Mag-ina"Mommy, where's Daddy?" Natigil ang pagtutupi ko ng mga damit nang magsalita si Zenith, nakaupo siya sa dulo ng kama habang pinaglalaruan ang kanyang mga paa na nakataas sa kama."Hindi ko alam, anak." Ngumuso siya at umismid. Hindi ko naman talaga alam, pagkahatid sa 'min ni Styx sa bahay matapos ma-discharge sa hospital si Zenith ay nagpaalam muna siyang aalis. Wala namang kaso sa 'kin 'yon, wala akong paki kahit na hindi na siya bumalik."I want to see Daddy," he whispered like he didn't want me to hear it. I sighed and rolled the clothes. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at hinaplos ang malulusog niyang pisngi. Ang maamo niyang mata ay tumitig sa 'kin. Malungkot 'yon na para bang nangungulila siya sa presensya ng kanyang ama."Galit ka ba kay Mommy, anak?" I asked softly. Kinakabahan akong tumingin sa kaniya nang hindi siya sumagot pero agad napawi 'yon nang ngumiti siya sa 'kin.He shook his head. "No, mommy."Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. "Bakit? Hindi ka ba galit kay Mommy kasi hindi

PastaIsang linggo na simula nang mag-stay dito si Styx, hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan niya balak dito pero wala rin akong balak itanong 'yon. Hindi natuloy ang balak naming pagpunta kahapon sa mall dahil sumama ang pakiramdam ko. Buong araw akong nakakulong lang sa kwarto at si Styx ang nagbebenta ng mga kakanin at sa gabi naman ay balot. Siya rin ang nag-asikaso sa anak namin."Do you feel okay?" Styx asked and placed a plate full of foods at the table. Tumango lang ako at mahigpit na kumapit sa kumot na nakatakip sa katawan ko. Wala akong lagnat at sipon o kahit ubo, sadyang masama lang talaga ang pakiramdam ko at madalas nahihilo. Gusto niya 'kong dalhin sa hospital pero hindi naman na 'yon kailangan dahil mababaw lang para sa 'kin."Eat a lot, you need to be healthy for our son." Umupo siya sa tabi ko at at kinuha ang pagkain. Hindi naman ako kumibo dahil wala talaga akong gana ngayon araw, bigla ko na lang talagang naramdaman 'to."Where's my son?" Isinubo niya sa 'kin ang i

RegretsI began to walk in the field of green and fresh grass as I stared at my son. He giggled and wrinkled his nose while holding a bouquet of flowers, katabi niya ang ama na mariin ang titig sa 'kin at hindi umiiwas ng tingin.My cheeks flushed. I didn't say anything and continued walking until I stopped in front of them. I turned my gaze away as I felt nervous because of his presence. The beautiful view of the blue sky perfectly paired with the greeny things around us. Styx was wearing his usual office attire that made him more intimidating and attractive. I gulped as I clear the lump in my throat and held my breath when he touch my delicate hand."Beautiful," he murmured and brought my hand to his lips and kissed it lovingly."Thanks," I replied even I felt the whole damm zoo inside my abdomen."Mommy, you're pretty." My attention was drawn into my son when he speaks. I smiled at him with my eyes pooling with tears."Thank you, mi amor."Hinatak ako ni Styx paupo sa isang tela na

Two Aces Nagising ako na mugto ang mata at masakit ang ulo. Hindi ko na matandaan kung anong mga nangyari kagabi. It was tiring knowing that I had to recall all of those to understand what he said. Gusto ko na lang ibaon ang katawan ko sa kama at hayaan na lang mangyari ang lahat but I just couldn't let that happen. May anak ako at kailangan niya ako. Idagdag pa ang sinabi ni Styx na buntis ako, I had to make sure of that before doing something that could harm myself.Bumangon ako sa kama at itinaas ang kumot ng anak ko. Mahimbing ang tulog niya at nakayakap sa isang unan. I kissed his forehead and caressed his cheek before going to the bathroom to clean myself. After I took a bath, I wore my two-piece suit and put a light makeup. Sinigurado kong magaan lang ang kolorete sa mukha ko bago inayos saglit ang aking buhok at sinuot ang isang two inches heels. Nang matapos ay nananatili pa ring tulog si Zenith kaya naghintay muna akong magising siya bago umalis. Plano kong isama siya dahil

SufferingsI didn't know that it's possible to feel comfort in the midst of the chaos. I could feel my heart thumping hard at the same time my mind rest for a while. Kahit na malabo sa paningin at pandinig ko ang lahat ay alam kong ligtas na ako sa kamay niya. I still believe that he cares for me. That what he said lately was not really his intention. Natabunan lang saglit ng galit at pagkalito dahil sa dulo, nanaig pa rin ang pagmamahal at ang pakialam niya sa 'kin bilang isang nag-iisang pamilya ko. I still remember the first time I had met him. I was really afraid that time knowing that I'm with someone I don't know. Even his name doesn't sound friendly at all. But despite this, he proved himself and worked for my trust. He embraced my torns and opened my eyes to see that despite my flaws, I am still delicate and fragile. He taught me how to love myself more before the person I've just met, not because that's required in every relationship but because the only person that will lo