Her Knight Till Night

Chapter 22

SHE combed her hair on her right side, looking for hair line she grabbed another clip to seperate them.

Saka siya kumuha ng isang pink lipstick at nilagyan ang kanyang labi. Then she backed away a few meters from her bedroom mirror and examined the outcome of her make over.

"God! Am I crazy?!" She giggled as she pouted her lips and batted her eyes to create a sexy look. Then she wiped her grin off. "...Hersh, it's a dinner. Only a dinner!"

Napailing siya sa sarili at sinukbit ang shoulder bag sa kanyang balikat. Huminga siya ng malalim bago nakapagdesisyon na lumabas na ng kanyang condo. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa kanyang labi habang pababa ng hagdanan.

It's time to forget the past Hershiel...piping pagkausap niya sa kanyang sarili. This is your new life.

Hinawakan niya ang buhok para man lang madistrak sa sobrang kaba. Dumiretso na siya sa hintayan ng taxi at doon ay pumara. Sinabi niya sa driber ang lokasyon ng kanyang pupuntahan at humarurot na ito paalis.

Habang pinapanuod ang nadadaanang naglalakihan na gusali sa paligid ay hindi maalis sa kanyang labi ang isang ngiti.

Darryl Demez...the hunk tourist.

While I am a hopeless romantic stewardess.

Natigil lang siya sa malalim na pagiisip nang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone na nakalagay sa kanyang purse.

"Hello?" She greeted.

"Is this Hershiel Pelaez?"

"Opo, sino po sila?" Magalang na tanong niya sa kabilang linya.

"Are you a relative with a man named Earl Pelaez?"

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ng babae sa kabilang linya. Lahat na yata ng mga dugo sa kanyang katwan ay nawala nang marinig niya ang susunod nitong sasabihin.

"I'm sorry Ma'am Pelaez, this is the Dimakita Hospital. Mister Earl Pelaez did not make it. We would ask you to come here for—"

"Pupunta ako."

Putol niya sa iba pang sasabihin nito at pinatay na ang tawag.

"Kuya doon nalang po tayo sa Dimakita Hospital." Pagkausap niya sa driber.

Tumango lamang ito at niliko na ang minamanehong sasakyan. Habang hinihintay ang kanilang pagdating sa ospital ay di na niya napigilan ang paglandas ng luha sa kanyang pisngi.

"Ang tanga mo talaga kuya..."

__Clacesier's POV__

"HEY..."

Hindi ko nilingon kung sino ang tumawag sa akin. Kilala ko na naman ang boses na iyon, bakit kailangan ko pa siyang tignan.

"You didn't tell me that you're going to drink." Sphere sat at the chair next to me and ordered a drink.

Hindi ako nagsalita at muling lumagok ng alak.

"Are you trying to break your longest record?" He asked while looking at the four bottles that I already consumed.

I let out an exhausted breath. "I'm not in the mood."

"Then let's change the mood."

I irritatedly shot a look at him. He did not move an inch and just winked at me while drinking his bottle of beer.

"You are not supposed to be here, Sphere!"

"Why? I'm in the legal age already, 21 is legal right?"

"No that's not what I mean! Stop drinking when you don't have any reason to drink."

"Why? Don't I have any reason to drink because of my car?"

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Fine."

Nasabi ko na lamang at muling lumagok sa bote ng tahimik. Nang maubos ko na ang panlima ay muli akong kumuha ng isa.

"What's your problem?"

Binaba ko ang iniinom at tumitig sa laman niyon.

"Do I really look like a monster?"

"Oh, come on, Clace!" I laughed softly. "...you still haven't get over that? It's been months years!"

I looked at him with a smirk. "You still haven't forgotten about your wife? It's been a month."

It's his turn to drop a smile. But it went back only that this was a sad one.

"At least it's only for month."

Tinignan ko siya. Serve him right, this guy really think that his wife's disappearance won't effect him this much.

"It's unfair isn't it?" Rougedrien came from behind us and took a seat at my right side.

He ordered one bottle and joined us in drinking.

I shook my head in disbelief. Here I thought that I had the time alone, it turned out that two problematic jerks will be joining me.

"Where's Psycho." I asked.

"His busy getting laid somewhere." Rougedrien answered.

"What a lucky b*stard!" Sphere beamed.

I snorted and drank the remaining alcohol left inside the bottle and ordered another one.

"Women!" Sphere suddenly exclaimed out of nowhere. "The reason why I'm drinking my ass off! Nah, maybe it's my Lamborghini, the rarest model I have ever had."

I shot him a look. "Buy another one, it's not that rare."

"I can't..." Parang nawawala sa sariling sambit ni Sphere. "...she's a rare one, extremely rare..."

Kumunot ang noo ko at nilingon ang kausap. Napaatras ako nang malamang nakatatlo na pala siya.

"Hanep! Hindi ka rin puno ng problema!" Sarkastikong saad ko.

Nilingon ko naman si Rougedrien na nagkakasya na sa iisang bote ng beer. Tahimik lang siya habang lumalagok, tila malalim ang iniisip.

"Nagtitipid ka ba ng pera?"

Umiling siya at muli lang uminom. "Kung pare-parehas tayong malalasing, no one would drive us home."

"Easy! Call Zell!" I snapped my fingers on the air.

Muli siyang umiling. "No, no one will drive us home."

"Sirang plaka ka?"

"Malapit lang masiraan."

"Haha, lasing ka na!"

Bumuntung-hininga siya. "You're tipsy, Clacesier."

"Paano mo alam?!"

He sighed once again. "Nagtatagalog ka."

Napaisip ako bigla. Hindi naman ako mukhang nagtatagalog.

"Do you think that I am speaking tagalog?! Hindi noh!"

He raised both of his eyebrows. "There it is!"

I snorted once again and ordered another bottle of beer and gave it to Rougedrien. He stared at me blankly.

"What do you want me to do, toss the beer on your face?!"

Tumawa ako ng malakas nang makita ko na nagiging dalawa na si Rougedrien. One Rougedrien is unbearable, don't give me another one!

"I guess that you are already seeing my twin."

Mapupungay ang mga matang ngumisi ako. "Yeah, they had the same face you had, you're getting old!"

"You're three years older than me."

"Pero baby face naman! Wahaha!"

Nakita ko ang pag-iling nila. He looked ridiculous! Nilingon ko si Sphere para ipakita ang nakikita ko.

Ngunit paglingon ko, ang tarantado malakas na ang hilik na nakasubsob sa lamesa. Nakaanim na bote na pala!

"Isa pa!" Sigaw ko sa waiter.

"Clacesier, that's enough!"

"F*ck off, Rouge! Hindi pa ako lasing—" Natigilan ako nang makita ko ang tatlong waiter na nag-aabot sa aking ng tig-iisang bote ng beer. "Sabi ko isa lang ehhhh!"

"Okay, that's enough!"

Naaasar na tinitigan ko si Rougedrien.

"Panira! Sabi ko, di ako lasing!"

"Right, if you're not then let's get—"

Hindi ko na narinig ang iba pang sasabihin ni Rougedrien dahil naramdaman ko na lamang ang pagtalsik ko sa sahig. Nahihilo pa ang buong paligid nang mapahiga ako. I looked at the rolling ceiling and laughed like a mad man.

"Haha! I see stars!"

"There you've done it..." I heard Rougedrien muttered.

"HEY ACE! STAND UP!" Napangisi ako nang mamataan ang isang lalaki na nakatayo malapit lang sa akin.

Siya pala ang humampas sa ulo ko...

I felt cold liquid rolled down my temple. I laughed sarcastically, and let them bleed, who cares if I bleed till death. Then I will meet my brother Enil so that I could ask him who f*ck*ng killed him.

"Stand up, may utang ka pa sa akin!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi ng lalaki. Kahit pagewang-gewang ay pinilit kong tumayo at humalakhak. This guy is funny!

"Me?! The prince of Hasshingneon, the great Clacesier Xariean Trace Romanov Hasshingneon have a debt...to you?! Haha you must be joking! Alam mo ba na kaya kong bilhin pati kaluluwa mo! Wait! Sinong may gustong bumili sa kaluluwa mo?! Hahaha!"

"Clacesier! You're f*ck*ng drunk!" I looked at Rougedrien who is approaching me. "Come on I'll drive—"

"Heh!" Kinuha ko ang bote na pinaginuman ko kanina at iangat iyon.

"Gusto mo ng laban hah?!" Galit na sikmal nung malabong lalaki.

Ngumisi lang ako at sinimulan nang iniangat ang bote sa taas ng ulo ko at walang sabi-sabing pinaghampas iyon sa ulo ko.

"Die!" I screamed as I grabbed another bottle and hit it with my head again. And I let out an ear-piercing scream! "CHEATERS! BOTH OF YOU! AHHHHH!"

"F*ck! Clacesier!" I kept on hitting my head but I got frustrted when I am not even passing out.

That's when I felt Rougedrien's fist against my face. Natumba ako sa kinaroroonan ni Triumphere kaya bigla itong nagising.

"What the—" He groaned.

I was in daze when I looked up finally realized that the whole people inside the bar was staring at me. Even the man who is screaming at me earlier got his body frozen for what I just did.

Rougedrien walked towards my direction and stared at me scrutinizingly. Pero hindi na siya nagsalita pa at pinuntahan si Sphere para gisingin.

"Let's get out of here." That was all he said. Sphere limply followed Rougedrien out while I was behind, thinking of what I just did.

Tahimik lang kami sa kotse habang nagmamaneho si Rougedrien. Pinunasan ko ang duguan kong ulo ngunit muli ding tumutulo ang dugo doon.

"Do you want to say something?"

He broke the silence. I heaved a sigh and drank some more water. Now I am half sober and drunk.

"Sa akin na 'yon."

Bumuntung-hininga siya. "If you won't let it out you'll really end up killing yourself without having a chance to kill your brother's killer."

Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang bote ng tubig na hawak ko. Medyo umiikot pa ang paligid ngunit nakokontrol ko na ang sarili ko.

"This is...hard."

"Sure, don't talk to me."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Rouge..." I called.

"F*ck off."

"The heck..."

"Just shut up and drink some more water."

Inikot ko ang mata ko at muling uminom ng tubig.

"Rouge..."

"What now?!"

"You're rude." I said.

"Get use to it."

Hindi na ako nagsalita dahil natanaw ko na ang bahay ko. I closed my eyes and moved out of the car. I opened my eyes and look at the house.

Why are the lights still on?

"F*cker."

"What?!" I snapped. I turned my gaze back at Rouge.

He looked at me for a second. He wanted to say something but he hesitated and looked at the rode.

"Nah, I couldn't think of something cool to say. Don't die and I'll kill you tomorrow." That was all he said and drove away.

Umiling ako saka pinilit ang mga paa na puntahan ang pintuan ng bahay. Tumingala ako at nakita kong madilim na pala. Siguro tulog na ang babaeng iyon.

I pulled my keys out and fit it into the lock. I walked in and closed the door behind me.

Pinunasan ko ang dugo na tumutulo sa aking noo at tinignan ang paligid na bahagya pang umiikot.

Maybe I need more water...

"Clacesier?"

Natigilan ako sa akmang paglakad sa kusina nang marinig ko ang boses ni Quiceleth. I spun around to see her standing at my back. Her eyes wide as she stared at the dripping blood on my head.

"Y-you're still awake?" I asked sttutering.

Hindi niya ako sinagot at umangat lang ang kamay niya para yata abotin ako ngunit napaatras ako.

"What happened to you?" She asked, her hands trembling.

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at pinunasan ang dugo na lumalandas sa ulo ko.

"It's none of your business. Matulog ka na sa kwarto mo." Pabalang na sabi ko saka dumiretso sa kusina.

Hindi pa ako nakakapasok sa loob nang maramdamn ko ang paghigit ng kamay niya sa aking braso. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maramdaman ang init na dumaloy sa aking katawan. I snatched my hand away in surprise.

"Don't f*ck*ng touch me!" Even by just saying those, it felt like it took me everything. I was out of breath.

"Clace...?"

"What?! I said don't—just don't!"

I snapped. I could see the fear and worry in her eyes...worry? Come on Clacesier. She is scared of you, no one would feel pity to you.

"Can you at least...tell me why—your head is bleeding?"

I shook my head in disbelief. Why can't she just leave me alone?! Who knows what I could do when I am drunk. And I will be content if she is away from me, just now.

"Quiceleth, just go back up stairs and—"

"N-no...gagamotin kita..." Nagtagis ang bagang ko nang marinig ko ang paos niyang tinig.

Umiinit na ang pakiramdam ko at hindi siya nakakatulong para pigilan ang unti-unting nabubuhay na nasa gitna ko.

"Please..."

Napapikit ako. She is so insistent and this is killing me!

"Quiceleth, go back to your room!" I gravely warned her. This is getting on my nerves really.

Parang gusto ko nang magwala nang makita ko ang marahas niyang pag-iling.

"I want to—"

"For pete sakes would you listen to me just this f*ck*ng time?!"

Nakita kong napaatras siya sa pagsigaw ko. Mas mabuti na 'yon kaysa sa manatili pa siya sa harap ko. Baka hindi ko pa mapigilan at makagawa pa ako ng kasalanan.

Tatlikod na sana ako para iwan siya nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"Ang gulo mo, hindi kita maintindihan..." Nakita kong malapit na siyang umiyak.

Her eyes were turning red, her nose as well. Her lips were trembling while looking at me with hurt evident in her eyes.

"Last night you acted so cold, then you will sleep with me and sing me a song. This morning you promised me that you will buy me ice cream—you even smiled at me. But now you—you...what's wrong with you now?"

Parang gusto kong umiwas sa tanong niya. Naghahalo ang mga emosyon ko ngayon at hindi ko alam kung makakaya kong pigilan ang mga iyon.

"Bakit ka ganyan? Bakit ba ganyan makitungo sa akin—"

"You don't know evrything—"

"Oo wala akong alam!" Natigilan ako nang biglang tumaas ang boses niya. Hindi siya sumisigaw ngunit ngayon ko lang nakita siyang magtaas ng boses. "...gusto kong intindihin ka. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit ang sama mo sa akin! You get mad at me with no reason and later you will smile at me like nothing happened, what—"

"DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO IS CONFUSED?! Naguguluhan din ako, Quiceleth...I..." I trailed off.

Parang gusto kong magwala sa hrapan niya. Gusto kong ipaintindi sa kanya na kailangan kong mapag-isa muna. Na madami akong pinoproblema at ayaw kong dagdagan niya pa.

"Ang gulo mo...ano ba talagang guso mo...?"

Anong gusto ko?! Makalimutan ang mga problema ko. Tutulungan niya ba ako?

"Quiceleth..." I warned, pulling my hair violently. "Just—"

"Ano ngang gusto mo? Kailangan ko bang baguhin ang sarili ko para hindi ka na laging magalit sa akin? Sabihin mo—"

"What if I wanted to f*ck you, would you let me?!"

That's it, she pushed me to my limit. I have given her the chance to get away. Pero imbes na lumayo sa akin ay talagang lumapit pa sa akin.

"W-what?"

Halatang naguluhan siya sa sinabi ko. And her confusion only made my desire reached in a way that it's harder to stop.

"I said..." Lumapit ako sa kanya at hindi na siya binigyan ng oras na makaatras at hinablot siya sa magkabilang balikat.

And I saif in a very dangerous tone.

"...I want to f*ck you."