My Abductor and I (Filipino)

Chapter 1

LESLIE

"I get that you paid for my shopping expenses last month because Daddy had my bank account frozen, but you're asking for too much this time, Laurel! Ayoko ngang mag-cross dress para magpanggap na lalaki!"

My older brother sat behind me, pinching his nose bridge in frustration. Problemado siya dahil hindi niya ko mapapayag sa gusto niyang mangyari.

"One month, Leslie. I only ask a month of you." he stated in a low, troubled voice. "Ano ba naman iyong isang buwan na magdadamit lalaki ka para humalili sa'kin? Dad's order was too sudden. I can't leave Cassandra's side for a month kabuwanan niya na, eh."

"Your problem, not mine. Bubuntis-buntisin mo tapos ngayon hindi ka pa makapag-focus sa trabaho!"

Annoyed with him, I picked up a rose-toned pencil amongst my collection of lip liners. I then applied it at once. When I was done and satisfied, I dabbed a concealer all around my mouth setting it up with a loose finishing powder.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tinitigan ang sarili sa vanity mirror: I kept my blonde hair long since graduating college, hindi rin ako nagkalaman o tumaba, my heart-shaped face still compliments my lip's natural sexy pout like that of Angelina Jolie's.

"This is you're sister in law we're talking about, Leslie. Alright, kung wala kang pakialam sa asawa ko, kahit sa magiging anak ko na lang— to your niece. Alam mong maselan ang pagbubuntis ni Cassandra hindi ko siya pwedeng ibilin sa iba. It won't hurt to be considerate for once."

I raised an eyebrow at my brother's reflection on the mirror. Kumpiyansa siyang gagawin ko ito para sa kanya. His built appears so solid and unbending, sitting upright on the edge of my bed like a nagging mom forcing herself in her teenage daughter's room. Nag-spray ako ng makeup mist para tapusin ang pag-aayos.

"Nicely done but your guilt trip won't work, Laurel. Don't force your responsibilities on me. Ewan ko ba kasi sa'yo at nag-anak ka. Istorbo lang iyan. Aren't you a ladies' man? A womanizer?"

"I changed for the woman I love, and that's for the better."

I turned to face him wearing my most sarcastic smile.

"That love is limiting you and it's ugly. Well, if you're really into it tanggapin mo na lang na wala na sa'yo ang kalayaan mo. You're stuck at your wife, work, and soon to be son. Boring, but that's your life now. Huwag mo lang akong idamay."

I entered my walk-in closet to find the perfect stilts that could go with my backless tight fitted dress. Sumunod ang kapatid ko na napatiim bagang na.

"And what do you suggest that I do with my life? Ganyan? To just be an irresponsible, careless socialite who's always seen at parties blind drunk? Masuwerte ka hindi mo na kailangang maghirap sa paghahanap ng trabaho because you were offered a position in our local branch. You just didn't accept it. You graduated two years ago, Leslie, grow the f*ck up!"

I purposely dropped my stilettos, making a loud thud noise against the floor. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin na nanatiling matigas. He showed no regret with what he just said.

"Kung tungkol sa perang winaldas ko sa shopping ang ipinuputok ng butsi mo Laurel, I'll pay it tomorrow evening in cheque. I'm going out with my college friends tonight for a get together. Don't spoil the fun with your marriage issues."

My heels created a clacking sound with my every step rushing down the stairs of my bi-level condo unit. The place has a high ceiling which makes the space airy and non-constricting. Makakahinga ka kumbaga kung ikukumpara sa maliit at masikip na units sa ibaba nitong 45th floor.

Humabol sa'kin ang kapatid ko hanggang sa living room. His lengthy fingers ran through his golden hair, taking his sweet time suppressing his anger.

"College friends? You're seeing Vanessa?"

"Hindi lang siya ang nandoon. Hindi ko rin alam kung pupunta siya."

Pagod akong umupo sa couch. Hindi pa man din ako nakakaalis, pagod na ko sa panenermon ng kapatid ko. Now that he mentioned Vanessa, it won't get any better.

"Don't go." he demanded in a deep, authoritative voice. "It's because you're in love with her that you're in this predicament. Nakita ko kung gaano ka nasaktan noong ayawan ka niya. Huwag mong gawin ito sa sarili mo. Kalimutan mo na siya."

"I would have already done so if I can. Hindi ko siya kayang tiisin. Masyado ko siyang mahal."

His heavy-lidded eyes waited for me to further speak my mind. He knows my innermost secrets and there's no use keeping it from him.

"Iniwan na siya ni April. Dalawang taon na silang hiwalay, ngayon ko pa ba siya isusuko, Laurel?"

"She doesn't love you."

"I can make her love me."

"What makes you think Vanessa would move on from April when you even haven't from her? Pareho lang kayong hindi makalimot. Sumuko ka na."

He left me with an envelope that evening. Hindi ko iyon pinagkaabalahang buksan dahil wala akong balak pumayag sa pabor na hinihingi niya. I can take his place in the office or in the field pero bakit kailangan ako pagbihising lalaki? Absurd. That's just plain ridiculous.

Our conversation although disheartening didn't stop me from partying wildly the very same night. Pumunta pa rin ako sa get together namin ng mga college friends ko at pinilit mag-enjoy kahit may kulang. Nakarating kasi lahat liban sa isa— kay Vanessa.

She must have been really busy. Rumor has it that she left the De La Sierra's to live an independent life and to manage her own real estate company. I have faith in her. Alam kong kaya niyang gawin alin mang gustuhin niya. I couldn't be any prouder loving her kahit hindi siya sa akin.

My love for her might have ruined me but it made me human. With it I was able to feel. I was happy, dismayed, mad, crushed, desperate, and so much more. I was everything and nothing. I don't care kung anong sasabihin ng iba. Para sa'kin ang mahalin siya ang pinakatamang bagay na nagawa ko sa buhay ko.

"G*D HAVE I failed miserably. May hangover na nga ako wala pa akong makain. They really won't let me use my debit cards, cheques, and couple other accounts. Dinidisiplina ba nila ako o pinapatay sa gutom?!"

A week passed by and my grocery items for this month are nearly finished. Inis kong sinara ang refrigerator at binuksan naman ang kitchen cabinets. Sa taas man o sa ibaba, there's not enough food for me anymore to last at least a day or two.

Dinampot ko 'yong box ng cereal at saka sumalampak sa may dining chair. I didn't bother pouring the damn thing on a bowl, wala na rin naman akong fresh milk kaya kakanin ko na lang ito na parang chichirya.

I am hating my life more every munch and crunch I make of the dry cereal on my mouth. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyayari sa'kin ito. Dad is very much supportive of my luxurious lifestyle. He doesn't mind me spending five thousand dollars which roughly equates to two hundred thousand pesos for my shopping expenses per month alone. Ngayon, kahit pang grocery wala ako.

My phone ting-ed receiving a new message that had interrupted my thoughts. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita kung kanino iyon galing.

Laurel Henderson:

I know just what you need.

Another message came.

I'll ask Dad to unfreeze your bank account if you cooperate.

Nagmamadali akong nag-reply sa inis:

If I know ikaw ang nagsabi kay Dad na disiplinahin niya ako nang ganito. Gusto mo lang akong gipitin para pumayag ako sa gusto mo. What an underhand tactic, Laurel! Very well executed!

I tossed my phone to the back. I really hate that brother of mine. Mabuti pa si Lucille. She's the eldest but she never once went her way to meddle with my affairs. She's cool and giving unlike Laurel who's very serious and self-righteous. Hindi siya marunong makisama, akala niya tama siya palagi.

Nakita ko ang reflection ko sa glass surface ng dining table: my thin eyebrows are crinkled and my golden hair's a bloody mess. My mascara from last night's has melted off making me look like a battered wife with a blackeye. Beside my reflection is the envelope Laurel gave me last week. Kinuha ko iyon at inisa-isa ang laman.

The envelope pretty much contains all the information about the job Dad assigned to Laurel: the project description, the client's information, and some other details. Nothing out of ordinary...or so it seems.

Unti-unting namilog ang mga mata ko habang pinasasadahan pa ng tingin ang papers na naroon. There's a picture of a man followed by a printed image of our rest house in Batangas. Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa mga sunod na nabasa.

It all made sense now why my annoying brother wanted me to cross dress. They're up to something illegal and my identity cannot be known.

I went to Batangas three days after. I followed the date and time indicated on the envelope of Laurel's supposedly arrival on the rest house. Hindi ako nagsabi sa kanya na pupunta ako.

Hindi ako mapakali sa biyahe paakyat sa foothill ng Mount Palay. Masikip ang pataas na kalsada at isang pagkakamali lang ay puwede akong dumiretso sa bangin. Bukod sa iniisip ko kung paano napapayag ng client si Dad na tanggapin ang maduming trababo na ito, hindi rin ako mapakali sa suot ko.

I really did disguise as a man! The suit pants I'm wearing suffocates my delicate thighs and I can't breathe properly, too, because of the breasts binder. Kailangan ko iyon para magmukhang lalaki at maitago ang dibdib sa suot na long sleeves business casual. Natural na malusog ang hinaharap ko kaya kailangang sikipan ang binder para maitago iyon nang maigi.

After another hour of hill climbing, bumugad na sa'kin ang 2-storey modern rest house ng pamilya namin na nasa dulo ng talampas. Overlooking ang beach sa pool ng rest house. Ang exterior ng bahay bakasyunan ay pahaba, gawa sa glass at metal coverings.

As soon as I stepped into the premises, my father's men blocked me from further entering. They're all American. Matangkad sila, maskulado, at armado; handang makipagpatayan kung kinakailangan.

"You might not want to point those handguns at me." I adviced.

They immediately backed off upon hearing my sultry, honeyed voice. I hid a triumphant smile. I have to congratulate myself for a disguise well done. Walang nakakilala sa'kin na nakadamit panlalaki. It's showtime.

Hinatid ako ng right-hand man ni Laurel sa kanya. My brother was so shock seeing me there. Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil nagimbal din ako sa lalaki namang nakagapos sa gitna ng home library ng rest house. Hindi ko inaasahan na iyon ang madadatnan ko rito.

Nagpupumiglas iyong lalaki, nakapiring, at may nakabarang bola ng tela sa bibig. His sharp jaw is extremely tightened and his Adam's apple blots through his throat. He's enraged and it shows. Napawi ang ngiti ko kanina.

"What are you doing here?" Laurel welcomes inquisitively.

"To see this for myself." I faked a well-modulated manly voice. "Hindi ko alam na pamilya na pala tayo ng mga hoodlum ngayon. Care to explain?"

"Les—" he cuts himself off. Muntik na siyang madulas sa pagbanggit sa pangalan ko. "Lester."

I raised an eyebrow. How dare he give me an ugly name! May sasabihin pa sana siya pero naudlot nang mag-ring ang cellphone niya.

"Excuse me, I have to take this." paalam niya.

He then left the home library looking excessively stressed. Sino kaya iyong tumawag? Si Daddy?

In Laurel's absence, I took the liberty to walk straight to the captive. He is no longer moving or even struggling. Kung hindi lang nagtataas baba ang matipuno niyang dibdib sa mabibigat na paghinga, iisipin kong patay na siya.

Maraming tanong na naglalaro sa isip ko pero ang pinakaimportante doon ay kung anong meron sa lalaking ito at kailangan namin siyang i-kidnap. I know my dad. He is a carbon copy of my brother; a righteous man who submits to the law. Hinding-hindi siya gagawa ng hindi maganda para sa pera. It's not like we have to either. Hindi naman kami naghihirap!

I gave one of our men a commanding gaze. Sa isang tingin ko lang ay alam niya na kung anong ipinag-uutos ko. He immediately loosen the captive's blindfold as I took one final step closer to him.

Bumagsak sa putok sa ugat na leeg ng binata ang telang mahaba. Doon siya nag-angat ng tingin, lumalatay ang nanlilisik na mga mata sa'kin pagkatanggal na pagkatanggal ng piring.

His eyes are unpleasantly dark and with it his chisseled face tensed with extreme anger. He looks very strong and disastrous. Sa tuwid ng pagkakaupo niya, masasabi kong siya iyong tipo ng tao na hindi mo puwedeng kantiin basta-basta.

"Pagod ka na ba o tanggap mo na ang kapalaran mo kaya hindi ka na nagpupumiglas diyan?" hindi ako nagpadaig sa sindak. "I have no idea kung anong nagawa mo para malasin ka nang ganito but with the looks of you, you seemed to deserve it."

"You talk too much. What are you? A woman?" pang-iinsulto niya. His voice is deep and unexpectedly sensual, sexy.

I forced to look proud. Hindi ko puwedeng ipahalata na napahiya ako. But is that how obvious my disguise is? Hindi naman siguro. Imposible! He is just messing with me for sure.

Umupo ako para magpantay kami. Hindi ko kinalimutan ang pagbukaka para mas magmukhang lalaki.

"If I were you I'd keep my mouth shut. You're in no position to talk back...pare."

Pigil na tumawa ang mga tauhan ni Laurel sa pagiging trying hard ko magpakalalaki. Mabilis nila iyong itinigil nang makita ang iritasyon sa'kin. I bet these huge of a masculine men knows I'm the youngest daughter of the Hendersons and they're making fun of me!

"Ikaw!" tuon ko sa lalaking inutusan ko magtanggal ng piring kanina. "Bakit hindi ka kumuha ng tubig nang magkaroon naman ng silbi iyang muscles mo? Nauuhaw na itong bisita natin."

"Anong tubig po?"

"Ano? Anong tubig? May iba pa bang tubig?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"Tubig with you po." may American accent niyang banat.

"Are you serious?"

"Ma'a—" pinigil ng kasamahan niyang lalaki ang sarili niya nang muntikang madulas sa pagtawag sa'kin ng ma'am. "I mean, Sir. Crush ka kasi niyan. Pagpasensyahan niyo na."

"What the fu— are you gay?!"

Parang bubuyog ang malaking boses ng mga tauhan ni Laurel nang magkatawanan. Pinuno no'n ang home library. Sa isang sulok ay ang na-kidnap namin na madilim ang mga matang pasikreto akong inaaral.

"PINAALIS mo iyong guards tapos umalis ka rin? That's not a smart thing to do, Leslie. Tinanggalan mo ng bantay iyong lalaki!" Laurel scolds at me.

"You call that guards? Eh, puro kalokohan lang naman alam nila!"

Matatanaw ang maliwanag na buwan ngayon dito sa patio katapat ng rectangular na swimming pool ng rest house. Sa dalawang lebel ng patio na meron dito (isa sa ibaba na may sunbathing chairs at isa sa second floor na may leather furnitures akma para sa mga formal at small gatherings), sa huli namin napagdesisyunang magkapatid na mag-usap.

"They may look like it but they're all our professional high-profile guards specializing in client protection services from America. They speak several languages and they can even be paid to kill for political organizations." pakikipagtalo pa ni Laurel.

"Oh, really? Well, they don't seem professionals to me at all! Hindi mo ba nakita? Pinagtatawanan nila ko ro'n kanina! Palitan mo sila ngayon din. Ayaw ko sa kanila!"

"Stop being so immature!" he thundered, natigilan ako. He never shouts at me like that. "When will you ever get your act together? Alam mo kung bakit ka tinatawanan ng sarili mong mga tauhan? Kasi hindi ka karespe-respeto. You have no sense of responsibility. Puro ka pasarap at wala ka nang ginawang tama!"

"W-What's with you saying these things all of a sudden?" nabibigla kong tanong, hindi makapaniwala sa mga narinig ko sa kanya. "You were never this mad about me being more relaxed than you and Lucille. Bakit galit na galit ka ngayon? Besides, if you weren't so controlling, I would still have access to my money and I wouldn't even be here on the first place!"

Laurel excessively nods as I speak. Kung hindi ko lang siya kapatid ay iisipin kong hindi niya ako pinakikinggan talaga at pinaglalaruan niya lang ako. I may be insensitive at times pero nasaktan ako sa mga sinabi niya. Kapatid ko siya at lagi kaming magkasama. Hindi ko akalaing ganoon ka basura ang tingin niya sa'kin.

He pushed his golden hair strands to the back and forced a straight posture now fully facing me.

"To be completely honest with you, Leslie, I have no idea what on Earth is going on and it's frustrating." sumunod ang tingin ko sa glass panel ng second floor na tinuro niya, matatanaw roon ang lalaki na nakagapos at natutulog.

The clouds on the sky covered the moonlight so my brother's tall figure has darkened and has become difficult to see. He's acting strange. Hindi ko na alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isip niya.

"Dad won't answer my questions. He keeps me clear from the details behind this kidnapping. Gusto kong kilalanin mo maigi kung sino ang lalaking na kinuha natin, Leslie. If there is an opportunity for you to prove yourself to this family, ito na iyon. Huwag mo akong bibiguin."

"I NEED to go to the restroom."

My thumb immediately stopped scrolling through my i********: feed when I heard the captive speak. Kunot noo ko siyang nilingon na nakagapos pa rin sa kinauupuan niya. He looks like a dirt cheap. model wearing a white t-shirt that is tight fitted specially on the biceps. His trouser is a pair of faded blue jeans.

"And so? Ano naman kung naiihi ka? Anong gusto mong gawin ko dukutin iyang itlog mo at iihi sa banyo?" muntik ko nang makalimutang lalaki pala ako rito at masabi lahat ng iyon.

It's been days since that argument with Laurel. Pagkatapos no'n ay hindi na rin siya bumalik dito sa rest house. Nag-focus na siya sa pagbabantay sa manganganak niya nang asawa. Iniwan niya na sa'kin at sa mga tauhan niya ang pagbabantay sa lalaking ito.

"If you could just untie my feet I can go by myself." he said with a hint of defeat in his voice. "Hindi naman ako makakatakas kahit gustuhin ko, napapalibutan niyo ang buong lugar at nakatali pa rin naman ang mga kamay ko."

"You do have a point, pero pagagalitan ako ni Laurel kapag hinayaan kita uling mag-isa."

Napangiwi ako sa sarili habang kinakalag ang tali sa katawan niya. Binuksan ko ang isang butones ng button shirt na suot ko para mas makahinga ako. Modulating my voice so I can sound like a man puts a strain on my throat and it's so uncomfortable. I haven't been talking to anyone that much since I got here. Hindi pa rin kasi talaga ako sanay magboses lalaki. Iyon din mismo ang dahilan kaya hindi ako sanay; hindi ako nagsasanay.

Tinutukan ko siya ng baril sa tiyan nang magawa niyang makatayo mula sa matagal na pagkakaupo. Napaatras ako ng isang hakbang nang malula sa tangkad niya dahil sa sobrang lapit namin sa isa't-isa. Dumagundong ang dibdib ko sa kaba. Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa baril pero mas idinikit niya ang katawan niya roon; parang naghahamon na iputok ko iyon dahil wala siyang takot.

Our eyes met for the very first time when he looked down on me. His eyebrows are unbelievably thick and so are his eyelashes. Beneath the tip of his Romanian nose is a thin layer of hairs circling his chin and jawline.

He is so close I could smell his cold sweat that is unexpectedly pleasant and sweet. I felt the dryness in my mouth when I saw his lips parted a little; they're plump and moistened. I looked back at his eyes and saw the darkness in it stirred with lust. Does he likes what he sees?

I would very much like to tease him but I can't. Lalaki ako ngayon at kailan ko iyong mapanindigan.

"Where is it?" he growls so low it's almost like a rough whisper.

"Dumiretso ka palabas nitong home library, may makikita kang hagdan. Bumaba ka roon at kumaliwa. Sa dulo, naroon iyong CR mo."

He nodded with a hard swallow. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang hirap niya roon. Naaakit siya sa sa'kin na ngayon ay lalaki, bakla ba siya? Well, if we met in a different circumstances I would ride him all night and forget all about it in the morning.

Sinundan ko siya papunta sa CR ng first floor. Nakatutok pa rin ang baril ko sa kanya kahit hindi naman ako marunong gumamit no'n.

Tumigil siya sa paglalakad nang marating namin ang lugar.

"Keep walking. Ipuputok ko ito sa paa mo kung may binabalak kang hindi maganda." babala ko.

"Unzip my pants." he shamelessly commands.