CHAPTER 53. Trust
THIRD PERSON POV
Pinagmasdan ni Trevor ang natutulog na imahe ni Khali habang marahan niyang hinahaplos ang buhok nito.
Tumayo at akmang aalis na ito nang hawakan siya ni Khali upang pigilan.
“Where are you going, Kangaroo?” tanong nito gamit ang mahinang boses.
“Kukuha lang ako ng tubig.” wika nito nang may maliit na ngiti sa labi. “I‘m not going anywhere, so rest assured...”
“Go home. You should rest, too...” a ng dalaga.
“Later... kapag tulog ka na.”
“Okay...”
“I‘ll be back...” sabi ni Trevor saka nito hinalikan sa noo bago lumabas sa kwarto.
Pagsara nito ng pinto ay napahinto siya at napasapo sa noo. Nanghihina ito. Hindi niya kaya na nakikitang ganon ang lagay ni Khali. He wants to see her doing well and always cheerful.
Lumingon siya sa kaniyang kanan nang maramdaman ang isang presensiya. Nagkatinginan sila ni Jaemin. Kinabahan ang dalaga ngunit nalulungkot rin ito dahil nakikita niyang nahihirapan si Trevor.
“I think... she‘s more broken than we thought...” ani Trevor sa mahinang boses.
Jaemin took a deep sigh. Trevor flashed a weak smile before he left Jaemin there and went downstairs to get a fresh air.
Dahan-dahang binuksan ni Jaemin ang pinto ng kwarto. Nang sumilip siya ay nadatnan niyang nagtatanggal ng damit si Khali. Pumasok siya at kumuha ng damit pantulog sa cabinet nito bago siya lumapit sa huli.
“Let me help you...” Jaemin offered.
Umupo siya sa tabi nito at tinulungang hubarin ang t-shirt nito. Pati na rin ang kaniyang panloob na sando.
Natigilan siya at napatitig sa kapansin-pansin na mga marka sa kaniyang likod. Hanggang ngayon, hindi niya pa rin magawang tingnan ito nang hindi nakakaramdam ng bahagyang takot... at lungkot.
Her back is covered with striking image of two sets of prominent things. One was a bloody katana twined by a horrifying three-headed snake which almost covers the back of her shoulders while the tail almost reaches up to her side.
The other was one is a set of long and strange scars... Jaemin traced the scar while still wondering... where did she get these scars and why?
“Aren‘t you going to help me get dressed?” Khali asked with an impassive tone.
“Nadagdagan na naman peklat mo...” Jaemin stated while she was helping her put the clothes on.
Habang sinasara ni Jaemin ang mga butones sa damit ay napansin niya ang peklat sa kaniyang tiyan.
“Ayaw mo naman sabihin kung paano mo nakuha ‘yan...” Jaemin pouted.
“You‘ll cry again if I tell you.” sagot ni Khali at siya na ang nagtuloy sa pagsara ng butones.
Niyakap siya ni Jaemin at marahang pinatong ang ulo sa balikat niya.
“Hindi ako malakas sa combat... Hindi rin ako kasing talino mo... Medyo useless talaga ako sa mga ganiyang bagay kumpara sayo...” panimula nito.
Nanatiling tahimik si Khali at walang reaksiyon.
“But I think, I can help you ease your pain even for a little bit. Mental or emotional support ba... Hehe...” dagdag niya.
“But in order to lessen your pain, you need to let go of them, Lili...” Jaemin faced her. “You‘re hiding too much. You‘re carrying too much burden on your own. Hindi ba mabigat sa dibdib, Lili? Paano mo kinakaya ‘yan? Patuloy ka nalang bang... patuloy mo nalang bang isasara ‘yung puso mo?” halos mamiyok na wika ni Jaemin.
Khali didn‘t show any reactions. She just casually wiped Jaemin‘s cheeks using her longsleeves.
“Wala pa akong sinasabi, umiiyak ka na...” Khali said.
“Pwede mo naman kasing sabihin sa‘kin, para kahit papaano gumaan ‘yung loob mo kasi nailabas mo na! Cry if it hurts, Lili.” Jaemin replied. “Why is it so hard for you to trust someone, Lili? You can trust me... you know you can trust me though...”
Khali remained silent. She didn‘t want to tell her about her affiliations because she doesn‘t want to endanger her life as much as possible.
Masiglang lumakad ang batang si Jaemin papunta sa kwarto ni Khali. Ngayon lang ulit niya ito makikita matapos ang mahabang panahon. Excited na excited siya. Lalo pa‘t makakasama niya ito ngayon na wala ang mga bodyguards nito at maids na madalas nakasunod sa kaniya.
Dali-dali niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng kwarto at tumambad sa kaniya ang nagbibihis na si Khali.
“Lili!” masayang bati nito.
Laking gulat niya nang makita ito na walang pang-itaas at taging sports bra lang ang suot, mabuti nalang at nakatalikod siya. Ngunit dahil dito ay mas nagulat siya dahil sa nakita sa kaniyang likuran.
Natulala si Jaemin at bahagyang nanginig ang katawan. Nabitawan niya ang sandwich na sana ay ibibigay niya kay Khali.
Namilog ang mata ni Khali sa gulat. Mabilis niya itong nilapitan at niyakap.
“You didn‘t see anything.” ma-awtoridad na bulong ni Khali na para bang sinasabi nito na kalimutan niya na ang kung ano mang nakita niya sa likuran nito.
“Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit sa akin dahil pakiramdam ko wala akong kwentang kaibigan kasi wala man lang akong kaalam-alam tungkol sa mga pinapasan mo?”
“Don‘t cry.” Khali said with a hint of authority. “Fine, I‘ll tell you about these scars.”
It wasn‘t really her intention to hide the things that are happening to her before. She was only worried that Jaemin might cry because she couldn‘t handle the stories. She wanted to share something to Jaemin as well whenever they meet, but all she did was train, study and eat so she had nothing insteresting to tell her.
“I got this from a sparring. I was cut by a single-edged sword, a katana...” Khali casually said as she raise her shirt to show the long scar in the right side of her stomach. “It was pretty serious, I almost died.”
“What?!” gulat na sambit ni Jaemin. Namimilog ang mga mata nito at bagsak ang panga.
“The scars in my back...” Khali paused and glanced at Jaemin. “Was given as a punishment...”
The girl grunted in pain as the whip laid on her tiny back once again. It was excruciatingly painful yet she refused to beg them to stop, instead, she clenched her teeth and endured the pain as she await for more upcoming pain.
She deserved it, so, she has to accept it.
“UURRGG...” Khali groaned once again.
“Fck! Fck! Fck! FCCCKKK!” the man in front of the punishment room where Khali was locked in, shouted in frustration.
“She had enough! Stop it! Ojī-sama!” he called out to his grandfather.
“Umalis na, tanga!” wika ng nakababatang kambal.
“They told the guards they‘d whip us, too, if we barge in.” the older twin said in furrowed brows.
“How the heck are we going to fcking barge in, anyways?! It‘s a fcking steel door! Dumbass!” Khali‘s Aniki replied with anger.
“Why are you getting mad at me?! Curse at Ojī-sama if you want!” Clone One retorted.
“Why are you overreacting? It‘s only been a minute since they started.” Izu said. “She was the one who asked for it. Let her be.” malamig na wika nito.
“Then why are you attaching a fcking bomb on the door?! Warn us first! What the fck!” Aniki said before him and the others back away.
Jaemin couldn‘t close her mouth after she heard her filtered story telling. It wasn‘t really that big of a deal for Khali, but Jaemin has a weak heart for this kind of things so she decided not to tell her before. Besides, she doesn‘t want to tell anyone about her defeats. She was punished either because she lost a match or she lost control. Mostly, it was the latter. Palagi kasi itong pasaway.
In fact, a lot of her scars has already been erased since her brothers are very attentive of her. Inalagaan nila ito ng mabuti kaya hindi ganon karami ang natirang peklat nito, maliban nalang sa mga malalalim talaga ang peklat at mahirap nang mabura.
“Why? Why did you have to fight? Why did you have to suffer?” Jaemin asked in tears.
Khali remained silent. Hindi niya alam kung magpapatuloy pa ba siya sa pagkwento o ititigil nalang niya.
“I wanted to be strong. I wanted to protect what‘s important to me...” Khali replied. “I wanted to be strong enough not to need other people‘s help. Because I couldn‘t trust anyone but myself...” and my family...
“I trained hard enough not to need anyone...” malamig na wika nito.
“Why? In order to eliminate every single one that are responsible for our parents’ death.” Khali said with a hint of anger in her weak voice.
“They didn‘t die in an accident, Jaemin... They were killed.” she added.
Jaemin was utterly confounded by what she had just heard from Khali. Then she immediately hugged her while bawling in tears. Khali remained impassive while caressing her back to comfort her.
Khali didn‘t want to add up to her pain. Jaemin is a very kind person, she takes everything by heart. She knew very well that she will get hurt in behalf of her if she told her about it before. Besides, she didn‘t want to tell Jaemin her plans about it. Her plans about her revenge...
Khali never thought she will be this hurt for not telling her about her sufferings. It wasn‘t her intention to make her feel that she doesn‘t trust her.
“I‘m sorry, Lili... I‘m sorry...” iyon lamang ang nasabi ni Jaemin habang umiiyak.
Hindi niya alam kung anong dapat sabihin. Ang alam niya lang ay nasasaktan siya para sa kaibigan. Sobrang sakit para sa kaniya dahil wala siyang kaide-ideya sa pinagdadaanan nito noon. Wala man lang siyang nagawa para sa kaniya.
At alam niya, kapag narinig ito ni Trevor, siya ang pinakamasasaktan.
Jaemin has never seen him looking so depressed. He was deeply hurt for Khali after seeing her act that way. It was a proof of his unconditional love for her bestfriend.
The door in her room slowly opened, it caught Khali‘s attention at instant but she pretended that she didn‘t see it.
Sinubukang sumilip ni Erin at Kianna sa pintuan upang tingnan ang kalagayan ni Khali. Ngunit hindi nila napansin na nasa likod pala nila si Kevin. Tinulak nito ang dalawa papasok, kaya nakuha nila ang atensiyon ni Khali at ni Jaemin na umiiyak pa rin.
“Bwisit ka!” Kianna mouthed to Kevin.
“Para kayong others.” sagot lamang ni Kevin bago sila iniwan at pumasok sa kwarto niya.
“Hi, hehe.” bati ni Kianna sa dalawa habang tinutulak-tulak si Erin para maunang lumapit sa kanila.
Matapos umiyak ni Jaemin ay niyakap niya ulit si Khali.
“How about this? Where did you get this?” Jaemin asked.
Hindi kasi ito kumbinsido na kay Carl galing ang sugat niya. Dahil noong gabing nagsisigaw siya sa galit dahil nawawala niya ang pulseras ay nakita niya na itong may dugo sa dibdib ngunit hindi siya nagsalita tungkol dito. Gusto ni Jaemin na siya mismo ang magsabi ng tungkol dito sa kaniya.
Hindi nagsalita si Khali. Jaemin figured it must be because the other two is here.
“Why don‘t you try to start from us, Lili?” Jaemin said. Khali shifted her gaze to her. “Trusting other people...” Jaemin added.
“I got this when I went to UGA... as Shadow.” Khali suddenly said.
“Eh?” Kianna uttered.
Tila hindi nila narinig ang sinabi nito dahil hindi nila maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin. More like, they couldn‘t believe what they just heard.
“I am Shadow.” kaswal na pag-amin ni Khali.
Erin‘s lips parted in atonishment. Kianna was so flabbergasted that she fell on the bed when she scooted back. Jaemin blinked rapidly while looking at Khali‘s expressionless face while still absorbing the unexpected confession.
“Y-you mean that Shadow—the Queen of Marvel Societ—I mean, Gangster Society?!” Erin stuttered.
“Tone down your voice.” suway ni Khali.
“IKAW SI SHADO—” bago pa man maituloy ni Kianna ang nais niyang isigaw ay tinakpan ni Khali ang bibig niya.
Khali momentarily regretted her decision. She shouldn‘t have told them about it. Masyado nga palang madaldal ang isang ‘to!
But on the other hand, it could be beneficial to her, because she can ask them to help her find the bracelet in District XII.
Besides...
I could just kill them if they betray me.
Khali didn‘t actually fully trusted them, she only told them because she wants Jaemin to be at ease and she needs their help for now.
I‘m sure, Jaemin will understand whatever my decisions will be...
*♡♤*
KHALI‘S POV
Pagbukas ko ng pinto ng kwarto, natigilan ako nang may tatlong weirdo ang bumungad sa tapat ko. Kinuha ni Kianna ang backpack ko samantalang si Erin naman ay biglang nag-bow tapos nilahad niya ang palad sa daan papunta sa hagdanan.
What the hell is wrong with them?
Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at nilagpasan nalang. Kaso nilingon ko ulit si Jaemin dahil sa ginawa niya. Ginawang pamaypay ‘yung folder na hawak niya tapos pinaypayan niya ako sa mabagal na paraan habang naglalakad kami.
Muntanga.
“What‘s wrong with you people?” I asked them with a poker face.
“Hehe!” lamang ang sagot nila sa akin.
What the...
Inalalayan pa ako habang pababa ako sa hagdan. Napangiti si Kangaroo nung nakita niya kami.
“What are you doing?” He chuckled.
“Escorting the queen!” sagot ni Kianna.
Ang sarap niya talagang supalpalin!
Pakiramdam ko kamalas ‘yung puso ko sa ribcage dahil sa sinabi niya. Bwisit kasi ‘tong mga ‘to. I told them to act normal!
“Oh, that‘s fun.” sabi naman ni Kangaroo. “Good morning, my queen.” bati niya pa.
Kinuha ni Kangaroo ang bag ko, sunod ang kamay, saka niya hinalikan ang likod nito.
Nakisabay pa talaga sa trip nila.
“I love you.” bulong niya.
His sudden I love yous always make my heart race. Those bitches in my stomach are at it again—butterflies, I meant.
“Ano ‘yan?” tanong ko tungkol doon sa papel na nilalagay niya sa bag ko.
“Tinapos ko na ‘yung project mo. It‘s due today, right?” aniya.
Ah, ngayon ko lang naalala! He didn‘t really have to do it, tho...
Inalagaan niya na nga ako, siya pa gumawa ng projects ko. Natulog ba siya kagabi? He almost didn‘t wanna leave my side because he was worried that I‘d have a nightmare again.
I feel... I feel so bad that he had to see me acting like that...
“Thank you...” I said as I give him a warm embrace.
“How‘s my baby?” he asked with a sweet voice as he hug me back. His lips pressed against my head.
Napapadalas na ‘yung pagtawag niya sa akin sa endearment na ‘yan nitong mga nakaraang araw. I‘ve always been so annoyed whenever they call me baby, especially Aniki... it‘s just so annoying! It‘s because it feels like they‘re really treating me like a baby.
But lately... well, I don‘t hate it anymore when Kangaroo does.
“Medyo okay na...” I replied. I lifted my head and I saw him smile.
Nakatulog na kasi ako ng maayos. Hindi na ako lumabas kagabi. I‘m only making my condition worse. Baka mamaya... mas lumala rin ‘yung mga panaginip ko. I‘m only giving him a hard time for being sick.
Gusto ko na rin gumaling para magawa ko na ‘yung mga bagay na gusto ko, without limits. More importantly, to eat any foods that I want!
Sinenyasan ako ni Kianna na mauna na raw silang lumabas. Tumango nalang ako bilang sagot.
“That‘s great.” he said while staring back at me.
He gave me a peck under the eye, then to the tip of my nose, and up to my forehead. He was just lovingly gazing at me while brushing my hair back.
“Ang ganda mo naman.” he suddenly said.
Bakit bigla-bigla na naman siyang nagbibigay ng compliment diyan. Muntanga...
“Tara na nga...” sabi ko saka siya hinila palabas ng bahay.
I heard him softly laughing for a second.
“Cute.” he said.
*♡♤*
THIRD PERSON POV
“Damn, Lili. Time out.” Trevor said as the pain goes unbearable for him.
Khali unclenched her teeth to let go of his arm. Trevor rolled up his sleeves and saw the several bite marks that Khali created, which almost covered his entire lower arm. The latest one was too deep and red.
Khali gently held his arm as she saw the marks, then she lifted her head to look at Trevor. Her eyes were sparking, it was so mesmerizing.
“I‘m fine.” Trevor smiled. He brushed her hair as he stare at her lovely face.
He thought she felt bad, but then she bit him once again on the part that she haven‘t bitten yet. His nose wrinkled while enduring the pain as he lets her teeth dug deeper into his skin.
“Kangaroo...” Khali called out while staring directly at the King.
“Yes, Lili?” Trevor replied with a smile.
“Masakit?” tanong niya saka ulit ito kinagat.
Bahagyang natawa si Trevor.
“Akala ko pa naman pusa ka. Aso ka pala.” pang-aasar nito. “Acck—” daing nito nang idiin ni Khali ang pagkakakagat sa kaniya.
He laughed while watching her. Strangely, Khali still looks adorable in his eyes, although she‘s acting really weird today.
“Cute little puppy...” he muttered while brushing her hair back.
“Please, Kangaroo...” Khali said.
“No, Khali. You‘re damn addicted to sweets. That‘s bad. Ilang araw ka palang hindi kumakain ng matamis ah?”
“Para ka tuloy may withdrawal syndrome.” sabi ni Trevor saka bahagyang natawa.
“Isa lang. Just one bite... sige na...” Khali pleaded.
Kanina pa niya ito kinukumbinsi na payagan siyang kumain ng cake o donuts man lang ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito pumapayag.
“Go on, bite me.” he teased. “Anywhere you want, baby.” he added with a playful smirk.
Tinapunan ni Khali ng masamang tingin ito.
“Then bear with me.” Khali said with a sullen tone as she bites him again.
“I have another way to make your mouth busy. What do you think? Should I help you?” ani Trevor habang may pilyong ngisi sa labi.
Unti-unting lumapit ito kay Khali ngunit tinulak lang siya ng huli dahil sa halong inis at kaba.
“Akala ko ba may pupuntahan ka? Alis na!” pagtataboy nito.
Biglang naalala ni Khali ito. May lunch daw sila ng mga classmates niya. At bigla rin siyang nakaisip ng ideya.
“Hindi nga ako pupunta diba.” Trevor replied.
“Bakit hindi ka pupunta? Sabi ni Jaemin kasama niyo daw ‘yung Principal. Just go!” pamimilit ni Khali.
Ang unfair at ang gara naman ng lunch nila, kasama pa ‘yung principal. In-invite daw ni Aphrodite personally, so, ngayon, nire-request ng Principal na dapat buong Class A ay um-attend sa lunch nila.
Khali feels like Aphrodite went that far because she failed to invite Trevor last time.
Trevor chuckled. Alam niyang gusto lang ni Khali na umalis siya dahil may binabalak na naman itong kung ano. Sigurado siyang kakain ito ng mga ipinagbabawal sa kaniya na pagkain kapag umalis siya. Kaya naman...
“Sige, tawagin ko lang si Nieves...” sagot niya saka itinext ang huli.
Khali glared at him for being so vigilant. She was sure he‘s going to make Zero Nieves look after her again while he‘s away.
“Ang bilis mo namn...” tanong niya masilayan si Nieves na nakarating na.
“I was near the area.” he answered.
“Don‘t let her eat foods that are bad for her wound, okay?” bilin ni Trevor dito.
“Can I tie her up if she insist?” Nieves casually asked.
“Sure.” Trevor replied without a second thought.
“Hoy!” inis na sambit ni Khali.
“Make sure she‘s not hurt, tho.” pahabol ni Trevor. “Ah, watch out for her left arm, it‘s still swollen. Basta, you know what to do.” he added, giving him full trust on Khali.
He turned to the sullen Khali and smiled. He slightly ruffled her hair because he finds her expression really adorable.
“I‘m going now, baby. I love you...” he said and kissed her on the forehead.
“Alis na ko...” pag-uulit niya nang makatayo siya.
“Oo na, alis na.” sagot ni Khali na may pagkayamot. Lumabi si Trevor habang nakatingin sa kaniya.
“Can I have a kiss before I go?” Trevor asked with a pout. He even tried to make a slightly cute face to convince her.
Khali turned to her left where Nieves is standing, then back to the pouty King. The latter realized that she must‘ve been shy to give him a kiss with some people around, so he went to her side to cover her from Nieves’ sight. Nieves quickly turned around when he read the situation.
“No one‘s looking now, baby.” malambing na wika ni Trevor saka nilapit ang pisngi niya sa dalaga.
Khali gave him a light peck on his cheek that brightened up his mood even better.
“I love you.” Trevor whispered.
“Don‘t sit next to her, tho...” Khali warned.
Trevor chuckled and nodded.
“Wait...”
Khali pulled his necktie to bring him down to her level, and Trevor was surprised with the next thing she did...
*♡♤*
Trevor has gotten bored of their principal‘s stories about his past experiences and such. Halos hindi na nga makakain ang mga nakaupo malapit sa kaniya dahil sa pagkukunwaring nakikinig sila sa kaniya.
Trevor excused himself and went to the comfort room to wash his hands. He scanned his neck through his reflection on the huge mirror and saw the reddish bite mark in the lower part of his neck on the right side.
“Lili...” he muttered.
Until now, he couldn‘t believe she just did that. It feels like he could still feel the sensation when her warm and soft lips touched his skin as her teeth dug into his flesh. It‘s driving him crazy.
“You‘ve got a little sadist over you, huh!” Kenji commented with an amused grin.
Wala namang ibang gagawa niyan sa kaniya kundi si Khali, kaya hindi na siya nag-abalang magtanong kung kanino galing ito.
Napahawak si Trevor sa kaliwang tenga nang makitang namumula na naman ang mga tenga niya dahil sa naalala.
“That little devil is driving me crazy, seriously...” Trevor muttered.
“How far have you gone with Khali?” tanong ni Mikael habang naghuhugas ng kamay.
Trevor scoffed.
“And why do you have to know?” he said with a furrowed brow.
“Second base?” mapang-asar na bulong ni Kenji.
No. And he has no plan to proceed to that level yet until they get married. Saka isa pa, hindi pa sila! Wala ba ‘yun balak sagutin siya?
“Aish, bakit ba nandito kayong lahat?” tanong niya nang mapansin niya ang ilan pa nilang classmate mula sa repleksiyon ng salamin.
Akala mo mga babae, nagsabay-sabay pa talagang pumasok sa CR.
“Dude! Pakiramdam ko magpri-preach na ‘yun anytime, ayoko nang makinig. Dito muna ako!” Kenji said.
“Ulol. Dun tayo sa labas.” pag-aya ni Shin.
“Tara na. Daan tayo sa backdoor.” Mikael suggested.
“Shit. I left my phone.” Trevor muttered. “Mauna na kayo.”
Pabalik ito sa kanilang table nang salubungin siya ni Aphrodite. Nais sana nitong batiin ang binata ngunit bigla niyang napansin ang namumulang leeg nito.
“What happened to your neck?” seryosong tanong ni Aphrodite.
Hindi siya natutuwa sa nakita. Did Khali do that to him? She was so annoyed that she keeps doing whatever she wants to Trevor. At sa lahat ng ginawa niya, ito ang pinakaikinainis niya.
Hindi niya alam kung bakit, pero pakiramdam niya sobrang layo na niya kay Trevor. Nagagalit siya dahil ito ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Parang unti-unti na talagang kinukuha ni Khali ito sa kaniya.
“You really don‘t know?” Trevor said. “She wants you to fck off.” he answered with a hint of authority in his voice while giving her a very cold stare.
Aphrodite was petrified. Tila nabuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig dahil sa pinakikita at sinabi ni Trevor sa kaniya. Wala siyang nagawa nang lagpasan siya ni Trevor at iniwang tulala.
Lumabas siya sa restaurant at nang marating niya ang garden sa likod nito ay nagsimula na itong magsisigaw dahil sa matinding galit.
“Fck! That bitch! That fcking bitch is really testing my patience!”
“How dare she do that to my King?!”
“What?! She marked him for me to see that she owns him?!”
No! No!
“He‘s mine! He‘s mine! I will never let anyone have him! He‘s mine!”
Tila isang baliw, pinagsisipa niya ang mga paso sa paligid at sinira ang mga halaman na kaniyang mahawakan habang nagtitili ito sa galit at saka paulit-ulit na sinasabi na pag-aari niya lamang ang Hari.
Nang bahagyang kumalma ito ay napansin niya ang tatlong lalaki na gulat na gulat na pinapanood siya. Kenji dropped the cigarette from his fingers and Mikael blinked rapidly while staring at her. Jaeshin shook his head as he sigh.
Malamig na tumitig si Aphrodite sa kanila, na para bang nagbabanta gamit ang tingin.
“You didn‘t see anything.” mariin niyang wika bago sila tinalikuran.
“Shit. I have never seen her goes out of control like that. What the fck! Who would‘ve thought that she‘s that crazy? I should keep my distance to that girl.” Kenji stated while shaking his head.
“You heard that, too, right? She mentioned King.” Kenji asked with enthusiasm. “Whoa, si Trev na talaga the best!” natatawang wika nito saka bahagyang pumalakpak.
“Mmm, yeah... even Khali likes him...” Mikael muttered with melancholy.
*♡♤*
TREVOR‘S POV
“I‘m back, Lili!” masiglang wika ko nang malapitan si Lili.
Nakaupo siya mag-isa sa pinakadulong gazebo. Pinaghanap pa talaga ako. Umupo ako sa tabi niya, tapos bigla niyang nilayo ‘yung upuan niya sa akin.
“What happened to my baby?” malambing na tanong ko.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya at maharan siyang niyakap mula sa likod. “Why does my baby look so upset? Hmm? Gutom ka na naman ba?” I chuckled.
“Stop trying to freaking baby talk me, it won‘t work on me anymore!” she replied with a furrowed brow.
“So, it did worked somehow?” That made me smile. She gave me a deadly glare. “Bakit nga?” natatawang tanong ko. Tumingin ako kay Nieves para itanong kung anong nangyari.
“Apparently, not a single shop in Marvel High wants to sell her sweets, as you instructed.” Nieves reported.
I burst out into laughter.
“Mission failed, Lili?” natatawang tanong ko.
Lili just gave me a sullen side glance.
Damn. She‘s so cute!
“You said you‘ll give me anything I want...” she suddenly said.
My lips parted, I was taken aback.
“Oh, no. Don‘t use that card on me right now.” I quickly replied.
Fck. She must be really upset.
“I won‘t talk to you for a whole damn week.” wika ni Lili at padabog na tumayo.
I just watched her walked out while having a tiny smile on my face. She slowly walked away, then shen suddenly turned around with an annoyed face and I think, she‘s annoyed because I didn‘t stop her.
“I‘m serious, Kangaroo.” kunot-noong banta nito.
I really couldn‘t help but chuckle. She‘s so adorable. It‘s really fun to tease her sometimes.
“I know you can‘t last that long. Come here.” utos ko. I tapped the seat beside me, beckoning her to sit down.
Lili infinitesimally frowned. We stared at each other for a couple of seconds.
“Come here. Sit down.” pag-uulit ko.
She slightly glowered at me while coming back to this direction.
Nagpaalam na rin si Nieves sa akin bago umalis.
“So, anong kinain mo kanina?” tanong ko.
Pinagsalikop ni Lili ang mga braso niya at tumalikod sa akin. My goodness, Lili is so adorable when sulking.
Makes me want to baby her more.
I placed my chin over her shoulders and fondly pressed our cheeks together. She‘s so soft.
“Ano po?” tanong ko ulit.
“Salad...” she finally answered.
“Salad and?” I asked in a low voice.
“Steak... Paella... I had some soup, too... ‘yun lang.” walang ganang sagot nito.
“Anong ‘yun lang? That‘s like a full course meal, Lili.” I said while slightly laughing.
“It‘s not a full course if there‘s no dessert!” inis na sagot nito.
I shook my head in amusement. Whoa. Lili might even love foods more than me.
But anyways...
“Have you cleaned your wound yet?” tanong ko para maiba na rin ‘yung usapan. Nagagalit na naman kasi ‘yung baby. Lol.
“Not yet! Why do you care?!” she replied.
“What?” kunot-noong tanong ko. “At bakit hindi pa? Didn‘t I told you to clean your wound before I left earlier?”
She stared at me for a few seconds. Pasimple akong nag-iwas ng tingin. I‘m trying to be strict on her kaso baka bumigay kaagad ako kapag nakipagtitigan pa ako sa kaniya.
“Bakit ka nagagalit sa‘kin?!” sagot niya.
“Hindi ako galit. Tara na.” sagot ko saka ko kinuha ang kamay niya.
Dinala ko siya sa Dia, since wala rin namang nurse sa clinic. Nag-resign kasi ‘yung last.
Pinaupo ko muna siya sa sofa, tapos dimiretso ako sa kitchen. Bumalik ako dala ang mga meds and stuffs na kakailanganin niya.
And I was so flustered when I saw her in her fully unbuttoned uniform. Totally showing her undergarments and skin.
Hindi ko alam kung tatalikod ba ako o ilalapag ‘yung tray para takpan siya ng towel or what?! I was so damn confused for a few seconds till I decided to put the tray down and shut her clothes back.
“Damn it, Lili. I‘m still here!” I exclaimed.
Whoa! She‘s so unbelievable. How can she casually expose herself in front of me?!
Parang sumakit ‘yung ulo ko dun ah?!
She stared at me, then down to her chest. Saka ko lang na-realize ‘yung ginawa ko. Binitawan ko kaagad ‘yung damit niya at itinaas ‘yung dalawang kamay ko. Then, I quickly looked away.
“I‘m sorry... I didn‘t mean to touch you...” I said.
“Start now... mag-aalas dos na.” she said, unbothered of what just happened.
“I-I‘ll get Jaemin.” I said. I tried to reach for my phone inside my pocket without looking at her.
“She‘ll cry if she see this wound again.” Lili replied.
“I want to cry whenever I see that, too.” nangungunsumisyong wika ko.
Hindi ko talaga kayang tingnan ‘yung sugat. I get so damn frustrated because it looks painful. Lili... Lili is in pain. It‘s hard to watch that.
“Bilis, mag-aalas dos na.” sabi niya ulit.
Anong alas dos, ang aga pa kaya...
“You‘re...”
My eyes wandered. I really couldn‘t look at her straight in the eyes. Yeah, it‘s too hard to look at her in the eyes... because my fcking eyes keep going down to her chest.
“Have you never seen a girl in a bikini, huh? What are you so shy about?!” inis na pagsasalita niya.
“Because it‘s you...” I muttered with a frown.
“I‘m fine... I‘m not that conservative.” she said.
“Well, I am, for your sake.” I replied.
“Come on... it‘s okay.” she said. “Aren‘t you going to marry me anyways?” she added.
This time napatingin ako sa kaniya. What was that? Lakas niyang bumanat ah. Haha!
Mmm... music to my ears.
“Hindi mo pa nga ako sinasagot...” nakasimangot kong sagot.
Kinuha ko na ‘yung tray at umupo sa stool sa tapat niya.
I seriously feel like crying the moment I removed the paster and saw her wound.
Fck. Mother fcking...
I will never forgive those who hurt her. I swear to God, they‘re going to experience more worse than this!
“Tell me if it hurts...” mahinahon kong wika. “Hmm?”
“Mm-mm...” sagot lamang niya na may pagtango.
I clenched my teeth as I gently rub the cotton around the wound. My hands are shaking. It feels like I‘m performing a surgery for the first time. I‘m sweating so much. Goddamn it. I‘m seriously having a hard time...
More importantly... I think I‘m in trouble.
Kung mahirap tingnan ‘yung sugat ni Lili... Mahirap ring hindi tingnan ‘yung... ‘yung... shit!
I shook my head to get rid of the unnecessary thoughts and also to fcking get a grip of myself. Nang ibalik ko ang tingin ko sa sugat niya, awtomatiko na namang naglakbay ang mga mata ko pababa.
Fck.
She‘s so flat... but she‘s so hot.
Why is she covering her stomach, tho? Is she being conscious of her belly fats? I mean—what the fck! Naturally, she should cover herself in front of me.
What the fck are you thinking, Trevor?! Asshole.
My throat feels really dry. I keep taking a gulp. I can‘t concentrate on her wound. I can‘t fcking breathe!
Ugh. I think I‘m about to go insane!
Suddenly, Lili hit me real hard on my head. Parang naalog ‘yung utak ko dun ah.
“Stop thinking weird stuffs!” she said.
“I can‘t help it! I like you...” kunot-noo kong sagot habang hinihimas ang parteng nabatukan.
That was so damn painful. She really never hold back whenever she fcking hits me! But thanks to that, medyo bumalik ako sa katinuan.
Paano kasing hindi ako titingin eh nasa harapan ko na?! And I like her. I‘m so fcking into her. How can I not take interest? Tsk.
I reached for the towel and covered the other side of her chest.
“You‘re being way too comfortable with me...” I muttered.
Hindi ba siya natatakot sa akin? I‘m happy that she trust me, but I‘m sorta annoyed that I have no effect on her.
But knowing Lili‘s personality, she seems to be the type who will strip her clothes off and casually roam around the area with only her inner clothes on.
Buti nalang hindi niya pa ginagawa. I should still watch out. Especially on summer.
“Sorry...” she said while caressing my hair.
I smiled. So lovely...
KHALI‘S POV
He keeps chewing on his lower lip. He really seems to hate seeing the wound.
Hays. Kangaroo is too soft.
After he dressed the wound he gave me a gentle embrace.
“I‘m sorry, Lili...” sabi niya.
“Bakit na naman?” tanong ko.
Kung sisisihin niya na naman ‘yung sarili niya dahil sa sugat na ‘to, masasapak ko talaga ulit siya.
“Kung nalilipat lang ‘yung sakit sa‘kin matagal ko nang ginawa...” malambing niyang wika.
Hindi ba siya nauubusan ng ka-sweet‘an? But this is not the sweets I want right now!
“One cake will remove all the pain, Kangaroo.” hirit ko.
He softly laughed.
Tumabi siya sa akin at sinama niya ako sa paghiga. He is leaning on the armrest of the sofa, while I am resting my head on his chest. He caressed my back and kissed the top of my head.
I can hear the beautiful rhythm of his heartbeat.
I placed my arm over his stomach like I‘m partially hugging him. Then, I closed my eyes to feel him better.
“I promise I‘ll buy you lots of foods you like when you get well. Kaya magpagaling ka na... ‘wag kang pasaway.” aniya habang pabiro akong pinapalo sa likod.
“You‘ve seen it, malapit naman na gumaling, diba.” sabi ko.
“Anong malapit... Tsk.”
“Fine I‘ll let you eat donuts tomorrow. Isa lang ha?” pag-suko niya. Natuwa ako.
“Isang box?”
“Isang piraso lang...” aniya. Napasimangot ako. “I can‘t give you more than that...”
“Ayaw mo bang gumaling? When you get well you can eat anything you want, baby... but if you keep being stubborn, you‘ll only slow the process of healing.”
“Your donuts will only go farther away from your reach.” biro niya.
His gentle tone makes me want to listen to him. Shit.
Stop trying to convince me in a kiddie way. It‘s hurting my freaking ego!
“Listen to me for awhile, okay?” mahinahon niyang wika.
“Okay...” sagot ko naman.
Tanga! You should‘ve said MORE DONUTS!
“Great. That‘s my girl.” he said and ruffled my hair.
Feeling ko tuloy ang bait ko talagang nilalang. Bwisit.
Darn it, Khali! What the hck is wrong with you?!
His phone suddenly rang. He picked it up but he didn‘t let go of me.
“King, seems like there‘s a small problem right now.” I heard from the other line, since malapit lang rin ‘yung phone sa tenga ko.
“What happened?” Kangaroo asked.
“Marvel High is... under attacked by Falcon.”
Napabangon si Kangaroo sa gulat, kasama ako.
Falcon?! He called that small problem? What the...
“What the fck—” magmumura sana siya kaso bigla siyang napatingin sa akin.
“Lili, it‘s urgent.” sabi niya sabay tapik sa akin.
Gusto niya yata akong bumitaw, but... instead of breaking off the hug, I held onto him tighter.
Ayaw mo kong payagan sa gusto ko, hindi rin kita papayagan lumabas.
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