Invisible Strings

4

I stupidly hid the alcohol behind my back kahit na alam kong nakita na naman niya.

"What are you doing here?" I tried to mask fear with indifference. Nakipaglaban siya ng titigan sa akin. Doon ko lang narealize na may pagka-gray ang mga mata niya.

"You haven't answered me, Bellalina."

I don't know if he was mocking me or he's just being sarcastic but I didn't care anymore. I broke down, there and there. Bellalina was my cue. It was a name I hoped to have, a person I prayed I could stay with.

Ang bigat na nararamdaman ko ay parang ulan na bumuhos nang walang paalam. He was quick to hold me when I was about to sit as I felt my body weaken.

"Run away from me before I burn you to hell." I cried. Humagulgol ako habang nakatitig lang siya sa akin at hinahayaan akong umiyak.

"Why? Are you a murderer?"

Umiling ako kahit na pakiramdam ko ay nakapatay ako ngayon.

"Ohh, an arsonist then." He said playfully. Patuloy parin ako sa pagiyak. When was the last time I cried like this? Ahh, when Sab died.

Marahan niyang kinuha sa kamay ko ang kanina ko pang hawak na keycard. He opened my suite and led me inside. Inupo niya ako sa kama at iniwan doon. Hinayaan ko nalang siya sa kung ano man ang gusto niyang gawin when he suddenly disappeared in front of me. Only to come back with a glass of water.

"Qofte I have a news for you. I'm Stephen Straus and I'm fireproof." He held my hands and kissed them tsaka niya pinainom sa akin ang tubig na dala niya.

"Fuck you! What are you talking about?" Mahinang tanong ko. I am still sniffing myself from crying and I'm pretty sure I looked like a mess right now.

"I don't care if you lied to me or what.. we'll talk about that later but I want you to know that I don't mind burning if it's you."

"Fuck no!"

"Yes."

"No!"

"I said it. It's a yes."

"No.. I can't burn you. I don't wanna burn you." Naiiyak na sabi ko.

"Hush, then don't burn me and please stop crying my Qofte.." Lumabi siya, dahilan para lalo akong maiyak.

"Stephen.. you don't even know me" I trailed off.

"I know that.. so I decided to know you. I wanna know you, Qofte." My heart started beating like crazy.

"B-but you don't know me, Stephen."

"I don't care about what you did in the past. I'll live with the present version of you and maybe even the future. What I'm saying is.. since I cannot live with you in the past, I'm letting that go. I can be with you today and tomorrow Qofte.."

Gulat, hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa. Lalo na nag lumebel ang mga mukha namin at walang pagpipigil niya akong hinalikan. His hot mouth filled covered mine in every direction.

One touch on my bare back and it sent me tingles. He slowly made me lie down in the bed with him. He was already on top of me, as he balanced his weight.

Am I going to play with fire now?

I closed my eyes and let his lips dance with mine. Naramdaman ko ang mabagal na pag-abot niya sa strap ng damit ko. One right move, my dress will fall on to my feet and I will be very naked. I felt the upper garment loosen as his hands travelled over my chest.

Pumikit ako sa kadahilanang alam kong wala ng atrasan ito. This is it.

He licked my showing breast and I moaned. Wala pa siyang ginagawa ay parang mababaliw na ako. Bumalik siya sa paghalik sa mukha ko. He kissed me passionately and I focused my energy on kissing him back.