Kiss or Slap

Chapter 19

____________________Chapter Q

Time goes by so fast like a whirlwind. When you are happy...and contented, time would probably fly so fast.

Mecho and I spent Christmas together. Apparently, mayroong duty si Papa noon dahilan upang hindi niya ako masasamahang mag-celebrate. It was like a normal thing for me, though. Dati pa namang ganoon ang nangyayari. Mas lumala lang ngayon dahil umangat ang ranggo ni Papa.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

Mecho held my hand and intertwined it with his. It is an hour before the new year. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang binabalak niya pero hinayaan ko na lang. Pinindot niya ang top floor ng elevator. Alam ko na agad kung ano ang maaaring mangyari.

It was our first new year together. Hindi pa man nagaganap, kumakalabog na agad nang malakas ang puso ko. These past few days, Mecho was full of surprises! Noong pasko, hindi lang ako ang binigyan niya ng regalo, kun'di pati si Papa na rin. He even insisted to visit Mama at the cemetery.

"New year isn't a big deal to our family," aniya bigla.

"Busy si Papa palagi kaya parang ganoon na nga."

"Alam niya bang kasama mo ako?" He raised a brow.

"Yup. Alam niya lahat," ngumisi ako sa kanya.

His red lips protruded. "I'm gonna show you something."

Mas lumapit pa ako sa kanya noong marinig ang sinabi niya. Inilabas niya ang kanyang cellphone at gamit ang isang kamay ay binuksan niya ang kanyang emails.

"Look." Ibinigay niya iyon sa akin.

My hand reached upwards for it. Napakatangkad kasi. Tapos dinungaw ko noong nakuha ko na. Nanlaki agad ang mga mata ko sa nakita, nasurpresa.

"Wow! Gusto nilang doon ka mag-aral sa kanila?!"

He nodded while curving his lips. "They sent me an offer. If I become a varsity at their University, magkakaroon ako ng scholarship."

"Hala! Pero ibang bansa ito, 'di ba?" Tiningala ko siyang muli.

He nodded, "Marami pa namang iba riyan. Pero mas marami iyong iffwrs na galing sa ibang bansa."

"Ang galing! Baka napanuod nila iyong laro mo noong Holiday Season?"

His red lips protruded. "I don't know. May ilang buwan pa naman bago tayo grumaduate."

Now that he mentioned it. Malapit na kaming grumaduate. I cannot see the end of it already. Will we be still together? Ano nang mangyayari sa amin pagkatapos ng graduation? Papa is planning to send me to a University. Ayon sa kanya, this February daw, baka mag-entrance exam daw ako para hindi na maubusan ng slot. I am a bit excited and nervous, though.

"Saan ka ba dapat mag-aaral?" Bigla kong tanong.

"I still don't know," nagkibit siya ng balikat.

It was a long ride to the rooftop. Masyadong mataas ang narating naman sa puntong iyon ng building, kaya naman labis na lang ang pagkamangha ko noong bumukas ang elevator. There was nothing in here, but the sea of city lights. Ang ganda.

"Do you like it?"

Marahas akong tumango kay Mecho. He chuckled at my reaction. Tinahak namin ang dulo ng lugar para magakaroon ng mas magandang view.

Mecho was standing tall beside me, ikinulong niya ang balikat ko sa kanyang pagkakaakbay, he was also too preoccupied to the beauty of the city lights. His eyes reflected some colors. His strong features were not stronger as before. Now that I knew him more, his aura is not as strong as before.

"Sa tingin mo," I remarked. Nailipat bigla sa akin ang mga tingin niya. Inayos ko muna ang sumabog kong buhok bago nagpatuloy. "Kapag natapos ang graduation. Tayo pa rin kaya?"

"Of course, tayo pa. Ano bang iniisip mo?" He sounded quite offended.

"Tinatanong lang, eh." Ngumuso ako.

He arched his brows at me. And went at my back. Natawa pa ako noong itinali niya iyong buhok ko. Naalala ko tuloy bigla si Elaina. Kung saan niya kinuha iyong pantali niya ng buhok ay hindi ko na rin inalam. His large hands covered my hair and in sent shivers down my spine. Pagkatapos niyang itali ang buhok ko ay bigla niya akong niyakap patalikod.

This will be the very first time that he's hugging me from my back.

"I love you," he suddenly whispered on my neck.

His hot breath made quiver and I was more astonished when I smelled his perfume. It was different now. It's more...manly. He kissed the side of my neck and sensually brushed it upsides to my ear.

"I don't care how miserable my life is. As long as I have you. I am saved."

Parang may mainit na kamay ang humawak sa aking puso at napapaso ako. Parang nahulog pa ito bigla nang mas hinigit niya ako palapit sa kanya. Electricity flowed in my veins, making my whole body ache in pure pleasure and comfort.

"Isha..."

Natahimik ako, pinapakiramdaman siya sa likuran ko.

"Kiss or slap?"

Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. But then, the mood is unbearable. I seriously wanna ride with him right now. He looked so serious. Hindi man lang siya natinag noong tumawa ako.

"Slap."

"Wrong answer."

He made me turn around. Now, I am facing him. He bent a little to level our faces, then he smiled sideways.

"Do you know how to kiss?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay.

Wala sa sarili akong umiling. Now that I heard him ask about that, my own mind suddenly anticipated for him to kiss me. Nababaliw na nga yata ako.

"I can teach you," he said. He leaned forward but stopped midway. "Just...open you mouth, okay?" He said softly. Namungay ang kanyang mga mata.

Wala akong nasabi hanggang sa napaglapat niya ang aming mga labi. It was...like....we are the only person existing. Nawala lahat ng nasa paligid nang pagalawin niya ang kanyang labi. I was stiff, hindi agad ako nakagalaw noong una kaya naman humiwalay siya agad habang tumatawa.

"You're not kissing me back, Isha," he chuckled. "Chill. Okay?"

Tumango akong muli kahit nararamdaman ko pa ang kanyang labi sa akin. When he leaned forward again, he kissed me thoroughly. He tilted his head to have more access to my lips and I obliged. Humawak ako sa kanyang matitigas na braso bilang suporta at tuluyan ng ipinikit ang mga mata.

I felt him smile when I parted my lips so he could kiss me more. He held my waist for support and we ended up chuckling at each other after that kiss.

"You learned," he bit his lower lip. "But you can only kiss the one who thought you to kiss."

Namungay ang mga mata ko kahit nakangiti na ako sa kanya. Nagtawanan na lamang kami nang biglang nagsiputukan ang fireworks sa itaas. It's already new year.

And we are together.

"Happy new year," he whispered and went back to hug me on my back. "I love you."

"Happy new year, Mecho! I love you."

The fireworks display lasted for almost thirty minutes. Lilipad sa pataas iyon, tapos sasabog, then random colors such as red, yellow, orange, green, and blue will be seen along with the explosion. Ang ganda. At mas gumanda pa iyon dahil kasama ko si Mecho.

Noong sumapit ang pasukan, mas napadalas ang pagsasama namin ni Mecho sa loob ng campus. Morning break, lunch, afternoon break, dismissal...minsan ay pati pag-uwi na kung papayag ako. We are all over each other everytime. Every inch of me were like badly smitten by him.

"Pst!" Nilingon ko si Diana nang tawagin niya ako.

"Bakit?" Nilapitan ko siya.

"Pakipunta nga ito sa SC office, ipasa mo kay Keith. Ngayon na kasi ang deadline niyan."

"Ano ba 'to?" Tinanggap ko pa rin naman.

"Presidential updates," hinilot niya ang sentido niya. "Sorry, ha. Sila Jillian kasi, inaasikaso pa 'yung tungkol sa ford form responses. Kailangan iyon kasi plano yata nilang ipatupad iyong Senior and Junior prom."

Ngumuso ako. Wala naman akong magawa. Diana, our President in SocSci club was also very busy this past few days. Hindi na ako tatanggi, ano! Ako na lang yata iyong walang masyadong ginagawa.

Medyo maraming tao sa labas ng SC office nang makarating ako. Pare-parehong nakahawak ng mga forms kagaya ko. Siguro'y marami rin silang inaasikaso sa loob. I'm patient to wait, though. Kaya naupo ako sa mga bleachers doon.

Tinanaw ko ang mga kasama ko at napagtantong baka mamaya pa ako dahil sila ang nauna. Inilabas ko ang cellphone ko at binuksan muna ang i********: app. It was my leisure activity these days, dito kasi mas active si Mecho. I opened my DMs when I saw anither dm.

It was from Mecho as usual.

mekkoo: sent a photo.

Tinignan ko iyon kaagad. It was another email from a university, kinukuha siya bilang freshman varsity sa school nila kapalit ang scholarship. Mecho is remarkably at his best in playing basketball. Pinakita niya iyon noong last season at nanalo pa siyang MVP sa team nila at pati na rin sa buong season. It is not shocking to see many college universities trying to e-mail him and offering him scholarship in exchange of a varsity spot.

mekkoo: may isa pa.

mekkoo: sent a photo.

Panibagong e-mail na naman iyon at galing ulit sa ibang bansa. Pero mas ikinagulat ko nang mayroong binaggit na pangalan doon.

It was a famous coach in NBA! Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at nanginig ang mga daliri sa pagrereply.

izhsa: tatanggapin mo ba?

Kapag tinanggap niya iyon, may tsansa siyang maging NBA player in the future! Hindi na siya lugi roon. It was a great offer kapalit ang scholarship. The only confusing part of it was the location.

Ibang bansa.

Lagi na lang sa ibang bansa.

mekkoo: idk. titignan ko. it's quite tempting, tho.

Tama siya. Nakaka-temp nga naman. Kung magaling kang basketball player at local player lang, tapos na-notice ka ng isang NBA coach, malamang ay blessing iyon. It only means you're good enough for them to scout and train you to become one. Mecho was blessed. Pero bakit ang bigat noon sa loob ko?

mekkoo: hindi ko tatanggapin. ayokong iwan ka rito.

Nang mabasa ko iyon natuwa ako.

Ayaw kong mawalay sa kanya.

Pero a part of was a little disappointed. It was a dream come true for him. Lagi siyang nasa training sa varsity, kung wala lang sa kanya iyon ay baka hindi na siya um-attend pa sa mga training at practice games nila. Academically, Mecho isn't active. But that is because his forte is sports, at doon siya nags-stand out. Now, it's confusing me.

Tumayo ako at tinago ang cellphone noong ako na ang sumunod na magpapasa. The SC office is cozy and peaceful as usual. Tahimik at napakapormal ng hangin dito. May kanya-kanya ring ginagawa ang council officers.

Keith was also reading something and signing it when I approached him.

"Just put it the—"

Napatigil siya nang makita ako. I smiled at him.

"Oh. Isha." He remarked, "Sit down."

"Ipapasa ko lang," itinaas ko 'yung red folder.

Marahan siyang tumango at tumingin sa likuran.

"May...kasunod ka pa ba?" May halong pag-aalinpangan ang kanyang boses.

Wala sa sarili rin akong lumingon. "Wala naman na siguro."

"Okay, ilapag mo na lang 'yan diyan," he said.

Tipid akong ngumiti at mabilis na nilapag ang folder sa kanyang table. Pinanuod niya ako sa maikling oras.

"Salamat," tatalikod na sana ako nang tawagin niya ako ulit. Nakangiti akong humarap sa kanya. "Yes?"

"Are you..free?"

"Ha? Ako? Oo," break time namin ngayon, eh.

Aside from that, Mecho, together with Yeji and Duval went for another practice game sa kabilang school. Kaninang umaga pa silang wala. Siguro ay maghapon na sila roon gaya ng nangyari minsan. Si Jandra naman ay lumabas ulit ng school, may kikitain daw.

"Do you mind if...we eat together?" It was like he is not wasting any chances.

"Pero, 'di ba, busy ka?" I even pointed on the pile of folders he have to check and sign.

"Pero ikaw hindi," he smiled. "Saglit lang naman. I missed hanging out with you. It wouldn't hurt to eat with...a friend, right?"

Hindi na rin ako nakatanggi pa. He is right, though. Walang masama roon.

The cafeteria was a bit crowdy as usual. Makapal ang mga tao dahil halos sabay ang juniors at seniors magmorning break ngayon. Nagprisinta si Keith na um-order sa amin at pati roon ay hindi na ako umapila pa.

I texted Mecho while waiting for him. I informed him that I am with Keith and he immediately replied.

Mecho: Hindi ni'yo ba kasama si Jandra? Kayo lang?

Me: Lumabas si Jandra. Oo kami lang.

Mecho: Hindi pwede 'yan! OTW!

Me: Sira! Saglit lang kami. Busy siya sa SC, huwag ka ng bumalik. Sayang training.

Mecho: Sa tingin mo, makakalma ako? E crush mo 'yan dati.

Mecho: Babalik ako riyan.

Me: Huwag na nga! Siya na rin ang nagsabi na friends kami!

Mecho: Friends amputa. Sinabi mo na rin dati sa akin 'yan! Na friends tayo.

Me: Ang praning mo. Basta huwag ka nang bumalik. Okay lang kami, you don't have to worry.

Mecho: Siguraduhin mo lang.

Me: Oo, promise!

Mecho: I love you.

Me: Ilyt.

Mecho: Babalik na talaga ako riyan.

Natawa ako sa text niya.

Me: I love you too. HAHAHAHAHA

Naibaba ko na lamang ang cellphone ko nang dumating si Keith. He is holding a tray for us at siya na rin ang nag-ayos ng mga pagkain namin.

"Do you like lasagna?" He asked, there are two foods he ordered.

Parehong pasta. I chose lasagna at hindi na umangal pa. We ate silently. I don't know what to say...basta kumakain kami.

"Kumusta na pala si...Zaja?" Umpisa ko.

"She is well as of now," he sounded calm.

"Ah! May nalaman ako. I've read that popsicles are good for chemo," ngumisi ako sa kanya.

Kumurba ang kanyang mapupulang labi. There's a ghost of loneliness passed through his eyes.

"Talaga? I'll try that," aniya.

"Uhh, totoo ba na pinapatupad ni'yo raw iyong junior and high school prom?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

"Yup. Pero hindi ko pa balak i-follow up. Hindi pa sure kung ia-approve ng principal. Besides, ang dami naming pinagkakaabalahan. I'm busy with my thesis and final requirements, sumasabay pa iyong council paminsan-minsan. I don't have time."

"Okay lang siguro iyon. Graduating ka na, you should prioritize your studies more than the school activities."

He nodded.

"Running for valedictorian ka, 'di ba?" Bigla kong itinanong.

"Yup. Sabi nila."

"Wow, iba ka talaga!" Tumawa ako. "Sa bagay, consistent ka. Simula noong Grade 7, ikaw ang top 1, 'di ba?"

Ngayon ko lang napansing hindi pala siya kumakain. Pinaglalaruan niya lang iyong pasta niya at iniikot-ikot lang 'yon sa kanyang tinidor.

"Does that even matter?"

"Of course, it matters. Malaking achievement iyon," I said. "Magkakandarapa ang mga university sa'yo."

"That's true."

Parehong lumipat ang tingin namin sa cellphone ko noong nag-ring iyon. It was Jandra calling. I smiled at Keith and crouched a bit to answer the phone.

"Isha! Mygosh! Mabuti sinagot mo!"

"Jandra? Why? Call me later, I'm eating wi—"

"I don't care! You need to see this! I'm gonna send a picture to you. And I need you to tell me if I am right that he is Mecho's step-dad!"

"Ha? Bakit? Jan—"

"Just go see it!"

"Okay, okay, wait."

I awkwardly smiled at Keith and checked my messenger. I opened the photo. Napakatagal pang mag-loading kaya naitaas ko ito sa ere.

Keith chuckled at what I did.

Nang magload na ang picture ay muli kong dinungaw iyon at nalaglag na lamang ang aking panga sa nakita.

"Ano? Step-dad ba iyan ni Mecho?"

"Yes."

It was Mecho's step-dad. May kasamang...ibang babae.

"My gosh! Sinasabi ko na nga ba. I saw them here numerous times already! I doubt kliyente niya lang iyan. This is kind of bothersome kaya pinakita ko sa'yo. What do you think?"

"I think...he is...having an affair."