PROLOGUE

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I JUST GOT HOME from work. It's seven in the evening. Being a CEO is hell tiring. I had four meetings with the board, I had paper works and I went to some sites to see, how our new buildings are going as plan.

Pagod pagod ako sa dami ng pinuntahan ko. Naupo ako sa sofa ng condo ko. Pinikit ko mata ko at minasahe ang buto sa ilong ko. Tinaas ko paa ko sa center table. Huminga ako ng malalim. I'm stressed and tired.

I felt a lip kissed my cheek. Napadilat ako at tumingin kung sino ito. She smiled at me. Sa ngiti niya, parang nawala ang lahat ng pagod ko. I held her cheek and kissed her lips.

My everyday candy..

Naupo siya sa tabi ko. I placed my chin on her shoulders and hugged her. I felt a wet tongue licking my fingers. I looked at our baby. Hinaplos ko ulo nito at nahiga siya sa mga hita ko. Pinikit ko mga mata ko. She hugged me too and brush my hair using her fingers. So gentle and relaxing. She's my stress reliever.

"How's work?" She asked.

"Tiring as ever."

She chuckled. "Aww.. Aze is tired, so you can't eat what I cooked?" Tanong niya.

Agad akong dumilat. "What? No. Kakain ako. Ano ba ulam?"

"Syempre, request mo. Sinigang na baboy."

Napangiti ako. "Damn, I miss that."

"You haven't had that for two weeks, diba?" She said.

"Yeah.."

She's right. I was at a business trip with my secretary last week. For the last two weeks, I missed her cooking. Puro hotel and restaurant foods lang nakakain ko doon. Filipino dishes are still the best for me.

"Edi kain na tayo?" She asked.

"Yes, let's eat, love." Sabi ko.

Celestine chuckled and pulled me to the kitchen. Pagpasok sa kusina ay pinaupo na niya ako sa upuan. She prepared our dinner. She placed the plates, the glass, the utensils and our dinner.

I'm lucky to have her. Maalaga, maganda, magaling magluto, malambing-- minsan more on pinag-iinitan niya ako, but still she's the best. I don't know what to do without her.

"Here, eat up." Sabi niya.

Ngumiti ako at nagsimula na kumain. Humigop ako ng sabaw and damn.. That was so delicious. Humigop ulit ako, I smiled. She chuckled at my reaction.

"Ay, walang tubig. Kuha lang ako." She said and stood up.

Tumango ako at nagpatuloy kumain. I looked at her, she's holding a pitcher of water and walking towards me. Nakangiti siya sakin. Napatitig ako sa mga asul niya mata. That blue bell eyes, are really unique... just like her.

Nang makalapit na siya sakin ay kinuha na niya baso ko at sinalin ang tubig doon. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya at tumingin siya sakin. Mahigpit hawak niya sa baso bago niya ibuhos ito sakin.

Agad ako napaupo. I felt a cold water on my face and chest. Napamulat ako at tinignan damit kong basang basa. I looked around and saw someone smirking at my door. I glared at her as she placed the glass on my side table.

"Wake up, we're going to be late, again." Mataray niyang sabi.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. "Hindi mo kailangan basain ako para magising. It's cold!"

Alice rolled her eyes. "Tulog mantika ka kaya. Kahit anong gising ko ayaw." Inis lang akong nagtali ng buhok ko. "Anyways, bilisan mo male-late talaga tayo. As your cousin and secretary, I don't want to be late!"

"Edi sana nauna ka. Ang ganda ng panaginip ko eh.." Bulong ko.

She smirked. "Let me guess, si Ate Celes na naman?"

I raised my brows at her. "So?"

She dramatically pouted at me. "Hala kuya Aze.. Ang tagal na, move on."

"Says the one, who is still waiting and hoping for that military boy." Sabi ko.

She glared at me. She flipped her hair at naglakad na siya papunta sa pintuan. Tumigil siya habang nakahawak sa doorknob at lumingon sakin.

She smiled. "I know you still love her, but kuya.. Tanggapin mo na kasi, na hindi na babalik si Ate. She's dead.."

"She's dead.." It echoed in my mind.

"She's not!" Sigaw ko.

She just sighed. "I'll wait for you, outside. Oh, by the way.. Happy Birthday, Kuya Aze."

Nang makaalis at masarado na niya ang pinto ay naupo ako sa kama ko. Hinubad ko damit ko at napatingin sa gilid ko. I sighed and took my phone that is still charging. I removed the plug. Binuksan ko ito.

I saw many messages from my friends and family.

From: Ralph

Happy 28th Birthday, dude!

From: Blaine

Happy Birthday to my
favorite kuya aside from
kuya Priston hehe.
Enjoy your day, kuya Aze.
I love youu<3

From: Celestaire

Happy Birthday, Blaze!
Enjoy your special day!

From: Daniel

Hbd, Blaze. Have a great day.

- Dan and Aly.

From: Jasper

Happy Birthday, Azey!
Tanda mo na pala😭
Ingat ka palagi, kamusta mo
ako sa inaanak ko. Joke
HAHAHAHA. Inuman na.
Paalam mo ako kay Hetta.
Enjoy, pare ko! - J&H&K

Napailing na lang ako sa ibang messages from my friends and family. Some are normal greetings and some are just full of craziness, lalo na kina Jasper at sa kambal na sina Isaac at Isaiah.

I sighed and looked at picture frame on top of my bed side table. Kinuha ko ito at hinaplos. Pinagmasdan ko ito as I looked at the woman in the picture. A picture of me, Celestine and Winter. Nasa bay walk kami nito.

A tear escaped from my eye. I hugged the picture frame and tears burst out from my eyes. May mabigat akong naramdaman sa dibdib ko. The pain is still here, how many years passed, but.. I'm missing and loving her more and more.

"Its been 10 years.. I miss you so much, Celestine." Tinignan ko mukha niya sa picture. I touched her face there. "Another birthday without you, my love." I whispered.

_____________________________________

ashbellezza

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