CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

 

 

Makulimlim ang kalangitan, kaya walang araw na lumalabas kahit tanghaling tapat. I slowly tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as I was looking outside. Sinusundan ng dalawang mata ko ang mga estudyante na papasok sa paaralan. 

 

Nakita ko kung paano magtawanan ang grupo ng mga babae at lalaking nag kwe-kwentuhan habang naglalakad. The smile on their faces tells me that they're enjoying their conversation. 

 

I saw how the boy gently held the waist of the girl, who has short hair, when there's someone trying to bump her. Mabilis ang kilos ng lalaki, kaya hindi nabunggo ang babae sa lalaking gusto siyang banggain.

Why are there so many assholes in this world?

 

Kitang-kita kung gaano kalawak ang daanan, pero mas pinili paring gumawa ng isang kilos na maaring makasakit ng ibang tao. Would they be happy if they could hurt someone? Will they feel so satisfied after hurting others? 

 

I guess so. Some people love to hurt others because it's their happiness. They wouldn't consider others feelings, they wouldn't mind others feelings, they just mind their own. Wala silang pakialam sa'yo at sa nararamdaman mo. Ikakasaya nila kapag nakikita ka nilang nahihirapan. Tatapakan ka nila dahil gusto nilang makita kang nagdudusa at nasasaktan. 

 

 

I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that it's already 1 p.m. Konti na lang ang nakikita kong estudyante na papasok. Umayos ako ng upo at pinaandar ang sasakyan patungo sa likod ng paaralan. I parked it meters away from the back gate of the school. 

 

I fixed my black jacket without tearing my gaze from outside. Specifically, I was looking at the gate. Moments later, I saw a tall guy who's probably six feet in height with a guard. Umayos ako ng upo at kuryuso silang tinignan na nag-uusap. 

 

 

Nakita kong tamad na inayos ng lalaki ang kaniyang bag sa kaniyang balikat habang pinapakinggan ang guard na nagsasalita. 

He always does this kind of thing. 

 

I saw how his hands went to his pocket and got his wallet. May inilabas siyang pera at binigay kay manong guard. Nakita ko kung paano umiling si Manong at parang may sinabi ulit sa lalaki. Tamad na ibinalik ng lalaki ang kaniyang pera sa kaniyang wallet at biglang binuksan ang gate dahilan upang mataranta ang guard. 

 

The guy suddenly looked in my direction, making my breathing hitched. I can feel the fast beating of my heart after I see his curious face. 

 

Lumabas siya ng gate habang sumasaludo kay Manong guard. Para ng sasabog sa pagkakataranta si Manong guard, habang tinatanaw ang lalaking paalis.

While the college guy shrugged his shoulders arrogantly. Like he doesn't care. 

 

He's the only one I know who loves cutting classes. Pero ang kaibahan lang sobrang kalmado niyang tumakas. Binabayaran niya pa ang mga guard na makakahuli sa kaniya. Pero wala silang magagawa dahil hindi nila ito mapipigilan.

Is that one of the perks of being a son of the mayor?

 

Lahat ng bagay pwedeng gawin. Kahit alam niyang mali ang ginagawa pinagpapatuloy parin. But why am I admiring him in the first place if I see the worst in him? 

 

 

Hindi ba dapat kapag nakita mo na, na parang may mali ikaw na mismo ang dapat na umiwas? But looked at you now, Jazziyah Blaise. You keep on admiring that guy. I admit that I was attracted to him, okay? 

 

 

I don't know why I was admiring him, even if I see the worst in him. I just love seeing him around. And I don't know what's gotten into me. 

 

 

Pinipilit ko naman ang sarili ko na huwag siyang pansinin at dapat kong iwasan. Pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang humahatak sa akin papunta sa kaniya. Kaya parati kong natatanong sa sarili ko kung minahal ko ba si Talliah higit sa isang kaibigan o kapamilya.

 

 

Kasi sa nakikita ko ngayon parang ang labo. If I really like her romantically, I shouldn't get attracted to others so easily. And I shouldn't feel this kind of feeling towards that young man that I cannot feel with Talliah. Kakaiba 'to.

 

 

I know I really love her... But I guess not romantically. Inaamin ko na sa sarili ko ngayon na mali ang nakikita ko, na mali ang pinaniwalaan ko. Ikinulong ko ang sarili ko sa idea na minahal ko siya higit pa sa kaibigan. Pero ang totoo mahal ko siya ng sobra dahil importante siya sa buhay ko at ayaw ko siyang mawala sa'kin. 

 

 

Sa kalmadong mukha maingat akong bumaba ng sasakyan. But I can really hear in my ears the harsh thumping of my heart. I parked my car meters away from the park. 

 

 

Humahaplos sa akin ang hangin dahilan upang mahanginan ang buhok kong nakatali pataas. 

 

 

I can feel the tranquility of the place as I slowly walk. Sobrang tahimik ng parke dahil walang tao ang pumupunta dito. Hindi na ito ginagamit ng mga tao. Parang pinag-iwanan na ng panahon. 

 

 

For me, the park is so beautiful. ‘Yung tipong pwede kang pumunta dito para huminga. If you have a problem or if you want to cry. I suggest this park could be your safe place. You can scream here all your frustrations in life. You can let your anger out of your chest in this park. 

 

 

Lahat pwede mong gawin ng walang makakakita sa'yo. 

 

 

Maingat akong nagtago sa isang puno habang tinitignan ang isang lalaki. I pursed my lips when I saw him taking off his polo and only the sleeveless shirt left. I saw how his biceps flexed as he was looking for something in his pocket. 

 

 

Nakaupo siya sa damuhan habang nilalagay niya sa bibig niya ang sigarilyo. He fixed his disheveled hair in a very manly way. Ang gwapo niya...

 

 

Sinindihan niya ang kaniyang sigarilyo bago siya tumingala upang ibuga ang usok. Ramdam ko ang panunuyo ng lalamunan ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. 

 

 

Hindi naman ako nauuhaw kanina pero bakit ngayon sobrang ramdam ko na kailangan ko ng tubig? 

 

 

I saw how he puffed his cigarette handsomely. At his age, I can say that he's so hot. Pinaypayan ko ang mukha kong nag-iinit habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Napunta ang tingin ko sa jacket ko dahilan upang matawa ako ng mahina. 

 

 

Crazy Jazziyah, kaya pala naiinitan ka dahil naka jacket ka! Nah, the view earlier is more hotter; that's why I felt so hot! I argued with myself like crazy. 

 

 

I scratched my nose and slowly brought back my eyes in front. But my brows suddenly went in knots when I didn't see him. Nasa’n siya? Bakit biglang nawala? Kunot noong mas itinagilid ko ang aking ulo para mas sumilip. Nilibot ng aking tingin ang buong lugar ngunit hindi ko siya makita! 

 

 

Bakit biglang nawala? I frustratedly stomped my foot on the ground and bit my lowerlip because of frustration. Baka umuwi? It's so impossible, Blaise! Nand'yan palang ‘yon kanina, ah? 

 

 

I heard clucking sounds of tongue behind my back, making my entire body freeze. Ang kaninang frustration na naramdaman ko biglang napalitan ng kaba. Nag-ugat ang dalawang paa ko sa lupa ng marinig ko ang baritonong halakhak ng kung sino sa likuran ko. 

 

 

Parang hinahalukay ang tiyan ko sa labis na kaba. Please don't tell me this is my end. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata ng mariin. Parang gusto kong iumpog ang ulo ka sa puno na nasa harapan ko para tuluyang makatulog. 

 

 

“I look so handsome in here, what do you think?” 

 

 

His husky and baritone voice echoed inside my ears, making me jump in shock. Nanghihinang humawak ako sa puno para may makapitan dahil sobrang ramdam ko ang panginginig ng tuhod ko dahil sa panghihina. 

 

 

Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang hiya sa buong katawan ko ng mahuli na talaga ako sa akto! Jazziyah nakakahiya! 

 

 

Biglang nagtaasan ang mga balahibo ko sa batok nang maramdaman ko ang magaspang na kamay sa bewang ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng bigla niya akong pihitin paharap. I mentally cursed myself after I saw his godlike face. 

 

 

Nanghina ang tuhod ko ng makita ko ang kaniyang berdeng mga mata. Maagap na hiwakan niya ang bewang ko para hindi ako matumba. 

 

 

His lips lifted for an amused smirk as he was intensely looking at me. I bit my bottom lip when I felt it tremble a bit. Tangina Jazziyah saan ka lulusot ngayon? 

 

 

Nahulog sa labi ko ang tingin niya dahilan upang tumikhim ako. Pero hindi pa doon natatapos dahil nakita kong mas bumaba ang tingin niya sa dibdib ko. Tumikhim siya at bigla akong binitawan. Umayos ako ng tayo dahil sa hiyang nararamdaman.

He caught me! 

He gave me a curious look. I felt like a shy cat at the way he looked at me. He licked his lowerlip as his curious gaze watched me from head to toe. He again clucks his tongue before he looks at me in the eyes. 

 

“Are you a photographer?” He asked me calmly while his left hand is on his waist and the other hand is holding a phone. What? A phone?! Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang may hawak siyang cellphone.

 

 

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa nakita. Kinapa ko ang likod ng bulsa ko at hinanap ang aking cellphone. Maybe we have the same phone, right? Hindi niya pwedeng makita ang phone ko! 

 

 

Sa tanang buhay ko ngayon ko pa lang gustong mawala na lang na parang bula. Ramdam ko ang sobrang init sa magkabilang pisngi ko habang tinitignan ang phone kong hawak-hawak niya. Why didn't I feel him earlier? Am I that focused in my jacket earlier that I didn't feel someone's presence behind my back? 

 

 

I blinked my eyes multiple times when he snapped his fingers on my face. Inangatan niya ako ng kilay at parang may inaantay. Anong sasabihin ko? Should I lie and just run, or should I tell him the truth? 

 

 

I bit my lower lip and shook my head. Because of embarrassment, I looked down. I heard his husky chuckles making me look at him. 

 

 

“I see. You're not a photographer, but your phone is full of pictures of me.” Natatawa niyang saad habang pinapakita sa akin ang mga pictures niya sa phone ko. 

 

 

“Who are you? And why are you always following me around? Are you one of my dad's puppets?” He coldly asked. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me intently.

 

“Answer me. Are you fucking mute or what?” He snobbishly asked while clicking his tongue. He looks annoyed.

 

What should I say? Na parati ko siyang pinapanood sa malayo at kinukuhanan ng litrato? Na parati ko siyang sinusundan at parati kong hinahangaan ang bawat galaw niya? 

 

Naiirita niyang nilagay sa bulsa niya ang phone ko at gamit ang mabibigat na paa dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa'kin. 

 

Biglang akong nataranta kaya napaatras ako ng konti. I can smell the cigarette and his perfume as he slowly ate our spaces. 

 

 

My breathing suddenly hitched when I felt his domineering presence towering over me. Umawang ang labi ko habang nakatitig sa kaniyang mapaglarong mga mata. 

 

 

“You don't want to talk?” He asked like he wanted to snap my neck if I didn't answer. 

 

 

"I'm sorry,” I stuttered while looking at his captivating green eyes. 

 

 

“Sorry for what?” He probed.

 

 

“Sorry for taking pictures of you without your consent. I'm really sorry,” I hopelessly said. 

 

 

Natatawa niyang inayos ang buhok niyang magulo habang may nanunuyang ngiti sa mga labi at tinitignan ako ng mariin. 

 

 

“Why do I feel like you don't feel sorry at all? Hmm.” He hummed as he lowered his head to my face, making me gasp internally.

 

 

Binigyan ko siya ng malamig na tingin para matakpan ang rumaragasang emos’yon sa aking dibdib. Ibang klase ang tibok ng puso ko ngayon habang kaharap siya. Hindi ko maunawan kung bakit labis akong kinakabahan sa presensiya niya. When he's younger than me! I can't think straight right now just because of his presence. 

 

 

All I can hear is the fast thumping of my heart and our breathing. Hindi ako pipi pero bakit ngayon parang hindi ko na mahanap ang boses ko? Bakit parang bigla na lang itong tinangay ng hangin at wala ng planong bumalik para makapag-salita naman ako. 

 

I always think straight and tell what's inside my head, but right now. My mind is just so blank. 

 

“If you're not one of my dad's puppets, then who are you? A stalker?” 

My lips parted at his straight-forward accusation. I want to open my mouth to save myself, but there's no enough reason I could think of. 

I was totally caught red-handed! 

 

“If you keep that pretty mouth of yours shut. Then you decided your faith. I’ll drag you to the police station and file a case of you stalking me.” 

 

Kusang nalaglag ang panga ko sa labis na kaba! There's no trace of haughtiness in him. His face looks so serious as hell, making my knees weakened even more.

 

“I admit. I’m stalking you. I took pictures of you because I find you incredibly attractive.” I puff out a harsh breath after that shameful honesty. 

I watched how his serious face turned interested. He poked his tongue in the inside of his cheeks without tearing our eye contact. 

Jesus! I hope the land will open and swallow me. 

“Attractive huh? So, how long did you know me?” He titled his head, wearing his smug smile. 

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang nag-enjoy siya sa sitwas’yon namin ngayon. 

Nang hindi ako makasagot bigla siyang sumeryoso. 

“Do you think you can fool me? You’re one of my father's puppets. Isusumbong mo na palagi akong tumatakas? ” 

 

My eyes widened after hearing his wrong accusation. 

“I’m not your father's puppet! ”My voice raised a bit. 

His jaw clenched. “You can't fool me, woman.” 

“You want me to answer honestly, right? I’m your stalker, but definitely not your father's puppet.” My lips thinned, and I saw how his green eyes widened a bit. 

His red lips parted. 

“B-Bastian...” His name smoothly came out of my lips. I saw how his lips parted even more after hearing his name. Gulat niya akong tinignan habang inaabangan ang iba ko pang sasabihin. 

 

“Ryker C-Contreras...” Narinig ko ang mahabang singhap niya habang mariing nakatitig sa 'kin. So shocked that I know him. 

 

“What the—” he chuckled while shaking his head. 

 

“You're creepy.” Mahina niyang daing. 

 

“Oh fuck... I can't believe this. You're so pretty, but you're a creep.” Saad niya sa hindi makapaniwalang tinig. Hinilot niya ang sintindo niya at natatawa akong tinignan tapos ay bigla na naman siyang magseseryoso. 

 

Napatalon ako sa gulat ng bigla niyang hawakan ang palapulsuhan ko at kaladkarin sa direksiyon ng kotse ko. Gulat akong tumingala sa kaniya dahil paano niya nalaman na dito naka park ang kotse ko? Mabilis niyang binuksan ang passenger seat at agad akong tinulak papasok. 

 

My butt bounced after I sat down. With brows furrowed, he fixed my seatbelt, and after he made sure that my seatbelt was okay, he immediately went to the driver seat. 

 

“Starting from now on. You're going to serve me; you’ll be my personal maid. That's your punishment.” He uttered with so much authority in his voice before he drove faster. 

 

I shut my mouth and hide my smile. This is it, Jazziyah Blaise. You can finally see him every day. You can finally take a picture of him every time you

want without being afraid of getting caught ‘cause he finally noticed you!

My insides squeal in so much happiness and excitement as I was thinking that I would live with him! 

 

I can be a fucking maid and a servant for all of my life if it's Bastian Ryker Contreras who I will serve.