Andromeda's fairy tale 

Ysrael's

I was buried deep inside her, and it felt like the world had narrowed to just this—just us. Her warmth wrapped around me like a secret I was never meant to know, and now that I did, I couldn't let go. She was tight, trembling, and I was on the edge of unraveling. Every breath, every moan, every shift of her hips pulled me deeper into something I couldn't name but didn't want to escape.

Her moans weren't just sounds—they were confessions. They told me everything: how she wanted me, how she trusted me, how she was letting go. And I was losing myself in them. I'd never felt this before. Not like this. Not with anyone. It was more than lust—it was a kind of madness, a kind of worship.

I held back, barely, because I wanted her to feel everything. I wanted her to know that she was more than just good, she was extraordinary. Her body moved with mine like we were made for this rhythm, like the universe had written this into our bones long before we met. We were dancing in a language only we understood, and it was beautiful. Terrifying. Sacred.

"Baby, you feel so good," I whispered against her skin, voice rough with need. "You want more?" I needed her closer, even though we were already tangled beyond reason. I wanted to disappear into her, to lose the edges of myself and become something new, something that only existed when we were together.

"Rael..." She called my name...

"Lu..."

I jolted upright, gasping for breath. My chest heaved like I'd been running in my sleep, like something was chasing me from the inside. It's been like this for nights now—this relentless loop of dreams that feel too real, too close, too damn intimate.

I keep dreaming of that night. That night. The one that changed everything. The one that burned itself into my skin. But here's the thing—I don't see Rina anymore. Not in the way I used to. Not in the way I should.

Instead, it's Lucrezia.

Her face. Her voice. Her body. Her presence.

How the hell is that even possible?

It's like my subconscious betrayed me. Like some part of me already knew what I refused to admit. Hindi si Rina ang kasama ko ng gabing iyon kundi si Lucrezia. That maybe Lucrezia had already carved herself into places I didn't know existed. And now, even in sleep, she's the one who finds me.

Huminga ako nang napakalalim at nagpasyang lumabas ng silid ko. I should be in Quezon. Kung ilang buwan nang buntis si Rina at Lu ay ganoon na rin katagal mula nang umuwi ako sa farm ko roon. I told myself that I wanted a quiet life in the province away from the noise of the city but I found myself coming back because the truth is... the truth is I worry for Lu. Hindi pwedeng mag – isa lang siya pero parang ganoon na rin ang nangyayari. Sa tuwing pupuntahan ko siya at kakausapin ay maayos naman ang lahat pero lagi akong natitigilan dahil bigla kong nakikita ang sarili ko kasama siya sa kama – isang babay na pinagtatakahan ko. Bakit? Bakit ganon. Nakakahiya kay Lu dahil pinag – iisipan ko siya ng ganoon. Kahit wala si Lucrezia sa tabi ko ay nakikita ko ang mga bagay na hindi dapat ginagawa ng magkaibigan lang.

I took a bottle of water from the fridge and drank it all. Napabuntong – hininga na naman ako. Napamura na naman ako nang makita ko ang tent sa pajama pants ko. Hindi na talaga ito nakakatuwa. This shouldn't be happening at all!

"Son, you're awake. I thought I heard something." Napalingon ako nang marinig ko si Papa. He smiled at me. Lumapit siya sa may mini dining table at doon naupo.

"Do you want coffee, Pa?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Handa naman akong ipagtimpla siya.

"Just tea, anak. Tulog na ang Mama mo. Ako naman ay naalimpungatan kasi narinig kong may naglalakad. Akala ko gising sila Ate Minda mo. Bakit gising ka pa?"

"Binangungot ako, Pa." Napapailing na sabi ko. Natapos ko na siyang ipagtimpla ng tsaa kaya ibinigay ko iyon sa kanya. I am always grateful for the moments I get to spend with my father. Noon kasi – halos isang dekada na ang nakalipas – muntik nang mawala sa amin si Papa, mabuti na lang at hindi siya napuruhan sa ambush na iyon. Mula nang nangyari iyon lahat kami ay isinailalim sa isang security protocol na hanggang ngayon ay ginagawa pa rin – lalo na sa mga pamangkin kong mga bata pa.

"Anong nangyari sa bangungot mo?" Napailing na lang ako. Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin kay Papa na napaniginipan ko ang sarili kong may ginagawang bastos sa best friend ko. Natawa na lang si Papa. "Kumusta na nga pala si Lu? Hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon. Ang sabi ni Ica ay buntis siya. Nag-asawa na ba ang kaibigan mo?"

"Hindi, Pa. Kaya nga naiinis ako."

"Oh, bakit naman?"

"Hindi dapat nabuntis si Lu nang ganoon lang, Pa. She deserves to be loved by the man who got her pregnant. Sa totoo lang, I think she deserves everything." Natawa si Papa saka napailing.

"Alam mo bang natalo ako sa pustahan namin ng Mama mo."

"Po?"

"I always tell your mom that one day you would end up marrying your best friend – not until you came to me that day to tell me that Rina is pregnant. Natalo ako. Kaya may bagong van ang Mama mo." Papa laughed so fondly. Mahal talaga niya si Mama. Pero hindi naman iyon ang napagtuunan ko ng pansin kundi ang katotohanang sinabi ni Papa sa akin – that he thought one day I would marry Lucrezia.

"Bakit ninyo naman po nasabi iyon, Pa?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"I thought you're in love with her. Tuwing pinanonood ko kayo noon, naalala ko ang sarili ko sa'yo. Akala ko nagpipigil ka lang kasi mas mahalaga sa'yo ang friendship ninyo sa kung anopaman. Ganyan rin kasi ako sa Mama. I guess I've been in love with her way back – but I couldn't do anything because I was scared that if I hurt her, masisira ang kung anong mayroon sila ng Ma Yza mo. I was a very stupid boy back then. Sa akin talaga nagmana ang Kuya Yael mo." Tumawa na naman si Papa. Naguguluhan ako. Why is he telling me this? Ngayon ko lang narinig ang bagay na ito.

"Close lang talaga kami ni Lu, Pa, pero hindi ako in love sa kanya kasi kung in love ako sa kanya, sana hindi nangyari iyon kay Mikee."

"You would never know, anak. People say that when something or someone is too close, you often fail to see it. Or maybe I'll believe you, maybe you're not really in love with Lucrezia. But, son, she is a good kid. I do hope you end up with a good kid."

"Rina is a good kid too, Papa."

"But do you love her?"

"She's from a good family."

"I know. Pero anong kwenta noon kung hindi ka naman magiging masaya? I married because of love, Hya married because of love too – well your brother married because I said so, but it turned out he did the best decision of his life marrying Alyza Mae, Ica married because she loves Berry and I want it to be the same for you, Ysrael. Hindi ka magpapakasal dahil galing sa mabuting pamilya si Rina. Hindi ka magpapakasal dahil lang sa buntis siya – I did that to Yael and hindi naging maganda ang nangyari noon. Hindi ka ba nagtataka kung bakit hindi ko sinabi sa'yo na pakasalan mo si Rina kahit na sa una ay iyon naman ang nakaplano talaga?"

"I just thought na ayaw ninyong makialam."

"No. Mom and I want you to be happy. Pero kung kay Rina ka sasaya, go ahead, marry her tomorrow. Anak, h'wag kang gagawa ng desisyon na pagsisisihan mo habambuhay." Nang matapos ang usap naming ni Papa ay tinapik niya ang likod ko saka iniwanan ako sa kitchen. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin. Oo, gumaan ang loob kong kausap si Papa, pero kasabay noon ay parang sumakit naman ang ulo ko. Bumalik na ako sa silid ko at sinubukang matulog muli pero hindi na ako dinalaw ng antok dahil sa tuwing pipikit ako nakikita ko ang hubad na katawan ni Lucrezia at hindi nararapat na ganoon.

I took a very cold shower at that moment, got dressed and left the house. I took my car, and I drove six hours just to get to CLPH. May bagay akong kailangan noon ko pa ginawa pero ngayon ko lang gagawin.

xxxx

"BAKIT ba hinahanap mo ang cctv, Andy? I told you, I had it checked, hindi tampered ang copy na nasa records ng office natin."

Iyon ang nadatnan ko nang umagang iyon sa office ni Ody. Si Andy, si Ody at ang cctv na hinahanap ni Andy ng gabing iyon. Actually, iyon rin ang pakay ko kaya nandito ako. I wanted to retrace that night. Sigurado naman akong may mahahanap ako. Iche-check ko ang lahat ng cctv sa lahat ng corner ng CLPH, makita ko lang ang lalaking nakabuntis kay Lucrezia.

"I hate liars, Ody."

"I am not lying, Andy! Ano bang sinasabi mo? O, nandito ka pala, Rael. Andy, please, lave. May iba na akong kailangan gawin."

"Nandito rin ako para sa cctv footage nang gabing iyon."

"Oh, what do you know, Dear Odysseus. Rael and I came for the same thing. So, just give the original cctv to us and we'll carry on our day."

"Bakit ba ang kulit ninyo?" Tumaas ang tinig ni Ody. Kitang – kita kong tumaas ang kilay ni Andy. Sinabayan pa niya iyon ng pagkahalukipkip habang iniirapan ang pinsan namin. "Kung anong cctv ang nasa records! Iyon na iyon!"

"At paano mo nasabi?" Tila nanghahamon ang mahinahong tinig ni Andromeda. Nakamasid lang naman ako sa kanila.

"Because I said so! Now, leave the fuck out!" Wala akong nagawa Kundi ang umalis ng office ni Ody. Hindi pa agad lumabas si Andy pero narinig ko siyang nagsalita.

"You know, Ody, secrets always find a way to reveal themselves. Maybe not today, but one day, the truth you're hiding will rise to the surface on its own."

"Wala akong tinatago."

"Sure, at virgin pa ako." Hindi nagtagal ay kaharap ko na si Andy. Nakatingin siya sa akin, nakangisi. Sa lahat ng pinsan ko siya ang may pinakanakakainis na ngisi. "Hi, Rael, I haven't seen you in a while, would you want to have coffee with me?" Hindi naman masama iyon. Sa totoo lang nagugutom na ako. Alas kwatro nang madaling araw ako umalis ng Metro at alas nueve ako dumatig rito. Nagugutom na rin naman ako.

Nagpunta kami ni Andy sa restaurant ni Ino kung saan natagpuan namin si Cielo na tahimik na nag – aalmusal.

"I like Cielo." Andy told me. "She's one of us, but she minds her own business. She doesn't stick her nose to something she has nothing to do with."

"Unlike some of us." Natawa ako.

"Like me." Tumawa si Andy.

"Good morning, Andy! Hello, Rael!"

"Good morning, Pretty Rocio. Where's your husband?"

"Sa kitchen. Anong order ninyo?"

"I hope hindi siya nagluluto ng half naked – sobrang unhygenic noon." Komento pa ni Andy. Rocio giggled.

"That's for my eyes only."

"TMI." Andy even said. "Anyway, I want Vanilla Latte- gusto ko iyong sakto lang ang sweetness, then I want the classic Filipino pan de sal and kesong puti. Ikaw, Rael?"

"Black coffee and Vigan Longsilog." I smiled at Rocio. She nodded at us. Napansin kong tinitingnan niya ako.

"How's your little friend?"

"Sino?" Andy grinned. "Si Lu?"

"Yes. Oceana and I were playing last night and suddenly she remembered your friend, baby even asked me when she's gonna be back here." Sabi pa niya sa akin. Malakas talaga ang dating ni Lucrezia sa mga bata kahit na lukaret siya madalas.

"She's pregnant. Malapit na iyong manganak."

"I heard." Andy grinned again. "Kaya mo ba hinahanap ang cctv footage na iyon kasi gusto mong malaman kung sinong nakabuntis sa kaibigan mo?"

"Andy..."

"I heard you pulled out our guest list. Nabanggit sa akin ni Raprap noong nakaraang linggo. Is it this important to you, Rael?"

"Of course. Ayokong lumabas sa mundong ito ang inaanak kong walang ama. O kung ayaw man ng taong iyon na panagutan si Lu, gusto ko muna siyang bugbugin."

"Ah, self-harm ganoon?" Andy even commented. Napakunot ang noo ko.

"You mean Lu would harm herself?" I shook my head. "Lu, would never do that. I know mental health matters, Andy – that all feelings are valid, pero sa tingin ko naman hindi naman nag-struggle si Lu sa mental health niya. Hindi niya sasaktan ang sarili niya lalo na ngayon na buntis siya. She loves her kid. Babae nga iyon." Bigla akong nakadama ng pag – aalala. Ilang linggo ko nang hindi nasasamahan si Lu, hindi kaya nagkakaroon na siya ng ganoong estado ng pag – iisip? Alam kong mataas ang emosyon at hormones ng mga buntis. I think I need to check on her. Makakapaghintay naman ang paghahanap ko sa tatay ng bata.

"Silly me." She even laughed. Dumating si Rocio at inilapag na ang order namin. Andy thanked her. I smiled at her. Si Andy, pagkaalis ni Rocio ay ininom agad ang kape niya.

"Andromeda, tell me, you know something about this." Sabi ko na lang. Matagal ko nang naiisip na bawat tingin niya sa akin ay may laman. Alam kong may alam niya, baka nakita niya si Lu noong gabing iyon. "Kilala mo ba ang tatay ng anak ni Lu?"

"Yes." Mabilis na sagot niya. Napakabilis ng tibok ng puso ko. "I saw it all my with own two eyes."

"Tell me!" I eagerly told her. "Andy come on! Sino?!"

Andy grinned at me.

"You know, I looove to read stories to my baby Oceana." Sabi pa ni Andy sa akin. Kunot na kunot ang noo ko. "So, let me begin the story like this...

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a grand celebration—a costume party unlike any other. The air shimmered with anticipation, and the night promised enchantment. Among the guests was Lucrezia, a commoner with a quiet grace and a curious heart. She hadn't come to dance or dazzle; she had been invited to cover the event, her role simple and observational.

But fate, as it often does, had other plans.

Unbeknownst to her, that night would become the turning point of her life. Beneath the glittering masks and whispered secrets, something stirred—something that would unravel everything she thought she knew. The party was more than just an assignment. It was the beginning of a story she hadn't written yet, one that would pull her into a world of power, longing, and choices that would shape her destiny.

And so, with a pen in hand and a heart unguarded, Lucrezia stepped into the night—unaware that her life was about to change forever."

"Andy please, stop playing games." Pero parang wala siyang narinig.

"That night, Lucrezia wore a stunning white dress—elegant, effortless, and quietly captivating. She moved through the room with purpose, immersed in her work, seemingly untouched by the noise and distractions around her. She was in her element, graceful and focused, as if the world had faded into the background.

Amid it all, Prince Ysrael of the Consunji Empire approached her. Her best friend. Her constant. There was no ceremony in the way he came to her just familiarity, the kind that only years of shared history could bring. I imagine they talked, not about anything new, but about the things that had always belonged to them: inside jokes, quiet memories, truths they never had to explain.

They didn't need introductions or small talk. Their bond was already written in the spaces between their words. And in that moment, surrounded by the hum of the night, it felt like the rest of the world paused—just for them."

"Andy, ano bang ginagawa mo. Just fucking tell me who it is!"

"I'm getting there, you asshole!" Pinanlakihan niya pa ako ng mga mata. Natahimik ako lalo nang dumating si Kairos, Mariake, Miguel at Mariah. Ngumiti sila sa amin pero tumango lang ako.

"Anyway... Lucrezia and the prince didn't even get the chance to dance. Just as the music swelled and the moment seemed to lean toward something tender, the warlock Odysseus appeared—abrupt, commanding, and entirely uninvited. Without warning, he came to take Prince Ysrael away from her, as if the night had decided to rewrite itself.

Lucrezia didn't protest. She didn't chase after him. She didn't even flinch.

Instead, she returned to her work, her expression unreadable, her focus sharp. Not once did she glance back. Not once did she let herself think of her best friend—her stupid best friend—who had vanished without a word, without a fight, without even a second look.

Maybe she was used to it. Maybe she had learned that some people leave, even when they promise they won't. Or maybe, just maybe, she was done caring.

And so, while the party continued and the prince disappeared into the shadows, Lucrezia stayed. Working. Watching. Waiting. For something else. For someone who wouldn't walk away."

"I didn't walk away! Kinuha ako ni Ody tapos nag – inom kaming dalawa! Lasing na lasing ako!" Natigilan ako habang nakatingin kay Andy. I was hissing. Mapapanawan na yata ako ng ulirat. "Are you... are you implying that... that..."

Andromeda took her phone out. She put it on the table and pushed it near me. In the screen I saw myself being held by Odysseus and suddenly, Lu was there. Iniwanan ako ni Ody kay Lu. Siya na ang umaalalay sa akin. Binuksan ni Ody ang pinto at pumasok kami. My mouth parted. Hours later, Lu went outside the room – it's just her. Naiwan ako sa loob.

Nagpatuloy si Andromeda habang titig na titig ako sa phone niya.

"The prince had been inside that enchanted room with his best friend for four hours. Four long, silent hours. No one knew what had transpired between them behind those sealed doors. The music outside played on, the guests danced and laughed, but inside that room—time stood still.

Only the walls bore witness to whatever unfolded in that space. Whether it was a moment of magic, of truth finally spoken, or a choice that would haunt them both for the rest of their lives. No one could say.

There were no whispers, no clues. Just the quiet absence of two souls who had once been inseparable. And when the door finally opened, the air shifted. Something had changed. You could feel it, even if you couldn't name it."

"Andromeda..."

"You see, Ysrael, this is exactly why I'm looking for the original CCTV footage from that night. Because how is it that Lu left you at two in the morning, and by the time you walked out, you were already with Rina? Something doesn't add up."

Sa lahat ng iyon ay isa lang ang tumatak sa isipan ko at ang naintindihan ko.

My dreams of Lucrezia and me tangled in the sheets, our bodies writhing in pleasure, weren't dreams at all. They were memories, fragments of that night I thought I had imagined, but never truly forgot. It wasn't fantasy. It happened. Every breathless gasp, every whispered name, every desperate touch. It was real. Etched into my skin, burned into my mind. And now, every time I close my eyes, it comes rushing back. Not as a dream, but as a truth I've tried to bury.

That night didn't fade. It stayed. And no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, I know. I was never the same after her.

Nagmamadaling tumayo ako at umalis na. I need to go back to the Metro. I need to see Lucrezia. I need to talk to her. I fucking need her to explain things to me. Wala na akong pakialam kung gaano kabilis ang pagmamaneho ko o kung mukha akong tangang nagbalikan ako ng CLPH at Metro, kailangan kong makita si Lu.

Finally, I stood in front of her door. I knocked three times, each know being louder than the last and when she finally opened the door, I knew it there and then.

"Damn, you look like shit." Wika niya sa akin. "Saan ka galing? Mukhang wala kang tulog. Rael? Rael?"

Mukhang hindi pa talo si Papa sa pustahan nila ni Mama.