ICE CREAM~
Nandito kami ngayon ni Nebula sa kuwarto ko. I brought him here after we went out of the study kung saan nandoon ang cold na dragon. Kasama din namin dito ngayon si Celeste sa loob, samantalang si Sgt. Harvey ay nakabantay sa labas. Actually, I told him to sit here inside but he insists so, I just let him guard the door.
"Clardia, you made this room so clean and organized!" Nebula commented as he roam around the room. I am sitting by my bed and Celeste is standing close to the vanity table.
Malinis naman ako at maayos sa kuwarto, minsan. Of course, I just came here a few days ago that's why this room is still fixed.
"Yep, I also put a lot of effort in tidying and organizing this room. It's really dusty when I first enter here." I said.
"It's not strange because it's been a while since this room was used." he tried to climb up the bed and I helped him. "Thank you!" he said.
"Speaking of it, I'm just curious to who used this place before me? I also notice that there are some dresses and women clothes in the cabinet over there." I pointed the wooden cabinet alongside the vanity table.
"Ah, this room is owned by Xavier's mother before, when Uncle Cranstan is still the one governing this Southeast Kingdom."
"Really? Aren't Xavier's mother died after he was born?" I asked looking around the room. I don't know, it just kinda creeped me out that the owner of this room already passed out.
Huhuhu, Tita I hope you're already in peace.
"Yes. But not literally after he was born. Aunt Merein died a few days after Xavier came into this world." Merein, pala ang pangalan ng mama ni Xavier. Base sa pangalan niya, feeling ko mabait si Tita katulad ni Tito Cranstan.
"Did she died because of giving birth to Xavier?"
"No. She was murdered." titig na sagot sa 'kin ni Nebula. I was shocked. Kasi all this time, akala ko namatay ang nanay ni Xavier sa pagluluwal sa kanya.
"W-What?! Who killed her?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.
"Ursaminor. Only them will have the motive to kill Merein."
"Ursaminor? Who is that? Or rather who is them?" I curiosly asked.
"It is an organization of mostly Hallenors who want to take revenge, revolt, and end the government of Montevilla clan in the Planet of Acelatoria." seryosong tugon niya.
"R-Really? They go such length just to take down the Montevilla governcy?" medyo natakot ako dahil ngayon, parte na rin ako ng Montevilla clan. At asawa ako ni Xavier na magiging susunod na Hari ng planetang 'to. If that organization is actually that aggresive, then I might be their target now.
"Yes. Xzarviar Montevilla, the father of your majesty, and the former King of Acelatoria, have turned everything to this situation when he degraded the value of women in the society. He let men abuse them, and he even slaved those girl-birth-giving families. He has this mindset that women are of no value and just a burden in the progression of the planet. That's why he showed no significance to the Hallenors and now, those women in UrsaMinor eagerly wants to take revenge to every member of the Montevilla family."
Napalunok ako ng laway sa sinabi niya. Is that Xzarviar a fool? Or is he insane? We, women are very important in the society! They will not be given birth kung wala kami! Ugh, talaga lang? What a twisted mind he have!
Napatingin ako kay Celeste na nakayuko lang at nakakuyom ang mga kamao.
"Celeste." hindi siya tumingin sa 'kin. "Celeste. Hey, Celeste!" napa-angat ang mga balikat niya sa gulat nang tinaas ko ang aking boses.
"Y-Yes, s-sister Clardia?", tanong niya nang bumalik na siya sa kanyang sarili.
"Tell me, are you a Hallenor?" tanong ko sa kanya. Napatingin din si Nebula kay Celeste na parang hinihintay ang sagot nito. If she will say yes, then it just means she as well experienced being abused. And I hope she will say no.
"N-No, Sister." she replied and I sighed in relief.
"But, the situation is different now." biglang sabi ni Nebula na nakatitig pa rin kay Celeste. "Because Hallenors is what in need, those women in the opposite side are the ones treated with no value at this point of time. Am I right, Ms. Celeste?" tanong ni Nebula.
Napayuko muli si Celeste at nakita kong nagsimula siyang kamutin ang kanyang daliri nang madiin. I went to Celeste and hug her tightly with all my might while caressing her hair. I always do this when I want to comfort a person.
She started breaking down. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang bigat nang pinagdadaanan niya dahil sa lalim ng kanyang mga paghinga.
"Shhh, I won't say sorry for bringing the topic up because you get to express your feelings to me." I said. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pag-iyak at inakay ko siya umupo sa kama. Tumabi ng konti si Nebula at pumunta sa banda ko.
I let her cry for seconds and then extended a tissue to her from the vanity table. When she finally calmed down, I asked her, "What happend, Celeste?"
Tumingin siya sa 'kin at umiling lamang. Ngayon naiintindihan ko na kung bakit ang putla ng itsura niya at kung bakit may ilan-ilang peklat din akong nakikita sa balat niya.
Why are they so cruel? Gano'n pa rin ba ang pamamalakad na ginagawa ng kasalukuyang kamahalan? If that's the case, then they're all fools! Kahit saan mo tingnan, maling-mali ang paniniwala nila na walang halaga ang mga babae. Tanging wala sa tamang pag-iisip lang ang makapagsasabi no'n!
So, that's why Xavier told me that I should be treated like his slave. Because his mindset is also the same as his insane great grandfather. Ugh! Bakit ba 'ko nakakilala ng ganitong mga tao? Este aliens. They're so unreasonable!
"Nebula, do you know where I can get an ice cream in this palace? I need it to relieve stress after everything I knew." tanong ko sa asong aking katabi.
"Uhmm," he looked up like he was thinking. "I don't know if I should tell you this but, only to this room you will get that sweet frozen thing!" sagot niya.
"Spill it."
"In the dragon's cage." I have no idea if he mean it literally or figuratively.
I raised a brow. "Will you make it clearer?"
"You didn't get it? I thought you can relate it easily." he sighed. "I'm pertaining to Xavier's room. He's the dragon right?" Oh, now I get it.
Teka, sa kuwarto niya?
"Are you serious? Are there no ice cream in the kitchen? I think I should just ask Chef Justine." I said then stood up.
"You can only find an ice cream in one place in this palace. And it's inside the dragon's cage!"
Napa-isip tuloy ako if an ice cream will be worth risking myself to enter Xavier's room. Wait, where did Greg get the ice cream for me before? Pinuslit niya din ba 'yon galing sa kuwarto ni Xavier? Kaya ba sinabi niya sa 'kin na itapon agad ang lalagyan at huwag ipapakita sa pinsan niya? Everything makes sense now.
But the question is, magpupuslit din ba 'ko ng ice cream? Napatingin ako kay Nebula. Yeah, right! May atraso sa 'kin si Xavier kaya baka pagbigyan niya ko 'pag humingi ako ng ice cream sa kanya. I think I should give it a try.
"Okay. I'll get some from him." sabi ko at tumalikod sa kanila.
"Clardia! That's imposible! Xavier is very stingy when it comes to his ice creams! You will just put yourself in trouble." pahabol ni Nebula.
"Trust me." sabi ko bago isara ang pinto.
Paglabas ko, nakita ko si Sgt. Harvey sa labas at si Mr. Lincoln na kakasara pa lang ng pinto sa study.
"Mr. Lincoln! Is the brat still inside?" I asked him from where I am.
"Master is in his room, Ms. Clardia." he answered.
"Okay! Thank you, Mr. Lincoln."
"My pleasure, Ms. Clardia.", napapahanga talaga ako ni Mr. Lincoln minsan sa sobrang pino niya kumilos.
And because Xavier's room is just next to mine, I knocked his door thrice. No one answered. I knocked again the same times and still, silenced enveloped the room.
"Hoy Xavier! I know you're inside! Open the damn door!" I said, slapping my hands on his door synchoronously.
In no time, the door opened. Muntik pa nga akong masubsub eh. Okay lang sana kung siya ang nagbukas ng pinto at sa dibdib niya tatama ang mukha ko. Pero wala, kusa lang bumukas ang pinto or should I say he use his mind to open the door.
"Don't set your foot in my room. State what you need." he said. I have no idea of where he is inside because he didn't even allowed me to take a step in his room. Kala niya naman 'di pa ko nakakapasok sa loob.
Pero dahil pasaway ako, I went in and saw him sitting on a couch, while crossing his legs, reading a book, and licking an ice cream.
"I want that." sabi ko sabay turo sa ice cream cone na hawak niya. Napatingin siya sa'kin nang may nakakunot na mga noo.
"I told you not to set a foot inside but, you even come in. Are you trying me?" sagot niya sabay sara ng libro.
"Hey brat, you have no right to speak at me that way. Remember, you owe me a favor."
"When? And how did I owe you a favor?" he asked, licking on his ice cream again.
Why does he look so cute that way? Nawawala ang intimidating aura niya.
"I brought Nebula away from you. If it wasn't because of me, you shouldn't have relaxing here now." sagot ko.
"I didn't ask you for it."
"Still, you owe me a favor! You don't even know how to express gratitude in a simple way do you?"
"I am a prince. I don't express gratitude to someone lower than me."
Napaka-arogante talaga nitong favorite na apo ng kamahalan! Kala mo kung sino pare-parehas lang naman kaming alien dito!
"Okay, fine. I'll just tell Nebula that you want him back now." I said directly staring into his eyes.
"I uttered no word saying that I want him back here." he licked on his ice cream.
Ugh! I'm craving more now!
"But, you just said that you owe me no favor. And it similarly means that I don't have to take away Nebula from you." I raised a brow.
Matagal siyang tumitig sa'kin na parang binabalaan ako. 'Di niya ko madadaan sa ganyan. Sumbong ko pa siya kay Tito eh.
"I'm only asking for ice cream as an exchange of giving you silence and peace. Yet, you're so stingy about it as if you will loss a lot.", I said.
Binaba niya muna ang ice cream sa isang mug para hindi matapon at matumba saka siya tumayo. I saw a spot of cream on his side lips.
He stood a feet away from me and said, "If that's what you want, then let's have an agreement. I can give you ice cream as you want, as long as you will keep that dog away from me. How does that sound to you?" he asked gazing at me.
"Wait. I can't focus while seeing this." tumingkayad ako at humawak sa balikat niya habang gamit ang hinlalaki ng isang kong kamay sa pagpunas ng tirang ice cream malapit sa kanyang labi. Nakita kong gumalaw ang kanyang adam's apple. Pagkatapos ay pinahid ko rin ito sa suot niyang royal coat saka umayos muli ng tayo.
"W-What have you done?! So gross!" he said then, took off the coat. He is now just wearing a white polo shirt with neck tie which he also removed together with the first two buttons of his polo.
"What are you saying again? About the so called agreement?" I asked as I watched him being irritated for just putting some dirt on his coat. Hindi naman mahahalata 'yon 'pag natuyo ah! Ang arte naman nito. Buti nga inalis ko pa ung ice cream sa gilid ng labi niya! Para kasing bata kumain.
He gave me his signature death glare then, sighed. "I'll supply you with ice cream, in exchange for keeping Nebula away from me."
"Okay. Deal." I immediately agreed. 'Yun lang naman pala eh.
Lumakad siya palayo sa sakin at pumunta sa banda na may divider nang malaki at malawak niyang kuwarto. Pagbalik niya, may dala na siyang tatlong ice cream na nasa cone. He then, extended it to me.
"That's for this day." he said. Napatingin ako sa flavor ng ice cream na bigay niya. Puro ito cookies and cream.
"How did you know that this is my favorite?" I joked.
"So, is that really your favorite flavor?" he asked back, directly staring at me.
"Yes." his facial expression change. It turned somehow soft. "But you know, I like all the favors of ice cream actually." I chuckled and his expression went back to normal.
"Leave now." he said then waved his hand like shooing me away. Does he really think that I'm a freaking dog?! Pinalagpas ko na lang ang ginawa niya para makabalik na ako ng kuwarto. Masyado na 'kong na-eexpose sa cold at arogante niyang ugali. Baka mahawa pa ako.
I went back to my room but before I enter, I gave Sgt. Harvey one of the ice creams.
"Ah, no thanks, Ms. Clardia." he smiled shyly. Nahiya pa talaga sa'kin 'to si Sergeant.
"No, go get it. I won't finish this three anyway." I said though I'm lying with the last sentence. I can actually eat a liter of ice cream.
"Uhm, okay, Ms. Clardia. Thank you." he get the ice from me.
"You're welcome!" papasok na sana ako sa loob nang magtanong siya.
"Did you really get to enter General's room, Miss Clardia?" 'di makapaniwalang tanong niya. Seriously? Is that that dangerous to enter Xavier's room? He threatened me but, he didn't dare hurt me.
"Yes. I even got these ice creams from him." I replied. He shifted his sight on the ice cream in his hands. Parang hindi talaga siya makapaniwala.
"You're special to General, Ms. Clardia." pabulong na sabi ni Sgt. Harvey.
"Of course, I'm his wife."
"Hahaha, right...", sagot niya pero parang hindi naman siya kumbinsido. Syempre, we have an agreement so, I'm really a special... slave for him. Ugh.
"I'll go inside now, Sgt. Harvey. The ice cream might melt soon." I said to him.
"Oh, sure, Ms. Clardia. Thank you for this again." he smiled.
"It's nothing."
Pumasok na 'ko sa loob at hindi ko na nakita si Celeste na naka-upo sa kama. Pero si Nebula ay nandoon pa rin sa pwesto niya.
Paglapit ko pa ay saka ko nakita si Celeste na nakatayo na muli at may katabing buwisit.
Guess who is that?
No other than Sore eyes.
"Why. Are. You. Inside. My. Room?!" inis na tanong ko kay Lt. Neud.
"Is it bad?" tanong niya na nakataas ang isang kilay. Well, isang kilay lang naman talaga ang makikita sa kanya dahil nga natatakpan ng buhok 'yung isa.
"Are you nuts? This is a girls room! And this is my room. You can't enter without my permission." sagot ko saka tinaasan din siya ng kilay.
"As if I actually want to enter your place, flirty girl."
"Then, what do you want? What is your motive for coming here?"
"Just need to borrow your servant."
"For what?"
"I can't tell."
"No. You can't get Celeste. Who knows what crazy things you will do to her again." I said then went near Celeste. "Here," I gave the ice cream to her and she accepted it.
"T-Thank you, sister." she muttered.
"I will merely talk to her, okay?" sabi naman ni Lt. Neud.
"About what?" tanong ko ulit.
"About something important." nagtitimping sagot niya.
"Still no."
"I don't need you to agree.", sagot niya. "Ms. Celeste Morinen, should we?" tanong niya kay Celeste na nakayuko lang.
Tumango siya na halatang takot at kinakabahan.
"Celeste, don't." I said, gripping her wrist lightly.
"I-I'm fine, sister. This is just for further checking my background m-maybe." she said using her soft angelic voice.
I doubt that it's only for that. Saka ano, paulit-ulit ang background check ha? Halata namang hindi gagawa ng masama 'to si Celeste.
"Sore eyes, don't you dare hurt her or you will see what you are looking for." I threatened him.
He side glanced at me. His bloody eyes looking into mine. "I'm a Lieutenant. You don't have the right to give me a lame threat." sabi niya sabay talikod sa akin. Sumunod naman sa kanya si Celeste nang nakayuko.
I admit, medyo nakakatakot din talaga si Sore eyes once you know na galit na siya or pikon. Buti nga hindi tinutok ulit sa'kin ung baril niya sa pagka-inis eh.
Pero sana talaga, huwag niyang saktan o pagmalupitan si Celeste. Mabigat na nga 'yung pinagdadaanan no'n dadagdag pa siya.
Nang tuluyan nang makalabas si Sore eyes at si Celeste ay umupo ulit ako sa tabi ni Nebula na ngayon ay masarap na nakahiga sa kama ko. I'm not sure if he's sleeping or what.
I pat his head. "Hey, you want some ice cream?" I asked him.
"No, thanks." he answered in a low voice. Maya-maya pa ay bigla siyang napabangon. "Wait, did I heard you right? You did get an ice cream from Xavier?!" he hysterically said.
"Yes,"
"Wow! You're amazing! I take back what I said. Let me taste that. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Pinatikim ko siya ng sa akin. Kung alam niya lang kung anong kapalit nito, hayst. Ewan ko na lang. I'm sure he'll be hurt dahil ganto siya kaayaw ni Xavier.
Heh. May supplier na 'ko ng ice cream.
ฅ'ω'ฅ