Chapter 6
“Bakit mo ako sinundo?” tanong ko upang basagin ang nakakabinging katahimikan.
He glanced at me sideways and answered, “I just want to. Got a problem with that?”
Hindi na lang ako umangal pa at tumahimik na. Feeling ko kasi wala akong mapapala kung magtatanong pa ako.
“How’s your day?” Naramdaman ko ang kamay nitong nag-landing sa hita ko.
Hindi ko maiwasang umirap at sumimangot. “My day was tiring.”
“Is it that hard to study tourism?” he asked again.
“Yeah.” Kinamot ko ang aking pisngi. “Dapat sa mga ganyang kurso may jowa kang teacher na panel. Hay! Kung may manligaw sa ‘king teacher, automatic sagot.”
Naramdaman ko ang biglang pagbagal ng takbo ng sasakyan hanggang sa itinabi niya ito sa gilid ng kalsada. Malapit na mag-night fall kaya medyo madilim na. Dagdag pang kulay itim ang sasakyan niya kaya hindi ito nakakahakot ng tingin.
He took off his seatbelt and faced me. His right hand held the head rest of my seat, while his other hand held the window’s frame: cornerning me in between.
“What did you just say?” His voice were cold and dominating.
Napalunok ako. “H-huh?”
He clenched his jaw and leaned more in my direction. Ako naman ay halos sumiksik sa ‘king upuan habang nakakatitig sa malalamig niyang mga mata.
“Kapag may manligaw sa 'yong teacher, sasagutin mo agad?” he asked. His left hand reached the drawer below, he pulled it out and my mouth almost gaped to what I saw. “Kung may manligaw sa 'yo, hindi ako mangingiming patayin sila agad.”
I awkwardly laughed. “J-joke lang 'yun, Daddy.”
Putangina, bakit may baril dito?
His eyes suddenly darken after calling him 'daddy'. His right hand held my chin and leaned in to capture my lips. Mas napadiin pa ako sa gilid ng sasakyan habang hinahalikan niya.
I felt him caressing my legs up to my private part sensually. Bahagya pa akong napakislot nang kagatin nito ang ibabang labi ko. I opened my mouth unintentionally and he used it as an opportunity to slid his tongue inside: roaming inside my mouth like he fucking owns it.
His tongue found mine and he sucked it without hesitation. Ang mga kamay nito ay nasa aking tiyan niyan na. He lifted my blouse and inserted his hands inside. Nang dumapo ang kamay nito sa dibdib ko ay napaungol ako. But my moans were supressed by his sinful lips that was ravishing my lips at the very moment.
“How can you make me jealous and horny at the same time?” he asked between our kiss.
Nakikiliti ako sa paraan ng paglaro sa nipples ko. Dagdag pa ang panay sipsip nito sa dila ko. Bababa na sana ang halik nito sa leeg ko nang biglang kumalam ang sikmura ko.
My tummy created noise and I can't help but to bit my bottom lips out of embarassment. Nag-angat naman siya ng tingin sa 'kin. He has this playful smile on his lips that made me feel more embarassed!
“You're hungry?” he asked in a low and very calm voice.
Wala rin naman akong mapapala kung sasabihin kong busog pa ako. Gutom na gutom na ako. Kaya sa halip na mag-deny, tumango ako at pilit na ngumiti. “I didn't eat on lunch break.”
Ramdam ko natigilan ito. His playful smile was gone and was replaced with an emotionless mask. “You didn't eat?”
“Oo.” I bit my lip. “I was busy finishing the task on my morning's last subject, then I didn't get the chance to glance at the time that's why my lunch break was occupied with finishing an unfinished task,” I explained.
He groaned. “You shouldn't let yourself get hungry.”
He pulled himself away and sat back to his seat. He started the engine and maneuvered the car. Nagtaka akong napangitin dito. He looked so pissed.
“Ayos ka lang?” hindi ko mapigilang magtanong.
“You didn't eat lunch and you think I'm okay with that?” Parang galit itong nakatitig sa daan.
Nangunot ang noo ko. “Bakit ka galit?”
He glanced at me with his eyebrows that's almost in a straight line. “You didn't eat your lunch.”
“Anong pinuputok ng butsi mo? Ikaw ba ang nagutom? Ako naman, 'di ba?” Napakamot ako sa 'king leeg.
Inismiran lang ako nito at nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho. Ako naman ay nakatitig lang sa gwapo niyang mukha kahit nakalukot at nagtataka kung bakit napakapikon kahit wala naman siyang dapat ikakagalit du'n.
“L-lace...” I called him but didn't respond.
Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko sa inaakto niya. Akala ko ba intimidating ang isang 'to? Bakit napakaisip bata? Parang 'di lang ako kumain, e.
“Daddy,” I called him again.
Still no response.
Inis kong tinanggal ang aking seatbelt at hinarap siya. “Leslie!”
Tinignan lang ako nito. “What?”
“What's with you? You're acting mad all of a sudden just what the hell?!” Iritang tanong ko.
He didn't reply to my question, instead, he asked me back. “What do you want to eat?”
Sinimangutan ko ito. “Gusto ko ng milktea, at saka burger, at saka fries.”
I saw his forehead knotted. “What? Those were unhealthy.”
“Magtatanong-tanong ka kung ano gusto ko tapos aangal ka naman.” Napapantastikuhan ko itong tinignan. “Magtapat ka nga, Leslie. Humihithit ka ba?”
I heard him chuckled. Bipolar ba ang isang 'to? “You've been fond of calling me with my real name, huh.”
Pinanliitan ko ito ng mata. “Nagda-drugs ka, 'no?”
He suddenly burst out laughing while holding the steering wheel. He keeps glancing at me from time to time while suppressing a smile.
Mas lalong nanliit ang mga mata ko. Did he just laugh? Tumawa talaga? Seryoso? Hindi ako nagha-hallucinate?
“What makes you think I'm on drugs?” he asked and cleared his throat.
I pouted. “Kasi naman kanina horny ka, ta's bigla ka nalang nagalit, tapos ngayon tatawa-tawa ka. Kung hindi ka humihithit, may bipolar disorder ka?”
Muli na naman itong humalakhak at niliko ang sasakyang sa drive thru ng isang fast food restaurant. “You're really unbelievable.”
Inirapan ko lang ito. “Baka nga nakahithit ka, e. Kaya ka siguro laging may dalang baril.”
Ang masayang aura niya kanina ay biglang nagseryoso. Nakaramdam agad ako ng pagsisisi dahil sa biglaang pagbigat ng tensiyon sa loob ng sasakyan.
“I'm not bringing guns because I'm a drug addict. I'm bringing guns to protect myself and my loved ones. I don't want to happen the shit happened several years ago because of my carelessness.” He took a deep breath. “So please, don't be scared if I'm having guns around. I want to protect you and me.”
“M-may gusto bang pumatay sa 'yo?” I asked in confusion.
He smiled and glanced at me. His hands reached for mine and he intertwined our fingers together that made my heart skip a beat. “I'm a business man, Kitty. Many opponents wants my head. I need to hold my guard up all the time if I want to stay alive.”
Nakatitig lang ako dito hanggang sa tumigil ang sasakyan. “Even if it means ending someone's life?”
Natigilan ito sa pag roll down ng katabi ng bintana at nilingon ako. He smiled and nodded his head. “Yes, Kitty. Even if it means ending someone's life.”
Halos pinigilan ko na ang aking sariling paghinga sa sinabi niya. He turned his attention towards the girl on the counter and order something.
Halos tulala lang ako habang inaanalisa ang naging usapan namin. He was busy to talking to the cashier while I'm busy thinking what the hell we'd just talked about.
“Hey,” he called my attention. “Are you okay?”
Napakurap-kurap ako at nilingon siya. I nodded my head and forced a smile. “Y-yeah. I'm fine.”
Inabot nito sa akin ang supot ng binili niya mula sa babae kanina at pinausad na ang sasakyan dahil marami pa ring nag-aantay na kasunod namin.
“You should eat,” he said.
Pinilit ko ang sarili kong kalimutan ang usapan namin kanina at binusisi ang loob ng supot. Napangisi naman ako nang makita ko ang fries, isang bucket ng chicken joy, at may kanin pa na nakabalot sa plastic. Meron ding drinks na mas lalong nagpangisi sa 'kin.
“I thought these foods were unhealthy? Why did you buy them?” I asked.
He just tsked. “Of course, you're hungry.”
Tumango ako at kumuha ng isang chicken leg kinagatan ko ito at kunurutan din ito. Hinarap ko si Leslie at iniumang sa kanyang bibig ang kinurot kong chicken leg.
“Say ahh...” I said.
Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ito ginagawa. I just find myself doing this like it's just a normal thing we always do. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit hindi ako nakaramdam ng takot sa kabila ng impormasyong kaya nitong pumatay.
He glanced at me. “Seriously? You won't let me take a bite?”
“You're driving, stupid,” tugon ko.
Nagkatinginan kami at bigla akong nahiya. Okay, I just called him what? Relax, Keith. Nagmumukha ka ng tanga.
Bahagya akong napaigtad nang sinubo niya ang inuumang ko sa kanyang bibig. He held my hand and licked my fingers. He even sucked it which made my body tingled.
“Do you have plans tomorrow after school?” he asked all of a sudden.
Wala sa sarili akong umiling. “Bakit?”
He gave me his infamous smirk. “Nothing. Just asking.”
Pasimple akong lumingon sa gilid ng bintana at kumagat sa chicken leg na hawak ko.
Akala ko pa naman aayain ako mag-date.
--
“Ang gwapo!” Tumili si Kiara dahilan para pagtinginan kami ng mga kapwa namin estudyante habang naglalakad. “Akitin mo 'yun, dae!”
I just rolled my eyes on her and throw my bottled water on the near trash can. Kakatapos lang ng last subject namin at ang walang hiyang professor namin, pinag-squat pa kami.
“Gawin mo, ikaw nakaisip,” I replied.
Biglang may umakbay sa balikat ko. Nanuot sa ilong ko ang pabango ni Marco at nang lingunin ko ito ay tama nga ang hinala ko.
“Hey, my beautiful angel.” Napakamot ito sa kanyang batok. “Sorry nga pala last time, kung hindi siguro—”
“It's fine, Marco.” I gave him an assuring smile. “Nangyari na rin, e. And besides, Leslie was there to help me with those scumbags.”
“Leslie?” Nangunot ang noo nito. “You mean, your step-father? His name is Leslie? For real?”
Natatawang tumango ako dito. “I know his name sounds girly but—”
“That's not what I meant,” he cut me. “You really mean Leslie Scott? That half american breed idiot?”
Nagtaka ako sa sabi nito. American breed? Grabe, hindi naman aso na nangangagat si Lace, e. “Oo. Paano mo siya nakilala?”
Umiling lang ito at pilit na ngumiti. “Nothing. Pauwi ka na ba? You want me to take you home?”
Ngumiti ako dito at tumango. Natigilan kami nang makarinig kami ng tikhim. I turned my head to look at Kiara who's not smiling not-so-genuine towards us.
“Baka nakakalimutan niyong nandito pa ako?” Inirapan kami nito na bahagyang ikinatawa ko. “Anyways, Keith and Marco, mauuna na ako sa inyo. I still need to run some errands. Bye!”
Without further ado, she immediately ran her way out of the campus. Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Marco at sabay na natawa ng mahina.
We started to walk side by side, of course, with a distance. Ramdam ko ang mga mapanuksong tingin nga mga kapwa ko estudyante. Sino ba naman kasing hindi mapapalingon sa lalaking katabi ko?
A famous varsity player and a suma-cum laude in Business Management course? Pagiging varsity player pa lang, maipangangalandakan na. Paano pa kayang suma-cum laude rin? I'm pretty sure that whoever lucky girl that he'll fall in love with, she would be so proud of him.
“Uhm, Keith...” he called me.
I just hummed while walking. “Bakit?”
“Did you somehow feel something or experience something that you feel like you've already experienced from the past? Like a dejá vu?”
Nagtataka ko itong sunulyapan. I nodded my head. “Oo. Meron. Bakit? Naniniwala ka sa past life?” I chuckled.
Ngumiti ito sa 'kin. “Siguro? Parang ganito rjn kasi dati, e. Parang feeling ko napagdaanan ko na 'to. Hindi ko lang maalala kung kailan.”
I nodded my head again in response. Saktong nakalabas kami ng campus at habang naglalakad sa gilid ng kalsada patungong sasakyan ni Marco, bigla na lang may humarurot na sasakyan at halos ma-side ship ako kung hindi lang ako nahila agad ni Marco.
“Gago 'yun, ah!” His voice raised.
Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib at humugot ng malalim na hininga. I feel my body numb. Hinabol ko ng tingin ang sasakyang parang walang modo ang driver at bahagyang nagtaka nang mapamilyar ako sa hitsura ng sasakyan.
“Hey, are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? That asshole...” he murmured while scanning my whole being.
Ngumiti ako dito. “I-I'm fine, Marco. Ihatid mo na lang ako.”
“You sure?” He look at me suspeciously. “Parang sinadya talaga ng gagong 'yun, e.”
“It's fine.” I took a deep breath. “Let's go.”
Sinunod naman ni Marco ang sinabi ko. He took me home without complain and I thank him after stepping out of his car.
Nang makaalis ito ay pumasok na ako sa loob ng bahay. Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang makita ko ang sasakyang halos masagasaan ako kanina. I proceeded inside the house. Bumungad naman sa 'kin si mommy at Lace na nasa sala.
“Oh, Keith. Kumain ka na?” mommy asked.
“Hindi. Wala akong gana,” tipid kong sagot at umakyat sa hagdan.
Dumiretso ako sa kwarto at sinarado ang pintuan gamit ang aking paa. I threw my bag on the couch and went inside my bathroom.
Nagbanlaw ako sa aking sarili. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nawalan ng gana. Sobrang takot ang naramdaman ko kanina dahil sa sasakyang halos ma-side ship ako.
Ano ba 'tong mga nangyayari sa 'kin nitong mga nakaraang araw? Puro kamalasan.
I groaned. Binilisan ko ang pagligo agad na nagbihis sa loob ng banyo. Isang kulay peach na pajama at blouse ang suot ko. Hindi ko trip magsuot ng satin ngayon dahil naaalibadbaran ako.
Dumiretso ako sa kama. Humiga ako rito at nagtalukbong ng kumot. Alas siete pa lang ng gabi pero inaantok na ako. Wala akong gana. Parang 'yung insidente na 'yun lang ang sisira sa mood ko buong araw.
Moments later, I felt someone wrapped their arms around my waist and a warm feeling invaded my whole being.
“I should be mad at you.” He rested his chin on my neck.
Napakapit ako sa bed sheets ng mahigpit. “Why are you here?”
“I miss touching you,” he murmured on my ear.
Okay, self. Huwag kang kiligin. Babatukan kitang boang ka kapag kinilig ka.
I bit my lip to supress my smile. “Get out of my room. Mommy might catch us.”
“No,” pagmamatigas nito.
Iritado ko itong hinarap. “What the fuck do you want?”
His fingers traced my cheeks. “You skipped meal again.”
“You don't care.”
“I care,” he contradicted. “I care in every things you do because sono il tuo fottuto marito.”
My forehead creased. “What?”
“Presto, Keith, ti ricorderai di me. E nel momento in cui accadrà, ti punirò duramente per aver dimenticato tuo marito,” he said something I can't understand. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “For now, sleep, Cara. Goodnight.