Cttro

Cttro

Perturbed

*Smacked

Tumilapon si TJ mula sa kanyang puwesto nang makatanggap ito ng suntok mula kay Chaeyoung. Napahawak pa ito sa kanyang sikmura kung saan siya sinuntok ng kanyang Leader at sinubukan na habulin ang kanyang paghinga. Alam kasi niyang kapag hindi niya ginawa ito ay mawawalan siya ng malay lalo na't sa maselan parte pa ng katawan natin siya tinamaan ng suntok. Kung wala lang siya alam tungkol dito, baka na itakbo na siya ngayon sa hospital. Pagsabihan pa siyang bobo ni Yam.

Nasa training area silang lahat ng kasama niya kung saan laging tambayan nila kapag walang trabaho si Chaeyoung. Even if she's the Alpha of their pack, Chaeyoung still treated them equally. Parang naging libangan na nilang mag-ensayo at naging bonding na rin kasama siya. Chaeyoung might be the scariest person you can imagine because of her odd and unpredictable persuation. But for those people who understand her well, she really is but still manageable. They respected her as much as she respected them and their existence. But her trust is a luxury that only selected people could afford, and TJ is one of them.

TJ breath heavily while holding the lower part of his chest. Napapikit pa ito ng sandali habang iniinda ang sakit na natanggap mula kay Chaeyoung. The impact of the punch he received from her only means that she really deserved the position she has right now. He venerated her because of her capability and as a leader. Just like Yam, he is willing to offer his life for her. Nanalaytay na sa kanilang dugo na pagsilbihan ang pamilya ni Chaeyoung.

Nasa boxing ring silang dalawa habang ang mga kasamahan nila ay nasa labas at tahimik na pinapanood silang dalawa na parang sanay na sila sa ganoon eksina. Ni isang beses kasi, wala pang nakakatalo kay Chaeyoung. Kahit sina TJ at Yam na isa sa pinakamalakas sa kanila ay nahihirapan pang patumbahin ito. Chaeyoung was trained by her father's harsh indoctrination.  That's the result of the impressive skill she has. Kahit saan mo ito ilagay, walang nakakatalo sa kanya.

But... Would that last long?

Nakatalikod na ngayon si Chaeyoung sa kanya habang pinapahiran ang kaunti niyang pawis. Bakas sa mukha nito na hindi man lang ito napagod sa kanilang Thai boxing kanina o kadalasan na tinatawag na Muay thai, dahil kalmado pa rin ang itsura nito kahit na medyo naghahabol itong huminga. She stretched her neck before facing him.

She wore her typical mask again. Her aura creates the whole room a tension and a dark intimidating shadow. Kaya tahimik ang mga kasama nito dahil dito. They thought that something's going on.

"I heard that you're avoiding Mina."she said with slight exasperation.

Walang ordinaryong tao ang makakaalam kung ano ang nasa isip niya. Her actions can be confusing oftentimes and alarming too because of the way she showed it. But for TJ,  he knew her well.

He wiped the blood in the corner of his lips using his upper limb before he stood up and gaze at her. Kalmado niyang pinagmasdan ang kanyang pinuno. He wanted to laugh his ass off for thinking something but he couldn't because he is not in a right place.

"I couldn't face her after what happened and... "he stopped. "I think I have to ask to your permission."

Kumunot ang noo ni Chaeyoung. She couldn't understand what he meant. She tilted her neck as her brows furrowed in confusion. "Permission? Why are you asking my permission? I didn't forbid you to be with her. Hindi ba sinabihan ko na kayo ni Yam na bantayan siya?"

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito. He arched his brows. A playful thought appeared in his mind. Lumabas na naman ang pagiging maloko nito. "Oh? I thought I have to. Pagkatapos kasi ng lahat... "he didn't finish his words. Patay malisya lang itong sinuri si Chaeyoung na ngayon ay naging seryoso ang mukha.

Sinadya niyang maging bitin ang sasabihin nito. He enjoyed doing it. Typical TJ.

"Anyway, I am sorry. Hindi na ako lalayo sa kanya. Palagi na akong nakadikit sa kanya kasama si Yam."he said with a double meaning on it.

As expected, Chaeyoung face became sour. Wala man ito sinabi ngunit halata naman sa itsura nito na nabad-trip sa kanya. Pilit pa na naging kalmado at itsura nito bago inalis ang atensyon sa kanya.

Umupo ito sa upuan na bigay ng kasama niya. She quickly drank her water before she fixed her wrapped. She's not wearing her boxing gloves unlike TJ, because she thought it is more interesting to torture herself through it. After she secured it, she folded her knuckles to check it. Seryoso ang itsura nito habang ginagawa iyun at pasekreto itong tinignan ang kanyang peklat sa braso.

"Anyway, kailan babalik si Ciro dito?"TJ asked curiously.

Umangat ang ulo ni Chaeyoung habang nakakunot ang noo. "Why do all you keep asking about him?"

TJ lips became flat. "Nothing. I am just curious. Didn't he say that he is willing to take you back?"

Chaeyoung eyes remained at him. "He can do whatever he want, Agila. But he can never control my feelings."her tone became dangerously agitated.

"So, what are you going to do?"he asked again.

Bumuntong hininga ito bago nagsalita. "Nothing. He'll get tired"she paused. "And I am busy of something."she said. Tumayo ulit ito at saka pumuwesto.

TJ considered it as a cue that's why he prepared himself. Ngumuso pa ito dahil hindi pa siya nakapaghanda at hinamon na agad siya ni Chaeyoung. Minsan napapaisip siya kung tao pa ba ito.

***

Malaki ang naging ngiti sa labi ko pagkagising matapos kong marinig ang balita na bumalik na si Yam dito. Kaya pagkatapos kong mag-ayus at umalis sa kuwarto ko ay deritso agad ako sa  kanilang living area kung saan madalas ko siyang nakikita. I really miss her. Days were pretty boring without her. No corny jokes would heard from her silliness, and her vibrant energy that can make my mood lighten.

Cttro

I wore a simple dress with sleeves on it. Suot ko rin ang sapatos na hindi ko alam kung sino nagbigay sa akin. I tied my hair into messy bun because I couldn't think to brush my hair. Hindi naman halata na excited akong makita si Yam.

My smile widened even more when I saw her back. I knew it was her because I could recognized it, even if there seems to be a slight change in its hair color. I just can't see the whole of it because she was wearing a cap. Hindi na akong nagdalawang isip pa na lapitan at tawagan ang pangalan niya. 

"Yam!"I called. I zoomed to her place to give her a hug.

She looks like she was doing something. Natigilan pa ito matapos ko siyang yakapin mula sa kanyang likod. Nagulat siguro sa ginawa ko dahil hindi naman ako nagpapakita ng ganitong side ko. She knew that I was shy to show my affection that's why she was the first who always initiate.

"I miss you... "I pouted. "Anong oras ka dumating dito?"I asked.

I was still smiling but it slowly disappeared when she didn't say anything. She was just standing still with no reaction nor response. My forehead wrinkled because of that and loosened my embrace leisurely. Inangat ko ang aking ulo upang makita siya.

My eyes grew wider when it is not someone I expected it to be. I covered my mouth in shock and let go of her hurriedly. I quickly back away when I realized who it is. I suddenly feel embarrassed because of my impulsiveness earlier.

Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi mahihiya kapag malaman mong ibang tao ang niyayakap mo pala? And what's even worst? It was Chaeyoung's cousin, Jeongyeon.

I blinked. "Oh my... I-I am sorry. I didn't know."I said while shaking my head nervously.

Looks like she recovered that fast from the sudden scene earlier because her emotion swifted to neutral. Parang na siyang si Chaeyoung lalo na't may kaunting hawig pa ito sa kanya. But compared to her cousin, she has an intimiding aura with light feeling. Funny because I wasn't afraid of her. She's okay to me if it isn't of the way she looked at me right now.

Hindi ko alam kung ano gagawin ko. I only smile, as usual, to greet her because I think it's a best way to do. Kahit ang awkward namin ngayon dahil sa nangyari kanina, sinubukan ko parin labanan ang hiya ko. Wala naman ako ginawa masama, katangahan marami.

"Akala ko kasi si Yam... "I explained.

But this is tougher than I thought. She isn't saying anything. Nakatingin lang ito sa akin na walang ekspresiyon ang mukha. I wouldn't be surprised if she's being like this to me because our first meeting didn't go well either. The last time we talked, I almost got a fight with her girlfriend.

Her gazed didn't last long when something caught her attention. She bent down her head and stared at the object keenly that grabbed her attention earlier. I saw how her forehead wrinkled while looking at it. She even squinted her eyes as if she's observing it. Nagtataka akong sinuri siya at hindi na napigilan ang sarili na lumingon din doon. Only for me to realize that she was actually looking at my sneaker.

"That sneaker."she began. "... looks familiar."sabi niya at saka inangat ang kanyang ulo upang tignan ako ako.

"I think I've seen this before."she added.

Pabalik-balik ang mga mata ko sa sneaker at sa kanya. I was dumbfounded because I don't even know what to say. Nagtataka ako kung bakit pamilyar sa kanya ang sneaker na ito. Does this mean she knows who gave these shoes to me?

May sasabihin sana ako nang sakto naman pumasok si Yam sa eksena. She waved her hand at me but get interrupted when Jeongyeon called her. Lumapit naman siya kaagad sa pinsan ni Chaeyoung.

"Yam... Aren't these shoes familiar to you?"Jeongyeon said suspiciously.

Yam was clueless at first. But when she realized what she was pointing at, her jaw dropped in surprised. The curiosity painted on her face transparently.

"Mina... Where did you get those sneakers?"she asked confusedly.

I got even more curious because of their reactions. Seriously, bakit parang biglang naging big deal sa kanila 'yung sneaker na ito? I mean, it's pretty and unique so it must be. Pero ang pinagtataka ko lang, why are they looking at me as if I am committing a sin?

Holp up. Am I wearing a very important shoe?

Doon ko lang napagkompirma na hindi kay Yam ito galing dahil dito. Mukhang nagulat nga siya na makita ito mula sa akin na parang hindi niya inakala na mapupunta ito sa akin. Ngayon ay mas lalong gumugulo ang isipan ko ngayon. Kanino pala galing ang sneakers na ito?

I slowly chuckled. "I don't know. I thought it was from you."I said confusedly.

Yam pointed herself in disbelief and then laughed shamelessly. She is shaking her head as if she is denying it. "What? Me? Mina I don't have talent in arts."

"Kung hindi ito galing sa'yo? Edi kanino?"I asked.

Nagkatinginan sila na parang may ideya sila kung kanino ito galing. Ngunit bakas sa mukha ni Jeongyeon ang pagtataka dahil sa nangyari. Pagkatapos no'n ay lumingon sa akin si Jeongyeon. She's looking at me as if I am a mystery.

Ako naman ay nakaramdam ng kaba dahil doon.

Jeongyeon speak up. "I don't know what's going on between you and my cousin. But other than your dad being the reason why it all happened, who are you really?"

Wait, cousin? Does it mean...

"Kay Chaeyoung galing ito?"I said surprisingly.

Hindi sila sumagot dahilan mas lalong naging tama ang hinala ko. Ibig sabihin iisang tao lang ang nasa isip namin ngayon.

Maraming katanungan ang bumabagabag sa akin. Paano naman napunta sa akin ang sapatos niya? At kailan niya ito binigay. Saan? May mga alaala ba ako na hindi ko naalala? This is crazy.

***

Mabigat na paghinga ang aking binitawan pagpasok ko pa lang sa pribadong silid ni Chaeyoung, na ngayon ko lang nalaman kung hindi dahil kay Yam. I was really surprised when I found out about that. During my time here, I just knew that there was a room that existed here. I have enough with so much mysteries that the owner of this house has, and this house is too much for me to absurd it.

The reason why I wanted to see her is because I decided to return the shoe that Chaeyoung gave to me. Luckily, pang ilang beses ko pa lang ginamit ito kaya hindi na ako guilty doon. I also cleaned up the shoes to make it looked as it is before. I thought returning to this owner would be a good idea. It's not my mine. I just wonder why I have it. I don't even remember her giving it to me. And even if she really did, when was it? At bakit?

But anyway, it doesn't matter to me anymore. Gusto ko lang isauli ito sa kanya dahil hindi naman sakin 'to. I don't need to know her reasons.

I grimaced when I smell a smoke from the cigarette as I entered the room. It's not that I hate it, I'm just not used to it. Kahit na alam kong naninigarilyo ang tatay ko ay hindi ko pa nakikita na ginagawa ito sa harapan ko mismo. He will make sure that I wasn't around because he knew that I am going to scold him. I mean, he is advocating a good health yet he is doing the otherwise. I know hypocrisy is in our nature, but it doesn't mean we have to be blinded to it.

Credits to Chaeyoung

Credits to Chaeyoung.

My eyes caught Chaeyoung who is now sitting on the couch comfortably as she puff on a cigarette. I was stunned while looking at her from a far. This is my first time to see someone looking attractive even if she's just smoking a cigarette. I held my left chest.

Chaeyoung is wearing a black sando shirt with raggy loose jeans that has a military style printed on it. Now I could see her whole tattoos without having a difficulty to check it. She was crossing her legs like a man while her elbow rested at the arms of the couch, and the other hand was holding a cigarette. May alak na nakapatong sa lamesang niya katabi na mukhang pinapabayaan na nito, at malayo nakatingin sa kung saan. Looks like she was having a recreation right now and I feel like I'm in a bad time. Kahit na umatras ako ay wala naman ako magagawa dahil nandito na ako.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na humahaba na pala ng kaunti ang buhok niya at pati na ang mga tattoo sa kanyang braso na hindi ko nakita noon. Ang dami pala. Her tattoo almost covered her entire arm, and I was expecting the other thing. I thought tattoos could be scary to see when it is a lot, but I didn't think that they were really good to look at. And it really suits Chaeyoung, ang cool niyang tignan.

Natigilan ako nang makitang lumingon sa aking gawi si Chaeyoung. I started to feel panic because of that. Chaeyoung's cold eyes stayed at me, making me feel intimidated. Her eyes tell me something and I couldn't guess what it is. Heto na naman ako, bigla-bigla na lang natotorete sa kanya.

"Don't just stared at me. "she said monotonously before she puff on the cigarette.

Nagulat ako dahil mukhang kalmado ang itsura nito hindi kagaya noong nakaraan. I am not sure if there's something different to her. O baka naninibago lang ako dahil ilang araw ko na rin siyang hindi nakikita.

I took a step forward out of menace while holding a paper bag with a shoe on it. Ramdam kong paano bumibilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko na parang aatakehin ako sa puso kahit anong oras. My legs are turning jelo but I tried to resist it. Tulala pa rin ako habang tinitignan siya. I forgot what to say.

"What are you doing here?"she asked.

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya para i-abot ang paper bag. Ngunit tinignan niya lang ito nang sandali bago iniwas ang tingin dito. She put her cigarette in the ashtray and took a sip of her whisky. She pursed her lips.

Ito ang unang beses na nakita ko si Chaeyoung na naninigarilyo. I've seen her drinking beers with Ciro but not at this. She looks tense and I could smell the mixture of the smoke and her strong perfume. Even so, it didn't smell bad. It smells like hell and it came from a very dangerous person.

My thought was cut off when she blew a smoke at me. I closed my eyes as the smoke touched my face. I caught when the menthol of the smoke entered in my nose. I wanted to complain but her presence stopped me to do so. It's like she commanding me even if she didn't say anything.

I inhaled sharply. "I am going to return this item to you. I believe it's yours."

"Bakit mo naman isasauli iyan?"sabi niya nang hindi parin lumilingon sa akin.

I nibbled the muscle inside of my cheeks and my brows frowned. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit niya sinabi iyun sa akin.

"Dahil... Sa iyo ito?"I answered confusedly. "Hindi ko nga alam kung paano napunta sa akin ito dahil wala naman akong naalala na binigay mo ito sa akin. So, I apologize."dagdag ko.

She chuckled slowly, making me see her deep dimple. And then, she looked at me with her typical mocking face. Nakataas pa ang isang kilay nito at saka iniling ang ulo.  She looks like she was dismayed to hear those words from me.

The tension between us became high. And the more I stayed here, the more the things became dangerous for us. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kinakatakot ko talaga sa kanya, maliban sa presensya niya at sa kung paano siya tumitig sa akin ngayon. I don't like the way my body would react because of her. It feels like she's controlling my whole system when she is really not.

Ngumiti siya, ngunit ang ngiti na iyun ay hindi umabot sa kanyang tenga. "So you can't really remember?"

My brows furrowed. "I don't know what you mean, Chaeng."

She took her cigarettes from the ashtray. Napasinghap ako nang bigla na lang ito tumayo. Slowly, she went to my place enable us to face each other. Lumuwag ang pagkahawak ko sa paper bag dahilan para malaglag ito. But I couldn't care for more because my attention was only for her.

Kaunting espasyo lang ang namamagitan sa aming dalawa. I saw how her eyes wandered in every corner of my eyes. It seemed that she is beholding every inch of me. Parang tuloy naging marupok ang bawat parte ng katawan ko dahil sa kanya.

She clicked her tongue. "I expect it to happen. Even if I kiss you now, you don't still remember."

How can she be so bold while saying those things on me? Does she know how to put a filter on her words? Can she just keep it? I really hate how my navel would react tremendously. Seriously, she just make things worst for us, for me.

I am always out of words to say whenever she makes a move.

Her lips became flat. She move her head lightly from the side. "It made me wonder, how could my kiss could not make you remember anything? When in fact... "she walked gradually.

"... That night, while there was fireworks..."malapit na siya sa akin.

"... We..."she arched her brows. "...kissed."she stopped. Naging mas malapit ang mukha niya sa akin.

Parang mabibingi ang tenga ko dahil sa kabog ng puso ko ngayon. Gusto kong kunin mula sa pagkakabit nito dahil natatakot akong marinig niya ito. I was so afraid that she will hear it and think of something. Something that I don't want to happen.

Umatras ako nang mapagtanto kong halos magkalapit na ang aming mukha. Then, I looked away from her. I closed my eyes tightly before I took a courage to look at her again.

Before I could say anything, memories flashed in my mind.

"I have anaphylaxis. Wala naman akong kinain na may nuts."I said.

"But you're drunk. Kailan ka pa natutong uminom? You don't drink."siya naman ngayon ang mukhang galit.

May sasabihin pa sana ako nang lumakas bigla ang ingay ng mga tao rito. At ingay ng fireworks ay mas lalo rin lumakas. Everyone becomes excited upon seeing it. Contrary to our side, dahil hindi na rin namin marinig ang isa't isa.

"It's none of your business anymore. Pumunta kana sa fiancé mo."pagtataboy ko sa kanya. I rolled my eyes.

But before I could even turned my head away from her, someone push me really hard, causing me to throw myself uncontrollably at Chaeyoung. Fortunately, Chaeyoung was fast to response so she held my arms quickly.

However, that doesn't end of the unfortunate event we have. The force was too strong that Chaeyoung almost fell to her place. I wasn't fast to avoid my face from her which made our lips touched.

Our lips touched!

Pareho kaming napatigil sa mabilis na pangyayari. She was still holding my arms while bending her knees slightly. My body tilted a bit, while having a hard time secretly because of our height difference. Chaeyoung is too tall.

We don't know how long we've been there.  It feels like everything surrounds us became blur and slowly fading while my eyes at her. The time automatically stopped, making us wander from the other dimension. My heart beats exaggeratedly, unable me to breath normally.

And then everything turned very quick. She suddenly held my back, pulling me closer to her. She began moving her lips slowly and... Passionately. Not minding the explosion from the fireworks.

I covered my mouth in shocked. Hindi pa ako naka-move on nang may isang memorya na naman akong naalala.

I opened my eyes again to see Chaeyoung. "I hate you..."I said softly, almost like a whisper.

Chaeyoung smirked. Pinagpag niya muna ang sarili bago tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo kanina.

"I know."matigas na sabi nito.

My visions were blurred but I could still see her. Pagod ko siyang tinignan."I really hate you for stealing my heart."I said while pointing my chest.

Chaeyoung didn't say anything. Nakayuko lang ito at saka umupo katabi ko. She was smiling like an idiot as if she was looking at the funny scene, which is me. And I didn't know that because I was so emotional.

Umalis ako mula sa pagkakasandal bago inilapit ang sarili kay Chaeyoung. My face became serious while looking at her sinful eyes. An eye like a fruit in Eden, a temptation.

"But will I hate myself even more if I did this?"my voice was in monotonous tone.

Chaeyoung was about to speak when I swiftly leaned myself to her. She flinched because of the sudden move I made.

For the second time of this night, our lips touch again. I closed her eyes to feel her lips, I no longer thought about what her reaction would be. She's like a lifeless rock. Looks like she was surprised to see this side of me.

Yet it didn't last long when she finally took a courage to pull me. She started moving her lips gently until she couldn't control herself and her moved became aggressive. After that, everything went blank.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang unting unti ko naalala ang mga nangyari sa akin no'ng gabing nalasing ako. I was so speechless. Out of all time, sa ganitong panahon ko pa talaga maalala ang lahat.

And what the heck? We kissed? We... really did? And it is all because of me! Bakit hindi ko iyun naalala? I feel like my self-conscious activated my shame. Gusto ko na lang magpalamon sa lupa dahil sa kahihiyan. If only I can turned back the time, I would never planned to drink again. Never! Dahan-dahan akong lumingon kay Chaeyoung na ngayon ay nakangisi na nang malaman niya kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isipan ko.

Oh my gosh... This is so embarrassing!

She crossed her arms as her mouth fell open. I saw her tongue move in the muscles of her cheeks while looking at me in amusement. "Looks like you remember everything now."she teased.

No word went out in my mouth. Now that I feel defeated, I quickly turned around and run as fast as I could from that place. Running away from embarrassment, from her. Because I thought it is the only way to save my ego just for now.

***

Have you seen the teaser? Chaeyoung was really pretty? Anyway, we got Chaeyoung's sleeveless. 8-) Chaeyoung is getting prettier these days and I love it.