MARKS

"Tabitha!!!" I instantly ran when I saw her sitting outside together with Erille and Six instantly carried her, she had blood on her knees. "What happened?" I ask and check her knees.

"Nadapa siya habang kinukuha ang eraser niya, nakita ko na lang siyang nakaupo at may dugo sa tuhod kaya agd akong sumigaw," Rie said while scratching her arms, and avoid making eye contact with Six.

"Hindi ka dapat basta-basta sumisigaw ng ganon Erille, alam mo namang hindi biro ang ganon pagdating kay Tabitha!" biglang singhal ni Six kay Erille kaya natigilan kaming dalawa.

"Nagalala lang ak----," hindi natapos ni Erill ang sasabihin ng magsalita muli si Six, "Kahit na!" bakas sa mukha nito ang pagaalala kay Tabi, at mahigpit ang pagkakayakap kay Tabitha.

Alam ko ang pinanggagalingan niya, lahat kami ay nagaalala kay Tabi pero hindi naman ata tama na pagtaasan niya ng boses si Erille. "Sorry," umiwas ng tingin si Erille, alam kong nasaktan siya sa sinabi ni Six kaya nang subukan ko siyang hawakan, ay siya namang pagdating ni Lynus.

He instantly steps out of his car when he sees us outside, "Why are you all outside?" he ask, "Dada boo booo," My Tabi said, Lynus craned and tilted his head to check Tabi and when he saw Tabi's wound he smile and walk towards us.

"Let Doctor Dada fix Tabi's Boo boo," he gently said and was about to her Tabi from Six but Six insisted, "Dadalhin siya sa hospital," aniya, kaya kunot noo ko siyang tiningnan at nagsalita naman si Erille. "Nandyan na nga si Doc Lynus bakit kailangan pang dalhin sa hospital si Tabi?" tanong niya.

"Baka mamaya mag kumplikasyon siya," sagot ni Six, kaya ngumiti si Lynus, "I am her Personal Doctor Six, if you'll bring her to the hospital I'll also be the one to check her, so why bother bringing her there, just handed her to me"

"Hindi nga ako sigurado kung totoo bang si Tabitha ang trinatrabaho mo dito o si Louen," My eyes widened when Six said that, "Napakaisip bata mo Six, akin na nga si Tabitha!!!" sigaw si Erille na tila nagalit sa sinabi ni Six, kinuha ni Rie si Tabi mula kay Six bago inabot kay Doctor Lynus.

"Sorry, Doc, wag mo na lang pansinin," She whispered, while I stayed silent and watched how Six reacted, he hazed and darkly looked at Erille before he walked straight to his big bike and left.

I saw how Rie sigh when she watches Six leave, humarap siya sa amin at humingi ng tawad, "Pasensya na ganun talaga si Six, tara pasok na tayo sa loob," malungkot niyang sambit bago naunang tumuloy sa loob ng bahay.

"Are you ok?" I glance at Lynus when he suddenly asks me, I urge a smile and hold Tabi's little hand, "Yes, tara na sa loob Doc pakigamot naman ang Tabi namin," I said and cheered the atmosphere up.

Pagpasok namin sa loob nagpatuloy sa pagluluto si Erille at ginamot ni Lynus ang sugat ni Tabitha, I just watch them the whole time, kung ano-ano ang kinukuwento ni Lynus kay Tabi upang hindi nito indahin ang kirot ng paglilinis sa sugat niya.

Lynus became my Tabi's safe zone. He always makes her fearless when they are together. I know he's doing this because he loves Tabitha, I just can't lose him, but also I still can't give him a chance because I'm still drowned by someone's love.

I can still feel him, like he's all over my body, running through my veins like he marked my whole body to remember him every time.

I can't bear looking at other men because I always end up submerged in his arms. Leusam what did you do to me?

"Finish yehey! Tabi is so strong like wonder woman," bumalik ako sa aking sarili ng matapos nang gamutin ni Lynus ang sugat ni Tabi, umupo siya sa harapan ko bago kinandong si Tabi.

"Did something happen between the three of you, the house feels off," He asks before glancing at Rie who's silently cooking in the kitchen. "No, we're fine, it's just that this day doesn't end up well, but we're ok," I hope we're ok.

"Ok, if that's what you say so, by the way, what is your plan after this?" he ask, "If you want I can help you look for a spot on a good company he----," I cut him out and shake my head, "No, I want to find a job on my own, I don't want you to waste your time on the things I can do," I said, sobran-sobra na ang tinutulong niya sa akin, ayaw kong umasa na lang palagi sa kanya.

"When it comes to you Louen, It wasn't a waste of time, always remember that," he seriously said and reached for my hand, "I know, but can you just trust me on this, I can do this on my own," I whisper, making him agree. "Ok, if that's what you want," aniya niya bago hinawakan ang aking pisngi at dahan-dahan itong hinaplos.

I don't want to owe him twice, once is enough because I know I can't give what he's yearning for.

"Happy birthday Tabi! Happy birthday Tabi! Happy birthday, Happy birthday, Happy birthday Tabi!" The three of us sang together and Tabi couldn't hide her smile while we were singing, and she excitedly blew out the candle and hugged me.

This is her way of saying thank you, I smile and wipe some icing on her cheeks making her gasp and giggled. "Mommy," she uttered and wiped her cheeks on mine to transfer icing on my face, but it just spread the icing even more.

We both laugh when we look at each other and with that, she opens all her gifts from us. "Wow," she whispers when she opens Six's gift for her, Six gifted her a Music Box, Tabi loves listening to music. Then Erille gives her a set of painting materials since she's not capable of active sports.

"Now check mine Tabi" Lynus said and handed her a big box, as Tabi opened it she raised her hands out of excitement when she saw a lot of coloring books inside. "Do you like it?" Ly ask her, hindi na kailangan sumagot ni Tabi dahil bakas sa mukha niya ang saya ng makita ang lahat ng ito, niyakap niya na lamang si Lynus bago tiningnan ang mga regalo sa kanya.

"El para naman sayo galing sa aming dalawa ni Six," Rie handed me something before she hugged me so tight. Binuksan ko ito, gusto kong maluha ng makitang isa itong painted picture ko ng ipanganak ko si Tabi, when they put Tabi on my chest.

"Thank you so much," I whisper, "Now accept mine," napalingon kami ng magsalita si Lynus at inabutan ako ng isang Prada paper bag.

Dahan-dahan ko itong inabot at binuksan, I was stiff when I saw that it was the same black brushed leather mules shoes that Leusam bought for me on our first night. It gives me goosebumps.

"T-thank y-you, Lynus," I utter, and instantly put it back. We celebrated the whole day inside the house, and I must say that Tabi really enjoyed this day. "Thank you sa pagpunta Ly, ingat ka sa pag uwi," I said when I walk him through the door, he face me with a bright smile.

"No problem," he whispered and suddenly kissed me on my forehead then touched my face, "I'm proud of you, and I know your parents too" he whisper.

Nakaramdam muli ako ng lungkot ng maalala ko ang aking magulang, "I hope so," I whisper. He smiled at me before he moved away, kissed my hand without breaking out the gaze, and walked to his car, the last wave then drove his car home.

Hinawakan ko ang aking dibdib at sinubukan pakiramdaman kung may kakaiba akong nararamdaman para sa kanya pero wala, everything is normal.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng bahay at tumuloy sa aking silid kung saan tahimik nang natutulog si Tabi, umupo ako sa tabi niya at pinagmasdan ang may sugat niyang tuhod.

I purse my lips and gaze at the gift they give us, tumayo ako at nilapitan ang regalo ni Lynus at binuksan ito, nagbuntong hininga ako habang pinagmamasdan ito bago ko binuksan ang aparador dito sa kuwarto kung saan nakalagay ang isang kulay pulang box na naglalaman ng lahat ng galing sa kanya.

I didn't sell anything that he bought for me, I just can't, there is this something inside me that keeps wanting to remember my time with him, and with these things, it feels like yesterday.

Hinawakan ko ang binigay niyang sapatos at ang sapatos na binigay ni Lynus, while looking at Lynus gift I just feel normal but gazing at Leusam's gift my heart beats abnormally.

"Ano yan?" nagulat ako ng pumasok si Rie sa kwarto at tiningnan ang hawak kong sapatos. "Dalawa? Akin na lang yong isa," she said and get Leusam's shoes. Pero agad ko itong inagaw sa kanya naikinagulat niya, "Akin na lang yung gamit El, total dalawa naman yan," she said but I hugged Leusam's shoes.

"Ito na na lang yong sayo," diretso kong sambit at binigay sa kanya yung bago, "Seryoso ka?" hindi makapaniwala niyang sambit. Tumango ako ng walang pag-aalinlangan. "Sige, thank you," she said and hugged me before she ran to her room.

I stared at the shoes and sigh, "Leusam," I whisper his name. I know I'm longing for him, but I can't. I just can't.

***

"Tatawagan ka na lang namin if may slot na Miss Del Mundo," my smile slowly faded when the HR from the company I'm applying for said that, I nodded, "Ok po, thank you so much," I said and weakly walked out of the building.

Panglimang building ko na ito pero wala parin tumatanggap sa aking kumpanya, the problem is the company is full of employees that's why they aren't hiring.

Halos lahat wala, at mag isang buwan na akong naghahanap ng trabaho wala pa rin, at first waiting for their calls were fine but all of them said that they are not for hiring. Malapit na ang blood transfusion ni Tabi pero wala pa rin akong trabaho.

Nanghihinang napaupo ako sa waiting shed at tila naubusan na ang ng list ng kumpanyang papasukan at pagaapllyan.

I need money for Tabi.

"Hirap na naman maghanap ng panibagong sales lady nito," napalingon ako sa dalawang babaeng nakatayo sa gilid ng hindi sinasadyang marinig ko ang kanilang pinaguusapan.

"Bakit kasi ayaw pa nilang maglagay ng for hiring poster, kailangan tayo pa maghahanap talaga! saan naman tayo hahanap ng panibagong sales lady," agad akong tumayo at nagsalita.

"Ako," kailangan ko na talaga ng trabaho ngayon. Nagulat silang napalingon sa akin ng nakisingit ako sa usapan nila. "Sorry I didn't mean to listen to what you're talking about but,I really need a job right now can I apply?" I said.

"S-sure" sagot nila na tila hindi sigurado kaya inabot ko sa kanila ang bio data, "Here," I utter and handed it to them, they check it and read all of it, at gulat nila akong hinarap, "Magna cum laude?! Sigurado ka ba na magaapply ka bilang saleslady?!" tanong nila.

"Yes, I really need a job please," I already beg, just to earn money for My Tabi.

"Sige, tara sumama ka sa amin," they said and walk to the mall, sinundan ko sila hanggang sa makapunta kami sa isang cosmetic shop dito sa Mall. "Boss may magaapply bilang saleslady," sambit nila at kasabay non ay ang paglabas ng isang matandang babae na puno ng alahas sa kanyang katawan.

She looks so like a terror teacher from elementary, nanindig ako ng diretso ng tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Pasok ka na magsimula ka bukas," she said and turned her back on me then went inside her office.

Hindi man lang ako nakapagsalita wala na siya, kaya hindi makapaniwala akong napatingin sa dalawang babae kanina, "That's it?" I utter "Pasok kana daw, ok na yon, by the way ako nga pala si Ace and ito naman si Lendy, sales lady din kami dito," sambit nila, hindi makapaniwala akong tumango, my trabaho na ako..

"Ito ang uniform mo, nagbubukas ang shop ng 9:00am kaya dapat 8:30am nandito ka na," Sambit ni Ace ng inabot sa akin ang kulay rose gold na uniform. "Demonyo ang boss natin kaya dapat aware ka, sige na kita na lang tayo bukas," ani nito bago ako tinulak palabas ng shop.

"Pero hindi ko paalam ang tungkol sa products dito," bulong ko ng pagsarhan nila ako ng pinto, I sigh but urge a smila after, at least I finally have a job and I can earn money to pay this month blood transfusion of my Tabi.

Umuwi ako ng bahay ng tulog na si Tabi kaya nagpahinga na rin ako ng maaga at inihanda ang aking sarili para bukas. Paggising ko kinabukasn ay inihanda ko na ang pagkain ni Tabi at ibinilin kay Rie ang mga kailangan inumin na gamot ni Tabi.

"Ok, ako na ang bahala," sambit ni Erille habang tinulungan si Tabi mag painting. I wear my shoes and glance at her, "Wala ka pa rin bang balita kay Six?" tanong ko, isang linggo ng hindi umuuwi dito si Six kaya alam kong nag-aalala na si Rie sa kanya.

"Wala, hayaan mo siya, mamatay na siya," singhal niya, kaya napailing na lang ako at hinalikan na si Tabi. "Baby Tabi, Mommy's going to work" I whisper, she gazes at me and smiles and shows me a thumbs up.

I pat her head and leave the house for work, pagpasok ko sa loob ng shop lahat sila ay nandito na, kaya habang may extra time pa tinuruan ako nila Ace at Lendy sa mga products at kung saan ako pupwesto.

They assigned me to the lips stick section and told me everything I needed to know before the opening. Madali lang naman sauladuhin ang lahat ng shades kaya agad kong' naintindihan ang lahat ang nang magbukas na ang shop, naexecute ko naman ng maayos ang mga buyers.

I think this isn't gonna be that hard...

Erille's Point of View

"Hmmmmm..hmmm," I was humming a song while gently tapping Tabi's cute but as she fell asleep, I automatically stopped when the door opened and Six come home.

Agad akong tumayo at sinabi, "Six," sambit ko kaya nilingon niya ako pero hindi siya nagsalita at tumuloy sa kanyang kwarto, tiningnan ko si Tabi bago sinundan si Six sa loob.

"Saan ka galing? Bakit isang linggo kang hindi umuwi?" tanong ko, umupo siya sa kama niya bago hinilamos ang mukha gamit ang dalawang kamay, malalim na buntong hininga rin ang kanyang pinakawalan bago ako hinarap.

"Lilipat ako sa apartment ni Jack," sambit niya kaya natigilan ako, "Hindi iyon ang sagot sa tanong ko Six" mahina kong sambit.

Seryoso niya akong tiningnan bago nagsalita, "Sa tingin mo ba kaya kong mag stay dito pagkatapos akong mabusted ng babaeng gusto ko? Sa tingin mo ba madali yon' ah!!" tumaas ang boses niya ng sabihin niya iyon.

Kitang kita ang lungkot at sakit sa kanyang mga mata habang sinasabi iyon kaya bigla akong nawalan ng sasabihin. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko, pero sobrang sikip ng dibdib ko.

"Sa tingin mo ba gugustuhin kong makita na mas may chance yong tanginang Lynus na yon kesa sa akin ah?" sigaw niya kasabay ng pagbato niya ng unan sa tabi ko.

"Kaya aalis ka kasi hindi mo kayang makita si Louen na may kasamang iba?" mahina kong tanong, tumayo siya at nagsimulang mag impake, hindi ko alam pero nahihirapan akong huminga habang pinapanood siya.

"Ganon mo ba siya kamahal?" bulong ko, at tumigil siya bago tumawa, "Oo tangina," sambit niya at nagpatuloy sa pagaayos hanggang sa ma impake niya na ang lahat. Kinagat ko ng sobrang diin ang labi ko ng sabihin niya iyon.

Tumalikod ako bago hinawakan ng mahigpit ang aking damit, pilit kong pinigilan ang pagtulo ng luha sa aking mga mata. "Sige sabihin mo na lang kung aalis ka," bulong ko bago bumalik sa tabi ni Tabi.

Pinunasan ko ang aking luha at hinintay na lumabas si Six sa kanyang silid. Hindi ko maintindihan ang aking nararamdaman, sobrang sikip ng aking dibdib.

Matapos ang ilang minuto lumabas na si Six na dala-dala ang mga gamit niya at dirediretsong pumunta sa kwarto. "Hindi ka man lang ba magpapaalam kay Louen?" Tanong ko, at tila hinahabol ko ang aking paghinga.

"Hindi na," sambit niya at tuluyang umalis, pinakinggan ko na lang ang pag-alis ng motor niya sa labas bago sumilip sa bintana at bumugso ang pagtulo ng luha ko. "Bakit sa tingin mo ba madali lang din manatili sa tabi mo kahit sobrang sakit na," bulong ko.

"Hindi madali iyon, Six."

Louen's Point of View

"Louen dito na kami , ingat sa paguwi," Ace and Lendy said as we separate ways they ride the bus, while I walk here at the side of the street.

I was walking alone here at the street, because I decided to walk na lang dahil ayaw kong mabawasan ang pera ko sa pamasahe kung kaya ko naman lakarin.

While walking I can't help thinking of this mmonth's transfusion of blood for Tabi again, walang buwan na hindi siya sinasalinan ng healthy na dugo, she always suffers in fear of needles.

Buti na lang ay nakakausap siya ni Lynus at nawawala ang takot niya pero natatakot naawa pa rin ako sa anak ko, monthly going to the hospital for blood transfusion makes her exhausted even if she hides it from me I know she's tire of it.

If only she can pass her anemia to me, I will gladly accept it.

"Excuse me Lovely, can I give you a ride?" nagulat ako ng biglang may nasalita sa tabi ko kung saan may nakatigil na sasakyan.

He smiled at me, "Lynus?!" he winks and open the door for me, I smile and enter his car, "Bakit ka nandito?" tanong ko, "Wala ka bang pasok"

"Nope, kakatapos lang ng ship ko kaya dinaanan na kita, it's your first day hindi ko dapat ma miss 'yon," he cheerfully said.

I just smiled at him and we continued talking about some sort of things in my work, then as we arrived at the house he decided not to go in because he didn't wanna wake up Tabi.

"I'll just visit her tomorrow," he said and suddenly leaned close to me and kissed me on my cheeks. I didn't move for a second because of what he did but he smiled at me, so I assumed that it was just a friendly kiss.

"Goodnight Louen, I'll see you tomorrow," he said before he left. I was left there dumbfounded and slowly touched my cheeks.

"Goodnight Lynus," I whisper before I walk inside and saw Rie sleeping beside Tabi's side, my brow frowned when I notice that her eyes are swollen, she slowly wakes up and when she sees me she quickly seats on the bed and, "Louen nandyan ka na pala," her voice was cracking.

"Did you cry?" I whisper and sit beside her.

"Hindi napuwing lang hahaha, nga pala lumipat na ng bahay si Six kinuha niya g-gamit niya kanina hahaha, sige mag ayos na ako may pasok pa ako," nagmamadali niyang sambit bago nagmadaling lumabas ng kwarto.

I know something is wrong, pero ayaw ko silang pangunahan.

I suddenly feel guilty because I know it's about me why Six left the house, but I can't do anything about it anymore.

I lay beside my Tabi and fix her blanket before softly touching her arms, kung saan maraming marka ng injections. Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya, I feel pain seeing my daughter go through this situation. "Mommy will do anything for you, Tabi."