Kabanata 11
Kabanata 11
"DARU, ito na ang kutsilyo, kuha ka na lang." Tita smiled after taking a slice of cake to eat.
I smiled sweetly and nodded.
"Salamat po, Tita."
She smiled back at me, nakita kong pinuntahan niya ang mga anak at bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak na kutsilyo.
Slowly, I shifted my gaze and saw Chance standing on the other side of me, nasa may harap din ng cake. I saw how he gulped harshly when he saw me holding the knife.
"Uy, bakla, pahingi rin." Kalabit sa akin ni Zirena kaya bumaling ako sa plato niya.
I frowned when I saw her plate. "Kakasya pa bas a sikmura mo kinakain mo?" I asked. She laughed and nodded.
"Ako pa ba? Na-train ko ang dragon sa tiyan ko." She even tapped her stomach kaya natawa na ako. I glanced at Scira who's been checking her nails.
"Scira? Cake?" I asked. She lifted her gaze at me and shrugged.
"No, I'm on diet. Marami na akong carbs na nakain."
I nodded, medyo tinaas ko ang kutsilyo. I saw how the damn jejemaster's eyes widen when he saw me approaching. Iniwan ko ang mga pinsan at nagtungo sa may puwesto niya para kumuha ng cake.
He licked his lower lip when our eyes met, marahan akong lumapit doon at tumabi sa kanya.
"Baby doll..." mahina niyang tawag nang makalapit ako, I felt him slowly touched my waist. "Baby, let me—"
I sliced the cake hastily almost in front of his crotch, bigla siyang napaatras at nang lingunin ko siya ay nawalan na ng kulay ang kanyang mukha.
"Opps..." I muttered and covered my mouth. "Sorry, I missed." Bumaba ang tingin ko sa pantalon niya.
Hindi kami nakapag-usap ni Chance, I saw him trying to go near me pero kung hindi ko siya sisimangutan ay nand'yan naman ang mga kamag-anak ko kaya hindi siya makalapit. I even saw Kuya Deion watching me kaya hindi rin ako naging magulo at baka malaman nina Kuya ang tungkol sa amin ni Chance.
"Anak, would you join the pageant?" Napabaling ako kay Mama Lena, my grandmother, nang maramdaman ang hawak niya sa aking siko.
"Hi, Mama." I smiled at her, kissing her cheek. "Pageant po? I'm still not sure, Ma. I received offers from sponsors po kaso..."
"You should join, Daru." Biglang lumitaw si Papa Jer, my grandfather, kaya lumaki na ang ngisi kong lalo at yumakap.
"Hi, Papa!" I cheered and hugged him. He laughed and messed with my hair, nang pakawalan niya ako ay at saka akong muling kumapit kay Mama Lena.
"Join the pageant, would you like to, anyway?" he asked and I noted how my Lolo still looked handsome, the same as my grandmother. Their Brazilian blood is so strong that even at their age now, their looks never faded.
They're aging like fine wines, habang tumatagal ay mas gumaganda.
"I want po sana, kakausapin ko pa sina Papa po." I smiled and nodded, bumaling ako kay Mama Lena na pinapanuod ako at ngumisi. "Grabe, Mama Lena, 'yong dugo mo nasa ugat ko talaga..." I said at sabay-sabay kaming nagkatawanan.
I had fun with my family, get togethers like this never bore me. Nakikita ko si Chance na kausap din sina Kuya Chiel na pinsan niya pero nagkakatinginan kaming dalawa.
"Talk..." he mouthed from a distance pero ngumiwi lang ako at inangat ang hotdog on stick na hawak ko.
I took a bite on the hotdog harshly while staring at his face at nakita ko na napatikhim siya at nag-iwas ng tingin, humahawak sa batok.
"Darsh, tikman mo, masarap..." ani Kuya Macky na inabutan ako ng lumpia.
I took it from him and bit it, napatango ako at ngumuya.
"Wow, ang sarap, sinong may gawa?" I asked him.
"Mama Kaia." He chuckled. "She taught Tita Thallia how to make these, looks like Tita really knows how to cook now."
"Masarap, ah," I commended and took another one. Kinagatan ko iyon at nakita ko ang pag-angat ni Kuya ng kamay niya at inilagay ang buhok ko sa likod ko.
"Tie your hair, princess. Ang haba na ng buhok mo, don't you like to cut it?" he noticed pero natawa lang ako at umiling.
"I'll tie it later, alam mo namang ayaw kong mag-gupit ng buhok, 'di ba?" I said and looked around. "Where's Audette, Kuya? Hindi ko na nabuhat kanina."
"Papa's," aniya kaya bumaling ako sa pwesto nina Papa at napangiti nang makitang buhat-buhat niya si Audette at katabi si Mama, kausap ang mga Tito at Tita ko.
I got busy checking the foods from the table, nawala ang mga pinsan ko kaya sina Sibyl muna at Adira ang nakausap ko roon sa table.
"Bakla! Bakla, tara!" I almost jumped when Zirena and Scira appeared from nowhere.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Girl, tara! Nakakaloka!" Tawa ni Zire at nang nilingon ko si Scira ay nagkibit-balikat lang siya sa akin.
"We went to the parking and she's like that after, I don't know," nagtataka ring ani ni Scira doon kaya tumango ako.
I took one last lumpia to eat, habang hinihila ako ng pinsan papuntang parking ay kumakagat pa ako. Ang sarap talaga kasi! Mama cooked this, sabi ni Kuya, na-miss ko tuloy ang handa namin kapag birthday.
"Ano ba kasing mayro'n?" I asked.
"Girl, naalala mo ang kwento ko?" aniya kaya nangunot lang ang noo ko. "'Yong sinabi ko kanina! The jugjugan sa parking lot! Look at this car!"
Bumaling ako sa may gilid at nakita ang kulay itim na sasakyan ni Chance.
I felt my heart stop.
"Are you sure..." I muttered, mabilis na pinasok sa bibig ko ang lumpia.
"Hindi ako p'wedeng magkamali! Look at this sticker at the back of the car, a palette and paint brush! Natandaan ko 'to kasi walang sticker masyado na ganito!" aniya at hindi na ako nakapagsalita.
"'Yong pogi ata sa loob ang may-ari nito! 'Yong may dimples! I heard he's an artist kaya siguro may palette sticker—"
"Si gwapo? Hindi ko natitigan masyado..." ani Scira at ngumuso. "Pero wild, ah?" She grinned.
"Girl, oo! Rawr! Pero mas wild siguro 'yong babae! I am positive sinakyan niya si gwapo, inararo, girl—" Zire stopped when she saw me unmoving. "Daru?"
I couldn't breathe. I touched my throat, nanlaki ang mata nila nang hindi na ako gumagalaw.
"Are you..." I nodded, I was on the verge of coughing but I couldn't, I felt like the lumpia got stuck in my throat.
Pinanlakihan ko sila ng mata at hinawakan ang dibdib ko.
"Oh my God! She's choking!" Scira exclaimed loudly and Zire was just staring at me, wide-eyed.
"Help..." Zire muttered. "Scira! Tumawag ka ng tulong!" She exclaimed.
Nagkagulo na ang mga pinsan ko, I keep on touching my chest, trying to cough the food off but I couldn't. Zire was hysterical, naririnig ko ang ingay sa likuran ko at mayamaya pa ay may pamilyar na pabango na akong naamoy.
"What happened?!" I heard Chance's voice behind.
"Ay si wild!" Zire exclaimed but when she saw me tapping my chest, she jumped. "S-si Daru! She's...she's choking! Help!"
I felt someone behind me, wrapping his arms around me with his hand on my stomach. I felt him bent me a little forward and then pushed his fist in an inward thrust.
"Spit it out. Come on, baby..." he said frustratedly. "Fuck."
One move of his hand on my stomach and I felt the food stuck on my throat went out of my mouth.
Natulala ako nang makita kung paano tumilapon sa sahig ang lumpia na kinakain ko at sa kahihiyan ko ay ipinikit ko ang mata at nagpatihulog sa braso ni Chance, kunwari'y walang malay.
I was embarrassed but nothing's more embarrassing if the doctor found out I was faking my fainting.
I don't know if it's lucky or unlucky that we have tons of doctors inside the house that time, when I say tons, as in marami. I didn't know Chance's father is a doctor, pati na rin ang asawa ng kapatid ni Tita Thallia na si Tita Natalie at ang anak nito. My Tito Thorn is there too with Kuya Deion!
It was Angelo Samaniego, pinsan nina Ate Crest sa side ng Mommy nila ang nakaalam na nagpapanggap ako. He's the closest to me kaya habang buhat ako ni Chance ay siya ang unang tumingin.
"Please... please don't tell them I didn't really faint," mahinang sabi ko, maliit na binubuksan ang mata at nahuling kausap ni Chance sina Papa na nag-aalala sa akin.
"Alright, alright, Miss." He smiled a bit, I noticed his cold eyes but it vanished when he chuckled in amusement. "I'll tell them you're fine, should I tell your boyfriend you did not faint?" he asked kaya halos mapasigaw na ako.
"B-boyfriend?" I asked, pumipikit pa rin para 'di ako halata.
"Chance," aniya kaya napamulat ako.
"H-how..."
"You fainted, Miss. Close your eyes, mahuhuli ka," aniya kaya dali-dali akong pumikit, kinakabahan na. "Well, Chance's my best friend and cousin. I know a lot about you, Miss Sandejas."
Shit... p'wedeng kainin na lang ng lupa?
Kahit na sinabi naman ni Angelo na doktor pala sa kanila Mama na okay na ako ay hindi sila mapalagay, they even suggested bringing me to the hospital. Ang Papa at Kuya ko ay halos magwala na roon kaya nagising ako kuno pagkaraan para ipakitang ayos na ako.
I was so embarrassed but makapal naman ang mukha ko kaya kahit gusto ko na lang palamon sa lupa ay ngumiti pa ako sa kanila at mahinhing sinabing ayos lang ako.
I can see Chance's glances from time to time I keep assuring my family I'm fine, alam kong gusto niyang lumapit pero pinipigilan lang ang sarili.
Kaya 'di na ako nagulat nang kinagabihan ay nakatanggap ako ng mensahe sa kanya, sa bahay kasi namin ako matutulog ngayon kaya 'di kami magkikita.
From: Baby boy
Are you fine, baby?
I smiled, I kissed my youngest sister, Audette's cheek first before hugging her and replying to his message.
To: Baby boy
Yes, thanks for the help anyway. Night.
Ngumuso ako at pinatay ang phone, I felt my sister tugging my hair kaya nilingon ko siya.
"Yes, my baby? You like Ate's hair?" I hummed, laid her on the bed and kissed her cheeks at napatawa ako nang humagikhik ito at niyakap ako.
Madaling-araw akong nagising kinabukasan dahil sa five o'clock flight ko, my parents are still asleep kaya si Kuya ang naghatid sa akin kahit alas-siyete pa ang kanyang flight.
"Pasensya na, Kuya. I can commute naman, nag-abala ka pa. Mamaya pa ang flight mo," I said when I saw him yawning a bit while driving.
"No, I'm okay, Princess. I can sleep in the office, ayaw kong mag-commute pa at madaling-araw pa lang. There might be bad people around."
I am happy and lucky because I have that kind of brother with me.
We reached the airport at kahit maaga kami umalis ay sumakto pang may nagkabanggaan kaya natagalan kami. Habang naglalakad ay pinupusod ko ang aking buhok at hila-hila ni Kuya ang maleta ko. Nakapamulsa pa siya habang sinasabayan ako kaya kinakabahan na ako.
"Baka ma-late ako, Kuya," I gasped, inangat ang hat kong kakulay ng uniporme para ilagay sa ulo ko.
Five more minutes! Kaya 'yan!
"Let me," ani Kuya at kinuha ang hat sa kamay ko. I was biting my lip while waiting for him to finish pinning my hat on my head.
"Tara, samahan na kita." Hindi na ako nakailing nang mauna pa si Kuya sa akin sa paglalakad.
Three more minutes!
I ran after him, kumapit ako sa braso niya nang buksan niya ang pintuan ng office at naabutan si Ma'am na nasa gitna na nakatayo.
"Wala pa si Daru?" Ma'am asked and I heard Julia spoke.
"What's new, Ma'am? Pa-VIP naman palagi iyon porket—"
"Good morning," bati ni Kuya at natahimik ang lahat.
"C-Captain!" Nakita kong napatayo pa ang iba kaya tumikhim na ako at bumitaw kay Kuya. I smiled a bit at Ma'am and my co-cabin crew and lowered my head a bit.
Sakto ako sa time lang pero ako ang nahuling dumating!
"Pasensya na po at nahuli ulit ako, Ma'am, guys," I apologized.
"It's my fault." Nagulat ako nang magsalita si Kuya sa aking tabi. "I apologize for my sister's late attendance, it's my fault, medyo nahuli kasi ako para maihatid siya rito. Nagkaroon din ng banggaan kaya natagalan kami."
"No worries, Captain." Ma'am smiled at him. "We understand, right, guys?" Bumaling siya sa kasama.
I saw Julia nodded, as if panicking. Nakita ko si Lilah na tumayo rin at ngingiti na sana ako sa kanya pero nahuli ko ang tingin niya kay Kuya.
"But I do hope if you have problems with my sister, kindly address it to her privately. As much as you all could, I hope being the CEO's daughter won't make her an outcast here in the group. May nakakarating sa 'king mga usapan."
Damn...
It's not just me! Pati siya kaya pinag-uusapan dito sa airlines!
I wanted to cut him off since this might create another row pero minsan kasi'y napupuno na rin ako sa sinasabi ni Julia. Naiintindihan ko ang late kasi may iilang instances talagang gano'n pero sobrang dalang lang no'n pero ang pinagkakalat niya'y araw-araw daw.
Sinasabi niya sa mga bagong cabin crew na napapalagpas ako kasi anak ng may-ari at VIP. Lumaki iyo na kinausap na siya ng senior cabin crew pero hindi tinigilan.
"I will talk to her about her tardiness at times. I will take action necessary like what was implemented to everyone for fairness but please, I asked for you all to respect her, not just her but everyone here. If you have concerns, tell them face to face and not behind their backs," he said seriously and I remembered Papa Dash when he talked like that.
"Anyway, I'm not mad. It's okay. I just do hope we all improve and be better. I'm going, have a safe flight, everyone." He flashed a small smile.
I told them not to treat me like a VIP since the very start. Ayaw ko ngang ipaalam na gano'n sa mga bago pero ewan ba't mabilis nilang nalalaman. Ayokong pinapakialaman nina Papa at Kuya ang schedule ng flights ko. I want the management to take care of it like how they give schedules to other cabin crew. Ang sweldo ko'y kagaya lamang ng kanila and if I'm late, like them, kinakaltasan din ang sahod ko.
I just wanna be like them, working for a living and paying my own bills. I want them to treat me good not because I'm the CEO's daughter but because I'm a person too, like them. I want respect too, as much as they want to be respected.
I admit I have lapses, but aren't we all? And I wanted to address it and be better, to learn more and improve.
–
"HOW'S Marcus as a brother?" ani Lilah habang nasa loob kami ng eroplano at nakaupo.
"Hmm?"
"I mean, Captain Marcus? I saw what he did earlier and it's good, huh? Supalpal si Julia, eh." Tawa niya roon kaya napangiti na rin ako.
"I don't want him to do that pero I get his point na hindi naman talaga dapat na pag-uusapan mo ang isang tao behind their back when you can do it in their faces,"
"Sa bagay, anyway, why don't you want to be treated like a VIP?" I noticed the curiosity in her voice. "'Di ba, you have your own condo? Wala kang maid o kaya sa parents mo nakatira?"
"Oh? Paano mo nalaman?" I asked, my forehead creasing.
"You..." She lip and sat properly. "You told me last time, remember?"
Napaisip ako roon, inaalala kung nasabi ko ba sa kanyang ganoon pero wala naman akong masyadong maalala.
O baka naman ulyanin na ako?
"Ano nga, Daru?" She called again kaya napakurap ako. "Sayang 'yong VIP, oh? Kung ako ikaw, I'll grab it and I want people to treat me like I'm the owner's daughter!"
"Well, ako lang naman kasi mag-isa sa unit ko at kaya ko naman ng gawain. I don't need a maid since I can take care of myself. Isa pa, when our parents raised us, sabi nila na h'wag manlalaki ang ulo at h'wag maging mapagmataas. They... told us not to forget to stay on the ground and be humble. That we are not our family's wealth dahil may sarili naman kaming katauhan."
I saw her expression turned into something I couldn't name, ngumisi pa siya at napatango roon.
"Well, I guess if ako ikaw? I'll parade my surname, that I'm a Sandejas." She smiled at me.
"Iba-iba naman ang mga tao," I said. "Siguro sa 'yo gano'n pero ako kasi, ayaw ko. I want to be treated like anyone else, na pantay lang kami and not to be treated with privilege because we have the money and I'm a Sandejas."
"You mean to say, ayos lang sa 'yo na hindi mo sila pamilya? Ayaw mo sa privilege?" She raised her brow.
Natawa ako sabay iling.
"No, I didn't mean it that way. I was just talking about our family name ringing a bell. Kung papapiliin ako, kahit ibang apelyido basta sila pa rin ang pamilya ko. I don't crave for the surname, I want the love my family could give me, all of them. Kahit next life, gusto ko sila ang pamilya ko, kahit ano pang estado at apelyido namin," I explained at nakita ko ang pagtitig niya sa akin at tumango.
"Well, ako gusto ko ng apelyido n'yo," aniya kaya kumunot na ang noo ko.
"What do you mean—"
"Sino ba p'wedeng jowain sa mga pinsan mo?" aniya roon kaya bigla na akong natawa at gumaan na ang mood sa pagitan naming dalawa.
The whole flight is tiring but it's way easier because I'm doing the things I love, flying and greeting the passengers as they go away from one destination and welcoming them to another one.
It makes me happy seeing kids and first timers happy everytime, para akong bumabalik sa pagkabata. Naalala ko ang saya sa amin ni Kuya whenever my Papa and Mama will bring us to other country or to any other destination.
"Wow, sobrang attentive naman ng baby boy mo at palagi kang hatid-sundo." Napabaling ako kay Lilah ng magsalita siya sa tabi ko
"Huh?"
She grinned and glanced somewhere. Sinundan ko iyon at halos mapahawak ako sa dibdib sa gulat nang makitang mula sa may kalayuan ay nakamasid sa akin si Chance.
Nasa may tabi siya ng kanyang sasakyan, I saw him with a man and a woman kaya nagtaka ako at pilit na tinignan ang mga taong iyon.
"He's sweet, huh?" Lila beamed kaya tumango ako, hindi mangiti-ngiti dahil naalala ko na naman ang sinabi ng kanyang Mama sa party.
"Yeah," matabang kong sabi.
"But it'll be sweeter if your parents will know, right? Good girl?" Tawa ni Lilah kaya mabilis ko siyang nilingon, kinakagat ang labi bago nagsalita.
"I'll let them know soon, if I'm sure of his feelings for me. For now, atin muna, ah?" I requested. She agreed.
"Anyway, I have to go. As much as I want to greet your baby boy, may pupuntahan pa kasi ako." Paalam niya bago umalis.
I walked towards the other direction, dadaanan sina Chance pero hindi sa kanya ang tungo ko kung hindi ang sa shuttle service na mayro'n para makauwi ako sa unit.
I saw him walk towards me, ngumuso naman ako at kunwaring 'di siya nakikita. My heels made a sound, hila-hila ko ang maleta ko sa direksyon nang may kumuha nito sa kamay ko.
Well, what do I expect?
"Baby..." I heard him call and took my hand.
I sighed, bumaling ako sa kanya at tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"Oh?" I snapped.
He looked dashing tonight, fresh and edible. As fucking usual. I licked my lower lip and realized his hair is newly cut again tonight. Medyo humaba na kasi ang kanyang buhok nitong nakaraan at ngayon ay ang linis-linis na naman niyang tignan.
Oh, gabing kay sarap. Kay sarap i-mukbang ni Salcedo.
"I know I'm delicious but look at my face, baby doll, not my body." Nag-angat ako ng tingin at bumusangot sa pang-aasar niya.
He smiled and touched my chin, his dimples appeared when he saw me frowning at him.
"Why are you so grumpy?" he asked and slowly pulled me to him. Mas humaba ang nguso ko nang marahang yakapin niya ang baywang ko at hagkan ang pisngi ko.
"Bakit mo 'ko sinundo? Doon ka na sa hinalikan mo," I hissed irritatedly. It made him chuckle and reached for my waist more.
"You adorable doll, come on, let me explain, hmm?" he hummed and kissed my head.
Umirap ako sa hangin, dahil yakap nga niya ako ay nakita ko ang nasa may likod niya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at marahang itinulak si Chance palayo sa akin.
"Man." I saw Angelo Samaniego, 'yong pinsan nina Crest na tumulong sa akin kahapon.
He's with a girl, may dala pa siyang maleta at kaagad na hinawakan ni Chance ang kamay ko at bumaling din sa dalawa.
"Thanks for letting us come with you," ani Angelo at bumaling sa akin. "Hi, Miss Sandejas. Sumabay lang kami, galing kasi sa ospital si Chance and he told me he'll go here so we came along at may ihahatid ako." She glanced at the girl beside him.
"Hospital?" Kumunot ang noo ko at bumaling kay Chance. "What happened to you?" I got worried, I immediately cupped his cheek with my hands and he lowered his head so I could check him.
I noticed him hiding a smile, staring at my face while I checked him for any bruises or wounds.
"Salcedo," I called. "Anong nangyari?"
"Masakit," he whined kaya kumalabog ang puso ko't nag-alala.
"H-huh? Saan? Are you injured?"
"Here..." He pointed his lips kaya nagtatakang inabot ko iyon ng daliri ko, I checked his lips for any cuts but none was there kaya mas kumunot ang noo ko.
"Nasaan—"
"I need kisspirin, baby doll..." he suddenly said and I froze.
I heard the laugher somewhere. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Chance bago pinitik ang labi niya at bumaling sa kasama namin na natatawa sa huli. I saw Angelo smirking and the woman beside him chuckling.
"Nakakakilabot ka, Salcedo." Angelo frowned but hiding a smile and I saw Chance scoffed and touched my waist again, lumayo ako pero muli niya akong nahuli at pinirmi.
"Akala mo siya hindi..." he muttered.
"Whatever." Angelo smiled a bit and glanced at me. "Anyway, Miss Sandejas, I know you know me already, I'm Chance's friend. Here's my girlfriend, Samantha. Hon, this is Darshana." The lady then smiled at me and offered her hand.
"Hi, Samantha," I greeted and accepted her hand.
"You're pretty," aniya sa akin. "Your Chance's...?"
Before Chance could even speak, I spoke.
"Friend...I'm his friend." I smirked, sumulyap kay Chance na bumagsak na ang balikat at kay Angelo na tatawa-tawa.
I was irritated the whole time during our ride, si Chance ay kanina pa akong kinukulit pero wala ako sa mood pakipagsabayan sa kalokohan niya ngayong araw.
"Come on, doll. Stop being jealous," marahang lambing niya when he saw me glaring at him habang nakasandal sa upuan at kumakagat ng burger na binili niya.
"Do I look like I'm jealous?" I hissed at him, saktong nasa stop light kaya tumigil si Chance at pinagmasdan nga ako.
Iritadong kinagat ko ang burger, nakatitig sa kanya.
"Yeah, you do..." he muttere. My jaw dropped, napaayos pa ng upo roon at hinawakan ang dibdib.
"Ako? Ako nagseselos?!" I laughed hysterically. "Do I look like I'm jealous?"
Chance blinked at me and slowly nodded. "Well, yeah—"
"H'wag ka na magsalita! Just drive!" I hissed, rolling my eyes, halos makain ko na nga rin ang plastic na pinaglagyan ng burger sa irita sa kanya.
"Baby, can you stay in my—"
"H'wag mo akong kausapin, mag-drive ka lang," diretso kong sabi, mariing nakatitig sa daan.
"Darsh—"
"Isang salita pa, putol 'yang sausage mo," I threatened and glared at him at kitang-kita ko ang pagkawala ng kulay sa mukha niya at napalunok.
"O-okay..." He glanced at the road slowly, almost sweating.
Parang itatapon ko na ang maleta ko sa mukha niya sa sobrang irita nang malamang sa bahay niya kami pumunta sa halip na sa condo unit ko.
"Why didn't you tell me we're going here?" mariin pero iritado kong sabi habang ibinaba niya ang maleta ko sa sasakyan.
"I was about to tell you but you told me to shut up and—"
"Magrarason ka pa?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at nakita ko ang pagtikhim niya at mabilis na umiling sa akin.
"Hindi po," he said like a puppy at doon na tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko.
Good boy, akala mo makakalimutan ko kaagad ang nalaman ko, ah?
Amazing is an understatement when I saw and got inside his three-story house.
My mouth parted I audibly gasped when I saw the layouts inside his house. His interior was a mixture of vintage brown and white decorated with geometrical and odd-shaped furniture.
There are also paintings around, may mga easel pang nakalagay lang sa gilid at mga unfinished artworks. Mukhang 'di lang siya mapirmi sa studio, ah?
"You can take a look around, baby. I'll just prepare the ingredients for the dinner. I'll be just in the kitchen." Hindi na ako nakasagot sa pagkamangha roon.
"Daru?" he called and caught my waist, napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya at napapikit nang dampian niya ako ng halik sa labi. "You can go upstairs if you like. The largest one with gray door is my room."
Napatango ako roon at hinayaan na siyang umalis.
I was biting my lip while looking around, miski ang coffee table at mga center table niya sa bahay ay iba ang hugis at mukhang customized. I dreamt of this place, sabi ko noon sa sarili ko'y kapag nagkabahay na ako ay tutulong ako sa pagdedisenyo ng mga gamit ko at ng bahay.
Nakontrata ko na nga ang pinsan kong si Scira para maging arkitekto ko, I dreamt of artsy and unique house like this pero iba pala talaga kapag nakikita mo na!
I walked and stared at the paintings, ang iba'y matagal na pero ang iba'y halatang bago pa lang. I smiled while staring at Chance's signature below every paintings.
"Wow..." I muttered when a painting caught my attention.
It was a painting of a woman, only half of her face was painted. In her head is a crown, ang kalahati'y binubuo ang mukha ng babae but this time, it was drawn with small flowers instead of lines.
Hindi kompleto ang mukha ng babae, tanging ang kalahating mata at labi lang nito ang kita at bulaklak ang kalahati pero ang ganda-ganda I think it's a bit familiar to me pero hindi ko naman mahalukay sa isip ko kaya binusog ko na lang ang mata ko kakatingin.
"Ang ganda," I muttered, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko habang nakatingin sa painting at napangiting lalo.
May nakita akong tsinelas sa may living room kaya 'yon ang isinuot ko nang tinanggal ang sandals na ibinigay sa akin. I entered the kitchen and saw Chance had started cooking, ngumuso ako at tinanggal ang pusod ko.
Nilingon niya 'ko.
"Hey, baby." He smiled, lumubog ang dimples niya at oo na, pogi siya pero 'di ako marupok.
"Hey your face," I hissed and slowly walked towards him. Bumaling ako sa inaayos niya roong manok. "Ano 'yan?"
"Creamy butter chicken," he muttered and glanced at me. "You like this? I have ingredients for Spaghetti Squash with Bolognese, after this, ayon naman ang lulutuin ko."
"Hmm..." I nodded, marahang niluwagan ko ang vest ng uniform ko at muling itinali ang buhok ko.
"Let me prepare for the Spaghetti," I said and he glanced at me, amused.
"Really?"
I smirked.
"I can cook just fine, baby boy. Don't worry, wala akong balak lasunin ka." I walked closer to him and took the other knife near him.
"Puputulin ko lang ang sausage." I slowly put the knife in front of him, just near his crotch. I heard him curse and stepped back abruptly.
"Fuck!" he cursed and I smiled evilly. I showed him my sweetest smile as I moved closer to him.
He was frozen in place. He looked so nervous kaya tumingkayad ako at marahang pinatakan siya ng halik.
"Ano, baby boy? Anong magandang hati? Lengthwise?" I slowly touched his bulge, making him swallow hard. "Or crosswise?" I whispered and cackled when color left his face.
Nilayuan ko na siyang natatawa, umiiling. Naghugas ako ng kamay sa sink at nang lingunin siya ay mukha siyang tuliro.
"Galaw-galaw, jejemaster, baka ma-stroke," I teased. He licked his lower lip and glanced at his pants.
"Are you seriously going to chop my—"
"Baliw, anong imu-mukbang ko kung wala 'yan?" I glared at him, kinuha ko ang kutsilyo at bumaling sa ingredients ng Spaghetti at nagsimula ng mag-slice.
"Well, unless kung magugutom ako." I smiled coldly. "Kapag 'di mo pa tinuloy pagluluto mo, slice ko 'yan ng lengthwise."
Napamura siya, natawa na akong lalo nang naglakad siya pabalik sa ginagawa niya at inumpisahan ang pag-i-slice.
"Si Cho-choo..." I muttered after a while kaya napatingin siya sa akin.
"Should I go fetch him—"
"Oh!" Biglang nanlaki ang mata ko nang may maalala. "It's okay, my son's in our house nga pala. Kinuha ni Kuya."
I stretched my body first before helping him out.
"You can rest first, baby. I can cook for us," aniya habang nakamasid sa akin. Nagkibit-balikat ako.
"I can help, I'm fine," I said and began chopping the condiments we'll use for tonight.
We were accompanied by silence until he spoke. "About what Mama said..."
My shoulders squared but I didn't look at him. I focused on chopping at narinig ko ang tikhim niya.
"That was a long time ago, Daru," paliwanag niya kaya tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko at bumaling sa kanya.
"Sarap ba, Salcedo? Mukhang nasarapan ka, ah?" I snapped.
Mabilis siyang umiling.
"I was young—"
"Oh, oo nga pala, she's pretty kaya kiniss mo," I spat. "Sana all."
"Baby..." Binitiwan niya ang hawak at nilingon ako. "You're prettier, hmm?"
"Yeah? If I was prettier pala why didn't you kiss me way back?" Simangot ko. "Siya, nagandahan ka lang may kiss na. Tapos ako? Waley? Zero? Kung hindi pa ako nagnakaw ng halik sa 'yo noon..."
"You're young back then, baby."
"You're young..." I mimicked sarcastically. "You said I was prettier, saan ka pa? Miss Intrams pa ako noon? Miss Congeniality, best in swimsuit. I even won the Miss Teen Philippines tapos..."
"That was way back in elementary, Darshana," he confessed. Umawang ang labi ko.
"W-weh?" I blinked.
"Yes, doll." He sighed. "Okay, I liked pretty girls. I was just a kid, gano'n lang ako kababaw and—"
"Nah, pero kahit na. Ikaw ang first kiss ko tapos ang first mo, siya?" I gasped. "Nasaan ang hustisya sa Pilipinas?" I even looked around.
"Baby doll, come on..." He licked his lower lip. "That was nothing, she's my bestfriend. Kababata ko noon at siya lang madalas kong makasama kaya—"
"Oh, anyway, crush mo ata iyon. Anong name no'n? Del? Ano 'yan fabric softener?" I asked him with a fake smile at halos ihagis ko sa kanya ang bawang nang natawa na siya.
"The fuck? Fabric softener—" natatawa na siya kaya pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.
"Ay, tawang-tawa?" I snorted. He cleared his throat and became serious.
"Sorry, baby. I confess, she became my crush. Crush lang naman noong bata ako, hindi na ngayon," paliwanag niyang namumungay ang mata. "Promise, Daru." He even raised his hand to show me he's truthful.
"Hmm..." Inangat ko ang kutsilyo at bumaling sa pants niya. "Kahit putulin ko 'yan?"
Nanlaki ang mata niya, he almost covered his crotch but stopped himself and nodded at me instead.
"Kahit... p-putulin mo pa," aniya kaya napatango na ako at bumaling sa kanya.
"Eh, sinong crush mo ngayon?" I asked while looking at him, nakikipagtagisan sa tingin niya.
"Ikaw," he said straightforwardly, without blinking kaya tumikhim na ako at bumaba ang tingin sa ginagawa.
"Kdot," I answered boredly, kunwari'y 'di kinikilig pero nagti-twerk na ang inner self ko.
"Ikaw lang ang gusto ko," aniya ulit kaya kumunot na ang noo ko, humaba ang nguso ko at nangingiti kaya kinagat ang labi.
Hindi ka marupok, self. Hindi ka marupok. Hindi ka kagaya ng iniisip ng mga pinsan mo!
I heard his footsteps, dahil dedicated kuno ako sa paghiwa ng mga gagamitin doon ay 'di ko siya nilingon at umikot ang tiyan nang maramdaman siya sa likod ko.
I felt him slowly wrapping his arms behind me, caging my stomach. Nakagat ko ang labi ko at bumilis ang kabog ng puso.
"G-ginagawa mo r'yan?" I asked when I felt him resting his chin on my shoulder.
"It's you I like now," he whispered solemnly, making my cheeks burn.
"Okay nga," I whispered and shrugged him off of me pero mas yumakap lang siya sa akin.
"Darsh..." he whispered after a while kissing my cheek. "Dati pa 'yon, bata pa ako. Mababaw lang 'yon at walang-wala sa ngayon sa 'yo..."
I screamed internally.
"O-oh?"
He chuckled a bit and hugged me tighter.
"Gusto-gusto kita, ikaw lang." he whispered. "I really, really like you, baby doll. Maybe, it's even more than that."
Shit...
"W-weh? Gaano kagusto?" I asked, my grip on the knife tightened, the overwhelming feeling about to explode.
"I was never this sure all my life, Darshana. Gustong-gusto kita." He briefly ran his lips on my cheek. "Don't be jealous again, hmm? Ikaw lang ang gusto ko."
"Okay..." I said, blushing.
"Daru, ikaw lang," ulit pa niya. "Gusto kita."
"P-paulit-ulit?" I hissed. He chuckled and pressed his lips on my temple.
Napapatili na ako pero pinipigilan ko dahil hindi ako marupokpok.
Kumalma ka, Darshana! Hindi ka marupok—
"Isa pa nga!" hirit ko pa kaya napatawa na siya.
I giggled when he hugged me more and kissed my neck.
"Gusto mo ng isang pangmalakasang mukbang?" he suddenly whispered kaya mas lumaki ang ngisi ko. Tumango-tango ako at napatawa siya nang halos magpabuhat na ako.
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