Chapter 8: His Sanguine

Liezel Jami's Point Of View.

Kuya Yuno was drinking with us but then his group of friends took him, wala siyang nagawa kundi sumama na lang. Tahimik lang akong kumakain ngayon, dahil sa iniinom yata namin ay nararamdaman ko na parati akong naiihi.

Bumuntong hininga ako at inayos ang buhok ko, medyo pinapawisan nga ako sa leeg dahil siguro sa init na dala ng alak sa katawan.

Kaya pala halos mahilo si Kuya Laze noon, ganito pala talaga ang epekto ng alak sa tao. "Tumahimik ka bro?" Natignan ko si Kuya Yamato dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan niya.

"Wala."

"Ang dami mong napapansin," gitil ni Kuya Yamato kaya mahina akong bumungisngis at tsaka ako sumandal sa kinauupuan dahilan para masandalan ko ang kamay niya.

Napaayos naman ako kaagad, inalis niya naman 'yon tsaka siya tahimik lang na naupo. "Guys, why don't you go around? Para naman ma-enjoy niyo yung gabi hindi yung naglalasing kayo agad." Ate Sierah suggested.

"Let's go then," tumayo si Kuya Yamato at inilahad ang kamay niya.

Kukunin ko ba? O tatayo ako at maglalakad?

Tumayo ako on my own tsaka ko siya tinapik sa braso tapos ay nauna ako, sumunod naman siya. "Do you want to go upstairs?" Pagbabakasakali niya kaya natanaw ko sa taas.

May tables and room naman, tanaw pa ang stage, tumango ako kaya nauna akong umakyat. Nang makaakyat ay pigil hininga ako ng makita ang lalake sa harapan ko.

"Do you want to sleep with me?" Tinignan ko ang mukha niya, para siyang isang model pero hindi ako interisado.

"She's my date," sa pagsingit ni Kuya Yamato ay tumango at tumigil kaagad yung lalake na 'yon, matipid akong nginitian ni Kuya Yamato tapos ay sinenyasan niya akong sabayan siya.

Sobrang gwapo niya ngayon, ang kilay niya ay medyo makalat dahil makakapal ang buhok no'n, hamak na mas mahaba ang pilik-mata ni Kuya Yamato kumpara sa akin.

Mga lalake, gifted yata talaga sila pagdating sa kilay at pilikmata.

Tumunog naman ang music na sigurado ako ay kanta ng isang sikat, sobrang chill at ganda ng kanta na 'to.

Always, I'll Care By Jeremy Zucker.

Ipinatong ni Kuya Yamato ang siko niya sa railings habang nakatanaw siya sa stage sa ibaba, may magaling rin kasing drummer ngayon. Ginawa ko rin ang ginawa ni Kuya Yamato at tsaka ako tumanaw sa ibaba.

"Are you okay?" Nasulyapan ko siya tsaka ako alanganin na tumango, tumango rin siya at tsaka tumingin na sa ibaba.

"W-Were you hurt, A while ago?" Nahihiyang tanong ko, I just want to ask.

"Hmm, what do you mean?" Natignan niya ako, hinarap niya ako kaya naman napalunok ako.

"W-When you saw her, in the restroom.."

"I don't know, I just can't figure it out." Huminga ako ng malalim, matipid ko siyang nginitian.

"Kuya, Don't allow anyone to treat you poorly just because you love them." Huminga siya ng malalim, matipid rin siyang ngumiti at tumango.

"Don't worry," pabulong niyang sabi.

"You are the only person you will spend your entire life with, so love yourself first. Okay?" I even gave him a thumbs up, waiting for his response.

"Okay," napangiti ako nang bigyan niya rin ako ng thumbs up. Even though he's old enough, he needed guidance as he loved someone so much.

"Are you my guardian angel, somehow?" Sa biglang sinabi niya ay umawang ang labi ko, "Bakit po?"

"You look like you were," he added and sighed.

"You never gave up on me, when I did. Thank you," he sincerely stated and smiled.

Natulala ako sa ngiti niya dahil damang dama ko talaga yung sincerity niya, "Kuya Yamato, I know that things are not easy. Especially it's a two-year relationship, you can't unattach yourself that easily." I explained that I understand him.

"That's how painful it is, because you're expecting a different ending. I'm sure you dreamed of marrying her," ako mismo ang nasaktan sa sinabi ko.

"And now I badly wanted to remove her from my life," nabawi ng sinabi niya ang sakit na naramdaman ko. Napatitig ako sa kaniya ng matagal, iniiwas ko ang tingin nang mapansin niya 'yon.

"It will take a lot of time po," wika ko.

"Even if it will take me a year, Jami. Okay lang, I just want to remove her inside." He pointed to his heart and smiled a little. I wish I could help him.

"Then I'll be your guardian angel, I'll stop you from getting hurt again." I handed him my hand for a deal, he stared at me for a sec and then he smiled.

"Deal." He took my hand and shook it, ngumiti ako at ganoon rin siya. Nang dahan-dahan niyang bitiwan ang kamay ko ay nakagat ko ang ibabang labi tsaka ako tumanaw sa ibaba.

"Kuha lang po ako ng drinks natin," paalam ko at tsaka hindi na siya hinintay magsalita baka kasi hindi pa siya pumayag.

Nang makapunta sa counter ay natutuwa akong umorder ng drinks namin, bumalik naman ako kaagad dala ang sakto na bote lang at dalawang shot glass.

"You're really— never mind. Let's drink," binuksan niya 'yon at tsaka niya nilagyan ang baso namin.

"Please drink responsibly," paalala niya kaya ngumuso ako, nahihilo na nga ako sa nainom namin kanina.

"You can open up po," pagsasabi ko sa kaniya.

"About?" Paglilinaw niya.

"About what you really feel po," napakurap siya tapos ay uminom sa shot glass niya. Lumabas pa ang litid niya ng gumuhit 'yon sa lalamunan niya.

"Wala, I just don't want to acknowledge the care and concern I felt as she deceived me about her sickness." Bumuntong hininga ako sa kwento niya, sabi na eh.

"She wants me back, then why is she with that pilot?" He added, "'Di ba? It's okay na sana but then she's caught by her own trap." Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi on how he expresses his feelings.

"She's just making me realize how I regret having her," tumango ako muli.

"How about you? About the guy you like?" Napatitig ako sa kaniya sa sinabi niya, kuya ikaw po.

Kuya ikaw po yung gusto ko hehehe, na gusto kong kalimutan. Gusto mo po ba sabay tayo mag-move on?

"Ah huwag mo na po isipin 'yon," pagsasabi ko pa, baka tanungin niya kung sino.

"Do you have a suitor?" Sa tanong niya ay napatitig ako sa kaniya, suitor? Maga-apply ba siya?

"I mean, have you ever had someone who courts you?" Dahan-dahan akong umiling.

"Some confessed, and got r-rejected po." Tumango siya at sumandal sa kinauupuan.

"Tama 'yan, don't love first. You'll just get hurt," nakagat ko ang dila at uminom na lang, nauubusan na ako ng sasabihin.

Nang makalahati na namin yung alcohol ay medyo nahihilo na talaga ako but I guess I can handle, "Maybe things got out of hands when you started doing something bad right? Then you'll tell yourself not to do it again but end up making the same mistake." Titig na titig ako kay Kuya Yamato tsaka ako ngumiti.

Tumango ako ng ilang beses, "You are right." I gave him a thumbs up and then rested my chin on the back of my palm.

"Lasing ka na?" Sinuri niya ako at natatawang tinitigan, "Your alcohol tolerance are great for a first time." He stated, Kuya Yamato grabbed a tissue and I was taken away when he dabbed it gently on my lips.

"Ang kalat mo, alak na nga lang iniinom mo." Matipid niyang sabi, humaba ang nguso ko dahil ayan na naman siya sa actions niyang nakaka-in love.

Paano na ako?

"Why did you become my date tonight?" Napakurap siya sa tanong ko, he cleared his throat and then he wiped his lips using the back of his palm.

"Just because," lumunok ako sa sagot niya.

"Bakit nga po?"

"Because, because.." Umawang ang labi ko sa pabiro niyang sagot, seryoso ba siya?

"Kuya Yamato naman."

"If you'll date someone, isn't it better to be me? At least. You're safe," wika niya at tsaka siya sumandal at sandaling pumikit.

"Nahihilo na ako," pabulong niyang sabi.

"Nilagyan mo siguro ng betsin?" Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"What betsin po?" Umiling iling siya at natawa.

"Wala."

Hindi na ako nagsalita at tinitigan ko na lang siya, nang mapatingin siya sa akin ay agaran akong napaiwas tingin.

"They say you should experience everything at 18, because when I was eighteen I did what I wanted, even if it's against my parents." He smiled while telling his own stories.

"I even did the worst, I got locked up in school." Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Bakit po?"

"Well, I slept in the library, sa pinaka-dulo." Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi, trying not to laugh.

Kuya Yamato's gaze were suddenly diverted at my back, pasimple kong nalingon doon ngunit natigilan ako ng makita si Athena and his pilot boyfriend.

Bumuntong hininga ako, he's still affected after all. Love is really toxic sometimes, even if it hurts us we can't stop.

Nagulumihanan ako nang lumapit yung pilot boyfriend ni Athena sa amin, handa na akong umawat ngunit natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. "You guys are out on a date huh?"

"Yes." Kuya Yamato's lips rose on the corner, smirking and staring confidently.

"Do you have a problem with that?" His voice was manly and I can't deny that it makes him more attractive.

"Well, just to inform and to threaten you. Stop contacting my girlfriend, she just used you for money, she used your credit card to buy what we need in our house." My lips parted in disbelief.

The nerve?

"Ano ba, stop it na." Athena tried to stop his boyfriend, but Kuya Yamato was just staring at Athena's pilot boyfriend.

"You can continue," Kuya Yamato suggested and rested his elbows on the table while helding both of his hands.

"Hmm? What more?" He was cool, Kuya Yamato was cool and I like how brave he is, not showing it hurts him.

"She bought a laundry machine using my money?" He confirmed and nods, "Bought a bag using my money, bought everything she likes," mahinang natawa si Kuya Yamato at napayuko pa ngunit nakangisi na siyang tumingin sa lalake.

"I thought she left me because I was broke, but then I found out you guys used me for my money. How highly do I feel?" He sarcastically mentioned.

"You're proud of that? That she bought everything you guys need in your home using my money?" Kwestyon niya pa, pinamumukha yung katangahan at kahihiyan na ginawa nila.

"My allowance is not that big, it's my savings. But it's fine, just take those and leave. Leave my life permanently, as you pleased." Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi ng sumeryoso si Kuya Yamato at bumalik na sa pagkakaupo.

"What a shame," bulong na pinaririnig ko sa kanila.

"I-Ikaw talaga!"

"Tandaan mo, hindi ka gugustuhin kahit kailan ni Yamato! Kasi ako ang mahal niya, kawawa ka nama—"

"Says who?" Napatitig ako kay Kuya Yamato habang nanlalaki ang mata after he cut off Athena's words.

"She's my date tonight, Athena. Don't be so full of yourself," Kuya Yamato's smirk was so realistic to the point that I couldn't take my eyes off him.

"You're just using her to make me jealous," mariing sabi ni Athena, masama ang tingin.

"Hmm, you think so?" I swallowed the lump on my throat as I stared at him. He's making my heart race..

"Y-You're just drunk and hurt Yamato, I know you still love me." I tried not to sigh, maybe what Athena said was true.

"I'm in the state of my sobriety, Athena. I can be so in love with you, but I can unlove you easily." Kuya Yamato's stare, and tone were shouting with confidence.

So evident..

"Y-You're lying!" Galit na sigaw ni Athena.

Tanga ba 'to o sadyang may kumalas na turnilyo sa utak niya? "Y-You influenced him! This is your fault!" Athena was about to grab my hair but Kuya Yamato's reflex was so fast that he stopped her wrist.

"I respect how you disrespect me, Athena. I guess you can stop from ruining our night, don't touch her." Kinuha ni Kuya Yamato ang kamay ko at tsaka niya ako pinatayo at pinaupo sa tabi niya.

I gasped for air, as I felt like losing some. He's so close to me that I felt suffocated but safe at the same time.

Kuya Yamato, if you don't have plans on liking me back. Please don't do this to me..

"You're unbelievable!" Galit na galit na bulyaw sa amin ni Athena, umiwas tingin ako. "Don't mind her," Kuya Yamato bit his lower lip and then stared at me, But then!

I almost forgot how to breathe when he slid the strands of my hair on the back of my ears! Oh my god, how's my heart?

What's with his lower lip? Is he flirting with me? How? H-How is he so handsome!

His brow shot up when he noticed my face, "Damn you're red." My eyes widened as he announced, "I-It's make up." I lied.

He playfully nodded, napaiwas tingin ako as I felt his chest from my back.

I can't breathe!

Pinanood kong hilain ng piloto niyang boyfriend si Athena, nagwawala sa inis, lasing na yata.

"W-Wala na sila." Hindi ako sumandal as we are so close and a little movement will make me feel his chest on my back again.

"So?" Sa tugon niya ay tuluyan ng nag-init ang pisngi ko.

Pasimple akong lumayo sa kaniya, ngunit bago pa man makalayo ng sobra ay halos mapapikit ako nang saluhin ng palad ni Kuya Yamato ang balikat ko dahilan para matigil ako sa pag-usod.

He playfully shook his head and chuckled, "Your brother will kill me," wika niya kaya naman nalingon ko siya sa gulat ngunit halos mapaatras ang ulo ko ng sobrang lapit na ng mukha namin.

"K-Kuya Yamato, i-it's not a good joke." Pabulong na sabi ko, kinakabahan.

"Joke? Where's the joke?" Maangan niya kaya ngumuso ako.

He leaned back and gave me space, he cleared his throat and glanced at the stage. His eyes look tired and it seems like the alcohol is now working.

"I was your first kiss right?" Nanlaki ang mata ko siyang nilingon.

"H-Hindi," pagsisinungaling ko.

"You never had anyone," he stated, confirming.

"Hindi po ikaw," pagsisinungaling ko.

"Ah, okay." Tumango siya.

"I'll tell your brother then—"

"No." Pigil ko.

"He'll be mad," I pouted my lips.

"Kuya Laze is strict, more strict than my dad. He'll probably start a fight with the person who ever kissed me." Kuya Yamato stopped himself from smiling, which made me pout.

"You can tell him, para masapok ka niya." His eyes widened when he realized.

"So it was me?"

"Ikaw naman po may kasalanan no'n, inakala mo yatang ako si Athena." Bulong ko.

"Ah," hindi na siya nagsalita.

"I'm sorry about that," bulong niyang sabi.

"Okay lang po," sagot ko naman at inabot ang glass.

"Now that you're my date, I'm having fun." Nakangising sabi niya kaya lumunok ako, hehehe telege be? I mean talaga ba?

"Kuya Yamato—"

"You're my date but you're calling me kuya, how foul." Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya, ano ba dapat?

"A-Ano po ba dapat?"

"Remove the kuya," mahinang sabi niya.

"E-Eh.."

"H-Hindi po ba awkward?"

"Just for today, since you're my date." Tumango ako, matipid naman siyang ngumiti.

"Kuya—" napigil ko ang sarili dahil nalingon niya kaagad ako, lumunok ako at huminga ng malalim.

"Hindi po talaga ako sanay," bulong ko.

"Gumagawa ka pa po ba ng comics?" Sa tanong ko ay matipid siyang umiling.

"Try niyo po kaya ulit? Wala na po akong binabasang bago." Nakangusong sabi ko.

"Ah," hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin.

He sighed heavily and crossed his arms over his chest, he even playfully put his tongue on the insides of his cheeks and glanced at me.

"We'll see then," ngumiti ako at tumango.

"That's good po!" I happily said and looked around, a lot of people were partying and having fun.

"Study hard, okay? Don't party all the time. When I was in first year it was the hardest 'cause you'll adjust." Paalala niya, napatitig ako sa kaniya as I noticed him talking in english a lot.

Ganoon ba talaga pag broken?

Noon, sobrang loko-loko niya pa kay Ate Miran, as I remember we formally introduced ourselves to each other when my brother turned 18.

And the way he introduced me, makes me miss his old him. "Hey," he softly called me, which made me stop from dozing off.

"P-Po?"

"Lasing ka na?" He softly asked and stared.

"Hindi po," pagsasabi ko ng totoo.

I'm still on my right mind pa naman, "Kuy— Why aren't you worse po? She did cheated on you pero you're still kind on her." Sa tanong ko ay gumalaw ang adams apple niya and I guess he gulped.

"It's because my respect is still here, it will stay Jami. Dapat kahit pa ginawan ka na ng masama ng partner mo noon, you should still respect each other." Napatitig ako sa kaniya sa explanation niya.

"I can't talk bad about her, as I respect her as a woman. It's not my loss anyway, let it pass and be bygones." He chuckled and scratched his head a little.

"We'll surely meet again at the party," he said, "At my sister's birthday."

"Ah oo nga po pala," wika ko.

"Hmm," he replied and closed his mouth as he yawned.

"Lasing ka na po?"

"Nope, just sleepy." Paglilinaw niya.

Napansin ko na matagal na rin kami sa taas, baka iba na ang isipin ni Ate Sierah. "Oh," nalingon ko si Kuya Yamato na nakatitig sa cellphone niya.

"Your cousin is fast, she follows me on instagram." Pinakita ni Kuya Yamato 'yon, and I realized that I am not following him.

Nahihiya ako..

"Are we following each other?" Napalingon ako sa kaniya, dahan-dahan akong umiling.

"Ah, what's your account?" He asked and handed me his phone, kinuha ko 'yon at nilagay ang username ko.

"Got it," he announced and a notification popped up on my phone so I tapped it and followed him back.

Agaran ko namang nakita ang latest post niya so I double tapped it and turned off my phone. "You're not active on social media?" Kwestyon niya.

"I just put them on archive po." Napatango siya at tsaka huminga ng malalim.

Ibinaba niya na ang cellphone niya tapos ay sumandal siya sa kinauupuan, he closed his eyes and I glanced at him as I had the chance to do so..

Ngumiti ako, ngunit napansin ko ang nalaglag na pilikmata niya, I raised my hand and reach it with my fingers but then as my finger touches his skin he instantly stopped my hand by gripping my wrist.

Nagulat kami sa isa't isa, "There's an eyelash.." I reasoned out.

Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa mukha ko tapos ay binitiwan niya ang pulsuhan ko kaya kinuha ko na 'yon, nang makuha ay hinarap ko siya lalo. "M-Make a wish po and then blow it," he unbelievably looked at me and then closed his eyes for a sec and then blew his eyelash.

Ngumiti ako, nang maubos namin ang isang bottle ay tumayo na siya. "Let's go back, or have a dance in the crowd." Anyaya niya.

Sumangayon ako at tumayo na ngunit bahagya pa akong nawala sa balanse dahilan para huliin niya ang siko ko at itayo ako ng maayos.

"Kaya mo? Okay ka pa?"

"Opo." Sagot ko naman.

Sa hagdan ay inalalayan niya na lang ako kaya nang makababa ay natigilan kami ng nanlalaki ang mata ni Ate Sierah na tinuro kami.

"Did you use a room? Oh my god!" She exaggerated.

"Of course not, it's not a thing to do with an 18 year old." Seryosong sagot ni Kuya Yamato, natigil si Ate Sierah.

"Ah oo nga pala, si Yamato ka." Ngumiti si Ate Sierah at halos manlaki ang mata naming dalawa ng pisilin niya ang pisngi ni Kuya Yamato.

Tapos ay umalis na siya, lasing na yata 'yon? "I'll just get something from my car, Jami. Want to come?" Napatitig ako sa kaniya, tapos ay tumango ako.

Naglakad kami palabas, pagkarating sa sasakyan niya ay binuksan niya 'yon tapos ay may kinuha siya sa mismong bag niya at nang mapansin ko na vape 'yon ay napatitig ako sa kaniya.

"Do you have asthma?" He poured something on his vape and then closed it.

Pinuno niya 'yon kaya nagtaka ako, "Wala po."

"Ah, great. Are you allergic to smoke?" He asked while holding and fixing something on his vape.

"Hindi po." Tumango siya muli at matipid na ngumiti, sandali siyang naupo sa shotgun seat habang ang paa niya ay nasa lapag.

He opened his vape and pressed a button, nakita ko naman ang usok kaya napalunok ako. "It has no nicotine, it won't be bad for your health." I watched him sipped on the top of it and exhaled the smoke.

Huminga siya ng malalim at hinayaang lumabas sa bibig at sa matangos niyang ilong ang usok.

Pinanood ko lang siya, I really don't like vapes but as I'm watching him. He suits it, umiwas tingin ako at napansin ko na kami lang ang nasa parking.

He inhaled and exhaled from it, it really smells good, hinahaluan pa 'yon ng amoy ng pabango niya na kahit simoy ng hangin ay dinadala 'yon.

Ibinulsa niya ang isang palad, napatitig siya sa akin ay halos matigilan ako ng i-abot niya sa akin yung vape. Hinawakan ko naman 'yon, "Try it."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa suhestyon niya, "H-Hindi na po, hindi ako marunong." Tumango siya at tsaka kinuha na 'yon sa kamay ko ng ibalik ko.

The time I spent with him tonight was marvelous, I am enjoying the night. Because he's my date.

I am tall, but he is tall like my brother. I still needed to look up to see his handsome face, bakit kaya siya nagpalit ng juice na walang nicotine?

"Why did you change your juice po pala? Last time it was strong eh," pagbabakasakali ko, nasulyapan niya ako at tsaka siya mahinang natawa.

"I don't know, I just found out that it makes you dizzy and I thought of changing it." Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi, nag-init ang pisngi ko kahit na para sa kaniya ay walang ibig sabihin 'yon.

"Let's head back," he gestured to me to follow and so I did.

Inaantok na ako sa totoo lang, pagkabalik sa table namin ay nandoon rin ang ibang friends niya, kababalik lang.

Sandali akong yumuko sa mesa, "Are you drunk?" I felt two taps on my shoulder so I glanced at Kuya Yuno.

"Sleepy po." Tumango ito at sinuri pa ako, "Hatid na kita pauwi?" Kwestyon niya.

"Don't drunk drive," paalala ni Kuya Yamato.

"Sabay na kami uuwi," suhestyon ni Ate Sierah.

"Ako na maghahatid sa inyo, hindi naman na ako iinom." Nalingon namin si Kuya Yamato, halos magulat kaming lahat ng lumapit si Kuya Yuno kay Kuya Yamato.

"B-Ba't?"

"Okay, mukhang mabilis ka naman mag-sober up." Pagpayag ni Kuya Yuno kaya ngumiti ako.

"Sobriety," pag-ulit ko sa naalala ko na words that came from Kuya Yamato's mouth kanina.

I easily adapted to him.

I hope this continues, I'll be his guardian angel and guide him with all of my heart. He keeps on making my heart flutter, I wish I could be this happy everyday.

"Jami," he snapped his fingers in front of my face and smiled, "Stop staring at me. You'll fall and if that happens, I can't do anything but to catch you." My eyes widened when his lips rose up after he stated those words.

W-Why is he like this?!

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@/n: Any thoughts? Hope you liked it! Keep safe.