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TITLE: Hope, Faith and Love (To Be Published)


LENGTH: 324
DATE: Jun 03, 2014
VOTE COUNT: 5719
READ COUNT: 653344
COMMENT COUNT: 182
LANGUAGE: Filipino
AUTHOR: pajama_addict
COMPLETED: 0
RATING: 3
MODIFY DATE: 2014-06-09 21:49:20

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Hope, Faith and Love
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Love in all its nerve-wracking, gut-busting, heart-wrenching glory is a journey. A


journey taken by two people who believe that they can make it work.

But not all journeys go as planned...

Some love go places...

While others go straight to hell. This is the story of a love that went wrong.

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Chapter 1
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Naniniwala ka bang first love never dies? Ako, oo. Di lang ako naniniwala, damang-
dama ko pa. Paano itong bwisit na ex ko hindi mamatay-matay, hayop sya! Ewan ko ba
kung anong kasalanang nagawa ko sa mundong ibabaw, siguro mass murderer ako dati na
kumitil ng buhay ng ilang milyong inosenteng kaluluwa dahil kahit anong iwas ko sa
kanya ay parati kaming nagkikita. Well, it can't be helped since he's my older
brother's best friend at nasa iisang banda sila.

"Hi, Faith." Nakangisi nyang sabi. Boses pa lang nya kumukulo na ang dugo ko at
nagpu-protesta na lahat ng ugat ko sa katawan sa sobrang kabwisitan. Tiningnan ko
sya ng masama at dire-diretso akong naglakad. "Sungit naman." He said and I
clenched my jaw to stop myself from saying something rude. "Faith!"

"Bakit?" I asked.

"Wala lang." He replied smiling. Dati kapag ngumingiti sya ay parang humihinto ang
oras, bumubukas ang langit at bumababa ang mga anghel para kantahan ako, pero
ngayon kulang na lang lumabas ang sungay at buntot ko at bumuga ako ng apoy. "Bakit
ba pag nakikita mo ako sumisimangot ka agad?" He asked me loudly as I headed
towards the stairs.

"Mukha ka kasing naglalakad na listahan ng mga kabwisitan ko sa buhay." I mumbled.


Permanent fixture na sya sa bahay at yun ang lalong nakakapanis ng utak, bahay mo
na nga di mo pa maiwasan ang presence nya. "Nasaan po si Kuya?" Tanong ko sa isa sa
mga katulong na nakasalubong ko.

"Pababa na po, sinabi ko nang nandito si Sir Dylan." She replied and I nodded my
head. Tatlo kaming magkakapatid at ang Kuya ko ang nag-iisang lalaki.

"Bunso!" Sigaw nya agad nung nakita nya akong paakyat. Bagong ligo sya and his hair
was still damp.

"Saan ang punta mo, Kuya?" I asked as I returned his hug. Magkalapit kami ng edad
ng Kuya ko, in fact two years lang ang tanda nya sa akin kaya kami close,
samantalang yung Ate namin ay ten years ang tinanda sa akin.

"Poporma." He replied with a wink as he rumpled my hair. Our parents are both
doctors at sa aming tatlo, si Ate lang ang sumunod sa yapak nila, si Kuya kasi
mahilig sa music at ako naman di ko pa alam kung anong hilig ko pero Mass Comm ang
kursong gusto kong kunin.

"Na naman? Sino na naman ba ang kawawang babaeng yan?" I kidded. Dahil nasa banda,
maraming babaeng tumitili kina Kuya and I oftentimes pity those girls kasi si Kuya
wala yatang balak mag-girlfriend at puro landi-landi lang ang hanap.

"Anong na naman? Ngayon nga lang ako poporma."

"Ngayon lang ba, bakit parang araw-araw ang dating sa akin?"

"Dionne Faith Belleza, you are turning into a pain in the neck." He fondly told me
as he pinched my right cheek.

"May pain in the neck na ganito kaganda?" I joked and he laughed.

"O sige na at nasa baba daw si Dylan naghihintay. Poporma din kasi sya." He said
and I felt more irritated. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha ng lalaking yun! I murmured to
myself. Hanggang ngayon, nakukunsensya pa rin ako dahil nilihim ko kay Kuya na
naging kami ng best friend nya but we thought then that it was for the best. I was
just fifteen while he was a freshman in College. It lasted for more than a year
and it ended badly. Gusto kong isiping wala akong pagsisisi; gusto kong
magkunyaring okay lang ako at hindi ako galit pero hindi ako ganun kagaling
magkunyari.

"Sige po, Kuya. Ingat sa pagmamaneho." I said as I pasted a smile on my face. He


returned my smile before he ran down the stairs.
"Dy, tara na!" Narinig kong sabi ni Kuya as I stepped inside my bedroom and closed
the door behind me. I've known Dylan for more than ten years, loved him for five
and hated him for four months now.

"Bakit ba kasi pumupunta yun dito parati?" I angrily whispered to myself as I took
off my sandals. Hindi kami pormal na naghiwalay, besides hindi rin pormal na naging
kami -- nagkatuksuhan, nagkaaminan, nagkagulatan na nauwi sa isang relasyon na sa
una lang masaya. But I admit na yung mga panahong naging kami, kahit masyadong
restrained yung feelings dahil patago, yun ang pinakamasayang panahon ng buhay ko.
Yun nga lang nung naghiwalay din kami para akong hinulog sa impyerno sa sakit.

"Faith!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Kuya at dali-dali akong tumayo para pagbuksan sya
ng pinto.

"Bakit, Kuya?"

"Pwede ka bang sumama sa amin?"

"Dahil?" I asked arching my brow.

"Ito ka na naman nagtataray ka na naman." Natatawang sabi ni Kuya. "Ikaw din sa


sobrang taray mo hindi ka na magkaka-boyfriend nyan."

"Been there, done that."

"Ha?"

"Wala, Kuya. Teka nga pala bakit kailangan kong sumama?"

"Birthday ng Daddy ni Dylan kaya kakanta kami kaso wala si Trina dahil daw may
sakit kaya wala kaming vocals na babae."

"Ngee, bakit ako?"

"Sige na. Si Dylan ang nag-suggest. Kung may oras lang kaming maghanap eh di namin
pagtitiisan yang boses mo." Pabiro nyang sabi at sinimangutan ko sya.

"Salamat ha!" I mumbled and he laughed.

"Sige na, Faith. Parang di mo naman kilala ang pamilya ni Dy. Nasabi na naming
tutugtog kami kaya nakakahiya nang mag-back out."

"Hindi nyo ba kayang kayo lang? Kumakanta naman kayo parehas."

"Iba pa rin syempre kapag may boses ng babae. Ayaw mo nun, mapapaligiran ka ng mga
ganito kagagwapo in one night."

"Har. Har."

"Bunso naman. Sige na."

"May bayad ba to, hindi lumalabas ang boses ko kapag libre." I said and he laughed.

"Yakap ni Kuya ba hindi sapat na kabayaran?"

"Korni mo, Kuya. Sige na, maliligo lang ako ng mabilis tapos magbibihis na ako
agad."
"Maliligo ka pa?"

"10 Minutes baba na ako. Kita mo naman ang igsi ng buhok ko." I said and he nodded
his head before he smiled and left. My hair used to be long, lampas beywang, pero
dahil nga depressed ako eh nagpagupit ako. Sobrang bad move kasi para ko na ring
pinangandalakan na broken-hearted ako at nalaman tuloy ng unggoy na yun na nasaktan
ako sa ginawa nya. "Yun lang wash and wear itong buhok na to." I mumbled to myself
after I finished bathing and changed into a pair of denim jeans, white blouse and
white sandals.

"Ito na ang mutya ng Pasig!" Kuya announced as I descended the stairs and I turned
around and headed back to my bedroom. "Biro lang!" He exclaimed. "Faith!"

"Pasalamat ka talaga mabait ako." I murmured. Yun ang mahirap kasi kailangan kong
itago yung inis ko kapag nandyan si Kuya or he might find it weird na sobrang close
kami ni Dylan dati tapos biglang demonyo na lang tingin ko sa kanya ngayon.

"Ang ganda mo ngayon, Faith ah." The object of my voodoo wishes spoke and I smiled
at him even when I was cursing his existence in my head. Demonyo. Hayop. Gago.

"Matagal na." I said. Kahit anong sabi ko sa sarili kong tama na sa pagiging
ampalaya ay hindi ko magawa, paano ka makaka-move on sa isang taong hindi ka man
lang mabigyan ng kaunting space to lick your wounds?

"O tara na." Kuya said. "Kayong dalawa, sa harap kayo para magkasya tayo sa
sasakyan at dadaanan pa natin sina Macky."

"Anong sa harap kami, Kuya?! Masyado naman na yata akong matanda para magpakalong!"
I demanded hotly unable to hide my annoyance.

"Init naman ng ulo mo." Kuya remarked as he looked in surprise at me. "Hindi ka
naman magpapakalong, sa payat mong yan pwede kayong magtabi sa harap ni Dylan."

"Taxi na lang ako!"

"Hindi na. Ang daming arte naman nitong si bunso. Para mo na ring Kuya yan si Dylan
ngayon ka pa nahihiya." Kuya nya mukha nya. Two-timer ang gago sarap ihulog sa
isang higanteng kawa na puno ng kumukulong mantika. Him two-timing me was bad
enough pero ang rason kung bakit talaga ako asar na asar ay dahil pinusta ko ang
relasyon namin ni Kuya to be with him. At nawalan ako kaibigan.

"Sa likod na lang ako, Derrick."

"Lalo kayong hindi magkakasya dun, apat pa ang sasakay sa likod. Sa harap ka na."
Sabi naman ni Kuya. "Bakit ba ang init ng ulo mo lately, Faith? Ang bata mo pa yata
para magmenopause." Natatawang sabi nya. Di na ako umimik.

"Sandal ka." Dylan instructed when we were inside the car and I scooted further
into the seat as he moved forward. Ang awkward kasi yung taong gusto mong kadikit
mo magdamagan dati ay ang taong ayaw mo nang madikit kahit dulo ng balahibo mo man
lang ngayon. Kumakanta si Kuya habang nagmamaneho, ako naman ay sumakit na ang leeg
sa kakatingin sa bandang side ni Kuya kasi ayokong tingnan si Dylan. Ang tanga ko
lang, bakit ba ako pumayag sumama sa mga to? I asked myself silently.

"Teka, pa-load lang ako." Sabi ni Kuya nung may nadaanan kaming tindahan. "Putol na
kasi linya ng telepono ko kaya itong prepaid na gamit ko." He added as he smiled at
us. Itinabi nya ang sasakyan bago bumaba.

"Excuse me, bababa rin ako." I murmured and Dylan sighed.


"Kumusta ka na?" He asked, not showing any hint of moving so I could get off.

"Excuse me muna." I said ignoring his question. Apat na buwan pero ngayon lang sya
nagkalakas ng loob na kausapin ako. I waited for four freaking months!

"Kumusta ka na, Faith?"

"Humihinga pa rin." I replied, anger evident in my voice. "Now, could you move para
makababa ako?"

"Masaya ka ba?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Kailangan may interview para makababa lang ako?!"

"Alam mo kung bakit hindi tayo nakapag-usap, kasi parating mainit ang ulo mo."

"Sinong hindi iinit ang ulo sayo?!"

"Bakit, ano bang ginawa ko? Bigla ka na lang galit, bigla ka na lang mambabagsak ng
telepono? Bigla lang ayaw mo akong makausap at bigla-bigla na lang ayaw mo akong
maging parte ng buhay mo?"

"Anong bigla-bigla? Four months na tayong hindi nag-usap tapos sasabihin mo sa akin
biglaan lang? Gago ka ba?!"

"Oo, gago ako! Gago ako kasi hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ka ganyan! Ang sabi
mo gusto mo ng space and I gave it to you!" He angrily retorted.

"Oo, gusto ko ng space because I was reviewing for my finals then! Space lang
hiningi ko sayo pero mas mabilis ka pa sa alas kwatrong nakahanap ng papalit sa
space na iniwan ko pansamantala!"

"What?"

"What mo mukha mo, bwisit ka! Tumahimik ka, nandyan na si Kuya!" I hissed as Kuya
slid into the driver's seat.

"Nag-aaway ba kayo?" He asked glancing at us.

"Hindi ah!" I answered. "Nagpapatulong lang ako sa kumag na to."

"Bunso, sumusobra ka na. Parati mo na lang inaasar yan si Dylan. Hindi mo na nga
yan tinatawag na Kuya, todo pa kung alaskahin mo." He said as he turned the engine
on. Ngumiti lang ako pero yung katabi ko pinanindigan ang pagiging badtrip at
patuloy na sumimangot.

"Hindi naman, Kuya. Mabait nga ako dyan eh." I answered.

"Mabait daw." Dylan mumbled.

"May sinasabi ka, Dy?" Tanong ni Kuya at kinurot ko ang tagiliran ng demonyong
katabi ko. Lokong to, mabuking pa kami dito! Babalatan ko talaga to ng buhay!

"Wala." He answered. "Usog ka naman na kaunti, nangangawit na ako sa kakalambitin


dito sa ceiling handle." He murmured and I scowled at him.

"Wala nang space!" I retorted a yelped when he leaned against me. "Kuya, o!"
"Para kayong mga bata." Kuya remarked laughing. "Dalaga na yang kapatid ko, Dylan
wag mo nang tratuhing parang bata."

"Alam kong dalaga na to." He answered, his voice soft and I felt my pulse quicken.
Ito ka naman, Faith! Papauto ka na naman dyan! Kakatapos mo lang iyakan yang gagong
yan!

"Ano ba!" I yelled as I pushed him away from me pero lalo syang dumikit sa akin.
"Lumayo ka nga!"

"Ayoko." He said as we stopped outside a gray gate. Bumusina si Kuya at ilang


minuto pa ay lumabas si Kuya Macky, ang drummer nila sa banda.

"Aba, kasama pala si Faith! Hi, Faith!" Bati nya.

"Hi, Kuya!"

"Si Faith muna kakanta kasi may sakit si Trina."

"Chicken pox daw."

"Ang late naman nyang nagka-chicken pox." Sagot naman ni Kuya. Sinundo din namin
ang iba pa at ang ingay nilang lahat. Nakinig lang ako sa usapan dahil hindi ako
relate sa topics nila na puro kotse, basketball at online gaming.

"Kelan mo ba makukuha sa talyer ang kotse mo, Dy?"

"Next week pa."

"Ano ba kasing nangyari dun?" Narinig kong tanong ni Kuya Robert.

"Nabangga." Dylan answered.

"Nabangga o binangga?" Kantyaw ng mga kasama nila at ngumiti lang sya.

"Babae daw ang dahilan." Sabat ni Kuya. "Sino ba kasi yung bebot na kinabaliwan mo,
Dy? Hindi mo man lang pinakilala sa amin?"

"Oo nga, Dylan. Sino ba kasi yung babaeng gabi-gabi mo kausap dati, kahit
nagbabanyo ka dala-dala mo ang cellphone mo." Hirit ni Kuya Macky.

"Baka naman kasi hindi babae?" Natatawang tanong ni Kuya Robert. "Baka miyembro ng
federasyon na pala itong si Dylan."

"Wag ganun, nagsasabay kaya tayong maligo minsan." Diring-diri namang nasambit ni
Kuya Leo.

"Kilala ba namin yan, Dy?"

"Oo." Dylan replied and I squirmed in my seat.

"Gaano ba kayo katagal nun?" Tanong ni Kuya Siegfred. "Taon din di ba?"

"One year, four months."

"Nak ng, ganun katagal tapos hindi man lang namin nakita kahit dulo ng buhok ng
chick na yan?" My brother asked in disbelief. "Bawal na pag-ibig ba yan?" He added
and everyone laughed. "Bakit ba kayo naghiwalay?"
"Ewan ko ba dun, bigla-bigla na lang nagagalit." Two-timer ka kasing hayop ka!
Bestfriend ko pa! Kapal ng mukha mo! I angrily muttered under my breath.

"Wala na ba kayong chance magkabalikan nun? Mukhang sineryoso mo yun ah."

"Ewan ko sa kanya." He answered with a shrug.

"Bakit hindi mo kaya itanong para matapos na yang pagiging emo mo!"

"Itanong ko ba?" He asked smiling.

"Oo!" They chorused and he turned to me and I widened my eyes meaningfully at him.
Gago ka, umayos ka!

"Pwede ba tayong magkabalikan, Faith?" He asked and the car jolted to a stop as my
brother stepped on the brakes.

####################################
Chapter 2
####################################

"Anong sabi mo, Dy?" Kuya asked and I started to freak out. "Anong sinabi mo kay
Faith?" Good Lord, ano ba to. Ayokong magalit sa akin si Kuya. Bwisit talaga tong
lalaking ito! Kahit kelan bwisit talaga sya sa buhay ko!

"Derrick, kalma, bro." Narinig kong sabi ni Kuya Macky. Itinabi ni Kuya ang kotse
and I felt like running out of the car. Natatakot akong magalit sya.

"Derrick, I'm sorry--" Dylan started to say but I cut him off.

"Dylan Hope Yañez, umayos ka! Wag mo akong sinasali-sali dyan sa mga kalokohan mo
ha kundi tatadyakan talaga kita sa mukha!" I blurted out as I glanced fearfully at
my brother who was staring at us with an unreadable expression on his face. "Okay
ka lang? Loko ka ha!" I said my voice slightly high-pitched. Tahimik ang lahat sa
loob ng sasakyan at feeling ko sasabog ang puso ko sa kaba.

"Mga pre, baka pwede nating pag-usapan to ng mahinahon--" May nagsabi galing sa
likod at sa sobrang takot ko ay hindi ko man lang ma-identify kung kaninong boses
yun. I felt my palms sweat and I rubbed them against my thighs.

"Si Faith ang girlfriend mo?" Kuya stated and I felt like crying. "Eh tarantado ka
pala!"

"Kuya--"

"Derrick, look I'm sor--"

"Paano mo naging girlfriend si Faith eh di yan babae? Amasona yan?" Sabi ni Kuya.
It was funny how no one uttered a word before they chorused in laughter. "Gago ka,
Dy lakas mong mag-trip ah!" Kuya said as he banged his hand against the steering
wheel. "Muntik na akong maniwala!" He said.

"Good one, Dy." Narinig kong sabi ni Kuya Robert.


"Oo nga." Kuya Leo seconded. "Grabe, kung di ko lang alam na prankster ka eh
mapapaniwala mo ako."

"Hindi ako nagbibiro." Dylan insisted but they all continued to laugh.

"Loko, ang pinaka-unlikely na pwede mong maging girlfriend ay yan si Faith." Kuya
Leo said. "No offense, Faith."

"Oo nga, Dy. Loko ka ba eh mahilig ka kaya sa mga babaeng sobrang feminine at pang-
Victoria's Secret model ang katawan." My brother dealt the last blow. Alam ko I
shouldn't feel insulted, dapat nga magpasalamat pa ako na hindi nagduda si Kuya
pero badtrip ang lakas manlait sarap pektusan sa ngala-ngala. "Pucha, sakit ng tyan
ko sa kakatawa." Kuya laughingly said as he started the engine.

"Laugh trip talaga tong si Dylan." Kuya Macky muttered laughing. "Na-miss ko yang
mga ganyang biro mo, bro. For the past four months kasi para kang magbibigti na sa
lungkot. Welcome back!"

"Hindi ba kapani-paniwala kung ako ang naging girlfriend ni Dylan?" I asked in a


sharp voice. "Ano namang nakakatawa dun?!"

"Bunso naman, si Dylan mahilig yan sa mga vavavoom ang ganda. Ikaw, cute ka oo pero
hindi ka mukhang supermodel."

"Mukha kang pixie fairy, Faith. Kung pwede nga lang gawin kitang keychain eh sa
cute mo." Kuya Robert added.

"Itong si Dy, iba ang trip nito sa babae. Fifteen years ko na itong kasama kaya
alam ko." Buong pagmamalaking sabi ng Kuya ko. "Besides, paano ka naman magkaka-
boyfriend, Faith eh sobrang taray mo. Kaming mga lalaki mahilig kami sa mga babaeng
malambing. Tsaka tingnan mo nga yang buhok mo, kaunting tabas na lang kamukha na
kita, masyadong maigsi. We love girls with long hair because we love running our
fingers through women's hair." Sabi ng walang kwenta kong kapatid.

"Cute ka naman Faith eh." Narinig kong sabi ni Kuya Leo mula sa likod. "Madami rin
kayang lalaking mahilig sa cute, isa na ako dun."

"Wag nyo ngang parating tinatawag na cute yan si bunso at baka maniwala." Kuya
taunted and I felt my fury surface. Gusto kong magwala sa asar. Ang galing nyo rin
eh no? Feeling nyo perpekto yang Dylan na yan and I do not stand a chance na maging
girlfriend nya kasi perpekto sya? Eh bwisit kayong lahat two-timer kaya yan!

"Faith, kung kailangan mo ng boyfriend may irereto ako sayo. Ang bait, pinsan ko.
Harmless yun, sakristan nga sa simbahan yun eh tsaka bagay kayo."

"Ayan Faith medyo nagkakaroon na ng kaunting kulay ang lovelife mo! Congrats,
bunso!" Kuya said and I was so angry I felt like kicking his face.

"Oh well, I'm sorry pero nagka-boyfriend na ako!" I stated furiously and Kuya
glanced at me.

"May nagkamali?" He asked before he guffawed. "Sino naman yung kawawang yun, bunso
at ililibre ko bilang kabayaran sa mga pang-aaping, sigurado ako, ay naranasan nya
sa maga kamay mo?" Aba eh tarantado pala tong kapatid ko na to eh! "Wag kang
mapikon, bunso. Alam ko namang maganda ka pero di lang talaga kita makitang may
boyfriend. Unang-una, napakaseryoso mo. Pangalawa, napakaseryoso mo at pangatlo,
napakaseryoso mo. Walang lalaking kaedad mo ang magkakagusto sa isang babaeng ubod
ng seryoso. Tingnan mo yung best friend mong si Kai, ang kikay kaya pinipilahan."
He said and resentment quadrupled. Oo nga pinipilahan, pati yung boyfriend ko
nakipila.

"Tama na. Derrick." Dylan uttered.

"O sige hindi na ako magsasalita." Kuya agreed as my vision started to blur with
tears.

"Hindi lahat ng lalaki kasing babaw mo at kasing-baba ng standards mo! Kung ikaw
mahilig ka sa mga tulad ni Kikay na dinadaan ang karisma sa laki ng boobs wala na
akong magagawa dun!" I snapped and he looked weirdly at me.

"Nag-away ba kayo ni Kai? Matagal ko na syang hindi nakikitang pumupuntang bahay


ah. What happened?"

"Ewan ko sayo! Bwisit ka! Ihinto mo ang kotse at bababa na ako!" Naiiyak na sabi
ko.

"Hala ka, Derrick nagalit na ang kapatid mo." Kuya Siegfred said. "Wag ka nang
magalit, Faith biruan lang naman yung kanina. Hindi ka pa ba sanay sa amin?"

"Oo nga, Faith nasobrahan lang siguro pero--"

"Shut up!" I yelled.

"Bunso naman, nagbibiro lang si Kuya eh."

"Leche! Pare-pareho kayong mga lalaki! Ang bababaw nyo!"

"Sorry na, Faith." Kuya said. Medyo nang-aamo ang boses nya pero mainit na ang ulo
ko at nagingilid na ang luha ko. Bwisit talaga tong mga lalaking to eh! Pang-asar!
Bakit ba kasi straight ako?! Sana pwede na sa akin ang babaeng boyfriend nang
maiwasan ko na tong mga hayop na to! "Sorry na, bunso."

"Ihinto mo ang kotse!" I repeated and my brother sighed.

"Sorry na nga eh. Alam ko namang kasalanan ni Kuya. Maganda ka at maraming


magkakagusto sayo."

"Stop the frigging car!" I spoke sharply. I was so upset. Di pa nga ako makaget-
over dun sa nakita ko four months ago ay eeksena pa sa pambibwisit itong si Kuya. I
felt the scalding heat of my tears as they raced down my cheeks and I felt angrier.
"Stop this car now!" I yelled.

"Bunso naman..."

"Ihinto mo na ang kotse, Derrick." Dylan calmly spoke and my brother heeded. I
couldn't stand the humiliation. I hated to be reminded na hindi ako ganun kaganda,
hindi ako ganun ka-sexy at hindi ako ganun ka-attractive kaya yung boyfriend ko ay
pinatos ang best friend ko.

Kristine Kay Aldover or Kikay was always the popular one pagdating sa pagandahan,
she has the looks, she has the figure at lahat ng ginusto nya nakukuha nya whereas
I was the geeky, boring one. She wasn't always popular with boys, she wasn't always
beautiful but that changed when we reached third year high school. Gone was the
friend who talked about books and interesting reads only to be replaced by a
stranger who's into boys, boys and more boys. Hindi ko masyadong naintindihan yung
transformation nya pero tinanggap ko even if it meant not seeing her or not talking
to her often dahil araw-araw ay may date sya. Lahat ng ginusto nya nakuha nya,
Dylan included. That realization was too much to take four months ago and it's
still too much to take now.

"Faith, tama na ang tampo, bunso--"

"I hate you." I angrily murmured. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang sinabihan ko but I
felt better as soon as the words were out of my mouth.

"Faith, mag-usap tayo." Dylan said and I glared angrily at him.

"Get out of my way or I'm going to kick your ass!" I hissed. "Move!" I said.
Binuksan nya ang pinto ng kotse at bumaba sya.

"Faith!" I heard Kuya call my name but I ignored him and started running.

"Bwisit kayong lahat! Sinong nagsabi sa inyo na pwede nyo akong saktan?" I angrily
muttered. Tumingin sa akin ang mga nakasalubong ko kasi tulo ng tulo ang luha ko at
ang badtrip ay wala akong dalang panyo. "Bwisit!" I mumbled. Isa lang ang
nakakaalam tungkol sa amin ni Dylan and that was Kai. Eversince ay hindi talaga ako
palakaibigan. Kuntento na akong nagbabasa sa isang sulok habang nagkukwentuhan ang
lahat. Dati, ganun din si Kai tulad ko -- tahimik, walang kiyeme, walang arte.

Sorry, anong magagawa ko, friend kung yung boyfriend mo mismo ang lumapit sa akin?
Ikaw kasi, pinabayaan mo. Alam mo naman, finders keepers.

Narinig ko na naman ulit ang explanation nya sa utak ko at lalo akong nagalit. I
saw a park nearby and I slowed down to walk towards it. Alam ko namang madami akong
pagkukulang kay Dylan nung naging kami, kasi tama si Kuya, masyado akong seryoso.
Until four months ago, nakaplano na ang buhay ko -- kung saan ako mag-aaral, kung
ano ang kukunin kong kurso, kung anong edad ako mag-aasawa, kung anong edad ako
magkakaanak, kung ilang kotse meron kami at pati kulay ng pintura ng bahay ay alam
ko na. How can I not plan my life when I was so sure that I'd end up with him?
Akala ko sya na, akala ko nung naging kami lahat ng pangarap ko sa buhay ay unti-
unti nang nagkakatotoo. Yun pala akala ko lang.

"Tama na nga, Faith! Nagpagupit ka na ng buhok bilang alay dun sa alaala ng


naunsyami nyong pag-iibigan." I tried to joke as I sat on one of the benches.
"Magka-college ka na, tama na ang pagiging mapakla. Forgive him and forget him or
his betrayal will forever haunt you." I told myself as I sighed.

I was smart enough to know that I needed to move-on pero ang hirap gawin. Ang dali
lang siguro sana wala syang silbing boyfriend but he was super sweet when we were
still a couple -- nandyan yung magtatampo sya kapag di ako nagri-reply, nandyan
yung breakfast, lunch, dinner at pati meryenda ay iti-text ka nya kung nakakain na
ako, nandyan yung bigla-bigla syang magpapakita sa school just to surprise me at
nandyan yung gabi-gabi bago ako matulog ay kakantahan nya ako.

"Leche ka talaga, Dylan hayop ka. Dapat hindi Dylan Hope ang pangalan mo eh, dapat
Dylan Hopeless!" I murmured as I felt my eyes well up with tears again.
"Walanghiya, wala pa pala akong dalang pera." I groaned aloud. Hindi ko alam kung
nakasunod sina Kuya o umalis na silang tuluyan. "Kuya, sunduin mo ako dito!" I
uttered aloud.

"Ano yun, miss?" A passerby asked and I scowled at him until he quickened his
steps.

"Feeling mo naman kakausapin kita!" I murmured to myself. Sigurado akong hindi ako
papabayaan ni Kuya. Maybe he's letting me blow off some steam but I was almost
certain na susundan nya ako so I waited. "Let's be philosophical about the whole
thing, Faith. Isa lang ang nakakaalam na naging kayo at yung babaeng yun ay burado
na sa listahan mo ng mga tao kaya hindi na sya counted. So ibig sabihin kung walang
ibang nakakaalam pwedeng hindi yun totoong nangyari." I said. "Ang bano ng logic,
bwisit." I added as an afterthought. "Hay, sana sunduin na ako ni Kuya kasi gutom
na ako."

"Faith!" Someone called my name and I pretended not to hear it. Kunyari galit-
galitan ako para di na sya magalit sa akin. I thought to myself as I kept my head
bowed. I felt him stoop down to hug me from behind and my heart just melted. Si
Kuya talaga kahit anong brat ko mahal na mahal ako.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. "Sorry kasi galit na galit ako when in fact hindi naman
dapat. Sorry kung bigla akong nag-walk out and I'm so sorry if I made you worry.
Sorry din sa lahat ng sama ng loob at pag-aalala na binigay ko sayo. Bayaan mo
hindi ko na uulitin at magpapakabait na ako." I said as I felt him kiss the top of
my head. 'Wag ka nang magalit sa akin ha, bati na tayo kasi di ba tayong dalawa ang
magkakampi? We promised each other that no matter what happens, we will be each
other's strongest ally."

"Buti naman nagkaayos na tayo." I heard someone else's voice and my heartbeat
raced. I turned my face to look at the owner of the voice and I felt cold and warm
at the same time. "I miss you so much, Faith. I miss you so, so much." I heard
Dylan whisper before I felt him cup my face and pull it towards him for a kiss.

.
####################################
Chapter 3
####################################

He moved his lips over mine and my breath caught in my throat. It wasn't the first
time we kissed, in fact hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na kaming naghalikan.
Dylan is very passionate and he's always been intense. Dati naiilang at nahihiya pa
akong makipaghalikan sa kanya but he was persistent kaya ayun, adik na sa labi. I
felt the familiar rush that I feel every time he kisses me and before I knew it, I
was already kissing him back.

"Sobra kitang na-miss, Faith." He murmured against my lips and I realized that
we're in public. I pushed him away from me as I staggered backward but he was quick
to wrap his arms around me.

"Ano ba!" I murmured, embarrassed as he hugged me close.

"Faith naman, miss na miss na kita. Bakit mo ba ako iniiwasan?" He whispered. Isang
bulong lang at tutulo na naman mga luha.

"Bwisit ka, two-timer." I mumbled as I felt the tell-tale prickling of tears behind
my eyes.
"Ha?" He asked. He sounded confused and I started to cry in earnest. "Anong two-
timer? Ako?"

"Alangan naman ako?!" I snapped. "Nakita kita eh. Nakita ko kayo! Wag ka nang mag-
deny kasi 20/20 pa rin vision ko!"

"Nakita mo ako saan?" He asked. "Nakita mo ako kasama nino? At kelan yan?"

"Alam mo ikaw, bibigyan na kita ng award: Ang Galing Magpalusot Trophy!"

"Yan ang dahilan kung bakit hindi mo ako kinausap ng four months? Kasi tingin mo I
two-timed you?"

"Whatever. Tapos na. Apat na buwan na akong nagluksa, pati buhok ko nadamay sa mga
kalokohan mo kaya nagpagupit tuloy ako ng wala sa oras. Nasaan sina Kuya?"

"Teka nga, Faith naguguluhan ako sayo. Dito ka muna at mag-usap tayo."

"Ayokong makipag-usap!"

"Mag-usap tayo! Ano ba! Paano tayo magkakaintindihan kung ayaw mo akong kausapin?!"

"Ikaw pa daw talaga tong galit?! Ang kapal mo!"

"Ayoko ng away, okay? Pero Faith, sobrang nakaka-frustrate ka!" He answered and my
temper just catapulted to new heights. Ako ang frustrating?! Leche!

"Ikaw naman nakakapanis ka ng utak at nakakatuyo ka ng dugo!" I hissed at him.


"Bitiwan mo nga ako!" I added as I struggled to be free from his embrace but he
held me tighter.

"Stop being childish, Faith!" He bit out before he sighed. "Please. Kahit ngayon
lang para matapos natin itong usapang ito." He said, his voice pleading.

"Ayaw na kitang makausap at wala na tayong dapat pag-usapan!" I replied as I pushed


him away and turned to leave. He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him towards a
long line of taxis waiting for passengers. "Ano ba, Dylan!"

"Sakay!"

"Bwisit ka!"

"You can call me whatever you want pero mag-uusap tayo ngayong araw na to kasi
pagod na ako sa kakaisip kung anong ginawa kong mali bakit bigla-bigla ka na lang
nagalit sa akin at bigla mo na lang akong iniwasan!" He answered as he locked the
door.

"San po tayo, bossing?" Tanong ng driver.

"Teachers Village." Sagot ni Dylan. May apartments na pinaparentahan sina Dylan sa


Teacher's Village at may isang unit doon na pagmamay-ari nya kung saan parating
nagpa-practice ang banda nila. The unit was sound-proofed dahil napa-barangay na
sila dati dahil sa ingay. He took his phone out of his pocket and I continued to
ignore him as he dialed a number. "Derrick, kasama ko si Faith. Mauna na kayo sa
bahay sunod kami. Bye." He said before he pocketed his phone again. Hindi na kami
nag-imikan hanggang sa bumaba kami ng taxi. He opened the gate and pulled me inside
with him. "Pasok sa loob." He said as soon as he unlocked the door. Umupo ako sa
sofa nila habang nila-lock nya ang pintuan.
"Magsalita ka na." Pagtataray ko. "You have 5 minutes to explain."

"I'm your boyfriend and I deserve more than 5 minutes."

"You're an ex and 5 minutes is long enough."

"Faith, ano ba talagang nagawa ko sayo, ha? Ano ba talaga? Pwede bang diretsahin mo
ako kasi hindi ako magaling manghula kung ano ang nasa isip mo at lalong di ako
magaling sa pag-intindi kung ano ang mga nakatagong meaning sa mga sinasabi mo!"

"Okay, fine. I'll be brutally frank with you. Remember when you invited me to watch
a play with you last January and I said no because I'm preparing early for my
finals? I changed my mind at the last minute at pumunta ako dito para sumama sayo.
Dapat isu-surprise kita pero ako yung na-surprise. Dyan mismo sa pinto ninyo, I saw
you and Kai kissing!"

"What?!"

"What what ka pang nalalaman, hayop ka!"

"I'm not going to deny the fact that your friend was here that time, I gave her the
tickets since ang sabi mo hindi ka sasama so I decided na hindi na pupunta."

"Ah ganun? Ang sweet nyo naman may pabigay-bigay ka pa ng ticket!"

"Faith, ano ba! She asked for them! Ang sabi nya required daw manuod nung play ang
kapatid nya at ayaw na sana nilang pumila."

"Ang lame ng excuse me, Dylan!"

"Lame na kung lame but that's the truth! At anong sinasabi mong naghalikan kami?
She hugged me before she left but I didn't even hug her back! In fact, nagulat ako
so I pushed her away! Kelan kami naghalikan?!"

"Wag mo akong sisigawan!"

"Sabihin mo kung kelan mo nakitang naghalikan kami?!" He yelled angrily.

"Ewan ko sa inyo!" I shouted before I stood up and rushed towards the door. Ang
totoo, I don't really remember kung nakita ko ba silang nagyakapan o naghalikan.
All remember was I confronted Kai on the same night and she told me they've been
seeing each other for months at nahiya lang daw si Dylan na sabihin sa akin. I
believed her. And it didn't help na hindi man lang nag-effort itong gunggong na ex
ko na i-contact ako.

"Faith." He sighed as he stood in front of the door.

"I waited for you to call. I waited for you to talk to me. Pero dalawang linggo pa
bago mo ako tinawagan." I spoke. Hindi ko maitago yung hinanakit ko sa boses ko.

"Ang sabi mo mag-aaral ka. Ang sabi mo wag muna kitang kulitin hanggang sa matapos
ang finals nyo. It was difficult for me pero alam kong you were vying for the
highest honors kaya ayokong makasagabal."

"Thanks to you, I didn't get it because I nearly flunked all of my exams." I said.
I was an emotional mess at wala akong ginawa noon kundi umiyak -- hindi ako
makakain, hindi ako makapag-aral at hindi na ako halos pumasok sa school.

"Faith--"
"Shit ka, hindi ka man lang nagtaka kung bakit bigla akong nagalit sayo? Hindi ka
man lang naghanap ng pagkakataon na kausapin ako kahit ba ilang beses kong sinabing
ayaw kitang makausap? Hindi ka man lang gumawa ng paraan para magkita tayo?"

"Parati kitang tinatanong kay Derrick at ang sabi nya nagkukulong ka lang daw sa
kwarto mo para mag-aral."

"Tarantado." I murmured as my tears started flowing. "Naniwala ka kay Kuya?"

"Kanino ako maniniwala? Hindi mo ako kinakausap. I even contacted Kai at sabi nya
busy ka nga daw kaya hindi na ako nag-attempt. Alam ko naman kung gaano mo gustong
maging Valedictorian and I was surprised when Derrick said na First Honorable
Mention ka lang daw." He reasoned and I closed my eyes remembering my parents'
disappointed faces. They thought magiging Valedictorian din ako tulad nina Ate at
Kuya but I'm such a failure.

"I need to leave, Dylan." I said as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.
Hanggang ngayon, hindi ako makaget-over sa dami ng nawala sa akin at naaasar ako
kasi hindi ko na alam kung kanino ko ibubunton ang galit ko. In a classic, bitter
girlfriend move, I broke up with Dylan through text and I changed my number after.
I used to blame him for everything that I lost -- my acads, a friend that I didn't
really mind losing at pati na rin yung buhok kong sobrang igsi na.

"Faith, please --"

"Gusto ko nang umuwi, please." I countered. "Please." I felt silly. I felt stupid.
And I felt tired. Kasi kung tutuusin parang ang simpleng problema lang yung sa
amin. Bakit ba hindi kami nag-usap? I asked myself. Bakit ba hindi ko sya kinausap?
Why did I believe Kai? And then I realized that ever since Kai transformed into her
beautiful self, I started to fear that Dylan would succumb to her charms just like
everyone else did.

"Faith, ayusin naman natin to." He muttered as he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm
sorry because I should have exerted more effort to see you. I'm sorry because I
should have not been a coward and demanded that we talk. Sorry na, Faith."

"Okay na ako." I said. "Okay na ako, napatawad na kita at gusto ko nang umuwi." I
announced without any hint of emotion. Ang totoo, gusto ko lang mag-isip at alam
kong hindi ako makakapag-isip kung magkasama kami kasi sigurado akong matatalo na
naman ng puso ko ang utak ko.

"Paano tayo? Hindi pa rin ba tayo okay?" He asked.

"Ayoko na muna, Dylan. I realized that I really am not prepared to be in a


relationship. Parang gumuho ang mundo ko nung naghiwalay tayo at lahat sa akin
apektado."

"Faith, wala akong kasalanan sayo. Bakit pati ako damay?"

"Ayoko na lang maulit yun, ang sakit eh. Buti ikaw kaya mo eh ako? Hindi ko kaya.
Buti na yung ganito para walang gulo at walang sama ng loob."

"Hindi ako papayag lalo na't alam ko namang wala akong kasalanan. Four months mo
akong hindi kinausap; four months mo akong pinarusahan for something that I didn't
do tapos gusto mo okay na lang sa akin lahat?"

"We have not established the fact na wala ngang namagitan sa inyo ni Kai--" I
started to say and he angrily cut me off.
"Tangna! Ano ba?! Sobrang walang-modo ba talaga ang tingin mo sa akin at
pagdududahan mo akong inahas ka kasama ng best friend mo?!"

"Bakit, hindi ko ba alam kung ano ang mga kalokohan nyo dati?! Sa tingin mo hindi
ko alam na nagsasabay-sabay ka ng girlfriends?! Alam ko lahat yun! Your best friend
is my brother and I know all about your escapades!"

"Those happened before you!" He yelled. "Shit, Faith! Hindi ko naman sinasabing ang
linis kong tao kasi aminado naman akong may mga kalokohan rin ako pero wag mo akong
akusahan tungkol sa isang bagay na di ko ginawa!"

"Paano ako nakakasiguro na hindi mo nga ginawa?!" I furiously shouted. "Na hindi
nga kayo naglandian ni Kai while I was busy building my future around you?!"

"Because I was busy building my future around you too!" He shouted back. "Sa tingin
mo may oras ako para sa iba samantalang sayo lang umikot ang mundo ko?! Isang taon
tayo mahigit, Faith pero wala kang tiwala sa akin?! Isang taon mahigit kong
pinakita sayo na kaya kong magbago for you! And what angers me more is the
realization that in spite and despite all the efforts I exerted for this
relationship you still think of me as a piece of crap!"

"How could I not?! I waited for you to come to me for four months! I waited for you
to comfort me and to tell me na wala yun, na mali ang akala ko, na mali ang
conclusion na na-draw ko sa nakita ko at na mali ang sinabi sa akin ni Kai! Pero
hindi ka nagparamdam!"

"Because you asked for space!" He answered, his voice raised.

"Leche! Space pa ba ang tawag sa wala kayong communication ng apat na buwan?!"

"Malay ko ba kung anong klaseng space ang hinihingi mo eh everytime tumatawag ako
ang sinasabi ng katulong ninyo ay nag-aaral ka! Malay ko ba kung anong klaseng
space ang nasa utak mo when I could no longer contact you!"

"You should have tried harder--!"

"You should have done the same!" He yelled. "You should have fought for us! You
should have fought for me! You should have confronted me and you should have stayed
true to your name and trusted me!"

"Oo na! Kasalanan ko na lahat because I wasn't mature enough! Oo na, kasalanan ko
na kasi hindi ako nag-isip kasi masyado akong nasaktan! Oo na, this is all my
fault! Now, could you please step away from the door so I could leave?!" I demanded
as I tried to push past him.

"You're not leaving until we've settled this!"

"It has already been settled, anong klaseng pagsi-settle pa ba ang kailanga--" I
shrieked in surprise when he moved and carried me bridal-style towards the stairs.
"Dylan! Ibaba mo ako!"

"Mag-uusap nga tayo!"

"Adik ka ba, ano pa ba sa tingin mo ang ginagawa natin kanina pa?!" I hollered as
he put me down and closed the door to his bedroom. "Ano to, sapilitan na?!"

"Ang ingay mo, Faith." He said, his voice mellow, and I stared at him in alarm as
he started taking his clothes off.
.

.
####################################
Chapter 4
####################################

We've tried doing it countless times pero every time we try ay may nangyayaring
kakaiba sa akin -- it's either natatae ako, naiihi, nasusuka, nahihilo at kung anu-
ano pa and the moment is usually lost. Iniisip ko noon baka hindi lang talaga ako
ready na bumigay at nagkakaroon ng iba't ibang manifestations ang mga takot ko. Si
Dylan, bigay na bigay pero hindi ko kayang magtiwala. Kahit ilang beses nyang
sabihin mahal nya ako, natatakot pa rin ako.

"Nasusuka ako." I said as he started unzipping his pants.

"Sukahan mo lang ako." He answered and my eyes widened considerably. "Okay lang sa
akin." He added. "Suka lang naman pala." Nakangiti nyang sabi and I moved backward.

"Natatae ako, Dy." I murmured and he laughed.

"Alam ko na yan, Faith." He retorted. "Ang sunod nyan naiihi ka na." He uttered
with a grin. Kailangan mong magalit, Faith. Magalit ka! I thought to myself.

"Ano to, pipilitin mo ako?! Kahit ayoko gusto mo pa ring gawin natin?! Ganun ka
kawalang-respeto sa akin?! Ganun ang tingin mo sa akin?! Isusumbong talaga kita sa
kuya ko!"

"Eh di mas okay, kaya naman kitang panagutan." He replied. "Kung respeto lang din
naman napatunayan ko naman na siguro sayo kung gaano kita nirerespeto." He
continued speaking as he stood naked in front of me. I looked the other way. I've
seen him naked countless times, simula kasi nung nag one year kami, naging
adventurous na yung relationship namin. Yung innocence ko corrupted na, but I
wasn't exactly kicking and screaming in fear when I first saw him naked, in fact it
was me who took his clothes off then. "Nahihiya ka, parang hindi mo pa ako nakitang
nakahubad." He remarked casually and I felt myself blush.

"Kailangan kong magbanyo kasi nai--"

"Naiihi ka?" He cut me off and I nodded my head as I moved towards the door. He
anticipated my plan, however, and he blocked my path.

"Dy, I'm not kidding! Masama talaga pakiramdam ko! Kanina pa nga to eh! Na--"

"Nahihilo?" He inquired. "Alam ko na lahat yan, mahigit apat na buwan ko nang


naririnig ang mga yan mula sayo. Wala naman akong balak takutin ka pero wala rin
akong balak na palabasin ka sa bahay na to na hindi tayo nagkakaayos. Yun nga lang
ayaw mong makipag-usap kaya dito na natin daanin baka sakaling magkaintindihan
tayo." Loko-loko ba tong lalaking to?! Daanin sa hubaran ang problema?!

"Ano ka, baliw? Dahil ayaw kitang kausapin eh basta-basta ka na lang maghuhubad
dyan?!"

"Whatever works, Faith." He replied with a grin and I huffed angrily.

"Makikipag-usap na ako!" I announced. "Tara bumalik na tayo sa baba at willing na


akong pakinggan ang mga mga pagsisinungaling mo!"

"Ang tindi, wala pa akong sinasabi pero nagsinungaling na agad ako. Ang
understanding mo talaga." He said with a smile. Taragis ka, Dylan! Manyakis! Kahit
ba nakita na kitang hubad dati ay wala kang karapatang akitin ako, hayop ka! Yun
ang isa sa mga problema kay Dylan, he's overconfident. Alam nyang may itsura sya,
alam nyang may katawan sya, alam nyang maganda ang boses nya, alam nyang may utak
sya at alam na alam nyang hindi ako immune sa charms nya.

"Okay, fine! Mag-usap na tayo. Lahat ng klase ng explanation pakikikinggan ko na.


Kahit mag-interpretative dance ka dyan sa harap ko, manunuod ako if you can explain
yourself better that way." I added and he laughed softly.

"Kanina sana pero ngayon nagbago na isip ko." He muttered as he pulled me towards
him. "Halika nga dito."

"Ayoko!" I exclaimed as I pulled away from his grasp. "Bitiwan mo ako, Dylan mag-
iiskandalo talaga ako dito! Sisigaw ako!" I threatened and he just gave me a lazy
smile.

"Sumigaw ka, sound-proofed to di ba?" He said and I growled. Shit! Badtrip! "O,
akala ko ba sisigaw ka?" He taunted as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Dylan Hope! Bitiwan mo ako! Bitiwan mo ako!" I screamed as he pulled me towards


the bed. I pushed him away from me but he grasped my hands and pinned them above my
head. "Dy, this is no longer funny." I said. "Natatakot na ako sayo." I said and
his expression instantly changed. He gazed at me, hurt in his eyes as he shook his
head in disbelief.

"Natatakot ka sa akin pero hindi ka takot na mawala ako?" He asked, his voice
sounded pained. "Bakit, Faith? Hindi mo ba ako minahal? Pinaglaruan mo lang ba ako
ng mahigit isang taon? Bakit ang bilis mo akong ipagtabuyan sa buhay mo?" He
questioned. "Nagbago naman ako para sayo, ginawa ko naman lahat para sayo. Kung
balak kitang tarantaduhin sana noon pa pero sinugal ko yung mahigit sampung taon
naming pagkakaibigan ni Derrick para lang mahalin ng nakakabatang kapatid nya.
Tapos bigla mo na lang akong iiwasan? Bigla mo na lang akong hihiwalayan sa text.
Wala man lang explanation, wala man pasakalye. Isang masakit na I'm done with you,
let's not see each other anymore lang matatanggap ko sayo?" He continued and I
watched as his tears started falling. "Putang ina nakakaloko eh." He murmured as he
averted his gaze.

"Sorry." I mumbled as I felt my eyes well-up with tears too.

"Sorry lang? Sasaktan mo ako tapos sorry lang? Kahit anong galit ko hindi kita
ginulo kasi iniisip kong nag-aaral ka. Kahit gusto kong magtanong, kahit gusto kong
magpakita ng hinanakit, kahit gusto kong sigawan ka sa asar. At kahit anong sama ng
loob ko, hindi ako nag-amok sa harap ng bahay nyo kahit ilang beses mo akong hindi
nilabas, kahit ilang beses akong parang gagong naghihintay dun kausapin mo lang.
Tang ina ganun kita kamahal."

"Dy--"

"Ilang beses mo ba akong pinagmukhang tanga? Buti sana kung nag-iwan ka ng


paliwanag pero bigla ka na lang nagbago. You judged me because of my past which is
so unfair, Faith. Bakit hindi mo man lang ako binigyan ng chance to defend myself
against your doubts?"

"Kinausap ko si Kai--"

"Tang inang Kai yan! Mas pinaniwalaan mo sya kesa akin?"

"Sorry nga."

"Tumayo ka na at umalis ka na." He whispered as he got off me and sat near the edge
of the bed. "I'm also done hurting." He murmured. I stared at his back for a long
time before I crawled towards him and wrapped my arms around him.

"Tanggap ko yung galit mo. I'm sorry again." I mumbled. "Sige, aalis na ako." I
said as I made a move to stand up but he spoke.

"Nagbago ako para sayo, Faith. Kung ano man yung kalokohan ko dati, nakaraan ko na
yun. Have I not proven myself worthy of you?" He asked and I expelled a heavy
breath. Alam ko yung sacrifices nya, alam ko ring ang laki ng pinagbago nya pero
hindi ko alam bakit yung duda ko nandun pa rin. Parang kahit anong gawin nya hindi
nawawala sa isip ko ang posibilidad na kayang-kaya nya akong saktan at lokohin.

"I'm sorry. Kasalanan ko." I uttered. "You've already proven yourself worthy of any
girl, Dy. Ako ang may problema." I said with a sigh. Let him go, Faith. Kung hindi
mo sya kayang mahalin ng buo, ibigay mo sya sa iba na tanggap sya. "Sige, Dy. Good
luck." I muttered as I got off the bed but he turned and wrapped his arms around
me.

"Faith--"

"You deserve someone bet--" The words died on my lips as he kissed me. I struggled
at first but eventually gave in as he expertly coaxed my lips to part for him.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Faith." He said as he guided me to lie down on the bed. It
shifted as he lay down beside me and kissed me gently. His kiss wasn't demanding,
in fact it felt as though he was having second thoughts. I cupped the back of his
head as I took over the kiss and it wasn't long before I felt the familiar feel of
his hand on my skin as it made its way under my shirt. I heard myself moan and the
kiss turned instantly fiery, nearly consuming me in its intensity. "Dy--"

"Trust me." He said and I just stared at him. Kung tutuusin madaling tumango at
madaling magsabi ng oo pero hindi ko alam kung bakit mahirap gawin.

"I--"

"Trust me, Faith." He repeated and I closed my eyes as he continued his delicious
assault. He easily discarded my clothes and my eyes fluttered open when I felt him
move atop me.

"Teka lang."

"Shh..."

"Nasusuka ako." I mumbled but my words fell on deaf ears as he chose to kiss me
instead. Now, Dylan is very passionate. Base dun sa usap-usapan nila nina Kuya
dati, sya ang punakaunang nagkaroon ng karanasan sa kanilang lima. And he was just
fourteen when he lost his virginity to his girlfriend who was nineteen that time.

"Relax."
"Ayokong magre--" I gasped when I felt his mouth on my neck as he placed open
kisses down my chest. His hand traveled to my right hip as he started kneading it.
"Dy!"

"Ano?" He asked as he stopped his movements for a few seconds.

"What are you doing?" I panted as his mouth journeyed towards my navel. Somewhere,
a phone rang but he ignored it. "Baka si Kuya ang tumata--" I nearly squealed in
surprise when I felt his breath on my core. "Dy, wait--" I gasped for air as I felt
his mouth on my flesh. I chanted his name incessantly as he slowly brought me to my
release. It used to end there, once he's made sure that I'm satiated ay humihinto
na sya. I closed my eyes because I felt so tired. I was screaming at myself in
anger inside my head. Bakit ka pumayag?! Tanga ka ba?! This kind of intimacy is for
couples and you already broke up with him!

"I love you, Faith." He whispered against my ear and I opened my eyes to look at
him. "Mahal mo pa rin ba ako?" He asked hesitantly. I wanted to say no but I found
myself mutely nodding my head instead. "That's all I want to know." He said as he
quickly moved in between my thighs.

"Dylan--"

"Please, Faith."

"Please what?" I asked as he took my hand and guided it to his manhood.

"Please let me love you." He whispered. "Fully."

"Ha?" I asked and his mouth descended on my lips as his hand covered mine to guide
my movement. He moved forward and I felt him pierce my flesh. "Dylan!" I inhaled
sharply.

"Look at me." He instructed. "Mahal na mahal kita." He said before he moved his hip
and I screamed in pain. He held me tight and he halted his movements. "Sorry..." He
repeatedly uttered. "Sorry, Faith." He whispered as I started to sob. "Please, stop
crying."

"Shit ka. Kung kelan tayo naghiwalay tsaka ka naman nagpursiging i-devirginize
ako." I wept. "Tarantado ka."

"Hindi naman ako pumayag na maghiwalay tayo kaya tayo pa rin. Hindi ba tayo pa rin,
Faith?" He asked and I glared at him through my tears.

"Malamang! Sa tingin mo papayag akong hiwalay tayo tapos nakabaon ka dyan?!" I


snapped and he chuckled.

"Na-miss ko yang pagtataray mo." He said as he cupped my face. His mouth descended
on mine again and I fervently kissed him back as he resumed moving. "Is it still
uncomfortable?" He asked and I nodded my head. His strokes were slow and tender and
soon I found myself surging against him as he gently drove into me. "Faith..." He
groaned as he quickened his movements. "Malapit na ako." He whispered before I felt
his hand in-between our joined bodies as he started fondling me at the same time. I
couldn't stop my moans from escaping my lips as I felt as the familiar tingling
that started at the pit of my stomach.

"Dylan." I whispered and he nodded his head as he moved faster. I wrapped my arms
around him as sensations consumed me and he moaned my name before I felt him shiver
on top of me. We waited for the tingling to ebb and I ran my hand up and down his
back.

"Kelan ka last nagkaroon, Faith?" He asked me suddenly and I frowned.

"Two weeks ago." I answered.

"Ayos." He murmured before he rolled off me and held me tightly in his arms.
"Sunday ngayon di ba?"

"Oo." I replied as I yawned.

"Happy mother's day in advance." He murmured grinning.

Author's Note:

This is not your usual romance. I am exploring possibilities. Bear with my


weirdness.

♥ jennicka

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Chapter 5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 8
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Chapter 9
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Chapter 10
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Chapter 11
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Chapter 12
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I decided to take action. Ayoko na ng ganito. Nakakapagod maging kawawa at


nakakasawa maging tanga. It's been sixteen years and I wanted to take the reins of
my life back. I wanted to be in control. For once.

"Dy."

"Yes?" He asked. Nasa bahay kami at nanunuod ng anime sa TV. I definitely didn't
want to get pregnant, ayokong makipagsabayan sa kung sino mang nabuntis nya.

"We need contraceptives." I said and he looked surprise. "Ayokong magbuntis. Not
now while... I'm still this young. Di ba sabi mo gusto mo akong makatapos?"

"Oo." He replied. "Pero contraceptive? Kailangan pa ba natin yun?" Oo, kasi para ka
lang langaw kung makapagsaboy ng punla.

"Kaya mo bang mag-abstain?" I asked back and he did not reply. "Kaya kailangan
natin ng contraceptives. I've researched about them and I would rather get the
injectable one kasi it's good for eight to twelve weeks and-"

"Faith, I'll abstain." He sighed. "I don't want you to go through this, mamaya
mapano ka. Lahat ng tini-take na gamot may side-effects.

"Abstaining is very unreliable, Dy." I argued. "Alam kong hindi mo kayang magpigil,
paano kung pumalpak?"

"Magco-condom ako." He said. "Ako na ang bahala." He added. The atmosphere got
uncomfortable after kasi hindi na sya ulit nagsalita. But I didn't mind, I was done
trying to please everyone.

Tumayo ako at umakyat sa kwarto. Kailangan kong pag-isipan kung paano pag-aralin
ang sarili ko. Wala pang feedback tungkol sa mga manuscripts na sinubmit ko at kung
meron mang sumagot kahit isa doon ay alam ko ring hindi ganoon kalaki ang bayad. I
picked up my phone from the bedside table and dialed Mommy's number. I was
surprised when she answered immediately.

"Faith."

"I need to talk to you, Mom." I said.

"Dadaanan kita sa bahay ni Dylan." She answered before the line died. Sanay akong
binababaan ng telepono ng pamilya ko as if yung sasabihin ko ay hindi importante. I
called her again.

"I'm busy, Faith."

"Me too." I said. "2 PM, Starbucks Technohub. Hindi nyo ako kailangang sunduin." I
said and I ended the call before she was able to reply. I was done taking crap.

Umakyat si Dylan after an hour while I was playing Coindozer on my phone pero hindi
ko sya pinansin o tiningnan. I felt the bed shift with his weight as he lay down
beside me.

"Are you mad at me, Faith?" He asked and I shook my head. "May problema ba?"

"Nakabuntis ka ba?" I questioned.

"Is this what it's all about? Feeling mo nakabuntis ako?"

"And you still haven't answered my question." I quietly stated and he sighed.

"Hindi ko alam." He replied. I expected his answer but it still hurt like hell. I
gripped my phone tightly.

"Ibig sabihin niloko mo nga ako?" I asked as I put my phone down. Ang sakit sa
dibdib, parang di ako makahinga sa sakit.

"Hindi ko sadya." He murmured. "Hindi ko ginusto-"

"Let's cut the crap, Dy. Ang hindi sadya ay yung natapilok ka habang naglalakad
pero yung pagpatong sa iba, sadya yun aminin mo man o hindi."

"It was a one-night stand."

"I'm sure." I was sarcastic. I was so mad. "Kelan, saan, sino?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Are you not screwing me everyday?" I asked and he sighed.

"Almost two months ago. She was my classmate in high school, nangyari nung nag-
reunion kami." He retorted. Para akong sinaksak sa dibdin nang paulit-ulit. Para
akong nawalan nang malay sa sakit pero nagising ulit para lalo lang masaktan. I
felt the scorching heat of my tears as they ran down the side of my face but I did
not try hide them. Nasasaktan ako and to hell with these people, I was done
swallowing my pain. "Faith-"
"Stop talking. I'm done listening." I said and I felt his arms around me.

"Faith, I'm sorry. Hindi yun planado, I was drunk and-"

"You were drunk, that's lame. Kapag pala nalasing ako ay pwede akong makipagharutan
sa iba. Nice. At least now I know."

"Hindi sa ganun, Faith-"

"What are you going to do if she's pregnant?"

"Hindi ko alam."

"Fair enough." I murmured as I stood up.

"Faith-"

"Tang-ina mo, Dy. Bakit di mo na lang ako pinatay?" I whispered before I left the
bedroom. Hindi sya sumunod and I was glad because I wanted to be alone. I stared at
the abstract painting mounted on his wall for hours. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras
until my stomach grumbled in hunger. I stood up kasi kailangan kong magsaing. Ang
dami kong tanong sa utak ko pero ayoko silang i-process lahat, ayokong i-justify na
naman kung bakit wala nang ginawa ang mga taong mahal ko kundi babuyin ang pagkatao
ko.Pinatay ko ang rice cooker nung naluto na ang kanin at narinig ko syang bumaba.
Hindi ko sya tiningnan at di ko rin sya pinansin.

"Mahal kita, Faith." He uttered behind me. Hindi ako sumagot. I was done hearing
bullshit.

Kumain ako nang walang ulam kasi walang itlog sa ref at yun lang ang alam kong
iluto. "Anong gusto mo, ipagluluto kita-" His voice cracked but I did not look at
him.

"Okay na ako, salamat." I murmured. Ang alat ng kanin kasi yung luha ko tulo nang
tulo at halos di ko malulon yung sinubo ko kasi parang may nakabara sa lalamunan
ko.

"Faith, please. Please, I'm sorry."

"Okay lang ako." I swallowed the sob that rose to my throat.

"Hindi ko sadya. Natakot lang akong sabihin sayo kasi alam kong magagalit ka.
Minsan lang yun, Faith, please-"

"I'm leaving." I said as I stood up. Kinuha ko ang pinggang pinagkainan ko at


tinapon ang kanin sa lababo. "Ikaw na ang maghugas. I'm done cleaning after you." I
said as I turned to leave. He wrapped his arms around me again and I could hear him
crying.

"Sorry. I'm really sorry."

"Okay lang. Hindi mo kasalanang tanga ako at madali mo akong nauto." I answered.
"Let me go, Dy.

"I can't."

"Let me go or else I'm going to kill myself and let you watch." I calmly spoke and
his embrace loosened. "Your so-called love is killing me and I desperately want to
live. You don't have to explain because no explanation would be enough to justify
your betrayal. You don't have to cry because your tears are no longer going to cut
it. "

"I'll make things right, Faith. Please-"

"You can't." I replied. "I'm done hearing your excuses and broken promises."

Wala sa plano ko ang umalis kasi wala akong pupuntahan. But I couldn't stay with
him, masyadong masakit. I dressed in the same clothes I wore when I went with him.
Wala akong dinala kahit isa dun sa pinamili nya. Kung envelope lang ang dala ko
noong dumating ako sa bahay nya, yun lang din ang dadalhin ko paalis.

"Saan ka pupunta?" He asked pagkababa ko ng hagdanan. "Faith, saan ka pupunta?"


Humarang sya sa pinto.

"Magkikita kami ni Mommy."

"Ihahatid na kita."

"Hindi na kailangan, I'm not an idiot, kaya kong mag-commute.

"Hindi ka aalis dito nang hindi ako kasama." I saw his tears ran down his face and
it hurt to see him cry pero ayoko na. I said no before, sana pinanindigan ko.

"You are in no position to make demands and conditions, Dy."

"Faith, pag-usapan naman natin to." He wiped his tears with the back of his hand.
"Pwede pa tong ayusin-"

"Ayoko na tong ayusin. Wala na akong balak ayusin ang kahit ano, yung buhay ko na
lang. At isa ka sa mga taong ayokong maging parte dun. Tapos na ako, pagod na pagod
na ako. Masyado na akong nasasaktan. Alam kong totoo yung text at ilang araw kong
kinimkim yung sakit. Alam kong may tinatago ka pero ilang araw akong nagkunyaring
wala. Alam kong sira na itong relasyong ito pero pinilit kong subukan. Sinubukan
ko, Dy but it didn't work. Baka hindi talaga para sa atin to."

"Try harder, please. Let's try harder for us."

"I'll try harder for me." I said. His shoulders drooped and he bowed his head.

"Hindi ko sinadya yun, Faith."

"Dy, paulit-ulit na lang! Ayoko na nga! Bakit ba gustung-gusto nyo akong saktan,
mga bwisit kayo! Ano ba kasalanan ko sa inyo?!" I raised my voice.

"Ayaw kitang saktan-" I slapped him hard and he stared in surprise at me.

"Bullshit. You could have opted not to bed her but you did tapos sasabihin mo sa
akin ngayon na ayaw mo akong saktan?! Ganun kabobo ang tingin mo sa akin?!"

"Hiwalay tayo nun!"

"Tama ka." I expelled a heavy breath. "Pero ilang beses kitang tinanong kung may
gusto kang aminin sa akin? Hindi ko mabilang. I wanted to give you a chance and I
wanted to believe in you. Paano ako maniniwala sayo ngayon kung alam kong
nagsinungaling ka na? Papaniwalaan pa ba kita? Hindi na, Dy kaya walang pupuntahan
din to."

"Kahit hindi ka maniwala sa akin, okay lang. May kasalanan ako sayo and I'm willing
to suffer for it but don't leave. Please. Saan ka pupunta? Paano kung may mangyari
sayo? Hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko-"

"I've decided to take my life off your hands. Mula sa araw na to, I take full
responsibility of my existence. Please move and let me go."

"Faith."

"Please, Dy. Salamat pero kaya ko na." I smiled at him through my tears and he
stared at me long and hard. "Kaya ko na." I repeated and he sighed before he
stepped aside. I left without a backward glance even when I felt like running back
to him as soon as I stepped out of his door.

I took a cab and waited inside the coffee shop. Late si Mommy dumating at naubos ko
na yung kape ko sa kakahintay ko sa kanya.

"Kumusta ka na?" She asked as soon as she sat down.

"Okay lang po." I answered. "I have a request." I said and she looked surprise.

"Request? Ano yun?"

"Pag-aralin nyo po ako-"

"I'll have to ask your Dad." She answered and I felt like slapping her. How dare
her sit there like nothing's amiss when my life was slowly falling apart.
"Kailangan kong sabihin sa Daddy mo-"

"Who's my dad?" I blurted out. Alam kong disrespectful yung tanong pero sa tagal
kong nag-isip kung ano ang rason ng galit ni Dad sa akin, isa lang ang logical
explanation na na-come up ko-hindi nya ako anak.

"Are you crazy, Faith?! Alam kong galit ka sa Daddy mo pero that's not reason
enough na... na...ganito...na i-deny mo sya. He's your father!" She stammered and I
knew then that my suspicions were correct.

"Anak mo ako sa iba." I murmured and she looked around us.

"Stop this nonsense, Faith!"

"You're unbelievable." I uttered. "I am bearing the cross of your sins and you
still have the audacity to tell me that I am sprouting nonsense? Sino ang totoong
Daddy ko?"

"Yung Daddy mo ang tunay mong ama!"

"Yan din ba ang sinabi mo sa kanya? Na anak nya ako kahit nahalata nyang hindi?"
"I won't have you insult me, Faith."

"You were the one who insulted and disrespected yourself, wag nyo sa akin ipasa.
That explains kung bakit pinanuod mo lang si Dad na tratuhin akong ganun dahil
hindi nya ako anak and you were hoping na hindi nya alam."

"I'm leaving-"

"No, you're not. You are going to stay here and listen to me or else I will destroy
the very name you tried to protect." I threatened coolly and her eyes widened in
fright. "Take responsibility. Ipinanganak mo po ako, binuhay mo po ako kaya lubusin
mo na. Gusto ko pong mag-aral. Pag nakapagtapos po ako wala kang maririnig sa akin
because I'll leave quietly."

"Why are you being ridiculous, Faith?!" She murmured angrily.

"You can forget about me, I don't really care but I am demanding for financial
support. I will open a bank account and you have to go with me since you're my
guardian. I want fifty thousand pesos deposited to my account every month. Walang
palya at walang delay."

"Fifty thousand?!"

"Alam ko pong kaya nyong ibigay sa akin ang ganung halaga so don't protest, that's
a very small amount compared to what you earn from your profession and from the
hospital. I want to live a decent life and I no longer want to be at your mercy.
Maliban dyan, I also need you to pay for my tuition every semester. Yun lang, apat
na taon lang po ang titiisin nyo and I'm off your back."

"When did you become like this, Faith?" She asked and I smiled sadly at her.

"You turned me into this, Mom."

"Hindi ba masyadong malaki ang halagang hinihingi mo?" Her face was void of
expression.

"Paano po kung magkasakit ako? Paano kung may biglaan akong gastusin? Ayoko na pong
lumapit sa inyo. Isipin nyo na lang kung anong mawawala sa inyo kung hindi nyo
ibibigay yung maliit na halagang hinihingi ko."

"You're blackmailing your own mother?" She asked in disbelief.

"You were never a mother to me, Mom. Not even once." I said and pain reflected in
her eyes. I knew I was hurting her but I was done pretending that everything was
fine.

"Sa fifty thousand na ibibigay ninyo buwan-buwan, doon ko kukunin ang pambayad sa
bahay, pagkain, transportation, libro, field trips, damit at lahat ng gastos." I
said. "Tara na po." I stood up.

"Where are we going?"

"Let's drive to the bank, I need money now kasi maghahanap na po ako ng boarding
house na matitirhan." I retorted. Matagal bago sya tumayo as she held my gaze.
Finally, she stood up and we walked to the coffee shop's entrance.

We headed to where she was parked and I pulled the door open to slide into the
passenger's seat as soon as the keyless entry sounded. Hindi kami nag-usap pero
sanay naman akong hindi nya kinakausap. But something was bothering me and I needed
to let it out. "Sino pong totoong Daddy ko?" I asked quietly but she did not
respond. Hindi na ako nagtanong ulit, wala naman din akong pakialam sa kung sino
man sya. He obviously did not want me to or else sa kanya ako binigay ni Mommy.

"Saan ka titira?" Mom asked after a few minutes.

"Magbo-board po ako sa loob ng campus." I answered and she nodded. "Sorry po,
Mommy. I'm just desperate." I said and I felt her hand grasp mine and I suddenly
felt like crying. "Sorry po."

"It's okay." She replied her voice was thick with emotion. "I'm glad that you're
brave; braver than I'll ever be." She added and the tears that I was holding back
ran like rivulets down my cheeks.

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Chapter 13
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Chapter 14
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Nakakapanibago ang mag-isa. Nakakapanibago na hindi ako magkumahog para lang ma-
impress ang mga nasa paligid ako. At nakakapanibago ang hindi magkaroon ng
pakialam. Lumaki akong parating nagpapalimos ng pansin, pagmamahal at atensyon sa
kinilala kong pamilya and it felt so freeing not to give a crap.

"Faith, ihatid na kita kung saan ka man pupunta." Dylan said but I shook my head.
"Please. Kahit hatid lang, hindi ako sasama. Pagkababa mo sa sasakyan aalis na din
ako."

"Okay nga lang ako. Hindi naman kita driver kaya hindi mo ako kailangang ihatid
pa."

"Tanggap kong wala na tayo at hindi kita pipilitin." He said. Di ko alam bakit ako
nasaktan. Ito yung gusto mo. Wag kang manghina dyan. I berated myself silently.
"Tanggap ko rin na ayaw mo na sa akin pero wag namang ganito na iri-risk mo yung
safety mo just because galit ka. Anong oras na baka mamaya-"

"Ang taas naman ng tingin mo sa sarili mo if you think that I'm willing to die just
to spite you." I laughed softly. "Ano ka ba, Dy hindi naman ako ganun katanga. Ano
namang makukuha ko kung isusugal ko ang buhay ko para mapansin nyo lang? Besides,
alam nating dalawang magtanggal lang ako ng damit ay nasa akin na ang atensyon mo.
Yun nga lang kahit sinong babae ay may kakayanang tawagin ang atensyon mo sa ganung
paraan kaya hindi rin ako proud sa fact na yan."

"Faith-"

"Wag kang mag-alala, hindi ako suicidal."


"Faith, please." He murmured. I didn't like hearing him beg. Dala siguro nang ang
hilig kong magmakaawa sa pamilya ko dati at ang hilig kong humingi ng sorry kahit
hindi ko naman alam kung anong pagkakamaling nagawa ko ay ayoko nang nakakarinig ng
mga salitang sorry at please.

"Gusto lang kitang ihatid."

"Bye, Dylan Hope." I said as I hailed a taxi. I felt hollow. Parang pagod na pagod
ako kahit wala naman akong ginawang nakakapagod. Sigurado pagod na lang akong
lumaban.

Wag ka nang mag-isip nang kung anu-ano. Ang mahalaga may pera ka at kaya mong
magsimula mag-isa. Pero aminado akong hindi pa ako ganun katapang, or else I
wouldn't have returned to Dylan. nagtatapang-tapangan lang ako pero ang totoo ay
takot pa rin akong mag-isa at takot ako sa prospect na wala na talagang may
pakialam sa akin. Pero kakayanin ko bang tiisin yung lokong yun? Oo, kayanin mo,
wag kang magpakatanga. Dadating din ang panahong hindi mo na kailangan yung
security na dala ng presence nya.

I remembered how sad and hopeful he looked and my heart just squeezed painfully
inside my chest. And I realized na kaya ako nasasaktan para sa kanya dahil mahal ko
sya. I wondered briefly kung meron ba kina Mommy at Kuya ang nakaramdam ng
ganitong sakit habang umiiyak ako ako dati. Were they hurting for me too?

Pagdating ko ng mall ay dumerecho ako sa home depot nila para pumili ng tutulugan.
Nakakatuksong magwaldas ng pera pero alam kong kailangan kong magtipid dahil sa
susunod na buwan pa dadating ang allowance ko. Ito lang muna. I told myself after I
paid for the foldable mattress, a set of bedcovers and pillowcases na naka-sale, a
blanket and two pillows. Nag-canvass na rin ako kung magkano yung mga home
appliances na kailangan ko dahil gusto kong nakalista at naka-budget lahat.

"Naku, gagamitin ko ang mga to ng hindi pa nalalabhan." I murmured to myself.


Parang nangangati ako sa idea. "Wag kang mag-inarte and make do with what you
have." I admonished myself quietly. I decided to eat again at a fastfood before I
headed home. Nasa labas ng unit ko si Dylan at tinulungan nya akong ibaba ang mga
pinamili ko.

"Salamat." I murmured. "May kailangan ka?"

"Na-realize ko lang na wala kang mga damit." He said. "Kaya dinala ko dito ang mga
gamit mo."

"Hindi ko gamit yan kasi ikaw ang mamili sa mga yan. itong suot ko lang at itong
envelope na dala-dala ko ang gamit ko."

"Faith, wag naman ganito."

"Pumasok ka ba sa loob ng apartment ko?" I questioned.

"Hindi." He shook his head. "Mas gusto kong hintayin ka sa labas."

"Mabuti. Wag kang basta-bastang pumasok sa loob. Baka mamaya magdala ako ng lalaki
dyan magkagulatan pa tayo." Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko yun sinabi and I regretted
the words as soon as they were out of my mouth. Oo, may mali sya, malandi sya eh
pero hindi ko kailangang magpaka-cheap makaganti lang.I saw the flash of pain in
his eyes but it did not make me feel better about myself. Lalo lang akong nasaktan.
I stopped myself from apologizing although I felt like crap.
"Faith-"

"I want to decline your offer pero wala kasi akong maisuot kaya tatanggapin ko na.
Ibabalik ko rin matapos kong labhan-"

"Hindi mo naman kailangang ibalik." He said. "At nakalimutan ko palang ibigay yung
mga susi sa unit kanina." Inabot nya sa akin ang ang isang key holder na may limang
susi. "Alam mo naman kung para saan yung color codes di ba?" He asked and I nodded.
Ang lahat ng units ni Dylan may tig-limang susi - isa para sa gate, isa para sa
main door, isa para sa back door at dalawa para dalawang kwarto sa taas. At lahat
yun may iba't ibang kulay.

"Oo, alam ko." I replied. "Salamat." I added. Noon ko lang napansin yung bag na
nasa tabi ng service gate. Agad nyang binuhat ang bag noong buksan ko ang gate.
"Ako na." I said but he shook his head.

"Mabigat. Ako na ang magbibitbit."

"Ayokong pumasok ka sa loob eh. Kaya nga nagbayad ako di ba kasi ayokong lahat sa
tingin mo ay pwede mong gawin dahil libre?" I truthfully said and he nodded.

"Naiintindihan ko. Ihahatid ko lang sa pintuan mo tapos aalis din ako agad." He
muttered as I pushed the door open. I unlocked my door and groped for the light
switch. "Hintayin mo ako dito at kukunin ko yung higaan para sayo." He said before
he turned to leave.

"Bumili ako ng higaan at unan kaya salamat na lang."

"Masyadong manipis ang foam nyang higaan mo, baka sumakit ang likod mo. Alam mo
namang semento ang sahig kaya malamig. Hintayin mo ako." I wanted to protest pero
hindi nya ako tinitingnan at umalis sya agad. Hinila ko ang bag papasok sa sala.

"Ang bare naman parang ang lamig tuloy." I told myself as I looked around. Mas
malaki ang unit ni Dylan kesa mga units na pinapaupahan nya at may banyo sya sa
taas kasi pinarenovate nya yung buong second floor para gawing isa na lang ang
kwarto na may sariling sala at banyo. Umupo ako sa may hagdan habang hinihintay
sya. "Kailangan kong bumili ng silya. Wala rin akong laptop kaya dapat isama ko sa
budget ko yun." I sighed. Noong una akala ko ang dami kong pera pero habang
tumatagal ay naisip kong baka magkulang pa. I literally started from nothing.

"Faith." Dylan called. Hindi sya pumasok at tumayo ako para puntahan sya sa may
pinto. Bitbit nya ang sofa bed nya. "Kaya mo ba itong iakyat?"

"Ita-try ko."

"Ako na. Pwede ba akong pumasok?" He asked. Nagdalawang-isip ako. Ayoko na kasi ng
complication. Kahapon lang ay mahal na mahal ko sya kahit meron nang pagdududa at
kaninang umaga lang ako nagdesisyong mabuhay na wala sya. Hindi ako ganun ka-tanga
para isiping ganoon kadali mawawala ang feelings ko.

"Ako nang mag-aakyat." I said. "Kaya ko yan foam naman yan kaya di yan masyadong
mabigat."

"Baka mahulog ka pa sa hagdanan kasi may kalakihan to."

"Kaya ko nga."

"Kahit ngayon lang, Faith. Ngayon lang ako papasok dito." He insisted and I
sighed.
"Okay." I finally relented. Hindi na ako sumunod noong inakyat nya ang sofa bed at
hinintay ko na lang sya sa baba. Binalikan nya ang bag at mga unan tsaka sya bumaba
ulit.

"Kumain ka na ba?" He asked.

"Oo, tapos na. Salamat. Bye."

"Sige." He looked lost. Parang hindi nya alam yung susunod nyang gagawin at
nakatayo lang sya sa harap ko. I realized na kahit anong galit ko kay Dylan, yung
puso ko sa kanya pa rin. I was tempted to hug him. I wasn't used to seeing him look
so unsure. Pero kung iko-comfort ko sya, alam kong masasaktan lang din ako sa huli.
And I knew no one was there to comfort me.

"Goodnight." I smiled as I blinked my tears away. "Late na, matulog ka na. Salamat
sa tulong mo. Bayaan mo mababayaran ko din yun."

"Hindi ako naghihintay ng bayad." He answered. "Kung may kailangan ka, wag kang
mahihiyang lumapit sa akin."

"Okay."

"Faith-"

"Tama na, Dy. Let's move on." Naiiyak ako kaya gusto ko na syang umalis. "Sige, bye
na. Mag-aayos pa kasi ako at maglilista pa ako ng mga bibilhin. Kita mo naman
walang kagamit-gamit itong bahay parang ang lungkot tuloy."

"Sorry, I screwed up." He said and the tears that I was holding fell. "Sorry kasi
ang gulo na nga ng buhay mo, dinagdagan ko pa. Sorry because I succumbed to
weakness. I knew I should have been strong pero naging mahina ako."

"Okay na." I answered crying silently. "Tapos na yun. Nagkasakitan na tayo. Mabuti
na yung ganun, siguro that was the push I needed to realize that my life sucks." I
laughed softly. "Siguro hindi talaga tayo." I smiled tearfully at him. "Ayokong
pagsisihan yung sa atin pero nagsisisi ako. Hindi ako plastic para sabihin sayong
okay lang na may nangyari sa atin, sising-sisi ako pero tapos na yun. Hindi ko na
yun maibabalik. Parang ikaw, nakabuntis ka na, di mo na yun maibabalik."

"Tinawagan ko yung number." He confided. Parang sasabog ang puso ko sa sakit. Shit
naman, kailangang sabihin?

"Hindi mo naman kailangang sabihin sa akin. Masakit pa rin, Dy. Baka magwala ako at
wala akong pampaayos nitong bahay mo. Oo, mas matapang na ako ngayon pero hindi
ibig sabihin nya hindi ako nasasaktan-"

"Negative." He murmured and I stared at him. "Sabi nya she just wanted to know kung
paano ako mag-react." Wow. May ganun? She just wanted to know? Good for her.

Pero ako, hindi ko alam kung paano mag-react sa narinig ko. Buti pa sila, kaya
nilang i-test yung iba kung ano ang magiging reaction sa mga bagay, pero ako?
Nasaktan ako lalo. Would it have been better kung di ko nabasa yung text message
para sa kanya? Mas pipiliin ko bang manatiling walang alam na may nangyari sa
kanila ng babaeng yun kesa masaktan ako nang ganito? Kaya ko pa bang magtiwala
after what happened? Hindi na. And the realization was both painful and comforting.

"Too bad." I answered and he looked at me. "Sayang, may baby ka na sana." I tried
to keep my tone neutral kahit ang pait ng lasa ng mga salitang binitiwan ko. "Okay
lang yan, Dy. Try lang nang try. Sige na, inaantok na ako."

"Faith, please."

"Anong gusto mong gawin ko? Bumalik ulit sayo ngayong hindi daw sya buntis? Paano
kung joke lang pala yan at tinitingnan nya lang ulit kung paano ka mag-react at
kung paano mawasak ang puso ng girlfriend mo?"

"Mahal na mahal kita eh." He whispered. He averted his face as he wiped his tears
with the back of his hand. "Sobra kitang mahal." He whispered. "Pero nagkamali ako,
Faith, may kasalanan ako sayo at humihingi ako ng tawad."

"Just because humingi ka ng tawad ay kailangan na kitang patawarin agad? Sapilitan


ba yan? Hindi ba dapat bukal sa loob kong patawarin ka dapat?"

"Pinilit ko namang maging maayos para sayo pero nagkulang talaga-"

"Ayoko nang umasa. Ayoko nang masaktan. Maghanap ka na lang ng iba. Yung babaeng
sobrang tatag at kakayaning hindi magbago yung pagmamahal sayo kahit malaman nyang
may kinama kang iba. Yung tipo ng babaeng mahal na mahal ka at kayang sikmurain ang
posibilidad na magkaanak ka sa iba. Yung klase ng babaeng hindi magsisi na mag
nangyari sa inyo kasi pati kaluluwa nya handa nyang isangla para sayo. Hindi ako
yun, Dy. kahit papano may natitira pa akong pagmamahal at respeto sa sarili ko."

"Anong kailangan kong gawin para bumalik ka? Faith, please. Isang chance na lang.
Please." He pleaded as he kneeled down in front of me. "Please, isang chance na
lang. That's all I ask."

"Walang makakapagpabago sa desisyon ko." I murmured.

"Please." He cried. "Please, Faith."

"I'm not going to change my mind." I firmly said. "Please leave." I added and
watched as he struggled to his feet. I've made up my mind, kakayanin kong mag-isa.
I strengthened my resolve. Kaya kong mag-isa. I thought.

Until a week later when the home pregnancy test kit tested positive.

Author's Note:

Readers,
I have not given anyone permission to create FB and/or twitter accounts for my
characters. If you get invites to follow or add people bearing any of my stories'
characters' names, kindly decline. You'll just be disappointed and your reading
experience will surely be ruined.

Seriously, people. Respect. You're awesome as you are. And no matter how amazing a
Fictional Character is, it's just fiction. Get a life.

Thanks.

♥ jennicka

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Chapter 15
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Chapter 16
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Chapter 17
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Chapter 18
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Chapter 19
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"We'll make this work, okay?" He murmured. "I want you to move-in with me. Ayokong
mag-isa ka dito kasi wala kang kasama. Paano kung may kailangan ka?"

"One step at a time, Dy." I answered. "I have not completely forgiven you yet but
I'll welcome the help because of the baby." I answered. "I'm doing this for
Darielle."
"Hindi ko naman pinipilit na patawarin mo ako kaagad. Although I am praying na
dadating ang pagkakataong yun. Pero sa ngayon gusto ko lang, na kahit papano, ay
parte ako ng pagbubuntis mo. Hindi rin naman nangangahulugang porke't sa akin ka
ulit titira ay kakalimutan mo na lahat ng kasalanan ko sayo. I just want to be
there for you and the baby, Faith. Gusto kitang alagaan."

"Aalagaan o paparausan?" I couldn't help but ask. I knew I sounded bitter pero wala
akong pakialam. Pagod na ako sa malabong usapan. Gusto kong malaman kung ano ba
talaga ang gusto nya.

"Faith naman. Magtitiis ako kung yan ang makakapagpabago ng isip mo. Just stay
with me. Habang nasa bahay ka walang mangyayari sa atin kung ayaw mo. Hindi ako
mag-a-attempt at hindi rin ako mamimilit."

"So magpaparaos ka sa iba?" I asked and he sighed before he settled beside me.

"Ganun ba ang tingin mo sa akin, Faith? Na ikakamatay ko kung ako makakama ng


babae?"

"Masasaktan ka ba kung sasabihin kong oo?"

"That's not fair, Faith."

"Dy, unang-una kaya tayo nagkandaletse-letse ay dahil may ginalaw kang ibang babae.
Pangalawa, kaya ako nabuntis ay dahil may nangyari sa atin at pangatlo, alam kong
hindi lang ako o yung babae kanina ang naikama mo. Wag na tayong magmalinis."

"Nangyari na yun, tapos na. Habambuhay mo ba akong susumbatan dahil sa nakaraan


ko?"

"Hindi kita sinusumbatan, I am just being realistic kasi sa totoo lang, alam kong
hindi mo kayang hindi nakakakama."

"That's not true. Eh di sana namatay na ako kasi ikaw yung huli kong sexual contact
and that was weeks ago."

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

"It is the truth, Faith. Yun ba sa tingin mo ang bumuhay sa akin? Ang pangkakama ng
babae? Nasasaktan ka na rin lang kahit wala akong ginagawa, I'll give you the
gritty details of my sexual escapades. Pang-walo ka sa naikama ko. I was in third
year high school when I had my first sexual encounter, kaklase ko sya, nasa ibang
bansa na sya ngayon. Hindi naging kami. Yung pangalawa, I met her at a bar at ex
sya ng pinsan ko. May asawa't anak na sya at wag mo akong tingnan ng ganyan kasi
hindi ako ang tatay ng anak nya. Yung pangatlo, pang-apat, pang-lima, pang-anim
mga exes ko before you. Yung pang-pito si Hannah, pang-walo ka. Husgahan mo ako
kung gusto mo, ganun naman ang nangyayari pero hindi ko tinago itong lahat ng ito
sayo. Hindi pa man naging tayo alam kong alam mo na. Alam kong updated ka and I was
so happy when you finally agreed to be my girlfriend despite my past."

"Oo alam ko. Sa tingin mo ba may pakialam ako dun sa mga naikama mo bago naging
tayo? Wala, Dy. Tanggap ko. Kasi mahal kita at aminado akong nagpakatanga ako sayo.
But that girl that you slept with while we were together? She's a constant reminder
that you're not only an asshole, you were also unfaithful."

"So wala na talaga to? Wala na tayo?"

"Wala na." I answered turning away from him.


Masakit sa dibdib pero ayoko naman kasi syang patawarin nang ganun na lang. At
kilala ko ang sarili ko, every time makikita ko yung babaeng yun ay iinit ang dugo
ko kay Dylan. And considering how small my world had gotten, alam kong magkikita at
magkikita kami ulit.

"Hindi na ba magbabago ang isip mo?"

"Hindi na."

"Fine, gusto ko sanang daanin sa mabuting usapan pero mukhang sarado ang utak mo
kaya ganito na lang. Hindi ako papayag." He said.

"Bakit meron ka bang magagawa?"

"Wag mong idadamay ang anak ko sa galit mo sa akin. My child needs me as her
father. Hindi mo ako pwedeng ipagtabuyan sa buhay nya."

"Kelan naman daw kita pinagtabuyan sa buhay nya? Andito ka nga eh kahit naiinis ako
sayo by sheer virtue of you being my child's father."

"Sana nilubos mo na, sana lumipat ka na din sa akin by sheer virtue of me being our
child's father who has every right to take care of you."

"Bwisit ka, Dy. Ang lakas mong mang-asar."

"O, sige ayaw mo akong balikan kasi di mo ako mapatawad, okay lang. Pero kami ng
baby natin walang issue sa isa't isa. Kung gusto ko man syang yakapin o halikan
hindi mo dapat kinu-kwestyon yun."

"Hintayin mo muna syang lumabas bago kayo magyakapan at maghalikan."

"Hindi mo ba alam na importante sa development ng isang baby na affectionate yung


magulang nya sa isa't isa?"

"Disgrasyada lang ako, di ako tanga kaya wag mo akong inuuto." I mumbled and he
threw a leg over mine.

"Disgrasyada ka? Pinapanagutan na nga kita pero ayaw mo. Sa ating dalawa parang ako
nga ang nadisgrasya. Ilang beses na ba akong nag-offer sayo pero parati mong
tinatanggihan? Wag mong tawagin ang sarili mong disgrasyada kasi nandito ako, yung
Daddy ng baby mo na handa ka namang pakasalan."

"Dy, no matter how you look at it, disgrasyada ako. Wag ka na ngang magpa-cute dyan
at wag mo akong dantayan! Ang init, ano ba!" I pushed him off me and he sat up.

"Magdala ka ng mga gamit. Dun ka matulog sa bahay at may aircon dun. Basang-basa ka
na ng pawis. Dapat iniingatan mo ang sarili kasi kung ikaw magkasakit, kawawa naman
ang bata."

"Iniingatan ko ang sarili ko. Stop lecturing me."

"Kung iniingatan mo ang sarili mo ay dapat pumayag kang dun sa akin matulog. Paano
kung matuyuan ka ng pawis sa likod nyan? Eh di uubuhin ka? Paano kapag inubo ka? Eh
di iinom ka ng gamot? Paano kung makakasama kay baby yung gamot?"

"Ang daming sinabi." I mumbled angrily. He got off the bed and opened my closet.
"What are you doing?!"
"Magbihis ka." He said as he pulled clothes off my hangers. "Dun tayo sa bahay ko."

"Ano na namang drama to, Dylan?"

"Para sa bata. Ako tatay nyan, kaya responsibilidad kong alagaan yan. Tumayo ka na
dyan. Unless gusto mong ako mismo ang magbibihis sayo kasi pwedeng pwede."

"Do no use that tone on me, Dylan."

"I have not used anything on you yet, Faith. Wag mong hintayin. I'm running out of
patience. Lahat na ginawa ko-lumuhod na ako, umiyak, nagmakaawa pero wala pa rin. I
will exert my right as the baby's father."

"Ang galing mong magsalita ano? Ang galing mo lang."

"Ayoko ng away. Gagawin ko kung ano ang nakakabuti para sa baby and right now, mas
makakabuti kung sa akin ka titira dahil maipagluluto kita, maibibili kita ng
kailangan mo at mas makakatipid ka kasi hindi mo na kailangang magbayad ng renta.
Ipunin mo na lang yung pera para kay Darielle kesa binabayad mo pa sa akin."

"And why the hell am I going to agree to all these terms? The last time I checked,
we've already broken up."

"And the last time I checked, I am the baby's father and that gives me certain
rights."

"Paano kung sasabihin ko sayong hindi ikaw-"

"Don't even go there, Faith. Just don't. Hihintayin kita sa baba."

"Mauna ka na sa bahay mo kasi maliligo pa ako." I grumbled.

"Dun ka na maligo sa bahay ko."

"Makikitulog lang ako dun, Dylan dahil kahit gusto kong humindi ay di ko kaya yung
init dito. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nun na dun ako titira."

"Sabihin na nating temporary yung pagtira mo sa akin. Ayaw lang naman kitang
mahirapan kaya mas mabuting dun ka na lang talaga sa unit ko. Anong mga gamit ba
ang kailangan mo?"

"Ako na!"

"Ako na. Umupo ka na lang dyan. Look at you, sobra kang pawis. At hindi rin
magandang nakatutok yung electric fan sayo. Anong kailangan mo?"

"Mga damit ko, tuwalya, unan, kumot tsaka yung laptop ko lang."

"Hindi mo na kailangan ng tuwalya, unan at kumot. Yung damit at laptop mo na lang.


Tumayo ka muna dyan at lalagyan ko bimpo yang likod mo. Pawis na pawis ka." He said
as he pulled a small towel from one of my closet drawers. "Mauna ka na sa bahay
para para mai-on mo na yung aircon sa kwarto. Susunod ako." He said before he
kissed my forehead.

"Hintayin na lang kita."

"O, sige. Bibilisan ko." He answered. "Wala ka bang bag?"

"Wala."
"Okay, ako nang bahala." He replied as he spread a blanket on my bed. Nilagay nya
lahat ng gamit ko sa gitna ng kumot bago pinagbuhol ang mga dulo. "Nasaan yung
charger mo ng laptop?"

"Nasa drawer ng mesa ko."

"Okay. Yung telepono mo?"

"Nasa drawer din." I replied. "Pati yung charger nandyan." I said.

"Dalhin mo itong cellphone mo at charger. Ako nang bahala sa iba." He instructed.

When we reached his unit, agad-agad kaming umakyat kasi yung kwarto nya lang naman
ang may aircon. I looked around his bedroom and noticed that it was tidy and clean.
Makalat kasi si Dylan sa gamit, parang yung Kuya ko. May TV na rin na naka-mount sa
harapan ng kama na may katabing bookshelf. Dati masikip ang kwarto nya kasi yung
lumang drum set nya at mga gitara ay nasa gilid pero wala na sila dun ngayon..

"Bakit?" He asked as he turned the air conditioner on. "May kailangan ka pa ba?"

"Nasaan yung mga gitara mo at yung lumang drums?"

"Binenta ko. Di na naman ako magbabanda." He said.

"Bakit?"

"Hindi magandang trabaho kasi pang-gabi. Baka pag-awayan pa natin."

"Wala naman akong pakialam kung anong gagawin mo sa buhay mo." I frowned at him.
"Kaya wala akong pakialam kung pang-gabi ang pipiliin mong trabaho."

"Baka ngayon wala, malay mo naman bukas o makalawa meron na." He smiled. Tinaasan
ko sya ng kilay puro tumawa lang sya. Ang hilig magpa-cute nitong si Dylan.

"Ako nang mag-aayos ng mga yan." I said as he began putting my clothes inside his
closet.

"Ako na, umupo ka na lang dyan. Magdadala ako ng pagkain? May fruit salad sa ref,
gusto mo?"

"Saan mo naman nakuha ang fruit salad?"

"Gawa ni Mommy. Sabi nya nung buntis daw sya ay mahilig daw sya sa matamis kaya
baka daw magustuhan mo. Dalhan ba kita?"

"Mamaya. Gusto kong maligo."

"O, sige maligo ka. Ito yung towel, malinis yan." He said handing a fluffy white
towel to me. "Bagong bili ko yan."

"Aba, shopping galore ka yata, bagong TV sa kwarto, bagong bookshelf, pati towels
bago? Ikaw na ang rich." I said and he just smiled. "Sige, baba na ako."

"Mag-ingat ka sa pagbaba mo." He sounded worried and I rolled my eyes at him.

I loved taking baths and I took my time. May hot and cold shower kasi si Dylan kaya
ang sarap maligo. Hindi tulad sa bahay ko na wala akong choice, kapag gusto kong
maligo nang madaling araw, kundi tiisin ang lamig. Paglabas ko ng banyo ay
naghihintay na sya sa akin sa sala.

"Kumain ka muna bago ka matulog. Magbihis ka na sa taas, iinitin ko yung ulam."

"Anong ulam?" I asked.

"May ginataang kuhol pa at tsaka may adobong manok sa gata. May gusto ka bang
kainin?"

"Okay na yan." I replied. Binanggit pa lang nya yung mga ulam ay naglalaway na ako.
"Sige, bihis na ako sa taas."

"Okay, kakaluto lang ng sinaing ko. Wag kang magmadali sa pagbaba. Mag-ingat."

"Oo. Ano ba yan." I muttered.

Nagsuot ako ng cotton shorts at t-shirt. Pagbaba ko sa kusina ay napaghain na si


Dylan ng pagkain at umupo ako kaagad.

"Anong gusto mong inumin? Juice?"

"Tubig lang." I replied as I started eating. "O, bakit hindi ka kumakain? Hindi ka
ba gutom?"

"Mas natutuwa akong panuorin kang kumakain."

"Ay, kahit anong gawin mong titig ay hindi ako mako-conscious at kakain pa rin
ako."

"Kumain ka lang, para yan sa baby." He said. "May watermelon sa loob ng


refrigerator, gusto mo?"

"Oo!" I replied and he laughed softly before he rose from his seat. Kinuha nya mula
sa ref ang isang pinggan ng watermelon slices at nilapag sa harapan ko. "Salamat!"
I said.

"Ano pang kailangan mo?"

"Wala na."

"Iinom ka ng gatas ngayon, ha. Yung binigay nung doktor." He told me. Natigilan ako
sa pagnguya sa sinabi nya. "Faith, kung sya man ang Daddy mo, he's a better version
of a father than Tito. Ilang oras pa lang kayong nagkakilala pero tingnan mo naman
yung concern nya sayo."

"Ayoko muna syang pag-usapan." I murmured and Dylan nodded.

"Okay, if that's what you want." He smiled. "Ang ganado mong kumain pero wag kang
masyadong magpakabusog at hindi ba matutulog ka?"

"Kaunti nya lang yung kanin na nilagay mo sa pinggan ko eh."

"Okay na yun, pwede ka namang kumain ulit pagkagising natin mamaya. Papakin mo na
lang yung ulam."

As usual, ayaw nyang ako ang maghugas ng pinggan kaya iniwan ko sya sa kusina para
mag-toothbrush. May bagong toothbrush sa isa sa mga drawers nya at ang sabi nya ay
binili nya daw talaga yun para sa akin. I was touched by his preparations pero
hindi ko na binigyan ng kulay. He was obviously doing what he was doing for the
baby. Nothing more.

I went up to his bedroom and changed into a knee-length cotton night shirt. Ihi
kasi ako nang ihi lately kaya nakakatamad mag-shorts. I turned his TV on and
started browsing the channels. Ilang minuto pa ay umakyat na din si Dylan. Bagong
ligo sya at nakatuwalya lang.

"Teka, magbibihis ka? Baba muna ako." I said getting off his bed.

"Dyan ka na, di naman ako mahiyain." He replied offhandedly. "Wag ka nang bumaba."
He said before he took his towel off. I've read about pregnant women's libido
increasing during pregnancy pero di ako naniwala kasi wala naman akong naramdamang
ganun. Dati.

Bwisit to si Dylan. Ano to? Seduction 101? Gusto ko na syang sigawan kasi ang tagal
nyang magbihis and I was getting...excited.

"Anong pinapanuod mo?" Tanong nya. Humiga sya sa tabi ko and I scooted away from
him. Kung napansin man nya ay wala syang sinabi.

"Ewan ko kung anong title nito." I replied, my eyes glued to the TV screen. Ayoko
syang tingnan kasi kung anu-anong kahalayan na ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. Bakit kaya
ang bango naman nitong lalaking to? Pareho lang naman yata kami ng sabon na
ginamit? I thought to myself as he moved to wrap an arm around my waist. "Dun ka
nga."

"Don't tell me naiinitan ka pa rin kasi naka-aircon na tayo."

"Di ako komportable." I muttered pero lalo nyang hinigpitan ang yakap nya.

"Dylan, ano ba." I protested. "Umayos ka, Dylan naasar na ako."

"Bakit?"

"Basta!"

"Bakit nga?"

"Sabihin mo muna."

"Nanlalagkit nga ako eh!"

"Yun ba talaga ang dahilan?" He asked and I scowled at him. "Kung may gusto ka,
sabihin mo." He said. "Ano yun?"

"Wala." I said and he sighed.

Inalis nya ang braso nya sa baywang ko at tumalikod sa akin. I tried to ignore him
at kahit hindi ko na naiintindihan yung pinapanuod ko ay hindi ko pa rin pinapatay
yung TV. Shit, bakit naman ganito to? I thought. I was so turned on, it wasn't even
funny. "Dy..." I called his name and wordlessly, he took his boxers off. I stared
at him for a few seconds before I took my underwear off and sat astride him.
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Chapter 21
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Chapter 22
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Chapter 23
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Chapter 24
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I knew I had to be strong. Hindi ako pwedeng panghinaan ng loob. Kailangan kong
maging madamot kasi kailangan kong ipagdamot si Dylan para sa anak ko. Hindi ako
papayag na lumaki si Darielle na tulad ko-kumpleto nga ang kakalakhang pamilya pero
ramdam na hindi sya mahal at hindi sya kailangan. At pwedeng mangyari sa kanya iyon
kung magkaroon ng ibang pamilya ang alin man sa amin ni Dylan.

"You're awfully quiet and I am starting to get scared. What are you thinking?"
Dylan asked.

"A lot." I replied.

"Are those happy thoughts, sad thoughts or thoughts that I should be wary and
worried about?"

"Ayoko munang pag-usapan, Dy. Inaayos ko lang ang laman ng utak ko. Ang gulo na
kasi, kailangan ko nang himay-himayin at ilagay sa naayon nilang categories." I
answered.

"Okay." He muttered.

I tried to keep my tone light. Ayoko rin namang mag-alala sya pero nagbuntong-
hininga pa rin sya at hindi na umimik pagkatapos. "Ang traffic, ano?" I said. Ang
tahimik kasi namin at imbes na umayos yung utak ko ay lalo lang akong naguluhan.

"Gusto mo bang dumerecho muna sa mall? May daanan dyan sa kantong yan, pwede tayong
kumanan. Heavy talaga ang traffic ngayon kaya magsabi ka na habang maaga pa."
"Kahit ano."

"Faith, please. Ano ba yun? Natatakot ako kapag nagkakaganyan ka. Pakiramdam ko
para kang bombang sasabog na lang bigla at magugulat na lang ako kasi mawawala ka
na naman sa akin."

"Papayag akong i-recognize mo yung bata kung sakaling buntis ang babaeng yun.
Papayag akong dalhin ng batang yun ang apelyido mo. Papayag akong suportahan mo
sila financially. Payag ako. Alam kong walang kinalaman ang bata dito sa gulong ito
at hindi ko sya idadamay. Naiinis pa rin ako ngayon, hayaan mo't lilipas din ito.
Pero hindi ako papayag na dadalawin mo ang anak mong iyon sa bahay ng nanay nya at
lalong hindi ako papayag na magsama kayo ng nanay nya ng kahit isang araw o kahit
oras for your daughter or son's sake."

"Faith-"

"I want these rules established early, Dylan. Gusto kong ilagay sa tamang lugar ang
dapat ay nilalagay sa tamang lugar. Ang anak mo pwede mong dalhin sa bahay natin
pero hindi ka pwedeng pumunta sa bahay nila at mamalagi doon nang matagal. Sabihin
na nating unfair pero ngayon pa lang gusto kong malaman mo na isa iyon sa mga bagay
na hindi ko iko-compromise."

"Pag-aawayan ba naman natin ang isang bagay na hindi tayo sigurado?"

"Hindi tayo nag-aaway but I am asserting my rights. That is, if you want to marry
me. Hindi ako patuloy na makikisama sayo sa iisang bubong tapos wala ka palang
balak na pakasalan ako. This all under the premise that I will be your wife. Now if
you have other plans, tulad ng hindi pagpapakasal sa akin, let us renegotiate."

"Alam kong masama ang loob mo sa mga narinig mo sa Daddy mo-"

"No, you're wrong." I turned my head to look at him. "This has nothing to do with
them. I cannot decide for my parents but I will take charge of my life. It's either
you marry me for the right reasons no matter how cliché that sounds or you let me
go. Ayoko ng live-in, not when I'm at the right age to get married, which is a year
and a few months from now. "

"Pakakasalan kita."

"Mabuti. Kung ganun, the rules I mentioned earlier stand. Pero gusto ko ring
malaman, bakit mo ako pakakasalan?"

"Mahal kita."

"Sigurado ka ba dyan?"

"Ano ba, Faith. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako sayo o ano. I love you. Siguro
naman naipakita ko sayo yan. Nagkamali ako, oo, but that didn't mean that I love
you less. Gusto kitang makasama. Gusto kong tumanda kasama ka."

"Okay, stop because I'm tearing up. God, how I hate being so emotional. Lahat na
lang iniiyakan ko. But, thank you, Dy. Thank you for holding on despite the fact
that I repeatedly pushed you away. Pinatawad na kita doon sa kasalanan mong ginawa
pero wag mo nang uulitin, please. Kung hindi mo kayang maging faithful sa akin,
maghiwalay na tayo ngayon pa lang."

"Faith-"

"I am serious, Dy. It is either I am the only one or we'll just say goodbye and
move on. I deserve your loyalty because I am loyal and faithful. I deserve your
constant honesty because I've committed myself to do the same. The family that we
plan to have deserves our devotion and I expect nothing less from you. Now, if
we're not on the same page, masisira lang tayo because I am done playing the
martyr. Lalaban na ako at ipaglalaban ko kung ano ang akin. Ipaglalaban ko ang anak
ko ultimo kaliit-liitang karapatang meron sya."

"Naiintindihan ko and I am proud of you, Faith. I am proud that you've taken the
reigns of your life back. I am happy that you are letting me see this new you.
Mahal kita noong wala ka pang tiwala sa sarili mo at takot ka pa sa mundo pero mas
mahal kita ngayong kaya mo nang harapin ang lahat. Ang sa akin lang, sana yung
kasalanang nagawa ko, kung napatawad mo na nga ako tulad ng sinabi mo, ay wag na
nating balik-balikan. Natatakot ako na baka hanggang magka-apo tayo ay susumbatan
mo pa rin ako tungkol doon."

"Ganun ba ako?"

"You have the tendency to dwell on my past mistakes."

"Fine. I'll change."

"You do not have to change, please, do not misunderstand. Pero kung humingi na ako
ng kapatawaran at nagpatawad ka na, dapat tama na yun, hindi ba?"

"Minsan kasi naiinis pa rin ako sayo!"

"Pinaglilihian mo nga kasi ako."

"Pinaglilihian ba kita eh hindi ka naman pagod? Ako parating pinapagod mo. Ang
pinaglilihian ay tulog daw nang tulog."

"Inaantok ako parati pero nandyan ka, eh, pagkatapos ang hot mo." He grinned and I
huffed.

"Ah, so kasalanan ko?"

"Hindi, ah. Kaya lang siyempre pag nag-i-initiate ka na, tao lang akong marupok at
hindi marunong humindi."

"Para mo namang sinasabing parati akong nag-i-initiate!"

"Faith naman, magkakahiyaan pa ba tayo? Kahit hindi sinasabi, kakalong ka pa lang


sa akin, hahalik o kaya ay yayakap ay alam ko na kung anong kailangan mo."

"Ayoko nang pag-usapan! Parang ang halay ko naman!"

"Gusto kong mahalay ka sa akin. Magpakahalay ka lang sa akin. Hindi ako


magrereklamo." He laughed and I scowled at him. "Totoo."

"Malamang! Ang hilig mo kaya."

"Mahilig ka rin naman."

"Hindi, ano!"

"O, sige ako lang ang mahilig." He laughed as the traffic started to move.

"Iniiba mo ang usapan. Seryoso yung usapan kanina tapos ngayon puro patawa na."
"Seryoso pa rin naman ako. At sa tingin mo ba magpapakahirap akong suyuin ka
pagkatapos ay hindi kita papakasalan?"

"Malay mo, magbago ang isip mo?"

"Ayan ka na naman, wear your confidence often, I find it sexy."

"Sus, sexy ka pa."

"Oo, lakas ng dating mo kanina. Do not be afraid to make demands lalo na't nasa
lugar naman. Isa sa mga rason kung bakit may mga asawang nangangaliwa? Masyadong
mabait ang mga wives nila. Masyadong mababait at masyadong lenient kaya tuloy
naabuso."

"Wag kang mag-alala, Dylan Hope, hindi ako mabait." I answered and he laughed.

Patuloy kami sa pagbibiruan at kahit papaano ay nakalimutan ko yung malungkot na


nangyari sa mga magulang ko. Pero pagdating namin sa bahay ay naalala ko na naman
si Mommy at ang mga kinailangan nyang i-give-up para lang maging buo ang pamilya
nya ngayon.

Matagal-tagal na rin kaming hindi nakapag-usap ng nanay ko dahil nagkaroon ako ng


hinanakit sa sa kanilang lahat. Nagdesisyon ako noon na maliban sa pera ay wala na
akong kakailanganing iba mula sa kanya-not her presence, not her love and not the
comfort of her arms. Pero, naisip kong kung tutuusin ay mas kailangan ni Mommy ng
pagkalinga at pag-iintindi kaysa akin.

"Dy," I called out. Nasa kwarto ako at nanunuod ng TV samantalang si Dylan ay nasa
baba at nagsasaing. "Dylan!"

"Ano yun?" He asked a minute later. Umakyat sya sa kwarto at suot-suot pa nya ang
apron nya.

"Ikaw na lang kainin ko, wag ka nang magluto." I kidded and he grinned. "Boy scout
ka talaga, parati kang ready." I commented as he took his apron off. "Pero saing
lang naman ginawa mo, bakit may apron ka?"

"Magluluto dapat ako ng ulam. Alam ko kasing hindi healthy na puro pagkaing
binibili sa restaurants at fast food and kinakain mo." Sagot nya bago humiga sa
tabi ko. "Ano yun? Bakit mo ako tinawag?"

"Gusto kong makausap si Mommy." I answered. "Pwede mo ba akong ipag-drive bukas?"

"Oo naman." He immediately replied.

"I think I owe her an apology." I mumbled after nearly two minutes of silence.
"Marami akong sinabing hindi maganda sa kanya noong huli naming pag-uusap. Now, I
feel so guilty."

"I don't want you to blame yourself for what you said to her. Kahit wala naman ako
noong nag-usap kayo at kahit alam ko namang isa ako sa mga dahilan kung bakit
naghinanakit ka noon sa mundo. Lahat ay may kasalanan, Faith. Lahat naman may
pagkakamali. You feel that way towards your mother now because your father told you
their story. Pero, kung hindi nya rin nasabi, malamang ay galit ka pa rin sa Mommy
mo."

"Kaya nga-"

"No, listen to me. You were merely reacting. Natural na magalit ka kasi nasaktan
ka. Natural na may sabihin kang hindi maganda kasi trinato ka nang hindi maganda at
natural na may hinanakit ka kasi hindi ka man lang nagawang ipagtanggol ng nanay
mo. Natural yun. Naaawa din naman ako sa kanya, sa kanila ng Daddy mo pero, ayokong
bumalik ang dating ikaw na hinahayaan mo na lang ang ibang taong saktan ka kasi
naiintindihan mo sila at alam mo kung ano ang pinagdaanan nila."

"Hindi naman ganyan ang mangyayari."

"Kilala kita. You are all heart and although that's how a human being should be but
this isn't a perfect universe, Faith. I do not want you exploited because of your
emotions. I do not want you to get hurt because of your kindness. Aminin mo sa akin
ngayon, naisip mo, di ba, na umuwi sa bahay ninyo dahil sa naawa ka sa Mommy mo at
gusto mo syang samahan?"

"That's not true."

"Come on, Faith. Akala ko ba magiging honest tayo sa isa't isa?" He searched my
face and I expelled a heavy breath. "Yung totoo."

"Oo naisip ko."

"Sabi ko na-"

"Teka, patapusin mo muna ako sa pagsasalita. Naisip kong samahan si Mommy pero
hindi ko rin makumbinsi ang sarili ko dahil ayaw kitang iwan. We have Darielle now
and, as I said, poprotektahan ko ang batang ito."

"That's good." He smiled. "That's great to hear. That's the right thinking. You
shouldn't sacrifice yourself for other people's happiness, not even mine."

"So selfless ka na ngayon?" I teased and he laughed.

"Hindi. Pero mas masarap lang mahalin ang isang taong sigurado sa lugar nya sa
mundo. Typical na lalaki naman ako-gusto kong ako ang sinasandalan, gusto kong
kailanganin ako at higit sa lahat ay gusto kong isipin ng pamilya kong dependable
ako pero gusto ko ring mayroon kang sarili mong identity at paninindigan. How can
you love me and our family fully if you're continuously gripped by fear and
insecurity?"

"Bakit parang lumalalim ka, Dy? Yan ba ang nagagawa ng three to five times a day na
lambingan?" I asked and he laughed aloud.

"Pwedeng yun ang rason. Pwede ring hinahanda ko ang mga sarili natin bilang nanay
at tatay ng mga anak natin. I want our children to be confident and secure
participants of this society, Faith. I want what's best for them and we cannot ask
them to be their best selves if we can't be the best parents. At magsisimula yan
ngayon pa lang."

"Tama na. Ano ba yan."

"Bakit?"

"Basta."

"Hindi pa ako nakaligo mula noong dumating tayo, okay lang ba?"

"Ang ano?"

"Alam mo na." He grinned. I scowled at him and arched my brow. "Okay lang ba sayo?"
He asked again and I rolled my eyes at him. "Teka lang, dyan ka lang maliligo ako."

"Wag na! Pwede na yan. Halika na." I replied and we eagerly took our clothes off.
We were in the middle on making love when his doorbell rang. Hindi nya naisara ang
pinto ng kwarto kaya rinig na rinig namin ang tunog. "Are
you...expecting...someone?" I asked as he drove deeper inside me.

"No." He shook his head as he guided my left leg to wrap around his waist.

"Baka...impor...tante...yan...Dy..."

"Maghintay sya, mas importante to." He replied quickening his movements. We both
reached our release and the ceaseless sound of the doorbell served as our
background. "Sino ba yang lokong yan." He murmured as he placed a kiss on my lips
before he got up. "Dito ka lang, ako na ang bababa." He said.

He dressed quickly and ran downstairs. Ako naman ay dahan-dahang tumayo para
pumuntang banyo. I took a quick shower and wondered why Dylan wasn't back yet after
I finished getting dressed.

"Dy?" I asked as I took the stairs to the first floor. "Dylan, sino yun?"

"Faith, wag kang bumaba." His voice was calm but I knew that something wasn't right
and I hastened my steps. Pagdating ko sa baba ay nakita ko si Dylan na nakaupo sa
sofa at may dalawang lalaking nakatayo sa harapan nya. "Umakyat ka, Faith, please."
He said as the two men turned to look at me.

"Sino sila?" I asked.

"Alam mo bang nabuntis ng boyfriend mo ang kapatid namin?" One of them questioned
and I felt my heart slam in fear against my chest.

####################################
Chapter 25
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CONTENTS DELETED. TO BE PUBLISHED.


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Chapter 26
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CONTENTS DELETED. TO BE PUBLISHED.


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Chapter 27
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CONTENTS DELETED. TO BE PUBLISHED.


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Chapter 28
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CONTENTS DELETED. TO BE PUBLISHED.
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Chapter 29
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CONTENTS DELETED. TO BE PUBLISHED.


####################################
Author's Note
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Hope, Faith and Love is the most emotional story I've written. Sa sobrang emotional
nito ay may katabi akong isang box ng facial tissues kapag nagsusulat dahil
tumutulo na lang bigla ang mga luha ko.

I initially wanted to veer away from feisty heroines dahil gusto kong maranasang
magsulat ng kuwento ng isang babaeng inaalipusta at inaapi. Pero, susme, hindi
keribels ng aking kapangyarihan ang mga gan'ung galawan. Naha-highblood ako kapag
nagpapakatanga 'yung main character ng kuwento ko. Parang ang sarap pumasok sa
story at ibagok ang ulo ng bida sa pader. Kaya ayun na nga, si Faith ang
kinalabasan.

Sa lahat ng bidang babaeng isinulat ko, si Faith yata ang pinaka-meek,


pinakamahinang mambara at pinakatahimik. Pero, hindi ko inakalang habang isinusulat
ko ay kuwento n'ya ay lalabas s'yang pinakamatatag sa kanila lahat. I loved how her
character evolved from someone who was so insecure to a fighter who was willing to
protect what was hers. Nakakaaliw lang s'ya. At nakakatuwa. Siguro iyon ang gusto
kong iparating - na hindi lahat matapang, hindi lahat mahal ng pamilya at hindi
lahat may support system na handa kang saluhin kapag naging isang malaking
bulilyaso na ang buhay mo.

Kadalasan ay mag-isa ka at kadalasan ay kailangan mong tumayo sa sarili mong mga


paa. Walang masama sa pagiging mahina, walang masama kung iyakin ka at lalong
walang masama kung hindi ka lalaban. Pero, dapat alam mong may hangganan ang
pagiging martir. Sa mga panahong tumahimik ka lang at hinayaan ang mga taong saktan
ang damdamin, dapat iyon ang panahong naghahanda ka rin at nagpapalakas para kaya
mo nang ipagtanggol mo ang sarili mo.

Sa dami ng messages na natanggap ko tungkol kay Faith ay nagulat ako na marami


palang mga tao na gan'un ang kuwento - pang-MMK at pwede nang gawing palabas sa
telebisyon. Maswerte tayong hindi nakakaranas nang gan'ung buhay.
Sa mga katulad ni Faith na umiiyak nang tahimik, nasasaktan at naaawa sa sarili,
gusto kong tandaan ninyo na hindi magbabago ang sitwasyon ninyo kung wala kayong
gagawin. Hindi ninyo mababago ang mga taong nananakit sa inyo. Hindi ninyo kayang
diktahan ang kilos at pananalita ng iba. Ang kaya n'yo lang ay baguhin ang sarili
ninyo. Ang kaya n'yo lang ay magsabing tama na itong ka-bull-shit-ang ito, sobra
nang nakakapagod kaya lalaban na ako. At sana dumating na ang panahong tatayo kayo
sa sarili ninyong mga paa para ipagtanggol ang sarili.

Si Dylan...hm...unang chapters pa lang ay bwisit na ako sa kanya pero iyon ang


realidad - may mga taong Dylan na lapitin ng mga babae at tukso. May mga lalaking
Dylan na nagkakamali pero kaya at handang magbago. Ang korni lang na nababago ng
pagmamahal ang isang tao, pero, maniwala kayo dito dahil totoo ito. When you love
sincerely, you truly want to be a better person for him or her.

So anong meron sa book version ng Hope Faith and Love? Marami. Dahil nga sinipon
ako at wala na akong ginawa kundi mag-edit kaya tuloy nadadagdagan ang kuwento. Sa
tatlong To Be Published ko ay itong HFaL ang nauna kong in-edit at sobra akong
natuwa sa kanya kasi from 62,000 words at naging 90,000+ s'ya. Oo, gan'un. Gan'un
ang nagagawa ng bangag sa decongestant. May special chapters ba ang libro? Oo,
limang chapters ang nadagdag. Tatapusin ba sa Wattapad? Oo, may isa pang chapter na
ipo-post para sa inyo kaya kalma. May book 2 ba? Naku, wala na, di na kaya ng puso
ko. Hahahahaha!

Hinding-hindi ako magsasawang magpasalamat kasi walang-sawa rin naman kayong


sumusuporta. Basta ba hindi n'yo ako mkinumura ay okay tayo. Maraming, maraming,
maraming salamat sa pagbabasa, pagboboto at pagkokomento kahit hindi naman kayo
obligado. I truly appreciate your support, friends. Maraming salamat ulit.

Ate Jennicka

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