Argent et Pouvoir

Chapter 5

Azalea dreamed about how she met Dareios fifteen years ago in the kindergarten where her nanny always dropped her off. Azalea’s family had been chaotic since she was little. Her parents always fought, minsan lang kung umuwi ang Dad niya at galit sakanya ang mga kapatid niya.

Azalea didn't had happy childhood memories, it was always fighting, crying, loneliness and darkness. But it somehow changed when he met Dareios.

Dareios is a cute boy with a dark chocolate curly hair that compliment his white pale skin well, he has a cute chubby cheeks with dimples on each side, he has long lashes and beautiful brown eyes that shines whenever he smile. He has a beautiful bright smile a lovely little boy who is clearly loved by everyone.

Looking back made Azalea remember na magka-ibang magka-iba silang dalawa ni Dareios and her younger self might noticed it without her knowing.

Azalea always had fights with Dareios. Siya lagi ang mag-uumpisa, ganon naman siguro kapag bata palaging nag-aaway, but Azalea is a troublemaker she would always bully Dareios.

Siguro she wants him to notice her, Dareios is a transfer student, kakalipat lang ng family nila dito sa lugar nila noon, Dareios became like an instant celebrity in their kindergarten, bata pa lang kasi ay gwapo na ito he would always talk and play with the other kids except Azalea, that's why Azalea was angry. That kid is avoiding her and she hates it, naalala kasi niya ‘yong mga kapatid niya they're avoiding her since she remembered.

Then this big fight happened, they had a physical fight. At the age of five Azalea is used to have fights. She still remember how hard she cried noong dumugo ang ilong ni Dareios dahil sa paghampas niya sa mukha nito. She’s the one who cried so hard kahit na hindi naman siya ‘yong nasaktan.

“You're not talking to me! You’re the same! You also avoid me!” Azalea shouted while crying.

Nagpupumadyak pa ito sa sahig habang umiiyak. Azalea remembered herself so frustrated at that time, she’s crying so hard because she’s upset.

Natigil lang siya nang lumapit sakanya si Dareios at inabutan siya nito nang panyo. She saw how Dareios wipe his bloody nose with his uniform sleeves.

“Wipe your tears. Beautiful girls shouldn’t cry.”

Azalea clearly remember that line until this day. Hindi na ata niya makakalimutan ‘yon, Dareios looked so cool at that time at the age of five.

After that fight Dareios always sticks to her. Kung nasaan si Azalea nandoon din ito, they play together, eat together and take a nap together.

Looking back in all those years sobrang dami na pala nilang pinagsamahan, they’re so okay, they're inseparable, they are the best of friends and everything became complicated when she started catching feelings.

All the things that are happening to them right now was her fault. Nasasaktan silang pareho dahil sa kagagawan niya.

Unti-unting nagising si Azalea nang maramdaman niyang may humahaplos sa mukha niya she felt alarmed, wala dapat tao sa kwarto niya ng ganitong oras. She quickly opened her eyes and a gray-eyed beautiful woman who’s widen her eyes in shock welcome her sight. She was on Azalea’s side in a squat position nakahawak ang kamay nito sa mukha niya at tulalang nakatingin sakanya.

Sobrang lapit ng mukha nila sa isa’t isa kaya malayang na pagmasdan ni Azalea ang mukha ng dalaga. She’s really beautiful, wala na ang makapal na make-up na nasa mukha nito kagabi this stranger’s bare face is so beautiful. She has a few freckles on her face that really suits her, she has a long curly lashes and a pointed nose.

Azalea’s eyes moved into the girl’s lips, she has a beautiful thin lips tinitigan pa ito nang ilang sigundo ni Azalea bago niya tinignan sa mata ang kaharap. Azalea likes thin lips, it really turns her on.

When their eyes met she saw how that gray eyes shake. Azalea didn't remove her gaze in those eyes, there's something in there that pulls her attention it's like those pair of gray eyes are sucking her soul.

“What are you doing?” Seryosong tanong ni Azalea habang nakatitig pa rin sa mata nang kaharap.

The girl in front of her immediately remove her hand on Azalea’s face, umatras din ito upang lumayo sakanya.

“S-Sorry.” Halos pabulong na sabi nang dalaga.

Azalea just stared at her bago tuluyang tumayo mula sa pagkakahiga niya sa sofa.

Pinasadahan niya nang tingin ang kaharap, she’s still wearing the pajamas na sinuot niya dito kagabi, it was a simple black silk pair pajamas that suits her well, the color black complements her white fair skin and her bleached hair. Mukhang napansin nang dalaga ang pagtitig ni Azalea sa suot niya kaya agad itong yumuko at napahawak ito sa laylayan nang pantaas na damit suot niya.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

Azalea frowned and clear her throat. “Are you hungry?” tanong niya sa babaeng kaharap. The girl stared at her for a second kaya tinaasan niya ito nang kilay at ng mapansin naman nito ang itsura niya ay agad itong tumango ng paulit-ulit.

Azalea sighed. “Okay, just wait here I’ll just take a quick shower.” Hindi na niya inantay ang sagot nito at agad na nagtungo papasok sa banyo sa kwarto niya.

Azalea took a quick shower, she covered herself in a bathrobe and blow dried her hair. Agad siyang nagtungo sa walk-in closet niya na connected sa banyo at namili ng komportableng damit. She wore a pair of Calvin Klein sports bra and boyshort at pinatungan niya ito ng isang manipis na white T-shirt. Ganito ang suot niya kapag nasa bahay siya dahil mas komportableng kumilos she picked up a hairtie and tie her long hair into a messy bun bago tuluyang lumabas.

Paglabas niya ay nakita niya ‘yong babae na mukhang hindi gumalaw mula sa puwesto nito kanina she’s still standing there awkwardly at nakayukong pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri niya.

‘Is she really that shy?’ Takang tanong ni Azalea sakanyang isip. Maybe that girl is still shocked at what happened last night, that was really traumatizing she was almost raped.

Azalea approached her. Tumingin ito sakanya pero agad di itong yumuko. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ni Azalea ang pamumula ng tenga nito. Azalea sighed and reached her hand. She felt her flinched pero hindi ‘yon pinansin ni Azalea at hinatak niya ang dalaga palabas sa kwarto niya.

“Let’s go in the kitchen, let's have some breakfast.”

Azalea was silently observing the girl in front of her. Nakayuko ito at tahimik lang na kumakain. She cooked a shrimp pasta and some stake, hindi kasi siya nakakain kagabi kaya ngayon siya babawi. That girl didn't even say a single word habang nagluluto siya kanina, after she said ‘sorry’ earlier ay hindi na ito muling nagsalita.

Pinagmasdan niya ito kung paano ito kumain. Konti lang itong kumain pero hindi makalat, maingat din ito sa paggamit ng kubyertos she didn't let the utensils make so much noise. Azalea’s gaze moved into the girls hands, she has a long and beautiful hands and her nails are neat mukhang malambot din ang kamay nito. Azalea moved a bit closer at nakapanghalumbaba niyang pinagmasdan ang dalaga sa harap niya.

“A-Ahm... m-may gusto ka ba’ng itanong sa'kin?” tanong nang babaeng kaharap niya habang hindi makatingin ng diretso sakanya.

Natigilan saglit si Azalea. What the hell is she doing? Bakit ba kanina niya pa pinagmamasdan itong babae na 'to?

Azalea cleared her throat before she speak.

“I’m just curious about three things. Is it okay to ask?” Tanong ni Azalea habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa mukha ang babaeng kaharap niya.

The girl in front of her flinched. Mukhang kinakabahan ito base sa itsura ng mukha nito, she looked so constipated at pabalik-balik ang tingin nito sa kamay niya at sa mukha ni Azalea.

“U-Uhm... o-of course just ask me...”

Nakapanghalumbaba pa rin si Azalea. “What’s your name?”

“A-Ah.. I-I... I’m Sky. Sky Stevenson.” Nauutal na pagpapakilala nito.

‘Hmm? So Sky is her name. Well, I guess it suits her.’

“And I’m Azalea Aragon. Are you a foreigner?”

“H-Half. I’m half Russian and half Filipino. My mother is a filipina.”

Azalea raised her eyebrows in curiosity.

“Okay. The second question. What are you doing in the restroom do you know those guys?”

Azalea saw her flinched. Nag-angat ito nang tingin kaya nagtama ang mga mata nila.

“I’m a transfer student at AIS. I didn't know anyone in the school pumunta lang ako sa party na mag-isa and when i’m on my way to restroom t-those... they corner me at hinila nila ako papasok sa cubicle. T-They’re forcing me... t-thank you for saving me baka kung wala ka doon kung ano nang nangyari sa'kin.” Sky bit her lips mukhang nagpipigil itong umiyak.

“... You're welcome.” Halos pabulong na wika ni Azalea.

Azalea stared at her, pinagmasdan niya kung iiyak ba ito o hindi pero mukhang agad naman nitong napigilan ang luha niya kaya nag patuloy siya sa pagtatanong.

“Last question,” Azalea’s gazed moved into her lips again, “What lip products are you using? Your lips look so... nice.” She look into her smiling.

Sky let out a gasped. She felt shiver through her spine. Pakiramdam niya ay matutunaw siya sa tingin na binibigay ng babae nasa harapan niya.

She really panicked when she woke up in unfamiliar room, mas magarbo ito at mas malaki sa kwarto niya, she totally freaked out nang mapansin niyang iba ‘yong suot niyang damit. She’s wearing a comfortable pajamas at halatang mamahalin din ito she tried to calm herself at maingat na nag-ikot sa loob ng kwarto.

The room is really huge dahil konting lakad niya palayo sa kama ay may mini living room din sa loob. Merong mamahaling sofa at coffee table, marami din figurines na mukhang sobrang mahal at never niyang mababayaran kapag na basag niya kaya mas naging maingat siya sa pag-galaw.

Sky was flabbergasted. Every corner of this room look so expensive, natulala pa nga siya sa chandelier na nakasabit sa itaas. She even saw a flat screen TV na kasing laki ata nang screen sa sinehan, pero mas lalo siyang nagulat nang may nakita siyang speaker na katulad doon sa Kdramang Penthouse na pinapanood niya, ‘yong speaker ni Shim Su Ryeon na mamahalin!

Bigla tuloy siyang kinabahan. Tanda niyang babae ang kasama niya kagabi sa sasakyan pero masyado siyang nabibigla sa mga nakikita niya dito. Sa TV lang siya nakakakita ng ganitong kagarbong kwarto.

Bumalik lang siya sa sarili niya noong may narinig siyang humihikbi. She curiously follow the noise, wala naman sigurong multo sa ganito kagandang kwarto no? Her feet lead her into the sofa ito yung sofa na pinakamalaki dito sakto lang ang isang tao.

Sky immediately stop when she saw a beautiful woman crying in her sleep. Mukhang nananaginip ito nang masama, maingat siyang lumapit ito Sky crunch down para mas mapagmasdan niya nang maayos ang mukha ng babae.

Sky gasped. ‘She’s so beautiful! Artista ba 'tong babae na 'to?’

Sky honestly admire the face of the woman parang ngayon lang ata siya nakakita ng ganitong kagandang babae. Sky bit her lower lip, dahan-dahan niyang inilapat sa mukha nito ang hintuturo niya.

‘Ang lambot ng mukha niya!’

The woman has a rosey glass skin, mukhang alaga sa skin care baka nga VIP pa ito sa clinic ni Doktora Belo.

Bigla namang nakaramdam ng lungkot si Sky habang pinagmamasdan niya ang babae.

“At bakit naman kaya umiiyak ang isang magandang katulad mo?” Mahinang bulong niya atsaka marahang pinunasan ang luhang pumapatak mula sa nakasara nitong mata.

Sky moved closer hindi alintana na malapit na ang mukha niya sa babae. Sky quietly trace the woman’s nose, matangos ang ilong nito pero mas matangos pa din ang ilong niya. Sky moved a bit at may nabangga ang paa niya kaya agad siyang napatingin dito.

May nagkalat sa sahig na dalawang bote ng wine pareho na itong walang laman, makalat din ang lugar kung nasaan siya mukhang uminom ito magdamag. Sky sadly look at the woman’s face, mukhang may problema din ito kaya nagpakalasing.

Sky sighed at tahimik na niligpit ang mga kalat, she picked up the wine bottles at itinabi ito sa gilid nang matapos siyang magligpit at bumalik siya sa puwesto niya kanina. She’s still crying. Sky bit her lip and marahang pinunasan ang mga luha nang babaeng nasa harap niya pero bigla siyang nagulat ng bigla itong dumilat.

Her eyes widen in shock. Hindi siya makilos sa puwesto niya para siyang na estatwa. Then their eyes locked. Sky literally gasped. Her charcoal eyes are mesmerizing, para siyang kinakausap ng mga matang nakatingin sakanya.

Sky could feel her heart beating. It was so loud at pakiramdam niya ay mabibingi siya. She felt shivers, lalo na noong bumaba ang tingin nito sa labi niya, ‘yong tingin ng babaeng 'to ay parang tumatagos hanggang sa kaloob-looban niya that's why Sky is nervous, baka makita nito na mabilis ang t***k ng puso niya.

“What are you doing?” Seryosong tanong nito kaya agad na natauhan si Sky.

“S-Sorry.” Mabilis at mahinang sagot niya. Bigla siyang nahiya sa inasal niya.

Ano ba’ng problema niya? may alak pa din ba sa sistema niya?

Naramdaman niyang nakatingin ito sakanya kaya napahigpit ang hawak niya sa laylayan ng pantulog na suot niya.

Sky heard the woman sighed. “Okay, just wait here I’ll just take a quick shower.” Hindi na nito inantay ang sagot niya at agad itong pumasok sa loob ng banyo.

Sky want to scream. ‘Nakakahiya!’ that woman might be thinking that she was a nuisance.

Paulit-ulit na hinampas ni Sky ang ulo niya. Hindi na dapat siya pumunta sa party hindi sana nangyari ito kung hindi niya ipinilit na pumunta.

The woman held her hand at hinatak siya papunta sa kusina. She cooked for her and it was really good. Sa tanang buhay ata ni Sky ay ngayon lang siya nakakain ng pagkaing ganito kasarap. She quietly ate, ninanamnam ng mabuti ang pagkain baka kasi hindi na ulit siya makakain ng ganito kasarap, inaabala niya ang sarili sa pagkain at hindi pinapansin ang tingin sakanya nung babae.

Sky felt it. Kung nakakatunaw lang siguro ‘yong tingin baka kanina pa siya tunaw. Pero hindi na siya nakatiis kaya tinanong niya ito kung meron ba 'tong gustong sabihin sakanya.

The woman cleared her throat before she speak.

“I’m just curious about three things. Is it okay to ask?” Tanong nang babae habang nakatingin pa rin kay Sky.

Sky is really nervous. Pakiramdam niya nagpapawis na ‘yong kilikili niya. Wala naman siyang ginawang masama pero kinakabahan pa rin siya lalo na sa paraan nang patingin sa kanya nung babae.

“U-Uhm... o-of course just ask me...” Nauutal na wika niya.

‘s**t. Bakit ba ako kinakabahan?’

Nakapanghalumbaba itong nagtanong sakanya, “What’s your name?”

“A-Ah.. I-I... I’m Sky. Sky Stevenson.” Napapikit nang mariin si Sky at paulit-ulit na minura ang sarili niya sakanyang isipan.

“And I’m Azalea Aragon. Are you a foreigner?”

‘Azalea Aragon...’ Paulit-ulit na binigkas ni Sky ang pangalang ‘yon sa isip niya at wala sa sariling sinagot ang mga tanong nito.

When Azalea asked about what happened in the restroom ay muling naalala ni Sky ang lahat. Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi sa inis. Those assholes put something on her drink bigla kasi siyang nahilo kahit nakakaisang shot pa lang siya. Her hand formed into a fist, hindi man lang siya nakabawi sa mga g*gong ‘yon!

“Last question,” Azalea’s gazed moved into Sky’s lips again,

kaya ‘di maiwasang hindi mapalunok ni Sky. She felt shivers into her whole body.

“What lip products are you using? Your lips look so... nice.” She look into her smiling.

Sky let out a gasped. Pakiramdam niya ay matutunaw siya sa tingin na binibigay ng babae sa harapan niya. She blushed. Ramdam niya ang pag-init ng kanyang pisnge teka, bakit parang kinikilig ata siya?

“U-Uhm.. A-Ano.. L-Lip balm lang ‘yong gamit ko ‘yong Vaseline.” Nahihiyang sagot niya.

“Hatid na kita sainyo.” Saad ni Azalea nang makita niyang nakaligo at nakapagpalit na nang damit si Sky.

She also change her close into a Gucci Black Technical Tracksuit matching with Rhyton Gucci Sneakers.

Azalea caught Sky’s reddish face. Agad na kumunot ang noo niya. ‘May sakit kaya siya?’

“... Are you okay?” Alanganing tanong ni Azalea.

She saw how Sky flinched dahan-dahan itong lumingon sakanya at mukha itong... constipated??

“...Y-Yeah. O-Okay lang ako.”

Azalea’s forehead creased. “You sure?”

“Y-Yes! Yes! okay lang ako, okay na okay.”

Hinanda na ni Azalea ‘yong sasakyan niya. She already texted her bodyguards na magbantay na lang ang mga ito sa malayo she wants to drive alone right now. Gusto muna niyang mapag-isa para makapag-isip.

“Hop in.”

Alanganing pumasok si Sky sa may passenger seat dahil matiim siyang pinagmamasdan ni Azalea.

Azalea didn't know the reason why, pero naaliw siyang pagmasdan si Sky. She’s cute especially when she flinched and look down kapag nahuhuli niyang pinagmamasdan siya ni Azalea.

Azalea started the engine at nagmaneho palabas nang subdivision nila. There's an awkward silence kaya plano niyang magpatunog pero bago siya nag play ng kanta ay tumingin muna siya kay Sky.

“....Is it okay if I play a music?” Azalea look at her dahil saktong huminto sila sa stop light.

“Y-Yeah. S-Sure!”

This is so awkward.

Azalea turn on the music and Sarah Barrios feat. Eric Nam’s Have we met before played.

‘You're a stranger but feel closer and when I'm looking at you

Swear I feel you in my memory

I think I've seen you in my dreams

Maybe you and I have history

But I don't think you know me’

‘Have we met before?

Maybe in another life I knew you

Maybe if I try I'll see right through you

And I'll remember who we were’

‘Have we met before?

Maybe in another time I loved you

Maybe you're the one that I would run to

Don't know why it's all a blur

I think I know you

I think I know you’

Azalea and Sky had been stealing a glance on each other since the music played. Wala na ulit nagsalita sakanila pero hindi na ganon ka awkward ‘yong atmosphere.

Azalea chuckle. Para sa siyang sira, kagabi lang ang lungkot-lungkot niya pero ngayon parang hindi niya ‘yon na aalala.

But her smile fade nang biglang mahinto ang kanta at nag flash ang caller ID ni Dareios.

Natigilan sandali si Azalea. Parang nag flashback ulit lahat sakanya ‘yong nangyari kagabi, Dareios is with someone else last night. Hindi naman na bago ‘yon, pero hangga't maari iniiwasan niyang malaman, iniiwasan niyang alamin kung na saan ito at kung sino ang kasama nito kapag hindi sila magkasama para kahit papano eh mabawasan ‘yong sakit. She’s really good at playing dumb, halos ilang taon din siyang naka-survive na nagbubulag-bulagan pero may mga oras talaga na hindi mo maiiwasan kahit pilit mo nang iniiwasan.

Natauhan lang si Azalea nang hawakan ni Sky ang braso niya at paulit-ulit nitong tinatawag ang pangalan niya.

“H-Hey. Are you okay?” Nag-aalalang tanong nito. Natulala saglit sakanya si Azalea bago muling nakabawi dahil sa malakas na busina sa likod nila.

“F*ck.” She murmurs before she started the engine.

Wala pa rin tigil sa pagbusina ‘yong nasa likod nila kaya habang pinaaandar ni Azalea ang sasakyan palayo sakanila ay nilabas niya ang kaliwang kamay niya at pinakitaan nang middle finger ang driver nang kotseng nasa likod niya.

She heard Sky laughed kaya natawa na din siya.

Muling tumunog ang phone ni Azalea, Dareios is still calling her.

“Hindi mo ba sasagutin baka importante ‘yan?” Sky asked.

Azalea sighed. Umiling, “No. it's okay. Btw, are you free today?”

Biglang nanlaki ang mata ni Sky. Natahimik ito saglit bago muling nagsalita.

“Hmm... I have class at 1 PM.“ Mahinang sagot nito.

Azalea just stare at her before she speak, “Edi ‘wag na tayong pumasok.” Azalea cooly said.

That's why Sky frowned at her. “Hindi ba bawal ‘yon?”

Azalea chuckled. “Bakit naman bawal? Don’t worry akong bahala sa’yo. Let’s have some fun today!”