His

Chapter 2

EUNICE SARREAL

_______

"Doc, gusto mo hatid na kita?"

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad, sukbit pa rin ang Hermès bag ko. I personally bought it in Italy. Worth millions, or so I've been told. I never really knew the exact amount. I never looked at price tags when buying anything.

Huminto ako sa dulo ng port at pinagmasdan ang jet ski na nakaabang doon.

I let out a long, suffering sigh.

That stupid brat really had a talent for making everyone's life difficult.

He was the tho most inconsiderate, brainless, spoiled brat, I've ever—

"Doc," ulit ng lalaki sa likod ko, "padilim na. Hatid na kita."

Pumikit ako sandali bago marahang bumaling sa kaniya.

My gaze swept over him from head to toe.

His worn-out slippers.

His ripped jeans.

His annoyingly well-built, shirtless torso.

Then his face na "p'wede na."

I tilted my head.

"Do you not understand silence?"

He flashed a smug grin. "Silence means yes."

Hinablot ko ang susi ng jet ski mula sa kamay niya. "Mine means f**k off."

I lowered my sunglasses just enough for him to witness the full force of my eye roll before sliding them back into place.

I got myself ready, still grumbling to myself. Hindi na ako nag-abalang hubarin ang heels ko—o kahit anong suot ko. The only thing I remembered to grab was a raincoat.

Iniunat ko ang kamay ko sa ere.

"Raincoat."

Walang sumagot sa likod ko at wala ring lumapat sa palad ko. I absentmindedly glanced over my shoulder.

The bastard was already walking away.

My mouth slowly fell open.

That—

"Hey!"

It wasn't the first time I saw him, pero never akong naging interesado sa pangalan niya.

"Where the hell is my raincoat!?"

Lumingon siya habang patuloy na naglalakad paatras.

"f**k off!"

Lalong umawang ang mga labi ko at tila umakyat na lahat ng dugo sa ulo ko.

"Come back here!"

"Bakit? Sa'yo ba 'to? Bumili ka ng sa'yo!"

I pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Come back here! I'll smack you with a pile of money!"

"Matapobre!" sigaw niya pabalik.

I stared at him.

Speechless.

The audacity of this ugly man.

I couldn't believe I'd wasted even a minute arguing with that overgrown rat. Grinding my teeth, I turned back my heel. I had no choice but to take the jet ski without the raincoat. The sky was already growing darker, and if I didn't leave now, the waves would only get rougher.

It took me almost thirty minutes to reach the island, and spent the entire ride cursing that i***t under my breath.

I had to turn off all the motion detectors before setting foot on the island. Pati mga camera ay kailangan ko pang pagtaguan bago ako nakarating sa bahay ng ungas na 'yon.

Sumandal ako sa pader nang hinahabol ang hininga ko.

"My gosh... I can't believe I'm doing this."

I let out a deep sigh before heading to the back door. Inayos ko muna ang blazer ko, smoothed the wrinkles on my dress, and ran my fingers through my hair, then I smiled at the facial recognition scanner.

I still had standards. Even a machine deserved to see my best angle.

How was I about to get past the facial recognition scanner? I smirked.

Well, matalino man ang matsing, naiisahan din.

Dire-diretso akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay niya like I own it. It was spotless—I'll give him that.

But that was about the only compliment it deserved.

It was clean, but absolutely no taste. Every corner felt calculated, sterile, and devoid of character. So symmetrical, so... soulless.

Gosh, I couldn't stand it.

Dumiretso na ako sa kusina niya, but I was surprised...

seeing two people there.

My brother was at the stove, completely busy cooking.

But it was that woman who caught my attention.

Our eyes met as she was setting the last plate on the dining table.

My entire designer-clad, ridiculously gorgeous body went rigid.

What?

For one second... I genuinely thought I was seeing things.

A woman.

Inside my brother's house.

My mind was refusing to process that.

Never. Not once in my life had I imagined my brother would let a woman into his home.

"Eunice..."

I was even more surprised when she called me by my name. How the actual heck? I was out of words to say.

"A-Ate..." narinig ko na lang na tawag sa akin ni Nicolo. "What are you doing here?"

One of my fingers instinctively shot up, pointing at the woman before I slowly turned to my brother.

I was still too stunned to form a single word.

And he looked so worried— uneasy— more of like constipated for 3 decades.

"How did she—"

"You're my sister-in-law, right?" she cut me off.

That one made me insanely dumb. Even before I could process anything, naramdaman ko na ang paghila sa akin ng kapatid ko. Hindi ko na namalayan kung saang lupalop niya ako dinala.

"What the hell are you doing here? Sneaking here again at this hour?"

Tinuro ko ang likuran ko kahit walang tao roon.

"Excuse me... how the hell am I someone's sister-in-law?"

Pinikit niya ang mga mata niya at marahang hinilot ang sintido.

I knew that look.

He only did that whenever he was royally f****d.

"Kinidnap mo?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course not!" mabilis niyang sagot sa akin.

"Then what the hell? Who's that?"

"Let me explain... damn..." he cursed. "Hindi ko alam kung paano siya napunta rito. She was wounded. And then..."

"You're telling me someone just threw her onto your island?" I asked, dumbfounded. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"

"So you'd rather believe I kidn*pped her? I'm not a criminal."

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. And maybe he knew why. I immediately felt a pinch in my chest when her eyes turned cold.

I simply gulped and cleared my throat. Ilang beses muna akong bumuntong-hininga before I felt ready to listen.

"Continue."

He dragged a hand down his face before looking at me again

"She was unconscious. She just woke up earlier and... damn..."

"Head injury?" I concluded.

"She couldn't remember anything."

"So?"

His jaw clenched.

Napapikit ako nang mariin dahil alam ko na agad kung anong ginawa niya.

"You're an idiot." I shook my head. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Damn. It just... just came out my mouth."

"You're getting yourself into another mess, Nicolo. Haven't you learned your lesson?" I snapped. "Tell her it was all a joke. Tell her. Now."

"Kagigising niya lang. Her head is still bleeding. I don't know..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know if she'll even be able to process any of this right now."

"Exactly! You could've just shut the f**k up when she woke up earlier."

"I messed up, okay?" he muttered, sounding completely defeated. He exhaled heavily and rubbed his face. "Fine. I'll tell her now."

After a long moment, he finally took a step forward.

I bit my lower lip.

Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him before he could walk past me.

"Damn..." I whispered. "You can't. It's too late."

Lalo kong nakita ang pag-aalala sa mga mata niya.

"She has amnesia. We have no control over how she'll interpret any of this." I sighed. "If she walks out of here and reports you to the police, all they'll see is a woman with a head injury who woke up on a private island owned by a man she doesn't remember. How do you think that's going to look? And don't you think this is so suspicious?"

He suddenly looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"This is a private island, Nicolo. Your house is visible from miles away. If someone really wanted her dead, why would they deliberately leave her here?"

"There are a lot of possible explanations. It doesn't have to be a crime. She could've been in an accident, and the current simply carried her here."

"We don't know that!" I shot back. "What if kaaway ng pamilya, 'di ba? What if someone left her here on purpose because they knew you'd find her? Why can't you be a little more cautious?"

"She's frail..."

"She isn't. You are. Always have been." I gave him a sharp look. "This is your second chance at life, Nicolo. There might not be a third."

I held his gaze for another long moment before finally turning away.

I had barely taken a few steps nang marinig ko siyang magsalita.

"Please, don't tell dad."

Bumaling ako sa kaniya nang may galit sa mga mata.

"Of course," I said, with sarcasm. "But I hope you find the courage to see him before he's the one lying in a casket."

"Stop it..."

"You're such a selfish brat." My voice cracked. "Tingin mo may magbago if you keep doing what you're doing now? You have no idea what we had to go through just to get your freedom back... only for you to throw yourself right back into the hell we pulled you out of."

I saw guilt and pain in his eyes. Naramdaman ko rin ang pag-iinit ng mga mata ko.

I turned away before the words I couldn't take back slipped out.

Malapit na ako sa pinto nang makita ko si Ethan, walking toward the house.

He flashed me a grin.

I walked right past him.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bukas pa?" he said after me. "Sumabay ka na sa akin pabalik sa bayan."

I didn't even bother looking back.

"Aarav was complaining about you," he added with obvious amusement. "Masyado ka raw matapobre."

That made me stop and look at him. The i***t's grin only grew wider.

"So… Aarav pala ang pangalan niya? Well then, tell him to book an appointment at my clinic if he needs Botox. His face is already starting to sag. Only if he can afford it, though. But I doubt, so he really hasn't earned the privilege of complaining."

He let out a laugh, shaking his head as I walked away.

WAVE NICOLO SARREAL

_____

I had barely reached the front door when Ethan stepped out onto the porch.

He leaned against one of the wooden posts, hands tucked inside his pockets. And a knowing grin was already plastered across his face.

"Looks like Eunice finally left you alive."

He then laughed, teasingly.

"Any updates?" I asked instead.

"I had people ask around nearby towns. May na-gather na rin akong reports from the coast guards, nothing really helpful. No missing person matching her description. No facial recognition. No records."

Bumigat agad ang didbib ko.

"It's either she's very good at disappearing... or someone made sure she disappeared."

The thought didn't sit well with me.

Bumuntong hininga ako. "She's awake."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at bahagyang tumuwid ng tayo. "Really?"

"She can't remember anything."

"That's not surprising, Bro. Might be from head injury."

"I made one big mistake."

"Hmm, what?"

I was hesitant, but no way I could hide it from him.

"I told her... she's my... wife."

Tuluyan na itong umayos nang tindig. "You're kidding."

I shook my head, "I panicked..."

He let out a confused laugh.

He searched my face for any sign that I was lying. He saw none.

"Holy shit." He took an actual step back. "You actually told a woman with amnesia..." He pointed at me. "...that she's your wife?"

He laughed in disbelief.

"It's stupid..." I whispered.

"Wave... calling that stupid is an insult to stupidity."

Pumikit ako nang mariin. He wasn't helping at all.

"You found an unconscious woman, she wakes up with amnesia, and your first instinct was to convince her she's married to you? How does your brain even come up with something like that?" He failed miserably to suppress another laugh. "Now it makes sense why your sister was like a walking fire. Akala ko nga magbubuga ng apoy."

"I'm fucked."

"The f**k, Bro..." He let out another laugh before shaking his head. "I get that she's ridiculously pretty, but... that's insane."

There wasn't anything I could say to defend myself.

A soft knock suddenly echoed against the glass wall.

Both of us turned.

She stood there, offering us a small, hesitant smile. I didn't know why I chose to look away.

"Sorry for interrupting..." she said softly. "Dinner's ready."

I shouldn't have lied to her.

Ethan slipped both hands into his pockets before smiling warmly at her.

"It's good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

He spoke as naturally as if they'd known each other for years.

Hindi siya sumagot agad kaya muli akong tumingin sa kaniya. She was just looking at me like she was hesitating to answer him. Ethan seemed to catch it too.

"I'm Ethan." A gentle smile crossed his lips. "Wave's friend. And I'm your doctor. I know... you don't remember."

"I'm sorry," she gently said.

"You don't have to apologize." Ethan chuckled. "If anything, you have the best excuse out of everyone here."

That earned him the tiniest smile. "I didn't know. Thank you."

"You're so welcome," Ethan even managed to wink at her. "I actually brought a few medical supplies for you. I thought you'd still be unconscious by the time I got here. Good to see you awake. Would you mind if I checked your injuries first?"

She glanced at me again. Almost asking for permission.

That was a simple gesture that sent me a feeling I couldn't explain.

I just simply nodded.

She quietly followed Ethan into the living room while I stayed behind. I watched the two of them.

Ethan had always been good with people. He never rushed his questions. Never made anyone feel interrogated.

Within minutes, she was already answering him naturally.

"I'll take a blood sample and run a few tests," He said after carefully examining the wound on her head. "The good news is your injuries are healing nicely." He smiled reassuringly. "I don't see any signs of infection. You're recovering better than I expected."

He packed the last of his equipment before standing.

"I'll head back to town and get back here once the results are out."

She just nodded at him.

Hinatid ko rin si Ethan sa pinto after that. He shot me a knowing smirk.

"Now I get it." He laughed under his breath. "Why you lost your mind. She's captivating."

"She's probably already losing her patience," pag-iiba ko, talking about my sister.

He grinned. "That's your roots."

Pinanuod ko siyang humakbang palayo. I then composed myself before heading back to the dining area.

I found her seating on her chair. She was carefully serving rice onto my plate.

Inabot ko agad ang serving spoon mula sa kaniya.

"You don't have to do that."

I couldn't even look her straight in the eye after what happened earlier.

I kept telling myself I could still fix it. Take it all back. Explain everything. But every time I looked at her... I was reminded that she couldn't remember anything. Not even herself.

It was painfully awkward.

Wala akong ibang naririnig kung hindi ang tunog ng mga kubyertos. Until I heard her voice...

"Is she okay?"

I swallowed the food in my mouth before giving a small nod.

"She's just upset. She probably got soaked on her way here."

"How does she usually get here?"

"By jet ski."

"She must care about you a lot."

Simple kong ginalaw ang mga kubyertos sa pinggan. I know. Sa ilang taon ko rito, ilang taon na rin siyang sumusubok na pasukin ako. I couldn't count. Hindi ko na rin mabilang how many stupid things she did before being able to put one over me.

She'd always be the smartest... and the most persistent one.

"Are we really that private?" she asked softly. "Not even your family can come here whenever they want?"

I glanced at her.

She was absentmindedly pushing the food around her plate while waiting for my answer.

"She's just... a little too much sometimes."

She didn't ask another question, but my mind never stopped running. Before I realized it, she had already finished eating.

She offered to wash the dishes, but I refused. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang umikot sa bahay.

She studied everything.

The books.

The paintings.

The shelves.

Every little decoration.

I simply watched from the sink while washing the dishes.

Nakita niya ang family album kanina. I'd ended up telling her everyone's names. That's probably why she recognized Ate Eunice the moment she walked in.

Sinundan ko lang siya sa living room nang matapos ako sa kusina. She was standing in front of the display cabinet, staring at the wooden keepsake box resting inside.

I stayed where I was.

Watching her in silence.

I wasn't used to having someone else inside this house. For years... it had only been me. Now there was another heartbeat filling the silence. It felt... lighter, yet... I don't know... there was something else.

Like I was standing in front of a puzzle whose pieces refused to fit together.

"You... don't like taking pictures?" she asked.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep lying.

"Not my thing," I answered heavily. "I'll prepare the bed."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya. I headed straight to the bedroom. I made sure to throw away everything that could lead her to ask more questions.

Fuck...

I never liked hiding anything.

But I thought to myself na saglit lang iyon. I wouldn't have to do that all my life. Ate's persistent coming in became a blessing in disguise. I was able to take all her stuff.

She needed to take a rest, so I made sure everything was ready. When she got in the bedroom, ang ibang parte naman ng bahay ang inasikaso ko.

I also had to get the courage to knock on her room once I was done.

She was already sitting on the bed. Katatapos niya lang mag-shower and she was already combing her hair.

"Is the temperature okay for you?"

Tumingin siya sa akin habang dahan-dahan pa ring sinusuklay ang mahaba niyang buhok.

"I'll keep it in the middle," I added, not waiting for her answer.

Tuluyan akong pumasok sa silid at kinuha ang remote ng air conditioner. I set it to twenty-three. Malamig naman na sa labas.

I almost forgot about the bandage on the side of her head. Tinanggal niya iyon bago maligo. Good thing I had already prepared a fresh one on the bedside table.

I hesitated. Still... lumapit pa rin ako sa kaniya.

She didn't say a word.

She simply stopped brushing her hair and looked straight into my eyes... as if silently giving me permission.

I was hesitant to let even the slightest part of my skin touch hers. I just carefully put it on her wound.

"Sabihin mo sa akin kung masakit."

Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba nagtitiwala siya sa akin... o wala lang talaga siyang alam.

Sandali pang nagtama ang mga mata namin bago ako ang unang umiwas.

"Just... tell me if you need anything," I said while putting everything back in its place.

Iniwan ko ang medical kit sa mesa at akmang lalabas na sana ng silid nang marinig ko siyang magsalita.

"You won't be sleeping with me?"

I stopped.

Slowly, I looked back at her.

"We... don't sleep together."

"Why not?"

"I just... can't sleep without any sound, and you can't sleep with it."

Hindi siya agad sumagot.

Tahimik niyang ibinaba ang suklay sa side table bago muling tumingin sa akin.

That look alone made me uneasy.

"Are we really like this?"

"W-what?"

"Too casual."

I suddenly forgot how to breathe, but f**k, I had to answer that.

"It's just that..." I cleared my throat. "I'm trying to adjust, knowing your condition."

She stared at me for another second, before saying something again.

"We don't kiss each other goodnight?"

Unti-unti nang kumabog ang dibdib ko.

I had already lied to her. I wasn't about to take advantage of another one... especially not while she couldn't remember anything.

She must've taken my silence as an answer.

A small smile appeared on her lips... and damn... that made my heart pound like crazy.

"Good night... Mr. Sarreal."

It felt strange.

I remained rooted where I was, watching as she switched off the bedside lamp before quietly lying down.

Only then did I force myself to leave.

Naging mas magulo lahat. I only remembered setting up the speaker and letting the sound of crashing waves fill the room bago ako humiga sa bed.

Isang araw lang ang iyon pero pakiramdam ko ang dami kong pinagdaanan. Like I was riding a roller coaster the whole damn time.

I kept replaying everything that had happened.

Every lie.

Every question.

Every mistake.

Fuck.

How stupid am I to create such a mess like this?