Chapter 1

Pagkalapag ng eroplanong sinasakyan ni Chloe agad siyang umunat ng katawan sa assigned seat niya at sinuot ang shades niya sa mata. It was a very tiring flight. 14 hours ka ba naman na nakaupo lang.

Huminga siya ng malalim pagkalabas niya ng eroplano at sinamyo ang hangin ng Manila. 2 years in Italy, she knows mahihirapan pa siyang sanayin ang katawan sa klima ng Pilipinas na ibang-iba sa Italy, but she can cope up with it. Kinakabahan din siya. She needs to do something important. And ang feeling na pareho na kayo ng hangin na hinihinga, at lupang inaapakan, sent chills all over her.

"Chloeeeee!!!" Rinig niya, as soon as she step out of the door ng airport, tulak-tulak ang mga bagahe niya. She smiled widely, and pushed her cart fast, as she approached her mom. Umiiyak ito.

"Mommy!" Sabi niya and immediately hugged her crying mother.

"Ang ganda-ganda mo na, anak! Dalagang-dalaga ka na. I missed you, baby! I missed you so much!" Sabi ng mom niya, na agad hinawakan ang pisngi niya.

"I missed you too, mom!" She wiped her mom's tears, then napatingin siya sa taong nasa likod ng mom niya. "Hello, tito Rey."

"Hello, Chloe! Welcome home." He smiled and tapped her shoulders. "Tara na, Selene?" He said referring to her mom. Agad tumango ang mom niya, hinawakan ang kamay niya patungo sa parking lot, while si Tito Rey niya ang siyang nagtulak ng cart niya.

Yes, her parents separated 2 years ago. That was one of the darkest times in her life. After niyang umalis kasama ang dad niya patungong Italy, doon niya napag isip ang sitwasyon ng parents niya. They're not happy with their marriage. Highschool sweethearts sila, but then as time passed by nagfade ang akala nilang ultimate foundation ng relasyon nila, ang love. Then, her mom cheated on her dad. She used to blame her mom for their fate but then she realized that her mom is just a human being. She made a mistake by following her heart, but it made her very happy. Her mom has Tito Rey now, and her dad is in Italy with an Italian girlfriend. He's very happy, as well. It just proves na hindi talaga sila ang para sa isa't-isa. Only child lang siya but she's hoping na magkaroon pa siya ng kapatid since nasa late 30s pa lng naman ang parents niya. Mahirap tanggapin noong una, especially ang magkaroon ng broken family, but mahal niya ang mga ito and ang pinaka importante ay ang kasayahan ng mga ito.

Pagkadating nila sa bahay ni tito Rey, agad siyang ginaya ng mom niya papasok sa loob. Simple lang ang bahay nito, unlike their former mansion in Forbes park na binenta na ng dad niya. Binata pa si tito Rey, he used to work as a manager in a spa, kung saan suki iyong mom niya. Doon nagstart ang lovestory ng mga ito.

"Let's go inside, anak." Her mom said habang hawak nito ang kamay niya and led her to the gate, while tito Rey and a maid are the one tending her luggages.

She smiled, as soon as they went inside. Dumiretso ang paningin niya sa isang parte ng dingding na kung saan ay may 25 or more siguro na picture frames na nakasabit. Mostly ay mga picture ng mom niya with tito Rey, her mom's happiness is clearly visible in every picture. Meron din siyang 5 na solo pictures doon, 3 of it is noong baby pa siya and the other 2 is noong elementary graduation niya and highschool graduation.

Ginala niya ang paningin niya sa loob ng bahay, her mom used to be socially classy and sophisticated. Who would have thought na iyong dating asawa ng dating may-ari ng isa sa pinakakilalang furniture company ng Pilipinas ay naging simpleng babae na lang na nakatira sa isang simpleng bahay. Pagkatapos mag separate ng parents niya, iniwan din ng dad niya ang buhay sa Pilipinas and nagpatayo ng same negosyo sa Italy. It became succesful, as well.

"Well, this is my new home, anak. How do you find it?" Her mom asked.

"Its cosy and I could clearly see that you're really happy. So, I'm happy, as well, Mom." Sabi niya na nakangiti.

Her mom instantly touched her face. "Thank you, anak. Kahit hindi naging mabuting tao si Mommy, but I did raised you well, I guess. I love you, baby." Sabi ng mom niya na napaluha.

"Of course, you did, Mom! I love you, too." Sabi niya and kissed her mom on the cheek.

Napatingin silang dalawa kay tito Rey pagkapasok nito sa pinto dala-dala ang maleta at bag niya, while the maid is holding her other luggage.

"Pahingahin o pakainin mo muna siya, Selene, baka may jetlag pa si Chloe." Ani tito Rey.

"No, tito. I'm fine. Busog pa naman po ako. Papahinga na lng ako mamaya. Namiss ko si Mommy, eh." I said and smiled at him.

"Are you sure? We could catch up later, anak. Pahinga ka na lng muna and magluluto pa ako ng favorite mong meryenda. I know you missed my cooking." Her mom said, and agad kumislap ang mga mata niya upon hearing what her mom said.

"Super special and creamylicious lasagna ni chef Selene?" She said and napahalakhak Mom niya and si tito Rey.

Her mom holds her hand and led her to a door. "This will be your room." Sabi niya pagkabukas ng pinto.

Ginala niya ang mga mata niya sa buong room. To be honest, its just 1/4 of the size of her room in their former mansion. But then, she smiled as she looked at her pink bed. Its the same resemblance of her previous bed but just a bit smaller. May picture frame pa siya sa bedside table. It was taken during her 16th birthday. Nag celebrate siya ng sweet 16 niya. And its her most unforgettable birthday party, ever. Sweet bitter memories ang naalala niya as she reminisce the said event.

"So? How was it? Sorry anak, at walang bathroom and toilet sa loob, but its just outside, sa kanan nitong room mo." Sabi ng mama niya, eyeing her, pagkatapos ilapag ng tito Rey niya at ng maid ang mga bagahe niya sa baba ng built-in cabinet.

"It's fine, Mommy, thank you. Thanks, tito Rey." She said smiling in which her tito and mom smiled in return.

Umupo siya sa kama and agad tumabi mom niya sa kanya, habang nagpaalam muna iyong tito niya para makapagsolo sila ng mom niya.

Her mom looked at her seriously, pagkalabas ng tito niya, "Anak, what is really your plan? Are you going to stay here for good? I saw sadness in your eyes the moment you saw your picture. Naalala mo ba siya?" Sabi ng mom niya and agad siyang napakagat labi while looking away.

"I want to talk to him, Mom, I'll try to win him back. I heard from a common friend na natuloy pala si Mikael mag-aral sa ASU. Iyon lang ang alam niya. I'm planning na mag-aral din doon para makita ko siya agad. I tried checking on him on social media, para makibalita man lang. Pero wala yata siyang mga account." Sabi niya and agad bumuntong hinga ng malalim. "Two years may be long, and kahit na masakit iyong paghiwalay namin, if mahal niya pa din ako... then.. may chance talaga na mapatawad niya ako and magkabalikan kami. I'll risk my pride, Mommy, just to win him back." Sabi niya trying to fight back her tears but a tear escaped which she immediately wiped off her face.

Her mom hugged her immediately, "I-i'm sorry, anak. I know partly, it was my fault. Go and fight for him! A-andito lang si Mommy sa likod mo, ok?" Sabi ng mom niya sa garalgal na boses.

"Thanks, mom." She said habang nakapikit and ninanamnam ang mainit na yakap ng ina.

"Anyway, you better rest for now, anak. I'm gonna bake your favorite, para tamang-tama lang na matapos ko before 4 o'clock." Paalam ng mom niya.

"Alright, Mom." Sagot niya and agad humiga sa kama pagkalabas ng mom niya. Instead of closing her eyes, napabaling siya sa picture frame niya. Then memories of the only man she thinks she'll ever love come flowing on her system.