Stop In The Name Of Love

By AB Castueras

Prince Harris Smith takes the blame for the death of his girlfriend Ana. With the guilt in his heart and spirit, he changed and has never played on court again... not until Rhian happened. Not until Rhian entered his life and his family.

The Smith family has openly welcomed Rhian in their home and they even entered her in the university where Prince and his siblings are studying. For Prince, his parents may have trusted some stranger whom he even accused of a crime for quite an outrageous manner, but little did he know how much Rhian’s presence can change his perspective in life. Will Rhian help Prince finally recover from the guilt engulfing him regarding Ana’s death? Or will Rhian turn out to be something more for him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: ABS-CBN Books
• Release date: May 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463339695

Book preview

STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE...AMEN

© Copyright 2019 by AB Castueras and Creative Programs Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or any electronic means, including information storage or retrieval systems without permission in writing from Creative Programs Inc.

Author A.B. CASTUERAS

Editor SALVE CANALE

Creative Director RAINER MONTEVIRGEN

Editorial Coordinator NOELLA FONBUENA

Editorial Assistant ANGEL MANALO

President ERNESTO L. LOPEZ

Head, Print Publishing MARK J. YAMBOT

Head, Retail Operations MA. KRISTINE V. HERNANDEZ

Pre-Press Production Manager ANDY LIZARDO

Digital Artist MARK GREGORY CASABAR

Production Coordinator JOUIE MAR DOCA

Head of Lifestyle Ecosystem PAOLO M. PINEDA

Sr. Finance Officer MYCA G. RAMOS

Finance Officer GRACE LOPEZ

Finance Analyst CAMILLE BATONGBAKAL

Published by

8F ELJCC Building, Mother Ignacia St. cor. Eugenio Lopez Drive, Quezon City, Philippines

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I was ready to give up everything, but He gave me hope. My life is not enough to express how thankful I am to know Him, more than a name, a religious figure, or a fairytale. He’s the real Author of our lives! He makes everything work for my sake. #ONAGA

To my family who’s always there to support me. I love you. SAGAD! To my Cathedral Choir Family, another reason to love life. People who runs in the same direction. #FRONTLINERS

To Ernestine and Victoria, thank you for the friendship. #GodAnswered-Prayer

To my Go Growth Family, let’s continue annoying people. *winks*

To ABS-CBN Books, Motha Khuey, and Rhai - for trusting me again and for your long patience. T H A N K Y O U !

To my beloved readers, there’ll be changes compared to its original con-tent, but I hope you will LOVE it. Thank you for believing in me and not giving up.

I love you all

To myself...

ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER! <3

CHAPTER 1

PRINCE

I am very sorry, Mr. Smith, we did our best but she didn’t make it. Your daughter is gone. I’m sorry.

Today…Today was supposed to be our anniversary. Sino’ng maniniwala sa sinasabi ng doctor na ‘to? That’s a big lie as far as I’m concerned. I looked at her in the eyes, trying to find at least the slightest humor in them but there’s none. Of course, there’s none. This is a hospital where there are only two words that matter – dead or alive.

And at this point – she’s dead.

I shook my head, still refusing to accept the truth.

Naglakad ako palagpas sa kaniya papunta sa emergency room kung saan ko siya huling nakita.

Binuksan ko ang pinto with coldness slowly seeping in my bones. The strong hospital smell hit my nose as I entered the room. At kabaligtaran sa inaasahan ko, no medical equipment can be heard - a little tinge of hope that means someone is trying to breathe…trying to be alive. Pero wala akong naririnig na kahit ano. It’s dead silent.

Dead.

Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. Suddenly, my eyes became blurred. I couldn’t move. I was afraid that if I continue moving, I’d be confronted with the reality.

This is your fault, Prince. Now, let go. Just let me go.

And that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever done in my life.

N-No… I choked. Trying to get some air as I whispered her name, Ana… Ana…

I did not hear any reply. Her usual sweet laughter na karirinig ko lang nitong umaga when she tried to wake me up, wala na. At habang nakatitig ako sa stainless table na may nakataklob na telang green, I knew that I was not dreaming. This was real. This was indeed happening…

Tumakbo ako palapit sa kaniya at saka inalis ang telang nakataklob sa kaniya. My tears fell and my chest hurt even more when I saw her bruised pale face. Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya habang umiiyak. She was unresponsive and cold. I buried my face in her neck and called out her name several times, trying to wake her up, but to no avail.

Ana! Ana!!! No, please, please. God, no! NO! Please! NO!!!

But when I heard no response from The One they called God to bring all those miracles they claimed He can do, deep anger and pain washed over me. He couldn’t do it. He’s not even real. Inangat ko ang ulunan ko at saka muling pinagmasdan si Ana. She was not moving, not answering, and not…here anymore.

For the last time, I kissed her on the lips and buried my head again on her neck.

I’m…I’m truly sorry, Ana.

And in that moment… I was already convinced that she’s gone.

Today…Today was our anniversary, and we were both dead.

***

RHIAN

Bukas, Rhian, maaga tayo, ah? Ayoko ng late. Opo. Alis na po ako.

Tumango lang sa ‘kin ang bisor namin sa restaurant bago ito pumasok muli sa loob. Mahigpit siya sa mga empleyado pero malaki naman magpasweldo kaya ayos lang. At isa pa, wala ako sa posisyon para mamili pa ng amo dahil nagpapatong-patong na ang utang ng bahay-ampunan at kumbento. Siyempre naman, kailangan ko ring makatulong kahit papaano.

Rhian?

Nang lingunin ko kung sino ang tumawag sa ‘kin, nakita kong dati ko pa lang classmate nung college.

Uy, Rhian! Musta na? Tumingin ito sa mga kasama niya. Mama, Pa, si Rhian po. Classmate ko siya nung third year sa Fashion Design. Humarap ulit ito sa ‘kin. Akala ko, one sem ka lang nun mawawala. Ba’t ‘di ka na bumalik?

Pero bago pa ‘ko makasagot, humabol ulit ito ng panibagong tanong.

Ay, wait. Sabay ka na sa ‘min, tara. Sa’n ka ba?

Nako, salamat, pero hindi na. Ah…may iba pa kasi akong pupuntahan. Hindi pa ‘ko uuwi.

Ang totoo, may kasunod pa ‘kong trabaho. Night duty ako sa factory ng mga pantalon.

Aw. Sayang naman. Anyways, catch up na lang tayo next time? Tumango ako habang nakangiti kahit alam kong wala naman ng susunod pa. Ga-graduate na sila this year, at siguradong hindi ako mamartsa kasama nila. Sayang pero kailangan. Sa sitwasyong meron ako, mas mahalaga ang kumain kaysa mangarap.

Sige. Una na kami.

Isa-isa na silang nagpasukan sa sasakyan pagkatapos. At hindi pa man ako nakakaalis doon ay narinig ko nang Mama niya na nagtanong.

College classmate mo?

Opo. Si Rhian. Ulila na ‘yun. Sa bahay-ampunan siya nakatira. Dun sa kumbento? Kasama ng mga madre. Sayang nga, e.

Umalis ako doon na iniisip kung ano sa pagkatao ko ang sinabi niyang sayang.

Sayang dahil walang magulang?

Sayang dahil walang tirahan?

Sayang dahil hindi nag-aaral?

Ano nga kaya?

Naglakad ako papunta sa sakayan na parang ninakawan ng sigla sa buong katawan. Sandali lang ‘yung pangyayaring ‘yun pero ang laking impact. Nang makahinto ako sa pilahan ng jeep, pumikit ako at saka nagdasal.

Hindi po ako susuko. Isang araw pa. Kaya ko pa…Isang araw pa.

Minulat ko ang mga mata ko pagkarinig ng paparating na jeep. Bago makasakay, may batang babae akong napansing nakatingin sa suot kong natastas na laylayan ng palda. Tinuro niya ito at saka sinabing…

Sira… Sira, oh.

Tumingala siya sa ‘kin at saka iyon inulit. Sasawayin na nga sana siya ng nanay nito pero yumuko ako at saka sinira din ang kabilang banda ng suot kong palda. Kumunot ang noo nito at saka ako ngumiti.

Is-tayl, sabi ko.

Eh? iling nito.

Style ang tawag diyan.

Napangisi ako nang tumango ito at saka pumalakpak.

***

PRINCE

Why not?

Because I don’t need it.

I looked away from Dad and Mom as I said that. I wanted to believe that I didn’t need to go back in that hospital again. That psychiatrist’s smartass words won’t help me, not even his meds or mind confusing questionnaires. I’m not crazy! I’m…I—I don’t know.

These past few weeks, after Ana’s funeral, the concept of being aware has completely left me. I was not aware of my thoughts, my emotions, and certainly not my breathing. I just…exist. So, tell me. Pa’no malalaman ng doktor na ‘yun ang laman ng utak ko kung maging ako hindi ko na alam kung anong nasa isip ko at bakit ako nag-e-exist?!

And besides…That place was killing me each time I visit. Pero, nak.

I heard my Mom’s worrying voice, and it took a lot of effort not to look at her. Alam kong kapag ginawa ko ‘yun, I’d lose my sh*t. And I was so tired of getting unnecessary pity or accusations from other people. They’re cleary blaming me for her death. I know that.

Prince, please. Tumingin ka nga sa ‘kin, my Mom begged. Umupo siya sa tabi ko rito sa kama. Dad was standing beside my bed, looking intently at me. Hindi ka lumalabas ng kuwarto mo, ayaw mong pumasok sa school, ayaw mo ring kumain. Prince, anak, kung pinahihirapan mo’ng sarili mo, mas pinahihirapan mo ‘ko. I love you, Prince. Mahal ka namin, alam mo ‘yan.

My Mom’s crying but I didn’t know what to do about it. I didn’t even know what to do about my life anymore.

Your fault…

Your fault…

You killed her

YOU. KILLED. HER.

PINATAY MO SIYA!

I covered my both ears, closed my eyes, bent my head, and yelled.

GET OUT! I WANT TO BE ALONE!!!

Prince—.

PLEASE!!!

Troy???

Now is not the time. Let’s go, Freak.

Pababayaan na lang natin siya nang ganyan!? Ano ka ba?! Nadine, let’s go.

Your fault, Prince.

You killed her.

Why are you still here?

Die.

I don’t want to hear anyone. It’s killing me!

I SAID - GET OUT!!!

***

RHIAN

After one year…

Abaw gid ‘di ba sila hatag taas nga panahon? tanong ni Sister Grace.

(Hindi po ba nila tayo bibigyan ulit ng mas mahabang palugit?) Nakita kong umiling si Mother Superior habang nakatingin sa kawalan. Dumating na ang early eviction notice ng bahay-ampunan. Wala pa rin kaming naririnig na sagot mula sa City Hall at wala ring dumarating na donasyon mula sa mga hiningan namin ng tulong.

Limang buwan. Mukhang mahaba pero maikli pa rin kasabay ng iba pang alalahanin tulad ng pagkain, tubig, at kuryente para sa mga bata.

At heto na naman… Naaalala ko ulit ang narinig kong usapan nila noon.

Mas bata ang gusto nila para sa mas mahabang panahon ng paglilingkod. Tatlong taon sa bansang Rome at saka lilipad sa Africa. Sa unang buwan, makakatanggap ng donasyon ang panggagalingang kumbento. Maaari na nating mabayaran ang lupa natin sa bangko at wala na silang paraan para mapaalis tayo.

Inilibot ko ang aking tingin sa lumang pasilyo ng ampunan.

Ito ang tahanan ko, ang kinalakihan ko, ang nagsilbing mga magulang ko na yumakap sa bawat hakbang at pag-iyak ko. At muli ko ring tiningnan ang hawak kong envelope.

One Year Course University Scholarship

Sakripisyo o pangarap?

Huminga ako nang malalim at saka umalis sa pagkakasandal sa pader. Tinapon ko sa basurahang nasa pintuan ang hawak kong envelope bago ako pumasok. Sabay-sabay silang lumingon sa direksyon ko at saka ako huminto.

O? Napaaga ata’ng uwi mo, Iska?

Sister…Mother Superior…Tulungan n’yo po ako, mahinahong sabi ko.

Tungkol saan? tanong ni Sister Fe.

Desidido na po ako. Gusto ko pong mag-madre at pumunta sa Rome.

***

SIGURADO KA na ba, Iska???

Natawa ako sa pang-sampung tanong na ‘yan ni Tom sa ‘kin mula pa nang magkita kami kanina. Huminto kami nang makarating sa pila ng bus. Binaba ni Tom ang bitbit niyang maleta ko at saka humarap sa ‘kin.

Wag ka ngang tumatawa-tawa diyan. Seryoso ako.

Nginitian ko siya. Seryoso rin naman ako, e. Ito na ang napili kong—.

Solusyon, tuloy niya.

Bokasyon, paglilinaw ko.

Utang na loob. Konsensya. Hiya—

Pagmamahal. Mahal ko sila kaya ko ‘to gagawin.

Umismik lang ito, halatang ayaw tanggapin ang sagot ko.

Hindi lang naman siya ang tutol sa naging desisyon ko, e. Ang mga bata rin at ang ilan sa mga Sisters. Bukod sa hindi na nila ‘ko makikita, alam nilang hindi ito ang nauna kong plano. Pero para