Episode 10: Dolce & Gabbana

Episode 10: Dolce & Gabbana

June 11, 20xx

Pagkatapos ng brunch sa outdoor dining room ng magarang mansyon ng Pamilya Marquesa ay kaagad na pumanhik sa kanyang kwarto ang trese anyos na si Queen upang mag-ayos. Nabalitaan niya kasing nakauwi na kahapon ang kaibigang si Rum mula sa London. Kasalukuyang bakasyon kasi sa Europa kaya umuwi na ang katorse anyos na binata.

She wore her newly bought Dolce & Gabbana peach terno. Ang top ay halter style na crop top at high rise midi skirt naman ang ternong pang-ibaba nito. She put some makeup that highlighted her already beautiful features. She puckered her lips in front of the mirror and just let her long brown straight hair down. She slipped her Prada platform sandals on her feet.
She sprayed the Chanel Perfume Grand Extrait on her neck and wrists then took her Kate Spade saddle sling bag. After putting her Cartier Love Bracelet, the walking luxury brand, was off to go.

Excited na siyang makita si Rum.

Pinahinto ni Queen ang sasakyan nang makita niya si Rum sa nadaanang flower market. Sentosa was known for its abundant flowers and beautiful beaches.

Isinara ni Queen ang pintuan ng backseat ng kanilang Cadillac nang siya ay makababa. Mga ilang metro na lang ang layo niya sa bintana nang huminto siya at pinagmasdan ito.

Rum chuckled lightly at the old lady who was handing him a bouquet of gardenias. Muling tinukso ng tindera ang binata kaya napangiti ito. Nang makuha ni Rum ang bouquet ay inamoy niya iyon at siya ay napangiti ulit.

Queen was just watching him from afar. She obviously missed him. Kahit sa simpleng puting t-shirt at maong ay tila hindi nagawang bawasan ng mga iyon ang taglay na kagandahan ng binata.

Yes, Rum's not just handsome. He's beautiful for Queen in both inside and out.

"Rum!" she called him.

Napabaling sa kanya ang binata at kaagad itong napangiti sa tuwa nang makita siya. Queen rushed to him and hugged him. She couldn't hide it anymore how she missed him so much. Rum chuckled and hugged her tighter. Lumukso ang puso ni Queen sa tuwa.

"I missed you," she whispered.

Rum smiled at that. "Na-miss din kita."

Nag-angat ng tingin si Queen sa binata at naabutan niyang banayad itong nakangiti sa kanya. Binuwag ng dalaga ang yakapan nila nang mapansin ang bulaklak na dala nito.

"That's beautiful," puna ni Queen sa hawak nito.

"Sana magustuhan niya."

Queen looked at him as he lovingly stared at the bouquet. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"For whom?" she asked.

"Kay Dahlia. Dadalaw ako sa kanila ngayon."

Natigilan si Queen.

Dahlia.

The daughter of the caretaker of one of the lands owned by the Sandros.

"You like her?"

Queen felt the fang of pain surging through her chest when he looked at her and nodded smilingly. It's the kind of smile that will surely tell anybody that someone's in love.

"So... Nililigawan mo siya?" Queen tried her best to hide that she's hurting.

Napawi ang ngiti ni Rum nang mapansin ang pagkislap ng mga mata ni Queen dahil sa nagbabadyang luha. Mabilis namang nag-iwas ng tingin ang dalaga.

Rum closed his eyes for a second and sighed then opened them. He doesn't want to lie to her.

"Sinagot na niya ako, Queen."

                 • • • QUEEN • • •

WHILE WE WERE having our dinner, Rum was still persistent in consoling us after his and Cara's kissing scene at the basement.

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kubyertos nang maalala na naman iyon.

That bitch!

If I had known that she'd do that, I will gladly send her off with a twin slap on the face.

"Tutti, marami pa itong niluto kong beef steak. Kuha ka pa," alok ni Rum dito.

Tutti narrowed her eyes into slits while looking at the food. Puno pa ang bibig niya habang nakatitig nang masama roon.

Kagaya ko ay ramdam kong nagtatampo rin siya sa stepbrother niya. Pero dahil marupok ang gaga pagdating sa pagkain ay bumibigay din ito sa mga suyo nito sa kanya.

Umirap si Tutti pero inabot din ang inaalok na ulam ni Rum at kumuha roon nang marami. She asked Snow to return it to Rum then she continued eating.

"Gusto mo pa, Queen?" baling naman ni Rum sa akin sabay alok ng ulam na hawak.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Nginitian lang niya ako, sinusubukang palubagin ang loob ko.

"I'm full," tipid kong sagot sa kanya.

He sighed defeatedly. Bagsak din ang balikat niya sa kabiguan.

"Paano ba ako makakabawi sa inyo? Just tell me, okay," mahina niyang saad.

Biglang sumagi sa isip ko ang sinabi niyang sasabihin niya sa amin ang lahat tungkol sa pagkakapili namin bilang parte ng funeral crew pagkatapos ng funeral ni Cara.

Binalingan ko siya kaya tumitig din siya sa akin. "Discuss the reasons why we were chosen to run this funeral home."

NAGTITIPON KAMI NGAYON sa opisina ni Rum dahil pumayag na siyang ipaliwanag sa amin ang lahat. Nakapantulog na kami dahil maghahanda na sanang magpahinga pagkatapos nito.

Rum sat behind his table while the other four of us were seated at the couch facing him. Hinila ito ni Dean kanina palapit kay Rum.

"I want you to listen carefully," he reminded us.

"I know it wasn't true that we were chosen because we were the only ones who passed the exam Yorme made as an excuse. Kay Dean pa lang, duda na ako," I blurted out.

"Wow, hiyang-hiya naman ako sa'yo," he chided beside me.

"You should really be," I responded with an equal tone of mockery.

"Okay, calm down, calm down. Magsisimula na ako," pigil ni Rum sa amin.

He opened an old scroll and stretched it across the top of his table.

"What's that?" si Tutti.

"This scroll shows the seven hells. Maraming version nito sa iba't ibang kultura. After their death, souls go through the seven hells and experience the corresponding trials in each. The seven hells are namely the hell of murder, violence, lust, indolence, deceit, betrayal, and filial impiety. They will be judged on what kind of life they will be living once they are reborn based on how they faced these challenges," panimula ni Rum.

"Kadalasan base sa mga napagdaanan ng mga kaluluwa noong sila ay nabubuhay pa ang mga pagsubok na kahaharapin nila. When I say trial, I really meant it to be your appearance at the judicial court in order to be examined. May mga husgado na magre-review nang naging buhay mo sa bawat hell. You have to defend yourself then."

Nagtaas naman ng kamay si Tutti kaya nahinto sa pagpapaliwanag si Rum.

"Akala ko ba kapag hinahatid na natin ang mga kaluluwa sa basement ay si Charon na ang magdadala sa kanila sa afterlife kung saan sila ma-re-reborn?"

"Totoong hinahatid sila ni Charon sa gate ng afterlife at sa likod no'n naghihintay ang pitong impyerno kung saan magsisimula ang totoong paglalakbay nila tungo sa muling pagkakasilang," he explained.

Tumango-tango si Tutti at nakinig ulit.

"Pagkatapos ihatid ni Charon ang mga kaluluwa ay ang mga grim reapers na tinatawag na guardians ng afterlife na ang gagabay sa kanila. They will guide, escort, protect, and defend the souls assigned to them all throughout their journey to the seven hells until the final verdict is given before they are reborn."

"Makapangyarihan ang mga grim reapers na ito dahil hindi rin pangkaraniwan ang lahat ng mga kakaharapin nila habang ginagabayan ang mga kaluluwa. They are facing the deities of each hell and their divine subordinates."

"Anong kinalaman no'n sa pagpili sa atin?" sansala naman ni Dean.

Napairap ako. Hindi ba pwedeng patapusin muna nila si Rum?

At least, Snow's intently listening.

"These guardians swore fealty to God to serve the souls in exchange of being reborn after a hundred years."

Isa-isa kaming tiningnan ni Rum.

Mio. Dio.

Don't tell me we are one of these guardian's reincarnation.

"Si Dr. Maleficia Portofino ay isa sa mga reborn guardians," he disclosed.

Natahimik kaming lahat. I looked at them one by one. Bawat isa sa amin ay naguguluhan.

"Reincarnation din ba tayo ng mga guardians?" tanong na ni Snow nang hindi na siya makatiis sa pag-oobserba.

"Hindi, Snow." He smiled.

Dean groaned. "Rum, ang haba-haba ng kwento mo tapos hindi naman pala masasago-"

"But one or both of our parents are," Rum cut him off with that revelation.

My always busy dad?

My shopaholic mom?

I laughed and exclaimed, "Really?!"

"Yes. Actually, many people have reborn guardians as parents pero karamihan sa kanila ay nakakalimutan na ang naging tungkulin nila sa nakaraang buhay. In other words, they lived a normal mortal life," he gravely retorted.

"However, there are some guardians who are too powerful that the reincarnation process wasn't enough to remove their memories and abilities completely. My father remembered everything so he taught me things," pag-amin ni Rum.

Napakurap ako.

Governor Sebastian Sandros was a reborn guardian?

"Si Gov?" Tutti repeated in utter surprise. Rum nodded.

She laughed without humor.

"Don't tell me it's my mother," bulong niya.

"The shotgun was your father's heirloom, wasn't it?"

Tumango si Tutti sa tanong ni Rum.

"It was his weapon when he was a guardian. Marahil ay nagawa niyang i-summon ulit 'yan mula sa afterlife. The trick of keeping and summoning the shotgun which you did prove likewise."

"Naguguluhan ako, tol. So, ano talaga tayo?" sabat ni Dean sa usapan.

"Kami tao, ikaw impakto," natatawang tukso ni Tutti sa kanya.

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Dean. "Fuck you, kutong-lupa."

"Language, Dean," saway ni Rum sa kanya.

"We are guardians as well, second-blood guardians. Our parents are the first-bloods," habol ni Rum.

"Kung guardian din si Dr. Mal ay ibig sabihin ba no'n guardian din si Yorme?" naguguluhang tanong ni Snow.

"Some offsprings of the reborn guardians do not inherit their abilities. Prof. David and Goliath are examples. Kaya sa atin inihabilin ni Dr. Mal at ibinigay ni Prof. David ang funeral home na ito. It is because they knew we are capable of handling beasts."

"How did she know that our parents are reborn guardians?" I asked.

"She remembered them. Natatandaan ko noong bata pa ako na lagi kaming binibisita ni Dr. Mal sa bahay. I honestly knew everything since I was young."

"Kung may weapon ka na at si Tutti, meron din ba kami?" tanong ni Dean. Tumango si Rum.

"Guguluhin ko mamaya si daddy tungkol sa weapon niya," excited na usal ni Dean.

"But Dean, you have to know that some reborn guardians may remember their past but they cannot summon their weapons again."

"So, ano nang gagawin namin?"

"That's why Prof. David wanted us to train with Ms. Ferrer who is also a beast that can clone herself. Tutulungan niya tayong pumili ng mga weapons natin at i-summon ang mga iyon."

Nagulat kaming lahat pero mas pinili naming manahimik hanggang sa nagtanong ulit si Dean.

"Ilan ba ang weapons ng bawat isa sa atin? Bakit tatlo sa'yo, Rum?"

Rum sighed and said, "Some second-bloods are called gifteds. Iba-iba ang kaya nilang gawin at sa kaso ko ay kaya kong mag-summon ng tatlong weapons."

"Talaga? Anu-anong mga weapons mo, Rum?" Nangingislap sa excitement ang mga mata ni Tutti.

"Lasso, katana, and a Colt."

Tahimik na napa- 'wow' si Tutti at manghang sumandal sa couch.

"Rum, alam mo ba kung sino sa mga magulang namin ang guardians?" tanong ni Snow na inilingan naman ni Rum.

"Sila lang ang makakasagot niyan, Snow. Pero naiintindihan ko kung bakit inilihim nila ito sa inyo. Alam at ramdam kong gusto nila kayong bigyan nang tahimik at normal na buhay," nakangiting sagot ni Rum sa kanya.

Nakatitig si Snow kay Rum hanggang sa napayuko siya at namula. I rolled my eyes, clapped my hands to get their attention, and stood up.

"I guess that answers all of our queries. I'm going to sleep now," I announced and made my exit.

"Sige na at magpahinga na kayo. Have a good night sleep, everyone," ani Rum.

THE GIRLS AND I had our fair share of rest the whole day of Wednesday. We do not have class unlike the two males. Tutti and I slept from noon until near sunset. Si Snow lang ata ang may nagagawang something productive. Nakapaglinis na siya, laba saka luto ng hapunan nang magising kami.

Nang dumating ang mga lalaki ay pinagsaluhan na namin ang lutong sinigang na baboy ni Snow. Pagkatapos no'n ay naglinis na sila ng mga pinagkainan saka nagpahinga na kami.

Maaga kaming nagising dahil may training kami kay Ms. Ferrer. Rum said she will be helping us in choosing our weapons and in using them. I wonder what would be mine.

Wearing our PE uniforms, we readied ourselves for today's training. Pinupusod ni Snow ang buhok niya. Tutti's also tying her hair in a high bun. Sinikop ko na rin ang buhok ko at tinali pa-loose ponytail.

We don't know what we will be doing yet. Hula ko ay may kinalaman ang mataas na mesang lebel sa bibig ko at ang isang barahang naroroon sa gagawin namin ngayon. May nakapaikot ding mukhang mga alambre roon na may nakasuportang mga tila metal rod. Dalawang set iyon. Isa sa kanan tapos sa kaliwa rin.

Ms. Ferrer emerged from the corner with her clipboard and I noticed the four torn pieces of paper clipped in front of it.

"Good morning, class. Sa araw na ito ay susukatin natin ang diskarte niyo. You see that table over there? Kailangan niyong kunin ang barahang nandoon gamit lamang ang inyong mga paa. This activity will be done by pair. Sandros will not be joining us for today. I chose him because there's no need for a gifted to prove himself," anunsyo ni Ms. Ferrer na nakangisi.

She knew that we knew something already. Kaya pala masyado siyang makahulugan kung magsalita minsan. Ito pala ang ibig sabihin niya.

She laid down her clipboard on the bleachers and took the pieces of paper from it then she rolled them one by one. She assigned Rum to pick for the partners. Rum picked two pieces and unrolled them. He turned towards us and smiled.

"Marquesa and Vega."

"That would mean that Raj and Wade are partners," paglilinaw ni Ms. Ferrer.

Sinulyapan ko sina Dean at Snow na tinutungo na ang pwesto nila. Masama ang timpla ng mukha ni Dean. Si Snow naman nakayuko at kagat-labi.

I smirked then turned to Tutti. She was slightly jumping from where she was standing. She's shifting the weights of the balls of her heels from one to the other.

"Sinong gagawa sa atin, Queen?" excited niyang tanong.

Napatingin ako sa biyas niya.

Masyadong maliit.

"I'll do it. Your legs are too short to reach that table."

Dismayado siyang napanguso at padabog na nagmartsa paupo sa bleachers katabi ni Rum.

She was sulking not because she will not be doing the activity but because I called her short.

Saglit kong binalingan sina Dean. Siya ang gagawa ng activity. Si Snow nakatayo sa likuran niya at maiging nanonood sa kanya.

Malaki ang lamang ng grupo nila sa amin. I sighed, already imagining our defeat.

Nilingon ko ang pwesto nina Rum. Natigil siya sa pagbulong sa nakasimangot at halukipkip na si Tutti upang ngitian ako. He was cheering me up.

I can do this.

Nilapitan ko ang lamesa at itinaas ang aking mga paa upang subukang abutin ang baraha mula roon. Napasigaw ako nang makuryente ako pagtama ng binti ko roon sa mga alambre.

"Stronzo!"

Mabilis akong lumayo roon at sinamaan ng tingin si Ms. Ferrer.

"Queen, ayos ka lang?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Rum na nakatayo na sa bleachers.

"What the fuck was that?!" Dean angrily and confusedly exclaimed.

"Dean, ayos ka lang?" tanong din ni Rum sa kanya.

Mukhang pati siya ay nakuryente rin.

"Well, that's part of the challenge." Ms. Ferrer shrugged her shoulders.

"Ms. Ferrer, hindi po kaya masyadong delikado ang activity na 'to?" Kalmado ngunit nag-aalala pa rin ang boses ni Rum.

"There are beasts out there who are more dangerous than this. Walang-wala ang training na 'to kung haharapin niyo na sila," she told us.

Tumango si Rum at tahimik na naupo ulit.

"Diskarte ang kailangan dito at hindi lakas. You guys have to strategize first," paalala ni Rum sa amin.

He's right. I looked at Dean when I heard his muffled sounds. Sinusubukan niya ulit na kunin ang baraha pero lagi siyang napapaatras tuwing nakukuryente. Pero alam ko ang ginagawa niya. Sinasanay niya ang sarili roon. The consistent electric shock might numb his body kaya paulit-ulit niyang iniinda iyon.

Dean had trained so much in the military since he was young. His father hadn't left and wasn't even dismissed from his high rank post ever since because of his great leadership. Kaya hindi maitatangging malakas talaga si Dean.

"Dean, tama na. Susubukan ko naman," mahinang alok ni Snow na nababahala sa ginagawa ng dating nobyo.

"Stay the fuck right there!" galit na sigaw ni Dean dito.

"Sorry." Napayuko si Snow at nag-fidget ng mga daliri.

Habang pinapanood sila ay napagtanto kong ito ang diskarte ni Dean. Ano nang gagawin ko?

I'm not as strong as Dean and my body would probably faint even before it gets numb by the electric shock.

Matatalo kami.

Napabaling ako kay Tutti na nagtatanggal ng sapatos. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Nagtatanggal ng sapatos. Paano natin makukuha iyong baraha kung naka-sapatos tayo?" aniya.

Si Dean ay natigilan din nang marinig iyon at natanto kung gaano kami ka bobo sa sitwasyong 'yon.

I rolled my eyes. Nakakabobo naman kasi talaga 'to.

Lumayo muna si Dean doon sa lamesa upang maghubad ng sapatos. Nang matapos si Tutti ay tumayo siya at tumalon-talon.

"Ako naman susubok," sabi niya.

"You sure? You can't reach that table with your legs."

She turned to me and winked. "Watch me."

Tumakbo si Tutti papunta sa may dulo ng gym at tumakbo rin pabalik sa dating pwesto saka inunat ang mga braso niya paangat na naka-high v tapos ang kanang paa niya ay bahagyang nakaangat din sa lupa nang huminto siya isang metro ang layo mula sa lamesa.

I think I already know what she's about to do.

At tu-mambling nga siya pero iyong mga paa niya ay nanatili sa ere samantalang ang mga palad naman niya ang nagsisilbing mga paa niya. Naglakad siya palapit sa may lamesa gamit ang mga iyon.

My jaw slightly opened at the scene that unfolded before me. Maging si Ma'am Ferrer ay batid kong nagulat.

"What the fuck?" ‘di-makapaniwalang bulong ni Dean habang pinapanood nila ni Snow si Tutti.

When they said that Tutti was skillful, I thought it was just a normal, a simple, mediocre skillful. The kind that can impressively do any forms of art, hack into anyone's personal computer, and possess hands apt for stealing.

I am now convinced that she wasn't a mediocre skillful.

She's an exceptional skillful.

She bended her knees and slightly lowered her head on the floor to reach for the card. She flipped the card in the air using her big toe and quickly caught it in between her big toe and the one next to it. Hindi man lang niya nasanggi ang nangunguryenteng alambre kahit pa nakatalikod siya nang kunin ang baraha.

Inangat niyang muli ang mga paa sa ere at lumayo roon. She bended the leg where the card was and took it from there using her right hand. Nagulat na naman ako dahil hindi siya natumba kahit isang kamay lang ang nakasuporta sa buong katawan niya.

Then, she stood up, walked her way towards Ms. Ferrer, and handed the card to the still shocked instructor.

"Panalo po kami. May premyo po ba? Tumatanggap po ako nang takuyaki." She smiled at the instructor.

"Paano niya nagawa 'yon?" Nagpailing-iling si Dean at nagmartsa na palapit kay Rum na nakatingin sa kawalan.

"Rum, ayos ka lang?" marahang tanong ni Snow habang hinahawakan ang kamay ni Rum.

Napatingin si Rum sa kamay nilang magkahawak nang ilang saglit bago siya nag-angat ng tingin kay Snow.

"Did I miss out anything?" he asked, sinubukan niyang ngumiti upang mabawasan ang pagkabahala sa tono niya.

Lumapit ako sa kanila.

"Did you drink your meds?" I asked him.

Sinapo ni Rum ang ulo gamit ang kanang kamay at napapikit. Napaupo si Snow sa tabi niya, nag-aalala pa rin. Nakaramdam ako ng inis bigla.

"I forgot the other one," he admitted.

"Where is it?" tanong ko at hinalughog ang kanyang bag.

Kinuha niya iyon sa loobang bulsa ng bag at ininom. Inabot ko sa kanya ang bote ng tubig ko. Nginitian niya ako nang tanggapin niya iyon.

"Ayos ka na, Rum? Anong nangyari?" si Snow ulit.

Rum shook his head and smiled at her for assurance that he was fine now. Binalingan ako ni Rum.

"Thank you. Bibili na lang ako ng bagong tubig para sa'yo paglabas natin," aniya.

Mabilis kong inagaw sa kanya ang plastic bottle. Nagulat siya roon.

"It's fine, Rum. You should not forget about your meds next time."

"I'm sorry," he whispered and looked away. Pansin kong hawak-hawak niya ang silver bangle niya.

"Bro, paano mo maaalagaan ang mga anak mo kung ikaw mismo may dinaramdam?" biro ni Dean sabay akbay kay Rum.

"I'm sorry," mahinang sabi niya.

I softened at the thought of him taking care of us almost all of the time. Did he overlook his own health?

"Please do not forget to take care of your own health. Please," I stated, almost sounding a plea.

He smiled at me and nodded. Binitiwan na rin siya ni Dean.

"What's happening here?" tanong nang kalalapit lang na si Tutti.

"Rum," tawag niya sa stepbrother niya.

"It's nothing." Rum smiled to assure her. Then, he took her backpack from down the bleacher and handed it to her.

Inabot ni Tutti ang backpack niya saka niyakap iyon. "Sigurado ka?"

Rum smiled again and ruffled her hair.

•|• Illinoisdewriter •|•

A/N:

Hi, everyone! Nabuo ko na ang plot nito sa isip ko and I had finally decided what will be its twists and ending. After moments of pondering, I told myself this will have a book two. I hope you could still support this story until then. Kulang na lang talaga ang pagsusulat ng mga iyon kaya gagawin ko ang best ko to give faster updates.

Admittedly, mahal na mahal ko ang Mystic Club but this story is my most favorite so far. I just couldn't get enough of the Charmings. I hope you will give me a chance to share why I hold this very dearly inside my heart.

If you noticed also, I flagged this story under Mature Content. Beast Charmings is way more violent, mature, and realistic than Mystic Club and it's something else.

Guys, this will be a reminder before we proceed to the succeeding chapters. I want you to read them in your own discretion because I will going to be more explicit in revealing some of the things (horrible things) that are actually happening in our society. Sayonara!

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