Chapter 13: Trouble in Paradise

"Sabi ko na hindi mo ako matitiis eh..."

I felt Aya's hands try to shove my chest but instead of letting her go, I clutched her tighter to my body.

"Sweetheart buti nagpunta ka, miss na miss na kita." Naramdaman kong lumapit si Mel sa amin at hinawakan ako sa balikat. Huli na ng mapansin niya si Aya na nakakulong sa aking mga bisig.

"What the hell is this?! Sino siya?!" her voice echoed through the gallery and I winced as Aya's head whipped to her direction. Matalim niyang tiningnan si Mel.

"Mel please. Tigilan mo na 'ko." Tiim-bagang kong sinabi sa kanya. I saw shock register in her face before tears started to form on her eyes.

"Yan bang babaeng yan ang ipinalit mo sa akin?!" Akmang duduruin niya si Aya pero nasalo ko ang kamay niya.

"Wag mong idadamay si Aya dito. Tapos na tayo, tumigil ka na." I released her hand gently, then firmly pulled Aya away.

"Ganon na lang ba 'yon? Prince mahal pa rin kita..." she followed us and pulled at my arm.

"Bitawan mo siya." I heard a firm voice say and saw Aya with a murderous scowl on her tearstained face. Pinalis niya ang kamay ni Mel na nakahawak sa braso ko, "Bitawan mo ang boyfriend ko." Her voice quivered but there was a quiet threat to it.

"Ikaw? Ikaw lang ipapalit niya sa akin?" tiningnan ni Mel si Aya mula ulo hanggang paa, "C'mon Prince, you can do better than that," she laughed sarcastically. People are starting to gather in the gallery. Maraming interesadong makiusyoso sa palabas ni Mel.

"Ayaw na sa'yo pinipilit mo pa," wow, lumalabas ang beast mode ni Aya and I can't help but rejoice inwardly. I held her tighter to my side. Alam ko kung gaano kahaba ang pangil ni Mel at ayokong masaktan si Aya.

"Mel, kaunting respeto lang." Tinuro ko ang painting na nakasabit sa dingding, "I don't ever want to see that...THING again. We're OVER. Kung importante pa rin ako sa'yo igagalang mo yung desisyon ko." Hindi ko ugali ang pumatol sa babae, but we are causing a spectacle and I can't let Aya be dragged even further into this. I heard people rushing in to see what the commotion is all about.

Sinampal niya ako. "How dare you?!" she turned to Aya, "Ikaw, ang kapal ng mukha mo! Pa-demure ka pa, malandi!" She launched herself at Aya and I tried to desperately pull the two of them apart.

"Grabe may nagsasapakan na!" may sumigaw sa crowd. Parami ng parami yung mga nanonood.

"Ikaw ang malandi! Ipinangangalandakan mo pa in the guise of art!" Matapang rin si Aya at sinubukang makawala sa pagkakahawak ko para harapin si Mel. Iniharang ko ang aking katawan sa pagitan nila. Sa liit ni Aya, alam kong wala siyang laban kay Mel na 5'10 ang height.

"Ikaw siguro wala kang alam sa kama! Iiwan ka rin ni Prince!"

Umakyat ang dugo ko sa ulo at tinabig ko si Mel, "TUMIGIL KA NA!" Singhal ko sa kanya. Nauubos na talaga ang pasensya ko sa pagiging desperada niya.

Napasalampak siya sa lapag. Nagbabaga ang galit sa kanyang luhaang mga mata.

"Hayup ka..."

"Mel wala na tayo. Wala na 'kong babalikan." Humakbang ako papunta sa painting at marahas na hinila ito pababa. Naglaglagan ang mounting pins at telang nakadisenyo sa dingding.

 I took a deep breath and smashed the frame against the concrete wall. Wood cracked and splintered, the thick canvas stretched and bunched in places. I pulled the edges and used all my strength to rip the unyielding cloth from its frame. It created an obscene sound as it refused to part but I pulled a jagged piece of the wood and hacked it apart. Nobody spoke. Nobody moved.    

I didn't even notice the blood running down my hand where a piece of the frame cut me deeply.

I felt a small hand touch mine and I knew who it belonged to without even looking. I slipped my hand into hers and pulled her into my arms. I didn't want her to be involved in any of this. I took her with me and started for the door. The crowd parted to let us through. I didn't even spare a glance to look at Mel.

"Anong nangyayari dito?" I heard the museum supervisor and guards ask as they rushed to the scene. I didn't pay them any mind and just walked more resolutely. I needed to get away from that place. I could feel Aya trembling in my arms.

"Prince sandali lang," hindi ko na napansin na kinakaladkad ko na si Aya sa bilis ng lakad ko. Nakalabas na kami ng museo at nakatawid na papuntang AS Parking. Binagalan ko ang lakad hanggang sa magkasabay na kami. Hinila niya ang aking kamay at pinaupo ako sa isa sa mga bench na naroon.

"May sugat ka." Kumuha siya nang panyo sa bulsa at ibinalot ang kamao ko. Maputla ang kanyang mukha at nanginginig ang kanyang mga kamay. Hinapit ko ang kanyang bewang at isinubsob ang aking mukha sa kanyang tiyan. Huminga ako ng malalim at naramdaman kong hinahagod ng kanyang mga daliri ang aking buhok.  

"Goddess I'm so sorry."

"Uwi na tayo," her voice sounded so small and vulnerable. Naawa ako sa mahal ko. I nodded my head and stood up. We walked to her car and got inside.

"Shit!" she cursed softly when her key wouldn't enter the ignition after her third try. Her hands were trembling so badly that I knew I had to do something.

"Ako na mag-di-drive," I took the keys from her hand and opened the passenger door. I went around to her side and opened the driver's side. She was breathing heavily with her hands on the steering wheel.

"Goddess ako na," I went on my knees and picked her up bridal style. I quickly deposited her to the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt and slid to the driver's side. I started the engine and we drove quietly for a while.

"Prince alam kong irrational pero nagagalit ako," she said quietly when we entered the main highway.

"You have every right, even though it doesn't make it right."

"What kind of sick fuck is she?" she covered her face with her hands, "Arrgh! Bwisit siya! Hindi ako palamura pero napapamura ako sa kanya!"

 Gusto kong matawa sa sinabi niya pero pinigil ko dahil alam kong asar na asar siya. I tried to keep a straight face and just drove quietly.

"Prince Constantino wag mo kong pagtawanan. Hindi ako natutuwa." Sinulyapan ko siya. Nakahalukipkip habang patuloy na bumabagsak ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Aya, sorry na."

"Hindi mo kasalanan pero nabwibwisit pa rin ako. Hindi mo kasalanan pero gusto kitang awayin. Hindi mo kasalanan pero nasasaktan pa rin ako."

I took a calming breath and just absorbed her anger. She had every right to be angry. I turned the car and entered the compound where my apartment is located. 

"Bakit tayo nandito?" I got out of the driver's seat and went over to her side. I opened the door and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Iuwi mo ko sa bahay Prince." Matigas na sabi niya. She was surprised when I casually picked her up by her waist and wrapped her legs around my middle.

"Prince ibaba mo ko!" she started to struggle but I ignored her and opened my door. I deposited her on my sofa.

"Hindi ka uuwi ng ganyan ang itsura mo. Gusto mo bang patayin ako ng mga kuya mo?"

She looked so surprised before her expression fell and she wrapped her arms around her legs and curled into a ball. Pakiramdam ko nadudurog ang puso ko. I sat down beside her and pulled her into my lap. She wrapped her small arms around my shoulders and I let her soak the fabric of my shirt with her tears.

When she was calm enough she started to speak in between hiccups.

"Alam mo ba yung feeling na nahuli mo yung boyfriend mo na may scandal sa ibang babae? Yun ang naramdaman ko kanina." I stroked her back and just listened to her.

"Tuwing pumipikit ako nakikita ko yung painting na yun. Bwisit ang laswa." She slapped her hand against my chest, "Bwisit na facial expression yan. Shit talaga... walanghiya ka, wala ka namang ginagawa pero nabwibwisit pa rin ako..."

I held her tightly and kissed her forehead, "Goddess sorry na".

"Sorry ka nang sorry pero hindi pa rin mabura sa isip ko yung nakita ko. Ayaw kitang sisihin pero anong gagawin ko?"

"Aya hindi ko na alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin sa'yo." 

"Alam ko."

I took a deep breath. "May kailangan ka pang malaman."

She went rigid in my arms before she spoke in a quiet voice, "Leche ka, kung sasabihin mong may anak ka sa haliparot na 'yon, papatayin na talaga kita."

Natawa ako kahit hindi ko sinasadya,"Hindi 'yon. Wala akong anak. Ikaw lang ang aanakan ko, okay?"

"Dapat lang. Magkalimutan na tayo pag nalaman kong meron."

"Goddess, don't say such things. Iyong-iyo ako. Buong-buo."

 "Fine. Continue." Tangina, ibang klase magalit si Aya.

"Yung nawawalang paintings sa collection ko, they are with Mel," I looked down and watched her pensive expression. She nodded for me to continue.

"They're part of a series of paintings called 'Entangled'. Yung kanina, si Mel ang gumawa nun pero may counterpart yun na isang buong private collection na ako ang gumawa," I saw her close her eyes and lick her lips.

"Meaning may possibility na mas marami pa akong makikitang ganun? Fuck." Nangilid na naman ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Wala na akong ibang masabi kundi sorry. Feeling ko napakawalang-kwenta kong boyfriend. I don't deserve you, Aya."

"Syete. Ayoko na ng boyfriend na artist."

"Goddess wag ganun. Hindi ko kayang mawala ka," I nuzzled her neck, "I'm being selfish pero ayokong mawala ka."

"Sinong nagsabing mawawala ako? Nabwibwisit lang ako pero wala akong sinabing pakakawalan kita. Kung di mo ko pinigil kanina uupakan ko na yung malanding yun. Bwisit, bakit ba kasi pumatol ka dun? Nakakaasar ang standards mo."

Iniinsulto niya ako pero nagdiriwang ang loob ko. Tangina, hindi ko maintindihan pero parang nabunutan ako ng ga-skyscraper na tinik sa dibdib.

"Prince, baka naman mamaya may iba ka pang tinatagong psycho ex diyan? Sabihin mo na kaagad para makapaghanda naman ako." She shook her head and wiped her tears.

"Wala. Wala na." I kissed her forehead. "I really don't deserve you."

"Syete, bakit ba kasi ang gwapo mo? Nakakainis ka." She was pouting. I know that she knows the tension has been broken.

"Wag na wag lang kitang mahuling may ibang babae at iiwan talaga kita." She threatened softly.

"Aya naman, papatol pa ba ako sa kung sinong mortal na babae lang, eh Goddess ka na?" I whispered playfully.

She stared at me for awhile with her mouth agape, "Syete, eto ako at asar na asar sa'yo pero walanjo talaga ang flirting skills mo, Mr. Constantino."

"I love you Aya."

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Napagod siguro siya sa kakaiyak kaya nakatulog siya habang nakakakandong sa akin. God, I really don't deserve her.

Dinala ko siya sa kuwarto at doon pinatulog. I pulled out my phone and dialled Adam's number.

Makailang ring lang ay sumagot na siya, "O 'tol kamusta?"

"Bro, wag kang magagalit pero ikaw lang naisip ko na makakatulong sa'kin."

"Bakit anong nangyari kay Aya?" biglang naging matigas ang boses ni Adam.

Ikwinento ko kung anong nangyari. Alam kong galit si Adam pero matagal na kaming magkakilala at handa siyang makinig sa side ko.

"Prince, ayusin mo yan. Aya doesn't deserve such public humiliation. Mabuti sa akin mo sinabi 'to kasi kung sila Alistair o Alfredo ang nakaalam baka sinagasaan na nila yang Mel na yan."

"I know pare, kaya nga ikaw ang una kong tinawagan. Tulungan mo naman ako. Kung kinakailangang puntahan ko si Mel para sunugin lahat nung paintings na yun gagawin ko. Mahal ko si Aya at ayoko siyang nasasaktan."

"Fine. We'll work something out. Make sure Aya's safe." He said before he disconnected the line.

"Prince?" I felt Aya's small arms encircle my waist. I turned around and dropped a kiss on her head.

"Okay ka lang?" I stooped low and picked her up by her waist. Her legs automatically wrapped around my middle.

"Sinong kausap mo?" She nuzzled my neck and left a soft kiss on my ear.

"Si Adam," I kissed her nose, "Nagugutom ka ba?" she shook her head and started planting soft kisses around my mouth. I brought her back inside my room and placed her gently on the bed.

"Aya, anong problema?" she's acting weird. There's almost something desperate in her expression. She sat up and pulled my head down in a languid kiss. I pulled her against me and answered her kisses. We pulled apart when breathing became necessary.

"Prince mahal mo ba talaga ako?" her small hands were trembling as she caught the end of my shirt and pulled it off.

"Aya anong ginagawa mo?" I caught her hand. She stared at me with tears in her eyes. "Anong ginagawa mo baby?"

"Nanaginip ako. Iniwan mo daw ako kasi isip-bata ako."

 "Aya stop. You don't have to do this. Hindi ako mawawala sa'yo," I pulled her into my embrace and kissed her tears away, "Alam ko kung bakit ka nagkakaganyan. You don't have to prove anything to me."

"Prince ayaw mo sa'kin?" her voice was so small and broken that I just had to cup her cheeks and kiss her tenderly. Alam kong nasasaktan ang pride niya.

"Never kitang aayawan. Mahal kita at gusto ko masaya ka. Wag kang iiyak, okay?" I wiped away the fresh tears falling from her eyes. "Tayong dalawa lang ang nasa relasyong 'to. Ikaw at ako. Ako mahal kita and I would do everything in my power to make things work. Everyone else can go to hell for all I care."

"I can't change the past Aya. Wala akong time machine para bumalik at burahin ang nakaraan ko. Pero ang mas importante sa akin ay ang babaeng kaharap ko ngayon. Hindi mo ba nakikita Aya? You are more important to me because you are the one I want in my future, the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"So tahan na. I don't ever want to see you cry, unless those tears are tears of joy."

-End Chapter 13-