The Mafia's Slave: Dare To Kiss The Devil

Kabanata 3

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit pa ba nila ako sinusundan. Clearly, what I did for their boss was out of impulse and obligation. Isama pa ang pananakot nila sa akin. They should leave me alone. Kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit pa ba ito nagpakita. Sa anong dahilan? May kailangan ba siya sa akin, o ang sinasabi niyang master?

I did not have any idea.

Akihito left me dumbfounded with a letter. Ni hindi ko iyon gustong tingnan. It scared me. Pakiramdam ko may kung ano sa mga letra na naroon. Isang babala? Paalala? Hindi ko matukoy. I wasn't sure either. Ang alam ko lang, natatakot ako. I badly wanted to see Clark and embraced him, but where was he?

Hindi ko rin alam.

Napahalukipkip ako sa jacket na suot. Pilit na nilakasan ang loob at inabot ang sobre na nasa ibabaw ng mesa. I feared nothing in saving people's life but just a piece of paper could turn my head upside down. It brought me goosebumps and nervousness that I wanted to tear it into pieces.

"Hon? Ayos ka lang?" It was Clark. I felt his footsteps nearing before he tapped my shoulder.

Out of impulse, I abruptly swiped the letter out of the table. Nahulog iyon. Sakto namang inilapag ni Clark ang mga dalang pagkain. May kasama siyang isang server na tumulong sa kaniya at sa mga binili. Nang mapag-isa ay nakangiti itong bumaling sa akin.

"Let's eat," he said.

"Ang dami naman ng in-order mo. Are we going to eat all of these?" Nagpasalamat ako na kahit papaano ay kumalma na ang aking sistema. Because if I didn't, I knew Clark would notice it immediately.

"Konti lang naman 'yan." He was referring to the food he ordered.

Pinagmasdan ko ang mga pagkain sa mesa. Pork barbecue and chicken were there. Inihaw na isdang Gangis, dalawang plato ng kanin. The familiar guso, or the green thick seaweed sauced with vinegar and spices. Coke in can and the most popular dessert, biko with latik.

"Konti, huh." Umiling ako kay Clark nang natawa lamang ito sa aking reaksyon.

"Tonight is special, hon. Don't spoil the moment," makahulugang wika muli nito habang nangingislap ang mga mata na nakatitig sa akin.

Tumango na lamang ako at hindi na nagkomento. Kapagkuwan ay tahimik naming pinagsaluhan ang mga pagkain na nakahanda. Seeing these abundance, I couldn't help myself but to think about the kids I left in Siagao.

Kumain na kaya sila?

Being one of the poorest bario in San Miguel, elders from Siagao let their child eat first before they eat. Ganoon palagi ang routine nang mga tao roon, habang ang tanging pinagsasaluhan sa papag na kawayan ay konting kanin na mais at tuyo. Minsan pa'y mga root crop na ani sa kanilang mismong tanim. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa mga sundalo na naroon sa lugar. They sometimes solicit donations to buy some good food for the people. Minsan, sako-sakong bigas ang kanilang ipinamamahagi at madalas din silang bumili ng isda para sa ulam.

"Are you okay, hon? Hindi mo pa nagagalaw ang pagkain mo. Hindi mo ba nagustuhan? I can order again for you. What food do you prefer?" Clark voice interrupted my thoughts. Ngumiti ako rito nang makahuma. He looked worried.

"No. Ayos lang ang pagkain. It's delicious though. No need to order again."

"Sigurado ka?"

"Oo nga. Ang kulit nito." I smiled at him and started eating. Umiling din ako para palisin ang anumang iniisip. I shouldn't spoil this moment with Clark. Minsan lamang niya ako dalawin kaya dapat ay lubusin ko na ang bawat sandali.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ni Clark ay  nakisabay rin kami sa taong nasa gitnang bahagi ng boulevard kaharap ng malaking entablado. Nakatayo habang nakikisabay sa awiting pumapailanlang. Friday, the most anticipated day of locals here in Tandag. May espesyal kasing bisita ang boulevard kapag ganoong araw. At ngayong gabi, isa ang bandang Siakol sa naimbitahan.

Sa saliw ng awiting Ituloy Mo Lang, naramdaman ko ang pagyakap sa akin ni Clark mula sa likuran. Napangiti ako at sumandal sa dibdib nito. Napapikit. I was hoping that the time would last for a lifetime. Hoping that all my worries would vanish as well as my uncertainties. Napaksarap pa rin talaga ang makulong sa mga bisig nito.

"Hon," Clark whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." His breath was touching my earlobe. It tickled me and brought a lot of unexplainable emotions inside. If only I could tell how much I longed for him, then maybe, just for once he would stay longer. But I didn't want to force something I knew would affect both of our priorities. I did not want him to feel obligated towards his responsibility as my boyfriend, because I knew we were both having lapses in this relationship.

"I love you too, Clark. I really do." The words came out of my mouth as if it was the most natural thing to do.

I smiled as I felt Clark tightened his embrace. "Maginaw kapag wala ka sa tabi ko. Madilim. Hindi masaya," he confessed.

Kinilig ako. I won't deny it. Tuluyan nang nawala ang takot ko kani-kanila lang. Indeed, Clark was the remedy I was longing for. He was the Knight I always wanted to come and save me. My love and eternity.

"Why do I have this feeling that my boyfriend became clingy all of a sudden?" My eyes were still locked at Siakol as they performed their next song.

"Because I am clingy." Clark chuckled. He kissed on top of my head. Napapikit ako para damhin ang pakiramdam na hatid nito.

Magnificent.

Ethereal.

Napakasarap.

"Marry me, hon."

Napadilat akong muli. Did I hear him right? Doon ko naramdaman ang pagkalas ni Clark mula sa pagkakayakap sa akin. Nilingon ko ito. I saw him step backward. Napakurap ako nang lumuhod ito sa aking harapan. Napasinghap nang mala sa bulsa ng pantalon nito ay may kinuha roon. A black small box. And when he opened it, natutop ko ang bibig. Shocked.

"C-Clark. . ." I couldn't finish my words. Nag-uunahan ang kaba at antisipasyon sa aking dibdib. Was I seeing it right? Hindi ba ito panaginip lang?

My tears fell.

Matagal na panahon ko nang hinihintay ang sandaling ito. Despite of my busy schedule, I was unconsciously hoping that one day Clark would ask my hand in marriage. We have been together for so long. I have been patient all throughout our relationship. Siya lang ang hinihintay ko. And finally, it was happening. Tatanggi pa ba ako?

Without further ado, we were caught by some locals. Pumalibot kaagad sila sa amin. Some were cheering and taking pictures. That was the same time that the song that was sang by Siakol changed, and the stage lighting spot directly to us. Ang reggae music na pumapailanlang ay naging malamyos na musika. It changed to my favourite song, Love Moves In Mysterious Ways by Nina. The song that perfectly describe what happened between me and Clark.

Who'd have thought this is how the pieces fit

You and I shouldn't even try making sense of it

I forgot how we ever came this far

I believe we had reasons but I don't know what they are

So blame it on my heart, oh

Love moves in mysterious ways

It's always so surprising

When love appears over the horizon

I'll love you for the rest of my days

But still it's a mystery

Oh, how you ever came to me

Which only proves

Love moves in mysterious ways. . .

"I love you then. I love you now. I love you forever, Shane Magnayon. You're the missing piece of my heart. Without you, my life would be meaningless." Clark eyes became weary. Was he crying?

Oh my gosh!

Sumikdo ang puso ko. Mas lalong nanikip ang aking dibdib. Mas lalo akong hindi makapagsalita sa klase ng emosyon na naghahari sa aking puso. I was speechless. The mighting Clark Evanson was kneeling in front of me. Pleading to accept his genuine love and pure heart. The unfathomable feeling s that has been the core of our relationship.

"Marry me, Shane. Marry me now and be mine forever." Clark's voice cracked. I could sense his struggling too on how to hide his emotions. Emotions we both couldn't contain.

We were alike.

We were compatible.

Papahirapan ko pa ba ang mga sarili namin?

No! I wasn't that heartless at all. I love him too with all of my heart. My waiting was over. And I couldn't let myself this once in a lifetime chance slip.

Lumapit ako kay Clark. I smiled and wiped my tears, trying to calm my raging heart. Kapagkuwan ay sinapo ko ang mukha nito gamit ang aking dalawang kamay. Yumuko nang bahagya para bigyan ito ng halik sa labi.

"I love you too, Clark. And yes, I will marry you," I whispered with my eyes locked with his.

Clark smiled. He abruptly put the diamond ring on my finger. It fitted perfectly. Then he stood up and gave me his tightest hug before he kissed my waiting lips which I gladly respond.

He ended the kiss. "Hindi mo na puwedeng bawiin iyon." Clark's tearful eyes looked at me with so much adoration.

Tumango ako. "Nope. Kaya pakasalan mo na ako kaagad. Baka magbago pa ang isip ko." I laughed jokingly.

"I will, Mrs. Evanson. Wala ka nang kawala." He hugged me again. I hugged him back.

Hindi naman talaga ako kakawala. He was the half of me after all. Sa dami nang pinagdaanan namin; we were inseparable.

"Everyone, the love of my life will marry me!" Clark showed the ring that was on my finger to the crowd.

All cheered for us.

All were happy.

I was beyond happy too, and hoped it would be the start of my happily ever after with Clark.

I, Shane Magnayon, bowed to love Clark Evanson for the rest of my life.

@sheinAlthea