L I B E R T Y K I N G S

I feel cold and dizzy. My heart's racing a little too fast. Memories came rushing back and I start to panick. A man in a black jacket and black mask holding a sharp, long knife pointing at us. Pete's bleeding arm with pieces of broken glass in it, and Froy holding a night lamp. Oliver suddenly appeared at the back of the man while holding a gun, pointing it on the man's head.

And I, panicking at the sight of the man's hand tightening his hold on his fucking knife. My heart thumping hard and fast each step I took towards them and I felt nothing but numbness. I started feeling my cold sweats dripping on my back and forehead. Trying to fight the uneasiness I was feeling, I tried to move, but I can't feel my body. Lalo akong kinabahan nang hindi ko maigalaw ang aking katawan. I feel like I'm in endless emptiness, floating and feeling nothing at all.

I woke up, screaming loudly with sweats all over my face. I was breathing heavily as I roamed my eyes around my room. 2:30 A.M. Fuck this is weird. Was it all just a dream? I turned my head towards the window and saw the white, full moon. I combed my hair using my fingers. It was all just a dream. I was interrupted from my thoughts when I heard a loud knock from my door.

I don't know why but my heart suddenly beat faster. I got nervous as the knocks got louder and louder. Sumasabay ang pintig ng puso ko sa bawat katok na aking naririnig sa 'king pintuan, kahit kinakabahan ay nagawa ko pa ring tumayo at lumapit sa pintuan. Nanginginig ang kamay kong hinawakan ang malamig na doorknob at pinihit ito dahan-dahan.

I was so shocked that I can't move any part of my body. I even forgot how to breathe when I saw a man wearing a black jacket and black mask in front of me, holding a knife. He lifted it and he was about to stab me. All I can do is to shout.

"Liberty!" I felt big, warm hands on my skin, shaking me a little. I opened my eyes slowly while gasping a little, trying to chase air. I saw Oliver's face, worried, and panic was written all over his gorgeous face. He looked a little tired, the dark circles under his eyes are the evidence.

I smelled medicine and that unfamiliar minty smell. I roamed my eyes and all I could see is white painted walls, a large flatscreen TV, windows covered up by blinds, mini refrigerator, tables with fruits in it, and a wall clock saying it's already eight in the evening. I looked at Oliver again and now relief was plastered on his face like he wants to thank all the gods he knew while looking at me.

I opened my mouth, but no words or even a little sound came out. "I'll call the doctor." He pressed the red button above my hospital bed. He's looking at me intently like I would be gone if he blinked. I tried moving my hands to reach his face, but I'm too weak to even lift it up.

Napansin niya yata ang sinusubukan kong gawin kaya hinawakan niya ang aking kamay. Tanging daliri lamang ang naigagalaw ko. His big hands feel so warm on my cold, pale skin. Now this is reality. Oliver's warmth is the part of my reality that I will never doubt.

He smiled a little while holding my hands that have dextrose. I'm a little shocked to see his face with a little smile on it. I never saw him smiling before. He always has this serious face and his devilish, hot smirk.

"How do you feel?" he asked me with worry in his tone.

I feel comfortable with his hands on mine. He's rubbing his thumb to my palm, making me feel warm and somehow alive. "Fine," I told him, my voice was hoarse. I'm far from feeling fine, I feel so exhausted and there's an unbearable pain on my side.

"Lies," he said seriously, still staring at me like he's trying to memorize every part of my face. "No one will be fine after getting stabbed." His jaw clenched while saying that like he remembered the time I was stabbed.

I gently smiled at him. "At least I'm alive, Oliver." I find it hard to talk. My throat was so dry that it hurts when I talk.

He looked at me darkly, jaw clenching like he's holding his anger. "Never do that again, Liberty Kings." He closed his eyes then he sighed. He looked at me again, this time, his eyes were full of sincerity and seriousness.

"Because I'll never let it happen again." He lifted my hand that he was holding then kissed the top of it. I was about to react when the door suddenly opened and the male doctor came in with his female nurse. Oliver slowly put down my hand on my side and he faced the doctor.

"Good evening," the doctor greeted us and he slowly moved toward me. His white coat was swaying with his every move and the nurse beside him checked my dextrose while holding a pen and a clipboard. He did several check ups and it seemed like everything is fine and all I need is a good rest. "Ms. Kings, don't lift heavy things and don't strain your body, your wound might open," huling habilin nito sa'kin bago sila lumabas.

Malaki ang sugat na natamo ko ngunit sinuswerte raw ako dahil hindi tinamaan ang kahit anong organ ko. Bumaon lang sa body muscle ko ang patalim at ang pagbaba ng aking dugo ang naging problema ko.

"How many days have I been sleeping?" tanong ko kay Oliver na kumukuha ng baso para maglagay ng tubing.

"Three days, almost four," he said at iniabot sa'kin ang basong may laman na tubing. I murmured my thank you before drinking it. Halos mabilaukan naman ako nang mapansing nakatitig pala ito sa'kin habang umiinom ako ng tubing.

"Nasaan nga pala si Olivia?" tanong ko rito. Umupo itong muli sa sofa na nasa gilid ng aking hinihigaan.

He crossed his legs in a manly way and put his hands together. I gulped at the sight in front of me. God, kakagising ko pa lamang at ito na naman ako. Hindi yata talaga mawawala ang epekto ni Oliver Valez sa 'kin kahit magka-amnesia pa ako. "She's coming here from work."

"What about you? May work ka rin, hindi ba?" I asked looking at him questionably.

Tumikhim muna ito bago sagutin ang aking tanong. "I work here." I looked at him, confuse now. I mean how? Pa'nong dito siya nagtratrabah, e hindi naman medical field and business niya? "I mean they send me my work here." He looked away after clarifying his answer.

I was about to ask him why he need to do that when the door suddenly opened, and Olivia's worried face greeted us. "Omg, you're awake!" she said happily and ran towards me, arms wide open.

I smiled awkwardly at her. "No hugs, Oly." Para namang biglang natauhan ito at ibinaba ang mga braso niyang nakabukas. Ibinaba nito sa table ang dala-dalang paper bag na sa tingin ko'y dinner ang laman. She walked towards me and smiled widely. Ibinalik ko naman ang ngiti nito.

She kissed my cheeks and combed my hair using her hands. "You scared me to death, Liberty," she said seriously while looking at me, teary eyes. I did not regret what I did. Iinisip ko pa lang na si Oliver ang masasaksak ay hindi ko kakayanin, and I don't want Olivia lose her only parent alive. She used to be sad and lonely because of her mother, and I can't let that happen again. Ayaw kong maulilang lubos si Olivia, hindi niya iyon kakayanin.

After eating dinner, which was lugaw, and chitchatting, napagpasyahan nang umuwi ni Oly. Nagtalo pa ang mag-ama kung sino ang maiiwan dito para magbantay sa 'kin. I even told them na parehas silang umuwi dahil mukhang pagod silang pareho. At dahil nga mag-ama sila ay parehas silang matigas ang ulo at ayaw magpatalo.

In the end, Oliver won since siya naman pala ang laging nagbabantay sa 'kin for the past few days. Kaya pala may nakita akong black duffle bag sa sofa kanina, laman pala nito ang mga damit niya at necessities. Busy itong nagtitipa sa kaniyang laptop habang nakasuot ng reading glasses. Habang ako naman ay nanonood ng TV.

Well, more like I'm watching him work rather than watching TV. My eyes were fixed on him, watching him like a hawk watching its prey. I watched him move his hands, flexing his veins and long fingers. I gulped when he fixed his position on the sofa, making his biceps move. He suddenly faced me. I blushed from getting caught shamelessly drooling over him.

"I...I..." Hindi ko matapos ang dapat kong sasabihin dahil sa pagkakautal.

He smirked at me. "You what?" he said mockingly at me. Napasimangot naman ako dahil sa pang-aasar na kaniyang ginawa.

"I want to go to the bathroom!" pagdadahilan ko na lamang. Hindi ko alam na makalulusot pala ang palusot ko sa kaniya dahil bumalik ang seryosong mukha nito at maingat akong inalalayan. He held my waist gently and supported me to the bathroom. I faked a cough when he didn't move a bit from where he was standing. Okay, paano ako iihi ngayon kung nakatayo siya sa harapan ko?

"Excuse me, Oliver? Can you go out dahil iihi na ako," nakataas kilay kong sabi sa kaniya. Tinaasan lang din ako nito ng kilay at nag-cross arms pa habang nakasandal sa pader ng bathroom.

Why does he look so hot? Even the way he lift his eyebrows look so fucking hot. It didn't even make him look less manly. Tiningnan na lamang niya ako na para bang sinasabing, 'Ano pang hinihintay mo?

Oo nga naman, ano pa nga ba ang hinihintay ko? He already saw all of me, ngayon pa ba ako mahihiya? I lifted my hospital gown, showing my black underwear. I held the bathroom railing for support and slowly put down my underwear while sitting on the toilet bowl. Napakagat ako ng labi ko nang makaramdam ng kirot sa'king tagiliran dahil sa pagkilos. Iniangat ko naman ang aking tingin at nakitang mataimtim na pinapanood ako ni Oliver.

Oliver was watching me with eyes intently looking at me. They were dark and something flickered in his eyes for a second. I saw him gulp, pumikit ito at tumagilid pagkatapos ay bumuntong hininga. Napaawang naman ang labi ko nang mapansin ang nakaumbok ang gitnang bahagi nito. Once again, he caught me looking. His eyes darkened once more and he licked his lips.

"Eyes up here, Liberty," he said dangerously at me. Iniwas ko naman ang aking paningin at tumikhim. I flushed my pee and get a tissue para punasan ang aking kayamanan. He helped me stand up. Sobrang namula ang aking mukha nang siya ang nagsuot ng underwear ko sa 'kin.

"I can do it, Oliver," I said, still blushing.

"No, you can't." Of course I can't bent down. Nahihiya lang talaga ako na siya pa ang gagawa niyon para sa 'kin.

Bumalik siya sa kaniyang puwesto after niya kong tulungan sa paghiga sa aking hospital bed. Seryoso lamang siyang nagtitipa habang ako naman ay hindi pa rin maiwasang huwag siyang titigan. Mas interested pa akong panoorin si Oliver kaysa palabas sa television. Mas masarap naman kasi siyang panoorin kaysa roon.

"Sleep, Liberty, and stop staring at me," he said, eyes fixed on his laptop.

"I can't," 'yon laman ang sinagot ko rito at nagpatuloy sa pagtitig sa kaniya. Bumuntong hininga naman ito at pinatay ang laptop niya. Pinatay nito ang ilaw at binuksan ang night lamp na nasa gilid ko.

Nagulat naman ako nang umupo siya sa higaan ko at sumandal headboard ng hospital bed. Inilagay nito ang ulo ko sa kanyang dibdib at sinukay niya ang aking buhok. Nasa kanang bahagi ang aking sugat at nasa kaliwa ko naman siya kaya okay lang na tumabi siya.

"Sleep now, Liberty."

The warmth of his body sharing with mine feels so comfortable, and his long fingers combing my ombre, long, blond hair made me sleepy. I felt serene, like the world was peaceful and all good. He made me feel that with him, I don't have to worry and serenity will always be by our side.

"Sleep tight, my Liberty."

~TBC~

Hi, no kakaibang action muna, easy lang tayo.

Feel free to share your thoughts and keep safe everyone.

Love lots :>

EDITED