Kaori

At breakfast, I was literally nervous. Hindi naman kasi nila alam na may dinalang babae rito si Hussein. Goodness!

"Papá, this is Kaori. The girl I want to share my last name with."

Breakfast hasn't started yet when he said that. I stood there, completely shocked and scared as hell.

His dad stared at me with hawk eyes, just like Hussein's. Ganito ba talaga sila kung tumitig? Napalunok ako at nagbaba ng tingin.

"Stop staring, old man." Hussein hissed.

"Sorry, son. Welcome to the family, hija. Call me Papá from now on. I see that you are now pregnant with my grandchild. My son moves fast, huh. You're pretty and decent and all, why did you choose my son? He's gay." He flatly said.

"What the fuck?"

"Just kidding. Suit yourself in this house, Kaori."

He left with a maid and a nurse beside him. Dalawa iyon at isang nurse. Sinundan ko sila ng tingin. Nakahilera ang mga bantay nila sa bawat sulok ng mansyon. Seryoso ang mga mukha at may dalang armas. Ano bang mayroon sa pamilyang ito? Hussein do has tons of them way back, but this, his dad has a lot of them.

"Hindi siya kakain?"

"He'll probably eat later. He's just going out for a walk. Don't mind him. What do you want to eat, love?"

"Anything that has no onion and ginger."

We ate silently. Hanggang sa pagkatapos ay hindi ako umiimik. Tinatamad ako. Pregnancy hormones again.

"Love, kanina mo pa ako hindi iniimik. Is there something you want to share?"

"Hm? Nothing. I'm having my peace, Hussein."

"You're not calling me big boy or love. Is there something wrong? Did I do something?"

"Leave me alone, Hussein. Tatamaan ka talaga sa 'kin kapag hindi ka nakinig," banta ko.

It's not like I'm mad or something. Gusto ko mapag-isa. I've been bothered with Mom and Dad's decision, the royal family's decision. Hindi ko maiwasang mag-isip. Ang bilis naman.

Mas pinili kong iwasan si Hussein dahil sa pagiging makulit nito. Nag-ikot ikot ako sa buong mansyon. I keep looking at the displayed photos in the hallway. I saw their family photo. It was just his dad, his mom, and him. Walang kapatid. An only child like me.

"That's his mother. She died a couple of years ago."

I nearly jumped when a I heard a voice behind me. Standing there was Papá. He nodded at the maids and they left together with the nurse. Palagi bang nakasunod ang mga iyon sa kaniya?

"My son never shed a tear at his mother's death, but I know how hurt he was. I wasn't there to do my job, to face the sadness together. I was busy drinking myself 'til I pass out. My son went through it all by himself. I chose to get drunk than be with my son to help him lessen the pain. I am an asshole, aren't I?"

"You also went through the pain, Papá. Maybe what you did wasn't wrong, it wasn't right either."

"Hussein started avoiding me. Never showing his ass in this house, always busy. He does come when I'm not around. Arthur updated me about my son. Working and drinking became his routine."

"He did that?"

Papá nodded. "He showered himself with liquors but I haven't seen him play around with girls. I was surpriset when he brought one here. I know he's serious about you. He never spoke to me after his mother's death but because of you, he did."

Good boy naman pala ang big boy ko. Dapat lang.

"My son was here a couple of months ago. Crying and begging me, with his knees on the floor asking for help. He is looking for the love of his life and I'm pretty sure it's you. He actually cried because of you." He smiled. "You see, Hussein can deceive anyone with his strong physical features, but he is still in chaos and is trying to fix himself inside. Please, Kaori, help my son."

"But what if I can't?" napalunok ako.

"You can. Just stay by his side."

"I-i'll try, Papá."

"Thank you, Kaori. Just tell me if my son fucked up, I'll help you escape his wrath," he chuckled.

"Fuck off, old man." Hussein's cold menacing voice echoed the hall.

"There he is."

"My wife will never leave me, get lost! And don't talk to her again. You're ruining my image!"

Binuhat ako ni Hussein saka ito nagmartsa paalis. My ears heard Papá's chuckles. I was staring at my big boy's face. Handsome as hell. This is my big boy.

"Don't let that old man cloud your brain with false information, my love. I'm really going to shoot him."

"Tumigil ka nga. At pwede bang ibaba mo ako, hindi naman ako balbado."

"Not happening." He sternly said.

"Why do you too many men in this house? Is there something with your family that I should know about?"

"That old man is somewhat of a celebrity. A lot of people is after him that's why they're here."

"Akala ko mafia boss," natawa ako.

"What? Baby, we are not gangsters or whatsoever the fuck is that. We are normal citizens." Hussein frowned.

"Oh, don't bullshit me, big boy. We both know you aren't."

"Hm."

"Saan mo ba ako dadalhin?"

"In our room. I like you talking dirty. Let me hear that while making love, hm? I want that."

Oh, hell no.

"Tigang ka hanggat hindi pa tayo nakakasal. Kailan tayo uuwi sa Pilipinas? I badly want to see Kady again."

Tagal na rin noong huling pag-uusap namin ni Kady. Huling balita ko ay may nakapansin sa banda nila na international entertainment at inaalok sila ng trabaho sa entertainment na 'yon. That's good for them. They've been working for too long at maliit lang ang kinikita nila para sa kanilang lahat, plus the fact that they need to spend a lot of money for their instruments too.

"Do you want to go now? We can do that. I'll get the plane ready."

"Huh? Paano si Papá? Are we gonna leave him here?"

"Sweetheart, that old man has been living here since he was five."

"Where do you want to get married?" I asked as Hussein opened the door to his room.

"Anywhere you like, you decide."

I frowned. I want a simple beach wedding, but I also want to get married in church.

"List down all the places you want, my love, and let me do the rest for you."

Nang ilapag ako nito sa kama ay agad akong bumangon at kinuha ang cellphone ko. I typed all the places I wanted.

"Stop moving around, Kaori. You might hurt yourself," asik nito.

Napairap ako. "Walang masamang mangyayari sa 'kin, okay? Eme mo."

"I love you, baby. Come here. Let me cuddle."

Nang hindi ako natinag ay ito na mismo ang lumapit sa 'kin. Agad na pumalibot sa tiyan ko ang kamay nito at hinahalik-halikan ako sa batok.

"Baka kung saan ka na naman mapunta, De Russo." Ani ko.

"That's okay, sweetheart."

I turned to face him and gave him a peck on the lips before laying back on the bed. The soft mattress touched my back and it was heaven.

"That's not the proper way to kiss your fiancé, love."

"Show me then."

He grinned like a madman and walked to me. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa maugat na kamay nito nang dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang belt niya. He even took off his upper garments. This man, tsk. Hindi naman parte sa usapan ang maghubad.

Nang makapatong ito sa kama ay agad akong kinubabawan. He lowered down his head and our lips met. Masuyo ang bawat haplos nito sa katawan at mukha ko. His tongue invaded my mouth as the kiss deepened.

"That's how you do it," anito na habol ang hininga katulad ko.

"Syempre, alam na alam mo 'yan. Bastos ka eh."

"Ikaw lang naman binabastos."

Before I can even protest, his lips met mine again.

*****