The Monster Inside Her

Chapter 22

Michelle's PoV

"Happy anniversary," yumakap siya mula sa aking likuran. It's our fifth anniversary.

Ngumiti ako at hinarap siya, "happy anniversary love," I greeted back.

Who could have thought na darating kami sa pagkakataong ito? I was so persistent with my studies back then but a certain guy came to ruin my plan of not having a boyfriend. I was smitten.

"How's work?" He asked.

"Like the usual, books and bunch of editing process," I responded.

"Editor-in-chief na editor-in-chief. I'm so proud of you," anya.

"As you should," I chuckled.

I never imagined being with a man this long. We're together through our ups and mostly downs. Those five years are sweet yet there's bitterness in some parts.

I accepted the offer of Avanzado and after some years, I got promoted to higher positions. I started as a junior editor to editor-in-chief. It was a roller coaster ride.

Sumimsim ako sa aking wine at pinamasdan ang nakangiting lalaki sa aking harapan. Looking back, I was desperate to fix our relationship. I accepted him...again. Nilamon ako ng lungkot nang dahil sa nangyari kay papa. I was craving for comfort, I found it then with him.

Way back, he was consistent on winning me back. Pupunta siyang opisina para lang ibigay ang dalang bulaklak o kaya naman mga tsokolate. My heart wasn't strong that time to neglect him. Loneliness ate me and I embraced him again, hoping that he could fill the missing piece in me.

Marupok ako, oo. Noon...I just don't know right now.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay giniya na niya ako sa kaniyang sasakyan. We may be together but there were huge changes. Hindi lang sa relasyon namin, pati na rin sa aming mga sarili. It is where pain got us.

"I love you," he said.

Marahan akong tumingin sa kaniya, tipid na ngumiti bago siya sagutin ang kaniyang sinabi, "love you."

Pakiramdam ko ay sumasagot na lang ako dahil nakasanayan. Huli na nang mapagtanto ko iyon. Huli na nang mapansin kong nagbabago na ang lahat.

Sinalubong ako ni papa mula sa aming gate. Tinanguan niya lang si Dean nang akmang babati ito. Hindi ko alam kung may alam ba siya sa nangyari sa amin noon o epekto lang iyon ng kaniyang sakit. He recovered after a year. Nakakalakad na siya ngunit kailangan pa rin niya ng saklay upang maalalayan ang bawa't paghakbang niya.

I kissed papa's cheek before politely told him to go inside our house. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at nang maiupo siya ay naramdaman ko ang yakap mula sa likod ng aking hita.

"Tita nangnang!" Solveig greeted with her high-pitched voice.

She was smiling widely at me, looking up and embracing my thighs tightly. She's now two years old, magtatatlo. She was the mood carrier in this house. Kahit ano pang maging problema, gumagaan sa maliit na halakhak lang niya.

I bent my knees to leveled her. I kissed both of her cheeks.

"Where's mommy?"

Sinundan ko ang kaniyan kamay nang may ituro siya. It was the door of their room.

"Nag-aaral po, 'te," bumaling ako sa kasambahay naming nagsalita.

Kumuha ako ng kasambahay mula nang mag-aral muli si Moira. Sa una'y ayaw niya pang iwan ang anak ngunit kalaunan ay naisip din naman daw niyang importante ang makatapos. Si Emie, ang aming kasambahay, an naging katuwang sa bahay sa tuwing wala kami pareho ni Moira. Siya ang nagbabanatay kay Solveig at papa.