C12 Chapter 11

Kumurap-kurap ako nang huminto ang kotse ni Zadriel sa tapat ng isang pribadong seminteryo. Nilingon ko siya. He's now almost done maneuvering the car.

"What are we doing here, Zadriel? Don't tell me may balak kang ibaon ako ng buhay?" pagbibiro ko matapos ko siyang lingunin.

As soon as the engine stopped, Zadriel glanced at me and let out a sexy chuckle. He rested his back against the backrest and grazed his tongue over his lips that made it become moist and redder.

"Kung ibabaon kita diyan... saan ko naman ibabaon ang sarili ko?"

Umangat ang kilay ko sa naging tanong niya.

"The hell is that question? Malay ko sa'yo kung saan mo gustong ibaon ang-"

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sinasabi ko nang mapagtanto ang ibig sabihin nang tanong niyang iyon. My eyes encircled as I remained staring at Zadriel who's now smirking playfully at me. He arched his thick brow up.

"Bwisit ka!" sabi ko, natatawa.

"Took a couple of seconds before my baby get it, huh?" he mocked, a sexy grin still etched on his lips.

I rolled my eyes. "Because my mind is too innocent for that! My gosh."

He chuckled, looking so amused. "Am I obliged to believe that?"

Humagalpak ako ng tawa. He watched me as awe dances in his menacing eyes. It's broad daylight but the darkness in them was too much. The way he looked at me feels like I'm a prey waiting for my predator to attack me.

"Puwede rin!" Hagikhik ko. "Pero teka nga! Ano ba talagang ginagawa natin dito sa simenteryo?"

Sa hindi mabilang na pagkakataon ay namilog na naman ang mga mata ko bago dinala ang kamay sa tapat ng bibig at pinandilatan siya.

"You want to have sex here?"

Bahagyang umawang ang labi niya at mariin akong tinitigan. It's seconds later when he pulled his gaze away and burst into laughter. Isinandal niya ang ulo sa head rest ng upuan, ipinikit ang mga mata habang patuloy pa rin sa pagtawa. He then massaged the bridge of his nose and shakes his head slowly.

Nagmulat siya ng mga mata at bahagya akong nilingon, ang ngisi ay nakaukit pa rin sa kanyang labi.

"You and your wild mind, Tate..." he chuckled. "But I'm sorry to pop your bubbles, missy. We're not here for that."

Ngumuso ako. "Eh, ano ba kasi?"

"We'll be visiting my brother."

My eyelashes batted repeatedly. "Kapatid mo? Ibig sabihin..."

He nodded like he already knew what I am thinking about.

"Yes. Shall we go outside?"

Walang isang salita akong tumango. He took that answer as a go signal to open the driver's seat and come out of there. Bumaba na rin ako, hindi na siya hinintay pang pagbuksan ako kahit pa ang busangot niyang mukha ang bumungad sa akin.

"You don't want me to open the door for you?" he asked, leaning the side of his body against the car while arms crossed over his chest.

"Sa mag-jowa lang 'yon! Walang ganoon sa atin." natatawang sagot ko.

Tinitigan niya ako, nagkabit balikat hindi kalaunan. "Let's go?"

Tumango ako. "Tara na."

In this mid-morning light under a cloudless sky, the air fragrant with pine-needles, it feels more like the park on a Wednesday afternoon as we both entered the huge classic white gate.

"Ilan ba kayong magkakapatid, Zadriel?" tanong ko sa gitna ng katahimikan namin.

Nagkalat ang tuyong dahon sa paligid na naglilikha ng malutong na tunog sa tuwing naaapakan namin. Iginala ko ang paningin at iilang tao lang ang natatanaw ko. Some of them are workers, sweeping the ground and maintaining the cleanliness of the private cemetery.

"Three. But since my brother was already gone, kami na lang ng kambal ko ang naiwan."

Nilingon ko siya. Diretso siyang nakatingin sa dinadaanan namin.

"May kakambal ka?"

"Yes."

"Lalaki?"

"A girl, Tate."

"I see..." tumango-tango ako at ibinalik na sa harapan ang atensyon. "Sorry for asking this but... how did your brother die?"

I once again anchored my eyes on him and for a moment, I saw how his jaw clench perfectly hard.

"He's kidnapped and killed in front of my parents." he spit those words with so much coldness in his voice and I could even hear the music of venom laced with it.

Ngayon ko lang nakitang ganito kaseryoso si Zadriel. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about this topic and I am too insensitive to even realize that.

Huminga ako ng malalim, itinuon ang atensyon sa paanan at ang pagsasalitan nito sa paghakbang.

"I'm sorry." I apologized.

"It's alright. The truth is, I never had the chance to meet him. He's killed just before my mother had us. Sa litrato ko lang siya nakita, sa mga kwento lang ni Mama namin siya nakilala. But one thing is for sure..." he paused and breathed a sigh. "I love him as much as I love my sister."

A soft smile tickled my lips as I heard those words from him. It's like I'm hearing another version of Zadriel. Since the night I met him, we never had the chance to talk about personal matters. Puro jerjer lang kasi ang inaatupag namin.

And I admit, it's nice to hear him talking about the love he has for his siblings. It makes him more of a man.

Gusto ko man itanong kung bakit pinatay ang kapatid niya ay hindi ko na ginawa. Masiyado na akong insensitibo kung itatanong ko pa iyon. For sure, it's kidnap for ransom. Ganoon lang naman lagi ang eksena sa mga mayayamang pamilya.

"We're almost here." imporma ni Zadriel na nakapagpahinto sa akin sa pagiisip.

Mula sa damuhan ay nag angat ako ng tingin at nakitang papalapit kami sa isang kulay puting mausoleum na siyang pinakamalaki sa lahat ng nakatayo rito.

Napakurap-kurap ako nang matanaw ang dalawang tao na naroon. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ang lalaking nakatayo sa may bandang gate ng mausoleum at nakasuot ng asul na long sleeve ay si Zion Monasterio, iyong kaibigan ni Daddy!

"You didn't inform me that your father is here!" ungot ko sa mahinang boses, ang paningin ay nasa ama niyang mariing nakatitig sa akin.

Zadriel suddenly leaned his head against me and whispered, "Don't worry. He's nice."

Papalapit ng papalapit ay nararamdaman ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Bakit ba ako biglang kinabahan? Hindi naman siguro. Nakakailang naman kasi tumitig itong ama ni Zadriel. I haven't really met him yet. Sila Daddy at Kuya Tobias lang talaga ang nakakakilala sa kanya ng personal dahil may sarili akong mundo palagi.

Pinilit kong iiwas ang tingin kay Zion Monasterio at ibinaling ito sa babaeng nasa bandang loob, nakaupo at nakaabang rin ng titig sa akin na para bang nagtataka kung sino ako.

Sabagay. Zadriel's family surely knows Dianara as his girlfriend. Siguradong napapaisip talaga sila kung sino ako.

"Good morning, Pa." Zadriel greeted as soon as we reached the mausoleum.

Umayos ng pagkakatayo si Zion Monasterio at inalis ang pagkakatitig sa akin. Sa halip ay itinuon niya ang atensyon sa anak.

"Good morning. Traffic?" his deep baritone voice moved me. Hindi sila nagkakalayo ng timbre ng boses ni Daddy.

"Yeah,"

Hinawakan ni Zadriel ang kamay ko at masuyo akong hinila papasok kung saan naroon ang babae na nakatitig rin sa akin. I assumed that this is his mother since she looks like the same age with Mommy.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali nang dumukwang si Zadriel at patakan ng halik ang babae sa pisngi. The gorgeous woman smiled a bit and anchored her eyes on our intertwined hands. Pasimple kong binawi ang kamay ko kay Zadriel na ikinalingon niya sa akin. I also glanced at him and he just shot his brow up. Pilit akong ngumiti.

He brought his eyes back to the woman in front of us, next is to his father. "Ma, Pa, this is Tate, a friend."

I smiled at them. "Good morning po."

I saw how his dad manage to lift his lips for a smirk. And damn, it's like I'm seeing the old version of Zadriel in him. Magkamukhang-magkamukha.

"Just a friend?" his Dad asked, sarcasm can be heard through his voice.

Yes, po. Puwede rin namang fuck buddies, Tito.

Zadriel chuckled. "Don't put malice on this, Dad."

"Of course they're friends, Zion. Your son has already a girlfriend, remember?" His mother butt in that made me look at her.

Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo, ang paningin ay nasa akin. She smiled a bit, but I can feel that it's not a genuine one.

"I'm Adrianna Grace Monasterio, Zadriel's mother." She extended her hand and I immediately accepted it.

"Hi. I'm Tatiana Faith Follosco. Nice to meet you." simpleng sagot ko.

"Follosco? Are you related to Flavian and Trinity Follosco?" Zion Monasterio suddenly asked.

Nilingon ko siya at tipid na ngitian. "I am their youngest, Sir."

"How come I didn't meet you everytime we see each other? I only met Tobias."

"Busy with my own career, Sir-"

"Call me, Tito. I am friends with your parents."

Madali akong kausap! "Yes, Tito."

"Where's Dianara, Zadriel? Akala ko ay kasama mo siya ngayon." biglang singit ng Mama ni Zadriel na mukhang mainit ang dugo sa akin.

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang naglalakad ito patungo sa puntod na nababalutan ng itim na tiles. There were fresh flowers around and a mini altar. Lumuhod ang ginang, inabot ang isang lighter at sinindihan ang isang kandila na halatang namatay dahil sa ihip ng hangin.

My eyes went to the name etched on the graveyard.

Reon Alexis M. Monasterio

Born: August 03, 2018

Died: September 01, 2019

Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting sikip sa aking dibdib. Mahigit isang taon lang ang pagitan. Ibig sabihin ay ganoon lang rin kaiksi ang itinagal ng kapatid nila sa mundo.

He's too young to die.

"Why are you looking for her, Ma? My brother is with someone else so obviously, that woman won't be here."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Zadriel sa isang pintuan nang bumukas ito. It's a comfort room, I think.

A woman who's a carbon copy of her mother walked out of it, her eyes instantly bore into me. If she called Zadriel "Kuya", then this is surely his twin.

They're fraternal twins, huh?

Agad rin nitong inialis sa akin at itinuon ito kay Zadriel. Tipid siyang ngumiti, humakbang palapit sa amin at tumingkayad para halikan ang kapatid sa pisngi.

"Good to see you with another woman, Kuya." she said and then glanced at me. "I'm Zephania. Call me Ania, instead. You are?"

Mabilis akong napatingin kay Zadriel ngunit agad rin binalingan ang kapatid niya. I smiled widely at her and extended my hand.

"Tate Follosco, nice to mee you."

She took my hand. "Likewise. Halika, kumain ka muna."

Tumalikod siya at naglakad patungo sa isang mesa. Muli kong nilingon si Zadriel. Isang beses siyang tumango, ang ngisi ay nasa labi na.

"Tate..."

I flinched a bit when I heard her sister call me. She's now looking at me, face a bit stoic and cold.

Hala siya. Kabaliktaran naman masiyado ito ng kapatid niya. Bagay sila ni Kuya Tobias. They can actually create an Iceberg!

Tipid akong ngumiti at tumango. "Sure."

"Zephania-"

"My brother knows what he's doing, Ma." Zephania said without looking at her mother as if she already knew what she's thinking about. Nilingon niya ako. "Kumain ka na. Sasabayan kita."

Hindi ako nakasagot kaagad.

Kakambal ba talaga ito ni Zadriel? Bakit parang masiyadong seryoso sa buhay? Ngumingiti pero tipid lang. Mukhang walang bahid ng kalokohan sa sarili.

I heard an audible sigh behind me and I am sure that it's from their mother.

"Go ahead and eat with them, Zadriel. Let your mother-"

"Good morning!"

Muli ay sabay-sabay kaming napalingon sa harapan nang marinig ang pagbati na iyon. My brows crumpled a bit when I saw a woman with a brown curly hair. Along with her is a man who's as handsome and delicious as Zadriel.

There's a smile plastered on the woman's lips as she looked around. Mukhang kasing edaran lang ng ina nila Zadriel pero hindi maitatago ang ganda nito. She actually looks like a living barbie doll.

"Are we late?" dagdag pa nito bago humalik sa pisngi ni Tito Zion.

"Good to see you, Cheska. We're just starting." sagot nito. Maging ang bagong dating na lalaki ay yumakap sa kanya. He tapped his back and smirked. "Dashiel..."

"Nice to see you, Tito."

Nakita ko ang paglapit ng ina nila Zadriel doon sa bagong dating na babae at sinalubong ito ng yakap.

"Ate..."

Oh, so they're sisters? Kung ganoon ay tiyahin ito nila Zadriel at Zephania at pinsan nila itong gwapong lalaki.

Lumapit rin ang kambal sa mga bagong dating at yumakap. Naiwan ako sa tabi ng mesa na tila ba isa akong miyembro ng catering service.

Sa mga oras na ito, hinihiling ko na sana ay dumating si Mommy sakay ng walis tingting niya at iuwi ako pabalik sa bahay. Out of place ako, mga cyst!

Lumingon agad si Zadriel sa akin. Nagkatitigan kami, ngumiwi ako at agad siyang naglakad patungo sa akin.

"You okay?" he whispered on my ear as my attention remained on his family in front of us.

"Bakit mo kasi ako sinama dito?" bulong ko pabalik, ang labi ay kumikibot-kibot.

"Why? You don't like it here?"

"Mukhang mainit dugo sa akin ng Mommy mo."

"Don't mind her. Believe me when I say that she's not close with Dianara. She's just that strict when it comes to my relationship."

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil ang atensyon ng tiyahin nila ay nasa akin na.

"New girlfriend, Zadriel?"

"No, Ate. She's just a friend. Si Dianara pa rin ang nobya niya." pagsalo ni Mrs. Adrianna.

Ay, Momsh. May attitude tayo, ah? Sumbong kita sa Mommy ko. May pangil 'yon. Charot lang.

"Mom, Tita Cheska was asking my brother and not you." sagot naman ni Zephania na halata ang pagkainis sa ina nila.

"That's enough, Ania. Kumain na tayo." Inabot ni Tito Zion ang cake na dala nung Cheska at inilapag ito sa table. She then walked towards me and smiled.

"Hi. I'm Francheska, their auntie. And this is my son, Dashiel."

Inilapag ko ang hawak na plato at naglahad ng kamay sa kanila. Sa likod niya ay naroon iyong anak niya na nakatitig rin sa akin.

"Tate Follosco, po."

Kung alam ko lang na ilang beses akong magpapakilala dito, sana ay nagkabit na lang ako ng name plate sa dibdib ko.

"Nice to meet you, Tate. Thank you for celebrating my nephew's birthday with us."

Ay, birthday pala? Hindi ako na-inform. Akala ko trip lang nila dumalaw.

"No problem po."

Tipid na ngiti lang ang isinagot sa akin nung tiyahin nila. Naabutan ko si Mrs. Adrianna na nakatitig sa akin, sa huli ay nagbawi rin ng tingin.

"Don't mind her, please." Zadriel whispered again on my ear. He must have noticed me staring at his mother.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagsimula na ang salu-salo. Zephania led the prayer. Sinandukan ako ni Zadriel ng pagkain at magkatabing naupo sa bench na naroon. As much as possible, I tried to avoid his mother's gaze for I know that her stares means something against me.

"Where's Christian, Cheska? I thought he's already here in the country." si Tito Zion sa gitna ng aming pagkain.

"He has to reschedule his flight for business matter."

"I see. How about you, Dashiel? Kailan ang tungo mo sa Cebu? I heard you'll be staying there for a while."

Mula sa aking plato ay nag angat ako ng tingin doon sa Dashiel. I can't help but to bite my lips at his handsome face. His brows are bushy and thick. He also got a pair of eagle-like eyes and lips curvy and reddish. Maging ang katawan niya ay halatang alaga sa gym.

"Next week, Tito. Will be staying there for a couple of months to take care of our land."

Bahagya kong dinunggol ang hita ko kay Zadriel dahilan ng mabagal niyang paglingon sa akin.

"How old is he?" I asked without taking my eyes off Dashiel.

"Who?"

I didn't answer right away that made him trace my line of vision. It's only a matter of seconds when he anchored his eyes back to me.

"Why do you ask?"

Inilipat ko ang tingin sa kanya. Seryoso siyang nakatitig sa akin, bahagya pa ngang nakataas ang kilay.

Humagikhik ako. "Tell me. Is he German size, too?"

Zadriel's eyes narrowed a bit as his brows owned each other.

"Shut up, Tate." aniya at inirapan ako.

I giggled more. "What? I'm just asking."

Hindi niya ako sinagot, ni hindi man lang lumingon. Ngumuso ako, natatawa pa rin. Mabuti na lang at nahaharangan ako ng katawan ni Zadriel dahilan para hindi ako gaanong matanaw ng Mommy niya.

Kinalabit ko si Zadriel sa bewang niya. Ilang beses ko iyon ginawa ngunit hindi niya pa rin ako nililingon. Muli akong humagikhik.

"Sige, ako na lang ang magtatanong sa kanya kung German size siya. Akala mo, ha."

That earned his attention. Masamang titig ang ipinukol niya sa akin. I smirked at him and his eyes only went darker.

He then leaned his lips near my ear as I can feel his warm breath making love with my skin.

"Try..."

"Oh, I will!"

"Fuck, Tate!"

I giggled. "Later. How many rounds do you want this time?"

Unti-unti niyang inilayo ang mukha sa akin at tinitigan ako sa mga mata. A ghost of smirk slowy forming in his lips.

"You really know how to wrap me around your fingers, huh?"