#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

A/N:Hi guys! Announce ko lang na sa July 7 na ang ang start ng pre-order ng pambansang chihuahua ng Dagger a.k.a. Trace Dawson at ang minalas na pinadala sa kaniya ng universe na si Ember ♡ First 50 to order Dagger Series #5: Unbowed will receive a customized Anpanget coaster ♡

You can view the link that I posted sa profile account ko rito sa Wattpad para mabasa niyo ang iba pang details regarding sa book at para makita niyo rin ang list ng freebies ♡ The book release will be in September, and it will be launched during the Manila International Book Fair. Thank you, BHOCAMPERS. See you! ♡

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: CURRENT

CIRCE'S POV

Napatawa na lang ako nang sa hindi na mabilang na ilang beses ay mga napapahinto at napapatingin kay Kaise at Domino. Karga ng lalaki ang bata at parehas silang nakanganga habang nakatunganga sa taong gumagawa ng donuts na binili nila.

Hindi lang kasi ang cute nila tignan habang parang amaze na amaze sila sa babaeng nagpiprito ng mini donuts kundi dahil na rin sa suot nilang dalawa na headbands. They're both wearing a Baby Shark hair accessory. Suot ni Domino ang kulay asul na headband ni Kaise at ang bata naman ay suot ang dilaw.

It's been four days since we arrived in Batangas. Four days have passed since Coal rocked my world, and his sisters-in-law did the same in a different way the next morning. Four days that I haven't really talked to him about us because I became busy settling with Kaise in our new surroundings. And too occupied to talk because you were either under Coal's body or on top of him.

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko at tinutok kong muli ang atensyon ko kay Domino at Kaise. I got used to Coal's family member visiting us. We even got invited to go to Lia ang Gun's house in Tagaytay on the weekends.

Kaya nang basta na lang sumulpot si Domino kaninang umaga ay hindi na ako nagtaka. Since balak namin talaga ni Coal na lumabas at pumunta sa mall para naman makapag-grocery kami ay isinama na namin ang kapatid niya na willing namang sumama.

"Ang cute no'ng magtatay," narinig kong bulong ng isa sa dalawang estudyante na napadaan.

I looked at Coal and I tried to swallow down my laughter. Naniningkit ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin kay Domino na hindi ko sigurado kung talagang nalilibang lang sa pinapanood o nararamdaman ang tingin niya pero iniignora siya.

"I'm going to rip that headband out of his head and I'm not going to mind pulling some hair out," Coal grumbled.

I patted his arm comfortingly. "He's the cool uncle. Pagbigyan mo na."

"They're mistaking him as her father."

Someone's jealous. "Okay lang 'yan. At least alam kong ikaw ang tatay kasi kasama kita no'ng ginawa ko si Kaise." Coal's lips parted, and I chuckled when I saw his eyes glaze over. Hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya pero siniko ko lang siya. "Kumalma ka."

"It's your fault. You mentioned one of my favorite nights."

"One?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "What's in the top five?"

"Every night that I had with you and Kaise."

I rolled my eyes. "Well played, Dawson."

"Can I get a kiss as a prize then?"

"Kung kaya mong paalisin lahat ng tao sa mall na 'to."

Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. "Are you challenging me?"

Napalunok ako sa naging tanong niya. I don't put it above him to pull the fire alarm just to win a bet. "Nope." Inabot ko ang kuwelyo ng suot niya na shirt, at hinatak ko siya pababa kasabay nang pagtingkayad ko para halikan ang pisngi niya. His lips pursed a little, which I know is his telltale sign that he's sulking. "Mamaya na 'yung rated 18. Makuntento ka sa G rating muna."

"Fine," he muttered.

Our attention went to the two when they both made a "yay" sound. Ilang sandali lang ay lumapit sila sa amin dala ang isang maliit na puting paper bag na naglalaman ng fried donuts.

"Saan tayo susunod na pupunta?" tanong ni Domino na binuksan ang paper bag pagkatapos alug-alugin ng matagal para bawasan ang init niyon. Kaise dipped her hand inside to get a donut. She feeds it to Domino first before she gets another for herself. May bago ng favorite. Hindi man lang kami inalok.

"Grocery ang pinunta namin pero ikaw 'tong ang daming stop over," naniningkit ang mga matang sabi ni Coal.

Lahat na lang kasi ata ng stall na madaanan ay hinihintuan ni Domino. I wouldn't be surprised if Kaise would be asleep on the way home with all the sugar she ate today. I didn't mind. Minsan lang naman.

"Gusto mo ng donut, Kuya? Parang mainit na ang ulo mo eh," nakangising tanong ni Domino. "Gusto mo subuan din kita?"

"Do you want me to bite your fingers off?"

Napapailing na kinuha ko si Kaise kay Domino at inupo ko siya sa stroller niya. Pagkatapos no'n ay kumuha ako ng donut at inabot ko 'yon sa bata. "Give it to daddy, babi." Nang kaagad inangat ni Kaise ang kamay niya sa direksyon ni Coal ay inilagay ko ang kamay ko sa bibig ko. "Say daddy gwapo," I staged whisper.

"Daddy gwapo."

Coal's face softened, and he took the donut Kaise was offering him. "Who do you love more, Kaise? Daddy or Tito Domino?"

I almost choked at his question. Give it to Coal to become petty when it comes to the adoration of his little girl. Isang tingin sa kaniya ay hindi mo iisipin na siya ang klase ng tao na magiging pikon dahil sa anak niya.

Kaise didn't delay her answer. "Mommy!"

Tuluyan na akong napahalakhak. Kinintalan ko ng halik si Kaise bago natatawang hinarap ko sina Coal at Domino.

Coal sighed in defeat. "I can't win against you."

"Give it time. She couldn't be bribed with donuts, but she could if there was a cookie involved."

"Eh ikaw?"

Pilit pinainosente ang ekspresyon sa mukha na tinuro ko ang sarili ko. "Me?"

"Sinong mas gusto mo? Ako o ang Augustin na 'yon?"

Poor French man. Parang hindi talaga siya makakalimutan ni Coal.

"Si Kaise," pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.

A rumble echoed in his chest, and his face darkened, but I wasn't even a bit alarmed by it. Inabot ko ang kamay niya, at hinila ko na siya para makapagsimula na kami sa paglalakad papunta sa grocery store. Sa likod namin ay nakasunod si Domino na tulak ang stroller ni Kaise.

"Who's Augustin?" tanong ko pagkaraan.

"What do you mean, who? You dated—"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "I only know the father of my babi Kaise. Unless the DNA test will show that Coal Dawson is not the father, then I don't know you as well."

Someone from Dagger named Sorcha, a young woman that works for their company, took our samples so that we could tick the DNA test off our list. It wasn't something Coal pushed us to have, but rather something that I wanted to be done. Hindi dahil may tanong ako sa bagay na iyon kundi dahil ayoko na maging issue 'yon later on. Though I highly doubt that.

Coal pulled me close to him, and he leaned down so that he could whisper at me. "You're going to pay for that later."

I rolled my eyes. "As if it's any punishment if it gives me an orgasm."

"And if that's what I decided not to give you?"

"That would be impossible since you love giving it to me the same way I love receiving it."

He narrowed his eyes at me, but I knew that I had won this round. I opened my mouth to gloat, but before I could do so, I stopped in my tracks when I felt something wet and warm between my legs. And it's certainly not an orgasm.

Kaagad nagbago ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Coal at napalitan iyon ng pag-aalala. "What?" I looked up at him, horrified at the reality, but I couldn't speak. "Baby, what?"

"I... I think my period arrived with horrible timing."

Nanatiling nakatingin lang siya sa akin ilang sandali. Before I could ask for the jacket he's wearing, he started to move, and he took it off. Siya na mismo ang nagpalibot no'n sa beywang ko at itinali niya iyon doon.

"Dom," he called his brother.

"Bakit, Kuya?"

"Ikaw muna kay Kaise." Tinuro ni Coal ang nadaanan namin na coffee shop. "Go there and buy her a cake or something. Hintayin niyo na lang kami."

Domino eyed the hoodie for a second, but he didn't ask, and he just nodded.

Hawak ang kamay ko na iginaya ako ni Coal papunta sa pinakamalapit na comfort room. "Do they have that machine thing inside the female comfort room where you can buy tissue and sanitary napkins?"

"I think so. Unless ubos na. I usually get irritation when I use those, though. Pero kung sandali lang naman, okay lang."

"No. Text me the brand, and I'll go to the grocery store. Siguradong meron doon." Nang akmang tatanggi ako ay huminto siya at hinalikan ako sa noo. "I told you. I love your pu—"

"Coal!"

He laughed lightly before tipping his chip up to point to my right. Bago ko pa matanong kung paano sa tingin niya ibibigay sa akin ang kailangan ko ay naglakad na siya paalis. Maybe he'll just text me. Alangan namang pasukin niya ako sa CR ng mga babae?

I went inside the comfort room, which thankfully wasn't full. Pumasok ako sa pinakadulong cubicle at binaba ko ang undies ko. I checked the dress I'm wearing, and I sighed in relief when it wasn't stained too much. Normal people have their periods gradually. Like water returning slowly after a drought. But not me. Iyong akin parang kapag pumuputok ang dam. Basta na lang bumubuhos.

I opened my crossbag and took out a bunch of wipes to clean the lid of the toilet before I sat down. Pagkatapos no'n ay tinext ko kay Coal ang brand na ginagamit ko.

Five minutes became ten, and ten became fifteen. Ano bang ginawa ng isang 'yon? Sa mismong factory pa ba siya ng napkin bumili?

Nasa ganoon akong isipin nang makarinig ako ng impit na tilian. Kasunod ng pamilyar na boses na ngayon ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa mga taong mukhang ginulat niya. "Sorry, sorry! I won't come in. Pero pwede ho bang makibigay nito sa asawa ko? Her name is Circe."

Suddenly, my period seemed to be the last of my worries. Mas mukhang kailangan kong alalahanin ang puso ko na bumilis bigla ang pagtibok. Asawa?

"Hello? Sino po rito si Circe?"

Tumayo ako at itinaas ko ang kamay ko para makita ako ng nagtatanong. "Here!"

A hand holding a large paper bag peeks from above. Nagpasalamat ako at kaagad kong kinuha iyon sa kaniya. Binili ba ni Coal lahat ng stock nila?

I opened the bag, and I found four packs of sanitary napkins inside. Hindi lang iyon ang laman no'n kundi pati kulay dilaw na casual jersey maxi dress, wipes, a new underwear, a box of heat relief patches, and a pack of Chips Ahoy.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko para mapigilan ko ang tawa na nais kumawala ro'n. I'm inside a mall's public comfort room, and he gave me cookies.

Giggling to myself, I quickly cleaned myself up and changed into my new dress. Nang matapos ako ay dala ang paper bag na lumabas na ako.

Muntik pa kaming magkagulatan ni Coal na naghihintay sa labas ng mismong pintuan ng pambabaeng CR. "I just had my period, Coal. I'm not going to die." Inabot ko ang kamay niya at pinisil ko iyon bago ko siya hinila paalis. "But thank you. I love the cookies."

"Let's buy some more. Bibili pa nga sana ako kaso iyong pinakamabilis na lane kailangan twelve and below lang ang pinamili."

Basta cookies ang usapan hindi ako tatanggi. "Paano mo nga pala natandaan kung ano ang size ko?" Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa suot ko. "It fits perfectly."

His eyes turned teasing, and a grin spread on his lips. "I memorized your body in a way that I should be a genius by now. You should give me a reward because I intend to graduate with honors."

"Stop turning me on when you can't do anything about it!" I hissed.

"Who said I couldn't?"

JUST LIKE expected, Kaise fell asleep instantly the moment we were inside the car. Hindi ko ng alang inaasahan na pati si Domino ay makakatulog. Kung sabagay parehas silang puro matatamis ang kinain.

When we arrived home, Domino carried Kaise to her bed, then he crashed on the floor of her room, where he's now taking a nap as well. Mukhang bukod sa sugar crash ay kulang din sa tulog ang isang 'yon.

I'm beginning to understand the Dawsons. Kahit na sabihing abala sila sa trabaho ay gumagawa sila ng paraan para bumisita paminsan-minsan. I think it's because they want to be in Kaise's life.

She wasn't like the other Dawson babies who grew up knowing them. She didn't know about their existence a month ago, and they're the same way too. Kaya siguro ay gusto nilang iparamdam sa anak namin ni Coal na nandiyan sila.

"Magpapalit muna ako ng damit tapos tutulungan kita," sabi ko kay Coal.

"I got this. Don't worry."

"I want to organize the cookies."

His lips tipped up. "Alright."

Iniwan ko na siya at naglakad ako papunta sa guest room. Kuwarto na hindi ko alam kung magagamit ko pa talaga. I've been staying in Coal's room for days, and he doesn't seem to show any indication that he wants me back in my own room. I actually tried that at kinatok niya lang ako sa balcony.

I have a feeling that if I insist on sleeping in the guest room, he will be in it too. But maybe I should sleep somewhere else. It's not like we're going to do anything tonight when I still have my period.

"Coal?" tawag ko sa kaniya nang nasa tapat na ako ng pintuan.

"Yeah?"

"Should I sleep in the guest—"

"No."

I chuckled. "Fine.

Pumasok na ako sa loob at kumuha ako ng komportableng damit. I went inside the bathroom and showered quickly before changing my clothes and my pad. When I went out, I was about to close the drawer that I left open when I noticed something. Dinala ko nga pala ang mga 'to.

Before Kaise and I left Siargao, I shoved all the letters I found in the mailbox inside my bag. That time kasi ay nagmamadali na kami.

Kinuha ko ang mga sobre para ilipat iyon kung saan makikita ko agad. Kailangan ko rin kasing i-check kung may para kay Tala at kung may bills pa ako na hindi nababayaran. Minsan kasi late silang magpadala ng email. Iyong mga app naman laging may system error.

I put the letters on top of the bedside table, but some of them fell to the ground. Kinuha ko ang mga iyon at sa pagtataka ko ay may nakita akong isang puti na sobre na may nakasulat na pangalan ko.

The envelope looked expensive, it smelled nice, and my name was stamped neatly on it. It looks like a wedding invitation.

Pero wala naman akong kilala na ikakasal.

Nagtataka man ay binuksan ko ang sulat. It took me awhile since it was adhered really well, and I don't want to ruin the envelope in case it's really a wedding invitation.

So it was far from what I expected when suddenly, a blast of black powder fell from the folded card. I coughed, trying to dislodge the contents that I accidentally inhaled.

Cold seeped right through me when I saw what was on the card. There wasn't much, but it was enough to put fear in me.

It has a cut-out picture of me with a piece of fabric twisted to look like a rope glued to my picture. It wouldn't mean anything except that the rope looks like a noose wrapped around my neck.

I started coughing loudly again, just in time for Coal to appear in my doorway. Kunot ang noo na pinagmasdan niya ako. "What's wrong?" His gaze dropped to the white carpet that now had black powder on it. "What's that?"

With my heart beating loudly, far different from what I usually experience when he's around, I turned the card I'm holding.

The way the change vibrated on Coal was something that he couldn't hide from. Not how he froze on the spot, how his eyes darkened, and how his hands clenched into fists. He eyed the black powder again before his gaze went up to meet mine.

When his voice tore up around the silence, bellowing his brother's name, I closed my eyes. Because I just know... I just know that there's another wave coming.

This time it's bigger, rougher, and more unpredictable.

A high-risk tide. A dangerous current.

_______________________End of Chapter 14.