For Love and Blood (Monte Vega Chronicles #1)

Chapter 6

Inayos ko muna ang cap na suot bago nag-doorbell. Inihanda ko na rin ang inosenteng ngiti sa mga labi at naghintay sa magbubukas ng pinto.

Bitbit ko ang grocery bag sa kamay habang nasa balikat ko ang tote bag. Nakasuot lang ako ng sweatpants, hoody, at sneakers sa paa.

I heard a click on the door before it opened and revealed the most angelic face I've ever seen in my entire life. She's wearing thick spectacles. Doe eyes. Thin heart-shaped lips. Pointed cute nose and white porcelain skin.

"Hello, sino po sila?" tanong ng mahinhin na tinig.

"Hi! I'm Cahil. Kaibigan ako ng Kuya Tryst mo. Andiyan ba siya sa loob?"

Nagliwanag ang mukha nito at mabilis na nilakihan ang bukas ng pinto.

"Pasok ka, Cahil. You just called my brother's second name so I believe you know our situation now. Come inside. Kuya is in the bathroom pa."

Pinagpag nito ang sofa at nginitian ako. "Upo ka. Wait, ano ang gusto mong inumin? I made a lemonade. Sandali at kukunan kita."

Nagmamadali itong nagbukas ng ref at bumalik din agad dala ang napakataas na baso na puno ng inumin.

"Wow! Ang dami. Sakto dahil uhaw na uhaw ako. Thank you?" Nagpanggap akong hindi siya kilala.

"Hala, where are my manners. I'm Alcindra but you can call me Cin. Kuya calls me angel but I'm so far from being one though I'd like to believe that I'm a llama angel."

Abot hanggang tenga ang ngiti nito habang nagpapaliwanag. Her eyes shining both in beauty and innocence. I can't help but remember Casindra in her. Ang pagkakaiba lang ng dalawa ay napakainosente talaga ni Alcindra. Sobrang bait at genuine ng bukas ng mukha. Halatang napaka-sheltered habang si Casindra ay nakatikim na ng kalupitan ng buhay.

"Really? Hindi na ako magtatanong kung bakit. You really look like an angel, Cin."

Uminom ako ng lemonade na mabilis na naubos ko dahil sa sarap at uhaw.

"Is it good? You want more?" alok nito.

"Sure. Thank you."

Tumayo si Alcindra dala ang baso kasabay nito ang pagbukas ng pinto ng banyo at ang paglabas ni Nathan na bagong ligo. Kinukuskos pa nito ang buhok gamit ang tuwalya. Naka-sandong puti ito at jogging pants na black kaya naman naka-expose na naman sa mga mata ko ang malalaking biceps nito.

His muscles are not just your typical muscles seen in men. His are really bigger and bulkier, close to that of body builders which are really handy during s*x. He could flip me over and over again and I wouldn't lift a finger. I suspected it's due to him loving to go to gym but he refuted it. It's because of his genes daw.

Kumaway ako sa kaniya na wala namang kabiglaan ang makikita sa mukha. Kailan ko pa kaya ito mabibigla. He always acts like he seemed to be expecting me all the time.

Alcindra left us after putting the glass of lemonade on the old center table.

Tumabi si Nathan sa akin at hinagod ako ng tingin. "Why are you here?"

"I just wanna say thank you for the s*x. Masarap."

Tinakpan niya ang bibig ko saka hininaan ang boses. "Watch your mouth. May bata."

He started touching me on my waist down to my thigh.

"What are you doing? Akala ko ba may bata?"

"Your knife. Give it to me."

Sinipa ko siya sa tuhod at itinaas ang mga kamay.

"Hindi ako nagdala. I only have myself, my clothes, and some food for dinner." Inginuso ko ang grocery bag. "I will crash here for tonight."

"No, you can't. Umuwi ka na ngayon din. There's no available room here for you. You do know it's dangerous for us for you to be here," seryoso nitong saad at may paniningkit pa ng mata na kasama.

Itinuro ko ang sahig saka ang sofa. "Okay na ako diyan. Nakakatulog nga ako sa gubat nang walang kumot. At 'wag kang mag-alala, I covered up my tracks pretty good. Wala na sa akin ang mata ni Adelaide. Wala rin si papa sa loob ng dalawang araw kaya mas safe." Kinuha ko ang plastic cellophane at inilagay ito sa kandungan ni Nathan. "Make us some dinner. Gutom na ako. Baka gutom na rin ang kapatid mo."

He stared at me quietly, his hands busy opening the plastic bag.

"What did you bring?"

Inilabas nito ang ilang kilong karne na pinagdadampot ko lang sa palengke at ang isang malaking bag ng mantika. Huminga ito nang malalim saka ibinalik sa akin ang mga mata.

"How many days do you plan on staying here?"

"Uhm, just for the nights. May gagawin ako kapag araw. I'll explore the forest of Cerro Roca. May nakita nga pala akong pana sa kwarto mo. Hihiramin ko iyon."

I nudged his leg before pulling his hand with me. Inakay ko siya sa kusina nila saka ako naupo sa silya sa harap ng mesa.

"Come on, Nate. Ipagluto mo na kami. Nagugutom na ang bisita mo."

He took out a cutting board and began chopping the meat into pieces. All the while, my eyes are glued on the movement of his biceps. The way they jiggle is really fascinating.

"You didn't even brought vegetables. I'm vegetarian."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Oh great. You will definitely survive in the wild." Tumayo ako at tumabi rito. "May maitutulong ba ako? I can cut vegetables. I can even cut you into pieces if you want to."

He threw me another knife which I immediately caught and pointed at the other meat. "Help me."

Magkatulong naming hiniwa ang mga karne habang panaka-nakang nag-uusap.

"Where's Cin? Hindi na siya lumabas mula kanina. You told her about my surname?"

"No, I just asked for a minute with you. Nagbabasa na naman iyon siguro. Minsan nakakalimutan niya ang oras."

Nathan started heating the pan while I clean the mess on the table.

"Nate, meron akong tatlong tickets for Europe. If I ever ask you to leave with me, kasama si Alcindra of course, will you be with me?"

Tumigil ito sa paghahalo ng mga gulay at hininaan ang apoy.

"Ano 'to Cahil? Are you proposing to me?" He chuckled afterwards.

"Oh shut it out, Nathan. I'm asking seriously. Sasama ba kayo sa akin?"

"No. Why are you planning to go? You don't want to stay, to get married, and cook for your husband?"

Tinapos ko ang ginagawa saka nakiusyuso sa niluluto nito. "Nah, I'd rather chop him into pieces. I have the maids to do the cooking for me if ever. Hindi ako magsasayang ng oras para pagsilbihan ang taong hindi ko naman gusto." I dunked my finger on the sauce and licked it while staring at his eyes. "I just asked you know. Kako, baka sawa ka nang magtago."

Ako na ang naglagay ng mga kubyertos sa mesa at tumawag kay Alcindra na nagbabasa nga. Humingi pa ito ng paumanhin nang hindi raw ito nakatulong sa amin.

"Cin, aren't you sick and tired of your brother? Sobrang istrikto, hindi ngumingiti, palaging mahigpit. He's so boring."

She adjusted her glasses and smiled at me. "Kuya is strict but he's not that boring. He cooks for me and he plays with me. Unlimited din ang nabibili kong libro kapag kasama ko siya."

"Really?" I glanced at the man who was eating quietly beside me. "Yeah sure. Hindi nga masyadong boring ang kuya mo. He has... skills, 'ya know."

I winked at Alcindra. Napahagikhik ako nang mamilog ang mata ng bata.

Naramdaman ko ang pagsipa ni Nathan sa paa ko sa ilalim ng mesa pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

"Yeah, kuya is very skillful. Ang galing niyan sa martial arts and of course when shooting a g*n. Talo niya lahat ng mga pinsan namin. Kuya is that good. What skills did he show you, Ate Cahil?"

Oh, if you only know, little one.

Pero siyempre hindi ko iyon isinatinig. Baka mapalayas pa ako ng wala sa oras ng lalake na animo may marathon na hinahabol sa pagkain.

Sinipa niya uli ako kaya kinurot ko ang hita nito bago sumagot.

"In cooking. He showed me how good he is when it comes to cooking. Ang bilis niyang maghiwa. Ang galing din maghalo. You know how chefs toss the food in the pan? Oh he's definitely killing it."

Nakahinga nang maluwag si Nathan. Natatawa naman na uminom ako ng tubig. Tumayo ito sa mesa dala ang plato at pasimpleng siniko ang balikat ko. Alcindra saw it and laughed.

"Oh? Ano na naman iyang iniisip mo?" tukso ko rito.

Hindi ito kumibo pero nakita ko pa ang pag-aagaw ng ngiti at ngisi sa bibig nito bago ito tumalikod sa amin para ilagay ang plato sa lababo at magpunta sa sala.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Alcindra bago sabay na nagtawanan.

"Thank you, ate. You don't know how much your presence affects us all tonight. Hindi ko masyadong makausap nang maayos si kuya nitong mga nakalipas na linggo. Palagi siyang nasa harap ng laptop doing work. Buti na lang at may kaibigan siya na dumalaw sa amin ngayon. You're the first in years. Mabuti naman at may natira pa pala siya. All of our previous friends were gone after our fall."

Sinulyapan ko ang lalake na nagbubukas na ng laptop nito. His sister is right. Nathan is really restless. He's not as active as when I'm here the last time.

Pagkatapos tulungang maghugas ng pinggan si Alcindra ay nagpaalam na ito na matutulog. She kissed us both in cheeks before going to her room.

"So this is your life here. Boring just like all your parties."

Humilata ako sa sahig at idinantay ang mga paa sa kandungan nito. He didn't move. He just continued doing something on his laptop.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi na lang naging magkaibigan ang mga angkan natin? E 'di sana tahimik tayo lahat ngayon. I could be arranged to be married in you for all I care. I won't mind. You're good in f*****g. You make women o****m. You're better than most of the men out there. Hindi ko nga alam kung kaya akong mag-o****m with Jude. Damn, I don't know if he can even make me kiss him."

Inikot ko ang katawan at inihiga ang ulo sa hita nito. Itinaas ko ang kamay at nilaro ang gilid ng glasses nito.

"Who and when is your first s****l experience, Nate?"

"Not gonna tell."

He caught my hand and restrained it while his left hand continued typing things in the monitor.

"Oh come on. Just for the conversation's sake. Is it with someone I know? Kay Francine Sebastian ba? Did you lose it to her or she lost it to you?"

He shrugged, put my hand on his lips and draw a zip line on it. His eyes still on the screen.

I didn't pursue it anymore. I just stared at him, his lips and nose overpowering his profile on my end. Sinubukan kong hilain ang kamay pero hindi niya ito binitawan kaya ginamit ko ang isang kamay para haplusin ang tip ng baba nito.

How can someone be this beautiful but deadly in the inside? Nathan is a killing machine, I perfectly know that. He's thought to have single handedly killed half of the Asturian guards during the siege.

Dapat akong matakot sa kaniya pero kabaliktaran ang nararamdaman ko. I feel more protected, secured in his presence. Nakikita ko sa kaniya ang isang maprinsipyong tao. I'm even rapturous at times when I'm with him. I know he won't wield his g*n unless it's really needed.

He's a living oxymoron. He's both chaos and peace untangled. An enigma, really.

"Nate, why are you letting an enemy sleep in your house?" I softly inquired when he caught me staring at him.

Tumigil ito sa pagtipa at pabirong pinitik ang noo ko. Mabilis din nitong hinaplos iyon at hinipan.

"You didn't bring your knives for tonight. That means hindi ka kaaway."

"Paano kung dala ko na iyon sa susunod na magkita tayo. Ituturing mo na ba akong kalaban, Nate? Will you attack me by then?"

"Depende kung mauuna kang atakehin ako. If you point your knife at me first, I'll consider you my enemy then."

Pinaglakbay ko ang mga daliri mula sa baba nito pababa sa leeg nito tungo sa pilat na ako ang may gawa. It left a mark but it's not that quite visible. Our playtime could get b****y at times. That's just who we are. Our dynamics don't call for cheesy slow happenings. Someone should always give something for adrenaline rush.

"Nate... I'm horny."

Sinulyapan niya ako saka napailing.

Nginitian ko siya nang malaki at pinagalaw ang mga kilay. "I saw this p**n vid using ice and I thought I wanted to do that. I haven't done that to you. I want to do it."

"Not now. I'll schedule a time for that."

"Schedule?! I can just do it while you're doing your work. Ano sa tingin mo? Isn't it exciting?"

He kissed my hand and resumed doing his thing. "I'm not your w***e, Cahil."

"Well, I can be one. Please let me be your w***e, daddy."

We both laughed. Sa akin naman, medyo may katotohanan ang alok ko. I like how Nathan wakes up my sensuality so I'll gladly be his w***e in bed.

"I'm enjoying my last days of being single, Alcantara. Kung bakit pa kasi ang g**o maging isang tulad natin. Why can't we be normal? I guess power and wealth really come with price. It's my freedom at this time."

Nate let go of my hand to touch my cheek.

"At kapag nawala ang kayamanan at kapangyarihan na sinasabi mo, ang kalayaan mo pa rin ang magiging kapalit. The price of the absence or the presence of wealth and power will always be your freedom. That's how the wheel of the world works."

Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga at lumipat sa sofa sa likod ni Nathan. Hindi ko na gustong ipagpatuloy pa ang pag-uusap na ito. At the end of the day, each of us represents our family's ultimate goal.

"Nakauwi na si kuya pero parang hindi na siya ang kapatid ko," turan ko pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ng walang nagsasalita. "I miss him but I can't seem to reach him. How about you, Nate? What is your sister for you?"

"She's my everything now, Cahil. She's my world."

"Ang swerte ni Alcindra." Inagaw ko ang unan na nasa gilid ni Nathan at niyakap. "Aren't you going to ask questions about me?"

"Believe me when I say I know everything about you." He signaled at his head. "Andito ka na dati pa."

"Yeah, I'm sure you've done your investigation."

Umayos ako ng higa at ipinikit ang mga mata. Naramdaman ko pa ang pag-usod nito sa akin. Niyakap ko ang likod nito at tuluyan nang nakatulog.

Nagising ako na nasa kama na nito habang nakayakap siya sa akin mula sa likuran. I slowly freed myself from him and gazed at his chiseled jaw.

Gusto ko mang manatili pa pero madaling-araw na. Kailangan ko nang umalis.

I retrieved my bag and the bow and arrow on the floor and opened the window. I turned to the bed to make sure Nate is still asleep before I jumped out of the window.

Sumalubong sa akin ang malamig at mahangin na panahon. Itinaas ko ang hood sa ulo at nagmamadaling naglakad patungo sa gubat.