Mental Disorder Series 3: Sinful Touch

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 | ST

Masyado kaming nagsaya magpapamilya. Maagang pinatulog na ni Cherry ang mga bata pero nagrequest ang mga ito na matulog ako sa kanilang bahay. Kaya pumayag na rin ako kalaunan at sasamahan daw ako ni Cadence. 

“Hija, your friends want to see you tomorrow. I already told them to visit you tomorrow for dinner. Is it okay with you?” Mommy started.

I smiled. “I want to see them too! Hindi ko pa nakikita ang mga kaibigan ko sa loob ng dalawang taon.”

“What do you want for dinner?”

“Filipino food will do, Mommy. I miss eating homemade food and Lola’s specialty.”

“I’ll tell your grandmother to make your friends a coconut pie.”

“Thank you, Mommy!” Mabilis ko siya hinila para sa isang yakap. Ngayon ay nandito kami sa tapat ng garden niya. Nandoon sila Lolo Ronaldo, Daddy at Cadence ay umiinom. “I’m sorry if I left you while you’re in pain. I’m so sorry.”

“Anak, it’s fine with me. I understand that you can’t accept that your brother died. Naiintindihan kita kaya ayos lang.”

Umiling ako. “No, Mommy. I should be there for you. Nawalan ka na ng anak, aalis pa anak mo. It is so wrong of me to leave my family. I’m so selfish to leave all my family here in remorse.”

Nakangiti lang si Mommy. Hinahaplos niya ‘yung mukha ko. Nakikita ko na nagtutubig na mata niya pero pinipigilan niya na hindi siya umiyak sa harapan ko. Inaayos niya lang buhok ko at hinayaan ko lang siya gawin ‘yun. Nakakaramdam tuloy ako ng guilty sa puso ko. Maling mali talaga na iniwan ko sila dito.

“I-I can’t believe that you’re here now, Kyla. I kept praying every night to see my children's one day. Akala ko panaginip lang ito pero totoong nandito ka na anak.”

I sniffled. “Mommy… I’m already here. I will never leave your side anymore.”

“I’m sorry if your Mommy is a crying baby. I can’t help it.”

Bumalik na ulit kami sa pwesto nila Daddy. Masaya sila nag-uusap ni Cadence. Hanggang sa may pumasok na dalawang lalaki at isang babae na pamilyar sa akin. It was Gwen with two other men! Mabilis tumayo sina Daddy, Lolo Ronaldo at Cadence para harapin ‘yung mga lalaki.

“Who are they?” I asked. 

“They are the Montepalma,” Mommy answered.

A tall man wearing dark corporate attire. His dark hair was slicked back as his darkest eyes roamed around the place. He has this aura that screams money, mafia and dangerous. He looks intimidating. 

“Good evening, Mr. Montepalma,” ani Cadence. Nakipagkamayan siya sa tinawag niyang Mr. Montepalma. Parang nagtaasan lahat ng balahibo ka dumapo ‘yung tingin niya sa akin. “I am very glad you visited my family tonight.”

“I’m sorry if I came late, Ryder. Are you about to sleep?” si Mr. Montepalma. 

“No! No! You’re in perfect time, Mr. Montepalma! We would like you to offer some drink,” si Daddy. 

“Thank you, Mr. Salvador. Whiskey will do.”

“Feel yourself at home! Sit down.”

Si Mommy na ang nag-abala na kumuha ng drinks ng mga bisita. Ako naman ay nilapitan ni Gwen na nakangiti. Habang pinagmamasdan ko siya kasama ng dalawang lalaki. They look like a powerful gang. Tumabi sa akin si Gwen at nilingon ko siya.

“I know you are still wondering who I am… I am Gwen. During work, they often call me Cypher. And I used to work with your brother. We call him Phantom,” she said. Hinawakan niya ‘yung kamay ko at naglakad na kami palapit sa kanila. “I am not just an ordinary doctor. I am one of the skillful assassins in a mafia organization.”

My eyes widened. “Y-You’re assassin? How?”

“Simple… I work for them. Being a doctor is just my cover job to avoid leaking my personal information. Our work is very dangerous because we handle the underdogs.”

“What’s underdogs?”

“Dangerous people. Criminals.”

It is too much for me to embrace her words into my brain. I don’t think that my brother is one of them. It is impossible for my brother to join a mafia organization! He was just a businessman! How come he joined?!

“I need to go inside. Old people need to sleep now,” si Lolo Ronaldo. Tinapik niya yung balikat ni Daddy. “Let’s go, Adrimo. Let Cadence accompany his visitors.”

Tiningnan ako ni Daddy. “Alright. Kyla, are you coming with us?”

“I’ll stay with them,” I said. They don’t need to leave me in the dark anymore. I need to know everything about my brother’s death. Walang nagawa si Daddy kundi naglakad sila papasok ng bahay.

“I suppose you’re Phantom’s sister?” Mr. Montepalma beamed.

I blinked. “I-I am…”

“Did I scare you?”

Mas lalo tumibok ng malakas yung puso ko. Lahat sila ay nakatingin lang sa amin dalawa. Naramdaman ko yung kamay ni Cadence sa likod ko at pasimple ako pinapakalma. Mr. Montepalma remained grim expressionless as his dangerous eyes darted on me. Why does he look so intimidating!

“Damn, cousin. You are scaring a beautiful lady! By the way, I am Johann Litt Montepalma,” Johann introduced.

Medyo gumaan ‘yung atmosphere sa paligid nang magsalita siya. The moment I looked at him it seemed like a paradise. Sobrang light lang ng presensiya. Nakipagkamayan ako sa kaniya at naramdaman ko hindi nakagalaw ‘yung kamay ni Cadence sa likod.

“I’m happy to meet you Johann,” I said, cheerfully. 

“Me too. Phantom never mentions he has a beautiful sister!” he replied.

“Neither am I,” si Cadence. “I wouldn’t take a chance for you to meet her if I was in his position.”

Nakita ko na napangisi si Mr. Montepalma. Humalakhak na lang si Johann sa sinabi ni Cadence. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit nagdilim mukha ni Cadence habang pinagmamasdan si Johann sa tapat ko. Habang si Gwen ay masaya ang napapanood niya sa mainit na tensyon. 

“Calm your f*****g d**k, Johann. That beautiful woman is f*****g taken,” Mr. Montepalma snapped. 

“I know. I was just provoking the beast beside her,” si Johann habang nakangisi. Inangat niya ‘yung isang baso at nilagok niya ‘yun sa isang beses. “We’re just having fun, bro. Chill. We’re best friends right?”

Cadence furrowed his eyebrows. “Since when, asshole?”

“That’s ouch, brother!”

Sinuntok siya ni Gwen sa braso at binigyan ng masamang tingin. “I told you to shut your big mouth, didn’t I?”

“Fine! Whatever you say!”

Mr. Montepalma cleared his throat. I think he already has perfect timing to spill his words. Ngayon ay napatingin sa akin ang mga mata na may kakaibang storya. The moment I tried to read his eyes, it filled with darkness and thundered around it. With his intimidating aura, people would exactly knows that we’re facing a devil.

“I am Niklaus Damon Montepalma, a mafia boss in my own organization. I’m here to introduced myself because we know your brother,” Mr. Montepalma began. Bahagya niya tinagilid ‘yung ulo niya tila pinagmamasdan ‘yung magiging reaksyon ko. “Your brother joined my organization a long time ago to find Tessmarie. But what happened is that Tessmarie caught him before he did.”

My mouth gaped. “Y-You should’ve protected him!”

“All I know is that we did our best in order to protect your brother in my hands, Miss Salvador. I terminated him because of his disorder that might compromise our mission. He was our good fighter, our former member in my organization. A very… very good man,” he continued. Then he shifted his position on the seats. He looks at me intently. “Now that they know that they killed Phantom, you’re the next target.”

“I-I will kill them if they try to lay their fingers on me!”

“As if I’ll let those assholes get near you,” Cadence exclaimed. Bumuga ng hangin si Cadence at sumandal sa backrest. “Now that she already knows everything, I think you all need to let me protect her.”

“We’ve already learned from our mistakes,” ani Mr. Montepalma. Biglang tumahimik ang paligid. Natapos biglang sumisipol si Johann sa tabi niya. Binigyan siya ng masamang tingin ni Mr. Montepalma.

“What did I do? Whistling is bad right now?” si Johann tila walang ideya sa kung ano ginawa niya. 

Napailing na lang si Mr. Montepalma. “As I was saying… What Cypher told you was right. Hindi sa lahat ng oras ay nandiyan tayo. Kyla needs to learn how to fight.”

“I am willing to learn! I… I will try to shoot some bad people!” nanginginig na usal ko. Kahit ba takot ako makakita ng patay na tao ay kailangan ko labanan ‘yun. Tama talaga silang dalawa ni Gwen at Mr. Montepalma.

“No! I will not let her use a f*****g gun. It’s a no!” Cadence hissed. 

Sinulyapan ko si Cadence. “Please let me do it, Cadence. I have to do this.”

“Please, baby, I’ll protect you at all cost! Let me f*****g protect you…”

Nilapit pa lalo ni Cadence ‘yung mukha niya sa akin. Napanguso ako dahil sobrang gwapo ni Cadence sa malapitan. I could perfectly see the beauty on his facade. Hinaplos niya ‘yung pisnge ko habang banayad niya ako tingnan. 

“Cadence, I have to do this. Please?”

“Oh s**t! I thought he’s his niece?!” si Johann.

Dahan-dahan kami napalingon ngayon kay Johann. Nakita ko kung paano ihilot ni Mr. Montepalma ‘yung sentinido niya kay Johann. He mouthed sorry to us. I just laughed. Grabe! I think without Johann with us, it will be purely a serious meeting. He just balanced the whole situation.

“Cypher… please remind me not to tag Johann with us again,” Mr. Montepalma hissed.

Kinabukasan ay nagising ako sa bahay nila Cherry. Ngayon ko palang nabibisita ‘yung pinagawang bahay ni Kuya Kyle para kay Cherry. It is so huge with a touch of modern design. Umunat muna ako bago ko naisipan tumayo. Binuksan ko ‘yung bintana ay sumilip ako sa labas.

I didn’t see any skyscrapers, white people, and cabs driving around. I just saw some peaceful neighborhoods. The sky is very calm and the people are already doing their things in their front yard. I’m no longer in Florida, I’m in my home.

Narinig ko na may kumatok sa pintuan ko at bumungad sa mata ko si Kylo. Tumakbo siya palapit sa akin at niyakap ‘yung binti ko. Yumuko ako at hinagkan ko ‘yung tuktok ng ulo niya. 

“Tita Kyla, our breakfast is ready!” Kylo announced.

“Wow, thank you. Let’s go.”

Naglakad na kami palapit sa dining area. Nakita ko ro’n si Cherry na naghahanda ng pagkain namin. Nandoon na si Cadence na tumutulong sa paglalagay ng plato. Naglakad si Kylo palapit sa kaniyang kapatid. 

“Good morning, Kyla! I hope you like the breakfast I made for you,” Cherry said. I really think that time went fast because Cherry looks like a grown woman and already a mother. She used to be a child. “I bought some fresh pandesals, cooked a scramble egg, sausage and fresh tomatoes.”

I chuckled. “Very Filipino breakfast, huh?”

“That’s their favorite. Kylo loves to eat pandesal.”

Umupo na ako sa tabi ni Cadence. I could smell he was fresh from cold shoes and his usual perfume Tom Ford Neroli Portofino resonated in my nostrils in the morning. He looks at me with stern eyes as he puts some food on my plate.

I smiled. “I can handle it. Thanks.”

“Anything for you,” he muttered. Nagulat ako na kinindatan niya ako bago siya humigol ng black coffee. 

That wink makes me fall harder! Geez.

Tahimik lang ako kumakain ng umagahan kasama mga pamangkin ko, si Cherry at si Cadence. Na ninanakawan ako ng tingin palagi at bigla na lang na ngumingisi. Pinag-usapan lang naman kagabi ay tungkol sa proteksyon ko. Pumayag na rin naman si Cadence dahil hindi makatiis sa akin. 

After our breakfast, umakyat agad ako sa kwarto na tinutulugan ko para maligo. Nagpaalam sa akin si Cadence na mags-swimming lang daw siya. Pagkatapos ko maligo ay mabilis ako naglagay ng skin care kasi iniingatan ko ‘yung glass skin ko. I have to maintain my skin to be poreless and flawless!

Habang naglalagay ako ng lipgloss ay parang sa gilid ng mata ko may naglakad. Tumingin na man ako sa gilid. Nakabukas kasi ‘yung pintuan habang nags-skin care ako. Kumunot noo ko parang may anino na dumaan. 

Maybe that was just my nephew playing around. 

Pero nararamdaman ko na may mata na nanonood sa akin. Tumingin ulit ako sa salamin para tingnan ang likuran ko. Nap-praning na ba ako ngayon?!

“Calm down, Kyla. It was just nothing,” I murmured. 

Huminga ako ng malalim. I think I am afraid and paranoid that those people will kill me behind my back. I don’t know. But Mr. Montepalma assured my safeness and Cadence promised me that he’d protect me. After all, I am the lucky one.

Bumaba na ako kahit nararamdaman ko may mata na nakasunod sa akin parang pinapanood ako. Naglakad ako papunta sa backyard nila Cherry kung saan may swimming pool. Nakita ko si Cadence na swabeng lumalangoy sa swimming pool. 

“Maganda naman pala ‘yung bahay ni Kuya Kyle. I didn’t get a chance to look at it,” I said nonchalantly. 

“That is why I told you to come home with me, brat,” he responded. His tone is very arrogant but playful at the same time. Ningisihan niya ako at lumangoy na naman siya.

Umupo ako sa isang bean bag at pinapanood ko lang siya. Nakita ko kung paano magflexed ‘yung muscles niya sa likod sa tuwing lalangoy siya. Maganda naman pala ang view ng backyard ng bahay ni Kuya Kyle.

Tapos napansin ko na walang lumalangoy na Cadence akong nakikita. Tumayo ako para sumilip kung nasaan siya. Bigla siya umahon at hinawakan ‘yung kamay ko. Bigla ako napatili sa kaniyang ginawa. Nakakainis! Nandoon lang naman pala siya sa ilalim ng pool!

“Cadence! What the hell?” I hissed.

He laughed. “I’m sorry, baby. Did I scare you?”

“What do you think? I thought you drowned! I hate you!”

Napanguso siya tila pinipigilan niya hindi ngumiti sa sinabi ko. Pinatong niya ‘yung braso niya sa gilid ng pool at pinatong niya ‘yung baba niya habang nakatingin sa akin. The amusement is twinkling in his hooded eyes. 

“I’m sorry, baby. I will not do it again,” malambing na usal nito. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin kahit tumutulo yung tubig mula sa buhok niya. “My baby really cared for me. How thoughtful.”

Medyo umahon siya para hawakan ‘yung kamay ko. Kaya nagsquat ako para magpantay kaming dalawa. Dumausdos ‘yung kamay niya sa mukha ko. Hinayaan ko siya na hawakan ang mukha ko kahit basa ang kamay niya. Everything doesn’t matter when it comes to him! 

“Don’t do that again, Cadence! I really hate you for always scaring me!” 

He licked his lips. “I’m sorry. Come closer, baby.”

With his manly soothing voice, sinunod ko ‘yung sinabi niya. Mas lalo ako lumapit sa kaniya. Halos maduling ako dahil ilang inches na lang ang pagitan namin. He c****d his head to the other side and he slowly went closer to me.

Hanggang sa nakarinig kami ng pagdabog ng basketball. s**t! Saan naman nanggaling ‘yun? Mabilis kami naghiwalay ni Cadence. Medyo kinabahan ako baka makita kami ng mga bata. Narinig ko na humalakhak si Cadence at hinarap ‘yung bahay.

“Looks like the dog is mad, huh?” he smirked.