DESPEDIDA GONE WRONG. What's supposed to be a memorable send-off party ends up in tragedy as the celebrant drops dead after making a toast. Of all the possibilities, murder seems to be most likely scenario. And the suspects? The four attendees who w...
Oops! Ang larawang ito ay hindi sumusunod sa aming mga alituntunin sa nilalaman. Upang magpatuloy sa pag-publish, subukan itong alisin o mag-upload ng bago.
ANASTACIA
ZACK AND I went to the balcony of his house's second floor. Tanaw rito ang iba pang bahay sa subdivision. Gabi na kaya puro ilaw ang nakikita namin. The rest of his guests waited for their turn in the living room. Parang may one on one consultation kami sa kanya. Tatawagin ang susunod at aakyat dito kapag tapos na ang isa.
He sat in a steel chair by the glass round table near the balustrade and motioned his hand to another chair. May limang seats na naka-ready, saktong-sakto sa 'min. I sat in the chair next to him so we could enjoy the same view. Ilang minutes din kaming nanahimik pareho, parang ine-enjoy ang katahimikan.
"Do you think this is a perfect spot for a toast later?" he asked, breaking minutes of awkward silence. "The view here is not spectacular, but the evening breeze is refreshing."
"It is." Sandali kong isinara ang aking mga mata at huminga nang malalim. I filled my lungs with the air. Nakare-relax nga at nakagagaan ng loob ang hangin dito sa taas. For a second, I almost forgot that—
My train of thought was interrupted when I felt something on my lips. Agad kong iminulat ang mga mata ko at napansing halos magkadikit na ang mga mukha namin ni Zack. He was kissing me gently, parting his lips briefly before kissing me again. His eyes were closed, so did mine. In-enjoy ko ang moment na 'to. Baka heto na ang huling beses na magdadampi ang mga labi namin.
His lips tasted different from Cole. I wanted more, but he pulled his head back and stared at me right in the eye.
"Sorry for that," he muttered. "I should have asked for your consent."
If I were just an ordinary student, I would have run down the stairs and screamed "harassment!" But Zack and I shared intimate moments together. Him kissing me out of the blue wasn't new to me. If he had formally asked for my consent, I would have still allowed him to do it.
Sana'y walang tagalabas na nakakita sa ginawa namin. Well, the balcony was dimly lit. At best, they just probably saw two silhouettes going for a kiss.
"Do you mind?" Zack offered his right hand to me, palm facing up. My hand moved closer to his until our palms made contact. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya nang mahigpit. Again, there's little to no chance of anyone seeing us here. Wala akong dapat na ikabahala o ikatakot. Cole wasn't here, so he wouldn't get jealous.
Silence ensued as we looked up at the twinkling stars above. Not a single word was uttered. Just the two of us quietly enjoying the moment. The world had been so busy and noisy, sa ganitong simpleng scenes ko naa-appreciate ang kapayapaan at katahimikan.
"Des told me that you and Cole came here together in his car," Zack broke his silence, slowly turning his head to me. Nakita ko ang curiosity sa mga mata niya, parang humihingi ng confirmation mula sa 'kin.
I also turned to him, but I quickly cut my gaze away. Hindi ko in-expect na 'yon ang unang pag-uusapan namin dito. "Sinundo niya ako sa 'min. My mom feels assured of my safety if he fetches me at home."
