The Kiss of the Sun and The Lake

Chapter 11: The Unexpected Haven of the Angel

“B-BE YOUR WHAT?” malakas na bulalas ni Jacel. Nagpupuyos ang dibdib niya sa kaba at galit para sa lalaking ito. Palage na lang kapag nasa malapit ito, hindi normal lahat ng nararamdaman niya. He brought the worst in her.

“Be my maid. Servant. Governess if you call that way.” Lindon crossed his arms in a manner like an emperor. His black-coal eyes were lingering on her making her heartbeat erratic and her reasoning in waywire.

“A-at bakit?” Jacel hated herself for stammering.

‘Mahal kong puso, makisama ka naman. Tumigil ka sa kakatibok ng ganyan. Nawawala ang huwisyo ko!’

Bumuntong-hininga si Lindon at ibinulsa ang mga kamay. “Kailangan ko ng katulong for two months. Nag-leave ang isa sa kasama ko sa bahay, some sort of emergency. And why? That’s the only service you can offer me to condone your debt you made at Cafe Garden.”

Two months? Masyadong matagal iyon para kay Jacel. At magiging alipin siya ng kumag na ito. Mukhang dehado siya roon. Hindi siya papayag!

“Don’t worry you’ll only work for me during Saturdays and Sundays. And you will be compensated. P10,000 for a month.”

Doon nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. P10,000? Walong araw lang? Aba, mukhang maiksi ang dalawang buwan ah. Malaki na rin ang magagawa ng P20,000 na iyon sa dalawang buwan. Hindi pa siya fully paid sa miscellaneous expenses niya.

“At kung hindi ako pumayag?” pagpapakipot ni Jacel kahit kating-kati ang kanyang kamay na magtrabaho na sa bahay nito.

Hindi nagsalita si Lindon. He stood there with dignity, his eyes fixated in her passing a don’t-try-my-patience look. “First, you deserved to be punished and you don’t have the option but to fulfill your obligation. Now, if you try to repulse my condition, I have all the ways to tear down your means to stay in this University. Your scholarship, your financial assistance from the school... everything.”

A prickling shiver ran through her spine making its way up to her nape. It was her first time to witness a cold Lindon like this. It was chilling to the bone.

“T-that’s what you are, using your power to destroy someone,” malungkot niyang paratang sa binata. “What do I expect? You break rules, and you don’t play games fairly. You’re being unfair.”

“Unfair? I am being unfair? Woo, look who’s talking? Ikaw ang unfair. Ang isisi ang isang bagay na hindi ko naman ginawa, that’s not fair.” Lindon fired away, his temper losing.

“Hindi nga ba? Simula noong nakilala kita, hindi na naging normal ang buhay ko.”

“Normal? Sa tingin mo normal lang sa mga taong bulag na hindi makakita? Normal lang ba sa kanya na hindi makita ang ganda ng mundo? Normal lang ba sa kanya na hindi niya alam kung ano ang pinagkaiba ng pula sa asul? Kung nanaginip ba sila o hindi? Normal ba ito? Hindi. But they keep on fighting without blaming, Jacel. Yes, they’re blind but they are not easily blinded by people’s physical appearance.”