Deucalion

Chapter 9

The sun watches

What I do,

But the moon knows

All my secrets.

- JM wonderland

Chapter Nine

One man's meat is another man's poison

Lyon placed me on an empty bathtub, he's walking so fast that I didn't have the chance to glance at his room. He removed the robe wrapped around my body, I immediately hug my legs and buried my face there as I cried silently. Ngayong nahimasmasan na, nagsisisi ako sa inakto at sa lahat ng mga sinabi. I know it's too childish, marami pa akong naabala. But the darkness won't just withdraw. The monster me will never stand down. It doesn't want me to, it won't let me.

He heaved a sigh beside me, mabigat iyon. Tila ba nahihirapan. I froze when he touched me, napasunod na lang ang mata sa kanyang kamay ng hilain nya ang pagkakabuhol ng roba ko. Pinanindigan ng balahibo ng ang sunod nyang gawin ay ibaba iyon. Napasinghap ako, bahagyang iniangat ang sarili para maalis nya iyon. I hug myself to cover my nakedness in his eyes but looks like he's not interested in my body.

"My clothes," hindi ko alam kung bakit iritado na naman ako.

"Later, after this."

Kinuha nya ang shower hose at itinapat sa katawan ko, katamtaman lang ang init ng tubig. He shampooed my hair and soaped my body while I'm looking downward, tinititigan ang tubig at bula na dumaloy sa butas ng bathtub. Pagkatapos na paliguan ako ay sinuutan nya ako ng robe, itinali iyon ng tatlong beses saka ako binuhat palabas at pagkalagay sa kama ay mabilis nyang ibinalot sa'kin ang makapal na kumot. Para akong kasoy, ulo lang ang nakikita.

He placed his hands on the bed then lowered down his head to stared at me. Medyo napaatras pa ang ulo ko sa gulat.

"I will be back." He breathe then kissed my head and walk away.

I tried to hold his hand but because I'm covered by the thick blanket, wala na sya ng maalis ko iyon. Bumuntong hininga ako saka inilibot ang tingin sa paligid.

I know by now that Darkstone castle is not the typical vintage castle anymore. Maybe because of modernization and technology this days, and a lot of renovations. The castle is more grandeur, splendid and enchanting.

Ang akala kong kwarto ni Lyon ay parang iyong sa sinaunang panahon dahil sinauna syang tao pero hindi. Ang pintura ng pader ay matingkad na asul. Ang kama'y malaki, the mattress and pillows are steel-blue and the comforter is cinereous. There's a flat screen tv at the corner, long sofa and the room has fireplace. There's a cupboard full of books, walk-in closet and balcony.

"Miss Jane, kumain muna ho kayo para mainitan ang tyan nyo."

Edrei's holding a tray and she placed it in front of me.

"Tomato soup? Who cooked that?"

"Si Lord Lyon ho bago ho umalis"

It's impossible, of course. Siguro nagkataon lang. Back then, why would Lyon cooked me tomato soup? No, it's really impossible. Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko ng tikman ko iyon at napapikit ng malasahan.

"Si L-Lyon talaga?" I asked Edrei.

Kumunot ang noo nya, nagtataka sa tanong at naging reaksyon ko pero tumango pa rin. "Tomato soup lang ho ang alam nyang lutuin, nandon din ho kami kaya siguradong sya ang nagluto nyan, miss Jane."

So he's been in our house without my consent? Sya ba ang tumutulong sa'kin pag nilalaslas ko ang palapulsuhan ko? I glanced at my wrist, there's no scar o kahit isang gasgas o peklat man lamang.

My heart ached. Little by little, the monster me hid and the darkness slowly vanished.

I thought my experience for the past year made me matured enough to faced everything even I'm scared. But no, I'm not mature enough. Kahit isang porsyento, hindi.

All of my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sneezed. I rubbed my nose when it became itchy.

"Is she still awake?"

My heart hammered when I heard his voice outside. Nagkagulo ako, hindi alam ang gagawin. Mabilis na lang na humiga at hinila ang kumot hanggang leeg, kulang na lang ay magtago sa ilalim ng kama. Pigil ko ang hininga ng marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto kasunod ng papalapit na mga yabag.

I tried to calm myself, I tried to act normal while sleeping. I relax but it's all useless. My body, heart, eyes, mouth and nose are unwilling to participate because I suddenly sniffled followed by loud sneezed. Agad ko syang nakita na nakatayo sa paahan ko, pipikit sana pero magmumukha lang akong tanga kaya pinili na lang na bumangon at umupo.

He's holding three paper bags, one from famous clothing brand while the other one was from a popular shoe brand and the other one is from a pharmacy.

Parang may palad na humaplos sa puso ko dahil doon. He's really expecting that I will be sick huh.

Lumagpas sa kanya ang tingin ko ng sunod-sunod na pumasok ang mga tauhan nya at namilog ang mata ng makitang napakarami nilang dalang paper bags and shoeboxes. Napuno ata ang kalati ng kanyang silid sa sobrang dami non.

Pinandilatan ko sya pero ganon din ang ginawa nya sa'kin, umikot ang mata ko at bumaba sa katawan nya ang tingin. Hindi pa rin sya nagpapalit, iyon pa rin ang damit nya kanina sa ulan.

Nanikip ang dibdib ko. Bakit ba hindi ko naisip kanina na pagbihisin sya? But it's his choice and as if naman na magkakasakit sya.

"You should change, mayrong pajamas and sweater dito---"

"You should take a bath and changed too." Sabi ko at kinuha ang paper bag sa kamay nya.

"--- And underwear too. Did you eat? If not, eat so that you can take your medicines afterward." He continued, ignoring my request.

Umirap ako.

"This, for headaches..."

My inilabas syang mga tablets and bottles at ipinakita sa'kin na para bang hindi ako marunong magbasa. Nasapo ko ang noo ng makitang may prescription pa ng physician.

"And this for coughs and this for fever and colds. And if you can't take the pain anymore, just tell me and I will immediately take you to the hospital."

Okay, Lyon, you're cute. You are absolutely adorable and all but you're overacting.

Pero ayaw ko naman iyong sabihin sa kanya, with all of his efforts. He's making my heart melt with everything.

"Need anything? Should I dressed you up too?" He asked in a hoarse voice and hooded eyes.

Nag-init ang pisngi ko, mabilis na umiling. Inabala na lang ang sarili sa pagtingin sa laman ng mga paper bags.

"It will be my pleasure, baby." He sneered then smirked like he remembered something lewd.

Naiinis na hinablot ko ang damit sa paper bag at binato sa mukha nya na nasalo naman nya. He guffawed boisterously. My eyes widened and face heats up when I saw what I just threw at him.

A red underwear.

Talaga naman.

He growled, he even have the guts to waved it in front of me.

"So, you want me to wear this to you?" He asked playfully as he stepped closer.

"What? No," medyo nawindang ako sa paglapit nya. "Lumabas ka na, t-thank you for everything, Lyon, but I can manage. Hmm, goodnight"

He chuckled, sa wakas ibinaba na rin ang underwear sa kama. Akala ko aalis na kaya nagulat ako ng maglakad sya palapit sa'kin.

"Oh! Ba-Bakit?"

Umupo sya sa likod ko at huminto ata ang paghinga ko ng yakapin nya ako mula sa likod at ipinatong pa nya ang baba sa balikat ko.

"L-Lyon," I said in a wobbly voice.

I gave him a sideway glance, his eyes were closed while breathing calmly. Ngumiti ako at tumingin sa magkahawak nyang kamay na nasa tyan ko, hinawakan iyon at hinaplos.

"You're violent when you're angry, impulsive when sad and dangerous when jealous."

Namilog ang mata ko, hindi inaasahan na ganon ang tingin nya sa'kin.

"Sandali lang, kailan ako nagselos?" My voice raised with outrage.

He exhaled in my neck then whispered in my ears.

"I will forget that you actually asked that"

The kissed we shared, his concern towards me and sweet words. I don't want to give colors to them at all, I don't want to assume because once I do that, I will expect then what if in the end... Mali pala ako tapos masasaktan pa ako. As long as I can, I will avoid assuming and expecting. Hanggang hindi nanggagaling sa mismong bibig nya na may ibang kahuluguhan mga iyon, hindi ako aasa.

He looks like he's enjoying too so I will just enjoy being with him because he makes me happy and forget about everything.

Sa dami ng mga iniisip, sa mga nararamdaman, sa mga sinabi nya at sa nangyari sa mga nakaraang araw. Hindi ako makatulog. Bukas ang lahat ng ilaw sa silid na iyon pero pinamumugaran pa rin ako ng takot, takot sa lahat ng bagay. I stand when I started to feel the pain in my head, sa sobrang kakaisip.

I checked some of the paper bags, mas lalo atang sumakit ang ulo ko sa presyo at sa dami non. I can wear them all everyday, maybe for a year or almost. And the shoes, it's all my sizes. Heels, flats, boots, sandals. All kinds of shoes even slippers.

"Pwede na akong magpatayo ng boutique, ibenta ko na lang kaya kayo lahat?"

Nagpamewang ako at nakangising tiningnan ang mga iyon. I can tell, Lyon has a taste. Maganda lahat ng binili nya pati ang suot kong pajamas, malambot iyon at napakakomportable.

Nasapo ko na lang bigla ang bibig ng may natanto. Hindi kaya iniisip nya na nagseselos ako kay Frances? Pagak akong natawa saka umiling-iling. No, no. No.

I will be honest, yes, galit ako kay Frances. Inis na inis, inggit na inggit. Bata pa lang kami, malaki na ang galit ko sa kanya. But I already overcomed it lalo na ng makasama ko sya sa village at dorm at nakilala ng lubusan. At ayaw kong bumalik iyon dahil wala na sya. She's already at peace. I don't want to be mad at her anymore because she's gone. She's dead.

And about Lyre, I don't have the right to get mad at her too. I know my reaction is too exaggerated pero hindi ko na iyon maibabalik pa.

If Lyon and Lyre have something, romantically or whatever, labas na ako doon. If they really have something, I will be happy for them wholeheartedly and I will congratulate them sincerely. Bagay naman sila, they're both vampires. Pati sa pangalan, bagay din. They both starts with letter L and followed by letter Y and their name has even four letters.

Lyre Annaliese Calder-Stonesifer over Janina Steinfox-Stonesifer or Lyanina Steinfox-Stonesifer or Lya--- Whatever!

Itong si Lyon,imbento. Why would I be jealous in the first place? Ayaw ko lang iyong nagsisinungaling sa'kin at ayaw kong gamitin ang gamit ng ibang tao.

"Lyon." I growled and knocked continuously at the door beside his room, mas lalo lang nadadagdagan ang sakit ng ulo ko sa tagal nyang magbukas ng pinto.

The door opened and I saw a sleepy-half-naked Lyon and his hair is completely messy. Ang isa nyang kamay ay nakaangat at hawak-hawak ang pinto habang ang isa ay sa hamba, he's totally sexy at that look.

My eyes immediately landed on his flat stomach, I mentally count his abs and it's definitely eight. He's just wearing a black sweatpants. It was slightly loose because the strap was not properly tied so I can clearly see his hairy perfect v-line... And brief... And his... Bulge is waving at me.

Palaki ng palaki ang mata ko, pinanuyuan ng lalamunan at pinagpawisan.

He growled. "Eyes up, Lady, or you'll regret waking me up."

Pinamulahan ang mukha ko, mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya at ipinagkrus ang mga braso. Nang magtama ang mata namin at makitang tigtig na titig sya sa'kin ay mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

I tiptoed and took a peeked at the room.

"B-Bakit ang tagal mong magbukas ng pinto?" I asked while squinting my eyes at his back.

He groaned annoyingly then lean on the doorjambs and leered at me.

"Jane, what do you need?"

Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. "Oh! Bakit humaharang ka dyan? Gumilid ka nga, papasok ako."

He heaved a sigh then step aside and bowed down at me. "Before you, your Highness."

Inirapan ko sya at inilibot ang tingin sa paligid, The wall is grayish, white curtains, wooden bookshelf, cupboards, there's also a balcony and a mini-sala. There's a painting of Siege hanging on the wall, napahawak ako sa dibdib at dinama ang puso, halo-halo ang emosyon habang nakatitig sa kanya. Lungkot, saya, sakit at pagkalito. Napadiretso ako ng tayo at pinanindigan ng balahibo ng maramdaman si Lyon sa likod ko at napakurap-kurap.

"Happy now?" Tanong nya na para bang alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak ko.

Lumapit ako sa bintana at iginilid ang kurtina.

"I don't have a woman here, Jane." Isinatinig na nya ang laman ng utak ko.

I bit my lower lip then rubbed my forehead. I don't even know where I got the nerve, the courage to face him. After all the things I said, how I acted, how I treated him and now I'm accusing him.

Are you really that patience, Lyon Stonesifer? Hmm?

Tumikhim ako. "Ka-Kaninong kwarto 'to?"

"Siege."

Kumabog ang dibdib ko at hindi matukoy kung para saan, napayakap sa sarili.

"I can't sleep in your room." I whispered. "I want to sleep here."

Nagulat ako ng hablutin nya ang kamay ko at hinila palabas, papunta sa kwarto nya.

"C'mon, sleep." Padapa syang humiga sa kanyang kama.

Napalunok ako, pinagpawisan at dumagundong ang dibdib pero pinagsawalang bahala ko iyon. Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama saka kumuha ng mga unan at inilagay iyon sa pagitan namin, dahan-dahan, pigil ang hininga at patingin-tingin sa kanya. Sinisiguradong hindi sya maaabala.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Napapitlag ako sa bigla nyang pagsasalita. Akala ko kasi tulog na sya.

He's looking at me with confusion and brows furrowed. His eyes were slightly ruddy dahil siguro sa pagkakapikit.

Napalunok ako. "Duh! I'm building a wall between us. I called this, the great wall of pillows."

Hindi makapaniwalang napailing sya. Tiningnan ako ng masama.

"Right now, I don't know if I want to kiss you or strangle that pretty neck of yours."

Ngumuso ako. "Hmm, can I pick?"

Isinubsob nya ang mukha sa unan saka kumuha ng isang unan pagkatapos niyakap iyon ng mahigpit at umungol ng pagkalakas-lakas habang isinisigaw ang pangalan ko, he looks so helpless. Para bang gusto na talaga akong sakalin pero pinipigilan lang ang sarili. Umiigting ang kanyang mga braso at panga, napatitig ako sa likod nya. Napalunok, kumurap-kurap at binura ang mga makamundong bagay sa isipan.

Napapailing na humiga ako patalikod sa kanya saka hinila ang kumot hanggang bibig at ipinikit ang mga mata pero wala pang isang minuto ng magmulat ulit ako at nagbago ng higa, paharap na sa kanya.

"Lyon," I called his name.

"Hmm?"

"I can't sleep." I poked his arm.

"What again, Jane."

"I can't sleep because you're here."

"Then why did you knocked me there?"

"Because I can't sleep?" Patanong kong sagot.

"Then what do you want me to do?"

I smirked. "Sing or dance."

Huminga sya ng malalim. "I don't know how to sing and I don't dance."

Mariin syang pumikit, sumimangot ako ng itinalikod nya ang ulo sa'kin.

"What's your talent then? Gawin mo sa'kin ang mga talents mo."

"Bed woman, suck blood. That's my talent, Jane. Now, if you still keep talking... I have no idea what I'll do to you."

Inirapan ko sya.

"Ikaw na ang lang ang matulog---"

"Do you think I can sleep again after you woke me up?"

Tiningnan ko sya ng masama, gustong-gusto ng sambunutan.

"Then what are you doing here---"

"Trust me, Jane, I have a lot of things in my mind right now on how to make you sleep but first, you'll get exhausted and for sure... You can't walk tomorrow. So, before I destroy that stupid 'great wall of pillows' you have and kiss you, you better shut up, baby... Or I'll do it for you."

Namilog ang mata ko kasabay ng pagdagundong ng puso at pagiinit ng pisngi, agad na tumalikod sa kanya saka ipinikit ang mga mata. Kalmado pero sa loob-loob ay nagtitili na.