The Fortress Island Series 2: Romano, Can't We Try

SEVEN: STUCK

Pagkatapos naming mananghalian ni Romano, nagpasabi ito na huwag siyang istorbohin dahil buong maghapon itong maglalagi sa kanyang playroom. Ang playroom na tinutukoy nito ay ang partikular na silid na pinagbabawal nitong panghimasukan ko.

Dahil siguro sa nabasa niya ang kuryusidad sa aking mukha, he had let me have a glimpse of his ‘playroom’. He held my hand and pulled me towards that door. Bahagya nitong binuksan ang pintuan ng silid na iyon. Saglit akong natameme habang binubusog ang aking mata sa interior ng kanyang playroom. Ang buong akala ko talaga ay literal na playroom o di kaya ay kwarto na puno ng kalaswaan. I even assumed that the room was intended for his Mariposas where he could toy with them. Napangiwi ako sa naisip.

“You called this a playroom?” Hindi ko maitago ang pagkamangha sa aking mukha.

He grinned at me as he nodded gingerly. “Yep. This is my playroom, grandma. This is where I usually composed and produced my songs.”

His playroom is a recording studio. As his fan, malaking bagay ito sa akin. Isang karangalan ang makita ang silid kung saan nabuo ang mga sikat na likha nito. Pero sa sitwasyon ko ngayon, hindi na ako basta fan na lamang. I am his employee now. I should refrain myself from fangirling when he’s around.

Ngumuso ako. “Akala ko naman kung anong playroom.”

Naningkit ang mga mata nito kasabay ng pagkrus ng kanyang mga braso sa kanyang harapan. “Hmmm…sorry to disappoint you grandma, I am no Christian Grey. I’m greater than him. A lot rougher and definitely way hotter.”

I clicked my tongue and glared at him. Puro kalokohan talaga ang nasa utak ng lalakeng ‘to. Hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw ay madawit sa malaking eskandalo ang pangalan nito. “I really don’t know him, but I must say he’s quite popular. Naririnig kong pinag-uusapan siya ng mga kaklase ko sa college noon. Kriz, my cousin, used to talk about him a lot. Napanood niya ata ang movie ng lalakeng yun.”

Romano chuckled. He then leaned forward to whisper just above my ear. “I’m a lot better than him.” May naglalarong kapilyuhan sa kanyang mapupulang labi. Pinatong nito ang kamay sa aking ulo at ginulo ang aking natural na magulong buhok. “You are not allowed to like someone else, grandma. You should remain loyal to me. Understand?”

Pinalis ko ang kanyang kamay. “Siyempre, empleyado mo ako. Ang aking katapatan ay mananatiling sa’yo.”

“Empleyado? I’m talking to you as a fan of mine.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Kahit gaano pa karami ang celebrities diyan, para sa akin, it’s always you.”

Romano looked at me with teary eyes. He dramatically clutched his chest as he leaned against the wall. “Oh, my heart.”

What a drama queen. “Puro ka kalokohan, Romano. Siyempre naman kasi nga, empleyado mo ako. I can’t and shouldn’t say words against you.” Kumagat-labi ako para pigilan ang aking sariling mapangisi. Romano’s facial expressions changed from being soft to grumpy.

“Tss. You cold-hearted woman.”

I laughed. “You’re being childish. Hindi ko alam na may ganito ka palang side, Romano.”

“I’m not being childish here. Sinisigurado ko lang na mananatili kang tapat sa akin. Kahit ba hindi pa natin lubos na kilala ang isa’t isa, may tiwala na ako sa’yo. Kaya nga pumayag ako sa gusto ni Papa na i-hire ka at titira ka sa pamamahay ko kahit na ba ayoko nang may ibang tao sa pamamahay ko.”

“But you used to bring your Mariposas here.” I retaliated.

“Wrong. I let them enter my house only for introduction but after that, sa baba…” He pointed the floor. “The floor below us…that’s where they used to stay while in service.”

Marami pang mga tanong ang nagpapagulo sa aking isipan pero tingin ko’y masyado nang personal ang mga tanong na iyon. I wasn’t hired to be his Mariposa, why would I trouble myself with questions in regards with that?

“Kahit na hindi mo inalok sa akin ang trabahong ito, I would remain faithful to you.” He had no idea how much his music…his voice healed me. One day, kung ipapahintulot ng pagkakataon, I might tell him that he is my hero.

“Hmm…I don’t want to sound possessive, Grandma, but thinking of you liking other artists aside from me doesn’t set right to me. What’s mine is mine. Kapag na-launch ko na ang upcoming album ko, both of us will be very busy. You know, promotions here and there. You will meet other celebrities, my competitors. Kapag malaman ko lang talaga na hinahangaan mo rin sila…”

I rolled my eyes so hard I could almost see my brain. “Romano, are you underestimating me? Hindi pa ba sapat na katibayan na ginawa kong wallpaper sa kwarto ko ang mga poster mo? Do you have any idea how I much I worked hard to earn extra money para lang may pambili ng albums mo? I don’t have to justify myself to you, but don’t you ever question my sincerity towards you.”

“Did you ever attend one of my meet-and-greet events?”  He cockily raised an eyebrow.

I took a step back and lowered my gaze to the floor. Wala sa loob na kinusot ng aking mga daliri ang dulong tela ng aking pang-itaas na damit.

“Ahm. Hindi, e. I hate crowded places.” Ani ko. Ang totoo, I tried may times, but it always turned into a disaster. His crazy fans never failed to bully me and push me to the very back. They would yell at me and call me names. They said I shouldn’t greet Romano with my appearance dahil baka matakot lang daw ang lalake sa akin o di kaya ay mwalan ng gana. O di kaya ay baka masira ko ang araw nito. I don’t understand those girls. I know I am not pretty but I’m sure I don’t look scary.

“See? See? Kahit isang beses you never tried! At kahit pa siguro magsinungaling ka na oo umattend ka at nag-meet tayo ng personal, hindi pa rin ako maniniwala.”

“Bakit naman.”

“You have a face that’s impossible to forget.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Kaya alam kong hindi pa kita nakita kailanman.”

Ngumiwi ako. “Thanks for the insult. Ang laking tulong.”

“Hey! I’m not insulting you. It’s a fact, grandma. You are a rare kind.” He chuckled.

“Sige pa, mang-insulto ka pa.” I snarled at him.

Tumawa lamang ito at kinurot ang aking pisngi. “Ang cute mo talaga. Sige na, magpahinga ka na muna sa silid mo. Mamayang gabi ay pupunta dito si Matt. He will hand to you my schedules at ibi-briefing ka na rin tuloy niya sa magiging trabaho mo as my P.A.”

I dismissed what he said. “Nabanggit mo na may upcoming album ka? Pang-pitong album mo na bale yan, Romano. How many songs are you planning to include? Let me guess, twelve songs?” Ngumisi ako. As his fan, napansin ko kaagad na mula sa unang album niya hanggang sa latest album nito, it has always had twelve tracks. I wonder what’s with the number twelve?

“Hindi ako minamadali ng Moon Records. My albums are still selling well even up to these days. My producers are not pressuring me to release a new album as soon as possible. They know I hate being pressured.  So, for now, I’m taking my time. It’s not about how many albums you’ve had so far, it’s about how great the album will be.”

“Your albums are always great. I don’t have a least favourite.” I blurted out.

Romano smiled widely. “If you’re going to ask me, lahat ng anim na yun ay paborito ko.”

“Because….”

“Because I worked hard for each one of them. All the songs I wrote came from my heart. Through my albums, I want to show my true self to all my fans. Through the lyrics I wholeheartedly write, I want to reach out to them.”

Sinandal ko ang gilid ng aking ulo sa pader at humalukipkip. “Most of your songs are sad. The lyrics are quite painful. Why do you want to show your true self? Why do you need to reach out, Romano?”

He stiffened with my question. His face devoid with emotion as he slowly hung his head low. “The world is so big but surprisingly, I feel like whatever I do, I will never fit in. I always feel alone.” Romano gave me a tiny smile. But even though he smiled, it was full of sadness.

Looking at him now, it made my heart ache.

“But since I let you into my world, I realized having someone by your side isn’t that bad.” He added.

Binalot ng lungkot ang puso ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa akin at basta ko na lamang inabot ang palad nito at bahagyang pinisil.

“The strongest person in the world is someone who is not afraid to be alone. And if you feel like there’s no one else to run to, remember that you have the best fan in the world. Me.”

Romano bit his lip at ganun na lang ang gulat ko nang bigla niya akong hinila at binalot sa kanyang mga yakap. He squeezed me so tight it was almost impossible to breathe.

“Wow. You made me speechless, grandma, but thank you. Your words warmed my heart.”

Tiningala ko ang lalake. Taimtim itong nakatitig sa akin at ang kanyang mga labi ay nakangiti sa akin. My heart made a backflip when our eyes met. Tumikhim ako at tinukod ang mga braso sa kanyang dibdib at lumayo.

“Marami kang tagahanga, Romano. Don’t ever think na nag-iisa ka lang. We’re just here for you.” Hindi ko alam bakit ganun ang kanyang nadarama. Kahit ilang taon na akong tagahanga nito ay wala akong ideya tungkol sa kanyang pamilya. He never disclosed his family background to the public. Kapag may nagtanong, he would always reply that he’s a private person and he prefers not to talk about his family.

The first time I was here, noon ko lang din nakita ng personal ang kanyang ama. At base sa kwento ni Romano, galing siya sa may kayang pamilya. Siguro ay kagustuhan na rin ng kanyang mag-anak ang hindi ipaalam sa publiko ang totoong estado ng kanilang buhay at kaugnayan nila kay Romano.

Romano’s phone rang kaya tuluyan akong binitawan nito. Sumenyas ito sa akin na papasok na ito sa loob ng silid. He also pointed my bedroom door.

“Take a nap.” He mouthed while covering his phone with his hand.

Tumango ako at agad namang tinalikdan ang lalake. Before I could even reach the door handle, I glanced back at him, but I only caught his door closing. Tuluyan na itong nawala sa aking paningin.

I sighed one more time before I opened my door. Tatawagan ko na lamang si Krizette para ikwento sa kanya ang napag-usapan namin ni Romano tungkol sa cash-advance na pinaki-usap ko na sinang-ayunan naman nito.

I entered my room and I immediately collapsed on the bed. I rested the back of my hand on my forehead as I stared at the ceiling. Romano’s smiling face crossed my mind. Today was supposed to be my first day and I expected it to be exhausting but it turned out, it wasn’t. Ang dami kong bakanteng oras. Kanina habang kumakain kami, tinanong ko siya tungkol sa gawaing-bahay. Akala ko ay iisa-isahin niya sa akin ang mga gawaing dapat kong gampanan dito. But his answer caught me off-guard.

“I didn’t hire you as a housekeeper. Don’t act like one. Two housekeepers from the mansion clean the house every Saturday.” He answered sternly.

Hayss. Hindi naman pwede yun. Paano na lang kung wala kaming gagawin katulad na lamang ngayon. Titihaya lang ba ako buong magdamag? Babangon lang kapag kakain?

Isa pang buntong-hininga ang aking pinakawalan bago ko hinagilap ang aking cellphone. I called my cousin and we both decided to meet tomorrow morning. Total ay gusto ni Romano na makilala ng personal si Krizette at iaabot ang tseke sa kanya, nangangahulugan lang siguro iyon na dito mismo sa penthouse niya gusto papuntahin ang babae. Mamaya kapag maulinigan kong lumabas sa studio si Romano ay itatanong ko sa kanya kung dito niya gusto makilala ang pinsan ko.

********

Hindi ko alam na nakadlip pala ako. I checked the time on my phone, and it read four o’clock in the afternoon. Halos tatlong oras pala akong nakatulog.

Agad akong bumangont ang nagtungo sa bathroom. Sinuri ko ang pasa sa aking pisngi. Hindi na ito gaanong nangingitim at hindi na rin namamaga. Tinaggal ko na rin ang band-aid na nilagay ni Romano sa galos sa aking palad. Tinapon ko iyon sa rubbish bin.

Naghilamos ako sa mukha at sinuklay ang aking buhok. Plano ko sa sanang ipitin iyon pero hinayaan ko na lamang na nakalugay. Wala namang silbi dahil tiyak akong guguluhin lang din ni Romano ang buhok ko mamaya.

Speaking of that man, ano na kaya ang ginagawa nito ngayon? Nasa playroom pa rin ba siya?

Maingat na lumabas ako ng aking silid. Sobrang tahimik ng paligid. Lumapit ako sa studio room ni Romano at nilapat ang tainga sa pinto. Wala akong marinig na kung ano mang kaluskos mula sa loob. The urge to click the door open was too strong but I held back because I was warned to enter into his haven.

Sighing, I decided to go to the kitchen because my throat was dry. I need a cold water. Hindi pa ako nakakaliko sa direksiyon ng kusina, nahagip ng aking mata ang TV sa sala. Bukas iyon at action movie ata ang pinapalabas doon pero sino ang nanoood? Wala naman akong mahagilap na taong nakaupo sa seating area.

Imbes na ipagkibit balikat iyon at dumiretso sana sa kusina, humakbang ako paatras at tinahak ang daan patungo sa living room. That was when I noticed a pair of feet hanging on the armrest of the couch.

I gasped shamelessly when I found Romano sleeping soundly in the couch, shirtless and with his jeans on. Nag-init ang aking pisngi at umiwas ng tingin sa kanyang nakabalandrang dibdib.

I scratched the back of my head and turned my back on him.

“I need a water.” Bulong ko sa aking sarili. I took one step forward but was halted when I heard him groaning.

Mabilis kong nilingon ang kanyang tulog na pigura. Is he dreaming?

I swallowed hard as I started walking towards him. Dinantay ko ang aking kamay sa kanyang buhok. Mamamasa-masa ito at agad kong nalanghap ang kanyang sabong panligo.

Tiyak akong kakapaligo lang nito at inantok habang nanonood ng pelikula. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanyang payapang mukha at bibig na bahagya pang nakaawang. Napangisi ako dahil sa mumunting hilik nito. He must have been tired and didn’t have enough sleep last night.

Romano was such a fine sight. I decided to take this opportunity to stare at him while he’s unguarded. Umupo ako sa sahig at pungalumbaba habang tinitigan ang kanyang pigura.

Tumaas-baba ang kanyang flat na tiyan dahil sa paghinga.  His chiseled chest seemed hard and strong. His pink n*****s were taunting. Bumaba pa ang aking tingin. I grinned when my eyes landed at those tiny hair below his belly button. I buried my face on my palm, suddenly felt shy because I was practically salivating at the sight before me.

Pinakalma ko ang aking sarili at pinagmasdan ulit ito. I felt hot when I noticed the waistband of his briefs peeking. Ngumuso ako nang mapansin ding hindi sarado ang zipper ng kanyang pantalon. Inangat ko ang aking kamay pero agad na pinigilan ko iyon gamit ang is akong kamay.

“Don’t touch him, Mira.”

“That’s off-limits.”

“Isasara ko lang naman.”

“Baka mapasukan ng hangin.”

“Baka kabagin.”

Nagtatalo ang aking isipan pero mas nanaig ang puti sa pula. I hit my head. Anong pumasok sa ulo ko para magtangkang hawakan man lang ito? Mamaya masagi ko ang hindi dapat masagi. At pag nagising si Romano, malalagot ako.

Bigla akong nataranta nang kumilos ang lalake. Tumagilid ito paharap sa akin at kung hindi ko iiwas ang aking mukha ay tiyak akong tatamaan ng tuhod nito ang aking mukha. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na sobrang lapit ko pala sa kanya at dito sa  ibabang parte niya ako napaupo.

At dahil nga sa kanyang pagkilos, binaba ko ang aking ulo para sana hindi matamaan but I squirmed in pain as my head bounced back. My hair was stuck somewhere! Ganun na lang ang panggilalas ko nang tuluyang maintindihan na ang aking buhok ay naipit sa kanyang zipper! Ottoke! Paano ito ng nangyari!

Romano was still sleeping and unaware of the commotion happening around him. Paano ko ba tatanggalin ang aking naipit na  buhok sa kanyang zipper na hindi ito hahawakan! Kung may malapit lang sana na gunting.

Dahil nangawit na ako ay dahan-dahan akong tumayo kahit ba ang mukha ko ay halos nakabaon sa kanyang harapan. Pinagpapawisan na ako dahil sa sitwasyon kong ito. Nagsisisi ako kung bakit hindi ko itinali ang buhok ko bago ako lumabas sa aking silid! Sana ay mas pinili ko na lamang ang tubig kesa pagmasdan ang lalakeng tulog!

Self, hindi ko alam na may kalandian ka palang taglay!

“WHAT THE f**k, MIRA!”

I yelped when the terror of his voice filled my ears. I was taken aback; my knees buckled up. Nawalan ako ng balanse dahil sa gulat kaya napaluhod ako at ang mukha ko ay hustong tumama sa kanyang….sa kanyang…. Lord, have mercy!

My face fell flat between his legs and I could feel the growing bulge in front of me. His BULGE. WHY IS IT SOOO HAARRDD! Oh my God! Save me!

“What the f**k are you doing, grandma!”

“Removing my hair! I’m really sorry, Romano. My hair got stuck on your zipper. Wait lang ha. Tatanggalin ko. Wag kang magalit, please.” Kinulikot ko ang aking buhok sa kanyang zipper at napapakagat-labi ako sa tuwing nasasagi ko ang kanyang katigasan.

“Romano, pwedeng wag ka munang magalit.” Ani ko.

“Hindi ako galit pero malapit na!”

“Hindi ka galit? Pero…kasi…itong…”

“Ah you mean that. My p***s has its own mind, titigas talaga yan dahil panay ang haplos mo, grandma! f**k! Stop rubbing on it! f*****g f**k!”

“I AM NOT RUBBING IT! Tinatanggal ko ang buhok sa zipper!”

“Just cut it off!” He yelled.

“How?! Kung may gunting ka iabot mo sa akin!” Sigaw ko pabalik. Romano angrily sat up and he slapped my hands away from his pants.

He unbuttoned his pants hastily while splattering curses from hell. “Damn you, Mira! Damn you!”

Kahit halos nakasubsob na ang gilid ng mukha ko sa kanyang gitna ay kita ko pa rin ang reaksiyon sa kanyang mukha. He was really pissed. I could tell by the way he gritted his teeth and his eyes glaring down at me.

“Romano, nangangawit na ako.” Bukod sa masakit na sa anit, nangangawit na rin ako sa aking posisyon. Gusto ko mang tumayo ng tuwid ay hindi ko magawa.

Because he unbuttoned his jeans, I finally had a full view of his underwear and…oh my god! What is that thing? That’s his….hihimatayin yata ako anumang oras.

I was sweating like a pig now and my cheeks were on fire.

“MIRA! f**k! WHY YOUR HAIR STILL STUCK! f**k! I’M SO HARD! KAKALBOHIN TALAGA KITA!” His angry screams filled the corners of the penthouse.

“I’m really sorry, hindi ko talaga sinasadya, Romano.” I was hyperventilating. The fact that my face was lying against his gigantic bulge that was thinly covered by his brief, it was enough reason for my soul to leave my body.

“DON’T f*****g MOVE! I’M GONNA KILL YOU FOR THIS!  I NEED TO GET OFF! f**k!” His fingers continuously untangling my hair from his zipper.

Suddenly, someone cleared his throat. “Nakakaistorbo ba ako? Did I arrive at the wrong time?”

Hindi ko makita kung sino iyon pero naiiyak na ako sa kahihiyan. Sana’y kunin na lang ako ni Lord.