Looking back, I thought I couldn’t forgive him. I thought I'd never acknowledge that I have a sibling to a different woman. Just like everything in the universe, change is the only permanent thing.
Ano pa't anak ako ng dakilang reyna na si Christina? Ang babaeng maihahalintudad ko sa diyosang si Clementia na mapagpatawad. Mapagmahal.
Pinatawad ko siya. Minahal ko ng busilak ang mga kapatid ko. Ginabayan ko sila kahit pa nakakapagod silang turuan ng Tagalog. Kahit nakakaubos ng pasensya ang mga kakulitan nila.
I found the family I had dreamed of since when I was a child.
Natupad iyon dahil pakiramdam ko ay narito parin talaga ang aking ina.
Masasabi kong kumpleto ang pamilya namin.
“Jess, for the longest time… ngayon lang ako mangingialam,” Dad said not looking at me. Diretso ang tingin niya sa labas ng bintana. “Just take a little break, ipasyal mo naman ang mga kapatid mo sa Pilipinas and visit your Mom's grave. Sumama ka sa'min magbakasyon.”
I was happy that my Dad's strength has been restored. Hindi man ganoon ka aktibo kumpara noon pero ang mahalaga ay gumaling na siya sakanyang sakit.
I sighed as I gave in. “Fine,” I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes and I felt his love together with the cold wind from the open window that wrapped us in comfort.
I imagined that it was Mom. She was hugging me now to express how much she loved me and how proud she was that I had become the person she wanted me to be, the person that I always aspired to be. To be like her, forgiving and loving.
Lakad sa buwan ang ginagawa ko habang pinaiikutan ang pool sa bahay. Ang liwanag ng buwan ay tumatama sa asul na tubig kaya nagmukha itong diyamante na kumikinang.
Pinaglaruan ko ang baso na hawak saka ininom ang laman. Gumuhit ng init ang alak sa lalamunan ko at nag-lagablab iyon.
To be honest, I can feel an enthusiasm that a few days from now I will be in my home country after seven tiring years.
I am excited to meet my old friends. To see the progress of the country. To visit my Mom’s grave.
Ibinaba ko ang baso sa gilid ng pool. Nagkrus ang mga kamay ko at bumaba iyon sa laylayan ng damit ko. Ura-urada kong hinubad ang damit saka hinagis ko ang damit sa kung saan.
I heard the noise of the sliding door but I ignored it as I dived into the water that was being cast by the beautiful light of the ethereal night sky.
When I came out of the blue water I met my visitor’s eyes that were covered by a thick lust.
That turned me on. He was an hour late! He lent his arms and I did not waste any time as I reached for his soft hands.
“You're late again, Raphael!”
He grinned as if he was used to being shouted at because of his Filipino time attitude. I slightly hit his broad chest.
“Nag-over time ako,” pagrason pa niya. “I won't argue with you–·”
“Try me,” I threw him a playful grin.
“Natalo na kita noon sa debate, Jess, so don't be too–·”
“Fuck you!” Hinampas ko ulit siya sa dibdib habang natatawa.
“I saw how devastated you were at that time because I was at the top and you were just… behind me,” he teased me.
Hindi na umubra ang pangaasar niya dahil sa apat na taon na magkatrabaho kami ay halos araw-araw niyang pinapaalala sa akin ang kompetisyon na iyon kung saan tinalo niya ako.
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The Parallel Red Strings
General Fiction"Lahat ng iyon, hindi lang dahil sa isang laro." According to the theory of Red String, the two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle but never br...
CHAPTER 37
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