Polaroid

"Wow. That's cute, you make your wife your own princess."

"Nope. I make her my queen, my boss and my everything. I love her so much that I could kill myself also to be with her but... She want me to live for her... So... Yeah... Its been 11 years..."

I glanced at her at nanlaki mata n'ya. "S-She's with God?" I smiled and nods. "Sorry..."

"It's alright. I could still feel her presence... Like she was really here close to me... And I know she'll fight for me, to remember me... " I whispered my last words kasabay non ang pag green na ng ilaw.

"Your wife is very lucky from you then. Congrats!" I chuckled. If her memories were already recovered and pretenting that she still have that blurry memories, I feel like she's angry now. Like how can't I remember that she's my wife? I mean, I just have the thought of it. And I can't tell her that right away. She'll be in pain again, I just need to take it slow.

Baby steps chase okay...

Nakarating na kami ng grocery store at naalala ko na mamaya uuwi na den ako sa San Diego, bibili na din ako ng mga pakain ng aso. Cinderella asked me to carry her and let her sit on the trolley so I put her in and we head first on the aisle for dog foods.

"You have dogs? What are their names?" She asked so I smiled at her. "Red and maroon." She laughed. "You named your dogs after the shade of red? That's cute!" She laughs again so am I. Just like what she said from the last time we go there.

I missed my mansion there and glad that dad and the kids often visit the mansion. Like for the past 11 years, every weekdays, they go there for the dogs and the people there.

"Oh, since you'll be buying some things for your loves, I'll get the ingredients for the cake. Let's meet on the counter!" She stood up at maoout of balance na s'ya non mabuti nalang at nahawakan ko na s'ya para di s'ya mahulog.

"Careful. Your situation might get worse if you'll hit your head on the ground." I said so I carried her and gently place her down.

"See you at the counter." She smiled at me and she go. Before I lost her on my sight, I stopped her by calling her. "Please don't drink any alcohols okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just buy everything you need and not drink anything." She just laughed and nodded then go. Kaya ako nagmadali nang bumili ng kailangan ko para makasunod ako sa kanya.

Yeah, nakatapos na ko di pa nakakalagpas ng 5 minutes. Kaya pinaiwan ko muna sandali ung box ko at hinanap si Cinderella.

Wala na s'ya sa may baking area so tumakbo na ko sa may part ng mga alak. Jusko nandon s'ya!!

"C-Cinderella!" I called so she looked at me and flashes a smile. "You done?" she asked so I nodded.

"Wh-Why are you here at this aisle? I told you not to stop by." I scold habang nahihingal so she stepped back.

"Sorry, I got curious about the alcohol thingy you mentioned earlier. Anyways, I'm done. Let's go?" she said so I nodded and we go.

Pagkatapos mag grocery, pagkabalik sa hotel, wala naman akong nadatnan na dinala pa ni jules na tao na pwedeng matulungan s'ya sa pagbalik ala-ala kaya okay na yun.

Sinabihan kona si jules na papahinga muna ulo n'ya, kaya kung okay lang baka bukas nalang s'ya magpadala ulit kung meron man. He just agreed with that so we continue what we're going to do for this night.

Pinrepare kona ung mga nabili namin sa may kusina at pagkabalik ni Cinderella sa kusina, nanlaki naman mata ko sa suot n'ya. Bat ba ang hilig n'yang manlait?

I love that attitude of her... But not in this situation. Now I'm having the thought of her being sexy in front of callen! Sa gigil ko nabali ko ung kutsarang hawak ko.

"Are you already starting?" Sumilip s'ya sa bowl na kaharap ko at kaya umatras ako at tinignan s'ya ng masama.

"W-Why?"

"What are you wearing?"

She looked at her outfit. "Was it bad? I just saw this in the closet and find it cute." She grins. Damn that smile! Isa pang ngiti baka halikan kona to.

"Who owned that closet by the way?" She asked at napangisi ako. "It was yours."

Nanlaki mata n'ya. "Really?! Then I can wear any of it then?!" She hop happily in front of me so I nod.

"H-How?! Pano mo nasabing akin yun?"

"You used to live here." I push the bowl in front of her at sumimangot s'ya. "Can we have a fashion show here first before the cake?"

"No. We can do that after. So yeah, start baking." Sumandal ako sa counter at inirapan n'ya muna ako bago s'ya mag simula. I smiled. Cute.

Nung nasa kalagitnaan na s'ya ng pag bbake, pumunta muna ako ng kwarto at tinignan ang cellphones namin.

Tangina ka callen. Bat mo pinagsasalitaan ng masama asawa ko! HE'S EVEN CALLING HER A BITCH! BINABASA KO PA LANG MGA MESSAGES N'YA SA KANYA NANGGIGIGIL NA KO. Bat ba parang ginagawa n'yang laruan asawa ko? I feel like he's getting his revenge eh?

Bobo di moko kaya Callen. Isang suntok ka nga lang sakin eh. Ginagalit mo pa ko ngayon edi baka di na kita icoma lang. Baka ipaderetsyo pa kita sa kabilang buhay? Magkita nalang kami sa impyerno kung ganon lang.

Habang nag sscroll sa messages n'ya sa kanya, bigla namang itong tumawag. Napa ngisi ako. Baka ipatrack, it's better to throw it out of the window then.

I shut down the phone and broke it first before throwing out of the window. I mean, etong floor lang nito ang may bintanang nabubuksan. I even remembered the time I used to sneak in to give her the ring and some flowers with my apologies.

After that, I opened my phone. Puro si dad lang naman. Now he's calling again. Walang messages, puro missed calls lang from him. I accept the call and peek in the kitchen. I smiled, I saw her dancing while putting those batter on the tray.

"Son! Are you there?!" I snapped out when dad yelled on the phone. "Hmm?"

"Where are you?! You told me that—

"I'm with my wife." Nagtigil si dad sa pananalita. "Wife? Baka naman namamalik mata ka nanaman?"

"I thought I was. Thought she's dead... But those tattoos and memories that she could only remember with me is a big proof that she's alive."

"Don't say that nonsen—

"Call me crazy but I'm taking this chance to prove you that she's alive."

"S-Son you don't unders—

"You won't coz' you thought that I am crazy dad." I heard him sighed. "She introduced herself to me... She told me that she's Xeyarra Cinderella Nicole Buenaventura. And she even told me that she'll be marrying a Vicasente named CALLEN! FVCKING SHIT DAD. DO YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" I yelled at nakita ko na napasulyap si Cinderella sakin.

She mouthed if am I alright, I nodded and mouthed that it was Callen so she smiled and continued what she was doing.

"I... I d—

"Lie to me again and you won't see me again with her." I threatened so he sighed at nadinig ko na parang pumasok pa s'ya sa tahimik na lugar so I smirk. Now he knows something.

"Saka ko lang nalaman... I'll be honest with you now, I really thought she died. But her family took her away at the time she died on your arms... They saved her, son... She lived for 11 years yet she had an accident 3 days ago..."

Napaupo ako at napasabunot sa ulo. What on earth did she do from these past years?! How can't she not visit me?! "Kakasabi lang sakin to ng magulang n'ya kanina... They were here... Looking for her. And did you know that she's missing after that accident?"

"S-So they have no idea that callen took her?"

"No. I'm also in shock that you told me she was with you now and callen did that shitty thing." I smirked. Yea I know why dad.

"Are the Buenaventura's still there?"

"I don't know, but I can give you their numbers if you want to tell them about her. If you want to tell them?"

"I want to... But in exchange for answers first. I can't live with this dad. I've been living my life with lies! there's no way I'm going to let this pass away."

"I understand son... Just please... Take care... Keep her safe also... Maybe callen or her parents might look for you in no time."

"Okay... Bye dad." I ended the call at maya maya sinend na sakin ni dad ung number. I put my phone in my pockets and I remove my coat as I go back in the kitchen.

"Hey." Nilingon ako ni Cinderella. "Can you tell me if this is okay?" She let me taste the icings she made and I nodded.

"Have you tasted it?" She shooks her head no so I smirk and wipe it on her mouth. "It's yum yum!" I joked at tinignan n'ya ko ng masama.

"Oh, you got something on your mouth." I teased at kaya ngumiti s'ya ng sa pilitan. "Talaga? Ikaw din eh. Ayan oh sa buong muka mo." Putragis. Pinahid ung spatula sa may muka ko.

Madaya ka ha. I cup her head and she started to laugh loudly. Tawa ka? She keeps on pushing me away pero bago pa ko makalayo sa kanya ay naipahid ko na ang muka ko sa magkabilang pisngi n'ya.

She screamed and I can't help but to laugh. Pagka tanggal n'ya ng icing sa muka n'ya napatitig s'ya sakin sandali. "Gaganti kana?" I teased and I grin at her.

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti n'ya at biglang napahawak sa ulo n'ya gamit ang dalwang kamay n'ya kaya nanlaki mata ko at niyakap s'ya. But she pushed me away at tumakbo s'ya sa may lababo at nakita ko na may tumulo kaya tinignan ko kung ano yon.

Fvcking shet. Dumudugo ilong n'ya. Ipapalikod ko sana buhok n'ya nang bigla n'ya kong paggigilan sa may bandang pulsuhan ko and I admit that it was painful, but I've realized that she was more in pain so It's okay. I can endure.

She was sobbing so I carried her and ran her in her bedroom. I lie her down the bed then ran again to get some towel. Pagbalik ko, she was now crying. Fvck my heart, it's aching...

I gave her the towel and I pushed her hair back. "Don't worry... I'm here." I said and sit next to her so she hugged me between the big towel I gave her.

I hugged her back at inabot ko ang drawer na maliit sa tabi ng kama n'ya baka sa kaling may pang ipit sa buhok. Nang maka kita ako, I get that and tie her hair up.

I caresses her back and now she's calmed... I'm relieved. "Wait here... I'll check on your cake." Tatayo na ko non pero hinila n'ya ko so I looked at her.

"Check the cupcakes also." I smiled and pinch her cheeks. "I'll bring you some water also." I said so she nods and lean on the headboard.

I ran back in the kitchen and I saw that the cake and cupcakes are not yet cooked so I glance at the timer. Wala pang kalahating oras so I'll be checking it later again.

I grab some water then go back at her. I caught her looking at my phone, I smiled. "Hey." I said and hand her the water and she was shocked so she accidentally threw my phone away. She's good at stealing things from my pocket hmm? Cute.

I laughed at her. "S-Sorry. Did not mean to look... At it..." She said so I picked it up and sat next to her. 

She nervously drink her water so I place my phone in the cabinet. "It's alright. I mean, I have nothing to hide." I said so she looks at me and put the glass down the small table next to her.

"What did you saw then?" I asked at nakita kong tinago n'ya muka n'ya gamit ang towel. Cute. She's so cute in any way without even trying.

"I honestly was about to see your lock screen wallpaper but I freaked out when you entered in." She grins at me so I smirk. Too bad she did not saw herself on my wallpaper.

"You told me that this is my room right?" I nodded. "I just had a... Memory being here..." she said so napataas ako ng kilay.

"What scenario then?"

"I mean... I also looked at it and yeah... It was real that I've been here." She crawl on the other side of the bed and approach the small table next to the bed then opened the cabinet there with a key. I go there and we both open the cabinet.

nanlaki mata ko. It was her polaroid... This pics... I grab it and look at it one by one. I lay next to her and I bit my lower lip.

"Did I take all of those? Why all of it was you?" She asked and I can't help but to cry softly. I laugh when I saw that scene when we both slept in the bathroom. She was really drunk at that time yet she still finished that cake...

"W-Why are you crying?" She asked but I only glanced at her and stand up with the photos. "If you feel fine we can check your cakes now." I said and left her as I walk first.

How can I not notice her bringing that cam? Like my every favorite days with her is here... Napatigil naman ako sa may pinto ng kusina nang makita ko yung litratong nasa... Batangas ako...

"Oh! The cupcakes are all doneee!!!" I glance at her at pinunasan ko ang aking luha saka bumalik sa pag tingin ng litrato.

I look at the back of it and it has dates! Jesus! This is from every year photo from these past years!! HER WITH ME!! I place my palm on my chest and damn my heart is racing. Wife? What on earth did you do from these past years? Hindi ko alam kung ano dapat maramdaman pa... Pero may galit na din akong nararamdaman... I can't understand this..

"Chase! Help me decorate this cupcakes!!" Tawag sakin ni Cinderella, walang gana akong tumango at lumapit. Hindi kona alam kung gaganahan pa kong gawin plano ko... Naguguluhan na din ako...

Nang matapos na kami sa pag dedecorate, natulala nalang ako ng ilang sandali kakaisip. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ba dapat itanong sa kanya... Bat ba puro kasinungalingan nanaman yata nasasagap ko?

Gusto ko nang malaman ang totoo! Ina! I threw the pillows away from me at nag wala. I can't wait now! Konti nalang pasensya ko... Mahirap bang ibigay katotohanan sakin? Iintindihin ko naman, bago ako magalit... Para makita ko kung worth it bang magalit sa katotohanang yon at sapat na rason kung di man yon katanggap tanggap.

"C-Chase..." I look back and I saw her peeking from the kitchen... She looks scared... I brush my hair back and walk towards her.

"I-I just can't control my anger... Sorry, I'll clean that later." Masungit kong pagkakasaad at nilapitan yung gawa n'yang cupcakes. "Looks good." I said and lean on the counter then sigh.

Just breathe. Calm down. "A-Are you okay?" She asked and I gave her a fake smile and nod. "Do you want to come with me? Magsstargaze lang ako." 

"But it's late? Di ba magagalit si Callen?"

"Its more fun to stargaze at this time and he won't be mad. Trust me." I said so she nodded. "Change your clothes, it'll be cold." Mag mamadaling araw na kasi and indeed this is the perfect time to stargaze.

She walks out kaya naghanap na ko ng pwedeng lagayan ng mga binake n'ya. After I prepared the cakes, I waited her on the front door.

Pagka labas n'ya, I looked at her from her head to toe. Damn, pigil. Even tho she looks so good.

"Can I borrow your coat?" She asked so automatic nang naiabot ko sa kanya yung coat ko. She wore it and smiled at me. "Thanks. Let me help you with that." She grab the cake from me at nauna nang lumabas.

Sumunod na ko at habang papunta kami ng parking lot, natanong n'ya ko tungkol sa cellphone n'ya. "I left our phone in your room. We'll be back for a while naman. Balikan nalang natin. Tutal may pwesto ka naman don." I said so di na s'ya umimik pa.

We hop in my car and we hit the road without distractions. Just music and her, singing adorably.

Matagal ang byahe kaya nakatulog na s'ya. I missed her... I missed us... If she'll remember me I want answers first before anything else. I'm still confused.

We stopped in front of the market and I woke her up. Nabigla s'ya ng gising kaya natulala s'ya sandali saakin.

"Sorry If I surprised you. Come with me and let's buy some comforters." I smiled at him and she's still staring at me.

"Chase..." I heard him called so I tilt my head and hum. "Wh—

I stopped talking when she hugged me. I caresses her head. "Headaches again? Its alright, I'll be here." I said softly and when she pulled away, I saw tears trailing down her cheeks habang nakakunot ang kaniyang noo. She look at herself on the mirror and wipe her tears away.

"Now I'm crying for no reason. What's wrong with me?" Mahina n'yang tanong sa sarili so I pat her head playfully.

"Tara." Yaya ko at lumabas na ko ng kotse. She still can't remember me... Who should I ask first? I can't ask her, she can't even remember me. What if I ask Alejandro? Or kian? Or her parents? What if I ask Callen then?

Nauubos na pasensya ko gusto ko nang makuha lahat ng kasagutan na pwedeng sumagot sa mga tanong ko.