Khione
I was excited when we finally arrived at the meeting destination, sinabay kasi ako ni Ely papunta dito kaya naman ay napaaga rin kami. It was just a few minutes away from 8, but we were surprised to see Ms. Taylor and Ms. Vivien waiting at their vans.
Ms. Vivien was looking stylish with her plain white tank top and black shorts at may cover up rin siya na cardigan, probably to protect her skin since ang puti puti niya talaga.
"Mukhang napaaga kayo ah." Ms. Vivien said at bineso pa ako, "Hello Elyzra."
Nginitian lang siya ng pinsan ko, wala rin kasi ito sa mood sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. "Um, can I wait in the van nalang po?"
"Of course, you can pick kung 'san mo gustong sumakay papunta sa resort mamaya."
She just said her thank you's at pinili ang sasakyan ni Ms. Taylor. And speaking of the professor, lumapit naman si Ms. Taylor sa amin. "Does Almonte even know how to read the clock? I told her to be here at exactly 7:30 yet I don't see her—"
"Miss mo naman ako masyado, Prof." Napatingin kami sa likuran ko at nakita ko naman si Maevis na may nakakalokong ngiti sa mukha niya. "Nalate ako ng gising kasi napuyat ako kagabi e."
I looked at Ms. Taylor and it was the first time I saw her being flustered but still had that stern look on her face, ang suspicious nila ha. Are they... wait hindi naman siguro.
"Whatever, put your bags inside the van because the others will be here any minute." Saad niya at nauna na ngang umalis, nilapitan ko naman si Maevis at hinampas ito.
"Anong napuyat ka kagabi?"
Instead of answering me she just let out a chuckle and winked at me bago sinundan si Ms. Taylor sa van nito, nang tinignan ko si Ms. Vivien nagkibit-balikat lang ito. "Saan ka sasakay, Khione? Para malagay na rin natin sa trunk."
"Is that even a question, Ms. Vivien?" Tanong ko and nudged her softly, we both giggled as she led me to her van and placed my things inside. Saktong pagkalagay namin ro'n ay natanaw na namin ang apat na propesora.
I'm aware that we're going to the beach but their outfits— damn.
I think it's the first time I've seen her expose more of her skin after that night on the beach. She wore an orange basic back bodysuit and paired it with a satin split hem mini skirt in baby blue. Naka white sandals din ito and had a big bag on her shoulder. Ready na ba ako to see more of her beach outfits? I don't think I am.
"Cat got your tongue, Amora?" She whispered when she leaned in closely to me. I could feel myself blushing dahil sa ginawa niya, mainit na nga. Umagang umaga pa nga lang e.
"Woohooo! We're going on a beach trip baby!" The ever so energetic Ms. Beliciana yelled.
Do'n naman nagsilabasan sila Ms. Taylor, si Maevis at si Ely dahil kumpleto na rin kaming lahat. "The call time was 8 and we're complete already, wow."
"So we just need to decide on what van you guys will be riding." Ms. Vivien said on my side, ngayon ko lang napansin na pinagigitnaan pala ako nilang dalawa ni Ms. Solana. "Elyzra and Maevis will be on Maddison's van while Khio will be riding with me."
"I'll be at Maddi's." Ms. Zafiana immediately said and eyed Ely who was rolling her eyes at her, there's some beef between them.. I can feel it.
"I'll be riding with Avila." Sunod ko namang narinig ang boses ni Ms. Solana who was now crossing her arms, medyo kinilig pa ako kasi sasakyan naman ni Ms. Vivien 'yon pero pangalan ko talaga ang sinabi niya.
"Esmé, san ka sasakay?"
I noticed how quiet and calm Professor Esmé is, but she has the gentle aura naman not like Ms. Solana and Ms. Taylor na parang pinaglihi sa sama ng loob— joke lang.
"Viv's."
"Okay, I'll be riding with you guys since ang tahimik niyo lalo na pag si Esmé at Solana ang kasama niyo." Ms. Beliciana said while pointing at me and Ms. Vivien, that statement alone earned a chuckle from me dahil totoo nga naman.
"Tch." Ms. Solana hissed bago pumunta sa likod ng Van ni Ms. Vivien to probably put her things, nagsimula na rin kaming maghanda para sa byahe dahil dalawang oras pa bago kami makarating roon.
"Yow, Khio. Sure ka ba na okay ka lang do'n? you can transfer naman para magkasama tayo nitong cousin mo." Maevis was the one who approached me first while the Professors were busy with putting their stuff on the trunk.
"Magkakilala na pala kayo?"
"Yep, kinausap niya ako kanina when I entered the Van. Close na nga kami o!" Sabay hila niya sa balikat ni Ely at inakbayan pa ito.
"I'm not in the mood with all your jokes, Maevis!"
Mukhang aso't pusa pa silang dalawa, jusko parang magulo ata sila sa van pag silang dalawa ang magkasama.
"Ganyan lang talaga si Maevis, pagpasensyahan mo na Ely." Natatawa kong saad as I watch them run around the circles dahil hindi mahampas hampas ni Elyzra yung hinahabol niya.
A few seconds have passed at tawang tawa naman na tumigil si Maevis sa kakatakbo dahil nahablot ni Elyzra ang laylayan ng damit niya. "Peace na nga, eto naman!"
"I swear I'll kill you if you won't stop joking pag nasa loob na tayo ng van!"
"Hindi nga! Pramis!"
Bago pa man mahampas ni Ely si Maevis ay narinig naman kami na may tumikhim sa gilid and it showed Ms. Taylor na nakatitig kay Maevis, her brow raising at her.
"Are you gonna get in or iiwanan namin kayo?" She asked in annoyance, agad naman kumilos ang dalawa and bid their goodbyes at me before entering Ms. Taylor's van. Habang ako naman ay tumalikod na rin para pumasok sa van namin.
"Sit here." It was Ms. Solana na naka shades na while her back was leaning on the seat, nasa front row kasi ito at tinuro niya pa kung saan ako uupo, sa likod ng driver's seat at nasa may bintana rin.
I looked around at nasa likuran namin si Ms. Alarcon habang si Ms. Beliciana ay nasa passenger's seat katabi ni Ms. Vivien. Matapos no'n ay tuluyan na nga ako pumasok at tinabihan ang magandang propesora.
Naunang umandar ang sasakyan nila Ms. Taylor bago ito sinundan ni Ms. Vivien, at nagsimula na nga ang byahe namin papunta sa La Union.
"You guys won't mind if I play something right?"
Ngayon ko lang napansin na may dala palang Ukelele si Ms. Beliciana, she's a music professor nga pala.. no wonder she knows how to play one.
"I saw that twinkle in your eyes, darling. That means it's a yes right?"
I just nodded at her as she started strumming the strings to play some music.
[ Playing: Way back into love - Ukulele cover by Micah Du ]
I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on
I looked at Ms. Solana to see if she was listening, the first stanza is quite fitting to what she had told me at the park, so I was curious to see what her reaction would be.
I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need 'em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind
I could see her humming through the melody and that made me smile. I relaxed my position on my seat and started singing along with Ms. Beliciana.
All I wanna do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh
I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's gotta be something for my soul somewhere
"Wohooo, go Khione!" I heard Ms. Vivien shout as we started jamming.
Nararamdaman ko naman ang pagtitig sa akin ni Ms. Solana and I couldn't help but to look at her too, napalunok nalang ako dahil hindi ko ata magawang alisin ang tingin sa kanya.
I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions
Just like the song, maybe I really am hoping that something might happen to the both of us. May it be romantic or not— I just want to know her more.
All I wanna do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation
She smiled at me kaya naman ay mas ginanahan ako'ng kantahin ang huling stanza.
All I wanna do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
After the song ended, that's when I noticed that I was the only one singing since Ms. Beliciana stopped after the second chorus.
"I didn't expect that you're good at singing, Ms. Avila. You got it all— beauty, brains and talent." I laughed at her compliment at umiling nalang. "I wonder why you chose art when you can be one of my students."
"Dream on, Beliciana. She's mine alone." Nabigla naman ako when Ms. Solana said that, hoy?! Teka lang—
"Anong iyo, Solana? She's my student too." Sabat naman ni Ms. Vivien na tinitignan na kami sa mirror view niya.
"Fine, hindi ko naman kayo aagawan. Geez!" Like the joker that she is, she raised her both hands kaya napatawa nalang kami sa kanya.
Even Professor Esmé complimented me which made me shy. Hindi naman ako makasagot at unti-unting namumula lalo na at nasa akin lahat ng atensyon.
A few minutes passed and Ms. Beliciana started to play another song, I was just enjoying listening to her when I felt Ms. Solana's hand snaked through mine and hid it under her knitted shawl. Agad ako'ng napatingin sa kanya but she wasn't looking at me.
Oh my god.. ano'ng nangyayari..
"I'm getting car sick." That's all she said. So required po hawakan ang kamay ko? Joke, I'm secretly enjoying it pero minsan ay napapatigil nalang ako sa pakikinig lalo na pag nararamdaman ko ang mga haplos ng malambot niyang kamay sa kamay ko.
Isang oras pa lang kami sa byahe ay para na ako'ng sasabog dahil sa biglaang pag tagilid at pag patong ng ulo niya sa balikat ko. Her scent is trying to drown me again, kaya naman hindi ko na rin mapigilan ang mapasandal ang ulo ko sa kanya.
And just like that, I felt my eyes closing on its own as the music started to fade.
—
"Amora.. wake up, we're here."
"Hmmm.."
"Wake up before I throw some sand at you."
Agad ako'ng napabalikwas ng upo and saw that it was only me and her left in the van. Nakita ko rin na nasa loob na pala kami ng resort and wow, it was massive. Hindi ko alam na gano'n pala kayaman si Professor Zafiana.
"Asan po sila?"
"They went inside first and since you were still sleeping... while holding my hand, I can't leave you here even if I want to."
Do'n ko lang napansin na magkahawak pa rin pala ang kamay namin kaya agad ko itong binitawan. "S-sorry po.. pero Ms. Sol, ikaw yung humawak—"
"Shut up, I wasn't complaining." Sabay irap niya at bumaba na sa van. Namumula rin ito ngunit hindi ko na naasar dahil padabog niyang isinarado ang pintuan ng van.
Luh, tinopak na naman.
I stared at my hand na nakahawak sa kanya kanina and that giddy feeling is back again. "I could get use to this." Saad ko bago umiling at bumaba na rin para kunin ang mga gamit ko sa likod ng trunk.
Nagmamadali na rin ako lalo na at hindi ko naman alam ang pasikot-sikot dito sa resort.
It didn't took me long enough because a staff told me kung saan ang mga kasama ko and led me there, literal na nakanganga ako after seeing where we will be staying.
It was a big villa and even has its own pool and the staff said it was Ms. Zafiana's personal villa and no one should ever use it without prior notice, it was a good thing that it was quite far from the beach para na rin siguro sa privacy since may pool nga. Habang nagsasalita si kuya, all I could do was nod at what he had said before he pointed to the entrance where I should enter.
When I went inside mas malaki pa ang space kumpara sa makikita mo sa labas, the windows were very wide at puro naka glass rin kaya kitang kita ang beach view, nakakamangha talaga that Ms. Zafiana owns this.
Nakita ko na silang lahat pati na si Ely at Maevis who were talking to each other.
"Oh, Khio's here. Bakit hindi kayo sabay ni Solana?" Ms. Vivien asked.
"Nang-iwan nga po e." Sumbong ko pa. Hindi naman nakatakas sa'kin ang pagrolyo ng mga mata ni Ms. Solana kaya lihim ako'ng natawa dahil sa reaksyon nito.
"We'll be heading out for lunch so go and freshen yourself upstairs, you'll be rooming with your cousin naman so she can help you there."
Ely immediately came up to me and helped me with my bags, mukhang hindi na masama ang loob niya because she was gushing on what outfit she'll wear for tonight.
The planned activities will start tomorrow so for today, lunch and bar hopping daw ang gagawin namin kaya excited na ito. Tignan mo nga, kahapon lang she was begging me if pwede bang hindi nalang kami sumama.
"Si Maevis 'san pala matutulog?"
"She's rooming with Ms. Maddison, they were picking what rooms they wanna have kasi and unfortunately they picked the same room. And since you're not here kanina, I picked it out for you."
Aba, ang swerte naman nung Almonte. Now I wonder kung sino ang ka roommate ni Ms. Solana.
"So.. tell me what's your outfit today? we'll be heading for the beach later so I suggest you wear your bikinis already and top it off with some shorts para diretso na tayo sa dagat mamaya."
"Yung totoo Ely? tinatanong mo pa when you already have a suggestion on your mind." I laughed when she pouted.
"As your fashionista cousin, I'm responsible for what you'll wear when we're together. So just do as I say."
"Okay, geez. I have that kind of outfit, bihis lang ako."
I took a half bath first dahil naiinitan ako lalo na at nasa byahe kami ng dalawang oras, saka ko naman kinuha ang two-piece black bikini outfit ko at sinuot ito, kahit naman hindi kalakihan ang hinaharap ko, I felt confident seeing how I looked in the mirror.
"Khio, let's goooo~ they're calling us already."
"Coming!"
I didn't have time to do some make-up anymore at sinuot na ang shorts ko and grabbed my black sunglasses and headed out from the restroom. I heard Ely whistled as soon as she saw me.
"Damn, Khio. Look at you!"
"Speak for yourself, Elyzra."
She was wearing a beige two-piece as well but instead of shorts she wore a leopard print pants and had her sunglasses on top of her head.
She just clung her arm onto me before we went down, nakabihis na rin pala sila and when I saw her in her green bikini and a sarong cover up, hindi ko maiwasan na mas titigan ito dahil sa mga tattoos na nasa katawan niya— it made her more hot.
I've seen some of it before but I just can't stop looking at it.
"They're finally here, let's go. I'm literally starving." Ms. Beliciana said out loud at nauna na ngang lumabas while the rest followed.
Ely pulled away from me nang makababa na kami kaya agad ako'ng nagpunta sa tabi ni Ms. Solana who was finally looking at me, her eyes traveling my whole body.
"Pinagbabawalan niyo pa rin po ba ako?" I asked and laughed.
"You're lucky we're at the beach."
We started walking palabas ng Villa and we headed to a beach club with a live band. A lot of people watched them play and while the Professors were ordering for our lunch, Ely, Maevis and I were hyping the band together with the crowd.
"Since we will be taking a short break for today, may we request someone from the crowd to sing for us?"
"I wanna hear Khio sing." Maevis said kaya nanlaki agad ang mga mata ko. "Ms. Beliciana told us how good you were nung kumanta ka sa van kanina, that was unfair y'know."
"I don't wanna sing!"
"We don't take no as an answer, my dear cousin." Now it was Ely who was pushing me towards the stage.
"Elyzra, I swear to God!"
"Oh what a fine young lady, may I ask for your hand?" The woman asked and held out her hand.
In the end, wala na ako'ng magawa because she immediately grabbed me and took me to the stage with her, the next thing I knew— everyone's eyes were on me as I held the microphone.
I tried searching for that one person and there she was beside the others, her face was frowning when she realized that I was the one who's gonna sing. Mas lalo rin nangunot ang noo niya when the vocalist went behind my back para bulungan ako.
"Hey babe, do you know how to play the guitar?"
"Y-yes.."
"Do you know how to play Lover by Taylor Swift?"
When I heard what song I was gonna sing, my eyes found its way back to Ms. Solana na nakatitig pa rin samin, she was already crossing her arms like she didn't like what she was seeing.
"Of course."
"Great, it's all on you. Sing your heart out to the crowd."
I sighed as I took the guitar from her and started strumming the chords of the song.
[ Playing: Lover by Taylor Swift ]
We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January
And this is our place, we make the rules
And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear
Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?
If I can count the days we've known each other it would have been a month and a half already, I didn't expect my feelings for her would grow so much that all I can think of when I'm singing the song right now is her.
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home
You're my, my, my, my
As I closed my eyes while feeling the song, the picture of her during our time together flashed through my mind— from the way she smiled, the way she looked at me and how I enjoyed every single moment I had with her.
Lover..
And when I opened it, it's like everyone except her was gone. She wasn't smiling or frowning— just looking at me like we're both communicating through our eyes.
We could let our friends crash in the living room
This is our place, we make the call
And I'm highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you
I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)
You're my, my, my, my
Lover
At this point, I want us to be just like this song. To be together even if the odds are against us. But a part of me knows that won't happen. In this story, I am the only one who has feelings for her.
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
With every guitar string scar on my hand
I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover
My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue
All's well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover
And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me
And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover
But when she ran her hand through her hair, with a smile on her face while looking at me I swear, gusto ko rin totohanin kung ano ang sinasabi ng mga liriko. Taking the risk might be worth it if it's her.
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)
You're my, my, my, my
Oh, you're my, my, my, my
Darling, you're my, my, my, my
Lover
With the end of the song, our eyes met again and she gave me a proud smile. I felt my heart exploding with joy when she did that at mas lalo pa ako'ng nasayahan when she mouthed 'You're amazing.' after my performance.
I heard the crowd clapping and cheering for me which takes me back to reality. The vocalist applauded me and thanked me for singing at agad rin ako'ng tumakbo kung nasaan ang mga kasama ko. I shyly hugged Ely as I tried to hide from the attention.
"Dude, wow! I can't believe you did that!" Maevis complimented me at tinapik pa ako sa braso.
"This is my cousin y'all!"
"You should've majored in music, darling!"
"I think we better take our food to the villa, a lot of people are recognizing our Khio now." I laughed at what Ms. Zafiana had said dahil hindi naman totoo 'yon, they were just exaggerating it.
"You did an amazing job." It was my first time hearing Ms. Taylor compliment me. Wow.
Ms. Alarcon clapped but didn't say anything, I'm thankful on that part because I don't want more unnecessary attention.
When I finally recovered, Ms. Vivien immediately came to me and gave me a big hug. "I was so proud of you when you were singing on the stage, Khio!"
"Ms. Vivien, hindi ko na ata kakayanin kung ilang beses niyo po ako'ng iaangat ngayon." Biro ko bago tinugunan ang yakap nito, but while doing that I spotted Ms. Solana staring at us then looked away nang mahuli ko ito.
"You deserve it, there's tons of people looking at you now. Probably wanting to take a picture of you."
"Bodyguards! Asan na kayo?" She laughed at my joke kasi literal na parang naghahanap ako ng bodyguards dahil sa sinabi niya, sobrang gaan lang talaga pag kausap si Ms. Vivien e.
"Ladies, our orders are here. I prefer if we take this to the villa so we can move freely. Madami kasing tao ngayon because of Khio's amazing performance."
"Ms. Zafi naman!"
"Just kidding, basta tara na!"
Gano'n nga ang ginawa namin. We took our orders pabalik sa villa and placed it sa long table to feast on. Habang busy pa sila ay hinahanap ng mata ko si Ms. Solana na kanina ko pa hindi nakakausap at natatanaw after my performance.
At do'n ko nga siya nakita sa may bandang pool, nakaupo lang ito sa gilid at nakalublob ang paa sa tubig. I didn't waste no time at nilapitan ito saka tinabihan.
"Ms. Sol.."
She took a glance and was kind of surprised when she saw that it was me.
"Oh if it isn't the superstar." She teased na nagpangiti sa'kin.
"Did you like it?"
"What? You flirting with the vocalist and my co-professors or the performance?"
"Ms. Sol talaga, of course the performance.. Why would you even think that I'm out there flirting with them—"
"You were amazing." She cuts me off and giggled. "I don't think I have to say more. Lalaki na ang ulo mo niyan."
I tried to stop myself from smiling but I know I just failed miserably, mahirap magpigil kung isang Solana Clemonte ang magsasabi sa'yo ng gano'n. Ilang segundo kaming nanahimik at pansin ko rin na may lungkot sa mga mata niya kaya hindi ko maiwasan ang mag-alala dahil dito.
"You okay?"
She looked at me and nodded her head. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know, iba po kasi aura niyo ngayon."
"I'm probably tired."
"Then you should rest before we go bar hopping mamaya, pero kain po muna kayo tas samahan ko nalang kayo dito sa villa since diretso daw sila mamaya sa dagat."
She didn't respond to me at patuloy lang sa paglalaro ng mga paa niya sa tubig, gano'n nalang din ang ginawa ko para malibang dahil mukhang pagod nga siya.
"Have you ever.." She paused. "..fallen in love?"
Kumakabog naman ang puso ko matapos niya ako'ng tanungin no'n at tinitigan pa ako, if this feeling I'm currently having is the basis of me falling in love.. then I guess the answer is yes.
I have never been into a serious relationship nor had these strong emotions for someone before. Sa kanya ko lang nararamdaman 'to, but I can't say that to her.
"What's the definition of falling in love po ba?"
"At it again with answering me with a question too, Amora." She wryly said and shook her head. "But to answer that.. There's no right or wrong definition when it comes to love. You just.. feel it. It may come anytime, anywhere, young or old, it doesn't really matter. But when it does— all strong emotions come all at once that you can't even distinguish what's right or wrong anymore."
"Then I guess.. yes." I tried to catch her eyes when I said that. "Ikaw po ba?"
She looked away from my gaze as she laughed bitterly. "I don't wanna answer that."
"That's unfair!" I huffed. "Sige na Ms. Sol, tell me."
Kahit anong pilit ko ay hindi niya naman ako masagot kaya itinigil ko nalang din ito. I looked at the view in front of us and for a moment I was lost in my own thoughts because of how calming it is not until I felt her head on my shoulders and her weight now against me.
"Let's stay like this for a little while... lover."