The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 21

NAGTAKA si Lawrence nang magising siya kinabukasan. He woke up in his own room. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang ulo nang sumakit ito.

“Why am I here?” Nagtatakang tanong niya sa sarili.

Tinignan niya ang buong kwarto. Then he smelled a delicious smell of food. Natuon ang atensiyon niya sa bedside table. There was a tray of food placed there and a medicine for hangover. Bumangon si Lawrence saka nilapitan ang pagkain. There was a post-it note at the side of the tray. Kinuha niya ito at binasa.

‘Good morning, Your Majesty. Hindi na kita nahintay na magising. If you’re awake now, then I’m already at school. I do not cook this food, but I prepared it. Hope you like it and there’s also a medicine for your hangover.’ – Your baby.

Lawrence couldn’t help himself from chuckling. “She actually wrote ‘baby’ and not her name. At mukha ring nakalimutan niya na isa akong lobo. I don’t need meds.”

He looked at the food and smiled. “Even if she didn’t cook it, it was still prepared for her,” he said.

After he took a bath, he dressed, and ate the food prepared by his baby. Then he went to his private office to do his Alpha duties. Nang sumapit ang hapon, dumating ang mga CEO ng bawat kumpanya na pag-aari ng mga Everson at kinailangan niya ang mga itong harapin. Then after he signed every document from the CEOs… sunod niyang inasikaso ang mga dokumento galing rin sa mga kumpanya nila sa ibang bansa.

Lawrence didn’t notice the time. He only looked at his wristwatch when he felt his mate’s presence in the palace. It’s already six in the evening.

“I thought her out was 4:30 in the afternoon?” Lawrence asked himself, but then later, he thought that maybe Ezralyn took his baby to the mall to have fun.

Iyon ang alam ni Lawrence pero ang hindi niya alam ay iniiwasan siya ni Blythe dahil sa nangyari kagabi na hindi niya maalala. The kiss that happened between them.

Though Blythe doesn’t feel disgusted, the dangerous thing is she doesn’t feel reluctant to be kissed by Lawrence.

Ezralyn sighed while looking at Blythe. “Dinala mo ako rito sa mall pero dahil sabi mo may bibilhin ka pero naglalakad lang naman tayo.”

Blythe stopped walking and looked at Ezralyn. “Nakalimutan ko na.”

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Ezralyn. “May bibilhin ka ba talaga, Your Highness? O nagdadahilan ka lang? O di kaya ay may iniiwasan ka – “

“Wala akong iniiwasan.” Mabilis na saad ni Blythe.

Natawa ng mahina si Ezralyn. “Ang isa nahuhuli sa sariling bibig.”

“I’m not a fish.” Blythe reasoned.

“It’s just a metaphor.” Sabi ni Ezralyn saka napailing. “Nahuli na kita. Ano ‘yon?”

Blythe sighed. Umiling siya. “Nothing.”

Hinawakan ni Ezralyn ang kamay ni Blythe saka ito hinila sa isang Milktea Shop. Nag-order siya at habang hinihintay ang kanilang order, hindi niya tinigilan si Blythe upang sabihin nito kung ano ang bumabagabag rito. Kaninang umaga niya pa ito napansin na parang nawawala ito sa sarili at may malalim na iniisip.

“Ahmm…” tumikhim si Blythe. “I have a friend.”

Tumaas muli ang isang kilay ni Ezralyn. “Hindi ako naniniwala sa ‘yo. You told me before that you have no friends, Your Highness.”

Blythe could only sigh. Bakit ba ang hirap magpalusot? Tanong niya sa kaniyang sarili. “Fine. It’s me. Something happened last night.”

Ezralyn knew that the King and Queen hadn’t completed the mating process yet because she didn’t smell the King’s scent on Blythe. So, something must have happened that made Blythe like this. Hindi naman ito ganito. Blythe was having a calm composure. Kahit pa nga yata katapusan na ng mundo, kalmado pa rin ito.

“What happened?” tanong ni Ezralyn.

“I…”

“Tell me.”

Blythe looked into Ezralyn’s eyes. “I will tell you, but don’t tell anyone. Wala akong ibang mapagsabihan kundi ikaw lang.”

Ngumiti si Ezralyn. “I’m all ears.” Sigurado siya na hindi basta-basta ang nangyari kagabi.

Blythe took a deep breath before telling Ezralyn – her only friend – what happened last night. “I… Lawrence was drunk. Hindi naman sa lasing talaga. He’s tipsy.”

“And?”

“And… h-he kissed me.” Blythe blushed, and she covered her face because of embarrassment.

Pero para kay Ezralyn hindi ‘yon nakakahiya. “Really?” Excited niyang tanong. “Did you two French kiss? Sorry, I asked. I’m just excited!” Kinikilig niyang saad.

Blythe was about to speak, but the woman called their number at the cashier's counter. “Number 22!”

Kaagad namang tumayo si Ezralyn saka kinuha ang milktea nila ni Blythe. Mabilis rin siyang bumalik sa lamesa nila ni Blythe. “Then what happened next?”

“Then Lawrence fell asleep.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Ezralyn. “Iyon lang ang nangyari?” she asked in disappointment.

Tumango si Blythe.

Napabuga ng hangin si Ezralyn. “Akala ko naman na kung anong nakaka-excite ang nangyari. It’s just a kiss, Blythe.”

Binuksan ni Blythe ang plastic na kinalalagyan ng straw saka ito itinusok sa butas ng takip ng milktea. “Anong it’s just a kiss ka diyan? Ez, malaking bagay sa akin ‘yon. That was my first kiss.”

Natawa ng mahina si Ezralyn. Napailing siya. “Don’t worry, I know that you are also His Majesty’s first kiss."

Kumunot ang nuo ni Blythe.

Ezralyn sighed. “Except you, he has never been with a woman. He respected all women. Kahit pa nga yata maghubad na sa harapan niya ‘yong babae walang pakialam si King Lawrence at hindi niya papatulan.”

Nagulat naman si Blythe sa narinig at nakaramdam ng saya. “Really?”

Tumango si Ezralyn. “Really. Totoo ‘yon.”

Natuwa siya dahil sa nalaman at napangiti.

Napailing naman si Ezralyn dahil sa nakita niyang ngiti ni Blythe. Halata naman na gusto na ni Blythe si King Lawrence. In deny lang ito at naguguluhan sa nararamdaman nito. Gusto niyang sabihin kay Blythe ang tungkol sa tunay nitong nararamdaman pero mas maganda kung ito ang umalam. Mas genuine ang feelings. Though she hasn’t found her mate, she knows Blythe’s feelings towards King Lawrence.

But then Blythe remembered the kiss that happened last night. She was too shocked and couldn’t face Lawrence. Kaya naman nakahinga siya ng maluwang kaninang umaga na nauna siyang nagising kaysa rito.

Napahawak si Blythe sa sariling labi. When Lawrence’s lips were pressed against her lips, she felt his lips were soft. Agad niyang sinuway ang sarili. Ano bang pinag-iisip niya?

“Let’s go home.” Aya ni Ezralyn.

Blythe sucks. Ayaw ko pang umuwi. Ayaw ko siyang makita.

Pero wala ng nagawa si Blythe nang hilain siya ni Ezralyn patayo at hinatak patungo sa sasakyan. They were greeted by the driver, then they went home.

Pagdating nila sa palasyo, nagmamadaling pumunta si Blythe sa silid at ini-lock ito. Alam niyang pupuntahan siya ni Lawrence mamaya para i-check siya. Gawain na ito ni Lawrence bago siya matulog. He always checks on her. Pero sa ngayon ayaw niyang makita ang binata.

Hindi mawala sa isipan niya ang tungkol sa halik na ‘yon.

“Argh!”

Ibinagsak ni Blythe ang sarili sa malambot na kama saka napatitig sa kisame. Napabuga siya ng hangin. Then she heard a knock from the door.

“Baby.”

Lumaki ang mata ni Blythe saka napabalikwas ng bangon. She looked at the door.

“Baby, open the door. You have to eat dinner before you go to bed.”

“I… Busog ako! Hindi na ako kakain! I’m going to bed!” After saying those words, Blythe covered herself with a quilt and pretended to be asleep.

Lawrence just let Blythe sleep. Sinabi naman ni Ezralyn na kumain na ito at ni Blythe kaya naman hindi na niya inabala ang pamamahinga ng dalaga.

What happened that night happened again on the next night, and the next, the next and the next night again. Hindi na nakatiis si Lawrence. Nahalata niya na iniiwasan siya ni Blythe. Hindi naman niya alam kung bakit siya iniiwasan nito. Wala naman siyang alam na nagawa niyang mali.

So, one afternoon, he waited for Blythe to arrive.

Pagkakita pa lang ni Blythe kay Lawrence, balak na niya itong iwasan pero hinarang siya ni Lawrence.

“Baby – “

“I’m tired. I need to rest.” Sabi ni Blythe at hindi makatingin ng deretso kay Lawrence. The kiss keeps on appearing in her mind after seeing him again. Ilang araw niya rin itong iniwasan dahil hindi niya alam kung paano ito haharapin.

“Blythe, let’s talk.” Seryosong sabi ni Lawrence.

Nagbaba ng tingin si Blythe. “A-anong pag-uusapan natin?” tanong niya. Lawrence called her by her name, so, Lawrence must be serious.

“Let’s talk to your room.” Hinawakan ni Lawrence ang kamay ni Blythe. His hold was firm but it wasn’t hurtful.

When they entered the room, Lawrence was still holding Blythe’s hand. Using his free hand, he locked the door.

Napalunok si Blythe nang marinig niyang nag-lock ang pinto.

“Why are you avoiding me?” tanong ni Lawrence. His voice was serious.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Blythe. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Did I do something wrong? Inappropriate? Tell me.” Sabi ni Lawrence. “Baby, I know you’ve been avoiding me these past few days. Nagsimula ito noong uminom ako. Ayaw mo ba na uminom ako. Okay. I won’t drink anymore. Just… don’t avoid me anymore.”

“It’s not about that… I…”

“Then what, Baby? Tell me.”

Blythe sighed. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. “Wala ka bang malaala noong nalasing ka?”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Lawrence. “I slept here. Did I do something inappropriate?” Now, he’s worried. Nang hindi nagsalita si Blythe, lumuhod siya sa harapan nito na ikinagulat naman ng dalaga.

“A-anong ginagawa mo?” gulat na tanong ni Blythe.

“Hindi mo ako iiwasan kung wala akong ginawa sa ‘yo. I’m sorry. Forgive me kung anuman ang nagawa ko. Please, don’t avoid me. I will accept any punishment. Just please, don’t avoid me anymore.”

Hindi sanay si Blythe na niluluhuran kaya naman, “tumayo ka diyan.”

“No, I won’t stand up until you don’t tell me what I did. Tell me and I won’t do it again.”

Blythe sighed again. “Pero tumayo ka muna diyan.”

Agad namang tumayo si Lawrence.

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Blythe saka nagsalita. “You just took my first kiss.”

Lawrence's eyes widened. I did what?

Hindi agad nakapagsalita si Lawrence.

“I just need time to calm down myself.” Sabi ni Blythe. “Kaya iniwasan kita ng ilang araw. I’m sorry too. Hindi ko dapat ginawa ‘yon at kinausap kita. Nabigla lang kasi ako sa ginawa mo.”

“It’s okay.” Hinawakan ni Lawrence ang kamay ni Blythe. He was guilty that he did that. Though he was drunk, at least he got Blythe’s consent first. “It’s my fault. I kissed you without your permission.”

“Hindi mo ba maalala?” tanong ni Blythe.

Umiling si Lawrence. “Honestly, no. But still, I shouldn’t have done that thing. I’m sorry, Baby.” He apologized. And he learned one thing from his mistake, to never get drunk again.

Pinaglalaruan naman ni Blythe ang kaniyang mga daliri. “Don’t apologize because… b-because…”

Hinihintay naman ni Lawrence ang sasabihin ng mate niya. “Because…”

Tumingin si Blythe kay Lawrence. “I…”

“Yes, baby?”

Hindi masabi ni Blythe ang gusto niyang sabihin kaya naman umiling na lamang siya. “Magpapahinga na ako. I just take a shower.” Aniya saka nagmamadaling pumasok sa banyo.

Nang makapasok sa banyo si Blythe, doon niya nasapo ang tapat ng kaniyang puso. Her heart was beating so fast, and she knew that her heart was reacting to Lawrence.

What am I going to do?