Tita Cecilia was very hands on in preparing for tonight's welcome party for me. Sabi niya ay simple lang 'yon dahil kami-kami lang naman pero parang ayaw kong maniwala habang pinagmamasdan ang mga abalang party organizers and staffs. I even heard Yovin telling someone to tighten the security all over the place at walang papapasukin na hindi invited.
"Makakadalo ba mga pinsan mo? How about Abuelo? Is he coming?" Tanong ko kay Yovin nang mapag-isa kami sa sala. But instead of answering my simple questions, what he did was to pull me into his lap and hug me loosely.
"Ewan ko sa kanila. Mas mabuti nga kung hindi na sila pumunta, e." He answered while putting his chin on my shoulder, inhaling my scent. Nakakakiliti ang mainit niyang hininga pero himalang ayaw ko magreklamo. "Honestly, I regret bringing you here in Claveria. Sana pala ay sa isang isla o kaya sa ibang bansa na lang kita dinala para walang disturbo sa 'tin. All I want is to have a vacation with just the two of us but it's impossible now seeing my mother's obsession towards you. Inaagaw ka na niya sa akin."
Pabiro ko siyang kinurot sa braso.
"Babe, I'm sad, really..." Parang batang sumbong niya habang mas niyayakap ako ng mahigpit. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa. This man is really cute sometimes. Parang baby. Hindi nga lang mukhang baby.
"Aw, kawawa ka naman pala..." I teased him.
"Do something." Udyok niya na mas nagpatawa sa akin.
"Like what? Baby you?"
Umiling siya at inilapit ang bibig sa tenga ko para bumulong. "Let's make love, shall we? Sila Mama na ang bahala rito. Sa kwarto na tayo Mistyca, please?"
My face heated. "Akala ko ba gagawin lang natin 'yon ulit kapag ako ang nagyaya?" Hamon ko sa kanya nang maalala iyong sinabi niya noong nakaraan.
"Kailan mo ako yayayain kung gano'n? Pwedi bang ngayon na?"
I chuckled. Tinuro ko ang malaking wall clock na nasa harapan lang namin. "Mag-aalas dos pa lang, Yovin. Baka hanapin tayo ni Tita."
He sighed. "Fine,"
Ngumuso ako. Akala ko magpupumilit siya pero himalang hindi niya ginawa. Napatitig ako sa orasan. Alas dos. Maaga pa naman di 'ba? Mukhang pwedi naman siguro basta hindi lang kami magtatagal sa kwarto?
Ano 'yan Mistyca? Hindi magtatagal? Ano magseset kayo ng alarm? And, you're really considering on doing that in this broad daylight? Hindi pweding mamayang gabi na lang?
I shook my head. Hindi pwedi mamayang gabi kasi mayroong party. Kaya ngayon na lang. Pwedi naman. Gusto ko rin naman. Halos kutusan ko ang sarili nang mapagtanto ang mga iniisip. Really, Mistyca?!
Pero... gusto ko rin nga.
Umalis ako sa pagkakaupo sa mga hita ni Yovin at tumikhim. Kaagad nga lang ako nag-iwas ng tingin nang titigan niya ako "L-Let's do it. Basta hindi tayo magtatagal."
Wala akong narinig na sagot sa kanya kaya muli ko siyang tiningnan. He look shocked. Bahagyang nakaawang ang mga labi at ilang beses na napakurap-kurap. Bigla tuloy akong ginapangan ng matinding hiya.
"A-Ayaw mo? Sige. H-Huwag na lang—"
Hindi na niya ako pinatapos. Kaagad niyang hinuli ang kamay ko at hinila ako paalis doon. Nagawa niya pang magbilin sa isang kasambahay na aakyat muna kami sa kwarto kasi masakit daw ang ulo niya at ayaw niya ng disturbo. Bababa na lang daw kami kapag oras na ng party.
What an excuse, Fortalejo.
Kalmado lang ang bawat hakbang niya sa hagdanan paakyat sa kwarto, mabagal at hindi nagmamadali kaya gayun na lang ang gulat ko nang pagkapasok namin sa kwarto niya ay sa isang iglap ay nakasandal na ako sa likod ng pintuan, gumaganti sa sabik niyang mga halik habang ang mga kamay niya ay kung saan-saan na nakarating. Ni hindi ko na namalayan kung paano niya ako nahubaran ng ganoon kabilis dahil tanging bra at panty na lang ngayon ang natitirang saplot ko sa katawan!
"In a hurry, huh?" I even managed to tease him when he left my lips just to kissed my neck. Humalakhak siya at pinanggigilan lang lalo ang leeg ko. I shut my eyes closed as my fingers played on his soft hair. Naramdaman ko ang isang kamay niyang mabagal na nililihis pababa ang panty ko.
"I'm sorry but we'll take our damn time, Mistyca. The hell with that party." Bulong niya at ang bra ko naman ngayon ang pinagtuonan ng pansin.
"Just don't leave marks, Yovin. Patay ka sa akin mamaya kapag may nakita ako."
"Yes, my queen..." He answered before he took my nipple inside his hot mouth while his hand is playing with the other one. My lips parted. Ang isiping sobrang galing niya sa bagay na ito ay halos magpabaliw na sa akin. Using his free hand, he scooped me and made my legs clung on his waist.
"Kiss me Yovin... I want your lips on mine, please..." Halos magmakaawa na ako habang dinudungaw siyang sarap na sarap na sinasamba ang mga dibdib ko. I can't help but cry in pleasure in every flick of his tongue and the way he nibbled my taut nipples. I want to get mad thinking that he did this to someone else before.
Tumigil siya sa ginagawa at kaagad na pinagbigyan ang nais ko. He kissed and sucked my lips until we're both out of breath. Panting, we stared at each other's eyes before he closed the gap and attacked my lips again.
Ibinaba niya ako sa malambot na kama at kaagad na kinubabawan. I want to focus on our heated kisses but the fact that he's still on his clothes bothered me bigtime.
I pushed his chest a bit to break our kisses before uttering a command. "Remove your shirt."
Wala siyang pinalampas na segundo. He held the hem of his white shirt and with clear urgency, he pulled it out of him revealing his six pack abs right before my eyes. And the way his biceps clenched at that simple movement, I can't help but feel thirsty.
Napalunok ako habang tinititigan ang katawan niya. Thoughts of marrying him right at this moment so that I could own him completely resurfaced in my mind. Nababaliw na nga yata talaga ako.
He gave me a peck, making me blink from my reverie. Sinalubong ako ng mga mata niyang nanunukso. I glared at him. Marahan siyang tumawa at hinagilap ang kamay ko. He then made me touch his chest down to his abdominal muscles in a very tormenting slow manner.
"Sa'yo lahat ng ito sa halagang akin lang din ang lahat ng sa'yo." Bulong niya, tila sinusumpa ako. "Ikaw lang ang hahayaan kong humawak sa akin ng ganito..." he guided my hand to caress his body. "At hahalikan ko ng ganito..." he then kissed me passionately and lovingly. "Ikaw lang din ang mamahalin ko... kahit ano pang mangyari, pangako..."
A lone tear touched my cheek. He closed his eyes and kissed it softly. I felt like my heart is about to explode any moment now because of too much love and happiness. He's the only one who can make me feel this way...
"And you... You don't need to promise me anything, babe. Just love me and I'll do the rest. I'll take care of everything." he whispered.
I nodded as I pulled him for a kiss and to continue our unfinished business. I love this man so much and I can't wait to be his wife and build a family with him. We will live a peaceful life... with our sweet angels. That's all I want... That's all I will ask for in this lifetime.
"I am really happy that finally, this pain in the ass is planning to settle down now." Nangingiting sinabi ni Kuya Zairus sabay tapik sa balikat ni Yovin. Tapos na kami sa pakikipagsalamuha sa mga bisita kaya nakaupo na kami ngayon sa mesang inihanda para sa pamilya. Most of Yovin's cousin attended the welcome party. Ang wala lang dito ngayon ay ang ate niya at ang mga pinsan niyang sina Terrence at Taleya. Wala rin si Abuelo dahil may importanteng lakad  daw ito ngayon pero baka humabol.
"Sino ba ang ayaw magkapamilya at lumagay na sa tahimik?" Kyer asked and gave me a smile. I smiled back at him.
"Ako." Walang paligoy-ligoy na sagot ni Grehan habang pinaglalaruan ang baso ng inumin niya. Nabalot ng tawanan ang mesa namin. "Marriage is fucking scary."
"Grehan sadboi era 2022." Komento ni Jeremy dahilan para mas lalong umingay ang tawanan. Napailing na lang ako sa kalokohan nilang magpipinsan.
"Scary lang naman kapag di mo gusto ang mapapangasawa mo. In Yovin's case, baka pikutin pa nito si Misty, eh."
"Oh shut up, Pharis." Saway ni Yovin dito. "Walang namimikot sa lahi natin."
"Agree." Si Kyer sabay tawa.
"So, when is the wedding?" Si Roseanne sabay kindat sa akin. She even pouted cutely when her gaze went to the ring his cousin gave me. "I want a niece already..."
"No specific date but we're planning to get wed two months from now..." Walang bahid ng pagdadalawang-isip na sagot ni Yovin.
Roseanne looked at me, as if asking me if it's okay with me. Ngumiti ako at tumango. She smiled back, excitement was written on her pretty face. "So... mga January? Yovin's birthmonth? Wow..."
"Yes," I answered.
Zayrell sighed dreamily. "Hayy... parang gusto ko na rin tuloy mag-asawa."
"Says the girl na ilang beses nang ikinasal sa mga pelikulang pinagbidahan niya." Halakhak ni Roseanne. "Sanaol..."
"Bruha, hindi 'yon counted!" Reklamo ni Zayrell.
I was so engrossed with the teasing when my phone suddenly rang. I stood up and excused myself. Tumayo rin si Yovin at iginiya ako patungo sa tahimik na lugar, medyo malayo sa karamihan.
Unregistered number. Iyon ang nakalagay. I pressed the answer button and put it in a loud speaker mode so that I could hear it well because the noise from the crowd can still reach us.
"Hello? Who's this?" I asked as my eyes wandered the place. Huminto lang nang magkatinginan kami ni Yovin. My man looked calm but serious. Dalawa pa tatlong hakbang ang layo sa akin, tuwid na nakatayo, at nakakrus ang mga braso sa dibdib. His white button down longsleeves dress shirt is hugging his body perfectly. His black slacks and black leather shoes made him look more regal and expensive. I can't help but smirk. Kaagad nga lang nabura nang tuluyan nang magsalita ang nasa kabilang linya.
"You can't marry that man, my dear Gabrielle Mistyca. Why? Coz you're bound to be a Valdemar... and not to be a Fortalejo. I hope we are clear on that part..." Says by the man from the other line. I don't know why but his voice sounds familiar.
"What are you talking about? At... V-Valdemar? Wala akong kilalang Valdemar..."
Agaran ang pagkunot ng noo ni Yovin. His jaw immediately clenched after hearing that surname from my mouth. Napasinghap ako nang walang pasabi niyang tinawid ang aming distansya at mabilis na inagaw sa akin ang cellphone ko. Doon ko lang naalala kung saan ko unang narinig ang apelyidong Valdemar. It was the same surname my grandmother mentioned on her text!
"Dream on, motherfucker..." I heard Yovin. Binalingan ko ito at nakitang pinatay niya na pala ang tawag. There's a ghost of dangerous smirk on his lips and his eyes also looked lethal and unforgiving as he gripped on my cellphone tightly.
"Yovin..." I called him but he didn't look at me. He looked so mad and pissed. "Babe..." I tried again to get his attention and that's when he finally move to look at me. His eyes immediately softened. Bumuntong-hininga siya at hinila ako palapit sa kanya.
"Who is it? Do you know him?" I asked softly. Umiling siya at pinatakan ako ng halik sa noo. "I don't know him but his voice sounds familiar to me. I have a feeling that we already met..." Patuloy ko.
"Fuck," he cursed.
Mariin akong napapikit nang maalala ang plano ni Lola. I guess, I should really tell Yovin about it right now. Dahil una sa lahat, may kutob ako na ang tumawag sa akin ngayon ay ang lalaking tinutukoy ni Lola at pangalawa, wala akong planong sumunod sa kagustuhan nito. Yovin will surely help me get away from what my grandmother is planning.
"Yovin, may sasabihin pala ako—"
But I didn't get to finish my words when one of his men approached us, panting so hard like he just came from a marathon. "B-Boss, p-pasensiya na po sa disturbo pero may balitang nakarating sa amin na in-ambush raw po ang SUV kung saan nakasakay ang lolo niyong si Senyor Ambrocio—"
Halos mabingi ako habang pinakikinggan ang sinasabi ng tauhan ni Yovin. Akala ko doon na matatapos ang balitang iyon pero hindi ko na napigilan pa ang pagkawala ng mga luha nang marinig ang kadugtong niyon. "... dinala na po sa ospital. Kasalukuyang nasa emergency room."
Yovin dismissed him after reporting about what happened to his grandfather. The party was stopped. It was understandably appropriate because of what happened. The guests were advised to stay inside the place for the meantime. Wala munang pinayagang umuwi lalo na't hindi kalayuan sa bahay nila Tita Cecilia ang pinangyarihan ng pang-aambush kay Abuelo.
"Are you going with me? I will check the place myself." Napatingin ako sa pinsan niyang si Altheo nang lumapit ito sa amin para kausapin siya. Alam kong dumalo ito sa party pero ngayon ko lang ito nakita. "You can leave your girl with Natasha." Dugtong nito matapos akong tapunan ng tingin.
"I'll go with you." Walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Yovin habang abala sa pagtawag sa kung sino sa cellphone niya. Altheo nodded sternly while looking at Yovin's hand on my waist. Tumikhim ito at binalingan ang babaeng paparating nang makitang nakatingin ako sa kanya.
"I want to go to the hospital too! Bakit hinaharang ako ng mga tauhan mo ha?" Kaagad na atake ng babae kay Altheo nang makalapit. Altheo sighed and tried to hold her elbow but she's too pissed to let him console her. "Sina Roseanne at Zayrell pwedi, pero ako, hindi?"
"Pupunta ka rin bukas. Pupunta tayo. Sa ngayon, dito ka lang muna. This is the safest place for now, Natasha. Yovin and I will go check where the ambush happened and what I want while doing that is you, staying here, and waiting for me. Sabay tayong pupunta sa ospital pagbalik ko bukas."
"Bakit bukas pa kung pwedi namang ngayon na? At bakit dapat magkasama tayo, ha?" Gigil na gigil si Natasha.
"Saang ospital daw ba dinala si Abuelo?" Tanong ni Yovin sa pinsan niya matapos maibaba ang tawag. Natasha glared at him for intruding.
"St. Carlos. Dito lang din sa Claveria." Altheo answered. "But Jeremy already contacted Fidel Rico Medical Hospital in Elgrecoza. He wants to transfer Abuelo there once he gets out from the operating room. Mas magagamot siya ng mabuti roon."
Tumango si Yovin at hinarap ako. He gave me an assuring smile even though deep inside, I know he's worried for his grandfather's current condition. Kahit naman ako ay nag-aalala rin.
"Stay here, okay? Everything will be okay. I know Abuelo can survive. He can get through this. Pupuntahan natin siya bukas. For the meantime, Natasha will accompany you..." he said it like a sweet promise that immediately ease my troubled mind.