Episode 11

Kiss

"Thankie so much, Hya. Best girl ka talaga." Sangre tightly hugged me that I almost ran out of air.

Hinampas ko nang malakas ang likod niya ng paulit-ulit dahil hindi na talaga ako makahinga. "Napakaplastik mong babaita ka," I scoffed before rolling my eyes. It's true! Lahat sila ay ganiyan sa'kin.

"Luh. Ang bait ko kaya tapos ang yummy pa."

She licked her lower lip like she was seducing me so I just acted like I was about to vomit. She laughed at my reaction before entering their restaurant. Ni-t-train na kasi siya ng magulang niya since siya ang hahawak ng business nila pagkatapos niyang mag-graduate.

I immediately went home because I'm so tired for some reason. I have a lot on-going on my mind right now that I just found myself parking in front of our house.

I was greeted by the guards and maids, the moment I've entered the big gates. The gardeners were maintaining the class of our garden in front of the house while the maids were busy cleaning every corner of the mansion.

I gave a little smile at them and told them "Goodluck" with their works. I have always been fond of befriending the household caretakers of our house ever since I was a little kid. Naalala ko tuloy bigla ang mga katulong na namatay rin dahil sa pagbaril sa kanila limang taon na ang nakararaan.

I shook my head to erase my negative thoughts. Maybe I should just visit their graves, along with my parents if I have some time.

I took a cold shower and finished my requirements for the day. I reviewed a lot of learning materials that I borrowed from the library because I don't want to waste my efforts on printing ones.

Nag-unat ako at napahikab nang makaramdam ako ng antok. I looked at my digital clock and it was already 5 PM. I forgot about the time when I started studying. At least, I've studied enough for tomorrow's classes.

Napagpasiyahan kong matulog muna dahil walang papasok sa utak ko kung papagurin ko ito. Nilakasan ko ang aircon para mas lalong lumamig sa k'warto ko at makatulog ako nang mahimbing. I dimmed the lights of my room. Hindi pa nakakalipas ang ilang minuto ay dinalaw na rin naman ako ng antok.

"Hyacinth..."

Someone whispered my name from afar. I was busy fixing my black ball gown while staring at the mirror of the vanity table in front of me. A make-up artist approached me to fix my black glittering smoked eyes. She put some red lipstick on my lips and fixed my blush-on to highlight my angelic features.

When she was satisfied with my look, she just smiled at me and gestured that I can go now. I faced the mirror to scan myself for the last time before going out of the room.

Pagkalabas ko pa lang ng pinto, nagulat na ako nang may humalik sa pisngi ko. I faced him and noticed that he was familiar but I can't seem to remember him.

His bright joyful hazel brown eyes that's bedazzling, his red kissable lips that could make a crescent shape whenever he smiles, his perfectly defined jaw that would clench whenever he's showing emotions; Everything about him is perfect just the way it is. I was comfortable when he's around.

But I don't know him. I don't know who he is.

I stared at his eyes, trying to remember him. He was wearing a black tuxedo with black slacks that could emphasize his masculinity. "Hyacinth..." He caressed my face and smiled at me.

I felt chills when his hand touched my cheek but I also didn't remove it. There is something about him that I was comfortable with.

"Hyacinth... can you remember me now?"

That's the last thing he said before I woke up from that dream. Like the last time, I was catching my breath and my heart was beating loudly like it wanted to be freed. Beads of sweat were slowly trickling down from my forehead. Sino siya?

This was the second time that I've dreamt of a man that I can't remember. We were also at a party the last time I met him in my dream. I can't remember fancying over a party on my childhood days so I don't really know if it was just my imagination.

The week flew by fast and it was already Saturday. Napasa na rin namin ang first draft namin ng thesis. On normal weekends like this, Valentine and I should meet-up but we decided that our next meet-up would be after our thesis were given back.

After my last class in Psychology during Saturdays, I decided to visit my parent's grave because I've missed them a lot. I was so busy with my studies these past few weeks that I forgot visiting them.

I drove to the cemetery where they are buried. They were cremated since their recovered bodies from the fire of our mansion wasn't even recognizable. They experienced a terrible death and had their bodies suffer through the hot flames of fire.

Napahinga ako nang malalim bago ni-park ang kotse ko.

I got out from my car and brought my Mom's favorite flowers with me. I've also bought some candles when I stopped at some shop on my way here.

Gentle winds and whistling dried leaves were the only cause of noise in this peaceful cemetery. It's cool breeze that brushes on my pale skin, was giving chills all over my body. I hugged myself to avoid getting cold while still walking towards my parent's graves.

I remembered the days where I would visit here alone during my teenage years. I was always so afraid that ghosts would come approach me, but I get used to it over years. I smiled bitterly when I saw the names of my parents who have risked their lives for my safety.

Cynthia Naomi Villaflor (1980-20xx)

Romeo Haylor Villaflor (1976-20xx)

Nilapag ko ang hawak kong mga bulaklak sa lapida ng nakahimlay kong mga magulang. Sinindihan ko rin ang hawak ko kaninang mga kandila before praying to the Almighty who was taking care of them now. I silently said my prayer while closing my eyes.

"Lord, I know that you are mighty and powerful that all of us here on earth were just mere beings who've borrowed these bodies for a while. I also know that you are merciful and just, oh Lord Almighty. Kamusta na po sila Mom and Dad? Are they happy now with you in heaven? Are there smiles etched on their lips? Are their souls peaceful now?"

I brushed the lonely tear that fell from my right eye. I should stop crying. I've trained myself over the past years to not be such a weakling and to not show my weakness to other people.

But unfortunately, Valentine witnessed me on my weakest state.

I smiled bitterly before ending my prayer and now speaking to my parents as if they were here in flesh.

"Hi mommy! Hi daddy! Kumusta na kayo? Siguro mapayapa na 'yung buhay niyo ngayon diyan sa heaven. Siguro wala nang mangangambala sa inyo diyan 'no? Do you still remember me? Ako lang naman ang pinakamaganda niyong anak na... n-na iniwan niyong mag-isa sa malupit na mundong ito."

Now I can't stop my overflowing tears. Sadness and loneliness were starting to crept inside my heart. Even if I tried to stop it, my body was acting against my will.

I wiped my tears and my runny nose on the handkerchief I've brought. Talagang naghanda na ako dahil alam ko naman na lagi akong naiiyak sa t'wing bumibisita ako sa mga magulang ko.

"If you're asking how I've been these past few days... I-I don't really know. Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari sa buhay ko, Mom and Dad. Everyday seems just a passive day na hindi ko namalayang third year college na pala ako." I laughed but there are still tears flowing on my cheeks.

"Sa ngayon, thesis naman sa Bio Chem ang inaatupag ko. I'm sorry na hindi man lang ako nakabisita sa inyo for merely two months. Masyado lang po talagang hectic ang schedule ko these days." I looked at the sky.

"Alam niyo ba na ang sarap minsan tirisin ng tadhana? Nakakatawa lang na ang bagay na sobrang kinamuhian ko, ay pangalan na ng thesis partner ko ngayon, Mom... Dad..."

My shoulder-length hair was blown along by the whispers of the wind. Napapangiti na lang ako tuwing tumatama ang malamig na hangin sa balat ko. Mistulang mga magulang ko na nariyan para pakalmahin ako.

"Parang nananadya nga, eh. Who would have known that destiny will be playing with the cupid 'di ba? Paanong sa dinami-rami ng tao sa mundo, isang lalaking nagngangalang Valentine pa ang magiging thesis partner ko?" Nagmumukha na akong tanga rito ka-ka-kwento kahit wala naman akong kausap.

"And I don't know if he was good for me, Mom... Dad... Hindi ko alam kung iiwasan ko ba siya after ng project namin dahil in the first place, he was just supposed to be my thesis partner. Pero gano'n talaga eh, naging magkaibigan na rin kami after some time. I hope... I hope you are here to give me advices on times like this," I whispered while looking up on the clear blue sky. The mighty Sun was hiding beneath the clouds and I think it was about to rain.

After fixing myself, I got up to go home. It was getting darker every minute and I think my hunch is correct that the heavens were about to pour some tears. But before I could even go to the parking lot, one man who was kneeling in front of an unknown grave, caught my attention.

He was wearing his usual dark t-shirts and black jagger pants. He was lighting a candle while whispering something to the wind. He looked up in the sky like he was stopping his self to cry but there is still a tear that left his eye.

I walked near him. I tried not to make a sound because I might disturb him of what he was doing. Sinubukan kong basahin ang pangalang nakaukit sa lapida pero bago ko pa ito makita ay biglang lumingon sa gawi ko si Val.

My eyes widened in shock when he started to walk towards me. No sadness nor loneliness was seen in his face now. He was always his serious. Pero noong makilala ko siya, hindi naman siya ganoon ka-cold. Hindi lang talaga siya mahilig magsalita.

"H-hey! Ayos! Para siguro talaga tayo sa isa't-isa! Haha! L-look we've even met here!" I've tried to sound as cheerful as possible but my mouth kept on trembling with fear.

Hindi siya tumigil sa paglalakad hanggang sa masyado nang malapit ang posisyon naming dalawa. My breathing hitched and there seems to be a lump on my throat that I can't speak properly. "V-val..." I whispered.

"What are you doing here, Elara?" he asked with a serious tone.

"I was..." I stuttered while trying to make an excuse. Should I tell him? I mean we're not close but we're friends, right?

"I was visiting my parent's grave..." I said before lowering my head and looking at the Bermuda I was on top of. I played with my thumb like a little kid being scolded by her teacher.

Silence enveloped the whole scenario. No one dared to say a word. Only heavy sighs and our heartbeats were heard.

"I-I'm sorry," he whispered to me, together with the wind that has passed by.

Tumingala ako sa kanya at binigyan siya ng maliit na ngiti. It was okay for me, though. A lot of people used to pity me when they have known my condition so I'm quite used to it.

"Ano ka ba? It was already five years ago... A-ayos na ako." I smiled but deep inside I was hurting. I could never be okay with accepting the fact that my parents were killed on the same day as my birthday.

"Ikaw? Sino bang binisita mo rito?"

I tried to look at the name on the grave but he blocked my vision as if prohibiting me to know who that is. Pero bago pa ako makapagreklamo ay biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan kaya nababasa na kami.

"Shit, Elara! Let's go there!" Tinuro niya ang isang waiting shed kaya mabilis niya akong hinila papunta doon.

We were running under the cold rain while his hand was interlocked tightly with mine. Parang biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa pag-iisip na hawak niya ang kamay ko ngayon.

We quickly sheltered under the shed. Wala akong dalang payong at gano'n din siya. Kanina ko pa naaninagan na parang uulan. Uuwi na nga sana ako pero naudlot 'yun nang makita ko si Val.

Nagpagpag ako ng damit ko at ganun din siya. The shed was too small for the both of us so we had to squeeze ourselves to fit in it. Nababasa pa nga ang harap ko dahil sa talsik ng ulan.

"Are you okay?" he asked while still looking at the surroundings. The sky was now dark and some lampposts near us were starting to be lighted. Malakas ang ulan at kailangan muna naming magpatila kung hindi ay magkakasakit kami.

I nodded at him but he noticed some rainwater was splashing on my shirt so he positioned himself in front of me. He put his two muscular arms beside me to protect me from the rain. His manly scent was slowly attacking my senses that made me a bit tipsy.

That's when I noticed how awkward our position was. His face was too close to mine that with one wrong move, our lips would touch. Kung may ibibilis pa siguro ang tibok ng puso ko kaysa ngayon, baka mamatay na 'ko sa nerbyos.

While I was busy thinking of how awkward our position is, he suddenly whispered huskily at me.

"Elara..."

Hindi ko magawang tumingin sa kanya dahil nahihiya ako. I bet that I look like a fresh tomato right now or more like a bomb, that was so red, about to explode. He held my chin up so that our eyes could meet.

Nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang boltahe nang hawakan niya ang baba ko. Tinitigan ko siya sa makahulugan niyang mga mata na parang nakikiusap sa'kin.

Handsome.

A word that could only explain him right now. His always so soulful dark brown orbs are now examining my soul with his stare. His pointed nose, soft pinkish lips and defined jaw, is the most beautiful piece of artwork I have ever encountered.

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi nang ma-realize ko na puro kahalayan na pala ang iniisip ko. Am I complementing him now? But he really looks like a god for goodness sake!

"Don't bite your lower lip," he commanded, getting serious now.

Mas lalo tuloy akong napakagat sa labi ko dahil sa hiya. I widened my eyes in shock when he suddenly brushed my lip with his thumb while staring at it like it was the most precious possession he could have.

"Are you seducing me, Elara?" he asked me while a playful smirk on the edge of his lips. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa mga labi ko kaya hindi ko rin maiwasang tumingin sa mga labi niya.

I couldn't mutter a word anymore when he lowered his head to damp a small kiss on my soft lips. My heart was beating fast while the rain was pouring down heavily at the background. Napakapit ako sa balikat niya dahil first kiss ko 'to!

Humiwalay na siya sa pagkakahalik sa'kin. It was fast but my knees started trembling like it was a jelly right now. My cheeks flushed and I felt dizzy for a moment. Buti na lang ay nasuportahan ako ni Val sa braso. I looked at him in the eye before he spoke.

"I think I like you, Elara."

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#ACM11

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