CHAPTER 9

"Baby, please, can you kiss me again..." pagsusumamo ko at ngumiti.

She laughed… her laughters means everything to me. I never know the importance of laughters of someone but when I found here, when I heard hers, I realized that I had it all.

"Ah, ayaw mo 'kong halikan?" banta ko at tumawa siyang inayos ang bumabalot sa aming kumot.

"Bakit ba gustong gusto mo ng halik?"

I closed my eyes again, natawa siya at ako na ang humalik, this time, it bothers the whole muscles in me, dahil sa gitna ng halik, nabuhay ang hinding-hindi mapipigilan. Pero bago pa bumigay, agad na kaming tumigil.

Niyakap ko lang siya habang malalim ang hininga matapos ang halik. I will get insane.

"Gustom ka na?"

Umiling ako at ngumiti, "Why don't we do our tasks on the garden at two?"

Duda siya sa sinabi ko at pinagmamasdan lang ako. "So we could cuddle all day?" she laughed.

I smiled and nodded sleepily.

"Promise me that you will sleep well while hugging me for you to gain more strength after getting sick..."

This girl...

I nodded obediently and smiled again, not just a smile but a wide grin.

"What do you wanna eat later?"

"Just a simple breakfast with a combination of lunch meal, baka mabusog ako at ayaw na ayaw kong tumaba."

She slapped my face softly.

In her hugs, I slept and when I woke up, we went down after my cold shower wearing my usual jeans and the boots.

Nakain kami sa veranda at sa pang-iinis ko, hindi siya umimik. Kaya ang ginawa ko, I got the hotdogs, as I gripped it, it smashed, ang matindi pa na tinawanan niya, lumusot sa pagitan ng mga daliri ko.

"Kainin mo 'yan..."

The day went on and when the rain came out, we went inside the house.

"You might get sick again," she chuckled, "Ang spoiled mo pa naman sa mga magulang mo at sa akin."

Umupo ako sa couch, "It's just a short time of being with parents, too, tinago ako ng mga Manansala sa underground ng mansyon nila for thirteen years."

"Sa Calatagan? Ang mansyon doon na parang haunted house?"

I nodded and sighed, "They also kept Mom in an island, malayo, sa ibang bansa."

"How pathetic!?"

Tumayo ako at nagulat siya sa itsura ko, bent knees down a bit, I walked and sang tatlong bibe.

Tumawa siya at tinulak ako. "Parang tanga ka."

I had my evening phone call with Mom. Dad was out of the country so he had to call me after a few hours to say his goodnight.

"'Wag kang magpapagod masyado..." he reminded.

"Kayo rin, Daddy."

Minsan, hindi ko ikakaila na nangungulila ako sa limang taon kong nasa ibang bansa. They were calling me constantly but it was still different. 

"Missed them?" tanong ni Zuri. She's now wearing her peignoir and combing her hair in the bed.

Tumango ako at ngumuti. I went there and dimmed the lights. Nahiga ako sa dati kong pwesto at niyakap siya pagkahiga niya. 

"What course are you going to take?" tanong ko. 

I kissed her jaw and cheek. 

"Architecture, La Salle, ikaw? Ano ba ang gusto mo para sa akin?" 

I chuckled and caressed her abdomen with my large palms.  

"I want a baby, but seemed like a good thing that you can still my baby."

She embraced me, "How does it feel to experience sex?" 

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi suminghap ng bayolente sa tanong niya. 

Dumantay ako at lumapit. 

"Oh, wait, Ivo," sabay tulak niya pero hindi niya nagawa. 

"Gusto mo na ba?" tanong ko, ngumisi. 

"No," her hands were covering my face now as I bit her fingers. "Aray, gago."

"Ilang buwan na akong walang babae..." 

"Anong ngayon ang gusto mo, Ivo, hmm?" 

I sighed heavily and chuckled while hearing her laughing as she pulled up my sando. Slowly, her finger nails ran on my abdomen. 

"What are you doing?" I turned my head. 

"I will kill you tonight," banta niya.

"Just sleep, hindi natin 'yan gagawin," sabay pigil sa palapusuhan niya.

She laughed, "Patutulugin ko lang din ang baby ko." 

"Tss… stop calling me by that." 

"So you're my Daddy," she carressed my abdomen.

I groaned.

"Is it turns you on?" she chuckled and suddenly, she cupped me there.

Napatigil siya, I smirked and she felt it, erect and bulging. Akala ko tatanggalin niya agad. Pero nanatili roon.

"Hahayaan mo lang ba 'to?" tanong niya nang makabawi.

Tumango ako, "Let's sleep." 

"No, alam ko ang mga ganitong bagay," aniya.

Umiling ako, "Just sleep." 

"Spill the juice-"

"Zuri, let's just sleep," I embraced her but she didn't removed her hands there.

"Anong gagawin mo pagkatulog ko?"

"You can answer your own question," I chuckled.

Kinaumagahan, maaga naming ginawa ang hardin at tinanim na ang mga halaman.

"Anong ginawa mo kagabi?" tanong niya.

I sighed and shovelled the pot, "Natulog." 

She can't stop wondering what I did last night, kanina pa niya iyon tinatanong.

"Tinulugan mo ang gano'n kalaki at katigas?"

Masama ko siyang tinitigan at hindi na sumagot. That was our set up that day as the next day, we went to Manila for her enrolment. Pero aniya'y huwag ko raw siyang ibababa malapit sa school. 

Nabagot akong naghihintay sa isang basement ng isang malapit na mall kaya minaneho ko ang Aston Martin Lagonda ko. I entered the shool and parked my car near the bench. 

Ako: 

I was bored in the basement of the mall so I decided to go here in your school, are you done? 

Bumaba ako at humilig doon. Nakatingin lang ako sa cellphone hanggang sa tumunog. 

Zuri: 

Gago, hindi ba sinabi ko sa 'yo na 'wag kang paparada? You paraded and you are fucking modest that you were gaining those stares, praises and damn fantasize by many girls. 

Bumusangot ako at nagtipa.

Ako: 

What do you want me to do? Stay in the fucking basement where you hid me so you can prevent your jealousy?

"Ivo? Is that you?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita ko ang mga guro ko noon.

"Ma'am, hello," masaya kong bati.

"How are you, hijo? I just went in Alabang last day, dahil estudyante ko ang anak ni Engineer Zallega, your Mom told me that you went home after the successful years in US," Mrs. Alice Simon said.

I smiled sheepishly, "Yes, Ma'am, uh... coffee po, just like before?" sabay punas ng pawis sa noo ko. 

I went with my former teachers as we headed to the familiar cafeteria with a conversation. Natatawa ako sa mga jokes ng terror teacher at nasulyapan ko kung saan si Zuri na nakatitig sa akin at nag-iwas ng tingin. 

"He'll be marrying Beatrix Lopez soon, binayaran lang daw ang pag-claim sa media to not publicize those news, ang tanong, who was the Lady in Red before?" 

I heard that between the conversation with the teachers. Zuri smirked at me. 

"Act like it's nothing," she whispered when we passed her to where she was. 

"Hahalikan ko ang leeg mo rito," bulong-bulong ko at biglang lumingon si Ma'am. 

We had catch up in the cafeteria as I saw those students entering and saw the squad of Zuri. Freshmen ang mga iyon.

"Zuri's getting married by the end of the year," Cloe announced as they cheered.

She's popular here in this school dahil lahat ng leeg ay nakabaling at lahat  ay nakangiti sa kanya.

"Pero sa pangit na mayaman," the guy said in his table.

"Justine," suway no'ng Victoria.

Oh, that's him? He's handsome but a bit...

"Bakit? Iyon ang sabi ni Zuri, pangit,"

Natawa ang mga tao roon at natawa rin akong nakatingin sa kanya. She was confidently glancing at me.

"Paano siya manamit, Zuri?"

She turned to the one who asked, "Uh... baduy." 

I scoffed and coughed.

"Are you okay, anak?" Mrs. Simon smirked.

I nodded and drank the juice. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa lumapit na mga kaibigan niya.

"Hi, I am Victoria and she's Cloe," she said.

I nodded and stood up bumeso sila at tumawa.

"Ang gwapo gwapo mo naman pala sa personal, we researched about you," Victoria chuckled as I got her point immediately.

"Hm." I mocked.

I gathered my jacket on my seat as I bade her goodbye to my former teachers. Ngumiti sila at tumango. Tumunog ang cellphone ko sa table at umilaw, dinampot ko iyon at binulsa.

"Hindi mo babasahin kung sino iyon? Baka asawa mo, or girlfriend," usisa ni Cloe.

They are up into something like I get it immediately. Tumawa ako at naglakad pero nakatingin ako sa kamay ni Zuri kung saan hindi ko nakikita ang engagement ring na nilagay ko kanina sa kanyang kamay.

I smirked and strutted. Nasulyapan ko pang nakatingin siya sa akin. Hinintay ko siya sa sasakyan at nang pauwi na kami, agad kong kinuha ang kanyang kamay, hindi ako nagsalita pero dinama ko iyon.

"I-Ibabalik ko mamaya-"

"Kahit 'wag na," I said bitterly.

She glanced at me, but I remained watching the road. She even caressed my rough jaw but the coldness in my existence is here.

"Ibabalik ko na lang... mamaya..."

"Bakit hindi ngayon?"

"May pupuntahan pa sana ako..."

"Is it bothers you if you'll wear that?" nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"No... b-but..."

Hindi na ako nagsalita at dinaan ko siya sa mall. I waited for her inside. She bought lots of familiar things, signature dresses and stuffs. She was walking towards me as she glanced once at the shoes. I was waiting for her to buy it but she didn't. Dinaanan niya ulit kami ng mga guards at para akong hangin sa kanya tuwing nasa matao kami. 

I went to the boutique where she saw the shoes, it suits her kaya binili ko ang size niya, nataranta pa ang babae at iniwanan ang mga costumer. I got the paperbag and payed for the Nike shoes for my extravagant Zuri.

Sa basement kami nagkita, niyakap ko siya at binigay, "Sorry if I was cold because of the engagement ring, hmm?"

She looked at me and smiled.

"Mahal 'to, e, kaya hindi ko na binili," aniya at yumakap pa.

Umiling ako at ngumiti, "Mahal naman kita." 

"Itigil mo 'yang kabaduyan mo." 

I am willing to give her everything she needed and she wants, that's why I had to be successful first before she came in my life. Naiintindihan ko na.

"Nasa inyo raw yata ang mga magulang ko, brunch yata dahil bumisita ang mga magulang ng mga asawa ng mga Kuya mo..."

I nodded and drove heading to the mansion here in Manila, sa driveway, tinigil ko.

"Sa taas ang kwarto ko, sa unang pintuan sa pasilyo," I followed her.

The mansion is still new, green things filled the place as it highlighted to the mansion. Hindi rin pinabayaan ang mga pintura at pinanatiling maayos ang mga pintura sa mga gate na pumapalibot sa buong mansyon.

"Noong bumalik ka na, dito ka dineretso?" she asked while looking at the upper deck where there are sets of luxurious cars and so many sets of different vehicles in the lower part. 

"Hindi. Sa Nasugbu, kaya roon ako nasanay pero noong nag-aaral na ako, dito kami dahil sa mga trabaho ni Daddy." 

"Ngayon lang ako rito, but the home is too luxurious than the mansion in Nasugbu, parang may kung ano... it's the homey atmosphere." 

We are now reaching the veranda, tumingin ako sa kanya, "Dito lumaki ang mga Kuya ko, so technically, the memories are living in here at noong bumalik na ako, lagi sila rito, I just couldn't really understand why they wants to live in here but when I learned that they grew up here, it's the memories, ikaw? Iyon din ba ang binabalikan mo lagi?"

She laughed, "Our home is not massive as this but yeah, memories of evething will also be the reasons why I was long to go back to Davao."

Tumango ako. "Wala pa kaming pag-aari riyan, kaya binabalak ko tuloy na bumili... para sa 'yo." 

"No," her smile faded away.

Nagulat ako roon. Para bang nakarinig siya nang hindi maganda.

"I will take myself away of judgement, mayaman ka, at kung magpapakasal tayo, I will sign the Prenuptial Agreement-"

"Damn it, Zuri, walang gano'n, katangahan ang ganoong bagay, pakakasalan mo 'ko, pero hindi mo gagalawin ang pera ko?"

"Hindi gano'n kadali, Ivo."

Hinarap niya ako, "I will sign a prenup." 

"Maririnig ka ni Lolo, nandito siya."

"Eh 'di maganda! Your Lolo couldn't really handle the girls of his apos when it comes to the prenuptial agreement," she chuckled.

Bumuntong hininga ako, lalo lang na uminit ang pisngi ko nang makita ko ang Lolo na nakatayo sa hagdanan.

"Why are you both fighting about that thing?" tanong niya.

Lumapit ako at bumati, hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi dahil kinakabahan ako.

"Hi, Sir, nice meeting you po," Zuri mumbled nervously.

She even elbowed me and rivulets of sweats trickled in my whole body.

"You must be Zuri, hija," bumeso si Lolo, "I wasn't in Nasugbu for my health here." 

"Make sure po that you have a constant visit with your doctors for you to be taken care, mahirap po ang magkasakit lalo na kapag matanda na," nilingon niya ako at parang sigaw iyon sa akin.

Lolo laughed heartily as I tried to sneak out.

"Ivo, akala mo nakalimutan ko ang pinag-aawayan niyo ng mapapangasawa mo?"

Mariin akong pumikit.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi kayo kayang hawakan ng ama niyong magkakapatid tuwing ganitong bagay, prenuptial agreement? Papayag ka?"

I reached for my phone, "Jenson, can you transfer all my money to the account of Zu-" hindi pa ako natatapos sa tawag no'ng narinig ko siyang tumatawag.

"Filiasiana, can you froze all my accounts on your bank, make sure that there will be no money to add in it kahit sentimo," she smirked and put down her phone.

"What the fuck is your problem?"

She laughed, "What? You were doing that in order to sneak out your Lolo."

"Go, Zuri, mas natatakot ako sa Lolo ko kaysa sa mga Kuya ko at ni Daddy." 

Startled, she pursed her lips as I swallowed the vile in my throat. May lumandas pang luha na kinahalakhak ni Lolo.

"Ang gago, umiiyak?" pang-iinis ni Zuri.

"Binilhan ko siya ng sapatos, Lo, d-dalawa," sabi ko at tinuro-turo iyon.

"Ang mga ibang pinamili niya?" Lolo's head bowed down a bit to see what I bought. 

Before Zuri  could say anything, inunahan ko na. 

"Yes, Lo, I bought it all. Nakalimutan ko lang,"

He nodded, "It helped, Ivo," tumalikod na siya, "Mag-uusap pa rin tayo." 

May narinig akong tawa sa sala, lumingon ako at nakita ang mga Kuya ko at mga bayaw nila. Zuri mocked at me as she guided Lolo.

"Let me guide you, Lo, naku, wala pa naman kayong alalay, Ivo's heartless," sipsip niyang sabi at nginisian ako.

Matapos ang sermon niya sa study, lumabas ako at bumaba ulit.

"Ivo, anong ginawa mong katarantaduhan sa baryo?" Dad laughed.

Nagtaka ako at umiling, nakita ko ang flash drive na nakasaksak sa laptop niya at agad siyang tumawa at sinara. My eyes darted at Zuri as I accused her immediately. Nasulyapan ko pa si Jad at Ares na naglalakad kasama ang mga pinsang Averel at mga henerasyong Zallega.

Nang makita ako, tumawa sila at parang rehearsed ang gagawin nila sa dining table. Tinabnaw nila ang kamay sa bowls at ginawa ang parang ginawa ko noon sa Nasugbu. I swallowed hard and they stood up with the messy mouths. Humilera sila. Buttocks in, chest out, doon pa lang, tumawa na ako at napakapit sa sofa, uminit ang pisngi ko. 

Probably, they saw the damn embarrassing thing I did. Umalis ako at hindi umuwi ng isang linggo sa kahihiyan. 

Bumisita pa ang mga kaibigan ko at sa pintuan pa lang, tumatawa na sila kaya lumayas ako pero sumunod sila hanggang sa lobby pero nakita ko ang buong pamilya ko roon at bigla silang nahalakhak nang makita ako. The guards clapped and did some moves like my damn moves when I danced in the garden. Tapos ginaya pa nila ang pabuhos ko ng tubig sa ulo. They got everyone's attention that even the people on those buildings were watching outside. 

Umalis ako at nakasimangot. We had talks with Zuri as they were now moving in their home, sa malayong parte lang pero kaya namang pasyalan gamit ang sasakyan.

"Alis lang ako saglit, Zuri, I have to check on my team on the airport," paalam ko, one day she was here.

"Are you going to start your work now?" tumayo siya at lumapit.

"On your class opening." 

She nodded and fixed the collar of my polo shirt.

Sinakyan ko ang Bugatti ko at dumeretso sa airport. I even saw the media welcoming the team of my company who would start its branch here.