Serenading my heart when love blooms

  CHAPTER 12 THE FATE WE DARE TO CHANGE The moment Carlo learned that Isha had been stabbed, something inside him changed. Hindi niya kayang umupo lang at maghintay habang ang taong nagtangkang nagpahamak sa buhay ni Isha ay malayang nakakalakad somewhere out there. Carlo investigated everything. He went through every possible lead, bawat maliit na detalye na maaaring magturo sa identity ng taong responsable sa pananaksak kay Isha. Hindi siya tumigil kahit gaano pa kahirap ang bawat clue na kailangan niyang sundan. And he wasn't alone. With the help of a trusted friend, someone who knew how to trace information that Carlo couldn't access on his own, they slowly narrowed down the suspect's whereabouts. Hours of investigation, countless calls, and careful tracking finally led them to one location. At nang makumpirma nilang tama ang information, agad nila itong ipinasa sa mga pulis. It didn't take long. The authorities moved quickly, and eventually, the person res...

  CHAPTER 11 THE LOVE THAT STOOD BETWEEN DEATH AND HIM The coffee shop was already beginning to fill with people when Isha caught sight of Malcolm walking through the glass door. He was still wearing his work clothes, his tie slightly loosened and his sleeves rolled up, looking like someone who had just survived a long day at the office. But the moment his eyes found her, his tired expression immediately softened. “There you are,” he said. Isha smiled. “I've been waiting for you.” “Sorry. I got held up at work.” “It's okay.” Malcolm walked toward her and, without caring about the people around them, gently kissed her forehead. “I missed you.” Isha smiled wider. “You just saw me this morning.” “Still missed you.” She laughed as he reached for her hand. “Let's eat?” “Yeah, Let's eat” As they walked out of the coffee shop hand in hand, Malcolm pulled her closer to his side. Isha looked up at him, laughing softly. “Malcolm, people are looking.” “Let them.” And they did. Som...

       CHAPTER 10 THE PLACE I NEVER HAD Nagising si Isha sa pakiramdam ng maiinit na halik sa kanyang leeg. Mahigpit itong nakayakap mula sa likuran niya, habang ang pamilyar na presensya ng isang taong matagal niyang hinintay ay muling bumabalot sa kanya. It was Malcolm. And just like every morning since they started living together, iyon ang unang bagay na nararamdaman ni Isha pagkagising—ang mga halik ni Malcolm sa kanyang leeg, ang mga bisig nitong mahigpit na nakapulupot sa kanyang katawan, at ang init ng lalaking minsan niyang pinangarap lamang na makasama muli. The same thing happened in the future. Only this time, she wasn't dreaming. Napangiti si Isha. "Ang sarap naman ng umaga ko niyan, mahal," bulong niya, habang pinipigilan ang sarili na matawa sa kiliti ng mga halik nito. Hindi sumagot si Malcolm. Sa halip, ipinagpatuloy lamang nito ang marahan nitong paghalik sa kanyang leeg hanggang sa unti-unting naglaho ang mundo sa paligid nila—hanggang sa silang da...

  CHAPTER 9 THE FEAR THAT NEVER LEFT May mga bangungot na paggising natin ay tuluyan nating nakakalimutan. Mga panaginip na nawawala kasabay ng unang sinag ng araw, na para bang hindi naman talaga nangyari. Pero may mga bangungot na hindi ganoon. May mga panaginip na hindi lamang nananatili sa isipan—kundi nananatili sa puso. At may mga takot na kahit ilang taon mo nang tinatakasan, kahit ilang beses mong piliting kalimutan, hahanapin at hahanapin ka pa rin nila. Dahil may mga bagay na hindi kayang burahin ng panahon. At para kay Isha, isa na roon ang araw na pinakamalaking kinatatakutan niyang balikan. Ang araw kung kailan nawala si Malcolm. ---------- Napabalikwas si Isha sa kanyang pagkakahiga. Humihingal. Nanlalambot ang kanyang katawan habang pilit niyang hinahabol ang kanyang hininga. Her heart was pounding violently against her chest, as if it were trying to escape from a memory she had spent so long trying to bury. Napatingin siya sa paligid. The room was dark. Tahimik. Sa...