CHAPTER 25

KUMAKAIN SILA ng agahan kasama ang buong pamilya nang ianunsiyo ni Blaze ang nagpakasunduan nilang pasukin kahapon. To be committed to each other... to be in a relationship.

Boyfriend and girlfriend.

"That was fast," gulat pero nakangiting sabi ni Tita Beth. "Not that I'm complaining. I'm happy for you two. Pero kailangan kong itanong 'to, sigurado na ba kayong dalawa sa pinasok n'yo? Being in a relationship is not a joke. It has responsibilities."

"Life is short, Mom," sagot ni Blaze na nilalagyan siya ng kanin sa pinggan. "And I want to spend it with Happy by my side. Saka hindi namin malalaman kung para ba kami sa isa't isa kung magpapaligoy-ligoy kaming dalawa. I don't want what ifs anymore. We're not getting any younger."

Happy nodded. "He made me realize that actually." Huminga siya nang malalim. "I always think that life is dapat like this and dapat like that... Pinalaki akong kontrolado ko lahat ang nangyayari sa paligid ko... but now, I'm in a new environment. My dad always say that I wasn't born to adjust to anyone... but..." Sinulyapan niya si Blaze. "Sometimes I think that maybe, there are someone who is worth adjusting for."

Blaze smiled proudly. "And that's me, baby. Don't worry, I'll adjust for you too. Give and take, remember?"

Nakangiting tumango siya. Kapagkuwan ay nabaling ang atensiyon kay Blake nang magsalita ito.

"Life in indeed short and it's scary. Hindi mo alam kung ano'ng mangyayari, hindi mo alam kung hanggang kailan mo na lang makakasama ang taong mahal mo. Kaya kapag may pagkakataon, huwag sayangin. Mahalaga ang bawat segundo."

Humilig si Lucky sa balikat ni Blake bago ito hinalikan sa pisngi. "Life is short, of all people who is in this table now, I would know." Pinagsalikop nito ang kamay at ni Blake. "I only have few years to live, and now, that changed because I'm pregnant. We don't know what will happen, but we will fight and never give up on each other." Tumingin ito sa kanya. "I'm happy for you, Ate. And yes, there are some people who is worth adjusting for, who is worth risking for."

Happy smiled. "Yeah..."

"Kaya nga wala nang paligoy-ligoy pa," sabi ni Blaze na pinagsalin siya ng tubig sa baso. "We can do this, baby. You and me."

"At si King?" tanong ni Tita Beth. "Hindi mo talaga boyfriend?"

Nag-angat naman ng tingin si King. "Was I called?"

Agad na nalukot ang mukha ni Blaze. "Palayasin na natin 'yan dito."

"He's my bodyguard, so no." Kapagkuwan ay nakangiti siyang sumagot sa tanong ni Tita Beth. "It was all a pretense. My father's plan. Mad kasi siya kay Blaze."

"I can protect you better." Nagtagis ang mga bagang ni Blaze. "Ang sarap niyang sakalin kapag naaalala ko na ilang gabi kayong magkatabing matulog."

Hindi niya pinansin si Blaze, na kay Tita Beth ang atensiyon niya.

"At sa kuwarto ka ni Blaze natulog kagabi?" tanong uli ni Tita Beth.

Tumango siya. "Opo. Hindi naman siya gumawa ng... ahm... what's the Tagalog of inappropriate? Ahm... malaswa?"

Muntik nang mabilaukan si Blaze kaya naman mabilis niyang inabot dito ang baso niya na may lamang tubig.

Samantalang natawa naman ang may mga edad nang kasama niyang nag-aagahan maliban kay Bailey na kumakain at kay King na clueless din sa lengguwaheng gamit nila.

"Mukha kasing pang-porn 'yang mukha mo, Blaze, kaya malaswa ang tingin sa iyo," sabi ni Blake na panay ang tawa.

Tinampal naman ni Lucky ang balikat ni Blake. "Blakey-baby... magkamukha kayo, 'di ba?"

Blake stilled. "Oo nga pala." Napailing ito. "I'm shutting up now."

Napailing si Lucky, saka bumalik sa pagkain at ganoon din siya. Hanggang sa magtanong uli si Tita Beth, para na iyon kay Blaze sa pagkakataong 'yon.

"Natulog kayo sa isang kuwarto," sabi ni Tita Beth, "Blaze, anak, may balak ka bang pakasalan si Happy sa ginawa mo?"

"Yes, Mom," mabilis at walang pag-aalinlangan na sagot ni Blaze.

Nabitin ang pagsubo niya ng kanin sa narinig na sinabi ni Blaze. Mabilis siyang bumaling dito na nagtatanong ang mga mata pero kinindatan lang siya ng loko.

"I-who-who you na ba kita?" tanong ni Blake kay Blaze. "Long overdue na 'yan."

Tumawa lang si Blaze at nilagyan na naman siya ng ulam sa pinggan dahil paubos na 'yon.

Lihim siyang napangiti.

Blaze had been attentive since last night. Iba ang atensiyon na ibinibigay nito sa kanya. Was this because of boyfriend-girlfriend thing? She had no idea.

"Bailey," tawag ni Blake sa bunso nitong kapatid. "Nabago mo na ba ang isip ng mga kaklase mo?"

Nag-thumbs-up naman si Bailey. "Opo, sabi ko businessman ka—"

"Good—"

"Behind the curtain," pagtatapos ni Bailey na ikinatawa nina Blaze, Lucky at Tita Beth.

Blake sighed. "Change topic."

Napangiti si Happy at nagpatuloy sa pag-aagahan. It was a pleasant breakfast with the family. She liked it.

Pagkatapos ng agahan, inaya niya si Blaze sa kuwarto para kausapin ito.

"What is it?" agad na tanong ni Blaze nang makapasok sila sa kuwarto nito. Niyakap siya nito sa baywang mula sa likuran at hinalik-halikan ang leeg niya.

"Hmm... why do you smell so good? You haven't even taken a bath yet."

Mahina siyang natawa, saka umikot paharap sa lalaki at iniyakap ang mga braso sa leeg nito. "I have something to tell you. Dapat noong dumating ako but Blake is busy and we're not in good terms so, ahm, ngayon ko lang masasabi sa iyo. Part of the reason why I'm here."

"You look serious," obserba ni Blaze, saka kumunot ang noo. "What is it? Tell me."

"Midnight's cell phone," sabi niya. "I know he left it here."

Ang pagkakakunot ng noo ni Blaze ay napalitan ng kaguluhan at pagtataka. "How did you know what?"

"Midnight told me."

Blaze looked confused. "Explain."

Humugot si Happy ng malalim na hininga at inalis ang pagkakayakap ng mga braso sa leeg nito bago nagpaliwanag. "Midnight is a family friend. Nakilala ko siya after I woke up from my coma and tinulungan niya akong mag-cope. He also taught me martial arts. He's like a brother to me."

Nakatanga lang sa kanya si Blaze na parang hindi makapaniwala kaya nagpatuloy siya sa pagpapaliwanag.

"Remember the night with I got shot?"

Blaze nodded, still looked shocked.

"After mo akong ihatid sa hotel room ko, Midnight visited me. He was saying good-bye to me for some vague reason. He made me promise not to look for him if he went missing." Her eyes watered remembering Midnight again. "I told him about you, about our complicated relationship at the time and he was pissed. Well, for him I'm his sister and he has always been protective of me... and then he gave me a flash drive. Sabi niya after three months, may papasok na file sa flash drive na 'yon na kailangan kong malaman."

"It's been three months..." Blaze whispered while looking at her with calculated look on his face.

Tumango siya. "Before I came here, I was shot and our house was invaded."

Worry streaked Blaze's face. "You were shot?" Agad itong lumapit sa kanya at sinuri ang katawan niya. "Where? Are you okay? No complications?"

Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. "I fell into coma again. For a week."

She could see how Blaze's lips trembled as worry filled his face. "Why? Was there a damage in your body? A complication? Something that made you unconscious for a weak?"

"I lost too much blood."

Naguguluhan napatitig sa kanya ang kasintahan. "How much blood?" Umiling ito. "No, tell me what happened after you got shot and where you got shot."

"Pauwi na ako that time when that happened. May gustong kumidnap sa akin at dalhin sa boss niya. Binaril ako here nang tumakbo ako para makatakas." Itinuro niya ang braso na hindi masyadong makikita ang bakas ng pagkakabaril. "I went into a laser therapy for wound healing."

Hinaplos ni Blaze ang parte ng braso na itinuro niya habang nagtatagis ang mga bagang nito. "Whoever that boss if they come at you again, I will end them."

Tumango si Happy, saka itinuro ang parte ng hita niya na nabaril din. "And here. But I was okay. Nagamot ako agad. Then our house was invaded, a day after that, I was shot here." Itinuro niya ang tagiliran.

"Was it deep?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi ko tiningnan."

"Hindi ka nagtanong sa doktor mo?"

Umiling uli si Happy. "Dad took care of it."

Blaze took a deep breath. "And after that, you went into coma?"

Tumango siya. "A week and then two weeks recovery. Why?" tanong niya nang makita ang kaguluhan sa mukha ni Blaze.

Napakurap-kurap ito. "I'm just calculating how much blood you can lose by being shot on the side. If the blood you lose is enough for you to fell into coma but, I ahm, I can't see it. Naagapan ba agad ang sugat mo?"

Tumango siya. "That's what King said. Kaya nga nakaligtas ako."

Blaze blew a loud breath. "Kung naagapan agad ang sugat mo, imposibleng marami ang dugo na nawala sa iyo. Coma is a serious thing, baby. It has causes and there's always a reason behind, a complication and a problem. Kung naagapan naman pala ang sugat mo, hindi ka dapat na-coma. One to two days tops of unconscious state but one week of coma? That's serious."

Unti-unting nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "What are you saying? That Dad lied to me about my condition?"

"I don't know." Masuyo nitong sinapo ang mukha niya, pinakatitigan siya, saka nginitian. "Good thing you have a doctor for a boyfriend." Kapagkuwan ay sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "With your permission, let's do a whole-body scan in the hospital where I'm working."

Tumango si Happy bilang pagsang-ayon. "Sige. I'd like that," sabi niya, saka malungkot na ngumiti. "If you find something wrong in my body, then that means Dad lied to me."

"Maybe he just wants to protect you," sabi ni Blaze.

"Maybe... but it's my body. I hope Dad is not lying."

Masuyo siyang niyakap ni Blaze, saka hinalikan sa noo. "Sana nga. Gusto ko rin kasing isipin na na-coma ka kasi maraming dugo ang nawala sa iyo, hindi dahil may mas malala ka pang sakit. We just became girlfriend and boyfriend yesterday. I can't lose you." Humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya. "Now I know what Blake felt when Lucky was in the hospital. Fuck. I'm scared."

Kumawala siya sa yakap nito at hinaplos ang pisngi nito. "Don't be, okay? Malay mo, wala naman akong sakit at tama si Daddy."

Blaze nodded. "Yes. Baka tama ang daddy mo."

Happy gave Blaze a pointed look. "But you're still worried."

"I'm a doctor, baby, I need laboratories and test results to be sure and not be worried."

Napatango-tango siya. "Okay. And we'll do the whole-body scan... but let's go back to Midnight. The reason why I'm here, remember?"

"Yes. Midnight." He breathed in. "You went into coma and then, what's next?"

Naglakad siya palapit sa kama sa umupo sa gilid niyon. "I opened the flash drive after I went into coma, but it was empty."

Blaze frowned in confusion. "Midnight pranked you?"

Umiling siya. "I received an automated call from Midnight. It was a voice recording and, he said that someone deleted the file. But he has backup in his phone. That's why I'm here because someone doesn't want me to see what's on the file. At may kinalaman 'yon sa akin, Blaze. Midnight said that his orders are clear, it's to not tell me anything." Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga. "Naguguluhan ako kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari. Dalawang tao lang ang nakakapasok sa kuwarto ko. Si King at si Daddy. Sabi nila they have nothing to do with it, but now... I'm starting to doubt that." Pinagsalikop niya ang mga kamay, saka tumingin kay Blaze na nakatingin din sa kanya. "What's happening? I feel like I'm in a middle of a tug of war. The other side is trying to tell me something while the other side is keeping me from knowing that something."

Lumapit sa kanya si Blaze, saka umupo sa tabi niya at pinagsalikop ang kamay nilang dalawa. "We'll figure it out, okay? And for Midnight's phone, Blake has it. Mamaya pagbalik nila ni Lucky galing sa checkup, hihingin ko."

Nginitian niya si Blaze. "Salamat."

He kissed her shoulder while staring at her. "I'll keep you safe while we figure everything out. Don't worry, okay?"

Tumango siya, saka umayos ng pagkakaupo para nakaharap siya kay Blaze. Ilang segundo silang tahimik habang tinititigan niya ang lalaki bago siya nagsalita.

"When I was in a coma, I dreamt of you."

Blaze moved to face her. "Really?"

Tumango siya. "In my dream, you went to Pennsylvania and became my bodyguard. I thought you were Blake because your face was ink-free and when you kissed me, I punched you."

Natatawang naiiling si Blaze. "Even in dreams, you are savage."

Natawa na rin siya. "Akala ko kasi you were Blake."

"And then?"

"And then..." Bumaba ang tingin niya pupulsuhan nitong blangko pa rin at walang tattoo, saka hinaplos iyon. "May tattoo na rito."

"What does it say or what does my tattoo looks like?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi ko sasabihin sa iyo. My mind just made it all up so what I saw and heard in that dream. Subconsciously, 'yon ang gusto ko and I'm embarrassed to tell you the rest of my dream."

"Okay..." Blaze trailed. "But if you're not embarrassed anymore, tell me, okay?"

Happy nodded with a smile. "I will."

"Good. Anyway, speaking of tattoo, I got a new one," kuwento nito para bang excited itong makita niya iyon.

"Really? Where?"

Sa halip na sagutin, ipinakita na lang nito sa kanya.

Tumagilid si Blaze habang nakaupo pa rin sa harap niya at ipinakita sa kanya ang likod ng tainga nito.

And there it was... making her eyes watered.

"I was just kidding when I said that."

Blaze shrugged and faced her again. "When you left, I missed you so much and I keep thinking about you and what you told me when we were in the rooftop... that I'm not your ma bitch anymore. And for some reason, I couldn't accept that. Yes, it's downright insulting, but fuck it, I miss you calling me that. So... pumunta ako sa InkArt at ipina-tattoo ko siya. Because I don't care what you say, you can't take it back, Happy. I am your ma bitch. Period."

Lumuhod siya sa kama, saka dumukwang palapit kay Blaze at hinalikan ito na agad nitong tinugon. Nang maghiwalay ang mga labi nila, nginitian niya ito.

"I got a tattoo too," balita niya rito.

Blaze looked shock alright. "What?"

"It's Dad. He wants to have matching tattoos but he chickened out. Too late nang mag-back out kasi patapos na ako."

"Where? Let me see."

Habang nakaluhod pa rin, umikot si Happy patalikod, saka hinawi ang buhok sa batok niya para makita nito ang tattoo niya na doon ipinalagay ng ama niya.

Naramdaman niya ang daliri ni Blaze na humaplos sa batok niya, kung nasaan ang tattoo niya.

"This looks familiar," sabi nito.

"Talaga?"

"Yes. Nakita ko na 'to dati," wika nito. "Hindi ko lang maalala kung saan."

Haharap na sana siya kay Blaze nang maramdaman niyang hinalikan nito ang batok niya at pinaglandas ang dila pababa sa balikat niya.

Napapikit si Happy at bahagyang lumalim ang paghinga niya. 'Buti na lang tumigil si Blaze sa paghalik sa kanya kaya bumalik sa normal ang paghinga niya nang humarap siya uli rito.

Tumikhim siya. "And... ahm... may isa pa akong tattoo," sabi niya, saka binura ang foundation na ginamit niya sa pupulsuhan para itago ang tattoo, at ipinakita 'yon kay Blaze. "Si Dad din ang pumili."

Hinaplos ni Blaze ang tattoo niya. "What language is this?"

"Ancient Greek." Iyon ang sabi ng ama niya. "Sabi ni Dad it's kind of a protection or some sort. I don't know, my dad is getting weirder and weirder."

"Bakit mo itinatago?" tanong sa kanya ni Blaze.

"Hindi lang ako used to na may tattoo ako. Pinagbigyan ko lang si Dad kasi birthday gift daw niya."

Tumango-tango si Blaze, saka dumukwang para halikan siya sa mga labi. When he pulled away, they stared into each other eyes.

Umangat ang kamay niya para haplusin ang pisngi nitong wala nang tattoo. "Hindi ka ba nag-regret na ipinatanggal mo?"

Umiling si Blaze, saka hinawakan ang kamay niyang humahaplos sa pisngi nito. "Cassie, she has a special place in my life because of what we shared together. But unlike before, my world doesn't revolve around her anymore. She doesn't own my mind and my heart like before. It changed. My life is now revolving around you and my heart and my mind is filled with you. After my session with my therapist, I've learned to let go and fully moved on. And when I decided to remove my tattoo, there was no regret, only freedom... from my past and from the pain."

Ngumiti si Happy. Nakatitig lang sila sa isa't isa habang hawak ni Blaze ang kamay niya at nilalaro nito ang mga daliri niya.

Siya ang bumasag sa katahimikang 'yon dahil naalala niya ang tanong niya mula pa kagabi nang matulog silang magkatabi ni Blaze.

"May tanong ako."

"Ano 'yon?" tanong ni Blaze habang inaalis ang ilang hibla ng buhok niya na tumatabing sa noo at kilay niya.

"Why didn't you have sex with me last night?" deretsahan niyang tanong dahil kanina pa 'yon gumugulo sa isip niya. "I mean where I grew up, in the US, sex is very common with couples. It's a part of the relationship. Iba ba rito sa inyo? We have different cultures kasi kaya I'm asking."

Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago nagsalita si Blaze na parang nagulat sa tanong niya. "Do you want to make love with me?"

She bit her lower lip. "I want to experience that with you."

"Are you sure?"

Tumango siya. "But I have no experience, so, ahm, teach me? I don't know what to do."

Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi ni Blaze. "Fortunately, I'm a good teacher."

Mahina siyang natawa, saka napailing. "Tonight? So I can prepare like shave and do something to smell good and all that stuff."

Blaze let out a soft laugh before lying on the bed and making her thighs his pillow. "You'll be great."

Sinuklay niya ang buhok ng lalaki gamit ang dulo ng daliri niya. "But I don't know a thing about it—Oh! Maybe I should read someone articles on how to do it. And my gay friend told me about men liking, ahm, oral sex? Do you like it too? Is it part of what I have to do?"

Blaze closed his eyes while there was a small smile on his lips. "You don't have to do anything, baby. Just lay on the bed and let me do the rest and rock your world."

Napangiti siya. "Okay. But I still want to do it." Inabot niya ang cell phone na nasa ibabaw ng bedside table, saka naghanap ng article tungkol sa oral sex. "Oh... found one. Is this correct?" Ipinakita niya kay Blaze ang article na nahanap.

Blaze grimaced. "This is so weird but... yeah, it is."

"Okay." Binasa niya ang article hanggang sa dulo bago siya nagtanong. "It says here that I should lick your balls. Would you like that?"

Mariing ipinikit ni Blaze ang mga mata. "Yes."

Napakunot ang noo ni Happy habang nakatitig sa lalaki at nakitang parang namumula ang pisngi nito. And when she caressed his face, it felt warm. "Blaze?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you blushing?"

Marahas na umiling ang kasintahan. "Nope. I'm a grown man. I don't blush!"

She caressed his cheek again to check. "Your face is red and your cheeks are warm... I'd say you're blushing, but why are you blushin—" She stilled when she realized why. "Good God, did I make you blush?"

Biglang bumangon si Blaze at nagmamadaling umalis ng kama. "This is your fault. How could you talk about my balls so nonchalantly?!"

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki na namumula pa rin ang mukha. "I was just asking if you would like me to lick your balls—"

Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin dahil nagmamadaling lumabas si Blaze ng kuwarto na ikinatawa niya nang mahina.

"Hmm... who would have thought that the hot and dirty doctor, Blaze Vitale, is a prude?" natatawang tanong niya sa sarili, saka napailing at nahiga sa kama.

Habang nakatitig sa kisame, bumalik sa isip ni Happy ang ilang beses na pagtawag niya sa ama. Hindi talaga nito sinasagot ang tawag niya.

Why is that?

Bumangon siya, saka lumabas ng kuwarto at tinungo ang kuwarto ni King para kausapin ito tungkol sa ama niya at kung ano ang mabuting gawin.

Hindi na siya kumatok dahil bahagya namang nakaawang ang pinto ng kuwarto. Akmang papasok siya nang marinig niyang may kausap ito sa cell phone.

"Yes, Master Dominick," sabi ni King. "Don't worry. I will do my job properly. Whatever decision she makes, I will be by her side."

Dad? King is talking to Dad?

Bakit hindi sinasagot ng kanyang ama ang tawag niya? Ano ba'ng nangyayari?

Humakbang siya paatras, saka nagmamadaling bumalik sa kuwarto niya para tawagan ang ama pero tulad ng mga naunang pagkakataon, hindi nito sinagot ang tawag.

Happy's lips thinned. Her father was not busy, he just didn't want to answer her call.

Something is definitely going on.

CECELIB | C.C.