CHAPTER 8

TE QUIERO means 'I like you' in Spanish. Nalaman 'yon ni SM pagkatapos niyang halughugin ang internet kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng sinabi sa kaniya ni Knight. Some articles says it means 'I want you' as well. Te quiero is like the lightest version of Te Amo. It's an affection confession but not as deep as Te Amo.

It's like saying 'I like you' to someone. Romantically speaking.

Malakas siyang napabuntong-hininga. Sana sinabi na lang ni Knight sa lengguwaheng naiintindihan niya na gusto siya nito, hindi na pinag-research pa siya kung anong ibig sabihin nun.

But why does he likes her anyway? Wala naman siyang ginagawa rito na magugustuhan nito? Wala rin namang espesyal sa kaniya. Bakit nga ba?

He keeps on kissing me though... does he want the same thing as normal male? Sex?

Napatingin siya sa pinto ng banyo niyang nasa kuwarto. Si Knight ang nagluto ng hapunan nila. He can actually cook— pili nga lang ang kaya nitong lutuin at hindi kasing sarap ng luto ng butler nito pero puwede na.

And after their dinner, she went to her room to rest and he followed. To her shock, he said he's taking a bath in her bathroom!

Sinabihan niya itong may banyo sa ibaba pero matigas ang ulo nito. He wanted to bath in her bathroom— in her personal bathroom! Hindi talaga ito nakinig sa kaniya.

Napailing na lang siya saka isinandal ang likod sa headboard habang nakaupo sa uluhan ng kama niya.

She was reading a book, passing the time while waiting for Knight to come out from her bathroom.

Ilang pahina na ang nababasa niya sa librong hawak ng bumukas ang pinto ng banyo. Awtomatikong doon tumuon ang mga mata niya at napatitig siya kay Knight na nakahubad-baro.

He's only wearing a rugged jeans and he's topless.

"Huwag ka ngang ganiyan sa harapan ko." Kaagad niyang rekalmo kahit maganda ang pangangatawan nito.

"Boss, 'di ba sabi ko naman sa 'yo, aakitin kita?" Wika nito.

Napailing siya saka natigilan ng nilapitan ni Knight ang backpack nito saka kumuha ng damit doon. At dahil nakatalikod ito sa kaniya, kitang-kita niyang maigi ang likod nitong puno ng pilat.

Some are old, some are new!

SM felt her hands tremble while looking at Knight's back. Then pain he might have felt because of those scars— the pain— the pain must have been too much! These scars on his back— these must be the reason why he has a high pain tolerance!

She can feel pity towards Knight. And fury towards the person who hurt Knight like this.

Tapos pinagsusuntok pa niya ito. I'm so sorry, Knight.

Kaagad ibinalik ni SM ang tingin sa librong binabasa ng matapos magbihis si Knight at bumaling sa kaniya.

She acted like she didn't see his back. Siguradong hindi nito gugustuhing makita niyan 'yon tulad ng ayaw niyang makita ng iba ang mga pilat sa likod niya.

Napatingin siya kay Knight ng kunin nito ang libro na hawak niya saka itinapon iyon sa paanan ng kama.

"What are you—"

SM stops speaking when Knight's knee rested on the bed, beside her, his hands pressing against the headboard, both his arms are caging her while his face was moving near hers.

This closeness... this should be suffocating for her but she's used to it. Being taken care of Knight while she's sick made her comfortable with him around.

And she actually likes this closeness because she can smell his scent. How could he smell this good?

"You're not pushing me away." Obserba nito habang titig na titig sa kaniya.

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "What's the use? Sa sobrang kulit mo, babalik at babalik tayo sa posisyong 'to."

"True." He chuckled sexily, "but I'm glad your not pushing me away."

She stayed silent while looking straight to his deep eyes.

"Narinig mo ba ako kanina?" Tanong nito kapagkuwan. "Te quiero... I'm telling you I like you."

"I know." I looked it up.

"And your response?" He asked while his face drawing more closer to hers.

"Anong gusto mong isagot ko?" Tanong niya sa binata habang nakakunot ang nuo.

"Tell me you like me too." Anito na titig na titig sa kaniya.

"That's not possible."

Natigilan ito. "Hindi mo ako gusto? But you let me kiss you." He pointed out. "Mali ba ang pagkakaintindi ko sa nakikita kong emosyon sa mukha mo? You see, I'm good at reading people and I can read that you like me too."

So much confidence.

"Hindi kita masyadong kilala, Knight." Aniya habang sinasalubong ang mga mata nito. "Limitado lang ang alam ko tungkol sa 'yo. I'll assume that confessing to me that you like me means you want to have a relationship with me but I can't right now. I have more important things to do than be in a relationship with someone—"

"Liligawan kita." Putol nito sa iba pa niyang sasabihin. "Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, liligawan kita."

Napatanga siya sa binata. "Narinig mo ba ang sinasabi ko—"

"I can hear you. Loud and clear, boss, but," he gritted his teeth, "I don't care. This is my first time being selfish so I'm doing this all the way. I want you— and if you don't want me like I how much I want you— then I'll make you want me. I won't stop until you're head over heels in love with me."

Napanganga siya sa binata. "Nagbibiro ka ba?"

"Mukha ba akong nagbibiro?" Mas inilapit pa nito ang mukha sa mukha niya. "Seryoso ako, SM. I'm not letting you off the hook."

SM blinked at Knight in shock. "Ganun mo ako kagusto?"

"Yes."

Napalunok siya. "Paano kung hindi ko kayang pantayan ang pagkagusto mo sa 'kin? Oo gusto kita, pero sa tingin ko mababaw lang 'yon. And I told you, I don't want to be in any relationship right now. I'm serious, Knight."

"I'm serious too." May diin nitong sabi. "Let's see who's more serious then."

She sighed. "Knight—"

He pressed his lips on her, silencing her. Then he slid his tongue inside her mouth, shocking her when she felt tingling sensation on her belly.

What the hell!

Mariin siyang napapikit ng maramdamang hinawakan siya sa beywang ng binata at mas pinalalim ang paghalik nito sa kaniya.

He was kissing her like a man thirsty and craving for water. And when his tongue moving inside her mouth like there's a gold mine inside and he greedily wants it all.

Mahinang napadaing si SM ng maramdamang mahigpit na sinapo ni Knight ang baba niya habang sinisipsip ang dila niya.

Napahawak siya sa balikat ng binata ng kagatin nito ang pang-ibaba niyang labi habang tinutudyo ng dila nito ang dila niya. Parang nagkaroon ng isip ang dila niya na habulin ang dila nito at gayahin ang ginagawa nito.

"Knight..." daing niya ng bahagyang maghiwalay ang labi nila pero kaagad ding siniil nito ng halik ang mga labi niya.

But this time, her tongue was moving together with his. This time... she was kissing him back.

Nakalabas ang dila niya, nakikipag-espadahan sa dila ng kahalikan, nakikipagsipsipan kasabay ng paghahalo ng hininga nilang dalawa.

Darang na darang na si SM. Ang mga braso niya ay nakayakap na sa leeg ni Knight habang tumutugon sa halikan nila pero si Knight ang unang kumalas at lumayo ito sa kaniya.

Napasabunot ito sa sariling buhok habang habol ang hiningang nakaupo sa gilid ng kama. Ilang beses itong bumuga ng marahas na hininga habang panay ang tagis ng bagang nito.

He looks likes he's in pain... like he's really trying hard to control himself from doing anything more than kissing her.

Wala sa sariling tumuon ang tingin niya sa likod nito... ang likod nitong puno ng pilat.

She wanted to comfort him... in her own way.

Paluhod siyang lumapit sa binata at umupo sa likuran nito saka niyakap ito sa beywang mula sa likuran bago inilapat ang pisngi sa likod nito.

Hinawakan naman nito ang kamay niyang nakayakap sa beywang nito at pinagsiklop ang kamay nilang dalawa, "If you keep doing this and being sweet to me, I will never let you go. Ever."

Mas humigpit pa ang yakap niya sa binata, "hindi ko sinasadya pero nakita ko kanina ang likod mo.

Knight chuckled coldly. "It's ugly isn't it?"

Umiling siya. "It's not..."

"You don't mind even if my back looks like hell?"

Tumango siya. "I don't." Gusto niyang burahin ang sakit sa boses ng binata kaya sinabi niya rito ang isa sa mga pinakatatago niyang sekreto. "I have my fair shares of scars as well, Knight. And they're not ugly. For me... I'd like to think that it's bravery. We're both brave enough to survive after being scarred like that."

Knight looked at her over his shoulder. "This is the reason why I like you... you always know what to say to me to make me feel better. Alam kong normal lang 'yon sa 'yo kasi mabait ka naman sa lahat, pero, hindi ko maiwasang umasa na espesyal ako sa 'yo. But I don't really care if I'm not— I'll court you until I become special to you."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si SM saka tumango, "fine. I like you too. Feel free to court me. Hindi naman kita mapipigilan. Might as well. Let's see where it'll take us."

"Boyfriend and girlfriend of course."

Natawa siya. "Paano ka naman nakakasiguro na yon ang ending nating dalawa?" Tanong niya saka tinaasan ito ng kilay, "malay mo, may ugali ka palang hindi ko gusto."

Natigilan si Knight saka nag-iwas ng tingin, "I'm a good guy."

"We'll see." Pinakawalan niya ito sa pagkakayakap saka umupo siya sa gilid ng kama, sa tabi nito at ihinilig niya ang ulo sa balikat ng binata, "pahinga ka na, magpapahinga na rin ako."

"Can I sleep beside you?" Ungot nito, "my insomnia is not acting up whenever I'm with you. It's like you're my meds or something."

SM looked at Knight doubtfully, "gusto mo lang yatang tumabi sa 'kin e."

"That too."

Mahina siyang natawa. "So honest."

Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya saka nilaro-laro ang daliri niya, "all my life, it's been nothing but lies and I've been nothing but a liar. But I'm not gonna do that to you." He looked at her in the eyes. "I will be as honest as possible."

Umangat ang malaya niyang kamay saka hinaplos ang pisngi ng binata. "Okay, Mr. Honest, you can sleep beside me. Pero ngayong gabi lang kasi alam kong kulang ka sa tulog dahil sa pag-aalaga sa 'kin, bukas umuwi ka na sa bahay mo."

Knight nodded happily before flopping himself on her bed, making her chuckle.

Nahiga na rin siya sa tabi nito saka napatitig sa kisame hanggang sa maramdaman niyang umusog palapit sa kaniya si Knight at yumakap sa beywang niya.

Bumaling siya rito. "What is it?"

May pag-aalangan sa mukha nito pero sinagot pa rin siya. "Naaalala mo nuong natulog ako rito— sa salas tapos ginawa kong unan ang hita mo at binuhat kita papunta rito sa kuwarto mo ng magising ako?"

Tumango siya.

He took a deep breath, "I, ahm, I accidentally saw your scars on your back."

Natigilan siya. "Oh."

"Are you mad?" Mabilis nitong tanong.

Napatitig siya sa binata. He really wanted to be honest to her. That's nice. "No. I'm not." Aniya saka tumagilid ng higa paharap dito, "tinatago ko 'yon pero ayos lang naman kung makita mo. I saw your scars too."

Tumiim ang bagang nito, "I'm not you, so I'm gonna ask... who did that to you?"

Nakuyom niya ang kamao sa tanong ni Knight. Mahigit isang taon na ang nakakaraan pero apektado pa rin siya. "I, ahm... ahm..." she can't make herself tell him. "Ahm..."

"Never mind my question." Anito ng mapansing hindi niya kayang sabihin dito ang nangyari sa kaniya. "I think I have to earn your trust more for you to open up to me."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin, "it's not really a secret." Pabulong niyang sabi, "halos lahat ng nakakakilala sa 'kin, alam ang nangyari." Mahigpit na kumuyom ang kamao niya, "I, ahm," huminga siya ng malalim bago nagsalita, "I was kidnapped more than a year ago. They, ahm, contained me for more than a month."

Tumingin siya kay Knight dahil hindi ito umimik. And she was taken aback by how dark and scary his face is. He was gritting his teeth and fury is visible on his sharp eyes.

SM smiled. "But I'm okay now." Kaagad niyang sabi para kumalma ito. "I, ahm, I'll be okay."

Humaplos ang kamay nito sa mga pilat sa likod niya. Madilim pa rin ang mukha nito at nagtatagis ang bagang. "Who did this to you? Do you have a name?"

Umiling siya. "It was always dark. H-hindi ko makita ang m-mukha nila at hindi ko sila kilala."

Nararamdaman niya ang panginginig ng kamay ni Knight sa likod niya. He was livid— she can see it.

"Knight, it's okay." Hinaplos niya ang pisngi nito saka nginitian ito, "I'm okay now— I'm safe now. Calm down."

Tumango si Knight pero nakikita niyang nagtatagis ang bagang nito at panay kuyom ng kamao. Gumagalaw ang panga nito habang nakapikit ang mga mata.

He's shaking in anger. And maybe she's a bad person for being happy that someone is mad for her. That someone cared this much.

Oh, Knight...

SM leaned in and kissed Knight on the lips before whispering, "calm down... I'm fine."

He opened his eyes, there's no lividness anymore but she can tell, she can feel it, he's still mad. "I'll make them pay."

Tumango siya kasi alam niyang sinasabi lang nito iyon dahil sa galit na nararamdaman nito. "Okay... just calm down. Pahinga ka na."

He just stared at her.

"Knight—"

"I'll make them pay." Ulit nito saka hinaplos ang mga pilat niya sa likod, "I will return what they did to you tenfold."

Tumango siya saka ngumiti. "Thank you." Pinisil niya ang kamay nito, "tulog ka na. Papasok na tayo bukas sa café, hindi tayo puwedeng ma-late."

Finally, he smiled. "Yes, boss."

Napailing siya, "good night."

"Good night." He replied before kissing her on the lips.

It was just a peck making her smile.

"Namimihasa tayo ah." Sabi niya kay Knight. "Nanliligaw ka palang tapos halik ka na ng halik."

Ngumisi lang ang loko saka kinindatan siya bago ipinikit ang mga mata. Siya naman ay pinakatitigan ang binata saka masuyong ngumiti.

He's a nobility and being romantically involved with him won't end well. She knows that much. Royalty is for royalty as well. That's how the world works. Harsh but that's how reality is.

Someday, Knight will leave her.

And it made her question herself. Why would she open her heart to someone who's bound to leave her anyway?

Ano bang iniisip ko ng sabihin kong puwede niya akong ligawan?

This will not end well. This won't have a happy ending. But why am I looking forward to being with him?

"NASAAN SI Midnight?" Tanong ni Knight kay Cloud ng makapasok siya sa bahay niya. It's already 1AM. Kauuwi lang niya galing sa trabaho. He's a DJ in a Radio Station. Doon siya tumuloy pagkatapos ihatid si SM sa bahay nito.

"In his room." Sagot ni Cloud sa kaniya. "Sleeping. You though realize, my Lord, that it's already 1AM."

"Kung ganun bakit gising ka pa?" Kinunotan niya ng noo si Cloud. "And why the fuck are you sucking lollipop?"

"It's good." Sagot nito, "isa ito sa mga binili natin sa grocery at nasarapan ako. Actually, mauubos ko na ang isang pack. This flavour is nice, my Lord."

Napailing siya saka iniwan ang butler sa salas saka tinungo ang kuwarto ni Midnight.

"Little brother." Tawag niya kay Night na mukhang natutulog na.

Nilapitan niya ito saka inilapat niya ang laman ng cellophane na dala.

Kaagad namang bumalikwas ng bangon si Night. "What the fuck!" Napahawak ito sa pisngi. "What was that?! It's cold!"

Knight laughed then handed the cellophane to Night. "Binili ko para sa 'yo."

Tinanggap naman 'yon ng kapatid saka inilabas ang laman.

Night's face lit up when he saw what's inside. "Ice cream!" He grinned. "Hell, yeah! Thanks, Kuya!"

Kuya. It's so nice to hear again. "Kainin mo na bago pa matunaw 'yan."

Night excitedly run out of the room and went to the kitchen. Siya naman ay pumasok sa kuwarto niya saka naligo. Pagkalabas niya ay napakunot ang noo niya ng marinig na nag-iingay ang cellphone niya.

At 1AM? Who would be calling him at this hour? One of the lunatics?

Nang tingnan niya kung sino ang tumatawag, mabilis niyang sinagot 'yon.

"Boss?" He was worried.

"K-Knight... h-hey... b-bakit gising ka pa?"

SM's voice... it's shaking.

"Boss, okay ka lang?"

"Y-yeah..."

"Bakit gising ka pa?"

"N-nightmare."

He stilled. The same nightmare she had when she had a fever? That kind of nightmare? She was trembling back then.

"Ayos lang ako." Anito kapagkuwan, "this happens all the time. Di ko nga alam bakit kita tinawagan, h-hindi maman ako nang-iisturbo noon kapag nananaginip ako ng masama. M-maybe I just want to h-hear your voice, hoping i-it'll calm me down."

Worry consumed him even more. "Well? Are you calm now?"

"Medyo."

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "Gusto mong puntahan kita?"

"Huwag." Mabilis nitong sabi, "magmamadaling araw na. Tulog ka na lang."

"But you—"

"Ayos lang ako." She said, reassuring him but her voice was still trembling a little, "pahinga ka na. Good night."

"G'night."

Nang mawala ang dalaga sa kabilang linya, nagbihis siya saka nahiga sa kama. Ilang minuto na siyang nakatitig sa kisame pero hindi pa rin siya makatulog.

He already counted a lot of sheeps in his head but nothing.

It's his insomnia again.

He hates taking sleeping pills.

Pero kapag kasama niya si SM, bakit napakadali sa kaniya ang makatulog? Is it because he's calm when he's with her?

At this rate... he'll be a zombie tomorrow. When was the last time he fell asleep? That was two days ago... in SM's room.

Fuck!

Inabot niya ang cellphone at akmang tatawagan si Valerian pero naisip niya si Grace. Siguradong mai-isturbo niya ito. Ayos lang sana kung si Val lang, pero tiyak na magigising si Grace.

Double fuck!

Bumangon siya saka lumabas ng kuwarto. It's nearing 2AM but the house is still awake. Cloud was vacuuming the living room while Night was eating ice cream in the kitchen.

"Cloud, I'm going out." Aniya sa butler niya.

Yumukod lang si Cloud na may lollipop pa rin sa bibig saka isinara ang pintong nilabasan niya.

Using his taxi, he went to SM's house.

Inakyat na naman niya ang gate saka umikot patungong kanang bahagi ng bahay kung nasaan ang kuwarto ng dalaga, pagkatapos ay ti-next niya ito para malaman kung gising pa ito.

'I'm outside your house. Open the window in your room.'

SM didn't reply but the wide sliding glass window on her room opened.

Kaagad siyang kumaway kay SM na bakas ang gulat sa mukha ng makita siya sa ibaba.

"Diyan ka lang, bababa ako—"

"No need." Aniya saka inakyat niya ang bintana nito ng walang kahirap-hirap.

He was used to climbing buildings and stuff so this isn't really hard to do.

Nang makapasok siya sa bintana ng kuwarto ni SM at naisara 'yon namimilog ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa kaniya.

"Saan ka natutong umakyat ng ganun?" Puno ng pagtatakang tanong ng dalaga sa kaniya.

Nangako siya sa sarili na hindi siya magsisinungaling kay SM. He promised not to pretend in front of the woman he likes so much. "Pinag-aralan ko."

"Pinag-aralan mong umakyat ng bahay?"

Mahina siyang natawa saka nilapitan ang dalaga at niyakap ito ng mahigpit. "Ayos ka na ba? You still look pale."

"I'm fine." She whispered.

Her 'I'm fine' is totally a lie. He can tell.

Mas humigpit ang yakap niya rito. "I know you're not fine. Stop lying to me."

SM didn't say anything, she just hugged him back silently.

Nanatili silang magkayakap ng ilang minuto sa gitna ng katahimikan hanggang sa basagin 'yon ni SM.

"I don't know why I'm being like this." Bulong nito habang mahigpit na nakayakap sa beywang niya. "Palagi naman akong nananaginip ng masama dati at nakakaya ko namang lampasan 'yon. But now... why am I depending on you to make me feel better? Sanay maman akong mag-isa... bakit ngayon kailangan kita para kumalma? Nabuhay naman ako ng ganito sa loob ng mahigit isang taon na wala ka. This isn't fair."

Knight pulled away a little to cupped SM's face and kissed her forehead. "You can depend on me anytime. I don't mind."

Hindi umimik si SM at tumitig lang sa kaniya. She was just staring at him... intently... and what she did next stunned him.

She tiptoed and kissed him on the lips.

It's the first time that she initiated the kiss.

And his lips automatically move to return her kiss. Lips to lips. Tongue to tongue. Biting each others lips and sucking each others tongue and groaning together pleasurably. Kahit ang kamay niya ay nasa beywang na nang dalaga, pumispisil at humahaplos.

He felt his length hardened and his body responding to the heat. His mind is turning blank, only he could think about was how good SM would fee underneath him.

Knight wanted to stop... he wanted to pull away... to get his hands off SM... but he found himself falling unto the bed, with SM underneat him.

And his lips has a mind of it's own... kissing SM fervently, moving down to her chin, kissing her neck and nibbling her skin, moving down towards the valley of her breast.

I need to stop! Fuck!

He was forcing himself to stop but then, he heard SM's soft moan... destroying the tiniest self-control he has ever left.