CYRIL
"Ang akin ay akin. And I don't share." every word that came out of my mouth is real. Call me possessive, demanding, envious, or whatever you want but what's mine is mine.
And Athena is mine! Anyone who will mess with me will not like what will I do.
And that motherfucker a while ago is not an exemption! Pasalamat siya dahil nandoon si Athena kanina dahil kung hindi, baka napatay ko na siya. I won't think twice to kill that bastard! He even dare to mess with me? Oh! Fuck him!
I stared at Athena. Malamlam na ang mata niya and her guard is now melted and down. Our nose is touching and our lips are just an inch apart.
At hindi ako nagdalawang isip na tawarin ang pagitan na yun. I heartedly kissed her lips.
Her lips is so sweet. So addictive.
I kiss her softly but still reminding her that she's only mine. Unti unting gumapang ang mga braso niya sa balikat ko until it reaches my neck.
Then she kissed me back. Same ferocity. Same intensity. Parang nawala sa alaala naming parehas ang nangyari kanina. Everything in my mind suddenly vanished. My anger, the green monster inside me named jealousy, everything...it goes away. Just one kiss from her and everything is fine again.
When did I become like this?
What's on my mind right now is only her. Her, kissing me. Nipping my lips back and giving me the privilege to completely own her. She's answering my kisses back so I won't let her go anymore. Even if she keeps on telling me that she's not mine, I will not get tired of reminding her that I own her.
And I won't let others get her. Never.
Parehas kaming hinihingal na humiwalay sa isa't isa. Her eyes are closed. And then suddenly a small smile creep into her lips. A smile that is contagious. At sa tingin ko ay tinamaan na ako ng ngiting yun.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Different emotions are showing in them. But I can't name that emotions.
She opened her lips to speak. Napakahinang boses ang lumabas sa bibig niya pero napakalakas ng impact nun sa akin. "How about you? Are you mine?"
Saglit akong natigilan pero nakabawi rin agad. I didn't stop the smile that wants to get out of my lips. I softly looked into her eyes as I smiled at her back. I put my hand on her hair and caress it tenderly. "I'm yours, baby. I'm always yours." mahina rin ang boses na sagot ko.
She suddenly hugged me. Tight. I embraced her back. Hinagkan ko rin siya ng napakahigpit.
What's with this woman? How can she do this to me?
"You're mine. Yes, you are mine." ang sarap sa pandinig ng sinabi niya. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest. Too corny but I don't care.
This woman changed me. For better.
I caress her back and then kiss her in her temple. Hindi na mawala-wala sa labi ko ang ngiti. I don't care about that bastard a while ago anymore. I won't let him get my fiancée away from me. Not him. No one.
Then we heard Gary's voice. "Jade! Mark!" humiwalay ng yakap sa akin si Athena pero nanatili sa likod ko ang isa niyang kamay habang naka-akbay naman ang isa kung kamay sa kaniya.
Nalipat lahat ng tingin nila sa kamay namin. At napangiti sila. Even Micheal did smile. Habang sumipol naman si Christian. "Mukhang ayos na ah!" he playfully said. At dahil maganda ang mood ko, hindi ko siya tinignan ng masama.
I even invited them to have dinner at our house. Sa bahay namin ni Athena.
At ang mga mokong? Syempre tuwang tuwa! Nakalibre na raw sila, makikita pa nila ang bahay namin. Balak ko nga sanang bawiin eh kaso pinigilan ako ni Athena.
And I can't win againts Athena...
I was busy cooking when someone covers my eyes. My lips automatically smiled when I heard her giggles and smelled her perfume. "Guess who?" she said and followed it with a very adorable giggle. I chuckled. "C'mon, love. I know you too well." sagot ko.
She laughed before she let go of my eyes. Pumunta siya sa gilid ko at umupo sa may counter. "Do you really know me? How much do you know me?" nakangiti pero may panunuya sa boses niya.
I grinned at her. "Try me, my love."
"Hmm...okay!"
At laughed at her reaction. When did she become so cute in my eyes? "So...what do you know about me? Huh?" she asked and crossed her arms in her chest.
I chuckled. "In the morning, you like to eat heavy meals. You prefer coffee with creme than just a coffee. You like vanilla more than chocolate. You drink water before you go to bed. You can't sleep without hugging some pillow and with your lights turn on. You sleep on the right side of your bed and yes, you are savage. Want me to continue?" dire-diretsong sabi ko. A victorious smile creeps into my lips when I saw her shock.
"Y-You know me that m-much?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya. I just wink at her. Yes, I know her that much. It's already my habit in observing people and it's very normal for me. "How about you? What do you know about me?" balik kung tanong.
She closed her eyes and act like she's thinking. Kumunot pa ang noo niya before she opened her eyes.
"Uhm...you cook so well. Y-You know how to drive a motorbike. You prefer coffee. Uhm, ano pa ba? Wait lang! Ohhh! You look hot in sleeveless shir-"
Bigla siyang napatakip sa bibig niya dahilan para matawa ako. "I look hot in sleeveless shirts, huh?" nakangising tanong ko. She tightly closed her eyes and uses her hands to wholly cover her face pero kitang kita ko parin ang pagblu-blush niya.
She's cute.
Dahan dahan siyang tumango dahilan para mas lalo akong matawa. When did my little adorable savage woman become this cute and shy?
Tumatawa ako at siya naman ay palo ng palo sa braso ko. Pilit akong pinapatigil but I doubt that. I'm enjoying this! "Sleeveless shirt or naked?" I said, still laughing. Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko at halos sakalin niya na ako. "You're being a pervert again!!" sigaw niya. Not minding the other people in the living room probably hearing us.
Bumaba siya ng counter at lumapit sa akin. Pumagitna siya sa akin at sa counter, dahil malapit lang ako sa counter, halos dumikit na ang katawan niya sa akin.
Parang wala lang sa kaniya yun dahil nakafocus siya sa pagpalo sa akin but for me? Napakalaking impact nun. Napakalapit ng mukha niya sakin. Unting tulak lang paniguradong mahahalik- "Cyril?" I blinked multiple times when I heard her spoke. Did she intentionally make her voice seductive o nagi-imagine lang ako?
"Hoy! Ayos ka lang?" that's when I realized na hindi na pala ako humihinga. I sighed. What the hell is happening to me?
"Cyril!"
"Y-Yes?"
"Ano bang nangyayari sayo?" there's a hint of worriedness in her voice. Fuck! Umayos ka, Cyril! Umayos ka! "I'm perfectly fine." I forced myself not to stammered and thank God I didn't.
"Akala ko kung ano ng nangyari sayo! Magluto ka na nga diyan. Just call me when you need some help, okay?" her voice is soothing and it's making me calm. I smiled and nod my head.
She caresses my cheeks then kissed it. Yun ang ikinagulat ko. That's the first time that she's the one who kissed me. Not on the lips, I know but still, it's still a kiss. And that simple kiss makes my heart beats erratically. Damn it!
Nakangiti siyang umalis at iniwan ako sa kusina. Oh and by the way, pinag vacation muna namin si Manang. Nung una ayaw pa ni Manang but I promised her that I will take care of Athena kaya sa huli ay pumayag lang rin siya.
Tinanggal ko muna lahat ng nasa isip ko para makapag focus ako sa pagluluto. I don't want to dissapoint them, especially Athena. I know how much she loves eating kaya naman sisiguraduhin kung masarap 'to.
It's for her, after all. And I'll do anything just to make sure na mae-enjoy niya ang niluto ko.
After a hour ay natapos rin ako. I did my plating and carry them to the table. Nakita ko sa may living room sila Athena. They were busy watching kaya naman kinuha ko na ang opportunity na yun.
Kinuha ko ang three roses na itinago ko kanina sa may cabinet. They still look very fresh. Good.
Nilagay ko yun sa plate ni Athena but first, I did make sure na wala ng tinik ang mga yun. The tallest is in the middle and the small is on the right, and the other rose is on the left. Hindi sila magkakapareho ng height. Nilagyan ko rin ng mga rose petal ang gilid niyon and I make sure that it looks presentable.
I hope she will like it. Cause I never did this in my entire life. Just now, at her.
I removed the apron before I approach them. Si Christian ang unang nakakita sa akin. "Woy bro tapos na ba? Gutom na ako!" singhal niya kaya napatingin sila sa akin pero nakay Athena ang tingin ko. She automatically smiles when she saw me. "Hi!" nakangiting bati niya. I just nod but a smile creeps into my lips.
Nilapitan ko siya and I offer my hand to help her stand. Hindi naman siya tumanggi. She gladly takes my hand. "Thank you." she whispered. "No problem." I answered.
Nakatingin lang silang lahat sa aming dalawa. No one is talking at yung TV lang na naka-on ang gumagawa ng sound.
Iginaya ko si Athena sa kusina at iniwan namin sila doon pero bago kami tuluyang makapunta sa dining ay narinig ko pa ang bulungan nila.
"What really happened to both of them?" Gary asked.
"I also don't know. Hindi ko na nga makilala si Mark eh." sagot naman ni Brent.
"I hope that their good treatment to each other will last longer." sabi naman ng Joan.
"One person. Before, the one who he only treated that way is her." mahina pero nagawa akong patigilin na sabi ni Michael.
"Sinong 'her'?" Joan asked. Hinihintay kung sumagot si Michael but in the back of my mind, I was praying that he will not answer. Seconds have past pero so far, wala naman akong narinig na sagot niya. That's better.
"Wow!" nabaling kay Athena ang atensiyon ko ng sumigaw siya. She ran from me to the table. Agad niyang tinignan ang plate na inayos ko. Kinuha niya ang isang rose doon at inamoy. "Ang bango!" that makes me smile. "Did you like it?" sabi ko habang naglalakad papalapit sa kaniya. "You...You made this?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya. I nod. "I did." simpleng sagot ko.
I wasn't expecting what she did next. She holds my cheeks and kisses me in the lips. It's just a peck but damn! My heart already wants to jump out of my chest! "I didn't like it, I love it!" tuwang tuwa na sabi niya. I'm glad she did like it.
"I'm glad you liked it. But love, let me teach you something. That's not how you kiss, okay? This is the right way to kiss someone..." a mischievous grin came to my lips when my lips touch her. I'm kissing her, again. And it feels good.
She wrapped her arms around my neck as I pulled her closer, putting my one arm around her waist. Samantalang ang isa kung kamay ay nasa pisngi niya. I was nipping, kissing and sucking her lips feverishly. Like I can't get enough of her lips. Well, I really can't get enough of her.
She grabbed a handful of my hair and that makes our situation right now become hotter. I suck her lips for the last time as I dropped little three kisses on it before I let her lips go.
Nakapalibot parin ang kamay niya sa akin and her eyes are closed. Malalim ang hininga niya at ganun rin ako. I can smell and feel her mint breath. Damn! Why can't I get enough?
She then, open her eyes. I show her my smile. "That. That's how you should kiss someone." I said before my emotion becomes sterner. "But that doesn't mean you can kiss anyone. My lips is all yours baby, so you can only kiss me, understand?" madiin kung sabi. She nod before she speaks.
"Okay, love."
I froze. Damn it! She called me love! She fucking called me love!! Damn! My heart is beating insanely fast! She really knows how to surprise me by just her gestures and words.
"You called me l-love." that's not a question. It's a statement. I don't need to ask her because even my heart is so loud right now, I still heard her clearly before. She called me love! She really did. "What's wrong with that? You're mine naman, diba?" she answered then she grins. Damn this woman! Really savage!
"Yes! Of course, love! I'm all yours." sagot ko. Agad naman kaming napalingon sa likod ng may narinig kaming parang nasusuka.
"Yuck! Stop your cheesiness, please!" parang nasusukang sabi ni Lenia.
"Eww! It's disgusting!" sabi naman ni Gary.
I smirked.
"Wow, coming from the both of you!" singhal ni Athena sa kanilang dalawa. Nakitawa lang naman si Joan sa mga boys habang napasibangot yung dalawa.
"Hmp!" sabay nilang sabi tsaka kami tinalikuran. Naglakad sila papuntang table at umupo. Nagsi-upuan narin naman sila Michael kaya iginaya ko na rin si Athena sa kaniyang upuan.
I pulled the chair out and help her sit. "Mark naman! Walang bali sa buto si Jade! Geez!" Lenia said before she acted like vomiting. Binelatan naman siya ni Athena. "You're just jealous." my love said.
Hindi sumagot si Lenia ng lumapit si Brent sa kaniya. "Nagseselos ka sa kanila? Don't be. Andito naman ako eh." sabi niya sabay kindat. Gulat namang tumingin sa kaniya si Lenia.
This bastard.
"W-What?" she answered. Brent just smirked bago bumalik sa kaniyang upuan while Lenia looked like struck.
"They look delicious!" napalingon ako kay Athena ng magsalita siya. Kumikinang ang mata niya na nakatingin sa mga inihain ko. I really hope she will like them.
Nagsimula na silang kumain habang ako ay nakatitig lang kay Athena. She looks so innocent. Gone the savage and fierce Athena.
My Athena.
I was facing her while my chin is resting in my palm. Then suddenly, she looked at me. "Why aren't you eating?" kunot noong tanong niya. "Don't mind me. Just looking at you makes me satisfied already." I answered without even breaking the eye contact.
Her face grimaced. "No! You still should eat." I chuckled. "Love, I'm really fine. I made all of this for you so you should enjoy them." she rolled her eyes.
"Na-ah. Here. Say ahh." I was caught off-guard when she raised the spoon near my mouth. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong i-react. But one thing is for sure. My whole system is reacting. "C'mon, love! Nangangalay na ako." wala na akong nagawa kundi ang isubo kung ano man ang nandoon sa kutsarang yun.
Damn it! She...She's really something.
"So? How was it?" she asked. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. "Shouldn't I be the one who's asking that?" tanong ko. A mischievous smile creeps into her lips until it turns to small laugh. "No need to ask. Natikman mo na rin naman and I know that you already know the answer to that question," she answered and then she smirked. "Your my sexy chef and everything you cook tastes impressive!" she added and thumbs up. I make a small laugh. God! My Athena will really give me a heart attack. Literally.
An hour passed until we finish eating. Ang dami kasing daldal ng mga kasama ko. Lalo na si Brent at Christian and that's not new.
Nanonood sa sala sila Michael while Athena is cleaning the dishes. Tinutulungan ko siyang maglipat ng mga plato sa lababo at news flash! Walang natira sa niluto ko. Mga patay gutom talaga.
Athena was washing the dishes habang nasa gilid ako at tinitignan siya. She's perfect! My first impression on her was harsh. Akala ko hindi niya alam ang gawaing bahay but seeing her now proves that I was wrong.
Ano ba ang hindi kayang gawin ng aking fianceé? Maybe nothing.
I blinked multiple times when she suddenly spoked. "Why are you staring at me like that? May dumi ba ako sa mukha?" nakakunot ang noong tanong niya. I smile and shake my head. "Wala. You're just so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off of you." I whispered.
Nanlaki ang mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin. I chuckled when she blush but because of the soap on her hands, hindi niya ito nagawang itago mula sa akin. Umiwas siya ng tingin at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.
Unti unti naman na siyang kumalma at nawala na ang pagkapula ng kaniyang mukha. I was smiling like an idiot while still staring at her.
Then a sudden urge tells me to hug her. From behind. So that what I did. I hug her from behind and I rest my chin on her shoulder.
She froze but she didn't push me away. Walang nagsalita sa aming parehas. She's not moving, nakatayo lang siya. Too rigid. I close my eyes as I whispered something on her ear. "Breath, Athena." then she inhales and deep exhales.
Yakap yakap ko siya. Tinagilid niya ng unti ang kaniyang ulo para maipatong ko ng maayos ang mukha ko sa kaniyang balikat. "A-Aren't we t-too close?" she stammered. I smiled. "I already kissed you, my love. Is kissing not close?" halata ang pagkapilyo sa boses ko.
"Baliw." she answered making me chuckled. Then I speak. "Baliw sayo? Oo na oo."
She again froze in her place. But that doesn't even last for ten seconds because she immediately looked at my direction. Making my face too close to her lips. Hinarap ko rin sa kaniya ang mukha ko as we stared at each other's eyes.
"Athena?"
"Y-Yes?"
I didn't speak. Parang biglang nagblack out ang utak ko. There are hundred words I want to say but nothing came out of my mouth.
"Cyril, ano yun?" she asked. Umiling ako. "It's nothing. Just wash the dishes as I hug you from behind, love." I whispered. Alanganin siyang tumango at pinagpatuloy ang paghuhugas ng pinggan.
As I close my eyes and our memories came to my mind, my heart suddenly pounds fast and erratic.
Damn it! Isn't it too early for that?
ATHENA
Nagpaalam na sila para umuwi. Masyado na rin kasing late at may biyahe pa kami bukas. At pagod na rin kami ni Cyril.
To tell the truth, I really appreciated what Cyril did today. He cooked, he surprised me and he made every moment a while ago special. I never felt that overwhelming emotion before. Pag naiisip ko yung ginawa niya kanina, hindi ko parin maiwasang kiligin. Sino bang hindi, diba!? He managed to make me special at that very moment.
I was in my bed, busy reading when my phone suddenly beeped.
'Are you asleep?' it was Cyril.
'Not yet. Ikaw? Bat gising ka pa?'
'Can't sleep. Still thinking of you.'
Geez!! His cheesiness again is on mood.
'Ang baduy mo! It's already late, matulog ka na.'
'You too. Don't stay late at night, love.'
'Okay. Have a good sleep and dream.'
I closed my book before I read his message. 'Dream of you? It will be surely good.' Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kung i-reply kaya hindi na ako nagreply pabalik. We won't probably sleep kung magrereply pa ako. Knowing him, magrereply din siya pabalik.
Binaba ko ang phone ko sa side table at humiga na sa kama. I turn my lampshade off and I close my eyes. Plano ko na sanang matulog when my phone suddenly beeped again, this time, my calling ringtone.
"Cyril talaga!" yung lalaking yun talaga! Pinapatulog na ako tapos ngayon tatawag tawag. Hays!
I picked up my phone and was about to answer it but my heart stopped when I saw an unregistered number on the screen of it. Imposibleng si Cyril ang tumatawag because his number is registered on my phone. Imposible ring sila Lenia or Brent ito dahil nakaregister din ang number nila. Same on my parents.
Who's this?
Nagdadalawang isip pa ko kung sasagutin ko ba 'to o hindi ng tumigil ito sa pagri-ring. I stared at my phone's screen at halos maibato ko ito ng biglang tumunog ulit and same number came out calling.
Kahit kinakabahan ay sinagot ko ang tumatawag. My hands were shaking but I manage to make my voice sounds normal. "Who's this?" no one answered. Nasa tapat parin ng tenga ko ang phone ko at hinihintay kung may magsasalita ba pero halos isang minuto na ang lumipas, wala paring nagsalita.
Is this a prank or what?!
Dahil sa naisip kung baka prina-prank lang ako ng mga kaibigan ko ay bigla akong nainis. "Who are you? If this is a prank, you should stop it! This is not even funny! Damn it!" sabi ko sa kung sino mang nasa kabilang linya.
I was planning to turn it off when I heard a sudden sound on it. A creepy laugh. Pakiramdam ko ay nagsitayuan lahat ng balahibo ko sa katawan dahil sa narinig ko. A very horror-sound laugh.
Halos mahulog mula sa kamay ko ang phone dahil sa panginginig nito. I wasn't thinking straight when someone speaks. It came from the phone.
"Have a good night sleep, my dear Athena."