Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
Sa totoo lang, I am running out of arguments to convince myself that I did the right thing. Every fibre of my being is screaming that I called the wrong shot this time - that I made a hideous mistake!!!
Oh c'mon, WHAT IS SO WRONG about letting Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde go?! He's going to be alright. More FINE than you could possibly imagine. It's not like you had hurt him or anything. Psssh. He wouldn't care. By the time he leaves this resort, he's going to meet with few of the many scrawny girls in his phonebook and after an hour or so, with few glass of beer & cocktails, he'll totally FORGET everything about YOU - Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan. Give him another day or two, or probably less, and Sef already got his new CLOWN to bemuse him, to entertain him, to save him out of his boredom. You're easy to replace, Ellie!!! Too easy. So, now tell me again... where's the MISTAKE in asking him to leave you?
Nothing.
He is going to LEAVE anyway... why prolong the agony, right?
Sigh.
But then, if I did do the right thing... how come my heart seemed to stop beating?
I rested my right hand over my chest, trying to contain the pain seething through it. My other arm covering my eyes, repressing the tears. My hair was still damped from the pool and I was still fully clothed with my swimming attire as I plunged myself on the bed of the hotel room, ignoring the fact that water now freely soaked the mattress.
I FELT SO NUMB.
Nakabukas pa nga din yung aircon and I couldn't feel a damn thing. Pakiramdam ko, isa akong malaking bloke ng yelo na naka-patong sa kama na toh.
Anakshuta ELLIE!!! Gather yourself together!!! YOU MADE THAT CHOICE. YOU DECIDED IT. NOW LIVE WITH IT!!! Get up and don't act like a weak little girl!!! Grrr... I gritted my teeth in self-loathing.
WALA NA KO SA POOL, PERO BAKIT PAKIRAMDAM KO NGAYON... UNTI-UNTI AKONG NALULUNOD?
“Brrrr...” AJ shivered. He tiptoed his way inside our room. The cold marble floor felt ice against the skin. “Ang ginaw!” He said, wrapping his arms around himself. “Ellie, ano? Nakainom ka ng tubig mula sa pool nuh? Haha.” He was oblivious of my earlier conversation with Sef. Kapag sinabi ko kaya dito kay AJ, kakampihan kaya niya ko? Haha. Umasa ka naman Eleonor!!! I think I know what AJ will tell me... oh baka nga sabunot at sampal agad ang makuha ko sa kanya eh.
“Omg.” Agnes said, walking behind AJ. She went straight to her bag of clothes and started digging in it. “I forgot my yellow sunglasses!!!”
“Oy!” AJ tapped me by my knee. “Kita mo nga yan!” He pointed at Agnes' luggage, parang pang isang taon na ata ang mga dala niyang damit eh. “Pinapagalitan mo ko kagabi sa dami ng damit ko... eh kita mo nga tong isang toh iba't ibang swim suit pa ang baon!!! Ano yan teh? Bawat ahon mo sa pool, magpapalit ka ng bikini?”
“Haha.” Agnes laughed with amusement. “Bakit ba? Gusto ko rumampa today eh.” She started pouring out different swimsuits on the bed. There were tons of them, I swear. Iba't ibang kulay, iba't ibang design. “See?” Agnes raised an animalistic-themed bikini towards AJ. The cloth appeared as if it was peeled out from a leopard's skin. “Magugustuhan toh ni Mike, for sure!”
“GO!” AJ ushered her to wear it. “Malamang, maga-ala TARZAN yun pag nakita ka. Haha.”
“Gaga!” Agnes jested. “Oy, Ellie! Ito oh, I'm pretty sure parehas tayo ng size. Try this one. Bagay sayo toh!”
I sat up like a zombie, looking utterly lifeless. I stared at my two cousins, but I wasn't really seeing any of them.
“Ayoko ng mag-swimming...” I muttered. “Kayo na lang...” Ang totoo niyan ayoko ng bumalik sa pool na yun...
“Alam mo, ikaw!” AJ suddenly frowned, still clueless. “Hindi kaya Sef find you too boring? Kita mo nga kagabi, may kaharutan na agad siyang ibang girl? ISUOT MO TOH!” He commanded, shoving a pair of swimsuit in my face. “DALIAN MO!!! And make sure na pag natapos ang araw na toh, PANGALAN MO LANG ang alam niyang sabihin!!! Hahaha.”
AS IF. I sighed helplessly. There was no point opposing him... Words are starting to get useless. If I tell AJ what happened back in the pool... I'm pretty sure he'll start another endless sermon and honestly, I am just soooo darn tired. At siguro, AYOKO ding marinig sakanya na MALI yung ginawa ko... I know he'll tell me that, for sure. At WALA nanamang katapusang paguusap ang magaganap... so right now... I'd prefer to AVOID that as much as possible. I snatched the swimsuit from him, stood up without protest and went straight to the washroom to change.
[hr]
What is it about FHM and Playboy Magazine that make men drool like crazy? Dahil ba sa mga mala-diyosang kagandahan at ka-sexyhan ng mga cover girls? Or the fact that women were barely wearing anything, exposing every damn piece of meat they have? Or nasa kulay ng BIKINI o design lang nung two-piece ang sekreto?
Sa mga ganitong klase ng magazine, kailangan tipong Anne Curtis o kaya Kristine Reyes ang nasa front page para maging mabenta sa mga kalalakihan. Malamang, eh kung si Aling Dionisia ipang cocover girl mo? Kung ipamimigay yun ng FREE baka sakaling may kumuha pa! Haha.
Pero, paano kaya... if the one in bikini... the one wearing that two-piece is the very girl that guy has been falling in love with? Yung hindi artista, yung hindi kasing ganda ni Anne or kasing puti ni Kristine? Ano kayang epekto nun sa isang lalaki... especially to someone like Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde?
Sef was almost ready to leave. There was no point staying here anyway. God!!! Sef screamed in his head. That girl is just IMPOSSIBLE beyond words!!! Damn it. He already put his white plain shirt and grabbed his sports bag. His car keys dangling in his finger, he was determined to DISAPPEAR from her SIGHT FOREVER when... the world seemed to stop the moment Sef recognized that short-haired girl who stepped outside the cottage. She looked unconcerned, like she has no clue that she's wearing an aqua blue two-piece topped with a thin, white, loose fabric for cover-up. Her eyes were distant and her face was void of any possible emotion. She stood quietly in between her cousins; she looked like a dress-up mannequin who doesn't give crap about what she's wearing. Agnes and AJ were both grinning and the two were animatedly laughing and talking but Ellie remained quiet.
Sef, however, felt his legs froze and before he knew it, he took off his sunglasses to get a better look. Hindi kasi siya makapaniwala. Parang telescope ang mata ng binata, kahit sobrang layo ng kinakatayuan niya... his eyes magnified ten times than normal, savouring every detail... pinapanood lang niya ang dalaga, from the girl's long, slender legs, up to that smooth, well-exposed neckline.
Sef blinked and quickly tore his gaze away from her... WHAT THE HELL... he clasped a hand on his lips, his mouth suddenly went dry.
Son of a...?! Sef almost cursed parang biglang nawala yung poise ng binata. Kanina he seemed cool and relax about leaving... ngayon, parang dinaig pa niya ang nasentensyahan ng SILYA ELEKTRIKA!!
DAMN IT!!!
The sun was almost setting down, prepared to hide underneath the horizon. It was enough sign para sa mga barista na inihahanda pa lang yung floating bar ng Aquatico Resort na malapit na silang mag-bukas. It was called floating bar for it stood in the very middle of the pool. It was just a small pavilion, open-air ito and it was spacious enough to entertain those who are in desperate need of alcohol – katulad nung binatang dire-diretsong pumasok at umupo sa may counter.
Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde was the first one to make an order. Nawalan tuloy ng choice yung mga barista kung hindi tuluyan ng buksan yung bar. Mabilis na nasundan si Sef doon, dumating na din tuloy yung ibang magbabarkada na kanina pa talaga inaabangan ang pagbubukas nung bar.
“Oh,” A voice came behind Sef. “Mukhang may mabigat kang pinagdadaanan MVP ah?” It was Kuya Romel at nakabuntot sakanya sila Mike, Stan at ang muse ng kanilang grupo -si Em-Em. Hindi pa nga sila masyadong nakakapag-usap ni Kuya Romel pero nabansagan na siya agad nito.
“Hi, Kuya Sef!” Em-Em greeted as she excitedly took the seat next to Sef's. She then looked at the menu and started running her finger on it, reading the list. “Hm, ano tong Screaming Orgasm? Masarap ba toh?”
Natawa si Mike at Stan and Sef instinctively grabbed the menu. “Geez, Em.” He muttered. “Mapapagalitan tayo ng Ate mo niyan eh.” He nodded at the bartender. “Chocolate Milk Shake.” He said pointing at the young girl beside him.
Em-Em gave a childish grin, bigla siyang naexcite para sa milkshake niya. “Eh, bakit nagiisa ka dito Kuya Sef? Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap! Kala tuloy namin umalis ka na! Magtatampo na sana ko eh!”
Sef gave a weak smile and gently patted Em-Em on her head. Bigla naman siyang tinapik ni Stan sa balikat. “Ayos lang yan Dre,” He teased. “Mahal ka nun.”
Sef chuckled and shook his head. “I highly doubt that.” He muttered bitterly, sliding his shot glass away from him. “Kakasabi lang niya, she wants me to stay away.” Hindi sigurado si Sef kung alam nilang si Ellie ang tinutukoy niya, but to hell with it.
Em-Em only blinked and took the Chocolate Milk Shake that was just served before her. It was huge, tall and most of all... it looked so damn delicious. She giggled and started busying herself with it habang nakikinig sa malalim na usapan ng mga kalalakihan sa tabi niya.
“Ah.” Kuya Romel nodded. “Alam mo MVP, minsan... yang mga babae, mga dakilang SINUNGALING YAN.” Em-Em frowned, parang nakakalimutan ata nitong mga toh na babae din siya... but she only snorted and quietly continued stuffing herself with the milkshake. “Pag sinabi ng babae na okay lang siya, wag kang maniniwala. You always have to read between the lines, man.” Kuya Romel continued. “Kung baga sa basketball, it's a fake shot. They're faking it and they're so goddamn good at it kaya tayo, ito, hirap na hirap unawain ang takbo ng mga isip nila.” Kuya Romel then looked towards Sef and spoke with a serious brotherly tone.“At minsan pag sinabi ng babae na layuan mo sila, sometimes, that only means she wants to know if you're going to follow.”
Sef blinked, for a moment there he thought Kuya Romel knew exactly what had happened. And those simple words left a great impact on him.
Mike nodded in agreement, with matching palakpak pa. “Pocha, nadali mo Mel! Pano mo nasabi yan, na i-date mo na ba mga pinsan mo? Hahaha.” Pati si Sef natawa tuloy sa biglang banat ni Mike.
“Lul.” Kuya Romel retorted jokingly. At first he sounded as if he was going to defend his cousins but he continued with, “Hindi ko kailangan i-date mga yun para lang malaman. Haha. Sayo pa lang kitang-kita ko na ebidensya eh. Ta mo, ikaw... kung baga sa kanta para kang laging ganito oh... ” Kuya Romel stood up from his seat, bumwelo ng kaunti sabay birit ng... “♫ Nang ika’y ibigin ko mundo ko’y biglang nagbago akala ko ika’y langit 'Yun pala’y sakit ng ulo...♫”
Hindi napigilan nila Mike, Stan, Sef at Em-Em yung lakas ng tawa't hagikgik nila, with feelings at facial expression pa kasi yung pagkakakanta ni Kuya Romel eh. The best talaga! Agaw atensyon din ito kaya pati yung ibang tao dun sa bar nakitawa na din tuloy sakanila. Si Sef namula agad ang pisngi, umiiling-iling ang binata habang tumatawa. Ngayon lang nag-sink in kay Sef na may pinagmanahan talaga si AJ... itong Kuya nga niya eh, bigla-bigla na lang din bumibirit!!! HAHAHA.
“Sabi mo sa'kin kailan ma'y 'di magbabago Naniwala naman sa iyo ba’t ngayo’y iniwan mo...” Tuloy ni Kuya Romel, using his closed fist as an imaginary mic. His voice was loud and audible, hindi naman pang-singer ang boses nito pero masasabi din namang nasa tono.
And soon enough lahat ng andun sa bar eh naki-duet na din, ultimo yung mga barista. Pati si Sef na hindi kabisado yung lyrics eh napakanta din ng wala sa oras.
“ ♫'Di mo alam dahil sa'yo
Ako’y 'di makakain
'Di rin makatulog
Buhat ng iyong lokohin
Kung ako’y muling iibig
Sana’y 'di maging katulad mo
Tulad mo na may pusong bato. ♫”
“OH MY GAWD!” AJ dramatically stood by one of the four archways of the floating bar, one hand on his hip. “Anong kahibangan ito?!”
The music immediately dispersed like someone pressed the STOP button.
“ATE ELLIEEEE!” Em-Em squealed and promptly jumped off her seat, running towards her sister.
Miguel Josef Uy Montverde suddenly whirled around, his world froze for the second time that day. A soft gasp escaped Ellie's lips obviously she was surprised to see him. Dahan-dahang nawala yung ngiti sa mukha ni Sef, especially when his eyes met hers.
Agnes led the way, she went towards her boyfriend and smiled. “What the hell was that all about?”
“What?” Mike asked innocently, his hand snaked around her waist. “Napakanta lang kami. Si Romel kasi eh.” He then pulled her close to him.
Ganyan yang dalawang yan, over sa PDA!!! Kaya naman si AJ nagtaas lang ng kilay sakanila at agad na sumenyas dun sa barista.“Mojito.” He ordered sabay ngiti kay Sef – yung ngiting pinagmamasdan ang binata. AJ was curious as to how Sef would react, especially now that Ellie is in a very unusual... set of clothes. Haha. Ito naman talaga ang plano niya from the start eh – to help his cousin seduce Mr. Monteverde. :)
Samantalang, kailangan pang haltakin ni Em-Em ang kapatid niya para lang lumapit doon sa may counter, na kung saan nandun ang lahat ng mga kasama nila. Hindi naman makapag-reklamo si Ellie even though her knees were literally shaking... at parang ngayon lang din siya na-conscious sa suot-suot niyang... swimsuit.
Nakshuta ka Elyonorrrr!!! She cursed, trembling. But she had no choice lalo na nung tinulak na siya ni Em-Em sa may upuan ni Sef.
Sef and Stan stood up to make room for the ladies. Namula bigla yung pisngi ni Ellie when she occupied Sef's seat. He stood behind her, his presence was all she was aware of and it's making her chest explode!!!
“Uyyy!!!” Kuya Romel said, raising his hand. “Hinay-hinay lang sa pag-inom ah!” He reminded. “Uuwi pa tayo Pangasinan mamaya!” Well, Agnes tried to convince Mike na mag-overnight na lang sila dito sa resort. But Mike refused to do so, pinagbilinan kasi siya ng daddy ni Agnes - ang Tito Dan nila Ellie - na umuwi daw sila bago magalas dose. Agnes did try to argue na aakuin niya ang galit ng daddy niya, but Mike didn't listen takot lang niya kay Tito Dan. “Walang sosobra sa tatlong baso!!!”
But Sef was no longer listening... He looked, his full attention at the girl sitting before him and nothing else. His mind rattled, this girl is a complete DISTRACTION to him. He couldn't think clearly... she sat there, her arms resting against the counter while she scanned the menu. Ellie bit her lower lip, toying with it. Her eyes glued on the list of drinks but she doesn't seem to have interest in any of them. Sef had the sudden want to talk to her, drag her out of this floating bar and pull her in a corner. Beads of sweat were forming on Sef' forehead and he had the sudden need for a COLD DRINK to cool himself a bit. Siguro nga epekto ito nung isang baso ng gin na inorder niya kanina. DAMMIT!!! HOW COME SHE'S NOT DOING ANY DAMN THING, BUT HER EFFECT ON MIGUEL JOSEF UY MONTEVERDE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE HIM CRAZY!!!
“Hi.” A bartender stopped in front of Ellie, beaming a cool smile. “Anything I can get you?”
“Uhh--- Um.” Ellie stammered, slightly surprised. Tina-try kasi niyang basahin yung menu... pero hanggang try nga lang talaga siya. She was just pretending to read the texts but she couldn't seem to grasp anything. “Uh---” She frowned in despair. “Ice cream! May ice cream kayo?”
Napangiti lalo yung bartender na mohawk yung hairstyle. He was buff and muscular, parang pwedeng sumali sa Mr. Pogi ng Eat Bulaga. AJ gave a dramatic pout when he noticed the bartender. “Ooohh.” He howled. “Ikaw ba kasama sa menu?”
Kinurot agad ni Ellie ang pinsan niya sa tagiliran. “Marinig ka ng kuya mo!” She warned.
AJ blinked and sat upright. He grabbed his mojito and took it in one straight gulp. Parang naalarma din ito bigla. Kaya ayaw talaga niyang gumigimik kasama KUYA niya eeeeh. Kainis!!! “Ah, ibig kong sabihin...” AJ said in a low alto voice. Nagtransform nanaman siyang lalaki. “... isang BANANA SPLIT PARE!”
Exactly at that moment, nagkatinginan si Ellie at Sef and before they knew it... they started to laugh in unison. IMBA TALAGA SI JUAN ANTONIO MALICSI!!! KAHIT YUNG DALAWANG TAONG ILANG NA ILANG SA ISA'T ISA EH NAGAGAWANG PATAWANIN NG SABAY!!! :)
[hr]
Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
The breeze was shockingly warm tonight. The sound of endless laughter filled the air and his voice... his smile... was intoxicating enough to make me want to CHANGE my mind. Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde stood beside my little sister on the mini stage of the floating bar, performing a song number. Nagdu-duet sila and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Pati ako, hindi ko namalayan, I had a smile plastered on my face while watching him up there.
He actually doesn't know the song, si Em-Em kasi itong pumili eh. But he did good, he got it covered up kaya panay din ang tawa niya habang sinusubukang sabayan ang bunso kong kapatid. I love the fact that my sister is comfortable with him... and that Sef seemed to feel the same way. If I were a stranger, aakalain ko ngang magkapatid silang dalawa eh.
Panay ang tili nila Agnes at AJ, cheering for them. Si Kuya Romel naman panay ang kantiyaw ng, “MVP!!! MVP!!! MVP!!!”
I smirked and quietly made my way out of the floating bar. Hinayaan ko na lang silang lahat dun na magkasiyahan. I sighed, feeling the gentle wind against me. For some reason, it felt relaxing and soothing. I just needed to breathe some fresh air... and perhaps, I needed to take my eyes off Sef. Like I told you guys a thousand times already, I FIND HIS SMILE TOO DAMN IRRESISTIBLE. At sa totoo lang, I was tempted to poke him by the arm and tell him to FORGET EVERYTHING I TOLD HIM THIS MORNING BY THE POOL.
“ARGH!!!” I grunted, roughly scratching my hair. “ANAKSHUTA KA NAMAN KASI ELLIE EEEEEH!!!” I muttered angrily to myself, stomping my way towards the white railings that bordered the resort. I rested my arms on the metallic rail and looked at the vast, dark ocean ahead. The sound of waves splashing on the shore remixed with the loud music coming from the floating bar.
OH ANO KA NGAYON ELLIE?!?!?! HA?!?!?! NAGIISIP KA NGAYON KUNG PANO MO BABAWIIN YUNG SINABI MO KAY SEF KANINA?!?!?! LECHUGAS KA KASI EEEEH!!! BALBAL KA!!! GRRRRRR... SABIHIN MO NGA SAKIN... IPALIWANAG MO KUNG BAKIT BA SAKSAKAN NG TIGAS NG BUNGO MO HA? ELYONORRRR?!?! BAKIT MO BA PINAPAHIRAPAN NG GANYAN ANG SARILI MO?!?!
PANO SI MAX?! And my chest gave another painful throb with that sudden question.
Oo nga pala...
Oo nga pala...
I let out an exasperated sigh. Bigla na akong nakaramdam ng pagod... I am just emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted!!! I had enough for one day. I want to just close my eyes and drift away to sleep.
AYOKO NG MAG-ISIP PA NG KUNG ANO YUNG TAMA O MALING DESISYON... AYOKO MUNANG ISIPIN SI MAX, SI SEF O KAHIT SI SARA. BUKAS... DEFINITELY, BUKAS I'M GOING TO ENJOY MYSELF!!! SASAMA KO KANILA KUYA ANDREW AT EDDY SA BUKID AT YAYAYAIN KO SILA TITO DAN NA MALIGO SA BATIS. I THINK I DESERVE A DAY OFF FROM ALL THESE PROBLEMS!!! ARGH. IT'S LITERALLY DRAINING ME!!!
I finally decided to go back to the floating bar. Binibigyan ko pa ng one hour yung mga kasama ko then after nun, yayayain ko na silang umalis. Malayo-layo din ang lalakbayin namin papuntang Pangasinan at gustong-gusto ko ng matulog. I turned around to leave, pero parang biglang nanigas ang mga paa ko sa kinatatayuan ko... My chest ached painfully than ever when I recognized Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde walking his way towards me. Napaatras ako, hitting my back against the rail. ANAKSHUTA, ELLIE PARA KA LANG NAKAKITA NG MULTO AH?!?!
Sef gave a lopsided smile as though he was hesitant to approach me. Both of his hands were inside the pockets of his surfing short. Humangin at nagulo lalo yung buhok niya.
“Hi.” He greeted with a hint of uncertainty.
My heart pounded against my chest at nagsimula na akong makaramdam ng GINAW. I slightly shivered and instinctively wrapped my arms around myself. Ang totoo mga kaibigan, I'm scared to hear what Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde has to say.
I gave a small nod and anxiously looked down my feet. “Uh--” I began, my voice sounded so small and I knew it was trembling.“Sige. Una na ko.” With that said, I tried to walk pass him.
“Ellie!” He called me, pushing me back to the rail but I ignored him and pretended not to hear. Sinubukan ko pa ding umalis.“Damn.” He cursed and before I knew it Sef had his hand on my arm and forced me to stop. “Listen!” He shouted, his voice was commanding. “Will you stop and just listen to me!” I knew he was angry. He willed me to face him and he successfully trapped me against the rail. His strong arms were on my either sides.
I tried to stay calm. AYOKO NG MARINIG YUNG SASABIHIN NIYA. AYOKO NA!!! WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY?!?! I ALREADY MADE MYSELF CLEAR TWICE. Sa Tagaytay at dito sa Batangas. I TOLD HIM TO STAY AWAY!!!
“I listened to you talk.” He said, his eyes piercing angrily at me. “Now, it's your turn to listen.” His hands gripped tightly on the rails that his knuckles had turned white. Natakot ako lalo. Galit na galit na talaga siya. I felt so small and helpless before him. I could feel a lump stuck in my throat that it started to get painful.
What if Sef tells me that he also doesn't want anything to do with me anymore... kahit sa Facebook o Twitter ayaw na din niyang makita pangalan ko. What if he tells me that he would be GLAD to accept my terms, that he is WILLING to erase me in his life... kung sa bagay, sino ba naman ako sakanya diba? Isang hamak lang akong CLOWN, madaling palitan, madaling kalimutan.
I looked warily at him. I tried to give the best POKER FACE I have... yung mukha na WALANG PAKIALAM. Yung mukha ng isang taong HINDI nagsisisi sa desisyong ginawa niya... I TRIED. AT SANA... SANA... EFFECTIVE.
“I am the kind of guy na madaling kausap Ellie.” Sef began. His eyes were focused on mine as if he's trying to read what I was thinking. “If a girl tells me to go away, I go. No questions asked. If she says she doesn't like me, fine. Pero... sayo...” I watched as the apparent anger etched on his face slowly faded. The spark in his eyes was a mixture of HURT and TORMENT. “Sayo... I find myself being stubborn and reckless... the more you push me away, the more I want to get closer to you...”
I stared at him without daring to blink. I couldn't even look away. My heart was drumming wildly against my chest now... ANONG SINASABI NIYA LORD?!?!?!?! ANONG SINASABI NI SEF?!?! My insides were squirming, parang may mga goldfish na naligaw sa loob ng bituka ko't napagisipan nilang mag-swimming doon. I could feel my knees weakened at wag lang humangin ng malakas at talagang tutumba na ko agad.
Sef closed his eyes as though he's savouring his defeat. He then dropped his head low that I couldn't see his face anymore. His dishevelled hair slightly brushing against my chin. “I'm sorry to disappoint you.” He muttered. “But I won't leave, Ellie. I obviously just can't stay away from you...” His voice was so small like that of a child who was feeling sick and needed someone to take care of him and reassure him that he's going to be all right. “... I'm not going anywhere... not until you tell me that you hate me so much that you really can't stand to be around me anymore.” His hands slowly released its grip on the rails as though it took everything in his power just to say those words to me.
I don't know what possessed me... but my hands found their way to Sef's face. My palms pressing against the both sides of his cheeks as I willed him to look up at me. For the first time in my life... I'm doing something WITHOUT rationalizing... without THINKING about the pros and the cons... without considering the consequences... without WORRYING about what could happen next... and most especially... WITHOUT DEBATING WITH MY HEART. For the first time, I WASN'T THINKING AT ALL... I WAS JUST FOLLOWING WHAT MY HEART HAS BEEN TELLING ME ALL ALONG.
“Then by all means,” I muttered softly with a reassuring smile. “Please stay.” And I knew right then and there that the INVISIBLE GREAT WALL OF CHINA I built to protect myself had started to crumble.
Sef continued to search my eyes as if he's making sure that I'm being SERIOUS. Siguro naguguluhan na talaga siya sakin. Kahit naman sino NAGUGULUHAN SA TAKBO ng isip mo Eleonor eh. Haha. And to my surprise... He gradually stood up and without further ado he reached out, placed a hand at the nape of my neck and pushed me towards him to catch my lips. It felt so damn perfect... the kiss, the cool night air, the waves in the background and his lips had never tasted so sweet against mine and it slightly surprised me that Sef's kiss was intense and passionate tonight... his other hand rested at the small of my back that it sent shivers up my spine. I wasn't sure what I was doing either because for the first time I didn't hesitate about kissing him back.
It was Sef who gradually pulled away and my head was left spinning like crazy. He has a very SERIOUS look on his face, not a smile... no arrogant comments or anything... He just stared at me for a long time and I felt a blush dominated my cheeks and I couldn't seem to breathe... ANAKSHUTA, ANO BA NAMAN YANG TITIG NA YAN?!?!?! NAKAKATUNAW. I then gasped... my heart banged against my chest... NAPALUNOK AKO SA KABA... SA UNANG PAGKAKATAON... THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN THIS OTHER SIDE OF MIGUEL JOSEF UY MONTEVERDE... AND IT SLIGHTLY FRIGHTENED ME especially when I realized that there was something more in the depths of his eyes. Even without words, Sef was clear about one thing – HE WANTS ME.
Gulped.
He wants YOU?? WEEEEEEH!!! DI NGA?!?! HAHAHA. EKSAHIRADA KA TEH AH!!! Wag kang patawa ELEONORRRR!!! WAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!
I looked away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. DIOS KO!!! OH MAY GAWD!!! HINDI KO TOH ALAM!!! ANO BANG GINAGAWA SA MGA GANITONG KLASE NG SITWASYON?!?!?! LOOOOOOOOORD!!! HINDI PA KO READY, PRAMISSSSS!!! ANAKSHUTANG ANIMALES ELEONOR!!! HAHAHA. UMAYOS KA NGA!!! WAG KANG FEELING!!!
Gulped.
Napayuko tuloy ako, I felt my palms sweating and I WAS LITERALLY GETTING SCARED NOW. Pakiramdam ko may mga MATA mula sa langit na nakatingin sa akin ngayon at konti pa't tatamaan na ko ng kidlat!!!
Sef exhaled sharply before closing his eyes... he looked as though he's meditating. It took him a while to speak up. “You're driving me really crazy Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan.” He muttered BADUMP. AT AKO PA NGAYON?!?!?! “We better get back in the bar.” He finally smiled, stepping away from me. “Doon sa maraming tao.” He turned his head away and scratched his head, messing up his hair. I was pretty sure his cheeks were turning red. “You're not safe with me when we're alone like this.”
I threateningly pointed my forefinger at him as I gave him an intense glare. “SIMULA NGAYON!!! HINDI KA NA TALAGA PWEDENG LUMAPIT SAKIN MR. MONTEVERDE!!!” I told him. “SHOO!!!” I waved my hands as though telling a stray dog to go away. “SHOO!!!”
Sef started to rock into fits of laughter. “Hahahaha.” He guffawed, his laughter echoing in the night. “Okay. Okay.” He backed off, even raising both his hands to surrender. “I won't do anything, I promise... Well, except for this.” Nagulat ako as he took my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. “Siguro naman, this is harmless.” He grinned so wide I could see all his teeth gleaming.
POOOOOOOOTEK!!! KINIKILIG ANG LOLA NIYOOO!!! NAKSHUTA TALAGA ITONG SI SEF!!! GAWD!!! MAGMAHAL KA NGA NAMAN NG ISANG SIRA ULONG KAGAYA NITO OH!!! Hahaha. Pero sige na nga, hindi naman kami dadaming dalawa dahil lang sa simpleng holding hands eeeeeh!!! WAHAHAHAHAHA. Echoserang froglet ka talaga Ellie!!! Hahaha.
TENGENENG YAN!!!
Ohohohohohoho.
The... End?!
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Hahahaha.
Di joke lang.
TO BE CONTINUED.