A/N: Dalawa ang Flashback dito. Enjoy reading!

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

"I AM WITH with Jess, she's waiting for us in my car. Follow me, okay?" Her brother whisper while checking the guard outside her room.

Inutusan nito ang guard na puntahan si Jessielyn sa parking lot kahit na wala naman do'n ang kaibigan. Excuse lang nito iyon para umalis ang gwardiya. Tutal naman at hating gabi na ay hindi makakaisip ang gwardiya niya na tumakas siya lalo at kasama niya naman si Dwaye.

She's standing beside her brother, feeling nervous but she's really determine to escape at the moment.

"Where's she, Kuya?"

"It's in the lobby. She texted me already. Let's go."

Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya at maingat silang lumabas ng silid niya. Palinga-linga sila pareho dahil baka bumalik ang guard na inutusan. Ang lakas-lakas ng kaba sa dibdib niya, para siyang nagnanakaw na natatakot na may makahuli sa kanya.

"Kuya, he's coming our way—"

Bago niya pa man matapos ang sasabihin ay nahigit na siya ng kapatid para makapagtago sa isang sulok dahil naglalakad ng mabilis pasalubong sa kanila ang gwardiya ngayong gabi.

"Damn," he curse under his breath as the guard pass their way. "We need to get in the car as soon as possible now! Come on, come on..."

Lakad-takbo ang ginawa nila hanggang sa makarating sa lobby ng hospital. Patingin-tingin din siya kung saan-saan at dahil baka nasusundan pala sila.

"Here!" A familiar voice of a woman caught their attention. Jess is outside of the lobby which where the cars stop to drop off the passengers. "Get in!"

Her friend opened the back seat of unfamiliar car and she hurriedly hop in. Sa front passenger seat naman ito naupo habang si Dwaye ay mabilis na nakapasok sa drivers seat at pinaandar ang makina.

"Oh my God!"

She gasped and let out a loud breath the moment they leave the hospital. She's massaging her chest to calm her down. She's really nervous to what they just did!

"Oh my God talaga, Lexza! This is the most exciting thing I ever did!" Jess exclaimed, sitting comfortably on the front seat.

"You okay?" Dwaye look at her through rear view mirror. "Want some water? Anything?"

"I'm okay, Kuya. Thank you." She let out a breath again. "Thanks for all of these...and Jess, thank you rin."

Jess wave her hand. "You are my friend and friends helping each other. Kahit ayokong kasama si Dwaye, titiisin ko nalang makita ang mukha nito basta para sa'yo."

"Kunyari ka pa," Sabat naman ng kapatid niya. "Sa dami ng babaeng nagkakandarapa sa mukhang 'to... hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw matisod ka at sa akin rin ang bagsak mo, Jess."

"Wow, ang kapal talaga ng mukha ng hinayupak!"

Her brother took a quick smugly glance at Jess. His eyes twinkle playfully. He likes teasing her friend.

"Beat me?"

"Beat your face, moron!" Jess spat.

Nagpatuloy ang dalawa sa angilan habang siya ay napapangiti. Siya ang hindi magtataka kung isang araw ay ang dalawa ang magkatuluyan kung magbabago ang kapatid niya. Ang babaero, hirap magbago.

SA PROBINSYA kung saan lumaki si Jessielyn sila tumuloy pagkatapos ng ilang oras na byahe. Pawang mga matatayog na puno at mga berdeng halaman lang ang natatanaw niya. Probinsyang-probinsya.

The house is not that big but enough for her to live on it, especially that it looks like farm house. It's also a newly renovated house, its looks more lively and relaxing. The feeling of being in a province with a fresh air is very new to her and she like the ambiance already.

"You will be staying here until you give birth. Is the place okay to you?" Her brother ask her, looking tired from a long drive but still so handsome as ever.

"I like it here, Kuya Dwaye. Kaninong bahay 'to?" Aniya, naupo sa ratan na upuan sa sala.

"I bought this place including this house. You'll be safe here."

Inilibot niya pa ang mata sa buong kabahayan at natanto niyang dalawang palapag iyon. May mga antique at bagong kagamitan. Ang hangin mula sa labas ay pumapasok galing sa malaking bintana sa kanang bahagi ng bahay.

She stood up and went to the window. Hinawi niya ang manipis na kurtina at napapikit nang humampas ang sariwang hangin sa kanyang mukha. Tanaw niya ang malawak na palayan, may ilang magsasaka do'n at ang iba ay may buhat-buhat na sako ng palay at dinadala sa nakaparadang truck hindi kalayuan.

"There are farmers here, Kuya."

"Yes, I'll introduce you to them later."

He sat tiredly and rest his head on the head rest of long ratan chair then he close his eyes. He drove for five to six hours while she and Jess sleeping most of their travel time, that's why Dwaye looks like that.

"Boss, nakahanda na po 'yung almusal." Sarkastikong sabi ni Jess nang sumulpot galing kusina.

"Good," Dwaye said, on the same position.

Jess leered at her brother then smile at her.

"Let's eat, Alexza? Then sleep after." She wink at her then walk towards the kitchen swaying her hips.

Lumapit siya sa kapatid at tinapik ito sa balikat.

"Kuya kumain ka muna bago matulog."

He didn't move a bit as if he's really sleeping even if he wasn't.

"Tell to your friend that bring my breakfast on my bed." He's being bossy, his usual self. "I'll be waiting." Then he stood up and patted her shoulder. "Go and eat with her. I'll go to my room and sleep."

"Papadalhan ka pa rin ng pagkain?"

"Yes, tell her to bring it in my room. Sabihin mo huwag matigas ang ulo niya at baka hindi na ko makapagpigil pa sa kanya."

"Gusto mo siya?" Tukso niya nang paakyat na ito sa hagdan.

"Dream on that, Alexza."

Iyon lang ang sagot ng kapatid bago tuluyang umakyat sa hagdan at pumasok sa isa sa mga silid do'n.

Sa kusina ay naabutan niya si Jess na katatapos lang magtimpla ng gatas. Naupo siya sa bakanteng upuan at sinabayan itong kumain.

"Jess, dalhin mo raw sa kwarto ni Kuya Dwaye 'yung almusal niya." Imporma niya nang makaupo.

Natigil ito sa pag-inom ng gatas at tumaas ang isang kilay. Her friends looks annoyed early in the morning.

"Ang galing talaga mang-inis niyang kapatid mo."

"Kung ayaw mo, ako nalang ang magdadala." Sinusubukan niya ito. "He's tired from driving while we were sleeping. I understand him for acting like that."

"I'll bring it later to him. Kinokonsyensya mo pa ako eh."

Tipid lang siyang ngumiti at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Maya-maya ay bag vibrate ang cellphone sa ibabaw ng lamesa. It was Dwaye's phone!

"Ba't nasayo ang cellphone ni Kuya?" Puna niya, magkasalubong ang kilay.

"Your brother hide my phone last night and until now hindi niya pa rin ibinabalik. I need to contact my Lola so I need to use his phone." Jess check the message and her eyes widened. "Oh,"

"What? Who texted him?"

"It's Drake! God! Ang dami niyang messages and missed calls, Alexza!"

Inabot sa kanya ni Jess Ang cellphone pero ayaw niyang kunin iyon. Malulungkot lang siya. She throw her cellphone somewhere to stop their communication.

"Delete it." Utos niya.

"Ayaw mong basahin? Ano ba kasi ang nangyari sa suite niya? Simula nang magpunta tayo do'n ay naging ganyan ka na. Nag-away ba kayo? Nasabi mo na ba na buntis ka?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi pa,"

"Oh bat hindi pa? Ang akala ko nga ay nasabi mo na tapos hindi ka niya pinanagutan kaya iyak ka ng iyak nung gabing 'yon. What really happened, Alexza? Care to share?"

Malungkot niya lang na nginitian ang kaibigan.

"Sorry Jess, I don't wanna talk about it. I don't wanna talk about him."

Jess sighed and read a message even she doesn't want to hear it. May pagkamatigas nga ang ulo ng kaibigan.

From Drake:
I can't fucking contact your sister! Give me her new number Dwaye, I know you have it! Damn it!

Napayuko siya at napapikit habang binabasa iyon ni Jess nang pagalit din. Nagpatuloy ito.

From Drake:
I'm going nuts thinking of her. Please, let me know where is she. I can't find her.

Humapdi ang tibok ng puso niya. Nawalan ng gana sa pagkain.

From Drake:
Answer my calls, Dwaye! I'm fucking out of my mind now! Why your sister needs to this to me?! Huh?!

"Stop it!" She almost shout. "Please, stop reading his messages and just delete it. Please, Jess. Or, block his number on Kuya's phone."

Galit na inilapag ni Jess ang cellphone sa lamesa at galit na kumakain. Apektado rin sa nangyayari.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari at wala rin akong karapatan magalit sa paghihiwalay niyo pero nasasaktan ako para sa inyong dalawa." Bumaba ang tingin nito sa tiyan niya. "At ang mas lalong masasaktan sa lahat ng 'to ay ang anak niyo...Sana kung anoman ang hindi niyo pagkakaintindihan, bigyan niyo ng oras para mapag-usapan, kahit para sa anak niyo nalang, Alexza."

"I would try to talk to him. I would try." She was more convincing herself than her friend. "Thanks for all of these, Jess. I just need some time for it."

"Nag-aalala lang ako sa kalagayan mo, Lexza. You two are perfect for each other. Alam kong mahal ka niya, nakikita ko 'yun sa mga mata niya sa tuwing tinitignan ka niya...kaya nga boto na ako sa kanya para sa'yo kasi ramdam kong aalagaan ka ni Drake."

Umalpas ang isang malungkot na luha sa mata niya nang tumango siya bilang pagsang-ayon sa mga sinabi ng kaibigan.

She can feel that Drake love her, it's just that what she seen outside his suite really wound her heart. It gives her pain to the point that she choose to stop talking to him to avoid another heartache. And also, her arrange marriage to Tommy is not helping her, dinadagdagan lang ang problema niya kaya hanggat maaari ay tatakasan niya nalang...tatakbuhan niya nalang ang lahat ng problema kesa harapin ang lahat ng 'yon at masaktan ng paulit-ulit.

Escaping was her only solution for now to all her problems and heartaches. She wants to escape and run away from all of it...running from all the pain.

EVERYTHING happened so fast that Alexza can't even utter a word to Drake when he told her that he will marry her tonight. The glint on his eyes told her that he's really serious about marrying her. The way he holds her hand telling her that he would never let her escape again from him.

Hinahawakan nito ang kamay niya sa paraan na hinding-hindi na nga talaga ito papayag na magkalayo ulit sila. Tila ba aangkinin na talaga siya nito sa ayaw niya man o hindi.

Malalim siyang bumuntong hininga at nilakasan pa ang loob nang matanaw niya na ang pamilyar na bangin hindi na kalayuan.

"Igilid mo na 'yung s-sasakyan...Drake." Muli ay napahugot siya ng hininga. "P-pwede na dito. Let's just walk t-there." Itinuro niya ang kanang bahagi ng masukal na kalsada.

Drake stop the engine and kiss her hand again. She's avoiding an eye contact. He has the vibes that some times he make her uncomfortable. Is it the way he stare at her? Is it by the way he speak speak on her? Or maybe, he himself makes her uncomfortable. His muscular built, his presence and his intimidating aura, she's still not use to it, until now.

"Where's it love?" Drake asks making her gasped.

Nasapo niya ang dibdib at sinamaan ito ng tingin. Talagang napaigtad siya sa boses nito.

"Huwag mo akong ginugulat."

"Sorry na," he unbuckle his seatbelt and tilted his head closer to give her a peck on the side of her lips. "Let's go to our angel?"

She nod slowly and unbuckle her seatbelt. The fear inside her starting to build up again.

"L-Let's go,"

Napatingin siya kay Drake nang marahan na sinapo nito ang pisngi niya upang magtama ng tuluyan ang kanilang mga mata.

"I'll be right here. You have nothing to worry. You have nothing to fear. I am here, okay?" He said gently. "You can cry, love. Don't hold it back. You can scream and tell everything you wanna tell. Let all your feelings go... let it go."

Alexza took a deep breath and cupped his jaw. She force a smile despite of her shaking lips.

"Bear with me. I can do this alone but I'd rather choose to be with you this time."

"I'll be with you."

Drake kiss her forehead down to the tip of her nose and to her lips. Napapikit siya at dinama ang magaan na halik na iyon.

"No kissing in front of a kid."

Blake voice making her open her eyes and push Drake a little.

"You're awake, baby."

"Opo mommy. Nandito na po ba tayo?" Blake look around. "I don't see anything but dangerous cliff. Are we safe here?"

"We are safe here, son." It was Drake on his convincing tone. "No worries,"

"Okay daddy ko. I trust you."

"You should,"

Muli ay nagkatinginan sila ni Drake bago ito bumaba ng sasakyan. He open the door for her before he went to the backseat door and unbuckle Blake's seatbelt.

He's carrying Blake while his one arm is at the small of her back, guiding her.

"Where's my baby brother? I can't see." Blake complain. "This isn't a cemetery."

"Because your baby brother isn't in cemetery. He's in heaven."

"Are we in heaven dad? It looks like we are. I could almost touch the sky."

Itinaas pa ni Blake ang mga kamay na parang inaabot ang langit. Mataas ang lugar kung nasaan sila, nakakalula kung titingin sa baba.

The road is very dangerous that when you make a wrong move while driving, you might fall on the cliff. No one would hear you. No one would dare to help you. But she's glad that someone helped her before to survived...sadly her son didn't.

"We aren't in heaven, son. We're here to visit your baby brother. Okay?"

"Okay daddy. I'm behave." Blake snake his smalls arms on his father's neck and he keep his mouth shut.

"Careful, love." Ani ni Drake nang pumatong siya sa mababang gutter at humawak sa sementong barrier.

She let out a loud breath and look down. Ang masukal na bangin na napuno ng malalaki at matatandang puno ay mas lalo lang nakakatakot sa paningin. Habang lumilipas ang panahon ay mas natatabunan na kung ano ba ang nasa kailaliman niyon. Kung ano ba ang nangyari do'n. Kung kani-kaninong buhay na ba ang kinuha ng mapanganib na bangin na 'yon.

"D-Dito 'yon... dito nangyari 'yon." Sabi niya, nanginginig ang boses. "It was so early in the morning, I-I was driving...and, and..."

Hindi niya matuluy-tuloy ang gustong sabihin. Unti-unti na siyang binabalot ng mapapait na ala-ala nang nakaraan.

Mas lalong hinapit siya ni Drake palapit dito gamit ang isang braso na nakayapos sa kanya. He's kissing the side of her head while Blake's burying his face on his father's neck, avoiding something to see.

"It was my fault Drake!" She almost scream, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It was no ones fault, love. It was an accident."

"How did you know, huh?" Mapait niyang tanong. "You weren't here when it happened!"

She felt him rested his lips on the side of her head. He's almost hugging her using his one strong arm, giving her strength, giving her comfort.

"You don't need to blame yourself. Our son would not like it. He would not like see you crying...and mourning for him."

"I tried so many times not to cry and mourn for him, but it's just so hard to do it. Ang hirap-hirap, Drake. Ang sakit-sakit mawalan ng anak..."

Ang puso niya ay parang tinatarakan ng punyal at nag-umpisa ng sumagi sa ala-ala niya ang madilim na pangyayari sa buhay niya. A blurred and cleared memories popped up her mind without even expecting it.

Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata nang magsunud-sunod ang mga imahe na naglalaro sa balintanaw niya. The images that confuse her and at the same time hurt her.

THE DAYS has passed so fast that she didn't realized how she lived her life without Drake by her side. Her brother visited here twice or thrice a month depends on how busy he was together with Jess. She lived her everyday life seeing the green wide farm and breathing the fresh air.

Madalas rin ang pagbisita sa kanya ng mga asawa ng magsasaka upang kumustahin siya at linisin ang kabahayan. Masarap sa pakiramdam na malaman na may mga taong nag-aalaga sa'yo...mga taong hindi man niya kadugo ay parang anak na ang turing sa kanya.

"Ouch," She wince when her baby kicked inside her stomach.

Marahan na hinaplos niya ang malaking tiyan habang nakaupo sa ratan na upuan. Kabuwanan niya na at madalas na rin ang pananakit ng tiyan niya mula pa kahapon tapos ay mawawala naman na rin.

"Sumisipa na ba hija?" Si Manang Lita na naghahanda ng merienda.

"Opo, napapadalas at medyo sumasakit na rin po ang tiyan ko pero nawawala naman din po kaagad."

"Dalhin ka na kaya namin sa hospital sa bayan? Nandiyan naman ang sasakyan ni Boss Dwaye para magamit mo hija."

Napaigik ulit siya nang sumipa na naman ang anak sa tiyan niya. Gusto na nga yatang lumabas.

"S-Sige ho, mag-aasikaso lang po ako."

"Hinanda ko na rin naman ang lahat ng kailangan mo sa panganganak, hija. Ilalagay ko nalang ang mga 'yon sa sasakyan."

"Okay po. Salamat."

"Hay naku! Wala 'yon Ma'am Alexza." Iwinagayway pa nito ang kamay sa ere. "Triple ang pasweldo sa akin ni Boss Dwaye dapat lang na alagaan kita ng husto at ang baby mo."

Ngumiti lang siya at tumango. Her brother pay and provide everything for her and for the baby. Hindi niya na nga alam kung paano pasasalamatan ang kapatid.

Maingat na tumayo siya at naglakad papunta sa silid niya sa pangalawang palapag. Hindi naman matindi ang pananakit ng tiyan niya pero mas mainam siguro na magpunta na nga talaga sila sa Hospital lalo at malayo iyon.

Pasado alas singko ng hapon nang magpasya silang tumulak sa hospital. Nakalabas na ang sasakyan sa main road na minananeho ng asawa ni Manang Lita nang masalubong nila ang pamilyar na sasakyan ni Dwaye.

"Si boss Dwaye," Ani ng driver at iginilid ang sasakyan.

Tumingin siya sa likod at nakita niya nga ang kapatid na inihinto rin ang sasakyan sa gilid. Lumabas ito do'n at tumawid papunta sa gawi nila.

She open the window before he could even knocked.

"We are going to hospital." She informed him.

He looks so serious. There's something on his eyes that she couldn't read.

"Get out of there. Tayo nalang ang magpunta sa hospital." He open the car door urgently.

"O-okay," Wala siyang nagawa kundi lumabas ng sasakyan. "Kuya 'yung mga gamit namin ni baby nasa compartment."

Dwaye just nod and went to the compartment, open it and get the bags there. Then he went back to Manang Lita.

"Go back to the farm and clean the house. Remove all Alexza's stuffs, sunugin lahat hanggat maaari."

"B-Bakit boss?"

"And tell to all farmers that keep their mouth all shut if some strangers would ask 'bout Alexza. Okay?"

"S-Sige boss. Makakaasa ka po."

Dwaye guide her to his car while holding their bags on his other hand. He put the bags at the back seat and open a door for her in the passenger seat.

"What's going on?" Hindi niya napigilang tanong nang pumasok na ito sa sasakyan at pinaandar iyon.

His eyes focus on the road. That deep brown eyes was emotionless. His lips form in thin line, not wanting to speak but of course she won't let him keep his mouth shut.

"Kuya—"

"You need to go abroad Alexza." He said coldly. "They're fucking looking for you."

"W-Who? Sila mommy ba?" Hinuha niya, kinakain na ng pangamba.

"And Tommy Herrera."

"I thought they stop looking for me, Kuya." Her voice was low.

"We need to get away as soon as possible."

She gasped and grip into the window handle when she felt a pang on her stomach. Napahugot siya ng malalim na hininga, umaasa na mawawala ang sakit katulad ng madalas nangyayari.

"Ouch! Ouch!" Daing niya at hindi na mapakali kung paanong upo ba ang gagawin niya.

"Manganganak ka na?!"

She saw her brother took a quick glance on her, he looks worried and surprised.

"I-I think so... ang sakit na! Ayaw tumigil!"

"Oh, goddamnit!"

Bumilis ang takbo ng sasakyan, nag-o-over take na rin ito. Halatang nagmamadali at natataranta.

Ipinatong niya ang isang paa sa dashboard, naghahanap ng maayos na pwesto baka sakaling tumigil ang pananakit ng tiyan niya. Pero hindi! Patuloy pa rin na pakiramdam niya ay maiihi na siya na ewan. Tagaktak na rin ang pawis niya kahit ang lamig-lamig naman sa sasakyan.

"Oh God!" She gasped and caress her stomach. "Wait for another minutes baby...Huwag ka munang lalabas, please..."

Ilang minuto ang lumipas na kinakausap niya ang anak na halatang gustung-gusto ng masilayan ang mundo bago nagsalita ang kapatid.

"We're close," Dwaye informed calmly.

When she look at their direction, she saw the City Hospital. Ang tagaktak na pawis niya ay nagpatuloy. Kung kanina natataranta siya ngayon ay tila humupa na iyon, napilitan iyon ng kaba. Kaba na hindi niya alam kung para saan ba.

Muli ay hinaplos niya ang ibabaw ng tiyan at napangiti sa kabila ng pananakit niyon at panghihina ng katawan.

"Baby...see you so soon." She whisper softly and let herself feel all the pain her baby's giving her before she will see him...Her baby boy.