Chapter 27: Shattered Glass

Stacey's POV

Habang nagmamaneho ako papunta sa bahay nina Jho,I can't stop the nervousness that weighs heavily on my chest. My hands felt cold against the steering wheel, and my heart was pounding in a way that made me feel both nervous and excited. This wasn't just a casual visit-I was about to do something life-changing.

I was about to ask for their blessing.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago ipinarada ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay nila. It was a modest home, pero napakalakas ng warmth na nararamdaman ko rito. Jhoanna's childhood home-where she grew up, where she spent her happiest and probably even her darkest moments. And now, I was about to ask for permission to officially become a part of her life forever.

Lumabas ako ng sasakyan, taking steady steps toward the door. Bago pa ako makakatok, napansin kong may sumisilip na sa bintana. Johan.

Agad na bumukas ang pinto.

"Miss Sevilleja?" Johan's voice was filled with curiosity as he leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed.

Napangiti ako kahit kinakabahan. "Pwede bang pumasok?"

He gave me a playful smirk before shrugging. "Ma! May bisita ka!"

I stepped inside, at agad akong sinalubong ng amoy ng nilulutong sinigang. Napaka-familiar ng scent na 'to-it reminded me of the few times I had visited before. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, pero hindi nito napawi ang tension na nararamdaman ko.

Mula sa kusina, lumabas si Tita Jhonna, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. Nang makita niya ako, her brows lifted slightly-not in shock, but in quiet recognition.

"Miss Sevilleja" she greeted in a calm tone.

"Stacey nalang po Tita" I said in a calm voice, and she smiled

"Halika anak, upo ka."

I hesitated for a second bago ako umupo sa couch. Johan plopped down beside me, eyeing me curiously.

"Ano'ng sadya mo, hija?" tanong ni Tita habang umupo siya sa tapat ko.

I swallowed, steadying my breath. "Tita, may gusto po akong sabihin."

She nodded, waiting.

"Alam ko pong alam niyo na... tungkol sa amin ni Jhoanna," I said carefully.

There was no visible reaction-no shock, no anger. Just a deep sigh from her.

"Ay yun ba, matagal ko ng alam anak noong press conference mo pa" she admitted. "Pero hindi na ako nagulat."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Johan.

"Wait, Ma, you knew?"

Tita Jhonna gave him a knowing look. "Anak, matagal nang lumalabas sa mga mata ng ate mo na iba ang tingin niya kay Stacey."

I bit my lip, feeling a mixture of relief and nervousness. "Tita, mahal ko po siya. At... gusto ko na pong humingi ng basbas ninyo."

Johan straightened. "Basbas? Para saan po?"

My hands trembled slightly as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

"Gusto ko na pong pakasalan si Jhoanna."

The room fell into silence.

Johan's eyes widened like saucers. "A-Ano?!"

Tita Jhonna, however, remained composed. Her expression was unreadable as she studied me.

"Sure kana ba dyan Stacey?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.

I nodded firmly. "Sure na sure na po ako."

She exhaled through her nose bago bumakas sa mukha niya ang bahagyang ngiti. "Kailan mo balak magpropose anak?"

Halos napatanga ako. "Tita... hindi niyo ako tatanungin kung sigurado ako? O kung deserve ko ba si Jhoanna?"

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Hija, kung hindi ka sigurado, hindi ka magpapakahirap pumunta rito, hindi ba?"

I bit my lip, gripping the small box tightly. "Pero Tita... may isa pa po akong gustong sabihin."

Her smile faded slightly. "Ano 'yon?"

Huminga ako nang malalim, my heart pounding.

"Tita... gusto ko pong humingi ng sorry. Alam ko pong kasalanan ng pamilya ko, lalo na ni daddy, kung bakit muntik nang mapahamak si Jhoanna noon. Alam kong hindi ko mababago yung past, but I take the full accountability sa ginawa ng daddy ko."

Silence.

Johan, who had been playful a while ago, now looked serious. His hands were clasped together, his jaw slightly clenched.

Tita Jhonna, on the other hand, just stared at me-long and hard. It felt like she was looking straight into my soul, weighing my sincerity.

Then, after what felt like forever, she spoke.

"Hindi ko makakalimutan ang nangyari kay Jhoanna, Stacey muntik ng mamatay ang anak ko sa nanyare" she said softly. "Pero hindi rin ako bulag sa nakikita ko ngayon. Nakikita kong mahal mo ang anak ko."

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Mahal na mahal ko po siya, Tita."

She sighed again, this time with a softer expression. "Then make sure you never hurt her again."

Napatingin ako sa kanya, my hands clenching. "Hinding-hindi ko po siyang sasaktan. I swear, Tita."

A small, approving smile formed on her lips. "Then you have my blessing."

I felt my breath hitch.

Johan let out a low whistle beside me. "Damn, ate. You really went all out, huh?"

Napangiti ako kahit nangingilid ang luha sa mata ko. "Because I love your sister, Johan."

Tita Jhonna reached out, gently squeezing my hand. "You have a big responsibility, hija. Loving someone like Jhoanna-it takes more than just feelings. It takes commitment."

I nodded, holding back tears. "I'm ready Tita, I really love Jho"

She smiled fully this time. "Then welcome to the family, Stacey."

And at that moment, all my fears, all my doubts-vanished. I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Jhoanna's POV

Day off ko bukas kaya excited akong umuwi. Hindi ko alam kung bakit-baka dahil gusto ko lang makapagpahinga, o baka dahil gusto ko lang makita si Mama at si Johan after a long day. Or maybe... because I missed home.

Habang nagmamaneho ako, iniisip ko kung ano na naman kayang niluto ni Mama. Sana adobo. O kaya sinigang. O baka naman-

Napakunot noo ako nang makita kong may nakaparadang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay namin.

Wait. Kilala ko 'tong kotse na 'to.

Stacey?

Napahinto ako saglit, staring at the vehicle as if it would give me answers. Anong ginagawa niya rito? Hindi man lang siya nagsabi na pupunta siya.

Bumaba ako ng kotse, slowly walking towards the house habang pilit kong iniisip kung anong meron.

May kasalanan ba ako? Nakita niya ba akong nag-like sa Instagram story ng ibang babae?! O baka nakita nya yung mga comments ko sa TikTok.

...hindi naman siguro.

Okay, Jhoanna. Relax.

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto, making sure na hindi ako gagawa ng ingay. Ayoko namang biglang sumulpot at gulatin sila kung anuman ang pinag-uusapan nila.

At ang una kong nakita?

Si Stacey, nakaupo sa sofa, mukhang seryoso habang kaharap si Mama. Si Johan naman, nasa tabi niya, at mukhang hindi mapakali sa sobrang excitement.

Wait. Bakit parang ang bigat ng atmosphere?

I couldn't hear everything, pero enough para marinig kong may sinasabi si Mama.

"Hija, sure kana ba sa desisyon mo?"

Desisyon?

Nakita kong ngumiti si Stacey, at kahit hindi ko siya kita nang buo, alam kong determined siya.

"Sure na sure na po ako Tita."

I frowned. Okay, ano 'to? Bakit parang ang bigat ng usapan nila?

Bakit parang napaka-seryoso nito?

Johan suddenly turned his head, catching sight of me. "Ate!" sigaw nya niya. "Uuwi ka pala?!"

As if on cue, tumigil ang pag-uusap nina Mama at Stacey at parehong lumingon sa akin.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay, obviously suspicious. "Anong meron?"

Biglang tumayo si Stacey at lumapit sa akin, parang may relief sa mukha niya. Pero parang kinakabahan din siya?

"Hey," she greeted, reaching out to touch my arm.

Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa, then kina Mama at Johan, then back to her. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Bumisita lang ako Jho"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Bumisita??"

Johan snorted beside us. "Ate, hindi naman sya nagsumbong sa mga pinag gagagawa mo, if that's what you're thinking."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Bakit parang masyado kang enjoy, ha?"

"Ano ka ba ate, wala nga" sagot niya, smirking.

I wasn't convinced at all. Pero dahil pagod ako, nag-decide na lang akong huwag na muna magtanong.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago lumingon kay Mama, who was now smiling knowingly at me.

Alam kong ito na ang tamang moment.

"Ma, andito na din kayo may gusto lang akong sabihin" I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "Gusto ko lang pong formally ipakilala si Stacey bilang girlfriend ko."

Silence.

Mama stared at me for a few seconds before smiling warmly. "Matagal ko nang alam, anak."

I blinked. "Wait... you knew?"

Napailing siya, laughing softly. "Anak, may TV tayo dito sa bahay napanood ko na at kahit hindi mo naman sabihin, halata naman. The way you look at her, the way you talk about her... hindi mo na kailangang magtapat dahil kitang-kita na sa'yo."

I felt my face heat up. Damn. That was embarrassing.

Johan bursted out laughing. "Ate, ang obvious mo kaya!"

I turned to Stacey, who was grinning like an idiot. "Tama sila," she whispered. "Halata talaga."

"Oh my god, nakakahiya kayo," I groaned, covering my face.

Mama chuckled before looking at Stacey. "At ikaw naman, hija..."

I slowly peeked through my fingers, watching as Mama turned to my girlfriend.

"Alagaan mo ang anak ko."

Stacey squeezed my hand, nodding firmly. "I promise, Tita."

Johan groaned. "Edi kayo na, kayo na talaga!"

Napatawa ako at siniko siya. "Masasapak kita, Johan."

"Ako na nga 'tong supportive, ako pa sasapakin mo," he muttered, shaking his head.

Mama just laughed before looking at Stacey again, her eyes filled with warmth. "Welcome to the family, hija."

And in that moment, napagtanto ko na wala na akong dapat itago o ipag-alala. Stacey was home, and now, she was part of my family, too.

_

Pagkatapos ng halos isang oras na kwentuhan, tawanan, at endless teasing mula kay Johan, napansin kong tumingin na sa orasan si Stacey.

"I should probably go," she said, standing up habang inaayos ang suot niyang jacket.

Napakunot-noo ako. Aalis na siya?

Mama, on the other hand, simply nodded. "Sige, hija. Ingat ka sa biyahe, ha?"

"Salamat po, Tita," sagot niya, bago lumingon kay Johan. "Ikaw, huwag mong masyadong inisin 'yang ate mo."

Johan grinned. "Di ko mapapromise"

I rolled my eyes at him before grabbing Stacey's wrist. "Hatid na kita sa labas."

Hindi siya tumanggi, kaya lumakad na kami palabas habang si Mama naman ay nagpaalam uli "Mag-ingat ka hija!" bago isinara ang pinto.

Pagdating namin sa labas, ramdam ko agad ang lamig ng hangin. Tahimik ang paligid, maliban sa malayo-layong tahol ng aso ng kapitbahay.

Stacey turned to me, smiling softly. "Salamat sa paghatid."

"Anong salamat? Ang formal mo naman," I teased, crossing my arms. "First time mo lang ba dito?"

She chuckled. "Hindi naman. Pero... tonight felt different."

Napataas ang kilay ko. "Different? Paano?"

"Hmm..." She tapped her chin, pretending to think. "Mas relaxed na ako. Mas... welcome."

Naramdaman ko ang init sa mukha ko, so I quickly looked away. "Eh, syempre. Girlfriend na kita, formally. Kailangan mo nang masanay na parte ka na ng pamilya namin."

When I looked back at her, she was already grinning. "So... you're really part of my family now?"

Bigla akong na-conscious. "Ano ka ba, Stacey, huwag mo akong titigan nang ganyan."

"Anong ganyan?" she teased.

"Ay, talaga naman" I muttered, playfully pushing her arm. "Sumakay ka na nga sa kotse mo baka di na kita pauwiin dyan ehh"

Stacey laughed but didn't move. Instead, she took a step closer, her hand reaching out to tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Seriously," she said, her voice softer this time. "Thank you, Jho. For tonight. For introducing me properly to your family."

Napakagat ako sa labi, suddenly feeling shy. "Dapat lang naman, 'di ba? Mahal kita, eh."

She sighed dramatically. "Aww, finally, sinabi mo rin! Hindi ko na kailangang pilitin!"

"Ang OA mo," I mumbled, pero hindi ko mapigilan ang pagngiti.

She chuckled, then leaned in to press a quick kiss on my lips.

"Goodnight, love. I'll text you when I get home."

I hummed in approval, watching as she finally opened her car door.

Pero bago siya pumasok, sumilip siya ulit sa akin. "Miss mo na ako agad?"

I groaned, pretending to be annoyed. "Drive safely, Stacey!"

She laughed before finally getting inside the car.

Nakatayo lang ako sa gilid ng kalsada, watching as she started the engine and slowly drove away. Hindi ko mapigilan ngumiti habang pinapanood siyang paalis, feeling a strange warmth in my chest.

And as I turned to head back inside, isang realization ang pumasok sa isip ko.

I think I just fell in love with her all over again.

Stacey's POV

I had been driving for about ten minutes, still riding on the high of the night. Hindi ko akalaing ganun kabilis tatanggapin ni Tita Jhonna at Johan ang relasyon namin ni Jhoanna. Sure, medyo ninerbyos ako sa simula, pero the way her mom smiled at me and the way Johan teased me after? Grabe, ang gaan sa pakiramdam.

I sighed dreamily, gripping the steering wheel as a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Mahal kita, eh."

Jhoanna's words kept echoing in my mind. Seryoso siya nang sabihin niya 'yun, pero kasabay noon, parang ang dali lang para sa kanya. Walang pag-aalinlangan, walang kahit anong hesitation.

Kung hindi lang ako nagmamaneho, malamang napayakap na ako sa sarili ko.

Gusto ko sanang kuhanin ang phone ko para i-text siya na nakauwi na ako nang-

BEEP!

Napatingin ako sa rearview mirror.

Isang itim na van.

Medyo malayo pa, pero mabilis ang paglapit nito. Napakunot ang noo ko. The road was pretty empty, wala halos ibang sasakyan. Hindi naman ito highway, pero maluwag ang daan.

Nag-signal ako at bahagyang lumipat sa gilid para makadaan sila. Pero hindi sila lumampas.

BEEP! BEEP!

Mas malakas ang tunog ng busina ngayon. The van was tailing me, their headlights flashing aggressively.

Okay, anong problema nito?

I tightened my grip on the wheel, keeping my eyes on the road. Huminga ako nang malalim at dahan-dahang binilisan ang takbo.

Pero bumilis din sila.

My stomach dropped.

Something is wrong.

Nagpatuloy akong magmaneho, this time more aware of my surroundings. Tinignan ko ang side mirror-walang ibang sasakyan. Malayo na ako sa residential area, halos madilim na rin ang paligid maliban sa ilang streetlights.

BEEP!

Mas lumapit pa sila.

At bago pa ako makareact-

BAM!

"SHIT!"

My car jerked forward as the van rammed the back of my vehicle. The force made me lose control for a split second, causing my tires to skid against the pavement. Nanginginig ang kamay ko sa manibela habang pilit kong binabawi ang direksyon ng sasakyan.

BAM!

Another hit.

Tangina!

My breathing turned ragged as panic shot through my entire body. Hindi ito simpleng reckless driver-sinadya nilang banggain ako.

I slammed my foot on the gas, trying to put distance between us. Kung may mas mataong lugar lang sana malapit, babalik ako. Pero nasa gitna ako ng isang stretch ng kalsada na walang ibang sasakyan sa paligid.

I was alone.

At hinahabol ako ng mga putanginang 'to.

Mabilis akong lumingon sa rearview mirror. The van was still there, following me like a predator stalking its prey. Hindi ko alam kung sino sila, pero isa lang ang sigurado-hindi ito maganda.

I fumbled for my phone, trying to unlock it with one hand habang iniwasan kong mawala sa lane.

Pero bago ko pa matype ang pangalan ni Jhoanna-

BAM!

Mas malakas ang impact this time. My body lurched forward, the seatbelt digging into my shoulder. Napamura ako, pero wala akong panahon para masaktan. I tried to steady the wheel, but my car was already swerving-

"FUCK!"

The tires screeched violently as my car spun out of control. Nawala ako sa lane at lumipad ang sasakyan papunta sa tabi ng kalsada, slamming straight into a post.

CRASH!

Everything happened so fast.

The sound of metal twisting and glass shattering filled my ears. My head slammed against the side window, sending a blinding pain shooting through my skull.

I lost control of my body, as if I was crushed by the impact. My vision blurred, my heartbeat pounding erratically in my chest.

I heard the sound of the engine, the faint scent of smoke reaching my nose.

I looked outside through the shattered windshield, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Then, through my hazy vision-

I saw the van.

It stopped.

And then, slowly...

The driver's door opened.

Shit.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 27 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆