#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #PuppyCouple #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 24: FIREWORKS
EMBER'S POV
Kasalukuyan akong nakasilip sa bintana habang pinapanood ko si Miss Asencio na nasa labas. Kausap niya si Kuya Andres na regular na nag-de-deliver na ngayon sa farmhouse ng mga gulay. He works for the farm that Elaine's family owns.
Napangisi ako nang makita ko ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Miss Asencio. She's a calm person who can handle six employees, a huge mansion, and a growing number of farm animals single-handedly, but now she looks rattled by the bare-chested man talking to her.
Para bang naririnig ang iniisip ko na napatingin sa kinaroroonan ko si Miss Asencio. I plopped down on the floor, taking Potchi who was sitting on the window sill with me. Yakap ko pa rin si Potchi nang pumasok na ng bahay si Miss Asencio na pinaningkitan ako ng mga mata bago naglakad papunta sa kusina dala ang basket ng gulay.
"Miss Asencio and Kuya Andres, sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," pakantang bulong ko.
Mukha namang nagustuhan ni Potchi ang pagkanta ko base na rin sa mabilis na pagkawag ng buntot niya. So instead of going on with my day like I should have done hours ago, I sat there on the floor while still wearing my Victorian-era-ish nightgown and sang for Potchi. Hindi nagtagal ay sinamahan na kami ni Bingo at ni Sir Francis Bacon na mukhang nagising dahil sa "ingay" ko.
"There was a farmer who had a cat and Bingo was his name oh. B-I-N-G-O," kanta ko para naman sa kuting.
Hawak ang mga kamay ng kuting na isinayaw ko siya. I used his paw to reach for Potchi and tap her on the nose, as well as for Sir Francis Bacon whose tail is wagging so fast that I'm a little afraid that it will break.
What a weird trio. Maging ako ay hindi inaasahan na magkakasundo sila. But Potchi's a kind soul like her dad, and I think Bingo looks up to her. Kaya nga kung titignan ay para bang lumaki silang magkakasama nila Sir Francis Bacon. Even though the pink pig's tiny little feet could barely catch up to them, he always followed the two wherever they decided to create havoc.
"There you are." Nalingunan ko si Trace di kalayuan kung saan ako nakasalampak. May nakasampay na tuwalya sa balikat niya. "Let's go. It's not that cold outside."
"Ha? Saan?"
"I'm going to teach you how to swim."
I blinked at him, gauging his seriousness. Mukhang hindi siya nagbibiro kung ang pagbabasehan ay ang suot niya na damit. He's wearing dark blue board shorts and a white shirt that I know will come off later. Something that I don't need to think about right now.
Inangat niya ang hawak niya na paper bag. "May binili ako para sa'yo."
Tumayo ako para lumapit sa kaniya. Kinuha ko ang inaabot niya at nagtatakang inilabas ko mula roon ang isang kulay itim na Billabong short sleeve rash guard.
"For your comfortability..." When I raised my eyebrow, Trace smiled sheepishly. "And my sanity."
"So I need to wear this so I would look repulsive to you?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Don't be ridiculous, princess. Even if you use a garbage bag as a dress, you will still look desirable in my eyes."
I didn't really ask his intention because I was fishing for compliments. Pero parang naging ganoon din ang kinalabasan. Do I really expect Trace not to say anything that will flatter me somehow? Wala na atang dumaan na araw na wala akong natatanggap na papuri mula sa kaniya.
I could be just eating an apple and he would say something like, 'I didn't know an apple could look so tempting to eat until today' or like yesterday when I was planting seeds in his garden and he said to me, 'You're the prettiest gardener that I've ever seen'.
He gives out compliments like it's the most natural thing to do. Any woman would be lucky to have him around. Lalo na kapag iyong mga araw na parang pakiramdam mo hindi ka maganda. He's like a portable comfort generator. One moment with him, and you're all better.
Tumikhim ako. "Magpapalit muna ako."
Sandaling iniwan ko siya at pumasok ako sa kuwarto para magpalit ng damit. Dahil walang pang-ibaba ang rash guard na binili ni Trace ay kinuha ko na lang ang katulad na short na dinala ko noon sa outing. It's short and pink. Hindi siya talaga pang-swimming kundi pantulog. I usually wear it during the summer because it's comfortable to sleep in.
Dala ang sariling towel na naglakad na ako pabalik sa sala kung saan ay naghihintay si Trace. I saw him glance down, but when he saw what I was wearing, his eyes snapped up as if he'd done something wrong. Gumalaw ang mga labi niya na para bang may sinabi siya na kung ano.
I angled my head to the side in question when I stopped in front of him. "Hmm?"
He cleared his throat and shook his head. "It's nothing."
Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang iyon. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at iginaya niya ako palabas ng bahay at naglakad kami papunta sa malawak na Grecian pool na nandoon.
It looks intimidating for a person who doesn't know how to swim. Mukhang mababaw iyon pero sigurado ako na iyon din ang inakala ng mga taong hindi marunong lumangoy na basta na lang tumatalon sa pool.
Trace told me to stretch first. Parehas namin iyong ginawa.
"Should I get one of my floaties?" I asked when we were done.
Para kasing naging libangan na ni Lucienne na padalan ako ng kung ano-anong salbabida at iba pang swimming safety gears. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung sino ang papasalamatan ko. Siya na umu-order no'n o si Trace na pinagbabayad niya kasi puro COD ang mga iyon.
Kaagad lumipad palabas ng utak ko ang takot ko na malunod nang hinubad ni Trace ang suot niya na pang-itaas. He lowered his body into the water before he answered me, "Nope. You don't need those. You can hold on to me instead."
Sana lahat kayang mag-hold on. Ang utak ko nga parang bumitaw na eh. "Umm... maybe we should start with a floatie first?"
"You won't learn if you depend on it."
"Ibig sabihin hindi ako pwedeng dumepende sa'yo?" tanong ko.
"If you accidentally let go of a floatie, you'll drown. But if you fall with me..." His eyes sparkled, and his smile turned playful. "I mean, if you fall into the water with me around, I'll be able to catch you."
I could hear the double meaning clearly. Either way, I would still be drowning. Sa tubig man o sa kaniya.
"Trust me, princess. I will always protect you."
"Fine," I grumbled out.
Umupo ako sa gutter at kaagad niyang inabot ang kamay niya sa akin. I reached for it, and he helped me get down. Hinawakan niya ako sa beywang para hindi ako lumubog sa pagbaba ko, bagay na siyang ikinapangangamba ko.
"You good?"
I nodded at him without speaking. He pulled my hands up to his shoulders so that I could hold on to him.
Hindi malamig ang tubig dahil sigurado ako na binuksan niya ang heater kanina pa. But aside from that, I could also feel warmth coming from my hands that were touching his bare skin.
Sandaling kumawala ang kamay niya sa akin dahilan para tilang hinigop pabalik ang katinuan ko. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, frightened that I might slip down.
Trace looked taken aback for a moment. I saw his adam's apple move as he swallowed. "I got you."
His hands went to my waist, and he pulled it up so that my legs were parallel to the water. He didn't ask me to let go of his shoulders, as if he wanted to reassure me that he was close by and that he wasn't going to drop me in the water.
"Start kicking, princess."
His breath fans my face, reminding me how close we are to each other. My heart started beating so loudly that I was afraid he could hear it. I'm pretty sure that this time it's not banging from inside my chest because of my fear of drowning.
I started kicking like he told me to. Maybe swimming instructors should do this trick. Use the person that their students were attracted to as a human floatie so that they will forget about their worries.
Inikot namin ang buong pool. Paminsan-minsan ay napapansin ko na lumalalim ang tubig base sa naabot niyon na parte ni Trace. Sometimes it reaches his neck. Matangkad siya kaya sigurado akong kapag tumayo ako ay lulubog ako kaagad.
We rounded the pool a few times more before I felt his hands slowly letting go of my waist. I tightened my hold on his shoulders, but I continued kicking.
Makalipas ng ilang minuto ay nagsalita siya. "Do you trust me?"
Tumango ako bilang sagot. Inabot niya ang mga kamay ko at marahan niya iyong inalis sa pagkakakapit sa kaniya. My eyes widened but he smiled at me reassuringly.
Nagpatuloy ako sa pagsipa sa tubig pero sa pagkakataon na ito ay ang mga kamay niya lang ang hawak ko. He could have released me at any time to force me to learn more, but he didn't. He didn't push me into something I wasn't prepared for, and I trusted him not to.
Muli kaming umikot sa pool at nang marating namin ang posisyon kung saan kami nagsimula ay hinuli niya ang mga mata ko.
"I'm going to let go of your hands, princess. Just for a moment, and then I'll hold you again. Okay?"
"O-Okay," I whispered.
I stayed calm even when I felt his hand loosen, and I fought every instinct that was telling me to do the opposite. I focused on kicking, my hands still in front of me.
For a few quick seconds, I floated and moved through the water. Trace's eyes brightened as if he were watching a baby take her first steps. Mabilis niya akong nahawakan ulit nang maramdaman kong lumulubog na ang katawan ko at hinila niya ako palapit sa kaniya. Ikinawit ko ulit ang mga binti ko sa kaniya habang ang mga kamay ko ay nakahawak sa balikat niya.
Our gazes met, and I couldn't help the smile that spread on my lips. His own soon followed.
"You did it," he said.
His voice sounded so proud, which mirrored the expression I could see from the way he was staring at me. Aakalain mong sumali ako sa swimming competition at hindi iilang segundo lang na nakalangoy ako na walang tulong niya.
Trace's face is angled skyward, and the sun that is hitting him did wonders for his light brown eyes. Sa posisyon namin ay mas mataas ako kaysa sa kaniya dahil nakasampa ako sa kaniya. Our faces are so close to each other that if I lean down, our lips will certainly touch.
Kiss him.
"Kuya Coal naaalala mo noong inenroll ako ni Papa sa swimming lesson noong mga bata pa tayo?"
"Oo. Sa lahat sa atin ikaw iyong nakadalawang enroll. Nasanay ka kasing nakapasan kila Kuya Thorn kaya takot ka na mag-isa."
"Kaya pala ako nahirapang matuto kasi dapat by pair."
Sa pagkagulat ko ay muntik akong kumawala kay Trace. Mabuti na lang at hinigpitan niya ang pagkakayakap sa akin kaya hindi ako tuluyang napaatras.
Masama ang tingin na nilingon ni Trace ang kinaroroonan ng mga kapatid niya na nakatayo malapit sa pool. "Ang aga niyong mambulabog."
"Tanghali na," sabi ni Coal.
Trace rolled his eyes, and he started walking to the pool stairs. What he didn't do was let me go. Kaya animo may karga na paslit habang naglalakad.
"Hi, idol Ember," bati sa akin ni Domino nang makaakyat ako ng hagdanan. Hawak niya ang kulay pink ko na tuwalya. "I hope we didn't disturb you—"
Pinutol ni Trace ang sasabihin niya sa pamamagitan ng paghila ng tuwalya na hawak ng kapatid. "I'll confirm it for her. Istorbo kayo."
Ipinaloob ako ni Trace sa tuwalya at pinunasan ang buhok ko. Tinangka kong kunin sa kaniya iyon pero nginitian niya lang ako at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. I couldn't help the giggle that came out of my lips when he rubbed the towel on my hair as if I were a kid rather than a fully-grown adult.
"Parang hindi tayo nag-e-exist," narinig kong sabi ni Coal.
"Oo nga kuya eh. Hindi na sila ma-reach."
Trace sighed loudly. Ibinalot niya sa akin ang towel at pagkatapos ay binalingan niya ang mga kapatid. "Anong kailangan niyo?"
The younger Dawsons both smiled at the same time. The women who will come into their lives need to prepare themselves. These two are trouble.
Pero kung sabagay. Kung pagbabasehan ko ang mga kapatid nila ay mukhang nagseseryoso sila kapag nakilala na nila ang taong makakasama nila sa matagal na panahon. Lucienne once told me that Pierce was known for being a ladies' man. Even Gun had a number of relationships prior to meeting Lia, as well as a few during the years they were broken up. But if you could see them now, it's like they are ready to lay down their lives for their wives without a second thought.
"Hihiramin sana namin si Potchi," sabi ni Coal.
Kumunot ang noo ni Trace. "Bakit?"
"Dadalin namin sa vet."
"Bukas ko siya dapat dadalin pero wala namang problema kung ngayon." His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the innocent, maybe too innocent, expressions on his brothers' faces. "Pero bakit?"
Nagkatinginan sina Coal at Domino. Ang huli ang sumagot sa tanong ni Trace. "We like her veterinarians."
Kawawang Potchi. Madadala siya sa vet ng wala sa oras dahil sa mga tito niyang may bagong mga nililigawan.
NAPAILING na lang ako nang tumayo si Trace sa kinauupuan niya habang hawak ang cellphone niya na nakatutok sa akin. He's ignoring the glances that the other people in the boutique are throwing our way by trying to hype me up with his cheers.
Sa tabi niya ay nakatayo ang tablet device niya at nakaharap sa akin. Sa screen niyon ay kita ang mga babaeng Dawson at si Domino na kasalukuyang pumapalakpak. Nag-angat pa ng papel si Lucienne na may nakasulat na '10' na para bang judge siya sa isang fashion show.
"Ang cute ng boyfriend niyo ma'am," sabi ng sales representative na tumulong sa akin na magpalit ng damit.
Stellan wanted me to look for a formal dress that I would wear to the party that will be held after the last stage, the finals, of the archery competition that I'm competing in. Normally ay ngayon pa lang nagpapagawa na ang iba sa sikat na international designers kahit pa sabihin na matagal pa ang competition. Pero alam ni Stellan na ayoko ng mga unnecessary na gastos. I also prefer to buy clothes from local designers as much as I can.
Dapat nga ay sa tita ni Belaya ako magpapagawa kaya lang ay puno ang schedule nila para sa buong taon. Kaya nang makahanap si Stellan ng isa pang popular na boutique na malapit lang sa Tagaytay ay nag-book siya kaagad para makapunta ako. I wanted to do it next week pero as usual may sarili na namang desisyon ang isang iyon.
"Hindi ko siya—"
Hindi ko na nagawang tapusin ang sasabihin ko nang ibinaba ni Trace ang cellphone niya na ginagamit niyang pangkuha ng picture at bigay todong pumalakpak siya. Nginitian niya pa ang dalawang magkasintahan na napatingin sa kaniya at itinuro ako. "Isn't my princess pretty?"
Napabuntong-hininga ako. There's no point in convincing anyone about the status of our relationship... or lack thereof. Sa inaakto niya kasi ay mahihirapan akong paniwalain ang kahit na sino na wala kaming relasyon.
"I like this one," Trace said when I stopped in front of him.
Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. "Lahat naman gusto mo. This is the fifth dress that I tried and you like all of them."
"Anong magagawa ko kung lahat ng suotin mo eh maganda?" Kinindatan niya ako. "But of course they all pale in comparison when it comes to your beauty."
Rinig ko ang kantiyawan na nagmumula sa tablet niya habang ang mga empleyado naman ng boutique ay kinikilig na nagsisikuhan. Maging ang babae na tumulong sa akin ay hindi na nagawang mapigilan ang sarili at mahinang impit na napatili.
I just gave Trace a look before I turned my attention to his family. Wala akong makukuhang matinong sagot kay Trace dahil kapag siya ang hiningan ko ng opinyon ay baka sampung bestida ang maiuwi ko. He's bias when it comes to me and that fact is clear as the day.
"I like the mahogany," Mireia said.
Parang mas bagay sa kaniya ang gown na iyon kesa sa akin. It's tight on the body, and it has a huge slit. It's more of her style kaya hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit iyon ang nagustuhan niya.
"Wala bang ombre? Mas maganda kapag makulay," sabi naman ni Lucienne.
"I like the last one. Iyong kulay grey." It was Lia who spoke this time.
Nag-alis ng tingin si Luna mula sa binabasa niya. "I like the first dress. The bodycon one."
"I think the one you're wearing now is perfect. The color is light, but it doesn't get drowned out by your complexion—"
Nakasimangot na bahagya akong itinago ni Trace sa likod niya at tinignan niya si Domino na siyang nagsalita. "Huwag mo ngang masyadong tinititigan ang prinsesa ko. Saka bakit ba kasama ka? Sila Lucienne lang ang tinawagan ko ah."
"Ako ang official fanboy ng Dagger."
Trace 'harrumphed' but when he turned to me, he's all smiles again. Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat at bahagya niya akong nilayo sa kaniya para tignan ang suot ko.
"I like this one too," he informed me.
"I think at this point, we all know that you like all the dresses."
The smile that has spread across his lips resembles that of a chastised boy. "But I really, really like this one. It reminds me of the nightgown you were wearing at the time that we slept over at Rancho Callista."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "So it looks like a nightgown?"
Kulay cream ang suot ko ngayon na dress. I don't know the exact color but it has a hint of a warm tone. It feels light to wear, it has a vintage look, and it also has the dramatic sleeves that I like. Contrary to the other dresses that I tried on, this one doesn't have sensual vibes. It's more of a cute, simple, and whimsical dress.
"No."
Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa salamin at nag-angat ako ng mga mata sa kaniya. "Then what?"
Inipit niya ang buhok ko sa likod ng tenga ko. "Do you know why I call you princess?" Nang umiling ako ay kumurba ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. "The night that we stayed at your house, you went to bed first. Lumabas ako no'n dahil may kinuha ako sa sasakyan. I looked up and I saw you on your room's terrace. You were wearing a long white nightgown, and you were gazing up at the stars. I remember just standing there and looking at you for a long time. I was afraid that if I moved away, you'd disappear. You didn't look real. You look like you should be inside a fairytale book."
Ilang sandali na nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya at hindi nagsasalita. Even the others in the boutique seems quiet. I have no doubt that they heard him.
Kung hindi pa tumunog ang cellphone ko ay baka nanatili pa rin ako ssa kinatatayuan ko at hindi gumagalaw. I blinked, cutting off the moment that we were having. I looked down at my phone, and I sighed when I saw that it was my father calling again. Pinatay ko ang tawag katulad nang ginawa ko kanina bago kami pumunta rito sa boutique.
"I'll take this," I told the saleslady.
Nagpasalamat ako sa pamilya ni Trace bago ako muling pumasok ng fitting room para hubarin ang gown. I changed to the clothes that I was wearing when I came here before I went out to join Trace.
Naabutan ko siyang kausap ang babae na nasa cashier at napabuntong-hininga na lang ako nang makita niya ako at nakangiting lumapit siya sa akin. Kahit hindi ko siya tanungin ay sigurado akong binayaran niya na ang gown. I should tell Stellan to give them a bonus. Lagi na lang kasing gumagastos si Trace sa akin.
Tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko at muli kong dinecline ang tawag.
"Your father?" Trace asked, his forehead knotting.
"Yeah."
A few days ago, he messaged me to ask me to meet him. I wasn't ready, so I told him that I needed some time. Isa pa ay abala rin sa trabaho ang magkakapatid na Dawson at ayoko silang istorbohin para lang pumunta sa Manila.
"Do you want me to talk to him instead?"
"I don't think you're one of his favorite person," I told him honestly.
"I won't disrespect him, but I don't need him to like me. You're my priority."
I didn't know what to say to that so I just shook my head as an answer. He didn't push which I'm thankful of.
Kinuha niya ang malaking kahon ng gown at kinipkip niya iyon sa isang braso. I automatically reached for his hand before he even do so, and I saw how it made his eyes crinkled. Whatever.
Magkahawak-kamay na lumabas na kami ng boutique at naglakad papunta kung saan kami pumarada. Malapit na kami roon nang tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko. I let out a loud sigh. Looks like my father won't stop unless I talk to him.
"Princess..."
"It's okay," I told Trace with a small smile before I answered the phone. "Pa—"
"Miss Calderon? Thank goodness someone finally answered. I was trying to call Mr. Calderon's wife but she wasn't answering."
Sa hindi malamang kadahilanan ay may tila kaba na bumundol sa dibdib ko. "Who am I speaking to?"
"I'm Dr. Oliver Johnson. I'm calling to inform you that Mr. Calderon was brought here in St. Luke's—"
Hindi ko na nagawang marinig ang iba pa niyang sasabihin nang mahulog ang cellphone mula sa pagkakahawak ko nang bigla na lang akong hilahin ni Trace. I gasped in surprise, and I opened my lips to ask him why, but my question was drowned out by the sound of a revving car... and a noise that sent chills all over my spine.
Then everything exploded.
Gun shots.
It happened so quickly. I felt Trace cage me in his body at the same time that the popping sound started. It was so loud that I could hear ringing in my ears. It was as if fireworks had exploded right next to us. It sounded so near... so loud.
Three shots were fired. Two whizzed near by, and it hit the windows of the cars behind us, which created a shattering sound.
But the last one was quiet... and yet it was also the loudest. A deafening silence where the only thing I could hear was the pounding of my heart. Because I just know... I know for sure that the last one fulfilled its intended purpose.
Naramdaman kong humigpit ang pagkakayakap sa akin ni Trace. I felt his weight lean on me as if he were trying to pin me down on the floor. In the next second, we were both crashing on the asphalt.
I waited for Trace to move. To say something. For me to see his eyes which I have always adored. But he was too still.
Nanginginig ang mga kamay na inangat ko ang kamay ko. I ran my hand from his back up to his shoulder, but I stopped on his neck when I felt my hand touch something wet.
This would haunt me for years to come. The feeling of his weight on top of me, his labored breathing, and the red on my hands... painted by his blood.
"Trust me, princess. I will always protect you."
_____________________________End of Chapter 24.