Chapter 6

Kons woke up when he heard the announcement. Malapit na silang maglanding. Bukod doon ay ngalay na rin ang braso niya. Nakatulog sa pagod si Vanessa at nakaramdam siya ng awa rito nang makitang kung saan-saan napapabaling ang ulo.

Nagkaroon si Kons ng pagkakataon na mapagmasdan ng malapit si Vanessa. How he was able to stay away from her all these years was unknown to him. Hirap na hirap siya nang una pero kalaunan ay nasanay din siya. At ngayong magkasama na sila, hindi niya hahayaan na magkahiwalay pa sila. Of course they still have to do ‘the talk’. But that’s the least of their worries right now.

“Babe, wake up,” bulong niya kay Vanessa. Umungol lang ito at nanatiling nakapikit.

Her lips looked inviting. Hindi niya napigil ang sarili at pinatakan ito ng halik sa labi. Whether she was dreaming or not, Kons felt happy that she responded.

Pinalalim niya ang halik hanggang sa pisilin niya ang isang dibdib nito. His hand managed to undo the buttons of her dress at habang pinagsasawa ang labi niya sa paghalik ay tuluyan niyang inilabas ang isa nitong dibdib mula sa bra.

Perks of having a private plane. Walang iistorbo sa kanila. They still have a blanket on kaya may privacy pa rin sila. His hand left her breast at ngayon ay nasa hita na ito ni Vanessa. She moaned at lalong ibinuka ang mga hita. Mababaliw na yata siya ng tuluyan.

Just a taste, he told himself.

Kons took one of her tips to his mouth and sucked while his finger traced her slit. Hindi alam ni Kons kung saan huhugutin ang lakas para kontrolin ang sarili. He has to stop now or he will end up taking her.

He pulled away from her and fixed her clothes before giving her a kiss on the forehead. Ngayon ay masakit ang puson niya and it’s too late to ask for a cold beer. A few minutes later, Vanessa woke up. Her eyes were in daze.

“I was having such a weird dream.” Inayos nito ang buhok at tumuwid ng upo.

“Really? Was it any— good?” He wanted to smack himself on the head.

She frowned. “Just— weird. Sana hindi magkatotoo.” Halatang ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang panaginip. “Saan ka nga pala titigil? I was just going to take a taxi to my place para hindi ka na maabala.”

“At your place. Someone is picking us up.”

“What?” Kumunot ang noo ni Vanessa. “You can’t stay at my place. I only have one room and—“

“That’s good enough. As long as you don’t have a single bed, we will fit.” Sumandal si Kons sa upuan nang marinig ang sinabi ng piloto. Prepare for landing na raw.

“Kahit king bed pa ‘yon, hindi ka pwede sa condo ko.”

Hindi na umimik si Kons. It’s not up for debate. Kahit magpakatanggi si Vanessa ngayon ay wala naman itong magagawa. They need to stick together for her safety.

***

The plane landed, at nakalampas sila sa immigration. Nagmamadali si Vanessa na makalabas ng airport. An available taxi stopped just in time and Vanessa was about to get in nang mahagip niya ito sa braso.

“She doesn’t need a taxi. Sorry,” wika ni Kons sa taxi driver. Napakamot na lang ito ng ulo pero kaagad na ngumiti nang abutan niya ng isang libong piso. “Keep the change.” Isinara niya ang pinto at hinarap si Vanessa.

She looked mad. “What is your problem?! Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap makakuha ng ta—"

"My driver is here now. Give him your address and we'll be home in no time," putol ni Kons sa sasabihin ni Vanessa. 

"You are unbelievable, Konstantin!" Vanessa grunted, but went inside the car when Kons held it open for her. Kaagad siyang naupo sa tabi nito at bago ibigay ang address sa driver ay inirapan pa siya. 

Kahit magtantrums pa ito magdamag ay hindi magbabago ang isip niya. He just received a report from his men that someone is planning an attack on Vanessa. Ang problema, ayaw nitong palagi siyang nakikita at nakakasama. 

The traffic wasn't so bad at nakarating sila sa condo nito. It's a keyless entry door at passcode lang ang kailangan niya. She won't give it to him for sure kaya mataktika niyang sinipat ang apat na numero. 0-4-3-0 ang pinindot ni Vanessa. 

Napalunok si Kons ng dalawang beses. That was their anniversary. Iyon ang araw na sinagot siya ni Vanessa... at 'yon rin ang araw dapat ng kasal nila noon. Nang buksan nito ang pinto ay walang imik itong humakbang ng isa pero kaagad niyang pinigil nang maramdaman ang malakas na hangin na nanggagaling kung saan. He doesn't think Vanessa would purposely leave a window or door open lalo na at mangingibang bansa ito. 

"Kons— uhmp!" Kaagad niyang tinakpan ang bibig nito at hinagip ang baseball bat na nasa gilid ng pinto saka nagpatiunang pumasok. He was the one who taught Vanessa to have a baseball bat near the door at all times. Natutuwa siya na hanggang ngayon ay ginagawa pa rin ito ng babae.

"Ssh."

Someone went to her place and trash the place. Tanging liwanag lang mula sa labas ang nagbibigay sinag sa loob ng unit. Maraming nagkalat na papel, tabingi ang painting at iniwang kawang ang balkonahe kaya malakas ang hangin. Nasa second floor lang ang unit ni Vanessa.  That's probably how the intruder got in. Wala na ang magnanakaw nang dumating sila. It is also possible that it happened yesterday while Vanessa was away. Whoever that is, the person is sending a message. 

Kons flipped a switch to get a better view of how bad it was habang pilit na tinanggal ni Vanessa ang takip sa bibig. 

"Oh my God!" nahihintakutan na sambit ni Vanessa. Napahilot ito sa sentido.

"Someone's out to get you. Do you believe me now?" Isinara ni Kons ang pinto ng balcony. 

Napailing si Vanessa at nagsimulang damputin ang mga papel. . "This is not the first time na pinasok ang condominium na ito. Six months ago may nakawan na nangyari dito sa condo. Damien used to have a unit here but he sold it after the incident. Dito rin sa floor na ito. He told me to sell mine and move some place else but I thought it was an isolated incident so I didn't."

"Did he report it to the police?" tanong niya kay Vanessa.

Umiling si Vanessa. "Hindi niya ni-report kasi wala naman daw nawala. Ayaw niya rin mapag-usapan so he just packed up and put his condo for sale. Madali naman ma-dispose ang mga units dito kasi desirable area."

Now why does he find it hard to believe? Pinasok ang unit, pero hindi ni-report sa police. Something smells fishy.