28 Final

(Flashback)

Krisza's absolutely happy to be able to go on a vacation with her boyfriend, Aivan. She wants to tell Aivan about her parents' approval about the beach vacation and she also wants to ask him about something important. They've been dating since high school. They both major in medicine that makes it much more exciting.

In a month, the two of them will graduate and they'll have to study for their licensure exams. It's been a pretty tough road for them.

Krisza looked at their campus and she couldn't help but smile. Habang bitbit ni Krisza ang mga librong hiniram niya sa library, hinahanap niya kung nasaan si Aivan. She wanted to ask something from him. And it's about his childhood friend, Iris. She's been a little bothered about Iris' presence.

Hindi gusto ni Krisza ang presensya nito dahil parang ang mga kilos na ginagawa ni Iris ay humihigit na sa kung ano lang talaga sila ni Aivan. Krisza won't allow Iris to do what she wants because she's Aivan's girlfriend, Iris is just a mere childhood friend.

Umupo si Krisza sa isang bench malapit sa canteen at piit na hinintay si Aivan. She's a bit hesitant to tell Aivan her problem with his childhood friend. She never really liked Iris' presence, she never liked the way she clings to her boyfriend and she really hated her.

Nakaramdam si Krisza na mayroong kumalabit sa kanya at dahil sa pag-aakalang si Aivan iiyon ay kaagad niya itong nilingon na mayroong ngiti sa labi, ngunit kaagad nawala ang ngiti niya nang makitang si Iris ang kumalabit sa kanya at mayroon itong ngiti na tila bang parang may sasabihin na masama at hinding-hindi magugustuhan ni Krisza.

"Ikaw pala, Iris." Bakas ang panghihinayang sa boses niya at tinignan si Iris mula ulo hanggang paa. "Is there anything you need to talk to me?" Dagdag ni Krisza.

"You're really not giving up your love for Aivan?"

Tila nanlisik ang mga mata ni Krisza dahil sa tinanong ni Iris sa kanya. "What the hell is wrong with you, Iris? He's already mine and if I were you, I won't force it anymore. Tandaan mo, kababata ka lang ---"

"Sorry, but I'm not just a childhood friend." Bakas ang pagiging mapagmataas sa boses niya at akmang lumapit ito at hinawakan ang dulo ng buhok niya. "He is bound to marry me whether he likes it or not. As his bride, why should I just stand here and let a third party like you to ruin it, right?"

Natigilan si Krisza sa sinabi nito sa kanya. Walang sinabi si Aivan sa kanyang ganito, he just told her that she's just a childhood friend. Nakilala niya na rin ang mga magulang ni Aivan at tinanggap siya ng mga ito at tinuring rin na anak. Imposibleng ikakasal ang dalawa dahil sa mga magulang nila.

Napahawak ng mahigpit si Krisza sa librong bitbit niya. "But does he even see you as his bride?" Krisza asked straight to the point. "He just told me, that he treasures you as his childhood friend, he never mentioned to me that you're his bride."

Iris gave her a sarcastic smile. "He promised me that he'll marry me. How can you be certain that you're the person he'll really end up?" Iris leaned over to her ears and she whispered the words she doesn't want to hear from her, "Asawa nga naagaw, kasintahan pa kaya? Are you certain that he won't fall out of love from you? Especially, you're leaving the country to settle down to China, right ---"

Hindi na napigilan ni Krisza ang galit niya at tuluyang nasampal si Iris and she was shocked to see Aivan looking coldly at her.

"Aivan…" Mahinang wika ni Krisza at nang marinig ni Iris ang sinabi niya at napalingon ito sa direksyong tinitignan ni Krisza.

"You're just too much, Krisza. I never knew you would stoop this low." Malamig na wika sa kanya ni Aivan at doon niya nalang nakita na nakakapit na si Iris sa braso ni Aivan na para bang walang sinabing masama sa kanya at nakita niyang lumuluha ito.

"I'm fine, Aivan. Don't be like that to Krisza." Wika ni Iris sa nagmamakaawang tono.

Clearly, she's the victim here but why is he protecting Iris instead of asking her what happened? Krisza can't even open her mouth and tell him what really happened. What's the point of explaining when he doesn't even believe her?

He already judged his own girlfriend. Krisza felt really hurt and she doesn't know what to do anymore. Students around the campus started gossiping and Krisza doesn't know why, why is it her fault?

"I'll bring Iris to the infirmary, wait for me at the car park." Saad nito sa malamig na tono.

Krisza doesn't know why, but she felt really helpless to the point that she doesn't feel that Aivan is her boyfriend anymore. He chose to believe his childhood friend instead of his own girlfriend.

TUMIGIL ang kotse ni Aivan sa harap ng gate ng bahay nila Krisza. Buong byahe nila pabalik sa bahay niya ay wala silang kibuan and Krisza doesn't even know if she'll explain everything to him about what happened. But, she felt really sad about what happened today.

She removed her seatbelt and before she went down from the car, she looked at Aivan. "Mama and Papa allowed me for our beach trip tomorrow ---"

"It's good then. I'll pick you up first thing in the morning." Malamig na wika ni Aivan sa kanya at wala nang nagawa si Kira kung 'di bumaba na ng kotse at hayaan na umalis ang binata nang hindi nagpapaalam sa kanya.

Walang ganang pumasok si Krisza sa loob ng bahay at masaya siyang sinalubong ng magulang niya.

"Anak, is there anything wrong?" Her mama asked her.

Walang ganang umupo si Krisza at tinignan ang mga magulang niya na mayroong ngiti. "No, there's nothing wrong, but ---" Napayuko si Krisza, "Can I stay here? Puwede bang hindi ako sumama sa inyo ni Papa sa China? I want to continue my goals here, I'm really sorry."

"What about the university that wants to —"

"Papa, I'm sorry… I don't want to leave… Masaya na ako dito. I want to continue my studies here..." Mahinang wika niya.

Hinintay ni Krisza ang reaksyon na ibibigay ng magulang niya sa sinabi niya at akala niya magagalit ito o sesermonan siya dahil sa sinabi niya. "If that's what you want, then we'll support you. We'll leave your Yaya Melinda with you here." Nakangiting wika ng papa niya na ikinatuwa ni Krisza ng sobra.

"Thank you, mama… papa…" Nakangiting wika ni Krisza at niyakap ang magulang. She's happy to have parents like them and she wishes for them to stay what they are now.

"Inayos mo na ba ang gamit na dadalhin mo para sa outing niyo ni Aivan?" Pagtatanong ng mama niya sa kanya.

The smile Krisza was wearing was gone and she felt really sad. Pinilit niyang ngumiti para hindi mahalata ng magulang niya na malungkot siya.

"No, not yet…" Tumayo si Krisza at binitbit ang mga libro na dala niya miski ang bag niya. "I'll go fix it now, just call me if dinner's done."

Dahan-dahang umakyat si Krisza sa hagdan at sa bawat apak niya paakyat ay panay ang pagpipigil niya sa sarili niya na kalimutan ang mga nangyari kanina.

It would be the best if she won't complain to him about his childhood friend, right?

Mahigpit na hinawakn ni Krisza ang pendant na binigay sa kanya ni Aivan. Umupo siya sa study table niya at binuklat ang notebook kung saan naka compile lahat ng mga litrato nila ni Aivan simula noong naging sila.

She looked at the photo of the two of them. She gently smiled as she looked at Aivan's smile on the photo in front of her.

She should not give up just like that. Iris is just a childhood friend, she should talk about this matter to Aivan. She can't lose him just like that…

THE air felt so nice. Krisza can't help but to feel calm from it, she can clearly see the sunrise from her place. She closed the car's window and she looked at Aivan.

He's been giving her the silent treatment since he picked her up at her house. And Krisza knew that it was all because of what she did to Iris yesterday.

This should be a happy day for the two of them. This is not what she wanted.

"Aivan, about yesterday, I'm —"

"Iris is my childhood friend, Krisza. Akala ko naiintindihan mo na yung sitwasyon namin, and I thought you won't stoop that low —"

Napakuyom ng kamao si Krisza at hindi niya na kinaya pa ang galit. Why does he always side with Iris? Childhood friends? Why does it look like it's more than just childhood friends?

She should not apologize for it. She did nothing wrong, she did understand them and their situation, but this is too much for her to understand. She's been too understanding for him to the point that everything Krisza tried to understand hurts her.

"I'm not apologizing for what happened yesterday." Saad ni Krisza sa madiing tono.

Nakita ni Krisza ang pag-igting ng panga ni Aivan at patuloy pa rin ito sa pagmamaneho. "Ilang beses ko ba na ipapaintindi sa'yo na —"

"Yes! Yes, I know! She's just a mere childhood friend to you, but clearly, Iris doesn't think the same!" Krisza exclaimed, "Ako yung girlfriend mo, Aivan. Bakit hindi mo man lang ako hinayaang magpaliwanag kahapon? You wronged me without even letting me prove my innocence…"

"You're being unreasonable, Krisza." Saad ni Aivan sa blankong ekspresyon. "Why do we always argue about Iris? Hindi pa ba sapat sa'yo na ikaw ang girlfriend ko —"

"Aivan! You don't get me at all, mukhang hindi mo kilala ang sarili mong kaibigan! She's been ruining our relationship ever since she got back from that damn country! You can't really think about my feeling for —"

"Krisza! Stop speaking ill of my friend. You're really being too unreasonable, Krisza — You're too much."

Natigilan si Krisza sa sinabi ng kasintahan. It felt… It felt as if he just gave up on her. Why does it have to end up like this?

A tear fell from Krisza's eyes and she looked at Aivan. "I wonder if you really love me… The words you just said… hurts." Mahinang wika ni Krisza. "I gave up my chance on going to fulfill my dreams just for you. I gave it up because I don't want to leave you. But why does it feel like… bakit parang wala lang kuwenta ang ginawa ko?"

"What do you mean, Krisza?" Pagtatanong ni Aivan sa kanya at tinuon muli ang atensyon sa pagmamaneho.

"A well-known medical university in China gave me a chance to practice more with my profession. I gave it up because I can't leave you." Mahinang wika ni Krisza at natawa. "And guess what? I'm starting to hate my decision. I want to go back home." Malamig na wika ni Krisza.

"Why? Why do want to —"

"I want to break up with you."

Napansin ni Krisza na natigilan si Aivan sa sinabi niya at bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkagulat sa mga salitang ayaw sabihin ninKrisza kailanman pero mas makakabuti sa kanya ito.

"No, you can't break up with me, Krisza. If it's about Iris —"

Napatingin si Krisza sa harap at nakitang may truck na babangga sa kotse nila. "Aivan!" Krisza exclaimed, but it was too late to escape the truck.

Napahawak si Krisza sa ulo niya at nakaramdam si Krisza ng matinding takot nang nakita niya na nalaglag na pala sila sa sea cliff road at onti nalang ay babagsak na ang kotse sa malalim na dagat.

As soon as the car fell on the sea, Krisza tried to remove her seatbelt but she wasn't able to remove it because it got stuck.

She looked at Aivan and she saw how he got out. Krisza can't hold her breath any longer, she's slowly losing her breath.

She's slowly losing her consciousness.

(End of Flashback)

Hinding-hindi malilimutan ni Kira ang mga alaala niya sa nakaraan. Aivan might not be the best for her and he did hurt her twice, but Kira believes in Aivan.

After that cruel accident, dinala si Kira ng mga magulang niya sa Italy nang hindi nalalaman ni Aivan. Basta ang alam nalang nila ay patay na siya at dahil sa aksidente na iyon nagsimula ang pagiging mahigpit ng mga magulang niya sa kanya.

When she regained her consciousness, they performed hypnotism on Kira. They made her forget everything she had done in that country, Philippines.

Kira was under a year of house arrest to fully heal and after that, she studied fine arts in photography, those were the times when she met Ricci.

The world's been cruel to her, she was near in achieving her dreams back then, but one accident changed her life from that day on — not only her life, but Aivan's too.

He fell under severe depression when he thought Kira actually died because of the car accident, but little did he know that she was actually alive.

Fate played them really good.

But, it's been a year already ever since the two of them got married.

Aivan's already a doctor here in Italy in a famous and well-known hospital. While Kira, she's been handling her family business for over four years already.

They've been doing good this year, she felt complete and happy with her family.

Kyrone's already in pre-school and Kira can't believe how time flies.

"Miss Zhou," Pumasok ang sekretarya niyang si Sheena at inabot ang isang imbitasyon. "You have an invitation from the Lim family."

Bumalik sa huwisyo si Kira at napatingin sa sekretarya niya.

Kaagad na kinuha ni Kira ang invitation at nakita na imbitasyon ito para sa bagong partnership ng pamilyang Lim at Chen.

The two families has been partners ever since then — sa mga ninuno pa nila ito nagsimula.

Nakita ni Kira na ngayong gabi gaganapin ang sinabing kasiyahan at napangiti nalang si Kira.

Sinara ni Kira ang dokumento na binabasa niya at tumayo. "Sheena, ready the car. I'll pick my son up." Nakangiting wika ni Kira.

"Yes, Miss Zhou."

Kaagad na tinawagan ni Kira si Aivan para sabihin anv tungkol sa party na magaganap sa mansyon ng pamilya Chen.

HAWAK-HAWAK ni Kira si Kyrone at nakakapit naman siya sa braso ni Aivan. The three of them went inside the mansion and they were greeted formally but the Chen family.

"Good evening, Miss Zhou." Bati sa kanya ni President Chen. "It's good that you brought your family along."

"Ah, Master Chen, this is my husband, Aivan." Pagpapakilala ni Kira sa asawa.

"It's nice to meet you, Master Chen." Bati ni Aivan at nakangiting tinanggap ni President Chen ang kamay nito.

"And this is my son, Kyrone." Pagpapakilala naman ni Kira sa anak niya.

"How old is he, Miss Zhou?" President Chen asked.

"He's already five years old." Nakangiting sagot ni Kira dito.

Nakangiting tinignan ni President Chen si Kyrone. "He's two years older than my granddaughter."

"Oh, I never knew Master Chen already has a granddaughter. What's her name, Master Chen?"

"Reese Chen." President Chen happily answered her.

The formal party was fun and her son found himself a playmate and it was the young master of the Lim family. He's the same age to her son, Kyrone.

"Kira, look…" pagtawag sa kanya ni Aivan.

"What is it?" Kira asked and looked at her husband.

"Isn't she the young miss of the Chen family? Why does she look different?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Aivan. "She looks like a doll. She has that cognac eye color that the Chen family doesn't have."

Tama ang sinabi ni Aivan sa kanya. Napakalayo ng hitsura ng apo ni President Chen at hindi mapigilan ni Kira na mapatitig dahil sa ganda ng bata.

"You're right." Mahinang wika ni Kira kay Aivan. "Oo nga pala, kumusta na si Mama?" Kira was asking Aivan about his mother.

Aivan sighed. "She's not feeling better these days. Dinala nila sa hospital at hinihintay nalang yung resulta nung test na in-undergo sa kanya."

"I think we should go back to the Philippines and visit her, Aivan. Let's take care of her." Mahinang wika ni Kira.

"How about your work?" Aivan asked.

"I'll let the vice president take care of it while I'm away." Wika niya, "Remember, family first." Nakangiting dagdag ni Kira.

Napangiti si Aivan at hinalikan siya nito sa nuo. "I think we should head back already. Kyrone has his class tomorrow."

Napakagat labi si Kira nang maalalang may klase pala ang anak kinabukasan at hindi ito puwedeng mapagod.

Kaagad na nagpaalam sila umuwi at nang makauwi sila ay naabutan nila na gising pa ang mama at papa niya.

Pinaakyat niya si Aivan para dalhin sa kuwarto si Kyrone na mahimbing ng natutulog.

"Mama… Papa… why are you still awake? It's bad for your health." Mahinang wika ni Kira.

Hindi tinuloy ni Kira ang kaso niya sa mga magulang dahil nakonsensya siya at alam niya na ayaw rin nila Marta at Georges na mangyari iyon kaya pinatawad niya ang mga ito at nagkaayos na sila.

"Ayos lang kami, Kira. You go and take a rest." Nakangiting wika ng ina na kaagad din na sinunod ni Kira.

Pumasok si Kira sa kuwarto nila ni Aivan, wala pangbilang minuto ay nakabalik na ang asawa at tumabi sa kanya.

"I already have our tickets booked." Mahinang wika nito.

Napatango si Kira at bumuntong hininga. "Aivan…" pagtawag niya sa asawa. Auvan hummed in response and that's when Kira decided to talk. "I want to resign from my position right now, I want to be just a photographer. Shall we live back in the Philippines and have our own simple life there?"

Natigilan si Aivan sa sinabi niya. "I support you with everything you decide, Kira. But, may I know why?"

"It's just that… I want to live in the country I used to live originally. I don't want this extravagant life and if I kept this position, I won't be happy…"

"If that's what makes my wife happy, then I will support you wholeheartedly." Nakangiting wika ni Aivan at hinalikan siya sa nuo.

She's been through a lot of ups and down to those years she wanted to end. But without those ups and downs, she won't be the person she is now.

She never imagined to be in this situation. Being happy with him, being married with him and building her own family with the person she loved for her whole life. This is a dream come true.

Because without meeting Aivan accidentally, she won't be this happy.