Possessive 24 Ream Oliveros

 

POSSESSIVE 24: Ream Oliveros SYNOPSIS Ream Oliveros was a self-made man. A successful businessman in his own right. Everything he owned was due to his handwork and perseverance. He never deceived nor hurt anyone. He was straighorward s traighorward and an honest man. But how would a self-made honest man react once he found out that the woman he was seriously dang was married and he unknowingly became her paramour? Would Ream Oliveros leave and stay honest, or would he stay and become an illicit lover? CECELIB | C.C.

SYNOPSIS   SYNOPSIS Ream Oliveros was a self-made man. A successful businessman in his own right. Everything he owned was due to his handwork and perseverance. He never deceived nor hurt anyone. He was straighorward s traighorward and an honest man. But how would a self-made honest man react once he found out that the woman he was seriously dang was married and he unknowingly became her paramour? From an honest man to an illicit lover. Would Ream Oliveros leave and stay honest, or would he stay and become an illicit lover?

PROLOGUE

 

PROLOGUE HONEYMOON was supposed to be a joyous occasion for newlyweds, It was when two people decided to become one — but not to Syl. To her, the honeymoon was a nightmare she desperately wanted to wake up from. Since she knew she'll never wake up. Because her nightmare was her reality. The only silver lining was that her husband, Izaak Davidson, was out of the villa their parents rented here in one of the beauful beaches in Bali for their honeymoon and he was out to God knows where, fucking other women which was a godsend to Syl. Syl didn't care who her husband slept with, as long as he h e kept his hands to himself. But she knew her reality was always worse; she knew that a me would come that her husband might demand her to play her role as his wife. Kapag mangyari 'yon, anong pinagkaiba no'n sa pakikipagtalik sa isang estranghero? Siguro nga mas pipiliin pa niya n iya ang isang estranghero na makasama keysa sa asawa niya na pinilit lang sa kaniya. At least kung estranghero man, siguradong pinili niya at desisyon niya. At that moment, sing on the edge of bed alone, Syl wanted to rebel and run away. She wanted nothing more than to be away from all the heavy responsibilies on her shoulder, but she couldn't. If she ran away, the only sibling she had would be dragged back to this hellish life and she didn't d idn't want it. Ria already got out. She was already free and doing what she loves. I have to hold out. I'd been doing this since I can remember. Pero kahit sanay na siya sa buhay na mayroon siya, nasasakal pa rin siya. Hindi alam ni Syl kung saan ba patungo ang buhay niya. Mananali ba siyang parang aso na sunod-sunuran lang sa mga magulang niya sa kadahilanang 'pamilya' sila o magri-rebelde siya tulad ng ginawa ng kakambal niya?

 

Their parents had always been controlling — controlling their lives as they ssee ee t because as they always say 'they are their parents', like being a parent gave them the right to control every single thing in her life! Syl wanted to breathe freely, that's why she'd been doing her best in parents' company, to earn their trust, but she was just fooling herself. She didn't earn anything even if she bled and vomited blood! From a CEO to being a housewife with no means to earn for herself. That would be her life the moment she returned from this hellish honeymoon. Combing her long hair frustratedly, she got up and entered the bathroom. Syl slightly winced when she saw her appearances in the mirror. She looked so worn out. Sighing, she stepped into the shower and took a bath. She may be married, but she sll considers this night her last 'free' night. Tomorrow, they're going home and she knew her hell would start immediately upon arrival. Thought if there was any consolaon, her husband dislikes her too. Well, he doesn't show it, but she could feel that he was against this marriage too. He was  just trying to be polite in front front of their parents, but now that it's it's just them, she wouldn't be shocked if she caught him fucking someone, somewhere. With that thought, Syl's mood became dark. If her husband was out goong around, then she'll go out too and have some fun. Finishing her bath, Syl changed into a simple dress, not revealing, but not too modest either. Just enough to show some skin. Fixing her hair and pung some light make up on, she stepped out of the villa to have some fun and grieve her last day of freedom before they went home where hell was waing for her. Balak ni Syl na mag-party-party sa isang club sa loob ng resort para aliwin ang sarili, pero pagkapasok palang niya, kaagad na sumakit su makit ang ulo niya dahil sa halo-

 

halong amoy at sobrang lakas na tunog ng musika. Sinubukan niyang manali sa at mag-order ng alak sa bar, pero dahil hindi siya sanay sa ganitong kapaligiran ay hindi siya nagtagal at lumabas din siya ng club kaagad. What Syl didn't know was that when she steps out of the club, she already caught someone's aenon — the aenon of a man who was there in Bali for business and not pleasure. Blowing a loud breath and holding her clutch bag, Syl groaned unsophiscatedly before she took her shoes o and carried it as she walked without desnaon. A few minutes later, Syl found herself on one of the recliners facing the ocean. It was night. The moon was high, and the stars twinkled in the sky. It was a perfect night to have fun and let loose, but here she was, alone and miserable. Couldn't even had fun like she wanted to because party scenes were not for her. Mabilis na nuyo ni Syl ang luha ng maramdamang namalisbis 'yon sa pisngi niya. Pero kahit ilang beses niyang tuyuin 'yon, ayaw maampat ng luha niya n iya at patuloy lang na namalisbis. Syl wanted to shout in frustraon when a handkerchief appeared in front of her. Startled, she turned to see who it was with tears and all and she felt her world stop, her breathing and tears stopped along with it as her eyes seled on the most handsome man her eyes ever laid on. More handsome than her husband. He also had the soest eyes, face and lips. The man had a gorgeous face that anyone would nd nice and get comfortable with in an instant. A foreigner? He looked like one. And then, the man smiled, and Syl felt like her breathing hitched. She didn't even care if she looked like a mess because of her tears. She was just staring. Calm down. Calm down. Pakiusap ni Syl sa sarili habang pinipilit ang sarili na magbaba ng ngin.

 

Then Syl felt the man sit in the recliner beside her. Gustong-gusto niyang magtanong kung bakit ito umupi at sa s a katabing recliner pa niya mismo, pero hindi naman niya pag-aari ang mga recliner doon kaya inuon nalang niya ang ngin sa karagatan. Then from nowhere, a handkerchief appeared in front of her again and a concerned voice lled her ear. "I don't mind, really, but your tears ruined your makeup." Sa narinig, agad-agad na kinuha ni Syl sa clutch bag niya ang compact mirror saka ningnan doon ang sarili. Syl was embarrassed beyond belief when she realized that the man was telling the truth. She was indeed a mess. But she didn't take the man's handkerchief, she took a small face wipe to clean her face unl she had no make-up on. And while Syl was doing that, the man was just watching her, making her feel awkward because makeup could enhance beauty, and at that moment, she has none and she looked bare and raw. "You look preer without your makeup on." Syl couldn't help snorng because she had heard that before. "Is that a pick-up line?" "No. It's a fact." The man's voice didn't waver and the condence she heard made her believed that it was indeed true. "Thanks, I guess." Silence fell between the two. "People come here for two reasons," the man spoke again, breaking the silence. "To have a honeymoon or to have fun, but you're crying... so I can't tell." Iniwan ni Syl ang wedding ring niya sa villa dahil hindi siya s iya komportable na isuot 'yon at pinagpapasalamat niya 'yon. She was not proud, nor happy that she's married. It was the opposite.

 

Syl sighed. "I'm just someone trying to have fun." Then her eyes unconsciously glanced at the man's ngers to unconsciously check if there was a ring there. And to her surprised, she actually felt relieved that he had none. "You? Why are you here?" The man shrugged. "Business." That made Syl's eyebrow raised. "Business...?" The man smiled and everything looked so bright all of the sudden. "Yeah. I delivered something to a friend." "Oh." Silence fell between the two again. And then, it was the man who broke it again as he oered his hand for a handshake. "I'm Ream Oliveros," the man introduced himself with a nicest smile Syl had ever seen. "May I know your name?" In Syl's mind, she knew it was a bad idea, but at that moment, she didn't really care and just wanted the man to know her name. "Syl Descarn. Nice to meet you." Ramdam ni Syl ang bahagyang pagpisil ni Ream sa kamay niya ng tanggapin niya ang pakikipagkamay nito, pero maliban doon, wala na itong ibang ginawa. "Um," Ream had a lopsided smile as he confessed something. "Would you nd me creepy if I told you, I followed you from the club?" Nagilan si Syl. "You... followed me?" Ream nodded. "Yeah. I was about to approach you, but you le." "The club is not my scene, I guess." Ream playfully narrowed his eyes on Syl. "A beauful woman who was crying and claimed that she's here to have fun, but confessing that the club is not her scene. Hmm... not mysterious at all."

 

Syl couldn't help chuckling hearing Ream's playful tone and she retaliates as she mimicked him. "A man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and who was here for business, oering me a handkerchief and confessing that he actually followed me here. Hmm... not creepy at all." Ream chuckled and laid himself on the recliner. And Syl couldn't help watching how sexy and hot he looked at that posion that she had to drag her gaze away. She had met a lot of handsome man in her life, but Ream was on another level. "Are you alone or did you come with friends?" Ream asked aer seconds of silence. "With friends," Syl instantly lied. "But they're busy hooking up with the guys they met earlier." Ream turned to look at Syl. "Want to hook up with me?" Syl's eyes widened hearing such bold, uninhibited queson. "What...?" "Hook up. With me." Ream said like it was the most common thing to ask to someone they just met. Maybe because he's a foreigner? They had dierent culture when it comes to sex. "If you're uncertain," Ream got up and sat on the reclining, facing her. "We can start with a kiss." Ream sounded so convincing that Syl was actually listening to him! "And if you found the kiss revolng, we'll stop, I'll apologize and we'll just talk anything under the..." Ream looked up at the moon and back to her again, "... moon." Syl blinked at Ream, surprised. "You're not going to leave since you didn't get you want or throw a fuss?" Ream shrugged. "I'm not that rude." Syl was actually stunned that Ream would back down and accept a 'no'. How many mes had she met a man who couldn't accept a 'no' and threw a fuss? Too many to menon. Especially her father who couldn't accept a 'no'.

 

"And if I said no?" "Then it's a no." Ream said suavely with a nice smile that was swaying Syl. "There's nothing I can do if you didn't want it." "That's actually a rst," Syl looked down at her lap when she remembered what happened when she says no to her father's orders. It was pure hell to be punched and slapped by her father for saying 'no'. Not only her father, also all the men her parents wanted her to date. When she said 'no' to their advances, it always ends badly. For her. And now, here was a man who would back down if she said no. Who would not force himself on her. "You'll back down even if you didn't get what you wanted?" Syl couldn't help being skepcal. Hindi sa hindi siya naniniwala, masyado lang siyang sanay sa mga kalalakihan na hindi kayang tumanggap ng sagot s agot na 'ayoko' at 'hindi'. Ream shrugged nonchalantly and smiled. "I get to talk to you. That's plenty." Syl didn't know how to answer that one. It was sweet in a way. "Then 'no', I don't want to hook up with you." Syl answered Ream's earlier queson to test him and to Syl's surprised, he just laughed merrily and laid himself on the recliner again, looking at the night sky. Syl nds it intriguing and refreshing. "So, Miss I-don't-want-to-hook-up-with-you..." I-don't-want-to-hook-up-with-you..." Ream trailed in a playful tone as he glanced at her, "what are your plans tomorrow? Will you be busy?" Umiling si Syl. "No. I'll be b e going home tomorrow." "Oh." Ream actually lost his playful smile at her answer before he jumped to another topic. Syl and Ream talked anything under the moon like what Ream said. Just sharing their ideas and opinions. Even talking about insignicant things in their life, just

 

passing the me. Syl and Ream were enjoying each other's company so much that they didn't realize it was already midnight. Namalayan lang ni Syl dahil nagpadala ng mensahe sa kaniya si Izaak, hinahanap siya at nagtatanong kung nasaan siya. Syl's mood became sour in an instant. All the light emoons and all the happiness she felt while talking to Ream vanished and she was lled with so much anger and bierness. "Is something wrong?" Ream asked, seeing how Syl's expression changed aer she put her phone back to her bag. "Nothing." Ream knew it was not nothing. Maybe he had taken up so much of her me and she now had to go. As much as it pained Ream, he had to let her go and end this 'talking under the moon' thing. It was already past midnight. "I'm sorry for taking so much of your me," Ream got up and smiled at Syl. "I had fun talking to you. Have a safe trip tomorrow." Ream said his goodbye, but Syl didn't want to be alone. She didn't want to go back to the villa and face her stranger husband. She didn't want to see the face of the man her parents forced her to marry because of money and business reasons. "Hey! Want to hook up with me?" Ream froze on his track and turned to Syl, stunned. "What...?" It was his me to be shocked. Syl got up and faced Ream while bing her lips shyly. "Want to, um, you know, sleep together?" Ream was lost for words and only got back to his senses aer a couple of seconds. "Are you sure? Because my answer is a 'yes'." "Yes. I'm sure." Syl nodded with determinaon.

 

Ream oered his hand at Syl. "If you take my hand, there's no going back—" Syl accepted Ream's hand. "You're really sure?" Ream asked again, remembering her rejecon earlier. Syl nodded. "Yes." "Okay. Come with me." Syl was silent as she followed Ream with their hands intertwined. She was secretly amazed when Ream took her to his villa – it was a villa that only wealthy individual could aord. It was even more expensive that the honeymoon villa she was staying at. "Come on in." Ream invited her in as he opened the door to the villa. Syl didn't hesitate. She entered the villa and looked around. Except from the backpack on the sofa, there was nothing personal inside. Syl bit her lower lip. "Regreng your decision?" Ream asked as he stood in front of Syl, then he mooned his chin towards the door behind her. "You can leave if you want." Syl turned to the door. She knew she could leave if she changed her mind and Ream won't stop her. But she didn't want to leave. She faced Ream again and threw her clutch bag to the sofa. "I'm staying." Ream nodded slowly before he crossed the small distance between them. He was taller than her by four inches, so Syl had to look up while Ream had to look down for their eyes to meet. And in a heartbeat, without Syl realizing, their lips met, and ngling sensaon shoots through her body, making her open her mouth and moved her tongue and lips. It was a foreign sensaon to Syl, but she liked it so much that she found herself wounding her arms around Ream's neck as Ream wrapped his arm around Syl's waist.

 

Ream groaned at the taste of Syl's lips, the feeling of now wanng to let her h er go came over him, but he knew he needed to pull away. With great diculty, he nally managed to put some distance between their lips. "How was it?" Ream asked in a whisper as he nibbled her lips. "Sll not changing your mind?" Syl nibbled back Ream's lips. "I'm sll staying." Ream smiled against Syl's lips. "That's good to hear," Ream licked the corner of Syl's lips and connued kissing her soly while his hands were all over her body. "But I have to ask and I don't mean to be rude, but do you have experience?" Syl stopped kissing Ream and pulled back a lile, frowning. "Does it maer?" "Yeah." Ream caressed the side of Syl's face, xing her slight messy hair that was messed by the wind. "So, I'll know if I had to be gentle or not." Syl's frowned deepened. "Isn't 'I'll be gentle' a scam?" Ream chuckled and he became even more charming in Syl's eyes. "Not really, but sort of." "Then don't say it." "How about instead of 'I'll be gentle', I'll say 'I'll be careful not to hurt you so much'?" Ream oered and alternave. "Okay." Ream smiled and placed a so kiss on Syl's lips. "I'll be very careful not to hurt you so much." "Thank you." Ream pressed his lips on Syl's forehead, stunning Syl, before he claimed her lips once again and this me, he didn't stop nor pull away. And Syl didn't d idn't want him to either.

 

Their lips mashed, their tongue danced inside each other's mouth and piece by piece, Syl's clothing started dropping to the oor. From her dress to her underwear unl she was naked and sprawled on the so maress. Syl knew this was wrong, she knew it'll end badly for her, but at that moment, she didn't care. Because for the rst me in her life, she made a choice for herself and not someone else's. He was her choice. He was her decision. And regret it, she will not.

CHAPTER 1 REAM DROPPED himself on the sofa with a heavy sighed that didn't escape his friends who were in the barn with him. Hindi na siya nagulat n agulat dahil mga tsismoso naman talaga ang mga kaibigan niya. Lalong-lalo na si Iuhence at Calyx na siyang nasa billiard pool at naglalaro. The two might be playing billiards, but Ream would bet that their ears were growing wide while eavesdropping. "Feel free to ask." Ream said with a shrug. And the lunacs really did. "Thorn told me you said no when he invited you to go clubbing with him." h im." Ani Cali. "Seeing someone?" "I bet, he is." Sabad ni Iuhence. "Ang rason lang naman kung bakit tayong lahat tumigil makipaglaro sa apoy ay kung may nahanap na tayong apoy na pumaso san at gusto nang mapaso ulit." u lit." Calyx frowned at Iuhence. "Damn, Vergara. That was slightly deep." Iuhence showed his middle nger at Calyx and smiled sarcascally. "Whatever. It's none of our business." Reigo chimed in while drawing a house plan on the paper he was holding.

 

Lysander looked at Reigo atly. "You're no fun, you know that, Vasquez?" "Well, I'm busy rebuilding my house, so fuck o." Andrius, who was o duty frowned. "You destroyed your house again?" "Yeah." "Hey!" Iuhence snapped geng everyone's aenon. "Our topic is Oliveros here, not Vasquez bierness. Let's connue." Ream just shook his head with a smile. His friends were annoying, but amusing too as well. In a way. "Ano ba'ng gusto niyong malaman? Just ask and I'll answer to sasfy your curiosity." Everyone looked at Ream atly. Ream had always been like that — accommodang and nice, but somemes annoying when he wanted to. Depends on his mood. And today, his mood was accommodang and nice. And when Ream was accommodang and nice, the lunacs always take advantage of it. "So, who's the new ame?" Iuhence asked immediately. "I have no new ame." Ream answered honestly. "Which was shocking," Calyx pointed out. "So shocking because the Ream we know likes hooking up and having a ame." Ream shrugged. "What do you want me to say?" "That maybe you're in love?" Lysander oered. Napailing si Ream sa mga kaibigan. "Yes. I want to see her again, but it's not love." "Hah! So, we're right! There's a ame!" Calyx exclaimed.

 

Cali threw the throw pillow at Calyx and Iuhence. "Stop being nosy motherfuckers. Oliveros already said it's not a ame, so it's not." Iuhence narrowed his eyes suspiciously susp iciously on Ream. "Maybe not a ame, but I'm sure there's a icker." Iuhence was a persistent motherfucker, everyone was used to it already." Shun, who was silent nally spoke. "Let Oliveros be. If he was indeed in love, I'll be the rst one to know." Si Shun ang takbuhan ng magkakaibigan pagdang sa impormasyon na may kinalaman sa mga babaeng kinababaliwan nila. Mahal nga lang ang bayad, pero nawawala ang pagkakuripot ng lahat pagdang sa mga babaeng b abaeng gusto nila. Ream smiled and leaned on his seat leisurely. "I'm a rm believer of 'it it's meant to be, we'll meet again'." Shun snorted. "I can make you meet her in two minutes. Does that make me a cupid?" Ream shook his head. "Shut up, Shun Kim. I will not pay you for anything." Nangangako ang boses ni Ream. Shun snorted again. "Ni-record ko ang sinabi s inabi mo, bud. Nasisiguro kong kakainin mo 'yon." Nagkibit-balikat lang si Ream dahil alam niyang hindi niya kakainin ang sariling salita. "Wait," Becke, who was on the Jacuzzi interject and shouted his queson. Isa rin kasing tsismoso si Furrer. "You said you'll leave it to fate, but I'm curious, how many mes do you have to meet a woman 'coincidentally' for you to consider it 'meant to be'?" Mabilis na sumagot si Ream ng walang pag-aalinlangan. "Three mes in one month." Lahat napanganga kay Ream.

 

"Three mes?!" "In a week?!" Tumango si Ream. "Yep." "And this 'icker', how many mes have you seen her?" Iuhence was too invested already. In short, masyadong tsismoso. Ream shrugged. "Once in Bali." "This month?" Umiling si Ream. "Five months ago." "And she's sll in your mind?" Cali asked. Tumango si Ream. "Yes. Is something wrong with that?" Everyone sighed at Ream. "Bud, one month is enough to forget someone you don't like or have h ave no feelings for." Napailing si Lysander. "Look at me! Nakalimutan ko ba? Hindi na nga ako pumapasok sa trabaho para hindi ko makita." Sa sinabi ni Lysander, napaisip si Ream. "Hmm... it's been ve months since I met her in Bali and she's sll indeed in my mind..." Ream frowned at looked at his friends. "Is that love?" "That's infatuaon." Shun answered. "Because love is when you're terried of the noon that you might lose the person you love. Love is when you can do and will do anything for them. Love is when you want their happiness more than anything else. Love is when you respect their decisions and supports them." When Shun stopped giving love a denion, Reigo added his own denion of love. "Love is full of shit." The single gave Reigo a thumbs up, while the married ones gave Shun a thumbs up.

 

Napailing si Ream sa mga kaibigan. "Maybe I'm infatuated, who knows?" Napailing si Cali. "You're not even bothered?" b othered?" Nagkibit-balikat lang si Ream. "Why would I be? I've witnessed half of our friends fall in love, and it's enough for me to realize that the emoon called love can't be stopped. So why bother ghng it? I'll just go with the ow if it happened." "Wow..." Iuhence clapped his hand. "Bigyan niyo ng jacket si Oliveros." Tumatawa namang bumaling si Calyx kay Lysander. "Nakakahiya naman sa limang taong torpe nang kaibigan." Lysander answered Calyx with a middle nger. "Fuck o." While Cali chuckled at Ream. "Sana hindi mo kainin ang mga sinabi mo." "Ako ang natatakot para sayo, Oliveros." Ani Shun saka ibinalik ang atensiyon sa laptop nito. Hindi pinansin ni Ream ang mga kaibigan saka tumingala sa kisame. Syl... Syl Discarten. Will they meet again? Ream hoped so. Ilang beses na siyang bumalik sa Bali, nagbabakasakaling makikita pa niya ulit si Syl, pero limang buwan na ang lumipas. Pero kahit gusto niyang makita si Syl, hindi rin naman niya alam kung ano ang gagawin. He sll remembered what he did in Bali just so he could talk to Syl. Following her from the club and asking her to hook up. Ream really wanted to smack himself for doing things he hadn't done before just to talk to a woman. What he did bother him, but he was more bothered that when the morning came, Syl le his villa without leaving any means to contact her. She just le without him knowing. That was a hot night, though. I want to do it again.

 

Ream groaned when he remembered his night with Syl and the lower part of him srred. Oh, fuck. Let's not think about it again. Clear your mind, Ream! Clear your mind! Ream let out a loud breath and everyone looked at him. "Want me to look for her?" Shun oered with a wicked grin. Ream laid himself on the long sofa and declined Shun's oer. "Nope. If she was meant for me, then I'll see her again without your help." Shun shrugged. "Your loss. But I accept donaons. At dahil mayaman ka naman, mag-donate ka na lang kung ayaw mong ipahanap 'yong babaeng trip mo." Ream closed his eyes. "Later. I'll send it to you." Shun was grinning from ear to ear as he looked at everyone. "Gayahin niyo si Oliveros. Generous. Mag-donate rin kayo—" Biglang nagkaniya-kaniyang alis ang mga baliw na naroon para takasan si Shun. Ang naiwan lang sa loob ay si Becke na hindi kaagad nakaalis dahil nasa jacuzzi , si Shun na siyang nangungutong at si Ream na nag-donate na. Umiling si Shun. "Mga takot talaga ang mga 'yon sa salitang donaon." Becke snorted. "Sinong hindi matatakot? Hari ng kutong ka." Ngunisi si Shun kay Becke. "Gusto mong mag-donate?" Kaagad na sumama ang mukha ni Becke. "I'm taking a relaxing dip in a Jacuzzi for Christ's sake! Give me a break! Kinutungan mo palang ako last week!" Natawa si Ream sa usapan ng dalawa at nagpatuloy sa pagtutulog-tuluga p agtutulog-tulugan. n. Today was his day o and he wouldn't let anyone ruin his day. AFTER RESTING IN THE BARN, Ream went to his condo to connue enjoying his day o. May bahay naman siya s iya sa Bachelor's Village pero magugulo ang mga

 

kaibigan niya na basta-basta nalang sumusulpot sa bahay niya at kung ano-ano ang mga pinaggagagawa kaya naman mas gusto niya sa condo niya manali. In his condo, it was comfy and peaceful. Just the two things he wanted to rest. But for some reason, he couldn't rest. So he got up, went to his study table and connued the ring he had been sketching and designing for the last ve months. He kept erasing and changing the design of the ring, he couldn't sck to one design and every me it's nished, and he'll looked at it — it felt incomplete. Like something was missing. So, he'll redo it again and again and again and unl now, he sll couldn't make the perfect ring in his mind. Good thing he had other jewelry designers, because if it was just him, his jewelry store might not have a ring to sell anymore. Iyon ang unang beses na hindi siya makagawa ng singsing. The rings he designed doesn't stay on a shelf for long. It's always on demand. From old to new clients, they prefer the jewelry he made. But it's been ve months now since he made a ring. He could make a necklace, bracelet, and other types of jewelry, but not a ring and it was fucking with his head already. Ream clicked his tongue and connued sketching. But he stopped mid-way and  just stared at his sketch. "What the hell am I doing...?" Ream frustratedly run his ngers through his hair and got up. He went to the mini bar in his condo and poured himself a drink. As he jug the liquor down his throat, an image of a woman panng and intertwining their hands together entered his mind. He shook the image o his head, but his mind couldn't stop imagining it. Her moans... her pleas... her lips... her beauful naked body... her legs that was wrapped around his waist the whole night... and her ngers... her delicate and

 

beauful long ngers that touched his body all over and made him cum in more ways than one. Ream massaged his temple and went back to his study table to sketch again. But hours passed and nothing... he couldn't think of anything. He was just staring at his sketchbook. Blank— no, his mind was not blank. It was lled with a face of one woman. It had been going on for ve months that he was geng used and sick of it. Syl... what the hell did you do to me? REAM'S DAYS CONTINUED like that. It had been happening for months and it was frustrang him. So, before he went crazy, he contacted his brother. Perfect ming because Rhe just landed. Kumatok si Ream sa pintuan ng n g hotel room na inuukupa ng nakababatang kapad. A forced small smile appeared on Ream's lips when Rhe opened the door. d oor. "Kuya." Ream peeked inside the hotel room. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?" Rhe chuckled and shook his head, knowing what his brother meant. "I'm alone." Sa narinig, pumasok sa loob ng hotel room ng kapad si Ream saka dumeretso sa sofa at pabagsak na umupo doon. "How's Mom?" Ream asked aer his brother followed him to the living room. Rhe shrugged and dropped himself on the single sofa too. "Happy with her fourth husband in Norway." Ream frowned at Rhe. "What happened to the third one?" "She said he bores her, so, she divorced him."

 

"Mom is the reason why women scare me somemes." Ream blows out a loud breath. "Well, as long as she's happy." "You know, Mom," Rhe sighed. "Always wants to have fun." "And your dad?" "Happy with his new wife. How about your dad, Kuya?" "Busy cruising the word. Last I heard from him, he's in the Caribbean." Silence fell and both sighed heavily. Then Rhe looked at his brother. "What's up, Kuya? You seemed bothered on the phone and seeing you now, you don't look so good." Pumunta si Ream para hingin sana ang opinyon ng kapad, pero hindi niya maibuka ang bibig para magsalita. Bumuntong-hininga si Ream. "It's nothing. I just want to check up on you." Of course, Rhe didn't buy it, but didn't push it either. "Whatever you say. Want some beer?" Kinunotan ni Ream ng nuo ang kapad. "Don't you have work tomorrow?" "Nope. My next ight is three days d ays from now. I'm free. Let's go clubbing." Aya ni Rhe. "Not in the mood." "Come on." Pamimilit ni Rhe saka nilapitan pa nito si Ream at hinila ang kamay para tumayo ito. "Come on. You owe me. I'd been working hard and the least you could do is take me to a club and let me get laid." Ream groaned before he let his lile brother dragged him out of the hotel room. "I'm seriously not in the mood to go clubbing." Ream sighed, but sll entered the elevator with his brother.

 

"Then get laid." "Not in the mood either." Rhe looked at Ream like he lost his head. "Kuya, you sure you're okay? You don't want to get laid? Seriously? You're sll sane?" s ane?" Ream smacked the back of Rhe's head playfully. "Stop annoying me. I said what I said." "Why?" Rhe demanded. "I don't know." "Is it because of a woman?" It took Ream a few seconds before he could deny it. "No." Rhe, seeing through his brother, chuckled. "So someone nally caught your aenon. Who's she?" "Stop annoying me, Rhe." Ream's voice held a warning, but Rhe just laughed. "For you to act like this, Kuya, she dumped you?" Rhe asked, laughing. "How could a woman I just jus t met dumped me?" Rhe shrugged. "Women has lots of reasons to dump men, Kuya. O baka hindi ka lang talaga niya gusto." Ream remembered how Syl begged to take her again and again. "Nope. She liked me. Well... sort of." Rhe laughed again when his brother's condence wavered at the end. "As I said, women have lots of reasons to dump d ump men." Ream glared at his brother who seemed like he was enjoying his misery. So much for asking this bastard's advice. Beer keep it to himself.

 

Napailing nalang si Ream ng akbayan siya ng kapad. Magkasingtangkad lang sila at mas matanda siya pero ang hilig-hilig umakbay ni Rhe sa kaniya na para bang mas matanda ito. "I'm older than you. Get o." Ngumisi lang si Rhe saka hinila palabas ng hotel si Ream. At nang makita nitong inilabas ni Ream ang susi mula sa bulsa, kaagad nitong kinuha iyon sa kamay ni Ream saka tumatawang tumakbo patungo sa sasakyan para ito ang magmaneho. Napailing nalang si Ream saka akmang susundan ang kapad ng may mahagip ang mata niya. Hahakbang na sana si Ream para siguraduhing tama ang nakita niya pero umalis na ang sasakyan. "Kuya? Come on!" Nilingon ni Ream ang kapad na lumabas ng sasakyan para tawagin siya. Kapagkuwan ay tumingin siya sa dereksiyon na nahak ng sasakyan. Was that really Syl, or am I just imagining things? Ream blows a loud breath before rubbing his palms against his face. If that was  just his imaginaon, then he was losing losing it. Who would have thought that a woman could make me go insane?

CHAPTER 2 ISANG MALAKAS na sampal ang tumama sa kaliwang pisngi ni Syl habang nakaupo siya sa pang-isahang sofa sa salas at kaharap ang mga magulang. Ang sampal na 'yon ay galing sa ama niya na galit na galit dahil hindi niya nagawa ang inutos nito sa kaniya. Pero kahit ramdam ni Syl ang sakit, nanali siyang naka-upo n aka-upo at ininda ang sakit sa pisngi niya. Walang emosyon na kumawala sa mukha niya. She was used to this. This was nothing new.

 

"Napaka-simple ng pinapagawa ko!" Singhal ng ama niya. "Ilang buwan na kayong kasal ni Izaak pero nahihirapan ka pa ring kumuha ng pera?! Hindi ba sabi s abi ko sayo na pagsilbihan mo siya?! Kung kailangan mong lumuhod para lang paligayahin siya at makakuha ka ng pera, gawin mo! Ano sa ngin mo ang rason kung bakit ka naming pinakasal sa kaniya?" Her father clicked his tongue in annoyance. "The only good thing about you is your prey face, Dinsyl. Other than that, you have nothing. So, go back to your house now and use that prey face to get some money!" "Yes, Dad." Syl quietly replied and stood up. Hindi pa siya tuluyang nakakalabas ng salas ng may humawak sa braso niya. Ang ina niya 'yon. And Syl knew her hell was about to connue. "Syl, please understand your father." Anang ina sa nangungusap sa boses. "Kailangan lang talaga nan ng pera para sa s a kompaniya. Nag-invest kasi ang Dad mo at hanggang ngayon, hindi pa bumabalik ang investment niya. Just hang in there, okay? I'm sure Izaak will give you money, especially if you asked him in bed." Syl wanted to vomit in disgust and shove her mother away from her, but she remained emoonless and docile. Walang magandang mangyayari kung magwawala siya. Mas mahihirapan lang siya lalo. All she sh e needs to do was listen and get money from Izaak. Easily said than done. Aer she stole some money from Izaak a few months ago, Izaak had been suspicious of her and nasty. Syl understood why Izaak was treang her badly, but she sll couldn't help herself from hang him because he was the personicaon of her hell. Every me she sees Izaak, all her misery since s ince they came back from Bali came crashing in, overwhelming her unl she couldn't breath anymore. 'Get money from Izaak. Seduce Izaak. Sleep with Izaak and ask money while you're pleasing him. Izaak is rich and we need his money. Kneel if that's what

 

Izaak wanted.' Hearing this again and again and again made Syl hate the name Izaak and the person who owned it. She wanted to scream all her frustraon and misery, but she had to remain prim and proper or her mother will discipline her. "I will, Mom," was all Syl said and stepped out of the house and went to hail a taxi. Sing on the back seat of the taxi, Syl hold her tears in. No used to cry, it couldn't change anything. It couldn't change the fact that she had no car, no money for herself, no means to earn money and that she was a thief. She was a broke and miserable house wife. So many days she was tempted to call her sister and asked for help. But if Ria found out and came home, their parents might abused her too. I'll sleep beer if it's just me who's suering. Ria was now a successful Pilot. She shouldn't disturb her. I sll can endure. It was just a slap. I can x it with a cold compress and make up. Nang makarang ang taxi sa harap ng bahay na inuukupa nil ani Izaak, nagbayad siya at lumabas na. Bu may nara pa sa kakarampot niyang savings nuong nagtatrabaho pa siya. Kahit papaano, may pambayad p ambayad pa siya sa taxi. Nang makapasok sa kabahayan, kaagad siyang bina ni 'Nay Koring. Tumango lang siya at dumeretso sa kuwarto nilang mag-asawa. Izaak seldom comes home and stay so it was her room. Opening her closet to change, Syl sighed at the clothes she had. Everything was hand picked by her mother. She was advised to be a dainty and demure woman, because it was more appealing she said, it would be more sexier she said – a demure woman with a wild side could seduce Izaak easy, she said. Syl bit her lower lips to stop her tears from falling. She sucked it in and went to the bathroom. When she stepped out, she was surprised to see her husband husb and

 

inside the room, but she was not surprised to see him packing. I'm sure he's going to the island again. Taking a deep breath, Syl readied herself and sat on the edge of the bed. I can't and won't seduce him, but I can do other things. She didn't want to be hit by her father anymore the next me she's called. She didn't want to be slapped and talk down to again. She just needs a lile break and she could lie and pretend  just to get that break. When Izaak saw his wife crying, he blows a loud irritated breath knowing what's coming next. Her annoying speech and her guilt tripping. And he was right. When Syl opened her mouth, her annoying speech started. "I need money, Izaak and I won't let you say no." She glared at him while crying. "If you hadn't agreed to this marriage, we wouldn't be here in the rst place. If you didn't agree, I would be sll working, providing for myself, but because you agreed, I was kicked out! I need money! Not allowance, but money! I'm your wife!" Izaak gried his teeth and throw a signed and blank cheque at Syl. "Beat yourself up." Zipping his duel bag, he stormed out of the room and le his wife inside. Meanwhile, Syl dried her tears when Izaak le the room and her eyes seled on the cheque Izaak threw on the oor. Bing her lips and swallowing all her pride, she leaned down and picked up the cheque. She wanted nothing more than to crumpled it, but she calmed herself and thought of the amount that would not bother Izaak, but would keep her parents happy for a while. Genuine tears fell from her eyes. One by one. One tear aer another unl un l she could no longer breath and had to breathe through the paper bag that she always kept from her bag just in case. Alone in that cold room, Syl was on the oor, breathing deeply and heavily through the paper bag to calm down and stay breathing and alive.

 

GIVING THE CHEQUE to her parents, Syl felt relieved when she saw them happy. Happy parents meant no pain for her – no slap and painful words. And that was enough to make Syl happy. It was more than enough. "I should go," Syl said and stood up. "I need to return to Izaak's house." Her father smiled, pleased. "Yes. Take care of Izaak. Give him whatever he needs, even if you have to bend and beg." Syl just nodded silently and le, but when her mother followed her outside, she had a bad feeling already. And she was always right. "Syl." Nilingon ni Syl ang ina. "Yes, Mom?" "Thank you for giving money to your father." Napakabait ng boses nito, napakalambing, pero alam na alam ni Syl ang nakakalason na ugali ng ina. "He needs it. And now, it's my turn to ask, right?" Nang hindi sumagot si Syl, humigpit ang hawak ng ina nito sa braso nito na parang gusng baliin 'yon. "Nuong huli akong bumisita sa bahay ni Izaak, maraming mamahaling kagamitan kagamitan doon. There's this beauful base that is surely expensive. Why don't you sell it and buy me the luxury bag I'd been hoping to get my hands on? Ayaw bilhin ng dad mo para sakin ang bag, pero mayroon na ang kumare ko. Hindi puwedeng wala ako ng bag na 'yon kaya naman sayo ko nalang hihilingin. Madali lang naman 'di ba 'nak? Mas mahirap pa ang ipanganak ka at alagaan. I gave up my freedom for you, you know that, right, Syl? You owe me that much." Syl could feel a searing pain from her arm that was being gripped ghtly by her mother and seeing how her mother will react if she said no, Syl nodded. "I'll see what I can do, Mom." Kaagad na ngumi ang ina at niyakap si Syl. Syl hugged her back, but it was a forceful movement. "Sige, Mom. Alis na ako."

 

Her mother was grinning from ear to ear. "Okay. Ingat ka. By the way, 'nak, I want the bag the day aer tomorrow. May pupuntahan akong party. I have to be glamorous." Tumango lang si Syl saka lumabas ng bahay at doon lang siya nakahinga ng mawasay. Kapagkuwan ay kinuha niya ang wallet sa bag niya at napabuntonghininga ng makitang ilang libo nalang 'yon at hindi niyon kayang bilhin ang bag na gusto ng ina niya. Syl sighed. Do I have to sell Izaak's furniture? Mapapansin ba nito? Palagi naman 'yon wala sa bahay. Syl felt bad, but she had no me to feel bad for others. If selling that vase and buying her mother the bag she wanted would keep her arm stayed whole and not broken, then she'll sell it. Taking a deep breath, she le her parents' house and waited for a taxi. Nang halos kalahang oras na siyang naghihintay pero wala pa p a ring dumadaan, sinubukan niyang kumuha ng taxi online, pero hindi pa rin siya kaagad nakahanap, kaya naman nag-umpisa siyang maglakad habang naghihintay ng driver na tatanggap sa booking niya. She could ask her parents to drive her home, but it would be too suocang for her that she'll rather take a taxi. Syl took a deep breath and look up at the sky to stop her tears from falling. This is nothing. Kaya ko 'to. Pangungumbinsi niya sa sarili habang pinipigilan ang maluha. Wala namang mangyayari kung iiyak siya. Hindi masi-resolba ng luha luh a niya ang problema niya. Sa mga sandalling 'yon, nasa isip niya ang tumakbo. Tumakbo ng malayongmalayo sa mga magulang niya. Pero wala siya ng lakas ng loob. Natatakot siya. Hindi dahil hindi niya kaya kundi dahil sa kaparusahan na matatanggap niya kapag nahuli siya ng mga magulang niya. She already tried running away once. When Ria ran away, she followed her example and ran away too – to escape. But her father caught her h er before she could

 

put a great distance between them and what happened next was the reason why she never tried to run away again. Even if it killed her, she's not going to run away again. Huminga ng malalim si Syl saka pilit na inalis sa ala-ala ang nangyari sa nakaraan at kalmadong tumingin siya sa screen ng cellphone niya. Wala pa ring tumatanggap sa booking niya at wala pa ring taxi na bakante na dumaan. Syl didn't connue her booking and connued walking towards the highway. It was hot, she was sweaty, but she didn't care. She just wanted to go home and rest. Then out of nowhere, a car pulled over beside her. Syl didn't look nor stop, she hastened her steps unl she heard a familiar so baritone voice calling her name. "Syl?" Syl stopped and the car moved to catch up to her then pulled over beside her. "Syl." Syl calmly turned to face the car and unconsciously stepped back when she saw who it was – a man she never expected to see ever again. Ream Oliveros. The window on the driver's seat was rolled down and there he was, the rst choice she made for herself, smiling nicely at her like he was happy and pleased to see her. "I was right," Ream's smile widened even more, his whole face brightening in delight. "I know it's you. How could I forget?" A frown made its way to Ream's eyebrows when he saw Syl being quiet. Dierent from the Syl he met in Bali – the outspoken Syl. The Syl in front of him looked afraid and wary of him. Did I scare her for popping out of nowhere? Ream didn't want that, but it was not his fault either! He was just driving back to his store aer delivering a ring to a

 

new big client and he saw her on the sidewalk. Just like that. Akala niya namamalikmata lang siya kaya inigil niya ang sasakyan. "Did I do something s omething to scare you?" Ream couldn't help asking. Syl just shook her head without saying anything. What happened to her? For some reason, he was worried. "May I drive you?" That didn't sound right. "To your desnaon, I mean." Syl stared at Ream. Her rst choice was asking her, like her decision and answer maers. Why does his queson sounds so foreign to me? Was it because he was asking and waing for my reply like it maered? "Do you want to have coee with me?" Ream tried again. He just didn't want to let Syl go. He had been looking— no, he, um, had been hoping to see her for a few months now, so to just let her go now didn't sit well with him. "No. I don't want to." Syl replied aer a lile while. "Oh." Well, Ream would be happy if the answer was 'yes', but a no was a no. A lot can happen in six months. "May I at least get your number?" Syl shook her head. "No." Ream lips parted, stunned at Syl's straighorward answer, but he managed to pull himself together. He was not expecng that. He thought Syl would be happy to see him, aer that night they shared? But maybe it was just him making something up in his head. Maybe she didn't enjoy it like he did. "I'm sorry for approaching you." Ream blurted out when he realized that maybe it was just him who enjoyed that night. She le before he woke up aer all. "I'll get going now. Take care of yourself, Syl." Syl nodded, but didn't reply and just watched him drive o. Looking at Syl through the side mirror, Ream sighed and massage his ghtening chest. He went back to Bali hoping to see her, he talks about fate and coincidental

 

meeng, but he couldn't deny that he was looking for her. And now that he nally saw her, she didn't want him. Plain and simple. I guess... it's not meant to be. Oh, fuck, I need a drink. Ream needed a drink, Syl didn't want to see him again, but he sll parked his car near Syl, with just enough distance that she wouldn't noce. At mula sa sasakyan niya, mayaga siyang naghintay hanggang sa makasakay si Syl ng taxi. At nang madaanan siya ng taxi na kinalululanan ni Syl, naghintay siya ng ilang segundo hanggang sa hindi na niya matanaw ang sasakyan, saka lang niya pinausad ang sariling sasakyan at nagmaneho pabalik sa jewelry store niya. He thought today was going to be a good day because fate nally let him h im met Syl, but it was the opposite. It was one of the worst days of his life.

CHAPTER 3 SYL KNEW SHE SHOULD feel something aer seeing Ream Oliveros again, but at that moment, she felt nothing towards the man she chose to be with in Bali. Maybe because there was nothing to be happy about. So, what if she saw Ream again? So, what if he was sll nice? She's married and if she tried anything, her parents would skin her alive. And it's not like she had a chance of happiness with Ream. There's nothing for her but misery and Ream couldn't save her from that. If Ream found out that she was married, he'll leave her, and it'll be another pain in her life that she didn't need. Hindi niya kailangan ng isa pang tao na magbibigay at magpaparamdam sa kaniya ng sakit. Tama na 'yong mga taong nasa palaigid niya ngayon. At least with them, she was already used to it and knew how to defend herself from them. That's what Syl thinks, but a few days later, she met Ream again at a charity ball her mother was invited to. She was not supposed to go, but her mother insisted, said she needed someone with her since her father didn't want to go. So Syl wore

 

the dress her mother chose for her – a dress that covers her shoulders, arms, and legs— and aended the charity ball. And there he was. Ream Oliveros. In the esh. And through the night, aer socializing, and listening to gossip, she learned that Ream Oliveros was invited by the young CEO of Morgania Industry, Holly Morgan. And that's where Syl also learned who Ream Oliveros was. A famous jeweler. One of the most sought aer and it looked like Holly Morgan was aer him. Gustong umiwas ni Syl, pero ng mapansing gusto rin siyang iwasan ni Ream, hindi na siya nagtangka pa at tahimik na sinamahan ang ina sa charity ball. Her forced smile was plastered on her lips the whole night and her smile was starng to crack aer a while. She was geng sick of it, so she excused herself, earning a subtle glare from her mother that she ignored, and went to the terrace to take a break and breathe. Panay ang hinga ng malalim ni Syl ng may tumabi sa kaniya sa terasa. "Tired of forcing yourself to smile?" Ream's baritone voice lled her ear and she unconsciously stepped away from him, and it didn't go unnoced. "Am I that scary or do you just dislike me?" Don't do anything, Syl. Pagkausap niya sa sarili. Don't start something that will hurt you in the end. She kept her mouth shut and didn't answer Ream. Sensing that Syl didn't want to talk, Ream sighed and looked at the garden below the terrace. "I looked for you when you le me that morning." Ream confessed because it might be the last me that he'll see her. "I went back to Bali hoping that I'll see you there again, but no luck." Ream took a deep breath and sipped a drink from his wine glass. "I guess it's not just a one-me thing for me like I wanted to believe. I mean, if I'm not that into you, ve months is more than enough to forget you." Ream chuckled as if something was humorous. "But here I am, approaching you knowing that you don't like it. I'm sorry, Syl. I just can't help it."

 

Syl hardened her resolved to not do something that will end badly for her – because everything she does for the sake of her happiness always ends badly. And she was sick of hoping that she'll nd her happiness only to be crushed and stomped at the end. I'm red of hoping that I'll be happy. "Syl, I—" "So, you're here!" Holly exclaimed when she entered the terrace and saw Ream. When Syl heard Holly's voice, she immediately le the terrace and went back to her mother. In her mind, she was roong for Ream and Holly. The two deserved each other. Both young, wealthy, and free. Compared to Holly, she has nothing, not even a penny for herself. "Saan ka ba nagpunta?" May gigil sa boses ng ina pero hindi lang nito pinahalata at nanali itong nakangi. "Nagpahangin lang, Ma." Aniya. Her mother rolled her eyes. "I told you not to leave my side. You saw my 'kumare's' daughters, right? Prim, proper and prey. Hindi puwedeng matalo nila ako. Hamak na mas maganda ka naman keysa sa mga 'yon." Hindi na lang umalma si Syl dahil hindi naman makikinig sa kaniya ang ina. "Syl, this party is for charity. Why don't you donate?" Syl couldn't help looking at her mother in disbelief. Anong ibibigay niya? Wala siyang pera! Gusto niyang isigaw 'yon sa ina pero kinimkim niya nalang 'yon sa sarili niya. "Ma, wala akong pera." Her mother clicked her tongue. "Dinsyl, we can't let these people get ahead of us. Kung wala kang pera diyan, ayos lang. Just write a cheque and put a fund on your account tomorrow. Izaak is rich. You can always ask him for money."

 

Umiling si Syl. "Ma, wala talaga akong pera at ayokong—" "Hush!" Her mother hissed at her. "Write a cheque now!" "But mom—" "Do you want to be disciplined again, Dinsyl?" Mabilis na umiling si Syl na may kakabit na takot. "No, Ma." Her mother smiled soly. "Then write a cheque." Syl wanted to say no but remembering the discipline she'll endure if she said no, her cold hands reached for her cheque book in her clutch bag and wrote a cheque that will bounce if she didn't put a fund on her account tomorrow. I have to do something. Fast! Syl handed the cheque to the organizer and as she turned around, her eyes unconsciously locked with Ream, who was staring at her while Holly was beside b eside her. He oered a smile, but Syl looked away and returned to her mother. Seeing Syl treang him like they didn't know each other, Ream sighed heavily, and it didn't go unnoced to Holly. "Are you okay, Ream?" Holly caressed Ream's shoulder aeconately. "Do you need something? I'll provide it for you. Anything at all." Ream smiled and shook his head slightly. "I'm just not feeling well." He lied. "Oh my," Holly immediately became worried. "I'll drive you to your home." "No need, Holly." Ream smile was polite, like his smiles towards his clients. "A friend of mine is picking me up. Excuse me for a minute." When Ream turned to excuse himself, h imself, Holly was annoyed that her advances were not working. Looks like I have to work my charm.

 

Turning his back on Holly, Ream pulled his phone from his pocket and called Sanford. "I'm busy, you know." 'Yon kaagad ang sinabi ni Khairro ng sagun nito ang tawag. Ream shook his head as he entered the terrace. "I feel so loved, Sanford." "Fuck o. I'm on duty." Ream smiled. "Could you pick me up?" "Hell no—" "So, does that mean you're giving me permission to drive under the inuence of alcohol?" "Hell no!" Sanford hissed. "You, motherfucker! Subukan mo, ikukulong kita." Ream chuckled. "You're the nearest friend I know, and I really need someone to pick me up since I'm not feeling well." Kaagad na nakuha ni Sanford ang ibig sabihin ni Ream na kaagad itong ikinatawa. Sanford was always like that, laughing at someone's misery. Well, all his friends are. "You're declining a woman now?" Ream shrugged. "I'm not into her." He turned around and from the terrace, he looked at Syl who was talking to a middle-aged woman. "I'm into someone else." Sanford whistled. "Damn, Oliveros. Didn't know you are smooth like buer." Mahinang natawa si Ream habang nakangin pa rin kay Syl. "How I wish I am." "Damn, man. You're really into someone?" Paniniguro ni Khairro. "Why? Itsi-tsismis mo sa iba?" Khairro chuckled and didn't even deny. "I need facts before I spread it to our friends, so come clean now." Napailing si Ream sa kaibigan. "Just pick me up. I'll send you the address. Bye!"

 

Hindi na hinintay ni Ream ang sagot ni Khairro, pinatayan niya ito ng tawag dahil alam niyang susunduin naman siya nito. Though if it was Thorn Th orn he called, there was no guarantee. That asshole was a mean motherfucker. Leaning his back on the terrace, his eyes found Syl again. She looked distraught while talking to the same middle-aged woman again. Is that her mother? Ream sighed. I should've asked around about her. But Ream was not inclined to do so because it felt like he was invading Syl's privacy if he asked someone else about her. Because if she wanted him to know about her, she'll tell him, right? Napabuntong-hininga ulit si Ream. Should I ask for advice from my married friends? Zapanta was the rst one to get married, and at an early age at that. Should I give him a call? Hindi nagpadalos-dalos si Ream. Inisip muna niya kung sino sa mga kaibigan niya ang pinagdaanan na ang sitwasyon niya ngayon at kung sinong kaibigan niya ang makakatulong sa kaniya. Ream knew Zapanta met his wife through his mother's friend, and they hit it o. Well... I'm prey sure my mother doesn't know Syl's mother. Then, Vergara kidnapped his wife— that's illegal, so I'm not doing that. Wolkzbin met his wife through arranged marriage. Train didn't like it at rst, but aer what happened to his father, he agreed. My father is healthy as a horse and he believed in freedom when it comes to choosing life partners, so that's not going to happen to me. Then there's Lander. Vienna le him and then came back aer. Lander was a mess and in denial about it, but they sll got together. Well, I'm not in denial, so... yeah. Not for me. Vargaz, maybe? He was so into Etheyl that he accepted her and her child that turns out to be his in the end. What a small world, but not for me either. Ream looked at Syl's stomach. Nothing in there and I used protecon. How about Montero? Ream was sure that Dark had a crush on his wife rst before they formally met. And aer his wife broke it o with her ex-ancé, Dark

 

swooped in and the rest was history. Well, I denitely nd Syl aracve when I saw her in the bar in Bali. Hmm... okay, I'll put Dark rst on my 'who-to-call' list. Then there's Stroam who had weird and crazy wife, so he's o his list. Shun Kim was also o his list since Ream knew what Shun will do if he called. Rather than advice, Shun will surely give him info that he had to pay. I don't want that. I want to know Syl personally. And the Coleman twins. I'm prey sure what happened to Lash will not happen to me, and I have no plan on kidnapping someone, like what Lath and Iuhence did. Ream didn't even know why their wives married them. They've been kidnapped for Pete's sake. Thinking that, Ream sent a chat to their 'MALALAKI AT MAHAHABA GROUP CHAT'. Ream Oliveros: @IuhenceVergara @LathColeman @LathColeman I thought about something. Your wives should have sued your asses for kidnapping, rather than marry you two. Just saying  Iuhence Vergara:  Lash Coleman:  Ream shrugged at the motherfuckers reply and connued dissecng his friends love life in his head while comparing it to his situaon. Volkzki hate Spain and Japan, but he's now married to a half-Spanish and halfJapanese woman. Hmm... not for me either since his wife was so innocent. That leaves Sudalga and Ylmaz. Not for me either. But I guess I could give them a call for random advice? Especially Sudalga. He got it hard. And Evren's wife was feisty. Maybe he could ask Ylmaz how to handle a woman like that. Syl was not feisty, but she didn't want to talk to him. Ream let out a loud breath and inwardly groaned when he h e saw Holly followed him to the terrace. If she was not a new big client, he wouldn't be polite to her advances.

 

"Are you feeling well now?" Holly asked him. Ream shook his head. "Not really, but I'll be ne." "You can rest in my room if you want while waing for your friend to pick you up." Holly oered with a smile. Ream's eyes seled on Syl again. She was pretending to smile again. "I can't. My friend is already on his way." "Oh. Well, um, do you want to have dinner someme?" She just doesn't give up, huh? "My schedule is packed, so I can't say when I will be free." "I can wait." Ream didn't want to be rude, but he also didn't want to give Ms. Morgan any hope that he might be interested. Facing Ms. Morgan, he gave it to her straight. "I'm actually into someone else and I want it to work with her, so I'm sorry." But Holly was not fazed and smiled more irtaously while running the p of her ngers against his chest. "I can be your dirty lile secret. She'll never know." "But I'll know and I'm not that kind of guy." Ream carefully pushed Holly's hand away. "I'm sorry." "What if I told you I won't buy from your jewelry store anymore?" Holly became haughty, trying to use her 'client' card on Ream. Ream shrugged, unaected. "If that's what you want, I can't really force you." Holly's face contorted in annoyance that she couldn't get what she wanted— Ream Oliveros. "Ano ba'ng mayroon ang babaeng gusto mo na wala ako? Is she preer than me? Wealthier? More successful? Good in bed?" Ream smiled and didn't answer Holly's provocave quesons. "I'm sorry. I can't answer that, but I can tell you that she has my whole aenon and my aecon, so, I can't do it with you. Excuse me."

 

Ream le Holly on the terrace and entered the hall. He wanted nothing more than to approach and talk to Syl again, but knowing how vicious some women could be when they couldn't get what they wanted, he didn't approach Syl to keep her away from Holly. Instead, he stepped out of the house and waited for Sanford in his car. A moment later, Ream felt like his world came alive when he saw Syl exing the house with a middle-aged woman she was with the whole night. But his world turned dark when he saw the woman slapped Syl. Hard. "What the..." His world turned even darker when he saw Syl raised her hands at up to her waist level and the middle-aged woman took o her high-heeled shoe and smashed the heel on the back of Syl's hand. Ream inched, but Syl didn't even react. As if it was nothing. As if she was used to it. Fuck! Furious at what he just witnessed, Ream stepped out from his car, but Syl and the woman already stepped inside a white Mercedes and before he could reach the car, it was already driving out of the drive away. "Damn it!" Ream hurriedly returned to his car, planning to follow the white Mercedes, but before he could leave the driveway, a lunac blocked his way. It was none other than Khairro Sanford, the one he called to pick him up. Pero wala siyang oras para kay Sanford, kaya binusinahan niya ito para umalis sa harapan ng sasakyan niya, pero ang gago, inilabas ang posas nito at nginian siya. Groaning, Ream stopped his car and stepped out. "Move!" "DUI, my friend. Sorry." And then the motherfucker just slapped the handcus on his wrist. Ream was too speechless at what happened that he let Sanford put him on the passenger seat and Sanford drove. And to her surprised, Sanford drove to where the Mercedes went.

 

"Thanks," ani Ream na naka-posas pa rin. "I don't accept thanks. Tell me I'm amazing." Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Khairro. "Bakit parang labas sa ilong ang pagkakasabi mo?" "Maybe because it is?" Khairro clicked his tongue. "Whatever. I know I'm amazing." Ream didn't comment on that and just look ahead while remembering what he saw in the parking lot. Was that why she wouldn't even talk to me? She's being abused? Ream didn't know what he could do for Syl, but he will surely do something for her. The queson was, would Syl accept it?

CHAPTER 4 "SAAN KA pupunta?" Tanong ni Khairro sabay pigil kay Ream na akmang lalabas ng sasakyan ng iparada iyon ni Khairro di kalayuan sa bahay na pinasukan ng ng Mercedes-Benz na sinundan ng dalawa. "You realized you're in handcus, right? And you'll be trespassing?" Ream sighed and faced Khairro. "I just saw the woman I'm into being abused and you want me to sit here? You should be arresng that middle-aged woman who slapped her!" Hindi mapigilan ni Ream ang galit na nararamdaman niya. "I saw it, Sanford. I can tesfy!" Nawala ang atensiyon ni Ream kay Khairro ng umiiling ng makitang bumukas ang gate ng bahay kung saan pumasok ang Mercedes-Benz na sinusundan nila at lumabas doon si Syl. And seeing Syl caressing her face made Ream snapped.

 

He didn't care if he was in handcu. Ang gusto lang niya sa pagkakataong 'yon ay matulungan si Syl. Pero ng makita siya ni Syl, awtomako itong humakbang paatras na para bang natatakot ito sa kaniya. "Syl." Ream's anger doubled when he saw her swollen. "Your face..." Syl consciously turned her face to hide h ide it from Ream and calmly spoke to Ream like she was okay. "What are you doing here?" "I followed you." Ream didn't care if Syl was wary of him, he h e stepped closer to inspect her swollen face. "I swear, I have no plans to follow you around and harass you, I'm not like that. But I saw what that woman did to you in the parking lot." Aer cupping Syl's face soly, Ream turned his h is aenon to her bruised hands. "I saw her..." When ream looked up to look at Syl, she looked so pale as if scared before she pulled her hands away from Ream. "Naipit lang ang kamay ko sa pintuan kaya nagkapasa ako. This is nothing. You shouldn't have come here." Syl was embarrassed that Ream saw that part of h her er life, but what's done was done and all she knew was lie. "Please go, Ream. I'm ne." "How could you be ne, Syl?" Ream snapped s napped at Syl. "You're being abused! I know you just met me and I'm praccally a stranger, but I can help you—" "No need to help me. I'm ne. This bruise is my doing." d oing." Kalmado pa ring sagot ni Syl. "This is nothing. You should leave." "It's not nothing—" "Syl? Who are you talking to?" A so woman's voice asked from behind the closed gate. "Just a homeless person, Ma." Pagsisinungaling ni Syl saka para itong nagpa-panic na nulak palayo si Ream at pabulong na nakiusap. "Please, leave. Please..." pagmamakaawa nito. "Please, Ream..."

 

Seeing Syl looking desperate and in panic while begging, Ream stepped back, but not before pung his calling card on Syl palm. "If you need anything— anything at all. Call me. Anyme. Anywhere. I'll be there." Hearing footsteps from behind the gate, Ream backed away and ran back to his car, while Syl faced her mother who opened the gate to check on Syl. "Syl, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sayon a huwag kang makikipag-usap sa mga pulubi?" "Sorry, Ma." Nagbaba ng ngin si Syl. "Ma, puwede ba'ng dito na muna ako matulog? Gabi na kasi at delikado sa daan." "Of course, sweetheart." Her mother smiled fondly. "Ikaw lang naman itong gustong-gusto na sa bahay niyo matulog." Syl showed her mother a grateful smile before she went back inside. But before that, she slid Ream's calling card to her pocket, instead of throwing it away. She didn't know why she wanted to hang onto it... maybe it was his earnest promise that he could help. Once again, she was starng to hope. "WHAT HAPPENED?" Tanong ni Khairro kay Ream ng makabalik ito sa sasakyan. Nakita ni Khairro ang nangyari sa labas ng gate, pero nagtanong pa rin siya para mas malinawan sa nasaksihan. "She said she's ne." Ream looked lost and bothered while blankly looking at the air. "But she's not, Sanford. She's not ne! Her face is swollen, and her hands are bruised, she was hell bent on making me believe that it was her doing!" Khairro kept his mouth shut and just let Ream let out his anger and frustraon. "I oered help, but she didn't want it. Why?" Ream couldn't grasp why Syl pushed him away. "I can help..." "Some abused vicms are so used to being abused that they think it's normal when it's not." Khairro nally gave it straight to Ream that made Ream snapped

 

his eyes at Sanford. "It's the ugly truth, bud. Especially here in our country. Abuse vicms tend to keep the pain and suering to themselves because they believed that no one could and will help them. And somemes, it's not about that at all, it's more about their fear— fear that if they tried to get help, they'll be hurt more. "Most people always thinks that 'it's a family maer, I shouldn't intervene' so some neighbors and other people usually just let the abuse happen, without doing anything, even if they were witnessing it in their own eyes. But abused is not just a family maer. It's a crime." "What can I do then? You can't exactly arrest them now since Syl was adamant on making me believe that she's ne and that her bruises are her own doing. I'm sure that's what she'll tell you too, if you barged in there." Hindi ito ang unang beses para kay Khairro na makatagpo ng bikma na pinoprotektahan ang mga umaabuso rito lalo na kapag pamilya p amilya ang mga ito. "Oliveros, in my line of work, I've seen the bad and the worst, and trust me, these vicms of abuse— with what they're going through, what they need is someone to rely on, someone they could depend, someone they could talk to, someone they could trust, someone who understands them, someone who will be there for them and not abandon them when they need them the most, someone who could educate them that what they're going through is not normal nor right and it's not their fault, and also someone that could encourage them to be brave b rave to face their fears. It's not enough just to be nice, but it's a good start. It's a long process of healing, my friend. It's not that easy." Ream became speechless. "And seeing the woman pushed you away like she was scared," Khairro sighed. He didn't want to say it, but if Ream was serious about that woman, he should know. "I think this has been going on for a while now. I can't tell how long, but enough to insll fear in her heart." Ream felt depleted and defeated. "She was scared..." he muered as she remembered Syl's face while begging him to leave, "I felt her fear..." Ream turned

 

to Khairro. "Wala ba talaga akong magagawa para sa kaniya? I don't care if she didn't like me back, it doesn't maer, I just want her safe and happy. That's all I want." "Even I can't do anything and I'm a Police ocer." Khairro sighed. "For us to be able to help her, she needs to want our help." Ream became silent before he sighed and spoke. "I gave her my number... do you think she'll call?" Khairro shrugged. "Pray that she will." "Yeah. I'll do that." Ream took a deep breath. "Drive me to the nearest church. I'll pray there." Mahinang natawa si Khairro pero pinausad pa rin nito ang sasakyan at pinagmaneho si Ream patungo sa pinakamalapit na simbahan. GOD DIDN'T ANSWER Ream's prayer. Syl didn't text nor n or call. He also stopped meeng her coincidentally. He passed by her house a couple of mes, hoping that he'll see Syl outside, but no luck. His worries remained, but he couldn't do anything about it. Syl didn't like him. She made it clear, so to have this unrequited aecon... he didn't know what to do with it. Ilang beses na niyang naisip na tawagan si Shun para ipahanap si Syl, pero palagi niyang napipigilan ang sarili dahil wala namang magbabago kung mahahanap nito si Syl, at nasisiguro niyang mahahanap nito ang dalaga. Ayaw sa kaniya ni Syl at ayaw niyang ipilit ang sarili rito. Should I move on? But how does someone move on from these feelings? This was his rst me feeling like this towards a woman. He had no idea how to move on. Ream knew he needed help, so s o he called the rst name of his 'who-to-call' list. Dark Montero. "I'm with my wife so this beer be important." Iyon kaagad ang lumabas sa bibig ni Dark ng sagun ang tawag ni Ream.

 

"Sorry to bother you," Ream sighed. "I can call later." Kaagad na naramdaman ni Dark na nasa hindi maayos na kalagayan si Ream ng marinig ang boses nito. "You okay, bud?" "... I don't know." Dark frowned. "You're not hurt, are you?" "What...?" "Hurt." Ulit ni Dark saka hinalikan nito sa nuo ang asawang si Anniza bago lumabas ng kusina para kausapin ng maayos si Ream. "You know, hurt like physically or mentally?" "No, not really." Ream, on the other line, touch his chest where his heart was. "... But, I'm not doing well emoonally, Montero Montero." ." "What happened?" Mabilis na tanong ni Dark. "Is this because of 'Syl'?" Ream slled and frowned. "How did you—" "I read the chats, Oliveros." Dark explained. "Nakalimutan mo na ba'ng b a'ng mga tsismoso ang mga kaibigan nan." "Oh." "Yep. Sanford said that this 'Syl' didn't like you and you are sulking." "'Yon lang ang sinabi niya?" "Yep. Is there more?" "No." Ream silently thanked Sanford for not telling their friends about Syl being abused. "I just... I called because I want to ask something." "Sure. Fire away." "How do you move on?"

 

Nagilan si Dark sa tanong ni Ream kapagkuwan ay nagsalubong ang kilay nito. "Move on? Like, you want to let go and forget about her?" "Yeah." "Why? I mean, you're not going to woo her at least?" Humilig si Ream sa likod ng upuan niya habang nakangin sa hindi matapos-tapos na singsing na ini-sketch niya. "Montero, if you persistently wooed a woman who likes you, it's called romanc. But if you persistently wooed a woman who doesn't like you, it's called stalking, and, in my case... It's going to be stalking. My presence makes Syl uncomfortable, I could see that, so yeah, I have to move on from these feelings, but I don't know how so, help I need your help." Napangiwi si Dark sa hinihinging tulong ng kaibigan. "Oliveros, you do know that I have feelings for my wife before she formally met me, right?" "Yeah. So?" "It means I don't know how to move on, and I can't help you." Ream blows a loud breath. b reath. "Do you know someone who can?" "Denitely not one of those lunacs," said Dark then clicked his tongue. "Maybe Google can help you." Ream grimaced and spoke with sarcasm. "Geez, thanks, Montero. Such a big help." Dark chuckled before he became serious. "I think everyone has their own way of moving on, bud. You just have to nd yours." "And if I can't?" "You'll go crazy." Ream sighed heavily and cancelled the call aer bidding b idding goodbye. Dark was right though. Wala akong aasahan sa mga kaibigan ko. Kung tsismos siguro, may aasahan pa siya.

 

So, Ream turned to Dark's second suggeson. Google. 'Hot to move on from someone you like?' was Ream queson in the search bar. And seeing the result, he could only groan because every arcle had something to do with moving on from an ex. But Syl is not my ex. So, he changed the queson to 'how to get over someone you never dated'. Ream wanted to smack himself at how humorous this situaon was. Taking a deep breath, he opened the rst arcle, and the rst advice was, stop irng. And that made Ream frown. Stop irng? Really? I haven't even done that. Ream dragged his eyes to the second advice. Stop fantasizing. Ream combed his hair with his ngers. Does remembering what happened in Bali counts? Oh, fuck! Third advice. Stop reading the texts? Ream blinked blankly at the arcle. "She never texted me. Not even once, you son of a bitch!" Angrily, he closed his laptop and went to the mini bar to pour himself a drink. Yep. That's what I need. A fucking drink. Why was this happening to him, anyway? He tried his best to be a good man. He never cheated anyone. He always tries his best to be honest as he possibly can. So why was this happening? Blowing a loud breath, instead of pouring himself a drink, he drank straight from the bole. Booms up. And then, he grabs another bole of liquor and nished it too. Alone. Ream lost count on how many boles of liquor he consumed, but he didn't lose count on how much he vomited when morning came. It was horrible. He was in a horrible state. But that was not the most horrible part— it came aer the voming. His friends, the gossipers, arrived at his front door with food and medicine to cure his hangover.

 

It was a nice gesture and all, but when they reach his kitchen, the gossipers' motherfuckers, started, well, um, gossiping. "Damn, man. You're so out of it last night." Napagil si Ream sa paghigop ng sabaw ng marinig ang sinabi ni Calyx. "Yep." Thorn laughed. "I had a good laugh." Lysander was laughing too. "Damn, Oliveros. You are in deep trouble, man." "You should have accepted my oer." Shun chimed in. "You said it's illegal, but in your situaon, kidnapping is the only opon, my man." Lath added. And Iuhence nodded. "I'm not saying it's not bad, but if you're desperate..." Ream was confused and he frowned at everyone in the kitchen. "What are you all talking about?" Controlling his laughter, Calyx handed his phone at Ream as he explained. "You drunk-video-call our group chat last night and I was awake, so I answered, and this is what you said. I'm sorry, bud. If it was you, you would've recorded it too." Ream had a bad feeling about the 'video', but he sll played it and it was the most embarrassing thing he ever did in his whole life! 'Answer me, you bastards!' The drunk Ream on the video shouted and glared. 'Why doesn't she like me, huh? I'm nice and handsome and rich and I can give her anything she wants so why doesn't she like me?! Answer me!' Calyx and Yilmaz were on the video call, but they didn't answer. The two were busy laughing their asses out. 'I told her I like her, but she didn't even say anything like I don't exist.' The drunk Ream changed from angry to piful in a second. 'Is there... something wrong with me that she nds unaracve? But we had a good me in Bali. Guys, I want to move on, but I don't know how. What is this feeling? I don't want this! But I want her. I really, really want her.' The drunk Ream paused and looked down. 'Why can't I have her?'

 

The video nally and thankfully ended, leaving the now sober and beet red Ream distress and mored beyond belief. "Holy fuck..." Ream muered under his breath as he let Calyx's phone dropped on the oor. It crashed and broke, but Ream didn't care. He just wanted to hide himself, because he knew, these motherfucking lunacs will not let him hear the end of it. And just thinking about it— he was already beyond horried.

CHAPTER 5 REAM LOOKED AT his friends who decided to stay in his condo when he clearly didn't want them to stay. It was morning and they were all huddled in his living room with empty liquor boles around them. Kahit anong pagpapalayas niya sa mga kaibigan niya, ayaw ng mga ito umalis. "Seriously," Ream sighed. "It's morning. My head is sll ringing. I'm drinking no more." "Just drink, Oliveros." Ani Lysander. "Hindi ka namin nasamahan kagabi sa paglalasing mo kaya ngayon nalang." Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Ream. "But I'm good now, really. Makakaalis na kayo." "We're good too, so let's drink," ani Shun sabay inom ng beer mula sa bote. "Bilhan ka nalang naming mamaya ng pang-paalis ng hangover kapag nalasing ka ulit." Napailing nalang si Ream. "Wala ba kayong mga trabaho? It's weekdays, people. Time to work." The lunac in the living room just shrugged and connued drinking. Napailing nalang ulit si Ream dahil alam niyang hindi aalis ang mga baliw niyang kaibigan.

 

"So..." Calyx opened another bole of beer and looked at Ream. "What happened to you last night? Come on," Calyx grinned. "Let it all out. We will be your therapist today." Syempre, hindi magpapatalo si Iuhence. "Ayon sa tsismis na nasagap naming mula kay Dark, emosyonal na tumawag ka sa kaniya kagabi—" Binato ni Thorn ng throw pillow si Iuhence. "Cut it out. Para kang tsismoso na nagbabalita. I mean, tsismoso ka naman talaga pero hindi maganda pakinggan." Iuhence cleared his throat. "Okay. Take two. Ayon sa tsismis na sapilitang s apilitang nalakap naming mula kay Montero, naglasing si Ream dahil kay Syl." Bumuntong-hininga si Ream sa kabaliwan na naman ng mga tsismoso. "Seriously, if you want to know something, just ask." Iuhence grinned. "Great! My queson is, are you broken-hearted, bud? You got drunk, aer all." "I honestly don't know what I'm feeling right now and what to do with it. I'm moving on, so..." "Moving on?" Calyx frowned and looked at everyone. "Puwede pa lang mag-move on kahit hindi naging kayo?" Ream showed his middle nger at Calyx. "I have feelings too, you motherfucker. Unlike you, idiots, I'm not going to force myself on her. I'm into her and I want her so much, but if her happiness meant me stepping back, then so be it." Lath chimed in. "Hindi mo liligawan? Women like it when they're being pursued." "Not all of them," sumandal si Ream sa likod ng sofa na kinauupuan. "It's like this, lunacs, if the woman is into you, she'll like it. But if she's not, then it's stalking. s talking. Hindi man sakin sinabi ni Syl na ayaw niya sakin, ramdam ko, okay? So, I'll move on, maybe visit my mom in Norway, or whatever. I gave to get away." "May mga babaeng mahilig magpakipot." Wika ni Shun. "Baka isa siya do'n?" Umiling si Ream. "I don't think so. She's just not interested. I can tell."

 

"So, you're just going to leave?" Lysander asked, frowning like he couldn't understand Ream at all. "Just like that? You're not going to make an eort for her to see you? To like you?" "Callahan, I understand what a 'no' meant and she said 'no'. I gave her my number as a last resort, but nothing." Ream blows a loud breath. "Baka naman nag-iisip pa siya." Ayaw talaga siyang tantanan ng mga kaibigan, lalo na si Vergara. "Maybe you have to wait for a lile while or be persistent, maybe?" Umiling si Ream saka bumuntong-hininga. "I'm not like you, guys. A no is no to me. And if she wants to call, she'll call, and I'll be there for her. But I'm not going to force myself on her when she clearly didn't want me." "But you're leaving for Norway," sabad ni Thorn. "Anong gagawin mo kapag tumawag siya habang nasa ibang bansa ka? A call from her means a chance for you, right?" Ream let out a heavy sighed and picked up a bole of beer, drank it before he answered, "I'll go home and be there for her." Thorn's eyebrow furrowed. "That's not exactly moving on, bud." bud ." Ream shrugged. "I have to get away somehow." He remembered the woman who hurt Syl, and his blood boiled. "Baka may magawa akong hindi maganda kapag nanali ako rito." Everyone looked at Ream and everyone knew this was not just about Syl. There's more, but no one asked, not even Calyx or Iuhence. They kept their mouth shut and changed the subject. "How's business going?" Lysander asked and Ream chuckled. "Really?" Ream shook his head at the sudden change of topic. "Business is good. How about all of you?"

 

Everyone shrugged a lile and that meant their business were doing good as well. And then they connued drinking like it was not early in the morning. When aernoon came, everyone who visited Ream was drunk from too much beer. "Why the fuck am I drunk?" Calyx grumbled when he got up to pee and his world started spinning. "Wait... am I drunk, or is there an earthquake?" "Maybe because we didn't eat." Lath oered and explanaon. "Ah, my twin's going to kill me for not working today." Iuhence groaned as well while trying to get up, but his ass kept falling back to the ground. "Tyron! Stop pulling me down, d own, you asshole!" Ream, the only sober in the group because he didn't drink too much, frowned at Iuhence. "Vergara, Zapanta is not even here." Iuhence glared at Ream. "Anong wala?!" Tinuro nito si s i Thorn na nakahiga sa sahig katabi ng bote ng alak na wala nang laman. "That's him, idiot. Nagtutulog-tulug Nagtutulog-tulugan an lang 'yan kasi ayaw niyang mamigay ng beefsteak." "Huh...?" Ream was confused as fuck. Hindi niya alam kung anong pinagsasasabi ni Iuhence ng maalala niyang lasing pala ito. Napailing si Ream at sinagot si Iuhence. "Padadalhan ka nalang daw ng beefsteak ni Zapanta." That put a smile on drunk Iuhence and he nally let himself fall into the ground and asleep. Habang ningnan isa-isa ang mga kaibigan niyang lasing na n a may kaniya-kaniyang kabaliwang ginagawa at walang saysay ang mga pinagsasasabi, kinuha ni Ream ang cellphone at kinunan ang mga baliw ng video. Calyx was sll trying to get up while complaining about his imaginary earthquake. Thorn was sprawled on the oor, hugging the empty boles with a smile. Lysander was on his phone, crying for some while looking at his own picture. Shun was sleeping on the sofa while hugging his laptop and wallet. While Lath was trying to call his twin brother, Lash, but he was actually talking to siri. Karma's a bitch, motherfuckers.

 

Aer taking a video of his drunk friends, Ream went to his room to take a bath. Pagkalabas niya, kaagad siyang nagbihis saka nagawa ang restaurant na pag-aari ng asawa ni Dark at nag-order ng pagkain para sa mga kaibigan niyang lasing. "Hey, Montero," nagawan nagawan ni Ream ang kaibigan pagkatapos umorder sa restaurant ng asawa nito. "I ordered food from your wife's restaurant. Can you, um, deliver it personally?" Dark frowned. "Something's up?" "Some idiots visited me this morning," Ream massaged his forehead and sighed. "They're drunk and they'll need food when they wake up since we didn't eat any." Dark sighed audibly. "Mga baliw talaga. Fine. I'll deliver the food." "Thanks! I'll leave my keycard and your name on the front desk." Mapagkakawalaan Mapagkakawal aan naman ang mga nagta-trabaho sa front desk at hindi 'yon ang unang beses na iniwan niya ang keycard niya. "Just show your I.D." "Wait... you are leaving?" Dark dried his wet hands from washing the dishes. "Akala ko hindi ka pa kumakain?" "I have to visit my store." Sagot ni Ream habang nagsusuot ng sapatos. "I'm leaving for Norway soon, so I have to make sure that everything is okay." "Oh. Because of Syl?" Ream smiled. "Yep." Dark sighed audibly again. "Man, you have h ave a complicated love life." Ream grimaced. "Bud, you can't call a one-sided aecon, love life." Then he bid goodbye and ended the call. Stepping out from his condo, he went down to the ground oor and le his keycard on Genna. She was a distant relave of his that he helped aer her husband le with his mistress. "Thanks, Genna!"

 

"Ingat!" Nang makaalis si Ream, kaagad na bumulong ang receponist na katabi ni Genna. "Ang guwapo-guwapo talaga ni Sir Ream, tapos ang bait pa. p a. Ang suwerte ng babaeng makakasilo sa kaniya." Tumango si Genna sabay ngi. "Mabait talaga 'yang pinsan ko. Sa lahat ng kamaganak ko, siya lang ang tumulong sakin kahit malayo kaming magkamag-anak. Ilang taon na rin mula ng iniwan ako ng gago kong asawa at hanggang ngayon, nutulungan pa rin niya ako sa mga anak ko kahit ang dami na niyang nagawa para sa amin." The receponist besides Genna sighed dreamily. d reamily. "Ang suwerte talaga ng babaeng mamahalin si Sir Ream." Tumango si Genna bilang pagsangayon. "Sobrang suwerte." LEAVING HIS CAR on the parking p arking lot reserved only for him, he entered his store and smiled seeing that they were packed. "Nasaan si Carlo?" Tanong ni Ream kay Jenny na siyang tumatao sa cashier. "Si Manager?" Luminga-linga si Jenny. "Mukhang may inaasikaso yatang costumer doon sa VIP room, Sir Ream. Medyo madaming tao ngayon kaya all hands on deck kami, Sir." Tumango-tango si Ream. "If the store needs more people, let's hire." "Naku, Sir, no need." Pigil ni Jenny sa may-ari ng jewelry store. "Malapit na kasi ang buwan ng hunyo hun yo kaya maraming costumer. Siguradong kaya namin 'to, Sir. Huwag ho kayong mag-alala." "You sure?" "Yes, Sir." Ream smiled and paed his cashier's shoulder. "Okay. Keep up the good work. Jenny. I'll go look for Carlo." C arlo."

 

Tumango si Jenny saka ibinalik ibin alik ang atensiyon sa magkapareha na nasa harapan nito at handa nang magbayad. Samantala, si Ream naman ay nahak ang daan patungo sa dalawang VIP room. The two rooms in the store were actually a show room for VIP clients and he found Carlo in the rst room entertaining two women. Ream didn't want to disturb Carlo, he just wants to inform the manager that he needed to talk to him later, but his eyes were caught by one of the women inside the room. Does fate really want to pair me with Syl so bad? This was their fourth coincidental meeng. And looked like Syl felt his stare because she looked up from examining the diamonds in front of her and their eyes met. For the rst me since they started meeng, coincidentally, Syl didn't inch nor look away. She stared back at him like she was recognizing his existence. Syl only looked away when the woman beside her made an excited noise and Ream felt like his blood boiled when he saw that it was the same woman who hurt Syl. "Oh! I want this one, Syl!" The woman's eyes sparkled with happiness while Syl looked like the world was on her shoulder even though she was smiling. "Buy it for me." Then the woman looked at Carlo. "Do you have a set s et of earrings that would go with the ring?" Ream saw how Syl's face became pale and seeing the panic in the depths of her eyes, Ream stepped in. He couldn't just stand on the sidelines. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ganon ang reaksiyon ni Syl, pero nasisiguro niyang kung ano man ang rason nito hindi 'yon maganda. "Carlo," kuha ni Ream sa atensiyon ng Manager na kaagad na tumayo ng makita siya. "I'll take it from here. Go help Jenny in the cashier." "Yes, Sir." Ani Carlo saka kaagad na umalis para sundin ang utos ng boss nito.

 

Aer Carlo le, that was only the me Ream faced the two women and introduced himself. "I'm Ream Oliveros, the owner. How may I help you, Madam?" A smile was plastered on his face even though he hated the middleaged woman in front of her. "Oh, the owner himself?" The woman looked pleased that the owner himself was the one entertaining her. "I'm aered." Ream just smiled before glancing at Syl who was just silently sing beside the woman. "I want an earring that would go with this ring." Anang ginang saka ngumi. "My daughter here is buying this for me. Aren't I lucky?" So, they're mother and daughter. Ream's smile widened even do all he wanted to do was tell the woman to leave. "Very lucky, madam, but unfortunately, we don't have a set of earrings that would go with the ring." Observing Syl from the corner of his eyes, she looked relieved aer hearing his answer. That means she didn't want to buy anything, but she's being b eing forced by her mother. What kind of mother does she have? "Then I want to order an earring that would go with this ring." Syl's mother was persistent alright. Ream's mind immediately went to work. Kapag hindi niya nanggap ang order ng ina ni Syl, siguradong bibili pa rin naman ito sa ibang jewelry store at baka mas mataas pa ang presyo na ibigay, pero kung tatanggapin niya ang order nito, n ito, puwede niyang pahabain ang paghihintay ng ina nito at puwede pa niyang bigyang si Syl ng free cancelaon oer kapag nagbago ang isip ng ina nito. Yeah. It's beer than not helping Syl at all. "Of course, madam." Ream answered with a smile. "Unfortunately, you have to wait for four to six months because we are fully booked at the moment." His perks of being the owner— he can lie without being quesoned since he's the owner. "But the advantage is you don't have to pay now. Payment will be asked aer the compleon of the order. Would that be okay, madam?"

 

"Of course!" Syl's mother exclaimed. "I can wait paently." Just the thought that she was talking to the owner himself made Delilah felt somewhat a special VIP costumer. "Thank you so much. We appreciate your paence, madam." Then, Ream stood up to get the order form and pen placed on the table at the corner of the room and handed it to Syl's mother. "Please ll in this order form and we'll be nished." Tinanggap ng ina ni Syl ang order form at sinagot s inagot lahat ng kailangang sagutan. Nang ibabalik na iyon ng ginang kay Ream, nagsalita si Syl. "Ma, let me put my number just in case the store needs it." "Of course, sweetheart." Syl's mother was so sweet to Syl that she might have deceived Ream too, if he didn't see what she did to Syl in the parking lot. Aer wring her number on the order form, Syl handed the form and pen back to Ream. "... And that's it," Ream smile didn't leave his lips. "We will call you once your order is ready for pick up." "Thank you so much, Mr. Oliveros." Tumayo na ang ginang at nilingon nito si Syl na hindi pa tumatayo mula sa pagkakaupo. "Sweetheart? Come on, let's go." Syl stood up, but not to leave. "Ma, I want to sele the payment for your earrings now. Can you wait for me in the car? I'm sure it'll be quick." Delilah looked at Ream as if asking if it would really be quick and Ream nodded. "You're a VIP, madam. Of course, we'll make it fast." Delilah smiled, pleased. "Okay, sweetheart. I'll wait for you in the car." Ream immediately lost his smile when Syl's mother stepped out of the showcase room. And for some reason, he felt drained and disgusted that he had to put up with such person.

 

"Thank you." Ani Syl na ikinangin ni Ream dito. "For what?" "For the earrings..." Umupo ulit si Syl. "For giving me more me to ready the payment." Ream sat on the sofa in front of Syl. Alam ni n i Syl na maraming katanungan si Ream, nakikita niya iyon sa mga mata nito. Lalo na ang may kinalaman sa nakita n akita nito sa parking lot. But to her surprised, Ream's queson was dierent than she was expecng. "How are you, Syl?" How long has it been since someone asked her that earnestly? As if her answer maers. "I'm..." Syl wanted to say she was ne, but her tears just fell as if it was telling the man in front of her that she was not ne. Not ne at all. Seeing Syl in such a state, Ream stood up and went to sit beside Syl. He oered her his handkerchief and just let Syl cry to her heart's content while he stayed beside her silently unl she calmed down. "Feeling beer?" Ream asked Syl while helping her wipe her tears and dry her damp cheeks. Syl nodded as she took deep breaths. Aer a while, Syl commented, "it's very peaceful here." "You can visit anyme." Syl chuckled. "I don't have the money to spare." "Then, why did you buy earrings for your mom?" Syl became silent. "Dahil ba sasaktan ka niya ulit kapag hindi mo siya binilhan?"

 

Nanaling tahimik si Syl. Bumuntong-hininga si Ream. "Syl, my oer sll stands and will always stand. You don't have to like me back or do anything for me. Just, remember me if you need someone or something. I swear I'm not going to take advantage of you—" "I know." Syl said in a whisper. "You have always been nice and kind. Always making me feel that my decision and my answer maers. Maybe that's why I like you and I choose to be with you that night in Bali, but," Syl turned to Ream with her teary eyes, "I can't drag you to my mess. I know you mean well, Ream. I know you mean no harm, but you don't know my family. What you saw in the parking lot, it's nothing compared to what they'll do to me if I rebel. So, I'm sorry that I can't accept your help. I don't want to accept it because I don't want to hurt the only choice I made for myself. You're a good guy, Ream. Maybe in dierent circumstance I would willingly run to you, hug you ght and kiss you hard, but where I am now is not a good place." "Trust..." Umiling si Syl. "Is something I couldn't give so easily, Ream. I'm sorry. Maybe it's selsh of me, but I just want to preserve the good memory we had in Bali. I enjoyed it. So much. And because of that, I don't want the person I chose for the rst me to hurt me or leave me, because that's what would happen if I gave in and run to you right now. You will leave me, Ream, because because you're a good man." Walang nagawa si Ream ng tumayo si Syl at lumabas ng kuwarto dala-dala ang panyo niya. Hindi sa wala siyang nagawa, kundi wala siyang ginawa dahil kitangkita niya kung gaano ito nahihirapan at nasasaktan. Dadagdag pa ba siya? Ream looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. He was trying to wrap his head around Syl's words to understand her and to know where she was coming from. Why does she sound so certain that I'll leave her? Ream felt that there was more to this than just her parents. There's more to Syl than her fears and tears.

 

CHAPTER 6

REAM SIPPED his wine while standing on the terrace of his mother and her new husband's small vacaon house in Hammerfest, Norway. The terrace was overlooking the harbor and half of the island, presenng him the beauful sunset suns et at— Ream looked at his watch. Eleven PM, close to twelve— midnight. Yes. He was looking at the sun, at midnight. Well, this was summer in Hammerfest, Norway Norway.. Famous for its midnight sun. "Son," sinamahan siya ng ina sa terasa saka naglalambing na yumakap ito sa braso niya. "You're alone and looking lonely again. You have been like this since you arrived few months ago. I didn't ask because I want to give you space, but I'm geng worried, Ream. What's happening with you? Care to tell mom?" Ream smiled because he knew how much his mother endured just to give him the space he needed. "I don't think it's working, Ma." "Working, what?" Ream stared at the midnight sun. "Honestly, I came here to move on." "Oh," that pique Rowena's interest. "Why is it not working?" "Because I'm far away from her, but she's sll on my mind." Ream sighed and sipped his win again. "I want to go home and see her, but I think it'll be beer for the two of us to not meet again." Seeking advice from his mother, he told her what Syl told him when they last met in his store. "I need help, Ma. What do I do? This is my rst me feeling this way. I don't know what to do with these feelings, at the same me, I don't want to be reckless and hurt her." Rowena sighed at his son's bothered expression. "Maybe I'm biased because you're my son, but based on what she said to you, sh she e likes you."

 

"But she said she's not in a good place and she didn't want to drag me into her mess. And I have to respect that." "And that's what's worrying you." Rowena knew her son beer than anyone. She could tell what's bothering him the moment he told her about the woman he likes. "You know, son," Rowena turned her son's body to face her, and she cupped his face. "You have always been nice, kind and respecul. It's a good trait, really, but that atude of yours somemes gets excessive. You knew that she's not in a good place, but you let her be because you respected her decision, yes?" Ream nodded. "She was in pain, and I don't want to add to her burden." "But didn't it occur to you that maybe, contrary to what she told you, she actually wanted to leave that place?" Ream was lost for words. "... what?" Rowena sighed, seeing the lost expression on her son's face. "You don't have to tell me the details, but I can guess that she's in a bad b ad situaon right now. Because what she told you, the 'I don't want to drag you to my mess' were the same words I told my third ex-husband when my second ex-husband was abusing me. I was so scared that he will hurt Theo, so I pushed Theo Th eo away. But deep inside, I wanted Theo to just grab me and pull me out of my misery, which, Theo did." Rowena smiled at the memory. "That's why I divorced Theo when things started to change between us. Theo was the sweetest man I have ever met, and I don't want to hurt him. And it was a good decision, hence my friendship with Theo even aer our divorce." Ream nished his wine and looked at his mom. "Do you really think she needs me?" Rowena shrugged; she didn't want to give her son too much hope. "I'm not sure, but you should go home and try talking to her again. Give it three tries with double the eort and if she sll rejected you, then maybe, it is beer to let her go." "Why three mes?"

 

"Why not?" Rowena smiled at her son. "Third me's a charm." Mahinang natawa si Ream sa sagot ng ina saka masuyo itong niyakap. "Thanks, Ma. I needed that." "You're welcome." Rowena pinched Ream's cheek. "Now o you go and chase your woman. If she broke b roke your heart again, feel free to visit. You're always welcome." Ream smiled aeconately at his mother before he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Ma. I love you." "And I love you too." Rowena felt so warmed that her eldest son was sll so sweet even at his age. "And tell your lile brother to visit me. He owes me dinner." Ream chuckled before nodding. "I will, Ma. But before that," inakbayan ni Ream and ina saka sabay ang dalawa na humarap sa karagatan. "Let's enjoy the midnight sun rst." Rowena smiled and leaned her head on her son's shoulder. She was happy that her son never changed, sll sweet and respecul towards her even aer she le him with his father years ago to pursue her dream. She just hoped that this woman that her son adores was worth the eort. LEAVING HAMMERFEST HAMMERFEST via private plane that Ream's mother rented for him, it landed Tromso, Norway and from Tromso, he traveled via commercial plane to Oslo, Norway. Waing for his connecng ight from Oslo to Istanbul, Ream was in the Airport's lounge sipping coee and reading a book. When he got bored, he connected his phone to the Airport's Wi-Fi and sent a chat to BIG DECKS group chat. What a disturbing group chat name, Ream thought before he sent a message. I wonder who changed it this me. REAM OLIVEROS: My connecng ight is taking too long. I'm bored. Thorn answered his chat with a photo of him, Knight, Shun, Lysander, Calyx, Pierce, Khairro and the very bored looking Valerian.

 

THORN CALDERON: We're already in Istanbul waing for you, bud. I want to say take your me, but Volkzki is about to bite our heads of. Kanina pa niya kami minumura, masakit na sa tainga. Kung hindi lang siya ang piloto, napon na namin 'to. IUHENCE VERGARA: How mean could you be, you bastards?! Bakit hindi niyo ako sinama?! TYRON ZAPANTA: @IuhenceVergara maybe because we have a business meeng, and you need to aend? At saka wala ka namang maitutulong sa kanila. Hindi ka naman piloto at hindi mo kayang k ayang ilipad ang eroplano. Nasisiguro kong makikitsismis ka lang doon kaya dapat lang na iniwan ka. IUHENCE VERGARA:  KNIGHT VELASQUEZ: Wawa ka naman @IuhenceVergara, ang dami na naming tsismis na nalakap. KUTONGEROsiSHUN: @KnightVelazquez @KnightVelazquez it's nakalap, hindi nalakap. IUHENCE VERGARA: Holy shit! I thought it's nalakap! @KnightVelasquez how dare you gave me a wrong translaon for gathering!!! I've beeb dupe! KNIGHT VELASQUEZ: You asked, I answered  IUHENCE VERGARA: You need to avenge me @KUTONGEROsiSHUN! KUTONGEROsiSHUN: Who the fuck change my name again?!  I will murder you! LYSANDER CALLAHAN: Huwag kayong maingay. Kumakain kami. Nakaka-isturbo ang nocaon sound sa pagsubo ko ng kanin. CALYX VARGAZ: Huwag niyo kasing isturbuhin si Callahan. Nagbaon pa 'yan ng garlic fried rice galing Pinas. LOL. KHAIRRO SANFORD: So that's why I'd been smelling garlic fried rice! PIERCE MULLER: ...

 

KHAIRRO SANFORD: Even here, Muller is silent. Napailing nalang si Ream sa usapan sa group chat. Akmang babalik nalang sana siya sa pagbabasa ng makatanggap siya ng personal chat mula kay Shun. 'Bud, it's good that you're going home.' h ome.' And below Shun's message was a photo of Syl excing a clinic with bruises on her neck and wrists. And based on the mestamp, the photo was taken just a week ago. Unconsciously, Ream gripped his phone ghtly as his chest ached and regret came ooding in. I shouldn't have le, Ream thought as regret started eang him. I shouldn't have listened to her! 'I know you're all about respecng someone's decision and all, but bud, you have to move or the woman you like will die in misery.' With his shaking hands in anger, he replied. 'I will.' 'Good. She has tons of secrets, and she won't tell you much. And since you're adamant on respecng her privacy, then I will step back and you have to gure out her secrets yourself. Goodluck, bud! It's a nasty and rough ride for you. But if you think she's worth it, then go get her.' Worried and anxious, Ream couldn't help it anymore. Pulling out Syl's number from his contacts, he called her. When Syl didn't answer, he called again. And in his third try, she nally answered. "Syl—" "Ream...?" Syl sounded hesitant, like she was not sure that it was him. "Yes, Syl. It's me." Ream chuckled humorlessly. h umorlessly. "You... didn't save my number?" "I did, but I deleted a while back." Syl's voice was so vulnerable that Ream all wanted to do was to gather her in her arms and hugged her ght. "Why did d id you call? Is it because of the earrings?"

 

Ream frowned. "What earring?" "The one that my mom ordered?" At the menon of Syl's mom, Ream's expression darkened. "No. It's not about that. I just... I just want to ask if you're doing okay? I mean, really, really okay?" Syl, on the other line, bit her lip and how genuine Ream sounded. "I'm," her eyes looked down at her bruised wrist that she was covering with her long-sleeved dress. "I'm ne, Ream. Thank you for asking." "Are you really?" Ream didn't believe Syl one bit. "It's me, Syl. You don't have to lie to me." Syl bit her lower lips harder. "A-ayos lang talaga ako. No need to worry. Hindi na ako pinagbubuhatan ng kamay ni Mommy, so..." tears fell from her eyes, "I'm good." Syl tried her best for her voice to now quiver. "I'm really good, Ream." Ream took a deep breath to calm himself because he could hear a small quiver in Syl's voice. She was lying. "You know I respect your decision, d ecision, right?" Syl dried her tears as a frown made its way to her eyebrows. "Yes. I know." "Then, will you hate me if I dragged you out of that place you're in?" Ream let out a loud sighed as if his emoon was becoming too much to bear. "I know you're not ne. I know you're lying to me right now." "Ream—" "I went to Norway aer out lile talk in my store. I was hoping I'll forget you there. But... it's not working for me, Syl. I don't know why, but I really want to see you so bad. So, I'm coming back and the rst thing I'll do is to go see you." "Ream, no—" "Please don't reject me," Ream rubbed his palm over his face to control his emoon from bursng out. "I don't know what's happening to me anymore, Syl. All I know is that I want you really, really bad. Pursuing you like this is against my

 

principle, but I have to do something before I go crazy worrying over you and thinking about you." Panay ang tuyo ni Syl sa luha niya na ayaw tumigil sa pagdaloy. Gustong sabihin ni Syl kay Ream na hindi sila puwede kasi may-asawa na siya pero ayaw niyon lumabas sa bibig niya. Hindi niya alam kung bakit nahihirapan siyang magpakatotoo kay Ream. Nahihirapan siyang aminin dito na hindi na n a siya malaya. Siguro dahil makasarili siya. Masaya siya na gusto siya ni Ream at ayaw niyang mawala 'yon. Ream was a good man. If he found out that she was already married when they shared an inmate night in Bali, the guilt and anger that would consume him... Syl didn't want that for Ream. She wanted to avoid that. "Ayaw mo ba talaga sakin, Syl?" Tanong ni Ream sa walang buhay na boses. "Wala ba talaga akong pag-asa? Magagalit ka ba sakin kapag pinapatuloy ko 'tong pangungulit sayo? Can't you tell me the truth, Syl?" Hearing Ream's voice like he had given up, Syl wanted to give in and just run to him and be with him, but a part of her didn't want to drag Ream into her hellish life. Kapag nalaman ng mga magulang niya ang tungkol kay Ream, baka perahan din ng mga ito ang binata gamit siya at nasisiguro siyang ganun ang mangyayari. "Syl?" Huminga ng malalim si Syl saka mahinang pinagsusuntok ang dibdib kung nasaan ang puso niya. "Natatakot ako, Ream. Natatakot ako na magpakatotoo kasi wala namang patutunguhan 'yon. Magkakasakitan lang tayo. I don't want that." "If you don't want that, it's okay, Syl." Ream's voice soened and Syl felt warmed and safe all over. "If you're scared to like me back for personal reason, that's okay with me. I don't mind. Just, don't be scared to accept my help. Syl, inuulit ko, hindi mo kailangang suklian ang nararamdaman ko para sayo para tanggapin ang tulong ko. If you can't accept my feelings, at least, accept my help. Masaya na ako do'n. I  just want you safe and unharmed and happy. So... So... will you meet me and hear me me out?"

 

Syl bit her lower lips hard. "I don't—" "Think about it before you give me an answer." Mabilis na putol ni Ream sa sagot san ani Syl. "Please, think about it. Really hard." Syl knew she should say no that very moment, but the word 'okay' came out of her lips. And that single word made Ream smiled. "Thank you, Syl." Why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything worth thanking for. Syl wanted to ask that, but Ream already bid goodbye, saying his ight was already there. When the call ended, Syl looked at the screen of her phone. Alam niyang wala siyang dapat pag-isipan— hindi niya dapat pag-isipan ang ino-oer sa kaniya ni Ream dahil kilala niya ang sarili niya. Magkakaroon at magkakaroon sila ng relasyon ni Ream kapag hinayaan niya itong magpatuloy. Kahit ngayon palang, sa isiping makikita niya ulit ang unang lalaki sa buhay niya na niri-respeto lahat ng sagot at sinasabi niya, parang nagkakaroon ng kulay ku lay ang mundo niya, ano pa kapag kaharap niya 'to? The strength she had to muster not to be tempted when she spoke with him in his store, Syl didn't know if she could muster the same strength if she saw him again. But if it was up to her, if her h er parents weren't involved and if she disregarded the lile moral le in her, she would run to Ream in a heartbeat. Because that's what she wanted. And for the rst me in her life, she selshly wanted something for herself. Ream. She wants Ream.

CHAPTER 7 "ARE YOU certain about this, Kuya?" Rhe and Ream were having breakfast in one of Rhe's favorite restaurant and Rhe couldn't help commenng aer hearing what his brother planned to do now that he's back. "Aren't you taking it

 

too fast? I mean, I get it, you like her, but isn't it, I don't know," Rhe shrugged with a frown. "Too fast? Ilang beses mo palang siyang nakikita mula ng n g makilala mo siya sa Bali? Three? Four? Ni hindi nga kayo nagkakausap pa ng maayos mula ng makita mo siya ulit." Kumunot ang nuo ni Ream sa kapad. "What's too fast?" "You! And this woman, Syl! I'm sorry, Kuya, but I'm feeling skepcal about this." "Oh," Ream calmly sipped his coee and answered while placing the cup back on the table. "How is it too fast? I mean, I saw her in Bali, I'm aracted to her, and I like her. Isn't that enough?" Rhe blows a loud breath. "It's not about you, liking her, it's about you, being... smien, like you're in love or something!" s omething!" Ream frowned at his brother. "In love? Who?" "You!" "I am?" Patanong na sagot ni Ream. "Yes!" Rhe exclaimed. "I mean, you're willing to move heaven and earth just to help her. If that's not love, then what is?" "Rhe, do you have to be in love to help a woman who's hurng and in pain?" p ain?" Nagilan si Rhe sa tanong ng kapad. "I... I— I don't know. Don't you?" Ream sighed and shook his head. "I like Syl. I tried to forget her, but nothing happened, as you know. I sll like her; I'm aracted to her and I'm willing to help because she's the woman I like, and she needs help. Plain and simple." s imple." "So... you're not in love with her?" Ream shrugged. "I honestly don't know." Humilig si Ream sa likod ng kinauupuan. "I just want to help her. I want to see her happy— like when we were in Bali. She was smiling back then while we were talking, and I liked it. I want to see that smile again. I want to see that Syl. What's so bad about wanng that?"

 

Gulong-gulo na nigan ni Rhe ang nakakatandang kapad. He didn't know what to call his brother at that moment. Pure or just plain ignorant when it comes to love and liking someone? But maybe his brother just adores that woman and wants her to be happy. Maybe it's not that complicated. And maybe this will fade away aer his brother helped Syl. His brother had always been nice aer all. "I thought you're in love with her because you said you can't move on." Ream shrugged. "I like her." Rhe sighed. "Kuya, magkaiba ang like sa love." Ream shrugged again. "I know and as of now, I like her. I like her h er to the point that I couldn't forget about her." "That like will turn into love if you connued seeing her and helping her. Feelings develop over me, Kuya." Ream shrugged like it was not a big deal. "Then so be it. I saw and learned from my friend's experiences. Shit happens when you try to ght it, so, whatever. What will happen, will happen, I guess?" "Are you not even scared at all?" "Scared? Hmm. I'm not there yet. I'm busy thinking of ways on how to help her and what words to say that will convince her to accept my help. It's more important to me than anything— more important than my 'like' for her. Rhe, you didn't see what I saw. It was too much— too dark and just bad. You saw Mom when your dad abused her. We were sll kids back then. We couldn't do anything to save mom. But now, I'm old enough to save someone. And this someone is the woman I'm aracted to. Of course, I will move heaven and earth to help her. Isn't that normal? To make sure that the person you like is happy and safe?" "Kuya..." "Because if you didn't want them happy and safe... then that's not really like. That's just a person telling someone they like them, but they don't really mean it."

 

Rhe blows a loud breath and shook his head. "Fine. I rest my case. Go help her." Ream smiled. "I will. I will not step back this me. I will see her free and happy. h appy. And then, maybe aer that, I'll court her." Mahinang natawa si Rhe. "Hindi mo pagsasabayin? Akala ko ba gusto mo siya?" Nagkibit-balikat si Ream. "There's more pressing maer than my 'like'. I want to help her rst." Napailing si Rhe saka mahinang natawa. "Whatever you say. s ay. Good luck, Kuya." Ream nodded and sipped his coee. "Thanks. Sana nga lang sipun niya ako mamaya. At sana tanggapin niya ang tulong ko." "I don't think a woman will say no to you aer knowing you a lile bit, Kuya." Rhe smiled proudly. "You are a total catch." Mahinang natawa si Ream. "It's not about me, though. It's about her willingness to accept my help. Me, being a total catch as you said, doesn't d oesn't maer." Mahinang napailing si Rhe. "And if she declined your help, what are you going to do, Kuya? I know for a fact that a 'no' is a 'no' to you." Ream sighed. "Hindi ko alam. Kaya nga pinagdarasal ko na sana tanggapin niya ang tulong ko. Wala naman akong masamang balak sa kaniya. Gusto ko lang tumulong." Bumuntong-hininga si Rhe. "Kuya, halos lahat ng tao, tumutulong dahil may kapalit o may kailangan sila. At nasisiguro kong alam na alam na niya 'yon. I know you want her to trust you, but Kuya, to people like Syl, trust is something they couldn't give. Hindi ko alam ang pinagdadaanan p inagdadaanan niya, pero kung kasing lala 'yon ng kay mom da, nasisiguro kong mahihirapan kang kunin ang wala niya." "I know." Ream looked outside the restaurant glass wall. "Kaya nga gusto ko siyang makausap. I want her to understand why I want to help." Rhe just nished his breakfast and didn't say anything. Aerwards, aer Rhe bid Ream farewell, Ream rode his car to visit the main branch of his jewelry store

 

to pass the me. Just checking if everything was ne and if there were no problems. So far, his stores were doing well. And the more Ream sees his employees doing their jobs properly, the more he wanted to take good care of them. He knew that without these hardworking people working for him, his store would be nothing. "Don't forget to give me the result of the survey, Carlo." Bilin ni Ream sa manager ng main store. "I want to see my employees' likes and dislikes." d islikes." Tumango si Carlo. "Yes, Sir! Isi-send ko ho mamaya ang resulta sa e-mail niyo." "Good. Thank you. Maiwan ko na kayo." "Sige, ho, Sir. Ingat kayo." Tinanguan ni Ream ang mga empleyado niya bago umalis. Kapagkuwan ay tumingin sa relong pambisig para alamin kung anong oras na. Seeing that it was nearly me for his appointment with Syl, Ream drove to their meeng place, a restaurant he chose and waited for Syl there. Habang naghihintay kay Syl, kinuha ni Ream ang papel na palaging dala-dala sa pitaka at ang ballpen sa bulsa niya at nagsimula siyang mag sketch. He was sll not able to sketch a ring, so he opted to sketch bracelets and pendants. Habang nag-i-sketch, panay ang ngin ni Ream sa relong pambisig. Medyo kinakabahan siya dahil baka hindi siya sipun ni Syl, pero laking pasasalamat niya ng makitang pumasok ang dalaga sa restaurant at naglakad patungo sa lamesa na inuukupa niya. Kaagad na inabi ni Ream ang ini-sketch niya. Syl was wearing a long-sleeved dress and she kept tugging down the ends of the sleeves as if she was hiding something beneath those long-sleeve dress. "Salamat sa pagpunta." Tahimik na tumango si Syl saka maingat na umupo sa kaharap na upuan ni Ream. "Do you want order?" Ream asked. "May gusto ka bang kainin?"

 

Umiling si Syl saka huminga ng malalim na parang pinapakalma ang sarili. From where Ream was sing, she looked really scared and anxious. "Syl, are you okay?" Syl automacally nodded her head. It was a habit. Palaging tango ang sagot niya sa mga tanong sa kaniya ng mga magulang kaya nakasanayan na niya. "I'm okay." "You don't seem okay." "I am." May diing sabi ni Syl. "Now, tell me what you want to talk about. I'm busy." "You're not even going to look at me?" Ream asked, curious as to why Syl hadn't looked at him since she arrived. "Do I need to?" "If you want to." Syl's eyes remained on the table. "I don't want to." Ream didn't force Syl aer that. "Okay. I won't force you. No need to look at me if  you didn't want to." Syl clenched her sts that were under the table hearing Ream words— one of the reasons why she came here in the rst place other than to end whatever this was. She didn't want to admit, but she was drawn by his atude towards her, how he treats her in Bali and when they met again and how he always respects her decision even if it was full of rejecon. He always had that smile— that nice smile that she was drawn to. Am I drawn to him because there's no nice people in my life? Because I craved it? Syl honestly didn't know why she wanted Ream. Maybe it was the company she seeks because Ream was dierent from the people around her? Or maybe it was his kindness and the respect he had shown sh own her that got her interested?

 

Syl didn't know. All she knew was that Ream was like a breath of fresh air for her. And she needed that air not to be contaminated by her and her toxic family. She wanted Ream as far away from her as possible. She will not drag someone to hell  just because she was there. "You told me over the phone p hone that your mom doesn't hurt you anymore," Ream eyes looked at Syl. She was wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck in this hot weather. It only meant one thing. Her mother didn't stop at all. "Is that true?" Syl didn't answer. "You don't have to answer me if you didn't want to, but I just want to know, Syl. How long has this been going on?" Syl froze because she knew exactly how long it had been. Ream took a deep breath. He wanted to know so bad, but then he remembered Khairro's advice about what to do to be a comfort to an abused vicm. "I know I can't force you to do anything," Ream was careful with his words. He didn't want to sound insensive. "And I know you don't know anything about me for you to open up to me. I understand that you don't trust me. But I just want to tell you that if you need to get away or to breath or you want to do something and you want company, you can call me anyme. I—" "Why?" Syl asked. She always wondered why Ream was so willing to lend a hand when even her relaves who knew what's going on didn't. "And don't give me that 'I like you' crap. I don't... believe that." Syl felt free answering Ream, telling him what's on her mind because she knew he'll respect it even if it was not what he wanted to hear from her. "I mean, I want to believe, but we don't exactly have a relaonship other than what happened that me in Bali." Syl nally looked at Ream. "I don't think my pussy is that great for you to have feelings for me aer that night." Napatanga si Ream kay Syl kapagkuwan ay mahinang itong tumawa. "That's it... that's the Syl that got my aenon in Bali." Ream's smile was wide and radiant,

 

but it slowly dissipates when he spoke again. "Though my 'I like you' in not crap, Syl. I do like you, and you told me back in my store s tore that you like me too." Ream looked so genuine, the emoon on his handsome face was not guarded and very open to read, but he's beer o without her, really. "You were my rst choice, Ream." Syl spoke the words she rehearsed. Half-truth and half lie to make it believable. "The rst decision I ever made for myself, so of course, I like you. That's T hat's normal. What's not to like about you? Nice, respecul and kind? You're a good catch. That's why I don't want to drag you into in to my mess. That's why I've been avoiding you. But you keep saying that you like me and oering help. In truth, I'm happy. Flaered even that someone like you likes me. And then, it got me thinking— why would you like me?" "I'm aracted to you." Syl's face hardened. "That's just the face, Ream. I may look beauful outside, but I'm a broken mess inside. And if you dig deeper and know me, you'll see how horrible of a person I am. This like that I have for you, it'll vanish in me because it's just an infatuaon. You, liking me, is just a phase. Maybe you just pied me aer seeing my situaon and mistook it for 'like'." All the emoon on Ream face disappeared. "Either what I feel for you is pity or like, it shouldn't maer. As I told you, you don't have to reciprocate whatever I'm feeling for you. If you think it's a pity, I don't give a rat's ass. What I give a damn is your situaon at home. You're not in a good place, Syl, and it's me for you to pack up and leave." Syl was holding on to her brave façade. I have to end this— whatever this is. "Ream, I appreciate your worry and pity, but I don't need it. My whole life, I survived without anyone's help, and I'll be okay for the next few years. Who knows, maybe I won't live that long." Ream took a deep breath while watching Syl as she tries her best to push him away. Maybe there were truth in Syl's words, like why she liked him, but that was it.

 

"Are you done?" Syl slled and nodded. "Yes. I'm leaving—" "Before you do that, may I hold your hand? Syl didn't know what Ream was planning, but if holding her hand meant geng away from Ream as fast as she could, she pulled her hand from under the table and rested it on the table. Hinihintay ni Syl kung anong gagawin ni Ream sa kamay niya. Balak niya itong hayaan kung ano man ang plano nito pero ng hawakan nito ang kamay niya at inaas ang laylayan ng long-sleeve niya para makita ang mga pas p as ana natago niya, kaagad na inagaw ni Syl ang kamay kay Ream. Ream took a deep breath and he looked at Syl who couldn't look at him. "You may be surviving, but you're not living. Is that what you really want? To be baered and bruised unl there's no space in your body?" Syl glared at Ream and hissed. "You think I have a choice?!" "You have!" Ream hissed back. "Me." Umiling si Syl. "No." "Syl—" "I said no, Ream. It's a no." Ream leaned on his sit and blows a loud breath. "Why are you pushing push ing me away? You said I was your rst choice, so why push me away?" "That's exactly why," Syl stood up. "I want my rst choice to be happy and not feeling betrayed and in pain because of me. I'm already used to this life, Ream. And I am not dragging you to that hell just because I'm there." Ream knew if Syl le, it was over. There was no third me's a charm. "If you don't believe in my 'I like you'. I understand. If you don't want to accept my help. I won't force you. But please, if you think you've had enough, if you think that

 

you're in mortal danger, if you think that you want to escape... think of me. You have my number. Call me. I understand why you don't want to share your hell with me, but please bear in mind that I am more than willing to share my heaven with you." "Just call and I will answer." Ream said the words clearly. "Not as someone who likes you, or pies you, but just a human being willing to care for another." Another fell from Syl's eyes before she le. And Ream, who was le behind took a deep breath and just watch Syl disappears from his sight. Is accepng and asking for help... really that hard?

CHAPTER 8 NATIGILAN SI Syl sa pagpasok sa kabahayan ng makita ang asawa na si Izaak sa labas ng pintuan na parang may hinihintay. Halata kaagad ni Syl na hindi maganda ang mood nito dahil sa magkasalubong nitong kilay at madilim na mukha. Knowing what was coming, Syl braced herself and stopped in front of Izaak. Alam niyang siya ang hinihintay nito. "Bu naman nandito ka na." Matalim ang boses ni Izaak na nakasanayan na ni Syl. "I know you did it, but I'm sll going to ask. Did you or did you not steal the large vase I bought in an aucon?" "What steal?" Syl was not in a good mood as well. She just pushed the man she wanted. "Ang sayo ay sa'kin 'di ba?" Izaak clenched his st while gring his teeth. He was so closed to snapping at his wife, but just controlling himself. "Syl, we were forced to get married! That saying doesn't apply to us! Wala kang pagmamayari sa bahay na 'to." "Wala akong pera, Izaak." Syl was so red of crying, but a tear sll fell from her eyes. "Anong gusto mong gawin ko?" "Work, maybe?!"

 

"Ayokong magtrabaho." Nag-iwas Nag-iwas ng ngin ssii Syl dahil ang mga salita na lumalabas sa bibig niya ay hindi galing sa kaniya kundi sa ina niya n iya na isiniksik nito sa isip niya. "Gusto ko lang ng pera." Izaak scoed. "If my parents found out about this, do you think they'll sll like you." Wala nang iba pang sasabihin si Syl kaya nilampasan niya ang asawa, pero pinigilan siya nito sa braso. Pigil ni Syl na mapaigik dahil ang mismong nabugbog niyang braso ang nahawakan ni Izaak. "Kinakausap pa kita, Syl. Huwag mo akong talikuran. Mga gamit ko ang mga binenta mo. Do you have any idea how hard I work to buy those?!" "I need money." May diin sagot ni Syl at rinding-rindi na si Izaak na marinig ang dahilan na 'yon. Izaak blows a loud, angry breath. "Hindi pa rin ba sapat ang perang binibigay ko sa'yo? Goodness, Syl! Gaano ka ba kamukhang pera?!" It used to aect Syl, those words, but these days, it didn't really maer how Izaak calls her. She needed the money, or else, there will be hell to pay. She already experienced that weeks ago and didn't want a repeat. "You know what, whatever!" Biniwan ni Izaak ang braso ni Syl. "But the next me you sell something I own; I will not give you money anymore. Mark my words, Syl." Then Izaak le to go to the Island where he could forget his frustraons. Si Syl naman ay tuluyang pumasok pu masok sa kabahayan at ningnan ang mayordoma na nasa gilid ng salas. Alam niyang ito ang nagsumbong kay Izaak, pero ano namang magagawa niya? "Nay Koring, ipaghanda mo ako ng makakain saka dalhin mo sa kuwarto." Utos niya rito saka umakyat sa kuwarto niya. n iya.

 

Her mother told her not to be nice to the maids because she was the queen of the house. And she listened because not listening meant another set of bruises. Queen, my ass. What I am is a baered daughter— an abused woman. Syl knew all that, she knew she was not in a good place, she knew that Ream was right, she needs to pack up and leave, but if she did... Syl's hand h and trembled at the memory of her punishment when she tried to run away. Ever since she and Ria were kids, their parents like her more than Ria because she was docile and she always listens, afraid of being hurt. She was not as brave as Ria. She was the favorite, Ria once told her that. Oh, how she wanted not to be the favorite. Ria on the other hand was a rebel. A free loving girl who couldn't be controlled. Their parents gave up on Ria when they reached teens. They couldn't control Ria, aer all. So, they focused on her. Saying that she'll one day be useful. That she will not disappoint them since they've worked hard to give birth to her and raised her. Nuong una, akala ni Syl, kailangan niyang maging matalino at maayos na magtrabaho sa kompaniya nila para maibalik ang utang na loob na sinasabi ng ina niya sa kaniya dahil sa panganganak at pagpapalaki nito sa kaniya. Akala niya sapat na ang mag-akyat ng pera sa kompaniya. Pero hindi pala. Iba ang gusto ng mga ito. Hindi pera na galing sa pinaghirapan niya kundi pera na madali niyang makukuha. They didn't want a hard-working daughter; they want a perfect daughter who they can sell and be their bank. So, they married her o to a wealthy man. Izaak Davidson. And her sole purpose was to use her body to get money from Izaak. But she couldn't. So, she pretends and steal. A manipulave bitch as Izaak called her. She's a very nasty and sinful woman. And meeng Ream, her sin just doubled. She was married, yet she wanted another man's touch. She was married, yet she craved another man's aenon.

 

There were mes that she envied her twin's bravery that she tried to be her— mimic her. But the freedom she seeks didn't happen like how it happened to Ria. She was the unlucky twin. She got caught. And what came aer was the reason she didn't try to be free again. The punishment, the pain, and the fear... it was too much for her to bear that she became who she was today. A broken robot for her parents to order around. No, that was a lie. She tried to be free when she was in college and asked for help. She had a boyfriend who knew her situaon at home and promised to get her out of there. But he lied and broke up with her for another girl who was not as messed up as her. Like everyone else who promised to help. Even her relaves who promised to help her stepped back and didn't li a single nger even aer seeing her father slapped her h er hard mulple mes. They always turned a blind eye, like she was not suering, like she didn't need help. There was a me when she wanted help, when she was craving for help. But she sh e already reached the point that help was nothing but an illusion. And the help Ream was oering was an illusion as well. Oh, how happy she was when he oered. But it only took a minute for fear and doubt to creep in. What if it was a lie too? What if Ream changed his mind and push her back to the hell she was in? She was red of hoping and being disappointed. They said that asking help when you need it was the bravest one could do, but she'd rather be a coward and not ask for help. She can manage. She'll survive. She'd been surviving and ghng on her own for years. She didn't care if she was not living, as long as she was alive. She was okay with that. Ibinuka ni Syl ang nakakuyom na kamao saka pinakagad ang palad niya. Kapagkuwan ay tumuon ang ngin niya sa parte ng kamay kung saan nagtatagpo ang palad at daliri niya. Ang tagal na pero nandoon pa rin ang pilat ng kahapon. Ang pruweba ng pagtakas niya noon at pagkahuli sa kaniya.

 

Nandoon pa rin ang sugat na gawa ng kutsilyo ng hawak ng ama habang dinidiinan nito ang kamay niya sa sahig at gustong putulin ang daliri niya dahil sa ginawa niya. Hindi iyon natuloy dahil nakialam ang ina niya. Hindi dahil d ahil nag-aalala ito sa kaniya kundi dahil nag-aalala ito sa katawan niya na hindi na magiging perpekto kapag pinutol ng ama niya ang tatlong daliri niya. Between her mother and father, even though her father was fast to beat her when she made a mistake, she hated her mother more. Minsan, kapag may aksidenng nakakaalam o nakakakita sa mga pasa niya at nalalaman ng mga ito ang nangyayari sa kaniya, palaging natanong ng mga ito kung tunay ba niyang n iyang magulang ang mga magulang niya. How she wished she was adopted. At least, if she was, she could look for her biological parents and escaped. But unfortunately, they are her real parents. An abusive father and a narcissisc, vain and an exploiter mother who would do anything to get what she wants. And what's fucked up about that? It's the fact that she didn't want to escape anymore. Too scared to even rebel. That's how cowardly she was. Wala naman kasing patutunguhan. Ilang tao na ba ang nakakaalam sa pinagdadaanan niya? Pero may nangyari ba? Wala. Lahat humakbang h umakbang paurong dahil ayaw ng mga ito na 'madamay'. At naiinndihan niya. Sino ba naman ang gustong madamay? Natural na sa mga tao na manood lang keysa gustong madamay. Their convenience rst before others. That's human nature. Sarili muna bago ang iba. Huminga ng malalim si Syl at libo-libo ang kabang naramdaman ng tumunog ang cellphone niya at nakita niyang ang ama niya n iya 'yon. Against her will, she accepted the call and spoke soly to not anger her father. "Yes, Dad?"

 

"I want to invest in my friend's business." Anito. "Hindi pa rin nakakabalik sa da ang kompaniya nan at kulang ang pera ko rito. Could you provide the money for me?" It was a queson, but her answer should be a denite d enite 'yes' and nothing else. "Ayokong maliin ako ng mga kumpare ko at isipin nil ana wala akong pera. Marami namang pera 'yang asawa mo kaya nga siya s iya ang pinili naming para sa'yo. s a'yo. Dapat tumanaw ka ng utang na n a loob dahil mayaman ang pinakasal namin sayo s ayo at hindi gusgusin sa kanto." "Yes, dad." "Good." Sinabi nito ang halaga na kailangan nito. n ito. "I need it by next week." "Yes, dad." Alam ni Syl na pagkatapos ng sagutan nila ni Izaak kanina, hindi siya makakahingi ng pera rito at mas lalong bantay sarado nito ang mga gamit nito. That le her with no choice but to sell some of her jewelry she collected when she was sll working and had the money to buy them. Ayaw niyang bitawan ang mga 'yon pero kailangan. Ayaw niyang madagdagan ang mga pasa niya sa katawan. REAM SENT THREE words to their chat group, 'BBQ and beer', and everyone inside the group chat didn't need any more explanaon. They know that Ream got rejected. Again. Though only Shun and Knight were not surprised. They were expecng it actually. One by one, lunacs entered Eva's store and ordered barbecue and beer. At dahil marami sila, nagbuluntaryo si Knight na ito na ang mag-iihaw tulad ng nakasanayan nila at si Valerian naman na n a panay ang mura ang siyang naglalagay ng karne sa sck. Sa gulat ni Eva, walang nagtanong kung sino ang magbabayad sa mga kakainin ng mga ito. Ganun kasi palagi ang baliw na magkakaibigan na ginawang tambayan ang ndahan nila. Sa sobrang gugulo ng mga ito, dumang na siya sa punto na pinalayas niya ang mga ito. Nang hindi umobra 'yon, nilagyan niya ng limit kung ilan lang ang makakapasok sa ndahan nila, pero ang mga baliw na

 

magkakaibigan, nagkampo sa lahat at dahil masyadong mabait ang ina niya, pinapasok ang mga ito. Kaya naman hinayaan nalang ni Eva ang mga baliw na magkakaibigan sa gustong gawin ng mga ito at umupo nalang siya at nakinig ng educaonal podcast sa cellphone niya gamit ang earphone. Mas madadagdagan pa ang alam niya keysa naman mabuwesit siya sa mga baliw na n a nag-uumpisa na namang mag-ingay. "Oh!" Iuhence welcomed Ream, who just entered the store. "Mr. Rejected has  just arrived, fellas." Calyx gave Ream a BBQ and a bole of beer. "Here, bud." Then Calyx turned to Lysander. "Bud, magpakanta ka na ng mga mapanakit na kanta para kompleto ang pag-i-emo ni Oliveros ngayong gabi." And Lysander listened and played 'HINDI TAYO PUWEDE' by The Juans in the karaoke machine inside Eva's store. Ream just sighed and silently sit on while drinking beer and eang BBQ. Syempre ang mga gago niyang kaibigan, hindi siya hinayaang h inayaang manahimik. Sumabay ang mga ito sa kanta lalo na ng sumapit ang chorus. "Hindi tayo puwedeeee!" Birit na birit ang mga gago kahit si Knight na nag-iihaw at si Valerian na nagtutuhog ng karne. "Pinagtagpo, pero di nadhana! Hindi na posibleee!" Damang-dama Damang-dama ng mga gago ang kanta, may pahawak pa sa dibdib at eksaheradong malungkot na emosyon sa mukha. "Ang mga puso'y huwag nang pahirapan! Suko na sa laban! Hindi tayo puwedeee!" Ream just shook his head and let his friends connued singing sad songs on his behalf. From HINDI NA TAYO PUWEDE to KUNG 'DI RIN LANG IKAW. Nang mapagod na rin ang mga ito sa wakas, kaniya-kaniya kuha ito ng bbq at beer habang si Terron ang tagalista ng mga kinakain nilang lahat. "I'm not broken-hearted." Ani Ream. "Just sad." "Same dierence." Sagot ni Shun na nakaharap na naman sa laptop nito.

 

"Why not try hooking up with other women again?" Thorn suggested. Ream sighed. "I'll try. Kapag nasa mood na ako." Napailing si Phoenix na bumiyahe pa kasama si Titus at Hunt mula Baguio para samahan si Ream sap ag-i-emo nito. "At kailan naman n aman 'yon?" "Malay ko." Uminom ng beer si Ream. "But I'm not leaving the country. This me around, I'm staying." "Why? So, you could run to her fast when she calls?" Titus asked. "Yes." Ream didn't even try to deny it. "There's more to this than my feeling, guys. This is not just about that." Everyone nodded and didn't ask more. They would non-stop pry on Ream's issues, but they didn't even try when it comes to the woman. Because they were sure that Ream will tell them if it was not a sensive topic. Ream actually appreciated his friends more because of that that he couldn't help voicing it out. "Thanks for not asking too much. You're all like tsimoso with a heart." Napakunot naman ang nuo ni Knight na nagiihaw. "Huh... pero marami ditong tsismoso...so... tsismosos with a heart 'yon. With 's'. Tsismosos naman diba ang plural ng tsismoso." Lahat napangin kay Knight, pilit na iniinndi ang sinabi ni Knight hanggang sa sumuko nalang lahat ng hindi ng mga ito na gets si Knight. "Doon nalang tayo sa gossiper," ani Lath, "at least siguro tayo na ang plural n'on ay gossipers." Ream shrugged. "Then let me rephrase my sentence. You're all gossipers with a heart." Lahat nag thumbs-up kay Ream maliban kay Knight na bumulong-bulong pa. "Tsismosos pa rin. Ipaglalaban ko 'yon."

 

"Espanyol, mag-ihaw ka nalang." Wika ni Shun. "Sabi ko nga." Parang nagtatampong sabi ni Knight dahil hindi ginamit ni Ream ang salitang tsismosos. "So, anong plano mo ngayon?" Tanong ni Sanford habang panay nakaw nito ng bbq na katatapos palang ihawin ni Knight. Nagkibit-balikat si Ream. "I honestly don't know. Come what may?" "Good plan." Wika ni Dark habang kumakain ng BBQ. "That's what I did with my wife. I liked her, but she was in a relaonship, so I kept it to myself and decided that hell, come what way. But of course, you have to be ready when may nally come." "Good advice, bud." Sabad ni Evren. "Pero torpe ka pa rin." "Fuck you." "Wala nang tatalo pa rito kay Callahan sa s a katorpehan." Tumatawang sabi ni Calyx. "Okay lang naman kahit torpe, importante seryoso at hindi nananakit." Sabad ni Hunt. Inulan kaagad ng tukso si Hunt na nagkibit-balikat lang. Ream sighed. "Geez. Thanks for the love and care." "Anyme, bud!" Valerian groaned. "Why the fuck do you keep blaming me for your fucking heartaches?! Hindi ba puwedeng malas lang talaga kayong mga animal kayo?!" "Sabi nga namin." Anang lahat para hindi na sila masumpa o mamura ni Valerian. Napailing nalang si Ream saka nagpatuloy sa pag-inom. Ito ang kailangan niya ngayon. Distracon and diversion while he was sll not sure what to do next. Though there was one thing he was sure of— and that's to answer if Syl called.

CHAPTER 9

 

  KINAKABAHAN na pumasok si Syl sa bahay ng mga magulang. Pinatawag siya ng ama niya at alam na niya ang mangyayari kaya naman nagsuot siya ng damit na matatakpan lahat ng balat sa katawan niya biglang paghahanda para pag-uwi niya mamaya. Nanlalamig ang kamay niya habang naglalakad papasok. Nang makarang siya sa salas, hindi siya umupo kahit nakaupo doon ang mga magulang niya. Ang ama niya ay panay tagis ang bagang habang ang ina naman niya ay ay abala sa pagngin sa bagong manicure nitong kuko sa s a kamay. "Mom, Dad, you called." Nang nag-angat ng ngin ang ama niya, pigil p igil ni Syl ang mapaigtad sa takot ng makita ang matalim nitong mga mat ana nakatuon sa kaniya. "Alam mo ba kung bakit pinapunta p inapunta kita rito?" Tumango si Syl. "Yes, dad." "And what do you have to say for yourself?" Syl forced herself to calm down and not dget. She was too scared to even speak, but her father would be angrier if she didn't. "H-hindi po kasi ako binigyan ng per ani Izaak. 'Yon lang ang pera na mayroon ako." Mas lalong tumalim ang mata ng ama. "Alam mo bang b ang napahiya ako sa mga kumpare ko dahil sa kawalan mo ng silbi?!" Syl inched and unconsciously stepped back when her father stood up and walked towards her. Pero hindi siya hinayaan ng ama na makalayo rito. Malakas at mahigpit nitong hinawakan ang braso niya na may pasa pa rin. "At saan ka pupunta? You have to take full responsibility for what you did, Dinsyl." Madilim na madilim ang mukha ng ama niya at pahigpit ng pahigpit ang hawak nito sa braso niya na napapaigik siya sa sakit. "Napakasimple ng pinapagawa ko sayo! Napakasimple ng hinihingi ko! Pera lang, Syl. Pera! At hindi mo maibigay? Anong klaseng anak ka? Walang utang na loob!"

 

Syl was controlling herself not to tremble. Seeing her father's eyes, his h is hand on her, hurng her, her trauma was surfacing. She couldn't control it. She was scared. "'Yon na nga lang ang hinihiling ko sayo, hindi mo pa magawa?" Lumipat ang kamay ng ama niya mula sa braso niya at sinakal nito ang leeg niya na halos hindi na siya makahinga. "Napakawalang kuwenta mo talaga! Hindi ba sabi ko sayo, gamin mo 'yang mukha mo para makakuha ng pera." A tear she couldn't control fell from her eyes. "Oh, anong iniiyak-iyak mo?" Ilang beses na huminga ng malalim si Syl ng pakawalan ng ama niya ang leeg niya. "Wala ka na ngang maitulong, ang hina-hina mo pa!" Isang malakas na sampal ang tumama sa mukha ni Syl. "Walang silbi! Walang kuwentang anak! Anong silbi ng pagpapakain, pagpapalaki at pagaaruga naming sayo kung ganito ka kahina at kawalang silbi?! Hindi ka namin pinalaking bobo, Dinsyl. Hindi ka namin pinalaking walang utak!" Napapikit nalang si Syl ng makatanggap ulit ng dalawang sampal mula sa ama. Sa sobrang lalakas niyon ay napaatras siya at kailangan niyang balansehin ang katawan. "Munng halaga lang ang hinihingi ko pero hindi mo maibigay!" Hindi na kaya ni Syl na manahimik kaya sumagot siya. "Wala nga akong pera at ayaw akong bigyan ni Izaak. Wala akong magawa, dad—" Mabilis na tumama sa kaniya hita niya ang sipa ng ama dahilan para bahagyan siyang tumilapon sa sahig. Napaigik si Syl sa sobrang sakit pero bumangon pa rin siya at tumayo saka tumingin sa ama. Kahit na takot na takot siya, hindi na niya kaya pang manahimik. "Wala akong pera. Ayaw niyo akong pagtrabahuin. Paano ako makakapagbigay sa inyo ng milyones?!" Hindi alam ni Syl kung sumabog na siya pero sunod-sunod ang pagpatak ng luha niya. "Matalino ako! Hindi ako bobo!" Sigaw niya sa ama niyang nanlilisik ang mata dahil sa pagsagot niya. "Lahat ng gusto niyo, binibigay

 

ko! Lahat nalang kasalanan ko! Oo nga at mayaman si Izaak pero hindi ako bayarang babae na gagamin ko ang katawan ko para p ara lang magkapera! Hindi ako ganung klaseng babae!" "At sumasagot ka na!" Galit na sigaw ng ama niya saka kinuha nito ang swiss knife sa bulsa saka inutok nito iyon sa kaniya habang sapo nito ang leeg niya para hindi siya makatakas. "Hindi mo ba naalala ang ginawa ko sayo ng sumagot ka?! Hindi ka natuto. Then, I'll teach you again, you worthless bitch!" Syl was trembling and trying to ght o her father seeing the Swiss knife so close to her eyes, but her father was stronger than her. She was trembling in so much fear that her father will stab her eyes because it was not an impossible deed for her father. "Dad! Stop! Stop! Please!" Syl was begging and crying and shoung. "Stop! Please! Hindi na ako sasagot ulit! Please, dad! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" But her father didn't stop, his bloodshot eyes were so wide and scary while pushing the Swiss knife to her eyes that Syl knees weakened, and she made a mess. "Darling, that's enough." Boses 'yon ng ina niya pero hindi pa rin sila pinakawalan ng ama. Ang dulo ng swiss knife na hawak nito ay nakatusok n akatusok sa pisngi niya. "Darling, I said enough!" Pero hindi nakinig ang ama niya hanggang sa lumapit na ang ina niya para pakawalan siya ng ama. Kaagad na bumagsak ang katawan ni Syl sa sahig. But Syl was not grateful. She knew it was another hell. "Huwag ka nang magalit, darling." Gamit ang panyo, nuyo ng ina niya ang luha sa pisngi niya. "Babawi naman si Syl. Hindi ba, Syl? Babawi ka, 'di ba?" Sa sobrang takot na nararamdaman, parang robot na tumango si Syl.

 

"That's my baby girl." Her mother smiled, but all Syl could see was an evil woman smiling wickedly. "Tahan na, 'nak. Paano ka babawi kung ganito ang hitsura h itsura mo? Dapat maayos ka. Dapat maganda ka palagi katulad ko. Huwag ka nang umiyak, hmm?" Syl nodded and Syl felt her father spat on her. "Walang silbi. Umalis ka sa harapan ko!" With her neck and legs sll burning in pain, she sh e got up. Hindi niya nanggap ang tulong ng ina at paika-ikang p aika-ikang lumabas ng bahay. Gusto niyang lumayo. Gusto niyang magpakalayo-l magpakalayo-layo. ayo. Sa sobrang sakit na katawan ni Syl, nabuwal siya sa pagkakatayo ng nasa may gate na siya pero pilit siyang tumayo. Nang hindi niya magawa dahil sa nangyari sa hita niya, gumapang siya patungong gate para lang makalayo sa impyernong bahay na 'yon. Syl felt like the lowest person in the world crawling her way out of the house, towards the sidewalk. The maids only passed her by and didn't help afraid that they'll receive her father's wrath. In severe pain and couldn't walk, Syl hugged herself while sing on the sidewalk near her parents' house. Alone in the dark, all she could do was cry at how scared she was. She wanted to be brave, she wanted to shout at her parents, she wanted to ght, but when it comes to the actual deed, her trauma always gets the beer of her and she couldn't do anything for herself. Why?! Why am I such coward?! Syl punched her head in so much anger and frustraon. Why can't I be brave like Ria?! Why can't I ght for myself?! Why is this happening to me?! Why am I suering like this! I can't connue like this! I can't do this anymore! I can't! Syl was going crazy. She was losing hope. She was trembling in fear. She was scared. She was a mess. And she knew in that moment, no one will help her. No one will lend a hand. But she wanted to try and ask for help again. She wanted to believe again that help was not an illusion.

 

BBQ AND BEER straight for ve days. Walang araw na wala ang mga baliw na magkakaibigan sa ndahan nila Eva. At dahil sanay na ang mga ito sa karenderya nila Eva, nagkaniya-kaniyang ihaw nalang at kapag nauubusan ng bbq ay ito na ang nagpi-presentang magtuhog para may ihawin pa. In those ve days, naubusan ng beer at karne sila Eva dahil sa mga baliw b aliw na magkakaibigan. Kaya sa ika-anim na araw, tubig at chicharron nalang ang kinain ng mga baliw pero may kasama pa ring pang-broken hearted na kanta. 'Yon ang hindi nawawala. Gabi-gabi, parang may pusong dinadala sa s a sementeryo dahil sa mga kanta sa karaoke. At nandoon lang si Eva sa gilid, walang emosyong nakangin sa mga mayayamang lasenggo na parang mga tambay sa kanto kung umakto. "Eva, bakit wala na kayong beer?" Tanong ni Iuhence na tubig ang iniinom. "Malamang dahil inubos niyo." Sagot ni Eva sabay ingos. "Hindi pa kayo nagpapa-deliver?" Tanong ni Terron. Mas lalong nagging masungit si Eva. "May nakikita kang beer?" b eer?" "Oo nga, Terron." Sabad ni Calyx saka inulit ang sinabi ni n i Eva. "May nakikita kang beer?" "At saka ang lalakas ng loob niyong magtanong, e 'di pa nga kayo nagbabayad." Buwesit na sabi ni n i Eva sa magkakaibigan. "Anong ibibili naming, sige nga? Ano, utang na naman? Mas masahol pa kayo sa mga tambay sa kanto. Magbayad na nga kayo kundu papalayasin ko ulit kayo." Lahat tumingin kay Ream na nasa gilid ng karenderya at tahimik na kumakain ng chicharon habang may ini-sketch ito sa papel. Almost immediately, Ream felt his friend's stares. He looked up and frowned. "What?" "Hindi ka pa nagbabayad?" Tanong ni Becke. Ream frown deepened. "Nagbayad na ako."

 

Everyone turned to look at Eva this me. "Nagbayad na daw siya, Eva." Wika ni Cali. "Oo. Pero ang binayaran lang niya yong ininom at kinain niyo nuong n uong martes. Pero simula miyerkules haggang linggo, wala pang nagbabayad." Lahat tumingin ulit kay Ream. "You heard her, Ream. Pay up!" Ani Evren. "Baka kasuhan na tayo ni Eva." Ream looked at his friends, confused. "Ha? Bakit ako ang magbabayad?" "Kasi puso mo pinagluluksa namin?" Rason ni Knight. "Nag eort kaming pumunta rito para kumain at uminom para sayo." Ream sighed and looked at Eva. "Pa-total ng babayaran—" "Yes!" The lunacs was overjoyed. But Ream was not nished. "Then divide it to 26." "What?!" Sumama ang mukha lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Ream. Nag thumbs-up naman si Eva kay Ream at kaagad na k kinuwenta inuwenta kung magkano babayaran ng bawat isa. "Ream, you're such a hayop." Wika ni Knight na umiiling pa. Imbes na sumangayon kay Knight, pinagbabato si Knight ng wala nang lamang water bole. At nang akmang si Ream na ang sunod nilang babatuhin, bigla nalang itong tumayo pagkatapos tumunog ng cellphone nito. And everyone became silent when they heard Ream. "Syl? Are you alright? Nasaan ka?" Ream was clearly in panic and in a hurry. "Diyan ka lang. Huwag kang gagalaw. Pupuntahan kita. Wait for me, okay?"

 

At parang naging hangin ang mga nandoon dahil basta nalang umalis si Ream at iniwan sila kay Eva na natapos na ang pagkuwenta at handa na kung magkano ang babayaran nang lahat. HALOS PALIPARIN NI Ream ang sasakyan papunta sa binigay na address sa kaniya ni Syl. The address was near her parents' house, and he was worried. Alam niyang hindi tatawag si Syl kung wala itong dahilan at kahit hindi pa niya nakikita ang dalaga, base sa nanginginig nitong boses nang n ang tumawag ito, alam niyang nasa hindi ito magandang kalagayan. Ream should be happy that Syl called but knowing the reason why she called made him angry than happy. Dahil sa trac, medyo natagalan si Ream na puntahan si Syl, pero kaagad niyang n iyang nakita ang dalaga na nakaupo sa gilid ng daan ng iparada niya ang sasakyan. Nakatungo ito at yakap ang mga hita. Ream gried his teeth seeing the state Syl was in, but he had to calm down. Leaving his car lights open, Ream stepped out from his car and run towards Syl. "Syl!" Lumuhod si Ream sa semento ng makarang sa harapan ni Syl para p ara magpantay ang mukha nila at masuri na n a rin niya ang katawan nito. "Are you—" Ream wanted to ask if she was okay, but it was clear that she wasn't. "Can you get up?" Umiling si Syl na nakatungo pa rin. Parang ayaw nitong tumingin sa kaniya. "Then, can I carry you?" Ream took a deep breath before he carefully picked up Syl and bring her to his car. Nang maayos niya itong napa-upo sa passenger seat, umikot siya sa harapan ng sasakyan para sumakay sa rin. Sing on the driver's seat and driving without desnaon, Syl was silent. She was  just leaning on the car's window and glancing glancing at her, Ream could see fresh bruises on her neck.

 

Ream didn't say a word. He just let Syl enjoy her silence, thinking that no words could make her feel good at that moment. But the silence broke when Syl spoke in a whisper. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. She sounded so weak, and her voice was hoarse. "Wala akong ibang matatawagan na alam sa..." Hindi matapos ni Syl ang sasabihin. "I'm so sorry I called." Huminga ng malalim si Ream. Habang pinapakinggan niya ang nanginginig at pumipiyok ng boses ni Syl, parang may kung anong mabigat na bagay na dumadagan sa dibdib niya. "It's okay, Syl. I don't mind." Kinagat ni Syl ang pang-ibabang labi para p ara pigilan ang luha na gustong kumawala sa mga mata niya ng marinig ang sagot s agot ni Ream. "Just rest." Ani Ream habang nakatutok ang ngin sa daan habang nagmamaneho, kapagkuwan kapagkuwan ay nagtanong ito. "Kumain ka na ba? Kung h hindi indi pa, may gusto ka bang kainin? We can order if you want." Tahimik na umiling si Syl. "I'm full." Hindi na nangulit pa si Ream kahit nag-aalala siya na baka hindi pa ito kumakain. Halatang pumayat ito mula ng huli silang magkita. "Ayos lang ba sayo kung dadalhin kita sa ospital?" Syl closed her eyes in shame. "Not the hospital. Wala akong perang pambayad p ambayad doon." "Please don't." Syl didn't want Ream spending money on her. She'll fell awful. "Okay lang naman ako. I just need a lile rest." "Kung ganun," sinulyapan ni Ream si Syl, "saan kita ihahad?" "Anywhere is ne," Syl whispered. "Basta malayo lang sa kanila." "Then, may I take you to my place?"

 

Syl nodded. At that moment, she didn't want to think if what she was doing was right. She just wanted to get away for a lile while. To not draw aenon to Syl, Ream talked to his cousin if he could use the back entrance to the condominium connected to the elevator. Wrapped in his jacket that was sing on the backseat of his car, Ream carried Syl to his condo. Syl was silent and couldn't look at him. Deposing her body on the long sofa, Ream kneeled on the oor, in front of Syl, to check her legs. Something must have happened to her legs for her not to be able to walk. "May I?" Ream was asking Syl if he could li her dress. Syl didn't stop Ream. She just nodded silently while watching how careful was with her. Always asking for permission. Always asking for her consent. Always making her feel that her decision and answers maered. Gustong ipikit ni Syl ang mga mata ng makita ang pag-awang ng labi ni Ream ng bahagyang ini-angat nito ang laylayan ng damit niya at nakita nito ang pasa niya doon gawa ng pagsipa ng ama niya sa hita niya. Hindi napigilan ni Syl ang munng bul ng luha na bumagsak sa pisngi p isngi niya ng makita ang galit sa mukha nito. He was angry for her. When was the last me someone was angry for her? It was always 'angry because of her', not 'for her'. "I'll get the rst-aid kit." Ani Ream pero hindi naman ito umalis. Nanali itong nakaluhod sa harapan ni Syl habang nakangin sa hita ni Syl na puno ng pasa. At nang hindi na kinaya ni Ream, nag-angat ito ng ngin kay Syl. "I know I have no right to tell you what to do, but please, Syl, there is another way to live than this. I'm happy that you called, but I don't want to see you like this. I know you're scared; I know it's not easy for you to ght, but this is not the way to live, Syl. It's not. The world is big. You can go wherever you want— away from them." Ibinuka ni Syl ang mga palad para ipakita kay Ream ang pilat doon. "Nuong huling beses kong sinubukang tumakas, munk nang maputol ang mga daliri ko bilang b ilang

 

kaparusahan. Nang subukan kong sumagot kanina, nang subukan kang lumaban, ganun pa rin ang kinalabasan. Kaun nalang, malapit ng bumaon ang swiss knife ni dad sa mata ko dahil lang sumagot ako. Alam kong kailangan kong umalis, alam kong kailangan kong lumaban, pero kapag nandoon na ako, hindi ko magawa. All the pain and fear I received, and experienced kept replaying in my head and all I could do was say sorry and beg because that's the only way I know how to live." Sunod-sunod na bumagsak ang luha sa pisngi ni Syl. "I know I'm pathec for not leaving and just enduring, but I'm scared." Syl's voice was shaking as she sobbed. "This has been happening for so many years that I don't know if there was a way... because where I am now, Ream... I can't see a way out." Mabilis na nuyo ni Syl ang luha sa pisngi saka inabot ng kamay niya ang pisngi ni Ream para tuyuin ang isang bul ng luha na pumatak sa mga mata nito. "Because I can feel your pain," Ream took a deep breath. "And it hurts." Syl tried to smile. "I'm ne now. n ow. Thank you for coming to get me. I appreciate it." Ream held Syl's hand that was drying his lone tear. "I'm just here, Syl. Hindi man ngayon, pero kapag nagkaroon ka na ng lakas ng loob na lumayo, tawagan mo lang ako. I'll help you get away." Syl's face soened. "I wish I met you a lile sooner. Maybe, if I met you before, I won't be this messed up now." Ream had no words and just leaned in and pressed p ressed his lips on Syl's forehead. With a promise that he will not abandon her even if his feelings weren't reciprocated.