Inaudible Melodies

Kabanata 19

Mas itinuon ko na lang ang pansin ko kay Kacy na kanina pa salita ng salita. If I wasn't here beside her, she would be mistaken for a madman with too much force in her mouth the way she blubbered.

She's the type of woman who doesn't smash up with a word for every little thing.

"Denver is also rich! Naku! Crush ko 'yan dati, eh! That face is always the cornerstone of the college department."

"I guess, all the handsome men that caught your sight will automatically be your crush!" pabiro niya akong inirapan.

Every man who has good genes will always fit Kacy's standards. The last time, she even showed me a small notebook in which she wrote the names of all her crushes! And the number one on the list is no other than, our Dean. Her ultimate crush above all.

"I felt bad for not recognizing his face that instant."

To be honest, that's the truth. I'm guilty of a charge.

"Malamang sa malamang dahil hindi ka naman nanonood ng mga pageants!"

Honestly, I tried back there. I remembered forcing my mother, trying my luck for me to attend the pageant and see what's going on, but she didn't let me. 'Cause, the almighty Natasha Awsman said that the pageant in school is kinda cheap.

Yeah. My mother was harsh and doesn't give a stint of care at all.

"Hindi ko hilig." matipid kong sagot saka mapait na napangiti but half of it was true.

Pageants aren't my thing but I also want to see that kind of event. To experience different thrills that even if it's cheap, I want to have fun.

Right, Lea. Since when did you enjoy your life, huh?

Kailan nga ba ako naging masaya sa buhay ko? Gustuhin ko mang maging masaya sa paraan na gusto ko... hindi ko magawa. I wonder, how does it feel to be happy, huh?

"Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit napadpad siya dito? Ano kayang rason niya, Lea?" Napataas ang kilay ko sa tanong niya.

"What have I got to do with that?" humagikhik siya. Parang timang minsan ang babaeng 'to.

"Maybe the wind blow him here because of you?" her mind is really unpredictable and capable of saying inappropriate things.

"I don't know what you're saying, Kacy."

"Asusss! What I mean is, maybe Denver has a hots for you!"

"I don't get it," I mumbled, totally confused.

Napatampal naman siya sa noo niya. Mukha ay tila may malaking problemang dinadala.

"Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako sa kawalang alam mo sa feelings ng isang tao!"

I laughed a bit. "What? I wouldn't be on top if I don't have the knowledge you were saying, Kacy."

She frustratedly looks at me. Asar na asar na ang mukha niya ngayon. I swear! I don't know what does she meant by her statement.

"You're too innocent and dense!" nagdalawang linya ang kilay ko. Naguguluhan sa inasta niya.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"May gusto sa 'yo ang isang 'yon kaya napadpad dito!"

"Do you mean to say that he's here for me?" kunot noong napaturo ako sa sarili ko.

"Tumpak, beshy! Mabuti naman at nakuha mo!"

"You're kidding me. Malay mo nagkataon lang, 'di ba? So, stop this nonsense. It's not funny anymore."

She seems pissed while rolling her eyes at me.

"Nagkataong sumabay sa atin? Nagkataong makipagkilala sa 'yo?" bigla niya akong pinandilatan ng mata. "At nagkataong makipag-kamay sa 'yo?! Tell me, can you explain everything that it's just a mere coincidence, huh?"

I blew up a deep sigh. Daming alam ng babaeng 'to.

"If that's the case, then I don't mind and besides, it's not my business anymore. Thus, let it be."

Saka ako naunang maglakad sa kanya, leaving her while dumping me a blazing stare.

Nagkataon nga lang ba ang lahat? Nagkataon bang nahagip ng mga mata ko si Lucian na madilim ang anyong kanina pa kami pinagmamasdan?

I chewed my bottom lip bago ipinilig ang ulo ng ilang beses. "Perhaps, it's just a coincidence, too."

I didn't ding Lucian's number to ask him to pick me up after class because I know that he'll fetch me right after this day ends. But now, I'm kinda irritated because I thought that I will catch the sight of him in the parking lot. Knowing Lucian, he likes exploring but I was wrong when I couldn't find him.

Akala ko pa naman alam niya ang responsibilidad niya! Nakaka-asar na talaga ang lalaking 'yon!

Oh, my cake! Why am I being like this? Para ko na ring tinanggap ang katotohanang babysitter ko talaga si Lucian!

Well, I can't do anything, can I? Even if I'll say no, they still gonna push that babysitter thing anyway. Saka, takot ko lang kay mommy.

Geez. Ganito na lang ako lagi, walang magagawa sa bawat desisyon ni mommy para sa 'kin. I always end up agreeing to her terms even if it's against my will.

Ika nga nila mother knows best. Yes, she's always doing what's best for me but I think my mother never considered my own happiness in the process. Kailan nga ba niya ako hinayaan sa mga gusto kong gawin? Sa mga bagay na gusto kong e try kasi doon ako masaya?

A heavy breath departed from my mouth. I should halt these thoughts, overthinking can lead me to nowhere.

My lost senses came back when Kuya Paing called me. I'm still thankful that my mother didn't fire him after the incident. He told me that he's the one who's gonna fetch me up. At kahit na naiinis ako kay Lucian dahil sa hindi niya pagsipot, nilunok ko na lang ang iritasyon at sumakay sa sasakyan.

Napasulyap si Kuya Paing sa 'kin sa backseat. "Ma'am, okay lang po ba kayo?" may pag-aalala sa mukha niya. I give him a small smile, assuring him that I'm fine.

"Don't worry, Kuya. Everything's alright."

I said thanks to Kuya Paing before striding out of the car. Binati ako ng mga kasambahay namin pagkapasok ko sa loob. Tumango lamang ako at saka binigyan sila ng banayad na ngiti.

But my smile faded when I saw Lucian comfortably sitting on the sofa. While his eyes were firmly fixed at me with great intensity that made me frozen in my spot. I can even feel the chills ravaging my veins because of his stares.

"You didn't text me."

Both of his hands were folding over his torso and his teeth were gnashing, augmented by his jaw clenching tightly, indicating that he's mad about something. If it is possible that his jaw can clench more and downright pissed, then certainly it's possible upon seeing it bare.

He's hot th- hala!

Jusko mahabagin! Ano na naman ba 'tong iniisip ko?! Gosh. Why am I even fantasizing about him?!

"Do I need to?" matapang na saad ko.

I don't know where did I got all the guts to face him and strumbled upon his stern gazes.

"Why? Because you're busily flirting with that guy?" Umawang ang labi kong napatitig sa kanya.

So, I'm not hallucinating earlier? Nando'n nga siya? Is he stalking me?

Baliw. Sarap kutongan ng isip ko! Why would Lucian stalk me? It wasn't his duty, right? Not part of his job as a babysitter of mine either.

"Pakialam mo do'n?"

Hala! Palaban ka na ngayon, L!

The audacity of mine was hyperventilating! Perhaps, these guts came from my annoyance towards him?

"So, you're really flirting with him, huh?" Napatiim bagang ako sa tinuran niya.

"I'm not!" madiing giit ko.

We're just talking, hence where did he get that kind of idea?

"You just confirmed it."

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Lucian! Why do you care anyway? Bakit ka nangingialam kung sino ang gusto kong kausapin?"

"Your mom told me to watch you. Everything about you is necessary for me to know, L! Kahit pati ang mga putang-inang kinakausap mo! Every little thing about you Lea is a must for me that you didn't even know!" Napatalon ako ng bahagya dahil sa boses niyang puno ng diin at pagbabanta.

Lucian's angry voice roared in every corner of our house! His voice was like a raging thunder that was having a rampant zeal with a rumbling noise.

Napalunok ako dahil sa tensyon at ramdam ko ang bahagyang panginginig ng aking mga kamay. Like a pup being dominated by the alpha, I stooped my head low in fear.

My whole system was in rapid fervor that was struck by fright due to the expansion of his power. The Lucian I'm facing is scary more than death! Mukha siyang hayop na nakawala sa hawla na nagwawala at ayaw magpa-awat. Ang hirap niyang lapitan. Hindi napapa-amo.

"Y-you don't have to do all of this," my lips quivered as I whispered those words in between my nervous nerves.

My legs were now shivering and shaken by him. He just proved to me how his attitude perfectly suits him!

Intimidating. Dominant. Scary and regal, I guess?

Mas nakakatakot pa siya kaysa kay mommy! I regretted that I ignited his rage by my insolence. Who knows about his capabilities in dealing with my rude behavior, right?

"You can't do anything about it, L." saka siya padabog na umalis.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Kanina ko pa pala pinipigilan ang paghinga ko dahil kay Lucian.

My whole body felt weak and my knees were trembling kaya mabilis akong umupo sa malapit na upuan na nahanap ng mga mata ko.

I can't believe what just went on earlier! Lucian was so freaking scary! Nakakapanglambot ng tuhod ang galit niyang mukha.

I should take this as a lesson not to mess up with Lucian again. Also, I'll take note not to make him mad.

Ngunit napansin ko lang, he called me L! Why did he utter my nickname?

The way he said that feels good to my ears. My nickname rolled in his tongue smoothly without an obstacle that made it perfect the way I perceived.

Lucian...

Why are you making this hard for me?