Khione
"Khio, talk to me."
"Ms. Sol, it's getting late. Matulog na lang po tayo."
Kakarating lang namin sa suite ngayon and all throughout the ride ay nagpanggap ako na tulog dahil ayaw ko muna itong kausapin, when I came back to out spot after getting us a cab mukhang nawala na rin kalasingan niya at naging seryoso pa ang mukha.
She tried opening up a conversation sa sasakyan pero agad ko itong sinabihan na iidlip muna ako kaya hindi rin natuloy.
I know I may seem petty but I'm hurt right now.
I'm disappointed at myself for believing that she might possibly fall for a woman and that I could have a chance to pursue my feelings for her. Pero lahat ng 'yon ay nawala dahil sa dalawang letrang sagot niya.
"That's not an excuse para hindi ako kausapin, Avila."
"Maaga po tayo bukas."
"Are you mad at me?"
"Hindi po—"
I was caught off guard when she grabbed me on my shoulder and made me face her, it seemed like I pissed her off dahil nakakunot na rin ang noo nito.
"Then why are you acting like this after that talk in the restaurant?" Binitawan niya naman ako.
I stayed mum for a moment, ano naman ang isasagot ko? Na nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya? na umasa ako na baka balang araw magustuhan niya ako pero hindi rin mangyayari 'yon kasi straight siya? damn those reasons, damn these feelings I have for her.
"Pagod lang po."
Matalim ang mga tinging ibinigay niya sa akin. "I'm still your Professor, Avila. Don't you dare disrespect me with that attitude again." Sabay talikod niya at dumiretso sa cr, pabagsak niyang isinara ang pintuan kaya naman ay hindi ko maiwasan na makonsyensa dahil sa pag trato ko sa kanya.
It's not her fault that she's not into women, and definitely not her fault that I'm hurt right now.
Lumabas muna ako papuntang balcony kung saan may isang malaking pool at overlooking rin sa city. Napalanghap lang ako sa hangin at kahit maginaw ay hindi ko na lamang ito pinansin, gusto ko lang mag-isip.
Umupo lang ako sa wooden reclining chair at nakaharap sa view, mas gusto ko mag muni-muni pag nakikita ko ang ganda ng Espanya lalo na sa gabi.
I'm more worried of what's going through her mind than the competition. Bakit ko pa kasi itinanong diba? I should've expected it. Tas ngayon masasaktan ako?
What more if I confess to her.
Malabo na rin mangyari 'yon.
Ilang minuto rin ang nagdaan at nanatili pa rin ako sa labas, mas maganda siguro 'yon para pagpasok ko ay tulog na sana si Ms. Solana.
Ngunit narinig ko na lang na may nagbukas pala ng sliding door and I know that it would be Ms. Solana, kami lang naman ang nandito sa suite. Naramdaman ko na lumapit siya at umupo sa isang upuan na nasa tabi ko lang.
I heard her sigh and gave me a blanket. "You might get sick, atleast cover yourself."
As I felt guilty with how I treated her earlier, I just mumbled a small thanks before accepting the blanket and covering myself with it. Tinignan ko naman siya ng mabilis at nakapambihis na rin ito ng pantulog.
The pajamas that I let her wear when we were at the beach.
Iniwas ko nalang ang tingin ko dahil do'n. It's because of things like that make my heart skip a beat, ang hirap kumawala sa sitwasyon na 'to.
"I hope you don't mind.. that I borrowed your pajamas."
"You can keep it." I snuggled closely and hugged my knees. "I'm sorry for ignoring you po kanina."
Hindi ito kumibo at pina pakiramdam ko lang ang mga kinikilos niya, sinandal niya ang likuran sa upuan at inakyat ang mga paa niya.
"I'm not.. I'm not saying no because I really don't think that I could fall in love with a woman." Bahagya ako'ng napaharap sa kanya nang magsalita ito. "My life is pretty complicated. If falling for a woman or even someone right now might happen, it's not gonna be an easy fight."
Is she telling me that there might be a chance that she would fall for the same-sex? Her answer made me look at her fully, nakatingin na pala ito sa'kin at kita ko rin ang mga lungkot sa mga mata niya.
"Why so?"
"Because of my reputation. My dignity. My family." She chuckled bitterly after the last one. "Being taught to be a woman who shouldn't have any flaws or live up to my family's name made me like this, Khio."
"What do you mean po?"
"My family is very influential, and that includes me. And I really don't want to be out in the open when I know that the reputation my dad made will be tainted because of me. He already hates me since I was born— I wouldn't like him despising me more." Iniwas niya ang tingin sa'kin ngunit nanatili ako'ng nakatitig lang sa kanya. "Remember when.. when you saved me from being locked in that copy room?"
"Mm. I remember you being scared at that time."
"Because I was." She stated before giving me a sad smile.
"And for the first time, I let out an emotion like that for a very long time after my mother's death. Our house.. was caught on fire and my mom locked me in my closet in order to save me, I was 10 that time. Imagine a little girl being left alone in that scary and close space, while there was a fire going on outside. I was crying for help, for her name.. but she didn't come. I passed out that night and when I woke up ay nasa hospital bed na ako, and then I found out that she died in the fire." Her eyes started to get glossy at hindi ko maiwasan na mag-alala dahil dito.
"Ms. Sol, you don't have to share it—"
"It's okay, Amora." She gave me a reassuring nod. "I guess this is a part of me that I have been keeping all these years and it's time for me to face it."
Nilapit ko naman ang upuan ko sa kanya and held her hand, hindi naman ito nagreklamo and just lets me fill that gap within our hands.
"I'll listen." I soothed her. "Just let it all out."
"After that, my dad became stricter. Everyday was hell and torture for me. Buong buhay ko, siya ang nagdikta kung ano ang gagawin ko, kung sino ang dapat kong pakisamahan.. kung sino ang dapat kong mahalin. And that fucking sucked. But I was thankful that he introduced art to me. Ang madilim kong mundo ay naging makulay dahil doon, it helped me escape from reality where I was forced to be someone I'm not."
Now I understand where she is coming from, hindi madali ang diktahan sa kung ano at sino ka, that was the reason why I left my family too. What more kay Ms. Solana who lived like that for years?
"The only thing that's keeping me distracted is teaching, doing arts.. and being with you."
I didn't caught what she said on the last sentence at napakunot pa dahil ang narinig ko lang ay 'being' and the rest were muffled words..
"Ano po?"
"Nothing." She said at umiling pa. "So that's the reason why all these years, I've never let anyone show my emotions and the reason why.. I said no to your question earlier."
"... Kahit ngayon he still dictates your life?"
"I don't really have much choice to begin with." Hinigpitan niya naman ang hawak niya sa'kin. "That's why I'm happy that you chose your happiness. Starting anew and being able to live your dreams. You still have a long way to go, but I'll be rooting for you at the end of the finish line."
I still didn't got a proper answer from her with my question but when she shared her story— and how she grew up with that kind of life is already enough to know what she meant when she said that she's still imprisoned.
There's much to know when it comes to her and even if I kept telling myself not to, my heart says otherwise.
"I'd be the happiest to see you cheer for me, Ms. Sol."
Our eyes met again, she hummed softly.
"Don't give up then." Her thumb was now caressing the back of my palm. "I hope to see you win."
I smiled at her as I nodded my head.
"Let's get some sleep." Akala ko ay bibitawan niya ang kamay ko pero inakay niya rin ako patayo at kahit sa pagpasok namin sa suite ay magkahawak pa rin ang mga kamay namin.
I don't know if there was any other meaning behind the phrases that we both exchanged, but a part of me felt relieved and somehow brought its life back after hearing those words from her.
—
Aesthetica Art International Competition 2022.
All I felt were mixed emotions once we stepped our foot on the Convention Center where the event is going to be held, it was wider than what I have imagined. A lot of Universities from different countries were gathered for this big event.
Ms. Solana said that the participants are 20 in total. And only 5 will be picked to win the prizes, of course the grand prize would be the most important out of all. The painting will be part of an art exhibition tour of Barcelona's famous artist Alenyà Zapatero. Who was said to be an amazing painter, sculptor and art theorist. Now that is big.
We will meet her later once the announcement is done.
"The event will start in a minute, let's go." Ms. Solana tapped me on my shoulder at nauna na pumunta sa table namin, when we got there it seemed like they came from Hillton University, which is the rival of Wesbech. They usually compete and are head-to-head when it comes to competitions and when I say that, I mean all of it, not just revolving art.
"Ah, Professor Solana Clemonte. It's nice seeing you again." Isang lalake who had a playful smirk on his face said, "You look prepared to lose."
"Oh, you're here too? I didn't seem to notice you. I guess your presence have become too dull and boring, Gilbert." Muntik pa ako matawa dahil sa ngiting ibinigay ni
Ms. Solana sa kanya, mukhang hindi ata sila magkasundo dahil halata naman na naging masama ang timpla ng mukha ng Gilbert na 'yon.
His attention averted to me at bumalik naman ang ngiti niya na nakakabwisit. "This is your new pet? By the looks of it, she won't stand a chance."
"Yeah? And you kept on using the same student to participate in these kinds of competition only to be placed lower than mine? such a funny joke."
Aaminin ko, I was quite offended by what he said but Ms. Solana was way quicker on thinking what to throw at him as well. Knowing her, she always win at conversations like this. At totoo rin naman, natahimik kasi yung Gilbert na panot naman at do'n ko lang napansin ang babaeng katabi nito, she's pretty but seems like nainis rin ito sa sinabi ni Ms. Sol.
"Who's that, Ms. Sol?" I whispered at her. "I'm aware that they're from Hillton but I'm not familiar with them."
"Gilbert Briones is an Art Professor at Hillton, just like me he manages their Art Org. and that's Gianna Harris like what I said, he doesn't use his mind often and paulit-ulit din ang contestant na isinasabak niya. Just don't mind them, they always find a way to taunt me and my students because they always lose in the end. I doubt they'd even win a place today."
"But you taunt them better."
"I know." She winked at me before her attention went back on the speaker, meaning that the event had already started.
The program was going smoothly as they introduced the judges who were nobel prize winners back then, some of them are also known globally kaya naman nagsimula na rin bumalik ang kaba sa sistema ko. Hindi ko lamang ito pinahalata as I don't want to seem weak by the eyes of Hilton University. Mamaya ichika pa nila na nagm-mental breakdown na ako and will use that against me.
Nagstart rin i-explain and rules and mechanics of the competition, brief lang naman lalo na at matagal na rin namin itong pinaghandaan.
What I'm waiting to hear is the theme. They will call each contestant and announce the Universities that we are representing bago kami pupunta sa mga spots namin, saka nila sasabihin ang tema.
Isa-isa ng tinatawag ang mga ito and my hands are now trembling under the table, at marahan din ako'ng napapikit as I tried calming myself.
Nabigla naman ako when I felt Ms. Solana's hand snaking through mine and stroking it gently, I looked at her and saw her staring at me. "You can do it, just let all your ideas flow and always remember that you've already come this far."
"Thank you, Ms. Sol."
"Remember what I said yesterday? When you feel lost, try to look for something that inspires you. Okay?"
"Mm, I will."
"20th Contestant is Khione Avila from the Philippines and the title holder for 5 years straight— Wesbech University!"
Ms. Solana gave me one last gentle squeeze before letting my hand go as I got called by the speaker. Kinakabahan man ay binigay ko ang napaka tamis kong ngiti when I got to the stage para pumwesto na sa spot ko.
The art materials are already placed beside the canvas where I will be painting, we will be given 2 hours max to complete the artwork, I don't have any idea on what to paint as this year's theme was literally hidden. Pakulo daw nila for their 15th-year competition.
"For this year's Aesthetica International Art Competition, our theme would be: the Touch of Longing."
I was strucked when I heard what the theme would be, my eyes immediately found its way back to Ms. Solana. Her look telling me the same thing— longing. For some reason, all I could think about when I hear that word is us.
That certain emotion perfectly describes how I feel when wer're together. I long for her touch, her warmth, her presence.. and that gave me an idea on what I would want to paint as a way to convey what I feel for her.
As we were instructed to start, sinimulan ko na rin ang pagpinta.
And as I paint, it is as if everyone in this crowded room disappeared and the only woman I want to see is sitting a couple of meters in front of me. Her attention never left me as well and that gave me more courage to draw something that might be an obvious answer as to why I was upset after the talk yesterday.
I used an acrylic paint and will be using the hues of blue and red as a way to represent the colors of a flame.
Everyone was so quiet, even the judges were observing how we put all our blood and sweat into making our own painting. My clothes are now covered in paint, something that I have always loved.
An hour and a half passed and I'm almost done with my painting. Some of the other contestants were also done. Tumingin naman ako sa Hillton University and I could see her not yet finished, her face struggling to continue what she has done.
Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko at ipinagpatuloy ang pagpipinta, time is almost done.
"5, 4, 3, 2, and 1! Everyone please put down your brushes and stand beside your artwork."
Nakaharap kaming lahat sa judges at audience habang ang artwork naman ay nakatalikod. So they really have no idea or vision as to what we have painted.
The speaker were saying something about hard work and passion, I really didn't listen dahil nakatitig lang ako sa babaeng inspirasyon ko sa ipininta ko. We were told that we will be called again tulad kanina as we show the painting.
Nasa panghuli ako which means I'll be the last reveal, medyo na pressure pa ako dahil baka mas lalong tumaas ang expectations nila dahil sa mga nauna.
But that didn't matter to me anyway, ang importante tapos ko na ito at maghihintay nalang sa resulta. Win or lose, this is still a great experience because I had fun. I will forever treasure this memory.
"And Ms. Khio Avila, would her painting be as beautiful as she is?" That statement earned a chuckle from me, kung magiging kasing ganda ko lang pala 'to, edi panalo na ako? "Let's count on 3 and show it to everyone in this room."
"3..2..1"
When I showed the painting, everyone gasped and whispers started echoing around the room, even the speaker took its time to stare at it which made me nervous. Tumingin naman ako kay Ms. Sol na ang atensyon ay nasa painting ko rin.
[Painted by Blanca Soler (the portrayal of Khione)]
I named it 'The Kiss,' two people who represent a forbidden love— they're both each other's twin flames as seen in the painting, they need each other to keep the other warm. Their expressions and how their lips aren't touching entails that they are longing for each other.
And that's exactly how I feel for Ms. Sol.
"Wow, this is.. indeed a masterpiece. It seems like you have someone you thought of when painting this."
I just smiled at what she said at tumango na lamang, everyone clapped at my painting as we moved forward. We will be given 5 hours to prepare para sa announcement mamayang gabi.
"You did amazing."
"I'm just glad that part is over." I chuckled.
Nakita naman namin na lumapit si Gilbert at Gianna sa pwesto namin, I bet he will say insulting remarks again. If hindi lang siya Professor, baka kanina ko pa ito sinagot e.
"Such a cliché painting, don't you think so? Solana?"
"Oh Gianna's painting? Yeah. It really is, it tells me that you need to do your job properly. Kota ka na sa losing streak, Briones. What a shame, if you're not fucking your University's President baka napatalsik ka na noon pa. Good luck though."
Kita naman ang pagbagsak ng mukha ni Gilbert matapos sabihin ni Ms. Sol 'yon, bakit pa kasi magsasalita when he knows how brutal she attacks as well? While Gianna was shocked by that information at mukhang iiyak pa. Oh, looks like something is happening between them.
"Khio, let's go."
"You are honestly a bitch—"
Nauna itong maglakad and I saw the pissed look on his face at akmang hihilain ito when I stepped in at pinigilan ang braso nito. "Don't you dare touch her.. Sir." I smiled sweetly before pushing his arm away at sinundan si Ms. Solana.
Umuwi muna kami sa suite para makapag-pahinga, naligo agad ako at nagbihis dahil ilang oras lang ay maghahanda na ulit ako para sa announcement.
Humiga ako sa kama at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. We really haven't talked yet, ang tanging narinig ko lang sa kanya ay ang sinabi niya kanina.
Nakaramdam naman ako na may tumabi sa'kin sa kama, and when I opened my eyes para tingnan ito, it was Ms. Solana who was lying beside me as she stared at the ceiling. I did the same and we spent the next few minutes in silence.
"The painting.. you expressed the theme well." Her tone was hesitant at first. "But what the speaker said earlier, totoo ba 'yon? You had someone in your mind while painting it?"
"Did you get the message of my painting po ba?"
"H-huh? W-what do you mean?"
Bakit parang kinakabahan ito? Tumagilid ako para matignan siya ng mas malapitan. "I'm curious if I conveyed the message well, Ms. Sol. I don't want the judges to think of it as shallow and cliché."
"Ah." She felt relieved when she realized what I meant. Tumagilid na rin ito at ngayon ay magkaharap na kaming nakahiga, I like it when she doesn't have any makeup on. In that way I could see her freckles and how natural her beauty is— makamandag ang ganda ng babaeng 'to.
"Of course, out of all the paintings I've seen today. Yours has the most depth meaning behind it, anyone could interpret it in different ways and that's amazing. To tell a story but at the same time have different interpretations of it, it's not just limited to one thing. And when you look at it, all I could feel is tranquility and happiness. To see your subject is a vision of a reality— love and longing."
I smiled in satisfaction dahil sa sinabi nito, that's what matters more to me. How she sees it and how it makes her feel.
"I'm glad that you see it that way."
"Get some rest, Khio. We'll talk more about it later."
She says before giving me a kiss on my forehead, unti-unti na rin ako'ng nakaramdam ng antok until all I see is pitch black.
—
We're back at the venue and all of us are tensed dahil announcing na ng top 3. The 4th and 5th came from New york and Madrid. Their paintings were exceptional.
Honestly, hindi naman ako nage-expect to win as I was just aiming for those bottom spots. Pero nakakahiya lang kasi if I didn't place at all. Everyone is watching the announcement live, that means lahat ng nasa University ay mapapanood ito.
Ms. Vivien messaged me kanina, she was congratulating me dahil napanuod din nila yung real-time event earlier. Saying that the whole University is tuning in right now— well ain't I lucky?
"Khio, relax." She whispered in my ears.
Hindi na lang ako sumagot at tinuon ang atensyon sa stage. They announced the top 2 & 3 from London and Paris. Wala na, my chances are getting low.
I looked at Ms. Solana and gave her an apologetic look, I know this is my first time but even though lagi ko sinasabi to accept whatever fate I have, I still have high expectations of myself.
"And for our grand winner! Are you ready?" The music was nerve-wrecking habang pinapa-intense ng speaker ang announcement. "Her painting does not only express longingness but also shows that love comes in all forms— from the University of Wesbech! Ms. Khione Avila, please come up on stage!"
"W-what?"
I was dumbfounded when I heard my name being called, everyone were clapping their hands and congratulating me,
Ms. Solana smiled widely as she held my waist, "You won. What did I tell you?" and gently pushed me towards the center.
Kahit hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala ay nagsimula na ako'ng maglakad patungo sa stage and smiled at the crowd in front of me. Binigay sa akin ang trophy with my name engraved on it, medyo mabigat pala ito. But I proudly lifted it up and waved it to the cameras and lastly pinakita ko ito kay Ms. Solana who had a proud smile plastered on her face.
Nang matapos na ang announcement ay agad ako'ng pumunta sa kinaroroonan niya and hugged her tightly, I burried my face on the crook of her neck, breathing her scent. Daisies, the scent that I have always loved and will always do.
"Congratulations, Amora."
"It's all because of you, Ms. Sol." I whispered. "Thank you."
—
When the event was done, pinakilala ako kay Alenyá Zapatero who was going to be collecting my artwork to be a part of her exhibition tour, she even asked permission to sell it and I said yes. She will wire the money in my bank account tapos full payment pa once may magsabi sa kanya na bibilhin ito. I was really honored to have someone like her ask me that herself, at buo rin ang ibibigay sa'kin. She said that painting was worth thousands if ever.
We decided to go straight to Parc de Cervantes, there's not much people here dahil gabi na rin and I don't know how we managed to sneak in because it was close already, but whatever Ms. Solana wants, she gets right?
"Let's have a toast to Khione Avila for winning the Aesthetica Art International Competition 2023 and for bagging WVAO's 6th win!" She seemed a little hazy dahil kanina pa kami umiinom, thankfully she's not drunk yet so I can still talk to her without her blabbering nonsense.
I raised my champagne glass in the air like what she did. "Toast to Ms. Solana for being an amazing coordinator and professor! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have the courage to take this challenge and actually win it."
"Cheers!" We said in unison bago nilagok ang inumin namin. Gusto mo 'yon, napapadalas ko na rin nakainuman 'to si Ms. Solana— baka maging drinking buddy ko lang pala.
"Khio, come here. Bilis!" She excitedly told me and gestured na lumapit sa kanya, bilang masunurin ako lumapit naman ako and what shocked me is tinanggal niya ang heels niya, I did what she did so we're now standing bare foot on the grass.
We're still wearing our dresses that we wore earlier at the announcement and looking at her having fun was a sight to see. She's always beautiful in my eyes.
"Let's dance."
"Anong trip niyo Ms. Sol?"
"What's wrong with dancing? it's a part of our celebration, c'mon."
She reached out to grab my hand and pulled me closer, the music is now playing and she started dancing frantically, shaking and twisting her whole body and it seems like she's enjoying every beat and move she does, sinabayan ko rin ito and we both danced like there's no tomorrow. Tumatawa pa kami dahil puro upbeat lahat ng mga kanta na sinasayaw namin.
But when the music stopped and a slow beat song started playing, we both looked at each other, our smiles slowly faded when we realized what the song was.
[Song playing: Perfect by Ed Sheeran.]
I found a love, for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
We were still panting because of what we did kanina, while the song was playing hindi ko na pinigilan ang sarili ko and held out my hand to ask her to dance. Tumingin naman ito sa kamay ko and was hesitant to place her hand on it.
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
Her eyes met mine and all I could do was smile at her, trying to tell her that it's okay. And moments after her warm hands finally found its way to mine. I placed her arms around my neck and held her waist as we started dancing under the moonlight.
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
It's ironic how the song is describing what we are doing right now, in the middle of the park where the only source of light is from the lamp post. Quite romantic.
"Dancing with my student didn't really cross my mind back then." She whispered, her eyes still on me. "Especially with you."
"Should I take offense to that?"
She chuckled and unexpectedly laid her head on my chest, I don't know if she could hear how loud and fast my heart is beating right now but all I could think is that the woman I'm in love with is here with me, and I wouldn't trade this for anything.
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight
"I believe you've heard this from a lot of people, but.. the moon and the stars don't glow as bright as your eyes, I just wanna say that you are extremely beautiful."
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a lover, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
She lifted her chin up to look at me— her smiles were radiating like the morning sun that I couldn't even look away even if she was just inches away from me.
"And so are you, Amora." As we continued dancing, I just knew that my heart was going crazy right now.
A thought then came across my mind.
We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
I want to kiss her.
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this
Darling, you look perfect tonight
I can't think of any other way to fully express how I feel for her right now. I want her to know that I see her as perfect. That she is perfect. That anyone would be lucky to be her lover.
"Ms. Sol.."
"Hm?"
"Will you hate me if I ask something and do it?"
"No. Of course not."
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply, we were still slow dancing at inikot ko muna ito bago sabihin ang nais kong itanong.
"You're not drunk right?"
"Amora, that's your question—"
"Can I kiss you?"
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
Her shocked face made me realize what I have said, the way she stopped dancing and her arms started to loosened its grip on me was the sign that I might have fucked this up. The feeling of regret slowly creeped in me and I was about to retract what I said when she held my chin up and smiled softly.
"I thought you'd never ask." Her eyes traveled down my lips before looking at me straight again. "Do it. Kiss me."
I wasted no time and finally owned her lips. We both had our eyes shut the moment the gap closed between us, I felt her strong grip on the back of my neck urging me to lean closer while I held her waist tighter.
Her lips were soft and warm and each kiss we shared has been driving me crazy, we both tried keeping up with each other's pace and now her hands are stroking my nape.
I stopped the kiss to whisper. "Are you sure you—"
But she answered me back by kissing me again, this time more passionately and intense than the first one. Like she was afraid that it would be over.
Fuck, I really am in love with her.
After this, I don't think I would give her up easily— no matter what happens. Time will come and I will confess, Ms. Solana.
"Amora.. please.." She breathed when we both pulled away, our foreheads now pressing together as we panted, unable to open our eyes after that kiss. "Let's keep this to ourselves.. and leave it all behind."
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight
—
A/N: Henlo just wanna say, I appreciate everyone's comments & votes for this story. Kinikilig ako every time a notification says that someone left a comment on every chapter and I really wanna thank y'all for giving so much love to this story. I do hope that until the very end, you'll still support Khione & Solana's story. Prepare yourselves for the future chapters, luvs. Ayon lang.
Btw, do you want to see the portrayal of Ms. Vivien 😗 I might post her picture on the next update if y'all want to!