In life, a lot of things can happen-- be it good or bad. And like a domino effect, one thing leads to another. What may happen next is something unexpected. It will took us by surprise. After all, life itself is full of it. Surprise is always the key.

It was a cloudy night. Parang babagsak na ang ulan anumang oras. Makikisama pa yata ang panahon sa mga mangyayari sa kanilang bahay.

Bumaba si Violet sa kanyang kotse. She slammed the door with great force and walked agitatedly. Anger was evident on her face because of what she witnessed. Bumaba rin sa sasakyan nito ang asawang si Red. Nakabuntot pala ito sa kanya.

“Violet, mali ang iniisip mo. Makinig ka sa 'kin.” Narinig niyang sabi ni Red. Hinabol siya nito papasok sa kanilang bahay.

“I saw it with my own eyes, Red. 'Wag mong ikaila. So that's what made you busy, huh?” she said, facing her husband with disbelief. “Busy kang makipaglampungan sa sekretarya mo.”

“That's not what happened. I tried pushing her away--”

“You should've tried harder. Pero hindi, eh. Mukhang gusto mo rin,” she said before Red could finish what he was saying. Nanggagalaiti na siya sa galit. Ilang taon na silang kasal pero sa tingin niya'y hindi nagbabago ang asawa. “Masaya kang pinagmumukha mo akong tanga, 'no?”

Pagkasabi nito ay umakyat si Violet papunta sa kanilang kwarto. Agad namang sumunod sa kanya si Red.

Upon entering the room, she fell into her knees and leaned onto the edge of the bed.

“Makinig ka sa'kin, Violet,” Red started, also in a crouching position. “Kung tungkol ito sa mga pambababae ko noon, that was all in the past. I've changed. Hindi ka pa rin ba naniniwala?” he asked, patting his wife's shoulder.

Violet glanced at him. “Nagbago ka na?” she said mockingly. “Ano 'yong nakita ko?”

“I promise wala lang 'yon,” Red assured.

Napailing si Violet, nagpupunas ng luha saka tumayo patalikod kay Red. “Hindi mo naman ako mahal 'di ba? Minahal mo nga ba talaga ako?” tanong niya makalipas ang ilang sandali. She couldn't help but cry harder after asking that question.

“I thought tapos na tayo sa isyung 'yan. It's been years since we got married. Matagal na tayong nagsasama. Heck, we were bestfriends since childhood bago pa tayo ikasal, hanggang ngayon nag-da-doubt ka pa rin sa pagmamahal ko sayo?” Red replied, sitting on the bed.

“Oo, Red. Matagal na tayong magkaibigan kaya baka hanggang do'n lang 'yong pagmamahal mo sa 'kin. In the first place, we were arranged to be married because of that. Because of business. At dahil na rin nabuntis mo ako,” umiiyak na sabi ni Violet. Mataman naman siyang pinakinggan ng asawa. She faced him, placing a hand on her chest and said, “Pero, ako... mahal na mahal kita.”

“I'm sorry.” Red stood up, caressing her hand.

“Why are you saying sorry? Dahil hanggang ngayon, siya pa rin ba?” Violet was referring to his first love.

Red didn't dare to say a thing. Nakikinig lang ito sa mga bawat katagang binibitawan niya. Tiningnan siya nito sa mga mata. Akmang pupunasan ang mga luha subalit lumayo siya dito.

“Putangina, Red!” She cursed out of anger, without facing him. “Ang tagal na no'n! Ang tatanda na natin. Kasal na tayo at may tatlong anak. Why can't you just moved on?”

Red hugged her from the back. His chin was resting on her shoulder. “Love,” malambing na sambit nito.

Violet removed his arms encircled around her waist. “'Wag mo 'kong matawag-tawag na love,” sabay tulak niya dito. She scoffed. “That's only in words. You don't really mean it.”

“I mean it--”

Humarap siya dito at nagtanong, “Bakit hindi ka makasagot kaagad kanina? Dahil totoo ang mga sinabi ko?”

“It's not what you think. I'm sorry kung nagkulang ako sa pagpapadama kung gaano kita kamahal at hanggang ngayon ganyan pa rin ang iniisip mo. With all honesty, after all these years, I learned to love you more than just a bestfriend. I really love you,” Red said.

Violet scoffed and frantically shook her head, hearing nothing but lies coming from her husband.

Bago pa man muling may masabi si Violet ang sasabihin, narinig niya ang munting tinig na nagmumula sa kanilang bunsong anak. “Mom, Dad,” sambit nito.

Hindi namalayan ng mag-asawa na nakapasok ang anak sa kanilang kwarto. Pupungas-pungas pa ito, parang kagigising lang.

She could see the confusion on his son's face while looking at them. “Why are you crying?" pag-uusisa ni Sky. "Nag-away po ba kayo ni Dad?”

“It's just a misunderstanding, Sky,” sabi ni Red.

Violet wiped her tears. She approached her son and smiled sweetly. “Your dad's right. May kaunti lang kaming hindi pagkakaintindihan. We're going to be okay...” Niyakap niya ang anak. “Let's go downstairs.” She then stood up and held Sky's hand as they made their way out of the room, leaving Red behind.

While walking, she realized something was amiss. “Teka, nasaan ang Kuya Ash mo?” she asked Sky.

“Umalis po,” tipid na sagot nito.

Bumaba ang mag-ina at pumunta sa kusina. Nakita nila si Nay Carmen na nag-aayos sa dining table kung saan nakahain ang mga handa para sa birthday ng panganay nilang anak na si Pinkle.

Violet planned a barbecue and pool party for their eldest and their only daughter. They should have been celebrating outside right now. Pero mukhang malabong mangyari 'yon. It wasn't only for the weather, but the probability of Pinkle going home. Dagdagan pa ng nangyari ngayong gabi.

Nawala sa isip niya ang pinaghandaang okasyon dahil sa argumento nilang mag-asawa. Pinilit ngumiti ni Violet sa kabila nang nangyari kanina.

“Mabuti bumaba na kayo,” salubong ni Nay Carmen pagkakita sa kanila. Ngumiti ito na tila walang nasaksihang pagtatalo. Bumaling ito kay Sky. “Oh, gising na pala si Skyler.” She then turned her gaze to Violet and explained, “Nainip 'yan kakahintay sa inyo kaya't pinakain ko na siya. Pagkatapos ay nakatulog,” imporma pa nito.

Tinapunan ng tingin ni Violet ang anak. “Sorry, baby if I made you wait.”

Sky smiled and said to her, “It's okay, Mom.”

“Pasensya na pala kanina,” paumanhin ni Violet. She was referring to the argument between her and Red. Nay Carmen just pursed her lips and nodded.

“Teka, Manang, kanina pa ba wala si Ash?” tanong niya dito.

“Aba, eh. Pagkaalis mo'y umalis rin siya. Ibinilin niya nga sa 'kin itong si Skyler. Pupuntahan niya daw si Pinkle,” sagot nito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Violet. “I told Ash to just contact his sister through his phone pero bakit kailangan pang puntahan nang personal?”

Kanina ay sinubukan niyang tawagan si Pinkle upang pauwiin ito, ngunit hindi niya ma-contact. Naalala niya ang pag-utos kay Ash na tawagan ang nakatatandang kapatid. Sinundo pa pa niya sa opisina si Red dahil baka nakalimutan nito ang birthday celebration sa kanilang bahay. And her going to the office led to the confrontation of the night.

“Eh, ayaw 'ata umuwi dito ni Pinkle. Ayun, pinuntahan niya para kumbinsihin,” sagot ni Nay Carmen na nagpabuntong-hinga kay Violet.

“You shouldn't have prepared too much for this,” biglang komento ni Red. Nakababa na ito mula sa kwarto at nakabihis-pambahay na. “Why celebrate when the celebrant isn't here? Baka nakiki-party na 'yon. Tutal do'n naman siya magaling,” sabi pa nito.

Violet didn't like what Red said. She creased her forehead.

“Kahit ano pa ang gawin mo, it won't work. Trust me, hindi 'yon uuwi dito,” dagdag ni Red.

“I can't believe you.” Violet looked at her husband in disbelief. “Hindi ka man lang concerned sa mga anak natin lalo na kay Pinkle. I'm doing this para magkaayos na kayo. Wala ka na ba talagang pakialam kay Pinkle? She's still your daughter,” saad ni Violet.

Red immediately replied, “May pakialam ako sa kanya. I did my best as a father to her. But what did she do? Nag-rebelde 'di ba?”

“Mom, Dad, stop fighting. Please,” Sky interrupted them before they could begin another round of argument.

“Tama ang anak niyo. Itigil niyo na 'yan. Masamang nag-aaway sa harap ng grasya,” pagsang-ayon pa ni Nay Carmen na dinagdagan pa ng pamahiin.

Hindi na muling nagpalitan pa ng mga salita ang mag-asawa. Napagpasyahan na lang nilang kumain. Isinantabi muna nila ang kanilang galit sa isa't isa.

Hours passed pero hindi pa rin umuuwi si Ash kasama si Pinkle. They waited for them, or at least for the former to come home dahil hindi naman sigurado kung nakumbinse nga nito ang kapatid na sumama.

After eating, Violet still waited for Ash to come home. Dumiretso siya sa sala. Ilang oras na ang nakalilipas. Naririnig niya ang buhos ng ulan sa labas.

Hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala dahil hindi pa rin umuuwi si Ash. Baka may masamang nangyari sa anak niya. Ilang beses niya na rin sinubukang tawagan si Ash pati si Pinkle ngunit walang sumasagot.

Maya-maya'y nag-ring ang kanyang cellphone. Tumatawag si Pinkle.

“Hello, Mom. Sorry, I wasn't able to answer your calls earlier. Silent mode. Ch-in-eck ko lang ngayon.”

Narinig ni Violet ang tugtugan sa kabilang linya. “It's okay. Happy Birthday pala, anak,” pagbati niya.

“Thank you, Mom. Sorry if 'di ako nakapunta. Sinabi sa 'kin ni Ash na may pa-celebration pala kayo diyan. Sorry again, Mom. I'm not ready to face him,” Pinkle told her.

“I understand.” Napatango siya. “Si Ash pala?” she asked.

“He's having fun. Uhmm...actually, napainom siya nang slight. May pa-party kasi dito,” rinig niyang sabi nito.

“Gano'n ba? Sige, sabihin mo na lang kay Ash, 'wag masyadong magpakalasing. He could spend the night there,” bilin ni Violet sa anak. Naisip niyang mas mabuti nang doon na magpalipas ng gabi si Ash.

“Okay po, Mom. I'll tell him. Love you, mwah,” paalam nito.

“Love you, too. Bye.” She ended the call.

Pagkatapos ng tawag ay nakahinga siya nang maluwag dahil ligtas naman pala si Ash. Wala siyang dapat ipag-alala dahil nando'n naman ang ate nito.

“Si Roseianne ba' yon?” Violet heard someone asked. She turned to see Red with a glass of water on his hand.

She nodded. “Pinkle informed me na nando'n si Ash sa tinutuluyan niya. She's throwing a party.”

“Susunduin ko na si Ash. Hindi magandang impluwensya ang kapatid niya,” Red said in annoyance.

“'Wag mong pagsalitaan nang ganyan si Pinkle.” Violet's forehead creased. “And don't fetch Ash. Doon mo na siya patulugin. Parang lalakas pa ang ulan. Baka ano pang mangyari sa inyo sa daan,” paalala niya.

“No, I won't let him stay in that party. He's just sixteen, a minor! For Pete's sake. Baka kung anong pinaggagagawa niya do'n.”

Red was the authoritative parent between them. He was strict on imposing his rules inside the house. On the other hand, she was the lax one, but not to the point of being negligent.

“So what? He's old enough. Pabayaaan mo na siya. Alam niya na ang ginagawa niya. Why don't you let him enjoy? Puro ka bawal. Trust him, Red,” she retorted.

Violet knew that he's a responsible son. Kaya hindi siya nagalit nang malamang uminom si Ash. It's good for him to socialize and enjoy his life as a teenager. But her husband didn't acknowledge that point. She's starting to think that Red was rearing their children the way he was brought up.

“At ikaw naman kinukonsinte ang mga pinaggagawa nila. Whether you like it or not, susunduin ko si Ash. Wala akong tiwala kay Roseianne,” Red said authoritatively. He turned his back and hurriedly went upstairs to get the car's key in their room.

“Red!” Violet called to stop him. Subalit hindi ito nagpapigil. Wala na siyang nagawa nang makita ang pagharurot ng sasakyan ng asawa. Her elbow was resting on the arm hugging her body. Nakatakip ang kanyang kamay sa bibig, pinangungunahan ng kaba.

Meanwhile, the lively music resonated through the spacious living room where Pinkle resided. There were also throbs of laughters and cheers coming from the visitors. Tila nakikipagkumpitensiya ang mga ingay na iyon sa malakas na buhos ng ulan sa labas.

Ash settled himself on the couch. He was with his sister's friends, George and Yna. Wala sa plano ni Ash ang magtagal dito kung sakaling hindi pumayag ang ate niya. He promised himself earlier he would bring his sister home by hook or by crook. Ayaw niyang masayang ang effort ng kanyang ina sa paghahanda para sa birthday ng nakatatandang kapatid. But even guilt-tripping her sister was absolutely a failure. There he was, getting wasted for the first time in his life.

This party wasn't suitable for a sixteen-year-old like him; but there he was, feeling kinda dizzy while holding a can that certainly wasn't Coke. The beer started to taste good in his tongue after few sips. He didn't want to drink the alcoholic beverage. He just gave in to the pressure from his companions.

“Mga gaga kasi kayo. Ba't pinainom niyo si Ash?” rinig niyang paninisi ng ate niya sa mga kaibigan pagbalik nito matapos sagutin ang isang tawag. “Parang lasing na, ah. Pero, buti hindi nagalit si Mom.”

“Ate, hindi ako lasing,” Ash told her. “Oops, let me correct that. Hindi pa ako lasing,” he emphasized, chuckling.

“Ang guwapo na lalo ng kapatid mo, Pinkie-bells,” sabi ni George habang nakatingin kay Ash.

Napairap si Pinkle. “G, stop being a weirdo.”

“There's nothing wrong with admiring him. Look at that, he's growing so well and oh looking so fine. Parang kelan lang. I feel like a Daddy now.”

“Can you just be my dad, Kuya George?” biglang tanong ni Ash. Napatigil siya. “It seems you’re gonna be a loving father than that control freak." He scoffed, thinking about being so compliant to his father, even if things were against his own discretion.

“Ash...” malambing na sabi ng ate niya nang marinig ang sinabi niya. She tapped his back. “Lasing ka na nga.”

“Hindi ako lasing.”

“Awtsu, sad si baby boy. Come to Papa,” George joked, gesturing a hug.

Lumapit naman si Ash at parang batang yumakap dito. “I wish I could hug him like this, Kuya George,” sambit niya.

George was touched by what he uttered. “I understand, baby Ash.”

“Tsk. I'm not a baby anymore.”

“I know. But you're still our baby,” George said.

“Tama na 'yan," ani Pinkle. She pulled Ash out of the embrace and made him sit beside her. “Ako ang kapatid mo, bakit sa kanya ka yumakap?” she said, jealousy was in her tone.

“Ay sus, selos ka naman. Baby girl rin kita, di ba?” George said.

“I know  Mahal na mahal mo kaya ako. Ikaw nga ang promoter ng party na 'to. 'Pag 'di ko nahanap ang 'the one' ko, tayo na lang, ha?” Pinkle told George who found it so disgusting. "Sige, pupunta muna ako sa CR."

“Tama 'yan. Maghilamos ka para mahimasmasan. Mandiri ka nga sa sinasabi mo. Ayoko ng kiffy. Itits what itits.”

“Oo na, gets.” Pinkle stood up. “Ash, last na 'yan,” paalala nito sa kapatid. Bumaling ito sa mga kaibigan pagkatapos. “Uy, mga gaga. Bantayan niyo ang kapatid ko, ah.”

Tumango naman ang mga ito.

Minutes after Pinkle left, Yna spoke, “Omo. Ash, I see your dad.”

Ash looked up to her and smirked. “You're drunk, Ate Yna. Ano na naman ang gagawin no'n dito?”

“Naku, si Daddy Red mo nga," sang-ayon ni George. “He's coming. Parang pula-pula sa galit. Nasa'n na ba si Pinkle?”

“Ash, it's really your dad,” ulit ni Yna.

“Nah.” Patuloy na lumalagok ng inumin si Ash. Hindi niya pinansin ang sinasabi ng mga kasama.

Papalapit nang papalapit ang kanyang ama. Tinabig nito ang hawak niya. The can dropped on the ground and spilled its contents.

“Shit,” bulalas ni Ash. Inangat niya ang mukha upang tingnan kung sino ang may gawa no'n. “Oh. Dad, it's really you...” he blurted. Napansin niyang medyo basa ito dahil sa ulan.

Red grabbed his wrist. Kinaladkad siya nito palayo sa mga taong naroon. “You shouldn't be drinking. You're a minor,” he said angrily.

Although feeling weak and hazy, Ash tried to let go of his hand. “No, Dad! Don't treat me like a kid!”

Biglang dumating si Pinkle. Pumagitna ito sa dalawang lalaki. “Please, 'wag kang gumawa ng eksena dito,” pakiusap nito sa ama.

“I'm not a making a scene here. Susunduin ko lang si Ash. Hindi siya dapat nandito, but look at what you did, Roseianne!” ani Red kay Pinkle, dinuro pa niya ito. “You're just... making him like you.”

“Dad, don't blame Ate. I went here on my own will. I drank because I wanted to,” pagtatanggol ni Ash sa kapatid. Ibinaling niya ang tingin kay Pinkle. “Ate, uuwi na ako. Nakakahiya sa mga bisita mo,” he said to end the argument.

Truth be told, pinagtitinginan na nga sila, as if they're watching a scene straight from a family drama.

“But...” Pinkle sighed in defeat.

Red turned his back and walked out.

Sumunod si Ash kay Red palabas. He saw that the car was parked outside. Kahit na umuulan, tumakbo ang kanyang ama papunta ro'n. So, he was left with no choice but to do the same.

Pagkasakay niya ay agad pinatakbo ni Red ang makina. Habang binabagtas ang madulas na kalsada, walang gustong umimik sa kanilang dalawa. Nakatingin lang sa labas si Ash. Tanging ang tunog ng makina at buhos ng ulan maging ang kulog ang pumupuno sa katahimikan.

Nang bumaling si Ash sa direksyon ng ama ay napansin niya ang pagbuntong-hininga at pag-igting ng panga nito.

“Why do you have to do this?” Ash snapped, breaking the silence. “Hindi ka na dapat pumunta do'n.”

“I should ask the same question to you, Ash Grayson. Anong pumasok sa isip mo, huh? You went there, getting drunk as if your life depended on it,” Red retorted, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Ash snorted. “Minsan lang ako mag-enjoy nang gano'n. Ang sabihin mo, gusto mo akong lumayo kay Ate. As if I could do that. She's my sister, after all.”

“She's a bad influence—”

“Don't give me that bullshit, Dad—”

“Watch your language," Red cut him off. “Why can't you see that I'm doing what's best for you?”

Ash wasn't fazed by his father's tone of resignation. “'Cause it's suffocating. No wonder why Ate wanted to be out of your clutch.”

Never in his life did he dare to say those words until now. Maybe, it was the alcohol talking. He had the courage to voice out his thoughts. But no matter how good it felt, he wanted to take them back because of the pained expression on his father's face.

Ash could sense that the car was moving faster. “Dad, slow down,” he reminded his father, but his warning fell on deaf ears. He held the seatbelt, as if checking if it was into place.

He felt scared as they were coming near to an accident-prone area. Some say that those mishaps were caused by paranormal beings. He never bought such notion for it was nothing but an urban legend.

For a moment, Ash was led to believe that was true. A surge of panic washed over him upon seeing a wobbling truck.

“Dad!” Ash shouted. Instinctively, he raised his hands up to his face. He covered his eyes from the blinding headlights or maybe, he thought that it could shield him from the heavy vehicle ready for an impending collision.

Hearing the blare of the truck's horn, Red responded. His head whipped back in front to see the blinking lights. He was having a hard time controlling the car to swerve out of the way.

Papalapit nang papalapit ang ilaw. Papalakas nang papalakas ang busina.
Then, an impact. The crash happened so fast like how the lightning flashed in the night sky before the thunder roared.

But for Ash, everything happened slowly. The flying shards of glasses scattered and pricked his skin. He felt the tightening of the seatbelt around his body as he was thrown forward and hit his head.

As the lights flickered across the damaged windshield, particular scenes came rushing through his mind in fast-forward.

He could see himself as a newborn child cradled by his mother. She mouthed, “Ash Grayson” to which he brightly smiled in contrast with his dull-colored name.

Pasan siya ni Red sa balikat. As a curious two-year-old, Ash asked his father about the curved spectrum in the sky. That day, he learned what a rainbow was.

Nakakalat ang mga krayola sa sahig. Ash was engrossed with his coloring book. Holding the red and green crayons, Violet asked him what would he use to color the drawing of an apple. His father reached for the red crayon and handed it to him. Sumabat naman ang kanyang kapatid at iniabot nito ang pink crayon. But in the end, he colored the apple green.

The ten-year-old Ash on a stool, holding a paintbrush and a palette ready to fill the blank canvas with a polychromatic painting.

Feeling the fine white sands between his toes, Ash stared at the azure water reflecting the sky. When the time comes that the sun set behind the mountain, the explosion of the orange and reddish hues was also a sight to behold.

They say that before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes. Was that what happened to Ash? Was he going to die?

After the series of flashbacks faded, Ash was brought back to the present situation. He felt an excruciating pain. There's a pounding on his head and his eyelids were drooping. The surrounding's turned blurry. Then, darkness swallowed him whole.

He had no idea that what he had seen in his mind was a sign. An omen that he might not lose his life, but a significant part would.

It was proven true a month later. Nagpapagaling pa rin sa ospital sina Red at Ash. The difference was that the former was wide awake. Nauna na itong magising a week after the accident. On the other hand, the latter was still confined in bed.

Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Violet na nakaligtas ang dalawa. Kaya hindi na rin niya inireklamo ang driver ng truck na nakabunggo sa kanyang mag-ama o kaya hiningan ng danyos ang kompanya nito. Ayon sa imbestigasyon, hindi lasing ang driver. Nagkaroon ng aberya sa makina at nagkataon pang madulas ang kalsada dulot ng malakas na ulan.

“Kailan kaya siya gigising?” tanong ni Violet, may bahid ng pag-aalala. She was caressing the hand of her sleeping prince.

Nagkaroon si Ash ng concussion dahil sa impact ng pagkakabunggo. Sa kabutihang palad ay stable na ang kalagayan nito. Hinihintay na lang itong gumising. Ayon pa sa doktor, baka makaapekto sa utak ni Ash ang nangyaring aksidente.

“Don't worry, magigising rin siya anumang oras,” pagpapalakas ng loob na sabi ni Red. Nakaupo ito sa wheelchair dahil sa minor injury sa binti.

Ngumiti na lang si Violet habang hawak ni Red ang kanyang kamay. Kahit papaano'y okay na silang dalawa. For their family, for their children lalo na kay Ash.

Looking at him bedridden, Violet desperately hoped that any minute from now, Ash would wake up. Much to her delight, the heaven granted her heart's desire when she saw her son's index finger twitched.

“Oh my God!” Violet gasped, putting a hand on her mouth. “Gumalaw 'yong daliri niya, Red.” Napaluha siya dahil sa saya. Bumaling siya sa asawa na nakangiti at nakahinga rin nang maluwag.

Violet and Red turned their gazes back to Ash. Maya-maya'y nakita nilang dahan-dahan nitong iminulat ang mga mata.

Little did they know, the moment Ash opened his eyes, it would never be the same. There'd be a change on how he look at things because of a strange new sight that befell him.

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