Chapter 21

"So you're going to take classes in Davao every Saturday?" nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Alas. I grinned at him and nodded my head.

"Yes, it seems like it. Apat na oras lang naman ang biyahe kaya puwede akong mag-bus—"

"Ihahatid na kita," he cut me off.

Ngumuso ako. "I really can take the bus, Alas. Sunday lang ang official rest day mo kaya hindi puwedeng palagi mo nalang akong ihahatid. Atsaka, sa Davao pa yun. Tatlong oras ang biyahe galing dito."

"I insist." He said stubbornly.

I sighed and reached for my glass of water. Napatingin ako kay Zeus na kinalabit ako at itinuro ang hotdog. I put my glass down and placed one on his plate.

We had breakfast earlier than our usual time because Alas needs to go to Davao today. Ihahatid niya ako bago siya dumiretso sa Davao. To save his time, I figured waking up early and cooking our breakfast instead of waiting for Krista or Ella.

"Hindi ka pupunta ng site ngayon?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

Alas glanced at me. I can't help but stare at his stubble. He really needs to shave! But I hesitated if I wanted to see him in well-shaven face because he looks so sensual and... manly.

Clad in a denim jacket and wife beater shirt today, he looks rather dashing. Sinulyapan ko ang suot kong itim na blusa at mom jeans. Hindi naman siguro ako mukhang alalay ng taong ito?

"No. I'll meet with the cement supplier at Davao today. I'll also check if I can import the supplies domestically instead of ordering from other countries." Sagot nito bago sumimsim sa kaniyang kape.

Bahagya akong ngumuso. Busy kaming dalawa. Zeus will be enrolled in a community kindergarten next year and I'm still working on my master's degree! Last production show ko nalang ito ngayong weekend bago ako mag-aral sa unibersidad sa tuwing Sabado. Bigla tuloy akong na-excite!

Nang magising si Ella ay hinabilin na namin sa kaniya si Zeus. I called my mother last night to ask about her condition. Mag-isa lang siya ngayon sa apartment. She refused to take the caregiver Alas sent for her.

"Kaya ko pa naman ang sarili ko, Isabelle!" she lamented. "I'm not that old, you know... Magsasayang lang ng pera ang asawa mo kung magpapadala siya dito ng katulong."

Napailing nalang ako. Ikinuwento na din sa akin ni Alas ang nangyari sa kaniyang kapatid na mag-isang nakatira sa mansiyon ngayon. As much as he tried to help his brother, he completely shut down after what happened to his supposedly wedding.

"Baka gabihin nga pala ako mamaya. Huwag mo na akong sunduin..." wika ko sa kaniya.

He glanced at me and raised a brow. "All the more I have to fetch you..."

"Alas!" giit ko sa kaniya. "Ayos lang talaga ako! Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko..." iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya. It's his 25th birthday this Sunday and I still haven't bought him a gift dahil buntot siya nang buntot sa akin!

"Why? Are you going to be with that Joseph dude again—"

"He's my workmate." Siningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Workmate, okay? And... just to make things clear with you... h-hindi siya ang sinabihan ko ng I love you nung may kausap ako sa telepono..."

I saw how his knuckles tightened around the steering wheel as he continued to drive. Umigting ang kaniyang panga at suplado akong sinulyapan.

"Sino pala?" he asked coldly.

"It's my mother..." sagot ko sa kaniya.

Rumehistro ang pagkagulat sa kaniyang mukha na agad din namang nawala. His features softened.

"Really?" he asked calmly.

Kinurot ko ang kaniyang tagiliran bago humilig sa kaniyang dibdib. Alam kong napaka-reckless ng ginagawa ko ngayon, lalo pa't nagda-drive siya pero hindi niya naman ako pinigilan.

"I have no other man, okay?" malumanay kong wika sa kaniya. "Well... except for Zeus..." I giggled.

His chest vibrated when he let out a throaty chuckle. I sighed contentedly as I stared at the road before us.

"What do you want for your birthday?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"My birthday?"

"Yes..."

Hindi naman gaanong kalaki ang na-ipon ko, pero sapat na siguro para mabilhan ko siya ng disenteng regalo. The rest of my money would either go to savings or for the educational loan I've applied.

"Nothing special. Just a few of my friends, booze, and then..." he chuckled darkly. "My wife waiting for me in the bed afterwards..."

Uminit ang buong mukha ko sa kaniyang sinabi. Hinampas ko ang kaniyang dibdib nang tinawanan niya ako.

"Ang landi mo, Alas!"

I'm quite grateful that he did not talk me into fetching me after work. Didiretso na siya ng bahay pagka-uwi niya mula sa Davao. Hindi rin naman niya alam kung ilang oras siyang magtatagal doon kaya mabuti na din yun.

When I got out of work, I went to a nearby shopping center. Limited lang ang itinitinda doon dahil wala naman kami sa siyudad. I looked for anything that would peak his interest but found nothing.

Seriously, what can you give a guy who has everything?

Umakyat ang dugo ko sa mga pisngi nang maalala ko ang sinabi niya kanina! Ano? Yun lang ba talaga ang gusto niya sa birthday niya? Napailing nalang ako...

I ended up buying him a branded neck tie instead. Nalulula ako sa presyo ng necktie na iyon pero binili ko nalang. It's just a piece of fabric but how can it cost a fortune!

Dala-dala ang itim na paper bag, nagtungo ako sa bus station. I wonder if he'd arrive home already? Hindi pa siya nagrereply sa text ko simula kaninang tanghali.

Isinaksak ko ang earphones sa tainga sa buong biyahe pauwi sa bahay. The lights in the front porch are turned off when I arrived. Binuksan ko ang gate at pumasok.

Nadatnan ko sina Ella at Krista na nagkukuwentuhan sa mababang boses sa sala. Tulog na si Zeus sa hita ng kaniyang governess.

"Tapos na pong kumain si Zeus, Ma'am..." balita sa akin ni Ella.

"Ganun ba? Salamat, Ella..."

"Pinilit po kami ni Sir na kumain na eh, kaya nauna nalang kami."

"Where is he?"

"Nasa kwarto po, hinihintay po kayo. Sabay daw po kayong kumain..." nakangiting tugon sa akin ni Krista.

I smiled at them and then went to Zeus' room first. Inilagay ko ang biniling regalo para sa kaniya bago ako nagtungo sa aming kwarto.

"Hi..." I trailed off when I saw him stepping out of the bathroom, with nothing but a white towel clinging loosely on his hips. Mukhang bago itong paligo dahil basa pa ang kaniyng buhok at tumutulo ang tubig sa katawan. Lumunok ako. I cleared my throat. "Hi." Pag-uulit ko sa mas maayos na boses.

His midnight black eyes raked my body shamelessly before he returned a lazy crooked smile to me.

"Just got home?"

"Yup." I chirped.

Bahagya niyang itinaas ang kaniyang beard trimmer na hawak.

"I'm shaving."

"Really? Good for you..." distracted kong sagot habang ibinababa ang aking bag sa kama. Nilagpasan ko siya at pumasok sa banyo upang manghilamos dahil bigla akong pinag-iinitan!

Nagulat ako nang sumunod si Alas sa akin, dala-dala ulit ang folding chair sa loob. He set it in front of the sink and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His rough hands trailed the thick blanket of beard in his jaw all the way to the sides of his face.

Tumitig ako sa kaniya. Naramdaman ata niya ang bigat ng aking titig dahil sinulyapan niya ako.

"You know how to shave beard?" he asked huskily.

My cheeks burned. Tumuwid ako ng tayo at dahan-dahang tumango. Iniabot ni Alas sa akin ang beard trimmer at naupo, nakatingala sa akin.

"Let's see..." nanunuya niyang wika.

Sinimangutan ko siya at lumapit. I inspected the beard oil and cream, shaving brush, and warm water on the sink before I turned to him. Inilapag ko muna ang electric beard trimmer at hinugasan ang mga kamay.

When I was done washing my hands, Alas surprised me by pulling me down to his lap! Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at kaagad na itinulak ang kaniyang dibdib.

"Alas!" I protested.

"It's okay... that way, you can do your job properly..."

Ngumuso ako, nag-iinit na naman ang mga pisngi. Ibinagsak ko ang tingin sa kaniya.

Alas angled his face, showcasing his sharp jaw and high cheekbones. I silently cheered myself up, telling it would be alright, kahit pa ramdam ko na ang bahagyang panginginig ng mga kamay ko.

I reached for the shaving cream and brush. Titig na titig si Alas sa ginagawa ko kaya nahihirapan ako sa pagcoconcentrate! I bit my lower lips and applied a generous amount of shaving cream to the brush before I started stroking it against his jaw.

Hindi nagsasalita si Alas. Nakahawak lang siya sa beywang ko habang in-aapply ko ang shaving cream sa kaniyang mukha. He stared at me seriously. Hindi ko mabasa kung anong nasa isipan niya kaya mas lalo pa akong nababagabag.

With my fingers trembling lightly, I reached for the beard trimmer and started shaving his beard. I started on the neck area, then moved to the sides of his face and around his mouth.

Habang ginagawa ko ito ay gumagapang naman ang kaniyang kamay sa kung saan. I gasped when he boldly lifted my shirt up and claimed my mounds! Bahagya pa akong napatigil sa pagshi-shave sa kaniya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"Stop it... I'll cut you..." banta ko sa kaniya.

He let out a dark chuckle and squeezed my breasts before letting it go. Napahinga ako nang maluwag. If he keeps on doing that, I wouldn't be able to concentrate here!

Ibinalik ko ang aking tingin sa kaniyang seryosong mukha at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.

"Should I shave it all?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Alas nodded his head. Pati ang kaniyang crew cut na buhok ay bahagya na ding tumataas. He needs a haircut, too! I knitted my brows in concentration as I continued to shave his facial hair.

Every now and then, I would dip the trimmer in the warm water to keep it clean during the operation. Hindi inalis ni Alas ang kaniyang titig sa aking mukha sa kabuuan ng aking ginagawa.

One last stroke at the side of his face and I was done! Hinugasan ko ang ginamit na trimmer at pinagmasdan ang resulta. Mas lalo lang siyang gumwapo ngayong malinis na ang kaniyang mukha. Tinusok ni Alas ng dila ang kaniyang pisngi at pinasadahan ng daliri ang kaniyang panga.

Alas glanced at the mirror, a small cunning smile playing on his lips.

"You did well, wife..." komento niya sa akin.

I grinned at him. "Let's go—" tatayo na sana ako pero hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa aking beywang, dahilan upang mapatingin ako sa kaniya.

"Not yet," he whispered huskily.

"But I'm hungry," I whined.

"Oh, trust me. I'm hungry, too. I want to eat something..."

Pumula ang buong pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. Bakit na naman ako nilalandi nito? I glared at him. Before I could open my mouth, he rewarded my neck with small wet kisses.

"Alas..." I moaned.

I could feel his member growing in my legs! I am still straddling his lap and I'm getting turned on too!

His rough hands found my breasts inside my shirt again and squeezed it roughly. I throw my head back, letting him ravish my neck and gently biting it.

"Lalamig na yung pagkain..." I said half-heartedly.

"It can wait." He growled and continued with his business.

I bit my lower lips when his fingers started working on my zipper. He slipped his hands and gently touched my core, setting my entire body on fire.

"Mommy? Dada?"

Nanigas kaming dalawa nang marinig ang boses ni Zeus sa labas. I could hear his tiny footsteps entering the room.

Alas cursed. Dali-dali akong umalis mula sa pagkakapatong sa kaniya at inayos ang nagulong blouse. I zipped my pants and stepped outside. Zeus, with his sleepy eyes, looked at me.

"Hey, baby..." I cooed and went to him. Kinarga ko siya at naupo kaming dalawa sa kama. "What are you doing here, love?"

"I don't want to sleep in my room. Can I sleep in here?"

Sakto namang paglabas ni Alas mula sa banyo. Nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya si Zeus. Alas raked his hands through his damp hair and smiled at his son.

"Hey, buddy..."

"He wants to sleep here," anunsiyo ko.

"I can't see why not..." sagot naman ni Alas. "Just sleep in the bed, Zeus. Susunod lang kami ng mommy mo. Kakain muna kami..." ani Alas.

Zeus nodded his head and crawled to the bed. He pulled the thick comforter over his tiny body and stared at the two of us.

"Make it quick, mum..." aniya pa.

Natawa ako sa tinuran ni Zeus. Alas held my hands gently and led me outside the bedroom.

Nasa sala pa rin si Ella at nagbabasa ng libro mag-isa nang madatnan namin. She told us that Krista already went home. Tumango ako at sumunod sa asawa sa kusina.

"About your birthday..." simula ko nang magtungo si Alas sa sink upang hugasan ang mga kamay.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin. "Yes? What about my birthday?"

"This 14th of September. Where do you want to celebrate it? Para naman makatulong ako sa paghahanda."

Itinaktak ni Alas ang basang mga kamay at lumapit sa lamesa. Ininit ko muna ang ulam sa microwave at sumandal, pinapanuod siya.

"I'll probably have it back at the mansion. Mas malaki ang espasyo doon kesa dito. Just a barbeque party. Nothing special..." he shrugged.

Tumango ako at inisip na kaagad kung anong puwede naming lutuin. I wonder if their helpers are still residing in the mansion? Bukod kay Krista ay puwede rin akong magpatulong sa kanila!

Pagkatapos ng tatlong minuto ay kinuha ko na ang ininit na ginisang batong at inilapag sa lamesa. Isinunod ko na ang beef steak at naghintay na naman ng panibagong tatlong minuto.

Meanwhile, Alas opened the cupboards and pulled one of his favorite bottle of Whiskey again. I scowled when I saw him. He grinned lazily at me.

"Just one glass, baby... or I won't be able to keep my hands off you..." anito.

Tinaliman ko siya ng tingin at hindi na sumagot. Hindi ko rin naman alam ang isasagot sa sinabi niya! Umirap ako nang Salinan na niya ang kaniyang baso at tamad na naghihintay sa akin ngayon sa lamesa.

When the microwave dinged, I pulled out the beef steak as well and placed it on the table. Naghanda ako ng dalawang plato. Bahagyang tumayo si Alas at nilagyan ng kanin ang plato ko nang maupo na ako.

"Sinong i-invite mo sa birthday mo?" usisa ko ulit sa kaniya.

"Hmm. Co-workers as I've said. The entire team of our construction project as well. Julius and... hmm, kung makakadalo din si Mr. Lao."

Nag-angat ako ng kilay sa sinabi niya bago sumubo ng kanin. "No girls?"

Alas stared at me, smiling dangerously. The amusement is dancing in his eyes that I chose to ignore. He's making fun of me again!

"No girls..." he drawled lazily.

"Eh paano si Cara? Huh?" hamon ko sa kaniya.

"She'll probably be there." Sagot nito matapos ang ilang minuto.

Umirap ako sa ere, hindi na mapigilan ang pagngingitngit. "See?" suplada kong wika sa kaniya.

Alas chuckled, then took a sip of his amber drink. "She's dating my brother, Belle. She'll most likely be there."

Muntik ko nang mailuwa ang kinakain ko sa sinabi niya. "What?" gulat kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Cara is dating Zero." Kalmado niyang wika. "That's why I keep on telling you that she's not my girlfriend..."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi niya. She's dating his brother? Eh bakit kung maka-asta siya, parang nilalandi niya na din si Alas? Or... did she start dating Alas' brother when she found out that we married each other? What was that?

Naguguluhan pa rin, naramdaman ko ang mainit na kamay ni Alas sa aking hita, dahilan upang mapaigtad ako.

"Don't worry about her. Hindi naman ako interesado sa kaniya."

Hindi ako kumibo at nagpatuloy sa pag-kain, gulong-gulo pa rin ang isip.

"If you're that upset about one woman, should I not invite all of my female work companions?" untag niya sa akin.

Ngumuso ako. That would be so immature! Kahit pa sa ikakapanatag ko ito, hindi ko naman puwedeng basta nalang i-request iyon kay Alas!

"Don't. Just... invite anyone you want. It's your birthday, after all."

Tumango siya at tahimin na naming tinapos ang hapunan.

I gathered all the dirty dishes and placed them all in the sink. My eyes are tired and sleepy. Binuksan ko ang faucet at nagsimula nang hugasan ang mga plato.

Tumabi si Alas sa akin at walang kahirap-hirap na binuksan ang kaniyang cupboard. Ibinaik nito ang bote ng whiskey na kaniyang iniinom. Iignorahin ko nalang sana siya nang bigla niyang ipulupot ang kaniyang mga braso sa aking beywang.

"Go away. I'm washing dishes..." wika ko sa kaniya.

Hindi niya ako pinansin. Pumunta siya sa likod ko at niyakap ako. Dahil hanggang balikat niya lang ako ay napilitan pa siyang yumuko para lang maabot ang leeg ko.

"Alas..." I warned.

"I just missed you..." he whispered in my ears.

Umangat ang kilay ko. "Miss me? Eh araw-araw tayong nagkikita, ah! And in case you haven't noticed, we're living under the same roof, Mr. Ferrer..."

"Yeah." He agreed, as his lips nibbled my earlobes. Nakikiliti ako sa kaniyang ginagawa! "I don't even know why the hell am I missing you when you're just around..." he murmured.

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko. He's been like that for weeks and I'm starting to get addicted to it! Pinilit ko ang sariling huwag maibagsak ang platong hinahawakan gayong nanlalambot na naman ang mga tuhod ko.

And I could feel him growing hard at my buttocks, too! Uminit ang mga pisngi ko. Alas pressed his body against mine, letting me know how aroused he is.

"Alas..." I hissed. Nasa sala lang ngayon si Ella at nagbabasa ng libro. Patay ang TV kaya naman dinig na dinig niya ang kung anumang pinag-uusapan o ginagawa namin dito sa kusina!

"What?" he chuckled darkly in my ears and pressed his body once more. Napapikit ako nang mariin.

"Stop that..." saway ko sa kaniya.

Ibinalot niya ang aking beywang ng malakas niyang braso at hinalikan ulit ang leeg ko. "Hmm. This is fun. Why would I stop?"

I rolled my eyes. Sinimulan ko nang sabunin ang mga pinggan habang patuloy naman siya sa ginagawa sa likod ko.

Gumapang ang kaniyang kamay sa aking tiyan at marahan pa itong pinisil. Inignora ko siya. I tried to pretend that I'm not affected by his powerful touch, when in fact, my guard had long melted and pooled at my feet! With Alas around, all of my sanity seemed to fly out of the window!

He gently bit my earlobes as he stroked my stomach with his rough hands.

"Hindi pa tayo natatapos kanina eh... shall we continue it here?"

"You're hopeless..." iniling-iling ko ang ulo ko, pero sa totoo lang, ako itong hopeless na pagdating sa kaniya. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang karupukan ko kapag siya na ang humahawak sa akin. Even with my tender young heart back then, I know I will never react wildly like this to any other men.

"Hmm. You smell so good..." he murmured, sniffing my hair again. Malapit na akong matapos sa paghuhugas ng plato, hindi pa rin niya ako nilulubayan!

"Tumigil ka nga..." siniko ko pa siya. But he didn't budge. Of course. A man made of toned muscles and towering height would not move an inch to a tiny woman like me.

"Let's go to Zeus' room first..." bulong niya sa akin.

"Alas—"

"Ma'am, Sir, matutulog na po ako..."

Para kaming mga pusang pinagpapalo dahil sa bilis ng pagkakahiwalay naming dalawa. My entire face burned in embarrassment again! Itinulak ko si Alas at tiningnan nang masama. He chuckled and leaned against the kitchen counter.

"S-Sige, Ella... Salamat..." wika ko.

Ella eyed the two of us in curiosity before she excused herself and disappeared from our line of sight. Nang mawala na siya ay muli kong hinampas si Alas at mabilis na nagtungo sa kwarto.

Hinabol niya ako at hinawakan ang siko. I glared at him before I opened the door. Magpoprotesta pa sana siya nang makitang tulog na tulog na si Zeus sa malaking kama.

"Don't you dare make a sound. Baka magising si Zeus..."

"Okay. We'll just be quick and quiet." Aniya.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata. "Alas!"

Tumawa ulit siya nang mahina. I grabbed my robe and towel before I went to the bathroom. Bago pa man siya makasunod sa akin ay mabilis ko nang isinarado ang pintuan sa kaniyang mukha.

I heard him groan outside.

Napailing nalang ako, namumula pa rin. Mabilis akong naligo at doon na rin sa loob nagbihis. When I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw him getting comfortable in bed, reading a book silently while Zeus is by his side.

Napahinga ako nang maluwag. If he'd been waiting for me to finish showering, ewan ko nalang talaga...

I tucked myself next to Zeus and kissed his forehead. He grunted a bit before he resumed sleeping peacefully. Ibinaba ni Alas ang binabasang libro. I cuddled Zeus and closed my eyes.

"Matulog ka na..." banta ko sa kaniya.

He chuckled again. "Hindi mo ako pagbibigyan?"

"No." mariin kong wika.

"You're a sly, cunning tigress..." he grunted. "You'll have me addicted to you, and then you will leave me wanting for more..."

Idinilat ko ang mga mata ko. Umusog siya at inabot ang aking beywang. Nakayakap siyang dalawa sa amin ni Zeus.

"Goodnight, Alas." I said finally.

I felt him move before I felt his warm lips on my forehead.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Ferrer..." he murmured, before he turned off the lamp lights.