Chapter 48

"Don't talk to your brother like that again, Axe. Hindi niya ako binastos, okay? He was clearly trying to piss you off and you fell for his trap. Kung may gagawin man siyang kalokohan sa akin, ako na mismo ang sasapak diyan sa kapatid mo. Ayaw ko ng ganoon ang paraan ng pakikipag-usap mo sa kanya, Axasiel."

He was sitting on the edge of his bed, fidgeting his fingers, muted, only listening and nodding on everything I said to him. Nakayuko rin siya at hindi makatingin sa akin habang nakatayo ako sa harap niya at nakapamaywang.

"Huwag mo nang uulitin 'yon. I don't want to hear any threats from your mouth. Hindi ka ganoon."

He thrust up his chin lightly with mouth agape before he pressed his tongue against his cheek. Umangat ang kamay niya at nagtangkang abutin ang kamay ko pero agad ding binawi at inihawak na lang sa batok.

"Hindi ka ba magsasalita?" nakakunot kong tanong.

That was the only time he lifted his eyes on me. "I don't want to interrupt you while you're talking."

"I'm done talking."

"Bakit... hinihila niya pababa ang strap ng damit mo kanina?" maingat niyang tanong.

Napahinga ako nang malalim at napatingin sa paligid. I wouldn't tell him that I purposely did that to my dress and Ajasiel was just pulling it down further to ridicule him.

"He was... he was just trying to fix my dress."

Ah, talaga Izzy? You're still trying to cover him up after telling Axe that his brother was doing it to provoke him?

"That's not what I saw," he mumbled, hands finally extending to hold me on my waist. "Hinihila niya..."

Kinagat ko nang mariin ang labi. He was drawing me toward him so I could sit on his thigh widely separated from the other.

"Right. Hinihila niya pero nakababa na iyon kanina pa."

The fold on his forehead surfaced whilst staring at my shoulder. "HIndi naman yata dapat nakababa talaga."

"Hindi nga. Sinadya ko lang ibaba," pasungit kong sinabi at ipinagkrus ang mga braso sa tapat ng dibdib. "And don't even ask me why 'cause I'm not gonna tell you the reason."

His eyes fluttered from my shoulder to my chest, but he abruptly brought them to my face.

"I'm wearing nipple tapes. Don't start me with my bra again."

Kumurba nang kaunti ang kanyang labi. Ang kamay niya ay nakapatong sa tuhod ko habang patagilid akong nakaupo sa kandungan niya. His other hand was resting at the small of my back.

"You didn't tell me you'd come here. Did you get enough sleep today?" he asked in a soothing tone.

Napatayo ako roon nang may naalala. "Oo nga pala! Hindi ba ay may ginagawa kayo ng bisita mo? Nasaan na siya? Iniwan mo?"

"Ah... I forgot about her," bulong niya at napangiwi bago tumayo. "Kukunin ko lang sana ang telepono ko rito sa kuwarto nang nakita ko kayo."

"Uhuh. You didn't tell me about it."

Kinuha niya na ang phone sa side table at lumapit muli sa akin, ang isang kamay ay gumapang sa aking balikat.

"I'm sorry. I was just about to text you. Hindi ko siya inaasahang pumunta rito."

"Paanong hindi inaasahan? Ano 'yon? Bigla na lang siyang pumunta rito nang hindi mo alam?"

Giniya niya na ako palabas ng kuwarto. Nakalabi pa rin ako at diretso ang tingin.

"Yes, Izzy. And yes, we really have a task to do but we had talked about it last week that we would just do it in school. I would not invite anyone here in our house, let alone a girl, without telling you."

I scrunched my nose. What? Ang lakas naman ng loob ng babaeng iyon na pumunta rito nang hindi invited? Sino ba 'yon? Axe and Tita Dias are just probably too kind and hospitable to not shoo her away.

"You didn't even text me this morning!"

"What?" He chuckled, maneuvering his phone and showing the screen to me. "Since when did I forget to text you in the morning? Did you really check my message?"

Sinipat ko iyon at nakita ngang may text siya kaninang alas siete. But I didn't notice it! How come? Baka mali lang ako ng tingin?

"Hindi ako nakapag-reply sa message mo dahil nasa laboratory na kami. You know that I don't use my phone when I'm busy with school works unless I want to video call you using only this gadget."

Hindi na ako nagsalita. Wala na si Ajasiel sa labas ng kuwarto niya at sa hallway ng kanilang second floor. Dumiretso kami tungo sa laboratory at tumigil sa tapat ng puting pinto. The upper half of the door was made of glass so I could peek through it to see what's inside.

Hawak niya na ang doorknob nang pigilan ko ang kamay niya. Burnt by his skin, I retrieved my hand from his wrist.

"May problema po?"

Umiling ako. "Sa... baba na lang kaya ako? I mean, you're busy, right?"

"Are you hungry?" he asked instead. "I'll ask our househelp to bring us food."

"Hindi naman..." Biglang sumagi ang sinabi sa akin kanina ni Tita. "But can I stay inside? I want to watch you."

He smiled. "Of course. That's why I bring you here with me."

Tuluyan niya nang binuksan ang pinto at bumungad sa akin ang lamig ng aircon at amoy ng alcohol. It doesn't smell like any chemicals so they're probably not doing an experiment or something.

I spotted a blonde girl in a white lab gown. She was sitting in front of a long table with papers and notebooks scattered on top of it. Nakaamba na siya ng ngiti kanina nang pumasok si Axe pero nang dumapo ang tingin sa akin ay napawi ito.

Nevertheless, she rose from her seat and came over to us, scanning me from head to toe like she was already finding a flaw within me.

Axe's hand from my shoulder strayed down my waist. "Izzy, si Cyla, kaklase ko. Cyla, si Izzy... girlfriend ko."

I extended my hand and grinned at her. "Hi, Cyla! It's nice meeting you today. I like your hair."

She imposed a pseudo smile and did not accept my hand. Napataas ang kilay ko at tiningnan ang kamay bago inilagay na lang sa gilid ko.

Hinarap niya si Axe habang nakangiti, halatang nagpapa-cute lang. "Should we finish our task na ba? Medyo nahihirapan pala me sa last part ng activity..."

I snorted, trying to hide my laugh. "Medyo nahihirapan pala me..." I mocked her under my breath.

Now I understand what Aji meant when he told me how she speaks. I'm not sure if it was her natural voice, but it seemed like she was forcing herself to speak like that just to sound cute when in fact, she sounded like a rat trying to escape from a mouse trap. Sakit sa tainga.

Pinisil ni Axe ang baywang ko. "Last part na lang ba ang kulang? Kahit ako na lang ang tumapos doon, Cyla."

"What? No. We should complete it together since it's pairwork. Baka magalit si Sir."

"Kayong dalawa lang talaga?" singit ko.

"There's a reason why it is called pairwork." Sabay ngiti niya ng sarkastiko.

I gritted my teeth. Axe caressed my side to calm me.

"I divided our task equally. 'Yong sobrang isa, kahit ako na lang. Hindi naman magagalit—"

"I want to be fair lang naman. Saka, mas mabilis nating mapi-finish kapag nagtulungan, right? Since it's a pairwork." Sabay sulyap sa akin ng inggrata.

Para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan, hinayaan ko na silang tapusin ang dapat tapusin nang hindi na rin magtagal ang babaeng 'to dito. Axasiel wore his lab gown although I don't think it was necessary. Siguro ay nasanay lang sa lab nila sa kanilang unibersidad.

Kumuha ako ng isang lollipop na dala sa maliit na bag habang tinitingnan ang mga gamit dito. I don't know all their names or how they work though I'm quite familiar with a few of them since Axe had mentioned it before.

"Food is not allowed in the laboratory," the rat proclaimed.

Nabitin sa ere ang pasubo kong lollipop at napatingin sa kanila. I looked at Axe, and he glanced at her before he settled his eyes on me, nodding his head in approval.

"It's okay. This is my lab and it's just a lollipop."

Ngumisi ako at isinubo na ang lollipop. Tumungo na si Axe sa kanyang ginagawa.

"Huh? You told me kanina na bawal ang food here sa lab mo?"

"Cyla, it's just a lollipop. Tapusin na natin ito para hindi ka gabihin sa daan mamaya."

I rolled my eyes. Bumalik ako sa pagtingin-tingin ng mga gamit nang marinig na naman ang daga na nagsasalita.

"Is it okay sa 'yo na pakialaman niya ang mga gamit mo here sa lab? Bakit hindi mo pinagsasabihan ang girlfriend mo? Baka mamaya ay may masira siya or what. Mukhang expensive pa naman ang mga gamit mo here."

What the hell is this girl's problem? Nakita kong napapikit nang mariin si Axe at mariing hinarap ang kaklase.

"Cyla, hindi ko nga pinagbabawalan ang girlfriend ko sa kung anong gusto niyang gawin, pagsabihan pa kaya? Just let her do what she wants and just do your part, please, so you can go home early."

The rat's face flushed, and she mumbled her apology. Hindi ko na nga hinawakan ang mga gamit sa loob at naupo na lang sa tabi ni Axe, tinitingnan ang ginagawa niya.

He glanced at me with concern in his eyes so I gave him a tight smile. Nagulat ako nang inilipat niya ang hawak ng pen sa kaliwang kamay at ibinaba sa ilalim ng mesa ang kanan para kunin ang kamay ko. He entwined our fingers without looking at our hands before putting them on his thigh.

Pinaglaruan ko ang lollipop sa bibig at ngumisi sa kaharap na matalim ang tingin sa akin. Hinila ko ang stick ng lollipop mula sa bibig at inilapit sa labi ni Axasiel.

"Sa 'yo na lang. Ayoko na," sabi ko at walang salitang isinubo niya iyon.

I returned my eyes to the rat across me.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay natapos na sila. Axe was furtively trying to send the rat out of their house but Tita Dias, still being hospitable, asked her to stay for dinner.

I greeted Tito Miko and rolled my eyes at Ajasiel who was opened-mouth smiling at me. Nasa tabi niya ang kanyang ina at hinihintay na lang kaming maupo.

Axasiel drew out a chair for me but the rat left me flabbergasted by sitting on my supposed seat! Nang tingnan ko ang mga kasama—pati ang ilang kasambahay na naghahanda ng pagkain ay natigilan din sa nakita.

"Thank you," she even had the audacity to say that.

"Ahm..." Tito Miko was trying to say something but ended up looking at his wife.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Axe habang nakahawak pa rin siya sa likod ng upuan. Aji made a noise by dragging his chair behind him when he rose from his seat. Dumaan siya sa likuran ni Tito Miko para maupo sa tabi ng daga.

"Doon na kayo sa kabila," ani Aji sabay turo sa harapan niya.

I sat beside Tita Dias while Axe settled on my left. Nang magsimula kaming kumain ay kinausap na ni Tita ang bisita ni Axe. Ang walang hiyang si Aji ay hinahawakan pa ang kanang tainga sa tuwing magsasalita ang katabi. Samantalang si Tito Miko ay paminsan-minsang nakikisali habang natatawa.

Nilagyan ko ng Bicol express ang plato ni Axe at nakita kong kumuha rin ang daga nang napansin niya ako. Pagkatapos niyang sumubo nito ay nginitian ko siya.

"How does it taste, Cyla?"

Tinakpan niya ang bibig hanggang sa matapos ngumuya. "It's delicious. Maanghang nga lang itong Bicol express..."

I smiled sweetly. "There's a reason why it is called Bicol express."

Ajasiel puffed out a laugh and winked his eye at me. Humagikgik si Tito Miko at si Tita Dias naman ay hindi malaman kung ngingisi ba o aangil dahil doon sa dalawa. Axe, on my side, lounged his hand on my lap before he leaned into my ear just to laugh.

"That's my girl," he whispered before he withdrew himself from me.

"Oh, sorry. Is it your first time eating Bicol express?" I asked her.

"Actually, yes."

"Oh, really?" I pretended to be appalled by putting a hand over my chest. "You know what, I can actually cook for you if you want. What's your favorite food?"

Sarkastiko siyang ngumiti. "No, thanks. Baka hindi mo alam kung paano lutuin iyon."

"Why don't you tell her what it is? Maraming alam lutuin ang future sister-in-law ko, Miss Cyla," ani Aji at nagtaas ng kilay. "Kung hindi niya alam, siguradong aaralin niya pa para sa 'yo."

"Nako, ang galing magluto niyang future daugter-in-law ko, Cyla," si Tito Miko. "Kapag nakakain ka ng luto niyan, makakarating ka ng langit. Kailan kaya?"

Humagalpak si Aji at hinampas pa ang ama sa braso. Sinaway ni Tita ang dalawa bago hinarap ang ngayo'y tila hindi na kumportable na daga.

"Hija, why don't you try this one? Don't worry, it isn't spicy..."

Naitawid naman namin ang dinner na iyon. Filipinos are naturally hospitable and so does Axe's family. They have no problem to those who act feel at home in their house as long as they don't stick their nose where it doesn't belong and know how to respect their family. Kapag sinabing pamilya, kasama na roon ang mga tauhan nila sa bahay.

Madali lang naman kasing pakisamahan ang pamilya nila. Tita Dias is kind and approachable, Tito Miko is friendly and funny, and Ajasiel is the combination of his parents' attitude. Ang pinagkaiba lang ni Aji kay Tito Miko, kapag ayaw niya sa isang tao o hindi niya gusto ang presensya nito, talagang ipararamdam niya iyon sa 'yo.

He would make you uncomfortable... but he had never done that to their visitors. Ngayon lang. Sa bisita lang ngayon ng kapatid niya. Wala naman din sana akong problema sa babaeng iyon pero sa mga ipinakita niyang ugali sa akin at sa harap ng pamilya ni Axe?

Is that how an uninvited visitor act in front of the house's owner? Kung magpapakita lang siya ng ugali sa akin, siguraduhin niyang kahit sa akin lang. Hindi 'yong ipakikita niya pa iyon sa harap mismo ng may-ari ng bahay. If you have poor attitude in your house, at least have the decency not to exercise it to someone else's house.

"Axe, uuwi na rin ako. Magpapaalam lang ako kina Tita Dias," sabi ko pagkatapos naming ihatid sa labas ang bisita niya at nanatili kami malapit sa pintuan nilang nakasara na.

"Maaga pa. Ihahatid na lang kita sa inyo."

He tugged me into his chest and his head stooped down to nuzzle my neck. I giggled when it tickled me and tried to push him away from me but he didn't waver from his position.

Gumapang ang kamay niya pababa sa baywang ko at hinapit pa ako palapit sa kanya. His hot breath trailed my skin from the shoulder up to my neck, leaving frothy kisses. Tumaas pa iyon sa aking tainga kaya mas lalo akong nakiliti.

"I brought my car with me. Y-you... A-Axe, s-someone will see us here..." Napapikit ako.

Halos magliyab ang buong mukha ko sa init nito at tila puputok ang dibdib ko sa sobrang lakas ng pintig nito sa loob. His lips captured my mouth and bit my bottom lip quite harsh. I put my hands on his shoulders and pushed him vigourously.

"Axe, what the hell are you doing?" pabulong ngunit mariin kong tanong.

My eyes enlarged upon seeing his smouldering and dozy eyes pricking into mine. Pulang-pula ang kanyang mukha, tainga, at leeg na para bang mas mauuna pa siyang sumabog sa akin! My hand flew to his cheek and his skin was scorching in heat.

"Anong nangyayari sa 'yo?!"

The side of his lips hoisted and he looked like he was being possessed by a fiend spirit. Mas lalo ko siyang itinulak palayo sa akin at humakbang paatras. His smile grew more evil as he advanced toward me.

My chest vibrated with a nervous laugh. "Axasiel..." Umiling ako sa kanya.

My back hit their door and I immediately ducked and sidled away from him when he tried to capture me with his hands. Tumatakbo ako patungo sa kung saan sa malawak nilang tahanan nang bumangga ako sa dibdib ni Tito Miko. Hinawakan niya lang ang braso ko para hindi ako tuluyang matumba.

Nakakunot ang noo niya nang pagmasdan ako. "Ayos ka lang? Ba't ka tumatakbo?"

"Tito! Si Axe!" Niyugyog ko siya sa balikat at tumingin sa likod. Tila lasing kung maglakad si Axasiel sa direksyon namin.

"Si Axe? Bakit..." Namilog ang mata niya pagkatingin sa anak. "Anak ng puch—"

Tito Miko dragged me behind him and met his son halfway. I was so baffled and perturbed by what could have been happening to Axe now. Pinipigilan ni Tito si Axe na pumunta siya sa akin habang ako ay nanonood lang, hindi alam ang gagawin.

Ajasiel suddenly showed up, seemingly confused when he saw us until something struck him.

"Hala, Pa?! May naglabas ng brownies galing doon sa ref kanina? Kinain niya?!" Hindi ko malaman kung gulat ba o natatawa pa si Aji.

"Brownies? What brownies are you talking about?"

"Izzy, hindi naman sa pinapalayas na kita rito pero mas mabuting umuwi ka muna—" si Tito Miko. "Axasiel!"

Suminghap ako nang maitulak ni Axasiel si Tito at malalaki ang hakbang na pumunta sa akin. My foot cemented on the floor when he seized my boobs with his hands.

"Stress balls!" sambit niya at pinisil-pisil ang dibdib ko.

Nalaglag ang panga ng dalawang kasama namin.

Umakyat hanggang ulo ko ang dugo sa katawan at kumawala ang matinis na tili sa aking lalamunan. My hand soared in the air and it landed on his cheek with a crisp blow.

Tumabingi ang ulo niya at kitang-kita ang pagmamarka ng mga daliri ko sa kanyang pisngi. Napatingin ako sa kamay kong namamanhid at namumula bago ipinadaan ang tingin kina Tito Miko at Ajasiel na hindi ko malaman kung bakit biglang nakaluhod na sa sahig.

"What's happening here?" boses ni Tita Dias ang narinig ko.

"A-Axe... oh my God! I'm so sorry!"

Sinubukan kong hawakan ang mukha niya pero muli niya na namang dinakot ang mga dibdib ko. It was the first time someone else touched and squeezed my boobs like what he's doing to them now.

"I just want these stress balls..." he said like a kid asking for candy.

"S-Stress..." si Tito Miko.

"Balls..." Aji finished.

Tito Miko glared at his son.

Tita Dias gasped audibly, eyes widening and jaw dropping onto the floor. Siya na ang naglakas-loob sa amin na hampasin ang kamay ni Axe para tanggalin sa pagkakakapit nito sa akin. Pumikit si Axe at napahawak sa noo habang kinakaladkad siya ni Tita patungo sa hagdanan nila.

Nakatanaw lang ako sa kanila. I couldn't think properly and straight because I could still feel Axe's warm and large hand fondling my breasts. He just took my sanity away from me while he didn't seem to be in his right mind.

"Izzy," tawag ni Tito na nasa harapan ko na at lugmok na lugmok ang itsura. "Baka patayin ako ng tatay mo kapag nalaman niyang..."

"A-ano pong nangyari kay Axe? Bakit ganoon siya?"

Tumiim ang bagang niya at matalim na tiningnan ang isang anak na tahimik nang umaalis.

"Ajasiel! Ikaw na naman ang nagdala ng pagkain na 'yon, ano?"

"Bakit ako na naman? Hindi, ah! Naiwan 'yon ng tropa ko rito!" depensa niya.

"Sabihan mo nga 'yang mga kaibigan mo na huwag magdadala ng ganoon dito! Noong nakaraan, ako ang muntik na mapahamak dahil sa hayop na pagkain na 'yon!"

"Ano bang meron doon sa pagkain na tinutukoy niyo?"

Ajasiel smirked. "May special ingredient ang brownies na 'yon, Miss, na kapag naparami ang kain ay ganoon ang magiging resulta. Though it still depends on someone's tolerance."

Naningkit ang mata ko at mukhang alam ko na ang tinutukoy niya. Ngumisi siya sa akin at sumaludo bago tuluyan kaming iniwan ni Tito Miko rito. The situation still put him in a problematic state but I assured him that this won't reach to my father.

Tinawagan ko si Mama para sabihing mamaya pa ako makakauwi. Tita Dias let me in to Axe's room when he was already peacefully sleeping in his bed. Naupo ako sa gilid ng kama at hinaplos ang kanyang buhok na medyo basa pa. Hindi na rin ganoon kainit ang balat niya kaya siguro ay medyo humupa na ang epekto ng nakain niya sa kanyang katawan. Iba na rin ang suot niyang damit.

My fingers stroked his cheek, where I slapped him for the first time. I did it only out of shock. I just hope he would forget what he did to me earlier. My cheeks flamed when my gaze roved to his hands lodging above his torso covered with a duvet.

Bwisit na kamay 'yan. Makasalanan ka ngayon, ha? E, kung ginawa mo 'yon nang nasa matino kang pag-iisip, e 'di hindi ko sana masasampal ang nagmamay-ari sa 'yo. Hmp!

Tumawa ako sa naisip at inilingan na lang iyon. Isang oras pa yata akong nanatili sa kuwarto niya at mukhang mahimbing na ang tulog niya kaya nagpaalam na rin ako sa pamilya niya.

Kinabukasan ng madaling araw ay excited akong gumising at lumabas ng bahay para ako ang makakuha ng sweet treats na palaging iniiwan ni Harley sa labas ng pintuan namin tuwing Valentine's Day.

"Ako ang nakakuha! Thank you!" Halos magtatalon pa ako habang kausap si Harley sa kabilang linya ng telepono.

She laughed hoarsely. "You called right before I got to sleep, hmm?"

"Katatapos mo lang magpamigay?"

"Uhuh. You'll have a date later with Axe?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. Nakalimutan kong pag-usapan ang tungkol doon kay Axe kahapon. Hindi bale, ako na lang ang magse-set ng date para sa amin!

Pasado alas tres pa lang ng madaling araw nang magsimula na rin akong magbalot ng ipamimigay kong cookies. I packaged it in a transparent ziplock pouch and put it into a red envelope along with a short letter of appreciation for them. Patapos na ako sa ginagawa nang bumaba si Raghnall na magulo ang buhok at papikit-pikit pa.

"Aga mo," puna niya.

"It's Valentine's Day!"

"Ah."

Inirapan ko siya at iniabot ang isang envelope para sa kanya. "Mamaya mo na buksan 'yan!"

"Tss..." Iyon lang at kinuha niya na iyon sa akin. "Si Poppy?"

Nginuso ko ang baby ko na nasa isang gilid at nakahiga. Nagising lang siya kanina para samahan ako sa labas.

I personally delivered my sweet treats to my friends and close family friends before the sun rose. I also received chocolates and flowers from some of my friends and schoolmates.

I greeted Axe a Happy Valentine's Day but his last text this morning was just his usual good morning. Nang nakauwi ako noong hapon ay nakatanggap ako ng text galing kay Aji. Nakalagay roon ang address at pangalan ng restaurant na pinili ni Axasiel para sa date namin mamaya pati ang oras kung kailan ako pupunta.

Bakit pinadaan niya pa kay Aji iyon? Bakit hindi na lang diniretso sa akin na sabihin?

Shrugging my shoulders, pumili ako ng pulang bestida at heels na magandang ipares sa damit. I put on light makeup and tied my hair into a half-pony. Sa napag-usapang oras ay dumating ako sa restaurant pero wala pa rin siya.

Izzy:

nasa restau na po ako. will wait you here. ingat po sa pag-drive! i love you.

I didn't receive a response. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa restaurant at halos lahat ng narito ay may kapares. The music background, the ambiance, the menu, and even the waitstaff were working perfectly for this day. This night.

I checked the time, and it was already past 8 o'clock. I texted him again to ask about his location, but he has not replied.

Nagtawag na ako ng waiter na mabilis na lumapit sa akin. I ordered wine while I was waiting for him. Isang bote na iyon at sinabi kong ako na ang bahalang maglagay sa sarili kong baso.

Alas nuebe nang hindi na ako mapakali. I prayed that nothing bad happen to him. Ayos lang na ma-late, basta ay walang mangyari sa kanya. I know he'd come. He never stood me up. He will never.

Nilagok ko nang mabilisan ang wine at sinubukang tawagan na siya. Halos makalahati ko na ang bote at nawawalan na ako ng gana. My hands were trembling in worry and an uncertain feeling. Subalit hindi ko pa siya tuluyang natatawagan nang may natanggap akong short video clip na s-in-end niya sa Instagram.

Para akong sinaksak ng libu-libong kutsilyo nang mapanood iyon. Habang naghihintay ako rito, nag-aalala na baka napaano na siya... may hinahalikan at hinuhubaran na pala siyang iba.