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Chapter Eighteen: Young Mortal

Krisha's Point of View

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋
ZyT
Anteh! Nu ba to? Paka daldal! Cant dil w/him
Tuesday, 3:37pm

k_raff02
Benedict is a great guy, Z
Tuesday, 3:37pm

ZyT
Anteh! Pngit mo mgreto, hmph bhla ka jan!
Tuesday, 3:37pm
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋

“So, kumusta buhay sa Pilipinas?” The red haired girl asked. Titig na titig siya kay Russlee. Tsk, akala mo namang mawawala si Russlee sa paningin niya.

“Busy ako sa work,” maikling tugon ni Russlee pero nakangiti siya habang nakikipag-usap sa babae na pula ang buhok. I rolled my eyes, they're making me feel like I'm an air here!

Buti na nga lang ginawan na 'ko na Social Media Account ni Zylene. It's pretty useful because I tried contacting her through text messages pero hindi nagse-send. That's why I switched to the account.

But Zylene is not cooperating! She's not responding to my messages. Kung kailan kailangan kong mag-busy busy-han! Tumikhim na lang ako para makuha ang atensyon ng dalawang mortal na nag-e-enjoy mag-usap.

Ano pang papel ko bilang kupido kung naglalandian naman na sila?! Eh kung panain ko na lang kaya sila ng literal na pana ni Kupido para maglaho na sila!

“Ayos ka lang ba?” Baling sa akin ni Big Boss. “By the way Claire, this is Raffinah my secretary. . . Raffinah this is Claire, someone I am associated with.” Buti naman pinakilala na niya 'ko, akala ko invisible lang ako.

Associated with pa siyang nalalaman, ang sabihin mo girlfriend mo!

“Pleasure!” I said while flashing the most fake smile I've ever did in my entire immortal life. I accepted her hand, she's also smiling at me. She looks sweet, I suddenly felt bad because her smile looks so genuine. But her genuine smile can't make this negative feeling that I feel go away.

“Secretary? Jōdandesu ka? (Are you joking?)” The red haired Claire asked Russlee beside me while laughing. She's still holding my hand!

“Naze? Nani o kangaete imasu ka. (Why? What are you thinking)” Naiiling na sabi ni Russlee.

What kind of sorcery is this? Sukasuka lang naintindihan ko sa pinag-uusapan nila.

“Ano 'yon?” I innocently asked, the negative feeling that I felt earlier became confusion. Sabay silang tumingin sa akin, ngumiti si Claire habang si Big Boss naman ay nakatitig lang sa akin.

“Finally, mukhang nakapag-let go ka na. She will be happy, Kevin. . . wherever she is.”

Umubo si Big Boss at nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin. Binawi ko ang kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak ni Claire. Claire calling Russlee through his first name reminds me of something. . . .

“Oh, by the way. Boss Russ, this is Raffinah. Raffinah this is—,” Big Boss cut him off.

“Kevin Russlee Esquivel,” malamig na sabi ni Kevin.

“Nice to meet you, Kev—,” he cut me off.

“Russlee.”

“Okay, nice to meet you Kevin Russlee,” I corrected my sentence.

“Just Russlee, only one person can call me Kevin.”

The first time we met came back to my mind. And in just a snap, bumalik ang negative feeling na nararamdaman ko. As if I asked?! Ano ngayon kung isang tao lang ang tumatawag sa 'yo ng Kevin???

I get it okay? It's Claire.

“Sumimasen (Sorry), Russlee ka na nga pala ngayon. I forgot, seeing you again reminds me of her and our memories.”

“It's fine, unti-unti ko na siyang napapakawal—,”

“Saan ang banyo? Excuse me!” Hindi ko na sila hinintay sumagot, tumayo na 'ko at luminga-linga sa bahay ni Claire. Nakakahiya naman, nagmo-moment sila tas nakaupo ako do'n tsk.

Katamtaman lang naman ang laki ng bahay kaya nahanap ko agad ang banyo. Umupo ako sa border ng shower at toilet. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal na gano'n ang posisyon ko. Nabalik na lang ako sa realidad nang may marinig akong kumatok.

“Miss Raffinah, tara na.”

Mukhang tapos na yata silang mag-reminisce! Bakit tinapos pa nila? Mukhang nag-e-enjoy sila. I'll be fine here, mas komportable pa 'ko sa nakaka-suffocate na banyo kaysa makita silang nag-uusap.

I slowly opened the door. Si Russlee ang tumambad sa akin. He didn't say a thing. Sinuri niya lang ako tas naglakad na siya pabalik sa sofa na inuupuan namin kanina. Claire is now standing and it seems like she's waiting for us.

“We'll go ahead Claire, I'll see you when I see you,” Russlee formally said and initiated a hug. Hindi naman tumanggi si Claire at niyakap pa niya ito nang mahigpit.

“Magkabuhol sana ang red string niyo.” I irritatedly whispered.

“Ano 'yon, Raffinah?” Claire curiously asked. Humiwalay na rin siya sa yakapan nila.

Mabuti naman, mga malanding mortal tsk!

“Wala, mauna na kami. I have to rest cause I have a meetiblah-blah-blah,” I didn't listen further to their conversation. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang kanilang pag-uusap.

The moment that Big Boss walked towards the door, I quickly followed him. But a hand held my arm that halted me. Unti-unting bumaba ang tingin ko sa braso ko at napansin na kamay 'yon ni Claire. Nilingon ko siya, nakangiti siya sa akin.

“Take care of Russlee, Raffinah.”

Ano raw? Alagaan ko raw si Big Boss? O pinag-iingat niya kami? Hindi ko siya naintindihan.

“Clai—,” a voice of a kid came out of nowhere. “Mama, Mama! Karera wa darera no? (Sino po sila?)” He ran towards Claire and Claire lifted him up.

What kind of sorcery is this? Another mortal talking nonsense! I mean, why do everything irritates me right now. And why do they talk like that!

“Baby, he is your Tito Russlee. . . the one I'm telling you! Russlee, ang laki na niya 'no! By the way Raffinah, this is Junichiro Amane my son. I'm sorry, hindi siya marunong mag-tagalog.”

What? She has a son? Anak nila ni Russlee?

“Hi Jun! Remember me?”

“Yes, Tito Russlee!” The boy mortal stretched its arms. Big Boss reached it and he carried him.

So this is what he looks like as a dad?

The thought and him holding that mortal made me smile. But that smile quickly faded when my curiosity kicked me back to reality. If that boy mortal call him as his uncle. . . edi ibig sabihin kapatid niya si Claire? Magkakapatid sila nila Dhruv?

“You like him, don't you?” Claire whispered while smirking.

How can a cupid like a mortal? That's nonsense! And weird at the same time.

“HINDI AH!” I exclaimed. The Junichi mortal and Big Boss was startled by my reaction. Lumapit si Big Boss sa amin habang hawak si Junichi.

“What's happening?”

Claire just shrugged her shoulders and took Junichi from him. Bumaling naman ang tingin niya sa akin at parang hinihintay niyang sabihin ko kung anong nangyari. I just smiled awkwardly.

➹ ➷ ➹ 𓆩♡𓆪➷ ➹ ➷

“Our meeting is early tomorrow. That's your room, next to mine. Good night, matutulog na 'ko.” Walang ganang sabi niya. Mukha ring inaantok na siya.

“But, it's eight pm? Hindi ba masyadong maaga para matulog? Look at the city lights, ang sarap panoorin!” Nagmamadaling sabi ko para lang pigilan siya. Napahinto siya sa pagpihit ng doorknob at lumingon sa akin.

“I sleep early. I'd rather sleep kaysa mag-relapse. Sleep tight.” He didn't even waited for me to respond! Dumiretso na siya sa kwarto niya at sinara 'yon.

Sa ganitong oras nanonood na kami ni Kraft ng movie. Kung nasa headquarters lang talaga ako.

Napaupo na lang ako sa sofa at pinagmasdan ang mga city lights. Ang ganda, it comforts me a bit. I'm trying to capture the moment in my mind kasi walang ganitong view sa headquarters namin.

Right! Isa pala sa function ng hand phone ko ay ang pagkuha ng photo. I captured the city lights in front of me. Zylene being my mortal friend is really helpful.

Pagkatapos kong pagsawaan ang city lights ng Japan ay naisipan ko na rin ang pumasok sa kwarto ko na katabi ng kwarto niya. But while I'm walking I remembered something that he said that is really unfamiliar.

Ano kayang ibig sabihin ng relapse?

➹ ➷ ➹ 𓆩♡𓆪➷ ➹ ➷

“Meeting adjourned.”

Finally, tapos na! Nangawit ako sa matagal na pag-upo. Big Boss instructed me to just sit at the corner of the room. He did that because I kept on asking questions about what them mortals are talking about earlier this meeting.

Curious lang ako, wala kasi akong alam sa pinag-uusapan nila. Tapos wala rin naman akong maintindihan.

“I'm tired, mag-take out na lang tayo.” He said and he brought me at a fast-food chain. Pagkatapos niyang mag-take out ng pizza ay bumili lang siya ng maraming bote ng parang softdrinks at bumalik na rin kami sa tinutuluyan namin.

“Here,” he opened a bottle of a sparkling liquid and gave it to me. He also opened one for him. I was about to drink it for me to have a taste. Pero inagaw niya 'yon at binigyan ako ng pizza. That made me raise a brow.

“Baka gutom ka na, masamang umiinom nang gutom.”

Okay? When he started to eat. I started to have a few bites too. I don't really need this, hindi naman ako nagugutom. I badly want to know the taste of that sparkling liquid inside that bottle. Sa palabas ko lang napapanood na umiinom ng softdrinks ang mga character. I don't know the taste of it but it looks refreshing.

“You're quiet,” he said while chewing.

“Why? Do you want me to ask why only a single person can call you Kevin?” I blurted it out of nowhere. He coughed hard, muntik na siyang mabulunan but he managed to swallow it.

“How did you know that only a single person can call me through my first name?” His looks made me gulp.

“W-Well, you said that the first time we met.”

“The first time we met was the time you spilled some cold americanos in my suit.”

“Uhm w-when we formally introduced ourselves to each other?”

Why am I even stuttering! I didn't do anything wrong.

“Gusto mong malaman kung sino 'yon?” I just nodded. Umiwas siya ng tingin at parang nag-iisip kung ano ang susunod na hakbang niya.

“It's her, my first love. Therese.”

So Claire is really just his sister? That's why! I'm so stupid to think that her red string and Russlee's are connected! But who is this Therese girl, her name is starting a flame inside me.

He raised his bottle so I also raised mine. Pinagdikit niya ang mga iyon, tumunog ang mga bote. Uminom siya, uminom din ako. The moment that the liquid went inside my mouth, I gagged.

It's bitter! How can he drink it continuously!

“My bed time, good night. Matutulog na 'ko.” He said after finishing a whole bottle in just one shot.

“Wait! Can I meet that Therese girl you are talking about?” I stood up and tried to halt him.

I need to meet her for me to match the both of them. Kahit pa labag sa loob ko, kailangan. It's my job as a cupid.

“Do you want to?” Nakatalikod lang siya sa akin kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang reaction niya. Pero medyo malamig ang boses niya. Reminds me of our first interaction

“Well not necessarily, you can just talk to me about her.”

He slowly turned around and the moment that he met my eyes. . . he just stared at it. We're staring at each other now, waiting for the next move of one-another.

“In one condition, you'll sleep with me tonight.”

That made me furrow my eyebrows. Why do I need to sleep with him just for some small details about that Therese girl! He walked towards me and stopped right in front of me.

“Not s*x, I meant it literally. Sleeping at one bed but I promise you, I won't lay my hand on you.” He said in a serious voice. That made me furrow my eyebrows even more.

“What do you think of me? Someone who thinks of s*x all the time? But fine, hindi naman big deal so sige. . . I'll sleep with you.”

“Why are you so curious about Therese, anyways?” He asked as he sat at the sofa again. I didn't answer his question and sat next to him.

“Kessiah Therese Ramirez, best friend siya ni Claire. . . 'yong dinalaw natin kanina.”

“Wait, I'm confused. Best friend siya ng kapatid mo? Is that what you mean?”

“What?! No. Claire is just associated with me. The person who's always there for me.”

I'm not a mortal like her but I'm always here for you, Russlee.

“Ah so si Dhruv lang ang kapatid mo?” I asked, trying to divert the topic in other things because I don't like the thought of Claire being always there for him.

“What??? Dhruv is just my model. Hindi kami related,” he said and stared at me weirdly. Meanwhile, I'm shocked because my assumptions are all wrong.

What a stupid cupid, Krisha.

“Okay, so Therese and I met accidentally. I found a notebook, I tried to find the owner and it led me to her. Ayon, nagkagusto ako sa kanya.”

Here we are, sitting comfortably in a sofa. In front of us are some beautiful lights from the buildings. Nasa harap namin ang mga bote at ang box ng pizza. He's staring at nothing and it looks like he's walking down a memory lane with the memories of him and his first love.

“Why aren't you dating her now?”

“Matagal na rin mula no'ng huli ko siyang makita.” His eyes went misty, looks like tears are starting to form.

Ang swerte mo Therese, mahal na mahal ka ng mortal na nasa harapan ko.

“When's the last time you saw her?” His eyes diverted to mine. A tear escaped from his left eye.

“At her burial, a few seconds before they closed her coffin.”

➹ ➷ ➹ 𓆩♡𓆪➷ ➹ ➷

“Russlee, are you awake?”

Sanay akong makatulog agad pagkahigang-pagkahiga ko pero dahil sa usapan namin kanina. . . parang hirap na hirap ako ngayon. It's my fault, I should've not forced him to talk about her.

I'm so stupid and insensitive.

“Yeah? Thanks to your curiosity, hindi na ako makatulog.” His voice sounds lonely.

“I know that I shouldn't do or ask this but. . . can you show me a photo of Therese?”

Napatingin siya sa akin at mukhang nagulat dahil sa gusto kong mangyari. Buti na lang pumayag siyang hindi patayin ang ilaw kasi ngayon, kitang-kita ko ang mukha niya.

I don't want to trigger his memories about her anymore. But I need to see the photo of Therese. Kung kailangang isa-isahin ko ang kaluluwa na nasa realm ni Hades ay gagawin ko. Mapasaya lang si Russlee.

If I have to take a back a soul from the realm of the dead just to make Russlee smile, I will.

He sat and took something from his drawer. A photo of a small mortal girl holding her doll. Parang around sa age ni Junichiro.

“This is her, my first love. The moment that this photo fell from her notebook. . . I fell in love. That's why I never returned this to her.” I stared at the photo. I noticed that Russlee is staring at it too, he's looking at the photo like the girl in it is the most cutest creature in the world.

So lucky Therese, so lucky.

“Wala ka bang latest?”

“Wala, Therese doesn't like to take pictures.” He said and he is still staring at the girl in the photo.

I remained silent, hindi ko na alam kung paano ko pa siya matutulungan para maging masaya siya. How can I find Therese in the realm of the dead that is filled with souls if her only photo is a very young one? Nawala ang thoughts ko nang magsalita si Russlee.

“But you know what's funny? I showed this to her mom the last time we saw each other and then she told me that this is not Therese.”

Wait, I'm confused. She told me earlier that Therese is his first love. And now, he's telling me that the girl in the photo is his first love but also said that this mortal girl in the photo is not Therese.

“I don't believe her though. That's absurd, kamukhang-kamukha ng bata na 'to ang profile pic ni Therese. This is her, this must be her.”

If the mother of Therese told him that the girl in the photo is not Therese. Then that mortal is possibly alive somewhere. . . and I know exactly how to locate that mortal.

yeojacosmos

_____

nag-iiba na talaga ang ihip ng hangin hehe! by the way. . .

HAPPY 4K READS, STUPID CUPID!

- alexcy