Back to December

Chapter I

6 Years Earlier...

"Happy 5th Anniverssay Love!"
Sabay yakap ni Danielle kay Nathan. They were on a famous coffee shop when she prepared a surprise for their anniversary.

"Is it really today?" Nag aalalang tanong nito. "oh.. I'm sorry.. I forgot, wala tuloy akong gift for you." Nakasimangot na sabi ni Nathan while kissing her forehead.

She admit. It hurts.
Halos wala ka nang tulog para makapagprepare for something in your special day but kinalimutan lang pala nya ito. But she still manage to smile.

"Yeah, its okay. I know your busy with your work naman love e. I understand." Hiding away all the pain she's feeling right now.

"Thank you so much love. I am really lucky to have you in my life.." Niyakap sya nito.

May sasabihin pa sana sya pero biglang nalang nag ring ang cellphone nito.
"oh. Hold on. I'll just answer this.Excuse me." kumiwalas ito sa pagkakayakap nila at nagtungo sa labas ng coffee shop.

After a few minutes bumalik din naman agad ito.

"I'm sorry love to keep you waiting but may emergency kasi e. Okay lang ba sayo if iiwanan na kita dito?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"yeah. I..it's fine. Go ahead." pilit pa rin syang ngumiti.

"Babawi nalang ako sayo sasusunod. Okay?" He quickly plant a small kiss on her cheeks and went away.

"Bye love.. " pero hindi na yata sya narinig nito.

She sigh. Nakatingin pa rin sya sa humaharurut na sasakyan nito papalayo sa kanya.

Ilang ulit pa ba nya kayang magpakamartyr sa katotohanang she is only taken for granted. Ilang ulit pa ba nyang kakayanin ang mga eksenang ganito.

She open her bag, took that small thing on it and smile. It was a week ago when she confirmed that she was 2 weeks pregnant. Ito sana ang surpresa nya kay Nathan  pero mali ang kanyang timing. Excited pa naman sya sa magiging reaction nito pag nalaman nitong magiging ama na sya.

Binalik nya ang pregnacy test kit sa bag at kinuha ang kanyang cellphone. She will just invite her bestfriend. Total, ito naman talaga ang kasa-kasama nya tuwing naiiwan sya sa ere ni Nathan.

She dialled the number.

"Hello." Sagot ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Want something to eat? My treat." She tried to lightened up her mood.

"Let me guess. Did he left you again?"Hindi makapaniwalang sabi nito.

"Wag mo na ngang ipamukha. All I want to do right now is to have someone to talk to. Dahil kung wala..I might go crazy Niks." She sighed.

"Alright. Kalma lang te. Send me your location. I'll be there right away."  she assured Danielle.

20 minutes had passed and nakita nya si Nikki na papasok sa coffee shop.

Tumayo agad sya at niyakap ito.
" I don't know what to do nor what to feel Niks. I am so frustrated right now." Ang sikip-sikip ng dibdib nya ngayon.

Nikki hug her back to comfort her.
"Did that guy knows your carrying his child?"

"I haven't told him yet. Nagmamadali kasi syang umalis e." kumiwalas sila sa pagkakayakap at nagtungo sa upuan.

"He is really a jerk e no? He's been like this for 2 years, and I don't know kung bakit napapakamartyr ka. Gusto mo rin bang magpapako sa krus?" Sarkastikong tugon nito.

"I just can't leave him niks, lalo na ngayong buntis ako." Tila nag iinit na ang mga mata nya at kunti nalang ay papatak na ang mga ito.

"So anong plano mo ngayon? Papayag ka nalang bang ganito kayo lage?" tanong nito sa kanya.

Nikki is right. Kailan ba sya papahalagahan ni Nathan. Yes, he's there physically but mentally he's not.  Napahilamos sya sa sarili.

"Alam mo Dan, you better get rest. Nakakasama yan sayo at sa baby e." nag-aalalang suhestusyon nito.

"Maybe, I can surprise him later. Puntahan ko nalang sya sa condo nya." she still hopes everything will be okay.

"Gusto mo samahan na kita? I can drive you there. "

"Well, okay lang yun sayo?" Nakangiti nyang tanong.

"Of course! You're my sister from another mother!"

Agad naman itong niyakap ni Danielle.

"you're really the best Niks." tuwang-tuwa nitong tugon.

... Later that night, she went into Nathan's Condo unit. She brought a chocolate cake since ito ang paborito ni Nathan. Excited syang e surpresa ito.

She went inside the elevator at pinindot ang button. Nathan's unit is on the 20th floor.

I hope he will be happy with this.

She silently said while smiling.

Ilang minuto din ang lumipas at nakarating na sya sa 20th floor at deri-deritsong nag tungo sa unit ni Nathan. She presses the codes and the door opens.

She is about to left her stelletos near the door but she noticed na merong pulang sandals na nandoon. Bigla umakyat ang kaba sa kanyang puso at dahan-dahang pumasok sa loob.

It is not happening. Please Lord, take this feeling away from me. Naisaloob nya.

Nakatayo sya sa labas ng kwarto ni Nathan at nag iipon ng sapat na lakas ng loob bago nya binuksan ang pinto nito.

Dahan-dahan nya itong pinihit and she couldn't believe what she saw.