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KABANATA 34
Huling Na-update:
2022-01-20 08:14:10"YOU CAN'T do this to her, Mal," Suzette muttered, her voice's almost sounding begging.
Parang walang narinig na patuloy sa pagpirma si Malcolm sa mga papeles na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa nito.
"Hindi mo man lang ba siya kakausapin? He's been waiting for you," pagpapatuloy ni Suzette. Kung hindi lang niya kilala si Malcolm ay hindi siya mangangahas na kausapin ito ngayon tungkol sa ganoong bagay sa gitna ng trabaho. Subalit hindi na niya kayang makitang naghihirap ang isa niyang kaibigan, Magenta didn't deserve all the pain she was going through. If she could put some sense into Malcolm's head, then it would great for all of them. But she knew how hard it was.
"Does it have something to do with... with Tito Marcus?"
Bahagyang napapitlag si Suzette nang malakas nitong ibagsak ang hawak na makapal na dokumento sa ibabaw ng iba pa. His face became dark and she knew she was hitting some nerve.
"He was old and sick, and he's dying, Mal. Don't let him
Kaugnay na kabanata
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 35
"IYON NA ang huling gamit," si Sebastian matapos mailapag ang huling karton sa loob ng isa sa dalawang silid ng bahay na iyon na naglalaman ng mga unan at kumot niya.Nilapitan ni Magenta ang kaibigan at binigyan ng isang basong tubig."Maraming salamat pala, ha, mahihirapan akong ayusin ang mga 'to kung ako lang."Ngumiti si Sebastian sa kanya bago inilibot ang mga mata sa bago niyang bahay. Marami pa siyang kulang na gamit ngunit maayos naman ang loob at puwede nang tirahan.Isang single mother na may dalawang anak na lalaki ang dating nakatira roon. Binili niya ang bahay at lupa gamit ang perang naipon niya sa bangko. Perang dapat ay para sa kanyang ina. Wala naman dapat siyang balak na galawin iyon ngunit sa kalagayan niya ngayon ay kailangan niyang galawin ang perang naroon. And besides, she worked hard for it. Hindi nga lang niya maipagmamalaki ang ginawa niya para makuha ang ganoong halaga."This is a nice place and a nice neighb
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 36
"BAGAY SILA.""Ha?" Nakakunot-noong binalingan ni Magenta si Mayet na kasama niyang mamili sa palengke.Nasa isang tindahan sila ng mga gulay ngayon at namimili nang marinig niya ang sinabi ng kasama. "Sila po, Ate, bagay sila," anito at itinuro ang maliit na telebisyon na nasa loob ng tindahan.Dumako ang kanyang mga mata roon na nakakunot pa rin ang kilay. But when she saw who Mayet was referring to, her world froze for a moment. A familiar face was flashed on the TV screen, he wasn't smiling, he had facial hairs all over his face, but he was as gorgeous without it.Nanikip ang kanyang dibdib habang nakatitig kay Malcolm sa TV. It's been months, but she still couldn't move on completely though the pain and loneliness were bearable compared to the first months. Iniisip pa rin niya ito tuwing gabi bago matulog, o paggising kinabukasan, sinusubukan naman niyang huwag itong ipasok sa isipan ngunit hindi niya
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 37
BANDANG HAPON ay natungo silang dalawa sa parke upang ipasyal ang kanyang anak. Ayon sa doktor nito ay mas mabuting maraming taong makasalamuha ang kanyang anak upang masanay ito sa presensiya ng iba at magandang theraphy iyon upang makapagsalita ang bata.Naglalakad siya habang karga ito nang ituro nito ang nagtitinda ng ice cream. Iniling niya ang ulo bilang pagtanggi ngunit ngumuso ang bata at agad na namasa ang mga mata na parang maiiyak na."Okay, pero tikim lang ha," aniya pagkatapos nang mahabang buntung-hininga na ikinangiti nito.Nang magbabayad na siya ay inilapag niya muna ang kanyang anak at kinuha sa bag na nakasukbit sa kanyang balikat ang wallet niya.Nasa kamay na niya ang binili at binalingan ang kanyang anak ngunit agad na nanlaki ang mga mata nang makitang wala ito sa kanyang tabi.Tila nanlaki ang kanyang ulo at bumundol ang matinding kaba at takot sa dibdib. Nabitawan niya ang ice cream habang inililibot
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 38
MAY araw na nang magising siyang muli. Hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya ulit kanina habang katabi si Sebastian, paggising niya ay wala na ito sa loob ng kanyang silid.Tumungo siya sa kusina at nagtimpla ng kape, mayroon nang pagkain doon ngunit mamaya nalang siya kakain. She went out in her front porch with a cup of coffee in her hands, then sat at her favorite rocking chair.Agad siyang napangiti nang makita sina Sebastian at Rose sa bakuran at naglalaro. Hindi pa ganoon kainit ang araw kaya naroon ang dalawa. Nang makita siya ay kumaway ang mga ito sa kanya na ginantihan niya naman ng kaway. Kapagkuwan at napataas ang kilay nang may ibinulong ang binata sa kanyang anak pagkatapos ay napahagikhik ang huli.Sinundan niya ng tingin ang dalawa na lumabas sa gate at tumungo sa kanilang kapitbahay. Tumingin pa si Sebastian sa kanya at kumindat bago pumasok sa loo bang dalawa. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang mga ito sa loob at lumabas, tumigil s
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 39
NAPANGITI si Magenta nang may yumakap sa kanya mula sa likuran at hinalikan ang kanyang pisngi. Kahit na hindi niya tingnan ay alam niya kung sino iyon."What are you cooking?"Napangiti siya at hindi sumagot. Nang makita nito kung ano ang kanyang niluluto ay napaungol. "Menudo. It's the best when you cook it.""Chicken menudo, the Fajardos favorite," nakangiting sagot niya. "Seb, ano ba, nagluluto ako," aniya habang nakatawa at napakislot nang kilitiin nito ang kanyang bewang. "Hahampasin kita nitong sandok talaga."He chuckled and kissed her shoulder before letting her go. Hindi naman ito tuluyang lumayo at sumandig sa lamesa habang nakahalukipkip na nakatingin sa kanyang ginagawa."My gift is in your room."Pinatay niya ang kalan nang matapos sa ginagawa at humarap kay Sebastian na bahagyang namumula ang mukha at makatingin ng diretso sa kanya na tila nahihiya. Her lips stretched in a smile seeing how adorable he was.
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 40
"WALA KAMING naging problema ng dating may-ari sa pangungupahan ko. You can call Mrs. Gavino, she can vouch for me," she said and raised her chin defiantly.Magenta was nervous sitting in front of him but she doesn't let him see it. Ang mga mata nito ay nakatutok sa kanya na para tatagos hanggang sa kanyang buto, tila pinag-aaralan nito ang kanyang buong pagkatao.Kilala niya si Malcolm at alam niya kung anong kaya nitong gawin, perhaps that was the reason why the fast beating of her heart. Malcolm emitted power, authority, as if the devil himself was the king of the world. These were the reason why the people who crossed him trembled in fear when apprehended."How are you, Jen?"She was taken aback when his tone changed and his face soften. Good thing was, she was able to gather her wits back immediately. "Great," she answered uncommitingly. "I'd like to renew my lease as soon as possible, I know you're a
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 41
"Tigilan mo ako, Malcolm!""I see, hindi ka pa nakakahanap ng malilipatan.""Ano bang problema mo, ha! Kung wala kang magawa sa buhay mo, na napakaimposible dahil alam kung busy ka sa paninindak ng ibang tao, makipaglaro ka sa demonyo. Letche ka!"Nakagat ni Magenta ang mga labi dahil sa ginawang pagmumura. Mula pagkabata ay hindi siya palamura dahil tinuruan siya ng ina na hindi iyon maganda. But Malcolm can bring out the worst in her.Lihim niyang nahigit ang hininga nang marinig ang marahang pagtawa ng nasa kabilang linya. Tiningnan pa niya ang screen ng cellphone dahil hindi makapaniwala na si Malcolm iyon. No! It was not him! Perhaps it was voice phishing? Or was Malcolm completely possess by demons?"I want to see you, Jen.""The feeling is not mutual," she uttered with the utmost sarcasm."You have no choice, I'm already here.""What?" Napatayo si Magenta at inilibot ang mga mata sa paligid, nang mapatingin s
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20Contract With The Devil KABANATA 42
Sebastian had a faraway look in his eyes as he fell into deep thinking. She also didn't fail to notice the melancholy in his face, it was very unusual of him. "Seb..." she called in a hoarse voice. Tumikhim siya nang maramdaman ang pananakit ng lalamunan at tila may nakabara. Sebastian glanced at her an his eyes were now back to the present. Dinama nito ang noo ni Magenta at pinigilan sa balikat ang dalaga na akmang uupo. "Stay on the bed, may sinat ka." Napapikit siya ng makaramdam ng pagkahilo sa tangkang pag-upo. Pinakiramdaman niya ang katawan at nakumpirma ang sinabi nito. Mabigat ang kanyang pakiramdam, nananakit ang lalamunan at bahagyang mainit ang katawan. Nang tingnan niya ang orasan ay alas-kuwatro na ng hapon. Mahigit apat na oras din siyang nakatulog. Tumunog ang kanyang tiyan kaya napahawak siya roon kasabay nang lalong pamumula ng mapulang ng pisngi. She was hungry, she hadn't eat lunch.
Huling Na-update : 2022-01-20
Pinakabagong kabanata
Contract With The Devil EPILOGO
NAGISING SI Magenta nang maramdaman ang brasong yumakap sa kanyang katawan."Hmm..." she moaned softly when he gave her shoulder light kisses. "Merry Christmas," he whispered to her ear tenderly. Tumihaya ng higa si Magenta at ikurap-kurap ang namimigat pa niyang mga mata. Kapagkuwan ay banayad siyang ngumiti nang luminaw ang kanyang paningin at makita si Malcolm na nakatingin sa kanya. Tumaas ang kanyang kamay patungo sa ulo nito at masuyong hinaplos ang buhok ni Malcolm patungo sa pisngi nito habang nanatiling magkahugpong ang kanilang mga mata. Her heart was beating too fast, Malcolm was staring at her with too much affection in his eyes. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin siya masanay-sanay, there were still butterflies fluttering inside her tummy, her veins were racing, her senses were in haywire every time Malcolm was with her."Merry Christmas, Mal," she said while caressing his lips. Napatingin siya sa mga labi nito, she wanted to feel its softness. At hindi siya nabigo dahil
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 52
"I never had an ideal family. My mother was a typical mother, she loves her children among anything else, but I had a sorry excuse for a father... Marcus."I grew up witnessing him hurting my mother, but I couldn't do anything to stop him. Marcus was insecure, he was proud, arrogant, and he was always paranoid. He was raised by a single mother, a worker at my grandfather's company on my mother's side. Marcus' mother was ambitious, she wanted to marry her son to a wealthy family. He forced Marcus to woo my mother, Marcus did everything to have her, he became obsessive in the process. Years after they got married, Marcus' obsession with her had gotten out of hand. He would suspect every guy that got close to my mother. Particularly Dominic, who had a history with my mother. "Marcus was jealous of Dominic. My grandfather adored Dom than him, Dom was smarter, Dom was more talented. When my grandfather died, Marcus felt victorious when he was finally appointed CEO of the company. And becau
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 51
"Sit down, Malcolm," utos ni Gail nang akmang tatayo ang binata. She sighed deeply and looked at her nephew sympathetically. "I was with Marcus with his last minutes, Mal. He wanted me to deliver a message to you."Malcolm groaned in disapproval, he didn't want to hear it. "He had Alzheimer's! What message could he possibly want you to tell me when he couldn't remember me! When he couldn't remember what he did to my mother! To my whole family! I loathe him, Gail! He should have suffered in his last moment because of the crime he had committed to my family, but he couldn't remember a thing! He couldn't remember!" Malcolm burst. His voice raised in anger.Umiling si Gail nang marinig ang outburst ng pamangkin. Naiintindihan niya kung bakit ito nagagalit sa pagka-alala sa ama, ngunit kailangan niyang sabihin ang mga salitang gustong iparating ni Marcus dito. "No, Mal. He remembered. Marcus hadn't completely forgotten everything he did, there
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 50
TUMIHAYA NG HIGA si Malcolm nang maalimpungatan. Hindi niya agad napansin na nasa dulo na siya ng kama kaya nahulog siya sa sahig. "Shit!" he muttered an oath crispily as he felt the pain in his back, but it was nothing compare to the throbbing of his head. Sumandig siya sa kama at mariing napapikit habang pinapahupa ang pananakit ng kanyang ulo dahil sa hangover. Nang ituwid niya ang mga binti at may matamaang kung anong bagay ay nagmulat siya ng mga mata subalit matindi pa rin ang pagkakunot ng noo at pagtatagis ng mga bagang. The hangover was hellish. Sinipa niya ang bote ng alak na wala nang laman at agad na gumulong patungo sa mga iba pa. He groaned, seeing how many empty bottles were on the floor, they were evidence that he had drunk last night to oblivion. Pinilit niyang tumayo para lang muling mapasalampak ng higa ng pahalang sa kanyang kama. His body was too heavy to move, at ang ulo niya ay para bang minamartilyo. That was the wo
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 49
Inabot ni Suzette ang kamay ni Magenta at pinisil ang palad nito. Alam niya ang gusto nitong sabihin kahit na hindi nito naituloy iyon. Some feelings were just too strong to let go anNatatd forget."I know I am in no position to give you advice, after all, I am the reason why this is happening... No, Jen," mabilis na pigil ni Suzette kay Magenta na akmang kukuntrahin naman ang kanyang sinabi kasabay ng kanyang pag-iling. "We can't deny the fact that I played a big role in everything that had happened and happening right now. The moment I met you, I felt that you were all that Malcolm needed. And I wasn't wrong, you changed him, Jen, you changed everything in his life. You might not believe this, but I saw Malcolm smile genuinely for the first time since the day I met him again. He was inside his office then, holding a photograph while smiling, and later I found out that it was your fake wedding picture. He had kept one in his wallet. And when you left, the
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 48
SHE CAN REMEMBER. She can remember everything now after hearing Rebecca's story, who does not know that she had temporary amnesia.From curling on top of Malcolm's bed while pulling her hair to lessen the throbbing of her head because of her memories that came back in a flash of lightning, she stopped from squirming and smiled weakly at Rose when she noticed her near the door frame. Rose was looking at her with confusion."C-come here..." she said weakly and urged her daughter to come closer.When Rose climbed on top of the bed, she embraced her tightly as her tears started to flow like waters that escaped a dam. Rose tried to struggle free, but Magenta did not let her. She doesn't want her daughter to see how messed up she is.God, how could she forget her? They've been separated for almost a week, Rose must have been devastated during those times that she was not there with her side. How dare Malcolm do that to her? To them!
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 47
"What happened to her?"He looked at her lazily, masking the emotions that his face emitted. "You already know. I never told you anytime about it, but you made me do it.""I wish I could remember."Marahas ang buntung-hininga ni Malcolm sa narinig. "You will hate me if you do.""I can't understand. Nag-away ba tayo? Naghiwalay? But should I hate you? Bakit hindi mo agad ipinaalam sa akin ang tungkol kay Rose? Did you... did you hurt me?"Bago nag-iwas ng tingin si Malcolm ay nakita ni Magenta ang guilt sa mga mata nito. Does that mean the answers to all her questions were yes? Kung naghiwalay nga sila at nagkasakitan, bakit naroon siya ngayon? Does that mean he wanted her back? At siya, anong nararamdaman niya?Mababaliw siya sa pag-iisip. Hindi rin niya mapagkakatiwalaan ang kasalukuyang damdamin para rito dahil wala siyang maalala sa nakaraan. Yes, she wanted to be with Malcolm, it felt good when she was with him like she was finally
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 46
"I don't approve of your scheme, Mr. Peters. But I can't never stop you, can I?" she asked as serious as it sound. "You always do want you want even if that means hurting other people. Can you see her?"Malcolm remained expressionless even when Suzette faced the child to his direction. Her big, innocent and misty eyes were staring at her as if any moment she would fell into tears."She's innocent about what's happening around her. Pero siya ang naiipit sa inyo ni Magenta, look at her and tell me you don't feel anything at all," Suzette demanded. Punong-puno na siya sa pinsan niya. Wala siyang pakialam ngayon kung nasasaktan ito sa mga pinagsasabi niya, he deserved to hear the truth from her. "Her mother's missing, and her father disowned her. Even after before she was born, her father wanted her gone—""Shut up!" he hissed. His teeth gnashing in anger. Nagagalit siya dahil naapektuhan siya ng sinasabi nito. The guilt was crepting inside him, but he w
Contract With The Devil KABANATA 45
MULA SA pagkakaupo sa ibabaw ng kama ay mabilis siyang napatayo nang magulat nang marinig ang tunog ng sasakyan mula sa labas ng bahay. Nagmamadaling isinarado niya ang drawer ng side table at lumabas sa kinaroonang silid, pagkatapos ay isinarado ang pinto.She walked towards the front door while tucking her hairs behind her ears to look presentable. Her chest was thumping too fast, dahil iyon sa pinagsamang kaba at pagkasabik na makita ang taong sakay ng kotseng tumigil sa labas ng bahay at marahil ay maayos nang nakaparada sa bakuran.Bahagya siyang napaatras nang itulak nito pabukas ang pinto. Agad niyang nalanghap ang alak mula rito, namumula rin ang mukha't leeg nito at halatang nakainom.Sandali lang siya nitong tinapunan ng tingin at lumakad patungo sa direksiyon ng mahabang sofa. Isinarado niya ang pinto at nilapitan ito. Napalunok siya habang nakatingin sa mukha ni Malcolm. Nakaupo ito sa sofa habang nakalagay sa
