Midas' Touch [COMPLETED]

Chapter 25

Padabog na ipinadyak ni Midas ang kaniyang paa. "Mom, don't listen to them. We were just sleeping in my room!"

The quintuplet glared at him while crying continuously. Larzo spoke, "Liar! You said you will eat and devour Kally's body! We heard you say that and Kally cried in pain! Mommy, he sounded like a hungry beast! Let's save Kally, Mommy! He's not Larzen anymore! He was possessed by the bad spirits in the Haunted House! He's not Larzen anymore!"

Speechless naman si Gwynedd na hindi malaman kung sino ang paniniwalaan. Halos atakihin siya sa puso dahil sa sinabi ng anak. Nabilaukan pa si Larry sa kinakain nitong pulburon.

"Honey, go to your rooms for now, okay? I will talk to your Kuya. Go, go. Play in your rooms," ngiti ni Gwynedd na mahinahon. They glared at Midas once again before obeying her. Nang sila'y mawala ay agad na hinampas ni Gwynedd ang anak.

"Ouch! Mom!?"

"Shut up! You didn't even closed your door!? They will be traumatized, Larzen! Hindi mo ba naisip iyon? They are still kids!"

Nalukot ang mukha ni Midas. "Was it my fault if they didn't knock on my door!? How would I know!? They should know that! It is my room, knock first! It's not my fault!" Depensa niya at padabog na umupo sa upua kung nasaan ang ama na mamatay-matay na sa katatawa.

"Nabitin ka na naman sa pangalawang pagkakataon, anak. BWAHAHAHAHA!" Pang-aasar niya. Gigil na gigil naman si Midas. Iyon na, eh. Nasa loob na siya pero nailabas niya nang wala sa oras dahil sa mga kapatid niya. He's frustrated!

"Let's forget what happened. I'm telling you this again, Larzen. LOCK YOUR DOOR or sa labas kita patutulugin!"

"But this is my house!?" Midas groaned in frustration. Gwynedd glared at him. Natatawang isinubo ni Larry ang hopia at binelatan ang anak. Nagdarabog itong umalis at tumungo pabalik sa kaniyang kwarto kung saan naabutan niya si Kalonice na natutulog na pala. Hindi man lang siya hinintay.


Lumaoit siya dito at kinumutan ang hubad nitong katawan. He stared at her face before caressing it gently. Kalonice moaned at mahigpit na yumakap sa unan. He smiled, the smile only he would know.

"You're so silly..." He muttered under his breath before sighing.

Pumunta siya sa kaniyang banyo upang maligo. While sinking his body in the warm water on tub, he remembered what she said, about who was her first.

Of all the people, why is it Caedmon---again? He's bothered, he feels so threatened. It feels like any minute, he will be knocking on his door and take Kalonice away. Kaya pala magkakilala ang dalawang ito. Nagdududa tuloy siya sa mga sinabi nila noong nagkita silang dalawa muli, in Edana's personality. They are hiding something from them, from him, and he's dying to know what it was. He wants to know nothing but the truth about them. How come Caedmon met Kalonice? How did they really met? When and how? All those unanswered questions annoys him. They keep on coming inside his mind. Naiirita siya kay Caedmon nang walang dahilan.


Night time, Gwynedd went to her son's room to check Kalonice and also Midas. Thankfully, wala siyang natuklasang kababalaghan. Natutulog lang ang mga ito ng mahimbing. A pillow was between the two habang nakatalikod si Midas kay Kalonice na mas malaki ang sakop ng espasyo sa kama.

She smiled in relief and carefully went inside to give her baby boy a kiss on his head and left. Bumungad agad sa kaniya si Larry na nakahilata sa kanilang kama.

"Altair called me,"

"What did he say?" tanong niya at pinatay ang mga ilaw. Larry opened their lamps. Sumampa si Gwynedd sa kama. Agad siyang niyakap ng asawa.

"Hmmm-mmm. Babalik daw siya dito to check Kalonice's condition and talk to her. Also, to talk to us about his upcoming wedding. Octavs just left earlier too."

He got no response from Gwynedd. He kissed her belly beofre hugging her waist tightly.

He whispered to her softly, "I love you, Gwynedd."

It brought smile to her face at hinaplos ang kaniyang buhok. Napangiti si Larry at ipinikit ang mga mata. "I love you too, Crazy Yzaguirre." Hindi nagtagal ay nakatulog na si Larry sa kaniyang tiyan nang napakahimbing. She took his hand and kissed it bago niya inayos ang pagkakahiga nito para siya'y makahiga na rin. Hinanap agad siya ni Larry at siya'y niyakap.

"I haven't seen you for months and even though we're together now, I'm still missing you. Hug me too, Mommy. Cuddle me in your arms, please. I love you so much," he murmured with a pout. His wide chuckled and do as he said.

He opened his eyes before squinting them. "My 'I love you too'?"

Umikot ang mga mata ni Gwynedd habang natatawa. "I love you too,"

Agad itong ngumiti at bumalik sa pagkakapikit.

Nakakaidlip na si Gwynedd nang biglang bumangon si Larry kaya siya'y nagising. "What's the problem?"

"I couldn't sleep. I'm not tired enough," anito at naghubad.

"Oh, you won't, Larry. Stop it---kyaaah!" singhap niya nang siya'y hilahin ng asawa pababa at kinubabawan.

"Isang round lang, Cupcake. Promise!"

"YOU'RE REALLY CRAZY!"

***

"Naiintindihan ko po. Kasalanan ko din naman po, Sir Hassan. Huwag na po kayong mag-alala at mabahala sa akin. Hindi niyo naman po kasalanan iyon," matamis na sabi ni Kalonice sa kausap.

Altair sighed. "Thank you for your consideration, Miss. Thank you so much."

Ngiti lang ang isinukli sa kaniya ni Kalonice at tumango. Nagpaalam na ito na aalis para makausap sina Larry na naghihintay sa kaniya. Hinatid siya ni Midas sa pinto at isinarado ito.

"These are your test papers for this final grading. Your graduation day will be on Saturday,"

"Ang bilis naman." Bumuntong hininga siya.

Katwiran ni Midas, "Because I want it to be quick para maiuwi na kita sa New York."

"Paano kung sa Japan ko pala gustong pumunta?" Tinanggap ni Kalonice ang mga papel at ito'y tiningnan. Umupo sa tabi niya si Midas.

"Then we'll go there. I will take you to places, wherever you want to go." Gumuhit ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Kalonice at kinilig. He handed her a ballpen at binigyan ng distansya at katahimikan para makapag-focus ito sa pagsasagot.

He positioned himself in front of his computer to review their upcoming projects together. Lima lang naman iyon, which he bet would take about three years (one year each project) bago nila ito tuluyang matapos at maitayo. He will also make the blueprints of them now that he got free time.


The days passed nang magkasama silang dalawa. Minsan ay lumalabas silang dalawa ni Kalonice upang siya'y igala, may mga times na kasama nila ang mga bata. But most of the time, they both of them are working the blueprints out together. Mabilis itong natapos since they have each other's backs. Also, Kalonice, who is the architect of the drafts, guides Midas and clears some points of the project to him para mas maintindihan nito ang ginagawa. Gwynedd will come to check them from time to time and bring snacks for the both of them, na kakainin naman ng mga kapatid nilang tumatambay sa kwarto ni Midas. Napapagalitan niya din ang mga ito dahil sa kakulitan nila gayong may ginagawa silang dalawa ni Kalonice.


"Oh my gosh, hija! Your graduation regalia is here na!" Impit na tumili si Gwynedd at dinala ang kahon kay Kalonice. Natigilan siya sa pagkausap kay Midas at sila'y tiningnan. Gwynedd opened the box for the surprise.

Kinuha ito ni Kalonice at iniladlad. With gaped mouth, she looked at them with teary eyes. She will finally be freed from the stressful shackles of studying. Now, she's getting in the new phase of her life, and that is working for a stable job. Unti-unti na niyang naaabot ang mga pangarap niya. Finally, all the tears she shed, all the sweats, all the beatings and hardships she experienced just to continue her studies, it's bearing its fruit now.

"Congratulations, hija. So happy for you," nangingiting saad ni Gwynedd at siya'y niyakap. Kalonice hugged her regalia and cried.

"I made it..." she said between her sobs. Ali and Francis went to her to give her a tight and warm hug. They are proud of her too. So proud and grateful. She deserved it. She worked for it so she will be earning it.



Bumaba si Jarrah sa kaniyang kotse at pumasok sa paaralan. Her mother told her to visit the school to check it for the upcoming graduation day since her father is too busy to deal with it. Since she was still here in the Philippines at hindi pa nakakaalis ulit, at dahil wala naman siyang ibang gagawin, sinunod niya ang ina.


She went on the bulletin board and saw Kalonice's name there. She snickered with bitterness. Remembering what her sibling did to her makes her so outrageous. Talagang pagbabayarin niya ang batang babae na iyon. Wala siyang pakialam kung bata pa ito, basta gaganti siya sa paraang ikakapanalo niya.

"Guys, look who's here,"

Jarrah turned around to face the pack of girls that's in front of her. "Jarrah Lisieux, the bitch who messed with our precious Kalonice," sabi ng babae na nakataas ang kilay sa kaniya.

"Excuse me?" pekeng tumawa si Jarrah. "You're as cheap as her."

"Nah, we're not cheap. She's not cheap either. If there will be anyone here who does, it will be YOU," ngiti ng isa na siyang nagpataas sa kilay ni Jarrah.

"This is odd. All of you are siding that peasant? For what? For show?" Tawa ni Jarrah na tinawanan din naman ng mga babae.

"We know her. We believe in her. We just know her right from the start until now. Kung masasangkot man siya sa isang krimen ay siya ang papanigan namin dahil kilala namin si Kalonice. Yeah, we're brats, but Kalonice is the only person we just couldn't hate. We respect her the way she respects us. But we are not friends. We are simply grateful to know that such good and kind girl like her exists in this cruel and unfair world, so if I were you, kung sisiraan mo lang din naman siya, serve better teas and receipts because none of us will believe you. Your stupid worshippers may, but we will not."

Hindi nakasagit si Jarrah. Nilapitan siya ng mga ito at nginitian ng matamis. "Kalonice Montecristo is the standard, bitch," huling lintaya ng mga ito bago siya iniwan.

Nanginig siya sa galit at nahampas ang bulletin board gamit ang kaniyang bag habang sumisigaw. This school was hell and Kalonice Montecristo is the devil! She will never forgive her. She will make her pay twice, big time!



"Are you ready? You should breathe. Are you feeling comfortable with your dress? Are you hungry? Here, water. Stay hydrated---"

"Midas," tawag ni Kalonice sa kaniya at hinuli ang mga kamay nito. "Ikaw ang kumalma. Ikaw ang kinakabahan, eh. Okay lang ako."

They heard Larry's laugh across the room. Papalapit ito kasama si Gwynedd. Maiiwan ang mga bata dito with Altair. By tonight ay aalis na sila upang tumungo sa New York tutal nakuha na nila Ali at Francis ang mga passport nila.

"I wonder if he will be that stiff and tensed and anxious when he graduates. Pfft!"

"Mom, inaasar ako ni Dad!" Pagsusumbong agad ni Midas sa ina. Agad namang sinamaan ng tingin ni Gwynedd ang asawa na ikinatigil nito. Sa huli, na kay Midas ang ngisi.

"Let's go, let's go. We couldn't be late!" Inalalayan na ni Midas si Kalonice mula sa paglalakad. Sabi ng doktor ay paglakarin kahit papaano si Kalonice nang may saklay or kasama upang ma-excercise ang kaniyang paa. Nawawala na din ang pagka-violet ng malaki niyang pasa sa hita at binti.

"Bye, Ate!" Kaway nila Ali at Francis sa kaniya na nginitian niya lamang at kumaway din.

Pumasok na sila sa kotse. Dahan-dahan siyang pumasok at umupo upang hindi makaramdam ng kirot sa kaniyang tuhod. Si Larry ang nagmaneho at katabi niya si Gwynedd. Nasa likod naman silang dalawa ni Midas.

"You look so gorgeous in your regalia. I'm so proud," naluluhang puri ni Gwynedd at siya'y tiningnan mula sa rear mirror. Napangiti si Kalonice at namula ang mga pisngi.

"Maraming salamat po."

Ang gaan ng kaniyang pakiramdam. Ang masabihan ng 'I'm so proud of you' mula sa isang ina ay nagpapagaan sa kaniyang loob. Kahit kailan ay hindi ito sinabi sa kaniya ni Rita, tanging ang ibang tao lamang. Buong puso, napakasaya niya.


Nang makarating sa IAU ay agad na sinalubong si Kalonice ng kaniyang mga schoolmates. They congratulated each other with pure sincerity and genuinity. Si Kalonice iyong tipo ng tao na hindi mo kailangang pekein. She's so real and true. They see no fault at her. She may be poor, but her manners is what makes her rich and perfect.

Kalonice sit on the line of her classmates. Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Octavius na nasa stage at isa sa mga magbibigay ng mga diploma. They just smiled at each other at nakipagkamay si Octavius sa Principal.

"Kalonice! Kalonice, look over here!" tawag ni Midas na nasa gilid at nakatutok ang camera sa kaniya. Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata. The camera flashes. Natakpan niya ang mukha.

"Don't hide your face, the hell? Come on, just smile," pangungulit nito. Kilig na kilig naman ang kaniyang mga kaklase sa kanilang dalawa.

She sighed at ibinaba ang mga kamay. She flashed the sweetest smile she could pull off. It stunned Midas for a while before he pressed the button nang wala sa sarili. Napangiti na lang din siya at bumalik sa kaniyang upuan.

The ceremony began hanggang sa isa-isa na silang tinawag. Kalonice is waiting for her name to be called. Midas is already waiting for her at the end of her row's seats with his camera upang kuhanan siya ng litrato, at upang siya'y samahan at alalayan sa paglalakad sa hagdan patungong stage.

"And now, for the very first Summa Cum Laude in the history of International Architecture University, Kalonice Montecristo!"

Agad na tumayo sina Gwynedd at Larry at siya'y pinalakpakan. Pinunasan ni Larry ang mga luhang tumulo sa mga mata ni Gwynedd dahil sa sobrang pagka-proud kay Kalonice. Ang lahat ng mga estudyante ay mga nagsipalakpakan din habang mga nakatayo upang magbigay pugay sa kaniya.

Hindi niya nagawang pigilan ang sarili mula sa pag-iyak. Midas walked her towards the stage and runs in front of it to take pictures of her accepting her diploma. Octavius shake her hand at ito'y iniabot sa kaniya.

"Congratulations, Miss Montecristo," he greeted which Kalonice thanked and shake the others' hands as well.


Tumingin sila sa mga camera at nagpakuha ng ilang litrato. Midas went to the end of the stage at hinintay si Kalonice. He opened his arms. Agad na yumakap sa kaniya si Kalonice at umiyak sa kaniyang balikat. He lifted her at siya'y dinala sa baba.

"I made it... Midas, I made it."

"You did great. Congratulations, Miss Architect. You did a great job." It brought more tears in Kalonice's eyes even more. Kumalas na sila sa yakap at masayang bumalik sa kaniyang upuan.

After the ceremony, Midas took more pictures of her, and some are with Larry and Gwynedd. He also took pictures of her with her classmates and teachers. And outside, he took pictures of them, of her, throwing their hats in the air.

Tumayo siya at pinagmasdan ang nakangiting mukha ni Kalonice, hanggang sa ito'y napadako sa babaeng nasa hindi kalayuan at siya'y pinagmamasdan. It was Jarrah.

His face became stolid as he stare back at her. Jarrah showed him a weak smile before leaving with her father. Kalonice noticed her and Midas, ngunit walang lumabas sa kaniyang bibig at ito'y binalewala na lamang.



"CONGRATULATIONS, ATE!" Malakas na sigaw ng magkapatid at pinaputok ang oarty poppers.

"CONGJURAGIONS, KALLY! YAYYYY!!" sunod ng quintuplet at mga nagpalakpakan. Nagtawanan sila dahil sa kanilang pagkakabulol.

"Wow! Thank you!" saad niya at sila'y niyakap. They prepared a small celebration for her. She's so happy! So happy to celebrate her graduation day with this family.


When the night came, they all took their packed luggage with them and left the country. With no looking back, Kalonice had no regrets. She will not feel any as long as she's with her siblings. Iyon ang mahalaga, ang makasama niya ang mga kapatid niya. Wala nang mananakit sa kanila. Wala nang mang-aapi. No one could ever touch them again. She will protect them in any cost and in any event.

Kalonice received a text message from Caedmon through LINE in her tablet saying,

From: Caedmon

You're going back to New York? Hindi mo man lang ako sinabihan.

She sighed before replying,

To: Caedmon

I'm sorry. I thought it would reach you. You have your connections anyway.

Nabasa ito ni Caedmon at natawa.

To: Kalonice

I'm following. Let's meet up and talk.

Napatingin si Kalonice kay Midas na nakikipaglaro sa mga kapatid. Hindi niya ito maistorbo kaya sumagot na siya.

To: Caedmon

Sige. Pero sasabihin ko muna kay Midas. Kapag pumayag siya.


Nawala ang ngiti ni Caedmon. Naibagsak niya ang kaniyang cellphone sa lamesa. Doon ay nasira na ang kaniyang gabi. Dapat ba talagang magpaalam pa siya kay Midas? Sa pagkakaalam niya, wala pang sila.

Iyon ngang in-a-relationship pa lang ay naagaw na ang partner, sila pa kayang walang label?

Itinago na ni Kalonice ang cellphone niya nang walang natanggap na reply mula kay Caedmon. Nang mapagod ang mga bata kakalaro ay mga nagsitulog na ang mga ito. Itinuon na din ni Midas ang atensyon nito sa kaniya at hinagod ang kaniyang hita.

"Are you sleepy?"

"Hmmm, hindi naman," iling ni Kalonice.

He squeezes her thigh, "Hungry?"

"Busog pa ako."

"Want to be tired?"

Kumunot ang noo niya kay Midas na uumaaktong inosente. Bumuga siya ng hangin at umiling dito.

"Nasa eroplano tayo, Midas."

"Kaya nga may banyo ang eroplano," dahilan nito at siya'y nginisihan . Napailing na lamang si Kalonice.


Midas went close ro her and whisper to her ear, "We'll continue what we've started later,"


At ngayon pa lang ay natatakot na siya.