One Fine Day

Chapter 2: Melting

"You're early today. It's Saturday." Kasalukuyan akong nagluluto ng agahan nang mabasag ang katahimikan. I took a quick glance at him, he's leaning over the refrigerator, half asleep. Magulo ang kaniyang buhok. Hagip ng aking mata ang sumisilip na garter ng kaniyang underwear. Agad kong ibinalik ang atensyon sa aking niluluto... na nasunog.

"Hala! Nasunog na tuloy." Kamot-ulo kong reklamo. Imbis na maging impressive ako sa kaniyang paningin ay mas lalo lamang akong naging clumsy.

I heard him chuckled, "Huwag ka kasi masyadong tumitig sa akin." Lumapit siya sa akin, pinapanuod ang aking bawat kilos. Ikaw ang huwag tumitig sa akin!

"G-gumawa ako ng soup, tikman mo na bago pa lumamig" It's for your stupid hangover. Go ahead, kumain ka na. Leave me alone.

"You're distracting me. Lumayas ka nga sa harapan ko, Ben Julian."

"Nasa likuran mo kaya ako." Sa sobrang inis ko sa kaniya ay napalakas ang pagpihit ko sa apoy ng stove. Ganito lamang ako dahil sa aking period.

"Fine. At dahil diyan ay hindi mo ako pwede hawakan buong araw. You're annoying me, anyway."

"Ang aga naman ng mood swing mo." He went closer, hugging me from behind as he rested his head on the crook of my neck.

Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung may naaalala ba siya tungkol sa nangyari kagabi. Ako lamang yata ang nakakaramdam ng konting kahihiyan. I cannot imagine it almost happened!

"Julian, why were you drunk last night? Magpaliwanag ka nga." I opened the table for conversation. Mukhang sermon yata ang agahan.

"Ah, it was nothing. I was with the faculty member. I told you about that, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you told me na hindi ka maglalasing. Konting shots lang."

"We just had a discussion. Look, I'm sorry."

"Tsk. May babae ba kayong kasama?"

"Sila Sir Glenn po. Don't worry, next time, I'll ring you up kung mapapasarap ang inom ko."

"There will be no more next time, masama ka kapag nakakatikim ng alak eh," Nginitian ko siya. Ngiting nakakaloko. "And besides, do you even remember what happened last night, huh?" This time, I was a little serious. I wanna know if he's conscious of how he almost got my purity and innocence. Because it's important to me. If you're asking me, I would want my first time to be special and memorable. Hindi 'yong napaka-unexpected. Of course, I love Julian and I wouldn't think twice to give in to him, but last night wasn't the right time.

"You were wearing your favorite yellow lace night gown." He trailed off, before sipping into his coffee mug.

"And?" Holy moly. I was right, he was sober... kinda, maybe.

"Mahirap ipaliwanag. Pwede namang ulitin na lang natin kung gusto mo," he winked at me kaya hinampas ko agad ang kamay niya sa table. "Just kidding. Ang cute mo, Ginny." Pinisil niya pa ang aking pisngi. Oh my gosh. Agang-aga gusto na agad kumawala ng aking puso.

He called me cute. Isn't this a very good morning? "May gagawin ka ba ngayon? Let's go out?" Pang-aakit ng isang professor na walang kahirap-hirap sa trabaho.

"I have a paper to finish pero saan ba tayo?" Gusto ko man tapusin muna ang ginagawa kong paper bago ang good time pero minsan lamang rin kasi siya mag-aya na lumabas kami eh.

"You decide. Saan mo ba gusto pumunta?"

"Talaga? Kahit saan?" Kinikilig kong tanong na tinanguan niya lamang.

Halos halukayin ko ang aking closet sa pagpili ng damit. Sana kagabi niya pa sinabi sa akin na magkakaroon pala kami ng lakad ngayon. Matagal pa man din ako maghanda ng aking susuotin. Inaasar niya talaga ako.

We're going to the sea. Summer season is coming to an end. I want to experience summer night with him, laying down the sand and looking up the starry sky with the sounds of wave crashing upon the shore. Mula dito sa kabayanan ay mahigit dalawang oras din ang byahe papunta sa pinakamalapit na dagat.

"How do I look? Am I overdressed? Okay lang ba?" I asked him, showing my suspender dress with collar blouse.

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin, "You look cute. Bagay sa iyo." Sinukbit na niya ang backpack na kanina lamang namin hinanda.

"Wait, my hat," This is the highlight of my outfit. He waited for me as I ribbon the strings. He's gonna need to double his patience because of my kaartehan. "Ayan, ayos na po." I giggled as I skip outside the apartment.

We took the bus and he never failed capturing the photos of the views from the window. From the busy city to green fields where the sun shines the brightest. Nakatanaw din ako sa bintana nang maramdaman ko ang lalim ng tingin niya sa akin. Hindi nakatutok sa mukha ko ang lens ng kaniyang camera. "M-may problema ba?"

Umiling lamang siya. "Hindi ka kaya kunan ng camera," Kikiligin na sana ako nang magsalita siya ulit. "Nakanguso ka raw kasi." Agad ko siyang pinalo.

"Pouty lips ang tawag dito, Ben Julian." Humalukipkip ako at hindi na ulit siya hinarap. Hindi nagtagal ang aking pag-iinarte nang iharang niya ang kaniyang kamay sa aking sandalan at tumingin sa paligid. Nang makasiguro siyang busy ang mga pasahero ay pasimple pa siyang humalik sa akin. "Pouty nga." Siraulo.

We arrived at 1 o'clock, and started finding the perfect spot at the beach. Mabuti na lamang at wala halos tao rito. Katamtaman lamang ang sikat ng araw kaya sinimulan ko nang ilatag ang checkered blanket sa buhangin. Nakakapagod ang byahe, gusto ko na lamang humiga.

"We should do this more often, Julian," I sat down the sheet, letting him rest his head on my thighs. "Bakit ngayon lang natin ito ginawa?" I have just realized that all I wanna do is to spend beautiful moments with him.

"Dahil parehas tayong busy." That's stupid, being busy and all. Sometimes, I wonder why do people have to be busy for things that can't make them happy? I mean, I don't enjoy school. I only go to school because we go together.

"Huwag kang gagalaw," He warned me. Pero dahil pasaway ako ay nilingon ko pa rin siya. "I told you not to move. Blurred tuloy." He was taking a picture of me from his point of view. Ayaw ko sa anggulo na 'yon dahil sa pouty duck lips ko.

"Delete it, mukha akong Daisy Duck." Pagrereklamo ko. But being Ben Julian, he didn't listen to me. Instead, he got up from laying on my thighs and reached for my lips.

"And so? I like them," He casually said, pertaining to my lips. "You should be more confident, Ginny. Dalaga ka na." How could he just spit those words and look so attractive? Mas lalo ko yata siyang nagiging crush. Come on, Virginia! Be a lady, be proud.

Tumayo siya at inilahad ang kamay sa akin para alalayan ako. Humahampas ang maalat na simoy ng hangin sa aking mukha. “Julian, doon tayo!” Kinaladkad ko siya sa dulo ng tabing dagat kung saan tanaw ang malaking puno.

“Don't run,” Hinila niya ako pabalik. May problema ba? Hinubad niya ang kaniyang flannel at pilit ipinasuot sa akin. “May extra dress ka ba?”

“Huh? Wala akong dala eh.”

“Ito na muna ang suotin mo, sasamahan kita sa banyo, magpalit ka na muna.”

“Bakit? Ayaw mo ba sa outfit ko today?”

“Natagusan ka, Ginny.” s**t. Ang straightforward naman masyado! Lalo lang tuloy akong nahihiya.

“ANOOO?!” This is one of my favorite summer dresses, now, it's ruined. I'm making faces again while Ben Julian here is mocking me with his stare. Gosh!

"It's alright, don't panic." How could I not panic? Hindi na ako makakaporma ngayong natagusan ako. I should've brought a spare. So stupid, Ginny.

I sat back down the blanket. "Anong ginagawa mo? Tumayo ka nga diyan." Pagalit nito sa akin.

"Huwag na. Paano na ako niyan mag-eenjoy?" Nginusuan ko lang siya.

"Stand up. Come on, I'll carry you." No, he's not serious. He's just teasing me.

Lumuhod siya sa aking harapan at binuhat ako na para bang isang bride. "Ibaba mo nga ako, nakakahiya..." Pinagpapalo ko ang kaniyang dibdib pero patuloy pa rin siya sa paglalakad.

"Saan mo ako dadalhin?"

"Magbabanyo ka, 'di ba?"

"Oo nga, but it's not like matatanggal yung dugo ko sa dress, ano."

"Just tie this around your waist, that'll do." He's pertaining to his flannel. Grabeng kahihiyan naman ito.

Nang makarating sa banyo ay ibinaba niya na ako. "Close your eyes, makikita mo yung red stain kapag naglakad ako eh." I told him.

"No need. Nakita ko na 'yan kanina." Argh! Nagmamadali akong naglakad papasok ng banyo.

I looked at my reflection on the mirror. Nagusot na tuloy ang aking dress dahil sa pagbuhat niya sa akin. Hinubad ko ang flannel niya... pero bago ang lahat ay inamoy ko muna ito. It's Tommy Hilfiger. Amoy Julian. Amoy manly. Amoy pangarap. Gosh! What's going on inside my head?

I wrapped it around my waist, kagaya ng instruction niya kanina. My outfit is not so matching now, is it? Nevermind. At least I'm wearing his clothes. Nilabas ko ang aking strawberry chapstick sa bulsa at naglagay sa labi. I have always liked the glossy feeling... and the chances of being kissed. I put it back in his flannel's pocket, on purpose. Para naman maaalala niya akong halikan palagi.

Lumabas ako ng banyo ng may ngiti sa labi. I saw him waiting na para bang bagot na bagot. Hindi naman ako matagal ah?

"Mukhang good mood ka na ulit ah." bati niya.

"Yeah, well, I can't spoil the day."

My heart stopped when he held my fingers and clasped our hands together.

Stop blushing right now, Virginia. He'll notice.

He chuckled, "What do you wanna do?"

"Gutom na ako. Kain muna tayo... then maybe after that we'll wait for the sun to set."

Bumalik kami sa aming pwesto kanina. Mabuti na lamang at hindi abot ang mainit na sinag ng araw dito. I started taking out our bento inside the basket. Pinapanood niya lamang ako habang naghahanda ng lunch. I love it when he does that because I couldn't focus.

"Damn..." he muttered which made me look at him but he's staring already.

"M-may problema ba?"

"Nothing. Ang ganda mo kasi palagi."

"Bolero." I tried to sound mad but my smile can't fake it.

"It's true, Ginny. You look like a perfect wife." He has this serious look and voice. Hindi niya ako inaalisan ng tingin.

Oh f**k. I don't know what to say. I'm always like this, pinagsisilbihan siya, bakit ngayon lang niya napuna?

"Shut up, kumain na nga tayo, Julian. "

I just wanna be with him and stay in his eyes. I don't mind getting married as long as it's him. Sana ganun lamang kadali pwede sabihin sa kaniya ang iniisip ko. Pakiramdam ko ay andali lamang mabuhay at ng buhay kung si Julian ang makakasama ko.

We shared our food like an old couple. I gave him my fish, he gave me his fruits.

"Medyo maalat pala." Nakangiwi kong tugon habang nginunguya ang homemade sushi.

Tiningnan ko si Julian para tingnan ang kaniyang reaction sa maalat kong luto, pero nakatingin na pala siya sa akin... ulit.

"You have something... near your lips."

Nagtataka ang aking mukha dahil titig na titig siya sa aking labi. I eat like a kid. Sinubukan kong punasan ang paligid ng aking baba na puro crumbs ng seaweed.

"I'll get it." Lumapit siya at hinalikan ako malapit sa aking labi. Muntik na! He just can't kiss me right now, amoy sushi ako!

I was about to push him when he tilted his head and explored his mouth on my lips. I muffled and grabbed his hair. His scent makes me more drawn to him... it's addicting. He smiled in the middle of the kiss. He's a little arrogant when I go weak because of him and his ways. He always know how to get me.

"I love you, Julian." I tried to told him when I was running out of breath.

He does not say that he does too, instead, he'll stare deeply in my eyes... and down my lips, back to my eyes again, and whispers, "You'll be my wife one day, Virginia."

I wonder what does he sees in my eyes... what does he feel. And I wanna ask him how he is so sure about it. They say we don't know what will happen in the future... hindi ko na rin alam kung paano ko tatanggapin kung sakaling hindi ito magkatotoo.

Minutes and hours have passed and now, it's getting golden. Hindi ko namalayan na malapit na ang kanina pa namin inaabangan— ang paglubog ng araw. Lumalamig na rin ang simoy ng hangin.

Kakaonti ang tao at halos nakakabingi na ang katahimikan. Tanging huni lamang ng mga ibon ang maririnig at ang banayad na paghampas ng alon sa pampang.

"It feels good, you know, ... to have a day like this... with you." I said out of the blue.

I sat down the white sand and let the sea salt tastes my shivering skin. Naupo sa aking tabi si Julian, walang imik.

"Don't— mababasa ang sapatos mo!" He didn't listen to me and let the wave crash with his black converse.

"It's okay, sapatos lang 'yan."

It's hard to admit that he looks hot and unbothered. Napalunok ako ng laway dahil sa kalikutan ng aking isip.

The sun is almost touching the horizon making the sky as if it is painted with the color of pink, orange, and purple. At this moment, I don't want it to end. I hope that he would know.

"Julian?" I called his name.

"Hmm?"

Hindi ako nagsalita. I just leaned on his shoulder before embracing him. I felt his big hands around my waist, caressing down my curves.

"I have decided..." I trailed off, trying hard not to melt by the way he treats me with his gaze.

"... uhm, we can do it, maybe after my period." I said in a very soft and small voice.

Tumaas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ko. He can't believe it, of course.

"You don't have to be pressured, Ginny. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali."

"Yeah, alam ko naman... it's just that, I want to do it with you, too. Last night was just too sudden." Nagtago ako sa white shirt niya matapos ko iyon sabihin.

I heard him chuckled and patted my head. Naramdaman ko ang kaniyang kamay sa aking pisngi... at ang dahan-dahang paglapit ng kaniyang mukha sa akin.

"Dalaga ka na nga talaga." he snickered.

I swear, being with him is all that I need in this world.