FORTUITOUS

3| Purity of a Man

After five long hours, he finally woke up!

The moment Frigate Santillana opened his eyes, I started panicking. I don't know if I should call for some help or I should tighten the scarf we used to bind his hands.

"Oh my God!" I uttered. I walked at the side of the bed to check on him. "Are you alright? May masakit ba sa'yo?"

The man's eyes squinted and he tried wiggling his hands that Icen tied with the scarf. Sabi ni Icen, it's better kung itatali namin s'ya dahil baka magwala s'ya when he wakes up and he might hurt me.

"Who are you? Nasaan ako? Bakit ako nakatali?" The man asked consecutively.

I stared at him for a while. Maybe ayos lang naman s'ya? He can talk alright at hindi naman mukhang naduduling o tumitirik ang eyes n'ya. He didn't grunt when he woke up. He's not complaining for anything that hurts.

"We're on a hotel room." I replied.

He sat up on the bed. I wanted to help him but I am afraid he might give me a headbutt or bite me. It's always better safe than sorry.

"Sino ka? Bakit ako nakatali? Ano'ng kailangan mo?" Kunot na kunot ang noo na tanong n'ya.

"Well..." I sighed then I shrugged. I sat at his side. Sa place where he couldn't kick me off the bed.  "I took you here because I saw you looking around on the Hacienda Vergara. I know that you're Marron's ex. It's impossible that you're invited for the wedding tomorrow. So I concluded that you're here to make a scene." I explained. "You know, anything would be futile. Kasal na sila at wala ka nang magagawa."

"I am not here for that." The man said in a firm tone. "I just want to see her."

I can feel how miserable he feels base on the tone of his voice with the last line he said.

"For what?" I asked with irritation. "You'll just cause a scene. Let's say that you simply wants to see her. What do you expect, that everyone will not make a fuss out of it?"

He sighed. "I've always want to see how beautiful and how happy she would be on her wedding day." His voice shook a little. His eyes started to water. "Kahit hindi na ako 'yong mag-aantay sa kanya sa altar."

I feel terribly sorry for him. "But that little wish of yours could ruin everything my Kuya Trey work hard for. He's been dreaming for this day for so long. This is the reward for all of his hard work."

From grieving, his eyes fiercely look at me. "Si Trey ang may gawa nito? Inutos n'ya na gawin sa akin 'to? Hindi pa ba s'ya kuntento na kinuha n'ya sa akin ang lahat?!"

"Hep! Hep!" I stopped him. "Nobody knows about this. This is my initiative. I did this because I don't want you to ruin the wedding." I raised a brow on him. "Kuya spent millions for tomorrow. Isang show up mo lang, masisira na 'yon lahat. I can't let that happen!"

He clenched his jaw.

I sighed. "I don't want to do this. But please just behave yourself and I'll release you right after the wedding ceremony and the reception."

"I'll sue you." He warned.

I bit my lip. Just thinking about my mother's mouth can make my ears bleed. But thinking about Kuya Trey's sacrifices for the family, caressing jail bars and listening to my whole family's sermon will be a small price.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. Let's just wait for the wedding to be over." I lazily said. "Anyway, may masakit ba sa'yo?"

He shook his head.

No words were spoken between us right after that.

In one point, I considered untying him. He behaves so well naman. But what if he run away when I free his hands? He's much stronger than me and he can easily snap my neck.