Silence stretched between the two of us as the first rays of sun slanted through the open window. Few yards below is La Union's waves, and already I could smell the sea and salt drifting inside my small apartment as Rigor lay still next to me.
My eyes travel to the tight ridges of muscles in his biceps. He has a body of an athlete, I swear. A simple black, cotton shirt failed to hide it. I wonder if he could lift me up as we kiss in the rain like I always read on romance novels?
"Yes, I could, Czarina."
Fuck. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at kaagad akong lumingon palayo. Did I say it out loud?!
"Cherié, you should be asleep."
My heart hammered when he suddenly murmured lazily with his eyes still closed. Mas lalo akong nanigas at isiniksik ang sarili sa pinakadulo ng kama. May unan na nakaharang sa aming dalawa. We still abided to the first two rules that there shouldn't be no kissing or touching.
I gave him a side-glance and saw he's slowly opening his eyes. The left iris, a sharp, cool shade of green was my first view. Then right iris ring is a soft hazelnut. I drew in a sharp breath to swallow all my worship songs to this guy. I know his eyes are amazing, but I never thought it would be one hundred times better when he first open his eyes in the morning.
A silly fantasy assaulted my mind. The pungent desire to see his eyes crack open every morning throbbed in my chest.
"Bakit ka may heterochromia?" hindi ko na napigilang tanong sa kaniya.
"Huh?" kumunot ang noo niya. Gamit ang kaliwang siko ay inangat niya ang sarili bahagya at tinitigan ako paibaba. His silver dog tag made some noise. I swallowed hard.
"Iyong isang mata mo, kulay berde. Yung isa naman, kulay tsokolate..."
"I allegedly inherited it from my mother." He collapsed back into the bed with a grunt.
I licked my lower lip and pull the sheets closer to me. "Mama mo?"
Tamad na tango ang isinagot niya sa akin.
"Siguro ang ganda-ganda niya."
Natahimik si Rigor sandali, at dahan-dahang nagtaas-baba ang balikat.
"Dunno. I've never saw her."
My mouth dropped. He never saw her?!
"Pero..."
"It may not seem like it, but we also have our fair share of family issues..." he glanced at me.
Naisip ko si Silver. She's barely a teenager. Siguro ay nasa 15 or 16 pa ang edad niya. I thought her elegance and gracefulness are something she and her mother shares. Turns out she grew up with only male alphas around her.
"Hindi mo alam kung anong mukha niya? Kahit litrato... wala?"
"Blade knows her face and name." was all he said. Hindi na rin ako nangulit pa. Siguro ay hindi rin sinasabi ni Blade sa kanila. What right do I have to intrude?
"You know..." tumihaya ako at tinitigan ang kisame. I could already feel myself feeling better. "My landlady will kill me once she finds out you spent the night here."
Nilingon ko si Rigor. Umukit ang isang pilyong ngiti sa mukha niya. He still looked so sleepy with strands of thick, black hair falling into his forehead.
I grinned inwardly. Worth it.
"Really?"
A strong alarm went off inside my head when he finally hauled himself up. He bridged the pillow that separates the two of us. Nakatukod na ngayon ang isang palad niya sa may tainga ko habang ang buong mukha niya ay nilalapit sa akin.
"No kissing..." I said weakly, trying to sink myself deeper into the bed. "And touching, right?"
He licked his lower lip sensually while staring intensely at me. I swallowed again. This man is just an epitome of a walking temptation! It's like he's born to tease and make a woman ache of needs and desire.
"I know, silly." He flicked my forehead and in one swift move, he managed to get out of the bed without crushing me of his weight. Tinitigan ko siya. Gusot-gusot na ngayon ang suot niyang itim na t-shirt at maong na pantalon.
My digital clock glowed with the time. It's already 6:02 in the morning. Kahit na umaangal ang katawan ay tumayo pa rin ako at bumangon. Rigor is already preparing to leave, tying his shoelace and putting on his watch.
Nanatili lang akong nakatayo sa tabi, tinitingnan siya. Ni hindi ko man lang siya maalok ng agahan dahil hindi ako nakapag-grocery. Mamayang 10 am pa din ang klase ko. I wonder if he has an early morning class today?
"Are you going to stand there all day, cherié?" pinagpagan niya ang pantalon at tumayo, saka tinitigan ako. "Let's go."
"Let's go?"
He sighed, running fingers through his messy hair. "I need to shower, so let's go to my house. I'll treat you to breakfast."
At first, I hesitated but Rigor managed to drag me out of the apartment and into his waiting car. Kinakabahan kong sinilip ang second floor kung saan naninirahan ang landlady namin. Buti nalang at hindi pa siya gising ngayon.
I quickly climbed inside the car and buckled my seatbelt. Rigor seems annoyed at his hair, glancing at the rearview mirror now and then with knitted brows.
The drive to their house is silent. Not the uncomfortable-I-don't-know-what-to-say silence, but a surprisingly comfortable one, like we've been doing this for ages. Hindi na ako pinagbigyan ni Rigor na iblow-dry ang buhok ko kaya naman ngayon mukha akong witch dahil sa lakas ng hangin na tinutuyo ang basa kong buhok.
Nang makarating kami sa bahay nila ay tinigilan ko na ang pagiging aligaga. I've seen this mansion before, in the glossy pages of a magazine where the esteemed family is featured or in architecture's magazine, worshipping the details of the house and turning it into an inspiration for aspiring homeowners.
May guard na nagbukas ng gate para sa amin. Rigor greeted him as we drove inside. Ipinarada niya ang kotse sa ilalim ng malaking puno at binalingan ako.
"Let's go."
I awkwardly climbed out of the car, carrying my bag and books and a compact powder in my other hand. What? He didn't even gave me some time to fix myself!
I followed Rigor inside their house like a lost puppy. A tall, elegant-looking woman opened the door for us. She's wearing a white uniform with her hair fixed neatly and the only hint of makeup she's wearing is a gloss.
"Good morning, señorito." Magalang niyang bati kay Rigor.
"Morning, Celeste."
"Nasa hapag na po sina—"
"Rigor?"
I looked up and saw and even more elegant woman at the end of the grand stairs. May hawak siyang manipis na iPad at nakasuot ng kulay itim na pantsuit. She's already tall for a woman, but her black heels made her height more intimidating.
I thought they're not living with their mother?
Nagpabaling-baling ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. The woman closed her iPad and studied the two of us carefully.
"Gigisingin na sana kita pero... mukhang hindi ka pala dito natulog kagabi." She smirked and looked at me.
"Sorry, Tita Sidra. Hindi na po kita ginising kagabi para magpaalam. Nagmamadali po ako."
"I can tell why you're in a hurry. She's very pretty. Won't you introduce me to her?"
I blushed, feeling conscious all over again. Hindi ko pa natatapos ang isang kilay ko! Feeling ko talaga para akong dukha sa harapan niya. Swallowing, I gave her a constipated smile.
"This is my aunt, Sidra. Tita, this is Czarina."
"Nice meeting you..." she quickly descended down the stairs and offered her hand to me. "Please join us for breakfast."
Nilingon ko si Rigor, hindi alam ang isasagot. Tumango lang siya at kinuha ang dala kong mga libro.
"I'll just take a shower. Make yourself at home."
Tita Sidra held my hand gently and led me to the dining hall. The Treveron's are already there, bickering at the breakfast table. On the far end is a serious-looking middle-aged man who seems unbothered by the morning chaos, reading his newspaper and sipping his coffee.
Silver is just as messy as I am. Nakasuot pa siya ng silk pajamas at magulo ang buhok. It made me feel at ease. Thyron is already on his school uniform. Blade is wearing a suit and tie. Next to him is a middle-aged man who shares the same sharp features with the three young Treveron's. Tanging si Elton lang ang wala sa hapag.
Lahat sila natahimik sa pagbabangayan nang marinig ang pagpasok naming dalawa. Silver raised a brow when she saw me.
"Czarina is joining us for breakfast." She announced, gesturing towards an empty chair next to Thyron.
He blinked at me, then grinned out loud.
"I thought I was just imagining the moans last night, turns out you were here..." he whispered to my ears.
"Theseus Ronan!" Tita Sidra gave him a warning glare. Nagulat ako nang marinig niya ang sinabi ni Thyron eh ang layo-layo naman niya. "Huwag kang bastos. Czarina came here this morning with Rigor." she turned to the other middle-aged man next to us. "Ronan, tingnan mo nga 'tong anak mo!"
"What do you want me to do, Sidra?" bored niyang tanong. "Malalaki na sila."
She grunted, and then turned to me, giving me a rueful smile. "I'm sorry about Thyron's obnoxious mouth, dear."
Gusto ko sanang sagutin na ayos lang at sanay naman ako pero ngumiti nalang ako sa kahihiyan. Silver is chewing on her toast slowly, still studying me that it's starting to make me feel nervous.
Natahimik ang lahat. Tita Sidra started talking to her husband in a gentle voice, and they seemed to be engulfed in their own world while the rest ate their breakfast. Nag-angat ulit ng tingin sa akin si Silver.
"Mag-syota ba kayo ng kuya ko?"
Muntik ko nang maibuga ang ininom na kape dahil sa sinabi niya. Tita Sidra's eyes narrowed again. All eyes are on me.
"Oh.. uh... uhm..."
"Are you all done harassing her?"
I straightened in my seat when I heard Rigor's voice from behind. He reeks of soap and perfume, and it lingered around the dining hall as his footsteps sounded louder.
"Thyron, alis." He said rather harshly to his brother sitting next to me.
"Bakit ako ang aalis eh ikaw ang late dito—"
"Alis na, Thyron." Blade said, sighing. "If I hear another argument in this breakfast table, I am leaving." He warned.
Silver shut her mouth and Thyron followed obediently. Tita Sidra and her husband shared a look. Ang tatay naman nila ay walang pakialam.
Binalingan ko si Rigor. He looks clean and fresh after his shower, and he's already wearing his uniform. Sumisilip sa leeg niya ang suot na dog tag. I gave him a close-mouthed smile and continued eating.
Thankfully, the breakfast came to an end. Tita Sidra is already busy dragging Silver to her room to get her to change into her school uniform while the men are preparing to go to work. Bumalik na sa pangungulit sa akin si Thyron ngayong wala na ang kuya at tatay niya. He's seated at the backseat while I am on the shotgun seat and Rigor is the driver.
"Don't you have your own car?" Rigor glared at him in the rearview mirror.
"I prefer the comfort of being a passenger for once, Rigor." prente siyang naupo at naka-de kwatro pa. He smirked. "Is my almighty presence bothering you?"
Rigor just grunted as a response, steering the wheel rather harshly. He didn't even bother to hide his annoyance to his brother, and Thyron doesn't seem to mind. He frowned at the screen of his phone.
"Bakit hindi ko ma-search yung Roman? Friends ba kayo sa Facebook, Rigs?"
He sighed. "Who are you referring? There are two Roman's."
Ipinakita sa amin ni Thyron ang search history niya. Sheena Iona Roman. Shaina Iona Roman. Shania Iona Roman.
"Shantel kasi yun, tanga." Rigor barked. "Nag-aaksaya ka ng data."
"Shantel!" parang may nag-click na light bulb sa mukha ng lalaki. He quickly typed on his phone.
"Why are you even stalking her?"
"May isasauli ako sa kaniya." He grinned, already scrolling. "Napaka-overachiever naman ng babaeng 'to."
Curious, I leaned back as Thyron showed me the screen. Puro thank you lang ang caption niya o di kaya'y heart na emoji pero ang mga pictures ay puro awards at medals. A chess competition. Swimming competition. Graduated as the valedictorian of their class. Palaging kasama niya ang mga magulang sa litrato. They all looked so good. What a perfect family.
But there's one thing I noticed in all of her pictures: her eyes are sad.
It's easy to identify someone who has seen real sorrow when you go through it. Looks like the Pain Club is yet to recruit another member with its tortures and sadness.
I insisted to be dropped off at the highway before the campus. Ayokong pumasok pa ang kotse at makita ng lahat na lulan ako ng sasakyan ng isang Treveron.
But knowing Rigor, he didn't even listen to me. Mukhang pati si Thyron ay wala rin pakialam na makita ng ibang estyudante na kasama ako.
"Hot naman kaming dalawa ng kapatid ko. Huwag kang mag-alala, Czarina. Hindi ka nila papansinin." Biro niya pa.
I glared at him and almost thought of throwing a tantrum like a kid because the two brothers seemed determined. Rigor entered the parking lot. Maraming nakatambay habang naghihintay ng mga kaibigan o klase nila.
Nagdadalawang-isip pa ako kung bababa o hindi. Rigor and Thyron already got out of the car. Nang makitang hindi ako gumagalaw ay binuksan ni Rigor ang pinto para sa akin.
"We're going to be late, cherié." Rigor said.
I scoffed and eventually got out of the car. Nag-iwas nalang ako ng tingin nang maramdaman ang paglingon ng iilang estyudante sa akin. Rigor doesn't mind. He's still carrying my books while Thyron trot after us, still glued to his phone.
Inihatid ako ni Rigor sa una kong klase. He handed his books to me and ruffled my hair like a kid.
"I'll see you later."
We were like that for the rest of the semester. Sorcha managed to drag me to the hub to study until finals came. I've never felt so satisfied and confident while answering the exam questions. After the finals, we were processing our clearance while the graduates are already taking graduation pictures and wearing their togas.
Rigor Vaughn Treveron sent a photo.
Napaigtad ako nang biglang mag-message sa akin ang lalaki. I was just peacefully scrolling my Facebook when he messaged me. siguro ay nakita niya akong online kaya ayun.
I opened the chat box and my heart went to my throat. It's his graduation picture!
His hair is styled neatly. Rigor is sporting a military cut for his graduation. I guess his rebellion with growing his hair didn't last long. Napangiti ako habang tinititigan ang litrato. The photographer managed to capture his fine, elegant bones and the distinct colors of his forest eyes. The mouth is thin and unsmiling. He looks so intimidating and dreamy with an abstract dark background. The toga he is wearing is accented with blue lines. Hawak niya ang cap imbes na suot. Even his fingers are long and the nails are trimmed neatly. How can a guy be this perfect?
Czarina: looking good. congrats :)
Rigor: are u busy this 28th?
Kumunot ang noo ko habang nag-iisip ng sagot. 27 ang last day to settle our clearance and the academic year officially ends at the 28th. Iyon din ang date ng kanilang graduation.
Czarina: it depends on what u say next.
Rigor: i want to see u on my graduation.
I bit my lower lip and hovered the mouse over the chat box. Dalawang minuto pa ang kinain kong oras bago pa ako nakapagtipa ng sagot sa kaniya.
Czarina: sure. see u!
Kaagad ko nang in-exit ang chat para hindi na humaba ang usapan. I went to my Document Files and then Downloads. I clicked his graduation picture that I downloaded discreetly. I grinned again. Looks like I have a new phone wallpaper.
"Asal girlfriend ka na ah!" komento ni Sorcha nang sinabi ko sa kaniya na gusto akong makita ni Rigor sa graduation niya.
"O diba, sabi ko sa iyo magagamit mo pa ang ibang dress na binili natin!" sinapak ako ni Kirby sa likod na parang kinikilig.
I winced and rubbed my back. The three of us decided to meet for an ice cream after Sorcha and I were done with our clearance. Bukas na ang graduation nila.
Thankfully, Max hasn't contacted me for three weeks now. I guess Kirby really did an impact to the poor guy. Sino ba namang hindi matatakot eh ang laki-laki ng katawan ng kaibigan ko? I giggled inwardly.
After catching up, I went home to decide on what to wear for tomorrow. Nag-chat pa kami ni Rigor kinagabihan bago ako matulog.
I showed up at the hotel where the event is going to take place. Kirby insisted me to wear the white midi dress with puff sleeves. I wore a pair of mules to complete the look and a small sling bag. Ka-text ko si Rigor nang makarating ako sa event hall, hinahanap kung saan ang lobby. Ang sabi niya ay maaga pa naman kaya nandun pa ang lahat.
There were excited chatters everywhere from the graduates. Most of them are taking pictures with each other and posting it on social media. Some are speaking to their parents while the others are doing final touches to their make-ups.
I cut through the sea of crowd, trying to find Rigor. I'd spot the guy anywhere. And when I did, a broad smile touched my lips. Kaso ay mabilis din iyong nawala nang mapagtanto ko kung ano ang ginagawa niya.
Nakatalikod si Megan sa kaniya, tumatawa. They look like a couple with Rigor fixing the back of her toga for the lady. She's joking and Rigor is chuckling with her. Inasar-asar pa sila ng mga classmates nilang nakapaligid.
I froze, a sharp stab of jealousy piercing through my chest. Megan turned when Rigor was done, smiling sweetly and reaching for his cheeks. She tip-toed and I know what's going to happen next. Hindi ko na hinintay iyon at kaagad na tumalikod. The cheers of the graduates around them is enough to confirm my theory.
With tears blurring my vision, I quickly head out of the event hall.
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#HanmariamBFLChap13