AZHRIA
A Filthy Dinner

The darkness I used to rest in is now resting within me. It has invaded me wholly. But just like always, fear was nowhere near me. After all, this was a permitted invasion. An agreement between the living . . . and the dead.

"Welcome to Casa Balzuari, Madame," a chambermaid greeted me, smiling.

She's just one in a cluster of females wearing the same purple uniform who were all lined up on my both sides.

"Sir Rosh is already in the dining hall, waiting for you. Please, follow us."

I nodded and joined their stroll. I was now inside the monsters' domain. The very mansion I will eventually reign.

We turned to the right corridor, then to the left, and then went straight ahead, walking past a long passageway. Just when I thought we were getting nearer, we just kept going further.

The mansion's interior was maze-like and if I was not ushered by these chambermaids, I would have had no chance of finding the way out of here.

But wandering my eyes around the place, I don't think I'd be lost in here.

Though it's my first time entering this mansion, it somehow felt . . . familiar.

The walking took forever until a certain hall was reached. Waiting at the entrance was a lad donned in a black tuxedo. The ambiance and the setting seemed more like a royal gathering than an engagement dinner.

They all made me feel like a queen, and I am not blaming them. I understand.

"Isn't it illegal to be that gorgeous?"

I clung to the arm Rosh offered to me. "I don't mind being convicted for it."

He maneuvered me to a dining table embellished with scented flowers and golden candles. From the receiving area up to this hall, I noticed that the architecture of this mansion was heavily influenced by classical designs.

There were tons of historical paintings, vintage furniture, first-rate crystal chandeliers, and timeless artifacts that were hung and orderly displayed.

Even the national museum would be highly embarrassed to nestle near this property. The mansion was abiding as hell. Classic, antique, and historic.

It's like I entered an old movie, starring the greatest pretenders of this era. I knew they deserved a deathly award for it, that's why I am here.

"I thought you would introduce me to your siblings?" I asked Rosh after he sat beside me. "Have I suddenly gone blind, or did you kill all of them, too?"

It was part sarcastic and part realistic, but Rosh clearly did not mind at all.

"Well, Rumi notified me that her flight was delayed so she'll be late for about an hour or two," he wet his lips as he stared at my chest, "while Garem, well, he's just concluding a political hearing so he'll be here any minute from now."

Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti dahil sa isiniwalat nito sa akin. I knew my plan would work, but having it confirmed was still sweet to me, nonetheless.

I proposed a wedding to have Rosh force his sister, Rumi, to come back home. Only then, I can actualize my plans for her. And I can't wait to do so.

"What about Yuzeyo?" My gentle tone obviously annoyed Rosh whose face had darkened now. "Isn't he coming?"

"I didn't invite him," Rosh replied with finality. "That idiotic bastard does not consider us family, neither do we."

Disappointment slowly kicked in. But three monsters are still monsters, so.

"If not for your validation, I'd say your siblings just made up their reasons," I confidently told Rosh after a while.

"I do understand that it would require time to prepare for dinner, especially if with a woman as grandeur as me."

"Gosh," he then slightly cocked his head before shaking it eventually, "your confidence is killing me."

"Oh, believe me," my voice turned darker that even I failed to recognize my sound, "it's you who killed me."

Men have always stressed holding superiority in society. But in reality, it's women who carry the real power over them. And the headless pig beside me could ultimately prove this claim.

While Rosh was fantasizing about owning my body, here I am, plotting countless ways of disposing of his.

"Murderer," I meaningfully stated.

Bemused, Rosh asked, "What?"

"Murderer," I repeated as my eyes sloped down and dipped to his gaze. "You, after all, took my breath away."

We were busy staring at each other's eyes when Rosh's phone started chiming. He then took it out and before excusing himself, I saw the caller's saved profile.

Q. It was an obvious alias. Of whom?

Sounds of footsteps heading toward my locus reverberated in my ears. Nang magtama ang mga paningin namin ay halos manuyo ang lalamunan ko. The man's presence was so domineering.

It was beyond suffocating that I even longed for some better air to breathe.

Ang maluwag na bulwagan ay tila sumikip. And it only took a simple nod from him to worsen the status quo.

With a jet-black suit, tinted eyeglasses, and a strict facade, Garem Balzuari, the eldest monster, eyed me with disdain.

"Name your price, woman," he offered.

It was never a greeting but a bargain proposal. His voice sounded heavy.

"Your money could never afford my beauty, Sir," I cited as calmly as I could.

Garem's throat moved. "What beauty?"

I picked myself up to level his frame. His sharp eyes then shot at me. "Hindi mo ba ako nakikilala, Sir Attorney?"

Slowly, I walked closer to him. "It has been years but I still remember you clearly. I used to put you on a pedestal, and even told myself that someday, I'd be as great and powerful as you."

The words I said were fluid like they have always been there and were just waiting for this moment to flow out.

"Pero no'ng lumapit ako sa 'yo, no'ng isinuplong ko ang kahayupan ng mga kapatid mo, ano ulit ang sinabi mo?"

I reached Garem's position and even felt his frustration. Mas lumapit ako.

"That every student has to experience bullying at some point. And what your sister did was not a big deal. Kahit na ipinakita ko sa 'yo ang mga pasa, galos, at sugat ko . . . nagbulag-bulagan ka."

He was tight-lipped, probably contemplating my narrative.

"You've always wanted to be the best in your field. Pero kailangan ko ba talagang mamatay para maisalba mo ang reputasyon mo, Sir Attorney?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Sa labis na kagustuhan mong protektahan ang pangalan ng pamilya mo, nakisalo ka sa kahayupan ng mga kapatid mo. And it made you just as worse as them. Nagkamali ako nang akalain kong matalino ka. Kasi taliwas sa gusto mong ipakita, wala ka naman talagang utak gaya nila. Duwag ka pa."

Garem's face became sharper. He's obviously affected by my remarks.

"Sa kabila nang lahat ng ginawa mo, nasa'n doon ang pusong sinasabi mo, Sir Attorney? Ang pusong maawain, maunawain, at matulungin? Perhaps that heart is nonexistent, after all."

I walked behind him and reached for his pallid ears. Gusto kong marinig niya nang mabuti ang sasabihin ko.

"I am not a lawyer by profession, but I do know that accomplices to murders should be arrested, too. And you, who were aware but turned a blind eye to the crime, were an accomplice to that murder. You have to be jailed for that."

Halos mawalan ako ng hininga nang bigla niya 'kong harapin at sakalin. His grasp tightened as his jaw clenched.

"Gan'yan nga, Sir Attorney," natatawa kong sabi, "ilabas mo ang tunay mong pagkatao. Enough playing saint here. Hindi bagay sa 'yo. What? Do it now!"

Garem's grip stiffened, some veins almost popped off his sweaty temple.

"Patayin mo 'ko. Patayin mo ulit ako!"

"Who the hell are you?!" he exclaimed.

"You tell me, Sir Attorney," I teased him. "Who do you think . . . I am?"

I smiled wickedly, unperturbed by his violence. "Does Zorya ring a bell?"

Ang nanginginig niyang kamay ay tuluyang kumalas mula sa mariing pagkakasakal sa leeg ko. And without a warning, he slapped me in full force, obliging me to descend to the floor.

When I felt my cheeks burning, my smirk deepened as I faced the floor.

I helped myself to get up. At the same time I tried to approach Garem, he paced backward, eyes widened in disbelief.

I smiled to tease him but was left hanging when Garem went running.

"He's a real bummer," I mumbled.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I invited myself to have a little tour inside. I watched every passage we passed by, but for some reason, I felt like I had missed something primal.

I began scrutinizing the dining hall's magnificence, from its walls to the ceiling. It's as though I could stay here for years and would still discover something interesting each day.

I was so engrossed in appreciating every detail until I found myself in a corridor where blades alike are displayed. Like I had reached an artillery station, several swords, guns, bows, and slings captured my sight.

Even so, what struck me the most was a sharp silver axe situated atop a crystal stool. Its elegance had almost foreshadowed how lethal it actually is.

"So, you are the playboy's new toy."

A soft yet piercing sound echoed in my ears. Slowly, I turned westward only to see a woman adorned with heavy make-up, a raven trench coat, and dark stilettos. Her presence was supreme.

I noticed some luggages behind her.

"It's either my brother lowered his standards or you are a beast in bed," she added as she took off her shades.

"Care to tell me which of which?"

Staring at her closely, I spotted how conspicuous the edges of her face were. And through the limited light grazing her cheeks, I got the chance to notice her platinum blonde hair, short enough to not reach her shoulders.

One remarkable finding is that this lady up front wasn't even threatening.

I must have expected more from her. But she disappointed me. Big time.

"You do not look like a supermodel to me, Harumi Balzuari," I mocked her.

Insult a woman and she will remember you. Since I learned that I'll be dealing with a doctor here, I did my readings.

A little psychology should be enough to handle an arrogant monster like her.

"Honestly, if I wasn't briefed, I would have mistaken you as a carnival stint."

I chuckled. The kind that would get me on her nerves. "I was even told that you were matchless. But from what I see in here, it's only a puny lowlife standing before a true queen like me."

I finally understood her insecurity. Rumi's stylistic, but Zorya's beautiful.

Assessing Rumi's fashion, I didn't know where to put the blame for her clothes appearing so cheaply: the designer or the consumer. Which of which?

Her curious eyes then lazily blinked.

"Ah, my bad," she slightly clasped her mouth, "let me change for a second."

Rumi put her back on me, and I did just the same. While our backs are facing each other, I heard that she pulled out something from her leather purse.

And before I turned about to face her, I took the silver axe with me. Kasabay nang pagtutok niya sa akin ng baril niya'y pag-asinta ko naman ng palakol sa ulo niya. In the corridor, we stood in our battle stances while aiming our weapons against each other's heads.

"Before you can pull that trigger, your head will surely be rolling on this floor," I warned her with passion.

When Rumi stared, I glared. When she upped her chin, I raised mine higher.

"Oh, hey, chill you both!" Rosh just appeared out of nowhere, mediating the scene. "What's happening here?"

I then rested the silver axe on my shoulder, maintaining my stoicism.

"Self-introduction, I suppose."

Meanwhile, Rumi kept the pistol gun back in her purse. "I like this lass."

Without breaking our eye contact, Rumi took off her trench coat and revealed her strapless black cocktail dress, staring at me like she's a winner.

Yep. I was right. She lacks attention.

Rumi eventually marched her way into the dining hall, while Rosh and I followed shortly after a series of romantic inquiries. He told me to stay close when he's the one who left me.

"Unlike Rumi, your brother, Garem, dislikes me," I told Rosh while playing with our intertwined fingers, our feet trudging slowly. "Should I leave now?"

Rosh halted a few meters away from the dining table where Rumi made herself comfortable. "As you have said, maybe they're just not used to meeting a woman as grandeur as you, Azh."

He then cupped my cheeks, posing an assuring smile. "We'll face them together. At least, do it for me. I love you. And you love me too . . . right?"

I forced myself to nod. "Yeah, I do."

Rosh wasn't convinced. "Promise?"

Slowly, I leaned closer and planted a subtle kiss on his forehead, smiling.

"Cross my heart," hope you'll die.

"There! Shoot that she-devil!"

Nahinto ako nang dumating ang ilang armadong lalaking nagtangka akong arestuhin. Looks like Garem Balzuari went outside to collect his henchmen.

Tama nga si Zorya. Duwag talaga siya.

"Get your hands off my fiancée!" Rosh swiftly antagonized them, protecting me. "What the fuck is this, Garem?"

"I told you, he hates me," I whispered.

"That she-devil knew what we did!"

Rosh's brows furrowed. "Which one?"

"The orphaned bitch," Garem told Rosh, glaring at me afterward. "Don't play-act with us because we are not buying it. In case you still don't get it, you'll be sent six feet under tonight."

Rumi obliged to rise. "Fuck it off! Is it that hot in this country that your blood boils so much? Grow up, you dimwits!"

Funny how I managed to trigger such a scene to erupt in just a few minutes of stepping inside. They have no idea what kind of chaos awaits them, yet they are already brawling like this.

"No one's touching that woman," that voice boomed in the hall, persuading us all to seek its owner, "unless you wish this place to be filled with blood."

With a shotgun at hand and flipping dagger on another, Yuzeyo entered the hall like a boss, much to my delight.

He was attired with a dark leather vest, exposing his bulky physique, and black jeans, accentuating his strong legs. With his sharp face and piercings, Yuzeyo gave chaos a different flavor.

The four monsters are complete now.

"A filthy evening, fuckers," he said.

"I didn't recall inviting you here."

"That's why I invited myself." Yuzeyo posed a stern face, urging Rosh to clench his jaw. "Bahay ko rin kasi 'to."

"And since when did the dog learn to bark like that?" Rumi raised a brow.

Ngumisi si Yuzeyo saka bumaling sa huli. "Hm? Matagal na, Ate. Even before you get your nose job done."

Maddened, Rumi quickly brought her pistol gun out. "You fucking bastard!"

In his defense, the smirking Yuzeyo then aimed his shotgun at his sister.

"I missed you, too, Ate!" He smirked.

Lihim akong napangiti. I didn't expect them to entertain me with their lowly banters. But eventually, I accepted.

Pumatay nga nagawa nila, ito pa kaya?

With an intensified glare, Yuzeyo turned to Rosh who was heated now.

"You burned my home." It wasn't a query, but an accusation. "And don't you dare deny it for you had lost your credibility years ago. I will kill you!"

He then aimed his gun at Rosh.

"You call that hut a home?" There was mockery in Rosh's tone. "Oh, even the wind alone could bring its destruction. I knew you're pathetic, but please, man up and stop proving it. Nakakahiya ka."

I noticed Yuzeyo's veiny arms ready to shoot his brother until our eyes met.

The man was seemingly pulled back.

"But yeah, you're right. It's nonsensical to deny it anyway," Rosh added, this time, with confidence. "I did burn that trashy hut you call home. That's what you get for flirting with my woman!"

Then Rosh forcefully wrested a gun from one goon and aimed for Yuzeyo's head. For a second, I thought the latter would crumble, but he swiftly picked himself up and bettered his stance.

It was a three-way battle. Rosh's gun against Yuzeyo; Yuzeyo's gun against Rosh; and Rumi's gun against Yuzeyo.

"Get your shits together!" Garem then pacified his siblings, eyes transfixed at the three of them. "You are all pointing your guns against the wrong target. Better sharpen your heads, fools!"

Naramdaman kong mas lumapit sa 'kin si Rosh, animo'y pinoprotektahan ako laban sa banta ng mga taong narito.

I only breathed in silence as he held my hand. That's right, Rosh. Protect your queen. Prove me your worth.

"Azh is a journalist, and Zorya was her subject. So if it's true that she learned what we did, isn't it fitting to keep her on our side so we can watch her closely?" Rosh said, convincing them.

"And how sure are you that she'll accept?" Garem inquired. "She's a liability. We must eliminate her now!"

"I love her, and she loves me." Rosh glanced at me then back to his siblings. "We will never betray each other."

As expected, Rumi always wanted to be the center of attraction. So when she intervened, I wasn't surprised at all.

"Oh, come on! Let the love birds have their fun, Kuya!" She then took a glass of champagne and drank it straight.

"Besides, if this woman right here turned out to be an enemy, what's there to be worried about? Hindi rin naman siya makakaalis nang buhay rito. I can handle her on my own."

I acted in pain. "I wouldn't have come here if my discovery was greater than my love for your brother. I'd rather die than lead a life without this engineer."

Bumaling ako kay Rosh at nahuli ang pagparte ng labi niya. He was touched.

I was in college when I joined the theater club. Our director used to say that I suck at acting. But over time, I proved him wrong. I practiced a lot.

Until no one could distinguish which part I was faking and which I was not.

"I love you, Rosh," I said, then let a single tear fall down my right eye.

It was a dramatic scene, so I thought that crying would be fitting in here.

Rosh then quickly brushed it away, gently kissing the top of my head. "I love you, too, Azh. I would never let anyone hurt you. You will always be safe with me. That, I promise you."

While you're busy guarding me against them, who would guard you from me?

Yuzeyo, clicking his tongue, was the last thing I expected, but yeah, he did.

"Can we eat now?" he asked, placing his shotgun at the table. "Remember that stupid tradition? That regardless of how mad we are at each other, we would still engage in dinner together."

Madness runs deeply in their blood.

"Geez, I remember that!" Rumi also kept her pistol gun and sat back.

Lumingon naman ako kay Rosh at nakitang nakikiusap ang mga mata niya sa halatang iritado pa ring si Garem. Well, the feeling is mutual.

"Oh, screw that tradition," he cursed then claimed his seat. He eventually ordered his henchmen to leave us, peacefully. "Where is the food?"

In due course, the women in identical purple skirts lined up and served us nutriments, wines, and varied courses.

Rosh and I were the last to lie down and sit with his now-calmed siblings.

"So," Rumi started forking her steak, "what do you do for a living, Azh?"

"If you listened to Rosh, you wouldn't be asking that." I swallowed my caviar.

"If you do not wish to have your gums peeled tonight, I suggest you answer what's asked of you, politely. Azh."

Nag-angat ang tingin ko kay Garem na nakaupo sa kabisera ng hapag-kainan. Rosh and I were seated on the left wing, while Rumi occupied the right one. Yuzeyo, however, was on the edge of the table, across numerous seats.

He was more than ready to shoot Rosh earlier, but now, he's at peace with his food. I wonder how his weird mind works. But why do I feel like similar to my tactic, Yuzeyo's just going along, waiting for the right moment to peak?

"Well, I was a journalist, Sir," I said.

Garem's eyes directed at me. "Was?"

Nodding at him, I smiled. This dinner scene seemed like a show of who's faking it better. "I just resigned today, with hopes to start anew with Rosh."

"Now that's crazy," Rumi commented.

"If I were a man, you'd say I'm driven."

"So what did you tell your company about your recent discovery?" Yuzeyo was pushing it, and I am here for it.

"None, I told them I found none."

"Why do I smell a lie from that?"

I turned to Garem's side, smiling.

"Your nose is near your mouth, Sir," I told him. "Perhaps you smelled yours."

Natahimik siya. Silang lahat, actually.

Until I felt Rosh's hand on mine.

"We're getting married in two weeks."

That, I didn't know about. But I wasn't terrified. Besides, by that time, Rosh will no longer be alive to attend to it.

"Love knows no time," Rumi sang it. "That's . . . what I often see in movies."

"But they are not in a movie, Ate."

Oh, but we are! Just like a movie, I already knew how this story would end . . . It's all of them being dead.

"Yuzeyo has a point," Garem seconded. "You two just met. Isn't that too early?"

"There's a reason why an ice cream melts, Sir," I said. "Just like love, it requires no time for waiting. If it comes, you just have to go and lick it."

For the first time tonight, Garem's lips turned up. "Interesting metaphor."

"Is that what all of this is about, huh?" Rumi sounded bored. "For you both to lick each other? Now that's pathetic!"

"Well, I could say the same to you," I replied, face blank. "For someone who killed out of envy, the word pathetic suits you better, Harumi Balzuari."

She obliged to rise, gritting her teeth.

"What did you just say?!"

I just smiled at her. "You heard me."

Rumi's dark frame gradually turned lighter. Ngumisi siya saka biglang humagalpak nang tawa. She's crazy.

"See?" One by one, she glanced at her brothers. "I told you, this woman is amusing. She could be one of us."

In my peripheral vision, I caught Yuzeyo staring at me. He was like solving a puzzle inside his mind.

"My fiancée's cool, isn't she?" Rosh was proud. "You should see her shoot. Simply, top-notch! One if not the best I have ever seen. I can't believe she's mine now. Or should I say, ours now?"

Our filthy dinner continued after that.

I silently breathed as I stared at my reflection through the wine glass.

I realized that I was clad in a black hollow-out bodycon dress. Dark rouge slathered across my face, lips painted in crimson shade. My straightened hair was tied in a high ponytail, some purple strands topping my frontal hairline, while silver earrings were gleaming as they hung on my ears.

I couldn't see myself at all. If karma had a face, it would look just like me.

"I'll have our room prepared," Rosh told me after a while. "Stay here."

Rumi had excused herself minutes ago, claiming that she was tired and needed some rest. Hindi naman ako umangal.

I, too, needed rest from her face.

Si Yuzeyo naman ay tahimik lang na inuubos ang pagkain niya sa dulo.

I was about to follow Rosh when Garem went off his chair and stood right beside mine, glaring at me.

"I will be watching you closely," he said. "We are not the ones you would want to play with, I'm telling you. So don't try to do anything amusing here."

Pushing myself up to my feet, I then crossed my arms over my chest.

"You think I'd put any effort into trying to amuse you?" I asked him, smiling.

I thought he'll stop there but Garem surged nearer and when he was close enough, he then whispered to my ear.

"No bitch could leave this place alive."

I smirked inwardly after he left me with that threat. Empty words for a lawyer like him. Nakakaawa siya.

When I glanced at Yuzeyo, I almost paced backward when I caught his tall frame standing just behind my locus.

"If you were mine, I would not leave you alone with Garem," he told me.

My eyes obliged to narrow at him.

"Protection is only for people who are afraid to defend themselves," I aired, "and I am not one of them, Yuzeyo."

He wet his lips and then stared at mine.

"Say it again," he cooed, eyes squinting.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Is this Balzuari flirting with me? "Say what now?"

"My name," he said, "I wanna hear it."

Stepping closer, Yuzeyo claimed my waist from the back, urging my right palm to be pressed against his hard chest. Oddly, but I didn't feel violated.

"You told Rosh that I was flirting with you, right?" I smelled wine from his breath. "This is me playing the part."

It's my turn to squint at him. "Rosh would kill you if he learns about this."

A dry chuckle escaped his mouth. "He already did. I died seven years ago."

With that, Yuzeyo let go of my tensed waist and left me hanging, confused.

I remember spotting all of his siblings in the nightmarish episodes that came uninvited inside my head. But it only occurred to me now that Yuzeyo was nowhere in any of those brutal scenes.

Which paved for one thought to arise.

Where was Yuzeyo in this murder?

Then once again, it dawned on me.

"Y-You heard me! I wike you, Zorya. More than aww stars combined."

I massaged my temple as I felt a thud in my head. That voice . . . Who could be its owner? Was it Yuzeyo? No way.

He might be somewhat good, but still, he is one of them. I refuse to trust him.

Yuzeyo Balzuari could never fool me.

***