Chapter 44

Umismid si Kuya at hindi sumagot, parang hindi gusto kung sino man ang bisita ng pusa ko. Curiosity brought my feet to our living room, only to find my dogs unbelievably behaving around the couch, where I spotted the man sitting on it. Onyx was guarding vigilantly a few yards away from them. Like any suspicious and aggressive action from the stranger, he would be ready to attack and defend.

Onyx was trained to guard and protect us and our house from harm. He will never attack our visitors unless provoked.

The stranger was looking down at my ragdoll who was sitting like a fine lady on his lap while she was being stroked on the head. Oh, my adorable cat was behave! Hindi naman nagbago ang bilis ng hakbang ko patungo sa kanila hanggang sa nakalapit ako.

Kahit nakaupo, halatang mahaba ang kaniyang binting balot ng magaspang na tekstura at kupas na pantalon. He wore a pair of clean white sneakers on his feet and a white round-neck shirt on top that didn't even let a bubble of air to peek while shielding his torso.

"Hello..." I greeted politely, cautious of him so I kept my distance.

My gaze went down to his slender fingers with beautiful, protruding veins trailing from his forearms. My knees weakened at the view. The urge to climb upstairs and get my syringe and needle increased furiously.

I just passed the MTLE. His gorgeous veins will be the reason why I may not be able to practice my expertise in the medical field!

At ang maharot kong pusa, enjoy na enjoy ang paghaplos sa kaniya. Kainggit. Parang ang sarap-sarap talagang tusukin ng mga ugat ng bisita namin.

"I'm Riri. My parents are calling you for dinner." Tumikhim ako para alisin ang pagnanasang turukan siya bigla ng karayom.

Tumigil siya sa paghaplos sa suwerteng pusa ko pero hindi pa rin ako tinitingnan. Tart meowed when the man brought her down to the floor before he finally rose from his seat.

Literal akong napatalon at napaatras nang tuluyan sa bigla niyang pagtayo. My startled reflex action at his dominating presence and colossal physique activated the offensive side of my Black Russian Terrier.

Namilog ang mata ko nang marahas siyang tumahol at tumakbo patungo sa amin, handa nang umatake. He was unleashed and stronger than me. So instead of trying to catch him to stop him from attacking, I stepped forward in front of our visitor and raised my arm sideways with my back on him.

Tumigil siya sa harap namin pero panay pa rin ang tahol.

"Onyx, no!" I ordered him with full authority while shaking my head. "No, Onyx. He's our visitor. He's not hurting me."

My parents and Kuya appeared from the kitchen after hearing Onyx's loud and belligerent barks. Kuya cursed out loud when he saw what was happening, and my father was calling Onyx while approaching us.

"Damn it! Did he try to hurt you?!" galit na tanong ni Kuya habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa akin at sa taong pinorotektahan ko sa likod.

"Hindi, Kuya!"

"Bakit ganiyan si Onyx, kung ganoon!"

"Rainier, calm down. I don't think our guest will hurt our Riri," pagkalma ni Mama kay Kuya.

"Well, I don't think Onyx would be aggressive if that man didn't give the guard dog a reason to attack him! Tahimik naman si Onyx kanina! He only attacks a potential oppressor!"

"Trevant, 'yang bunganga mo! Mama mo 'yang kausap mo!" dumagundong ang pagsuway ni Papa kay Kuya na namumula na ang leeg sa galit.

Nakalapit na si Papa kay Onyx at hinihila na ang collar nito palayo. The man behind me remained static and silent. I let my arm guarded him until Onyx was held to the second floor. Si Kuya ay padabog namang naglakad pabalik sa kusina.

Ang ibang mga aso ay sumunod sa itaas, para bang hari si Onyx na kailangan nilang sundan. Lumapit si Mama sa amin kaya ibinaba ko na ang braso ko sa gilid at lumayo sa bisita. My sight lowered to Tart who was surreptitiously walking with her butt swinging side to side toward a gray cat carrier bag.

Mabilis akong lumapit doon at nag-squat, para lamang makita ang isa pang puting pusa na kamukha ni Tart! Oh, their blue eyes looked so heavenly and relaxing! Pero bakit hindi man lang siya nilabas dito?

"Engineer Merrick, are you okay?" Mama asked worriedly. "I'm sorry about Onyx and Rain. They are just protecting Skyricharm."

"It's alright, Madame. I understand," our guest replied with his deep, baritone voice.

The raspiness of familiarity lingering in his voice was a thief of my attention from the new cat, which I hoped could be Tart's new friend. My head turned in a slow-motion manner in my mother's and the guest's direction, causing my lips to split in dumbstruck.

"Madame?" Mama chuckled. "You're too formal. You can call me Tita Rappy, Engineer."

Tumindig ang balahibo ko sa mababang halakhak na ginawa ng lalaki. "Kung ganoon po, tawagin n'yo na lang din ako sa pangalan, Tita Rappy. I don't want to be too formal around you, anyway..."

That rendered me speechless. I unbent my legs and went closer to them, gradually raising my chin to meet the face of our house's guest. Wait... no. Tart's guest! That's what they said, ah?

Laglag ang panga ko habang pinagmamasdan siyang buo at buhay sa harapan ko. His hair was swept back quite unkempt with faded sides. There was a thin bluish mark of his stubborn hairs being freshly shaved on his chiseled jaw and above his upper lip, giving off significant rebellious vibes. Mind you, that being alone was already attractive. But with his distinct romanesque nose, thick straight brows, and hooded blue-oh-my-eyes, he could make women bend on their knees at his mercy.

But no... he can't be, right? His face was very familiar. But his eyes...

The Lairgren I know had the eyes of midnight-dark but comforting. Similar to my Onyx-keen and ready to guard and protect.

Not this guy's blue eyes. Like Mama's blue ocean, deep and cold. But despite that, I found querencia through them.

And... I heard Mama calling him Engineer Merrick. The Lairgren I know had no Merrick on his name.

But wait. Merrick? Merrick what?

Hinawakan ni Mama ang braso ko, dahilan para mawala ako sa iniisip at bumalik sa reyalidad. Nanatili akong nakatingala sa bisita. His body was broader and looked stronger than my father, but I could say they were just on the same height. And my father was standing six foot and five inches.

"Oh! By the way, this is our youngest. Skyricharm," Mama introduced me with a friendly smile. "Riri, this is Engineer Merrick. Nagtatrabaho siya sa kumpanya ng Papa mo."

Naglahad ng kamay ang lalaking kaharap ko. Oh, my! Ayan na naman ang mga ugat niya! Nadi-distract ako. Hindi ako mapakali at pinagpapawisan na.

"Ectorious Lairgren Merrick." Umusli ang isang sulok ng kaniyang labi habang mapaglaro ang bawat kislap sa kaniyang bughaw na mata. "It's nice to formally meeting you, Miss Skyricharm Aera Blaustein."

Engineer Merrick isn't exactly the person I liked in the past. This person at our dining table, sitting beside my cold-blooded brother and across from me and my mother, looked more mature, dashing, and assertive. Most especially... hot and sexy.

I choked on my mango juice when his spine-chilling oceanic eyes shifted from my mother to me. They were immersed in a conversation that involved my name and my fresh announcement regarding passing the board exam. While my brother was silent, Mama was so thrilled as our guest kept encouraging her to talk about me.

Kuya Rain glared at me even if I didn't even do anything but choke! Ano? Hindi ko naman siya inaano, ah?

Tumigil si Mama sa pagsasalita at lumingon sa akin. I set down the glass beside my plate while wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Sweetie, okay ka lang?"

"O-Opo... sorry. Nasamid lang..."

Pakurap-kurap akong lumingon sa bisita at naabutan siyang bulgar na nakatitig sa akin. At once, my hands gripped back the utensils and resumed eating when my brother's sarcastic tone intervened with the light mood.

"Riri, the food on your plate is just one-fourth of your usual meal. Are you on a sudden diet now? Add more."

"'Di pa nga ako nagsisimula..." bulong-bulong ko tapos sinundot ng tinidor ang karne ng baboy na nasa plato.

"Pa, sumasagot pa 'yong anak mo."

Tumingin sa plato ko si Papa at umambang magsasalita at sisitahin din yata ang pagkain ko.

"Rain, hayaan mo na ang kapatid mo. She can eat as much as she wants."

Umirap si Kuya na medyo nakaiwas sa paningin ni Papa. "Kaunti lang talaga ang kakainin niyan dahil puro chichirya ang nilantakan sa kuwarto..."

"Mama..." tawag ko sa tonong nagsusumbong.

"Rain, sinabi nang tigilan mo na ang kapatid mo. May bisita tayo, huwag na kayong magtalo sa kakainin niya," saway ulit ni Mama kay Kuya bago bumaling sa bisita. "Pasensiya ka na, Lairgren. Kumain ka lang diyan, ha? Ito... kumakain ka ba ng maanghang?"

I added more rice so Kuya would stop his side comment. Nag-usap sina Papa at ang bisita tungkol sa isang project na mukhang hinahawakan ng huli. From time to time, I'd check on Tart and her new friend, Rio, eating quietly in one corner.

Rio was really quite familiar to me, particularly the dark gray spot around his eyes, ears, and tails. Lumaki ang kanang tainga ko nang marinig ang tanong ni Mama sa wakas sa tunay na dahilan ng pagbisita ng kaharap ko. I knew she was already aware of the man's purpose of his visit here, probably my father had told her beforehand, but it seemed like she just wanted to confirm it from the guest himself.

Mabagal akong ngumuya at nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. He was relaxed, and his small smirk was magnetizing.

"Magpapaalam po sanang pormal na manligaw..." His paused made me hold back myself, then his blue eyes transfered to me. "Si Rio kay Tart."

I coughed at his unexpected answer. Tumalsik pa ang ilang butil ng kanin sa bibig ko papunta sa plato at mesa. My cheeks heated when he bit his lower lip as though suppressing his laugh at my awkward reaction. Was he making fun at me?!

Inabutan agad ako ni Mama ng tubig at hinagod ang likod ko.

"What dumb reason pushed you to think about your cat, courting our Riri's cat?" Kuya Rain asked coldly.

"Your sister once told me she wanted a boyfriend for her cat since she couldn't get her own boyfriend."

Lumabas ang tubig na iniinom ko sa ilong dahil sa sagot niya. The rest of the water in my glass accidentally spilled on my shirt. I clenched my eyes shut as I pinched my nose. Ang hapdi! Napatayo ako habang pinupunasan ang ilong at bibig.

Humalakhak ang bisita sa nangyari.

"Riri, ano ba 'yan?" puna ni Papa sa kanina ko pang pagkakasamid. "Your shirt's wet! Umakyat ka sa kuwarto at magpalit ng damit!"

"Baby, go to your room first. Tapos ka na rin naman kumain."

Tumango ako. "Excuse me," I said without looking at our visitor.

I stormed out of the dining area with my face set on fire! What did he just say? Did I say that? Really? I didn't even know him-or I might, but still unsure-and then, he would make a story about me, wanting a boyfriend for Tart because I couldn't get my own?

I never said that! Why would I say that?

Wait, wait... or maybe I did?

I stopped rolling down the hem of my new fitted sleeveless shirt just below my boobs when I realized something. My stomach bathed in the cool breeze from the aircon while I processed everything, putting the pieces of data into a collected one to create a mortifying conclusion.

A knock on the door made me jolt from my thoughts. I absentmindedly ambled toward the door as I finished rolling down my shirt. Broad chest in white clothing greeted me. My eyes groveled up to his broad shoulders and long neck, catching the bobbing of his throat.

I was caught off guard that I could only gawk at him until my neck broke. His eyes hardened while brawling with my gaze, clenching his jaw until I snapped.

"Why are you here?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

Bumaba ang mata niya roon dahil sa ginawa ko. He tipped his head to the side and licked his lips. May tupi sa kaniyang noo nang ibalik ang tingin sa akin.

"Tawag ka ng Mama mo. May dala akong cake."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. I shifted my weight to my left foot.

"Bakit ikaw ang umakyat dito at tumawag sa akin?"

Oh, I could hear Ate Harley's proud smirk and slow clap for talking in a mean tone.

The brute arched his brow, too. His lips were playing an amused lopsided grin. My mean demeanor instantly dispersed when he pushed back his shoulders and made a step forward. A hammer banged on my chest as I held onto the doorframe to support myself not to wiggle down like slime.

He hunched to level his face on me. Uminit ang pisngi ko at lalong nanliit kahit hindi niya naman ako inaano.

"Relax, baby Riri," he said very softly with a sneer. "Inutusan ako ng Mama mo kaya umakyat ako rito. Hindi ako mananalisi."

I stiffened at his low voice. Mahina pero ang lakas ng impact sa akin. And the way he called me baby Riri beget a memory seven years ago inside the room behind me. An image of myself sitting on a man's lap while we were on the bed crossed my mind.

"Are you my Kuya Lairgren?" tanong ko sa nanginginig na boses.

He smiled gently. So tender yet my heart shredded because of it. Tumindig siyang muli. Nagpamulsa at humakbang palayo.

"Simulan mo nang tawagin ako sa pangalan ko. Pangalan ko lang, Skyricharm. Walang 'Kuya'..." malamig niyang sinabi bago ako tinalikuran. "Halika na..."

I closed the door behind me and followed him like a mouse.

Besides my family and friends, I only talked about Tart with theoseville on Instagram. Theo had a male ragdoll whose name was Grande. Rio and Grande are just the same cat. Theo and Lairgren are the same person. Merrick, the one who was consistent in giving me anything circle during my college days, was Lairgren as well.

Kuya Rain left us to go to his room. Papa was busy feeding the kids when Mama turned to me after devouring a small slice of chocolate mousse cake with a lot of strawberry slices on top. Nothing special than my Mama's delicacies, but we appreciate it when someone gives us something.

"Cupcake..." she called sweetly.

Engineer Merrick looked at me, wetting his lower lip with his tounge. Nagtaas siya ng kilay at bahagyang ngumisi na para bang natatawa sa itinawag sa akin ni Mama.

"Po, Mama?" Lumingon ako kay Mama.

"Lairgren is asking if you'll allow Rio Grande to visit Tart again?" She was smiling.

Hinanap ng paningin ko ang naglalandiang mga pusa. Seryoso ba 'to? Pusa, magliligawan? Grabe... buti pa ang pusa ko, may manliligaw. I wonder if Tart would scratch me 'til I bleed if I'm not gonna allow her to be visited and courted by Rio.

"Si Tart naman po ang bibisitahin. Baka po gusto ninyong siya ang tanungin," hindi ko napigilang isagot. "I-I mean... I don't know. If Tart likes him, then okay..."

I groaned in my mind. Daig pa talaga ako ng mga pusang 'to!

"Oh? Mabait naman ang alaga ko, Miss Blaustein. Siguradong magugustuhan ng pusa mo ang alaga ko." Engineer Merrick chuckled scornfully.

Uminit ang pisngi ko at palihim na umirap dahil nasa tabi ko lang si Mama. Bakit? Mabait din naman alaga ko, ah! Kung makapagsalita ay parang ang alaga niya lang ang mabait. Tart may be snob sometimes but most of the times, she's adorable and clingy and sweet!

Why did I even tell him that I wanted Tart to have a boyfriend? And why was he calling me Miss Blaustein?

"Hmm..." si Mama na nangingiti at ipinatong ang mga braso sa mesa habang nakatingin sa inhinyero.

I observed the genuity in my mother's eyes. That was all I could see in them. No hostility at all. There was no indifference. As someone who knows the story of my mother, I didn't exactly expect this.

Perhaps because it happened over thirty years ago, and she got fully recovered and had really moved on since no one knows but her. But every time I remember her own story, my heart aches.

"You're kind of traditional as a fur parent, Lairgren," my mother mentioned.

Humalakhak si Engineer Merrick. "Siyempre po. Rio can't get Tart pregnant without even courting her."

Tumingin ako sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa tinidor. Oh, those veins. I couldn't help but imagine how much blood I could take from him for my blood smears. I think I still have at least two boxes of slides in my room. Should I ready my 50cc syringe?

Mama's hearty laugh filled my ears. "Oh, well... our baby Riri actually wanted more cats, but she was too busy with her school so she settled with one. Baka raw hindi niya rin maalagaan nang maayos. Ngayon, baka gusto niya nang magkaroon pa ng mga pusa."

"Ah, Mama, hindi naman po," maliit na boses kong sinabi agad.

Engineer Merrick shot his eyebrow and his intensified stare pinned me. "E 'di ayaw mong magkaanak ang pusa mo?"

"Ah, hindi rin sa ganoon-"

"Tart is single and very free! Come on, sweetie pie, let her mingle with Rio!" si Mama habang malawak ang ngiti.

Huminga ako nang malalim at pilit na ngumiti. "Rio can visit Tart, Engineer," sabi ko para matapos na.

Mama held my hand. "Don't worry, you're free to mingle as well since you've graduated and now, an RMT! No one's stopping you from dating, anyway..."

Bakit nasama ako bigla? Umismid ako. No one's stopping me, yeah, but no one's even trying to even flirt with me! I'm probably too young or too old for my batchmates stuck in a grade school body or mo likely because I wasn't as exciting as any other girls in our department. Or at least, that was what I instilled in my mind, that no one liked me.

Well, yeah. As if I care about dating someone. Or maybe I did... but I could only see myself with that one person.

"Single parent ka rin ba, Lairgren?" Mama's tone was expectant. "Our Riri is a single parent, too. I wish she could find-"

Tumayo ako kaya natigil si Mama sa sinasabi. "Excuse me po. Hahanapin ko lang sina Tart at Rio..."