Chapter 35

"Seriously, Zeus?"

I flicked the lights open, revealing him in the kitchen. Aabutin na sana niya ang Jack Daniels ng kaniyang ama kung hindi lang narinig ang boses ko.

Tumuwid siya nang tayo. He then turned to me and flashed a boyish grin. "Hey there, mum. Didn't see you, huh?" he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. "Put that down."

"Mum—"

"Zeus Vincenticus." I said in a warning tone.

Tumitig siya sa akin nang ilang segundo bago bumuntong-hininga at tumango. Ibinalik niya ang hawak na bote sa cupboard at matamlay itong isinarado.

"For God's sake, Zeus! You're only 17 tapos umiinom ka na?" naghi-histerikal kong wika sa kaniya.

Zeus swallowed. Another shadow appeared in the kitchen.

"Mommy..." ani Levi.

Zeus instantly glared at his brother. Levi ignored him and smirked.

"Pinapatawag ka po sa principal."

"Leviticus!" Zeus roared angrily.

Mas lalo pa akong namutla sa narinig. "Ano?!"

Levi's grin widened. Akala yata natutuwa ako sa nalalaman ko ngayon.

"Pinapatawag po si Kuya sa principal kasi sinuntok niya yung senior niya."

Zeus groaned out loud. Padabog niyang ibinagsak ang mga kamay sa kitchen counter.

"What's this all about, Zeus?" my lips pursed.

"Gago, eh. Tinawag niyang ampon si Zoey." Nag-iwas ng tingin si Zeus at umigting ang panga. Just now, he looks so much like his father when he's angry.

"And?"

"I just want to teach that asshole a lesson."

"Eh totoo naman, diba?" ani Levi. "Ampon si Ate Zoey?"

"Gusto mong ikaw rin suntukin ko?" Zeus threatened. Bahagyang namutla si Levi, natakot ata sa kapatid, at umatras.

"Bakit ka ba nagagalit? Alam din naman ni Ate Zoey, ah..."

"Zeus..." mahinahon kong wika sa kaniya. "You always settle things with violence. Bakit mo naman sinuntok?"

"Umiiyak nga si Zoey, mum! Alangan namang panuorin ko lang yun? Ang pangit pa naman nun umiyak..."

Humalakhak nang malakas si Levi. "Kuya, sigurado kang hindi mo syota si Ate Zoey?"

"Hindi nga!" Zeus roared angrily again.

"Zeus..." tawag ko ulit. Nilapitan ko silang dalawa bago pa sila magkapataya. Trust me, ilang beses nang nangyari ito. This is the main reason why we decided to separate their rooms because if not, I didn't want to imagine what would happen.

"Huwag ka nalang pumunta. Kukulitin lang naman ako ng principal namin pero mawawala rin ang isyu na yun."

"Pang-ilang punta mo na ba sa principal's office, mommy? Pangatlo?" natatawang tanong sa akin ni Levi.

I ignored the teasing of his younger brother and turned to him. Seryoso ang tingin sa kaniya.

"We'll talk about this behavior of yours. Hindi ko na gusto na kung sinu-sino nalang ang sinusuntok mo."

"Sinong nanununtok?"

"Daddy!" Levi hopped and bounced towards the door para salubungin ang ama niya.

Inirapan ko si Alas. "Talk to your boys, Alas. Huwag kang kunsintidor! Lumalaki nang bayolente itong isang anak mo..."

Kumunot ang noo ni Alas sa sinabi ko. "Huh? Bakit?"

Zeus groaned out loud and weakly gestured to his room. "Papasok na po ako sa kwarto ko..."

"I bought a cake. Don't you want some?"

Umiling si Zeus at tamad na nagpunta sa kaniyang kwarto. Ibinigay sa akin ni Alas ang cake at ako na mismo ang naghiwa noon habang kinukuwento ni Levi ang nangyayari sa kapatid sa school.

"Hindi lang po yun suntok, Dad, eh... nakita kong sinipa pa ni Kuya yung senior niya sa likuran! Ewan ko kung totoo ang sabi-sabi na nagsuka daw ng dugo yung Ocampo pagkatapos!"

Napailing nalang ako. Humalakhak naman si Alas dahilan upang samaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Good job—I mean... hindi puwede yun..." napakamot sa ulo si Alas. "Belle, hindi pa ba expelled ang anak natin sa eskwelahan niya?"

"Ewan ko sa iyo!" I roared angrily at him. "Go talk to Zeus, now!"

"Oo na, oo na..." ani Alas habang tumatayo. "Ito naman, masyadong highblood..." lumapit pa siya sa akin para halikan ako pero mabilis kong tinulak ang mukha niya palayo.

"Alis na..." I warned him.

Alas chuckled and stole a kiss from my lips before dashing towards his room. Si Levi naman ay tahimik na nakamasid sa akin.

"Sakit talaga sa ulo ang mga lalaki..." bulong-bulong ko.

"Eh bakit ayaw mo kaming bigyan ng kapatid na babae, mommy?"

Namula ang buong mukha ko sa sinabi ni Levi. Narinig niya?!"

"Levi!"

"Oo nga, Belle!" sigaw naman ni Alas mula sa sala. "A baby girl would be swell..." he wiggled his eyebrows.

Bago ko pa man siya masigawan ulit ay pumasok na siya sa kwarto ni Zeus. Tumawa naman si Levi habang nilalagyan ko ng cake ang kaniyang platito.

"Pero mommy... ang dami ng anak nila Tita Mallory at Tito Sage. Bakit nag-ampon pa sila?"

I glanced at Levi as I carefully sliced the cake before answering. "To be honest, I really don't know, Levi. Maybe they really like a big family. And their mansion is never too big to accommodate a couple of kids. Mallory likes children, so maybe that's why." I shrugged.

"Nakita ko pong may syota yang si Kuya. Amerikana." Pag-iiba naman niya sa usapan.

"Really? Bakit hindi niya pinakilala sa amin ng Dad mo?"

"Ewan ko po." He shrugged. "Palagi silang nag-aaway nun, eh. Highblood yung amerikana kay Zoey."

I laughed lightly. I could hear the silent voices of Alas and Zeus, talking in the room. I want to be there and talk to him too. Pero mas nakikinig siya sa Papa niya. Kaya kay Alas ko na lang din ipinaubaya ang pag-uusap. Siguro naman ay mapagsasabihan niya na si Zeus tungkol sa pagiging bayolente nito.

After slicing the cake, I sat down on the chair, tired from my work today. Tumingala ako sa kisame at ang tanging naririnig lang ay ang maya't-mayang pagtama ng tinidor ni Levi sa platito niya.

I smiled to myself. I can't believe that 12 years have already passed. 12 years! And I'm still married to the man I love. We raised two rascals together and after everything that's happened, it never fails to amaze me that we still live in the same roof and sleep in the same bed.

Tita August died 10 years ago. We were hoping she would wake up... but she didn't.

Masakit para sa akin iyon. Halos hindi pa ako nakakamove-on sa pagkamatay ni mommy nang mangyari iyon. Napauwi nang di oras si Zero dahil sa nangyari at si Alas naman, halos isang linggo ding hindi makausap nang matino.

He's badly hurt that he didn't had the chance to talk to his mother properly before she passed away. Hinintay niyang magising si Tita August pero hindi na iyon nangyari pa.

"Ikaw? May girlfriend ka ba?" tanong ko sa anak.

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Levi. "Mum, I'm still 12. Girlfriend talaga tinatanong mo sa akin?"

Tumawa ako sa naging sagot niya. Mayamaya pa ay narinig ko na ang pagsarado ng pinto. Alas came out of his son's room, looking rather satisfied.

"Ano raw sabi?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

He approached us and pulled a chair next to me. "I've talked to him. Ako na ang pupunta sa principal's office bukas. He promised me that he won't go punching people around."

"Really?"

"Ahh... siguro po kapag may susuntukin siya, sisiguraduhin niyang hindi niya ipapalam sa inyo..." humalakhak si Levi.

Sumimangot naman ako. "Alas..."

"Don't worry, Belle. Zeus is—"

"Ganyan na ganyan din ang sinabi mo sa akin 12 years ago!" I cut him off. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Eh anong nangyari? Nanununtok nalang ng kung sinu-sino ang anak mo!"

"Well, that bastard deserves it." Alas shrugged. "Zoey is a sweet girl. She doesn't need to be bullied just because she's adopted."

"It's actually a relief that Ate Zoey is grounded in reality. It would hurt less that the truth came from the mouth of her foster parents, no other people's. Being adopted doesn't make her less of a person. I think she's great."

I smiled at Levi. "Buti naman naisip mo yan, Leviticus."

He frowned. "Stop calling me by my full name, mommy. Ang bantot pakinggan."

I glared at him but then laughed afterwards. Napalingon kaming tatlo nang biglang may mag-doorbell. Sakto namang paglabas ni Zeus sa kwarto niya. Nakabihis na ito ng jersey shorts at pambahay niyang t-shirt.

"Zeus, pakibukas nalang ako ng pinto."

He grunted under his breath and went to open the door.

"A-Ate Krista... ikaw pala..." narinig kong wika niya.

Krista's cheerful voice boomed inside the room. Soon, the two appeared in our kitchen doorway.

"Good evening, Engineer..." she said and nodded respectfully. "Mrs. Ferrer..."

"Belle nalang, Krista... ito naman..."

She just chuckled and then placed a huge plastic bag in the kitchen sink. "Dinalhan po kasi ako ni mama ng pakwan galing sa probinsiya. Eh, hindi namin maubos ng fiancé ko kaya dinalhan ko na rin kayo..."

"Wow. That's really thoughtful of you." I pulled myself from the chair and then helped her unpack the fresh watermelons.

Krista graduated years ago as Cum Laude. We couldn't be more proud of her when she finally got her diploma. It ended her work of being Alas' assistant, especially when she went to Manila for her licensure exam. Despite what happened, Krista remained humble and visits us every time she gets a chance.

"Lumipat na ba kayo ng apartment?" tanong ni Alas sa kaniya.

Krista glanced at us and smiled. "Hindi pa po kami lilipat hangga't hindi pa kami kinakasal...."

"Bruce is really lucky to have you." I commented. "You're a complete package! A beautiful, successful young woman."

"Kaya nga crush siya ni Kuya Zeus, eh." Sabat naman ni Levi saka binalingan ang kapatid na halatang nagulat sa sinabi niya. "Diba, kuya? Sabi mo sa akin noon nagagandahan ka kay Ate Krista..."

"I didn't say that!" Zeus spat angrily again. "Ikaw, kanina ka pa, ah... tatamaan ka na talaga sa akin..."

Levi laughed out loud, saka binalingan ulit si Krista na ngayo'y nakangiti na. "Totoo, Ate Krista. Crush ka ni Kuya Zeus nung bata pa siya."

"Talaga, Zeus? Crush mo ako?" pang-aasar naman ni Krista sa kaniya.

Uminit na talaga ang ulo ni Zeus sa kapatid. He pursed his lips and then glared at him. "You really have a death wish, Levi. Lagot ka sa akin mamaya."

We all burst out laughing. Zeus can be so angry and still look adorable. My little boy. Parang kahapon lang ay naliligo siya ng dagat.

May narinig kaming tunog ng makina sa labas na sinundan naman ng pagkahol ng aso. Zeus sighed.

"That must be Tito Julius. Ako na ang magbubukas." He said, to escape the embarrassment, and hurriedly walked out of the kitchen.

Napatingin ako kay Krista na bigla nalang tumahimik nang banggitin ang pangalan ni Julius. Tapos ay napatingin ako kay Alas. We shared a knowing look.

"Ang laki-laki mo na, ah! Mas matangkad ka na sa akin..." narinig kong wika ni Julius saka ang mabibigat nilang yapak dalawa.

"Hey, guys!" Julius cheerfully greeted but the smile on his face faded as soon as he saw Krista.

"Hi... Julius..." mahinang wika ni Krista at kaagad din namang nagbaba ng tingin.

He nodded at her and smiled politely. "Ikaw pala, Krista. Kumusta?"

"Ayos lang naman..." she licked her lower lips nervously, and then a look of extreme grief fell upon her innocent face for a moment, before she sighed. "Ikakasal na nga pala ako. Invited ka."

Muntik nang mabitawan ni Julius ang dala niyang bag sa sinabi ni Krista. Gulat siyang napatingin dito.

"I-Ikakasal ka na?"

She nodded shyly. Julius looked really hurt for a moment, before he chuckled awkwardly.

"Great! That's great..." pumiyok na ang boses nito sa huling salita niya. "I mean... congrats..."

Silence fell upon us. Mabuti nalang at oblivious masyado si Levi sa nangyayari nang magsalita ito.

"Tito Julius, yun nga palang regalo mo sa akin? Baka nakakalimutan mo po, ninong pa rin kita..."

Julius laughed again. Nakatitig lang nang seryoso sa kaniya si Alas habang pinipilit nito ang sariling maging masiyahin. Krista remained silent by the kitchen sink, hindi makagalaw habang pinapanuod si Julius.

I felt Alas' gently squeeze on my arms. He gestured towards the room. I nodded at him and then excused ourselves habang busy pa silang lahat sa mga pasalubong ni Julius galing Guam.

"He looks really down..." nag-aalala kong wika pagkapasok namin sa kwarto.

Alas gently pulled me closer to him and then kissed my lips. "Don't worry about Julius. He's a strong man. Kay Krista lang yun tumitiklop."

"Kaya nga eh... nakita mo ba siya kanina? Malapit na yung umiyak!"

He chuckled. "That moron will eventually move on..." hinalik-halikan niya ang leeg ko at bumaba naman ang isang kamay sa aking beywang. "Let them settle their own affair."

I sighed heavily. Alas found out about Krista and Julius' relationship after his working student has graduated. Sobrang nagulat siya sa nalaman. Napaka-oblivious kasi sa paligid niya, halatang may pinagmanahan si Levi sa kaniya.

Naririnig pa namin ang tawanan sa labas. I turned to Alas and smiled at him. He cupped my cheeks and tilted my head, kissing me gently, nipping my lower lips, and then dipping his mouth inside of my mouth.

"Happy birthday, Isabelle..." he whispered in my mouth.

I smiled against his warm lips.

"Let's go out before I do something to you..." he chuckled and then led me outside the room again.

Pagbalik namin ay nakahanda na ang lamesa. Levi is already feasting on the sweets, while Krista is awkwardly avoiding Julius as she set the plates on the table.

"Bakit hindi mo nga pala in-invite ang fiancé mo dito, Ate Krista?" tanong ni Levi.

Napatingin si Zeus sa kapatid, parang gusto na niya itong sapakin anumang oras. Pinandilatan niya si Levi pero inignora niya lang ito.

Krista laughed awkwardly. "Ah... busy kasi yun, eh."

"Busy? Hinayaan ka lang niya—"

"Tumahimik ka na nga, Levi, kung ayaw mong tahiin ko yang bunganga mo," sabat naman ni Zeus sa kaniya.

Naupo na kaming dalawa ni Alas. Ever since Krista moved out and started on her job, hindi na kami nag-hire ng katulong sa bahay. The experience with Ella is still horrifying at hindi na rin pumayag si Alas na magpapasok pa ng kung sinu-sino sa bahay namin. Krista is more than a working student of Alas. She had become an integral part of the family.

My phone chimed. Tsineck ko ito at nakita ang mahabang text message ni Stella, sinasabing hindi daw siya makakapunta sa birthday ko dahil busy siya ngayon. I responded to her text message and assured her that it's okay, before I placed it back inside my pocket and turned to the table.

"Shall we pray?" Alas cleared his throat.

Nagsitanguan silang lahat. Dahil si Zeus ang highblood ngayon ay siya ang nanalangin, para naman mahimashimasan nang konti. After the short prayer, we feasted on the food. Si Julius ay tumabi kay Levi at pinaalis si Zeus sa upuan niya.

Mabilis naman itong nakuha ni Zeus at tinabihan si Krista. We ate and grilled Zeus again. Nasa hot seat na naman siya ngayong gabi, gaya ng parating nangyayari kapag napagtitripan siya ng kapatid.

"Ano nga ulit pangalan ng syota mo, kuya? Kacey? Katey?"

Zeus turned to me with a lethal look in his eyes. "Mummy, adopted din po ba si Levi?" seryoso niyang tanong sa akin. "Bakit ang tsismoso ng batang ito?"

I chuckled and continued eating. Naaliw nalang ako sa bangayan ng magkapatid hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain. Alas opened a bottle of whiskey and served the adults, but skipped on Zeus.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata. "You'll develop bad alcohol habits if you don't stop that attitude of yours, Zeus."

Ngumuso lang siya at hindi na kumibo. Julius grinned and lifted his glass.

"For Isabelle Ferrer, slaying at thirty-four! Cheers!"

"And for your broken heart, yeah, cheers..." pambabara ni Zeus sa kaniya.

Imbes na magalit ay natawa pa si Julius. We clinked our glasses together before we downed the liquor. Nakangiti lang si Krista na nakikinig sa ingay naming lahat sa lamesa.

"O, baka maglasing ka niyan, Tito Julius, ah? Nakakahiya ka pa namang maglasing..." umiling-iling pa si Zeus.

"Belle, I think your boys got some serious issues," kunwari'y bulong ni Julius sa akin. "One is an oblivious rascal while the other one is a harsh brute."

"Sa'n pa ba magmamana ang mga 'yan?" Alas lifted his chin proudly.

Inirapan ko siya at ininom ang natitirang whiskey sa kopita ko. The burning sensation at the back of my throat made me feel sick for a while but it soon disappeared.

Nagpatuloy ang inuman at tawanan sa dining room namin hanggang sa tuluyan na ngang malasing si Julius. Zeus is recording videos of him, singing an off-tune happy birthday song to me. Tawa naman nang tawa si Krista, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.

I smiled to myself. Love can either fix you... or destroy you.

"Come here..."

Alas held my hands and guided me to the living room. Iniwan namin silang nag-iingay pa rin sa loob.

"What is it?" I asked softly, medyo namumungay na ang mga mata ko dahil nakainom na nga.

Hindi kumibo si Alas. His expression remained stoic as we approached the resting piano.

"Alas...?"

Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at naupo. Then he spread his legs apart and tapped the small space between his thighs.

"Sit here..."

Ngumuso ako at nilingon sila. They're busy doing silly things. And besides, I am married to Alas with two kids. Aarte pa ba ako?

I chuckled to myself before I pulled myself down. Alas sighed and sniffed my hair, before kissing my neck.

Tumawa ako. "What are you doing?"

Inabot niya ang keyboards. Mas lalo kong siniksik ang sarili sa kaniya para makapagtugtog siya nang maayos sa piano.

"I told you I'm gonna sing you a song one day..." he said huskily.

Tumango ako. His strong tattooed fingers glided over the keyboards and I could feel his hot breath fanning my neck.

My heart hammered. We're married for 12 years and yet, he doesn't fail to make me feel as if we're teenagers falling in love for the first time. That's the spell he's got on me. The spell where I am willing to be the victim.

Tumindig ang balahibo ko nang tumunog na ang piano sa ilalim ng mga daliri niya. The melody is slow yet unfamiliar... Alas is taking his time as he pressed the keyboards while humming to himself.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you, mia bella, and the kids..." he said in a hoarse whisper. He's drunk.

Hesitant steps, I know she's here

I'm not looking for a company

But she offers herself instead

I'm not looking for a rose

But she gave me a fucking garden

Mia bella, what are you risking for?

The beast ain't coming down his castle

For you

But for you...

Damned beast will make heavens fall

Only for you, mia bella, for you...

I stared at him with mouth hanging open as he whispered the lyrics to my ears. Tumitindig talaga ng balahibo ko dahil sa napapaos nitong boses at sa ekspertong pagtugtog ng piano.

And the feel of his chest, rockhard against my back isn't helping either. My heart feels like it's going to burst.

Mia bella, you make me crazy for you

You send me to pits of hell

And I'm still willing to burn for you

Tumulo ang mga luha ko habang nakangiti at nakikinig sa kantang ginawa niya para sa akin. I could barely hear the lyrics because of his raspy voice. Kung hindi niya ito ibinubulong sa akin ay aakalaing tumutugtog lang siya ng piano at wala nang iba pa.

I closed my eyes and let my tears glistened at the mercy of moonlight that streamed through the windows and lighted the area where we were sitting.

The beast ain't afraid of fire

For I am under the mercy of your touch

I burn in every spell you make

Mia bella, what have you done to me?

Suminghot ako habang umiiyak. This is just... this is the first time that a guy had composed a song for me. Alas continued to whisper the lyrics to my ears while I continued crying.

Nanginginig ang balikat at buong katawan ko habang tulo nang tulo ang mga luha ko. I let him rule me over his raspy voice and whiskey-scented breath. The years of love and devotion laced in a lyrics of a song that the world hasn't heard of.

I licked my lower lips and tried to calm myself, but I just couldn't. The emotions are overwhelming me to no end.

I realized, at 34, that only those who are willing to lick the tongue of love's fire are those who are blessed with a lifetime of bliss. You won't have it easy. Love will fuck you up in any way possible. Love loves hurting people in the name of love.

I am willing to go through hell if that means Alas will be walking beside me. That's the power of love.

The soft tunes of the piano ringing inside the living room killed the background noise. All I could hear is Alas whispering the lyrics and all I could feel is his entire body moving softly against mine as he continued singing.

"Mia bella, you win... you've got me, the beast, under you spell..." the last press of the key made me break down more. Mabilis na inalis ni Alas ang kamay sa piano at niyakap ako.

I cried in his chest. Cried because I am too damn happy to say anything.

Naramdaman kong inabot ni Alas ang kopita na nakapatong sa lid ng piano at ininuman nang konti ang alak na naghihintay. Then he tilted my chin. With glassy eyes, I looked at him.

This is the only man I'm going to love for the rest of my life.

"Marry me... again..." his wet lips moved sensually as he stroked it gently against my cheers. I could hear him in my skin. "I want us to get married again so I can recite my vow to you properly... please?"

I chuckled despite the tears and then slowly nodded my head. "I'll marry you again, Mr. Ferrer..."

"Thank you and you can't say no to me, Mrs. Ferrer..." he grinned before pressing his lips against mine. 

---

𝒜/𝒩: 𝐻𝒾. 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇! 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝓇. 𝐼 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔. <𝟥