"Dad, this is too much!" Naghihisterya kong sigaw pabalik ng bahay, basta kong itinapon ang mga gamit ko sa couch at galit na nagmartsa patungo sa komedor kung saan naroon pa rin silang dalawa ni Mommy at nag-aalmusal. "Bodyguards? Seriously?"

My father looked up from his breakfast, a calm yet stern expression on his face. "Sit down, Caice," he said firmly, gesturing to the chair across from him.

"No! I won't sit down!" I shouted, my anger boiling over. "This is too much, Dad!"

Magsasalita sana si Daddy pero agad iyong inagapan ni Mommy. Hinawakan ang kaniyang braso at sinigurong kalmado siya at hindi sasabayan ang galit ko. Dapat! Because I was really mad!

"Huwag kayong magsisigawang mag-ama, masyado pang maaga para sa pagtatalo niyong dalawa."

Nanatiling kalmado si Dad nang muli akong balingan ng tingin. "This is for your safety, Caice. There are too many risks out there, and I can't afford to take chances with your well-being."

Risk? Ang sabihan pa'y binibigyan niya ako ng buntot para siguraduhing hindi makakalapit sa akin si Hans!

I crossed my arms, feeling the heat of frustration rise in my chest. "I don't need bodyguards! I can take care of myself. You're treating me like a child!"

Dad put down his fork, his gaze unwavering. "You are my child. And as long as you live under my roof, you'll follow my rules."

"This is about Hans, isn't it?" I accused, nanginginig na ang tinig ko sa labis na galit na aking nararamdaman. "You're trying to control every aspect of my life because you don't like him!"

Mom tried to mediate, her voice soft but firm. "Let's all take a deep breath. We can talk about this without shouting."

"How can I, Mom? How can I breathe when I'm being suffocated by all these rules and restrictions na hindi naman dapat i-impose?" Galit ko itong binalingan because I wanted her to do something. This situation with Dad had been escalating at a great speed! "This is too much!"

Dad stood up, his expression hardening. "This discussion is over. The bodyguards stay. End of story."

I felt a wave of hopelessness wash over me. Walang balak magpaubaya si Daddy, talagang determinado siyang pahirapan ako sa hindi ko malamang kadahilanan. Hans didn't come from money, yes. Pero wala naman siyang ginagawang masama. Hindi siya criminal o ano. He was earning little but from decent jobs! At ano nga iyong nirereklamo ni Dad? Na hindi ako magiging kumportable sa piling ni Hans. Well, I felt far more less comfortable staying here with them than anywhere else.

"This isn't fair," nanghihina kong bulong, realizing that it didn't matter how loudly I said it, Dad wouldn't listen. Buo na ang pasya niya at iyon lang ang masusunod. "I don't need a bodyguard. This is ridiculous."

The following days were a blur of frustration and suffocation. Everywhere I went, the two bodyguards trailed behind me, their presence a constant reminder of my father's unyielding control. Pakiramdam ko ay ito mismo ang nakabuntot sa akin, nagbabantay at naniniguradong hindi ako malalapitan ng kung sino ng hindi niya nalalaman. I couldn't go anywhere without feeling their eyes on me, and the sense of being monitored made my skin crawl.

Fridays, which used to be my sanctuary, my escape with Hans, were now tainted. My father's paranoia had stripped away the one day I looked forward to the most. Instead of the carefree afternoons we used to spend together, exploring the city or just sitting quietly in a café, I was now under constant surveillance. My freedom had been replaced by the cold reality of my father's rules. Talagang ipinararamdam nito sa akin kung sino siya, si Vince De Salvo lang ang mananaig, sa kahit saan o kahit ano.

I couldn't even sneak out anymore. Dad had made sure of that, installing cameras and setting strict curfews. Hanggang sa university ay napangyari nitong puwedeng pumasok ang dalawa kong bantay kahit pa nga ba bawal iyon kung ang student's handbook ang pagbabasehan. The bodyguards were not just there to protect me; they were there to enforce my father's wishes. I felt like a prisoner in my own life, every step watched, every move scrutinized.

Ang masama pa doon ay wala naman akong ginagawang kasalanan!

Kung alam ko lang na ganito ang kahihinatnan ng lahat ay sana pala hindi ko na lang ipinakilala sa kanila si Hans. But how would I know? They were never matapobre! Ngayon lang, at sa boyfriend ko pa talaga!

The only thing that kept me going was Hans. Despite everything, he was still there for me. Every night, without fail, he would call. Those late-night conversations became my lifeline, the only time I felt free to be myself.

Sana naman ay huwag nang maisipan ni Dad na palagyan ng cctv itong silid ko!

"Hey, baby," Hans's voice was a balm to my frazzled nerves. "How was your day?"

Gusto ko na namang maiyak. Noong isang araw ay nagsumbong na ako sa kaniya ng totoong nangyayari, kung paanong hinahadlangan ng aking mga magulang ang relasyon naming dalawa. Hindi ko sana gustong sabihin dahil ayaw kong magalit siya sa parents ko, or 'di kaya isipin niyang lumayo na lang sa akin para hindi na ako paghigpitan. Ayaw ko! Itong ganito ni Daddy, titiisin ko na lang. Kakayanin ko naman basta nandyan lang si Hans!

I sighed, lying back on my bed, the familiar comfort of his voice washing over me. "The same. Suffocating. I can't go anywhere without those bodyguards breathing down my neck. Dad's completely lost it."

There was a pause, and I could almost hear Hans frowning on the other end of the line. "I'm sorry, Caice. This isn't fair to you."

I swallowed hard, the frustration and helplessness rising in my throat. "I know. And it's all because of us. Kahit ganito ang daddy ko, huwag mo akong iiwan, Hans. I don't know what I will do kung sakaling siya ang mananaig sa ganitong ginagawa niya."

Ilang sandaling namagitan sa amin ang katahimikan. Kinakabahan ako dahil hindi ko alam ang maaaring tinatakbo ng kaniyang isipan. Sana lang ay walang ideyang papasok sa kaniya kung saan kinakailangan naming tapusin itong relasyon namin dahil hindi talaga ako papayag.

"Hindi kita iiwan," he said after a while. May katotohanan sa kaniyang tinig na hinding-hindi maipagkakaila. Sana lang ay kaya ko siyang abutin ngayon at hagkan ng husto, yakapin ng mahigpit.

"I miss you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I miss our Fridays, our time together. It feels like I'm losing myself, Hans."

"I miss you too," he replied softly. "More than you know. Gagawan natin ito ng paraan, Caice."

I clung to his words, trying to find some semblance of hope in the chaos that had become my life.

"I wish I could see you," I said, my voice barely audible.

"I know, baby," he murmured. "But for now, we have this. Tatawagan kita sa bawat pagkakataong makuha ko. Huwag ka na masyadong malungkot at baka magkasakit ka pa, paano tayo lalaban niyan?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. Ito, sa lahat ng kaguluhang nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon, si Hans ang nagiging lakas ko. Knowing that I wasn't alone in this, made me want to survive this, survive Dad.

"Thank you, Hans. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You won't have to find out,"

The next days and weeks spiraled into a nightmare. Dad's overprotectiveness morphed into an oppressive force, aimed at severing any connection I had with Hans. My father went to great lengths to ensure Hans and I couldn't communicate. He monitored my call logs, scrutinized every text message, and even delved into my social media accounts. Privacy became a distant memory as every facet of my life was dissected and controlled.

Arguments with Dad became a daily occurrence. Each confrontation felt like a battle I was destined to lose. I shouted, pleaded, and tried to make him understand that his actions were suffocating me, but my words fell on deaf ears.

"You don't understand!" I would scream, my voice echoing through the house. "Mahal ko si Hans, Dad! Sa lahat ng ginagawa mo sa akin ngayon, Hans is the only thing keeping me sane!"

Dad's response was always the same, cold and unyielding. "I'm doing this for your own good, Caice. You're too young to understand the consequences."

The suffocation I felt was beyond physical; it was a constant, gnawing presence that followed me everywhere. The bodyguards, mas na kalaban ang tingin ko sa kanila. I didn't feel any safer with them than when I was with Hans. Their presence served as a reminder of my captivity. They represent Vince De Salvo everywhere I went!

The worst part was the silence. For the past three weeks, I hadn't been able to talk to Hans. Our nightly calls, the one thing that had kept me grounded, were abruptly cut off. Dad had installed a monitoring app on my phone, and any attempt to reach out to Hans was intercepted and blocked. My social media accounts were closely monitored, and any hint of contact with Hans was met with immediate consequences.

I tried to be clever, using Therese's phone or creating fake accounts, but Dad was always one step ahead. The isolation was unbearable. I felt like I was being punished for something I couldn't understand, for a love that felt so right yet was deemed so wrong by my father.

Tapos si Mommy ay hinahayaan lang na ganito, na ginaganito ako ni Dad.

Tuwing gabi ay lagi lang akong nagkukulong sa aking silid. I had never felt so lonely and alone. I would clutch the bracelet Hans gave me, tracing the intricate design with my fingertips, and the necklace with the garnet pendant, hoping to feel some connection to him. The memories of our time together played in my mind like a movie, scenes of happiness and freedom starkly contrasting with my current reality. Tapos ay lilipad ang isip ko sa mga puwedeng mangyari sa hinaharap, and none of what I had imagined for my future did not include Hans. Sa lahat ay naroon siya. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay kami sa huli. Kami lang.

Kung sana'y mapapangyari ko iyon ng hindi na namin kinakailangan pagdaanan ang lahat ng ito. That future I imagined with Hans was the rainbow I look forward to behind this chaos.

One night, in a moment of desperation, I tried to call Hans from a payphone at the corner of our street. My heart raced as I dialed his number, praying he would pick up. The call rang and rang, but there was no answer. I left a voicemail, my voice breaking as I spoke.

"Hans, it's me. I miss you so much. Dad's been monitoring everything, and I can't reach you. Please, find a way to contact me. I need you."

I hung up and wiped away the tears streaming down my face. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. My father's determination to keep us apart was relentless, and I was starting to lose hope.

Hindi ko na kasi alam kung ano rin ang nangyayari kay Hans. Sana lang hindi niya ako sukuan, sana lang ay kayanin namin ang lahat ng ito ng magkasama.

"Caice?"

Kunot-noo kong binalingan ang pinto ng aking silid nang marinig ang tinig ni Mommy mula sa labas kasunod ang dalawang malumanay na katok. It was ten in the evening, bakit gising pa siya?

Mula sa maliit na upuan katabi ng aking kama ay kinuha ko ang roba na basta ko na lang inilagay doon. I wrapped it around my body and answered the door.

My mother stood there, looking both sad and worried. Her eyes, usually filled with warmth, were now clouded with concern. She took in my appearance, noting the coldness and distance in my demeanor.

"Mom, what is it?" I asked, my tone flat. It was hard to feel anything but detached. She knew what Dad was doing to my life, and she was letting it happen.

She reached out and touched my arm gently. "Caice, Hans is outside," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Lagi siyang pumupunta rito sa nakalipas na tatlong araw. He's waiting by the door in the garden. You need to go meet him and ask him to leave before your dad finds out."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Hans. Despite everything, he hadn't given up on me. Pero tatlong gabi na itong ginagawa ni Hans at ngayon ko lang malalaman?

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, unable to hide the frustration in my voice.

"I'm sorry, Caice," she replied, her eyes filling with tears. Mahal ako ni Mommy alam ko naman iyon, naniniwala rin akong may malalim siyang dahilan kung bakit kinakampihan niya si Dad. Pero hindi ako naniniwalang sapat 'yun para sirain nila kami ni Hans! "I didn't know how to. Your father... he's so set on keeping you two apart. But I can't bear to see you so unhappy. Please, go talk to him. But be quick, baka magising ang daddy mo at mahuli kayong dalawa. Paalisin mo siya, Caice. May mga guard na nagpapatrolya sa labas."

She gave me a small, sad smile and stepped aside to let me pass. I made my way down the hallway, my heart pounding. The house was quiet, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock in the living room. I moved silently, my bare feet padding softly on the cold floor.

When I reached the door by the garden, I paused, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I opened the door slowly, stepping outside into the cool night air.

Hans was there, at tulad ng lagi ay naghihintay siya sa akin. The sight of him made my heart ache. Ang ilang linggo na namagitan sa aming dalawa ay unti-unting nagunaw nang takbuhin ko siya at mahigpit na yakapin, ayaw ko nang kumawala, ayaw ko nang mahiwalay.

"Hans," I whispered, feeling the sting of tears in my eyes.

He held me tightly, his warmth a stark contrast to the coldness I had felt inside for so long. "Baby... I'm sorry kung ngayon lang ako. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano ka lalapitan. Tuwina'y may nakasunod sa'yo."

"It's been hell without you," I replied, pulling back slightly to look at him. Gusto kong siguraduhin na totoo ito, na kasama ko nga siya at hindi lang basta bahagi ng imahinasyon kong nakakasanayan ko ng gawin gabi gabi.

Hans cupped my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. "We'll get through this, I promise,"

Tumango ako, bahagyang tumingkayad para hagkan siya. I needed to feel him this way. "Tapos maghahalikan na lang tayo buong araw?"

Despite the tension, Hans chuckled softly against my mouth and nodded. "That's the dream..."

Pumikit ako at ninamnam ang ilang sandali na nakakulong ako sa kaniyang mga bisig. I didn't want any of these to end. I would literally drop dead if ever they successfully tear us apart. Para bang iisa na kami ni Hans, one couldn't function without the other.

"Mom said you have to leave before Dad sees you." Kinakabahan akong kumawala sa kaniya at sandaling binalingan ang pintong nilabasan ko.

He nodded, his expression serious. "Alam ko, pero hindi ko lang matiis na hindi ka puntahan. Lalo na nang marinig ko ang iniwan mong mensahe para sa akin. I had to see you and make sure you were okay."

I was anything but okay. Pero hindi ko na labis pang pag-aalalahanin si Hans. Pareho kami ng pinagdadaanan at maaaring mas grabe pa ang sa kaniya. May trabaho pa siyang kailangan intindihin, pag-aaral na dapat unahin, at mga pangarap na tutuparin.

I leaned in, kissing him softly. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

"Never," he whispered against my lips.

"Now go, before we get caught."

He gave me one last kiss. Aalis na sana siya nang biglang bumukas ang ilaw sa bahaging iyon ng hardin. Everything happened too fast. The next thing I knew, someone had dragged me away from Hans, and another bodyguard had laid a hand on him.

"No! Stop!" I screamed, struggling against the grip on my arm. "Leave him alone! He's not doing anything wrong!"

Hans didn't fight back. He dropped to the ground after a few jabs to his stomach and face, his eyes wide with shock and pain.

Gago!

Halos madurog ang puso ko nang makita ko kung paano dahan-dahang napuno ng dugo ang mukha ni Hans, gusto kong tumakbo para salagin ang mga iyon kaya lang hindi ko makuhang kumawala sa mahigpit na kapit sa akin ng tauhan ni Daddy.

"Please!" I cried, tears streaming down my face. "Stop it! Stop it!"

One of the bodyguards sneered at me. "Hindi ka dapat narito, Miss Caice," he said coldly. "Mahigpit ang utos sa amin na hindi ka puwedeng malapitan ng lalaking ito para sa ikabubuti mo."

"Ikabubuti ko?" Mariing sigaw ko sa lalaking hindi ko naman kilala pero sobrang higpit ng pagkakakapit sa akin gusto ko na lang mamilipit sa galit. "Beating up my boyfriend is for my own good? You're insane!"

"Ipasok mo na 'yan sa loob!" Utos nang bumubugbog kay Hans bago siya nito tigilan.

The grip on my arm tightened as I was pulled back toward the house. "No! I'm not leaving him!" I yelled, trying to wrench myself free. "Hans!"

Mas kinaladkad pa ako nito pero nagpapadyak ako.

"Gisingin niyo si Daddy kung gusto niyo pero hindi ko iiwan si Hans!" Nagsisigaw na ako, wala akong pakialam kung magising ko pa ang buong kabahayan. Sinaktan nila si Hans! "Dad! Dad! Fuck all of you!"

The commotion finally roused my father from his room. He appeared on the balcony overlooking the garden, his expression cold and stern. My mother was behind him, her face pale and eyes wide with panic. When she saw Hans beaten on the ground, she hurriedly ran down the stairs, screaming at my father.

"What have you done?" she cried, her voice trembling. "Look at him, Vince! This isn't right!"

My father remained stoic, his gaze fixed on me. He followed my mother downstairs, his steps slow and deliberate. As he reached the garden, he ordered his men to let me go.

"Release her," he commanded, his voice like ice.

Iyon ang ginawa ng kanina pang may hawak sa akin. I immediately broke free, running towards Hans. I dropped to the ground beside him, cradling his head in my lap.

Medyo malalim at matindi ang mga sugat niya, kaya agad kong nilingon ang gumawa noon sa kaniya. I gasped in horror when I found out he was wearing a four finger knuckle, may bakas na ng dugo iyon. Fuck!

"Hans," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

Hindi makapagsalita si Hans pero pinilit niyang umiling.

Galit kong binalingan si Daddy. "Ano bang gusto mong mangyari, Dad? Bakit kailangan umabot sa ganito? He could've killed him! Iyon ba ang gusto mo, ha? Iyon ba?"

My father's expression remained unchanged. Nilingon nito ang dalawang tauhan na naghihintay lamang na ipag-uutos nito. "Alisin niyo na 'yan dito," tapos ay ako naman ang nilingon. "Pumasok ka na sa loob, Caice."

"No!" Mariin kong sigaw. Si Mommy ay lumapit na rin sa amin ni Hans, tulad ko ay umiiyak siya habang tinitignan ang mga sugat na natamo ni Hans. "Ano, Dad? Kaya mo pa rin bang sabihin na you're only doing what's best for me, huh? You think this is what's best for me? Hurting the person I love? Controlling my life like this?"

Hindi ito nagsalita, nag-iwas lamang ng tingin sa akin.

"Vince, please..." Mom begged him, hindi ito nilingon ni Dad.

"He's not right for her," he insisted, though his voice wavered slightly.

"He's everything to me!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "And if you can't see that, then you don't know me at all."

Hans groaned softly, and I turned my attention back to him. "We need to get him to a hospital," I said urgently, looking at my parents. "He's hurt."

Agad na tumango si Mommy, muli nitong tinignan si Dad. "Vince, please? Baka kung ano pa ang mangyari sa kaniya."

My father's jaw tightened as he considered his options. After a long, tense moment, he finally spoke. "Caice, get inside the house," he ordered, his voice cold and unyielding. "Or there will be no medical attention given to this boy."

"What?" I exclaimed, horrified. "Dad, you can't be serious!"

"I am very serious," he replied, his eyes hard.

I turned to my mother, desperation in my eyes. She nodded, her face pale. "Sige na, Caice. Pumasok ka na sa loob at ako na ang bahala dito," she urged gently. "I promise I won't leave Hans. I'll make sure he gets to the hospital."

Tears streamed down my face as I looked back at Hans. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, squeezing his hand.

I stood up reluctantly, every fiber of my being wanting to stay with him. But I knew I had no choice. My father's threat hung heavy in the air. I had to trust my mother to take care of him.

"Please," I begged my mother one last time. "Don't leave him."

"I won't..." Mom assured me. "Sige na, pumasok ka na..."

With a final, pained look at Hans, I turned and walked towards the house. My legs felt like lead, every step a struggle. I glanced back once, seeing my mother speaking urgently to the bodyguards as they helped Hans to his feet.

Why is this happening to us?