Alexander Eldrich Humilton

"Alex, where are you?"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa seryosong tinig ni Tito ng sagutin ko ang tawag niya.

"I'm here in Palawan, Tito. Why? Is there any problem?"

I heard Tito Rogan blow out a loud breath. "Who's with you?"

"I'm with my girlfriend, Tito. Why?" I asked again.

"Shit! Leave that place, Alex, as soon as possible. Bring your girlfriend with you. I'll send the address of the safe place where you could stay."

"Tito bakit? Anong nangyayari?"

"Someone is following you, Alex. You're not safe in there..." Tito said, I could hear another mixed voice in the other line.

"What about my parents? And Mrs. Yanson?"

Shit. I feel so nervous right now. Mukhang alam ko na 'to. Hindi ako natatakot sa sarili ko mas natatakot ako para sa mga kasama ko.

"They will be safe. I put my man outside their home. Don't worry about them, the important thing is yourself. I'll send half of my men to at least follow you there... and please Alex, use your skills to self-defense. I trained you well and I know you will be safe. Hindi lang isang pamilya ang kalaban n'yo rito."

I sighed. "Yes, Tito. Thank you for informing."

The call ended as soon as I contacted my secretary to check my girlfriend's mother.

Mabilis ko ring tinawagan ang mga tauhan at mga kaibigan ko na hindi ko na kasalukuyang tinatapos ang pinaayos ko.

Hindi ko muna itutuloy ang beach proposal sa girlfriend ko na dapat ay ngayon. Matagal ko na itong hinintay. Planado ko na 'to mula pa kagabi, ang dami kong kakuntsaba.

Napabuntong hininga ako at nag-umpisa ng humakbang. Mas importance ang kaligtasan namin ni Serna kaya kailangan naming makaalis.

Mabilis akong nagtungo sa lugar kung saan sana ako magpo-propose, still ongoing ang preparation kaya ng makita nila ako pinatigil ko na sila.

"Hindi na matutuloy ang proposal ko pero babayaran ko pa rin kayo," untag ko sa kanila at tipid na ngumiti.

Unti-unting bumakas sa mga mukha nila ang lungkot. "Bakit, Sir? Hindi ba pumayag ang girlfriend n'yo?"

"No it's not that. Kailangan namin umalis for personal reason. Kayo na bahala magligpit dito, ha? Kainin n'yo na rin ang mga nakahandang pagkain. Mauna na ako. You can stay here also, I'll just inform Trevious this..."

"Thank you and ingat, Sir!"

Tumango lang ako sa kanila at mabilis na naglalakad pabalik sa kwartong kinaroroonan ni Serna pero napahinto ako ng mapansin ang pamilyar na bulto niya hindi kalayuan sa akin.

She was talking with Gino again, and.. She let him kiss her. I know they're just friends pero ang sakit. I never saw her smiling widely.

Hindi ko pa nga sigurado kung mahal na niya ako o pinag-aaralan pa lang mahalin. I stared at them when they two separated.

I saw her walking to the seaside. And I couldn't take my eyes off her. She's damn beautiful!

Nangingilid ang luha ko dahil mukhang ako magdadala sa kaniya sa kapahamakan. Nakatitig lamang ako sa kaniya hanggang sa bila siyang bumaling sa akin.

I made my face serious just to hide my real feelings right now. Sinundan niya ako at patuloy nagpaliwanag dahil sa nakita. Until she confessed that she really loves me.

Ayokong mag propose ng walang pinaghahandaan pero hindi ko na yata kakayanin pa kung mawawala siya.

"What should I do to make you believe in me? Kahit ano Alex, gagawin ko," she said with her teary eyes.

I felt my chest loudy beating. Mahalin mo lang ako pabalik baby, I'm fine with it. As long as you'll stay with me.

"Kahit ano?" I asked.

"Yes,"

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili sa malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib habang nakatitig siya sa akin. Alam kong sa puntong 'to namumula na ako dahil sa titig niya. At hindi ko alam, nakakabakla man pero tangina, kinikilig ako sa kaniya.

"Marry me, Serna. Marry me for real..." I said to her, this is not my supposed plan but damn I wanna claim her as mine now.

My heart clenched when she did not respond. She just stared at me with her teary eyes. I badly want to ask her but I'm scared that she might refuse.

"See? You don't really love—"

"Yes papakasalan ka namin ni baby..." agap niya.

I was shocked by her confession and I was so happy knowing that I got her pregnant.

After my unplanned proposal I was cursing myself. I felt embarrassed when I realized this cheap proposal of mine. But then maybe I'll just propose to her again in a much formal way with her mother's blessing.

I couldn't define what I really felt right now. But Im so fucking happy to finally have her!

I stared at her face peacefully while sleeping. Kanina pa ako nagda drive, kung hindi ako nagkakamali probinsya ang itinext ni Tito na pinuntahan namin.

I know my situation. But I trust Tito Rigan that he'll do it for me.

When the hostage in my talyer happened some of my employees got injured, maraming nasugatan at nasaktan dahil sa ginawa ni Lagman pero wala naman namatay kaya pinasara ko muna iyon.

I was also shot that time, I was in the hospital for 3 days to heal my wound. My parents won't allow me to go out yet, so I stayed in the house for almost one week until I received a call from Trevious that they are with my girlfriend.

My girlfriend at that time was unreadable. I even called Tita and even herself she didn't know where exactly her daughter was.

I've known her for so long. I admire her since I was friends with her sister. And as time went by I thought it was just puppy love but as I grew up, I still secretly admired her.

I was always looking at her from afar. I often saw her alone. She's not talkative even with her sister. She's always in a pierce mood. Kaya wala akong pagkakataon na lakas ng loob na kausapin siya.

I'm scared that she might have ignored me.

She's intimidated even though she is still young. Kaya nakuntento akong makita siya kahit na makausap.

"I like you, Alex," Selena confessed when I graduated in High school. She was a good friend of mine but I don't have feelings for her.

I smiled at her. "Thank you for liking me Selena, but I like someone else..." I said honestly.

I thought she would be mad but she smiled back at me. "I understand. But may I know who that girl is? She might lucky with you...'"

Nakatitig ako sa kaniya at bakas sa mga mata niya ang sakit. Gusto ko siyang yakapin bilang kaibigan pero baka mas lalo ko siyang masaktan. And the fact na kapatid niya ang gusto ko.

"It's doesn't matter—"

"Who's that lucky girl please?" pangungulit niya.

I sighed. "Your sister,"

her eyes widened a bit. "She's too young, Akex..."

"Hindi ko naman siya liligawan, Sel. Gusto ko lang siya makita araw-araw. Gusto ko siya bantayan hanggang sa paglaki niya."

Alam kong nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko pero ganun nga siguro kapag gustong-gusto ko ang isang tao o talagang hindi ko kayang itago ang totoong nararamdaman ko.

Dumaan ang kapatid niya sa harapan namin na hindi kami pinapansin. Dala-dala niya ang maliit na bulletin at nakaharap sa amin ang drawing na bahay. Sketch.

She's good at sketching. She's more interested in her hobbies, huh.

"She's a snob," Selena commented.

"Mas okay nga iyon, eh—"

.

"Hindi, Alex. She doesn't socialize with anyone, even to me she often talks to me. But I'm still proud of her. She's very excellent in her school. I saw her grades and score in any quizzes. I secretly proud of her. Kaya kapag lumaki na iyan Alex, bantayan mo siya at alagan ha? Huwag mong sasaktan, kasi kahit ganyan iyan, alam kong malambot ang puso niyan. Turuan mo siya sa lahat ng hindi niya alam..."

"Selena what are you talking about?"

"Wala. Let's go."

I want to ask more. This is the first time we talked about her sister and I didnt know she was really proud of her...

After Selena's confession, she got into an accident together with her father. Una kong hinagilap si Serna. I wanted to comfort her but the news flashed...

They fled to the US after the burial of her father and sister. At hindi na talaga kami nagkaroon ng pag-asang makilala ang isat-isa.

I tried to focus on my study, to learn how to run our company, but I felt something was missing. May kulang sa akin sa araw-araw.

Until they finally migrated to the US I secretly followed her. After a year of following her for the very first time we'd talked. I'm happy but she drank and she might forget after we talk. She entered the race, so I am too. I'm fond of her.

And after a year the news keeps spreading that she's getting married. Ang sakit. Hindi ko alam na ganito kasakit ang magmahal. Kaya upang makalimot sumasama ako sa mga kaibigan ko sa bar kung saan nagsimula ang bansag sa akin na babaero.

Yes, I tried to date with anyone just to forget her. But damn! Kahit anong gawin ko, gustong-gustong ko parin siya makita, masilayan kahit sa malayo.

"Follow her, bro. If you really love her. Chase your dreams. Don't make the mistake of letting her go without fighting. Hindi naman masama kung matalo, ang mahalaga lumaban ka. At kung matalo man... at least sumubok ka..."

Nakatitig ako kay Khian na tumutungga ng alak. Hindi ko alam kung anong pinagdaanan niya pero napangiti ako at walang inaksayang oras at mabilis na nag-book ng flight, pero napahinto ako nang malaman na uuwi ng pinas si Serna.

Oh shit! Destiny na 'to!

We fought in a race for the first time and I couldn't concentrate. I'm trying to be cold to her that day but shit, I can't. Seeing her smile made me a bit trembling.

"Gago ka, Pare!"

Mabilis na tumama ang kamao ko sa mukha ni Kiko ng malaman na si Serna ang nakainom ng may gamot na alak.

"Tangina mo, pati inosenteng tao gagawan ko ng masama? Akala mo ba sa girlfriend mo iyon? Gago ka!"

Nanlilisik ang mga mata ko sa galit. 'Paano kung hindi ako ang nakakita kay Serna ng gabing iyon? Paano kung iba? Paano kung pinagsamantalahan siya ng gabing iyon.

Ngumisi si Kiko sa akin. "Wow, Pare ha? kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng pakialam sa mga babae? Tsaka, makapag react ka parang hindi mo nakuha ah?"

Muling tumama ang kamao o sa kaniya kaya napatumba siya sa sahig sa lakas ng tama ko. Iniwan ko siyang nakaupo ang duguan ang putok na labi. He deserves that!

After claiming her that night, that was unexpected. I know, I know I'm supposed to stop her. But I still choose to take her. Naging makasarili ako dahil sa nararamdaman ko kaya hindi ko na napigilan ang sariling galawin siya.

I took that chance to get attached to her and we became in a relationship. I did my best to be better for her 'cause I want her to love me back.

And months passed, I succeeded. She fell in love with me despite what she supposedly planned.

Hindi na niya ako kailangan paibigan dahil simula pa lang, iniibig ko na siya.

"Babalik agad ako, huh?" paalam ko.

"Sige na, umalis ka na Alex. kanina pa huli sa usapan," aniya kaya natawa ako.

Hinalikan ko muna siya sa labi bago lumabas ng bahay at patakbong nagtungo sa bahay ni Trevious kung saan mabubuo ulit kaming magkakaibigan.

After a year since we had last talk with Liam and Fiona after their hide, hindi na nasundan pa dahil umalis silang dalawa.

We were enlightened about what happened years ago behind Fiona's cheating issue. Fioan admitted that she's in love with Liam. But the surprising thing is that Trevious never showed any single fraction of hatred to them.

He forgive and he wish them luck. Siguro nga naka-move on na siya kay Fiona dahil may Krizza. Pero hindi naman naiwasan na isiping ginagamit lang niya si Krizza para takpan ang totoong nararamdaman lalo na at magkahawig.

Trevious has never been vocal to his feelings.

And the fact that, Trevious only loved once kaya inakala namin na gano'n nga. And we regretted giving our judgment to Trevious when Krizza left him that day in the restaurant. We regretted warning Krizza about Trevious and made her think to leave untraceable. I regretted being judgmental of my friend's feelings.

Not only with Trevious partner but also in Zoren's love. I judge doctor Mayumi for leaving Zoren on that state. I am deeply sorry for not believing her, doubting her. We were just confused since Fiona did chetated. Kaya hindi imposibleng magawa rin niya.

Pero may kasabihan nga. Nasa huli ang pagsisisi. Walang maidudulot na maganda ang panghuhusga. After hearing Mayumi's side, we never stop asking for forgiveness to her.

And I promise myself, from now I will never be the same person. I will never repeat what I have done because I don't want to lose my girl. I don't want to lose Serna just because of my toxic behavior.

I will build myself better for her. I will be a better man for him.

Nang makatapak sa labas ng pintuan ng bahay ni Trevious ay may naririnig na kong sigawan. Ngunit natawa ako nang nakita ang sin Clyde, Jorus, Zoren na nakikinig mula sa pintuan.

I'm late.

I was about to ask when I heard Trevious loud voice boomed.

"So please before my wedding, I want you all to apologize to Krizza. I kept my mouth shut because you are still my friend. I respect you all, all your opinions, all your judgment in my wrong decision..." he said and I'm confused by his previous sentences.

"Bud, what happened?" I laughed. "I'm late," I mumbled.

"Oh, nag-enjoy ka 'no? First time ma-late, ah?" si Jorus kaya pabiro kong nasuntok ang kaniyang braso.

"It's a little confession about his feelings to Fiona and he was asking us to apologize to Krizza," aniya.

Napatango ako at napabaling kay Zoren na inaayos ang box na hawak. "What's that?"

"Piece offering," he grinned.

Napakamot ako ng ulo dahil hindi ako nakapaghanda. Namulsa ako at hindi inaasahan ang nakapa kong maliit na box.

"Oh damn," I mumbled as I remembered the key for my supposed car that I will give to Trevious after their wedding. Wala na akong nagawa kundi gawing peace offering. Hindi na rin ako magtatagal pa roon dahil namimiss ko na naman siya.

I just gave the key as a peace offering after a little talk with Krizza. She was still nice to us despite what we had done to her.

Nagpaalam na akong aalis. As much as I want to talk them more I couldn't. Gustong-gusto na makita ng mata ko si Serna. I missed embracing her with me.

Pagkabalik ko sa bahay kung nasaan siya nagpaiwan ay agad akong nagtungo sa kusina kung nasaan si Serna. Naghuhugas. Siretso siyang nakatayo habang nakalaylay ang buhok. Tanging galaw ng dalawa niyang braso ang lumilikot.

I slowly walked toward her and gently embrace her waistline. She gasped but she didn't push me. Mukhang nakilala niya agad ako nang mahina siyang natawa.

"Kumusta?"

Napangiti ako sa tanong niya pero mas mahigpit ko lang siyang niyakap ang pinatong ang ulo sa kaniyang balikat.

"Miss na agad kita..." bulong ko ngunit natawa lang siya at iniling-iling ang ulo habang nakatalikod sa akin.

Bumagal ang takbo ng sasakyan ko at in-open and cellphone upang kontakin si Luke. He was one of my trusted friends. Well marami sila pero mas komportable ako kay Luke humingi ng tulong.

I just sent a message to him to watch my parents and Serna's parents. And make them safe. After sending my message, I looked back at Serna's direction and I watched her with a smile on my lips.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang dapat na pagmamahal ang dapat iparamdam ko. Pero sana manatili ka pa rin sa akin, kahit anong gulong dumating sa buhay natin." Mahinang bulong ko.

"I promise my love I will take care of you, together with our baby. I love you so much. Thank you for completing the incomplete piece of my life."

Mula noon hanggang ngayon ikaw lang babaeng minahal ko, at ang mamahalin ko.

Hininto ko ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada at hinaplos ang mukha ni Serna. Ngumiti ang labi ko at hindi matawaran ang saya puso ko.

I was living in a turbulent world full of resentment. But when I finally met her everything changed and because of her I finally found the missing piece of my life.