Faith

KIRA woke up with tears in her eyes. What's happening? Kira can't tell if she's back in reality.

She looked at her hand, she saw an IV drip and all she can hear was a clock ticking so loudly.

Napalakas ang pag-iyak ni Kira. She wants to go back where everything was just fine. She wants to go back where everything was safe for her...

She almost died several times. All she wanted was to escape from her controlling parents and she thought she can feel freedom when she leaves them.

Pero bakit walang pinagbago?

Napagtanto ni Kira na wala siya sa hospital, ngunit nasa isang pamilyar na lugar siya pero hindi niya alam kung saan at kailan siya nakarating sa lugar na ito.

Kira slowly stood up and she wiped her tears. She wore the slippers that was beside the bed and she immediately pulled the IV stand beside her and she slowly assisted herself using the IV pole.

Dahan-dahan siyang naglakad papunta sa pintuan at kaagad niyang binuksan iyon.

Nabigla siya nang makita niya si Aivan na mayroong kausap sa telepono nito.

"I don't care about the price! Just find who the hell tries to kill her! Hanapin niyo ang sumunog sa tinitirhan niya!"

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan sa telepono. Someone's trying to kill her?

Who wants to kill her? Why would they kill her? Did she perhaps offend someone? As far as she knows, she did not offend anyone!

Napahawak si Kira sa ulo niya at nakaramdam ng matinding pananakit ng ulo.

The pain was unbearable and she can't help but to cry silently from the pain.

"Kira, what are you doing there?" Nabigla nalang siya nang alalayan siya ni Aivan.

Kira looked at him with shock and she pushed him away. "I'm fine. I'm... Fine..." Mahinang wika niya at umatras ng konti palayo kay Aivan. "Nasa'n ako?" Kira asked Aivan without hiving him any eye contact.

"My penthouse."

Mariing napapikit si Kira at napahawak sa nananakit niyang ulo at nakita niya na papalapit si Aivan sa kanya pero pinigilan niya ito.

"Stay there. I'm fine." Kira doesn't know what she's acting. She's really that persistent to stay away from him.

"Kira, atleast let me assist you back. Your body's still under recovery." Wika ni Aivan at bakas sa boses nito ang pag-aalala.

"I can assist myself back. I can manage." Sagot ni Kira at tinalikuran si Aivan. Mabagal lang ang ginawa niyang paglakad at nang marating ni Kira ang kama ay kaagad siyang umupo at lumapit naman si Aivan para ilayo ang IV pole sa kanya.

"I'll prepare for your food. Wait for me here."

Nang mapansin niyang naglakad na ang binata, kaagad siyang nagtaas ng tingin at naabutan ang papalabas na ito ng kuwarto.

Kira doesn't know where's the braveness she had when she was about to talk to him at the hospital. She knows that she owes Aivan her life for saving her from the fire.

But that doesn't change her mind. She has to atleast convince him to break the agreement.

Bumalik si Aivan na mayroong dala-dalang bed table at nakita niya ang tila parang usok na nagmumula do'n.

Nang ilapag ni Aivan ang pagkain sa kama, nakita niya ang bagong luto na congee sa harap niya.

Inabot ni Aivan ang kamay niya at binigay ang kutsara. "Eat it before it —"

Ibinaba ni Kira ang kutsara at napayuko. "I want to thank you for rescuing me." Putol ni Kira sa dapat sasabihin ni Aivan. "Pero, may gusto lang akong pag-usapan natin, Aivan. I need to talk to you about the —"

Nakaramdam si Kira ng kaba nang biglang ibinaba ni Aivan ang baso sa bed table at ramdam ni Kira ang lamig ng tingin nito sa kanya.

"Eat your food before it turns cold. I'll be back with your medicine." As soon as he stated, he left the room and Kira was startled when he slammed the door. It was not that hard but Kira felt like it was a very strong slam.

Kira sighed and she looked at the food in front of her. Congee was always the food her mom cooks for her when she's sick. But, why does it look different to her now?

This was the first time someone, besides her mom, cooked the food she likes when she's sick.

Kira took a bite from the food. It was a familiar taste that Kira knew before. The congee was flavored with chicken and ginger, a good food for a sick person.

Nabigla si Kira nang may tumutulong luha mula sa mata niya. Mahina siyang natawa at pinunasan ang mga luhang kumakawala sa mata niya. "Nababaliw na yata ako. Bakit ba ako umiiyak?" It's as if her tears has its own mind.

Napansin ni Kira ang tila pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto. Nakita niya si Aivan na may dala-dalang gamot.

Nilapag ni Aivan ang dalawang klase ng gamot at mayroon din itong nilapag na tubig.

"Pagkatapos mong kumain, inumin mo 'tong gamot."

Isinubo ni Kira ang huling kutsara ng pagkain at kaagad na kinuha ang gamot na binigay sa kanya ni Aivan. She drank it one by one and after that she finished the glass of water.

The silence was deafening, should she take the chance to ask him about it?

Kira bit her lower lip before she starts to ask ask him. "Aivan, as I was saying earlier —"

"The fire burned the apartment into ashes. Walang natirang gamit at walang naisalbang gamit." Aivan explained without lookibg at her, "The only thing that was saved was the bag you were carrying."

Looks like Aivan doesn't want to talk about the topic she wants to open up.

Napabuntong hininga si Kira at napahigpit ang hawak sa kumot. "Thank you for saving me and having me here at your penthouse." Kira sincerely thanked him. "Maghahanap rin ako ng panibagong apartment na titirhan, and if you don't mind — can you let me stay here for a while? Don't worry, I won't be a nuisance."

Kira doesn't have a place to go back anymore. And she doesn't feel safe staying at a hotel and probably, it would cost her too much.

Nakita ni Kira na inilapag ni Aivan sa bed table ang cellphone na sinadya niyang iwan sa opisina para ipakita na ibinabalik niya na iyon.

"Bakit mo iniwan ang cellphone na 'to sa opisina ko? Bakit hindi mo hinintay matapos ang surgery?" Aivan shotgunned her with questions.

This is her chance.

"I want to stop our agreement. I don't want to get involve with you anymore." Deretsong wika ni Kira at walang paligoy-ligoy pa.

"Does drowning make a person change their personality?" Nakangising tanong ni Aivan.

"What do you mean by that, Aivan?"

"Before you drowned you're a complete different person that you are now. Did the damage in your brain caused by drowning had a big impact on the way you think now? Gusto mo na bang balikan si Ricci dahil niligtas ka niya —"

Kira lost her control and she slapped him because of her anger. Kira doesn't know why she suddenly slapped him.

Kira snickered and she looked at him intently. "Atleast he believed me. Ricci knows that I was stating the truth and he was the only person who believed me." Paliwanag ni Kira, if he wants to play games then she's willing to join his little game. "Ano nga naman kasing laban ko sa kanya? She's your childhood friend and me? I'm just a stranger you blackmailed."

Nakita ni Kira kung paani natahimik si Aivan sa sinabi niya. Nawala ang kung anong sigla na madalas niyang makita sa mga mata ni Aivan.

Napayuko si Aivan. "I promised you, Kira." Mahinang saad nito. "I promised you that I won't allow you to go back to Italy. You wanted to be happy, right?"

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan. Mayroon sa sinabi ni Aivan ang nagpaluha sa kanya. He's holding on the promise she asked for him to keep.

Kira bit her lower lip and she played with her fingers. "What if I want to tell you that I want to break the promise and let me be?" Kira asked.

"Hindi lang ang pangako ko sa'yo ang pinanghahawakan ko para hindi sirain ang kontrata at hayaan kang maging malaya." Saad ni Aivan sa seryosong tono. "I can't break everything now, Kira. It's too late."

"What do you mean?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Kira kay Aivan.

Napabuntong hininga si Aivan at nabigla si Kira nang hawakan ni Aivan ang kamay niya.

"I can't break the agreement, Kira. It'll be the only thing that'll keep you with me." Saad nito, "I've already fallen for you, Kira. I can't break everything and I have to be selfish just to have you."

Kira was speechless. She decided to end the agreement because she's afraid from falling for him. But it looks like she's in the middle of confusion now.

"You didn't even believe me when I told you that Iris plotted to kill me." Mahinang saad niya. "I feel really miserable. Akala ko 'pag umalis na ako sa Italya magiging masaya na ako. All I want is to be happy, but why do I get misery?"

She should be happy for his confession, but why does it feels empty? Is it because of the experience she had these days?

"I'll be here with you until it will satisfy you and make you happy. I'll be here for you, Kira. I am more than willing to work for your happiness."

Kira doesn't know what to say but she doesn't know why her tears suddenly fell and she just felt relieved.

Aivan smiled at her and he wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Let me be the one to make you happy."

Kira hugged him out of the blue. She hugged him with care and she doesn't know why, she felt like hugging him — like she's been longing to do it.

INABOT ni Chaun sa kanya ang kape at umupo ito sa tabi niya habang sinusundan ng tingin ang dalawang babae na naglalakad palayo at pinag-uusapan siya ng masama.

"Hahayaan mo lang talaga na pag-usapan ka nila?" Pagtatanong sa kanya ni Chaun.

Kira took a sip from the coffee and she smiled at him. "I'm far from the person they are talking about, Chaun." Sagot niya habang busy sa pagkalikot sa laptop na nasa harap niya. "I am clearly not a slut, a gold-digger and a bitch, so I'm not that Kira they're mentioning."

She focused on editing one more time and she put her utmost effort to do her work. It's been three days ever since she got fully recovered.

She's been living at Aivan's penthouse for almost three days already. They've been more close and open to each other ever since they had a talk.

She's also been the center of gossip in her work because of her closeness with Aivan, he's been sending her off to work for a few times already and that's the main reason why she got gossiped.

Nabigla si Kira nang may kumalabit sa balikat niya. Nakita niya si Mika na nakangiti sa kanya at mayroon itong dala-dalang folder.

"Kumusta naman sa part-time job mo, Kira?" Mika asked.

Mika's talking about the other job she have, she's working as a part-time waiter at Mika's boyfriend's friend.

"Ayos naman. My co-workers are very accommodating and nice." Sagot ni Kira at sumimsim sa kape niya.

Maganda ang pasahod sa restaurant na iyon at sa tulong ni Mika ay hindi na siya nahirapang mag-apply sa restaurant na iyon.

Ibinigay lang ni Kira kay Mika ang applicant form niya kay Mika at natanggap kaagad siya sa trabaho.

"Wait, you work part-time?" Nagtatakabg wika ni Chaun at binaba pa nito ang hawak na kape at tinignan silang dalawa ni Mika. "Hindi pa sapat ang sahod mo dito?" Chaun asked again.

"No, it's not like that." Binaba ni Kira ang kape at hinarap si Chaun. "I have to pay for the burned apartment. Hindi ko pa nakakausap si Sir Aiden dahil wala siya sa Pilipinas ngayon. But, I'll settle it once Sir will be back."

"Alam ba ni Aivan 'yan?" Chaun asked her.

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi niya at dahan-dahang umiling. "No, he doesn't know about it." Sagot ni Kira.

Five hours lang siyang nagtratrabaho sa part time job niya at mas nauuna pa rin siyang umuwi kay Aivan. It's a good thing that he didn't asked her about it.

"Why are you keeping it a secret for him, Kira?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Mika sa kanya.

Kira sighed, "I don't want to burden him with my debt, Mika." Kira said and looked at Chaun, "You know him, Chaun, he'll pay for my debt and I don't want that. I have to stand on my own feet in order to survive."

Bumuntong hininga si Chaun at napatango na lamang. "I was planning to tell him about it, but you have a good reason to hide it." Ani ni Chaun. "But, can I ask you something?"

Nagtatakang tinignan ni Kira si Chaun. "What is it?"

Chaun stood up and he hid at Mika's back. "I just want to... uhm, please don't be mad at my question, okay? I just want to ask if you're taking a bath..." Pagtatanong ni Chaun sa kanya na ikinagulat niya. "You've been wearing the same clothes for the past three days."

Kira looked at her clothes. She gave Chaun a stare. "Do I smell bad, huh?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Chaun at binigyan ng nakamamatay na tingin. "Of course I do! Anong gusto kong isuot ko? The burned clothes I have! I wash my clothes before I wear them! I also took a bath!"

Napatayo si Kira at akmang babatukan si Chaun na nagtatago sa likod ni Mika, si Mika naman ay panay ang tawa sa ginagawa nilang dalawa.

"Hey! Both of you stop! Nahihilo ako!" Reklamo ni Mika na panay ang paikot nila sa kanya.

Nang nakaramdam na ng hingal si Kira, kaagad siyang huminto at binigyan ng masamang tingin si Chaun.

She looked at the time and it's time for her to leave work and go to the restaurant. It's already six in the evening.

"As a compensation for offending me," Wika ni Kira habang inaayos ang gamit niya. "finish the print out of the raw photos and compile it in a folder. I'll be leaving." Wika ni Kira at isinabit sa balikat ang bag niya.

"Fine, fine." Walang laban na sagot ni Chaun sa kanya at umupo sa upuan na nasa harap ng laptop.

Kira looked at Mika and she smiled at her, "I have to go, Mika. Bye!" Paalam ni Kira at kaagad na lumabas sa studio.

Palabas ng studio, napansin niya ang masasamang tingin ng halos kababaihan na nagtratrabaho sa kumpanya.

Alam naman ni Kira kung ano ang rason kung bakit sila ganito makatingin sa kanya. They all thought that she seduced Aivan, the brother of their only boss and they thought that she's a trying hard, good-for-nothing, gold-digger!

When people are bored, they start to do shameless things. Especially when they're insecure.

Naabutan niya ang boss niya na papasok ng studio, kaagad na nilapitan ni Kira ang boss niya.

"What's wrong, Ms. Chiumenti?" Pagtataning ng boss niya sa kanya.

"I want to pay for the damages from that incident. I'm really sorry." Kaagad na saad ni Kira at nakita niya kung paano natigilan ang boss niya at napangisi.

"Can you really pay for it, Ms. Chiumenti? How are you going to pay me?" Pagtatanong ni Sir Aiden sa kanya.

"I'll use my savings and of course, my payment from work. I have to atleast try." Kira said.

"Hindi kasya ang tatlong taon mong sahod sa pagbabayad sa akin, Ms. Chiumenti. Are you sure on what you're saying?"

Tumango si Kira. "I also work part-time at a restaurant nearby. I'll try my best to work at both jobs just to pay for the damages. I'm really sorry —"

"You heard that, Aivan. Your little girlfriend's keeping secrets from you, huh? She's willing to pay for the damages that you already took care. How sweet." Nakangising saad ng boss niya at natigilan siya sa sinabi nito.

Crap! She's busted! Napapikit ng mariin si Kira bago harapin si Aivan na nasa likod niya. Kira smiled at him and gave him a warm greeting.

"Hi!" Panimula ni Kira. "How come you're here? I thought you have a very important surgery?"

"I'll get going then, see you brother!" Paalam ng boss niya at nabigla si Kira sa biglaang pagbabago ng ugali ng boss niya.

Ngayon niya lang napansin ang biglaang pagpalit ng pakikitungo nito sa kanya at tila parang ang laki ng epekto ng Japan sa boss niya.

Wait! She shouldn't think of her boss first! She has to deal with Aivan, who just found out that she works part-time.

She's expecting that he'll ask for her reason on hiding it, but she's shocked when he immediately went beside her and he held her hand.

"Send your resignation letter or else, I'll be the one sending it, okay?" Hinila siya nito palabas ng studio at kaagad na pinigilan ni Kira si Aivan.

"Wait!" Kira started, "I can't file a resignation. I have to pay your brother."

"Like what my brother said, I already took care of it." Aivan leaned closer and he rested his forehead on her forehead. "Why not accompany me instead? That'll be your payment for the damages I took care for you."

Aivan kissed her forehead before assisting her inside the car and he jogged on his way to the driver's seat.

"Accompany you to what?" Kira asked, confused.

Aivan started the car, "Accompany me to do shopping."

Nagtatakang tinignan ni Kira si Aivan. "What will you be shopping? A suit? I can't accompany you for that. I have ni fashion sense for men at all!"

Umiling si Aivan. "You have to accompany me, Kira. We'll be shopping for your clothes, you've been wearing the same clothes for three days." Panimula na paliwanag ni Aivan sa kanya at mahinang natawa. "And for sure, Chaun asked you if you take a bath at all. Am I right?"

He guessed right! He really knows Chaun!

"Fine, fine. Let's shop." Pagpapaubayang sagot ni Kira kay Aivan.

NAPANGANGA si Kira nang makarating na sila sa destinasyon nila.

"You want me to shop here?" Gulat na wika ni Kira at kaagad na tinignan ang buong shop. "I can't afford these clothes!" Dagdag na wika ni Kira at akmang hihilain si Aivan palabas nang bigla siyang buhatin nito na para bang sako lang siya.

Aivan surrender her to the shop's stylist, "Take a very good care of her." Wika ni Aivan at lumabas sa dressing room.

"Wait —" Hindi na nakahabol palabas si Kira nang harangan siya ng saleslady.

"Ma'am, simulan na po natin sukatin ang mga damit." Nakangiting wika nito at walang nagawa si Kira kung 'di sumunod sa babae dahil wala talaga siyang kawala.

They made her wear a silk like skirt and ruffled sleeveless top. Kira was shocked when they opened the curtains and she saw Aivan sitting patiently in front of her.

"How's the cloth, Sir?" The stylust asked.

Aivan looked at her from head to toe, "I don't like it. Try something a bit conservative." Anito.

Napatango ang stylist at sinara ang kurtina at muli siyang pinag-bihis ng panibagong set ng damit.

This time, the clothes she's wearing was a black dress and it seemed normal and it's kinda simple.

The stylist opened the curtain and Aivan was looking at her from head to toe. "It's good — no, I don't like it. I don't like backless clothing."

Nabigla si Kira sa sinabi nito at kinapa ang likof at tama nga si Aivan, backless ang damit.

She looked at Aivan with her eyes begging. It looks like she's being tortured by getting to try these pretty clothes which is not her thing.

She's just a photographer, she doesn't need clothing like these.

She's been trying different clothing and he made her change everytime she tries clothes that's out of his taste.

It took her for decades! Masakit na ang paa niya at nagugutom na siya. Ang tagal niya nang nagsusukat ng damit!

The stylist made her wear a turtle neck top and black pants. They opened the curtains and she looked at Aivan with beg in her eyes.

He smiled when he saw what she's wearing.

"That's perfect!" He exclaimed.

Kira sighed in relief. "Finally, you were able to choose!" Kira exclaimed in happiness. Kira looked at the stylist, "How much will these be?" Kira asked.

"It'll be a total of ten thousand, Miss."

Napanganga si Kira sa sinabi nito, "What?! Ten —" Nabigla siya nang takpan ni Aivan ang bibig niya at nag-abot ng black card sa babae.

"I'll take this and I want you to pack all the clothes she tried."

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Kira at napatingin kay Aivan. Is he freaking serious?! The amount his paying would be the same amount of a great place to stay! How rich is this man?

Dinala ng mga saleslady ang humigit sampung paper sa kotse ni Aivan at nang makaalis ang mga ito ay binigyan niya ng masamang tingin di Aivan.

"I don't need those expensive clothes, Aivan Why did you buy it all? How am I going to pay these? Hindi pa sapat ang isang taon na sahod ko d'yan!" Inis na saad ni Kira kay Aivan.

Tila parang wala lang kay Aivan ang sinabi niya dahil tumawa lang ito. "All of these will be marked as payed when you resign your part-time job, and —" He leaned closer and smirked. "if you're willing on staying at ny penthouse and of course, you'll stay there permanently. How about it?"

"You're back with your blackmailing again, Aivan." Buntong hiningang wika ni Kira. "I don't —"

"Okay, that's a great deal. Thanks for acceptiing it, my dear Kira." Wika ni Aivan na may ngiti at hinila siya pabalik sa mall. "Let's go and have our dinner. You must be starving."

What? She clearly did not accept what he just said, but Aivan will be Aivan. He'll be pushy about this.

Saktong napadaan sila ni Aivan sa comfort room. "I have to go to the restroom." Biglaang wika ni Kira na ikinahinto nila sa paglalakad.

Tumango si Aivan at ngumiti. "Okay, I'll wait for you here. Take your time." Anito at kaagad na bumitaw sa pagkakahawak sa kamay niya.

Aivan's been a bit open to his feelings. Unlike, those days when she doesn't know him completely. He's as cold as ice and Kira can't even bare looking at him those times.

Kaagad na nagpunta si Kira sa may salamin at naghugas ng kamay. She took the chance to tidy her hair up that that was out of style when she fitted on different clothes. She also took the chance to wash her hands.

Kira dried her wet hands using the dryer beside her and she was shocked when someone suddenly pulled her and slapped her.

Napahawak si Kira sa pisngi niya at nagtaas ng tingin. She just found out that Iris was the one who slapped her.

"What's your problem, Iris?" Inis na wika ni Kira kay Iris.

"It's all your fault!" Sigaw nito sa kanya, "Aivan abandoned me, Kira! He abandoned me as his friend because of you!"

"Anong kinalaman niya'n sa akin, Iris?" Wika ni Kira. "It was your fault, it was your actions that pushed you to that place."

"Why would he abandon me, I was with him my whole life and I was there when he grieved with Krisza!" Sigaw ni Iris sa kanya at nakita ni Kira ang matinding galit na nararamdaman ng dalaga sa kanya. "What makes you so special that he did trust in what you said. Naniwala siya sa mga sinabi mo, Kira. He told me that he doesn't know me anymore! What did you do?"

Lumapit si Kira at sinampal niya pabalik si Iris at kahit na hindi niya gawaing manakit ng tao, sadyang napuno lang talaga ang puso niya ng galit.

"It was his choice to avoid you — to abandon you! I did not say anything to him but that truth behind your attitude, Iris." Saad niya kay Iris. "And I don't believe that you really love him ever since you were with him. After all, obsession is not considered as love, Iris. It's a disorder."

"How dare you call me obsessed — "

Pinigilan ni Kira ang gagawing pananampal ni Iris sa kanya at kaagad na tinulak palayo si Iris.

"You shouldn't have provoked me, Iris. Now face the consequences." Mahinang wika ni Kira at nilagpasan si Iris. "I'm not dumb, Iris. I don't play the naive type of girl."

"You believe that he loves you, huh?" Sigaw ni Iris sa kanya. "He's using you! He just misses Krisza so he's willing to use you as his doll! Kamukha mo si Krisza at hindi nalalayo ang rason na ginagamit ka lang niya dahil hindi pa niya kayang pakawalan si Krisza!" Dagdag ni Iris na ikinatigil niya sa paglalakad.

Kira gritted her teeth and before she completely left she said something to Iris. "If that's the case..." Kira murmured, "If he's using me then so be it. But, I don't want to hear it from you. Because it sounds like a lie and I can hear jealousy dripping from your filthy lips."

Lumabas si Kira ng banyo habang hawak ang pisngi na sinampal ni Iris. Mahahalata ito ni Aivan kung hahayaan niya lang makita ito. She applied a concealer on her cheeks to hind the swelling and redness of the slap before she fully faced Aivan.

Nilapitan niya si Aivan na mayroong ngiti sa labi. She didn't know that he actually believed her.

"What took you so long?" Aivan asked and he intertwined both of their hands.

"I'm sorry, I got held back from a very long line inside the restroom." Palusot ni Kira kay Aivan. "Let's just dine at your penthouse, I'll cook."

"Why? Don't you want to dine here?" Aivan asked.

Kira smiled. "It's not that." Kira said, "Gumastos ka na at masyadong malaki ang halaga. Let's just save the money and it'll be kore convenient if we dine back at home."

"Okay, if that's what you like." Suko ni Aivan. "Let's go."

If he's playing with me like a doll, she doesn't want to hear it from anyone. She'll only get hurt or she'll only accept it when it came from him.

She'll only believe in him. She has to trust him.

He won't do it, right?