KNIGHTS I-6: Pursuing Cinderella (Trigger Knights)

Chapter 9

She pulled his arm before letting him sit on the sofa. Walang imik na umupo ang asawa niya. She moved a little to leave some space between them.

"Hindi mo ba talaga sila napilit na bumalik? You should offer them something," mahina niyang sabi.

Trigger massaged his head slowly. "They didn't listen to me. I couldn't stop them because they told me that they have decided already."

"Your project is helpful, Trigger. Many people are looking for a job and your project can help them. Pero marami ring taong maaapektuhan sa gagawin mo," paliwanag ng dalaga.

"You don't understand me. That project can help those people also. I'll give them money to find a new house somewhere. And if you're worried about their jobs, I'll offer them a job also!" galit na sagot naman ng lalaki.

She sighed heavily. "Ayon naman pala, e. Bakit galit sa 'yo ang mga investors?"

"They can't trust me. They kept on saying that those people are not qualified for the job I'll offer to them. Everyone's telling me not to continue this project, but I planned this for almost one year and I never want to throw it because I trust my self. Seeing those board members' reaction a while ago. I don't know what to do to convince them anymore. Even my brothers doesn't want to help me." Sinabunutan ni Trigger ang sarili matapos sabihin 'yon.

Miracle placed her one hand on Trigger's back. Mahina niyang tinapik-tapik ang likod ng asawa para iparating dito na hindi ito nag-iisa.

"I believe in you. They'll understand your intentions soon once you talk to them. Pero sa ngayon, naniniwala ako sa 'yo, Trigger."

Dahan dahang nag-angat ng tingin ang lalaki. "What?"

Mabilis namang inalis ni Miracle ang kamay sa likuran ng lalaki. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touch you--"

"You still believe in me even if those people are badmouthing me?"

Napakurap-kurap ang babae. "Asawa kita, Trigger. Hindi ko naman asawa ang mga 'yon kaya sa 'yo ako maniniwala."

Miracle stood up. "Atsaka huwag ka nang sumimangot." She smiled sweetly before opening the lights.

"Happy birthday!"

Kunot noong pinagmasdan siya ni Trigger. "Birthday? What are you talking about? My birthday's on October 13."

Mabilis namang tinuro ni Miracle ang digital calendar. "It's October 13."

Trigger's eyes widened when he saw the calendar. Sinapo niya ang buong mukha. "Fuck, I didn't even realize that."

Tinanggal ng lalaki ang kamay sa mukha bago siya lingunin. "You woke up to greet me?"

Miracle nodded her head bago maglakad papalapit sa painting na dala-dala niya kanina. She removed the cover before showing it to Trigger. "Tsaran!"

Trigger's eyes were stuck on her painting. Hindi naalis ang mga tingin nito sa sariling portrait.

"What's that? It's my picture, oh shit, why am I fucking smiling there? I never smiled in a camera--"

"I painted it," Miracle cutted him off.

Kunot noong nilingon siya ng lalaki. Tumayo ito para pagmasdan nang mas malapitan ang painting.

"This is your art?"

She smiled before nodding her head. "I never see you smiling that's why you're smiling here. Natulala ka, namangha ka ba sa sarili mo o sa gawa ko?" tanong niya.

Kaagad na inalis ni Trigger ang pagkamangha sa mukha. Kinunot niya ang noo. "No, it's ugly."

Miracle glanced at her painting. "It's beautiful."

Trigger pointed out the small drip of paint on the side. "It's messy. I don't like it."

Nakasimangot na tiningnan ng babae ang tinuro ng asawa. "It's just a drip of paint. It's not even messy. 'Saka nakangiti ka rito, ang gwapo mo kaya--"

"No. I don't like it. If you really love this painting then you can keep it inside our room. But me?" Trigger roamed his eyes on the painting again, trying to hide the amusement in his eyes. "I hate it. Keep it if you love it too much. But it's not even that beautiful."

He was about to leave when Miracle held his wrist again.

"Sandali, hindi pa tapos."

She pulled her husband, dragging him to the kitchen. Binuksan niya ang ilaw at kaagad na bumungad sa kanilang dalawa ang nakahandang mga pagkain.

Nasa gitnang bahagi ang malaking cake na siya mismo ang nag-bake.

"Why is there so much food in here?" he asked her.

"We'll celebrate your birthday. O kaya kung ayaw mong malapit ako." Humakbang si Miracle nang kaonti papalayo sa asawa. "Bibigyan kita ng space kung ayaw mong malapit ako. Basta kumain ka lang."

He rolled his eyes before sitting on the dining area. Hindi pinahalata ni Miracle ang gulat sa mga mata niya nang umupo ang asawa kaharap ng mga pagkain.

This is the first time that Trigger will taste the food she cooked. She wanted to cry in happiness but it's not the right time for that.

Miracle placed the plate and utensils in front of Trigger. She was about to serve him but he stopped her by holding her wrist.

"I can move. Sabayan mo ako. I hate eating alone." Kahit nabigla ang babae ay pinili na lang niyang sundin ang asawa.

"Ahm, where will I sit? Here?" She pointed the chair that's five meters away from Trigger.

He tsked at her. "Beside me. Bilisan mo nga, nagugutom na ako."

Miracle didn't say anything. Umupo na lang siya sa upuang nasa kaliwa ng asawa at nagsimulang kumuha ng pagkain.

She can't help but to stare at her husband who's now eating the food she cooked. Pangarap niya lang dati 'to. But now, it's happening. She couldn't believe her own eyes.

MIRACLE pouted her lips while staring at the painting. Iniwan niya muna saglit ang asawa sa dining dahil abala pa ito sa paghuhugas ng kamay.

Trigger doesn't like her art so she's planning to throw it away. Gagawa na lang ulit siya ng bago, baka sakaling magustuhan na 'yon ng asawa niya.

She carried it and was about to throw it outside when Trigger saw her.

"What are you going to do with it?" kunot noong tanong ng asawa niya.

"I'll throw it away, sabi mo itapon ko na--"

"No!" sigaw nito. Pero agad ding kumalma nang makita ang reaksyon niya. "I mean, you can keep it if you want it. I just don't find it beautiful, but you keep fucking keep it."

Miracle shook her head. "I don't want to keep a failure that's why I'm going to throw it away."

"No," matigas na sagot ni Trigger.

"Why? I thought you didn't like it?" kunot noong tanong ni Miracle.

"It's..." Lumikot ang mga mata ng lalaki. He opened his mouth like he's about to say something, pero agad ding kumunot ang noo nito na parang galit pa. "It's beautiful."

Miracle stood there, surprised and speechless. Pinanood na lang niya ang asawa na padabog pang umaakyat sa hagdan.

"It's beautiful?" she uttered while looking at her art.