Mental Disorder Series 3: Sinful Touch

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 | ST

When I woke up on a gloomy morning, I had a terrible headache. Paano kasi puyat ako no'n at umabot ata ako ala una ng umaga bago bumalik sa pad ko. I really don't think I have the urge to face him anywhere. I just watched him sit on the floor and he was in a deep ocean.

I took my phone and the moment I checked my social media, the notifications from my family and friends bombarded my phone. I cannot believe that today is already my birthday here in Florida. I'm very glad that I turned twenty one today.

I smiled when I received greetings from my friends in Manila. I suddenly miss them so much. Kanye, Sophia and Veronica greeted me on their social media. Tapos nakatanggap ako ng video greet mula kay Kylo. He was very adorable and his features got from my Kuya Kyle.

Tapos karga ni Cherry 'yung isa niya pang anak na hindi ko na nasisilayan ng personal hanggang ngayon. The moment I saw my brother's burial, I bought a ticket and prepared my visa. I just ran away. I ran away from reality. I leave everything behind. Cherry was carrying her baby girl. Now, she looks like a female version of my brother.

I felt my heart was very happy when I saw their greetings for me. Akala ko makakalimutan nila ako kasi nandito na ako sa Florida pero hindi pala. I felt my phone beeped when I received a message from Kanye.

From: Kanye

Girl! Umuwi ka na ng Philippines. Miss ka na namin lahat!

To: Kanye

Thank you sa inyo! I'll think about it.

Kahit kay Bj ay nakatanggap ako ng message sa kaniya. Binabati niya ako at nagsend na naman daw siya ng flowers for me. Habang nags-scroll ako ay tinitingnan ko kung may message ba sa akin si Cadence. I was expecting his birthday greeting for me but I've already reached the bottom of my notification.

Noon si Cadence ay palagi nauuna bumati sa akin. I pouted disappointedly. Was he busy? Puyat ba siya? Mabilis ko pinatong 'yung phone ko sa side table. Baka wala na 'yun pakielam sa akin!

Dahil sa inis ko ay naisipan ko na maligo. Ako na lang mag-isang magc-celebrate ng birthday ko! Kaya ko naman mag-isa ngayon kahit wala 'yung boyfriend ko. Pagkatapos ko maligo ay naglagay ako ng light make up and wore a sexy fitted dress. Siguro I'll eat in any five star restaurant nearby? Pwede na siguro 'yun.

Habang nags-spray ako ng vanilla perfume ko sa leeg ay nag beeped 'yung phone ko. Akala ko si Cadence 'yun pero si Daddy lang pala. Kinuha ko 'yun at binasa ko 'yung message niya.

From: Daddy

Happy birthday, anak! I wish you a prosperous birthday and I want you to always be healthy. Sana nandito ka sa amin ngayon, Kyla. I am at fault, that's why your elder brother died. I'm very sorry if I failed as your father. This time I will make it right and I will protect you wholeheartedly. I just can't bear to lose another one. I have loved you all my life, hija. Tinapos ko na lahat ng trabaho para sa Tito Ryder mo. Gusto ko magkasama kayo mag celebrate ng kaarawan mo ngayon. I love you! I already wire some money in your bank account.

I felt my eyes pooled when I read my father's message for me. Nararamdaman ko na sinisisi niya 'yung sarili niya. Pero never namin siya sinisisi sa nangyari kahit alam na namin may kinalaman sa nakaraan niya kaya nadamay si Kuya Kyle. I can't bear to watch them suffer that is why I left them.

I wonder how he survived everyday without Kuya Kyle in his company. Dapat nga retired na siya e, pero bumalik ulit siya kasi wala na si Kuya Kyle. Nakakalungkot lang isipin. Ngayon medyo nalungkot ako kasi miss ko na rin ang kapatid ko. Nanghihinayang ako kasi naiwan niya 'yung magandang pamilya niya. Dalawa na ang anak niya kay Cherry.

Those people who killed my brother are heartless. They were the reason why he has mental illness and my brother suffered from that. Hindi nga kami ka agad naging close ni Kuya Kyle pero ramdam ko pa rin 'yung pagmamahal niya sa akin. He never touched me nor talked to me not until I became five years old.

He doesn't deserve to suffer or die! He's a great man and will always be! Umupo muna ako ulit sa kama ko kasi pakiramdam ko nanghina 'yung tuhod ko. Gusto ko maghiganti sa mga tao na pumatay sa kaniya pero hindi ako ganoong tao. At nagtatago na sila ngayon! Kahit nahuli na ng mga pulis ibang salarin.

Ang wish ko lang naman ngayong birthday ko ay sana katabi ko si Kuya Kyle. Our family misses him so much. Tsaka alam ko na lagi rin siya hinahanap ni Kylo. Poor kid.

Naagaw ng atensyon ko 'yung buzzed mula sa pintuan. Pinunasan ko 'yung luha ko at tiningnan ko muna 'yung sarili ko kung hindi ba nagulo 'yung make up ko. Tapos binuksan ko na 'yung pintuan at niluwa non ay si Cadence. My eyes blinked briefly and my mouth gasped.

He smirked. "Happy birthday, brat."

"T-Thank you, Cadence," I said, almost stuttering. Tiningnan ko maigi 'yung itsura niya ngayon. He was wearing a black long sleeve at iniwan niyang bukas 'yung dalawang butones. At kulay beige 'yung pants niya. He looks handsome today. "Saan ka pupunta ngayon?"

"I'm gonna be with my baby brat," he replied. He was grinning in front of me with his dark brooding eyes. "I have a surprise for you. Don't bring your friend with you, I want you alone."

I slowly nodded at him. "O-Of course... we'll celebrate my birthday together."

Hindi siya nagsalita. Hinawakan niya 'yung kamay ko at sabay ulit kami naglakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa basement parking lot. As usual pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan niya at sumakay na ako. Sinuot ko na rin 'yung seatbelt para hindi niya na 'yun isuot para sa akin.

After a few minutes, we were both listening to the stereo and I was secretly glancing at him beside me. Bagsak ang messy hair niya ngayon kaya mas lalo siya naging gwapo sa mata ko. He is using his one hand to maneuver the steering wheel. I gaze at the window and I already assumed we are in Naples, Florida.

Wala akong ideya kung saan niya ako dadalhin kaya hinayaan ko na lang siya. Nakarating kami sa isang sikat na restaurant. He brought me to the garden restaurant. It has a good ambiance and very beautiful flowers all over the place. Bumaba na kami sa harap ng entrance at mga waiter at staff ay nakahilera upang salubungin kami.

Nauna bumaba si Cadence at swabe siya naglakad papunta sa shotgun seat. Siya ang nagbukas ng pintuan para sa akin. Nilahad niya 'yung kamay sa harap ko at matagal ko 'yun tinititigan. Ningitian ko siya at tinanggap ko 'yung kamay niya.

He leaned in and whispered, "You are so beautiful, my little brat."

Uminit 'yung pisnge ko at bahagya ko kinagat 'yung ibabang labi ko para pigilan 'yung ngiti ko. The staff gave us a warm welcome and guided us to our reserved table. Inaasahan ko naman na nireserved ni Cadence 'yung buong restaurant para sa akin tulad ng ginawa niya sa mall. I was worrying he might go bankrupt after these.

My mouth widened in awe as I scanned in the area. I landed my feet on the stone floor. Maraming halaman at mga bulaklak sa paligid. At may petals pa ng rosas sa dinadaanan namin at may nakaabang na musician para sa amin dalawa.

"Be careful, my princess," he muttered.

I gazed at him. "Hinanda mo ito lahat para sa akin?"

"Anything for you, Kyla Adrianna."

Naglakbay 'yung kamay niya sa likod ko. He gently squeezed my waist. I felt the shiver down to my spine and heard my heart pounding so hard beneath my chest. Napaangat ako at may mga halaman pa rin sa taas. Nasa labas kami at malapit na kami sa gazebo.

I want to cry right now! It's very beautiful!

Nanatiling nakabuka 'yung labi ko dahil hanggang ngayon namamangha pa rin ako sa nakikita ko. Kumapit na lang ako sa matigas na braso ni Cadence. Ningisihan niya ako hudyat masaya niya na nakikita 'yung ganito kong reaksyon.

Pinaghila niya ako ng upuan at umupo na ako doon. Tapos umupo na rin siya sa harapan ko. Maski ang round table ay may mga petals din at scented candle. May isang waiter na nagdala ng appetizer namin. He smiled at me.

"Thank you," sabi ko sa waiter.

There's a biscuit, many varieties of expensive cheese and caviar. Tahimik lang kami kumakain habang may nagtutugtog na violin sa gilid namin kaya gumanda 'yung atmosphere. Sobrang saya ng puso ko ngayon. Last birthday ko naman kasama si Bj ay okay lang pero ngayon ay mas masaya ako.

Dumating na ulit yung second course. It is a beef wellington with lamb sauce on it. Masaya ako kumakain hanggang sa nagsalita na ako. Gusto ko man dambain ng yakap si Cadence ngayon pero I must maintained my poise.

"Thank you, Cadence. Sobrang saya ko ngayong kaarawan ko," I started. Pasimple siya ngumiti sa akin. Mukhang natutuwa sa kaniyang naririnig. "I really appreciate all your efforts to make me smile. I was so lucky to have you in my life."

"I am lucky to have you in my life," he said. Mas lalo naging intense 'yung titig niya sa akin. Parang may kahulugan 'yon pero natatago ng misteryo. "You are the light in my world. I don't know if I can afford to have you far away from me. I want you always beside me, Kyla."

With his words, it brought some smooth warmth inside my heart. Kinuha niya 'yung kamay ko at doon ko naman pinokus 'yung atensyon ko. I could feel his calloused hand and his thumb slightly grazed my hand.

"Thank you for being there with me. Thank you for giving me all the world. I love you, Cadence."

"Mas mahal kita," he muttered. Umalon na naman 'yung adams apple niya sa lalamunan at matagal napatitig sa akin parang may gusto siyang sabihin. "I will give you everything. You have been spoiled in your whole life. That is why I am working everyday to earn money to give you everything you want."

Humalakhak ako. "You don't need to do that! You have to save that for your future family!"

"You are my family, Kyla Adrianne," usal nito sa mababang tono. Halos bulong na 'yon pero narinig ko pa rin. He lifted my hand and brought his lips on my knuckles. "If Kuya Adrimo spoiled you, I am way worse than your father when it comes to your luxury. I will gave you all my f*****g money."

I gasped. "No... hindi mo naman responsable 'yun. It's fine with me. I have work, Cadence."

Bakit ba ganito 'yung nararamdaman ko kay Cadence? Para na akong mababaliw at nagsisimula na naman mamula 'yung pisnge ko. Umangat 'yung kilay niya tila hindi gusto 'yung naririnig niya.

"I will work for you, Kyla Adrianna," he declared. His tone is so full of finality that he doesn't want me to speak anything against that. "May I dance with my baby?"

I blinked. "D-Dance?"

"Yes, dance with me."

Tumayo na siya at hindi niya pa rin binibitawan 'yung kamay ko. Sobrang gaan kung paano niya ako hawak parang kinaiingatan niya ito at sobrang halaga nito sa buhay niya kung paano niya hawakan kamay ko. Naglakad kami papunta sa gitna at nagsimula na 'yung musician magpatugtog ng If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys.

Some people live for the fortune

Some people live just for the fame

Some people live for the power, yeah

Some people live just to play the game

Kinuha ni Cadence 'yung dalawang kamay ko at kinawit niya 'yun sa leeg niya. Ngayon ay naglandas 'yung kamay niya papunta sa bewang ko. His touch is making me collapse anytime. Diniinan ni Cadence 'yung likod ko para dikit na dikit kaming dalawa ni Cadence.

Sobrang lakas nang t***k ng puso ko! Kagat-kagat ko 'yung labi ko parang nahihiya kung naririnig niya kung paano tumambol 'yung puso ko. Everything about him makes my heart pound so hard and he makes me shiver the way he moves.

Some people want it all

But I don't want nothing at all

If it ain't you, baby

If I ain't got you, baby

In his pitch black eyes, I saw the blazing fire swaying from his eyes. It was very dark and intense to the point it made me weak. My breathing hitched when I felt his nose on my neck. Napalunok din ako sa kaniyang ginawa hanggang sa napadpad ang labi niya sa tenga ko.

"Don't run away from me again. You are my home, Kyla Adrianna."