Celestial Strings Tied To You

Chapter 08

Napangiti ako nang maalala ko ang araw na 'yun.

"I was at the lowest point of my life. Then I met you. Who would have thought that those simple words of yours will change my view of life?"

Nakatingin lang si Vince sa akin. Nakikinig sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"But don't get me wrong, Vince. Hindi ka rebound, totoong naka-move on na talaga ako sa kanya." Ngumiti ako at huminto sa paglalakad saka humarap kay Vince.

"I kept thinking, bakit mo ako sinagot agad, Julie?"

"Why not?" I paused. "I didn’t say yes because I was trying to move on or forget about him. I said yes because you were there. You're honest and kind to me. You made me feel safe and comfortable. After what I’ve been through... that meant more than flowers or words. That meant everything. I’ve had someone chase me and still betrayed me. You didn’t chase… but you showed up. And that was enough for me. You didn’t try to win me... you just stayed. And that was all I needed, Vince. And I love you for that." Nagulat ako dahil bigla nalang siyang umiyak.

"Hey." Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya. "It's okay." Naramdaman kong nababasa ang balikat ko pero hinayaan ko lang siya.

I never saw a man who cried before. Not Dad. Not Kuya. No one.

"Thank you, Julie. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam na may nagmamahal sa'yo." Bahagya siyang lumayo at nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha niya at tinapik ang buhok niya.

"Do you want to sneak out?" Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung bakit lumabas 'yun sa bibig ko.

"What?" Tumawa ako. "Sure." Nanglaki ang mga mata ko.

"Seryoso?!" Ngumiti siya at tumango. "Let's watch a movie in my room then."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Vince at aalis na sana ako pero hindi siya humakbang kaya tumingin ako ulit sa kanya.

"I-in your room?"

"Oo. Alangan naman sa living room? May mga guests doon. Sigurado akong—nandito na nga sila. Magdala nalang tayo ng dinner doon."

Wala nang nagawa si Vince kung 'di sundin ang gusto ko. Siya 'yung kumuha ng pagkain para sa aming dalawa habang nauna na ako sa kwarto ko para i-prep ang tv at para na rin magpalit ng damit.

No matter how beautiful this dress is, I still find it uncomfortable. Kasi naman kitang-kita ang cleavage ko. Uncomfy kaya.

"Julie, I'm—nasaan ka?"

"Wait! Give me a minute, nagpapalit pa lang ako ng damit."

"Okay, maghahanap nalang muna ako ng movie."

Hindi ako nagsalita dahil abala pa ako sa pagtatanggal ng zipper. Humarap ako sa salamin para tingnan kung paano buksan 'yung zipper ng dress ko na nasa likod. Kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko talaga ito mabuksan.

My arms were starting to ache, and the more I struggled, the more frustrated I got. Napamura nalang talaga ako dahil wala na akong ibang choice.

"Vince? Help." Seconds later, kumakatok na siya sa pinto.

"Julie? May prob—" Binuksan ko ang pinto at tumigil siya sa pagsasalita at tumalikod.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm still wearing my dress." Humarap siya sa akin at tiningnan ako na para bang naguguluhan kung anong nangyayari.

Damn. Is this the right thing?

Bakit naman kasi parang ang bilis ng pangyayari sa buhay ko these past few months?!

Tinalikuran ko siya at humakbang para humarap sa salamin para hindi niya makita ang mukha ko.

“'Yung zipper ko kasi, hindi ko maabot. Can you..." I thrilled. Pero mukhang naintindihan niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin.

Pumunta siya sa likod ko at nakatingin lang ako sa kanya sa salamin. Hinawakan niya ang zipper ko at imbes na sa likod ko ay sa akin sa tumingin—sa salamin.

Napalunok ako. Randam na randam ko ang biglang pagbabago ng hangin.

He didn’t speak as his fingers found the zipper, but I felt it. The slight brush of his skin against my back. It was barely anything, but I froze. I hated how aware I suddenly became of everything... the warmth of his hand, the soft sound of his breath, the way the room felt too small all at once.

What is this?! Para akong mababaliw sa tension na 'to.

“Tapos na."

I should’ve moved. I should’ve stepped away and thanked him, like a normal person.

But I didn’t.

And he didn’t either.

"Vince?" I slowly turned. Nang nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ay napalunok ako.

"Hm?"

It was like everything else fell away. No noise. Just him.

Just us.

I didn’t know who leaned in first. Maybe we both did.

But the moment our lips touched, I stopped thinking. It wasn’t rushed. It was slow and it felt real.

Parang ang landi ko na pero... I didn’t even realize I had been craving until that very moment.

And fuck it. Bumagsak pa 'yung dress ko sa sahig dahil napaatras ako nang hawakan ni Vince ang pisngi ko.

This is just so... intense.