Kabanata 10

Nag-aayos ako ng gamit dahil mamaya na kami lilipat sa manoir. Malapit lang naman dahil nasa iisang village lang naman kami pero nakakapagod lakarin pabalik ang bahay.

"Maglalayas ka na ba talaga?" Pagdadrama ni Apollo na biglang sumulpot na parang kabute sa gilid ko. Hindi na ako nagulat dahil nasanay na ako sa biglaan niyang pagsulpot na parang kabute.

"Why don’t you start packing your things instead of pestering me, trou du cul." Irap ko sa kaniya.

Hindi makapaniwala niya ako tinignan, "You're unbelievable, sister! Everyone knows you for being the prim and proper among the De Bonnevies and yet here you are, cursing me to bits like I am not literally your other half! Minumura mo ako na parang hindi mo ako kaano-ano!" Madrama siyang suminghap at napahawak pa sa dibdib niya.

"That's because people judge me based on what they hear and see. They easily believe in rumors and lies. I never told anyone that I'm that kind of person because I know deep inside myself that I'm not. Everyone sees me as someone that I'm not because they don't know me that well. And I don't intend to let them know the real me besides my family and friends."

Eksaherada siyang suminghap.

"Damn, are you really my sister? Why are you being serious all the time? I'm not like that." He poked my arm and pouted his lips. Hinampas ko ang kamay niya at binigyan siya ng masamang tingin.

"People tend to not believe anything you say when you're being serious but are known for being the funny guy. They'll just think everything that comes out of your sinful lips are all in a form of jokes and nonsense shits. So please, try to be serious sometimes, bro. Dahil hindi nadadaan sa biro ang lahat." Tinapik ko ang balikat niya. He pouted more like some kid kaya humalakhak ako.

I pulled him for a hug.

"Damn, this is so cheesy. But I love you, brother. You don't have to change who you are just to please anyone. Always be proud of who you are. Tanggap kita kahit ano ka pa, okay?" I caressed his back. "Ang contradicting ng mga sinasabi ko, seryoso." Natawa ako.

"Mana ka talaga kay Madame Inamorata." He ruffled my hair and pulled away from the hug.

He left to ready his things. I was busy putting my necessities to a pouch when my phone suddenly rang.

Dinampot ko ito mula sa dresser table at hindi na nag-abalang tignan pa ang caller ID.

"Hello?" Sinagot ko ang tawag at inipit ang telepono sa gitna ng tenga at balikat ko habang patuloy na inaayos ang mga gamit ko.

"Hey, Athena! Are you free later?" Hera's voice lingered on the other line.

"Not sure, Her. Why?" Tanong ko habang busy pa rin sa ginagawa.

"I'm planning a to go to a club tonight. Zeus stood me up.." Sadness was evident in her voice.

Napaayos ako ng tayo at hinawakan na ang cellphone para marinig ng maayos ang sasabihin niya.

"What? Are you freaking kidding me? Why? What happened?" Tanong ko kaagad, nag-aalala sa kaniya.

Huminga siya ng malalim. "He promised me a date today and was supposed to fetch me by four pm but it's already almost six, Athena, so I think that he stood me up."

Natutop ko ang bibig ko. Hindi ako makapaniwalamg ginawa iyon ng Zeus na ‘yon! Napakagago.

"Mon Dieu! Did you try to text or call him and ask for explanation? Or nagpaliwanag ba siya ng kusa?" I asked her in a calm tone. Hindi ko na rin alam ang gagawin, I just want to help my friend and make her feel better.

"I didn't bother. He's kind of upset whenever I call or text him first." She heaved a deep sigh on the other line.

Nangunot ang noo ko at halos magngitngit ang ngipin ko sa galit.

I tried reasoning out to my inner self that Zeus maybe had a reason why he did that to calm me down. Pero kahit saang anggulo ko tignan, wala akong maisip na posibleng rason.

Unless it's an emergency. But then, he could have called Hera, right? Pinangakuan niya ng date ang kaibigan ko, so he should atleast tell her that he had an emergency and he can't come. Hindi na niya sana pinaghintay pa ng ilang oras ang kaibigan ko.

At ano raw? Nagagalit siya kapag tinetext o tinatawagan siya ni Hera? Anong klaseng boyfriend ba siya?

Sa una pa lang, amoy na amoy ko nang hindi siya nakakabuti para sa kaibigan ko, e. Pero ayaw ko namang pigilan si Hera sa mga desisyon niya sa buhay niya. Though, we always give her some friendly advice that she should always keep in mind.

"Aba, ang gago naman ng lalaking iyan! Bakit hindi mo hiwalayan 'yan, Hera? He doesn't deserve you! C'est un crétin total! He’s a total jerk!" May halong panggigigil na sabi ko, hindi na napigilan pa ang galit ko sa lalaking iyon.

"Mahal ko, eh.." Bulong niya na narinig ko pa rin.

Napapikit ako.

"Fucking love.." Naisaad ko na lang. "Let's talk about it over a bucket of beer at Kuya Math and Dave's club, shall we? Nine pm." I suggested. Agad naman siyang sumang-ayon. Tinext niya na rin sina Magui at Lian kung free ba sila nang makasali sila sa inuman namin at hindi magtampo.

May iba't ibang klase talaga ng pagmamahal. May gaya ng kina Mommyla na kahit ilang taon na ang nakalipas ay nanatili pa ring matatag, at may gaya kay Hera na kumplikado. Parang may isang nagpapakatanga sa isa. May kagaya ko namang gusto maranasan ang pagmamahal pero wala namang interes kapag may nagpapakita ng motibo. Proves to me that love isn't really for everyone.

"Oh? Aalis ka, anak?" Si Mommyla nang maabutan akong naglalakad pababa nang hagdan at bihis na bihis.

Kanina pa kami nakarating dito sa manoir. Sabay-sabay kaming naghapunan at pagkatapos ay inilaan ko na ang natitirang oras sa pag-aayos para sa inuman naming magkakaibigan mamaya.

I'm wearing a black skin-tight high-waisted shiny leather skirt, black spaghetti strapped top, and accessorized myself with a bracelet, rings, and necklace. I wore a pair of black pumps and to complete the whole look, I brought with me a black purse embellished with small beads.

I smiled at my beautiful Mommyla and kissed her cheek.

"Yes, Mom. I'll just accompany a friend of mine at Kuya Dave’s club." I said politely and all-honesty. 

Tumango-tango si Mom. "Oh, okay. You take care, Athena. Do you want one of your cousins to drive you? Or Apollo?" She suggested.

Mabilis akong umiling. My brother left the manoir earlier. He said he and the band had some stuff to do so he let me have fun at Kuya’s club tonight.

“Nah, huwag na po, Mom. They're all busy. Besides, I can manage. Nagmana yata ako sa’yo." I winked that made her laugh. “Kidding aside, I'll drive safely naman po.” Dagdag ko.

Narating namin ang huling baitang ng hagdan kaya muli ko siyang hinagkan sa pisngi. "I’ll see you later, Mommyla. I gotta go and have some fun tonight." I said as I winked at her once more. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga ng matanda pero sa huli ay napahalakhak na lang.

"Huwag kang uuwi hangga't 'di ka wasted, apo! Ipapasundo na lang kita!" Pahabol niya sabay tumawa ng malakas. Napailing ako at tuluyan nang naglakad papunta sa garage.

Agad kong pinarada ang sasakyan ko nang makarating sa nightclub na pag-aari ng mga pinsan ko. Naglakad ako papunta sa entrance at agad na pinapasok ng bouncer nang makilala.

Pagkapasok ko ay maraming taong nagkakasiyahan sa loob. Mayroon pa akong natanaw na sikat na artista sa isang sulok at may kahalikang lalaki na alam ko ay isa sa mga pinsan ko dahil sa bulto ng katawan, hindi ko lang maaninag kung sino dahil medyo madilim sa kung nasaan sila. I shook my head. Dumiretso ako paakyat sa isang VIP room na pinareserve ko pa kay Kuya Math kanina at naabutan ang mga kaibigan kong may sariling party na inaatupag.

Don’t worry. I’ll still pay for the fees.

"You're late! Tipsy na si Hera at hindi makausap ng matino!" Pagbati ni Lian sa'kin at nakipagbeso. Nakasuot siya ng black bodycon dress na hanggang hita at hapit na hapit sa bawat kurba ng katawan niya.

"Ang bilis naman?" Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Girl, ang dami na niyang nainom. Kararating lang namin kanina at uminom na agad siya! Hindi niya na nga nasabi ang problema niya, eh. Pero we know na." Said Magui and kissed my cheek. She is wearing a beige spaghetti strapped silk dress. Hanggang hita niya lang rin ang haba ng dress na suot and it perfectly hugged her body.

"Yeah, lagi naman talagang si Zeus ang problema ng babaeng 'yan." Buntong-hininga ni Lian. "I don't get why she's still putting up with his jerk attitude." She shook her head in dismay.

"Mahal niya, eh.." Sabay na sabi namin ni Magui habang nakatingin kay Hera na nakasuot ng silver tube dress at lumalagok ng alak.

Umupo na kami sa sofa at nagkanya kanyang kuha ng alak na maiinom. Halos mapairap ako nang makita ang marami at iba't ibang klase ng alak na nasa mesa. Pakana 'to ni Kuya Dave. Kinuha ko iyong cocktail drink at agad na sumimsim roon.

Muntik pa akong mabilaukan sa iniinom nang biglang tumayo si Hera at hinampas ng malakas ang table.

"Punyeta! Hindi naman kami ganito dati.. Sana sabihin niya sa akin kung ayaw na niya..." Bigla siyang humikbi na kalaunan ay naging hagulgol na kaya nataranta kami ng bongga nina Lian.

"Shit! Nagsisimula nang magdrama ang broken-hearted na lasinggera!" Tarantang bulalas ni Mags.

"Kung may iba na siyang gusto.. sana.. sana i-inform niya naman ako para mapaghandaan ko man lang kung sakaling sa pagmulat ko isang araw ay hindi na siya akin." Patuloy na pag-iyak ni Hera. Inaalo siya Lian at hinihimas ang likod para tumahan. Pinupunasan naman ni Mags ang mga luha sa pisngi ni Hera. At ako naman ay yakap yakap ang umiiyak na kaibigan.

Bigla siyang tumigil sa pag-iyak na parang nahimasmasan.

"Thank you, guys, for not leaving my side and for always understanding me even though I, myself, cannot understand myself anymore.." She smiled at the three of us. Ngumiti rin kami sa kaniya at isa-isa kaming ginawaran siya ng halik sa pisngi. "Ituloy ang party!" She shouted at inabutan kami ng drinks.

Nagkuwentuhan kami. Iniwasan na rin naming pag-usapan ang buhay pag-ibig ni Hera para hindi mawala ang magandang ngiti niya ngayong gabi.

"Tang ina, ba't ba tayo nagtatago rito sa VIP room?" Si Mags.

"Oo nga! Lumabas tayo at makihalubilo sa iba!" Lian seconded.

"Right. I wanna dance my ass off on the dance floor." Hera chuckled.

Hinila ako ng tatlo palabas at pababa sa dancefloor kaya napabuga na lamang ako ng hangin.

"Wooh!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and danced my ass off on the dancefloor. I sensually swayed my hips to the beat of the remixed sensual song. Tinampal ni Magui ang pwet ko kaya humalakhak ako.

We already drank a lot of shots of alcohol and even chugged Jägermeister kaya siguro nagwawalanghiya na kami dito.

But we’re not yet drunk!

"Hera! Bakit hindi mo pinapansin ang red flags?!" Malakas na sigaw ko kay Hera na parang baliw na sumasayaw. 

Sumisigaw na ako kasi hindi na kami magkarinigan dahil sa lakas ng music dito sa club.

"Color blind ako, mare!" Sigaw niya pabalik.

Halos maiyak ako kakatawa at panandalian pa ngang napatigil sa pagsasayaw samantalang si Hera ay walang pake at patuloy lamang sa pagsasaya.

Malapit lamang ang puwesto namin sa DJ. He's a well-known DJ because he's good, plus, he's super hot! I slightly bit my lips when he looked my way and winked at me.

Nagtilian sina Hera at nakatanggap pa ako ng iilang paghampas at kurot mula sa tatlo.

"Damn, girl! Ang suwerte mo! Luke never pays attention to girls! Ngayon lang! You're probably his type!" Hera exclaimed near my ear.

"True, girl! Go on and make a damn move, bitch! Kausapin mo siya doon! Seems like DJ Luke can't leave his place." Pinagtulakan nila ako.

"Hoy, nakakahiya!" Angil ko habang tumatawa.

"Walang hiya-hiya dito sa’tin, girl! Hindi na uso ‘yon! Okay sige, ganito na lang. We dare you na mag body shot kay DJ Luke!" Nagtawanan silang tatlo. Natawa na rin ako.

"Okay," mabilis naman akong kausap.

Natatawa akong naglakad palapit kay Luke na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa akin. Ah, he's so fucking hot. I don't know what's happening to me. I don't know why I am so attracted to him. Hindi naman ako ganito!

Alright, I'm a little bit tipsy. Or drunk? Hahaha! Hindi ko na alam!

"Hi, Luke, right?" I asked and smiled cutely as soon as I approached him.

His eyes widened for a bit, "Woah, wait up! The famous Athena Alessandria de Bonnevie is talking to me. God, is this real?" He laughed.

I laughed with him too but eventually stopped.

"Actually, I'm here because I got dared by my friends. Do you mind if I do a body shot on you?" I licked my lips in a sensual way.

His eyes widened but he eventually smiled.

"Yeah? Sure. I don't mind."

I walked more closer to him. Tinagilid ko ang ulo niya then I poured the salt on his neck. Inisang lagok ko ang alak sa shot glass na hawak at agad na dinilaan ang leeg ni Luke. I felt him stiffen at my bold move.

He held my waist tightly nang mas nagtagal pa ako sa pagdila at pagsipsip ng leeg niya.

"Shit,"

The next thing I knew, we're already kissing sensually. Naririnig ko ang hiyawan ng mga tao sa paligid pero hindi ko masyadong pinansin dahil sa pumapalalim na mga halik ni Luke.

His hands were on my waist as he's kissing me deeply. I aggressively responded to his kisses, my hands wrapped around his neck.

But to burst your bubble, he is not my first kiss. Apollo and I were at a party and I remember I kissed someone with a much more ferocious kiss than this one. I can't fully remember everything, even the guy's face, because I was so drunk. Ang tanging sinabi ng kapatid ko sa akin ay hindi niya kilala ang lalaki pero sinapak niya raw sa panga.

I think I really am in a drunken state right now! I randomly kiss someone whenever I'm drunk! Mon Dieu, this is not good!

We were kissing aggressively when I heard someone curse so loud right behind me. Napahiwalay lang kaming dalawa ni Luke nang may sapilitang naghiwalay sa aming dalawa.

"What the heck?!" Apollo magically appeared in front of me! Nakaharap siya kay Luke at nakatalikod sa gawi ko. "You took advantage of my sister?!" Galit na sigaw niya.

“Brother!” I muttered happily.

Napapikit ako at napahawak sa ulo ko nang maramdaman ko na ang hilo. Pakiramdam ko ay matutumba na ako pero may dalawang brasong kaagad na pumulupot sa baywang ko.

"Fuck it." The man who supported my weight cursed under his breath.

"What? Look, Apollo, I didn't!"

"She's fucking drunk, Luke!" I heard Apollo's yell. Nakapikit na ang mga mata ko at tuluyan nang ipinaubaya ang bigat ng katawan sa lalaking naka-suporta sa likuran ko.

"She led me on, dude! Come on!"

"But that doesn't give you the fucking right to take advantage! She's not in her right mind 'cause she's drunk! You should have just politely asked her to enjoy dancing instead of coming at you because she'll probably regret kissing you the next day!"

"Enough, Apollo. Let's go." I heard the man's low baritone voice speak behind me.

"Ikaw na ang bahala sa kapatid, bro. Ako na bahalang maghanap sa mga kaibigan niya."

Ah, fuck. Is my head spinning? Or is the world I’m at moving on its axis?

I opened my eyes and turned around only to be greeted by a familiar face.

"Ares!" I beamed.

Pinalupot ko ang mga braso ko sa leeg niya. His hands immediately held on to the sides of my waist firmly.

"Hello! I can see and feel the Earth moving! Can you feel it too?!" Sabi ko pa habang nakatitig sa asul niyang mga mata na hindi ko malaman ang ekspresiyon.

Hay, nakakalunod namang tignan ang mga mata niya. 

Mariin siyang napapikit na tila mapupugto na ang pasensya niya.

Galit ba siya sa akin? I pouted my heart-shaped lips at the thought.

Nababaliw na yata talaga ako. I think I need to pray for my sanity.

"Puta, yanigin mo ang mundo ko, Ares!" Sigaw ko, hindi na maintindihan ang nararamdaman.

Umigting ang panga niya at dumilim ang ekspresyon sa mukha.

"Okay, that's enough, Athena. I'll drive you home now." Akmang igigiya niya ako paalis pero nagmatigas ako.

"No! I still wanna dance and have fun! I wanna get wasted and have a good fuck tonight!" I screamed near his ear.

"What the fuck?" Malutong na mura niya.

Inalis ko ang hawak niya sa bewang ko at naglakad pabalik sa dancefloor.

"What the- hey! Athena!" He immediately grabbed me by my arm. Napaharap ulit ako sa kaniya at napatili sa gulat!

Shit! He just carried me like a fucking sack of rice!

"Hey! Hey, what the fudge, dude?! Put me the fuck down!" Tili ko at nagpumiglas.

"Stay still, Athena!"

"Masisilipan ako, Ares!" Hinampas ko ang balikat niya.

Before I could even utter another curse word, I felt a soft piece of cloth covered on my bottom. I tried my best to peek at nakita ang coat niyang nakapatong sa puwetan ko. Kailan niya pa iyon nahubad?

Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko rin napansin. Bahala siya, buhay niya naman ‘yan.

He started walking towards the exit door. Nanahimik na lang ako at pumikit habang nakanguso. Hinayaan kong lumupaypay ang katawan ko sa balikat niya. Suminghot-singhot pa ako sa likod niya. Damn, he smells so good. His scent is making me so comfortable that it made me sleepy.

Halos nakatulog na ako sa balikat niya nang maramdaman kong binaba niya ako. I slowly opened my eyes and found myself sitting on my car's shotgun seat.

But I really can't help it already. Hinihila na talaga ako ng antok. Unti-unting pumikit ang mga mata ko. And I dozed off to sleep.

Nagising lang ako nang maramdaman kong inilapag ako sa isang malambot na kama.

"Hmm.. Where am I?" Mahinang bulong ko.

"At the De Bonnevie manoir, Athena." I heard a baritone voice speak but I didn't bother to look at the person. Nanatiling nakapikit ang mga mata ko at nakayakap sa unan. The soft mattress and silk sheets were very familiar to me. My perfume lingered all over the room. Hmm. I'm really in my room at the manoir now.

I slightly opened my one eye and looked at the blurred face of the person.

"Wait up, are you a person in my dream? Why is your face so blurry.." I murmured softly. I heard his deep and hearty chuckle that sent chills down my spine. Parang tumalon yata palabas ng katawan ko ang puso ko. His chuckle sounded so genuine and sexy at the same time.

"Hmm. I might be the man of your dreams." I heard him say.

"Then fuck me, please.." I said.

Napaubo siya bigla.

"You're just a person living in my dream, right? This is just a dream. I can do whatever the hell I want here. I can have sex in my dream, even just in my dreams." I said and pouted my lips.

I tried to stand up and reach him but my head hurt and it felt like it was spinning. He also took a step back. I felt a slight pang of pain inside my chest because of what he did.

Does the man of my dreams dislike me?

"You're drunk, Athena. Just go to sleep." He said breathily.

"But I've had enough sleep already.." I pouted like a kid.

"No, baby. Ilang minuto ka lang nakatulog sa biyahe." He softly stated. "Alright, alright. I promise I'll kiss you when you ask me to but when you're not drunk. I don't wanna take advantage of your drunken state. At ayaw ko ring magsisi ka sa huli..." He said hoarsely. "I like you so fucking much that it's so hard to control myself at whatever you're doing right now. But I respect you more than I respect myself. So please, stop before I lose the already thin line of my patience." He said in a pleading manner.

Sandali akong natigilan at natulos sa kinatatayuan ko. Pero kalaunan ay napangiti ako at naupo sa kama. I laid there while still looking at the man standing near my bed. I can feel his soft gaze towards me.

"I hope you're real, Mr. Man of My Dreams. I'll surely give you all the love you deserve." Sabi ko bago ipikit ang mata. 

"I never knew she could be this cute, aggressive, and hard headed when drunk.." Huling narinig ko bago tuluyang makatulog.