FRIENDSHIP

(Spain – Part 2)

PANAY ANG SULYAP ni Valerian kay Knight na tahimik na umiinom ng rum. Walang available na Beer ang Hotel kaya Rum nalang ang inorder niya. Kanina pa itong walang imik mula nang mag-umpisa silang uminom at habang kinakain nito ang cake na binili niya, pero hindi na siya nagtaka sa inaakto nito.

Right at that moment, Valerian knew the Knight in front of him is not the smiling and jolly Knight but the asshole one.

Knight changes attitude like its nothing.

Though Valerian doesn't think that he's bipolar. Knight has two personalities but its different from being bipolar. Its like he's changing attitude and pretending that that's how he feels and he's aware of that. At kapag napapansin nitong nagiging mabait ito, nag-iiba kaagad ang emosyon sa mukha nito.

Its like he's afraid to be close to someone.

"Want some cake?" He asked to break the silence.

Knight automatically looked at him, his eyes glistening like a kid who wants to eat some candies. "You have a cake here?"

"Nope. But I can buy one for you if you want."

Nawala na naman ang emosyon sa mga mata nito. "Why would you buy me one? You don't even know me. I could be a killer, a bad guy, who knows? Yet you let me in your Hotel room like a trusted friend."

"The Hotel has CCTV." He said with a shrugged.

"I can delete it."

"Your view to the world and to the people around is so fucking jaded." Aniya saka nagsalin ulit ng rum sa baso niya. "That's not good."

Ang walang emosyon nitong mga mata at tumitig sa mga mata niya. "You're saying that because you don't know what I feels like to lose something."

"What did you lost?" He asked, not hoping that Knight will answer but he did.

"Trust."

Yep. This guy is jaded. "You're right, I don't know what it feels like to lose something... but still, to lost trust? That's fuckin' something..."

Knight chuckled coldly. "The world I live in... trust is something you can't give to everybody. Unlike you, I don't trust people so easily. I mean, you got beat up because of me, yet, here I am, drinking rum with you like old fucking friends."

Valerian shrugged. "I'm not jaded."

"You will be soon." Anito na para bang nangangako ito at sinusumpa siya. "And then you'll be like me. You'll lost trust too."

He just shrugged, "until that time comes, i'll keep my trust and my positive view to the world. Not everyone is out to fucking get you, you know. Be thankful i'm trusting, because if i'm not, you wouldn't have enjoy that triple chocolate Bavarian cake right there."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito. "If we become friends... though its kind of impossible to happen... but if you become jaded and you found yourself hating the world and people around you, i'll make you smile. That's my payment for the cake you bought me."

Valerian chuckled. "You? Make me smile?" He looked at Knight flatly. "The world will end."

"Yes. I can do that."

"By pretending and lying?"

"Its easier."

He tsked. "More like irritate and annoy the hell out of me."

Knight shrugged and finished his rum. "I have to go. I have people to kill."

Tumango lang siya at hinayaan itong tumayo. Akmang hahakbang na ito patungo sa pinto ng may kumatok doon.

Knight automatically becomes alert while Valerian shouted at the door. "Come in! Its open!"

Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa kaniya si Knight. "You left the door unlocked?"

"Yeah." He answered nonchalantly.

"You idiot!" He hissed at him.

Valerian just shrugged and smiled when he saw the Hotel staff enter with the Siberian Husky.

"I already fed him, Mr. Volkzki." Imporma sa kaniya ng Hotel staff saka lumabas kaagad pagkatapos magpaalam.

"Hey, there, Knight." Nasisiyang sabi niya sa aso. "Come here you annoying dog."

Tumakbo ang aso palapit, pero hindi papunta sa kaniya kundi papunta kay Knight.

Valerian blinked at the dog and Knight who's now messing the dog's fur.

Knight spoke in Spanish and the dog back at him.

Tumingin sa kaniya si Knight. "You took him in?"

He frowned and slowly, everything sinked in. "He's yours?"

Ginulo na naman nito ang balahibo ng aso na pilit na tumatayo at inaapak ang paa sa mga hita ni Knight. "Yeah. I took him to Madrid and let him loose."

Napakurap-kurap siya kay Knight. "You asshole. Winala mo siya?"

"Yeah. I did." Anito na wala man lang emosyon.

Ang iritasyong nararamdaman ni Valerian ay napalitan ng pagtataka at kaguluhan. "Did you just answered my tagalog question correctly?"

Knight's lips thinned before saying, "yeah, I did."

"Fuck you!" Inabot niya ang throw pillow ng sofa saka malakas na ibinato 'yon dito. "Nakakaintindi ka naman pala ng Tagalog na tang'ina ka! Lumayas ka!"

"But—"

"Layas!" Pagpapaalis niya rito saka hinawakan ang tali ng aso, "and don't bring Knight with you. Baka walain mo na naman siya. Umalis ka na. How can you be so heartless to a dog?"

Ginulo ulit nito ang balahibo ng aso at hindi pinansin ang masama niyang tingin. "Be nice to your new friend. Sorry, I can't stay friends with you anymore, husky, if I keep you with me, I might have to shoot you and I don't want that." Pagkasabi nito niyon ay lumabas ito ng Hotel room niya at panay naman kahol ng aso.

Napailing siya at mas lalong nairita ng makita ang box ng cake nito na basta nalang nitong iniwan sa salas.

"Ang gago, hindi man lang binasura. Ano niya ako, utusan?" He tsked in annoyance and throw the box on the trash bin.

Hinayaan niya ang aso sa sala saka nahiga siya sa kama at naghikab. Mahapdi na naman ang sugat niya.

Valerian groaned.

Fuck that guy! This is all his fault!

Bakit ba siya naging mabait dito? Wala naman itong ginawang maganda para sa kaniya— well, niligtas naman siya nito na kagagawan din naman nito kung bakit siya nabugbog— kaya wala pa rin itong ginawang tama sa kaniya.

He even used him as a bait. "That mother fucker— maybe his name is not really Knight. It's not even a Spanish name, that asshole."

Galit talaga siya sa ginawa nito sa aso. Hindi siya nakasakay ng Train dahil dito at ang laki pa nang nagastos niya sa inupahan niyang sasakyan papuntang Barcelona.

He's using his own money for this trip, fuck it.

And that cake is fucking expensive. Tapos hindi man lang siya binayaran. Ang kapal nang mukha. Sana talaga hindi na sila magkita ulit ng baliw na 'yon.

Natulog si Valerian na iritado pa rin. Nang magising siya kinabukasan, lumabas siya para mag jogging at iniwan ulit niya ang aso sa kaparehong Hotel Staff kahapon para bantayan ito at pakainin.

Pagkatapos mag jogging ay dumaan siya sa café na malapit sa Hotel na tinutuluyan.

Valerian was sipping his coffee when someone sit beside him. Nang tingnan niya kung sino 'yon, kaagad nasira ang umaga niya.

"What do you fucking want again?" Iritado niyang tanong kay Knight.

"I lost my wallet—"

"I'm not a lost and found and i'm definitely not a bank."

Tinitigan siya nito ng ilang sigundo. "Where's the nice Val?"

Ngiting aso ang pinakita niya rito. "Gago. Go away."

Knight's face become somber. Valerian force himself not to fall for that sad face but he did!

Why can't he say no?! Damn it!

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa counter at tinuro ang chocolate cake na naka-display. "That one please."

"One slice?" The woman replied.

"No." Umiling. "The whole cake. The kid i'm with is a glutton."

Nang makuha ang cake at isang platito at tinidor, bumalik siya sa lamesa niya at inilapag ang mga 'yon sa ibabas mga mesa.

"Eat up, asshole."

Instead of eating, Knight looked at him. "Why did you bought it?"

Iritadong tumingin siya rito. "Akala ko ba gusto mo?"

"You don't have to buy it though."

He tsked. "May pera pa naman ako."

Slowly, a smile appeared on Knight's lips. He looks happy. "I know it. You can't say no, can you?"

Natigilan siya sa obserbasyon nito sa kaniya dahil yon ang totoo. If he can do it, and if he have the means, he may curse a lot and insult the person, but he will still do it. He can't say no when he knew he has a way to do it.

"You're actually really nice." Wika ni Knight na kumakain na nang cake. "I like you even more."

Pinakita niya ang gitnang daliri rito na tinawanan lang nito. At ang walang-hiya, pati kape niya, ito ang umubos.

"Wow. Ang galing." Puno ng sarkasmo ang boses niya. "Kape ko, ako ang bumili, pero ikaw ang umubos?"

Ngumiti lang si Knight saka patuloy na kumain ng cake.

Tumayo na naman si Valerian saka pumunta sa counter para umorded ng dalawang tasang kape.

"Hindi ako bangko, limitado lang ang pera ko kaya tigilan mo na ako." Nagmamakaawa niyang sabi saka inilapag ang dalawang kape sa mesa. "Oh, sayo na itong isa, baka mabilaukan ka riyan bigla sa kakapalan ng mukha mo, mamatay ka pa, kasalanan ko pa. Your highness ka pa naman."

Tumawa lang si Knight at patuloy na kumain ng cake habang umiinom ng kape. At nang maubos nito ang kape nito, kape na naman niya ang ininom.

Mariing ipinikit nalang ni Valerian ang mga mata sa sobrang inis na nararamdaman. "Bakit ba nagpakita ka na naman sakin?"

"Last night while I was discharging some bad things from my stomach, I realize that I like you to be my friend... no, scratch that, I want you to be my best friend."

"In short naisip mo ako habang tuma-tae ka?"

Knight looked at him. "Yeah. That's what happened."

Valerian blows a loud irritated breath. "You're a fucking retard. And you can just ask someone to be your best friend, dumbass. Pinaghihirapan ang salitang 'yan. It takes time and effort you asshole."

"Time? Hmm... effort? Hmm..."

Napailing nalang si Valerian. "Are you sure that you're a royalty?"

Knight nodded and his face return to being emotionless again. "Unfortunately..."

Napailing ulit siya. "You look like a lunatic to me."

He pouted like a kid and its creeping him out!

"But you said yesterday that you like the smiling me." Parang nagmamaktol ito.

"Are you smiling now?" Pababara niya rito.

Kaagad itong ngumiti.

Valerian tsked. "I still dislike you. Hindi ako nakasakay ng Train nang dahil sa aso mo."

Inubos ni Knight ang cake na inorder niya saka tumayo. "Come on. Follow me."

Naguguluhan man at nagtataka, sumunod siya rito hanggang sa makarating sila sa Train Station.

"What are we doing here?" Kunot na kunot ang nuo habang abala sa cellphone nito. "Hey! Moron!"

"I'm not a moron." Sagot nito. "I'm pretty sure my IQ is higher than yours."

Hindi nalang sumagot si Valerian at hinayaan ito sa kaweirduhan nito.

After minutes of being busy with his phone, finally, Knight looked at him and smiled. "Come on."

Kumunot ang nuo niya pero sumunod pa rin siya hanggang sa makasakay sila ng Train. At nang makaupo sila, saka lang siya nagtanong.

"Where the fuck are we going?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong.

Knight didn't answer. He remained silent. Lahat kasi ng dumadaan ay bahagyang yumuyukod dito at pasimpleng tumitingin sa kaniya na para bang sinusuri siya kung magkasama ba sila o magkapatabi lang.

Hindi na niya kinulit si Knight na sumagot. He looks irritated, then seconds later, his face becomes stoic.

Sinong matutuwa kung halos lahat ng tao na nakakakita kay Knight ay pinag-uusapan ito pagkalampas sa kanila. Some people even took a picture of Knight secretly as he looked outside the Train.

When the Train moved, he asked in a low voice. "Why are we in the Train, you dumbass? They're looking at you and me!"

"You said you didn't get to ride the Train because of my dog."

Hindi makapaniwalang napatingin siya rito. "You took me in the Train for that reason?"

"Yeah."

"Are you nuts?" Hindi niya mapigilang magtaas ng boses pero kaagad niya ring ibinaba iyon. "Where the fuck are we going?"

"Lisbon."

Namilog ang mga mata niya. "Portugal?!"

Knight nodded.

"Fuck." Paulit-ulit siyang nagmura at tiningnan ang katabi ng matalim at masama. "Bukas na ang balik ko sa U.S."

"You can use my private plane to U.S. when we get back—"

"Tangina kang gago ka! I don't have my passport, you lunatic! I don't have any documents with me—"

"You have me. That's all you need."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya. "Why do I feel like you're boasting?"

"Because I am." Wika nito saka tumuon ang tingin sa lalaking kahanay nang upuan nila pero may pagitan sila para sa mga dadaan.

"Why are you looking at him?" He asked Knight.

His lips pointed at the table in front of the man. "He has a cake."

Nasapo nalang ni Valerian ang nuo. "You're a dumbass. And a lunatic. Palagi nalang cake ang nasa isip mo—"

"Go and ask for one slice—"

"No fucking way!" He hissed at Knight. "You're embarrassing! Act like a Royalty!"

"No one is looking at me." 'Yon lang ang sinagot nito saka kinuha ang atensiyon ng lalaki. "Excuse me."

Tumingin naman sa gawi nila ang lalaki na abala kanina sa laptop nito na mukhang may lahing hapon. "What?"

Tinuro ni Knight ang cake na nasa mesa nito. "Can we have one slice? My friend here—" tinuro siya nito at sobrang hiyang-hiya siya sa pinaggagagawa nito, "— is epileptic and he's really hungry. I don't want him shaking in here. Its embarrassing."

Ilang segundo siyang tinitigan ng lalaki bago inabot sa kanila ang cake na dala nito. "Here. Eat it."

Si Knight ang tumanggap ng cake saka inilahad nito ang kamay. "Knight Velasquez." Kapagkuwan ay siniko siya. "Don't be a snob and introduce yourself." He whispered subtly.

Napipilitang inilahad niya ang kamay kahit gusto na niyang lumubog sa kahihiyan. "Valerian Volkzki."

Tinanggap ng hapon ang pakikipagkamay nila saka ito nagpakilala. "Shun Kim."

A/N: My goal is to write 2-3 Chapters a month for (Adventure of Lunatics) since kuwento nila ito bago nagkakilala or kung ano ang pinaggagagawa nilang kalokohan at ang dami ko ring susulatin 😅 Anyways, hope you stay tuned and support their craziness.

After this chapter — Abangan ang (Portugal - Part 1) The Craziness of the trio (Knight, Valerian and Shun)

And of course, in this stories as well, mababasa niyo how Phoenix and Titus meet and etc so stay tuned and Happy Reading as always ❤️