#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: HEAL

DOMINO'S POV

"Olena will curse you and all of your descendants if I break my leg."

Domino chuckled in response. He tugged on the hand that he's holding, but I didn't budge from my seat. Kumapit pa ako sa pintuan para lalo niya akong hindi mahila palabas.

Nang sumakay kami ng sasakyan niya kanina ay pinagsuot niya ako ng blindfold. Even though I was confused, I did what he wanted out of curiosity. And let's just say I'm a little intrigued because a blindfold sounded... kinky. Which is in line with his "Dominoness" as Circe calls it.

Now that we arrived at whatever place he brought me into and I heard loud noises outside the car, I realized that my imagination is far from reality. So sue me that I was expecting that he's going to bring me to a place where he'll show me his wicked ways.

"I'll carry you."

"No." Nang maramdaman ko ang pagdaiti ng palad niya sa braso ko ay bahagya akong lumayo. "Fine. I'll walk."

I felt his hand on the top of my head when I leaned forward to exit the vehicle. Nang makatayo na ako ng maayos at narinig ko ang pagsarado ng pintuan ng kotse ay hinila niya ako palapit sa kaniya bago niya ako iginaya para magsimulang maglakad.

"Dapat nag-rubber shoes ka," sabi niya pagkaraan.

"Wala ka namang sinabi. Bakit? Papatakbuhin mo ba ako? You know, I've read something about that. Ngayon pa lang sasabihin ko na sa'yo, I don't like it. A sexual play where the dom makes the sub run and he'll hunt her? No thanks."

I felt his laughter before I heard it. May narinig ako na isa pang mahina na tawa at napasubsob ako sa leeg ni Domino nang ma-realize ko na may ibang nakarinig sa sinabi ko. Just because I can't see them doesn't mean that they're not there.

"Pasensya na, Miss. Kakanood niya iyan ng palabas habang wala siyang patnubay at gabay. Dapat talaga pang Disney lang ang pinapanood niya. Hyperactive kasi ang imagination nitong... asawa ko." That "asawa" thing again. "Promise harmless kami."

I wrinkled my nose at his dig. I know he's teasing me about my love for Disney movies. Maganda naman kasi ang palabas nila. I was on a plane once, and at that time, almost every passenger was watching Moana. Most of them were children, of course. I decided to watch it because I was curious. Pagkatapos no'n ay pinanood ko na rin ang iba pang Disney Princesses movies.

"Okay lang po. Ang cute niyo nga pong tignan. Bagay na bagay kayo. Sana all!"

Despite my humiliation, I couldn't help but smile at the woman's cheerfulness. Dapat bigyan siya ng boss niya ng raise. Sa panahon ngayon hindi na lang customer ang masungit kundi maging ang mga empleyado na rin sa iba't ibang mga establisyemento. Hindi naman sila masisisi minsan. Ang dami kasi talagang customer na kayang sirain ang araw mo.

"Narinig mo 'yon? Bagay daw tayo."

Nang sa tingin ko ay nakalayo na kami ng lakad ay sinagot ko ang sinabi niya. "Huwag kang maniwala masyado. Inuuto ka lang ni ate kasi gusto niyang magkaro'n ng benta." A smile teased the corner of my lips when he burst out laughing. "Anong binili mo sa kaniya?"

"Hindi ko mabibili eh."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Wala kang cash?"

"Meron."

"Kulang? May dala akong card. Pwede naman na ako muna ang magbayad."

"Paano kung kotse pala ang bibilhin ko?" may ngiti sa tono ng boses na tanong niya.

I pursed my lips a bit, thinking hard about his question. "One million ang limit ng card ko. If you need more, we need to go to the bank. Mas maliit ang limit ng cash withdrawal sa ATM."

He let me go, and he moved. It felt like he went around me. I found out I was right when he wrapped his arms around me and his hard chest touched my back.

"Pauutangin mo ako?" paniniguro niya.

"Oo naman."

"My Millie Mouse is loaded," he murmured.

Thrills run through my spine when his breath touches my sensitive ear. I cleared my throat and lifted my chin up. "Utang naman at hindi bigay. I know where to find you, so I'm not worried about you not paying me back." Despite being blindfolded, I lifted my head in the direction of his voice. The back of my head landed on his chest during the movement. "So? Do you need my card or not?"

Naramdaman ko ang paglapat ng mga labi niya sa noo ko pero hindi niya ako sinagot. Sa halip ay naramdaman ko ang pag-alis niya sa nakatakip sa mga mata ko.

It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. I could see the sun that stood high and proud all day, already setting, but its beauty wasn't the one that caught my attention.

"W-What?"

Naguguluhang inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. Lilingunin ko sana si Domino pero humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin at yumuko siya para ipatong ang baba niya sa balikat ko.

"Wala akong binibili kanina. Nagpakita lang ako ng identification kasi sarado sila dapat ngayon."

What greeted me the moment the blindfold was removed was the breathtaking sight of a theme park. It's situated in a location that has one of the greatest views of the beauty of Tagaytay. Different kinds of rides are stretched out before us. Sa kabila ng kawalan ng mga tao ay tanaw ko ang ilang mga empleyado na mukhang naghihintay sa amin.

Sigurado akong hindi pa sila dapat sarado. Walang theme park ang nagsasarado ng maaga. Some attractions are even better to enjoy at night. Kaya nakakapagtakang walang katao-tao sa lugar maliban na lang sa amin at mga empleyado.

"What did you do?" I whispered.

"I'm friends with the owner. Dapat bukas pa sila magbubukas. I called her this morning to ask her to schedule us for a visit since I wanted to coordinate with her regarding your security. Sigurado kasing maraming tao kahit na anong araw pa tayo pumunta. But she told me that there would be routine maintenance today and that we could come here in the evening."

Kumawala ako sa pagkakayakap niya para magawa kong humarap sa kaniya. Inabot niya ang naka-bun ko na buhok at mahinang tinapik ko ang kamay niya nang tangkain niyang alisin iyon. He just grinned without being deterred from his original intention.

Napapabuntong-hininga na hinayaan ko na lang siya at humalukipkip ako. "Why?"

"Why what?" he asked while taking out my bobby pins.

"Bakit mo ako dinala rito?"

"I told you. You said this was one of your favorite wishes. You wanted to experience it longer, right?" He tipped his head. "Now you can have fun as much as you want."

This is not fuck-buddy territory. This is not even "friend" territory. Kahit na sabi niya ay kaibigan niya ang may-ari ay duda akong walang bayad ang pagpunta namin dito. Even the food stalls are open. He must have paid a lot so that these people will still go to work today.

"Where do you want to go first?"

"Dom..."

Nangingiting kinulong niya ang mukha ko sa malalaki niyang mga palad. He planted a kiss on my forehead. "Free yourself a little, doll. You're allowed to enjoy your life." Inilapat niya ang sarili niyang noo sa akin. "Now where do you want to start?"

"The carousel," I found myself saying.

It's probably the most boring ride at the park, but he didn't seem to mind. Hawak ang kamay ko na marahan niya akong hinila sa direksyon ng carousel.

As we walk, I notice a few of Dagger's Blade Points following us. They're working overtime just for me.

"I can hear your mental gears turning."

"It's just that...." Nilingon ko ang kinaroroonan ng isa sa Blade Point na si Nevan. "They might think this is childish and weird."

"During Belaya's case, Lucienne brought us into a haunted village. The Blade Points won't think you're weird. Baka magpasalamat pa sila sa'yo kasi dito mo gustong pumunta. Kung si Lucienne ang nag-aya baka isa-isa na ang mga iyan na naghahanap ng dahilan para lang hindi makasama."

We stopped in front of the whimsical circular platform of the carousel. Pinagbuksan kami nang nag-aantay na empleyado pero saktong nakapasok ako sa loob ng harang ay nag-ring ang cellphone ni Domino.

"Go ahead, doll. I'll wait for you here."

Hesitating, I let the employee guide me on the platform. I chose the white horse with a golden saddle. Humawak ako sa pole na nasa harapan ko at hindi nagtagal ay nagsimula na sa pag-andar ang carousel.

As the ride went in circles, my gaze kept drifting to the spot where he's standing. Kahit may kausap sa phone ay kinakawayan niya ako kada madadaanan ko ang kinaroroonan niya.

I've only been in this kind of place once in my life. It was when I was four. I was with a man that I think was my father. Then his cellphone rang.

Napatingin ako kung saan nakatayo si Domino habang may kausap sa phone niyq. Panic hit me so hard that it almost floored me when no one was standing at the spot where I last saw him. I could see the Blade Points approaching the attraction closer, but Domino was nowhere to be seen.

Cold embraced me at the same time that I felt an icy hand grip my heart. The fear that followed was like a heavy cloud of darkness suffocating me.

Nothing in this life is untouched by change. Sooner or later, everything will fade away. Everyone leaves no matter how much you want to hold on. I've known it since I was a little girl, and I knew better now than to believe that someone would stay. But with him, I wanted to escape the inevitable. I don't want to face it yet. Not with him. Not now. Not yet.

When the carousel stopped, I immediately dismounted from the horse. With my heart racing, I surveyed the area, looking for him.

"Tiara?" My heart made a painful thud when I turned and I found Domino walking back to where I am. There was worry in his eyes as he crossed the distance left between us. "Are you okay?"

I couldn't answer him. I couldn't speak. Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kaniya habang hindi pa rin humuhupa ang matinding kabog ng dibdib ko. He stared at my face for a few seconds, and whatever he might have read on my face made him pull me into his arms. He made soothing circles on my back as we stood there without saying anything.

After awhile, my stiff body loosened. He felt it the moment it happened. Pero imbis na pakawalan ako ay lalo lang humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. I didn't complain. I wanted him close.

"Did you think I left you?"

Mariing pinikit ko ang mga mata ko at sinandal ko ang mukha ko sa malapad niyang dibdib. It was enough of an answer for him.

He tugged my chin up gently. "I have a question. Can you answer it this time, baby? I want you to use your words."

Tumango ako bilang sagot.

"Do I look strong?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"That might be true." He cupped my cheek tenderly. "But if there's one thing I will never be strong enough at, that is to leave you."

It felt so good to hear. I couldn't help but think about the endless possibilities. I couldn't help but feel so much at that one promise of never leaving.

And yet, not much has changed. I was still left with a footnote of wonder if a time would come when I could fully believe his words.

I WAS SURPRISED when I exited the bathroom stall, and I saw that Domino was inside as well. His back was on me as he closed the door of the comfort room.

"Umm... this is the women's room."

Nakangiting nilingon niya ako. He tipped his head to the side, as if calling me over. I rolled my eyes, but I did as he wanted. Nang makalapit ako sa kaniya ay bumuka ang mga labi ko para sana tanungin siya kung anong ginagawa niya rito nang sa pagkagulat ko ay bigla na lang niya akong binuhat at inupo sa bathroom counter.

"What are you doing?" Nang akmang yuyuko siya ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "No. Nope. This is a hard limit for me. I'm not going to have serpent time with you here."

He stopped and he looked up at me with amusement. "Serpent, what?"

"You know. When you're being your Dom Domino self and your eyes turn wicked." I flushed when I realized that my words could have a different meaning. "I'm not talking about your serpent."

He muttered "Dom Domino" under his breath with a chuckle before he continued what he was about to do earlier.

He started unstrapping my sandals to take them off instead of what I thought he intended to do earlier, which was, well... to take off other things. Para bang nababasa ang iniisip ko na ngumisi siya na lalong ikinainit ng mukha ko.

"You were uncomfortable."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko. "I wasn't. I had fun."

"I meant this," he said, looking pointedly at my foot.

I turned my feet to look at my ankle. Dumudugo na iyon. I did feel a little bit tender awhile ago, and I thought I might be getting blisters because of the sandals that's why I was being careful. I wasn't really that uncomfortable. My feet had gone through so much that bleeding is just a normal thing.

I heard Domino's intake of breath when he pulled the shoes completely off me. Bahagya kong inilayo ang mga paa ko sa kaniya nang makita kong titig na titig siya sa mga band-aid na nakakabit sa akin.

"You've seen this."

He met my eyes. "No, I didn't. You always have socks on. Kung wala naman lagi mong iniipit para hindi ko makita."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Maybe I was doing it unconsciously. Ballerinas don't have pretty feet." I flexed my foot. "It doesn't hurt."

"It's bleeding."

Nang makita niyang balewala lang sa akin iyon ay napabuntong-hininga siya. He pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket, and then he wet it with water. Ginamit niya iyon para punasan ang dumudugo kong mga paa.

When he was done cleaning the blood off, he plastered some band-aids on the back of my feet.

He straightened while holding my shoes in one of his hands. "You can't wear this."

"I can't go barefoot." Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa suot niyang mga sapatos. "Unless gusto mo na makipagpalit sa akin. If that's the case, I need to tell you right now that you won't get to ten steps before you break my shoes."

He wrinkled his nose at me before tapping mine with his forefinger. "My Millie Mouse is being silly. I'm not going to wear them."

"Then give them back to me so we can leave."

"You're not going to wear them either."

My lips parted, but before I could ask him what he meant by that, he turned his back on me. He lowered himself a bit, and then he looked back at me. "Hope on, doll."

Nang hindi ako kaagad nakakilos ay inabot niya ang kamay ko para hilahin ako palapit sa kaniya. Wala na akong nagawa kundi kumapit sa mga balikat niya. With my front on his back, I felt his hands on my legs, holding on tightly so he could hoist me up.

Nang lumabas kami ay naabutan namin ang mga Blade Point na naghihintay na sa amin. They were all hiding their different versions of smiles when they saw me being carried by Domino. They're all huge men, but they're all soft romantics inside.

"Do you want something to drink?" Domino asked after a few minutes of walking.

It's probably a good idea. Para maibaba niya ako at makaupo kami. "Yes." Itinuro ko ang unang bilihan na natanaw ko. "That one."

Naglakad palapit doon si Domino. Inaasahan kong iuupo niya ako sa bakanteng upuan na nasa harapan ng stall, pero sa halip ay nanatili lang siyang karga ako.

"What do you want?"

"Umm..." I scanned the menu. "Coconut juice?"

Umangat ang sulok ng labi na tumingin siya sa babaeng nagtitinda. "Isa pong buko juice. Iyong malaki na."

Naghintay kami na matapos ang babae. Domino didn't make any move to put me down, nor did he show any indication that he's getting tired of carrying me.

The woman handed me the huge cup with a straw. Nagtatakang nilingon ko siya nang maglakad na palayo si Domino na hindi man lang nagbayad.

"Domino?"

"Hmm?"

"You didn't pay." I searched for the Blade Points and they are all following us. "Mukhang hindi rin binayaran ng mga kasamahan mo."

"Everything's paid."

I think back on what he said earlier. The whole place was supposed to be close. That means the food stalls' employees shouldn't be here as well. He's paying for all of them, just like I thought, even though we didn't even try the other stalls. We just had some fries and smoothies awhile ago.

"Why would you do that?" When he didn't answer, I rephrase my question. "Why would you do all that for a simple wish? It wasn't even a wish that I made now. It was something that I wanted when I was four."

"You said you had fun," he said instead of answering my question.

"I did, but—"

"Maaalala mo pa kaya ang araw na 'to kahit gaanong katagal na panahon na ang lumipas?"

After my mild panic at the carousel, Domino and I enjoyed our time trying out all the attractions. I had fun watching him scream at every fast ride. He's built like Hercules, but he screams like a banshee. I felt light despite being thrown into exhilarating and frenzied rides after rides.

But most of all, I enjoyed getting to spend hours with him in a place where it feels like we're in our own little world. Our bubble.

A small smile spread on my lips as I told Domino the truth. "Yes."

"Then that's the answer. I did all of this because I wanted you to have this memory. But most importantly, I did this because she's important too." Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin at nginitian niya ako. "That Tiara, the four-year-old version of you, is important too."

Warmth embraced me the moment his words penetrated.

"Her pain left you wanting to forget, and now I gave you both something to remember." It wouldn't have dawned on me that we had already reached the parking lot if he hadn't lowered me to the hood of his car. He turned around to face me with his body nestled between my legs. "I only need a few more, and all her wishes and yours will come true."

A few more wishes? What else could I have told him?

"Dom..."

"She was the first one who believed, and she's also the first one who got hurt. Let her heal, Tiara, so you can too. And when that happens, you'll be able to believe me that I will never leave you."