CHAPTER 2: The Thunderbolt

Kahit anong pilit kong matulog ay pinagkakaitan pa rin ako ng antok. Para akong kitikiting pabaling-baling sa aking kama, nagbabakasakaling makuha ang tamang puwesto para dalawin ng antok. Dati-rati naman ay 'mahi' ako, mahiga-tulog, dahil iyon sa pagod. Pagod din ako sa duty ko kagabi pero heto't dilat na dilat pa ang aking diwa.

Kung balikan ko ba ang nakaraan, makakatulog kaya ako? Huli na nang mapagtanto kong kusa nang naglakbay sa nakaraan ang pagod kong isipan.

I can't find the right words to express the excitement that I'm feeling right now. It's Zach and I's first year anniversary as sweethearts. He said, he has a surprise for me. He even blindfolded me when I sat comfortably here at the passenger's seat of his car. I have no idea where we are going. It's a surprise, that's all he told me.

We didn't attend our class today to celebrate our special day. Who cares? It's the first time that we missed our classes.

Sino ang mag-aakalang ang simpleng pagnakaw niya ng papel eh, mauuwi sa totoong pagnakaw niya sa puso ko.

Ano ba, Joe. Ang korni mo!

Meron bang hindi korni o pababe pag-inlove? Sino? Nang mabatukan na! Baka hindi siya tao, 'di ba? Normal lang naman ang kakornihan ko. Normal lang sa isang diseotso anyos na tulad ko ang kiligin dahil sa pagmamahal.

Although I'm currently unable to see him, I know he's there. Who the hell is driving the car if he isn't, right? Kidding aside, I can't stop these goosebumps of mine from popping whenever I think about his present. Only the two of us?

I can't stop smiling. God! I hope he's not looking at me right now!

I heard him let out a muffled laugh. He was looking at me! Damn him for making me feel so embarrassed! It's one of those 'kilig to the bones' kind of embarrassment, though. M-maybe I'll let it pass this once.

The long ride gave me so much time to think... how did I ended up inside his car again?

We were in the same class although he's two years ahead of me. We were not even taking the same course. I'm taking ComSci while he's a Business Administration student. That Literature class was where things went from troublesome tete-a-tete to a love-filled encounter. That fateful day when he showed me that jerk side of him!

That fateful day when 'tadhana' tied our pinkies with it's blessed red string.

I'm not denying the fact that I did want to punch his perfect set of teeth right in during our first meeting... well, I still do sometimes. In my defence, this boy could be really annoying if he wanted to, but he could also turn me into a rose in its full bloom when he's charming and naughty.

Napangiti na naman tuloy ako dahil naaalala ko ang mga kapilyuhan at kapilosopohan niya.

Pinalitan ba naman niya ng isang pad iyong ilang pirasong yellow paper na kinuha niya sa akin para pag-Literature raw, may patago na siyang papel sa akin. Gagawin pa akong tagabitbit ng papel niya. Ano siya sinu-suwerte? Ibinato ko nga sa kanya iyong isang pad at iniwan siya noon. Pero may kakulitang taglay ang kumag. Lagi siyang nakatabi sa akin sa subject na iyon at nakai-impress ang galing niya roon.

Paborito nga siya ng aming professor. Tinuturuan pa niya ko dahil wala akong hilig sa classic novels. Ang boring kaya ng Shakespeare para sa 'kin. Kaya kahit anong saway ko sa sarili ko na huwag magkagusto sa mayabang na lalaking ito, nahulog pa rin ang puso ko. Lalo pa't lagi kaming sabay mag-snack dahil parehas na vacant time kami pagkatapos ng Literature class.

After three months of dating, we became an official couple. That was before the end of second semester. Lihim lang muna ang aming relasyon dahil nangako ako kay Mamang na hindi ako makikipagnobyo hangga't hindi ako tapos sa aking pag-aaral. Ayokong sayangin ang paghihirap ni Mamang sa Hongkong para lamang mapag-aral ako sa kolehiyo. Nauunawaan naman iyon ni Zach. But that's my first personal principle that I broke because of him. The second one was that I lied.

I hope it will be the last.

Here we are on our first year anniversary. One more semester for him and he's going to graduate, while I'm almost done my second year. We found our inspiration in one another. We had a lot of plans for our future together and I could only foresee myself as Mrs. Joan Villamonte, if only fate blows its way in my favor.

"We're here, Sweetheart. Do not remove your blindfold yet," I can feel the excitement in his tone. I didn't notice how long we were on the road. Hindi naman niya kasi ko kinausap, akala niya siguro, nakatulog din ako.

He opened the car door for me like he always does. Naramdaman ko ang isang kamay niya na nakaalalay sa aking ulo para 'di ako mauntog habang hawak niya ang kanang kamay ko. The fresher and colder breeze of the wind kissed my bare arms and shoulder. I litetally shivered.

"Are you cold?" I felt that he wrapped me with his jacket. It smells like him.

"Asan ba kasi tayo? Bakit hindi ko pa puwedeng tanggaling ang piring ko?" I tried my best to sound frustrated but deep inside, I loved the thrills its giving me.

I found it so sweet, too. Biruin mong pinaghandaan niya ang anniversary namin, gayon ang ibang mga lalaki tulad ng mga naging boyfriend ng aking mga kaibigan, ay ni hindi man lang naaalala ang mga monthsary nila. Zach gave me a little something for our monthsary too. Eleven months and not once that he failed to surprise me. That's why, I'm drowning deeply inlove with this ideal man.

It took me fifteen nerve-wreaking steps to where his surprise awaits. I had to count just to keep my sanity in check.

This is it!

"Are you ready for my surprise, Sweetheart?" he whispered close to my right ear in a husky tone.

As if the tension wasn't enough to give me goosebumps all over my tingling skin. Not to mention the combination of his favourite body cologne and minty breath.

Why do you smell so yummy, Darling? What a tease!

"I do?" I nervously uttered. "I-I mean, yes, I do!" I immediately added.

I could feel his warm torso behind me as he hugged me from the back. Then, his hands travelled to the back of my head to remove my blindfold.

I fluttered my gorgeous eyelids to adjust from the sudden light.

"Wow!" I exclaimed in excitement.

I could see the famous Taal Lake from where we're standing! Its roughly shaped crater and breathtaking beauty were worth a thousand words.

The sceneric view was mesmerizing and our position was just perfect! His arms snaked around my waist while his chin was rested comfortably on my shoulder.

"Do you like it, Sweetheart?" His warm breath on my nape gave an unnamed sensation to my whole being.

Was he seducing me or am I just the one being naughty?

Ano ba, Joe? Zach has never been a perv and he's far from being one. He respected you so much.

True. Sa isang taon na magnobyo kami, hanggang halik lang kami sa lips, we never made out. Alam niya kasi ang prinsipyo ko na, kasal muna bago ang 'all the way down'.

"No..." Humarap ako sa kanyang nang naka-ismid. Nasilayan ko ang pagsalubong ng kilay niya at mabilis na paglaho ng kanyang ngiti. Ang sarap talagang asarin ng mokong na 'to, ang bilis mapikon. The corners of my lips lifted for an ear-to-ear smile. "I love it! And I love you!" Mabilis kong ipinulupot ang aking bisig sa kanyang leeg. Oh, how I love this man!

I heard him chuckled softly. "You're so mischievous." Ginantihan niya ako ng mainit at mahigpit na yakap. "That's why, I love you so much, too."

Ngayon ko lang napansin na nasa terrace kami ng isang... "Where are we?"

"We're at my uncle's private resort. Come, I'll show you around."

Dito sa kinatatayuan namin ay dalawang set ng round picnic tables for four. Pumasok kami sa glass door matapos niyang susian. The elegance of modern furniture in the living room welcomed us. Black leather L-shaped sofa, flat screen TV on top of the fireplace, glass coffee table, abstract paintings on the walls and blackout drapes on midnight blue. The kitchen has center island made of granite in black with three adjustable bar stools in white cushion. Even the kitchen cupboards were in white while the oven, microwave oven and fridge were in stainless steel. Napa-wow na naman ako sa aking isipan. Westernized style.

Umakyat pa kami sa taas at nandoon ang three bedroom na fully furnished na rin. May terrace na nagdudugtong sa mga silid at mas magandang mag-overlooking doon. Niyaya niya ko sa baba para kunin daw sa kotse ang pagkaing binili niya sa drive thru on our way here. Naka-park ang kotse niya sa garage na kasya ang dalawang sasakyan at sa gilid nito ay may outdoor pool na kidney shape.

Halata na may kaya ang pamilya ni Zach pero hindi ko ini-expect na may private resort pa sila. Para akong nakadama ng panliliit sa aking sarili. Marami pa pala akong hindi alam sa nobyo ko. Hindi pa nga niya ko naipapakilala sa kanyang pamilya. Ni hindi ko alam kung ano ang trabaho ng parents niya. Hindi kasi pala kuwento si Zach. Samantalang alam niya ang lahat ng detalye sa buhay ko.

Pinagsaluhan namin ang binili niyang lunch. Hindi talaga obvious na pinaghandaan niya ito dahil may dala siyang black two-piece bikini para sa akin at extra clothes. Ayaw ko nga sanang isuot 'yung bikini dahil sobrang daring. Kami lang naman daw dalawa dito, medyo malayo ang kapitbahay at walang ibang titingin sa katawan ko. Iyon na nga eh, kami lang dalawa. Hindi ba ko dapat kabahan?

I reminded myself that Zach will always respect me. Though, I felt like a frozen meat thawing little-by-little by the way he stares at me with luscious desire. He's sizzling hot as well on his black swimming trunk. His muscles are well-toned. I shyly drifted my glance.

Ano ba? You're so tempting, my darling. Hmm.

Before my senses could even relax, he attacked me like a ravishing predator and we fell in the pool. He's on top of me with his arms hugged my tiny waist line and he had a naughty smile, while I didn't expect it so, I drank a lot of water and gasped for air. One thing I'm sure that Zach knows, I am not a good swimmer especially that we're at the deeper side. He gave me a fretful gaze upon realizing that I'm gulping for oxygen. He immediately pulled me above the water and I coughed continuously.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart... I'm so sorry," he said apologetically while he kept on tapping my back then, kissed my forehead.

Nahinto na ang pag-ubo ko ngunit tumutulo ang luha ko dahil doon. "Lulunurin mo ba ko?" may halong pagtatampong sabi ko.

"No, I will never do that. I only want you to be drawn deeply inlove with me as I am with you." My heart skipped a beat and dragonflies on my tummy are dancing in glee.

Ano ba, Zach? Sige, pakiligin mo pa ko. Kalulunod ko lang eh, lulunurin mo na naman ako! Baka maihi ako dito sa pool. Pinagdikit niya ang mga noo namin habang magkahinang ang aming mga mata. Nababasa ko ang katapatan ng mga binitiwan niyang salita.

Noon pa ko lunod na lunod sa pagmamahal sa iyo, my Zachary!

His stare went down on my lips. I know that look he's making. I nodded as if answering an untold question. He tilted his head to the side as his head comes closer to kiss me.

I closed my eyes, waiting for that sweet and gentle kiss to land on my thirsty lips. I slightly opened my lips when I felt his. It started with a gentle measuring peck. The second one... wet. Unable to manage the hidden urges that I've kept for so long, even I went feisty. My arms snaked around his neck, pulling his lips deeper. As if on cue, our tongues played with each other.

He pulled my thighs around his waist. As if his tongue wasn't enough to break my mind, his thing added that finishing blow.

My head went crazy.

Sa sobrang pagkalunod ko ay ni hindi ko namalayan iniahon niya ko sa pool, without breaking our kisses until we needed to gasped for an air. Bumaba ako sa kanya at tumakbo paakyat habang humahagikgik, ngunit naabutan niya ko malapit sa pintuan. Napatili ako nang buhatin niya akong parang bagong kasal kami at tuluyang ipinasok sa loob ng bahay. Naramdaman ko ang paglapat ng likod ko sa malamig na leather sofa at nagpaibabaw siya sa akin.

His eyes were burning in sensual desire, and without any word, he attacked my lips once again like the thurderbolt. One of his hand was on my bosom, massaging it gently. My mind reminded me to push him away, but my body was already enslaved by the hottest sensation that made it forceless, more like numb. Everything happened so fast. The next thing I knew, his lips sucked the tip of my right mountain.

I cannot help myself anymore but to swallow another one of my own principle. A tear escaped from my very eyes as I am totally surrendering my virginity to the man I love most.

Napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang maramdaman ko ang marahang pagtapik sa aking balikat.

"Joe, nanaginip ka." Ang maamong mukha ni Lisa ang bumungad sa akin. "Umiiyak ka... kaya ginising na kita." May pag-aalala sa singkit niyang mga mata. "Napanaginipan mo naman ba ang baby mo?"

Umiling lang ako at ngumiti nang matipid. "Hindi. Pero hindi ko maalala kung ano ang panaginip ko," pagkakaila ko. That ain't just a dream. Those were the sweetest memories I had with him.

According to one of my favourite author in Wattpad, the Goddess of Air, "People can do some things that they're not even capable of doing... simply because they're inlove."

Hindi ko pinagsisihan ang araw na iyon dahil sa kanya ko lang naman ginustong isuko ang aking pagkabirhen. Sa kanya lamang.

The time came for us to go to the dance competition. Nauna na akong sumakay sa Hi-Ace van dahil sa pinakalikod ako pumuwesto. Medyo pagod pa ko dahil nag-practise ulit kami kanina nang magising ako.

I settled myself and closed my eyes. Si Lisa ang katabi ko at hindi ko napuna kung sinu-sino ang magkakatabi. Ang usapan kanina ay si Reena ang magdi-drive at malamang si Che-che o George ang nasa passenger seat. For all I care, as long as I'm comfortably leaning my back on my seat and trying to get a little more rest.

Naalimpungatan ako sa sabay-sabay at may kalakasang pagtatanong o pagkagulat, "Ano?!" Napaharap ako kay Lisa na nalilito sa kaganapan. Mabilis naman niyang ibinulong sa akin ang nangyayari. Hay! Nadamay pa yata sila sa kamalasan ko ngayong araw na ito.

I heaved a sigh of distress upon knowing that the police asked for two thousand pesos. Dinukot ko ang wallet ko at iisang daang piso na lang ang laman. Iniambag ko na iyon, magwi-withdraw na lang ako mamaya pag may nadaanan kaming ATM machine.

Muli akong pumikit nang pinayagan na kami ng mga pulis na lumarga. Dumating naman kami sa venue ng tama sa oras, ngunit binalot ako ng tensyon nang makita ang napakaraming tao. Sana naman ay huwag kong malimutan ang steps. Ayokong maging dahilan ng pagkabigo ng grupo namin.

I gave my very best in our performance, and I knew, each one of them did the same. Importante ang contest na ito sa grupo lalo pa't naghahanap daw ng bagong mga talents ang mga judges. Walang kaming imikan sa backstage dahil siguro sa kaba at pagod. Natamik na lang namin inintay na makatapos ang lahat ng contestant.

Our hands are intertwined with each other as we headed back to the stage to wait for the announcement of the top four. Worriment was painted on the face of each of us, especially when the top three was announced. I am silently blaming myself now for extending my unfortunate day to this event, until the host announced the final vanquisher, "Extreme Girls!"

I dispensed a breath of relief. I silently praised and gave thanks to our Almighty for this blessing. I set aside whatever dillema I had earlier. This is it! The opportunity that we, The Extreme Girls, were waiting for.

11.Oct.17