In His Paradise (Completed)

Kabanata 14

I was utterly shocked by the sight. Umupo ako sa banig at ninamnam ang kalambutan ng rose petals sa aking balat.

Umupo si Luke sa harap ko at niyakap ang gitara.

"You liked it?" Tanong niya. Tumango ako.

"Very much," wika ko at ngumiti. Pinisil ko ang mga petals na nasa binti ko. Nagdidiwang ang loob ko. Why does he have to be so sweet?

Kinaskas niya ang gitara. Ang kanyang ekspertong mga daliri ay lumapat sa bawat strings. I watched him intently as he unexpectedly started singing the song Crazy For You.

I stared at him in surprise. My heart slamming hard again my chest as I look at his lips curving and moving from the words.

"...What I'm tryin' to say is that..
I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss..

He was staring at me intently while singing the song. And I had nothing to do but gulp as he utter the last words of the song..

..I'm crazy for you.."

Ilang ulit niya pang kinanta ang linyang iyon. At ang huling beses ay halos patula niya nang binigkas.

I found it hard to breath. My chest was heaving and I was lightheaded. Paulit ulit sa isip ko ang mga salita.. Ang kanyang malamig na boses.. Ang kanyang malalim na mga mata.

I was lost in my trance until he started strumming another song. Mas mabilis at mas masigla ng kaunti kaysa sa nauna.

"Ano ang 'yong pangalan?
Nais kong malaman
At kung may nobyo ka na ba?
Sana nama'y wala.

Di mo'ko masisisi
Sumusulyap palagi
Sa iyong mga matang
O kay ganda o binibini.."

I wasn't familiar with the song. However, I listened and I was actually entertained. I was swaying my upper body and nodding my head in the beat.

"O magandang diwata
Sana'y may pag-asa
Pag ibig ko'y aking sinulat
At Ikaw ang pamagat..

Sana saman ay mapansin
Himig nitong damdamin
Na walang ibang hinihiling
Kundi ikaw ay maging akin.."

He was'nt looking anywhere but me. Naroon na naman ang kiliti sa kaibuturan ko. Hindi ko maiwasang malunod sa kanyang malalim na tingin. I wondered how I was still alive when I was drowning?

"Di ako naglalaro
Di ako nagbibiro..
Pagbigyan mo lang sinta
Nang sayo'y mapakita..