Chapter 29

It's been three days and Kamden hasn't recieve a single messages or phone call from Thanatos ilang beses narin niyang tinext at tinawagan ang kasintahan niya simula nang makarating siya sa pilipinas, nasa bahay siya at kakatapos lang sa ginagawa niya balak na sana niyang magluto ng pagkain nang magring ang cellphone niya kaagad niya iyong sinagot, thinking that it was Thanatos who called he answered it quickly. “Thanatos?”

“It's me. Kamden.” It was Mr. Kang who called. Nawala ang ngiti niya at napabuntong hininga. “Bakit napatawag ka?”

“Just to make sure that you're okay.” Mr. Kang said in a soft voice.

“Okay lang ako. What about you? Did you finally get what your wife wants you to get?”

“Talagang hiwalay na kami. She is having child with her new husband, it saddened me to see how happy she is with her new husband and life... Pakiramdam ko parang baliwala lang sakanya ang pinagsamahan namin.”

Kamden feel sorry for him. “Sorry, I didn't know.”

“Okay lang, anyway. I have some work to do siguradohin mong kakain ka. Okay?”

He smirked. “Yes, yes, bye.”

“Bye.”

After he hang up, he continued cooking his food for dinner and ofcourse for his cat too. Ang pusa lang naman ang kasama niya ngayon sa bahay sometimes he talked to his cat to make himself less stress and lonely.

Matapos niyang magluto at kumain hinugasan muna niya ang platong ginamit niya bago siya natulog. It's been an empthy day for him, tatlong araw na walang paramdam ang kasintahan niya at nag-aalala siya na baka hindi maayos ang kinalalagayan niya nito. Thanatos is an emperor he understand his job and the way Thanatos lacking of attention and time towards him. Napupunta ang mga oras nito sa pamumuno sa imperial imbes na mapunta sakanya, Thanatos is the rightful ruler of the Imperial city and he had no doubt that Thanatos will prove equal to this challange.

All he can do now is to understand his boyfriend and it's duties.

Handling a city is a hard work and responsibilities to prioritize.

Hindi na magtakaka pa si Kamden kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay wala paring paramdam si Thanatos sakanya, maybe he is busy doing a royalty thing... Who would know? Thanatos has a very strict rules.  Mahigut five thousands rules ang kinakabaisado ng hari at ang mga kapatid nito sa bawat patakaran na masisira nila may kaparusahang naghihintay. That is why all the princes and lords of the imperial city have mastered the art of knowing the rules and its limitation.

Kamden woke up because of the whispering sound that keeps echoing in his ears, slowly, he opened his eyes and saw the most handsomely face he ever saw, a small smile appeared on his lips when he recognized the man' face. It's Thanatos. Bahagyang hinaplos ni Kamden ang pisngi ng binata hindi niya masabi kung totoo ba ito o na nanaginip lamang siya but all he can tell that he can feel Thanatos right now. He can feel his presences with him.

Their forehead touched one another the way Thanatos embraced him it felt like his skin been touched by the sun that heavenly warmth him.

“I miss you.” Kamden whispered as he stared at Thanatos very magnificient eyes. “I dream of you every night.” He added as he embraced him tightly.

Thanatos looked at his face. “I'm sorry I couldn't make it... I tried but you were already gone.”

He nibbled his lips. “Being alone was never hard, before I met you.”

Isang mapusok at mainit na halik ang ibinigay sakanya ni Thanatos, their lips meet and Kamden doesn't want it to seperate from one another. Ramdam na ramdam niya ang init ng paghinga nito sa labi niya, ramdam niya ang katawan nito na mas lalo pang yumayakap sa katawan niya, he can already feel him, touching him and embracing Thanatos.

He didn't broke the kiss even though he wanted to catch his own breath, he miss him so bad. Ayaw na niyang pakawalan pa ito. The taste of Thanatos lips left nothing but satisfication and contentment. Kamden deepened the kiss as hard as he could, he snaked his arms around his neck and Thanatos was already on top of him--- kissing, nipping and licking his lips.

Thanatos was already moving his hands like it was curious of his body. His hand wondered and touched Kamden' very own soft spot.

All could Kamden do is to close his eyes and feel it's touch, every inch of his touch felt heaven and a familiar sensation started consuming his body.

Then, suddenly Thanatos broke the kiss and stared at his eyes. “I'll see you soon, darling.”

Kamden woke up from his deep sleep when Mr. Kang shaked his shoulder, he irritatingly opened his eyes and glared at his manager who is now smiling from ear to ear. “What? Ang aga aga binabadtrip mo ako.” Pagrereklamo niya at saka bumangon mula sa kinahihigaan nito. Mr. Kang chuckled softly, “you were dreaming about him, didn't you?” Mr. Kang teased him.

He glared at him as he wore his robe. “Bakit ang aga mong pumunta rito?” Sa halip ay tanong niya.

Ngumiti si Mr. Kang sakanya. “Syempre maaga kang papasok ngayon sa opisina.” Sansala nito.

He rolled his eyes. “You woke me up just because of that? Nakakainis ka talaga.”

Nagkibit balikat lang si Mr. Kang at muli itong lumabas sa silid niya, Kamden let out a breath knowing that Thanatos is not here and it was all a dream, the kiss, the talking they had in his dream are all fantasy.

He went to his bathroom to take a shower and after that he wore a suit and went dowm stair to have some coffee nang sa ganon ay mabuhayan ang katawan niya.

Nang makababa siya at dumeretso sa kusina nabitawan niya ang coat niya nang makitang nakatayo si Thanatos sa harap ng stove niya at pinaglulutoan siya ng pancakes, Mr. Kang just smiled at him as he sips a coffee.

Kamden wasn't dreaming, this is real. He suddenly slapped himself and it really hurts, it felt real! Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa tabi ng frame door habang pinagmamasdan ang kasintahan niya. “Am I still dreaming?” He asked Mr. Kang.

Umiling ang manager niya at kinuha ang kape at diyaryo at nilisan ang kusina. It just the two of them now. Nang lumingon si Thanatos sa kinatatayoan niya maaliwalas pa ang ngiti nito sa future niya, naninibago siya s lalo't ang mga mata nalamang nito ang mayroon takpan. Kitang kita narin ni Kamden ang peklat nito sa cheekbone, it's like a lightning shaped scar.

“Hello, darling.” Thanatos lovingly smiled at him.

Kamden wanted to slap himself again. Totoo ba ito? talagang nandirito na si Thanatos sa harap niya? Is this for real or he is still dreaming of him?

“You're here.” Wika niya.

Ngumiti ang kasintahan niya at naglakad ito palapit sakanya at hinaplos ang pisngi niya. “Yes, I'm here.” Thanatos whispered.

Kamden smirked. “You're real, this is not a dream.” Finally, he is not dreaming. This is real he can feel and touch Thanatos. He is here.

Hinalikan ni Thanatos ang noo niya at muling tinitigan ang mukha niya. “I miss you.”

Kamden snaked his arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss. “I miss you too.” He said while smiling. Masuyong hinawakan ni Thanatos ang beywang niya at hinalikan muli ang noo niya, “I'm sorry I couldn't make it. Hindi ko natupad ang pinangako sayo, I tried but I failed. I'm sorry darling.” He sounded guilty.

“It's alright, naiintindihan ko naman hindi madali ang ginagawa mo... I understand you well, my big daddy.” He then giggled.

Ngumisi si Thanatos. “Big daddy? is that a nickname for me?”

Kamden kissed his lips and then nodded. “Yes. A nickname for my big daddy.” He chuckled.

Akmang hahalikan ni Thanatos ang kasintahan nang mamatahan niyang nakatingin si Mr. Kang sakanilang dalawa habang nagkakape natigilan siya. Naalala niya ang sinabi nito sakanya, he respect Mr. Kang kung hindi dahil sa lalaking 'yon hindi niya makikilala si Kamden. He is thankful for Mr. Kang.

“I'm watching.” Mr. Kang said in a dangerous tone.

Napailing iling si Kamden at hinayaan na lamang si Mr. Kang. Matapos niyang mag-agahan hinatid siya ni Thanatos sa opisina niya of course Thanatos was wearing a different garment.

“Susunduin kita mamaya.” Sabi ng kasintahan bago siya bumaba. Kamden stepped out from the car and waved his hand at Thanatos. “Bye!”

Thanatos waved back. “Bye! love you!”

Kamden smiled at him and did a oppa sign. Nang tuluyan nang nakapasok si Kamden sa opisina niya nawala ang kalungkutan at kaboringan na nararamdaman niya sa mga nagdaang araw. Finally he can work without thinking of anything.

Kakarating lang ni Thanatos sa dating tahanan ng kanyang ama, the cherry house. His father called it a cherry house because his mother whom he never meet love to collects and make a cherry stuff his mother even dreamed to have a cherry tree outside the house. Thanatos was standing oustide the house-- scanning it and remembering all his father' words.

This house wad belong to his mother, isa lang naman ang pinangarap niya noon ang makita at makilala ang ina niya. He didn't get the chance to see his mother smile, to smell the scent of his mother, to feel her warmth hug, to embrace every moments they have. But no, that didn't happened when his own father told him that he killed his mother when he came into this word.

His mother died giving birth to him and that was the biggest regret of his live. He mever wanted it to happen, he never wished to see his father miserable. He never have the desire to step into this world.

Ang tanging larawan lang ng kanyang ina ang meron siya, inilabad niya ang tanging letrato na mayroon ang kanyang ama noon. Sa larawan na iyon ay nakangiti ang kanyang ina habang nakatingin sa sinapupunan nito habang hinahalikan naman ng kanyang ama ang tiyan ng kanyang Ina.

Thanatos happened to looked at the house again, na abandon na ito simula nang mawala ang ina niya and he never knew that this house existed not until he saw his father pictures. Ito ang una niyang nakita.

It pained his heart to realize that his mother dream was crushed when he came into this world. No wonder the people in the Imperial city blamed him for everything. Una sinisisi siya dahil sa pagkawala ng tunay niyang ina at pangalawa hinuhusgahan siya simula nang mamatay ang ina-inahan niya at ang kanyang ama sa aksidente. Tanging siya lang naman ang buhay sa mga aksidenting 'yon.

Hindi niya ginusto ang mawalan ng ina't ama, hindi niya ginustong mawalan ng ina't ama ang mga kapatid niya. His brothers have the rights to loathe and be mad at him.

He wished nothing but a family. A complete family.

“Planning on buying the house?” Mabilis na napalingon si Thanatos sa matandang lalaki. Umiling siya at ngumiti rito. “Matagal tagal narin simula nang may taong sumilip sa bahay na 'to.” Ani ng matandang lalaki.

“Sino ho ba ang may ari?” Tanong niya kahit alam niya na ang sagot.

Isang malapad at nakakahawang ngiti ang ipinakita ng matanda. “Si Thania Goivonni.”

Thanatos lips parted, he never knew his mother real name not even a single detail.

“T-Thania po?”

Tumango ang matandang lalaki sakanya, “siya na ata ang pinakamainhin at magalang na babaeng nakilala ko, bata palang si Thania gusto na niyang baguhin ang bahay na 'to... nagsumikap siyang mag-aral kahit na lasingerong adik ang ama at mapanakit na ina ang mayroon siya.” Bumuntong hininga ang matandang lalaki at nakangising umiling iling sabay tinuro ang bahay na iyon. “Dito ko mismo siyang nakitang sinasaktan siya ng sarili niyang Nanay.” Lumapit ang matandang lalaki sa hadgan ng bahay. “Dito mismo.” Sabay turo niya sa hagdan.

Thanatos heart tightened. Did my mother suffered too much? his thoughts.

“Kahit ano pang pangsasaktan at pang aabuso ang ibinibigay sakanya ng mga magulang niya hindi niya nagawang maglayas. Tumigil siya sa pag-aaral noong nagkasakit ang tatay niya namasukan siya bilang katulong sa bahay ko, namasukan din bilang janitress sa isang restuarant dati.” Napailing iling ang matanda. “Kaya nang maulila si Thania wala na siyang ibang ginawa kundi ang magtrabaho para sa sarili.”

“Wala ho bang ibang pamilya na tumingin manlang sakanya?” Tanong niya.

The old man sighed. “Wala. Ni isang kamag-anak niya ay hindi siya tinuring na pamilya.”

Nakaramdam ng awa si Thanatos sa pinagdaan ng kanyang Ina.

“Buwan lang ang lumipas noon at nagtrabaho rin sa ibang bansa si Thania hindi rin nagtagal at bumalik siya, kinabukasan nagulat nalang ako nang magarang sasakyan na nakaparada sa labas ng bahay niya at isang dosenang mga lalaki ang nakabantay sa isang mayamang binata.” Nakangiting saad ng matandang lalaki.

“Alam niyo po ba kung ano ang nangyari?”

The old man smiled wickedly. “No, but all I know is that the guy who came for Thania, came from a royal family. I was there when he asked Thania to marry him.”

“Did they?”

“They married in the imperial city of greece, I was the one who walked her down the aisle. She was beautiful and fearless, they had a great time planning all they wanted to do in their life. Then, years after I heard a news that she's pregnant sobrang saya niya nang malaman niyang buntis siya and I was happy too because she finally find happiness... pero noong narinig kong namatay siya sa panganganak at nabuhay ang bata... hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. This house right here is a big memory of her, she grew up here, she was happy living here... Her dream was crushed when she give birth to a boy. She gave her life just to save her son.”

Thanatos looked down, alam na niya ang iisipin o ang sasabihin nito hindi na siya magtataka pa at maninibago kung sasabihin nito na sana ay siya nalang ang namatay. “But I was also happy because the boy have the same smile of his mother.”

Mabilis siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa matandang lalaki. “You think I wouldn't recognize you, Thanatos?” The old man utturer and he was dumbfounded. He recognized me?!

“H-How did---”

Ngumiti ang matanda sakanya at lumapit ito sa kinatatayoan niya. “You have your Dad's charisma but you have your mom' innocent face.”

Tears swell from his eyes, knowing someone that don't hate him for killing his mother by stepping into  this world.

“Welcome home, Thanatos.”

Thanatos cried as he looked at his mother picture. He finally knows her name, her story... Thanatos feel much better when the old man hugged him. “Your mother would be so proud of you.” The old man whispered and he hugged him back.

Magaan ang pakiramdam ni Thanatos nang sinundo niya si Kamden sa opisina nito, he was now stepping out from the elevator and thinking of taking Kamden out for dinner, as he walked to Kamden's office he entered without knocking or asking permission.

Nang makapasok siya halata sa mukha ni Kamden ang pagkagulat nito, nandilim ang mukha ni Thanatos nang makita si Anthony Baratheon sa opisina ng kasintahan niya. “Your majesty, I didn't your here.” Anthony said in a british accent.

His eyes darkened with anger. “What are you doing here, Baratheon?” His voice sounded dangerous and mad.

Kamdem stood up and walked towards Thanatos. “Nandito lang naman siya para mangamusta.” Sansala nito na mas ikina singkit ng mga mata niya sa galit, naguumimtig ang panga at taas baba ang paggalaw ng adams apple nito sa sobrang galit. “Chill, your majesty. Nandito lang ako para mangamusta at ibigay ito kay Kamden.” Saka inilapag ni Anthony ang box na naglalaman ng chocolates.

“Aalis na ako, baka kung ano pa ang gawin sa'kin ng kamahalan.” Wika ni Anthony at mabilis na nilisan ang opisina ni Kamden, he then. Glared at Kamden. “Why didn't you tell me that he was coming?”

Kamden let out a deep breath. “Hindi ko rin naman alam, bigla nalang bumisita sa opisina nang hindi nagsasabi.” Aniya at muling bumalik sa kinauupoan niya kanina.

Lumapit naman si Thanatos sa visitor seat at naupo roon, “bakit siya nandito sa pilipinas? nasabi ba niya sayo?”

“Nandito lang siya para sa business 'yon lang daw kaya noon madaanan niya ang building ko naisipan niya raw na bisitahin ako. It's no big deal Thanatos.”

“I don't trust him, Kamden. I can't even let him be here with you.” He honestly said.

“Hayaan mona. Uuwi naba tayo?”

Tumango si Thanatos. “Yeah, we're gonna have dinmer outside.”

“Uhm, tapos na akong nagdinner... ininbeta ako kanina ni Anthony.” Pag-amin niya.

Nakaramdam ng selos at inggit si Thanatos, peke siyang ngumiti at nagtitimpi ng galit. “Talaga?” may diin niyang sabi.

Tumango- tango ang kasintahan saka tumayo at sinout ang coat niya. “Nag dinner na kami kanina hindi rin kasi ako makatangi eh, namimilit kasi iyong si Anthony.” Nakangising sabi nito.

“You seem like you enjoyed.” He said in a cold tone.

“It's just a dinner Thanatos, it is no big deal.” Saad niya.

“Okay. Let's go home.” Malamig niyang sabi.

Gusto niyang suntokin sa mukha si Anthony pasalamat nalang ang lalaking iyon at hindi siya masuntok dahil kay Kamden. He doesn't want Kamden to be upset with him when he do that. He can't trust a Baratheon not after what happen to his family.

Nang makalabas sila sa elevator napansin ni Thanatos ang pagbubuzz ng cellphone ni Kamden. “Baka importante yan, bakit hindi mo sagutin?” Kapagkuwan tanong niya nang makalapit sila sa sasakyan niya. Kamden smiled at him. “Wala ito.”

“Baka si Mr. Kang yan.” Aniya.

“I'll check it later.”

Takang tinitigan ni Thanatos ang kasintahan niya, is he hiding something from me? I hope not.

Sa halip na magduda siya inihatid nalamang niya ito sa bahay.

Habang nasa kalagitnaan siya ng pagmamaneho tinanong niya ang kasintahan. “How was your dinner with Anthony?”

He admit that he is jealous.

“It was fun and nothing more.” Sagot nito habang nakatingin sa cellphone at masayang ngisi ang nasa labi. Thanatos sighed, “sino ang katext mo?”

“Ah, wala.”

Sa halip na mag-isip ng kung ano ano ikakasira pa ng isipan niya hinayaan muna niya ito sa ginagawa. Mas pinatili ni Thanatos ang pagmamaneho ng maayos at ligtas.

Eventually, they've arrived to their destination and Kamden was pleased to welcome him into his house again, masaya rin si Thanatos dahil mananatili siya ng tatlong araw sa pilipinas-- sa mismong tahanan ng kasintahan niya.

Tatlong araw siyang walang paramdam kay Kamden kaya niya ito ginawa nang sa ganon ay makabawi siya sa binata. He was thankful that Kamden is really happy to see him again.

He feel much better more than ever.