BORED NA nakatingin si Kronack sa mga taong nagsasayaw sa bulwagan.
It's his and his twin's birthday party and it's boring him to death. After giving a short speech to the guests, he quickly sat down and started drinking.
Nasa mesa siya nakaupo habang umiinom ng alak kasama ang mga kapatid niya na kanina pa maingay. Hindi niya alam bakit walang umaalis sa mga 'to. Sa daming babae na lumapit sa mesa nila puro tanggi ang mga gago.
He can see some women eyeing him, some even tried to flirt with him but he fucking doesn't want anyone of them.
Kung pwede lang kanina pa siya umalis ng party. But his mother warned him. He has to stay at least a few hours then he's free to go. If not, then, he has to say goodbye to his helicopter.
Tsk! He can't risk it. He needs his chopper for fast travel to another part of this country.
"Why are you quiet?" Medyo malakas na bulong sa kanya ng kakambal niya.
"Nothing. Do not mind me."
"How?" Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay. "You are acting differently than the last birthdays we had."
Napabuntong-hininga siya. Sa mga lumipas na kaarawan kasi nila ng kakambal niya lagi siyang may babae. He goes around to flirt. But he can't do it now, not even one of the women around looks beautiful to him. All he wants is to go home and stay with Kalisz.
Fuck this! If only he could, he would alone burn his chopper just to be with her rather than stay in this party.
Even if he wanted so bad, he can't. He overheard Grant inviting Kalisz but the woman refused. And he doesn't think inviting her himself would make any difference. Alam niya naman na iniiwasan siya ng dalaga. Baka nga isang salita pa lang humindi na agad ito.
Tch!
"I'm not in a mood," aniya.
"You're not in a mood or those women don't interest you?"
Hindi siya sumagot at uminom lang ng alak.
"Tsk. Why didn't you invite your woman then?" Tanong ulit nito.
Bumuga siya ng malakas. "Because I know she would refuse." Mapait na sagot niya sa kapatid.
"I heard Grant and your woman is getting along." Nang-iinis na turan ni Dusk na kasama namin sa mesa.
Tinignan ni Kronack ng masama ang kapatid.
"Shut the fuck up." Nagtitimpi niyang saad dito.
Itinaas nito ang isang kamay na parang sumusuko pero nakangisi ito. "Calm down, bro. Grant told me Kalisz is beautiful but he is not interested."
"Oh, so Kalisz is the name?" Rosh butted in.
Tumango si Dusk at Ruckus.
"And where is she?" tanong ni Rosh.
"Kalisz is not ready to be in big events like this," Grant spoke from his back then pulled a chair next to him.
Kronack clenched his jaw from annoyance and from the jealousy that was eating him.
So, Grant knew more and more about Kalisz. Sabagay, lagi magkasama ang dalawa at mukhang close na talaga ang mga ito. Hindi na nakakapagtaka kung alam ni Grant ang dahilan ni Kalisz sa hindi nito pagpunta sa kaarawan niya.
Linagok niya ang alak at mabilis na nagsalin ulit. Mabilis niya sana ulit na iinumin ito ng inakbayan siya ni Grant at binulungan.
"Don't make yourself drunk."
"Fuck off!" He hissed.
Nakita niyang umiling ito. "Just listen to me bro." Giit nito.
Hindi niya ito pinansin at tahimik na uminom.
Kronack ignored his brothers and the women who invited him to a dance. Until his mother came and asked to dance with him. Wala siyang nagawa kundi ang isayaw ang ina.
Grunting, Kronack stood up held his mother's hand, and led her to the dance floor. He just wanted to get drunk but he can't say no to his loving mom.
Aside from that, he knows his Dad will not hesitate to give him a knee-bending punch to his gut if he sees he refuses to dance with his queen. Tsk.
"You reeks of alcohol son." Mababa pero may inis na saad nito.
"Sorry about that, Mom," he apologized casually like it wasn't a big deal.
Napailing ito. "Haven't your father taught you how to take a woman's heart?" Biglang tanong nito at tinignan ang mukha niya.
"He did. But it doesn't work with every woman's mom. Kalisz is different, " sagot niya.
Tumaas ang isang kilay nito. "So, her name is Kalisz."
Gustong umikot ng mata niya sa sinabi ng ina. He knew his mom well. Alam niyang alam na nito ang pangalan ni Kalisz pero tumango parin siya sa ina.
"And why it doesn't work with her?"
"Kalisz is different from the women I had associated—" Kronack cough. "Sexually and physically with."
Mom hissed, rolling her eyes. "How different?"
"She is not a woman that would run into me just because I am handsome and wealthy. Or because I am exceptionally excellent in bed—"
Pinitik ng ina niya ang tenga niya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.
Siya naman ay nagkibit-balikat lang.
"You are a Crown." Nakataas ang kilay na turan ng ina niya makalipas ang ilang sandali.
Napailing si Kronack. "She doesn't know me, mom. She doesn't know about the Crown family or whatever is associated with our family," Kronack sighed. "And I don't think she would like me more if she knew how powerful, famous, and wealthy our family is. She's a very simple woman mom, very different from the women you saw me with before."
"Then I would love to meet her. She seems very interesting. I am even annoyed that you keep her in your house without introducing her to me and your dad. We have been waiting for that moment for weeks now," saad nito.
Malungkot siyang ngumiti sa ina at niyakap ito.
"I don't know mom. She seems to be slipping away from me every single day that passes."
Mom chuckled. "You might be lacking in excellency in bed, son. Different from what you believe you are."
Kronack just grunted and tsked.
Tinapik ng ina niya ang likod niya. "No one slips away from the Crown, kid. Remember that Kronack." Bulong nito.
Tinapik nito ang kaliwang pisngi niya at hinalikan ang kanan bago siya nito iniwan.
Napailing na lang siya sa sinabi ng ina pero kahit papano ay nabuhayan siya ng loob.
Aalis na sana siya ng bulwagan nang may humapit sa braso niya.
"Hey, Kronack let's have a dance?" Malanding saad ng babae na kumapit sa braso niya.
Binaklas niya ang kamay nito. "Not interested."
Iniwan niya ang babae at lumabas para manigarilyo. Kumuha rin siya ng isang basong alak na galing sa waiter na dumaan.
Wala pang ilang minuto siyang nakatayo sa madilim na bahagi ng hardin nang marinig niya si Prius.
"Hey man." Bati nito.
Tinignan niya ito at tinanguan.
"You should go home," saad nito na nagpataas ng kilay niya.
"Why should I?"
"Kalisz is alone at your house. Everyone is here."
Kronack forehead creased after what he heard from his friend.
"Where are the maids then?" Inis niyang tanong.
"They are all here to help with the party," Prius informed.
"Why did no one tell me about this earlier?!" Galit niyang tanong.
Fuck!
Kalisz is alone in his house! What if she still has fears?! No one is there to look after her.
Kronack threw his cigarette and stepped on it. He went back inside the manor, leaving Prius behind. When he saw a waiter he gave him his glass before storming out of the manor.
He doesn't fucking care if he stayed shorter than what his mother ordered. All he wants is to go home and make sure Kalisz is fine.
Mom can burn his fucking helicopter, he doesn't give fuck about it anymore.
MABILIS NA sinagot ni Kalisz ang cellphone niya ng makitang tumatawag si Prius.
"Hello, Prius."
"Kronack is heading home," saad nito.
"A-are you sure?" Naniniguro niyang tanong dito.
"Yup. So ready yourself and good luck."
Napangiti siya kahit tumatahip ang puso niya dahil sa kaba.
"Thanks, Prius."
"Anytime."
Linapag niya ang cellphone matapos ang tawag. Nagtungo siya sa pool lounge para i-check kung may dapat pa bang ayusin sa inihanda niyang simpleng pagkain.
When she thought everything was good, she quickly went back to the living room to wait for Kronack.
Inayos niya ang damit at sumagap ng malalim ng hininga para pakalmahin ang sarili.
She hopes she is not overdressed or overdoing everything. Medyo hindi siya komportable sa damit niya dahil naiikilian siya, pero sabi naman ni Auri perfect yung damit. It's a red silk cocktail dress with lace back up. She also liked it but not the length. It is too short for her liking. But anyway, andito na 'to.
Napasuklay sa nakalugay niyang buhok siya dahil sa kaba gamit ang nanlalamig na mga daliri niya.
Uhg... I feel like I want to vomit because of excitement and nervousness.
"Calm down self... It's just Kronack your love." Bulong niya sa sarili.
Narinig niyang may humintong sasakyan kaya't mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya.
Fudge! I'm not doing this again. Sobrang nakakakaba.
Napakagat-labi siya nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto at pumasok si Kronack na natigilan nang makita siya.
Nakita niya ang bigla sa mukha nito pero mabilis din itong nawala at napalitan ng walang emosyong mukha. Dahan-dahang isinara nito ang pinto habang hindi inaalis ang matiim na titig nito sa kanya.
Napahimas siya ng batok dahil sa kaba at napalabi saka bumuntong-hininga at nagsalita.
"Uhm... Hi..." Bati niya sa binata na halos bumulong.
Yeah geez... Where are my words and voice!?
Hindi ito nagsalita at sumandal lang sa pinto at pinagkrus ang braso nito habang matiim pa ring nakatingin sa kanya.
"I... I-I mean hello."
Fudge this! Kung hindi niya lang kaharap ang binata, binatukan niya na ang sarili.
Tumingin siya sa binata na hindi pa rin nagsasalita at nakipagtitigan dito ng ilang sandali.
After a while of trying to read him, Kalisz's shoulders sagged, and bowed her head from disappointment with herself. Wala siyang mabasa sa mukha nito. She can't help but fidget on her bracelet.
I didn't know this was tough.
"Will you say something..." Hindi niya mapigilan na hilingin bago nagtaas ulit ng tingin sa binata.
No response.
Parang maiiyak siya dahil sa pinapakitang lamig sa kanya ni Kronack at walang emosyong mukha nito. Pero pinigilan niya ang sarili. Lumapit siya sa sofa kung saan nakalapag ang regalo niya para dito at dahan-dahang lumapit dito. Ingat na ingat siyang hindi matapilok dahil parang bibigay na ang mga tuhod niya sa halo-halong emosyon.
Kalisz stopped when she was just two steps away from him and looked directly at his gray eyes before she greeted him.
"Happy birthday, Kronack."
Inabot niya ang nakabalot niyang regalo para sa binata.
Kronack looked at her gift then back to her face. Napakagat-labi siya nang hindi iyon inabot ng binata. Malapit na ring pumatak ang luha niya na kanina niya pa pinipigilan.
Ibababa na sana niya ang kamay na may hawak na regalo nang hinawakan nito ang pulso niya at hinatak siya sa katawan nito at mahigpit na niyakap.
Natigilan siya pero mabilis din siyang tumugon ng yakap sa binata at isiniksik ang mukha sa dibdib nito.
"I fucking miss you... so much." Bulong ni Kronack sa kanya sa mababang boses.
Tuluyan ng tumulo ang luha niya sa narinig. "I-I miss you too," she whispered.
Binitawan siya ni Kronack at tinignan ang mukha niya.
"Sshh... Don't cry Kalisz," anito at pinahid ang luha sa pisngi niya gamit ang daliri nito.
Gusto niyang pumikit at namnamin na lang ang dampi ng kamay nito pero pinigilian niya ang sarili. Mayroon pa siyang gustong gawin kasama ito.
Nahihiya siyang ngumiti sa binata at inayos ang sarili. "Sorry... Uhm... I prepared a simple dinner in the pool lounge." Hinaplos niya ang batok dahil sa hiya. "Uh... C-Can I have dinner with you?" Tanong niya na hindi makatingin kay Kronack.
Napasinghap siya ng hapitin siya sa bewang ng binata at masuyong hinaplos ang pisngi niyang alam niyang namumula dahil sa hiya.
"A dinner date?" Nakataas ang isang gilid ng labi na tanong nito sa kanya.
"Kinda." Nahihiya niyang sagot.
Tumango ito at ito na mismo ang gumiya sa kanya papunta sa pool lounge habang nasa likod niya ang kamay nito.
And because she is wearing a dress that exposes her back, she can feel his warm hand and his thumb that keeps on caressing her skin. Hindi mapigilan ni Kalisz ang makaramdam ng kakaiba. Sa kabila ng malamig na simoy ng hangin at preskong damit ay ang init ng pakiramdam niya.
Ugh...
Nang marating ang lounge ay magkatabi silang naupo ng binata sa sofa na naroon. Hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang hawak nito sa kanya kaya hindi niya mapakalma ang init na nararamdaman. Pero pilit niyang pinagsasawalng bahala iyon.
"Ano gusto mo?" Kalisz asked.
"What do you have?" Balik tanong ng binata sa kanya habang nakatingin sa mesa na may pagkain na natatakpan.
"I prepared chicken, rice, and vegetables," she answered.
"You cooked these?" Kronack asked while looking at her. His face was so near to hers that his breath was fanning on her face and she could already smell his breath mix of alcohol, mint, and cigarette.
"Well, I did but with the help of your friend, Prius."
Napailing ito at ngumiti.
"Let's eat then, I'm starving," anito.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hindi ka ba kumain sa party?"
Umiling ito.
Mas lalong lumalim ang kunot noo ni Kalisz.
"Does it mean you drink alcohol without eating first?" Hindi niya mapigilan ang inis sa boses niya.
Natigilan ang binata sa tanong niya.
"Uhm... yeah." Nagaalangan nitong sagot.
Napailing siya. "You should always eat before drinking. Paano kung magkasakit ka?"
"Sorry about that, sweet babe."
Siya naman ang natigilan sa itinawag nito sa kanya. Matagal na rin mula ng huli niyang narinig iyon. At sobra niya na palang na miss ang endearment nito sa kanya.
"I miss hearing you calling me 'sweet babe'," she honestly said.
Masuyo siyang niyakap ng binata at hinalikan sa gilid ng leeg niya na mas lalong nagdulot ng init sa katawan niya.
"And I miss calling you 'sweet babe'."
Hinimas ni Kalisz ang braso nitong nakayakap sa bewang niya at ngumiti dito bilang tugon.
"Let's eat," aya niya dito.
"Subuan mo ako, sweet babe." Ungot nito sa kanya na ikinatawa niya dahil ang cute nitong tignan.
"Oo na."
Inumpisahang niyang subuan ang binata. They shared food on one plate and utensils. Hindi rin siya nito binitawan habang pinapakain niya ito. It was a very blissful moment. Very special and worth it to remember. Kaya naman minemeorya niya ang bawat detalye.
"How was the party Kronack?" Maya maya ay tanong niya dito.
The man shrugged, looking uninterested. "It was boring."
"Kaya ba umuwi ka ng maaga? I was expecting you later than this time."
"Nope." Sagot nito na may kasamang pag-iling. "I go home after Prius told me you are alone here."
"Why?"
"I was worried about you being left alone here," he replied.
"I am fine Kronack." Mahina niyang saad.
Kronack sighed. "I know. Grant told me you're fine and that. But still, I can't help but get worried. I did not like the idea of you alone in this house, and then you'll get afraid and no one is with you." May yamot na saad nito.
"You don't have to worry. Grant helped me—"
Bigla itong bumitaw sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at magaspang na sumandal sa sofa.
"Kalisz, I know my brother helped you a lot. I watched you together from afar. You don't need to storytelling." Nagtatagis ang panga na saad nito.
Napalabi siya sa mabilis na pagbabago ng ugali ni Kronack. Nakikita niya na galit ito sa hindi niya malamang dahilan.
Inilapag ni Kalisz ang hawak na plato. Hinarap niya ito at sinapo ang mukha nito. Pinilit niyang iharap sa kanya ang mukha nitong madilim ang ekspresyon.
"Yes, your brother helped me overcome my fears and trauma. But Kronack, you were my motivation and inspiration throughout my recovery. You were my strength. You were the one who gave me reason and something to look forward to. I wanted to get better, remove my fears to be able to talk, and tell you about my life," Kalisz smiled at him.
"I did not talk to you because I want to be fine first before I do so. Gusto ko pagkinausap na ulit kita ano mang tanong mo tungkol sa buhay ko ay masasagot ko ng walang pag-aalinlangan at takot. I hold on to you. I hold on to this time that I can talk to you about my past and share it with you without breaking emotionally and mentally." Mahaba paliwanag niya sa binatang napatitig sa kanya habang unti-unting napaawang ang labi nito.
Parang hindi ito makapaniwala sa sinabi niya. Lumapad tuloy ang ngiti niya sa naging reaksyon nito.
My speechless cuddlebear looks cute.
👑
Clfern