v. The Same Room

Ezra left me at the front of the elevator door, she forgot to bring the key of my room with her, so she go at the lobby area of the house to get the spare key.

Kita sa malaking bintana malapit sa aking kinakatayuan ang kumikinang na tala sa madilim na kalangitan. Inabot na kami ng gabi dala ng nakaka-tuwang kwento nina tito Allan, tito Enrique, tito rap known as Mr.Nalt at ang papa ni ate Scarlet na si tito Ysaac.

Marahil ay hindi na namin napansin ang oras kasi hindi sila nauubusan ng kwento ng kanilang kalokohan noong sila ay mga binata pa lamang. Mas lumalala pa ang mga paksa ng mauna na umuwi ang mga anak nila.

Tila mas naging aktibo o tuso pa sila ng nauna narin pumasok sa loob ng bahay ang mga may edad na kababaihan dahil hindi na nila makayanan ang hampas ng hangin.

I find it really interesting whenever old men or women remininsce their young days because through their stories I can see how they live differently. Sometimes I even wish that I should be born the same year where life seem so simple, peaceful and halos lahat ng tao pa ay handa pang magbayanihan.

'Ms. Phoenix,my apology for making you wait that long. I already got the key so let's go you must be tired from grilling those load of meats.'

Ngayon ko nalang narandaman ang ngalay na dala ng pagtayo suot suot ang sapatos ko na may mataas na takong. The stars shine so bright that makes me forget the easing pain on my calf and feet. Next time I will request for a pair of rubber shoes, because I feel more secure wearing that kind of foot wear. I can even dance with that even though both of my foot are left.

The elevator door opened, Ezra point her hand at the doorway letting me to go in first. When I step my left foot in the middle of the elevator frame I got tripped . Usually I can easily move to stop myself on falling, but due to the ngalay on standing that long what I can do is wait for my body to meet the cold floors.

My body reflexes is such a traitor.

Instead of the cold floors I feel a warm arm wrapped around my waist and a soft hand na umaalalay sa ulo ko. I slowly open my eyes to see the person who just catch me from falling.

The thick eyeglasses and the hair that hide the angelic face.

'Clyde?'

I can totally see his face again up close. Pero bakit nandito pa siya? I thought nauna na siyang umuwi kasabay ng mom niya. Yet he was here standing so close to me.

'I got you.'

Those words left his perfect pinkish lips that is only three inches away from me. This kind of scenario I've heard this for how many times sa mga libro na binabasa sa akin ni Heila, lagi niya sa akin sinasabi na this is every girls in the school dream off and they want to be with the captains arms.

She said my heart should feel something about it and now that I'm here I don't feel anything special at all.

'Tss, this happen if people watch so many dramas and fairytales.'

A husky and cold voice of a man coming from the outside of the elevator.

Clyde help me stand with my feet, yet my legs are still in pain kaya napahawak siya sa braso ko para ako ay alalayan.

A tall and muscular man wearing a white tuxedo is the one who speaks out of the blue. When I look to his face it's Primo.

I've been looking for him bigla nalang siya nawala after dinner. I should teach this man some lesson,  first is manners.

I told Clyde that I'm okay pero bago pa ako makaalis sa pag kakaalalay niya sa akin ay hinila nalang ako bigla ni Primo papalapit sa kanya.

'I can take her now on our room. You can leave, now.'

He said it word by word with emphasis.

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba ito o hindi pero naramdaman ko na may kasamang pananakot ang pag sasalita ni Primo sa pinsan niya.

The two of them stare into each other eyes tila nagbubuno sa pamamagitan ng tingin. Nauna na kaming pumasok ng elevator ni Primo at sumunod naman si Clyde at Ezra.

Primo grab my hand and lay it to his right arm. Then he put his left hand on the back of my waist.

His sudden gesture stop me from breathing, he should have done this kanina pa. Kaya naman pala niya mag panggap na hindi ko siya kailangan saktan but mas pinili niya mag matigas.

Napa-talon ako sa aking pwesto ng bigla niyang pinisil ang bewang ko, ng tingnan ko siya ay ginalaw niya ang braso na kinakapitan ko. Nakita ko ang pagbaon ng aking daliri sa kanyang braso. Sa inis ko pala ay hindi ko na napansin na napapadiin na pala ang pagkakahawak ko.

'Sorry, masakit na talaga yung paa ko. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa gantong sapatos.'

Medyo mahapdi na ang tinatamaan ng strap at ang hinliliit ko sa paa. Sa tingin ko ay mas okay parin sa akin ang boots or rubber shoes. I can stand, run, jump and even dance with that everyday. Ang hindi lang totoo sa sinabi ko ay makakasayaw ako gamit yun, kasi kahit simpleng steps nga hindi ko kayang matutunan.

Tinanggal ko ang kamay ko sa kanyang braso kahit na hindi ko parin ma control ang aking paa. Baka kasi nagiging pabigat na ako sa kanya. Ayoko naman magkaroon ng utang sa kanya, tsaka baka naman okay  na yung acting namin mukha namang naniwala na sina Ezra at Clyde.

Pero nagulat ako ng bigla na lang siyang lumuhod at ipinatong ang aking kamay sa kanyang braso.

Tila tumigil ang pag andar ng elevator sa pagtanggal niya ng aking sapatos. He carefully lay my feet back down at the ground at ng tapos na siya ay tumingala lang siya sa akin at ngumiti.

He is definitely smiling at me, a sweet and genuine smile. But he never laugh or smile during the lauch time with his family.  If I'm going to base it to his attitude when we are going upstairs on how he treated me and kung paano niya ako kinausap that time, he would never give me this king of gesture.

Maybe this is also part of his acting. He would never be a man.

Nakawala ako sa matatamis niyang ngiti ng bumukas na ang pinto ng elevator.  He stand to his feet and bring my heels, he really is doing his part but it makes me feel uncomfortable. Bigla bigla nalang niyang sinasakyan ang gusto mangyari ng ate niya, is he planning something against us?

I have to look for the answer, I have to see his eyes.

'Primo.'

When I call his name, he turn his gaze toward me.  He look at me with his stunning amber eyes, but it wasn't shining or I can't feel any joy to his eyes. It's so deep na parang nasa ilalim ako ng dagat na wala akong makita at marinig, I can't even read what is the truth on him.

For a moment I cannot move nor breath. But he save me from that state because he suddenly grab my hand and walk outside the elevator.

This is my first time seeing that kind of eyes. Parang punong-puno ng kwento pero tagong tago ito, parang ayaw niyang ipaalam kung ano ito. Kailan pa siya naging ganito? How long did he endure this?

Kumawala ako sa pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko. I should wake up. The act is over, this is breach of my contract if he stay holding my hand.

Phoenixyr, you have to mind your own business and focus to your mission. I now that you always struggle in controlling in your curiosity about things and if you  seek for the answers it always ended up in a great disaster.

JUST DO YOUR JOB WITHOUT ASKING NIX. Nothing personal just follow the plan.

' Primo you.... you should get back to your room, I.... and I gotta go now.'

I sound really nervous, but I'm not nervous I just .. i just... why do I need to explain it to myself. Siguro dapat na ako mag pacheck up because I feel weird and I become weird . I'm not like this I never talk to myself, maybe because of stress or because of the shock na the outside world is running like this. Yah, that's the reason.

Nag simula na ako maglakad pabalik ng Elevator, I should stop thinking now this kind of thinking I will not have a good sleep.

His voice stop me from taking  another step.

'You're staying with me, in my room.'

Naramdaman ko ang pagtay ng balahibo ko sa buong katawan, kasabay nito ang mabilis na tibok ng aking puso.

I heard him right, I won't make him say it again. But I wont just accept this I can stay outside of this huge house but I'm not going to his room, ever. I have to ask Ate Scarlet he must be going crazy or he is doing to take a revenge from what I did to him.

(Primo's Point of view)

'Ezra, give me the key of my room. I can go on my own.'

The weird girl stopped on her way to Elevator  when she heard what I said.

I was still in my blank face but I really feel irritated because that girl keep on ignoring my words. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang lakas ng babaeng yun para gawin sa akin ang mga bagay na yun katulad ng ginawa niya sa akin sa hagdanan. Isa pa dahil sa kanya ay napasakay ako ng elevator na never ko nagawa after the accident 14 years ago.

Kakakilala lang namin kaninang umaga yet she pisses me off, how i wish that I will never see her face again.

I can't really contained my anger whenever I see this girl, this is the worst thing that could ever happen to me. My sister maybe gotten crazy for choosing a girl like her. Hindi nga siya babae at all, I can say that she is a monster by just looking at her.

What group of species is she living with? There's alot of choices why it should be her? The Aces Academy have a long list of girls. They are all selfish brat rich kids who just care about their stocks and money, I would never like them but I can endure it kaysa naman sa monster na ito she is just a poor ugly nobody monster.

Napaka-laki ng pagsisi ko sa ginawa kong hindi pagbabasa ng contract before persuading her at the campus. I should have read it , para sa akin pala yung marrige contract na yun. Siguro tumatawa sa galak ang ate ko ngayon dahil ako mismo ang naghulog sa aking sarili sa hukay.

I'm going to do everything to make her quit, I'm not just a piece of their chessboard.

Ezra stopped her, hindi ko man ito naririnig  but I know what she is saying to her boss.

I said it right that monster is going to stay at my room. Kung ayaw niya ay mas ayaw ako, but I dont have a choice its my sister order.

Nakita ko na nagsimula na ulit magl;akad palayo ang pangit na yun kaya agad ko itong sinundan at hinikit ang kanyang braso. Itinulak ko siya sa loob ng kwarto and lock the door.

'What are you doing? I'm going to sleep in my room.'

She tried to open the door but I grab her shoulder, pero hindi parin siya nag patigil. That monster is really getting on my nerves, when I have a chance to get a strong grip to her arm ay naitulak siya palayo sa pinto.

Narinig ko ang malakas na pagtama niya sa small cabinet na nasa gilid at ang pagkabagsak niya sa lapag.

'It's not my intention, I just stop you from...'

Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita ng makita siya na dahan-dahang sinusubukan tumayo sa pagkakahulog . When she lift her her elbow and check it I see a red liquid that start to fall down to her arms.

What have I done? Sobrang lakas ba ng pagkakatulak ko sa kanya?

Oh stupid Primo, she wouldn't have that wound now if hindi malakas ang pagkakatulak mo sa kanya. 

I step forward just to check her if she's okay pero humakbang siya palayo sa akin. Hindi ko inaasahan ang sunod niyang ginawa.

She give me a small but sweet smile.

'Ahm, I'm sorry that I act that way. I'm really sorry.'

Then she politely bowed down. Why is acting this way? I just push her and hurt her. Is she making me feel a guilt of what I have done to her. So this is also part of her pakulo, but I will not fall for it.

It's her fault anyway.

Yes!Yes! Siya ang may kasalanan kung hindi lang siya nag pumulit na lumabas ng kwarto ay hindi ko siya maitutulak ng ganun.

But did I do too much? I should try to control my temper. What?No.No. She's the one who keep on...

The doorbell rang inside the room, mas malapit ako sa pinto but I couldnt move my feet. But, I saw her na lumalapit sa pinto kaya inunahan ko na siya baka pag nakita nila ang dugo sa braso niya ay baka isipin nila na kung ano ang ginawa ko sa kanya.

' Vlain, I'm assign for Ms. Phoenixyr needs I bring her clothes and her cleaning essentials so she'll be able to change before going in bed. Can we get your permission to enter the room to properly organize her belongings?'

So si Ezra pala ang nakuha nila para mag assist kay.. what is her name again?

Phoenix?Phoenixyr?

What her parents think to name her with that mythological bird? 

'Ezra sorry pero pwede ba na iwan mo na lang yung dalawang bag na pinadala dito ni Sir Rile malapit sa pinto. Yung ibang ako nalang ang mag aayos. Then, all of you can go now para narin makapahinga na kayo.'

She hide her body behind the door at  tinagilid niya ang kanyang ulo para tingnan kung anong meron sa labas ng pinto.

The staffs have a dozen of racks and boxes with them outside my room, I cannot let them in but I also cannot let her fix her things in the middle of the night. Bukod sa sobrang dami ng gamit na aayusin niya ay aabutin siya ng anong oras with her condition.

I really don't care kung mahihirapan siya but while moving those things inside my room will make sounds and will disturb my sleeping time.

'Ms. Phoenixyr, are you sure?'

The monster just nodded her head, inilapag ni Ezra ang malaking black na backpack at black na duffel bag. When everyone left she excuse her self at kinuha ang dalawang bag na punong puno ng gamit niya.

Tinanggal niya ang pagkakahawak niya sa sugat niya. Malalim ba yung sugat niya? Kasi she's still bleeding yet she manage to carry that huge bags.

I saw other girls on how they react if they have wounds. Halos sumabog sila sa inis because it will left a scar to their skin but this monster.

' Can I use the bathroom?'

Bakit ganito itong babaeng ito? Why is she acting this way? Diba sinugatan ko siya pero wala siyang sinasabi? This making me feel uneasy. Dapat sinisigawan niya na ako ngayon katulad nung ibang babae but her face look so calm and....

Without answering her question ay umalis ako sa pagkakatayo sa harapan niya and dive to my soft bed.

I should stop thinking about what I did, it's her fault and I have to make a perfect plan to kick her out.

Should I call Enrile to help me? But I know na susundin niya si ate, pero he is the greatest asset that I can have to change my sister's mind. Alam ko na I have a deal with her but not this one, this is too much to bear. I enjoy being a bachelor and I feel I he don't need a wife or girlfriend.

If Mama and Papa want a grandchild we can just ask our doctors and viola.

Try to think Primo Ysmael Vlain.

XxX

I suddenly woke up, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and fresh bake bread cover the entire room. Napabangon ako sa aking hinihigaan when I realize that I never drink coffee  and hinanap ang pinag mumulan ng amoy.

Who is the person who enter my room without my permission? Kung sino man siya he or she is super dead.

When I saw the short haired monster at the sofa with a mug of steamy coffee on the side table, that wake my senses up. Hindi na nga pala ako nagiisa sa kwarto na ito, I'm sharing my personal space with that monster.

What a headache, I'm going to see that face early in the morning starting today.

Wait where did she sleep? Did she climb up to my bed without me knowing it? I scan the side of my bed, but the mattress and the pillows doesnt look like someone lay down.

'Hey, where did you sleep?'

Pinalo niya ang mahabang sofa na kinauupuan niya bilang sagot. Good to know that, alam  niya pala kung saan siya lulugar. Hindi ko naman pala kailangan mag sayang ng laway.

I should take a bath before going to my sisters office, I have to talk to her. Kahit na wala naman talaga akong plano kasi nakatulog na ako kagabi.

On my way to the bathroom nakita ko na wala naman na galaw na gamit sa loob ng walk in closet ko.I thought she's going to fix her things all by her self, pero katulad lang pala siya ng ibang babae na hindi kayang gumawa ng ganung bagay ng walang umaalalay.

Kaya naman pala wala akong narinig na kahit ano kagabi.

'Tss.'

Why do I need to keep on stressing myself out?