Loving the Nation's Idol

Stage 40: The Most Painful Battle

Why?

Nang nagbiyahe sila pauwi, Isla was silent like calm sea. Nakatingin lang ito sa labas ng bintana ng taxi at alam niyang lumilipad ang isipan nito.

Why?

He wanted to ask why... but he chose not to and wait. Sa tingin naman niya'y kakausapin naman siya ni Isla sa takdang panahon.

He slid his hands on both his pants' side pockets, staring every move Isla makes.

Kung mas gugustuhin ni Isla na isarili muna ang problema nito, hahayaan niya muna. They may be a couple in a relationship but sometimes, there are battles ought to fight alone. Pero pag humingi si Isla nang tulong sa kaniya, di naman niya hahayaan itong mag-isa sa problema.

They promised to be stay together and to fight together, right?

"Gaano kalalim ang iniisip mo, anak?"

Natauhan si Liam at nilingon ang nagsalitang ina. "Po?"

Ngumiti si Lizbeth. "May iniisip ka ba o sadyang star-struck na star-struck ka sa girlfriend mo. Di naman siya mawawala 'eh."

And Liam saw how Isla's smile disappeared after that remarks. Nag-iwas ito ng tingin at hinarap uli ang lababo.

'Why?' Liam look at Isla's back. 'Why are you sad, Isla?'

> "Dahil na-miss lang kita..." Isla pouts. "Sobra."

'You're really a terrible liar, Isla.'

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MILLER'S MANSION | JUNE AND JULY'S ROOM

📺 Reporter: "Miss, Miss.." Tawag nito sa dalawang kabataang kilig na kilig habang hawak-hawak ang mga phones nito. "Totoo bang andito kanina si Liam at ang girlfriend niyang si Isla?"

📺 Girl 1: "OO!!!" Tili nito sa kilig. "I was literally shocked to see them riding the Drop Tower!!"

📺 Girl 2: "Nakatabi ko si Isslaaaaaaa~! Ang ganda pala niya swear!!!" She opens her IPhone to show a picture of Isla in the Drop Tower talking to Liam. "Maybe di siya ganun ka pansin-pansin nung una as Liam's assistant but now... she looks like a princess with her red-hair!!"

June switches the channel.

The evening news features Isla and Liam again... this time kissing in the middle of hundreds of people in Divisoria.

Niyakap ni Juniper ang unan niya at malungkot na ngumiti. She stares at Isla and Liam's smiles on the screen. They are so in love with each other.

But is love enough to save them from their bleak destiny?

In her silk white pajamas and white tank top, she lays on the bed and the looked at the ceiling. Hanggang kailan ba sila magpapaka-alipin sa nakaraan nila?

Pero... naintindihan naman niya kung saan humuhugot ng galit si Isaac. Losing a family on the age where you needed the most is not easy.. especially you just learned they were not killed in an accident, but they were deliberately murdered? Di kaya ni June na isipin yun kung sa kaniya nangyari yun. She can't even starts to imagine seeing July hurt.

Kaya lang.. dapat ba pagbayaran ng dalawang tao ang kasalanan ng mga pamilya nila?

Then she heard the tv being turned off.

Nilingon niya ang kakambal na bagong labas sa banyo. A towel is wrapped on her head while wearing a yellow bathrobe. Hawak nito ang remote. "You're not helping yourself, June." Sabay tapon sa remote sa sofa.