AU Notes:
Super long chapter ahead, intense tong chapter na to and full of emotions! So enjoy!
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Roxy struggled to pull herself out of bed as she entered her sixth month of pregnancy today. With just three months remaining until she meets her little one, she marvels at how she's managed to keep her pregnancy hidden from her friends until now.
Recalling her last awkward conversation with Archie, Roxy remembered how her supposed joke had taken an unexpected turn:
"Yes I do, Roxanne," Archie replied with a serious expression, his eyes locked onto her.
Biting her lower lip, Roxy's heart raced with anticipation. While she was aware of Archie's affection for her, she hadn't truly pondered the extent of his feelings.
"I do saan?" she asked.
Archie blinked multiple times, avoiding her gaze and looking down. "I mean, yes, I do have character development," he admitted suddenly.
"Ohhh, edi wow." Roxy answered, looking away from him.
"Ikaw ah, are you expecting something else?" Archie teased.
"Wow, asa ka naman diyan."
Suddenly, Ria rushed into Roxy's room. "Archie, dalian mo! Panuorin mo yung nasa TV!"
Confused, Archie immediately checked what Ria was pointing at. He gasped upon seeing a photo of his grandfather headlining the news.
"Breaking News! Ilang buwan ang nakakaraan ng mahuli ang isa sa pinakamalaking Drug Lord ng bansa, unting unti lumalabas ang mga malalaking pangalan na diumanoy sangkot -"
Archie's heart raced as he recalled his mom's warnings about his grandfather's case. He hadn't given it much thought, but seeing it on the news made him realize the gravity of the situation. "Shit, just give me a break."
"Archie, okay ka lang?" Roxy asked, concerned.
"Yeah, yeah. I- I need to go," Archie replied as he walked away.
Roxy sat on the bed, gently rubbing her belly, feeling genuine concern for Archie. She checked her phone, dismayed to find no messages from Archie. This was uncommon, as he typically messaged her for updates.
"Wag muna natin masyado istressin daddy mo," Roxy said, taking a deep breath.
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In the university cafeteria, Archie sat, reflecting on the fact that it was the second week of classes, yet he had only just started attending. Taking a sip from his black coffee, he contemplated his thoughts.
He recalled the frantic call from his mom, checking on his safety and nagging him for not going to the U.S:
"I told you many times that this is serious, di ka nakikinig!" Sasha exclaimed at Archie over the phone.
"I'm fine, just relax mom. Saka nakapagenroll na ko," Archie said, lying to Sasha, knowing that he hadn't processed his college application yet.
"Our contact from PNP mentioned that yung mga kalaban ng mga politician na involve are planning to raise the case sa Sandiganbayan, which makes it complicated."
"Sandiganbayan? What the hell was that?" Archie asked, confused.
"Oh God Archie, nanghihinayang talaga kami ng dad mo sa tuition fee mo," Sasha answered annoyed. "Anyways, what I'm trying to say is we need to be lowkey lalo na sa expenses natin."
Archie massaged the middle of his forehead as he took a deep breath. "So what should I do?"
"I already wired you money, good to cover your quarterly tuition fee, allowance, and expenses for that girl's check-up and meds."
"Mom, her name is Roxy."
"Really, even in our situation ipopoint out mo pa sakin yan?" Sasha said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, may money naman pala. So ano bang kinakapanic mo diyan?" Archie said.
"What I'm trying to say is after nito di ko alam kailan ako makakapagpadala ulit, so make sure magtipid ka and let that girl and her sister know your situation so they can stop leeching you out."
"Mom, they are not tha-"
"Archie, just stop it and listen to me once. Okay baby?" Sasha said. "I need to go."
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Back in the present, Archie appeared troubled as the funds were depleting faster than he had expected, especially since he had promised to help Ria and Roxy with their personal bills.
"Should I start selling my things?" Archie said to himself.
"OMG! Archimedes Aguerro?!"
Archie turned his head, and to his surprise, among all people, he saw Kenjie.
"He - hey!" he replied awkwardly.
"This is so unexpected, diba nasa US ka with Z?" Kenjie said as he sat beside him.
"Well, I guess I'm here."
"It's really nice to see a familiar face, at least I have friends here," Kenjie said.
"Who told you we're friends?" Archie said, raising his eyebrows.
"Hehehe, same old days pala. How about colleagues or comrades?"
"Whatever dude," Archie said, rolling his eyes at him.
Kenjie took out his phone and started typing. "You know what, our co-Northfordians should know na andito ka pala sa Pilipinas so we can set up a get-together."
"Hold up," Archie said as he grabbed Kenjie's arm. "Don't you dare."
Kenjie suddenly flinched as he remembered how Archie beat the shit out of people he was pissed with.
"Oh, relax dude. What I'm trying to say is no need to broadcast I'm here. I want to be as lowkey as possible," he explained. "You heard naman the ongoing case of my lolo, we are comrades right?"
Archie suddenly leaned his arms on Kenjie's shoulder, causing confusion and excitement for Kenjie. "Sure, comrades!"
"Okay, good. I'll go ahead since I have class pa," Archie said nonchalantly, grabbing his black coffee and notebook.
Kenjie watched him walk away, a lingering intuition suggesting that Archie stayed here for a deeper reason. What gave him an ick was how chill Archie was, contradicting his previous behavior.
"Anyways, kay Sanya na lang. Hehe," Kenjie said as he hit send.
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Archie entered the classroom, relieved to find that the professor hadn't arrived yet. He made a conscious decision to keep a low profile, especially for Roxy's sake. He knew she wanted to keep her pregnancy under wraps, especially given how harsh the students from Northford could be.
He noticed that his classmates already had their own groups, probably since it is a block section and, at the same time, the second week of the class.
He sat at the back, placing the coffee and notebook on his chair. Looking around, he recalled that he wasn't originally part of this section since he enrolled last minute and just maximized all available classes around the university.
"I guess I'm alone after all," he thought to himself as he slouched in the chair. Suddenly, he noticed three flashy girls talking loudly in front of him.
"Dad is so annoying talaga, how can I go to the club without a driver?" The girl with bangs exclaimed.
"How about you book a carpool na lang?" the other girl suggested.
"Duh, I already thought about it. But it's so matagal to book, like I'm going to BGC and for some reason, drivers are canceling bookings sa village namin," she explained.
"Yeah, kasi naman Cavite pa village niyo," the third girl said.
Archie chuckled, remembering how his sister talked. He missed Z; it had been weeks since he hadn't got a chance to talk to her.
"You look online na lang, I know people offer carpool services, more expensive nga lang."
Archie suddenly got an idea on how to get additional money. He sat properly and leaned towards the girls.
"I can give you a ride," Archie said, interrupting them.
"Are you hitting on me?" The girl with the bangs asked. The girl has chinita features; she is pretty but Archie did not notice it.
"Oh God no!" Archie exclaimed.
The girl raised her eyebrow, obviously offended with Archie's reaction.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry. I did not mean it that way," he said as he moved his chair closer. "Well, I also do carpooling services. I can give you a ride with bayad."
"Why? You don't look like you're doing carpool services," one of the shorter girls said, with a bob cut hairstyle and a cute demeanor, which Archie also did not notice.
"Well, I sort of need some extra cash. So if you girls agree, hatid sundo ko pa kayo. C'mon, I'm your classmate, so rest assured na safe kayo."
"What's your name?" The chinita girl asked.
"Archie," he answered with a serious expression.
"Well, I'm Sia, and you're cute, so G," she answered.
"Well, it's a deal then," Archie said.
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Saturday Night 9:45PM
Archie perched on a high stool at the bar counter, having just completed a two-hour drive for Sia. Despite his hatred to long drives, he pushed through the discomfort, feeling the ache in his nape and shoulders as he tried to stretch.
Yet, his efforts were not in vain; Sia's generous payment of 3k for a one-way trip left him feeling accomplished. He couldn't help but reflect on how he used to throw around such amounts in the past.
Anticipating a long night ahead, Archie decided to wait for them at his condo, which was closer compared to Roxy's house. Despite his eagerness to see her, he couldn't help but ponder how much he would save on gas by waiting.
Pulling out his phone, Archie noticed a rare message from Roxy – something that happened once in a blue moon.
Roxy: Hoy Archimedes, bat di ka na dumadaan dito? Tinatakasan mo na ba ako?😡
Roxy: As if I care, curious lang if humihinga ka pa.
Roxy: Nafefeel ko na gumagalaw si baby, nababadtrip nadin ata siguro sa pagmumukha mo. 🙄
Archie chuckled; it had been almost a week since his last visit to Roxy. While he occasionally checked on her, it wasn't in the usual way. His tendency to isolate himself when faced with problems explained the shift in his approach to gathering his thoughts.
With a smile, Archie replied to Roxy's messages:
Archie: Haha, miss mo na ba ako?
Roxy: Wow, sinong nakakamiss sa maligno? Ano, pupunta ka ba?
Archie: Just admit first na miss mo na ko. 🤭
Roxy: Kapal mo, edi wag matisod ka sana kung san ka man ngayon.
Roxy: Seriously, miss ka na ni baby. Si baby ah! Wag ka feeling!
Archie took a deep breath; he missed her so badly. Regardless of the invisible wall she had placed between them, he found contentment just by seeing her.
Archie: Not now Roxy, tomorrow. Promise.
Roxy: Ok
" 'Ok?' Is she mad?" Archie wondered if she was upset. The idea of seeing her to explain his situation crossed his mind, but his pride held him back.
"What's with that face?" Sia suddenly appeared beside him, casually placing her arm on his shoulder. "Is that a girl?"
"Yeah." he replied, flinching to remove her arms from him.
"Okay, cold." Sia said, sitting beside an empty bar chair. "Oh, you just ordered one drink?"
Archie nodded. "I'm gonna get going; I'll wait for you guys na lang sa place ko. Just send me a DM."
"Oooh, hot! You have your own place?" Sia asked.
"Yup, condo sa BGC." Archie answered, sipping from his beer without looking at her.
"How about after here, we crash na lang sa place mo?" Sia said, obviously trying to flirt with him.
"Nah, sorry, off-limits." he answered coldly.
"Well, I have good stuff here that I'm sure you're going to enjoy."
Sia pulled a small packet from her chest, and Archie appeared completely aware of its contents.
"Archimedes Aguerro, I don't know what's up with you, pero you have a reputation." she said, leaning closer to him. "C'mon, just one night."
Archie took a deep breath, gently pushing Sia away as he stared at her coldly.
"Do you know what personal space means? And also, I no longer do that stuff," he said, chugging his beer.
"I'm gotta go; I'm not available later, so better look for other carpool services na lang."
Archie walked away, hearing Sia calling him out, but he didn't bother to turn around. The last thing he wanted was to see Roxy; nothing else mattered.
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"Grrrrr! edi wag!" Roxy exclaimed at her phone as she hit send.
Roxy pouted her lips, taking a deep breath as she started to overthink things. What if he goes back to his usual ways, or he finds somebody else—someone who's prettier, slimmer, and more attractive than her?
Those thoughts ached her heart, but she remained aware of the boundaries she had set. Even now, she was still confused about her feelings towards him.
She turned to the mirror and saw herself. Aside from her huge belly, every other part of her body seemed to have grown bigger—her legs, arms, and her face. Her insecurities heightened as she took it all in.
She recalled how Archie managed to put her at ease, building her confidence by assuring her that she was still pretty regardless of her situation.
"Punta ka na, please," she muttered as she typed on her phone. Suddenly, she received a message from the Northford GC, which had been inactive for quite some time now.
"Guys, you will not believe sino nakita ko dito sa Lyx Bar sa BGC? 🫣"
"Woah, sino?"
"Spill!!!"
"It's Archimedes Aguerro, and it seems he is with a girl!"
Roxy felt her heart sink as she read the messages; her chest tightened as she saw the photo sent to their GC:
Archie sitting on a barstool, engaged in what seems like flirtatious banter with the girl beside him. Roxy observes the photo, noting the girl's tall, pretty, and slim figure, a stark contrast to her own current appearance.
"Woah, I thought he's in US?"
"Seems no character development padin, still partying and girls. Classic Aguerro! 🤷♀️"
"Hey, the girl seems familliar diba siya yung sikat na Tiktoker?"
"They look so hot infernes. 🔥"
Roxy left the group chat, feeling her breath become heavier as she struggled to contain her tears. Then, suddenly, she heard someone approaching – the last person she wanted to see right now.
"Hey, surprise!" Archie exclaimed, peeking through the door. Roxy stared at him coldly as he entered with a large paper bag.
"So, I got you some dimsum, pero hinay lang sa soy sauce kasi sabi ni doc bawal ka ng maalat," he said, pulling out the packed foods from the bag.
Roxy remained silent, not answering back. She turned her head to the other side, avoiding his gaze. Archie immediately noticed Roxy's cold demeanor.
"Hey Roxanne, are you okay?" Archie asked, attempting to touch her shoulder, but Roxy pulled away.
"Ano ba? Bakit ka ba andito?" she asked angrily.
"Why? Bawal ba?" Archie asked dumbfoundedly, giving a little chuckle, thinking it might be one of Roxy's pregnancy mood swings.
"Umalis ka na muna, Archie, ayaw kita makita."
"Hey, hey Roxanne. Is there something wrong?" he asked as he gently grabbed her arm.
"Oo ikaw, ikaw yung something wrong!" Roxy exclaimed, pulling her arm away from him. "Bakit ka ba kasi andito? Bakit di ka na lang pumunta sa US?"
"Roxy, I—I don't understand? Ano ba kasi problema?"
"Pinagsisiksikan mo kasi yung sarili mo sakin, di ba nagsisink in sayo na ayoko sayo?"
Archie gasped at what Roxy said, "Wow, medyo masakit yun ha. Ano ba talagang issue mo?"
Roxy remained silent, avoiding his gaze and attempting to walk away. However, Archie forcefully grabbed her arm again.
"Aray! Ano ba?!" Roxy exclaimed.
"Hey, wag mo ko tinatalikuran. You're going to give me this sass pero di mo mapanindigan?" Archie said angrily as he stared intensely at her.
"I know how you feel about me, pero at least naman be grateful na I'm here helping you guys as much as I can."
"Okay, so pamukaan na tayo ngayon dito?" Roxy stared at him, crossing her arms. "Remind ko lang, ikaw nagpumilit niyan. Nung una pa lang sinabi ko na di mo kailangan maging involved."
"Wow, I know you are ungrateful pero di ko alam ganito ka pala kakapal," Archie said to her, unable to control his words.
"Di makapal mukha ko, Archie, lahat ng binigay mo di ko hiningi. Desisyon mo yan," Roxy said as tears started to build around her eyes.
"You know what, you might be right," he replied, taking a deep breath. "I just want to stay with you and the baby, bakit mo ko ginaganito?"
Archie suddenly felt his chest tighten as he sensed the sudden exhaustion and stress overwhelming him. It seemed like he was finally breaking down.
"I– I don't know what you want me to do. I know you hate me and nagsisisi ka na ako yung nakabuntis sayo pero –" Archie suddenly felt tears drop from his cheeks as he hastily wiped them. "But, I'm trying. I'm trying so damn hard."
Roxy was speechless. This was the first time she had seen Archie this vulnerable. A sudden wave of guilt washed over her as she saw him crying, but she didn't bother to say a word. Once again, she let her pride win.
"Tell me, Roxy, after everything. Have you ever see me in a different light?"
Roxy shook her head, looking away from him. Archie took a deep breath, exhausted, he muttered, "I don't deserve this."
He walked away, leaving Roxy alone. As Archie slammed the door behind him, Roxy suddenly burst into tears.
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Archie stepped out of his car, feeling both weak and numb. He had broken down inside his car, experiencing for the first time the kind of emotional release that one sees in movies, where a character cries inside the car after a heartbreak.
"Heartbreak, huh?" he said, reflecting on the countless times Roxy had shattered his heart. Now, he empathized with Z's erratic behavior following her own heartbreak from Gino.
He contemplated whether it was time to move to the US, acknowledging that his mom might be correct – he could still support her financially from afar. However, the thought of being separated from her and their baby weighed heavily on him.
As he strolled through the condominium parking lot, he suddenly heard someone behind him.
"Archimedes Aguerro?" the voice called out.
As he turned to see, a metal bar swung towards his head. Swiftly blocking with his arm, he felt his bone crack under the impact.
"Arrghh!" he screamed, spotting a masked figure in a hoodie closing in with the metal bar. Reacting, he kicked the assailant in the stomach and sprinted.
His escape was thwarted by a second attacker swinging another metal bar onto his shoulder. Crumpling to the ground in pain, the duo relentlessly kicked him. Archie saw only red as the intensity of the pain escalated.
One of them yanked his hair, forcing him to sit, while the other pointed a gun at his head.
"Pakisabihan yung lolo mo na tumahimik, kundi pamilya niya yung papatahimikin namin," the guy threatened as Archie heard the click of the gun.
A punch to his face sent him crashing to the ground again. Too overwhelmed by pain to speak, he listened as the men walked away and rode off on a motorcycle.
Left bleeding and broken, Archie couldn't shake the feeling that pain had always been his constant companion. Reflecting on his last name, once a source of pride, now just another reminder of his suffering, he wondered if he had ever truly known peace.
Then a memory of Roxy in her live selling flashed before him. With a radiant smile, she asked, "Dark Gray, are you here to stay?"
Then, everything faded to blankness.
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Roxy lay on her bed, eyes swollen from the intense argument with Archie. Ironically, despite the heated exchange, she continued checking her phone, hoping for a message from him.
"Kung gusto mo makareceive ng message, bakit di ka muna mauna?" Ria quipped as she entered Roxy's room.
Roxy attempted to sit up, and Ria promptly assisted her. "Tigil mo nakakaiyak, Roxanne, masama sa baby yan."
"Sorry, Ate," Roxy replied.
"Alam mo kahit gano ko gusto batukan si Archie, narealize ko na wala naman tayong rights kasi di naman kayo magjowa."
"Oo nga, wala naman ako sinasabi na jowa ko siya." Roxy retorted.
"Ah, kaya pala galit na galit kanina. Daig mo pa asawa na nahuli nasa motel yung mister niya eh."
"Ate naman, para tong ewan."
"Gusto mo ba maging honest ako sayo?" Ria asked. "Kahit di mo aminin, alam ko special sayo si Aguerro."
Roxy did not respond; she stayed silent, unconsciously playing with her knuckles.
"And siya din naman, obvious na patay na patay yung tao sayo. Alam niyo, try niyo magusap. Wala kasi kayong communication."
"Pano kung di na siya bumalik, iwan niya na ko after ng nangyare?" Roxy asked, fear evident in her voice.
"Di ko alam Roxy, pero ang alam ko lang maayos yan pag nagusap kayo." Ria assured her, touching her hand. "And ikaw, wag ka masyadong madamot sa sarili mo. Deserve mo ulit magmahal saka mahalin, okay?"
Roxy nodded and gave her sister a weak smile. Ria hugged her just as she noticed her phone ringing.
"Ay si Gina, ano ba off ko na ah?" Ria muttered as she answered her phone. "Hello, oh bakit? – ha?!"
Roxy was terrified, watching her sister's reaction to the phone call. She eagerly waited for Ria to finish the call to understand what was happening.
"Okay sige, pupunta na kami. Thank you, bye," Ria said as she hung up the phone.
"Ate, anong meron?" Roxy asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Si–si Archie, sinugod sa hospital kung san ako nagwowork. Bugbog sarado raw. Medyo malala raw yung nangyare."
Roxy felt as if a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over her. Her chest tightened at the thought of Archie, and her body trembled as she touched Ria's hand.
"Ate, puntahan natin please," Roxy pleaded to her sister.
"Oo naman, tara na, mag-taxi na tayo," Ria replied.
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Archie slowly opened his eyes, a bright light blurring his vision. As his vision became clearer, he realized he was in the emergency room. Instantly, a surge of pain shot through his right arm, now encased in a cast.
"Oh gising ka na, that's good." the doctor said. "So can you tell me your name and kung alam mo kung asan ka."
"My name is Archimedes Aguerro, and I guess nasa hospital ako." he replied.
"Okay, conscious naman. No internal injury, only some bruises and a broken arm, pero makakarecover naman," the doctor explained. "So, do you have someone na we can contact to inform andito ka?"
"I have no one," Archie replied, his voice tinged with evident sadness.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the air, asking, "Asan po si Archimedes Aguerro?"
And there she was, visible through the gap in the curtains. With her petite frame and a pregnant belly, she caught her breath, her frantic expression scanning the surroundings.
Then she spotted him through the gap in the curtains, their eyes locking. Roxy experienced immediate relief as she saw him lying on the hospital emergency bed, his gaze fixed directly on her.
She sprinted towards him, the short distance feeling like an eternity until she finally reached him. As he stood in front of her, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, afraid to let him go.
Archie was speechless, overwhelmed by the first instance of someone holding him tightly after a troubled situation. Accustomed to being blamed without being asked for his side or well-being, he felt a wave of relief in her embrace. Hesitantly, he hugged her back, using his uninjured arm.
"Okay ka lang ha?" Roxy asked, pulling herself from the tight hug to examine his face. "Ang dami mong sugat."
Tears streamed down her face as she cupped his face. Archie just stared at her, a mix of guilt for causing her concern and happiness for being with her.
"I'm okay, Roxy," he assured her.
"Pano ka naging okay? Ang dami mong sugat, bali pa ata yung braso mo."
"I'm okay, I'm finally fine kasi you're here na," he said as he gently wiped away her tears.
Roxy gazed at him, her expression softening as she reached out to touch his hand. In that moment, she realized her true feelings for him, unable to hide the fact that she was indeed in love with Archie.
Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. Archie closed his eyes, returning the kiss gently.
Though quick and gentle, it was the most sincere kiss they had shared. They pulled back, embracing each other tightly.
In that embrace, Archie found his peace, unable to imagine being apart from her. As he tenderly caressed her hair, he whispered to her:
"I love you." he said.
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AU NOTES:
Thank you so much for reading chapter 3, ang bagal ng update ko sorry. Ang hirap kasi kumuha ng inspiration, and medyo lito pa ko sa takbo ng story. Supposed to be isisingit ko na dito si Tim and Sky, pero baka sa next chapters na lang. Focus muna tayo sa development nina Archie and Roxy.
Thank you so much sa paghihintay niyo sa updates ko, this will be a short story so few chapters na lang tapos na. ❤️
Then guys, please try to read yung part na hinahanap ni Roxy si archie sa emergency room while listening Sharlene's version of Paraan by Mayonnaise. Thank you and happy reading!