Chapter Three: Howard's Condition

Nagising ako sa ingay ng nanggaling sa labas ng pintuan ng kwarto. Hindi sinasadyang napatingin ako sa orasan, mag aalas dose na ng hapon na magising ako. Mukhang napasarap yata ako ng tulog. Dumiretso ako sa labas ng marinig ko boses ng best friend ko na nag-enjoy na kumakanta habang sumasayaw.

Beautiful, beautiful, my angel...

Natulala ako sa narinig ko, na parang nag-echo sa akin iyong sinabi ng lalaki. Hindi ko na maaalala mismo kung anong mga sinabi nya. Basta naalala ko lang tinawag niya akong my beautiful angel.

"Hoy Zyrene, what happened to your neck? "She started interrogating me. Kaagad naman akong napahawak sa leeg ko.

"Don't tell me you gave up on that asshole. "She forgot that she was his best friend before that marriage happened. I didn't answer her.

"FREYA ZYRENE VARGAZ! Don't tell me you gave up on that assignment! ," she exclaimed while throwing me a dagger.

"No. I don't know what exactly happened last night.'' She is still not convinced of what I said. I also want to ask her about her whereabouts. Liniea and I decided to share our condo. It was a long story and not mine to tell. She is just a runaway princess in her palace.

"I am telling the truth. Hindi ko talaga alam. I went to a bar last night to become a drunk woman. And there's someone who pinned me to the wall. That's the end of the story, but nothing happens. I am still whole, completely," I explained to her. And I see that she is still not convinced.

"Walang labis, walang kulang? "I lazily nodded.

"How about you? What did you do last night? It's like I saw you in that bar? "I innocently asked her while she's shaking her head. Who's that man you were sitting on his lap while kissing him torridly?

"Oh, I see. So, should I throw a party now? "She blushed. They're right—the more you hate, the more you love.

"Stop it, Zyrene! "However, before I conclude, I need confirmation. Many people died in doubt. I want to hear from her first. I don't believe that seeing is believing anymore. If it does, then why?

"Kung hindi ang gagong iyon. Sino ang kumagat sa leeg mo? Gigil na gigil? "Tanong niya sa akin na hindi ko rin masagot kung sino. Dahil kahit akong may katawan ay hindi ko kilala.

MAG-IISANG buwan nang huli kaming magkita ni Howard. Isang buwan na rin nang nangyari mula ng gabing iyon. Nagtataka pa rin ako paano ako nakauwi. Kung hindi si Liniea ang naghatid sa akin, sino?

Napagdesisyunan kong magtungo kay papa. I brought a flower and lit a candle on his grave. It's been five years, to be exact, since he died. I clearly still remember what he looked like before he left out his last breath. Until now, I never gave my papa justice for his unexpected death. It took three hours before I decided to leave when I felt that someone was watching me. I have started to feel this since my papa died. I find it weird at first, but I ignore it if it never harms me. I drove my car and went back to my condo. Silence welcomed me after I opened the door. Maybe she is working now in her own shop. I can describe her as a self-made billionaire, a high-maintenance woman, and a real goddess. My best friend is so beautiful.

MABILIS lumipas ang mga araw at mag tatlong buwan ng huling nagparamdam sa akin si Howard. Ni ha, ni ho ay wala akong narinig sa kanya, kahit man isang text ay wala na labis kong ipinagtataka. He's not like that; he's not the type of man.. If ever naman ay magsasabi agad sya o mag tetext man lang. Na labis kong ipinagtataka, no. There's something wrong; I badly want to know.

Nabitawan ko ang cellphone na hawak ko ng mabasa ko ang text no Liniea sa akin ngayon lang.

Zyrene, I don't want to tell you this. You have the right to know. Go to Satillan's hospital. Howard got into an accident, and I heard he was in a coma for three months.

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras akong pumara ng taxi at pumunta sa hospital kung saan si Howard. I still love him, even though I am his mistress. His wife knows about my existence, but I don't give a damn. Dali dali akong bumaba after I paid the taxi driver and asked the nurse before I ran to Howard's room. But before I went on him, I saw his mad mother closer to me, and I was shocked when she slapped me. I looked at her furiously at the same time, asking why.

"May gana ka pang magpakita kang babae ka. Kung hindi dahil sayo, hindi sana nakaratay ang anak ko! Sino ka ba sa akala mo? Isang proud na kabit ha? Ni wala ka ngang maipagmamalaki sa buhay mo ha! Bakit hindi ka na lang mawala! Kung hindi ka dumating sa buhay ng anak ko. Wala sana siya diyan sa kwartong yan na naghihirap. Ang kapal din naman talaga ng mukha mo, no? Kasal na ang anak ko, hindi mo pa rin tinatanan. Nang dahil sayo mawawalan ng ama ang magiging apo ko." nanunumbat na sabi ng mommy ni Howard habang walang patuloy ng pag-agos ng luha sa kanyang mga mata. Did I become too much? I know the feeling of loss of a father. Until now, I am still in mourning even if it was five years ago. I would never move on until I get the justice of my father.

No.

Napatingin sa asawa ni Howard, na puno ng pag paumanhin at pag-aalala na nakatingin sa akin. Did I judge her too much? Is she the villain? Or I am the villain of their happy ending. Napansin ko rin ang umbok sa kanyang tiyan. I don't, but I've felt happy for her. I once dreamed of becoming a mother, but I've felt it will never happen anymore.

"Umalis ka na lang muna, iha," pakiusap na sabi sa akin ng daddy ni Howard. Howard's family is the owner of this hospital. Howard was coming from the richest family, while I am nobody.

Even in the hospital, I am not welcome here.