"Her body began to deteriorate when she returned to the Philippines, Sam."

Our bond may not be as strong as it once was when we were younger, but those memories will always have a special place in my heart. My brother Luke was always caring and protective of me, but he was usually busy, and I had no one to spend time with. Until Celestine came.

"She... She didn't tell me. I had no idea she was sick. "

When I met her again, she looked healthy. As if there was nothing wrong with her at all. That's why I was taken aback as to why she kept it on me. Kahit nagkaroon ng lamat ang relasyon namin, we are still family. Mahal ko pa din ang pinsan ko.

"She eventually confessed, and that was the reason I was worried about her because of her disease; I pitied her and felt guilty. She told me that the main reason she returned was to say goodbye to her friends and meet you for the last time."

I was sobbing uncontrollably, and my heart was heavy with regrets.

"She had only been off treatment for two years when she returned here, and she didn't want to go through chemotherapy or painful laboratory procedures because it would be a waste of time and make her suffer; she just wanted to be free of it."

Nanginig ang labi ko. "I was mean to her. I hated her thinking that there was really something going on between you two! Na akala ko talaga ay niloloko ninyo ako! How can I apologize to her now that she has left without being able to say goodbye? "

"When I was away in that two months in Batangas, it was true that I had a project there. Beach resort ng pamilya ni Cleo. " He looked at me. "However, I wasn't expecting her to be there as well, yet she was with our other friends. Nakita ko kung paano siya unti-unting sinasaktan at pinapahirapan ng sakit niya. Ginawa nila 'yon para sana ay kumbinsihin siya na magpagamot, but she didn't want to. She made up her mind and that she was ready to go. That was her fate. "

Malakas na napahikbi ako dahil sa narinig. Hindi ko lubos maisip na tinanggap niya na hanggang doon nalang siya. Dapat ay nagpagamot pa din siya. Sana ay inilaban niya.

He moved in closer and wiped the tears away from my eyes. "I was devastated at that time and told her about the situation. She took the chance to help me for your sake and to help me protect the family I had, Sam. Ngunit alam ko na natakot din siya... na masaktan ka niya pero pinili niya pa ding panindigan na tulungan ako. "

"Did you have any evidence against Cynthia? What happened to them? " I was hopeful.

He gently nodded. "I quickly gathered all of the evidence that I've obtained when the company was placed under my name, including the proof provided by your father, with the goal of holding them accountable for what they've done to you and your family. I filed a lawsuit against them."

"Y-you, succeeded?"

"Aaminin ko naging mahirap ang proseso dahil hindi inaasahan ni Cynthia na napaikot namin siya. Mas naging malakas ang mga ebidensiya ng itinuro siya ng lahat ng mga inutusan niya sa mga nangyari. She was found guilty, and so were her accomplices. Ria and the truck driver are currently serving their sentences in jail."

Napapikit ako matapos marinig iyon. Bigla akong nakahinga ng maluwag na para bang ang mabigat na matagal nang nakadantay sa dibdib ko ay nabawasan. For a moment, I felt free. I felt free because justice had been served for them. Maybe I can't bring back my family that has been long gone, but I was happy that justice had come forth until the very end.

I looked at the man standing in front of me. His face was the feature of his that I admired the most. His hazel-colored eyes who once looked at me with so much love, his pointed nose and his smile. Hindi ko napansin na nagsimula na mangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata at pagdaloy ng sakit sa aking dibdib kahit nakatunghay lang ako sa kaniya.

Kahit alam ko na ang lahat ng nangyari, masakit pa din pala. Ginawa niya lang din ang lahat para matulungan ang pamilya ko, para protektahan ako at ang mga taong nagmamahal sa kaniya. He had done enough.

"Sam..."

A lone tear fell on my eyes. "Hmm?"

He looked at me sorrowfully. "M-mahal pa din kita...Hindi nawala, mas lalo lang lumalim. I spent the whole two years trying to find you, but I failed. Hindi kita mahanap."

Tumulo ang luha sa pisngi ko. "Are you the one who maintained and cleaned my old office?"

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya. "Y-you knew?"

Tinitigan ko lang siya. "When I went there, the old lady told me."

Lumamlam ang mga mata niya. "I-I waited for you to return there every day for the past two years and more..."

"I've seen a note tied to a rose."

Umiwas siya ng tingin. "I-I wrote every single note; every single day I was there. I knew you loved roses because they reminded you of your mother. It calms you... "

Mapait na ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Thank you for everything you've done, Zacharias."

He got down in front of me and knelt. "Please, Summer... t-take me back," he pleaded. "T-take me back, please... I'll be... I'll be good to you. I'll do whatever you want... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for what I did... I'm sorry for uttering those words that have wounded you."

Marahang umiling ako kasabay ng pagsigid ng sugat sa loob ng puso koI know my heart still bleeds for him, and I can't just forget about him because our past is full of lovely memories.

However, I needed some time to heal. It was all a bit much. Pareho kaming nasaktan. Pareho kaming nagkasakitan. I hadn't fully recovered yet. I can't still forgive him.

I went down and stared at him kneeling. Muling naglandas ang luha sa aking mga mata at mapait na ngumiti.

"T-thank you, Zacharias, for everything that you have done for my family... and for me. You can stop now. "

Napapikit ako ng mariin nang yakapin ako nito ng mahigpit. Umiling siya. "Summer... I'm sorry... for everything. "

I gently tapped his back. Mas lalong dumami ang luha sa pisngi ko at nanginig ang boses ko. "Shh...You did great, Zacharias."

"Summer..." His eyes were reddish, maybe because he was crying and I was too.

I slowly reached for his face and gave him a smile. "Thank you for everything that you did. Salamat sa lahat ng pagmamahal na pinaramdam mo noon. "

" Hinding-hindi kita susukuan. I'll never let you go again," he said in a soft voice as he held my hand.

I averted my gaze at him and slowly pulled back my hand. Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at hinayaan ang mga luha sa aking mga mata na dumaloy sa pisngi.

I felt free, but at the same time, I was hurting inside.

I am not ready... I'm not ready to love him again.

***

"Why do you keep following me?!"

Nakita ko agad ang pag-ilap ng kulay kastanyo niyang mata sa akin bago nahihiyang hinawakan ang batok. I rolled my eyes at him and continued walking to the opposite side of the room, but he was right beside me again.

Iritang nilingon ko si Zacharias. "What are you doing?! Doon ka sa kabila! "

He didn't bother to move, but he just smiled softly at me while placing his hands inside his pockets. Lumabas ang biloy niya sa magkabilaang pisngi.

"It's more comfortable here, attorney."

Pinandilatan ko siya. "You have a meeting three minutes from now! Go to your seat! "

He looked around the room for a brief moment before gazing back at me.

"Wala pa naman sila."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin ulit bagkus ay naglakad ako papunta sa upuan na katabi ni Abel na seryoso ang mukha. I immediately arranged the files I needed for the meeting. I made sure all the information was correct.

At the far end, I was seated. The chairman of the board will be seated at the opposite end's center. I looked up as I saw him standing on the side of the room. Lahat ay tahimik habang nakamasid sa lalaki na ang mga mata ay nasa akin. I uncomfortably sat on my chair again.

"Shall we start the meeting?" Tanong ng isa sa mga board of directors.

Narinig ko ang malakas na pagtikhim ni Zacharias bago ito naglakad papalapit sa kanyang upuan. He was going to sit down when he stopped. He cast a glance in my direction.

"Exchange seats with me, Abel."

"Yes, Sir." Magalang na sagot ni Abel at tumayo sa tabi ko.

Kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko nang maglakad ang lalaki papalapit sa aking tabi. My breathing became ragged after I smelled his familiar mint scent as he sat beside me. Napatakhim ako nang magbangga kaunti ang paa naming dalawa sa ilalim ng mesa.

I looked at him and he was just staring at me.

"I'll just sit here in order to see and hear all of you," Hindi niya tinanggal ang mata sa akin. He leaned in closer. "Start the agenda."

I shifted my gaze away from him. Buong oras ng meeting ay tahimik lang ako at nakikinig sa mga sinsasabi nila. My gaze was fixed on the front, but the man next to me seemed to be staring at my face. Kanina pa ako naiirita pero hindi ko pwedeng ipakita.

I simply reached for his arm on top of the table and pinched it. Hard.

"Ouch! Fuck!"

Natahimik ang lahat at napalingon sa direksyon naming. I remained serious as Zacharias touched the arm that I'd pinched, bakas sa mukha niya na nasaktan siya doon. Deserve.

"I-Is there a problem with the presentation, Sir?" Nakita ko ang pagbaling sa akin ni Zacharias habang nakangiwi. Umiling siya.

"N-no... Not at all! Just... uhm... continue, " Utos nito bago muling tumingin sa akin. I just glared at him, but the side of his lips went up.

"Cutie." He whispered enough for me to hear. I hissed.

Even when the meeting was over, I didn't mind him walking alongside me so close that his arm brushed up against mine, but I was the one who was moving away from him.

Bumukas iyon sa ika-dalawamput apat na palapag. Pumasok si Roa. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin sa amin ni Zacharias na nakatayo sa tabi ko.

Ngumisi ang lalaki. "Sir, Gaano ka-close?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. He didn't just say a famous line from a romance film, right?!

Naubo si Zacharias. "Shut up, fucker!"

Napasimangot ako. Parehas silang mga sira-ulo. Talagang magkaibigan sila.

"May nagawa ba 'to, Attorney? Parang asong nakabuntot sa'yo palagi eh?"

I looked at Roa. "How about you? May nagawa ka ba at lagi ka ding nakabuntot kay Dawn?"

Nanlaki ang mata ng lalaki bago alanganing ngumiti. Itinaas sa ere ang kamay.

"Okay po...shut up na ako. Awit."

We both fell silent when Roa exited the elevator. As I felt my body tensing up, I breathed deeply. "W-when will be our second meeting for the house? "

Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa. "Soon. I-I just have to arrange something. Is it okay?"

I nodded. "Kailan babalik ang corporate lawyer mo?"

Nangungusap ang mga mata niya. "Rusty will be back sooner than expected."

I averted my eyes and tightened my expression. "I was fine with it, and the sooner the better."

"I-I can't ask you to stay, can I?"

Mapait na nilingon ko siya. "I am not choosing to stay in the first place, Zacharias."

Lumungkot ang mukha niya. "E-even after all you have known?"

"Even after learning the truth. It makes no difference. "I paused and looked at the elevator floor panel. "This is purely a negotiation."

"P-pero hindi para sa akin, Sam..."

"But for me, it is." Bumukas ang elevator. Nilingon ko siya. "I don't want you back in my life. I hope I made that clear. "

Nauna na akong lumbas. I closed my eyes as my knees wobbled. After what has happened, I've realized that it is better for the both of us to stay where we are right now and resume the lives we had. Separately, it is better this way.

To protect Zacharael and to also protect myself from the pain and to heal in time.

I felt my heart clench inside of me as I entered his office. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko. I immediately walked toward my table and sat on the chair. My gaze fell on a single rose with a note attached. He was revealing his intentions to me every day. Even though I was tormenting him, he did everything openly. Kahit walang kwentang bagay, pinagawa ko sa kaniya. Pinapahirapan ko siya, pero hindi siya sumusuko. I insulted him and told him over and over that, I would never accept him again, but all he did was smile.

I breathed out a couple of times as I held my chest. You're okay... You're okay, Sam.

Bumukas ang pintuan. Pumasok siya. I hurriedly fixed my things and got up from my seat. Nakita ko ang pag-aalala sa mga mata niya.

"Aalis ka na?"

I refused to meet his eyes. "Not your business, Engineer Valencia."

Naglakad ako papalapit sa pinto at nang lalampasan ko na siya ay pinigilan niya ang kamay ko. Naghihinang tinignan niya ako. "S-sam... what can I do for you to forgive me? "

Mariing tinitigan ko siya. "I want you to feel what it's like to lose everything."

I want to get even. I want him to feel the pain I've gone through. He was asking for my forgiveness, and I would not give it to him until I was satisfied. Until the pain was enough. Until he bleeds on his knees.

Lumambot ang mata niya. Puno ng emosyon. "Summer, I-I already lost everything I had. Walang... natira. "

Uminit ang mga mata ko. "Bleed... to the point of being barely alive."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko at malungkot na kumurap. "I'm already bleeding excruciatingly, S-sam."

"Bleed to death. Kapag ginawa mo 'yan, baka sakaling mapatawad pa kita."

Pumiksi ako sa hawak niya at lumabas. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na pumasok ako sa loob ng sasakyan. I drove even though I could feel the pain swelling inside of me.

Agad na niyakap ko si Zacharael nang makauwi ako sa suite. Nakita ko pa ang pagkagulat sa mga mata ni Olive nang umiiyak na niyakap ko ang anak ko.

"W-what happened, Sam?"

My gaze fell on my two-year-old kid, who was smiling and reaching for my wet cheeks. I kissed his delicate fingers. "M-mommy loves you, okay?"

He chuckled. "M-mommy!"

I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly. As I heard his small chuckle, the anguish started to fade away. He's always had the ability to heal any pain I've felt.

"Sam, kung bumalik na kaya kayo sa California? I-I hate seeing you like this."

I took a sip of my coffee as I stared out the window. I can feel the cold air against my skin. "M-malapit na kaming bumalik. After this one last meeting. " Nilingon ko si Olive. "Is it okay if I ask you that while I'm away, you can stay in our house?"

She nodded. "Dawn and I will safeguard it for you, Sam. Alam namin kung gaano mo kamahal ang bahay na iyon. It is where you feel the comfort of a family. "

"A family I once had," malungkot na usal ko. " But all of them left me. Wala man lang naiwan para makasama ko. "

"Summer-"

Tumingala ako. "Minsan kahit alam kong hindi ko dapat kwestiyunin ang mga plano ng Diyos pero hindi ko maiwasan na tanungin ng paulit-ulit kung bakit kinuha niya ang pamilya ko? Na sana man lang ay nagtira siya ng taong magmamahal din sa akin. "

I felt her embrace on my back. "Kami. Pamilya mo din kami ni Dawn. Kami ang iniwan niyang magmamahal sa'yo, Sam."

Nilingon ko siya. Olive's eyes were in tears as her lips quivered. Napahikbi ako. She smiled as she drew me into a tight embrace. I sobbed as my head rested on her chest as she stroked my hair.

"We're here. We are your family. Kahit ano ang mangyari, kung ano pa ang maging desisyon mo, titindig kami para sa'yo. "

***

I sighed heavily as I stared at myself in a full-sized body mirror.

Bumaba ang mga mata ko sa aking kulay itim at maiksing buhok na hanggang balikat ko. I closed my eyes for a while before I got out of the bathroom.

Habang binabaybay ko ang daan papunta sa lugar na iyon, labis na pinipigilan ko na ang mga hikbi sa labi ko. I'd like to pay them a visit. I want to cry with them... Even though I was still in pain, I wanted to see them.

Bumuntong-hininga ako nang makalabas sa sasakyan. I moved slowly towards the cemetery entrance, where my family had their final resting place, their home.

The skies were azure and bright, and I could hear birds chirping in the nearby trees. I could feel my heart tightening as I walked towards their graves. Every step felt like I was walking into a dark alley I'd avoided for the previous two years... dahil ayokong tanggapin na wala na talaga sila. Na kaya ayaw kong pumunta dito dahil isinasampal nito sa akin na talagang hindi na sila babalik... para sa akin.

Malapit na ako kung saan sila nakalibing nang kusang huminto ang mga paa ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang may matanaw akong isang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na tuxedo na nakatayo sa harapan ng tatlong libingan.

Si Zacharias.

Nanginig ang labi ko. What is he doing here?

Bumaba ang mata ko sa mga kamay niya. On the left, he had a brown envelope, and on the right— a bouquet of red roses. Nanghina ako nang makitang inilagay niya iyon sa puntod ni Mama.

I silently walked slowly. Nakatalikod siya sa akin. I stop when the distance is not that close but enough for me to hear his hard breathing. I was shocked when he kneeled in front of the graves.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry for hurting her. " With a painful tone in his voice, he said. "I'm sorry, I-I should've been a better man for Sam. She deserves everything... She deserves all the love this world can offer. "

Natutop ko ang aking bibig.

He bowed his head even lower as I saw his shoulders shaking. "I-I will still love her... even if fate this time intervenes. H-hindi ko po pipilitin na patawarin niya ako o m-mahalin niya ako ulit. All I want for her... is to be happy, even if it's not from me. "

He paused.

"M-mahal ko po ang anak ninyo but I'm afraid I can't... I can't give her anything else. I lost everything too. I lost her. "

What did he mean when he said he'd lost everything? Tumulo ang luha sa aking mga pisngi habang tinatanaw siya na nakaluhod sa lupa.

"I'm sorry, " Nanginig ang boses niya. "I'm sorry if I hurt her in a way that she didn't deserve. I-I'm sorry for not being enough... but please... guide her always. She loved her family more than herself. I am asking you to cast her fears away and love her from afar. That's what I wanted to ask of you. I'll never get tired of asking that to all of you every single day. "

Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko bago dahan-dahang umatras. With tears streaming down my face, I started to run towards the exit.

Nanghihinang napasandal ako sa malapit na poste habang bumibilis ang aking paghinga. Umiiyak na napatingala ako sa kalangitan habang dinadamdam ang labis na pagsakit ng aking dibdib. Hinahabol ko ang aking paghinga.

I was crying and clutching my chest as the pain inside of me intensified. Pinilit kong tumayo ng maayos pero tila nauubusan na ako ng paghinga. I feel as if something is blocking me from gasping for air.

Hinga... Huminga ka, Sam. Kailangan mong huminga.

Fuck... Akala ko hindi na ulit mangyayari 'to. I was suffering from another panic attack, but it was much worse this time. I don't have my medicine in me because I stopped taking it before.

"Ah!" I groaned as I felt my eyes slowly getting blurry.

"Summer?! Sam!"

Ang malakas na pagsigaw nito ang naging dahilan kung bakit tila nakasagap ako ng hangin. Bumaling ang mga mata ko kay Zacharias na nanlalaki ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin.

Agad na hinawakan niya ang aking magkabilaang braso at itinayo mula sa pagkakasandal ko sa pader. I saw tears peeking through his eyes as he was holding me. Nakita ko ang panginginig ng mga labi niya habang paulit- ulit na nagsasalita.

"C-can you hear me?! Stay with me! S-stay with me please! "

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Ang tanging nagagawa ko lang ay ang tanawin siya habang pinipilit ang sarili na huminga.

Ipinalibot niya ang kanyang braso paikot sa aking katawan at panginginig ng kanyang kamay. Dahan-dahang kinuha niya ang kamay ko na nasa aking dibdib at inilapat iyon sa kaniya. Mariing ipinatong niya sa kanyang dibdib.

Nang bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanyang mukha. He was... crying.

"I-I'm here. I-I'm here, Sam... Hinga... Please, breathe. " His voice cracked as he tightened his grip on my hand on top of his chest. "N-nandito ako... You are not alone. Breathe... Breathe slowly for me... I am here. "

Sinunod ko siya... I inhaled sharply as I was looking into his eyes. He was also breathing heavily — tila sinasabayan ako.

"Inhale... Exhale... good. Hinga, Sam...Gently." His eyes were soft as tears streamed down his cheeks. I followed him. I started to breathe, gently, until the pacing of my breath was slowly getting back to normal.

I saw him looking at me with fear in his eyes. It was like he was afraid of losing something.

"Zacharias," I whispered.

Mariing hawak niya pa din ang kamay ko na nasa dibdib niya. Mabigat ang paghinga. "A-are you okay? M-may masakit?!"

Nanginginig ang boses niya.

I slowly shook my head as I was breathing gently. "N-not anymore..."

Maingat na dinala niya ang kamay ko sa kanyang mga labi at pinatakan ng halik. "T-thank God... "

I didn't say anything but stared at him. He was now sobbing... while his lips were smiling towards me.

Nanghihina pa din ako kaya't inalalayan niya ako. Dahan-dahan niya akong ipinasok sa sasakyan niya. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin hanggang sa makapasok din siya sa loob. Nakita ko ang pagkataranta niya habang lumilinga sa paligid.

"W-water... I have water and medicine. "

May kinuha siyang tubig sa likod pagkatapos ay may kinuha sa compartment na nasa harapan niya.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa isang pouch nang buksan niya iyon at naglalaman ng iba't ibang klase ng mga gamot.

"F-fuck.. where is it?! I'm sure I had it. " Salubong ang kilay niya.

Why does he have this much medicine?

Nakita ko kung paano niya isa-isang tiningnan iyon at binasa ang likuran. Umaliwalas ang mukha niya nang makita ang isang gamot.

"Here..." Kinuha niya ang kamay ko saka inilagay ang gamot. I took a closer look at it and my mouth slightly parted when I realized it was the same medicine I was taking for my panic and anxiety attacks. It is one of the SSRI antidepressant drugs that I am taking.

Lumipat ang mata ko sa lalaki na binubuksan ang bottled water.

"W-why?... Why do you have this m-medicine? "

Nakita ko ang pag-iwas niya ng tingin saglit pero bumalik din. "T-take it... it will help."

Even though I wanted to ask him more, sinuportahan niya ang kamay ko upang dalhin ang gamot papunta sa aking bibig bago siya na mismo ang nagpa-inom ng tubig sa akin.

Matapos kong inumin ang gamot ay parehas kaming dalawa na natahimik. Parehas na hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin. I have so many questions, but I can't open my mouth to speak.

I chose to look outside. He saw me having a panic attack. I don't know what he is thinking right now.

Napabalik lang nag mata ko nang may iniabot siya sa akin. It was the brown envelope he was holding earlier.

"W-what's this?" I asked.

His eyes softened. "I-it's the title deed of your family's home. "

Hinid makapaniwalang tiningnan ko siya. "Y-you're giving it back? "

Lumamlam ang mata niya. "I'm returning it to the rightful owner. It was never owned by anyone else except you. "

Nagmamadaling binuksan ko iyon at naiiyak na tiningnan ang titulo ng bahay na nakapangalan sa akin. When I noticed the date it was legally made and signed, my brow creased.

The date — This deed was carried out long before I arrived in the Philippines.

Nanlalaki ang mata ko. "W-what... the date-"

Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti. "That's why my name is only on the buyer, not as the owner, attorney. I already transferred it to your name even before you returned. "

"But how can you be so sure that I'll return? P-paano kung hindi pala ako bumalik?"

"Hihintayin kita hanggang sa bumalik ka. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Despite the fact that I have no assurance that you will return, sa'yo ko pa din ipapangalan 'yan. "

Tumulo ang luha sa pisngi ko. I was... overwhelmed. I don't know what to say.

"B-bakit mo binili ang bahay namin nang ipagbili ni Tito Lawrence?"

He sighed heavily. "Lawrence Quin wanted to sell the house in order to fund his gambling addiction and pay his debts."

"What?"

"He had intended to sell it for a low price to a corporation that would turn it into a commercial building, but that didn't happen because I raised the price." He explained.

Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi bago dahan-dahang ibinaba ang titulo sa aking kandungan. So that's the real reason why... Napapikit ako. I judged him so easily due to the hatred I had for him because of what happened in the past. I assumed he had other plans for it, such as selling it for a profit.

Napayuko ako. "S-salamat..." Bulong ko. Nahihiya ako. Nahihiya ako sa kaniya. I didn't know that he had done so much for my family and for me.

He slowly took my hand in his, causing me to look at him. His eyes were sincere, with a smile on his lips. "That's nothing to be thanked for, especially if it's for you. I will do anything for your happiness. For Samsam. "

My gaze stayed fixed on his grasp on my hand. As an array of emotions surged over me, I could feel my eyes heating up. Umayos ako ng upo at dahan-dahang binawi ang kamay ko bago binigyan siya ng maliit na ngiti.

"L-let's go back now."

Nakita kong natigilan siya bago bumuntong-hininga. "Y-you're not visiting them?"

Iniwas ko ang aking mata. "I will... I will come back here next time. I'm not feeling well at the moment. "

Nakita ko ang agad na pagtango niya. He wanted to drive me towards the Malaya Hotel, but I insisted that I drive. Hindi ko pwedeng iwan ang sasakyan ni Dawn. My eyes were glancing in the side mirror as I was driving. Nakikita ko ang sasakyan ni Zacharias na nakasunod sa akin.

I could feel the loud beating of my heart as I realized what he had done all along. It was overwhelming. I can't believe that he did all those things for me and my family. To bring them the justice that I've always sought but failed to accomplish.

"Hindi ka aalis agad, 'di ba?" He asked, and the fear in his voice was visible as we were walking towards my suite.

Pinayagan ko siyang ihatid ako dahil alam ko na wala dito si Dawn kasama ang anak ko. I appreciated everything he did, but I can't forgive him without first forgiving myself.

Mas mahirap patawarin ang sarili kaysa ang magpatawad ng iba.

I want to be healed... I badly wanted to be free from pain before I could let myself out into the world again. I was imprisoned in a dark abyss of pain and suffering, as if I were standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting to plummet down again, and I didn't want to feel it again.

I had a son to raise. Kung balang araw, napatawad ko na ang sarili ko at ang natanggap ko na ang lahat ng sakit, maybe there will be a chance I will share Zacky with him.

But not for now. I can't. I don't know what will happen if he knows. I was scared... I was scared that he would tear me and my son apart. That he would be angry and take my son away from me because I hid him for so long.

Zacky was the one who pulled me out of the deepest pits I'd ever been in. I don't want him to be away from me. Hindi ako makakapayag.

"N-not yet." I averted my gaze as I was starting to place the card on the door to open it. I can feel myself panicking.

He held my hand carefully. Napalingon ako. Malamlam ang mga mata niya at namumula na iyon.

"You will stay? for good? " He paused and swallowed.

I didn't answer the question. "I-I can't answer that right now."

"S-sam..."

Tiningala ko siya. " Hmm?" His hazel colored eyes were tenderly looking at me. Hinaplos niya ang kamay ko ng marahan.

"I'll wait,"

"Zacharias, I can't-"

Namuo ang luha sa mata niya habang nakatitig sa akin ng mariin. He licked his trembling lips.

"I'll wait even if it will take years. Decades. I don't care... but always remember, wala akong minahal na iba. "Dinala niya ang aking palad sa kanyang dibdib. "You are the only one who can bring this one to life; it beats for you, and only your soul can do so."

Nanghina ang binti ko at naramdaman ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

Mariin na pinisil niya ang braso ko at ang kulay kastanyo niyang mga mata ay puno ng emosyon na nakatunghay sa akin. "Hanggang ngayon, ikaw lang. Sa'yo lang. When the time comes that you are ready to open your heart again, I'm still here— for I had already found the home I had been searching for my entire life. With you, I am home. "

Tears fell in my eyes.

"When the stars finally align with us, if you are to open up your heart to the world," his voice cracked as he smiled widely. His eyes welled up with tears. "Please fall in love with me again." 

"She will gladly decline what you just said. "

Tumahip ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang marinig ang malakas at pamilyar na boses sa aking likuran. Doon na nagsimulang manginig ang katawan ko at napalingon sa lalaki na seryosong nakatingin sa amin.

Tuluyan na akong namutla ng makita si Caleb na nakatayo ilang dipa ang layo sa amin.

"C-caleb..." nanginginig na sambit ko.

Unti-unting nangilid ang luha ko nang dumapo ang mga mata ko sa batang nasa kanyang bisig. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil doon.

Nilingon ko agad si Zacharias nang maramdaman ko ang pagluwang ng pagkakahawak niya sa akin. Bakas ang gulat sa mga mata nito habang nakatingin ng diretso sa batang hawak ni Caleb.

Nilukob ng labis na takot ang damdamin ko ng makita ko ang pagbakas ng sakit sa kanyang mukha. He was breathing heavily and I saw how his chest heaved. His hands formed into a fist.

Oh my god! No... no!

Bakit narito silang dalawa?! Kailan pa nakabalik ang lalaki? Bakit hindi man lang ito nagpasabi!

Nahihintakutan na tiningnan ko si Caleb at marahas na umiling pero nakatingin lang ito ng masama sa lalaking kasama ko ngayon. He's clenching his jaw and his eyes were sharp.

Tuluyan ng tumakas ang luha sa aking pisngi ng tiningnan ako ni Zacharael at nanlalaki ang mga matang itinaas niya ang kanyang maliliit na mga kamay patungo sa direksyon ko.

Naramdaman ko na ang hindi maipaliwanag na takot na lumukob sa buong pagkatao ko.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

Ang maliit na boses na iyon ang tuluyang nakapagpaguho ng mundo ko. Nanginig ang aking buong katawan kasabay ang pag-alpas ng malakas na hikbi sa aking mga labi.