Enjoy!
Sino dito Anime lover? Taas kamay!
~Ferrin's POV
"I'm carrying your child."
Ilang beses kong ulit-ulit na naririnig ang boses ni Thalia sa ulo ko. Our last conversation was three days ago but still, I can't get it off my head.
Even my own words suck.
"What? Ulitin mo nga?"
"I said, I carry your child."
"What?! But that's just one night stand? How could you be pregnant with my baby?"
"We both know a woman can, Mr. Alfaza. Uh, you look really really shocked. You don't expect?"
"Of course I did not expected it. I didn't know you're fertile."
"Now you know. I don't want to tell you, actually. I just thought that you have to know since you're the father. But don't worry, I won't ask you anything."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is, I don't need you to be the father of my baby, I can see that you don't wanna have one though. So, let's make a deal."
"What?! It's definitely not like that!"
"The deal is, huwag mo na akong lalapitan at kakausapim ulit. 'Wag mo na rin isipin ang dinadala ko. I can find a better man to be a father."
"What the fuck?! Anak ko yan, Thalia."
"Ano ngayon?"
"Anong 'Ano ngayon'? That's mine and you're saying that you can find another man to take care of it? I don't agree with your deal. "
"Come on, Ferrin, I'm making this easy for you! Sana pala ay hindi ko na pinaalam."
"Tingin mo hindi ko talaga malalaman? You know who I really am. You know what I can do and it's beyond your expectations——"
"So, you can leave Evaia Morché for me and our child?"
After she dropped that bomb, I went rigid. I went silent until she silently left my room.
"You can't be a father," she even whispered that as a goodbye.
She's two weeks pregnant of my child and we just did it once. The heck? And I know and I'm sure that that's mine because she's fucking fresh! No man has ever touched her but me!
And she wants me to leave Eva. Which is I can not do.
"My darling's thinking deep." I felt Eva's hug from behind. She struggled hard to reach my temple so she can kiss it.
Nilingon ko siya sa'king balikat at nagtagpo agad ang mga labi namin. We kissed smoothly. Her eyes are tightly closed while mine's wide open.
And what's this? I can't seem to taste her anymore. Kasi habang naghahalikan kami at humihiga sa kama ay kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa isip ko.
"Hmm? You're thinking too deep, Ferrin. You're not even kissing me back." She pouted her lips and stop.
While looking at her, I shook my head. Not to make her feel better but because I think I saw Thalia while I'm looking to her.
"I'm sad. You don't even make love to me often now. And we just did it once tonight! Ferrin, I want more!"
If this is before, maybe I'll laugh and tell her some sweet words. But I can't seem to say anything now. Ang tangi ko lang nagawa ay ngumiti at hinalikan na lang siya.
She then responded immediately and started to take off my robe.
I'd let her and when we're fully naked, I entered her fully and gave her what she wants.
And while we're doing it, I can't relax, I can't even slow down because in my mind, the woman beneath me now is not Evaia, but Thalia!
Damn it! Yung bata ang isipin mo, Ferrin! Hindi yung nagdadala!
***
I don't know how I delivered it till midnight. Basta inulit-ulit namin na para bang wala ng bukas. O baka naman wala na talagang bukas. I don't wanna leave her but I love the baby. This is for him or her.
**
"So, why did you call me here? I'm sleepy and tired, Ferrin. Ayukong lumabas pero pinilit ko lang."
Reklamo niya, ni Thalia habang nakaupo sa kaharap kong upuan. Nasa isang restaurant kami para sana pag-usapan ang tungkol sa bata pero mukhang pagod talaga siya.
Her eyes are even droopy. Parang kakagising lang pero mukhang gusto na ulit matulog.
I sighed and ordered her a drink.
"I don't want that. I don't like their foods. Yuck! Ang sama ng amoy!"
Bigla ay usal niya sa kunot na mukha at napatakip pa siya ng ilong. Nakunot ang nuo ko kasi hindi naman mabaho. Hindi naman sira ang pagkain at madalas ako dito.
"Ano bang gusto mong kainin? And the food, it's all fine. "
"You don't get it! Ang amoy ay mabaho at ayuko ng mga pagkain dito. Better take me somewhere better than here!"
She demanded. I sighed again and just take out all I've ordered. Then we went to the somewhere na mahangin at nasa tabing dagat.
This time, she's okay with the food.
"So, what again? Anong pag-uusapan?"
"Yung tungkol sa bata, Thalia."
"Ano?"
"I'd think about this and...I think I have the right for the baby too."
"And?"
"And I can be a father without leaving Eva."
Agad na nalukot ang mukha niya sa sinabi ko at binaba niya ang iniinom. She glared at me.
"You want our baby be a bastard? Ferrin! I want a family for my baby. And if you can't give me that, I'll find someone——"
"You can't do that."
"And why?" Napatahimik ako at nagtagis ang panga.
"Alam mo, mag-usap na lang tayo kapag matino ka ng kausap. And again, I want to give my baby a complete family. So you're out of the way when I'll see someone."
And then she stood and was about to leave when she holds her hemple. Nakatingin lang ako sa likuran niyang nakalabas dahil sa suot niyang damit at tanging buhok niya lang ang nagtatago nito.
And then she just fell! Damn it!
"Thalia!" Good thing I was quick enough to catch her before she meets the ground.
"Shit! Thalia, what's wrong?" May mga lumapit agad sa'min para tumulong pero binuhat ko na siya at pinaupo sa hita ko.
She's holding unto my polo tightly while clenching in pain.
"What's wrong, Thalia? C'mon, tell me." I don't know how I'd make my voice so sweet but seeing her this weak is driving me nuts.
"Nahihilo ako, Ferrin. Ihatid mo na ako sa condo please?"
"O-Okay. Just hang on."
And so I carry her to the car and drive her to her condo. When we get there, she's already sleeping tightly. And so I did not bother waking her up. Instead I look for her card keys in her purse and just carry her again.
Maraming tao ang elevator, and that's so unfortunate dahil maraming nagtanong kung ako raw ba ang asawa niya.
And I was like, I'm mute! I don't know why it is so hard to answer that I am not. Basta ang alam ko ay tumango ako para wala ng tanong pa.
When we reached her condo, I brought her to her room and then I can't help but check everything that concerns her safety.
Well, the Conco is good. It's wide but she's alone. And she's rich! She won't afford the whole condo unit if she's not.
Hindi muna ako umalis hanggang sa nagising na siya at nakapikit pang nagtungo sa ref para uminom ng tubig.
"I've cooked you lunch. You eat when hungry," agap ko.
"Malamang kakain kung gutom," I heard her mumbled sarcastically. Di na lang ako umimik. Iba ang mood niya eh.
"Mag-isa ka lang ba dito?" Maya ay usisa ko. Humarap siya sa'kin at ngayo'y nakabihis na.
"Do you see anyone here except us? May nakikita kang hindi ko nakikita?" Ewan kung nagbibiro siya pero natatawa ako sa tagalog niyang may accent pa.
"Wala nga. What I mean is, who will take care of you when you're alone here. Lalo na't mahilig kang matulog."
"Edi wala. Alang namang ikaw?"
"Pwedeng ako nga, Thalia."
"Hm. Bahala ka. Nagugutom ako. Pwede mo kong bigyan ng kanin?" Utos niya at dahil nakasandal ako sa lababo ay hindi na ako nagreklamo. Kahit pa nga siya lang ang nagawa akong utusan. Not even Eva!
After she ate I even washed the dishes for her and when I was about to say something, I saw her again, In the couch and sleeping tightly.
I blinked. How can she sleep after she woke up? I mean...look! She just woke up!
Damn! Anong meron sa kanya't ganyan na lang siya makatulog.
Napailing na lang ako at kumuha ng kumot kwarto niya. Kinumutan ko siya at naupo sa sahig, sa tapat niya para bantayan siya at hindi mahulog.
I woke up when it's already dark. Ganun pa rin ang posisyon ko at nangalay na.
Agad akong napatingin kay Thalia pero gising na pala siya at nakaupo. Legs straightened over the sofa and messy hair. Nakasimangot at...wait, is that my phone in her hand?
"Your Evaia's calling," she muttered motioning the phone to me. Not leaving her cold gaze, I took the phone.
I don't remembered telling her who's Eva but given that she knew me means she knew Eva too.
"It's dark now. Uuwi ka na sa kanya? Tumatawag siya kanina pa kaya nagising ako," saad niya at nagtakip ng bibig, she yawned.
I looked at my watch and it's already six.
"Ipagluluto kita. Bago ako umuwi." I informed her and stood up. She did the same and frowned.
"I don't feel like eating. Huwag na at umuwi ka na lang." My forehead creased. She can't be like that, she perhaps forgot that she's carrying my baby.
"Thalia. The baby," uttered with worry.
"I'll eat later, you may now go. Thanks for taking care of me, Ferrin," she mumbled coldly and was about to go when I stopped her by putting my palm in her stomach. It's a bit hard.
Shocked, she looked at me over her shoulder. Nasa likuran na niya ako at siya'y nasa harapan.
"Let me take care of you tonight then. I won't go home."
I mumbled and also rested my other hand to her stomach. Now, she was surrounded by my muscled arms.
Gulat pa rin siya at nakaawang ang bibig. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa nakabuka niyang bibig at agad nanuyo ang lalamunan ko.
"P-Pero...paano si Evaia? Baka hanapin ka niya ngayong gabi. Wag na, Ferrin. Umuwi ka na lang, kaya ko naman eh."
She tried to remove my hands around her waist and stomach but I remained. She frowned cutely and just pouted later on.
"Why do you always think of her? I thought you want me for yourself," I whispered when I realized why she did asked me to leave Eva for the baby.
She stiffened making me smirk.
"Who told you that? I don't want you for myself. Ang taas naman ng pangarap mo. Mataas din ang standards ko hoy, kaya wag kang magmalaki," hirit niya na hindi ko mapagbibigyan.
"And I'm sure I met your standards Thalia De'Medici. Dahil kung hindi, sana'y walang laman ang sinapupunan mo ngayon," bulong ko na may matagumpay na ngiti. Nakatalikod na siya sa'kin ng tuluyan at kanina pa gustong makawala.
"Tsk, so mayabang. You mafia bosses are so full of yourselves."
"Why? You've met one before me?"
"Of course, plenty of your kind."
"Uhuh? Then why choose me to be your first? They didn't meet your standards?" I don't know what's her life but I guess we move in the same circle. Just that, she isn't a mafia.
"They're all dead. You were left alive."
I almost choke to her remark. So, she wants me dead...or alive? Napailing ako at unti-unti ng tinanggal ang pagkakayakap sa kanya. She sighed and walked first.
I followed her and she went inside her room. It was so foolish of me when I also walked inside and she looked at me flatly.
"Really? I'm just gonna change. I thought you'll cook me dinner?" She sounded irritated but I was trained to analyze voice and behind her irritation hid sweetness.
"I'll get your clothes. Pipiliin ko yung hindi kulang sa tela para hindi ka lamigin."
Nilampasan ko siya at pumasok sa kanyang walk in closet. The little room shouts for wealth. From simple clothes into her footwears. Puro high heels at ni walang tsinilas.
Kumuha ako ng may sleeves na damit at pajama. And when I'm about to get her undies, I hesitated and I felt my ears, nape and face heated when I saw how cute and small her panties are.
Halos hindi ako tumingin nang kinuha ko yun at kung anu-anong malilibog na bagay ang pumapasok sa isipan ko.
When I went out, I saw her coming out from the bathroom. Almost naked with only a tiny cute coloured pink towel on.
And I can't help but stare again and again to her. In her inner thighs, in her legs, in her breast, in her chest, neck and face.
I blinked. I can't be like this. I can't find her very sexy and hot as fuck when I'm with Eva!
"Hmm, here's your clothes. Wear it and then come out. I'll be quick so we can eat dinner,"
Saad ko at agad na lumabas. Napahawak agad ako saking leeg, batok at nuo.
Merda! I'm hard!
***
"This taste good. Good thing, ilang araw na rin akong hindi nakakakain ng maayos." When we're eating, and sitting across each other, she murmured making me halted.
I looked up at her and yes, she's eating fast and she's sweating big balls of sweat.
"Bakit? Hindi ka ba nagluluto?" Tumigil muna ako sa pagkain at pinanuod siya. Her movements are graceful and elegant. She really shouts extreme wealth.
"Nagluluto, minsan. Pero hindi maganda ang panlasa ko ngayon...must be the pregnant thing." I licked my bottom lip. Pag ganyan, papayat ang anak namin.
I suppressed a smile. Bakit ba sa tuwing naiisip kong dala-dala niya ang anak ko ay hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti.
"Hmmm, and you sleep a lot."
"Madalas akong antukin...must be the pregnant thing too." She pouted and looked up at me.
"Thanks for the food, kailan ka uwi?" She tilted her head and licked her lip.
Napatingin ulit ako sa relo ko at nakitang gabi na talaga. Pwede naman akong umuwi pero....
"Wala kang kasama. Wala ka bang kapatid? Pamilya? Kamag-anak?"
"Again, do you see someone except us?"
"Wala. Tsk, uminom ka na at matulog ulit. Maghuhugas ako."
Sumunod naman siya at agad na umalis sa kusina. Naghugas ako ng pinagkainan namin at akmang papalabas na rin nang makita ko siyang nasa huling baitang ng hagdan.
Nakaupo at tulog. Napatanga ako sa kesame at umigting ang panga ko. This woman knows no order, huh? Sabing matulog sa kwarto, dito naupo't natulog. Tigas ng ulo.
"De'Medici. You have the hardest head," usal ko habang palapit sa kanya at lumuhod sa kanyang harapan.
At napalatak ako nang, nang hinawakan ko lang siya sa balikat ay natumba na agad siya kaya nagising.
She frowned and was about to stand when I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Napasubsob siya sa dibdib ko at agad napadaing.
I held her in her waist, stomach and thigh. This woman should be taught of a lesson.
"Sabi ko matulog ka, syrmpre sa kwarto, hindi dito. Now, sleep here 'til morning."
"Sure. Sinong tinakot mo. Ang isipin mo ay ang anak natin."
Naningkit ang mata ko sa banat niya at tumayo. She smirked. Ugh, she knew how to wrap me around her fingers.
"Fine. Then go upstairs and sleep. I'll be here."
"No blanket? You may sleep beside me."
"Wag na..mas mainam dito sa sala."
"Bahala ka. Kumuha ka na lang ng extra kumot sa closet ko, Alfaza."
Nakangising sambit niya't umakyat na pataas. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makapasok na nga at natulog.
~Athaia's POV
"...how much, Stynx?"
"10 billion, boss. Last week pa. Ngayon ko lang din nakita at nalamang isa lang pala sa mga board members ang salarin."
"And who the fuck stole my our money?"
"One from Alta Mercy. Jacob."
"Fuck him, he won't get away with this."
"Anong gagawin namin, Zethary? Huhulihin ba o...alams na."
"I don't have time for such traitor. Though, that was expected."
"Okay! So, Jacob's ours then."
Sumiksik pa ako lalo sa ilalim ng mesa habang nakikinig sa usapan nilang lima. Zethary, Stynx, Coother, Gray and Alexen were talking about the money from their organization.
Ninakawan sila at nagkataong nandito ako sa loob ng study niya, ni Zeth.
"Mauna na kami boss."
"Ako maiiwan. May iuutos pa sa'kin si Boss eh." Boses yun ni Stynx na malamang nandito pa rin.
Sumasakit na ang tuhod ko kakaluhod sa sahig hindi lang nila ako makita. Kasi nga naghahalungkat ako sa study ni Zeth!
"Ano boss?"
"Skyffer, I want you to get Magnus for me, and that old man who stole my own money. I want them in the lair tomorrow." Rinig ko ring utos ni Zeth kay Stynx na agad umuo at lumabas.
Ngayon siya na lang ang hinihintay ko para makatayo na ako. Pero nanlaki ang mga mata ko at halos mahimatay nang lumapit siya sa mesang pinagtataguan ko at tumayo pa mismo sa harapan!
I freeze. I even stopped breathing. I feel like if I breathe, he'll hear me and fuck! He'll catch me!
Pero nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang narinig ko ang mga yabag niya palayo at ang pag bukas at sirado ng pinto.
Agad akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang damit ko. Then I walked silently towards the door. Tinignan ko muna kung may tao ba sa labas bago binuksan ng maluwag at lumabas na.
Nang nasa hallway na ako ay umakto akong naglalakad-lakad lang at dumiritso sa elevator at umakyat sa third floor. Then pumasok ako sa library at doon tinawagan si insan.
I put the laptop upon the filed books and get some to read.
When she appeared, I was about to greet her when I saw in the screen that there's someone behind me!
Akala ko multo kaya napasigaw ako.
"Ba't gulat na gulat ka? Ako lang 'to. Asawa mo,"
Sabi niya, ng dumuho na sanggano sa likuran ko at kumaway pa kay insan.
"Thaina...you're back," aniya pa at kahit si insan ay halatang nagulat din at kabado.
"Ahm, oo. Nasa...kaibigan n-ng...kaibigan ko ako ngayon." She clear her throat. "Nandito rin si Max dahil...kakilala niya rin ang kaibigan k-ko."
Halos panlakihan ko siya ng mata. Ba't niya sinabi? Well, on second thought, hindi rin pala pwedeng isipin ni Zeth na hostage niya si Max. Dapat siya ang hostage!
"Hmmm, good thing you two get along. I wanna talk to him, katabi mo?"
Mas dumoble yata ang kaba ko dun. Parang aawatin ko na hindi sa kaba at takot din.
When he shoot me sideward glances, his eyes are playful. May munting ngisi pa sa kanyang labi na nagsasabi saking nasisiyahan siya!
"Ahm, o-oo. Sandali." Biglang nawala si insan sa monitor at pagbalik niya ay kasama na niya si Maxer na may malawak na ngiti.
Halos lumuwa ang mata ko kasi, papanong napasunod niya si Max kung masama trato niya rito at hostage pa?!
"Yow, Zethary! How's life?" Tawang-tawa si Max at nang makaupo si Insan sa tabi niya, agad kong nakita ang pagdantay ng kanyang kamay sa tuhod ni Thaina!
Kaya sumama ang mukha ng pinsan ko pero halatang ngumingiti lang. Napalunok lang ako at nananalangin na sana mawalan bigla ng connection o malowbat ang laptop ko.
"Hmmm, kailan ka babalik, Max? May ipapagawa ako sayo," sabi ni Zeth na parang totoong business lang ang pinag-uusapan nila.
Maxer just laughed and bit his lips, shooting sideways glance to my cousin in pure pretensions.
"Hmmm. Next week, Zethary. Nag-eenjoy pa kami ng cousin in law mo." At humalakhak siya.
Ako naman sumimangot nang maisip na sila na lang ang nag-uusap at hindi kami ni insan.
"Hmmm....okay," sagot niya lang, ni Zeth at tinignan ako. "Kausapin mo na ang pinsan mo. Then we're going to your graduation," puna niya at akmang hahalikan ako nang umiwas ako't inirapan siya.
He laughed. He knew he caught me off-guard! And the nervousness in my chest fade away the moment he looked at me.
"Umalis ka na nga. Mag-uusap pa kami."
Pagtataboy ko sa walanghiya at gonggong na lalaki na kaharap ko. He just licked his lips and bid goodbye.
***
And my graduation day has come. I'm wearing my tuga with a white 4 inches heel. My hair is tied in a high ponytail na minsan ko lang gawin kaya nagmukhang bago ako sa mata ng iba.
My classmates looked at us, especially the girls, they eyed the man beside me shamelessly! Para na silang tanga at kulang na lang maglaway.
Kahit na noong nag march ay kumapit pa talaga ako kay Zethary para ipangalandakang akin siya! Oh? Ano daw? Ah Basta, sa'kin siya. Pero kahit ganun ay marami pa ring nakatunganga sa kanya at ang iba ay guro pa!
Damn Freñier!
Ngumuso ako habang siya naman ay diritso lang ang tingin at paminsan-minsang lilingunin ako. Wala talaga siyang pake sa mga ale sa paligid niya!
Mas lalo akong sumimangot at nang napatingin siya sa'kin ay nagtaas siya ng kilay at nagpigil ng ngisi.
"What's with that look, Amore? Bakit mukha kang pinagbagsakan? Graduation mo pa naman," puna niya at dinilaan ang pang-ibabang labi para magpigil ng ngisi.
Mas lalo lang talaga akong ngumuso. Hmp! He's so insensitive! Can't he notice that almost every girls are eyeing him?! This man is a grim!
"Hmmm? Let me guess, you're sad since Thaina's not here." He guessed when I say nothing.
Binigyan ko siya ng, 'seryuso ka' look dahil ni hindi ko nga yun naisip. My concern here is the girls! Drooling over him and he doesn't even care!
"Then what? Why is my Amore frowning? Huh?" He sounded sweet and soft. He even caressed my cheeks and I grimaced more.
I shook my head in disbelief but I am actually relieve that he doesn't give attention to the girls around us.
"Athaia"
"Ehhh wala! Ba't kasi sobrang gwapo mo?" Ibinulong ko lang yung huling mga kataga...pero..
"Salamat sa papuri, mahal ko." Narinig niya! Kaya ngiting-ngiti siya buong ceremony at hanggang natapos ang buong graduation ko.
I graduated as one of the Dean's Listers. Good enough for a transferee na palaging absent at nanghihingi lang ng hand outs.
"Sabi ni Insan pupunta siya. Paasa! Ni hindi ko nakita ang anino niya ah."
Pagkatapos ng graduation ay hindi na ako dumalo sa aming after party. Pero syempre sobrang saya ko't graduated na ako sa mga assignments at requirements. At sa thesis at research!
"Hmmm, maybe she's just late? You may meet her some other times or even later. This is your day so...enjoy the afternoon." I turned my head towards Zethary, hearing him made my eyes widen teasingly.
"Uhuh? You're letting me out?" Tuwang-tuwa kong asik. Ngumiti siya at tumango. He licked his lips and softly kissed my forehead. Nasa kotse na kami at paalis na pauwi.
"No bodyguards?" He nodded even at first he looks like he's gonna shook his head.
"Yehay! No butler?!" He looked upward and heave a heavy sigh. Tila sobrang bigat ng damdamin niya sa hinihiling ko.
And I can't help but laugh out loud and tease him more.
"No...snipers hiding?" He looked at me. This time, looking frustrated. Mas lalo akong tumawa ng sobrang lakas.
"No bugs?" Again, he heave heavily as if there's a huge stone in his chest and he can't breathe.
Pakiramdam ko sasakit ang tiyan ko sa katatawa sa itsura niya ngayon. Lalo na nang ngumuso siya at nanlulumong napailing.
"Wala," matigas niyang saad na parang sobrang hirap nun sambitin.
"That's my way of saying congratulations. Just...just take care and be careful, Athaia. Umuwi ka agad pagsapit ng dilim ah."
Paalala niya at agad akong tumango. Para ng mapupunit ang pisngi ko sa sobrang laki ng ngiti.
"Sure! Thanks! Kahit pala manhid ka may puso ka rin pala," asik ko at patalong niyakap siya. He immediately wrapped his hands in my waist and guide me.
Ang tangkad niya kaya kinailangan ko pang mag tip-toe kahit pa nga ang taas na ng heels ko.
***
Nang makauwi ay agad akong nagbihis at umalis sa mansion. I meet Thaina in the mall and to my surprise, she's with Maxer.
"Y-You're with him?!" Halos pabulyaw kong tanong kay insan.
Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa pang-apatang mesa at kumakain. Thaina's frowning while Maxer's grinning from ear to ear.
"Obviously? I got your cousin, Athaia. Kaya pinsan na rin kita." Tawa niya at inakbayan si Insan.
And the thing that even shocked me to the core is when my cousin did not remove Max' hand and just frowned. But she does nothing! Unlike what I expected!
"P-Paanong...how come you-u..." Ni hindi ko matuloy ang sasabihin at napatanga na lang sa kanilang dalawa.
I can't believe this! What the hell happened?! How come they ended up together when they are enemies at first?!
Sa sobrang gulat ay napainom na lang ako at napakain. Tumawa naman si Maxer at walang imik si Insan na namumula.
Oh come on people! This is so unbelievable!
"What did you do to my cousin, Max? What did you do to her? What spell did you use? May you teach me?" Biro ko pa nang makabawi na. Tumawa lang siya ulit at nangingiting nilingon si Insan.
"Bakit? Gagamitin mo kay Zethary?" Tawa niya ulit. "Di na yun kailangan, Athaia. Patay na Patay yun sayo eh," Wika niya pero ngumiwi lang ako.
"And it was all charms, Athaia. You're cousin fell in love with me in a heartbeat-aww!" Hindi pa siya natatapos sa pagyayabang nang tumama ang palad ni insan sa batok niya.
I laughed hard this time when he almost throw his food. Pinaning-kitan niya si Thaina pero pinandilatan lang siya nito ay suko na siya agad.
After our lunch, I asked Thaina to shop with me. And of course, Maxer won't leave her side.
At first I hesitated. Kasama kasi si Maxer at iniisip kong baka spy siya ni Zethary. Kaya pala pinayagan ako, kasama pala si Maxer.
Matalino rin eh.
"So...how did you fell in love with Maxer?" Tanong ko agad kay insan nang malayo kami kay Maxer.
Agad siyang umingos at nilingon si Max. Ngumuso siya bago nagkwento.
"Well... I brought him to the mansion. He's my prisoner and I treated him very very bad. That was funny because when I feed him and he won't eat, I'll be mad. I'll force him and if he still won't, I'll kiss him until he do as I say," aniya kaya napalataka ako. For real?
"And?"
"And every day, he won't eat and he got weaker and weaker. Naawa ako lalo na nang hindi na talaga siya kumain at ayaw na rin uminom. Sa galit ay pinakawalan ko siya at dinala sa pool at doon hinulog. And could you guess what happened next?" Umiling ako. Ngumisi naman siya at pabulong na nagsalita.
"He let himself get drowned. And because I can't let him die, I dive, I dive to save him but I get drowned instead kasi nga, malalim at namali ako ng talon. I almost drowned but he saved me. It started there and...ayuko na magkwento, Athaia. Nakakahiya."
Namumula ang pisngi niya at hindi makatigin sa'kin. Nakunot ang nuo ko kasi ngayon pa talaga siya nahiya? Ngayon pa talaga ah?!
"C'mon, Thaina. Tell me what happened next!"
"Nahihiya nga ako. Ano ba?!"
"Nahihiya? Oh hell, ngayon pa talaga? Sabihin mo na dali!"
Pilit ko sa kanya pero ayaw niya talaga. Akmang magpupumilit pa ako nang may babaeng tumawag sa'kin.
"Are you Athaia?" Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at laking gulat ko nang makita si Victoria na nakangisi at nakatayo sa aking likuran.
She towered over me as she held her head high and proud of her beauty. Suplada akong tinitignan at puno ng panlalait ang mata.
"What a shame. Zethary married you? Huh! You're just like a little girl! You don't stand a chance against me. I guess you won't even satisfy him," talak niya kahit na wala naman akong sinagot kanina.
Halatang nang-iinasulto ang kanyang tingin sa'kin na mula ulo hanggang paa.
Hindi ako umimik. Nakatinginan kami ni insan.
"I really can't think of a valid reason why he married you. Maybe he just want heirs or someone to warm his bed!" Dagdag pa niya kahit pa nga wala akong sinasabi.
Napanganga lang ako sa sinabi niya pero pinigilan kong sumagot. Nakunot din ang nuo niya nang hindi ako sumagot.
"Oh? Why are you quite? Can't answer? Cat got your tongue? Because I'm right! Perhaps you're just his bed warmer! Too bad, he's a monsters in bed. He loves to have sex so much." I almost choke at her remarks.
Kung hindi pa ako napalunok ay malamang nakasagot na ako. At yung mga sinabi niya about sa s*x, susme! My ears are innocent. Walang prino ang bibig niya!
"What?! Why are you quite?" Sigaw niya na naiinis na nang napagtantong nagmumukha na siyang tanga kakatalak kahit hindi ako sumasagot.
Nagkatinginan kami ulit ni Insan. Natatawa siya samantalang ako ay naiinis pero nagpipigil lang.
"What, Athaia!"
"The heck?!" I almost fell when she pushed me.
Gulat ko siyang binalingan at hindi na nakapagpigil.
"Anong problema mo? Nananahimik ako dito ah! Ba't ka ba nananakit?! Kaluka!"
"What?! I don't understand you!"
"Problema mo na 'yan!" Galit na bulyaw ko rin at nasa likuran ko na si insan. Handa ng manuntok sakaling masaktan ako. But her protection is not needed.
I can handle this bitch just fine.
"Bitch! Zethary is mine! Just wait and I'll get him back!" She hissed. I gritted my teeth and struggled hard to stay calm since there are people already watching us.
"Athaia, Thaina. Anong problema?" Even Maxer was alerted and approached us.
"May malanding higad kasi dito, tumatalak," dinig kong sabi ni insan.
Habang kami ni Victoria ay nagtutuosan ng tingin. Halatang galit siya at ako rin naman! Siya ang nauna at hindi ko siya aayawan.
"Then try! I wanna see you try, Victoria. We'll see what you got." I retorted and she glared at me.
"Then watch! Zethary is mine, mine alone. And when you see me with him...don't dare cut sights, Athaia. Because I'll show you what I can do!"
Halos lahat ay nakatingin na sa'min ngayon. May binubulong si insan na hindi ko maintindihan at kinakausap na ni Maxer ang mga guards.
Habang ako ay mabilis ang pag-taas baba ng dibdib. Nagpaulit-ulit sa isip ko ang mga sinabi niya na mas lalong dumagdag sa inis ko.
I can feel my heart tightening in anger. I wanna slap her but I can't. Naiisip ko kasing paano kung totoo ang sinabi niya? Pero alam kong hindi, Zethary told me he loves me.
And funny how I can say this but, somehow I believe him.
"Then do what you want, I don't care. I don't care about...Zethary too."
Sa pait at galit ay sabi ko. Tumawa naman siya't napailing.
"See? You're nothing but a whore! If only I find out early, perhaps I am his wife and not you!" Dinuro niya pa ako kahit na may mga umawat na sa kanya.
"Hoy! Wag mo ngang saktan pinsan ko!" Hindi na sana ako papatol pa pero tinulak siya ni insan ng sobrang lakas. As in! Kaya muntik na siyang matumba! Hahawakan ko pa sana siya sa kamay para hindi siya matumba pero huli na. She fell.
She then screamed and Thaina and I just exchanged glances. I want to laugh but I can't. Victoria's words are playing again in my head even if I know that were lies. That were self-proclaimation and nothing else.
"Don't touch me! I can handle!" Victoria hissed to the guard. She then looked at me with extreme anger and jealousy.
"Soon, you'll be in trash. Remember that, bitch! Don't touch me!"
Bulyaw niya pa sa guard at nang gagalaiti na tumalikod at umalis.
I rolled my eyes when she finally disappeared. I can't believe that happened. Sa araw pa mismo ng graduation ko.
**
"Wag mo na yung isipin, Athaia. Walang gusto si Zethary dun,"
Wika ni Maxer. Nasa labas na kami ngayon at paalis na para lumipat ng kakainan.
"I'm not even bothered. I don't care about her," Inis na saad ko kahit na ang totoo ay iniisip ko ang sinabi ng babaeng yun. Iniisip ko dahil natatawa ako.
Actually, I wanna see her try to steal my husband. Knowing that Zethary loves me, I am confident she won't even seduce him.
Yes, she's a beauty but I'm a beauty too! Hindi ako papatalo sa ex ng asawa ko noh!
"Good. Akala ko iiyak ka eh."
"Ha? Ako? Iiyak? Joke ba yan, Insan?"
"Akala ko lang naman. At dinuro ka niya. Wala dapat ibang duduro sa'yo kundi ako lang," asik ng pinsan ko.
Ngumisi lang ako at tumingin sa labas ng sasakyan. Saktong may nahagip ang mata ko at sakto ring tumigil ang sasakyan at bumaba sina Insan.
At may isa pa akong nakita, babaeng umiiyak at nakayakap sa kanya. Sa mga bisig niya. Nakatalikod man siya pero alam kong siya yun.
My chest tightened. My heart pounded hard and I chased my breath. I know what I saw and I saw what I saw.
I didn't say anything. If earlier I'm confident about it, now, I can't say. I can't get my eyes off them. Body close and embracing each other.
The edge of my eyes heated. I struggled hard to stop my tears but I failed. For the first time, I cried because of this nonsense feeling.
Agad kong pinahid ang luhang nakatakas at huminga ng malalim. I tried to crack a smile but couldn't do it perfectly.
Kasi kahit anong pigil ko sa galit na sumisibol sa puso ko, nakakawala pa rin. Lalo na nang nakita ko silang magkahawak kamay na umalis.
I never expected this. I hate you, Zethary. You fooled me.
***
Oh?