Kabanata 40 Ako MunaI bit my lips as Zemeira's words kept on flashing on my mind. I want to go back and confront Anzo, but once again, naunahan ako ng takot. I already gave him everything at ayokong sa isang iglap mawala ang bagay na pinapangarap ko. Mali lang ako ng dinig. Mali lang. I managed to walk even though my knees are trembling. Tulala ako maging sa pagsakay sa elevator. "Ma'am... ako po ang maghahatid sa inyo." One man appeared in front of me nang makababa ako. Hindi na ako sumagot at tumango na lang. Anzo must've told his driver where's the meeting place is since hindi naman siya nagtatanong sa akin kung saan pupunta. When we've arrived at the place, mabilis kong binuksan ang pintuan. "Ma'am, maghintay na lang po ako rito sa labas. Bilin po ni Sir na ihatid ko raw po kayo hanggang sa pag-uwi."I sighed. "No, Kuya. Kaya kong umuwi. Baka rin kasi magtagal ako.""Pero Ma'am, bilin po si Sir na iha-""Kuya, ako na pong bahala kay Anzo. Sige na po, bumalik na kayo ng bui

Kabanata 42Little OneWe were sitting at the kitchen chair. Kuya was on his phone and calling Ate Sha na ngayon ay tumungo sa pharmacy para bumili ng pregnancy test. I reached my tummy, at dahan dahan 'yong hinaplos. Is there a possibility that there's life inside my womb? That I'm bearing a child?Just by thinking about it excites me, but at the same time makes me scared. Natatakot ako. If ever there's really one, I'm scared and doubt myself if I'll be a good mother. Natatakot ako na baka hindi ko siya mapalaki ng maayos lalo pa kung 'yong ama niya'y...I bit my lips saka huminga ng malalim. "How many times did you do it?" Nakuha ni Zenon ang atensiyon ko na nasa harap at mariing nakatitig sa akin. "It doesn't matter how we did it. Hindi natin alam baka mali lang si Ate Sha. Hindi ako buntis, Zen. I've been sleeping for almost a month now without even going outside for a walk, baka dahil lang 'yon don. Hindi rin ako masyadong kumakain kaya siguro pati taste buds and pang-amoy k

Kabanata 44Scared"Isang nanamang pagsabog ang naganap sa Sta. Prexedes nito lamang Miyerkules, Enero 24, 20XX. Sinasabing..."Bumaling si Ate Sha sa akin kaya't nakuha niya ang atensyon ko."Pang-apat na pagsabog na 'yon, a. I'm getting chills when I think na terrorist ang gumawa.""Nagkataon lang 'yon, Ate Sha," I replied. "Arielle, malapit lang 'yon dito." She raised her brows tila kinukumbinsi ako.Nasa sala kami ni Ate Sha while watching TV. Nitong linggo kasi, sunod sunod ang pagsabog dito sa Sta Prexedes kaya't mas pinahigpit ang security. I frowned saka umiling. Tumayo na ako at tumungo ako sa maliit kong library. The door was slightly open. I peeked and saw my baby's father who's peacefully sleeping on the couch with a parenting book on his chest. I smiled weakly. During these past weeks, napapadalas ang pagpupuyat niya sa pagbabasa. Everytime I see him with creased forehead while reading seriously, my heart melts. He's been very patient lalo pa't gusto ko na siya 'yong b

Kabanata 46HopeLahat tayo takot sa kamatayan. Takot na iwan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay. Takot na masaktan sila. I was too, afraid of death. Hindi pa ako handa, dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na marami akong iiwan. Marami akong masasaktan. And it will leave marks on their hearts, lalo na kay Kuya at Anzo. I remembered one time when I asked Mama about death. It was weeks after my Abuelo passed away."Mama, is Abuelo in heaven now?"Ginawaran ako ni Mama ng isang malungkot na ngiti saka tumingin sa malawak na kalangitan. "Yes. He's in heaven now," si Mama sa maliit na boses, still looking at the blue clouds.My forehead creased when I saw her reaction, para bang maraming iniisip.Nagluluksa pa rin kami hanggang ngayon dahil sa pagkamatay ni Abuelo. I bit my lips, and leaned closer to hug her. She breathed heavily and kissed my temple. "I'm okay, sweetheart. Mama's okay."No. You're not okay, Mama. I can feel it. You're not okay. We're here in the large flower garden in Taiwan. Zhong

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." --Robert Muller_________________________Kabanata 48ForgivenessMabilis na nagdaan ang mga araw para sa akin. Wala na akong ibang ginawa kundi ang humiga buong araw sa hospital bed. Madidischarge na ako ngayon kaya't nagliligpit na si Anzo. Uuwi ako ngayon sa bahay doon sa East Village. Anzo tried to persuade me na sa kahit saang bahay niya kami titira pero hindi ako pumayag. Doon ko gustong tumira sa East Village. I won't leave that house. "Will Kuya go with us sa East Village?" I asked Anzo. "No. He's busy with something..." He paused. "...important. Besides, Abraham has life too. Maybe we shouldn't meddle with his businesses.""I'm not meddling with him, Anzo. I'm just concerned. Napapansin ko na balisa si Kuya like he's thinking deep. Alam mo ba kung nasaan siya?"Anzo shook his head. "No, baby. Abraham's a little bit distant these past few days. Let's give him tim