Kabanata 6

NAPABALIKWAS ako ng bangon when I smelled something strange, immediately running to the bathroom as I felt I was about to vomit. Sumuka ako nang sumuka hanggang sa wala na akong mailabas, halos lahat na yata ng mga nakain ko kahapon ay naisuka ko na.

‘Bwes*t!’

Nanghihina akong lumabas ng banyo at dumiretso sa kusina upang kumuha ng tubig sa ref. Bumuntong-hininga ako at hinimas ang tiyan ko. Muli na naman akong nakaramdam ng lungkot. And then suddenly, something came up to my mind.

I quickly went to my room and grabbed my phone, after getting my phone I went out and sat on the couch of my condo. I quickly opened the calendar on my phone and checked the date of my last sex with Wynter. But it seems my suspicion was correct. Wynter isn't the father of my child, it's the man I had a one-night stand with, the guy who I shared my lustful desire with.

Because of the truth that dawned on me. I felt fear for myself again, especially for my unborn child. The judgment from people, especially my family, was already hurting me. Muling bumalik sa isip ko ang gabi na nabuo itong batang nasa sinapupunan ko ngayon, bumalik sa isip ko kung paano ako ininsulto ng lalaking iyon. Muling sumagi sa isip ko kung matatanggap ba nito ang batang dinadala ko, o palalakihin ko na lamang ito nang mag-isa.

‘Kagabi.. Bakit siya nandun sa company? Kakilala niya ba ang CEO namin?’

Hindi ko alam, wala akong maisip na dahilan.

Nakilala niya kaya ako? Pero nag-reacted siya nung makita ako. Ibig sabihin ba nun ay nakikilala niya ako?

My mind was swirling with questions and confusion, feeling both anxious and worried about what might happen to me and to my unborn child. Will my family accept me? What about my job? Does this mean I'll have to leave my work? The weight of the world seems to be pressing down on me.

I pulled my hair in frustration, feeling weak and unsure how to rise again from my fall. After being deceived and hurt by the people I trusted, yet another problem had arrived. I didn't want to think of my pregnancy as a problem, but I couldn't help it, especially since I didn't fully know the father of my child.

My phone alarm rang; only two hours left until I had to go to work. I put my phone down on the table and got up, heading to the kitchen to quickly cook for my breakfast. My sense of smell felt heightened. The aroma of boiling rice, sauteed garlic, onions, and meat was strange to me. I felt something weird in my stomach and started to feel nauseous.

I had no idea how I would manage to work properly, especially now that my sense of smell was so sensitive. Everything around me seemed unpleasant to my senses. This is such a turbulent time for me. I had no plan on how to deal with these overwhelming feelings and physical reactions.

***

(Third Person Points of View...)

“What have I done to deserve this? Ito na naman siya. Akala ko ay tumino na ang utak niya pagkatapos niyang magbakasyon sa ibang bansa, and now he’s started his crazy cycle again. Is it a kitchen deity or a land deity? Which one of them did I upset to deserve to live like this? Yoon Sawol! You poor thing!” nagsasalita si Yoon Sawol habang paakyat ng hagdan papunta sa kwarto ni Almedel. Si Yoon Sawol ay ang korean mayordoma sa mansion ni Almedel.

Nang makarating sa floor kung saan para lamang kay Almedel ay inayos muna ni Yoon ang sarili niya bago tuluyang naglalakad papunta sa kwarto ni Almedel, ngunit napahinto siya nang masalubong niya si Ryker na ngayon ay papalabas na ng pinto ng kwarto ni Almedel. Agad na tumungo si Ryker nang makita si Yoon na nakatayo sa labas ng pinto.

“Is he awake?” tanong ni Yoon kay Ryker, “Breakfast is ready.”

“He’s not going to eat,” seryosong tugon ni Ryker habang nanatiling naka poker face.

“Really? Oh, darn! Whoever you are, you need to have breakfast to have energy to start the day. I’ll ask him myself…” turan ni Yoon at umastang lalagpasan si Ryker ngunit agad itong humarang.

“He’ll directly go to his office,” ani Ryker.

“This early in the morning?” gulat na tanong ni Yoon. Tumingin siya sa may salamin na bintana at napaisip. “He didn’t say anything to me,” bulong ni Yoon sa sarili ngunit narinig ni Ryker. “His employees are probably on their way to work this early in the morning.”

“Yes,” agad na sagot ni Ryker, seryoso pa rin ang mukha.

“But he was pretty upset when I didn’t give him breakfast without checking in with him,” ani Yoon at ngumiti kay Ryker. “It never heard the end of it. If I ask, I’ll get an earful. If I don’t, I’ll still get an earful. I’d better ask him so that I have an excuse to offer later on.” pangangatwiran ni Yoon, nagpupumilit na sana ay papasukin siya ni Ryker.

Wala ng nagawa si Ryker kundi ang buksan ang pinto ng kwarto ni Almedel, hudyat na pinapayagan niya na si Yoon na pumasok. Agad na naglakad palapit sa pinto si Yoon at bahagya pang kumatok.

“Sir, I’m coming in now….” anunsyo ni Yoon bago pinihit ang door knob ng kwarto ni Almedel.

Yoon saw Almedel laying on the bed, he seemed asleep but he’s not.

“I heard that you didn’t want breakfast, so I was really worried.” Yoon started talking while looking at Almedel who was laying on the bed. “You need to have breakfast for energy. If you think of anything that can stimulate your appetite, please let me know,” mahabang lintanya ni Yoon. “I’ll try my best to please your palate. Please, If you have anything that you want to avoid please, let me know, please...”

Agad na bumangon si Almedel dahil sa pagkarindi niya kay Yoon.

“Two steps backwards!” mahinang sigaw ni Almedel na ipinag-taka naman ni Yoon.

“Sorry?” naguguluhang tanong ni Yoon, tiningnan siya ng masama ni Almedel. “Sure. Sure. I’m stepping back, Sir...” natatarantang ani Yoon.

Bumaba si Almedel mula sa kama at tumayo. Naglakad siya palapit kay Yoon at tinitigan niya ito ng malapitan, halos isang dangkal na lamang ang layo ng mukha nila sa isa’t-isa.

“You used ‘Please’ three times in one sentence,” seryosong turan ni Almedel.

“S-sir?” naguguluhang tanong ni Yoon.

“Too many ‘pleases’...”

“S-sorry?”

“Please, If you have anything that you want to avoid please, let me know, please.” pag-uulit ni Almedel sa sinabi kanina ni Yoon, napamaang naman si Yoon dahil sa ginawang iyon ni Almedel. “It’s just ridiculous…” seryosong turan ni Almedel habang titig na titig pa rin kay Yoon.

“I’m sorry, Sir. I was too nervous…”

“Wow! You’re such a suck up,” sarkastikong ani Almedel.

“I guess, I did something wrong. I’ll reflect on it and fix it.”

“Nevermind! Give me my breakfast,” biglang ani Almedel na ikinagulat pa ni Yoon, ngunit agad din siyang ngumiti at sunod-sunod na tumango.

“Yes, Sir…” masayang ani Yoon saka tumungo bago tumalikod upang lumabas ng kwarto.

***

Tutok na tutok si Ryker kay Almedel na tahimik na kumakain. Nakatayo siya sa harapan nito katabi ang personal chef ni Almedel. Sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa labi niya ng konti na lang ay mauubos na ni Almedel ang pagkain na nasa bowl.

But it seemed as if the world stopped when, unexpectedly, a hard object made a noise as Almedel chewed, indicating something had mixed into his food. Just like Almedel always does, he quickly threw the plates and flipped the table, causing all the breakfast dishes to break.

Dahil sa ginawang pagwawala ni Almedel ay mabilis na tumakbo si Ryker to calm Almedel down. Ang personal chef ni Almedel ay nanginginig sa kaba at hindi magawang i-angat ang ulo dahil sa takot at pagkabalisa nito.

“Fire everyone who prepared this!” namumula sa galit na sigaw ni Almedel.

“S-sir.. S-sorry po! H-hindi na po mauulit,” natatarantang anang personal chef.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Almedel at galit na tiningnan ng masama ang chef, pagkatapos ay bigla itong ngumisi ng malademonyo.

“Sorry? Para saan pa ang mga batas kung nakukuha ang lahat sa sorry? No! I don’t want to see any of your face again... You are all fired!” galit at malakas na sigaw ni Almedel.

Sasagot pa sana ang chef nang suminyas si Ryker. Wala ng nagawa ang personal chef kundi ang tumalikod at bigong lumabas ng kwarto ni Almedel.

Almedel took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Even Almedel himself knew there was something off about him today, and Ryker noticed it too.

“Ayos lang po ba kayo, boss?” Ryker asked him with a concern in his eyes.

Hindi sumagot si Almedel, naglakad ito papunta sa may gaming area at naglaro ng ‘Grand Theft Auto’. Halatang gigil na gigil ito sa paraan ng pag pindot niya sa game controller ng video game.

Limang cook ang natanggal dahil lamang sa maliit na bagay. Hindi na ito bago. Masyadong mapili at walang awa si Almedel pagdating sa mga tauhan, wala siyang pakialam sa iba, he only care for himself. Kung nagkamali ka ng isang beses ay automatic ka ng mawawala sa buhay niya. ‘Sorry’ meant nothing to him. You made a mistake? Then face the consequences of it.

***

Habang nasa sasakyan sina Almedel papunta sa company ay masama niyang tinitigan ang dalawa sa harapan, sina Ryker at Yunho. Ngumuso siya at bahagya pang kumunot ang noo habang titig na titig sa dalawa.

“Hey!” maya-maya pa ay hindi niya na napigilan ang magsalita.

“Yes, Sir! / -Yes, Sir!” sabay na tugon ng dalawa.

“Do you live together? Are you a couple or something?” seryoso ngunit bakas ang inis na tanong ni Almedel.

“Sorry? / -Excuse me?” gulat na tanong ng dalawa.

“Why the heck did you choose the same aftershave from all the cosmetics in the world!?" galit na tanong ni Almedel.

“Sir? / -What?” sabay muling tugon ng dalawa.

Hindi alam ni Ryker at Yunho kung paano sagutin si Almedel, masyadong unexpected ang mga tanong nito.

“Use a different aftershave… The aftershave smells like spit!” Hindi na napigilang sumigaw ni Almedel. “Haaaa!!! I can’t be in the same car as you! Get out…” He shouted.

Yunho immediately parked the car to the side of the road, and as soon as the car stopped, the three of them got out. Umikot si Almedel papunta sa driver seat at sumakay, at walang ano-ano ay pinaandar ito at pinaharurot paalis.

“Anong nangyari kay Sir?” nagtatakang tanong ni Yunho habang sinusundan ng tingin ang papalayong sasakyan ni Almedel.

Nasa tulay sila ngayon papunta sa company. Hindi sinagot ni Ryker si Yunho at tumalon papunta sa sidewalk ng tulay. May harang kasi na namamagitan sa highway at sidewalk.

Maya-maya pa ay biglang nagtanong si Ryker. “Have you been using my aftershave?”

“No," agad na tugon ni Yunho. Ngunit tila hindi naniwala si Ryker.

“Pumasok ka ba sa kwarto ko at ginalaw ang mga gamit ko?” muling tanong ni Ryker habang ang paningin ay nakatuon lamang sa harapan. “I thought it was strange that it ran out quickly.”

“What? Yeah..I used your aftershave, so what?” mapang-asar na turan na tanong ni Yunho.

Huminto si Ryker at lumingon kay Yunho. “It’s expensive!” Sigaw ni Ryker na ikinagulat ni Yunho, “It’s my favorite,” namumula si Yunho sa pagpigil na tumawa.

“Pfft.. S-sorry!” Yumuko si Yunho upang pigilan ang sariling matawa. Hindi na nagsalita si Ryker at kunot-noong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Ryker and Yunho were the most trusted among all of Almedel's bodyguards. He had tested their loyalty many times. Both were skilled not only in combat but in all aspects. Ryker was like a brother to Almedel, and Yunho was his best friend. The loyalty and honesty of these two helped Almedel in the midst of all the chaos he’s going through.

***

Kiyumi was struggling all by herself while trying to hide her pregnancy from everyone at work. However, Syren heard Kiyumi in the comfort room and asked her what was going on.

“Kanina ko pa napapansin ang kakaibang kinikilos mo. Ayos ka lang ba?” Syren asked Kiyumi with a worried look in her eyes.

“H-ha?” gulat na tanong ni Kiyumi, wala sa sarili.

“Oh, tamo! Wala ka na naman sa sarili mo,” turan ni Syren. Hindi sumagot si Kiyumi at lumabas na lamang ng comfort room. “Yumi! nag-aalala na ako sayo eh,” pangungulit ni Syren habang nakasunod kay Kiyumi.

Ngunit napahinto si Syren nang huminto si Kiyumi sa paglalakad.

“Oh, bakit?” nagtatakang tanong ni Syren.

Hindi sumagot si Kiyumi at nanatiling gulat na nakatingin sa may entrance ng company building. Her eyes widened and her face pale. Her heart pounded as if she had run several kilometers. She tried closing her eyes, hoping it was just hallucination, that she was just hallucinating, but it wasn’t. Time seemed too slow, and only Almedel was moving.

Parang nag-ugat si Kiyumi sa kinatatayuan niya habang sinusundan ng tingin si Almedel na ngayon ay papalapit na sa gawi nila.

“Yumi..” tawag pansin ni Syren kay Kiyumi. Ngunit tila wala itong naririnig, kaya naman agad itong hinila ni Syren at pinilit na tumalikod.

Nasa rules ng kumpanya na sa tuwing dadaan ang CEO na si Almedel, ay dapat kang tumungo o tumalikod hanggang sa lumagpas ito. Hindi ka rin pwedeng kumuha ng video o litrato niya, kundi ay ipapakulong ka nito. Hindi mo rin siya pwedeng tingnan sa mga mata, kapag nasa harap ka nito ay dapat nakatungo ka lang. Kapag kinakausap siya ay huwag mo siyang titingnan sa mata, tumungo ka lang hanggang sa matapos kayo sa pag-uusap.

Before Almedel passed by Kiyumi and Syren with the company director, Kiyumi slightly lifted her head and glanced at Almedel. Her heart felt like it was about to explode as she confirmed what she was seeing.

How did Almedel become the CEO of their company? Fate really has a twisted sense of humor. What you don't want to happen is exactly what ends up happening.

Napapailing na lamang si Kiyumi sa sarili niya at sarkastikong natawa. Mukhang ngayon pa lamang magsisimula ang totoo niyang paghihirap. Paghihirap kung paano niya maiiwasan si Almedel, paghihirap kung paano itago sa lahat ang pagbubuntis niya. Kiyumi only had four months left to end her contract at the company, and she was planning to finish it without anyone knowing about her pregnancy.