I'm in Love with the Little Devil (BxB)

"Do we really need to have the same color of suitcase?" I complained at Yellie as I helped the driver put our suitcases at the taxi's compartment. She rolled her eyes at me before putting her butt at the backseat of the taxi. I followed her after a minute. "Syempre para madali lang nating makilala 'yung mga maleta natin kapag nasa airport na tayo! At anong sinasabi ko sa'yo nang paulit-ulit? 'Di ba sabi ko kailangan mo na ang mag-practice mag-Tagalog? So umpisa sa mga oras na ito, kailangang Tagalog na ang gagamitin mo kapag nakipag-usap ka sa akin!" It was my turn to roll my eyes at her. I even saw the taxi driver giving us a weird look. Maybe he's curious why Yellie, my best friend of five years, suddenly spoke in an alien language. "We're not even there yet!" I complained again. She raised an elegant brow at me so I heavily sighed and spoke carefully. "Hindi pa nga tayo nakakarating doon, eh." My brow knitted when she laughed so loud that made my ears rang. "What's funny?!" napipikon kong tanong sa kanya. "You really sound like a girl when you speak in Tagalog. Hahahaha." "Witch." "Pikon." "Pig." "Twig." "Negra." "Payatot." "At least I take a bath everyday." "At least I shave my p***y every other day." "Eww. Do I need to know that?!" pagrereklamo ko. "Of course you need to know that! You're my best friend." "I'm still wondering why." Kunwari ay sumasakit ang ulo ko kaya hinilot ko 'yun. "Dahil maganda ako." She tilted her head for emphasis. "And who told you that?" I asked her as if what she said was something ridiculous. "My mom!" Humalakhak ako nang nakakaloko. "Of course she'll say that. She had no choice! You're her only daughter." "Shut up, you dork!" napipikon niyang turan. "Lalalala..." I sang. "Hey, Anthony said he'll miss you." panunukso niya sa akin nang mapagtantong hindi siya mananalo sa akin sa puntong iyon. Kaya ang witch, nag-iba ng taktika. "Shut up!" Namumula ang mga pisnging pananaway ko sa kanya. Anthony is her older brother. They were my first friends when I went with Daddy here in the US. We were neighbors and went to the same high school. Anthony was just a year older than us. Since it was my first time attending school, they didn't hesitate to help me adjust making them my best friends. It's just that two months ago when Anthony confessed that he likes me. I like him too kaya naman we agreed on a secret relationship. We became closer. We went out on dates but we haven't gone further than that yet. It was both our decision not to engage in any romatic activity. Not yet. Besides, we haven't told our families about our relationship yet. It was only Yellie who knew because she served as our bridge being Anthony's sister and being my best friend. I'm not gay if you'll gonna ask me. Or that's what I've thought before even if my parents and brothers are. Well, maybe I am about to cross the same road they did but that'll still be okay. I think I'm OK with any gender as long as the person I'll love will love me back. Ain't that what everyone wants? "He said he'll have a surprise for you when we get back." Lalo akong namula nung sundutin niya ang tagiliran ko. Her brother was supposed to be with us but he got so sick yesterday and his parents didn't allow him to go much to his dismay. We're going to the Philippines because Yellie's group will join a dance concert. She's a part of that all female group of Fil-Am dancers in her class and they were invited by a popular dancer from the Philippines to perform in her dance concert. It's part of her Finals requirement for her theatre course in UCLA. I'm taking up Computer Engineering and Anthony, Chemical Engineering at the same university. Yeah. Daddy didn't let me enrol at MIT. That's sad but still, I'm okay with it. I know Daddy's reason and I did not go against it anymore. And here I am, my best friend's chaperone. We will meet her group at the airport later for our flight to the Philippines. I'm so excited to go back to the country where my Dad was born. This will be my third time visiting the place. Dad didn't want me to go without him and Tetey but I insisted. I can take care of myself if they're worried about it. Besides, we'll just stay there for roughly a week. After the concert, we will go to Boracay then fly back to the US. No worries. "Hey, you really like my brother, huh? In love ka na ba sa kanya?" "Going there..." I replied. I like Anthony. But being in love with him is a different thing. I love him as a friend. But as a boyfriend? I don't know. Can't answer it yet with a resounding 'yes'. Yeah, he is good looking, jolly, sweet, and caring. It's just that it seems I'm still looking for something else that I can't find from him. But I believe that if I spend more time with him, I'll finally find that something that I'm looking for. "Hey, Francis Leiv Kaide. Natatanga ka na naman." "What the fuck...?! What nanganganga you're talking about?!" "Natatanga! I said natatanga! Bingi!" "And you're pangit!" "Ikaw ang pa---." May paghahamon ko siyang pinagtaasan ng kilay. "Damn it! You're not pangit. Hmm..." Itinaas niya ang daliri niya para kagatin. She's probably thinking of something to get back at me. "Aha! Alam ko na!" She laughed like a witch when an idea struck her mind. Lalo namang tumaas ang kilay ko. "Hindi ka nga pangit pero virgin ka naman! Vir---gin! Bwahaha!" "Am I supposed to be pissed because I'm still a virgin?" Pinagtaasan ko suya ng kilay. "Well, yeah!" She made it sound so disappointing to still be a virgin in our age. "Duh! Why don't we have a bet, huh, Yolanda Elisa. When we get to the Philippines, I'm gonna wear your dress, wear a make up and act like a girl. Let's see who between us could attract more guys." I challenged her. I need to show her that people need not to lose their virginity for them to be called beautiful. Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko pero agad ding ngumisi. Oh, damn. "Challenge accepted, best friend. Why don't we do it upon arrival at the airport, huh? I bet nobody would think of you as a boy anymore with that quite long hair of yours. Hindi rin masyadong halata iyang adam's apple mo." Hinila pa niya ang may kahabaan at medyo kulot kong buhok. Now it was her turn to raise her eyebrow at me. Oh-oh. Why did I have to prove something to her again? Damn it. But I'm not the kind who backs out from a bet so I told her... "Deal." She took my hand and shook it as if there's no tomorrow anymore. ... I was pissed while I was sitting beside her inside the plane. True to her words, before our flight to Manila ay pinagpalit nuya ako ng dress at pinag-lipstick when we arrived at the airport. Nakakainis! And one more thing. Does she really need to put her panties inside the bra she asked me to wear para lang magka-boobs ako?! Ewww! And worst of all, she forced me to wear her high heeled shoes! Whatta b***h of a best friend I have! Grrr. What really one would do just to prove his point, huh?! Muntik pa akong 'di pasakayin sa airplane dahil male ang nakalagay sa passport ko and I showed up as a girl. But Yellie told the airport officer that I'm a crossdresser kaya ayun, nakalusot ako. And true to my damn words, I've attracted the men inside the plane. They were like hungry bees who wanted a taste of honey whenever they look at me. May isa ngang hindi nakatiis at sinundan pa ako nung pumunta ako sa lavatory. I was so pissed when he smacked my ass. Oh, well. After I did a little revenge on him, I was sure he'll never have an heir anymore. "I'm gonna change upon arrival at Manila." Hindi mababaling sabi ko kay Yellie but the b***h just kept on laughing at me because of what had happened between me and that man. "Yeah, yeah. You've already proven your point. Hahahaha." She laughed like a pig. "Witch." "Twig." "Negra." "Payatot." "But I'm prettier than you. Admit it out loud." Natigilan siya and in a pissed voice proclaimed. "Oo na!" ... If I was pissed during the flight, I was anxious to get out of the airport now. We're already here in the Philippines and we were supposed to get our suitcases already when a group of men caught my eyes. Years under my adoptive father, Kenth Kaide, trained me well for me to know right away who belonged to the mafia and who are not. And these men definitely are. I won't be worried if they didn't just keep looking at me. Even with my disguise, they seem to know who I am. And as I was discreetly studying them, I found out that some of them are familiar to me so I knew I've met them before. I have no idea how they found out that I'm coming here in the Philippines but I know what they want. They want me. They want to get me. They want me to take over the group my father used to have. I've repeatedly refused them when they had the chance to talk to me a year ago back at my school but they didn't accept my answer. They told me that they'll be back to bring me to Japan and force me to take what's rightfully mine. I didn't tell Daddy and Tetey about it for I didn't wanna worry them. But it seems I don't have a choice now. If I want to keep my peaceful life, then I have to finally talk to my godfather personally and refuse the offer. But today isn't the right time and the Philippines is not the right place to deal with them. I don't have anyone to back me up. I know that once they'll have me alone and with no one to protect me, there will be no assurance that I can go back to the States anymore. Isa pa, kasama ko si Yellie. I don't want them to use her against me. Kaya naman I asked her to go with her group and told her that I'll just meet her at the hotel where they'll gonna stay. Ayaw pa sana niya but I made up some excuses kaya pumayag na siya. She didn't know about my history with the Mafia and it'll be safer for her not to know. Naglakad-lakad ako nang paikot-ikot sa airport silently praying na maiwala ko sila. But they were always behind me. Ayoko namang gumawa ng gulo lalo na at nasa pampublikong lugar kami. Pero kung kinakailangan, then I'll fight them. Nakakita ako ng pagkakataon nang maglakad na ako papalabas ng airport. Nakipagsiksikan ako sa maraming tao. Ayokong sumakay ng taxi dahil alam ko na masusundan at masusundan nila iyon. I ran towards the parking lot and looked for a place to hide. Damn. It's freaking hot here in the Philippines! "Damn it," pagmumura ko nang makita ko mula sa pinagtataguan ko na tumatakbo na patungo sa kinaroroonan ko ang mga lalaki. I frantically looked around and saw a man putting some bags at his car's compartment. I ran towards it and waited for my chance. Hanggang sa tumunog ng malakas ang cp ng lalaki at tumalikod ito para kausapin ang tumatawag. I grabbed the chance. I crept towards the car at binuksan ang backseat na bahagya nang bukas. Ipinagsiksikan ko talaga ang sarili ko sa kakarampot na space doon sa sahig ng kotse. Halos hindi na ako humihinga nang masilip kong papalapit na ang lalaki sa kotse niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kong sa kabilang side ng sasakyan ay papalapit naman ang mga kalalakihang humahabol sa akin kanina. Muli akong tumingin sa lalaking may-ari ng kotseng pinasok ko. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pakikipag-usap sa kung sinumang katawagan nito. "Whew." I sighed nang isara niya nang mabuti ang pinto ng backseat na hindi muna tumitingin sa loob nito. Pasalamat na rin ako dahil tinted 'yung salamin ng kotse kaya hindi niya ako nakita sa loob. He went at the driver's seat after making sure na sarado na ang compartment ng sasakyan. Gusto ko pa sanang lumabas ngunit naroon pa rin ang mga lalaki at minamatyagan ang paligid ng parking area. Siguro kinakailangan ko munang maghintay ng ilang sandali at kapag nakalayo na ang kotse sa airport, magpapakita na ako sa lalaki at magpapahatid sa hotel na tutuluyan nila Yellie. Babayaran ko na lang ang service ng lalaki kapag nakarating na ako sa hotel. Thank God I got my backpack kung saan naroroon ang mga importanteng gamit ko like my wallet, passport and phone. I just hope the man will accept dollars as p*****t. I closed my eyes nang paandarin na ng lalaki ang kotse. Makakahinga na ako nang maluwag lalo na at nakakasigurado na akong natakasan ko na ang mga humahabol sa akin. Magpapahinga muna ako sandali. Napagod ako sa katatakbo suot ang high heeled shoes ni Yellie, isama pa ang nakaka-shock na init ng klima rito sa Philippines. I heavily sighed as the car's aircon and the man's smooth driving lulled me to sleep. Hindi ko na namalayan na naging dire-diretso na ang tulog ko. ... "Ouch!" I groaned. Napahawak ako sa batok kong nangangalay. Where the hell am I? I asked myself. Nagpilit akong tumayo sa kinahihigaan ko nang bigla na lang lumindol ang mundo ko. "Holy s**t!" "Okitnana!" Napasubsob ako sa harapan ng sasakyan nang bigla itong magpreno. Mabuti na lang at napakapit ang mga kamay ko sa mga upuan dahil kung hindi ay napasubsob na sana ako sa dashboard ng sasakyan. "A-al---al--al-alya!" The man almost screamed at me. Nanlalaki ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin. "Umm, what? Err, I mean, a-ano po?" I asked. "Haan ka nga al-alya?! Uhh, okitnana! Ang ibig kong sabihin, hindi ka multo?!" "H-hindi po." I tried speaking as if I were a native speaker of the language but I failed. His raised brow told me so. "Kung hindi ka multo, ano ka?! Bakit andito ka sa loob ng kotse ko?! Bakit bigla kang sumulpot dito?!" He asked in rapid-fire. His fear vanished at napalitan iyon ng inis. "Imma... Chance passenger?" mahina kong tugon. Nang magdikit ang mga makakapal na kilay niya ay binago ko na ang sagot ko. "N-nakikisuklay lang po..." sagot ko sabay kagat-labi. Damn! Did I use the correct word?! "Nakikisuklay?" He raised his brow a little higher and that told me that I used the wrong term. "Umm, nakikisaklay?" Nang mananatiling nakataas ang kilay niya ay nagsimula akong pagpawisan kahit malamig sa loob ng sasakyan. Damn! Why didn't I concentrate and paid attention when Daddy, Uya and Yellie were teaching me Tagalog words?! Now I f*****g need them! What the hell is the Tagalog of 'ride', damn it! "Nakikisakay...?" I tried for the third time. Nakahinga na ako nang maayos nang bumaba na ang kilay nya. "Nakikisakay. Talaga lang, ha?" He tsked. "Yeah! I mean, oo. Pwede um... halik, no... umm... Hatid mo ako sa Manila Hotel?" "Nasa Pangasinan na tayo," he deadpanned. "Okay lang." Muling nagdikit ang mga kilay niya. What? Malapit lang naman siguro 'yung Pangasinan na sinasabi niya sa Manila Hotel, 'di ba? "Please, hatid mo ako sa hotel," pakiusap ko pero umiling lang siya. "Sa tingin mo maniniwala ako sa'yo na nakisakay ka lang?!" Tumawa siya nang nakakaloko. "Siguro hoholdapin mo ako, noh? Huu, ano ito bagong style ng mga hold-uppers? Kunwari makikisakay tapos magpapahatid at kapag nauto mo ako at naihatid na kita, saka lalabas 'yung mga kasama mo para holdapin ako. At pag nakuha na 'yung pera ko, syempre papatayin n'yo na ako. Tapos, ibebenta n'yo 'yung kotse ko. Tapos itatapon n'yo 'yung bangkay ko sa bangin para kunwari biktima ako ng salvage." Nagdidikit ang mga kilay ko sa mga sinasabi niya. He was talking so fast that I can't grasp any of the words he's saying. "Baba." "W-what...?" Bumaba siya sa kotse at pumunta sa pinto ng backseat. Binuksan niya iyon and commanded me in a loud voice. "Bumaba ka!" he said a little louder. I went down his car and curiously looked around. We were in the middle of some highway. Puro ricefields ang nakikita ko. Wala man lang buildings. "Magpasalamat ka na lang at hindi kita ibinaba sa police station. Sayang ka, ineng. Maganda ka pa naman sana pero hold-upper ka naman," he told me as he closed the car's door. What the hell?! He's gonna leave me here in the middle of nowhere?! "Wait, Mister. Please, don't leave me here. I'll pay you! Just bring me at the hotel!" Humabol ako sa kanya ngunit nakapasok na siya sa kotse at naisara na niya 'yung pinto. Ngunit isang malamig na tingin lang ang ibinigay niya sa akin bago niya pinaharurot ang sasakyan. Mabilis naman akong napaatras. What the f----! I'm here in the dark highway in the middle of nowhere, wearing a dress and high heeled shoes with just my backpack to protect me! Argh! Where do I go from here?! Tumawid ako ng highway and brought out my phone. Binuksan ko ito and used it as my flashlight as I walked towards the direction where we came from. It's there that I saw some light. Wala man lang kailaw-ilaw rito sa highway. At ang lalaking iyon! Grr! What a jerk! Wala siyang konsensya! Iniwan ako ritong mag-isa. Hindi man lang ako iniwan doon sa may ilaw o doon sa may mga bahay. Ma-flat sana 'yung gulong ng kotse niya. Thirty minutes na akong naglalakad at masakit na ang mga paa ko pero malayo pa rin 'yung lugar na pinanggagalingan ng liwanag. May mga nagdaan na ring mga sasakyan na sinubukan kong parahin pero hindi man lang ako hinintuan. Another ten minutes of walking, when a van stopped by before me. "Hi, miss. Iner ka unla? " the driver asked me. Lumapit ako sa sasakyan and asked him. "Pwede hatid mo ako bus station? Punta ako sa Manila Hotel." I smiled at him. He looked inside the van and nodded before answering me. "Sure, Miss! Sakay na!" I heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing what he said. Someone from the inside opened the van's door. My smile turned to a frown when I saw that there were three men inside the van and they were all grinning at me. But that's not all. I saw one of them holding a gun. And he's pointing it at me. ..... LUIS "Wait, Mister. Please don't leave me here. I'll pay you! Just bring me at the hotel!" Humabol siya ngunit nakapasok na ako sa loob ng aking sasakyan. Nakita ko ang pagmamakaawa sa kanyang mga mata. Ang takot na maiwanan siyang mag-isa ngunit hindi ako nagpadala sa awang nararamdaman ko. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ko pinaharurot ang sasakyan ko. Mahigpit ang kapit ko sa manibela ng sasakyan. Pigil ko ang aking sarili na lingunin pa ang babaeng iniwan kong mag-isa sa gitna ng madilim na kalsada. Minsan na akong naloko ng isang magandang mukha at ng nagpapaawang mga mata at ayoko nang maulit pa iyon. Isa pa, malay ko ba kung totoo ang hinala kong hold-upper nga ang babaeng iyon. Sa dami ng mga manlokoko at mandurugas dito sa Pilipinas, hindi malabong mangyari iyon. Sa Manila nga, kahit mga batang munti ay ginagamit na ng mga sindikato para makapanloko. Mga magandang babae pa kaya? Alam na alam ko ang mga style ng mga 'yan. Ginagamit ang ganda para makapang-akit at makapang-uto ng mga lalaking nabubulag sa kanilang ganda. At ang ending? Madalas hindi lang wallet o kotse ang mawawala sa kanila kundi pati na rin ang buhay nila. Maninira talaga ng buhay ang mga magagandang babae tulad nung naisakay ko. Oo na. Isa sa mga rason kung bakit ayokong nasa sasakyan ko yung babaeng iyon ay dahil sa maganda siya. Allergic ako sa mga magagandang babae. Para sa akin pare-pareho sila. Ginagamit ang ganda para makapanloko. Aakitin ka nila at bubulagin. At kapag nasa ilalim ka na ng kapangyarihan nila, wala silang ititira sa'yo. Maiiwan kang luhaan sa kangkungan. Pero habang papalayo ako nang papalayo sa babaeng iniwan ko, sinusurot naman ako ng konsensya ko. Napakaraming tanong ang nagdaraan sa utak ko. Paano kung totoong nakisakay lang 'yung babaeng 'yun? Paano kung nagkamali ako ng akala sa kanya? Paano kung nasagasaan na 'yun ng mabibilis na sasakyan? Paano kung napahamak na 'yun? Napagtripan? Na-r**e? Tang-ina. Paano kung namatay 'yun dahil sa pang-iiwan ko sa kanya? Baka multuhin pa ako nun, ah. Takot pa naman ako sa multo. Malakas na gumasgas sa kalsada ang mga gulong ng sasakyan nang ipreno ko ito. Hindi ko na kaya ang sundot ng konsensya ko. Babalikan ko iyong babae at dadalhin sa pinakamalapit na police station o kaya sa bus station nang makabalik na iyon sa Manila. Tsk. Mukha pa namang balikbayan, eh. Amoy imported at baluktot mag-Tagalog. Pinaikot ko ang sasakyan pabalik sa daang tinahak ko kanina. Tinalasan ko ang mga mata ko dahil baka makasalubong ko pa sya. Ngunit nang makarating ako sa kalsadang pinag-iwanan ko sa kanya ay wala na siya roon. Bumaba pa ako at inilawan ang gilid ng kalsada dahil baka naroon pa siya ngunit hindi ko siya nakita kaya sumakay ulit ako sa kotse at nag-drive pa. Halos limang minuto na akong nagda-drive nang makita kong may nakabulagtang katawan sa gitna ng kalsada. Agad kong iginilid ang sasakyan. Hawak ang flashlight, bumaba ako sa kalsada na may kaba. Agad kong inilawan ang nakahigang katawan habang naglalakad ako papalapit dito. Ilang hakbang na lang at malalapitan ko na ito nang may marinig akong sigawan at putok ng baril. Napalingon ako sa direksyon na pinanggalingan ng mga tunog nang marinig ko ang pagharurot ng isang sasakyan patungo sa akin. Napakabilis ng mga sumunod na pangyayari. Bumaba ang dalawang sakay ng sasakyan nang tumapat ito malapit sa kinatatayuan ko. Bago pa ako makakilos ay dalawang malalakas na putok na naman ng baril ang narinig ko. Napaigik ako nang makaramdam ko ang mainit na kirot sa may tyan ko bago ako napalugmok sa kalsada. Mabilis na humarurot paalis ang van nang maisakay ng mga bumaril sa akin ang katawan ng lalaking nakalugmok sa kalsada kanina. Nagpipilit akong tumayo nang maramdaman ko ang pagkapit ng mga kamay sa katawan ko at ang pagpipilit nitong itayo ako. Napalingon ako sa may-ari ng mga kamay at nakilala ko ang babaeng iniwan ko kanina. Naiilawan ng ilaw mula sa kotse ko ang mukha niya at hindi maitatago nun ang takot na nakarehistro sa maganda niyang mukha. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" paulit-ulit niyang sambit habang tinutulungan akong makatayo. Nang mapagtagumpayan niya akong maitayo ay inilagay niya ang kamay ko sa balikat niya. "Let's go to your car," narinig kong sambit niya. Kahit na kumikirot at masakit na masakit ang tyan ko ay nagpilit akong humakbang. Bumibigat na ang katawan ko at nahihirapan na siya dahil malaki ang katawan ko at hanggang baba ko lang siya bago kami makalapit sa kotse. Literal na hinihila niya na ako. Iniupo niya ako sa passenger seat. Nanghihina kong pinanuod ang pagkakalkal niya sa mga gamit kong nasa loob ng sasakyan. Nang makakita siya ng towel ay inilagay niya iyon sa may tyan kong tinamaan ng bala. Ipinahawak niya iyon sa akin bago niya ikinabit ang seat belt ko. Naglagay din siya ng seat belt at pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan. "Sa... Saan mo a-ko... D-dadal...hin?" nanghihinang tanong ko sa kanya. Napuno na naman ng pagdududa ang isip ko. Itatapon niya ba ang katawan ko at itatakbo ang sasakyan ko? "Hospital," simple niyang sagot. Pilit kong pinanlalabanan ang antok ko. "T-talaga...lang...ha...?" "Where else will I bring you?" Lingon niya sa akin bago niya muling itinuon sa pagmamaneho ang atensyon niya. "Hang on. And please! Please, d-don't die." Hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang paggaralgal ng boses niya. Hindi na ako nagsalita dahil talagang masakit na masakit na ang tama ko. Papikit man ang mga mata ko ay nakikita ko ang paglipat-lipat ng tingin niya sa akin at sa kalsada habang nagda-drive sya. Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang labis na pag-aalala pero ewan ko ba kung bakit hindi pa rin lubos ang tiwala ko sa kanya. At bago ko tuluyang ipikit ang mga mata ko, naalala ko kung bakit ako napunta sa sitwasyong ito. Langya, pahamak talaga ang mga magagandang babae. .... Okada Masaki as Francis Liev "Isly" Kaide.