Cradle Snatcher

CS 7

CS 7

Surprise

I giggled when I heard them roasting the s**t out of Uno. We are currently in one of Dash's private jet on our way to Indonesia, Bali for their family outing. Kaming mga bata lamang and nandito at ang mga oldies ay iba ang sinakyan.

"Shut the f**k up, Archer! If I know you were banging some sweaty butt old edgy ass last night," pikon na bawi ni Uno kay Archer.

"Inggit ka?" pangaasar pa ni Archer. Uno raised his middle finger at isinuot ang eye mask nya. Humagalpak sa tawa si Achilles, Archer at Asul.

Dos is discussing something with Dash and Abo. Lilac is babbling with something samantalang si Alona ay nakapikit at nakapasak sa tenga ang headphones. "Tal?" tanong ni Lilac nang mapansing hindi ako masyadong nakikinig.

"Huh?" tanong ko rito.

Ngumuso sya. "Sabi ko mag two piece tayo nila Alona mamaya. We should take lots of photos together!" excited nitong sabi.

Ngumiti ako. "Okay, okay!" natatawa kong sabi.

Lumapit ito sa akin saka bumulong. "Did you know that Alona and Moon fought?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What? Why?"

Nagkibit balikat ito. "I really don't know why, basta and alam ko lang ay nagsisigawan sila kagabi. I slept over at Alona's kase."

Bumuntong hininga ako. I hope I'm not the reason why they fought. Tsaka Moon can't like me that fast. Hindi nya pa nga ako nakakausap ng matagal. Besides he doesn't know me. Kaya imposibleng tunay and nararamdaman nya para sa akin.

I was busy looking around nang makalapag kame sa private landing area na malapit sa resort na tutuluyan namin. Sa gilid ay may SUV na nagaantay para sa amin.

Napabaling ako sa phone ko nang making nag ri-ring ito. My eyes widen when I saw Mama video calling me. I smiled at kaagad iyong sinagot.

May kung anong kumurot sa puso ko nang makita ko si Mama. Ever since I moved in with Dash hindi na kame nagkausap into.

I was to reluctant to call her kase hanggang ngayon ay nahihiya pa rin ako sa nagawa ko. What I did was such a disappointment to the both of them.

"Mama!" masigla kong bait rito. "How are you and papa?"

Ngumiti ito ngunit kitang kita ko and pangungulila sa mga mata ni Mama. I missed you too, Mama. So... so... much. "Your papa and I are fine, Tal. How about you? Are you doing fine there? Kamusta na ang baby ko?"

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko upang pigilan ang pagiging emosyonal. Nilingon ko si Dash at nakitang seryoso itong naka titig sa akin kaya mabilis akong nag iwas ng tingin.

Ngumiti ako nang matamis kay Mama para ipakitang ayos lang ako. I don't want her to worry because of me. Masyado nang marami ang perwisyong naibigay ko sa kanila ni Papa.

"I'm doing great here, Mama. Dash introduced me to his family and they are very kind just like how you said." nilibot ko and camera ko upang makita ni Mama kung nasaan name ngayon. "Ma, we're currently in Bali, Indonesia right now for Xian Dash's family vacation. Andito rin ang mga pinsan nya," sabi ko.

Mama smiled. "I'm glad that you're happy, anak ko." sabi into.

Tila lalong sumikip ang dibdib ko sa sinabi ni Mama. I miss her embrace. I miss my Mama.

"Tal, sino yan?" kuryosong tanong ni Lilac na ikinatawa ko.

Pinakita ko sa kanya ang screen at ipinakilala sya kay Mama. "Mama, this is Lilac. Dash's cousin po," sabi ko.

Lilac's eyes widen. "Oh my cheese balls!" she shyly smiled. "Hi po tita!" wika nya.

Mama smiled at her too. "Hello, Lilac. Please take care of my daughter there,"

Masayang tumango si Lilac. "Kame na pong bahala dito kay Tallulah, Tita." tugon nito.

Nagpaalam na din ako kay mama nang aalis na name. I promised to call her again tomorrow. Magkatabi kame ni Lilac at Alona nang maka sakay sa SUV. Dash is sitting with Asul and Dos.

Lilac is ranting about how she hates her new college professor dahil and dami na agad nitong ipinapa pasang requirements sa first day of school.

Natawa na lamang ako, hindi naman iyon mapipigilan lalo na dahil medicine ang kinuha nya.

"I swear to all the monsters at the sea! Nako talaga, pasalamat sya at running for honors ako kungdi ay hindi talaga ako papasok sa subject nya!" inis nitong sabi na ikinatawa ko.

Tinanggal ni Alona ang headphones nya at binalingan si Lilac gamit ang nakamamatay niyang titig. "Will you just shut up, Lilac?" matigas nitong sabi.

Kumunot ang noo ni Lilac. "Pake mo ba?" she wrinkled her nose. "Grumpy, Alona." pabulong nitong sabi.

Natawa ako at napailing. "Stop it you two," sabi ko.

Ngumuso si Lilac. "Fine, fine. I'll stop talking para makapag recharge ako pero mamaya magiingay na ulit ako sa bear with me," giit nito saka ngumiti nang malapad.

Nang makarating kame sa resort ay hindi ko napigilang hindi mamangha. Wow, the place is magical. The sand is as white as snow. The trees are properly well trimmed and the flowers... the flowers are colorful.

Bumaling ako sa dagat nang tangayin ako nang tunog ng mga alon nito. The water is so clear you can see what's underneath. I have always been a fan of oceans. It's just so majestic.

Bali is a total paradise. I wish my family is here to see it with me. Maybe I'll ask dad one day kapag maayos na ang lahat. I sighed, I really miss my family.

Napalingon ako kay Lilac at Alona nang tawagin ako nito. Excited tong naka tingin sa akin at sumenyas na lumapit ako sa kanila. "Tal! Let's go," sabi nito.

I forced a smile at kaagad na lumapit sa kanila. Lumingon ako sa mga pinsan nilang lalake at kaagad na sinalubong ni Dash ang mga mata ko.

Lalapit sana ito sa akin ngunit isinakbit na ni Lilac ang kamay nya sa akin at hinatak kame ni Alona papasok sa hotel. 

The hotel is enormous. Tila isa itong modernong palasyo na para lamang sa mga prinsesa at prinsepe. It has a high ceiling and a gigantic chandelier at the middle.

Everything is white, gold and silver. The place is shouting of class, elegance and regal!

"Isang kwarto lang ba tayong tatlo?" excited na wika ni Lilac.

Alona scowled at her and shook her head. "Are you dumb? Of course Tallulah is gonna stay with Kuya Dash!"

Ngumuso si Lilac at sinamaan ng tingin si Alona. "Kanina ka pa ha! Pasalamat ka at ikaw lang ang babae kong pinsan," nagtatampo nitong tugon.

"Don't worry, dun nalang muna ako sa kwarto nyo mamaya. Lilipat na lang ako kapag matutulog na. How's that?" I asked.

Tila nagningning ang mata ni Lilac. "Yes, yes! Para naman malubos lubos ko ang pagba bonding nating tatlo,"

"As if we have a choice," Alona murmured. "Araw araw naman tayong mag kasama sa bahay at magkikita kita tayo sa pasukan, basically we have all the time in the world to bond, Lilac."

"Why are you so grumpy? Yan ba ang epekto ng pagsisigawan nyo ni Moon kagabi?" inosente nitong tanong.

Sinamaan sya ng tingin ni Alona at hindi na pinansin. She got her headphones up and place it in her head. Ngumuso si Lilac saka umirap. Napailing na lamang ako sa kanilang dalawa.

"Hey ladies, we'll rest for today. Bukas na tayo mag island hopping." sabi ni Achill.

Tumango si Alona sa kuya nya. Napatango na din ako. Napabaling ako kay Dash nang hawakan nito ang kamay ko. He slipped his fingers in the space between mine making it intertwine.

May kung anong tumambol sa puso ko. I suddenly feel tired and I just want to rest in our room.

"Lilac, Alona..." tawag ni Dash sa dalawa. "Yes, kuya?" tanong ni Lilac.

Dash smiled. "I'll get Tallulah for the mean time. Magpapahinga muna kame. You also need to rest, magkita nalang tayo mamaya sa buffet,"

Tumango naman si Alona at Lilac. "Okay, see you later then." masayang sabi ni Lilac.

Hinatak na ako ni Dash papunta sa suite namin. Pagkarating na pagkarating namin sa kwarto ay kaagad akong humiwalay dito at dumiretso sa kama. I feel so drained and tired.

Narinig ko ang pag buntong hininga ni Dash bago nag lakad papunta sa akin. I tightly closed my eyes.

Naramdaman ko ang pag lubog ng kama at ang pag upo into sa tabi ko. I felt his hand caressing my hair softly. What he did made me more sleepy.

May sinabi pa ito ngunit masyado na akong inaantok para maintindihan pa iyon.

I woke up with Dash's soft hands caressing the side of my cheeks. Naka tingin ito sa akin gamit and mapupungay nyang mga mata. Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata saka umupo sa kama. "What time is it?" tanong ko rito.

Lumingon ito sa may padder bago bumaling sa akin. He tucked my loose hair on the back of my ear. "Seven o'clock. Are you hungry?"

Umiling ako saka binilang kung ilang oras akong naka tulog. I slept for almost five hours. "Mag-aayos lang ako,"

Tumango sya saka tumayo. "I'll wait for you. Nasa buffet na sila, Asul." 

"Oh! I'm sorry, you should've wake me up," sabi ko at nagmamadaling pumunta sa banyo.

"No, it's okay. Take your time," sabi nito at nanatiling naka upo sa kama.

Mabilis akong nag half bath at nag bihis. I changed into my white summer dress and blow dried my hair until it's damp.

Pag labas ko ay tsaka ko lamang napansin na naka puti rin pala si Dash. He was wearing his white short sleeved polo and a black board short.

Ngumuso ito nang makita ako at inilahad ang kamay nya. Mabilis kong naramdaman ang pagiinit nang pisngi ko.

We look like we're wearing matching outfits. Ang labas nito ay parang ginaya ko ang kulay ng suot nya. I bit my lower lips and tried to calm myself down.

Tinapik ko ang kamay nito saka naunang nag lakad palabas ng kwarto. Narinig ko ang marahan nitong pag halakhak.

Bago pa man ito makapag salita ay inunahan ko na ito. "I swear it's just plain coincidence! Hindi ko ginaya ang kulay ng polo mo!"

Ngumuso ito na tila nagpipigil ng ngiti. He raised his eyebrows in a very manly way. "I didn't say anything, Tallulah Desiree," malalim nitong sabi.

Nalukot ang mukha ko. I stomped my foot like how a little girl would. "But your face says otherwise! Stop making fun of me!" parang bata kong sabi.

Kinagat nito ang ibaba nyang labi saka hinawakan ang kamay ko. He smiled and gave me a quick peck on the lips that literally made my heart stopped. "Baby, I'm not making fun of you..." umiwas ito nang tingin. "Damn, why do you have to be so cute?"

Naramdaman ko ang mabilis na pag t***k nang puso ko. I literally felt my heart tumbling from left to right! Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko saka pinigilang kumawala ang ngiti sa aking labi.

I don't know why but every time I am with Xian Dash everything felt so light and carefree. Ngumiti din ito at naramdaman ko ang pag gaan nang mabigat kong pakiramdam.

Hinatak na ako nito at nagpaubaya na lamang ako. Nang makarating kame sa buffet ay nandoon na ang mga pinsan ni Dash pati na rin ang oldies.

Sumipol si Uno nang makita kameng dalawa. Napa tingin din sa amin sila Asul at Dos. 

"Somebody got laid," panunukso ni Uno.

Napaubo ako sa sinabi nito. Natawa si Dash at sinaway ang pinsan nya. "Stop it, Uno." 

Pinisil ko ang kamay ni Dash saka umiling. Tumango ito at hinatak ako papunta kayla Tito at Tita. Bumati kame sa kanila bago nag tungo sa buffet.

Dash grabbed me a plate saka kame umikot. Kumuha ako ng brown rice saka ng salad cause I feel extra hungry today. Nag tungo na kame sa lamesa ng magpipinsan. 

We were eating happily. Si Uno at si Lilac ay bangayan ng bangayan. They just won't stop until they prove each other wrong! Parang hindi napapagod ang dalawa sa kakatalo.

I suddenly remembered Kuya Damon and Kuya Akiro. They won't stop bugging each other but they can't surely live without each other. Parang magka dikit yata ang bituka ng dalawang iyon.

"Let me see!" natatawang sabi ni Uno kay Archer. 

Umiling si Archer at tinulak palayo ang mukha ni Uno. "No! Find your own woman to bang, Uno." 

"Come on! Let's trade ladies. Tasha's been super clingy and I hate it!" tugon nito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Dos. "What the f**k are you talking about?" irita nitong tanong.

"Uh-oh! Looks like Kuya instinct is raging on!" natatawang sabi ni Achilles.

"Oh you shut up, Achilles. If you a have your woman to bang, be decent enough to keep their identities safe. Hindi iyong para kayong mga bata dyan na nagpapa yabangan ng babaeng naikakama. Do you think that makes you cool?" wika ni Asul.

Napanguso ako sa sinabi ni Asul. And I therefore conclude that there's a line between gentleman and man whores in their blood. Basically there's Uno, Archer, and Achilles and on the other side is Dos, Asul, and Abo. But I don't really know their story so I better just don't judge them.

Napalingon ako kay Dash nang marahan nitong haplusin ang braso ko. "Are you okay?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong nito pero kaagad na tumango. "Yeah, I am." 

Tumayo ito at hinawakan ang kamay ko. He crouched a bit so he could meet my eyes. "Let's go," bulong nito sa akin.

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "Where?"

Ngumiti ito saka hinatak ako. "Come on, you'll see." 

Sumunod na lamang ako rito. Hindi naman kame napansin ng mga pinsan nya dahil busy ang mga ito sa paguusap at pagbabangayan nila.

Nag lakad kame ni Dash sa may tabing dagat. He intertwined our fingers and I couldn't help but feel giddy.

I sighed because I don't wanna play dumb. I have this attraction for Xian Dash that I don't even want to feel in the first place but it just keeps on growing and I am f*****g scared.

"Dash..." napakagat ako sa labi ko nang maramdaman ko ang panginginig nito. 

Lumingon ito sa akin saka ako tinitigan. He stopped walking and covered his arms around my shoulder.

Hindi ko namalayan na nilalamig na pala ako nang maramdaman ko ang init na nagmumula sa katawan nito. 

He looked at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, I should have brought you a jacket or something,"

Ngumiti ako saka umiling. "No... no, it's okay. I'm okay naman." tugon ko saka ngumiti. "Where are we going ba?" 

Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi nito. "We're almost there,"

Ngumuso ako saka tumango. Mas lalo ako nitong nilapit sa katawan nya at hindi ko mapigilang hindi manginig.

What the f**k is happening to me? My body reacts to every single thing that he do! Be it a touch of his finger my whole systems goes havoc! 

Kumunot ang noo ko nang pumasok kame sa isang bahay. Kinuha nito ang kamay ko saka pinagsalikop ang mga daliri namin. Lumingon ito sa akin saka ngumiti habang papaakyat kame.

God, why is this so unfair? Kapag ngumingiti sya sa akin ay parang nagliliwanag ang buong mundo ko at parang tila nagiging maayos na ang lahat. 

One smile, just one smile and I feel like I'm in a f*****g cloud nine. 

Napaawang ang labi ko nang makarating kame sa rooftop ng bahay. Everything was breathtaking and it literally looks like it came out from a fairytale.

There was a comfy shade that was placed at the middle of the rooftop and it was surrounded by candles and roses. Sa itaas ay nakapalibot ang fairy lights at bulb lights. 

Nag lakad ako papunta sa gitna at lalong namangha. There was a grand piano at the side and I couldn't help but wonder. Is he gonna sing? Nah, I could not imagine Xian Dash singing.

Napahawak ako sa puso ko nang maramdaman ang sobrang lakas na pag kabog nito. I literally felt pain and happiness at the same time if that was possible that I had to breathe deep just to feel that I am alive.

Lumingon ako kay Dash at sinimangutan ito. "What is this all about?" naiiyak kong tanong dito.

He chuckled and looked at me softly. Lumakad ito papalapit sa akin at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. "Surprise?" patanong nitong wika saka ngumiti.

"Xian Dash!" I said his name because my mind isn't really functioning so well right now. Wala akong ibang maisip kung hindi ang pag dagungdong ng puso kong pasaway. 

Hinatak ako nito papunta sa grand piano at lalo lamang akong kinabahan. Umupo sya dito at marahan akong hinatak para makaupo sa tabi nya.

He looked at me lovingly as he brought  my hands up to his lips kissing the back of my hand. "I hope you'll enjoy this, my wife."

He started playing the piano and my heart just won't stop running hard. He looked so handsome while playing the piano. Para syang isang prinsepe na hinugot mula sa isang palabas o libro.

I know that he is good looking pero tila parang dumoble o trumiple ang kakisigan nya ngayon. Xian Dash does not only make me feel comfortable but he also makes me feel warm and safe.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko nang magsimulang kumanta si Dash. I literally felt goosebumps all over my body.

Alam kong maganda ang malalim at lalakeng lalake na boses ni Dash but I didn't know that he could sing this good and sweet!

"Did you notice me looking at you? All the way from the other side of the room? Now honey you caught my eye from a mile away... Was on my way leaving, but now I might have to stay..."

Sa tuwing kasama ko sya ay lagi nyang ipinaparamdam na nadyan lamang sya para sa akin at susuportahan nya ako.

He'd always make sure that I am okay and nothing is bugging on my mind. He'd always make sure that I always have my need and even my wants. 

"Cause you... There is just something 'bout you... Maybe it's the way you walk girl... But I just could not figure out... Is it those eyes? Or those lips? Or the way you sway those hips? Or maybe your hair? How it shines? Ms. Seductive I can't help but try..."

He'd always care for me and I am so thankful for that. Inabot nito ang kamay ko saka ako hinatak patayo.

He placed my arms around his neck before snaking his arms around my waist. He started swaying slow as he continue singing with his graceful voice.

"Tallulah Desiree... I know that you maybe confused with what I am doing right now..." he paused and smiled for awhile. "I'll admit that I am not used to any of this things but baby, you make me do things I haven't done before... I'm not good with sweet words, hell I don't even have a speech prepared but..." humalakhak ito saka tumingala saglit bago sumalubong sa akin ang mapupungay nyang mata. I literally felt my heart ripping off my ribcage! "...but all I wanted to say is I want to give this marriage a try, Tallulah... I like you..." bulong nito at marahang hinalikan ang aking noo.

To be continued...

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Song used:

Ms. Seductive - Jeff Bernat