Captivated

Chapter 8

~(ZICE KURSEIV SANDOVAL POV)

"No!" I shouted nang makita ko pa lang ang karayom na ipapasok ni ate sa kamay ko. "Mommy!"

Kapapasok lang ni mom sa loob ng kwarto ko at lumapit agad siya sa akin. I immediately embraced her waist.

"Mommy, I will take oral antibiotic na lang please?"

"You need the IV, babe. Your infection is getting worst."

Argh!

Sa dami-raming pwedeng kagatin ako pa talaga ang napili ng insekto sa bundok na 'yon.

"Mommy, no no, please. Ateee!" I shouted at her nang akmang itutusok niya iyon sa akin.

Tinaasan ako nito ng isang kilay. "Close your eyes."

"No!" Nagsimula nang mamuo ang luha sa mga mata ko. "Mommy, please, no."

Nagpatuloy lang ito sa paghaplos sa buhok ko habang nakatayo pa rin sa harapan ko.

"Ahhhh! Ate, stop! Mommyyyy!" I continued to shout out loud when ate started forcing me.

Mom tried to clam me down but I just couldn't. Mula pa noong bata ako takot na ako roon o sa kahit anong karayom na ipapasok sa balat ko.

Para akong sinaniban ng masamang espiritu and I tried so much to get away from her. Sa sobrang takot, I just passed out.

Paggising ko nakasaksak na ang IV sa kamay ko. Napabalikwas agad ako nang bangon and I immediately panicked.

"Hey... relax, babe," mom said.

"Mommy... please tell ate to remove this."

"Does it hurt?" Malumanay na tanong nito. While caressing my knee.

Pinakiramdaman ko iyon and I slowly shook my head.

"Relax... it's okay, I'm here. Do you want to eat now?" Nakangiting tanong nito.

I pouted. "I'm hungry, mommy."

"Okay, wait for me here, I will prepare your foods."

Kahit papano ay gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko even I was still a little bit anxious.

Si mom na rin ang nagsubo sa akin ng pagkain ko. She really did cook my favorite sinigang. Our favorite.

"Sorry mommy..."

"For what?"

"It's almost a week, hindi ka na nakakapasok sa work."

She smiled at me and fix my hair. "Don't be sorry. You, your siblings, and your dad will always be my number one priority. Always remember that."

Malawak akong ngumiti sa kanya. "Mommy, can you sleep here tonight?"

"Of course."

Agad din akong yumakap sa kanya nang humiga siya sa tabi ko. I couldn't imagine life without her. Sa lahat ng okasyon ng buhay ko siya ang kasama ko kahit na noong nagpatuli ako. It was always her.

"Thank you, mommy, I love you always," I whispered habang nakaunan sa dibdib nito.

She chuckled. "I love you always."

Sandali lang kaming kinain ng katahimikan bago ito muling magsalita.

"Anyway, bakit parang halos wala ng gamit itong kwarto mo?"

"H-Huh?" Simple kong inikot ang mga mata ko sa paligid

Or course I wouldn't tell her that I sold most of my stuffs.

"Hmm, did you sell some of your guitars?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. I was thinking if I would lie or not pero mahina na itong tumawa and said she knew it.

"But I didn't sell your gifts, mom. Even the shoes and the clothes, they are my favorite."

"What are you doing with your money?"

I pouted. "I don't know... bigla na lang silang nauubos."

Muli itong mahinang tumawa. "When you're earning money on your own, you'll also realize its importance and maybe you'll also learn to properly handle it."

"What is the sense of having money on my own if we have tons of it?"

"Hmm, it's more... about the feeling. It will give you happiness for achieving something on your own. It's not always about money for other rich people, sometimes it's also about pride, satisfaction, the feeling of independency and a lot more. People have different reasons in life why they are choosing something na mas mahirap rather du'n sa ibang bagay na mas madali para sa kanila."

"I can't sill get it."

"It's fine. You're still young. Marami ka pang nakikita, marami ka pang ma-e-experience. Just enjoy your youth and the process, you don't have to rush things out. And I hope those experiences will thought you something you'll never forget."

Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit kailangan kong pahirapan ang sarili ko para lang naging satisfied ako.

Nakarinig kami ng pagtikhim ni mom. We both saw dad.

"Mukhang naging baby na naman ang binata namin ah?"

"Daddy!" Suway ko rito nang humiga din siya sa ibabaw ng kama ko at yumakap din kay mom. "Mom is mine tonight."

"No," anito and pulled mom closer to him. "I can't sleep without her." He did kiss her on the top of her head multiple times.

"How's work?" malumanay na tanong ni mom sa kanya.

"Hell when you're not there."

They both smiled and kissed each other.

"Argh," I immediately groaned.

"Missed you... missed you," dad whispered while planting small kisses on mom's face.

Hays... kahit kailan talaga para pa rin silang may sariling mundo.

"I'm here."

They both chuckled. Mom kissed me on my head. "Get well soon, babe. I will take care of you."

I was finally feeling better after few days. Inaya na agad ako nina Brayle sa isang pool party sa resort daw ng isa sa mga kakilala niya sa campus.

Pinuntahan ko siya sa mansion nila dahil may agenda ako roon.

You're really my prettiest and my kindest tita..." I said as I embraced tita Russ.

"Hmm, let me guess? Naubos mo na naman ang budget mo for the whole month at kailangan mo na naman ng pera no?"

"Hindi ah... you're really pretty and kind, tita. You're favorite."

She chuckled. "As if I didn't know na kapag si Ate ang kaharap mo siya ang paborito mong tita."

"Hindi kaya..."

She just smiled at me. "Fine, how much do you need?"

"Tita, don't tell ate ha."

Muli itong tumawa nang mahina. "If she wouldn't ask."

Ate was very close to her and tita Kianna. They also love ate so much siguro dahil siya ang unang pamangkin nila o bukod kay mommy, silang dalawa na ni tita Kianna ang tumayong mga magulang din ni Ate noon.

We already erased the idea na half-sister namin siya. She's our sister, our eldest sister and that's it. Period.

Napangiti ako nang pumirma na ito sa check.

"Here..." nakangiting inabot nito sa akin ang check.

"Thank you, tita." I immediately hugged her and even smiled widely at her. "Sabi ni daddy nagmana ako sa'yo."

"Hmm, why? Dahil guwapo ka?"

"Hindi, dahil maingay daw ako."

Agad sumama ang mukha nito and raised an eyebrow. "Tell your dad to just die."

Mahina akong tumawa.

"Zice, tara na! Wag mo nang utuin si mommy!" Brayle shouted.

"Bye tita." Hinalikan ko ang pisngi niya at inangat ko ang check sa ere. "Thank you dito."

"Behave okay? Brayle, don't do something stupid tonight!"

"Of course, mommy! I will do something more stupid!"

Muli akong mahinang tumawa habang tinitingnan ang check na worth 100,000.

Nagpunta kami sa main garage nila. Napakaraming iba't ibang mamahaling sasakyan doon. Iba pa ang garage ni tita Russ because she loves collecting different luxury cars.

There are also lot of luxury cars sa bahay na halos lahat kay dad at kay ate lang dahil mom was not fond of luxuries. She prefer a simple car. Karamihan sa mga sasakyan sa bahay na for general use si Ate, King at Kiandre lang ang may access. Maybe they were planning to give Klaire access na rin since she already turned 18.

I was the exception dahil kailangan ko munang ma-meet ang grades ba gusto ni ate bago ako nagkaroon ng access sa lahat ng iyon.

"Ingatan mo ha," ani Brayle at hinagis sa akin ang susi ng Ferarri niya.

Napangiti ako while driving it.

"Party," I said smirking at nagpatugtog nang malakas na musika.

Sinundan ko ang Lamborghini ni Brayle hanggang sa makarating kami sa resort na sinasabi nito. Lalo pang lumawak ang ngisi sa mga labi ko. Mukhang magiging masaya nga iyon dahil sa labas pa lang, rinig ko na ang malakas na sigawan at malakas na musika. Kitang kita ko rin ang ibat ibang ilaw sa aloob.

Nasa parking na rin ang sports car ni Gavin at ang bagong Jaguar ni Helix na regalo sa kanya nina tito Jade at tita Hailey when he finally turned 18.

"Woah!" sigaw ng mga pagbaba ng sasakyan. Nakipag fist bump lang ako sa kanilang lahat.

"Nice to know na magaling ka na," ani Gavin.

"Guys, malaki 'tong resort, we'll really enjoy. May dala ba kayong oang-swimming?" tanong ni Brayle.

"Brief lang ayos na," natatawang sabi ni Helix. "Wait, did you invite ate here?'"

"Hindi. Boys night out lang 'to," said Brayle.

"Hays, buti naman."

Mahina akong napatawa. "Let's do this."

"Get drunk and get laid tonight, Kurzeiv!"

~(CHANEL GABRIEN SAAVEDRA POV)

Kinuha ko lang ang bag ko at lumabas na rin ako mula sa silid ko.

I saw mom and dad at the dining area giving each other a peck. Hindi ko alam kung dessert ang kinakain nila or each other's lips.

They just stopped when I cleared my throat. They immediately looked at me.

"You're going somewhere?" mom asked. "It's Saturday."

I nodded. "I have to meet my team for our feasib."

Mom stood up. "Eat first, I'll just prepare your plate."

"No, mom. Sa labas na lang ako kakain."

"Are you sure?"

Lumapit ako kay dad para ibeso ito.

"You're getting prettier each day, my love."

Mahina ko siyang tinawanan. "Gavin always say that to his women as well. I knew sa'yo siya nagmana."

"No, you're brother is a womanizer and I'm not. Isa lang ang binobola ko." Hinapit niya ang baywang ni mom na nakatayo sa tabi niya habang nakangiti nang malapad.

Bineso ko rin ito.

"Give yourself time din, okay? Have fun paminsan-minsan because look... nagkakaroon ka na ng eyebags. Magpunta tayo sa clinic next week."

"I'll go with you, mom."

She smiled at me and kissed me. "Take care, love you."

Nakipagkita ako sa buong team sa study room ng campus. It was huge. The place was quiet so it was the perfect place to discuss our study.

We were 6 in the group. Jen, Dian, Gaea, Ria and her boyfriend.

We were total of 30 in the class at kailangang anim na tao sa isang group. Gaea and I had no any other option kaya naman nauwi na lang kami sa team ng mga ito.

"Chanel, I can't show you anything today ha. I went out kasi last night with James," ani Ria habang nakasandig sa balikat ng boyfriend niyang si James.

"Me too, baka naman pwede mo na ring tapusin 'yung part ko? I really don't know what to do kasi eh," said Jane.

"I already instructed you what to do," I told her.

"What about you, Gaea? Can you do my part?" Dian asked her.

"No," ako na ang sumagot para sa kanya. "Do your parts. Stop the complaining now, let'sjust start the discussion now including the plans."

I made sure they would listen to me and they would understand the discussion. It was good that they were asking questions even they already looked stressed and bored.

Marami kaming kinailangang tapusin, i-research at aralin dahil malapit na ang pasahan kaya naman inabot na kami ng gabi doon na hindi ko namalayan ang oras.

We were already at the parking nang lapitan kami ng mga ito.

"You two, go with us."

"Yup, we are going to attend a party let's chill out."

"K-Kasmaa kami?" Gaea asked.

"You heard me. Gusto namin kayong isama because we like to know the two of you more. Malay niyo, maka-grupo ulit natin ang isa't isa in the future and who knows... baka maging magkakaibigan pa tayong lahat."

"I'll go straight home," I immediately answered.

Akamang tatalikod ako pero hinawakan ni Ria ang braso ko.

"Come on don't be so KJ."

"I still have a lot of things to do. I have to do research more."

"Psh," mahina itong tumawa. "Gosh, Chanel... you're studying so much. Have fun. Masyado ka nang seryoso at napag-iiwanan. Look at you, wala ka ngang friends kaaaral mo."

"Have fun with us, Channel. Minsan kailangan mo rin lumabas para naman ma-refresh ka at mas nakapag-isip ng ideas, right girls?"

"Yeah! That's right. Gaea, go with us."

Bumaling ito sa akin. "C-Chanel, let's go?"

I couldn't believe she would agree to go with them.

"That's full of drinking, Gaea."

"C'mon you don't have to drink. You only have to have fun. Let's go."

"T-They're right. Kailangan din natin mag-relax... let's go? Please... Sumama ka na."

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. Ilang minuto ko rin iyong pinag-isipan. I didn't want her to go with them alone kaya naman sumama na ako.

Maingay sa buong resort. Maraming tao, some were familiar. Maraming umiinom ng alak at naninigarilyo. Some were even having s*x without giving a s**t about their surroundings.

I was not comfortable because it was my first time to go to place full of people having different vices.

Maraming pinakilala sa sakin sina Ria mostly men pero kahit isa sa mga ito ay hindi ko inabala ang sarili kong kamayan.

"Here..." Inabutan ako ni Dian ng isang baso ng alak ganoon na rin si Gaea.

"I don't drink," agad sambit ko.

"Oh, come on, Chanel. Don't kill the fun, look at Gaea."

Napatingin ako rito na tinungga ang isang baso ng alak. She wasn't used of drinking so it was very obvious na hindi niya gusto ang lasa. They laughed at her reaction.

She didn't have to do what they say. She didn't have to force herself just to fit with them.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "We're leaving." Kinuha ko ang braso nito. "Let's go Gaea."

That place wasn't for us.

Hindi pa kami nakakalayo nang humarang na agad ito sa daan namin.

"Come on, it's too early pa, Chanel."

"We'll leave now."

Akmang hahakbang ako pero muling humarang ang mga ito sa daan ko.

"Fine, just drink this kung gusto mo nang umalis. We will let you leave," said Jen habang nakalahad sa harapan ko ang isang baso ng alak.

"We just want you to experience this night."

"Right. Come on take this and leave. You won't hear anything from us."

Kinuha ko mula rito ang baso at diretso iyong ininom. I wanted to leave at ayoko nang patagalin pa iyon.

I didn't like the taste but I didn't mind it.

"Woah!" sigaw ng mga ito.

Muli kong hinila si Gaea without looking at them.

"C-Chanel, dahan-dahan, I feel dizzy."

Sa dami ng tao sa paligid nahirapan akong hanapin ang exit and even If was asking, walang sumasagot sa akin nang maayos and every men there thought that I just wanted to mingle with them.

Unti-unti nakikita kong nag-iiba na ang paningin ko. Tila ba nagiging dalawa at lumalabo ang paningin ko. People were talking pero hindi ko na naintindihan ang sinasabi ng mga ito.

I tried to properly assess and compose myself, but... I felt like there was something wrong with me.

"Chanel..." Tila nag-eco sa isip ko ang tinig na iyon ni Ria. "Here..."

I didn't know what was happening... naging magulo na ang paligid at ang isip ko.

I just found myself drinking too much. I wanted to go home and stop but my body said no. Pakiramdam ko ay umiikot pa rin ang buong paligid ko ang there was like someone controlling my whole body.

Hinayaan nilang lumapit ang ilang kalalakihan sa sa akin. They tired to touch me but I also tried to stop them.

Hindi ko na alam kung gaano kahabang oras ang lumipas.

Ilang sandali, naramdaman ko ang pag-alalay nila sa sa akin paakyat ng hagdan.

Narinig ko silang nag-uusap pero hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga sinasabi ng mga ito.

Dinala nila ako sa loob ng isang silid at hiniga sa ibabaw ng kama.

"Stay here, you will have fun," I heard Dian.

"Virgin no more..." and Ria.

Naramdaman kong umalis ang mga ito sa silid.

That wasn't my room. I had from go home.

Pinilit kong tumayo mula sa ibabaw ng kama. I tried to stand straight pero hindi pa ako nakakahakbang narinig ko nang bumukas ang pinto.

I couldn't see him clearly, but I heard his voice...

"Chanel..." he called.

Namukhaan ko lang ito nang makalapit sa akin. I was still feeling dizzy, my world was like moving. I couldn't also property control myself, but I I know him even quite blurry.

He cupped my face at naramdaman ko ang paglapat ng mga labi niya sa noo ko... next to my lips.

It started slow until it became aggressive. I wasn't able to control my balance at bumagsak na ako sa ibabaw ng kama.

I could smell liquor, hindi ko alam kung sa akin or it it was him.

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya sa ibabaw ko at ang muli niyang pagsakop sa mga labi ko.

My mind was like in deep chaos. Sinusubukan kong labanan ang sarili ko but then I just found myself losing it and responding to his kiss with the same passion and intensity.

Sinundan ko ang bawat paggalaw ng mga labi nito habang kusang umangat ang mga kamay ko para dalhin at pagapangin ang mga iyon sa malambot niyang buhok.

I started to feel a weird heartbeat.

My whole body was like in fire and there were like butterflies playing in my stomach.

His lips... they felt so-- soft.

We were both panting nang maghiwalay ang mga labi namin. I saw those eyes giving me so much emotion just like usual.

"Kurseiv..."