Hello and Happy Reading to: MelAngelic. ddfullove. MsArchfiend. Shewasmee. Marlen Baun. Emdghermias. Mynameisthereze. Sheng Bingco. ReedAlcaraz. Jehuwaw. BlackJewel143. mmjoana_. Kimtaehyongxzx. Itsklarey07. Ayesha lagayan. DiamondStarGaze. Malernia. NG Girls (Aireen, Malhyn, Juvy, Lailaine, Shie and Sandy). Sweet_lady28. Chekie Loro. Jane Vauclain. ZyphanJhayBanela. Donna Balajadia. Marg Mae Ajes. Emma Varron. Psyche Drivas. Jesseca Daniela Mae Simodio. Yhang Manuel. Nicholyn Banal. LeyRevam. Raga_chan. Chingmylove. Giedh Giganan. Ngerstinger. OhGoddessy. YesaReng. Itsparadigma. Sarah Jane. Ayane Jade. Sofiah Pepito. Trulyjanicakate. Joylyn Camasa. Gladys Filoteo. DaphneFe13. MochaMocs. Jing Jubilan. Thea Alexis. Angbabaengsingle. Anniefeb3. Thessa Jane Perez and Reayah.

And to Frances Ky, Iris and Chin-Chin. Happy ready and have a safe trip 😊

CHAPTER 23

"HELLO. CAN I SPEAK with you?" Anang pamilyar na boses na nagpaigtad kay Andrius habang dahan-dahan siyang naglalakad palabas ng Hospital sa tulong ng crutches. "I hope it's okay."

Bumaling siya sa nagsalita at nagulat siya na wala siyang naramdaman habang nakatitig sa kahawig na mukha ni Ivy.

His heart didn't beat fast like the first time he saw the Doctor.

That's odd.

But maybe not.

Looking at Iris now, there is a difference between her and Ivy. Hindi niya matukoy kung ano ang pinagkaiba ng dalawa pero hindi ito masyadong magkamukha tulad ng una niyang akala.

"Hey, Doc." Aniya habang ini-a-adjust ang crutches na hawak para makaharap siya rito. "It's nice to see you again."

Bumukas ang pagtataka sa mukha ng kaharap. "You ... know me?"

Now he's the one confuse. "Y-Yeah ... you're my Doctor but you didn't return to my room again after you visited me."

"Oh." She still look taken aback. "Is that so? Well, I was on duty yesterday." Then a wide smile broke her frowning lips. "That's excellent. I can't believe it actually worked. Did we talk long?"

Nag-isang linya ang kilay niya. "Yeah. Kind of."

"Did I smile?"

Tumango siya. "Yes."

"Marvellous." Iris exclaimed, clearly excited. "And did I call you by your name? Did I acted like I know you?"

Now he is totally lost. "You were there—why are you asking me?"

Mabilis itong umiling. "Nothing. Don't mind me." Then she smiled again. "Do you have a ride to your Hotel?"

Kunot pa rin ang nuong umiling siya. "Why are you asking?"

Iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa magarang sasakyan na nakaparada sa Parking lot ng Hospital. "That's my ride. Let me take you to your Hotel."

Kaagad siyang nakaramdam ng pag-aalangan. "Ahm... no thank you—"

"Sorry. I don't take no for answer."

Wala sa sariling mahina siyang natawa. "Just like Ivy."

"Yes." Anito na may bahid na ngiti ang mga labi. "But I can assure you, we are different in many ways. And I'm Iris Gonzaga-Racini by the way."

Napatitig siya sa kakambal ni Ivy na nakatitig din sa kaniya. "Why do you want to drive me to my Hotel?" Ang siyang naitanong niya dito dahil sa pagtatakang nararamdaman niya sa mga sandaling iyon.

Misteryusong ngumiti ang kaharap. "Ayaw mo bang malaman kung bakit nagulat ako sa sinabi mong nagkita na tayo?"

Namilog ang mata niya ng marinig niya itong nagtagalog. "M-marunong kang magtagalog?"

Kumislap ang lungkot sa mga mata nito. "I had to learn. It's a must for me. Akala ko makakatulong sa kaniya kung maririnig niya akong magtagalog pero walang pinagbago."

Mas lalo siyang naguluhan sa pinagsasasabi ng babae. "What are you talking about? At anong ibig mong sabihin sa nagulat ka ng sabihin kong nagkita na tayo? Are you playing games with me?"

Iminuwestra ulit nito ang kamay sa sasakyan sa halip na sagutin siya. "Please, let me take you to your Hotel."

Umiling siya, kinakabahan. "No. Answer me first. Something is off here—"

"If you think I'm talking to you because my father said so, then you're wrong." Bumuntong-hininga ito saka napailing. "I'm talking to you for another reason. At saka, sa tingin mo dinala kita rito para lang ipahamak ka?"

He's bewildered and confused. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Sa halip na sumagot, iminuwestra na naman nito ang kamay sa sasakyan nito. "In my car, please."

"Ivy don't say please." Mahina niyang bulong.

"Yes, she doesn't." A small smile appeared on her lips. "She'll just do whatever she wants wether you like it or not. Yon ang pinagkaiba naming dalawa."

Napatitig siya sa sasakyan nito. Ang pagtataka at kaguluhang nararamdaman niya ngayon ay masasagot kung sasakay siya sa sasakyan nito pero hindi siya nakakasiguro na yon nga ang mangyayari.

Andrius let out a loud breath. "Fuck this..." mahina niyang bulong saka dahan-dahan at maingat na naglakad palapit sa sasakyan nito.

When he neared her car, a man from the Driver's seat excited from the car and move to open the backseat door for him.

"Thanks." Aniya saka maingat na sumakay na hindi nasasagi ang paa niyang naka-cast.

Umayos siya ng upo sa backseat saka bumaling sa katabi. Kalmado itong naka-upo, walang emosyon ang mukha.

"Katulad ka rin ba ni Ivy?" Hindi niya mapigilang tanong. "I mean, kaya mo rin bang kontrolin ang emosyon mo? She's very good at it."

Umiling ang katabi habang may naglalarong ngiti sa mga labi. "No. I'm not that talented."

"Oh." It's just his Ivy then.

"Yeah." Iris chuckled. "Only Vy can do that. Siguro dahil nasanay na siyang ginagawa iyon kaya hindi na iyon mahirap sa kaniya. Ever since, she's always the tough one. Siya ang palagi gumagawa ng paraan kapag may problema ako. She's always the one who would do everything to protect me. And I grew up leaning on her. And what I'm doing now, I'm just returning everything she did for me."

Andrius frowned. "What do you mean?"

Iris just smiled at him and remained silent.

But not him.

Naguguluhan pa rin siya sa mga nangyayari at gusto niya ng sagot bago pa sumabog ang ulo niya dahil sa maraming senaryong pumapasok na alam niyang imposible.

So he asked. "Bakit nagulat ka kanina ng sabihin kong Doctor kita?"

Humugot ito ng malalim na hininga saka seryuso ang mukhang bumaling sa kaniya. "Does she look like me? Your Doctor, I mean?"

Now his heart is pounding hard. His mind is racing fast and he's hoping against hope. "Huwag mo akong paasahin, please."

Isinandal ni Iris ang katawan nito sa likod ng backseat habang may misteryusong ngiti sa mga labi.

Parang sasabog ang puso niya dahil sa umaapaw na pag-asang nararamdaman niya. "Please, don't make me hope."

Iris glanced at him. "Why not? Hope is good—"

"For three years, I tried accepting Ivy's death and forcing myself to move on but nothing." Marahas siyang umiling. "I couldn't do it that's why I end up in a rehab center. I don't want the repeat of that again. Araw-araw, nagdarasal ako na sana biro lang ang lahat ng 'to ... that her death was staged and she's somewhere safe because I know that she's not the woman who will just die and get burned without fighting back—"

"What if you're right?"

His eyes widen, his heart hammering inside his chest, his palms sweating and his head is spinning. "Don't fuck with me...I already spend my three years getting disappointed everyday of my life and it hurts. Every time."

Iris closed her eyes and leaned comfortable on the backseat. "Pina-imbestigahan kita. I used my husband's connection to know everything about you."

Parang sasabog ang utak niya sa dami ng iniisip niya . "Why would you do that?"

"Because I need you." Anito saka iminulat ang mata at tumingin sa kaniya. "I need you to do something for me." Nanghahamon ang kislap ng mga mata nito. "Ang tanong, kaya mo kaya?"

Kumuyom ang kamao niya, nagtatagis ang bagang niya. "What is it that you want from me that you're doing this to me?"

"You'll find out later." Anito saka ngumiti na naman. "Patience, Mr. Salazar. Tatlong taon ka nang umaasa, hindi ka naman siguro mawawala sa tamang huwisyo kong maghihintay ka pa ng ilang minuto. You'll see what I'm up to. And I hope you have the balls to accept it and not run away. Because I assure you, you're not the only one who suffered for the last three years."

Sinuklay niya ang buhok gamit ang mga daliri niya. "I'm confuse as fuck."

"I know." With that, she zipped her mouth shut.

And as the car accelerated, Andrius keeps looking from left to right. Tinatanong ang sarili kung nasaan sila at kung saan siya dadalhin ni Iris hanggang sa pumasok ang sasakyan sa isang malapad na gate.

"Nasaan tayo?" Tanong niya. "This is not my Hotel."

"I know. You're in my house."

House?

Minutes later, a Spaniard inspired mansion came into view. This is definitely not a house. This looks like a freaking castle.

"Bakit mo ako dinala sa bahay mo?" Tanong niya sa katabi habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid.

But Iris remained silent until they exited from the car. Hanggang sa pagbuksan sila ng pinto ng hinuha niya ay Butler ay wala pa ring imik si Iris.

Nang makapasok sila sa loob ng mansiyon, iginiya siya ni Iris patungo sa sala at nagulat siya ng makita doon si Russo na nakatayo at parang hindi mapakali.

"You..." hindi siya makapaniwalang napatitig sa lalaki.

Russo looked at Iris. "¿Estás seguro de que esta es una buena idea?"

Iris face becomes somber. "We tried everything. We have no other choice."

"But you know what happened because of," matalim ang matang tumingin sa kaniya si Russo, "him."

He frowned deepened. "What do you mean because of me?"

"Russo..." Iris sighed heavily. "Ella es mi hermana y esta es mi decisión." Then Iris glanced at him. "And it wasn't his fault. Vy did it because she think it was the right thing to do at the time."

Pabalik-balik ang titig niya kay Russo at Iris. Naguguluhan siya pero may namumuo nang ideya sa isip niya kung anong pinag-uusapan ng dalawa.

And he didn't know if he'll be angry or be happy.

Hindi siya makapaniwalang natawa dahilan para sabay na mapatingin sa kaniya si Iris at Russo.

"She's alive after all." Aniya sa mahinang boses habang walang buhay na tumatawa. "Why did she made me suffer for three years if she's alive?"

"Not really." Mahina ang boses ni Iris pero narinig niya ito.

Andrius scoffed and looked at Iris, "kung pina-imbestigahan mo ako, dapat alam mong nag-aral ako ng lengguwaheng espanyol dahil sa sobra kong pangungulila kay Ivy. And I understand every single word you said in Spanish so don't try to fuck with me because I can read between the lines." His teeth is gritting in anger and his jaw tightening. "Nasaan siya? Dalhin mo ako sa kaniya."

Humugot ng malalim na buntong hininga si Iris saka tumingin ito kay Russo. "Go find a safe place for her. I heard that my father will be visiting me tomorrow."

Kaagad na tumango si Russo saka nagmamadalig umalis. Samantalang sila ni Iris ay naiwan sa salas.

"Mr. Salazar—"

"Is she well?" He asked, his chest is tightening in pain and anger. "Was she happy for the last three years? Did she ever think of me?" A tear slid down from his eyes. "Did she ever..." another tear slid down his cheek. "D-did she e-ever... ever—"

"Go ask her yourself." Iris cut him off.

Umawang ang labi niya at pakiramdam niya ay nayanig ang buong mundo niya. It's confirmed then.

Ivy. Is. Alive.

All this time ... she is alive while he suffer in so much pain, anger and guilt.

Napasabunot siya sa sariling buhok saka mariing ipinikit ang mga mata. "She's alive..."

"Yes. But she's constantly in pain. Vy is like a, dangerous bomb waiting to explode. At gusto ko siyang maging masaya bago siya sumabog." Iris motioned her hand towards the staircase. "Please follow me."

Parang may sariling isip ang mga paa niyang sumunod kay Iris habang panay ang hinga niya ng malalim, sinusubukang pakalmahin ang sarili para maharap niya ng maayos si Ivy. Para matanong niya ang dalaga ng maayos.

Napatigil siya sa paghakbang ng tumigil si Iris sa nakasaradong pinto.

"Nandiyan ba siya?" Nanginginig ang boses na tanong niya.

Tumango si Iris saka may inilabas na card key sa bulsa nito.

"What the..." he frowned at the card key Iris is holding. "Is the door lock from the outside?"

Malungkot ang mga matang tumango si Iris. "Yes. We have to."

"Bakit?"

Iris swipe the card on the door lock before answering him. "You'll see."

Andrius can feel a strong urged to push the door open. Gusto na niyang makita si Ivy. Gusto na niyang sumbatan ang dalaga at isa-isahin dito ang pinagdaanan niya ng dahil sa pagsisinungaling nito sa kaniya.

He wanted to see her so bad yet he couldn't even move his shaking legs.

"Pasok ka." Ani Iris.

With his pounding heart, his feet with his crutches move. Step after step and finally, he entered the room.

And he saw her.

Ivy.

His baby.

His Ivy.

Tears instantly fell from his eyes. Lahat ng sakit at paghihirap na naramdaman niya sa loob ng tatlong taon ay parang mahikang bigla nalang nawala. Galit siya, galit na galit na buhay ito at hindi pinaalam sa kaniya pero mas nangingibabaw ang kagustuhan niyang yakapin ang dalagang akala niya at hindi na niya mahahawakan kailanman.

"Baby..."

Hindi niya alam kung narinig siya ni Ivy o kung nagpapanggap itong hindi siya narinig. Nanatili ang buong atensiyon nito sa kaharap na canvas kung saan ito nagpipinta.

"Ivy." Nilakasan niya ang boses niya at sa pagkakataong iyon, tumigil ang dalaga sa pagpipinta saka bumaling sa kaniya.

Her eyes ... her tearful eyes ... the realisation of his presence that dawn in her eyes when she saw him, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

But the tears in her eyes, he felt like someone punch a hole in his chest.

Pero kaagad ding naglaho iyon at napalitan ng pagtataka. Then she started looking at him like he's a stranger to her and her eyes lost its emotion.

Wave and wave of pain assaulted his heart.

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. Hindi niya alam na kaya pa pala niyang masaktan kahit sa simpleng emosyon lang sa mga mata ng dalaga. All these years, he was in pain but this ... that emotion ... it's a new pain and it hurt so much than before.

"Vy..." it was Iris, her voice soft. "... don't you know him? Hindi ba, binisita mo siya sa Hospital?"

Bahagyang umawang ang labi niya. So that was really Ivy in the Hospital, not Iris! That's why his heart was beating wildly!

Ivy's face remained stoic. "I was just curious. Nakita ko kasi ang larawan niya na hawak ni Russo at habang may kausap siya sa telepono, may isinulat siya sa likod ng larawan kaya binasa ko. Nagbakasali lang naman ako na," Ivy glanced at him, "nandoon siya sa Hospital na nakasulat sa likod ng larawan."

"And why were you curious?" Iris asked again.

"Because it's him." Wika nito na para bang alam na dapat ni Iris ang dahilan. "I told you about him, Iris. It's him. The man in my dreams."

Huminga ng malalim si Iris. "Then talk to him, Vy. Pinaghirapan kong hanapin siya at dalhin rito tulad ng matagal mo nang gusto. You owe me and him." Anito bago lumabas ng kuwarto at isinara iyon.

Its just him and Ivy now. In this room. And her eyes are still fix on him, her cold stares never falters.

"It's really you." Tumayo ito mula sa stool na kinauupuan saka humakbang palapit sa kaniya. "I can't believe you're real."

"Ivy—"

Tumaas ang isang kilay nito. "Wow. You really know me."

He frowned. "Of course—"

"But how?" Bakas sa mukha nito na pilit nitong hinahalukay ang memorya nito kung paano sila nagkakilala. "Did I met you after college? Ahm, did I met you on vacation? Or did I met you through Papá's..."

Mas lalong lumalim ang gatla sa nuo niya. "Bakit ka nagtatanong ng ganiya? Hindi mo ba naalala kong paano tayo nagkakilala? O baka naman nagpapanggap ka lang para hindi ako magalit sayo dahil niloko mo na naman ako?"

Pagkatapos ng lahat ng sinabi niya, nakatitig pa rin sa kaniya si Ivy na may pagtataka. "You even speak that language. I'm good at it too you know. Papá told me to learn that language. Iris knew too. Nag-aral siya para sakin. Para daw may makausap ako ng Tagalog, baka daw may maalala ako kapag ganun."

Ihinilamos niya ang mga kamay sa mukha saka desperadong napatitig sa mga mata ni Ivy. "Pinaglalaruan mo na naman ba ako? I suffered for three years, Ivy. Na-rehab ako ng dahil sayo tapos ito 'yon? Magpapanggap kang hindi ako kilala? Sa tingin mo, mawawala ang galit ko sayo ng ganun-ganun lang?"

"I'm sorry," may nababasa siyang emosyon sa mukha nito pero kaagad din iyong naglalaho, "hindi talaga kita maalala eh, pero kilala kita." Ivy, then, looked at him in the eyes and his heart beat accelerated. "You see, Iris told me that I have a partial amnesia." Napailing ito saka mahinang natawa. "Sabi niya sakin, may nawawalang tatlong taong memorya sa isip ko. I thought she was joking you know. But I really can't remember anything. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa ko sa buhay ko sa loob ng tatlong taon bago ako nagising."

"Nagising?"

She nodded, still no emotion in her face. It's like she's explaining because she have to. "I was in coma for one year and seven months. Through that year, they operated me for I don't know how many times. Ang sabi lang sakin ni Iris na huwag akong mag-alala kasi okay na ako. But I was curious so I, ahm, ask Russo and he told me that it was a miracle that I live. The bullet is still in my head though. And the burns, well, through surgery, they manage to fix me and bring me back to my old self." She chuckled nonchalantly. "But with incomplete memories."

Hindi siya makapaniwalang nakatitig lang sa dalaga. Nahihirapan siyang intindihin lahat ng sinasabi nito. She could be playing him for a fool again. Ivy is good with playing with emotions. And maybe she could be playing right now...and he would believe her again. Like a love sick fool that he is.

Nang hindi siya nagsalita, hinawakan ni ni Ivy ang crutches niya at iginiya siya patungo sa isang pinto saka binuksan nito iyon at bumaling sa kaniya.

"Don't be creep out, okay?" Anito saka pinapasok siya.

Nang makita niya ang loob ng silid ay napaawang nalang ang labi niya. Paintings, a lot of painting are hanged on the wall. And all of them are familiar. The scenery on the painting and the places. Everything looks exactly similar from his memories.

He looked at Ivy, utterly perplexed. "What ... how... why..."

She looked at the painting one by one. "These are mine." Anito saka hinaplos ang painting na pinakamalapit dito. It's a painting of his penthouse. Exactly the same. "I painted them."

"W-why?"

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "These are my dreams." Inisa-isa nitong itinuro lahat ng painting na naroon. "Every night, I would dream of a house, a conversation that I know didn't occur, a scene or a place. At pagkagising ko, pinipinta ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, siguro dahil ayokong makalimutan ang panaginip na 'yon. I feel so happy in my dreams. It feels so good to be that happy. Kasi sa naaalala ko, hindi ako ganun kasaya noon at kahit ngayon. I'm happy, but not really. And these..." iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa mga pininta nito, "kung saan man ang lugar na 'to, masaya ako do'n... maybe its because of him." She said then motioned her hand towards the wall in his back.

Kaagad siyang umikot sa tulong ng crutches para tingnan ang itinuro nito at ganun na lamang ang pagkabog ng puso niya ng makita kung ano yon... hindi... kung sino 'yon.

It's him. In the painting.

It looks like him.

"This is the man in my dreams." Lumapit ai Ivy sa painting saka hinaplos iyon ng puno ng pagsuyo saka tumingin sa kaniya. "It's you isn't it? Parte ka ng nawawala kong memorya. Hindi ko nga lang alam kong ano at sino ka sa buhay ko. No one would tell me. They keep me lock up most of the time. Hindi daw kasi ako puwedeng lumabas dahil masama 'yon sakin. And for some reason, they don't want me to see Papá. They said its for my own safety, but I never stop asking my sister to look for the man in my dreams. And then I saw you in the picture Russo was holding. Kaya tumakas ako, nagbakasakali na nasa Hospital ka. Then I saw you, being wheeled in towards the patient room. I know its you, I just have to know if you know me. Kaya hinintay kitang magising."

"And you pretended to be Iris." He pointed out.

Umiling kaagad si Ivy. "No. You assumed I was Iris, I never said I am. Kaya nga umalis kaagad ako doon ng mag-umpisa kang magtanong. Sa unang pagkakataon, ayokong magsinungaling sa isang tao at ikaw 'yon. It was confusing. It's the first time that I felt that way. I'm used to lying and manipulating people around me, but I can't do it to you." Malakas itong napabuntong hininga saka napasandal sa pader katabi ng pininta nitong larawan niya habang matiim na nakatitig sa kaniya. "Pero tama ako diba? It's you, the man in my dreams."

Tumango siya saka humakbang palapit dito. "The man of your dreams, yes, that's definitely me. And I'm also," he looked at her in the eyes, intently, "... your fiancé."

Slowly, her lips parted open. "F-Fiancé?"

Finally! Emotion is in her face.

Tumango siya. "Yeah. That's me. Andrius Teodore Salazar III." He let out a loud breath. "Now what? Itutuloy na ba natin ang naudlot nating kasal?"

Andrius enjoyed watching Ivy's eyes widening in shock. But her, shaking her head, nope, not so much.

His teeth gritted. Inisang hakbang niya ang pagitan nilang dalawa dahilan para magkalapit ang mga katawan nila at mahinang mapasinghap ang dalaga.

"What are you—"

"Don't tell me you're not gonna marry me." Aniya habang unti-unting inilalapit ang mukha sa mukha nito. "I waited three years for you, baby. Your corazoncito waited for you."

Her lips thinned, her eyes still widening. "C-corazoncito?"

"Yes. Your sweetheart. Me."

Umiling ito, halatang hindi gusto ang ideyang pakasalan siya. "No. I'll be engage to be married soon. Papá told me about it. Kaya nga pinag-aral niya akong magsalita ng tagalog... kasi nakatira sa Pilipinas ang mapapangasawa ko."

That made him smirked. "That's the most amazing thing I've heard since I set my foot here in Bogotá."

"¿qué estás hablando?"

"Baby," he leaned close to her and whispered over her wet lips that he would kill to taste again, "Soy tu novio. And I am the man whom you will be engage to be married from the Philippines. With love, baby. With love."

#Question: Sexy Love or Dirty love? Which one do you prefer and why? 😂 (Lol. May pinagkaiba ba ang dalawa? Hmm...)