You may Now Kiss the Lust

Chapter 7

Rinoa's POV

Hi secret admirer or whatever you want me to call you,

I actually didn't know what to say, I was flattered I guess? Whoever you are, I wanted to thank you for putting an effort to made my day.

You asked me about my life, well I guess my life isn't that exciting as yours, but you actually made it kind of exciting.

I am looking forward to meet you, Mr. Admirer!

Ilang beses kong binasa iyong sulat ko, bago ko 'to nilagay sa isang envelope. I felt kind of nervous to respond. Ewan ko ba, my feelings was strange.

Lumabas ako ng bahay. I looked around before putting the envelope inside our mail box. It was a small pink envelope, para cute.

I saw ate Pasita on our garden, nagdidilig.

"Ate Pasita!" I called her.

She off the host and looked at me with her sweet smile. Mabait si ate Pasita, she was working for us since I was a child. Nasa mid-thirties na siya, I guess.

I played with my fingers. "I'm just wondering po, nakita ninyo ba or nasulyapan man lang iyong nag-iiwan ng letters for me sa mail box?"

She shook his head. "Hindi po ma'am eh."

I sighed and nodded. "Gano'n po ba. By the way, nag-iwan po ako ng pink envelope sa mail box, please don't touch it. I can trust you, right?"

"Sige po ma'am, hindi ko po gagalawin."

"Okay, thank you." Tumakbo na 'ko pabalik sa kwarto ko.

Nakahiga lang ako sa kama, habang nakatitig sa kisame at nilalaro ang mga daliri ko. Habang tumatagal, mas nacu-curious ako sa admirer ko. Who was he? What type of man he was? Ano kayang hitsura niya? Sana gwapo! At lalong sana matino.

Walang masyadong nangyari sa mga nagdaang linggo. I was still waiting for my admirer's response, medyo naiinip na nga ako, but I shouldn't mind.

Nasa school park ako, nagbabasa ng fiction book sa ilalim ng puno. It took me some time para magkaroon ulit ng lakas na tumambay sa park, dahil doon sa manyak na humalik sa 'kin. Luckily, hindi ko na siya nakita magmula niyon.

Someone sat beside me, her sweet scent caught my attention.

My brows furrowed. "Do I know you?"

She was looking chill, chewing a bubblegum.

"Ikaw iyong bagong girlfriend ni Nathan, right?"

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "What? Who?"

"Nathan; the one and only, Nathaniel Zack Salazar." She smiled, but it was sarcastic.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Binalik ko ang tingin sa librong binabasa ko.

She laughed. "Stop denying, okay? Nakita na kitang kahalikan siya rito mismo sa park, though I don't mind that. Na-curious lang ako sa bago niya."

Tinignan ko ulit siya. She was beautiful with her braces showing off, bagsak na bagsak ang mahaba niyang buhok, and she was wearing a white turban.

"I'm Beverly Flores." She offered her hand.

I was hesitating to hold her, but I sighed and accepted his hand.

"Your name?" She asked.

"Nathan is not my boyfriend. I don't even know him," sambit ko, not minding her question.

Hinawakan niya ang I.d ko at tinignan ito.

"Rinoa Samantha Aguilar," she whispered. "Nice to meet you, Rinoa or Sam or Samantha?"

I shrugged. "Whatever you want to call me."

"Okay Sam--"

"Stop!" I sighed. "Rinoa na lang pala."

She chuckled. "Okay Rinoa, I actually just wanted to tell you na I'm happy for you and Nathan. Please take care of him, he's a nice man."

Pumikit ako at humingang malalim. "I told you, he is not--"

"Don't you worry girl, hindi ko kayo guguluhin. I'm also in a relationship. Basta gusto ko lang ingatan mo siya, love him purely."

I raised my right brow. Ayaw niyang maniwala sa 'kin, I should just ask her intriguing question.

"If he's a nice man like you said, why did you guys broke up?"

Her smile widened. "Things get complicated at love. Just... just take care of him, Rinoa." Bumeso siya sa 'kin at saka siya umalis.

My lips parted, napailing-iling ako. So siya pala ang ex girlfriend nung stranger na humalik sa 'kin. She looked sweet, I wonder what happened to them, well it was none of my business. I sighed, pinagpatuloy na lang ang pagbabasa.

"Hey! Kanina pa kita hinahanap." Biglang sumulpot sa harapan ko si Gerald.

Napairap ako, kaya nga rito ako nagpunta para hindi niya muna ako makulit. I wanted a quiet peaceful place.

"Ano nanaman ba iyon?" Sinarado ko iyong librong binabasa ko.

He smirked. "Wala lang, nakaka-miss lang iyang pagtataray mo."

I punched his chest. "Miss mo mukha mo!"

He laughed. "Pa'no ko mami-miss mukha ko, eh lagi ko naman 'tong nakikita sa salamin. Baka ikaw, miss mo mukha ko 'no?"

"No way!" I rolled my eyes.

"Ano ba iyang binabasa mo?"

"None of your business." Nilayo ko sa kanya iyong libro ko. My face lightened up nang maalala ko iyong ike-kwento sa kanya. "Ay alam mo ba?"

He shook his head. "Hindi pa."

Sinuntok ko iyong braso niya. "Kaya nga, ito nga sasabihin ko sa 'yo." I sighed. "Kanina may lumapit sa 'king babae, 'tapos sabi niya, siya raw iyong ex girlfriend nung humalik sa 'kin, and then, pinipilit niya talagang boyfriend ko iyong manyak niyang ex."

"Talaga? Edi sana sinabi mo na bigla ka lang hinalikan nung gagong lalakeng iyon.

"She wouldn't listen! Ayaw niya 'kong pakinggan, edi wag. Bahala siyang mag-isip na may bago na ex niya."

He laughed. "Ako rin may kwento."

"Ano iyon?"

May kinuha siya sa bag niya. Kumunot ang noo ko nang may ilabas siyang isang box ng chocolate.

"May nag-iwan nito sa table ko kanina, hindi ko nga alam kung kanino galing, walang gustong umamin."

My lips parted. "Someone gave you a box of chocolates?"

He nodded. "Baka ikaw 'to ha? Ikaw naman nahiya ka pang iabot sa 'kin in person."

"Hindi ako iyan 'no! Feeling mo nanaman." I punched his chest. "Taray may secret admirer din."

He laughed awkwardly. "Sa 'yo na lang oh."

"Ha? Bakit? Baliw! Kainin mo iyan. Sa 'yo binigay eh."

He shook his head. "Baka mabulok ngipin ko."

"Hindi mo naman kakainin lahat nang sabay. Tsaka hindi ka ba nagto-toothbrush?" I rolled my eyes.

He laughed. "Biro lang. Ah basta, sa 'yo na lang 'to. Mahilig ka sa chocolates, diba?"

I shrugged. "Marami naman kami sa bahay. Tsaka kawawa naman iyong nagbigay, sayang effort kung ipapamigay mo lang." I smiled teasingly. "Malay mo future girlfriend mo na pala iyang admirer mo na iyan!"

He laughed and shook his head. "Imposible iyon."

"Ba't naman naging imposible? Bakla ka ba?!" I raised my right brow.

"Hindi ah! Halikan pa kita riyan eh."

I punched his chest. "Bastos!"

He laughed. "Ako bastos? Mas bastos iyong gagong humalik sa 'yo nang biglaan 'no!"

"Oh 'tapos gagawin mo rin? Hahalikan mo rin ako?!"

He laughed. "It was a threat, Rinoa. Unless you want me to do so."

"Eew!" Sununtok ko ulit ang braso niya.

He laughed. "Sa 'yo na nga 'to." Inabot niya ulit sa 'kin iyong box of chocolates.

I glared at him. "Sa 'yo binigay diba? Kawawa naman iyong nagbigay, tanggapin mo na!"

"Mas kawawa kung walang kakain nito, sige na, iuwi mo na sa inyo," pilit niya.

I sighed. "Ba't ba ayaw mo? Diba mahilig ka sa chocolates?"

He nodded. "Mahilig ako, 'pag galing sa 'yo."

I sighed in surrender. "Arte mo." Kinuha ko iyong box at nilagay ito sa bag ko. "Thanks anyway."

He pinched my nose. "You're welcome, anyway."

"Rinoa! Tara fishball!" Umakbay sa 'kin si Trixie.

Kakatapos lang ng last class namin, kaya pumayag na 'ko sa aya niya. Pagkalabas namin sa room, bumungad agad sa 'min si Gerald.

"Mag-fishball pa kami ni Trixie, mauna ka ng umuwi," sambit ko.

"Pwede rin namang sama ka na lang sa 'min," sambit ni Trixie.

Umawang ang labi ko sa kanya. I rolled my eyes, while Gerald smiled.

"Sure. Sama ako. Let's G!"

Umiling-iling na lang ako nang maglakad na ulit kami, nakasunod na sa 'min si Gerald.

We ate our fishball just outside our school. Nakatayo lang kami sa sulok at inuubos ang pagkain namin.

"Sa'n tayo next?" Trixie asked.

"Uuwi na 'ko," sagot ko agad.

"Ikaw Gerald?" tanong ulit ng babaitang katabi ko.

Gerald glanced at me. "Uuwi na rin ako, sabay kami ni Rinoa eh."

I shrugged. "It's okay, I can go home alone."

"It's okay, sasabayan kita." Gerald laughed at tinungga pa iyong sauce na nasa baso niya.

"Tamis!" Trixie chuckled.

I just rolled my eyes at sinubo na iyong huling fishball ko.

After eating, we said our goodbyes to Trixie. Naglakad na kami ni Gerald papuntang parking lot.

"Bevs, akala ko ba naka-move on ka na sa kanya?"

Napalingon kami sa sulok nang may marinig kaming bulungan mula roon, we continued walking, but my ears were widely open.

"Oo nga, it's just that... ang sakit pala na makitang may bago na siya."

"May bago ka na rin naman Beverly ah, mas gwapo, mas sikat, mas mayaman, tsaka mukhang mas mabait--"

Umiling-iling ako at hindi na narinig ang usapan nang makalayo na kami mula sa ingay.

Hindi ko nakita iyong dalawang babaeng nag-uusap sa gilid ng isang kotse, but I heard the name Beverly, so maybe it was the one who talked to me a while ago. Mukhang mahal niya pa 'yong gagong humalik sa 'kin ah, pero ba't kaya sila nag-break? I shouldn't care anyway.

"Iyong tainga mo, lumalaki nanaman." Binuksan ni Gerald iyong passenger's seat ng kotse niya.

I rolled my eyes bago ako sumakay. "Hindi kaya!" Sigaw ko, bago niya maisara iyong pinto.

"Sus! Tsismosa." Sumakay na rin siya sa driver's seat at ini-start iyong engine.

"I'm not!" I denied.

He laughed. "Parang ang daming broken ngayon 'no? Kamusta na ba puso mo?"

My brows furrowed. "See? Ikaw pala iyong nakinig sa usapan ng nadaanan natin kanina ha!"

He laughed. "Pumasok sa tainga ko eh, anong magagawa ko?"

"Tsismoso!"

Tumawa ulit siya. "Kamusta na nga puso mo?"

"Tumitibok pa, obviously." I buckled my seat belt.

"Kay Johan o sa 'kin na?"

I punched his chest. "None of the above."

Tumawa siya at umiling-iling, he started driving on our way home.

Pagkauwi ko, ate Pasita brought a good news. May binigay ulit siya sa 'king envelope from unknown person kaya dumiretso agad ako sa kwarto ko after dinner.

Hi beautiful Rinoa!

It's been a while! Natanggap ko iyong sulat na binigay mo, salamat at binuo mo iyong isang linggo ko :)) Oo tagalog na muna ako, nauubos na English vocabulary ko eh, lol! Kidding aside, kamusta ka naman?

I hope you're having a great day. Ako ito, tamang tanaw pa rin sa 'yo sa school, pero wag kang mag-alala magkikita rin tayo sa malapitan, kapag handa ka na at handa na ako :))

I will wait for you respond. Please don't be shy opening up with me. I can be you admirer and listener at the same time :))

Again, smile Rinoa, as it will make not only my day, but everyone's day :)

From: Secret ;)

Abot tainga nanaman ang ngiti ko. My heart felt really happy, just by reading a letter from a stranger.

I sat on my study table. Kumuha ako ng ballpen at papel, I started writing my appreciation respond for him.

Hi Mr. Stranger!

Yep you're right it's been a while. Ako rin tagalog na muna, dadamayan kita lol! :))

I'm actually okay, well not really, but I am in the process of healing. Siguro nabalitaan mo iyon? Kung admirer mo 'ko, dapat alam mo iyon! Hahaha.

Ikaw? Kamusta ka? Kamusta ang puso mo? I'm just curious you know. I want to have an idea about what you are like on a daily basis or even just an idea of how you think. Masaya ka ba? Malungkot? Healing like me? O nakatanaw ka lang talaga sa 'kin palagi?

Speaking of nakatanaw, kailan ka ba lalapit sa 'kin? I will gladly appreciate it if you do. Let's be friends!

Again, hoping to meet you soon :)

Tinupi ko iyong papel. Kumuha ulit ako ng pink envelope at pinasok iyon doon. I hugged it and smiled. My life felt exciting, because of an unknown stranger, giving me letters. I finally had something to look forward for, and that was to meet him, hopefully soon.

"Malapit na finals, nagre-review ka na ba?" I asked to Gerald.

Magkatabi kami sa isang bench sa may school park. Presko kasi sa ilalim ng puno kaya paborito namin itong tambayan.

"Hindi pa eh. Sisiw lang naman iyon." He smirked.

I laughed sarcastically. "Oo nga pala, bigtime ang family mo; baka nga kahit hindi ka mag-review maka graduate ka eh."

Tumawa rin siya. "Maka-bigtime ka naman! Pareho lang tayo ng estado sa buhay."

"Mas mayaman ka kaya! May island resort ka na ngang mamanahin, safe na safe na future mo kahit hindi ka maka-graduate."

He pinched my nose. "Iyon ang akala mo. Dad made it clear to me, kailangan kong gumraduate, bago nila ipamana sa 'kin iyon."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Para namang may iba pang pwedeng magmana."

"May mga pinsan ako uy."

I shrugged. "I doubt ipapamana iyon ng parents mo sa hindi nila anak."

"Hindi tayo sigurado." He shrugged. "Kailangan ko pa rin talagang gumraduate. Don't overestimate me. Hindi ko alam kung mafa-flattered ba 'ko o ano eh."

I laughed, shaking my head.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may dumaang dalawang babae na matalim ang tingin sa akin, 'tapos nagbulungan pa sila pagkalagpas nila sa amin ni Gerald.

"Grabe makatingin iyon ah," sambit ni Gerald. "Tusukin ko na ba mata nila?"

I rolled my eyes. "Let's not mind them."

May dumaan nanaman at parang tangang nagbulungan sa harapan namin. Lalo tuloy nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

"May dumi ba sa mukha ko?" I faced Gerald.

He smiled. "Wala; ang ganda nga eh."

I punched his chest. "Anong problema ng mga iyon?" I whispered.

"Baka inggit lang sa 'yo, baka type nila 'ko 'tapos feeling nila boyfriend mo 'ko."

Inirapan ko siya. "Feeling mo nanaman!"

"Siya ba 'yon?" Three girls passed by me.

"Oo siya nga," bulong nung isa na narinig ko naman, then they laughed.

"What's wrong with them?" I was getting irritated.

"Rinoa!" Trixie was running towards us, hingal na hingal. "Finally, nakita rin kita."

"What's the matter?" Hindi naalis ang kunot sa noo ko.

Kinuha niya iyong cellphone niya. "You should see this."

Hinarap niya 'to sa 'kin at nakisilip naman si Gerald, medyo iniwas ni Trixie iyong phone sa mukha ni Gerald.

My lips parted and my heart started beating fast. It was an image of me and Johan kissing. We were sitting, I was sitting on top of him, naked with my lips on his lips. Kita pa ang side ng boobs ko sa picture, it was disgusting!

"What the hell is that?!" I shouted in anger.

"Putangina," bulong ni Gerald.

"May video ba?" I asked, with my heart thudding so loud.

Trixie shook his head. "Wala akong nakita. Ang alam ko picture lang. Isang picture lang, pero kalat na ata sa block natin."

Natulala ako sa hangin, my heart was banging my chest. The picture was a screenshot from a video of me and Johan having s*x. Putangina!

"Who posted that?" Gerald asked. I looked at him, he clenched his jaw.

"I don't know," Trixie said. "Nakita ko na lang bigla sa twitter 'to, kalat na."

I clenched my fist. "Tangina! Si Johan, siya lang naman ang may copy ng mga videos namin 'pag nagse-s*x, putangina talaga."

"Asaan si Johan?" Gerald asked.

Nagdalawang isip sumagot si Trixie, she gulped. "Nasa court, kakagaling ko lang do'n."

"Anong ginagawa niya?" I asked.

"Kumpulan sila ng mga tropa niya, 'tapos nagtatawanan."

Tumayo si Gerald at naglakad with his clenched fist. Tumakbo ako at hinarangan ang daan niya.

"Gerald, stop." I tried to calm him.

Umiling lang siya at nilagpasan ako.

I held his wrist. "Please... wag mo ng gawin kung ano man iyang pinaplano mo."

Lalo akong kinabahan, naalala ko dati noong highschool kami, na-suspend siya dahil may sinapak siyang lalake na nanghipo sa 'kin. Hindi siya pwedeng ma-suspend ngayon, lalo't graduating kami.

"Anong wag, Rinoa? Sumosobra na iyong gagong ex mo! Tangina!" He took a deep breath. "Isang sapak lang."

Tumalikod ulit siya sa 'kin. I ran and block his way.

"Wag na please... baka mapaaway ka pa, Gerald."

"Wala akong pake..."

"Gerald!" I begged him.

"Isang sapak lang, Rinoa. He deserves it." Nilagpasan niya ulit ako.

"Stop... please..." I blocked his way again.

Lalagpasan niya sana ulit ako, so I hugged him. "Please... wag na nating palakihin iyong gulo," I whispered and hugged him tighter.

I felt really frustrated kaya binuhos ko lahat ng sikip ng dibdib ko sa yakap ko sa kanya. I hugged him until I felt his arms, hugging me back.

Pumikit ako at mas sinubsob pa ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya, my tears started falling and I didn't want him to see me crying again, because of the same man.