Kept and Wrecked (SERIE FEROCI 7)

Chapter Two

Mabigat ang pakiramdam ko nang idilat ko ang mga mata ko. Napadaing na lang ako at napahawak sa sentido ko saka pinilit na bumangon. Ang bigat talaga ng ulo ko, dahil siguro sa pagod ko sa naging lakad namin ni Irish.

Natigilan ako nang mapansin kong nasa ibang lugar ako. Agad na umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib ko. I looked at myself and my lips parted in shock when I realized that I'm wearing different clothes. I'm wearing a huge t-shirt, halos umabot 'yon sa gitna ng mga hita ko. I'm just wearing a bra and an underwear beneath... Nasaan na ang damit ko? Nasaan na ako?

This place looks luxurious. Malaki ang buong silid. Maski ang kamang kinauupuan ko ay malaki at mukhang mamahalin. May mga abstract paintings sa pader at mukhang mamahalin ang mga palamuti sa silid na 'to. Black at gray ang color scheme ng silid at talagang maganda ang disenyo, halatang lalaki ang nakatira dito.

Natigilan na lang ako nang muling pumasok sa alaala ko ang huling nangyari... I was sexually harassed... and some weird man killed those guys without a blink of an eye... Totoo bang nangyari 'yon?

Natatawang napailing na lang ako at marahang tinampal ang sarili kong pisngi. I've been watching too much thriller movies. Kung ano-ano na tuloy ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

Natigilan ako nang biglang may lumabas mula sa isang pinto sa silid na 'to. Napakurap na lang ako nang may lalaking lumabas mula ro'n. Nakatapis lang ito ng tuwalya. Lantad na lantad ang matipunong katawan nito... My lips parted while staring at him... This is probably the first time I saw a half-naked man this close.

That mysterious man looked at me. "Hey, how are you?" tanong n'ya saka naglakad palapit sa akin.

Napakurap ako at bahagyang umatras, natigilan lang ako dahil headboard na ng kama ang nasa likod ko. He just chuckled sexily and scratched his stubbled jaw.

"Don't worry, I'm harmless... I think?" he said, unsure.

"You don't seem harmless to me. Y-You look dangerous," I mumbled in a soft voice.

Yes, he looks dangerously handsome.

Kitang kita ko na nang malinaw ang kabuuan ng mukha ng lalaking ito ngayon... He's really handsome. He has this semi-bald or semi-kalbo hairstyle that really suits him and his masculine image. He has an eyebrow slit on his left eyebrow. I saw a lot of people with eyebrow slit but it only looks perfect on this mysterious man... He has deep set of hazel eyes, narrow nose, sharp jaw, and sexy lips... My eyes went down to his well-toned body. He has some tattoos on his masculine body. He has tattoos on his chest, arms, and on the side of his abdomen, on the right part. I can't stop staring at it. His broad and chiseled chest, ripped abs, perfect v-line, muscular biceps are perfect that I couldn't even take my eyes off them... I just gulped and looked at his face again.

"So, what do you think? Pasado ba sa taste mo?" nakangising tanong n'ya habang nakatingin sa mukha ko.

My cheeks burned. I just cleared my throat and avoided his teasing gaze... Nagmukha tuloy akong naaakit sa kan'ya. It's true though, but I shouldn't make it obvious. Masyado akong inosente sa ganito dahil wala akong panahon sa mga lalaki noon, but it doesn't mean that attractive men like him doesn't affect me.

"W-Why am I here?" I just asked in a soft voice, avoiding his question.

"Ah, I brought you here since I don't know where you live. Don't worry, just like what I've said earlier, I'm harmless as long as I don't have any grudge against you," he said and laughed in his deep and husky voice.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong mapanatag sa sinabi n'ya.

I cleared my throat. "I-Ikaw ba ang nagpalit ng damit ko?" tanong ko saka napakunot ang noo.

"Yes, but don't worry, I didn't look..." he said and scratched his eyebrow. "Well, I accidentally saw it a little... medyo lang naman."

I just bit my lower lip and stared at him. I don't know what to feel right now. There's something off about this man, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawang kabahan nang sobra sa presensya n'ya. I don't know but maybe, his attractiveness is concealing my fear right now.

"S-Sino ka?" itinanong ko na lang habang nakatitig sa mukha n'ya.

"Hindi ako sinuka, inire ako," sabi na lang n'ya saka napangiti.

"Huh?" naitanong ko na lang.

"Damn, she didn't get it," bulong n'ya saka napaiwas ng tingin sa akin. He just chuckled and looked at me again. "I think it's rude to ask my name without telling yours first... Tell yours and I'll tell mine."

I just bit the insides of my cheeks. "I'm Cristina... Cristina Miranda... ahm, will you please wear clothes first? Hindi ka ba nilalamig?" nakakunot-noong tanong ko.

"Aw, concerned ka ba, Cristina?" tanong nito, tila nang-aasar.

Pakiramdam ko nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko nang sabihin n'ya ang pangalan ko. Napalunok na lang ako at napakapit nang mahigpit sa laylayan ng t-shirt na suot ko... Why am I so affected to a man I just met? I don't even know him or his name... Am I just too ignorant when it comes to this? Para akong teenager na kinikilig, hindi ko maipaliwanag.

"Oh, by the way, my name is Eron... Zachary Eron Frenier, but just call me Eron," he said and went to his closet.

Hinabol ko na lang siya ng tingin habang kumukuha siya ng damit. Tumingin siyang muli sa 'kin saka napangisi... I avoided his gaze and cleared my throat. He really looks handsome. Maybe I'm just too attracted to him. Hindi naman kasi ako gaanong nakihalubilo sa mga lalaki maliban sa mga kapatid ko. I was too preoccupied to fulfill my duties as the eldest sibling... Siguro ay masyado akong nasabik sa ganitong bagay dahil hindi ko naranasan.

"Eron... those two men earlier... w-what happened to them?" I asked and looked at him.

Eron turned his back on me. I gasped when he suddenly removed his towel. Nag-iwas na lang agad ako ng tingin sa kan'ya bago ko pa makita nang buo ang hubad n'yang likod... Even his back looks sexy and strong... I just gulped and remained not looking at him, I just waited for him to finish wearing his clothes... Hindi ba siya nahihiya sa akin?

"Why are you asking about those assholes? They deserve to die," sabi ni Eron, seryoso na ang boses nito.

Napatingin ako sa kan'ya. He's now wearing a gray pajamas and white sando, his muscular tattooed arms are exposed.

"They harassed you... Don't you want them to die, hmm, Cristina?" tanong n'ya saka lumapit sa akin. Umupo siya sa kama ngunit may distansya pa rin naman sa akin. Napatitig na lang ako sa mga mata n'ya habang nakatingin sa akin.

Hindi ko nasagot ang tanong n'ya. Nanatili akong nakikipaglabanan ng titig sa kan'ya habang pilit na inaalam ang sagot sa tanong n'yang 'yon... I hate those guys who harassed me, and knowing that there's a huge possibility that they harassed and did something worse to other women made me hate them even more... I don't know what my heart truly wants to happen to them... but punishing those men is up to God. But there's also a part in me that want them to die. I don't know anymore.

Eron chuckled and caressed his nape. "Chill, stop thinking about them. Mas magandang hindi mo na lang alam... Whether they are dead or alive, just think that they got what they deserve."

"H'wag mong ilagay ang batas sa mga kamay mo," mahinang sinabi ko na lang saka napaiwas ng tingin sa kan'ya.

"Well, thanks to that advice that I will never ever do... So, do you want to go home now? Pwede kitang ihatid hangga't sinisipag ako. Kapag tinamad ako, bahala kang umuwi mag-isa," natatawang sabi n'ya saka tumayo na.

Natigilan ako. Napakagat na lang ako at mas lalong napakapit nang mahigpit sa t-shirt ko... Oddly, I don't want to leave yet. I don't know why but I want to stay here a little longer. What should I do? Of course I won't admit that embarrassing thing to him. I have to think of an excuse for me to stay here a little longer... Think, Cristina.

Natigilan ako nang biglang may pumasok sa isip ko.

"Ahm, E-Eron... where's my clothes?" I asked. "I can't go out wearing this," I said and pointed the shirt I'm wearing.

"Oh, I washed them. I don't have dryer so they're still wet, probably... Gusto mo bang ibili na lang kita ng damit?" tanong n'ya.

"No!"

Halatang natigilan siya sa biglang sinabi ko, maski ako ay natigilan din sa ginawa ko. Napalunok na lang ako at napakagat sa ibabang labi ko. I want to punch myself right now.

"I-I mean, hihintayin ko na lang na matuyo ang damit ko. Tinulungan mo na ako nang maraming beses, I don't want to bother you any longer... By the way, thank you so much for helping me earlier and for not taking advantage of my weakness," sabi ko na lang.

Eron chuckled sexily. "You don't have to thank me for a mere bare minimum. Men shouldn't take advantage of women's weakness and vice versa. That's how it should be... but well, enough with this corny talk... Are you hungry?" tanong n'ya.

"H-Hindi naman," tipid na sagot ko na lang.

I want to keep our conversation going but I'm so awkward when it comes to this. Sana talaga ay naranasan ko muna magkaroon ng boyfriend or intimate relationship para hindi ako awkward sa ganito... Wait, what the hell am I thinking? I've been imagining too far. Imposible namang pumatol ang tulad n'ya sa akin.

"Are you sure? Lalabas na 'ko, you can sleep here for tonight. Hintayin mo na lang na matuyo ang damit mo. Nandoon 'yon nakasampay." Itinuro n'ya ang balcony ng silid. Napakurap ako nang makitang nakasabit doon ang dress ko. Mukhang doon n'ya pinapatuyo.

I looked at him and smiled. "T-Thank you... and sorry for the inconvenience," sabi ko na lang saka napahawak sa batok ko.

"Don't mention it. I'm just in the living room if you need something. There's food in the kitchen if you're hungry... Labas na 'ko," sabi na lang n'ya saka tinalikuran na ako at lumabas na ng silid.

Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin nang ako na lang ang maiwan na lang ako mag-isa sa silid n'ya. Napakamot na lang ako sa buhok ko. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to talk to him a little longer, but what can I do? I don't know how to keep the conversation going and besides, I don't know him that much. Pangalan lang ang alam ko sa kan'ya kaya hindi dapat ako makaramdam nang ganito.

Tumayo na lang ako saka muling nilibot ng tingin ang buong silid n'ya. Napangiti ako nang makita ang sling bag ko sa bedside table. Agad kong kinuha 'yon saka binuksan. Napabuga ako ng hangin nang makitang nandoon ang lagayan ng contacts ko pati na rin ang salamin ko sa mata. Agad kong kinuha ang lagayan saka inalis ang contact lenses ko. Kinuha ko na lang ang salamin ko saka sinuot 'yon... I think I'm more comfortable with my glasses more than contacts. Siguro gagamitin ko na lang 'yon kapag kinakailangan.

Natigilan ako nang muling mapatingin sa bedside table. I fixed my glasses with my wrist and tilted my head when I saw a woman's picture there. My lips parted and stared at the picture. The woman in the picture looks beautiful... Girlfriend ba siya ni Eron?

I just sighed and licked my lower lip. That's the cue for me to stop this stunt. Ayokong magkagusto sa lalaking may girlfriend o asawa na. Babae rin ako at ayokong maloko.

I admit I was disappointed. I have a little crush on Eron, for some unknown reason. I really don't know why I'm so attracted to him, but knowing that he has a girlfriend... I should stop it right now.

Lumabas na ako ng silid ni Eron. Napaawang ang labi ko at nilibot ng tingin ang paligid. Mas malaki ang bahay na 'to kaysa sa inaasahan ko. Natigilan ako nang mapansing may mga baril pa na iba iba ang hugis na nakasabit sa isang pader, tila display ang mga 'yon... He has a weird taste in designs, I guess.

I went to the living room. I saw Eron sitting on the huge couch while typing on his phone. He has a cigarette between his lips... I just gulped while staring at him... He's really attractive. Kahit ano yata ang gawin n'ya, gwapo pa rin siya.

Natigilan siya at napatingin sa akin nang mapansin ang presensya ko. He stopped typing on his phone and put it on the table. Humithit siya sa sigarilyo n'ya saka bumuga ng usok bago inilagay sa ashtray ang sigarilyo.

"Do you need something?" tanong n'ya.

I smiled awkwardly at him and nodded. "I'll go home now. Hindi ko na hihintayin na matuyo ang damit ko," sabi ko na lang.

"Hmm? Why? I thought you'll wait for your dress to dry first?" he asked while staring at me.

"Ahm... Actually, I saw a woman's picture in your room. I think she's your wife or tour girlfriend... Ayoko lang ng ano... misunderstanding. Baka bigla siyang umuwi tapos makita na nandito ako," sabi ko na lang.

Eron chuckled and scratched his eyebrow. "No, she's not my wife or my girlfriend. It's ahm... kinda complicated to explain. I've been in love with her for years now but she loves another man, so... It's just a childish unrequited love, or whatever you called it."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi n'ya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako napanatag doon... So, there's really no chance at all, huh.

Napailing na lang ako at inalis iyon sa isip ko. Here I go again with these nonsense thoughts. I just met this guy tonight for heaven's sake... Mukha ngang hindi siya mapagkakatiwalaan at may kakaiba sa kan'ya pero kung ano-ano na lang ang naiisip ko.

"So, what are you planning to do now? Aalis ka na ba?" tanong n'ya saka muling kinuha ang sigarilyo n'ya at humithit doon.

"Ahm, I-I guess I'll just wait for my dress to get dry. Akala ko lang kasi may girlfriend ka na or something, ayoko lang ng gulo," sabi ko na lang saka napahawak sa braso ko.

Muling natawa si Eron. "Wala ako no'n... Bakit? May ire-reto ka ba sa 'kin?" pabirong tanong n'ya.

"H-Huh? W-Wala naman."

"I'm just kidding... By the way, you can go to sleep now. Pwede ka rin kumain doon sa kusina kung gusto mo." Itinuro n'ya ang direksyon papunta sa kusina. Muli n'yang kinuha ang phone n'ya saka inipit ang sigarilyo sa pagitan ng mga labi n'ya.

Tumango na lang ako saka nagtungo sa kusina. Malako rin ang kusina n'ya pero walang masyadong mga gamit. Siguro hindi n'ya ugaling magluto.

Binuksan ko na lang ang ref n'ya saka kumuha ng isang bottled water at ininom 'yon. Napabuga ako ng hangin saka napahawak sa batok ko... Bakit ba ayaw ko pang umalis dito? Did Eron cast some weird spell on me? Why am I having a crush on him like a teenager? Ngayon ko nga lang siya nakilala.

I just shook my head and went out of the kitchen. Naabutan ko si Eron na nasa couch pa rin at mukhang may kausap sa phone.

"f**k buddy? Grabe ka, 'tol. Kakagaling ko lang sa giyera para sa bansa natin tapos iyan ibubungad mo sa 'kin?" natatawang sabi ni Eron sa kausap.

Napasinghap ako... f**k buddy?

"Well, gusto ko sana... But Hera likes commitments, I'm not in for that. I want a f**k buddy that won't demand for commitment or relationship... just plain s*x," dagdag pa ni Eron.

Napalunok na lang ako at napakapit sa laylayan ng shirt na suot ko. Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong maramdaman sa sinabi n'ya.

Napapitlag ako nang mapalingon si Eron sa direksyon ko matapos n'yang makipag-usap sa phone.

"Hey, why are you just standing there? Hindi ka pa ba inaantok?" he asked and puffed on his cigarette.

"Ahm... Can I ask you something?"

He let out a sexy chuckle. "You're already asking, Cristina."

"Ahm... Diba sabi mo mahal mo 'yung babaeng nasa picture sa room mo? Then why are you looking for a f-f**k buddy?" I asked, I couldn't even say the word 'f**k' properly.

Eron took his cigarette away from his lips. He licked his lower lip and chuckled while staring at me.

"Well, I have needs... if you know what I mean... I won't look for a f**k buddy if she's my girlfriend but she's not, so... that's it."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi n'ya. Muli akong napalunok saka napaiwas ng tingin sa kan'ya.

"I can be your f**k buddy."

What the hell? What the hell did I just say? I have to take it back... I'll take it back.

Eron puffed on his cigarette again and chuckled. "Are you sure? I bet you heard what I've said earlier, I don't want a f**k buddy who demands for commitment or romantic relationship."

I looked at him. He's staring intently at me with a slight smirk on his sexy lips.

"I-I won't demand for something like that... I have s****l needs too. I-I think we can be f**k buddies."

Kanina pa kumokontra ang isip ko pero hindi ko alam kung bakit salungat no'n ang mga sinasabi ko... Nahihibang na yata talaga ako.

Isinandal ni Eron ang likod n'ya sa backrest habang nakatitig sa akin. Napalunok na lang ako at inayos ang salamin ko sa mata... My goodness, dapat hindi ko na lang inalis ang contact lense ko.

Eron grinned and touched his bottom lip while staring at me... "Well... why not?"