Darling

By Emma Belle

If you catch the bridal bouquet, it is believed that you will be the next person to get married.

No way. Iyon ang naiisip ni Nicole nang hinampas niya palayo sa kanya ang bouquet na tinutumbok ang direksiyon niya. There was no way she would do it again.

Tinamaan ng hinampas niyang bouquet si Keith Darlington. Their eyes met and they were instantly attracted to each other. Hinayaan niya ang kanyang sarili na maakit sa lalaki. Hinayaan niya na matupok siya ng apoy.

He sweated bullets when his condom shredded on him. Lalong hindi napakali ito nang malaman nitong fertile siya. Tinawanan lang niya ito at sinabing wala itong dapat na ipag-alala dahil wala siyang kakayahang magbuntis. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit iniwan siya ng kanyang asawa.

Anong gulat na lang nila nang malaman nilang buntis siya sa muli nilang pagkikita.

• Language: Tagalog
• Publisher: Emma Belle
• Release date: Mar 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224278336

Book preview

Chapter One

IT WAS COMING STRAIGHT to her. Ilang sandali na pinagmasdan lamang iyon ni Nicole dahil parang naging slow motion ang lahat. May munting bahagi sa kanya ang hindi makapaniwala. May munting tinig din naman na parang nangungutya. Of course, the bridal bouquet would come straight to her. Sa ganoong paraan siya binibiro at kinukutya ng universe. The bride might’ve also deliberately aimed for her direction—for her. Nicole liked the bride very much, pero paladesisyon. It was a good intention, but still...

She could also hear her manager, Tita Malou’s voice. Don’t be such a spoilsport, Nic.

Gumalaw ang kanyang kamay nang masiguro na sa kanya talaga ang tumbok ng bridal bouquet.

She swatted it away.

There was no fucking way.

Ow!

Ramdam ni Nicole ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya. Tumingin siya sa pinanggalingan ng daing. Isang lalaki ang sapo ang gilid ng ulo nito. Nasa paanan nito ang bridal bouquet. Hindi mahirap hulaan kung ano ang nangyari. He was hit when she swatted it away from her.

Yumuko ang lalaki at dinampot ang bouquet. Bahagya itong napapitlag nang magpalakpakan ang lahat. Napapangiti na napapailing ang lalaki.

Kapagkuwan ay tumingin ito sa kanya. Nagsalubong ang kanilang mga mata.

Nicole knew him—knew of him. Dr. Keith Darlington, a renowned reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon. He was a trained surgeon both in the United States and in the Philippines. He had a very good reputation. He was one of the best. He was very in demand. Narinig niya na napakarami ng gustong maging pasyente slash kliyente nito pero hindi basta-basta tumatanggap. She had heard that he focused more on reconstruction than on cosmetic surgeries.

He was a very beautiful man. That fact did not escape Nicole.

That was even quite a generic way to describe him. He was a vision of beauty, a sight to behold, a work of art and maybe a wonder of nature.

He had this perfectly sculpted face. A masterpiece of masculine perfection. Hindi kaagad niya maalis ang tingin niya sa magandang mukha na iyon. Sanay siya sa mga guwapo. Bilang artista, halos araw-araw niyang nakakahalubilo ang mga pinakamagaganda at pinakaguwapong tao sa larangan ng show business. But this man could captivate and enchant in a very special way.

Any female in there could not take her eyes off him. Hindi lang siya. Hindi rin ito ang unang pagkakataon na napatitig siya sa lalaki. Hindi pa sila pormal na naipakikilala sa isa’t isa pero namataan na niya ito kanina pagdating niya sa pinagdausan ng vow renewal ceremony. He stood out. Nicole was certain she was not the only one who noticed him and felt the tug of attraction.

But she told herself she was not there to be attracted to a man. She was not there to look at a man. She was there for her friends Pia and Joshua who had their wedding vows renewed. She was there for the people who had always been there for her. She was there to celebrate the love of other people.

Undeniably, the doctor was the most gorgeous man there. Isang event na puno ng mga magaganda at guwapo mula sa entertainment industry. Pia was an actress and Joshua was also a cosmetic surgeon. Joshua owned one of the biggest aesthetic clinics in the country.  Suki ang napakaraming mga artista. Dr. Joshua Casiño was well-known in the Philippines as the doctor to the stars. She was one of his clients. Keith Darlington was not affiliated to the clinic, but she heard he was good friends with Joshua.

Nicole suspected a big part of Keith’s success as a plastic surgeon was because of how he looked and carried himself. He might be brilliant, but he absolutely had the pretty privilege.

He should be the epitome of male beauty with his chiseled features, piercing eyes and sculpted body. His face was flawless, his eyes were mesmerizing, and his lips were tempting. Clothes on, his physique was already impressive. She refused to imagine what’s underneath those clothes, how fit he was.

If one wanted to achieve beauty perfection, one would go to a doctor who looked like him.

Nakamasid sa kanya si Keith, ang nabatid ni Nicole. Hindi niya gaanong mabasa ang iniisip nito. Bahagya siyang na-conscious pero inutusan niya ang sarili na huwag iiwas ang mga paningin. Was he thinking of the work that needed to be done on her? Was he assessing her features as a man or as a cosmetic surgeon? Was her face symmetrical enough?

Nicole knew she was beautiful and attractive. She knew she had a lovely face, a sweet smile and a slender body. Kailangan ang mga iyon sa propesyon niya. She had always been confident with the way she looked. Pero parang iba pagdating sa lalaking ito. Siguro dahil nga hindi lang ito basta lalaki, isa itong plastic surgeon.

She realized he was full-on smiling now. At her. He was smiling at her. Of course the smile was dazzling and captivating because he was perfect.

She also realized he was walking up towards her. Sa loob ng ilang sandali ay parang hindi siya sigurado sa gagawin. Gagantihan ba niya ang ngiti nito o maglalakad siya palayo? Nakalapit na si Keith bago pa man niya mapagpasyahan ang gagawin.

Hi, he charmingly greeted when he got to her.

Nagawa naman niyang ngumiti, polite and a little formal. She wanted to believe she had control over herself. Pero kailangan niyang aminin na may binubuhay ang lalaking kaharap. It had been a while, she decided. Hindi kailangang gawing komplikado ang mga ganoong pakiramdam. It had been just a while.

Ibinalik niya ang pagbati nito. Hi.

This should be yours.

Ilang sandali ang kinailangan ni Nicole bago niya mabatid na ang tinutukoy nito ay ang bridal bouquet. Napatingin siya roon. Ibinibigay ba nito iyon sa kanya?

It’s yours, aniya. I don’t want it.

She remembered she heard about him being unmarried, but she was not sure if he was with someone. He looked like an accomplished man, maybe this was his sign if he had someone.

Maybe it’s truly meant for you, dagdag ni Nicole.

Nangislap ang mga mata nito sa amusement. Hindi niya sigurado kung ano ang amusing, pero maigi nang amused ito kaysa irked.

Parang may gusto itong sabihin sa kanya pero naantala nang may lumapit sa kanila. Naramdaman muna ni Nicole si Pia bago niya narinig.

You’re no fun, sabi nito sa kanya, nakangiti.

You should’ve aimed for them, sabi niya at iminuwestra ang kumpulan ng mga single na babae na gusto talagang masalo ang bridal bouquet. Sinadya niyang lumayo sa kumpulan para talaga maiwasan ang bouquet. You know I don’t want it.

Lumabi si Pia. You don’t know what you want.

Nanatili ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Nicole kahit na umahon ang inis sa kanyang dibdib. Pia was a good friend. This was her and her husband’s special day. She also knew in her heart this came from a place of love. By this time, alam na niya kung sino ang mga totoong kaibigan niya at kung sino ang mga hindi. Pia and Joshua were her good friends. She loved them. They loved her. Their marriage hit a rough patch and she was relieved and happy they were able to fix what needed to be fixed in their relationship. She was truly happy that they were in love with each other again. Nicole could understand that because Pia was intoxicated in love, she also wanted all her friends to be happy and in love. She wanted her to be in love.

Pero gusto pa rin niya na huwag siyang pangunahan. The more na pinangungunahan siya, parang lumalawak ang bahagi sa kanya na gustong tumutol. She loved her friends, but sometimes they needed to just let her be.

Also, maybe Nicole was just extra sensitive because of the event. A renewal of vows.

Nicole was truly happy for her friends. She did not want anything to taint that. This day and the whole weekend were not about her. It was about Pia and Joshua. It was a celebration of their enduring love. Walang lulugaran ang issues niya.

Kaya niyakap na lang muna niya si Pia na nginitian si Keith.

`Looking good, Darling, bati ng kaibigan niya sa lalaki, magaan ang tinig. Tumingin ito sa kanya, nangingislap ang mga mata. Gusto niyang matawa nang kindatan siya nito. Hindi mahirap hulaan kung ano ang kasalukuyang tumatakbo sa isipan nito.

Nang tumingin siya kay Darling—Keith, nakita niya na hindi lang siya ang naaliw. You are the loveliest, Pia. Should I say, ‘best wishes’ and ‘congratulations’? His eyes were soft and sincere. I’m happy for you and Joshie. You’ve shown us what true love and devotion look like. I wish you many more years and happiness together.

Bagaman nakangiti pa rin, namasa ang mga mata ni Pia. Thank you. Love is not a one-time event. It’s a lifelong journey.

Nicole realized there was pressure on her chest. It wasn’t easing off. She was still happy for her friends. But there was a dull ache on her chest.

Marriage was not easy. It should not be difficult, but it was also not very easy from time to time. There were challenges and her friends overcame them all. They had grown stronger as a couple and as individuals.

Hindi ganoon ang nangyari sa kanya at hindi ito ang panahon para pakaisipin niya kung bakit.

Have you two officially met? tanong ni Pia habang palipat-lipat ang paningin sa kanila ni Keith.

Nakangiting inilahad ni Keith ang kamay. Hi. I’m Keith.

Tinanggap niya ang pakikipagkamay nito. Hello. I’m Nicole. It’s very nice to meet you.

Pleasure is all mine.

The man was charming. It seemed as though it was easy for him. He didn’t have to try hard enough. With that kind of face and smile, he did not need to.

`Looks like you’re next, tudyo ni Pia nang makita ang bouquet nito na hawak pa rin ni Keith.

Umiling-iling si Keith habang nakangiti. Medyo na-curious na si Nicole sa ganoong ekspresyon nito. He didn’t want to get married. He was most likely single. That made her smile.

Marriage. She had done it once and it failed miserably. There was no way she was doing that again.

Pinagmasdan niya si Keith. What was his story or excuse? Who hurt him? Was he allergic to commitment?

Or wala naman talagang story or excuse. Nobody hurt him. He was not allergic to anything. He just didn’t want to get married.

But she was still curious. She wanted to get to know him.

Chapter Two

NAKANGITI SI NICOLE habang pinapanood ang mga tao na nagkakasiyahan sa dance floor. Everyone was having the best time. Hindi niya hinayaan ang sarili na maging killjoy kaya pinaunlakan niya ang ilang pagyayaya ng mga kaibigan na sumayaw, pero paubos na ang kanyang enerhiya. Ramdam na niya ang pagod. Pagod na hindi lang dahil sa biyahe o sa pakikisalamuha sa mga tao. Pagod na parang sagad hanggang buto.

Gusto niyang mainis sa sarili dahil hindi siya dapat ganoon. She was in a very beautiful place. Idinaos ang renewal of vows nina Pia at Joshua sa isang exclusive luxurious island resort. Piling-pili lamang ang mga bisita na naimbitahan. Binigyan siya ni Pia ng sarili niyang villa.

Hindi lang pagod ang nadarama niya, kanyang nabatid. Lungkot.

Gusto na niyang magalit sa kanyang sarili sa pagkakataon na iyon dahil ayaw niyang maramdaman iyon. Hindi niya dapat maramdaman iyon. Ayaw niyang malungkot. Kailangan niyang maging masaya para sa mga kaibigan. Iyon lang ang maaari niyang maramdaman.

Hindi siya maaaring mainggit, magalit o ma-frustrate. Pero habang nagpipigil siya ay lalo lang yata siyang nanggigigil.

Patungo siya sa bar nang mapansin niya si Keith. Kausap nito ang ilang kalalakihan. Mukhang masarap ang kuwentuhan ng mga ito. Parang naalis ang frustration sa dibdib niya nang tumawa ang lalaki. My God, he was truly a sight. Parang naitaboy ang lungkot niya dahil parang ang sarap ng tawa nito.

Hindi pa uli sila nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapag-usap pagkatapos silang maipakilala sa isa’t isa kanina. But they stole glances across the room once in a while and shared smiles when their eyes met because they glanced at the same time.

Her heart would have this strange reaction every time. There was always this jolt when their eyes met.

Inalis niya ang tingin kay Keith bago pa man siya nito mahuling nakatingin. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. What was wrong with her? Were her hormones whacked?

Itinuloy na lang niya ang pagpunta sa bar. She asked for a whole bottle of whiskey. Sandali lang nag-alangan ang bartender bago ibinigay sa kanya ang gusto niya. Nabasa niya ang recognition sa mga mata nito. Hindi na niya hinayaang mag-alala ang sarili tungkol sa kumakalat na issue na alcoholic siya. Hindi naman iyon totoo.

Lumabas siya sa event hall at naglakad. Patungo na sana siya sa villa niya pero nagpasya siya na magtungo sa tabing-dagat. May mga tao pa roon pero may mga sari-sariling mundo ang mga ito. Naghanap siya ng space at basta na lang sumalampak sa buhangin. Binuksan niya ang bote ng whiskey at dinala sa bibig. She replaced the cap and set it on her side.

Sa loob ng ilang sandali ay pinagmasdan niya ang mga alon. Maituturing na kalmado naman ang dagat. Gusto niyang kalmahin ang mga nadarama. Gusto niyang mapayapa ang kanyang isipan. She wanted to feel nothing. Think of nothing.

Napapitlag siya nang may maramdaman siya sa mga balikat niya. Kaagad niyang nabatid na may naglagay ng coat sa kanya nang mabalot ng init ang katawan niya. Ni hindi siya aware na nilalamig siya hanggang sa maramdaman niya ang init.

Halos wala sa loob na tumingala siya. Nagulat siya nang tumambad sa kanya ang kabuuan ni Keith.

May I? anito habang nakamuwestra sa espasyo sa tabi niya.

Nagkibit siya ng balikat. Why the hell not? Inayos niya ang pagkakabalot ng coat sa kanya. It smelled like him. Clean and manly.

I don’t want you to think I’m a creep for following you out here. I was just a little worried.

Tumingin siya kay Keith at nakita niya na nagsasabi naman ito ng totoo. Siguro nga ay medyo worrisome na makita ang isang babae na patungo sa dagat habang may bitbit na isang bote ng alak.

Do you know who I am? tanong niya. "You’re the type na parang walang

Reviews for Darling

[Moobeh G · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Parang mas gusto ko to na version miss belle✌️? thank sa another story