Chapter 4
"Please do invite her, Seymour. And tell her sister to come as well."
"Yes, Tita."
"Thank you, hijo. You take care now." Nawala na ito sa linya.
Ang pinaiimbitahan nito sa kanya ay walang iba kundi si AJ. Kung maaari lang niyang tanggihan ang matanda ay ginawa na sana niya. Ayaw niyang kumatok sa pinto ng babae upang ianunsiyo iyon. Parang nakikinita na niya ang magiging ekspresyon nito----magyayabang sa kanya.
Hindi naman niya maunawaan sa ina ni Brett kung bakit kahit na sinabi na niya rito ang lahat ay tumango lang ito. She said she already thought about it. Iyon lang ang naging takbo ng usapan nila. Ayaw naman niyang igiit ang nasa isip niya. Basta't nagawa na niya ang sa tingin niya ay obligasyon niyang sabihin dito.
Parang gusto na niyang isipin na parang hindi na ganoon kahalaga sa matanda ang kaligayahan ng anak nito, basta't maipakasal lang ito sa babae. At sa lahat naman ng babae ay kay AJ pa.
Kaninang umaga lang nang basain siya nito ng tubig sa kalsada.
Bigla siyang napailing nang maalalang pinatulan niya ito. Kinuha pa niya ang ito ang binasa. Hayun tuloy at nakita niya ang bagay na aminado siyang ilang ulit na niyang nailarawang-diwa. He thought it was only normal for he was male. It was in his nature to get interested in things like that.
But the woman seemed interested in his thing, too. Sa bagay na iyon ay hindi niya malaman kung ano ang kanyang iisipin. Dapat ba siyang matuwa o lalo lang mainis dito? And now this. He must tell her she was being invited to attend Brett's mother's party.
Madalas na magpa-party ang matanda kahit wala namang tunay na okasyon. Mamayang gabi ay selebrasyon para sa pagkadagdag sa painting na matagal na nitong inawitan sa isang kolektor at sa wakas ay nabili na nito. Ibig daw nitong ipakita iyon sa lahat.
Hindi pa siya kaagad nagtungo sa bahay nina AJ. Hihintayin niya ang huling sandali. Nag-ayos na lang siya ng susuotin niya. The past two weeks made him lose five more pounds. He was glad. Unti-unti man ay naibabalik na niya ang dati niyagn pangangatawan bagaman ang sabi sa kanya ng ina ni Brett ay huwag na raw siyang mag-aksaya pa ng effort. Siya raw ang isa sa iilang kahit na anong hugis ng katawan ay babagayan.
He used to think so too, until AJ started insulting him. Isa pa ay talaga namang ibig niyang ibalik ang dating timbang. Mas naeengganyo nga lang siya ngayon dahil sa babeng iyon, kahit pa pilit niyang iniisip na wala naman siyang pakialam sa opinyon nito. Why the hell would her opinion matter when he thought she was someone who did not and would not share his thoughts about anything.
Sinipat niya ang relo. Alas-siyete na ng gabi. Napilitan na siyang lumabas at magtungo sa bahay ni AJ. Ito mismo ang nabukas niyon. Nakataas na kaagad ang kilay nito sa kanya at nakasimangot. The woman could look beautiful even with that annoying smirk on her face.
"What the hell do you want?"
"Where's your sister?"
"What do you want from her?" Tumaas agad ang tinig nito, tila ibig proteksiyunan ang kapatid sa kanya hindi pa man. He was getting ticked off once again. Why can't the woman talk to him in a civil manner, at least?
"I was just asking---"
"Don't tell me you like her?" Nakakainsulto itong tumawa. "Nanliligaw ka ba? Ewww! You better stop while you're ahead. My sister doesn't like short, fat men."
Muli itong tumawa. Aktong muli itong magsasalita nang mapikon siya. Pinatahimik niya ang mga labi nito ng halik.
He did not expect her lips to feel that soft against his.
SEYMOUR'S lips tasted incredible, with only the slightest taste of mint. Hindi makapaniwala si AJ kung paanong tumagal ang halik na iyon gayong kanina pa sinasabi ng isip niyang lumayo rito. Hanggang ang babala ng isip niya ay kinain na ng kaaya-ayang pakiramdam na dulot ng mga labi nito sa kanya.
The kiss was both tender yet wild at the same time. Until his lips went down to her neck. Agad na nag-init ang kanyang pakiramdam. Ang kaninang sensasyong binuhay nito ay naroon na ulit, mas matindi pa. Para bang ibig niyang subukang haplusin ang balat nitong batid niyang malambot at makinis.
She was shocked with the sensation and the things she wanted to do to the man. But every feeling was overwhelming it was hard to focus on her questions about how she was reacting to him.
His hand slowly explored her skin, sliding up under her skirt, up her thigh, over her hip. His touch was gentle and firm at the same time.
He sucked in a breath when she couldn't help but brush her trembling hand against his fly. She guessed it was her curiosity that made her do it. The feel of his arousal fired her up all the more.
He kissed her again, very passionately this time, almost savagely. She responded with the same intensity. She started to feel uncomfortable with how hot she had become. She could hear her breath coming out in gasps.
Mabilis nitong naails ang automatic button ng blusa niya. She was not wearing her bra. He stared at her breasts for a while. And oh, the chaos inside her body that he created with just a simple stare.
"K-kiss me," she said in a little voice, shy and apprehensive. He didn't breathe a word, he just did what she asked of him.
Habang magkalapat ang mga labi nila ay kumilos ito upang maalis ang natitira niyang saplot. His hand slowly began tracing the contours of her body, leaving a trail of burning sensation. His hand moved down her stomach...
She realized she was holding her breath in anticipation.
His hand slowly moved downward, to her inner thigh, just inches from that burning soft flesh between her legs. He slowly massaged her skin, getting closer to her center with each motion.
She then felt his lips taking between them the tip of her breast. She heard herself moan in pleasure. The man sure knew how to make her want more.
He teased her with his mouth and his hand. Her whole body was almost trembling uncontrollably from his touch, unable to feel anything but the pleasure burning from her erogenous spots.
He stopped what he was doing after a while. She almost yelled in frustration. She saw a little smile on his face, as if he knew exactly what was going through her mind. Dama niya ang pag-iinit ng kanyang pisngi.
She was about to explain herself when he kissed her lips once again and she immediately forgot everything. Pinangko siya nito.
"Where's you room, honey?"
"Upstairs, to the left," she said between gasps.
Muli siya nitong hinagkan at hindi niya alam kung paanong matiwasay silang nakarating sa kanyang silid nang magkalapat ang kanilang mga labi. Maingat siya nitong ibinaba sa kama. He then took off all his clothes.
She gave in to that longing to feel his skin against her palm. And then she hesitantly touched what she was staring at earlier that day. Once again, he sucked in a mouthful of air with his teeth together.
"Enough," he said then kissed her lips while he rubbed her and caressed her.
His arousal was brushing lightly against her thighs. She shivered. She thought their bodies would come together then but she was wrong. His lips from her lips started to go down her body.
He tasted every every sqaure centimeter of skin his hand went to earlier. She shuddered and quivered and her toes curled three times. She was so very antsy, drowning in that sensation and was starting to think she would die in pleasure soon.
"This is t-too much, Seymour!" she cried.
He kissed her lips while feeling her. "Too much, huh?"
She felt him smiling against her lips. She thought maybe she sounded ridiculous. She was again about to explain when she felt their bodies joining. Napasinghap siya, may bahagyang hapding nadama. Mukhang naunawaan naman nitong nahihirapan siyang mag-adjust upang ma-accommodate ito. He moved ever so slowly.
Until she felt like she needed him to go faster and told him so.
At long last, she found out how beautiful the act was. At tila may kung anong init na humaplos sa kanyang puso nang makitang pareho lang sila nito ng reaksiyon.
He lied next to her. Mayamaya, nang sulyapan niya ito ay nakita niyang nakatitig ito sa kisame. Magkakasunod ang naging palunok niya, unti-unti nang nauunawaan ang kanyang nagawa.
She did not know if it was worth it, but that moment, it certainly felt like so.
She turned over on her side and stayed that way for a while, only the sound of their breathing disturbing the silence.
"Wh-why were you looking for my sister again?"
"Oh, that." Noon pa lang ito tumingin sa kanya. "Tita Lucinda asked me to fetch you guys. There's a dinner party in their house."
Sukat napaluha na lang siya. She felt so deceived all of a sudden. Why didn't he tell her that beforehand? Kung sinabi nito iyon, ang laki marahil ng nabago sa sitwasyon, o marahil kahit sa magiging takbo ng buhay niya at ng kanyang kapatid.
Paano na ngayon siya makakaharap sa ninang niya matapos iyon? Paano pa niya ngayon mapapakasalan si Brett?
Nagagalit siya pero tila ba ang galit na iyon ay sa isip lang niya. She felt too weak to feel anger. Her knees still felt weak, her insides felt as if they were still quivering from the intensity of their lovemaking. All she was capable of doing was silently shed tears.
Narinig niyang bumuntong-hininga ito. "I guess both of us should stay here."
Lalo nang bumilis ang patak ng luha niya. Pinahid nito ang mga iyon.
"Why didn't you t-tell me earlier?"
"I was supposed to but... I'm sorry." He sighed. "You can't marry Brett now."
"You planned this?"
"No."
Somehow, she believed him. Bahagya siyang tumango. "Of course I can't marry Brett now."
"We'll talk tomorrow. Meanwhile, why don't you rest?"
How can I rest now? ibig sana niyang sabihin pero tumango na lang siya. Hinang-hina pa rin ang pakiramdam niya. Malaking dahilan siguro doon ay ang pagbabago ng lahat, o ang ngayon ay sigurado nang pagbabago ng lahat.
Nagbihis na ito. Kipkip lang niya ang kumot, nakamasid dito.
"I need to go. We will talk tomorrow." Tumalikod na ito. Parang gusto niyang sabihin ditong huwag munang umalis pero naipit na ang salita sa kanyang lalamunan.
Bago ito tuluyang lumabas ng silid ay muli siya nitong nilingon, tila may nakalimutan, saka muling lumapit sa kanya at hinagkan siya sa noo. Tipid itong tumango, pinisil ang balikat niya at umalis na.
Somehow, him kissing her forehead made her feel better.
"ARE you sure, hija?"
Tumango si AJ sa ninang niya. Sinamahan siya doon ni Seymour upang sabihin ditong buo na ang pasya niyang huwag magpakasal sa anak nito. Isa iyon sa mga napag-usapan nila ng binata.
Ang ikinatwiran niya sa matanda ay naisip niyang hindi sila akma ng anak nito sa isa't isa. Humingi siya ng paumahin dito, at iginiit nitong baka sakaling magkagustuhan sila ni Brett kung sakali lang na makikilala nila ang isa't isa. Iyon nga raw mismo ang dahilan kung bakit nais nitong magkasama sila parati.
Kung maaari nga lang niyang sabihin dito ang tunay na dahilan.
Hindi naman ganoon kasama ang ugali niya para ituloy ang pagpursige sa isang bagay na alam niyang hindi na uubra. Paano pa sila ni Brett? She slept with the man he obviously trusted and respected. At siguro, sakaling igiit niya iyon ay hindi rin naman mananahimik lang sa isang tabi si Seymour.
Kung bakit naman kasi hindi na lang siya personal na inimbita ng matandang babae at si Seymour pa ang inutusan. Nauwi tuloy sa hindi inaasahan ang lahat. Damn Seymour's lips. And damn she for succumbing to her desire.
Nang mukhang sinukuan na rin sa pangungumbinse ang matanda ay nagpaalam na siya rito. Nagpaalam na rin si Seymour at sa sasakyan ay tahimik lang silang dalawa.
Kakatwa ang naging turingan nila mula nang may maganap sa kanila. Kung noon ay nagsasagutan sila, ngayon ay hindi sila halos nag-iimikan.
Kanina ay nag-usap sila, gaya ng pangako nito sa kanya kagabi. Simpleng-simple lang naman ang naging usapan nila. Tinanong lang siya nito kung ano daw ba ang plano niya. At sinabi naman niya ang totoo: hindi pa niya alam.
Tinanong siya nito kung ano daw ba ang gusto niyang gawin. Kung naisipan na raw ba niyang magtabaho o magbalik sa pag-aaral. Nang mag-usap sila nito kanina ay tila ba napakarami na nitong alam tungkol sa kanya. Hula niya ay inalam nito ang mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa kanya bago sila nag-usap. O marahil ay noon pa nito alam ang mga iyon.
He knew she did not finish school because he asked her if she wanted to study again. Sa lahat ng tanong nito ay isa ang sagot niya: hindi pa niya alam.
Sa huli, sinabi nitong ito daw ang magpo-provide sa kanya pansamantala. Dahil magulo pa ang isip niya kanina, umoo na lang siya. Kahti paano, may pansamantalang solusyon sa suliranin niya.
Pakiramdam niya ay isa siyang pusang ligaw. Hayun na ang plano niya, tinangay na ng hangin gayong kailan lang ay siguradong-sigurado na siya sa mga mangyayari sa buhay nilang magkapatid. Ngayon ay nangangapa siya. Ang mahirap pa ay mas nakapagpalito sa kanya si Seymour, o ang nadarama niya para dito.
Nang magharap sila kanina ay hindi niya makuhang mainis dito. Nang matulog siya kagabi, naisip niyang pagod lang siya kaya tame siya. Inaasahan niyang paggising niya ay magwawala na siya. Pero hindi.
Seymour said that when she knew what she wanted in her life, he was going to help her out. Hindi niya alam kung katulad ba iyon ng offer nito noon o ano. Hindi rin niya alam kung may personal ba itong plano sa kanila. She was aware there was a very big possibility that what happened to them was but a one-night stand.
Mahirap para sa kanyang isipin iyon, hindi naman siya ganoong uri ng babae, pero nangyari na. Wala na siyang magagawa para ibalik ang lahat. Kahit ibalik niya pa, hindi niya sigurado kung maiiba niya ang takbo ng pangyayari. Malinaw pa sa kanya kung gaano kalakas ang intensidad ng naganap.
It was almost as if a force greater than them both enveloped them and drove them to do it.
Dumaan muna sila sa isang restaurant at nag-take out ito ng pagkain, saka sila umuwi. Doon na sila sa bahay niya kumain. Tahimik lang sila kapwa. Salamat at nag-ring ang telepono. Agad niya iyong sinagot. It was her sister.
Sa mga nangyari ay nalimutan na niyang tawagan ito upang pagsabihan. Ang sabi nito ay kahapon pa ito uuwi. Nagpasya itong sa matalik na kaibgan sa Maynila tumira pansamantala. Kilala naman niya ang kaibigan nito at may tiwala naman siya sa kapatid niya kaya pinayagan niya ito.
Ang sabi nito ay may inaayos daw ito doon, pero ayaw namang sabihin sa kanya kung ano. Hinayaan na lang niya ito. Kung wala marahil doon si Seymour ay kinulit pa niya ito pero magulo ang mundo niya sa ngayon. Matanda na si PJ, kaya na nito ang sarili.
"Have you thought about going back to school?"
"Yes. But I already told you, as of now, I don't have any idea what I want to do, okay?"
Bahagya itong tumango. Minadali na niya ang pagkain. Bakit ba ilang na ilang siyang bigla rito samantalang kagabi ay nakita niya ang lahat dito at ganoon din naman ito sa kanya?
Nang matapos silang kumain ay nagligpit na siya. She wished he would go away, but at the same time she wanted him to stay.
"I guess I'm gonna go now."
"O-okay."
Ihinatid niya ito hanggang sa pinto. Tila hindi nito alam kung ano ang gagawin. Mukhang hahagkan siya nito na nagbago ang isip, matapos ay muling umaktong hahagkan siya. Maging siya ay nalito kaya nang hagkan siya nito ay eksaktong nagbaling siya ng mukha, dahilan upang kalahati ng labi nito ay sa labi niya dumapo.
Ilang sandaling magkalapat lang nang ganoon ang mga labi nila. Nang iawang niya ang labi niya upang magsalita ay hindi na niya naituloy ang sasabihin. He kissed her.
And that led to something else.
It was better than last night.
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