa mukha.
"Sorry..." I sighed. "Hindi naman sa ayaw kong lumapit sa
'yo. I'm just..." I thought of ways to explain what I WAS
feeling.
"I know it well, Storm. Hindi ako 'yong lalaki mo,
naiintindihan ko," He muttered blankly kaya dali-dali akong
umiling.
"Hindi...hindi." I dismissed his thoughts and reached for
his arm. "Wala akong lalaki—"
"You are full of bullshit, Storm. Alam mo 'yon?" Hinila niya
ang braso sa akin. "You left us! You left your family for that
asshole tapos ngayon ay babalik ka na parang walang
nangyari? Ano nga ulit 'yon? Wala ka na namang pera?"
"Hindi..." I had trouble explaining it. "I don't want any
money from you, hmm? I'd never ask you something like
that—at least not a-anymore. I'll be better, just
don't...please don't push me away. Hayaan mo akong
alagaan kayong tatlo ng mga a-anak natin. L-let me change,
g-give me a chance."
I was so frustrated my eyes stung from the tears coming.
"Macky..." Muli ko siyang inabot. "P-pangako, pangako
magbabago ako. Just give me a chance."
 "Aren't you tired lying?" he blurted out. "Ilang beses mo
na ba 'yang sinabi? Tapos uulitin mo na naman? Kaya kong
palagpasin ka noon kasi asawa kita! Ina ka ng mga anak ko
pero pagod na rin ako, Storm. You know why I got into this
accident?!"
Natahimik ako.
"Well, you know what? I saw you with a man, woman!
Imagine how would you feel if you saw your wife who
promised to change and be better kissing someone else,
huh? Tangina, sabihin mo sa 'kin kung anong dapat kong
maramdamang may iba ang asawa ko, huh?!"
My mouth parted as if cold water washed through my
system upon hearing it.
"I respected you, Storm! Kahit wala tayong
nararamdaman sa isa't isa nirespeto kita!" he exclaimed,
ang galit at frustration ay damang-dama ko sa kanyang
boses. "T-there were girls around but I didn't fool around
because I was committed to you! Nirerespeto kita bilang
asawa ko! Bilang ina ng kambal pero tangina!"
Tuluyan nang nahulog ang luha ko nang mabasag ang
kanyang boses.
"H-he was...he was touching you in p-places I should be
the only one touching," he whispered painfully. "P-pinatawad
kita. T-tanggap ko naman na n-nagkamali ka pero i-inulit
mo...palagi na lang. P-palagi mo na lang akong sinasaktan!
P-palagi mo na lang iniiwan ang mga bata! M-mahal ka nila,
Storm. M-mahal na mahal ka nila kahit sinasaktan mo sila!
M-mahal ka nila..." His voice trembled.
Sa kabila ng dilim ay kitang-kita ko ang basa sa kanyang
pisngi at benda.
"G-gusto ko lang namang maging mabuting asawa sa 'yo.
G-gusto kong bigyan ng pamilya ang mga a-anak ko. G-
gusto ko ng pamilyang kagaya kina mama at papa—
gustong-gusto ko."
Nadurog ang puso ko sa basag niyang boses na nakita ko
ang sariling lumalapit sa kanyang direksyon para hulihin
siya sa isang yakap. Nagpumiglas siya sa akin pero umiiyak
kong hinawakan ang batok niya at mas hinigpitan ang yakap
ko sa kanya.
"Sorry..." I whispered. "M-mali ako, Macky. Sorry."
"Bullshit..." mahinang bulong niya.
"Babawi ako, pangako," I whispered. "I'm begging you,
Macky. G-give me o-one more."
Hindi na siya umimik pero ang hikbi naming dalawa ay
dinig na dinig sa lalim ng gabi, sa ilalim ng madilim na
kalangitan at unti-unti'y naramdaman ko ang basa sa akin
braso.
It started raining. Tila sinasabayan ang luha naming
dalawa.
Ang kalmadong gabing iyon ay naging marahas dahil sa
ulang mabining nahuhulog mula sa itaas patungo sa aking
braso.
"P-pasok na tayo, hmm?" bulong ko nang medyo makalma
na siya. Nakasubsob siya sa aking balikat at nakatungo kaya
abot ko siya. "I'm so sorry. Papasok na tayo, pahinga ka na."
He didn't protest when I held his hand to pull him inside.
Tahimik kong inayos ang kanyang kama at inalalayan siyang
pahiga roon na walang imik.
I pursed my lips when he turned his back at me after
wearing his shirt kaya tahimik kong iniangat ang comforter
sa kanyang katawan at inabot ang lamp shade sa side table
para sana patayin.
"Don't..." He stopped me.
Nilingon ko siya at nakatihaya na siya roon. "Don't turn
the lights off. I can't sleep t-that way. They'll come chasing
me again."
"Who?" marahan kong tanong.
"The...monsters." He sighed. "They'll come to me.
Always."
"They're just in your dreams, Marcus," marahang
paliwanag ko. "Walang kukuha sa 'yo, hindi ko sila
hahayaan."
 He gulped harshly and shifted his position until he was
facing me.
"How sure are you?" mahinang tanong niya.
"I am sure, Macky," I murmured, my heart softening while
looking at him resting there like a kid. "I won't let them."
His Adam's apple moved. Ngumuso ako nang
maramdaman ang kamay niya sa kamay kong nasa kama,
inaabot iyon hanggang sa mahawakan na niya.
"Promise?" nag-aalangan pang tanong niya kaya unti-
unti'y napangiti ako at tumango.
"I promise," I whispered back, feeling emotional as I
gripped his hand back for a squeeze. "Hindi ka ba
makatulog? You want me to sing to you to sleep?"
I swear I saw his face brighten.
"Would you?"
"Hmm." I nodded. "But well, I can't assure you I have a
nice voice. Singer lang ako sa banyo kasi—"
"It's okay, I can listen to a bathroom singer." He smirked.
"Ay, wow, grabe?" I hissed when he began laughing, the
tone of his voice making the loud sound of the rain
disappear. "Ayoko na nga kumanta, baka sabihan mo 'kong
pang-tae ang boses—" nagbiro pa akong aalis pero muli niya
akong hinila kaya napahiga ako sa kama.
Maybe Marcus was so good at doing this I found myself
pinned again by him kaya namimilog na naman ang mata
ko. Akala mo'y 'di kami nagsigawan kanina sa labas.
"Sing for me," he murmured, his breath fanning my nose.
"Pero pang-banyo lang—"
"Be the banyo queen," bulong niya at inilapit sa akin ang
mukha niya. "I wanna sleep hearing your voice."
"Paano kapag nagising ka lang lalo?" kinakabahan kong
tanong, nagsisising nag-offer pa ako pero tumaas lang ang
sulok ng labi niya.
"That's for you to think. Galingan mo." Ibinagsak niya ang
ulo sa pabalik sa higaan at inilahad ang tabi niya sabay
tapik ng braso niya. "Rest your head here and sing for me.
Pampam mo ako."
"Pampam?" Napatawa ako. "Where did you get that
word?"
"Zy." He laughed a little. "That asshole's been teasing me
'bout that. Sounds good giving it a use though."
I nodded and smiled, nag-aalangan at nahihiya man no'ng
una ay marahan akong dumulas papunta sa braso niya.
Kaagad niyang sinalo ang ulo ko at nang magharap na
naman ang aming mukha ay naroon na naman ang pamilyar
na kalabog sa dibdib.
"Sigurado ka, ah?" bulong ko habang nakatitig sa mukha
niya, sa benda sa kanyang mata. "I'll sing for you, wala
'tong kasiguraduhan kung makakatulog ka o gising buong
gabi sa bangungot."
He stifled a sexy laugh, nakagat ko ang labi roon at halos
mag-hyperventilate.
"That's why you should empress me, love." He grinned.
"Pamper me and sing a lullaby."
Love...
Lumunok ako at mas umayos ng higa sa braso niya,
pumasok din ako sa loob ng comforter at marahang
inaangat ang kamay para haplusin ang boses niya.
Tumikhim ako bago nagsimulang kumanta sa nahihiya at
mahinang boses.
"I see your monsters...I see your pain..." I sang gently. "Tell
me your problems, I'll chase them away..."
I touched his hair more.
I'll be your lighthouse
I'll make it okay
When I see your monsters
I'll stand there so brave
And chase them all away
Unti-unti, lumalim ang kanyang paghinga at napangiti ako
ng maliit nang umusog ang ulo niya sa may leeg ko.
Storm...why did you have to ruin this man?
 Hearing him that mad and desperate earlier made me feel
bad. Hindi ako ang may gawa n'on sa kanya pero damay ako
dahil sa kakambal ko. I felt like it was my fault too and I
think it really was.
In the dark we
We stand apart we...
Never see that the things that we need are staring right at
us
You just want to hide
Hide never show your smile
Malungkot akong napangiti nang maramdaman ang unti-
unting pagkalma ng hinga niya, ang ulo'y bumibigat sa may
leeg ko.
Stand alone when you need someone it's the hardest
thing of all
That you see are the bad...bad...bad...
Bad memories take your time and you'll find me
Monsters every time he closed his eyes. Nightmares
plunging your dreams. It was hard because I—I experienced
it too.
"Don't be scared, Marcus," bulong kong mahina at
pinatakan ng halik ang kanyang buhok.
"When I see your monsters, I'll stand there so brave," I
sang again in his ear, "and chase them all away..."
I left his room when he was settled and sleeping soundly. I
didn't turn his lights off. He said his life had been dark and
he didn't want to add any more darkness in it.
Maganda ang mood ko pagkagising. I checked him in his
room and he was still soundly sleeping and it made me so
happy again.
Pagkababa ko sa kusina ay gulat na gulat sila, nagtinginan
pa sa orasan kaya ngumiti ako.
"Magandang umaga!" I chirped.
"Magandang umaga, ma'am!" bati nina Ate Ramona.
"Hala, ma'am, alas-sais pa lang. Ang aga mo naman
nagising?"
 "Ah, sanay lang kasi talaga akong magising nang maaga,"
sabi ko at naglakad palapit para tingnan ang niluluto nila.
"Wow! Adobo! Bakit walang patatas?"
"Ah, si sir—"
"Tsk..." iling ko at inabot ang sandok para haluin iyon.
"Hindi kompleto ang adobo kapag walang patatas. Pwedeng
makisuyong pabili ako? Ako na ang tatalop at maghahalo."
Tinitigan lang nila ako, nagtataka sa akin kaya ngumiti na
ako.
"Sige na, please?" I mumbled. "Don't worry about Marcus,
he'll eat this. I'm sure."
"'Yong mga bata po, ma'am. Uuwi rin 'ata ngayon," ani
Nancy kaya umawang ang labi ko't mas naging maganda
ang mood, mas nagwawala na ang puso sa saya.
"Another reason why we should fix this up," I muttered
excitedly. "The twins would love this and oh, is the
macaroons okay? Initin natin para makain ng dalawa."
"Opo..." They nodded and I noticed their panic. "Sige po,
daan lang kami diyan sa may wet market diyan para
patatas. Baka may gusto pa kayong ipabili, ma'am?"
"Hmm, gulay or prutas lang." I smiled. "Kailangang
kumain n'ong tatlo ng masusutansya't puro pancit canton
ang nasa cabinet. Sino bang nag-grocery?"
Ate Ramona cleared her throat. "Ako, ma'am. Si sir kasi, e.
Bili raw ng marami kasi paborito niya 'yan."
Napatawa ako't napailing. "Oh, siya. Sige, pasuyo na lang
muna ako. Tulong ako rito mag-ayos ng agahan."
It felt good serving breakfast for these people. Noong
nagtatrabaho kasi ako'y si Tasha lang ang nakaka-
appreciate sa mga luto ko at kahit siya lang ay masaya na
ako. Hindi ko rin expected na ganito pala kabuti ang mga
tao rito sa bahay kaya masaya ako't nasa mabuting kamay
ang kambal.
After I heated the macaroons, I placed it on the breakfast
table together with the food.
 "Kain na rin kayo," tawag ko sa pansin nila. "Sina Kuya
Bogart at saka mga guards pasabing mag-agahan na at
marami itong ulam. Salo-salo tayo."
"Salamat, ma'am!" The glint in their eyes screamed
gratefulness. "Hindi po namin inakalang magaling kayong
magluto."
"Salamat," marahang sinabi ko na. "Sandali, ah? Bisitahin
ko lang si Marcus."
"Sige po, ma'am."
Nang umakyat ako para puntahan si Macky ay naabutan
ko ang nurse niyang papalabas ng kwarto.
"Good morning po," I greeted and she smiled at me.
"Magandang umaga rin, hija. Pinaligo ko na muna ang
asawa mo, matatapos na 'yon maya-maya. Samahan ko na
lang pababa para sa agahan, pasensya na't hindi ako
nakarating kagabi, ah? Emergency lang."
"Ayos lang po," ngiti ko. "Salamat nga po pala sa pag-
aasikaso kay Marcus, alam kong madalas ay matigas ang
ulo niyan."
She looked stunned at first while hearing me but laughed
after a while.
"Tama, napakakulit," iling niya. "Ayaw pa kumain ng gulay,
kaya inis na inis na rin si Ma'am Reah sa anak niya't matigas
ang ulo."
"Pwede po bang pumasok?"
"Sige, ayos lang," ngiti niya, "tapos na iyon maligo, inayos
ko na rin 'yong benda niya't madalas naco-conscious sa
mga mata niya. Baba muna ako't kukumustahin ang mga
babae roon."
"Ay!" I snapped. "Tamang-tama po't may agahan. Kain na
kayo, nurse. Ako na po maghatid kay Marcus sa breakfast."
She thanked me and left, pumasok naman ako sa kwarto
ni Marcus bago naupo sa gilid ng kama niya't iginalaw ang
paa, nag-aantay sa kanyang lumabas pero parang bigla
akong nagsisi sa ginawang pag-aantay sa nakita.
 Marcus with his wet and messy hair got out of the
bathroom with nothing but a tiny towel on his waist. Basa pa
ang pang-itaas na parte ng katawan kaya kumikinang-
kinang ang abs sa paningin ko.
My jaw dropped as my eyes landed from his pectorals and
down the V-line on his waist and down his...
"Why look when you can try and touch it, Storm?" Nanuyo
ang lalamunan ko sa turan niya.
"What?!" I exclaimed, napatayo pa sa kama. "Hindi ko
tinititigan 'yang abs mo, ah?! At saka paano mo nalamang
nandito 'ko?!"
He smirked, he then lifted his hand kaya mabilis akong
bumaba sa kama at inabot iyon para tulungan siya palapit
sa akin pero hinila niya lang ako sabay hawak sa baywang
ko.
"I can smell you," he said. "I told you I like that scent more
than what you used before. It smells great." Halos panawan
na ako ng malay nang mabilis siyang tumungo at inamoy
ang leeg ko.
Shit...shit...shit!
"What perfume is this again, love?" bulong pa niya kaya
marahas akong lumunok.
"'Yong nabibili lang sa...grocery?" I laughed awkwardly,
my stomach churning with much intensity hr was giving me.
"I want more of that," aniya, ang tungki ng kanyang ilong
ay tumama sa panga ko kasabay ng mas paghigit niya sa
akin at ang mabining halik sa pisngi ko. "I didn't have
nightmares last night, Storm."
My eyes lit up, mabilis kong sinapo ang mukha niya ay
napangiti.
"Really?"
"Hmm..." His lips pursed like a kid. "Thank you."
"It's not because of me," marahang sinabi ko. "It's
because you are strong and you can get through it. I know
you'll escape those monsters, Macky. Itataboy natin sila."
 "Hmm..." He smiled a little and placed his forehead
against mine, his mouthwash lingering. "I'm not saying I'll
give you a chance because I'm..." he sighed. "I don't know,
Storm."
"Ayos lang." Malungkot akong napangiti. "I'll just show you
and the kids I'm doing great? And willing to change? Mas
mabuti ang gawa kaysa sa puro salita."
Kinuhaan ko si Marcus ng shirt at shorts niya bago
hinayaang magbihis. I went out of his room and waited
outside, nagitla pa nang biglang may umakbay sa akin.
"Macky?" I called and lifted my eyes to see his face pero
nakasimangot lang siya at nakahawak sa noo niya. "Oh?
Anong nangyari?"
"The fucking wall," he hissed angrily. "Nauntog ako,
Storm."
Umawang ang labi ko pero napatawa sa itsura niya. He
looked like a kid throwing a tantrum.
"Tss, nasaan na ba ang pader na 'yan at papaluin ko?" I
teased, watching his frowning face. "Akin na nga ang noo na
'yan at i-kiss para mawala!" I exclaimed, cupping his cheek
to lower his head and kissed his forehead.
"Ayan! Ano, wala na?" I asked, looking at his face but
instead, what I saw was his blushing face.
"Oh em..."
"I'm not," he blurted out and tried straightening his face
up. Napanganga ako. "I am not fucking blushing, Storm!"
Humalakhak ako. Mahaba ang nguso niya at
napapalakpak na ako, pinipigil ang halakhak habang siya'y
nakasimangot lang sa akin.
"I'm sorry!" I laughed again and reached for him. "Sorry,
hindi na. Ang cute mo kasi!"
"Whatever, Storm Raina." He sighed, hiding a small smile.
"Let's eat. I'm starving."
Inalalayan ko siyang pababa sa hagdan at kapit na kapit
siya sa akin. His other palm's grasping the sides of the stairs
and when we successfully reached the kitchen, handa na
ang lahat.
Ipinaupo ko siya sa upuan doon sa kusina at nilagyan siya
ng pagkain sa plato at may naalala.
"Sandali, ah? Ibababa ko 'yong gamot mo rito para
mainom mo after," paalam ko bago umalis at kinuha iyon.
Pagbaba ko ay narinig ko ang mga pamilyar na boses at
'yon na lang ang pagtalon ng puso ko nang makita ang
dalawang makukulit na batang tumatakbo papasok.
Sky and Sunny in their intertwined hands ran inside the
house excitedly.
"Papa! Papa, we're home!" Sunny's lively voice filled my
ear kaya mas binilisan ko ang pagbaba, handa na sana
silang tawagin pero tuloy-tuloy ang pagtakbo nila papasok
sa kusina nang tawagin sila ni Marcus.
I bit my lower lip. Smiling, I took a peek inside the kitchen
and the kids were kissing Marcus who was laughing and
hugging the two.
Sunny was wearing a jumper with her hair in pigtails while
Sky was in his gray shirt and shorts. They looked adorable.
"I missed you two," he muttered, si Sunny ay kapit na
kapit sa leeg niya habang si Sky ay may inaamoy na roon sa
may lamesa.
I saw him open the lid of the Tupperware and my eyes
brightened upon seeing his blue eyes shone when he saw it.
"Macaroons!" he exclaimed happily.
"Wow! Macaroons?" Sunny jumped from her dad who was
chuckling at the two and ran towards her brother. "Wow,
Papa! Thank you po sa macaroons! Happy na si Sky! Wow
may color pink! Sa 'yo 'yong blue, akin pink!"
Sky didn't answer. He had been eyeing the macaroons like
he was seeing a piece of gold and it made me chuckle.
Napalakas yata ang tawa ko kaya napabaling na sila sa akin
at doon na ako lumabas.
"It's your mom who baked the two of you those
macaroons," Marcus said kaya lumapit ako't natigilan nang
makita ang unti-unting pag-atras ni Sunny at pagtungo ng
ulo niya, tila natatakot.
Sumikip ang dibdib ko nang makita ang paglalaho ng ngiti
sa mukha ni Sky at napalitan ng lamig at talim ng tingin sa
akin. I felt like I was looking at the angry Marcus right now
as he shielded his sister from me.
"No! Don't come! Don't hurt Sunny!" he exclaimed.
My mouth parted in shock with the rage I was receiving
but I wasn't mad at them but at myself.
"Skyler..." Marcus called. "Calm down, son. Let's eat—"
"No! Palo niya si Sunny!" he exclaimed while still hiding
his sister behind him. "She hurt my sister! 'Di ko siya
Mama!"
"Storm," malamig na tawag kasabay ng
bumuntonghininga si Marcus, tumango-tango naman ako at
kinagat ang labi.
"O-okay, I'll just go upstairs pero kain kayo, ah?" I
murmured and walked a little closer and when they moved
away again, my heart squeezed in pain. "I won't come near
you, hahanda ko lang 'yong plato n'yo. Masarap ang ulam,
mga anak, adobo."
They didn't answer me. Matalim ang tingin sa akin ni Sky
habang si Sunny ay nagtatago sa kanyang likod, pasilip-silip
sa akin ang malambing pero takot na mga mata kaya
pakiramdam ko'y nagiging emosyonal ako.
"May gulay dito pero patatas lang," marahang sabi ko at
nilagyan ng ulam ang plato nila. "Masarap 'to kaya kumain
kayo, ah? Tapos after kumain ng kanin 'tsaka 'yong
macaroons para dessert n'yo."
Sunny peeked more. She was looking at me curiously kaya
nginitian ko na pero mabilis siyang nagtago ulit.
"I baked the pink ones for our Sunny and the blue ones for
Sky," baling ko kay Sky pero matapang lang ang tingin niya
sa akin. "Kain kayo ng marami, ah? Akyat muna ako."
I smiled at them gently, nodding before glancing at
Marcus' serious face and left. Tinanguan ko rin sina Alice at
Nancy kaya mabilis silang pumasok sa kusina para daluhan
ang mga bata.
Papaakyat na sana ako sa kwarto ko nang marinig ang
usapan ng iilang househelp tungkol sa akin at sa mga bata.
"Hi, excuse me..." they jumped when I called them, horror
filling their orbs upon a glimpse of me.
"Ma'am!" they exclaimed. "K-kanina ka pa po?"
"Ngayon lang," I said, "I just heard you talk about—"
"Hala, ma'am! Sorry po!" they panicked. "H-hindi ka
naman po namin sinasabihan ng masama, pinag-uusapan
lang namin 'y-yong sa mga bata, ma'am. Pasensya na po."
"It's okay, I'm not mad," I said gently, "I was just curious,
what did Sto—I mean I did to the kids?"
Nabakas ko ang gulat nila kaya suminghap ako.
"I just forgot about it," I tried explaining. "I-I think I was
drunk that time so..."
"A-ah, kasi, ma'am..." she started. "Si Sunny po kasi noon,
ayon lang po sa nalalaman ko parang nilalambing po 'ata
kayo tapos sinasabing huwag ka umalis kaso nagalit ka po
'ata kaya sinigawan mo at saka pinalo."
"R-really?" My eyes swelled, imagining how that turned
out.
"Tapos po nagalit si Sky kasi po umiiyak si Sunny kaya po
'yon..." she sighed. "Ma'am, pasensya na po kung pinag-
uusapan namin kayo, ah? Huwag ka po sana magalit, nag-
aalala lang po kami sa dalawa kasi ang babait na mga bata
'yan."
Their concern for the kids made me smile.
"I understand, I'm not mad," mahinang sabi ko. "Salamat
sa pag-iisip sa mga anak ko, ah? I appreciate your concern
for them and thank you. I will do my best to be a better
mother."
The glint in their eyes softened.
"Sana ganyan kayo palagi, ma'am. Mas bagay po sa iyong
ngumingiti, ang gaan-gaan ng pakiramdam namin sa 'yo,
pinag-uusapan namin kahapon pa."
 "Salamat." I nodded and bade my goodbye before silently
walking towards my room.
My shoulders slouched when I got inside. Bumagsak ako
ng upo sa kama at sinapo ang mukha, tuluyan nang nahulog
ang luha sa nasaksihan.
The kids were hurt. I remembered the scared gaze the
wonderful Sunny gave and Skyler's enraged eyes. Sinapo ko
ang dibdib, sumisinghap habang patuloy na nahuhulog ang
luha.
I would never forgive Storm for doing this to the twins. I
would never ever forgive her for doing this.
Nagtungo ako sa banyo. Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako
katagal nagmukmok doon kakaiyak sa sakit na
nararamdaman, I experienced the feeling of being scolded
and hurt and thinking how the kids reacted that way
because of my twin hurting them...hindi katanggap-
tanggap.
My eyes were swollen when I got back inside my room,
stopping when I saw someone peeking on the door. My eyes
widened upon catching her round black eyes resembling
mine. Nakita kong napatakip siya sa bibig at siya ring bilis
ng pag-alis niya.
I walked quickly towards the door and opened it fully, my
lips parting when I saw Sunny running away, her tiny body
bouncing with her hair dancing with it and moments later,
she was gone.
Lalabas sana ako pero may tumama sa paa ko kaya dali-
daling nagbaba ako roon ng tingin at nakita ang lollipop na
kulay bahaghari sa lapag. I took it, lifted it in the air, and
tears fell again upon seeing the messy note written on it.
Wala po akong extra candy kaya for u na lang po ang
lollipop, Mama. Pasalubong po from Baby Sunny!❤
Kabanata 4
 
Kabanata 4
The sound of raindrops falling always fascinated me.
Malungkot kung iisipin ng iba, tila umiiyak ang langit
pagkatapos ng masaya at maaraw na panahon.
It made me feel the world had sad days too. Na hindi lang
ako ang malungkot. Na sa kabila ng liwanag, may darating
na ulan...na bagyo. It would make you feel stress, you'd get
wet with it but you will soon realize sometimes the sound of
rain falling was therapeutic. It was as if it would wash away
all your worries.
The warmth of the cup of coffee felt good on my palms.
Pinagmasdan ko ang langit na kanina lang ay maliwanag
pero ito na ngayon at madilim na naman.
Umuugong ang langit sa tunog ng kulog at bilis ng kidlat.
"Zeus is mad, I guess." I stopped when I heard that voice.
It was faint because of the rain but I knew who it was.
Tumayo ako mula sa pagpapahinga sa upuan at sinilip siya
sa kabilang terrace. He was only wearing his white sando
now and khaki pants, his guns flaunting boastfully on my
view.
Napalunok ako nang matigil siya mula sa pag-angat ng
kamay at pagsalo sa ulan para mapabaling sa pwesto ko.
"Who's there?" he asked, totally aware even from the
slightest movements.
Hindi ako umimik at kinagat lang ang labi, nag-e-enjoy na
panoorin lang siya.
Mas nakita ko na nag bigote niya, I bet hindi ito
nakakapag-shave. Even the nurse said he had been a timid
one, ni ayaw daw magpatulong man lang sa pagkilos at
kaya daw niya.
Tss...I didn't think so. I could see him losing his balance,
madalas pa ay halos madapa na pero ayaw talaga patulong.
Marcus was doing his best not to look weak in front of
other people and I think he wasn't. He was a brave man and
I think asking for help was a brave thing to do. Asking for
help did not mean weakness.
His jaw clenched a bit and proceeded into his plans.
Parang wala lang na inangat niya ang kamay para saluhin
ang tubig mula sa ulan na nahuhulog at pinagmasdan ko
kung paano iyon mahulog sa ibaba o kaya'y mula sa palad
niya ay mahuhulog iyon ng paunti-unti sa...
I gulped.
I noticed how the raindrops fell from his palm and crawled
down his wrist to his biceps, unti-unti kong inangat ang
kapeng hawak para sumimsim.
Pandesal na lang ang kulang!
Then, as if the Gods heard my prayer, he suddenly lifted
his other hand and lifted his shirt a little to scratch his
stomach, making me have a glimpse of his hardened abs.
Nabuga ko ang kape at napaso pa ng kaunti. Pumasok ata
iyon sa ilong ko kaya ang lakas ng ubo ko, dali-daling
ibinaba ang cup sa may barricade ng terrace at pinalo-palo
ang pader.
"Storm?" Mas lumakas lang ang ubo ko nang nasa akin na
ang pansin niya.
He was totally facing my direction now while I was
coughing like an idiot.
"Are you okay?" he asked me seriously, nakaangat pa ng
bahagya ang puting sando na suot. His hair was a bit long
now and messy. Inaabot na iyon sa may likod ng tainga niya
at kahit may putting bandage ang mata ay hindi iyon
nakaapekto sa angking kagwapuhan niya.
"Storm." He called impatiently. "Are you okay? I'm going
there—"
 "H-huwag!" I exclaimed and coughed again. "A-ayos
lang...ayos lang," I uttered repeatedly to let him know I was
fine.
"But you are coughing..." His forehead creased.
"N-nabulunan lang a-ako..." I said, "but I'm fine now."
Hindi siya umimik, kinuha ko naman ang bottled water na
dala ko kanina para uminom at kalmahin ang sarili. It was a
weird thing—to choke to death just by merely looking at that
strong pair of guns.
If he would squeeze me, paniguradong durog ako sa liit ng
katawan ko!
I stopped in the middle of drinking my water.
Oh...he'd squeeze me?
Muli akong sumulyap kay Marcus na ngayon ay naroon pa
rin sa pwesto kanina. Nga lang, nakahalukipkip at nag-
aantay ata sa akin kaya ibinaba ko na ang tubig ko at
pinagmasdan ang braso niya.
"Ang sarap naman niyan, 'no?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Huh?"
"Huh?!" I snapped back, mas naging marahas na ang
kalabog ng dibdib.
"Anong masarap?" he asked at mabilis kong natakpan ang
bibig ko at nanlalaki lang ang matang napatitig sa kanya.
"Storm..." he called, "anong masarap?"
"'Y-yong ulan!" I chirped and glanced at the rain. "M-
masarap pakinggan 'yong ulan, 'di ba? Parang ano
masarap..." He then unfolded his arms and lifted his sando
again to scratch something on his stomach. "—Ikaw."
"Gotchu!" he snapped and grinned. Saktong pagbaba niya
ng damit niya ay napatili ako ng mahina.
"Hindi 'yon kagaya ng iniisip mo, Marcus!" I exclaimed and
pointed athim. "Hindi ako bastos—"
"Just admit I'm delicious." He shrugged and sexily licked
his lower lip.
"I was...I was referring to the rain!" I pointed at the sky.
"Ang t-therapeutic pakinggan! You can hear—"
 "Don't act as if you haven't tasted me yet," the bastard
answered like it was nothing kaya nahulog na ang panga ko.
"H-hoy, Marcus!" I gasped loudly. "Stop—"
"And your moans sound more therapeutic than the
raindrops," he answered like it was nothing habang ako'y
napapatili na sa loob-loob.
Too much information! What the hell!
"Bastos!" I hissed angrily. His laughter echoed. "I-I don't
wanna hear your sexual rendezvous—"
"Oh, don't act so innocent, love—"
"T-tse!" I exclaimed and realized the gate was opening
and a familiar car was entering. "Nand'yan na ang mga
bata. Takpan mo 'yang bibig mo!"
Humalakhak siya. It sounded so serene and fascinating
like the sound of raindrops falling but I was running for my
life outside the room.
Kaagad kong kinuha ang payong na nakita ko sa pasilyo at
dali-daling pababa pero biglang natigilan at napalingon sa
hagdanan.
He probably did it with...I sighed.
Of course. It's his wife, Varsha.
I tried erasing some lewd things inside my head. This was
wrong. This was definitely wrong.
Dire-diretso akong pababa at nakita ang househelp na
papalabas.
"Sige na, labas na at baka mabasa ang mga bata!" utos ni
Ate Ramona kina Nancy pero mabilis kong tinawag ang
dalawa.
"Ako na," I presented myself kaya natigil sila.
"Ma'am?"
"Ako na." I smiled at them. "May dala akong payong.
Malaki 'to."
They looked hesitant at first but when they realized I was
quite serious, they let me go.
I opened the large umbrella, mabilis kong tinakbo ang
sasakyan at ang driver ay kaagad akong sinalubong, may
dala ring payong.
"Ma'am," he greeted.
"Are the kids here?" I asked and he nodded, binuksan pa
ang backseat at may nakahanda na akong ngiti sa dalawa.
The twins were sporting their dark green uniform. Si
Skyler ay may suot na maliit na green suit at necktie at si
Sunny din ay gano'n, nga lang ay nakapalda at high socks
na puti.
They stopped talking when the door opened.
Sunny's smile was still there but it faded a little while
Skyler's lips were now firm and serious. I smiled and stared
at them.
"Hi, kids!" I greeted enthusiastically when I met their eyes.
"How's your day? Tara dito at umuulan. I brought umbrellas
—"
My smile faded when Skyler avoided my gaze, hopped out
of the car after, and ran towards the rain like it was nothing.
"Skyler!" I called, "why did you..." Mabilis naman siyang
sinalubong nina Nancy ng payong sa gitna.
"...Run," I uttered. "You'll get sick," malungkot kong bulong
sa sarili.
"Ma'am, okay na po," Alice exclaimed kaya maliit akong
ngumiti.
"Salamat! Pakipunasan kaagad ang ulo at baka lagnatin!"
I said and they nodded, inabot nila ang bag ni Sky bago ito
inaya papasok.
"Mama, g-galit po ikaw?" I froze on the spot when I heard
that small, soft voice. Dali-dali akong lumingon pabalik sa
sasakyan at naabutan ang tingin ni Sunny.
Her cheeks were blushing a little, her brave black eyes
staring at me at mas naging bilog na bilog iyon dahil sa
pigtails niya.
"No..." I shook my head. "No, baby Sunny. No." I smiled
gently.
"Sorry po tatakbo si Sky." She pouted a little and took her
pink bag on her lap. "Sabi ko nga po huwag na siya gagalit
sa 'yo kasi mabait naman ikaw pero po..."
"It's okay, m-mama's not mad," I soothed her. "I
understand Sky. I did something wrong to y-you and him and
I admit it."
"Hindi po ikaw gagalit sa akin po?" she asked, marahang
lumalapit sa pwesto ko habang nasa hita pa rin ang bag
hanggang sa nakalaylay na ang paa niya sa gilid ng
sasakyan.
"No, never..." I smiled gently, my heart hammering inside
my chest and I felt hurt again while thinking this adorable
sunshine hurting because of my twin. "Mama wants to
apologize too for being harsh on you. I didn't mean to hurt
you, baby Sunny."
Her round eyes glistened and I realized she was in the
verge of crying kaya tila may humaplos sa puso ko't naiiyak
na rin.
"M-Mama, pwede po magkarga sa 'yo? P-promise po, 'di
po ako iiyak. Ayaw mo pong iiyak ako kasi m-maingay.
Promise po, hindi po," aniya sabay nguso pero nahulog na
ang luha sa pisngi.
"It's okay, you can cry," I said and lifted my hand.
She flinched a little kaya naiwan sa ere ang kamay ko at
mabilis na umiling.
My heart pained, suffocating by her reaction.
"Are you not comfortable whenever mama's touching your
cheek? Don't worry, I can lower it down if you like.
Pupunasan ko sana ang luha mo."
"Hindi po ako iiyak, mama," she said and my heart
jumped when her little hand reached for mine and slowly
put it on her cheek.
"Okay, baby Sunny isn't crying," malambing kong sabi
sabay punas sa luha niya. "Pero pupunasan ko ang cheeks
ng baby kong maganda kasi may dumi, 'no?"
"O-opo..." She nodded, mas nangingislap pa ang mata at
namula ang pisngi.
Oh, baby, I'm so sorry you had to be hurt that way.
 "Akin na ang bag mo," I offered and took her pink bag to
put it on my shoulder. "Tapos karga kita, kapit ka, ah?
Tatakbo tayo papasok sa bahay."
"Okay po!" Her smile brightened even if it looked like she
was hesitating at first. "'Di naman po ako bigat, mama. 'Di
na po ako masyadong kakain ng sweets kasi sabi mo po
noon 'di mo na ako karga kasi bigat na ako."
"What? No, Sunny," iling ko. "I'm glad because you don't
eat sweets too much kasi bad iyon sa health mo but I am
not asking you to starve yourself. Eat what you like—but
with limits. Mama don't mind it if mabigat ka. Happy nga
ako kasi marami ka kumain at healthy ka."
"Really po?" she asked. "Can I eat some pancit canton—"
"Naku, parehas kayo ng Papa mo," napatawa na ako at
inilahad ang braso ko sa kanya. "Okay, lulutuan ko kayo
pero ngayon lang, ah? Sa next week ulit sunod."
"Yehey!" she exclaimed happily, even bouncing a little as
she jumped on me.
Muntik na akong mabuwal pero napatawa na lang dahil
kapit na kapit siya sa batok ko at isinisiksik pa ang mukha
sa balikat ko.
"Mama, like mo ba 'yong lollipop? Nagbili po ako again
pero ibang color naman! Ayaw ni Sky ng lollipop tapos si
Papa ayaw kasi sweet kaya two lang binili ko po. For you and
for me!"
"Wow, let's eat it together, ah?" I smiled when she nodded
on my shoulder.
"Tatakbo na tayo in one...two...three!" I exclaimed and
ran. She screamed loudly and cheered, napatawa naman
ako at nang marating namin ang bahay ay dali-dali kong
inabot kina Alice ang payong.
"Salamat, Alice," I said and glanced at the door—only to
stop when I realized Sky's blue eyes were looking at me.
Gumalaw si Sunny sa braso ko, marahan ko rin naman
siyang binaba habang nakatitig kay Sky na masama ang
tingin sa akin.
 "Hi, Sky," I greeted.
"Sky! Bubuhat ako ni Mama!" Sunny cheered. "Nakita mo
ba? Takbo kami sa ulan! Dapat ikaw din—"
"Wala akong mama." My heart squeezed when Sky said
that out loud.
"Sky, bait na si Mama—"
"Ganyan ka naman, e! Sinaktan na nga ikaw, binuhat ka
lang bati mo na!" he exclaimed. "Kunwari lang 'yan! Sisigaw
siya ulit kapag iyak ka!"
"Skyler! Your words!" We all froze when we heard that
voice.
Kaagad akong nag-angat ng tingin at nagitla nang
makitang nandoon na si Marcus sa ibaba.
"Totoo naman po, Papa!" he fought back. "Bait siya kapag
may kailangan tapos aalis tapos iiwan kami kahit anong
promise niya! Wala akong mama! Hindi ako uto-uto kagaya
ni Sunny!"
Even I was shocked with his words, napatingin ako kay
Sunny na nakatungo na ngayon.
"Skyler, umakyat ka!" Marcus' voice roared angrily.
"Pinalaki ba kitang sumasagot? Anong uto-uto ang kapatid
mo?!"
"Totoo naman po, Papa! Si Mama Daru lang mama ko!
Ayaw ko sa 'yo!" sabay baling niya sa akin at takbo at dabog
paakyat sa hagdan.
Silence filled the place after that. Nasapo ni Macky ang ulo
niya at kaagad akong lumuhod sa harapan ni Sunny at
sinapo ang pisngi niya.
"Sunshine," I called gently and she looked at me. My heart
shattered when her eyes now are filled with tears.
"M-Mama, 'di naman po ikaw alis, 'di ba?" She sniffed
while looking at me. "'D-di naman mo kami iiwan? 'Di mo na
a-ako papalo? K-kasi, Mama, ouch po rito..." She pointed her
chest.
"N-no." Nahulog na rin ang luha ko, hinahawi na ang luha
niya paalis. "I-I won't leave, not...again."
 She ran a little and hugged me. Naipikit ko naman ang
mata at tahimik na binuhat siya habang umiiyak sa bisig ko.
Tahimik kong dinala si Sunny sa kwarto ko. After removing
her shoes and socks, I put the comforter on her body and let
her rest.
She was crying nonstop, just hugging me and I sang her a
sweet lullaby and told her I wouldn't leave until she fell
asleep.
I adjusted the room temperature so my Sunny wouldn't
get cold, pagkatapos siguradong magiging komportable na
siya ay lumabas ako at inabutan si Macky na naroon at
nakaupo sa lapag, sa tapat ng pintuan ng kwarto ko.
I walked towards him. He might have heard it because he
raised his head at tahimik naman akong naupo sa kanyang
tabi sa lapag hanggang sa magdikit ang braso naming
dalawa.
"Take care of Sunshine," he said. "Ako na ang bahala kay
Skyler."
"Don't..." I murmured. Nang maramdaman ko ang kamay
niyang dumikit sa akin ay hinuli ko iyon at pinisil. "Don't
scold him, I understand."
"But I have to discipline him, Storm," seryoso niyang
turan. "He shouldn't shout like that to you and his sister—"
"Give him time," I said and squeezed his hand. "He'll
realize it soon, let him, for now. I don't want to force him."
"But..."
"Please." I stared at his face and caressed his hand. ":et
me work on this, Macky. Hindi ko na hahayaang ikaw nang
ikaw ang mag-aayos kung k-kaya ko naman."
Hindi siya umimik kaagad doon pero nagulat ako nang
maramdaman ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ko.
I was frozen, I felt his breath on my skin as he grasped my
palm back for a tight squeeze.
"Are you really doing this, S-storm?" he whispered, voice
slightly breaking. "If this is another act of yours then stop
it."
 "Macky," pagod kong bulong.
"How much do you want?" he asked, his voice felt like it
was hard for him to say too. "Tell me, I'll wire it to you. If this
is your plan to take money from me then I'll give it to you,
just please..." he whispered desperately. "Please don't hurt
my kids."
Pinipigilan ko pero nang marinig iyon sa kanya ay nahulog
ang luha sa mga mata ko.
"I-I'll give you what you like. You can hurt me, just don't
touch my kids. Huwag mo silang paasahing dito ka lang
tapos aalis ka ulit. My kids need a mother and I'll do my best
so I can be one. If it means you being here will only
traumatize them, then I won't risk it."
Nasapo ko ang mukha at napaiyak na rin sa naririnig na
desperasyon sa kanya.
"A-ako, Storm, kahit ako lang 'yong saktan mo. H-huwag
lang 'yong mga bata, huwag lang 'yong mga anak natin. M-
mahal na mahal ko sila..."
I sniffed, mabilis kong hinarap siya at sinapo ang mukha
niya. Even with his bandage on, I could see the tears
forming in it. Some even escaped and fell down on his
cheek.
"P-please don't." He shook his head and lifted his hand to
touch mine on his cheek. "I-I'll give you anything, just
please...don't hurt the kids. I-if you want to stay, please
don't leave."
"I-I won't, Marcus." I gently moved my head until our
foreheads are touching. "I'll be good now, I w-will change.
For the kids. For you, Macky."
"N-nasasaktan na kasi sila, Storm," bulong pa niya. "O-
okay lang kung ako pero u'wag sila. Wala na nga akong
kwentang ama sa mga bata tapos huwag mo na sanang
dagdagan..."
"You are a great father, Marcus," I breathed. "Don't say
you aren't. Kahit ang gaga-gaga ko at gano'n ang ginawa,
pinanatili mong mabuti ang mga bata. K-kahit wala kang
kasama, inalagaan mo sila. Minahal mo sila nang sobra."
"But I'm blind and useless now," he whispered. "I want to
protect them but I'm incapable. I-I can't see, Storm. Tangina,
w-wala akong makita..."
"I promise you...no, I'm just gonna do it." I lifted his head
to see him more. "I'll do my best to be better. For the kids,
for you. Magbabago ako, Macky. A-ayaw kong nasasaktan
kayo. Sorry noon. Alam kong hindi 'yon sapat pagkatapos ng
lahat ng ginawa ko sa 'yo pero gagawin ko ang lahat para
patunayan iyon."
I could hear his sharp breath intake kaya marahan ko
siyang binitawan at hinuli ang kamay niya at ginamit ang
isang kamay para tuyuin ang luha niyang kumawala.
"I promise you, I won't take money from you. Never
again," I said in a regretful voice. "I-I might be ambitious
before but I know where I stand now. I-if you like, you can
make a contract! I won't take anything from you. You can
cut me off your assets! It's okay with me..."
"You are my wife, Storm," he sighed. "I can't possibly do
that."
You can...with me. I'm not your wife in the first place.
But the thought of Storm doing something like this again
scared me. If it was me, I would not take any money from
him. I wasn't his responsibility, the twins were.
But I wasn't Storm and even without me knowing, I knew
she could still make a way in this.
"H-how about postnuptial agreement?" I inquired.
"What?" His jaw clenched.
"I heard you have a cousin, a lawyer, right? He can—"
"You knew Alchiel. Why is it you're saying you heard?"
natahimik ako at napakurap-kurap.
Shit!
"O-oh." I bit my lower lip, halos mahampas na ang labi sa
mga nasasabi. "I'm not close with them, that's why."
 Hindi na siya muling umimik kaya itinuloy ko ang sinasabi,
"We can do it, right? Pwede namang maayos 'yon depende
sa gusto natin? Of course, the kids are your priority pero ako
hindi. You don't have to include me in everything, masaya
na akong nakikita ko kayo ng mga bata."
He shook his head and sighed before resting his head on
the wall.
"Just take care of the kids," he said. "You are my wife,
Storm. Like it or not, you're my responsibility."
Storm...
Hindi ikaw, Varsha. Ang kakambal mo.
My heart dropped.
I shouldn't get attached to you, Macky. I'm only here to
take care of the kids.
"I hope you'll really do what you promised," he whispered,
"I could only hope."
I decided to rest my head on the wall too and stared at my
room's door where Sunny was sleeping. Ilang minuto
kaming tahimik na gano'n hanggang sa kumalma kaming
parehas at nagdesisyon akong putulin ang katahimikan.
"Where is Sky now?" I asked.
"In his room, he won't come out." He sighed. "He's hard-
headed, I can't keep up that much with his attitude."
"Gano'n talaga, ang tao galit sa kaugali niya," I spat.
"What?" he asked in exaggeration. "Are you saying I am
hard-headed?"
"Bakit, hindi ba?" Napatawa ako.
"I'm not!" he answered back. "Hindi matigas ang ulo ko,
Storm. 'Yong ulo lang sa baba—" Nagulat ako at hinampas
na ang hita niya, nagugulat pa.
"Marcus!" I hissed. "Ano bang pinagsasabi mo riyan?!"
"Bakit?" He smirked playfully. "Ipapaalala ko lang sa 'yong
—"
"Gutom ka ba? Anong gusto mong pagkain?" I cut him off,
trying my best to be formal because he was teasing like this
and it was making me...I don't know? Shy?
 "Paano kung gusto ko ikaw?" He licked his lip sensually.
"What..."
"...The hell?" He laughed a little and cleared his throat.
"Kidding, help me up, woman. I want Pancit Canton
Chilimansi."
Tumayo ako at inilahad ang kamay sa kanya.
"Anong pancit canton?" I hissed. "Kakakain mo lang
kahapon, ah? Gusto ko mag-pinakbet ngayon—"
"Pancit Canton o ikaw ang kakainin ko?" he asked like it
was a natural thing to say before lifting his body up by
gripping my hand and moving his face closer kaya
nakanganga lang ako sa kanya.
"You..." I heaved a sigh. "You are being unhealthy. Ayaw ng
gulay. Puro pancit canton! Kumpleto ka ata ng flavor sa
cabinet, ah? Ikaw napakatigas ng ulo mo—"
"Saang ulo ba?" He suddenly stole a kiss on my cheek.
"Marcus!" sigaw ko na sabay takbo habang humahalakhak
siya pero pababa na ako ng hagdan ay narinig ko ang boses
niya.
"Hey, love, I understand you are blushing and all but can
you help me here?" he called, "madadapa ako, gusto mo ba
'yong may bukol ako sa noo?"
I closed my eyes tightly. Nag-iinit pa ang mukhang
nilapitan siya doon na nakahalukipkip na at nakabantay sa
akin.
The side of his lips lifted when he felt me approaching.
"Tara," I called. "Mabuti 'di ka nahulog sa hagdan kanina?
Paano ka bumaba tapos umakyat?"
"Gumapang ako, love," he answered sarcastically and
rested his arm on my shoulder. "Of course I walked.
Malamang na lumipad?"
"Pilosopo," bulong-bulong ko at inilagay ang braso sa
kanyang baywang para sabay kaming maglakad. "Pero bakit
hindi ka lumipad? Piloto ka, 'di ba?" ganti ko rin.
"Nah," he chuckled a little. "Eroplano lang kaya kong
paliparin. Tapos ikaw—aray!"
 "Gagong 'to," iritado ko ng sinabi at mas natawa siya
sabay hawak sa tiyan niya.
"Sakit naman, pinalo mo ang abs ko," he chuckled.
"Parang kanina lang nabulunan ka ng kape kasi nakatitig
ka."
"Alam mo ang dami mong kalokohan," I pointed out.
"Isang asar pa, mag-goodbye pancit canton ka na."
The playful look on his face vanished. He cleared his
throat and made a neutral face.
"I'm serious now," he said in a monotone. "I want pancit
canton. Two packs."
Napailing-iling na lang ako, napapangiti pa habang
inaalalayan si Marcus pababa ng hagdan. He was such a
baby—a hot one in that area, I guess.
He waited as I cooked. Nag-pakulo muna ako ng tubig na
sapat para paglutuan ng para sa kanya at sa mga bata dahil
naalala ang hiling ni Sunny kanina. Naroon lang siya sa may
stool, nakasandal ang mukha sa may counter at nakapatong
ang ulo sa brasong in-extend pa niya.
He looked so adorable, nakanguso at may kung anong
ginagawa sa counter. He was drawing random imaginary
things on the table.
Lumapit ako para tingnan kung anong ginuguhit niya roon
gamit ang daliri pero nakalimutan ko atang malakas ang
pakiramdam niya dahil pagkalapit ko pa lang ay mabilis
niyang nahuli ang baywang ko sabay hatak.
"Marcus!" I called, naangat ko ang sandok na hawak.
"Nakakagulat ka, bigla-bigla kang..."
He moved his head, tilting it so he could hide on my neck
and damn, I felt like I shivered and it became hotter when
he sniffed my neck.
"I like this scent so much," bulong niya at tila mapuputol
ang paghinga ko nang pinaraan niya doon ang ilong niya.
"Damn it, Storm. Why am I so addicted to your scent?"
"B-binili ko lang 'yan sa grocery," I answered, containing
my feelings not to burst out. Ibinaba ko ang sandok na
hawak at natatakot at kinakabahan man no'ng una ay unti-
unti rin siyang niyakap. "Marami 'yang colors."
"What happened to those perfumes you bought? The
pricey ones? It's good but I don't like the smell that much.
It's too strong."
"Tinapon ko na..." I couldn't think of any answers but that.
"Ganito na lang ba gamitin ko?"
"Uh-huh," he hummed and that was when I felt his lips
brushing the side of my neck now. "You smell good. I feel
hot whenever you use this one."
"T-talaga?" Napasinghap ako't napahawak sa damit niya
nang maramdaman ang ngipin niya sa leeg ko. He sucked
on it like a vampire while my eyes were tightly closed and
leaning on him.
"Hmm, remember when..."
"M-Marcus," I called. "A-ang pancit—"
"To hell with it," bulong niya at ibinaba ang halik sa may
lalamunan ko kaya nakagat ko na ang labi at mas lumalim
ang paghinga. "I want you—"
"Macky-macaroni, pakain kami!" We both jumped. Mabilis
kong itinulak palayo si Marcus at siya naman ay nagulo ang
buhok niya at umayos ng upo.
"Tanginang Zion," he said hardly before gritting his teeth
and I was still shocked.
Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin kaya nagtatatakbo ako sa
kaldero ko para tingnan kung kumukulo na ang tubig para
sa niluluto at hindi pa kaya bumaling ako sa counter.
"Saan ka, beybe? Dali, kain tayo! Na-kidnap namin si
Chiel-taba galing court room!" the man calling exclaimed.
"Gago, ang ingay mo, Zion. Baka nagpapahinga 'yong
kambal, magising," a baritone voice answered back.
Instead of answering, Macky lazily put his head back on
the counter and covered his face to pretend he was
sleeping.
"Macky, should I call them?"
 "Yeah, palayasin mo. Those three idiots." He sighed.
"Kapag hinanap ako sabihin mo, wala na. Patay."
My eyes widened.
"Ikaw talaga..." I hissed and he just chuckled lowly and hid
his face again before shouting.
"In the kitchen, bastards!" he exclaimed at dali-dali
naman akong pumunta sa may bungad ng kusina para
salubungin ang mga bisita niya—para lang mamangha sa
nakikita.
I heard about Greek Gods and had seen men like Marcus
and models so I knew what handsome was when I saw one.
Tall, equally handsome men came into view when I went
there. Ang isang lalaki roon ay matangkad at asul ang mga
mata.
He looked so cold. May hawak pa siyang brief case. He
was in his suit and dress shirt, his necktie messy.
"Good afternoon," I greeted and he just looked at me.
Mukhang natigilan siya pero kumunot lang ang noo at
walang-imik na nilagpasan ako papasok ng kusina.
It made my heart ache but I couldn't blame them. I could
never.
The next man behind him stopped from tying his hair to a
bun and looked at me. I realized his eyes were blue too, he
was wearing a black racing suit pero bukas ang sa may
dibdib kaya kita ang inner shirt niya.
He licked his lower lip, mabilis niyang tinapos ang buhok
bago ako tinitigan.
"Ginagawa mo rito?" he asked me coldly and I was
stunned.
"H-huh?" I asked, "I'm here to take care—"
"Tired of your bullshit, woman," he spat coldly. "You're no
good for Macky."
Nilagpasan niya ako at natahimik nang biglang
nagliwanag ang boses niya nang magsalita.
"Macky-beybe! Ang aking irog! Na-miss kita, mahal!" he
exclaimed, tinakbo pa si Macky na iritadong sumimangot at
tinulak siya noong nangyakap.
I heaved a deep sigh, napatungo pa akong saglit pero may
nakitang paa sa may harapan ko kaya dali-dali akong nag-
angat ng tingin.
A handsome man with a few stubbles on his jaw and
wearing eyeglasses was what I saw. Matangkad siya, kagaya
n'ong tatlo, ang pagkakaiba lang ay itim ang mga mata
niya.
"A-ah, good afternoon!" I greeted him hesitantly with a
smile.
I was expecting him to ignore me or just storm inside
coldly but he didn't, instead, I saw the glimpse of something
on his eyes as he placed his hand on his pocket before
speaking.
"Good afternoon too, Rain," he answered back, a
mysterious smile etched on his lips.
Kabanata 5
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Kabanata 8
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Kabanata 9
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Kabanata 10
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Kabanata 11
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Kabanata 12
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Kabanata 13
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Kabanata 14
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Kabanata 15
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Kabanata 16
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Kabanata 17
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Kabanata 18
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Kabanata 19 (Part One)

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Kabanata 19 (Part Two)

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Kabanata 20
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Kabanata 21
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Kabanata 22 (Part One)

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Kabanata 22 (Part Two)

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Kabanata 23
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Kabanata 24
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Kabanata 25 (Part One)

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Kabanata 25 (Part Two)

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Kabanata 26
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Kabanata 27
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Kabanata 28
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Kabanata 29 (Part One)

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Kabanata 29 (Part Two)

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Kabanata 30
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Special Part 1
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Wakas (Part One)

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