Circa 2020
Pueblo Carcel

Sa gubat sa tapat ng Kalye Maravillas, patuloy na tumatakbo palayo si Madison. Mag-isa lang siya sa gitna ng madilim na gabi, takot, nilalamig, hinihingal, takbo lang nang takbo. Ni hindi niya nga alam kung bakit siya tumatakbo. She doesn't even know how she got there. pero patuloy lang siyang tumatakbo.

Pabilis na ng pabilis ang takbo niya, palalim na palalim ang hininga.

Para bang may sumusunod sa kanya, parang isang anino. Hindi niya man alam kung sino ito, nararamdaman niyang hindi maganda ang motibo nito.

Pabilis na ng pabilis ang takbo niya, palalim na palalim ang hininga.

Nagtago muna siya sandali sa likod ng malaking puno. Baka sakaling maligaw rin ang aninong sumusunod sa kanya. Hinabol niya muna ang hininga niya. Tila'y wala nang bakas ng anino sa paligid. Para bang napanatag siya't wala nang sumusunod sa kanya. Isa nalang ang kailangan niyang alamin- paano makabalik sa kanyang tahanan. But isn't she home yet?

Nilingon niya sandali kung wala na nga ba talagang panganib na nakaabang sa kanya. Parang wala na nga.

Uwaah!

Or so she thought. Andiyan na naman ang iyak ng sanggol. Hanggang ngayon, hindi niya pa rin maipaliwanag kung bakit may pagtangis ng isang sanggol siyang naririnig. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin nito? Talaga bang may malalim itong rason? O sadyang dagdag panakot lamang ito?

"No...no..No! No! No!" Napasigaw na lamang siya sabay iyak at takip sa tenga niya. Ilang beses na niya itong naririnig mula pa noon. It's very traumatic as she knew what this meant. The lady in white will once more haunt her until she falls on a cliff. Nakakapagod na.

Uwaah! Uwaah!

She ran and ran and ran away still. Hindi niya alam kung saan pupunta. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya dadalhin ng malalakas at malalamig na hangin. Basta ang mahalaga, makalayo siya sa mga hagulgol ng sanggol na ito.

Patuloy itong tumakbo hanggang sa tila'y humupa na ang matitinding hangin at parang wala na ring uwang ng sanggol. Saglit siyang nagpahinga sa likod ng isang malaking bato. Sumilip siya mula sa pinagtataguan kung may nakasunod pa ba sa kanya, kung ang anino ba o ang multo? Ngunit wala siyang nakita kundi kawalan. Muli siyang napanatag ngunit muli rin siyang binigo ng pag-asa ng katahimikan.

Uwaah! Uwaah! Uwaah!

Napakalakas ng iyak na umalingawngaw ito sa buong gubat at sa isang iglap ay tumindi ang ihip ng hangin hanggang ang mga puno'y tila'y matutumba na. Yun na ang hudyat ng kanyang pinakatatakutan. Ngunit wala naman ito sa kanyang nililingon. Nasaan na ang babae sa gubat sa tapat ng Kalye Maravillas?

Habol ang hininga, dahan dahan siyang muling humarap sa dating daan para tumakas sa humahabol sa kanya. Ngunit nung lumingon siya...

"AAAAHHHHH"

Nasa harap na niya ang pinagtataguan.

"Hindi mo ako matatakasan..." malamig na saad nito sa dalagang takot na takot na.

"NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" giit niya habang patuloy na tumatakbo. Pero kahit saang sulok siya tumakbo,

"AHH!"

Sinasalubong pa rin siya ng babae.

"Wag ka nang tumakbo. Hindi mo matatakasan ang kapalaran mo" dugtong niya rito.

"What are you talking about? Who are you?! Anuba ang kailangan mo sakin?!"

Lumapit ito sa kanya. Sobrang lapit. How stupid right? She could away or maybe run. But she stood still, frozen on her feet. She was scared, her feet were trembling but they couldn't leave that death spot. Madison could feel the ghost's coldness as they were only inches apart.

She stared at her despairing eyes. Nahabag siya rito. Something's telling her, that she isn't the bad guy. That there's a much deeper truth.

But those eyes could be deceiving. Her once angelic figure turned into that monstrous face- all pale, all white, bruises all over, scar on her cheek, terribly long nails, her hair all tangled like that of Medusa's, blood stain on her moonlit clothes, blood continuously dripping along her chest as if a dagger passed through her heart.

This suddened Madison and got her to her knees, fearful and weak at this dreadful sight. Her fear overcame the thought of empathy towards this creature. She crawled backwards as the ghost moved forward. What a de ja vu.

"SINO KA BA HA?! What do you want from me?! WHY ME?!"

She didn't respond at an instant. Instead, she moved forward as Madie moved backwards.

"Amera...Tulungan mo ako..." she uttered under her breath. For once, the monotonous and cold tone turned into a begging one. The first time she's begged that way. But how could she help her if she doesn't know what kind of helping it needs.

"HOW?! Paano nga?! What do you want me to do?!"

"Tulungan mo ako..." Those were her last words. Madie, full of tears of fear, reacted hopelessly and helplessly. Isn't she going to say anything else? This is so unbelievable!

She wanted to ask more, but before she could, as she crawled backwards another step, she fell. But this time, not from a cliff, but into the deep unknown waters.

In the deep waters, she could barely breathe. She wanted to swim back up to the surface or else she dies. But it seemed like a thousand miles away that would take a decade to reach. But she tried still. She had to. When she did, a hand pulled her downwards. And in the deepest darkest part of the water, floated a young maiden.

Napakaamo ng mukha nito. Tila'y isang diwata kung pagmamasdan. It smiled to her as if telling her she was safe. She had that captivating smile of an angel that could easily capture one's heart.

But in a blink of an eye, everything turned pitch black.

Once again, it was all just a dream. Nagising ulit si Madison sa katotohanan. Ngunit sa kanyang pagkagising ay may tumakip sa bibig nito.

Samantala, sa kabilang kwarto kung saan magkatabi sa kama ang mag-asawang Giselle at Matteo Divinigracia, isang kaluluwa ang nananatiling gising. The clock struck the hour of 10 in the evening. Everyone would be asleep by this time. It was the perfect time to escape the stone cold bed.

Gently, Matteo got up, trying not to wake his wife. He moved about quietly yet swiftly, unaware that his wife knew of his escape. And she knew this. She knew this was going on for decades. She knew he does this every night, creeping out of their marital chamber to wander off, and it hurts her like hell every time.

Kailan kaya matututong maging manhid ang pusong durog at nanlalamig?

As soon as her husband left, she got up too, waiting for a few minutes before she finally heard the sound of the car engine turning on and leaving the mansion. Lumabas na siya sa kanilang kwarto.

Back at Madison's room...

She was panicking when she felt the hand restrain her mouth. Nagpupumiglas siya, umiiyak at parang batang dinakip ng mga mandurukot. With all the strength left in her, she struggled to push her assailant away, and quickly turned on the lights, ready to see who restrained her. She was ready to attack until,

"Madie, STOP! WTF?!"

Si Liam lang pala.

"LIAM?! WTF?!" sabi niyang gulat na gulat. Hindi pa siya nahihimasmasan eh.

"What do you mean WTF? I'm your brother! I come here like every time! I should be asking you why the f*** you're acting all weird!" he argued.

"Really Liam? At this hour of the night? It's 10 in the evening! At bakit mo kasi tinatakpan yung bibig ko? You wouldn't even let me go!"

"Because nagwawala ka na! Look, I was waking you up kasi binabangungot ka nanaman. But when you woke up, you went all hysterical agad. And--"

"Whatever. Just tell me why you're here, Liam. What do you want?" sabat ni Madie.

"Well...The party's still on. Takas tayo." pagyayaya ni Liam.

"Liam, dad already said no." tumanggi naman ang dalaga.

"Who cares? He's not the boss of me. Tara na. Minsan lang tayo magsasaya, wag kang KJ. We'll be back by 12." Liam insisted.

"Liam?! NO! Hell no! Ayokong suwayin sina dad. If he finds out, we're dead." giit ni Madie.

"He won't find out."

Napalingon sila to see kung sino ang sumagot.

"Mom?" -Liam.

"He'll be out for the whole night. I'm giving you the permission to leave. Go to the party. You have my consent. Ako na ang bahala sa dad niyo. Just be back by 12 midnight." saad ni Giselle.

"YES! Thank you mom! You're the best!" buong galak na pagpapasalamat ni Liam sa ina habang niyakap ito. Samantalang si Madie, nandun pa rin sa kinatatayuan, na parang nababagabag. "But mom, paano kung saktan ka ni dad?" pag-aalala ni Madie.

"He can try. Wag kayong mag-alala, kaya ko ang sarili ko." matapang niyang sagot habang nakangiti. Tumawa lang ang dalawa thinking she was kidding. "So what are you waiting for? Go now. You have an hour or two." she insisted. "And that includes you, Madie. Alam kong you've been trying so hard to win your father's praise. But don't be too hard on yourself. Don't deprive yourself a moment to be happy. Go now." buong pagmamamahal niyang sabi kay Madie. "Thank you, mom." she said from the bottom of her heart. Without adieu, they hopped off, getting last minute outfits for the party.

Bago sila tuluyang makaalis, tinawag niya ang anak at niyakap itong napakahigpit as if it's their last hug. "Liam, alagaan mo ang kapatid mo ah. Bantayan mo at baka may mambastos. And you take care. Don't get drunk." pahabol niyang sabi bago sila umalis."Of course mom!" sagot nito at pagkatapos ay tuluyan na rin nilang nilisan ang mansion.

Si Giselle nalang ang naiwan. Mag-isa na siya sa napakalaking mansion nila. It's a grand mansion, seemingly antique on the outside but very much modern in it's interior.

Giselle went straight for the kitchen. She didn't even bother to turn on the lights. She likes it dark. As dark as her inner mysteries. As dark as her memories. She grabbed a wine glass and a bottle of red wine she hid inside the fridge. Walang nakakaalam kung gaano siya kaalcoholic. If every night, lumalabas si Matteo for who knows what reason, gabi-gabi, nagpapakalulong si Giselle sa alak para makalimutan niya ang kanyang mga problema. Malakas siyang uminom. Kahit sampung bote pa ng alak ang ubusin niya, hindi siya nahihilo o nawawala sa katinuan. Hindi rin siya nagkakahahang-over.

After gathering her favorite late night snack, umupo na siyang mag-isa sa dining table, sitting nefariously with her legs crossed on the throne of the Patriarch of Familia Divinigracia, with this mischievous smirk as she sipped on her glass of wine.

She just stared blankly at the emptiness of their abode. She roamed her eyes around the house, as she once more revisited the ills of her past.

Circa 2002
La Escuela Seria, Pueblo Carcel

She was 16 years old back then, fresh college student, studying diligently in her Business Management Course.

Giselle Almeida.

That was a name na hindi kailanman natanggal sa lista ng top honors list. That was a name that was recognized as one of the most beautiful faces of the campus. She belonged to one of the noble families in Pueblo Carcel. They may not be as high as the Divinigracias and the Corpuzes, the Villalunas and Sarmientos, the O'Sullivans and the Saavedras, the Andradas and the Salazars, but they were wealthy enough. She was one of the smartest, fairest, popular and well-off it girls of her time.

"Mat, ginawan na kita ng lista ng mga posible mong magustuhan na mga babae. Ang kailangan mo nalang gawin ay mag-effort na ligawan yung mapupusuan mo." pagdadaldal ni Felix kay Matteo.

"Liligawan? Seriously? "

"Mat, you can't expect them na bumigay lang ng basta-basta."

It was a regular day at school. She was just sitting under a tree while reading a book. Little did she know, Matteo was eyeing her.

"Felix, sino siya?"

"Aba, aba, hindi mo pa nga nakikita yung listahan, mukhang may napili ka na."

"Just answer me. Sino siya?"

"She's Giselle Almeida, Business Management student, 1st year college, honor student, one of the 7 Mutya ng La Escuela Seria. If you like her, wag ka nang magpatumpik tumpik pa Mat. Go."

And he did. Nilapitan niya si Giselle.

"Hello, Ms. Giselle Almeida. I'm--"

"Matteo Divinigracia...I know..."

"How did you--"

"Sino bang hindi makakakilala sa'yo? You come from a very prominent family. You're the heir of La Mejor."

"I like you." he said with fascination and firmness. He liked her not because he was in love with her, but simply because of her personality, of her diplomacy, but mostly because she looked up to him and acknowledged him as the rightful heir.

"Thank you. It's a pleasure having met you too. Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Divinigracia?"

At simula nung araw na yun, di niya na tinigilan ang panliligaw sa dalaga. Kahit ang pagkanta nito gabi-gabi sa iba't ibang lugar ay pinupuntahan niya para ipakita sa dalaga ang determinasyon nitong makuha ang matamis niyang oo. Nagtuloy-tuloy ito ng isang buwan. Hanggang sa tuluyan na nga siyang sinagot ng dalaga.

!!!!!! TRIGGER WARNING !!!!!!!
There will be mentions or scenes that involve SA (S€xual Abu5e), R@pe, and Violence. Read at your own risk.

Makalipas ang dalawang buwan ng kanilang relasyon...

Hapon ng kanilang uwian, sinundo na ni Matteo ang kasintahan lulan ng kanyang sasakyan.

He drove steadily until in one swift move, nagbiglang liko siya.

"Matteo, anong ginagawa mo??"

"Relax. We just need some private moment."

Ipinara niya ang sasakyan sa Kalye Maravillas kung saan walang masyadong dumaraang sasakyan dahil sa mga usap-usapang maraming kababalaghang nagaganap rito.

"Matteo, anong ginagawa natin dito??"

"Shh..."

Without adieu, he transferred to Giselle's seat, he's on top of her, and he pulled the side lever to lie down the seat. He went on kissing her lips intensely, as if he's in a hurry. Bumaba naman kaagad ang mga halik niya sa leeg ng dalaga habang tinatanggal niya ang sariling mga damit. She knew what was coming and she didn't want to.

"Matteo, wag."

Sinisimulan niya nang isa-isang tanggalin ang mga butones na uniform ni Giselle kaya nagpupumiglas ang huli at nagprotesta.

"Matteo, stop...Matteo, ANUBA!"

But he didn't stop. So left with no choice, she pushes him away.

"SABI NANG TAMA NA!"

Nagulat si Matteo sa pagtanggi ng dalaga.

"Giselle? Why?"

"Matteo, hindi pa ako ready...Gusto ko pang mag-aral, makakuha ng mabuting trabaho...marami pa akong pangarap..."

"I can make them all come true...Wag ka nang mag-alala, I will marry you. Come on, ipagpatuloy na natin toh. "

Akmang itutuloy niya pa sana ngunit agad ring umayaw ang dalaga.

"Matteo, I can't. Ang babata pa natin. We're only 16. Pa'no kung mabuntis ako?"

"Papanindigan kita, don't worry, akong bahala sa'yo...Trust me..."

"Matteo, I trust you...pero hindi pa ako handa. I wanted to give this when I'm married...so please."

Uminit na agad ang ulo ng binata at napahampas sa kotse. "Lintek, ang arte mo. Pakipot ka pa eh!" He exclaimed as he returned to his seat.

"MATTEO?" she said as if taken so aback with his behavior. Wow, he has a very short and bad temper...

"I love you..." natatakot rin siyang nagtatampo ang kasintahan kaya naglalambing siya pero hindi ito sumasagot. He ignored her as he was fixing his messed up uniform.

"Mat...Sabi ko I love you..."

"Kung talagang mahal mo ako, hindi ka magdadalawang isip na ibigay ang sarili mo sa akin."

Tila'y nakonsensya ito. "Matteo...I'm sorry."

"Forget it. I'll drive you home. Fix your self."

"Matteo, galit ka ba?" she asked with fear.

"No." tipid niyang sagot nang walang kagana- gana.

At agad niyang pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

Paglipas ng dalawang linggo, it was then Matteo's birthday and they held a celebration in the Divinigracia's mansion despite Hernan's disapproval. He didn't like the noise but then he didn't want to argue anymore either so he stayed at La Mejor at that night, drowning himself with office works, while the bastard Matteo parties at his wife's family mansion.

Everyone was partying wild that night. Matteo was enjoying drinking freely with Felix until he noticed Giselle was missing.

"Felix, where's Giselle?"

"Her again? Let her be. Matanda na yun."

"Felix, you know why she can't just walk around here. If she sees it by chance, game over na ang lahat."

"Ugh. Fine. I think she went to that direction."

Without adieu, he followed where Felix pointed him at. He was anxious dahil malapit lang sa direksyong yun ang pook kung saan marami siyang itinago.

'Sana wag naman' he thought to himself while he was in the hall along the secret room. Hindi pwedeng makita ng ninuman ang mga tinatago niya.

While he was about to open the door, he heard footsteps and he was ready to charge with a vase as he turned to see...

"Mat?"

Si Giselle.

"Giselle? Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"I was...I was looking for you...Why are you here? Diba dapat nandun ka, nagsasaya? Because it's your birthday..."

"I was looking for you too. My birthday's incomplete without you. Sabi ni Felix, dito ka raw tumungo."

"Yea. I was searching for the restroom. But someone was kind enough to lead me there. Bumalik ako dun but you were gone...Mat, I hope you don't mind, but what's in here?"

"Wala. It's a family matter. Only family can see."

"And do I not belong here?"

"You will if magpakasal tayo."

"Well, mukhang matagal-tagal pa yan."

"Not if I plant my seed in your womb." asar niya rito.

"MATT!!" she reacted ridiculously.

"I'm just kidding. Chill." he lovingly responded as he kissed her forehead and hugged her. They then went back to the party.

"Gis, here, inom ka." pagyaya ni Felix.

"No, sorry, hindi ako umiinom..." nahihiya niyang sagot rito.

"Giselle, uminom ka na. Minsan lang toh. Wag ka namang KJ. Birthday ko pa naman ngayon. Pagbigyan mo na ako." pagpupumilit ni Matteo.

She was left with no choice but to drink. In a matter of minutes, biglang bumigat at lumabo ang mga paningin niya hanggang sa tuluyan na nga siyang nawalan ng malay. Matteo seized that moment. Without anyone noticing, kinarga niya si Giselle papunta sa kanyang kwarto at inihiga ito sa kanyang kama saka pumatong siya rito. He locked the door and he started to undress the both of them. He didn't waste time. Agad niyang isinagawa ang balak niya rito.

The next morning, Giselle woke up, with a dizzy head, not remembering much. She was puzzled to be in a different room. Hanggang sa napansin niyang wala siyang ni kahit anong saplot so she turned to the one beside the bed- a naked Matteo. Agad siyang nagpanic and Matteo woke up.

"MATTEO!! WHAT HAPPENED?!"

"Gis..ang aga aga...Relax..." he reacted without getting so bothered. He was still half asleep.

"MATTEO!!"

"Giselle, duh. We had sex. That's it." he answered to shut her up.

"WHAT?! MAT NAMAN!"

"We were drunk. OK? Sorry!" he sarcastically replied.

"BUT WHAT IF MABUNTIS AKO??!"

He finally got up and took her hand. "Giselle, relax. I love you. Di kita iiwan. Papakasalan kita agad agad pag nagkaanak tayo. Paninindigan kita. Ok? Relax." he assured her.

Kapwa nga silang nagdilang anghel.

Two weeks passed, Giselle started vomiting and having morning sickness. Buntis nga siya and her father, Leo Almeida was enraged kaya sumugod ito sa mansion ng mga Divinigracia to confront Matteo. They were already in the living room, face to face with Hernan who was so pale upon the breaking of this news, until Matteo entered the scene, confused of the commotion. Lumuluha na si Giselle. Leo stood immediately at sinuntok si Matteo.

"HAYOP KA! BINUNTIS MO ANG ANAK KO!"

"Buntis ka?" Matteo asked Giselle so eagerly and she just nodded sadly as tears fell down her eyes. What can you expect? She's young and scared. But Matteo? Parang masaya pa siya.

"Ano na ang plano mo?" tanong naman ni Hernan. But instead of being worried, he ran immediately to Giselle and hugged her, cupped her face with his hands and rejoiced at the news. "Magkakaanak na tayo!" He then pulled out a box with a ring. "Giselle, I've been waiting for this. Pakasalan mo na ako. I will take full responsibility of the child."

"So sinadya mo talagang buntisin ang anak ko?? Gago ka pala eh! Ang babata niyo pa! Paano kayo maghahanap buhay? Paano niyo bubuhayin ang anak niyo? Akala niyo ganun lang kadali yun?! Pano ang mga pangarap niya?" galit na galit na singhal ng ama ng dalaga.

"Sir, wala po kayong dapat ipag-alala. Our family owns a company. Ako ang magiging tagapamahala nun and we'll have more than enough for a living. And Giselle can finish her studies after she gives birth. We can hire maids to take care of our child habang nasa office or school kami. Sir, trust me. I will take care of Giselle and our child."

Left with no choice, natuloy ang kasal. Everything Matteo said came true. Nakatapos pa rin si Giselle kahit maaga siyang nabuntis. Matteo was successful in the early years of his career in La Mejor. Naging malusog ang kanilang anak na si William. They were happy and fine. They tried to conceive more children later on but every attempt failed and they grew tired of trying.

They were happy and satisfied once...

But why did it come to this?

Bakit biglang nag-iba si Matteo?

Bakit ba sila nagkakasakitan?

==================================

nvuiqjenv pahabol bago ako tuluyang maging busy. @GlaiSanya @halle_hallez @Sangrelenisabelle @mariehoy @glaizadclovers @Arghieglaiza

Hmmm, Giselle, diba di ka nalalasing? Eh isa pa nga lang yung tinungga mo nung party, dedski ka na? hmm