CHAPTER 7

HINAPLOS NI Knight ang pisngi ni SM habang mahimbing itong natutulog. Mainit pa rin ito hanggang ngayon kahit nakainom na ito ng gamot. Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga. If this continues, I will bring you to the hospital tomorrow.

Knight continued caressing SM's cheek as he looked at her intently.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Magpagaling ka na. Don't make me worry too much, Sweet Monday. It'll drive me crazy."

Tumagilid ng higa si SM saka hinawakan ang kamay niyang humahaplos sa pisngi nito. Napangiti siya ng maramdamang mahigpit ang hawak nito sa kamay niya.

She was mumbling in her sleep, making him smile.

"So cute..." bulong niya na may ngiti sa mga labi saka hindi napigilan ang sarili na halikan ang dalaga sa gilid ng mga labi nito.

"... Knight..." she murmured, still asleep.

"Are you dreaming of me?" He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I would love to stay by your side but, I'll be tempted to kiss you. Hindi ako puwedeng magkasakit, hindi ako puwedeng maging mahina—kailangan kitang protektahan."

Sa mga nangyari ngayong araw, kailangan niyang maging handa. His father will not only come for him, he will also come for SM. Hindi niya alam kung kailan 'yon mangyayari kaya kailangan niyang maging handa.

He will not let anyone hurt SM. He's the one who dragged her to his world, he should be the one to protect her from it.

Knight took a deep breath and slowly pulled his hand away from SM's hold. Then he caressed her hair.

"Sleep tight..." he whispered before getting up and leaving SM's room.

Nang makababa siya sa sala, si Midnight na lang ang nandoon at nanunood ng TV na walang tunog. Kanina pa umalis si Cloud pagkatapos nilang maghapunan para sundin ang inutos niyang paglakap ng impormasyon tungkol sa paparating na namang bagong pinuno ng Triad dito sa bansa.

They have to be ready.

Umupo siya sa pang-isahang sofa na kaharap ng kinauupuang mahabang sofa ni Midnight saka pinakatitigan ang kapatid.

"Can we talk?" Tanong niya sa kapatid.

Kaagad namang ini-off ni Midnight ang TV saka tumingin sa kaniya. "I'm all ears."

Knight took a deep breath. "Why call me 'Kuya' earlier?" Deretso niyang tanong. "What's going on?"

"Pagod na ako." Sagot ni Midnight saka panagsak na nahiga sa mahabang sofa at tumitig sa kisame. "Pagod na ako, Kuya. Pagod na akong mag-isa. Siguro hindi mo nararamdaman 'yon kasi kasama mo si Cloud... pero... ako— hindi ko na kaya."

"Night..."

"Ayoko na, Kuya. Pagod na pagod na akong magpanggap palagi. Ayoko na."

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "I'm sorry... hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin nagagawa ang pangako ko sa 'yo."

"We were both naïve back then." Midnight whispered, "look at us now... both bosses... but still powerless."

Napuno ng katahimikan ang buong salas. Walang nagsalita sa kanilang dalawa hanggang sa basagin iyon ni Night pagkalipas ng maraming minuto.

"You're not gonna accept me again, are you?" Midnight asked. "Maybe I'm already too late. I'd been ignoring you for years because I thought you abandoned me. Kahit hindi mo sabihin sa 'kin, nararamdaman ko, Kuya. Ayaw mo na sa 'kin. I'd been reaching out to you but you seem distant and—"

"I have to be away from you, little brother." Putol niya sa iba pa nitong sasabihin, "wala akong ibang gusto kundi bumalik tayo sa dati. I miss the look in your eyes every time you look at me before— so much trust. But... if we return like before, father will take you away again. I'm sure of that. At hindi ko alam kung saan ka na naman niya dadalhin... kung saan ka na naman niya itatago... so we have to be apart, do you understand me? To keep you safe, I have to pretend that I don't care about you anymore. But even though I'm treating you badly, I will always be your 'kuya' no matter what, you hear me?"

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Night habang mariing nakapikit ang mga mata nito. "Hanggang kailan ba tayo magiging ganito, Kuya? Pagod na ako."

Tumingala siya sa kisame saka huminga ng malalim. "Just give me time. I'll do something. I promise."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kapatid dahil hindi na ito umimik. Natigilan siya ng makitang nakatingin sa kaniya si Night, puno ng pagtitiwala ang kislap ng mga mata nito tulad noon.

Midnight... he's trusting me again.

And in that moment, he doesn't want to do anything that can ruin that trust again. This time, he won't disappoint his brother. Gagawin niya lahat makalabas lang ito sa buhay nito ngayon.

"What are you planning to do?" Tanong ni Midnight habang tinutulak ang sarili paupo sa sofa, "it's not as if father will let you do what you want."

"I'll figure it out."

Tumayo si Night saka nakangiting lumapit sa kaniya at ginulo ang buhok niya na ikinatigil niya. It's the first time Night did that to him. Messing his hair like he's the youngest.

"Don't worry, Kuya, this time, I'll hold on to your promise however long it takes." Ani ni Night na ginugulo pa rin ang buhok niya, "just don't abandon me ever."

He nodded.

"Sige," Midnight waved his hand at him, "alis na ako. Take care of SM."

Kaagad na sumama ang mukha niya. "Hindi mo na kailangang sabihin sa 'kin 'yon!"

Midnight smiled. "Make sure she'll be okay. She's the first woman who can differentiate me from you. I like her—"

"She's mine!"

"We both know she's not." Kumaway ulit ang kamay nito saka lumabas ng bahay.

Siya naman ay nalukot ang mukha.

That twerp! Liking, SM, my ass! My boss is mine!

Alam niyang hindi nagbibiro si Night. SM is the first outsider who can differentiate the two of them. If it's big deal to him, it's big deal to Night as well.

Though he would give his brother everything, but not SM.

Not my Sweet Monday.

Knight sighed before locking the door and windows ang returning to SM's room. She's still asleep and her fever hasn't gone down. Mukhang hindi pa umi-epekto ang gamot na pina-inom niya rito.

Fuck!

Naglagay ulit siya ng tubig sa palangganita at masuyong hinaplos ang mukha, leeg, balikat at braso ni SM gamit ang bimpo.

Hindi siya tumigil sa paghaplos sa katawan nito hanggang sa hindi bumababa ng kaunti ang lagnat nito. Ilang oras na ang lumipas pero wala siyang pagod na maramdaman. Patuloy lang siya sa pag-aalaga sa dalaga.

"You're gonna be okay..." bulong niya kay SM ng makitang gumuhit ang sakit sa mukha nito. "You're gonna be okay..."

But SM continued being restless. Sumunod sa pagbakas ng sakit sa mukha nito ay ang luha na namalisbis mula sa mga mata nito.

"SM—"

"N-no ..." she was crying heavily now, "n-no... n-no... s—s-stop h-hurting me... stop! Stop! S-stop! No! I don't know anything! T—t-tama na... p-please... t-tama na... p—p-lease... stop... stop..."

Knight keeps on drying her tears as she begged in her sleep, "it's okay... I'm here... I'm not gonna hurt you... SM... wake up. Wake up!"

But she won't wake up and her tears keeps on streaming down her cheeks.

"SM, it's okay... I'm here..."

But nothing. SM started trashing, murmuring and crying and she keeps on pleading whoever was hurting her in her nightmare to stop. She was begging... pleading ...

And all Knight could do was lay on the bed with her and hugged her as tight as he could while caressing her hair down to her back while whispering 'I'm here' over her ear again and again.

Finally, she stopped crying and trashing.

Nakahinga ng maluwang si Knight saka tinuyo ang pisngi ng dalaga at hinalikan ito sa nuo. Thank God.

Biglang gumalaw ang dalaga na yakap ng mga bisig niya.

"K-Knight?"

Natigilan siya at binigyang distansiya ang katawan nilang dalawa.

"Boss." Kaagad siyang napangiti ng makitang gising na ito, "thank God you're awake!" He happily exclaimed then he realized their position, "sorry about our position, boss, I was just trying to calm you down. I'll get up now."

Akmang aalis siya sa kama ng pigilan siya ni SM sa kamay, doon lang niya napansin ang panlalamig at panginginig niyon.

"S-stay..." she pleaded, "I'm— i-I'm—"

Pinagsiklop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa. "I'm here. Hindi ako aalis."

SM looks relieved when he return to lay on the bed.

"Pasensiya ka na." Pabulong na sabi ni SM sa kaniya, "I'm just... just..." hindi nito masabi-sabi ang nararamdaman.

But he can see it. The fear in her eyes.

Knight smiled. "Can I hug you? Para mawala ang takot mo? Kung ayos lang naman. Don't worry, I'm not gonna do anything to you. Just hug."

Natahimik si SM at bumaba ang tingin sa magkasiklop nilang mga kamay bago ito na mismo ang naglapit ng katawan sa kaniya.

Pinaunan niya ang dalaga sa braso niya saka masuyong niyakap ang katawan nito at hinalikan sa nuo. "Rest now. Hindi ako aalis."

Naramdaman niyang tumango si SM habang isinisiksik ang katawan sa katawan niya.

Knight can feel her body shivering, her hand cold and sweating.

She's really scared.

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka hinigpitan ang yakap sa dalaga.

I'm here, Sweet Monday. "Don't be afraid."

Ipinikit niya ang mga mata habang yakap pa rin ang dalaga. At hindi niya namalayang unti-unti rin siyang nakatulog.

SM's eyes twitched when light hit her face. Slowly, she opened her eyes and yawned, still feeling sleepy. But unlike yesterday, she's already feeling better. Medyo mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam niya pero hindi na katulad kahapon.

Tumuon ang mga mata niya sa katabi niya na hawak pa rin ang kamay niya.

Knight...

He really didn't let go of her hand. Even in his sleep.

Masuyo siyang napangiti habang nakatitig sa guwapong mukha ng katabi. He really took care of her since yesterday.

She's thankful.

Mahina siya kagabi. Walang kalaban-laban kung gagawan ng masama lalo na pagkatapos niyang managinip ng masama. Pero inalagaan siya ni Knight. He didn't do anything to take advantage of her weak state.

Umangat ang kamay niyang malaya saka hinaplos ang pisngi ni Knight. Nakakailang haplos palang siya ng magsalita ito na ikinagulat pero ikinangiti rin niya.

"Naakit ka na ba sa kaguwapuhan ko?"

Instead of feeling awkward around him because they hugged last night and they're sleeping next to each other, she felt at ease and happy.

Hinaplos niya ang nakapikit pa rin nitong mga mata. "Oo, pero dahil siguro to sa lagnat ko kaya namamalikmata lang ako."

Natatawang iminulat nito ang mga mata saka tumitig ng matiim sa kaniya. "Good morning, Sweet Monday."

She smiled back and teased him. "Good morning, my Lord."

Knight's lips parted as his eyes glowed with desire, "don't turn me on, boss. I'm already hard as it is."

Tumawa siya saka napailing, "go take care of it then."

Napapantastikuhang napatitig sa kaniya ang binata. "Boss, do you know hard it is to jack off in someone else's bathroom?"

Umawang ang labi niya saka hinila ang kumot para takpan ang mukha niya dahil sa pag-iinit niyon. "What I mean is cold shower!"

"Oh." Knight laughed. "I misunderstood."

"Knight!" Inalis niya ang kumot sa pagkakatakip sa mukha saka tiningnan ng masama ang binata. "Stop being a pervert! Nakakadalawa ka na niyan! Akala mo hindi ko narinig 'yong sinabi mo nuong nasa café tayo, doon sa opisina ko? You said something perverted too!"

Knight laughed. "It was true! I was hard, even now—"

"Too much information!" She hissed at Knight.

Knight laughed again. "You're so cute when mad... but I'm really hard—"

"Knight!" Inagaw niya ang kamay niyang hawak nito saka pinagsusuntok si Knight. "I will kick your ass, you pervert! Get off my bed. Get off!"

Tawa lang ng tawa ang loko-loko habang pinagsusuntok niya ito braso.

"I yield! I yield!" Sigaw ni Knight habang pinagsusuntok niya ito. "I yield, boss! I give up! Baka mabinat ka...boss... boss!"

"Then stop saying things like that—"

"But i. Am. Hard! I don't want to lie to you—"

Mas lumakas ang pagsuntok niya rito pero hinuli ni Knight ang kamay niya at sa isang kisap mata, kinubabawan siya nito habang nakapinid ang mga kamay niya sa magkabilang gilid ng uluhan niya.

His lips was so near hers.

So near... something inside her stomach was twisting and fluttering.

Itutulak sana niya palayo si Knight ng bigla na lang bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto niya at pumasok doon ang isang taong hindi niya inaasahang makita sa bahay niya.

He's a stranger after all.

Cloud Beaumont Sebastian. Knight's butler.

May dala itong tray na may agahan. At ni hindi man lang ito nagulat o naging apektado sa posisyon nila ni Knight, basta nilagay lang nito ang tray na may pagkain sa bedside table niya saka yumukod sa kaniya ni Knight.

"This is your breakfast, my Lady." Ani Cloud na nakayuko. "Together with your medicine." Then he looked at Knight, "while you, my Lord, please come down to the dining table. You're not sick."

Napakurap-kurap siya nang makalabas si Cloud sa kuwarto niya saka nagkatinginan sila ni Knight.

"Your butler is very professional." Komento niya.

"Yeah." Knight, then, smiled. "By the way, good morning again, boss." Pagkasabi nito niyon ay hinalikan siya nito ng mariin sa mga labi.

Bago pa siya makapag-react, nakaalis na si Knight sa ibabaw niya saka nakatakbo na palabas.

Nagpakawala siya ng malakas na hininga saka napahawak sa mga labi niya.

I'm getting used to his kisses... and if she's being honest, she quite like it.

GULAT NA GULAT si SM ng matapos siyang mag-agahan sa kuwarto niya saka nakababa sa kusina at nalamang halos ubos na lahat ng pinamili niyang grocery para sa pang dalawang linggo— lalo na 'yong madaling lutuin o gawin tulad ng kape, instant noodles, pancit canton, nuggets, canned goods like corned beef and meat loaf and many more.

And the three men responsible for that was sitting side by side on the long sofa in her house living room, with their head hang low.

There sitting arrangement... from the left. Cloud. Knight. Midnight.

"Paano niyo naubos ang grocery ko?" Hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong sa tatlo habang nakaupo siya sa pang-isahang sofa na kaharap ng mahabang sofa na kinauupuan ng tatlo. "Isang araw lang akong may sakit, naubos niyo 'yon?"

Napaigtad siya ng bigla na lang umalis sa pagkakaupo si Cloud saka lumuhod ito sa harapan niya. "I take all the responsibility, my Lady. I was so fascinated with the instant noddles, pancit canton, nuggets and canned goods that I cooked them all."

Napangiwi siya. "Wala ba niyon sa inyo?"

Umiling si Knight. "I don't even know that such thing exists."

Nasapo niya ang sentido.

"The noodles are fascinating and so easy to cook. Back in the Palace, I have to make our own noodles that'll suit my Lord's tastes buds. And the nuggets, I also have to make them, cut them, seasoned them before cooking— but here— you already have a ready made! Such thinking! And don't start me with the canned goods— they are by far tasty and so easy to cook. And I learn from Midnight that it's also cheap."

Hinilot niya ang sentido saka napatingin kay Midnight na siyang normal lang siguro sa tatlo.

He's unlike Knight and Cloud. That means, he probably didn't grow up at the same household with Knight.

Napailing siya. "It's not cheap, for you, maybe, but for commoners like me, it's pricey."

Cloud looked at her, "pricey? How much is the canned good corned beef?"

"Forty to eighty pesos— depends on the grams."

Cloud face made a so shock impression. Para itong nakakita ng multo. "Holy mother fucker— it's very cheap indeed! While I have to buy a premium meat from abroad worth ten thousand to make a ground pork."

Napanganga siya. "Ten thousand?"

"Yes, my Lady."

Napailing-iling siya. "Wow... I never felt so poor in my life."

Midnight tsked. "That's why you two are broke." Napailing ito.

"I feel ashamed." Bagsak ang balikat ni Cloud habang lugong-lugo pa rin.

"Kung ganun mula ngayon, doon na tayo bibili sa Grocery store na binibilhan ni SM." Deklara ni Knight na ikinailing niya. "Premium meat is good but, canned goods are also good. What do you say, Cloud?"

Cloud's body straightened like he has been revived or something. "Yes, my Lord. From now on, I shall only buy commoners food to save money."

Pinikit niya ang mga mata at napasandal siya sa likuran ng sofa. Kagagaling lang niya sa sakit. Kapag magpatuloy 'to, baka magkasakit siya ulit dahil sa tatlong 'to.

"Magaling na ako." Sabi niya. "Makakaalis na kayong tatlo. Salamat sa pag-aalaga niyo sa 'kin at sa pag-ubos niya sa pagkain ko."

"No. We should replace all the food we ate." Wika ni Knight saka tumayo at nilapitan siya.

... fifteen minutes later, SM found herself entering the Grocery store where she usually buys her food.

With the three headache beside her.

Pero natigilan siya ng makitang may suot na itim na mask si Midnight saka naka-cap ito na para bang nagtatago ito. Ayaw ba nitong makita ng iba?

Must be.

Hinayaan lang ni SM ang tatlo. Kumuha ng malaking pushcart si Cloud, si Knight naman at kumuha nang maliit na pushcart. Habang si Midnight naman ay walang imik lang na naglalakad sa tabi niya. Pareho silang nasa likod ni Cloud at Knight na tulak-tulak ang pushcart at panay lagay ng grocery doon.

Binalingan niya si Midnight saka nagtanong, "ayos ka lang ba?"

Walang imik itong tumango.

He doesn't look fine. Parang bigla itong lumayo kay Knight ng makapasok sila sa grocery, hindi lang 'yon, nagtakip pa ito ng mukha.

"How can you tell?" Biglang tanong sa kaniya ni Midnight na ikinabaling ulit niya rito.

"How can I tell what?"

"How can you tell that it's me and not my brother?"

"Ah, 'yon?" Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Magkaiba lang kayong dalawa. I mean, oo magkamukha kayo pero magkaiba kayo para sa 'kin. The way you two talk and the tone of your voices when excited or when bored are very different. At saka, magkaiba ang mukha niyo ni Knight kapag walang emosyon ang mukha niyong dalawa. At kahapon ko lang napansin, magkaiba kayong ngumiti."

Midnight was just staring at her while she's explaining, then he spoke. "Ilang taon ka na?"

"Twenty-seven." Sagot niya.

"Hindi pala nagkakalayo ang edad natin. I'm just years older than you." Then he smiled. "By the way... I like you."

SM blinked at Midnight because of his bluntness. "You... like... me?"

Tumango ito. "You're the first woman who can differentiate me from my brother. That makes you special to me."

Nakaawang ang labi na napatango-tango siya. "That's nice... ahm, thank you, I guess... but..." wala sa sariling hinanap ng mga mata niya si Knight na nakita naman niyang nakikipag-argumento kay Cloud kung anong uri ng canned goods ang bibilhin ng mga ito, "... I think I can't like you that way."

"I know."

Mabilis siyang napalingon kay Midnight, "then why say that?"

"I just want to get it off my chest." Kinindatan siya nito, "and I'm not kidding."

Napangiti siya, "okay. If you say so—"

"SM." Tawag sa kaniya ni Knight saka tiningnan nito ng masama ang katabi niya, "stop talking to my boss. She's mine!"

Midnight sighed. "She's not yours." Sagot nito kay Knight.

"Not. Yet." Ani Knight saka nilapitan siya, hinawakan sa kamay at hinila palayo kay Midnight.

Nagpaubaya na lang siya pagkatapos senyasan si Midnight na sumunod.

"My Lady, how's this?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Cloud habang may hawak na canned good tuna. "Is this good?"

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa pushcart nito. There's so many canned goods. "Wow... ang dami mong pinamili."

"It's very cheap!" Cloud looks so pumped. "Nasa pushcart na ang lahat ng kinain namin sa bahay mo." Iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa pushcart ni Knight, "lahat na ba ng kinain namin ay nandito na?

Tumango siya pagkatapos makita ang laman ng pushcart ni Knight. "Mukhang nandiyan na lahat. Thanks."

Cloud bows down at her before pushing his cart towards the meat section. Halatang excited na excited ito habang namimili ng karne.

Nilapitan naman ito ni Midnight at tinulungan mamili ng karne.

While Knight stands beside her. "Maayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo?"

Tumango siya. "Medyo. A little more rest and I'll be back to normal."

"That's good." He glanced at her, "mula ngayon, alagaan mo ang sarili mo. Don't make me worry too much, I might go nuts."

Nakangiting tumango siya. "Salamat ulit sa pag-aalaga mo sa 'kin." Pagkasabi niyon ay tumingkayad siya ng kaunti at hinalikan sa pisngi ang binata. "Thank you."

Knight frowned at her. "Is that a thank you kiss?"

Tumango siya. "Oo."

Napailing-iling si Knight. "That's a very wrong thank you kiss. Dapat sa labi mo ako halikan. That's how you do a proper thank you kiss."

Inirapan niya ito. "Sinong niloko mo?"

"Nagsasabi ako ng totoo." Giit nito, "anyways, heads up lang, boss, kapag magaling ka na, aakitin na kita. Ibig sabihin hahalikan kita palagi at yayakapin."

"Parang ayaw ko na tuloy gumaling." She mumbled.

Knight chuckled. "Don't say that. I'm looking forward to it. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na halikan ka ng paulit-ulit."

Tiningnan niya ito ng masama. "Gusto mong mabugbog?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Knight. "Ayos lang. Sanay na ako."

That made her still. Sanay na itong mabugbog?

Napabuntong-hininga siya dahil naramdaman niyang ayaw na niya tuloy itong pagsusuntukin. Those cuts on his back... maybe something horrible happened to him and she doesn't want him to ever remember that pain. Kahit hindi kasing sakit niyon ang pagsuntok niya rito... pain is still pain.

Anyways, kissing him won't be so bad at all. His lips feels soft and his breath smells good.

'Yon ang nasa isip ni SM hanggang sa makabayad sila sa grocery at makauwi sa bahay niya. Hinatid lang sila ni Cloud sa Taxi ni Knight samantalang ito at si Midnight ay uuwi raw sa bahay ni Knight.

And as they stood in her kitchen, Knight neared her.

"Boss?"

She looked up at him. "Hmm?"

"Can I kiss you?" He asked, like a gentleman.

Umiling siya. "May sakit pa ako. Baka mahawa ka."

"Can I hug you then?"

Tumango siya.

Knight immediately encircled his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Ilang segundo rin siyang yakap nito bago ito nagsalita.

"Boss?"

"Hmm?" she hummed.

His lips pressed just below her ear before whispering softly over her hear. "Te quiero."