HINDI makapagsalita si Kalisz matapos ipakita sa kanya ng kapatid ang silid na nakalaan para sa kanya sa bahay nito.
Malaki iyon at maganda. Malinis din at walang alikabok. Katunayan na inaalagaan ang silid sa kabila ng walang gumagamit nito. Pero ang mas nakapagpatigil sa kanya ay ang walk-in closet na puno ng regalo.
"These are all my gifts for you. From your birthdays, and Christmas, to special days that I remember. I also bought gifts for you when I traveled somewhere and if I see something that reminds me of you." Turan nito habang nakatingin sa isang regalo na nakabalot pa.
Inabot nito iyon sa kanya.
"Here, open it. This was the last gift that I bought for you when I was in Prague, Czech Republic."
"I— I am speechless kuya," saad niya habang hawak ang inabot nitong regalo.
Hindi niya inaasahan 'to. She thought he had brought her to his house to show her around and continue discussing what had happened to him during the years they were apart.
But these?
Kalisz’s heart ached with guilt. Throughout the years, while she faced her challenges alone, she carried anger and jealousy towards her brother. Meanwhile, he continued to treasure her and never lost hope in finding her.
"You don't have to say anything. It's more than enough for me that you're here, healthy, safe, and alive. I can already give you all my gifts."
Inakbayan siya nito at iginiya palabas ng dressing room.
Binuksan naman niya ang regalong binigay nito habang naglalakad. Kalisz halted in her tracks when she saw what was inside.
It's a beautiful gold necklace with a small kale pendant with a pearl on it.
"It's beautiful." Namamangha niyang turan.
"Yes... When I saw the pendant on that necklace I immediately bought it. It's kale just like your name. It is beautiful just like you." Kinuha nito ang kuwintas at isinuot sa kanya. Matapos ay iniharap siya nito sa salamin na naroon. "Perfect."
"Thanks, kuya," she smiled.
Tiningnan niya ito mula sa salamin at nakita niyang nakatitig ito sa kanyang mga mata. Unti-unti dumilim ang mukha nito. Kung hindi niya lang ito kapatid baka lumayo na siya dito dahil sa galit na nakikita niya sa mga mata nito.
"Kuya..."
Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi nito pero mas dumagdag lang iyon sa nakakatakot na awra ng kapatid. Hinaplos nito ang buhok niya bago nagsalita.
"Pagbabayaran ng nanakit sayo ang ginawa niya sayo, Kale. Pinapangako ko sayo 'yan."
Napalabi siya sa sinabi ng kapatid niya saka bumuntong-hininga.
"Huwag na kuya... Malayo na ako sa kanya. Masaya na ako. Kalimutan na lang natin—"
Napatigil siya nang umiling-iling ang kapatid niya.
"I can't, Kale. And you should know, Kronack will not forget about it either." Ginulo nito ang buhok niya.
"But—"
"No buts Kale." Matigas na putol nito sa kanga. "Justice must be served. The Crown's way."
Kalisz's shoulders slumped as she realized there was no changing in her brother's mind.
"Fine. But promise me you'll all be careful. That man is sick and powerful," she warned, worried.
Mahinang napatawa ang kapatid niya.
"The last time I checked, the Crown is still one of the top powerful families in the world. But of course, only a handful of people know about that." Ngumiti na ito ng tunay. "But I promise. So, worry not."
Nagtagal pa sila sa kwarto na inilaan ng kapatid niya para sa kanya bago sila lumabas para kumain.
Buong hapon ay magkasama sila at nagkwentohan sa mga magagandang nangyari sa buhay nila. They avoided discussing the sad and dark parts of their lives, focusing instead on sharing the good things that had happened to them.
Hindi nagtagal ay nakaramdam si Kalisz ng pagod at antok kaya nagpaalam siyang magpapahinga sa silid na para sa kanya.
Kalisz was in the middle of the stairway when his brother received a call from Kronack. Kaya naman tumigil siya sa pag-akyat.
"She's tired and wants to sleep in her room. Take her later when she wakes up after resting, Kron."
Ilang sandali itong nanahimik at nakinig.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," kuya tsked, scoffing.
Pinatay nito ang tawag na may irita sa mukha bago tumingin sa kanya.
"Kronack just asked if you're okay and that he'll come later. He's still in his office in the Crown's HQ." Imporma sa kanya ng kapatid.
Tumango siya habang humihikab at tinuloy na ang pagpanhik sa silid niya. She immediately lay down on the bed from exhaustion, and it wasn’t long before she fell into a deep sleep.
TINAPIK NI Kronack sa balikat si Rage nang makita niya ito sa sala ng bahay nito at busy sa laptop.
Nang silipin niya kung ano pinagkakaabalahan nito ay napailing nalang siya.
Rage is tracking Auri again. Tsk!
"She's still sleeping, Kron," anito na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa laptop nito.
"She's in her room right?" Tanong niya habang nakatingin sa hagdan.
"Mm-hmm." Tipid na sagot nito.
Hindi na siya nagtanong pa at umakyat na ng hagdan. Tinungo niya ang kwarto na inilaan ni Rage para kay Kalisz noon pa. Dahan-dahan niyang binuksan ang pinto ng silid at pumasok.
Napangiti na lang siya ng makita si Kalisz na mahimbing na natutulog. Lumapit siya dito at hinaplos ang mukha nito na maaliwalas.
He's glad that Kalisz looks fine now. Ilang araw na din itong malungkot at hindi mapakali. Mukhang nakatulong ang pag-uusap ng magkapatid para maging maaliwalas na muli ang mukha ng mahal niya.
Smiling, Kronack removed his clothes, except his boxer shorts. Maingat siyang tumabi kay Kalisz at niyakap ito mula sa likuran. Pinikit niya ang mga mata at hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya.
When he woke up, Kalisz was no longer in his arms. Umupo siya at hinilot ang noo. Nilibot niya ang tingin sa kwarto pero hindi niya makita ang dalaga.
"Babe?" Tawag niya dito, nagbabakasakaling nasa banyo lang ito.
Kronack jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room, not caring that he was only in his boxer shorts and shirtless. Bumaba siya ng ground floor at tinungo ang kusina kung saan may naririnig siyang usapan.
Nakita niya si Kalisz na nakaupo sa bar stool habang kausap si Rage na may kung anong niluluto sa harapan ng stove.
"Babe." Agaw niya sa atensyon ng dalaga na ikinalingon rin ni Rage.
Mabilis na lumingon si Kalisz sa kanya at malapad na ngumiti.
"Cuddlebear!" Kalisz spread her arms for a hug.
Lumapit siya at naglalambing na yumakap kapagkuwan ay hinalikan ang labi nito.
Kalisz opened her mouth to welcome his invading tongue and he was immediately fired up to lift the woman carry her back to her room and ravish her.
"C'mon, you two don't fucking go live in front of me," Rage groaned in annoyance and disgust.
But when he looked at his brother he was shaking his head, smiling.
Bahagya siyang naitulak ni Kalisz at nahihiyang humingi ng paumanhin sa kuya nito habang namumula ang mukha.
"'Kaw kasi!" Paninisi nito sa kanya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.
Mahina siyang natawa sa paninisi sa kanya ng dalaga. Kronack gave her a quick kiss, then flashed Rage a middle finger, to which his brother responded with a sharp glare.
"Asshole." Bulong nito na ikinangisi niya lang.
But his smile was instantly replaced by wince when Kalisz pinched his side.
"Aw! Babe!" He winced then caught her hands to kiss it. "Why do you keep on pinching me?" Reklamo niya dito.
Napapansin niya na napapadalas ang kurot nito sa kanya.
"I saw what you did. That's so rude!" Kunot-noo nitong turan sa kanya.
Umiling lang siya at naupo sa katabing bar stool na kinauupuan ni Kalisz.
"What's for the dinner bro?" Tanong niya kay Rage habang pinapanood si Kalisz na may tinitipa sa cellphone.
"Kale's favorite. Chicken curry and kalamansi flavored pancit canton." Sagot nito na hindi lumilingon.
Kronack hummed in response and then asked Kalisz, who was still busy with her phone.
"Sweet babe, who are you chatting with?" Umuklo siya at sinilip ang cellphone nito.
"It's Auri." Tipid nitong sagot.
He glanced at his brother when he stilled for a second upon hearing Auri's name before resuming.
"Where is she? Hindi siya umuuwi sa bahay." Pasempleng tanong niya.
"She's somewhere," Kalisz answered nonchalantly.
Muntik na siyang masamid sa sariling laway dahil sa sagot ni Kalisz.
"Very informative, sweet babe," he sarcastically said, shaking his head, chuckling lightly.
Nakita niya rin ang bahagyang pagbagsak ng balikat ni Rage at pag-iling nito.
"Sorry cuddlebear, I promised Auri not to tell anyone her whereabouts— and you two—" Nilingon nito ang kapatid. "Are no exception."
"That's fine with me as long as she is safe. I don't want Prius to go nuts again," wika niya pero alam niyang mababaliw rin si Rage pag may nangyari ulit kay Auri.
"She's safe and sound," saad nito at tinignan ang kapatid na nakatalikod pero halatang nakikinig. "She'll be back soon, so don't worry about her."
Walang naging reaksyon si Rage sa sinabi ni Kalisz kaya't binalik ng dalaga ang atensyon sa kanya.
"Can we stay here tonight, cuddlebear?" Kalisz asked, hopeful.
"If that's what you want," Kronack replied, leaning to kiss her shoulder.
Kalisz nodded, beaming.
"But we will leave early tomorrow. I want to date you." Imporma niya sa dalaga.
Ilang araw niya ng pinaplano ang date na 'yon at bukas lang matutuloy. Hindi niya mayaya si Kalisz sa mga nakalipas na araw dahil sa marami siyang ginawa at marami din inaalala ang dalaga.
"Date? Where?" Kalisz eagerly asked, looking thrilled and excited.
"In my yacht." Nakangiting sagot niya dito.
"The one that we—"
"Nope." Putol niya. "It's my other yacht. The big one."
"Ahh..." Tumango-tango ito.
Binalik ulit ni Kronack ang atensyon kay Rage nang magtipa ulit si Kalisz sa cellphone nito matapos iyong tumunog.
"Saan sina Ravage?" Hanap niya sa mga kaibagan din nila pero kagrupo ni Rage.
"Pinalayas ko," sagot nito.
Napataas ang kilay ni Kronack. "Why?"
"Tss, don't ask. Kahit naman pinalayas ko ang mga 'yon kahapon babalik 'yong mga gagong 'yon dito." Yamot na saad ni Rage.
Mahina siyang natawa. Ilang beses na bang pinalayas ni Rage yung mga gago pero aalis lang ng isang araw at babalik na naman kinabukasan. Pinagkaiba lang ng mga ka-grupo ni Rage eh may mga bahay na ang mga ito pero mas gusto parin sa bahay ni Rage tumira. Samantalang ang mga kasama niya sa bahay ay wala atang balak magpatayo ng bahay.
"Eh, si Aloha?" Tanong niya na ang tinutukoy ay ang tracker nitong babae na laging exception sa pagpapalayas.
"Inangkin at ipinagdadamot na nung isa nating kaibigan," anito.
Napapalatak siya. Gago tala ang isang 'yon. Mukhang dinaan sa mabilisan si Aloha.
"And Katana?" Hanap niya sa doktor ng grupo nito.
"She doesn't really spend much time here. She lives just a few blocks away from the Crown's hospital." Sagot nito.
Nagpatuloy pa ang pag-uusap nila hanggang sa matapos si Rage sa pagluluto.
"Ready?" Tanong niya kay Rage.
Nang tumango ito ay tumayo siya para ihanda ang pagkain para kay Kalisz. Habang si Rage naman ang naghanda para sa kanya at sa sarili nito.
"Babe, eat first," aniya kay Kalisz at inalapag sa harapan ang pagkain nito.
"Thanks, cuddlebear. Thanks, kuya." Nakangiti nitong pasasalamat sa kanilang dalawa at itinabi ang cellphone nito.
Hinalikan niya ang pisngi nito samantalang welcome naman ang isinagot ni Rage.
Inabot sa kanya ni Rage ang platong may laman na pagkain at nag-umpisa na silang kumain habang nag-uusap.
After eating, Kalisz washed the dishes, and then the three of us headed to the living room to watch a movie because Kalisz wanted to.
Kalisz lay on the sofa, using his legs as her pillow. Halfway through the movie, she was already fast asleep.
Nagkatinginan sila ni Rage at parehong napailing.
Si Kalisz ang nagyaya manood pero ito ang unang nakatulog.
Rage lowered the volume of the TV before he looked at him seriously.
"Kronack, can you promise me not to hurt Kale?" Tanong nito sa seryosong boses.
Direkta niyang tinitigan sa mata ang kapatid bago ito sinagot.
"I can't promise that Rage." Sagot niya.
Magsasalita sana ito nang magpatuloy siya.
"Hurting her is inevitable. I'm far from perfect, Rage. But I promise you, I will never hurt her on purpose. I’ll never cheat on her. I’ll love her and always protect her in every way I can." Pangako niya sa kapatid.
Rage nodded. "That's good enough. I trust you Kronack because you are my brother." Tipid itong ngumiti. "And thanks for being there for her and keeping her after I told you about her fake identity."
Kronack tsked. "It never crossed my mind to let her go after you told me those things." Napailing siya. "I was more worried about losing her at that time. Even though there was a nagging thought in the back of my mind that she could be a spy, I discarded it and just wanted to keep her. Spy or not, I was dead set on keeping her," he confessed, causing his brother to smirk.
"Looks like Kale was able to take your heart completely."
"Yeah, she did. Hands down." Kronack chuckled, feeling proud of his sweet babe.
Matapos ang pag-uusap nila ng ilang minuto ni Rage ay nagpaalam na siya na dadalhin si Kalisz sa kwarto nito.
Maingat niyang inilapag sa kama si Kalisz nang makapasok sa silid nito. He then left and went to Rage's room to borrow clothes— for him and a loose shirt for Kalisz.
To Kronack's surprise, Rage showed him clothes for women inside his walk-in closet to choose from.
Napapantastikuhang tinignan niya ang kapatid.
"Why do you keep women's clothes here? Don't tell me..."
Tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito at mahina siyang sinapak sa balikat.
"That's for Auri, idiot." Naiiling na saad nito.
"These are her clothes?" Tanong niya habang naghahanap ng pantulog na magugustuhan ni Kalisz.
Tumango ito. "I bought that for her."
Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya bago nagkibit-balikat.
Nang makapili ng damit para kay Kalisz at sa kanya ay nagpaalam na siya kay Rage.
Maingat niyang pinalitan ng damit si Kalisz matapos ay siya naman ang nagpalit at humiga sa kama bago pinatay ang ilaw. He hugged Kalisz from the front and slipped his arm under her head to make it her pillow.
Ipipikit na sa niya ang mga mata ng magsalita ito.
"Thank you, cuddlebear," anito at isiniksik ang katawan sa kanya.
That brought a smile to his face. He knew she wasn’t really asleep while he was changing her clothes, but he didn’t mind. It was his pleasure to do it for her, especially when she looked too exhausted to even lift her arms.
“What have you done all day, sweet babe? You seem really tired,” he asked curiously, gently caressing her back.
Nasa loob ng damit nito ang kamay niya kaya't malaya niyang nahahaplos ang balat nito.
"Nothing vigorous. But I don't know why I feel really tired and sleepy." Bulong nito sa mahina at paos na boses.
"Do you feel sleepy more often than normal?" he asked curiously again, this time excitement filling his heart.
Naramdaman niya ang mahina nitong pagtango bilang sagot.
Lumawak ang ngiti niya sa naging sagot nito. He's excited about the thoughts that filled his head. Chances are high. Mukhang mas dapat niya pang ingatan at alagaan si Kalisz.
"Sleep then, sweet babe," aniya sa dalaga.
"I love you..." Bulong nito.
Kronack's heart immediately hammered inside his chest after hearing her say those words. Hindi man halata pero laging bumibilis ang tibok ng puso niya pag nag-a-I love you sa kanya si Kalisz.
"Your heartbeat is faster," she commented.
Humigpit ang yakap niya dito at hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo nito.
"It's because of your I love you." Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga para pakalmahin ang puso niya. "I love you more babe."
"How much more?" she asked.
Napaisip siya ilang sandali. "Much much more. So much more that I want to marry you tomorrow and spend the rest of my life with you."
"There is nothing much more to it when I want the same," komento nito.
That halted his heartbeat for a second. That made his heart skip a beat. Damn, his sweet babe wanted the same thing. It looked like he should start preparing for their wedding. Kronack smiled inwardly at the thought.
"I can catch a bullet for you. Lend my life for you," saad niya ng makabawi.
"That's tragic. I don't want that." Humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya.
Mahina siyang natawa.
"That's just an example of how much more I love you."
"But I can do the same." Giit nito.
"Fine, we both love each other to the same extent." Nangingiting aniya sa dalagang ayaw magpatalo.
"That's better, cuddlebear." Sangayon nito bago kinurot ang likod niya na ikinangiwi niya.
"Babe!"
Mahina lang itong natawa. She then gently pushed him to lie on his back before settling herself on top of him.
"Sweet babe." Paos na tawag niya. "I love that you're on top of me but— fuck babe — it's making me hard."
Kanina pa siya nagtitimpi habang pinapalitan ito ng damit.
"Kanina ka pa matigas. And no, we're not making love tonight. If you want us to go on a date tomorrow, you have to let me rest." May pinalidad na saad nito bago siya nito kinurot ulit sa tagiliran naman ngayon.
Napaungol na lang siya. Mukhang kailangan niyang pakalmahin ang kaibigan niya at kailangan niya rin sanayin ang sarili sa mga kurot ni Kalisz.
"Yeah, yeah, babe. Sleep now. I love you," aniya na lang sa dalaga kahit sa loob loob niya gusto niya na lang itong angkinin ng paulit-ulit.
Fuck! This is torture.
Kronack hissed inwardly in frustration, but he couldn’t bring himself to do anything about it. He didn’t have the heart to make love to her when she looked so exhausted and was now sleeping soundly on top of him. It hadn’t even been ten minutes since she had settled on him.
Kissing her head, Kronack murmured to himself.
"Better luck next time."
👑
Clfern