The Scent of Savage (Completed/ Unedited)

Desperation

AFTER the hilarious tour of the school,  they decided to go back to the rest house. They don't have any more plans aside from eating pizza for the snack. Gusto sanang magluto ni Zedrick ng pesto pero nakita niya ang skateboard sa ilalim ng hagdan.

"You play this?"

"Brandon did. But I know some of his tricks. He taught me though."

Naghahamon niyang nginisihan ito. "Really?"

They end up waiting on the road for the pizza delivery while Zedrick showed to her his reckless tricks. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa kanyang labi habang kinukuhaan ito ng video. If we are in Australia. I could say he isn't lived in a secluded place like this. He is like those kid raised in a liberated place with a liberated body. She sighed and put down the phone. Natulala siya rito.

Sa pagod ay patamad na nilaro ni Zedrick ang skateboard. Ang mga kamay ay nakatago sa mga bulsa habang ang sinag ng araw ay tumatama sa bronseng kulay ng katawan nito.

"I can live here, just... always give me this beautiful view," she murmured, awing those delectable naked upper body back view. Looking arrogant while spinning his cap on his pointing finger, oblivious with a pair of worried eyes on his jeans that was lazily hung on his small waist. "Was that normal?" Tumikhim siya nang bigla itong lumingon.

"Pizza is coming."

Huminga siya nang malalim. Dahil nangako itong hindi siya magpapagabi, alas kuwatro ay lumakad na sila. Sa daan na nila kinain ang pizza habang pinag-uusapan ang susunod na punta roon.

"Stuffed crust is really delicious," she moaned.

"Do you like pizza? I can cook one for you." Hinuli nito ang kanyang kamay upang haplusin.

An overwhelming foreign feeling filled her system again. Since the intimate brunch, he was like that with her. She never thought of doing this thing to him because she is certain that it was just an infatuation.

But right now, feeling his rough hand against her soft skin wrecked everything that she believed. Hindi niya na iyon pinag-ukulan pa ng pansin. Bagkus ay inayos niya ang magkahawak nilang kamay. She smiled and looked away when he gazed at her.

Sa 'di kalayuan ay naaninaw niya ang kanilang gate. Gusto niyang magmura dahil doon. Matagal ang kanilang biyahe pero puwede bang mas pahabain pa?

"Tawagan mo ako kapag nakauwi ka na, ha," paalala niya rito nang makababa.

Hindi nito binitawan ang kamay niya noong tumango.

"Lakad na." Kailangan na nitong umalis dahil baka sapian siya ni Violet at makagawa na naman ng kalokohan.

"Answer my call, okay?"

"Oo naman. Nanginginig pa!"

How funny that Zedrick can tolerate her craziness and naughty action. And sometimes he would level her or more than what she can do so she would be ashamed. Today she discovered a lot about him. Behind those cold gaze is a romantic and soft man. She almost forgot the existence of the world. He made her believe that he is the only person that matters with her. That is how his power works at her. Crazy but undeniably true.

For college, this month is the midterm exam. Hindi sila nagkita ni Zedrick dahil kailangan nitong mag-review. His world doesn't revolve only around her, he needed to study. He can never attend starting today her training. She can do it alone on the farm with Caesar's assistant. She understands he is a third-year college, this year 'til next is critical so he needed to focus and be more serious. But he promised to call her and see each other every Saturday. Okay lang sa kanya ang ganoong set-up nila. Ayaw niyang masakal si Zedrick. Hindi siya ang klase ng babae na clingy. Ayaw niyang maging dahilan ng pagbagsak nito. Nalaman pa naman niya kay Paige na mula elementary ay top one ito sa klase.

Inabala niya ang sarili sa pag-eensayo, pagsusunog ng kilay at bonding sa kanyang kapatid. Like the usual without knowing that it was now the middle of the month. Two more weeks before the audition day.

"Sa ganoong bilis? Hindi ba nakakatakot?"

Ngumiti siya ng maramdaman ang pananabik sa tinig ng kapatid. Alam niyang uhaw ito sa kalayaan kaya hanggat hindi pa toxic sa school ay gusto niya itong isama.

"Well, it is risky and dangerous," she taunted her gazed run through Simon who is leaning on the frame of the door. "Kung hindi bibilisan ni Zedrick ang andar hindi na stroll ang tawag doon. After the audition, I want us to stroll the border of Casa De Rios," pangako niya rito.

Eury's face brightened, "Sige, Sky. Magpapaalam tayo kay Auntie Criselda."

Umalis siya matapos busugin ang kapatid sa iba pang kuwento ng kaganapan nila ni Zedrick ng sabadong iyon. Gusto rin masubukan ni Eury kung paano gumamit ng skateboard. Gusto rin nitong subukan na mangisda. Lahat ng iyon ay pinangako niyang matutupad.

Sunday, they wake up early to attend the early mass. Eury seemed fuzzy and still sleepy to forget about it. Siya na ang kumausap sa tiyahin nila. Pumayag ito ng malaman na si Zedrick ang kasama, basta huwag magpapagabi at mag-iingat.

Zedrick is truly a blessing in ruthless disguise in her life. Without him, she will never explore this secluded place. The epic hidden falls on the center of Ridges Mountain. The house that made of the big tree that was located on the Rio De Grande. It was very unique and naturally artistic. Casa De Rios is literally an amazing place that tourist should sniff. Pero nakakapagtakang hindi kilala ang lugar na ito. At kutob niyang hindi pa iyon napupuntahan ng kanyang nakatatandang kapatid. Ipapasyal niya ito sa ayaw o gusto ng ama nila.

Just like last week, her Monday to Thursday became blurred from excitement. Everyone at school talked about the audition day.

"Handa ka na ba para bukas?" Paige asked her when they saw the noisy seniors on the Hallway with Chesca. Kinakantiyawan ito na mananalo sa audition.

Mula ng hindi siya makatalon noon sa maliit na bakod ay naglaho ang balitang mahigpit siyang kalaban ng babae. Paano ba siya makakatalon noon? Nagkaroon siya ng hindi niya alam. Kaya pala pakiramdam niya ay malagkit. At kapag nakikita si Drake ay ginugulo siya ay umiinit ang ulo niya.

Muli siya ngumisi ng maalala kung paanong manamlay ang ilang seniors na marahil ay supporters niya. She accidentally made their expectation failed. Hindi niya na rin pinaalam kung bakit hindi niya kayang tumalon. Hinayaan niya silang mag-isip ng kung anu-ano.

"Alam mo bagay talaga sila ni Drake. Papansin," bulong ni Paige. Hinila siya nito sa kabilang daan para dumiretso sa Canteen.

Bago sila lumiko ay naaninaw niya sa 'di kalayuan si Eury. She is with a mysterious guy. Halatang hindi nila schoolmate dahil naka-civilian at matangkad pa sa mga seniors na kilala niyang lalaki. He wears cup and eyeglasses that made him unrecognizable.

Her forehead creased at the thought of her sister entertained strangers on School. Very strange, but Kailli and Swanda were with her. Maybe the guy is their senior or an outsider friend.

She tore off her sight of them as they walked through the stall to buy some food. Eury would never do some reckless action, which only implies with her. Tumango siya sa katotohanang iyon at mas binigyan pansin ang kuwento ni Paige. Sa dalawang Linggo na araw-araw na pag-eensayo ng HBR Club marami ang naipong balita na hindi niya alam.

"Sasali rin daw si Simon. Hindi ba't sa inyo nakatira 'yon?"

Tumango siya. Narinig nga niya minsang nagtatalo si Eury at Simon tungkol doon. Walang masama dahil wala namang rules na bawal sumali ang committee. Chesca is a committee too but maybe they disregard that idea because she is a woman, just like her. If they consider Simon as a male. He is not the only man who will join the audition. Grand Prix is open to anyone. Everyone is free to join. Any gender can be a representative.

"Dapat nagparaya nalang siya," Paige murmured uncontrollably.

"Simon is a dreamer too, Amorsolo. Everyone has given the chance to reach for their dream. He wants the Grand Prix as do I."

"Sabagay. Lahat ng sasali sa audition ay may ibubuga. Pero naniniwala ako sa kakayahan mo, Ulap. Kahit nga si Daddy nang malaman na sasali ka, sabi niya manonood siya." Lumingon ito sa kanya bago sa direksiyon patungo sa racing field. "Maraming sports ang naghahanda, pero mas kaabang-abang ang sa HBR Club."

She acted normal that day to anyone. Even if inside of her, her heart is almost breaking her ribcage from excitement. Nahaluan ng kaba sa mga kuwento ni Paige, lalo't higit kay Simon na alam niyang magaling din.

Hindi ako magpapatalo. Baon niya iyon sa kaisipan ng suduin siya ni Caesar ng hapon na iyon. Pinabago niya ang obstacle chores kagaya ng sa huling tanda niya sa Australia. Nagpalagay siya ng long distance high jump fence. Iyon ang nakadali kay Tracy noon. Tunay na imposible at nakakanginig ng tuhod ang taas noon. Aniya ay hindi siya matatawag na Grand Prix Winner kapag hindi niya iyon nalagpasan. Patunayan niyang wala na siyang trauma. Patunayan niyang pinatawad niya na ang sarili sa masalimuot na nakaraan ng kanyang buhay.

Sa gilid ay kabado si Mae kasama ang tatlong anak na nanonood sa kanya. Naroon din ang mag-asawang matanda na sinubukan pa siyang pigilan dahil delikado. Pero walang nagawa ang mga ito noong tinalon nilang dalawa ni Kidlat ang halimaw na bakod. Ang singhap nila ay napalitan ng kaginhawaan at walang patid na saya.

Tomorrow I will change everything. I will win the audition and take the Grand Prix award. This is for you Dad, Mom, Ate, and Zedrick. No one can stop me from achieving my goal.

Kinabukasan ay maaga siyang gumising. She took a thirty minutes run outside their mansion. She started it the moment Zedrick left her alone for the training. Kailangan niyang magpagaan para hindi mabigatan si Kidlat. May proper diet siya para tumibay at maging malakas ang katawan.

She's running out of the air when she stopped, eyeing the woman standing on their gate, fanning herself like a queen, while watching her coming through.

"Tumawag ang mommy mo. Suotin mo raw 'yung pinadala niya at mag-iingat ka," her Auntie Criselda.

She took the towel on the table. While drying her forehead and nape, she nodded her head. "Hindi po ba sila makakapanood?"

Saglit na natigilan ito, may bahid ng lungkot ang mga mata noong umiwas ng tingin. Nauunawaan niya naman. Sanay na siya pero gusto niyang isipin ang kabilang banda na baka surpresahin siya?

Humalik siya sa pisngi nito bago tumulak paakyat. She informed Axis about her audition. She will send the footage so she can watch her so called amazing comeback. Matapos ng kaunting pag-uusap ay naligo siya at naghanda na. Nagpasabi si Eury na susunod na lamang kaya nauna na sila.

Para siyang lumulutang sa sobrang kaba ng ibalita na full house at mayroon pang hindi nakakapasok. Hindi niya iyon inaasahan lalo pa't audition lamang ito. Hindi kasi ganito ang kuwento ni Paige noong audition nakaraang taon.

"Nariyan pala ang mga kamag-anak mo?"

"Yeah. Si daddy at mommy kasi sobrang proud sa akin," Chesca answered.

Hinila niya si Kidlat sa gilid upang lagpasan ang mga ito. May kung anong bigat ang biglang dumagan sa kanyang dibdib sa kaisipang sinusuportahan si Chesca ng magulang nito. Her parents invited their whole family because they believe on their daughter. Samantalang siya ay sumali upang makuha ang suporta ng magulang. She need to win so they can give their attention to her.

Hinaplos niya ang leeg ni Kidlat at tinitigan ito sa mga mata. We can do this, right? Ganitong-ganito siya noon. Lahat ng try-out niya ay walang umaagapay sa kanya kung hindi ang kaibigan lamang na si Tracy at magulang nito. How pathetic she was that she needed to borrow someone's attention to cheer her up. She can even hide those pain with a bright smile. Such a best actress.

"Ulap?"

She lazily looked with Paige and beamed a small laugh when she saw Benny and Zedrick's older brother, Joffrey. Hinila niya si Kidlat upang makalapit sa mga ito.

"Hi!" she greeted.

"So it was really you," Joffrey is obviously curious and shocked when he stared confusingly with Kidlat before her.

Saglit din siyang naguluhan pero nakabawi rin agad para tumango.

"Ang ganda mo sa suot mo, Sky. Pang championship," tukso ni Benny. Sa gilid nito si Joffrey na mangha rin, kalaunan ay parang nang-iinsulto ng may maaninaw na paparating.

Kasabay ng paggapang ng kakaibang kiliti sa kanyang batok ng maramdamang may pares ng matang nakatingin sa kanya. Kinikilabutan niyang hinaplos iyon.

Umalingawngaw ang tunog na senyales na magsisimula na ang audition.

"Magsisimula na yata. Hihintayin nalang namin ang paglabas mo." Paalam ni Paige na hinihila na si Benny. Sumunod dito si Joffrey na nangingiti na, walang paalam na umalis para sumunod sa pinsan.

"Caesar's family are with me. Gusto ka nilang mapanood."

Her heart jumped to the moon from Zedrick's sudden appearance. His husky yet sexy voice for goodness sake was very disturbing, unpleasant in a broad daylight as if he is making her regret to despise the purpose of night time.

"Oh, please. Don't do it again. I might die of heart attack," she joked. Pressing her palm at her chest.

The ruthless aura on his eyes shaded with his goofiness. "You're nervous... so I'm just trying to help."

"Who said that? I am not," she frowned.

Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay. Ang mga mata ay lumilingid sa buong mukha, braso at kamay. Nang may makita itong bad aid sa kanang kamay niya ay kumunot agad ang noo. "You over-trained and even done an unsafe stunts, Thaysky."

That's not a statement, it was an accusation. Naalala niya ang desperasyon niya ng hapong iyon. Natakot siya sa mga balita ni Paige. Ayaw niyang matalo kaya niya ginawa iyon.

He closed their distance and took her hand to take a look. Mula sa bulsa nito ay humugot ito ng panyo at inilagay sa kamay niya. "Huwag mo ng uulitin iyon. Paano kapag may nangyaring masama sa'yo?"

She pressed her lips against each other and looked up. She was very apologetic. "Pangako," sagot niya.

Zedrick took a long sighed. His thumb caressed her chin. "What do you think I'll do if something happened with you?"

Nanuyot ang lalamunan niya sa nakitang emosyon sa mga mata nito. Zedrick mostly hard to read, or his menacing eyes is enough to make her believe that he is angry. But right now is different. There's a window of emotion on his eyes that speaks to her heart. It's foreign and warm. "You will get mad," she mumbled.

Zedrick closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Then what you will do?" tanong niya.

Dumilat ito at tinitigan siyang maigi sa mga mata. "I don't know why you didn't know, Thaysky." Sumulyap ito sa labi niya bago nanatili sa kanyang naghihintay ng kasagutang mga mata. "Go back inside. Relax. Trust Kidlat. Trust yourself. I know you can win it."

Tulala siya habang pinapanood ang likuran ni Zedrick na unti-unting lumalayo. Ano ang hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi ko alam? She dropped all her disturbing thoughts when she heard her name. She is next to the current runner which is Chesca. Bago ito sumalang ay si Simon. Ang inaasahan niyang magaling na lalaki ay hindi nangyari. Huminto ang kabayo nito sa long jump gaya ng tatlo sa naunang dreamer.

Dumuble ang kalabog ng kanyang dibdib ng magpalakpakan ang manonood para kay Chesca. Ang suporta ng lahat ay umaalingawngaw sa kanyang pandinig noong pumasok siya sa box. Siya na ang sasalang. Napalitan ng kanyang pangalan ang kay Chesca. She shook her head when she can't hear anymore. Only the loud beat of her heart and her breathing. What's happening to me? Bahagya siyang umuklo para haplusin ang leeg ng kabayo. We have to work as one, Kidlat. We can do this!

Bumukas ang pinto kasabay nng mabilis na pagpalo niya kay Kidlat. Ang mabigat na yabag nito ang bumalot sa kanyang pandinig. Her whole view was focus on the road as she gripped tightly on the leash and followed her horse movement. She smoothly pulled the leash to give Kidlat the signal. Swabe itong lumiko at humanda sa pagtalon. Gumuhit ang ngiti sa kanyang labi ng malagpasan ang tatlong maliit na bakod. Sa dulo ay sinipat niya ang kinatatakutan ng lahat.

Kailangan nilang malagpasan iyon gaya ni Chesca.

She lifted her upper body and feel her horse speed. Nang matantsa niya kung saan ito tatalon ay doon siya humugot ng puwersa para sumabay. I trust you, Kidlat. The speed and impact from the landing made her wound on the finger swell. She winced in pain making her balance lose. But Kidlat is truly a genius horse. Kusa itong bumagal hanggang sa huminto.

She weakly smiled— hide her wounded hand and waved at the audience.

Tanghali na ng matapos ang audition at dineklarang siya ang napili. All her friends, batchmate, even Caesar's Family flocked around her. They were all smiling and proud as they yelled her name. Isa-isa niyang pinasalamatan ang mga ito bago pumasok sa loob. Kailangan siyang i-brief ng Grand Prix facilitator para sa upcoming event.

She took the briefing seriously. Kinuha niya ang numero noong lalaking magiging gabay niya. Kaedad ito ni Zedrick at nag-aaral sa kaparehas na eskuwelahan. Hinatid siya nito sa labas habang nagpapalitan ng numero.

"Alright, I'll note everything. Thanks, Silver." She waved at him and join Paige's group.

They are talking about Chesca's error. Nalaglag ang isa sa pole kahit pa nakalagpas ito.

Luminga siya ng makitang ang Auntie at ninong niya lang ang paalis. Eury, Simon, Joffrey, and Zedrick were out of her sight since the announcement.

Umuwi agad siya? Matamlay niyang sinulyapan si Bida na biglang sumulpot sa harap niya. Inaabot ang tatlong piraso ng sunflower. Pagod niya niyakap ang bata. Hindi na niya napigilan ang maiyak kaya sinubsob niya ang mukha sa leeg nito.

"Congratulations daw po, Ma'am Sky. Pinabibigay po ni Sir Zedrick," turan ni Bida.

Her back straightened at the thought of Zedrick might watching her from far. An instinct made her looked in the facilitator's group. Doon niya nakita ang binata na kausap ang dalawang babae pero ang buong atensyon ay sa kanya.

"So where we will celebrate this all?" Joffrey broke her reverie.

"Ulap, mamasyal tayo. Linggo naman bukas," suhestiyon ni Paige.

"Sama kami," sigaw ni Swanda. Sa likuran nito si Kailli at Eury na bumubuntot.

"Doon nalang tayo sa rest house," si Zedrick na biglang sumulpot sa kanyang gilid. Sa likod nito si Brandon na nagpresintang sagot na raw ang pagkain.

Nahihiya siyang ngumiti at tumango. Nawala lamang ng lingunin niya si Zedrick na buhat kanina ay hindi pa ngumingiti. What did she do this time?