Luscious Man Series 3: Danrev Blade Montillo (R18+)

KABANATA 8

Our weeks and days went well and I feel like I am like a bubble floating in the air, living my life in its finest. Madalas nang pumunta talaga si Blade sa school ko at maghihintay sa akin. Minsan naman kapag may practice siya sa basketball ay ako naman ang pumupunta sa kaniya.

Pero kahit na pakiramdam ko ay masaya ako… may parte pa rin sa akin na malungkot, hindi masaya, at kulang. Siguro dahil nahahaluan ng lungkot ang saya ko. Dahil kapag masaya ako, nandiyan sina Mommy at Daddy para lang guluhin ang kasiyahan ko sa araw na iyon.

“You should be here tonight. Kung bukas ka pa babiyahe, Vea, male-late ka sa party ng Daddy mo!” namroblema agad ako dahil hindi pa ako tapos journals na ginagawa ko at ito pa ang ibubungad sa akin ni Mommy nang tumawag siya.

“Mom, may tinatapos lang po akong journal ngayon na kailangan kong ipasa ng 6pm today. Can’t you wait? Pupunta naman po ako. At isa pa, 4pm pa naman ang start ng party ni Daddy. If you really me there before that time, babiyahe ako mamayang gabi pa-Cebu. Tatapusin ko lang ‘to.” Napahilot ako sa sentido ko. My parent’s really a pain in the ass.

“Aasahan ko ‘yan.” Pinatay niya ang tawag kaya napabuntong-hininga ako dahil do’n.

Hindi ko na nai-text si Blade, nasa libarary ako at gumagawa pa rin ng journal na kailangan kong ipasa ngayong araw. Abala ako sa ginagawa nang umilaw ang cellphone ko at mag-vibrate ito. I put it in silence since I am inside the library. Nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Blade doon ay agad ko iyong sinagot.

“Hello,” I croaked.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“Uh, nasa library. Bakit? Nasa labas ka ba? Sorry, hindi kita mapapasok. Wait pupuntahan ki—”

“I’m fine here. I’ll wait. Matatapos ka na ba sa ginagawa mo? Are you busy?” sunod-sunod niyang tanong na nagpatigil sa akin. “Hindi ka pa kumakain.” that’s not a question. He knows I haven’t eaten yet.

“Tatapusin ko lang ito. Saglit na lang naman, e. Can you still… wait for a moment? I mean, baka abutin pa ng isang oras. Promise, tatapusin ko lang talaga.”

“Alright. Take your time. Don’t rush, okay? Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Don’t pressure yourself.”

Napangiti ako roon. Binaba ko ang tawag at nagpatuloy ako sa ginagawa ko. I didn’t rush everything, just like what he said. I took my time without pressure. Hanggang sa matapos ako at maipasa sa faculty ang mga iyon ay magaan na ang kalooban ko. At last, I’m done.

Pumunta ako sa kiosk kung saan madalas siyang tumatambay habang naghihintay sa akin. That’s where sometimes other students hangout leisurely. Nang makita niya akong papalapit na ay tumayo siya at tumingin sa kaniyang relo. It’s already 5:40pm. Buti na lang talaga at nakahabol ako sa pagpasa.

“Hi, sorry to keep you waiting here.” nahihiyang saad ko.

“It’s alright,” he smiled.

“Tara na? Pagabi na saka baka gutom ka na.” He took my hand and smiled a bit.

My heart thumped loudly as I keep looking at our intertwined hands. He’s holding it gently. Like a porcelain thing.

“You looked so worn out today,” puna niya habang nakatitig sa aking mga mata.

I smiled, “na-stress lang talaga ako sa ginawa ko kanina.” but he looks doubtful. I smiled more to assure him I am okay, even though… I’m not. “Hali ka na, you should treat me today because I am stress.”

Hindi siya nakinig hihilahin ko na sana siya nang maunahan niya akong hilahin para sa isang yakap. Mainit at naglalambing na yakap. I don’t know why but… it somehow… comforted me. His warmth is giving that… strange feeling. Na para bang matagal ko na itong hinahanap, matagal na akong nangungulila, at matagal ko nang pinapanangarap. His embrace.

I inhaled his scent. And gives more such comfort.

“I know you have a problem,” he said soothingly. I smiled and just shook my head. Ayaw kong idamay siya sa problema ko. At hindi naman malaking problema ito.

“It’s not a big problem, anyway.” I smiled and just hugged him more.

“Even so, you can tell me about it. I won’t mind listening. I won’t judge you, too.” I looked up at him and my gaze held his. This time, I am not forcing a smile, nor smiling to assure him.

“I’m… leaving Manila tonight, to Cebu. I’ll be there for weekend. It’s my father’s birthday celebration tomorrow. And Mom wants me there before the said time. She’s… kind of pressuring me to be there immediately. I don’t know why, though. Pero sanay naman na ako na… gano’n siya. Naiinis lang ako kanina kasi may ginagawa pa ako pero nangungulit na siyang bumiyahe na ako. I already… bought a ticket. At mamayang 10pm ang flight ko.” I look straight into his eyes. “Kaya… hindi tayo p’wedeng gabihin sa dinner natin. Though, I already packed my things, babyahe pa ako papunta sa airport kaya kailangan maaga akong umalis sa condo.”

Tumango siya habang nakatingin sa aking mata pero pakiramdam ko ay napakalalim ng iniisip niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yon. At natatakot akong alamin.

“Maybe I can also book a flight tonight to Cebu,” nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

What?! What is he planning to do?!

“Why…?”

“Sasamahan kita ro’n. I feel like you’re uncomfortable with your parents so… I want to be there with you.” my heart literally melt on that. He’s oblivious with his words and I can sense the genuine in it.

I softly caressed his face, “you don’t have to be there, Blade. Kaya ko namang mag-isa. Remember, sanay na ako sa kanila. They’re been like that almost my entire life. Kaya hindi na bago sa akin ‘to. You don’t have to worry about me. I can… call you if I am bored or what. Hindi ba? Saka, hindi naman porke’t nanliligaw ka sa akin, kailangan susunod ka kung nasaan ako. Hindi mo kailangang sumunod sa akin para patunayang… seryoso ka sa akin.”

Ang nakakunot niyang noo ay mas lalong nadepina dahil sa sinabi ko.

“Gusto ko lang samahan ka. Dahil pakiramdam ko… hindi ka magiging maayos doon.”

“I will be fine, don’t worry.” Niyakap ko siyang muli at dinama ang init ng katawan niya.

We stayed there for a moment, convincing him not to go with me tonight. Sa huli ay wala na rin siyang nagawa. Nagpunta kami sa madalas naming puntahang restaurant. We ate our dinner. Hinatid niya ako sa condo tower ko.

I was thinking deeply while we’re on our way to my condo tower. He was glancing my way from time to time while he was driving.

For me, he’s too goo to be true.

Maybe it’s too fast for others because… magdadalawang linggo pa lang naman simula nang sabihin niyang… liligawan niya ako. Pero matagal naman kaming magkakilala. Gusto ko siya at… hindi naman siguro niya ako liligawan kung hindi niya ako gusto, ‘di ba?

I have known him… At makikilala ko pa siya nang husto pagkatapos nito.

Everything seems so surreal for me but I know I am doing this because he’s the person who can tame me. And I know that he accepts me. He judged me enough before but he never done anything wrong to me. Kahit naiirita siya sa akin, hinahayaan niya ako. May pagkakataon na hindi niya pinapansin dahil ayaw niyang masaktan ang damdamin ko. He control himself not to hurt me verbally.

Though he has this rough attitude and uncertain mood, I know he’s true to himself. I know he’s genuine. He’s doing his best to be better… for me. I always see that. His efforts and everything he does, I know he’s trying so hard to be best.

Hininto niya ang sasakyan sa basement. Dahil madalas na rin naman niya akong ihatid dito ay nakikilala na siya ng guard sa basement. Mababait naman sila.

I heave a deep sigh. He got out of the car and open the door for me. Nagtagal ako saglit doon bago inayos ang sarili at lumabas ng sasakyan. He was watching me the whole time. I smiled to assure him again that everything is fine. For me. At least. Hindi ako nagsimulang maglakad at pinagmasdan lang ang guwapo niyang mukha na nakamasid lang din sa akin. I can see how he’s reading my expression.

“You okay?” he asked carefully.

I nodded curtly and smiled. Then sighed again.

“You’re sighing for the nth time, Veatrice.” he said dangerously. I chuckled.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about… us.” he arched a brow while looking at me intently.

“What about us?” he asked. He stood up properly and I can see the tension in him.

Hmm… can I tease him for a while?

“I think… uhm…” I licked my lips and looked away from his intense gaze. I trailed off to at least bother him. “You should stop courting me now,”

His face darkened with unadulterated expression. Dangerously looking at me and stepped forward. Bigla akong kinabahan dahil doon. Kaya hindi ko inasahang mapaatras dahilan ng lalong pagdilim ng mukha niya. I swallowed hard.

“What do you mean by that? Pinapatigil mo na ‘ko? Bakit? Give me a valid reason why you’re stopping me now from courting you. Bakit kailangan kong tumigil? Am I too bad for you? Masyado ba akong mabilis? Hindi naman kita minamadali. You can take your time, I said I will wait. Until you’re ready. Masyado ba akong mahigpit? Hinahayaan naman kita sa ginagawa mo, ‘di ba? I am even f*****g supporting you. Masyado ba akong makulit o nakakairita ba ang presensya ko tuwing nasa shoots mo ‘ko? Hindi naman kita ginugulo kapag busy ka, ‘di ba? Bakit? Please, f*****g enlighten me.”

Bawat bigkas ng salita niya ay maririin at halatang hindi nagustuhan ang sinabi ko kanina. Halatang nabigla rin siya at nagalit.

“I don’t understand why… you’re stopping me from courting you.“ he looks hurt while spitting those words.

I couldn’t help but be guilty. But to take it back, I stepped in that made him look at me, brows furrowed and looked confused at the same time. I smiled at him.

I tiptoed to kiss him on his lips. I saw how his eyes widened because of that kiss.

“I’m stopping you from courting me because… we’re now official.” bulong ko nang hindi nilalayo ang bibig sa kaniya. He looked at me with those unreadable emotions. Kinabahan tuloy ako na baka… hindi niya ako maintindihan.

“What official?” he asked seriously.

“Sinasagot na ki—” I was cut off words when he suddenly leaned in and kissed my lips fervently. His right hand on my nape, pushing me in to kiss him more. His left hand on my waist, keeping me still.

Saka lang niya pinutol ang halik nang pareho na kaming nawawalan ng hininga. He stared at me for a while and smiled at me. He gave a deep and long kiss again before closing his eyes and resting his forehead on mine.

“You got me worried with your words,” he said, still panting.

I smiled, “you’re too serious.” He kissed my forehead. And we stayed silent.

Nanatili kami roong nakatayo ng ilan pang minuto. Nakayakap ako sa kaniya habang siya hinahagod ang aking likod.

“Bakit mo ako sinagot agad?” Kumalas ako sa yakap at tiningnan siya.

“Ayaw mo?”

Umiling siya, “I was just wondering.”

“Ayaw ko lang na… umalis ng Manila na wala tayong label. Baka… bigla kang maghanap ng ibang liligawan.” Pinitik niya ang noo ko. “Ouch!”

“Silly, I’m not that kind of guy. Hindi p’wedeng dalawa o marami ang nililigawan. Dapat isa lang. Kasi isa lang naman ang gusto ko, ikaw ‘yon.” my heart swell on that. I smiled widely. “Ihahatid kita sa airport,”

After a while, we went up to my condo unit. This is his first time going inside my unit. Noon kasi ay puro hanggang sa lobby o sa basement lang siya dahil umuuwi agad. Ngayon, aakyat siya at papasok sa condo unit ko.

“Pasok ka,” sambit ko at niluwagan ang buka ng pinto. Sumilip muna siya at unti-unti nang pumasok sa loob, halatang hindi sanay. “Halika…” hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinatak papasok ng condo.

Tinawag ko si yaya para ipakilala si Blade sa kaniya. Nagulat siya dahil ito ang unang beses na nagpakilala ako ng boyfriend, at siya ang unang nakaalam. Sa sobrang saya niya ay ipinaghanda niya kami ng meryenda, since nakakain na kami ng hapunan.

“Trouble! Come here, baby!” tawag ko kay Trouble na agad namang tumakbo palapit sa akin. Sobrang likot nito at panay ang dila sa akin. “This is Trouble, my furbaby.” I smiled at him when I saw how gentle his eyes were while looking at us.

He held out his hand for Trouble to sniff it. Para makilala at paamuhin. I smiled widely when Trouble suddenly jump on him and played with him. Hindi naman din kasi ignorante sa ibang tao ang aso ko. Inilalabas ko rin ito para makisalamuha, minsan nga lang dahil madalas akong busy sa trabaho at pag-aaral. Minsan naman ay inilalabas din siya ni yaya para makapaglaro rin ito sa labas.

Hindi mawala ang ngiti ko habang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa na masayang nagkukulitan. Para bang matagal nang kilala ni Trouble si Blade at kumportable itong nakikipaglaro.

Iniwan ko sila roon para ayusin ang gamit kong dadalhin para sa biyahe. Medyo mabigat nga lang ang dibdib ko dahil aalis ako ng ilang araw at hindi makikita si Blade. Maaga pa naman kaya nang lumabas ako ng kuwarto ay sinamahan ko muna si Blade sa salas. May pagkain na roon na inihanda si Yaya at nakahiga na rin si Trouble sa tulugan nito.

I sat beside Blade. I scooted over him and he just let me. I want to stay like this. I don’t want to go to Cebu and fake my smile in my father’s birthday celebration.

“Something’s bothering you?” he asked softly.

Umiling ako, “I just want to stay like this before I go.” I whispered.

He caressed my back hugged me tightly.

“I want to go with you, but like you said… I’ll stay here and just wait for you. Though, we have a house in the near town to stay with, you don’t want me there.” parang nagmamaktol na saad niya.

Natawa ako, “hindi naman sa ayaw kong pumunta ka roon. Wala si Zaimon doon, right? They’re somewhere in Metro Manila. So, sino naman ang pupuntahan mo roon habang nasa mansyon ako? I’m pretty sure, you don’t want to go to that party. It’s full of… politicians and hypocrite businessmen.”

“How did you know that I don’t like them?”

“Just base on my observation.”

Nanatili kami roon ng ilan pang minuto hanggang sa napagdesisyonan ko nang maghanda na para sa pag-alis. Naligo ako at nagbihis ng simpleng jeans and loose shirt, I tucked it in, and paired it with a sneaker. Isang bag lang naman ang dala ko dahil hindi naman din ako magtatagal doon at konti lang ang dala ko. Just the necessary things. May mga gamit naman ako sa bahay at paniguradong may gown na akong gagamitin.

“Text or call me when you’re already in Cebu. Call me if something bad happens. Call me if you’re bored. Call me anytime.” I smiled at him while he’s talking like a father, reminding her daughter.

“I will call you,” I said smiling.

His face softened and he crouched for a little to reach my face. Then he planted a soft kiss in my lips. He savoured it like a hungry lion. When he pulled away from that kiss, he hugged me tightly.

“I think, I’m gonna miss you.”

After that, I went inside the airport. I wave at him and smiled while walking away from him. He looks serious, though. I texted Dane while waiting for my flight that Blade and I were already official. I think she’s already awake, or she’s already getting ready to go to school at this hour. She called me and I told her every detail of it. She was shocked, though. Of course! Hindi ko naman naikukwento sa kaniya na nanliligaw si Blade sa akin. Nawalan na ako ng oras na ikuwento pa ang lahat dahil paalis na ako kaya sinabi kong kapag nakarating ako sa Cebu ay saka ko na itutuloy ang kwentuhan namin. She agreed.

Nakatulog ako sa biyahe pero saglit lang dahil hindi naman gano’n katagal ang biyahe through air. Kaya naman nang makarating ako sa mansyon ay tinawagan ko ulit si Dane, pero saglit lang din dahil may pasok pa siya at ako naman ay kailangan nang matulog. Ang hirap naman chumika ng magkaiba ang oras naming dalawa! Hays!

Pagkagising ko kinabukasan ay abala agad ang buong mansyon. Naghahanda na sila para sa mamayang party. Mom and Dad are also busy doing stuff, calling some people, and guiding the househelpers to do everything properly. There’s also some organizers. I texted Blade that I’m already awake and were now busy here. Pinuntahan ko na lang ang mga kapatid ko.

Naging mabilis ang oras at naging abala na ulit ang lahat, maging ako. Inayusan ako at isinuot na ang dress na binili sa akin ni Mommy. It’s an elegant champagne dress. I took a mirror shot and sent it to Blade.

From: Blade

hey, sexy.

I smiled at his reply.

From: Blade

You look like my future wife :)

To: Blade

Bolero

From: Blade

I miss you :(

Fron: Blade

date tayo pag-uwi mo.

Hindi na ako nakapag-reply dahil tinawag na ako sa labas. My brothers are also dashingly handsome wearing their black tuxedos. I complimented them because they find me beautiful and sexy, too. How fluttering.

I was busy smiling to our visitors, like what my mommy want me to do so. I was faking it but it wasn’t obvious for them, because I am too good at this. Pretending.

Dad called me to his circle when he saw me walking around, greeting people. I obliged to go there. I was already smoling to them.

“Everyone, this is my unica hija, Veatrice Serine Gomez. She’s a rising model at her industry.” pagpapakilala sa akin ni Daddy roon. Ngumiti naman ako at magalang na tinatanggap ang mga kamay na nakalahad.

“You really have a beautiful daughter, Gov.” my dady laughed heartily at that.

“Of course. Mana sa asawa ko. Napakaganda, e.”

“So you already have a plan to her future? Perhaps, marrying her to a wealthy and diligent man.” I was taken aback when I heard the man asked that. I looked at my father whose looking so satisfied with the chosen topic.

“Of course. May napupusuan na akong ipakasal sa anak ko.”

What the f**k?! He will… marry me to a man… I don’t even know?!

“He’s from a wealthy family. You know, he can make of an asset.” he said meaningfully. And his crowd laughed, understanding what he meant.

And I… can’t stand there for long, because if I stand there for a little while… I’ll just make a scene. And that’s the least thing I want to do now.

Nanghihina akong nagpaalam… hindi alam kung saan pupunta habang mabigat ang dibdib at iniisip ang mga salita ni Daddy.