The Legendary Durga

CHAPTER 16

JUN (SEBASTIAN CROSS) POV

Bubuhatin ko na sana si Jingu papunta sa kwarto niya, para makahiga siya since tulog naman na siya. But before I could stand up, my phone started ringing. I hurriedly fished it from my pocket, scared that Jingu might wake up. I looked to see who was calling at this late time, it was an unknown caller.

I didn't wait any longer and answered the call, however, I didn't say anything. I waited for the other person in the other line to talk first.

"Hello, Sebby?" A cheerful voice of a woman spoke. Based on how irritating it was, I could tell, it was Chun Bia.

"What do you want, woman?" I asked, my annoyance evident on my voice.

"I'm sure you guys are back, right?"

"And?"

"I'm at your front door, can I come in?" She asked, then I heard the front door being pick locked. I didn't even bother to answer her, she's already trying to open it so why even ask? "I need to talk to you guys, about something important." Maya-maya naririnig ko na ang boses ni Chun Bia sa loob ng bahay.

I heard the sound of the front door closing. At least she asked if she could come in, although she didn't get a response and still came. She even illegally went through the front door. This woman is really getting on my nerves.

I looked at her direction, with an annoyed expression. I didn't move from my spot that much because I didn't want Jingu to wake up.

Chun Bia stood by the living room with a sweet smile on her face. Her body was leaning by the wall. I looked at her up and down. She wore a pink sexy lingerie, her long curly hair flowing by her shoulder, her healthy legs were showing and her huge chest puffed out.

I unconsciously gulped.

I admit, this woman is a total seductress. Even wearing normal clothes she would make men fall in their knees for her. It never worked on me, but now that she's wearing those thin clothes, it makes me wonder what it would be like if I tie her hands and forcefully take her.

If it wasn't for the situation that I'm in, I might have an erection, maybe or maybe not.

Nang napansin ni Chun Bia na nasa bisig ko si Jingu, she abruptly stood straight. Her eyebrows sticking together. Well, that ruined the moment. "What?! Why is she sleeping at your lap?! Did you guys finally did it?" The woman walked closer to us.

When she was finally in front of me, I could smell her perfume.

Man! What an erotic smelling perfume. Why did she come to this house looking like a sex doll? She even smells like one. Was she trying to seduce me? I doubt, I don't feel that kind of pheromones coming out from her. She just really dresses up like this, probably.

However, no matter how stunning she is right now, it still doesn't change the fact that her presence annoys me. "What do you need to say? I don't have time for your stupid shenanigans. If you came here because you want me to f*ck you, then come back tomorrow, I might be in the mood then."

"Who said I'm seducing you?"

"Are you not? Why would you wear that when you know you're going to another people's house?"

She sighed and disappointingly looked at me. "Eoliseog-eun sonyeon. (Stupid boy.) I wore this for you, I wanted to teach Agnez how to dress sexy. I even brought a lot of sexy dress for her to wear. Its for your sake!" She then took out something from the paper bag that I didn't notice she was carrying. It was another red sexy lingerie. "Imagine if Agnez wore this in the house every night, wouldn't you be happy? I suggested it to the Godfather, he was mad and didn't approve it. But I still think it would be better for her to wear this."

Right after she said that, I unknowingly started imagining Agnezka Patriarca wearing that red silk lingerie. I felt something was about to wake up below, it was throbbing, and before it could even get worse I heaved in a breath.

"Sh*t!" Was all I could say. "Throw that away, don't let her see that!" I immediately ordered.

"What? Don't you want to see her in a lingerie, gosh!"

Bloody hell! Of course I want! Who wouldn't?! I would love to have her wear that for me to see every night, but no, for gods sake. NO! I might do something I'm not supposed to. The moment I see even a glimpse of her wearing that, I might just take her right then and there. That would turn me into a rapist! And the Godfather will no doubt kill me, no he won't, he'll throw me in the dungeon and have me tortured for the rest of my life.

"Just f*cking throw it away, woman! Don't you understand human language!?" I shouted. My heart started racing when I though of how much disaster that lingerie would bring into my life.

"Hmpf! Napaka boring mo! After all I went through, just to find the right size for her that would make her sexier! Sino magsusuot nito ngayon?!" Nakanguso na saad ni Bia. "Ano bang problema sa binili ko, ang sexy nga eh!"

"That's the problem!" Napasigaw na'ko ng hindi ko namamalayan. "Just please. F*ck! I'm begging you, do not ever set foot in this house wearing that thing, or even teach Agnez to wear that. I'll definitely hunt you down if you do."

"You know what, you--." Napatigil bigla ang salita ni Bia nang mahinto ang mata niya sa mukha ni Agnez. "Anong nangyari kay Honey? She looks exhausted. I don't see any injuries or anything. Hindi naman siguro ganoon kahirap ang Battle Royale, diba?" Lumapit lalo si Bia at parang aabutin ang mukha ni Agnez. "Or did you fail to protect her properly, that's why she's like this?"

Biglang nagdilim ang paningin ko, in that instant I wanted to slit this woman's throat and forcefully grab her heart out with my bare hands. I held Bia's wrist before it could even get close to Agnez's sleeping face.

"Kyaah!!!" Napatili siya nang hablutin ko ang kamay niya. She probably felt that there's a dangerous air around me, that's why she started struggling from my hands. Nang ma-realize niya na hindi siya makawala sa'kin tumigil siya sa pag-piglas. Nginisian niya ako, isang hindi magandang ngisi. "Mad? Did I hit a spot, Sebby?"

"Chun Bia, I'm warning you to shut up before I lose my thin thread of patience." Binantaan ko na siya. Tinulak ko na siya palayo at binitawan.

She did hit a spot.

"Scary!" Mapang-asar na nginitian niya ako.

"Don't test me." I looked at her viciously, it made her step back a few steps.

"Hey! I was kidding. Can't you even take a joke?" Namumutla na saad niya habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay na parang nagsu-surrender.

Mabuti naman at naisip niyang wala ako sa mood na tanggapin ang mga katangahan niya. If she insisted to make a fool of me, balak kong itabi si Jingu at saksakin ang babaeng 'to. I don't have tolerance for annoying women. Especially when I'm about to break loose after seeing Jingu in this state.

What does this woman wants anyway?

"I don't know what happened, but you shouldn't let a girl cry, you know. Masisira ang beauty niya, ikaw din."

"..." I didn't answer her. Alam naman na pala niyang umiyak tapos itatanong pa kung gaano kahirap ang laro. Tss! This woman really gets on my bad nerves. If it wasn't for her connection to Boss, I would've slit her pretty throat by now. She would be gasping for her dear life as blood flow from her, like a dumb fish.

"Did something happen? Or maybe she saw something?" She probed but I didn't answer. "I got a little info for you guys." Tapos winagayway niya ang puting folder sa harap ko. "Godfather contacted me earlier and sent me this."

"Wait for me here." Utos ko sa kanya.

"Ok."

Tumayo na'ko para iakyat sa kwarto si Jingu, baka mamaya paggising niya sumakit ang likod niya dahil hindi siya nakahiga ng maayos. Naupo lang si Bia sa living room at prenteng naupo sa couch namin na akala mo pag-aari niya ang lugar. Binuksan niya pa ang TV sabay tinaas pa ang paa sa coffee table. Kulang nalang lumantak siya ng tsitsirya para home-sweet-home na.

I didn't bother to tell her out, umakyat nalang ako papunta sa kwarto ni Jingu. Pagdating doon, dahan-dahan ko siyang hiniga sa kama niya. Tinanggal ko ang dalawang sapatos at medyas na suot niya. She abruptly started shifting her body on the other side, then her position changed to that of a fetus sleeping position.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapatingin sa kanya, para lang siyang bata ngayon.

I sat beside her sleeping body, I watched silently as she mumbles a little in her sleep. Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kabuuan ng kwarto niya. Isang beses pa lang akong nakakapunta dito, noong nilagay ko ang mga damit niya sa closet. Hindi ko pa nakikita kung papaanong ayos ang ginawa niya dito.

Not that bad, I guess.

Akala ko magiging makalat ang kwarto niya at kung saan-saan niya lang ihahagis ang mga damit niya. Na magkakalat ang balat ng mga tsitsirya dito dahil lagi siyang kumakain sa loob ng kwarto. Hindi ko naisip na malinis pala ang silid niya, masinsin ang mga gamit at maayos.

That's so unlike her.

Napapalibutan din ang buong kwarto ng panlalaking amoy, ang pabango niya. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit gustong-gusto niya ang panlalaking amoy na'to. Should I change my perfume too? Bagay naman sa kanya ang amoy, hindi masyadong matapang at hindi din amoy babae.

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Jingu, she looked like a small kid sleeping. Her wearing that elementary uniform was because I wanted to make fun of her, I didn't think she would wear it again, right after the caged fight. Makita lang ni Boss ang itsura ni Jingu ngayon, for sure na tatawa 'yon.

That old man really loves making fun of his Granddaughter.

I'm thinking if I should change her clothes. That clothes came from the Star Tower and I doubt they'll put something in it, but just to be sure. Kaso lang baka magka black-eye ako mamaya pag-gising ko. I better not do it. Baka mapatay lang niya ako ng wala sa oras.

Bakas na bakas parin sa mukha ni Jingu ang mga luhang kumawala kanina lang. I'm so glad she finally stopped crying. Hinawi ko ang buhok niya na nakaharang sa mukha. I kissed her forehead then stood up. Bababa na sana ako para puntahan si Bia, nang biglang may kamay na pumigil sa'kin.

Si Jingu.

Mahigpit na nakakapit ang kamay niya sa kamay ko, as if she was hanging for her dear life. Maliit na nakadilat ang tsokolatte niyang mata, sabay dahan-dahan ito muling pumikit. Pero hindi parin niya inaalis ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.

Napangiti ako, just like a kid scared of the monsters under her bed. Ayaw ko rin naman siyang iwan, lalo na dahil sa mga nangyari kanina. Nothing I can do about it. I guess I'll be staying with her for the night.

I fished out my phone and texted Chun Bia, telling her to just come back tomorrow for the information. Pumayag naman ang babae, sabi niya sasabay nalang siya sa'min kumain ng agahan para masabi niya.

Pinakiramdaman ko ang pagsara ng front door.

Tinignan ko ulit si Jingu na mahimbing nang natutulog, ang paghinga niya pantay na ngayon. She looks like a mess, a big mess. For sure na mamamaga ang mata niya bukas, I wonder how she's going to be tomorrow. If I could just make her forget everything, then I would. It would have been better if she just forget about this revenge thing, and if she wants, I can just do it for her.

Rather, I would do it, even if she wants to or not.

"Mamamaga ang mga mata mo bukas, masisira ang ganda mo." Kausap ko sa kanya kahit alam kong hindi siya sasagot.

Hinagod ko ulit ang buhok niya at taimtim na tinignan ang natutulog niyang mukha, at least she looks peaceful now. Tinanggal ko ang pagkaka tirintas ng buhok niya, na ngayon kulot-kulot na.

Humiga ako sa tabi niya, and I made sure to be careful with my every move. I had her lie onto my arms and hugged her tight. I kissed her forehead and smiled. "Hindi ka na ulit iiyak, hindi na." Mahinang bulong ko sakanya.

Lumipas ang ilang oras na pinapanood ko lang siya, hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog narin pala ako.


~THE LEGENDARY DURGA~


JINGU (AGNEZKA PATRIARCA) POV

"Loathe me, carve that hatred deep into your heart. Let your vengeful soul bring out the real you. Then get strong, find me and kill me."

Marahas na napadilat ang mga mata ko, my breathing was ragged and heart rate is faster than normal. I felt suffocated and sweaty. Wala sa sarili na tinignan ko ang puting kisame ng kwarto ko, I tried to calm my nerves.

Napanaginipan ko nanaman siya. That b*stard who killed Fratello.

Was it also a dream? Panaginip ba na nakita ko siya sa kalye ng Maynila, na sa mga oras na 'yon hindi ako makakilos nang magtagpo ang tingin namin? Panaginip ba na nanlumo lang ako sa harapan niya? Panaginip ba na pinanood ko lang na makatakas siya sa'kin?

No.

Hindi siya nakatakas sa'kin, in the first place, hindi ko naman siya hinabol. All I did was stupidly look at his face as my memories invade my brain. I looked at him like a dumb little girl. What happened yesterday was no dream, everything was real. Nararamdaman ko pa nga ang pamamaga ng mata ko.

I'm weak.

Bakit ba hindi ko maikilos ang katawan ko noong mga oras na 'yon? For a long d@mn time, I was waiting for that golden chance. To see him, to torture him, to make him pay for what he did, to kill him! But why?! Just why? Bakit ako natakot nang makita ko siya? Bakit nanghina nanaman ako? Was the days, weeks and years that I trained my body for that moment not enough? Was he that strong, that until now my knees would give out just by staring at his eyes?

Just how much of a monster is he?

Anong dapat kong gawin? what should I do to become the very same monster and kill that guy? Just how big is the difference in our strength?

Am I that weak?

Pinasadahan ko ng palad ang mukha ko sa inis, nang ibaba ko ang kamay ko sa tabi, may nakapa ako ng kung anong matigas. Nagtatakang lumingon ako sa kaliwa ko, nakanganga na tinitigan ko ang nasa tabi ko.

"Che cazzo!?" (What the f*ck?!)" Napasigaw ako.

Anong ginagawa ni Jun sa kwarto ko? Ang lakas din ng loob niyang matulog sa kama ko, at talaga namang katabi ko pa. Anong pakinabang ng kwarto niya kung dito siya matutulog? Malakas na sinipa ko siya paalis sa kama ko. Nagising siya agad nang tumama ang katawan niya sa sahig.

"Argh!" Sapo-sapo ang likod niya na tumayo siya, nakasimangot na tinignan niya ako. Pero mabilis din siyang ngumiti, parang nakahinga pa nga siya ng maluwag. "While I'm elated that you look fine now, I still prefer the old way of saying 'good morning'. Don't you know the other method? You know, 'yung medyo malambing at sweet ng konti, walang kasamang pisikalan 'yon, medyo makatao din siya." Inikot-ikot niya ang katawan habang hawak ang nananakit niyang likod. "Likod ang buhay ng mga lalaki, paano kung nabalian ako ng likod, paano ko mapapasaya ang mga babae?"

"Shut up!" Sigaw ko pa.

May gana pa talaga siyang hanapan ako ng maayos na good morning. Aba ginagago ata ako ng isang 'to. Sisigawan ko pa sana siya at tatanungin kung anong ginagawa niya sa kwarto ko, nang biglang maalala ko ang nangyari kagabi.

Napasinghap ako at napahawak sa bibig ko.

Dios mio! Did I really do that? No way, right? Bakit ko ginawa 'yon? Am I crazy? Nasisiraan naba ako ng bait!? Oh my God! Nakakahiya! Merda! Merda! Merda! Ano ako, batang paslit na kailangan ng kasama para matulog ng mahimbig. What the f*ck!?

Somebody, please, kill me now.

Kahihiyan! Bakit ko pa kasi hinawakan ang kamay niya? What the hell is wrong with me?! Why did I feel that way last night? Bakit pakiramdam ko na parang mababaliw ako 'pag umalis siya sa tabi ko? Tapos umiyak pa talaga ako sa harap niya na parang bata na nawalan ng paburito niyang laruan.

ME?! The Durgatinashini? The Goddess?! I cried and hugged for comfort on one of our subordinates?! Merda! Hopefully nobody saw that, but now that I look back, a lot of people did see us and all the stupid things I did.

A hell'a lot!

Lumuhod pa'ko sa kalsada noon na parang tanga, I also cried like a baby. For sure iniisip na ng lalaking 'to na mahina ako, na anong Durgatinashini, that name doesn't suit me. Na hindi ko manlang nagawang patayin ang kalaban ko na nasa harapan ko na. Nagmaktol pa'ko sa kanya na parang bata na hindi makapasok sa basketball team na gustong salihan.

I'm pathetic and worthless.

Habang minumura ko ang sarili ko sa isip ko, hindi ko namalayan na nasa harapan ko na pala si Jun. Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko, ang mga mata niya malungkot ang tingin sa'kin. What does he want now? Is he trying to make fun of me? Kailangan ba na dumikit pa siya sa'kin?

"Sabi ko na nga ba eh." Nag-aalala niyang saad habang hawak ang kaliwang pisngi ko at matiim na nakatinign sa mata ko. Nagtatakang tinignan ko lang siya. What is he saying? "Namamaga ang mata mo."

"T-thanks Captain Obvious! Hindi mo na kailangan i-broadcast." Hinampas ko ang kamay niya, sabay tumayo na para maghilamos. Ang init ng mukha ko, ewan ko kung bakit. Gusto ko rin lumayo sa kanya hangga't maari.

"Oh! Bakit ang init ng ulo mo? Ang aga-aga." Pa inosenteng tanong niya.

"Wala ka na d'on! Umalis ka na nga dito, maliligo na'ko." Busangot ko sa kanya pero hindi siya tinitignan. "May pasok pa tayo!"

Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa niya. "Ok, maliligo narin ako at maghahanda ng agahan."

Nilingon ko siya, I saw him walking towards the door. "Sebastian!" I called his name, before he could even leave my room. He looked at me with a questioning stare, waiting for me to talk. "..." I couldn't say anything.

Bakit nga ba? Why did I even call him? What do I want?

"What?" Tanong niya pa, when I still didn't say anything he finally looked at me with smiling eyes. He walked towards me, I didn't step back, but I looked at another direction. "Why suddenly call me in my real name?"

"I... Th-thanks for last night. So-sorry kasi kailangan mo pa'ko samahan at buhatin pauwi." Nagmamadali na saad ko, ni hindi ako tumitingin sa kanya.

Nakakahiya man ang nangyari, nagpapasalamat parin ako. If it wasn't for him I don't know kung ano na ang nangyari sa'kin. If he wasn't by my side I would have broken a into million pieces. Isa pa, bad manners kapag hindi ako nagpasalamat. 

Nonno will get mad.

"It's fine." Tapos muli siyang lumapit sa'kin. Nabato nalang ako nang bigla niyang akong yakapin ng ubod ng higpit. "Kung para sa'yo, I don't mind doing it again and again. I'll never get tired of it."

"He-hey!" I tried to push him away but he hugged me tighter, so I felt helpless and just cling onto his shirt. I closed my eyes and just buried my head in his chest, a small smile appeared on my face without me knowing.

"Kapag..." He started talking. "Kapag nanghihina ka, bubuhatin kita. Kapag wala kang makita, igagabay kita. Kapag wala kang marinig, sisigaw ako ng pagkalakas-lakas hanggang sa marinig mo. Higit sa lahat, kapag nalulungkot ka at nag-iisa, tumingin ka lang sa paligid, nandito lang ako, hinding-hindi kita iiwan."

Marahan niya akong binitawan, when I looked up I saw him smiling. But this time, it was a different smile, different from what I usually see. This is his genuine smile, the first ever genuine smile I got from him. The smile that I always see is just a small smile and most of the time, just an annoying smirk. But this time it was...

A real smile.

I looked at him, shock written all over my face. He was looking at me as if I'm being silly. Pumintig ng malakas ang puso ko, naramdaman ko din na medyo umiinit ang pisngi ko. Right after he said those words, I felt safe and protected. For the first time, with just words, somebody was able to make me feel like this. 

The darkness that surrounded me all of a sudden vanished in thin air, as if it wasn't there in the first place.

"Namumula ka." Pang-aasar niya sa'kin.

Tinulak ko siya sabay tumalikod agad at padabog na pumasok sa banyo, I wanted to get away from him, away from his eyes. I feel so weird, so d@mn weird. Like a gooey-jelly weird, like that. You get me? No? I don't get it too. I didn't see that monster, but why does my knees feel weak again?

"Bakit galit ka nanaman sa'kin?" Narinig ko siya mula sa kabilang bahagi ng pinto.

"Shut up!" Sigaw ko pa. "Ang aga-aga ang korny mo!"

"Haha! I'll cook your favorite breakfast menu, so don't get mad at me."

"Just go!"

I waited to hear my door closing. When he was finally gone in my room, I heaved a sigh of relief. I looked at my self in the mirror, I'm so red, like a strawberry ready to be eaten. Napatakip ako sa mukha, nakakahiya. Kahit walang tao, pakiramdam ko ang daming nakatingin sa'kin at pinagtatawanan ang itsura ko ngayon.

"That idiot!"

©IF02