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"Sometimes hearing the truth takes more courage than speaking the truth."
Prologue
Napamura ako nang makarinig ako ng sunod sunod na putok ng baril. Mabilis
ang kilos ko na tumakbo ng walang ingay ang mga yabag para makapagtago.
Hinahabol ko ang hininga ko nang makakita ng isang pintuan. Pumwesto muna
ako sa gilid at inihanda ang baril bago ko dahan dahan na binuksan ang
pintuan.
Kaagad kong itinutok ang baril sa harapan ko nang makapasok ako sa loob
ng kwarto. Napahinga ako ng maluwag nang makita na walang ibang tao ang
nandoon. Isinarado ko ang pintuan at agad na nagtago sa likod ng
malalaking box na nandoon nang may marinig akong boses mula sa labas.
Napahinga ako ng malalim. Mukhang nagalit ko yata ang panget nilang boss.
Napataas ang kilay ko at inayos ang earpiece bago sumagot. "Alive and
kicking, Archer."
Narinig ko ang tawa nya at napairap na lang ako. Pasalamat sya at wala
sya sa loob ng mansyon na 'to kung hindi ay sya ang gagawin kong shield
sa mga kalaban.
I cursed. I only have three bullets left and a hunting knife. I shouldn't
miss my shots. Para dalawa na lang ang problema ko at kakalabanin gamit
ang kutsilyo.
"You know, Archer. Why don't you come down here and help me? Para may
silbi ka naman." sabi ko habang inaayos ang pagkakatali ng panyo sa
sugatan kong braso. The bleeding stopped and the pain is bearable so I
know that I can still do it even without his help. Naiinis lang ako wala
syang ginagawa habang pinapanood ako sa scope ng sniper nya.
"I helped you already, V. I already killed five people for you."
"I saw you rolling your eyes." sabi nya kaya napatingin ako sa bintana ng
kwartong iyon. I raised my middle finger and that earned a laugh from
him.
"Tracer, where are they?" tanong ko sa isa ko pang partner para sa misyon
na iyon dahil hindi matinong kausap si Archer.
"Three are on that floor and the other two are with the boss on the third
floor."
I nodded kahit na hindi nya naman ako nakikita. Huminga muna ako ng
malalim bago lumabas sa kwartong pinagtataguan ko.
And boom. Just like that, three men were already dead. And I'm out of
bullets kaya kinuha ko ang baril ng lalaking nasa hagdan. Napangiti ako.
Five bullets. Cool.
Buong lakas kong sinipa ang pinto para bumukas iyon. At hindi nga ako
nagkamali. Kaagad nila akong pinaulanan ng bala kaya nagtago muna ako sa
likod ng pader na nandoon. For sure they'll run out of bullets very soon.
The ugly lord tried to point his gun at me but I shoot his hand kaya
nabitiwan nya ang baril. He tried to run away but I shoot his leg this
time. Napaluhod sya at napatingin sa akin sa nagmamakaawang mga mata.
"I heard you calling me a bitch earlier and you will not get away easily
because of that." I said at kaagad kong itinarak sa binti nyang walang
tama ang hunting knife na meron ako. He groaned in pain and started to
call me by names again.
"You bitch! I will fucking kill you!" galit na galit na sabi nya sa akin.
Sa sobrang inis ko ay binunot ko ang kutsilyo sa binti nya at muli sanang
itatarak iyon nang marinig ko ang boses ni Tracer.
"The El Ordre wanted him alive, V." sabi nya na ikinatigil ko. I tsked
before I cleaned my knife with the ugly lord's shirt.
"Clean up this mess. I'll see you in our place." sabi ko kina Tracer at
Archer bago ako lumabas ng mansyon at sumakay sa MV Agusta ko. Narinig ko
ang sipol ni Archer sa earpiece ko.
"Damn that sexy motorcycle." sabi nya nang makita akong sumasakay sa MV
Agusta. Napatawa na lang ako at sinuot ang helmet bago nag drive paalis
ng mansyon na iyon.
"You're here so I'm guessing that the mission was a success." she said at
tumawa lang ako. Mukhang hindi naman sya nangaingailangan ng sagot.
Half an hour had passed and Violet already finished dressing my wound
nang dumating sila Tracer at Archer. Kaagad silang tumabi sa akin sa
sofang inuupuan ko. Si Tracer ay binuksan agad ang laptop nya habang si
Archer ay inilabas ang sniper sa bag para linisin iyon.
Napansin ko kaagad ang mga mata ni Tracer na kulay abo. His stare was so
intense and brooding kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung maraming babae ang
naghahabol dito. Ayun nga lang. Mukhang naghahabol din si Tracer sa isang
babae.
"Alright. I'll go home now." sabi ko bago ako tumayo. Tinanguan lang nila
ako kaya mabilis na din akong lumabas ng kwartong 'yon.
Madilim na sa mansyon pagkadating ko. Ano pa bang ineexpect ko eh alas
tres na ng madaling araw. Bwisit naman kasi ang ugly lord na iyon. Ang
daming tauhan kaya medyo natagalan kami sa misyon.
Kaagad akong naligo para maalis ang amoy ng dugo at gun powder sa katawan
ko. Pinatuyo ko muna ang buhok ko bago ako nagbihis ng underwear at
nahiga sa kama. Sanay na akong naka bra at panty lang kapag natutulog.
Maginhawa at walang sagabal sa katawan.
"You want to talk to me, Papà?" I asked. Itinuro nya ang upuan sa harap
ng table nya kaya umupo ako doon. He sighed. Itinukod nya ang dalawang
siko nya sa table at seryoso akong tinitigan.
"Vexen, you know that I love you and I want the best of you, right?" he
said. Nagtataka man sa inaakto nya ay tumango ako. "You're already
twenty-five and not getting any younger. And I'm old too. So I want to
see you getting married before I die."
"I want you to marry the second son of the Mancini." sabi nya na
ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.
"I'm sorry, Papà. I must have heard wrong. Potrebbe ripetere per favore?"
Can you please say that again?
"Vexen! I already made a promise from Mr. Mancini that you will marry his
second son!"
Napailing ako. Ano na naman bang pakulo 'to? Ang payatot na lalaking anak
ng mga Mancini ang pakakasalan ko? Baka imbes na sya ang magprotekta sa
akin ay ako pa ang magprotekta sa kanya!
"No, Papà! I will not marry him!"
"All my life I've been following your orders, Papà! Even if it's
dangerous for me! I followed your orders with no complaints so please,
just this once. Spare me just this once, Papà!"
"No, Vexen! If you will not marry the second son of Mancini, then forget
that you have a father! And I will forget you and treat you as a dead
person if you say no again!"
Hindi ako makapaniwalang napatingin sa ama ko. Gusto kong umiyak pero
masyado akong nagulat na kaya nyang sabihin sa akin ang bagay na iyon.
Dahil lang sa hindi ako magpapakasal sa mga Mancini ay kakalimutan na
nyang anak nya ako? Napatawa ako at sunod sunod na umiling.
"No. I will not marry the Mancini. And if that's what you want, then I
will forget that I have a father, too." I said bago ako lumabas ng office
nya at pumunta sa kwarto ko.
"I'm leaving." I said. I looked at him and felt hurt when he remained
that way. "I'm so sorry. I just don't want Papà to control me anymore."
"I promised that I'll stay by your side but it seems that I can't do it
anymore. I want to be free. Hindi ko na kasi talaga kaya. Nasasakal na
talaga ako."
Napaawang ang labi ko nang unti unti syang magbaba ng tingin sa akin. I
immediately noticed the scar beneath his left eye down to his jaw. Pero
kahit ganoon ay gwapo pa rin sya para sa akin. At first, his eyes have no
emotions. Pero maya maya ay ngumiti din sya sa akin. Isang malungkot na
ngiti.
"I'm sorry, Vexen. Ako dapat ang nag aalaga sayo pero hindi ko magawa
dahil nandito ako. Wala akong kwentang kapatid." sabi nya na mas
nagpaiyak sa akin. Umiling iling ako. Hinawakan nya ang dalawang pisngi
ko at pinunasan ang mga luha ko.
"Don't say that. You're the best big brother for me." nakita kong
napangiti sya sa sinabi ko at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.
"Just go, Vexen. Be free. Gagaling ako at makakalabas din dito para
alagaan ka. Pangako yan."
Niyakap ko din sya at umiyak sa mga balikat nya. Nang kumalma ako ay
kumalas ako sa yakap nya at nginitian sya.
Tinitigan nya ako. Siguro ay para hanapin ang kasiguraduhan sa mukha ko.
Nang makita nya iyon ay tumango sya.
Pero mas gugustuhin ko nang mamatay nang lumalaban sa mga kalaban kaysa
sa makulong sa isang buhay na hindi alam kong hindi ako magiging masaya.
Chapter 1
"Vexen, I understand your situation pero sana intindihin mo din naman ang
sitwasyon namin."
I sighed. Siniguro kong maririnig nya ang buntong hininga kong iyon na
hindi naman mahirap gawin dahil magkatawagan kami sa cellphone.
Kinuha ko ang coffee mug ko at dinala sa kwarto ko. Muli akong umupo sa
harap ng laptop ko at humigop ng kape. Hindi na ko nag abalang buksan ang
ilaw kahit madilim na sa labas.
"Okay. I'm sorry, Lindsay. I'll try to send the update on Saturday." that
will be three days from now.
"Shit!" I cursed.
"No, Vexen. Tomorrow night. Or else hindi namin ipa-publish ang book na
'to."
Napabuntong hininga ako. Ang totoo hindi naman talaga kawalan sa akin
kung hindi maging libro ang mga sinusulat ko. Writing is just my hobby.
Kapag wala akong ginagawang misyon ay nagsusulat ako. Ayun nga lang.
Hindi ko inakala na mapapansin ang mga gawa ko at may nag alok sa akin na
publication company na i-published ang mga storya ko. I said yes,
pangdagdag gastusin man lang. Pero kung alam ko lang na ganito silang
mangulit sa update ay hindi na sana ako pumayag.
"Alright. I'll send the update tomorrow night." sabi ko bago muling
bumuntong hininga.
"Promise?" sabi pa nya na parang isa akong bata.
"Yeah, yeah. I have to think for the scenes, now. Bye." hindi ko na
hinintay na makapagsalita pa sya at agad na pinatay ang tawag.
Napatitig ako sa draft na nasa laptop ko. Nakaka five hundred words pa
lang ako at kailangan ay nasa mga three thousand words ang mapasa ko.
Halos wala pa ako sa kalahati. At hindi ko alam kung saan kukuha ng mga
ideya dahil wala talagang pumapasok sa utak ko.
Merda!
Hindi pa nakikisama ang pasaway kong utak. Imbes na mag isip para sa mga
susunod na eksena ng storya ko ay naglakbay ang isip ko. Two years ago.
Magaling diba?!
Noong una ay natakot akong mamuhay ng mag isa. Nasanay na din kasi ako na
palaging nakasuporta sa akin si Papà. Palagi nyang binibigay ang luho ko
kapalit ng mga bagay na pinapagawa nya sa akin. At hindi naman ako
makatanggi. Kahit na manganib ang buhay ko dahil sa kagustuhan nya ay
ginawa ko dahil takot pa ako noon. Wala pa akong pera at hindi ko pa
kayang tumayong mag isa.
Si Tracer ay ang gumawa ng pekeng katauhan ko pati na rin ang naging mata
ko sa mga ginagawa ng ama ko. Of course with the approval of El Ordre, a
secret organization that we're working for. Mabuti na lang at pinayagan
nila ako sa request kong ito. Kung hindi ay hindi ko na talaga alam kung
saan ako pupulutin.
Archer is the one who helped me find a house. Sya na rin ang nakikipag
usap sa El Ordre tungkol sa mga misyon ko para hindi ako mahanap ng ama
ko dahil may koneksyon din sya sa organisasyon na iyon. Kaya si Archer
ang nakikipag usap para sa akin.
And Violet. She's always checking on me. Talagang nag aral pa syang
magsalita ng tagalog para lang masamahan nya ako dito sa Pilipinas. Kahit
na mas maraming assignment syang natatanggap mula sa El Ordre ay hindi
nya talaga nakakalimutang kamustahin ako.
Napatigil ako sa pag iisip nang may marinig na tunog mula sa balkonahe ng
kwarto ko. Someone tried to pick the lock of the sliding door. Tahimik
akong umalis ng pwesto ko at kinuha ang baril na nasa ilalim ng unan ko.
Mabilis akong pumunta sa gilid ng sliding door at inabangan ang pagpasok
nya. And when the intruder went in, I immediately grabbed her arm and
slammed her into the wall. I put her hand on her back and pointed my gun
in her head.
Wait. Her?
"Geez. Don't try to kill me next time, will you?" naiinis na sabi nya sa
akin kaya inirapan ko sya.
"Geez, try to use the front door next time, will you?" panggagaya ko sa
kanya. "Bakit kasi dyan ka dumadaan eh may pinto at doorbell naman ang
bahay ko?" tanong ko at itinago ang baril sa ilalim ng unan ko.
Pabagsak na umupo si Violet sa kama ko. Hinubad nya ang boots nya at
pagkatapos ay humiga na ng tuluyan.
"I can't find my keys, eh. Nahulog yata." tatawanan ko na sana sya dahil
narinig ko na naman ang weirdong accent nya pero hindi ko nagawa dahil sa
sinabi nya.
"What?! Are you fucking kidding me, Violet?! You lost your spare key?!
Paano kung may ibang makakuha and worse ay kalaban pa?! Mawawalan ng
saysay ang pag iingat ko!"
"Geez, you're so noisy!" inis na sabi nya kaya kinuha ko ang unan at
binato sya. Binato nya ako pabalik. "I'll tell Shielder to change your
locks, okay?! If you want high-tech pa!"
Inirapan ko lang sya at muling umupo sa harap ng laptop ko. Mukhang mas
hindi ako makakapag update nito dahil kay Violet.
"I was nearby and nitatamad akong umuwi so I decided to sleep here." sabi
nya at hinampas ko sya ng unan.
"No way, Violet! Baka may nakasunod na kalaban sayo! And it's 'tinatamad'
not nitatamad!"
Hindi nya ako sinagot at umayos na lang ng higa. Hinampas ko sya ng unan
para magising sya pero hindi na sya gumalaw. Bumuntong hininga ako at
muling tinitigan ang laptop ko. Nasa ganoon kaming pwesto nang makarinig
ako ng yabag sa hagdan. Ang akala kong tulog na si Violet ay mabilis na
bumangon at naglabas ng baril. Ako naman ay muli kong kinuha ang baril ko
sa ilalim ng unan at pumwesto sa tabi ng pinto.
Nang bumukas ang pinto ay kaagad kong itinutok ang baril sa kanya at
handa na sanang kalabitin ang gatilyo nang mamukhaan ko sya. I tsked when
I saw the smirked on his lips.
"Take it easy, girls. It's me." sabi nya pa na itinaas ang dalawang kamay
na parang sumusuko sa pulis. Naiinis na ibinalik ko ang baril sa ilalim
ng unan ko at muling umupo.
"What are you doing here?" tanong ni Violet na dapat ay ako ang
nagtatanong dahil bahay ko ito.
"I just want to check on V if she's still alive." umupo pa sya sa sofa na
nandoon. "Kamusta ang ikakasal?"
"Heard from Tracer that your father is looking for you in Albania now."
"I'm sure your father will eventually find out that you're hiding here in
the Philippines. Hindi nya lang naiisip ngayon dahil marami kayong
kalaban dito. Pero paano kung mahanap ka nya? Anong gagawin mo?"
Tawa lang ako ng tawa sa naging reaksiyon nya. Ang alam ko kasi ay hindi
naniniwala ang isang 'to sa salitang 'love'. Hinihintay ko nga na panain
sya ni Kupido para makita ko kung paano sya ma-inlove at mapagtawanan ko
man lang. Pero napatigil ang pagtawa ko nang makita kung anong oras na.
"V." napatingin ako kay Archer na seryoso ang mga mata. "Your brother got
out from the hospital."
Nagulat ako sa sinabi nya. Hindi ko inaaasahan iyon. Mukhang ito talaga
ang dahilan kung bakit sya pumunta sa bahay ko. Hindi nya lang masabi
kanina dahil nandoon si Violet.
"I don't know. But remember this, V. Kapag ipinahamak nya ulit ang
pamilya ng kaibigan ko o ang mismong kaibigan ko, kakalimutan ko na
kapatid mo sya."
Tumango ako sa kanya. Alam ko naman ang ginawa nila ni Tracer para sa
pabor na hiningi ko sa kanila. Kahit na malaki ang kasalanan ni Kuya
Vander sa pamilya ng kaibigan nya ay ginawa pa rin nila ang hiningi kong
pabor. Kaya dapat ay magpasalamat pa ako sa kanila.
Pero sanay na rin naman ako. Especially kapag mga lalaki ang
nakakapartner ko sa assignment na binibigay sa amin ng El Ordre at ako
lang ang nag iisang babae. Puro kahalayan ang lumalabas sa mga bibig
nila. Pero kahit ganoon ay alam nila kung hanggang saan ang pwede nilang
gawing biro. At alam ko na sinabi lang iyon ni Archer para mawala sa isip
ko ang sinabi niya tungkol kay Kuya Vander.
"I love you too!" sabi nya kaya binigyan ko sya ng isang malakas na
suntok na nasalag nya naman. Inirapan ko sya at pumasok na ng bahay.
Kapag nagbibiro na si Archer ay wala ng katapusan.
Nang marinig ko ang kotse nyang umalis ay nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Agad
na bumalot sa paligid ko ang katahimikan. Kaya ito rin ang pinili kong
bahay dahil ito ang pinakadulo at wala pang nakatira sa katabing bahay
ko. Kailangan ko ng katahimikan para makapag isip ng eksena sa ginagawa
kong istorya.
Agad din akong napabuntong hininga nang maalala ang sinabi ni Archer
kanina. Alam ko ang galit nilang magkakaibigan para sa Kuya Vander ko. At
natatakot ako dahil alam ko ang magagawa nila sa susunod na mapahamak ang
kaibigan nila.
I just wish that Kuya Vander is really okay now. Nang huli ko syang
nakausap ay dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas at nagawa naman naming mag
usap ng matino. Ibig sabihin ay may improvement na noon. Sana lang talaga
ay galing na sya. I want to see him but I can't 'cause he's in Italy
where my Papà is.
---
This story happened AFTER Hiding the Billionaire's Daughter so yes. Buhay
po si Vander :)
Vote and comment po. Thanks!
Lady Hiro
Chapter 2
"She found out that he is actually the devil that she's been hunting for
all her life. The one who killed her family. The one who made her feel
like a living corpse. And the one whom she loves the most."
"Why?" she asked him. Looking straight in his eyes that captured her
heart. "Why did you lie to me? Why did you pretend that you're a hunter
and helped me find the devil which was actually you?! Was it fun playing
with me like that?!"
Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She wanted to stop it. She wanted
to stop crying and show the devil that she is a strong woman. But her
heart is betraying her. Especially that she's looking at the man whom she
thought that she'll spend her remaining time with.
This place is really good for a writer like me. Tahimik at mapayapa.
Kung sino man sila ay paniguradong mga wala silang utak! Hindi ba nila
naisip na tulog na ang mga tao at nakakabulahaw sila?!
Nakarating ako sa harap ng pintuan nila. Mas lalong naging malakas ang
tunog at sobrang ingay ngayong malapit na ako sa kanila. Sunod sunod kong
pinindot ang doorbell. Natigil ang tunog pero hindi ako tumigil sa
pagpindot ng doorbell nila. Hanggang walang nabubukas ng pinto ay hindi
ako titigil dito!
His left eye is gray in color while his right eye is light green. At
hindi lang 'yon. Nakabalandra pa sa harap ko ang katawan ng lalaki dahil
tanging pantalon lang ang suot nya at wala syang damit pang itaas. Kitang
kita ko ang mga muscles nya sa braso at ang six pack abs nya.
Pinagpawisan ako nang mapadako ang tingin ko sa v-line nya.
Bukod sa kahanga hanga nyang mga mata ay napansin ko din kaagad ang
makapal nyang kilay. His nose is perfect and his lips looks so red na
parang kakatapos lang nitong makipaghalikan. His face looks so fierce and
serious. Yung tipong manlilit ka kaagad kapag tinignan ka lang nya.
Natauhan ako dahil sa sinabi nya pero nakalimutan ko naman kung anong
ginagawa ko dito sa harap ng bahay nila. Bakit nga ba ako nagpunta dito?
"Uhm... May kape ba kayo?" Merda! That was the most dumbest thing that
I've said in my entire life.
Nagulat ako nang humakbang sya palapit sa akin. Humakbang ako paatras
pero pinulupot nya ang isang kamay nya sa bewang ko at hinapit ako
palapit sa katawan nya. I panicked 'cause I can literally feel his body
heat dahil wala syang pang itaas na damit. I can free myself from his
grip easily if I try but there's something in his mismatched eyes that I
can't even tell. At ang traydor kong katawan ay parang nagustuhan pa ang
pakiramdam ng magkalapit naming mga katawan.
Halos isang minuto din akong nakatayo lang doon bago pumasok sa isip ko
ang mga nangyari. Kaagad na umakyat ang dugo ko sa mukha ko dahil sa
kahihiyan at galit sa lalaki.
The nerve! Who does he think he is?! Akala nya ba ay kumatok ako dahil
gusto ko syang alukin ng sex! At ako pa ang sasabihan nya ng istorbo?! Sa
sobrang inis ko ay sunod sunod na pinindot ko ulit ang doorbell nila pero
mukhang wala na syang balak na labasin ako dahil nagsimula na silang
tumutugtog ulit.
Nagwawala na ako sa labas ng bahay nila pero duda akong naririnig nila
iyon sa lakas ng tugtog nila. Ako lang kasi ang katabing bahay nito at
ang sumunod ay mga tatlong bahay na ang layo kaya ako talaga ang pinaka
naaapektuhan sa ingay nila.
"Nagtatrabaho ako! Huwag kayong maingay!" sigaw ko ulit pero parang wala
pa ring kwenta.
Bumalik ako ng kwarto at umupo sa harap ng laptop ko. Sinubukan kong mag
isip pero walang pumapasok sa isip ko dahil sa ingay na galing sa
kapitbahay ko!
Pero agad ding natigil ang paghanga ko nang maalala ang nangyari. Ang
kapal talaga ng mukha ng lalaking iyon para akalain na gusto kong
makipag-sex sa kanya! Kung hindi lang ako kukwestyunin ng El Ordre ay
pinatay ko na ang lalaking iyon kanina pa!
"Hello, V? Why?" sagot ni Violet sa tawag ko. Napangiwi ako nang maalala
na paniguradong natutulog na nga pala 'to.
"No, it's okay. I just had a bad dream— wait. What's that noise?"
Agad na bumalik ang inis ko dahil sa tanong nya. O diba maingay talaga?
Umabot kay Violet eh.
"Yes! And I tried to talk with him about the noise because I'm still
writing my story but that guy was a total jerk!" Merda! Naiinis talaga
ako kapag naaalala ko ang nangyari kanina!
Natigilan ako sa tinanong nya. Ayun talaga ang inuna nyang tanungin? Di
man lang nya kinamusta kung tapos na ba ang story ko at kung nakakapag
isip pa ba ako ng matino dahil sa ingay na 'to.
"He's gwapo but he's also so bastos!" pag amin ko. Lolokohin ko lang ang
sarili ko kapag nagsinungaling ako kay Violet eh natulala pa nga ako sa
kagwapuhan ng lalaki kanina.
"Gosh! I should go there tomorrow and see it for myself!" kinikilig na
sabi nya at napabuntong hininga na lang ako.
She died when I was only eight years old. At mas dumoble ang pagkontrol
ni Papà sa buhay ko nang mawala si Mamà. Hanggang sa muli syang nag asawa
nang mag sampung taong gulang ako.
I was against it. Para kasi sakin ay hindi nya nirespeto ang mga alala ni
Mamà sa akin. He even tried to live with them in the Philippines together
with my step-mom's son. Na nakilala ko bilang si Kuya Vander.
Nang malaman ni Kuya Vander ang tungkol sa akin ay pinuntahan nya agad
ako sa Italy. Noong una ay sobrang ilag ako sa kanya. Lalo pa at may
napapansin akong kakaiba sa pag uugali nya. He's violent. Lalo na kapag
nagagalit sya. Pero hindi nya ako sinaktan kailanman. He even treated me
as her real sister instead. Kaya hindi ko maiwasan na mapalapit ang loob
ko sa kanya.
And when the tragedy about him happened, pakiramdam ko ay nawalan ako ng
kakampi. Nawala ang Kuya ko sa akin dahil lang sa pagmamahal nya sa
maling babae. Kaya ginawa ko ang lahat para mailagtas sya. Grabe ang
ginawa kong pagmamakaawa kina Tracer at Archer para lang ipaubaya nila sa
akin ang Kuya Vander ko.
I can't keep up
Napatigil ako sa pag iisip nang marinig ko ang pagkanta na iyon mula sa
kapitbahay ko. Nagulat ako dahil hindi ko alam na ganung kaganda ang
boses ng lalaking iyon! And I'm sure that it was him dahil kaboses nya
ang lalaking nakausap ko kanina!
Napangiti ako sa ganda ng boses nya. Malamig din iyon sa pandinig. Sabi
na eh. Masarap pakinggan ang boses nya. Sa pagkanta nga lang. Dahil kapag
nagsasalita sya ay kung ano anong kayabangan at kabastusan ang lumalabas
sa bibig nya!
Chapter 3
Naiinis na bumangon ako dahil mas lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko sa sunod
sunod na tunog ng doorbell. Mukhang wala yatang balak tigilan ng kung
sino man ang pagpapatunog noon hanggang hindi ako bumaba. I took my gun
and put it in the back pocket of my shorts. I am planning to kill the
bastard who dared to disturb my sleep.
Oh boy. Whoever they are, they are definitely asking me to kill them if
they don't freaking stop ringing my doorbell!
I reached for my gun using my left hand in my back pocket. Gamit ang
kanang kamay ay hinawakan ko ang doorknob ng pinto. My head was throbbing
because of the noise. I was gritting my teeth to suppress my anger.
"Ano bang—" sisinghalan ko na sana kung sino ang hinayupak na nasa pinto.
But when I saw who it was, I froze.
I tried to stay calm dahil mas sumasakit lang lalo ang ulo ko. Pero kapag
naaalala ko ang mga sinabi at ginawa nya kanina ay sobrang hirap para sa
akinang kumalma. Idagdag pa na inistorbo nya ang pagtulog ko!
"Wala naman." he said. Nakita kong pinasadahan nya ako ng tingin mula ulo
hanggang paa. "Kagigising mo lang?" tanong nya pa at umirap na ako.
Alam kong hindi maayos ang itsura ko ngayon. Gulo ang buhok at nakasuot
ng tshirt na malaki at naka shorts. Ni hindi na ako nakapag ayos kanina
dahil sa sobrang antok ko kahit na sanay ako na naka-underwear lang kapag
natutulog. At iyon ay dahil sa lalaking nasa harap ko ngayon.
Merda! Bawat minutong lumilipas ay mas sumasakit yata ang ulo ko.
"Uhm." pinakita nya sa akin ang isang jar na punong puno ng coffee beans.
Napakunot ang noo ko. "Nanghihingi ka kasi ng kape kanina so eto."
iniabot nya sa akin iyon pero tinitigan ko lang ang hawak nya.
I don't really need coffee earlier. Marami akong kape sa bahay dahil
kailangan ko iyon kapag nagsusulat ako. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung bakit
iyon ang nasabi ko kanina.
"I don't need coffee." sabi ko at isinarado ang pinto pero nanlamig ang
buong katawan ko nang tumalbog iyon kasabay ng pagmumura ng lalaki sa
labas.
"Fuck!" dinig kong mura nya habang hawak ang kamay na naipit sa pinto.
Naestatwa ako habang nakatingin sa kanya na namimilipit sa sakit.
"A-are you okay?" kinakabahan kong tanong. Nakita kong namumula ang mga
daliri nya sa kamay at napangiwi na lang ako. I'm pretty that it hurts.
"Tinatanong mo pa talaga yan?!" sigaw nya sa akin at napaigtad ako. At
dahil kulang ako sa tulog at masakit ang ulo ko ay mabilis akong nagalit
sa inakto nya.
"Why are you getting mad at me?! It's your fault! Sino ba kasi ang may
sabing iharang mo ang kamay mo sa pintuan ko?"
He glared at me and I did the same. Sya na nga 'tong pumupunta ng bahay
ng may bahay tapos ihaharang ang kamay sa pinto at pag naipit ay
magagalit?! Kagaya ng mga mata nya ay weird din yata ang lalaking ito!
After what it seems like an hour, I heard him sighed and dropped his
gaze. He had a gentle eyes when he looked at me again. Napaatras ako
dahil hindi ko inaaasahan ang tingin nya na iyon.
"Okay, I'm sorry." he said using a gentle tone. I gulped when I heard his
soothing voice again. Naaalala ko tuloy ang ganda ng boses nya noong
kumakanta sya.
"I just want to give you some coffee." sabi nya at iniabot ulit sa akin
ang coffee beans.
"Vexen Moreno." I introduced myself using the fake name that Tracer gave
me. Simula nang tumapak ako dito sa Pilipinas ay itong pangalan na ang
ginamit mo. Tracer made me use the surname of my Kuya Vander.
I felt something like a spark when I accepted his hand but I decided to
ignore it. Mukhang ako lang naman ang nakaramdam noon kaya hindi ko na
lang pinansin kahit na bumilis din ang tibok ng puso ko.
Nakita kong tumaas ang kilay ni Death nang tanggapin ko ang kamay nya
pero agad ding ngumiti. He has a weird name, alright. But I don't know.
Pakiramdam ko ay bagay na bagay sa kanya ang ganoong pangalan.
Weird name plus weird eyes plus weird personality equals Death Ferrante.
"I know you're thinking that I have a wierd name." sabi nya nang
pinakawalan ang kamay ko. Inilagay nya ang mga kamay nya sa magkabilang
bulsa ng pantalon nya.
"Yeah." pag amin ko. Kakaiba naman kasi talaga ang pangalan nya at base
sa sinabi nya ay mukhang hindi lang ako ang nag isip ng ganoon.
He shrugged. "My Mom gave it to me. I have no choice but to use it,
right?" nakangiting sabi nya.
I'm sure that Violet will have a huge crush on him kapag nakita nya si
Death. Swerte ko na lang dahil kapitbahay ko sya at makikita ko sya araw
araw.
No, no. Stop that thought, Vexen. Baka nakakalimutan mo na wala kang
tulog dahil sa kanila?
"I should continue my sleep now. Masakit na ang ulo ko." I said. Nakita
kong napatayo sya ng diretso.
"Oh. Masakit ang ulo mo? I have medicine—"
"No, no." putol ko sa anumang sasabihin nya. "Mawawala din 'to kapag
itinulog ko." nakita kong tumango tango sya.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you by the way." I said at tumingin sa kamay nyang
nawawala na ang pagkapula. "And I'm sorry about your hand."
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 4
Madilim na nang magising ako. I looked around but I can't see anything.
Patay pa kasi ang ilaw sa kwarto ko at nakasara pa ang mga blinds sa
bintana. Bumangon ako para buksan ang ilaw at narinig ko kaagad na
kumalam ang sikmura ko.
I glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was already seven in the
evening. Kaya naman pala nagugutom na ako. Kahapong dinnertime pa ako
kumain. Isang araw ng walang laman ang tyan ko.
Naligo ako at nagbihis ng pambahay lang para sana makakakain na. Bumaba
ako sa kitchen at binuksan ang ref pero napamura ako nang makitang walang
laman iyon. Puro tubig at alak lang at walang kahit anong pwedeng makain.
Naghalungkat pa ako sa kusina. May kanin nga pero wala namang pwedeng
maiulam!
I opened the front door and I was shocked to see my neighbor with a weird
name and weird eyes standing in front of me. Nakaangat ang isang kamay
nya at nasa aktong parang pipindutin and doorbell ng bahay ko. Nabigla
din sya nang makita ako pero mabilis syang nakabawi at ibinaba ang kamay
nya bago ngumiti sa akin.
"Good evening!" he greeted with his radiant smile. Napalunok ako dahil
pakiramdam ko ay nagliwanag yata ang paligid ko sa simpleng ngiti nyang
iyon.
"Mukhang sakto lang ang dating ko." sabi pa nyang natatawa. Inirapan ko
sya. Humalukipkip ako at sumandal sa hamba ng pintuan.
"Hindi ako basta bastang tumatanggap ng kahit ano mula sa ibang tao. Tell
me, why are you doing this? Hindi mo pwedeng idahilan na sumobra lang ang
luto mo." mataray na sabi ko sa kanya pero gusto ko ng batukan ang sarili
ko.
Here is a man in front of me offering me a free food and yet I had the
audacity to act like this. Mamamatay yata ako sa gutom dahil sa kaartehan
ko.
"Then treat this as my apology for what happened this morning." he said.
Naalala ko na naman tuloy ang dalawang beses na pang iistorbo nya sa akin
ngayong araw. Ang una ay noong madaling araw na sobrang tahimik at tulog
na ang lahat at ang pangalawa ay noong kakatulog ko pa lang. Wala sa
sariling napairap ako.
And right after he said that, my stomach grumbled again. Narinig ko ulit
ang pagtawa nya at gustong gusto ko nang lamunin ako ng lupa sa mga oras
na iyon. Ang galing din ng timing ng tyan ko. Nakakainis! Nag iinarte pa
ako, eh!
Nakita kong menudo ang niluto nya at kaagad akong naglaway nang maamoy ko
ang pagkain. Maging ang tyan ko ay sunod sunod na tumunog na parang
nagwawala at gustong gusto na talagang malagyan ng laman.
I was trained to have a good hearing. I can even hear as far as fifty
meters. Pero hindi ako makapaniwalang hindi ko narinig ang mga yabag ni
Death na pumasok ng bahay ko. Pumapalya na ba ako dahil hindi na ako
ganoong kadalas makatanggap ng misyon o ganoon lang talaga maglakad ang
lalaki?
Naputol ang pag iisip ko nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I glanced at
Death and I caught him staring at me. Natitigan ko tuloy ang mga mata
nya. They are really beautiful. Hinding hindi ako magsasawang titigan
iyon.
"I'll eat first. Gutom na talaga ako. Thank you for this, by the way."
sabi ko at mukhang nakaramdam sya na pinapaalis ko sya dahil mabilis
syang tumango.
"Okay. Eat well." he said and smiled at me. I smiled back at him.
Tumalikod sya at naglakad palabas ng bahay ko. I looked at his feet. Wala
talagang tunog ang paglalakad nya kaya mas lalo akong napaisip. I have
learned that people who walk silently are the dangerous ones. They can
easily sneak behind you and kill you instantly. And it takes a lot of
time to learn how to walk silently.
What's more. Death definitely knows how to hide his emotions too well. At
ang dalawang dahilan na iyon ang nagbigay sa akin ng pagdududa. I
shouldn't trust him. I shouldn't trust anyone. Lalo pa at nandito ako sa
bansa kung saan marami ang gustong pumatay sa akin.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 5
Violet opened the door for me after I've rung the doorbell for so many
times. Hindi na sya nagsalita nang mabilis akong pumasok. Siguro ay
nakita nya na hindi maganda ang timpla ng mood ko ngayon. Hindi pa rin
kasi ako nakakakain at umiinit ang ulo ko kapag walang laman ang tyan ko.
"Hey!" saway sa akin ni Archer nang makita ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko sya
pinansin at kinuha pa ang remote ng tv para maghanap ng ibang panonoorin.
"V! I'm watching!" reklamo ni Archer na hinablot pa ang remote at inilayo
ang box ng pizza mula sa akin.
"I'm hungry, Archer." I said and glared at him. Pero hindi nya ako
pinansin at ibinalik pa sa dating palabas ang tv. "Archer!" sigaw ko na.
Tinignan nya ako at mas sinamaan ko sya ng tingin. "I'm hungry!"
Pero mas pinili pa nya ang mang-asar kaya mas lalong uminit ang ulo ko.
Inosente ang mukha nya habang nakatingin sa akin at malaking kumagat sa
slice ng pizza na hawak nya.
"What?" inis na tanong ko pero ibinalik nya ang tingin sa tv. Sa sobrang
pagkabuwisit ko ay lumapit ako sa kanya at kinagat ng madiin ang parte ng
braso nya na nakalabas sa sleeves ng polo shirt nya.
Wala talaga akong ideya kung bakit ganito ako kapag nagugutom. Mabilis
akong mainis at umiinit talaga ang ulo ko. Kahit paghinga ng tao ay
kinaiinisan ko kapag walang laman ang tyan ko. Violet and Tracer know
this side of me. Kaya kapag alam nilang gutom ako ay nananahimik sila.
Unfortunately, Archer didn't know about this.
"Fuck! It fucking hurts! May lahi ka bang zombie?" Archer cursed while
glaring at me.
"Violet is always like that whenever she gets hungry." natatawang sabi ni
Violet habang inaayos ang laptop.
I didn't pay them any of my attention. Kinuha ko pa ang remote kay Archer
at muling ibinalik ang tv sa palabas na gusto ko while Archer was still
murmuring something. Probably some curse for me.
Gutom na gutom kasi talaga ako! Isang araw na akong walang kinakain dahil
umaga na ako nakatulog kanina at ang huling kain ko ay kagabi pa. And it
was all because of my neighbor! Kakalipat pa lang nya pero grabe na ang
perwisyo na ibinigay nya sa akin!
I remember the menudo that Death gave me. It looked tasty and delicious.
My mouth watered by just remembering it and I figured now this pizza
can't satisfy my hunger! Gusto ko ng menudo ni Death! Bakit ba kasi nag
inarte pa ako at tinapon ko ang binigay nya? Ngayon ko lang naramdaman
ang panghihinayang.
"I didn't know that she's gonna bit me! Fuck! I thought that she turned
into a zombie for a minute. My arm was nearly torn apart!"
"That's V for you." natatawa pa ring sabi ni Tracer. He's the only one
who knows my real name kaya alam nya kung saan nagmula ang pangalan ko.
Magaling kasi talaga syang kumuha ng mga impormasyon. With just one click
of his laptop, he will know all information about you.
But I still can't trust that man just because he gave me a mouth-watering
food. Baka kapag kinain ko ang luto nya ay bigla na lang akong bumulagta
pagkatapos. So I guess it was only right that I throw away the food?
Pero mukhang hindi sumang ayon ang tyan ko dahil tumunog iyon kahit na
kumakain pa ako ng pizza.
Merda!
"I can hear you, you know." sabi ko kina Archer at Tracer na binabalewala
ang pagrereklamo ng tyan ko dahil sa sinayang kong pagkain.
Letsugas na tyan na 'to! Dahil lang gwapo at may abs ang nagbigay ng
pagkain ay wala na yatang pakialam kung malason ako o ano! Mas malandi pa
kaysa akin!
"V. I sent the information that you need for this mission through your
email. Have you checked it?"
"I'm looking at it now." I said while scanning the contents of the files
that he sent. Tahimik na nakikitingin sina Archer at Violet sa tabi ko.
The files was full of informations about a man named Henry Chang, a
chinese man, forty-five years old. Nakalagay din doon na bumibili sya ng
mga batang may edad mula thirteen hanggang seventeen para isama sa isang
auction at ipagbenta sa mga negosyanteng halang ang mga bituka. My face
was getting darker and darker as I've read the informations of this
demon.
"Adopting them? Giving them a new shelter? Or forcing them as their sex
slave."
Walang nagsalita sa aming tatlo nina Violet at Archer. We all know the
answer to my question. And those were the last words that Tarcer had just
said.
Ang sabi sa impormasyon ay may isang sindikato ang kumukuha ng mga batang
babae. Looks like this syndicate was just kidnapping the teenage girls
that fits on their category. Slim and pretty. Pagkatapos ay ibinebenta
nila iyon kay Henry Chang. Pero bago bilhin ni Chang, those girls will
undergo some sort of medical tests.
"Anong medical tests ang binibigay sa kanila?" tanong ko kay Tracer dahil
wala naman ibang nakalagay doon.
"If the girl is healthy. Dapat ay walang kahit na anong sakit na magiging
problema nila. Plus, if the girl is a virgin. Mas malaki ang nagiging bid
sa mga batang wala pang karanasan."
"In this world, you have to choose if you should be the one who will be
killed or the one who will kill."
Those were my father's words while I was staring at my pet dog that he
killed in front of me. Walang luhang lumabas mula sa mga mata ko habang
nakatitig sa aso kong tatlong taon kong inalagaan. I was just ten years
old that time. Mahigit isang dekada na ang lumipas pero malinaw pa rin sa
akin ang lahat. Ang lakas ng tunog na nagmula sa baril. Ang aso ko na
punong puno ng dugo.
But I didn't shed any tears. I was numb. And when the light on my dog's
eyes died while staring at me, something inside me had vanished too.
"What do I have to do?" tanong ko nang muling ibinalik ang tingin kay
Tracer. His stare remained on me kaya mabilis kong inalis ang anumang
emosyon na maaari nyang mabasa sa mukha ko.
"Ang El Ordre na ang bahala sa kanila. They will return them to their
families at yung ibang mga walang pamilya, ibibigay nila sa pwedeng mag-
alaga sa kanila."
Tracer said that all the guns or weapons that we will need will be given
to us immediately. Basta sabihin lang daw namin kung ano pang mga
kailangan namin. I said that I'm all set. I have my Glock 43 and my MV
Agusta with me.
"V, Violet will help you gather more information about Henry Chang and
that syndicate. From what I've heard, Chang will go to Philippines next
week and he set a meeting with the leader of the syndicate. They will
meet at the bar named Inferno."
Naghintay pa ako sa iba pa nyang sasabihin pero hindi na dumating ang mga
gusto ko pang marinig.
"That's all the information that you need. Just send me an email if you
need anything." pamamaalam nya pero bago nya pa mapatay ang tawag ay
pinigilan ko na sya.
I've been receiving missions from my father before. Kung mayroon mang
aral ang naibigay sa akin sa pagtanggap ko sa mga misyon nya ay iyon ay
ang pagtatanong. Marami akong naging kaaway ngayon na gustong pumatay sa
akin dahil sa padalos-dalos kong pagtanggap sa misyong ibinigay nya noon.
My father was the one who's under the skirt of El Ordre before. Ako ang
gumawa ng misyon nya. Lahat. Sinanay nya ako bago ako pumalit sa pwesto
nya nang umalis sya ng organisasyong iyon.
"Don't mind about them, V. Just focus on your mission." sabi ni Tracer na
mas nagpakunot ng noo ko.
"What? You know that this is the reason why I have so many enemies right
now. Why there's so many people wanting my blood on their own hands.
Dahil nag-focus ako sa misyon ko at hindi inalala ang mga natirang
maaring maghiganti sa mga ginawa ko."
"You said that we should cut off the tree's branches right? Then how
about tree itself? And the roots? Sinong puputol noon?"
Tracer pursed his lips before answering me. "I don't know, V. Iyon lang
ang utos na ibinigay sa akin ng El Ordre."
"I'm sure that the El Ordre already given that mission on somebody else.
Just focus on your own mission, V."
I can kill. I can easily protect myself. Pero kung marami na ang gustong
pumatay sa akin ay hindi ko na alam kung kaya ko pa.
"I'm sorry, V." Tracer said looking so devastated. "As much as I want to,
you know that I can't ask."
Natahimik ako sa sinasabi nya. Kung hindi lang ako nagtatago sa ama ko ay
ako dapat ang direktang tatanggap ng misyon na iyon at hindi si Tracer.
Mabuti nga at pumayag pa ang El Ordre na ilihim kung nasaan ako mula kay
Papà.
Umaga na nang mabalik ako sa bahay ko. Doon na rin kasi ako nagpalipas ng
gabi at nag isip sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa akin pagkatapos ng
misyong ito. I am hundred percent sure na madadagdagan ang magiging mga
kaaway ko.
I frowned when I saw someone outside of my house's door like he's waiting
for me. Nang ipinarada ko sa loob ng maliit na gate ang kotse ko ay
mabilis na dumiretso ng tayo ang lalaking nakilala ko kaagad at ngumiti
nang bumaba ako ng sasakyan.
"Hey, where have you been? I've been waiting for you." tanong nya nang
makalapit ako.
Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang lalaking nasa harap ko. He's wearing a tank
top and a jeans at napapalunok ako sa tuwing humahagod ang tingin ko sa
mga braso nyang nakalabas. Merda! Those biceps looked so hard and I want
to feel them wrapping around my body!
Mabilis akong tumikhim para pigilan ang mahalay kong pag iisip. Merda! I
felt like I've turned into a pervert ever since I met this man with
mismatched eyes!
"Death? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong kong hindi sinasagot ang tanong
nya.
Bago pa ako makasagot ay nauna nang sumagot ang tyan kong hindi pa rin
yata maka-get over sa menudong tinapon ko lang.
"I'll cook lunch for us. Anong ulam ang gusto mo?"
"Nilagang baka." wala sa sarili kong sagot. How can this man be so
perfect with those imperfect eyes of his? Hindi ko maiiwas ang paningin
ko sa mga mata nya.
Mukhang nasa mood ang Diyos nang nilikha Nya ang lalaking ito na nasa
harapan ko.
When Death smiled at me, my heart just skipped a beat. Natigilan ako.
Teka. Ano 'yon? Bakit tumigil sandali sa pagtibok ang puso ko?
"Great! I know how to cook that. Just wait for me inside your house.
Magluluto lang ako pero dyan na tayo kakain sa bahay mo."
Okay. What just happened? Talaga bang pumayag akong ipagluto ni Death at
kumain sya sa loob ng bahay ko? At bakit nya naman ako ipagluluto? At
hinintay nya ba talaga ako para lang dito?
I am sure that those mismatched eyes just did something to me! And it's
not good. Not really good.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 6
Pero paano kung wala ng susunod dahil ito na pala ang huling hapunan ko?
What if Death is really one of my enemies?
I don't want to judge him this easily but knowing that there are so many
people wanting me dead, I can't help it. Hindi talaga ako nagtitiwala
kahit kanino ng basta-basta. Lalo pa sa isang kapitbahay na bagong lipat
lang.
Pumunta nga si Death sa bahay ko para dito na mag-lunch. May dala syang
isang caldero na sa tingin ko ay nilagang baka ang laman. He's smiling
widely when I let him in that made me wonder if he put something again on
the food.
Sabay naman kaming kakain kaya kung malason man ako, sya naman ang
susunod.
"Ako na." I offered when he was about to go to the kitchen. Ayos, ah.
Feel at home lang sya at talagang dederetso sana sya sa kusina kung hindi
ko pa pinigilan.
Merda! I feel like I'm going crazy with all this thoughts that's going on
in my head. Here is the man in front of me that looked like he just went
down from Mount Olympus yet I had the nerve to think ill of him. Kung
siguro ay makikita sya ni Violet at malalaman ang iniisip ko ay baka
mapagkamalan akong baliw.
Naalala ko na naman tuloy ang abs at v-line nyang mukhang inukit para
maging perpekto.
"Hm." I answered.
When I saw him chewing down the food, that's when I started to eat.
Maliit lang parte ng ulam ang kinuha ko maging ang kanin. Napatitig pa
ako sa kutsara ko bago kumain.
At nang matikman ko na ang niluto nya, halos manlaki ang mga mata ko sa
sobrang sarap noon!
Napatawa sya dahil sa naging reaksiyon ko at agad naman nag akyatan ang
dugo sa mukha ko. Bakit parang mali yata sa pandinig ang sinabi ko?
"I'm glad." sabi ni Death at buti na lang ay hindi na nya binigyan ng iba
pang pakahulugan ang sinabi ko. Unlike me. "Sinarapan ko talaga ang luto
dyan."
Mas lalo akong na-guilty nang ngumiti na naman sya na para bang tuwang
tuwa dahil nagustuhan ko ang mga niluto nya. Merda! Please, remind me
again why did I throw away his menudo!
"I'm really sorry for the other night. Did we really disturb you?."
Ilang segundong nag-process ang utak ko. Hindi ko kasi alam kung para
saan ang pagso-sorry nya. Hanggang sa naalala ko kung bakit ako hindi
nakakain kahapon kaya sobra ang inis ko. Naalala ko na nambulabog sila ng
alas tres ng madaling araw.
"Ah, medyo." sagot ko kahit na oo naman talaga. Sobra ang perwisyo nila
sa akin. The sun was already up that time when I finished writing the
update for my novel. At dahil sa sobrang pagod at antok ko ay agad akong
natulog kaya hindi ako nakakain. At tinapon ko nga ang menudo nya kasi
pinagdudahan ko pa sya noon. "Pero okay na. Nakabawi ka na naman."
"I saw the broken mug when I opened the door in the morning. That's when
I figured that we've really disturbed you that night. Hindi ka naman
magbabasag ng mug kung hindi ka galit." he sighed. "Naistorbo ba naman
ang tulog mo?"
"Writing?"
I can't help but to smile. He looked so cute when he said that. Siguro ay
ini-imagine nya ang sarili nyang tinamaan ng mug na ibinato ko noon.
I stared at him and tried to read his face again. He looked so genuine.
Mukha kasi syang nakahinga ng maluwag sa sinabi ko. Maybe he was really
sorry, afterall.
"How did you learn how to cook?" pasimple kong tanong. I want to know him
more so I can fully trust him.
Hindi nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Death nang tinignan ako. "Hmm. I
live alone so I must learn how to cook. Wala namang magpapakain sa akin
kundi ako lang."
"'Yup." he said popping the 'p'. "Umalis ako ng bahay when my Mom got
married again. Ayoko nang makigulo sa pamilyang binubuo nya."
I stared at him. Parang wala lang sa kanya na ikwento ang mga bagay na
ito sa akin. I tried to find the lie on his face but there was none.
Nagsasabi talaga sya ng totoo.
Why does he looks so comfortable while telling this to me? This is a part
of his personal life and I'm just a mere stranger
Inubos nya muna ang natitirang pagkain sa plato nya at uminom ng tubig
bago muling nag angat ang tingin sa kanya. Sinalubong ko ang mga mata
nyang magkaiba ng kulay. I want to know what he's thinking. I want to
find something. But all I can see was honestly in those mismatched eyes.
"I want you to feel comfortable around me, Vexen. I'm your only
neighbor."
He's right about that. Ang bahay ko kasi ang pinakahuli sa street namin.
Kay Death ang sumunod. At ang bahay naman na katabi ng sa kanya ay medyo
may kalayuan kaya ang mga bahay lang talaga namin ang magkadikit. Medyo
parehas din ng itsura sa labas ang bahay namin.
"I live alone, too." I answered and looked at him. I saw amusement on his
eyes. "I want to become independent."
"I guess we're on the same page then." sabi pa nya na nagpipigil ng
ngiti. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong kinatutuwa nya.
And while we're here in the kitchen, I noticed something about him. His
stance was unguarded for someone who can walk silently. Nasa itsura nya
ang pagiging komportable habang nandito sa loob ng bahay ko.
But he knew stealth walking. At hindi mga ordinaryong tao ang nag aaral
noon. But why does he looks so unguarded if he's really a bad guy? Ganoon
lang ba talaga sya maglakad?
"What should I cook for our dinner?" tanong ni Death nang magpaalam na
babalik na sa bahay nya at hinatid ko sya sa may pinto.
He smiled again and knees almost buckled by the sight of it. Why does he
have this kind of effect on me? Am I really that attracted to him?
"Okay. Pasta."
Nang pumihit ako patalikod ay agad na nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko at
napalitan ng pagsimangot.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" I asked to the man who was sitting comfortably
on my sofa. I heard him chuckled by my reaction.
I rolled my eyes because of his sarcasm. I walked past through him and
went to the kitchen. Seconds later, I felt his presence behind me.
Napairap ako bago humarap sa kanya. Matalim ang mga matang tinignan ko
sya habang sya ay may mapaglarong ngisi sa mga labi.
"Shut up, Shielder." I crossed my arms over my chest and stared on his
gray eyes. "What are you doing here?"
I sighed. Oo nga pala. Naiwala nga pala ni Violet ang spare key ko kaya
dapat nang palitan ang lahat ng mga locks ko. She's really careless but
she's the best when it comes to our mission.
"Main door, back door and sliding glass door na lang ang mga locks na
palitan mo."
I wanted to add that he should make a lock that only I can open.
Pumapasok na lang kasi sila dito sa bahay ko nang walang pasabi. Mabuti
na lang at marunong akong magkontrol ng emosyon ko kung hindi ay matagal
na akong inatake sa puso sa sobrang gulat kapag lumilitaw na lang sila
dito sa bahay ko.
"He looks harmless, Shielder. Can you please just do your work and leave
me alone?"
He tsked and I just rolled my eyes again. Baka tuluyan nang tumirik ang
mga mata ko sa karorolyo nang dahil dito kay Shielder.
Napatawa ako nang sya naman ang magrolyo ng mga mata nya. Kapag
nagsusungit sya ay mas lalo kong nakikita ang pagkakahawig nilang dalawa
ng kapatid nya.
"Ako pa talaga, ha? I'm the most trustworthy one, V. Kahit madalas nilang
sabihin na si Tracer talaga."
I didn't say anything 'cause I agree with him. People say that Tracer was
more trustworthy than his brother. Pero mas malaki ang tiwala ko dito kay
Shielder kahit pa sobrang maloko nito kumpara sa kapatid nya.
"Tracer was loyal to El Ordre. The organization promised him that he can
have his revenge." Shielder said. Seryoso ang pagkakasabi nya habang
nilalabas ang mga bagay na gagamitin nya sa pagpapalit ng mga locks sa
bahay ko.
Shielder words linger on my mind. I know the reason why Tracer joined the
El Ordre. He wanted to have his revenge. He is loyal to the organization
because they promised to help him. And I am scared that someday, those
loyalty and revenge might not be good for him.
Mabigat ang rason nila ni Shielder kung bakit sila sumali sa El Ordre.
And I'm sure Violet and Archer, too. While me? I just wanted to make my
father proud that I'm willing to risk my life for it.
I guess everyone has their own reason why they joined the El Ordre.
--
Lady Hiro
Chapter 7
Noong una ay tumanggi talaga ako. I have my money. I can't cook but I can
still eat on the restaurant. Iwas hugasin pa.
But Death insisted that I should let him cook for me. He reasoned out
that since we're neighbors and both living alone, we should help each
other. Ayaw nya rin daw mag-aksaya ng gas kung sya lang din naman ang
kakain. At kung minsan ay may naitatapon daw syang pagkain dahil
napaparami ang luto nya.
I found myself accepting his request in the end. Nagtaka pa nga ako kung
bakit ang bilis kong pumayag sa mga offer nya? Was it because of his
eyes? Gustong gusto ko kasi talagang titigan ang mga mata nya. Those were
the best definition of being perfectly imperfect.
I was still uncomfortable around him the second time he ate dinner in my
house. Pinapanood ko pa rin ang mga kilos nya. At yung paglalakad nya,
talagang walang tunog. Nagugulat na lang ako na nasa likod ko na pala
sya. That was the first reason why I doubted him back then.
Whether he knows how to stealth walk or that's how he really walks, I'm
not sure. But it's been five days already since the day he offered that
he'll cook for me. And here I am, still alive and kicking. Wala pa rin
nangyayari sa aking masama.
We're here in my living room and watching Supernatural. I like the show
too pero hindi ako ganoong ka-updated sa panonood. Yung huling nood ko
yata ay season nine pa lang ako. Unlike Death here, nasa season thirteen
na sya. Malapit na daw kasing ilabas ang huling season kaya naghahabol
sya.
"I like Dean's personality." sagot nya na hindi man lang inalis ang
tingin sa tv. "And the show never gets boring."
Pero hanggang doon lang 'yon. Everything about Death is so manly. The
room even looked and felt so small with his presence. Kaya naman kapag
wala sya dito sa bahay ay pansin na pansin ang pagkawala nya. Nasasanay
na rin kasi ako na nandito sya.
"I like it. I'm a fan too." sabi ko na lang at nagpakita na naman ang
ngiti nyang nakakasilaw.
Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko nang tumigil na naman sandali ang pagtibok
ng puso ko. Ano ba talaga 'yon? Bakit tumitigil?
"Who do you like more? Dean, Sam, or Castiel?" he asked. Nasa akin na
ngayon ang buong atensyon nya at hinihintay talaga ang sagot ko.
Si Dean naman talaga ang gusto ko noong una sa Supernatural. Not until
Violet insisted that Dean's actor looks like Archer. Noong una ay
itinanggi ko. Hindi naman kasi talaga kamukha. Pero dahil sa kapipilit ni
Violet, naging kamukha na nga ni Archer si Dean sa paningin ko.
"Shielder was right. You have a new man." inilagay nya ang dalawang kamay
sa bulsa nya at mapang-inis na ngumisi sa akin.
Damn, that Shielder! Nakalimutan kong pilitin syang huwag sabihin kahit
kanino ang tungkol kay Death!
"Didn't know that you're nosy enough to went here just because of that."
I smirked and gritted my teeth. Mukha namang tuwang-tuwa sya sa naging
reaksiyon ko.
"Can't help it. I'm too curious. Why don't you marry him so your father
would stop looking for you?"
I glared at him but he just laughed at me. Mas lalo pang sumama ang
tingin ko dahil ang pesteng puso ko ay mukhang tumigil na naman sa
pagtibok ng ilang segundo dahil sa sinabi ni Archer.
"If you're here just to make fun of me, please leave. Nasa mood akong
pumatay ngayon, Archer."
Hindi man lang sya natakot sa banta ko. Pabagsak pa syang naupo sa sofang
kinauupuan namin ni Death kanina. He rested his hands on the backrest.
"Who said that I'm here to make fun of you?" biglang sumeryoso ang mukha
nya. "Tonight's the meeting of Chang and the leader of the syndicate that
Hunter mentioned."
Sa tanong kong iyon ay ngumisi na naman sya. Wala pa man syang sinasabi
ay gusto ko nang umirap.
"I wanted to make fun of you because of your new boy." pag amin nyang
nang-aasar na naman.
Binato ko sya nang unang bagay na nahawakan ko, unfortunately it was only
a stuff toy and unfortunately again, he dodged it.
"Marami akong stocks ng condom. Bigyan kita ng isang box kung gusto mo."
"Fuck you, Archer!" gigil na sabi ko pero mas lalo lang syang tumawa.
Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa may drawer kung saan nakatago ang isang
baril ko. Pero mas mabilis si Archer dahil bago ko pa iyon ikasa ay
nakalabas na sya ng bahay ko.
Good thing he knew that I will really shoot him if he won't stop making
fun of me.
I just wore my usual get up whenever I go to bar. Fitted black leather
pants and a black tube top. Pinatungan ko iyon ng bomber jacket. I put on
my smokey eye makeup and red lipstick. Hinayaan ko lang din na nakalugay
ang buhok ko.
I'll use that sexy motorcycle again when it's time to assassinate Chang.
Violet texted me that she's already at Club Inferno pero wala pa doon ang
target namin. The plan is, she will put a listening device on that
syndicate's leader to know what their plan is. Para malaman din namin
kung saan itinatago ang mga batang ibebenta nila kay Chang at kung saan
mangyayari ang transaksyon. Sigurado kasi akong hindi iyon dito.
I parked my car and went inside the bar. It was already packed with
people at amoy na amoy na rin ang usok mula sa sigarilyo. I scanned the
crowd and immediately spotted a familiar face on the bar counter kaya
doon ako pumunta.
Napatingin ako kay Shielder na inaabot na pala ang inumin sa akin. Kinuha
ko iyon at inisang lagok lang ang laman ng shot glass. Muli naman nyang
sinalinan iyon.
Gray is the owner of this bar. Pina-renovate nya ang bar at iniba ang
pangalan matapos itong masunog dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas.
Nanghinayang daw sya kaya binili nya ang lupa sa may ari at muling inayos
ang bar.
And since Gray wasn't on the mission, he wants me to call him by his
name. Lalo pa at nandito kami ngayon sa lugar na pagmamay-ari nya. Baka
may makaalam na sya si Shielder ng El Ordre at magkagulo pa. I know how
important this place is for him. Tinulungan din kasi sya ng kapatid nya
sa pagtatayo nito.
Hindi na din ako nagtaka kung paano nya nalaman ang totoong pangalan ko.
I bet he even knew my real surname. Probably he got it fron Tracer since
they're brothers.
"I'm bored. Wala akong magawa kaya nagtrabaho na lang ako." then he
flashed me his sweet smile. "Ang sipag ko, 'no?"
Hindi ko sya sinagot at inirapan na lang. Muli kong tinungga ang inumin
ko at agad namang nagsalin si Gray ng panibago doon.
Nakita kong napalingon si Violet sa gawi ko. Nagtitigan lang kami at alam
kong naghihintay lang din sya. Archer's definitely somewhere high outside
watching using his sniper's scope.
Chang is a fat chinese old man. Malinis ang mukha nya at walang kahit na
anong balbas o bigote ang makikita. I frowned. Naaalibadbaran ako sa
itsura nya, eh. Mukha syang golden buddha.
Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa may dancefloor. May isang lalaki ang lumapit
sa akin at nagtangkang makipag-usap pero si Gray ang sumasagot sa kanya.
I am sure that guy will have an idea in his dumb head that Gray is my
boyfriend.
Nang muli akong tumingin sa gawi ni Violet ay papabalik na sya sa pwesto
nya kanina. She glanced at me and gave me a smile. Napangisi ako.
I sent a text to Archer to let him know that he can start recording.
Nakaabang ako sa pagbaba nung dalawa. I must get that listening device
that Violet put on syndicate's leader so they won't have an idea that we
already know something. Mahirap na. Baka ibahin pa nila ang lugar ng
pagkikitaan nila.
Alam kong maging si Gray ay naghihintay din sa dalawa. Noong una ang
kinausap pa namin sya na baka kung pwede ay kabitan na lang namin ng
listening device ang bawat kwarto dahil hindi namin alam kung saang
kwarto mag uusap yung dalawa pero hindi sya pumayag. Baka daw malaman ng
mga customers nya at bumagsak ang negosyo nya.
Well, I can't blame him. This is his business and I don't have the right
to ruin it just because of this simple mission.
Isang oras ang lumipas ay nakita kong pababa na ang dalawa. Chang looked
tipsy. His face was all red and he's laughing really loud. Hindi katulad
ng kasama nya na mukhang hindi man lang uminom.
I wet my lips. Mas madali sana 'to kung lasing din sya.
I gulped down my own drink before I stood up and pretend that I'm drunk.
I saw from my peripheral that some guys wanted to help me pero hindi
natutuloy nang sinamaan ko sila ng tingin. Mas lalo pa akong umarte na
lasing nang makalapit na ako sa dalawa.
And me being a vixen, I acted that I tripped. Saktong nasalo naman ako ng
lider ng mga sindikato. Narinig ko ang malakas na pagtawa ni Chang.
"Easy, lady."
Kinapa ko ang parte ng damit nya kung saan napag usapan namin ni Violet
na doon ilalagay ang listening device. Pero bago ko pa makuha ay may
humigit na sa akin.
My heart hammered thinking that it was the leader of the syndicate.
Merda! Did I blow our mission up?
"Are you okay?" isang pamilyar na boses ang mas lalong nagpakaba sa akin.
"Are you okay, Vexen?" muling tanong sa akin ni Death kaya bumalik ang
tingin ko sa kanya.
I gulped. Ngayon lang ako pumalpak ng ganito! Kung bakit kasi bigla na
lang sumulpot si Death dito!
"Vexen!"
Sabay kaming napalingon kay Gray na tumawag sa akin. Pero imbes na ako ay
ang lider ng mga sindikato ang nilapitan nya.
"Are you okay, sir?" tanong pa ni Gray na tinapik ang balikat noon. "I am
sorry about my friend. Naparami lang ang inom nya."
Tumingin sa akin ang lider kaya kumapit ako sa mga braso ni Death at
nagkunwaring lasing. Death arms immediately wrapped around my waist. At
nang maamoy ko ang pabango nya ay parang nalasing na nga talaga ako.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang umalis na ang dalawa. Alam kong nakuha ni
Gray ang listening device mula doon sa lider ng mga sindikato. Nakita nya
siguro kanina kung saan ko balak kunin iyon.
"Gray."
Hindi na ako nakapalag nang alalayan nya ako palabas ng bar na iyon.
Chapter 8
I stayed silent the whole time Death was leading me to the parking lot.
His arms were still on my waist. Inaalalayan nya rin ako sa paglalakad
kahit hindi na naman kailangan. I can still walk properly even if I drank
earlier. My alcohol tolerance is high.
Pero hindi naman alam ni Death na umaarte lang ako kanina so that I can
get the listening device on the leader's suit. Sakto pa talagang dumating
sya pagkasambot sa akin nung lider. Mabilis nya akong nahablot kaya hindi
ko na nagawang kunin ang listening device.
Napataas ang kilay ko nang tumigil kami sa harap ng isang midnight blue
convertible car. Damn, this car looks so sexy. Napatingin ako kay Death
nang patunugin nya ang lock ng kotseng iyon.
So this sexy car is his? Napanguso ako. Bagay na bagay. Both the car and
the owner were sexy.
Maybe I'm just paranoid but I can't help to doubt Death again. Ayoko na
sanang pagdudahan sya ulit. But knowing that he knows someone in my life
made me doubt again.
Shielder definitely saw Death that time when he changed the locks in my
house. But he acted that he doesn't know him and still gave me an advice
not to trust easily.
"What were you doing at Club Inferno?" I asked. Hindi na kasi talaga ako
nakatiis.
Death glanced my way. "We finished our gig at some restobar nearby.
Nagkayayaan na dumeretso na kami ng Club Inferno to have fun."
Muli syang sumulyap sa akin sa tanong kong iyon pero wala akong mabasa sa
mga mata nya. And for a moment, I got scared. This isn't the Death that I
knew when we're sharing food inside my house. His mismatched eyes were
blank.
But blinked and then smiled. Nawala ang pagiging blanko ng mukha nya at
nagkaroon iyon ng emosyon. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung guni-guni ko lang ba
yung kanina.
"Palagi kasi kaming nasa Club Inferno. Gray is the owner, right?"
I nodded as an answer. Mukhang totoo naman ang mga sagot nya. He even
look like he's telling the truth. His face says it all.
"How about you? How did you know Gray?" he asked. At dahil sanay na akong
magsinungaling ay nakaisip agad ako ng isasagot sa kanya.
"You know that he's the owner, right? He's also acting as the bartender
sometimes. Kung minsan ay nasasaktuhan kong sya ang bartender kapag
pumupunta ako doon. He talked to me then we became friends."
I was looking at Death the whole time I was telling those lies. I didn't
even blink an eye. Para mapaniwala ko syang hindi ako nagsisinungaling.
Na nagsasabi ako ng totoo.
Death opened the door for me. Inalalayan nya ulit ako sa paglalakad.
Hinayaan ko na, hanggang sa makarating kami sa tapat ng pinto ng bahay
ko.
Those thick eyebrows, that perfect nose, those lips, those mismatched
eyes and that jawline.
Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil parang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
"That man..."
Naghintay ako ng sunod nyang sasabihin pero hindi dumating. He looks like
he's having a second thought if he'll say it or not. Nababasa ko kasi ang
pag aalinlangan sa mukha nya.
That man? Sino?
"Goodnight, Death."
"What the hell happened back there, V?" galit na bungad sa akin ni Archer
pagkapasok ko pa lang. Mabilis na rumolyo pataas ang mga mata ko at
diretsong naupo sa may sofa doon.
"Nothing?! You almost blew our mission because of your new boy! Good
thing that Shielder was there to back you up!"
So I was right. Shielder got the listening device when he patted the
syndicate's leader on his shoulder. Ang bilis ng kamay nya.
I glared at Archer and almost threw my laptop at him. Parang sya hindi
nagkakamali, ah?!
"I'm sorry, okay?! It wasn't my fault! I was taken aback when Death
suddenly showed up!" gigil na sabi ko.
"Her new boy and her new neighbor." inis pa ring sabi ni Archer na kinuha
naman ang laptop. Umupo sya sa pang isahang sofa at kinalikot iyon.
"Yeah. His voice is really good, too." naalala ko na naman tuloy yung
gabing narinig kong kumanta sya.
"Are the both of you just going to chitchat or you want to continue with
our mission?"
Inilapag ni Archer ang laptop sa center table at may pinindot doon. Ang
sunod na narinig namin ay ang mga boses ng dalawang lalaking sa tingin ko
ay pagmamay-ari nina Chang at nung leader ng mga sindikato.
I gritted my teeth when I imagined those innocent girls that they used
just for money. Those innocent lives that they ruined and will ruin. I
must succeed on this mission to stop those monsters. No more room for
another mistake.
Ilang minuto pa ay narinig na namin ang gusto naming marinig. They've
decided that they will do their "transaction" seven days from now. Chang
wants to buy fifteen girls this time. Eight girls should be virgins. All
must be fair and healthy. Marami raw kasing mga negosyante ang sumali
ngayon sa auction nila. Mas maraming customer, mas malaki ang kita.
Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko ng mariin at ikinuyom ang mga kamao kong
nakapatong sa mga hita ko. Pigil na pigil ang galit ko. Kung makapag usap
kasi sila ay akala mo mga laruan lang ang pinagbibili at binebenta nila.
And right at this moment, I wanted to assassinate that disgusting golden
buddha.
But I must wait for seven days before I can do that. Iipunin ko na lang
ang galit ko para mas lalo akong ganahan na ayusin ang gagawin ko.
Henry Chang will be killed by my own hands. I will definitely end his
life.
Archer said that he will stop the syndicate first before he'll let me do
my work. Stopping means killing for him. He will raid the hideout of that
syndicate and will rescue all those girls. He will give me a signal if
his mission is a success.
Pumayag ako sa plano nya. Iyon naman ang sinabi ni Tracer. Archer will
took care of that syndicate while he wants me to assassinate Chang. Alam
ko namang kayang kaya ni Archer kahit marami pa ang maging kalaban nya.
I heard them groaned which made me chuckled. Kailangan kong umuwi dahil
baka ma-late ako ng gising at walang maabutan si Death doon. Magtataka
sya kung bakit wala ako.
Isa pa, ayokong masayang ang iluluto nya. Kaya naman pumapayag talaga ako
kapag sinasabi nyang ipagluluto nya ako. Gusto ko tuloy matawa. Noong una
ay pinaghinalaan ko pa syang nilagyan ng lason ang menudo pero heto ako
ngayon at gustong gusto ang mga niluluto nya.
Muling tumunog ang doorbell at bigla akong nag-panic. Merda! I can't let
Death see me like this!
Agad akong kumuha ng twalya para sana maligo nang mapatigil ako. Why am I
acting this way anyway? He already saw my morning face when he gave me
the coffee beans last time. Sigurado akong mas malala pa ang itsura ko
noon dahil kulang na kulang ako sa tulog noon. Mukha siguro akong sabog
nung mga panahon na iyon.
I groaned again. When did I become so insecure about other girls? I hate
this feeling!
Ang nakangiting mukha ni Death ang sumalubong sa akin. Damn, those smile!
I want to take a picture of it and stare at it everytime when I'm feeling
down! Nakakadala kasi ang mga ngiti nya. Awtomatikong napangiti na rin
tuloy ako.
Chapter 10
Done. Your turn.
That was the message that I received from Archer. Three words and yet I
already know what he meant.
Archer is really reliable when it comes with any mission. He does his job
perfectly. At alam kong maraming myembro ang sindikatong napatumba nya
ngayon. His close combat skills were good but he excells the most on long
range fights.
He uses sniper rifles as his weapon. He said that sniper rifles are the
modern day bow and arrow. That's why he is called Archer. Bow and arrows
were used as a long range weapons back then. So he chose "Archer" as his
codename.
Archer:
Mabilis kong binura ang text nya pagkatapos kong mabasa at tinandaan
iyon. I don't have my own sniper 'cause unlike him, I excell in close
combat fights. Alam kong madali at mabilis ko ding magagawa ang trabaho
nya kanina. Archer is the long range fighter while I am the close combat
fighter.
But El Ordre switched our job this time. This mission was given to me and
they only let Archer and Violet in to help me. So I should be the one to
assassinate Henry Chang.
Binura ko rin naman agad ang text nya na iyon at napabuntong hininga. I
stared at my laptop. I was in the middle of writing the next chapter for
my novel. Tumawag na naman kasi si Lindsay at sinabing dapat kong ipasa
ang next chapter three days from now but I got distracted by Archer and
Tracer's text. I know that I should finished my mission tonight. Sana
lang ay hindi ako atakihin ng writer's block pagkatapos nito.
"I'm sorry. Naiistorbo ka ba ng tunog?"
I should be disturbed by the sound on the TV but the odd thing was... It
never did. Halos hindi ko na nga naririnig iyon kahit na may kalakasan. I
was too engrossed in writing my novel that I didn't even hear the sounds
on the TV. Ganito siguro kapag maraming pumapasok sa isip ko.
"Ah, hindi. May natanggap lang akong text." I said and I saw the worry on
his face.
I stared at him. One thing that I've noticed about Death was that he is a
very caring person. Para bang palagi syang nag aalala sa mga taong nasa
paligid nya. He tends to take care of those people too. Para ring sanay
na sanay syang mag alaga ng isang tao. Alam nya kung anong kailangan ko
bago pa ako magkapagsabi sa kanya.
"Wala naman. Kinukulit lang kasi ako ni Lindsay about my update." palusot
ko na lang. Kung minsan ay bilib din talaga ako sa sarili ko dahil
mabilis akong makapag isip ng mga palusot.
Death snorted. "Tell her to wait." sabi nya. Naikwento ko na din kasi sa
kanya si Lindsay kanina. "They have no right to force the idea out of
you. Kung tatanggalin ka man nila, it will be their loss. Just take your
time, Vexen."
"Uhm..."
"Hey..."
"No, ikaw na." I said 'cause I know that it has something to do with the
text that he received. "Really, Death. Ikaw na. Makakapaghintay ang
sasabihin ko." pilit ko nang makitang aangal pa sana sya. He chuckled
before he scratched the side of his left brow.
"I can't cook dinner for you." he said and I saw the apologetic look on
his face. "There's something that I must do tonight."
"Oh..." I bit my lower lip to stop myself from asking questions. Nasanay
na akong madalas na kasama si Death kaya nakalimutan kong may personal
din naman syang buhay.
He sighed like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. "Okay, that's
good. See you tomorrow, I guess?"
Nang makaalis si Death ay agad na akong nag ayos para sa gagawing misyon.
Kaswal na damit lang ang isinuot ko but I've brought a duffle bag with
me. Laman noon ang black suit na susuotin ko para mamaya. I got the keys
of my MV Agusta that I promised to use on this mission and mounted it
before I drove my way to the place that Tracer gave me.
The first thing that I did when I came to the place was to find the
tallest building near the area. Hindi din naman kasi sinabi sa akin ni
Archer kung anong rooftop ang sinasabi nya. Ayoko syang tawagan dahil
alam kong sinadya nyang hindi ipaalam iyon. Just to test me.
When I found it, I immediately droved my way there. It was a hotel. Nag-
park ako at binibit ang duffle bag. Good thing that I have it with me.
Mas magmumukhang magpapalipas ako ng gabi doon.
The guard greeted me and I just smiled at him. Dumiretso na rin naman
agad ako sa elevator at pinindot ang pinakahuling floor. When the
elevator reaches it, lumabas na ako. I checked the place and there were
two CCTVs on the floor. I contacted Tracer and waited for a few minutes
before I received a go signal from him.
As expected, the rooftop's door wasn't locked when I opened it. Kahit na
alam kong ngayon lang ito hindi naka-lock. Kaagad akong pumunta sa kaliwa
at hinahanap ang box na sinasabi ni Archer.
Mabilis ko rin namang nakita iyon at natagpuan ang drag bag ng sniper ni
Archer sa loob. I even found a note saying that I should take care of it
or else he will use it against me. I chuckled. Archer and his obsession
with sniper rifles.
I checked the time on my wristwatch. Ten minutes before Chang will arrive
the place.
I took the sniper rifle out from the bag before I assembled it and find a
good position after. Nang makakita ay dumapa ako at sumilip sa scope para
makita ng malapitan ang mga mangyayari.
Few minutes later, I saw a black SUV arrived on the place. Sigurado akong
pagmamay-ari iyon ni Chang. Dalawang tauhan ang bumaba at ang isa ay
pinagbuksan sya ng pintuan sa loob. Hindi bumaba si Chang at nanatili
lang sa loob.
I cursed. Please, don't stay inside the van. Please, come out, you filthy
golden buddha.
Nanatili lang akong nakasilip sa scope. Inis na inis ako dahil hindi
talaga bumababa si Chang. I am getting frustrated while waiting for him
to come out.
Merda!
Chang took out his phone, probably to call the syndicate's leader. I
smirked.
Oh, no, ugly golden buddha. He will never ever answer your calls again.
I focused the scope on his head. My heart beats faster and adrenaline
came rushing in when I aimed the point right on his temple. Unti unti
kong hinihigpitan ang pagkakahawak ko sa trigger.
Seconds later, I saw the body of Henry Chang lying on the stone pavement,
bathing with his own blood.
Well, that was easy. Wala man lang thrill unlike when I'm fighting. Hindi
ko alam kung bakit nagustuhan ni Archer ang pagiging sniper nya.
----
Lady Hiro
Chapter 11
Bitbit ko ang duffle bag ko at ang drag bag ng rifle ni Archer. I rode my
MV Agusta and drove my way to our usual hideout.
Binuksan ko ang duffle bag at inilabas ang damit ko kanina. I reached out
for the back zipper of my bodysuit. Hinubad ko iyon kahit na nasa harapan
ko lang si Archer.
"I can see in your eyes that you have pagnasasa for, V." pang-aasar ni
Violet kay Archer pero tumawa lang ang lalaki.
I know that Archer doesn't have any pagnanasa for me. Dahil kung meron
man ay matagal na nya sana akong pinormahan. Napaka-babaero pa man din ng
lalaking 'to. But he didn't make any moves on me until now. Siguro ay
dahil kapatid ang turing nya sa akin. Sya kasi ang kasama ko simula nang
maging myembro ako ng El Ordre noon. Both him and Tracer took care of me
like I was their little sister. Kaya rin kampante ako sa kanila na
nagagawa ko pang makapag bihis sa harapan nila.
Ilang segundo lang ay nakatanggap na din kami ng isang video call. I saw
Archer stood up and sat beside me before he answered the call. Seconds
later, we saw Tracer on the screen. He was grinning and that's when I
knew that he brought us a good news.
"Let me guess..." Archer said before Tracer can even speak. "Nakakain ka
ng lumpiang shanghai, ano?"
I heard Tracer chuckled. His gray eyes were even glistening. Is he that
happy that our mission was a success?
"Fucker. You should be the one who's grinning right now and not me." I
met his eyes. "Good job, gang. This mission is a success."
Pare-pareho kaming napangiti dahil sa sinabi nya. I know that already but
hearing Tracer's congratulating us brings back memories to me. Naalala ko
tuloy yung unang misyon na ginawa ko. Tracer and Archer were my partners
that time. The mission was given to me so I should be the one who'll lead
them pero ako pa ang naging pabigat at muntik pang mabulilyaso ang misyon
namin. Good thing that they backed me up.
But they knew what I was feeling that time. They knew how disappointed I
was with myself. Noong gabi ding iyon ay niyaya nila akong mag-inom at
pumunta ng bar to release stress. They even gave me an advice that it's
normal to fail at first try. Failure is not yet the end. You just have to
stand up again and do it better next time.
"They already wired the money to your accounts." ang boses na iyon ni
Tracer ang nagpabalik ng diwa ko.
"Wala rin bang pa-lumpia ang El Ordre?" tanong ni Archer na hindi pa rin
pala nakaka-move on sa lumpia nya.
I heard Violet groaned beside me. Alam kong crush nya si Archer. Gwapo
naman kasi talaga sya lalo na kung hindi nya bubuksan ang bibig nya sa
mga ganitong pagkakataon. Kung ano-ano kasing kalokohan ang lumalabas sa
bibig nya.
"You have the money. You can buy a lumpia using that money. Marami sa
grocery stores." sabi ni Tracer na nakakunot na rin ang noo para sa
kaibigan.
Pareho kaming natawa ni Violet dahil sa kanilang dalawa. Alam kong inis
na talaga si Tracer sa kaartehan ni Archer dahil nagmura na sya. In
Tagalog pa. Mas ramdam daw kasi kapag nagmura ng Tagalog dito sa
Pilipinas.
"Tracer." I called him para matigil na rin silang dalawa. Agad na nawala
ang pagkakunot ng noo nya. "What about the auction house? May mga bata
din bang nakuha doon?"
"I don't know, V." magsasalita na sana ako pero nagpatuloy sya. "I've
told you already that someone will take care of that, right? He's doing
his job as we speak right now."
Tumango ako at nakahinga na nang maluwag. Ang akala ko ay sinabi nya lang
iyon noon para matigil ang galit ko.
Ayoko lang kasing magpatuloy pa ang auction house na iyon. Marami ng mga
batang babae ang nasira ang buhay dahil sa kanila. So that hell on earth
must be stop.
Isa pa. Ayokong nang madagdagan ang mga kalaban ko dahil sa pagpatay ko
kay Henry Chang.
"Don't worry, V. The El Ordre will make sure that their business will
end." Tracer reassured me.
I smiled at him and he smiled back. They know that I'm sensitive when it
comes with the mission that includes children. Alam nilang hindi ako
nagkaroon ng normal na pagkabata. At ayokong maranasan ng iba iyon.
"Kaya nga!" si Archer na naman. "Did you get laid last night?"
"Shut up, fucker!" Tracer said pero natatawa naman. "The El Ordre found
them."
Napatigil kaming tatlo sa sinabi nya. Tipid syang napangiti nang makita
ang mga reaksiyon namin.
"Yes. Them."
Tracer laughed out loud this time. Mukha talagang tuwang tuwa sya na
nahanap na ng El Ordre ang mga taong matagal na nyang pinapahanap at
hinahanap.
He can finally have his revenge.
"Seriously, I'm happy for you, fucker. You can finally go home."
The first thing that I thought when I opened my eyes that morning was,
"Will Death cook breakfast for me?" And thinking about him, I quickly
leaped out of my bed and took a bath. Mabuti naman at hindi pa ubos ang
mga damit kong iniwan dito dahil nga madalas ay dito ako nagpapalipas ng
gabi.
I smiled widely and took the key from him. Binigay ko rin naman sa kanya
ang susi ng MV Agusta ko at lumabas na. Nagpapalit kami kapag ganitong
umaga na ako nakakauwi. Masyadong agaw pansin kasi ang motorcycle ko. Mas
mabilis akong makikita ng mga kalaban ko kapag ginamit ko iyon ng
maliwanag pa.
"Hey..." he greeted but gone was his usual cheerful voice. "Ngayon ka
lang umuwi?"
I stared at him. There's something different about him. His hair were
disheveled and his eyes were not sparkling.
"You look... tired." I said. He really looked so tired. Based on the dark
circles under his eyes, it was obvious that he haven't slept a wink last
night. Gusto ko tuloy maawa sa kanya.
"No. I'm exhausted." he even sighed. Ramdam kong pagod na pagod talaga
sya. And he should sleep right now.
"You should rest." I told him but he didn't say anything. He was just
staring at me.
Tumitig ako pabalik sa kanya. Wala pa namang isang araw nang huli kaming
magkita pero pakiramdam ko ay na-miss ko na agad sya. That's why I stared
back at those mismatched eyes. Those eyes that were perfectly imperfect.
I felt my heart beats faster again. I want to caress his face and remove
that tired look on his face. He's still handsome but I can't bear to see
him like this.
"You should go in and rest, Death. Papasok na rin ako sa bahay ko." I
said. "Good morning and sleep well."
Tumalikod na ako para sana pumasok na pero pinigilan nya ang kamay ko.
Napalingon ulit ako sa kanya at hinintay ang sasabihin nya.
"Can I..." he scratched the back of his neck. "Can I sleep in your
house?" nanlaki ang mga mata ko kaya agad nyang dinugtungan. "I'll sleep
on the couch on the living room. I swear, iyon lang talaga ang gagawin
ko."
Mas lalo tuloy bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa mga pinagsasabi nya. He
has his own house, right? At katabi lang ng akin. Makakahiga pa sya sa
kama nya so bakit makikitulog pa sya sa akin?
"I hate sleeping alone in my house." he reasoned out when he saw the
uncertainty on my face. "Nahihirapan akong makatulog and right now, I
just want to sleep well."
He smiled but it didn't reached his eyes. It was a sad smile. I saw pain
crossed in his eyes pero sandali lang iyon. And I am sure that was his
real emotions.
"No need, Vexen. Ayoko nang mas makaistorbo. This couch is enough for
me."
"No need to worry about me. Just knowing that you're here with me under
this one roof is enough to make me sleep well."
Lutang yata ako habang umaakyat ako ng hagdan papunta sa kwarto ko.
Iniwan ko si Death sa baba para makapag-pahinga na rin sya. I went inside
my room and lay my back on the closed door.
Death is sleeping.
My lips parted at the sight. Tama ang hula ko na hindi nga sya kasya sa
sofa ko. Ginawa nyang unan ang throw pillow doon. Ang mga paa nya ay
nakapatong na sa armrest pero lagpas pa din.
At dahil nakapikit sya ay doon ko lang napansin na mahahaba din pala ang
pilik-mata nya. Sayang lang at hindi ko matititigan ang mga mata nya. I
want to see it. I want to run my finger on his perfect nose. I want to
caressed his defined jaw. And those lips that looks so soft...
Merda!
Dahan dahan kong inangat ang ulo nya, nag-iingat at nagdarasal na huwag
sana syang magising. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang maialis ko ang
throw pillow at pinalitan iyon ng mas malambot na unan. Kinumutan ko na
din sya at umupo ulit sa may harapan nya.
Hindi talaga sya nagising sa mga ginawa ko. Guess he was really that
tired, huh?
I stared on his face again and before I can even stop myself, I let my
fingers brushed his black hair. Hindi ko akalain na malambot pala ang
buhok nya.
I smiled.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 12
Wala sa plano ko ang matulog but I fell asleep the instant I lie on my
bed. Siguro ay dahil kinulang din ako sa tulog kagabi. I only slept for
three hours. Puyat at medyo pagod pa ako sa ginawang misyon kaya siguro
nakatulog ulit ako.
Mabilis akong nag ayos para makababa na. Tulog pa kaya si Death? Kung
gising na sya, umalis na kaya sya? Sayang. I wanted to see his 'just woke
up' face pa naman.
Pagkababa ko ay nadismaya ako nang makitang wala ang taong inaasahan kong
natutulog doon sa sofa. The couch was neat. Maayos na nakapatong din doon
ang unan na ginamit ni Death at nakatiklop na din ang kumot. I almost
pouted. Bakit ba kasi nakatulog pa ako!
But my plan failed. Ilang hakbang na lang ang layo ko sa kanya nang
lumingon sya. It's either that I did a mistake and made a small sound o
malakas din makiramdam si Death sa paligid nya.
At first, he wasn't showing any emotions but when he sees me, he smiled
instinctively.
"Ayos lang." sagot ko at lumapit sa kanya. Tumayo ako sa may gilid nya.
Nakaharap kasi sya sa kitchen countertop at nakita ko syang naghihiwa ng
karne. "Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos?"
"Mhm-hm." he even nodded. Binitawan nya ang kutsilyo at humarap sa akin.
"Kagigising ko lang din kaya hindi pa talaga ako nakakapag simulang
magluto. Are you hungry?"
"Menudo."
Napanguso ako. Naalala ko tuloy yung menudong itinapon ko. That was the
first ever dish that Death gave and yet I threw it away. Nanghihinayang
talaga ako doon!
Good thing that he's going to cook it again. Matitikman ko na din ang
menudo nya.
Death stopped slicing the meat and looked at me. I saw uncertainty in his
eyes so I waited for him to say anything.
"Wait. Gusto mo naman yung menudo nung nakaraan, diba? It's okay if I
cook it again?"
Nakita kong natigilan sya. Hindi ko tuloy alam ang gagawin ko. Mukha kasi
syang nabigla sa pag amin ko.
"What?" tanong nya nang makabawi. "I thought you ate it? Hindi mo ba
nagustuhan ang lasa?"
Mas lalo lang akong na-guilty. Nagmamagandang loob na pala sya noong una
palang pero ano yung ginawa ko? Nagsayang pa ako ng pagkain!
Merda! I'm starting to hate myself!
I felt like a child who broke a vase and Death is here to scold me.
Mas lalo akong napayuko sa tanong nyang iyon. Parang gusto ko yatang
pagsisihan na umamin pa ako sa kanya! Now, I have to tell him my silly
reason why I threw away the food that he gave me out of kindness!
"Yes. So I can understand. Para hindi din sumama ang loob ko sayo."
binitawan nya pa ang kutsilyo at humarap pa lalo sa akin. Patagilid syang
sumandal sa may kitchen countertop at pinag-krus ang mga braso nya sa
dibdib nya.
Oh, no. Ayoko syang magtampo sa akin. Pero baka kasi mas lalo syang
magtampo kapag sinabi ko pa sa kanya.
"I didn't trust you at first. Naisip ko na baka nilagyan mo ng lason yung
pagkain kaya tinapon ko." mabilis kong sabi at agad na yumuko. Merda! I
hope I didn't offend him!
Pero hindi ko inaaasahan nang marinig ko ang pagtawa nya. He was just
chuckling at first pero mas lumakas ang tawa nya. Napatitig lang ako sa
kanya. This is a rare sight for me. Kinapa ko ang cellphone sa bulsa ko
at napamura nang hindi ko makapa iyon doon.
Merda! Kinabahan pa man din ako sa magiging reaksiyon nya pero tatawa
lang naman pala sya!
"Baka gusto mong umalis muna ko para mas makatawa ka nang matiwasay."
sarkastisko kong sabi. Naiinis na talaga ako.
"Just laugh. Go on. Don't mind me." inis pang sabi ko. He chuckled before
he cleared his throat. Tumigil na ang pagtawa nya pero ang laki naman ng
ngiti nya habang nakatingin sa akin.
"I'm sorry. It didn't cross my mind that you actually think I was
planning to kill you." he chuckled again. "I understand you. Don't
worry."
"Hindi ka galit?" sinilip ko pa ang mukha. But all I can see in his eyes
were amusement and laughter.
"I'm not." he smiled. Binitiwan na nya ang braso ko pero pinisil nya
naman ang kaliwang pisngi ko. "Cute." ngiting ngiting sabi nya.
Nag akyatan ang mga dugo ko papunta sa mukha ko. I am freaking sure that
I'm blushing! Hinampas ko na lang ang kamay nya at nag iwas ng tingin
para itago ang pamumula ng mukha ko.
"Malansa ang kamay mo!" kunwari ay inis ko pang sabi. But Death chuckled
again and this time, dalawang kamay na nya ang nakapisil sa magkabilang
pisngi ko. Sinubukan kong iiwas ang mukha ko pero diniinan nya ang
pagkakapisil doon kaya napa-aray na ako.
"You're the cutest vixen I've ever met." sabi nya at mas pinanggigilan
ang pisngi ko.
Tumawa ulit sya at sa wakas ay binitawan nya ang mga pisngi ko.
Sinimangutan ko sya pero bumalik na lang sya sa paghihiwa ng karne.
Umalis na lang ako ng kusina dahil alam kong wala naman akong maitutulong
doon at baka makagulo pa ako kay Death. Wala kasi talaga akong hilig sa
pagluluto. Hindi na ako nag abalang mag aral ng pagluluto kahit pa noong
magsimula akong mamuhay ng mag isa. Baka kasi makasunog lang ako ng
kusina kapag pinilit ko pa.
Minutes had passed and I can already hear my stomach grumbling. Good
thing that Death called me. Tapos na raw ang niluluto nya. Pagdating ko
doon ay tapos na rin syang maghain kaya umupo na lang ako sa tapat nya.
"It's okay." I lied. Damn! It's so freaking good that I want to cry!
"Only okay?" nakangising tanong nya pa. Alam nya na namang masarap talaga
ng luto nya.
"Oo na. Masarap na. Sobrang sarap." pag amin ko na. Mas lalo lang tuloy
lumawak ang ngisi nya.
"I'm glad. Sinarapan ko talaga to make sure that you won't throw away the
food that I cooked next time."
I tsked. Talagang nangonsensya pa sya. "Ilang araw din akong nakonsensya
sa ginawa ko. Hindi pa nakatulong yung tyan ko na nag-crave sa menudo
mo."
Tumawa lang sya at nagsimula na rin sa pagkain. Tahimik lang kami. Ayoko
kasing magsalita dahil pakiramdam ko ay masasayang ang luto nya kapag
dumaldal pa ako. Masarap pa naman.
I glanced at him. Kamuntik pa akong mabilaukan nang mahuli ang titig nya
sa akin kaya mabilis akong uminon ng tubig. I cleared my throat after
drinking water.
"Kailan ka natutong magluto?" I asked and pretend that I'm okay even if I
caught him staring at me.
"Hmm... You could say that. Gusto ni Dad na manahin ko ang trabaho nya."
"Pero gusto mo naman?" I asked. Ang ibang mga magulang kasi ay pinipilit
ang mga anak nila sa mga gusto nila kahit ayaw naman ng bata. They didn't
even consider the child's feelings.
Death smiled. It was a real smile. "Yes. Of all the things that he wanted
me to do, cooking is my favorite. I love the look on my master—, I mean,
on the people's smiles whenever they eat my cooking."
I was just staring at him the whole time he's talking. He's smiling and I
knew that he really loves cooking. I'm glad. Ayokong ipagluto nya ako
kung ayaw nya naman ng pagluluto.
"And you know whose smile that I love the most?" he suddenly asked.
"Whom?"
"Yours." natawa sya sa nabigla kong reaksiyon. "You're the first person
who praised my cooking with great enthusiasm. That's why I love cooking
food for you."
Nilagang baka yung unang luto nya na natikman ko. And my reaction when he
asked how's the food was priceless. Napasigaw pa nga yata ako noon. He's
a great cook. Really, really great cook.
"Bakit hindi ka magtayo ng sarili mong restaurant? I'm sure more people
will love your cooking." I offered. I can see his future with his cooking
skills.
"Yes!"
He chuckled and I bit my lower lip. Ang bilis naman kasi ng naging
pagsagot ko. Hindi man lang ako nag isip kung may gagawin ba ako bukas o
wala.
But we already accomplished our mission and I'm sure that weeks or months
will pass before El Ordre would give me another mission. So it's safe to
think that I'm free tomorrow.
Tumango ako sa sinabi nya. We finished our food. May natira pa ngang
menudo sa niluto nya at tinanong nya pa talaga ako kung itatapon nya na
lang daw ba iyon sa basurahan. I know that he was just teasing me. Kinuha
ko na lang iyon at nilagay sa ref.
Nang maggabi ay light dinner na lang ang kinain namin. After we ate,
tumambay na naman kami sa may sala. And like the usual, he watched TV
again while I'm writing the continuation for my novel.
"Death..." I called his name and tapped his cheeks. "Death, wake up."
"'Yup. You should sleep on your bed." I said. Alam ko naman kasing hindi
talaga sya nakapagpahinga ng maayos kanina dahil maliit ang sofa para sa
kanya.
"Okay."
Inihatid ko sya sa may puntuan. His eyelids were already drooping with
sleep when he faced me. I chuckled softly.
Iniipit nya ang mga takas na buhok sa tenga ko. Napangiti na lang ako sa
ginawa nya.
I closed the door when he left and I went upstairs. Ginawa ko ang night
routine ko bago humiga sa kama.
He invited me for their band practice tomorrow and I can't wait to hear
his singing voice again.
---
Vote and comment po please. Thank you!
Lady Hiro
Death asked me if it's okay for me to go with him even if it's already
kinda late. Sinabi kong ayos lang naman dahil sanay na din naman akong
matulog ng late dahil sa pagiging writer ko. Madalas kasi na mas maraming
ideas ang pumapasok sa isip ko kapag gabi. Kaya kung minsan pa ay may
araw na kapag natutulog ako.
"I am really sorry about that." Oh, no. Hindi naman 'yun yung gusto kong
iparating. I'm just really curious. "But don't worry. Yuriel built a
soundproof room just for us. Kaya hindi kami nakakaistorbo ng kapit
bahay."
"May lugar naman pala kayong napagpa-praktisan. Why did you had your
practice in your house back then?"
Inabot ng kanang kamay nya ang pisngi ko at mahinang kinurot iyon. Huli
na nang mapaiwas pa ako.
"We honestly didn't know that someone was living nextdoor. Patay din po
kasi yung ilaw nyo noon." he then reached for my hand and made me touched
his cheeks. "I'm really sorry. Please, forgive me na po."
Gusto kong pigilan ang mga ngiti ko dahil nagpapa-cute at nagpapaawa pa
talaga sya. But, merda! How can I resist this freaking good-looking
person?! Araw-araw ay mas lalo syang gumagwapo sa paningin ko.
I laughed and gently pinched his cheeks. Napangisi sya sa ginawa ko.
Bibitiwan ko na sana ang pisngi nya but he held my hand and didn't let
go. Nanatiling nakahawak ang kamay ko sa pisngi nya habang ang isang
kamay nya ay nagmamaneho.
"No, Vexen." he glanced at me. "I'm willing to cook for you for the rest
of our lives."
Dio santo! Kung wala lang ako dito sa kotse nya at kung mag-isa lang ako
ay kanina pa ako nagtititili! Merda! Merda! Merda! My heart's beating so
freaking fast!
I don't even know if he meant anything by what he had said but damn! My
heart was the one who already gave a meaning by his words! Para kasing
pinaparating nya na iniisip nyang palagi na kaming magkakasama. For the
rest of our lives, diba? Dio santo! Is he proposing?
Minutes had passed when Death parked his car in front of the blue house.
May kalakihan din iyon. Parang katulad sa bahay din namin ni Death.
Nakita ko rin ang dalawa pang kotseng nakaparada sa harap din noon. I'm
sure those were the cars of their other bandmates.
I was right. Pareho din ang laki ng bahay ko ang bahay ni Yuriel.
Makikita din agad ang kitchen at ang dining room. Sa taas ay hula ko ay
mga kwarto na.
"Teka! Totoo ba 'to? Nagdala ng babae si Kamatayan?!" the guy who has a
two-block hairstyle asked. Tumawa naman ang lalaki sa tabi nya.
He held my hand and tugged me beside him. Hindi na nya binitiwan ang
kamay ko kahit pa malapit na ako sa kanya. Nakita ko tuloy ang pagbaba ng
tingin doon ng dalawang lalaki sa harapan ko. Nakita ko ang pagngisi nila
and it was obvious that they're teasing us.
Tumayo naman ang dalawa para magpakilala sa akin pero nandoon pa din ang
mga ngisi nila kapag sumusulyap kay Death.
"Kaano-ano mo sya Death?" Malcolm asked but judging on his smirk, he was
obviously teasing Death.
"Gago! Ikaw ang nagsabing pwede kaming mag-ingay ng ganoon!" inis na sabi
ni Malcolm nang ma-realize na mukha silang baliw pero sinaway sya ni
Death.
"Wow naman!" it was Warren who reacted. "Sino kaya sa atin yung mura ng
mura at tinatawag pa kaming 'assholes'? Kahit english mura pa din yun,
'lul ka!"
"Sino din kaya sa atin ang may nakaka-demonyong na pangalan? 'Wag kang
feeling banal dyan!"
Tinignan nila ako na parang naging isa akong alien pagkatapos kong
magsalita. Why? Is that really weird when girls can also say those words?
"Gago, Death. She's for keeps." nakanganga pa ring sabi ni Warren while
Malcolm nodded.
The boys made a weird fist bumps. Nagmurahan pa sila at sina Malcolm
naman ay muling inasar si Death.
"Tangna, men. Gulat na gulat ako kanina nang makitang kasama ni Death si
Vexen!"
Yuriel laughed at the two of them. "Mga siraulo. Tantanan nyo na yang si
Death. Buti nga nagkainteres na sa babae."
Sabay sabay na tumango ang tatlo sa tanong kong iyon. Napatingin tuloy
ako kay Death na tahimik lang at abala sa pag-aayos ng mic stand.
"Oo, wala. Akala ko pa nga nung una bakla sya at sa amin may pagnanasa
pero dinala ka nya kaya confirmed na lalaki sya." Malcolm answered.
Nakatanggap tuloy sya ng batok mula kay Death.
I smiled. This is a new side of Death that I haven't seen yet. Kaya
gustong gusto ko rin ang sumama ngayon dahil bukod sa maririnig ko na
naman ang boses nya ay makikita ko pa kung paano sya kumanta.
"Oo. Two years nang kasal si Apollo, eh." Warren answered and I saw
Malcolm frowned.
"Oo. Pareho silang pussy whipped ng kuya nya sa mga asawa nila."
"I'm sure that you're better than him." sabi ko. Napasinghap na lang ako
nang maramdaman ang mga kamay nya sa bewang ko at hinapit ang katawan ko
palapit sa kanya.
Ayan na naman! My heart's beating crazily again! And shit! I can even
smell his manly scent because of our closeness!
"You think?" nakangisi nyang tanong sa akin. I smirked too and inhaled
deeply to smell him more.
Pareho kaming napalingon ni Death nang tawagin sya ni Malcolm pero hindi
nya pa rin ako binibitiwan. Natigilan tuloy ang tatlo pero napangisi na
naman pagkatapos.
"Natalie, babe. Come here. Naiingit ako sa kanila." tawag ni Yuriel sa
fiancee nyang nakaupo lang. Tumawa si Natalie at lumapit kay Yuriel na
agad din syang niyakap.
"Tangna naman! Warren, maghanap na nga lang din muna tayo ng sa atin!
Hindi nyo naman sinabi na maglalampungan lang pala kayo para nakapagdala
din kami ng amin!" reklamo ni Malcolm na ikinatawa naming lahat.
"Ang ingay mong gago ka." kumalas si Death sa akin pero ang isang kamay
nya ay nakapulupot pa din sa bewang ko. "Anong sasabihin mo?"
Napatingin agad ako kay Death nang makarinig ng pangalan ng ibang babae.
I felt something unfamiliar again inside. It was like someone had just
pinched my heart.
"Ay, oo nga. Grabe pagrereklamo 'nun sa amin nung hindi ka sumama nang
dalawin namin sya. Parang ikaw lang ang gustong makita dahil bukambibig
ka."
Death laughed and I felt the pang in my chest again. Why is he laughing?
Is he that happy because that girl obviously misses him? And who the hell
is Daphne? Who is she to Death?
"Tell her I'll visit her soon." sabi pa ni Death na mas ikinasama ng loob
ko. Parang kanina lang ay ang saya saya ko sa mga ikinikilos ni Death
pero nawala ang lahat ng iyon nang mapasok sa usapan ang Daphne na 'yon.
Yuriel's on the drum. Malcolm is the lead guitarist while Warren is the
basist. Si Death naman ay muling inayos ang mic. Yuriel's lightly tapped
the cymbals to start the beat before the room filled with the familiar
intro of the song.
It was the first song that I've heard him sang that night.
"Vexen, right?"
Napatingin ako kay Natalie sa tabi ko. She was holding her instax camera
again while smiling at me. I nodded before I smiled back.
'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
"What?" nagulat ako sa tanong nyang iyon. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko.
I haven't thought of that yet.
But then, all of those unfamiliar feelings that I felt whenever I'm with
Death started to make sense.
"It's okay. I can see that he likes you too." Natalie said. Pinuwesto nya
ang camera nya sa harap and took a picture of the band.
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
Napatitig ako kay Death. He's eyes were closed while singing.
Pinakiramdaman ko ang dibdib ko habang nakikinig sa kanya. It was beating
fast again.
I closed my eyes too and listened to him sing. He has really a nice
voice. It was husky and low and somewhat cold. Masarap sa pakiramdam
habang pakinggan syang kumakanta.
I put a hand over my chest to feel my beating heart. Hindi ko alam kung
anong nararamdam ko noon habang kasama ko si Death. It was my first time
to feel those feelings. That's why it was very unfamiliar for me. But
what Natalie said seems to named those feelings.
I opened my eyes. Nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata nya habang kumakanta. I
want to see his eyes. I think it will be more beautiful if I see those
eyes while he's singing. I want to feel that he's singing this song for
me.
Please, Death. Open your eyes. I want to see those mismatched eyes of
yours.
Hindi naman ako nabigo. Death answered my prayers. He opened his eyes and
directly look at me while singing.
No, I just don't like him. I'm falling for this man.
"Ngayon lang dumalaw si antok." sabi ko habang kinukusot ang mga mata ko.
"Goodnight, Death."
But he didn't let go of my hands. I saw his eyes went down on my lips. I
swallowed the tension that started to build in my throat.
Slowly, his head went closer until our lips were just inches apart and I
can smell his cool breath. Our breaths mingled. My lips parted and
instinctively, I closed my eyes.
When his lips touched mine, I felt a tingling sensation all over my body.
His lips were warm and tasted of mint. The warmth spread throughout my
entire body. It was just a quick kiss and yet I feel like I'm going to be
addicted of it.
Napangiti ako. Ginaya ko ang ginawa nya. I brush his soft lips too using
my thumb. Damn. I want to taste those lips again.
Pero bago pa ako makagawa ng bagay na ikahihiya ko, I bid him goodbye.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 14
It was really, really late and I should probably go to sleep but for some
reason, Death invaded my mind. Nawala nang tuluyan ang antok ko at paulit
ulit na nagre-replay sa isip ko ang mga nangyari kanina.
Death kissed me. He kissed me.
I can still feel the warmth of Death's lips on mine. Kahit na halos
nakapatong lang ang mga labi nya sa akin ay ramdam ko pa rin iyon. I'm in
my late twenties already and yet it was the first time that I felt this
happy over a kiss. Maybe because I did it with someone I like.
Or someone I love.
I gave up. I can't probably sleep tonight. Buhay na buhay kasi ang dugo
ko at nag-aakyatan pa papunta sa mukha ko everytime I remembered that
scene. And damn my freaking mind thinking that I want to experience it
again.
How will I feel if the kiss will last longer next time?
Namula na naman ang buong mukha ko. Merda! Am I really expecting that
there will be a next time? Ako na tuloy ang nahihiya para sa sarili ko sa
mga naiisip ko!
"Uh... Are you already sleeping? Did I disturbed you?" tanong ko na hindi
man lang naisip iyon kanina bago ko sya tawagan.
"Uhm, ano..." I grimaced. Oh, gosh. Where should I start? "Have you been
kissed?"
Natahimik ang kabilang linya. Mas lalo akong napangiwi. Merda! Why did I
even asked that? I can still remember the moments when Violet made out
with someone in front of me because of our mission!
"Duh! Of course! Have you already forgotten, V? I even had sex, dammit!"
Napakunot ang noo ko. "I was just asking! Why are you getting mad at me?"
"'Cause it was a stupid question! You already saw me did more than a kiss
so why the hell would you even asked that?!"
Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko. Mukhang mali na tinawagan ko sya nang
patulog na sya. Kung ako ay nababaliw kapag nagugutom, si Violet naman ay
tinotopak kapag inaantok na.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" tumitili pa ding sabi nya. "You did
what?!"
I laughed when she squealed again. Ganoon din sana ang reaksiyon ko kung
hindi lang ako makakabulabog ng kapitbahay ko. Worse, my neighbor was the
one that I had kissed. Ayokong malaman nya na kinikilig ako sa ginawa
nya.
"Who did you kissed? Ah, wait— It was your neighbor, right? Right?"
makulit na tanong ni Violet na obvious na kinikilig din para sa akin.
It was the first time that I've told her something abouth this so of
course, she'll react this way. Violet and I were friends despite the fact
that we didn't know anything about our personal lives. But still, we
treat each other as sisters.
Binalikan ko ulit ang nangyari kanina. I felt like it was only a dream
but the warmth of his lips linger on my lips which tells me that it
really did happen. Para talaga akong teenager na kinikilig sa mga
nararamdaman ko ngayon.
Bakit ba ngayon ko lang naranasan ang mga ito? Oh, right. I was busy
training for the things that a normal girl wouldn't do. But still, I'm
glad that I was able to experience something like this. Ever since, Death
came into my life, he let me feel the things that a normal girl should
feel. He let me feel that I am a woman.
"Sobra."
"Oh my... Don't tell me that you've kissed without having a label?"
tanong ulit ni Violet nang ilang segundo akong hindi nakasagot.
Just because we've kissed, does it mean that we're already a couple? Does
it work that way? Or... Do we need to have a label before we could kiss
someone? Was it considered as a sin if a two people would kiss without
having a label?
"Do we really need to have a label first?" I asked. Curiosity is running
through me.
I heard Violet sighed. "V, it is more decent that way. You cannot just
kiss anyone just because you have a feelings for him."
"Kahit na." her tone that she's using was like and older sister
explaining thing to her younger sister. "V, I know that you have no idea
about things like this because you never had a normal teenage life but I
want you to know that girls should respect themselves. It doesn't mean
that you can kiss someone just because you like him. I know that it was
just a kiss but everything starts with a kiss. It will get steamy until
you won't be able to stop yourself because of your feelings. Ang ending?
Sa kama na kayong dalawa."
"So it's safe to have label first. Ask Death, next time."
Mas lalo akong hindi nakatulog pagkatapos ng pag uusap namin ni Violet.
Why did our talk ended up with Death and me on the bed?
Nang ma-imagine ko iyon ay namula na naman ang mukha ko. Pinagpawisan din
ako kahit pa malakas naman ang aircon sa loob ng kwarto ko. Merda! I
should've not called Violet if I knew that she'll only plant impure
thoughts on mind!
Sobra na nga ang naging reaksiyon ko nang dahil sa halik, paano pa kaya
kung iyon na talaga ang gagawin namin?
Death chuckled. Nauna na sya sa kusina para maghain. Naupo naman ako sa
pwesto ko. Nasanay na ako sa pagiging maalaga ni Death at hindi ko na
alam kung anong gagawin ko kapag natigil ito isang araw.
It was really magical. Ang akala ko ay hindi totoo ang mga nababasa ko sa
mga nobela noon kapag nahahalikan ang mga babae. Feeling ko kasi ang
sobrang O.A. lang nila para makaramdam ng ganoon. But Death proved me
wrong. The kiss can really give someone out of the world feeling.
I stared at his red lips. Unti unti nang nawawala sa pakiramdam ko ang
init ng mga labi nya. It was a quick kiss after all. But still, I want to
feel it again.
I unconsciously wet my lips using my tongue. From his lips, my gaze moves
up on his eyes. Nabigla ako nang makitang nakatitig din sya sa akin. I
saw a flicker of emotion on his eyes. A very familiar emotion.
It was desire. And probably, I have the same emotion on my eyes, too.
"It was a curse! You know, like 'tangina', 'gago'. It doesn't mean like
the actual word." mabilis na paliwanag ko.
"Vexen?"
"Are you okay?" Death asked with the worries on his face.
My lips parted. Merda! Death probably thinks that I'm being weird right
now! Gusto kong maiyak. Si Violet ang may kasalanan nito, eh!
"You sure?"
Tumango ako and even smiled at him to prove my point. I should probably
calm down. Baka malaman pa ni Death ang kahalayang naiisip ko kapag
patuloy akong umakto ng ganito. Nahawa na nga yata ako sa kahalayan ni
Archer.
'"Vexen?" napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang tawagin ako ni Death. "Can you
help me wash the dishes, please?"
Nagtataka man ay tumango na lang ako. Ayoko sanang mabasa ang mga kamay
ko but it was his first time to ask for my help so I quickly agreed.
Tinanggal nya muna ang dumi sa mga plato. Sya ang nagsasabon habang ako
naman ang nagbabanlaw. Pero parang may gusto pa syang mangyari dahil
pinigilan nya ako.
"I'll teach you how to properly wash the dishes." he said but I frowned.
"I know how to wash the dishes." ayoko nga lang talagang gawin.
Hindi ko alam kung anong gusto nyang mangyari pero hindi na ako umangal
nang hinigit nya ako para makapwesto sa may gitna ng sink. Pinahawak nya
sa akin ang sponge at pumwesto sa may likuran ko.
Sya na ang nagpatak ng sabon sa may sponge. Hawak nya rin ang kamay kong
may hawak na sponge at piniga para makagawa ng bula.
"Then scrub the glasses first before the plates."
He buried his face on the hollow space between my shoulder and neck. He
inhaled deeply like he wanted to absorbs all my scent. Sobra sobra ang
pagpipigil ko para lang hindi mabitiwan ang mga platong hinuhugasan ko.
Madiin na ang pagkakakagat ko sa pang ibabang labi ko. Nag iinit na ang
buong katawan ko sa mga ginagawa nya sa akin. Naramdaman ko pang
hinalikan nya ang parte ng leeg ko. Nang hindi makuntento ay marahan
nyang kinagat ang balat ko doon.
Damn... This is a new feeling for me again. And I think that only Death
could make me feel this way. Only him and no one else.
He bit the skin of my neck again before he licked the pain away. I moaned
when I felt his tongue against my skin. Tinigilan nya ang leeg ko at ang
mga halik nya ay umangat papunta sa may pisngi ko.
"Now, face me, Vexen." he ordered and I was so lost by the feeling that I
immediately did what he said.
Tinitigan nya ang buong mukha ko. Halos lumubog ako sa paraan ng
pagkakatitig nya sa akin. He stared at my eyebrows, my eyes, down to my
nose before his eyes went down on my neck. He smirked and looked me in
the eyes.
"I marked you mine." nakangising sabi nya at hinaplos ang parte ng leeg
kong pinanggigilan nya kanina.
"What—" I was going to ask what he meant by that but my words cut off
when he slammed his lips into mine.
I heard Violet who's screaming in my mind that I should push Death away
and secure a label first before I let him kiss me. But when I felt his
hand on the back of my neck and deepened the kiss, Violet's voice faded
on my mind.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 15
At first, I didn't understand what Death meant when he said that. But
after I've seen myself in the mirror later that day, I finally understood
the words that he had said.
He was the only person who did such a thing on my skin. All my life, I
own my heart and my body but now, I feel like Death is slowly consuming
my existence.
"Masaya ka na nyan?"
"And look at that hickey!" patiling sabi nya habang itinuturo ang pulang
marka sa may leeg ko. "I've told you that you should've secured a label
first before you let him kiss you again but what you've did was the total
opposite! Nipa-abot mo pa tagala up to your neck!"
I didn't bother to say anything about her wrong tagalog. Baka mas lalo
lang syang magalit sa akin at baka humaba pa ang lintanya nya. Although
this is the first time that Violet acted this way. Siguro ay dahil marami
na syang karanasan sa pakikipag-relasyon gayung ako ay wala pa. I know
that she just want to protect me kaya nga hindi na rin ako kumokontra sa
mga sinasabi nya.
I can't help it. I can't stop Death from kissing me. I lost all my
inhibitions when I felt his warm lips again against my own lips. The
warmth immediately spread throughout my entire body that made me
surrender to him with just one kiss. At kung ako ang tatanungin, even if
there's no label between us, I will let him kiss me. Again and again and
again.
"Do I really have to ask him about that?" tanong ko na. I got her point.
Mas maganda nga naman kung may panghahawakan ako sa aming dalawa ni
Death. But still, I like kissing him. Wala namang nagsabi sa akin na
hindi mo pala pwedeng halikan ang isang tao kung hindi pa kayo.
Violet made an angry growl. "Oh my goodness, I can't. I just cant!" she
hissed at me kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. "I know what you feel.
Death is really so hot and so yummy. But what you and Death have right
now is just a fling. He can dump you anytime he wants if he gets tired of
you. Ikaw ang kawawa sa huli 'cause you already have feelings for him."
That made me shut up. I got scared. Naisip ko ang lahat. What if Death
really gets tired of me? What if one day, Death will realize that he no
longer wants to cook for me? What if he found someone that he wants to
take care more than what he did to me for the rest of his life?
"I swear, V." pagsingit ni Violet sa gitna ng pananahimik ko. "You will
not like it if you'll experience your very first heartbreak. I just hope
that Death is really serious about you."
But then, I already accepted to myself that I fell inlove with him.
Our silence was disturbed when we heard the doorbell rung. Mabilis na
tumayo si Violet para pagbuksan ang sino mang nagpatunog noon. Huli na
nang maisip ko na si Death lang naman ang bumibisita sa akin na
nagpapatunog pa ng doorbell.
Napatayo agad ako nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon ni Death. Si Violet
ay hindi man lang tumabi nang makalapit ako sa kanila kaya kinailangan ko
pa talaga syang itulak para maharap ko ang lalaki.
Violet finally smiled and offered a handshake for Death. Tinanggap naman
iyon ng lalaki at nagkamay ang dalawa.
"Sure."
"Sorry, Death. Huwag mo nang isipin ang tanong nya. Let go inside?"
But somehow, a part of me wanted to hear what Death answer will be. Pero
may parte rin sa akin ang natatakot na baka masaktan lang ako.
"To answer your question..." Death finally said so I looked at him pero
nakatitig pa din sya kay Violet. "Yes, Vexen is my girlfriend."
My lips parted and my eyes widen at his words. Bumilis din ang tibok ng
puso ko sa dibdib and my hands started to shake. Merda! I think I'm
hyperventilating! I never thought that Death answer will have this effect
on me.
Masaya ako. Sobrang saya. I thought that the kisses that he gave me have
no meaning for him. Ang akala ko ay ako lang ang nagbibigay kahulugan
doon. But hearing his answer made me feel like I've just won a lottery.
"I like her. I like Vexen." dagdag pa ni Death na mas lalong nagpagulo sa
mabilis na tibok ng puso ko. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay may nagkakarera sa
loob ng dibdib ko!
Finally, Violet gave him a wide smile. Death's serious face must have
gotten through her. Alam kong binabasa nya kung totoo ba ang sinasabi ni
Death and now that she's smiling, it means that she read the truth in his
eyes, right?
"That's all that I need." sabi ni Violet bago bumaling sa akin. "I have
to go. See you around?" tumango ako sa kanya at muli syang tumingin kay
Death. "Nice meeting you again, Death. And please, take care of my
friend."
Nang makaalis si Violet ay hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Nandoon
lang kami ni Death sa may pintuan at parehong nakatayo. Nakayuko lang ako
dahil hindi ko sya kayang tignan sa mga mata. I feel like I will see too
many emotions and words that he wanted to say the moment that I'll look
on his eyes. At pakiramdam ko, hindi ko kakayanin ang mga emosyong iyon.
Ngayon pa nga lang na halos sasabog na ang dibdib ko dahil sa mga sinabi
ni Death kay Violet kanina.
I gasped when I saw Death took a step towards me. I stepped backwards
unconsciously but he didn't let me. Marahan nya akong hinila sa braso ko
at hinapit palapit sa kanya na mas ng nagpakaba sa akin. Why am I feeling
this way anyway? Araw araw ay palagi kong nasa tabi si Death pero ngayon
pa talaga ako nagkaganito.
"Look at me, Vexen." he ordered pero hindi ko sinunod. I don't want him
to see me blushing. Baka pagtawanan nya pa ako.
He called me "honey".
Nag akyatan na naman tuloy ang dugo ko sa mukha dahil doon kaya napaiwas
ulit ako ng tingin sa kanya. Pero hindi na nya ako hinayaan sa
pagkakataong ito. Ikinulong nya ang mukha ko sa mga palad nya at mabilis
akong hinalikan. Nanlalaki ang mga matang tinignan ko sya. I saw him
smirking at me.
Napanguso ako. He did that just to make me look at him which was
effective. Nagtatampo akong napatingin sa kanya.
Tumawa sya kaya mas napasimangot ako. Bakit ba palagi na lang tumatawa si
Death kapag kasama ako? Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay ako ang pinagtatawanan
nya.
I can still remember the first time that I saw him. He looked so
intimidating. Halos manliit na nga ako sa paraan ng titig nya. Kaya nga
umatras yung tapang ko noon na sawayin sila dahil sa malakas nilang
pagtutog.
But Death proved me wrong again with each day that I spend with him. He
is actually a very sweet and caring person. And he knows how to laught
out loud. And his laugh is like a music to my ears. Kaya kahit na naiinis
ako dahil feeling ko ay ako ang pinagtatawanan nya, gustong gusto ko pa
rin marinig ang pagtawa nya.
"No. I mean about what I've said to your friend earlier. Nabigla ba
kita?"
I stared at him but I can only see the truth on those mismatched eyes.
Ibig bang sabihin ay pareho kami? Pareho kaming ngayon lang naramdaman
'to?
"You never had any girlfriends before?" I asked. At nang umiling sya ay
hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natuwa.
"Never."
"Never."
"Then..." I trailed off. Napalunok ako dahil sa sobrang kaba. "I'm your
first?"
Gusto kong maluha sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig nya. It was my first
time that I heard words like those. He's the first ever man who said
those words at me and made me feel this darn happy. I never thought that
being inlove would feel so magical like this.
"I like you, Vexen. I really do." he said like he just read what's on my
mind. "Do we feel the same way? Do you like me too?"
Walang pag aalinlangan akong tumango. "Yes Death. I like you, too. I
really like you."
He smiled and my lips parted when I looked at his eyes. I was right.
Punung puno ng mga emosyon ang mga mata nya na hindi kayang tapatan ng
mga salita lang. Nakangiti lang sya sa akin at nakatitig, walang sinasabi
na kahit ano. Pero alam ko dahil nababasa ko sa mga mata nya ang lahat ng
nararamdaman nya.
"I know that I should court you first." sabi nya nang hindi ako sumagot.
"But my friend told me that I can't kiss you if I'm just your suitor. I
like kissing you, Vexen. At hindi ko maipapangakong kaya kong magpigil
habang nililigawan ka."
"I like kissing you too, Death." lumabas na iyon sa bibig ko bago ko pa
mapigilan ang sarili ko. And I blushed profusely. Mabuti na lang at
ngumiti lang sya at hindi na nang-asar pa.
I don't know and I don't care. I just found myself nodding at him.
I felt his hand on my back while the other one was on the back of my
neck, pulling me to deepen the kiss. My hands were just resting on his
broad chest. Ilang segundo pang magkalapat ang mga labi namin bago sya
humiwalay.
"I'm sorry. Hindi ako marunong humalik." nahihiya kong sabi. Kapag kasi
nakikipaghalikan si Violet sa harapan ko ay nakikita kong gumagalaw ang
mga labi nila ng mga kahalikan nya, halos magkainan na nga sila. Pero ang
sa amin ni Death ay magkapatong lang.
Okay, what the hell? Does it mean that I want him to do that kind of kiss
too?
Death smirked at doon ko lang naramdaman ang kahihiyan. Itinulak ko sya
gamit ang mga kamay kong nakapatong sa dibdib nya pero hindi nya ako
hinayaang makalayo.
"I'll just have to teach you then." sabi nya at bago pa ako makapagsalita
ay muli na naman nya akong hinalikan.
---
Vote and comment lang po always para ganahang mag ud haha. Thanks!
Lady Hiro
Chapter 16
Death and I were inseparable for the next few days. He only leaves my
house to sleep on his own next door. Kinaumagahan ay babalik din sya sa
bahay ko para makapagluto na naman. I've already given him the code of my
doorlock. Kaya tuwing umaga pagkagising ko ay naaabutan ko syang
naghahanda ng almusal para sa aming dalawa.
Then we will just chill and watch movies after lunch in my living room. O
di kaya ay nagsusulat ako ng update sa novel ko para hindi ako magahol sa
oras kung sakali mang kulitin ulit ako ni Lindsay sa susunod.
It was the most comfortable times when Death is here beside me. Kapag
nawawala sya ay hinahanap-hanap ko pa ang presensya nya dahil hindi na
yata ako sanay nang wala sya. I like it the most when I'm with him.
And if Death was sweet and caring before, it doubled when we officially
became a couple. Mas dumoble ang pagiging sweet nya. Who knew that Death
Ferrante is actually a clingy guy? He's always touching me. Skin to skin.
And he really did fulfill his promise that he'll shower me with kisses
everyday.
And I fell inlove with him more and more with each day passing by.
Just like today, we just ate breakfast and decided to watched a movie in
a cuddling position. Nakaupo ako sa couch, while Death was sitting on the
floor in the front of me. Nakasampay ang mga binti ko sa may balikat nya
so it looked like I was locking him in between my legs. His hands were
sometimes caressing my bare thighs that made me feel his warm hands since
I was just wearing a shorts. He was also topless kaya malaya kong
napagmamasdan ang mga abs at ang v-line nya that made my eyes sinful.
"Vexen, honey?" he called without taking his eyes off the TV and caressed
my thighs again.
"Yes?"
Natigil ang paghaplos nya sa mga hita ko kaya alam kong hinihintay nya
ang sagot ko kahit pa hindi sya nakatingin sa akin. Ayaw nya bang magluto
ngayon?
"Why? You don't feel like cooking today?" I asked. Ngayon lang kasi sya
nagtanong ng ganoon. Kung sabagay, baka nga napapagod din sya sa
pagluluto ng mga kinakain namin.
Tumingala sya sa akin at nagtama ang paningin namin. He rested his head
on my tummy while still staring at me. Nakatungo lang ako sa kanya para
mas makita ng buo ang mukha nya.
I couldn't believe it. That thought actually crossed his mind? Sobrang
sarap kaya ng luto nya! Pakiramdam ko nga ay tataba na ako dahil
napaparami ang kinakain ko kapag sya ang nagluluto!
"How could you even think of that? Your cooking is the best in this
universe at hinding hindi ko aayawan ang mga niluluto mo."
He didn't say anything and just stared at me with those gray and light
green orbs. Hanggang ngayon pa rin talaga ay humahanga ako sa magkaibang
kulay ng mga mata nya. I did wonder if those were the eye colors of his
parents. Pareho lang na napunta sa kanya. Or does his parents have
mismatched eyes too?
Now that I think about it, he only mentioned his parents once. Pagkatapos
ay hindi na naulit.
"May gusto ka bang puntahan?" he asked again and planted a small kiss on
my inner thigh without breaking our eye contact.
I wanted to gasped but I held it in. Simpleng mga galaw nya lang ay grabe
na ang nagiging epekto sa katawan ko.
Napaisip ako ng sagot sa tanong nya. "Wala naman." I like cuddling with
him more.
"Wala? Think. Is there any place that you really want to go but haven't
had the time to go there?"
Napatingin na ako sa kanya. Ano na naman bang gusto ng lalaking 'to? He's
being weird again despite already having a weird eyes and weird name.
"I want to take you out." seryosong sabi nya at halos mabulunan ako sa
sarili kong laway. I coughed before I looked at him again.
"Like a date?"
I smirked. So he's telling the truth that he never had any girlfriends
before. Mukha kasi syang walang alam sa pagyayaya ng date sa ibang babae.
But when he first said that he never had any woman in his life as his
girlfriend, I didn't believe it. I just can't. With his looks and built,
maraming babae ang maghahabol sa kanya. Especially that he has a band
that goes to bar on their gigs and he's even the vocalist, talagang
mahirap paniwalaan.
"Yes."
Pigil na pigil ang ngiti ko sa sinabi nya. It means that he will ask me
again on a date next time!
My fingers trailed his thick eyebrows down to the bridge of his nose. I
was just staring at his perfect face before but now I couldn't believe
that I will be able to hold him like this. My fingers went down on his
lips and brushed it gently.
"So?" tanong nya pero hinuli nya ang kamay kong humahaplos sa mukha nya
at hinalikan ang likod noon.
"So what?"
I smiled widely and my head went down to give him a quick kiss on his
lips. Nang lumayo ako sa kanya ay nakita kong agad na namungay ang mga
mata nya.
"That's not the proper way on how to give your boyfriend a kiss. This,"
he tugged my hair. "is how you should do it."
He pulled my head and our lips finally met. But unlike those other kisses
that we had, this is a very different one. He bit my lower lip, which
made me gasped in surprise so he was able to put his tongue inside my
mouth.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I can't move any muscle as I felt his sinful
tongue devoured the insides of my mouth. He was teasing my tongue,
licking and biting my lower lip. And before I can feel arouse and close
my eyes to saviour the moment, he finally let go of my lips but his hand
remained on my head.
"I'll teach you properly next time." he said with a smirked on his lips
and winked at me.
The only thing that made it special is that we were watching on a big
screen. Sa tingin ko ay ganoon din ang iniisip ni Death. Halos kagaya
lang din naman iyon kapag nanonood kami sa bahay ko. Ganoon lang din
naman ang ginagawa namin. Magkayakap habang nanonood.
But ten minutes had passed since he left the seat. I was starting to get
worried pero inisip ko na lang na mahaba ang pila sa banyo kaya sya
natatagalan. But another ten minutes had passed. I was about to leave my
seat and find him when I finally spotted him walking towards his seat.
Nang makaupo sya ay agad ko syang sinimangutan.
"Bakit ang tagal mo?" I asked. I even noticed the small droplets of sweat
on his forehead.
"Ha? Ah. Mahaba kasi ang pila." he answered and I've read something on
his eyes even if it was dark inside this movie theater.
He lied. This is the first time that Death ever lied to me.
"Should I buy a big screen, too?" tanong ni Death nang matapos ang
pinapanood namin. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at hindi na nagsalita.
He just lied to me. I know. It was very clear on his eyes that he lied.
Kitang kita ko iyon sa mga mata nya kahit pa madilim sa loob ng sinehan.
Why did he have to lie? Pwede nya namang sabihin sa akin na may iba syang
pinuntahan at hindi talaga nagbanyo. I will try to understand him. I know
that curiosity will kill me but it is better than lying to me. Mas
masakit kasi.
This is my first date ever with my boyfriend and I should feel blissful
and yet why do I feel like crying?
I looked at him in the eyes. Those eyes that told me that he lied just a
few minutes ago. I used to adore them and refer to them as perfectly
imperfect but now, I don't know anymore.
Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong mas mabuti. Yung alam mong
nagsisinungaling ang isang pero wala kang magawa? O yung hindi mo alam na
nagsisinungaling ang isang tao pero nagmumukha ka namang tanga?
I choose to smile at him even if my heart was slowly breaking. I should
calm down. I shouldn't try to jump to any conclusions. I'm sure that he
has a reason why he lied to me.
It looks like he knows what to buy. Pagkapasok namin doon ay tinuro nya
sa saleslady ang may kalakihan na stuff toy ni Spongebob.
I frowned. Never thought that Death likes this weird thing who lives
under the sea.
A friend. Who? Yuriel? Malcolm? Or Warren? Sila lang naman ang nakilala
kong kaibigan nya. O meron pa ba?
"Daphne?"
Daphne. I've heard that name before. It was the girl Malcolm mentioned
who wanted Death to visit her. Why is she calling him now? And why is
Death talking to her with a smile on his face and looked like he forgot
about my existence?
Nang maghiwalay sila ay saka ko lang natitigan ang babae. She has a very
expressive brown eyes that matched her long lashes. She has a small but
pointed nose and a natural pink lips. Maputi din sya at mas nakadagdag pa
sa kaputian nya ang pula nyang buhok. I frowned.
I know that I'm gorgeous and hot, Archer and Tracer always tells me that
and I am confident with myself. I am oh-so-sure that I am more gorgeous
than this girl in front of me.
"Kieron! I never thought I'll be seing you here? I missed you." she said.
Kieron?
Death chuckled and looked around parang may hinahanap. "Anong ginagawa mo
dito? Mag isa ka lang?"
"Please, give it to your husband. His birthday gift from me." sabi pa ni
Death at doon na ako napatigil.
Husband?
Daphne made a small laugh before taking the paper bag from Death. "Apollo
will surely like this." sabi pa nya na mas kuminang ang mga mata sa
pagbanggit ng pangalang iyon.
My lips formed an small "O". Napatingin pa ako sa daliri nya and I saw a
wedding ring on her fourth finger. I get it. She's Daphne and already
married. Sya yung sinasabi nila Malcolm na asawa ni Apollo.
"Finally! You're ready to build your own family!" she exclaimed but Death
just smirked at her.
"Were you jealous?" tanong nya pa at tuwang-tuwa talaga ang itsura nya. I
rolled my eyes at him. Naiinis kasi talaga ako sa kanya.
"Hindi."
"Liar." pakanta nya pa iyong sinabi na mas nagpa inis sa akin. I glared
at him but he doesn't seem bothered by it. "I saw the look on your face
earlier."
Busted. Alam kong halata sa mukha ko ang sakit kanina. It was my first
time to get jealous kaya hindi ko na napaghandaan. Nag iwas na lang ako
ng tingin sa kanya pero marahan nya akong hinila at hinalikan ang tutok
ng ulo ko bago ikinulong sa mainit na yakap.
Ilang segundo kaming magyakap, not minding that we're on public and
people might be staring at us. Pinakawalan nya ako at may kinuha sya sa
bulsa nya. I gasped when I saw what it was.
Pinatalikod nya ako at hinawi ang buhok ko para maisuot sa akin ang
kwintas. I felt the cold metal against my skin. Napahawak ako doon at
napangiti.
This is why Death was gone in the middle of the movie earlier on the
movie house. He probably bought this by that time.
Nang pinaharap nya ako sa kanya ay itinaas nya ang kanang kamay nya to
show me his bracelet. It was a silver chained bracelet with a keyhole it
the middle. And I am sure that the key on the bracelet is the pendant of
the necklace that he gave me.
"You own me, Vexen. You hold my key. You have the authority over me. And
only you can decide what to do with my heart. But I beg you, honey.
Please, don't ever try to open the lock of this bracelet. It will only
mean that you don't want me anymore."
"God, Vexen. Mas mahal kita." he said which made me the happiest woman
alive.
Please, please. Just let me be a normal girl and enjoy this moment in the
arms of the man that I love.
Chapter 17
---
His back was so broad and so sexy. Goodness. Kahit likod lang nya ang
tinitignan ko ngayon ay nakakaakit na talaga. I even saw a drop of sweat
trailed down his spine and damn, that scene made him more sexy. How can
this man be ever be so perfect?
Even if it was only his back that's facing me, I can feel that my heart
is starting to beat fast again. I am now getting used by this feeling.
Hindi na talaga yata maiaalis sa akin ang kabahan at ang ma-excite kapag
nakikita o kahit ang maisip ko lang si Death.
Ganito talaga yata kapag nagmamahal. The existence of your love one was
enough to make you feel happy. And I would trade anything just to spend
some hours with him.
Napangisi ako nang maalala ko ang eksenang iyon. I felt like the happiest
woman alive when I heard those words from him. Hindi ko akalaing na
mapapaligaya nya rin ako sa mga simpleng salita nyang iyon.
My fingers traced down the lines of his abs down to his v-line. I felt
his muscles stiffened and he stand straighter before he let out a puffed
breath.
I'm happy to know that I have this kind of effect on him. Ang akala ko ay
ako lang ang naaapektuhan ng sobra kapag nagdadampi ang mga balat namin.
Now that I think about, parang baligtad yata ang dapat na sitwasyon
namin. Madalas kong napapanood o nababasa sa mga novels na ang babae ang
nagluluto at ang lalaki ang nakayakap sa likuran. But I guess that we're
different from others.
Oh, fuck it. I don't care anymore. As long as I can hold him like this.
My hands traced his abdomen upwards this time. My fingers were touching
him in a circular motion making his muscles clenched. Napahugot sya ng
malalim na hininga na mas nagpangisi sa akin.
"Honey, stop." he warned using a menacing tone of voice. But instead of
being frightened, I tiptoed and kissed his nape.
He groaned like a wild beast. Pinatay nya ang kalan at mabilis na umikot
paharap sa akin. Napatili ako nang hapitin nya ang bewang ko at kay dali
nya akong nabuhat. He let me sit on the countertop, his arms were both on
my sides, locking my every move.
Sinubukan kong lumayo sa kanya pero pinigilan nya ang likod ko gamit ang
isang kamay nya. His other hand snaked around my waist pulling me closer
to him. My legs were on the both sides of his waist. Alam kong wala na
akong kawala sa kanya kahit anong gawin ko kaya pinulupot ko na lang ang
mga binti ko sa likuran nya at ang mga kamay ko naman ay pinulupot ko din
sa may leeg nya.
"Yes, honey? What is it?" he asked but before I could answer, his hand
went inside my shirt. My breathing hitched when I felt his warm hands
against my skin.
"Death..." I called his name again. Tinanggal nya ang kamay nyang
nakapaloob sa t-shirt ko at pinanghawak iyon sa may baba ko.
"Just say it, Vexen." mapang akit na sabi nya habang titig na titig sa
mga labi ko.
"Kiss me."
I saw him smirked and his eyes went up to met mine. "I will gladly do it
but promise me that you'll do what I say." sabi nya at tumango na lang
ako.
Mas lumawak ang ngisi nya. Bumaba na naman ang mga mata nya sa mga labi
ko.
I did what he said. I parted my lips but he still wasn't kissing me. I am
getting frustrated as the time goes by.
"Gayahin mo lang ang gagawin ng mga labi ko." bulong nya at bago pa ako
makapagtanong kung anong ibig nyang sabihin ay mabilis nyang sinunggaban
ang mga labi ko.
My eyes closed on their own as I felt Death's warm lips again. And
because my lips were parted, mabilis napasok ng dila nya ang loob ng
bibig ko. His tongue seeks every corner of my mouth. Pakiramdam ko
kakapusin na ako ng hininga kaya mas hinila ko pa si Death palapit sa
akin.
But Death cupped both of my cheeks before I can pull away. I suddenly
remembered what he said before he kissed me.
Kahit na hindi marunong ay sinubukan kong gayahin ang galaw ng mga labi
nya. I moved my lips against his lips. And that small movement from me
seems to trigger something inside Death.
Mas hinila nya pa ako palapit sa kanya at damang dama ko na ang init ng
katawan nya. Bumilis na rin ang paghalik nya at kahit na mahirap ay
sinubukan kong makasunod. His movements became needy for answers that I
willingly gave him. Sinabayan ko ang galaw ng mga labi nya. Madiin at
marahas na rin ang pagkakahalik nya at parang nagmamadali.
Nag iinit na din ang buong katawan ko at nang maramdaman ko ang balat ni
Death ay ganoon din sya. I even thought that he was having a fever
judging by the heat of his skin.
Without breaking our kiss, his hands went down on my waist again. Paulit
ulit nyang hinahaplos at pinipisil ang kalamnan ko doon bago umakyat ang
mga kamay nya papunta sa dalawa kong dibdib. And when he squeezed the
both of them, I let out a long moan which quickly died inside his mouth.
Only our deep and huffed breath can be heard in my kitchen. Pero bukod
doon ay dinig na dinig ko din ang tibok ng puso namin na pareho lang yata
ang bilis.
Mas humigpit pa ang yakap sa akin ni Death. Nakadikit na ang bibig nya sa
tenga ko kaya malinaw sa pandinig ko ang bigat ng paghinga nya. Ilang
sandali kaming nanatali sa ganoong posisyon bago sya humiwalay para
titigan ako.
He smiled at me after a few seconds. Iniipit nya ang mga takas na buhok
sa tenga ko. He had a gentle look on his face as I faced him.
Isang gabi ay nagulat na lang ako nang yayain ako ni Death na manood para
sa live gig nila sa isang sikat na restobar somewhere in BGC. Hindi na
rin naman ako tumanggi dahil gusto ko rin syang mapanood na tumugtog
kapag gig nila.
Head made me sit on a highchair just beside the bar counter. Kahit na
medyo malayo iyon sa stage ay kita ko pa rin naman sila. Isa pa ay hindi
na ako nakaangal sa rason nya kung bakit dito nya ako pinaupo.
"There's countless of assholes out there near the stage. I don't want
them gawking at you."
"You should only look at me while I'm singing." sabi ni Death na hindi
matigil sa kabibilin sa akin. "I will definitely go back here if I caught
you looking at anywhere else."
Napairap na ako. Grabe din naman pala ang lalaking 'to. Gusto sa kanya
lang ako nakatingin. Hindi nya ba nakikita ang mga babaeng gustong gusto
kong tusukin ang mga mata dahil grabe kung makatitig sa kanya kahit na
hindi pa naman sila nagsisimulang tumutugtog? How can he even think that
I will look at somebody else if he's the only being I am willing to look
at even if we're outside the restobar?
"Gago ka, Kamatayan. Baka masakal na sayo si Vexen nyan. Hiwalayan ka
nyan, sige ka." pananakot ni Malcolm which made Death frown.
"Don't worry, Death. I'm different. I like you being possessive over me."
And when he smiled, I am sure that my eyes will only look at him.
I've learned that Natalie and Yuriel were classmates on college. Him,
Warren and Malcolm were like the troublemakers in their university. Ang
pinaka-playboy pa daw na si Apollo ang medyo matino sa magkakagrupo
tungkol sa pag-aaral. That surprised me. A playboy and studying doesn't
seem to match well, does it?
Natalie told me that she always brings her instax camera with her to take
a picture of people and places. Mabilis daw kasi syang makalimot. There
was some psychological problem in her brain that made some of her
memories vanished after a week.
"This first song is for the most special girl that came into my life."
sabi nya pa sa mic habang titig na titig sa akin. Nakita ko namang
napalingon na din sa akin ang iba pang mga customers. "I love you, honey.
Keep me locked in your heart, forever."
Yuriel gave them a beat bago nagsimulang tumugtog ang intro ng isang
kanta. And finally, I heard Death's cold and husky voice again.
I smile. This song just suits his voice right. Pareho silang may parang
paos na boses ng bokalista ng bandang original na kumanta noon. But I
like Death's voice more.
His eyes never left mine the whole time he's singing. Ganoon din ako sa
kanya. Ang mga mata ko ay nakatitig lang sa kanya, just like how he
wanted me to.
Not the Vexen Belluchi who was supposed to get married to the second son
of the Mancini. Not the Vexen Moreno who was hiding from her father.
Just Vexen.
I wonder how Death will react if he knew the real me? The real me who
killed a lot of people without any hesitation. The real me who will kill
more people if the El Ordre orders me to.
Does it mean that I lied to him? Pero iyon nga ba ang totoong ako? O isa
lang iyong robot na nilikha ng aking ama? 'Cause it feels like the real
Vexen is the girl that spend her time with a man with mismatched eyes.
Ang totoong Vexen ay lumalabas kapag kasama nya si Death Ferrante.
I stopped thinking when suddenly, the hair at the back of my neck stood
up. Nakaramdam ako ng panlalamig at kakaibang presensya. At bago ko pa
mahanap kung sinong may ari noon ay may bumulong na sa tenga ko.
"Hello, V."
Mabilis akong napalingon sa may ari ng boses na iyon. Just a few inches
away from my face is a man that I've never met. He has a messy and curly
black hair, a crooked smile and a black eyes with dark circles beneath
them.
I was about to put more distance between us when I felt him touch my hair
and sniffs it. Sobrang bilis ng kilos nya na hindi ko man lang nabasa
kung anong sunod nyang gagawin!
Merda!
Mabilis kong tinabig ang kamay nya sa buhok ko but his other hand caught
me by the wrist. Mahaba ang mga kuko nya na halos sumugat na sa balat ko.
I twist my wrist downwards to free from his grip while my other hand was
already working, stopping his left hand to touch another part of my body.
More slaping and twisting of arms before I was finally able to grip him
by his neck. My other hand caught both of his hands. I was choking him
but he still managed to gave me another crooked smile.
Itatanong ko na sana kung sino sya at kung paano nya nalaman kung sino
ako, kahit pa may ideya na ako, when an arm snaked around my waist and
pulled me away from the man.
Nauntog ang katawan ko sa katawan nya. The manly perfume that had
attacked my nose was very familiar so I didn't bother to fight him. I
looked up and saw Death already glaring at the man.
"Who the fuck are you?" he hissed. I can also feel his grip on my waist
tightened but I chose to stay silent.
Death looked so livid. Madilim na madilim ang mukha nya. Ito ang Death na
hindi ko pa nakikita kailanman.
And looking at him with a very dark expression on his face, he looked
like Death himself, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Nalipat ang tingin sa akin ng lalaking nasa harapan namin bago ibinalik
kay Death. Halos itago na ako ni Death sa likuran nang tignan ako ng
lalaki.
"I asked you, asshole. Who the fuck are you?!" Death bellowed. Natakot
ako sa paraan nang pagsigaw nya.
Tinignan lang sya ng lalaki bago muli akong tinignan. Mas lalo pa akong
itinago ni Death sa likod nya pero hinabol ng lalaki ang tingin ko.
"We'll see each other again soon, Vexen Bellucci." he said before he left
in a fast pace. Hahabulin pa nga sana sya ni Death pero pinigilan ko na.
"Let's go home, please." I said with my small voice. Death nodded and
took my hand.
Sa daan pauwi ay walang kahit isa sa amin ang nagsasalita. My eyes were
closed the whole ride. Ayokong bigyan ng pagkakataon si Death para
makapagtanong kaya nagkunwari akong tulog at pagod.
I just nodded at him and didn't say anything. Tinalikuran ko na agad sya
at pumasok na sa loob.
When I'm already inside, I shut my eyes tight but it only makes me
remember what happened earlier.
Merda!
Iilang tao lang ang nakakaalam ng totoong pangalan ko habang nandito ako
sa Pilipinas. My father, Kuya Vander, Tracer, and Shielder probably.
Pero bukod sa kanila ay may iba pang nakakaalam ng totoo kong pangalan.
Chapter 18
For two years, I was running away from my father and hiding from my
enemies. I know that I can't do this forever but what happened last night
really shook the hell out of me. I was not ready yet. I was having the
time of my life with Death. Pero baka hanggang doon na lang iyon.
After two years, narinig ko ulit ang buo kong pangalan. My real name. My
real identity. And Death heard that. I'm sure he heard that but he's just
suppressing himself from asking me questions. Marahil ay nakita nya na
hindi maganda ang ekspresiyon ko pagkatapos ng nangyari.
I wonder how Death will react if he'll knew everything about me. If he'll
knew about my "other" job. About my engagement.
"You changed your bath soap." he said and I almost laughed. Ang dami
daming pwedeng sabihin ay iyon pa talaga ang pinili nya.
I want to tell Archer about what happened last night. Gulong gulo na kasi
ako at hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Should I move out of this country?
But if I'll do that, I am a hundred percent sure that my father will find
me and will force me to marry to the second son of the Mancini.
What should I choose? Being lock up to marriage for the rest of my life
or death from the hands of my enemies?
I glanced at Archer and he was lost in his own thoughts. I sighed. Ngayon
ko lang sya nakitang ganito kaya alam kong mabigat talaga ang
pinoproblema nya.
"Is it true that the beast really turned into a handsome prince?" he said
out of nowhere. He's talking in metaphor.
"Yes. Because a girl fell inlove with him." I answered. Tumingin sya sa
akin gamit ang malalalim nyang mga mata.
"What if the beast has a hideous heart, too? Do you think the girl would
still fall inlove with him?"
"My answer is no." sya na ang sumagot sa sarili nyang tanong. "She will
hate him. Everyone around him will hate him. Even his friends. They will
leave him, one by one. Until he became all alone."
Ngumiti sya pero isa iyong malungkot na ngiti. Sa huli ay inalis nya na
lang iyon at muling natulala.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano kami katagal sa ganoong posisyon. Just staring
in the air with so many thoughts running in our heads. Walang nagsasalita
sa amin. Probably Archer is thinking on how he could solve his own
problem too.
Then I heard him sighed. Sobrang lalim noon na halatang mabigat ang
problema nya. He looked at me and his gloomy aura was already gone.
I smiled and decided to tell him everything about what happened last
night.
I know that I need their help. My enemies were piled up from all those
missions that I thought I accomplished but the El Ordre didn't finish it
completely. Ang akala ko ay nagtagumpay ako sa mga misyon kong iyon pero
hindi pala. Marami akong mga sindikato at mga grupong napatumba pero may
humahawak pala sa kanila at iyon ang hindi sinabi sa akin ng El Ordre.
"I'll tell Tracer about this. You knew about his skills. He can find out
everything about that man in no time." he tapped my shoulder. "Don't
worry, V. We're here for you. Ikaw pa ba, kargo de konsensya ka yata
namin."
"By the way, open pa din ang offer ko sayo." biglang sabi ni Archer at
napakunot ang noo ko.
"What offer?"
Sa inis ko ay sinuntok ko sya sa dibdib, this time malakas na. Pero hindi
yata sya nasaktan dahil malakas syang tumawa.
"Come on! Boyfriend mo na ang lalaking iyon, right? You'll certainly need
it for protection!"
"Fuck you, Archer!" gigil na sabi ko na mas lalo nyang ikinatawa. Ang
galing din talagang mang inis ng lalaking 'to! Ang sarap bayagan para
matigil sa kakatawa.
Dahil sa sobrang inis ko ay sinipa ko sya pero mabilis nyang nahuli ang
mga paa ko. Merda!
"Lascia andare, Archer." banta ko nang akmang kikilitiin nya ako sa paa.
Shit! Malakas ang kiliti ko doon! "I said let go!"
"Take this and get the hell out of my house!" I hissed but he quickly
dive on my bed instead.
"Ayoko. Dito ako matutulog." sabi nya at umayos pa ng higa. Padapa syang
humiga sa kama ko.
I turned off the lights first bago ako tumabi ng higa sa kanya. Malaki
naman ang kama ko pero nagharang pa rin ako ng unan sa pagitan naming
dalawa. I saw one of Archer's eyes opened and glanced on the pillow
between us before he closed his eye again.
I glared at him but it was useless because his eyes were already closed.
I just hope that Tracer could find everything about that man.
Wala na si Archer sa tabi ko nang magising ako. The sun was already up. I
looked at the clock on my bedside table to check the time. It was already
lunch time.
Tumayo ako para makaligo at makababa na. Tanghali na pero parang gusto ko
yatang magkape. Nag ayos na muna ako ng sarili ko bago bumaba.
I frowned when I heard the sound of the TV. It was on and I can still
smell the masculine cologne that Archer is using so I assume that he's
still here.
And I was right. I saw him comfortably sitting on my sofa while drinking
coffee. Basa pa ng kaunti ang buhok nya at doon ko nalaman na kagigising
nya lang din. Hindi ko na lang sya pinansin at tumuloy na kusina to make
my own coffee.
Ako na sana ang magbubukas pero nakita kong tumayo si Archer at sya na
ang lumapit sa may pinto. Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagtitimpla ng
kape ko
Ano na naman bang nasinghot ng isang 'to para tawagin ako ng ganoon?
"She's not expecting anyone so could you please visit her again next
time?" dinig ko pang sabi nya at gusto ko na talaga syang patayin.
"I didn't let myself in since I knew that you're not feeling well last
night. Ilang beses akong nagpabalik-balik mag doorbell pero tulog ka pa
kanina." mahinahong paliwanag nya at hindi ko alam kung bakit mas
kinakabahan pa ako sa pagiging kalmado nya.
"Ah, oo. Nagising nga ako sa ingay ng doorbell kanina. Tulog na tulog si
V. Hindi nga sya magising, eh."
I looked at Archer and shot him deathly glares but it doesn't seem to
affect him. He even smiled at me pero sa nakikita ko sa mukha nya ay alam
kong pinaglalaruan nya kami.
"Si Death nga pala boyfriend ko." sabi ko habang nakatingin ka Archer at
mas lumawak ang ngiti nya. "Death, this is—"
"I think I should go." Buti alam mo. "Kunin ko lang ang susi ng kotse ko
sa kwarto mo. Naiwan ko kasi." sabi ni Archer at umakyat na.
I bit my lower lip when Death and I were left alone on my doorway. I am
aware of his heavy stares at me but I couldn't look at him. Ewan ko ba
pero natatakot ako. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay nahuli nya ako sa aktong
gumagawa ng kasalanan sa kanya.
"Alis na ko, V." Archer said nang makababa sya. Tumango lang ako sa
kanya. "Nice meeting you, Death."
I stayed silent. I am so nervous and I don't even know why. Wala naman
akong kasalanang nagawa pero base sa inaakto at sa mga tinginan sa akin
ni Death, pakiramdam ko ay parang meron. Kaya hindi talaga ako makatingin
sa kanya.
"Who is that man, Vexen?" he calmly asked but I still shivered by that
tone of his voice.
He's mad.
"Si Creed. Workmate ko. He's an author, too." nakagat ko na lang ang pang
ibabang labi ko sa kasinungalingang nasabi ko.
"I'm asking you, Vexen." muling sabi ni Death nang hindi ako sumagot.
Pakiramdam ko ay mas magagalit lang sya kapag hindi pa ako nagsalita.
I was just staring at his shoes the whole time. I still couldn't look at
him in the eye. Halos manginig na ako sa takot at baka kapag tinignan ko
pa sya ay mabuwal na ako sa pagkakatayo.
But when I didn't hear anything from him, I forced myself to look up.
Nasalubong ko ang mga titig nyang mukhang naghihintay pa kanina sa tingin
ko.
I was right. Nanginig at nanlamig ang mga kamay ko nang makita ang
malalamig nyang mga mata na nakatingin sa akin. He clenched his jaw
before he asked another question again.
"Magkatabi kayo?"
Natakot ako sa tono ng boses nya kaya hindi agad ako nakapagsalita. Where
is my sweet and caring Death?
"Sagot!"
"Oo!" nagulat ako sa sigaw nya kaya napasigaw na din ako.
Mas lalong nagtangis ang mga bagang nya. Humakbang sya ng isa palapit sa
akin at hindi sinasadyang napaatras ako. Napatigil sya sandali pero
humakbang ulit. Napaatras na naman ako.
I stopped stepping away from him when I felt the closed door behind. But
Death didn't stop walking towards me. Unti-unting lumiliit ang distansya
sa pagitan namin pero ngayon pa lang ay ramdam ko na ang init na
nanggagaling sa katawan nya.
"Why are you saying sorry? Do you even have an idea what you did wrong?"
He pinned me behind the closed door. Idinikit nya ang katawan nya sa akin
at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Hindi sa takot kundi sa antisipasyon.
I should get scared because he's mad at me but why am I feeling this way?
His head went down. Akala ko ay hahalikan nya ako pero tumigil sya,
gahibla na lang ang layo ng mga labi namin sa isa't isa.
"I'll enumerate the things that you did wrong." he said and I want to
close my eyes when I smelled his mint fresh breath. "One, you let a man
in your room. Two, you let him sleep beside you. Three, you even shared a
fucking bed. And lastly," mas idiniin nya pa ang sarili nya sa akin. My
breasts were squeezed on his hard chest. "You let him did those things
when I am your boyfriend."
Nagulat ako nang ipinasok nya ang kamay nya sa loob ng pang itaas ko. My
breathing hitched when I felt him cupping my left breast.
Napahiyaw ako nang kagatin nya ang balat ko sa leeg at sinipsip iyon.
He's still massaging my breast that sent tingles on my stomach.
"Death..."
Tumigil sya at lumayo ng bahagya sa akin para titigan ako. Nandoon pa din
ang lalim at galit sa mga mata nya.
Namumungay lang ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa kanya. I want him to
touch and kiss me again.
Napahiyaw ako nang punitin nya ang pang itaas ko. Nanlalaki ang mga mata
kong napatingin sa kanya pero muli syang dumikit sa akin at binulungan
ako.
"Be ready, Vexen. I'm going to fuck you, hard and fast."
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 19
Warning: Spg
----
My face flushed and my skin tingled when I felt his lips on my neck. Mula
sa collarbones ko ay pinaglandas nya ang dila nya paakyat sa gilid ng
tenga ko. Napatingala ako habang humihinga gamit ang bibig. Humawak ako
sa mga balikat nya para kumuha ng suporta dahil pakiramdam ko ay
mabubuwal ako sa makasalanan nyang dila.
But Death removed my hands on his shoulders. Hinawakan nya iyon gamit ang
isang kamay nya at itinaas sa ulunan ko. He stared at me. Ang mga mata
nya ay madilim at punong puno ng pagnanasa.
"You shouldn't touch me, Vexen." bulong nya at umangat ang isang sulok ng
labi nya. "Parusa ko iyan sayo."
His head went down to lick my neck again. I craned my neck to give him
more access. Sinipsip at dinaan ng dila nya ang kaliwang parte ng leeg
ko. Habang ang isang kamay nya ay pumipisil pisil sa bewang ko. At dahil
wala na akong pang itaas na damit ay damang dama ko ang init ng palad
nya.
He unhooked my bra with just one hand at itinapon nya iyon sa kung saan.
Muli nyang hinawakan ang mga kamay kong binitiwan nya nang hubarin nya
ang bra ko at ibinalik nya sa my ulunan ko. His eyes feasted on my breast
that made me blush. Gusto kong takpan ang dibdib ko sa kahihiyan pero
hawak nya ang mga kamay ko.
"You're mine, Vexen." mariin nyang sabi na parang may aagaw sa akin mula
sa kanya. "Mine alone."
Pagkatapos ay muli syang yumuko para bigyan ng isang magaang halik ang
tapat ng puso ko. I gasped and my nipples hardened when I felt his warm
breath near my breast.
Hindi nya naman ako pinaghintay pa ng matagal. Bumaba pa ang ulo nya at
naramdaman ko na ang mainit nyang paghinga sa ibabaw lang ng dibdib ko.
Malapit na malapit na ang bibig nya sa koronang nandoon.
I squealed when I felt his tongue licked the crown on the top of my
mound. Hindi pa sya nakuntento at sinakop ng mainit nyang bibig ang
dibdib ko. He licked and sucked my breast like a baby but that only made
him looked so hot.
"Ugh..."
Ang kamay nyang pumipisil ay naglandas pababa ng bewang ko. A groaned had
escaped from my throat as I felt his hand touch the part in between my
legs. Damang dama ko ang init ng kamay nya kahit sa manipis na short na
suot ko.
His mouth left my mound and he licked his way up to my jaw. Hingal na
hingal ako at sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa mga ginagawa nya sa
akin.
"Akin ka lang." he whispered and licked my cheeks. "Akin ka lang dapat."
He kissed the side of my lips at humabol pa ang bibig ko para halikan sya
pero iniiwas nya ang mga labi nya. His gripped on my hand tightened.
"Fuck, Death!" I hissed. Naramdaman ko kasing ipinasok nya ang kamay nya
sa loob ng underwear ko.
I want to hold him but he won't let me. He will tighten his grip
everytime that I try to free my hands. Nanghihina na rin ang katawan ko
at gusto nang magpaubaya sa kanya kaya hindi ko na rin tinangkang
maglaban.
His fingers parted the lips of my feminine that made my eyes rolled back.
Oh my goodness. I had never experience this before. Ni hindi ko nga
mahawakan ng ganoon ang gitna ko. Sya lang. Sya pa lang ang nakakagawa ng
mga ganitong bagay sa katawan ko.
"You're wet." muli nyang bulong at dinig ko ang ngisi nya doon. Para bang
tuwang tuwa sya sa epekto ng mga ginagawa nya sa katawan ko.
His fingers played my core and I moaned nonstop. I was catching my breath
as I shut my eyes tight to feel his presumptuous fingers stroking my
core. He parted my legs using his right knee. Napasigaw na naman ako nang
ipinasok nya ang isang daliri nya sa loob ko.
"No." he said with finality and his finger went in and out faster and
faster.
Nanginig ang mga tuhod ko at mabubuwal sana ako kung hindi lang
nakapagitan ang isang tuhod ni Death sa gitna ng mga hita ko. At doon ko
lang naramdaman ang matigas na bagay na tumutusok sa may hita ko.
Death withdrew his hand out of my shorts. Namula ako nang makita ang
gitnang daliri nya na basang basa. My eyes widened and my cheeks reddened
more when he started to lick and suck his middle finger sensually.
Binitiwan nya rin ang mga kamay ko kaya sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon
para yumakap sa kanya. Naramdaman kong inangat nya ang pang upo ko and I
immediately wrapped my legs around his waist. Binuhat nya ako at mas
nadagdagan ang init nang katawan ko nang maramdaman ang tumutusok sa may
gitna ko.
Inihiga nya ako sa pahabang sofa. Hinawakan nya ang kwelyuhan ng tshirt
nya sa likod at hinila iyon para hubarin. Even the way he removed his
shirt was so sexy. How can this man be so sexy in every little thing he
does anyway?
Nang makita ko na naman ang madalas kong pagnasan na abs at ang v-line
nya ay nagtangka akong hawakan iyon pero hindi nya ako hinayaan. Mukhang
nawalan na sya ng pasensya sa kagustuhan kong hawakan sya. He removed his
belt and used it to tie both of my hands.
Mukhang nagalit ko talaga sya kaya desidido talaga syang parusahan ko.
Mabilis nyang hinubad ang short ko at isinunod ang panty ko. I am fully
naked in front of him and he was just staring at my whole body. I tried
to cover my sensitive part but he glared at me. Sa takot na baka dagdagan
nya ang parusa ay inalis ko ang pagkakatakip sa gitna ko.
Sinusundan ng mga mata ko ang mga mata nyang tumititig sa bawat kurba ng
katawan ko. Namumula na ang mukha ko pero nawala ang pagkapahiya nang
makita ang paghanga at pagnanasa sa katawan nya. Pagkatapos ay yumuko sya
para halikan ang flat kong tyan.
"Oh, shit..." I breath the moment that I felt his warm lips kissed my
tummy. He planted kissed all over it before he replaced it with his wet
tongue. He trailed his way down to my core. Pumwesto sya sa gitna ko.
Pinaghiwalay nya ang mga binti ko at isinabit ang mga hita ko sa mga
balikat nya. Napaangat ako sa pagkakahiga nang tumigil sa doon.
"Fuck..."
Mabagal lang ang ginagawa ng dila nya sa gitna ko pero parang gusto ko
yatang bilisan nya. Napaangat tuloy ang balakang ko para mas maidikit ang
bibig nya sa akin. But he held down my waist and keep it in place while
he's still licking my core sensually.
Sinilip ko ulit sya at mas lalo pang nag init ang katawan ko nang
makitang nadagdagan pa yata ang pagnanasa sa mga mata nya. Unti unti nang
bumibilis ang ginagawa ng dila nya kaya napabalik ako sa pagkakahiga.
Something is building inside me again. And what happened earlier made me
realize what it is. I am near and I want it fast but Death seems to take
his time down there.
"Death... I'm near." sabi ko. Baka lang naman bilisan nya pero hindi nya
pa rin ginawa. I thought that he's going to fuck me hard and fast?
His tongue began to move in a fast pace. Oh, fuck! Yes! This is what I
want! Kahit na kakatapos ko pa lang ay nararamdaman ko na may namumuo na
naman sa gitna ko.
"Oh, yes! Lick me more, please..." I said like I was out of my mind as I
felt this euphoric moment.
Death hardened his tongue and inserted it inside me. He started to fück
me using his tongue and my breathing ragged. Hindi ko na alam kung saan
pa ibabaling ang ulo ko.
His thumb started playing with my clit that made me more crazy. Wala na
ako sa sarili dahil sa mapangahas nyang dila. Mukhang magaling talagang
maglaro ang dila ni Death.
A moment later and I was having my third release. Hingal na hingal ako.
Nakatingin lang ako kay Death na tumayo para hubarin ang pantalon nya.
His eyes never left mine as he removed his boxers. He stood up with his
glory and my lips parted when I saw how big and long it is.
I own him.
He went on top of me and kissed my left cheek. Hindi nya pa rin talaga
ako hinahalikan. Napanguso ako at parang gusto ko nang umiyak. Gusto ko
na kasi talaga syang hawakan at halikan.
"Death, please." I begged again. "I want to hold and touch you."
Mariing tumitig ang mga mata nya sa akin. Nandoon pa din ang galit pero
natabunan na iyon ng pagnanasa. Napaigtad ako nang maramdaman na tumama
ang pagkalalaki nya sa puson ko.
"Have you learned your lesson well, Vexen?" nanunuya nyang tanong.
Tumango ako.
"I-I'm... Ugh!"
"I'm sorry! Fuck!" mabilis kong sabi para masabi ko iyon ng buo nang
hindi umuungol.
"Uulitin mo pa?"
"Sagot!"
"No!" unti unti bumibilis ang paggalaw ni Death. "Hindi na, hindi na. Oh
my God!"
He fondled my breast again and I was so lost in this euphoric second.
Pero sinubukan ko pa ring pakinggan ang sinasabi nya para mawala na ang
galit nya.
"Who owns you? Tell me who fucking owns you, Vexen?" galit at may gigil
nyang tanong. Napapadiin din tuloy ang kanya sa akin kaya mas lalo pa
akong nabaliw.
Tumigil sya para tanggalin ang pagkakatali ng sinturon nya sa kamay ko.
Nang tinignan nya ako ay ngumisi sya.
"Good girl." he said bago dumagan sa akin. "This will hurt a little."
Hindi ko ginawa ang sinabi nya. Merda! Ang sakit naman kasi talaga!
Pakiramdam ko ay may napupunit sa loob ko!
Death held my thighs and spread it wider. Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla
nyang ipinasok ang lahat ng kanya sa gitna ko. Napasigaw ako sa sobrang
sakit!
His tongue delved inside my mouth and I welcomed him with my tongue. Nag
espadahan ang mga dila namin at sabik na sabik kami sa paghahalikan na
parang kay tagal naming hindi nagkita.
Humiwalay ang mga labi nya sa akin at pumwesto ng mas maayos. Hinawakan
nya ang magkabilang mga hita ko at mas ibinuka iyon. He started thrusting
in and out.
Death groaned when my walls clenched around his manhood. Mas bumilis ang
galaw nya at lumalakas na naman ang mga ungol ko. Ilang saglit pa ay
nanginig na naman ang katawan ko. This is my fourth release.
"Fuck, hon." he groaned. Bumibilis na ang galaw nya sa ibabaw ko. Nakita
ko na pulang pula ang dibdib nya hanggang leeg.
"Death..." ang makasalanan kong mga kamay ay hinaplos ang dibdib nya,
pababa ng abs nya. His muscles were so hard that I thought I was holding
a rock. Nagfe-flex pa ang mga abs nya sa bawat pag ulos na ginagawa nya.
Tumigil sya para isampay ang dalawang binti ko sa mga balikat nya. He
pulled me closer and started to thrust hard and fast.
"Oh, shit! Faster, ah!" sinasalubong ko na din ang pag ulos nya.
Nakatitig lang sa akin si Death at hindi nilulubayan ng tingin ang mukha
ko. Alam kong pinapanood nya ang bawat reaksiyon ko.
"Fuck, Vexen! Tangina!" he cursed and I know that he's already near.
"Faster, Death!" I said. Alam kong malapit na din ako. Hindi nya naman
ako binigo at mas binilisan pa ang galaw. "I'm coming!"
"Holy fuck!"
Our bodies shivered at the same time. I felt his load shoots inside me as
I had my fifth release. Ibinaba nya ang mga paa ko at bumagsak sya sa
ibabaw ko. Nakaunan sya sa mga dibdib ko. Agad ko syang niyakap.
Pareho kaming naghahabol ng hininga. I can even feel his own heartbeat.
Katulad iyon ng sa akin. Malakas at mabilis.
I smiled as I remember what happened. He's my first and I'm happy that
he's my first.
"I love you, Death." madamdamin kong sabi. Naramdaman ko ang pagngiti nya
bago sya sumagot.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 20
"Grabe ka magalit."
Umalog ang balikat ni Death na inuunan ng ulo ko nang tumawa sya dahil sa
sinabi ko. We were cuddling in my bed after that breathtaking and out of
the world experience that we did. I just can't believe that I lost my
first time on the sofa.
Really? On the freaking sofa? I imagined back then that I will have my
first on a soft and comfortable bed!
Death brushed my hair with his fingers dahilan para makalimutan ko ang
inirereklamo ng isip ko. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay sobrang hina ko pagdating
sa kanya. Nawawala kasi ako sa katinuan sa simpleng pagdampi lang ng
balat nya sa akin.
That's why it was easy for me to gave me him my first. I just can't get
enough of him. I want to see him everyday, kulang ang araw kapag hindi ko
sya nakikita. I only want the food that he cooks. Wala na akong gana sa
iba pang pagkain na hindi sya ang nagluto. I want to touch and kiss him
all the time. I want him for myself. That's how crazy I am for him.
Yumakap ako sa bewang nya pero napangiwi din dahil naramdaman ko ang
hapdi sa parte ng nasa pagitan ng mga hita ko. My face blushed when I
remember what happened that made me like this.
Sobrang laki at haba naman kasi ng kanya. Mabuti nga at nagkasya pa iyon
sa akin pero feeling ko naman ay isang linggo akong lumpo nito. I enjoyed
what we did but I am not enjoying the aftermath of that lovemaking.
"I don't like people taking what's mine." sabi nya at napanguso ako.
"I told you that he's just my workmate." Hindi nya pa rin talaga
nakakalimutan ang tungkol kay Archer. Pinarusahan nya na nga ako pero may
galit pa rin pala sya.
Bahala na nga.
"Gutom ka na?"
I glared at him. Kita mo 'tong lalaking 'to. Ang dami kong sinabi tapos
ganoon lang ang magiging reaksiyon nya? Naintindihan nya man lang ba ang
gusto kong iparating sa kanya?
"After my dad died, I was always alone." he said while still combing my
hair with his fingers. Nakatingin lang sya sa kisame habang nagkukwento.
"Naiwan sa akin ang tungkulin nya. Even as a young kid, I had to learn
the things that he did to continue our family legacy."
"Akong mag isa ang gumawa noon. Mom tried to talked to me but I shut her
off. Pinagpipilitan nya kasing itigil ko ang tungkulin na iniwan sa akin
ni Dad. But I can't. My Mom remarried and I was all alone. I left my her
when I saw that she's happy with her new family. At simula noon, namuhay
na akong mag isa habang pinagpapatuloy ang tungkulin ni Dad."
Hinaplos ko ang dibdib nya at tumigil ang kamay ko sa tapat ng puso nya
para damhin ang pagtibok noon. His heart is breathing calm and that's
when I knew that he's telling the truth and he's comfortable telling his
life to me.
"And then you came into my life." bumaba ang tingin nya sa akin at
nagtitigan kaming dalawa. "Nasanay na akong palagi kang nandyan. Hindi
buo ang araw ko kapag hindi kita nakikita at nakakausap."
"So when I saw you with that man, natakot ako. Ang akala ko ay kukunin ka
nya sa akin. Akala ko ay maiiwan na naman ako mag isa. And I don't want
that, Vexen. Akin ka lang. Dito ka lang dapat sa tabi ko."
I smiled. Here comes his possessive side again. Gustong gusto ko talaga
kapag ipinagdadamot nya ako. Ganoon din naman kasi ako sa kanya.
Death smiled and it feels like I suddenly became happy too. Napangiti rin
tuloy ako at hinaplos ang pisngi nya.
"Oo. Mukhang nae-enjoy mo nga, eh." I sarcastically said when I felt his
fingers playing with my feminine again.
Katatapos lang namin at masakit pa rin ang ano ko! Nagpahinga lang pala
sya para magbawi ng lakas!
"Death, I'm still sore." reklamo ko when his fingers poke my entrance
earning a moan from my lips. He teased it and I can feel that I am
getting wet again.
Hindi nya pinagkinggan ang pagrereklamo ko. Inalis nya pa ang kumot na
nakatakip sa hubad naming mga katawan at pumaibabaw sya sa akin. His
fingers stroke my core faster this time.
"Uhh... Death..." Merda! Are we going to do it again? But I'm still sore!
Pakiramdam ko ay namamaga pa ang gitna ko!
"Relax, hon. Just let me pleasure you." he said before his head went down
to kiss my lips.
Nawala na naman ako dahil sa paghalik nya. I really like him kissing me.
I don't know. I think I am addicted to his lips. Para iyong drugs na
nagpapawala sa katinuan ko kapag nalalasan ko ang tamis noon.
Nag espadahan ang mga dila namin, tasting and licking each other's
tongue. Our breaths mingled as well as our salivas. Sobrang bango ng
hininga nya at amoy panlalaki pa kaya mas lalo akong nabaliw.
"Ohhh..." ungol ko nang pakawalan nya ang mga labi ko at ang halik nya ay
bumaba sa leeg ko. Nararamdaman ko na naman ang basa nyang dila na
naglalakbay sa leeg ko. His manhood was poking on my tummy. Napakapit
tuloy ako sa batok nya at napasabunot sa buhok nya.
Ang isang kamay nya ay ibinuka ang hita ko nang magdikit iyon dahil
nararamdaman ko na naman ang pamumuo ng kung ano sa may puson ko. He
thrust his finger faster when he saw that I was writhing in anticipation.
Alam nyang malapit na ako kaya mas binilisan nya ang galaw ng daliri nya
at ilang saglit pa ay nanginig na naman ang katawan ko.
I wasn't finished with my release yet when I felt him inserted his
manhood inside me. Napangiwi ako nang makaramdam na naman ng pagkirot
doon.
His thumb played with my clit kaya naigalaw ko tuloy ang balakang ko. The
pain was already gone and I move again para maisagad nya ang kanya sa
loob ko.
Binunot nya ang kanya at dahan dahang ibinaon muli sa loob ko. Napasigaw
ako at inulit nya ulit ang ginawa nya. Dahan dahan ang paghugot at
paglabas ng kanya mula sa akin na nagpapabaliw sa akin.
He stopped and pulled my waist to him. Nang bumunot sya ay napatili ako
nang sagad na sagad ang muling nyang pagbaon.
"You feel so good, hon. I can't get enough of you." Death groaned and
started to thrust. In and out. Hard and fast. Baon baon ang pagkalalaki
nya sa bawat pag ulos na ginagawa nya.
He bend down and suck my hard nipples again. Napayakap ako sa kanya at
iningudngod ang ulo nya sa dibdib ko. Napuno ng ungol at mabibigat na
paghinga namin ang kwarto ko
Death groaned and went faster as I felt him getting bigger inside me.
He's near based on the moan and pace of his thrust. My walls clenched
around his shaft. My moan went louder as I felt my own release again and
I felt him followed after me. Tinanggap ko ang lahat ng nilabas nya.
"Kain na tayo." yaya nya pagkatapos ay hinugot na nya ang kanya sa akin.
Naramdaman kong tumulo pa ang mga katas namin sa ibaba ko.
Tahimik lang akong nakasunod sa likod nya. Sya lang naman kasi ang
nakakaalam ng mga ingredients na bibihin nya para sa mga lulutuin nya.
Kumukuha na lang ako ng mga gusto kong bilhin sa bawat aisle na madadaan
namin.
Napatingin tuloy ako kay Death. Nagsasawa na kaya syang magluto? Gusto
nya kaya ng babaeng marunong sa kusina?
"Do you think I should learn how to cook?" I asked. Kumunot ang noo nya
at agad na umiling.
"I want you to need me in your life, Vexen. Gusto kong maisip mong
kailangan mo ako at hindi mo kayang mabuhay nang wala ako." he said at
nagpatuloy na ulit sa pagtutulak ng cart.
While me? I was standing like an idiot in the middle of the aisle while
still comprehending what he just said. Ayaw nya akong matutong magluto
kasi gusto nyang kailanganin ko sya. Napangiti na lang ako.
Even if I learn how to cook, I will still need him in my life 'cause I
love him. Hindi ko na nga yata kayang mabuhay nang wala sya.
Gabi na nang makaalis si Death sa bahay ko. Nanood na naman kasi sya ng
TV at ako ay tinapos ko na ang nobela ko at ipinasa kay Lindsay para wala
na akong poproblemahin pa. Bahala na sila kung sabay sabay nilang i-
release yung mga chapters o isa isa pa rin kada linggo.
I wore an spaghetti top and a shorts para sa pantulog ko. Mahirap na.
Baka bigla na lang dumating si Archer na mukhang napapadalas dahil may
problema talaga ang loko. Kahit na alam kong magagalit na naman si Death
kapag nalaman nya ang tungkol dito, hindi ko naman gustong pabayaan ang
isang kaibigan na halatang may problema.
I stretched my body and was about to lay on my bed when something caught
my eyes. It was a red light outside that glistened when it hit my sliding
glass door. Napatingin ako doon at napamura nang makita kung ano iyon.
It was obvious that the sniper wanted me to notice him or her. Real
sniper doesn't use laser. Archer taught me that. At hindi ko alam kung
anong gusto ng isang 'to at nagpahalata sa akin.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 21
As my glass door shatters, I felt the pain on my left arm just below my
shoulder. I cursed when I saw my own blood runs down my arm. I felt the
stinging pain on my wound and I cursed more. My urge to kill the one who
did this is so strong.
"Shit!" muli akong napamura nang tumayo ako at sumakit ang kaliwang braso
ko. I glanced on the spot where the bullet came from based on it's
trajectory. Mukhang malapit lang ang sniper base sa pagtagos ng bala sa
dingding ng kwarto ko.
"Yes." I answered. Okay naman talaga ako. Daplis lang ang tama ko.
It was sweet of him to do that. Kahit na nasa ibang bansa sya ay hindi
nya pa rin nakakalimutan ang protektahan ako. Just like back then when we
were still partners on some missions. Pareho talaga sila ni Archer na
itinituring ako bilang nakababatang kapatid nila.
Maybe he asked Shielder to put some alarm on the lock that he installed
on my house doors. Nakakonekta iyon sa computer nya so if someone tries
to break in my house, that alarm will go off on his computer. At ngayong
nabasag ang sliding glass door ko ay tumunog ang alarm na iyon sa
computer nya.
"Treat your wound. I will hack the cameras of the buildings near your
house. Baka magpakita doon ang sniper."
Napatango ako kahit na alam kong hindi nya ako nakikita. Napapasimangot
ako sa mga bubog na nagkalat sa sahig. Iniisip ko pa lang na lilinisan ko
ito ay nag iinit na ang ulo ko.
My eyes stopped on the white square thing that was on the floor.
Nilapitan ko iyon at nakitang isa iyong maliit na papel. I picked it up
and there were words that was written on it. I cursed when I read what it
was.
"No need to hack the cameras, Tracer. I know who the sniper is." gigil
kong sabi habang nilulukot ang papel na nasa kamay ko.
Merda! I didn't expect that they will move this fast! I gritted my teeth
when I remembered the words that was written on the paper.
Hindi plano ng sniper na patayin ako. Gumamit sya ng laser para makita ko
sya at nag iwan ng papel para bigyan ako ng warning. Hindi ko naman alam
kung para saan pa ang mga ito.
Tingin ba nila ay matatakot ako? Mas lalo lang akong nagalit sa ginawa
nila at gusto ko na lang silang pulbusin lahat!
"I think you should get out of your house, V." Tracer tried to suggest.
"Find another place to hide."
"Yes. Pero hindi ako aalis ng Pilipinas. Mabilis akong mahahanap ni Papà
kapag lumabas ako ng bansa." I cursed again. I am now sure that the man
that I saw on the restobar is one of my enemies. Nangyari agad ang ganito
pagkatapos ng engkwentro ko sa kanya.
Kung hindi lang din ako hinahanap ni Papà ay hindi talaga ako magpupunta
dito sa Pilipinas. My enemies were flocked here. At baka nga nagtutulong-
tulong pa sila para patayin ako.
Kaya alam kong hindi talaga maiisip ni Papà na dito ako sa Pilipinas
magtatago dahil sa dami ng kaaway ko dito. But I am more afraid to be
tied on a knot with a stranger than to the people who were trying to kill
me.
"Don't worry. Archer and Shielder were on their way to your house.
Dadalhin ka nila sa ibang ligtas na lugar."
"Okay. Don't end the call. I'll just listen. Hang in there, V, until
Shielder and Archer arrives."
Hinihingal sya at alam kong nagmadali syang pumunta dito. Narinig nya
siguro ang pagkabasag ng salamin ng kwarto ko. Sobrang lakas naman kasi
at feeling ko nga ay umabot pa iyon sa katabing bahay ng kay Death.
His eyes went down and I saw his lips parted when he noticed the
shattered glass on the floor. Naglakbay pa ang tingin nya at tumigil iyon
sa nakabaong bala sa may dingding. It was unnoticeable but he was able to
noticed it. Sa huli ay tumingin sya sa akin at umigting ang panga nya
nang makita ang sugat ko sa braso.
Without saying anything, he made his way towards me. Nagtutunugan ang mga
bubog sa bawat paghakbang nya. He was wearing a shoes kaya hindi
nasugatan ang mga paa nya. Talaga nga sigurong nagmadali syang pumunta
dito kaya hindi na nya natanggal ang sapatos sa labas.
"You're bleeding." mababa ang boses na sabi nya. Hindi ako natakot sa
sniper kanina pero ngayong nakatingin ako sa mga mata ni Death na galit
na nakatitig sa sugat ko ay nagsimula akong kabahan.
"Daplis lang-"
"I'll take you to the hospital." sabi nya na parang walang pakialam sa
opinyon ko. Hinila nya ang kamay kong walang sugat at napa 'aray' ako
nang may matapakan akong bubog.
He just noticed that I'm barefoot when he looked down. Bubuhatin na nya
sana ako nang pigilan ko sya.
His jaw clenched and the anger on his eyes doubled. Alam kong hindi
nakadirekta sa akin ang galit nya kaya matapang kong inangat ang kamay ko
at hinaplos ang panga nyang umiigting.
"Maliit na sugat lang talaga 'to, Death. Magagamot naman agad kahit hindi
na pumunta ng hospital."
Hindi pa rin sya kumakalma kaya lumapit ako sa kanya. Doon ako sa sapatos
nya tumapak at yumakap ako sa may bewang nya para hindi ako mawalan ng
balanse. Tumingala ako sa kanya. I smiled sweetly at him to assure him
that there's really nothing to worry about.
Mas lalo akong napangiti nang bumuntong hininga sya at niyakap ako
pabalik. Nag iingat na huwag matamaan ang sugat ko. Humilig ako sa dibdib
nya at rinig ko ang bilis ng pagtibok ng puso nya.
"Let me treat your wound, at least." bulong nya at tumango ako. "Where's
your first aid kit?"
"Sa cr sa baba."
Hindi na ako umangal pa nang buhatin nya ako. Kumapit ako sa may balikat
nya at isinandal ang ulo ko sa dibdib nya. Doon ko lang napansin ang
cellphone kong nasa sahig at nakakonekta pa rin ang tawag kay Tracer.
"Back off. I'm safe. I'm with someone." malakas kong sabi para marinig ni
Tracer.
Death halted on his steps and looked at me, confusion was on his eyes.
Ngumiti lang ako at umiling bago ibinalik ang ulo ko sa pagkakahilig sa
dibdib nya. Napabuntong hininga ako nang magpatuloy syang maglakad.
I hope that Tracer will understand what I've just said. Well, he is
smart. A genius, rather.
Pinaupo ako ni Death sa may sofa sa sala ng bahay ko. Kinuha nya ang
first aid kit at umupo sa tabi ko para gamutin ang sugat ko. Nandoon pa
din ang galit sa mga mata nya nang muling makita ang maliit na sugat sa
may braso ko. The bleeding stopped but the pain was still there.
"See? I told you. Daplis lang diba?" I even laughed to lighten the air.
He looked so serious while treating my wound. Umiigting pa nga ang panga
nya kapag napapakislot ako sa pagdampi ng bulak sa sugat ko.
He's already done and yet he remained silent. He wasn't saying anything
but judging by the way he clenches his jaw from time to time, I know that
he's mad. Kung sa akin o sa sugat ko ay hindi ko alam.
Naging tahimik ang paligid sa aming dalawa. Hindi ko na kasi alam ang
sasabihin ko. I'm scared that he's mad at me. Anong gagawin ko?Kasalanan
ko bang hindi ko agad nailagan ang bala? Buti nga nakailag pa ako kahit
na huli na kaya daplis lang ang naging tama sa akin.
Napairap na lang tuloy ako. He's being unreasonable. Hindi ba sya masaya
na hindi ako tinamaan sa kahit anong vital points ng katawan ko? Why
isn't he saying anything? Nakaupo lang sya at ang mga siko nya ay
nakapatong sa dalawang tuhod nya. Nakapatong ang noo nya sa mga kamay nya
na parang nag iisip.
But what is it that he just said? His fault? Ang alin? Ang masugatan ako?
He's blaming himself for the shooting that happened in my room. I'm sure
that I was the target and it was because of my enemies and yet Death was
blaming himself. And who are they that he mentioned? May mga kaaway din
ba sya? May kaaway sya at alam na importante ako para sa kanya kaya ako
ang naging target?
No. I am sure na ako ang naging target dahil kaaway ko ang may gawa noon.
They even left a note as a warning.
"I didn't want to involve you in my chaotic life. But what can I do if
you became the air that I breathe? The beating of my heart? I can't lose
you, Vexen. That will be the end of me."
Chaotic life... Anong ibig nyang sabihin? May gusto rin bang pumatay sa
kanya?
"What do you mean?" I asked. Gulong gulo na ang utak ko. Mula sa sniper
na bumaril sa akin hanggang sa mga sinasabi ni Death ngayon ay hindi
kinakaya ng utak ko.
And I realized that I still haven't know him well. Wala pa rin akong
masyadong alam sa kanya.
"Can you trust me on this?" sabi nya nang makita ang pag aalangan at
kaguluhan sa mukha ko. Hindi na ako nag abalang itago ang emosyon ko sa
kanya.
Pero nang mapatingin ako sa mga mata nya ay nakita ko ang katotohanan.
He's being true to me right now. Pero ayaw nyang magtanong ako. Dapat ba
akong magpakatanga at pagkatiwalaan sya?
Nagtatalo ang puso at isip ko. My mind wants me not to trust him. Hindi
pa ganoong kadami ang alam ko sa kanya. At hindi pa huli ang lahat para
lumayo ako sa kanya at iligtas ang sarili ko.
But my heart wants me to trust him. I love him. He's the only man that
made me feel this way. At ang mga panahong nakasama ko sya ay ang mga
panahon kung kailan ako naging pinakamasaya.
Hinawakan nya ang pisngi ko at gusto kong mapapikit nang madama ang init
ng palad nya.
"Mas mahal kita, Vexen. And I can't afford to lose you. I'm going to
protect you. Tiwala mo lang ang kailangan ko." titig na titig sya sa mga
mata ko habang sinasabi iyon. Napapikit na lang ako.
"Anong gagawin mo?" I asked when I opened my eyes. His mismatched eyes
were full determination.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 22
I rolled my eyes when I heard Archer's voice on the other line. He was
screaming and shouting at me ever since I've told him about my decision
to live with Death. Kung nasa harapan nya lang siguro ako ay baka
masabunutan nya pa ako.
Sumama ako kay Death dito sa may safe house nya. Hindi ko na pinag isipan
pa ng matagal dahil alam kong ito rin naman ang gusto ko. Isa pa, I know
that Death is hiding something about himself. At iyon ang gusto kong
malaman.
My instinct was right the first time when I've learned that Death knows
how to stealth walk. Mga hindi ordinaryong mga tao ang nag aaral ng
paglakad ng ganoon. It's either that they've learned it to help or
they've learned it to gain something on their own. Kung alin si Death sa
dalawa ay ang dapat kong alamin.
"You didn't know anything about that man and yet sumama ka sa kanya! You
should've asked Tracer to investigate him first before you made that
decision!"
Kahit naman magdugo ang lalamunan nya at ang bibig nya sa kakasalita ay
wala na rin syang magagawa. I am already here at Death's safehouse
somewhere in Palawan. We left the city immediately when I said that I'll
go with him. Hindi na nga namin nadala ang lahat ng mga gamit namin
papunta dito. Death said that all that we need is already here.
I'm here at the veranda while looking down at Death who's outside the
house and was also talking to someone on the phone. Halos mag isang guhit
na ang makakapal nyang mga kilay habang kausap ang kung sino man na nasa
kabilang linya.
"Don't worry about me, Archer. I trust Death." I said while still staring
at my beloved man. Pinapanood ko kung paano mag iba iba ang ekspresiyon
nya habang nakikipag usap. Pero galit at pagiging seryoso lang ang
nakikita ko sa mukha nya. Malalamig ang tingin nya na kasing lamig ng
hangin na humahampas sa mga balat ko.
He looked very different right now compared when he was with me.
"V, you'll never know who your enemies are and will be. Baka isa ang
lalaking 'yan sa mga taong gustong pumatay sayo. Nagpapanggap lang para
makuha ang tiwala mo."
Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi nya. Iyon din kasi ang isa sa mga
ikinatatakot ko pero ayokong isipin. I don't even want to think ill about
Death. Kahit na normal lang naman iyon lalo pa sa kalagayan ko.
But still, I know that he really loves me. He's true to me. I saw it in
his eyes. He didn't and he will never lie to me.
"He's not like that, Archer. I can assure you that." pinal na sabi ko.
Ayoko nang makipag usap sa kanya kung ganito rin naman ang mga sasabihin
nya. Ayoko nang madagdagan ang mga ikinatatakot ko.
"V..."
I really love Death. Hindi ko kayang isipin na ang mga oras na kasama ko
sya ay puno ng kasinungalingan lang.
I heard Archer sighed. Napangiti na lang ako. Alam kong hindi na nya
ipagpipilitan ang opinyon nya.
"Balitaan mo na lang ako sa araw-araw kung buhay ka pa. Kapag wala akong
natanggap na balita sayo sa loob ng isang araw ay hahanapin ko ang
lalaking 'yan at ako mismo ang papatay sa kanya."
I smiled widely and even laughed a little. Bored na bored kasi ang boses
nya habang sinasabi nya iyon pero kakaiba naman ang meaning ng mga salita
nya. Mas lalo pa akong napatawa nang basta nya na lang pinatay ang tawag.
Napikon siguro. But still, he's sweet and protective. Pakiramdam ko tuloy
ay nagkaroon ako ng mga kuya bukod kay Kuya Vander dahil sa kanilang
dalawa ni Tracer.
Speaking of Kuya Vander, ano na kayang balita sa kanya? Ang huli kong
narinig ay nakalabas na sya sa hospital na pinaggagamutan sa kanya.
Meaning that he's already healed. I'm happy for him and I want to see him
but I know that Papà is watching him as well. Alam nya kasi na malapit
kaming dalawa ni Kuya Vander kaya kahit na gustong gusto ko syang makita
ay hindi ko sya mapuntahan.
I almost jumped when I heard Death's voice behind me followed by his arms
that slowly encircled around my waist. He pulled me closer to him and I
was aware by his body heat that engulfed my entire back. Isinandal ko na
ang katawan ko sa kanya at ipinatong ang mga kamay ko sa nakapalibot
nyang mga braso.
We were both facing the calm ocean in front us us while he's hugging me
on the back. Ang lahat ng mga kinatatakot ko at pinag aalala ko ay
biglang nawala sa simpleng pagkakalapit lang ng mga katawan namin.
"Hmm... Just someone." umangat ang kamay ko para haplusin ang buhok nya
habang nakabaon pa din ang mukha nya sa leeg ko.
"Uh-uh."
Naramdaman kong humigpit ang yakap nya sa bewang ko. I craned my head to
give him the full access on my neck. He inhaled my scent and I sighed by
the sensation that he's starting to give me.
"Thank you for trusting me, Vexen. Someday, I will be able to tell you
everything." he whispered against my skin.
But I'm willing to wait until the day when he can tell me everything.
Makapaghihintay ako kung ang kapalit naman ay ang makilala sya ng
lubusan.
We spend the day cuddling, watching TV, watching movies, swimming and
everything that we can do under the sun dito sa may safehouse nya. Ganoon
ang routine namin sa araw araw. Noong una ay masaya lalo na at kasama ko
sya pero sa nagdaang mga araw ay nagsasawa na ako. Paulit ulit naman
kasi. Hanggang sa nakaisip ako ng bagong gagawin.
"Teach me how to cook." I finally told him one day while he's watching
TV. Nakakunot ang noo nya nang tumingin sa akin.
"What?"
"No." sagot nya at muling ibinaling ang tingin sa TV. I frowned. Doesn't
it sounds nice if he'll teach me how to cook? Talaga bang ayaw nya?
Which it did. I heard him sighed again. That sigh that's telling me that
he'll do what I want.
"I want to cook for you, Death. Ayaw mo bang kumain ng luto ko? My
cooking that's full of love and effort?"
Those words were like a magic to him. Sumigla sya at bumilis ang kilos.
Nauna pa nga sya sa kusina para ihanda ang gagamitin namin.
"Ano ba, Vexen?! Sinabi nang hindi ganyan ang paghawak sa kutsilyo dahil
masusugatan ka!"
I thought that cooking is easy but I was wrong. Sobrang hirap pala lalo
na kung wala ka talagang alam sa kusina. Ilang beses na akong nahiwa at
natalamsikan ng mantika dahil palaging mali ang nagagawa ko. And Death,
being my teacher, is getting frustrated teaching me with each passing
day.
Gigil kong hiniwa ang sibuyas para ilabas doon ang galit ko. Merda! I
thought that this was going to be our bonding time since cooking is his
favorite pero parang naiinis lang yata ako! Wala naman pala kasi akong
talent sa pagluluto!
"Malakas ang apoy mo! Diba sabi ko hinaan mo lang dahil mahihilaw?"
I was about to turn down the heat para matigil na ang pag iingay ni Death
pero masyado nga yata talaga akong tanga sa loob ng kusina dahil
nahawakan ko ang mainit na kawali. I yelped!
"Ouch!"
"Vexen!"
Lumapit si Death at kinuha ang kamay kong nasaktan. Sinuri nya iyon at
pinalapit ako sa may gripo para palamigan iyon ng tubig.
"I can't believe you managed to live alone for two years. Hindi ka naman
pala maalam sa pagluluto."
Alright. Okay. This will be the only time that I'm going to admit it.
Wala talaga akong talent sa pagluluto. Ayoko na. Sinasaktan ko lang ang
sarili ko kaya tatanggapin ko na lang ang katotohanang iyon at hindi na
pipilitin ang sarili kong mag aral na magluto.
Death laughed at me which made me glared at him. Ngumisi sya kaya mas
lalo akong nainis. Ang lakas nya talagang mang asar!
"If you just tried to learn how to cook when you were younger, hindi ka
na sana naghihirap ngayon." sabi nya at mas lalong tumawa.
Wala na! Nakahanap na naman sya ng kaligayahan nya sa pang aasar sa akin!
Pinatay ni Death ang gripo at pinunasan ang kamay ko. Kinuha nya ang
ointment sa may first aid kit na palaging nandoon sa malapit at abot-
kamay lang kapag nagluluto ako. Palagi nga kasi akong napapaso at
nanhihiwa.
Death applied the ointment on my fingers. He looked serious but his eyes
were dancing with amusement. I just rolled my eyes.
"My father forced me to a fix marriage." pag amin ko. Ngayon ko pa lang
ito masasabi sa kanya.
Death stilled. Ilang segundo syang napatigil bago nya inangat ang mukha
nya sa pagkakayuko at nagtama ang mga mata namin. I saw confusion on his
eyes so I continued.
"You were forced?" muling tanong ni Death na hindi pa rin gumagalaw mula
sa pagkakatulala. I frowned. He's being weird.
"Oo nga! Kaya umalis talaga ako sa bahay. Ayokong magpakasal sa taong di
ko naman kilala."
I saw his jaw clenched. Napahigpit ang kapit nya sa kamay ko kaya napa-
aray ako. Doon lang sya natauhan at pinagpatuloy ang paggagamot sa nga
daliri ko.
"What if he's buff now?" Death asked without looking at me. "What if he's
muscular, now? Will you marry him, now?"
I laughed. "Ano bang klase tanong nyan? The issue wasn't about if he's
muscular or not. The issue was about he's a stranger to me. At ayokong
makulong sa kasal sa taong wala akong kaalam-alam at hindi ko mahal."
Death didn't say anything after that. Would he believe it? Para naman
kasing hindi kapani-paniwala. Fixed marriage isn't a thing on this
generation anymore. Kung noon ay uso iyon, ngayon ay hindi na. Kaya
maiintindihan ko kung hindi ako paniniwalaan ni Death.
I just told him the truth 'cause I know that it's unfair. I'm trying to
know everything about him but I never really try to show him the real me.
Now that he knows that I already have a fiancè, what would he do?
"I really thought that you love the guy." mahinang sabi nya. I laughed
again at that ridiculous comment of him. But something is not right.
"No! He's thin nga and has a soft voice. Pakiramdam ko ay ako pa ang
magliligtas sa kanya if anything bad happens."
What, Death? What were you thinking? I really hope that I'll be able to
know everything about you. I want to love you fully.
"A penny for your thoughts?" ginaya ko ang tanong nya kanina?
---
Short ud.
Vote and comment.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 23
Days passed like a blur. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang araw na kaming
nandito. Maybe two weeks? A month? I have no idea. All I know is I'm
enjoying my everyday with Death beside me.
I talked to Tracer and he said that he already know who the sniper was.
It was the man that I saw on the resto bar, as what I've suspected.
Hinahanap nya pa rin pala kahit na sinabi kong hindi naman kailangan. He
even asked L for help dahil masyado daw magaling ang sniper at naiwasan
ang lahat ng CCTV sa area. Hindi ko alam kung paano nila nalaman ang
identity ng sniper kung ganoong hindi naman pala nagpakita ang lalaki sa
mga CCTV.
But since he had L's help, hindi malabong hindi nila makilala ang sniper.
They were both a pro when finding information about everything. Kung may
gusto kaming malaman ay sa kanila kami lumalapit.
Tracer is a man with a few words and looked wicked and tricky but I
prefer asking him for help when it comes about those things. Ayoko kasi
kay L. He has this aura around him that makes anyone wanna avoid him.
He's sly, devious and manipulative. Kahit ang tingin nya ay iniiwasan ko.
I decided to play this game with him. Gusto ko kasing mas makilala ko pa
sya at inuunti unti kong malaman kung sino talaga sya sa paggamit ng
larong ito.
"Their eyes." he answered. Parehas kami. Noong una ko rin syang nakita ay
ang mga mata nya agad ang tinignan at nakita ko. Agaw-pansin talaga ang
mga mata nyang magkaiba ang kulay. But his mismatched eyes are my most
favorite eyes in the whole wide world.
"One."
I smiled. He's telling the truth. Palagi sya ang gumagawa ng lahat kapag
magkasama kami. Halos linisin nya na nga rin ang buong bahay ko. Ako
talaga yung tamad.
"Isa lang."
Natigilan ako. Normal lang naman ang pagsagot nya pero hindi ko alam kung
bakit pakiramdam ko ay namula ang mukha ko. May isang senaryo kasi ang
pumasok sa isip ko.
"When I'm with you." Ako din naman. I just want to cuddle all day when
I'm with him.
"Pinaka masaya mong araw?"
Mabilis akong tumango sa kanya. I've already learned a lot about him
anyway. He's independent. He likes to do things alone. He's not used to
asked anyone for help. Hihingi lang sya ng tulong kapag kailangan na nya
talaga but if he can do it alone, then he will do it alone.
I've also learned that Death is a serious person kahit na hindi ganoong
kahalata kapag magkasama kami. Nalaman ko lang dahil sa mga sagot na
binigay nya. He doesn't have many friends. Ang itinuring nya lang na
totoong kaibigan ay ang mga kabanda nya at ang dalawang taong nakilala
nya dahil sa trabaho nya dati.
"Saging o talong?"
Nakita kong bahagyang umangat ang gilid ng labi nya sa naging sagot ko
pero bumalik din sa pagiging seryoso ang mukha nya. What was that smile
for?
"Light off."
I heard him tsked. "Light's on for me. I love to see your every
reaction."
"Umuulan o umaaraw?"
"Umaaraw." he tsked again and mumbled something about the heat. Mainit
daw kapag maaraw.
"Mabagal o mabilis?"
"Ilalim o ibabaw?"
I gasped! I knew it! May kakaiba nga sa mga tanong nya! Sinubukan kong
alalahanin ang mga tinanong nya at alam kong nagkulay kamatis agad ang
mukha ko.
"Chocolates." naiinis kong sabi pero mas lalo lang nagpakita ang ngisi
nya.
"Both. You can eat chocolates while having sex. Let's try that next
time."
Pinalo ko sya sa dibdib na ikinatawa nya. Hinuli nya ang mga kamay ko at
pinasandal ang ulo ko sa may dibdib nya.
"Rough or smooth?"
"Death!" napaalis pa ako sa dibdib nya para sawayin sya. Malakas syang
tumawa and I saw amusement in his eyes.
"Come on. Just answer it, Vexen." natatawa pa ring sabi nya.
"What? There's no rule that I can't ask this question so answer it, hon."
"Vexen..." he warned.
Ayan na. 'Pag ganyan na ang tono nya ay alam kong dapat ko na syang
sundin. Nakakahiya naman kasing sagutin ang sagot nya! But still, I must
and should answer it. I heaved a deep breath.
"Rough." mahina kong sabi at ibinaon ang mukha ko sa leeg nya. Narinig ko
na naman ang pagtawa nya.
"Death naman, eh." naiiyak ko nang reklamo sa kanya. I was wrong. He's
not a serious person. Not at all!
"Both." sya na ang sumagot para sa akin kaya hinampas ko na naman ang
dibdib nya.
"Kainis!"
His laugh was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Mabilis akong
umalis sa kandungan nya dahil naiinis ako sa pagtawa nya and at the same
time ay naiilang dahil nararamdaman kong may tumutusok sa mga hita ko.
I was stunned when I saw who just rung the doorbell. Mukhang nagulat din
sya nang makilala ako pero mabilis din syang nakabawi.
"I was curious why he asked the same thing that Tracer asked for my help
about you. I think I know the reason, now."
"L..."
Tumingin sya sa likod ko at alam kong nakatayo na doon si Death. Pero
hindi ko magawang lumingon. The fact that we both know a mutual person is
so unbelievable for me. Lalo pa at hindi lang isang ordinaryong tao si L.
"Ferrante." he greeted Death. Ang dami kong gustong itanong sa kanya pero
hindi ko magawang magsalita. I was too stunned to even react.
How did he know Death? Matagal na ba silang magkakilala? And Death asked
for his help? Ibig sabihin ay alam ni Death ang isa pang trabahong
ginagawa ni L?
L took out some papers and place it on the center table in front of us.
Sa isang tingin ko pa lang ay nakita ko ng isa iyong profile ng sniper na
bumaril sa akin nung gabing iyon.
Nasa harap namin ang isang papel na may larawan ni Liam Ortega kasama na
ang mga impormasyon nya doon. I gritted my teeth and my hands were balled
on a fist.
"The night at the restobar. That was the first time that I saw him."
Tumango si Death sa sinabi ko. Nakita nya ang katotohanan sa mga mata ko.
Hindi ko na rin namang kinailangang magsinungaling dahil iyon naman
talaga ang totoo.
"Hindi ko din sya kilala." Death told L. "Why would he targeted Vexen,
then?"
Galit ang mga matang ipinukol ko kay L nang tumingin sya sa akin. There
was no emotion that I can read on his face. Isa ito sa pinakaayaw ko sa
kanya. Ang hirap nyang basahin kaya madali syang makapanloko ng ibang
tao.
"Maybe you pissed him off?" he said that made my anger boil. Alam kong
may ideya syang hindi pa alam ni Death kung sino ako. But what he's doing
right now isn't helping me.
"Could you investigate more about him, L?" Death asked. "Find out why he
tried to kill Vexen and also if he has any accomplices."
Tumango lang si L at niligpit ang mga gamit nya. Ibinalik nya iyon sa
briefcase nya at tumayo para magpaalam.
I ran after him outside and I just saw him leaning on the hood of his
car. Mukhang alam nyang susundan ko talaga sya. Mabuti na lang at pumayag
si Death na sundan kong mag isa si L nang sinabi kong may sasabihin pa
ako sa kanya.
"How did you know him?" bungad na tanong ko kay L nang makalapit ako sa
kanya.
He lazily reached inside his pocket and took out a cigarette. Sinindihan
nya iyon mismo sa harapan ko at nagbuga pa ng usok. Pinigilan ko ang
sarili kong bayagan sya sa sobrang inis.
"I can't and I won't tell you." sabi lang nya at muling humithit sa
sigarilyo.
"You know that I will not answer your question, V. Why don't you ask him
yourself?"
"I'm afraid that I'm right. Mas lalong gumugulo ang sitwasyon namin."
He puffed a cigarette again. I walked a step away with him. Ayokong mag
amoy usok ng sigarilyo.
"Then why are you still with him?" he asked. "Magulo na pala ang
sitwasyon nyo. I know you as a person who will run away instead of fixing
things when it gets messy."
Nakakainis man pero alam kong tama sya. I ran away when I started to have
more and more enemies when I was in the Philippines back then. I also ran
away when my Papà forced me on a fixed marriage. Hindi ako kailanman
gumawa ng hakbang para ayusin ang mga bagay sa buhay ko. I just let them
the way they were.
He laughed without humor. "Don't you think that it was just an excuse
that you tell to yourself? You just wanted to be with him. And because of
your selfishness, nadamay sya sa magulo mong buhay."
Naikuyom ko ang mga palad ko dahil sa sinabi nya. I really hate him. I
hate his guts.
"How sure are you?" he's wearing a sly smile on his face. "What if he's
just an ordinary person trying to asked for my help because someone had
tried to kill his girlfriend? What if he will become one of the
casualties one day because of the wrong decisions that you made?"
"Shut up." gigil kong sabi. Tumawa lang sya na parang tuwang-tuwa pa sa
naging reaksiyon ko.
"I'm not your enemy here, V. Although I don't like you." Basta nya na
lang initsa ang dulo ng sigarilyo sa kung saan. "Try to fix your fucked
up life first before you live with someone. Believe me. You will regret
it if something bad happens to him because of you."
And what he said made me think about things. How am I supposed to fix my
life? Masyado nang magulo ang buhay ko at hindi ko alam kung makakaya ko
pa bang ayusin iyon.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 24
Warning: Spg
---
I yelped when Death pulled me the moment that I stepped my foot inside
his safe house and he pinned me against the closed door. My eyes widened
as I was surprised by his rough move and the intensity of his mismatched
eyes while staring down on me.
"What?"
L has a point. What if Death isn't really what I think he is? Paano kung
paranoid lang ako? Paano kung nag-ooverthink lang ako sa katauhan nya
dahil hindi ganoong karami ang alam ko sa kanya? And he promised me that
he'll tell me everything one day. I love him so I should trust and wait
for him until he's ready, right?
That's why I decided to fix my life first so I can be with Death without
any worries that someone will just stab me on the back. Tama nga si L. I
shouldn't ran away this time. I should face my problem and try to solve
it. Para hindi na madamay si Death. Kahit na naiinis ako kay L ay palagi
namang may punto ang mga sinasabi nya.
Saka ko na lang siguro iisipin ang mga iyon kapag naiayos ko ang magulo
kong buhay.
"Sagot, Vexen." madiin na sabi ni Death. There's his warning tone again.
"Saglit lang kaming nag-usap. Nagpahangin lang ako kaya hindi agad ako
pumasok." kalmado kong paliwanag sa mga mata nyang nag-aapoy.
Idinikit nya ang katawan nya sa akin at hindi ko alam kung bakit bumilis
ang tibok ng puso ko sa pagkasabik. Imbes na matakot ay ikinawit ko pa
ang mga braso ko sa leeg nya at hinila sya palapit sa akin. Halos hindi
na makadaan ang hangin sa pagitan naming dalawa.
"Are you telling the truth?" he asked when his face came near me. Sobrang
lapit na ng mga labi namin sa isa't isa na kapag nagsasalita sya ay halos
magdikit na iyon.
Mas lumapit pa ang mukha nya sa akin at ang akala ko ay hahalikan nya ako
pero idinikit nya ang bibig sa tenga ko. He kissed it before he
whispered.
"Good girl."
I heaved a sigh when his breath tickled my ears. I felt his hands touched
the sides of my waist as he looked into my eyes.
"I'll prove to you that you can eat chocolate while having sex." he
whispered huskily before he claimed my lips.
Agad akong tumugon sa mga halik nya. Naging marahas ang paghalik namin at
halos panggigilan ang mga labi ng isa't isa. I pulled him more and
deepened the kissed as I bit his lower lip. He moaned which quickly died
inside my mouth.
Oh my goodness, that was so hot! I think that his moan is enough to make
me feel wet down there!
Kinakapos na ako ng hininga pero ayaw kong itigil ang halikan namin.
Inilagay ko pa ang kamay ko sa likod ng ulo nya at hinila palapit sa akin
para mas lumalim ang halik. Nanggigigil nyang kinagat ang pang ibabang
labi ko at marahang hinila iyon gamit ang mga ngipin nya.
Kumuha lang kami ng hangin nang maghiwalay ang mga labi namin pero muli
ding nagdikit.
I felt his hands caressed the curves of my waist before he tugged the end
of my top and quickly removed it. Isinunod nyang hinubad ang polo nya at
nahantad sa akin ang perpekto nyang katawan. Sa bawat paghihiwalay ng mga
labi namin kapag naghuhubad kami ng damit ay muli din iyong nagdidikit na
para bang hindi namin kayang maghiwalay.
"Ohh, Death. . ." his body was pressed against mine and I can already
feel the buldge on his pants.
Naramdaman kong humahaplos ang mainit nyang mga kamay sa bewang ko bago
nya iyon inangat papunta sa dibdib ko. He expertly removed my bra and
throw it somewhere as his kiss began to travel down my neck.
I saw the desire on his eyes as he stared down on my naked body. Kung
dati ay nahihiya pa ako kapag ganito sya makatingin sa akin pero ngayon
ay hindi na. I like the look on his eyes which made me feel like I'm the
most beautiful woman alive.
Umangat ang tingin nya papunta sa mga mata ko at sinalubong ko ang nag
aapoy nyang tingin. Nakaawang ang mga labi ko habang nakatitig sa kanya
para habulin ang hiningang naubos ko dahil sa paghahalikan namin.
"Sex and chocolate." sabi nya at ipinakita sa akin ang isang lalagyan ng
chocolate syrup. "I'll lick this off your body."
"Ahh. . ." I moaned as I felt the chocolate syrup flow down my core. I
looked at Death habang patuloy nyang nilalagyan ng syrup ang nasa pagitan
ng mga hita ko.
"N-no. . ." kinakabahan kong sabi habang hinihintay ko kung anong gagawin
nya.
This is the first time that he did this and I'm so confused on what to
feel. I am getting excited but at the same time, scared on what he would
do.
Napaangat ang ulo ko para panoorin sya sa ginagawa nya. Nanindig ang mga
balahibo ko nang makita ko syang sarap na sarap habang inaalis ang
chocolate syrup na nakapalibot sa dalawang dibdib ko. Salit-salitan nyang
dinidilaan iyon at damang dama ko ang ginagawa nya sa katawan ko ngayon.
"Hmmm. . ." I heard him moaned like he's enjoying this pero ako ay halos
mabaliw na. Napasabunot na ako sa buhok nya sa sobrang pagkabaliw na
nadarama ko.
He licked his way down to my tummy, licking and removing the syrup on
it's path. Naitakip ko na lang ang dalawang kamay ko sa mukha ko habang
patuloy na naghahabol ng hininga.
"Death, no. . ." I whispered as he hold both of my thighs and spread them
wider. Hindi ko na alam kung narinig nya pa ang pagtutol ko dahil sobrang
hina noon at nagtunog na ungol lang.
But I like what he's doing to me. It's making me feel excited and needy.
"Look at me, honey. . ." malambing na sabi nya kaya tinanggal ko ang mga
kamay ko sa mukha ko para tignan nya. I saw him kneeling, his face was
only inches apart of my core. "Watch me as I lick you off."
"Oh my God!" naisigaw ko na lang nang sinimulan nyang dilaan ang gitna
ko.
"Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Yeah. . . Just like that." nagdedeliryo ko nang
sabi.
Wala na ako sa sarili ko. His tongue can really make me feel like I'm on
a cloud nine. That's why when his tongue began it's work around my body,
namamalayan ko na lang na nawawala na ako sa sarili ko.
Kahit ang katas na inilibas ko ay inubos din ni Death. Hindi sya tumigil
hangga't hindi nya naiinom ang lahat ng patak. Pagkatapos ay umangat sya
at muli akong hinalikan sa mga labi.
I tasted the chocolate syrup and my juice on his mouth which made me feel
hot again. Tinulungan ko sya sa pagtatanggal ng pangbaba nya hanggang sa
mahantad ang hubad nyang katawan sa akin. He stroke his manhood first
before he entered me.
"Death!"
"Oh, fuck!"
Sabay naming sigaw nang maramdaman namin ang isa't isa. My legs wrapped
around his waist as he started to thrust inside me.
"Ohhh. . ."
Napayakap ako sa katawan nya nang bumilis ang pagbayo nya. I am starting
to lose myself again when I felt the pleasure of out of this world
experience that Death is making me feel.
Umayos sya ng pwesto at isinampay ang mga binti ko sa mga balikat nya
then he started to move rough. Sagad na sagad ang kanya sa bawat
pagbayong ginagawa nya at napapaungol na lang ako dahil sa sobrang
pagkabaliw.
"You really want it rough. Shit. . ." he said and his husky voice added
on the tension that starting to build on my tummy again.
"Faster, Death! Harder!" I chanted and he did what I said. Bumilis ang
paggalaw nya at baon na baon pa din ang pag ulos nya sa akin. "Ohhh yeah!
Just like that! Ahhhh. . ."
"Ohhh, shit! Death!" impit na tili ko nang may magsimula na namang mamuo
sa loob ko.
Ilang sandaling tumigil si Death para ibaba ang mga binti ko at yumakap
sa katawan ko. My legs wrapped on his waist when he started to move
inside me again.
Hindi ako tinigilan ni Death nang araw na 'yon hangga't hindi sya
napapagod. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilan beses kong naramdamang nanginig
ang katawan ko dahil sa ginagawa nya. Ang akala ko nga ay wala syang
kapaguran pero nang humiga sya sa kama after he had our fifth round that
day, he finally let me rest and he fell asleep beside me on the bed.
Pagod na pagod ako and my whole body felt heavy and sore pero hindi agad
ako nakatulog. Gising na gising ako habang si Death ay tulog na tulog sa
tabi ko.
I almost jumped when I heard my phone rang. Mabilis ko iyong kinuha sa
table na nasa tabi lang ng kama at sinagot iyon para hindi magising si
Death.
"Nasaan ka?" he asked and I could almost hear the panic in his voice. I
frowned.
"Sa safehouse ni Death." Alam nya naman ang tungkol dito kaya bakit nya
pa ulit tinatanong?
"You have to get out of there and come back to Manila." his voice was
very serious when he said that. At minsan nya lang gamitin ang ganitong
tono.
"What? Why? What happened?" sunod sunod kong tanong. Nagsimula akong
kabahan pero mas dumoble iyon nang muli syang magsalita.
"Your father found out that you're here in the Philippines, V. And he's
on his way to your house in Manila."
Merda!
----
Lady Hiro
Chapter 25
"What?" halos hindi ko na humihingang sabi. I'm not even sure if Archer
heard that.
"You need to get out of there, quick, V." Archer said firmly. "You're
father is on your way to your house as we speak."
Ibinuka ko ang bibig ko para magsalita pero wala namang lumabas na boses
doon kaya muli ko ring isinara. Merda! I have no idea what to do! My mind
is on a haze and I can't seem to think straight!
And now he's here, I don't have anywhere to go. Kapag lumabas pa ako ng
bansa ay mabilis nya akong mahahanap. Dito lang naman ako nakapagtago ng
matagal dahil alam kong hindi nya maiisip na nandito ako.
I know that I can't hide from him forever but this is just too sudden.
Just a while ago, I was happy making love with Death but now. . . I felt
like my happiness was taken away from me.
Hindi ko kaya.
Napatingin ako kay Death na payapang natutulog sa kama. Hindi man lang
sya gumalaw at mukhang tulog na tulog talaga. Wala man lang syang
kamalay-malay sa kung anong pinoproblema ko ngayon.
"You know that you can hide forever, V. Alam mong darating ang araw na
'to. It's been two years. Dapat matagal mo na 'tong napaghandaan." dinig
ko ang inis sa boses ni Archer habang sinasabi ito. "Just get out of
there. Susunduin kita gamit ang chopper ko para mas mabilis tayong
makarating pabalik ng Maynila."
Napapikit ako nang tumulo ang isang butil ng luha mula sa mga mata ko. I
can't believe that I'm crying! Just thinking of leaving Death really
breaks my heart! Hindi ko kaya! Hindi ko talaga kaya!
Why does it have to happen now? Hindi ba pwedeng bukas na lang? I wanted
to open my eyes and see his face first thing in the morning. I wanted to
eat breakfast with Death. I still wanted to drink coffee with him while
watching TV.
"V. . . I know you're hurting but please, try to think straight. If you
will not get out of there, your father will most likely find out where
you were in no time. Malalaman nya ang tungkol kay Death. Baka mas lalo
pang magkagulo. So please, subukan mong gawin ang pinakamaayos na
paraan."
He has a point. Kapag hindi nya ako nakita sa bahay ko ay malalaman nyang
wala ako doon. Hahanapin na naman nya ako at malalaman din nya ang
tungkol kay Death. I don't even want to think what he would do once he
finds out about him.
"Your best option is to meet your father and talk to him. Maybe he'll
call off your engagement if you tell him that you have a man whom you
wanted to marry." pangungumbinsi pa sa akin ni Archer.
Malabo but it's worth a try. Hindi habang buhay ay makakapagtago ako. My
father has a connection to everything and he will easily find me ngayong
nandito na sya sa Pilipinas. Mas mabuti nang harapin ko sya, kaysa sa
malaman nya ang tungkol kay Death nang hindi ako ang nagsasabi sa kanya.
Alam kong pipilitin nya pa din akong magpakasal so I will tell him about
Death.
Nag iwan ako ng isang note sa bedside table para agad nyang mabasa
pagkagising nya. I told him that I just have to go somewhere, pero
babalik din ako. I turned off my phone dahil alam kong tatawagan nya ako
at hindi ako makakapag-sinungaling sa kanya.
He's wearing a while button down polo and a black wristwatch on his left
wrist. Naka-black pants din sya at naka boots. He's also wearing an
aviator sunglasses and I can't help but to notice how good looking he is.
Doon na ako sa may cockpit umupo sa tabi ni Archer since his chopper
doesn't need a co-pilot. Sya lang naman ang maalam magpaandar ng ganitong
sasakyan sa mga kakilala ko. He expertly maneuvered the throttle and
controlled the chopper like he's been doing this all his life.
Walang nagsasalita sa amin sa byahe kaya pumikit na lang ako. Hindi pa
din sumisikat ang araw. I think it's only two in the morning anyway. Wala
pa akong tulog at masakit pa ang katawan ko dahil sa ginawa namin ni
Death kanina. Pero nakakalimutan ko ang sakit ng katawan ko kapag
naaalala ko kung anong kahaharapin ko pagbalik ko ng Maynila.
The ride only took two hours. Mabilis akong bumaba ng chopper pagkalapag
pa lang helipad ng isa sa tallest building sa Maynila. Pinigilan naman
ako ni Archer sa pagkataranta ko.
"Your MV Agusta is in the basement, V." he said and tossed me the key of
my motorcycle.
I cursed when I saw a car that was parked in front of my house. Sa labas
ng sasakyan ay nakatayo ang driver ni Papà na napatingin sa akin pagka-
park ko ng MV Agusta ko. Napatingin ako sa salamin ng veranda ng kwarto
ko at nagtaka nang makitang gawa na ang glass door doon.
Patakbo akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay ko pero napatigil din nang makita
ang likod ni Papà na nakaupo sa pang isahang sofa. I heaved a deep breath
as I walked towards him.
"Papà." I greeted him and casually gave a kiss on his cheeks. Pero sa
loob ng dibdib ko ay sobrang bilis na ng pagtibok ng puso ko.
My father is here. He's real.
Umupo ako sa may pahabang sofa sa may gilid nya. Napansin ko ang isang
tasa ng kape na nakalapag sa may center table. He must've used the coffe
that Death gave me back then. Hindi pa rin kasi iyon nauubos.
Death. . .
"How are you, my daughter?" my father asked and took the cup of coffee
and sipped on it. Ni hindi man lang sya tumingin sa akin sa buong
minutong ginawa nya iyon.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at me. "Did you have fun hiding away
from me for two years?"
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa tanong nya. Kaswal lang iyon pero kilala ko
ang ama ko. I know that he's fuming mad inside. Mamaya lang ay siguradong
sasabog na ito.
"Yes. I had fun." away from you. Pero hindi ko na nagawang idugtong iyon.
Inilapag nyang muli ang tasa ng kape sa may center table. He rested his
back on the backrest of the sofa that he's sitting on. Itinukod nya ang
isang siko sa may armrest noon at ipinatong ang baba nya sa kamao nya.
"You had your fun. I gave you your freedom for two years. Now, let's go
back to Italy and you should marry the second son of the Mancini.
"My decision is still the same when I left the Italy, Papà." matapang
kong sabi kahit na sa totoo ay gusto kong manginig. "I will not marry the
second son of the Mancini."
No. Of course not. Hindi sya pupunta dito para lang tanggapin ang
desisyon kong ito. I know my father. He's still the man who killed my pet
dog in front of me just to teach me how to kill a living thing without
remorse. Without any emotions.
"I won't make you marry him, then." he said as he put down the cup of
coffee.
"By the way, Vander is fully healed." my father said so my eyes snapped
back to him. "He's living in our house in Sicily."
Mas lalo akong natuwa dahil doon. Totoo ngang nakalabas na nga sya ng
mental institution! He's okay now! My Kuya Vander is okay now!
Gusto kong maiyak sa sobrang saya. I wanted to see my Kuya Vander, too!
It's been so long since the last time that I saw him! Two years na din
ang nakalilipas. Galit kaya sya sa akin? I left him when he needed me the
most. Iniwan ko sya gayong hindi pa sya magaling at nagpapagaling pa
lang. He fought his own battle all alone.
I felt like I'm a horrible sister.
"I promised him that I'll take you back with me to Sicily. Do you still
want to go back home?" my father asked.
Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong isasagot ko. Parang kanina lang ay nag
iisip pa ako kung paano mapipilit si Papà na hindi ako ipakasal sa anak
ng mga Mancini. Nag iisip pa ako kanina kung paanong muling makakabalik
kay Death na natutulog sa may safehouse. And now that I was given a
choice, I have no idea what to choose.
"You don't need to comeback if you don't want to. Vander will take care
of everything." sabi ni Papà at napatingin ako sa kanya.
Napakunot ang noo ko. Anong si Kuya Vander na ang bahala sa lahat?
Nagsimula akong kabahan. I don't think I will like where this is going.
"What?!"
"You will leave the El Ordre and Vander will replace your position. He
will do all the things that you've done and he will continue your
mission."
"No!" naisigaw ko na. "I won't let you do that, Papà! He just got healed!
Maybe, he wasn't fully healed yet but even so, I won't let you make him
join the El Ordre!"
"Then marry the second son of the Mancini!" natigilan ako nang sumigaw
din sya. "Marry him and I won't do that to Vander!"
"I am not. You have a choice to choose from, Vexen. If you will not marry
the son of the Mancini then I'll make Vander join the organization. If
you will marry the son of the Mancini and Vander will have his peaceful
life."
I gritted my teeth. How could I even forget what my father could do? He's
cruel. He has no remorse. Kung anong gusto nya ay iyon ang masusunod. At
kung ayaw ng isang tao sa gusto nya ay gigipitin nya iyon hanggang sa
pumayag. Just like what he's doing to me.
He knew how important my Kuya Vander is to me. Alam ko din kung gaano
kahirap ang mga misyon na pinapagawa ng El Ordre. Magiging magulo ang
buhay ni Kuya Vander kapag nakasali na sya. At natatakot ako dahil baka
bumalik ang sakit nya sa oras na makahawak ulit sya ng baril.
I don't want to see him like that again. Full of blood, bruises and
almost lifeless. Good thing that Helios Gallagher agreed not to kill my
Kuya Vander. Basta lang daw ay huwag na itong magpapakita sa pamilya nya.
He was like a corpse, but still breathing. At ayoko nang maulit pa ulit
iyon.
"I have someone that I love, Papà. He's the only one that I want to marry
and spend my life with."
Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata nya nang sabihin ko iyon. He looked so
shocked. Hindi ba nya inakala na magmamahal ako ng isang lalaki? Na pag
aalayan ko ng buhay ko?
I, as well, didn't think of that back then. Halos wala nga sa isip ko
yan. Ang gusto ko lang ay may maipakilala kay Papà, kahit na hindi ko
naman mahal, para lang hindi matuloy ang kasal. But Death made me fall
inlove with him, hard.
"Please, Papà. Don't make me marry any other guy if it wasn't the man
that I love." I begged.
Nakita ko ang emosyong dumaan sa mga mata ng ama ko. Umasa ako na sana ay
hindi na nya ituloy ang pagpapakasal ko sa mga Mancini pero agad din
nawala ang emosyon na iyon sa mga mata nya.
"You've changed." I said while staring at him with my teary eyes. "Ever
since Mom died, you treated me like a robot. Like a killing machine.
Papà, I have feelings, too."
Nakatitig lang ang ama ko sa akin. Hindi ko mabasa ang nasa isip nya. Oo
nga pala. Nakalimutan kong naging myembro din sya ng El Ordre. He also
knows how to hide his emotions really well.
I have to choose.
"Give me one week." I saw the confusion in my father's eyes when I speak.
"One week to be with man that I love. After that, then I'll go back to
Italy."
"One day." sabi nya na mas nagpaluha sa akin. "One day, Vexen."
"But-"
"I gave you two years already for your freedom, my daughter. One day.
Then you'll go back with me to Sicily." sabi nya at tumayo na.
Napatigil sya sa sinabi kong iyon. Mahina lang pero punong puno naman
emosyon. Nakatalikod na sya sa akin kaya hindi ko makita ang reaksiyon
nya.
I never cried when my father killed my pet dog in front of me. I never
cried out of pain when a bullet pierce through my skin. I never cried
when Kuya Vander didn't recognized me.
Ngayon na lang ulit. Just because of Death. Isipin ko lang na malayo ako
sa kanya ay para na akong pinapatay.
Bakit ganoon? Kung kailan ka nagiging masaya ay saka naman babawi ang
tadhana at sasaktan ka ng sobra?
Humigpit ang yakap sa akin ni Archer nang mas lumakas ang hagulgol ko
dahil sa naalala. I only have one day to be with the man that I love.
Chapter 26
Gulong-gulo ako at kung ano-ano ang pumapasok sa isip ko. I can't accept
the fact that after two years of hiding, I still have to marry the man
that my father wanted me to marry. I only saw that man once so he's still
a total stranger to me. Wala akong alam sa kanya na kahit na ano. Bukod
sa sya ang pangalawang anak ng mga Mancini. At payat pa.
Merda! I am not this weak! I'm strong! I'm a vixen! And yet, I felt like
all my energy has been drained after the talked that I had with my father
Papasikat pa lang ang araw nang ihatid ako ni Archer at ibaba ilang metro
ang layo sa may safehouse. Agad din naman syang umalis at hindi na talaga
ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na pasalamatan sya.
I wonder if Death is already awake? O tulog pa kaya sya?
Apat...
Nakarating ako sa may pinto at pipihitin na sana iyon nang mauna iyong
bumukas. My lips parted when I saw Death on the other side of the door
who looked like he just woke up. His hair was in a mess and his shirt
wasn't even properly put on. It's like he got out of the bed and got
dressed on a rush.
Pero alam kong hindi pwede. Mahahanap pa rin kami ni Papà. Death might do
something about it pero kilala ko ang ama ko. Alam ko ang mga ginagawa
nya sa mga kumakalaban sa kanya. Just like me. And I don't want Death to
experience that. Ayoko syang madamay sa gulo ng buhay ko.
If leaving him means his protection and his peaceful life, then I'd be
willing to stay out of his life.
Inilayo ako ni Death sa kanya pero ang mga kamay nya ay nanatili sa mga
balikat ko. Tinitigan nya ako ng mariin. His stare was so intense but I
didn't look away. I wanted to remember this feeling. The feeling when
he's staring at me using those mismatched eyes.
"Where the fuck have you been?" marahan nyang tanong pero dinig ko ang
diin sa bawat salita nya.
He's mad.
Napangiti tuloy ako. He easily gets mad when I did something wrong.
Mabilis syang nagagalit kapag may ginagawa akong hindi nya nagugustuhan.
Magagalit sya pero maya-maya ay maglalambing din naman. He's my sweet and
caring Death, afterall.
But I know that a few hours more, it will really happen. Mawawala talaga
ako sa tabi nya.
"I called you. Pero nakapatay yata ang cellphone mo." sabi nya at hindi
pa rin nawawala ang galit nya.
"Dead batt."
Hindi pa din nawawala ang pagkakunot ng noo nya kaya tumawa na ako. Ang
hirap talagang paamuhin ng lalaking 'to kapag galit talaga sya.
Inangat ko ang mga kamay ko at sinubukang i-unat ang kunot nyang noo.
Nakatitig lang sya sa akin habang ginagawa ko iyon.
"Ang aga-aga pero nakasimangot ka. Smile naman dyan." I cheerfully said.
I smiled when the creased on his forehead lessened.
"Naglakad-lakad lang. 'Di kasi ako makatulog. Kung sana ay binasa mo ang
nakasulat sa note sa bedside table, edi sana alam mo."
He sighed. Ibinaba nya ang mga kamay kong pinagdidiskitahan pa rin ang
noo nya at hinila iyon para mayakap ako. I closed my eyes and rested my
head on his broad chest.
"You were scared?" mahina kong tanong at marahan na hinahaplos ang likod
nya.
Naramdaman ko ang pagtango nya. "I thought you left me. Natakot talaga
ako." bahagya nya akong inilayo para titigan ako. "Gusto ko ang mukha mo
ang una kong nakikita sa paggising ko sa umaga. I want to hug and kiss
you first thing in the morning."
Humigpit ang yakap nya at ayoko na syang pakawalan. Can we just stay like
this forever? Yung ganito lang. Yakap nya ako at yakap ko sya. Na
pakiramdam ko ay ang mga bisig nya ang magpo-protekta sa akin laban sa
mundo. At kaya nyang pawiin ang lahat ng sakit sa dibdib ko sa ganitong
yakap nya.
Nang matapos sya ay inilagay nya ang pinggan na may lamang fried rice at
ulam sa harapan ko. Napatingin din sya sa chocolate syrup sa gilid at
kita ko agad ang pagngisi nya.
"What?" he asked innocently but I can see in his eyes that he's enjoying
this.
"Ang halay mo!"
"Wala naman akong sinasabi, ah? Ikaw 'tong kung ano-anong iniisip." sabi
nyang natatawa kaya sinamaan ko sya ng tingin.
"What kind of question is that?" he asked with his gritted teeth. Galit
na naman sya.
"Diba, I have a fiance? Who knows our marriage would happen one day?"
"Yes, why?"
"Let's go fishing!"
Moments later, we found ourselves riding on his yacht. Kaming dalawa lang
ang nandoon. He's on the wheels while I was sitting on the sofa near him.
Tinatanaw ko ang buong dagat at pinapakiramdaman ko ang hangin na
nagpapalipad sa mahaba kong buhok.
Tinuruan nya ako kung paano gumamit ng fisihing rod. Basta ang
naintindihan ko lang ay lalagyan ng bait ang hook sa dulo, pagkatapos ay
ihahagis iyon as far as you can. Then wait for the fish to bite.
"Let's just swim, shall we?" yaya nya at pumayag na ako doon.
Ganoon lang ang ginawa namin buong araw. Naligo sa dagat, kumain,
nangisda ng isa pang beses at muling naligo. It was simple but still, I
enjoyed what we did today. Palagi naman akong nag-eenjoy eh. Basta kasama
ko sya.
We decided to spend the night on his yacht, in the middle of the sea. I'm
fine with everything. As long as I am with him.
Iisang kwarto lang ang ginamit namin kaya nang lumabas si Death sa may
banyo after nyang maligo ay nahigit ko ang hininga ko. He was only
wearing a towel on his waist while his other hand was drying his hair
using another towel. Kitang kita ko na naman tuloy ang katawan nya. Pati
na rin ang mga abs nya at ang v-line nya na sobrang paborito ko.
The water was still dripping on his hair, down to his chiseled chest
which made him looked sexier. Napalunok ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay
biglang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Ilang beses ko na itong nakita pero
ganoon pa din ang epekto nya sa akin.
Napangiti ako. Ito ang unang beses na sinabi nya ang nararamdaman nya
nang hindi ako ang nauunang magsabi.
Minutes later, we found ourselves lying on the bed, dancing in the rhythm
that only our bodies knew.
Marahan kong hinaplos ang noo nya, ang mga mata nya, pababa ng ilong nya
hanggang mapunta ang mga labi ko sa mapupula at malalambot nyang mga
labi. The lips that I'm addicted to. At ito na ang huling pagkakataon na
mahahalikan ko iyon.
I really don't want to leave him. He'll be hurt, for sure. But I can't
leave my Kuya Vander alone.
I looked at his bracelet again and I remembered the words the he said
when he gave me the necklace.
Tears began to form in the corner of my eyes. Binitiwan ko ang kamay nya.
I bit my lower lip as I took his hand where his bracelet is.
No, Death. I will always want you. I will always love you. But I have to
let you go.
One minute...
Left...
Nakita kong napangisi sya sa sinabi ko. "Good. Sleep on the plane. We're
going straight to the Mancini so you can officially meet your fiance and
we can discuss about your engagement."
I sighed. Hindi man lang ako pinayagang makahinga kahit ilang ninuto
lang. Talagang sinuguro nya na hindi na ako makakatakas sa pagkakataong
ito.
Dalawang araw na akong halos walang tulog pero hindi ako dalawin ng
antok. I can't sleep. Knowing that I left my beloved man to meet with my
future husband.
Death... He said that I shouldn't leave him again while he's asleep. Ano
kayang magiging reaksiyon nya kapag nalaman nyang umalis ako? Siguro ay
magagalit na naman sya. Lalo na ngayon.
I smiled bitterly. I will never see when he gets angry this time.
I left him alone, in the middle of the sea, with the necklace that he
gave me and with his bracelet unlocked.
Chapter 27
Wala ako sa kondisyon para ngumiti pero awtomatiko iyong sumilay sa mga
labi ko nang makita kung sino ang nag-aabang sa amin sa paglabas ng
airport. I became teary-eyed and I wanted to run and tackle him with a
hug but I was feeling so tired. I just slowly walked towards him while
he's just waiting for me with a smile on his face.
Ibinuka nya ang mga braso nya nang makalapit ako. Mahina akong napatawa
at yumakap na ng mahigpit sa kanya.
"Kumusta na ang kapatid kong pasaway?" sabi nya habang inilalayo ako sa
katawan nya. Mahina ko tuloy syang nasapak sa braso dahil sa sinabi nya.
I stared at him. May napansin akong mga nagbago sa kanya. He's still
handsome pero mas lalo pa yatang lumitaw ang pagka-gwapo nya ngayon. The
scar on his face was still there but it doesn't make him look hideous, in
fact, nakadagdag pa ang peklat na iyon sa kagwapuhan nya.
He's gym buff now, compared to the last time that I saw him at that
mental institution. Pumayat kasi sya noong iwan ko sya pero ngayon ay
masasabi kong pwede nang maging modelo ang kapatid ko.
Naging maaliwalas na rin ang itsura nya. I can see emotions on his eyes
now. It's telling me that he's happy, now that I am here.
"I missed you too, Kuya." sarkastisko kong sabi na nagpatawa sa kanya.
Hinigit nya ang braso ko para muling akong ikulong sa mainit na yakap
nya.
"Silly." sabi nya at ginulo ang buhok ko. "I missed you, of course."
Hindi na ako nainis dahil sa paggulo nya ng buhok ko. I missed that too,
anyway. Kahit na hindi talaga kami magkadugo ay sobrang lapit namin sa
isa't isa.
"Vander."
Napabitaw sya sa akin at sabay kaming lumingon nang tawagin sya ni Papà.
He tapped him on his back twice before he motioned the car in front of
us.
"Let's go." kinuha ng driver nya ang mga maleta namin at nilagay sa
compartment ng sasakyan.
"Wait, Papà." pigil ni Kuya Vander nang akmang papasok na ito sa loob ng
sasakyan. "Let Vexen rest, first. It's been a long flight for the both of
you. You should rest, too, Papà."
"I'm sorry, Vexen. I know you're tired, but Papà is just as stubborn as
you."
Tumawa ako at umiling para ipakita sa kanya na ayos lang. Sinabi na rin
naman sa akin ni Papà ang tungkol dito bago kami sumakay sa eroplano.
"It's okay, Kuya Vander. Mukhang galit sa akin si Papà kaya pinaparusahan
nya ako."
Inakbayan nya ako. He locked my head in his arm and ruffled my hair.
Mabigat ang kamay nyang nakapatong sa ulo ko kaya pinigilan ko iyon.
"Ano ba, Kuya?! Stop it!" naiinis kong sabi. Kainis naman kasi! Ang bigat
ng kamay nya habang ginugulo ang buhok ko!
We rode his Ducati and I suddenly missed my MV Agusta here in Italy. Iyon
kasi talaga ang brand ng bike na binibili ko. Kaya kahit sa Pilipinas ay
ganoon din ang binili ko.
I even left his gift and his bracelet like that. Malamang magagalit nga
sya.
Humigpit ang yakap ko sa bewang ni Kuya Vander para alisin ang sakit sa
dibdib ko. Mas binilisan nya naman ang pagpapatakbo ng Ducati nya kaya in
no time ay nakarating agad kami sa mansyon ng mga Mancini. Nakabukas ang
malaking gate nila kaya tuloy tuloy na ipinasok ni Kuya Vander ang Ducati
nya doon.
Nauna kami doon pero ilang minuto lang ang hinintay namin nang dumating
ang kotse ni Papà. He told me to fix myself first as my hair looks so
disheveled. Inabutan ako ng Kuya Vander ng suklay at hinayaan ko na lang
na nakalugay ang buhok ko bago suklayin iyon.
"Oh, no. You're just in time!" she exclaimed. Napatingin sya sa likod ni
Papà at mukhang doon lang nya pnapansin kami ni Kuya Vander. "Hello,
Vander."
Napatingin ako kay Kuya Vander nang magsalita sya. So this is Mrs.
Mancini? My future mother-in-law? Well, her actions could tell that she's
not just an ordinary person. The way she acts and talks is so
sophisticated.
"You're too formal! Call me Mamà Imogen, or Mamà Imo, okay?" she gasped
when she saw me. "Oh my holy trinity! Is this who I think it is?" bulalas
nya kaya napangiti ako.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Mancini. You look gorgeous, by the way."
nakangiting bati ko. I thought that I would hate her dahil isa sya sa
dahilan kung bakit makukulong ako sa isang kasal. But she looks so sweet!
Especially those eyes. Pamilyar sa akin ang kulay berde nyang mga mata.
She chuckled before she looked at my father. "Oh, Dante. She has a sweet
tongue!" ginagap nya ang mga kamay ko. Ramdam ko ang init ng mga palad
nya at parang may humaplos sa puso ko.
I tried to return her smile even if I wanted to run and cry alone. Ngayon
lang nag-sink in sa utak ko ang lahat.
I'm getting married. I'll be a Mancini soon. Ikakasal ako sa lalaking
hindi ko naman mahal. I left the man that I love just for this.
"Such a sweet child." marahan nyang hinaplos nya ang pisngi ko bago
binalingan sina Papà at Kuya Vander. "We should go inside. The boys are
waiting."
"Boys. Look who do we have here!" masayang bati nya nang makarating kami
sa may sala.
Kaagad na tumayo ang isang lalaking tingin ko ay kasing edad lang ni Papà
at sinalubong kami. Kaagad kong nahulaan na iyon si Mr. Mancini base sa
tindig at suot nyang naka-tuxedo pa. His aura was already shouting of
authority. Parang naglalaban pa nga ang presenya nila ni Papà sa loob ng
mansyon na ito.
"Dante, it's so good to see you, again." Mr. Mancini said as he stretched
his arm for a handshake.
Lumapit ako sa tabi ni Papà nang ipinakilala nya ako. I tried my best to
smile and be polite.
Umangat ang isang sulok ng labi ni Mr. Mancini. Then his smirked turned
into a laugh.
Siguro kung ang pamilya ni Death ang kaharap ko ay baka tuwang tuwa pa
ako. I wonder what Ferrante family is like?
Pero mukhang hanggang pag iisip na lang iyon. Hinding hindi ko na yata
makikilala ang pamilya ni Death para sa ganitong pagkakataon.
"Gon, come here." I heard Mamà Imogen's soft voice when she called
someone.
Doon ko lang napansin ang isang lalaking nasa likod lang ni Mr. Mancini.
Lumapit sya sa akin at agad na napakunot ang noo ko dahil hindi sya
pamilyar.
The shocked was evident on my face because of what she have just said.
Seriously? He's my fiancè?
Tinitigan ko ang lalaki sa harapan ko. He's far from the boy that I met
at some party years ago!
He is now gym buff. Pumuputok ang mga muscles nya sa mga braso nya at
nakakapit na doon ang sleeves ng polo nya. Malapad din ang dibdib nya at
alam kong may itinatago din syang abs at v-line sa likod ng polo nyang
iyon!
And his face! Nakakunot ang medyo makapal nyang kilay at ang kulay kape
nyang mga mata ay malalim na nakatitig sa akin. His nose is in perfect
shape and his lips has a natural red color. Ang mga panga nya ay ilang
beses na umigting sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan.
"Do you remember the thing that you told me when we first met?"
Oh my goodness! Even his voice sounds so deep! Ito ba talaga ang payat at
may mahinang boses na nakilala ko noon as the second son of the Mancini?
"No." I said. He tried to intimidate me using his eyes but I didn't feel
anything.
Only Death could take my breath away. Sa simpleng tingin nya lang ay
mabilis akong nahuhulog.
"I remember it so well. You asked me if I was really a guy because I'm
thin and has a soft voice. You even called me a lady-man."
My jaw dropped and I heard Kuya Vander laughed that echoed inside the
mansion. Wala syang pakialam kung may ibang tao sa paligid kung makatawa
sya. I heard my father cleared his throat beside me. Nai-imagine ko nang
pagsasabihan nya ako tungkol dito pag-uwi sa bahay.
Nanlalaki naman ang mga mata ko habang nakatingin kay Gon. Nanatili ang
ngisi sa mga labi nya habang pinapanood ang reaksiyon ko. Merda! Did I
really freaking say that?!
"I-i—uhm... I'm sorry if I... Uhm... offended you—" pautal-utal kong sabi
pero pinutol nya ako
"Don't worry. I don't hold any grudges." sabi nya at kumindat pa sa akin.
Liar. I can see in his eyes that he's lying. He holds grudges. Hindi nya
nga nakalimutan yung mga sinabi ko, as a proof.
"Stop it, Gon. You're scaring her." saway ni Mamà Imogen sa kanya pero
ngumisi lang sya. Tinapik ni Mr. Mancini ang anak nya sa likod bago
nagyayang pumunta ng dining area para makakain na kami.
Nagulat ako nang lumingon sya sa gawi ko, siguro ay naramdaman ang titig
ko, bago ako kinindatan. I heard Kuya Vander's chuckled as I let out a
frustrated groan.
---
Short ud.
Vote and comment po. Thanks.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 28
---
"Mission accomplished!"
Agad na rumolyo paitaas ang mga mata ko nang makita ang nakangising mukha
ni Archer sa screen ng laptop ni Tracer. Sa likod nya ay ang background
ng isang nasusunog na bahay na nasa gitna ng kapatagan. Archer chuckled
when he glanced at the scene behind him.
Tracer grunted beside me and had a look of distaste on his face while
looking at Archer. May hawak syang dalawang cellphone. Ang isa ay para sa
pang-video call sa amin while he used the other one for taking his
selfies. Napangiwi na rin ako nang makita kung paano sya mag-pose sa
harap ng camera.
"Jowable, oh!" tatawa-tawang sabi nya habang isa-isang pinapakita ang mga
kuha nya sa amin. Marahas na napabuga ng hangin si Tracer at pabagsak na
sumandal sa sofang kinauupuan namin.
"Just get the hell out of there, fucker!" inis na sabi ni Tracer na
nagpatawa sa akin.
We just accomplished a mission again that El Ordre have given us. Kaming
tatlo ulit ang pinagsama sa mission na ito. I've done the work here in
Italy while Archer was the one who took care of the business in
Philippines. And Tracer being Tracer, was the one who gave us all the
information that we needed.
I had no choice but to shut up. Ganoon naman sya, eh. Ayaw nya na
nagtatanong ako at gusto nya lang na sumunod ako sa gusto nya.
"Wow! It's so new to see the both of you on one screen! Parang nung isang
linggo lang ay si Tracer ang loner pero ngayon naman ay ako!" at muling
tumawa si Archer na parang baliw. "Ikaw kasi, V! Iniwan mo kong mag-isa!"
Umirap ako nang magpaawa syang tumingin sa akin. Damn him. Bakit parang
ang saya saya nya ata ngayon? Taliwas sa Archer na iniwan ko sa Pilipinas
isang linggo ang nakakaraan?
"The money has been wired to our accounts." sabi ni Tracer na may
nakapatong na isa pang laptop sa kandungan nya. "Another job well done."
tipid syang ngumiti pagkatapos.
Matalim nyang binalingan ang screen pero ngumisi din pagkatapos. "How
about you? Want me to tell you what your man has been doing?"
My smile slowly faded when I heard his words. The pain on my chest
started to build their way up to my throat again. I cleared my throat,
hoping that the pain would subsides but it only made it worse.
"What was his name again? Death?" he chuckled. "Si Kamatayan! Kamatayan
ng puso mo."
"Fuck you, Archer!" gigil kong sabi. Kung nasa harapan ko lang sya ngayon
ay baka napatay ko na sya.
"Kay Kamatayan mo yan sabihin. He would gladly fly his way out there just
to fuc-"
Marahas kong naisara ang laptop. The sound made an echo throughout
Tracer's pad. He lazily glanced at me and then to his laptop that I
closed.
"Just make sure you'll buy me a new one if you break it." sabi nya at
muling itinuon ang mukha sa laptop na nasa kandungan nya.
"Password?" I asked. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil sinabi nya iyon sa akin
ng walang pag-aalinlangan.
"You told me na susunod ka when I went back to the Philippines... But you
never did."
Mabilis na nag iwas ang mga mata nya na parang bilang napaso iyon. Mariin
syang napapikit at huminga ng malalim.
"It's too dangerous." hirap na hirap nyang sabi. "Ayoko syang mapahamak."
"Kaya ayos lang sayo kahit hindi sya makita nang matagal. Just to keep
her safe." I said. Bawat salitang binibitawan ko ay parang may pait akong
nalalasahan.
"Yeah..." he said softly before he looked at me. "We're on the same boat,
V. Leaving the one who held our hearts just to keep them safe."
Natahimik ako sa sinabi nya. He's right. I am like him too. Iniwan ko ang
tanging lalaking minahal ko at nagparamdam ng pagmamahal sa akin para sa
kaligtasan nya. And for my Kuya Vander too.
It's been a week since I left Philippines. Since the night that I left
Death in the middle of the sea. Since the day where my heart broke the
most. Since the time where the numbing pain in my heart started.
It was heartbreaking that I felt like a robot doing things that I needed
to do just to survive the day and then wake up tomorrow doing the same
things again. Parang gumagalaw at kumakain na lang ako para mabuhay.
Sobrang manhid na ng pakiramdam ko pero ayokong sumuko sa pagba-baka
sakaling makikita ko ulit sya.
Just a glimpse of his mismatched eyes again and I think I would be able
to survive the whole season.
"Well... I didn't see you as a person who would surrender just like this.
You have choices, V. And yet you chose the wrong one." he shrugged his
shoulders. "Guess you're not really that great as I thought you would
be."
"That brother of yours could take care of himself! Hindi na sya bata para
alagaan mo, V."
I puffed a breath trying to calm myself. Tracer is my only friend here in
Italy. Sya lang ang nakakausap ko ng maayos bukod kay Kuya Vander sa
problema kong ito. And I'm silently thanking the odds that he's with me
instead of Archer na bigla na lang magbibiro sa gitna ng seryosong
sitwasyon.
"I don't want to argue with you about this." mahina kong sabi at
napatingin sa pambisig na relo. "I have to go. Gon will drive me home."
I heard him sighed as I took my bag and stood up. "If ever you'll need
help. I'm just one call away, V."
Nakatanggap ako ng text kay Gon na nasa coffee shop lang sya sa kabilang
kalsada at doon ko na lang daw sya puntahan. I sighed dramatically and
chose not to reply on his text. Sasakit lang ang ulo ko. Isa pa, tatawid
lang naman ako kaya hindi rin naman kalayuan ang lalakarin ko.
Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang makita ko agad sya sa harap ng coffee
shop. Nakasandal sya sa nakaparadang kotse nya pero hindi iyon ang
pinaka-napansin ko kundi ang babae na nakalingkis sa braso nya. Tipid na
tipid ang tela nito sa damit na kulang na lang ay magpakita ang kaluluwa
nya.
"There you are." lumiwanag ang mukha nya nang makita akong papalapit sa
kanya.
Pigil ang pag-rolyo ng mga mata ko nang tanungin ng babae kung sino ako.
Ako nga ang dapat na nagtatanong noon pero pinili ko na lang ang
manahimik. I know that Gon will do something about this anyway.
Nakangiting inalis ni Gon ang kamay ng babae sa braso nya. Nang magawa ay
agad nya akong hinapit sa bewang. I gritted my teeth to stop myself from
punching him. Aba't tsansing 'tong loko na 'to, ah!
I've met a lot of his girls. He's introducing each and everyone of them
to me every damn time. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nya pa ginagawa iyon
but when I asked him one time, he said that he's doing it to assure me
that he won't hide anything from me.
Since nakita ko nga ang lahat ng mga babae nya ay nasaksihan ko din ang
mga kakaibang ugali nila. Nakita kong may umiyak nang ipakilala nya ako
sa kanila bilang fiancee nya. May nasaktan pero hindi pinahalata. May
casual na bumati lang at tinanggap ang lahat. May bastang umalis na lang.
At may nananakit.
"It's Adelina, you jerk!" the girl spat before she turned and walked
away.
He tsked before he reached his back pocket and took out his wallet. He
handed me some cash na malugod ko namang tinanggap.
"I've told you so." nanunuya kong sabi at umani iyon ng irap mula sa
kanya. Nakasimangot nyang binuhay ang makina ng kotse.
I don't know when did it start. Was it the first or second day that we
meet? Basta ganoon nyang kabilis ipinakita sa akin ang pangbababae nya.
Araw araw ay iba iba ang mga babae nya. Minsan ay nakakatatlo pa nga sya
in just one day! Gone was the thin and lady-man that I've met few years
ago!
Lahat ng iyon ay ipinakilala nya sa akin hanggang sa maghulaan na kami
kung anong gagawin ng babae once he introduced me as his fiancee. At ang
manalo ay babayaran ng natalo. Wicked but I enjoyed seeing his face
slapped by those girls.
Wala naman akong pakialam kung anong gusto nyang gawin sa buhay nya at sa
mga pambababae nya. Basta ba ay huwag nya din akong papakialamanan sa
gusto kong gawin.
"Whoa. Don't get mad at me!" natatawa nyang sabi habang kinakabig ang
gearshift ng sasakyan. "I'm just reminding you."
Mabilis na kumunot ang noo nya sa pagtatagalog ko. Ganito ako sa kanya.
Nagtatagalog ako kapag naiinis ako sa kanya para hindi nya maintindihan.
Itutuloy ko ang pagsasalita ng tagalog hanggang sa sya na ang mainis
dahil hindi nya alam ang sinasabi ko. Sa huli ay ako ang mananalo sa
asaran.
He sighed. "I'll ask my brother to teach me your alien words so you won't
use it against me!"
Bahagya akong nagulat sa sinabi nya. "Oh? Your brother knew how to speak
tagalog?" he nodded.
"He's half."
"And?"
"I'm not." sabi kong sinamahan pa ng iling. His smirk showed up.
"We'll see that later." itinigil nya ang sasakyan sya harap ng bahay
namin. "Bye, future wife. See you tonight."
Inirapan ko sya at narinig ko muna ang tawa nya bago ako bumaba ng
sasakyan nya.
My smiled widened when I saw how dashing my Kuya Vander is. He's wearing
a silver tux with a black inner and a black bow tie. I can imagine the
ladies outside that would stare at him dahil kitang kita ang kagwapuhan
nya. I walked towards him to fix his slightly crooked bow tie.
"And you look handsome." puri ko at tinapik pa ang pisngi nya. Ngumisi
sya sa akin.
He's a Bellucci now. Nagulat ako na nagpabago pala sya ng apelyido nang
makalabas sya ng hospital. That was his first request to my father. To
officially adopt him as his son kaya pumayag na din si Papà. I know the
he's fond of Kuya Vander as well. Kahit naman na may nagawa syang
kasalanan ay hindi maipagkakailang may itinatago din syang kabaitan.
"You sure about this?" tanong nya. Matipid lang akong ngumiti dahil alam
ko kung anong tinutukoy nya. "I can help you, Vexen. I promise that I'll
protect you, right? Just tell me you're not okay with this."
I laughed to let him know that I'm okay even if I'm not. Ayoko lang syang
mag alala. Isa pa, nandito na ako. Ito ang pinili ko. This is how I
choose to fix my life.
"I'm really okay, Kuya Vander." I said softly. He's the third person who
offered me their help.
Archer, Tracer and Kuya Vander. The people who wanted to help me. Pero
gusto ko na ako mismo ang umayos ng gulo ng buhay ko.
Mahihinang katok mula sa pinto ang nagpalingon sa amin doon. Bumukas iyon
at nakita ko si Gon na sumungaw sa amin. His lips parted when his eyes
saw me.
"Whoa! Hello there, gorgeous." sabi nya bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob.
Kinagat ko ang loob ng pisngi. Gon could also passed as a male model with
his look now. He's wearing a tux that matched the color of my gown.
Malayong malayo na talaga sya sa lalaking nilalait lait ko noon.
"The party is going to start. Are you ready?" Gon asked and I just
nodded.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Our stars for this night! Mr. Gon Israel Mancini
and Ms. Vexen Bellucci!"
I can't force myself to smile. The spotlight was on us and I know that
all attention was on us as well but my lips remained on a tight line.
Hindi ko magawang magpeke ng ngiti ngayon habang papalapit na kami sa
pinakababa.
"Smile. People would thought you'd kill someone later." bulong ni Gon sa
akin na hindi naaalis ang ngiti sa mga labi. I forced myself but only
managed to show a small smile.
Sinalubong kami ni Mr. and Mrs. Mancini, my father and Kuya Vander nang
makababa kami. Mamà Imogen gave me a warm hug while my father and Kuya
Vander tapped Gon on his back.
Tumingin sya sa likod nya at nanlamig yata ang buong pagkatao ko nang
makita kung sino ang lalaking papalapit sa amin. He stride his way
towards us like he owned the place, forming a curious glances and murmurs
from the guests. Pero ako ay nakatingin lang sa kanya at hindi sya
nilulubayan ng tingin. His eyes were also set on me.
My heart started to beat fast like how it did whenever I saw him. Tears
began to pool my eyes as emotions started to swell up on my chest. I
wanted to run and hug him, kiss him and make love to him, that's how much
I missed him. I missed him so much that it's hurting me.
His eyes never left mine. Mariin ang titig nya sa akin na parang
hinuhuburan pati ang kaluluwa ko. The way his jaw clenched tells me that
he's really, really mad.
Umawang ang mga labi ko at napatingin sa lalaking kaharap ko. Ang ingay
ng palakpakan ng mga tao ay hindi ko na marinig. What does this mean?
But the feeling as his mismatched eyes stared down on me tells me that
he's real. That I'm not hallucinating.
Mapait ang panlasa ko nang mahina kong banggitin ang pangalan nya. Ang
pangalan nyang ipinakilala sa akin.
"Death..."
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 29
"Oh! You knew that Kieron is a Ferrante?" nakangiti pa rin nyang tanong
pero ang mga mata ay may pagtatanong na.
"You two seem so close now, huh?" may panunuyang sabi ni Mamà Imogen para
sa amin ni Gon. But Gon only chuckled and tapped Death on his back.
Or is it Kieron?
"Kieron doesn't want to changed his surname even if Frank here," ikinawit
nya ang braso sa asawa. "said that he's willing to take him as his own
child. He even regarded him as the firstborn of the Mancini. Isn't he so
sweet?" ipinatong pa nya ang kamay sa dibdib ng asawa. Mr. Mancini
laughed before he kissed Mamà Imogen on her temple.
I still don't get anything. So Death's real surname is a Ferrante and not
a Mancini? Then what about his name? Is it Kieron or Death?"
Ang boses na iyon ang halos magpatigil ng mundo ko. Nagsimulang uminit
ang dibdib ko sa halo halong emosyon na nabuksan dahil sa muli kong
narinig ang boses nya. Same effect but there's now pain in it. Ang sakit
ay hindi ko maintindihan kung para saan. Dahil ba sa mga araw na hindi ko
sya nakita o dahil sa mga nasasaksihan ko ngayon?
It feels like he's not the Death that I've left in the Philippines. Is he
really my Death?
"Why not?" si Gon na may maligaya pang tono. Mukhang hindi napapansin ang
namumuong tensyon sa pagitan namin ng kapatid nya. "Don't you want it?
Vexen and you will have the same surname as well! "
Ang nakakainis na tawa ni Gon ang mas lalong nagpainis sa akin matapos ko
syang bigyan ng matalim na tingin. Kumindat pa sya sa akin bago nya
muling binalingan ang kapatid nya.
"Of course, after we get married." tuwang tuwang sabi nya at inakbayan pa
si Death. He seems oblivious by the glare that his brother is giving him.
"My sons look so close to each other. You can't even tell that they're
not blood related because of their closeness." Mamà Imogen said with a
soft smile on her lips while looking at the two boys.
"Stop saying that." saway ni Mr. Mancini sa asawa. "The moment that I
married you, I accepted Kieron as my own son. We may not be related by
blood, but I consider him as a part of the Mancini family."
"It's nice to know that I'll be wed to a family that see the meaning of
the word family in that way." nakangiti kong sabi pero sa loob ko ay
nadudurog na ang puso ko. "You know that Kuya Vander is not a Bellucci
too but I always treat him as my own brother." I said and gave a smile to
Kuya Vander.
"And he's a Bellucci now. I hope Kieron would consider being a Mancini,
too." Mamà Imogen said at tumingin pa kay Death pero sa akin lang talaga
nanatili ang mga mata nya. Mukhang baka pa nga yata nyang tunawin ako sa
titig nya sa buong magdamag.
Maybe I'm just overthinking but the proofs that were shown in front of me
tonight was enough to have this assumption. Pero bakit? Bakit hindi
nagpakilala sa akin si Death na kapatid sya ni Gon na fiancè ko?
Nauna na akong maglakad at alam kong nakasunod lang sya sa likod ko.
Bawat bisitang nadadaanan namin ay binabati kami. Gon was greeting them
back but I can't even managed a smile. The pain and confusion are killing
me inside that they are demanding for the truth.
I am so freaking confused right now that it's hurting me! A lot of not so
good ideas are flooding in my mind and I tried to shut it off. But
instead of disappearing, more and more ideas just came that I think I'll
drown if it won't stop.
"Vexen..."
Tumindig ang balahibo ko sa paraan ng pagtawag nya sa akin kaya binuksan
ko ang gripo sa harap ko at kahit na hindi kailangan ay naghugas ako ng
kamay. I'm aware that he's watching me while I'm doing my thing here on
the sink. Ni hindi man lang natinag ang tingin nya nang bumukas ang nag
iisang nakasaradong cubicle sa loob ng banyo. The girl looked shocked
when she saw Death. Nang mapatingin sya sa akin ay alanganin syang
ngumiti at binati ako.
"You and Gon looked good together! I heard the reason why he started
working out was because of you." she smiled sweetly. Tumingin sa kanya si
Death at agad na napawi ang ngiti nya. "Anyway, I'll go back to the party
now. Congratulations again."
Pero nilabanan ko ang nararamdaman kong iyon. Wala akong makukuhang sagot
kung magpapadala ako sa emosyon. Instead of running towards him and hug
him, I choose to stay rooted to where I am standing and crossed my arms
over my chest.
Tangina.
"You knew that I am your brother's fiancee even before?" tanong ko ulit.
"Yes."
Double tangina.
"Yes."
"Really?" may pang uuyam kong tanong. "You never lied? Not even once?"
"Two years ago, my brother called me. Tinakbuhan daw sya ng fiancee nya
just because he's thin and lady-like. He sounded so sad kaya nagalit ako
doon sa babae. Nagalit ako sayo."
My hands fell to my side and formed into sa fist. Nakita kong sinundan
nya ng tingin ang mga kamay ko. Nang bumaling ang tingin sa akin ay may
pagmamakaawa na ang itsura.
He's really far from the Death that I left in the Philippines. Ito ang
unang pagkakataon na nakita ko syang ganito. He looked so resigned and
weak. Parang ipinapaubaya na nya sa akin ang sarili nya at bahala na ako
sa kung anumang gusto kong gawin sa kanya.
Para akong baliw na tumawa pagkatapos ng sinabi nya. Pero hindi ako
masaya. Sobrang namanhid yata ang buong katawan ko sa sakit dahil lang sa
mga salitang iyon at idinaan ko na lang sa malakas na pagtawa para
mawala. Pero hindi, eh. Nandoon pa rin ang sakit.
How come that a mere words could have a great effect on people's feeling?
How come that words could act as a knives that can stab people's heart to
feel the numbing pain?
"Bullshit! That's not the reason why I run away!" tumakas na ang luha sa
mga mata ko. Natigilan sya nang makita iyon at humakbang papalapit sa
akin.
"Vexen..."
"I didn't know that you were just forced." ang boses nya ay punong puno
ng sakit at nang dumilat ay nakita ko ang pamumula ng mga mata nya.
"I'm sorry..."
I choked back a sob. Dammit! Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi masaktan! Bakit
ganoon? Ayoko lang makasal sa lalaking hindi ko kilala pero bakit
nasasaktan na ako ng ganito? Ayokong makulong sa kasalang walang
pagmamahal pero bakit kailangan ko pang masaktan ng ganito? Is this what
I get when defying my father's orders? Dapat ba ay sumunod na lang ako sa
kanya?
Patuloy sa pagbuhos ang mga luha ko. I even sob na nagpaalarma kay Death.
Nataranta ako nang humakbang sya papalapit at muli syang binulyawan.
"Pake ko?"
He sighed. Para syang nauubusan ng pasenya pero kinakalma nya lang ang
sarili nya. Nang tumingin sya sa akin ay nakita ko ang sakit sa mga mata
nya nang humikbi ako.
"So all about you is fake. Lahat. Pati ang nararamdaman mo." mapait kong
sabi.
He's the first man that I love and this is my first heartache. Kaya pala
yung iba ay gusto na lang mamatay kapag nabibigo sa pag ibig. Ganito pala
ang sakit. Kung ano ang kinaligaya ko noong magkasama pa kami ay ito
namang ikinasadlak ko sa katotohanang ibinibigay nya sa akin.
That's why many people love comforting lies. Because they don't want to
get hurt from hearing the truth.
"No, no, Vexen." dinig ko ang pagmamakaawa sa boses ni Death nang sabihin
nya iyon. "Lahat ng ipinakita ko sayo, totoo 'yon. I just didn't tell you
about me being a Mancini but all of my feelings are true."
Napahagulgol ako nang maramdaman ang mainit nyang mga palad na hinawakan
ang braso ko. I can't believe it. Even if I'm angry with him, I still
missed his touch. His touch that can melt me away. But I am so hurt and
mad right now that I can't even think straight. Ang galit ay nangunguna
sa akin para makapag isip ng tama.
"You had your revenge. I fell inlove with you. You hurt me now." lakas
loob ko syang tinignan. Nakita ko ang pagkalito sa mga mata nya.
"Vexen, no..." mahinang anas nya. May tunog ng pagmamakaawa. "I'm sorry,
please. 'Wag.. 'W-wag kang magpakasal sa kanya." his voice broke that
triggered my tears to fall down again. Ang sakit sa boses nya ay hindi
maitatanggi.
"That's for lying to me." I slapped him again on his other cheek. "That's
for planning a revenge on me." Then I slapped him again for the last
time. "And that's for hurting me."
"Oh. And by the way, ikaw ang bestman sa kasal namin." the last thing
that I said before I left him.
Gon's eyebrow shot up when he saw my expression. Ang mukha kong hilam sa
luha ay doon ko lang pinunasan. Tinanggal nya ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng
pantalon nya at tuwid na tumayo.
I stared at him coldly and uttered the words that were like an acid in my
mouth.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 30
Hindi ako umuuwi sa mansyon namin after that encounter with Death on my
freaking engagement party. Pakiramdam ko lang kasi ay hindi ako
patatahimikin nina Papà at ni Kuya Vander sa katatanong kung bakit
nagbanyo lang ako ay pugtong pugto na ang mga mata ko. Of course they've
noticed it but I still did smile throughout the night kaya hinayaan lang
muna nila ako.
I've told them that I'm staying in Gon's pad, which was half truth but he
never set his foot again on his pad since the day that he gave me the
key. Na-guilty yata ang loko nang malaman kong may kinalaman sya sa
nangyari. He knew about Death's plan and I think that this is his way of
apologizing. Pero hindi pa rin naman natigil ang kaliwa't kanang
pambababae nya. Not that I care though.
Umuuwi ako doon pero madalas ay doon ako sa pad ni Tracer. When I say
'madalas, I meant five days in a week. Wala naman syang sinasabi kaya
hindi din ako umaalis.
And ever since that day of confrontation, Death never showed up again. I
haven't seen even his goddamned shadow since then! Ano 'yon? Ganoon na
lang? Magso-sorry sya tapos kapag hindi ko tinanggap ay hindi na sya
magpaparamdam? It is not fair! I'm hurting and I want him to know how
hurt am I! Gusto kong um-attend sya ng kasal namin ng kapatid nya as the
bestman!
"Ang babaw nya! Just because my words made his brother depressed,
gagantihan na nya ako? And fuck! By making me fall inlove with him?" I
laughed like a madman. "That is so shitty! Ilang beses nang nagamit ang
paraan na 'yon sa TV dramang mga napapanood ko!"
Madaling araw na pero heto ako at nagsisisigaw. Malakas ang loob kong
gawin ito dahil wala namang kapitbahay si Tracer. Kaya favorite kong
tumambay dito, eh.
Tracer's eyes never left the screen of his laptop. Dim ang ilaw dito sa
may sala kaya nakasalamin sya at ewan ko ba pero nakaka-gwapo ang liwanag
na nagmumula sa laptop na tumatama sa mukha nyang may eyeglasses. He
looks like a goddamned professor giving a verdict on his students'
grades. Seryoso pa ang mukha nya at mukhang walang pakialam sa pagsisigaw
ko.
Hindi naman na bago ang ganitong scene sa akin. Palagi namang busy si
Tracer sa laptop nya. Minamadali ang pagta-trabaho sa mga misyon nya.
"He told me that he didn't know that I was just forced into a fixed
marriage! God-freaking-dammit! Sino ba ang may gusto ng arranged marriage
sa panahong 'to?!"
Marahas kong pinahid ang luha kong naglandas. Merda! Hindi pa ba ako
tapos umiyak? Isang linggo na, ah?!
"He lied to me!" punong puno ng pait kong sabi. "And fuck myself for
being easily caught by his lies!"
"Stop acting like a saint, V." si Tracer na nasa laptop pa din ang
tingin. "You lied to him as well."
Inis ang mga matang binalingan ko sya. "Magkaiba iyon! Mabigat ang
dahilan ko! Pero sya? Ang babaw ng dahilan nya!" muli akong tumungga sa
JD na hawak ko.
"For you. But for him, mabigat na dahilan na iyon para manakit sya ng
ibang tao."
Maingay akong suminghap at hindi makapaniwalang tinignan sya. "What?"
"It was his brother, V. Maybe their bond was so tight that he's willing
to hurt others for him. And unfortunately, that others is you."
"Pero pambata ang ginawa nya! Paano kung gantihan din sya ni Kuya Vander?
Ano 'yon? Gantihan today, gantihan tomorrow, gantihan forever? Edi, wow!"
Hindi ko na alam kung ano-ano ang mga pinagsasabi ko. Basta hinahayaan ko
na lang na bumuka ang bibig ko at ilabas ang sakit. Maybe the alcohol is
talking in my place.
Ngumisi si Tracer nang binalingan ako. Kinakagat kagat nya pa ang pang
ibabang labi nya na parang pinipigilan ang mapatawa. Hinampas ko ang
braso nya at tuluyan na nya akong pinagtawanan.
Mabilis ko syang sinipa na ikinatawa nya. Humiga ako sa sofa at ang mga
paa ko ay marahang sinisipa ang katawan ni Tracer.
"Tsk, V..." he warned when his eyeglasses almost fell but I didn't stop.
Nainis sya at dinaanan ng isang daliri ang ilalim ng paa ko.
Pinikit ko ang mata ko habang nakaupo. Mas lalo kong naramdaman ang alak
sa sistema ko. My world is swaying. Lumilindol ba? We should duck, cover
and hold then! O hayaan ko na lang ang sarili kong lumubog sa mga debris
kasama ng paglubog ng sakit na nararamdaman ko.
"Archer! Nandito ka agad sa Italy? Ang bilis mo!" humagikgik ako. "Para
kang si The Flash!"
Mas lalong lumalim ang gatla sa noo ni Archer dahil sa inasta ko.
Natatawa kong tinuro iyon pero parang may salaming humarang sa pagitan
namin at hindi ko sya mahawakan.
"Kulubot ang noo mo! Mukha kang matanda!" muli akong humagikgik.
Archer sighed. Parang tinitimpi nya ang sarili nya. "You're drunk."
"No! I'm Vexen!" mas tumawa pa ako. "Nice to meet you, Archer!"
Huh? Call? Ah! Oo nga pala! Video call lang 'to! Tumawa na naman ako sa
katangahan ko. Kaya pala hindi ko mahawakan si Archer!
Archer didn't say anything. Maybe his brain is still processing my words.
Bigla ba namang kasing ganoon ang sinabi ko. I'm not like this. Talking
to other person about my problems. But... I'm so hurt and confused. I
don't know what to do anymore.
This is my first heartbreak and I don't know how I should deal with this.
Imbes na maawa ay narinig ko ang malutong na pagtawa ni Archer. Sinamaan
ko sya ng tingin pero mas lumakas lang ang pagtawa nya. Hawak nya pa ang
tyan nya at parang nahihirapan pang huminga!
"Poor baby V..." pilit nagpapaawa ang mukha nya pero hindi pa rin
mapigilan ang pagtawa nya. "Fuck! Ang malas mo naman! Ikaw na ang pinaka-
malas na nilalang!"
While I'm killing Archer with my glares, my eyes caught some movements at
his back. At first, I thought that my eyes were playing tricks on me
because I'm drunk but I saw the movements again.
"She's nothing. Don't mind her." mariing sabi nya. Ang tono nya ay
nagsasabing ayaw nyang pag usapan ang tungkol doon.
"It doesn't look like nothing to me." si Archer mag uuwi ng babae sa
paborito nyang hideout? Something's definitely not right.
"Oh? First name basis na tayo ngayon? Then, fuck you, Creed!" I even
raised my middle finger to show emphasis but it seems like a bad move
'cause I saw his playful smirk again.
"Ang hilig mong sabihin yan. Isang sabi pa nyan iisipin ko na talagang sa
akin ka may pagnanasa at gusto mong gawin ko sayo yan."
"Tangina mo!" gigil kong sabi sabay padabog na sinara ang laptop ni
Tracer.
Naiiling syang bumalik sa ginagawa kanina. "Ikaw na nga ang nang inis,
ikaw pa ang unang naasar. That's why he's always teasing you."
"Nakakainis naman kasi talaga sya!" muli kong tinungga ang JD bottle and
emptied the content down to it's last drop.
Bumalik ang kalasingan ko. Ngayon ay talagang umiikot na ang paningin ko.
Nanghihina akong napahiga sa sofa. Ang ulo ko ay nasa tabi ng mga hita ni
Tracer at ang mga paa ko ay ipinatong ko sa armrest ng sofa.
If only the alcohol could take my pain away forever, then I would gladly
drink thousand liters of it.
"How could you say you love me when you would go and leave me? How could
you make me hurt so bad when I have loved you more than anyone can do?"
"Can't believe the pain that I'm feeling now because of loving you." I
choke the last word.
May mainit na likidong tumulo sa mga mata ko. At first, I thought that
water was leaking on the roof until I heard myself sob. Dammit! Here I go
again.
I silently sob. Tracer let me cry. Hindi nya ako pinansin at sa mga
pagkakataong ito pinagpapasalamat ko na ganoon sya. Gusto kong ilabas ang
lahat ng sakit sa dibdib ko. That's why I let myself get drunk today,
anyway. Ngayon ko lang nagawa ito. Ang sakit ay naipon ng isang linggo
kaya hindi ko na napigilan ang mapahagulgol. Tinakpan ko pa ng isang
kamay ang bibig ko dahil ayokong makaistorbo kay Tracer.
I remember the first time that I met Death. Noong unang beses kong
natunghayan ang mga mata nya. I was mad but his mismatched eyes were able
to melt my anger. It was our first encounter, my first time seeing him.
Now, I'm asking myself. Was it his first time seeing me too? O nakita na
nya ako dati pa? Kilala na nya ako kaya hindi malabong hindi iyon ang
unang beses na nakita nya ako.
"I can't seem to understand how can love be so unkind. Still you broke my
heart despite what I've done."
Hindi na pagkanta ang ginagawa ko kundi pagsigaw na. Ang intensyon kong
huwag istorbohin si Tracer ay natabunan na ng sakit. I'm out-of-tune and
that made me remember Death and his deep and hoarse voice.
"Still my love was not enough though I've given you my all. I can't take
it anymore—"
"Just cry, Vexen... Close your eyes, forget the world and cry..."
How will I be able to complete myself if my everything was the reason why
I'm breaking?
I have no idea how long I cried. Hindi ko din alam kung anong nangyari
pagkatapos noon. Nahihirapan akong dumilat dahil pakiramdam ko ay inuugoy
ako. Namalayan ko na lang na buhat na ako ni Tracer sa mga bisig nya.
Mukhang nakatulog ako sa sofa at ngayon ay ililipat nya ako sa kwartong
ginagamit ko dito sa pad nya.
"Yes, V?" dinig ko ang hingal nya. I wonder kung nabibigatan sya sa akin?
"Forget about your goddess and be with me. Boyfriend goals ka, eh." wala
sa sarili kong sabi. Ang alak ay dumadaloy pa din sa utak ko.
I felt his hard chest shook when he chuckled. "Sorry, V. But I can't and
I won't."
I felt the soft mattress against my back. "Hmm... Bahala ka." tinalikuran
ko sya at pumikit na.
Naramdaman kong kinumutan nya ako. "Sleep now, Vexen. Let your heart and
mind rest."
His words were the last thing that I've heard before I was drawn into the
dreamland.
"Ugh..." I groaned when I went out of the room. Hawak ko pa ang ulo ko
habang pumupunta ako sa may kitchen at umupo sa upuan sa may countertop.
Naabutan ko doon si Tracer na nagtitimpla ng kape.
Huli na nang ma-realize ko ang mga sinabi ko. That hangover soup. Death
was the one who always cook me that whenever I get drunk. And remembering
his name made my chest tight again.
"You know that I can't cook, V. But I have some medicine for your
hangover." sabi nya at inilapag sa harap ko ang gamot kasama ang kapeng
tinimpla nya para sa akin.
"Forget what I've said last night. 'Di ka na pala boyfriend goals. Doon
ka na sa goddess mo."
Tumawa sya at ginulo ang buhok ko. "Wala naman akong planong palitan
sya." mas inusog nya pa sa akin ang kape at ang gamot.
I said my thanks at ininom ang mga binigay nya. Hinintay kong umepekto
ang gamot bago tinignan ang oras. I groaned. No time to reschedule this.
Masyado nang short-notice if ever and I will look unprofessional.
"May lakad ka?" tanong ni Tracer nang tumayo ako. Pinasadahan nya ako ng
tingin at mukhang doon nya lang napansin na bihis na bihis ako..
"Yeah. Wedding gown." simpleng sabi ko. Kita ko ang pagpipigil ng tawa
nya kahit sa nagsusungit nyang mata. Inirapan ko na lang bago umalis na
ng pad nya.
I texted Gon that I'm on my way to the coffee shop where he would pick me
up. Sa loob ng taxi ay halos hindi ko ginagalaw ang ulo ko. Baka kasi
bumalik ang sakit ng ulo ko.
Wala pa si Gon nang makarating ako sa coffee shop kaya umupo na lang muna
ko. And since I already had a coffee, nag order na lang ako milkshake.
Gon didn't reply so I assumed that he's already driving and on his way
here. Naglaro na lang muna ako ng game app sa may phone ko habang
hinihintay sya.
Tumunog ang wind chimes hudyat na may bagong dating pero hindi ako nag
angat ng tingin. Ang taas na ng score eh. Nalagpasan ko na ang highscore
at gusto kong mas higitan pa.
"Death?" tanong ko pa. Kinukumpirma kung totoong sya ang nasa harapan ko.
His jaw clenched. His lips parted like he was about to say something but
he decided to close it again. He heaved a deep sigh and his minty breath
fanned my face that made my bangs parted. Inayos nya iyon.
"Let's go." mababang boses na sabi nya habang may mariin na titig sa
akin.
"To where?" nakakunot noo kong tanong. Muling umigting ang panga nya at
may galit ang mga matang tinignan ako.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 31
I saw his gaze moved down to my lips. There was a flicker on his
mismatched eyes as he stared on my parted lips. That look is very
familiar. Binasa nya ang mga labi nya at parang nahihirapang huminga kaya
mabilis kong itinikom ang bibig ko at sinimangutan sya.
"I'll go with you to meet with your wedding gown designer." he repeated.
My frown deepened. What the heck is this man with weird eyes saying? He
doesn't let me see even his shadow for one hell week and now he's front
me saying things like he hasn't done anything wrong?
"Bakit ikaw? Nasaan si Gon?" I asked. Luminga pa ako sa likod nya kung
nandoon ang fiancè ko pero sya lang mag-isa.
His jaw clenched by the mere mention of his brother's name. Oh ano? Bakit
sya nagagalit? Sinaktan nya nga ako dahil mahal na mahal nya ang kapatid
nya diba? Kung sila na lang kaya ang magpasakal?!
"Gon asked me to accompany you." may gigil ang mga salitang sinabi nya.
Ang inis ay unti-unti nang umuusbong sa ulo ko.
Our love has started with a lie and it was the truth that ended it.
"Gon! What the fuck is the meaning of this?!" that's how I greeted him. I
don't mind if people turned their heads in my direction and if Death is
watching me. Magmumura ako kung kailan ko gusto!
Ang mapang-asar na tawa ni Gon ang isinagot nya sa akin. Halos madurog na
ang cellphone ko sa higpit ng pagkakahawak ko.
"Where the fucking hell are you?! We have an appointment with my wedding
gown designer today!"
"Oh! I asked my brother to go with you instead. Isn't he there yet?"
Pu—. Tumingala ako kay Death at nakita ang mariin nyang titig sa akin.
Ang ibang mga customer ay nakatingin na sa kanya. Siguro ay nahihiwagahan
kung bakit hindi pa sya umuupo o baka nagagwapuhan lang sa kanya.
"He's here but where are you?" mahinahon kong sabi pero may gigil pa din
sa mga salita.
Rumolyo ang mga mata ko paitaas. Tignan mo 'to. Hindi marunong sumagot ng
tama. I asked where he is pero sobrang layo ng sinagot nya.
"And what errands are that, Gon?" humalukipkip pa ako na parang nasa
harapan ko lang ang kausap.
"There's no need—"
I felt a goosebumps when I heard a sweet voice from the other line.
Obviously, it came from a woman. Pareho kaming natahimik ni Gon. Alam
kong hindi nya pa ibinababa ang tawag kahit na wala akong naririnig na
tunog sa kabilang linya. Kahit ang paghinga nya. Namatay na yata sya.
I smiled. I saw Death shifted on his feet pero hindi ko sya nilingon.
"You're in your apartment?" I asked, sweetly. Pinantayan ko ang lambing
ng boses sa babaeng narinig ko.
"Uhm—"
"Just a second, sweety!" sigaw nya pabalik. I groaned and cursed at him.
"I can't even! That's the fucking errand you were talking about?!"
He chuckled. Hindi ko man lang nahimigan ng pagsisisi ang pagtawa nya.
"Yeah. You see now how busy I am."
"Gon!"
Bago ko pa sya maisumpa ay mabilis nyang naputol ang tawag. Napapikit ako
ng mariin at pinigilan ang sariling maihagis ang phone.
Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim at pumikit para pakalmahin ang galit
at inis na gustong kumawala sa dibdib ko. Sa pagdilat ko ay agad kong
nasalubong ang mga mata ni Death na alanganing nakatingin sa akin.
Kung alam ko lang na sya ang makakasama ko edi sana hindi na ako tumuloy!
Forget about being professional! I will resched my meeting with the
designer if only I had known earlier!
Inis kong kinuha ang bag ko at tumayo. Wala na, eh. Nandito na. Ano pa
bang magagawa ko?
"Where are you going?" Death asked when I stood up and was about to walk
towards the the exit.
Napatigil din naman agad ako nang makalabas ako ng coffee shop. I forgot
that I don't even know his car. Kung sa Pilipinas ay mamahaling sasakyan
ang gamit nya kaya naghanap akong ng ganoong kotse na nakaparada dito sa
parking space ng coffee shop.
Expensive car... Expensive car... Where are you?
Napatingin ako nang umilaw at tumunog ang alarm ng isang black Maybach
Exelero sa may gilid ko. Halos mapamura ako ng malakas nang lumapit doon
si Death at binuksan ang pinto sa may passengers seat.
"Let's go?" kaswal na tanong nya. Ang isang kamay nya ay nakahawak sa may
door handle habang ang isa ay nasa loob ng pantalon nya.
Merda! This is Archer's dream car! Pero hindi nya mabili-bili dahil hindi
sya makaipon sa kakabili nya ng lumpiang shanghai!
Habang nasa daan ay nakatanggap ako ng isang text galing kay Gon. Maingat
kong inilabas ang phone ko sa purse na dala ko at binasa iyon.
Gon:
Of my brother...
I frowned. Ano 'to? Wrong sent? Binura ko iyon at hindi na lang pinansin.
"Good day, Miss Bellucci.!" she greeted. Her perfect white teeth were
showing. Napatingin sya kay Death na kasunod kong pumasok. "Mr. Mancini.
It is an honor to have you both here in my shop!" hindi ko na pinansin
kung paano nya binati si Death. He's part of the Mancini family,
afterall.
"The honor is mine, Jillian. And please, call me Vexen." nginitian ko. "I
supposed my father had talked to you about my wedding, right? Can you
please show me your masterpiece?"
"We picked five wedding gowns that may suits your taste. You can choose
from them and tell me if there's any adjustments or details that you
wanted me to add."
Tumingin ako kay Death na mariin lang ang titig sa akin. Parang wala
syang pakialam sa mga nasa paligid nya. He looked out-of-place though.
Ang tikas at ang tindig nya ay hindi nababagay sa boutique ni Jillian na
punong puno ng mga wedding dresses na naka-display. His stance was harsh
while the dresses have a soft feeling.
Itinuro ko ang bakanteng upuan sa likod nya. I motioned him to sit. Ilang
segundo syang tumitig sa akin bago ginawa ang gusto ko.
I smiled and imagined myself wearing one of these dresses while walking
down the aisle. Imbes na mas matuwa ay nawala ang ngiti ko. Pumalit ang
kalungkutan. Ah... I forgot that I am getting married to a man I didn't
even love. Much worse is that he's a freaking womanizer.
The first one that I tried was a tube type tulle wedding dress with sash
and crystals for detailing. Umaabot sa sahig ang haba ng gown at mas
mahaba ang nasa likod. I tied my hair up. My whole shoulders and neck
were showing. It looks beautiful on me but I can't force a smile on my
face.
Goodness. Kahit galit ako sa kanya ay ganoon pa din ang epekto ng mga
mata nya!
Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag nang muling sumara ang kurtina. What was
that? Why is he looking at me like he's going to eat me? At bakit ganoon
pa din ang epekto nya sa akin?! Hindi na dapat ganoon, eh. Galit ako
diba? Sya ang dapat na matakot sa akin!
Kumunot ang noo ko pero hindi ko na pinansin. Ayoko din naman sa gown na
'to. Pero wala ba syang ibang balak sabihin bukod doon? Like how do I
look? Do I look beautiful in it? Do I look stunning? Does his heart
skipped a beat when he saw me wearing a wedding gown? Does he wants to be
my groom?
It was a turtle neck sleeveless lace wedding dress with sash on the
waist. The skirt also reached the floor and was simple yet still looks
elegant. Siguro naman ay wala nang reklamo dito si Death?
Nang muling buksan ang kurtina ay kita kong ilang beses nya akong
pinasadahan ng tingin. His looks were less darker unlike earlier that he
wanted to murder the dress. Ang akala ko ay okay na sa kanya pero nang
magsalita sya ay napasimangot ako.
Halos magpapadyak na ako sa sobrang inis. Anong gusto nya dito? Magsuot
ako ng pang madre?!
"What's your problem?! Gusto mo bang balutin na lang ako, huh?!" inis
kong sabi. Hindi na alintana kung nandoon pa din sina Jillian at ang
assistant nya.
""You're here to help me but you're doing the opposite!" I groaned. "Ang
dami mong mga comments na hindi naman kailangan!"
Wrong move, though. I saw the anger that flickered on his eyes. He was
breathing hard like suppressing his inner demons. Nag igting ang mga
bagang nya at madilim ang mukhang humakbang palapit sa akin. Hindi
sinasadyang napaatras ako.
"Anong sinabi mo?" his low voice made my knees go weak. Tinapangan ko ang
tingin ko pero nang makita ko ang mga mata nya ay halos mabuwal na ako.
"D-don't come near me." kulang ang conviction na sinabi ko. "Don't come
near me!"
Napatigil sya nang pantayan ko ang galit sa mga mata nya. Nakakainis!
Bakit ba kasi sya sumama kung aakto lang sya ng ganito?! Napapatagal
imbes na mapabilis kami nang dahil sa pag iinarte nya!
"No!" gigil na sabi nya kahit na pabulong iyon. Kahit ang kamay nyang
nakahawak sa braso ko ay nanginginig. "I've already told you, Vexen. Ako
lang ang dapat na pakasalan mo. Ako lang!"
"I'll choose the first gown that I've tried, Jill. Add some rhinestones
and fluffiness on the skirt. You can do that, right?"
My phone rang the moment that I stepped outside. Mabilis ko iyong sinagot
when I saw that it was Gon.
"Don't use your alien language on me! This is serious! We're both
damned!"
"Can you please just get straight to the point!" nakakabwisit yung pagpa-
panic nya!
"Listen, I just found out that your father and my family already set a
date for our wedding. Guess, when is it?"
"When?"
"Gon?"
"Yes?" tanong nya at nandoon pa din ang pagpa-panic sa boses nya. Huminga
ako ng malalim.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 32
"Gon told me that you have already decided for the date of our wedding
without telling us. And it's on next Sunday! Seriously, Papà? What's with
the rush?!"
And I'm scared, because it felt like he's looking at me like a stranger
instead as her daughter.
"Yes. The Mancini's even agreed with the date. I think there's nothing
wrong with that."
"That's the point. You'll both get married anyway so there's no need to
prolong the wedding."
Napabuga ako ng hangin. Mariin akong pumikit para mapakalma ang sarili
ko. Kalma lang, Vexen. Ama mo pa rin ang kaharap mo. I still need to
respect him.
"We will get married anyway so there's no need to rush the wedding,
Papà." mahinahon kong sabi nang dumilat. "Please, reconsider the date."
Kumunot ang noo nya. "Why are you against getting married as soon as
possible? Are you planning to run away again?"
Bumagsak ang dalawang mga balikat ko dahil sa sinabi nya. I knew it. This
is about it. Hindi nya pa rin nakakalimutan ang pagtakas ko kahit na
anong gawin ko. Kahit na umattend ako ng engagment party ko. Kahit na
ilang beses akong lumabas kasama si Gon. Kahit na nakipag kita na ako sa
wedding gown designer ko kanina for my wedding dress.
It's still the same issue for him. I understand him though. I broke his
trust. And for those two years that I was hiding, he was scanning the
whole world just to find me.
"I won't run away again." nanghihina kong sabi at tinitigan sya sa mga
mata. I let him see my true feelings contratry to his stoic face. "I
won't abandon my Kuya Vander again. I even meet Jillian and picked my
wedding gown earlier."
"Then there's no problem here. The wedding will be on next Sunday. Meet
with your wedding organizer tomorrow. End of discussion." muli nyang
binalingan ang mga papeles sa harapan na at mukhang wala na akong balak
kausapin pa.
Ilang minuto akong nakatayo lang doon, hoping that he'll talk to me
again. Pero hindi na muling nag angat ang tingin nya. Malalim akong
kumuha ng buntong hininga bago mabigat ang mga paang lumabas ng office
nya.
"Vexen..."
He stared at me. Mabigat ang pagtitig nya pero hindi ko sinubukang mag
iwas ng tingin. He's reading me and I want him to know what I really
feel. Kahit man lang si Kuya Vander ay malaman nya. Kasi ako, kahit ako,
hindi ko rin alam kung anong nararamdam ko.
Napanguso ako dahil sa sinabi nya. Ginulo nya naman ang buhok ko kaya't
napaiwas ako. Hinuli nya ako at mabigat ang braso nya nang inakbayan ako.
"Kuya!"
He drove his way to the nearest pizza parlor. Pizza is my favorite kaya
nag-order ako ng marami. Sabi nya naman libre nya eh.
"Ubusin mo yan. Ikaw talaga ang ibabayad ko kapag may tinira ka dyan." he
warned. I just made a face and started eating.
This is what I've missed with Kuya Vander for two years that I'm away.
Kahit hindi kami magka-dugo ay basang-basa nya ang pag-uugali ko. I don't
know how he's doing it. Magaling ba syang bumasa ng emosyon ng tao o
talagang hindi ako magaling magtago ng nararamdaman?
But still, my guard is down whenever I'm with him. I felt safe when I'm
with him, even before. He always protect me, comforting me when I'm
feeling down. He never fails to do his brother duties.
I was against when my father remarried but that thought was long before
gone when I met Kuya Vander.
"Tell me, Vexen. Do you want to get married or not?" tanong nya sa gitna
ng pagkain namin.
"Let me rephrase that. Do you want to get married to Gon Israel Mancini
or not?" nakatitig lang sa akin ang mga mata nya habang tinatanong iyon.
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Mas lalo ko tuloy narinig ang ingay ng mga tao
sa paligid namin. Alam naman nya ang sagot so there's no need for me to
answer. The reason why I ran away away was because I was against of my
arrange marriage. I don't want to marry the man I didn't love.
I cursed. Damn his instinct. Ang galing nya talagang bumasa! Ni hindi ko
naman kinausap si Death doon sa engagement party pero nakahalata na sya!
"Paano mo nalaman?"
He shrugged. "Well, buong gabi ng engagement party mo, sayo lang sya
nakatingin. Mukha syang batang binigyan ng lollipop kapag tinitignan mo
sya. It was so obvious that he's so whipped."
"Do you want me to help?" Kuya Vander asked. Muli syang kumagat ng malaki
sa pizza nya. Ang mga pisngi nya ang lumobo pa sa dami ng laman ng bibig
nya.
Hindi na ako sumagot. As much as I want to ask for his help, I can't.
This wedding should happen. Ginagawa ko ito para hindi maranasan ni Kuya
Vander ang magulo kong buhay. I know my father would really force him to
join the El Ordre once na hindi ako tumuloy sa kasal.
I'm trapped.
Nakasimangot ang mukha ni Gon nang sunduin nya ako kinabukasan para sa
meeting namin with our wedding organizer. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at
tuloy tuloy na pumasok sa loob ng kotse nya. Baka naiinis lang sya dahil
wala syang naikama sa araw na ito dahil sa lakad namin.
Pero nainis ako nang padabog nyang isinara ang pinto pagkapasok ko. What
the heck? Ang lakas ng pagkakasara nya at halos mabingi pa ako doon!
Nag aabang na ang matalim na titig ko nang makaupo sya sa driver's seat.
Binuhay nya ang makina pero hindi agad pinaandar ang kotse.
"What the hell is your problem?!" I spat! Huwag nya sa akin isisi kung
bakit wala syang makakalampungan ngayon!
"You!" ganting sigaw nya. Imbes na magulat ay mas tumalim ang tingin ko
sa kanya.
"What?! You're blaming me because you can't fuck any woman today?! Well,
for your information, it was my father who set us up with this
appointment and not me!"
"What the fuck? I am not that shallow! But yes, I'm blaming you for a
different reason! If you hadn't ran away for two years then our parents
won't rush this fucking wedding!" hinampas nya pa ang steering wheel at
pinigilan ko ang sarili kong ihampas ang ulo nya doon.
"If I hadn't ran away, then you won't be having the time of your life
bedding and fucking women everyday! You should thank me instead of
getting mad at me!"
"Well, thank you very much." sarkastisko nyang sabi na may sarkastisko
pang ngisi sa akin.
Dear, God. Please, give me more patience before I kill this man on the
driver's seat.
"Baka kung hindi pa ako umalis, hindi gaganda yang katawan mo! Baka
manatili ka pa ding bakla sa paningin ko!" sigaw ko. Tignan natin kung
hindi sya mainis sa pagta-Tagalog ko.
And I was right. Kaagad na kumunot ang noo nya. "What the heck are you
saying?"
"Ikaw ang alien! Gago ka! Iniinis mo ko, eh! Ikaw ang mainis sa atin
ngayon!"
Napatili ako nang mabilis nyang paandarin ang kotse. Madaming mura ang
lumabas sa bibig ko dahil sa ginawa nya. My head fell back because of the
force and now my neck is hurting! And heck, I wasn't even wearing my
seatbelt!
"Finally. You're back on being human again." ngisi nya bago pinabagalan
ang takbo ng sasakyan.
Hindi na lang ako umimik kahit na ayaw magpatalo ng isip ko. May
bumubulong kasi sa akin na gawin ang naisip ko kanina. Ang sipain si Gon
palabas ng sasakyan. Ano kayang itsura nya kapag nagpagulong-gulong ang
katawan nya sa kalsada? Napahagikgik tuloy ako nang ma-imagine ko iyon.
Ligtas naman kaming nakarating sa restaurant kung saan namin kikitain ang
wedding organizer namin. I can't believe that I'm doing this. Talking and
meeting to the organizer about the wedding with the man that I planned to
murder just a while ago.
Suck it up, Vexen. Your life is a mess since your mother died.
"What color do you want to use as your motif for your wedding?" tanong ni
Richi, ang baklang wedding organizer. I'm amaze that my father knew
someone like him. Mukha kasi syang approachable at friendly, very unlike
my father.
"Black." walang gana kong sabi. I saw that Gon glared at me but I just
rolled my eyes at him.
Pero si Richi ay impit na napatili. "That is a brilliant idea! Black
suits you, Miss Bellucci. We can pair it up with white. Your bridesmaids
will wear black gown and you'll be the only one who'll wear white!"
Gusto ko sanang sabihin na pati sana wedding gown ko ay black pero tapos
na nga pala akong makipagkita sa wedding gown designer ko. Pwede pa
kayang ibahin?
"Black gives the appearance of mystery. And you have that mystery look,
Miss Bellucci. You have this aura that says there's something inside you
that makes men want to dig out! I bet many guys had tried to hit on you,
am I wrong?"
Ngumiti na lang ako at tumango para wala syang sabihin. Napangisi naman
si Gon sa tabi ko kaya siniko ko sya.
"I knew it!" patiling sabi ni Richi. "Don't worry. Just leave it to me.
I'll work my magic on this. I'll make your wedding the 'wedding of the
year'!"
Wala kaming imikan ni Gon habang nagda-drive sya papunta sa pad nya. I
want to be alone kaya doon ako nagpahatid. Pareho kaming pagod kahit na
hindi naman kami masyadong nagsalita. Siguro yung tenga ang napagod sa
amin dahil sa kadaldalan ni Richi. Nadamay na lang ang katawan.
"Why aren't you against with this marriage?" I asked Gon when he parked
the car in front of his pad.
"Believe me, Vexen. I don't want this. I just can't do anything to stop
this marriage. I'm not strong like you that can go against my parents."
I stared at him. There was truth in his eyes. Tumango na lang ako at
hindi na nagtanong kung bakit ayaw nyang kalabanin ang mga magulang nya.
Or his father, rather.
Tumawa sya dahil sa sinabi ko. He jerked his head towards the pad in
front of us.
"I know you're tired. You should rest." tumango ako at binuksan ang
pintuan ng kotse sa banda ko.
"Bye, womanizer."
Bumalik ang alaala ko sa kahapon. Does Death already knew that our
wedding will be held next week? Sabi nya ay sya lang ang dapat na
pakasalan ko, diba? But how would I do that if I'm trapped with this
engagement?
Alam ko sa sarili ko na umaasa akong may gagawin sya para mapigilan ang
kasal pero ayoko namang mabigo sa bandang huli.
I'm mad at him but I still can't deny the fact that I love him. Kaya ko
naman syang patawarin. Nasaktan ako pero masyado ko syang mahal para
mapanatili ang galit ko sa kanya. But now that I'm getting married, will
I still have a chance to be with him again?
Humiga ako sa kama at bago pa ako makapikit ay nadinig kong tumunog ang
cellphone ko. I received a text message and it was from Gon. I
immediately opened it.
Gon:
Of my brother.
Me:
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 33
One day before my wedding day and I already feel like a dead man walking.
Not only for today but for the whole week. Kung ang ibang mga ikakasal ay
masayang hinihintay ang araw, ako naman ay parang hinihintay ang araw na
bibitayin ako.
Now that it's my last day being single, I spent my time alone in my room.
Hindi na talaga ako lumabas simula pagkagising ko at hinahatiran na lang
ng pagkain ng mga kasambahay. Kuya Vander even checked on me earlier to
see if I am still breathing. Nang masigurong buhay pa naman ako ay umalis
na din agad sya.
Now that I think of it, parati na lang umaalis si Kuya Vander nitong
nagdaang linggo. I have no idea what he does. Gusto ko sanang tanungin
pero kahit ang makipag-usap ay nawawalan ako ng gana.
I haven't seen Death since the day that we met with my wedding gown
designer. Wala akong naging balita sa kanya. Nawawalan na rin tuloy ako
ng pag-asa na gagawa sya ng paraan para mapigilan ang kasal. Without
sacrificing Kuya Vander's freedom.
My father became busy too. Sya ang nag aasikaso ng kasal na akala mo sya
ang ikakasal. Even Gon's parents. Wala kaming ginagawa ni Gon kung hindi
ang tumunganga at maghintay ng mga inuutos nila. We're like robots that
was waiting for their owners to give their commands. Matagal na akong
sanay sa ganito. I was a lone robot before but now, dalawa na kami.
"I'm fine..." I whispered. Hindi ko alam kung nadinig nya iyon pero
tumatango-tango sya.
Nag angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. And for a second, I saw an emotion in
his eyes. Malamlam ang mga mata nyang nakatingin sa akin. Para bang ayaw
nya ng sinabi nya pero wala syang magawa. Nabigla ako at kumurap pero
nang muli akong tumingin sa kanya ay wala na ang emosyon na iyon.
"Go back to your room. Rest. It's your big day tomorrow."
"Buonanotte, Papà." I bid him goodnight and turned my back on him to walk
towards the door.
I really hope that this was just a long nightmare. Magigising ako at ang
una kong makikita ay ang natutulog na mukha ni Death sa tabi ko. He'll
wake up seconds later and we'll cuddle until we're both satisfied. Then
he'll cook breakfast for the both of us.
God... I miss those times so much. Sana talaga ay masamang panaginip lang
ito.
I stopped myself from crying. Baka kasi maramdaman ko ang mga luha ko at
ma-realize kong this is really the reality. I still can't accept what's
happening right now and what would happen for tomorrow.
Patay ang ilaw sa kwarto ko nang makarating ako kagaya ng iniwan ko iyon
kanina. Pero kahit na madilim ay hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang bulto ng
isang lalaking nakaupo sa dulo ng kama ko. I thought that it was Archer
at first, ganoon naman sya eh. But when the silhouette stood up and took
a steps towards me, I gasped.
My heart beats wildly against my chest. Parang gustong kumawala doon. And
only one man can make my heart race crazily like this.
Umangat ang kamay nya at hinaplos ang pisngi ko. I leaned my cheek
against his warm hand. Goodness. He's real. He's real and he's in front
of me!
No, this isn't wrong. God knows how much I want to kiss and touch him!
How much I want to make love to him! But I'm getting married tomorrow! At
sa kapatid nya pa!
I glared at him. Anong 'so'? Ikakasal na ako at alam nya iyon! Okay sana
kung sa kanya ako ikasal eh. I would gladly surrender myself to him
countless times. Pero hindi eh. Hindi sya ang pakakasalan ko.
His jaw clenches. Tumalim ang tingin nya sa akin. The danger was visible
despite the darkness of my room. Bumilis ang paghinga nya at mas lumapit
sa akin. Napasandal ako sa nakasaradong pintuan sa likuran ko.
"That doesn't mean that you don't love me, anymore. Ikakasal ka lang sa
kanya pero ako pa rin ang mahal mo."
Itinukod nya ang mga braso nya sa magkabilang gilid ko. I am now a
prisoner in his arms but I'm not planning to escape. Kung pwede nga lang
ay manatili ako bilang preso nya sa loob ng mga bisig nya. Pero hindi
pwede. Alam kong matatapos na ang kung ano mang mayroon sa amin ni Death
ngayong gabi.
He leaned closer and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I felt
his warm breath just behind my ears.
"Don't you love me anymore, huh, Vexen?" mapang akit nyang tanong na
nagpaawang sa mga labi ko. "Sagot!" he hissed.
Merda! He's using he's dominant voice again! And it felt so good to hear
it! Ang malandi kong katawan ay gusto na lang bumigay sa kanya.
Inilapat ko ang kamay ko sa dibdib nya para sana itulak sya pero nang
madama ko ang tibok ng puso nyang kasing bilis ng sa akin ay hindi ko
magawa. Nanatiling nagpapahinga doon ang mga palad ko.
"Nevermind. I know you still love me. I know you still do."
Bahagya nyang inilayo ang ulo nya para titigan ako. I stared back at him
and my lips parted when I saw his smirk.
"You know that you can't cheat Death, honey." pagkatapos ay inatake nya
ang mga labi ko.
Kaya hindi ko na pinigilan pa ang sarili ko. Agad na pumulupot ang mga
braso ko sa leeg nya at tinugon ang mga halik nya. He moaned and he
pulled me closer to him.
His moan! Merda! Para akong sinilaban nang marinig ko ang ungol nya.
Napasabunot pa ako sa buhok nya at mas pinalalim ang halik. The
butterflies in my stomach were moving wildly that makes me want to kill
them all! Behave! I am having the time of my life here! Huwag nyo akong
istorbohin!
His hands move down onto my waist. Iniyakap nya ang mga braso nya doon.
Mas lalo akong tumingala at pinag igihan ang paghalik sa kanya.
Fuck that wedding. Bahala na. Ang mahalaga ay gusto ko ang ginagawa ko
ngayon.
He bit my lower lip that made me gasped. Naputol iyon nang ipinasok nya
ang dila nya sa loob ng bibig ko. I welcomed his tongue with mine and a
moaned had escaped from me when he sucked my lower lip.
Pinagpalit nya ang pwesto namin at naglakad sya papunta sa may kama ko
nang hindi pinuputol ang halikan namin. Slowly, he made me sit on the
edge of the bed. Nakatingala na ako habang sya ay nakayuko. Mula sa batok
ay hinigit nya ang damit nya para hubarin. Isinunod nyang hubarin ang top
ko bago ipinagpatuloy ang paghahalikan namin.
"Vexen..." he breathed between our kiss. Unti unti nya akong inihaga sa
kama at agad syang pumatong sa ibabaw ko.
His lips trailed down my neck. Nakabuka ang bibig nya habang pinapaulanan
ng hangin ang leeg ko. My throat is under his mercy. I surrender myself
to him the moment that he kissed me.
His warm hand caressed my exposed tummy. Saglit nyang pinisil pisil iyon
bago napunta ang kamay nya sa likod ko. He unclasped my bra and removed
it. Hinagis nya iyon sa kung saang parte ng kwarto ko.
"I missed you..." he breathed. Damang dama ko ang init ng hininga nya sa
leeg ko. Tuluyan na akong nalasing at nagpaubaya na sa kung anong gusto
nyang gawin.
Saglit syang bumangon para tuluyang hubarin ang natititang saplot namin
sa mga katawan. Titig na titig kami sa isa't isa habang hinuhubad ang mga
damit namin. At nang muli syang pumatong sa ibabaw ko ay parang sabik na
sabik na hinalikan ako.
My sinful hands caressed his abs down to his v-line earning a moan from
him. I smile between our kiss. Binaba ko pa ang haplos ko until I was
able to touch his shaft.
"Fuck!" he cursed and deepened the kiss. Gigil na gigil sya at napahawak
sa may bewang ko. Ang mga daliri ay ay bumabaon na sa balat ko.
"Fuck!"
"Hmm!"
My moan has died inside his mouth. He sucked my tongue as his pace
started to get faster. Napayakap ako sa mga balikat nya at napabitaw sa
halikan namin.
Isiniksik nya ang mukha nya sa leeg ko. Dinig na dinig ko ang paghingal
nya at nakikiliti ako sa bawat pagdampi ng hininga nya sa balat ko. He
cursed as he thrusts harder and deeper.
"Ohh, yes. Death. Faster!" I was delirious and began to meet his thrusts.
Napahawak si Death sa bewang ko at mas naging marahas ang pag ulos.
No! He mustn't leave any marks on my neck! Tube type pa naman ang wedding
gown ko bukas so malamang kitang kita iyon!
Pero hindi ko na nagawang iiwas ang sarili ko nang mas bumibilis ang pag
ulos nya. Bawat pagpasok ay marahas at nagpapabaliw sa akin. Napasabunot
ako sa buhok nya at idiniin ang ulo nya sa leeg ko.
I don't care if he leaves any mark! All I want is to reached the peak
with him!
My body bounced with his every thrust. My moan vibrated by the force.
Sinasalubong ko ang mabilis nyang paggalaw at ilang sandali pa ay
narating ko na ang sukdulan.
"Oh, fuck!" he cursed as I felt his loads shoots inside of me. Hinihingal
syang bumagsak sa ibabaw ko at ibinaon ang mukha sa leeg ko.
I can hear his heartbeat. Kasing bilis ng sa akin. Napapikit na lang ako
at mas pinakinggan pa iyon.
"Vexen..."
"Hmm?"
"And then live with me. Magpapakasal tayo. Magkakaanak. Ako ang magiging
asawa mo at wala ng iba."
I was tempted by his offer. Gusto kong tumango at mag empake ng mga gamit
para sumama na sa kanya. But I know that it isn't the right thing to do.
Hahanapin kami ni Papà. And going with him means that I'm abandoning my
Kuya Vander again.
"What?"
"What do mean that you can't? We've done this before, Vexen! We were
happy until you left me!"
No, Death. You're wrong. I left because my father had found me. At
mapapahamak ka kapag hindi ako sumama sa kanya.
I love you so much that I am willing to sacrifice my own freedom just for
your safety.
I wanted to tell him that but I can't. Kahit iyon na lang ang naiisip
kong paraan. Pero alam kong kakausapin nya talaga si Papà at natatakot
akong may gawing masama sa kanya ang ama ko.
Nabasag ang boses nya kaya mabilis akong lumingon sa gawi nya. Namumula
ang mga mata nya at parang sinaksak ang puso ko sa sakit na nakita ko
doon.
"Death..."
"Dahil ba nasaktan kita? I'm sorry, Vexen. Anong gusto mong gawin ko para
mahalin mo ako ulit? Para mapatawad mo ako? Tell me, Vexen. Gagawin ko
ang lahat."
I bit my lower lip as I saw a tear that drop from his eyes. Umangat ang
kamay ko para sana punasan iyon pero umilag sya.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But, please. Don't unlove me. I am nothing
without your love. Please, honey. Tell me that you still love me."
Mabilis ko syang niyakap para tumigil sya. I can't bear to hear his
broken voice. Hindi ko maisip na magmamakaawa sya at masasaktan nang
dahil sa akin.
Humiwalay sya at may inilagay sa mga palad ko. Nang tignan ko iyon ay
halos madurog na ang puso ko.
Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha ko habang nakatitig sa mga bagay na nasa
palad ko. Walang pag aalinlangan kong isinuot ang bracelet sa kanya at
ang kwintas sa akin. He smiled pero mas lalo akong napaiyak.
"I love you, Death. But the wedding must happen." nabibigo kong sabi.
Bumagsak ang mga balikat nya at napatitig sa akin. His eyes roamed my
whole face. Probably searching the joke in my words but I'm all serious
and hurt. Nang makita nya iyon ay bumalatay ang sakit sa mukha nya.
"I can't stop it. I can't. Maraming madadamay kapag umatras ako. Even you
and my Kuya Vander. I can't."
Humagulgol ako. Ibinaon ko ang buong mukha ko sa mga palad ko. I cried. I
was so helpless. Hindi ko alam kung paano mareresolba ang tungkol dito. I
don't even know why my father wanted me to marry the Mancini!
Wala na ba talagang ibang paraan? Malakas ako hindi ba? Pero bakit ang
problemang ito ay hindi ko pa malusutan?
Kumalas ako kay Death at tinitigan sya sa mga mata. He's hurting too.
"I understand." he said which made me cry more. "But this is my promise
to you, Vexen. Hindi ako susuko. Gagawa ako ng paraan. Kung
kinakailangang lumuhod ako sa kahit kanino, gagawin ko. Sa akin ka lang
ikakasal."
"Wait for me, Vexen. Hindi ko hahayaan na matuloy ang kasal mo bukas."
That was his last words to me before he left my room. I have no idea what
he'll do. But I trust him. He's my Death. But I still trust him.
I was frantically looking around while I'm walking. Si Kuya Vander ang
umaalalay sa akin habang naglalakad ako kaya kampante akong magpalinga
linga.
No signs of Death.
"Of my brother."
"We're not yet on that part, young one. Who are you?" my father bellowed.
The guy just shrugged his shoulders and walked down the aisle. Ang paraan
ng paglalakad nya ay maawtoridad kaya kahit na ginugulo nya ang kasal ay
walang nagtangkang pumigil sa kanya. His stance was already shouting of
authority and I knew by then that he is not just an ordinary man.
"Oh, my bad." he said. His british accent was so thick. "Let me introduce
myself."
Lumingon muna sya sa ama kong nakakunot na din ang noo sa hindi pa
nakikilalang lalaki. I'm surprised that he's not doing anything to stop
this stranger now that the wedding was ruined because of him.
He smiled gently when he met my gaze. Hindi ko alam pero natakot ako sa
paraan ng pagngiti nya. It was gentle yet... dangerous.
"I am Loki Alexander Nimrod Von Amstel the fourth. Nice to finally meet
you, Miss Vexen Bellucci."
---
Malapit nang matapos :(( :)) sana suportahan nyo ulit ang mga upcoming
stories ko!
Vote and comment please. Thank you!
Lady Hiro
Chapter 34
"You're gorgeous, Miss Bellucci. Now I know why he begged me to stop this
wedding." makahulugan nyang sabi bago tumingin kay Gon na mukhang nagulat
din. "Loki Von Amstel, Mr. Gon Mancini." he offered his hand to Gon.
Mabilis naman iyon tinanggap ng katabi ko.
"Von... Amstel?"
"My lord."
Nagulat ako sa ginawa ng ama ko. Lumuhod sya gamit ang isang tuhod nya at
yumukod sa lalaking nasa harap ko. Sumunod si Mr. Mancini sa ginawa ng
ama ko at kalahati sa mga guest ay ganoon din ang ginawa. While the other
half of the guest looked so confused.
And I'm one of them. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari. My father, whom
I have known as the strongest and dangerous man in my whole life, is
bowing down to someone while calling him his "Lord".
"Rise. I'm here mainly because to stop the wedding and to talk with Miss
Bellucci here." maawtoridad nyang sabi pero nang tumingin sya sa akin ay
muli akong nginitian. I felt a goosebumps that I had to hug my myself
para pigilan ang nananayo kong mga balahibo.
Ang mga nakaluhod ay agad din namang tumayo. Napatingin ako kay Papà na
napabuntong hininga nang tumingin sa akin.
My lips parted because of shock. Did he just agreed with this man that
easily? My father is a former member of El Ordre. He can even kill anyone
without any remorse and yet he's being like this over a man named Loki
Von Amstel?
And he knows Death. Tama nga ako nang isipin kong sya ang ipinadala nya
para mapigilan ang kasal namin.
Sumama ako kay Loki nang magsimula syang maglakad palabas ng simbahan.
Napanganga ako nang makita ang isang black limousine na nakaparada doon.
His driver opened the back door seat and Loki offered me to went in first
which I did. Sya naman ay umupo sa upuan sa harap ko.
This isn't my first time riding in a limousine but his car is definitely
the most elegant that I've ever seen. Napansin ko ang isang chess board
na nakalabas pa ang mga pieces sa isang gilid. May mini ref din doon at
napamaang ako ng maglabas sya ng bote ng wine. Inalok nya ako at tumanggi
ako.
The engine roared. Alam kong umaandar na ang sasakyan pero sa gaan ng
pagpapatakbo ng driver ay halos hindi ko na maramdaman iyon. Kampanteng
sumandal si Loki sa upuan habang hawak ang wine glass na may lamang red
wine. Elegante syang uminom doon at tinitigan ako.
"Who are you?" I asked when I felt awkward because of his stare. It felt
like he's reading what happened in my whole entire life using those sea-
green eyes of him.
Ngumiti sya at nagsisimula na akong mainis sa paraan ng pagngiti nya.
Kung siguro ibang babae ang makakakita nito ay malamang kikiligin sila.
This man is no doubt hot and gorgeous and can make any girls swoon over
him. Pero hindi ako normal na babae. Natutunan ko kung paano ang magbasa
ng mga emosyon. Kaya sigurado akong may itinatago nga ang lalaking
kaharap ko ngayon.
"I am Loki Alexander Nimrod Von Amstel the fourth. Haven't I told you
that already?" takang tanong nya but I can see that his eyes were being
playful.
Sumimsim sya sa kopitang hawak nya pero nakita ko naman ang ngising
itinago nya. Nang ibinaba nya ang wine glass ay bumalik ang maganda nyang
ngiti.
"Sino ka? Bakit mo pinigilan ang kasal ko?" diretso kong tanong. Ilang
sandali nya akong tinitigan bago tuluyang nagpakita ang ngisi nya. And
this time, he didn't bother hiding it.
"Simple. Because Death asked me to." sagot nya at inisang lagok ang laman
ng wine glass. I frowned.
"He did errands for me. Lahat ng utos ko ay sinusunod nya. He's like a
nanny slash bodyguard slash chef slash dishwasher. Hmm... Ano pa ba?"
umakto syang nag iisip. "Ah! Slash housekeeper slash driver slash-"
"Miss Bellucci..." natatawa nya pa ring sabi. "That's why I've said
former butler. Means he's not my butler anymore. Hindi ka nakikinig." he
smiled and I shivered. Napaangat tuloy ang likod ko mula sa
pagkakasandal.
Natahimik ang loob ng sasakyan habang pinapakalma ko ang sarili ko.
Binubuo ko ang mga sinasabi nya. So maybe Death trained how to stealth
walk to protect his master. Required siguro ang mga butler na mag aral ng
ganoon. I doubt that he even learned any self defense.
But how does he knew L, then? And why does he's blaming himself to the
shooting that happened in my house?
"Hindi pa yan ang lahat, Miss Bellucci." Loki said, breaking the silence
between us. "I've told you that I'm going to tell you everything that I
know about Death, right?" he smirked. "Now, brace yourself, V. Hindi
birong mga impormasyon ang sasabihin ko sa iyon."
"Let me introduce myself again." inubos nya ang laman ng wine glass at
maangas na nag de-kwatrong upo. "I am Loki Alexander Nimrod Von Amstel
the fourth, a royal blood, second cousin of Prince Wales of England. I am
also known as 'Fourth' under the orders from El Ordre."
Nagsimula akong kabahan at hindi naging normal ang paghinga ko. Kakampi
ko sya pero kinakabahan ako sa presensya nya. I am scared. Alam kong mas
malala pa ang kaya nyang gawin kumpara sa ama ko. So that's why my father
is acting like that in front of him.
"Then do you know about the human chess? It's popular here in Italy."
Hindi ako sumagot. Ang kabog ng puso ko ay mas lalong dumoble. Pakiramdam
ko ay tumataas ang kabog papunta sa lalamunan ko at gusto kong sumuka.
Gusto kong ilabas ang lahat ng nasa loob ng tyan ko kahit pa hindi ako
nakakakain ng maayos kanina.
Human chess. Of course I know that. Ang mga tao ang gaganap as the chess
pieces. Same rules as the normal chess game. Mahilig akong isama ni Papà
noon para manood ng human chess game.
"What if I told you that we are part of the human chess?" he looked at
me. "What would you do?"
I stared at him. Hinintay ko ang pagtawa nya. I can't read him anyway.
Hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro ba sya o seryoso ang sinasabi nya. Just like
now. He looked serious and yet, hindi ko magawang magseryoso sa mga
sinabi nya.
"Wala. 'Cause we are not part of the human chess game, Fourth. Kaya wala
akong gagawin."
He smirked again and I was insulted by looked that he gave me. Para bang
sinasabi nya na ang tanga ko dahil wala akong kaalam-alam gamit ang mga
mata nya. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the sinking feeling that I felt in
my stomach.
"Poor baby V..." he mockingly said. Napatakip ako ng bibig ko nang may
maalala.
"How-"
"You, Me, Mr. Mancini, Tracer, Archer, Violet, L and Death..." putol nya
sa sasabihin ko. "We are all part of the bloody human chess game, V. And
the only thing to stop the game is to kill the opponent's King." itinumba
nya ang King piece na kulay black gamit ang puting pawn na hawak nya.
Lumikha iyon ng babasagin na tunog.
"Mas mataas ang posisyon ni Mr. Mancini kumpara sayo, V. He can pass that
title to you once you've become a Mancini. That's why your father was so
desperate. Dahil iyon na lang ang paraan nya para mailigtas ka. With you
having so many enemies and being a pawn, madali kang gawing pain para sa
kalaban."
Napasabunot ako ng buhok ko. Nawala ang maganda kong ayos dahil sa mga
kamay ko but I didn't care. I can't digest this information that Loki is
giving me. Magulo. Nakakabigla.
Ang gusto ko lang naman ay hindi maikasal, pero bakit parang naging mas
magulo pa yata?
I'm one of a human chess pieces. A pawn, to be exact. Hindi ko alam kung
paano nangyari. Hindi ko alam na kasali pala ako sa laro. Ibig sabihin,
simula ng sumali ako sa El Ordre ay naglalaro ng ako ng chess ng hindi ko
nalalaman? Ipinapain na ako sa kalaban?
And Mr. Mancini... He can give me a promotion. Meaning that he's not a
pawn. Maybe he's a knight, a rook, or a bishop. Kaya ganoon na lang ang
pamimilit sa akin ni Papà na magpakasal ako sa pamilya nila. So I won't
be a pawn anymore. Hindi na ako pipiliin para maipain sa kalaban at para
maprotektahan na din ako sa mga gustong pumatay sa akin.
"If Mr. Mancini can give me a pawn promotion, then which chess piece is
he?" tanong ko nang kumalma ang isip ko.
Loki smiled. The smile that he used when he insulted me earlier.
"That I can't tell you. You're just a mere pawn, V. And a mere pawn
doesn't have the rights to question the upper ups. Ang gagawin nyo lang
ay sundin ang mga utos namin and put your life on stake for us."
Ibinagsak nya ang pawn na hawak nya sa chess board. Napatitig ako sa pawn
na nakatumba. I imagined myself being that piece. Risking her life just
for higher pieces.
"So you're one of the higher pieces?" I asked. Muling nagpakita ang ngisi
nya.
"Obviously."
Yeah. The way Mr. Mancini and my father kneeled in front of him, he is
definitely not a mere pawn. At mas mataas ang posisyon nya kaysa kay Mr.
Mancini dahil isa ito sa lumuhod para sa kanya kanina.
----
Lady Hiro
Chapter 35
"Being a piece from a human chess game has became a legacy of the people
who started the game. Naipapasa ang pagiging chess piece sa loob ng isang
pamilya. Magkadugo man o magka-apelyido. As long as the person who will
transfer to and the person who will transfer from has a connections, then
they can pass their positions to them."
Mataman ang mga mata kong nakikinig lang sa mga sinasabi ni Loki. He's
explaining to me the rules of this bloody human chess game. Kanina pa sya
salita ng salita kaya pakiramdam ko ay sasabog na ang utak ko sa dami ng
impormasyong pilit kong ipinapasok sa ulo ko.
Loki told me that all the mission that I've done was for the higher ups.
Being their pawn, I had no choice but to accept the job. Hindi lang
sinasabi sa akin ni Papà dahil ayaw nyang malaman ko ang pagiging pawn
ko. All he wanted was for me to be safe and protected.
"Your father, Dante Bellucci was a former pawn. His position was passed
down to you as you are his only daughter, the only young Bellucci. Their
game was already finished kaya ipinasa na nya ang posisyon na iyon sayo.
Mr. Mancini, though, haven't passed down his position yet and your father
took that opportunity so you can have your pawn promotion."
This is getting very complicated. I thought that the El Ordre was just a
simple organization that doing a charity for the government in the
shadows. Akala ko ay mabuting organisasyon ang napuntahan ko. But it's
not. We are being played at.
"How can we stop the game?" I asked. Tumikhim ako dahil gumaralgal ang
boses ko.
"I've told you already. You must kill the opponent's King. Whether you'll
make it bloody or not, it's up to you. As long as you can corner the King
and say 'Checkmate.'"
"That's the twist. Hindi mo alam at hindi mo kilala ang kalaban mo."
"That's the fun, V. Nakapa-depende ang lahat sa kung gaano kagaling ang
tracker ng both sides." kumuha sya ng dalawang pawn na kulay puti. "In
our case, it is Tracer and L's job to know who they are."
He gave me the pawns and I just stared at it. Kaya pala laging nakatutok
sa laptop si Tracer. Halos hindi na umalis ang mga mata nya doon buong
araw. I know why now. He's looking and finding information about our
opponent's identity.
"Money plus they can do everything they want to the remaining pieces of
the opponent's team. I mean everything."
"Who's our King?" tanong ko kay Loki. Ngumisi sya at muling uminom sa
wine glass nya. He licked his lips before he answered me.
"I can't tell you. You're just a mere pawn, V. And a pawn doesn't have
the right to question who were on the higher position. Kami lang na mga
nasa itaas ang nakakaalam kung sino ang mga nasa ilalim namin."
It's like I'm just a robot again that has to do his master's command
without any questions!
"Life is unfair, V. You can give your everything and have nothing in
return."
I looked at him and for just a second, I saw an emotion that. had passed
in his eyes. He looked hurt and broken for a moment that I even had the
urge to hug him kung hindi lang mabilis na nawala iyon.
"Kapag natapos ang larong ito at nagka-pamilya ako, then I have to passed
down my position as a pawn to my children?" pag iiba ko ng tanong. Halata
namang ayaw nyang mapag usapan ang kahulugan ng sinabi nya.
Ayokong matulad sa akin ang magiging mga anak ko. I was trained to fight
and kill since I was a child. I didn't experience to play barbie doll or
doll house. Baril ang hawak ko noon. I don't even have any friends. Amoy
ng dugo at putok ng baril ang palagi kong natatandaan. And the only
friend that I had was killed in front of me. My pet dog.
I don't want to force my child to marry someone just because they have a
higher position on the human chess game. I want my child to experience
love. To give and to receive love. I want my child to have a normal
childhood life. And I will do everything to give that to them.
"How?"
"If one from the higher ups will free you after doing their consequence,
then you will be out of the game."
"I won't vouch for your freedom, V. If you're thinking of that." mabilis
nyang sabi at napasimangot ako.
"Why?"
He chuckled before he gets another white pawn piece from the chess board
set again. Ibinato nya iyon sa akin at muntik ko pang hindi masalo. I
cursed at him but he just gave me his smirk.
"I already told you didn't I? That Death is just a pawn like you. Hindi
ka talaga nakikinig."
He's dangerous.
"Do you think your father haven't done that already?" tanong nya na
parang nabasa ang nasa isip ko. "He did, V. But failed. That's why
nakipag-deal na lang sya for your pawn promotion."
"Why do you want to free him?" pag iiba ko ng usapan. He said that he'll
tell all about Death, afterall.
Napadiresto ako ng upo nang mangati ang likod ko. My wedding dress is so
big and heavy. Nagpadagdag pa kasi ako ng layers for fluffiness. Ayan
tuloy, ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang paghihirap.
"Gusto nyang magpatuloy ang pamilya ng ama nya. But he realized that
being a butler is not a good inheritance for his child. That's why we
made a deal before. He completed that deal and I gave him his freedom. He
deserved it. He has been serving me for all his life."
This necklace serves as my lifeline while I was walking down the aisle
earlier. Ang maramdaman ang malamig nyang metal sa balat ko ay nakakapag
pakalma sa akin. It means that there's Death who's loving me.
"But he met you and all his principles crumbled. He considered changing
his surname just for you. He considered being a Mancini so he could
protect you. He wants to change his surname so he'll be the one whom you
will marry."
I bit my lower lip to stop it from trembling. Oh, Death. I didn't know
that you thought of things like that. Ibig sabihin ay talagang humanap
sya ng paraan para pigilan ang kasal ko kay Gon. He did everything just
for me.
He eyed me from head-to-toe with disgust in his eyes. Napaawang ang mga
labi ko at hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa nya. How dare he eyed me like
that?! Para bang diring diri sya sa akin base sa klase ng tingin na
binibigay nya.
"You're so weak." mapait na sabi nya. Ang mga salita ay parang gusto
nyang idura. "You thought that you're strong just because you've killed
people? No, V. You are so fucking weak that it disgusts me."
Bumilis ang paghinga ko sa sinabi nya. I hate L's guts but Loki is
different. Mapagpanggap sya. Simula pa lang ay alam ko ng peke ang mga
ngiti nya.
"Your father, your step-brother, Death. Even Tracer and Archer are
protecting you. Why do you need to be a fucking damsel-in-distress in the
first place anyway?"
How could he say those things? Wala syang alam! Wala syang alam kung
ilang mga misyon na ang ginawa ko at nanganib ang buhay ko! I even did
some missions alone! Without having anyone's help!
At sya? Anong ginagawa nya while I was staking my life for the higher
ups? Sitting and drinking wine comfortably! Kaya wala syang karapatan na
sabihin ang mga salitang iyon sa akin!
"Really?"
"Yes! You have no right—"
Tumawa sya pero sumeryoso agad ang mukha nya. Nagsimula na naman akong
kabahan.
My frowned deepened. That's easy. I've killed many people anyway. Kahit
gaano pa karami ang ipapatay nya ay magagawa ko iyon.
"Death's freedom."
And now, I can do something to free him? Then I'll do it. Sabi ko naman
diba? I'll choose his safety even if it means sacrificing my freedom.
"Who's the person that I need to kill?" matapang kong tanong kay Loki.
Umangat ang isang gilid ng mga labi nya. He bit his lower lip before it
turned into sa smirked. Muli syang lumapit sa chess board at kumuha ng
isang chess piece doon. Inihagis nya iyon sa akin at saktong nasalo ko ng
dalawang mga palad ko.
The rook.
"Find out who the opponent's rook is. And kill him, V. Can you do that?"
I heard Loki's low chuckle. "Good. Change the way how I'm seeing you, V.
'Cause for me, you look like a helpless princess waiting for her prince
to save her."
He tilted his head to one side. Pinaglaruan ng mga daliri nya ang mga
labi nya bago ako sinagot.
"Nope. The one who will strike first will get the white color. And right
now, were taking it."
"Why do you want me to kill the rook first?" tanong ko bago ako lumabas.
I can kill the knights, the bishops or the queen pero rook ang pinauna
nya.
"Why are we doing this?" tanong ko nang maguluhan. "Why are they making
us play as the human chess?"
Tumawa si Loki kahit na wala namang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko. He smiled at
me in a mocking way.
Hindi ako nagsalita. Mukha rin namang wala syang planong pagsalitain ako
base sa mga mata nyang mukhang nang uutos. Everything about him is
shouting of authority. One look at mapapasunod ka na sa kanya.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 36
---
After Loki sent me back at the church that day, I immediately hailed a
cab and went straight here at Tracer's pad. Naaalala ko pa ang itsura ni
Tracer nang mapagbuksan nya ako ng pinto noon. He looked so shocked
seeing me in a wedding dress. Titig na titig sya sa akin at gusto ko sana
syang tawanan ng malakas noon pero pinili ko ang magpalit agad dahil
hindi ako komportable sa suot ko.
It's been three days at hindi pa rin ako nagpapakita kay Papà. I promise
to myself that I'll talk to him once I've found out who the rook of The
Red Faction is. Marami kasi syang kailangan ipaliwanag sa akin pero sa
ngayon ay ito muna ang uunahin ko. It's better to give ourselves time and
space for now.
I took a sip and nod my head because of satisfaction. Dinala ko ang mug
ng kape na hawak ko at umupo sa tabi ni Tracer sa may sofa.
"Bakit?" I asked dahil kunot na kunot talaga ang noo nya. His jaw was
even clenching while glaring at his laptop. Kulang na lang ay awayin at
murahin nya iyon.
Muli akong humigop sa kape ko. He's been saying that, without the bad
words, for three days already. At ngayong hinaluan nya na iyon ng
pagmumura ay sigurado akong inis na talaga sya.
"You haven't slept yet?" nakangiwing tanong ko but it was obvious that he
haven't. Napanguso ako. If I didn't ask for his help, siguro ay natutulog
sya ngayon o kaya ay kagigising pa lang.
"Stop thinking about it, V. This is more important." sabi nya habang
nakakunot ang noong nakatingin sa akin. He just read what's on my mind
Muli nyang binalingan ang laptop at nagtipa ng kung ano doon. Halos
mahilo ako nang makita ko kung ano ang nasa screen. It was full of codes,
letters and numbers na sa palagay ko ay kahit titigan ko iyon sa magdamag
ay hindi ko pa din maintindihan.
Tracer kept on typing until the screen turns red with a caption saying
"Access Denied". He cursed before he took out his cellphone. Nag-dial sya
doon at ibinigay sa akin.
"Tell him I need his help." he said before he returned typing on his
laptop.
Wala akong nagawa kundi ang idikit ang cellphone sa tenga ko at hintaying
sagutin ni L ang tawag. Ilang sandali naman ay nangyari iyon.
Eh, sa hindi ako sanay makipag-usap kay L eh. This is the first that I
will talk to him over the phone.
Sampung segundo ang lumipas ay wala akong narinig na kahit ano mula sa
kabilang linya. I checked if the call is still connected and saw that it
still is.
"Hell—"
"V." dinig ko ang boses nya sa kabilang linya. Wala sa sariling napairap
ako.
"Okay." ang tanging sabi nya bago ibinaba ang tawag. Napatingin pa ako sa
cellphone to check and I cursed when I confirmed that he really did ended
the call!
Merda! The nerve of him to do that! Ni wala man lang pasabi na ibababa
nya na ang tawag!
"What the fuck?" hindi makapaniwala kong sabi. Mas lalong tumawa ng
malakas si Tracer na parang nang aasar pa.
"That's how the way he is. He's expressing his feelings in a different
way. And believe me when I say that he likes you."
Napamura ako. Hindi ko alam kung ginagago lang ba ako ni Tracer o ano.
Simula pa lang kasi noong una ay tinatarayan na ako ni L. Daig pa ang
matandang dalaga na menopausal na. Hindi ko naman matandaan kung anong
ginawa kong mali para tarayan nya ako!
"He said that he hates me!" giit ko nang maalala kung ano ang huli naming
napag usapan ni L.
"He doesn't know how to express emotions properly. Well, nainis talaga
sya sayo nang malaman nyang may boyfriend ka na."
I stilled when I saw the person that Tracer and I was talking about just
a while ago. Nakatitig lang din sya sa akin at halos irapan na ako bago
sya pumasok sa loob.
I puffed a breath because of that. See? Ganoon ba ang may gusto sa akin?
Halos kasuklaman na akong makita pa lang!
Don't worry. The feeling is fucking mutual.
Pero ang inis ko ay agad na nawala nang makita ang isa pang tao na
nakatayo sa labas. He flashed me a smile and I quickly hugged him.
"Death..." I said and burried my face on his chest. I inhaled his scent.
Oh my goodness. Kahit wala pang twenty-four hours mula nang huli kaming
magkita ay na-miss ko pa din sya ng sobra.
"No luck." mapait na sabi ni Tracer kahit na nakatutok ang mga mata nya
sa laptop.
Death was helping us too since day one. Tinawagan nya ako at sinabi ko sa
kanya ang nangyari sa kasalan. He sounded relieved when I told him that
Loki succeeded in stopping the wedding. I even told him the talk that I
had with Loki, minus the fact that I'm doing for his freedom.
"Stop being so helpless who's always asking for help and start saving
someone this time." Loki's words lingered on my mind. Siguro para sa
kanya ay mahina talaga ang tingin nya sa akin. Laging nagpapatulong.
Laging nagpapasabik.
But I'll prove to him that I can save someone too. I'll save Death. I'll
definitely give him his freedom.
Definitely.
"Try this code, Tracer." dinig kong sabi ni L. He looked different while
working. Kung noon ay seryoso na sya, ngayon ay mas lalo pang sumeryoso
ang mukha nya. Yun bang matatakot ka na biruin sya.
"Still can't fucking get in." sabi ni Tracer na mukhang nanggigigil na.
Puro mura na sya sinasabi nya eh.
"The rook isn't here in Italy. Iyon lang ang ibinigay nya sa aking clue,
though."
Tracer showed his famous smirked. Kuminang ang mga mata nyang masungit
bago mahinang tumawa.
"So stupid of me." bulong ni Tracer para sa sarili. "Thanks, Kier. That
was a big help." he called him by his codename. Nagkatinginan sila ni L
at parang nagkaroon ng pagkakaunawaan doon.
Pinagsiklop ni Death ang mga kamay namin at humilig ako sa mga balikat
nya. Damn. I missed this. Kung wala lang kaming ginagawang misyon ay
sosolohin ko si Death sa buong maghapon. No, maybe for the week. Or even
a year.
Or for a lifetime.
"Pizza delivery!"
Pero nang makita ko kung sino iyon ay natigilan ako. He's wearing a
three-fourth sleeve button down polo and a khaki shorts. May sunglasses
na nakapatong sa may ulo nya. He's holding a tupperwear while his other
hand was holding a lumpiang shanghai that he started eating.
"Fuck you, Archer!" inis na sabi ko at ibinaba ang baril. Death did the
same.
Merda! Nakakagulat ang pagpasok nya! Alam nya naman na basta basta na
lang akong nagpapa-putok ng baril!
"Chill, people. Masyado kayong seryoso, eh." umupo sya sa may pang
isahang sofa at nagde-kwarto pa ng upo. Kukuha na sana ako ng lumpia sa
tupperwear na inilapag nya sa mesa pero hinampas nya ang kamay ko. I
looked at him, completely bewildered.
"Tangina?"
Narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Death bago nya ako niyakap sa bewang. Isinama
nya ako paupo sa sofa.
"So this is your team, huh?" Death asked and burried his face on my neck.
Hinaplos ko ang buhok nya at marahan sinuklay iyon.
"Uh-huh." sagot ko. Maliban kay L, sina Archer at Tracer ang palagi kong
nakakasama sa mga misyon ko. Violet too, sometimes. But that girl likes
to work alone. Ngayon nga ay may misyon syang ginagawa kaya hindi ko
tuloy maistorbo.
"Final-fucking-ly!"
"I got fucking in." he smirked and bit his lower lip.
Tracer has been trying to hack the website of The Red Faction for three
days. At ngayon lang sya nagtagumpay. That website contains information
about the members of The Red Faction and even their history for the human
chess game.
Ito lang ang naisip naming paraan para malaman kung sino ang rook nila.
Since naipapasa ang posisyon sa loob ng isang pamilya, we decided to hack
their website to know who the former rook is. That way, malalaman namin
kung ano ang surname ng mga naging rook. Paniguradong iisa lang din naman
iyon. And once we've found out what their surname is, isusunod naming
hanapin kung kanino naipasa ang position with the same surname.
"I got it." Tracer said after a while. "The bastard is in the
Philippines."
"I booked a flight for the five of us." muling sabi ni L. "Kinuha ko ang
pinaka-maagang flight."
Another wow. Ni hindi man lang sya nagtanong ng passport details namin.
"Pack your things. We will leave first thing in the morning." si Tracer
na mukha pa ring tuwang-tuwa dahil sa mga nangyayari.
Death drove me back to the mansion. Mas marami kasi ang gamit ko dito at
nandito din ang passport ko. He bid me a goodbye kiss at sinabing
susunduin nya ako bukas.
I sighed. Guess it's time to talk to him. Nalaman ko na rin naman kung
nasaan ang rook. And I have to leave tomorrow morning.
"So the time has come, huh?" I nodded. Muling syang ngumiti at ang mga
mata nya ay tumitig sa akin. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you. I was just
trying to protect you."
"By not telling me everything and keeping me in the dark?" mapait na sabi
ko.
"I thought that it's best if I won't tell you. I thought that it's best
if I'll be the one who'll look for a way to save you." suminghot sya. Ang
mga mata ay nagsimulang kuminang dahil sa luha. "After your Mom died, you
became my most important person. I don't know how to protect you. Knowing
that I'll be putting you on danger once I've pass down my position as a
pawn to you. I'm sorry if I was just a mere pawn, Vexen. I'm sorry if I
can't protect you properly."
"Papà..."
He's opening up! I can't believe that my father is opening his heart to
me!
"Then I discovered about the Mancini. That was my last resort, Vexen.
That was the only thing that I know that can protect you. I forced you to
marry the man that you didn't love. It hurts me when you said that you
hate me. But it's fine, as long as I can keep you safe. It's fine."
Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko. I can't believe what I'm hearing. I was
wrong all along! My father was just trying to protect me but I've
misunderstood because I didn't even know a thing!
"I'm sorry, my daughter. I love you so much that I can't lose you. I
already lost your mother and I can't lose you too."
Lumapit ako sa kanya para yakapin sya. Niyakap nya ako pabalik at ilang
segundo kaming nagtagal sa ganoong posisyon bago naghiwalay. Nakita kong
namumula ang mga mata nya.
"Now, I'm doing everything to get out of this stupid game." sabi ko.
"Please, trust me with this, Papà. Trust me on this. I'll ask for your
help if I need it. Would you help me?"
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 37
----
The sun wasn't even up yet nang makarating kami sa airport. Ako lang yata
ang naka-luggage at ang mga kasama ko ay isang bag lang ang dala. May
maliit na sling bag pa akong dala just for my personal belongings. I
sighed. Perks of being the only girl in this group.
Nanatili muna kami sa waiting area habang hinihintay tawagin ang flight
number namin. We still have less than two hours to wait. Si Tracer at L
ay parehong nakatututok na naman sa kanilang mga laptop. I bet they're
still collecting informations about the identity of the rook. Si Archer
naman ay mukhang inaantok pa na makailang beses nang humihikab.
"Fuck! I still have a jet lag from my flight yesterday!" inis na sabi nya
at muling humikab.
"Sweet pero wala ka naman ibang ginawa kundi ang kumain ng lumpia!"
Hinaplos ko tuloy ang mukha ni Death at dinama ang panga nya. Napangiti
ako nang makiliti ang mga palad ko sa maliliit nyang facial hair na
nandoon. Now, this is what I like. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay mas lalo ko
syang minamahal sa maliliit na detalyeng ito.
"Sleep, honey. You'll need it." bulong nya at ibinaba ang kamay ko pero
hindi na nya iyon binitawan. Umiling ako.
Mas lalo yatang dumoble ang galit sa mukha ni Tracer. Even his eyes were
shooting daggers at the laptop's screen. Si L naman ay walang pakialam na
patuloy lang sa mabilis na pagtitipa.
"Then take the fucking risk, asshole! Masakit na sa matang makita kang
parang tanga sa pagiging miserable!"
"Would you like me to gauge your eyeballs out so you wouldn't be able to
see me?" gigil at may pagbabantang sabi ni Tracer.
"Fuck you, fucker! Huwag kang iiyak-iyak sakin kapag nalaman mong may iba
nang sumasamba sa dyosa mo!"
Hindi na sumagot si Tracer kaya natahimik ang grupo namin. Ang ibang
taong napalingon sa amin dahil sa sigawan nila kanina ay nag iwas ng
tingin. Seriously? Kung magsasagutan sila ay huwag naman sana sa public
place!
Our flight was already called after two hours of waiting. Mabuti na lang
at business class ang pina-book ni L para sa amin. Makakapag-pahinga ako.
Kulang din kasi ako sa tulog. Hindi na ako dinalaw ng antok after that
talked that I had with my father.
So meaning, pati mga guns, grenades, rifles at kung ano ano pang
kakailanganin namin sa pakikipaglaban ay nandoon na.
Pagkalabas namin ay nagulat ako nang makita ang pamilyar na kotse nina
Death at Archer na naka-park doon. It seems like ipinag-drive nila iyon
sa mga kakilala nila.
"Are you tired?" Death asked while driving. Bahagya syang sumulyap sa
akin nang mapahikab ako.
Dammit. Nakatulog naman ako kanina habang nasa eroplano kami pero
nakakapagod pa rin talaga.
"Let's have dinner first before you sleep. I'm planning to cook if
there's enough ingredients on L's house but if not, then magpa-deliver na
lang tayo. Is that okay?"
I nodded. "Is this okay with you, though?" pag iiba ko ng usapan. "Sa
lumalabas kasi ay sila ang nasusunod. Are you okay working with someone?"
Hindi ko naman kasi alam kung paano sya magtrabaho. I haven't experienced
teaming up with him before. Sa loob ng ilang taong pagta-trabaho sa El
Ordre ay sina Tracer, Archer, Violet at Shielder pa lang ang nagiging mga
partners ko. Sanay ako ng may mga partners pero sanay din naman kapag mag
isa lang. I don't know about Death, though.
I remained silent. I felt guilty but I don't want to tell him the truth.
Na para sa kanya talaga 'to. Hindi kasi talaga sya papayag.
"Shit!" I heard him cursed. Napayuko kaming pareho habang patuloy pa din
syang nagda-drive.
"V! Are you okay?" he's worried voice filled inside the car.
"Glove compartment." nag iigting ang mga panga nya nang sagutin ang
tanong ko. He cursed when the pursuers tried to shoot us again.
"It's a black Mazda behind you. I'll give you directions and just follow
it, okay?"
"Turn right at the intersection." Tracer said and Death did what he said.
Ang kotse namang sinasakyan nila Tracer ay kumaliwa.
"At thirty meters, turn right again." si Tracer na naging WAZE na namin.
But whoever's driving that black Mazda is smart. They swerve to the right
kaya hindi ko napatamaan ang gulong ng kotse nila.
"Go straight."
"Ten meters, turn left. Violet and Shielder is there to ambush the car."
"Yes!" napasigaw ako nang mabutas ang gulong ng kotse. Saktong tumigil
iyon sa gitna ng kotse nina Shielder at Violet na nakaparada sa
magkabilang gilid ng kalsada. Kinawayan ko lang sila nang lagpasan namin
sila bago muling umayos ng upo sa sasakyan.
"Damn, honey. I think I just fell inlove with you more." Death said while
smirking. I gave him my sweetest smile.
Tracer gave us the directions again on how we could reach L's house.
Napatingin ako sa likuran ng kotse ni Death na basag na ang salamin. I
grimaced.
This is Maybach for fuck's sake! Siguradong mahal ang pagawa noon!
"Kumusta nga pala yung babaeng nasa favorite hideout mo, Archer?" ganting
asar ko sa kanya nang papasok na kami. Bahagya syang natigilan and I knew
that I won this time.
Tracer and L were on their laptops again. I think that if it's allowed,
then these two would probably marry their laptop one day.
"Empty fridge. Magpa-deliver na lang tayo for our dinner." sabi nya at
tumango na lang ako.
"V..." pareho kaming napalingon ni Death kay Tracer nang tawagin nya ako.
"We already know who the rook is. And you know him as well."
Bahagya akong nagulat sa sinabi nya. Already? And that never occurred to
me! Hindi ko akalain na kilala ko ang rook ng The Red Faction!Kinabahan
ako sa hindi malamang dahilan.
"Who?" I asked.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 38
Liam Ortega. Of course. I know him. Hindi mahina ang memorya ko para
makalimutan ko agad sya. Especially that he tried to kill me or maybe,
gave me a warning before.
I saw him at the restobar where Death had a gig one night, and he was
also the one who shot the sliding glass door of my room. Sya rin ang
nagbigay ng warning sa akin ng gabi ding iyon.
So he's the rook. But why is he targeting me? Is this just a mere
coincidence?
"Bakit nya naman gagawin 'yon?" tumingin pa sya sa akin pagkatapos nyang
itanong iyon. Nag iwas na lang ako ng tingin dahil wala akong maibibigay
na sagot sa kanya.
Oo nga pala. I've forgotten about this issue for awhile dahil sa arranged
marriage ko. Idagdag pa ang pagsisinungaling sa akin ni Death. Nawala
talaga ito sa isip ko and I didn't know that Tracer is still trying to
solve this for me. Which started to make me feel really bad.
Maybe Loki was right afterall. I've been receiving a lot of help from my
friends.
Ah, I remember now. He's blaming himself for the shooting that happened
in my room. Ang sabi nya ay sya daw ang may kasalanan noon which made me
so confused and intrigued who he really is. He offered me to live with
him which I immediately agreed because I want to know more about him. May
kutob na ako na may iba sa pagkatao ni Death. And looks like I'm right.
He's one of the members of El Ordre too.
Death sighed before he looked at me. Parang sa akin lang nya gustong
magpaliwanag.
"My last mission was to kill the bastards that were using underrage girls
for their business. By auctioning them, that's how they were selling
those girls. I had to kill the ones responsible and make sure that the
auction house would go down that night. And of course, I had to save
those girls."
"Maybe I left some casualties. The one who built that auction house was
really powerful. Nahirapan kaming patumbahin sya even with the help of
Fourth. Kaya siguro ginagantihan ako ngayon. They must've known that V is
really important to me and that's how they choose to go against me."
"Uhm..." I looked at Death. Titig na titig sya sa akin. "Was the auction
house managed by Henry Chang?"
He frowned. "No, pero sya ang nagdadala ng mga bata sa auction house. How
did you..." he trailed. Siguro ay may ideya na ding pumapasok sa isip
nya.
"That night when you told me that your friend invited you over, that's
a... lie." humina ang boses nya sa huling salita. "That's when you killed
Chang... Am I right?"
"When you said that you can't cook dinner for me 'cause there's something
important that you needed to do, that's a lie too, right? Iyon ang gabing
ginawa mo ang misyon mo... right?"
"So that's why you looked tired when I saw you the next morning."
I nodded. Wala nang masabi. Sanay syang mag-isa! My heart ache for him.
Na-imagine ko ang hirap nya habang ginagawa ang misyon nya nang mag-isa.
I don't know how big that auction house is but I'm sure na marami ang
kalaban ang nandoon! Of course, someone must watch over the children para
hindi makatakas! And I'm sure that the security there was very tight!
Oh my goodness. Death... I'm going to make sure that I'll give you your
freedom! I will kill Liam Ortega. I will kill the rook!
I am hurt too. We lied to each other. We kept things to each other. But I
know the drill when you became a member of El Ordre. Only our family
could know about our identity. Sila lang. Wala nang iba.
But in case that our co-member discovered our real identity while doing a
mission, then it's fine. Kailangan din namin gawin iyon paminsan-minsan.
Gusto ko sanang haplusin ang mukha ni Death para maibsan ang sakit na
nararamdaman nya. But I choose to sigh and look away.
"Wow. That's some big revelation out there." Si Archer na hindi matigil
ang bunganga. Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin at natatawang itinaas nya ang
dalawang kamay na parang sumusuko.
"We're here!"
"Damn! Ang bait mo talagang bata ka! Sana 'wag kang magbago para hindi ka
matulad sa Kuya mong tarantado." sabay sulyap nya kay Tracer.
Tracer just raised his middle finger at Archer and mouthed "Fuck you,
fucker." Archer did the same.
"What about the pursuers?" tanong ni Tracer para kina Shielder at Violet.
Nakataas ang isang kilay nyang bumaling sa akin. She sneered before she
flipped her hair and rolled her eyes at me.
Merda!
"Don't mind her." bulong nya at dalawang mga braso ang iniyakap nya sa
bewang ko. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. Wala na akong kawala.
"But one of them said something." Shielder said and we all looked at him.
"He said that the rook will surely kill you, V. Kung hindi man sila, ay
ang rook ang papatay sayo."
"What else?" si L.
"Wala na. Iyon lang."
Tracer cursed at pinili na lang balingan ang laptop nya. Mukhang suko na
sa katamaran ng kapatid.
That was expected. Halos lahat ng nasa mundong ginagalawan namin ay mga
hindi totoo. Madalas ay peke ang lahat. Fake name, fake face, fake
identity, fake informations, fake personality, fake emotions... Kaya
hindi na bago ang ganito.
"Did they mentioned why they wanted to kill, V?" Tracer asked.
"For now, we have to make a plan." si L. "We should consider the fact
about V and Kier. Maybe they were Kier's casualties that wanted to get
revenge on him by killing V. Or maybe they were V's enemies. Either way,
you shouldn't leave this house for your safety. Don't worry. You're both
safe here."
"Sobrang tight ng security dito. Of course, ako ang may gawa noon."
Shielder said proudly but L continued.
"We should make a plan. Fourth said that we'll take the white color.
Meaning, that we're the offense. Kailangan natin unahan ang The Red
Faction sa pagkilos."
"Me and L will try to track down the rook's whereabouts." it was Tracer
who spoke this time. "It's not easy and it may take a few days but we
will try. We can't move if we don't know where he is anyway."
"How about the other rook?" tanong Ni Violet kaya napatingin ako sa
kanya. "May alam na ba kayo tungkol sa isang rook?"
"May isa pang rook?" Hindi makapaniwala kong tanong. Hindi ko alam 'to,
ah? Loki never mentioned this to me.
I cursed. Damn this lumpia glutton! I had only discovered that we're a
part of the human chess game just a few days ago! Porke matagal at mas
marami syang alam ay ganito na sya magsalita sa akin?
"Alam mo, sana talaga ipa-ban na ang lumpiang shanghai sa mundo para
mamatay ka nang bwisit ka."
"Two Rooks, two Knights, two Bishops, one Queen and one King. Just like
the normal chess, V. But they can have as many pawns as they want."
paliwanang sa akin ni Tracer. "Anyway, Death, V." he looked at us. "Stay
inside this house until we find the rook's whereabouts."
Death lips pursed before he nodded once. Mukhang ayaw nya pero pinili na
lang nya ang manahimik. I wonder of he's like this as well kapag may
inuutos si Loki sa kanya na hindi nya pwedeng tanggihan pero ayaw nyang
gawin.
This is my mission and yet why am I being locked up inside this house?
Ako dapat ang pumatay sa rook. I should strike first. Pero bakit parang
kabaligtaran ang nangyayari?
That I'm not strong. I am weak. Because there's always someone who's
trying to protect me. And right now, I actually wanted to thank Loki
'cause his words served as an eye-opener for me.
"I just want to suggest something para mapadali ang paghahanap natin kay
Liam Ortega." I said. Nakatingin naman sa akin ang lahat na parang
hinihintay ang sasabihin ko.
Para tuloy gusto ko na lang umatras. But no. I must do this. I should
have a say on this. This is my mission and I will give Death his freedom.
"Yeah. One of the two of you is the target. Hindi nila pinansin ang
sasakyan ni Archer nang humiwalay kami sa inyo." L agreed to me and for
the first time, I flashed him a genuine smile. Nakita kong pumula ang mga
tenga nya kaya umiwas sya ng tingin.
I looked at them one by one. Hindi ko mabasa kung anong iniisip nila. Is
it that they're just purposely hiding it or am I just really nervous that
I can't even read them? Ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan!
Maybe because, this is the first time that I voiced out my plan.
Mabilis akong napatingin kay Tracer. Noong una ay seryoso ang tingin nya
pero sa huli ay ngumisi na sya.
"Thank you!" binigyan ko sya ng matamis na ngiti pero irap lang ang
isinagot nya sa akin.
"Death?" I tugged his shirt. Nang ngumiti sya ay saka lang ako nakahinga
ng maluwag.
"I'm worried but... I'll just have to protect you, then. So don't ever
leave my side again."
Double meaning pero niyakap ko na lang sya. Gumanti sya ng mas mahigpit
na yakap.
Tomorrow, we'll do my plan. We'll both act as a bait to lure the rook
out. And I'll make sure that I will plant a bullet on his head the moment
that I'll see him.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 39
Nine in the morning, Death and I were already driving our way to the
grocery store. We decided to go early, yung oras na kabubukas pa lang ng
store, para walang masyadong tao at walang madamay in case something bad
would happen.
Kanina ko pa kasi sinasabi na ang gwapo gwapo nya sa salamin nya sa mata.
Well, I know how to appreciate beauty. Gusto ko nga sanang ipahubad sa
kanya dahil alam kong maraming babae na naman ang titingin sa kanya but I
know that is just me being childish. Gusto ko ay sa akin lang si Death.
He's mine and mine alone.
He chuckled. Nang tingnan nya ako ay may ngisi na sa mga labi nya.
"Damn, honey. You're making me want to pull over this car and kiss you so
hard."
"Do it, then." hamon ko sa kanya. Gusto ko din naman ang ideya nya. And
hearing it from him made me feel so excited.
Pero bago nya pa magawa ay may narinig kaming tumikhim mula sa earpiece
namin.
"We can hear you, lovebirds. We're in the middle of a mission for fuck's
sake." inis na sabi ni Archer. Dinig ko ang pagtawa ng iba pang mga nasa
linya.
"Inggit ka lang, eh." I teased. "How about that woman on your favorite
hideout, huh?"
"Uy... Guilty sya." tudyo ko. Natawa ako nang magpakawala sya ng sunod
sunod na mura.
"Clear." Archer said. Alam kong nasa rooftop sya ng isang mataas na
building that has the full view of the grocery store.
"Clear." Violet whom I know that was guarding the parking lot.
"We're now entering the parking lot." I cheerfully said. I can't help but
to get excited. This is my first mission with Death. Ngayon lang kami
magkakasamang kumilos para sa isang misyon. Then after this, he can have
his freedom.
Inalala ko yung mga panahong naging butler sya ni Loki. I imagined myself
watching him as he does things and take orders from Loki. Na parang ang
master nya lang ang iniintindi nya. Na parang hindi importante ang sarili
nya at mas importante pa ang kalagayan ng master nya. And when Loki
finally freed him from being his butler, hindi pa din sya tuluyang naging
malaya dahil hawak pa din sya ng El Ordre.
He suffered so much compared to me. Nagrereklamo pa ako na gusto kong
maging proud si Papà para sa akin. Nagreklamo ako nang pilitin akong
magpakasal kay Gon na hindi ko naman mahal. When it fact, my father did
it for my safety.
Pero si Death? May nag isip ba tungkol sa kalagayan nya? May um-alala ba
sa kanya kung masaya sya sa ginagawa nya? I remember that he told me that
his father died leaving his job to him. At ang ina nyang may bago nang
pamilya.
So I'll make sure that this mission will be a success. Magiging tuluyang
malaya na si Death.
We're not yet sure if we'll succed on this mission but Death bought
ingredients good for one week. Para daw hindi magmukhang malungkot ang
loob ng ref ni L.
"Friends spotted."
Natigil ang dalawa nang marinig namin ang boses ni Shielder na sumingit
sa kanila. Naging alerto kami ni Death. Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na
lingunin ang sinumang sumusunod sa amin.
"Two." si Shielder na sinagot kung ilang tao ang sumusunod sa amin. Death
said the same.
"One is wearing a blue shirt while the other one is in yellow. Both are
wearing a black pants." it was Tracer describing the spotted so-called
friends. He hacked the CCTV of this store.
Ngumisi ako. I don't know why but it's making me more excited. Hindi
namin napag usapan iyon pero parang nagkakaintindihan kaming lahat.
"Four friends are with me." si Violet naman ngayon ang nagsalita.
Pinigilan ko ang magmura at nginitian na lang ng matamis si Death.
"Bayad na tayo?" yaya ko nang makumpleto ang mga bibilhin namin. Tumango
si Death at nagpunta na kami ng counter.
"Huwag lang sisigaw kundi sasabog ang bungo mo." an unfamiliar voice
said. Tingin ko ay sya ang may hawak ng baril na nakatutok ngayon sa ulo
ko.
"Oh, come on. That's easy for you, V." dinig kong reklamo ni Archer sa
earpiece ko. Ngumisi ako.
Nabitawan ng lalaki ang baril nya. Mabilis kong hinugot ang baril sa
holster na nakakabit sa may hita ko. I was wearing a flowy skirt that
reached my knee para mas makagalaw ako ng maayos. Nakita ko si Death na
pinapanood lang ako pero handang sumugod kapag nalagay ako sa alanganin.
The man tried to get his gun on the floor pero bago pa nya makuha ay
pinaputukan ko ang sahig malapit lang sa may paa nya. He yelped and
stilled in his place.
Why is he here?
The man laughed and smirked at me. Ang madilaw nyang mga ngipin ay
nagpapakita.
"Hindi lang ako. Kami."
At mula sa kung saan ay lumabas ang nasa mga sampung lalaki. One of them
was holding Violet and there was a gun pointed on her head..
Pero nang makita ko ang mga pasa sa mukha nya ay halos manlumo ako. She's
still a girl afterall. Kahit na ilang taon syang nag training ay iba pa
rin ang lakas ng mga lalaki. Lalo na kapag marami sila.
"I didn't notice where did they came frome." Tracer said.
"What now?" it was Archer. I'm sure that he's watching us through his
sniper's scope. And I'm so glad na hindi pa sya gumagawa ng kahit anong
hakbang where in fact he could shoot the man who's holding Violet. Pero
marami sila. Who knows that one of them would shoot Violet after Archer
did that.
"Roger."
"Archer, can you shoot the one who's holding Violet and the one at her
back?" si Tracer ulit.
"Of course." may pagmamalaking sabi ni Archer pero nandoon pa din ang
pagiging seryoso. "I could even kill them with one bullet."
I nodded. There were six men in the front. Two on the both sides of
Violet and two at her back.
"Wait." it was Archer who stopped him. "Is it before you say three or
after you say three?"
"Ano na, Bellucci? Tititigan mo lang ba kami?" the man who has yellow
teeth asked.
I caught Violet's eyes. We talked using our eyes like what we usually did
when we're teaming up for a mission. I saw the understanding in her eyes
kaya pasimple akong tumango.
"Two... Three!"
Nakita ko muna ang pagbagsak ng lalaking may hawak kay Violet pati na rin
ang nasa likod nya bago ko sinugod ang lalaking may madilaw na ngipin. I
punched him in the throat and before the second guy could pulled out his
gun, I kicked him hard in his gut.
"Say your last wish." I said. Pero bago nya pa maibuka ang bibig nya ay
kinalabit ko na ang gatilyo ng baril ko.
"V!"
I looked to where Violet's voice came from and to my horror, I saw her in
the arms of the man that I'm planning to kill. Sa likod nya ay ang isang
malaking itim na van na nakabukas.
"Liam!"
"It was a decoy." Death said. Napatingin ako sa kanya. "They made us
fight the guys. Pero sa huli, kukunin pa din nila si Violet while we're
busy."
Hindi kami makakilos. Apat kami maaaring kumalaban sa kanya but we can't
risk Violet's safety. Lalo pa at nakita kong hindi sya magdadalawang isip
na patayin si Violet kapag may ginawa kaming hindi nya nagustuhan.
"Yep. Actually, ikaw ang kailangan ko." itinuro ako ni Liam gamit ang
baril na hawak nya. Death covered me pero pinigilan ko.
"Why me?" I asked. Pinapatagal ko ang usapan. I'm thinking of a plan but
my mind is a riot right now.
Tracer, hurry.
Napaawang ang mga labi ko sa sinabi iyon ni Tracer. May sinabi si Liam
pero hindi ko narinig. I was waiting for Tracer to say that it was a
joking but it didn't came.
"He won't kill Violet 'cause it's you that he needs. We can't do anything
for now. He got the upper hand."
"He's right. I'll contact you soon. For now, sa akin muna ang babaeng
'to."
"Yes, we will, honey." masuyong sabi nya sa akin. He cupped my face and
wiped my tears using his thumbs. "But going after him now will just put
Violet's life in danger."
"No... No... Hindi. Mas mapapahamak sya pag hindi pa natin sya sinundan!"
and she has gun wound for pete's sake! Sigurado akong hindi gagamutin ni
Liam iyon!
"Calm down, V. And think." Death said and teach me how to inhale and
exhale to calm myself. "Kapag sinundan natin sya, mas mapapahamak si
Violet. He'll kill her instantly if we angered him. What we have to do is
to return to L's house. Think of a plan on how to defeat the rook while
waiting for his call."
"Of course." pag aalo sa akin ni Death. Napapikit na lang ako sa lambing
ng boses nya.
"Okay. Let's make a plan and kill the bastard this time." nanggigigil
kong sabi.
I won't let you win this fight, rook. I'll make sure that you'll regret
having me as your enemy. Pahihirapan kitang demonyo ka.
----
Vote and comment po sana kayo para mas maganang mag ud. Thank you!
Lady Hiro.
Chapter 40
It's been three days since the chaos at the parking lot happened, and
since Violet had been abducted by the rook. At sa bawat oras at araw na
lumilipas ay hindi ako mapalagay. I am worried for Violet. Especially
that she has a gunshot wound and I'm sure that Liam wouldn't even bother
to treat her wound.
Halos tawagin ko na ang lahat ng mga santo para lang ipanalangin ang
kaligtasan ni Violet. Hindi dapat sya nadamay dito. It should be me in
her place. This is my mission and those were my enemies pero nadamay sya
while she's just being generous and offered her help to me.
Tracer and L were taking turns in finding Violet using their skills. At
kapag parehong nakakabawi sa pahinga ay nagsasabay sila sa paghahanap.
The first day, they've tracked Violet's phone GPS at Bulacan. Pumunta
kami doon nina Death, Shielder, and Tracer in full battle gear, expecting
a war.
But what we've found was just a grassland. Pero kahit na ganoon ay bumaba
kami sa sasakyan para suyurin ang paligid kahit na malinaw na walang
kahit isang lugar doon na pwede nilang mapagtaguan kay Violet.
"There's no one here except for us." it was Tracer. Inabutan nya ng tubig
ang kapatid nyang hinihingal.
"Found her phone." Si Death nang makalapit. Inilhad nya sa akin ang
cellphone ni Violet na nadumihan na. Pinunasan ko iyon at binuksan.
Bumalik kami sa bahay ni L nang lugong lugo ako. I charged Violet's phone
together with mine. Baka kasi doon tumawag ang rook. Halos hindi ko na
nga lubayan ng tingin ang cellphone ko sa kahihintay sa tawag nya.
I'm thankful that he's here with me. Sa kanya ako nakakakuha ng lakas
kapag gusto ko na lang umiyak.
Fifth day but still no news about Violet. At hindi pa din tumatawag si
Liam! Gusto ko na tuloy pukpukin ang ulo ko kung bakit pumayag ako na
makuha nya si Violet!
"Tracer, wala pa ba?" tanong ko isang araw nang mainip na ako. Hindi ko
kinukwestyon ang kakayahan nya. I know that Tracer is a genius when it
comes about finding someone. Kahit kaliit liitang impormasyon ay
malalaman nya. But five days is too long.
"We can't find the van anywhere." L continued. "It's either that they've
abandoned it and used a different vehicle or their hideout was near that
place where you've found Violet's phone."
So that's why Shielder and Archer are not here. Kanina pa sya wala pero
ngayon ko lang napansin. I sighed. Everyone is doing their best to find
Violet. Pero heto ako at naghihintay lang ng tawag ng lintek na Liam na
iyon!
"No, honey. Calm down. It's not your fault." masuyo nyang sabi pero
umiling lang ako.
"It's my fault!" tili ko na. "This is my mission and that was my plan!
Pero anong nangyari? Pumalpak! I'm not a good leader, Death. Palpak ang
plano ko. Hindi dapat sa akin binigay ang misyon na 'to!"
"Calm down—"
"How could I?" I glared at L. Hindi na nya natuloy ang sasabihin nya.
"Violet was abducted because of me! Dahil hindi ako marunong gumawa ng
effective na plano! I should be the one in her place! I should've killed
that freaking rook the first time that I saw him!"
"It's not your fault. No one's at fault. We just didn't expect that your
enemies would show up the same day. Kaya hindi natin napaghandaan ang
lahat. The rook took that opportunity to take Violet. Habang abala tayo
sa pakikipag laban, tsaka sya kumilos."
Now that he mentioned that, saka lang pumasok ang eksena sa isip ko. My
enemies were also there. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagsabay-sabay. Is it
just a coincidence or....
"About that, V." tawag pansin ni L kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. "We
found something." his face was grim kaya kinabahan ako. "Your enemies,
your casualties, all of them. They were teaming up with Ortega to hunt
you down."
"That's why they were also there at the parking lot. It was all planned,
V. I don't know how but they've also seemed to know about our plan."
Mas dumoble ang kaba ko nang sabihin iyon ni Tracer. I thought hard.
Binalikan ko ang pangyayari noong araw na iyon.
Those ten men were just a decoy to divert our attention on their real
plan, to abduct Violet. Mas marami silang ginawang pain para mas mawala
ang atensyon namin. At alam nila kung saan nakapwesto noon si Archer.
Kaya hindi nya nagawan ng paraan nang mahuli na ni Liam si Violet. Archer
was our only hope that time. He can shoot them since he's on their blind
spot pero alam din nila kung saan sya nakapwesto.
They knew about our plan. But how?
"We will destroy our laptops and phones, later." si L. "Just for safety
in case they've already hacked it without our knowledge. Which is very
impossible dahil mahigpit ang firewall na nilagay ko dito." he then
tapped his laptop.
Napatango ako. Iyon na lang din ang iisipin ko. Na na-hack ang isa sa mga
gadgets namin kaya nila nalaman ang tungkol sa mga plano namin. I should
destroy my phone too but I need it. Hinihintay ko pa ang tawag ni Liam.
"You should take a rest, Vexen." masuyong sabi ni Death sa gilid ko.
Umiling ako.
"Then at least, eat something. I've baked a mac and cheese if ever you
didn't want to eat rice."
Nilabas ko ang kung anong nasa tyan ko nang makarating ako ng banyo.
Lumuhod ako paharap sa bowl at doon sumuka. Pero halos tubig lang naman
ang inilalabas ng bibig ko.
"Oh, shit. Honey! Are you okay?" nag aalalang tanong ni Death at
tinulungan ako sa paghawi ng buhok ko.
"That's why I've told you that you should rest!" si Death na pinagalitan
pa ako.
Nang matapos ay nagmumog ako at humarap sa kanila.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 41
Wala pa ring imik si Death hanggang sa makapag mumog ako. I felt nauseous
pero sa tingin ko ay dala ito nang biglaang pagbangon ko. I don't have an
idea why I am vomiting though. I don't have an upset stomach. Sa
pagkakaalala ko ay wala naman akong nakaing masama. Parang gusto lang
talaga ng tyan ko na ilabas ang mga nasa loob through my mouth.
"What's wrong?" itinali kong mabuti ang bathrobe ko bago umupo sa tabi
nya. Ipinatong ko ang baba ko sa may balikat nya. Lumingon sya sa akin at
halos magdampi na ang mga labi namin.
Merda! His breath smells so good! Bakit ganoon? Ang daya! Kagigising nya
pa lang pero ang bango pa rin ng hininga nya! It smells so manly and damn
myself for wanting to smell his breath all day long!
"Hmm?" I asked, hoping that he'll tell me something and I'd be able to
scent his fresh and minty breath again.
"Vexen?" he called me. I closed my eyes when his lips slightly brushed
with mine.
I want more.
"Honey? Are you listening?" lumayo sya para titigan akong mabuti.
Napadilat tuloy ako at napanguso. "What's wrong?"
Napakunot ang noo nya. Sinubukan kong lumapit pero lumayo lang sya. I
frowned. Padabog ko syang nilayuan.
"I really think that you should see a doctor." nakangiwing sabi ni Death.
I rolled my eyes.
Umupo ako sa kaharap nyang sofa at humalukipkip. I should ask what's the
progress about Violet's whereabouts but I can't help but to wonder my
eyes on his face. I stared at him while he's seriously moving his
fingers. And now that I did, napansin kong gwapo din pala si L.
He's a bit tan in color. May deep black hair sya and a jet black eye
color. At ang sabi nila ay iyon ang best asset ni L sa katawan nya, yung
mga mata nya. Bukod sa mapupungay ang mga iyon na parang laging inaantok,
pailalim din sya kung tumitig. Para bang kaya nyang basahin ang buo mong
pagkatao kapag tinitigan ka nya sa ganoong paraan. Makapal din ang mga
kilay nya, may matangos at perpektong ilong at maninipis na mga labing
kahit kailan ay hindi ko pa nakikitang ngumiti. Maybe because we're
pissing each other's off kapag nagkikita kami. Bakit nga naman nya ako
ngingitian kung inis sya sa akin?
His jaw was also very define making him look so manly. Maamo ang kabuuan
ng mukha nya but once you'll stare at his eyes, you'll see that he's a
very dangerous man.
I saw him stiffened. Ilang segundo syang hindi gumalaw. Kahit pagtitipa
nya sa keyboard ay tumigil. Aakalain ko na sanang naging estatwa sya kung
hindi lang sya mabagal at unti unting nagtaas ng tingin.
Tinignan nya ako na para bang tinubuan ako ng pangatlong mata. I laughed!
His expression was so funny I never even thought that the ever so serious
L will make this kind of expression!
"Nakakatawa ang itsura mo!" I said while laughing but damn, why does he
look so cute?
"Vexen!"
The frown on my face came back. Kahit na mukhang ang bango bango nya at
gusto ko na lang dambahin para ubusin ang amoy nya ay pinigilan ko ang
sarili ko. Nagtatampo pa din ako.
"Good idea. I think she just hit her head into something hard." si L na
tinuro pa ang ulo nya na parang pinapaintindi sa amin ang sinasabi nya.
"Pasalamat ka, cute at gwapo ka kundi kanina ko pa binaril ang ulo mo." I
said then I rolled my eyes.
"Wala naman pong nakain na panis or masama?" tanong nang nurse nang
sabihin ko sa kanya kung bakit ako nagpapacheck-up. Umiling ako. "Do you
have food allergies, Ma'am?"
The nurse took all the information that she needed from me. Nagsasalita
lang ako kapag may kailangang sagutin na tanong. I actually think that
this is just a simple vomiting issue for me. Kung ako lang ay hindi na
ako magpapacheck-up but since Death insisted, pumayag na din ako. Baka
mamaya ay may malalang sakit na pala ako. Huwag naman sana.
"Wait nyo na lang po si Dra. Suarez sa labas ng clinic nya. She's an ob-
gyne. May patient pa po kasi sya sa loob but after them, you can go in na
po."
Dammit. Hindi kaya niloloko na ako ng taong iyon? Isang linggo na akong
naghihintay!
Sumandal ako sa balikat nya. Sige na nga. Hindi na ako magtatampo. Saka
ko na lang gagawin iyon kapag hindi na sya mabango at hindi na din sya
gwapo.
Ilang saglit lang ay lumabas na din ang naunang pasyente sa amin. Pumasok
na kami sa loob at nakita ko ang isang babaeng nasa early forties na
nakasuot ng lab gown. She must be Dra. Suarez.
"Good morning, Doc." I greeted and handed her my information sheet. She
greeted back befoer she read my info. Ilang sandali ay nakita kong
ngumiti sya.
I frowned and answered her. Pag iisipan ko na sana kung para saan ang
tanong na 'to but then I gasped. Napatingin ako kay Death na nakakunot
ang noo sa akin.
"So you're two weeks delayed." Dra. Suarez said. She was smiling.
Binuksan nya ang drawer nya at may ibinigay sa akin. "Just a few drops of
urine will do." itinuro nya sa akin ang banyo na nasa loob ng clinic nya.
Napatingin ako kay Death. Nakatingin sya sa dalawang white stick na hawak
ko, kunot ang noo. I doubt if he even knew about this. Nakita ko ang pag
aalala sa mukha nya kaya tumalikod na ako at nagpunta ng banyo.
I did what I have to do. Halos hindi na ako humihinga habang hinihintay
iyon. And when I saw the results, I don't know what to feel.
"The kit shows that you're pregnant but just to be sure, I'll do a blood
pregnancy test to you para malaman din natin kung ilang weeks ka ng
buntis." Dra. Suarez said. "It'll only take a few hours since we have a
lab here. You can wait outside."
Pareho kaming tahimik pagkaupo sa may waiting area. I don't know what to
feel! I know that we did unprotected sex couple of times but I still
don't know what to feel! I am happy and excited and scared at the same
time! I mean, wow. I will be a Mom!
Napatingin ako kay Death at nagulat ako nang makitang nakatitig na sya sa
akin. His eyes were overwhelming with emotions. Halos maiyak na ako nang
makita ko iyon.
"What would you feel... if totoong buntis nga ako?" I asked him the most
scary question.
"I will be the happiest man alive, Vexen. Even if my name says the
opposite." madamdaming sabi ni Death at pinunasan ang mga luha ko sa
pisngi. "The first time that I made love with you, I am certain that I
want you to be the mother of my own children, honey. I want you to be my
wife."
Wala kong pakialam kung may makakita sa amin. Sino bang hindi magiging
emosyonal kapag sinabihan ng ganito ng taong mahal nila? Bahala nang
mainggit ang mga nakakakita.
Isang oras mahigit lang kami naghintay bago kami pinatawag ni Dra.
Suarez. And what she told us made me the happiest woman alive too.
"Try to eat din more frequent meals since empty stomach could cause
nausea. She's sensitive to cheese, no? So avoid that too." she started to
write something on the paper. "I will give you a list of vitamins that
she needs to take. Good for one month na 'to. Your next check up will be
a month from now."
"Doc, how about the foods that she should avoid?" Death asked. Saglit na
sumulyap sa akin ang doktora bago ngumiti kay Death.
"I will give you a list na din about that since mukhang very passionate
si Daddy na alagaan si Mommy."
"Nilagay ko na din dyan ang number ko in case that you have further
questions." she said and handled me the papers. "Congratulations again to
the both of you."
Hindi mapawi ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Death habang papunta kami ng
sasakyan nya. Napapatingin tuloy ang ibang mga babae sa kanya dahil mas
lalo syang gumwapo at napapairap na lang ako.
"I can't help it! I'm going to be a Dad!" masayang sigaw nya kaya
napaiwas na ng tingin ang mga babaeng nakatitig lang sa kanya kanina. Oh,
ano kayo ngayon?
"Saan kayo galing?" usisa agad sa amin ni Archer. He's drinking coffee at
halatang wala pang tulog.
Walang tulog pero nagkakape?
"Bakit nakangiti ang isang yan?" ininguso nya si Death na hinapit pa ako
sa bewang. "May hinatid ka bang kaluluwa papunta sa impyerno, Kamatayan?"
Pero dahil masyadong masaya si Death ay hindi nya pinansin ang pang iinis
ni Archer.
"She's pregnant."
Kitang kita ko kung paano natigilan ang mga lalaki sa sinabing iyon ni
Death. Tumawa ako sa mga gulat nilang reaksyon. Ang unang nakabawi ay si
Shielder na nakangiting lumapit sa akin.
Ang kagustuhan kong batukan sya ay ginawa na ni Tracer. Tumayo pala sya
at lumapit na din sa amin.
Yung magkapatid na 'to, pinapaiyak ako. "Thank you." maluha luha kong
sabi. Ngumiti sya at pinunasan ang luha ko.
Ngumisi ako at lumapit sa kanya para yakapin sya. Mukhang wala kasi syang
balak gawin iyon. I laughed and I felt him stiffened.
"Thank you."
I'm the only girl in here right now pero hindi ako nailang. I know that
they will take a good care of me. Lalo na si Death na mukhang sayang saya
at mas excited pa sa pagbubuntis ko kaysa sa akin.
Gusto ko sana na nandito sya. Alam kong aalagaan naman ako ng mga lalaki
pero iba pa din kapag may babae akong kasama. Especially that I can tell
Violet everything. Sa kanya lang kasi ako makakapag kwento ng pagbubuntis
ko. I'm sure that she'll be happy and excited as well.
"How's the search for Violet?" tanong ko. Ang kaninang masayang hangin ay
parang bumigat.
"We found the abandoned van." it was Shielder who answered. "Mukhang
nagpalit nga sila ng sasakyan where CCTV can't see them."
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Gone his happy and excited aura. Parang kanina
lang ay ang saya saya nya pero ngayon ay sobrang seryoso na ng mukha nya.
"No! I will stay on this mission and I'll be the one to save Violet!"
Natigilan ako sa pagsigaw nya. His brows furrowed and his eyes were
bloodshot! Nag iigting ang mga panga nya at malalim na din ang paghinga
nya na parang pinipigilan ang pagsabog.
"Leave this fucking mission to us, honey. Kung ayaw mong magalit ako
sayo." he said dangerously.
----
4 more chapters to go then Epilogue. Baka hatiin ko ang Epilogue into two
parts.
Lady Hiro
Chapter 42
I tried to think if there was a time that Death looked at me with his
eyes blazing with rage. Wala. Ngayon pa lang. Ito ang unang beses na
tinignan nya ako gamit ang nag aapoy nyang mga mata. At unang beses nya
rin akong sinagawan sa galit na boses.
Tears formed in the corner of my eyes. Suminghot ako para hindi tuluyang
mahulog iyon. Gusto kong umiyak at magkulong sa kwarto dahil galit sa
akin si Death. Damn this pregnancy hormones! Nagiging iyakin at
madamdamin ako ng wala sa oras!
I made him angry! Kitang kita ko ang talim ng tingin nya sa akin habang
nakatitig ako sa mga mata nya. His glares were directed right at me! Oh
my goodness, baby. Please forgive this sinful soul and just kiss me
please.
"Why would I do that, huh?" I raised my chin to challenge him. "I won't
be pulling out on this mission, Death! I have to save, Violet!"
"I said, no! Vexen!" muling sigaw nya na nag echo sa buong kabahayan.
"Hayaan mo nang kami ang tumapos nito!"
Ilang segundo nya akong tinitigan gamit ang galit nyang mga mata.
Pagkatapos ay bumuntong hininga at may kinuha sa bulsa.
"I'll call Loki then." he said while he's fishing for his phone inside
his pant's pocket.
Naalarma ako. No! Hindi nya pwedeng gawin iyon! May kasunduan kami ni
Loki. If I did kill the rook then he'll give Death's freedom. Baka kapag
si Death na ang gumawa ng misyong ito ay hindi na sya tuluyang makalaya
pa!
"No!" I screamed and snatched his phone away from him. Nagulat sya saglit
pero agad din na muling tumalim ang tingin sa akin.
"Give me back my phone, Vexen." malalim at may banta ang tono ng
pananalita nya. Umiling ako at mas nagpakita pa ang galit sa mukha nya.
"I said give me back my phone!"
He's livid! Now I know why he has a name like that! Mukha syang si
Kamatayan talaga kapag ganito ang itsura nya!
When Death saw me looking so scared and trying to run away from him, his
expression softened. I saw the guilt and hurt in his eyes. Tumigil sya sa
paglapit sa akin pero ako ay umatras pa din hanggang sa may nabangga ako
sa likod ko. I looked and saw that it was Shielder. Kaagad akong nagtago
sa likuran nya at sinilip si Death na ganoon pa din ang ekspresiyon nya
sa mukha.
Merda! I have so many enemies and I'm not afraid of them but one look
from Death and my knees started shaking out of fear! Talagang malakas ang
epekto sa akin ng lalaking ito!
"Give me back my phone." mahinang sabi nya. Wala na ang pautos na tono
kanina. Inilahad nya ang kamay sa akin.
"No." I even shook my head. I held his phone tight with both of my hands
like someone will just take it away from me. "Don't call Loki."
Ang maayos nyang buhok ay nagulo dahil sa pagsuklay nya gamit ang mga
daliri nya. But that made him looked more attracted. Parang gusto ko na
lang tuloy makipagbati at guluhin ng guluhin ang buhok nya.
But no. Violet needs me. She needs me. Alam kong inaasahan nyang
ililigtas ko sya. The look on her face while she was being abducted and
calling my name actually haunted me. Nakita ko ang pag asa at ang
pagsusumamo sa mga mata nya habang tinatawag nya ang pangalan ko para
iligtas sya. At hindi ko sya bibiguin.
"Please, Vexen... Huwag nang matigas ang ulo." si Death na halos lumuhod
na.
"Huwag mo syang tawagan, Death..." nanginginig ang mga labing sabi ko. I
don't know if this is still my pregnancy hormones but it's hurting me na
gusto nya akong paalisin sa misyong sa akin mismo ibinigay.
He sighed. Humakbang sya palapit sa akin. Ang mga mata nya ay nananantya
kung sakaling lumayo ulit ako sa kanya. But I did otherwise.
Nasa harapan ko na sya. He towered over me. Hanggang leeg nya lang ako
kaya kinailangan ko pang tumingala para maabot ang tingin nya.
"Vexen... I understand where you're coming from. Misyon mo 'to, oo. Pero
alam mo ba kung anong dahilan ko kung bakit ayaw ko nang tapusin mo 'to?"
he cupped my face and his mismatched eyes stared deeply with my eyes.
"'Cause you're pregnant, honey. Dalawa na kayong malalagay sa panganib.
Dalawa na kayong kailangan kong protektahan."
Wala na. Tumulo na nga ang mga luha ko. Nakita ko kasi ang emosyon sa mga
mata nya habang sinasabi nya iyon. It was so deep that it almost feel
like I'm drowning and I need to gasped for air.
"Do you know how it feels when I'm watching you fighting with your
enemies? It was frightening, Vexen. I feel so scared for the first time
in my life. Kung pwede lang na ako na lang ang makipaglaban. But, no.
That is your fight so I let you did your thing. Malaki naman ang tiwala
ko sayo." ang mga kamay nyang nasa mukha ko ay bumaba. He held my hands
like it was his lifeline. "But there are two of you, now. Our child is
there inside of you. Our own flesh and blood. Magkakaanak na tayo, Vexen.
At magalit ka man sa akin pero hindi na kita hahayaang ilagay ang sarili
mo sa kapahamakan. Sana isipin mo naman ang mararamdaman ko kung may
mangyari man sa inyong masama. Hindi ko kakayanin. Ikamamatay ko, Vexen.
Ikamamatay ko."
Hindi nya nakita ang pagbuhos ng mga luha ko dahil pumikit na sya.
Pinagdikit nya ang mga noo namin and he took a deep and shaky breath.
I am aware that Shielder, L, Tracer and Archer are still watching us.
Mabuti na lang at walang nakialam o nagsalita kahit isa sa kanila.
Hindi kami nagpansinan ni Death pagkatapos noon. Ah, no. Sya lang pala.
Hindi nya ako pinansin pagkatapos ng pag uusap namin but he still cooked
food for our lunch. Pero hindi sya kumain at umakyat lang sa kwarto
namin. Hindi na sya lumabas kahit halos isang oras na syang nandoon.
Nawalan na rin tuloy ako ng ganang kumain. Galit sya. Alam kong galit
sya. Bakit ba kasi ni hindi ko naisip ang tungkol sa anak namin? I'm
pregnant now and the doctor even said that the first trimester is the
most critical time for pregnancy! And yet nakipag talo pa ako sa kanya
tungkol sa misyon ko!
Death has been considering my situation ever since. He knew that I didn't
know how to cook kaya sya ang palaging nagluluto sa aming dalawa. When
did I ever offered him something for that?
He also blamed himself for the shooting that happened back then when
obviously, it was my fault. He tried his best to protect and love me but
what did I do? Iniwan ko syang mag isa sa gitna ng karagatan.
He knew about my engagement and he's the one who looked for away to stop
my wedding with his step brother! At ngayon sya naman ang humihiling ay
hindi ko pa sya mapagbigyan.
But what can I do? I'm doing this mission for him. Para nga makalaya na
sya diba? Dahil buong buhay nya ay palagi na lang syang sumusunod sa
utos. And I want him to be happy this time!
"Kain na."
Napaangat ang tingin ko at nakita ko si Shielder na may hawak na isang
platong may laman na pagkain at nakalahad sa akin. Umiling ako at muling
yumuko.
"Wala akong gana." sino ba naman ang gaganahang kumain kung galit sa akin
ang ama ng magiging anak ko?
"'Yung foods na niluto ni Kier, healthy diet for pregnant women. Hindi
naman kami buntis para ipagluto nya kami ng ganito kaya para sayo ang
niluto nya, V." I looked at him. "Kumain ka na para hindi masayang ang
pinaghirapan nya."
I frowned. Ang galing din mangonsensya ng lalaking 'to. Inis kong kinuha
ang plato sa kanya na ikinangisi nya.
"Very good." masayang sabi nya na parang pumupuri sa isang bata. Mas lalo
lang tuloy akong napasimangot.
"Oh, bakit ganyan ang mukha mo? Huwag mong sabihing pinaglilihian mo
ako?" he said and laughed like a devil. "Damn, V. Gwapo yan paglaki,
sigurado."
Napangiwi sya at saka lang binitawan ang paa ko. "Grabe, ang harsh. You
should be thankful na ang gwapo kong mukha ang pinaglilihian mo."
May idudugtong pa sana si Shielder pero hindi na nya ginawa nang may
tumamang basahan sa mukha nya. He glared at Tracer na obvious naman na
sya ang nambato.
"Who said that you can have a child, already, huh?" it was Tracer with
his big brother mode. "Sabihin mo nga sa akin, Grayson James, nakabuntis
ka ba?!"
Shielder's eyes widened by Tracer's question and probably by the way his
brother call his whole name. Napangiti ako nang mapasimangot sya.
"What the fuck?! I was just giving an example! Ano ba naman 'yan, Kuya?"
inis na sabi nya at binato ang basahan pabalik sa kapatid.
"Just make sure that you're telling the truth, fucker! You can bed any
women pero sa labas mo iputok if you want to do it raw!"
"Hindi pa kasi sya nakaka-home run sa goddess nya kaya naiinggit lang sy
—"
Hindi na naituloy ni Archer ang pang aasar nya nang sa mukha nya naman
tumama ang basahan ni Tracer.
I nodded eagerly. Nakuha nya ang punto ko! Oh my goodness. Nitong mga
nakaraang araw yata ay palagi kaming nagkakasundo ni L!
"But still," he continued. "You have to understand Kier. Kahit sino naman
ay hindi ipapahamak ang mga taong mahal nila especially if they're
expecting a child. Understand him, V. At kung ako ang tatanungin, ayoko
na ring isali ka sa misyon na 'to."
"Not that we're underestimating you, V." it was Tracer who spoke this
time. "You were good. The best in close combat, actually. Siguradong
pilay kami kapag wala ka. But we can't risk the life inside you. I'm
sorry but I'm siding with Kier this time."
"Mapapatay kami ni Kier kapag may nangyaring masama sa inyo na mag ina
nya kahit hindi kami ang may kasalanan." Archer said before he gave me an
apologetic smile. "I'm a guy, V. So I can understand Kier's point of view
fully. I apologize if I can't give you my support for this one."
Baby... I'm sorry if Mommy is being stubborn. I promise I'll protect you
with all that I have. With all my life. I love you, baby. Hindi na kami
makapaghintay ng Daddy mo na makita ka.
Right after I've talked to my unborn child, I saw Death walking down the
stairs. Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin ay naging mitsa iyon para
maglaglagan ang mga luha ko.
"Death!" I got up and run towards him. Sinalubong ko sya ng yakap at
isinubsob ang mukha ko sa dibdib nya. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm being
inconsiderate of your feelings. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry!"
"I'm sorry too, Vexen. This mission is probably so important to you and
you really want to save your friend, pero hindi ko kakayanin kapag may
masamang mangyari sa inyo."
I hugged him tighter. God, please forgive me for hurting this man.
Please, make this man happy again. I love this man so much.
Death cupped my face and stared right through my soul. His gaze was
telling me so much emotions that I'm willing to listen.
"I love you, Death. I'm pulling out on this mission. For you and for our
child."
I will talk to Loki about this. Sana maintindihan nya ang kalagayan ko.
Ma-disappoint man sya ay wala na akong magagawa. Mas importante ang
magiging anak namin ni Death.
Our moment was cut off when my phone's ringtone echoed throughout the
whole house. Pinunasan ko muna ang mga luha ko bago ko iyon dinukot sa
may bulsa ko. I frowned when I saw that it was an unregistered number.
I looked at Death. Naging seryoso na ang mga mata. Maybe we were both
thinking the same thing. Tumingin ako kina Tracer at L and they just
nodded telling me they are ready.
I took a deep breath before I answered the call.
"Hello?" ilang segundong wala akong narinig sa kabilang linya pero hindi
ko inalis ang pagkakadikit ng cellphone sa may tenga ko. I know that
there's someone on the other line.
"Hello, Bellucci."
Napapikit ako ng mariin. I gritted my teeth and my other hand was balled
into a fist. Naramdaman kong hinawakan iyon ni Death kaya medyo kumalma
ako.
I looked at Tracer and L and saw that they were already doing their
thing. I even catched a glimpse on their laptop and saw that they were
tracking the caller's location.
---
Add nyo na po ang story ni Creed/Archer sa library nyo dahil next na sya!
Chess Pieces #1: Creed Cervantes po ang title. Nasa works ko na po dito
sa wattpad :)
Lady Hiro
Chapter 43
"I have been waiting for your call." nakangiting sabi ko na parang
nakikipag-usap lang sa isang kaibigan.
The atmosphere in the living room became heavy the moment that I answered
the enemy's call. Tahimik na nakaupo sina Archer at Shielder. Hindi man
sila nakatingin sa akin ay alam kong pinakikinggan nila ako.
Tracer and L were still trying to trace Liam's exact location. Nakita ko
ang mabilis na paggalaw ng mga daliri nila sa pagtitipa sa keyboard.
Their brows were furrowed and they really look so serious while doing
their work.
"Someone's trying to fight us." L cursed under his breath. Mas naging
seryoso pa ang mukha nya na hanggang dito sa kinatatayuan ko ay ramdam ko
ang panlalamig.
"Oh, my bad." Liam said. "I was doing preparations for my surprise party
for you. I just wanted to make sure that you'll like what I prepared for
you."
"Aww... How sweet of you." malambing kong sabi kahit na nanggigigil ako.
Hindi maganda ang kutob ko sa surprise party na sinasabi nya.
Isa pa. Nangako na ako kay Death na hindi na ako sasali sa misyon.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her, asshole." I said through my gritted
teeth. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa cellphone ko at kulang na lang ay madurog
iyon sa sobrang galit na nararamdaman ko.
I felt Death's warm hands on my shoulders. Hinawakan nya ako sa mga
balikat at pinaharap sa kanya. He made me looked at his eyes and I stared
at him.
Ang kaninang galit na nawala sa akin ay muling bumalik. Mas lalo pang
dumoble iyon ngayon.
"Liam, I swear to God, kapag may nangyaring masama kay Violet, ako mismo
ang papatay sayong demonyo ka!" I shouted. Bumuntong hininga si Death at
niyakap ako patalikod.
"Putangina! If I'll ever see their tracker, I will fucking skin him alive
and dip him in salt water until he'll beg me to spare him alive.!"
But now that he cursed for the first time in Tagalog, it only means that
he's really frustrated. Nakahanap na sya ng katapat nya.
"Come here and save your friend, Bellucci. Her time is running out."
muling sabi ni Liam sa kabilang linya.
"Ninety-five..."
"Ninety-six..."
"Then I'll wait for you, bitch. I'm so excited to kill you."
"Ninety-seven."
"Me too, asshole. I can't wait to slit your throat and detached your head
away from you body."
"Ninety-eight..."
"Ninety-nine..."
"One-hundred!" Tracer exclaimed right after Liam ended the call. "I got
it! The fucker is in an island at Zambales."
Ipinakita nya sa amin ang laptop nya at itinuro ang sinasabi nya. Archer
got up and stretched his arms.
"I got all the firearms and weapons that we will need. Got grenades too."
si L na mukhang pagod na pagod sa pakikipaglaban nya sa tracker ng The
Red Faction.
I wonder who their tracker is and which chess piece is he? Mukhang
nahirapan talaga si L dahil sa kanya.
Ah... I missed this. Kung pwede lang sana na maghalikan na lang kami
hanggang sa matapos ang araw.
"I will save Violet." masuyong sabi ni Death pagkatapos ng halikan namin.
"So don't worry, okay?"
I nodded. "Mag-iingat ka, Death. Promise me that you'll come back to me.
Alive."
I cried after that words came out from my lips. Natatakot ako.
Kinakabahan. Ngayon ay alam ko na kung anong nararamdam nya kapag
pinapanood akong makipaglaban. Mas mabuti na ngang hindi ako sumama. Baka
mamatay pa sya sa pag-aalala sa akin kaysa sa pakikipaglaban sa mga
kalaban.
"Take care of Death for me, Tracer." that was my last words before they
leave to finish my mission.
I am not used to this. Waiting and not doing anything. Dati kasi ay ako
talaga ang gumagawa ng mga misyon ko. Sina Archer, Tracer at Violet ay
naka standby lang. Binibigyan ako ng impormasyon o di kaya ay
tinutulungan ako. Now, the tables have turned. Ako na ngayon ang naka
standby.
"It's been only thirty minutes since they left, V. Zambales ang
pupuntahan nila. Manila 'to. Baka nasa EDSA pa lang ang mga 'yon."
Pero ang hinayupak ay pinatayan ako ng tawag! Mag aalala na sana ko kung
hindi ko lang alam kung anong ugali ni L!
"Pinatayaan ako!" nanggigigil kong sigaw. Gusto kong ibato ang cellphone
ko pero huwag na lang pala. Kailangan ko pa 'to.
"Pwede bang umupo ka muna, V?" si Shielder nang hindi na makatiis.
"Natatakot ako na baka bigla ka na lang manganak dyan."
I glared at him but he just flashed me his smirk. Kapag ginagawa nya iyon
ay mas lalo silang nagiging magkamukha ni Tracer. Mahilig din kasing
ngumisi ang isang iyon.
I did what he said. Noong sinabi nya kasi ay saka ko lang naramdaman ang
pagod. Umupo ako sa kaharap nyang sofa at natahimik kaming dalawa.
"I know that you don't want to be here with me, Shielder." I said.
Alam kong ayaw nyang bantayan lang ako. Gusto nya ding sumunod. Well,
Shielder is good on hand to hand combat, too. Bukod sa magaling sya sa
paglalagay ng mga codes and locks sa mga lugar ay maaasahan din sya sa
pakikipaglaban. We're entrusting our security to him. Sya ang naglalagay
ng mga locks sa mga bahay namin. Kung minsan ay naglalagay pa talaga sya
ng mga codes na ang may ari at sya lang ang nakakaalam ng sagot.
I pouted. Magsasalita na sana ako kung hindi lang ako nabigla sa isang
malakas na tunog na nagmumula yata sa buong bahay.
"What's happening?" I asked, already panicking. The sound is too loud
that I doubt if Shielder could hear me.
Biglang naging pula ang ilaw sa loob ng buong bahay. All I can see is
red! Patuloy pa din ang malakas na pagtunog na parang isang alarm na may
masamang mangyayari.
Someone just broke their way inside the house that's why the alarm went
off! I'm sure that Shielder design it this way! Kapag may nakapasok na
iba ay tutunog ang alarm sa buong bahay.
"Anong gagawin natin?" kinakabahan kong tanong. And right after I've said
that, all the lights went off.
"Shielder?" I called him and I could hear my voice was already shaking.
"Get down!"
May dumamba sa akin pababa sa sofa. By the scent of his manly cologne, I
knew that it was Shielder. Tinakpan nya ang dalawang tenga ko at kasunod
noon ay narinig ko ang mga putok ng baril.
Napakapit ako ng mahigpit sa damit nya. Sunod sunod ang putok ng baril na
parang walang katapusan. Nanginginig ako sa takot. I don't easily get
scared. Sanay na sanay na ako sa mga putok ng baril. Kahit ang pagsabog
ng bomba. Parang naging ringtone na nga iyon ng buhay ko.
I am not scared for myself. I'm scared for the life that's inside of me.
Baby... Iligtas Nyo po ang baby ko.
Nang matapos ang mga putok ng baril ay muling bumukas ang pulang ilaw.
Naging pula ulit ang paligid. Nakita ko kaagad kung gaano kagulo ang
bahay. May mga bubog galing sa basag na salamin at mga nasirang gamit.
Nakita ko din na nakatumba ang sofang inuupuan ni Shielder kanina. Ito
ang ipinangharang nya mula sa mga bala ng baril.
Pero bago pa kami makarating sa bukana noon ay may dalawang mga lalaki na
bigla na lang sumulpot mula doon. Nakatutok ang baril nila sa amin pero
mas mabilis ang pagkilos ni Shielder.
Binitiwan nya muna ang kamay ko para sumugod sa dalawa. He tackled them
at nauntog ang likod ng dalawang lalaki sa pader. It was so loud that I
knew that it hurt them. Pero hindi pa doon natapos si Shielder. He
twisted one of the guy's wrist making him screamed in pain. Nabitiwan nya
ang baril at agad iyong sinipa ni Shielder papunta sa akin.
"Kunin mo!" utos nya kahit hindi na namin kailangan. He judo flipped the
guy making him unconscious.
The other guy pointed the gun at Shielder at bago nya pa maiputok ay
binaril ko ang kamay nya kaya nabitiwan nya rin ang baril. Sinunod kong
patamaan ang dalawang binti nya.
"Sa likod mo!" Shielder warned pero bago pa ako makalingon ay sinugod na
nya iyon. Tatlong lalaki na ang kalaban nya iyon.
"Shielder!" I screamed when one guy punched him in the gut. He winced in
pain pero mabilis din syang nakabawi.
"Alis na!" sigaw nya habang nakikipaglaban. Kahit na hindi sya nakatingin
sa akin ay alam kong ako ang sinasabihan nya. "Alis na, Vexen!" mariing
sabi habang pilit na iniiwasan ang mga suntok ng kalaban.
One guy tried to walked towards me to hurt me but Shielder pulled him
back. Itinutok ko ang baril pero masyadong malikot ang mga galaw ni
Shielder at natatakot akong matamaan ko pa sya.
"Fuck, Vexen! Mas mamamatay ako kapag may nangyaring masama sayo!"
Napasinghap ako nang may tumamang suntok sa mukha nya. Nakita ko ang
galit sa mga mata nya at mas malakas na sinuntok sa mukha ang gumawa noon
sa kanya.
"Putangina, huwag ang mukha ko!" sigaw nya. "Alis na sabi, V!"
"Paano ka?" tanong ko. Na-realize kong mas nakakagulo lang ako sa kanya.
I tried to aim my gun again but when I got a clear shot ay biglang
pumalit si Shielder doon.
"Tracer and L were notified by the alarm! Baka pabalik na iyon dito!" he
dodged and kicked. Tatlong lalaki ang kinakalaban nya ng sabay-sabay!
"There's a metal door at the end of the kitchen! It'll lead you
underground! One of the chess pieces is waiting there, Vexen! Sumama ka
sa kanya!" sumisigaw sya habang nakikipaglaban. "You need to hurry! The
door will remain unlocked for two minutes after those gunshots!"
May dalawang lalaki ang lumabas pa sa kung saan. Naglalakad sila papunta
sa direksyon ko pero hinarang sila ni Shielder.
"Tangina, Vexen. Alis na! Isipin mo ang anak mo!" sigaw nya. Naiiyak na
tumango ako at tumalikod.
"Stay alive, Shielder! Stay fucking alive!" sigaw ko at nagsimulang
tumakbo.
Tumalo na ang luha ko. Oh my goodness. Kung ako lang ay hinding hindi ko
iiwan si Shielder doon. Kahit na mamatay pa kaming dalawa ay hinding
hindi ako tatalikuran ang kakampi ko!
But I'm pregnant. I want my child to see the world. I want my child to
see how happy to be alive. I want to give my child a normal life.
Tumakbo ako papunta sa kusina. Kaagad kong nakita ang bakal na pintuan na
sinasabi ni Tracer. Mabilis ang kilos ko na lumapit papunta doon pero
bago ko pa mahawakan ang door handle ay may humarang na sa aking isang
taong hindi ko inaaasahan na makikita ko ngayon.
Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. Kapag ginalaw ko ang kamay ko para tutukan
din sya ng baril ay siguradong babaon muna ang bala sa bungo ko bago ko
magawa iyon.
Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi nya. He looked so wicked with the red light
and with those dark circles under his eyes.
I tried to step back away from him pero bago ko pa magawa ay malakas
nyang hinampas ng baril ang mukha ko.
I stumbled and fell on the ground.
---
Lady Hiro
Chapter 44
I cursed. I think that he just broke my nose and I can already taste the
blood in my mouth. I spit it on the floor and tried to stand. Halos
mabuwal pa ako pero pinilit ko na lang ang sarili ko.
Hindi ito ang oras para maging mahina. Shielder is there fighting those
five guys and I'm the only one here. Sarili ko lang ang aasahan ko
ngayon. Kailangan kong protektahan ang sarili ko at ang buhay ng magiging
anak ko.
"Is that all what you've got?" I asked and gave him a mocking laugh. I
know what I'm doing might piss him off but I will not give him the
satisfaction that I'm getting scared. Hinding hindi ko hahayaan na
matakot ako para lang sa isang katulad nya.
"Of course not." Liam chuckled. "But I got the upperhand here, Bellucci."
aniya at itinutok ang baril sa sinapupunan ko. "Put down your gun or I'll
shoot little Bellucci inside your belly."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko pero hindi ko ipinahalata sa kanyang nagulat ako.
Wala pang isang araw na nalaman namin ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko pero
paano nya nalaman ang tungkol dito?
At isa pa. Bakit sya nandito? Tracer tracked his location at Zambales. I
know Tracer has always been right about information like this. Hindi pa
sya nagkakamali kahit isang beses. So how could Liam be right here in
just thirty minutes when Zambales is six hours drive away from Manila?
"Put down your gun now, bitch. Bago pa ako mainis." nakangising sabi nya.
"I can read in your face that you have questions to ask, Bellucci. Go on.
Just ask. Papatayin din naman kita pagkatapos kong sagutin ang mga tanong
mo."
I chewed the insides of my cheeks. That was a smart move. It was a trap
from the beginning.
"You planned to lure them out. Hinintay mong maiwan ako dito sa bahay
bago kumilos. Pero paano mo nalamang maiiwan ako at tungkol sa
pagbubuntis ko?"
He snapped his fingers. "That's easy. I put a bugged on Violet's phone.
You see, hindi ko sana malalaman ang lahat kung hindi mo pinulot ang
dapat sanang itinapon na."
I glanced at his gun. Hawak nya iyon at mukhang walang balak bitiwan.
Nasa likod nya din ang mga kutsilyo at kailangan ko pang dumaan sa kanya
bago makuha ang mga iyon. My gun was also on the ground.
Ang kailangan kong pag isipan ay kung paano nya mabibitiwan ang baril na
dala nya.
"I'm going to tell you a story." he said out of nowhere. "Once upon a
time. There live a happy family. Mom, Dad and their son who's only eight
years old. The parents adored their son very much and the son loved his
parents so much! They were an example of a perfect family."
I frowned. Hindi ko alam kung saan papunta ang ikinukwento nya. Pero
mabuti na rin iyon para magkaroon ako ng mas maraming oras sa pag iisip
ng plano.
"Until one night, a demon came. He killed each and every one of the
family's maid and butlers. He brutally killed the boy's parents too. He
thought that the demon would also kill him but for some reason, he
didn't. He was relieved but when he saw his parents' dead bodies, that's
when he learned that it's better if the demon also killed him. He
suffered alone in this world. The earth became the hell for the boy."
I could use this chair to divert his attention. I'll throw it at him.
Susugurin ko sya habang wala ang konsentrasyon nya sa akin. At saka ko na
aagawin ang baril. Alam kong mas mabilis ako sa kanya dahil una kong
nahawakan sya sa leeg noong unang beses kaming magkita sa restobar.
"The boy promised to kill the demon. But when he he discovered that the
demon had a daughter, his planned changed. He will kill the demon's
daughter and let the demon experienced the same agony that he felt. He
will let him feel how to live in hell. So when some weird organization
offered him to become a chess piece in exchange that he could get his
revenge, he accepted it."
"The organization gave him power, money and everything that he could ask
for." Liam continued. "He made himself stronger and he recruited the
enemies of the demon's daughter as his pawns. All of them have the same
goal so they helped each other. But the boy promised that he'll kill the
demon's daughter with his own hands."
But before I could do that, my breathing hitched when he pointed his gun
again on my stomach. In an instinct, I protected that part of my body by
hugging myself.
"Do you know who's the boy in the story, Bellucci?" he asked. Danger is
evident in his voice. "It is me. And do you know who's the demon that
brutally killed my parents in front of my eyes? It was your father!"
idinikit nya ang baril sa noo ko. "And I will fucking kill you as a
revenge!"
But that wasn't enough to stop him. Hinawakan nya ang ulo ko at tinuhod
ang mukha ko ng sobrang lakas. Napabitaw ako sa kanya.
My child!
Mas lalo akong nagalit sa isipin na may mangyayaring masama sa anak ko
dahil sa ginawa nya. Adrenaline rushed through my entire body. I kicked
him in the gut and landed a punch on his face.
"Say your last words, Ortega." sabi ko pero wala na akong balak na
pagsalitain pa sya. Pero bago ko pa makalabit ang gatilyo ng baril ay
malakas syang tumawa na parang baliw.
Hindi ako natinag. Malamang ay isa na naman ito sa mga patibong nya. I
won't look away at him this time. Hindi na ako muling magpapa-loko sa
kanya.
He chuckled. "Go on. Shoot me. Sabog din ang bungo ng kaibigan mo kasabay
ng sa akin."
Napatingin ako kay Shielder. Namumungay ang mga mata nya at mukhang wala
sa sarili. That's why he's not doing anything. I gritted my teeth. Mas
idinikit ko ang baril sa ulo ni Liam.
"Ibaba mo ang baril mo, Bellucci. Then I'll give you the antidote."
Malutong ko syang minura. Merda! Anong akala nya sa akin? Tanga? Hindi
marunong mag isip? Sa oras na ibaba ko ang mga baril na hawak ko ay alam
kong talo na ako! Hindi lang naman nakakagalaw ang mga tauhan nya dahil
hawak ko ang pinuno nila sa leeg!
"I'm the only one who knows what antidote he should take, Bellucci. He
only has less that twenty minutes to live."
Fuck! Muli akong napatingin kay Shielder. Namumutla na ang mukha nya
tanda ng epekto ng droga! Ni hindi ko alam kung anong droga ang itinurok
sa kanya kaya hindi ko alam kung anong antidote ang dapat na ibigay sa
kanya. Liam is right. He's the only one who knows how to cure Shielder.
Kinuha ni Liam ang pagkakataon habang nag iisip ako para kumilos. Malakas
nya ulit akong sinutok sa tyan at sa sobrang pag aalala sa buhay na nasa
loob ng sinapupunan ko ay nabitiwan ko ang isang baril. I cursed. Liam
picked it up. He's fast and I know that it's too late for me point it
against him. Mauunahan nya ako.
Nevertheless, I still try and point the gun at him. Nakita ko ang ngisi
nya dahil mas nauna nyang naitutok ang baril nya kaysa sa akin.
Then I heard three gunshots.
"It hurts!" he cried in pain. Sinipa ko ang baril na nabitiwan nya palayo
sa kanya.
On the kitchen's entrance, I saw Tracer and Death both holding out their
guns. Parehong umuusok pa ang mga dulo ng mga baril nila. Ang kay Tracer
ay nakatutuok sa direksyon ng mga lalaking nakahawak kay Shielder habang
ang kay Death naman ay nakatutok kay Liam.
He shoots Liam on his leg kaya napaluhod ito habang sumisigaw sa sobrang
sakit. Tinignan ko sya at lumapit sa kanya saka ko sya tinutukan ng baril
sa bungo.
He laughed like I'd just told him a joke. "Kill me, Bellucci. Wala kang
mapapala sa akin."
Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi sa akin ni Death. Wala syang sinabi na kung ano
kaya alam kong ibinibigay nya ang desisyon sa akin.
"Say your last words, Rook." sabi ko habang malamig na nakatitig sa mga
mata nya.
I saw pain in his eyes. Parang bumalik sa isipan nya ang lahat ng
pinagdaanan nya. Ang pagpatay ng ama ko sa mga magulang ko sa harapan
nya. Ang mga ginawa nya para lang makaganti.
"Fuck you, Bellucci. You and your demon father." mapait na sabi nya
kasabay ng pagtulo ng isang butil ng luha mula sa kaliwa nyang mata.
Violet once told me that when a person cries and the first drop of tears
comes from the right eye, it's happiness. But when the first roll is from
the left, it's pain.
"Goodbye, Ortega."
I pulled the trigger. Hindi ko inalis ang paningin ko sa mga mata nya
habang bumabagsak ang katawan nya. Hanggang sa mamatay ang huling ilaw ng
buhay mula doon ay hindi ko pa din inalis ang paningin ko.
This has been my scenario at every mission that I did. Alam kong ang mga
mata ko ang huling nakikita ng mga taong pinatay ko hanggang sa mawalan
sila ng hininga. Pero taliwas sa malalamig kong mga mata ang nararamdaman
ko.
Naramdaman kong may mainit na palad ang sumakop sa mukha ko. It was from
Death. He cupped my face and wiped my tears away. Ni hindi ko alam na
umiiyak na pala ako.
"It's over now." he whispered. Nakikita ko ang pag aalala sa mga mata nya
habang sinusuri ang buong mukha ko.
He wanted revenge for what my father did to his family. Alam kong ginawa
lang iyon ni Papà to kill the former rook. Pero para sa anak na naiwan ay
sobrang sakit noon.
Ngayon ko lang naisip ang mga naiiwan ng mga taong pinatay ko dahil sa
misyon ko. Some of them have families, children and love ones. Kaya hindi
na ako magtataka kung bakit marami ang gustong pumatay sa akin dahil sa
ginawa ko.
"Get your shit together, fucker!" dinig ko ang boses ni Tracer na nag
aalala para sa kapatid.
"What?"
"They drugged him. Take him to the hospital, Tracer. He has only less
than fifteen minutes left." walang boses ko nang sabi.
But Tracer heard it. Sa sinabi kong iyon ay mabilis nyang binuhay ang
kapatid at halos patakbo na ng umalis.
----
Lady Hiro
Chapter 45
This is the last chapter of Engagement Chaos. Thank you so much for
supporting Death and Vexen's story. See you on Creed/Archer's story
entitled Chess Pieces #1: Creed Cervantes!
---
"Vexen..."
"Water..." mahina kong sabi pero kahit ganoon ay ramdam ko ang pananakit
ng lalamunan ko na parang isang buwan na hindi iyon dinaanan ng tubig.
Death poured me a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table.
Tinulungan nya akong makaupo at ibinigay sa akin ang tubig. I gulped it
down and my throat felt relieved with water.
"Anong nangyari?" I asked. Bigla yata akong nagka amnesia dahil hindi ko
matandaan kung bakit ako napunta dito.
"You've been unconscious for two days here in the hospital, honey."
masuyong sabi ni Death pero kahit ganoon ay nabigla ako.
Inayos ni Death ang siguradong magulo kong buhok. I know that it's dirty
and oily too! Hindi ako nakaligo for two days! Kahit ako ay nandidiri na
sa sarili ko pero si Death ay patuloy pa din sa pag suklay ng buhok ko
gamit ang mga daliri nya sa kamay.
Why did I even got hospital in the first place? Ikinunot ko ang noo ko
para mag isip pero naramdaman ko ang pananakit ng mukha ko. Para bang
hinapas iyon sa kung saan.
"Ssshhh..." Death shushed me. Ikinulong nya sa mga palad nya ang mukha
ko. He stared at me intently that made my heart go wild. Sa bawat
segundong lumilipas na hindi nya ako sinasagot ay mas dumodoble ang kaba
sa dibdib ko.
"Please, tell me that I didn't lose our baby." maiiyak ko nang sabi.
Oh, God. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kung sakaling sabihin nyang
may nangyaring masama sa baby namin. I've been very careless! Dalawang
beses napatamaan ng suntok at sipa ni Liam ang tyan ko!
May tumulong luha sa mga mata ko. Pinunasan nya iyon at binigyan ako ng
mabilis na halik sa labi.
"The baby is safe, Vexen. Our baby is safe." sagot nyang nag paiyak sa
akin.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Tumigil ang pag iyak nang makita ko ang itsura
nya. Guilt and sorrow are in his eyes. Ayan na naman sya. Palagi nya na
lang sinisisi ang sarili nya kahit hindi na naman talaga sya ang dahilan.
I wonder if he got used to this trait because he was a former butler?
Inaako nya ang lahat ng para sa master nya, right?
Umiling ako. Kinuha ko ang isang kamay nya at idinikit sa pisngi ko. I
even kissed his palm.
"You came right on time, Death. Hindi ka nahuli. You were never late
anyway. Palagi kang dumadating para iligtas ako sa tamang pagkakataon."
Hindi nya naman kasi talaga kasalanan. None of us knew that Liam wasn't
in Zambales. It was a perfect trap led by him. At dahil wala sa aming
nakakaalam ay lahat kami ay nahulog sa patibong nyang iyon.
I told Death everything that Liam told me. That he put a bug on Violet's
phone that's why he was able to listen to all the conversations that we
had. Nalaman nya ang mga pagpa-plano namin.
Maybe Violet's phone was bugged from the start. Kaya nalaman ni Liam ang
tungkol sa plano namin sa parking lot. Kung paano nya nalagay ang bug ay
hindi ko alam.
Death told me that Tracer and L were notified by the house alarm through
their laptops. Nagdesisyon sila na maghiwalay na lang. Tracer and him
came back for us while L and Archer continued with the mission. It was
really helpful that Shielder designed the security on L's house in that
way.
"How's Shielder?" nag aalala kong tanong nang maalala sya. Death sighed.
"He's still unconscious but he's okay now. Tracer knew a doctor who is
also a member of El Ordre. She was able to give Shielder some medicine
that would reduced the speed of the drug from reaching his heart. Good
thing that Archer and L found the antidote at the island together with
thousands of those drugs. They destroyed the whole island though."
"What about Violet?" tanong ko. That was my first priority on this
mission afterall. Ang iligtas si Violet at ang patayin ang rook. "They
saved her, right?" umaasa kong tanong.
Nakita ko ang pag aalangan sa mukha ni Death na sagutin ang tanong ko. I
looked at him straight in the eyes. Pilit nya kasing iniiwasan ang tingin
ko. Sa huli ay sumuko din sya at tinitigan ako. That made me feel more
nervous. His mismatched eyes staring intently at me.
"They did save her..." he trailed. Alam kong may kasunod pa syang
sasabihin na sa palagay ko ay hindi ko na magugustuhan. "But she was
bleeding to death when they've found her."
Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I felt like I've gone deaf when I heard those
words. Image of Violet bathing in her own blood came in my mind. I wanted
to scream and shout just to stop those thoughts.
"She fell into a coma because she lost too much blood that causes
hemorrhagic shock. Her brain didn't get enough blood for a couple of
seconds and that causes her to fell into a coma." paliwanag pa ni Death
pero pinatigil ko na sya.
"Gusto ko syang makita, Death." I told him. May pag aalangan akong nakita
sa mukha nya. But when he saw how determined I looked, he led me the way.
Violet is in the ICU kaya pinag suot pa ako ng lab gown and hair net bago
ako papasukin. Si Death ay naiwan sa labas ng lounge at ako lang ang mag
isa ang pumasok doon.
I almost broke down when I saw Violet lying on a hospital bed. Maraming
mga tubo ang nakakabit sa katawan nya. There was a tube in her mouth that
was connected to a ventilator to help her breath even if she's
unconscious. Napakarami ding mga makina ang nakapalibot sa kanya na halos
hindi ko na alam kung para saan.
Muli kong naalala ang itsura ni Violet noong huli ko syang makita. She
was calling my name asking for my help pero hindi ko sya natulungan.
Hindi rin ako ang pumunta sa kanya para mailigtas sya.
I felt so damn guilty. Ako ang kailangan ni Liam. Ako ang gusto nyang
patayin pero mas malala pa ang naging lagay ni Violet.
I held her hand. May nakasipit na kung ano sa hintuturo nya. I know that
it's a pulse oximeter to monitor her heartbeat. Tumutunog ang makina sa
bawat pagtibok ng puso nya kaya iniwasan ko ang masanggi iyon.
"Violet..." I called her. The nurse told me that Violet might be able to
hear me if I talk to her. "Wake up..."
My voice croaked with that simple words. Tumikhim ako. Ayokong marinig
nya na umiiyak ako.
Nalagyan ko ng tunog ang pag iyak ko kaya mabilis kong tinakpan ang bibig
ko. Naaalala ko ang mga panahon na girl bonding namin ni Violet. Sya ang
nagparanas sa akin kung paano maging normal na babae.
Mabilis na tumayo si Death nang makita nya agad ako pagkalabas ko pa lang
ng ICU. Hindi ko na naigalaw ang mga paa ko nang magtama ang mga paningin
namin kaya sya na lang ang naglakad palapit sa akin. Hindi pa man sya
tuluyang nakakalapit ay bumuhos na ang mga luha ko.
He pulled me inside his arms. Doon ay inilabas ko ang mga luha at mga
hikbi na pinipigilan ko sa loob. Inilabas ko ang mga luha para sa mga
taong binawian ko ng buhay. Inilabas ko ang mga luha na para sa alaga
kong aso na pinatay sa harapan ko.
Humigpit ang pagkakayakap sa akin ni Death which made me cried even more.
Mahigpit akong napakapit sa kamiseta nya habang inilalabas ang sakit na
naramdaman ko.
"Nadamay lang sya, Death. At sobra akong nasasaktan sa isiping ako ang
dahil kung bakit sya nakaratay doon at nag aagaw buhay. Liam target was
me and yet Violet was the one who's fighting with her life right."
"Ssshhh... It's not your fault, honey. You didn't wanted what happened to
her. Hindi mo 'to ginusto kaya hindi mo kasalanan."
"Of course." hinaplos nya ang buhok ko. "You know that your friend is
tough just like you, honey. Malalagpasan nya 'to. She will wake up, one
day."
Papà and Kuya Vander also went here in the Philippines when they heard
about what happened and about my pregnancy. Si Papà ay hindi alam kung
anong uunahin na mararamdam. Kung matutuwa dahil magkaka-apo na sya o
kung malulungkot dahil para sa nangyari kay Liam.
"I was ordered to kill the rook, which is Liam's father by that time. To
kill each and everyone in his manor. To not leave any single soul. To not
leave any casualties." he explained one time.
"But you didn't kill Liam." sabi ko kay Papà. Nandito sya sa bahay ko
ngayon para mangamusta sa pagbubuntis ko. I could tell that he's already
excited kahit ten weeks pa lang akong buntis at hindi pa nga halata ang
tyan ko.
Kuya Vander isn't here though. Ang sabi ay may importante daw na
aasikasuhin. Ang akala ko pa naman ay nagpunta sya ng Pilipinas para sa
akin. May iba pa lang dahilan.
"Yes. He was so young, Vexen. He's only two years older than you but I
can't still kill him. He witnessed how I killed his parents and I know
that it would scarred him for life but I couldn't take away the life of a
child." he sighed. Kumunot ang noo nya. Ang mga gatla sa noo nya ay
nadagdagan gawa ng stress. "It's my fault why everything of this
happened. I should've accomplished my mission back then. I should've..."
Killed the child. Iyon ang mga salitang hindi nya naituloy.
"You did the right thing back there, Papà. You gave Liam a second chance
in life when you could've just killed him. You gave him a chance but he
just wasted it. He used the chance that you gave him in a wrong way.
Everything that happened is because of Liam, Papà. Not because of you so
stop blaming yourself. I'm not use to it. It feels creepy."
"I'm happy that you're my father, Papà." I told him. Naramdaman kong
tinapik nya ang likod ko.
"Loki..."
He was wearing a navy blue button down long sleeve polo. It was tuck in
his black maong pants with black belt. Nakabukas ang unang dalawang
butones ng polo nya kaya kitang kita ang gold necklace nyang may pendant
na parang isang korona.
"Mabilis lang 'to. Aalis din ako. I just want to say a few things." Loki
started. Lumapit si Death sa akin at hinapit ako palapit sa kanya.
"Congratulations, V. You have accomplished your mission."
Tumango ako at napangiti na. Si Death naman ay inamoy ang buhok ko.
Walang pakialam kahit nasa harap namin ang dati nyang master.
"That was the last mission for the both of you." pagpapatuloy ni Loki na
ikinagulat ko. "As of today, you are both no longer a part of El Ordre.
You still need to keep the organization as a secret, though. Kung gusto
nyo ng tahimik na buhay."
"Bakit? Ayaw mo?" pang asar na tanong nya pa. "Pwede kong bawiin kung
gusto mo."
"No!" sigaw ko. He smirked. Merda! Ang hilig talaga akong paglaruan ng
lalaking ito! "I was just asking.
Ang ngisi sa mga labi ni Loki ay unti unting nagbago. He smiled. A real
smile. It was so beautiful that even his sea-green eyes were twinkling.
"Someone took over your place as a pawn, V." sabi nya na mas nagpagulo pa
sa isip ko. I must've looked funny dahil tumawa sya. "Think, V. How could
someone pass over their role as a chess piece? What should be the first
thing to consider?"
"Same surname at dapat may kaugnayan ang dalawa." sagot ko pero natigilan
ako.
Muling ngumisi si Loki. He smirked evilly that I could almost feel the
shiver down from my spine.
Pagkaalis ni Loki ay kaagad din akong umalis para hanapin ang taong
kailangan kong makita. I know Death wanted to ask me about Loki's words
pero pinakawalan nya ako. Babawi na lang ako sa kanya. I would kiss and
hug him later!
Isa lang ang alam kong lugar na pupuntahan nya. It was the house of the
woman that he loved. Tama nga ako. Nakita ko syang nakatayo hindi
kalayuan habang nakatingin sa babaeng nakikipaglaro sa isang bata sa
garden lang ng bahay nila.
"Bakit hindi mo lapitan?" I asked. Hindi sya nagulat. Siguro ay inaasahan
nyang hahanapin ko sya.
"Sobra ang naging perwisyo ko sa kanya noon. I don't have the right to
even look at her. But I'm okay with this. She's happy now with her
husband and children."
Ilang saglit naming tahimik na pinanood ang mag ina sa bahay na iyon na
naghahabulan. Naaalala ko noong una nyang ikinuwento ang bagay na ito sa
akin ay sobra akong na-weirduhan sa kanya. Carmilla is his cousin and
yet, he fell inlove with her.
"Why did you do it, Kuya? Bakit mo inako ang pagiging pawn ko sa El
Ordre?"
"The reason why your father married my mother was because of you, Vexen.
He wanted me to take care of you. He told me everything. Lahat lahat
kahit ang tungkol sa El Ordre."
Hindi ako nagsalita. Hanggang saan ba matatapos ang kayang gawin ni Papà
para sa akin? Parang gusto ko tuloy pukpukin ang ulo ko when I remembered
that I told him that I hate him!
"Kuya Vander..."
Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. He's very different now from the
way he used to be before. Dati ay sobrang bayolente nya pero ngayon ay
nagawa nya ang ganito para sa akin.
Dati ay natatakot pa ako na baka bumalik ang sakit nya kaya hindi ako
pumayag sa kondisyon ni Papà nang sabihin nyang pasasalihin nya si Kuya
Vander sa El Ordre. But looking at him right now, I know that he can do
it. Talaga ngang magaling na sya.
Hinila nya ako para yakapin. Gumanti na din ako ng yakap sa kanya. "Go
now, Vexen. Be free."
"Si Kuya Vander na ang pumalit sa pwesto ko bilang pawn. Pareho na tayong
malaya, Death!" masaya ko pang sabi pero wala syang reaksyon. "Uy, galit
ka ba? Hindi ka masaya?" he didn't answered. "Uy, kausapin mo naman ako,
oh."
Sinundot ko pa ang tagiliran nya pero sa tigas ng mga muscles nya sa
katawan ay hindi na yata sya nakikiliti. Sumimangot na ako.
"Sige ka. Magtatampo na kami ni baby sayo." I said and even caressed my
tummy.
He sighed. His muscles relaxed and the features on his face softened.
Ipinatong nya ang baba nya sa balikat ko.
"I want to do it for you, Death. Ikaw na lang ang palaging may ginagawa
para sa akin. I want to reciprocate everything."
"Hindi naman ako aalis sa tabi mo. But still, I just want you to be free,
Death. You're always taking orders from anyone. Wala ka nang ibinigay
para sa sarili mo that's why I want to do it for you. Isa pa, yung
magiging anak natin. Ayokong maranasan nya ang magulo nating buhay. So
please, huwag ka nang magalit."
Tumawa ako sa nanghihina nyang boses. Umupo na ako paharap sa kanya. Ang
dalawang mga binti ko ay nasa magkabilang gilid ng bewang nya.
I heard him moaned kaya mas lalo pa akong ginanahan sa ginagawa ko.
Ipinasok ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa shirt nya at hinaplos ang katawan
nya.
"Vexen..." he moaned my name and oh my goodness. I have never thought
that my name would sound so erotic and sexy! Sana dati ko pa ginawa ito!
I grinded my hips on top of him and he let out a violent cursed. Patuloy
lang ako sa paghalik sa leeg nya at sa paggiling sa ibabaw nya. When I
looked at him, I saw his dark eyes looking at me that made me stop.
Uh-oh.
"My naughty little Vexen." he hissed. Napatili ako nang mabilis nya akong
naihiga sa sofa at pumaibabaw sya sa akin. Madilim ang mga matang
tinitigan nya ako. "You made a mistake again, honey. Know what I'll do to
you?"
"Yes, honey. So be ready. I'm gonna fuck you hard and fast."
A long time ago, I ran away from home to avoid the engagement that my
father prepared for me. Natakot akong magpakasal sa taong hindi ko mahal
at hindi ko kakilala.
And while I'm sharing a fiery kiss with my saviour that has a weird name
and weird eyes, I thought to myself. He's the only one that I wanted to
marry.
So let's now end this chaos that started with my engagement, Death Kieron
Ferrante.
----
Posted na po ang story ni Creed/Archer entitled Chess Pieces #1: Creed
Cervantes. Hanapin nyo na lang po sa profile ko dito sa wattpad. Support
nyo rin sana. Thank you!
Lady Hiro
Epilogue
My father is the butler of the head of the Von Amstel manor. I always see
him with Lord Nimrod in everywhere he goes. He was like a dog wagging
it's tail while following his owner.
I've watched him as he did everything that Lord Nimrod says. Everything.
And I bet that if the head of the Von Amstel ordered him to jump off a
cliff, he would still do it.
"You need to put your Master's life over everything, Kieron. Their well-
being is the most important in this world." he said one time when he
finally had a time alone with me.
"Why do we even have to serve them?" tanong ko. Kahit na sa murang edad
ay may namumuo nang inis sa akin.
"Our ancestors were once saved by the Von Amstel. And to repay them, they
swore that they will serve their family hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang Von
Amstel."
Oh, wow. Ang galing. Mas lalo lang nadagdagan ang inis ko. I shouldn't
have asked that question.
Hindi naman kasi kami yung niligtas kaya bakit kailangan pa kaming idamay
sa pangako na 'yon? Ang sarap hukayin sa lupa at i-double dead ng mga
ninuno ko.
"Don't worry, Kieron. That promise will end if one of the Von Amstel will
free his butler." my Dad added. Nakita nya siguro ang inis sa mukha ko.
Father explained about the Chess Pieces too. He said that were not only
their butler but also their pawn. We should protect them even if we have
to catch bullets for them.
"Hindi ito ang pinangarap ko para sa magiging mga anak ko!" I heard Mom
shouted at my Dad. She saw that he was teaching me how to use a gun.
My mother never said anything about this before. She stayed silent even
when she witnessed how my father bow to his knees in front of Lord
Nimrod. But when she saw me holding a gun, she finally snapped.
"I've never wanted this kind of life for Kieron, Charles! Kung alam ko
lang na magiging ganito ang buhay namin ng anak mo ay hindi na sana ako
nagpakasal pa sayo!"
My mother left us that day. I saw how my father tried to cope up with her
absence. He was smiling in front of me, in front of the Von Amstels but
every night, I could hear him crying.
I understand my mother though. That's why I didn't tried to stop her when
she decided to leave us. Hindi pa rin naman kami nawawalan ng
communication sa isa't-isa. Hindi nya lang daw masikmura ang mga
ipinapagawa sa akin ni Dad.
Every girl wouldn't want to marry a guy like my father. He's Lord
Nimrod's dog. He would gladly do the orders that the Lord gave him
without batting an eye. And soon enough, I would be in his position too.
I glared at him and I saw fear in his eyes. Just like what I've wanted.
Wow. Sya ba ang magiging master ko? Baka magkabaliktad pa kami ng pwesto
nyan.
"W-what language is t-that?" the young Von Amstel still tried to strike a
conversation with me.
Ganoon ba talaga ka-importante ang sagot ko para matuwa sya? Paano kaya
kung magpabayad ako sa kanya sa bawat pagsagot ko sa tanong nya? Baka
yumaman pa ako.
Naalala ko na naman ang mga ninuno ko. Kung sana kayamanan na lang ang
iniwan nila. Mga isang bag na punong puno ng mga ginto. Edi sana natuwa
pa ako.
"My father knows how to speak Filipino!" the kid said merrily.
He seated on the chair in front of me. Hindi ko naman sya pinapaupo. Ah,
oo nga pala. Sa kanila ang upuang 'yon, kahit nga ang inuupuan ko ngayon.
Tumitig sya sa mga mata ko. Alam kong may sasabihin sya tungkol sa
kakaiba kong mga mata. It has always been an issue. Gusto ko na nga iyong
takpan pero hindi naman ako makakakita.
Pero nagulat ako nang hindi sya nagsabi ng kahit na ano tungkol sa mga
mata ko.
Aba't— ginawa pa akong tutor? Mukha bang teacher ang tingin nya sa akin?
Magkasing edad lang kaya kami!
Doon ako nagising. Of course. I will be this kid's butler in the near
future. I will have to follow everything what he wants. And I can't say
no to it.
"Okay. I'll teach you." I said. I'll just use this time to practice
saying yes to everything that he says.
But he introduced himself as Loki when everyone in this manor calls him
as Lord Alexander. First name basis, huh? Okay.
Ito ba talaga ang magiging amo? Ang daling i-budol. Mabilis maloko. Mukha
pang lalampa-lampa.
"How about for 'let's go on a date'?"
Napataas ang isang kilay ko. May nakilala ba syang Filipino na gusto
nyang i-date? Maagang makakabuntis ang batang 'to. Pustahan.
"Supot ako."
"How about the Filipino for 'I don't want to be the next head of the Von
Amstel manor.'"
Looks like I'm not the only one who hated this life, huh?
"You can't." I said. His smile faltered. "You can't and I won't teach you
the filipino word for it."
He was quiet for a minute before his fake smile returned on his face
again. Does he really think that he can fool me?
"Okay. Then please teach me the filipino word for 'Can you be my
friend?'"
"Death..." he called me after saying the words correctly for the third
time.
"Oh?"
I couldn't hide the shock that I felt that time. Hindi ko inaaasahan na
sa akin nya sasabihin ang mga salitang iyon.
Hindi nga sya bagay maging next head ng Von Amstel manor. Masyadong
malambot ang puso nya.
"Of course..." I find myself answering. I don't even know how those words
came out from my mouth!
But when I saw the joy on the kid's face, I sighed. I'll just protect him
with all my life I guess.
"Why are you dripping wet?" tanong ni young master Loki sa akin
pagkabalik ko sa manor nila matapos maligo sa ilog hindi kalayuan sa
kanila.
"I took a bath at the river nearby." I said. Inabutan nya ako ng towel
pamunas at nagdalawang isip pa ako kung tatanggapin ko iyon o hindi.
"Aren't there any leeches though?" nakangiwing sabi nya at mukha pang
nandidiri. Sarap suntukin sa mata.
"Bloody hell. Are you okay?" he asked with a thick bristish accent.
"I'm okay. They're not deadly. It's fun taking a bath outside once in a
while."
Natahimik sya. Oops. I forgot that he can't do things like this. Besides
being the future head of the Von Amstel, he belongs to the royal family
too. Kaya ganoon na lang alagaan ng mga magulang nya ang reputasyon ng
pamilya nila.
They taught Loki everything there is to know about proper etiquette for
all kind of things. Ang dami ding bawal para sa kanya. Kahit ang pagtawa
ng malakas o sumigaw ay hindi nya pwedeng gawin.
"Can you take me there next time?" mahinang tanong nya. Parang ayaw pang
marinig ko.
My eyes remained on him. His head hung low. Hindi masalubong ang mga mata
ko. Alam nya kasi na hindi pwede ang pinapagawa nya sa akin.
"Okay."
"I am your butler, young master. I'll do everything you say and
everything you want. My loyalty is with you."
Ganoon nga ang nangyari. When the night came, we sneak out and went to
the river. Si Loki lang ang naligo habang ako ay binabantayan lang sya.
Ilang beses pang naulit ang paggawa nya ng mga bagay na hindi pwede sa
kanya. With me being his only witnessed. I've watched him running around
in their field while screaming his lungs out. I've watched him climbed a
tree. I've watched him having a bath on a mud.
"Who's that?" kunot noong tanong nya. Napagaya tuloy ako sa mukha nya.
"I am not like her!" inis na sabi nya habang nakaturo sa TV. "I don't
look like a pig!"
He was about to say something when his mother came. Nakita na nya ang
pinapanood namin bago ko pa mapatay ang TV.
"What are you watching, Alexander?!" she asked, horrified. Her beautiful
face had a horror look. "You can't watch that!"
Lumapit sya sa amin. Kinuha nya sa kamay ko ang remote at sya na mismo
ang nagpatay sa TV. Hinarap nya ako at nandoon ang galit sa mukha nya.
"What are you trying to make him watch, Kieron?! He can't watch something
trash like that!" she screamed on the top of her lungs.
Nice. Paano pa kaya kapag porn na ang pinanood namin? Baka mamatay na sya
sa sobrang gulat.
"Oh, shut it!" she shouted at her son. I saw how Loki flinched. "I will
blame him because he's so irresponsible! His only job is to watch after
you and protect you but he can't even do it properly!"
Tumungo na lang ako. Baka masagot ko pa. My parents never raised their
voice at me. Kahit isang beses ay hindi nila ako sinigawan.
I felt bad for Loki. Mukhang madalas nyang maranasan ang ganito.
"I'm sorry, Death..." sabi ni Loki pagkaalis ng Mom nya. Feeling ko nga
matatanggal na ang tenga ko sa sobrang tinis ng boses ng nanay nya. "It's
my fault."
"I am not!" sigaw nya pero mabilis nyang tinakpan ang bibig nya. I smiled
at him.
"It's okay, young master. You can do everything that you want when you're
with me."
It was raining hard one day while I was teaching Loki some filipino
words. Pero ang magaling na bata ay hindi nakikinig sa akin. Nakatingin
lang sya sa labas at pinapanood ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan.
"Hey, Death. I saw from the TV that you can play under the rain too."
We played under the rain and it actually felt good! I feel like I'm a
child playing with his playmate! Panay ang tawa namin ni Loki habang
naglalaro sa ilalim ng ulan.
It's nice to have at least one friend. I'm glad that I agreed to be
friends with him.
Pero ang paglalaro naming iyon ay natigil nang dumating ang mga magulang
nya. Mabilis kaming pinapasok sa bahay at doon kami pinagalitan.
"What in the bloody hell did I just saw Alexander?! How could you
possibly think that you can play under the rain, huh?! You're not in your
right mind!" Lord Nimrod voice boomed throughout the entire manor.
I saw Loki's shivering due to coldness and due to his father's wrath.
Pwede naman nya kaming pagalitan pagkatapos maligo ni Loki. Nangingitim
na ang mga labi nya! Fuck it!
"I-im s-sorry, Dad..." nanginginig ang boses na sabi ni Loki.
"Sorry? If you're sorry then why are you doing things that was against
the rule, Alexander?! You think I didn't know about that?! Don't take me
as a fool, young one!"
Tumaas ang kamao ni Lord Nimrod. Nataranta ako at iniharang ang katawan
ko kay Loki pero ang kamao nya ay tumama sa mukha ng ama ko.
Nagulat ako. My Dad stayed rooted on his place. Ni hindi nya ininda ang
sakit ng pagkakasuntok ng Lord sa kanya.
Now I know where my father got his bruises. Hindi lang ito ang
pagkakataon na sinaktan nya ang kamao ko.
"You're a bad kid!" he said and punched my father again. Narinig ko ang
paghikbi ni Loki sa likod ko.
I balled my fist. I wanted to get revenge for my father but I caught his
eyes. Tahimik syang umiling at ngumiti sa akin.
Tangina.
"It was a simple rule, Alexander, but why can't you do it?!" he gave my
father a punched on the face again.
"Bullshit!" mas lalo pang nagalit si Lord Nimrod. "Von Amstel never beg!
We never beg!"
He landed one last punch before he took a deep breath. "Last chance,
Alexander. I swear you won't like it when I get mad."
Mabilis na tumakbo paakyat ng kwarto nya si Loki nang hindi ako
nililingon pagkaalis ng ama nya. I sighed. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung
paano sya kakausapin.
I just witnessed how low my father had become. Galit na galit ako. Sa
kanya at sa mga ninuno ko. Tangina naman kasi, patay na sila pero
nandadamay pa ng iba!
"Take care of the young master, Kieron." my father said when we were
about to sleep. Palagi na kaming nagtatabi sa kama simula nang iwan kami
ni Mom. Para bang sa ganoong paraan ay maipapaalam namin na hindi kami
nag iisa.
Kahit na nagtampo ako ay alam kong hindi naman kasalanan ni Loki. Hindi
nya alam na si Dad ang pagbubuntunan ng galit ng ama nya.
I saw how weak he is. I know that he needs me. And I promise that I'll
protect him as his butler.
"Serve him with all you have, Kieron. Continue our family legacy. You're
the only Ferrante left who could do that."
He started acting like the head of the Von Amstel. And we started
drifting apart.
My father died and I felt so alone. Natakot akong matulog ng mag isa.
Damang dama ko kasi kung gaano ako nag iisa. It was so painful having to
fight this chaotic life, alone, everyday.
Mas lalong nag iba si Loki habang patagal ng patagal. He was like a
different person now. I still tried to talk to him casually but when he's
using his authoritative tone, I could only say 'Yes, my lord' like a
fucking robot.
I thought that we will remain like that forever. Until a girl named
Daphne Madrigal came into our life.
"Bloody hell, Kieron! Did you hit her?" he asked. May bigla kasing
sumulpot na babae sa kalsadanm at muntik ko nang masagasaan.
"No. I stepped on the brake before the car could hit her."
I let out a frustrated sigh. Kapag ganito ay parang bumabalik ang dating
sya pero nakakaubos kasi ng pasensya. Sinabi na ngang hindi ko nabangga,
eh.
Bumaba ako ng sasakyan. I saw the girl lying on the ground. Noong una ay
may malay pa sya pero napapikit din. Nang matitigan ko sya ng husto ay
natigilan ako.
"Lord Loki! You need to see this." binuksan ko ang pintuan ng kotse para
sa kanya.
When he saw the girl, he froze. Inilabas nya ang phone nya at palipat-
lipat ang tingin doon at sa babae.
"Take care of her, Kieron." Loki said while staring at the unconscious
girl. The doctor said that she just lost consciousness due to stress. "Be
her butler."
I looked at him. Didn't know that Peppa Pig knows how to joke too.
"I can't have two masters." I said. I know I've been doing all that he
wanted pero sobra na kung magiging dalawa ang pagsisilbihan ko.
"She'll be your only master. And once this girl have her own family,
you'll be free."
But he's serious now. My father said that we can be free from our
ancestors curse, I choose to call it curse instead of promise, if one of
the Von Amstel freed his butler. And this is it. It's happening right
now.
I tried to get along with her new family. Her new husband is kind. Wala
akong maipintas kaya hinayaan kong maging masaya ang Mom ko.
Gon was easy to get along too. At ang patpatin ay may fiancee na pala!
Pinagmalaki pa sa akin! Pinapamukha yata na walang papatol sa tulad ko!
But we've heard that his fiancee ran away. I wanted to laugh at him
because karma worked it's way for me but when I saw how devastated Gon
looks, I got mad at the girl.
"I heard her say that I didn't look like a man. That I have a lady
voice." he eyed me from head to toe. "If only I am you, Kier, then maybe
she won't ran away."
Gon became depressed. Halos hindi na kumain. Mas lalo tuloy pumayat.
Nakakatakot mapadikit sa kanya dahil parang mababali ang buto nya kapag
ginawa ko iyon.
I made him go to the gym. Ilang madugong pamimilit ang ginawa ko bago sya
napapayag. And that's when I decided everything. He said that if only he
was me then maybe the girl won't run away? Then let's see. What if I make
her fall inlove with me then left her hanging in the end just like what
she did with my step brother?
I asked for her picture and goddammit, the girl is a total knockout! Kaya
naman pala nagkakaganoon si Gon na parang baliw dahil sa babaeng 'to!
Beautiful is not enough to describe her!
But even still, I know her true colors. She left my brother and said mean
words at him making him this depressed. I can't just let her off the
hook, right?
I asked L to look for her. He's an expert in this field. Palagi pang
nakaharap sa laptop. He said that laptop can give him all the information
in the world. I told him to just marry his laptop and make babies with
it.
Mabilis na nahanap ni L kung nasaan ang babae. Vexen. That's her name.
Sounds feisty like a vixen. Ganoon din kaya ang ugali nya?
Sinadya kong bilhin ang bahay na katabi ng kanya. Sakto at wala pa lang
nakatira doon. Looks like destiny is in my favor.
I also know that she's a writer. Sinadya ko din na magkaroon kami ng band
practice sa madaling alam. Walang kaalam alam ang mga kabanda ko na
ginagamit ko na pala sila.
She took the bait though. Ilang saglit lang matapos ng malakas na
pagpapatutog namin ay narinig ko syang kumatok at nagsisisigaw. I was
topless pero hindi na ako nag abalang magdamit nang pagbuksan ko sya ng
pinto.
She has a natural brown hair that's in a messy bun. Ang ilang mga hibla
ay nahuhulog sa balikat nya. I looked back to stare into her expressive
eyes. And damn that hazel orbs, parang nang aakit kung makatingin! And
her nose, oh goddammit. It was so small but pointed! And her plum red
lips, it's was slightly pouty. Binasa nya pa ng dila and fuck! The urge
to grab her at the back of her slender neck and ravished her lips with a
kiss is so loud! Parang may demonyong bumubulong sa akin na angkinin ang
mga labi nya.
Napatingin ako sa mga kamay nya. Ang isa ay may hawak na mug that's why I
noticed her fingers. Damn! Gusto kong padaanin nya iyon sa buhok ko as I
kiss her long and slender neck while she's moaning my name!
Araw araw akong nagpupunta ng bahay nya para ipagluto sya ng breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Sabay kaming kumakain and fuck me for enjoying every
moments with her. The moment that I stared at her lips the first time I
saw her, kinalimutan ko na ang tungkol sa masama kong balak.
Gusto kong saktan ang sarili ko dahil pinag isipan ko sya ng masama noon.
I even planned on hurting her! At anong sabi ko? Iiwan ko sya sa huli
para saktan? Damn! Kapag nawala sya sa akin ay hindi ko makakaya!
The day where she left me in the middle of the sea, halos magpakalunod na
ako. She even left my gift for her and my bracelet unlocked! It just
means one thing! Ayaw na nya sa akin!
"Stay away from her, Gon. She's mine." I growled. Natahimik ang kabilang
linya bago sya tumawa ng malakas.
"Don't tell me that you fell in your own trap?" sa hindi ko pagsasalita
ay nakumpirma nya iyon. "Damn, Kier! I don't know if I should be happy or
pity you!"
"Just stay the fuck away from her! I'm the one she'll gonna marry."
I tried to look for a way to stop the wedding. She loves me but she said
that she can't stop the wedding. Something is holding her back.
"Mancini is one of the chess pieces too, Death. Vexen is just a pawn like
you that's why her father wanted her to marry the Mancini's son so she
can have pawn promotion." paliwanag ni Loki sa akin.
Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Loki. "Don't you want your woman to carry your
surname? Vexen Ferrante sounds better than Vexen Mancini if you'll ask
me."
He's right. Vexen Ferrante sounds more way better than any other names in
this world. Isa pa, baka akalain ng iba na natuloy ang kasal nila ni Gon
kapag nagpalit ako as a Mancini at pakasalan sya.
Doon ko nakita kung gaano kalakas ang isang Loki Alexander Nimrod Von
Amstel the fourth. Nagulat ako nang magsiluhuran sa kanya ang halos lahat
ng nasa simbahan. Even Mr. Mancini. It only means that Loki's chess piece
position is higher that him.
Is he the King?
Nakita kong nagpara ng taxi si Vexen pagkatapos nyang makipag usap kay
Loki. I wanted to go after her but I have to talk to Loki.
Alam ko naman na hindi gagalaw ang higher pieces kung walang kapalit. I'm
ready to give everything though. Kahit hilingin nyang maging butler nya
ulit ako ay papayag ako.
My lips let out a sneer. Walangya. I was expecting him to ask for a
difficult prize. I've never expected him to say something like this.
Ngumiti ulit sya. Yung ngiting hindi peke. His smile tells me that he's
happy with what I've said.
I hope so. And I hope that he'll find someone who can also see right
through him and will treat him as a first choice.
"Vexen! I've told you to just sit down and let me do the work!" sigaw ko
sa kanya nang makita kung anong ginagawa nya.
For fuck's sake, she's seven months pregnant! Pero heto sya at nagtutulak
ng sofa dahil nag aayos kami ng binili kong bahay para sa aming dalawa.
Napatigil sya at naiiyak ang mga matang tumingin sa akin. "Galit ka?"
Langya naman, oh. Wala na. Ginamitan na naman nya ako ng iyak na. Tunaw
agad ang galit ko. Nagsisi pa ko kung bakit ko sya sinigawan!
The doctor said that Vexen should be careful about her pregnancy. Lalo pa
at muntik nang malaglag ang anak namin noon kaya mas lalo syang pinag
iingat. Pero ang pasaway naman kasi nya.
I was about to kiss her when the doorbell rang. Sino naman ang istorbong
'to?
Vexen ran towards L and hug him. Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Pinalihian nya
kasi si L! Walangya, kapag talaga naging kamukha nya ang magiging anak
namin ay tatanggalan ko sya ng mukha!
Putangina!
L rolled his eyes when he get what I meant. Inilayo nya si Vexen sa
kanya.
"Makikikain."
Eh kung ihampas ko kaya sa mukha nya ang laptop nyang dala? Siguradong
mas masarap 'yon.
L just nodded and sit on the sofa then opens his laptop. Sumunod si
Archer sa kanya. Feel at home ang mga gago.
I closed the door. Lumapit ako kay Vexen para yakapin sya pero tumunog
ang doorbell. It was Tracer this time.
"Oh, wow. Nag imbita ka pa talaga, ha? Bahay mo?" I said sarcastically.
Hindi ako pinansin ng hudas.
Naguguluhan syang tumingin sa akin. "Huh? Tapos na. Last week pa."
Walangya!
I sighed and let him in. Binalingan ko silang lahat pagkasara ko ng pinto
sa huling pagkakataon.
I stomped my way towards the kitchen. Dammit! Sana hindi na lang ako
natutong magluto! Ang daming naging peste na gustong makikain!
I felt a familiar sweet scent from the person who just went here in the
kitchen. Bago pa makalapit si Vexen ay naamoy ko na sya. Niyakap nya ang
isang braso ko at hinilig ang ulo sa balikat ko.
"Are you mad?" malambing nyang tanong. Hindi ba nya alam na hindi ko
magawang magalit sa kanya kapag ganito sya?
"Hayaan mo na sila. Ngayon lang naman. Tsaka the more the merrier."
"You don't want to have alone time with me? Is that it?" kunwari'y
nagtatampo kong tanong.
"Gusto ko!" sigaw nya na alam kong narinig ng iba. "Syempre gusto ko,
Death. Gustong gusto kong masolo ka."
"Eh..."
"Hmm?" I said and kissed her on the neck. I heard her gasped kaya mabilis
kong sinunggaban ang mga labi nya at ipinasok ang dila ko sa loob ng
bibig nya.
Napakapit sya sa dalawang mga braso ko. I ravished her mouth just like
what I've wanted to do the first time that I saw her. I chewed on her
bottom lip before I licked the pain away and suck it.
I burried my face on her neck and inhaled her scent. Hindi ko akalain na
aabot kami sa puntong ganito. I was only planning to make her fall inlove
with me at first and left her afterwards. But good heavens, Gon was
right. I fell in my own trap.
I'm sure that I'm the first one who fell inlove between the two of us.
Mas una ko syang minahal bago nya ako mahalin. And dammit. She may really
be a witch casting a beautiful spell on me called love. I fell for her
deeper with each passing day. Pakiramdam ko ay walang hanggan ang
pagkahulog ko sa kanya. And I never plan to resurfaced again.
I should thank that engagement that happened with her and Gon. Without
it, she wouldn't ran away and I would never met her. I would never met
the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
I fished that thing out of my pocket and slid it on her fourth finger. I
heard her gasped. Sa nanlalaking mga mata ay hindi makapaniwalang
tumingin sya sa akin.
"Death—"
I kissed her again before she could finish her sentence. No. I won't ask
that stupid question. I won't ask her to marry me 'cause I'm gonna make
sure that she will. I wouldn't let her have the chance to say no.
She kissed me back. Ramdam ko ang buong puso nya doon. I smiled between
our kiss. Kahit hindi ko pa itanong, I know that this is her yes.
Sya na ang tumapos ng halik namin. She cupped my cheeks and stared deeply
in my eyes.
"I love you, Death." she whispered. And just like always, I answered.
Honey, we've been through so much. And look where we are right now? In
the kitchen, making out while we have visitors. But the fuck I care, this
moment with you is the most important to me.
Vexen, let's end the chaos that started on your engagement and marry me.