Firsts
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"Don't you have work to do?"

"The alpha sent me a leave for two weeks, that's why I'm all free." sabay angat niya sa mga kamay at ngumiti.

Ngumiti lang rin si Aldeheid atsaka napalibot ng tingin sa paligid. They were inside a tavern, it was an old looking bar house wherein there are huge guys around and all you could hear inside was noise.

Napahagikhik si Aldeheid doon. It is actually because of her about why they ended up in such place. Naalala niya kung paano napabusangot ang mukha ni Callum nang sagutin niya ang tanong nito.

He was so obvious that he didn't like the idea of coming in the tavern, dahil bukod sa magulo ay marami ring mga kauri niya doon. Kampante naman si Callum na mapoproktehan niya ang dalaga dahil nandoon siya, ang sa kaniya lang ay baka mabastos pa ito.

"I feel like I'm inside a book, a fantasy book!" giit ng dalaga kaya napangiti si Callum.

"Because taverns exist in this era?"

Mapaglarong tumango siya, "I was so sure that what I saw during the town feast was a beer house! At tama nga ako! I'm so loving this place!" kumikinang pa ang mga mata nito.

Napailing nalang si Callum, "But you know this isn't a suitable place for you?" brow arched.

"I know. I'm a girl and I'm weak." she frankly said.

Callum's forehead creased, "I mean, you can't be here because there's flood of smoke that could damage your lungs and beers that'd erase the word 'live' in liver."

Aldeheid cracked a laugh. Luhang-luha siya nang marinig iyon. It wasn't that funny but for her it was! Aside from that, it was her way to escape from the butterflies swarming in her stomach. Nakakakiliti kasi ito at hindi rin tama para sa kaniya.

"And you're not weak, okay?" Callum asserted.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." sabay punas sa mga luha niya.

Nahinto sila nang biglang dumating ang isang waitress na tanging bra lang na yari sa maong at isang cargo pants naman sa ibaba na may mga nakasabit pang alahas. Callum got a little conscious for Aldeheid because the view might be scandalous in her eyes and she might think that it's normal for girls to wear such clothes.

"That's their uniform." imporma niya habang nakatitig sa menu.

Aldeheid scoffed, "Of course, I knew that!" she claimed laughing, "Iniisip mo bang gagayahin ko sila?"

"Manghang-mangha ka kasi, eh. Akala ko gusto mo ring masubukan 'yan sa first time mo." and he regretted saying that.

Dahil biglang lumiwanag ang mukha ng dalaga, "You just gave me an idea!"

Napahilamos si Callum sa palad, "No, no, Alde. Please, everything but that."

Parehong natawa nalang si Aldeheid at ang waitress nang makita ang nafu-frustrate na mukha ni Callum. After they placed their orders, Aldeheid seemed happy on making fun of Callum. Alalang-alala kasi ito nang mag-order siya ng beer at intestine, kaya naman ay panay bura ng waitress sa papel niya. Mabuti nalang at hindi iyon nagalit sa kanila.

"Bet you're having fun bullying me." Callum pouted.

Aldeheid giggled, "I'm so sorry! It's my first time to see someone unrelated to me being so protective. So, I'm very sorry for feeling happy while watching you frustrated."

Napamaang naman doon si Callum. He knew Aldeheid was blunt but he somehow thought that he does not deserve her bluntness. Because it only shows how honest she is, at nadidismaya si Callum sa kaniyang sarili dahil sa mga bagay na tinago niya mula rito.

He promised himself to tell her the truth but he just can't do it, not now when it's still complicated.

"May iba ka pa bang hindi nagawa noon na gusto mong gawin ngayon?" pagsisimula niya.

Nag-isip muna si Aldeheid, "Ahm, get drunk?"

Agad na sumama ang timpla ng mukha ng binata kaya tinawanan agad siya ni Aldeheid, "But it doesn't necessarily be a alcohol. I can get drunk from another thing, you know." may tukso sa labi nitong sambit.

Tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Callum, "Aside from that?"

"I want to dance with that busker, too!" turo niya sa lalaking nakita nito noong selebrasyon ng bayan.

Mabilis napangiwi si Callum, "Can you dance with me instead?"

"Why not him?" malumanay nitong tanong.

"He has no coordination." atsaka tinaliman ng tingin ang lalaking mukhang nakikinig sa kanila sa malayo.

If only Aldeheid was not in front of him, he could have raised his middle finger to Rios.

Narinig niya ang hagikhik ng dalaga, "But I don't know how to dance as well..."

Napakamot nalang siya ng batok at kasabay doon ay ang pagmura niya sa isipan ng marinig ang malakas na buhakhak ni Rios sa may kalayuang entablado. He immediately glared him daggers to warn him. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay may trabaho ito ngayon kaya ba't ito nandito.

Napatingala si Aldeheid nang may biglang nagsalita sa likuran niya. It wasn't a familiar voice so she needed to glance over her shoulder at napanganga nalang nang makita ang binatang may bitbit na gitara.

"Callum, my man!" bati atsaka nakipagkamayan. "Hindi mo namang sinabi na nandito ka pala! Edi, sana nalibrehan ko kayo." pang-aasar nito pero hindi iyon nakarating sa isipan ni Aldeheid.

Pumihit si Rios paharap kay Aldeheid at napakurap nang bigla itong ngumiti sa kaniya. His eyes immediately went back to Callum who's ready to kill him. Kaya kahit pa man gusto niyang puriin ang dalaga ay hindi niya nalang ito ginawa.

"You must be my little Alde—de joke lang." kinakabahan niyang tawa at panay lunok sa nararamdamang nakakakilabot sa gilid niya.

Damn, this beta is possessive, he thought.

"I'm Harley Rios, one of Callum's friends." maingat na inabot niya lang ang sumbrero at yumuko sa harapan ng dalaga.

"Hello, I'm Aldeheid. It's nice meeting a friend of Callum! Thank you for being his friend!" inosenteng batid ng dalaga kaya napanganga nalang si Rios.

Napagtanto niya kung bakit si Aldeheid ang palaging bukambibig ng kaibigan niya at hindi niya masisisi ito, kasi kahit siya ay nawinwindag rin ang puso. Good thing he's not the type to like someone but his mate—if he has one.

"You're that street busker, aren't you?" tumango si Rios na may ngiti sa labi, "Ang galing mo! Ang ganda ng boses mo!" puri pa ng dalaga kaya nahiya siya bigla.

Magsasalita na sana siya upang magpasalamat pero mukhang naiinis na si Callum sa presensya niya.

"Shouldn't you be working?" and Aldeheid saw his beta self again.

"I am!" sabay turo ni Rios sa nagkumpulang mga lalaki sa isang banda. "Kita mo 'yan? Narinig ko kanina ang isa diyan na dadayain niya raw ang kalaban niya. Na kapag raw ito yung mananalo ay ibibigay niya ang pekeng perang nakuha niya at iyon ang pambayad sa pustahan."

Rios immediately held Callum's shoulders to prevent him from standing. Alam niya kasing ayaw na ayaw 'yon ni Callum dahil ikakapahamak 'yon ng Malcolm. Pero ayaw niya namang kunin ang oras nito sa bagay na kaya niya namang gawin.

"Chill, my man! Kaya ko 'to, okay? Baka nakalimutan mo kung anong klaseng dugo ang meron ako? Just sit there and enjoy the moment with your girl. Ako na ang bahala rito." sambit niya atsaka kumindat.

Ang akala pa naman ni Callum ay laro lang ang alam ng kaibigan niya, but watching Rios doing confident about the job that was supposed to be his is another level of Rios the Serious.

"So...where were we?" aniya nang mawala si Rios.

Napangiti si Aldeheid doon, "My firsts?"

"Oh yeah, so, anything else?" he tapped the table with his finger, silently checking on Rios who's having a conversation with the men.

Aldeheid unknowingly answered, "I want to dance in the rain—I know I can't dance but I still want to!" natawa si Callum doon.

"I'll let that happen. Ano pa?"

"Wait, are you really willing to help me with my firsts?" he confidently nodded. "Okay then! Find me a boyfriend because I never had one before!"

Mabilis na napawi ang ngiti ni Callum at napatitig nalang sa masayang dalaga. Seryoso ba siya? tanong niya sa isipan. Callum could easily get her one but the image of his little Alde with another man is not that nice. Ayaw niya iyon kaya imbes na aprobahan ito ay inilingan niya.

"Why?" taka na si Aldeheid.

"You're too good for somebody to own." he flatly said but it was true.

"How can you say that? I mean, do I not deserve a boyfriend?" her tone doesn't even sound sulking.

"You do! Pero baka saktan ka lang niya." he defended, trying to persuade her not to have one.

She chuckled, "Isn't pain part of love?"

And that stopped him. Biglang naglakbay ang alaala niya sa kaniyang nakaraan. Ang mga pinagsisisihan desisyon niya at pagdudusa ng kaniyang pares. He knew it was a long time ago and everyone that was involved had moved on, pero sa tuwing maalala niya ang nangyare ay manunumbalik rin sa damdamin niya ang sakit.

"Love is ubiquitous, and it is partnered with pain. That's why even if you love your dog, friends, or neighbors, there is always pain next to it." Aldeheid happily explained.

Hindi na nakapagsalita pa si Callum nang dumating ang kanilang pagkain. He could only watch the cheerful woman in front him while the food is being served. Pinakiramdaman niya ang dalaga. Everything about her is just sunshine and smiles, ni wala itong kahit anong damdamin ang nakapaloob kundi kasiyahan. Biglang nakaramdam ng inggit si Callum.

Why does he always worry things when others can simply ignore them?

Kaya siguro natatagalan siya sa pag-usad dahil siya mismo ang gumagawa nito sa sarili niya. He can just to do it but then,...he can't.

"Look at this Callum!" pukaw ni Aldeheid sa kaniya atsaka inangat ang fried chicken na natatakpan ng keso na pinagtusluan niya.

It was dripping on her plate while some crawled on her fingers. Natawa naman si Callum ng mataranta itong dilaan ang pumapatak. He offered her a napkin and that's when she was able to breath.

"Masarap ba?" naaliw na tanong ni Callum.

Aldeheid pouted but smiled after, "Let me try it first..." atsaka sinubo ang paa ng manok.

Callum's teeth showed when the sauce covered Aldeheid's upper lip. Aabutin niya na sana ito upang punasan ngunit naunahan siya ni Aldeheid. She licked her thumb afterwards and smiled nonstop, "Can I tell you something?"

He nodded and smiled warmly, waiting for her cue. Siya naman ang napakunot ng noo ng biglang ubusin ni Aldeheid ang kinakain niya at kada subo ay panay tuslo niya naman sa cheese.

Callum handed her a napkin with brows still furrowed. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero nakaramdam siya ng masama para sa dalaga. And that's when he tried to read her mind but unfortunately, he was too late for that.

"I'm actually allergic to cheese!" Aldeheid giggled, her eyes flickered, while Callum could only open his mouth from Aldeheid's confession.

Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na inagaw ni Callum ang bowl ng keso at inangat upang ilayo kay Aldeheid. Napasapo siya ng noo dahil pinagtatawanan lang siya ng dalaga. She tried playing with him by reaching the bowl and when Callum tried to distance it, nakaramdam nalang siya ng pagkabangga sa braso at huli na nang makita niya ang maliit na kutsilyo na nahulog sa binti ni Aldeheid.

The waitress held her breath and so as the other people who witnessed it. Hindi makagalaw si Callum sa inuupuan at napatitig nalang sa maliit na dugo sa binti ng dalaga.

Aldeheid only smiled and assured the waitress that there was nothing to be worry of—at least that's what she thought.

Kasi alam ni Callum kung ano ang gulong mangyayare kapag malanghap 'yon ng iba. The only thing he doesn't know is why is he not doing anything? Dapat kasi nilabas niya na ito kanina pa pero hindi siya makagalaw at panay titig lang sa binti ng dalaga.

"I'm fine, don't worry, Callum." may pag-aalala na sambit ni Aldeheid.

There was a lot of people inside and Aldeheid thought that Callum would control himself unless he wanted to let them know what he was.

Pero nang punasan niya ito gamit ang table napkin ay bigla nalang napasapo si Callum sa ulo at tila nagpipigil sa sarili.

She stilled, flustered from the way people suddenly came to them and held Callum. Nasilayan niya ulit si Rios na biglang dumamba sa leeg ni Callum. He was doing something she couldn't understand but something hit her.

Mabilis siyang napatayo at itinulak palayo si Rios sa kay Callum. Rios was taken aback with what she did, and added more confusion to his question: Why the hell can't I smell her?

"Don't kill him!" sigaw ni Aldeheid atsaka niyakap si Callum sa ulo.

She felt his pants, growls, pulse, and even his red eyes. Kaya tinakpan niya ito para hindi makita ng iba. She got so scared that they might know the monster inside Callum. She knew it was irrational to protect him but the thought of Callum being exiled or worse killed is the last thing she wanted.

"Aldeheid get away from him!" Rios shouted with warn but she only shook her head.

"No! You might kill him!" she refused, sobbing.

Napahilamos si Rios sa mukha niya at napamura nalang. If only Callum told her about them, hindi na sana siya mamomroblema ngayon, kung sasabihin niya ba ang totoo o ano. He mean, he wouldn't want Aldeheid to get scared especially that they are surrounded by hybrids. Ang akala lang kasi ng dalaga, ay si Callum lang ang naiiba.

"Isn't she a human? Why can't I smell her?" rinig ni Aldeheid sa isang lalaking nakakunot noo.

"Exactly. Ito ang unang pagkakataong hindi ako nasabik sa dugo ng tao." komento ng ng isa.

"But why is our beta unable to control himself?"

At doon nagsimula na namang mag-atrasan ang lahat nang higitin ni Rios si Aldeheid paalis kay Callum. Biglang umungol si Callum at galit ang mga matang nakatitig kay Rios. Hindi mapigilan ni Rios ang tumaas ang balahibo dahil doon. Gusto niya nalang ulit itulak si Aldeheid pabalik kay Callum at kibitbalikat nalang sa nangyayare pero hindi niya magagawa ito dahil baka kung ano pa ang gawin nito sa dalaga.

He could risk his beautiful face just to save this woman but it seemed like it was another way around.

Dahil noong biglang kumilos si Callum ay mabilis siyang naitulak ni Aldeheid palayo at ito na ang komompronta sa kaibigan.

Rios could only open his mouth in shocked when he witnessed how his friend suddenly calmed down when Aldeheid asked him to.

"I'm not gonna let them kill you, okay? Just calm down..."

And that's when Rios saw how both Callum and Aldeheid's eyes flickered in unison.

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nyariina