Attorney’s Longest Trial

Liverio Valence DelavineAustin

Son of Valencia and Levi

-Corporate Bonds

Disclaimer:

This story fiction name, characters, business, events, places, and incidents are produced by the author’s imagination or dreams, any resemblance to the actual persons or events is purely coincidental

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This story might contain some mature scenes, and strong language that is not suitable for very young readers, please read this at your own risk.

This story is purely unedited and has lots of errors please if you have encounters typo’s language errors please bear with me, I will try my best to fix it at any moment.

And this is already the Law of Attractions Series Second Generation story, so if you haven’t read the Law of Attraction Series better read it first before trying this one.

LAW OF ATTRACTION SERIES:

Faded Accounts LOA # 1

His Assets LOA # 2

Tax Principles LOA # 3

Lost Partnership LOA # 4

Needs and Wants LOA # 5

Corporate Bonds LOA # 6

LAW OF ATTRACTION SERIES SECOND GENERATION

Untouchable Handcuffs #1

Her Worst Contract # 2

Obsessive Demand # 3

Owning Her Beauty # 4

His Fallen Ally # 5

PROLOGUE

“After all the darkness underneath the storm, there’s a light at the end of it.”

 “Due to the heavy rain forecast, we can’t continue the search, Attorney.” I grunt after hearing that information from my men through the phone. Glancing at the window, watching the night clouds show at the storm and thunder flashes.

I nibble my lips, lick its dry lower part before I hissed. “There has to be a way for us to continue the search, where’s Captain Helix? The police?”

“Sir, they all went back to their office and decided to continue the case tomorrow, wag ho kayong mag-alala Attorney hindi ho kami titigil sa paghahanap.” I understand that the climate might cause danger to all the people who are involved in the search.

Authorities will not sacrifice their people for a search. I knew it very well. But, at the back of my mind there is something that is keeping me haunted. The feeling inside my veins tells me that we are so close.

So close yet it was clearly impossible to find someone without any lead. I blinked twice as the thunder kept its power, the heavy rain was increasing the fear that was building up inside this house.

“Fine, as soon as the rain stops, continue the search.” Using a serious tone of voice to hide the uneasiness I’m feeling right now. “What did they say?” I look at my Mom who’s standing beside me with a pale face and worried eyes.

Everyone inside this house was filled with terror expressions. Fear inside their soul was bursting. We are swallowed by the intense situation right now, a case with no clue, a search and rescue without any lead.

An unsolved case, “they have to stop due to the heavy rain.” I informed them with a deep breath, fuck, this is making me frustrated. “Bakit sila titigil? Hindi pwedeng tumigil sila, hindi pwedeng patagalin pa ang paghahanap sa anak ko!!!”

A loud fear in her voice scattered inside the house as she cried out loud and breakdown in her husband’s arms. “Can’t you do anything about this Liv? They can’t stop.”

I shook my head down, brushed my hair up before I gave them those glances. “Jusko, hindi sila pwedeng tumigil, parang awa niyo na!!!” Tita was out of control, crying out loud and breaking into pieces.

“Hey, you have to calm down,” My mom said as she tried to stop the panic attacks.

“I can’t calm down, Val, I don’t know where she was, what’s her situation right now, ok lang ba siya? Kumain na ba siya? Sinasaktan ba siya? Hindi ko alam Val, hindi ko kayang hindi mag-alala.”

“I understand, Liv is trying his very best to help, trust him, he will find her.” My mom glanced at me, I gulped and nodded at her. Everything felt like a roller coaster, I have never expected to face this kind of case in my life. Not involving her. Where are you?

I can’t help myself to picture her beautiful face in my mind. The ponding in my chest slowly felt the burden. “Are there any calls that can help us find your daughter?” We all look at my father who’s silently seated at the chair near the window.

“There are no calls, ransom or any signs that someone wants something in exchange for her, we’re not sure of anything right now.” Mom said.

Mom was right, we don’t know what we are facing right now. I just know that she’s missing.

“Liv, if the authorities can’t do anything right now, why don’t you ask someone else for help,” Dad seriously said that caught my attention. We stared eye to eye, “You know who to ask,” he continued.

I nodded, looking at everyone. “I’ll see what I can do,” I seriously said before grabbing my coat from the stand, and started wearing it, as I planned on asking help from my brother.

In this kind of situation, the one who had the power to do a job without the authorities was my brother. Voughn.

Walking towards the main door of the house unbearable loud silence eats me, I could hear every slow beat of my heart. Every step I took felt drifted. I anxiously open the door and stop on what I saw. She was standing in front of the door weak, covered with blood, cuts on her forehead, in her arms, cheeks and lips. Messy hair, bruises on the side of her eyes. Fuck, she was beaten up really hard.

My heart stopped beating as our eyes met, those cold blooded eyes were in deep fear. I can’t breathe.

“Help me.” She said before she fell into my arms.

“Ahhh!!!” Tita Sienna shouted as she saw her daughter covered with blood in my arms.

“Nathalie, what happened to you?” I whisper.

Who did this to you?

CHAPTER 1

Nathalia’s POV

“Nathalia Hanaley Tyson?”

“Hey, Nath tawag ka,” napalingon ako sa seatmate kong Pia ng kalabitin at bulungan niya ako, natigil tuloy ako sa pagdadrawing ng gown sa likod ng notebook ko. “Huh?” wala sa sarili kong sambit. Hindi ko kasi gaano naintindihan ang sinasabi niya.

“Ang sabi ko tawag ka ng Pro—,” she was cut off when our professor pops up in front our table. Hinampas nito ang aming table gamit ang hawak niyang record book.

“Miss Nathalia Hanaley Minami Tyson, I was asking if you’re present in my class!” pilosopo at nakabusangot nitong sambit. “Present.” Sambit ko na lalo niyang kinainins, bumababa ang tingin nito sa aking notebook at tila umusok ang ilong nito ng muli akong tingnan.

“Why did you choose Accountancy as your course, kung wala ka namang ibang ginawa sa klase ko kung hindi magdrawing at hindi making, no wonder your grades are low, you’re not like your sister, I was expecting more from you because Navy was a great student back then.” Malakas nitong sambit, at ipinahiya ako sa buong classroom.

Here we go again, comparing me to my perfect sister. Sinasabi ko na ng aba na hindi tamang dito ako nag college. I should have chosen other Universities like my friends. Gosh, I miss them already.

I rolled my eyes, “Great, then I’ll just ask her to study again, so you can have your perfect student back.” Pilosopo kong sambit, sabay isa-isa kong iniligpit ang aking mga gamit, ipinasok ito sa aking bag. Padabog na tumayo.

“I’m not like my sister, sorry to disappoint you, Sir.” He gasps as I speak, turn my back on him and leave the classroom in instant. Nag cutting ako at pagkalabas ko sa likod ng university, agad kong tinawagan ang kaibigan kong si Kiel.

“Hey, pick me up.” Bungad ko pagkasagot nito ng aking tawag, narinig ko ang pag tawa nito sa kabilang linya, at ilang minuto lamang ay nakarinig na ako ng maiingay na tunog ng big bike mula sa di kalayuan.

Tumayo ako ng tuwid upang abangan ito, he arrived with his Ducati Scramble Night Shift Big Bike. Stop in front of me, and instantly grab the extra helmet in his bike. “You’re late today, I was expecting your call after the first class,” nakangisi nitong sambit, kinuha ko ang helmet mula sa kanya at isinuot ito.

“I tried to be a good student today, but I failed.” Walang gana kong sambit, sabay sumakay sa big bike niya. I lift my skirt up, inipit ito sa ilalim ang aking hita upang hindi masyadong liparin sa pag-andar ng big bike ni Kiel.

Kumapit ako sa kanya bago nagsalita, “Get me the hell out of here, dummy,” I whisper, I saw him smirk from the side mirror of his bike before he nodded and said, “Fine, I’ll take the bastard princess out of her sister’s territory hahahha.”

“Fuck you,” I uttered and we left the University in an instant.

My life was almost perfect, I was born with a silver spoon, have a big house in a perfectly secured village, and had a nanny since I was a baby. I went to almost half of the country in Asia for vacation. We have a house here in the Philippines, in Japan, and in America. I can buy whatever I want whenever I need it. I was living a life that some people don’t have.

It was almost perfect, not until I grow up and turn out to be the disappointment of my family, I grow up as the total opposite of my Lovely Sister Naivy.

And, that turns my life into a miserable black ship of the family. As I kept growing, I learn to nurture my rule in the family. The excellent black sheep, and the not-as-great as my sister.

“Hold on tight, Princess.” Kiel said, sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at tiningnan ang kalangitan, sobrang mapayapa nito, I just want to be a bird, I want their freedom, I bet the bird wasn’t always compared to their older siblings. They we’re just flying all day long.

I envy them, “Hey, nakausap mo na ba ang parents mo about sa palipat mo ng University?” tanong ni Kiel habang focus ang tingin sa kalsada. I lean on his shoulder and speak, “Nope as usual, they won’t allow it.”

“But you already fix your papers for transfer,” he said, “I know, I was really planning on saying it to them when I’m already done in my first semester,” ani ko.

“Stupid, next week na ang ending ng first semester, and nakaayos na ang papers mo sa University namin, all you have to do is tell it to your parents and disappoint them again, haha.” I hit him in his arms as he kept on chuckling.

“I’ll talk to them later about it,” labag sa loob kong sambit, alam ko na ang magiging reaksyon nila, pero this is what I desire. Kung hindi ako lilipat ng University and Course, baka hindi ako makapagtapos ng pag-aaral dito.

Tumigil kami sa harap ng isang hidden club near their university, bumababa ako at agad hinubad ang helmet, hinagis ito sa kanya, “Mauna na ako sa loob!” excited kong sambit at tumakbo na sa loob. This club is great dahil pag mamay-ari ito ng parents ni Kiel and we’re allowed to stay here anytime we want.

That’s how lovely his parents are, I wish my parents were like his too. But sadly, my parents are born in the traditional Filipino way, super strict!

“Hey guys, the black sheep princess is here!!!” I shouted! Hyping up the vibe where my friends were already drinking and wearing their university uniforms.

“Nath, finally you’re here!!!” sigaw ni Kaliesy my best friend, she was holding a bottle of Cuervo as she pulls me close to her and made me seat beside her. “Have some my dear,” she said, fuck lasing na agad siya.

“Did you already told your parents about transferring?” she ask, and lahat sila ay tumingin sa akin, waiting for my answer. “Nope.” Sabay-sabay din bumagsak ang mga balikat nila sa sagot ko. As if naman magkakaroon ng himala at Oo ang isasagot ko sa kanila.

“What do we expect, by the way, let’s just enjoy the day and celebrate your last week in your stupid University!!!” Kaliesy handed me a cup of tequila. “Cheers!!!” sabay-sabay naming sigaw.

This group of friends is my safe zone, they were the few people who makes my miserable life better. I love my friends more than anyone else. “Let’s drink until the sun is down!!!” I shouted!

---

“Fuck, you’re dumb wasted Nath,” Singhal ni Kiel habang ibinababa ako mula sa kanyang big bike, “Nasaan tayo?” tanong ko, my head is spinning fuck. I shouldn’t have drink too much.

“Hey, be careful!” Kiel histed and carried me off his bike. Pinasuot nito sa akin ang bag ko bago ako hinarap sa malaking gate ng bahay namin. “My job here is done, ikaw na ang bahalang humarap sa magulang mo.” He said, bago niya pinindot ang door bell at sumakay sa big bike niya.

“Bye,” bulong ko at kinawayan siya sa kanyang pag-alis. Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bag ang nakita ang text ni Kaliesy.

From Kalie,

Nath, that was fun!

I smirked and I was about to text her back when the gate open, sa aking paglingon babatiin ko sana si Mommy ng mawalan ako ng balanse. “Ow shit,” I uttered and buti na lang may sumalo sa akin.

When I look at him, my lips parted when I realize it was Tita Valerie’s son.

“Oh my gosh, Nathalia you’re drunk again?!” Mom glared at me. I look at her before I look back at this guy whose arms were on my waist.

“Thanks,” malamig kong sambit at agad lumayo sa kanya.

“Hi, Nathalia,” he uttered with those tranquil eyes.

“Hi, Liverio,” walang galang kong sambit kahit na alam kong mas matanda siya sa akin.

“Nathalia, where’s your manners? Sorry for that Liv.” I didn’t bother what mom said, and I just went straight inside the house and leave them there.

Before I enter the main door, I glance at him and I caught him staring straight at me. What the heck now? Are you Judging me too?

“Tsk, stupid,” I whisper.

CHAPTER 2

“Nathalia! That is not how you greet your friend!” sinundan ako ni Mom sa kwarto ko, naririndi ako sa salitang friend, that guy was never a friend of mine, he was my sister’s friend but not mine. Perfect people can never be friends with the unperfect people like me.

It pisses me off seeing those kinds of people. The one who’s effortlessly perfect and loved by everyone. Pabalibag kong binagsak ang bag ko sa gilid ng aking kama, bago huminga ng malalim at umupo sa dulo ng kama ko.

I look at my mom, who seems so stressed while looking at me. What now? Ako na naman ang dahilan kung bakit stress si Mom? Ako na lang palagi. I rolled my eyes before I spoke. “He’s not my friend, Mom, he’s ate’s friend.”

“That doesn’t matter Nath, but the problem here was your manners and also,” mom frustrated and haze, “You’re drunk again, didn’t I tell you not to drink and stop meeting your friends for a while, you should be focusing at school right now, the first semester was about to end,” Mom said, slowly walk towards my place, seated beside me.

“Nath,” she held my hand, caresses it. “I don’t want you to be this rude, and hard headed, but lately you’ve been doing things that we do not tell you to do. Drinking, cutting classes when the final exams are coming, are you not taking us seriously?” I can see it through her eyes that she’s sad, and frustrated about it.

I feel bad about it, I don’t want her to be sad but fuck I also feel anxious. Blaming myself again and again. Wala na akong ibang ginawang tama. But when it comes to my sister, whenever she was wrong they still treat her like she didn’t do anything.

It’s unfair, “I just drank with my friend’s mom, it’s been a week since we saw each other,” sambit ko. “Don’t lie to me, the other day you sneak out of school, your sister saw you, right.” she said. Tinanggal ko ang pagkakahawak ni Mom sa kamay ko at tumayo.

“Why are you so mad at my friend? We’re just having fun.” I said. “Anak, ok lang sa akin na magkita kayo but too much is enough, you’re drinking everytime you see each other. Drinking is bad for your health, and you’re still young for that sweetie.” Mom was trying her best to talk to me in a calm way. Controlling her anger towards my friend.

“You know what mom, walang patutunguhan itong argument na ito, I’m drunk already, drinking, already done it, and you can’t do anything about things that are done already, just don’t stress yourself, take a rest.” I know that was completely disrespectful and rude, but I said it already, pumasok ako sa bathroom at ipinikit ang aking mga mata.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I mumble, hitting my thighs out of irritation. I didn’t mean to hurt mom but I can’t control myself. Isang malalim na pagbuntong hininga ang aking ginawa bago binuksan ang poset to fill up the water of the bathtub.

I went in, rested and soaked myself under the warm water. Why am I like this? Why am I the unperfect one? Inilubog ko ang aking sarili sa ilalim ng tubig, as I close my eyes, hold my breath.

Liverio’s face pops up in my mind, those stares he gave me, was he laughing at me because I’m a rebel not like my perfect sister? Was he looking down at me? What the heck? Agad akong humahon at hinabol ang aking paghinga. Why is that man inside my mind?

Naiinis kong hinampas ang tubig, “I hate it! I hate everythin—-,” natigilan ako ng may kumatok sa pinto ng bathroom ko. “Nath,” it’s still my mom. Nandyan pa rin siya sa labas? Hindi ako nagsalita.

“I’m sorry if I always nag at you, I just want the best for you and your friend please just for once stay away from them until the final semester ends. I love you, Nath.” Mom weakly whispered and heard her foot step out of my room.

I felt guilty and at the same time mad, bakit ba pilit nila akong nilalayo sa mga taong tanggap ako bilang ako. “Arghhh!” I groaned and lumubog ulit sa ilalim ng tubig.

I just wish I could go away, run away from home with my friends. 

---

After taking a bath, I step out of the bathroom, wearing my bathrobe while drying my hair using a hair towel. I was walking towards my bed to check on my phone when the door of my room opens. 

“Hey,” napalingon ako sa kapatid ko, the perfect daughter of all time. “Hey,” walang gana kong tugon bago umupo sa kama ko at binuksan ang phone ko. 

I received a text from Kiel. “Sabi ni Mom, uminom ka na naman and one of your professor called me, sabi nag cutting classes ka na naman,” She said, iyan na naman siya acting like the perfect sister too. Calm and sweet as if she was never wrong. 

“Why do you care?” baliwala kong sambit at binuksan ang text message ni Kiel. 

From Kiel:

My birthday is coming, I asked my parents to sponsored our trip to Tagaytay next month, you coming with us?

I started typing, ignoring my sister standing in front of me. “Nath, malapit nang matapos ang first sem, it’s finals na for the first semester, kailangan mong mag seryoso sa pag-aaral mo. Accounting was not easy,” she said. 

“Who said I like accounting anyway?” pilosopo kong sambit at sinagot si Kiel sa text. 

To Kiel:

Count me in. 

“Nath, what did you say?” She said. I rolled my eyes and stood, “I said, can you stop acting the perfect one for once, please you’re intoxicating me, tanggap ko na ako ang hindi perfect na anak, they don’t like what I do, they like what do, they hated my friend, and they love yours. they push me to study hard, while you just effortlessly having great scores, you’re always the perfect daughter and I’m sick of witnessing it everyday.” I held her shoulders, force her to face the door. 

and start pushing her out of my room, “Wait, Nath why are you saying things like this—” I cut her off slightly push her out of my room. 

“Because I hate this life!!! and I hate you!!” I seriously said and close the door.

CHAPTER 3

“Nathalia, where are you going?” natigil ako sa paglalakad palabas ng bahay ng tawagin ako ni Mommy, I faced her with a bored expression and answer, “School,” tugon ko. I wake up early para hindi sila makita at makaalis agad ng bahay.

I didn’t expect them to wake up this early, sayang ang effort. “Hindi ka ba kakain ng almusal? I prepared breakfast,” mom said and flashes that sweet smile on me, acting like I didn’t disrespect her last night.

“No, busog po ako,” sambit ko at sumubok ng umalis, “Later, we have dinner with my friends and their family, please make sure to go home early,” I could feel how sincere she is right now. I don’t know what to feel in this kind of situation, paulit-ulit na lang, tuwing may gagawin ako na labag sa kanila, they will get mad at me and then the next day they act like it never happened.

It’s making me feel guilty and at the same time, I feel miserable, parang lalo lang nagiging masama ang tingin ko sa aking sarili.

“Yeah,” walang gana kong sambit, dahil friends and with family means, comparing me again with those perfect child’s of my parents’ friends.

“And please don’t drink, Nath,” Mom pleaded in her most sweetest tone of voice, hindi ako sanay mag react sa ganitong pananalita, mas sanay akong pinapagalitan. Kaya hindi na ako umimik at tumalikod.

“Bye,” I started walking towards the main door, and left the house. I went straight to the university with the help of our family driver, and since maaga ako hindi na ako hinatid ni Dad like he always does when he’s here.

I kinda miss Daddy, he’s the only person who I can speak to about things. But he’s always out of the country because of his Business. Sometime I just hope that we don’t have one, para lagi na lang siyang na sa bahay.

Dahil maaga ako, at medyo konti pa ang students sa campus. Dumiretso muna ako sa library at sinubukan magpakabuting anak, dahil I felt guilty last night. May exams kami sa ibang subjects later kaya susubukan ko naman itong ipasa.

Since, balak ko na ’rin naman lumipat ng university. Maganda na ’rin sigurong ok ang grades ko for the end of this first semester para mas ok ang pagtanggap sa akin sa ibang University. Huminga ako ng malalim, sinuot ang headphones ko at nagsimulang magbasa at mag review ng ilang formulas for accounting I.

I played the music through my phone connecting to my headphones, Doin’ Time by Lana Del Rey. One of my favorite songs from her.

While busy reading my accounting book, I notice a guy standing in front of the table I’m currently seating. I slowly look up at him, he’s wearing loose black slacks, all button up sky blue shirts. Hugging thick books pressed against his chest and he’s fixing his thick glasses while looking at me.

I removed my headphones and stared back at him, “What?” tanong ko, hindi ko maalala ang name niya, but he’s one of the student from our class. Hindi ko kasi kinikilala lahat ng classmate ko since I find this University super sick and boring, there’s no reason for me to get close to anyone.

What does he want? “H-Hi, I’m H-Hen-Henderson, Henderson Clark, I’m y-your classmate,” do I look like I care? I wanted to say that, but I choose not to, tiningnan ko lang siya at hindi nagsalita.

“A-Ahm, I k-kinda n-notice that y-you’re not taking n-note of the f-formula yesterday and umalis ka kahapon ka-kaya hindi mo naabutan yung formulas sa to-topic kahapon, here I have a copy.” inabot niya sa akin ang yellowpad na puno ng formulas, it was handwritten. Don’t tell me sinulat niya lahat ito para lang ibigay sa akin.

We never talk, we’re strangers to each other. “You can have it,” sambit nito, muling inayos ang suot na salamin at ngumiti sa akin, he has braces I noticed. “Why?” tanong ko at kunot noo siyang tiningnan, what’s the catch?

“Why?” tanong niya pabalik sa tanong ko, umayos ako ng upo at tiningan siya ng diretso, “Why are you giving this to me?” sambit ko, medyo nagulat ito sa pagtaas ng tono ng boses ko. “I j-just think that y-you m-might need it for the exams,” ani nito.

Bakas sa tono ng boses nito na tila kinakabahan siya sa akin, “I don’t need it,” anong tingin niya sa akin, why is he being so nice to me? Does he think I won’t be passing this exam because I’m stupid? That thought pisses me off, kaya agad kong iniligpit ang mga gamit ko.

“Why? Malaking tulong ito para mabalanse mo ng mabilis ang mga statement later sa exams, please Nathalia, t-take it.” mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya, bakit niya ipinipilit ito sa akin.

“No, I said, I don’t need it.” sinuot ko ang bag ko, at sinuot muli ang headphones ko, bago ito nilagpasan at umalis ng library. That’s weird, we never talk and I never felt his existence in the class. Why suddenly being nice to me?

Paglabas ko ng library, tiningnan ko ito sa loob at nahuling nakatingin pa rin ito sa akin. Kaya mas binilisan ko ang aking paglalakad at tumuloy na lamang sa class. I waited for the first professor to come.

I look around the class and notice him at the back part of the seats. Again, he was sneaking a peak on me. What the heck. I choose to ignore him and focus on the test. The whole day, I became a good student.

I tried my very best to finish the exams with correct answers, “Ok, class dismiss,” our last professor said, kaya agad kong binuhat ang bag ko. I was about to step out of the room when a Henderson guy approached me again.

“I w-was the o-one who c-checked your Accounting I t-test paper, and y-you have a B+ score,” he weirdly said and smiled at me. I just nodded at him and walked away. what ’s with him?! I didn’t even ask for my score.

“Tss, nerds.” I whisper while walking out of the campus. Like what I said I’m trying to be good today, kaya wala akong ginawa kung hindi umuwi ng diretso after class gaya ng sinabi ni Mom.

I went home at 5:30 pm, headed straight to my room and at 6:00 pm everyone arrived. Tita Lana and her twins were here at 6:00, while 6:15 tita Valerie and her family arrived. It was a family one and this was a simple japanese dinner prepared by my mom.

I greeted each and everyone acted like a polite kid, and tahimik na umupo sa tabi ng ate ko habang busy ito sa pakikipagusap kila Evi and others.

“Thank you for coming, please do enjoy the food, kids do enjoy the food ok,” Mom said and started talking with Tita Val and Tita Lana. lahat sila ay nag-uusap habang busy ako sa pagkain ng maki. At pasimpleng sumisilip-silip sa phone ko dahil sunod-sunod ang text ni Kiel sa akin.

From Kiel:

Where are you? We’re at my house, watching a new movie? You coming?

From Kiel:

Want me to fetch you up?

To Kiel:

Pass, I’m at a family dinner, with the perfect people, lol.

From Kiel:

That’s boring, look, we have Cuervo in the house, and popcorn.

(sent a picture)

Nanghinayang ako ng makita ang selfie nila sa bahay ni Kiel, he’s with Keliesy, Dev and Jerome. I should be there enjoying the drink, not sitting here acting like I belong to them.

“So, Nathalia, you’re studying accountancy, right?” Natigilan ako ng kausapin ako ni Evi. I nodded at her, here we go, conversation with the perfect and successful childrens. Wahh, exciting, tssk!

“Yeah,” sambit ko sabay subo ng isang maki roll, she smile at me. “That’s nice, you seem to be smart like your sister, I bet you take accountancy as an easy-peasy.” she tried to compliment me but that’s not how I wish I was complimented.

Like my sister, bakit ba palagi na lang kailangan pag ako ang kausap, idadamay lagi ang kapatid ko. Don’t I have my own Identity? I nodded at just, nawalan na ako ng mood magpakabait at umarte na ok sa akin ang ganitong dinner.

Binitawan ko ang hawak kong spoon and fork, “I’m done eating, I forget I have an assignment to finish, please excuse me and do enjoy the dinner.” magalang kong sambit, sa aking pagtayo napansin ko ang diretsong pagtitig sa akin ni Liv.

Tita Valerie’s perfect son, I stared back at him before I turned my back to everyone and headed to my room.

“That was suffocating.” I whisper.

“Really suffocating,” natigilan ako ng biglang may nagsalita sa gilid ko.

It was Voughn, Liv’s brother.

I look at him for a second, yeah, he’s the perfect yet rebel son of tita Valerie. I heard that after passing the board he suddenly quit being a team Lawyer with his siblings.

“Be careful, don’t let emotions handle you. You look stupid.” he said before walking past me. What the heck.

“What did you sa—,” natigilan ako sa aking paglingon ng hindi si Voughn ang nakita ko. It was Liv again, I bump into him, I almost fall good thinking he catches me by holding both of my arms.

“Let go of me!” singhal kong sambit, at agad lumayo sa kanya. I felt weird and embarrassed, so I instantly walked towards my door before opening it and glancing at him.

He’s staring at me while standing in front of the restroom in this hallway near my room.

“You and your brother, get lost!” I uttered before running to my room.

CHAPTER 4

Days passed by, sobrang bilis ng araw. Right now, the first semester has ended and it’s already my birth month. Ito na ’rin ang oras para ipaalam sa magulang ko ang plano kong paglipat ng university.

“Are you sure about this?” bulong ko sa aking sarili habang inaayos ang aking buhok sa harapan ng vanity table ko. I already kinda know where this is going but atleast I will try, and whether they like it or not I’m moving to another university and magshishift ako ng ibang course.

The course that I really wanted, and that would be fine arts. “Ok, let’s do this,” tumayo ako at isang malakas na paghinga ang aking ginawa bago inayos ang collar ng suot kong polo shirt. For the last time, I glance at myself again before stepping out of my room and head downstairs.

Naabutan ko ang mom ko at ang ate ko na kumakain ng breakfast together, “Nath, good morning,” bati ni Ate Navy sa akin, pero hindi ako sumagot, bagkus nilagpasan ko lang silang dalawa.

“Nathalia, didn’t the semester end already, where are you going?” malumanay na tanong ni Mom, kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad at nilingon siya. “I’ll just need to fix some papers in schools, kahit naman po tapos na ang semester may kailangan pa ’rin akong ayusin na school papers.” pagsisinungaling ko.

I don’t know myself, I felt stupid, handa na dapat akong kausapin si Mom about sa paglipat ko ng University pero nang makita ko si Ate Navy. Bigla akong nawalan ng lakas ng loob, at parang na conscious ako, mamaya kung ano pa ang isipin nito sa akin.

She might think that I’m a loser, aayusin ko na lang muna ang mga papers ko sa paglipat at pag nakalipat na ako doon ko na lang siguro sasabihin ito sa kanila. Para wala na silang magagawa.

“Ganun ba,” ngumiti si Mom ng marining niyang may aayusin akong papel at akala niya nagseseryoso na ako sa pag-aaral. Sorry to disappoint you mom. “Gusto mo ba ihatid ko na ikaw sa campus, may free time naman ako ngayon, sabay na kayo ng ate Navy mo.” she gently said and smile at the both of us.

“No, hindi na po, kaya ko nang mag commute papunta sa campus, I already book a grab driver. Bye.” tumakbo ako papalapit kay mom at hinalikan siya sa pisngi bago tumakbo palabas at hindi pinansin si Ate Navy.

Her presence just makes me pissed and irritated. She’s way too perfect to look at.

Sumakay ako sa grab na binook ko, at hindi dumiretso sa University ko. Kung hindi tumuloy ako sa bahay ni Kiel. “Bayad ho,” sambit ko sa driver at nag abot ng 300 pesos sa kanya. “Keep the change po,” sambit ko, dahil malaki-laki pa ang sukli nito dahil malapit lang din namana ng bahay ni Kiel sa amin. “Thank you ho, ma’am.” ani nito, I nodded at him, and stepped out of the car.

Tiningnan ko ang saradong gate ng bahay ni Kiel, at walang sabi-sabi na binuksan ito at diretsong pumasok sa loob, “Kiel,” tawag ko dito nang papalapit na ako ng main door ng bahay nila.

“Kiel—,” binuksan ko ang pinto at agad natigilan ng maabutan si Kiel na sinuntok ng Dad niya. “Ahh, Kiel!! Henry!” malakas na sigaw ni Tita Louren at tinulak ang asawa palayo kay Kiel. nanigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan dahil sa aking naabutan.

Napalingon sila sa akin, at agad umiwas ng tingin ang daddy ni Kiel. “Ayusin mo yang anak mo,” rinig kong bulong ni Tito kay Tita bago ito umakyat sa itaas at naiwan si Tita at Kiel dito. “Kiel,” agad akong tumakbo papalapit sa kanila ng magsink in sa akin ang nangyari.

Bakit sinaktan ni Tito si Kiel? I never imagine them having this kind of fight. “Are you ok?” tanong ko, at nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita ang dugo sa gilid ng labi nito. “My baby,” naluluhang pinunasan ni Tita ang gilid ng labi niya at niyakap ito.

Tahimik lang si Kiel, pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. He look so lost, kaya hinayaan ko lang siya at hinintay itong kumalma. Ginamot ni tita ang sugat nito. “I’m so sorry Nath, this doesn’t happen very often, ngayon lang talaga, hindi sila nagkaintindihan ng dad niya but your tito Henry is a good person, lahat lang ng tao may limit right.” tita said.

I agreed and nodded at her, looking at Kiel, who looked like he didn’t agree with it. Ano ba ang pinag-awayan nilang mag-ama, again, never in my life na naisip kong nangyari ito sa pamilya nila. They are such a nice and happy family.

There must be a big problem kaya nagalit si Tito, I stared at Kiel and asked inside my mind. What did you do, Kiel?

“I’m ok, Mom,” Kiel said and look at me, “Dala mo na ang mga documents mo?” tanong nito sa akin na parang walang nangyari, mukhang ok na agad siya. “Oo,” sambit ko, tumango siya at hinalikan ang mom niya sa pisngi.

“Sasamahan ko si Nath, mag enroll sa university namin Mom, ikaw na ang bahala kay Dad, tell him I said sorry,” he said and smile, like what the heck? Kung magsalita siya ngayon parang hindi siya sinuntok ng dad niya kanina lang.

If I were him, I would be in pain and I wouldn’t talk to my dad and say sorry to him in an instant. Tumayo ito at hinawakan ang kamay ko, inalalayan akong tumayo at ngunitian muli ang Mom niya. “I’ll see you later, mom,” he said, grabbing his keys and we went out of their house.

“Ok ka lang?” tanong ko pagsakay sa big bike nito. “Kailan ba ako hindi naging ok?” tanong niya at ngumisi pa sa akin. “Kanina,” tugon ko, tumawa siya.

“Akala mo lang ’yun,” masigla nitong sambit at agad pinaandar ang bike palayo sa bahay nila, at diretso sa University nila. Malapit ang Family nila sa may ari ng University kaya kahit may kulang sa documents ko at walang approval ng parents madali nila akong naipasok sa Fine Arts department.

And next sem, pwede na akong mag start. Ganun kadali ang pag process dahil sa mga koneksyon. “Hay, thank god, finally, I’m leaving that boring university na,” I whisper as we step out of the dean’s office.

“Sa wakas hindi ko na kailangan gumastos ng sobrang laki sa gas para sunduin ka araw-araw mula sa University mo.” nakangiting sambit ni Kiel, “Ah, so nagrereklamo ka pala!” pang-aasar ko.

“Hindi ah,” he said and we both had a lunch together before niya ako hinatid pauwi ng bahay. Pag uwi sa bahay, binitawan ko ang mga documents ko sa kama at tumuloy sa shower para maligo.

“Hmm, la la la,” was humming a song in my mind as I finished taking a shower, covering myself with a bathrobe while drying my hair. Lumabas ako ng banyo at nanigas sa harap ng pinto ng makita si ate Navy na nakatayo sa gilid ng kama ko habang hawak-hawak ang papers na iniwan ko doon kanina.

“Ate,” I uttered. My heart suddenly beats so fast.

“What is this Nath? You transfer school without our parents’ consent?” seryoso nitong tanong sa akin.

“What is this? Navy ,bakit ka nasa room ni Nath? What is that?” suddenly mom showed up together with Dad, standing in front of my room’s door. 

I look at my sister Navy, who looks like she’s gonna tell it to our parents. “Shit.” I mumbled. 

She’s going to ruin everything.

CHAPTER 5

“It was nothing, mom I was just trying to borrow something from her,” she hurriedly roamed her eyes around my room before he quickly grabbed earpads resting on the TV table near her.

“Here, ear pads, yeah, hinihiram ko po itong earpads niya dahil nawala ko yung akin.” pagdadahilan nito at nginitian si Mommy bego lumapit dito, hinalikan sa pisngi at sinabi, “I’ll go na, Mom,” she hurriedly walk out of my room, but I saw her glared at me before completely leaving my sight.

“Nath, are you ok?” napalingon ako kay Mom, nang kunin nito ang aking atensyon, “Ahm, yes, I’m fine, mom.” tugon ko, kumamot sa aking batok bago nagkunwaring nag liligpit ng aking gamit. “Are you sure, Nath? May gusto ka bang sabihin kay Mommy?” tanong nito, bago lumapit sa akin, at tinapik ang aking balikat.

I felt uneasy, lying to her and my mom still being nice to me. I nodded at her before slowly avoiding her touch. I saw how upset she was when I avoided her and that kind of gave an ache in my chest. I didn’t mean to do that but I just don’t know how to react to this.

“Nath, if you want to talk to mommy, anything that makes you feel sad or uneasy, you can talk to me like we always did when you were this small, remember,” she said, and put her hand close to her waist, parang ipinapakita nito yung height ko nung bata pa ako. I could hear a cracking breath between her words as she stared at me with those sad eyes.

“I’m…I’m ok mom, I don’t have anything to say right now, I just want to rest.” I said, and went to my bed, threw the towel on the edge of it and checked my phone, ignoring her presence and avoiding making another conversation with her.

“O-Ok, restwell my princess, we can talk tomorrow, right.” hindi ko sinagot ang sinabi niya at nagpatuloy lang sa pagscroll sa phone ko, kahit wala naman talaga akong interest tignan ang mga iniiscroll ko sa phone.

“I’ll go now, Nath.” Her voice cracked before closing the door, that hurts but I don’t want her to ruin my new start, alam ko kasing pagnagpatuloy ako sa pakikipagusap sa kanya, baka malaman agad nilang lumipat ako ng school.

I must keep it from her until the second semester starts. Para wala na silang magawa upang ibalik ako sa dati kong university.

Keep your cool, Nath.

I put my phone to the side table before I covered my whole body using my comforter, and tried to sleep everything away. I hate myself!

---

Two days passed by, here I am, drunk again after partiying all night without my parents consent like I always do. “Come on, Nath, nandito na tayo sa tapat ng gate niyo, ayusin mo ang sarili mo baka mahuli ka ng parents mo na lasing ka na naman.” suway ni Kiel sa akin at marahan na tinatampal ang aking pisngi.

Shit, umiikot ang paningin ko, pati ang buong kalamnan ko. “I’m going to throw up,” I said.

“No, wag dito!” he said and agad akong inilapit sa grasses near our gate, there I threw up all my lungs out. “Shit, this is bad, fuck!”

He shake me up na mas naging dahilan nang pagkahilo ko, “Palabas na yung Mommy mo!” bulong niya, “Wait, my head hurts hmmm!” I uttered.

“Shit, ayan na!” narinig ko ang pagbukas ng gate habang inaayos ni Kiel ang buhok ko na nasukahan ko. “Nathalia,” maotoridad na sambit ni Mommy, I sober up after hearing her serious tone of voice.

Bumalik ako sa aking katinuan dahil doon, tumayo ako ng tuwid kahit na kumikirot ang ulo ko dahil sa sobrang kalasingan. “M-mom,” nagulat ako ng itaas nito ang school schedule ko sa University na nilipatan ko.

Talagang nawala ang lahat ng alak sa aking katawan ng makita iyon, my lips parted and Kiel and I look at each other. “You have a lot of explaining to do young lady, get inside and you kid, better avoid my daughter before I will make a move and seriously cut your connection with my daughter.” Mom is seriously mad right now.

Hinawakan nito ang aking kamay at hinila ako papasok sa loob ng bahay. Her grip was a bit tight and I could really sense her anger right now.

Pagpasok sa loob, she let go of me and I almost fall because I was out of balance, kahit na matino na ang aking sistema, binubuhay pa’rin ng alak ang katawan ko ngayon. “Ano itong ginawa mo Nathalia, you better explain yourself right now!!!” mom shouted.

“I…I…I want to follow what I want mom,” ani ko.

“What do you mean?!” naguguluhan nitong sambit, “Hindi ba ikaw ang pumili ng course mo ngayon, we asked you!!! Ang bakit kailangan mo pang lumipat ng panibagong university if course lang ang problema mo?! Tell me what is this now, Nathalia!!” she frustrated said.

I don’t know what to say, I’m busted!

“It was your choice mom, accounting, kayo ang may gusto ’non para sa akin, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit iyon ang pinili ko, dahil sabi niyo, you will be proud of me if I became an accountant someday, but now I want to choose what I want.” I tried to explain myself.

“Don’t tell me this is another influence by your friends, I knew they were bad for you from the very start!!!” mom said that, and that instantly irritates me, bakit ba lahat na lang ay kasalanan ng kaibigan ko. Bakit never nilang naging kasalanan!!!? I hate this!!!

I was so irritated by always blaming my friends when they are the only ones who understand me. Suddenly I saw ate Navy, stepping out of the kitchen. When our eyes met, my blood instantly boiled. Sinabi niya ito kay Mommy!!! I knew it, I shouldn’t have trusted her first act!!!

“You!!! Sinumbong mo ako!! Akala ko pa naman din mapagkakatiwalaan kita!!! I hate you, you are nothing but a worthless siste—,” hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko ng bigla akong sampalin ni Mom.

That just rings the bell in my head. “Your ate doesn’t have anything to do with this, I saw these papers below your bed, and you even influenced your ate to lie to me!!! Ito ba ang tinuturo ng mga kaibigan mo say—-,” I cut her.

“Ahhh!!!” tumili ako ng sobrang lakas dahilan upang magulat silang dalawa. “You always blame it on my friends, I hate this, I hate myself, Ahhh! why don’t you look at yourelf!” I just ran to my room and hit my sister with my shoulder “Nathalia!” Mom shouted, as I ran past her. and luck myself up.

“Fuck!!!” I cursed and buried myself on my bed.

I was sleeping the whole day with my room all locked up, and woke up at 10 in the evening with aching head. “Shit,” I cursed to myself before I grabbed my phone and checked some notification.

I saw mom texted me. What now? Pati ba naman sa text sesermonan ako?! I rolled my eyes and checked her message.

From Mom,

I’m upset about your decision, that’s why I acted like that, I’m sorry Nath, sorry if I fail to understand your likings. I’m sorry mommy slapped you. I didn’t mean it sweetie. Please forgive me for blaming all of your friends. But please just this one, please try to understand me with your friends, palapit na din ang birthday mo, please, let’s celebrate it without tampuhan. Let’s celebrate with our family and friends, what do you think?

I just don’t feel ok right now, and I’m also upset. I’m just not ready to accept anything right now from them.

Then suddenly, Kiel texted me.

From Kiel:

Tagaytay on your birthday, my treat, you in birthday girl?

I bit the bottom of my lips and started typing.

To Kiel:

It won’t be a birthday party without the birthday celebrant, I’m in.

CHAPTER 6

Nakalipas ang ilang araw, nanatili akong tahimik, at nagkulong sa aking silid. Hindi ako nakipagusap kahit kanino, dinadalhan ako ng pagkain, I would eat it naman because I know my body needed it. But, considering talking to my mom and sister again, wala pa iyon sa aking isip.

“Nath baby, look I already bought your dress for tomorrow, look princess, isn’t it so pretty?” I was busy on my phone, lying on the bed when mom showed up inside my room, carrying a pink above knee dress.

Nanatili akong tahimik, at nagpanggap na hindi ito naririnig. I even put my headphones on for her to understand that I don’t want to talk to her. “Ok, I will just leave it here na lang, you can go look at it later ok, I hope you’ll like it.” she gently said, naririnig ko pa’rin naman ito dahil wala naman akong plinay na music sa phone ko.

I kept my act, and waited for her to leave my room, before I removed my headphones. Seat on my bed, and then stare at the dress at the edge of my bed. Lamapit ako at kinuha ito upang tingnan, it was a pretty dress.

Looking at it makes me feel guilty, I know my mom’s efforts. But it’s just that I can’t do anything about it. I grew up setting boundaries between us, and always proving myself to them. Siguro iyon ang dahilan kung bakit lumalayo ako ng lumalayo sa kanila.

Sobra akong nag focus sa gusto nila to the point na nakalimutan ko na kung ano talaga ang gusto ko, kaya ngayon lahat ng sisi ko ay napupunta sa kanila, which is wrong because it was me who choose to be like this. It was me who always see everything as a competition between me and my sister.

It was also me, the self proclaimed main character in this family. Thinking of all of this right now makes me feel more stupid.

I don’t deserve their love.

Binitawan ko yung dress at muli akong bumalik sa pagkakahiga, scrolling on my phone and checking up my friends IG stories. While doing my thing, bumukas muli ang pinto ng aking silid, I glance at it, and saw my sister stepping in.

What does she want right now? Ipapamukha na naman ba niya sa akin na mali ako? Fuck! Why being so rude again, ikaw na nga ang mali ikaw pa ang galit! I nagged at myself inside my mind. Maybe because this is just who I am. I hate it.

“What do you want?” I scrolled on my phone again.

“I want to give you this early present I bought for you,” she said. I didn’t respond and just waited for her to leave but she just stood there. It took her a minute before I looked at her and said, “Aren’t you leaving yet? Just leave that thing there.” sambit ko.

Imbis na maoffend sa sinabit ko, ngumiti siya at sinabi, “Remember, I was always the first one to greet you a Happy Birthday Nat, and I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.” nagulat ako ng lumapit siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa aking noo gaya ng lagi nitong ginagawa nung bata pa ako.

That just stops my heart from beating, after that she walks out of my room and just leaves me there hanging. Tears just escaped from my eyes and I was just staring at the door. What have you done to yourself Nat?

I don’t deserve them!

Tiningnan ko ang binitawan nitong maliit na velvet box sa side table ko at binuksan ito. It was a charm bracelet that had my name, it said ‘mylovenathalia’ . I cover my mouth to control my tears and place my hand holding the bracelet on my chest.

---

Kahit na nagkaroon na ako ng time for realization, I still want to celebrate my birthday with my friends because I know that it would make me feel happier. I can be my true self with them. Pagpinili kong makasama ang family ko sa birthday ko baka makagawa na naman ako ng mali at masaktan ko na naman sila.

But, I promise to myself that after this birthday trip with my friends, pagbalik ko I will talk to my family and try to make things right.

Habang naglalagay ng damit sa bag ko, biglang kumatok si Mom sa pinto ng kwarto ko kaya dali-dali ko itong itinago sa ilalim ng kama at nagpanggap akong tulog na. Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto.

“Goodnight my princess, I’ll promise to make it up to you, I love you.” bulong nito, at naramdaman ko ang paghalik nito sa aking noo, bago naglakad palabas ang aking silid. Nang masiguro ko ang pagkasara ng pinto, agad akong bumangon upang ipagpatuloy ang aking pag-aayos ng gamit.

After fixing up my things, I stood up, look at myself in the mirror wearing the dress my mom bought for me to wear to my birthday celebration for tomorrow. I paired it up with a denim crop jacket and carried my bag.

I fix the bed, put up a human pillow and cover it with a file of comforters before I open the door to my terrace and put my cap on. Bumababa ako sa terrace gamit ang rope ladder na nakatabi sa kwarto ko. I make sure that my parents won’t notice me through the windows.

Pagkatalon ko sa baba, nagulat ako ng makita si Liv, anak ni Tita Valerie na nakatayo sa entrance door ng bahay namin, while staring at me with both of his hands on his pocket.

He was just staring and didn’t even talk, “Don’t you dare say a word.” pagbabanta ko, sakto naman narinig ko na ang motor ni Kiel sa labas, kaya agad akong tumakbo labas ng gate at sumakay sa motor niya.

“Bakit mukha kang nakakita ng multa, namumutla ka?” tanong nito habang isinusuot ko ang helmet na inabot niya.

“Nothing, I just saw a devil in a human body,” I whispered and he just chuckled at me. “Let’s go to my house, the van is ready and nandon an ’rin silang lahat.”

“Ok.” ani ko at kumapit sa kanya.

“This will be the best birthday ever!” he cheerfully said and went straight to their house.

Yes, Let’s make this the best birthday ever and after this, I’ll be making everything right. Wait for me Mom.

CHAPTER 7

(TRIGGER WARNING!)

“The birthday girl is in the house you guys!!!” malakas na sigawan ng mga kaibigan ko sa aking pagpasok sa bahay ni Kiel. I look around, thinking if hindi ba nabobother ng mga kaibigan ko ang mga maids at magulang ni Kiel. They were too loud.

Napansin ni Kiel, ang paglibot ng mga mata ko sa paligid, kung kaya’t hinawakan nito ang magkabila kong balikat, lean close to my ears and said, “They are out of town, so don’t worry,” he whisper and charmingly smile at me.

I nodded at him, with a relieved smirk, I still somehow remember how Tito Henry beat him up in front of me. That time I was so confused and scared at the same time, I didn’t know those things happened behind their perfect family.

“It’s your day, don’t think about other things, enjoy.” he sweetly whispered. “I will,” I said, then I looked at our friends and greeted everyone. “Hey,” ani ko sabay beso sa bawat isa. “Are you ready?” excited na sambit ni Kaliesy, “Of course, who wouldn’t be?!” sambit ko.

Niyakap niya ako kasama si Devon, na isa pa naming kaibigan. “This will be the most memorable day of your life, I promise,” Kaliesy genuinely said. This is why I loved them, they are just so true to me. Pakiramdam ko everything about me matters to them, and that makes me happy.

“Yup, you won’t forget about this,” Kiel said, and started carrying our bags, I mean my bag, and brought it to the van outside. “What are we waiting for?” Cris said, one of the guys in our group besides Kiel. Him and Kaliesy are some kind of fling, so he’s in the group.

“Let’s go,” Kaliesy shouted, grabbing my arms and pulling me out of the house. Dumiretso kaming tatlo nila Kaliesy, Devon and me sa van, and let the guys do the fixing of our bags at the back. “Look what I’ve got,” Kaliesy can’t hide her excitement as she whispers that and pull out something from her purse.

“What is it?” tanong ko, habang hinihintay namin ni Devon na ipakita sa amin ni Kaliesy ang kanyang hawak.

“Here,” Devon and I gasped when we saw a pack of condoms in her palm, what the heck! Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba ng makita iyon, why does she have that. “What? You guys know naman na I’m having a thing with Cris, so I must take a chance on this trip,” may pagkadespirada nitong sambit.

I slowly move away as I kept staring at those thing, “You gotta be kidding me Kal, we’re in this trip para sa birthday ni Nath, hindi para gawin mo itong chance para ibigay ang virginity mo kay Cris!” pasinghal na pagsuway ni Devon kay Kal. which I agreed with.

“What’s wrong, we’re going to enjoy naman her birthday ah, I’m just being safe than never.” pagdadahilan nito, umiling na lamang ako at pinanood itong ibalik ni Kaliesy sa loob ng bag niya, I don’t, that kinda make me feel off about this trip.

Biglang sumagi sa isip ko, ang what if hindi na lang namin ito ituloy. But instantly I take back those thoughts and pinanindigan ito. This is my day.

Sumakay na sa van si Cris at Kiel at sinabi, “Let’s go!” Cris cheered. Everybody shouted and they started the engine. Kiel was the one who’s driving the van, while sitting on the passenger seat was Cris, leading the way.

They played music that made Devon and Kal go crazy and sing their lungs out.

Sumandal ako sa window sa tabi ko at pinagmasdan ang daan na tinatahak namin it was an hour and a half travel to reach the place and I stayed in that position for an hour, then hindi ko maintindihan pero biglang pumasok sa isip ko ang mga tingin ni Liverio sa akin kanina, when he caught me sneaking out the house.

Bigla akong kinabahan, napahawak ako sa aking dibdib ng makaramdam ako ng konting paninikip dito, at parang umiikot ang sikmura ko. “Wai–,” hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko at dali-daling tinakpan ang aking bibig.

“Hey, Nath!! Stop on the side, nasusuka si Nath, what the heck!” sigaw ni Kal, at agad naman iyon sinunod ni Kiel, he stop the van on the side of the road, kaya dali-dali kong binuksan ang pinto at sumuka sa gilid ng kalsada.

Biglang sumama ang pakiramdam ko, at sobrang bigat mga likod ko. “What happened to you?” sambit ni Devon habang hinahagod ang likuran ko. At busy naman si Kal sa pagpunas ng wipes sa bibig ko.

Nanlalambot ako bigla, and my mind started rolling. What the heck is happening to me? Does that Liverio, cursed me?! Nagawa pang pumasok non sa aking isipan habang halos isuka ko na lahat ng nakain ko simula kahapon.

“Are you ok, Nath, should we go to the hospital first?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Kiel sa akin, na agad kong tinanggihan, I don’t wanna ruin this trip. “No, I’m fine, is just that hindi lang ulit ako siguro sanay bumiyahe ng malayo. We should continue our trip.” sambit ko at bumalik sa aking upuan, habang pinupunasay ang aking malamig na pawis sa gilid ng aking mukha.

“Are you sure?” tanong ni Cris, I nodded and smile. “Sure.”

“Ok, malapit na rin naman tayo kaya maganda makarating na tayo doon at doon kana magpahinga.” Kiel said, went back to the driver’s seat and drove our way to the place.

Totoo ang sinabi ni Kiel, dahil halos wala pang sampung minuto nandito na kami sa isang Villa na medyo bungad ng parang gubat at may magandang ilog sa likuran nito kung saan pwedeng mag swimming. Dito pa lang kitang-kita ko na kung gaano kalinaw ang tubig ng ilong na ito.

“Woah, what a place, is so nature lover era,” Devon said, at agad pumasok sa loob ng Villa.

The Villa was a modern wooden house, it has a second floor and a wide veranda on the second floor where you can have a mini-bonfire. It was nice and cozy, I liked it. “Kal, Nath should go inside and make her rest while we prepare things here, Nath you should take a nap, don’t worry about us, we’ll celebrate your birthday later tonight.” Kiel said, filled with assurance in his voice.

I nodded at him and let Kal bring me inside, straight to the second floor, in the masters bathroom where I lay down and instantly felt sleepy. My body seems to be off, I can’t explain what I feel.

“Take a rest, and when you wake up, we’ll enjoy the night and live our life to the fullest.” she said and kissed me on my cheeks.

I smile at her, and slowly close my eyes. Agad akong hinila ng antok, at agad nakatulog.

---

“What do you want?”

“I want to give you this early present I bought for you,”

“Aren’t you leaving yet? Just leave that thing there.”

“Remember, I was always the first one to greet you a Happy Birthday Nat, and I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.”

“I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.”

“I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.”

“I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.”

What is this? Why do I keep hearing Ate Navy’s voice? Am I dreaming?

“I’d love to be the first of all your birthdays Nat. I love you.”

Stop it already, why can’t I move? Then I started seeing her standing in front of me, she was smiling and slowly raising her hand to reach me. I want to reach her hand but I can’t move.

“Nath, where are you going? Why are you leaving me?” she suddenly starts crying, that makes me panic. I tried my best to move and walk close to her, reach her, hold her hands but she seemed to be moving away from me.

“What is this?” naguguluhan kong sambit, I can’t move.

“Nath, where are you going?! Nath!!!”

“Nath, where are you going?”

“Nath, where are you going? No! Nath No!!! Nath”

I’m not going anywhere. 

Palayo siya ng palayo! “Ate,” I whisper breathlessly when she suddenly cries blood and shouts.

“Ahhh!!!” nagising ako at agad bumangon nang marinig ang malakas na sigaw na iyon, that shout wasn’t a dream. It’s real!

Coming from downstairs. What is happening?! I slowly step out of the bed. Sinubukan kong tawagin ang pangalan ni Kal pero kinapusan ako ng hininga, my heart is beating so fast.

I slowly went down, and as I reached the last step of the staircase, I gasped and immediately covered my mouth when I saw three men wearing black and masks standing in the living room with Cris on the floor.

Wala itong malay at may dugo sa kanyang noo, “No please.” I saw Devon miserably crying and begging in front of them. “Don’t kill us, we’re just students,” agad tumulo ang luha ko ng mag sink in sa akin ang nangyayari.

I hide and try to not make any noise. “Please, don’t hurt us, I’ll give you any amount of money you want.” I heard Kiel’s voice and saw him, hawak niya ang walang malay na si Kaliesy, he was crying so hard and may pasa ito sa kanyang mukha.

What is happening?! My whole body felt numb. I don’t know what to do. “Nasaan yung kasama niyong babae,” nanlamig lalo ang buo kong katawan ng magsalita ang isa sa mga lalaking nakaitim.

They ’re looking for me. Sumilip ako at nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Kiel. he looks scared but instantly answered them. “Wala na kaming ibang kasama, it’s just the four of us.” he said and glanced at me. His eyes were saying the words ‘tumakas ka na’ but my body wouldn’t move.

I gasp when one of the guy kick him in his face and shouted at him, “Hindi mo ako maloloko, ilabas mo na ang isa niyong kaibigan bago ko kayo isa-isahin.”

With that, I gathered the courage to move and save my friends. I silently walked to the back exit of the villa and went to the van. I need to find help. Sumakay ako ng van without them knowing and as I close the door and try to open the engine.

Isang matalim na bagay ang tumutok sa aking leeg.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

CHAPTER 8

“Where do you think you’re going?” my heart stopped beating, all the fear in my system burst. I felt numb, my hands won’t move, my knees trembled.

I tried to look in the rear mirror, but before that happened, this guy instantly put a black cloth on my head. Sinubukan kong magpumiglas pero agad kong naramdaman ang pag tama ng matalim na bagay sa leeg ko.

I got a small cut, and felt the blood running down to my shoulder, “Shit!” I heard the guy cursing but before I could hear more, nagsimula akong mahilo, and before I knew it I blackout.

---

Sienna’s POV

“Good Morning Beb,” napangiti ako ng marinig ko ang malumanay na boses ni Gun sa tabi ko. I slowly open my eyes, lean close to him, wrapping my arms on his nape. “Morning,” I uttered and planted small kisses on his lips.

Gun wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling close to him. Until there is no space between us. “This will be a lovely day,” I said, thinking of our surprise for Nathalia. I know she will be happy with this gift that we prepared.

“Do you think she will love it?” Gun asked looking straight into my eyes. “Yes, she will, it’s a Japan trip with her friends, of course she will love it, and this time I will promise to understand her, and try my best to accept her friends, and start looking on the way she sees them.” ani ko.

Gun flashes those handsome smiles and hugs me tighter, “I’m proud of you,” he said. “I’m just a worried mom you know, I just want to give her the very good life she deserves.” I said, trying to defend myself.

He chuckled, “You’re the best mom in the world.” he said. I rolled my eyes on him and said, “The best, eh malayo nga ang loob sa akin ng bunso natin, you call that the best.” sambit ko.

“She’s just growing up, it’s part of the process, but that doesn’t define how good or bad mom you are—,” naputol ang sinasabi ni Gun ng biglang kumalabog ang pinto ng kwarto namin, someone is banging on our door.

“What is this,” I whispered, and hurriedly stepped out of the bed. Wear my robe, and glance at the time. It’s 11 pm already. Late na pala kaming nagising.

“Mom!” it was Naivy’s voice behind our door.

“Yes,” binuksan ko ang pinto, she’s still wearing her pajamas. “Mom,” she looks terrified. What is this about?

“What is happening to you Naivy, why are you shoutin—,” she cut me off and said.

“Nathalia and her friends got kidnapped!” what?!

---

(TRIGGER WARNING : VIOLENCE)

Nathalia’s POV

“Let go of me! Please spare us, what do you want from us, money!!!” naalimpungatan ako ng marinig ang madalas na pag iyak ni Kaliesy, I opened my eyes and all I can see is pure black.

“Manahimik ka!” nagulat ako sa malakas na pag sigaw ng lalaki, at isang malakas tunog ng sampal ang aking narinig after that, I heard Kal cried out loud. “Please, I’m begging you let us go,” pagmamakaawa nito.

“Let us go!” that’s Kiel, “Hindi kayo mananahimik!” sigaw na tugon ng hindi ko kilalang lalaki. Hindi ko magawang magsalita o gumalaw, dahil bukod sa nakatali ako at nakatape ang aking bibig, wala akong makita at nanghihina ang buong katawan ko.

May nararamdaman din akong konting kirot sa aking leeg, the wound from the cut.

“Ano bang kailangan niyo sa amin!” I recognize that cracking voice, it was Devon. “We’re just teens, and we didn’t hurt anybody, why us?” she said.

“Manahimik ka, kung hindi ikaw ang uunahin kong galawin dyan!’ that scared the shit out of me, “Anong sinabi mo!!” galit na sigaw ni Kiel sa lalaki and I could hear him making body noises, nagpupumiglas ito, my body trembles when I heard a gunshot.

Tumili sa takot si Kaliesy at umiyak ng malakas si Devon, was Kiel got shot?! I couldn’t move. Please somebody save us. “Kiel, are you ok?! Please no, don’t hurt us.” pagmamakaawa ni Kaliesy.

“Manahimik sabi!!!” I don’t know what’s happening, bigla na lang sumigaw ng malakas si Devon, nakarinig ako ng pagkalampag ng upuan. Sobrang daming nangyayari na hindi ko alam. I can’t see.

“Wag, let go of her!!! Devon!” nagwawala na si Kaliesy at sobrang lakas ng pag iyak ni Devon. “Tangina, manahimik ka sabi eh!!!” sigaw ng lalaki, where is Kiel? What is happening, why is Devon crying?

“Help!!!, Kal, ahh!!! Help me!!!” malakas na sigaw ni Devon, nanlalambot ako, at sobrang natatakot, tumutulo na ang luha ko, I wanted to save them.

Gumalaw ako at sinubukan kong tanggalin ang pagkakatali ng mga kamay ko sa likuran ng upuan, at iginalaw ko ang mga paa ko. But that was a wrong move, natumba ako kasama ang upuan kung saan ako nakatali dahil sa sobrang likot ko.

That makes a silent in this place, at dahil sa pagbagsak ko natanggal ang nakasuot na itim na tela sa ulo ko. My eyes immediately saw Kiel, wala itong malay at may dugo sa kanyang balikat. Bugbog sarado rin ito. My lips parted and my heart ripped into pieces when I saw Devon almost naked with so many bruises on her arms and face.

Hawak ng lalaking nakaitim ang buhok nito habang nakapatok siya dito. Kaliesy was weakly crying while still on her chair tied up and had blood on the side of her lips. “Nath,” she called my name and I just don’t feel any life right now.

Where are we?

“Gising na pala ang prinsesa,” nagulat ako ng biglang may isa pang lalaki sa likuran ko ang nagsalita, hinaplos nito ang balikat ko bago tinanggal tape sa bibig ko.

“Dalhin mo na ’yan kay boss,” sambit ng lalaking may hawak kay Devon.

“Hindi ba’t pwedi ko muna itong tikman bago dalhin kay boss?” tanong nito. No, please.

“Gusto mong mamatay?” banta ng isa dito, humagikgik ito bago ako, kinalagan at binuhat patayo. “Let go of me!” buong tapang kong sambit.

Nagpumiglas ako at tinapakan ang paa nito, dahilan upang mabitawan ako nito, “Tangina!” sambit nito sa sakit.

Tumakbo ako pero agad akong nadapa dahil nagpaputok na naman sila ng baril, sa aking paglingon, nakatutok na sa ulo ni Devon ang baril ng lalaki. “Susunod ka, oh papatayin ko itong kaibigan mo?!” ani nito.

Hindi ako nakakilos at dali-dali naman akong sinabunutan ng lalaking may hawak sa akin kanina, he slap me really hard that I almost kiss the ground, and this guy started kicking me.

The pain just ate me, “Stop that,” the guy who’s beating me, stops when a guy from a certain door speaks.

“Boss,” sambit ng lalaking nasa harapan ko.

Namimilipit ako sa sakit, at sobra akong nanghihina, lumalabo ang aking paningin kung kaya’t hindi ko makita ng itsura ng lalaking tinatawag nilang boss.

“Bring her to my room,” he said and before I even knew it, was carried by the guy who beat me and brought me into a room, put me in a bed, the room was dark. Gusto kong tumakas pero mahina na ang katawan ko upang kumilos pa.

Naaninag ko ang pag alis ng lalaking nangbugbog sa akin dito sa silid at tanging anino lang ng panibagong lalaki ang aking natatanaw.

“You’re mine now,” he said and after that everything went black. 

Please, somebody tell me this is just a nightmare.

CHAPTER 9

(TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL CONTENT)

Nakakarinig ako ng mga yapak, I know my eyes was blindfolded with a silk cloth. Makapal ito kay alam kong walang silbi kung imulat ko ang mga mata ko, dahil hindi ko ’rin naman makikita ang paligid.

Kanina pa ako nagising pero mas pinili kong magpanggap na tulog, kanina pa ako umaasa na maririnig ko ang boses ng kahit isa lang sa mga kaibigan ko. Pero wala, hindi ko alam kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanila after I was dragged in this room.

Gusto kong umiyak, sa takot, lahat ng bagay ay pumapasok sa isip ko. Makakauwi pa ba ako? Kami? Will I be able to see my parents again? My dad, sister… My mom. I bite the bottom of my lips as I try to hold my tears.

Thinking of my mom makes me feel weaker. I wasn’t able to say sorry to her. What if I died here, we’re not given a chance to forgive each other. I’m sorry Mommy.

“You’re awake,” I gasp when someone speaks near my ears. Tinakpan ko ang bibig ko dahil sa gulat, he already knows I’m awake. Shit! I could not recognize its voice because it’s clear that he’s using a voice changer dahil sobrang lalim ng boses nito.

“W-who are you?” lakas loob kong sambit. I need to think of how we are going to escape here, or else we all might die here.

“You know me,” kinilabutan ako sa kanyang sagot at agad naiyak ng haplusin nito ang aking braso. “Don’t touch me,” I uttered in deep fear. Who is this guy?!

“What do you want from us?” nanginginig kong sambit, at pilit inilalayo ang aking sarili sa kanya, but he kept on reaching and touching me. “I want you, Nathalia,” my lips parted and my heart stopped beating after hearing that. Why does he know my name?!

“You’re doing this because you want… me? Not for the money?” alam kong ayaw kong marinig ang sagot sa tanong na ito, pero I have to. “I have a lot of money, I have it all, and you’re the only thing that I can’t have so, I have to do this just to have you all mine.”

Puno ng takot ang puso ko, nanghihina ako ng hawakan niya ang mga paa ko at hinila ako pahiga sa kamang kinalalagyan ko. Hindi ako nakagawa ng kahit anong ingay dahil sa sobrang takot. Patuloy lamang ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

“If..y-you want me, why do you have to hurt my f-friends?” I asked.

“Because they are always in my way, it pisses me off, now stop talking and let me have all of you.” he darkly whispered and started forcing himself on me.

“No!!! Help!!!! Ack!!!” I was shouting when he punch me in my stomach, that just get all my energy and para akong lantang gulay na nanlambot dahil sa sobrang sakit. He covers my mouth using his palm and starts undressing me.

All I can do is cry, and pray for someone to take me out of this situation. This man raped me a multiple times, and everytime I regain some straight and fight back he will beat me up until I almost faint.

That moment, I felt like I was in hell. Punished because of all of the things I’ve done in my life. I lose hope in life.

“Fuck,” I felt him taking out his thing out of mine, step out of the bed, while I’m naked in this bed, weak and just pure darkness in my whole system. “I been dreaming about this all my life,” during-diri ako sa aking naririnig.

But I felt numb and didn’t move a muscle, fuck my life.

A few seconds before I knew it, I was out. Do I deserve this?

---

“Ahh!!” nagising ako ng marinig ko ang malakas na sigaw ni Kaliesy. It was a shout in pain. What is happening? Bumangon ako at agad kong naramdaman ang lahat ng sakit na natamo ng aking katawan.

“Kali—gasp,” before I could speak, a flash of cold water shocked me. Sa mismong mukha ko ito inihagis at halos kapusin ako ng hininga dahil sa pagkalunod sa tubig na iyon. I choke myself and ubo ako ng ubo dahil doon.

“Halika dito,” before I could recover the guy who last night wasn’t here, iba ang boses ng lalaking ito. Hinila ako nito at kinaladkad palabas ng silid, wala akong nakikita dahil sa blindfold, pero alam ko ang paligid.

I was out of the room, at halos ihagis ako ng lalaking ito ng ako ay kanyang bitawan. I whimper in pain but this man is heartless. He pulled my hair up before removing my blindfold.

It took me a minute before my sight went clear. My heart broke into pieces when I saw Kalisy and Devon, beaten up really hard and just covered with a small amount of ripped clothes.

“Nath,” Kalisy tried to crawl her way to me, para akong sinasaksak ng paulit-ulit ng makita siyang ganito, her pretty face we all ruined, may malaking pasa ito sa mukha at puno ng sugat sa buong katawan. What have they done!

When I looked at Devon she was weak, and covered with blood, crying.

“Sinubukan tumakas ng mga kaibigan mo kagabi, at ayan ang napapala ng ayaw sumunod sa akin.” the guy behind me said, I didn’t bother looking at him, and I start looking around, where is Kiel?!

“K-Kiel.” I utter.

Inabot ni Kalisy ang kamay ko at umiyak ng sobrang lakas. “Where is Kiel?” I asked her. She just cried and cried, even Devon she was just crying out loud. Wait, where is Kiel?!

“They s-shoot him l-last night, I don’t know where he is, Nath,” Kal said and my world stopped.

“No!!!”

---

Liverio’s POV

The sun almost rises, it’s dawn already and fuck, I’m still stock in my fucking office drown by tons of papers. I leaned on my chair, massaging the bridge of my nose as I felt the back coming from my head.

Closing my eyes means seeing her devine face in my head again and again.

Those beautiful revel eyes, that black soft hair who bounce when she turns her head. Those eyes stare, trying to look strong. Nathalia. She’s always there whenever I close my eyes.

“She’s a pain in the ass,” I uttered, trying to remind myself that she’s too young for me.

I smirked remembering how she hates my existence. It turns me on every time she glares at me. That kid.

I stop and slowly open my eyes when my phone rings. It was my mom.

I reached for it and answered, “Mom, good mor—,” she cut me off and said.

“Son, help us, find Nathalia!”

CHAPTER 10

Nathalia’s POV

“Shh, Kal stop crying,” I heard Devon whisper, magkakatabi kami nila Devon sa isang sulok, may suot muli kaming piring, at nakatali ang aming paa at kamay. Gusto kong matakot, maiyak, magmakaawa pero sobrang hinang-hina ako. 

“Why are t-they doing this to us,” basag na boses na sambit ni Kaliesy, I wanted to ask the same question, but I clearly know the answer for that, and I’m blaming myself for it. 

This happens because of me. 

Kal, gasp when we heard a door open, they are here again. “Shh,” sinusubukan ni Devon na palakmahin si Kal, habang ako ay nanatiling tuliro at tila wala sa aking sarili, my body felt numb. 

“Please, don’t kill us,” pagmamakaawa ni Kal ng maramdaman ang prisensya ng lalaki sa harapan namin. Siniksik ko ang aking sarili sa pader na kinalalagyan namin, umaasang hindi na nila kami gagalawin. 

“No,” kapos hininga kong sambit ng biglang hablutin ng lalaki ang braso ko, “Nath!!!” Sigaw in Devon. Wala akong ibang nagawa ng kaladkarin ako nito, tanging ang pagtulo ng nang aking luha ang nanaig. 

I don’t want to feel it again, please, I’m begging you save me, save us from this. 

“Boss,” sambit ng lalaking may hawak sa akin at agad akong hinagis na parang sako sa kama, I’m still blindfolded. Please save me from this, “I miss you already,” nang marinig ko muli ang boses na iyon, nanaig ang matinding takot sa aking katawan. 

Nang maramdaman ko ang bigat nito sa kama na kinalalagyan ko, dahan-dahan akong umaaatras. I was crying really but my heart was beating painfully. Please someone save me. 

“Come here,” he said. Nang maramdaman ko ang paglapit niya, sinubukan kong bumaba sa kama at tumakbo pero agad nitong hinila ang aking buhok. “Ahh!” I cried out loud, and he dragged me into the bed. 

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going,” he said and in a snap, the nightmare happened over and over again. Until my body and system just surrender. 

Why didn’t anyone save me? Do I really deserve this?

Why me? 

*** 

Liverio’s POV

I almost made a hard drip as I parked my car in front of Tyson’s house. My blood is rushing all over my body, feeling uneasy after that news, hoping that it was a false judgment, that maybe they are just over reacting. 

Maybe Nathalia was just playing around, pranking all of us because it’s her damn birthday. 

“Liv, son!” my mom instantly went to me as she saw me entering the gate. Her beautiful eyes were in deep fear, her hands were shaking as she held my arms. “Help us,” she whispered. I let her hug me as I looked at the window of Nathalia’s room where I last saw her sneak out last night.

If this is true, I should have stopped her. Fuck!

We entered the house, and I immediately saw tita Sienna panicking, crying and worrying. The atmosphere inside this house felt really heavy. Taking steps closer to them, feels a deep hole that is pulling you to the dark.

Everyone is in fear. Naivy was trying to calm her mom down, as she also cried with her. “Mom calm down, please,” Naivy said, “You saw what happened to her friend. What if they did things worse than that to her, I can’t accept that Naivy, my daughter!“ 

Fuck, what the fuck happened. Where is she? Is this really a kidnapping!? Fuck, I don’t know what to think. I just kept seeing her face and eyes inside my mind. What if I stopped you last night, do you think none of this will happen? 

I try to ask her that while seeing her face inside my mind, it feels like I’m talking to her. She shed tears in my mind, and that literally gave me hard goosebumps. Fuck, get yourself together Liv, you have to do something.

Went back to my senses and talked to Naivy. She’s much calmer than tita Sienna so it will be easy to gather information with her.

“What happened?” I asked, she looked at me, wiping her tears. “We got a call from the hospital, from Cris, one of the guy Nathalia sneak out with, he’s Nath’s friend, he calls us and said they were kidnapped, that some guys barge into their villa and dragged his friends kasama na doon si Nathalia.”

“Where is Cris right now?” I asked.

“In the hospital, bugdog sarado it, and has an injury in his head,” she weakly said, and fear eats her, she held my hand and said, “Please help us find my sister, Liv.”

I nodded at her, “I will.”

I rushed into that hospital, and looked for that guy named Cris. The nurse guided me to this room and as they opened the door, I saw him wearing a bandage on his head, his arms had a lot of bruises. 

His face was a mess, he was beaten really hard. 

He looked at me and said, “Who are you?” He asked and he looked scared. He was trembling and his hands were shaking. 

“I’m Atty. Austin, I’m here to ask you what happened and how come you escaped, and your friends are not?” 

“Iniwan nila ako sa villa after nila akong bugbogin, binasag ng isang lalaki yung isang vase sa ulo ko, so I pass out and I wake up without anybody in the villa, baka akala nila patay na ako kaya iniwan na nila ako, but I’m sure sinama nila si Nath, Kiel and the other girls.” He almost cries as he tries to remember what happened. 

“What do they want?” I asked. 

“Hindi ko alam, basta ang sinabi nila when we ask them if they want money, they said they had a lot of it, and they just want Nathalia.” She was sleeping at that time kaya hindi nila nakita si Nath makasama namin sa living room.” 

They want her?

“We all try our best to hide her from them, so they beat us up and after I passed out, I don’t know what happens next. I’m sorry.” 

“What do they want from her?” I seriously ask, this is not just a simple case of kidnapping. 

“I don’t know,” he said and cried in fear. 

What is this? Who the fuck is the person behind this?

---

Nathalia’s POV 

This guy kept on ponding, my body was weak. Para akong walang buhay na ginagahasa ng paulit-ulit. My body and system just give up. 

How can they be so cruel, why did they do this to me?

“You’re so beautiful, you’re mine.” He whispered before he stopped and left just like that. Leaving me naked in this bed with my eyes blindfolded. he was raping and beating me at the sametime. 

I don’t know if I will be able to live after this. Just kill me now. If you don’t have any plans on saving me from this just kill me. I was losing hope with the person above us. 

Everything just seems so dark, I wanna give up. 

Tumulo ang luho ko at tumibok ng sobrang sakit ang puso ko, mamilipit ako sa sobrang sakit at binalot ko ang aking sarili. Diring-diri ako sa lahat ng parteng hinawakan nito. 

Fuck! Kill me!

Then suddenly Moms face flashes into my dark mind, she smiles and spreads her arms wide and whispers. “Be strong and come home.” Mas lalo akong naiyak. I want my mom. 

I kept crying silently, until I realized that we have to survive, I have to escape from here so I can come home. 

I bite my lower life, and slowly sit on the bed. I felt so fucking weak, but I have to escape this hell. Naramdaman ko ang paglubang ng pagkakatali sa mga kamay ko kaya dahan-dahan ko itong tinanggal. 

I remove the blindfold, dahil sa sobrang tagal ko itong suot medyo lumabo ang paningin ko. It took me a second to be able to see things clearly. Sinuot ko ng dahan-dahan ang damit ko bago paika-ika na lumapit sa pinto. 

Pinakinggan ko muna kung may tao sa labas, before I slowly open the door. I saw the guy in black falling asleep while holding his gun. Gumapang ako papalapit kila Kal at Dev. 

Slowly wake them up and remove their blindfolds too. “Nath,” Dev whispered. 

“What are you doing?” Natatakot na tanong ni Kal. 

“Tatakas tayo dito.”

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

“Tatakas tayo dito.” buong tapang kong bulong bago. Ramdam ko ang pagod ng aking katawan at panghihina ng aking buong sistema. Pero hindi ako papayag na ito ang magiging dahilan upang mawalan kami ng pag-asang makaalis sa lugar na ito. 

Lumuluhang tinggal ni Kal ang tali sa kanyang kamay, she was trembling in fear. After kong kalagan si Devon inalalayan kong tumayo si Kal dahil tila wala pa ito sa sarili. Looking into her eyes, I could see fear and pain. I feel that too but I have to set that aside to escape here. 

If no one stands here nothing is going to happen to us, no hope, so one of us should stand and plan to escape this hell and that is me. 

“I’m scared,” nanginginig ang boses ni Kaliesy  ng sabihin niya ito, I looked at her, I can’t help not shed tears just by looking at how beat up she was. Her beautiful face was filled with bruises and blood coming from the wounds. 

What have we done to deserve this kind of hell, i wiped my tears and cupped her face, “Shh, I’m scared too, but we have to survive this,” I whisper, also wiping her tears. Tumango ito at madiin na ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata bago inayos ang kanyang buhok at pinunasan ang kanayng luha. 

We held each other’s hand before we looked around and sought  our way out. Dahan-dahan at sobrang maingat ang aming bawat galaw, hindi kami gumagawa ng kahit anong ingay. Tinungo namin ang nagiisang pinto maliban sa pinanggalingan kong pinto dito. 

Nanginginig ang aking kamay ng abutin ang door knob nito, tahimik na humihiling na wala itong gawing ingay na magiging dahilan nang paghuli sa aming pagtakas. 

“Nath,” natatakot na sambit ni Devon, at mahigpit na kumapit sa aking braso. I glanced at her and nodded, trying to give her the assurance that everything will be fine, and we will escape this place safely. 

Halos hindi ako huminga ng ilang sigundo ng aking pihitin ang pinto, bumukas ito ng walang ingay, at ang aming nakita sa labas ay puro container. My eyes roam around and that’s when I realize that we’re in a pier. 

Saang pier ito? “Where are we?” tanong ni Devon, I also wanted to ask that to them, but what’s important to me is we have to find our way out of here. 

“Let’s go,” I whisper and pull them out, we walk and walk but it feels like a never ending maze of containers, bawat liko namin ay puro containers lang ang aming nasasalubong. Our walk slowly became faster until it turned into a feared run. 

“There’s no way out!” nagpapanic nasambit ni Kaliesy and she starts crying again. I held her tight and we kept running. There’s gotta be a way out of here. Where is it! Please let us escape this!

I was gasping for air, dahil sobra na akong hinihingal kakatakbo, and when it was our time to turn, agad kaming napaatras at nagtago. We found the gate out of here. But there are guys standing there holding guns. 

Three of them were standing in front of the gate and the guys were seated at the side. “How are we going to get out? They’re going to kill us. “ Devon said. “We have to find a way.”  I whisper. My back and shoulder aches really badly, but I need to bear with it. I want to go home. 

Patuloy kong tinitingnan ang paligid, humahanap ng ibang paraan upang makatakas kami. But there is no way out, that gate is our only chance. Wala akong makitang ibang paraan. I bite the bottom of my lips and look at Devon. 

“I will show myself and try to distract them and you two will run to that open auner, try your very best na paandarin ito, and banggain niyo sila. I will follow you guys.” sambit ko na agad tinanggihan ng dalawa. 

“Hindi mo sila kaya, that’s not going to work.” Devon said, I was about to speak when. A guy from somewhere showed up.  Shouting at the guys who are standing on the gate. “Nakatakas yung tatlong babae! Hanapin niyo bago dumating si Boss!!!” sigaw nito. 

Kaliesy gasped when she heard that, so I immediately covered her mouth and we all sat to hide, at para hindi kami mapansin. Dahil sa pagdating nung lalaki, agad silang umalis sa pagbabantay sa gate at tumakbo upang sundan iyon. 

That gives us a to sneak to the auner, pinangunahan ko ito at sumunod sa akin sila Devon. Nakaramdam ako ng konting saya ng makita ang susi sa loob ng sasakyan. Dahan-dahan kaming sumakay upang hindi kami mahuli nang naiwang lalaki dito sa gate. 

He was standing in front of the auner kaya hindi niya kami makita. I sat in the driver’s seat and katabi ko si Devon, while Kal sat at the back. Huminga ako ng malalim bago ko binuhay ang makita. 

As soon as I opened the engine, the guy in front of us looked and shouted. “Hoy!!!” sigaw nito, bago pa ito maitutuok ang baril sa amin, agad kong pinaandar ang sasakyan, at pikit mata itong binangga kasama ang gate sa likuran nito. 

“Ahhh!” sigaw ni Devon, we broke the gate, and drove fast away from that place. 

Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko, halos hindi tumatakbo ng tama ang isip ko. All I want is to be away from that place. “They are following us!” Sigaw ni Kal, and when I looked at the rare mirror, my lips parted in fear as they kept getting closer to us. 

Sobrang bilis ng pagpapaandar ko ng sasakyan, hanggang sa marating namin ang kalsada. “They’re coming!” sigaw ni Devon, at agad kong nakita ang paparating na truck sa harapan namin. 

I went to the line kung saan makakasalubong namin ang truck sa sinigurado kong ganun din ang ginawa ng sasakyan na nakasunod sa amin. “Anong ginagawa mo Nath! We’re gonna hit that truck!!!” Sigaw in Devon. 

“Duck!” I shouted at them and when we were closer to the truck, buong pwersa kong iniliko ang sasakyan, at naiwasan namin ang truck, at bumangga yung nakasunod sa amin sa truck that caused a big crash. 

I was caught off guard by the crash and the next thing I know we also crashed into a big tree at the side of the road. Everything went black for a couple of seconds. 

Nabinggi ako, pero I instantly heard Devon’s voice calling me, “N-Nath!” hinang-hina na ako pero pinilit kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. 

As soon as I open my eyes, I was Devon covered with blood, “Dev,” kapos hininga kong sambit, ang sakit ng leeg ko. 

“Get out of here,” she whispered, lumuha ako. “They are coming, get out!” pag-uulit nito. Dahil sa sinabi niya doon ko napansin na may isa pang sasakyan na humabol sa amin, bukod doon sa bumangga.

May mga lalaking papalapit sa sinasakyan namin, “No, I will not leave you guys he—,” natigilan ako at tila sobrang nanghina ng makita si Kal sa likod, she’s dead. 

“Get out, save yourself please,” Dev tapped my face and pushed me out of this car. 

Sa pagtulak niya nakalabas ako sa sasakyan, lumuluha akong gumapang patago sa damuhan na nasalikod ng punong binanggaan namin. 

After a few seconds, the man in black is surrounding the car, I hide and cover my mouth. “Nasaan yung isang babae!!!? Patay na tong isa,” sambit ng isa sa mga ito. 

“Buhay pa itong nasa harap,” one of them said, at walang awang binaril si Dev. I wanted to shout but I couldn’t. 

They killed her. No!

“Hanapin niyo yung babae, hindi pa iyon nakakala—” natigilan yung lalaki ng biglang may mga taong dumarating at nakakakita sa kanila. 

“Atras, kailangan natin umalis dito may mga tao, dali!” umatras ang mga ito at agad sumakay sa kanilang sasakyan, mabilis na umalis. Kasunod non ay ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan. 

Kasabay ng pagbuhos ng ulan ay ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha. I can’t do this anymore. 

My friends are dead, gusto ko na lang din mawala sa puntong ito pero, there’s something inside my head that keeps reminding me that my mom is waiting for me. So I stood up and gathered all of my last strength and walked my way home. 

Back to my mom.

CHAPTER 12

Nathalia’s POV

They were all dead, they died because of me.

“Ineng, nako jusko anong nangyari sayo? Saan ka pupunta?” I stop walking when an old white pick up truck with a ton of vegetables at its back. My body started shivering as the rain kept going.

Ang lamig. “Nako, jusko, ang lakas ng ulan,” bumababa ang babaeng nakasakay sa passenger seat, binuksan nito ang lumang payong, bago tumakbo papalapit sa akin. She was about to hold my wrist, kaya agad akong umiwas.

Muntikan pa akong mawalan ng balanse sa aking pagiwas, “Hindi kita sasaktan iha kung iyon ang iniisip mo, malakas ang ulan at sugatan ka, jusko, saan ka ba pupunta?” tanong nito sa akin.

I avoided her gaze, I don’t know what to say. “Ganito na lang saan ka papunta? Ihahatid ka nalang namin ng asawa ko.” sambit nito.

“I want t-to go home,” I whisper weakly.

“Saan ka ba nakatira, iha?” she asked, and I just found myself seated between them inside their truck. “Ano bang nangyari sayo?” nag-aalalang tanong ng babae sa tabi ko.

“Gusto mo ba idaan ka muna namin sa hospital, jusko sobrang lakas pa naman din ng ulan, bagyo na ata ito.” patuloy nitong sambit.

“No, please bring me home.”

---

Liverio’s POV

“Due to the heavy rain forecast, we can’t continue the search, Attorney.” I grunt after hearing that information from my men through the phone. Glancing at the window, watching the night clouds show at the storm and thunder flashes.

I nibble my lips, lick its dry lower part before I hissed. “There has to be a way for us to continue the search, where’s Captain Helix? The police?”

“Sir, they all went back to their office and decided to continue the case tomorrow, wag ho kayong mag-alala Attorney hindi ho kami titigil sa paghahanap.” I understand that the climate might cause danger to all the people who are involved in the search.

Authorities will not sacrifice their people for a search. I knew it very well. But, at the back of my mind there is something that is keeping me haunted. The feeling inside my veins tells me that we are so close.

So close yet it was clearly impossible to find someone without any lead. I blinked twice as the thunder kept its power, the heavy rain was increasing the fear that was building up inside this house.

“Fine, as soon as the rain stops, continue the search.” Using a serious tone of voice to hide the uneasiness I’m feeling right now. “What did they say?” I look at my Mom who’s standing beside me with a pale face and worried eyes.

Everyone inside this house was filled with terror expressions. Fear inside their soul was bursting. We are swallowed by the intense situation right now, a case with no clue, a search and rescue without any lead.

An unsolved case, “they have to stop due to the heavy rain.” I informed them with a deep breath, fuck, this is making me frustrated. “Bakit sila titigil? Hindi pwedeng tumigil sila, hindi pwedeng patagalin pa ang paghahanap sa anak ko!!!”

A loud fear in her voice scattered inside the house as she cried out loud and breakdown in her husband’s arms. “Can’t you do anything about this Liv? They can’t stop.”

I shook my head down, brushed my hair up before I gave them those glances. “Jusko, hindi sila pwedeng tumigil, parang awa niyo na!!!” Tita was out of control, crying out loud and breaking into pieces.

“Hey, you have to calm down,” My mom said as she tried to stop the panic attacks.

“I can’t calm down, Val, I don’t know where she was, what’s her situation right now, ok lang ba siya? Kumain na ba siya? Sinasaktan ba siya? Hindi ko alam Val, hindi ko kayang hindi mag-alala.”

“I understand, Liv is trying his very best to help, trust him, he will find her.” My mom glanced at me, I gulped and nodded at her. Everything felt like a roller coaster, I have never expected to face this kind of case in my life. Not involving her. Where are you?

I can’t help myself to picture her beautiful face in my mind. The ponding in my chest slowly felt the burden. “Are there any calls that can help us find your daughter?” We all look at my father who’s silently seated at the chair near the window.

“There are no calls, ransom or any signs that someone wants something in exchange for her, we’re not sure of anything right now.” Mom said.

Mom was right, we don’t know what we are facing right now. I just know that she’s missing.

“Liv, if the authorities can’t do anything right now, why don’t you ask someone else for help,” Dad seriously said that caught my attention. We stared eye to eye, “You know who to ask,” he continued.

I nodded, looking at everyone. “I’ll see what I can do,” I seriously said before grabbing my coat from the stand, and started wearing it, as I planned on asking help from my brother.

In this kind of situation, the one who had the power to do a job without the authorities was my brother. Voughn.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“Iha, gising nandito na tayo, sigurado ka bang dito ka nakatira?” nagising ako sa paglakabit sa akin ng babaeng tumulong sa akin. Umayos ako ng upo bago lumingon sa tapat ng bahay na tinigilan namin.

“Maraming salamat po,” ani ko at agad nagmadaling bumababa, “Teka ang lakas pa rin ng ulan,” she said.

“Ok na ho ako, maraming salamat ho ulit.” sambit ko at bumababa ng tuluyan sa sasakyan. Tumayo ako sa tapat ng bahay namin at pinagmasdan ito, parang sobrang tagal na panahon ko itong hindi nakita.

Tumulo ang luha ko kasabay ng malakas pag buhos ng ulan. “H-home.”

---

Liverio’s POV

That’s right, I think I need Voughn’s help, right now.

Walking towards the main door of the house unbearable loud silence eats me, I could hear every slow beat of my heart. Every step I took felt drifted. I anxiously open the door and stop on what I saw. She was standing in front of the door weak, covered with blood, cuts on her forehead, in her arms, cheeks and lips. Messy hair, bruises on the side of her eyes. Fuck, she was beaten up really hard.

My heart stopped beating as our eyes met, those cold blooded eyes were in deep fear. I can’t breathe.

“Help me.” She said before she fell into my arms.

“Ahhh!!!” Tita Sienna shouted as she saw her daughter covered with blood in my arms.

“Nathalie, what happened to you?” I whisper.

Who did this to you?

CHAPTER 13

Naivy’s POV

“Ahh,” lahat kami ay napalingon sa pinto, ng sumigaw ng sobrang lakas ni Mommy, she shouted her lungs out before she fainted beside tita Val.

My heart skips beating, it slows down and every beat of it feels like a sharp knife stab. There she was, Nathalia, my sister who had been missing for a very long time. My poor Nathalia. Nanghihina akong na pa upo.

I watched her getting carried by Liverio, he was careful yet fast. Dinala nito si Nathalia sa labas, pinaliwala ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan. I went back to my senses and hurried to follow outside.

Basang-basa si Liv habang buhat ang kapatid ko, sinugot nito ang ulan papunta sa garage ng aming bahay, upang pumunta sa kanyang sasakyan. Lumingon ako kay Mommy na tila pinapaypayan ni tita Val bago lumingon sa paalis na sasakyan ni Liv.

Tumulo ang luha ko sa takot ang sakit na aking nararamdaman sa aking dibdib. Sinong uunahin ko?! I gasp when Dad tapped my shoulder, “Follow Liv, bring your sister to the hospital, and make sure she’s safe, susunod kami, I’ll take care of your mother.” Dad said, kahit na bakas sa mata nito ang matinding lungkot.

Nanatili itong matatag, kaya agad akong kumilos, kinuha ko ang susi ng sasakyan ko, Dali-dali akong sumunod sa hospital na pinuntahan ni Liv.

Anong nangyari sayo Nath? Sino ang may gawa nito sayo?

Muli, pinunasan ko ang aking luha bago nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho. Nakakapanghina ang nakita kong kalagayan ni Nathalia kanina pero kailangan kong magpakatatag para sa kanya.

Pagkadating sa tapat ng hospital, agad akong bumaba at sumunod kay Liv nang makita ko ito sa lobby habang tinutulungan ang mga nurse at doctor sa pagtulak sa stretcher kung saan nakahiga ang walang malay na si Nathalia.

I sprint, and help them push the stretcher, “Nath,” I breathlessly whisper and glance at Liv who’s just staring straight at my sister, as he clenches his jaw. I saw a glimpse of deep anger in his eyes before we were stop by the nurse and pinasok na nila sa loob ng emergency room ang kapatid ko.

Nanlalamig at nanginginig ang aking mga kamay pagkasara ng pinto, huminga ako ng malalim at pinipigilan kong wag atakihin ng matinding takot at kaba. I even blow on my palm para makaramdam man lang ito ng konting init.

“Please, Nath hang in there,” I whisper, habang nangingilid na aking mga luha sa sakit. Sobra akong nasasaktan para sa kapatid ko.

Why does she have to be in this kind of situation, sana ako na lang. I cover my mouth and try my best to hold those painful tears. Sana ako na lang. Sana ako na lang. I could carry the pain on my own, but I can’t bear to see my sister in so much pain. Kung pwede ko lang kunin lahat ng sakit, I would do anything to get it.

“She will be fine, she should survive.” natigilan ako ng magsalita si Liv, staring straight at the emergency room door. “Ano?” tanong ko, dahil hindi ko masyadong naintindihan ang sinabi niya kanina.

“She must survive, she should survive,” seryoso nitong sambit, wala ba siyang awa sa kapatid ko, why not use other words, bakit ang hard ng use of words niya. Nahihirapan yung kapatid ko. Hindi madali ang sinasabi niya, at isa pa walang may alam kung anong pinagdaanan nito.

I wiped my tears and looked at him, again, he clenched his jaw, fixed the collar of his shirt and spoke. “She must survive, that’s all she needs to do, and I’ll do the rest,” he said. What?

Seryoso ang mukha nito, kitang-kita ang galit sa kanyang mga mata sa puntong ito, na may bahid ng sakit at lungkot. Am I seeing it right?

“Naivy!” I stop thinking, when I heard my dad;s voice, kasama nito si Mommy at sila Tita Valencia, Tito Austin.

“Where is your sister?” tanong nito sa akin. “Inside.” tugon ko.

“Everyone should calm down, and we’ll wait, Liv kami na ang bahala dit—,” Liv cut his dad off, “No, I’ll stay,” firm nitong sambit at nanatili sa tabi ng pinto ng emergency room.

I can read him. What is inside your mind right now Liv? Are you hungry for justice or you have a thing for my sister?

Kung ano man ang nararamdaman mo ngayon, I want you to do the rest just like what you said. Make those people pay for what they have done to my sister.

Liv glanced at me, when he realized that I was staring for too long. I stared back at him,

Talking through eyes, ‘do the rest, I will trust you. Save my sister.’

Mukhang nakuha nito ang nais kong iparating, kaya kahit papano gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. I breathe out, and look at my parents. “I’ll just get some water,” I utter. They nodded.

Naglakad ako palabas ng hospital, at tumingala sa patilang ulan, at pinagmasdan ang pagsilip ng haring araw.

I close my eyes and breath.

Liv, save my sister.

I feel at ease, because I know someone is doing the rest for my sister. Nath, this will be tough but you’re in good hands now.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“Nath!” everything is black, I can’t move, but I could clearly hear my friends voice calling me. “Nath, help us!!!” mas lalong lumalakas ang boses nila, tila ba para itong papalapit ng papalapit sa akin.

I open my eyes, andi it’s still dark. But I could see my body. I’m laying on a bed, and the surroundings are so dark. “Nat, we died because of you,” narinig ko ang umiiyak na sobes ni Kal, and suddenly she appeared in front of the bed I’m in.

“Bakit mo hiyaan na patayin nila kami?” then bigla din lumitaw sa tabi niya si Kiel. “What kind of friend are you?” nakaramdam na ako ng sobrang takot, lumapit siya sa akin. I can’t move, nahihirapan na din akong huminga.

I can’t speak, where’s my voice? I want to shout and run away from them.

“Bakit mo kami hinayaang mamatay?! How could you, Nath?!” Devon shouted and suddenly she jumped into my bed. Puno ng dugo ang ulo nito habang galit itong lumuluha. “Why do we need to die for you, Nath?! Why? We’re friends right?! Bakit iniwan mo kami?!?”

I open my mouth and try my best to speak, but there’s no voice. Sinakal ako ni Devon, I wanted to stop her, I tried to move my hands, but Kiel and Kal held it tight. Nagsimulang tumulo ang aking luha.

“You should come with us, Nath, friends should always be together.” they said. Then suddenly my parents’ faces flashed in my head, my mom, my dad, my sister. And I saw Liv’s stares. He stares at me like they’ve been waiting for me.

Dahil doon, bigla akong nakaramdam ng matinding takot. Takot mawala, takot mamatay, takot maiwan sila. I wanted to live.

No, please. Gustong gusto kong sumigaw pero nauubusan na ako ng hininga at hindi pa rin ako makapagsalita.

Please save me.

“Die with us, Nath!!! It’s your fault anyway!” Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata at sa pagmulat nito, agad akong nasinag at unti-unti akong nakahinga ng maayos. I was catching my breath when I realized that I was inside the hospital.

“Nath.” Liv called my name.

CHAPTER 14

Naivy’s POV

“Nath.” I gasp when Liv calls out her name, she finally opens her eyes. Those weak, sad eyes who bear a lot of pain. Dahilan kung bakit, may matinding sakit at bigat din kaming nararamdaman sa aming mga dibdib. 

Lumapit ako sa kanya at marahan na inabot ang kanyang palad. Maingat at puno ang pag-aalaga ko itong hinaplos, pinigilan ko ang pagtulo ng aking mg aluha. “Nath,” I uttered, lumingon ako kay Mom at Dad na nakatayo sa tabi ko habang pinagmamasdan ang anak nila. 

It took us a couple of minutes to realize that she was not responding, she was just staring at Liv who’s also looking at her. Dahil doon agad akong tumawag ng doctor, dahil sa pag-aalala na baka naapektuhan ang pandinig nito dahil sa kung ano man ang nangyari sa kanya. 

“She could still hear you guys, sadyang mas pinili lang niyang hindi kayo marinig, this is part of a psychological trauma, her body doesn’t wanna response to anything that could make her feel stress kaya ang katawan na mismo nito ang umiiwas by choosing not to hear, speak or see things.” hindi agad nag sink in sa akin ang sinabi ng doctor. 

Pero nilingon ko si Nath, na tulala lamang, at diretso lang sa kisame ang tingin. “She’a experiencing trauma, why?” nanghihinang tanong ni Mommy sa doctor habang nakaalalay si Dad sa kanyang likuran. 

“Yes, we might not know what really happenes to her, that causes her trauma right now, but some of this kind of response comes from a person who has an emotional response to a terrible event that she encounters. Like an accident, rape, or abuse,, and sometimes it’s cause by natural disasters/” the doctor continue explaining. 

“Base sa sinabi niyo, na ngayon niyo lang siya nakita after an abduction, it’s better to run some test on her, so we could know how’s her condition before and after the abduction. She might be beat up, abuse or worst rape.” that last word keep me hanging, rape? 

Please no, lumingon muli ako sa kapatid ko at doon tumulo ang luha ko, dahil nanatili pa ‘rin itong tulala at walang kibo. What if…what if she was ra— hindi ko magawang tapusin ang salitang iyon sa aking isipan. 

Dahil hindi ko lubos maisip na maaring mangyari ito sa kapatid ko. Please, Nath tell me you’re not touched. I will never forgive myself. Please tell me they didn’t do that to you. 

I cover my mouth and, runaway from that place. Nathalia doesn’t deserve any of this. 

Nanlulumo akong napaupo sa garden ng hospital, I cover my face and let my tears shed in pain. “No, no, please no.” I kept uttering. 

Then suddenly, I felt a strong presence beside me. I wipe my tears up and glance at my side. It was Liverio, I mean Atty. Liverio, he was standing beside me with both of his hands in his pocket. 

“She was raped,” he said. 

I freeze, I freeze to death. I wanna disappear at this moment. I don’t want to hear anything. I want to shout, gusto kong magwala. Gusto kong pumatay sa sobrang galit na sumasabog sa aking dibdib ngayon/ 

Pero hindi ko magawa, I’m too weak. My sister was raped. 

“No, my poor Nathalia, she doesn’t deserve—,” Atty. Liv cut me off, “I’ll  be incharge of this case, give it to me.” seryoso nitong sambit, sobrang lakas ng itim na aura nito habang diretso pa ‘rin ang tingin sa kalsada. 

I saw him clenched his jaw, before he glanced at me. “I’ll hunt those guys who make her feel miserable. Give her to me, and I’ll do the rest.” seryoso at puno ng otoridad nitong sambit. 

I don’t know what to say, and I don’t even understand what his last words meant, but I trust him. 

“Do everything for her.” iyon na lamang ang aking nasabi bago ito naglakad paalis at iniwan akong tuliro.

*** 

After breathing some air outside, at matapos mag sink in ng lahat sa akin, bumalik ako sa kwarto kung saan si Nathalia, binabantayan at pinupunasan ni Mommy ng marahan ang mga sugat nito. 

Habang naghahanda ng prutas si Dad sa mini table sa gilid ng bed ni Nath, she look so pale and weak, sobra itong namayat at marami itong pasa sa mukha at katawan. Evern her beautiful hand was filled with bruises. 

 Huminga ako ng mallaim bago isinara ang pinto, dahilan upang maagaw ko ang atensyon nila Mom and Dad, they try to smile at me and hide those pain as a parent. I smile back at them but I could not hold my tears, agad akong lumapit kay Mom at niyakap ito ng sobrang higpit. 

“I’m sorry, Mom, I was a bad sister to her, hindi mangyayari ito kung naging mas mabuti akong ate para kay Nath, I’m sorry Nath,” I reach for her hand and still she was still staring at the ceiling without any emotions written on her face. 

“It’s not your fault,” Mom weakly whispered, cupped my face and wiped my tears. 

“Everything happens for a reason, and God will not put her in this situation to make her weak, this will make her stronger. I know she will.” she said and looked at my sister. 

“But, we’ll still seek for justice.” Dad uttered. 

I nodded, Nath, you’re done fighting now. Let’s just fight for you. 

---

Liverio’s POV

I open the door, sight the man lying on the hospital bed, with half healed bruises. I took my step close to him and my presence seems to wake him up.

With his broken arms, he tried his best to seat and face me. “Attorney,” he uttered.

I stare straight into his eyes, with a glimpse on uncontroled anger inside of me. “Who’s your suspect?” I asked.

He looks scared and still traumatize by trying to remember what happened that night. But there is no easy way to solve this case.

“I can’t remember it clearly, I mean there face was to hard to recognize, nakamask sila and even their voices, parang may gamit silang voice changer. But there is one thing that I’m sure off…” He stop for a moment before he look at me.

“Whoever the person behind this, he’s after Nathalia, he wants her.” He said.

Hidden inside my pocket was my strong grip. Who are you?

I will fucking come for you.

CHAPTER 15

Nathalia’s POV

“Nath, princess it’s me daddy, how are you feeling sweetie, I peel apples for you, would you like to try it?” dad said, but gaze we’re locked on the TV screen. It was a movie, pero kahit anong gawin kong mag focus sa takbo ng storya, parang wala lang.

Dahil halos matatapos na ata ito, wala pa ’rin akong maintindihan. “Nath, do you want one?” tanong muli ni Dad, but I didn’t bother listening to him, nor giving him a small amount of attention.

I just felt numb, and my body won’t react anyway. I was trying my best to focus when suddenly the girl from the movie slowly turned into someone I know.

“Kal,” I breathlessly whisper, and suddenly she looks at me. My heart starts racing in fear. She was staring at me with those eyes, and slowly tears of blood burst out from her eyes.

“No,” bigla akong kinakapos ng hininga, papalapit ito ng papalapit sa akin. “No, Kal!” This time, my voice is slowly coming back. Those eyes were hunting me,I’m so sorry Kal, it’s my fault.

Another girl showed up beside me, and they both stared at me. It was Dev, they’re both here, they want me! They die because of me. Sinubukan ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para mapalayo sa kanila.

“I’m sorry, please no!!!” they were close, I can’t move anymore. I know it’s my fault. I was trying my best to move away from them.

When I look back at them, I gasp when the three of them are on the screen already, Kiel. he was glaring at me with a lot of blood on his head. Biglang isang malakas na pagputok ng baril ang nanaig sa aking pandinig.

The gunshot that kills Kiel. it keeps playing in my head. I started crying and in a glimpse of an eye, they were all holding my arms and feet. “No, please forgive me, please no, I’m sorry!!!”

“No!!!!”

Naivy’s POV

“Nath, do you want one?” sumulyap ako kay Dad ng subukan nitong kausapin si Nath, it’s been two days since we got her back, and up until now, she’s not responding. At this moment she was just staring at the TV screen.

Tiningnan ko si Nath, pero hindi ito kumikibo at tila hangin lamang ang kausap ni Dad. kaya inabot ko ang remote at iniba ang palabas sa TV. nalipat ito sa football. “Nath, you need to eat,” Mom softly whispered.

“Kal.” lumipat ang tingin ko kay Nath ng bigla itong nagsalita. Tama ba ang dining ko? Sino si Kal? Nagkatinginan kami nila Mom and Dad, “Who’s Kal?” tanong ko sa kanila. Suddenly Nath looks scared.

“It’s one of her friends, who died,” Mom said and stared at Nath. Muli kong pinagmasdan ang expressions na lumalabas sa mukha ni Nath, puno ito ng takot, pagsisisi, at matinding sakit.

Sakit, na dama ko habng pinagmamasdan lamang ang kanyang mga mata. Napaluha ako ng simula itong magpumiglas kahit wala naman humahawak sa kanya, umaatras at tila sumisiksik sa dulo ng hospital bed na kinapupwestuhan nito.

“Nath,” nanghihina kong tawag sa kanya, I never seen nor expect to see Nath at her weakest point. Because I know between the both of us, mas malakas at mas matatag siya sa akin.

“No, no Kal,” pauulit nitong sambit, at nagsimula nang mangilid ang kanyang lupa habang nakatingin sa screen ng TV. It’s still on a football game channel, pero parang may nakitang multo si Nath habang nakatingin dito.

“Nath, honey, anak ko, it’s me, it’s mommy, nandito ako anak.” Nagmamakaawa si mom habang hinahaplos ang pisngi ni Nath, she was begging for her to look at her, because I surely know, no parents can’t handle watching their daughter in her deepest pain.

Kinagat ko ang ibaba ng aking labi, sinusubukan pigilan ang lahat ng sakit. “I’m sorry, please no!” biglang tumaas ang boses ni Nath at nagpumiglas sa hawak ni Mom and Dad.

Panay ang paggalaw at paglayu niya sa screen ng TV, umiiwas at tila nais umalis sa hospital bed. “Nath, anak calm down, please, ako ito si Mommy,” mom begged her, but I gasp ng tamaan ng ulo ni Nath ang mukha ni mom.

It was so hard that her nose bled. Napaupo pa ito sa sahig dahil sa kawalan ng balanse. “Ma!” Ani ko, at agad siyang nilapitan. Umiiyak siyang tumayo at binaliwala ang nararamdaman upang pigilan si Nath sa pag galaw.

Dahil nasusugat na ito sa nakatusok na dextrose sa kamay niya, dad was also trying his best to stop her from moving. “Call the doctor, Naiv!” sigaw nito.

I nodded and tumakbo papalapit sa pinto, “No, please forgive me!!!” sigaw ni Nath, habang sobrang lakas ng kanyang pag-iyak. Nanlalambot kong binuksan ang pinto para lumabas.

“Nurse, doc!!!” Sigaw ko sa nurse at doctor na naglalakad sa hallway. “My sister, she needs your help!” Dali-dali silang tumakbo papasok sa silid at naiwan ako dito sa labas ng pinto.

“Anong ginawa nila sayo, Nath?” Napaupo ako sa gilid ng pinto at yumuko, bago hinayaang sumabog ng luha. Ang sakit-sakit ng lahat ng ito. I couldn’t imagine everything my sister was going through.

“Instead of crying, why don’t you stand up and come with me.” Natigil ako sa pag iyak ng marinig ang boses ni Liv, he’s here again, walang araw na hindi ito pumupunta dito sa hospital.

“Ano?” Tanong ko. Napansin kong nakasilip siya sa glass part ng pinto sa silid ni Nath, tumayo ako at nakita ang mga doctor na tinuturukan ito ng pampatulog.

Liv clenched his jaw, before he turned his back, and we both went to the second floor of this hospital. Tumuloy kami sa isang silid, as I enter doon ko lang na realize na silid ito ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Nath na nakaligtas.

“She’s Naivy, Nathalia’s sister,” pagpapakilala ni Liv sa akin. Tumango ito at sinabi, “I could say, magkamukhang magkamukha sila ni Nath,” nahihiyang sabit nito. Tumayo sa tabi niya si Liv, habang ako naman ay tumigil sa harapan ng bed niya.

“I found this at the villa, where you guys were abducted,” Liv said at may inilabas na crumpled paper na naka zip lock. It was small yet you could see what was written on it.

It says, ‘Nathalia Tyson.’ “The investigators said that this might be from the man who kidnapped your friends, it means, the guys who beat you up, they don’t really know who is Nathalia, someone just give them this name to know who are they after with, do you remember any person who has the same handwriting?” tanong ni Liv.

Nath’s friend stared at the paper very carefully. Before he speak, “May naalala akong ganito ang sulat, last month bago lumipat ng school si Nath, she showed us a notes of an accounting subject, sabi ni Nath may isang kaklase daw siya na nangungulit na pahiramin siya ng notes, pero tinanggihan niya, pero nagulat daw siya ng makita nalang yung notes kinabukasan sa table niya, kaya wala siyang choice kung hindi kunin ito. That person is a guy, I remember, it’s Hen-, Hend, Henderson if I’m not mistaken,” my heart skipped a beat.

“That guy Henderson, yes, Henderson he’s kinda weird and he likes Nath, they have the same handwriting like this,” sambit nito sabay turo sa papel.

Liv hurriedly grabbed his phone, gripped the ziplock, and dialed someone. “Hunt this guy named Henderson, he’s from Nathalia’s accounting class.” Galit at puno ng otoridad nitong sambit.

“We have our possible suspect,” he said and looked at me.

My body trembled in fear, I wanna know the truth and find the person behind this but at the same time I’m scared.

Who is this Handerson?

CHAPTER 16

(TRIGGER WARNING : SENSITIVE SCENES AND INAPPROPRIATE ACT)

Liverio’s POV

“Bitawan niyo ako, I don’t know what you’re talking about!!!” I tilted my head, as this guy named Henderson, entered the precinct. I glance at Naivy who looks terrified as she stares at him. I stand straight and cough a little to get her attention.

“How’s Dymus?” I ask her to switch her attention, she looks caught off guard and avoided my gaze, “I don’t think ito ang tamang oras para tanungin mo ako ng ganyan, anong gagawin niyo sa kanya? Siya ba talaga ang may gawa nito? Do you think it’s him?” like I expected she would avoid my question, I smirked at that before glancing at Henderson.

“If it is him, I’ll make him pay,” I utter, can’t control my mind and feelings right now. We’re talking about abduction, rape and abuse to the girl who have been the apple of my eye. I hate to be cheesy right now but there’s no other word to describe it anyway.

Naivy will kill me if she hears what my mind is saying. I look pathetic admiring a girl who’s six years younger than me. It was hard for me to talk to her back then, and now it might be impossible for us to have time together.

But still, I will do everything for her.

“Attorney, we have his information,” my secretary said. I nodded before turning my head to Naivy who’s just staring at Henderson. “I’m just going to check on something,” I said.

“Go ahead,” she said.

I went out of that room to follow my secretary to the office of the police head. Helix. “You went to the crime scene without police nor forensics team’s advice, alam mo ba kung sino ang mayayari sa ginawa mo? It’s me,” he said this the moment I entered his office.

Sat on the chair in front of his table, crossed my legs and smirked at him. “No one would know unless you say it,” I said.

“Alam mo, parehas talaga kayo ng kambal mo, you’re the protector of the law but the truth is both of you are rule breakers, pasalamat ka napagtakpan ko yung katigasan ng ulo mo.” he’s nagging like a mother, I hissed at him.

“You know what Hel, you talk too much, why don’t you waste your words by telling me the information you gathered from this guy Henderson.” He glared at me before he took a brown envelope from his table and passed it to me.

“Naabutan namin ang suspect sa kanyang condominium, nang imbitahin siya sa prisinto, at ako mismo ang pumunta doon dahil sabi mo,” I nodded open the envelope and grab the pictures inside of it.

This is the picture of his place, “At first it looks like a simple nerdy student place, a lot of ledgers, accounting books, wala ’rin masyadong laman ang ref nito gaya ng mga normal na estudyante, and even his bed, it looks like hindi ito na lilinis agad,” the first few pictures where his place, it looks messy and has a lot of crumpled papers and ledgers for accounting subjects.

“And yes, tama yung kaibigan ng victim, the hand writing matches his, but to make sure, I ask my men to run some tests to confirm it.” The next picture was a picture of his ledges and notes, which really does look like the same handwriting on the paper we got from the villa.

“We invited him to the precinct and he refuse, agad siyang lumingon sa isang pinto na hindi namin na buksan, sa pag-aakalang banyo lamang ito. I ask my man to take him out, and lumapit ako sa pinto ng banyo, pero pag bukas ko,” he stop.

The next picture I saw was the inside of the room he was talking about, my blood boils and my grip became tighter. “This kid is crazy over the victim, puno ang silid na iyon ng mga litrato ng victim, stolen, post from her social media, picture with her friends na may drawing ng pulang pentouch ang mga mukha nito at tanging ang victim lang ang kita ang mukha, at may malalaking litrato din ng mga parte ng katawan nito na halatang pasimpleng kinukuhanan.” the room was filled with picture of Nathalia.

Saw a picture of her inside their house, the picture was taken from the outside of the house. This guy is crazy! “May mga s*x toys din sa loob at mga video ng victim sa class, maaring nagpaparaos ang suspect habang pinapano—,” I cut him off with a death stares and stood up.

“He’s the one—,” I was also cut off talking, “Atty. Liverio, you shouldn’t be basing justice using judgment, and not taking two sides,” I turned my back when I heard my twin’s voice. “Voughn,” Helix called him out and instantly greeted him with a handshake.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

He smirked, “I heard that you ’re about to ask for my help, before she went home,” he said those words with his signature devilish smirk. “So, what’s the case? Was the man outside the true person behind all of this? Is he the suspect based on your judgment?” Voughn is testing me with his words, and it pisses me off.

He likes these kinds of games, but this is not the time for his games. “Don’t tell me what to do!” I hissed at him and before he could speak Helix’s assistant police officer interrupted us.

“Sir, confirmed po na si Mr. Henderson Gallo ang sumulat sa pirasong papel na nakita sa villa.” he said, and with that Voughn chuckled in defeat, I glared at him before walking out of that room.

“Fuck it, Voughn.” I whisper, that guy really knows how to tease and piss me off.

---

After running some tests, I asked Naivy to go back to the hospital for Nathalia, and she agreed with it and left. I was left here to wait for Helix, so I asked him to allow me to talk to Henderson.

I went inside a room, where he was just sitting while his hands were cuffed. He’s sweaty, wearing a big sweatshirt, loose pants and a thick round glass. He glanced at me as I stood in front of him.

“Are you my lawyer?” he asks, looking like a stupid nerdy student who’s acting innocent. I clenched my jaw before sitting in front of him and stared straight through his eyes. “I’m not your lawyer, I don’t serve a client who’s acting innocent behind being psychologically crazy and obsessed.” I don’t want to be personal, I want it to be professional but fuck I can’t hold my anger.

His acting innocent face suddenly disappear, he smirked and look at me in the eyes with those crazy face. “Obsessed? She was mine anyway,” what he said just triggers me, but I remain uptight. I can’t beat this man up right now.

“What did you say?” I utter, tight gripped on the table.

He chuckled and said, “I said, Nathalia Hanaley is mine, she’s mine, her lips, her beautiful face, angelic eyes, soft and silky hair that smells like strawberries, her smooth skin, her smell, I can’t get enough of it.” fuck! I’m gonna kill him.

It disgusted me hearing all of these things from him, “You were the man behind this,” I said, instead of answering he laughed out loud, it was a psycho laugh, what the heck! “Oh, I just can’t wait to live with Nathalia, and have our own kids, she be like waiting for me every time I go home after work, with a big tummy, our baby in her wom—-,” I could not hold my wrath, before he could finish, I punched him in his face.

“Liv!” Helix suddenly went to stop me.

Henderson coughs blood, but still manages to laugh. “Nathalia is mine and yes, I did all of this. Her mother hated her friends anyway, so I just kill them, so her mother would like me to be his son in law, haha, Nathalia and I will get married and since we already made love, we’ll be expecting our baby this yea—.” I knocked him out before he could finish.

“Calm down, Liv, this is not how you work, man!” Helix pushed me out of that room while I’m bursting with anger. I wanna rip his face off, and fucking kill his soul!

“I’ll make sure this guy faces hell in prison.”

CHAPTER 17

Liverio’s POV

I was driving my way to Henderson’s place. Helix and I were in a convoy, because I was given a chance to check the said room. Tight grip on the steering wheel, clenching jaw bursting anger that was being controlled. 

I know what I’m about to see, but I still feel uneasy about it. Just by imagining what that guy did with Nathalia’s pictures. Fuck it. 

We arrived at the said place, I loosen my necktie before stepping out of the vehicle. Helix glances at me as he walks towards the parking elevator. “Kung hindi lang kita kaibigan, I will not let you do any of this, this is against the rules.” he said.

Instead of answering him, I pushed him inside the elevator as soon as it was open and we went up to the said floor, where Henderson’s unit is located. 

He opened the door using a pin code, “Good thing, naalala ng assistant ko yung pin ng unit,” he said. I instantly realized what the meaning of the code was. It was Nathalia’s birthday. This asshole. 

Helix opened the door, and just like what he said, it was a plain student unit. But my blood heaten up as I saw the door. Tumuloy doon si Helix, he opened it with a key. Sinalubong ako ng pulang ilaw mula sa loob, and a ton of pictures of Nathalia around the wall. 

I slowly entered the room, and gazed at every picture. I couldn’t imagine how painful it would be if Nathalia or any of her family witnessed this damn place. “This guy is crazy, sobrang lala nito,” Helix said while putting on elastic gloves and started grabbing some photos on the floor. 

“This kid is a psycho, base on his background he has an abusive father kaya naghiwalay ito at ang nanay niya, napunta siya sa puder ng nanay niya pero pumunta ng ibang bansa ito, at nakapangasawa ng mayaman na hapon, kaya iniwan na lamang ang anak dito.He was just supported by paying his place, school tuition fee and allowance.” he continue speaking while checking stuffs and roaming around the room. 

I took a few steps closer to the wall, and stared at Natalia’s face, those beautiful smiles, charming eyes and innocent face. I was content just by staring at it from a far, but because of this psycho, those precious smiles faded. 

There’s a lot of pictures of Nath sleeping in class, drinking with her friends and many more. 

“Look at this,” I stopped staring at these pictures when Helix called me out, I turned my back and looked at him. He opened Henderson’s P.C.

“Shit,” he cursed when he opened a video of Henderson doing some nasty stuff while calling Nathalia’s name. 

Then move to other files, It was footage of abduction, saw Nathalia laying on a bed with blind fold, she looked miserable, “Please, let  me go.” Nath begged. I could not hold back anymore. I hurriedly grab Helix’s gun, and shoot the center of the screen where Henderson’s face is. 

“Fuck! Tangina Liv!! Muntikan mo na akong matamaan!!! What the fuck!” he shouted and hurriedly grabbed his gun from me. Tinggal nito ang magazine ng baril at inilayo ito sa akin. He massaged his forehead out of stress and looked at me. 

“Paano natin magagamit itong ebidensya kung binaril mo!” he nagged at me. I glanced at him when I went back to my senses. “You’re not that stupid, I only shoot the screen, not the CPU, grab some IT and get all that evidence that we might use, I can’t stay any longer, I might burn this place out,” I said before leaving that hell.

---

Naivy’s POV

It’s been two days, and still wala pa rin kaming nakukuhang kahit na anong kibo mula kayy Nath, pag gising siya, nakatulala lang siya at parang walang gana ito sa buhay. At pag tulog naman ito, panay ang bangungot to the point na halos wala na siyang sapat na tulog. 

Kailangan ng katawan niya magpahinga, awang-awa ako sa kanya, kahit anong try namin kausapin siya wala itong silbe. She just doesn’t want to interact with anybody. 

Mabilis ako napadiretso ng upo ng bumukas ang pinto, Liv showed up. He gazes at me first before he traps his eyes into my sister na ngayon lang nakatulog ng maayos. “We have already scheduled the court trial tomorrow, and there is strong evidence we gathered from the suspect’s place,” he said. 

Kahit hirap akong tanungin siya, at pag-usapan ang lalaking nasa likod ng lahat ng ito. Naglakas loob ako, I cleared my throat before asking, “What did you find out?” he didn’t look at me and still locked his eyes on my sister as he answered. 

“It’s better that you attend the court trial tomorrow,” tugon nito bago tumalikod at nagsimulang naglakad papalapit sa pinto, what aalis na siya agad? 

“I’m just going out for a smoke, I’ll be back later, so you can rest, and I’ll watch her,” he said. 

“Do you think she will recover?” nanghihina kong tanong sa kanya pag lagpas nito sa akin. He stopped, “She will, I will help her,” he said. 

Hindi ko alam pero Liv’s words are making me at ease, he had this aura with his words that makes me believe he will do it for my sister. That my sister is safe with him. His words might not tell that he likes my sister but his actions do. 

Kaya gumaan ang pakiramdam ko, “Thank you,” I whisper. 

I watched him step out of the room, and I sat beside my sister. Gently hold her hand and stare at her bruises. “Please, heal my sister, not now but please someday.” I said. 

---

Nathalia’s POV

I was sleeping, I knew I was sleeping but why am I conscious sa paligid? Nakikita ko ang paligid ng silid, it was dark, but kita ko na nakaupo sa sa mini sofa si Ate Naivy. 

I blinked twice before I started hearing a crying voice, bakit hindi ko magalaw ang buong katawan ko? Even my head, I can’t move it. Walang control ang isip ko sa buong katawan ko sa hindi malamang dahilan. 

I open my mouth to call my sister, pero walang lumalabas na boses sa aking bibig. Kasabay nito ay tila ang tunog na umiiyak ay parang papalapit ng papalapit sa akin. 

Gising ako pero hindi ko magalaw ang buong katawan ko, mas lalo akong natakot ng biglang may humawak sa kamay ko. I move my eyes and look at it, tumigil sa pagtibok ang puso ko ng makita ang nakamask na lalaki sa tabi ko at sa isang iglap na nakapatong na ito sa akin. 

Gusto kong sumigaw kumawala pero hindi ko kaya, bigla ako nitong sinakal, bumuhos ang luha ko sa takot. At nagsimula na rin akong mahirapan huminga. 

This man, he resemblence the man who rape and kill my friends. 

I wanted to shout, this time I wanted to speak, this time I wanted to say something. Ginawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko upang gumalaw. Sinimulan ko ‘rin itanim sa aking isipan na panaginip lang ito. Masamang panaginip at kailangan kong gumising. 

I tried my very best kahit nahihirapan na akong huminga. 

“Nath?” amidst this nightmare, I heard a familiar voice, the voice I heard the moment I went home after that nightmare. That voice gives me the courage to wake up. 

I gasp for air as soon as I finally opened my eyes and got back control of my body. 

“Nath!” Gulat na sambit ni ate Naivy. 

Pero dahil sa kawalan ng tamang hangin sa katawan, pinili kong tumayo. At walang pagdadalawang isip na tinanggal ang dextrose sa aking kamay. Masakit pero ayaw ko na sa lugar na ito.

Pakiramdam ko, alam ng lalaking gumawa sa akin kung nasaan ako. He may be after me again. I need to get out of here. 

“Nath, anong ginawa mo?!” Nagpapanick na sambit nito ng makita ang pagtulo ng dugo mula sa aking kamay. Hindi ko ito binigyang pansin at agad nilagpasan siya at tumakbo papalapit sa pinto. 

“Nath, sandali!” She shouted, but before I opened the door, someone opened it for me, and as soon as I saw his face. I felt weak, I hugged him really tight. 

“Don’t let go of me,” I whispered before everything went black.

CHAPTER 18

Nathalia’s POV

“We’re home.” nakangiting sambit ni Mommy habang hinihintay makapasok ang lahat ng taong kasama namin. Liv was pushing my wheelchair, my eyes roam around the main entrance of our house where I saw my last hope after the abduction.

Nakaramdam ako ng panlalamig sa aking mga kamay, “Hey,” natigilan ako sa pagbuo ng takot sa aking sistema ng kunin ni Liv ang atensyon ko, Looking at his eyes, feels like hope to me. Ang mga mata na una kong nakita pagbalik ko dito sa bahay, kaya tuwing nakikita ko ito, pakiramdam ko ligtas ako mula sa may gawa sa akin nito.

“You’re safe, you don’t need to worry,” he said. I nodded at him and tried my best to hold my tears. Lumapit si Dad sa aking harapan bago lumuhod at hinawakan ang aking kamay, he was about to kiss my hand and my reflexes instantly avoided it. I bit my lower lip and tried to hold how shaky I’m right now.

Bakas sa mga mata nito ang lungkot dahil sa ginawa ko, ayaw kong layuan siya pero kusang lumalayo ang katawan ko sa kahit anong physical touch.

“I’m s-s-sorry,” naluha-luha kong sambit, I don’t want this either but I can’t.

“It’s not your fault that you’re scared princess, I’m sorry we let this happen.” my dad breaks down and cry in front of us, mom instantly pulls him and hugs him really tight. “Would you please bring Nath upstairs, so she can rest.” pakisuyo ni Mom kay Liv at Ate Naivy.

I watch my parents cry in pain, as Liv brings me near the staircase. “Paano natin siya iaakyat?” tanong ni ate Naivy kay Liv. Nanatili akong tulala pero hinihintay ko ang gagawin nila.

Liv was hesitated on carrying me with bare hands, kaya hindi ko na sila hinintay pang buhatin ako dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako magiging comfortable sa paghawak sa akin. “I can wal—,” hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko ng biglang buhatin ni Liv ang wheelchair kasama ako.

He was carrying me without touching me. “Be careful!” Mom said, dahan-dahan akong inakyat ni Liv, nakaalalay si Ate. suddenly I feel at ease and comfortable, they know there limits and my limits too.

Pinagmasdan ko siya habang buhat ako at ang wheelchair ko, tila ba hindi ito nakakaramdam ng bigat, ni walang bahid ng pwersa sa kanyang mukha. “Here,” mahina nitong sambit ng maabot namin ang second floor, marahan niya akong ibinaba bago muling inalalayan papunta sa aking silid.

Pero nagtaka ako ng lumagpas kami sa kwarto ko, napansin ni ate Naivy ang pagtataka ko, “Mas pinili namin ilipat muna ang room mo sa tabi ng room nila Mommy, baka kasi hindi ka maging comportable sa kwarto mo,” alam ko ang nais nitong iparating, na baka maalala ko lang ang mga kaibigan ko sa silid na iyon. Tumango ako bilang pag-sangayon.

Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung handa na akong makita ang mga larawan namin. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa armrest ng wheelchair nang mag play back sa aking isipan ang pagsagot ko kila Mom at pag-away ko kay ate Naivy before that night happened.

If only I’d listen to them, none of this would ever happen. Too late. Nathalia.

Binuksan ni ate ng pinto ng bago kong silid at agad kong napansin na may main bed at may small bed sa gilid nito. “Since you’re not fully recovered, we decided to put another bed beside you para may kasama ka tuwing natutulog ka, mom, dad and I will have our schedule every night don’t worry.”

Automatic akong lumingon kay Liv, I want him here with me. “Are you gonna have your shared schedule too?” diretso kong sambit at hindi pinutol ang pagtitig ko sa kanya.

That caught him off guard, and I watched him glance at my sister and my parents who’s standing behind us. “Please.” I begged, I know I’m safe with him, I want him beside me.

“Sure,” he said, flashing a small smirk at me. I nodded and we went inside and he help me move to my new bed without touching me, kaya ng makita kong nakaalalay lang siya sa akin, my body said don’t touch him, but my mind was so strong and pushed me to hold onto his hand as I move to my bed. Nagulat siya ng ilang segundo bago hinawakan ng mahigpit ang aking kamay at hinintay akong makahiga ng maayos sa kama ko.

“Padilim na din, why won’t you stay for the night, Liv,” Dad said.

He nodded and seated beside me while I still held his hand. “We’ll prepare dinner and leave our daughter to you,” dad continued and they left us here.

Tiningnan ako ni Liv and suddenly I felt the urge to avoid it, and close my eyes to take some rest, mas hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya, dahil closing my eyes and seeing nothing brings back the memory of that tragic night.

But having his hand holding my keeps me safe from all the fear. “Don’t leave.” I whispered before I felt tired and before I knew it I was out already.

---

Liv’s POV

After saying ‘Don’t leave’ she instantly fell asleep and was still holding onto my hand. I stay here for a couple of minutes when the door slowly opens. It was Naivy she brought dinner. “Dinner,” she whispered and put it on the coffee table near the window of this room.

“She seems to be ok, Good thing you’re here, sa ngayon ikaw lang ang napaparamdam sa kanya na ligtas siya kaya pakiusap ko sayo, alam ko na busy ka sa ibang bagay at sa kasong ito, but please find time to visit and stay with her, she needs you.” I nodded.

“I’ll help here in any way I can.” I said looking straight at her pale face.

“Tomorrow, hindi pa siya pupunta sa korte hindi ba?”

“Yes, she’s not yet ready and I will not force her. But, someday she will have to face it and win this with me.”

“Sa tingin mo ba matibay ang ebidensya natin laban sa suspek? Makukulong ba siya agad?”

“The evidence is strong enough to make him plead guilty for this case.” I confidently said.

Suddenly my phone rings, so I have to slowly let go of Nathalia’s hand and answer it. It was Helix.

“Helix?” I said.

“We have a problem,” he said from the other line.

“What is it?” Nathalia looked at me as if she was asking me what this call is about. I turned it into a speaker volume, so she could hear it.

“The suspect was spotted in their condominium CCTV surveillance during the night the abduction happened, I heard that they will use it tomorrow in the first trial, this could be strong evidence against ours.” what the f*ck!

Naivy gasp in fear, “How did that happen? Umamin na siya hindi ba!!!”

“I’ll call you back.” I said, clenching my jaw, turning off the call and looking at Naivy.

“What are we gonna do, we can’t let him get away with this, I’m sure they did something wrong, or edited iyon!!! Hindi siya pwedeng makatakas!!!”

“Shh, you’ll wake your sister up, for now I need to go and check on it.” I said before glancing at Nathalia and leave their house.

Rushing to Helix’s office, “Where’s the copy of the footage? I need to see it.” I said and looked at his laptop. “Good thing nakakuha ako ng copy mula sa kabilang kampo,” he said.

“How?” I asked him, he smirked and said, “I have my ways.”

He played the footage, while scanning it. I could really say that this was real and not edited. How the fck did they pull this up. That fcking psychopath!

“Walang bahid ng edit, this is real. What are we gonna do? Yung suspek talaga ito oh!” he said.

“He can’t outsmart me,” I said after seeing the smallest detail that proved us right in this case.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“Nath! They killed us because of you!!!” paulit-ulit kong naririnig ang mga boses ng mga kaibigan ko!

“Please!” I breathlessly whisper and wake up. Paglingon ko sa paligid ng aking silid wala si Liv, no one’s with me. “No, no, no!” nagpanic ako at bilang ng bukas ang pinto, tumigil ako sa paghinga ng makita ang lalaking nakaitim at nakasuot ng mask na papalapit sa akin.

He’s coming for me!!! “No! Sumiksik ako sa headboard ng kamay. “No, please!!” papalapit siya ng papalapit sa akin at pagtigil niya sa harap ng kama ko nagsalita siya. “You’re mine, Nathalia!” he shouted and pulled my feet.

“Ahhh!!!” muli akong nagising, and my eyes instantly saw Liv eating on the coffee table of this room. Tumayo siya at agad lumapit sa akin, agad kong hinila ang kamay niya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

“He’s coming for me, he wants me!!!” nanginginig ang buong katawan ko sa takot, at nahihirapan akong huminga.

“I won’t let him have you.” he firmly whispered and after that my stomach suddenly hurt and I vomited at him. I vomited a lot and the next thing I know they put a dextrose on me again and I feel weak.

Liv was wearing a white shirt and started rubbing a cold towel on my arms. “S-sorry.” I said he smiled at me before he sat on the side of my bed and lay beside me, he let me rest my head on his chest and he wrapped his arms on my shoulder.

“I can’t sleep.” I breathlessly whisper. “I know, this time, I’m holding you with both of my arms, this will protect you even in your nightmares. So, take a rest and leave everything behind. I’m here, you’re safe in my arms.” with his words, the fear faded and slowly I fell back asleep.

---

FIRST COURT TRIAL

Naivy’s POV

We’re here today. The day of the first trial for my sister’s case is happening today. Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Dad as we attend here to witness everything. He looked at me and nodded as if we’re seeking each other’s strength to face this day.

Mom was left in the house with Nath. “We can do this.” He whispered, I nodded, holding my tears back.

Everyone arrived, the people, the prosecutors and Liv. He arrived with Captain Helix, carrying all the evidence we have.

And my heart stopped beating when the suspect arrived, wearing a blue shirt, thick glasses and he’s handcuffed. We looked at ease while my sister suffered every night for what he’d done to her. What a monster!

Humigpit ang hawak ni Dad sa kamay ko kaya sinubukan ko kumalma. A few minutes later the trial started.

“Order in the court, all rise please.” tumayo kaming lahat at pumasok na ang judge. He bowed, “Court is now in session, please be seated.” umupo na kaming lahat.

“Good morning everyone, My name is Hermano Justice, if counsel could please introduce themselves.” the judge said.

Kinakabahan ako, sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Everyone from the case, the lawyers, the defense introduces themselves. “Alright, are there any issues that counsel wish to raise before we get started?” the judge asked and wala naman nagtanong kaya the trial officially started.

I watched Liv stand up and start the opening statement. He started stating the case and what happened that night and produced his evidence for the case. It was strong and LIv was doing a great job, can’t elaborate it well because I’m nervous but he’s great.

Then after his time, it was time for the suspect to defend himself. “You’re honour, my client is innocent, here is the CCTV footage of the exact time the kidnapping happened, and my client was in his condominium buying food from the convenience store at the ground floor of his unit. Kitang-kita dito na hindi siya umalis sa lugar na ito buong gabi.” we all watch the footage and it’s true hindi na ito umalis.

“You’re honour, I object.” napalingon kaming lahat kay Liv. “It’s not your time to speak atty. Liverio!” taas boses na sambit ng lawyer ng suspect. “Atty. Austin, proceed.” pinagbigyan ng judge magsalita si Liv.

“The evidence was real, yet as you can see if you zoom it out his phone shows another CCTV footage of the kidnapping that was happening at that time, it means he was not there but he knows what’s happening and he’s watching it. We had a copy of the footage on his phone.” plinay nito ang footage kung saan kinakaladkad palabas sila Nathalia at ng mga kaibigan nito labas ng cottage na tinuluyan nila that night.

“No!” nagulat kaming lahat ng sumigaw si Henderson. “Hindi totoo ’yan!!! Wala akong ginawang masama!!! Kinuha ko lang kung ano yung akin!!!” Dad clenched his jaw out of anger but was still trying to hold it in.

“Mr. Henderson, calm down.” sinubukan siyang pakalmahin ng lawyer niya ng bigla niya itong itulak dahilan para tumama ito sa lamesa. “Akin si Nathalia at kinuha ko lang siya sa kanila, oo alam ko ang lahat at ako ang may gawa nito, I have the right to get what is mine, she’s mine, and her friends yes! I killed them!!!” nilapitan na siya ng mga pulis at tinanggal sa loob ng korte.

The trial ended there and we’ll come back to the second trial next week. But this time we need to bring Nathalia.

“Sa tingin mo kakayanin ng kapatid kong humarap doon? Ako nga na kapatid lang halos mahimatay ako sa loob. Hindi ito kakayanin ni Nath. Liv.” sambit ko kay Liv paglabas namin ng korte.

He was staring at the sky and said, “She will win this case next week, I promise that.” he said.

How can he be so sure of that?

Sabay kaming bumalik sa bahay, dahil nagprisinta siya na dito matulog at bantayan ngayong gabi si Nath. pagbukas namin ng silid nito, agad siyang tinawag ni Nath at niyakap ng mahigpit.

“I didn’t have any nightmares last night.” Nath told him that and she smiled at him. Liv smiles back at her and just watches her talk.

Suddenly Nathalia speaks a lot when she’s with him. He’s my sister’s safezone.

Thank you, Liv, for helping us heal my sister.

CHAPTER 19

Naivy’s POV

“How is she doing?” Dad said while we’re both standing in front of Nathalia’s room. Nakasandal ako sa pinto habang pinapanood si Nath na tulala sa kanyang kama. “She’s fine, but she’s not talking to anyone, nagsasalita lang siya pag si Liv na ang kausap niya.” mahina kong sambit.

It’s been a week since madischarge siya at yung first trial, medyo mabigat pa ’rin para sa amin ang lahat. Binabangungot pa ’rin si Nath tuwing gabi pag kami ang nagbabantay sa kanya pero pag schedule ni Liv, everything was so peaceful with him.

Nakakarecover na si Nath ng konti, but you can only see that pag nandyan si Liv. Si Liv talaga ang nakakapagpabalik sa kilala naming Nathalia. “Do you think it’s a good idea na payagan ko siyang sumama kay Liv mamaya?’ Dad asked, I look at him with confusion, saan sila pupunta?

“Liv has been trying his best to prepare your sister for the trial this week, and last night he asked if he could bring her to the beach, he said that he thinks it will let our Nathalia relax and gather courage to face the court. Do you think it’s a good idea? Do you think we should let Nathalia leave our house? But was it safe out th-there for her?” dad’s voice crack, bakas ang takot sa mukha ni Dad at ang pangingilid ng mga luha nito.

What happened to my sister has a big effect on us, the trauma doesn’t end with her. Natrauma din kaming lahat sa nangyari, my parents they always has a lock of sleep pag wala si Liv dahil sa takot na mawala muli ang kapatid ko sa amin.

Mom and dad have to attend and meet their psychologist every week for this, they have to take sleeping pills just to have enough sleep. My parents also lose weight and they also look so stressed out. Naawa ako sa kanila, but we have to be strong for my sister, she needs us in our strongest phase.

Pinunasan ko ang tumulo nitong luha at niyakap ito, “I think she’s in good hands, dad. Alam kong takot ka, takot tayong lahat but I believe that Liv is the one who’s gonna heal my sister, he proves us the impossible, dahil sa kanya mas napapabilis ang pag recover ni Nath, he’s doing all of this for her and I will trust him my sister again. We have to be strong dad, for Nath, so she could win this with us.”

“I don’t know if I can do this, I’m scared. I don’t want to lose her again.” Dad breaks down and mom shows up shedding tears, she walks towards us and hugs us. “Let’s do this for Nath,” mom said and kissed my forehead.

Sumulyap ako kay Nath at nakita ko ang pagtulo ng luha niya habang tulala pa rin. I know you could hear us. Please win this with us.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“I don’t know if I can do this, I’m scared. I don’t want to lose her again.”

“Let’s do this for Nath.” I don’t know if I’m hallucinating but hearing my family break down and cry for me, suddenly feels like a stab in my chest. What happened to me affected them too.

I’m sorry, I wanted to say that but I feel weak and tired right now. So, I close my eyes and just think of Liv’s eyes. Ito ang sabi sa akin ni Liv whenever I close my eyes and fear having another nightmare, I should just think of his eyes and after that the moment I open my eyes, he will be here beside me.

I fell asleep without a nightmare and when I opened my eyes, I saw Liv inside my room putting things on his duffle bag. Bumangon ako at sinabi, “Saan ka pupunta?” tanong ko, na umagaw ng atensyon niya.

He smile at me and said, “We’re going somewhere.” dahil sa sinabi niya agad akong nakaramdam ng takot, at kaba. I hadn’t left the house for almost a month and half, I don’t know if I’m safe outside this house.

“Don’t be scared, I’ll be with you and the place that we’re gonna stay at, it’s safe.” he gives me that assurance and carries his bag. “Let’s go?” tanong nito, lumingon ako sa bintana at napansin kong hapon na bakit naman kami aalis ng ganitong oras.

“Pero hindi pa ako nakabihis?” ani ko habang dahan-dahan umuupo sa kama ko. Lumapit siya sa akin at inalalayan ako at inabang ang wheelchair ko. I can walk but my body was too weak to work on it’s own.

“Naivy said you had a shower before sleeping, so you don’t need to take a shower and change clothes, the place we’re going is just you and me, your pajama’s won’t mind.” he gently said as he push my wheelchair out of my room.

I’m scared pero alam kong hindi niya ako pababayaan kaya sasama ako.

I have to do this for myself too, hindi pweding habang buhay na lang akong nakaratay sa kama ko hanggang sa mabaliw ako at isa pa, I know he’s doing this for the trial this week. Sinabi niya na ito sa akin at kung isa ito sa makatulong para maharap ko ang araw na iyon.

Then I will do it. Right?

Binuhat niya ako pababa ng hagdan gaya ng pagbuhat niya sa akin paakyat. Nakaabang si Mommy at Dad sa baba, bakas ang takot sa mukha nila, agad akong nilapitan ni Mommy at inabot ang slice fruits na nakalagay sa isang container.

“Don’t starve yourself, if hindi mo pa kaya, wag mong pilitin. I’m here for you.” she said and kissed my hand, dad did the same and said. “You’ll overcome all of this, my princess.” I just watch them hold their tears in front of me, and I also hold my emotions inside of me. I don’t want to worry them more.

I caused enough pain, this time I’ll do it right.

“Liv, you’ll bring her back with you tomorrow, safe.” Ate Naivy said with a red runny nose, she cried before this, I know it, and I’m sorry.

“I will.” Liv said and pushed my wheelchair to the main door of the house. As they open the door, nasilaw ako sa sinag ng araw at agad niyakap ng malamig na simoy ng hangin ang aking balat.

Ang akala ko paglumabas ako ng bahay, everything will be dark for me. But I forgot how beautiful it is outside. I can do this.

“Let’s go.” Liv said and smiled at me. He rode his Tesla for an hour until we arrived at a beautiful beach side house where everything is golden shiny because of the sunset. Inalalayan niya ako pababa at pinasakay sa wheelchair bego dinala sa tabing dagat kung saan mas maganda ang view sa sunset.

Sobrang ganda, all my life even after that night. I thought my life is black and white, I didn’t expect to see this color in my life. “Close your eyes and feel the breeze of the air, the heat from the sun touching your skin, the sound of the waves. All of this was made by the man up there. He did everything possible, and also he let things happen on its own because he knows his people will overcome it. He trusts us and he saves us.”

What he said makes me cry. I almost forget about the man up there. Nakalimutan ko siya dahil sa nangyari sa akin, I let the pain eats me while I still have him. I didn’t lose everything I have.

I’m sorry, I don’t blame you for what happened to me. I just forget because of the pain.

“He knows you’ll face the trial with him, and you will win it.” Liv said and that gives me the urge to open my eyes. I saw him with his eyes closed, palm to palm, he was praying.

“I know he will give you the courage, the strength to tell the truth and give justice to your friends. I know you can do it, he’s within you.” watching him sincerely pray, burst hope in my chest, he was the one he used to heal me.

At the end of the pain, the man up there is still beside me. I burst into tears and reached for Liv’s face and filled him for a kiss. A kiss that will heal me. A kiss that will erase the pain of the past.

He’s eyes open, and when I moved aways he tried to catch my lips but he didn’t he controlled himself and said. “Do you know that I’ve been praying for you since I was a kid,” he said.

“What?” anong ibig niyang sabihin.

“The man from above knows how much I’d pray for you, how much I feared after we lost you for a couple of nights, how I begged him to stop your nightmares, how I prayed for you to not blame yourself on what happened to your friends. Because I have been loving you since I first laid my eyes on you. He knows that, and I will do everything to bring you back to us and win this for you.”

In just a second, everything faded, the pain, fear, the past. Suddenly I just know I can face it now.

“Just say you love me.” I said and chuckled, pinunasan niya ang luha ko at dalawa kaming tumawa.

“Tell me everything that happen that nights and we will face the trial together and win it.” he whisper and with that alam kong malalampasan ko ang laban na ito dahil nandyan siya sa tabi ko at ang pamilya ko.

---

THE SECOND TRIAL

Hinawakan ni Mommy at Dad ang kamay ko pagbaba namin ng sasakyan, the day has come.

“We’re here for you,” Mom whispers, I glance at them and we start walking inside the court and sit inside. My chest is pounding so hard, my stomach is rolling, I kept holding Dad’s hand tight and mom was trying to hold her tears.

Liv entered the court and our eyes instantly met, he smiled at me and mouthed. ‘Pray before it starts.’ I nodded at him and prayed just as he said.

I ask for guidance, strength and hope.

As I opened my eyes Henderson entered the court and he looked at me, “Nathalia.” and smirked. I gasp and when he calls my name, everything comes to an end. His voice.

It was him.

CHAPTER 20

Naivy’s POV

“Tell us what happened that night, Miss Tyson.” humigpit ang pagkapit ko sa aking kinauupuan ng simula nang tanungin si Nath sa harap. Lahat ng tao ay nakatingin sa kanya, hinihintay ang pagbuka ng kanyang bibig.

Habang ako ay halos maubusan na ng hangin sa katawan kakapigil, hindi ko ata kaya itong makita. Nanghihina ako para sa kapatid ko, baka hindi niya kayanin, baka sobrang bigat nito para sa kanya. Ang balikan ang lahat ng masamang nangyari sa kanila nung gabing iyon, ang pagkawala ng mga kaibigan niya, at ang trauma na dinanas niya mula dito.

Pinipigilan ko ang pagtulo ng aking luha, at tila parang bumabagal ang oras, ang katahimikan sa loob ng korte ay nakakabingi sa hindi malamang dahilan, ang tensyon ay sobrang lakas, ang takot ay nakikita ko sa mata ng aking kapatid.

Kaya mo ito, Nath. Ipapanalo mo ang kasong ito.

Hinawakan ni Mama ang aking kamay, patuloy ang pagluha ng kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa kanyang bunsong anak.

Ilang segundo na ang lumipas, hindi pa ’rin nagsasalita si Nath. sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko, para bang may mabigat na bagay ang nakadagan dito dahilan upang bumagal ang pagtibok nito. Makirot at tila mas lalo akong nahihirapan huminga.

Lumingon ako sa suspek at pansin kong grabe nito titigan ang kapatid ko, nakangisi pa ito at tila nais hagkan ang kapatid ko. Ang takot sa aking buong sistema ay napalitan ng matinding galit, anong kababuyan ang ginagawa mo sa kapatid ko!

“Miss Tyson?” pag-uulit na tawag kay Nath. tila bumalik ito sa kanyang sarili at nilingon ang lalaking nagtanong sa kanya.

“Again, can you tell us what happened that night?” ani nito. Nathalia glanced at us before her stare landed at Liv. he nodded and smiled at her before she managed to open her mouth and tell the true story that night.

“It was the night before my birthday, I sneak out the house with my friends at midnight.” diretso ang tingin nito sa mga tao. That’s it, you can do this Nath.

“We went to a place owned by my friends’ family. To stay there and celebrate my birthday together.” she said.

“As we arrived, I felt dizzy so I went upstairs to take a nap. When I woke up, I heard my friend shout downstairs. I stood up and decided to check them downstairs. I tried calling my friend Kiels’ name but I was losing breath and felt the heavy aura around the place.” she stops and glances at me.

Those stairs mean something, I nodded at her and tried to show her that I’m with her. “When I’m almost at the last step of the stairs, I saw a three man in black with black mask inside the house, in the living room, where my friend was supposed to decorate for my birthday.”

“I saw my friend C-Chris.” her voice started cracking, and she glanced at her friend Chris who’s seated beside us trying to hold his tears. “There’s blood on his forehead and he passed out, My friend D-Devon begged, she said ‘No please.’ I hide and cover my mouth in fear.”

“They begged them not to kill us, because…” she started shedding tears, tears of pain. “We’re j-just s-students.” nanlumo ako sa sinabi niya, and instantly imagine what they faced that night. I don’t know things about her friends but they were just teens.

“They begged for our safety but the guys asked for me, they were looking for me. My friends lie and tell them that they are the only one inside the house, At that time I know I was the only hope, so I sneak out at the kitchen’s exit and try to reach the van, but as I try to start the engine a sharp thing pointed at my neck and the man said ‘Where do you think you’re going’ and after that I passed out and the next thing I knew we were captured by this unknown man, they tortured my friends and one of them r-raped me.”

“You said you sneak out of your house, why?” the lawyer started asking her.

“Because I want to celebrate my birthday with my friends.” Nath answers.

“Are you sure, or your parents didn’t like you friends, do you think there’s a possibility that they wanted to take them out of your life—,” what the heck is this lawyer trying to say!

“Objection your honor!” Liv firmly said. “Continue Attorney The lawyer was about to ask her again but we all got shocked when the suspect spoke.

“Your friends!!! They are not good for you Nathalia, that’s why I kill them!!! I kill them!!” lahat kami ay nagulat sa sinabi nito. “This fucker!! How come you’re still alive!!! I will kill you!” tinuro nito si Chris.

“Mister Henderson, seat down!” the judge ordered but he wouldn’t listen. Patuloy itong nagpupumiglas at dinuduro ang kaibigan ni Nathalia. “You! Mga sagabal kayo! Dahil sa inyo lumipat si Nathalia ng university, she left me because of you! So I have to get her on my own, pero mga sagabal kayo!! That’s why I kill all of you pero buhay ka pang hinayupak ka!” every words na lumalabas sa bibig nito at nagdadala ng matinding takot sa loob ng korte.

Was he confessing what he did? “Mr. Henderson, did you kill Miss Tyson’s friends?” the judge asked that made everyone listen. “Yes! I kill them, mga sagabal kasi sila, so I have to put them where they should be!!” I heard Nathalia gasp and shuttered in tears, she remembered her friends.

“Why did you do that to us?” she asked.

Tiningnan siya ni Henderson at tila nanlambot ito dahil kay Nathalia, “I just love you, Nathalia, wala akong ginawang masama, I just love you so much I will do anything for you.” he’s crazy.

Lumakas lalo ang pag-iyak ni Nath, kaya kailangan na siyang alisin sa korte, mom went with her but I stayed her. I stay because I want to hear the verdict.

Nagkakagulo na dito sa loob dahil bawat tao ay kanya-kanya ng mga opinyon sa kaso.

The jury already stated their decision to the judge and we waited until the state announcement. Liv continues producing evidence to prove fasts.

He never stopped and did everything he could.

“People of the Philippines versus Patrick Henderson Defendant case number SCN 197723 verdict count one first degree murder, we the jury in the above entitled cause find the defendant Henderson guilty of the crime of murder in violation of Penal Code Section 6 Article 248.” my heart skipped a beat after hearing that.

We win?

“Sentenced to life in prison without parole.”

I burst out and cry in my father’s arms, masakit malaman ang lahat pero alam kong kailangan namin itong lagpasan to be able to move on and start again.

For my sister, and for all of us.

I hope this will be the end and tomorrow everything will be sunshine and rainbows.

CHAPTER 21

Nathalia’s POV

4 years passed by, yes, apat na taon na ang lumipas. Pero nanatili pa ’rin ang marka ng nakaraan sa puso ko, aftering winning the trial I tried my best to move on and keep on going.

And I did, “Once again, congratulation batch 2024!!! This is not the end of your journey but the start of your adventure!” nagsigawan ang lahat ng tao dito sa loob ng stadium at mga nagsisilipadang mga square academic caps.

Yes, I just graduated from college. After a year of taking a break, when I tried to move on, I also chose to move on and continue my friend’s dream. To graduate together pero this time ako lang mag-isa.

“Congratulations Nath!” masiglang sambit ni ate Naivy at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. Napangiti ako at niyakap ito pabalik, I saw my mom and Dad shedding tears at the back while watching as I smiled at them and lifted my diploma to show it to them. They smiled and nodded before holding each other.

I feel at ease watching them being proud of me, hindi ko inaasahan na mangyayari ito sa buong buhay ko. Mahirap pagdaanan lahat ng pinagdaanan ko pero nalagpasan ko ito. Kinaya ko dahil sa kanila, they were there when everything was gone for me, they never gave up on me and I was wrong all along.

Buong akala ko, I was the black sheep of the house, but I tend to misunderstand them in so many ways and now while moving on, I also feel safe in their arms and mas napalapit na ako sa kanila. Because as days go by, I realize that my family is the only people where I can be flawed and weak but they will always be there for me, love me no matter what.

“Sobrang proud ako sayo, you deserve all of this, still have a bright future ahead of you and I’m ready to witness all of it, nandito lang si Ate, ok.” ate Naivy whispered in my ears, before a one last tight hug before letting go and sabay kaming lumapit sa parents namin.

“Great job, princess, you’re the best!” Dad said and hugged me, “Ok dad, thank you haha.” tugon ko at niyakap naman si Mom after him. “Ok, everyone is waiting for us in the venue, so let’s get going.” Mom said and we just greeted some of my proof before heading to the venue.

“Malapit na ang birthday mo Nath, you still haven’t pick any dress, sayang naman ang effort namin ang ate mo for this. You have to pick your dress na, ok. Was it blue or pink?” mom ask habang nasa sasakyan kami.

“Mom, I prefer the lavender dress for Nath.” singit ni Ate Naivy bago ako sumagot, tiningnan niya ako at ipinakita sa akin ang screen ng camera niya kung saan may lavender silk dress na nakaflash sa screen.

“Ang ganda diba?” she said. Tumango ako, hindi ko maexplain ang feelings ko. I feel calm and safe and watching them talk about my birthday also makes me feel happy and excited. After four years, ngayon lang ulit ako magcecelebrate ng birthday ko, dahil mahirap para sa akin mag celebrate ng mga bagay and still remember how my friends died because of me.

But now, I learn to move on and ready na ako mag celebrate ng birthday kasama ang mga importanteng tao sa buhay ko. I know my friends will be happy for me this time. Because this time tanggap ko na.

“Itong lavender dress nalang ang susuotin ko, Ma, and by the way pwede po ba tayong dumaan sa flower shop, Dad?”

“Sure thing anak,” dad said.

Lumiko si Dad sa isang flower shop at pinark ang sasakyan namin sa tapat nito. I open the door beside me and smile at them. “Saglit lang po ako,” sambit ko tumango sila at tuluyan na akong lumabas ng sasakyan at tumakbo papunta sa loob ng flower shop.

“Good Morning!” bati ko pagpasok ko sa loob ng shop. The seller already knows me, and smiles at me. “The usual, ma’am?” tanong nito sa akin, tumango ako, at kinuha ang card ko sa wallet, inabot sa kanya ito at inilabas niya ang tatlong boquaet ng flowers na lagi kong binibili dito.

“Ma’am, grumaduate ka na po pala, congrats po, ito po para sainyo.” nagulat ako ng abutan niya ako ng tatlong pirasong purple tulips. “For me?”

“Opo ma’am, pathank you at congratulation na din po namin yan para sayo, suki ka po namin eh, every month ka pong bumibili dito. Thank you po ulit at congrats po.”

“Salamat,” inamoy ko yung flowers na binigay sa akin at sabay about sa card ko, binalik sa wallet ko at pumasok naman si Dad para tulungan ako sa mga flowers na binili ko. “Thank you ulit, see you next month.” sambit ko at pinagbuksan ng pinto si dad dahil gamit nito ang dalawang kamay para sa flowers na binili ko.

Sinakay namin ito sa sasakyan at dumiretso sa memorial, kung saan naka libing ang mga kaibigan ko. Dad helped me carry the flowers and they just waited for me inside the car. Suot ko pa rin ang toga ko at umupo sa tabi sa harap ng libingan nila Kalisy at Devon.

“Hi guys, I’m back, and look, tingnan niyo kung anong suot ko ngayon? Malamang naiingit kayo sa akin ngayon,” nagsimula ng tumulo ang luha ko habang hinahaplos ang mga pangalan nila.

“I did it, nakaya ko, grumaduate ako gaya ng pangarap natin. Masaya ako, sobrang saya ko kasi nakayanan ko, pero masakit pa ’rin isipin na hindi ko kayo kasamang maranasan ang lahat ito. Miss na miss ko na kayo, may mga kaibigan akong nakilala sila David at Suzy, naalala ko ko kayo tuwing kasama ko sila. Alam kong masaya kayo para sa akin, ginagawa ko ang lahat ng ito para sainyo. Patawarin niyo ako dahil hanggang ngayon sinisisi ko parin ang sarili ko sa pagkawala niyo, alam kong ayaw niyo iyon pero sinusubukan kong tanggapin ang lahat. Sana maging proud kayo sa akin, sana nakikita niyo lahat ng mga ginagawa ko ngayon.” kumikirot ang puso ko pero kaya ko na.

Alam kong kaya ko na, “Maghahanap ako ng work and I will seize it, gagawin ko lahat ng mga inimagine natin nung buhay pa kayo, yung mga office routine and magiging magaling ako sa lahat ng bagay na gagawin ko. I will cherish my life because you guys sacrificed yours for me. I love you and I miss you.” Pinunasan ko ang luha ko bago tumayo at inayos ang flowers sa gilid ng lapida nila.

I put the blue roses for Devy, Red for Kalisey and White for Kiel, kahit na wala dito ang lapida niya. Because after the trial, we found his remains burned and his parents decided to just keep his aches in their house and hanggang ngayon hindi pa’rin nila ako pinapayagan mabisita ito dahil they still blame me for his death.

But, I understand them and respect their decision. I look up at the sky and whisper. “Kiel, I miss you, I miss your bike,” I chuckled a little for that joke before I head back to our car and he went straight to the venue of the celebration kung saan nandito na lahat ng malalapit na tao sa amin.

“Let’s welcome the fresh graduate!!!” Tita Valerie raise a toes for me, as soon as we arrived, everyone greeted me and give gifts, sobrang nakakapuno ng puso na makitang maraming tao ang nag cecelebrate ng mga achievements ko sa buhay.

As I try to move on, I also learn to appreciate the people who’re supporting me and happy for my small and big achievements. I’m very thankful for them, kasi isa sila sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagdevelop ang recovery ko.

These are the people who stay with me. “Thank you tita Val,” sambit ko at nakipagbeso sa kanya. “Someone wants to meet you at the garden,” she whispers at me. Tiningnan ko siya at nag-wink siya sa akin bago inabot ang maliit na paperbag ng Celine na gift niya at tinulak ako sa door papunta sa back graden ng place na ito.

Sumulyap ako kila Mom at Dad para ipaalam na pupunta ako sa garden, they are watching me na pala, bago sila tumango bilang pagpayag.

I smile at them before putting tita Val’s gift on the near table and run to the door papunta sa back garden.

Excited akong naglakad papalapit sa isang bench dito sa garden, at nakita ko itong nakatayo sa gilid habang inaamoy ang santan flowers na nakatanim sa gilid ng bench. Handsome as always.

My heart start beating slow and this time I feel that I’m at my safezone.

He’s my safezone.

“Liv!” I called him and he looked at me, flashes that charming smile and said.

“Hi.”

CHAPTER 22

“Liv.”

“Hi,” he said, lumapit ako sa kanya at nakangiting tumayo sa harapan nito. “Congratulations,” maikli nitong sambit habang diretso ang tingin sa akin at nanatili ang nakakapanghina nitong mga ngiti sa kanyang labi.

“Thank you,” hindi ko magawang tanggihan ang kanyang pagtitig, nanghihina at nanlalambot ako sa uri ng mga titig na kanyang iginagawad sa akin. Ibig kong maligaw sa mga matang iyon, at hindi na muling umalis pa.

Those eyes were my escape, those stares stayed with me in my darkest days. I can’t thank him enough for all the time and support he gave me. “How was your latest case? And yung preparation mo sa opening ng law firm mo? May kailangan ka ba, na pwedi akong makatulong? I just graduated, and wala pa naman akong work, I can help you with anythin—,” he cut me off using his pointing finger, “Shh.” he uttered and held both of my shoulders.

“What?” tanong ko, dahan-dahan niya akong inalalayan patalikod sa kanya, now he’s facing my back while still holding both of my shoulders.

“Close your eyes.” utos nito, kumunot ang noo ko at sinubukan siyang linungin, “Bakit?” he poke my cheeks with his pointing finger again, para hind imatuloy ang paglingon ko sa kanya.

“Just close your eyes, silly.” he chuckled, with a confused face. I just followed what he said and closed my eyes. Naramdaman ko ang pagbitaw nito sa aking mga balikat, pinakiramdaman ko ang bawat galaw nito.

I was reading every movement he was doing, he’s getting something from his pocket, and his hands were moving close to my face. What is he doing?

I breathe deeply when I feel a cold metal or thing touching my neck, I lift my left hand and try touching it. “What is this?” it was a necklace, sinubukan kong hulaan kung anong klaseng pendant ito gamit ang aking kamay.

But It’s hard to identify, “Now, open your eyes.” he whispered close to my ears. That gives me shivers, I just felt him breathe near my bare skin. “I hope you’d like it.” again, he did it again, stop you’re making my heart weak.

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata, huminga ako ng malalim bago tiningnan ang kwintas na bigay nito. “No,” hindi makapaniwala kong sambit, agad tumulo ang mga luha ko ng makita ang initials nila Kalisy at Devon sa pendant na bigay niya. It was a gold necklace that has a K and D initial na pinagsama at may pink rose sa gitna nito.

I cover my face and cry, suddenly I miss them. I miss my girls. This was our dream. “I’m sure they are so proud of you right now, you make it. You did it even if it’s hard, you managed to fulfill your dreams, those dreams that you made with them. I bought this for you to remember them as your strength, remember the days you’re at your happiest, their beauty and how much they love you. Remove all the trauma, move forward and keep them near your heart.” how can he be soft spoken like this?

How can he be so good at making all my pain fade away? How can he be the man standing beside me right now? Years back then, I never imagined standing near him, now he’s the safest place I can be.

How did the world turn and give me this perfect man, I didn’t expect? I faced him with a crying face but a genuine smile. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko, sobrang punong-puno ang puso ko ngayon, he’s filling it with his love.

I’m so full, and I love it. “You know what? If I would be given a chance to meet them at this moment, I would be so happy, and I will thank them,” he whispered and gently wiped my tears.

“Why?” I asked. He smile and, “Because they are the reason why you’re still here and why I have the courage to confess my love for you, they are the person who sacrifice their life for you to be safe, they are the reason why I can still seize these beautiful smile of yours, I badly want to meet them and say that I’m very thankful they save you, because I don’t know if I’d be able to love again if it isn’t you.”

Hinaplos nito ang pisngi koat patuloy na pinupunasan ang mga luha ko, “Why are you making me cry?” tanong ko sa kanya, dahilan upang ngumiti ito at hinalikan ako sa aking noo.

“I just graduated, I should look beautiful the whole night, now, look at me I’m a crying baby,” mahina ko itong hinampas sa braso, dahilan upang tumawa ito at pinisil ang mga pisngi ko.

“What? You still look beautiful to me.” nag mamaang-maangan nitong sambit, tila nang-aasar pa. I rolled my eyes on him and he hugged me. “I just appreciate the people you cherish, and I just like what I’ve said. If I was given a chance to meet them again,I would love to.”

“Oo na, paulit-ulit? Nakapuntos ka na naman, dagdagn pogi points ka na naman sa akin.” natatawa kong sambit dahilan para matawa din siya lalo, Liv has been courting me for 3 years now. After being my friend, and the person who became my therapy body, he started showing interest in me, I mean he started showing that he likes me, and after a year he confessed that he has loved me since I was young.

Sa umpisa hindi ako naniniwala, but after the non-stop story he kept on telling me. Naniwala na din ako at alam ko ’rin naman sa sarili ko kaya ko ginagawa iyon dahil gusto ko lang paulit-ulit marinig mula sa kanya kung paano niya ako nagustuhan noon.

“So as what I’m saying, your friends is so lucky to have you, and I’m too—,” patuloy ang pagbanat nito para makapuntos ulit kaya mas lalo akong natawa at tinakpan na ang bibig niya.

“:Tama na, hindi na genuine yan! Ginagawa mo na lang yan para makapuntos hahaha!”

“Hindi ah, I was just saying that I love your friends too, back then I really admired that you sneak out the house with them, if we’re close back then, sasama pa ako sa inyo.” I give up and laugh out loud, this man.

His humor is dark yet, it makes me laugh. “Hey, lovebirds, tama na iyan, kailangan na sa loob si Nathalia,” natigilan kami sa kakatawa ng lumitaw si Ate Naivy sa garden.

Tumayo ako ang tuwid at tiningnan si Liv, umaktong sinisisi siya, he winked at me. “Sorry, we’re coming ate.” sambit ko.

“Fine,” she said and rolled her eyes before leaving us here.

Liv reached for my hand and intertwined it, “We better go, before I can’t help myself kiss you here.” I pinched his lips and chuckled. “Kiss me when you’re my man already.” I tease him.

“Shut up,” he uttered and we both went inside.

’Let’s raise a toast for our lovely Nathalia. This is a new chapter of your life, welcome to the corporate world Nath and please sagutin mo na ang anak ko.“ naghiyawan lahat ng tao dito sa party dahil sa sinabi ni Tita Valerie.

Pati sila Mom and Dad nakangiti sa amin ni Liv, “Pressured?” pang-aasar nito sa akin.

I rolled my eyes at him and said, “No, soon tita.” Sagot ko na lalong naging dahilan ng paglakas ng ingay dito sa loob. We spent the night having fun and drinking.

“Should I name my law firm under your name?” he asked out of the blue.

“What are you saying? Diba may name na yung firm and magopening na this Wednesday two days before my birthday.” I said. Ano pinagsasabi nito? Lasing na ba siya?

“Because you’re gonna say yes SOON, might as well think of the future, ipapangalan ko na agad sayo mga ari-arian ko because you’re going to be my wife anyway.”

“You’re drunk!” I said and laughed.

CHAPTER 23

“Congratulation, Attorney Austin, pang ilang firm mo na ito. Pangalawa?” nakangiting pagbati ng mga bisita dito sa opening ng firm ni Liv. I was sitting beside him, kaya nakikinig na ako sa usapan nila.

“This was my first solo owned firm, the first one was with my twin sister.” he answered and took a sip of his wine. “By the way, the case you handled 5 years ago, the abducted girl and her friends got killed because the culprit was obsessed with her, that was sick, how did you handle it.” walang kaalam-alam yung kausap ni Liv na ako yung babaeng tinutukoy niya.

Realizing how public my case was suddenly made me feel uncomfortable. Kaya umayos ako ng upo at sinubukan ituon ang aking atensyon sa pag-aayos ng suot kong dress.

“I don’t think this is the right event to talk about my cases, we’re here to celebrate my firm, right?” seryosong sambit ni Liv, dahilan upang matigilan ang kausap nito, napansin ko ang pagsulyap nito sa akin, at tila na realize nito na ako yung tinutukoy niya.

He looked shocked and just avoided my gaze, “Yeah, that’s right let’s just celebrate. Cheers!” he said and they raised a toast, trying to forget about the awkwardness around us. Tiningnan ako ni Liv, agad akong tumango sa kanya at ngumiti.

“I’m alright,” bulong ko, ayun lang ang hinintay niya bago siya muling bumalik sa kalmado niyang reaksyon, i just stayed beside him the whole night and we approach different people around, future clients and some of his friends na abugado din.

There were a lot of people, medyo hindi pa ako komportable pero i tried my very best for Liv. This is an important day for him and I want to be beside him.

“I’ll just use the restroom for a second, are you ok here?” bulong nito sa akin, “Yeah, sure, hintayin na lang kita dito.” sambit ko, bakas pa sa mukha nito na nag-aalanganin siyang iwan ako mag-isa dito pero pinisil ko ang kamay nito at marahan siyang tinulak patayo para pumunta ng banyo.

Ok lang ako, hindi naman ako aalis sa kinauupuan ko. Pinanood ko siyang maglakad papunta sa banyo hanggang sa magsara ang pinto, at doon ko binuksan ang phone ko. Nagpanggap akong may katext habang naghihintay pero biglang may kumausap sa akin.

“Hi there,” I lifted my head and lips automatically parted. Halos ilang taon na mula ng huli ko siyang nakita. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko.

“So, you’re dating your attorney, now?” nakangisi nitong sambit at dama ko agad ang galit nito sa akin. They still blame me for their son’s death. “Sir,” halos kapos hininga kong sambit. Bago tumayo at nag bow sa kanya. This is Kiel’s dad, I didn’t know he’s invited here.

Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago muling nagsalita, “You look like you’re doing good, while my son’s body still not found.” may pait ang tono ng boses nito, agad akong tinamaan sa sinabi nito.

“You shouldn’t be celebrating things like this, because you should always remember that my son died for you and you’re not going to be forgiven for the rest for you li—,” he was cut off when Liv suddenly showed up beside me, when our eyes meet bigla akong nawalan ng balanse, pero agad siyang pumuwesto sa likuran ko, para maging sandalan ko.

Hinawakan nito ang braso ko at diretsong tiningnan ang ama ni Kiel. “Sir, I didn’t remember inviting you here.” magalang nitong sambit. Ngumisi ang dad ni Kiel at tumayo ng tuwid. “I didn’t know you’re dating your clients now Austin, I was supposed to your new client but I guess it was a bad idea,” lumipat ang tingin nito sa akin bago binaba ang hawak na wine glass sa table sa harapan namin.

He purposely put it down carelessly, para tumba ito at matapon ang laman sa cream silk dress na suot ko. Napasinghap ako sa gulat, at agad naman ako hinila palayo ni Lic para hindi na tuluyang mabasa ang suot ko.

But the red wine stain spread on the silk cloth, tila nagmukha itong dugo at nag ito ay aking pagmasdan, nakaramdam ako ng takot at kaba, “My bad,” rinig kong sambit ng ama ni Kiel, but when I gaze at him, I saw Kie;’s face on him, and that;’s when my panic.

“I can’t breath,” I breathlessly whisper, “Shit,” Liv cursed and immediately carry me out of the firm, tinakbo nila ako sa malapit na hospital, malabo na ang paningin ko at nahihirapan akong huminga. I was struggling not until the doctor arrived and injected me with valium and that’s when I started to breathe proper air and I felt dizzy.

“I’m sorry, I should have double checked the people who are coming,” Liv whispered.

Kahit umiikot na ang paningin ko, pinilit ko pa ’rin abutin ang pisngi niya. I smiled at him and nodded. I give him the assurance that it’s not his fault and I’m alright. I

Before I could hear him speak again, everything went black.

I just wake up the next morning in my room, dahan-dahan akong bumangon at lumingon sa paligid. Yeah, I’m in my room. Bumukas ang pinto ng aking silid. “Nath, good thing gising ka na, kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo, nagkaroon ka ng mild panic attack last night, buti na lang na itakbo ka kaagad ni Liv sa hospital, yung valium na ininject nila sayo ang dahilan kaya hindi ka na agad nagising ng ilabas ka sa hospital.” Ate Naivy explained while carrying breakfast for me.

“Anong oras umalis si Liv?” tanong ko. Inilagay niya ang tray sa lap ko bago inayos ang buhok na nakaharang sa mukha ko.

“He stayed here until midnight, and left mga 1 am, dahil tinawag siya sa firm.” she answered.

“Nabanggit niya ba kung busy siya today?” tanong ko. I want to see him. I didn’t have the chance to spend time with him last night and congratulate him because of what happened. Hindi ko ’rin na ibigay ang regalo ko sa kanya.

“Wala naman nabanggit, why?” tanong ni ate Naivy sa akin. “I just want to show him the dress I’m going to wear tomorrow. And I didn’t have the chance to give him my gift.” sambit ko, inabot ko ang purse ko na nasa side table ng kama ko.

Binuksan at kinuha ko sa loob nito ang box na itim, i opened it and show it to her. It’s a watch I bought for Liv.

“Do you want me to call him?” tanong nito sa akin. Agad pumasok sa isip ko, na baka hindi pa ito nakakatulog ng maayos, kaya kahit na gustong-gusto ko mas pinili ko na lang na pangpahingahin muna ito.

“No, bukas ko nalang siguro ito ibigay.” I whisper and smile at her. “Paano yung dress? Diba gusto mong ipakita ito sa kanya?”

“Bukas na lang din ate, and if he ever text you that he’s coming tell him na bukas nalang kami magkita, i’ll just take a rest para bukas may energy ako the whole day.” ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango naman siya, i’ll just give this tomorrow para kasabay ng birthday ko.

I hope you’d like it, Liv.

---

Liv’s POV

Today is the day, it’s Nathalia’s twenty fifth birthday.

This is the first birthday that we’ll celebrate after the incident. She mourned for her friend’s death for four years, and thought that her life shouldn’t be celebrated, so we haven’t celebrated her birthday since then.

Now, we are facing a fresh start. I want her to live her life to the fullest. And as he starts to move on, I want to be always there by her start. Every step of the way.

I was facing the window here in my condo, while fixing my tie, when my phone received a call.

I glanced at it, before walking towards it and answered “Helix.” I uttered.

“Liv, Henderson escaped.” fuck!

CHAPTER 24

Liv’s POV

“I already positioned my man around the venue, I’ll be at the entrance and make sure na hindi mahahalata ng mga bisita ang mga tao ko sa paligid. Meron na din akong tao sa loob na nagseserve ng drinks, all body cameras are on.” I nodded while clenching my jaw, arriving at the venue with a fully guarded place.

I gently touch the gun hidden in my coat, to make sure that I bring it. This party is in alert mode, because there’s big chances Henderson might sneak here to get Nathalia again. I won’t let that happen.

“This is hard Liv, maraming taong dumadalo, paano kung gumawa ng gulo ang Henderson na para lang makuha si Nathalia,” Helix sounded hesitant for this mission.

“That’s your man’s job, make sure everyone’s safe, and I’ll handle Henderson myself. Won’t let him touch a strand of her hair. I’ll kill him myself.”

“Hey, calm down this is not the time to bring all your anger from the past, what’s important right now is to make sure he won’t show up here, or catch him before he could arrive here.” Helix said, I just didn’t say a word and hang-up the call.

My eyes roamed around the venue, I planned on keeping it a secret for now. Because I don’t want to ruin Nathalia’s special day, this is important for her and her family.

Where the f*ck are you, Henderson?

How the f*ck did you escape? Don’t you dare show yourself here, I will kill you this time.

“Liv,” Naivy showed up, so I instantly act like I’m not hiding a mission around the venue, smile at her and greeted her. “Naivy, you did great at this party, it looks good.” I said, she chuckled and looked around.

“This is what Nath deserves, and I will do anything just to make her happy.” she genuinely utters, gaze at the decorations that look perfect for Nathalia’s comeback. While I was gazing at the decoration, I didn’t notice her staring at me.

“You look worried, may problema ba?” she asked, “Nothing,” I uttered, I can’t tell her what’s happening right now, she will be scared and worried for her sister the whole party. “Are you sure?” again, he asked.

I nodded and before I could speak, the mc speak out loud and announces Nathalia’s entrance.

All eyes on her, she enters the venue with a beautiful lavender dress, with curly hair, she looks like a fairy lost in the middle of the forest, a beauty that has been hidden beneath, looking at her felt like being with an enchantress. She’s shining like a star, slowly she walks and smiles at everyone, you can see it through her eyes that she’s happy and I don’t want to ruin that.

I felt intense as our eyes met. In the midst of all the guests here, she manages to look for me and see me at the back. She smiled at me and mouthed the word ‘Thank you’ before she headed up the stage.

“Our lovely Ms. Nathalia Hanaley Minami Tyson, stunning in her Lavender dress, turning 25 and still managing to look so young and goddess. Hello Ms. Nath, how are you feeling right now?” the MC asked her and gave her the mic.

“I feel grateful and happy that everyone is here right now, this is considered my first celebrated birthday after the accident that happened to me. Now, I just feel very grateful that all of the people here were there when I was struggling and they didn’t leave me. Thank you very much, please enjoy the party and the food.”

“Ok, so tonight we’re here to celebrate another life for our lovely Ms. Nathalia, we might as well call out the parents to have their words for Ms. Nathalia. Mrs. and Ms. Tyson.”

The event started with a speech and a cotillion dance. I can’t focus the whole time because I must stay alert and focus on the people around here. I was so busy thinking and guarding, I didn’t realize the cotillion is done and now everyone is having their meal already.

I instantly gaze at the stage to look for Nathalia, but she’s not there. “Shit!” I whispered and was about to run and look for her when someone poke my arms. I automatically glance at it when there she was standing behind me with a small plate of cake in her hand.

I felt relieved seeing her safe, “Hey,” I greeted her, she smiled at me. “Looking for me?” she playfully uttered, I nodded and stood straight in front of her, can’t hold not to smile at those beautiful faces.

You’re my weakness, and you badly know how to use it to me.

“You look so handsome tonight,” she whispered, and put the small plate on the table beside us. Reach for my hand.

“The floor is open for us to dance, everyone!” the MC suddenly said, and that gave Nath the chance to pull me in the middle and guide my arms around her waist and put hers on my shoulders.

“I’m so happy Liv, I feel free, and I want you to see that.” she whispered and moved closer to me. My eyes were locked at her, I can’t breathe close to her, she’s making me weak and I love it.

My heart is also happy seeing you like this, I move a strand of hair that is covering her face and put it behind her left ear. You been through a lot of tough times, and some of those I wasn’t there, I promise this time, every single day of your struggle. I will always be there. 

I don’t want you to suffer again, If I could suffer it for you. I’m wiling to do it. Right now, I will admit it to myself that I’m scared of losing you again, but as long as I can avoid it I will do it even if I’m scared as f*ck.

That’s how much I love you. I want to say all of that but I can’t. Not right now. I want you to stay as happy as you can, today.  

“I want you to see that I’m already healed, not perfectly healed but I’m going there, I want you to see that I’m back and this time I’m ready to accept your lo—,” I was waiting for this day to happen but she was cut off.

“Nath.” someone called out her name.

We both looked at it, Nathalia instantly gasped, hurriedly covered her mouth and shed tears. She looks like she’d seen a ghost.

The person looks familiar, I just can’t remember who it was. “N-no.” Nath said as her voice started to crack.

I watch her shiver and slowly call out the name of the person who caught our attention.

“Kiel.” Kiel?

CHAPTER 25

Nathalia’s POV

“Kiel.” nahihirapan akong huminga, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Naninigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Nananaginp ba ako ulit? Anong ibig sabihin ng lahat ng ito.

Ngumiti ito sa akin at ang mga matang iyon, sobrang tagal ko nang hindi iyon nakita, akala ko hindi ko na ito muli makikita habang buhay. Sobrang payat nito sa dating kilala kong si Kiel, totoo ba ito? Hindi ba ito illusyon?

“Nath,” muli nitong tinawag ang pangalan ko, na naging dahilan ng pagkawala ko ng balanse. Napaupo ako sa sahig, “Nathalia,” agad akong inalalayan ni Liv at kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalala sa mga mata ni Kiel.

“Totoo ba i-ito?” nagsimulang mabasag ang boses ko ng lumuhod sa harapan ko si Kiel, inangat ko ang aking mga kamay, inabot ang kanyang mukha, bumuhos ang aking mga luha ng maramdaman ko ang mga pisngi niya, totoo nga.

“Oh my, buhay ka, b-buhay ka.” kapos hininga kong sambit at wala nang tumakbo sa isip ko kung hindi ang salitang buhay siya. Buhay si KIel, at nandito siya sa harapan ko. Buhay siya!

Para akong binubutan ng malaking tinik sa aking dibdib, makirot ito pero alam kong maghihilom din ito agad. “Paano? I saw it when they killed you, I h-heard it, naririnig ko ang lahat, How? How?”

Ngumiti ito at mas lumapit sa akin, “Shh,” he gently whisper, and the next thing I knew, he’s hugging me. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko, hindi ako makapaniwala, sa panaginip ko na lang ito nayayakap.

“Kiel!!! You’re alive.” I hugged him back and this time tighter than I could ever do. Because this time, ayaw ko nang pakawalan siya, ayaw ko nang mawala siya muli sa akin. Suddenly the shock that I felt turned into relief. I don’t know kung paano ito nangyari pero masaya ako na buhay siya.

“Miss na miss kita, akala ko hindi na kita makikita habang buhay.” patuloy ang pag-iyak ko sa kanyang balikat. “Miss na miss ’rin kita, Nath.” he whispered and kissed the side of my head.

Dahan-dahan niya akong inilayo sa kanya, kumapit ako ng mahigpit sa braso niya. “No, don’t let go!” natatakot akong bitawan siya, baka bigla itong maglaho sa aking harapan gaya ng mga panaginip ko.

He chuckled, “Hey, I’m not going anywhere. Itatayo lang kita.” malumanay at sobrang nakakapanghina nitong sambit. Inalalayan niya ako patayo at nanatili ang paghawak ko sa braso at kamay niya.

“How?” I uttered and he fixed my hair. Liv was still standing beside us, watching us like he also can’t believe what he’s seeing right now.

“How?” balik na tanong ni Kiel sa akin, “How? I saw you dead that day?” basag ang aking boses pero pinilit ko pa ’rin itong itanong. “That night, sinubukan ko ang lahat para makatakas tayong lahat, pero hindi kita makita, hiniwalay ka nila sa amin, nakawala ako at nangtinutulungan ko na sila Devon at Kali–,” natigilan siya at tila nabasag ang kanyang boses.

I hold him tight, para maramdaman niyang handa akong makinig sa ano mang sasabihin niya. “Makakatakas na sana kami pero nahuli kami nang subukan ka naming hanapin, and they beat us up, nang ilabas ka nila they saw that I already know saan kita hahanapin, so they shoot me. Akala ko katapusan ko na iyon, akala ko wala na pero nagising ako sa tabing dagat. Only to find out that they throw my body to the ocean, napadpad ako sa isang isla sa cebu, sobrang layo, may isang pamilya na nakatira sa tabing dagat ang kumopkop sa akin, that time I don’t have the right memory of what happened. Because of the trauma, nagkaroon ako ng memory lost, akala ko taga Cebu talaga ako, doon ako nanirahan at namuhay ng ilang taon bilang mangingisda.”

Nadudurog ang puso ko sa mga naririnig ko, makakatakas na sana sila pero dahil sa akin hindi iyon natuloy. Again, It’s my fault. They should have left me as soon as they escaped. I’m sorry.

“Walang naghanap sa akin sa mga taon na iyon Nath, kaya akala ko talaga taga Cebu ako, na isa akong mahirap na walang pamilya, sobrang hirap ng buhay Nath, pag wala kang huli wala kang kakainin, namuhay ako ng ilang taon sa ganung trabaho, may mga nakilala akong kaibigan, masaya naman pero may napapanaginipan ako lagi pero hindi ko iyon maalala, hanggang sa isang araw pagkalipas ng limang taon, nagising na lang ako na bumalik lahat ng ala-ala ko, naalala ko lahat pero hindi ako agad nakabalik, kinailangan kong mag ipon para makabalik dito sa manila.” lumuha ito, at dama ko ang sakit na nararamdaman nito.

“Nath, ginawa ko lahat para makabalik, pagbalik ko dito walang naghahanap sa akin. Kasi akala ng lahat patay na ako, sobrang sakit Nath, ang hirap, sobrang hirap.” mas lumakas ang pag-iyak nito kaya napalingon ako kay Liv, agad naman nitong naintindihan ang nais kong iparating.

“I think it’s better it you continue your talk in the garden,” sambit nito at sinamahan kami patungo sa garden ng venue kung saan walang tao. Umupo kami sa bench ni Kiel, at inabutan ni Liv ng panyo si Kiel.

Niyakap ko si Kiel at tiningnan si Liv, nginitian ko ito para ipakita sa kanya na masaya akong nakita namin muli si Kiel, ang kaibigan ko. “Sobrang takot ako Nath, gabi-gabi simula ng bumalik ang mga ala-ala ko, lagi akong natatakot na baka nandyan muli ang mga lalaking iyon, na baka hanapin nila ako at muling subukang patayin. Takot na takot ako.” awang-awa ako kay Kiel, dahil alam ko kung gaano kahirap ang sitwasyon niya, dahil galing ako dito.

“Shh, that’s not gonna happen again, Kiel, nandito ako sa tabi, this time we’ll not let that happen again.” mas hinigpitan ko ang pagkakayapak sa kanya.

“I’ll leave you two here for a minute,” Liv said, and look straight into my eyes, bakas sa mga mata nito na labag sa loob niya ang sinabi niya pero alam niya na kailangan namin ng space ni Kiel.

I nodded at him as a sign of assurance, “Ok, I’ll be back or call me.” he said and turned his back on us. Thank you Liv, I know you’ll keep us safe.

“Sobrang miss na miss kita, Nath.” Kiel said and hugged me tighter.

“Namiss din kita, Kiel.” I whispered. This is the best gift I received for my birthday.

Liverio’s POV

“Takot na takot ako.” Kiel said and hugged her tight. It was hard to watch her getting hugged by another guy that tight but it’s her friend, so I’ll let it pass.

This is unexpected, Her friend is alive, “Shh, that’s not gonna happen again, Kiel, nandito ako sa tabi, this time we’ll not let that happen again.” Nath said. I suddenly realize that this seems like a private talk, so I need to give them space.

But in the back of my mind, there is a treat around this place. Henderson might show up so I can’t leave Nath. but I respect her privacy, they need it.

“I’ll leave you two here for a minute,” I interrupt even though I don’t really want to leave them here alone.

Nathalia gazed at me, nodded, giving me those signs of assurance, “Ok, I’ll be back or call me.” I nodded, turned my back to them and went inside the venue, but I stayed at the side of the door where I could still watch them.

I’m still shocked, but the only thing that is important to me is that this is making Nathalia happy.

As long as it makes her happy, I won’t bother.

I continue watching them talk, now they are smiling and chuckling at each other while Nathalia wipes Kiel’s tears. I was focused when my phone rings. It was Voughn, what does he want?

This guy never calls me for a serious talk, he’s just going to pissed me off. I usually ignore him but I felt the urge to answer this call.

“The fuck with you Voughn, don’t have time for your stupidity.”

“Fuck you, you’re the stupid here, where is Nathalia?” he asked, I glanced at Nath who’s still talking to her friend and focused back to Voughn. “She’s here.”

“Henderson escaped, right?” he asked.

Suddenly the conversation turned serious, how did he know?

“Yes.”

“Helix called me first before calling you, I know he spoke and as you brother I came to help, only to find his dead body near his house. Henderson is dead.” instant relief, that’s what I felt.

“Really.” I utter and smile. Finally, Nath is saf—.

“But I found out that he’s not the person behind all of this Liv. We’re wrong.” what?

“The person behind all of this, the abduction and everything. It was Nathalia’s friend. Kiel.” fuck!

I glance at the garden where Nathalia and Kiel’s talking only to find out they are not there anymore. “Shit!!!” I shouted and ran to the garden.

The only thing I saw was Nathalia’s necklace. Fuck it!

CHAPTER 26

Nathalia’s POV

“I’ll leave you two here for a minute,” I nodded at him as a sign of assurance, “Ok, I’ll be back or call me.” he said and turned his back on us. Thank you Liv, I know you’ll keep us safe.

“Sobrang miss na miss kita, Nath.” Kiel said and hugged me tighter.

“Namiss din kita, Kiel.” I whispered. This is the best gift I received for my birthday. Kiel gently reaches for my hand, caresses it tight enough to make me feel his fear. Nanghihina at nalulungkot ako para kay Kiel. he doesn’t deserve this.

Because of me, this terrible thing happened to him. To think that he’s a rich man’s child and was forced to live a simple life on an island. I couldn’t be any guiltier. This is all my fault. Dahil sa matinding guilt na nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko maiwasang maluha muli habang tinitingnan siya.

He flashes that painful smile on me, and rubs his thumb on my hand. “That night, it was my fault, kung hindi namin ipinilit ang birthday celebration mo, hindi sana mangyayari ang lahat ng ito sa atin, sorry, Nath.” his voice cracked and shed tears.

“No, it was my fault, ako ang dahilan, ako ang pakay nila that night. I’m sorry, I’m the one who should be sorry. Patawarin mo ako, I didn’t know Henderson was that obsessed with me, to the point that he could put someone in danger, I’m so sorry it was my fault, kasalanan ko, sorry Kiel.”

I cried and it was a moment of silence for us, tanging pag hikbi ko lang ang nanaig. He slowly let go of my hand and raised my head by touching my chin and wiping my tears using a white scarf.

“No, it’s not your fault, Nath,” he looked me in the eyes. I closed my eyes for a bit as he continued wiping my tears, I found the comfort of him wiping it out. “I just really love you so much that I could do that thing again.” he whispered. The voice gives me goosebumps. That voice sounded so familiar, he changed his tone to something that is very familiar to me.

Kumunot ng konti ang noo ko, dahil hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya, iminulat ko ang mga mata ko at nakita ko itong nakangisi? ’

“Wha—,” he cut me off with a wide smile, suddenly I didn’t recognize this kind of Kiel.

“It’s not your fault, I just really love you, Nath.” I remember that voice, it was the guy.

“Kiel?” I was covered in fear as it sinks in. This can’t be true. In just a glimpse of an eye. The scarf that he’s using to wipe my tears, covers my mouth and the smell of it makes me feel dizzy. Hinahanap ng mga mata ko si Liv sa loob, saw him talking to his phone, I raise my hand trying to reach him.

But Kiel kept pushing the scarf onto my face and I can’t deal with the smell anymore.

Liv help me. Everything went black again.

Naivy’s POV

“Shit!” napalingon ako kay Liv ng marinig itong magmura sa hindi kalayuan, hawak nito ang kanyang cellphone, at pinanood ko itong dali-daling pumunta sa garden.

Out of curiosity, I excuse myself to the current people I’m talking to. “Excuse me for a minute,” sambit ko at agad sumunod kay Liv sa labas. “Fuck!” I heard him curse hard this time, lumapit ako sa kanya at nakita ko ang matinding takot sa mukha nito.

Suddenly, Nathalia popped up inside my mind. I haven’t seen her yet after she arrived. Where is she?

“Liv, are you ok? Have you seen my siste—,” natigilan ako ng makitang pinulot niya ang necklace na alam kong suot ni Nathalia kanina. What? Hindi agad ng sink in sa akin ang lahat pero ng makita ko ang kaba sa mga mata ni Liv sa pagharap niya sa akin.

Alam ko na agad ang nangyayari, ano ito! This can’t be happening again!!! Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko hindi ako makahinga at hindi ko magawang magsalita. “It was Kiel, he’s the person behind all of this! Fuck, how can I let that slide! Stay here, don’t let anyone know and panic, I will bring her back!” he said, gripping both of my shoulders before letting go and leaving.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib habang patuloy itong naninikip, at pagsulyap ko sa loob, nakita ko ang masasayang mukha ng mga tao, ng parents ko. This nightmare can’t be happening again. Please save my sister again this time.

Tears start shedding once again, and the fear of yesterday comes back and this time it’s much scarier. 

I gather all my strength and wipe my tears as I enter the venue, sinalubong agad ako ni Mom and with that bright smile, I can’t manage to ruin it again.

“Where is your sister?” masigla nitong tanong. I can’t tell her. My heart is breaking so hard it pains me.

“She’s with Liv, a little solo moment for them.” I lied, I lie because I know Liv will bring her back here.

“They’ll be back, let’s just give them more time.” my voice almost cracked. Before that happened I pushed mom against the crowd and lost the conversation.

Glance at the garden, and whisper. “Liv, save my sister once again.” I’ll cover up for you.  

Liv’s POV

“It was Kiel, he’s the person behind all of this! Fuck, how can I let that slide! Stay here, don’t let anyone know and panic, I will bring her back!” my hands were shaking, yet I managed to hide it and run outside, hoping to catch up with that psycho.

Outside, there is no single sign of him. I run towards the parking lot and get in my car. I called Voughn and he didn’t answer it.

“Fuck it!” I hit the steering wheels before starting the engine. My heart was beating fast, how the fuck that psycho manage to plays with the law. I’ll make sure to get him this time.

“Don’t you dare touch my Nath again, I’ll fucking kill you.” I said gritting my teeth against each other and driving my way out of the venue. Where the fuck is he going to bring her.

Nath, wait for me. I won’t let it happen again. I can’t admit to myself not feeling any fear right now. Because I know the fucking truth that this scenario feels like the fear of yesterday and it something happened to Nath again, it will break my fucking heart.

Where are you, Nath? Where did he bring you?! Fuck, I’m scared to death. Nath please be safe while I’m seeking for you. Please.

CHAPTER 27

Nathalia’s POV 

Ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko, ang init sa paligid. Nanatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata. Habang sinusubukan kong makiramdam sa paligid. Where am I? Mabilis ang tibok ng aking puso, kasabay nito ang hirap sa paghinga. 

Please tell me, this is just another nightmare. It can’t be true. Hindi totoo ang nangyayaring ito, it’s just a nightmare Nath. You will wake up and everything is going to be fine. 

“Come on, Nath, I know you’re awake. Open up those beautiful eyes.” nanlamig ang aking buong katawan na parang nag reply sa aking pandinig ang boses na iyon. That familiar voice that kept me up in fear for years and now I can’t believe I’m facing it again. 

Agad tumulo ang mga luha ko dahil sa taruma na kumakain sa aking buong sistema ngayon. Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata at halos kapusin ako ng hininga  nagg makita ko kung nasaan ako ngayon. 

This is the same place where it all happens, ito yung lugar kung saan ako dinala, kung saan ako kinulong. At kung saan nila binugbog ang mga kaibigan ko, even him Kiel. 

“Look at me,” sobrang lakas ng pag-iyak ko ng hawakan ni Kiel ang baba ko at marahan na iniharap sa kanya, nagtago ang aming mga mata at kasabay non ay ang pag attack ng kirot sa aking dibdib. 

“Shh, wag ka nang umiyak, nandito na ako.” he tried to wipe my tears, pero iniwas ko ang aking mukha sa kanyang kamay. It was him all along, the one who killed Devy and Kalisy, the one who put deep fear in me, the one who raped me. 

“H-How c-can you do this t-to me, Kiel!”  I asked in a total tone of fear. He chuckled, moving closer to my face while flashing those different stares. He never looked at me like that before. This is not the Kiel I used to know. 

“I did all of this for you Nath, for us.” sobrang nakakapangilabot ang tono ng pananalita nito, it’s like I’m talking to a different person right now. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko dahil sa kanya, napansin niya ito at sinubukan abutin ang kamay ko at hawakan but I move back, avoided him. 

He pouted and looked at me, “Don’t you miss me, Nath? Because I so damn miss you Nath, kung alam mo lang na gabi-gabi kitang napapanaginipan, you been running through my mind for the last four years.” No, this is not true.

Mas lumakas ang pag hikbi ko ng muli siyang lumapit sa akin, “I been so nice to you Nath, but you still haven’t notice my feelings for you, and sobrang daming sagabal sa relasyon nating dalawa kaya ako na mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para masolo ka.” 

“Kiel.” I don’t know what to say, he’s scaring me. 

“Yes, I love it when you call my name Nath, just like the first time I saw you, you called out my name. Kinausap mo ako kahit na walang nagtatangkang kumausap sa akin after akong bugdogin ng mga gago sa school natin. That’s when you caught my attention, nag-iisa ka Nath, I know from that moment that we are meant for each other, na magmamahalan tayong dalawa.” palapit ito ng papalapit habang papalayo ako ng papalayo sa kanya, panay ang pagatras ko habang patuloy ang pagbuhos ng luha ko. 

Hindi totoo ang mga sinasabi niya, hindi ito si Kiel. “Ahh!” sumigaw ako sa takot ng bigla nitong hilain ang paa ko papalapit sa kanya. He tightened his grip and didn’t let go of my ankle. “Why are you so scared Nath, didn’t you like touching me,” what is he saying? Umiling ako at pilit lumalayo sa kanya. 

“After high school, you moved to college, lumayo ka sa amin dahil sa parents mo. I hated them for that, kaya kinuha kita mula sa kanila. You loved us more than your parents.” hindi, alam kong totoo ang mga sinabi niya, hindi ako makapaniwala, sobrang sakit. 

I’m such a fool for letting him use me against my parents. All this time, nagalit ako sa magulang ko sa paniniwala na ayaw nila sa mga kaibigan ko. 

“Gusto ka nilang ilayon sa akin, they see me as a bad influence for you but they didn’t put so much time for you, they don’t love you right? Kaya sa amin, sa akin mo nakita yung comfort mo.” nakaramdam ako ng matinding guilt sa aking sarili. My parents love me, I was just blinded and played by him. 

“No, they love me.” he manipulated me. 

“No, Nath hindi ka nila mahal, all parent don’t love their children, your parents are worthless, hindi ka nila mahal, mas mahal nila ang ate mo that’s why you love spending time with me than staying at your house, ako ang mahal mo Nath. Let’s live together, this time hindi mo na kailangan ang parents mo, all you need is me. Malaya na tayong dalawa, Nath.” Panay ang ilingin ko, at namumuo ang inis ko sa aking sarili, all things that I did to my parents depending him from them was stupid. Ang tanga-tanga ko! 

“Hindi Kiel, mahal ako ng pamilya ko, pinaikot mo ako, you influence me, I hate them because of you and I hate you for it—,” natigilan ako ng bigla siyang tumayo at binalibag yung table sa gilid ng magulong kama na kinalalagyan ko. 

“T*ngina!!! Hindi ka nila mahal Nath! Ako lang ang nagmamahal sayo!!! Ako! Ako!” My lips parted as I watch him hit his head habang ipinipilit nito ang gusto niya. “Hindi ka nila mahal, hindi, hindi, pinapalayo ka nila sa akin, ako lang ang. nagmamahal sayo, ako!!! Ako, hahahaha!!!” he was mad and then in just a snap he laughed out loud and kept messing with his hair, his eyes were dark and he’s out of his mind. 

May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at inilagay ito sa dulo ng kama, it was a white thing that looks like sugar, he snip it with his one side of nose and he inhale it in front of me. I’m just watching him with extreme fear. 

He’s using dr*gs, kailan pa? “Nath, ako lang ang kailangan mo tandaan mo iyan, ako lang ang kailangan mo, that day of your birthday, you look at me with those stare, I know that you want to escape from your family kaya kinuha na kita sa kanila, pero sagabal sila Kaliesy, that stupid Chris ayaw nilang sumang ayon sa plano ko, kaya binura ko na sila sa plano.” No, please don’t even go there. 

“You killed them, they were our friends!” Nakaramdam ako ng galit at ito ang nagbigay ng lakas loob sa akin na magsalita. 

“No, they are your friends not mine, I just keep them because I saw you like them around, see kaya kong ibigay sayo ang lahat Nath, but that day masyado sila nakakainis kaya pinatay ko sila, pero nakaligtas pa ang p*tanginang Chris na iyon, pero syempre hindi ko na iyon papalampasin ngayon.” Kinuha niya ang phone niya at may tinawagan ito. He put it on a loudspeaker and let me hear it.

“Boss, hawak na namin ito.” 

“Tulong tulungan niyo ako!! Please lang wag niyo akong patayin!” para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig ng marinig ang boses ni Chris sa kabilang linya. Nawala na ako sa aking sarili at agad nilapitan si Kiel, I held his hand and beg. “Please don’t do this again, Kiel.” I begged. 

“Nath, ikaw ba ‘yan? Nath tulungan mo ako! Nath papatayin nila ako!”

“Please Kiel, please don’t!” Narinig ko ang pagbugbog kay Chris at ang malakas nitong pag iyak sa kabilang linya. It’s breaking my heart. 

“Nath, baliw si Kiel, baliw siya!!! Siya ang mapakana nito, gago ka Kiel, papatayin kita!!!” Nakita ko ang inis na namuo sa mukha ni Kiel, sinubukan ko siyang pigilan pero tinulak niya ako pabalik sa kama at kinuha ang phone. 

“Patayin ma yan!” Sigaw nito, “Gago ka Kiel, Nath iligtas mo ako!!! Agh!!!” The next thing I hear after that is a gunshot, and Kiel hangs up the call and laughs like it was just a joke! 

“Ahhh!!!” Malakas akong sumigaw at umiyak, he’s insane! “I also killed Henderson an hour ago, Nath, I killed him because he’s so stupid to be alive. That day before that night, we talk and I want to fucking kill him because he confess that he likes you, pero naisip kong gamitin siya, he help me during the abduction, I promise him that he’ll able to touch you pag tinulungan niya ako, pero hindi ako tanga, hindi kita ibibigay sa kanya, he was so stupid that the night of abduction he accidently shoot me, stupid nerd! He shot me! Now I shoot him in jail hahaha, funny right! I finally ended his stupidity!!” 

“You’re crazy, Kiel!” I slap him, akala ko magagalit siya pero tumawa pa ito at inabot ang aking kamay, sinampal niya ang sarili gamit ang kamay ko. “Mahal lang talaga kita, Nath.” He said.

Sa galit ko tinulak ko siya, “Hindi kita mahal, Kiel, at kahit kailan hindi kita minahal!!!” Sigaw ko.

Agad nagbago ang expression nito at humigpit ang hawak sa palapulsuhan ko. “Mahal mo ako!!! Ipapaalala ko sayo yung gabing mahal mo ako!” he darkly said and pinned me in the bed.

“No!!!” He’s going to rape me again!!! No!!!

CHAPTER 28

Henderson POV

“Henderson, may bisita ka.” the Police said, I stopped reading and stood up, to follow him outside. We went to the visiting hall. I saw my family lawyer sitting waiting for me.

I glance at the police officer who stops at the door and lets me walk towards my Attorney. I sat in front of him. “Henderson, your parents called, they don’t believe all of this was just you, kaya kung ako sayo sabihin mo na sa akin kung sino ang nag-utos sayong gawin ito.” he seriously asked.

I stayed silent and avoided his gaze. “Still not gonna say anything? This is why you plead guilty Henderson, you didn’t help us in helping you!” he tried to control his temper and exhaled. “By the way,” he leaned closer to me and whispered.

“Your parents want you to fly abroad and hide there,” he said, what? How?

“How?” I asked. He glanced at the police officer and I saw they nod at each other and my lawyer showed me a sum of money hiding in an envelope. “Your parents already paid a general police officer to let you slide and this guy behind you is one of the general’s men, tomorrow you will escape this jail and we’re headed to the airport, nakaayos na ang lahat ikaw na lang ang kailangan bukas. No one would notice it.” he said.

												My eyes roamed around and nodded at him, finally my parents stepped up for me. I smiled at him and nodded, "Tomorrow morning, you'll be told to do the morning duty, he'll be leading you to the office of the general where I'll be waiting for you. Ako ang maglalabas sayo dito and didiretso tayo sa airport, kaya ihanda mo ang sarili mo. See you tomorrow." I nodded and after that he just gave me food for my dinner and headed back to my room. 														

I lay on my bed and inside my mind, Nathalia’s face flashes. I can’t help but smile. I miss seeing her. I miss her smile, her hair, her smell. I have fallen asleep dreaming about the woman I love the most and wake up hearing footsteps coming to my room.

I instantly stood up, before I could step off my bed the door opened and a guy in a police officer uniform stepped in. He was supposed to say Morning Duty outside. Why is he inside? I was confused and I don’t know what to do, this is not how we plan it.

“Good Morning officer, is it my morning duty alre—.” before I could finish, I just felt a sting pain in the left side of my neck. Then a leaking blood rushed out my neck. My eyes widened and I suddenly felt extremely weak, I couldn’t breathe.

I held my neck and felt a nick stab on it. I fell into my bed and looked at the police officer. I saw that smile that is so familiar, he removed his cap and that’s when I realized it was at the office yesterday.

“K-Kiel?” He’s alive?!

He kept smiling before he grabbed the pillow on my bed, “Stupid, you think taking the blame for what I did will make me forgive your stupidity for shooting me? I should end your stupidity, say bye Nathalia.” That was the last thing he said before putting the pillow on my face.

This is the end of me, forgive me Nathalia for loving you and being a fool and becoming the tool to hurt you. I’m sorry.

---

Liverio’s POV

“Fuck, aren’t there any useful CCTV you have in here. Everything sucks!” I shouted out of irritation. What the fuck, I still can’t find where that asshole bring Nath. The more time passes, the more nervous I get.

What if he starts hurting Nathalia again! I swear to god, if he fucking lay his hands on her nor hurt her again, I will fucking end his life.

“There!” Helix said and pointed at the screen where it shows how Kiel arrived at the venue. “He’s using a white Montero sport. Makikita ba natin ang plate number?!” he asked the guy who’s in charge of the CCTV’s out here.

“Sir, wala ho itong plaka.” he answered. “Fuck!” I hissed. “Hey, you have to calm down, you’re putting pressure on other people who’re helping here.” Helix said, tapping my shoulder. I glared at him and, “Fuck, Helix! We have to find her!” I hissed at him.

“Yes, I know we’re doing everything we can to find her, I know you’re scared. It’s the person you love but also we have to work with proffer emotion out here so that we can confirm where he brings her. Pag puro takot at galit lang pinairal mo dito mahihirapan tayong hanapin siya. Come on, calm down, you know how you work.” he said.

That didn’t calm me down, but it got me back to my senses. Fuck, I’m so scared right now. This is scarier than the last time. I don’t wanna lose her again.

“Ayun!” We look at the guy who’s checking the CCTV when he pointed at the last screen to the right. It shows Kiel carrying Nath to his car through the back exit of the garden and driving their way out.

“Could we possibly monitor that car using road CCTVs?” I asked.

Helix looked at me and said, “I think we could.” Please work this time. I need to get her back, before it’s too late.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“Kiel!!! Stop!” I kept shouting, and tried my best to push him away. He’s so strong, I can’t handle him.

“Come on, Nath you love me!” he darkly said and with that I can’t bear him anymore and shout. “I don’t love you Kiel, I love Liv!!!” that made him stop and step out of the bed, groan and shout so loud.

“What the fuck!!!” nagwala siya at pinagsusuntok yung pader, until his fist started to bleed. Dumikit ako sa headboard ng kama dahil sa takot. “Alam ko!!! Akala mo ba hindi ko alam ang ginagawa mo habang wala ako!!!” he shouted and hinampas niya ang edge ng kama.

“Nilalandi mo ang lalaking iyon habang wala ako! Ako ang mahal mo Nath! Baka nakakalimutan mo ako ang mahal mo!” nagwawala siya sa harapan ko at nagsisimulang batuhin ang lahat ng gamit dito sa loob ng silid even the bed sheet hinila niya dahilan upang mapahiga ako sa kama.

Sumigaw ako ng sobrang lakas ng muli niyang hilain ang ankle ko.

“Ahh, Kiel stop!!!” I begged. My heart is aching so bad, I’m so scared. Please somebody save me.

“Ako ang mahal mo Nath! Ako lang!! Ako!!!” I started gasping for air when he started choking me out of uncontrolled anger. “Ahh, no please K-kiel!” I kept begging. He’s going to kill me if he continues, I’m starting to lose air to breath.

“Please Kiel, I.. I c-can’t b-breathe.”

“Do you want me to kill him too Nath, kagaya ng ginawa ko sa iba! Ako lang ang mahal mo, pinaikot ka lang ng lalaking iyon, hindi mo siya mahal! Ako lang!!!” sobra ang galit na nakikita ko sa mga mata niya. Natatakot na ako, sinubukan kong itulak niya and that’s when he loosen his grip on my neck.

“Ako lang ang mahal mo, Nath.” he whisper and slowly lean down to kiss me. No please!

CHAPTER 29

Liverio’s POV

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!!!” I can’t control my anger anymore, we’re getting nowhere. We totally lost them, no trace, the system can’t trace where he brought her. Everything is fuck off.

“Hey, Liv, calm dow—,” again, Helix tries to calm me down, but this time nothing is working for me. I pushed him away and shouted, “Stop it, you can’t make me calm down, the more time we waste here, the more chances Nathalia’s life is in danger.”

This is not working, I need to do something. I walk out of the venue’s headquarters and step out of the building. The rain starts pouring, watching it pour suddenly flashes Nathalia’s tears inside my mind.

“Fuck,” I cursed and was about to get in my car when a high speed Bugatti La Voiture Noire stops an inches in front of me. The door opened and Voughn showed up. “Move your ass mother fucker, I’ll bring you where you should be.” he seriously said flashes that famous smirk.

In just a glimpse, I ran to his car and hopped in. “Where did he bring her?” I asked.

“I don’t like answering questions, now hold on homey.” he utter.

---

Nathalia’s POV

“Ano ba Kiel, please stop!!!” hindi ako tumigil sa pagpupumiglas sa kanya at pilit ko itong sinisipa sa kanyang hita. Sinusubukan niya itong hawakan at hulihin pero hindi ako pumayag na mahawakan niya pati ang mga paa ko.

Ito na lang ang paraan ko para mapigilan siya, hinahalikan niya ako sa leeg dahil panay ang iwas ko sa mukha niya tuwing tatanggkain niya akong halikan sa labi. “Ano ba!” nawala na lang bigla ang takot ko sa katawan at napalitan ng galit at inis.

Ginamit ko iyon para mapigilan siya, “Stop, Kiel! Tumigil ka hindi ikaw ito! Tumigil ka! Hindi mo dapat ito ginagawa, kung mahal mo ako bakit mo ako pinipilit sa bagay na ayaw ko!” sigaw ko at nakawala ang kaliwang kamay ko kaya ginamit ko ito upang sampalin siya ng sobrang lakas.

That stops him from kissing me, slowly binitawan niya ako at tumayo sa harapan ko. He was silent and tulala lang ito.

“Tama ka,” mahina nitong sambit, umupo ako at binalot ang aking sarili ng blankett. I felt disgusting, hindi ko magawang isipan na lahat ito ay nangyayari ulit sa akin, gusto ko ulit umiyak pero hindi ko magawa. Hindi ito ang tamang oras para maging mahina ako ulit.

Para kila Kaliesy at Devon, para sa kanila magiging matapang ako at hindi na ako papayag na maulit muli ang nakaraan. Masakit, mahirap pero pipilitin kong kayanin. Nakatakas ako noon, makakatakas muli ako ngayon.

“Tama ka,” he repeated. I look at him and he smiles at me. Nakakatakot ang Kiel na kaharap ko ngayon, sobrang layo sa kilala ko. “Tama ka, dapat magpakasal muna tayo bago tayo gumawa ng baby. Tama!” sumaya ang expression niya pero mas nakakatakot siya ngayon.

“Ano.” hindi makapaniwala kong sambit. Wala na siya sa sarili! Suddenly nag sink in sa akin lahat ng mga pambubugbog ng dad niya sa kanya noon. Did that affect him to be like this?!

Naawa ako sa Kiel na kilala ko noon, pero sa Kiel na kaharap ko ngayon, hindi.

“Tama ka, magpapakasal muna tayo Nathalia, magpapakasal tayo sa lugar kung saan hindi ka na nila kukunin muli sa akin. Akin ka na lang at sayo lang ako, Nath.” Ano?! Dali-dali itong lumapit sa akin at sapilitan akong hinila pababa sa kama.

“Ano ba, bitawan mo ako!” ani ko, sabay kapit sa dulo ng kamay. Pilit niya akong hinihila palabas ng silid. “Ano ka ba, Nath, halika na hindi na nila tayo matutunton sa lugar kung saan tayo ikakasal.”

“Hindi, hindi ako magpapakasal sayo!” sigaw ko, that triggers him to be violent again, he grabbed my hair, causing me big pain in my head, dahilan para mawala ang lakas ng kapit ko sa dulo ng kama.

Kinaladkad niya ako palabas ng silid at pag kalabas namin, para akong inatake ng matinding takot ng makita ko sa gilid ang patay na katawan ni Henderson. He’s filled with blood!

Biglang nag flashback sa akin ang pagkamatay niila Kaliesy at Devon.

Again, the pain of yesterday exploded. “Ahh!!” napasigaw ako sa sobrang sakit ng puso ko. Malakas na pag iyak ang bumalot sa buong paligid. This was the same place where I heard that he was shot.

Where Kaliesy, Devon and I escaped. Ito ang lugar na iyon!

“Bakit ba gusto mong nasasaktan pa kita Nath, bakit hindi ka nalang sumunod sa akin. Ayaw kitang saktan pero ang tigas ng ulo mo. nasobrahan ata ang pagtuturo ko sayo. Ako ang papakasalan mo at ikaw ang magdadala ng mga anak ko, mga anak natin.” hindi ko magawang lunukin at tanggapin ang mga lumalabas sa bibig niya.

Living with him for the rest of my life. No. That would be a living hell. I would rather die than be with him.

“Hindi ikaw ang mahal ko Kiel, at hindi kita papakasalan!!” sigaw ko, at wala pang isang segundo, namanhid ang pisngi ko dahil sa isang malakas na sampal. Hinawakan niya ng sobrang higpit ang pisngi ko at dinuro ako.

“Walang iba ang nagmamay-ari sayo kung hindi ako lang, Nath!” singhal nito. “Wala!” he shouted that to my face. “Agh!” sigaw ko ng kaladkarin niya ako ulit palabas ng lugar na ito.

“Please, Kiel, pakawalan mo na ako! Sobra na itong ginagawa mo! You think your parents would be proud of you pagnalaman nilang ganito ka?!” I utter.

“They made me like this, Nath, kaya wala silang karapatan madismaya sa akin. Sila ang sumira sa akin, at tanging ikaw lang ang makakapagpasaya sa akin!”

“Nasasaktan ako, Kiel!” ani ko. “Magpapakasal tayo sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, Nat—” hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya dahil sa paglabas namin, nasilaw kami sa ilaw ng sasakyan na tumigil sa harapan namin.

Sobrang nakakasilaw ang ilaw at hindi agad nakapagadjust ang mata ko dahil kakagaling namin sa madilim na lugar.

Kasunod ’non ay ang pagputok ng baril. “Agh!” sumigaw si Kiel at napabitaw sa akin.

Hindi ako nakagalaw sa aking kitatayuan ng ilang segundo, pinanood kong mapaupo si Kiel habang hawak ang nagdurugo nitong kaliwang hita. Lumingon ako ulit sa sasakyan sa harapan namin. Pinatay nito ay ilaw at bumabba doon si Liv at si Voughn na may hawak na baril.

“Liv!” sigaw ko tatakot na sana ako sa kanya ng bilang hilain ni Kiel ang paa ko, dahilan upang matumba ako at nagbigay sa kanya ng oras upang makatayo ulit at tinutukan ako nito ng baril. Sinabunutan niya ako patayo at tinutukan ng baril sa ulo.

“Subukan niyong magpaputok ulit, tatapusin ko ang buhay ni Nathalia sa harapan mo. kung hindi siya magiging akin. Walang makikinabang sa kanya!” sigaw nito.

“Liv.” kapos hininga kong sambit ng magtagpo ang mga mata namin. Nawala muli ang takot ko para sa aking sarili, napalitan ito ng matinding takot na baka mapahamak si Liv dahil sa akin.

Because of me, all the people I love died. And I don’t want him to be one of them/ hindi ko kakayanin.

“If that man comes close, I swear to god, I will fucking kill him.” bulong ni Kiel sa akin.

Sinubukan lumapit ni Liv sa amin, “No!” I begged. “Liv, wag kang lalapit please.” sigaw ko.

“Let go of her.” Matigas na sambit ni Liv at walang takot na lumapit sa amin.

“Hindi siya magiging sayo, ikaw ang may kasalanan kung bakit hindi na ako mahal ni Nathalia. Kasalanan m—.” napasigaw ako ng muling nagpaputok ng baril si Voughn.

“Dami mong dada, t*ngina!” Sambit nito. And the next thing I knew bumitaw si Kiel sa akin. May dugo sa dibdib niya at bumagsak ito sa sahig.

“Nath!” Sigaw ni Liv, I cried and ran to him. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. He hugged me and pulled me away from Kiel.

“L-Liv.” my voice cracked.

He hugged me so tight, that instantly I felt the comfort and safety in his arms.

“Fuck!” Vough shouted, lumigon ako sa kanya at sa isang iglap sunod-sunod na paputok ng baril ang ginawa nito kay Kiel.

Liv hugged me really tight, we stayed like that until the shooting stopped. Iminulat ko ang mata ko at nakita ko si Voughn na tumatakbo papalapit sa amin. Kunot noo kong hinarap si Liv. his face turns pale. Ano?

Dahan-dahan bumababa ang tingin ko sa kamay kong nakayakap sa kanya. May dugo sa aking kamay. Tiningnan ko ang likuran ni Liv. He was shot.

No! He was shot!

CHAPTER 30

Nathalia’s POV

“Hey, don’t you dare die right now!” Voughn was rushing us to the nearest hospital. While I’m sitting in the passenger seat together with Liv. After the shooting the police arrived and Voughn instantly dragged us into his car.

Halos hindi na ako nakaupo ng maayos sa loob ng sasakyan ni Voughn, para lang matakpan ang likod ni Liv, na patuloy pa ’rin sa pagtagas ng dugo. Nangingining ang buong katawan ko at walang tigil ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

“Liv, I’m so sorry, sorry Liv.” paulit-ulit kong sambit, pero Liv was too pale and weak to speak, parang pinipilit na nga lang niyang wag matulog. Lumingon ako sa paligid, malapit na kami sa hospital.

As soon as we arrived, the nurse and doctors helped us. They put him into a stretcher and rushed him to the emergency room. “Liv, I’m so sorry!” ani ko pero pinigilan na akong pumasok ng doctor sa loob, wala akong nagawa kung hindi bitawan ang kamay niya.

Nanghihina akong napaupo sa kilid ng pinto, habang nakatayo sa tabi ko si Liv na busy tawagan ang parents nila. I brush my hair up and cover myself using my hands and continue crying.

Kung hindi dahil sa akin hindi sana mapapahamak si Liv. Kiel did that because of me. Nakatulala lang ako hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayan na ilang minuto na pala ang nakalipas. Bumalik lang ako sa aking sarili ng makita kong tumatakbo si Tita Valencia at Tito Levi kasama sila Mommy.

“Nath!” Mom shouted and hugged me. “Nath, are you ok?” tanong ni ate Naivy. Bumuhos muli ang luha ko ng yakapin nila ako. “Mom, I’m sorry.” I whispered and buried my face onto her chest.

“How is he? What happened Vaoughn!” Tita Valencia shouted, hinawakan siya ni Tito Levi at pilit siyang pinapakalma, bakas sa mukha ni Tita ang matinding takot, nagsimula na ’rin mamutla ang mapula niyang labi habang tinatanong ang anak niya.

Bumitaw ako kay Mom, at hinarap si Tita Val. She stopped and stared at me. Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya, “I’m sorry, Tita. Ako ang may kasalanan ng lahat ng ito, hindi mangyayari ito kay Liv kung hindi niya kami sinundan sa lugar na iyon, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Tita Valencia, didn’t say a word, she just hugged her husband and cried in his arms.

“Nath, it’s not your fault, anak, come on stand up, please.” Mom whisper, inalalayan niya ako sa pagtayo bago ako pinaupo sa bench na malapit sa pinto.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” paulit-ulit kong sambit. Naninikip ang dibdib ko at hindi ko magawang tumigil sa pag-iyak. Bakit ba hindi natatapos ang sakit na kailangan kong harapin.

All my life, wala akong ibang hinarap kung hindi ang sakit. But what can I say, now I realize I was the one who chose this kind of life. Kaya nangyayari sa akin lahat ng ito, dahil pinili ko ito. Ito ang parusa ko sa lahat ng mga paghihirap na idinulot ko sa pamilya ko at sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin.

It’s all my fault. Hindi dapat ito nangyayari sa kanilla. Now, Liv is suffering because of me. Ang lalaking nanatili sa tabi ko at naniniwala na magiging ok ako, ang lalaking minahal ko, tapos dahil sa akin napahamak siya. I’m sorry Liv.

Napapagod na ako, napapagod na akong maging pabigat sa lahat ng taong nagmamahal sa akin, nakakapagod, sobrang sakit, sobrang sakit makita silang nasasaktan dahil sa akin. Ayaw ko na, please lang. Pagod na pagod na ako sa sakit.

“Doc!” lahat sila ay nagsilapitan sa doctor pagkalabas nito mula sa emergency room. I just stayed at where I’m and just listened. Wala na atang lakas ang mga tuhod ko para tumayo at tuluyan pang masaktan sa resulta.

Please, just make sure he’s safe. I promise to change for you lord. Just let him be safe.

“It was severe gunshot wound which got into his spine that cause his vertebrae fractures, it was a bit critical because he lost a big amount of blood, remove the bullet near his spinal cord and treated his would but we’ll be still needing blood transfusion—,” Voughn cut him off and said.

“Take my blood.” he said seriously. The doctor nodded at him, glancing at the nurse standing beside her. “Please guide her to the blood transfusion area. We’ll be moving the patient there after a minute and I recommend the family to stay in the waiting area while we fix everything, he’ll be fine.” he said and tapped Tito Levi’s shoulder before walking inside the emergency room.

Nakahinga ng maluwag ang mga tao dito, at nilapitan naman ako ng isang nurse. “Ma’am, are you ok? We should treat your wounds.” she said, wala sa sarili akong lumingon sa kanya. “May masakit po bang parte ng katawan niyo? Ma’am we need to run some tests for you too,” she said.

Lahat sila ay tiningnan ako, “Nath, she’s right you need to go with her.” Mom said. Dahan-dahan akong umiling, “I’ll stay here,” I whisper.

“Nath, kailangan natin siguraduhin na ok ka.” Nag-aalalang sambit ni Ate Nath at hinawakan ang kamay ko. “I can’t leave him, I’ll stay here, I’m sorry, please let me stay here until I’m sure that he’s alright and I’ll get a test after.” I begged, looked at ate’s eyes, shed painful tears.

Lumingon siya sa nurse at tumango, “Susunod kami, let her stay for a minute.” the nurse nodded before leaving and Ate Naivy wrap her arms around me. “He’ll be safe,” she whispered.

We waited for a few minutes before they moved Liv’s to the blood transfusion area. I watched silently and stayed until we secured him in his private room. Wala pa ’rin siyang malay but the doctor said he’ll wake up tomorrow.

He’s wearing a cervical collar, because the gunshot affected his spine. They also put IV fluids to avoid him from being dehydrated. He looks pale and weak. I was just staring at him. I felt numb.

Ilang beses mo nang sinugal ang buhay mo sa akin, hindi lang buhay mo, ang oras mo, ang career mo, ang puso mo. Pero ako puro na lang paghihirap ang dala ko sayo. Maybe I’m still not ready for you, for us Liv.

I’m still broken, kahit anong pilit kong itago. I’m still broken, shredded into pieces. I can’t love you the way you deserve if I’m still a mess. Noq, staring at you made me realize that I don’t deserve you.

If I choose to stay, that means more painful years for you. You don’t deserve a mess lady like me. I’m sorry for what I’m going to do but this is for you. Pumikit ako let the last tears I have and lean close to his handsome face.

I kiss his lips and touch his face, this will be the last pain. I promise you.

“Nath, I think you need to get checked, Liv is stable already.” Mom gently uttered and tapped my back. I kept giving him a peck of kiss and whisper. “I love you, I love you.”

“Nath? Come on, babalik naman tayo after the test.” Ate Naivy said. One last peck before I stood up and wiped my tears. I glance at him and memorize every inch of his face because I never wanted to forget about it.

“Come on, saglit lang tayo.” tumango ako kay ate Naivy, inalalayan nila ako papalapit sa pinto. But, I stopped in front of Tita Valerie. She looked at me with those teary eyes. “I’m sorry po, for causing a lot of pain to him, I know every sacrifice he made, I promise this will be the last, I’m not worthy of his love right now but someday I promise I will be worthy of genuine love.” the love that I also think I deserve too.

“What do you mean?” she asked as my words confused her. I just smiled at her and hugged Tita before stepping out of that room.

“What do you mean by that, Nath? Are you ok?” Mom asked.

---

Naivy’s POV

“Good morning po,” bati ko sa nurse the dumaan. Bago ako pumasok sa room ni Liv. I brought a basket of fruits for him. Balita ko kasi kakagising niya lang kaninang umaga. We didn’t expect na dalawang araw siyang hindi gumising after the accident.

The doctor said, dahil din daw siguro sa sobrang pagod ng katawan niya iit needed more rest than we expect, I open the door and naabutan ko itong nakatingin sa bintana ng room niya. Tita Valerie was seated beside him peeling some apples.

“Naivy, thank you for coming darlin, we’re also running out of fruits thank you for this.” salubong sa akin ni tita at kinuha ang dala ko upang ilagay sa table. “Walang anuman po tita,” sambit ko sabay lapit kay Liv.

He has his serious face on, hindi niya ako agad nilingon. But he speaks. “What time does she have left?” seryoso nitong sambit. Hindi ko alam pero kinabahan ako ng konti sa tanong nito. He glanced at me and when our eyes met, I saw pain in his eyes.

Kinapa ko ang bulsa ko at kinuha ang letter na ipinapaabot ni Nath sa kanya. “5:30 am ang flight niya kanina, same time na gumising ka sabi ni Tita Val.” masigla kong sambit at inabot sa kanya ang letter.

“Why did she leave me?” malunkot nitong sambit, nakaramdam ako ng awa sa kanya pero I know it’s for the best. Para sa kanilang dalawa naman ito.

“I can’t answer that question, Liv. but, maybe what’s inside that letter could answer it..” I said and helped tita Valerie with the fruits.

She chose to leave because she loves you.

---

Back at the day of the accident, dinala namin si Nath sa nurse para icheck ang mga sugat niya sa katawan. Awang-awa ako sa kaniya, nahihirapan akong huminga habang pinapanood siya. She has these red marks on her neck, which shows that she was strangled really hard.

She has cuts on her arms, her cheeks, lips and her wrist. Bumababa ang tingin ko sa hita nito may pasa at namumula ang ankle niya. Magulo ang buhok at sira ang damit niya. Malamig dito sa loob ng hospital pero pinilit niyang tiisin iyon para lang makita na ok si Liv.

I can’t imagine how painful all of this is for her. Yung kaibigan niya na akala niya namatay dahil sa kanya ay ang taong nasa likod pala ng lahat. The betrayal that she is facing right now, how can she bear it?

Sigurado akong sinisisi ’rin niya ang sarili niya dahil sa nangyari kay Liv, just like what happened to all of her friends.

“My sweet Nath, you don’t deserve this.” Mom whispers and cries in my arms. She doesn’t deserve any of this.

After the test pinalitan namin ang damit niya at nirecommend ng doctor na iconfine siya but she refused at nagpumilit umuwi sa bahay.

“Mom,” lumingon si Mommy sa kanya habang nakaupo ito sa passenger seat, “Yes, princess?” Mom asked. I gaze at her through the rear mirror of my car.

“Can we fly to America tomorrow,” she said.

“What?!” sabay naming sambit ni Mom.

We arrived at the house with disbelief and there’s dad waiting for us in front of the house. Agad niyang niyakap si Nath at umiyak. “My princess.” his voice cracked.

Habang wala kami ni mommy sa sarili, dahil sa sinabi ni Nath.

“Dad, can we live in America?” she asked him. Dad looked stunned but for a second it looked like he understood her and nodded. “Well book a flight right now.

“But—,” I try to speak but mom stopped me. “She wants to heal, let her.” mom said.

“But how about Liv?” hindi ako makapaniwala na iiwan niya si Liv.

“I understand it now, she wants to heal herself for him, that’s how strong her love for him is. Nakaya nitong burahin lahat ng trauma ni Nath, thanks to him Nath is a stranger right now. Let’s just support her. She’ll be needing us.”

---

Liverio’s POV

“I can’t answer that question, Liv. but, maybe what’s inside that letter could answer it.” She said and turned her back at me, went to my mom.

I looked at the lilac paper she gave me, it was a small piece of paper. I’m sure there won’t be a small letter inside. I’m scared to open it, thinking that this could be the end of my story with Nathalia.

But I gather all the strength I have to open it and read what she wrote.

Hi Attorney,

Will you wait for my last trial?

-Client N.

Fuck, I cursed inside my head and I could not hold back the tears. How many trials do I have to face for us to be together, Nath?

I love you.

EPILOGUE

Nathalia’s POV

Five years have passed by, “Happy Birthday, Nath!!! Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you!!!” dahan-dahan akong bumangon sa aking kama ng kantahan ako ni ate Naivy ng birthday song.

I glance at the wall clock inside my room, it’s exactly 12 in the morning. I can’t believe it’s already been five years since I moved to Seattle. Time flies so fast and I already feel healed and free. Now I’m at the age of 30 and I think I’m ready.

Nakangiti kong tinanggap ang cake na hawak nito, I close my eyes to make a wish before I blow the candle. “Life starts at 30!! Enjoy it!” masigla nitong sambit, nakangiti ko silang pinapanood ni Mom na nagpupunasan ng icing ng cake.

I appreciate my family so much, mom chose to live with me here kahit na mas need siya pinas and ate Naivy never fails to visit anytime na free siya. And didn’t miss any birthdays like this.

“Thank you so much guys, you always make my birthday so fun.” I utter. “Ahh, ang sweet naman nyan!” sambit ni ate at pinunasan ako sa ilong ng icing na nasa kamay niya. “Hey!!!” sigaw ko at dahil doon nag-sitakbuhan na sila ni mommy palabas ng room ko.

“Ahh!!!” they both shouted at naghabulan kami sa house.

“What is happening right he—,” dad tried to interrupt but I immediately wiped a large portion of cake on his face. “What the!!” hindi makapaniwala niyang sambit. He smirked and ran after us. Para kaming mga bata na naghahabulan sa loob ng bahay.

Hanggang sa mapagod kami kakatakbo at napaulo na lang kaming apat sa couch dito sa living room. “I can’t believe my princesses are already in their 30s.” Dad whisper and acted as if he was crying and wipe his tears.

“That means, I’m old old old.” he continued. Mom rolled her eyes on him and put the whole cake on his face. “You’re overreacting old man,” she said and we laughed out loud. Another new start to seize and I’m ready to face it now.

“Mom, dad.” sambit ko na umagaw sa atensyon nila. “Yes, birthday girl?” dad said.

“I want to go back to the Philippines.” I said in a firm tone of voice.

They all look at me, “Are you sure? Do you think you’re ready?” I take a deep breath before I flash a smile and nod.

“Yes, I’m ready. I’m 30 already haha.” I even joked and I know they understand it already. For now. I’m ready to go back to where everything started and this time I’m going to make sure that this is worth it and not painful.

---

Liverio’s POV

“In the case of the people versus Trinidad, the court hereby grants the defendant motion, all charges against you are dismissed Mr. Trinidad.” People siding the defendant celebrate as the case gets dismissed.

Mr. Trinidad kneel as he breaks down and cries out of pure joy, he was charged with attempted murder for a kid that he’s been driving for almost 12 years. He was 85 years old already and the family blamed him for the death of the child to hide that its own father accidentally killed his own son because of his anger disorder.

We plead not guilty and proved the truth. Now, we win and all charges are dismissed.

“Attorney, maraming salamat po, maraming-marming salamat.” he started crying in front of me, I held his arms, helped him stand up and accepted his hug. “I told you, I will help you.” I utter and he continues crying in my arms.

After we settle all things, I walk them out of the court and watch them drive home with a genuine smile on their faces. I’m glad that I helped them. I found my way back to my firm, where all of the employees went home already because today is a holiday.

I headed straight to my office, as I went inside a flaying knife welcomed me, it hit the door an inch away from my face. “Fck you.” I cursed and put my things on the couch. “You helped a lot of families with their cases and yet you can’t help yourself on your own case, fck you’re 36 years old already, are you dumb stupid or stupid dumb?!”

“F*ck your own life Voughn, my life is none of your stupid mafia business.” I hissed at him before lying on the couch and closing my eyes. “My business always fucking helps you dickhead, what if I tell you that your client is coming back.” that caught me off guard and I opened my eyes.

Did I hear it right? She’s coming back?!

He saw me looking at him, making him smirk and grab something from my own table. “9: 34 pm is the exact time her plane will land here,” he said and threw a small red box at me. I catch it and stare at it with a genuine smile.

“Now, tell me, my business isn’t helpful?” he asked with a teasing smirk. I raise my middle finger on him and glance at my wrist watch. F*ck it’s already 9:12 pm!

I grabbed my car keys and ran out of the building, gotta run to the airport! While driving, I glance at the red box I’m holding and smile. Finally she’s back!

It just took me 20 minutes to arrive at the airport, exactly 9:32 pm. I’m standing inside the waiting area. My heart is beating so fast, I can’t breathe.

9:33 pm…

9:34 pm…

I saw on the board that her plane had already landed. Any moment now. I’ll see her face again.

9:40 pm…

10:19 pm…

11:00 pm…

What is taking her so lo—, I gasped for air when I saw Naivy stepping out at the door. They’re here! I smiled at her, when she saw me she ran towards me. As she gets near, that’s just when I noticed that she’s crying in fear.

“What happened to yo—,” she cut me off.

“Nath, went missing!!! Sabi niya mag restroom lang siya but when I follow her their wala na siya doon naiwan lang yung gamit niya doon at yung kwintas niya. This is not happening again.” Instant fear eats me, when she handed me the necklace that I gave Nath.

I just shed tears, when will this end?

“Excuse me.” We all looked at the speaker here at the airport when someone started announcing with that familiar voice.

“Paging Attorney Liverio Delavine Austin, Liv don’t worry anymore my sweet, I’m not missing again. I’m back. Your client is back and asking you, Attorney Liverio, will you marry me? And, this time I will not be out of your sight anymore I promise because this time all of your trials are done. I’m yours.” That just makes me cry even more.

I saw Naivy smile at me, they planned this, fuck!

I look stupid, “Liv!” I saw Nath running towards my place. She stops in front of me and kneels, showing a proposal ring. I chuckled. “I was just about to do the same thing.” I said and showed her my proposal ring.

“Hahaha, naunahan kita.” she said, “So, will you marry me, Attorney?”

F*ck, I look stupidly in love.

“Heck, yeah! I fucking waited five years for this!!! Finally my longest trial ended! I love you, Nath!”

“I love you more than everything, Attorney.”

FIN