CHAPTER 13
TAHIMIK LANG si SM na nakaupo sa harap ng guwapong lalaking pumunta sa café niya para makausap siya. Hindi niya ito kilala at nasisiguro niyang hindi pa niya ito nakikita. As to why he wants to talk to her, she has no idea.
"Ahm..." magiliw siyang ngumiti, "gusto mo raw akong makausap?"
Tumango ang kaharap bago nagsalita. "I'm Valerian Volkzki, Knight's best friend."
Bahagyang umawang ang labi niya. Knight's best friend? "Nice to meet you." Inilahad niya ang kamay, "I'm Sweet Monday Canja Lopez."
Tinanggap naman nito ang pakikipagkamay niya pero wala siyang makitang emosyon sa mukha nito.
"Bakit mo ako gustong makausap?" Tanong niya kapagkuwan. "Tungkol ba 'to kay Knight?" Wala siyang ibang maisip na dahilan. He is Knight's best friend after all.
Tumango si Valerian at tumingin sa mga mata niya. "I'll go straight to the fucking point. Are you serious about him? If not and if you're just fucki— I mean— playing around, break up with him now."
That was rude... but he must have his reason for saying that to her. "I'm serious about him."
Hindi inalis ni Valerian ang titig sa kaniya. "In my vocabulary, serious means willing to risk everything for Knight. And I fucking mean everything. Can you do that? Matalino si Knight, pero pagdating sa usaping relasyon, wala siyang alam. He has little experience on women. He has been cooped up by his family and always focus on work to have time to date or flirt around. You are his first girlfriend—"
"I am?" Gulat niyang gagad.
Tumango ang kaharap. "That's why I'm asking if you're serious about him so don't be offended by my fucki—I mean, freaking words. Ayoko lang na masaktan ang kaibigan ko. He had been through too much already to get hurt. Alam kong hindi ko siya mapipigilan na makipag-relasyon sa 'yo kaya ikaw ang kinausap ko. If you're serious about my best friend, please don't hurt him in any way. I beg you."
Parang may humaplos sa puso ni SM habang nakatingin kay Valerian. "I'm not offended, don't worry." Ngumiti siya. "I'm actually happy that someone would go to this length for Knight. Thank you."
Nakita niyang natigilan ang kaharap habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "Hmm... parang alam ko na kung bakit ka nagustuhan ni Knight. That lunatic has a weakness for genuine kindness."
Parang may mabigat na bagay na dumagan sa dibdib niya. For genuine kindness to be Knight's weakness... what kind of life is he living? Gusto niyang malaman pero hinihintay niyang si Knight ang magsabi nun sa kaniya kapag gusto na nitong malaman niya.
One thing is for sure, he had a harsh life.
She smiled at Valerian. "Don't worry, I'm serious about him. Hindi ako gagawa ng makakasakit sa kaniya. Nang sagutin ko siya, pinag-isipan ko nang mabuti 'yon."
"Your relationship with him... it'll be hellish once his father finds out. That man is a sick son of a bitch. Are you ready to face hell?"
Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "Last year, I'd been to hell and back. I don't want the repeat of that, but if it's for Knight, I'm willing to face hell again... and just like the last time, I'll come back a winner."
Valerian smiled. "Bagay nga kayong dalawa. Just bear with him though, he's a crazy motherfucker. When he sometimes act so innocent and a kid, it's not an act, he's really innocent in some things. And he's always curious in an idiotic way so... I hope you can tolerate him."
Mahina siyang natawa. "Napansin ko nga. Thought it's okay, he's kinda cute. I like it."
Napailing si Valerian saka hinilot nito ang sentido na parang stress na stress. "Thank God he finally has you. Sana hindi na niya ako palaging kulitin. He's always stressing me out. That lunatic! Always asking for cake and food! I'm going to kill him one of these days."
SM laughed at Valerian's words. Hindi kasi 'yon salita ng taong galit, salita iyon ng isang matalik na kaibihan na kayang i-tolerate ang ugali ni Knight.
"Anyways," Valerian held her gaze again, "has he been sleeping lately?"
Tumango siya. "Yeah. Sa bahay ko siya natutulog kasi hindi siya nakakatulog ng mag-isa."
"That's good." Valerian looks relieved. "I hope you continue taking care of him."
She nodded with a smile. "I will."
Tumango-tango si Valerian kapagkuwan ay kumunot ang noo na parang may naalala. "By the way, I have a question."
"Ano 'yon?"
"Did you make him blush?"
Pigil niya ang mapangiti sa tanong nito. "It's personal."
"Yes, I know," Valerian sighed heavily. "But that fucking moron sent a message to our group chat asking if we fucking blush. See? He's a fucking idiot."
Napakurap-kurap siya. "Group chat?"
"Yeah. We have a large circle of friends, so we needed a group chat to talk when we're busy or something like that." Napailing na naman ito. "That idiot asked us that, so I assume you made him blush."
Napangiwi siya. "Y-yeah."
Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Valerian na parang ang lalim ng dinadala nito. "This is what I was talking about. He never had a girlfriend before so what he's experiencing with you now is all new to him, so please, bear with him." Kapagkuwan ay tumayo na si Valerian at nagpaalam. "I have to go. Stopping myself from cussing while talking to you is draining the fuck out of me."
Ngumiti siya. "Ayos lang naman kung magmura ka. If you're comfortable with it."
"Yeah, but," namulsa ito, "you look delicate like my wife. I thought you'll hate cussing like my mooncake, and I don't want to anger that idiot friend of mine. By the way, don't mention this to Knight. Specially the best friend part. Mamatay na lang ako, hindi pa rin niya ako titigilan sa kakatukso."
Natawa siya. "Sige."
"Sige, alis na ako hanggat hindi pa siya nakakabalik sa pag-deliver ng pagkain." Valerian waved his hand goodbye at her. "See you around. Next time, I'll introduce you to my wife and I hope you can help her bake cupcakes that aren't poisonous. Knight was traumatize by her baking skills."
Sinundan ng tingin ni SM ang kaibigan ni Knight. He seems like a good guy, a little bit weird, but still a good guy.
Pumasok siya sa opisina niya para tapusin na ang cake na ginagawa. Kapag nakabalik si Knight mula sa pagdeliver nito ng pagkain ay kukulitin na naman siya nito.
His reason for hugging her and being clingy always— he's her boyfriend of course.
WALANG IMIK SI SM mula ng makapasok sila sa gate ng BV hanggang sa iparada ni Knight ang Taxi nito sa harap ng isang malaki at magarang mansiyon. Sabi nito ay gusto siya nitong makausap. Akala niya sa bahay niya sila mag-uusap pero dito siya dinala ng kasintahan.
"Bahay mo?" Tanong niya.
"Yeah..." lumabas ito ng sasakyan saka pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.
Lumabas naman siya kaagad ng Taxi at pinagsiklop ni Knight ang kamay nilang dalawa bago siya giniya papasok ng bahay.
When the mansion's door opened, Cloud welcomed them.
"Welcome home, my Lord," bahagyan itong yumukod, "my Lady."
Knight glared at Cloud. "Cut the 'my', she's mine. Hindi ako komportable na inaangkin mo ang girlfriend ko."
Cloud smiled. "Of course, my Lord." Kapagkuwan ay tumingin ito sa kaniya. "My apologies, Lady SM."
Nauwi sa ngiwi ang ngiti niya. "Ayos lang. I don't mind—"
"But I do mind." Sansala ni Knight, "so don't use the word 'my' when referring to my Sweet Monday. She's my girlfriend, she's mine and I will shoot you if you even dare."
Nakangiting tumango lang si Cloud. Ni wala itong takot sa mga pagbabanta ni Knight na ikinasiya niya. Cloud tolerates Knight attitude as well... just like how Valerian tolerated Knight.
Magsasalita sana siya ng marinig niya ang boses ni Midnight na pababa sa hagdanan.
"SM!" He looked happy to see her. "How are you?"
Bago pa makalapit si Midnight sa kaniya, ihinarang na ni Knight ang katawan nito sa harapan niya at itinago siya sa likod nito. "Don't you dare go near her."
But Midnight wasn't fazed. Tumigil ito sa harapan ni Knight at sinilip siya na nasa likod niyo. "Evening."
She smiled. "Magandang gabi rin."
Natawa na lang siya ng kunin ni Knight ang magkabilang kamay niya saka iginiya 'yon payakap sa beywang nito mula sa likuran, dahilan para matago ang mukha niya kay Midnight.
"Go away!" Ani Knight na alam niyang si Midnight ang pinapaalis. "I won't let SM smile or talk to you."
"Grabe naman 'yang pagiging seloso mo, Kuya." Reklamo ni Knight.
"She's my girlfriend so don't you dare, Night. I'm warning you."
Hinayaan na lang niya si Knight. Tulad ng sabi ni Valerian, lahat ay bago kay Knight pagdating sa relasyon nila at ayaw niyang itama ang sa tingin niya ay pagkakamali nito sa harap ng ibang tao. She'll just talk to him later when they're alone.
"By the way, SM, I want you to meet Love." Boses iyon ni Midnight na hindi nagpapigil kay Knight.
Midnight's girlfriend?
Out of curiosity, she took a sidestep and peak at Midnight.
Napakurap-kurap siya ng makitang lalaki ang tinutukoy nitong 'Love'. A tall gorgeous man with glasses.
"Your boyfriend is very handsome, Midnight." Nakangiting sabi niya. "You look good together."
Parang may dumaang anghel dahil sa katahimikang lumukob pagkatapos ng sinabi niya. In her mind, she can even hear bird chirping from a distance.
Tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay. "May— may sinabi ba akong mali?"
A laughing Knight faced her. "They look good together, huh?"
Mabilis siyang tumango.
Pati si Cloud ay tumatawa na rin. "This is epic."
Midnight looked at her. "Do I look like I swing that way?"
"Ahm..." tumingin siya kay Love, "mali ba ako?" Nang hindi sumagot si Midnight kaagad siyang yumukod ng ilang beses habang humihingi ng tawad. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Midnight." At sa lalaking katabi naman siya ni Midnight humingi ng tawad, "sorry, I misunderstood."
Tumawa lang ang lalaking katabi ni Midnight saka inakbayan si Midnight. "Do we look that good together, Miss?"
SM nodded. "Yeah."
The man chuckled and asked Midnight. "Should I court you, boss?"
"Try it and die a excruciating death." Nagpakawala ng marahas na hininga si Midnight. "His name is Love, not an endearment."
Napakurap-kurap siya sa lalaki. "Love ang pangalan mo?"That's a weird name for a male.
Tumango ito saka inayos ang suot na salamin. "My parents are bunch of psychos. My older brother's name is Sugar. Mine is love and my younger brother is Honey."
Umawang ang labi niya. "Wow..."
"Yep." Love smiled. "Bunch of psychos, I'm telling you."
Mahina siyang natawa saka inilahad ang kamay. "Nice meeting you, Love."
Akmang tatanggapin ni Love ang pakikipagkamay niya ng pagsiklupin ni Knight ang kamay niyang nakalahad.
"Who give you the right to touch my girlfriend?" Knight angrily hissed at Love, his voice was sharp and dangerous.
Love sighed. "Relax, it's not like I'm gonna take her away from you—"
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya ng bigla na lang nawalan ng malay si Love, buti na lang ay kaagad itong naalalayan ni Midnight kaya hindi tuluyang bumagsak ang katawan nito sa sahig.
But Love remains unconscious.
"What the... o-okay lang ba siya? What happened to him? Let's bring him to the Hospital."
SM was worried but the three men present was calm.
"Just drag his ass to the long sofa." Ani Knight sa walang pakialam na boses.
Midnight grunted. "Fuck! He's so heavy."
"Let me help you." Ani Cloud at mabilis na tinulungan si Midnight.
Binuhat ni Cloud at Midnight si Love patungong mahabang sofa habang si Knight naman ay humarap sa kaniya.
"Come on, let's go to my room." Aya nito.
May pag-aalalang tumingin siya kay Love. "Pero bigla na lang siyang nawalan ng malay. Hindi ba niyo siya dadalhin sa Hospital?"
"Hayaan mo siya." Knight just brushed off her worry. "He'll wake up later."
"Is he really gonna be okay?"
Sumama ang mukha ng kasintahan. "Stop worrying about him. Nagseselos na ako."
"But—"
"Sweet Monday." May babala sa boses nito. "I'm jealous. Please don't make me go crazy."
Niyakap niya sa beywang ang binata saka hinalikan sa baba para pakalmahin ito. "Hindi mo naman kailangang magselos. Nag-aalala lang ako sa kaniya."
"I told you he's okay." Giit nito sa iritadong boses, "it's his Narcolepsy acting up again."
"Narco what?" Naguguluhan niyang gagad.
"Narcolepsy." Ulit ni Knight saka inalis nito ang pagkakayakap ng braso niya sa beywang nito para pagsiklopin ang kamay nilang dalawa. "It's a brief attack of deep sleep."
Napaawang ang labi niya. "So... tulog lang siya?"
Tumango si Knight. "It's a condition. Love just falls asleep wherever and whenever his Narcolepsy strikes. Mamaya pa 'yan magigising pero ayos lang siya."
Natigilan siya. That kind of condition... he must have suffered. Falling asleep whenever and wherever without control over it... that must be hard.
"You're too nice." Knight sounded annoyed. "I'm jealous as fuck already. You're hurting me, Sweet Monday."
SM tiptoed and kissed Knight on the lips. "Sorry, baby."
The annoyance in his face instantly melted. "This is unfair..."
"Why?"
"You, calling me baby and melting my anger away so easily." Bumuntong-hininga ito saka hinila siya nito patungo sa hagdanan. "Stop worrying about him. Lambingin mo na lang ako. On second thought, ako na lang ang maglalambing sa 'yo."
Bigla siyang pinangko ng binata at dinala sa isang kuwarto saka ihiniga sa kama.
Then he kissed her deeply on the lips before letting go of her. "Sa banyo lang ako. Pahinga ka muna."
Pinigilan niya sa pulsuhan si Knight ng akmang aalis ito. "Wait... hindi ba muna tayo mag-uusap?"
Hinalikan siya nito sa nuo. "Later. I'll just do my hair."
"Pero late na." Napatingin siya sa relong magbisig, "uuwi pa ako sa bahay."
"Says who?"
She stiffened. "What?"
"You're not going home tonight." Ani Knight saka hinalikan ang gilid ng labi niya, "you're staying here— with me."
Namimilog ang mga matang napatitig siya sa kasintahan saka naningkit 'yon kapagkuwan. "May binabalak ka nu?"
Knight's smile melted her nervousness. "I'm gonna introduce myself to you properly."
Naguguluhang nag-isang linya ang kilay niya. "You already have."
"Nope." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo saka kinindatan bago pumasok sa banyo ng kuwarto.
Napatitig naman siya sa pinasukan nitong banyo. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niya.
Introduce himself properly to her?
Hindi ba sinabi na nito sa kaniya ang buo nitong pangalan?
Ilang segundo siyang napatitig sa kisame bago ipinalibot ang tingin sa kabuonan ng silid.
The room smells like Knight.
Bumangon siya saka umalis ng kama at naglakad-lakad paikot sa napakalaking kuwarto na 'yon.
High ceiling, a set of expensive sofas, mahogany study table, three sets of wide book shelves, a king bed and a closet.
Ayaw niyang mangialam pero natagpuan na lang niya ang sarili na binubuksan ang closet ng kasintahan.
T-shirts, button down polo, muscle shirt, pants, khaki and cargo pants. Halos lahat ng kukay nun ay itim. At nang tingnan niya ang laman ng isa sa tatlong drawer, napaawang ang labi niya ng makita ang nakasalansan na mamahaling relo, wallet at necktie. Ang isang drawer naman ay puro mga papeles ang laman at ang pinakahuli ay mga boxers at briefs.
Namumula ang pisnging mabilis niyang isinira ang pinto at ang pinakababa naman ang binuksan.
Her body stiffened when he saw what's inside.
Guns. Bullets and Swords.
Mabilis niya iyong isinara saka humalik sa kama. Umupo siya sa gilid niyon habang nag-iisip.
Ang taong wala siyang marinig na yabag kapag naglalakad at ngayon ay mayroong baril, bala at espada sa closet nito?
What have I gotten myself into?
Marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo. No, it's Knight. He must have his reason for keeping such items on his room.
Napabaling siya sa pinto ng banyo. It's been thirty minutes already. Is he taking a bath or something?
Tumayo siya saka naglakad palapit sa pintuan ng banyo at kumatok. "Knight? Matagal ka pa ba?"
"Just a second, baby."
Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi para pigilan ang kinikilig na ngiting kumawala sa mga labi niya. Knight is finally learning the sweetness of endearment.
Akmang hahayaan niya si Knight at aalis sa harapan ng pintuan ng banyo ng bumukas iyon at bumulaga sa kaniya si Knight na matiim na nakatitig sa kaniya.
He was handsome, SM knows that, but with his blonde hair in full show, he's downright gorgeous and sexy.
"Y-your hair..."
Knight smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll colour my hair brown again. But tonight, this is the real me and I want you to see me like this— I want you to see the real me that only I'm allowed to see. This is forbidden, hell, Father will punish me if he finds out, but I want to be selfish for once... I wanna be me in front of you... for once."
Nanubig ang gilid ng mga mata ni SM, ramdam niya ang paghihirap sa boses ng binata. She can feel his pain and suffering on his voice.
Umangat ang kamay niya para haplusin ang buhok nito. Blonde.
Napalunok siya ng maramdaman ang reaksiyon ng puso niya habang nakatitig kay Knight.
Gorgeous. She can feel her body reacting. Am I turned on by his blonde hair?
Damn it! Sinapo niya ang pisngi ni Knight saka tumingkayad at walang sabi-sabing inangkin niya ang mga labi nito.
Kaagad na pumikit ang mga mata niya ng tugunin nito ang simple niyang halik.
Knight immediately dominated the kiss and started kissing her fervently. Ang mga kamay nito ay humahaplos sa katawan niya, pumipisil sa dibdib at pang-upo niya habang ang mga labi nito at nasa leeg na niya.
Dahil sa pag-i-espadahan nila ng dila ni Knight, hindi niya namalayang nakalapit na pala sila sa kama kung hindi pa siyang tinulak pahiga ni Knight doon.
Her lips parted and her throat went dry when he saw Knight taking off his shirt while intently looking at her lips.
"This time... I'm not stopping." He said in a low voice.
Napalunok siya dahil sa intensidad ng titig nito sa kaniya bago siya kinubabawan at siniil na naman ng naglalagablab na halik ang mga labi niya.
Napadaing siya at napayakap sa leeg ng kasintahan habang lumalaban ng halikan dito, nakikipagsipsipan ng dila at naghahalo ang hininga nilang dalawa.
When Knight started undressing her, she didn't stop him. She just let him not because she can't push him away but because she wants it too.
She wants Knight. All of him.