When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 26

“Babe, wake up”

Saad ko nang mahinto na ang sasakyan dito sa private parking lot ng condominium ko.

I decided to go here instead of my house because just like what I said before, I don’t invite people over to my house aside from Jaxen which I don’t know how he knew my address. I guess I should be bothered by it. I don’t want other people coming into my house.

“Hmm…” he groaned as he slowly opens his eyes which were then immediately wide open as he darted his eyes at me.

“Khatalina?!” he exclaimed making my driver look at him.

Bumaba naman na iyong driver ko saka inalalayan si Kinn na ngayon ay mukhang hindi makapaniwalang kasama niya ako at halos mag-panic na.

"B-bakit kasama kita?!" Hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong sa akin.

Napatawa naman iyong bodyguards ko na kasama naming naglalakad kaya naman nginitian ko siya.

"Don't panic, you asked for this," I said and winked at him making his cheeks flush red.

"What do you mean? Do you even know me?!" He asks again.

"Babe, you already forgot about what you just said earlier?" I said with a deadpanned face trying not to laugh at the way he forgot about what just happened an hour ago.

His eyes then grew wide as his lips parted apart.

"B-babe?" He asks again.

"Oh, do you want them na ihatid ka nalang pauwi sa inyo?" Balik na tanong ko sa kaniya at hindi na siya sinagot sa pagtataka niya sa pagtawag ko sa kaniya ng 'Babe'.

Napahinto naman siya sa paglalakad saka napalibot ang tingin sa napakalaking hallway ng condominium.

"Oh, this isn't mine..." He uttered as he notices that were not walking into his suite.

"Yours is just in the other building though," I said as I pointed out the tall building behind us that I can see through the huge lucid glass window.

Napatitig naman siya sa akin at nakita kong napataas-baba iyong Adam's apple niya.

"I-- Doon nalang ako sa unit ko. Ayokong maabala kita..." Nahihiyang saad niya.

Tinitigan ko naman siya nang maigi saka tumango nang saglit saka pinasamahan na siya sa dalawa kong bodyguard at nagpaalam na sa kaniya. Hinintay kong mawala siya at iyong bodyguards ko sa paningin namin bago kami nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa suite ko.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko kasabay ng paglapit ng dalawang natira kong bodyguard sa likod ko nang matanaw namin iyong ilang police officer na kausap ng isang kilalang chef rito sa building.

"What? Murder mystery?" I whispered kidding making Anthony titter.

"You wish, Ma'am?" He said still tittering. I then looked at him and laugh as we walk past the police officers and headed to the elevator.

Anthony has been working for me ever since the beginning so he pretty much is the closest bodyguard I have. He's in his mid-20s with a huge stature and well-defined muscles. Has pitch-black clean-cut hair and "chinito".

He then presses the number button of the elevator in which my unit lies.

I then reach out for my phone as I felt it vibrate and look who calls.

"Unknown Number..." I uttered.

I didn't answer the call and just hold on to my phone as the elevator door opens.

Sakto namang paglabas namin ng elevator ay muling nag-vibrate ang phone kaya naman naisip ko na baka hindi na ito wrong number at sinagot ang tawag ngunit hindi muna ako nagsalita at hinintay na magsalita iyong nasa kabilang linya.

"Babe?"

Napatawa naman ako nang bahagya nang mabosesan ko iyong nasa kabulang linya.

"Uhm, sorry sa abala pero nakita ko kasi itong new number sa contacts ko so, I wonder who's this? Did I get your number from Ms. Maia's party earlier?" Sunod-sunod na tanong noong nasa kabilang linya.

Sinenyasan ko naman si Anthony na papasok na ako at mag-stay sila sa katapat kong unit na siya namang tinanguan. Hinintay muna nila ako makapasok sa suite ko bago sila pumasok sa kanilang unit. Agad ko namang ni-lock iyong pinto saka dumiretso sa living room at inihagis sa sofa iyong pouch na bitbit ko.

Naglakad ako papunta sa banyo saka humarap sa salamin at titigan ang repleksiyon ko rito.

"Sorry, I am pretty drunk and I can't remember everything that I did earlier at the moment," dagdag pa niya na ikinailing ko ng ulo.

"That is not so good for you, babe," I commented and put him on speaker and put my phone on the counter.

I lift my hand and reach out for the long drop earrings that I am wearing and place it on top of the counter together with the jewelry that I am wearing.

"... Ms. Maia? Is that you?" Tanong niya muli.

"Yeah," sagot ko sa kaniya saka kumuha ng makeup remiver at sinimulan nang linisin iyong mukha ko.

"R-really? Oh, gosh, baka mamaya anong ginawa ko sa iyo. Pasensya na," hinging paumanhin niya ulit.

"No worries, Babe. You did nothing wrong," saad ko sa kaniya at kusa na lamang kumalabas sa bibig ko iyong salitang "Babe" tuwing kausap ko siya.

Narinig ko namang napabuntong-hininga siya na para bang nabunutan siya ng malaking tinik sa kaniyang dibdib.

"Mabuti naman... Ms. Maia, can I ask why are you calling me with that word?" He asks again making me smile.

"You called me that, babe. Why do you forget already? Isang oras palang ang nakalilipas," saad ko.

"Sorry, are you doing something? I can hear water running? Did I disturb you?"

"Oh, no. It's fine. I am just washing my face," I answered and pat my face dry with a face towel and look at my bare face.

"I see... Hindi ako makapaniwalang kalapit building kang kita," saad niya at parang nakangiti pa dahil sa tono ng boses niya.

"Crush na crush mo naman ako," pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.

"W-what?!"

Napatawa naman ako sa reaksiyon niya at ganoon din siya. Hindi naman na siya nagtanong pa at nagpaalam na dahil naalala raw nuya na may klase pa ako bukas. Mabilis naman akong nag-shower saka nagbihis na sa pantulog ko at naupo muna sa may terrace saka nagpahangin at kumuha ng isang librong nakita ko sa may kuwarto kanina.

I smiled at the relaxing feeling I felt in my veins due to alcohol intoxication and the cold breeze of air blowing through me and dancing with my damped hair.

"I wish it's always like this..." I whispered as I remember the numerous responsibilities that I have to face tomorrow.

I then closed the book I am reading and close my eyes shut. Sakto namang gumuhit ang kaaya-ayang imahe ni Mr. Gage sa isip ko.

"What a fine ass man..." I mumbled as I stand and close the terrace. I immediately went to my bedroom as I feel that I am getting tired and sleepy.

Cypress University

“How about a scholarship?” Jaxen asked.

I then press my lips with one another as I nod.

We are currently in a vacant room in one of the university's buildings. We are discussing our plans for the election. 

“May scholarship na rito, hindi ba?” tanong naman ni Tiffany saka ni-tap iyong ballpen niya sa papel.

I then look at Jacen who is comfortable leaning on his chair as he plays with his pen.

“Yeah, what I meant is scholarship or probably fare support to those who live far from the university?” pangklaro ni Jaxen sa suhestiyon niya na tinanguan ko ulit.

“Oh, yeah… that’s good! Sila iyong ‘di sakop ng allowances, from the mayor, ‘di ba?” pagsang-ayon ko. 

Tumango naman siya sa akin saka agad binawi iyong tingin niya dahilan na gusto ko sanang ikunot ang noo ko pero buti na lang ay napigilan ko.

“Do you have any idea how to get sponsors?” I asked.

“I asked my dad, he said we can ask for a scholarship on some funding companies,” he answered.

“Do you have a specific company in mind?” Tiffany asked.

Jaxen then looked at me making me furrow my brows.

“I can… but it is not our company’s priority as of the moment,” saad ko.

“Oo nga, ano? Mayroon ka palang scholarship sa aspiring photographers!” manghang saad ni Jimy na siyang treasurer ng party namin na siya ko namang tinanguan.

“Right, I might ask my dad for that,” Jaxen responded coldly making me wonder what’s his deal.

I hurriedly get rid of my thought about him as I rest my chin against my palm. I can feel the slight twinges in my head which probably is the effect of my hangover.  Good thing, Kinn visited me earlier before I go here to school. He brings breakfast that he said is his specialty, bacon-wrapped soft-boiled eggs which really does taste good and drive me here in school.

“Babe! You forgot your phone!”

Napahinto naman ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ko ang boses ni Kinn as I assume that he’s calling me kaya naman nilingon ko siya mula sa likod. Nakita ko namang naglalakad si Kinn palayo sa sasakyan niya para lumapit sa akin bitbit ang phone niya kaya naman nginitian ko siya.

Napansin ko naman ang imahe ni Jaxen na kabababa mula sa kaniyang motor kung saan nag-park siya sa tabi lang ng sasakyan ni Eedrix.

“Thanks,” pasasalamat ko nang makuha ko ang phone ko sa kaniya.

“You’re always welcome, babe,” komportable niya nang tawag sa akin kaya naman hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sakaniya dahil kaabi lang ay sorry siya nang sorry.

“Oh, siya, pumasok ka na, baka ma-late ka pa,” saad niya saka nagpaalam na at muling naglakad pabalik ng sasakyan niya.

Tinalikuran ko naman na ang direksyon niya at hinarap na ang building ng room namin. Narinig ko naman ang mabibigat na yabag sa likod ko at hindi kalaunan ay nilagpasan na ako ni Jaxen na mukhang wala sa mood dahil nakakunot ang noo niya at nakasimangot.

Hanggang ngayon ay tahimik pa rin siya at seryoso lang. Ni hindi ko pa nga siya nakakausap simula kanina kahit magkatabi lang kami—bakit ko ba masyadong iniisip ‘tong lalaking ‘to? Focus, Khatalina…

“Tomorrow na ang botohan, huwag kayong kabahan, sure namang mananalo tayo dahil mahina iyong kalaban,” saad ni Jimy.

Agad nang ni-dismiss ni Jaxen ang meeting dahil may klase pa raw si Tiffany kaya naman niligpit ko narin ang gamit ko at ipinaglalagay sa bag ko. Nauna nang makalabaiyong mga member ng party maliban sa amin ni Jaxen na natira.

Kita ko mula sa peripheral vision ko na nakaupo parin siya at walang imik. Hindi man lang nag-abalang ligpitin iyong gamit niya.

Nang maisara ko ang bag ko ay agad ko nang sinuot ang bag ko saka naglakad na papalapit sa pinto pero agad akong napahinto sa bigla niyang tanong.

“I’ve been calling you yesterday”

Nilingon ko naman siya at ganoon parin siyang nakaupo at nakatalikod mula sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ko naman maiwasang makaramdam ng kakaibang pakiramdam dahil tanging iyong tunog lang noong ballpen na pinaiikot niya sa mga daliri niya ang maririnig sa buong kuwarto.

“You suddenly can talk?” saad ko at hindi nag-abala maglakad palapit sa kaniya at nanatili sa kinatatayuan ko.

It’s already noon and he’s not talking to me since this morning. I mean he’s not obligated to do so but it is just confusing as to how he showed so much care about me when I was sick and now, he’s cold as my palms last time.

He then looks back at me and took a sigh before he decided to stand and walk close in my direction as he put the pen in his pocket. His jaw is all clenched paired with his eyes almost drilling into my eyes.

He didn’t stop walking slowly in my direction making me raise my eyebrow as I feel like he wants to corner me to the wall. I immediately tried to step sideways trying to avoid him but he swiftly grabbed me to my arm strong enough to hurt me and push me against the wall. I remained calm and didn’t show that he’s hurting and gripping onto me hard.

Did I stare directly into his eyes which now look like were all inflamed by anger?

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask almost whispering.

He didn’t even part his lips to answer me but he decided to take a few more steps closer to me making the buckle of his belt touch my stomach. He then let go of my arm and lowered his face to my level.

“I hate what I saw,” he said with all emphasis.