All at sea

KIRA heard loud noises that made her wake up. Sinalubong si Kira ng pagkagulo at mayroong mga luha na tumutulo sa mga mata niya.

What happened? Where is she? Why can't she react? Kaagad na bumangon siya sa pagkakahiga, as soon as she stood up her eyes suddenly started to blur and she can hear nothing but ringing in the ears and she's reacting to the light coming from the ceiling.

"Argh!" She screamed in soo much pain and she doesn't know what to do to relieve the pain she's feeling.

She closed her eyes and she held her head due to soo much pressure on it that caused her head to feel so much pain. It was a familiar scenario that already happened to her.

Nakaramdam si Kira nang paghagod sa likod niya, nang idilat niya ang mga mata niya halos hindi niya makita ng maayos ito, she was afraid that she went blind! But, after a few seconds, her eyes started to adjust and the first person she saw was Aivan.

A tear suddenly fell from her eyes and she immediately hugged him. "Aivan..." Bulong ni Kira at humagulgol sa braso ni Aivan.

"Thank god you're awake, Kira!" Wika ni Aivan.

She felt pain all over her body, especially her head. She's experiencing heavy headache and she can't recall what just happened and why she's in this state.

"Don't cry, Kira. I'm here... I'm here..." Bulong ni Aivan sa kanya at panay ang hagod sa likod niya.

"Kira —"

Kira heard a familiar voice coming from the person at the back of Aivan. Before she could even look at the person, Aivan broke the hug and faced the person. Before she knew that it was Ricci.

"This is the last time I am telling you to leave!" Sigaw ni Aivan kay Ricci at halos umalingawngaw ang boses ni Aivan sa loob ng silid.

Hindi nakinig si Ricci sa sinabi ni Aivan at lumapit pa rin sa kanya at inabot ang bulaklak na dala nito. "I'll visit again if he's not here." Wika nito at binigyan nito ng masamang tingin si Aivan bago lumabas ng silid.

Laking gulat ni Kira nang kunin ni Aivan ang inabot sa kanyang bulaklak at itinapon iyon.

Aivan caressed her face and Kira saw that he's worried. "I'll be the doctor in charge and you'll be under my care." He said. "You were in comatose for three days and a half and it was because you suffered from a mild traumatic brain injury that was caused by drowning." Paliwanag ni Aivan sa kanya. "Do you feel something? Does something hurt?" Aivan asked.

Kira just pointed her head. "My head hurts earlier, but now, it's kinda fine." Sagot ni Kira.

"What happened? Bakit ka lumangoy sa dagat kung hindi mo naman kaya? It could've caused your death!"

Kira was in a deep daze and she doesn't even remember why did she even swim at the sea when in fact she hates to swim.

"I don't know... I can't seem to remember..." Sagot ni Kira at napasabunot sa sariling buhok.

Napatingin silang dalawa ni Aivan nang pumasok si Chaun kasama ang boss niya at may dalang prutas ang mga ito. Kira gave a faint smile to them and Chaun smiled happily.

"Thank god you're awake, Kira. You made us worried!" Chaun exclaimed and gave her the fruits. "What happened? Why were you in the sea all alone when you can't swim?" Chaun asked but Kira doesn't know what to respond because Aivan asked the same thing.

"I'm sorry for making you all worried." Mahinang wika ni Kira.

"Kumusta ang lagay niya ngayon, Aivan? Are there any complications?" Pagtatanong ni Sir Aiden kay Aivan.

Umiling si Aivan at sinuklay ang buhok niya at sinagot ang tanong ng kapatid. "She's fine now but I still have to check on her and to see how her body will react to the trauma. According to what I've seen, this is the second time she drowned." Tumingin sa kanya si Aivan at nagtatakang tinanong siya, "Did you experience drowning before?" Aivan asked.

Kira can't remember if she drowned before, as far as she can remember this was the first time she drowned. So, she shook her head, "No, I did not experience drowning before." Sagot niya.

"Weird." Aivan said and looked at the paper he's holding. "I can't be wrong in what I've seen."

"Are you sure, Kira?" Chaun asked her again.

Tumango siya at ngumiti. "I'm sure."

In the middle of what they're talking about, someone knocked from the door.

"Come in!" Aivan said.

When the door opened Kira saw Iris holding a soup container and before fully entering she gave her a warm smile.

"I'm glad you're already awake, Kira." Masayang bati nito at pumasok. Nilapag niya ang soup container sa isang lamesa, "I cooked a soup for you to eat, Kira. I hope it suits your taste."

Tanging ngiti lang ang naibigay ni Kira kay Iris dahil wala siyang ganang makipag-usal kung kanino man sa kanila ngayon. She's feels bad and she doesn't even know why.

Kira suddenly coughed because of she felt her throat drying up and she doesn't know why is her body like this.

"Are you okay, Kira? How are you feeling?" Aivan asked and Kira can see how he worries for her.

"My throat hurts..." Mahinang sagot ni Kira.

Nakita niyang tumayo si Iris at pinagsalin siya ng maiinom. "Here, drink some to relieve it." Inabot sa kanya ni Iris ang tubig at bago niya ito kunin ay tila parang sinampal nalang siya ng mga alaala niya tungkol sa nangyari.

She saw inside her thought how Iris faked her drowning and she saved her! She saved Iris! But, Iris pushed her away and left her drowning.

Tinabig ni Kira ang tubig at naging rason iyon sa pagbagsak ng babasaging baso. The sound of the glass breaking made Kira furious.

"What are you doing, Kira?!" Sir Aiden exclaimed and grabbed Iris away from the shattered pieces of the glass. "Why is she acting like that, Aivan?!"

"Iris, are you okay?" Chaun consulted Iris.

Kira doesn't even know why she's crying and she felt really scared by just seeing Iris. "You pushed me." Mahinang saad ni Kira.

"What? What are you saying, Kira?" Aivan asked, confused.

Without making any eye contact to the three of them, she kept on crying because she was scared! She almost died and it was because of Iris. "Tinulak niya ako at hinayaan niya lang ako malunod sa dagat." Kira said.

"What? What are you saying, Kira?" Wika ni Iris. "What are you lying for? Bakit ako ang sinisisi mo sa pagkalunod mo? This is a bad accusation, Kira." Halos maluha-luha na si Iris sa sinabi niya.

What a great pretender.

"What are you implying now, Kira? Huwag kang mansisi!" Galit na wika ni Sir Aiden sa kanya.

Kira can't help but to cry silently. No one would believe her of course. Kira looked at Aivan and she knows that he won't also believe her. The three of them knows that Iris won't do such a thing, except for her.

"I'm not lying..." Mahinang wika ni Kira at hindi niya alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanya dahil nahihirapan na siyang huminga at unti-unting na nanlalabo ang mga mata niya. Kira looked at Aivan, "I'm telling the truth, Aivan."

"Looks like you're not in a good shape, Kira." Wika ni Chaun. "We'll visit you again once you fully recover. I'll leave with Iris for now." Dagdag ni Chaun.

Of course they won't believe her. It is the truth but they don't believe her because they grew up with Iris and they will choose to believe Iris than her. They all know Iris as a good woman, except for her.

Lumabas silang tatlo kasama si Iris na luhaan dahil sa sinabi niya at naiwan silang dalawa mag-isa ni Aivan. Kira knows that she's still weak and she's afraid she'll pass out any moment.

Kira gave Aivan a faint smile. "You don't believe me too, right?" Mahinang saad niya. "Wala akong pinanghahawakang prueba kaya hindi mo rin ako paniniwalaan and it's fine." Kira added.

Kira can't make herself stay focused. She's feeling light headed and she's slowly losing her consciousness and her eyesight started to get blurry.

"I'll look up on what really happened, just rest and —"

Before she could even hear what Aivan was going to respond, she already lost her consciousness and Kira had a hard time breathing. What's wrong with her body?

HALOS mag-dadalawang araw na siya na nasa pangangalaga ng nga nurse sa hospital at mula nubg araw na sinabi niya na ang may kasalanan ay si Iris ay hindi niya na muling nakita si Aivan.

"Kira, you have to eat."

Tinignan ni Kira si Chaun habang hawak-hawak ang porridge na ginawa ni Chaun mismo.

"I'm already full, Chaun." Mahinang saad ni Kira at tahimik lang na nanood ng palabas sa telebisyon.

"Full? Kumain ka lang tatlong subo, busog ka na agad?" Chaun sighed. "Kira, are you sure you're really fine? Mas lalo kang tatagal sa hospital sa ginagawa mo."

Napatitig si Kira sa pagkain na nasa harap niya. Hindi niya rin alam sa sarili niya kung bakit siya nagiging ganito. She looked at Chaun with her tired eyes and she gave him a nod. "I'm fine, Chaun. You can go to work now, may mga nurse naman na nag-c-check sa akin oras-oras."

"Aivan asked me to take care of you before he finishes his work. Just be obedient, Kira, please finish your food."

Kahit na walang gana si Kira na kumain, pinilit niyang kumain dahil ayaw niya naman na mamroblema si Chaun dahil lang sa kanya. Pati ang pagpasok nito sa trabaho ay naapektuhan na dahil sa kanya.

Nakarinig sila ni Chaun ng pagkatok at matapos ng ilang segundo ay bumukas iyon.

Kira hoped that it was Aivan, but it was not him. It was Ricci and he has flowers with him.

This is the third time she visited her and Kira doesn't know why he kept on visiting despite what Aivan told him three days ago. And those three days he visited her, tinatanggap lang ni Kira ang bulaklak at pinaalis ito ni Chaun dahil sa utos daw ni Aivan.

"You're here again?" Pagtatanong ni Chaun at tumayo, kinuha nito ang bulaklak at bumuntong hininga. "You can leave." Pagtataboy ni Chaun kay Ricci.

"No — can you give me a chance to talk to her? I have something to ask her. It won't take that long."

"I said you can leave —"

Kira cutted off Aivan. Ibinaba niya ang soup spoon at mahinang nagsalita. "Can you leave us first, Chaun?"

Hindi na umapila si Chaun at napabuntong hininga nalang. "Make this fast." Banta ni Chaun kay Ricci at tuluyang lumabas sa silid.

As soon as the door closed, Ricci started to talk. "Why did you swim, Kira? What will happen to you if I was not there?"

"I want to thank you for saving me, Ricci." Pasasalamat ni Kira sa binata, "But, I want to make it clear that I can't be with you again and I hope you understand." Dagdag niya.

"Drowning can kill you, Kira. Aren't you aware about your own health? This is the second time you drowned and you're lucky that you're not in a bad condition."

Naguluhan si Kira sa sinabi ni Ricci sa kanya, hindi niya alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito sa pangalawang beses.

"What do you mean by that, Ricci? I can't recall anything that I have drowned!" Kira asked, confused.

Ricci sighed and he held both of her hands with worry in his eyes. "Remember when I asked permission for a vacation in a beach from your parents? The reason why they didn't allow us to go was because they were afraid that you might experience drowning again and they don't want you to experience near death because of it." Ricci explained and Kira can't seem to clearly remember any memory of drowning before. "Can he really take care of you like this? What if I wasn't there to save you? Maybe you'll be in a critical condition!"

"Don't ever regard Aivan with your suspicion, Ricci." Mahinang wika ni Kira at kinuha ang parehong kamay mula sa kanya. "I am really thankful for what you've done. But, don't use it to make me indebted to you and I know you're not that kind of person." Dagdag na wika ni Kira at nakarinig siya nang biglaang pagbukas ng pintuan ng silid niya.

Doon niya nakita na pumasok ang isang nurse at si Chaun. "Time's already up." Anunsiyo ni Chaun. "Leave already."

Tumayo si Ricci at bago siya nito talikuran ay binigyan siya nito ng isang tipid na ngiti. "I won't give up, Kira. I'm sorry, I can't discard everything like that. I'm the only one who'll believe you and care for you." Anito at kaagad na lumabas ng silid.

He knows? He knows what happened?

Nanghihinang bumuntong hininga si Kira at binigyan ng tipid na ngiti si Chaun at ang nurse na kasama nito.

"Pwede ka na ma-discharge, Kira. The nurse will remove your IV and I've already settled everything." Wika nito at sinenyasan ang nurse na tanggalin na ang IV niya.

Kira can't help but to stare at the wall and keep on thinking what Ricci just confessed to her. She thought that Aivan saved her, and it doesn't really matter who saved her from dying, but it only shows that she really can't fight the truth when no one was there to witness.

Hindi ba talaga niya dapat diretsang sinisi si Iris nang dahil do'n? Maybe if I didn't do that, Aivan would probably won't avoid her. But, she's just telling the truth, right? But, Iris is a very important person to her boss, Chaun and Aivan - wala siyang laban.

Kira looked at Chaun, "Can I go back to work tomorrow?" Kira asked.

Umiling si Chaun. "Hindi pa puwede, Kira. You have to rest."

"Hindi pa ba sapat ang halos isang linggo ko na pahinga dito? I'm fully recovered, I can go back to my work." Saad ni Kira at tumayo.

"Fine." Chaun sighed, "Let me ask Aivan if he'll agree as your doctor and as your boyfriend." Dagdag nito.

IT'S been three days ever since she got discharged from the hospital, she already started to go back to work to make up the absences she had.

It's also been a week since she last saw Aivan. Sanay na siya na hindi nakikita ang presensiya ni Aivan kahit ni-isang mensahe, tawag o kung ano man ay wala siyang narinig dito.

She did try to visit him to the hospital hut he's not there and she wants to end the contract they have. She wants to stop the contract that ties them, she can be anything other than being his lover.

Tahimik lang na nakaupo si Kira habang patuloy na tinitignan ang nga litrato na bagong kuha lang mula sa photoshoot kanina at ilang araw na rin siyang usap-usapan sa loob ng studio.

The gossips were all about her drowning incident and the sudden distance of her and Aivan.

Nakita niya na umupo si Chaun sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya at kaagad na nilaoag ang kape na dala-dala nito. "How come the photos are a bit sloppy than the usual, Kira?" He inspected every photo she took.

Kira re-checked the photos and he was right, it was a bit sloppy that the photos she usually take. "I'm sorry, I'll re-shoot the photos. We still have an hour remaining and the models are on their break." Walang ganang saad ni Kira at akmang kukunin ang camera nang bigla siyang pigilan ni Chaun.

"I'll do the photoshoot." Presenta ni Chaun, "Ikaw nalang ang bumili ng pinabibili sa akin ni Aiden." Dagdag nito at inabot sa kanya ang isang sticky note. "Just give that to the cashier and they'll know what they will do."

"Okay, thank you, Chaun." Pasasalamat niya sa kaibigan at kaagad na kinuha ang cellphone at wallet na nasa taas lang ng lamesa.

She made her way outside the studio and she suddenly heard her colleagues talking outside the studio. Mukhang siya ang pinag-uusapan ng mga ito, hindi rin nila napansin na malapit lang siya sa mga ito.

"Maybe they already broke up?" Rinig ni Kira na wika ng katrabaho niya.

"Bakit naman? Nung nag-team building tayo sa resort mukhang okay naman sila."

"I've heard rumors that Kira was actually the third party. They said that Aivan's real girlfriend was Iris."

Natigilan si Kira sa narinig. Third party? Kira finally got where the 'lover' contract came from. That's it.

Naglakad papalayo si Kira sa mga ito at kaagad na hinanap ang cafe kung saan laging bumibili ng pastry o kape ang boss niya.

Mabilis lang ang ginawa niyang pagbili sa inutos ng boss niya kay Chaun at sinuwerte pa siya dahil walang gaanong tao sa cafe na 'yon kaya mabilisan lang ang ginawa niyang pag pick-up ng order ng boss niya.

Maagang nakabalik si Kira at naabutan niya si Chaun na sinisimulan na ang photoshoot, kaya doon nalang siya pumunta malapit sa monitor para i-check ang mga kinukuhang litrato ni Chaun. She compared all the photos she took to Chaun's. It is a sloppy photo, it's too plain and boring — kita ang oagkawalang gana ng kumuha ng litrato.

Halos si Chaun na ang gumawa sa lahat ng kailangan niyang gawin para sa araw na 'to. She's been preoccupied ever since she iver heard her colleagues talk earlier.

Kira doesn't want to be a third party! She needs to nullify the contract! But, how can she nullify the contract if there were 'no' paper contract at all? It was just a blackmail!

Dapat habang pwede pang agapan ay mapigilin niya na itong nabubuong atraksyon niya kay Aivan. She must avoid being a third party because she's a woman with dignity.

"Kira!"

Napagulantang si Kira nang malaman na tinatawag pala siya ni Chaun.

"Sorry." Paumanhin ni Kira at napasabunot sa sariling buhok. "I'm tired, I want to go now."

"Out naman na natin." Wika nito at inabot ang phone niya. "Your phone's ringing for about five minutes already. Answer the call, it might be urgent." Pagkasabi nito sa kanya ay kaagad na nilapag ang nag-r-ring na cellphone sa lamesa at umalis ito kaagad.

She looked who was the caller, and from the name shown in the screen she knows that it was Aivan. Hindi sinagot ni Kira ang tawag at nanatiling nakatitig lang sa screen ng cellphone.

Nang matapos mag-ring ang phone ay kaagad niyang tinignan ang mensahe na bagong receive lang.

She opened the message and she made sure to read every word that was received.

'Let's talk. Six in the evening at my office.'

Napabuntong hininga si Kira sa nabasa at mapait na ngumiti. "Looks like God heard what I wished." Bulong niya at kaagad na nilagay ang phone na 'yon sa bag niya. It's better if she'll return the phone when she meets him later.

She has to end her ties with him. She's been avoided for merely one week and she's been addressed as a third party. She has no feelings with him to begin with. Hindi niya alam kung sa'n nanggaling ang ideya na mayroon siyang kaunting kagustuhan at interes sa binata.

Napakapit siya sa pendant ng necklace na ipinadala sa kanya ni Marta. What would be Marta's reaction if she'll get to know what she had done once again? Will she shout at her or maybe give her her bitchy advices like she always does? She already misses her bestfriend.

Kira looked at the time and for the looks of it, she needs to rush to the hospital. This is her chance. She should not waste it.

KIRA was a bit surprised when the receptionist that assisted her to Aivan's office was not the one she encountered the last time she went here.

"This is Doc Aivan's office, Ma'am." The receptionist said, "Pagkapasok niyo po sa opisina makikita niyo po yung assistant nurse ni Doc."

Ngumiti si Kira at tinanguan ang sinabi nito sa kanya. "Thank you." As soon as Kira said her thanks to the receptionist, the receptionist left her in front of the door of Aivan's office.

She was about to knock but she suddenly paused. She can do it, right? It's better to be safe than sorry.

Kira heaved a deep sigh and she knocked at the office door thrice. Mabilisan iyong binuksan at bumungad ang isang lalaking naka-uniporme na pang nurse.

Tila parang nakakita ito ng multo nang makita siya nito. "Good evening." Bati ni Kira sa nurse. "I, uhm, Aivan — I mean, Doc Aivan asked me to meet him at his office." Dagdag niya.

Napapikit ang nurse ng mariin at ngumiti, "Ah, Doc's expecting you." Anito, "Currently, Doc Aivan's performing a surgery right now, so he told me to tell you to wait for him inside his office for a bit."

Kira looked at her watch and it looks like she needs to stat until he finishes the surgery.

"Uhm, can I ask how long will the surgery last?" Kira asked at him politely.

"Actually, the surgery should last for about six hours, but," The nurse looked at the time and looked back at her, "almost four hours had passed. Baka patapos na sila." Wika nito.

If he's busy, why would he ask her to meet him in this case?

"You should wait for him inside the office, he asked me to tell you to wait for him until the surgery's finished." The nurse explained. "Let me bring you to his office." He said and he led the way.

Kira followed the nurse and she full saw Aivan's office. Mayroon itong coffee tabe set at couch at mula palang sa interior ng opisina ay mukhang komportable ang opisina na ito.

"Make yourself comfortable here." Anito at akmang aalis na sana nang mukhang may nakalimutan itong sabihin. "I'm Ramon by the way, assistant nurse ako ni Doc." the nurse introduced himself.

Kira smiled and she extended her hand. "I'm Kira Chiumenti. I'm Doc Aivan's —"

"There's no need to introduce yourself, I actually know that you're Doc's girlfriend. It's nice meeting you." Nakangiting putol nito sa dapat niyang sasabihin. "I need to excuse myself for the mean time, kailangan ko pa i-check ang iba pang pasyente."

Wala nang nagawa si Kira at hindi niya na na-kontra pa ang sinabi ni Ramon sa kanya dahil umalis na ito kaagad. She wanted to tell him that she's not Aivan's girlfriend.

Kira looked around the office, halos kasing laki lang ito ng apartment niya. Kumpleto ang mga kagamitan na kinakailangan sa opisina.

Napaupo si Kira sa isang couch na malapit sa coffee table at tahimik na tinignan ang paligid ng opisina. Napaka tahimik ng opisina at hindi mapigilan ni Kira na mainip at hindi niya halos alam ang gagawin niya dahil mukhang mapapatagal siya dito sa hospital dahil hindi pa tapos ang surgery.

Kira sat at the couch silently and she waited for Aivan like an obedient dog. All she did was to browse the magazine in front of her for hours and she sat there with nothing but deafening silence.

Panay ang tingin ni Kira sa oras ang isang oras niyang pag-upo ay umabot na ng tatlong oras. Shouldn't be the surgery done by now?

She's been seating here for three hours without even asking herself how should she confront him.

How should she tell him that she wants to terminate the verbal contract they have? But, will he really give her back to her parents? Kira doesn't want that to happen!

Kira's frustrated and she doesn't know what to do! Parang kanina lang ay determinado siyang kausapin si Aivan para matigil ang ginawa nitong blackmail sa kanya.

She has to do something to prevent herself from falling. She has to escape from it as early as possible. Mukhang hindi rin naman na siya kailangan ng binata.

Nilabas ni Kira ang cellphone na binigay sa kanya ni Aivan at kinuha ang sim card niya at tumayo para kunin ang isang sticky note at pangsulat na nasa lamesa ni Aivan.

Natigilan si Kira nang may nakita siyang picture frame at ang litrato ay mukhang pamilyar. Litrato iyon ng isang babae na nakatalikod at nakaharap sa sunflower fields, maikli ang buhok ng babae at nakasuot ito ng simpleng puting bistida.

Natigilan si Kira nang mapansin na pamilyar ang lugar. Doon siya dinala ni Aivan at doon niya itinapon lahat ng sama ng loob niya. Kira picked up the picture frame and there she saw a name carved on the edge of the frame.

'Krisza'

Kira smiled bitterly and all along what Iris told her was the truth. He loves Krisza and Kira's curious to death to see how Krisza's similar to her. Why did Kira even argue with Iris?

Kaya ba siya dinala ni Aivan sa lugar na iyon dahil doon rin nito dinala ang dating kasintahan? Lahat ba ng ginawa nito para sa kanya ay dahil sa yumao nitong kasintahan?

Ganoon na ba kalala ang pagka-manhid ni Aivan para gamitin siya sa bagay na ganito?

Naramdaman ni Kira ang tila pananakit ng ulo niya at hindi niya alam kung bakit biglaang sumakit iyon.

Ibinaba ni Kira ang litrato at kaagad na kinuha ang cellphone na nilapag niya sa coffee table.

Iniwan nalang ni Kira ang cellphone sa taas ng lamesa nito at kaagad na kinuha ang bag at lumabas ng opisina.

Bakit ba nalulungkot siya? Diba dapat wala siyang nararamdaman dahil unang-una sa lahat hindi naman siya sang-ayon sa naging usapan nila ni Aivan.

Hindi niya naman alam na gagamitin lang siya ni Aivan bilang kapalit sa yumao nitong kasintahan at hindi rin naman alam ni Kira ba 'yun ang pakay ni Aivan sa kanya.

Then there's no point in having feelings for him. Kaya siya unti-unting nagkakagusto kay Aivan dahil sa mga bagay na ginawa nito sa kanya. If he's only using her to portray Krisza in his life, then all his acts — genuine and gentle acts, were meant for Krisza. Not for her.

So, she should not fall for it. Pagkalabas ni Kira ng hospital, natigilan siya nang makita ang malakas na buhos ng ulan. She looked at her watch and she knew that there are only few taxis in this hour.

Hinalughog ni Kira ang bag niya at mas lalong nadismaya nang malaman na wala siyang dalang payong.

Kira tried to wait for a cab in front of the hospital for atleast thirty minutes or so. But, she's not lucky enough to find a ride back to her apartment.

Hindi naman pupuwede sa maglakad siya sa ulan dahil dala-dala niya ang camera niya at mahalaga ang bagay na ito sa kanya at ayaw niyang masira ito.

Her camera was the only thing she had when she sufferef back then. It holds every little precious memory she had. The only family picture she had when everything was fine, when she did not meet any danger.

Kira was startled when a car stopped in front of her and she stepped back a bit because she's not familiar with the car.

The car's window slowly opened and there she saw Ricci inside the car. Mariing napahawak siya sa bag niya at napaiwas ng tingin.

"Hop in, Kira. I'll send you back."

Napayuko si Kira at napahigpit sa paghawak sa bag. "No, I'm fine. I'll wait for a cab here. Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo ngayon." Natigilan si Kira nang maalala niya na hindi pala nakakaintidi ng tagalog si Ricci.

It's fine. He should not know what she just said.

"Wala ka nang masasakyan na taxi sa ganitong oras, Kira." Wika nito na ikinagulat ni Kira. It was not a fluent tagalog but she was shocked.

"Marunong ka mag tagalog?" Kira asked him with surprise in her voice.

"I studied it for you a year ago." He said, "A ride back won't harm anything, right? Would you like to walk in the midst of a heavy rain?" Ricci added.

Kira looked around and Ricci was right. The rain's pouring really hard and Kira's certain that there were no taxis around anymore.

Kira sighed and she went over the car's door and opened it. She went inside the car and there was this familiar scent that welcomed her.

Ricci started driving the car. "Which hotel are you in?" Ricci asked her.

"Just turn right and just go straight on the road. I live five minutes away from the hospital." Sagot ni Kira kay Ricci na kaagad n sinundan nito.

There was a moment of silence between them and Kira doesn't want to utter any word.

"What were you doing in the hospital this late, Kira?"

"It's none of your business, Ricci. Don't meddle with my private life." Mahinang sagot ni Kira at napapikit nang mariin dahil sa biglaang pananakit ng ulo.

Nang makita ni Kira ang apartment niya, kaagad siyang nagtaas ng tingin at mahinang nagsalita. "Just drop me there." Kira said, "Thanks for the ride, Ricci."

Kira was about to go out when he suddenly stopped her from doing it. Napabaling ang tingin ni Kira sa binata at hinila ang kamay niya mula rito.

"I know I'm not in the place to say this to you, I'm a stranger, right? But, I have to tell you what I have heard — a conversation of your boyfriend and his friend when you're on a vacation at the beach."

It felt like something struck her that made her very curious. Alam ni Kira ang tama sa mali at ang papaniwalaan at hindi, pero bakit na-iintriga siya? Ricci won't open this up if it was something really serious.

"What is it?" Kira asked, blankly.

"Leave him, Kira. For him, you're just a pet." Saad nito, "He does not take you seriously and he's just playing with you. That's the reason why he didn't believe you when you told them that that woman named Iris drowned you."

Kira grinned and she gave him a cold stare. "Is that all, Ricci?" Kira asked. "If that's all, I'll be taking my leave from here. Thank you for the ride." Pagkasabi niya no'n ay kaagad siyang nagtungo sa apartment niya at kaagad na binuksan ang pintuan at sinara kaagad ang pinto.

She sat behind the door and she doesn't even know why a tear fell from her eyes. What's this?

Mukha bang hindi niya alam 'yon? Na-realize niya na iyon bago pa sabihin sa kanya ni Ricci.

Wala naman siyang karapatan para magalit kay Aivan, it was her fault for making herself suffer like this. She shouldn't have not agreed to his agreement in the first place. When she was in Italy, she was controlled by her parents. Wala ring pinagkaiba nung nagpunta siya sa Pilipinas.

Nanghihina na napatayo siya at ibinaba ang gamit niya sa gilid ng kama at kaagad siyang humiga. She wants to rest.

KIRA can't breath. What's happening?

Kira slowly opened her eyes and she was startled when she saw the bright color of fire slowly burning her ceiling. How did this happen?

Kaagad siyang napatayo at napagtanto na nasusunog ang apartment niya. Nakaramdam ng kakaibang takot si Kira at hindi niya alam ang gagawin sa sarili.

She heard loud shouting outside her door, and she doesn't know what to do!

"Kira! Kira!"

"Open the door, Kira!"

Kira stood up and she immediately picked her shoulder bag up and her camera. Kira was doing her best to open the door but it was locked from the outside.

Kira kept on banging the door. "Help!" Kira shouted as loud as she can. "Help me, please!" Kira shouted once again but it was louder than the first one.

"Kira, calm down. I'll save you! I'm here!"

Natigilan si Kira sa narinig niyang sigaw mula sa labas. It was Aivan's.

Kira tried her very best to open the door but the fire's slowly getting stronger and she can't breath anymore.

She stopped banging the door when she forgot to bring the book Marta got her. Kaagad na hinanap niya ang shelf kung saan niya iniwan ang libro. She can't leave it there!

Kaagad na pinuntahan ni Kira iyon at kinuha, nilagay niya iyon sa bag niya at kaagad n bumalik mula sa pintuan.

"Aivan! Help me!" Kira shouted and she's slowly blacking out. She can't breath anymore.

Napaupo si Kira at nanghihinang dinabog ang pintuan. "Help... me..." She's slowly losing her consciousness.

And before she could even close her eyes, the door opened and she saw Aivan with worry all over his face.

Aivan carried her out from the burning apartment and Kira can't stop coughing as she's trying to find air. She still can't breath and everything starts to get blurry.

"Kira, I'm here... I'm here..."

That was the last word she heard before she blacked out. The last face she saw was Aivan's worried face.