CHAPTER 17
"—HINDI KA natatakot?" 'Yon ang tanong ni Cloud kay SM na hindi sinasadyang narinig ni Knight habang papasok siya ng kusina. Kaagad niya kasing hinanap si SM ng magising siya at wala ito sa tabi niya. "I know that it must be terrifying to see my Lord like that, dripping with someone's blood... but please don't leave him."
Knight stiffened. Hearing Cloud begged for him... it warms his heart, but it scared him at the same time. Scared of what SM will say.
Gusto niyang humakbang paatras para hindi marinig ang sagot ni SM pero hindi niya magawa. He was rooted in place. Deep inside him, he wanted to hear what she's gonna say.
Naaalala pa niya ang pagsigaw niya rito kagabi. He felt so guilty and ashamed. He just didn't want her to see him like that— it scared him.
"Leave him?" SM's soft voice filled his ears, making his heartbeat faster, "I don't think I can do that to him. Mas nakakatakot para sa 'kin ang makita siyang sugatan keysa sa nakita ko kagabi. Nang makita ko siyang ganun, bumalik sa ala-ala ko nuong una ko siyang nakita sa labas ng café ko. Bleeding and near death. That's what's terrifying, Cloud. I don't want to see him like that ever again."
Napasandal siya sa gilid ng hamba ng pintuan ng kusina habang sapo ng isang kamay ang mukha niya.
SM... she always understand and accepts him. Palagi nitong pinapakita sa kaniya na hindi siya nito iiwan. Even after what happened last night... she still wants to be with him?
"If that didn't scare you, then does that mean you can accept my Lord wholeheartedly?" Tanong ni Cloud kay SM, bakas sa boses nitong umaasa ito ng positibong sagot mula sa dalaga. "I mean... may ideya ka ba sa ginawa niya kagabi?"
"I don't want to assume—"
"He killed someone." Wika ni Cloud dahilan para manigas siya sa kinatatayuan. "Sigurado akong wala siyang lakas na aminin 'yon sa 'yo pero sigurado rin akong tumatakbo na 'yon sa isip mo. You're smart, Lady SM. I know you know that much.
"Ngayon pa lang, kung hindi mo siya kayang tanggapin, iwan mo na siya. He will lose his mind, but he'll recover. Kasi kung patatagalin mo pa 'to at iiwan mo lang rin siya sa bandang huli. He will not just lose his mind, but his life as well."
Pilit na inihakbang ni Knight ang mga paa pabalik sa kuwarto niya. Ayaw niyang marinig ang isasagot ni SM kay Cloud.
Every woman who's in their right mind would leave him after knowing that he killed someone. No sane woman will stay by his side after knowing that side of him. Gusto niyang magalit kay Cloud dahil sinabi nito ang mga 'yon kay SM pero may parte sa kaniya na nagpapasalamat na sinabi nito iyon sa dalaga.
Because he doesn't have the courage to confess to SM that he's a monster.
Kailangan na niyang ihanda ang sarili na iiwan siya ni SM. Pero anong ihahanda niya? He's already falling too deep that even if he readied himself, it's no use.
He will still lose his mind since his body can no longer tolerate SM's absence.
Napatigil siya sa pag-iisip ng marinig na bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto niya at pumasok doon si SM.
"Good morning!" She had a bright smile on her lips for him. "Did my baby sleep well?"
He has no words... no words to explain how her bright smile lightens up his mood at that very moment.
Lumapit ito sa kaniya na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama habang may ngiti pa rin sa mga labi, "it's been a long time since I baked. Gusto mo bang gawan kita ng cake para mamayang tanghalian natin? Sasarapan ko, pangako. Gusto mo ba?"
Knight was confused, bewildered as he looked at SM.
Bakit nagpapanggap itong parang walang nangyari kagabi? Bakit hindi ito nagtatanong sa kaniya? She was talking to Cloud about it!
He knew that she doesn't like prying into other people's business but... he's her boyfriend. Isn't she curious at all? Doesn't she care?
Fuck!
What am I, a girl?! Whining like this!
"Ask me anything." Sabi niya kay SM na ikinatigil nito sa paglalakad. He has to face this... and stop whining like a bitch. "Please... ask me."
"Hindi ka ba komportable na kusa mong sabihin sa 'kin ang gusto kong malaman?" Tuluyang lumapit sa kaniya si SM saka walang takot o pag-aalinlangan na paharap itong umupo sa mga hita niya. "I'll be patient."
Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa leeg ng kasintahan. "Why?"
"Why else? I treasure you of course."
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa dalaga na kaagad siyang nginitian.
Her smile... her smile never changed, especially when the smile was for him. She always smiles brightly, sweetly and happily at him.
"Knight, are you scared?"
He nodded. "...that you might leave me? Yes."
"Don't be."
"How? Any person who's in their right mind would leave me after... after..." he can't even say it!
"Nasisiguro kong hindi ako baliw..." sinapo nito ang mukha niya saka pinakatitigan siya at matamis na nginitian, "hmm... maybe it's because I'm crazy about you?"
Mapakla siyang natawa. "Don't joke."
"I'm not." She kissed his forehead and contentment washed through him.
How can a simple kiss made him feel contented? Only SM can do that to him. His want to keep SM by his side has never been this strong. And to keep her, for her to be fully his, without doubt and fear that she might leave him once she found out anything monstrous about him... he should start opening up to her.
She will understand and accept him, right? Because she treasures me. She said so herself.
"Knight—"
"I killed someone last night." Knight blurted out before cowardice got the better of him. "Not just one, not two but many. My f-father ask me to did it so I did it... not because I want to but because I have to... I have to do it. It's my job. It's who I am. I, ahm, I h-have done it a lot of times already. Ni hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang na ang buhay na... buhay na tinapos ko."
Takot siyang tumingin sa mga mata ni SM para tingnan ang reaksiyon nito. But he has to see for himself.
Is she staring at him right now? With fear? Maybe disgust? With loathing? With hate? With judgement?
Fuck!
Kumuyom ang kamao niya saka pinilit niya ang sariling mag-angat ng tingin, at ganun na lang ang gulat niya ng wala sa mga naisip niya ang emosyong nasa mukha ni SM ng mga sandaling 'yon.
There's no fear, no disgust, no loathing or hate in her eyes or face.
She was just looking at him... like how a girlfriend would look at her boyfriend... lovingly.
"Any normal person would be running away from me, not looking at me... so softly." He whispered at SM.
Of all the emotions he thought SM would make after hearing what he said, a smile was not one of them.
Yet, here she is, still comfortably sitting on his lap, smiling softly at him.
"Hindi ka ba natatakot sa 'kin?" Nagtataka niyang tanong. "You should be running away from me."
"Gusto mo bang tumakbo ako palayo?"
Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang braso nito. "No. Don't."
"Then I won't."
"Why?" He asked, baffled. "I kill people, SM. I kill them with these hands!" Pinakita pa niya rito ang mga kamay niya sa harapan nito. "Naiintindihan mo ba kung anong klaseng tao ako? No, I don't even consider myself a human anymore. I'm a monster, SM? Is that okay with you? Would you still treasure me even though I'm a bad person? Would you still care for me, accept me and understand me after knowing how monstrous I am—"
SM held his hand and kiss them making him froze in shock.
The hands that he used to end lives, SM... kissed them. Like they're precious... like he's a treasure.
"Honestly," pabulong na sabi ni SM habang kagat-kagat nito ang pang-ibabang labi. "You, saying you killed people is scaring the shit out of me. I'm actually shaking in the inside right now. " It's true. Her hands were cold. "Pero... kapag tumakbo ako palayo sa 'yo... baka hindi ka na magpakita sa 'kin o hindi na kita makita. Mas nakakatakot 'yon para sa 'kin, Knight.
"So here I am, being brave face because I want to keep you. Insane but, hell, I don't want to lose you, so I will do my hardest to understand you and accept all of you. The good and the bad. Give it all to me. Nangako akong mananatili sa tabi mo at wala akong balak na sirain ang pangakong 'yon sa 'yo."
His heart throbbed, his world, it's changing its course. "Sweet Monday..." after hearing SM say that, the center of his world changed.
"Siguro kung Pulis pa rin ako, nagkasala na ako sa batas." Umangat ang kamay ni SM para masuyong sapuin ang mukha niya, "what you just told me is a crime, but I don't have the strength to put you behind bars if I was still on the force. Good thing I'm not a Police Officer anymore, huh?"
Napatitig siya sa kasintahan. There it is... in her eyes, a faint emotion of fear in them but she's really doing her best to win against it. For him. Because she doesn't want to lose him.
"Will I be enough for you, Sweet Monday?" He asked, feeling a little insecure.
Mahina itong tumawa na para bang isang biro ang tanong niya. "Knight, you just told me something big but I'm still here. Kailangan mo pa bang itanong 'yon?"
"Just answer me." Giit niya.
Huminga ng malalim si SM bago nagsalita, "since the moment I realize that I like you, you'd been enough for me."
That put a smile on his face, melting away his fear and nervousness. "That's all I want to hear. To be enough for you. I'm sorry for being a bad person. I can't say no to my father. Sasaktan niya si Midnight kapag humindi ako. Ayokong nasasaktan ang kapatid ko. He'd been through too much already."
Tumango-tango si SM bago ito nagtanong. "Lahat ba ng ginawa mong hindi maganda, utos ng Papa mo?"
Umiling siya. "Desisyon ko ang iba. I have a motto you see... if someone hurt the people I cherish; I will hurt them back a million more times painful. I did a lot of bad things to keep the people I care about safe and I will not stop doing it to protect them. Kaya kapag may nanakit sa 'yo, asahan mo nang magiging halimaw ako. Kahit sa harapan mo pa mismo. I will not let anyone hurt you. I'll kill them all, Sweet Monday. Be it a heinous crime, I don't give a fuck. No one is hurting my beloved."
A tear escape from SM's eyes. "To be cherished like this..." nginitian siya nito ng matamis kahit may luha sa mga mata nito, "thank you, Knight."
Tinuyo niya ang luha nito pagkatapos ay pinagsiklop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa. "I still have so much to tell you but I can't right now. I don't want to scare you any more that you already—"
"It's okay." She cut him off with a soft chuckle. "Your secret, tell them to me when you're already comfortable talking about it."
"I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo na ikinakalma niya, "tinanggap ko ang mga nalaman ko tungkol sa 'yo kaya kailangan kong maging responsable at harapin 'yon."
"But still...I know you're having a hard time accepting what I did. Nanlalamig pa rin ang kamay mo."
"Normal lang 'yan pagkatapos ng mga nalaman ko." Mahina itong natawa saka tumitig sa mga mata niya. "Pero huwag kang mag-alala, hindi naman ako natatakot sa 'yo. May tiwala akong hindi mo ako sasaktan. You treasure me too much. I'm your beloved, you said it yourself, right?"
With a smile, Knight nodded. "Yes, you are."
SM smiled before wrapping her arms around his body and hugging him tightly.
"SM?"
"Hmm?" She was still hugging him.
He hugged her back and tightened his hold around her waist. "I know I'm asking a lot, but please, hold on to me tight. Huwag mo akong bibitawan kasi hindi ako bibitaw sa 'yo kahit magalit ka pa sa 'kin."
Hinaplos nito ang buhok niya. "Huwag kang mag-aalala, wala akong balak na bitawan ka."
"I'll hold on to that." Mas lalong humigpit ang yakap niya rito. "And I'm sorry about last night. Nang sigawan kita na iwan ako, natakot lang akong makita ang reaksiyon mo. Ayokong makita mo akong ganun kasi nasa isip ko na iiwan mo ako kapag nalaman mo. I'm sorry I shouted at you. I won't do it again. I was just terrified."
"Alam ko, hindi mo kailangang magpaliwanag." Hinalikan siya nito sa nuo. The feeling of her soft lips on his forehead makes him calm. "Pero huwag mo na akong sisigawan sa susunod, hindi ko nagustuhan 'yon kaya huwag mo nang gagawin ulit, puwede ba 'yon? Baka masigawan din kita."
Siya naman ang sumapo sa mukha ng kasintahan at pinakatitigan ito. "Come to think of, Hindi pa kita nakikitang magalit. I mean, irritated, yes, but angry? When will I see it?"
Nalukot ang mukha niya ng pitikin ni SM ang tungki ng ilong niya.
"Hindi mo gugustuhing makita 'yon." Seryosong sabi nito.
And now he's curious to see it. He wants to see every expression on her face that she can make. From happy, sad to angry.
Ipinalibot niya ulit ang mga braso sa beywang ng kasintahan saka gumalaw siya para ihiga ito sa kama.
SM let out a small gasp for moving her so suddenly then she smiled when his lips claimed hers.
Her lips feel so good... it's addictive. Especially when she kissed him back with the same ferocity, it makes him forget that she needs to rest for a couple more days.
Fuck!
Pilit niyang idinistansiya ang mga labi sa mga labi ng dalaga. "Bababa muna ako." He has to control himself. Kailangan pa nitong magpahiga. "I have to calm down—"
"You're at your limit again?"
Nanigas siya sa ibabaw ng dalaga habang nakatitig dito. She really knows him. "Yes."
"Want me to help?"
Napalunok siya. "Like before? Lending me a hand?"
Nanunudyo ang ngiting binigay nito sa kaniya bago pinaglandas ang sariling hintuturo sa gilid ng labi nito. "Here this time..."
Napatitig siya sa mga labi nito. There? Does she mean... she will... holy fuck!
He can feel his pants tightening, his length hardening and throbbing. Her lips... she will use her mouth this time?
Erotic images were running through his mind making him pant. Fuck! I'm horny as fuck!
"Y-you would really... s-suck me?" He was hopeful. Fuck! He wants it now.
Self-control, Knight! You don't want to scare SM away.
Yes. Self-control. Fuck! Why is it so hard to control himself when it's SM. Parang walang saysay ang pag-aaral niya noon na kontrolin ang sarili, mula sa emosyon sa mukha at mata niya hanggang sa pagkontrol ng mga desisyon niya na hindi dapat magpaapekto sa emosyong nararamdaman niya.
He was so used to pretending, masking his true emotions and thoughts, holding on tightly to the mask he used to control people around him, it's like his second skin... but in front of SM... his mask always fell unknowingly.
And he likes it. He likes the feeling of not masking everything about him from SM.
It's an addictive feeling.
"Well? Gusto mo ba?" Tanong ni SM na pumukaw sa pag-iisip niya.
Napalunok siya. "If it's okay with you..."
Napangiti si SM, "ayos lang sa 'kin. I'd been thinking of doing it to you anyway. Gusto kong makita ang reaksiyon mo habang ginagawa ko 'yon—"
He crashed his lips on SM's and kiss her deeply and hungrily.
Fuck self-control. I can't control it anymore.
PINIGILAN NI SM ang kamay ni Knight na humahaplos sa mga hita niya. She's sure that it's going to be pleasurable and she might lose herself and let him undress her. Hindi puwede. She's still in recovery mode after all. Ayaw na niyang masaranasan ang ganung sakit sa pagkababae niya ulit.
"SM—"
With all her strength, she rolled them over on the bed and now, she's on top of him.
"Just lay down and let me make you happy..." she said with a smile before taking of his shirt and kissing Knight's jaw, down to his neck and chest. Encircling her tongue around his taut nipples.
SM felt Knight shudder. He likes it. That's good. Pinag-aralan niya ang mga nabasa sa article para kay Knight. She, after all, wants him to fall deeply for her.
Maybe it's the manipulative side of her that she wants to suppress so much... but with Knight, it always came out unknowingly.
SM bites Knight's nipple before her lips and kisses traveled down to his abdomen, licking each pack of abs he has.
He really has a great body. Kaya nagtataka siya na siya ang una nitong girlfriend.
For her, Knight's a keeper.
Humaplos ang kamay niya sa tagiliran ng kasintahan habang hinahalikan ito pababa sa puson. She let her tongue wondered around his abdomen, licking and kissing until her hands found its way to his buckle.
Nang mabuksan niya ang butones ng pantalon nito kaagad niyang ipinasok ang kamay sa loob para ilabas ang pagkalalaki ng kasintahan.
She plan to do what she learned on the article but... when she saw his length... she knew it would be impossible.
This... will not fit in my mouth. It's too big.
Napalunok siya habang pinakatititigan ang pagkalalaki ng kasintahan.
It's hard and fully erect. The tip was red and it looks like it's begging to be licked.
Napalunok siya.
Ito ang unang beses na nakita niya iyon ng harapan at malapitan. Nang hubaran niya ito kagabi bago igiya paupo sa bath tub ay hindi siya tumingin.
"Damn..." no wonder she got hurt.
SM wrapped her hand around his sex before she kissed the tip.
"Fuck!" Knight hissed.
Nag-angat siya ng tingin kay Knight. "It was just a kiss..."
But Knight was panting already, "still... feels good." Pumikit ang mga mata nito at bumagsak ang ulo sa kama.
What he said puts a smile on her lips.
Well then... let's start.
Ibinuka niya ang bibig at ipinasok ang kalahati ng kahabaan ng kasintahan. Hanggang doon lang ang kaya niya. The rest? She let her hand takes care of it as suck and lick him.
"Fuck..." Knight groaned.
SM was careful not to scrap her teeth on Knight's sex as she sucked him and twirl her tongue around his length earning a groan from Knight.
And Knight's moans of pleasure gets her going. She wanted to hear more... more of his moan because of her. The sound he makes, it's because of her and she likes this feeling. Satisfying Knight... making him happy.
This is the reason why she didn't run away after knowing some truth about him. Gusto niya itong pasayahin. Gusto niya itong makitang ngumingiti at tumatawa. Ayaw niyang makita ang malungkot na kislap ng mga mata nito kapag mag-isa lang ito at sa tingin nito ay walang nakatingin dito.
She wanted to melt those sad eyes and replace it with happy ones.
That's why... she's doing this.
Pleasuring him, licking and sucking his length, her hand masturbating him while her tongue played with his sex.
SM actually moaned when she tasted his pre-cum. Ipinasok niya ulit ang kalahati ng pagkalalaki ng kasintahan sa bibig niya saka itinaas-baba ang ulo niya habang ang dila niya ay kumikiwal para paglandasin iyon sa pagkalalaki ng kasintahan.
SM's head was spinning while moving it up and down, while her tongue was swirling and licking and her hand was masturbating him. Nagtatagpo ang mga labi niya at kamay na nakahawak sa pagkalalaki nito sa bawat pagbaon ng kahabaan nito sa loob ng bibig niya.
She can taste the mixture of her saliva and pre-cum on Knight's erect sex, it's making her body burn with insatiable hunger— hunger for Knight.
"Ohh... Fuck!" Knight was panting and his hips were thrusting up. "Uhmm... oh!"
Iniluwa niya ang pagkalalaki ni Knight saka bumaba ang bibig niya sa dalawang bilog na nasa ibaba ng kahabaan nito.
Her mouth immediately suck his balls, her tongue liked it while masturbating him with her hand. Ilang ulit niyang pinaglalandas niya ang dila sa pagitan ng dalawang bilog nito bago ipapasok ang isa sa bibig nito.
"More, baby... more..." he pleaded.
Ipinasok niya ulit sa bibig niya ang kahabaan nito at itinaas-baba ang ulo niya para isagad ang pagkalalaki nito sa bibig niya pero lampas kalahati lang ang kaya niya.
Her mouth was so full already— and it's not even all of him.
SM can hear his pants, she can feel his hands on her head, fisting a handful of her hair and she can hear his moans of pleasure... his pleas for her to suck faster and lick harder.
"Uhmm... SM... fuck!"
She sucked him deeper and faster.
"Uhmm— fu-fuck— I'm c-cuming..." he was thrusting his hips, burying his sex on her mouth. "Fuck! Stop— fuck! Let go, SM. I'm cuming— fuck!"
Tinutulak siya paalis ni Knight pero mas ibinaon pa niya sa bibig niya ang kahabaan nito at binilisan niya ang pagtaas-baba ng ulo niya hanggang sa napuno ng mainit nitong katas ang bibig niya.
"Fuck..." Knight's breathing was ragged and heavy. "T-that was so good..."
She just hummed before running towards the bathroom. Iniluwa niya ang katas ni Knight na nasa loob ng bibig niya saka nagmumog siya bago binalikan ang binata.
"I'm sorry." Nakangiwing sabi ni Knight na nakahiga pa rin sa kama, nakasuot na ito ng pantalon pero nakahubad-baro pa rin. "I shouldn't have come inside you."
"That's okay." Umupo siya sa kama, sa tabi ni Knight at hinaplos ang buhok nito, "pupunta ka ba sa café? Gusto mo bang tawagan ko si Monet para siya muna ang bahala doon?"
"Ayos lang ba na hindi ako pumasok?" Tanong nito saka gumalaw ito sa pagkakahiga para umunan sa mga hita niya sabay yakap ng isang braso nito sa beywang niya. "I don't feel like working today."
Napangiti siya dahil alam niyang nagpapalambing ito, "ayos lang naman. Gusto mo bang mamasyal na lang tayo— oh wait, nandito pa ba ang espeya ng Papa mo? Puwede na ba akong lumabas?"
Bumuga ng marahas na hininga ang binata. "That bastard is still here. I'm sorry."
That's too bad. "Ayos lang. Anyways, I saw a chessboard inside your closet, wanna pass the time and play?"
Parang nagniningning ang mga mata ni Knight na bumangon at tumingin sa kaniya. "Marunong kang maglaro ng chess?"
Tumango siya. "Medyo."
"Then I will go easy on you." Excited nitong kinuha ang chessboard sa closet nito saka bumalik sa kama. "Come on... let's play."
Napangiti siya sa excited na mukha ni Knight. Mukhang gustong-gusto nito ang larong chess.
"You really like chess, huh?"
Knight grinned. "A master in chess, a friend of my Mom, taught me when I was a kid."
"Speaking of which, alam ba ng Mama mo ang mga pinapagawa sa 'yo ng Papa mo?"
Bigla na lang nawalan ng emosyon ang mukha ni Knight. "She already passed away."
"Oh."
"I was still young when she passed." He sighed heavily. "And then father brought home another woman after that and they had a baby. My sister. We're pretty close. Ako lang ang kapatid na kilala niya kaya close kaming dalawa. We always play together and she was always with me. Pero pagkalipas ng ilang taon, nawala rin sila. Umalis ng walang paalam. And since then, I'd been looking for my little sister but... my father was blocking every move I make to find her."
What kind of father does he has? "Wait— sabi mo, ikaw lang ang kilala niyang kapatid? How about Midnight? Si Midnight ba ang bunso?"
Humigpit ang hawak nito sa pawn na hawak. "There are only few people who knows about Midnight existence. And a few means less then fifteen. For everyone outside the Palace, my Father, Kelleon Velasquez has only one son, and that's me. Si Midnight... dahil magkamukha kami, ginagamit siya ng ama namin para magpanggap na ako sa mga mapanganib na pagtitipon na kailangang makita ako. Basically, he's my shield."
Pasimple niyang nasapo ang bibig. Kaya pala nuong una niyang nakita si Midnight ay hindi nito kaagad inaming kapatid nito si Midnight.
A human shield. How cruel.
No wonder Knight doesn't want anything bad to happen to Midnight. These two... had been really through too much.
"Anyways..." Knight smiled. "Let's play."
SM nodded and they played chess. Minutes later, she got checkmate by Knight.
"Woah... that was beautifully executed." Gulat niyang sabi.
Napatingin sa kaniya si Knight. "What?"
"That was the Siberian Chess Trap, right?"
Napakurap-kurap sa kaniya ang kasintahan. "You knew?"
"My Dad taught me."
"So, you're not just a normal player." Knight's eyes bored into hers. "For you to know that trap, you must be good."
"Hindi naman."
"Let's play again?"
Nakangiting tumango siya sa kasintahan. "Sige. Please, go easy on me."
Knight just smiled back before they start the game. At habang unti-unting nawawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya, mas tumutuon ang buong atensiyon niya sa paglalaro ng chess.
If there's one thing she got from her father when playing chess, it's that she hates losing.
"CHECKMATE." Nakangiting sabi ni SM kay Knight habang si Knight naman ay hindi makapaniwalang nakatitig sa kasintahan. That was five times in a row that he got checkmate.
"Thank you for going easy on me, baby." SM said while smiling sweetly at him.
And he forced back a smile.
Going easy on her? Hell no! He was working his ass to defeat her! He was not going easy on her! Every round, her movement changes. She uses different openings and unusual traps, even mixing two opening traps, confusing the fuck out of him.
Hindi niya mabasa-basa ang sunod nitong galaw. Usually, he can read his opponents moves after two to three games, but SM's movements were unreadable.
Isang tao lang ang kilala niyang ganun maglaro pero matagal nang patay ang taong 'yon.
Sabi ni SM ay 'medyo' marunong lang itong maglaro. Is she freaking kidding me? Hindi ganito maglaro ang 'medyo' marunong lang!
This is the first time that he lost while playing seriously.
"Fuck..."
Nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya ang dalaga, "ano 'yon?"
Umiling siya. "W-wala naman."
"Sigurado ka?"
Tumango siya.
Ngumiti si SM. "Then let's start."
Tahimik ulit siyang tumango saka nag-umpisa nang maglaro.
He was very aware of her chess pieces movements. Pero kahit anong pag-intindi niya, hindi niya mabasa ang sunod nitong galaw.
Minutes later, he got checkmate again.
"T-that was... Englund Gambit Trap right?" He asked, baffled. "Pero may kakaiba sa ginawa mo. That wasn't the normal Englund Gambit Trap. Did you change some movements somehow?"
Lumuhod si SM saka itinukod nito ang kamay sa kama at inilapit ang mukha sa kaniya pagkatapos ay hinalikan siya sa mga labi bago bumulong.
"I hate losing in chess."
Napakurap-kurap siya saka mahinang natawa habang napapailing. "You got me good. You're amazing."
SM smiled and kissed him again and he kissed her back, with tongue sucking and licking.
Nang maghiwalay ang mga labi nila, tinitigan siya ng kasintahan sa mga mata. "Galit ka ba kasi natalo kita?"
"I feel a little off." Pag-amin niya saka sinalubong ang tingin ng kasintahan. "I hate losing in chess... but... you challenged me to improve. I like it and I'm proud that my girlfriend is a badass in chess."
Natutuwang niyakap siya ni SM at pareho silang bumagsak sa kama saka naglapat ang mga labi nilang dalawa.
Nagiging mapusok na ang halikan nilang dalawa ng tumunog ang cellphone ni SM.
He groaned when SM went to answer the call.
"Tita, napatawag ho kayo." SM bright face got filled with worry in an a split second. "Ano ho?! Tell me what happened, Tita."
Looks like the two needs privacy.
Hinalikan niya sa pisngi si SM saka bumulong sa tainga nito. "Sa baba lang ako. Come find me when you two are done talking, okay?"
Tumango si SM pagkatapos ay ibinigay nito ang atensiyon sa kausap na nasa kabilang linya. Siya naman ay lumabas ng kuwarto at nagtungo sa kusina kung saan naroon si Cloud at sumisimsim ng kape.
Cloud immediately serve his favourite. Beer and two slice of chocolate cake.
"Cloud?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Natalo ako ni SM sa chess."
"Oh. Looks like you have gone easy on her. Ang nagagawa nga naman ng pag-ibig—"
"I didn't."
Nabitin sa pag-inom ng kape si Cloud ng marinig ang sinabi niya saka malalaki ang matang tumingin sa kaniya. "The fuck? You didn't? Paanong nangyari 'yon? You are one of the top chess players! Paano ka niya natalo?"
Napatingin siya sa kamay niya, "she was amazing. Beautifully executing those openings and traps. This is the second time I have seen like it."
Cloud's face was filled with astonishment. "Wow. For you to get beaten. How's the ego doing?"
A smile grazed his lips, "oddly, I feel fine. Actually, I felt happy that my girlfriend is a badass in chess. I feel proud of her." Mas lumapad pa ang ngiti niya. "Fuck. I have an awesome girlfriend. How lucky can I get?"
Napailing si Cloud sa kaniya. "Bakit ba ako nag-alala? Nakalimutan kong weird ka pala."
Natatawang iinom sana siya ng beer mula sa bote ng humihingal na pumasok si SM sa pintuan ng kusina.
"What is it?" Kaagad niyang tanong.
"Help me..." she was panting with fear and worry on her face, "Eli was kidnapped!"