~ATHAIA'S POINT OF VIEW

"THANKS DOC, I'LL KEEP EVERYTHING IN MIND."

I sweetly smiled to my doctor after he checked me again for the nth time. When he was already gone, Zethary heaved a deep breath.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko at ako naman ay agad na ngumisi. Hmm, dalawang araw na mula ng magising ako at tanging siya pa lang ang nakakausap ko.

Nakakatampo sina Kuya at insan, hindi man lang nila ako pinuntahan. Like really?! Wow naman! Nabaril kaya ako, bakit wala man lang dumalaw sa'kin ni isa sa kanila?

"What's with that grin? Thinking of something wicked again, huh?" Sabi niya nang lingunin ako.

Ngumuso lang ako at sumandal sa patong-patong kong unan. Nang tinanong ko siya kung nasaan kami, sabi niya nasa private hospital na pag-aari ng pinsan ni Thalia.

And when I asked him about what happened after I got shot. He just smiled, like seriously? Anong nakaka-ngiti dun?!

"The doctor said I'm fine. My wound is healing unexpectedly fast," malambing kong sagot at nilaro ang mga magaganda niyang daliri.

Its tips were beautifully red and soft.

"And?"

Umirap ako nang nagpapa-enosente siya. "And I'm perfectly fine. I feel so empowered again."

"Uhuh. Then, what else do you want?"

"I want to see my brothers and Thaina. Nagtatampo na ako sa kanila, dalawang araw na akong gising, Zeth. Dalawang araw! Pero ni anino nila hindi ko nakita!" Pagmamaktol ko at sumubsob sa unan.

I heard him chuckled sexily. Then I felt him lay down too as he softly brushed my hair.

"You want to see them? Sure. Since you said you're fine——"

"I am! And I wanna go home too! I miss our bed." I teasingly grinned at him. "I miss our pillows and I miss the mansion."

He just smiled and licked his lips. Napatingin ako dun at agad na napa-lunok. Sa dalawang araw na magkasama kami dito na kami lang ay ilang beses ko yung natikman.

And damn, if it's a sin to endlessly wish for his lips, then I let me commit endless mistakes.

"You missed everything."

"I do, I do. Kaya nga uwi na tayo, Thary. Please? Tapos mamasyal naman tayo sa park, hanapin mo 'yong binili kong couple shirts! Regalo ko dapat sa'yo yun eh! Nawala na ata!" Pagmamaktol ko at hinampas-hampas siya kunware sa dibdib.

Pero ang totoo ay gusto ko lang damhin 'yong broad chest niya. Damn kasi bhei, antigassss! Yiii!

"Okay, what else is my love's request?" Nakangiti niyang tanong ulit.

I bit my lower lip to resist my grin. Now he's being super sweet huh?

"I want us to date." My lips protruded. "You never dated me before. Halos kalahati ng chapters ng buhay ko pagiging strict lang ang role mo," nagtatampo kong ungot at tumaas lang ang kilay niya. Nagpipigil na naman ng tawa.

"We never had a quality time,"

"We did not?"

"We didn't! Pagiging strict lang nga kasi role mo!" Ungot ko pa at tinulak-tulak siya kunware.

But he just suppressed his laughter while watching me. Darn! Nagmumukha akong bata dito, promise!

"What else, tell me everything that you didn't like."

"Good that you'd asked! Dahil isa pang pinaka-ayaw ko ay ang pagiging malihim mo. Nambabae ka pa!"

"I didn't."

"You did! Sabi mo pa nga it has always been me but after my graduation, you went to a hotel room with your ex-fiancé!" Naalala ko pa yun ah, iyong kasama niya si Victoria.

"Oh, ano pa?" Imbis mag-alala na baka magalit ako ay ngumiti lang siya.

Kita mo'to? Ngingisi-ngisi lang!

"Anong ano pa? Hello, syempre galit ako. You lied! You dated another woman and you cheated! Akala ko ba mahal mo'ko?" Naiiyak kong tanong sabay turo sa sarili ko.

Alam kong magaling akong artista kaya hindi ako nahirapang magpatulo ng totoong luha.

But instead to be sorry, he just again smiled and later on laughed like as if I was really funny.

What?! Hindi man lang nadala?!

"Bakit tumatawa ka lang? 'Diba dapat mag-sorry ka sa'kin?! You asshole, you're a cheater! My brothers were right, you don't really love me!"

I accused him. It was a serious accusation but instead of feeling how serious I was he just laughed more.

Napanguso na ako habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Hindi talaga siya titigil? Hindi talaga siya nadala dun? Aba! Ngayon hindi na siya naluluko.

"Stop laughing, Freñier! What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he answered shortly but still laughing hard. My eyes darted to his stretched lips.

And slowly, I smiled. Hearing how good his laugh's sound, how his eyes glimmered in joy. I felt relieved. I know that he's holding something.

Because I accidentally heard his conversation with Gray last night. There I found out everything. That after I was shot, they attacked one of the Stavros' warehouse and got trapped.

The Freñier main was bombed and it fell, literally. Coother, Alexen and Stynx were fatally hurt. Maxer was also shot while he was saving me. I also knew that Yashika died and Thalia lost her baby.

I know everything, I heard it all when he thought I was already asleep. He was talking with Gray, he said that we've met our downfall.

He doesn't want to tell me yet, I know but he don't need to. I felt his grief and the weight of the burden he's bearing. That's why I want him to laugh sometimes. I know his hardships.

Bigla siyang natigil sa pagtawa nang mapansing nakatingin na lang ako sa kaniya ngayon. Namungay ang mata niya at biglang naging seryuso ulit.

"Why, is there something off in my face?" He asked as he innocently blinked.

My smile widened as my eyes deeply buried to his face. How can he be so handsome and soft looking all of the sudden? How can this ruthless mafia boss be this lovely?

"Wala, naisip ko lang na marami pa pala akong hindi alam tungkol sa'yo." Ang dami ko talagang hindi alam sa kaniya, tungkol sa parents niya at kung ano ang naging childhood life niya.

I realized that our love story wasn't founded strongly. It has so much loopholes. It was like we jumped in to the middle stages without even trying to pass the first stages.

"Marami nga at marami rin tayong oras para kilalanin ang isa't-isa," sabi niya at ngumiti na naman.

Nakakalula tignan ang malalim niyang mata na parang yun ang daan patungong ibang dimension.

Habang pinagmasdan siyang mabuti, pansin kong may mga maliliit siyang pilat na hindi halos mapansin kung hindi mo siya titigang mabuti. He also has dark bags beneath his eyes.

Oh, my poor husband. Must be very busy huh.

He said it has always been me. But how? We just met, I mean months ago. How can he love me that fast?

O baka dahil maganda lang talaga ako kaya na in love siya agad? Hayss, iba talaga beauty ng mga Alfaza—pang high class!

"We can start now, you think?" He added.

He sat up straight and lovingly stared at me. "You start the questions, I'll answer." He tilted his head.

Naupo rin ako nang maayos paharap sa kaniya. Nilagay ko ang unan sa kandugan ko at doon ko pinatong ang dalawa kong braso.

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"Okay? Hmm, ano ba unang tanong ko?" Sandali akong nag-isip bago. "Saan ka pinanganak?"

"Sicily, Italy."

"Saan ka nag-aral ng grade school?"

"Italy, of course," maarte niyang sagot.

Hindi ko napigilang ngumisi. Minsan ko lang siya makitang umakto na parang simpling tao.

And it's so good to witness how he acts so classy. My Freñier is indeed an elite!

"Saan ka nag-high school?"

"Italy and in the Philippines. I was fourteen when we migrated there with my mom."

Speaking of which, I never asked about her!

"Where did you go for college?"

"Kung saan ka rin grumaduate," maikli niyang sagot kaya napaawang ang bibig ko.

Kaya pala kilala siya dun ng lahat! Shutaness! Doon pala nag-aral 'to.

"What were your courses?"

"Business administration, Civil engineering and architectural. Pinag-sabay ko ang tatlo."

My eyes held disbelief but he just smiled. Hindi sana ako maniniwala eh kaso naaalala kong sinabi noon ni Maxer na hindi lang daw siya businessman!

So it's true?

"You're unbelievable, do you know that?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko at hinampas-hampas siya ulit ng unan.

But he just chuckled sexily and tilted his head more, revealing his collarbone. "What's unbelievable there?"

"That you took three courses all at once! Sobrang talino mo naman, gaano ba kataas IQ mo?"

"I don't need an IQ of 200 to passed those courses. Ang kailangan ko lang ay tiyaga, sipag, didikasyon at kunting talino." He reached for my hand and caressed it softly. "All I needed were hope and determination. Vengeance wasn't really one of them but maybe I couldn't really decide. I aimed for great power, authority, connection and wealth that time. For my parents, for myself and for you…you were one of the reasons why I reached this far."

Gusto ko sanang sabihin na paanong nasama ako sa listahan eh hindi pa naman kami noon magkakilala. Pero hinayaan ko na lang muna siyang hawakan ang kamay ko.

"And your parents? Did they died when you were still young?"

Malungkot siyang tumango at malalim na nagbuntong hininga. Unang beses ko rin siya nakitang ganito kalungkot.

He looked so lost in the middle of darkness. His eyes were vulnerable. Damn, I couldn't believe that the man I used to see so strong and powerful is this vulnerable and sad.

Pati tuloy ako naiiyak. Shuta.

"My mom died when I was just fourteen." He looked away, it's because his eyes started to watered. Nakita ko yun kasi namumula na ang mata niya.

Naiiyak na rin talaga ako. Zethary, okay lang kahit umiyak ka sa harap ko. Shuta, tatawanan lang naman kita.

"Bakit siya namatay? May sakit ba siya? And fourteen? You're still so young."

"She didn't died…she was killed." He looked down. Ilang minuto rin siyang nakatungo bago ko nakitang nagsilaglagan ang mga luha niya.

Some even dropped in my hand! Damn. They're hot. Agad niya yung pinahid at napapikit ng mariin. Habang hindi na ako makagalaw sa gulat.

Is this real? He's crying? This man? Iyong strict at authoritative na si Zethary Freñier?

"H-Hey…" my voice also cracked. Damay-damay na talaga 'to. "Sige, umiyak ka lang. Hindi kita tatawanan," natatawa kong sabi kasi hindi ako makapaniwala.

Nang tignan niya ako muntik na rin siyang matawa. Tumikwas lang ang kilay niya.

"Don't laugh, this is supposed to be sad," sabi ko pa.

Napailing siya at hinaplos ang pisngi ko. Naiyak na rin pala ako. Walanghiya.

"Mom will surely be happy. Finally, we've found each other. She'll be glad knowing that the girl I used to watch from afar before is finally in my arms. I wish you'd meet." Habang pinapahiran ang luha ko ay nagsilaglagan na naman ang mga luha niya kaya ako na ang nagpunas.

He didn't stop me, instead he just smiled. The smile that I never once saw before.

"If she wasn't just shoot that time. B-Buhay pa sana siya kung hindi lang… kung hindi lang kami bumalik ng Italy. Damn, it was my fault. I failed to protect her…she was in my arms, love."

Lumakas na ang hikbi niya na pilit niyang pinipigilan. Sunod-sunod na bumagsak ang mga luha niyang hindi ko na halos mapunasan lahat.

Then he shut his eyes tightly. Maybe that was the tightest. His voice broke and his shoulders shook.

"Mom died in my arms…in my fucking arms…" shiz, my heart's aching too as I listen to him. His hold in my hands also tightened. "I-I lost her the same day dad was brutally killed by the same enemy. This isn't the first downfall of Freñier, this is our second downfall…b-because of the same enemy."

Unti-unting gumalaw ang dalawa kong braso para hilahin siya palapit para yakapin.

Where our bodies touched, my eyes dropped. I can feel his sorrow. The beast inside him. His vulnerability. At wala akong magawa kundi ang umiyak kasama niya.

Naman eh, damay-damay na talaga 'to.

"Hindi mo kasalanan…"

"I-It was my fault...I hadn't keep my promise…dad was right, Sicily wasn't ours already…" Muli niyang bulong at naramdaman ko rin ang pagyakap niya pabalik.

Hihikbi-hikbi kami pareho habang magkayakap. Nasa dibdib ko ang ulo niya at nasa leeg niya ang mga braso ko.

I touched his soft hair and rested a kiss in his head. That's when I felt him calmed. I wiped my tears and licked my lips.

"You should let go of the past, your mom won't be totally happy if you're still blaming yourself for it. Your mom would just worry about you," I whispered softly. Enough for him to hear.

"You mean your mom too, right." I laughed.

"Yeah, mom wouldn't like it if his boy is still crying because of the past. Learn to let go too, love."

"And now you're giving me advises, huh. You'd grew mature when you slept?" Tatawa-tawang sabi niya kaya mabilis ko siyang tinulak at sinamaan ng tingin.

Ngayon tatawa-tawa na siya? Kanina lang nagda-drama pa 'to eh.

"That's pretty insulting, really... I hate you," nagtatampo kong wika.

Pero tawa lang ang sinagot niya bago nahiga ulit. Tinapik niya ang space sa tabi niya.

"Lay here…I want to hug you," he said, smiling brightly.

There's no traces of sadness in his face anymore. All I could see is the glistening soul within the barrier of his body.

"But I want to see them now." My lips prodded. He nodded with a sweet and endearing smile.

"Later, okay? Let me hold you first. Mi manchi, amore."

"Hmmm….I miss you too love!"

Masigla akong patagilid na nahiga sa tabi niya at agad siyang niyakap sa bewang. My head rested in his muscled bicep while my face was pressed against his broad chest.

He softly brushed my hair as his other hand landed on my waist. My lips then stretched into a smile when he gently kissed my forehead.

"Let's sleep together for a while, can we? After this you'll see them all. I will not interrupt you, just give me this moment, amore," mahina niyang bulong sa mababang boses.

Nakapikit na ako habang dinadama ang sarap ng yakap niya. Napakagat labi ako nang muntik na akong matawa sa sobrang lambing ng boses niya.

"Te amo…love," pabulong kong sambit at hindi maiwasang mangiti.

He didn't replied so I pouted. But I don't mind, this is more than enough. Him laying here with me is enough. Darn, pwede na akong mamatay.

Pero syempre, huwag muna.

"This soul loves you more." But then he answered after few seconds.

His hug tightened, pressing me even more to him. He covered us by the soft blanket and a song played in his phone.

"You'd make me very happy...again." His voice mixed the soft harmony. "Wish our love story will last..."

'I came to you and never asked too much…

Wondering what you would say
Hoping you'd understand
It's not a role I usually play…

Don't speak too much of what's been going on...

The past is over and gone
Give me your troubled mind
You know it's you
I can do so much for you…

I want you
Having you near me, holding you near me...

I want you to stay and never go away
It's so right
Having you near me, holding you near me…

I'll love you tonight, it feels so right
Feels so right...

You're brave to say that you get lost in love...

But you opened your heart to me
Underneath all you feel you know
How deep my love could be…

Tonight we'll touch until it's time to go
Then I'm leaving it up to you

Even a fool would know that I'm not true, I can do so much for you

I want you
Having you near me, holding you near me

I want you to stay and never go away
It's so right

Having you near me, holding you near me

I'll love you tonight, it feels so right
Feels so right…

~~THAINA'S POV

"MAX, please eat something."

He just coldly stared at me before gazing back to the window beside him. It's almost midnight but he's still eating nothing.

Iinom pa siya ng gamot.

"Maxer Leverge, ano ba? Gusto mo bang gumaling o gusto mo talagang mamatay?!" Inis kong bulyaw sa kaniya.

Kanina ko pa kasi tinutulak palapit sa kaniya ang pagkain pero puro lang siya iling at titig. Like seriously? Ito bang lalaking 'to may utak pa?

"Max, ano ba? Kain sabi eh!"

Ako na mismo 'yong nag-umang ng kutsara sa bibig niya pero tamad niya lang akong tinignan na para bang asar na asar na siya sa'kin.

Ang sarap tuloy batukan.

"I don't want to eat," he coldly said. Kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Paano ang mga gamot mo? Hindi pwedeng hindi ka uminom. Ano ba'ng problema mo ha? Kakain ka na lang eh, mag-eenarte ka pa."

Hindi ko kasi maintindihan ang luko. Paggising naging malamig na lang bigla at ayaw kumain. Palagi na lang siyang nakatunganga sa labas ng bintana ngayon.

"I said I don't want to eat."

"But I said you have to. Can't you understand it? May gamot kang iniinom! Umayos ka nga, Maxer! Akala mo ba hindi nakakapagod 'to?"

Singhal ko pa sa kaniya. Napatingin siya sa'kin, walang emosyon na mababasa sa mukha niya kaya mas nainis ako lalo.

"Ano ba talagang problema mo——"

"Leave me alone."

"What? Can you hear yourself? Ako na nga 'tong nagmamagandang loob eh!"

I can't believe this! Parang bigla akong na-high blood sa pagiging ipokrito niya. My God! Can he repeat it please?

"I said leave me alone. I don't need you here," malamig niya uling sabi kaya napakurap na ako.

Fuck this man. Totoo ba'to? Nakaka-gago ha, ako na nga 'tong tumutulong tapos yun lang sasabihin niya?

Two days, two days at one night na akong walang maayos na tulog para lang alagaan siya tapos ganito lang?

Not that I'm complaining, he just sounds so ungrateful.

"A-Ano ba'ng nangyayari sa'yo? Nabagok ba 'yang ulo mo ha?" Galit kong wika pero tinignan lang niya ako bago tinuro mismo iyong pinto.

"Leave. I don't need you here."

"Maxer!" I yelled. Can't he just stop?

Bakit parang galit pa siya matapos ko siyang alagaan dito. Wow naman, not a thank you but a leave me alone answer, is all I received after all that I've done.

"Don't make me repeat myself, Thaina." Now it's Thaina. I felt my chest tightened. "If you're only doing this because of pity, then leave me alone now. Because I don't need you here."

Pakiramdam ko biglang may sumaksak sa'kin sa sinabi niya. Dagli akong hindi naka-imik bago ko nagawang tumawa ng mapakla.

Really, what's with this lad?!

I tried to forget what he just said and still pursued the food. Right, just forget it Thaina. Ganito talaga mga nababaril.

"Okay, kain ka na. Tapos ka ng mag-inarte, kain na." Iniumang ko sa bibig niya iyong kanin pero tumagos sa'kin ang malamig niyang titig.

Then out of the blue, he said something that really really offended me. I almost hit him because of it.

"You're ridiculous. Pity. You stick to me because you can't get what you want from another man. Aren't you ashamed?"

Literal ata akong nanlamig sa sinabi. I even doubt if this is really Maxer. Kasi hinding-hindi niya sasabihin sa'kin yun! Puta niya! Yung Maxer na kilala ko malandi at hindi malamig na masakit magsalita.

I dropped the spoon in the plate. I tried swallowing my own saliva just to wake myself. Baka kako nananaginip na naman ako pero hindi eh. Putang'na talaga niya, sinabi niya talaga yun!

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Bakit ka ba nagkakaganiyan?" Mga survivors sa gyera lang alam kong nagkaka ganito eh. Bakit, survivor ba'to?!

"Just fucking leave me alone. Why do you care, anyway? The last time we talked, you don't really care to me. What now...guilty?" Matabang niyang saad.

Nainsulto ako dun kaya galit akong tumayo at binalik sa mesa iyong mga pagkain. Tapos ay binalikan ko siya. Hindi ko napigilang magtaas ng boses kasi bwesit na bwesit na ako eh.

"Ano ba talagang problema mo, ha? Bigla ka na lang nagkakaganiyan, ano bang ginawa ko at ganito ka?" Namewang ako sa inis. "Ikaw na nga 'tong tinutulungan, ikaw pa'tong nag-iinarte. Max, I prioritized you over my cousins, kaya umayos ka naman! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Biglang nag-init ang mata ko pero hayun siya, malamig lang akong tinitignan na para bang wala siyang pakialam.

"Maxer, ano ba?! Ano ba talaga ang mali, may ayaw ka ba sa ginagawa ko? May problema ka ba sa'kin? Masama loob mo? Okay, tell me why! Nang mapag-usapan natin!"

But he never said a thing. He just coldly averted his gaze back to the dark view outside his window.

My chest tightened even more. Damn, I uttered cusses. Ang bigat ng dibdib ko, puta. Muntik na akong maiyak ng tuluyan nang itinaas niya pa ang kamay niya at senenyasan akong umalis.

He's a jerk. Instead of thanking me this is what he did! He just hurt me. I don't know why he's acting this way, but do he have to be this cruel?!

Damn him! Kung ayaw, ayaw. Fine! Edi mag-isa siya dito! Pakialam ko ba? Pakialam ko kung mamatay—kung magutom siya? Anong pake ko?

"You are a bastard," malamig ko ring anas bago kinuha ang Cardigan ko at padabog na lumabas. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo, gago!"

Malakas kong sinarado ang pinto tapos ay sinipa ko pa sa sobrang inis. Nakaka-bwesit talaga kausap ang lalaking yun ket kailan!

---

"EWAN KO KUNG ANO ANG PROBLEMA NIYA! MAY MALI BA SA GINAWA KO? HA, HA? GUSTO KO LANG NAMAN SIYANG GUMALING EH!"

Malakas kong iyak habang tumutungga ng Jack Daniels at kaharap si Yvon na ngingiti-ngiti lang.

Marami ng kalat na bote sa mesa, yung iba tumba na at walang laman. Kaharap ko rin si Caina na kapatid ni Coother at si Irene na kapatid din ni Stynx.

"AKO NA NGA 'TONG NAGPAPA-KAHIRAP ALAGAAN SIYA TAPOS YUN LANG SASABIHIN NIYA? GAGO SIYA! WALANGHIYA, DEPUTA SIYA! MAMATAY NA SIYA DUN!"

Hinampas ko ang mesa sa sobrang inis, galit at bwesit habang paulit-ulit kong nakikita at naririnig sa isip ko ang malamig niyang mukha at boses.

Gagong yun! Akala naman niya kawalan siya? Edi iwanan! Yun gusto niya? Yun lang, sana pala talaga hinayaan ko na lang siyang malugmok doon sa hospital bed niya! Gago siya! Gago!

"LEAVE ME ALONE, I DON'T NEED YOU! PUTANG'NA NIYA! WALANG HIYA SIYA. MAY PA-LEAVE ME ALONE, LEAVE ME ALONE PA SIYANG NALALAMAN! OH EDI 'YAN! MAMATAY NA SIYA DUN!"

Napaiyak ako ulit sa sobrang kirot ng dibdib ko. Napahawak pa 'ko dun at napangudngod sa lamesa habang umiiyak.

"A-Ah, I think kailangan niya lang ng pahinga——"

"PAHINGA?! HIGA NGA LANG SIYA DUN EH TAPOS PAHINGA?! AKO NGA ILANG ARAW AT GABI NG PUYAT, NAGPAHINGA BA AKO? SINABIHAN KO BA SIYA NG, LEAVE ME ALONE! GAGO TALAGA SIYA! AKALA NIYA NAMAN KAWALAN SIYANG HAYOP SIYA!"

Napatahimik si Irene sa sinabi ko habang tatawa-tawa naman si Caina at Yvon habang pinapanuod akong magkalat.

"Sus, nagtatampo lang yun girl. Lambingin mo la——"

"LAMBINGIN?! HINDI PA BA SAPAT YUNG MGA GINAWA KO PARA MATUWA SIYA? AKALA KO MATUTUWA SIYA PERO PINAGTABUYAN LANG AKO NG GAGO! GANUN BA SIYA MAGPALAMBING?!"

Si Yvon naman ngayon napatahimik. Muli akong sumubsob sa mesa habang nagpapapadyak sa inis.

Hindi ko matanggap na ganun lang sinabi niya sa'kin matapos ko siyang ipagdasal na magising. Sana pala iba pinagdasal ko!

"Hay naku, pag ganiyan, kalimutan mo na 'yan, Thaina. Mga ganiyang lalaki mga walang kwenta 'yan. Hindi ka mahal nun," payo ni Caina at uminom. "Maghanap ka ng lalaking magpapa-saya sa'yo hindi 'yang pinapaiyak ka."

Muntik na akong mapatango sa kaniya. Pero kasi si Maxer yung nagpapasaya sa'kin eh! Kahit asar na asar at inis na inis ako dun.

"Mali ka diyan, girl. Hindi mo mahal kung hindi masakit. Sa relasyon hindi lang puro tawanan at saya, normal lang mga 'yan," kontra ni Yvon. "Ganiyan kami ni Knave. Nagpapalambing lang yun ano ka ba?" Tatawa-tawa niya pang hinampas-hampas yung balikat ko. "Mga lalaki kailangan lang talaga pag-tiyagaan minsan. Gusto nila inaamo eh, yung lalambingin mo tapos aakit-akitin. Ganun mga gusto nila!"

"Ang landi mo masyado, Yvon. Hindi lahat nadadaan sa lambing," kontra rin ni Caina. "Sinaktan ka, pinaiyak ka. Tapos ikaw maglalambing? Ikaw luluhod? Mga gagong lalaki yun, gusto talaga niya dinidilaan sila eh 'no?"

Kumunot ang nuo ko. Anong dinidilaan? What the fuck, Caina?

"Kaya 'wag kang bibigay. Pinaiyak ka diba? Masakit?" I nodded.

"SOBRANG SAKITTTT!" Iyak ko na naman.

"Right, he hurt you. So why kneel, right? Right, Thaina?"

"Right!"

"Tama 'yan. Siya dapat ang luluhod at sasamba sa'yo. Siya dapat ang sa ibaba at hindi ikaw. Inalagaan mo 'diba? Pero tinaboy ka. Huwag mong balikan, hayaan mo siyang habulin ka!" May pa-hampas mesa pa niyang sabi.

Tumango-tango ako at nagpahid ng luha. Darn, bakit ako iiyak? Bakit, bakit?

"T-Tingin ko hindi naman ata ganun yun——"

"EH ANO?!" Pabulyaw kong binalingan si Irene na wala pa ring bawas iyong iniinom na alak.

"D-Dapat kasi pag-usapan niyo 'yan eh. Kailangan niyo lang kumalma muna. Lilipas din ang init ng ulo niyo."

"I don't think so, Irene. Maxer hurt Thaina through his words! Words are powerful and even painful than physical pain. Kaya sa'kin ka makinig, Thaina. Find another man whose better than Maxer!" Caina interfered. She's always my bet because she's always right!

Maxer is an ass! Sino ba siyang gwapo sa tingin niya? Ako kaya 'to, si Thaina Flores Verdenza! Tapos sasabihan lang niya ng, 'leave me alone, I don't need you here!'?

Eh gago pala siya eh!

"No, no, no. Maxer's been chasing you girl, since the beginning! 'Diba nga kinidnap ka niya?"

"What?! H-He…kidnapped you?" Gulat na asik ni Irene sa sinabi ni Yvon.

"Yes! But that wasn't just for fun or whatever. He kidnapped her because he likes her!"

"But he still did kidnapped Thaina."

"Yun nga kasi baliw siya dito!" Yvon pointed me. "Then when he was caught, he chose to be her slave! Come on, hindi gagawin ni Max yun kung hindi niya mahal 'tong si Thaina!" Panay ang turo sa'kin ni Yvon habang gulat naman si Irene.

While Caina's arching her brows. "Who wouldn't gone crazy over Thaina? Look at her, if Athaia's a goddess then she's an epitome of devine beauty. Maxer was just maybe lusting her——"

"Hep, hep! Bakit ba kung anu-anong masasama sinasabi mo kay Max? Alam mo bang dahil sa kaniya kaya buhay pa ngayon si Thalia at Athaia? He is damn a good guy!"

"I don't think so, because if he is, then why is he hurting her?" Tinuro rin ako ni Caina habang may matigas na ekspresyon.

"Maybe he just want her to say the magic words! Right, men wanted to hear those three words. They want assurance!" Yvon clapped her hands before turning to me. "Sinabi mo na ba ang magic words sa kaniya?"

"What magic words?" Naguguluhan kong tanong kaya tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Now I know why he's acting that way, couz." And now she's calling me cousin? "Maxer just need to hear those words. Ikaw naman kasi eh, masyado kang hard sa kaniya."

"Ano nga yun? Hindi kita maintindihan!"

She just rolled her eyes again before drinking her Jean beam. "The magic words, duuuh? It was just so simple! Yun palagi kong sinasabi sa pinsan mo kapag nag-aaway kami."

"B-Baka nga yun lang gusto niyang marinig," sang-ayon ni Irene at nginitian ako. Si Caina naman napa-ikot na lang ng mata sabay inom.

Napapahid ulit ako ng pisngi at napa-singhot. Bumara na 'yong ilong ko sa kakaiyak. Shuta kasi ng gagong yun eh.

"What's the magic words? I don't know it." They all gave me an arched look.

"Seriously? Ako nga na bitter alam yun ikaw pa kaya?" Si Caina.

"Iyon yung nararamdaman mo para kay Maxer," ngiting wika ni Irene.

"Uhuh, uhuh. Unless, you don't feel it for him, girl," si Yvon at tumungga na naman.

Muli kong binagsak ang braso sa mesa at sumubsob na naman. Muli akong napahagulgol.

Paano ko naman yun sasabihin sa gaging yun eh ayaw nga ako makita nun?! Ano, basta ko na lang isisigaw na, Maxer! Gago ka! Ganun? Yun yung gusto kong sabibin sa kaniya.

"HINDI NGA KAMI BATI EH! AYAW NIYA AKONG MAKITA, MAKAUSAP PA KAYA! HUHUHUHUHU, AYUKO NA SA EARTH! GUSTO KO NG LUMIPAT! GAGONG YUN? PINAGTABUYAN AKO?! HUHUHU, AYUKO NA SA MUNDO! GUSTO KO MA SA MUNDO MO! PERO HAYOP KANG GAGO KA EH?"

Pinaghahampas ko na yung mesa at mga bote sa sobrang inis at galit ko. Nagsigawan silang tatlo at tumayo palayo dahil marami na akong nabasag na bote.

Dito na lang ilalabas, dahil ako'y kaniyang pinalabas~~~~ayuko na mabuhay! Dahil siya'y mamamatay!

Sarap murahin ng paulit-ulit ng lalaking yun!

"Shit! Shit! Thaina stop! You're hurting yourself!"

"Oh my God! Nagwawala siya! May d-dugo! Oh my!"

"Tatawagin ko si Knave! B-Bantayan niyo 'yan ah baka tumalon sa bintana!"

Naririnig ko mga sigawan nila at may hapdi na akong naramdaman pero hindi ako tumigil sa pagbato ng bote sa dingding.

Sobrang sakit kaya insultuhin at pagtabuyan! Hindi ko matanggap na siya pa talaga nagpaalis sa'kin! Like really? Really, Max?! Kaya mo na ngayon?

Dati-rati nagmamakaawa ka pa sa'king gago ka pero ngayon heto? LEAVE ME ALONE, I DON'T NEED YOU?!

Napaka-ganda naman ng love life mo ano?! Gwapo ka? Mahal ka? Isang Thaina Verdenza, ginanun mo lang?

"Fuck! Thaina stop! Enough! Sabi na eh, bwesit na pag-ibig 'yan!"

"D-Dumudugo pisngi at kamay niya. Gosh, ang daming bubog oh!"

"Thaina I said stop! Darn, sabi na kasi sa'yong maghanap na lang ng bago! Ano ka ngayon? Nagwawala ka, bukas pagsisisihan mo 'yan, gaga!"

Marami pa rin akong naririnig pero wala akong pinakinggan. Nararamdaman ko ang bawat pag tama ng bubog sa pisngi at braso ko pero wala akong pakialam.

Isinigaw ko na lahat habang nagbabato ng bote sa dingding ng hospital room ni Caina. Ano nga ulit tawag dito? Ah basta, pinggan dapat 'to eh.

"What's happening?! Where's Thaina?! Where's my cousin—Oh shit! THAINAAAAAAA!"

May umagaw ng bote sa'kin at sapilitan akong pinapangko. Nagpumiglas ako at sumigaw pero walang nakinig sa'kin.

Umiikot na ang paningin ko at sumasakit lalo iyong mga sugat pero hindi ako tumigil.

Babato pa sana ako eh kaso biglang may sumampal sa'kin.

"PUTANGNAAA! SINO YUN HA?!"

"GAGA! TUMIGIL KA NA KASI!"

May sumampal ulit sa'kin at sa sobrang lakas para akong mawawalan ng ulirat. Putrangis! Iba na ata yun! Gumaganti yata yun kung sino man yun eh!

"A-Ang lakas naman nun, Cai. B-Baka nawalan na 'yan ng malay."

"Bote nga sa kaniya, nagwawala, bukas magpapasalamat pa 'yan sa'kin dahil pinigilan ko siya!"

Sino yun? Sino yung nagsasalita ah? Anong magpapasalamat?! Sinampal ako tapos papasalamatan ko siya?! Sino yun ah?!

"ANO BA, BITAWAN NIYO NGA 'KO! SINO YUNG SUMAMPAL SA'KIN HAH? SINO YUN!"

Pagwawala ko ulit pero may naramdaman na akong parang tinurok sa braso ko kaya napaigik ako sa sakit.

"A-ANO YUN? B-BAKIT MAY INJECTION?! NOONG KAYO BA NALASING IN-INJECTION-NAN KO BA KAYO? A-ANO YUN?!"

Patuloy ako sa pagwawala pero unti-unti na akong nanghina. Putik! May ininject sila sa'kin eh!

Dahan-dahan akong napalupaypay sa nakahawak sa'kin hanggang sa biglang dumilim.

---

"OH, BUTI GISING NA ANG SLEEPING BEAUTY,"

Bungad sa'kin ni Caina pagkagising na pagkagising ko. Kakaupo ko pa lang sa kama nang sunod-sunod silang magsipasukan.

"My head hurts," reklamo ko.

Na sana hindi ko na lang isinatinig dahil sabay-sabay talaga silang umingos at kaniya-kaniyang reklamo.

"Jack Daniels pa," si Caina habang nag-kakape.

"Tapon bote pa," si Yvon na iiling-iling habang nakapangalumbaba.

"Grabe ka pala malasing, Thaina. Nag-wawala ka pala talaga. Alam mo bang nag-alala kaming lahat sa'yo?"

Si Irene lang siguro iyong nakita kong nakangiti pa rin habang nagsesermun. Maya-maya pa pumasok din si Knave at tinaasan ako ng kilay.

Inirapan ko siya agad at nangalumbaba rin. Dumating din si Ferrin na inaalalayan si Thalia.

Tss, bakit ba nandito silang lahat? Ano ba meron! Makikishismis lang mga 'to eh.

"Hi, Thaina. Good morning," nakangiting bati ni Thalia at naupo sa sofa.

"Morning," walang gana ko lang na sagot.

"You okay now? Hindi ka na brokenhearted? Baka kasi mamaya magwala ka na naman eh," saad ni Knave habang naka-akbay kay Yvon.

I just rolled my eyes to him. Napatingin ako sa kanang braso kong maraming benda. Malamang tinamaan ako ng bubog.

"I didn't expected that you would gone so violent...at least to the bottles. But look at yourself, Thaina. Come on, it's okay if you're hurting inside, just don't cause yourself trouble," mahinang sabi ni Ferrin at lumapit sa'kin.

He softly caressed my wounded face and comb my hair using his fingers. Agad kong hinawi ang kamay niyang nasa pisngi ko.

"I'm okay, ano ba kayo. Usapang lasing lang yun kagabi." Tinignan ko sila isa-isa lahat. Nakapangalumbaba yung iba habang sina Knave at Thalia ay nakataas kilay talaga.

"Just talk to him, okay? Don't hurt yourself. Look at your face…your beautiful face, it's wounded." Ferrin sat beside me.

Masama ko siyang tinignan pero ngumuso lang siya sa'kin. Ano ba'ng pinagsasabi ng mga 'to? Sabi ng okay lang ako eh! Ako pa ba?

"Kuya, I'm fine. I don't have to talk to him, okay? Wala lang yun, ano ba kayo?"

Pinasadahan ko ulit sila ng tingin pero hindi ko mabasa ang emosyon nilang lahat.

Napakagat labi ako. Ganito ba ang pakiramdam noon ni Athaia nang nahiwalay siya kay Zethary?

Iyong pilit kang ngumingiti kahit na ang gusto mo ay umiyak? Pero bakit ako iiyak? Duuh? Sino ba'ng gago yun sa tingin niya para iyakan ko siya?

He's just no one but Maxer Leverge. A blue eyed mafia.

Damn! Why would I waste tears for him?

Ferrin sighed, he hugged me by my side and mumbled soft curses. Si Irene naman ay pumunta sa mesa at may kinuhang bowl.

It was a soup. Nilagay niya yun sa bed table at sinamahan ng kanin, ulam, juice, tubig at gamot.

"I said I'm fine. Para naman akong embalido kung umakto kayo," matigas ko pa ring saad.

Tumawa bigla si Knave at lumapit sa'kin. Naupo rin siya sa kabilang gilid ko at ginalo ang buhok kong magulo na.

I glared at him. "Come on, smile ka na. Ang pangit mo na oh, may sugat ka na sa mukha. Magpepeklat 'yan," iling niya sa'kin.

"Agahan mo, saka gamot sa hang over." Tinulak ni Irene at Yvon palapit sa kama ko ang bed table.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. Bakit ba? Kaya ko kayang tumayo! Hindi ako nabugbog noh! Pero kung umasta naman sila parang sobrang lubha ko.

"Seriously? As much as I remember, I was drunk. Just drunk!" I said flatly to them but they all just laughed.

"And? You weren't just drunk, baby... You've gone crazy because Maxer told you to leave him alone. Sana iniwan mo nga, 'wag mong iyakan yun. Maniwala ka sa'kin, yun susuyo sa'yo ngayon. Kaya 'wag marupok ah?" Tawang-tawa na wika ni Knave at ginulo na naman ang buhok ko.

"Kaya hindi nagkakaayos ang dalawa eh, kung anu-ano pinapayo mong hambog ka!" Yvon hit him hard in the shoulder. The reason why his face fell.

"Wala naman akong ginagawa, pero nakatanggap pa rin ako ng hampas. Hayss, can life be more cruel than this?"

"Aba…talaga? 'Yan lang nagkakaganiyan ka na? EH KUNG BARILIN KITA HA?! KAGABI PA 'YANG ISSUE NILA HINDI NA NATAPOS-TAPOS DAHIL ANG GUGULO NIYO!" Sigaw ni Yvon sa sobrang lakas na boses.

Halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng sigaw niya. At ang pinsan ko agad ng tumakbo palabas habang nagmumura. Yvon then ran after him.

Tss, parang mga bata!

"You better eat. Dapat pagbalik namin tapos ka na diyan," walang emosyon na wika ni Caina at tumayo. "Doon naman kami sa isa, bye." She waved her hand before going out.

Ngumiti rin si Irene at nagpaalam. Ngayon ay tatlo na lang kami ang natira. Tahimik akong kumain habang nanunuod silang dalawa ni Thalia sa'kin.

Then Thalia spoke out of the blue.

"Maxer is a great man…" paki ko ba dun? Bakit ba puro Maxer mga tao ngayon?

"He saved me and Athaia. He's a good guy despite of his job."

Nagtaas lang ako ng kilay sa kaniya habang kumakain. Can't she just shut it? I don't want to hear anything related to that man.

How dare him to treat me like that! Ako 'to, si Thaina Verdenza, dyosang nabubuhay sa balat ng lupa! Tapos pagtatabuyan lang niya?

Gago ba siya? Ha! Gago naman talaga siya eh!

"Alam mo bang noong nahuli kami at wala ng pag-asang makatakas….mas ginusto niyang samahan ako. Kahit na pwede pa siyang tumakas at lumaban nun, hindi niya ginawa dahil iniisip niya kami."

Ano ba'ng gusto nitong iparating? Ano naman ngayon kung nagpakabayani yung lalaking yun? Paki ko ba?! Hindi porket nagpakabayani yun eh bayani na nga ang gagong yun!

"Do you remember…he chose to be with you even when he has the chance to escape. He chose to stay by your side."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Thalia. Prente lang siyang nakaupo sa sofa habang si Ferrin ay nakahiga at ginagawang unan ang binti niya. Nakikinig.

"I gave him chances to escape. When we were still in the Alfaza mansion. But he stayed, and do you know why?" Now it was my turn to ask.

I gritted my teeth. "Because he wants to spy to us. Because Zethary Freñier can't talk to Athaia and so he needed Maxer to be his messenger." My face turned cold. "See? He did not stayed for me, it's still for his boss."

"But he loves you..."

"How could you say that? He's just attracted to me because look! Hindi sa pagmamayabang pero itong ganda ko, walang kapantay! Mag tour man siya around the world, wala siyang makikitang 'sing ganda ko!"

Napapikit ako sa inis. Hindi ko maiwasang magmayabang, kasi totoo naman eh. Yung hayok sa mga babaeng si Maxer? Hindi yun nagmamahal ng totoo! Punyeta niya!

"O-Okay…pero halata kaya. Patay na patay yun sa'yo, nagtatampo lang yun ano ka ba?"

"Nagtatampo? Kagabi ko pa 'yan naririnig. Bakit siya lang ba may karapatang magtampo? Ang ganda-ganda ng mood ko habang pinapakain siya tapos sasabihin niya lang, 'leave me alone, I don't need you here'."

Hindi ko napigilang hindi magtaas ng boses at magpahid ng pawis sa mata. Oo, pawis lang. Hindi ako umiiyak. Tangina niya!

"Akala naman niya iiyakan ko siya? Yung kagabi, lasing lang ako nun! Wala lang yun, putrangis niya. Sino siya para iyakan ko ha?!"

Napapahid ulit ako ng pawis sa mata ko dahil sa hapdi ng mga sugat ko sa kamay, braso at pisngi.

Oo, masakit ang mga sugat ko. Hindi ang dibdib ko. Napansin kong nag-pipigil ng tawa si Kuya Ferrin habang si Thalia ay nakangiwi.

"Oh, bakit?"

"Wala lang. I just realized that, no matter how in denial you are, you're still a girl—softhearted as you should be——"

"Hindi ko 'yan matatanggap! Ako?! Softhearted? Huh, hindi ako lalambot dahil lang sa isang lalaki——"

The door swang open and the most unwanted guy of my life emerged with a shocked face. My blood boiled when he scanned me all over, but do you know what made me mad most?

He. Fucking. Laughed.

***

Hope you enjoyed. Sorry for the slow update, mafias!