24

As the stormy skies begin to clear, the winds of fate whisper a haunting warning. Happiness is but a fleeting dream, a temporary reprieve from the crushing blows of destiny. It's as if the universe delights in our suffering, taunting us with glimpses of joy only to rip them away, leaving us shattered and broken.

The cruel truth is that happiness and sadness are inextricably linked, two sides of the same fragile coin. Love, that most tender and vulnerable of emotions, is forever bound to pain, a constant reminder that our hearts are but fragile vessels, susceptible to the whims of a capricious fate.

No matter how hard we strive to outrun the shadows of destiny, we are forever bound to its cruel whims. Like moths to a flame, we are drawn to the very things that will destroy us, our hearts beating with a fatal attraction to the pain that awaits us.

And yet, we dare to hope, to dream of a life free from the cruel grasp of destiny. But it's a fleeting dream, one that vanishes like mist in the morning sun, leaving us to face the harsh reality of our existence: that we are but pawns in the game of fate, forever subject to the whims of a heartless universe.

Madaya ang mundo. Masaya ka ngayon, bukas malungkot ka nanaman. Minsan ay nakakatakot maging masaya, dahil alam mo na may kapalit itong lungkot.

Hindi ba talaga pwede na maging masaya nalang tayo? Walang sakit. Walang lungkot. Walang pagdudusa. Masaya lang lahat.

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of the hospital hit me like a ton of bricks. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my abdomen made me gasp.

A gentle hand grasped mine, and I turned to see Jarred's worried face. "Baby, finally gumisinh kana din." He exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes.

As I gazed at him, a vivid image suddenly flashed in my mind - an image of him locking lips with another girl. The memory stung like a fresh wound, and I felt a searing pain pierce through my heart. How could he betray me like this?

First, he had kept a secret from me, and now, he had cheated on me. The thought made my blood boil with anger and hurt.

He reached out to hold my hand, but I jerked it away, as if his touch would contaminate me. I saw a flicker of pain cross his eyes, but I didn't care.

I was too busy trying to process the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me. I shrugged off his hurt expression, my heart hardened against him. The trust was broken, and I didn't know if it could ever be repaired.

I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse. "W-what...happened?" I managed to stammer.

Jarred face contorted in anguish. "You fell, love. You were bleeding so much. I thought...I thought I'm going to lose you."

Just then, a wave of memories washed over me, and I suddenly recalled the fall, the searing pain, and the blood that had soaked through my clothes. A sharp pang struck my heart, and it began to racing wildly, as if trying to escape the agony that threatened to engulf me.

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt like I was reliving the horror all over again. The memory was so vivid, so real, that I could almost smell the metallic scent of blood and feel the rough ground beneath me. My mind reeled, and I felt like I was on the verge of collapsing under the weight of my own emotions.

I winced, the memories of the pain and blood flooding back. "'Yung anak ko?" I whispered, my heart racing with fear. Jarred's eyes dropped, and I saw the puffiness and redness that betrayed his own tears. He looked exhausted, and his voice cracked as he spoke.

I asked again, my voice trembling. "Jarred, 'yung anak ko?" Jarred's sobs deepened, and he hesitated before speaking.

"The doctor said... the impact of your fall..." He took a deep breath, struggling to continue. "It was too strong..."

My nerves frayed, and I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. No, it can't be. This can't be happening. I asked again, desperate for reassurance. "Jarred, 'yung anak ko? Is she still... is she still inside me?"

But Jarred's cries only intensified, and he tried to hold my hand again. I pushed him away, my voice firm and demanding.

"Answer me, Jarred." I shouted, my desperation boiling over. "ANSWER ME!!!"

Jarred took another deep breath before meeting my gaze, his eyes streaming with tears. "I'm sorry, baby, I'm sorry," he whispered.

But I wasn't interested in apologies. I wanted the truth. "I'M NOT ASKING FOR YOUR APOLOGY!" I screamed. "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY?"

Jarred's voice was barely audible, but the words cut through me like a knife. "You... you had a miscarriage."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. No, no, no. This can't be happening. I tried to sit up again, but the pain was too much. I fell back onto the bed, tears streaming down my face.

Just then, the door swung open, and Kiraz walked in, her face etched with worry and guilt. "Clyde, I'm so sorry. Hindi nalang sana kita pinilit na pumunta." But I didn't even acknowledge her. My gaze was fixed on Jarred, who was now crying uncontrollably.

I was trying to process the words that had just shattered my world. "You're joking," I said, my voice trembling as tears began to fall. I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe it. No, my baby couldn't be gone.

"Please, tell me you're just joking," I pleaded, my voice cracking with desperation. But Jarred just remained silent, his body shaking with sobs. I reached out and took his hand, holding it tightly. "Nagbibiro ka lang, diba? Jarred, love, please!!!" I begged.

But Jarred's response was a whispered prayer, a desperate hope that it wasn't true. "S-sana nga, sana nga, Clyde. Sana nga nagbibiro lang ako."

I was dumbfounded, my heart shattered into a million pieces. It was true. My baby was really gone. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of grief.

I shook my head violently, trying to deny the truth, but it was like trying to hold back a tsunami. "No, no, no, it's not true. I refuse to believe it." But deep down, I knew it was true. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, like a cold, dark shadow spreading through my veins.

My body ached with a hollow, gnawing pain that seemed to echo the emptiness in my heart.

Why was this happening to me? What had I done to deserve this? "Ano bang naging kasalanan ko?" I wailed, my voice cracking with anguish, my words tumbling out in a desperate, pleading cry.

"Bakit nangyari 'to? Bakit niyo hinahayaan na mangyari sa 'kin 'to?" I screamed, my fists clenched, my eyes blazing with a mix of anger, sadness, and desperation.

I felt like I was drowning in a sea of grief, unable to find a lifeline to cling to. My heart was shattered into a million pieces, each one cutting me like a razor-sharp knife. I was consumed by a pain so intense, so overwhelming, that it was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

I let out a primal scream, my pain and grief boiling over like a volcano erupting. I was a wreck, sobbing uncontrollably as I sat on the hospital bed, my body shaking, my sobs echoing off the hospital room walls. Jarred tried to calm me down, but I pushed his hands away, unable to bear his touch.

"'Yung anak ko..." I wailed, my voice hoarse from screaming, my words barely intelligible. I cried so hard that my body convulsed, my sobs racking me like a stormy sea. I was lost in a sea of despair, unable to find a way out, unable to escape the agony that had consumed me.

I turned to Jarred, my anger boiling over like a cauldron of venom. "YOU!!" I screamed, my finger pointing accusingly at him.

"It's all your fault!" I shouted, my hands pounding against his chest. "Kasalanan mo 'to, kasalanan mo lahat ng 'to!"

I was crying uncontrollably, my body shaking with rage and grief. Kiraz tried to intervene, calling out my name, but I was too far gone, too consumed by my pain and anger.

"You fucking liar!" I screamed at Jarred. "You cheated on me!" I shouted, my hands still pounding against his chest. Jarred tried to calm me down, but I wouldn't let him. I was beyond reason, beyond consolation.

"Baby, please, calm down," Jarred pleaded, his own eyes streaming with tears. But I was unforgiving, my anger and hurt too raw, too fresh.

"I hate you!" I screamed. "You killed our child. You killed him!" I accused, my voice cracking with emotion.

"It's your fault. It's all your fault," I repeated, my words dripping with venom and hatred.

I finally exhausted myself, my fists still clenched and resting on Jarred's chest. I was breathing heavily, my chest heaving with each ragged breath.

I looked up at Jarred, my eyes blazing with a cold, hard anger. "I'm slowly hating and despising you," I whispered, my voice venomous.

Jarred's voice was weak and laced with pain as he called out my name. "Clyde..." But I didn't care. I didn't care about his pain, his tears, or his sorrow. He deserved every ounce of it.

"How can you say that?" Jarred asked, his voice cracking. "I'm also in pain." But I just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.

"It's your fault, and you fucking deserve every pain," I spat, my words dripping with malice. Jarred's face contorted in agony, and he cried out, his body shaking with sobs.

"You are so harsh, baby," he whispered, his voice barely audible. But I just looked at him, my heart hardened against him. He had broken me, shattered me into a million pieces. And now, he was paying the price.

I just glared at him, my anger and hurt boiling over. "Get out," I spat, my voice shaking with rage. "Just get out. You've done enough damage already."

Jarred looked like he'd been slapped, but he didn't move. "Clyde, please—"

"GET OUT!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the hospital walls.

Kiraz tried to calm me down, but I was beyond consolation. I was consumed by grief, anger, and regret.

Jarred's voice was laced with desperation as he begged me to stay. "Baby, please, ayaw ko umalis." But I was unmoved, my anger and hurt still simmering just below the surface.

"Leave, I said leave!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the hospital room walls. But Jarred refused to budge, his eyes pleading with me to forgive him.

"No, baka iiwan mo 'ko pag aalis ako,  I'll stay here," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. He was crying so much, his body shaking with sobs.

Kiraz stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Jarred's shoulder. "Give her some time to process everything, this is hard for her," she said softly.

Jarred nodded, his eyes still fixed on me. "This was hard for me too," he whispered, his voice barely audible. And with that, he turned and left, his sobs echoing down the hallway.

As Jarred finally left, I turned to Kiraz, my eyes pleading. "Bakit, Kiraz? Bakit nangyayari 'yo? Unti-unti na kaming nagkaka ayos oh. And then...and then this."

Kiraz's eyes welled up with tears. "I don't know, Clyde. Sometimes I think fate just likes to play cruel jokes on us. When everything is starting to be okay, destiny finds its way to ruin it."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. It was as if the universe had conspired against me, against us. And now, I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.

Bakit sa 'kin pa nangyayari 'yung ganito? Bakit sa 'kin pa? Ano ba 'yung nagawa ko?

Naging mabuting anak naman ako. Naging mabuting kaibigan. Kapamilya. Naging mabuting tao ako pero bakit ako nagdudusa ng ganito?

Unti-unti na natutupad pangarap ko oh? Magkaka anak na sana kami.

Memories of my childhood came flooding back, like waves crashing onto the shore. I remembered myself as a young girl, sitting in front of the TV, completely absorbed in my favorite romantic movie, "Starting Over Again".

I was enchanted by the love story unfolding before my eyes, and I longed to experience that kind of love for myself. I wanted to feel the thrill of a first kiss, the excitement of a new romance, the joy of hearing someone say "I love you". I wanted it all.

"Papa, wait lang po?" I called out, not wanting to tear my eyes away from the screen. My father's voice was firm but gentle,

"Clyde, tara na kain na. Ilang oras kanang nanonood diyan." But I was too engrossed, too caught up in the world of romance and love.

I vaguely heard my father's footsteps approaching, but I didn't budge. I was too focused on the movie. My father's voice was laced with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "Nakailang panood kana diyan, kanina kapa walang kain." I nodded, still not tearing my eyes away from the screen.

"Pagkatapos po, promise," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

I heard my father's sigh, and then he walked back to the dining room, leaving me to my romantic reverie. Little did I know, life had its own plans, and my own love story would be far more complicated than any movie.

After a while, Papa came back with two plates of food in his hands. "If you don't want to leave the living room, I'll just bring the food here," he said with a smile, setting the plates down on the small table in front of me. "Thank you, Papa," I replied, grateful for his understanding.

I continued watching my movie while eating, and Papa sat down beside me, also eating and watching with me. "Don't forget to take a bath after this, your mom and brother will be home soon, and you don't want to get scolded again," he reminded me.

I smiled mischievously at him. "Don't worry, Papa, you're here to defend me," I said, making him chuckle and shake his head.

"You're really addicted to those romance movies, aren't you?" he teased.

I nodded enthusiastically. "Papa, they're just so beautiful! Everyone falls in love and gets their happy ending. They get married and live happily ever after," I said, my eyes shining with excitement.

Papa looked at me with a serious expression. "Anak, marriage is not what you think it is," he said, but I just smiled and waved my hand dismissively.

"Oh, Papa, you're just trying to scare me because I'm your favorite and you don't want to let me go," I teased.

Papa smiled wistfully. "We've been married for many years, and we've had our share of ups and downs," he said.

But I was undeterred. "I don't care, Papa. My dream is to have a husband like you and to have a happy family," I said, smiling widely at him.

Papa looked at me with a mix of sadness and concern, but I didn't notice. I was too caught up in my own romantic fantasies.

A lone tear escaped from my eye as memories of my childhood dreams flooded my mind. I remembered the countless times I fantasized about being married, having a family, and living happily ever after.

My father's words echoed in my mind, "Marriage is not what you think it is, Clyde." I realized now that he was right. Marriage wasn't the fairy tale I had always envisioned.

As I looked back, I felt a pang of sadness and regret. I had gotten married, and I had almost started a family, but it wasn't the happily-ever-after I had always dreamed of. I felt like I had failed the young, innocent Clyde who had once believed in the fairy tale.

"I'm sorry, young Clyde," I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible. "I'm sorry for not fulfilling your dreams. I'm sorry for not making your fairy tale come true." The tears I had been holding back began to fall, and I wept for the loss of my dreams, for the pain I had endured, and for the shattered remains of my heart.

I was lost in thought, my mind still reeling from the events that had unfolded, when I heard a soft voice calling out my name. "Clyde..." I turned to the door, and my eyes widened in surprise as I saw Ashley standing there.

She looked...different. Her usual polished demeanor was replaced by a more disheveled appearance. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she was wearing a hoodie and pants. She looked tired, and her eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness.

"Musta?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard what happened..." She trailed off, her eyes avoiding mine.

I felt a pang in my chest, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I missed her, I really did. But the pain she had caused me was still too raw, too fresh.

"It probably hurt you so much," she said, her voice laced with regret. "Don't worry, Kiraz will always be there for you," she whispered. I looked at her, confused. Why was she saying this?

But then she said something that cut me deep. "I still hate you for what you did." The words stung, and I felt a lump form in my throat. It hurt, it really hurt. But then she added something that made my heart skip a beat. "But I also missed you, that's why I stopped by to check on you before I left."

"Aalis ka?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly. Ashley nodded, and a tear escaped from her eye.

"Oum, this is my goodbye," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Suddenly, all our memories came flooding back, and it hurt. It hurt so much. Our decades-long friendship was coming to an end. A friendship that we never expected to end was now ending.

"For good?" I asked, my voice cracking. Ashley nodded again, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

"You will be okay soon, Clyde. Heal yourself, and I'll always support you from afar," she said, her voice laced with sadness. She turned her back to me, and I felt a pang in my chest.

Before she left my room, she stopped and turned around. "I don't know if I could still look at you the same and bring back our friendship, but I wish you the best," she said, her eyes filled with tears.

As she was about to leave, I called out to her. "Ashley, I never meant to hurt you," I said, my voice shaking. But she didn't respond. I tried again, desperation creeping into my voice. "You know me, you know I am not capable of betraying someone."

Still, there was no response from her. I tried one last time, my voice cracking. "Hindi ko ginusto 'yung nangyari, Ashley."

I saw her body stiffen, but she still continued to leave. I cried out after she left, the weight of our ended friendship crushing me. Our friendship, which had been a constant in my life for so long, was finally over.

I sobbed uncontrollably as Mama, Kuya, and Jarred arrived. They looked worried and concerned as they saw me crying. My mother's gentle voice called out to me, "Clyde, anak..." and I immediately wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.

I buried my face in her shoulder, letting out a torrent of tears. I cried like a baby, surrendering to the emotions that had been building up inside me. I missed my mother's warmth, her love, and her comfort. She was my home, my safe haven, my everything.

No matter what happened in my life, no matter where I went or who I met, my mother would always be my home. I might find new relationships, new loves, and new places to call home, but she would always be the one place where I felt truly safe, truly loved, and truly accepted.

As I cried in her arms, I felt a sense of comfort and security wash over me. It was a feeling that I had missed, a feeling that I had been craving. And as I held my mother tight, I knew that I would always cherish this feeling, this sense of home and belonging.

Tatalikoran man ako ng mundo su Mama ay mananatiling nakayakap sa 'kin.

"Ma..." I sobbed, my voice shaking with emotion. My mother's gentle hands caressed my back, trying to calm me down. She didn't say a word, but her warm touch spoke volumes. It was a comforting silence, one that only a mother could provide.

"Clyde..." My brother joined in, wrapping his arms around me. Kuya and I may have loved to tease each other, but deep down, I knew he was my protector. He was always there to defend me, to shield me from harm.

I hugged them both tightly, letting out a torrent of tears. As I cried, I caught a glimpse of Jarred standing in the doorway, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and jealousy. For a moment, I wanted to reach out and hug him too, but my pain and anger were still too raw.

He was hurting, I could see that. But I was hurting too. I was in agony because of him. He had cheated on me, kissed someone else, and betrayed my trust. The wounds were still too fresh, and I couldn't forgive him just yet.

"Kuya..." I called out, my voice firm and resolute. "Ate Keziah is a good lawyer for annulment, right?" I asked, my eyes fixed on my brother. I saw Jarred's eyes widen in shock as he stared at me, but I deliberately turned my gaze away from him.

"Clayde..." Jarred called out, his voice laced with desperation, but I ignored him.

Yes, I had made up my mind. I wanted to leave him. I wanted to leave everything behind. My brother looked at me in shock, but I met his gaze with a serious expression.

"Clayde, are you sure?" my brother asked, his voice filled with concern. I nodded, my jaw set in determination.

My mother tried to intervene, "Think of it properly, Anak." But I was resolute. I knew what I wanted.

Just as my mother was about to continue, a loud bang echoed through the room. I saw my brother flinch at the sudden noise. I turned to look at the door, and that's when I saw Jarred. He had gotten up and run out of the room, leaving me alone with my family.

Kuya's words hung in the air like a challenge, "Are you really sure, Clyde?" I stood frozen, my voice trapped in a prison of uncertainty.

Was I truly ready to shatter the fragments of my heart? Could I really walk away from the shattered remains of our love?

Eight years of memories, of laughter and tears, of whispers and promises, all swirled together in a maelstrom of pain. I had grown accustomed to his presence, to the gentle touch of his hand, to the warmth of his smile. But now, it all seemed like a distant memory, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be again.

Nasanay na akong nariyan siya.

Kuya's eyes bore into mine, his voice a gentle urging, "Clyde, I want you to decide something that you won't regret." I turned to my mother, her eyes brimming with tears, her face etched with a deep sorrow.

"Ang sakit na makitang kang nasasaktan, anak, at 'yung pangarap mo na magkaroon ng asawa at anak ay unti-unti ng nasisira." she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. I bit my lip, the pain threatening to consume me.

I had dreamed of this life since I was a child, of a love that would last a lifetime. But now, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

'Yung sarili kung pangarap ang sumira sa 'kin.

"Ma, he cheated," I said, the words barely above a whisper.

My mother's face contorted in anguish, "Clyde, kung ako lang masusunod, gagawin ko ang lahat mailayo kalang sa kaniya. He hurt you, our baby." She wiped away the tears streaming down my face.

"But the decision is still yours, we'll support you," she added, her voice a gentle reassurance. I stood there, my heart shattered into a million pieces, my soul screaming in agony.

I was too broken, we were too broken. All our plans, promises, and vows lay in tatters, like the remnants of a forgotten dream.

Our vows are slowly becoming shattered vows.

I've been awake for almost an hour, the clock striking midnight. My mind is racing with thoughts of leaving him, of filing for annulment and walking away from this place. This place that was supposed to be our home, our haven, but is now a constant reminder of our pain.

We've lost ourselves in the process of hurting each other. The memories of our love have been tainted by the wounds we've inflicted. I remember the touch that became a betrayal, the trust that was shattered, the secrets that were kept. My father's death, a truth he concealed from me. The fights, the accusations, the cheating. It's all too much to bear.

I'm consumed by the weight of my decision, but I know I have to leave. I have to break free from this toxic love that's slowly destroying me. The thought of it is painful, but I know it's necessary.

When I still could not sleep, I decided to walk around. I'm just walking, but I'm still in deep thinking.

Kaya ko ba talaga? Tama ba 'tong plano ko?

Nangako siya ng hindi niya 'ko sasaktan.

Pero nangako din ako.

Pareho naming sinaktan ang isa't-isa at hirap na hirap na kaminh maka-ahon. Unti-unti na naming binibitawan ang aming mga kamay na magkahawak.

Our marriage, once filled with joy and love, has slowly unraveled into a tangled web of betrayal, anger, and unbearable pain.

Others may see me as crazy or selfish for walking away from the vows we made before God. But the truth is, I'm desperate to escape the pain that's been suffocating me. Leaving is the only way I know to heal the wounds that have been bleeding for so long.

Dahil kung patuloy pa naming piliin ang isa't-isa ay mas lalo kaming masisira nito. Mas lalo naming masasaktan ang isa't-isa.

I stand at the hospital balcony, gripping the railing as I gaze out at the world below. People laugh and smile, their joy genuine, and I feel a pang of envy. Their happiness is a stark contrast to the emptiness that's slowly consuming me. My heart, once full of love, is now a dull, hollow space.

As I watch, a couple walks hand in hand, their faces radiant with love. A group of friends share a laugh, their bond strong and unbreakable. I feel like an outsider, looking in on a world that's moved on without me.

The sound of a familiar voice breaks my trance. "You should rest." I turn to see the man I've decided to leave, his eyes red and puffy, his hair disheveled. He's holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The sight of the cigarette shocks me – he's never smoked before. He catches my gaze and raises the cigarette, a defiant gesture that twists the knife in my heart.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, the tension between us palpable. I can see the pain and desperation in his eyes, but it's too late. The damage is done, and I'm left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.

I look away, unable to bear the sight of him any longer. The city lights blur together as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I feel like I'm losing myself, like I'm drowning in a sea of sorrow. The thought of leaving him is both terrifying and liberating. I know it's the only way to escape the toxic cycle of our relationship, but it's hard to let go of the memories, the laughter, and the love we once shared.

"I thought Clint was joking when he said cigarettes could help with problems," he says, his voice laced with desperation. "But I think I've found my new way to cope." He looks at me with a mix of amusement and sarcasm, but beneath that facade, I see the pain and vulnerability he's trying to hide.

"You hate the smell of cigarettes," I remind him, my voice barely above a whisper. He shrugs, his eyes clouding over.

"Maybe before, but now I'm starting to love it. It's my new escape. Because soon, I'll be losing my strength and my peace." His words cut deep, and I feel a pang in my heart.

His eyes lock onto mine, filled with a deep pain that makes my chest ache. I bite my lip to hold back tears, but they prick at the corners of my eyes. My Jarred, once always so put together, now looks miserable. We're not even separated yet, and he's already falling apart.

"Clyde, pa'no mo nagagawa?" he asks, his voice weak and cracking. "Pa'no mo nagagawang iiwan ako mag-isa?" A tear escapes his eye, and he hastily wipes it away, but I see the desperation in his gaze.

"Ako kasi ano... hindi ko kayang iiwan ka," he adds, his voice breaking.

Suddenly, he collapses to the floor, overcome with sobs. I'm unable to hold back my own tears, and I start crying too. I feel like I'm watching him shatter into a million pieces, and I'm powerless to stop it. We sit there, surrounded by the shattered remains of our relationship, and I wonder how we got to this point.

The sound of his sobs is like a knife to my heart, and I feel like I'm dying inside. I want to reach out to him, to comfort him, but I know I have to be strong. I have to be the one to walk away, no matter how much it hurts. But in this moment, I'm not sure if I can do it.

"Clyde, nung nakita ko na naghahalikan kayo ni Danie nasaktan ako nun. Subrang sakit, pero kahit ganon mas pinili ko mag bulag-bulagan kasi mahal kita. Kailanman ay hindi pumasok sa isip ko na hiwalayan ka at iiwan na mag isa," he says, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Hinddi ka kaya, baby, hindi ko kaya." He pleads, his eyes begging me to stay. "Please, don't leave me."

He grabs my arm, his grip tight with desperation. "Clyde, don't do this, we can still fix this," he begs. But I'm resolute, my heart hardened by the pain he's caused me.

Fuck, it hurts to see him like this, but I know I have to be strong.

"You killed our baby," I say, the words spilling out of me like venom. "You cheated on me."

His eyes widen in denial. "I didn't," he says, but I cut him off.

"I saw it, don't deny it," I say, my voice firm, but shaking with anger and sadness.

"I'll do anything, just don't leave me," he pleads again, his voice cracking with desperation. "Please, baby, I'll do anything you want, please... hindi ko kaya, Clyde. I won't be able to take losing you."

I take a deep breath, trying to find the words to make him understand. "Jarred, this is hard for me too. But we're too broken, and if we stay together, we'll only hurt each other more."

He looks at me with tears in his eyes, and I can see the pain and desperation written all over his face. "We became toxic," I continue. "We lost ourselves, and we need to find ourselves again."

He grabs my hand, his grip tight. "Pwede naman natin gawin 'yun ng magkasama ah," he says, his voice filled with hope.

But I shake my head. "No, we can't. Because every time we look at each other, we'll be reminded of the pain, the betrayal, and the loss of our baby."

He looks at me, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "How will I find myself? How will I rebuild myself if you're my strength and my peace?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

He looks at me with a gaze that's full of pain, and I feel my heart break all over again.

"Paano ha? Kung 'yung mismong pahinga at lakas ko ay binitawan ako at iniwan."

————

Happy reading!!!