Thaliah

When I woke up 9 years ago, I already forgotten all about him, as if he never eisted, as if he was erased in my memory, in my life...

"Saan na me?"

I asked the moment I can finally talk, they told I was in a coma for a month and had a surgery to remove the bala from my utak.

"How do you feel Thaliah?"

My mom asked, she's with dad and my two best friends, Mariya and Rin.

"I'm ayos neman po, plus you sabi to me that yong surgery kow is successful deba?

I giggled.

"Is it just me o lumala pagka conyo niya?"

Mariya said, my noo got kunot to that then looked at her nagtetaka.

"What? Diba I'm laging nagtotalk like ganto? what do you sabihin that lumala?"

I tanong to her, Rin awkwardly laughed.

"U-uhh nothing."

She smiled, I smiled back at her.

"Thinking about it, why did I labas ba to the bahay in new year? I don't alala why, diba I'm lagi namang nakikiparty every new year? plus why is that place looks like a province? I don't remember going to that lugar that gabi."

I shrugged, they're natigilan to that, did I sabi something weird?

That nigh, I woke up seeing a green eyed man together with two other man infront of me. For some reason, my heart suddenly pounded painfully, tears fell from my eyes and I don't even know why.

"Sino you three? Did you pasok a maling room?"

I asked wiping my tears.

"Weird? Why am I going iyak?"

I asked myself then looked at the man, he has this weird expression on his face. The two are nagbulungan pa while still looking at me.

"Nakikilala mo ba kami?"

The one with the blue eyes asked, he's gwapo din ha.

"I don't kilala you three, so maybe mali ang room that you pasok, just tanong the nurse."

I shrugged, suddenly my dad came inside with a dark expression on his face, he asked the three to talk to him outside, he seems galit pa nga eh, who are those? I hawak to my chest remembering that green eyed man, why does my chest suddenly hurts? as if I want to hug him.

"Who are they?

I asked my dad, he smiled and told me that  they are no one, I just shrugged it off.

After I recovered, I went to UK for my studies, I don't know why didn't I accepted it agad before, what stopped me? weird? I'm nabobo ba that time and I almost let an opportunity to slip?

I achieved my dream in that university, I had the highest average and has lots of offers, I became known world wide because of my talent, I even designed dresses for lots of big people, including holywood ctresses.

I'm 21 when I joined an organization and also became an agent after I saved those twin's lives. I have a great skills in fighting, it's my hobby to train myself too since I was little, not only because of the threats for my life before but also because it's fun.

It didn't take me long before I became a high ranked agent because of my spying skills, I have nothing to do naman in my free times so I just continued being an agent. I'm successful in fashion industry and being an agent, but I am definitely not lucky in finding love.

I want to experience having a boyfriend too, I'm so naiinggit to my friends, but heck why can't find someone suitable for my taste? 

When I went to Denmark for a fashion show and a mission, I've been recieving notes in my hotel room's door with a rose on it. It's a sticky note that is nakadikit to a rose, I tried looking at the cameras but the man is always wearing a cap, mask and shades.

He's kinda huge, he's tall and I can feel that he's gwapo without that mask, for some reason, his penmanship seems familiar to me.

Others might find it sweet but it's actually creepy for me, why would I find a stalker sweet? he should give it to me personally, I might appreciate it more.

I opened my eyes and saw a while ceiling and while walls, I am guessing that I am in a hospital.  I bit my lips are tears fell from my eyes, I already remember everything and I can't believe Azarel did that to me..

"Magdalene, are you okay? may masakit ba sayo?"

Azarel asked with a worried face, he looks like he has no tulog yet. His hair is magulo, he grew beard and he has bags on his eyes. I just looked at him, remembering those memories, remembering how he hurted me before, I don't know if I could look at him the same way again.

I looked away and didn't answer him.

"M-Magdalene? D-do you remember me? did you f-forget again?"

He looks horified, I closed my eyes and didn't respond, tears fell from his eyes and held my hand, he looks so afraid.

"Please, p-please not again."

I never saw him this state before, my heart is in pain, I don't really know what should I tell him.

"I remember you."

I said coldly, that moment, the doctors and nurses came. They checked me and asked me some questions, Azarel is staring at me with worried eyes, he looks really tired. The doctor left after talking to him.

"Thank goodness you're okay now."

He sighed harshly as he leaned closer and kissed my forehead, I just stared at him blankly.

"I was worried to death---"

I cut his sentence off.

"Where's Trina?"

I asked, that bitch suddenly pushed me, just how crazy and pathetic can she be? 

"She escaped right after she pushed you, hindi ko na pinansin dahil isinugod na agad kita sa ospital. But the authority found her last night, she's now imprisoned, hindi na siya makapang gugulo."

He explained I just nodded my head on him.

"I want to be alone Azarel."

I said.

"D-do you remember---"

I glared at him.

"I said I want to be alone."

I uttered then turned my back and closed my eyes, Azarel sighed and kissed my temples.

"I will wait, please, give me a chance to explain when you're ready."

He said then left my room, my mom visited, they didn't tell dad what happened to me so he won't get worried, which I am thankful for. I finally got discharged after a week and some tests.

"I'll take you home."

Azarel said, we are at the hospital's lobby with Josiah who also visited me.

"I have somewhere I need to go to."

I said.

"I will just commute."

I uttered, I still can't face him.

"Please Magda---"

I shook my head.

"Fine, I'll go with Josiah."

I sighed then looked away, he looks restless, I just need more time, after I remember the past, I kept thinking. What if he cheats on me again? In my job, I would always go overseas  if needed, what if magsawa siya?

I have so many what ifs, now that I remmebered what happened, I can't seem to trust him again, I might end up always overthinking and become toxic, I need to breathe.

"Please."

I said while looking at him, he sighed.

"Fine."

Azarel uttered while intently staring at me. Josiah patted his shoulders then Azarel told him something. Azarel took my things to his car, while I went to Josiah's car.

"So you remember everything now?"

Josiah asked while driving, I nodded my head on him.

"Alpha was dead worried that time he found out you were shot by a lost bullet, he blames himself and went to the hospital when he found out you woke up no matter how angry your parents are. He was devastated when you forgot him, he's not telling us anything, but we can how he felt empty, ilang taon din siyang naging miserable noong nawala ka."

He explained, I didn't respond and continued looking outside. 

"How about Trina? didn't they became an item when I'm gone? It's their chance."

I shrugged, Josiah shook his head.

"There never became like that, he just spent his free time stal---working and working and working, he has no time for that, plus after that incident, hindi na namin nakita pa si Trina. Azarel used his connections so that Trina wouldn't be able to get near him after what happened. She just came back to pester him about a year ago I think? 

He uttered, I looked at him.

"Then that night---"

Josiah shook his head.

"You should ask him Thaliah, let him explain his side, wala ako sa posisyon para magkwento."

He smiled then winked at me. Later on, were nakarating na to the presinto where Trina is currently staying, I want to talk to her then I will talk to Azarel afterwards.

"I  can handle myself na, I will just commute after this."

I smiled, Josiah shook his head.

"Mapapatay ako nung asawa mong gago kapag iniwan kita rito, hindi pa nga ako nakakadamoves sa mahal ko na nahanap ko na sawakas tapos matsustugi agad ang kagwapuhan ko? No way, highway, wrong way."

He said dramatically, I just chuckled.

"I just want to be alone after this, I can handle myself well, I'm the one who tsugi you if you don't sunod."

I rolled my eyes on him, It took a long time to convince him to finally leave, I just frowned and went inside.

"At talagang nakaligtas ka pa?"

Trina said while glaring at me, I smiled at her.

"Well thanks to you, I already remembered everything."

I shrugged, she clenched her fists while looking at me angrily.

"So you remember now how he chose me over you? how we spent the whole night together kasi tanga ka?  nasayo na pinakawalan mo pa? tapos ano iiyak iyak ka kapag naagaw sayo?"

She smirked, I shook my head and smiled at her.

"You didn't succeed on taking him away from me Trina, we both know that, stop spouting non sense, kasi if naagaw mo him saakin, then he wouldn't be married to me now and you wouldn't be here in jail because you're too desperate to have him."

I said calmly, she stood and attempted to slap me, but I managed to catch it, I also stood up then slapped her hard, three times.

"How dare you!"

She squealed.

"I am not here to be friendly with you Trina, I'm here for a closure."

I sighed.

"I treated you like a sister before Trina, how did it all ended up like this?"

I said, Trina just smiled at me bitterly.

"We ended up like this cause you're selfish Thaliah, the moment you decided to not give him to me, our so called friendship is over. He's all I dreamt of Thaliah, you already have everything, I love him, siya lang ang pinakahihingi ko sayo Thaliah, pero anong ginawa mo? Inilayo mo lang siya saakin!  Ako dapat ang mahal niya, hindi ikaw!"

She shouted, that made me laugh.

"I'm sorry."

I chuckled.

"You just sound pathetic, it's funny."

I said coldly.

"He is not mine Trina, That time you were asking for something that is not mine and I can never give. Azarel is not a thing, he's not a dress that I can let you have when you asked for it. He chose me because he wanted to, I treated you as a real friend, as a sister, I didn't even think of ending our friendship that lasted for years just because of a man. Hindi ako ganoon ka low class."

I smiled, Trina tried to attack me but I managed to dodge.

"Sinungaling! Ang sabihin mo inakit mo siya! Bullshit Thaliah! Nasayo na ang lahat diba?! Si Alpha lang ang gusto ko! Pero kahit anong habol ko sayo padin siya nakatingin! Ginawa ko na ang lahat! Ano ginayuma mo siya?! Hindi ka na nakontento na halos lahat ibinigay na sayo?! Kunwari ka pang concern ka saakin noon?! Hindi ko kailangan ng friendship galing sayo kasi sa una palang ay ginagamit lang naman kita."

She said angrily, I sighed then looked at her blankly.

"I'm not like you, I won't use my body to have someone, I respect myself, sana you din, I am also sincerely became friends with you and I didn't regret it, thank you for the fun days we had. It seems like you're still the same as before, I came here to say good bye, you have to be punished for all you've done. I don't know why you became like this, but please Trina, use your time here to think and change for the better, don't hurt anyone anymore, stop bringing shame to yourself anymore, good bye."

I smiled then turned my back to her.

"Hindi kita hahayaang maging masaya!"

She shouted, she snatched a gun from the police, my forehead ceased and looked at him coldly.

"Makukulong ako dito tapos ano? Ikaw masaya ka?! Kung kinakailangang ubusin ko ang buhay mo ay gagawin ko! Makukulong narin naman ako, edi papatayin nalang kita!"

She shouted then laughed as tears fell from her eyes.

"I loathe you, I loathe you so much, sana namatay ka nalang noong binaril kita noon! peste ka sa buhay ko!"

The police are trying to stop her but she just tutok the baril to them then back to me.

"So you're the one who shot me 9 years ago?"

I asked calmly.

"Yes, it's not a lost bullet, pinalabas lang na ganoon ang lahat, nakakabwiset lang kasi hindi ka mamatay matay!"

I unbelievably looked at her, talagang she will patay someone just to have Azarel?! What the heck?!

"You're baliw na Trina."

I said.

"Walang lalapit! papatayin ko to!"

She shouted,  I saw a police that is nakatutok na his baril to her, my eyes widened when I felt like he is going to pull the trigger to shoot her. I swiftly moved and kicked her hand holding the gun. Tumalsik yung gun sa floor, the police immidiately went to her and handcuffed her, she's nagwawala na, trying to free herself while looking at me angrily.

"Good bye Trina, I will talk to my lawyer, I think you need help."

I uttered then walked away, I feel weak just thinking about her, she once became my friend and she's important to me before, I hate that we turned out like this, but I don't regret it, maybe this is what she needs to get better.

It's raining hard outside, I para a taxi then went inside then rode a bus untill I arrived at that beach resort I went to before when I ran away. I rented a small cabin and walked at the sand while looking at the moon and stars.

The sea is dark and the cold wind is hugging my skin. When I come back, I will talk to him, I will listen to him.

I looked at the sea then back infront of me, my heart pounded seeing the familiar figure walking into my direction. His hands were in his pocket, his green orbs where intently looking at me. I remembered how handsome I think he looked like when I first saw him in this beach before, the time when I thought, it's my first time meeting him.

"Hello."

I smiled then met his gaze, my eyes widened when he suddenly leaned closer and gave me a warm embrace, I bit my lips and hugged him back.

"I talked to Trina."

I said then sat on the sand while looking at the sea and stars with him.

"She's the one who shot me before, it's not a lost bullet."

I said, his forehead ceased and his expression darkened.

"Damn---"

I leaned closer and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Calm down, she's already in prison."

I said then hugged my knees.

"I said good bye to her, what did you pakain to her ba? why is she patay na patay to you?"

I uttered, it was a long silence, we just looked at the stars together while sitting beside each other. He probably noticed that I'm cold and gave me his jacket.

"I'm ready to listen Azarel."

I said then looked at him, his expression changed.

"Tell me everything."

I look at him in  the eyes, Azarel sighed.

"I had a girlfriend before, when were still not close, she chose her dream and studied abroad and I understand, I supported her. We were both busy, I can't visit her since I am also focused on my studies. Untill a tragedy happened, she even called me that night, pauwi na raw siya. After that she didn't call again, akala ko pagod lang siya. Nabalitaan ko nalang kinabukasan yung nangyari sakaniya."

He sighed harshly.

"She was raped then killed, I blmed myself, kasi wala ako roon para protektahan siya. That's why I was frightened when you told me you had to go to UK for your studies. Parang bumalik saakin yung nangyari, just imagining it might happen to you too makes me wants to kill someone, makes me want to just keep you with me and protect you."

My eyes softened then caressed his jaw.

"You know that I can protect myself well Azarel, kaya nga kitang sabayan everytime were having a spar."

I said, Azarel shook his head.

"But I'm still scared, I'm too scared to let you go that time, idagdag pang nagkakaroon ako ng problema sa kompanya ng mga magulang ko at sa mga kliyente ko. I love you so much Thaliah, ang nasa isip ko noon, hindi ko kakayanin kung mawawala ka saakin. Because of it I made a rash decision, I made you choose and it hurts like hell when you didn't choose me. At new years eve, I told myself, pupuntahan kita pagkatapos ng party, magsosorry ako, hindi ko kayang mawala ka saakin. But Trina kept pestering me, I ended up drinking the liqour she gave to me para tigilan na niya ako. But I blacked out, when I woke up, I'm naked with her, worst is you even saw us."

He frowned.

"I panicked, believe me Magdalene, I didn't do it, Trina put a drug on my drink, hinding hindi ko iyon magagawa sayo. She drugged me, maniwala ka saakin, hindi ko ginusto iyon, I only want you Magdalene."

He explained while looking at me sincerely, tears fell from my eyes as I leaned closer and started kissing him passionately. With stars and the moon as our witness, Azarel kissed me back. It was slow and passionate, he's kissing me like he is savouring every moment.

I missed him, I missed him so much.

"I believe you Azarel, I'm just glad you really didn't cheat on me, that you really love me."

I said with tears flowing from my eyes, Azarel embraced me tightly.

"Thank you."

He said, his shoulders are shaking while hugging me, I patted his back then faced him with a smile.

"Let's start again Azarel."

I whispered, he nodded his head then smiled at me. I stood up, but Azarel remained sitting at the sand.

"I thought I just have a high standard, for some reason, every men I flirt with or I got out on a date felt like they are not the one I am looking for, it felt like I am looking for someone unconsciously, not knowing I am actually looking for you, my heart is. Even if my mind already forgotten you, my heart still kept trying to find you. You're my missing piece Azarel, you complete me."

I confessed, he bit his lips while looking at me. He kuha something from his pocket, my eyes widened. It's the diamond ring I gave back to him 9 years ago, the ring from his grand mother.

Azarel kneeled infront of me, I covered my mouth with my hand as tears started to fall again while looking at him.

"Oh my god."

I mumbled.

"I completely lost myself in despair, untill I found it in you, you're that beautiful despair I never forgotten how much I am inlove with."

He whispered then kissed me again.

"I love you so much Magdalene, mula noon, hanggang ngayon, 9 years without you is misery. 9 years and I never once forgot you, my love for you never faded."

His eyes were looking at me sincerely, I smiled at him, still daze as I look at him.

"Let's start again Thaliah Magdalene Ross Juarez, this time, I will make sure you'll remember ever seconds of it, I will make every moments worth it. Marry me Magdalene, not because our parents wanted it, not because of any reason than me loving you, marry me cause I will love you with all my heart, I promise to devote myself to you. Please, let me spend my entire lifespan with you Darleng."

He stated, I bit my lips while looking at him then nodded my head, I felt emotional, I couldn't stop my tears, I still couldn't believe it.

"Y-yes! oh god Azarel yes! I love you so much!"

I answered.

"R-really?"

He asked dumbfounded I nodded my head on him. He put the ring on my finger right away then stood up to carry me, I happy embraced him.

"Fuck."

He cursed with tears falling from his eyes, I chuckled.

"I'm sorry, damn..."

He burried his head on my chest while his shoulder is shaking.

"I-I just can't believe it, I-I'm so happy."

He said while hugging me tight, I smiled.

"Then smile."

I said then faced him, Azarel smiled and leaned closer for another passionate kiss as he carried me.

 Oh god, I love this man so much.

A/N: 1 more chapter before epilogue ^^