Kabanata 3
Kabanata 3
Hindi ako nakatulog no'ng gabing iyon kakaisip sa nangyari sa akin isang araw pa lamang na nandito ako. A lot happened in just a single night and here I was thinking about Marcus and the twins.
Malamig ang guest room kung nasaan ako nag-i-stay. I found out Storm's clothes were here because of Marcus—mukhang nagkagalit sila bago pa umalis ang kakambal ko rito.
How he acted earlier made me feel something else. It felt so wrong because yes, I was here to fix the mess my twin made. I was here to take care of them, and yet Marcus was still Storm's husband and we couldn't change that.
Natatakot din ako't baka ipawalang-bisa ni Marcus ang kasal nila ni Storm, ayon kasi kay nanay na narinig niya mula sa kambal ko'y kapag tuluyang naghiwalay ang dalawa ay kukunin na ni Macky ang kambal at hindi ko na—namin makikita ang mga ito.
I looked around the room where I was in and decided to just turn the aircon off and open the ceiling fan instead. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa ganitong kagarbong lugar. Ang bahay namin nina Nanay noon ay simpleng barong-barong lang at nito namang nagtrabaho ako sa ibang bansa'y nasa storage ako natutulog.
Walang aircon. Walang electric fan. Maliit at madumi na para akong bilanggo kaya ngayong nasa ganito ako kalaking mansyon ay nanliliit ako.
Working as an Overseas Filipino Worker was hard. Akala ng iba'y mayaman ka kapag nagtrabaho ka sa ibang bansa pero mali sila sa aspetong iyon. It was hard—swerte na lang siguro kung maayos ang employer mo pero sa kaso ko? I was abused.
I did hard labor. I rarely ate. Pinakamaraming kain ko na sa isang araw ay isang beses lamang at kung hindi lang ako siguro lumaki sa probinsya ay baka hindi ko na kinaya ang trabaho.
Mahirap na nga ang trabaho, madalas ay delay pa ang sweldo. Matagal ko ng gustong umalis doon pero kapag naiisip ko sina nanay, si Storm, at ang mga bata kaya hindi ako sumusuko. Nobody knew I worked there as a maid aside from my twin. Akala ng nanay ay naroon ako para mag-tutor ng mga bata.
Napatungo ako, sumulyap sa hita ko at marahang inangat ang suot na shorts at nakita ang peklat mula roon sa kanila. It was that time when my employer, the lady, caught her husband peeking at me in the bathroom like a crazy maniac at sa halip na ang asawa ang sisihin, sa akin siya nagbunton.
She accused me of seducing her husband and pulled me out of the bathroom. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ang plantsang katatapos niya lang gamitin at dumikit iyon sa hita ko.
She let me go after that but it was so painful I cried in my room. Nagkasakit ako pero hindi ko madala ang sarili ko sa ospital dahil 'di ako makalabas at wala akong pera pambayad.
I only felt better when Tasha went to me and gave me something to eat. She even took medicine from her mom's room to give me one to help me with my fever.
Hindi madali ang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Swertihan din talaga. Hindi lahat ng tao ay pangarap magtrabaho sa ibang bansa at malayo sa pamilya. Hindi lahat ng tao'y may lakas ng loob makipagsapalaran sa isang destinasyong walang siguradong dulo.
Nakakalungkot lang talagang kaunti ang opportunidad sa Pilipinas. Kung mayro'n may ay maliit ang sahod at hindi sapat sa pamilya. If only our country prioritized Filipino careers so that we wouldn't think about flying to a foreign country to get the job and salary we deserved...
Ni hindi ito ang kursong tinapos ko sa kolehiyo. When I graduated, I aspired to be the best in my job because I was good in class, but opportunities weren't for me kaya napilitan akong lumipad sa bansang hindi pamilyar sa akin at pinatos ang kahit anong trabahong mayro'n para maipantustos sa pamilya.
Kung kaya ko lang talagang manatili noon, ginawa ko na.
Hilom na ang sugat pero ang peklat ay nanatili roon kaya napatitig ako at napangiti. But at least, I survived. It was a good thing. Maybe I still had a purpose. The Almighty might have given me another chance in life because I still had a role to play.
Lumabas ako sa azotea para makalanghap ng sariwang hangin. Nang tumama iyon sa mukha ay napapikit ako't dinama iyon pero kaagad na natigilan nang makaamoy ng usok.
I stopped, shifted my head, and was stunned upon seeing Marcus in the terrace of his room just beside the guest room.
Hubad ang pang-itaas niya, tanging kulay na itim na pajama ang suot. He was leaning on the barricade, silent. Dumako ang tingin ko sa biceps niyang firm at ma-muscles, natigilan nang iangat niya ang kamay at inilapit sa kanyang labi ang sigarilyo.
My mouth parted.
He was smoking?
Bumuga siya ng usok. Sumama iyon sa hangin kaya nalanghap ko ang amoy ng sigarilyo niyang may halong mint. He then licked his lower lip and put his cigarette on the ashtray after a few blows.
I watched him like a cat from where I was, not even making a sound so I could look at him this way for some time.
Hindi rin siya makatulog at base sa nakikita kong dilim sa mukha niya't pag-igting ng mga panga ay alam kong may iniisip siya.
He then reached his hand somewhere, as if looking for something—his glass of liquor he placed on the barricade and tried reaching for it and when he almost did, I gasped loudly.
Natigil siya. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa pwesto ko.
"Who's that?" he asked, his body in defensive mode.
Dali-dali kong tinakpan ang bibig. Nanlalaki ang mata habang nakamasid sa kanyang nakabaling sa pwesto ko. Hindi ako umimik. Ni hindi na nga 'ata ako humihinga.
He then sighed and shook his head. "And now I'm imagining things," matabang niyang sabi at 'yon na lang ang paghinga ko ng maluwag sabay sapo sa dibdib.
Muntik ka na, Varsha!
He proceeded into searching for his liquor on the barricade. Dahil nga sa hindi niya nakikita ay kinakapa niya iyon sa paligid at nahulog ang panga ko nang muntik na niyang masagi iyon.
"Sa kanan!" I exclaimed. "Matatamaan mo na, Marcus!"
He got it. Isang hablot lang niya sa baso't paling sa pwesto ko ay muli kong natakpan ang bibig.
Shit. Ito ang mahirap kapag nerbyosa ka!
My eyes felt like they were going to jump away from the sockets when he moved his body towards the place where I was standing and it gave me a full view of his mouth-watering and defined pectorals. May maninipis na buhok sa may dibdib niya't hawak sa isang kamay ang baso ng alak na kanina lang ay 'di niya mahanap.
"I knew it," he murmured while I was just looking at him exaggeratedly, still covering my mouth.
Hindi ako magsasalita! I wasn't here! You're just hearing things, Marcus!
He lifted the glass he was holding and lifted it up on his mouth to take a sip, hotly licking his lower lip after.
"You can't hide from me, Storm. I know you're there," he murmured and it was a foolish move to even expect him not to notice me after I screamed that.
"S-sorry..." Tumikhim ako at marahang lumapit na sa may barricade kaharap kung nasaan siya. "Ano lang kasi, hindi ako makatulog kaya lumabas ako rito para magpahangin tapos nakita kita."
His lips pursed. They were still wet from drinking when he lowered it again kaya suminghap ako.
"Huwag mong bitawan!" I exclaimed and raised my hand kaya naiwan sa ere ang kamay niya. "Mahuhulog sa baba 'yan!"
"Huh?" he asked. "Where can I put this..." Ibinaba niya ang kamay at sinubukang humawak ng paglalapagan pero naa-anxious akong tingnan ang kanyang kamay na may hawak pang baso ng alak.
"Don't," I said. "Huwag mong bitawan muna, baka mahulog. Sandali, punta ako riyan."
"What? Wait, my door's closed—"
"Don't worry, I won't go to your door," I said at walang takot akong sumampa sa may barricade.
"Don't tell me..." he trailed off.
"E 'di hindi," ngisi ko at mabilis na kumapit at ibinalanse ang sarili sa maliit na sementong pwedeng tulayan patungo sa kanyang terrace.
"Don't..." He cursed, "Fucking shit, Storm Raina!"
Humalakhak ako at umayos ng tayo para 'di mahulog.
"Don't worry, Macky, I got this," I even said proudly. "Dati sa probinsya namin magaling akong umakyat-akyat—" I screamed when I almost slipped but got a quick balance.
"Fuck..." He gritted his teeth. "Be careful!" he growled.
"Chill!" I laughed and walked a little more. "Sandali, malapit na ako."
"Here." I was shocked when he lifted his free hand and extended it somewhere. "Take it."
"I'm really fine—"
"I said take it, woman!" he hissed. "Paano kung mahulog ka riyan sa tigas ng ulo mo?"
"I told you, I was a great climber before. Madalas akong sumasama sa pag-akyat ng bundok!"
"I don't fucking care, just take my damn hand and come here quick! You think you'll live if you fall?"
Napatingin ako sa ibaba at 'di naman kataasan kaya nagkibit-balikat ako.
"Oo, mababalian nga lang—"
"Stop reasoning!" he exclaimed, quite demanding. Mas iginalaw niya ang kamay. "Take my damn hand!"
"Okay! Okay!" Napahakhak ako sa kanya. "Ito na, sandali. Pero hindi kanan, Marcus. Nasa kaliwa ako." He then quickly shifted his hand towards my side kaya tumawa na ako at unti-unti'y inabot iyon.
Electricity ran from his hand into mine when our fingers touched. His calloused hand pulled me gently until I climbed on his terrace and sat on the barricade and grinned.
"See? I told you I can..." Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin nang mawalan ako ng balanse dahil medyo dumulas ang pang-upo, akala'y mahuhulog patalikod nang mabilis niyang nahawakan ang likod ng baywang ko at hinatak ako pabalik.
Sa gulat ay napakapit ako sa may batok niya at namilog ang mata nang maglapit ang mukha namin.
"Ang tigas ng ulo mo!" he growled angrily, still firming my waist. "Ang kulit-kulit mo! Wala 'yang iniyayabang mong umaakyat ka ng bundok kung mahuhulog ka rito, Storm Raina!"
The mixed scent of his cigarette and liquor reached my nose. Pirmi ang bibig niya at malamig na nagsasalita, mariin at galit pero napapalunok lang ako dahil sa lapit ng mukha namin.
Damn, he was hot.
Because he was naked from the top, I could feel the warmth of his chest against the tiny fabric of my spaghetti strap top. Ang lamig-lamig ng hangin pero ang init-init niya.
"You are hard-headed! You could've waited for me to just open the damn door instead of climbing here! Ano ka, unggoy?!" he exclaimed back at seryoso siya pero napabughalit ako ng tawa.
"Ano?! Unggoy? Ako?!" I exclaimed back, laughing.
"And now you're laughing," he spat. "You are not taking me seriously, Storm."
"Nerbyoso ka kasi." Napatawa ako. "I wouldn't have fallen. Kaya ko 'yan."
"Tss...says the woman who almost fell just a moment ago," bulong-bulong niya kaya ngumisi ako.
I stared at him again to look at face, my cheeks heating up with the closeness we had right now. Pantay ang mukha namin dahil sa pagkakaupo ko sa may barricade. Our chests were almost pressed in each other. Our faces were an inch apart.
My eyes fell on his lips. He stopped too. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa baywang ko kaya naikuyom ko ang kamay at lumalim ang paghinga.
His tongue fell on his lower lip and moistened it. Huling-huli ko rin ang marahas niyang paglunok at namilog ang mata ko nang bahagya siyang umabante palapit kaya mas nagpigil ako ng hininga.
When the tip of our nose touched, my heart thundered. His scent intoxicated me that my eyes felt sleepy and drowsy. Nahulog ang mata ko at napapikit, dinadama ang alak at mint sa kanyang hininga.
I moved my body to try and kiss him but realized something.
This was wrong!
Ipinaling ko ang ulo, ang labi niya'y tumama sa pisngi ko kaya tila sasabog ang mukha ko sa init at mabilis na kinuha ang basong hawak niya at inilapag na sa patungan.
"A-ayan!" I chuckled awkwardly. "H-hindi na malalaglag 'yong baso mo."
He sighed and moved away, ang nahihiyang ngiti sa labi ko ay nawala nang tahimik siyang bumitaw sa akin at lumayo. Tila hinugot ang hininga ko paalis. Ipinikit ko ang mata nang mariin nang mapansing umiigting na naman ang panga niya.
"Macky," I called and he quietly walked on the other side and rested his arms there.
"Thanks for helping. You can go," he announced coldly.
Kumirot ang dibdib ko, mukhang napasama na naman ang naging dating sa kanya ng ginawa ko. Mabilis akong bumaba sa pagkakaupo roon at lumapit.
"Marcus—"
"It's late, you should sleep," aniya, tahimik na nakasandal ang mga braso sa matigas ang ekspresyon sa mukha.
"Sorry..." I sighed. "Hindi naman sa ayaw kong lumapit sa 'yo. I'm just..." I thought of ways to explain what I WAS feeling.
"I know it well, Storm. Hindi ako 'yong lalaki mo, naiintindihan ko," He muttered blankly kaya dali-dali akong umiling.
"Hindi...hindi." I dismissed his thoughts and reached for his arm. "Wala akong lalaki—"
"You are full of bullshit, Storm. Alam mo 'yon?" Hinila niya ang braso sa akin. "You left us! You left your family for that asshole tapos ngayon ay babalik ka na parang walang nangyari? Ano nga ulit 'yon? Wala ka na namang pera?"
"Hindi..." I had trouble explaining it. "I don't want any money from you, hmm? I'd never ask you something like that—at least not a-anymore. I'll be better, just don't...please don't push me away. Hayaan mo akong alagaan kayong tatlo ng mga a-anak natin. L-let me change, g-give me a chance."
I was so frustrated my eyes stung from the tears coming.
"Macky..." Muli ko siyang inabot. "P-pangako, pangako magbabago ako. Just give me a chance."
"Aren't you tired lying?" he blurted out. "Ilang beses mo na ba 'yang sinabi? Tapos uulitin mo na naman? Kaya kong palagpasin ka noon kasi asawa kita! Ina ka ng mga anak ko pero pagod na rin ako, Storm. You know why I got into this accident?!"
Natahimik ako.
"Well, you know what? I saw you with a man, woman! Imagine how would you feel if you saw your wife who promised to change and be better kissing someone else, huh? Tangina, sabihin mo sa 'kin kung anong dapat kong maramdamang may iba ang asawa ko, huh?!"
My mouth parted as if cold water washed through my system upon hearing it.
"I respected you, Storm! Kahit wala tayong nararamdaman sa isa't isa nirespeto kita!" he exclaimed, ang galit at frustration ay damang-dama ko sa kanyang boses. "T-there were girls around but I didn't fool around because I was committed to you! Nirerespeto kita bilang asawa ko! Bilang ina ng kambal pero tangina!"
Tuluyan nang nahulog ang luha ko nang mabasag ang kanyang boses.
"H-he was...he was touching you in p-places I should be the only one touching," he whispered painfully. "P-pinatawad kita. T-tanggap ko naman na n-nagkamali ka pero i-inulit mo...palagi na lang. P-palagi mo na lang akong sinasaktan! P-palagi mo na lang iniiwan ang mga bata! M-mahal ka nila, Storm. M-mahal na mahal ka nila kahit sinasaktan mo sila! M-mahal ka nila..." His voice trembled.
Sa kabila ng dilim ay kitang-kita ko ang basa sa kanyang pisngi at benda.
"G-gusto ko lang namang maging mabuting asawa sa 'yo. G-gusto kong bigyan ng pamilya ang mga a-anak ko. G-gusto ko ng pamilyang kagaya kina mama at papa—gustong-gusto ko."
Nadurog ang puso ko sa basag niyang boses na nakita ko ang sariling lumalapit sa kanyang direksyon para hulihin siya sa isang yakap. Nagpumiglas siya sa akin pero umiiyak kong hinawakan ang batok niya at mas hinigpitan ang yakap ko sa kanya.
"Sorry..." I whispered. "M-mali ako, Macky. Sorry."
"Bullshit..." mahinang bulong niya.
"Babawi ako, pangako," I whispered. "I'm begging you, Macky. G-give me o-one more."
Hindi na siya umimik pero ang hikbi naming dalawa ay dinig na dinig sa lalim ng gabi, sa ilalim ng madilim na kalangitan at unti-unti'y naramdaman ko ang basa sa akin braso.
It started raining. Tila sinasabayan ang luha naming dalawa.
Ang kalmadong gabing iyon ay naging marahas dahil sa ulang mabining nahuhulog mula sa itaas patungo sa aking braso.
"P-pasok na tayo, hmm?" bulong ko nang medyo makalma na siya. Nakasubsob siya sa aking balikat at nakatungo kaya abot ko siya. "I'm so sorry. Papasok na tayo, pahinga ka na."
He didn't protest when I held his hand to pull him inside. Tahimik kong inayos ang kanyang kama at inalalayan siyang pahiga roon na walang imik.
I pursed my lips when he turned his back at me after wearing his shirt kaya tahimik kong iniangat ang comforter sa kanyang katawan at inabot ang lamp shade sa side table para sana patayin.
"Don't..." He stopped me.
Nilingon ko siya at nakatihaya na siya roon. "Don't turn the lights off. I can't sleep t-that way. They'll come chasing me again."
"Who?" marahan kong tanong.
"The...monsters." He sighed. "They'll come to me. Always."
"They're just in your dreams, Marcus," marahang paliwanag ko. "Walang kukuha sa 'yo, hindi ko sila hahayaan."
He gulped harshly and shifted his position until he was facing me.
"How sure are you?" mahinang tanong niya.
"I am sure, Macky," I murmured, my heart softening while looking at him resting there like a kid. "I won't let them."
His Adam's apple moved. Ngumuso ako nang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa kamay kong nasa kama, inaabot iyon hanggang sa mahawakan na niya.
"Promise?" nag-aalangan pang tanong niya kaya unti-unti'y napangiti ako at tumango.
"I promise," I whispered back, feeling emotional as I gripped his hand back for a squeeze. "Hindi ka ba makatulog? You want me to sing to you to sleep?"
I swear I saw his face brighten.
"Would you?"
"Hmm." I nodded. "But well, I can't assure you I have a nice voice. Singer lang ako sa banyo kasi—"
"It's okay, I can listen to a bathroom singer." He smirked.
"Ay, wow, grabe?" I hissed when he began laughing, the tone of his voice making the loud sound of the rain disappear. "Ayoko na nga kumanta, baka sabihan mo 'kong pang-tae ang boses—" nagbiro pa akong aalis pero muli niya akong hinila kaya napahiga ako sa kama.
Maybe Marcus was so good at doing this I found myself pinned again by him kaya namimilog na naman ang mata ko. Akala mo'y 'di kami nagsigawan kanina sa labas.
"Sing for me," he murmured, his breath fanning my nose.
"Pero pang-banyo lang—"
"Be the banyo queen," bulong niya at inilapit sa akin ang mukha niya. "I wanna sleep hearing your voice."
"Paano kapag nagising ka lang lalo?" kinakabahan kong tanong, nagsisising nag-offer pa ako pero tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi niya.
"That's for you to think. Galingan mo." Ibinagsak niya ang ulo sa pabalik sa higaan at inilahad ang tabi niya sabay tapik ng braso niya. "Rest your head here and sing for me. Pampam mo ako."
"Pampam?" Napatawa ako. "Where did you get that word?"
"Zy." He laughed a little. "That asshole's been teasing me 'bout that. Sounds good giving it a use though."
I nodded and smiled, nag-aalangan at nahihiya man no'ng una ay marahan akong dumulas papunta sa braso niya. Kaagad niyang sinalo ang ulo ko at nang magharap na naman ang aming mukha ay naroon na naman ang pamilyar na kalabog sa dibdib.
"Sigurado ka, ah?" bulong ko habang nakatitig sa mukha niya, sa benda sa kanyang mata. "I'll sing for you, wala 'tong kasiguraduhan kung makakatulog ka o gising buong gabi sa bangungot."
He stifled a sexy laugh, nakagat ko ang labi roon at halos mag-hyperventilate.
"That's why you should empress me, love." He grinned. "Pamper me and sing a lullaby."
Love...
Lumunok ako at mas umayos ng higa sa braso niya, pumasok din ako sa loob ng comforter at marahang inaangat ang kamay para haplusin ang boses niya.
Tumikhim ako bago nagsimulang kumanta sa nahihiya at mahinang boses.
"I see your monsters...I see your pain..." I sang gently. "Tell me your problems, I'll chase them away..."
I touched his hair more.
I'll be your lighthouse
I'll make it okay
When I see your monsters
I'll stand there so brave
And chase them all away
Unti-unti, lumalim ang kanyang paghinga at napangiti ako ng maliit nang umusog ang ulo niya sa may leeg ko.
Storm...why did you have to ruin this man?
Hearing him that mad and desperate earlier made me feel bad. Hindi ako ang may gawa n'on sa kanya pero damay ako dahil sa kakambal ko. I felt like it was my fault too and I think it really was.
In the dark we
We stand apart we...
Never see that the things that we need are staring right at us
You just want to hide
Hide never show your smile
Malungkot akong napangiti nang maramdaman ang unti-unting pagkalma ng hinga niya, ang ulo'y bumibigat sa may leeg ko.
Stand alone when you need someone it's the hardest thing of all
That you see are the bad...bad...bad...
Bad memories take your time and you'll find me
Monsters every time he closed his eyes. Nightmares plunging your dreams. It was hard because I—I experienced it too.
"Don't be scared, Marcus," bulong kong mahina at pinatakan ng halik ang kanyang buhok.
"When I see your monsters, I'll stand there so brave," I sang again in his ear, "and chase them all away..."
I left his room when he was settled and sleeping soundly. I didn't turn his lights off. He said his life had been dark and he didn't want to add any more darkness in it.
Maganda ang mood ko pagkagising. I checked him in his room and he was still soundly sleeping and it made me so happy again.
Pagkababa ko sa kusina ay gulat na gulat sila, nagtinginan pa sa orasan kaya ngumiti ako.
"Magandang umaga!" I chirped.
"Magandang umaga, ma'am!" bati nina Ate Ramona. "Hala, ma'am, alas-sais pa lang. Ang aga mo naman nagising?"
"Ah, sanay lang kasi talaga akong magising nang maaga," sabi ko at naglakad palapit para tingnan ang niluluto nila. "Wow! Adobo! Bakit walang patatas?"
"Ah, si sir—"
"Tsk..." iling ko at inabot ang sandok para haluin iyon. "Hindi kompleto ang adobo kapag walang patatas. Pwedeng makisuyong pabili ako? Ako na ang tatalop at maghahalo."
Tinitigan lang nila ako, nagtataka sa akin kaya ngumiti na ako.
"Sige na, please?" I mumbled. "Don't worry about Marcus, he'll eat this. I'm sure."
"'Yong mga bata po, ma'am. Uuwi rin 'ata ngayon," ani Nancy kaya umawang ang labi ko't mas naging maganda ang mood, mas nagwawala na ang puso sa saya.
"Another reason why we should fix this up," I muttered excitedly. "The twins would love this and oh, is the macaroons okay? Initin natin para makain ng dalawa."
"Opo..." They nodded and I noticed their panic. "Sige po, daan lang kami diyan sa may wet market diyan para patatas. Baka may gusto pa kayong ipabili, ma'am?"
"Hmm, gulay or prutas lang." I smiled. "Kailangang kumain n'ong tatlo ng masusutansya't puro pancit canton ang nasa cabinet. Sino bang nag-grocery?"
Ate Ramona cleared her throat. "Ako, ma'am. Si sir kasi, e. Bili raw ng marami kasi paborito niya 'yan."
Napatawa ako't napailing. "Oh, siya. Sige, pasuyo na lang muna ako. Tulong ako rito mag-ayos ng agahan."
It felt good serving breakfast for these people. Noong nagtatrabaho kasi ako'y si Tasha lang ang nakaka-appreciate sa mga luto ko at kahit siya lang ay masaya na ako. Hindi ko rin expected na ganito pala kabuti ang mga tao rito sa bahay kaya masaya ako't nasa mabuting kamay ang kambal.
After I heated the macaroons, I placed it on the breakfast table together with the food.
"Kain na rin kayo," tawag ko sa pansin nila. "Sina Kuya Bogart at saka mga guards pasabing mag-agahan na at marami itong ulam. Salo-salo tayo."
"Salamat, ma'am!" The glint in their eyes screamed gratefulness. "Hindi po namin inakalang magaling kayong magluto."
"Salamat," marahang sinabi ko na. "Sandali, ah? Bisitahin ko lang si Marcus."
"Sige po, ma'am."
Nang umakyat ako para puntahan si Macky ay naabutan ko ang nurse niyang papalabas ng kwarto.
"Good morning po," I greeted and she smiled at me.
"Magandang umaga rin, hija. Pinaligo ko na muna ang asawa mo, matatapos na 'yon maya-maya. Samahan ko na lang pababa para sa agahan, pasensya na't hindi ako nakarating kagabi, ah? Emergency lang."
"Ayos lang po," ngiti ko. "Salamat nga po pala sa pag-aasikaso kay Marcus, alam kong madalas ay matigas ang ulo niyan."
She looked stunned at first while hearing me but laughed after a while.
"Tama, napakakulit," iling niya. "Ayaw pa kumain ng gulay, kaya inis na inis na rin si Ma'am Reah sa anak niya't matigas ang ulo."
"Pwede po bang pumasok?"
"Sige, ayos lang," ngiti niya, "tapos na iyon maligo, inayos ko na rin 'yong benda niya't madalas naco-conscious sa mga mata niya. Baba muna ako't kukumustahin ang mga babae roon."
"Ay!" I snapped. "Tamang-tama po't may agahan. Kain na kayo, nurse. Ako na po maghatid kay Marcus sa breakfast."
She thanked me and left, pumasok naman ako sa kwarto ni Marcus bago naupo sa gilid ng kama niya't iginalaw ang paa, nag-aantay sa kanyang lumabas pero parang bigla akong nagsisi sa ginawang pag-aantay sa nakita.
Marcus with his wet and messy hair got out of the bathroom with nothing but a tiny towel on his waist. Basa pa ang pang-itaas na parte ng katawan kaya kumikinang-kinang ang abs sa paningin ko.
My jaw dropped as my eyes landed from his pectorals and down the V-line on his waist and down his...
"Why look when you can try and touch it, Storm?" Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa turan niya.
"What?!" I exclaimed, napatayo pa sa kama. "Hindi ko tinititigan 'yang abs mo, ah?! At saka paano mo nalamang nandito 'ko?!"
He smirked, he then lifted his hand kaya mabilis akong bumaba sa kama at inabot iyon para tulungan siya palapit sa akin pero hinila niya lang ako sabay hawak sa baywang ko.
"I can smell you," he said. "I told you I like that scent more than what you used before. It smells great." Halos panawan na ako ng malay nang mabilis siyang tumungo at inamoy ang leeg ko.
Shit...shit...shit!
"What perfume is this again, love?" bulong pa niya kaya marahas akong lumunok.
"'Yong nabibili lang sa...grocery?" I laughed awkwardly, my stomach churning with much intensity hr was giving me.
"I want more of that," aniya, ang tungki ng kanyang ilong ay tumama sa panga ko kasabay ng mas paghigit niya sa akin at ang mabining halik sa pisngi ko. "I didn't have nightmares last night, Storm."
My eyes lit up, mabilis kong sinapo ang mukha niya ay napangiti.
"Really?"
"Hmm..." His lips pursed like a kid. "Thank you."
"It's not because of me," marahang sinabi ko. "It's because you are strong and you can get through it. I know you'll escape those monsters, Macky. Itataboy natin sila."
"Hmm..." He smiled a little and placed his forehead against mine, his mouthwash lingering. "I'm not saying I'll give you a chance because I'm..." he sighed. "I don't know, Storm."
"Ayos lang." Malungkot akong napangiti. "I'll just show you and the kids I'm doing great? And willing to change? Mas mabuti ang gawa kaysa sa puro salita."
Kinuhaan ko si Marcus ng shirt at shorts niya bago hinayaang magbihis. I went out of his room and waited outside, nagitla pa nang biglang may umakbay sa akin.
"Macky?" I called and lifted my eyes to see his face pero nakasimangot lang siya at nakahawak sa noo niya. "Oh? Anong nangyari?"
"The fucking wall," he hissed angrily. "Nauntog ako, Storm."
Umawang ang labi ko pero napatawa sa itsura niya. He looked like a kid throwing a tantrum.
"Tss, nasaan na ba ang pader na 'yan at papaluin ko?" I teased, watching his frowning face. "Akin na nga ang noo na 'yan at i-kiss para mawala!" I exclaimed, cupping his cheek to lower his head and kissed his forehead.
"Ayan! Ano, wala na?" I asked, looking at his face but instead, what I saw was his blushing face.
"Oh em..."
"I'm not," he blurted out and tried straightening his face up. Napanganga ako. "I am not fucking blushing, Storm!"
Humalakhak ako. Mahaba ang nguso niya at napapalakpak na ako, pinipigil ang halakhak habang siya'y nakasimangot lang sa akin.
"I'm sorry!" I laughed again and reached for him. "Sorry, hindi na. Ang cute mo kasi!"
"Whatever, Storm Raina." He sighed, hiding a small smile. "Let's eat. I'm starving."
Inalalayan ko siyang pababa sa hagdan at kapit na kapit siya sa akin. His other palm's grasping the sides of the stairs and when we successfully reached the kitchen, handa na ang lahat.
Ipinaupo ko siya sa upuan doon sa kusina at nilagyan siya ng pagkain sa plato at may naalala.
"Sandali, ah? Ibababa ko 'yong gamot mo rito para mainom mo after," paalam ko bago umalis at kinuha iyon.
Pagbaba ko ay narinig ko ang mga pamilyar na boses at 'yon na lang ang pagtalon ng puso ko nang makita ang dalawang makukulit na batang tumatakbo papasok.
Sky and Sunny in their intertwined hands ran inside the house excitedly.
"Papa! Papa, we're home!" Sunny's lively voice filled my ear kaya mas binilisan ko ang pagbaba, handa na sana silang tawagin pero tuloy-tuloy ang pagtakbo nila papasok sa kusina nang tawagin sila ni Marcus.
I bit my lower lip. Smiling, I took a peek inside the kitchen and the kids were kissing Marcus who was laughing and hugging the two.
Sunny was wearing a jumper with her hair in pigtails while Sky was in his gray shirt and shorts. They looked adorable.
"I missed you two," he muttered, si Sunny ay kapit na kapit sa leeg niya habang si Sky ay may inaamoy na roon sa may lamesa.
I saw him open the lid of the Tupperware and my eyes brightened upon seeing his blue eyes shone when he saw it.
"Macaroons!" he exclaimed happily.
"Wow! Macaroons?" Sunny jumped from her dad who was chuckling at the two and ran towards her brother. "Wow, Papa! Thank you po sa macaroons! Happy na si Sky! Wow may color pink! Sa 'yo 'yong blue, akin pink!"
Sky didn't answer. He had been eyeing the macaroons like he was seeing a piece of gold and it made me chuckle. Napalakas yata ang tawa ko kaya napabaling na sila sa akin at doon na ako lumabas.
"It's your mom who baked the two of you those macaroons," Marcus said kaya lumapit ako't natigilan nang makita ang unti-unting pag-atras ni Sunny at pagtungo ng ulo niya, tila natatakot.
Sumikip ang dibdib ko nang makita ang paglalaho ng ngiti sa mukha ni Sky at napalitan ng lamig at talim ng tingin sa akin. I felt like I was looking at the angry Marcus right now as he shielded his sister from me.
"No! Don't come! Don't hurt Sunny!" he exclaimed.
My mouth parted in shock with the rage I was receiving but I wasn't mad at them but at myself.
"Skyler..." Marcus called. "Calm down, son. Let's eat—"
"No! Palo niya si Sunny!" he exclaimed while still hiding his sister behind him. "She hurt my sister! 'Di ko siya Mama!"
"Storm," malamig na tawag kasabay ng bumuntonghininga si Marcus, tumango-tango naman ako at kinagat ang labi.
"O-okay, I'll just go upstairs pero kain kayo, ah?" I murmured and walked a little closer and when they moved away again, my heart squeezed in pain. "I won't come near you, hahanda ko lang 'yong plato n'yo. Masarap ang ulam, mga anak, adobo."
They didn't answer me. Matalim ang tingin sa akin ni Sky habang si Sunny ay nagtatago sa kanyang likod, pasilip-silip sa akin ang malambing pero takot na mga mata kaya pakiramdam ko'y nagiging emosyonal ako.
"May gulay dito pero patatas lang," marahang sabi ko at nilagyan ng ulam ang plato nila. "Masarap 'to kaya kumain kayo, ah? Tapos after kumain ng kanin 'tsaka 'yong macaroons para dessert n'yo."
Sunny peeked more. She was looking at me curiously kaya nginitian ko na pero mabilis siyang nagtago ulit.
"I baked the pink ones for our Sunny and the blue ones for Sky," baling ko kay Sky pero matapang lang ang tingin niya sa akin. "Kain kayo ng marami, ah? Akyat muna ako."
I smiled at them gently, nodding before glancing at Marcus' serious face and left. Tinanguan ko rin sina Alice at Nancy kaya mabilis silang pumasok sa kusina para daluhan ang mga bata.
Papaakyat na sana ako sa kwarto ko nang marinig ang usapan ng iilang househelp tungkol sa akin at sa mga bata.
"Hi, excuse me..." they jumped when I called them, horror filling their orbs upon a glimpse of me.
"Ma'am!" they exclaimed. "K-kanina ka pa po?"
"Ngayon lang," I said, "I just heard you talk about—"
"Hala, ma'am! Sorry po!" they panicked. "H-hindi ka naman po namin sinasabihan ng masama, pinag-uusapan lang namin 'y-yong sa mga bata, ma'am. Pasensya na po."
"It's okay, I'm not mad," I said gently, "I was just curious, what did Sto—I mean I did to the kids?"
Nabakas ko ang gulat nila kaya suminghap ako.
"I just forgot about it," I tried explaining. "I-I think I was drunk that time so..."
"A-ah, kasi, ma'am..." she started. "Si Sunny po kasi noon, ayon lang po sa nalalaman ko parang nilalambing po 'ata kayo tapos sinasabing huwag ka umalis kaso nagalit ka po 'ata kaya sinigawan mo at saka pinalo."
"R-really?" My eyes swelled, imagining how that turned out.
"Tapos po nagalit si Sky kasi po umiiyak si Sunny kaya po 'yon..." she sighed. "Ma'am, pasensya na po kung pinag-uusapan namin kayo, ah? Huwag ka po sana magalit, nag-aalala lang po kami sa dalawa kasi ang babait na mga bata 'yan."
Their concern for the kids made me smile.
"I understand, I'm not mad," mahinang sabi ko. "Salamat sa pag-iisip sa mga anak ko, ah? I appreciate your concern for them and thank you. I will do my best to be a better mother."
The glint in their eyes softened.
"Sana ganyan kayo palagi, ma'am. Mas bagay po sa iyong ngumingiti, ang gaan-gaan ng pakiramdam namin sa 'yo, pinag-uusapan namin kahapon pa."
"Salamat." I nodded and bade my goodbye before silently walking towards my room.
My shoulders slouched when I got inside. Bumagsak ako ng upo sa kama at sinapo ang mukha, tuluyan nang nahulog ang luha sa nasaksihan.
The kids were hurt. I remembered the scared gaze the wonderful Sunny gave and Skyler's enraged eyes. Sinapo ko ang dibdib, sumisinghap habang patuloy na nahuhulog ang luha.
I would never forgive Storm for doing this to the twins. I would never ever forgive her for doing this.
Nagtungo ako sa banyo. Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal nagmukmok doon kakaiyak sa sakit na nararamdaman, I experienced the feeling of being scolded and hurt and thinking how the kids reacted that way because of my twin hurting them...hindi katanggap-tanggap.
My eyes were swollen when I got back inside my room, stopping when I saw someone peeking on the door. My eyes widened upon catching her round black eyes resembling mine. Nakita kong napatakip siya sa bibig at siya ring bilis ng pag-alis niya.
I walked quickly towards the door and opened it fully, my lips parting when I saw Sunny running away, her tiny body bouncing with her hair dancing with it and moments later, she was gone.
Lalabas sana ako pero may tumama sa paa ko kaya dali-daling nagbaba ako roon ng tingin at nakita ang lollipop na kulay bahaghari sa lapag. I took it, lifted it in the air, and tears fell again upon seeing the messy note written on it.
Wala po akong extra candy kaya for u na lang po ang lollipop, Mama. Pasalubong po from Baby Sunny!❤
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