23 // Cheap Champagne

Dumulas pababa ang comforter mula sa ulo namin. Hindi pa tapos ang labi niya sa paggalaw.

I feel dizzy, intoxicated even. I pushed him a little. Nagkaroon ng puwang sa gitna ng labi namin. Our kisses were soft, but I still had to breathe.

"Vie..." he called with his voice hoarse. "Do you wanna stop?"

Nangangalo ang mata kong tumingin sa kanya. Seryoso ang mukha niya ngunit maingat ang mga tingin.

"O-oo, pero ikaw..."

Napangisi siya at kumagat sa labi. Hinapit niya ako sa bewang ko para madala ang katawan ko nang mas malapit sa kanya. My reflex made me instantly closed my eyes. Akala ko kasi mauuntog ako sa mukha niya.

Kapag ba nauntog ang noo ko sa kanya, need ko ring i-kiss iyon para hindi na sumakit?

Hmm. Alam kong hindi required, pero syempre tanong lang naman. Baka lang nag-iba na ngayon, e.

"What are you doing to me, Vie?" He chuckled a little before trying to dive in again. But then we heard a loud banging on his front door.

"Kuya!" someone yelled. "Pabukas pinto! Saw your car, I know you're already in! Nakalimutan ko keys ko!"

Oh my gosh... That's gotta be Jess!

Tayo kaagad ako, e! Napakagat-labi na lang ako kasi napangahan ko pa si Jerrick. Tumama kasi ang ulo ko doon sa bilis kong kumilos. Nawala na talaga ang pagiingat ko.

"Now you're a nervous Nellie, huh?" Humalakhak siya. Tumayo na siya habang hinihimas ang panga niya.

I looked over the balcony's railing. Itinatago ko na ang mukha ko.

"B-buksan mo na 'yong pinto..."

He exhaled loudly. "Yes, ma'am."

Dumaan siya sa likod ko, hinaplos niya ang parte ng ulo kong tumama sa kanya bago pumasok sa loob. Ngayon malaya ko nang nahawakan ang labi ko.

Ayos lang ba 'yon? Hindi naman kami pero... pinapak niya labi ko.

Tapos ako naman, pumayag lang. Napanguso ako. I think I'm gonna lose my strong, independent, hindi-marupok-hanggang-mamatay woman badge.

Napahilamos ako sa mukha at mahinang tumili. Frustrated tili, kasi hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. I mean, uu, parang marshmallow 'yong lips niya pero kasi... basta! Nagpapanic na ako. Tapos ngayon dumating pa ang kapatid niya.

"You have someone over?" I heard Jess asked his brother from the inside. "Bakit babae? Paano si Viennic—"

"Jess..."

"What?"

"That's her..."

Mas humina ang boses ng magkapatid, but I still heard them.

"Wait?! Your Viennica? Hala, pano mo siya nadala here? Kinaladkad mo ba? You're really mean."

Nagtalo sila nang may sabihin si Jess na hindi ko na naintindihan. Sinilip ko ang gilid para makita kung anong pinagtatalunan nila.

Napatingin si Jerrick sa akin kaya ginaya siya ng kapatid niya. Umayos lang ako ng tayo noong si Jess naman ang nakasalubong ng tingin ko. I faintly smiled. She's pretty, and she has Jerrick's features, only softer and feminine.

She beamed at me. She wiggled her fingers to say hello. "Hi, Ate Vie..."

"Hello..."

"Sleepover ka here?"

I looked at Jerrick, he just face-palmed for a sec. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ng kapatid para igiya paloob ng condo.

Jess just frowned at his Kuya, but she peeked a little on the side of his brother's shoulder to briefly smile at me. Ipinasok na siya nang tuluyan ni Jerrick sa isang kwarto.

"Uuwi na ako," I mumbled when he got back.

"Right. I better get you home before we could do anything crazy," sabi niya nang may halakhak.

Ano 'yong anything crazy?

Hindi ko na nga iisipin! Baka kasi kung ano na namang maisip ko tapos may masasabi na naman akong kakaiba, then we'll get awkward.

Habang nakasunod ako sa kanya paglalakad ay nakatulala lang ako. Ewan ko, ayaw ko na ulit tumabi sa kanya, e.

"Ayaw mo na sa tabi ko?" Napapangisi siya ngunit pinipilit itago. "Hindi ba masarap?"

Kanina pa niya ako iniinis nang ganyan! Alin! Alin ang hindi masarap?

Tumatawa lang niya akong hinayaang maglakad sa likuran niya. Inirapan ko lang siya at hindi sumagot.

Me and my smart mouth. I sighed.

But he kissed this smart mouth, oh my God!

Nang ihatid niya ako ay hindi na ako maayos na nakapagpaalam. Magulong bye lang sabay takbo. May mga konting tauhan pa ring natira sa loob ng bahay para magligpit kaya naging safe ako, 'di na niya ako nahuli para gumawa ng anything crazy na sinasabi niya.

Pagkatapos ko namang magshower at mag-ayos ay nagtalukbong kaagad ako ng kumot. I might spill something to Jules. And I don't kiss and tell!

"Alam na alam kong may tinatago ka sa 'kin, Viennica. Malalaman ko rin 'yan, kala mo..."

"Wala ahhh..." sagot ko tapos tsaka ko lang naalala na nagpapanggap nga pala akong tulog. Kaya naghilik ako nang malakas.

Ilang gabi ko kayang tinaguan si Jules. Ang hirap! Palagi akong nagpapanggap na tulog. Eh diba nga hirap akong makatulog kapag gabi.

Tuwing umaga naman nagpapaka-busy ako sa café para makaiwas. Medyo naiilang din ako kay Jerrick kapag lumalapit siya kaya lumalayo ako, pero kada ginagawa ko 'yon tinatawanan niya lang naman ako tapos hinila pabalik. At madali naman niya akong nahihila.

"'Wag kang lumayo, you're just making me want to chase you more," he said, always amused.

"Lagi ka nang nandito simula nung buhusan kita ng kape. Magsawa ka naman." I pouted.

Isiniksik ni Jules ang braso niya sa gitna namin ni Jerrick para paghiwalayin kami tapos doon siya dumaan.

"Ay, sorry. Nag-uusap ba kayo?" pa-inosente niyang tanong. "Sikip kasi sa daan, e."

Kahit obvious na malawak naman ang ginagalawan namin dito sa café ay hinanap ko pa rin kung saan iyong masikip na part.

"Hatid mo kami bukas kina Lolo," utos ni Jules kay Jerrick. "Dapat nandito ka na by 7pm. Bawal ma-late!"

Sinukat ni Jules ang tingin ni Jerrick. He looked like a kitten while excessively nodding, seemed scared of my cousin.

Mahal ko 'yang taong 'yan e, silang mga pinsan ko. Pero minsan talaga... nakaka-G-R-R! Hindi lang ako makapagreklamo minsan. Tulad ngayon.

We will be having the family dinner tonight at our grandparent's mansion for Lolo Gustin's birthday. And even when it's family only we all still dress up. Kaya ngayon ay inaayusan na naman ako ni Jules.

This time, she's applying a light make up on me. I know how to apply it myself, but I don't do it all the time so I'm still noob. Palagi lang talagang ginagawang canvass nina Snooki at Jules ang mukha namin ni Saige.

"Is Chris going?" I asked. May bumusina kasi sa labas. Tunog pa lang, alam ko nang sasakyan niya iyon.

"Yeah..."

"Eh bakit mo pinapunta si Jerrick?"

"Duh? Sasamahan ka niya. Wait, close your eyes!"

Ang mata ko naman ang inaasikaso niya para lagyan ng eyeshadow. Pagkamulat ko ay tiningnan ko sa salamin ang ginawa niya. The hood of my eyes were of soft brown and my lashes were curled. Jules said I didn't need lash extension because it's already long. I looked all natural tonight, but just with blinding highlights.

"Lips na lang," she said, looking at the scattered lipsticks on my vanity to pick for me.

"Let's do your lips mauve. Girl, I like this on you..."

Bubuksan na niya sana iyon, but then I just really needed to ask. Feeling ko sasabog ako 'pag hindi ko naitanong.

"Is that..." in a very low voice, I tried to start.

Hinintay niya ako. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin, naiinip na. Pero hindi ako makapagsalita. Hindi na rin ako makahinga!

Why's this happening?

"That, what?" she asked impatiently while her arms were crossed.

"Uhm, is that lipstick waterproof?" I asked shyly before looking at the ceiling.

"It's not kissproof, but this one really looks good on—" Napatigil siya at nanlaki ang mata. "Why do you suddenly care, Viennica?!"

"Huh? What?" I asked defensively. My heart's racing again! "It's for the champagne! I want my lips still colored after I drink."

"I swear, if you're onto any monkey business, I'll dress to kill..."

Ngumuso ako. "Fine, I'll just drink the cheap ones."

"Cheap or not, still the same. If you're going to kiss someone, kiss him with label, or kiss him in front of me," she snarled.

Ngumuso ako nang mas mahaba. Ang scary naman! I just asked the formulation of the lipstick but I got a sermon.

"Got it?"

I puffed out air. "'Kay..."

She finished with curling the tips of my hair. Pagkatapos ay nagbihis na ako. I wore a cream spaghetti-strapped maxi dress. It's satin so it's glossy and slippery. It has a slit on the right side that revealed the length of my legs when I walk.

I looked and felt comfortable in this. Except after I saw how Jerrick reacted when I got out. He's on a pink polo with its sleeves folded up on his forearm. He's leaning on his car. I saw his eyes looked drowsy and his lips weren't doing a good job holding off a silly smile.

Hindi nalaglag ang panga niya. Kaya naisip ko na baka hindi siya para sa 'kin. Pangarap ko kasi 'yon, like in movies, or in books.

I wore heels, and this wasn't much of a Viennica thing. That's why it was a challenge for me to walk toward his car. Pagkalapit ko, iyong pinto sa backseat ang binuksan niya.

Oh, not shotgun?

"Don't pop a question. I'm just your driver tonight," he said.

Sumiksik ako sa gilid nang magsimula siyang magmaneho. Ayokong makita ang sarili ko sa rearview mirror niya. Hindi ako mapakali. He's looking at me through the mirror every once in a while. Paano kung mabangga kami?

Nahuli kong ngumisi si Jerrick pagkatapos niya akong silipin. Nailang ako lalo bigla! I crossed my legs so I could ease stress through movement, and it revealed my legs.

Tumalon ako nang mapabusina si Jerrick out of the blue.

"Shit! Fuck..." he muttered, shaking his head disappointedly.

I looked outside, wala namang biglang tumawid. O baka hindi ko lang nakita. Kaya hindi ako naga-aral mag-drive, because I know I'll only be a dumb driver. I think I wouldn't be able to deal with reckless pedestrians like me.

Naka-convoy kami kina Jules at Chris. Habang papalapit na kami sa mansion ay napansin ko ring hindi na ako sinisilip ni Jerrick.

Nagbukas ang matayog na gate sa tulong ng dalawang nagbabantay doon. I missed this high black vintage gate. It's really tall, none of us could climb it to get to the other side. Yeah, well, maybe because it's not really for climbing. I just remembered that we used to have showdown, us cousins, during the dawn, see who could climb the highest!

Tumatakas kami mula sa mansion after our parents slept, then we'd race to the gates. Noong una pa nga ay hindi kami makapaglaro, epal kasi nina Kuya Guards. Pero dahil makukulit kami at kada gabi na lang kami bumabalik, hinayaan na rin kami ni Kuya Bernie. Cool siya, not like Kuya Romi. Siya kasi iyong nagsumbong noong nahulog si Ate Carina! Not cool, bro.

Inunahan ni Jerrick ang nakaabang na tauhan sa main entrance para pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

Inalalayan niya ako sa bewang ko. He placed his lips near my ears, "Have fun. Just tell me when will I pick you up."

Oh, he's leaving...

"Oy, Jerrick! Tsaka na kayo magyakapan after dinner. Hindi kayo bubusugin ng pagibig, okay, kids?"

Humiwalay tuloy si Jerrick. Ako rin, I moved away a bit.

"Love, you sound so bitter," natatawang kumento ni Chris sa pinsan ko na hindi siya pinansin.

"Jerrick, Kuya Romi will park your car. Let's go inside." Jules nodded toward the main entrance.

The lights on the grass in the facade were all on. The sprinklers were on, too. And because I could hear the jazz music from somewhere, it made the night spectacular.

"I'm not family—"

Jules gave him a challenging stare so he just pursed his lips. I bit mine. I feel really sorry. Baka ayaw niya talagang pumasok.

"Sorry..." I looked up to him. "Don't mind Jules. You can go already if you want."

He exhaled loudly, as if he just siphoned courage, then reached for my hands. "No, I'll go with you, Vie."

"Really?" I confirmed, hopeful. Kinakagat ko ang loob ng pisnge ko kasi... gusto ko lang.

Binuyog na kami ni Jules papasok ng main entrance. Ang pushy niya talaga! Like, literally and not.

We passed by the familiar corridor with pristine white marble walls. Above us was my Lola Safiya's grand chandelier.

After reaching the end of it, the jazz music got clearer. Nakalabas kami sa garden. Dramatic lights were scattered all over the place but topiaries and the grass has most of it. And the pathway that we're walking on now has flower petals.

"Jerrick..." tawag ko sa kanya. Malapit na kasi kami doon sa gitna kung nasaan ang grand table. "I'm sure my family will ask who you are to me."

Ngumisi siya. Malambing niya akong sinagot, "Anong gusto mong sabihin ko?"

I looked up to him only to wait and blink. Was that a trick question?

"'Wag ka na lang sumagot para iwas issue."

Diba ayaw na niyang masangkot sa mga ganyan?

My Mom stood to walk up to me. Humalik siya sa pisnge ko bago dinapuan ng tingin ang hitsura ko ngayong gabi. Mom smiled. Ganda 'no?

"Sit beside me and your dad," she said, tapos napansin niya si Jerrick sa likod ko. Mukhang ako ang matatanong kung sino at ano ko siya, ah!

Nanlalamig na ang kamay ko. I was used to being with one guy all my life that I didn't know if my family will approve other person for me.

"Hijo, ikaw na ba si Jerrick?"

Uh, sino ba siya dati?

Magalang naman siyang ngumiti at sumagot. "Yes, Tita. Jerrick Azarcon po."

"Yes, yes... I know you very well. My sister, Larina, told me you've been taking care of our reckless Viennica?" Tumawa nanay ko. Wow, ha, reckless?

Ito namang katabi ko, pabibo na naman.

"Did she already apologize for pouring coffee on you?" Ngumiwi nanay ko. Hala, naaalala niya pa pala 'to?

"It's okay po. Nagsorry na po si Vie. It was a really sweet apology," he told my mom. Siniko ko siya kaagad.

Change topic na nga, e...

"That's good. Dito na kayo umupo malapit sa amin." Tumingin sa akin si Mom. "Your dad's still on his way. He got stuck on traffic."

Our family is not yet huge, but not too small either. Si Kuya Lenard pa lang ang may anak. We're all of young generations, still.

Unti-unti kaming nakumpleto. I felt stronger each time, but while family was strength, cousins were still trouble.

Saige finally came with a sour mood with Snooki behind her back. When they both saw me, they just giggled silly. Ngumunguso sila sa lalaking katabi ko. Ganoon kabilis nagbago ang mood ni highness Saige.

Jerrick was talking to Kuya Mason, Saige's older brother. Hindi niya napapansin ang tingin ng mga pinsan ko dahil doon.

The rest of my cousins arrived just before Lolo Gustin came with his grand entrance. On his arm was Lola Safiya. Two cute oldie lovers what we all love.

They were accompanied with a violin that plays the happy birthday song. Nawawala ang mata nila sa pagngiti dahil sa saya. Lolo did not ask for any material gift because he only wanted us to give him all of our complete presence tonight. But we still got him and Lola gifts, though.

We caught up with each other's lives as we go on with the dinner. Kanya-kanyang kwentuhan ang lahat. Si Lolo Gustin naman ay siyang lumalapit sa bawat bisita niya ngayong gabi.

Jerrick stood up to greet my grandfather. Nagtaka si Lolo dahil sa bagong mukha.

Tumayo rin ako. Support support, ganon.

"Lo," tawag ko para sa akin siya tumingin. "Happy happy birthday, our first love."

Napapaiyak akong yumakap sa kanya. Marahang humalakhak si Lolo Gustin. I kissed his cheeks. His emotions was soft. Kitang kita sa ngiti niya ang pagmamahal ng pamilya sa kanya.

"My Viennica... thank you," lovingly replied Lolo. Binalikan niya ng tingin si Jerrick.

Oh, look who's shy now. Tinawanan ko siya tapos namula lalo ang tenga niya. He's blinking rapidly. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa sapatos niya at sa itaas.

Ayan, ayan... dito ka lang pala titiklop ha!

Sumbong ko kaya 'to sa pamilya ko na nanghahalik nang walang label?

Pero naisip ko, baka balikan ako ng sumasagot sa halik kahit wala ngang label.

"This is Jerrick, Lo. Friend ko po..."

Inilingan ako ni Lolo. "Iba ka rin palang gumalaw tulad ng iba mong mga pinsan. And you cannot fool me, my Viennica. I know young love when I see one."

"Luh, si Lolo..." Kumapit ako sa kurbata niya tapos bumulong. "Super friends lang kami, swear. Pero 'di ko po pala sure. Kasi ano, parang may something konti. 'Wag mo po sabihin."

"Ah, I have a term for this that I learned from Snooki..." Nagisip si Lolo sandali. Ano na naman 'to? "Hoka-girl ka,Viennica."

Aba, grampader?

Patagong bumungisngis si Jerkrick sa gilid ko. Ah, ganon?

"Jerrick," Lolo seriously called. "This is a family-event only. Now that you have stepped into our territory on my special day, I will expect you to be part of this family form here on out."

Napansinghap ako. Ang seryoso kasi ni Lolo! E, hindi naman 'yan ganyan. Medyo natakot din ako kasi nakita ko expression ni Jerrick. Takot din siya!

"Lolo naman..."

Nalaglag ang panga ni Jerrick pero nakabawi kaagad siya. With determined face, he replied, "Yes, sir."

"Good. We will talk later." Lolo looked down and sighed. "I have two suitors to talk to tonight. What a gift you and Saige has given me."

Humalik sa pisnge ko si grandfather bago kinamusta ang ibang family members.

Jerrick looked stunned. Sinundot ko ang biceps niya with my index finger.

"Sorry... dapat kasi 'di ka nagpapressure na pumasok dito."

Namumula pa rin ang mukha niya pero tinawanan na niya ako. "'Wag ka nang mag-sorry sa 'kin. Hindi bagay sayo ang mabait."

I glared.

"That's it. I like that. Bring me down with that stare, Viennica..." tumatawa niyang sabi.

"Hey, Vie!" Elon entered. Nakangisi siya sa aking umakbay. I looked up and saw his black round earring. "Pahiram kami kay Jerrick. Ayos lang ba?"

"What? No!" I hissed.

"Ang damot mo naman," said Hayes, an another galling cousin. Siya naman ay umakbay kay Jerrick. "Tara, pre... inuman tayo. Bawal weak. Weak ka ba?"

Pinukaw ko ang tingin niya. Umiling-iling ako para pagbawalan siya.

"Sensya na pre, but I have to drive Vie home. I won't drink tonight."

Tinanggal ko ang mabigat na braso ni Elon sa balikat ko. Humiyaw naman ang dalawa kong pinsan tsaka nag-chest bump.

"Pre, saan ka bang lupalop nanggaling? Taena kasi nitong si Wyatt, e! 'Di maganyan ganyan pinsan ko," said Hayes. Ngising ngisi siya kay Jerrick. Parang pasadong pasado na.

"Yeah, dude, pare, chong!" Marahang sinuntok ni Elon ang braso niya. "Ayusin mo, ha. Tara na ro'n sa bar area."

"Sa 'min muna, ha?" sabi ni Hayes bago nila tuluyang kinidnap si Jerrick.

I'm really in trouble after this.

Matapos ang dinner ay umiinom na ang lahat ng champagne. I'm in one table with the girls. Ngayon, nagkkwento si Saige na gusto niyang magpagupit ng buhok.

Pasilip silip ako kung nasaan si Jerrick. Sumali na pala si Kuya Lenard sa bilog nila. Sinasalinan naman ni Hayes ng champagne ang bibig ni Kuya Mason. Ugh! Animals.

"Jerrick has a studio on his condo," said Jules. Dito ako natinag. "He takes amazing photos!"

"Really? Will he shoot Vie there?" asked Saige.

"Oo nga! You could model a sunnies!" Kinuha ni Jules ang pinaglalaruan kong gentle monster sunglass.

"I'm Viennica, and I say..." she cleared her throat before trying hard to imitate me using a Titanic movie context. "Jerrick, take a photo of me wearing this... only this."

"Julia Esse!" hiyaw ko.

Ate Carina and Saige giggled together.

"That's so wild!" Snooki guffawed. "But cool. A modern day Rose."

Nahilo ako dahil sa pinagsasasabi nila. The night had been so crazy but still fun! Nothing really beats the chaos brought upon by our own family.

You love them yet you still wanna strangle them till they beg for release. Yup, strangle with love.

The night ended early for the oldies. And we, kids, concluded the night at around twelve midnight. Gusto pa sana naming magstay lahat, pero may kanya-kanya silang lahat kinabukasan.

Magkahiwalay pa rin kaming nakauwi ni Jules sa Mostaccio. At sa likod pa rin ako ng sasakyan pinasakay ni Jerrick.

Both of Jerrick and Chris' car were parked outside the house. Nagpapaalam si Jules kay Chris. May pa-hug hug na matagal pa siyang nalalaman tapos baby-talks. Ew.

Jerrick cleared his throat for the nth time.

Magkaharap kami sa tapat ng sasakyan niya, just saying nothing. Para kaming naghihintayan na may maunang magsalita.

He just kept on looking at the two tweetums near us. Napapatingin din ako sa pinsan ko. Hindi pa ba siya bibitaw? Tagal naman.

Sabay kaming nagulat ni Jerrick nang nagtaas ng boses si Jules. Now they're fighting? Oh, come on!

I sighed. Binasa ko ang labi ko. I still have lipstick left.

"Salamat kanina," nanginginig kong sabi kay Jerrick. "Sorry din ulit."

"Vie..." pagbabanta niya.

"Oo, na! Ayaw mo akong good girl." Umirap ako. He just laughed.

Tinapik niya ang braso ko at umatras. He gave me one quick nod. "Good night. Go in, Vie..."

Bigla akong natauhan. "Ah! Oo, okay, thanks! Bye..."

Para akong ewan na nagkumahog papasok ng bahay. Bakit nga ba kasi ang tagal kong nakatayo doon!

I slammed my door behind me only to hit Jules with it. Papasok na rin pala 'to kaagad pagkapasok ko?!

I breathed to get a hold of myself.

Ano... wala naman akong ineexpect, e. Ano lang... ang tagal lang kasi nila sa labas.

"Kukunin ko lang ang unan ko," masungit na sabi ni Jules. "I'll sleep in my room tonight because I'll cry."

"Okay?" maingat kong sabi.

'Di ko alam kung anong pinagawayan nila ni Chris, but I'm sure it's her fault anyway. Kaya kaya na niya 'yan. Big girl na siya.

I was about to take a reluctant shower but I received a telegram message. Takbo ako sa phone ko.

jrrick:
I really wanna go back to do something.

Viennica:
ikaw...

jrrick:
I'm already outside.

Hala ang bilis! Hindi pa ako nakakapagtanggal ng make up! But okay, whatever.

Pagkalabas ko ay nakita ko kaagad siya. He practically ran towards me. Pagkalapit ay ikinulong niya ako kaagad sa bisig niya.

"Hindi kita maalis sa isip ko, Vie..." he said achingly.

Naramdaman kong humalik siya sa ulo ko. It's a melt-worthy gesture. Pero ay, bakit doon?

He looked at me and caressed my jaw. Kinikilabutan na ako nang kagatin niya ang labi niya. He's not looking at my eyes anymore, he's feeding my lips his attention now.

Nanghihina ang mata ko tulad ng panghihina ng binti ko. I'm still on my heels but I still need to look a bit up to reach his face.

"You make me so so crazy, Viennica. I couldn't sleep easily at night, but now I know I won't be able to sleep at all if I don't do something I want right here, right now..."

"A-ano ba 'yon?" I blinked.

Mas binasa niya ang labi niya habang nangingiti. Nakapulupot pa rin ang braso niya sa bewang ko. Few inches between us still felt like miles.

Ano bang iniisip niya? Bakit... parang ang bagal niya?

I pursed my lips. "Uhh, my lipstick's not kissproof."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. Pero ilang segundo lang ay tinatawanan na niya ulit ako.

I parted my lips to say something but he only claimed this opportunity to kiss it. He gently moved his lips on mine without prologue.

It's just a slow movement yet really intimate. Sa paggalaw niya ay tila kinakabisado niya ang labi ko. I gripped both of my hands on his polo, the part above his chest. Sinubukan kong gayahin ang ginagawa niya at naramdaman kong ngumiti siya habang humahalik.

He stopped for a while to say something. I opened my eyes with dazed vision.

"I want to cuss so hard, but I touched your lips just now that it feels very sinful."

Binalik niya ang labi niya sa akin at sinalubong ko lang iyon. With my little movements, I made him crazy. With his gentle movements, he made me crazier.

"Vie, please, stop me..."

Now he's just planting kisses on top of my lips. I'm closing my eyes each time he did that.

Pipigilan ko ba siya? Siguro, mamaya na...

"Why aren't you stopping me?" Humalakhak siya. Umirap ako.

Hindi ko siya pinansin kaya nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pagdampi-dampi ng halik sa akin.

So this was what real kissing felt like, huh? And uhm, I kinda like it.

Kinda.