(Disclaimer: This is just a fanfiction. A part of this was already published in the previous chapter under Connecting the Dots portion)
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It's been more than a month since their last meet up in Darlene's house in Pasig. At sa loob ng panahon na 'yon, marami nang nangyari sa kanila. Rhian had a vacation in Japan with family for nine days. Glaiza had a vacation in Australia with friends for nine days. Rhian had another five days in Thailand. And in between, sobrang naging busy rin sila sa tapings, events, photo shoots, interviews, endorsements, etc. It was almost 24/7 work for both of them.
But with all these activities, they still kept their communication open. In fact, si Glaiza ang nag suggest kay Rhian ng mga lugar na magandang puntahan sa Japan tulad ng Nara Park, Osaka Castle, at iba pa. Si Rhian naman ang nag-convince sa kanya na subukan ang skydiving habang nasa Wollongong siya.
Ohhh, Rhian... she missed her! And finally, today is the day... Napabuntong hininga siya.
Inaamin ni Glaiza na kung minsan, napapagod na siya sa pag-aartista. Kung minsan, gusto na niyang sumuko. Mataas ang expectations sa kanya ng management ng kanilang network ganoon din ng kanyang mga fans. Ibinibigay niya ang lahat para sa soap kung saan pinagkatiwalaan siya ng isang title role. But the said soap is too draining for her. Masyadong erratic ang emotions niya dahil dito. Bukod pa rito, dahil sa exposure niya sa television ay may mga bashers din siya. It's not easy for her to handle people comparing her own show to another show in different network. Specially if these people are pinning her down personally. Although kung minsan, hindi naman niya pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang bashers. Pero may pagkakataon na bilang tao ay tinatablan din naman siya. Nasasaktan din siya... Mabuti na lamang at lagi niyang kasama ang pamilya niya para umalalay. Nagpapasalamat din siya at may mga totoong fans na naniniwala sa kanya. At... naririyan pa rin si Rhian na kahit busy ring katulad niya ay gumagawa ng paraan para magpatuloy ang communication nila.
She would like to focus on music, pero hindi naman masyadong rewarding ito pagdating sa monetary value. Mas liberating ang music kaysa acting para sa kanya. Stressful ang pag-arte samantalang stress reliever naman niya ang pagkanta at paglalaro ng gitara. But what can she do at the moment? Her hands are tied up with responsibilities. Hindi pa sapat ang ipon niya. She's not yet stable. Her family is not yet stable. Her travel business is still new and has not even picking up for the return on its investment...
Anyway, she'll just enjoy her moment now... it's her rest day. And she has chosen to spend the night with her favorite person. The loveliest woman in her eyes... Rhian.
It's May 18, Friday night. Finale episode of TOTGA. Dito sila sa condominium unit niya magkikita. Sabay silang manonood.
Nag spray siya sa paligid ng air freshener. May scented candle din siya sa dalawang corner ng sala.
The fridge has eight bottles of San Mig Light. She also has some chips in the tray.
She looked at the wall clock. It's 7:30 PM. She's ready...
Ding! Dong!... Ding! Dong!... Ding! Dong!
It's three bells. It's her! She walked towards the door. Sumilip siya sa peephole. Yes! Her Rhian!
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She parked her Honda car in the basement parking area. Mabilis siyang lumabas at nagtungo sa elevator. She had no make-up. She was wearing eyeglasses in her 50/50 vision. Not in glamorous attire but still in her natural beauty. It's just an ordinary pair of blouse and shorts... With cap on her head.
She immediately pressed 21st Floor. Hanggang marating niya ang pakay na palapag.
Nag doorbell siya ng tatlong beses. Ganoon naman ang usapan nila. Three doorbells. Either in her condominium unit in Rockwell or in Glaiza's condominium unit here in Eastwood.
Glaiza opened the door. She was welcomed by her smile. Isinara agad nito ang pinto bago sila nagyakap.
"Looooove!" Niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit. They swayed sideward... and kissed... They sweetly tasted each other's lips... and tongue. Ganoon lang sila sa loob ng limang minuto.
"I missed you..." bulong nito sa kanya
"I missed you too, lubb! Sooo much!...." she sweetly replied.
"Halika na. I have your favorite salad from Salad Stop."
"Oh, really? Thank you, lubb!"
Dumiretso sa kitchen si Glaiza. Inilagay naman niya ang backpack sa sopa at sumunod na rito sa kitchen. Niyakap niya ito sa likod habang inihahanda nito ang kanilang pagkain.
"Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos kanina? You must be tired from taping your finale episode..." wika ni Glaiza.
"Yeah. Nakatulog ako ng five hours straight. How about you?"
"As usual, it's too draining. Pero nakatulog din ako ng four hours". Humarap ito sa kanya, "mabuti na lang at naririto ka ngayon, lubb. You are my stress reliever..." malungkot ang mga mata nito.
Tinitigan niya ito. She knows that Glaiza is tired. Kaya naman ng katawan nito ang pagod. Kahit nga sa TRMD at Encantadia ay inaabot din ang working hour nito ng ganoon kahaba. But she knows that Glaiza is emotionally drained... dahil sa role nito sa Contessa na napakahaba ng working hour... at dahil din sa sitwasyon nila.
She cupped her face. And again... kissed her lips... and murmured, "I love you"
"I love you too... I want to shout the world that you are mine..." bulong nito sa tapat ng kanyang labi.
"I know!" Mahina rin niyang sagot. "Me too...".
And she remembered about Glaiza's interview with iamClaire. Before answering those questions, ibinigay na ng iamClaire staff ang questionnaire kay Glaiza para makapaghanda ito ng isasagot. She was not put on the spot by the production. In fact she could have opted out some questions. But Glaiza had chosen to include the question about the five people close to her. And she bravely included her name. Kung mapapansin ng fans, panghuli sa binanggit ni Glaiza ang kanyang pangalan. She knew it. Because she is very special to Glaiza... because Glaiza wanted to tell the world that she, Rhian, is her girlfriend. But she cannot... at this point in time!
"Let's eat, lubb... or else..." biro nito sa kanya. Naupo na ito sa dining chair.
"Or else what?"
"Nothing" she sheepishly smiled
"Or else what?" Pangungulit niya. Gusto niyang marinig ang sasabihin nito.
Namumula ang pisngi nito habang kagat ang ibabang labi. "Or else..."
"What?"
"I will eat you!".
There! She said it. And both of them were smiling yet blushing. It's more than a month since they slept together. She knew, Glaiza's blood were rushing all over her body... and she felt the same!
"Let's eat, Glai. I shall have a twitter party with the cast of TOTGA later". Kumindat siya kay Glaiza. Kailangang kumalma siya. Parang gusto niyang ipahiwatig na 'we can do that after the airing of TOTGA'... kung... kung kaya nila ...
———————-
While they were in the living room, Glaiza gave Rhian a bottle of San Mig Light. Umupo siya sa tabi nito. Pasandal na inihilig niya ang ulo sa balikat nito. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, nakakabawi siya ng lakas. Nahahawa siya sa positive energy ni Rhian.
"Lubb, kailan kaya tayo pwedeng lumabas sa public ng magkasama? Lumalabas man tayo pero laging gabi at sa VIP room lang ng bar". Hawak niya ang sariling San Mig Light. Inuunti unting namnamin ang tamis na lasa nito.
"Next Friday, labas tayo. Subukan lang natin?" wika nito habang nilalaro ang kanyang palad. She gained some callous because of work-out ang kickboxing.
"Sige. I will take you to a Korean resto in SM Aura. They are the best!
"Another G Dragon's influence?" Biro nito sa kanya
"Hahaha! Kring brought me there last time".
Hindi kumibo si Rhian sa sinabi niya. Ramdam niya na aloof ito sa mga kaibigan niyang iyon. Hindi man ito nagsasalita ay napaka transparent nito pagdating sa ganyan. Tumahimik din muna siya. Ayaw niyang masira ang gabi nila. They just contained themselves in checking their social media.
She wants Rhian more than anyone else in this world now. She can't lose her. Ayaw niyang sumasama ang loob nito. Kapag kasama niya ito ay payapa ang isip niya. She is her happy pill. Basta ganito lang ay masaya na sila. Being with her is like a paradise. And she is contented with paradise... for now...
But... who doesn't like heaven in this rare moment when they are together? She loves Rhian. And... she wants to fulfill what her heart desires... now...
Using her headset, she checked on the music which is stored in her red Oppo F7. She smiled. Tamang tama ang naririnig niyang awit sa mood niya ngayon. And naughtily, she posted something in her IG stories. She wrote:
Dancing on the fire with just one desire / I want your love, I want your love / Dancing on the fire with just one desire / I want your love
She'll see if this subtle invitation to Rhian shall be effective...
———————
While checking her Instagram, Rhian saw Glaiza's post in her stories. Nangiti siya. This ninja next to her is naughty. She kissed Glaiza's head.
"With whom do you wanna dance on fire?" She asked.
Natawa ito. Umupo ng diretso. "Kailangan pa bang itanong 'yan?" Sagot ni Glaiza
Nakangiti si Glaiza sa kanya. Nakatingin sa mga mata niya ang malamlam na mga mata nito. Who can resist her girlfriend's half-opened lips? It's inviting. The six inches distance between them became one inch. Until there's no more space between them. She kissed her gently. Nalasahan niya ang beer sa labi nito. And she liked it.
"If you are trying to entice me, G, then you are successful in doing it... coz I am enticed" bulong niya kay Glaiza.
Glaiza smiled at her... and this smile is more of a confirmation that she was enticing Rhian.
"I love you, G" bulong niya. Naramdaman niya ang pagdiin ng halik nito bilang tugon sa sinabi niya. Ramdam niya ang init ng labi nito. Tumutupok ito sa sarili niyang katawan. Hanggang pareho silang nagpatianod sa pagnanasa sa isa't isa. It's more than one month since their last lovemaking...
All they want to do now is to feel each other's body. To make love... to share those special moments with each other ... right there... in the living room... until they've extinguished the fire by claiming what is theirs...
They were both short of breath when they were done. Tired but contented...
———————-
Hinayaan muna niyang maki Twitter party is Rhian. It's the finale episode of TOTGA. Lahat daw ng main cast ay online para maki hashtag kasama ng mga followers sa huling gabi ng palabas. Napapangiti ito habang nakiki interact sa fans. Ito ang isa sa chatacteristics ni Rhian na gusto niya. She takes everything lightly. Alam niya na minsan, may mga bashers din ito sa social media. Siguro nasasaktan din ito. Pero iwinawaksi lang nito agad para hindi maapektuhan ang emotion. And she wants to practice that too.
Nahiga siya sa sopa. Nakaunan siya sa kandungan ni Rhian. Hindi nagtagal ay ipinakita na sa TV ang wedding nina Zoe at Gael.
"So sweet..." wika niya.
"Yeah. I can really see you in Gael's character"
"Hindi ba nakahalata ang ibang cast na base talaga sa real life mo ang character ni Zoe?"
"I'm not sure. Lovi is brainy and so as Solenn. But they didn't ask me. We didn't talk about it".
Naalala niya ang kwento ni Rhian. Her girlfriend was the one who chose the name Gael for Jason's character. Gael was a name which was derived from Gail. And Gail is a reconstructed name for Glai, her nickname. Genius! Rhian is genius! Only the symbologist, Robert Langdon, of Da Vinci Code can decipher the name behind Gael! Hahaha!
Habang nakatingin sa TV ay nag-imagine siya na sila ni Rhian ang ikinakasal.
"Kailan kaya pwedeng mangyari sa atin ang ganyan?" Ang ibig niyang sabihin ay ang kasal nina Zoe at Gael.
"Kung kaya pa nating panindigan ang isa't isa seven years from now, at sigurado na tayo sa ating desisyon at handang harapin ang mundo, then we'll get married".
"Hmmm... I love that idea. Pero mas gusto mo talaga sa New York?"
"We can have it in London if that's you really want".
"Basta ikaw ang bride ko, kahit saan, lubb..."
Hinawakan ni Rhian ang kamay niya na kasalukuyang humihimas sa braso nito. Ganoon lang sila hanggang matapos ang TOTGA.
After watching TOTGA, they just finished another bottle of beer each and went to the room. There... they enjoyed every moment of being together until the morning...
——————
It's May 19. Saturday at around 5:00 PM. Rhian was staying at their Alabang home only. She missed Glaiza. Kahit magkasama sila ng nagdaang gabi ay gusto niyang makasamang muli ito. Pero imposible... Glaiza was on her way to Baler, Aurora with family. They will spend the weekend there. Samantalang siya ay mananatiling nasa bahay kasama ang kanyang mommy Clara. And probably spend the following evening with sister Nadine, cousin Steph and family friend Lancer.
Naalala niya ang IG story ni Glaiza. Napangiti siya. And she remembered how steamy it was last night. At lalo niyang na-miss ito.
In response to Glaiza's post, she also posted the song Mine in her stories. And she repeatedly sang a part of it.
Hands on your body, I don't wanna waste no time / Feels like forever even if forever's tonight/ Just lay with me, waste this night away with me You're mine / I can't look away I just gotta say...
Nahiga siya sa kama niya. And there, she hugged her pillow. Imagining it's Glaiza. Kahit gusto niyang tawagan ito ay hindi niya ginawa. Bilang respect sa oras nito kasama ang pamilya ay hindi niya muna ito inabala... at hindi niya ito tatawagan unless, ito mismo ang tatawag sa kanya.
——————-
She missed Rhian. She is now facing the biggest ocean in the world. The Pacific Ocean. Pero parang hindi niya ito nakikita ngayon. Ang nakikita niya ay ang mukha ni Rhian... at ang nangyari ng nagdaang gabi...
Kung minsan, iniisip niya, bakit ba kailangang makaramdam sila ng ganito? Hindi naman nila ito ginusto. Naramdaman lang nila. Akala nga niya, tapos na ang lahat sa kanila noong paghiwalayin sila ng GMA Talent Manager pagkatapos ng Stairway to Heaven. Akala niya ay hindi na madudugtungan ang nakaraan nila. Six years na hindi sila pinagsama ng mother network sa iisang project. Nagkakasama sila sa iisang production ng SOP at Party Pilipinas pero hanggang doon lang.
Rhian had several relationships before and after their soap, Stairway to Heaven. In fact this girl had been branded as a playgirl. Pakiramdam nga niya noon, kasama siya sa pinaglaruan nito. Pero kailanman, hindi siya nagalit dito. Kahit papaano ay naniwala siya na minahal din siya nito noon. Ang importante sa kanya ay ang masasaya nilang araw ni Rhian noong panahon ng STH. Sa Iloilo. Sa Tagaytay...
Her girl was involved in a scandal. Pero isa siya sa mga tao na sumuporta rito. Hindi niya kayang husgahan si Rhian ng mga panahong iyon. She knew, Rhian was so fragile. She was very young... and confused. Rhian needed love. She needed understanding. She needed guidance. And as teenager, Rhian was almost living alone. Halos talikuran ito ng mundo noon. Pero siya... hindi niya kayang gawin kay Rhian iyon...
She also had a boyfriend... Well, she tried... but didn't work out. Hindi kasi niya maramdaman sa kahit sinong lalaki ang naramdaman niya noon para kay Rhian...
Hanggang pinagsama silang muli sa The Rich Man's Daughter. Thanks to Zia! Their old fire was ignited. And she just learned recently that even during STH, Rhian was madly inlove with her... though that time, katulad din niya, hindi pa ito emotionally stable. May identity crisis din ito noon. Hindi tulad ngayon... na kilala na nila ang kanilang sarili.
Napangiti siya sa isipang iyon. Tinawagan niya si Rhian para marinig ang boses nito.
"Hello!" Sagot nito sa kabilang linya
"Hi. What are you doing?" Tanong niya
"Nothing. Just thinking about you".
Kinilig siya sa sagot nito. Ganoon lang naman kasimple ang pag uusap nila. Nothing special. Pero para sa kanila, special na 'yon. Ang mahalaga, magkausap lang sila kahit saglit.
Pagkatapos mag-usap ay tiningnan niya ang mga posts nito sa social media. Napangiti siya. She knew the lyrics of the song Mine she posted. And she particularly focused in one part of the lyrics.
I just had to let you know you're fine / Running circles 'round my mind / Even when it's rainy all you ever do is shine / You on fire / You a star just like Mariah / Man this feel incredible, I'll turn you into a bride, you're mine.
Inulit niya. I'll turn you into a bride, you're mine.
At naalala niya ang pinag-usapan nila ng nagdaang gabi tungkol sa kasal. Ang gusto ni Rhian ay sa New York sila ikasal. Ang gusto naman niya ay sa London. Pero kahit saan pa 'yan, ang mahalaga ay sila ang magkatuluyan.
At around 8:00 PM, she posted a photo on her IG. Her caption: Para sa pag-ibig. Tamang tama dahil kasal nina Prince Harry at Meghan Markle ng araw na iyon. Marahil ay iisipin lang ng iba na para sa royal couple ang post na iyon. Ang totoo, para sa kanila ni Rhian iyon. Symbolic ang pagdipa niya sa picture. It means, "forgive the wrongdoings in the past and start anew". It also means "freedom". Well... freedom para sa pag-ibig nila ni Rhian...
Natulog siya na baon sa isipan ang magandang mukha ng girlfriend. With that, she felt as if an angel was looking after her.
——————
Nagising ng maaga si Rhian. Kailangang gawin muna niya ang morning routine. Una ay ang tumingin sa mga comments sa kanyang Instagram at Twitter posts. Pangalawa ay ang kanyang daily workout.
Napangiti siya sa post ni Glaiza. It seems that her girl is starting to come-out. She's getting brave now. Tanggap na ng Nanay Cristy nito ang sexual orientation ng anak subalit hindi pa ito handa sa pakikipagrelasyon ng anak sa kapwa babae. Hindi pa handa ang pamilya nito. But Glaiza was starting to open up. Not only to her family but also to the public. She knows that their coming out to the public is inevitable... maybe soon... and that soon is not yet now...
She sent her a message in viber... "Good morning gorgeous! I wish you're here".
Nagkape muna siya bago nag exercise... She did her usual 30 minutes workout.
Hanggang narinig niya ang tunog ng kanyang phone. It's a notification for a Viber message. She checked it. Sagot ito ni Glaiza sa kanyang message. "Good morning too beautiful! Please check on my IG photos. That caption is for you.
Mabilis siyang nag shift ng screen from Viber to Instagram. And there... she saw Glaiza's caption. Napangiti siya. Kinikilig sa sweetness na ipinapakita nito lalo na nitong mga nagdaang araw...
Aking sinta, ikaw na ang tahanan at mundo. Sa pagbabalik, mananatili na sa piling mo. Mundo'y magiging ikaw
Hmmm... kanta ng IV of Spades na ang title ay Mundo.
Sana nga, after Glaiza's vacation... sana mas marami na silang time para sa isa't isa. At nasasabik din siya na maging madalas ang kanilang pagsasama...
She will go to church that day. There are a lot of things to be thankful for. Her good career. Endorsements. Movies. Loyal fans. Family. And Glaiza...
And it's time for her to get ready...
——————
It's May 25, Friday. Around 4:00 PM. Katulad ng pangako niya ay isasama niya si Rhian sa Jinjoo Korean ngayong araw na ito. Her girl is not into Korean food but she wanted to try this time. Isang paraan na rin para unti unting maka adapt ito sa kanyang mundo. Sa kanyang mga paboritong bagay at gustong gawin..
She was in Pokepoke Manila, a Hawaiian restaurant located at the 4th Floor of SM Aura. Magpapalipas lang muna siya rito ng oras kasama ang ilang kaibigan. Iiwan din niya ang mga ito mamaya para magtungo naman sa 5th Floor kung saan naroroon ang Jinjoo. Doon na sila magkikita ni Rhian. Light lang naman ang mga pagkain dito sa Pokepoke. Hindi siya masyadong mabubusog. Tamang tama lang dahil ito na ang pinaka appetizer niya para sa dinner nila ni Rhian mamaya.
Rhian is currently at the rooftop of SM Aura to attend the opening of Boxes of Greens with Iza Calzado. It's a herb garden where all the sales shall go to Tulay Lingad ni Padre Pio, a charity institution where the beneficiary are mostly needy children.
Pagkalipas ng mahigit isang oras na kwentuhan ay nagpaalam na siya sa mga kaibigan. Using the escalator, she went up from 4th Floor to the 5th Floor. She walks toward the direction of Jinjoo. She secured a table. Sat there and waited for Rhian.
Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ito. She was in her mustard dress with silver shoes. Nakalugay ang buhok na may maliit na clip sa gilid. Napakagat siya sa labi ng makita niya ito. Tumayo siya ng lumapit ito. Hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi. Baka kung walang ibang tao ay sa labi niya ito hinalikan. Napakaganda ng girlfriend niya ngayon...
"You're so beautiful" wika niya.
"You too. Bagay na bagay sa iyo ang white long sleeve polo paired with black pants na suot mo ngayon. Ang cute mong tingnan, lubb".
Ngumiti siya. She can feel the sincerity in her eyes.
Hindi nagtagal ay umorder na sila ng pagkain. Karamihan ay recommended ni Glaiza dahil siya ang mas nakakaalam ng specialty ng restaurant na ito.
Pagkaalis ng waiter na kumuha ng order nila ay tinanong siya ni Rhian.
"Will you be able to come to my hotel tomorrow after M&Co event?" Tanong niya. The room in City of Dreams was provided by M&Co for her.
Nag-isip siya kung may conflict sa schedule niya. She will be in Market Market for the launching of Oppo F7 on Sunday. Sa hapon din ng Sunday pagkagaling sa Oppo event ay lilipad naman siya sa Hongkong para sa kasal ng kaibigang si Rich Asuncion. At naisip niya, after tonight, matatagalan na naman bago ulit sila magkikita. At nagpasya siya.
"Ok, I will be in your room by 9:00 PM. Makakatanggi ba naman ako sa invitation mo?" Biro niya.
Maya maya pa ay nag serve na ang waiter ng order nila. She saw Rhian taking video of the food. Bago pa niya ito napaalalahanan na huwag munang mag-post ay nakita na niya na naka post na ito sa IG stories.
"Rhian Deniiisee!"
"Why"
"Malalaman nila na nasa isang lugar lang tayo! I just shared a photo taken in Pokepoke just a few minutes ago!"
"Whaaat? Sorry, hindi ko nakita!"
Napapailing siya at nangingiti. Mas napangiti siya ng makita ang susunod na ipinost nito sa IG stories. It was a video of her cousin Steph. The video was also taken in the restaurant.
"Love, halata ang palusot mo. Iba ang upuan ni Steph sa upuan ng Jinjoo. Hindi match ang videos mo".
At nagtawanan sila. Sumablay sila ngayon...
——————
Author's Note:
Nawala ang pagka professional escapist ni baby Rhi sa harap ng poging si Papi. Hahaha! Yung mga nakakita ng IG stories nila ay siguradong nakaka relate sa takbo ng fanfic natin ngayon. Hehehe.
What's next with these couple?
By the way, thank you dahil isa pa rin sa most read ang Soulmates sa mga tags na RaStro, JaThea, RhianRamos at GlaizaDeCastro. At salamat din sa mga nagbabasa ng Fly With Me hanggang sa ngayon ay nasa most read pa rin ito at umaabot na ng 133k views ...
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