24.
My jaw dropped after hearing his question. I know that time will come that he'll ask me that but I didn't expect it to be this early!
"Are you serious about—"
"Wrong answer," he cut me off.
"Is it too early—"
"Wrong again."
"But—"
"Wrong."
I couldn't believe this guy! I don't know if I should laugh or get irritated by him cutting off my words. But I suddenly thought of his question. Maaga man pero bakit ko nga ba patatagalin pa? Doon rin naman tutungo.
"X…" I paused. "I mean, Xerxes…"
"What?"
"Yes."
His face brightened upon hearing my answer and he suddenly lifted me up which made me squeal in shock.
"Put me down!" waring inis kong pahayag ngunit natatawa.
"You're heavy but I no longer care," he chuckled before putting me down, but he didn't remove his grip on me.
"I'm not that heavy," asik ko dito. "Ikaw lang ang lalaking nagreklamo sa bigat ko."
Bigla ay nagsalubong ang kilay nito at tinignan ako ng may pagbabanta. "Bakit? May iba pang bumuhat sa'yong lalaki?"
"Si Arlszent," I laughed. "Kanina lang noong nasa dalampasigan tayong lahat. Kausap mo sila Rave noon kaya hindi mo nakita."
He's face turned back into its usual expression and he heaved out a sigh which made me laugh more. "Xerxes is jealous of my brother…" I teased.
"I didn't even know that it's your brother who lifted you," he scoffed.
"Same as I didn't even know before that Mauve's your cousin," I shot back. "Oh, edi alam mo na kung gaanong nakakapikon iyong asarin tulad ng ginawa mo sa akin noon?"
He gave me a ridiculous look. "So this is payback time, huh?"
"Maybe," I cackled.
He rolled his eyes before opening the glass door. "Let's go to sleep."
Lumakas ng kaunti ang tawa ko dahil sa asar nitong ekspresyon ngunit ng balingan niya ako ng masamang tingin ay pinigilan ko na ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkagat ng aking labi.
"Love you," I gave him a quick smack at the side of his lips and smiled sheepishly before going inside.
Kakaupo pa lamang naming dalawa sa higaan ay bigla na naman niya akong hinila para mahalikan. Nakakailang halik parati ito sa akin bawat araw na magkakasama kami ngunit hindi man lang ako nagsasawa.
"You do know that I don't like it when you just kiss me on the side of my lips, hmm?" Mataman niya akong tinignan sa mata.
Pinaupo niya ako sa kanya at idinikit niya sa akin ang kanyang katawan bago ako muling sinunggaban ng halik. Napahawak ang aking kamay sa batok niya habang ang isa ay dumapo sa kanyang buhok bago nilaro-laro iyon at mahinang hinihila.
Ang kanyang mga kamay naman ay naglalakbay at humahaplos sa aking likuran at sa ibang parte ng aking katawan ngunit hindi niya pinalalandasan man lang ng kamay kahit saglit ang aking dibdib pati na rin ang maselan kong parte. Para bang pinipigilan nito ang sariling mahawakan ako sa mga parteng iyon.
I could feel his hotness because he's half naked as usual and I could feel the hunger in his kisses.
"Fucking shit!" he pushed me away and frustratingly tousled his hair. I could feel my cheeks blushing after what I just felt beneath me.
Nakasuot lamang ito ng boxer briefs niya kaya ramdam na ramdam ko iyong nangyari sa gitna ng aming mainit na mga halik. Hindi ako inosente kaya hindi ko itinatanggi kung ano iyong bumakat at tumayo sa loob ng kanyang pang-ibabang kasuotan.
"I need a release," Xerxes sighed before standing up from the bed and heading to the bathroom of my room.
"I-in my b-bathroom?" nauutal ko ritong tanong.
"Doll… please. I need it," saad nito sa nakikiusap na tono. "I'll clean your bathroom, I promise."
He didn't wait for my answer and he immediately went inside my bathroom, he even slammed the door and I could hear him curse in there.
Napayakap ako sa aking nga binti at marahang nakagat ang labi habang inaalala ang nangyari kanina. Did I just… did I turn him on? But were just kissing, how did it give him a big effect?
Napaisip tuloy ako, magmula noong nalaman ni Xerxes na hindi ako si Arlszent at nagkasama kami ay hindi na kailanman ako nakakita ng kahit isang babae na pinatulan ni Xerxes. Sinabi niya pa nga na hindi naman niya tipo iyong assistant ng tita niya na si Raimers, noong nasa XYLO kami ay wala rin daw siyang nilapitan kahit isa.
Matagal-tagal na magmula nang huling nagkaroon ng kasiping si Xerxes, hindi kaya hinahanap hanap na niya muli iyon lalo na't may sarili siyang pangangailangan?
After a few moments, he went out of the bathroom and sat back beside me. I inhaled a deep breath and I suddenly had the urge to ask him about it.
"Xerxes…" I swallowed hard. "Do you miss sex?"
"What the fuck?!" he widened his eyes at me. "Are you seriously asking me that?"
"I'm just—" hindi ko matuloy ang aking gustong sabihin at pinalitan ko na lamang iyon ng tanong. "Do you?"
"Yes," sagot nito at namula ang tenga. "I want it with you but I don't want to force you. I know you don't want it yet and I'm willing to wait."
Biglang nawala ang ilang kong naramdaman dahil napalitan iyon ng tuwa dahil sa aking narinig mula sa kanya. Sumilay ang isang ngiti sa akin at sinunggaban siya ng yakap. Tumunghay ako para makita ang kanyang mukha.
"Salamat, Xerxes…" I whispered. "Salamat sa respeto."
"Hmm," he smiled. "Let's sleep now, shall we?"
Tumango ako bilang sagot at nang makahiga ako ay pinatay ko na ang lampshade. Naramdaman ko ring humiga na siya sa tabi ko. His hand rested on my stomach as he buried his face into my neck.
"You're very clingy, Xerxes. You're always embracing me," I teased. "I'm sure your flings really enjoyed sleeping with you after a deed."
I heard him scoff. "I leave after sex, doll. I don't cuddle."
"Kahit matulog lang katabi sila, hindi rin?" kuryoso kong tanong.
"Doll, if we're just gonna talk about those women, I suggest that we should sleep instead," usal niya.
I laughed. "I'm just asking—"
"Sleep the fuck up, Arleigne," he said in a low tone and buried his face deeper into my neck.
Pinigilan ko na lamang ang sariling matawa muli sa kanyang inaasta. Naramdaman ko rin ang malalim niyang paghinga, senyas na natutulog na siya. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya pa rin nagagawang makahinga ng maluwag at makatulog ng mahimbing gayong dikit na dikit na ang mukha niya sa aking leeg.
Iginalaw ko ang aking kamay para ipatong iyon sa bisig niyang naka-akap sa akin bago ko ipinikit ang aking mga mata't nakangiting natulog.
Gumising ako nang wala na siya sa tabi ko ngunit naririnig ko mula sa labas ng kwarto ang pagtilabsik ng mantika. Siguro ay nauna itong nagising sa akin kaya siya na ang naggawa ng almusal.
Pagpasok ko ng banyo upang maligo't makapaghanda ay kaagad na nanuot sa akin ang lalaking lalaking amoy ni Xerxes na humalo sa amoy ng aking sabon at shampoo. Tila para akong lumalanghap ng isang amoy na nakakapagdala sa akin sa paraiso.
I went to the dining area after I got ready and I saw Xerxes sitting at the chair in his uniform. I pulled the other chair for me to sit down and eat the tocino and fried rice he prepared.
"Sorry I used your kitchen without your consent," he worded.
"No, it's fine," I gave him a smile and started eating.
We're about to leave my unit when we finished but then, he suddenly held my arm to stop me from walking.
"May I see your perfume?"
Nagtataka man ay kinuha ko ang pabango ko mula sa aking bag at ipinakita sa kanya. "Why?" I asked.
He took my perfume and my mouth went open when he sprayed the perfume to himself. He returned it back to me after a few sprays.
"That's La Vie Est Belle Lancome!" I shrieked. "Pambabae 'yan, Xerxes!"
"So?" balewala niyang tanong na para bang wala lang sa kanya iyong amoy ng aking pabango.
"Mag-aamoy babae ka niyan!" giit ko nang mailagay muli sa bag ang pabango.
"Amoy Leigne?" he smirked.
Sandaling nag-init ang aking mukha at pakiramdam ko ay namula ang aking mga pisngi dahil sa narinig. Nagpakawala ito ng mahinang tawa bago ako inakbayan at sabay kaming lumabas ng unit.
"I don't care if it's girly. I like your scent," he added and winked at me before we headed towards the elevator.
As we reached the basement parking, he offered to drive me to PATTS but I declined. Sampaloc pa ang pupuntahan niya at malala ang traffic tuwing Lunes, baka ma-late pa siya.
"I could at least walk you to your car?" he insisted. "I parked my BMW near your Lambo anyway."
"Fine," pagsuko ko't hinayaan siyang ihatid ako sa aking sasakyan. Tama nga naman siyang malapit lang iyong kanya dahil nakita ko rin kaagad iyong sasakyan niyang nalalayo ng anim mula sa pwesto ng akin.
"Kahit tayo na, liligawan pa rin kita araw-araw," he candidly said.
"Paano? E, pipigilan ka panigurado ng kapatid ko," biro ko.
"Okay, that one's a problem," he cackled. "Gagawa akong paraan."
I laughed and opened the door of the driver's seat. I was about to get in when he nudged my shoulder. I turned to face him and I saw him puckering his lips. I jokingly rolled my eyes before giving him a peck on his lips.
"Drive safely, Xerxes," I told him.
Inangat nito ang kamay at inilapit ito sa bandang taas ng aking dibdib. Akala ko kung anong gagawin nito pero iyon pala ay kinuha niya ang kwintas kong bigay niya at hinila iyon pataas para lumabas ang pendant mula sa pagkakatago sa loob ng aking damit.
"Don't hide it, doll. It suits you perfectly," he said in a kittenish way.
"Oh," I chortled. "Sorry. Okay, I will."
"I love you."
I gave him a smile. "I love you too."
I went inside my car and he walked to his. Halos sabay lang kaming lumabas ng Asteria at nagkahiwalay lang kami ng landas nang lumiko na ako para tahakin ang daan papunta sa aking eskwelahan.
Weeks passed, it's already half of December and I'm still doing good with my college life. Xerxes on the other hand, still finds time to visit me after school but most of the time, we just end up talking through the phone simply because he's always nagged by my brother.
I couldn't help but laugh because Arlszent already supports me about our relationship yet he's still rude when he talks with Xerxes.
Pero personal man o tawag o text, walang araw na hindi niya ako sinabihan na mahal niya ako. Maalin sa Ingles, Tagalog, o Espanyol ay talagang sinasabi niya ang mga katagang nakakapagpataba sa aking puso. Mukhang balak niya nga atang higitan pa ang isandaang salita ng pagmamahal na nakaukit sa loob ng mga common na I love you necklace.
After school, I decided to go first to the mall before heading back to my condo. I need to replace my old violin bow since it's broken and I need to practice playing a song for my musical on January, which is already next month.
I paid for my bow at the counter and after paying, I turned my back to leave but then, I bumped into someone.
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry!" I panicked when the girl suddenly dropped the ukulele after we bumped. Ako na ang yumuko para limutin iyon at tinignan kung nasira ko ba.
"No, it's okay," the girl said in a sweet voice. Tumunghay ako't tumayo para iabot sa kanya ang ukulele ngunit ganoon na lamang ang gulat ko nang makita kung sino ang babae.
Serena.
"Oh," Serena giggled. "X Gorostiza's girl."
"H-huh?" nagtataka kong reaksyon. Bakit parang natutuwa siya nang sabihin pa iyon?
"Is X with you?" She roamed her gaze around. "And also his friends?"
"No," I said.
"That's good to know. Tsaka Parañaque naman ito, I'm sure walang makakapagmasid sa akin. Hindi ko kailangang dumistansya para hindi ka madamay," she laughed a little. "By the way, I'm Serena Chivas."
She offered her hand to me which I accepted.
"I'm Arleigne De— I mean, Sierra," I gave her a weirded smile.
"Yes, I know," she laughed. "Parati kang kinukwento ni X sa akin sa chat."
"Come again?" I raised a brow, not understanding what she just said.
"Don't get it wrong, Arleigne. Walang meaning iyong pagchachat namin," she smiled. "We're just close friends. Since high school."
"Friends? Since high school?" Mas lalong dumami ang katanungan sa aking isip.
"Yes, we're classmates when we're studying in LPU. Tapos schoolmates kami ngayon sa UST, same with his friends."
Hindi ako nakasagot at nakamaang lamang ako sa kanya. Mukhang napansin niyang natuliro ako dahil muli siyang nagsalita.
"Look, siguro nab-bother ka sa presence ko dahil nakwento sa akin ni X na nalaman mo raw iyong tungkol doon sa nangyari noong highschool. 'Yong first love niya ako," she paused for a while and laughed as if she remembered something funny. "Hindi ko naman siya nagustuhan pabalik. Walang namagitan sa amin, friends lang kami."
"Friends?" muli kong tanong. Hindi pa rin nagpoproseso ang lahat sa aking utak.
"Pagsakulit mo ga," she kid. "Kaibigan nga laang! Kaya sana, pati ikaw, maging kaibigan ko."
"Uh, okay?" hindi ko siguradong sagot.
"Bakit 'di ka sure?" she raised a brow. "Ano ka ga naman, promise, hindi ako sagabal sa relasyon n'yo! Sincere ako sa pakikipagkaibigan ko sa'yo. Patutunayan ko iyan, tara magkape. Free ka ga?"
"S-sure," tipid akong ngumiti at tumango.
Hinintay ko muna siyang mabayaran iyong ukelele niya at matapos iyon ay hinayaan ko na siyang kaladkarin ako papuntang coffee shop sa ground floor ng mall.
She even insisted that she'll treat me coffee! I went to look for a seat while she's the one ordering for the both of us. When she came back, she placed a frappe in front of me.
"X tells me a lot of stories about you," she started a conversation. "Sa akin pa nga laging humihingi ng advice 'yon. Tatadtarin ako ng chat, kesyo paano ga raw malalaman kung nahuhulog na siya o kaya naman ay ano ga raw ang gagawin niya kung sakaling humindi ka lalo na't hindi ka pala seryoso sa mga naka-date mo noon."
"Talaga?" mahina akong natawa. "Uh, Serena. May tanong ako, tungkol sa sinabi mo kanina…"
"Which one?" she asked.
"Iyong nalaman mong hindi ko kasama si X pati mga kaibigan niya tapos ang sabi mo ay buti na lang para hindi mo na kailangang dumistansya," I paused. "What do you mean by that? Bakit naman kailangan mong dumistansya?"
Her smile faded. "Well, kahit sinong malalapit kila X ay hindi dapat mapalapit sa akin. Well, kung mapapalapit man ay dapat hindi sila mahuhuling kasama ako. Or else, pwede silang mapahamak because the pyshopath in school thinks that I might tell them his dirt."
"Dirt?" I curiously asked and my brows furrowed.
"Arleigne.." She held my hand and roamed her gaze around to see if someone's listening. "… don't tell anyone that I said it to you, okay? This is going to be a secret, please?"
"Okay. You can trust me," I nodded and removed her grip on my hand. Ako na ang humawak noon at mahina kong pinisil. She gave me a smile before taking a deep breath.
"I'm sexually assaulted last year."
Matagal ko nang alam na ginahasa siya at inabuso. Ngunit ang marinig mismo iyon sa kanya ay nagdulot pa rin sa akin ng kaba at gulat.
"By whom?" I asked.
"The psychopath in UST. Well, formerly in LPU Batangas," she answered. "Iyong kriminal na hindi pa labas ang tunay na kulay."
"Who's that psychopath?" nai-intriga kong tanong at ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng aking kamay.
"You don't need to know, Arleigne," she faintly smiled. "I don't want you involved. Iyong mapanatili ka na hindi damay dine ay maging paraan ko man lang para mapagpasalamatan ko ang lahat ng ginawa ni X sa akin. Pati na rin ng mga kaibigan niya."
"W-what?" naguguluhan kong tanong. Pasalamatan kay Xerxes? Anong— anong meron? Bakit niya pasasalamatan?
"Please, Serena. I'll remain silent about it. You can trust me. Who is the psychopath you're talking about? Who raped you?" pilit ko sa kanya. Please tell me, Serena. My head's going to explode because I don't know what the hell is going on!
"It's—" natigil ang sasabihin niya dahil biglang tumunog ang kanyang telepono. "Hey, sorry, oo pabalik na akong Sampaloc."
"I need to go, paalis kasi 'yong roommate ko, walang maiiwan doon sa apartment na nirerentahan namin." She gave me an apologetic smile. "Nice meeting you, Arleigne. Stay strong sa inyo ni X."
She went out of the coffee shop leaving me dumbfounded and clueless. I also went out of the mall and drove my car out going to Sampaloc. I need to tell Arlszent about this!
I kept on putting every information together while driving, I forced myself to think about it seriously and make things sink down into my head.
Xerxes is Serena's close friend, since highschool up to now. She's even delighted to meet me! May sinabi rin ito na gusto niyang mapasalamatan si Xerxes dahil sa ginawa nito at ng mga kaibigan niya sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung ano iyon pero isa lang ang pumasok sa isip ko.
Maybe it is not Xerxes who raped Serena last year.
Pero kung hindi si Xerxes, sino?
I suddenly thought of Ruel, he harassed a lot of girls including Aleezah. Kung nagawa niyang mambastos, malamang kaya niya ring mambaboy.
Ruel Barton's a Thomasian. Kaso… hindi naman siya nag-aral ng high school sa LPU o kahit saang eskwelahan sa Batangas. It cannot be him!
Kuya Aeign.. She's Serena's boyfriend and maybe he forced her to have sex? Nasabi rin naman sa rape case na muntik daw itong makapanggahasa noon. Baka tunay nga talaga iyon? Siguro ang tinutukoy ni Serena na ginawa ni Xerxes para sa kanya ay iyong pagpatay niya kay kuya Aeign? Para matigil ito sa binabalak niya. Maybe it was Xerxes and his friends who actually saved her?
Pero ang sabi naman ni Serena ay nasa UST ito. Hindi na nakapagkolehiyo si kuya Aeign dahil napatay na nga siya kaya papaano naman iyon magiging si kuya Aeign?
The culprit is a former student of LPU. Ngayon, UST na rin ito tulad nila Serena, Xerxes, at mga kaibigan niya. Who could that be?!
Halos mabaliw na ako dahil wala akong mahanap na kasagutan. Pagkarating ko sa mansyon nila Xerxes ay kaagad na akong pumasok sa loob ng hindi na kumakatok. Naroroon silang tatlo nila Arlszent at Aleezah na ngayo'y nakatingin sa gawi ko, gulat sa aking biglaang pagdating.
"Leigne! I've been contacting you for ages but you're not answering my calls! I need to tell you something," Arlszent said.
"Arlszent! We need to talk privately!" giit ko sa kanya.
"Doll…" Xerxes called but I ignored him. Nilagpasan ko nga lamang ito at basta na akong dumiretso kay Zent.
"Zent, let's talk outside, I need to tell you this."
"No, I need to tell you something first, Leigne."
"This is important!" I hissed.
"This is more important, okay?"
"No! You don't understand!" halos masiraan ng bait kong pahayag. "You need to hear this."
"Grandma died."
"Wait, what?!" gulat kong tanong. Bigla ay nawalan ako ng boses at lahat ng nilalaman ng aking utak ay naglaho na. Arlszent took a deep breath and looked at me sadly.
"We're going back to the States."
🌞