NOT Your GUARDIAN

PATIENCE

“He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and changed the world. 

I was a book thief without words.” 

***Sasi ***

***********

I woke up feeling stuffy and running a minor headache, this was maybe due to the window I left open last night. The weather was fine and the soft breeze coming from the ocean lulls me to sleep so I turned off the aircon and opened the two large windows instead. Never did I know that the wind would go chilly at dawn. Now I think I'm gonna catch a cold.  

I looked at the door leading to the room where Mr. Raki was staying. Yes, he said we will be staying in the same room and I greatly fought against the idea until I saw the actual room. I was very thankful that it has a thin wall and adjacent door in between so I still have my privacy. God knows what he could do to me! I still don’t fully trust this man.

He must be lazing around. 

I smirked in annoyance. It was my seventh day on the island with the group of idiots and I haven't heard a single noise coming from next door. I stayed in my room for the week, sleeping, playing games on my laptop and browsing social media on my phone. My food was sent to the room when it’s time to eat and no one dared to disturb me. My parents called me every day so I knew what was happening. Father hasn't resolved the case yet, so I might be staying here for longer.

But the silence is slowly killing me. I thought privacy is what I want. But after living life by schedule, I am missing the busy days where I have to wake up early and sleep so late due to photoshoots here and there. I am missing the action, the camera, and the drama behind it. I miss my parents, I miss phi Best, God, I even miss the i***t, Luke who used to pester me every time. But now, even he couldn’t talk to me. I changed my cellphone number as advised by the ever-brilliant Mr. Raki and I couldn’t do anything about it. 

I took a deep breath while massaging my aching temples. This headache needs to be treated right away or else, this might turn into a migraine which is worse. Seeing that it was already eight in the morning, I decided to go outside the confines of my room for the first time and find some medicine. I haven’t packed mine since phi Best used to take care of these things for me. 

 I’m useless..tsk

After taking a quick tour to the bathroom, I decided to go to the kitchen and find Lin. Maybe she could help me with what I need. 

I entered the large kitchen hall and found Lin’s mother, Linda. She was bent and stirring something over a smoking pot. The smell around the kitchen is wonderful and my stomach growled in attention. She must be cooking for breakfast. 

“Mama...Wala na pong galapong sa bahay..ay-” 

(Mom, there’s no rice flour in our house..) 

The teenage girl, who I believed the name was Rosie, stopped in her tracks upon entering the kitchen and looked at me in surprise. 

“Good morning Miss.” 

She bowed politely and I couldn't help but smile. She is such a polite girl.

“Oh! Miss Sasi, you...ah, awake!.hungry? Yes?” 

Mrs. Linda instantly freaked out seeing me standing by the wall next to the door. It wasn’t my intention to stun her so I stayed there watching her stir that wonderful smelling food in the pot. 

“Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you, but I came to find some medicine for my headache. My head was in pain when I woke up and maybe you have something here?” 

I said gently. 

“Medicine?anak.. Ano yung medicine? Gamot yun diba? Ay! Gamot bakit? You not feeling well?” 

(Medicine?{asks Rosie what is medicine} Something to cure, right? Medicine why? {for what}) 

She suddenly panics upon hearing the word and I put my hand in the air to calm her down, 

“No, no. Nothing is wrong. It’s just a mild headache. Do you have some pain relievers?” 

“Oh, headache? Wait.. Rosie, tawagin mo ang ate mo at i-assist si Miss Sasi. At itong niluluto ko ay matutuyuan. Ah, Miss, sit for a while, I called Lin to give you what you need. Maybe you are hungry? Eat breakfast first.” 

(She asked Rosie to call Lin and assist Sasi because the food she was cooking could dry up.) 

She guided me to the table and placed a plate in front of me. She then gets a deep bowl and poured something from the steamy pot then placed it over the plate. My nose was entertained by a wonderful smell coming from the bowl. I instantly salivated as Mrs. Linda handed me a spoon. Then put some wheat bread and a glass of juice on the table. 

“Here, eat. You must be hungry..that’s why you.. Ah, headache.” 

I smiled in appreciation for the gesture. She reminded me of my mom and It made me miss her more. 

“Thank you so much, but what is this?” 

I asked, looking at the cooked elbow pasta floating in white soup. Guessing that it was milk or something. 

“That is Sopas. With Carrot, cabbage... Ah, ground pork. Very nutritious! Eat.. Go on. The best, paired with bread. Then you drink medicine after.” 

She smiled widely at me and I couldn’t help but dig in right away. I really am hungry. 

“Yeah, it looks delicious, how about you? Join me. Let’s eat together.” 

I said while taking a spoonful of soup and blowing on it before taking a sip. 

“Whoa! This is good!” 

I exclaimed and started to eat heartily. Indeed, the soup was best paired with wheat bread. The creamy broth tastes so good, the tender ground meat and vegetables sync in so much harmony that my tongue instantly fell in love with the dish. It tastes like Tom kha gai in our country but it is not spicy at all. I love it. 

Lin suddenly entered the kitchen with Rosie behind her.  

“Miss, what medicine do you need me for? Are you okay?” 

She asked immediately that I couldn’t answer in between chewing. 

“Who needs medicine?” 

Before I could even drink something, a sweat-induced Mr. Raki entered the room with the three louts behind him. All of them looked exhausted and their bodies glistening with tiny beads of sweat rolling down the broad shoulders to their arms. The fitted tank tops they are wearing are obviously damp with perspiration from whatever activity they have been doing.  

“Ohoi, Miss Sasi at the dining table? This is a surprise.” 

Jose’ commented while pulling a chair and sitting down on the far right of the table. 

“Indeed, what a pleasure to have a breakfast with our mademoiselle.” 

Daniels sat beside Jose’ and Mrs. Linda started giving them plates and bowls of soup. 

Jiro bowed at me in recognition before sitting in front of Daniels. 

Then I realized that Mr. Raki was standing beside me, his eyes looking down curiously at me. 

My jaws stopped moving unconsciously as my eyes roamed at the bulging biceps in front of me. I felt the hot stream of blood run through my veins and my heart started pumping loudly, I could almost hear my own heartbeat in my ears.  

Hmm, what a fine specimen of a man..a demon inside me whispered in my ear.

Suddenly, my throat feels so dry that I gulped and accidentally swallowed a large chunk of bread. 

I burst out choking. 

“Hey! Are you okay? Drink this.” 

He gave me a glass of juice while gently tapping my back. 

Fuck! This is embarrassing! 

“Thank you.” 

I said timidly as he stepped away from me and sat on the chair at my left. 

“Are you okay now? What are you thinking? Who needs medicine for what? Was it you?” 

He bombarded me with questions and I couldn’t answer him as I stabled myself and cleared my throat. A sliver of concern crossed his eyes and I swear I almost blush again. 

What’s with this man? Why does he have this effect on me?

“It’s nothing, I just had a mild headache when I woke up and I think I’m better now after taking a bite with this wonderful breakfast.” 

I said softly. Everyone looked at me while chewing their food and Mr. Raki roamed his eyes around the table. 

“Well, is it okay if we have breakfast with you?” 

All the spoons hanged mid-air with that question and the boys looked at each other then looked down on their bodies. Their eyes suddenly grew wide upon realizing the situation. 

What? Do they usually eat breakfast like this? Sweaty and all? 

Not that I am against it, I was just accustomed to eating alone or eating with my parents under strict discipline about table manners. But a change in surroundings wasn’t bad at all. 

Not bad indeed...my inner demon said back and I could feel her looking around seductively.

What was that about? When did I have a demon inside of me?

 I dismissed the thought and continued with the conversation. I should stop talking to myself.

“It’s okay. Please continue, it's fine with me.” 

I smiled at them and they proceeded to eat. 

“Here’s the painkiller for your headache Miss Sasi.” 

Lin timidly handed me three pieces of Advil and I thanked her. 

“Mrs. Linda, Lin, please join us. Rosie too.. Where is your brother?” 

I asked Lin. 

“He went to the city to buy some goods at the market, oh now that I remember, I must call him for some rice flour. Please continue eating, I shall go make the call.” 

Then Mrs. Linda left us. 

The breakfast went completely pleasant, with the boys kidding around Lin and Rosie. They would smile at me sometimes in between jokes but I seldom replied. I just ate with my eyes on my plate just like I always do.

 I noticed that Rosie was a shy girl but she speaks English fluently. Then I learned that she’s at the top of the class and awarded best in English literature. She plays badminton and Volleyball too, sports I never learned to do because I am anti-social. 

Besides, I am homeschooled, so there are no friends to play with and this breakfast is the first time that I have eaten at a crowded table. All in all, I enjoyed their company even if I stayed there like a mute flower vase.

I proceeded to go to my room after the hearty breakfast. I also took the medicine just in case my headache returns as my nose started to get runny now, so I decided to have a short nap for the rest of the morning. 

After a while, I heard a soft knock on the door. I thought it was Lin and might have forgotten something to tell me so I opened the door right away only to be surprised by Mr. Raki, who came inside right away. 

“Hey, what the hell? I haven’t invited you in yet?!” 

I exclaimed with my eyes growing wide at his bold action. 

“Sit on the bed.” 

He commanded as if he didn’t hear me. 

“Like hell, I will.. What are you doing here? Care to explain?” 

My annoyance piked up right away at his insolence. His face was unreadable and I couldn't make out what he was thinking. 

He didn’t answer but instead pulled my wrist towards the bed, forced me to sit at the edge of it, then pulled a chair and sat behind me.  

“What the f**k is this?” 

I tried to stand up but he pushed my shoulders down gently.

When suddenly, a cold substance touched my neck. Then a smooth caress followed through. I couldn’t react instantly in confusion until I realized what he was doing.

He was massaging my neck with a cold cream! No, it’s not cold, it’s minty cool. The kind to relax your nerves in an instant. Now I see where this is going and I almost panic. 

“Shh, relax. I won’t do anything with you besides massage your neck. This will soothe your headache.” 

He said while his fingers gently moved up and down the length of my neck, pressing on certain points that have me jolting each time. His expert maneuver was very soothing and I almost moaned in pleasure. 

The inner demon inside me that has been awakened earlier is now sprawled on the floor and is squirming in delight.

What the hell is happening with my body? As if it has a mind of its own, I can’t move. I can’t get out of his hands that have been giving me gentle squeezes.

"This is an oil we used back in the army to cure stiff muscles and aching joints."

He explained but I didn't respond.

Gentle currents started to travel from my shoulders to my fingertips. Goosebumps are visible on my arms, and I dismiss any unnecessary ideas that crossed my mind.

Yes… that’s it.. I need more..

I heard a whisper from deep down my mind and I felt terrified with myself.

When did I develop such lewd thoughts?

His hands move from my neck to my temple and gently make circular motions on my forehead. I close my eyes in delight. This is the first time someone massaged me and touched me in this way. He only did my forehead and my neck but the pleasure it brought to my system is undeniably good. 

His fingers also massaged my scalp by giving medium pressure on it using the tips of his fingers, moving in a circular motion from my nape towards the top of my head. He repeated it several times that my eyes voluntarily closed by themselves. This is pure bliss...

Where did he learn such a skill? My god, this is madness...

I am so relaxed right now that I forgot who he is or what he is doing or that whatever he is doing shouldn’t be happening at all. My mind is in so much pleasure that when he moved his fingers down the sides of my neck and put firm pressure on it moving downwards, I couldn’t help but moan.

“Uhhhhh..yes...”

My eyes instantly flew open, and my body went rigid in shock. I did not just moan…..right? Did he hear it? He did not… right?

I felt his fingers abruptly stop and finally went cold against my skin. He heard it! He f*****g heard me moan!

Fuck!!!

This is not happening!

…to be continued.