Chapter 17
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I slowly opened my eyes and an unfamiliar room came to my view.

Unti unti akong gumalaw ngunit sakit ng katawan agad yung naramdaman ko lalo na yung sakit sa ibabang parte ng katawan ko. Feeling ko may tubo sa loob ko.

My eyes flew to my side. Wala akong makitang tao doon.

'Where's Nathan? Did he ran away after what happened to us last night?' I asked my mind. Kinakabahan na ako. Nanlalamig.

Ang tanga ko. Baka nga iniwan niya na ako dito. But this is his pad naman diba? So probably he's still here. Wala naman na siyang iba pang mapupuntahan ehh.

Masakit man ang katawan ko ay pinipilit kong bumangon hawak ang kumot na nakatakip sa dibdb ko. Sumidhi ang kirot na nararamdaman ko sa pagitan ng mga hita ko ng gumalaw ako. Akmang susubok ulit akong bumangon ng biglang bumukas ang pinto.

Sumilip si Nathan sa siwang ng pinto.

"Hey baby, good morning." He greeted me with a smile on his face.

His forehead creased upon seeing my pained face. He hurriedly went inside the room carrying a tray with food.

Inilapag niya ang tray sa bedside table at umupo sa kama. Tinulungan niya akong umupo ng maayos while leaning on the bed's headrest.

"Hey are you alright?" He asked. Worry is visible on his face.

Dinikit niya ang likod ng palad niya sa noo ko. Mas kumunot ang noo niyang tumingin sa akin.

"Why are looking at me like that?" I asked in a hoarsed voice. Itinaas ko ang kumot hanggang sa aking leeg.

"You're hot" he said as a reply.

Napatawa ako ng bahagya. "Hot naman talaga ako ehh. Hahaha."

Mas naging seryoso ang ekspresyon ni Nathan. "I'm not joking. You're literally hot, Zhennaihya. You have a fever. Ghad!" He stood up from the bed and went to the bed side table to put the table tray on my lap. Sapo ang noo niya. Mukhang problemado talaga.

"Eat first, baby" sabi Niya at humalik sa sintido ko. Lumayo ulit siya at kinuha ang cellphone niya na nasa bulsa ng pants niya.

Kinuha ko ang kutsara at tinidor na nasa tray. I tried tasting the pancakes with chocolate syrup he made. May coffee din, hotdogs, bacon and water.

'Infairness ang sarap ng pancake.' I dipped it on the chocolate syrup before stuffing it on my mouth.

I watched him as he tinkered on his phone. Maya maya lang ay nagsalita ma siya. Balisa siya habang ginagawa yun.

"Hello? Sorry to bother you early in the morning but I need your help. Can you come over here?" I heared him say over the phone.

'who's he talking to?' I asked myself, still eating.

"Yeah, I know I'm a medical student but fuck, I'm not an obygyne." I hear him muttered.

May sinabi pa siya pero di ko na pinakinggan pa. Itinuon ko nalang ang atensyon ko sa kinakain ko.

"Mmm. Ang sarap ng pancake."

Hindi nagtagal ay lumapit na si Nathan sa tabi ko at pinanood akong kumain. He smiled.

"Parang hindi ka nilalagnat ahh." He chuckled.

I glared at him.

"Shut up. Gutom ako." I said at nilantakan ang pancake.

When I finished eating the pancake sinunod ko naman ang bacon. Pang finale na ang hotdog. Alam ko na may cheese yun kaya I'll enjoy eating that later.

Just by looking at the hotdog makes me blush. Ibang hotdog ang pinapasok sa utak ko.

Ughh! Kung ano ano ang iniisip ko Zhennaihya. Get your mind straight di yung baliko.

Napansin ata ni Nathan ang pamumula ko kaya sinapo niya ang pisngi ko. It mde me look at him with my tomato red cheeks.

"Ang init ng pisngi mo. Ang pula din. I should have been more gentle last night edi sana di ka nilagnat ngayon." He said in a whisper.

"I-I'm fine, Nate. It's just that I remember something." Apila ko.

I don't want him to feel guilty of what happened to me now. Sinat lang naman siguro to. I unconsciously touched my neck with the back of my palm.

Ang init ko pala. And my down there was so sore. Masakit pero hindi ko nalang pinag tutuunan nf pansin. Mas lalo lang kasing sasakit pag ininda ko pa.

"You're literally hot am I right? That's my fault." He said looking down at our clasped hands.

I hold his chin up.

"Hey. It's not your fault. Ok partly it is. Pero pareho tayong may kasalanan. Both of us are at fault. Hindi lang ikaw. Hindi lang din ako. We both want it to happen. Tayong dalawang ang gumawa ng bagay na yun. It takes the both of our approval to fo such thing. And besides hindi mo ba naisip na dahil sa sobrang hot ko kaya literally mainit ako? Duhh" I said then rolled my eyes. The atmosphere a while ago was so tense kaya gusto kong pagaanin ng konti man lang. Ge looked up on my face.

He chuckled sabay iling. "You can still joke at times like this, Zhen? Unbelievable" sabi niya sabay tampal sa noo niya. "You're really one of a kind."

"Of course! Ako pa ba? Ako lang ang nag iisang Zhennaihya Aphrodite Garcia Samaniego noh." I flipped my hair. Gumalaw ako ng konti and I regret it. Sumakit na naman ng nasa babang parte ng katawan ko.

My lips form into a thin line. Pressing my lips together.

Binalewala ko ang sakit at nagsalita ulit. Hindi naman ata napansin ni Nathan.

"Rare ang ganda ko Nathan. Rare. As in. Sobra. Ako lang ang may taglay na ganitong ganda. Wala ng iba pa. Ako lang." I pointed myself with the tip of my finger. He laughed.

Bentang benta talaga ako sa kanya.

I finished eating fast. Inayos na ni Nathan ang pinag kainan ko pagkatapos ay bumalik siya sa kwarto at binuhat ako mula sa kama. Napatili naman ako. Hubad pa ako. Bwisit!

"Ahh! Nathan. Saan mo ako dadalhin? Wala akong damit. Damn you!" Sigaw ko. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carry me towards a door. That may be his comfort room.

"I'll get you cleaned up. Nakita ko naman na ang lahat ng yan kaya huwag ka nang mahiya pa." He whispered and kissed my forehead.

Ang ganda ng banyo niya in fairness. Blue, black at white ang kulay ng halos lahat ng gamit. The mirror's frame is blue. May ilaw na nakapalibot sa frame. His sink is color black. Maayos na naka lagay sa lalagyan ang toothbrush niya, shaving scream razor at mga pang hygeine na gamit niya.

Naglakad lang siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa bathtub. He put me there and I can smell the lavender liquid soap in the water. Napatingala naman ako sa kanya. How did he know na gusto ko ang amoy ng lavender?

Pero mas gusto ko ang amoy ng rose.

"You like the smell?" He asked.

"Yeah." I smiled. "How did you know I love lavender's scent?" I asked him.

Napakamot naman siya sa batok niya.

"Uhm. I kinda' stalked your Instagram account, so..." Napatawa naman ako mg bahagya. He was sitting on the chair beside the bathtub ng makaisip ako ng kalokohan.

I called him. He looked at me, smiling. Agad namamg nawala ang ngito niya ng sabuyan ko siya ng tubig.

"Zhennaihya" he said. Inis na inis. "You got me wet."

I raised a brow. "So?"

"You're dead" sabi niya sabay hubad ng damit niya. Lumusong siya sa bathtub na ikinatili ko.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"What do you think?" He asked back.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Sabi nang hindi ako manghuhula ehh. Alis ka alis!" Taboy ko sa kanya. Imbis na umalis ay mas lalo pa siyang lumapit sa akin. He crawled to me. Namula na naman ako. Kianakabahan.

Nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. Our faces was inch apart when I closed my eyes thinking he would kiss me.

Instead of his lips, a warm water splashed on my face. Napasinghap naman ako.

"We'll play" he said. I wiped my face then glared at him. Tatawa twa naman siyang lumayo sa akin.

"Y-you!" Sinabuyan ko din siya ng tubig at sinabuyan niya din ako pabalik. Para kaming mga bata.

I hope we'll always be like this.

KUNG kanina ay ang saya saya namin at parang wala akong naramdamang sakit ngayon naman ang init ng katawan ko. Nilalagnat ako. Hindi naman masyadong mataas. Parang sinat lang din kung tutuusin. Pero si Nathan, natataranta.

Bahagya pa siyang napakislot ng tumunog ang doorbell ng unit niya. Agad siyang tumayo mula sa kama kung saan ako naka higa at lumabas ng kwarto. Pag balik niya ay may kasama na siyang babae.

I got curious upon who this woman is.

'Is she Nathan's Sugar mommy?'

Shit! What have I been thinking. Ang utak mo, Zhennaihya kinakalawang na naman.

I eyed the woman.

The woman, I think was on her mid twenties.
She's pretty. But not as pretty as me of course. Oh, pardon me. I'm not pretty, I'm gorgeous pala. Gosh! Why ba na nakalimutan ko yun. Oh well normal lang naman ata yun sa mga magaganda.

The woman smiled at me. I smiled back. Napatingin ako kay Nathan na nakaupo na ulit sa tabi ko. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko na para bang tatakbuhan ko siya ano mang oras. I chuckled upon thinking of that.

'Takot lang boi? HAHAHA'

Napatingin naman si Nathan sakin  na nakakunot ang noo then spoke.

"Why? Why are you chuckling? May dumi ba sa mukha ko?" He asked touching his face then looking at his hands if there's a dirt in there.

Umiling lang ako. Tiningnan ko ulit ang babaeng kasama niya kanin papasok sa kwarto.

She was getting something from her bag. I can't stop myself from scrutinizing her physical features. She's tall, I think she's 5'11. Her hair was curly and the color is blonde with the ombre of black at the base, pouty lips, clear skin, she have gray eyes. In short she's pretty. Naka suot pa siya ng lab gown kaya halata na doctor nga siya. May ID pa na nakasipit sa bulsa ng lab gown niya.

Napansin siguro ni Nathan ang pag tingin ko sa kasama niyang babae papasok kanina kaya nagsalita siya at ipinakilala sa akin ang bababe.

"I forgot to introduce her to you. She's Maggie she's my cousin. Second cousin and she's already married with John Alistair Callixtus. His husband is also a doctor like her. But the guy was a Pedia. He like kids." Pagkukwento niya ng pabulong sa akin. I just listen intently. I was wondering kung bakit pabulong. Pero bahala siya sa buhay niya.

The woman looked at us, smiling.

"Hello there sweetie. Nice to meet you. By the way I'm Doc. Margareth Alessandra Grayson-Callixtus." She said at inilahad ang kamay sa akin.

I smiled back again. She's nice naman pala ehh. I thought na sa una lang siya mag smile sa akin.

"I'm the gorgeous Zhennaihya Aphrodite Samaniego Peterstein. If you see a goddess walking around the block then that's me." I introduced myself and flipped my hair. I was about to reach for her hand ng mapaigik ako ng sumakit ang sa pagitan ng mga hita ko. Nakangiwi akong tumingin sa kanya. Instead of reaching for her hand my hand landed on my thighs pressing it down as if the pain would subside if I do that.

"Okeeyy, I need to check you now, Gorgeous. Nathan get out. I need to check her. Out!" Pagtataboy niya kay Nathan palabas ng kwarto pero hindi nagpatinag ang huli at sumagot pa.

"No! I'll stay here with the two of you. I don't know what you'll do to her. I don't trust you with my girls. You're a bitch dear old cousin." Pagmamatigas ni Nathan na naging dahilan para mabatukan siya ni Doc. Xyril.

"Shut it asshole! Anong old? Bwisit ka ba? I'm still young! Fvcking young, I'm just 26 years old ang you call that old? I'm still cute, you jerk! I only have two kids, Alex and  Jhoanna! They are still kids! Fvck you for calling me old. Die, Nathan! Die!" She shouted at him at binatukan pa ulit si Nathan bago tinulak ng malakas palabas.

I think magkakasundo kaming dalawa. Waaahh. I'm so excited to bond with her more.

"You stay there and fvckin' stay out you hear me? Stay out you piece of jerk." Sigaw niya mula sa bahagyang nakaawang na pinto bago tuluyang isarado iyon.

She, then looked at me as if nothing happened. Nakangiti pa siyang nakaharap sa akin.

"So, I'll start examining you now , Gorgeous. Part your legs wide and I'll dive." She said that made me flinch.

A-ano daw? Tama ba ang narinig ko? Gagi! Is she a bisexual? Waaahhh. No!

Napatigil naman ako sa pag-iisip ko ng magsalita siya.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm just joking lady." Tawa niya.  Pinahiga niya na ako ng maayos bago niya sinuri ang dapaf suriin. After that I sat uo on bed.

"You two have a rough s3x last night, am I right?" She asked. I lowered my head then slowly nodded. Gosh. Halata naman na diba?

Why does she need to ask about it?

"You shy?"

"A little bit"

"Why? I mean it's not that you should be proud that you already lost your virginity to my cousin but I'm a doctor an OB-GYN to be exact and that's normal for us to ask that certain questions." She stated.

"Y-yeah but nahihiya parin ako ng onti" I signed konti using my fingers. "You're still his cousin after all."

"No need to be shy sweetie. Ako lang to. Ang pinaka cute na nakilala mo sa balat ng lupa. Hahaha. I'll just call Nathan. wait." Binuksan na niya ang pinto at tinawag si Nathan. Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya.

Magkakasundo talaga kami.

Wala naman na iyang ibang sinabi pa bukod sa wag daw ako masyadong magkaladlakad dahil baka mas masugatan pa daw ang vageygey ko sa loob. Then inumin ko lang daw ang gamot na binigay niya then I'll be good again in just a week. And of course no sexual intercourse.

I can live with that. I'm nit a s3x addict naman ehh. Ahh basta I'm pretty ang that's all that matters.

***

When afternoon came ay nagpasundo na ako kay Saph sa unit ni Nathan. I was wearing the clothes I wore yesterday. It was already washed.

The doorbell rang and Saph was standing in front of Nathan's door facing Nathan mismo. Siya kasi ang nagbukas ng pinto. Nagulat nalang ako nang makita kong nakabulagta na si Nate sa sahig. He's holding his face na sinapak ni Saph.

She take steps forward before niya iniluhod ang isang tuhod niya sa sahig. Sa mismong harap ni Nathan. Naguguluhan ako. Gutso ko magtanong. Pero walang lumabas sa bibig ko. I remained silent.

"I'll kill you." Saph uttered to him. Glaring at him with so much anger. It's my second time seeing her this way. It's the second time that I feel fear towards her. Takot ako. Takot ako kay Sapphire. Nagtatayuanang mga balahibo ko. I don't know what to do. Natutulala ako nang hindi ko alam ang dahilan.

"What's your problem? Bakit bigla ka nalang nananapak?" Singhal ni Nathan kay Saph.

She eyed him dangerously.

Sinampal niya ng malakas si Nathan. Napahiga naman ang lalaki sa sahig.

Ayaw kong masaktan pa ang lalaking mahal ko kaya naman lumapit na ako kay Saph at inilayo siya kay Nate. I hugged Nate nung nakalapit na ako sa kanya.

"Stop!" I shouted. My tears was falling of my eyes.

Namulsa lang siya sa harap namin. Wala na naman siyang reaksiyon. Her eyes showing no emotions at all.

"Don't hurt him, please. I'm begging you, Saph. As a friend I beg you not to hurt the man I love."

She raised a brow at me. Eyeing both Nathan and I who's on the floor at the moment.

She hissed.

"Tss. I thought you're intelligent but it turns out you're not. You're being a blind, bitch." She said then made me stand up.

I said goodbye to Nathan. Habang nasa byahe kami ay tahimik lang siya na nag-da-drive. Sa bahay niya muna kami didiretso para makapagpalit ako ng damit dahil baka magtala sila mommy why I'm still wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.

Pagdating namin sa bahay niya ay agad kaming sinalubong nila Apollo at Callisto. The two feline went to Saph to welcome her home.

"Change now." It's only two words but I already understand what she means by that.

Pumunta ako sa kwarto niya at pumasok sa walk in closet at kumuha ng damit. I just wore a simple pants and shirt. No need for fashion. I'm the fashion myself naman ehh.

As I walked down the staircase I saw her. Nakasandal siya sa sofa. Nakapikit.

'Is she sleeping?'

Nilapitan ko siya. Akmang hahawakan ang balikat niya ng magsalita siya.

"Let's go" she said then stood up. Patuloy lang siya sa paglalakad Hanggang sa makasakay kami sa Lambo niya and drove off to our house. Pagkatapos niya akong ihatid ay agad na siyang umalis pagkatapos magpaalam kina mommy, daddy at sa dalawa kong kapatid. I was a little bit guilty while looking at my family. Umalis ako ng bahay na birhen pero pag uwi ko hindi na.

I promised dad that I will only give myself to the man whom I'll marry. Hindi sa kung sino sino lang. There's no justification for what I did. Alam ko yun. Pero mahal ko di Nathan. Alam ko din na hindi batayan ang pagbibigay ko ng virginity ko sa kanya just to prove to him that I love him.

But still hindi ako nagsisisi. I love him kaya ok na siguro yun? Pero kasi hindi talaga ehh! Urghh! Nakakainis na. Hinid ko naman na maibabalik ang natapos na. Kaya I better take part nalang.

Hayy. Buhay.

Pumasok na kami sa bahay. My parents didn't ask anything to me. Siguro dahil yun sa pagtitiwala nila kay Saph. I hope na hindi yun masira.

We're her only family. Kami nalang na mga kaibigan niya ang mayroon siya. And I want us to stay that way.

----------------------------
PLAGIARISM is a crime
Don't steal!

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