The last chapter for this story. Epilogue will be posted tomorrow. Maraming maraming salamat sa walang sawang nag basa at sumusuporta sa story ko kahit na ang dami niyong silent readers na mahal na mahal ko. And i'm gonna be editing the other parts of this story para mas kaaya aya siyang basahin.

After 5 years of writing this story, finally may ending na rin! salamat sainyo! sobra, naiiyak ako kasi unang story ko ito na magagawa kong tapusin kaya sobrang salamat.

You can still leave your opinions and your feeling about this story okay?

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK**

Enjoy reading ! :*

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Chapter 45

THE LUNCH went well, and as expected Mom cooked a lot for us. Hindi na rin ako nagulat kasi satwing nagkaka roon ng pagkakataon na makumpleto na kaming pamilya ay talagang sobrang pinag hahandaan talaga ni Mom, because she said that it's really not usual that we're complete in the dining table.

Nuon pa man ganito na si Mom, she always put her all effort just to make us good. Ngunit dahil nga sa pagkakaroon ko ng galit o tampo sakanila nuon ay hindi ko nagawang ma-appreciate lahat ng giagawa nila para sa pamilya—para saakin.

Masyado akong nabulag ng galit ko.

That was the best dinner I've ever had, for such a very long time I've experience again on how to be happy again with my family; complete and having a lot of chitchat during the lunch.

I've arrived early kanina, and as kuya Harries said ay na late nga siya ng kaunti pero sakto namang naka rating siya nuong mag la-lunch na. I helped Mom and Kier prepare the dining table when I saw them preparing the dining table earlier when I arrived.

Mom really looks happy when she saw me and I can't stop myself from wondering 'is she not busy today?' because that's the reason why I hated them before, for having no time for us. But then, I choose to ignore that thinking and just enjoy the time with them.

Sobrang saya ng pakiramdam ko kanina habang nag aayos kami ng hapag kainan dahil panay ang kwento at tanong saakin ni Mom tungkol sa mga bagay bagay, and we always end up laughing on our conversation. And I missed it so much, like nothing bad happened between us. I really miss having a conversation with Mom, because even before my Mom is the first bestfriend I had.

When we are about to start our lunch, kuya Harries arrived with a cake which is My favorite and Dad also. He said that he just run some errands that's why he's late. Samantalang si Mom naman ay sinundo si Dad sa opisina nito para sabihing kakain na, maybe he's still not aware that i've already arrived.

I can sense that me and Dad are having an awkward atmosphere so, Mom always put all the topic during the lunch and knowing Mom; she always brings a topic that can make us all laugh.

"Mom! Stop bullying me!" pag mamaktol ni Kier na ngayon ay kumakain ng jellato na paborito nito.

We're still here in dining table and having our dessert, and now Mom is telling a lot of things about Kier to us. And I can't help myself but to feel jealous, but I know that this is my fault. Tanging si Kier lamang ang halos na nakaka sama nila rito sa bahay kaya may mas alam sila sa nangyayari kay Kier.

But I'm happy for my baby brother, because he can experience how happy it is to have a shoulder to cry on. Like Mom.

"Why? Isn't true? You said that to me," Mom keeps on laughing while Dad are just shrugging because of Mom.

While me and Kuya are just busy eating our dessert while looking at them. and seeing Kier who's now about to cry Dad already spoke.

"Karren, mahal. Stop bullying our bunso baka hindi na iyan mag kwento sa'yo sige ka." Dad said in his baritione voice. And Mom hearing Dad said that, she just rolled her eyes at Dad who just chuckled.

Then Mom already said to Kier that she is sorry for telling their secret to us, while Kier accepted Mom's apologies and just continue eating his jellato.

"By the way Mom, where's everyone? Where's the maids and Manang Aida?" Tanong naman ni Kuya nan aka upo sa aking tabi.

Balak ko rin sanang itanong iyon kanina kasi nakakapag taka na kami lang ngayon ang narito sa bahay, pero naunahan na akong mag tanong ni kuya dahil pinangunahan ako ng hiya ko.

"Pinag pahinga ko na muna sila, total araw naman natin ito kaya tayo muna ang bahala sa bahay." Mom answered. Kaya siguro ayaw na sumabay saakin ni Honey kanina kasi uuwi ito sakanila? Just a guess.

Bumaling ang tingin ni Mom kay Dad na abala sa pagkain ng cake. "Ikaw ang naka toka sa labahin ngayon ha." Sabi ni Mom, samantalang si Dad ay nanlalaki ang mga mata at nasamid sakanyang kinakain dahil sa sinabi ni Mom.

"What?! Noooooooo!" hindi namin mapigilang matawa sa naging reaksyon ni Dad na para bang batang nag mamaktol. "I'm busy, and i will be having a conversation with Kiera—" natigil sakanyang sasabihin si Dad ng hampasin ito ni Mom sa braso na ikina aray nito.

"Anong busy busy, walang busy ngayong araw lahat tayo kikilos. Tsaka hindi pa naman aalis si Kiera kaagad," then Mom looked at me, "Hindi ba anak?" and my head automatically nod because of Mom's face right now, she's in a serious mode now and all of us know that when Mom is in her serious mode no one can say no to her demands.

Pumameywang si Mom sa harapang namin, "Iyon naman pala e," bago nito sunod na binalingan ng tingin si Kuya Harries na balak na sanang umalis sa kinauupuan pero nahuli siya ni Mom, "At tatakas ka pa talagang lalaki ka, aba't linisin mo ang mga sasakyan sa labas." And Kuya just hissed in annoyance.

"It's not a good idea to be here now." Pag mamaktol ni kuya na kahit na mahina ang rinig na rinig ko.

Lahat kami ay binigyan ni Mom ng task at lahat ay walang choice kung hindi ang pumayag na lamang sa kagustuhan nito. Dad is assigned to wash the laundry, while kuya is going to be a car wash boy, me and Mom are cleaning the house and Kier is the one who is going to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen.

Ngayon, nasagot nanamin ni Kuya ang katanungan namin na kung bakit wala ang mga katulong ngayon. And I thought this day was going to be our family day but turned out being a maid instead.

I thought the dinner went well, now I'm taking it back.

***

I'M SO TIRED like my body is going to fall apart anytime soon. I'm really not used of cleaning anything. I am used to everything that is already in front of me. Now, I and Mom cleaned the whole house I repeat THE WHOLE HOUSE for pete's sake. Buti sana kung barong barong lang ang bahay namin na maliit lang at madaling linisin pero hindi e, hindi naman sa kalakihan pero Malaki at maraming kwarto na dapat linisin. Sana pala ay ang pag huhugas na lang ng pinggan ang napunta saaking utos.

Ang sakit ng buong katawan ko dahil halos apat na oras kaming nag linis ng bahay. As I was said, I'm not really used to cleaning things mostly the house so Mom guided me every second of it; teach me on how to whip the floor and how to use a mop. It was tiring but I am happy too, me and Mom bond with each other by cleaning the house.

It's almost snack time when all of us are already done with our tasks. Si kier na kanina pang tapos mag hugas ng pinggan at mag linis ng kusina ay ngayon ay nag tatapos ng kanyang home work sa salas, samantalang si Dad naman ay pumasok sa kabahayan nang basang basa ang buong katawan pati narin ang damit dahil raw natilamsikan ng tubig ng hose.

Well, Dad just received a scowling and curses from Mom because he messed up the floor na kakatapos ko lamang i-mop.

Samantalang si kuya naman ay humbad barong bumungad sa pintuan at nag paabot ng tuwalya dahil basing basa rin ito. Kaagad ko naman siyang inabutan nito.

"I'm so fucking tired." Kuya hissed before entering the house. "Mom! I'm done and I'm hungry already." Dumeretso si kuya sa kusina, siguro ay nag hahanap ng makakain.

Ako naman ay umakyat muna sa kwarto ko upang makapag pahinga saglit at maka ligo. Nang matapos na ako sa panliligo ay sinundo ako ni Kier sa kwarto para sabihing handa na ang meryenda na ginawa ni Mom.

We are all quiet while having our meryenda which is turon with langka inside. Dahil siguro sa pagod naming lahat ay walang nagawang mag salita at patuloy lamang sa pagkain. Si Kuya naman ay naka tulog na sa sofa habang may hawak paring turon, ganun rin si Kier na matapos maubos ang hawak nitong turon ay humilig ito sa pang isahang sofa kung saan naka upo si kuya at natutulog at ginawa ni Kier na unan ang binti ni kuya.

Nag patuloy ako sa pag ubos ng turon na hawak ko. Kaya nang huminga ng malalim si Mom ay kaagad na napunta sakanya ang atensyon ko.

"I always dream of this scenario, I know that what we've done this day is tiring but we get to bond each other as a family." I can see in Mom's eyes that she's happy, "And it's rare to happen." Mabilis nag bago ang emosyon sa mga mata ni Mom, napalitan kaagad ito ng lungkot.

I agree with Mom, sobrang bihirang mangyari ng bagay na ito saaming pamilya. They are busy with our company also kuya. While Kier is busy on his school while me, being a rebel daughter to them.

Tumayo si Mom sa pagkaka upo sa pang isahan ring sofa at tumayo ng upo saakin. She caressed my hair with the love in her eyes while staring at me. "I'm glad that you're here with us anak. Sobra mo akong napasaya." Sa sinabing iyon ni Mom ay hindi ko na napigilang mamuo ng mga luha saaking mga mata.

Mas lalo akong naluha nang Makita ko ang pag babadyang luha na papatak galing sa mga mata ni Mom. Niyakap ko si Mom ng mahigpit at sakanyang balikat ibinuhos ang mga luha ko.

"Mom...I'm sorry" I manage to say between my sobs, I also looked at Dad who's looking at us. "I'm sorry too Dad." I said while still hugging Mom.

Tumayo rin si Dad at tumabi ng upo saamin. "Sali naman ako jan." Dad said, smiling. Mom unclasped her arms around me and guided me to Dad so we can hug to. And Dad being a big man, hugged me so tight and I feel little in between his arms.

"We're sorry too anak." Dad whispered. "I did what I did for you, for all of you. mahal kita at ang tanging kaya ko lamang gawin ay ang protektahan at mahalin ka." And what Dad said made me cried more.

Naramdaman ko ang pag haplos ni Mom sa ulo ko. "Bago ka pa humingi ng tawad anak napa tawad ka na namin ng Daddy mo, and the blame is all on us don't blame your self okay? We are the one to blame on what happened to us." Nakangiting sabi ni Mom kahit na may mga luha ito sa mga mata.

Kumalas ako sa pagkaka yakap kay Dad. "But you should blame me too, I did a lot of mistakes and bad decisions. I've made a lot of mistakes since then 'til now, and the problem in the company—"

"Wala kang kasalanan anak, huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo sa mga nangyayari kasi wala kang kasalanan. Nangyari lang na may mga tao talagang opurtunista na sinasamantala ang kahinaan mo." Dad said, cutting the words that I was about to say.

"Pero Dad may kasalanan parin po ako—"

"Sshh," and Mom is the one who shush me, then pointed my brothers who's sleeping peacefully in the one sitter sofa. "Baka magising ang dalawa, huwag na tayong maingay." Aniya habang pinapalis ang luha sa mga mata.

I heard Dad chuckled before he faced me with a smile. "Don't think too much about our company anak, it's all under control. Its just happened that you get close with that son of Levina."

I'm really curious about that thing, so I asked again. "Russel told me everything Dad, you've been protecting me since then." Dad nodded. "And you already know the truth about Kellen back then?" and I received a nod again from Dad. "And you don't even bother to tell me?"

I thought Dad will nod again but he takes a couple of minutes to answer, he looked at Mom before turning his gaze at me. "Because I thought that he's not that bad like his father. Akala ko nuong umpisa ay sadyang napapalapit lang talaga ang loob ng batang iyon saiyo, kaya kahit pinapa subaysabayan ko siya kay Russel ay umasa ako na hinding hindi siya susunod sa yapak ng ama niya but we're all wrong, I'm wrong for giving him a chance." Dad sighed. "And that's where I'm wrong anak, kaya hindi ko nagawang sabihin sayo kasi lumalalim na ang relasyon niyong dalawa and I don't wan to hurt you. I don't want to break your heart if I tell you about that guy."

"But then, everything happened so fast." Pag singit ni Mom sa pag sasalita ni Dad. "I like that boy for you, but then he betrayed and followed his father's will." Palihim akong nangiti sa isip ko dahil sa sinabi ni Mom.

Nagpa kawala nanaman si Dad ng malalim na buntong hininga at muling nag salita. "I'm sorry that I didn't protect you from him anak." Dad look so sad.

"It's okay Dad." You know that you're not. Pag kontra ng isip ko, I am really not okay but I don't want them to worry about me.

Kapag kuwan ay hinawakan ni Mom ang mga kamay ko at mataman akong tinitigan. "You already fell for him anak?" and that question caught me of guard.

It took me a couple of minutes to answer and they are just waiting for me to answer the question na akala ko papalagpasin na nila.

I choose to not speak and just nod as my answer to that intriguing question of Mom.

Mom just nodded and looked at Dad. "Ikaw na mag luto ng hapunan ngayon, pagod parin ako." Pag iiba ni Mom ng usapan na ikina angos naman ni Dad.

"Pagod rin ako mahal—aray!" nasapo ni Dad ang ulo nito nan aka tanggap lang naman ng batok mula kay Mom.

"Mas pagod ako. Aakyat muna ako sa kwarto, mag papahinga ako saglit." Before mom leave the living room, she planted a kiss on my temple at ganuon rin ang dalawang kapatid ko na palitan ng hilik sa lalim ng tulog ng mga ito. Umangal naman si Dad nang hindi naka tanggap ng halik mula kay Mom.

Si Dad naman ay nanatiling naka upo sa tabi ko at sumandal sa sandalan ng sofa. "Ewan ko ba jan sa Mommy mo anak, minsan kinukulit ako na i-kiss ko siya pero kapag ako naman nahingi ng kiss ayaw niya." Dad said that made me laugh.

I'm happy that I'm already back in this family of mine, everyone is crazy just like me saan pa nga ba mamana? Look how crazy my Dad and Mom is.

***

DAD COOKED our dinner and Mom was happy about it kahit na medyo sunog ang nilutong ulam ni Dad, atleast nakain parin naman namin iyon.

Ngayon ay palabas na ako ng bahay para bumalik sa condo unit ko. Panay pa nga ang pilit saakin ni Mom na dito na lang sa bahay magpa lipas ng gabi pero sabi ko na walang kasama si Honey sa unit at ayaw ko siyang iwang mag-isa roon.

I bid my goodbye to them before I entered the car and starting the engine. And as expected, inabot ako ng traffic sa daan kaya inabot ako ng kalahating oras bago maka rating sa condo unit ko. Nang maka sakay na ako sa elevator ay kinuha ko ang aking cellphone sa bulsa ng aking pants na suot at nag tipa ng mensahe kay Mom, Dad, Kuya at Kier na kakarating ko lamang sa condo ko and I immediately received a reply from Dad.

From Dad:

Check the door before you sleep, okay? Good night anak 😊

I replied to Dad 'opo, good night!'

The elevator tinged as a sign that I'm already on my floor. My forehead creased when I saw someone who's standing in front of my unit's door, hindi ko alam kung sino ito dahil naka talikod siya saakin at nakasandal ang ulo sa pintuan ng unit ko.

Nang maramdaman niyang nasa likuran na niya ako ay tsaka siya humarap saakin na mas lalong ikinagulat ko.

"K-Kellen..." my mouth automatically said.

Sa mga lumipas na araw ko siyang hindi nakikita, ngayon narito siya sa harapan ko na maitim and ilalim ng mga mata, magulong buhok at nangangayayat na hitsura. Sa tingin ko ay wala siyang maayos na tulog nang ilang araw.

He smiled at me and it reached his tired eyes. "Can you open the door, please?" and even his voice is tired like his face.

Agad akong nag lakad patungo sa pinto ng unit ko at pinindot ang code niyon. Nang mabuksan ko ito ay kaagd akong pumasok at sumunod rin siya saakin. At nang tuluyang maisara ko na ang pinto ay bigla nalamang niya akong niyakap mula saaking likuran.

"Why—"

"Kahit sandali lang Madi, pag bigyan mo na ako." Nahinto ako sa dapat na pag pigil ko sakanya, naibaba ko rin ang kamay ko na dapat kakalas sa mga braso niyang naka pulupot saaking beywang.

He look so tired, sa paraan ng pananalita nya, sa boses niya na wari mo'y hindi nakakapag pahinga ng ilang araw. At mukha rin talaga siyang walang pahinga dahil sa malalalim na eyebags nito.

Hinayaan ko lamang siyang yakapin ako hanggang sa mag sawa siya at siya na mismo ang kumalas sa pag kakaakap niya saakin. Ngunit lumipas ang mahabang minute na nasa ganuong posisyon parin kami at nararamdaman ko ang bawat malalalim niyang hininga saaking balikat.

Hindi ako pwedeng maging ganito, hindi pwedeng ganito na pinag bibigyan ko ang bawat kagustuhan niya. May kasalanan siya saakin at hindi ako pwedeng pangunahan ng emosyon ko—but I can't push him even if I want to, I want to shout at him, I want to slap him so bad for betraying me and lying to me, but I can't. my mind is in the right state but not my heart and my body, they're betraying me.

I've been longing for him for such a very long time. I miss him so much to the point that I don't want him to let go his hug on me.

Dahan dahang naalis ang mga braso niyang naka akap saakin at nang tuluyan na akong maka wala sakanya ay agad akong humarap sakanya, at mas lalo akong nabalot ng sakit nang tumambad siya saaking puno ng mga luha ang mga mata—umiiyak.

I feel a stung inside my chest when I hear his sobs, kaya hindi na ako nag paligoy-ligoy pa at kaagad o siyang niyakap. Ipinulupot niyang muli ang mga braso saakin; sinalo ng balikat ko ang bawat luhang papatay sakanyang mga mata. Hinayaan ko lamang siyang umiyak saakin, anad he keeps on mumbling 'I'm sorry' between his sobs.

I didn't say anything, all I can do is to shush him and caress his back. Mas lalo akong nasasaktan dahil nakikita ko siyang ganito, mas lalo akong nasasaktan na nakikita ko rin siyang nasasaktan and that doubled the pain that I'm feeling.

What happened to you Kellen? And I am dying to ask that question but I can't, I don't want him to feel uneasy with me.

After shushing him for a couple of times, he calmed himself a bit and he looked at me with his pleading eyes. Even if you betrayed and lied to me, I still love you.

Damn much.

He was about to say 'I'm sorry' again but I cut his words with my lips on his. I can feel that he's shocked because of my sudden action, and when I'm about to remove my lips from his but he cupped my cheeks and kissed me back.

I miss his soft and tender lips, and I can't deny that I'm addicted to his kisses.

Kellen deepen our kiss; we both savored each other's lips and that made me feel the tingling sensation from my stomach down to the thing in between my thighs. I can feel Kellen's one hand on my waist then the other one is on my neck guiding my head to follow his kisses.

Lumalim pa ang bawat halik na pinag sasaluhan namin, from passionate kiss to French kiss. I moaned when he slightly bites my lower lip then enter his tongue inside my mouth, and his tongue roamed inside my mouth.

"Hmm..." I can't stop myself but to moan because of the pleasure that I'm feeling right now. Mas lalo niyang hinapit ang katawan ko sa katawan niya then guided my legs on his waist and now he's carrying me.

Naramdaman kong naglakad siya patungo sa kung saan nang hindi napuputol ang halikan namin. His kisses are now rough and that make me moan loudly. He will bite my lower lip and nip my tongue 'til he's satisfied with it.

Dahan dahan niya akong ibinaba sa malambot na bagay at sa tingin ko ay narito na kami sa kwarto ko ngayon at ibinaba niya ako saaking kama.

Lumayo ang mga labi ni Kellen saakin dahilan para habulin ko iyon, sinalubong ako ng mga tingin niyang puno ng pag nanasa at pag mamahal sa mga iyon.

"Are you sure about this?" damn that sexy voice, how can I resist him?

Habol ko parin ang hininga ko kaya tango lamang ang nagawa kong isagot sakanya. He stared at me for a couple of seconds before he stands up to remove his shirt.

Nalunok ko ang sarili kong laway nang tumambad saakin ang maganda niyang katawan.

"Oh baby, don't look at me like that I might fuck you so hard." Instead of getting offended by his words, his dirty talking makes my body feel the heat more.

He leaned again on me, planted a kiss on my forehead and cheeks. "Always remember that I love you, Madi."

"I love you too." And that made him smile. Muli kong nakita ang sigla at saya sakanyang mga mata.

He leaned again and now kissing me again on the lips. Kaagad akong sumapo sakanyang batok upang doon kumuha ng lakas.

He guided my body to lay carefully in the bed as he maneuvered his body on top of me. Bumaba ang halik niya sa leeg ko na mas lalong ikina ungol ko, then he whispered in my ear seductively.

"I will be gentle, baby."

And that night was the very fantastic and the last night that I will be sharing with him.

Next thing in the morning, the memories of the night we shared together is still very clear. But the man who I shared my night with are no longer here; he already left, with only a letter on my side table that I refused to read.

And all I can do is to cry so hard to release this fucking pain that I'm feeling right at this moment.

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