~ I wasn't really planning on posting this but here it goes— to tie some loose ends. This Special chapter is for my readers here in wattpad but there is also a special chapter waiting for the book version (KUNG magiging book 'to 😅) and also to inform you that Midnight will be part of my Organósi Series coming this year, but after Knight pa 'to e. Anyways, as usual, enjoy reading and don't be shy to comment. I like reading your comments and your thoughts about this book.
Love yah 😘 - C.C.
SPECIAL CHAPTER
Siblings
MAINGAT NA PANGKO ni Blake ang asawa habang pababa ng sasakyan. Nakatulog ito habang pauwi sila galing reception at ayaw niyang gisingin dahil alam niyang pagod ito. Nang makapasok sa kabahayan, napasukan nila si Midnight na nanonood ng TV.
Hindi na siya nagulat na nakita ito.
"I picked the lock," imporma sa kanya ni Midnight. "Sorry."
"It's okay," sabi ni Blaze na basta na lang itinapon ang susi sa malapit na coffee table habang karga-karga ang tulog nilang bunsong kapatid. "I'll go put Bailey on the bed and I'll get some beer."
Wala ang kanilang ina kasi ayaw itong pakawalan ng ama nila. Ewan kung nasaan ang dalawa. He didn't want to know anyway.
Si Blake naman ay tinungo ang kuwarto niya, saka maingat na ihiniga ang asawa na mahimbing na natutulog. Ilang segundo muna niyang tinitigan ang maamong mukha ni Lucky bago niya maingat na hinubad ang suot na wedding gown nito. Kumuha siya ng T-shirt niya sa closet at iyon ang isinuot dito.
Pagkatapos ay inayos niya ang buhok ng asawa para hindi iyon tumabing sa mukha nito, saka kinumutan at hinalikan sa noo. "I love you, baby," bulong niya bago hinubad ang coat na suot at lumabas ng kuwarto.
As Blake descended on the staircase, he loosened his tie. Pagkatapos ay itinupi niya ang manggas ng polo na suot, saka tinungo si Midnight na nasa sala.
Umiinom na ito ng beer kasama si Blaze. Napailing siya at lihim na napangiti nang makitang nakinig sa kanya ang kakambal at nagdala ito ng barbecue mula sa reception para pulutan nila.
Pabagsak siyang naupo sa pang-isahang sofa at tinanggap ang beer na iniabot sa kanya ni Blaze.
"So, what does it feels like to be married?" tanong ni Midnight habang ibinababa ang volume ng TV.
Uminom siya ng beer at sumandal sa likod ng sofa. "Happy... contented... fulfilling." Napailing na natawa siya. "I can get on and on and I won't be done in the morning."
"He's part of the Understanding Club now," natatawang pang-aasar sa kanya ni Blaze. "Zapanta even welcomed him to the club. Fucking takusas."
Tumawa lang siya, saka bumaling kay Night. "How about you? What's going on with you these past few weeks?"
Midnight shrugged. "Nothing really. Just sleeping and eating." Uminom ito ng beer. "Still waiting for what will happen to me after I killed those sons of bitches."
Nag-alala siya. "Wala pa bang desisyon mula sa organisasyon?"
Umiling si Midnight. "Wala pa rin. Though my brother called. Once."
"Knight?" Blaze asked.
Midnight nodded. "Yeah..."
"What did he say?" Blaze asked again.
Kumagat muna ng barbecue si Midnight bago sumagot. "He was asking where I was because I stopped updating him about my location, since they kicked me as one of the heads. He said he's worried but I told him to fuck off." He sighed. "I don't know. I don't believe him anymore." Umiling ito. "Noong mga bata pa kami, kapag may problema o kapag pinapagalitan ako, 'tapos sinabi niyang magiging okay ang lahat, naniniwala ako agad. Hindi man alam ng lahat na may kapatid siyang lalaki pero para sa 'kin, si Kuya, hero ko siya. I remember when I left the palace to play outside, I was ten. Eh, hindi 'yon puwede. Pinagalitan ako at siyempre, parurusahan. You know what my brother did? He pretended to be me, so he'll get the punishment and not me."
Mahinang natawa ito, saka napailing. "It took me a decade to be a boss. I work hard for it. Ang dami kong ipinaglaban para lang makuha ang posisyon na 'yon. My brother knows that. He even became a boss because he said, if he's the boss, no one can harm me anymore. No one can punish me and beat me up because he'll be there. So, imagine my shock when I found out that he voted yes to kick me out. He knew... he knew my sacrifices... he knew but discarded them because... well, just because.
Kumuyom ang kamao ni Midnight. "I went to his house after I left here. Gusto kong itanong sa kanya kung anong mali ba ang nagawa ko para gawin niya sa 'kin 'yon. He could have voted no. But you know what he said? Leave. Go as far away from me as possible and don't show yourself to me again because I don't want to see you anymore." Doon tumulo ang luha nito. "And then he came down where Valerian and Shun is waiting for him and he just smile. He was happy... with his friends. While I was... I don't know... I didn't leave, I begged him. I begged him to let me stay...to make up for what I did, but he wouldn't take me in, and I have nowhere else to go." Bumuga ito ng marahas na hininga. "I have nowhere else to go... I have nowhere else to go..."
Hindi sila makatingin kay Midnight kasi ramdam nila ang paghihirap nito. He was really a mess. He had been there... to be lost, but at least he had his twin brother beside him.
But Midnight... he's all alone.
"You can stay here with us," Blaze offered.
Mapaklang tumawa si Midnight. "For what reason? I have no power, no money, you have no use for me. I can't help like I used to."
Blake tsked. "We don't really care about what you can do for us. Just stay here. We're friends, remember?"
"Kahit wala na akong silbi?" tanong nito sa mahinang boses.
Inabutan ni Blaze ng beer si Midnight, saka ngumiti ang kakambal. "My brother is more useless. Ngayong may asawa na siya, iiwan na niya ako. It's just you and me now, bud."
"Gago," sabi niya sa kakambal.
Tumawa lang si Blaze, saka inabutan ng barbecue si Midnight. "But honestly, wala kaming pakialam kung ano ang kaya mong gawin o kung hindi mo na kami matutulungan. We're friends and for us, our friends are like our family. So, you're a family. Remember that before you do something stupid. Pinag-aalala mo kami palagi."
Natatawang tumango si Midnight sa nag-umpisang ubusin ang beer na kabibigay lang dito ni Blaze.
"But Knight is not that bad, is he?" tanong niya. "I mean, he took care of our other enemies. He is a good friend to Valerian and Shun... I think..."
Tumango si Midnight. "I don't know. He sometimes act like he doesn't care to other people's wellbeing, like when he keeps those secrets from you two. From the side, you'll see him like he's just playing at people around him, to manipulate them into doing what he wants. He's the bad guy in your eyes but I know he was moving behind the curtain. He sent Shun to help you get intel on the Bartholomeo Brothers."
Napalatak si Blaze. "The satellite! Sabi ko na, eh. May kakaiba talaga kay Shun dahil sa satellite na 'yon."
Tumango si Midnight. "And Dimitri is really not a friend of Shun, but an Ultor sent by my brother to help you fight. Dimitri has one job to do when you went to that mansion, it's to keep you all safe and of course, make sure you won't kill the brothers. Kung may nangyaring masama sa inyo, si Dimitri ang mananagot sa kanya. I even heard that my brother was mad because you got shot."
That was shocking. "At hindi man lang sinabi sa amin 'to ni Knight?"
Midnight shrugged. "He's not really the give-me-credit kind of guy."
Mahina siyang natawa at nailing. "I noticed."
Nagbaba ng tingin si Midnight at huminga nang malalim. "Iniisip ko nga na baka may plano siya sa 'kin. Pero ewan, mahirap ding umasa. He doesn't want to see me, or talk to me, so fuck him. I don't need his plan. I just want my brother. How hard is that?"
"Hinahanap ka niya palagi sa 'kin," sabi niya.
Inilabas ni Midnight ang cell phone, saka itinapon iyon sa center table. "He wouldn't even call me again to know if I'm still alive."
Hindi siya makapaniwalang napailing. Gaano ba katigas ang puso ni Knight o pinapatigas lang nito? May plano ba ito para kay Midnight? Well, Knight was not a ruthless count for nothing and he always had a plan.
But what is it?
"Enough with the count." Nagbukas si Blaze ng tatlo pang beer, saka inilapag iyon sa ibabaw ng center table. "Ano'ng balak mong gawin ngayon?" tanong ng kakambal kay Midnight. "Magtatrabaho ka ba? Or business? Anything you want to do?"
Midnight just shrugged.
"Ano ba'ng tinapos mo?" tanong uli ni Blaze.
"Well, I'm an international lawyer and a computer engineer." Sumandal si Midnight sa likod ng sofa. "Yong mga kaedad ko nasa high school pa lang pero ako, nag-aaral nang maging abogado kasi 'yon ang gusto ni Dad. His reason? Kuya might need me and my knowledge in laws. Pero hindi naman ako kailangan ni Kuya. Mas magaling siya sa 'kin, mas matalino at mas nakahihigit sa lahat. I look up to him. In his own way, he never let anyone down... well, except for me. Maybe because I'm not worth his effort. Or, maybe, I don't know... I don't know what to think anymore. Si Kuya lang naman ang gusto ko pero parang ayaw na niya sa 'kin. Yes, I mess up a lot and I guess he's tired of it... fixing my mess and just being my brother in general. Maybe he's like Dad now. He doesn't think I'm worth it."
Blaze blew a loud breath. "Alam mo bang naghati kayo ng parusa nang sabihin mo sa amin ang tungkol sa mommy namin?"
"I heard." Midnight's somber face broke into a small smile. "Maybe he still cares, a little, but he's tired of me that why he doesn't want to see me again."
"Baka naman gusto ka lang niyang lumayo para hindi mo na kailangang magpanggap na siya?" hula ni Blaze. "Para magkaroon ka ng sarili mong pagkatao? Maybe it's his way of saying get a life of your own?"
Midnight looked at the space in front of him before sighing. "Ayos lang naman sa 'king magpanggap basta nasa likod ko lang ang kuya ko. Pero ngayon..." Bumuntong-hininga ito nang malakas. "Wala na siya sa likod ko. He wants me to have my own life?" Mapait itong ngumiti. "That's bullshit. Alam niya mula pa noon na magkarugtong ang buhay naming dalawa. Palagi niyang sinasabi na nasa tabi ko lang siya, na nasa likod ko lang siya, 'tapos bigla na lang niya akong bibitawan. I don't want a new life, I want my brother back."
Blake stayed silent, he had nothing to say to Midnight. He was a mess, nothing he'd say would matter to him at the moment. What Midnight needed was Knight, not some advice from them. Oo narito sila ni Blaze para dito pero alam niyang ang makakatulong lang talaga kay Midnight na maging maayos ay si Knight.
It was clear to him that Midnight only wanted his brother to feel better.
But Knight didn't want anything to do with his brother anymore.
But was that really true? Maybe Knight had a plan?
Who knows what's going on in that count's head?
"Blakey..." Blaze whispered at him. "Say something." Ngumuso ito kay Midnight. "You're the one who has a degree in talking to people with problems like this."
Napailing siya, saka bumaling kay Midnight. "I don't think what we'll say will matter much to you." Napatingin sa kanya si Midnight at nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita. "May sarili kang isip at paniniwala at hindi ko babaguhin 'yan. But know this, you can choose whoever you want to be and we'll be there for you. We'll help you because that's what family's do. Be there for one another. Kahit ano'ng gawin mo o maging desisyon mo, nandito lang kami, handa kaming tumulong sa 'yo. Tandaan mo 'yan, okay?"
Midnight nodded before smiling. "Thanks."
"Let's drink to that," nakangiting sabi niya, sabay taas ng bote ng beer na hawak.
Natatawang itinaas din nina Blaze at Midnight ang mga bote na hawak ng mga ito at sabay-sabay silang uminom at nagpatuloy ang usapan hanggang sa may kumatok sa pinto ng bahay nila.
Si Blaze ang tumayo para tingnan kung sino 'yon. At nang bumalik ito sa sala ay kasama na nito ang hindi niya inaasahang bisita.
"Luther?"
Luther glared at him and then at Blaze. "You motherfucker." Dinuro siya nito. "You asshole, ikinasal ka na pala, 'tapos hindi mo man lang ako inimbitahan?!"
Napangiwi siya. "Ahm..."
Masama ang tingin sa kanya ni Luther. "Your reason better be good or I will kill you!"
Nanatili siyang nakangiwi. "Ahm... I don't want to endanger you and your family. Kanina lang sinabi sa 'kin ni Minrod na inubos na niya lahat ng kalaban natin. Logan is still a kid and I don't think I'll be able to live my life if something bad happens to him and to your wife. Hindi kakayanin 'yon ng konsiyensiya ko kaya hindi kita kinulit na pumunta sa kasal ko."
"Oh, fuck you! It's your wedding, you fucker! At anong kinulit?! You didn't even call, you son of a bitch!" Pabagsak itong umupo sa mahabang sofa, kasama si Midnight. "Yow," bati nito kay Midnight. "You look like shit, Midnight."
Midnight just grunted.
"Paano mo pala nalaman?" nagtatakang tanong niya. "Alam kong hindi ka sinabihan nina Blaze at Cadmus na na-postpone ang kasal."
"I called your phone the other night and a woman answered." Luther tsked. "Imagine my fucking shock when she introduced herself as your fiancée and she said you two are on the boat because you kidnapped her before your wedding, which is today, you fucker!"
Napangiwi na naman siya. "Sorry. You heard my reason."
Luther glared at him before shaking his head. "Kahit naman imbitahin mo ang mag-ina ko, hindi ko pa rin sila iuuwi rito nang walang kasiguruhan galing kay Minrod. But now I'm here and well, let's fucking celebrate."
Napangiti siya, saka siya na ang nag-abot ng beer kay Luther. "I was thinking of picking you as my best man but since I'm not planning to invite you..." Itinuro niya si Blaze. "Siya na lang ang best man ko."
Nagtagis na naman ang mga bagang ni Luther. "Fuck you."
"Yeah, yeah," sabad ni Blaze. "By the way, we have a lot to tell you."
"Such as?"
"Mom's alive," sabi niya.
Luther didn't look shocked. "I know. Minrod told me weeks ago."
"Oh." Inubos ni Blaze ang beer na hawak. "Ano pa'ng alam mo?"
"Pretty much fucking everything except that this lunatic." Dinuro na naman siya nito. "Is married and today is his wedding. Alam mo ikaw, balak kitang patayin kanina pa pero nagdadalawang-isip pa ako. Pero baka nga patayin kitang hayup ka! Hindi mo man lang ako inimbita sa kasal mo?! After what we've been through, you motherfucker?!"
"Mukhang hindi lang ako ang galit," sabad ni Midnight.
"That's right, Midnight, I am mad!" Masama pa rin ang tingin sa kanya ni Luther bago bumaling kay Night. "Inimbitahan ka ba niya?"
Tumango si Midnight. "Yeah, but my brother was there so, I didn't come."
Tiningnan na naman siya nang masama ni Luther. "'Tapos hindi mo ako inimbita? Anong klase kang kaibigang gago ka?" Binato siya nito ng throw pillow na nasa likuran nito. "Fuck you and fuck you—"
"I called Amethyst about my wedding," he cut Luther off. "Hindi ba niya sinabi sa 'yo?"
Natigilan si Luther, saka mabilis na kinuha ang cell phone sa bulsa nito at may tinawagan. "Hello, baby... I'm sorry to wake you, baby, but I have a question. Yes, ahm, inimbitahan ba tayo ni Blake sa kasal niya—oh, really? What? And you forgot to tell me?" iritadong tanong nito sa asawa, kapagkuwan ay lumambot agad ang mukha. "Sshh, it's okay. I'm not mad. Nah. It's okay, I know you're busy so it's okay if you forgot about Blake's wedding. I love you too, don't worry about it. Not a big deal. Bye, baby. Matulog ka na uli. Say I love you to Logan for me. Yes." He smiled. "Yes, baby. I'll be a good boy. Bye, baby. Love you again." Kapagkuwan ay tumingin ito sa kanya. "You're lucky."
Blake smiled. "Yes. My wife is Lucky and she's mine."
Naguguluhang bumaling si Luther kay Blaze, nagtatanong ang mga mata nito.
"Lucky ang pangalan ng asawa niya," imporma ni Blaze kay Luther.
"Oh. That's a weird name."
Agad na sumama ang mukha niya. "Take it back before I kick you out of my house."
Mahilis namang binawi ni Luther ang sinabi. "Not a weird name. It's a beautiful name."
He smiled. "Good."
Luther tsked. "Pussy."
"Same to you," he replied.
Bumaling si Luther kay Blaze. "Ikaw? When will you be a pussy?"
"Kapag pinakasalan na niya ako," sabi ni Blaze na dumausdos sa pagkakaupo sa sofa habang umiinom ng beer.
"Bakit ka naman pakakasalan ng isang babae?" Nang-aasar ang boses ni Luther. "Wala namang espesyal sa 'yo."
Natawa sila pareho ni Midnight sa sinabi ni Luther.
Si Blaze naman ay dumaing lang at inubos ang laman na beer ng bote na hawak nito.
Akmang dadagdagan pa niya ang pang-aasar sa kakambal nang may kumatok na naman sa pinto ng bahay nila. Sa pagkakataong 'to, siya ang tumayo at nagbukas ng pinto.
Blake stilled when he saw who was outside the door. "Velasquez."
"Is he here?" tanong nito habang nakapamulsa.
Tumango siya. Alam niyang si Midnight ang tinutukoy nito.
"Can I come in?"
Tumango uli siya, saka niluwagan ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. Iginiya niya si Knight patungo sa sala kung nasaan ang kapatid nito.
Knight immediately went to Midnight and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
Agad namang nilingon ni Midnight ang tumapik sa balikat nito at natigilan nang makita kung sino 'yon. "Kuya..."
"Get up," utos ni Knight sa kapatid. "Dad wants to talk to you."
Humalukipkip lang si Midnight. "Alam ko na ang sasabihin niya, that he's disappointed in me."
"That, and the punishment to what you did."
Hearing the word punishment, Midnight stood up and face Knight. "This punishment, don't intervene." His eyes becomes dull. "I want you to watch me getting punish. Really watch and look at me. Maybe that'll get you off."
Tinitigan lang ni Knight ang kapatid nang matagal bago ito nagsalita. "I told you, didn't I, to leave? To not show your face to me again? Bakit ba hindi ka nakinig? Ano ba'ng mahirap sa ipinapagawa ko sa 'yo?"
"To leave you," Midnight whispered.
Knight sighed heavily before messing with Midnight's hair. "Ano'ng mahirap doon? You need to leave and don't look back. Para rin naman sa 'yo 'yon. Be heartless. Use your brain."
Umiling si Midnight. "I'm not you. I can use my brain but I can't be heartless, Kuya."
"You have to be," sabi ni Knight. "Too much heart is always your problem, and now you created another one. Hindi ko na alam kung paano pa 'to lulusutan—"
"Wala ka naman talagang balak na tulungan ako sa pagkakataong 'to."
"Midnight—"
"I know my punishment, Kuya," sabi ni Midnight. "And I know what you'll do. You will just stand there because it's Dad and you will let Dad do what has to be done. Well, you are his perfect little soldier. Hindi na ako magtataka kung ikaw pa ang magparusa sa 'kin sa utos niya. So just let me. Huwag ka nang magsalita na para bang nasa likod kita at ipagtatanggol ako kasi pareho nating alam na hindi mo gagawin 'yon."
Nagtagis ang mga bagang ni Knight. "You should have left when I told you to leave." Bumuga ito ng marahas na hininga. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Let all the five hundred lashes hit me. I'm sure you can do that."
Knight took a deep breath and sighed. "Fine. If that's what you want. I won't intervene."
Bumalatay ang sakit sa mukha ni Midnight. Alam ni Blake ang gusto ni Midnight, gusto nitong makita kung ipaglalaban ba ito ni Knight at nabigo ito.
"Come on," sabi ni Knight, saka inakbayan si Midnight. "Let's go."
Walang imik na tumango si Midnight, saka nagpaalam sa kanila at nangakong babalik pagkatapos ng lahat.
Nang makalabas ang magkapatid, si Luther ang bumasag sa katahimikan.
"I don't think he'll be back soon."
He sighed. "Ano kaya'ng gagawin sa kanya?"
"Five hundred lashes again?" hula ni Blaze. "Pero hindi niya kakayanin 'yon kung hindi siya tutulungan ni Knight.
"You heard him," sabi ni Luther, saka napailing. "Ayaw niyang tulungan siya ni Knight."
Blaze blew a loud breath. "I get him, you know." Mahina itong natawa, saka tumingin sa kanya. "You spoiled me and I believe it when you say that everything is gonna be okay. And Knight was like that to Midnight. Kaya kung mangyayari na parurusahan ako, at wala kang gagawin, o paaalisin mo ako at sasabihin mong huwag na akong magpakita sa 'yo dahil ayaw mong makita ang pagmumukha ko, hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin. I'll be lost for sure. At 'yon ang nararamdaman ni Midnight ngayon."
Luther shook his head. "Fucking siblings." He tsked. "Good thing I'm an only child."
Pareho silang napailing at nakuha ang atensiyon niya ng cell phone ni Midnight na nasa center table.
"He left his phone," sabi niya.
"Ibalik na lang natin pagbalik niya," sabi ni Blaze.
Itinaas ni Luther ang bote ng beer ng hawak. "Let's cheers to that. For Midnight."
He and Blaze raised their own bottle of beer. "For Midnight."
Akala ng tatlo ay maibabalik pa nila ang cell phone kay Midnight, na makikita pa ng mga ito si Midnight sa mga susunod na araw o linggo o buwan... Pero ang hindi nila alam, wala nang Midnight na babalik. Wala nang Midnight na magpapakita uli sa kanila.
CECELIB | C.C.