Lips Of A Warrior (De Silva Series #5)

Chapter 3

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4 NIV

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Chapter 3

Deanne

I quietly watched my father after Dylan made his speech about his plans to Ruth. He’s drinking and standing with his back beside the wide window. Nakapamulsa ang kaliwang kamay sa pantalon at nilalaro ang laman ng kanyang kopita.

Dylan sighed and glanced at our father. “If Napoleon Salviejo is planning to get Ruth after her graduation, we must plan ahead. We should get married right away after the day of her graduation.”

Dumekuatro ako at humalukipkip. Five pieces of M&Ms chocolates are in my mouth. I let it melt in my tongue and swallowed everything.

“Dylan, nag o-OJT pa siya. Ano’ng malay mo, magkaroon siya ng boyfriend bago gumaradweyt? Requirement ba ng Blue Rose ang college grad bago gawing leader?” I teased him to lighten the ambiance of the place.

Uncle Reynald chuckled and massaged his chin. He didn’t look at me but he smirked.

“What I can hear is my nephew’s desperation to be married with Ruth. If I am not mistaken, ‘yun talaga ang rason ng pamangkin ko kaya niya ginawa ang announcement sa birthday party ni Kuya.”

I ginned at that thought, too. “Uncle, he’s been admiring Ruth for years. Hindi na kataka taka ‘yon,”

My twin glared at me. Nginisihan ko siya. Ngayon mo ilabas ang tapang mo. Dito sa harap ng nakakatanda sa ‘yo.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Nick. We all looked at him who is sitting comfortably on the edge of Dad’s table.

“That’s what I thought, too. I mean, alam kong personal kay Dylan ang protektahan si Ruth. Pero wala ba talagang ibang way na malayo siya sa Lolo niya? Kasal lang ba talaga? Well, kung nanatili siyang De Silva, Uncle Matt can give her security. What else could she ask for?”

Si Dylan na nakatayo sa gitna ng kwarto ay pailalim na binalingan ang pinsan namin nang nakapamawaywang. I could feel the furious tension he is throwing to him.

“She was adopted. That Salviejo can make stories or falsifies her papers so he can get his granddaughter. What I am imposing is to make her a De Silva again through marriage. Kapag nangyari ‘yan, mas aware siyang matibay ang pagiging kapamilya niya sa atin at may consent niya. It’s not as if, ayaw niyang maging anak nina Uncle Matt. Pero hindi siya basta bastang mailalayo sa pamilya dahil asawa ko na siya!”

“Given na kailangan niya ngang magpakasal, bakit sa ‘yo? Pwede rin naman sa ‘kin? I am also willing to give her my security.”

I immediately stopped from munching my chocolate candies and stared at the two tall men. Natigilan din si Dylan sa sinabi ni Nick. Masama titig ang ginawad niya rito.

Dad looked back over his broad shoulder. Is this a change of plan? Ofcourse not. Not to my twin.

“Ano’ng sabi mo, Nick?” mabagal at mahinahong tanong ni Dylan.

Nick grinned. “Alam mo, halatang ayaw sa ‘yo ni Ruth at nahihirapan kang paamuin siya. Kung ako ang mag aayang magpakasal, baka tanggapin niya. Bati kami no’n-“

Kinuwelyuhan ni Dylan si Nick. Suminghap ako at sabay hawak sa armrest na tabi ko. Uncle Reynald immediately held Dylan’s forearm to stop him from hurting his eldest son. Pero itong si Nick, ngumisi pa at nang aasar na tiningnan ang pinsan.

“Ang pikon mo, ‘di ba? Kaya ka inaawayan ni Ruth, bro.”

“It’s not your f*****g business!” Dylan spat.

“Easy. Hindi ninyo kailangang mag away. Nick. What are you trying to say?” namagitan sa kanilang dalawa si Uncle Reynald.

Uncle Matteo, who is very quietly standing beside the book shelf and who is showing intimidated look crossing his arms on his chest, is watching the whole thing. Pero madilim ang pinta ng mga mata niya. Kahit hindi siya magsalita, mararamdaman mo ang tension sa kanyang mukha. I can understand him. Tumayo siyang ama ni Ruth sa mahabang panahon. At tunay na kapamilya talaga ang turing naming lahat sa kanya.

Except my twin brother. Na in-love ‘to sa kanya, e.

Halata naman sa kilos ng bwisit na ‘to.

Dylan gripped harder on Nick’s shirt. Napaahon niya pa ito sa mula sa pagkakaupo sa mesa.

Hindi ako gumalaw. Napirme ang hawak ko sa armrest at nakiramdam sa presensya ng bawat isa. The tension from Dylan is so obvious. Hindi talaga pwedeng biruin ito. Huwag mong kakantiin ang feelings niya kay Ruth, kundi ay masasaktan ka.

“’Wag mong gawing laro ang lahat ng planong ‘to, Nick. At ‘wag na ‘wag mong gawan ng biro si Ruth!” Dylan, in his low and dangerous tone.

It sent chills through my spine. Kamuntik kong hindi makilala kung sino ang nagsalita. Lumapit si Dad sa mesa at binaba roon ang pinaglalaruang kopita. Uncle Reynald couldn’t take his eyes off from them. Baka magbigwasan ang dalawa. Bumuntong hininga si Dad at namulsa. His authoritative appearance is enough to silence the tension from everyone. Including me.

He looked at Dylan. Then, at Nick.

“Nick, my son likes Ruth.”

Sinulyapan ni Dad si Uncle Matt.

“Kung mayroon man sa inyong magpipinsan ang magpapakasal sa kanya, si Dylan lang ‘yon. Hindi ikaw Nick, hindi si Dean, Anton o sinuman sa inyong lahat.”

“Pa’no naman kung ayaw ding magpakasal ng anak ko sa anak mo, Johann?” Uncle Matt asked.

I gulped and looked back at my father. Now, the tension transfer to them.

“Wala akong magagawa kundi igalang ang gusto ni Ruth, Matt. I won’t force her to like my son. But I will still impose to give her protection because she’s still our family. If—she couldn’t accept my son’s proposal.”

Pabalang na binitawan ni Dylan ang kwelyo ng damit ni Nick. Umiling si Nick at inayos ang nagulong suot. While Uncle Reynald is glaring at his son. Tumalikod si Dylan. Galit at pikon. Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Uncle Matteo. His jaw clenched and maybe his teeth gritted. Para bang hirap siyang kalabanin si Uncle Matt at hindi makaporma tanda ng paggalang nito sa kanya.

So, he frustratedly combed his messy hair and sighed heavily.

“My agenda for Ruth is to protect her, Uncle. There’s nothing wrong if I marry her!”

“But there’s something wrong if you force or lure her to do it. Don’t scare her my daughter just to be with you. Let her do what she wants and just provide protection.”

“That’s my top priority!”

“But you are planning to marry her.”

Pumagitna si Dad sa kanilang dalawa at deretsong hinarap si Uncle.

“It’s not as if, may masamang plano ang anak ko kay Ruth, Matt. He is doing his best to not let Napoleon Salviejo make her an heir of his gang. Marrying her is one of the best options.”

“Like I said, do not force my daughter, Johann.”

Namayani ang katahimikan. Binalingan ko si Nick. Napansin niya ako. Nginuso ko sa kanya sina Dad para awatin niya pero nagkibit lang ito ng balikat at humalukipkip pa. Tila mas nag e-enjoy siyang manood kaysa umawat! Damn it.

Tatawagin ko na ba si Mom?

Malakas na tumikhin si Uncle Reynald. “C’mon guys, we’re all wants to protect Ruth. Iisa ang agenda natin.”

Uncle Matteo threw a glare at his cousin. “Ibang usapan pa ang kasal.”

Dad stepped closer to him. “Did you already forget about this, Matt? At hindi masamang tao ang anak ko.”

Umigting ang panga ni Uncle Matteo.

“And remember, may Montevista’ng nag aabang na makuha rin si Ruth. Mas gugustuhin ko pang magpakasal sila ni Dylan kaysa mapunta sa masamang tao ang anak mo.”

I coughed and covered my mouth. Biglang nangati ang lalamunan ko at hindi ko mapigilang umubo para alisin ang nakakairitang pakiramdam dito. Tahimik pa silang lahat at ako lang ang gumagawa ng ingay. Nang magtagal ang pag ubo ko ay isa isa nila akong binalingan. I raised my hand and slowly stood up.

“Water, Deanne.” Turo ni Dylan sa baso ng tubig sa lamesita.

Mangiyak ngiyak na ako bago ko pa inumin ang tubig. Tahimik pa rin silang lahat at inabangan ang pag ayos ng lalamunan ko. Nakakahiya. I cleared my throat and gulped. Tiningnan ko si Dad na nakamasid din sa akin.

“I-I had already met . . . Y-Yale Montevista, Dad.”

“What? Where?” Dylan exaggeratedly asked.

“Sa isang resto sa BGC. I was with my friends that time,”

Tuluyang humarap sa akin si Dad at humalukipkip. Nakaramdam ako ng kaba nang ang buong atensyon ni Dad ay binaling sa akin.

“How did you recognize him?”

Lumunok ako ulit. “You shown us his photo, right? Kaya nakilala ko siya agad. Ahm, well, I thought he’s really a jerk. He gave me his contact number written on a tissue paper.” Sumbong kong tono.

Nick tilted his head. “Did you call him, then?”

“No! Ofcourse not! Nasa basurahan na ‘yon.”

Ngumisi si Nick. “’Yan ang kilos ng lalaking gustong magkipag-fling.”

“Well, clearly, I’m not interested.”

“Is that you last encounter, Deanne?” Dad asked again.

Kumurap kurap ako. I chewed my lips a little and swallowed the lump in my throat. “N-No, Dad. I was with Dawn the second time I saw him,”

“He is following you!” Dylan concluded. He looked the same as Dad while staring at me.

Nagkatinginan sina Uncle Reynald at Uncle Matteo.

“I also accused him that. Given the fact that he’s the eldest son of a notorious gang member. But then ofcourse he didn’t confess that to me. Nauna siyang dumating doon sa resto bago kami ni Dawn. Binigyan niya ako ng wine. Sinoli ko sa kanya. He said, he wanted to know my name.”

“Wrong. He already knows you, Deanne. He will use all his connection just to get what they wanted.” Dad declared. Tinalikuran niya ako at nilapitan si Uncle Matteo. They talked in low voices. Hindi ko na alam kung anong sinasabi ni Dad sa kanya.

I opened my lips but failed to give my own thoughts. Bahagya lang akong nagulat sa sinabi ni Dad. Pero tama siya. Imposibleng hindi niya ako makilala. At kahit pa hindi kami visible na mag anak sa media, madali para sa kanyang kumuha ng imbestigador para alamin ang pangalan o pagkatao ko. Siguro ay nagpapanggap lang ‘yong gustong makipagkilala. Pero may lihim ding balak.

Nilapitan ako ni Dylan. Kung matingin ay para bang may atraso ako sa kanya.

“You will double up your body guards.” May diin niyang sabi.

Bumagsak ang panga ko. “No. I’m safe. Hindi na kailangan niyan.” I protested and looked at my father. “Dad. Si Dylan, oh!”

My father looked at us. Tiningnan niya si Dylan at tumango rito. And my brother smirked.

“Follow my orders. Kung ayaw mong itali ka namin sa kwarto mo.”

I glared at him. He only smirked at me like a devil . . .

The loud music here in Peyton attack my ears like a medicine. Humawak ako sa railings dito sa second floor. Ang hawak kong inumin ay naumpisan ko na. I dialed Grey’s number and called him multiple times, pero hindi sinasagot.

“What the f**k, Grey?!” I murmured and drank from my bottle. I held my phone and just type furiously.

Ako:

Bakit di mo sinasagot tawag ko? Too busy to text, ha?

Tumatawang lumapit sa tabi ko si Nick. Kagagaling niya sa lang sa maingay na kwentuhan kina Dean at Anton. Pinakita niya sa akin ang cellphone niya.

“They’re the Montevista Brothers.”

Umirap ako. I mean, wala ako sa hulog na makita ang litrato ng magkakapatid na ‘yan. But still, something from it made me looked down on his phone’s screen.

“That’s Yale. Ang panganay at kasalukuyang big boss ng mga hotel nila. Ito naman ang mga kapatid niya, Leonard and Rock.”

Ang litratong iyon ay kuha mula sa isang event. Sa hotel din yata base sa background. Naka gray suit ‘yung Leonard at tila pang boy next door naman ang dating sa akin ni Rock. Si Yale lang ang may stubble sa kanilang tatlo at pinakamatangkad din.

“Their hotel, The Paradise is quite successful in different countries. Dito sa Asia. Mayroon din silang Casino at private island.”

“Big time, huh? Bunga ba ‘yan ng pagiging miyembro ng Blue Rose?”

Nagkibit ng mga balikat si Nick. “But the eldest is an expert hotelier. Hindi lalago ng negosyo nila kung hindi matalino.”

Mapait akong ngumisi. “And he wants more, right? Kaya interisado siyang pakasalan ang apo ni Napoleon. Meaning, what he has right now, money and successful hotels are not enough. He’s greedy, Nick.”

Tumawa si Nick. Binulsa niya ang cellphone. Pinanood namin ang mga sumasayaw sa hindi mahulugang karayom na dance floor.

“Maybe. Iba ang nagagawa ng pera at kapangyarihan sa tao. At baka ayaw na niyang bumalik sila sa hirap.”

Natigilan ako. Binalingan ko si Nick at kuryoso siyang tiningnan. “Seryoso? Dati silang mahirap?”

Kumunot ang noo niya at binalingan din ako. “We are sounding judgemental, D.”

Lumunok ako at napaisip. Oo nga.

“Sorry. But that’s not my intention. Nagulat lang ako. Totoo?”

Bakit nga ba ako nagulat? Sabihin na lang nating hindi ako mapaniwala sa nalaman ko. Hindi pumasok sa isipan kong hindi lumaki sa marangyang buhay si Yale. Or ang parents niya. Nakakamangha na, ang layo pala ng narating niya.

Nick nodded. “His father Fidel was from a province. He had nothing bago bumaliktad sa militar ang Blue Rose. We can conclude na umangat ang kabuhayan nila noong magsimula ang pagnanakaw ng grupo. They used their earnings to establish their own business. Matapos mamatay ni Fidel, si Yale ang pumalit sa kanya. Apparently, napalago niya ang negosyo at ngayon ay naparami niya.”

I slowly nodded after I sipped the info he gave to me. “That’s explains why he wants to marry Ruth.”

“But until now, hindi pa siya nagpapakilala sa kanya. Bakit kaya?” his brows wiggled.

Sumimangot ako. “Probably busy with other flings.”

Tumawa si Nick. “Probably.”

Nilunod ng sigaw at musika ang tawa ni Nick. Ngumisi ako at tiningnan ang cellphone sa kamay ko. I received a text from my boyfriend.

Grey:

Sorry. We’re busy

Inirapan ko ang text niya at pinatay ang phone.

“I really hope pumayag si Ruth na pakasalan ang kapatid mo,”

I chuckled. “Good luck kay Dylan. Kailangan niyang paghirapang mapasagot ang mahal niya.”

Mas mabuti pang ibaling ko ang atensyon sa iba kaysa ang maghintay kung kailan magre reply sa akin si Grey. Baka sakaling siya naman ang manlimos ng text sa akin. I’d rather choose to bond with my drinks, company with cousins and siblings and party.

Hindi ako madalas na sumasayaw at nakikihalubilo sa ibang tao kapag nagba bonding kaming magpipinsan sa Peyton. Para kaming naka exclusive membership tuwing pumupunta rito para mag de-stress. But this time around, bumaba ako sa dance floor. Sina Nick ay may kaulayaw nang babae.

Wala sina Dulce, Yandrei, Red, Cam at Dylan. A few people greeted me. Mga kabatian ko kapag nagpa party at sa event na dinadaluhan ko. Narito ang ilang college friends ko at anak ng mga kaibigan ni Dad. I am not close with them. Ilag sila sa akin kaya hanggang tanguan at “Hi” lang kami sa isa’t isa. Which I didn’t mind. Really.

Dahil maraming taong sumasayaw, it took me minutes bago makarating malapit sa gitna. I am probably tipsy. But not drunk. Nobody cares if I dance sexy or erotic. Because everyone is having their own lives.

Wala akong kapareha at ayos lang. Gusto kong iligaw ang sakit na pinadama sa akin ni Grey. What’s wrong with sending text? What’s wrong about saying “Hello, how are you?” or “How’s your day?” Grabe naman ang busy niya. Buti hindi niya nakakalimutang huminga.

Gosh. Nagiging bitter na ako dahil sa kanya.

Tumigil ako sa pwestong may kaunting espasyo para sa akin. Hindi ako nadidikitan ng ibang tao. One woman who’s wearing a silver body hugging dress waved at me. Straight na straight ang hanggang baywang niyang buhok. She has a tattoo na makitid at paikot sa braso. Parang bracelet na pirme malapit sa kili kili. She’s dancing with a handsome man. Hindi ko kilala.

“Deanne de Silva! Long time no see, huh? How are you?” she asked.

She looks familiar. Saan ko ba siya nakita? “Hmm, I’m fine.” Half genuinely answered.

Lumapit siya nang kaunti sa akin at bumulong sa tainga ko.

“Where’s your twin brother? Hindi na niya ako nire reply-an, ah.” May lungkot niyang sabi.

I smirked at her. I started to dance and feel the upbeat from the song. “He’s kind of . . . busy . . . at work!”

Humaba ang nguso niya. Binalik niya ang pagkakapulupot ng kanyang braso sa leeg ng lalaking kasayaw.

“Buonga araw nagta trabaho, huh? Ayaw niya lang akong kausap!” agad niyang binaling ang mata sa harap at tinuloy ang pagsasayaw.

I only chuckled and mind my own business. Mas lalo akong pumailalim sa ispiritu ng kanya nang wala nang pumapansin sa akin. Ang lahat ay tinuon ang pansin sa sayang nararamdaman sa pagsasayaw.

I am definitely not good in dancing but I can sway my hips, nodding my head and sang a little bit to the lyrics. I put my hands up sometimes and closed my eyes. And tell myself, this is life. Away from my problems. Away from anyone. Away from my phone.

Sa pagdaan ng mga minuto, mas lalo akong nagsaya sa pagsasayaw at munting sigaw ng ligaya. Ganito dapat. Kalimutan panandalian ang lungkot at bigo. ‘Wag magmukmok. Enjoy life! Hayaan ang taong ayaw makipa usap sa ‘yo!

Kung kaya ni Grey magpakabusy, aba, mas kaya ko rin. So, I allowed myself to be under the spell of my own body. I danced fluidly and knock off all the negative screams inside my brain.

Sumisiksik ang mga tao. Pero mayroon ding lumuwag. I didn’t mind. Nobody insisting to dance with me o even talk. Ang saya lang nang ganito minsan.

After a while, tumagaktak ang pawis ko. Smokes are everywhere. There is aroma of liquor in the air. Unti unting bumagal ang pagsayaw ko. I tilted my head a little and wiped the drizzle of sweats on my neck. Nang maramdaman ko ang pawis, minulat ko ang mata at hindi intensyong dumako sa dereksyon ng isang vip table sa corner part ng Peyton.

I parted my lips and stood stunned a little.

Tila humina ang musika. Nawala ang mga tao sa paligid ko. Bumagal ang maharot na ilaw. At deretso akong tumitig pabalik kay Yale Montevista.

He’s sitting alone on that U-shaped maroon velvety couch. A bottle is on his table. He’s nursing his glass and is so intimidating with his all-black corporate suit and gray inner clothe. Bukas ang butones sa bandang dibdib. He’s wearing a thin silver necklace and wrist watch. He looks menacing by the way he’s watching me from there.

Nararaanan siya ng malilikot na ilaw sa mukha pero steady ang ulo niya sa akin. He looks like he isn’t disturbed by anything.

He isn’t persuaded to stop staring.

My heart is racing rapidly. Sumimsim siya sa baso nang hindi inaalis ang titig sa akin. He really looks attractive with it. Parang nag e-endorse ng alak at seryoso ang acting. He licked his lips. He looked at me straight and lowered his forehead. He’s not giving me cold looks. Not impassive. But something from his eyes made me shiver . . .

Someone bumped me from the back.

“Oops! Sorry!” the girl who I think is already drunk said and gave me a peace sign.

Inayos ko ang buhok ko. Binalewala rin ako agad nu’ng babae. Binalingan ko ulit ang mesa ni Yale. I even tiptoed to see him but he isn’t there anymore. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang paligid. Hind ko na siya nakita kahit anino, wala.

Hinaplos ko ang pisngi ko. Kumurap kurap ako. Namalik mata lang ba ako? Ang bilis naman nu’ng maglaho?

Nasa gitna ako ng pag absorb ng sarili nang hilahin ako ni Dean sa braso. Napasinghap ako sa gulat. But he didn’t notice it.

“Uwi na tayo, Ate!” he shouted.

I gulped. Why am I even nervous?

“O-Okay . . .” tumango ako at sumama sa kapatid ko.