Tempted Heart (FREE TO READ)

Kabanata 19

KABANATA 19

PARA akong nagising sa mahabang panaginip ng magmulat ako ng mata. I know I am in the hospital dahil sa pamilyar na amoy na palagi kong nalalanghap sa tuwing binibisita ko si Mama noon.

Hospital?

Mas lalo akong nagmulat ng mata ng sapilitan.

“Baby.” Achilles called me immediately.

Agad akong napaatras ng kaunti ng sumubok siya ulit na lumapit sa akin. My body was sore and I felt so uncomfortable. Nalukot ang mukha ko ng makaramdam ako ng hindi maipaliwanag na sakit sa ibabang bahagi ng aking katawan. At nararamdaman ko ring namamaga ang ibabang parte ng katawan ko.

“Awwww…”I winced in pain when I tried to move a bit. Naiiyak akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya.

I saw him gulped when he saw my eyes----watered because of the pain. Nag-aalala niyang inabot ang mukha ko.

“W-what is it, Bree? May masakit pa ba sa iyo?” Masuyo niyang tanong sa akin at mabilis niyang hinawi ang ilang nakatabon na buhok sa mukha ko.

It hurts.

“M-masakit…”

What is this?

Pumikit ako ng mariin.

“Aw…” I winced in pain again. I don’t know what’s happening to me.

Natataranta siyang mabilis na tumayo ng makita ang luha kong walang katapusang umaagos a mata ko.

“Wait here. I’ll call the doctor.” Madali niyang saad at iniwan ako.

Wala ako sa sariling tumango. I tried to count until I lost it but the pain isn’t subsiding. All I could do is to cry.

How large is he?

I don’t know what happened next after he got inside me. All I remembered was I passed out after that and nothing more. The pain was too much and I don’t know how long did I bare it. Halos hindi ako makaiyak ng maayos dahil napapamaang nalang ang bibig ko dahil sa sakit. How is this pain not bearable? I was not informed na ganito pala ito kasakit kapag unang subok.

The door opened again revealing a woman doctor and Achilles whose eyes were all on me, darkly and staring at me. Agad siyang lumapit sa akin at mabilis akong dinaluhan.

“Hush now, baby..” Malambing niyang sabi at mabilis niyang pinunasan ang luha ko.

Mabilis akong tumango sa kanya kahit pa man masakit ang gitna ko pa rin.

“Good morning, Mrs. Monastaro. I’m Dr. Monaliesse Romano.” Magalang na bati sa akin ng doktora. She got chubby cheeks, and a white delicate skin that makes her more naturally beautiful in my eyes.

Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kanya ng pabalik.

“Is there any pain reliever for her again, Mon?” Tanong ni Achilles sa doktora.

Magkakakilala sila?

Nag-angat ako ng kilay.

“Uhh…We are cousin, baby.” Agad na baling ni Achilles sa akin ng makita ang pagtaas ng kilay ko.

The doctor only smiled at me unknowingly. Ilang ulit ba akong mapapahiya ngayon?

Refrain yourself, Bree!

Dr. Romano immediately scanned her pads before answering him.

“I’m afraid I can’t give her another dosage of that. I already give her again just a few minutes ago and it should last for hours and if I give her again now, it might not be good for her, Les.” Bumaling siya kaagad sa akin habang nakangiti. “It will take time before the pain reliever will slip through to your body, Braises. I assure you the pain will be long gone after just a minute you’ve woke up too.”

I smiled. “Uhhm…Ano po bang resulta? B---bakit po ba sumasakit ang….” Hindi ko matuloy dahil nahihiya ako.

Dr. Romano eyed me teasingly. “Didn’t you remember what happened?”

Mabilis akong umiling kahit nag-iinit ang pisngi ko. Kinakabahan rin ako kaya hindi ko alam kung saan ko ibabaling ang paningin ko. She turned his gaze to Achilles who was just silently watching us while he is holding me. Amused face was already drawn to her face.

“Hindi mo pa ba sinasabi sa kanya, Les?”

Les?

Gusto kong matawa sa pangalan na itiniwag sa kanya. It’s a girly nickname for a muscular man like him, I swear. Nang gumalaw ako ay doon ko lang nalaman na hindi na gaanong kasakit ang katawan ko. The pain reliever might have worked now.

Umiling si Achilles at mabilis pa akong niyakap ng mahigpit mula sa likod ko.

“I can’t tell her.” Malamig na sagot nito sa pinsang doktora.

She laughed and stared at me.

“That’s new. Hindi ka naman nahihiya dati kapag inaasar kita.” She teased him before turning her head on me.

“You have a laceration on your private part, Braises.”

Halos masamid ako ng sabihin niya iyon.

“Your v****a wall was stretched too much during your love making. Plus the fact that you were a virgin, you also bleed too much.” She started.

Nakakahiya!

“It’s my first time, actually, to handle a case like yours. I hope I’m not been so vulgar..but I also run some test regarding your skin condition and I am right, it was unusual. You skin was very sensitive even a pinch can make it glow. Kahit ang simple pagsampal lang sa balat mo ay bumubuo na ito ng pasa.”

“You didn’t told me this earlier, Mon.” It was Achilles who interrupted her.

Kumunot ang noo ni Dr. Romano sa kanya.

“I want to announce it to the both of you. I’m sorry, Les.”

Umiling ako. “No. It was fine, Doc. Ganiyan na ang balat ko simula pa noong bata pa ako.” I bite my lips unconsciously

“I’m sorry to tell you but I think you have a permanent skin disorder. Skin disorders vary greatly in symptoms and severity. They can be temporary or permanent, and may be painless or painful. Some have situational causes, while others may be genetic. Some skin conditions are minor, and others can be life-threatening. While most skin disorders are minor, others can indicate a more serious issue. Pero ang sa iyo ay hindi ko maintindihan. Is it painful?”

Mabilis akong umiling. “My mother was also a doctor, Doc. She runned a few test on me before but she can’t identify it too. It’s not really painful but it was uncomfortable when it starts to swollen. Nothing more..”

She smiled at me. “Well, I guess you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Binigay ko na sa asawa mo ang dapat mong gawin after mong madischarged dito at ang mga dapat mong inumin na gamut para mabilis ang paggaling mo. In a week, you’ll be as sure as healed as you can be.”

“Thank you, Mon. I owe you a lot this one.” Achilles said.

“Anytime..” Bumaling siya sa akin. “Welcome to the family, Bree.” Lumapit siya sa akin at mabilis akong hinalikan sa pisngi.

“T-thank you, Doc.” Nahihiya kong saad sa kanya.

I just can’t believe that this is happening to me. Alam kong napakaselan nang bagay na ito at mas lalo akong nahiya nang malamang ang doktora na tumingin sa akin ay pinsan pa niya. What a disgrace!

“Ohhh….You don’t need to be shy. Napagdaanan ko rin iyan.” She chuckled. “I guess, I have to leave now. Take care, both of you.”

Bumaling ito kaagad kay Achilles. “It is best if you go home first after this or whenever you are free. Your mother and father were so worried. Hindi nila alam kong saan ka nagpunta.” Sabi nito at mabilis na kaagad umalis habang naiwan akong nakatanga.

Hindi ko siya matignan nang deristso dahil mas lalo akong kinakabahan. His mother might be so angry right now. The loud beating of my heart is inevitable.

I felt him leaned closer to me. His scent immediately lingers on my nostrils, so manly and addicting. Naramdaman kong hinalikan niya ako sa aking buhok.

“This is my entire fault that you were in pain. I’m sorry, baby.” Nahihirapang bulong niya sa maliit na boses.

Kaagad akong umiling at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin.

“I provoked you, remember?”

Nakatingin lang siya sa akin ng deritso habang parang hindi siya na niniwala sa sinasabi ko.

“I shouldn’t have did that, kahit na.” Saad niya pa rin habang hinahaplos ang tiyan ko.

I arched my brows, feeling irritated.

“Bakit? You didn’t like it?”

I saw his eyes grew bigger and his cheeks reddened a bit.

I bite my lips to stop myself from laughing. He’s really cute, and a virgin. It’s just I really find it hard to believe him at first because I don’t think a man like him can hold such pleasure like that for a long time. I mean, it is just so impossible to be not tempted in s****l activities especially if he’s this so healthy and wealthy. Dagdagan pang ang sobrang gwapo niya, kaya hindi talaga ako naniniwala.

“Damn! Of course I like it---No!” Umiling siya. “I love it, Bree. That’s what I‘ve been waiting for my whole life. Making love with you was one of the purist thing I’ve ever done in my whole life.”

I almost wanted to smile. I almost wanted to cry.

“T-then why?” I asked stuttering.

“I just don’t want you to be hurt. Hindi ko alam kong anong dapat kong gawin kagabi. You lost your consciousness and you bleed so much.” Umigting lalo ang panga niya. His eyes grew darker each passing minutes. “With my remaining senses, I immediately dressed and carried you out to the chopper I called. I can’t forgive myself…I am careless.”

I cupped his face immediately. Nabigla siya sa ginawa ko kaya umawang ng bahagya ang bibig niya.

How can’t I forgive this man? This man that I love….but still I wasn’t sure if he feels the same way too.

“Iyan ang huwag mong gagawin, I agreed and you promised me something, right?”

He sighed.

“Bree---“

I stopped him.

Holding him firmly, I think I have the power to dominate him now. His skin was warm and I like its feeling touching my palm.

“You promised, Achilles..”

He licked his lips.

“But you are my wife….”

Ngumiti ako na ikinatigil niya. “Am I?” Tudyo ko sa kanya.

I felt like he is frustrated right now..

“Baby..” He called me with a very frustrated voice.

I chuckled. “Hindi naman kita iiwan. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay umuwi tayo dito sa Manila. I wanted to talk to Tita Claudio and Tita Daniela..Tapos hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin ako sinasagot sa mga tanong ko.”

He stared at me. His hands lift up my face and with just a fast movement he give me a quick kiss.

Hindi ko alam kong paano papatigilin ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko dahil sa ginawa niya.

“In time, baby.. In time I tell you anything and everything. For now..” May kinuha siya sa kanyang bulsa at nang ipakita niya sa akin iyon ay masaya ko siya kaagad na niyakap.

It’s my cellphone. Sa wakas!

“Thank you!” Masaya kong saad.

He smiled at me.

I was discharged when afternoon came. Dr. Romano even recommended that I must use a wheelchair and who am I to refused? Kahit nahihiya ako ay wala akong magagawa. Mas lalo pa noong makalabas kami dahil maraming mga reporters ang nakaabang sa labas. Mabuti nalang at marami ang tauhan niya dahil kung hindi ay baka sa kangkungan kami nito pupulutin.

“Who would have thought that s*x could put me in a wheelchair?” I murmured when Achilles deposited me in his car.

He eyed me closely before he smirked.

He then closed the door. Umikot siya sa kabilang side ng kotse at mabilis na pumasok sa sasakyan.

Now..the nation knows he is back at the same time his parents. The car was heavily tinted, kaya hindi ko na nakita pa ang komusiyon sa labas. Mas lalo akong kinabahan ng maisip kong ano ang sasabihin ng mga magulang niya. Panigurado ay galit na galit sila ngayon sa akin.

He then start the engine.

“Didn’t you tell your parents where are you all this time?” Tanong ko sa kanya ng makaalis na kami.

Umiling lang siya habang nagdadrive at hindi ako tinitignan.

“Papa knows, Mama did not.” Tanging sagot niya.

Kahit pa sabihing bumukod siya o may sarili na siyang kompanya na kaya niyang ipagmayabang, hindi ko pa rin maialis sa sarili ko ang nag-aalalang mukha ni Tita Laura. For sure, she’s been really devastated right now for not seeing her son for almost a week or month.

“B-binisita mo ba sila noong umalis ka sa isla?”

Umiling siya ulit.

“Achilles!” I uttered shocked.

He glanced at me worriedly.

“Calm down, babe. Mama would understand and beside my company can work a month without me..”

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. Mabuti nalang talaga at may epekto pa ang pain reliever na binagay na naman sa akin ulit kanina dahil hindi ko siya mapapagalitan ngayon kung hindi.

“Tita Laura must be worried for you right now. Didn’t you heard what your cousin said earlier? Your mom has been looking for you..”

I heard him sighed heavily. He made a U-turn before glancing at me then back to the road.

“I already called Papa about it. Don’t worry anymore.” Inabot niya ang kamay ko at marahang pinisil iyon.

Nang makarating kami ay agad niya akong inalalayan. Doon ko lang din napagtanto na marami din pa lang sasakyan na nakaantabay at nakasunod sa amin. It’s his bodyguards.

“Welcome to our home, baby..” He whispered at me.

A very well modern big house welcomed us. Malawak ang bakuran at may gazebo rin malapit sa malaking bilog na fountain. I gaped openly when I saw how beautiful it was. The man’s view are already magnetizing, how much more for an eagle’s view perspective. Hindi ko nga napansin na binuhat nalang ako ni Achilles habang binabagtas naming ang malaking konkretong pathway na pinaliligiran din ng mga magagandang bulaklak. I felt like I am in a castle, a modern one.

Agad akong napatigil ng may maalala. The place felts so familiar.

Have I been here before?

No, that’s impossible. Dahil hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang lugar na ito kung sakali. It’s really beautiful and if it’s not so childish for me to tell, I look like I am in a fairytale.

“F-familiar..” I muttered.

Napatingin siya sa akin.

“Where’s the wheelchair?” Tanong ko nang maalala iyon. Buhat buhat niya ako at ang kanyang malalaking braso ay nakapalibot sa aking katawan.

“You don’t need that. You have me now..” He whispered.

Baliw..

“Mangangalay ka kung bubuhatin mo ako buong araw.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Malamig niyang sagot sa akin.

Unfortunately, he didn’t listen to me. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita pa ulit at hinayaan siya.

“Achilles..”

Namilog ang mata ko ng makita si Tita Laura kasama ang asawa niya habang nag-aalalang lumapit sa amin mula sa b****a ng bahay.

“Oh my God! Braises!” Gulat niyang saad ng makita ako. Halos mamula ang buong mukha ko sa kahihiyan na dinaranas ko ngayon.

“W-what happened to you, hija?!” Hysterical niyang saad nang makita akong buhat buhat ni Achilles.

His dad only smirked on Achilles and smiled when he turned his head on me.

Bless my soul!

Halos magkandabuhol buhol ang puso ko sa pagtibok. Hindi ko alam kong iangat ko pa ba ang mukha ko o magpapababa ako ni Achilles gayong hindi pa ako masiyadong nakakalakad.

Tita Laura’s beautiful face wrinkled in a stressful manner when she scanned my body. Hinawakan niya kaagad ang braso ko at mabilis na pinagtitingnan.

“Mama, calm down. Braises is fine.”

Agad na dinuro siya ng kanyang ina. “You, my son have a lot of explaining to do.” Galit na saad nito.

Napasimangot si Achilles sa turan ng ina.

“What happened to Braises? My God, what would I do with you? You can’t even take care of your wife properly?! You got me worried!”

Namilog nang lalo ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Tita Laura. How did he know about the wife thing? Did Achilles tell her? Kahit nga ako ay hindi iyon alam..

I heard Tito Samuel chuckled.

What the…What the heck is happening here? Hindi ko masundan lahat ng mga pangyayari.

“Sweetheart, calm down..” It was Tito Samuel who tried to calm her.

Mabilis itong huminahon at kahit buhat ako ni Achilles ay hinampas niya ang kanyang anak ng hindi naman kalakasan.

Bumaling ito sa akin.

“I’m so sorry, hija.” She then kissed my cheeks. “Pasensiya ka na at ganito ang paunang bating nasaksihan mo after so many years..” Malambing niyang sabi sa akin.

“Let’s go inside.” Tito Sam said.

Wala akong imik hanggang sa pumasok kami.

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t know that Mama and Papa would be here.” He whispered at me.

Hindi ako nagsalita.

Iginiya niya ako sa malaking sofa at doon maingat na pinaupo.

“Can you please get us water, Petrina?” Her mom ordered to one of the housemaids.

Achilles was very attentive in arranging my dress that he didn’t even notice his parent’s stare on us. Kaagad ko siyang tinapik ng inaayos pa rin niya ang nalukot kong damit.

He lazily turned his head on me then to his parents.

Tita Laura was teasingly smiling on us but suddenly she cleared her throat when his son turned his head on them. Hawak ni Achilles ang aking kamay ay nakita kong doon tumuon ang tingin ni Tita. I felt embarrassed.

“I didn’t remember that you have gray eyes, Bree.” Si Tita Laura nang mag-angat ng tingin.

I pursed my lips.

“I just wear contact lenses po kasi all the time.” Nahihiya kong saad.

Ngumiti siya sa akin ng pagkatamis tamis. Tito Samuel was just there too smiling at me and holding his wife dearly.

“Why are you here, Mama?” It was Achilles.

Kaagad na sumimagot ang ina niya sa kanya.

“Why? Hindi ko ba kayo pwedeng bisitahin ng asawa mo? Afterall, we also used to live here before.” Matalas na sagot nito sa anak.

Bumaling si Achilles sa ama.

“Pa..”

His father chuckled then sighed.

“When I heard about the news, we immediately came here expecting that you are here already. Your Mama was been so worried even if I tell her already that you were fine.” Sagot nito.

“Mama was really stubborn.” Achilles grunted while his father only chuckled.

Tita Laura immediately turned his head on his husband. Natigil ito sa pagtawa ng bigyan niya ito ng masamang tingin. Wala sa sarili akong napangiti. Achilles parents were really nice and their family was great. I wish I could have one.

“Pinagkakaisahan niyo ako?” Madamdaming saad ni Tita.

She rolled her eyes then turned on me.

“Oh well, I have my daughter in law now, right Bree?” She then smiled at me.

“T-tita.”

Umiling si Tita Laura sa akin.

“It’s Mama for you now and Papa for my husband. You are now part of our family, Bree.” She smiled.

Halos maiyak ako ng tumayo siya at niyakap ako.

“Ma..Stop hugging my wife. She’s not yet healed.” Achilles interrupted.

“No. It was fine..” Mabilis kong sagot.

“Girl power!” Mama Laura shouted and everyone laughed.