A Taste of Love [YWFF Book 2 - Stacie's Story]

Love # 32: Tagaytay

[STACIE JAIDE YOUNG'S POV]

Tahimik kaming dalawa sa buong byahe namin papuntang Tagaytay.

I can't help but feel nervous, and at the same time, excited; nervous because any moment now, mapapansin ni Vina na nawawala kami ni Mark, excited, because it's just the two of us, away from our reality.

My hands were resting on my lap when I felt his right hand on top of my left hand. Tiningnan ko ang kamay n'ya at muli kong nakita yung bracelet n'ya, it was a plain bracelet, panlalaki iyon at may napansin akong letters na naka-ukit doon, M-A-T, Mark Aeolus Tuan.

He squeezed my hand lightly dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya.

He stole a glance at me before looking back again at the road. He never let go of my hand and I just let him be, turning my gaze outside the window, my heartbeat twice it's normal pace.

Sighing, I returned my gaze to his hand holding mine, the warmth of his hand spreading on top of my hand. Iginalaw ko ang kamay ko, turning it around so that I can hold his hand as well, intertwining my fingers with his.

Tiningnan ko s'ya at tumingin s'ya sa akin before squeezing my hand lightly and smiling at me.

After an hour or two, nakarating kami sa Tagaytay. He stopped at a place kung saan puro kainan ang nadoon. Una s'yang bumaba at umikot s'ya para pagbuksan ako ng pintuan at tsaka ako bumaba sa sasakyan n'ya.

He locked the car at tsaka n'ya hinawakan muli ang kamay ko and lead me dun sa may view ng Taal lake. It was almost 5pm kaya unti unti na rin na lumulubog ang araw. Pero maganda pa rin ang view nito, kitang kita ang isang bahagi ng "Smallest Active Volcano" dito sa Pilipinas na s'yang dinarayo ng mga turista kapag napupunta sila dito sa Tagaytay.

Binitawan ko ang kamay n'ya at lumapit ako sa may railings at tsaka huminga ng malalim, dinadama ang malamig na hangin na umiihip ngayon. Kung malamig na kanina sa Manila, mas malamig ngayon.

I wrapped my arms around myself, but that didn't stop me from shivering, lalo na at nakalimutan kong isuot ang academy coat ko, plus my skirt is an inch above my knees.

I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip when I felt his arms wrapped around me, his right hand gently caressing my left arm to somehow warm me up, and to calm my nerves.

He leaned his chin on my shoulders habang nakayakap s'ya sa akin mula sa likuran ko. I opened my eyes and turned to face him, his face an inch away from mine.

"Mark." I started pero inilapat n'ya ang noo n'ya sa noo ko.

"Don't say anything." sabi n'ya. "Let's stay like this for a while."

Hindi ako nakaimik sa sinabi n'ya and he just closed his eyes.

"D*mn it, this feels so right." He said, his voice raspy.

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko and I cupped his cheeks.

Can I be selfish, kahit ngayon lang? Can I think of my own happiness even for a second? Can I show him how much I love him and how much I want to be with him, kahit na limited lang ang oras namin?

I let out a bitter laugh with that thought. Who am I kidding? After this day, everything will go back to the way it was, to the reality we need to face. Na oras na bumalik kami sa Manila, we would act like nothing happened between us. That he would be back to the arms of his girlfriend, while I'm left alone.

He opened his eyes and look directly into my eyes, staring into me, trying to read me.

Babawiin ko na sana ang kamay ko pero hinawakan iyon before turning his head sideways and he kissed the palm of my hands bago n'ya inilapat muli sa pisngi n'ya.