Chapter 27

That's just the start of my many encounters with Giselle. 

Simula noong birthday ni Note, palagi na siyang sumasama sa grupo. Everyone was so weird out and surprised when she started hanging out with us even if no one asked her to tag along. We tried to ask her about it the most subtle and gentler approach but she insisted that she just want to befriend us.  

She also bid her apology to me... and I accepted it. Not that it's genuine, though. Halatang napilitan lang dahil alam niyang mabigat ang loob sa kanya ni Note dahil sa ginawa nito dati sa 'kin. Note became more and more protective of me especially when she's with us.

"Ang galing mong tumugtog!" salubong niya kay Note pagbaba namin ng stage. 

It's a valentine's night and we were asked to perform. Lagi na naman siyang nakadikit sa grupo. Iyong 17th birthday celebration ko lang last Sunday ang hindi niya napuntahan. I invited her, though. She just did not attend. 

Inabot niya 'yung towel at tubig kay Note. Nagkatinginan kami ni Maya. Maya, the kind and warm that she is, didn't even show Giselle her friendly side. Ayaw na ayaw niya rito. The boys are still distant with her even after the month she's been voluntarily hanging out with us, but good thing that they try to act civil towards her.

"Inom ka na muna!" Giselle urged him with the bottled water.

Lucky snorted before walking close to me.

Inabutan din ako ni Maya ng tubig. Medyo marami kasi kaming kinanta kaya nauhaw talaga ako. Note's eyes searched for me when he noticed that I wasn't on his side. Nang nagtagpo iyong tingin naming dalawa, ngumiti ako tsaka ipinakita 'yung tubig ko. He smiled.

"Naiirita talaga ako sa kanya, Cady," Maya whispered when we were already heading to our table. 

May kaunti pang program kaya kailangan pa naming mag-stay.

"Hayaan mo na. That's better than her inflicting war against me," I replied.

"Are you not bothered, though? She's a flirt!"

I smirked. "I am assured."

Though in the contrary, Giselle learned how to fix herself and make herself more feminine than the last time. Marami na ring nagpapahayag ng paghanga sa kanya. Umiksi iyong uniform niya, naging matapang ang pabango. She's being a woman now... and I know for whom it is.

It bothers me, too. Naiirita rin ako tuwing nagiging touchy siya kay Note, though Note's always distancing himself from her. I am always possessive and territorial. Ultimong mga flings ni Cliff, inaaway ko pa pag hindi ko nagugustuhan. Kay Note pa kaya?

I opened it up the last time he accompanied me in our home after his birthday celebration. I kind of woke up early that morning to cook something for him. Nagpaturo ako kay Mommy. Ilang beses akong umulit dahil laging pangit 'yung kinakalabasan ng lasa, but after a very long while, may natapos din ako. Kaya muntik na akong ma-late no'ng tanghaling 'yun sa kanila. 

Tumulong sila Manang Geling sa pag-set up ng picnic spot sa gitna ng garden namin. It's like a simple date. Nagpalatag ako ng picnic mat doon at mayroon ding tent sa gilid. Doon kami matutulog overnight. 

We talked about most random things while looking up the dark sky for the glinting stars. It was simple... but it's precious. Umikot sa kung saan-saan 'yung topic namin hanggang sa napunta ang usapan kay Giselle.

"I think she really likes you," sabi ko habang nakahiga kami at magkatabi sa picnic mat.

Pareho kaming nakatingin sa langit. It was dark but also looks fascinating because of the glinting stars. There were so many. Naalala ko tuloy 'yong mga babaeng nagkakagusto sa kanya. Maraming humahanga sa kanya, maraming nagko-confess sa iba't ibang paraan. I never saw him entertaining anyone. How surprising it was to know that he's actually in love with me. It's unexpected.

"Does it really matter?" tanong niya sa medyo paos nang boses.

Nilingon ko siya sa tabi ko. I discovered that he's watching me closely while I was being fascinated by the sky. Titig na titig siya sa akin kaya lumala na naman 'yung maingay sa dibdib ko. Ngumuso ako.

"She's making it obvious earlier, if you didn't notice," panunuya ko. "Masyado siyang vocal sa nararamdaman niya. Hindi mo ba halata?"

Tumagilid siya ng higa paharap sa 'kin. I cleared my throat. Masyado siyang naka-focus sa mga mata ko kaya umiwas ako ng tingin sandali pero ibinalik din agad no'ng nagsalita na siya.

"It's not a big deal to me. It's you who I want," he replied simply, still looking my way.

I sighed and shifted my back to face him, too. Magkaharapan na kaming dalawa, parehong naka-unan sa kanya-kanyang nakatuping braso. 

"Bakit ako?" I asked him. No'ng araw na nag-confess siya, hindi niya naman sinagot iyong tanong ko. Ngayon, magbabaka-sakali uli ako. "Ang dami nilang may gusto sa 'yo. Why choose me instead?"

The side of his lips slowly rose, still melting me with his intense stares. Nilakasan ko ang loob ko na salubungin 'yung tingin niya.

"I really don't know exactly why..." he replied reason why I rolled my eyes. He briefly laugh. "Pero no'ng hindi ko pa alam, dumating ako sa punto na kapag hindi kita nakikita, hinahanap agad kita. I then wanted you to just stay by my side where I can always see you around. Hindi ako mapakali pag lumalayo ka, o kapag may kausap kang ibang lalaki... na halatang may gusto sa 'yo."

I slowly smiled. "You're jealous even before you confessed?"

He chuckled. "Sobra."

"Parang hindi naman..."

"I have to get a grip of myself. Magkaibigan lang naman tayo noon. I don't want to scare you away if I suddenly acted like a jealous boyfriend. Kailangan kong habaan 'yung pasensya ko kahit na ang daming nagpapapansin sa 'yo. Maybe it helps me to know that you're still not interested by then."

Pakiramdam ko ay may humahaplos sa puso ko. By the way he talks, it's like he's reciting what his dreams are. He's so full of passion and it's obvious in his eyes. 

I raised my hand and let the fingertips of my index finger touch his eyebrows. Pinadausdos ko iyon paibaba sa tangos ng ilong niya. He then caught my hand and wrapped it with his. Dahan-dahan niyang inilapit 'yon sa labi niya bago niya pinatakan ng halik 'yung likod ng palad ko.  

It's just a kiss on my hand but I flushed so hard. Umawang ang labi ko.

"If I were to choose another girl in my next lifetime, I still want it to be you..." Pinatakan niya uli ng halik 'yong palad ko. "Thank you for preparing this surprise, princess. It's one of the best birthdays I had with you."

I smiled. "Mag-aaral pa ako ng ibang putahe... then I'll cook for you again."

He nodded. "I'd love that."

Nahagip ng tingin ko 'yung wristwatch ko. Malapit nang mag-12 am.

"Matatapos na birthday mo..." 

Lumapad 'yung ngiti niya. "That's why I feel so happy today. Kasama kita hanggang matapos 'yung araw ko. Can we do this, too, for your birthday? I want to be the last person you are with before your day ends. If you would let me."

I nodded too eagerly. "Of course!" 

Lalong lumapad 'yung ngiti niya. He scooted closer. Sa pagkabigla, naipikit ko agad 'yung mata ko. My heart was booming all over my insides but then, it stopped a bit when I felt Note's lips drop on my forehead. 

Oh... sa... noo lang... pala. 

Ramdam ko 'yung pag-ngiti niya habang nasa noo ko ang labi niya.

He then wrapped his arm around my waist to push me closer. Ipinaunan niya rin ako sa braso niya kaya sobrang hapit na niya ako ngayon. Pakiramdam ko, mahihimatay na ako sa sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. 

"I'd tell you a secret," sabi niya habang nakayakap sa 'kin.

"Tungkol sa'n?"

Sumiksik na ako sa leeg niya. He smell so nice... Amoy na amoy ko iyong paboritong pabango niya. He smell so manly. 

"Hmm..." He caressed my hair. It feels so comfortable. "About how am I so in love with you," he professed. Humigpit 'yung yakap niya sa 'kin. Mas lalo namang lumakas 'yong pagwawala ng puso ko. "So in love... that I'm so sure you're the one I'm gonna marry..."

My mouth parted and I panted a little on what I heard. Sobra na 'yung nararamdaman ko...

"S-sigurado ka na ba diyan?" I faintly asked. Tatakasan ako ng boses sa sobrang overwhelm na nararamdaman sa mga naririnig ko sa kanya, e...

"Never been so sure," he said. "May oras ka pa para makawala." He chuckled a little.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanya. Nagtagpo iyong mga mata namin. Ilang sandali kaming nagkatinginan hanggang nag-hinang ang tingin namin sa isa't-isa. Ngumiti ako.

"Paano na kaya 'yun? Wala na akong balak kumawala..." I gently told him.

Nakita ko 'yung pagkabigla niya sa sinabi ko.  

Ngumiti ako uli. Inangat ko ang ulo ko tsaka lumapit sa kanya. Tinitigan ko nang mabuti iyong mukha niya. His thick eyebrows are slightly frowning yet his confused brown eyes looks at me, half amazed. My gaze crawled over his pointed nose down to his curvy lips. Bago pa makapag-isip ng kung ano, ibinaba ko na ang mukha ko at inilapat iyong labi ko sa labi niya.

I shut my eyes closed while feeling his lips against mine. Nanlalambot iyong pakiramdam ko kaya medyo bumagsak 'yong katawan ko sa kanya. I can feel his hand on my back, supporting me. I tilted my head a little and gently bit his lower lip. Humiwalay ako, nanlalambot pa rin, naka-awang na ang labi. When I looked at him, I saw how he mirrored my expression.

"You..." he trailed off.

Parehas kaming medyo hingal habang nakatingin sa isa't-isa. His ears were all red... while I feel like I'm gonna collapse in feeling so much. 

I sighed once and gathered my self confidence and courage altogether before spitting all the words out.

"Mahal na rin kita, Note," I professed abruptly.

His eyes slightly widened and his lips parted more. Umakyat iyong init sa mukha ko kaya panigurado akong sobrang pula na ng mukha ko ngayon.

"D-dati, gusto lang kita... ngayon, sigurado ako na... m-mahal na rin kita."

Sandali pa siyang naka-tingin sa akin bago siya kumilos. He cursed softly. Bumangon siya at umupo. Nataranta ako kaya umupo rin ako para harapin siya. I thought he was frustrated about my confession that he wouldn't accept it in no time dahil binigla ko siya. But then, he reached for my nape and enclosed the space between us for another kiss.

This time, it's not as simple as our kiss earlier. It's now deep and... demanding.

I gasped because I didn't expect it to happen again. His kisses came to me softly and gently. Parang ingat na ingat siya sa ginagawa niya. Because of my gasp, my mouth are now parted. He grazed his tongue on my lower lip and gently nibble on it. I tried to copy the movements of his lips while my hand crumples on his shirt over his chest. 

Dahan-dahan niyang hinahaplos ang leeg ko habang ginagawa namin 'yon.

He cursed again against our kiss and nipped my lip a little before pulling away. Pareho kaming humihingal habang nagkatitigan, both of our mouth are parted.

I looked down his lips. Sobrang pula na...

Hinaplos niya 'yung panga ko hanggang mapunta siya sa ibabang labi ko. Nakatingin lang siya roon. He slightly caressed it, causing it to parted more.

He leaned closer again. Dahan-dahan niyang pinatakan ng tatlong mababaw na halik ang naka-parte ko pa ring labi. Lumayo na siya agad pagtapos.

Nagbuntong hininga siya. Umakyat iyong tingin niya sa mga mata ko.

"Pwedeng paulit?" he gently asked.

"H-ha?" tanong ko habang hinihingal pa rin. Anong uulitin? 'Yung halik? Ako uli iyong hahalik?

"What you said... pwedeng paulit..."

Oh! 'Yung confession pala. Lalong uminit iyong mukha ko.

"Ano..." Huminga ako nang malalim. "I-I'm saying... that... I also... fell in.. love with... you. So...  our feelings were... the same.."

Gusto kong umiwas ng tingin pero gusto kong makita 'yung reaksyon niya kaya nanatili sa kanya 'yung tingin ko. He bit his lower lip while he's shaking his head slowly.

"Are you sure?" he probed more.

"Kung hindi ako sigurado, hindi kita h-hahalikan," I stammered.

The side of his lips shut up but he tried to stifle it. "That was our first kiss."

What I feel was too much. Umiwas na ako ng tingin kasi 'di ko na kayang salubungin iyong tingin niya. Pakiramdam ko, sasabog na ako.

Naramdaman ko na lang na binalot niya ako sa braso niya at bumagsak sa dibdib niya. Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit.

"Thank you for loving me, Skylah. God knows how... I love you so much."

Ganoon din ang ginawa namin pagtapos ng birthday ko last Sunday sa bahay nila. We went to their rooftop with another tent and we slept there... together... after talking and kissing. But before that, that night... he slid a promise ring on my finger. Music note iyong design nito sa gitna. It has mini diamonds and it glitters even in a soft light.

I can remember his words so clearly.

"Para sa tuwing makikita mo 'to, maaalala mo kung sino 'yung babaeng pakakasalan ko."

I smiled at the thought. Napatingin ako sa daliri kong suot ang singsing doon. 

"She acts like a crazy fangirl!" iritado pa rin na reklamo ni Maya sa 'kin.

Tinawanan ko na lang siya. Umupo kami sa upuang kaharap ng isang round table. Another program starts so the light has dimmed again. Tumabi sa 'kin si Note at umupo agad sa tabi niya si Maya. I chuckled. Tinignan pa niya ng masama si Giselle dahil nakipag-unahan din iyong isa sa pag-upo roon. 

Jessi sat down beside Maya kaya sa gitna ni Guilbert at Lucky umupo si Giselle kung sa'n ay kaharap namin. 

I focused on the mini performance on the stage. Napatuwid ako sa pagkakaupo nang maramdaman iyong pag-hawak ni Note sa kamay kong nasa ibabaw ng legs ko. Pinagsalikop niya 'yung mga daliri namin.

I looked at him as I contain my smile. Nakatingin lang siya sa stage pero nakita ko kung paano umangat ang magkabilang gilid ng labi niya nang hinigpitan ko 'yung pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya.

I smiled again as I channel my attention to the performers on stage.