MUSIC can either be happy or sad. All his life, Kai only wrote sad lyrics and sang sad songs. Never in his life did he experience such amazing happiness and God knows how much he wished that he could experience one – but looks like it will never happen.
Fuck wishes. Wishes are wishes. It won’t come true, no matter how long you kept on wishing, it will never come true.
Malungkot siyang tumingin sa lapida ng kanyang ina.
“When do you think, Mom?” He sigh. “When do you think will I be able to experience happiness? Do you think I can still experience it?” Mapait siyang ngumiti, “Well, I guess not.”
‘Am I not deserving to be happy?’
Kai softly caress the gravestone of his mother while sadness fills his whole system.
“Mom. Dad. . . He’s. . .He’s gonna marry another woman. They’ll be married next month. Will you be okay?”
He waited for an answer but he never received any. Only the soft movement of the wind envelops the whole surrounding. Everything was calm and silent.
How peaceful.
He stared at the marble gravestone. It’s so silent, as usual.
It was saddening.
Kai wanted to cry but looks like his body isn’t functioning well. No matter how much he wanted to shout, it remained silent. No matter how much he wanted to cry, it never lets him.
Is he sick?
But he always took his medicine on time and follows what the doctors are telling him to do. They said that it'll be fine, the pills can help him.
Yeah, that’s right.
But why does his nightmares still haunts him everytime he sleeps?
Mahina siyang nagbuntong-hininga.
He doesn't know what to do anymore.
“I’ll be very busy starting next week and the following months, Mom. Sadly, I won’t be able to visit you for a while but don’t worry, I’ll be telling you lots of stories the next time I’ll pay a visit.”
Kai tried to smile, but he failed. He sigh.
“This is frustrating. Mom, I think I'm going crazy.”
Manager calling. . .
Kai stared at his phone. He placed it back in his pocket then stood up from where he was sitting.
“Well, I guess I’ll be going now. My manager is calling me.” Once again, he stared at his mother’s name, “Goodbye. I miss you, Mom.”
He left the whole place with his heart still broken. Same as usual. No changes.
Nang tuluyan na siyang makaalis sa lugar na iyon ay saka niya lamang sinagot ang tawag.
“Hello?”
“Kai? Where are you?”
“I’m heading back now.” He look at his watch. He still have twenty minutes before the photoshoot.
“Where are you? Are you okay?”
Nang makalapit sa kanyang kotse ay agad niya itong binuksan at pumasok doon.
“I’m fine. I’ll end the call now.”
“Wait—”
Kai ended the call.
He stared at his phone for a couple of seconds before heaving a deep sigh. Hindi na rin nagtagal at binuhay niya ang makina ng sasakyan at mabilis iyong pinaandar patungo sa venue kung saan magaganap ang photoshoot.
“WRAP IT UP, GUYS!”Pagod na tumayo si Kai mula sa stool na inuupan matapos ang buong shoot. Thankfully, everything turned out great.
Hindi pa man siya tuluyang makaalis ay sinalubong siya ng isa sa mga staff upang ayusan.
“I’m thirsty.” Bigla ay sambit niya.
Mabilis na tumalima ang isa sa mga umayos sa kanya, nagtungo sa kung saan at agad siyang inabutan ng tubig.
“Thanks.”
“Mr. Montez!”
Automatically, Kai looked at the direction from where the voice came from. Hinihingal na lumapit sa kanya ang isang babae.
“Sir Kai, m-may. . . may naghahanap po sa inyo sa labas.”
Huh? Sino namang maghahanap sa kanya?
He gave the girl a confuse look. “Sino raw?”
“Wala po siyang sinabi. Nagkakagulo sa labas ng studio dahil pilit itong pumasok pero pinipigilan siya ng mga gwardiya sa labas.”
Huminga ng malalim si Kai bago tumingin sa babae. “Lead the way.”
Habang nakasunod sa babae ay hindi mapigilang mapaisip si Kai kung sino man ang taong naghahanap sa kanya.
Whoever that someone is, Kai knew that the person is troublesome.
He doesn’t have many friends. Iilan lang rin ang kakilala niya at mabibilang lang din ang mga malapit niyang kaibigan. So who the hell would want to visit him and cause trouble?
Biglang napatigil si Kai nang may isang taong biglang pumasok sa kanyang isipan.
“Don’t tell me. . .”
There’s no way that it’s him. . . No freaking way!
Iniisip niya pa lang ang mukha ng lalaki ay kumukulo na agad ang dugo niya.
There is no fucking way that he’s—
Nang tumama ang kanyang paningin sa labas ay ganun na lamang ang pagpigil ni Kai sa sarili at pilit itong kinalma.
Nang makumpirma kung sino ang nasa labas ay automatiko siyang tumalikod at babalik na sana sa loob ng bigla siyang tawagin nito.
“Kai!”
“Fuck. . .” He muttered. Damn it!
“Kai!”
Huminga siya ng malalim bago muling lumingon sa gawi ng lalaki. Blanko ang mukhang nilingon niya ito.
“Kai. . .”
“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Tanong niya ngunit tumitig lamang ito sa kanya saka lumapit. Ganun na lamang ang pagkagulat ni Kai nang sa paglapit nito ay bigla siya nitong niyakap.
“H-Hey!” Gulat man ay matagal bago siya napaatras at tuluyang umiwas sa pagkakayap nito sa kanya.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” galit na sambit niya kay Ali, the man who crushed his heart five years ago para lamang ipagpalit kay Bea, ang anak ng bagong babae ng kanyang ama. And God knows how he hated him so darn much that he wanted to break his neck.
Kahit na medyo malayo sa kanya ay dinig na dinig niya pa rin ang bulungan ng mga tao sa kanyang paligid.
“Kai. . .”
God. He can’t believe himself adoring this man before when he’s THIS irritating.
“I already asked what the hell do you want from me. Please don’t make me repeat again, Ali.”
Tumitig ito sa kanya, “I. . . I just. . . I missed you.”
Napataas ang kilay ni Kai sa sinabi ng lalaki. The fuck?
“I see.” He really can't believe this guy. “Since nagkita naman na tayo ngayon, I bet everything's settled? So, if you’ll excuse me, I still have work to do.”
Akmang tatalikod na siya nang biglang hinawakan ni Ali ang braso niya kung kaya't napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Kai at pinipigilan ang inis na nararamdaman sa binata.
Damn all these dramas. Goodness!
“Look—”
Akmang magsasalita pa si Ali nang biglang nagsalita si Abby dahilan upang mapahinto ito sa pagsasalita.
“Kai, the next shoot is about to start. You need to get ready.”
Their work is done, Kai is aware of that but his manager’s excuse was needed at the moment.
Tumingin si Kai sa direksyon ng manager niya and muttered ‘thanks’ to her. Saka siya muling tumingin kay Ali.
“You heard her, right? I still have work to do, Ali.” Binawi niya ang kanyang braso sa pagkakahawak ng lalaki.
With that he left him standing outside habang siya naman ay agad na nagtungo sa pribadong silid upang ikalma ang sarili.
Calm down, Kai.
Calm down.
Calm—
Ngunit napatigil siya ng may kumatok sa pinto at iniluwa niyon si Abby.
“Kai, someone’s calling for you.”
What the. . .
“Sino?”
“Walang sinabi but she said it was an emergency. “ Anito at may iniabot na cellphone na agad naman niyang tinanggap.
She?
“Hello?”
“Kai! Oh God!”
Mahinang nailayo ni Kai ang cellphone sa kanyang tainga saka iyon muling inilapit.
“Your Dad is in the hospital right now at nasa kritikal ang koneksyon niya!”
Automatikong napatayo si Kai sa kanyang kinauupuan matapos marinig ang sinabi Deian, ang fiancee ng ama niya.
“Bakit siya na-ospital?” Kinakabahan man ay nagawa niya pa rin iyong itanong.
“Umatake na naman ang sakit niya sa puso! You have to be here, Kai. He needs you! We need you!”
Matapos iyong marinig ay ganun na lamang ang pagkakunot ng kanyang nuo. What the hell?
Kai knew for sure that his father was in a stable condition the last time he checked his health. So why is she telling him that?
Nagtataka man ay nagmamadali pa rin siyang lumabas sa studio at nagtungo sa parking lot ng building.
But a few blocks before he could reach his car. A flashing light went straight ahead in his sight making him temporarily blind and the loud ear-shattering beeping sound of a car made his whole system stop.
Everything went so fast and before Kai realized, his body was already laying flat and unconscious on the ground.
MEANWHILE, Bea smirked at the unconscious body lying on the floor, blooded. Perfect.
Nakangiting nilingon ng babae ang mga lalaking inutusan niya.
“Good job, boys.” Aniya nang biglang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone.
Nakangising sinagot niya ito.
“Yes, mom?”
“Bea, how was it?”
Muli niyang tiningnan ang walang malay na katawan sa kanyang harapan saka nagsalita.
“It was a success, Mom.”
Narinig niya ang mahinang pagtawa ng ina sa kabilang linya.
“Very good. Let’s proceed to the next plan, shall we?”
SLOWLY, Kai opened his eyes only to see an unfamiliar ceiling. Unti-unti siyang bumangon sa pagkakahiga and to his surprise even the bed was unfamiliar. No. He look all over the place.The whole room was fucking unfamiliar.“Where the hell am I?” He muttered with his cracked voice.There was no one in the room but him.Everything inside is filled with luxurious stuffs. From the carpet to the vases, cabinets and the bed up to its walls and the high ceiling with a hella’ expensive chandelier.Gustuhin man niyang makaalis sa kama ngunit hindi niya iyon magawa lalo pa’t ramdam niya pa rin ang sakit sa katawan.Bigla ay muli niyang naalala ang pangyayaring iyon. Who the hell was that?Kai doesn’t have any idea who bumped him causing the accident nor the place he’s in right now.Malakas na lamang siyang napabuntong-hininga.
PANAY ang paglingon ni Kai sa kaliwa’t kanan, sinisiguro na walang makakita sa kanya. It’s past midnight already kaya nasisiguro niyang walang makakakita sa kanya ngayon but he have to make sure that he’ll be able to leave this place without any trace.Kai knew for a fact that he can do that but the whole place was massive! Darn! It wouldn’t be called as a palace for nothing, dumbass.Still, he was very determined to leave the castle.He needs to go back. Kailangan niyang malaman kung sino ang may pakana ng aksidenteng iyon. And his father—“Fuck!” How could he ever forget about him? Damn!If his memory wasn’t mistaken, that accident happen when he was about to check up on him! How the hell did he forgot that part?!He needs to escape fast! Dad. . . He needs me!“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” He wasn’t in a stable condition, that’s what his woman said last time.And to t
“WHAT happened?"Nanatiling nakayuko ang mga ulo ng mga gwardiya sa palasyo.“Hindi po talaga namin alam. Nakita ko lang po siya at napagkamalang magnanakaw. Pasensya na po talaga, mahal na prinsipe. Hindi ko po sinasadya. Hindi ko alam na siya pala ang—”“It’s alright.” Sebastian sighed. “You may now go back to your post.”Agad namang nagsisunod ang mga ito saka nagsibalik sa kani-kanilang posisyon. Sebastian then took off his armor at ibinigay iyon sa kanyang secretary.“Where is he?” Tanong niya rito.Pormal na yumuko si North, ang kanyang sekretarya saka nagsalita, “In your room, sir.”Tumango lamang siya at walang imik na naglakad papunta sa kanyang silid. Slowly, he opened the door at naglakad papasok. He went near his bed and there he saw his bride, sleeping peacefully and calmly.Sebastian sat near him and stared at his sleeping
MORNING came and the chirping of birds made Kai to woke up. With his robe on, he immediately went near the big window. Noon lamang niya napansin ang malawak at magarbong tanawin ng hardin sa palasyo.“Wow. . .” he can't believe what he's seeing!The garden was way too beautiful and he's mesmerized by its beauty. It probably took several years to build such garden.Ni hindi manlang niya napansin ang mga minutong lumipas dahil masyado siyang nadarag sa kagandahan ng hardin.Saka lamang nagising si Kai nang may kumatok sa pintuan saka dali-daling nag-ayos sa sarili.“Young master, Kai. Your breakfast is ready.”Nang makarating sa hapag ay sumalubong sa kanya ang napakaraming pagkain and what shocked him the most is that no one was there except him and the maids.“Where's Sebastian?” Tanong niya sa isa sa mga katulong sa palasyo.“Nakaalis na po a
“NAGHIHINTAY na po ang mahal na prinsipe sa labas.”Kai sigh as he stared at himself on the mirror. Muli niyang naipikit ang kanyang mga mata and the memory last night came rushing into his mind, again.“Fuck!”Wala sa sariling nasapo niya ang kanyang noo.‘How the hell did we fucking end up kissing?! Why didn't I pushed him away? Just why?! And thinking how I kissed him back is way too fucking embarrassing! Damn it!’Naiinis na inirapan niya ang sarili sa salamin saka nagdesisyong lumabas na lamang sa kanyang silid.What happened last night was embarrassing and now he's going to face him again!Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago binuksan ang pintuan. ‘It's fine. I'm fine. Huling araw ko na 'to ngayon dito. It's fine, Kai. Hindi mo na siya makikita pa.’“Yeah, that'
HINDI pa rin makapaniwalang tumingin si North kay Kai na ngayon ay nasa prinsipe pa rin ang paningin habang inaalalayan ito ng mga tagapaggamot.Wala sa sariling napailing nalamang siya. ‘I wonder how the prince will react.’“North.”Hindi pinansin ni North ang tumawag sa kanya at nagpatuloy lamang sa paglakad papalapit sa walang malay na prinsipe.“We need to go back to the palace, now. It'll be dangerous if we'll stay longer.” Tugon niya sa isa sa mga attendant.“Yes, sir.”“North! Hey, North!”“Let's go. The prince isn't safe here.” Aniya at hindi pinansin ang sumisigaw.“North—!”Naiiritang nilingon niya ito, “Tumahimik ka nga! Why the fuck are you shouting?”Monroe gave him a blank look. “You were pretending not to hear me, that's why.”Inirapan lamang siya ni North.“How was the pr
KAI woke up early the next day. Matapos niyang linisin ang kanyang sugat ay sakto namang pumasok si North sa kanyang silid.“The prince is awake. I'm on my way there. Dumaan lang talaga ako dito para ipaalam sayo.”Gulat na tumayo si Kai at lumapit sa kanya, “I'll go with you.”Tumango naman si North saka sila naglakad patungo sa silid ng prinsipe.“Good morning, Your Highness.”Nanatiling nakatago sa likod ng malaking pintuan si Kai habang naghihintay na marinig ang boses ng prinsipe.“How was he? Did he get back safely?”“I'm sorry, Prince Sebastian. But—”Nakataas ang kilay na tumingin si Sebastian kay North. “But what?”North exhaled deeply before looking at Kai, mouthing him to get inside.
HINDI maipaliwanag ni Kai ang sayang naramdaman matapos makita ang iba't-ibang itsura ng mga pamilihan at lugar sa labas ng palasyo.Sebastian brought him to the Kingdom's town. The streets were crowded and noisy, and children were running along the street.Ngayon niya lang nakita ang ganoong klase na lugar. The town was busy yet everyone was happy.Kai would excitedly enter some random stores saka masayang tumitingin-tingin sa mga paninda nito and Sebastian would just chuckle at Kai's cuteness. Kai tried his best to maintain a calm expression even though he was having a hard time suppressing his excitement and Sebastian finds it cute.'Seriously how can a man be this adorable?' Sebastian thought.Nakangiting napapailing na lamang si Sebastian sa pag-uugaling iyon ni Kai. Kai often shows a defensive look whenever he's inside the palace. And seeing him acting c