#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 6: SIMPLE
EMBER'S POV
Trace warned me. He really did. He told me how his sisters-in-law are very friendly. I was confused at first, but I shrugged it off, thinking that he just wanted me to act nice to his family just in case I met more of them. It didn't take long for me to realize the real intention of his words. He wasn't worried about them. He was worried for me.
I hiccuped, and laughter erupted around me. "I'm drunk. Like really drunk," I said, deciding to go for honesty.
It's the first time I've spoken in a long time. Mula kasi ng dumating ang iba pang mga kapatid ni Trace at ang mga sister-in-law niya ay napuno na ng ingay ang bahay. They didn't seem to mind that I just stayed quiet while listening to them. Surprisingly, I didn't mind listening to them as well while they told me stories after stories. Lucienne even gave me what obviously looked like fictional books after strangely telling me that they're self-help books when it comes to the Dawson men.
Nag-angat ako ng mukha nang mapalitan ng baso ng tubig ang alak na nasa harapan ko kanina. I gave Trace a smile that he returned right away. Unlike his other brothers, his eyes look focused. Siya lang kasi at sina Thorn at Gun ang isang can lang ng beer ang ininom. Axel on the other hand needed to leave early because of work. Ibinilin niya na lang sa panganay nila ang asawa niyang lango na rin sa alak.
I found out that Trace was the fifth child in the family. Ang panganay ay si Thorn na sinundan nina Gun, Pierce, at Axel. The sixth is Coal, then Domino, and the youngest is Luna.
"So..." Nakangiting pumalakpak si Lucienne. "The children are sleeping, and everyone's chilling and drinking. Baka pwede ka na naming interviewin Ember?"
"Lush," Trace warned.
She just stuck out her tongue at Trace before training her gaze back at me. "Nagluto ng dinner si Lia, gumawa ng drinks si Belaya, nag-bake si Mireia, at nag-ambag ako ng kuwento."
"Are those bribes so that you could ask me questions?"
"Yup," she answered confidently.
Tumango-tango ako. "Fair enough."
Who am I to complain? Masarap ang pagkain na dala nina Lia at Mireia. Belaya's a queen when it comes to mixing drinks though of course she didn't drink any because she's pregnant. Bihira akong uminom dahil hindi lahat ng alak ay gusto ko ang lasa pero ang gawa ng babae ay lasang juice lang talaga. Juice na hiningahan ng demonyo katulad ng sabi ni Domino kanina.
"You're an archer," Lucienne said more of a statement than a question.
"She is," sagot ni Domino para sa akin. Pilit na inangat niya ang ulo niya mula sa pagkakayukyok sa lamesa. "She's a pretty archer, but a little psycho. A pretty psycho."
Napasinghap ako. "I'm not a psycho!"
"You are but the good kind. You're trigger happy, but the bow and arrow version."
"I'm not—"
"You shot an arrow at us the first time I met you."
Nilingon ko si Trace nang mukhang hindi ko makukumbinsi ang kapatid niya. "I'm not a pretty psycho."
Ipinatong niya ang mukha niya sa kamay niyang nakatukod sa lamesa at nangingiting hinaplos niya ang ulo ko. "Of course you're not. You're just pretty."
His words and actions would have turned me back into a blushing apple if I hadn't been drunk. Pero dahil mahimbing na natutulog na ang kahihiyan ko ay kuntentong tumango lang ako biglang pagtanggap sa sinabi niya.
"You're an archer," Lucienne said again, obviously having a one-track mind at the moment.
"Yup."
"That means malinaw ang mga mata mo."
Nagtataka man ay muli akong sumagot, "Oo."
"Kung malinaw ang mga mata mo, bakit sa dami ng lalaki sa mundo ay si Trace pa ang napili mo?" Umakto siya na parang maiiyak. "Kawawa ka naman."
Napuno ng tawanan ang kinaroroonan namin. Umabot ng chips si Trace at ibinato niya iyon kay Lucienne na ngumisi lang at isinubo iyon.
"We thought you were just a figment of Kuya's imagination," Coal said.
It took me a moment before I managed to understand what he said. He's drunk, but he's not slurring that much. Iyon nga lang ang nagpahirap sa akin na intindihin siya ay ang paraan ng pagsasalita niya. Even his "Kuya" sounded like "Kuye".
"Huwag mong masyadong pansinin si Coal. Nagiging foreigner iyan kapag nakakainom," natatawang sabi ni Mireia. "Kung nandito ang asawa ko baka nag-aya na 'yon sa simbahan."
Napakurap ako. "Didn't you two just got married?" Napag-alaman ko kasi na siya iyong tinutukoy ni Trace na nagpakasal noong unang beses kaming magkakilala ng lalaki.
"Ganoon talaga 'yon kapag lasing. Masyadong thankful sa blessings na natatanggap niya." Itinuro ng babae ang sarili. "At ako iyon."
These women are different from the ones I usually encounter. They're like a different breed of human. They're hospitable and friendly, they could be loud, they talk like I'm not a stranger but rather like I'm someone that would soon be a permanent addition to their clique, and they have personalities that could be too much for some, yet I find them fascinating because they seem so real.
Binalingan ko si Lucienne dahil hindi ko pa nasasagot ang tanong niya. She was asking me why I chose Trace as my bodyguard, right? "I really don't know why Trace was designated as my bodyguard. Bukas pa kasi ako pupunta sa opisina ng Dagger para pormal na pag-usapan ang tungkol sa sitwasyon ko. I guess if I get to have an option, I will still choose Trace. I think he's the only one who has a perfect location for me to use as a safe house because of my animals. Ang weird naman kung may iba pang tatayo bilang bodyguard ko samantalang bahay niya ito."
Nagkatinginan ang mga babae maliban kay Lucienne na napapalatak na tumingin kay Trace. "Ikaw pala ang kawawa. Pinili ka lang kasi wala siyang choice."
"That's okay. I'm not giving her one."
"Panlilinlang ang tawag diyan. Budol in short," sabi ng babae.
"It's not deception if I'm very honest of my intentions."
"Sus. Ang sabihin mo may ulterior motive ka. Para namang hindi ko kayong kilala na magkakapatid. Nanakawan mo lang ng halik—"
"Not if she doesn't want me to."
Lucienne pursed her lips. "Fine. Eh di magnanakaw ng puso."
"It won't be stealing if I give her mine in return."
Hindi lang ako ang nagpapalipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanila dahil lahat kami ay pinapanood ang pagbabatuhan nila ng mga salita. I don't even know if they're still talking about me. My muddled brain can't keep up with their conversation.
Trace's oldest brother, Thorn, who like me was quiet most of the time, chuckled under his breath. He wrapped an arm around Lucienne's shoulder before kissing her temple. "Give it up, Lucienne. You won't win against him this time."
Still pouting, Lucienne looked at her husband. "Why not?"
"Because even if he's Trace and you love making him miserable, he's still a Dawson. You've written about it, and you've witnessed the stories yourself with Gun, Pierce, and Axel."
"Bossing—"
"Once a Dawson finds it, he'll know it. And when he knows it, he won't let it go. Well, unless he's too stubborn to accept it. So if I were you, baby, you need to start drafting for another book." He kissed the top of his woman's nose. "You're not just terrorizing him because that's both of your hobbies. You're being a mama bear, and everyone knows it."
Lucienne harrumphed, and crossed her arms. "I'm still naming Trace's book, Anpanget."
Nakangising binato ni Trace ulit ng chips ang babae. "Aminin mo na kasi Lush. Love mo lang talaga ako."
"Hindi kita kilala."
"I doubt that. Ako lang ito. Si Trace. Ang favorite mo na brother-in-law."
Dahil hindi ko pa rin sila maintindihan ay napagdesisyunan ko na balingan na lang ang cellphone ko. Kailangan ko pa kasing sabihan si Stellan para ibalita sa kaniya na nandito na ako sa Tagaytay. Inabot ko ang unang cellphone na nahawakan ko at nagpipindot ako ro'n. Iyon nga lang ay hindi ko mabuksan iyon.
I looked up at Trace when he reach for the phone to press his thumb on the screen. Sa pagtataka ko ay bumukas iyon.
"That's weird. You have a thumb print on my phone?" I murmured while I navigate through the device, going straight to contacts. Lalo akong binalot ng pagkalito nang makita ko ang mga pangalan na nandoon. Wala pa nga ata sa bente ang laman ng contact list ko. "What's all these names? Hindi ko kilala 'tong mga ito."
"That's because that's my phone, princess."
If my brain could have multitasked at that time, I would have noticed how the others became quiet while giving each other looks at what Trace called me. If I hadn't also been too preoccupied with the phone, I would have taken note of the endearment he had just given me.
"Why do you have a lot of women's names?"
"I'll erase them," he said.
"You don't need to." My forehead knotted in concentration. Inaalala ko ang mga sinabi niya sa akin kaninang hapon. "Are all of these your ex-girlfriends?"
"He wish," natatawang sabi ni Domino. "Lagi siyang nalalagay sa friendzone."
"Oh. He told me about that."
The more I think about it, the more I admire Trace's attitude towards dating. He's single. He has the right to date all the women he wants. But how many men out there can you point out who dated, ended it, and put a close to those relationships on good terms with the women? I'm pretty sure that there aren't many people like that.
"He did?" nakaangat ang kilay na tanong ni Luna. "That's surprising."
I shrugged. "He said they dated and ended as friends."
"Hindi lahat naging date niya o girlfriend. Iyong iba talagang na Kuya-zone o friendzone siya."
"That part I don't understand." I get a failed relationship or a date that didn't work out. Pero iyong pipiliin siya na maging kaibigan na lang siya sa umpisa pa lang? That I don't get.
"May mga taong pang friends lang talaga kasi in the end na-re-realize nila na they deserve better," singit ni Domino sa usapan namin ni Luna.
Inignora ko ang tawanan ng iba. "Iyon nga rin ang hindi ko maintindihan. Who would let go of a man like him when he already has everything a woman could ever ask for? First, he's hot. To say he's good-looking is an understatement. Second, he's kind. Third, he's funny. Fourth, he has a great attitude and is very considerate of those around him. Fifth, he has his life put together. He has a job and a beautiful home." Inabot ko ang baso ng tubig ko at uminom ako. "Maybe he's too perfect, and they want him to be more permanent in their lives. A relationship is a risk. What if it ends badly? What if they never talk again? Maybe they would rather that he just be their friend."
Walang sumagot sa akin at sa halip ay nakatulala lang silang nakatingin sa akin. Tanging si Mireia lang na nakaupo sa kanan ko ang kumilos para lumapit sa akin at mahinang bumulong.
"There's a reason why they rarely compliment Trace even if all the things you said are true." Tinuro niya ang lalaki. "And that's why."
Nilingon ko si Trace at nakita kong ngiting-ngiti siya sa paraan na para bang lumulutang siya sa alapaap. Kahit siguro magkaroon ng digmaan sa paligid niya ay hindi niya mapapansin dahil parang naging embodiment siya ng salitang "peaceful".
Kung ganiyan ang magiging reaksyon niya kada pupuriin siya, I don't see any harm on doing it. He looks so adorable.
"You got it bad already."
I turned my attention back to Mireia. "Ha?"
Nakangiting umiling siya at tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "Take this from a woman who just became a Dawson. Don't think too much and just enjoy the adventure. You won't regret it, because at the end of it, you'll end up having so much more than what you had when everything started."
Sinundan ko ang direksyon ng mga mata niya at nakita ko na ang nagkukulitan na mga Dawson ang tinitignan niya. Her words for some reason penetrated... making me see what is in front of me through a different light.
Something that I once wished to have. Something that I don't really have. Something that has always been out of reach.
A family.
NAKASANDAL ako sa kahoy na pundasyon ng gazebo habang nakatingin sa harapan ko. The moon is reflecting beautifully on the surface of the man-made pond. I grew up in a province too, and yet for some reason I could breathe easier here.
Everything seems simple here. Being happy... feels simple.
Inalis ko ang tingin sa maliit na lawa nang maramdaman ko ang pagbalot sa akin ng kung ano. Nalingunan ko si Trace na may ipinatong na kumot sa mga balikat ko.
Kanina pa nakaalis ang pamilya niya dahil mag a-alas-dose na rin no'n ng madaling-araw. I offered to help Trace on cleaning up, but he just told me to rest and sleep. Pero dahil hindi pa ako inaantok ay sinabihan ko siya na gusto kong pumunta sa gazebo. He didn't deny me of it, and he said that he would accompany me once he was finished.
Inabot niya sa akin ang isang tasa. "Tea. Hindi ko alam kung umiinom ka ng kape saka baka hindi ka rin kasi makatulog."
"I love tea," I told him.
Umupo siya sa tabi ko at gaya ng ginagawa ko kanina ay tumanaw din siya sa harapan. Sandaling wala sa amin ang nagsalita habang tahimik na iniinom ko ang tsaa. Even with the silence, it didn't make anything awkward.
Ako ang unang bumasag sa katahimikan. "I like your family."
"I'm glad." Nilingon niya ako at ngumiti. "They like you too."
"Even Lucienne?" biro ko.
"Especially Lucienne." Nang makita niyang naghihintay ako na dugtungan niya ang sinabi niya ay hindi niya ako binigo. "Lucienne lived an isolated life before she met my brother. We're basically her only family. When she found us, she made it her mission to welcome everyone who came into our lives."
Naikuwento na ni Lucienne ang nangyari sa kaniya noon at kung bakit niya nakilala si Thorn. The other women also shared their stories. It's amazing to look at them and see how happy they are now after hearing what they have all been through.
"Do you like my home?" he asked after a moment of silence shrouded us again.
"Yes. It's not that different from mine." I gave him a shrug. "I like the mountains and being surrounded by nature."
"Do you feel safe here?"
It was more than that, now that I think of it. I just don't know how to explain the "more" I'm feeling. "Yes."
"With me?" Nang magkibit-balikat ulit ako ay nagpatuloy siya sa pagtatanong. "Do you think I'm a good person, Ember?"
"Yes."
"Do you think I look good?"
The way he's smiling makes me think that he was just kidding when he asked that question. I decided to answer him anyway.
"Yes." Telling him that he looks good is an understatement, though.
He looked taken aback for a moment when I answered him without hesitating. "You don't think I'm annoying?"
"I don't."
Makulit siya, oo. He's also a big flirt. But he's not annoying. I've met a lot of annoying people, and he's nowhere near any of them.
"You're not lying, are you?" he asked again.
"I don't lie."
"Only when it's about you."
Sa pagkakataon na ito ay ako ang hindi nakapagsalita agad. "I don't lie," I said after awhile.
"You started being quiet again when they were trying to ask more about you. When you realized you couldn't sway them any further, you turned the conversation around by asking them questions about me."
He wasn't wrong. I enjoyed being with his family. They are all kind and welcoming people. But the things I shared with Trace and Domino back home when they arrived there were the extent of what I'm comfortably willing to share about myself.
"I don't lie," I repeated.
"You just let other people talk about themselves, but almost never about you," he surmised. "Just like the first time we met."
"The people around me rarely listen anyway. Unless it's about them or it benefits them in some way."
"I want to listen."
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "I'm not that interesting."
Alam ko na nararamdaman niya na hindi ko gusto ang direksyon ng pinag-uusapan namin. Nawala ang kaseryosohan sa mukha niya at kumurba sa mga labi niya ang isang pilyong ngiti na nasasanay na akong makita sa kaniya.
"But you like talking about me. Am I that interesting to you?" he asked.
"Yeah," I answered quickly, thankful at the change of the course of our conversation. Which proves that he's right. Mas komportable ako na pag-usapan ang ibang tao kesa sa sarili ko.
"Why?"
"Bakit ba pinag-uusapan ang isang bagay? Hindi ba dahil gusto natin?" Nilingon ko siya at ako naman ang napangiti sa pagkakataon na ito nang makita kong natigilan siya. "It's simple. It's because I like you, Trace Dawson."
The way I see him didn't change from the first time I met him, and not even the second. Lahat ng pinapakita niya ay gusto ko. I don't find anything not to like.
"As a person," dugtong ko.
Mukhang wala lang naman sa kaniya ang pagtatama ko dahil naiiling lang na muli siyang tumingin sa tanawin na nasa harapan namin. "You are very honest when you're drunk."
Kumilos siya para tumayo at sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin.
"But I prefer when you willingly give me your honesty when you are sober." He offered his hand for me, and as if it had a mind of its own, I automatically reached for him. Tinulungan niya akong makatayo at pagkatapos ay inabot niya ang kumot na nasa balikat ko para ayusin iyon. "I can wait. If it's you I'm waiting for, I don't mind."
"W-What?"
"The day that you will tell me that you like me not as a person, not because of how I act with other people, but in a way that you like me just because you simply do."
______________________End of Chapter 6.