Chapter 56: Happy New Year

[Kaijin Del Mundo]

It's just 9 in the morning yet he wants me to be in here. Ano bang sasabihin niya?

"Still staying with her?" Napakunot naman ako ng noo. What did he mean by that?

"Are you staying because you're afraid that she'll be alone?" Nagkaroon naman na ako ng ideya sa sinabi niya.

"No." I didn't stay for nothing.

"Then why are you staying? You already sign-up that divorce paper. Why won't you let her be?" Tumalikod siya sakin bago tumingin sa ibang direksyon. Let her be? Ano bang sinasabi ng lalaking ito?

"It's time to let go of her, Son. Focus on our future." Tinawag niya ako para sabihin ang bagay na ito?

"Dad, I ONLY WANT HER." I don't fucking care if she has a fucking fiancé. We could break that engagement. I don't want anyone. JUST HER.

"Are you nuts Kaijin? I didn't raise you to be a third party." Kinuyom ko naman ang kamao ko. Third party? I never expect him to say such thing on me.

"Don't cause any trouble Kaijin. Airish have a fiancé." And so what? That will not stop me from courting her. All of us have a reason to let go. But I CHOOSE NOT TO.

"You said that I'm free." Matalim ko siyang tinignan. For all of this time... He favors Khalid more than me. Isn't it time to change his favoritism? I'm starting to open our clan.

"You have your own freedom Kaijin. But don't forget your image. Gusto mo ba talagang masira ang pangalan ng kompanya natin? You gave me trouble once. Don't try to make another TROUBLE AGAIN." Is this how he see me? A troublemaker?

"I'm already courting her." Nasa kanya na ang desisyon kung mas pipiliin niyang sagutin ako.

"You..." Inis siyang tinapik ang lamesa bago tumingin sakin.

"KAILAN MO BA AKO BALAK SUNDIN?!" Although he's nice... I don't want him to order me around. It makes me sick. Lalo na kung ang utos niya ay may kinalaman kay Airish.

"I can obey your command but I choose not to. Because I wouldn't court her if I didn't love her." Giving up? I can't see that fucking word on my vocabulary.

"You're a stubborn kid." Napabuntong hininga siya. I guess it's a sign of defeat.

"Don't blame me if something happens to you. I already warned you but you're not listening." Tumalikod naman na ako dahil ayoko nang marinig ang mga sasabihin niya. I shouldn't come here in the first place. Kung alam kong ito lang ang sasabihin niya mas pipiliin ko pang pumasok sa opisina.

"Thanks for the opinion. I'm going." You can't change my mind. I only have her in my heart. I'll take the risk no matter what... I'll definitely win her in any means.

I can't lose her to any man.

I may lose control and my temper when that happens...

Pagkaalis ko sa mansyon ay pinaandar ko na ang Ecosse Spirit para bumalik sa mansyon.

Pagkabalik na pagkabalik ko ay napakunot ang noo ko. Bakit hindi ko nararamdaman ang presensya ng babaeng 'yon sa bahay na ito?

Agad akong umakyat ng kwarto pero wala siya roon kaya napag-isipan ko nang tanungin si Ms. Nadia.

"Hindi kayo nagkasalubong? She's with Dylan. Mamimili sila ng ingredients para mamaya." That girl... BAKIT HINDI MAN LANG SIYA NAGPAPAALAM SAKIN?! BAKIT 'YONG LALAKING IYON PA ANG KASAMA NIYA?!

Is he making a move to hit on her?! GODDAMN IT!

"Thank you." Asar kong sagot tsaka umupo sa sofa. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko bago tinipa ang numero niya.

"What?" Maganda niyang bungad sa telepono. What's with the cold temperament?! (-.-#)

"Bakit hindi ka man lang tumawag sakin?" Mahinahon kong tanong kahit naasar na ako. Just thinking that jerk... MAKES ME WANT TO THROW HIM TO DUNGEON SO BADLY.

"Is that necessary?" Inaasar ba ako ng babaeng ito?

"IT IS!" Paano kung napahamak siya?! I'm not there to protect her!

"Don't shout at me." Dinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga niya sa telepono.

"Next time, kung gusto mo ng kasama, just wait for me. I don't want to see you with some guys." Ani ko sa kanya. Saglit na tumahimik sa telepono kaya kinabahan ako. Did I say something wrong?

"F-fine... Expect me after 2 hours." Biglaan niya naman akong binabaan ng tawag. Anong problema ng babaeng 'yon?

Napasandal naman na ako sa sofa tsaka tinipa ang numero ni Asylum. This jerk... He must finish the task that I gave him.

"Bakit ka ba tumatawag ahh?!" Napalayo ko ang cellphone sa tenga ko sa lakas ng sigaw. It must be her.

"Where is he?" Mahinahon kong tanong. Mukhang magiging scapegoat niya si Venice kapag nagkataon.

"He's doing your oh-so-task." That's why... Napangiti naman ako.

"So you're gonna surprise her? WAG KANG MAGTATAGO SAKIN! JUST FREAKING ANSWER ME!" Hindi ba alam ng babaeng ito ang salitang Surprise? It means surprise why would I say it? Alam ko ang bibig nitong babaeng ito.

"I have. But I'm not telling you." Sabay baba ko ng telepono. Alam kong magiging mahaba ang usapan kung hindi ko pa 'yon pinatay.

Napatayo naman ako habang napaunat ng kamay.

"Don't cause any trouble Kaijin. Airish have a fiancé." Fuck off. I didn't even give a damn.

-

[Someone's Pov]

"Those rival of yours are starting to make a move. Isn't it time to give them a little game?" Tumingin ako sa kanya bago ko siya nginitian.

"Hadlang sila sa plano ko. I must get rid of them instead of giving them a little game." I get the glass of wine as I drinks it.

"How will you do that?" Natawa ako ng bahagya. For all this years... Hinihintay kong dumating ang araw na ito. What will that girl feel if I tell her that the accident was cause by my group? I wanted to see her reactions.

"First, we'll befriend with our rivals and get rid of them before we start the game." Even if I can't get too many informations about you... Someone will definitely speak their knowledge about you. Lalo na ang Helvetica na 'yon... If i gain her trust... She'll definitely fall on the trap.

"Shaolin Institute already break their loyalty to that sisters. We can definitely do the plan." This'll go very smoothly... Just thinking about the wealth, happiness, and popularity of their family... MAKES ME WANTS ME TO BREAK THEM.

They don't deserve to be happy... They deserve to cry until they die.

"I'm always with you babe." He pats my head as he smiles. What a great man I have...

"Release that woman from our group." Kahit na anong iwas ang gawin mo... You'll always be a fuckboy... And you will always be. I can't wait for you to fall on our trap.

Please get ready Mr. Del Mundo... As my game is about to begin...

-

[Airish Laxamana]

"I failed to protect you... Im sorry." Isang malakas na sampal ang binigay ko sa kanya. Hindi ko dapat siya sasampalin pero nang malaman ko na siya ang leader ng Shaolin ay biglang nangati ang kamay ko.

"You have an alliance with them?" Malamig kong tanong. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko kaya marahas kong tinabig ang magkabilang kamay niya.

"It's not me! TRUST IN ME! IT'S MY VICE PRESIDENT'S STUPID ACTION! I'M SORRY!" You leave my group just to create another group? How dare you to talk to me like that.

"Sorry isn't enough. MUNTIK NA AKONG MARAPE DAHIL SA TAUHAN MO! DO YOU THINK THAT SORRY IS ENOUGH?!" I've been humiliated... Pero bakit ni hindi mo man lang alam?

"Bakit? Nasaan ka ba ng mga oras na iyon?! BAKIT NAKIPAGALYANSA KAYO SA MAGKAPATID NA 'YON?!" Bakit napakahirap nang alamin kung sinong mga totoong kakampi ko? Why does it seems like everyone is betraying me?

"I'm off because of my father's will. I let my Vice President to do the task but I was wrong to make him in charge." Hinigit ko naman ang kwelyo niya. Sa asar ko ay pinakawalan ko nalang siya.

"Out of my sight." Maotoridad kong utos.

"I–" Agad kong kinasa ang baril na hawak ko tsaka tinutok sa kanya.

"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT DYLAN!" If Dad finds out that you're the leader of that group... He won't forgive you unless that guy dies... Kita ko ang pagkuyom niya ng kamao bago napatingin sa sahig.

"As you wish." Pabagsak akong umupo sa upuan. Wala akong maramdaman kung hindi ang pagkainis. But somehow... I can't blame him... After all... Wang Sisters are the one who's ordering them around...

Alam kong hindi gano'ng tao si Dylan. He didn't want that to happen... Wala akong ibang iniisip ngayon kung hindi patayin ang magkapatid na 'yon. They didn't deserve to live...

"Coffee?" Napatingin ako sa dumating. Agad na nagising ang diwa ko nang makita ko si Axis. Inilapag niya sa harapan ko ang isang cup of coffee bago umupo sa upuan.

"What're you doing here?" This kid...

"I'm missing you so badly. Bakit bawal bang bumisita?" Darn it... This kid will give me trouble...

"You should visit on the other day Axis. I'm busy." Pierce earrings, dyed grey hair, and have a dangerous Charisma. Ganyan ko lang mailalarawan ang batang si Axis Villanueva. A 16 years old kiddo who's been a threat to IT students when it comes to computerization.

"Busy with what?" Not to mention... That this kid is a psychotic asshole with a bipolar personality. He's not the guy that you want to mess-up with.

"Paperworks." Sabay tikhim ko. Maigi niyang inoobserbahan ang kilos ko kaya napatayo na ako.

"Are you staying here? I gotta go." Matalim lang siyang nakikiramdam bago siya tumayo. Hinawakan niya ang isang envelope bago ito binuksan.

"Is this your rival?" Sabay pakita niya sakin ng litrato ng dalawang babae. Agad akong umiling. Hindi pwedeng masira ang plano ko dahil sa batang ito.

"Are they bullying you?" Umiling ulit ako.

"Then who are they? Want me to take care of them?" Pumunta siya sa lugar ko bago ako nginisian

"I can always do the job." Indeed. But I don't want him to interrupt.

"Thank you, but I can handle it. If you don't have any business with me... Then I'll go." Malamig siyang tumitig bago ako bahagyang tinawanan.

"What's with the attitude?" Matalim ko siyang tinignan.

"None of your business." We may seem cold to each other but it's in our nature. He's one of the children in North District but his family were searching for him so we turned him over. I didn't expect that I would see him again.

"You won't say a thing? Then I'll keep you in check." Mapang-asar naman akong ngumiti.

"Go on kiddo, Be my guest." Umalis na ako dahil marami pa akong gagawin pag-uwi. I lied about going to supermarket. Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin sa kanya kung ano talagang motibo ng pagpunta ni Dylan.

Pagkasakay ko sa kotse ay matiwasay kaming nakarating sa supermarket. Bumili lang ako ng mga kailangan pati narin ang mga palamuti pagkatapos no'n ay umuwi na ako. Pagkapasok ko palang ay bumungad na sakin si Kaijin. Matalim akong tinignan nito tsaka siya nagsalita.

"What took you so long?" Ibinaba ko naman ang mga pinamili ko.

"Just help me in the kitchen." Maotoridad kong utos na nakapagpaasar sa kanya. Pagkatapos niyang tumahimik ay wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang tulungan ako.

"Pasalamat ka!" Paghihimutok niya na nakapagpatawa sakin ng bahagya. Ilang oras din kaming nasa kusina para maghanda.

Sa pagod ko ay napaupo nalang ako at napasandal. Saglit na tumingin sakin si Kaijin tsaka siya kumuha ng baso. Pinuno niya 'yon ng inumin bago ibinigay sakin.

"It's already 5pm... You should sleep." Inalalayan niya akong makatayo bago kami makapunta sa kwarto. "I'll take care of everything." Ngiti niya bago ako hinagkan sa noo. Pagkaalis niya ay nagbukas muna ako ng account.

"Soon to be Mrs. Del Mundo!"

Agad kong sinara ang cellphone ko dahil sa bungad na post ni Althea. Is it really fine to let you go? Mapait kong nilagay ang braso ko sa itaas ng mata ko bago tuluyang pumikit.

-

"Hey, wake up..." Unti-unti kong binuksan ang mata ko at napatingin sa taong nasa gilid ko.

"Sa garden tayo kumain." Umupo ako bago humigab. Hindi ba natulog ang taong ito? Pagkatayo ko ay pumunta muna ako ng C.R bago magmumog. Pagtingin ko sa salamin ay naalala ko kung paano ako nawalan ng tiwala sa paligid ko.

"Don't trust anyone Airish... Don't create any friends they'll stab you in the back. Don't fall for men they'll take your virginity and wealth just like that bitch."

I release a heavy sigh after I remember those words. "Any problem?" Napatingin ako kay Kaijin na ngayon ay nakangiti sa gilid. Knowing this guy... He was once a fuckboy...

Hinigit niya ang kamay ko na kinakabog ng dibdib ko.

"You're doubting..." Ramdam ko ang yakap niya at hindi ko maitatangging nagugustuhan ko ang ginagawa niya.

"I am..." I'm scared that one day... I'll lose this guy without me knowing it... I'm afraid that after he pampered me like this... He'll leave me just like that girl...

"You don't have to force yourself Kaijin..." Ayokong paniwalain ang sarili ko sa salitang Love. Love is pain... It makes people suffer... A LOT...

"I'm not forcing myself... Trust in me." Pagkalas ng yakap namin ay ngumiti siya. Bumaba kami hanggang makapunta kami nang garden. Umakyat ang init sa pisngi ko dahil sa arrangement na nakikita ko. It's a candlelight dinner.

Inusod niya ang upuan tsaka ako pinaupo. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sa loob ko dahil ito ang unang ginawa sakin ni Euwan noong magkaayos pa kami. Hindi ko inaasahang maiisip ito ng lalaking nasa harapan ko...

He even give me a rose.

"It's fine to be happy sometimes..." Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"Let's eat?"

"With Pleasure." Sagot ko naman pagkatapos ay kumain na kami. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay napatingin kaming dalawa sa oras. 10 minutes nalang pala at bagong taon na. Sa unang pagkakataon...

"You've missed a lot on your childhood right?" Napatingin ako sa kanya. Saan niya nakuha ang impormasyon na iyon?

"Did you ask him?" Sabay tingin ko sa langit. "You've suffered a lot. It's time to experience all of the things that you've missed..." Kasabay ng pagtayo niya ay ang pagbukas ng mga ilaw sa garden.

"Chief, this time... You need to trust me. Even if Laxamana Empire is gone or Laxamana family abandoned you... I wouldn't dare to leave you or betray you." Kasabay ng pagtapos niyang magsalita ay ang pagtugtog ng isang kanta.

"Now Playing: A Thousand Years."

"Soon to be Mrs. Del Mundo, Can I have this dance?" Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sakin kaya tinanggap ko ito. I'm not afraid to be happy... I'm afraid that this happiness will fade soon...

"Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow"

"One step closer

I have died everyday, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more."

"Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything, take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath, every hour has come to this"

"One step closer

I have died everyday, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more"

"And all along I believed, I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer"

"One step closer

I have died everyday, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more"

"You don't have to worry about anything." Dinama namin ang sayaw kasabay ng pag-alalay niya sakin sa mga galaw.

"And all along I believed, I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more."

Kasabay ng pagtapos nito ay ang pagkislap ng ilaw sa kalangitan. Isang halik sa labi ang ibinigay niya sakin pagkatapos ay tsaka niya ako niyakap.

"In this life, I'll make you experience happiness that you deserve. I'll wait for your answer even if it take years..." Rest assured Kaijin... I can't accept you for now... But please wait for me...