The Devil's Bride

BLOOD 9: Bah and Red

PUMASOK si Shana sa banyo na nakabalot ng tuwalya kahit pa na pwede naman siyang mag bath robe. Matapos kasi ang pag-uusap nila ni Vlad tungkol sa kontrata, pinaliligo na siya nito at matutulog muna daw ang lalaki dahil napagod daw ito sa pakikipaglaban sa mga halimaw.

She managed to form her hair into a messy bun and left a little hair in both side of her face, framing her comely feature.

Laking paghanga niya nang mabuksan niya ang banyo dahil kasing lapad na ito ng isang master's bedroom. Nanliit siya sa sarili dahil naalala niya ang kwarto niya sa kaniyang bahay, ni hindi nga iyon nangalahati ng sukat.

She heaved an exhaling sound and shrugged her shoulders. Anu ba naman ang kinalaman ng bahay niya sa mansion ng bampirang nakilala niya. In some thoughts, ilang araw na din pala sila sa Montgomery, no news from her dad and that's strange. Well, in a certain point, her dad is a liitle bit weird to start with. Nananabik din siya sa kanilang bahay.

She kept her eyes wandered aimlessly as she couldn't know where to start to move her eyes. The excitement and admiration were completely drowned her. The room was worn smooth and glossy. It was like a modern Victorian-themed bathroom that displayed the lavishly details from the floor, wall, sink and other furniture and equipment inside.

Para lang nga itong bagong gawa at hindi pa nagagamit.

Ikinahanga niya din iyon lalo pa nang makita niya ang malaking jacuzzi ng banyo where it was placed at the center of the room and adored with little candles in one corner. At ilang beses ba siya nitong susurpresahin? Ito yata ang unang beses na nakaapak siya sa isang mala-royalty atmosphere.

Shana finally entered the shower room and thought about what happened previously.

"You aren't going to regret this." Vlad giggled as he knew he would won and finally got an approval from his bride-to-be.

"How I wish," Shana replied as she was giving the paper back to Vlad.

"Of course. You only have to feed me twice a week. It isn't bad right?" unti-unting lumalapit si Vlad sa dalaga. He walked slowly while his fur robe was untied habang si Shana naman ay umaatras din sa higaan.

Her body kept on reacting fast and reflexing whenever she sees the man doing the same thing to mock her until she was pulled down again to the bed. Kelan ba matatapos ang atras-abante scene na ito?

Certainly, Vlad placed his body on top of Shana, making his two arms resided in opposite side of the woman's head, supporting his weight.

"And it will be official on the day of our wedding," Vlad retorted again in a flirty voice while fixedly staring at Shana.

"H-Ha? Anung wedding? 'Di ba sabi mo---"

"Ah, I forgot. Having vampire's bride has a formal ceremony and it is done like human's wedding."

"I-I see...so, kelan?"

"After 1 week. After your friend's recovery, we'll have the ceremony. Siya ang magiging escort mo and you have to tell him that you're going to marry me. He should not know about this besides mawawala sa memorya niya ang nangyari noong gabing 'yon. He would thought na dito kayo nag stay-in at kasama niyo ako sa research at matagal na ang relasyon natin."

"H-Ha? Papalitan mo ang memorya niya?"

"Yes. This secret is just only between you and me."

"Pero kung sekreto 'to eh papanu pala 'yong ibibigay mo saking informations about vampires? E, di buking kayo?"

"Whatever you write, makakalimutan nila. Well, syempre while reading it, matutuwa sila. They will not believe for it's real, they will believe it for it's nearly true."

Saglit na napatingin ang dalaga kay Vlad at binawi naman niya ito kaagad pagkatapos niyang tumango sa sinabi ng lalaki. Hindi na masama kung ganoon nga ang mangyayari kaya wala ng rason para umayaw o umalma pa siya.

Nagulat na lang siya nang igaya ni Vlad ang mukha niya sa direksyon nito. Napakalapit nila sa isa't isa na pakiramdam niya ay maduduling na siya.

"I can't wait you to be mine," sambit ng lalaki and kissed Shana's forehead.

Shana was surprised and felt a bolt in her body. She didn't know where it came from and had opened her eyes in a range scope.

"W-What was that for?" tanong niya sa lalaki habang hawak-hawak ang kaniyang noo.

"It's a pre-seal kiss. Tanda 'yan na magiging Bride na kita. And you would even like it on our formal wedding because contracts will be sealed with a kiss on the lips."

NAMULA SIYA matapos maalala 'yon lalo na ang sa huling parte. The water was still pouring from the plumbing apparatus while she was standing upright under the spray of it. She brushed her wet hair using her soaked hands, turn-off the shower and held her forehead.

Parang ramdam pa talaga niya ang pagkakadampi ng banayad na bibig ng lalaki sa noo niya. Realizing what was she's doing, she shook her head to rub out that memory.

"Anu ba naman itong napasukan ko!" She cried and mess up her hair.

"Kasalanan 'to ni Mr. Buenaventura!" untag niya muli habang binabalot ang sarili sa tuwalya. She got out of the shower room and wear the available undies.

Hindi na siya nag-abala pa na isipin kong saan at paanu nagkaroon ng pambabaeng undergarments doon. It could be came from one of those second familiars he had.

She picked a two-piece bikini in black color and immediately went to the waiting jacuzzi. Magbababad muna siya dito hanggang makalma ang naguguluhan niyang isipan.

She motioned a sigh while leaning her head on top of the tub and felt a well kneading of her muscles. She was finally relaxed. Pagkatapos ay binalikan ulit niya ang sariling sitwasyon, kumunot ang noo niya at naghahampas siya sa tubig sa sobrang inis.

"Ang bata ko pa para makaranas ng kasal-kasal at sa bampira pa talaga!" pagmamaktol niya sa sariling sitwasyon and wobbling her feet under the water.

"Hindi kaya maging anemic ako nito?" She asked herself and hold her face with both hands in opposite sides. She was making an exaggerated movements dahil sa pag-iisip niya ng kung anu-ano and quickly turned another expression.

"Kasalanan ko 'to! Kasalanan ko kung bakit pati si Otis nadamay."

Napakagat labi siya at bumusangot. Hindi siya mapakali sa mga ideyang naglalaro sa kaniyang isipan ngayon. May kunting pakiramdam pa rin na parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa nagaganap.

After giving up and declaring defeat from herself, she abruptly thought again about the wounds she got from the monster. Tinignan niya ang kaniyang tiyan at hinanap ang inaasahang peklat na meron siya.

Ngunit, bigo niya itong makita at ipinagtaka niya iyon gayong alam niyang malaki ang nakuha niyang sugat sa halimaw. Alam niya kung gaano katindi ang sakit na 'yon nang tusukin siya nito pero ni bakas ay wala talaga siyang nakita.

Naiwan lang ang kamay niya sa tiyan niya at itinapad ulit ang likuran sa tub. Buo na ang kaniyang paniniwala na hindi siya nananaginip at hindi lang ito gawa ng kaniyang isipan. She looked at the ceiling embellished with a vintage chandelier and breathe out. Gradually, her eyes became weary.

She held her left eye noong makaramdam siya ng pagbibigat nito. Hindi niya alam kung anu 'yon pero parang mabigat at may kung sinong nakawak sa kaliwa niyang mata. And out of the blue, she felt loneliness that was like so heavy and she was taken aback when her left eye fell a tear then lead her to fall asleep.

NAGISING SI Shana na nasa higaan na siya. She felt something weighing on her chest and it's something that pressing it. Tinignan niya kung anu iyon at kung saan nanggagaling. Si Vlad pala. Nakahawak ito sa kabilang dibdib niya habang natutulog sa tabi niya.

Awtomatikong namula sa galit at hiya si Shana kaya kinuha niya ang kamay ni Vlad na nakapatong sa kaniya; kinagat ito na siya ding ikinagising ng lalaki habang sumisigaw.

"What the hell!" pagsisigaw ni Vlad na halatang naalimpungatan at dali-daling hinawakan ang kamay na nasaktan.

Napaalis naman si Shana sa higaan at nakatayong hinarap si Vlad na punong-puno ng inis. "Bampirang oreo monster ka na nga, manyak ka pa!" pagduduro-duro niya sa lalaki na ngayon ay abala pa rin ang pansin sa kamay niya.

Umangat naman ng tingin si Vlad na nagkasalubong ang dalawang kilay at balik ulit ang tingin sa kaniyang kamay. "What did I do?"

"Y-You were touching my chest! Y-You retarded, twisted and perverted blood-sucking vertebrae! At bakit ka ba 'andito? You said you're going to sleep in your room at pati ako? bakit 'andito na naman ako sa higaan?" mabilis na tugon ni Shana at isinangga ang dalawang kamay sa dibdib niya--matapos ibalot ng todo ang robe na suot niya--- na para bang may pwede ditong makita.

Vlad licked the injured part of his hand and sat like an Indian. Napakamot muna siya sa kanyang buhok saka naisipan sumagot.

"Ah, that? You were sleeping already in the bathtub at kung hindi pa sa'kin sinabi ng ibang familiars ko malamang nalunod ka na. You recovered fast from your wounds but not merely your body kaya nakatulog ka. And I was already too lazy to go back in my room. Are we done?" bagot na tanong niya at nagpakurap-kurap pa siya ng kaniyang mga mata. Hindi pa rin niya kasi nakukuha ang haba ng tulog na gusto niya.

Kung iisipin, dapat inis na siya sa babae hindi lang sa pang-iisturbo nito kundi pati sa pag-iingay at idagdag pa ang pagkagat nito sa kamay niya. On the second thought, pagtitiisan niya talaga 'to kasi kailangan niya ang babae.

"Is that all you could say oreo-monster?! You didn't even explain why'd you---" Shana was cut in words when Hal entered the room.

"Master, I heard a noise from here," the man on a silvery hair approached, standing near at the door.

Napalingon naman ang dalawa pareho sa direksyon ni Hal.

"Ah, that was nothing. Will you just get this woman? And dressed her for tonight's dinner." Vlad commanded in bored to death voice. Halos gusto na niyang ibagsak ang katawan sa kama.

Hal just move his head in agreement and made an indication look to Shana. Napatingin naman sa kaniya ang dalaga and understood the stare signal.

Hindi na din siya nakaimik o nakareklamo dahil ni isa ay parang ayaw na sumagot. Nasa-puder siya ng lalaki kaya alam niyang masusunod ito sa lahat ng sasabihin kahit pa na naiinis pa rin siya sa ginawa nitong panghihimas sa dibdib niya.

Nagpigil siya ng galit at bumusangot sa harap ni Vlad. At sa sobrang inis ay itinali niya ng mahigpit ang suot na roba. Just as she was leaving, Vlad captured her hand that made her to stop from walking. She was surprisingly looking at the man's face and hang around for Vlad's word.

"It is soft," tipid na makahulugang sambit ni Vlad na sapat na para mamula ang buong mukha ni Shana. She knew what Vlad means with that at mas lalo lang siyang nainis sa lalaki habang nakangisi ito sa kaniya.

SHANA WALKED through the dining room wearing a beige satin and linen evening dress. It was perfectly fitted in her showing the shape of her body with the corset tighten her thorax and adding a volume of her chest. It had a low necklines and short sleeves, worn with laced short gloves or a crocheted mitts. Her hair were also arranged in elaborate curls.

This was the first time for her to wear such a close-fitting Victorian dress. Pakiramdam niya hindi siya nakakahinga ng maayos at bakit ganoon pa ang kailangan isuot? Kakain lang naman sila.

Mabuti na lang at nakakayanan niyang dalhin ang suot. She was stunned by the time she saw how large was the area completing with the long table and a lot of chairs. A large candelabrum hanging at the middle and pointing the table. A complete entries of foods were already served and not familiar to her. The room was also in a dark shade of red and black; decorated with huge old paintings and carved images.

Natigil lang siya noong tumikhim si Vlad na ngayo'y nasa kabilang dulo na pala ito ng lamesa at nakaupo na.

"Please have a sit here milady."

Walang imik naman na tinahak ni Shana ang upuan na malapit kay Vlad. Saglit din siyang napatingin sa lalaki at napangiwi siyang nakasuot din pala ito ng formal suit.

"Hoy, oreo-monster bakit kailangan pa ng ganitong suot? saka dalawa lang naman ta'yo dito."

"Second information, royal vampires have their traditions at ito ang isinusuot kapag dinner time. Like you were respecting the food. We're doing this for more than a hundred decades and since magiging parte ka na ng buhay ko, you should follow it too."

"E, bakit sila Edward Cullen hindi naman ganito ang suot?"

"Tanong mo kay L.J Smith kung anu trip niya at ganoon ang nilagay niyang description kila Edward," masungit na sabat ni Vlad.

"So, balot ka lang ng ganito kapag dinner time? at kapag hindi half-naked ka palagi?" agad namang pagbabalik tanong ng dalaga. Tatadtarin talaga niya ito ng mga tanong dahil hindi pa natatapos ang inis niya sa lalaki.

"Parang ganoon na nga. I like showing my half-body. Sayang naman kasi kung parating tinatago. Saka nahigitan ko na kasi ang katawan ni Edward kaya hihigitan ko naman ngayon ang katawan ni Jacob," Vlad proudly said as he was holding a wine glass.

"Bampirang Oreo-monster at narcissist din. Hindi ka ba ma-pulmonia no'n?"

"Vampires don't get human's disease, Red." bagot itong tumingin kay Shana.

"Red?" Napahinto siya sa ginagalaw na pagkain.

"The hair."

"It's crimson and I'm Shana, Louisiana Eva Crimson for exact. You should already figure it out sooner, bampira ka pa naman."

"Your surname is red and your hair is red...that's totally funny. Anyways, whatever Red. I'll call you to much shorter word so you're Red."

"Ugh! Crimson is much deeper than red you know. Fine! Then I'll call you Bah."

"What's that? And where did you get that? Ah, from that Stuart little guy? That small, yellow that looks like a living and talking banana worn a jumper and a goggle; with a three strands of hair, right? But I don't speak Bah...Bah, Bah."

"Walang kinalaman si Stuart dito noh. Mas mahaba pa kasi name mo sa'kin and instead of V for Vlad , I want to use B as in banana. Nga pala, can I visit Jett in his room?" nakayukong pag-papaalam niya at sumusubo siya ulit ng pagkain.

Napitigil si Vlad at nagpunas ng bibig gamit ang napkin. Sandaling nagkaroon ng katahimikan at nabasag din naman ito nang magsalita ang lalaki.

"Only if you win against me."

*****

"BAKIT GANITO? EH, AHH!... P-Parati mo ba 'to ginagawa? Ah... Nakakagigil!"

"Oo. Pagkatapos nito isang round pa...Ah!... Bilisan mo pa! Dali!"

"A-Anong isang round pa? Uhm...a-ang tigas nito ah."

"Oo, isa pa. I'm not s-satisfied with t-this."

"Hindi na nuh dahil matatalo na kita sa counting! Madami na napapatay kong zombie sa Morg City!"

"Hey look whose talking marami na daw siyang napapatay...Could you see that? I got more than you!" pagmamalaki ni Vlad habang tumatawa pa ito at naitaas pa sa ere ang controller niyang hawak.

"Ay! Leche! Ayoko na! Mandaraya ka talaga katulad ng pinili mong character diyan, si Floyd Campbell! nagsuot ng brass knuckles para mapatumba si Tony King! Ang daya mo! 'Kaw na naman ang panalo tch. Sinadya mong tigasan ang wireless remote ng x-box." pagmamaktol ni Shana na ngayon ay tumayo na at nakahawak sa beywang niya.

"Well, thank you.'Kaw nga 'tong palaging tinututukan ako ng armas. Magkakampi ta'yo dito, binibilang lang natin kung ilan napapatay nating zombie. Hindi 'to arcade."

"'Yon na nga gusto ko kasi parati ka na lang nakakakuha ng points. Bampira ka ba talaga? Tch. Pambihira ka talaga! Pang-limang laro na natin 'tong Black Ops tapos 'kaw pa rin nananalo? Kahit do'n sa Plants vs Zombies saka Lego na starwars 'kaw pa rin! Madaya ka magbilang."

Ito kasi ang napagkasunduan nila. Maglalaro sila ng games gamit ang x-box at kung mananalo man si Shana, ay papayagan siya ni Vlad na tignan ang kaibigang si Jett pero papanu niya pa ito makikita eh talo na naman siya. Walang patid tuloy ang pagbubusangot ng dalaga at naupo na lang sa couch.

Hindi man ni Vlad ito tignan ay gusto na niyang humalakhak sa itsura ni Shana. Papayagan naman talaga niya ito kaya lang nagkaroon siya ng ideya kanina na maglaro dahil na din sa gusto muna niyang asarin ang babae.

"All right! You can go now to your friend's room."

Bigla namang napalingon sa kaniya ang dalaga at nabuhayan ito ng loob sa pagkakarinig ng sinabi ni Vlad.

"Oo nga sabi. You don't have to make that face basta pagbalik mo dito maglalaro ulit ta'yo ng x-box," walang lingon na sabi ni Vlad and was swaying his body from side to side. Abala kasi ito sa paglalaro.

Napatayo na si Shana and instantly walk through the door. She was nearly at the exit when she stopover and turn a head to Vlad.

"Thanks, Bah." She thankfully said and went out.

At the same time, Vlad didn't answer verbally and let the woman go. At sa pag-papatuloy niya sa paglalaro, naisipan din niya sumagot pero sa isip lang.

"Anything, Red. For my future-bride-to-be."

"I told you its Crimson!" He suddenly halted and turned his head by the time he heard Shana's annoyed voice but Shana's wasn't there.

Napakamot siya.

Narinig niya ba talaga 'yon? O guni-guni lang niya? Ni hindi naman niya ginamit ang mind reading ability niya. Even so, he just continued to play.