Bewitching the Tempter

Chapter 9: As You Wish

I didn't know how long I cried, tumigil lang ako nang mapagtantong basa na ang shirt niya.

"Oh, sorry." I muttered as I wiped my tears.

"Oh, it's nothing," he chuckled. "It's a pleasure to be your crying pillow, babe. I don't mind it at all." He smiled.

"Gago, baka gawin mo 'tong pang blackmail sa akin. I will surely smack you!" Pagbabanta ko.

"Saan?" He playfully asked.

Duh?

I raised a brow. "Edi sa parte ng katawan mo where it hurts the most."

He bit his lip and I chuckled when he suddenly covered his crotch. Gago talaga.

"Huwag naman, babe. Sayang ang genes. Magpaparami pa ako ng lahi."

Punyemas na lalaking 'to.

"Anyway, I need to go. Mag-aaral pa ako." I uttered after fixing myself.

"Hilig mo talagang mag-aral?" He asked while following me like a dog.

"Wala ka na ro'n."

"Wow, balik sungit mode na ah, okay ka na?" He chuckled.

I sighed. Sabi na nga ba e, aasarin lang talaga ako nito.

"Look, I'm tired, I need to rest."

He smiled. "That's right. Rest. Hindi 'yong sasagarin mo pa ang sarili mo kahit na pagod ka na. You're not a robot, babe."

I rolled my eyes.

"Stop acting like you're nice, because I know you're not." Inis kong sabi.

Tumango naman siya. "Alright then, pero ihahatid kita ha?"

Ghad. Why is he acting like that? Ano siya? Aso? Hindi ko talaga gets kung bakit niya 'to ginagawa. Kung tutuusin, marami namang magaganda sa paligid and he can get any girl he wants, marami namang may gusto sa kanya e. But why is he sticking with me?

Does he have something with me? Masamang balak, gano'n?

"Ah, basta uuwi na ako." Inis kong sagot at tinalikuran na siya.

But in the end, he still took me home. Mabuti nalang ay umalis din agad pagkatapos.

Nang makauwi ay agad akong naligo at ginawa ang iilang homework dahil ayokong matambakan. It was I guess eight in the evening that I decided to go out to buy food.

I was on my way out when someone knocked on the door, agad ko naman iyong binuksan dahil baka 'yong friends ko lang, but I was surprised when I saw who it was.

Si Ninong Larry.

"Drea." He smiled at me, agad naman akong nagmano sa kanya at binigyan ng espasyo ang pinto para makapasok siya.

"Napadalaw po kayo Ninong." I smiled.

I'm actually glad to see him. Dahil kung walang pakialam at malasakit ang tatay ko sa akin, I still have my Ninong. Simula no'ng napunta ako sa mga Villamor ay lagi siyang nand'yan para sa akin. Kung tutuusin ay para ko na rin siyang magulang dahil siya ang umaattend ng mga school meetings para sa akin, siya ang nagsasabit ng medalya tuwing recognition ceremonies, siya halos lahat.

My father was never proud of me but I know Ninong is. Hindi ko nga magets e, they were bestfriends pero ibang-iba siya kay Daddy. Because he makes me feel like I'm precious and I deserve recognition and love...things that my father never let me to feel.

Sa katunayan, si Ninong nga rin ang dahilan kung bakit ako malaya ngayon. Siya ang nakiusap kay daddy na hayaan ako kung saang school ko gustong mag-aral.

"Well, I just want to check on you because I heard that Rachel visited you this afternoon."

I sighed. Ang bilis nga naman ng balita. Panigurado, ako na naman ang pulutan sa mansyon ngayon. Let me guess, Racquel's already cursing me now and Dad's probably disappointed again.

"Ah, opo. She went to see me but I'm busy so I didn't talk to her." I answered and shrugged my shoulders.

Ninong nodded.

"Galit ka pa rin sa kapatid mo?"

I shook my head and looked away.

"Hindi naman ako galit, ayoko lang siyang makausap, at kung maaari, ayaw ko muna siyang makita."

"Right, I understand where you're coming from kaya hindi rin kita masisisi. How are you here by the way? Doing great?" He smiled and started stroking my long hair like a child.

"Yes, Ninong. I got straight A's in midterms." Masaya kong sagot.

"That's great. I'm really proud of you. For sure, someday, you will be successful."

Ngumiti akong muli. "Thank you for believing in me, Ninong."

He sighed and tapped my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Klio."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Bakit po? May nangyari po ba?"

"Wala namang nangyari, it's just that...one of the reasons why I came here is that there's something you need to know about your father."

I hate my father but the moment I heard that, I immediately got attentive.

"Bakit po? Anong meron kay daddy?"

Ninong took a deep breath and held my hand.

"He's pushing through the wedding plan with the Zaragosas."

What? My forehead creased.

"What? Marriage?" I asked in surprise. But then, it's been almost four years since I got engaged, so ano pa bang inaasahan ko?

It's not like my father would change his view of me easily.

There was a lump in my throat after I asked that. After nearly four years of being away from them, akala ko ay hindi na ako magugulat nang marinig iyon, but it still got me.

"I'm sorry, Klio. I swear I tried to stop your dad but he still pushed through that because that's what he thinks is good for you." He apologetically said.

"Right. Kasi mahina pa rin ako sa paningin niya, hindi ba? That just explains why Rachel has the freedom to choose whom she will marry, kasi siya lang naman ang malakas sa paningin niya. While I'm always the loser." I smiled, trying to convince myself that it's okay, that I should just get used of it, total mahigit isang dekada na ring pinaparamdam sa akin iyon.

"No, you're not. It's just that your father couldn't see your potential yet but I'm sure na kapag makita niya, he will be impressed. You're smart, kind, talented, and tenacious, Klio. Hindi ka talunan."

I sighed and smiled. "Thank you for looking at me that way, Ninong. Pero wala e, sa paningin ni daddy, talunan pa rin ako."

After Ninong went home that night ay wala ako sa sariling napasalampak sa sofa. I felt tired and worthless again. I had the urge...to start hurting myself again.

I was weighing my thoughts while holding the blade with quivering hands when my phone rang.

It was really loud and I got pissed, that's why I answered it.

"Hey, what's up?" the voice from the other line said.

I furrowed my brows because it sounded familiar.

"Alaric." I muttered, getting curious on how he got my number.

"Whoa! You're so quick to recognize my voice huh," he chuckled. "By the way, I'm here outside your building, may take-out ako mula Tokyo Tokyo, kain tayo?"

My eyes widened. Why is he here? At Tokyo Tokyo?

I sighed. I think I want Tokyo Tokyo. Maybe food can save my mood.

"Room 308, be fast." I uttered.

"As you wish, babe." He answered and even though I'm not in front of him, I could tell that he's already smirking.

I sighed, because I don't think Tokyo Tokyo is the only thing I want for tonight.