Dancing With Fire (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 5
Kabanata 5
I GOT IN! I got in!
Oh my God!
"Kikay! Nakapasok ako!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Huh? Saan?" Nagulat siya sa biglang sigaw ko at nilingon ako.
Hindi pa maapuhap ang paghinga ko nang ipakita ko sa kanya ang phone. Her eyes widened as she read the email.
"I got the scholarship, Kikay!" I exclaimed excitedly and smacked her back.
Naubo siya, pumasok ang soft drink sa ilong at parang nanilaukan pa! I panicked.
"S-Sorry!" I exclaimed.
'Di matigil ang ubo niya at no'ng pagkalma niya lang ay saka kami napabughalit ng tawa sa nangyari.
"Congrats, Sera!" she beamed.
Smiling despite tears in my eyes, nagyakapan kami. I still couldn't believe the email! I got in! Makakabalik na ako sa pag-aaral!
"Sabi ko sa 'yo makukuha mo 'yan, eh!" she said with a grin.
Nothing could ruin my mood today. Lumulutang lang ako sa saya. My long-awaited prayer was heard!
I promised myself I'd study hard so that when I graduate, I could finally afford medical treatment for Miggy and Tatay. Kapag magaling na sila, makakapag-ipon na rin ako para sa maraming bagay! I will get to buy a proper bed for my brother para 'di na masakit ang likod niya, 'di na uutang kay Aling Kipay, pampagawa ng bahay, makakabili ng lupa at malay mo'y matupad pa ang pangarap kong mansyon with indoor pool!
I'll work hard so my delusions won't stay as one! I'll make it come true!
"Ma'am?" Napatalon ako sa gulat nang lumitaw ang parang kabuteng si Lando no'ng papauwi na ako.
"Lando! Nakakagulat ka naman!"
He chuckled awkwardly, scratching his nape. "Pinasasabi po ni Engineer na pumunta na raw po kayo sa opisina," he said.
I almost slapped my forehead when I remembered that I had to go to Rai's office to sign the contract. "Sorry, I got so busy." I sighed. "Pasabi na lang kay Daddy na baka bukas—"
"Ano po?" Lando's eyes widened in surprise.
Shit...
"Uh, I mean...Pasabi kay Engineer na bukas na lang."
"Kung hindi ka raw po pupunta ngayon, susunduin ka na niya dito."
Aba, ayaw patalo talaga!
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Alright, sige, mamaya. Sabihin mo, grabe naman niya ako ma-miss! Makikita pa naman niya ako!"
"Si Ma'am talaga!" He laughed.
"Gano'n talaga kapag sobrang ganda, Lando," I joked, giggling. "Nabibighani na si Engineer."
By the time I reached our house, Lando had already vanished. I don't know where he went, para kasing kabute 'yon—basta-basta na lang lumilitaw.
Napawi nga lang ang ngiti ko nang makita ang kalat sa lapag ng bahay pagkapasok ko.
Expectantly, I saw Nanay with her friends again. Naninigarilyo at nag-iinuman.
Ngayon na nga lang umuwi, ganito pa.
I glanced at the clock and sighed in relief, realizing Miggy wouldn't be home until later in the afternoon. At least he wouldn't have to see the house like this.
"O, Divina, nandito na ang sexy mong anak!" A man with tattoos whistled, stopping me.
"Tangina mo, hindi ko 'yan anak," Nanay said coldly. Naramdaman ko ang hapdi sa dibdib pero 'di pa ba ako sanay doon?
She had never treated me like her child anyway.
"M-Magandang hapon po," I greeted Nanay's friends.
"Mas maganda ka pa sa hapon, Sera!" the man with tattoos replied with a grin.
I just smiled awkwardly and glanced at Nanay, who was busy playing cards, not sparing me a single look.
I sighed.
Tahimik akong pumunta sa kusina, napapapikit na lang nang makitang wala nang laman ang mga nakatakip na plato kanina. Kalat-kalat pa ang pagkain.
Sayang... p'wede pa sanang initin pang mamayang gabi.
I was trying to hold it all together as I cleaned the dining table, gathered the trash to throw it away, and went to the sink to wash the dishes.
"Ano? Ito lang ang pera mo?!"
Nagulat ako't lumingon, natitigilan nang makita si Nanay na hawak ang bag kong itinago ko sa kwarto. Sa kamay niya ay ang wallet ko, ang perang naitabi ay hawak na niya.
"'Nay..."
I quickly rinsed my hands and approached her.
"Akin na po ang pera," I said gently, reaching for the money, but she shoved my hand away.
"Ito lang ang kita mo?! Ano? Patanga-tanga ka na ba sa trabaho?!"
"Bumili po kasi ako ng gamot nila Tatay at Miggy," kalmado kong paliwanag.
"Aba, anong pakialam ko do'n?!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with rage. "Kulang ito! Natalo ako sa sugal! Anong ipangbabayad ko?!"
I sighed, trying to stay calm.
"Tangina mo, palamunin ka na nga lang sa bahay na 'to, bobo ka pa! Sana tinanggap mo na 'yong offer na mag-pokpok sa bar para may silbi ka naman—"
"Sana po naiisip n'yo naman na tumigil ako sa pag-aaral at nagtatrabaho ako para makatulong!" putol ko sa kanya, 'di na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses.
"Aba!" Sinampal niya ak, dahilan kaya pumaling ang ulo ko. "Sumasagot ka na, ha?!"
Tears welled in my eyes. It stung but nothing was more hurtful than the pain it caused me emotionally. She gripped my arm, her nails digging painfully into my skin.
"Ano?! May napatunayan ka na ba?! Ano'ng naitulong mo rito?! Puro ka pa-sosyal! Wala kang pera naibibigay! Kita mong natalo nga ako—"
"Walang nagsabi sa 'yong magsugal ka!" I shouted back. "Kung nagtrabaho ka rin, eh 'di sana—"
Suminghap ako sa pagtulak niya sa 'kin. Napalakas iyon kaya tumama ang likod ko sa table at napaupo sa lapag.
"Wala kang kuwenta! Namatay ka na lang sana kasama ang nanay mo!" she screamed, threw my bag, and stormed out. "Lumipat na nga tayo sa inyo, Lito! Tanginang bahay 'to!"
Nang mawala na sila sa paningin ko. Nanghihinang napasandal ako sa table, napapapikit sa pagod.
"Ma'am!" Lando rushed toward me. "Narinig ko po mula sa labas 'yong sigaw ng nanay n'yo. Ayos lang po ba kayo? Kailangan 'tong malaman ni Engineer—"
Doon ako naalarma.
"No!" I exclaimed. "Ayos lang ako. Hindi niya 'to p'wedeng malaman!"
He looked at me, puzzled.
"Pero trabaho ko pong panatilihin kayong ligtas. Hindi p'wedeng pabayaan ko na lang kayong sinasaktan—"
"Huwag na, Lando." I shook my head firmly. "Please? Ayokong malaman niya 'to."
"Pero Ma'am—"
"Your job is to keep me safe from threats related to the case. Hindi ako nasaktan dahil doon—personal ko itong buhay—kaya hindi ito sakop ng trabaho mo."
I saw hesitation in his eyes—guilt and pity flickering there—and I didn't want it. I hated pity. It only made me feel weaker.
"Please? Kahit ngayon lang?" I asked gently.
He sighed and slowly nodded.
"Thank you."
"Sasabihin ko na lang kay Engineer na pagod ka, kaya hindi ka makakapunta sa opisina, Ma'am. Magpahinga ka na lang muna."
"No, pupunta pa rin ako, Lando. Ayos lang ako, sanay na."
I immediately got ready. I wore a simple black dress and pumps, using makeup to cover the pale bruise on my arm.
During the car ride, my emotions were all over the place. I had been happy earlier because of the scholarship, pero napawi ang sayang 'yon sa nangyari sa amin ni Nanay.
It wasn't new—she always hurt me when she was drunk—but it still cut deep. I work hard, doing my best to give them a good life, yet it seems she never notices.
I shouldn't be expecting her treatment of me to change, but there's this helpless hope in me that's hoping... maybe someday.
"Ma'am, nandito na po tayo," Lando's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I looked around and nodded, realizing we had arrived at our destination. Lando immediately helped me out of the car.
Umawang ang labi ko at namangha nang makita nang malapitan ang building sa harapan ko.
Miranda Architecture & Engineering Corporation
My eyes widened, and I glanced at my bodyguard in disbelief.
"Kila Rai 'to?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered with a nod.
We entered the building. Habang kausap ni Lando ang receptionist ay namamanghang nakatunghay at pinapanuod ko ang mga tao. I saw people in corporate attire, some carrying hard hats, others clutching blueprints and briefcases. It sparked the inspiration inside me.
Mag-aaral ako ng mabuti! Magiging katulad rin nila ako!
I couldn't stop myself from dreaming. If only I had finished school earlier, I could have been an engineer by now.
It was one of my greatest dreams. I wanted to become an engineer!
Someday, Sera. Someday.
"Tara na, Ma'am," ani Lando.
Inside the elevator, we were surrounded by elegant women in formal wear—clearly daughters from wealthy, well-known families.
"Now that Akisha's dead, I'm sure Tita Angelita would make me her son's new fiancée," I overheard one of them say.
The woman was tall, about my height, with sharp eyes and long hair tied in a high ponytail.
"Ang tanong, ayos ba 'yon kay Vioxx?" her friend replied.
I froze at the mention of his name.
"Of course! He'll like me for sure! Who wouldn't like me?" she said with oozing confidence.
The elevator opened, and the women stepped out. I glanced at Lando, who remained silent and serious.
What was that?
"Tara na, Ma'am," Lando said as he exited the elevator. I followed him, passing by several cubicles where employees turned to look at me curiously as I walked in.
Together, we approached Rai's secretary.
"Sir, nandiyan na ba si Engineer?" Lando asked.
"Yes, he's inside. Ano pong kailangan nila?" The man glanced at me, and I offered a small smile.
"Pakisabi na lang nandito na si Ma'am Sera," Lando replied.
The secretary nodded, pressed a button on the intercom, and then turned back to us.
"Pasok na daw po, Ma'am," he said with a smile.
"Thank you."
I looked at Lando, who just nodded at me. "Dito na lang ako sa labas, Ma'am," he said.
Tumango na lang ako't pumasok na sa opisina.
I instantly spotted Rai standing in front of the glass wall, overlooking the city. He's wearing a navy blue dress shirt and slacks, his coat draped over the swivel chair by his desk.
With his commanding stance, he looked dominant and authoritative. Tikas pa lang, alam mo nang may sinasabi sa buhay. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his gaze stayed serious as he stared at the view.
A small smile escaped my lips. I walked toward him, slipped my head into the space between his arm and torso, and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He shifted his gaze to me, and his once-cold eyes softened.
"Hey," aniya, ina-adjust ang braso para mas makasiksik ako sa kanya.
"Hi, Daddy!" I grinned.
"Serafine," he warned.
I laughed, but it quickly faded when he pinched my nose.
"Rai!" I exclaimed, pushing his hand away.
His lips twitched as he released my nose, his hand returning to my waist.
"You're late," he pointed out.
Ngumuso ako't lumayo. I straightened up, was about to step back when he got in me in one swift move, pulling me closer again.
I looked up at him. When our eyes met, his brows furrowed, and he quickly looked away.
I chuckled and walked with him toward his desk. When we reached his swivel chair, akala ko'y uupo siya kaya nagtaka ako nang ako ang pinaupo niya.
"Rai?" I called, turning to him.
"What?" he asked.
"Bakit ako ang nasa swivel chair? I should be there..." Turo ko sa upuan sa kabilang parte ng desk niya.
"It's alright," he said, leaning against the table in front of me.
I nodded, smiling brightly. My gaze fell on his coat, draped behind the chair. I grabbed it, placed it on my lap, inhaled its scent, and then draped it over my shoulders.
Rai just watched me silently.
"Pahiram! Paranas maging engineer!" I said cheerfully.
He just smirked and nodded.
I spun around in his swivel chair, laughing, and he watched me silently, amused.
"Lambot, ah!" I said. "Naku, kung akin 'to, panigurado wala akong magagawa buong araw. Baka makatulog lang ako."
"Hindi kita papatulugin," he said, raising a brow. Bumungisngis ako.
"Ganito pala kapag na engineer, 'no? Working here in this amazing office, sitting in this swivel chair... ang saya siguro!"
"Not really." He licked his lips.
"Hindi masaya?"
"Yeah, earlier... But I am happy now," he answered, his eyes on me.
My heart pounded. Tila hinahalukay ang tiyan ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. He looked so composed, so effortlessly confident. If I had been born into the same circle as his, with the same privilege, maybe I wouldn't feel so out of place right now.
"Kumain ka na?" he asked after.
I pouted and shook my head. "Not yet."
His forehead creased. He glanced at his watch before pressing the intercom on his desk.
"Mr. Ocampo, I'll leave early today. Don't accept anymore appointments," he said.
I blinked, staring at him in confusion.
"Rai..."
He turned to me. "Let's eat outside."
"Huh?" I asked, confused. "But the contract..."
"What contract?" His brows furrowed.
"My contract," I reminded him.
He paused, as if suddenly remembering. "The contract's not yet done," he muttered, licking his lips.
I frowned.
"What? Pero 'di ba, 'yon ang dahilan kaya pinapunta mo ako dito?"
"Anyway, let's go and eat," sa halip ay sagot niya at umiwas ng tingin. Napasulyap siya sa pouch kong bukas na ngayon at nakialam ng mga gamit ko.
I watched him, observing his reaction. I thought he called me about the contract and now, when I'm asking it, iiwas siya? Hmm...
May umilaw na bumbilya sa utak ko.
I smiled and crossed my legs. "Hmm, don't tell me you just asked me to come here because you missed me, Daddy?" I teased.
Doon siya napatingin sa 'kin. He looked serious, the tightening of his jaw visible.
He didn't answer my question, so my smile grew wider. I straightened up in the swivel chair, scooting a little closer to him, my gaze locked on his.
"What, hmm, Rai? You just missed me?" I teased again.
"What if I did?" he replied neutrally, like I shouldn't be shocked!
Tila may kumikiliti sa sikmura ko. I felt the warm spread on my chest and my entirety—a thrill I didn't want to admit.
"T-Totoo?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached into my pouch and pulled something out.
"Bakit may ganito ka?" he asked.
"H-Huh?" I asked.
"This." Iniangat niya ang kamay sabay pakita ng finger heart.
Nahulog ang panga ko.
"Sir, ito na—" Nabitin ang boses ng secretary nang makita niya ang boss na naka-finger heart at akong nakaupo sa swivel.
Napaahon si Rai sa desk, nagmamadali. I coughed awkwardly, stopping my chuckles.
Huli ka!
"I-Ilagay mo d'yan," Rai said coldly.
Nagtataka ang secretary na nagpalit-palit ang tingin sa amin, kuryoso habang ibinababa ang dokumento sa table.
"Una na po ako," he said, sneaking glances at us before practically running out the door.
Nang sumara ang pinto ay nilingon ko si Rai na kumalat na ang pula sa mukha.
"Sinong nagturo sa 'yo niyan?" Natatawa at namamanghang tumayo ako.
Nanigas siya, 'di gumagalaw o makatingin man lang. I pushed him playfully to his swivel chair.
He was stiff, his face serious pero obvious na nilalamon ng kahihiyan.
"Rai..." I teased, slowly settling onto his lap.
He cleared his throat, looking away.
"We... should eat," iwas niya, inaabot ang kamay ko para makatayo kami pero umiwas ako't inilagay ang daliri sa labi niya.
"Nah-uh..." I hummed.
He swallowed hard, his dark brown eyes locking onto mine.
"Sera..." he warned.
"Hmm?" I hummed, straddling him with a teasing smile.
"If I lose my control here..." he muttered, his gaze flicking to my lips.
"What will happen?" I asked seductively.
He sighed, brushing my arm once more, as if about to lift me up.
"No."
"Sera..."
Humigpit ang hawak niya at 'di ko naiwasan ang pagsinghap nang aksidenteng masagi no'n ang pasa ko.
He immediately noticed, his brows furrowing as he touched the spot more gently. He tilted his head, about to examine it, but I quickly pushed him back into the chair.
"Engineer..." I whispered sweetly, making him pause.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, trying to distract him.
It's better this way. Kaysa naman makita niya ang pasa!
"You know, Daddy..." I said, noticing the change in his breathing.
Napatitig ako sa mga mata niya, bakas na bakas ang init doon. My heart burned, but I welcomed the fire.
I smiled, lifting my finger to form a heart, mimicking him. Mas tumalim lang ang tingin niya at tinapik ang kamay ko. Humalakhak ako pero tumitig muli hanggang sa unti-unti'y natunaw ako sa tinginan.
"I know it's weird. We barely knew each other but I...missed you too," I confessed.
Passion flickered in his eyes, flames igniting. In an instant, he leaned closer, tilted my head, and claimed my lips—fully, territorially.
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