Six
3727 Words
Caroline Elora
"I can't believe you're coming with me to the party!" Manghang mangha pa din ang boses ni Marj habang nagbibihis.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into wearing these bloody clothes." I adjusted my glasses and pointed at the pastel green sundress that is dipped low, exposing my cleavage.
Ininsist din niya na ilugay ko lang daw ang buhok ko--buti na lang napigilan ko siyang lagyan ng make up ang mukha ko--if I know better balak niya talaga akong bigyan ng make over.
"Come on Cara, you look hot in those. Yung mga ganyang katawan, hindi dapat tinatago." She stated matter of factly, sabay hila sakin patayo.
"Hindi ba sasama si Victoria?" Nasagot naman agad ang tanong ko ng mahagip ang bukas na kwarto ni Third, kung saan prenteng nakaupo sa sahig nakasandal sa gilid ng kama si Victoria habang pumapapak--ng --yikes! Mayonaise! I swear minsan super weird talaga itong babaitang ito.Yung isang kamay ay busy mag text sa phone. Nanonood nanaman yata ito ng series, dahil nakita kong nakabukas yung tv. Lumingon pa ito sakin at kumaway.
"Asa ka diyan kay ate, kahit nga pagpapa cute ni Sebastian hindi umubra. You know how she and kuya are, feeling ko nga si kuya ang tunay niyang ama, or sila ang kambal." Naglakad ito sa may tapat ng pinto ng kwarto ni Third at ngumuso. "Hey V, una na kami, call me if you change your mind okay? Nakasabit sa closet yung damit mo, same as ours. And yuck, enough with the mayonaise already."
"No thanks Marj. I'm much more comfortable dito. I-shot mo na lang ako." She smiled at us then blew a kiss.
Minsan lang siya gumanyan, and siguro kung lagi siyang ngingiti at magbabago ng pananamit, baka hindi ko na madetermine kung sino sakanila si Marj at Victoria.
"Susuotin ko pa din tong hoodie.I want to hold on to the little dignity I have left and cover my body with it until we reach the party."
Narinig ko ang pag buntong hininga niya and if I know better, she's already glaring at me.
"Fine. But you're taking the damn thing off once we get there." Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ko dahil alam kong siya pa din masusunod mamaya.
Bumaba na din ako at nakita kong naghihintay na doon si Sebastian samin.
"Hi hun." Hinalikan niya sa pisngi si Marj at niyakap ito. "Oh wow, hi Cara, this is a surprise!" He smiled at me then kissed the top of Marj's head.
"Oo nga hun, ganda talaga ng bestfriend ko no?" Sumipol pa si Marj na ikinangiwi ko. Kahit kailan talaga to.
"Si Victoria ayaw talaga sumama?" Sebastian frowned na kina kibit balikat na lang ni Marj.
"Try mo pilitin ulit, malay mo mag work ang charms mo kahit andito si kuya."
Super close kasi si Sebastian at Victoria like bestfriends, nagkakasundo kasi sila sa mga libro, sabi nga ni Marj, secret nerd daw ito, but she loves him much more for that.
"Alright, wait lang baka makumbinsi ko. Cara, take the hoodie off, may mga papakilala ako sayo mamaya." Kumindat pa ito sakin.
"Yeah yeah, you'll get over it." I waved my hand to stop them from teasing me, when my phone started ringing. I excused myself and went to the far corner of the room.
"Hey Daddy, yeah, we're just about to head out...Nope, Please let Dumb and Dumber park at least a couple of blocks away.. Please don't let them embarrass me daddy. Yes I'm wearing the ring taser..I told you I'll be fine, Margaery and Sebastian are with me. Great. And Daddy? I love you." I smiled like a girl on a candy store.
Nakita ko ang pag iling ni Marj.
"Para ka nanamang si Mary Poppins Cara." She giggled.
------
Hindi naman ito ang una kong party..dati nung hindi pa kai nahuhuli at napapagalitan nina dad sumasama naman ako kina Marj. Pero unlike before, iba na ngayon ang definition ng party nila--dati kasi pa tweetams lang, konting tikim tikim ng mixed drinks and nag popoker or any card games.
Ngayon--its a full blown party na, ang dami ng nagbago, halos lahat ng pamilyar na mukha from school--lalo na yung mga babae ay nakasuot ng kapirasong tela. Not kidding. Meron pa ngang naghahalikan sa gilid.
Oh my god.
Red cups are being passed all over, girls gyrating on the floor while Beyonce was singing about making love in this club, and there's a kegger at the far side of the room.
Nasa London daw kasi ang mga magulang nina Eponine kaya naman nagpaparty ito--no special occasion, just teens being teens. High naman ang security nila and according to Sebastian nagpaalam naman daw si Eponine kina tita, so everything is cool.
How I wish na kasing luwag ng parents niya si dad---which is impossible. Richard Galvez will always be..Richard Galvez, the epitome of a protective, sometimes controlling father.
"Marj, party pa talaga ito or orgy? Baka magka std tayo dito, and is that Ryan with Rebecca? Can't they get a room or something?" I shouted against the loud music habang busy naman si Marj na hubarin ang hoodie ko--wala na eh, what Marj wants, she gets kaya inalis ko na din lang.
"Oh, ewww. Ewan ko sa dalawang yan, I heard pinag awayan pa nina Ryan at Simon yang si ate girl. If you ask me, ok lang naman siya nothing special. Pero siya ang dahilan kung bakit na bench si Simon. I want to say poor guy, pero deserve niya din yun napaka babaero din kasi." Marj looped her arm around mine and we waited for Sebastian to get us some drinks. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it." She assured me when she saw me looking at the couple making out--na kulang na lang maghubaran na sila.
"Okay." I don't know if I was convincing her, or myself.
Isa pa..she mentioned Cloud--akala ko Cloud free nako ngayong gabi.
Stop thinking about him.
Siguro gustong gusto niya talaga yung Rebecca..pero sabi naman niya hindi daw yun totoo.
Ewan.
Pero ang punto, he's a player.
Tama.
OO.
Hindi ako dapat mag invest ng feelings sa kanya.
You just saw him tonguing some girl kanina kaya nga andito ka diba?
Oo tama.
Pumikit ako sandali to block out his pretty face from my mind.
Tama.
As they say, seize the day.
"Now, here's a new face." I heard someone talked behind me.
Liningon ko naman ito at nakita ko si Sebastian na may kasamang isang lalake at isang babae.
"Hello Milady," The guy took off his imaginary hat and bowed. "My name's Evan and it would be my pleasure to dance with you." He smiled and his dimples came out.
Oh, he's cute.
Well, not as sexy as Cloud's dimples.
Stop it Cara.
Tiningnan ko si Marj,mentally asking her if she knows him and if he's harmless. Tinanguan niya naman ako at nginitian.
"Okay Evan, ako nga pala si Cara." Iniaabot ko naman sakanya ang kamay ko at inalalayan niya na ako sa crowd kung saan may sariling mundo ang mga nagsasayaw.
Admittedly, I love dancing, it's another form of expression that I came to love, well, isa sa mga dahilan ay nung nag announce si Third na may girlfriend na siya (bago kay Marnie the b***h) at isa itong ballet dancer. Kaya naman naglambing ako kay dad na ienroll ako sa ballet class--around 7 years old yata ako non.
At ngayong gabi, I just want to let loose.
"So, Cara bakit ngayon lang kita nakita dito? Si Marj ang usually kong nakakasayaw, since that friend of mine," ngumuso ito sa direksiyon ni Sebastian. "he doesn't dance."He leaned into my ear and I could smell the beer from his breath but so far, his touches were innocent and friendly.
We started swaying with the music and for the first time today, I was smiling. Ang galing niya kasi sumayaw and he's got rhythm. Siya na nga ang nag guide saming dalawa eh.
"I don't usually go out, I'm a bit of an introvert, but tonight I decided to come out of my shell." I replied almost shouting. Ang lakas kasi ng tugtog.
"That's nice!" Sumigaw din siya and we laughed at our situation, then continued dancing.
----
"See? Diba nag enjoy ka?" Marj was beaming at us ng maka balik na kami sa kanila. I am clearly glowing from the rush of dancing.
"Yes! You know what? Masaya ako Marj dahil sumama ako ngayon. May bago akong friend! At dadalhin niya next time si Codie!" Kinuha ko yung red cup sakanya at ininom ang laman noon--lahat.
Sobrang uhaw ko kakasayaw.
Tinapik ko sa balikat si Evan at nginitian sina Sebastian at Marj.
"Seryoso sinabi niya sayo ang tungkol kay Codie?" Tumaas ang kilay ni Marj at bumaling kay Evan. "Does this mean mas love mo si Cara kaysa sakin?" She even pouted.
Tumawa na lang si Evan at kinurot ito sa pisngi.
"Silly girl.Pareho ko kayong mahal." Kinabig niya kaming dalawa at niyakap. "Pero Cara, baka tamaan ka kaagad nung ininom mo? Gusto ko lang linawin na hindi tubig yun."
"Oh my God! Ooops, I guess? Uhaw na uhaw kasi ako!" I giggled.
"Just don't get too drunk Lois Lane." Marj rolled her eyes. She always calls me that whenever we sneak into her bedroom and drink ourselves to death, well not really to death since we can only tolerate a very minimal amount of alcohol.
Kahit nga yung pag inom namin nina Victoria sa pool house ng emperador, eh hanggang tig tatatlong shot lang kami, dinadaan na lang namin sa kwentuhan--and take note hindi pa puno ang shot glass niyan.
I'm usually the first one to slur my words, and she calls me Lois Lane because of my glasses, and that my Daddy was a former military general.
"Yes mommy." I pouted and smiled at her. Right now, I could only tolerate up to 2 sippy cups.
"Oh, Cara. I want you to meet Eunice, my good friend from Claywort." Inakbayan ni Sebastian yung sinasabi niyang Eunice na ngumiti naman sakin.
She's beautiful.
"Hi Cara, nice moves. Baka hindi ka na pagpahingahin nito ni Evan. Naalala ko nung first time niyang makasayaw si Marj, para silang mauubusan ng dance floor." She giggled sabay yakap kay Evan.
"Game on!" Kinindatan ko si Evan na nag thumbs up.
Sa pagsasayaw namin kanina, he revealed na he's gay--I know kahit ako hindi naniwala dahil lalakeng lalake ang aura niya, but not until he showed me pictures of him and his boyfriend Codie na nasa Manila daw ngayon.
"So Sebastian, narinig ko last time sa gym,na ikaw daw ang tatanggap ng MVP at athlete of the year award sa graduation."
Kinamot lang ni Sebastian yung ulo niya at tumango.
"Oh hun.. I'm going to miss you when we graduate." Niyakap naman ito ni Marj at ibinaon ang ulo sa leeg nito.
Napansin ko ang pag iba ng expression ng mukha ni Eunice ng ilang segundo, pero napalitan ito ng malapad na ngiti ng lumapit si Eponine sakanya.
"Hi guys!" She kissed Eunice's cheek and smiled at us. "Woah, Caroline Galvez, totoo ba ito?" Lumapit pa siya sakin at kinurot yung ilong ko. "Totoo nga, and that dress..ohh twinning kayo ni Marj. Nice! Save me a dance later okay? We'll talk about the next game kuya and I are brewing." She winked at me.
"Sure!" Nginitian ko ito at napangiwi ng maalalang naiihi pala ako."By the way, where's the bathroom?" I asked feeling a bit woozy.
"Samahan kita." Mabilis akong hinila ni Marj at naglakad na kami.
The crowd was beginning to get messy, and the house seemed to get smaller. Malaki ang bahay nina Eponine, it's a mansion nga eh. Kaso feeling ko almost all the students from Andrade Prep and Claywort are here kaya medyo siksikan na.
When we walked passed the people who were dancing, I got separated from her and naramdaman ko kong may humila sakin papasok sa isang kwarto.
Woah.
Lasing na yata ako dahil sobrang bilis ng pangyayari.
I heard the door lock clicked and I realized it was Cloud who pulled me away.
"Let go of me, what is wrong with you?" I complained, medyo mahigpit kasi yung pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.
"I'm sorry." He let go of my hand and sat on the bed. Hinimas ko yung namulang marka sa pagkakahawak niya.
The room looked like a little kid's and obviously a fan of barney. Sa bunsong kapatid yata ito nina Eponine.
"Bakit mo ba kasi ako hinila dito?" Umatras ako ng konti at sumandal sa pader na malapit sa pinto.
"I can't be with you." He whispered.
Nagpantig yung tenga ko sa pinagsasabi niya.
What the hell.
"Wow. That's subtle enough." Tumawa ako ng mapakla,ignoring how painful it is just listening to him talk like that.
Epekto lang yata ito ng beer.
"But I can't not stop wanting you damn it!" He raked his head in frustration and stood up, looking at me with those piercing eyes.
I flinched in my position, nagulat sa pagsigaw niya--at ngayon nga ay naguguluhan.
"Ayoko makipag laro sayo Cloud. Kung ano man itong gusto mong laruin." Alam kong isang galaw ko lang pwede ko ng buksan ang pinto at lumabas, pero hindi ko ginawa.
"Hindi ito laro Cara!" Frustrated niyang sigaw ulit. Malamlam niya akong tiningnan at nagpatuloy sa pag sasalita, this time he spoke softly.
"I think I'm in love with you. And I can't be in love with you." He stepped closer and placed his hands on the wall caging me in.
"Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo?" He's in love with me? I adjusted my glasses trying to absorb what he just said.
"Was that your boyfriend? The one that has his arms around you on the dance floor?" His eyes were pleading for I don't know what.
"What do you care Cloud?" I spat. Thank you beer for the liquid courage. "You're telling me that you love me when you clearly don't. You had your tongue on someone else's throat just hours ago!" Now I'm pissed.
Pilit ko siyang itinutulak, pero parang gawa sa bakal ang dibdib niya kasi ni hindi man lang siya gumalaw.
"Well, now it'll be on yours." He whispered, and before I could even absorb what he was talking about, I felt his lips on mine. It was soft and subtle. I thought he was going to crush me, but it was gentle. I felt his palms on my cheek, testing me, teasing, and waiting for me to open my mouth for him.
Holy mother of--
I've never felt this kind of feeling before. It is breathtaking and scary at the same time.
Bakit ganito?
Bakit ko siya hinahayaan na halikan ako?
Na hawakan niya ako ng ganito?
At bakit gustong gusto ko?
I closed my eyes as I slowly opened my mouth and let him guide me getting lost and intoxicated by his tongue clashing with mine.
I never thought a kiss could be this life altering.
Nagpractice naman din kami ni Marj dati para maimpress sakanya si Sebastian, pero wala yun compared to this kind of kiss.
This is the real thing.
His hands explored the side of my waist, the small of my back and the side of my breasts making my breath hitch and my hormones on overdrive.
Bloody hell.
No.
Humiwalay ako sakanya, habol pa din ang paghinga at naramdaman ko ang noo niya sa noo ko.
"What are we doing?" I asked whispering, my hands are down, my knees weak and my heart pounding like hell.
"Hindi ko na alam, Cara.." He kissed my cheek and pulled me in for a hug. "But I can't seem to stop myself from touching you.." I felt his pounding heartbeat when I leaned onto his chest.
Malaking tao si Cloud, at pakiramdam ko ang liit liit ko pag ganitong nakayakap sakin ang mga braso niya.
Geez.
This feels..
"I feel like whatever this is, has long been over before it even started." I whispered.
Hindi siya nagsalita.
I sighed.
Humiwalay na ako sa yakap namin. Kinuha ko yung salamin ko na hindi ko man lang napansin na nahulog na pala sa sahig at binuksan ang pinto.
"Goodbye Cloud."
------
"Hey, saan ka nag punta? Nawala ka. Kanina pa kami natataranta sa paghahanap sayo!" Niyakap ako ng mahigpit ni Marj.
I know she's scared, hindi naman kasi biro pag nagalit si dad dahil nawala niya ako or something
Medyo overwhelmed pako sa nangyari kanina.
Cloud, professing his love and kissing him was too much.
I could still feel his lips on mine.
Fudge. Fudge. Fudge.
"Hey, sorry..naligaw lang ako. Sorry Marj. Andito naman na ako." Tinapunan niya ako ng nang aakusang tingin. Alam kong alam niyang nagsisinungaling ako.
Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko pa sakanya yung tungkol kay Cloud, eh ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano ba talaga ang meron kami.
"Are you sure you're okay sweetie?" She asked medyo kalmado na siya, pero I know she'll be grilling me again after the party.
"Yes." I replied, discreetly looking around searching for Cloud.
Nakita ko siyang nakatayo sa may kegger at titig na titig ito sakin.
Umiwas ako ng tingin at naghanap ng rason para ma divert ang attention ko.
"Hey Evan, sayaw ulit tayo?" I touched his arm and smiled like I meant it.
Fuck I'm pathetic.
Oh my God I said f**k on my mind.
Shit.
Oh I said s**t again!
Kinuha ko yung hawak ni Marj na baso at tinungga yung laman non.
"Why the hell not?You dance better than Marj anyways." He shrugged sticking his tongue at my bestfriend and looped his arms around my shoulders earning him a glare from her.
Nilingon ko ng mabilisan si Cloud, pero wala na siya sa kinatatayuan niya kanina.
"Alam mo na excite ako ma meet si Codie. Feeling ko mas makulit yun kesa sayo." I muttered leaning my head on Evan's shoulders feeling exhausted.
"Sobra! Alam mo ba ang galing niya mag bj! Oh s**t!" Natutop pa nito ang bibig niya sabay tawa. "I think may tama na ako. Sorry sa bibig ko Cara." Humagikhik pa ito habang palapit na kami sa crowd.
Sinabayan ko ang tawa niya nakakahawa kasi
"Sa tingin ko kailangan na natin isayaw yan Evan para mawala yang tama mo. Too much information buddy." I shook my head and began swaying when we reached the dancing crowd.
I can hear Kelis singing about her milkshake bringing her boys on the yard and I started losing it.
Hindi ko alam kung iiyak ba ako or tatawa sa nangyari kanina.
Ginugulo niya kasi ang isip ko, bakit hindi niya na lang ako hayaan diba?
My back is on Evan's front and I was literally gyrating in front of him, totally drunk in the music. I could feel his hands guiding my hips as we dipped low..lower.
Nakakamiss din pala magsayaw--isa kasi ito sa outlet ko to express myself aside from photography and coding.
And right now, I need this kind of therapy to momentarily forget.
Sana makalimutan ko siya.
"You're good at this huh?" Evan shouted against my ear.
"Yeah?" I giggled.
"If ever you go to Manila, I'll bring you to a secret club where in they teach pole dancing you'll love it there! Saka professionals ang mga nagtuturo, and no boys allowed."
Napangiti naman ako sa idea niya, pole dancing is serious stuff kasi. Kailangan ng matinding dedication at balance para matutunan ito.
"Oh nice! It's a date then!" I tilt my head back and shouted against his face.
"What the f**k?" Sigaw niya at medyo na out balance ako dahil bigla siyang nawala sa likod ko.
Lumingon ako at nakita ko siya.
Cloud.
"Mind If I dance with your girlfriend?" He shouted against his face, his eyes furious.
I gaped at him.
Ano ba ang ginagawa niya?
Evan looked at me and back to him, then shook his head.
"Okay. Just bring my girl back to me immediately, cause I'm going to miss her." He smiled then gave me a smack on the lips.
Bloody hell!
I could see Cloud's gaze fuming towards Evan.
"So," He took my hands and placed it on his shoulders, I was surprised that he could dance. His hands fell on my waist and it felt freaking perfect. "Masaya ka ba sakanya?" His lips went a little too close towards my ear.
I looked up and found raw jealousy on his eyes.
Bakit ba ang gulo niya? Ano ba itong nangyayari samin?
I turned around ignoring him and continued swaying through the music.
"Sumayaw na lang tayo ng matapos na." I shouted.
"Okay." It was a whisper, but damn, I heard it perfectly clear and felt his breath against the skin on my neck. He guided my hips and I felt his lips grazed the skin on my shoulders.
Bloody hell!
"Stop it." I pleaded, but he only gripped my hips tighter.
Oh my god!
I have been aroused before nung sinubukan namin ni Marj at Victoria ng porn, but not like this. How being touched in places that brings me over the edge while surrounded by gyrating teenagers turns me on is beyond me.
"Gago ka talaga Simon!" I heard Marj's voice. Binitawan naman ako ni Cloud at natagpuan ko ang sarili kong yakap yakap ni Marj.
"Not cool Simon." Seryoso ang mukha ni Sebastian na pinigilan ang balikat ni Cloud.
"She's drunk, go find some bimbo and don't ever touch my bestfriend again! Wala ka ng pinalampas pati ba naman si Cara." Marj was furious.
Hindi na nagsalita si Cloud, tumalikod na lang ito at naglakad na palayo.
"Are you okay sweetie?" Inalalayan ako ni Marj patungo sa isang gilid habang inabutan naman ako ni Evan ng tubig.
"Oo, salamat. Sa tingin ko gusto ko ng umuwi." I can't look at them in the eye especially Evan.
"That's probably the best for all of us right now." Evan agreed then touched my arm, making me look at him. "Andito lang ako okay? Kung gusto mo ng kausap, text mo ako or tawagan. May number ako kay Marj. Wag mong sasarilihin yan." I thought he's mad at me for using him to make Cloud jealous but he's just concerned.
Oh, hold up-----make Cloud jealous?
Fudge me.
Drunk Cara is not cool.
"Okay."
............
- Writer
