The Mafia's Slave: Dare To Kiss The Devil

Kabanata 2

Dedicated to:

Madam Sayuri May Anim

Clark and I extended our goodbyes to the soldiers and the villagers before we traveled to Tandag City, a small town in Surigao, beside the Pacific Ocean. Nandoon kasi ang hotel na nirentahan niya, ang Villa Maria Luisa. Inaya ko rin siya sa lungsod ng San Miguel kung saan naroon ang aking apartment ngunit tumanggi siya.

He said that he wanted to date me and tour me around the city for our alone time together. Gusto niya akong masolo nang walang iniisip na trabaho. Natuwa ako sa ideya at pumayag na rin. Maybe, being with him would divert my attention from the unwanted feelings that I felt recently.

"Anong iniisip mo, Hon?" Clark asked. Magkatabi kami sa kotseng nirentahan niya. Hawak niya ang aking kamay habang nagmamaneho. Mabagal lang itong magpatakbo dahil rough road at matarik ang daan palabas sa munisipyo ng San Miguel.

"Nothing. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala na nandito ka at kasama ko." I smiled. Pinisil ko rin ang kaniyang palad nang mahina.

Clark chuckled sexily. It was like music to my ears. How I missed his laughter everytime he was with me. How I missed his touch with mine. Ilang buwan na rin mula nang huling pagkikita namin kaya siguro ganito. The compatibility, the assurance of being safe was always here in my heart. Kahit papaano, kampante ako.

"I missed you so much too. Ayaw mo pa kasing umuwi ng Metro. Mom and Dad wanted to have dinner with you. Pati na rin si Tito at Tita." Ang tinutukoy ni Clark ay ang mga magulang niya at ang mga magulang ko.

Our parents were best of friends. Mag-best friend and mommy namin ni Clark mula pa high school. Bukod sa katotohanang magkapitbahay din ang village namin, sadyang malapit na kami mula pa noon. Maybe, we were truly made for each other; just like what he always said to me.

"Soon. Hindi pa sa ngayon," sagot ko. Ibinaling ko na lang ang paningin sa labas ng bintana. Nalulungkot din naman kasi ako. I missed them too. But, my responsibilities were always on top of my priority.

"On our wedding day." Clark sounded serious. I couldn't help myself but to look at him with wide eyes. Though I liked the idea, I didn't think it was the best time for us to settle down.

'Nag-i-inarte ka na naman.'

I shrugged my own thoughts.

Hindi naman ako nag-iinarte. Sadyang naghihintay lamang ako kay Clark kung kailan siya magiging handa. Hindi pa naman kasi siya nag-aaya. I didn't want him to feel that I pressured him to marry me. Dahil ang kasal ay hindi naman minamadali. It was a lifetime commitment that needed to have strong faith to surpass impediments and remover. It should be a union of mature minds.

"Hon, ayos ka lang?" Clark asked. Hindi ko na namalayang natahimik na pala ako. Nag-isip. What if, ako na lang ang mag-aya sa kaniya? What if, sabihin ko nang magpakasal na kami?

Pero hindi. I was not like that.

I sighed. I just found my heart feeling heavy.

"Soon. Uuwi rin ako, Hon. Marami lang kasi akong ginagawa sa bario. In fact, tinuturuan ko rin ang iilan sa mga kabataan doon kung paano magbigay ng first aid." I looked at Clarked. He was seriously driving but I knew he was listening. "Pagod ka na bang maghintay sa akin? Are you tired of this?" I seriously asked.

Biglang nagpreno si Clark. Muntik na akong masubsob sa dashboard ng kotse kung hindi naging mabilis ang aking mga kamay. I looked at him disheveled with a crumpled forehead. Ano bang problema ng lalaking ito?

I wanted to ask him that but when he turned his gaze to mine, I just found myself speechless. Clark eyes were serious. Damang-dama ko ang intensidad sa mga titig nito. Maging ang paghigpit ng hawak nito sa steering wheel. I knew in an instant that he was mad.

"Do you really think I am that low?" Umiling si Clark. "You're impossible, Shane!" He maneuvered the car again.

Natahimik ako sa sinabi ni Clark. Bakit ko ba naisip na mapapagod ito sa akin? I know for a fact that he loved me more than I could imagine. Siya ang mas may panahon sa relasyon naming dalawa. He always made an effort to please me every time we had misunderstanding. Siya ang laging umiintindi. Nagpapaubaya. So, why did I ask him that?

's**t!'

I f****d up.

Gusto kong kausapin si Clark at himingi ng tawad. I wanted to hold his hand with mine. Ngunit pinangungunahan ako ng hiya. Hindi na rin niya kasi ako pinansin. Hindi na rin siya nagsalita pa at nakatuon na lamang ang atensiyon sa pagmamaneho. I knew I am at fault. Kasalanan ko. And I didn't know how to make my move. Maybe, I would just let him. Hihintayin ko na lang na kausapin niya ako.

Ngunit hanggang kailan?

Hours have passed but he still did not pay attention to me. Sinasadya kung may mahulog na gamit pero wala pa rin. Dedma. It made me frustrated all of a sudden. Padabog akong umayos ng upo. Tinapunan ito ng tingin. Still, no reaction from him. Sumuko ako at ipinikit na lang ang mga mata. Maybe I just needed a little rest.

Isang mahinang tapik sa aking pisngi ang nagpagising sa aking natutulog na diwa. I abruptly opened my eyes when I heard Clark calling my name. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay ang gwapong mukha kaagad nito ang sumalubong sa akin. He was looking at me intently while obviously suppressing a grin.

"Wake up na. Tulog mantika ka na naman," aniya.

Unconsciously, I smile to what he said. "Sorry," wika ko. Inayos ko rin ang sarili at mabilis na sumilip sa labas ngunit pinigilan ako ni Clark.

"No. I should be the one telling you that." He looked apologetic. Nakita ko ang paglamlam ng kaniyang mga mata. "Sorry if I lost my control a while ago. Hindi lang kasi ako sanay na nagsasabi ka ng mga ganoong bagay." He held my hand and brought it near his lips. "I love you, Shane. Kahit kailan hindi ako mapapagod o magsasawa sa sitwasyon natin. I will always stick to you."

Clark kissed the back of my hand. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilan ang sariling kiligin sa mga sinasabi niya sa akin at ginagawa. His words were deep. It was full of certainty. Totoong-totoo na halos hindi ako makahinga sa sayang nadarama. It was surreal. And it could make my heart beat faster.

"I love you, Hon. I always do," I said and blinked a few times. Pakiramdam ko kasi tutulo na ang luha ko kung hindi ko pa iyon gagawin. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam kapag sobrang saya ng isang tao? Unexplainable.

Clark chuckled. "I love you too. Now, let's eat. Kanina pa ako naglalaway sa mga pagkain sa labas."

Because of what Clark said, I looked outside of the car. Binuksan ko ang bintana at doon ko lang napansin na nasa parking lot kami ng Tandag Boulevard, isa sa mga pasyalan dito sa Tandag City. Napangiti kaagad ako. Nilingon si Clark, ngunit nauna na itong bumaba. As expected, he opened the car's door for me. Nagpasalamat ako at agad nang bumaba.

The cold night wind instantly greeted me. Kaagad kung pinulupot sa katawan ang aking suot na jacket at nagpasalamat dahil jeans at rubber shoes ang ipinares ko roon kanina. I looked at Clark who was looking at me with concern in his eyes. Umiling lamang ako nang akmang huhubarin nito ang trench coat na suot.

I smiled at him and said, "Ayos na ako. I am used to this." Totoo naman iyon. Secluded areas in San Miguel had the coldest weather at night. Patunoy na walang polusyon sa lugar dahil sa halos kalahati pa ng lugar ay sakop ng kabundukan.

Clark smiled. He tapped my head lightly. "That's my girl." And pulled me close to him.

I rested my head in Clark's shoulder while we were walking along the aisle of Tandag Boulevard. Pareho kaming tahimik habang naghahanap ng pwesto para kumain. Parehong namamangha pa rin sa nakikitang kagandahan ng lugar.

The LED lights were breathtakingly beautiful as it changes color every second. Para bang sinadya iyon para mas makuha ang atraksiyon ng lahat sa napakalawak na karagatang katabi lamang ng boulevard. May entablado rin sa harapan at malaking screen kung saan puwedeng kumanta ang banda o manood ang lahat sa anumang pelikulang naisin. And the best part of the place was the small food stalls. Ngunit hindi basta-bastang pagkain lang ang tinda ng mga ito. It was their very own Surigaonon delicacies as well as some Pinoy foods.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo?" Clark asked. Mas hinigpitan din nito ang pagkakahawak sa aking kamay. We were having our me time together as what he said. Hindi nga ito nagbibiro nang sabihin nitong magiging clingy ito sa akin. Though it made me feel a bit awkward, I was still moved with his extra sweetness.

I shook my head. "Ikaw lang naman ang iniisip ko." Then chuckled. Sinulyapan ko si Clark at nakita ko kung paano lumawak ang pagkakangiti nito.

"This place is perfect isn't it?" he asked.

Naguluhan ako. What was he referring to?

"What do you mean?"

"You will know later," makahulugang wika nito kaya tumango na lamang ako.  

Napili namin ni Clark ang lamesang nasa kilid ng boulevard. Mas klaro kasi roon ang Dagat Pasipiko. Matatanaw rin ang mga cottages ng Mabua beach na katapat lamang din ng lugar. Pero higit sa lahat, pinili namin iyon dahil wala masyadong katabing mesa at medyo madilim.

"Iiwan muna kita, Hon. Oorder lang ako ng pagkain." Si Clark. Tumayo ito.

Tumango ako bilang pagsang-ayon. "Sige. Make it fast, please." Nag-puppy eyes pa ako kahit hindi ko naman siguradong nakikita ako nito.

"I will."

Clark gave me a pick on my lips before he left. Kumakaway pa ito na parang bata habang papalayo. My eyes were on him, and I couldn't help but to smile for him and to myself. Umaasang sana ay hindi na lamang matapos ang kasiyahang nadarama ko sa kaibuturan ng aking puso.

"I suppose that man is your boyfriend."

My body froze after hearing the familiar voice. Hindi ako puwedeng magkamali. Hindi rin ako mabilis makalimot sa mga bagay-bagay lalona't ilang buwan pa lamang ang nagdaan nang mangyari iyon. Bakit ba siya nandito? Was he tailing me?

"I guess you don't want to see me again," wika ulit nito.

I could feel him walking towards my direction. I could feel the fear inside me slowly rising. Nangangatog ang aking mga tuhod na kinailangan ko pang hawakan iyon ng aking mga kamay. My heart was beating faster.  Wala rin akong lakas ng loob na lumingon upang makita ang mukha nito. The safety I felt a while ago was gone.

Dejavu!

Katulad na katulad ang nararamdaman ko noon nang palibutan nila ako at tutukan ng baril. Tensyonado. Takot. Kinakabahan. It was unexplainable that when I saw the man, my tears fell. Bakit pa ba siya nagpakita? May kailangan ba siya sa akin?

'Where are you, Clark?'

I was hoping that he would come and safe me.

"How are you, Shane? Long time no see."

"A-Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito? Please leave!" May riin ang bawat salitang binitiwan ko.

"Master want you to take this." Inabot nito ang isang sobre sa akin. Malayo pa lang ay humahalimuyak na ang bango nito.

"Bakit ko naman tatanggapin 'yan?" I asked, trying to act brave despite of the fact that I was tembling in fear.

"Because I said so." His greenish eyes bore unto me. Matang tulad ng sa lobo. Na kahit gabi ay kaya nitong gawing maliwanag. Nakakatakot. Akihito, that was his name. Isa siya sa tauhan ng niligtas kong lalaki ilang buwan na rin ang nakakaraan. "Faster before I get bored and kill you here," he commanded.

Sumikdo ang dibdib ko sa narinig. At kahit hindi ko gusto ay tinanggap ko ang sobre. Binuksan ko iyon nang inutos nito at binasa. Dalawang salita lamang iyon. Ti rivedrò at sa ilalim ay ang aking pangalan. I didn't know what was that mean so I looked up to face Akihito, but he was already gone.

@sheinAlthea