Falling for my Boyish Girl (Filipino / Tagalog) - COMPLETED

CHAPTER 12

God has His way of making impossible things into possibility. Who would have thought na sa dinamidaming beses na papayag si Von na manood ng gig ng banda ni Timothy ay ngayon lang ulit siya nagpaunlak. At sa dinamidami ng pwedeng maging location ng gig ng mga ito ay dito pa talaga The RestauBar. At sa dinamidami ng puwede niyang makita, si Khel pa talaga.

Paglabas niya ng banyo ay nakita niya si Chase. Suddenly, there was this feeling na nagsasabing, sundan niya ito.

Then, there's Khel! Wearing a red dress that compliments her fair complexion and beautiful body. Her hair was tied in a bun with some little fine hair dangling in her face. She was not wearing any make up but still, her beauty shined.

She was leaning over the counter while drinking and crying. Biglang may kumirot sa puso niya. She must be broken hearted.

Masuwerteng lalaki! Pinag-aksyahan niya lang ng luha! aniya sa sarili habang matiim na nakatitig kay Khel.

He can't take it anymore. After so many years, he will see her in this state? Nasasaktan siya sa nakikitang pagpapakalunod sa alak ni Khel. Tiim-bagang na nilapitan niya ito without any reservation. Surprise was written all over Chase and Melrose's eyes when they saw him.

"Who broke your heart that you are drowning yourself with this," madilim ang anyo ni Von, pagkuwa'y kinuha ang hawak na baso ng alak ni Khel.

Von? bulong ng dalaga, bago kinusut-kusot ang mga mata na para bang nag-hahallucinate lang ito dahil sa kalasingan at kung sino-sino ang nakikita.

"Give it back to me!" mabilis nitong nakuha ang baso ng alak mula sa kanya at ininom iyon na parang tubig lang.

How dare him break her heart! galit na anas ni Von sa sarili. He will really not hesitate punching the man who caused her pain.

Bumaling ang binata kina Chase at Melrose na nasa state of shock pa rin, "I don't care kung bakit siya naglalasing, but I will not just stand here while looking at her drowning herself like that!"

Narinig ko na 'yan. That was the time my heart -- natigil ang pagbulong ni Khel bago ipinilig ang ulo. Imposible! anito bago pagak na tumawa.

"I'll take her home, Chase. 'Wag kayong mag-alala, I'll call you when she gets there. Give me your number." pahayag niya.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Von," tila nahimasmasang tanggi ni Chase.

"Let him take her, Chase," singit ni Melrose na noon ay nakarecover na rin sa pagkagulat. "Here's my number," patuloy nito bago iniabot ang calling card sa kanya.

***

Tila namamalik-mata pa rin si Khel sa nakikita habang pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa mga taong kaharap niya.

Para siyang wala sa huwisyo na sumunod lang sa lalaking umakay sa kanya palabas ng bar. Para siyang nananag-inip ng gising! Pakiramdam niya, si Von ang kasama niya.

If I am dreaming, Lord, mamaya Mo na po ako gisingin! she prayed while still staring at this man.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Michaella?" galit na bulong nito habang naglalakad sila sa parking lot. Susuray-suray na siyang maglakad at ilang beses na muntik nang madapa.

He lifted her and took her in his arms. Napasinghap siya. I was looking forward to this, bulong niya at pagkuwa'y inihilig niya ang kanyang ulo sa balikat nito and cried silently.

She smelled his manly scent that brought goosebumps on her. Ang gandang panag-inip naman nito. Ultimo amoy, naamoy niya! He opened his car, put her in the passenger's seat, buckled her seatbelt and sat in front of her.

"It pains me seeing you like this, Michaella," his eyes is full of emotion.

Itataas na sana niya ang kamay niya upang haplusin ang pisngi nito ngunit tumayo na ang lalaki at isinara ang pinto.

I missed you so much, Von. Bakit sa panag-inip lang kita laging nakikita? she whispered silently before closing her eyes.

***

Von stopped the car on the side of the road and looked softly at Khel who was already asleep.

"Kung ano o sinuman 'yan, it's not worth it na maglasing ka. You were tough, Michaella. Why don't you fight?" naaawang wika niya.

Muli niya sanang paaandarin ang sasakyan nang sumagot ito. "I can't fight. I have to give up. I need to live my life without thinking of him anymore," she answered in her sleep in a wobbly and funny way.

Nagulat siya. He is amazed by this woman. She's talking in her sleep!

"Naiintindihan kita. I also gave up years ago. Fighting is not always the answer when it comes to love, sometimes, letting go is the best option so you wouldn't get hurt more," wika niya sabay hagod ng buhok nito.

May naaninag siyang luha sa gilid ng mga mata ng dalaga. "All I can feel now is pain. I wanted to stay like this. Kahit sa panag-inip lang, please stay," patuloy nito, still intoxicated.

Tumagilid ito ng pagkakaupo paharap sa kanya. Nasaktan din siya. How can he accept it to be a proxy!

Think of me as him and love me for a while, Michaella. Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito at marahang pinisil.

The familiar feeling of desire and love is overpowering the part of his brain of reasoning. All he wanted is to reach out and kiss her with all his heart.

Nagpakawala siya nang malalim na hininga at tinangkang pakawalan ang kamay nito, but she resisted.

"Please stay with me. Please give me this moment. Ayoko pang gumising, Von. Just hold my hand even in my dreams," wika nito at pagkuwa'y iniyakap ang kamay sa braso niya.

Napakunot-noo siya sa narinig. Was it his name she was calling for or was he just daydreaming wishing that it was him she was thinking about?

Walang nagawa ang lamig ng aircon sa kotse niya. The warmth of her body brought out the longing fire in his heart.

Unti-unti ay hindi niya namalayan na nakalapit na siya sa mukha ng dalaga. He was just inches away from her… then, suddenly, she opened her eyes! Bigla siyang napaayos ng upo while she was still holding his arms.

She was also surprised! Bigla itong bumitiw sa kanya at para bang nagtataka. Ipinilig nito ang ulo at mariin na ipinikit ang mga mata pagkuwa'y muling tumingin sa kanya.

"Chase, kamukha mo si Von," wika nito at pagdaka'y inilapit ang mukha sa kanya, then touched his face, "Bakit si Von ang nakikita ko, Chase?" nagtatakang tanong ni Khel, her face is less than an inch from his face and he can smell her sweet breath mixed with alcohol.

That's it! ang pagpipigil na kanina niya pa kinokontrol ay hindi niya na nakayanan pa. He held her tight and kissed her!

He doesn’t care anymore kung isipin nito na bastos siya but this is what he wanted to do eversince! He tried to be as gentleman as possible, she tried to stop and pushed him but he insisted. The more she resisted, the more it drove him crazy. He managed to hold her hands and let her put it around his nape. Her resistance decreased until she closed her eyes and followed the movements of his lips.

They were running out of breath when he stopped and put his forehead against hers. "Michaella, you're driving me insane!" he whispered.

Nanatiling nakapikit si Khel. He caressed her face and gently kissed her forehead.

"You don't have any idea how I've missed you!" buong pagmamahal na wika niya, "Michaella..." mahinang tawag niya rito nang hindi pa rin ito dumilat, "Hey, open your eyes," patuloy niya.

Umiling ito at pagkuwa'y sumandal sa upuan.

"I don't want this dream to end, masyado akong masaya ngayon. Kahit dito lang sa panag-inip ko, atleast naging masaya ako. Please don't tell me to wake up," wika nito at pagkuwa'y sumilay ang ngiti at marahang hinipo ang sariling mga labi. "I'm drunk and I know that this will be over once I wake up. I will be heartbroken again once I'm sober. Ibalato mo muna sa akin ang pagkahibang," wika nito. "Diyan ka lang. 'Wag ka munang aalis," patuloy nito.

"Who the hell broke your heart, Michaella," he asked. This man is a real lucky bastard!

"I broke his heart first, so I deserve this," may luhang bumagsak mula sa mata nito.

"Then, come to me. I will mend it. Tuturuan kita na kalimutan siya. I'm here, I will not let you pass by again," mahinang bulong niya. He gently wiped her tears then continued, "Mahal kita, Michaella. Just let me show it to you this time."

Sumilay muli ang luha sa mga mata nito at pagkuwa'y pahikbing nagsalita, "I love you, Von, eversince. I just don't know how to express it. Sana ganito ako katapang noong kaharap kita. Sana hindi ka lumayo."

He was surprised. Siya ba talaga ang lalaking iniiyakan ni Khel? Is he the one who broke her heart?

Marahan niyang iniangat ang mukha ng dalaga at maingat na pinunasan ang mga luha sa mga mata nito na nanatiling nakasara.

"Then, be brave enough to tell me whatever it is that you wanted to say. Open your eyes, Michaella, please," mahina niyang anas while planting little kisses on her cheeks.

Unti-unti nitong iminulat ang mga mata.

"I'm here, kanina pa. In the flesh," nakangiti niyang wika habang amused na nakatitig sa dalaga.

Lalong namula ang mukha nito sa tinuran niya. Awtomatikong kinurot nito ang sarili para tila baga'y magising sa isang panag-inip. She realized that she was not dreaming and Von was really in front of her.

Mabilis itong lumayo sa kanya.

"I'm sorry, Michaella -"

"P-paanong?" Pinahid nito ang luha at lumunok bago igibala ang mga mata. Umiwas ito ng tingin sa kanya pagkuwa'y nagsalita.

"N-nasaan sina Chase at Mel?" atubiling tanong nito habang pinipilit ang sarili na maging kalmado.

"I'm sorry, Michaella -"

"Buksan mo ito!" utos nito na hindi pa rin tumitingin sa kanya. Akmang lalabas ito ngunit mabilis niyang nai-lock ang pinto.

"And what? Para pakawalan ulit kita?" sarkastikong wika niya. He held her hand but she took it back. "You already confessed while you were 'dreaming' and whatever confession you made, it can't be unheard," tudyo niya.

Tumingin ito ng masama sa kanya. Puno ng hinanakit ang mata nito.

"Sa tingin mo ba nakikipaglaro ako?" seryosong tanong nito. "Open this damn door!" muling utos nito.

"Okay, calm down, I will open it, on one condition." Kalmadong wika niya.

Hindi ito sumagot.

"Who is that lucky guy who broke your heart?" tanong niya in a serious tone.

“It's none of your business," galit na sagot nito.

"Ang cute mo pala kapag nagagalit," sa halip ay sagot niya while giving her his most charming smile.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay nito na hinanap ang sariling telepono sa clutch bag. He tried to hold her again, and this time, he didn't let her go.

"Si Devon ba ang nanakit sa iyo?" pilit na tanong niya na hindi naaalis ang ngiti sa labi.

"s*****a ka ba? Natutuwa ka 'pag nasasaktan ang ibang tao!" wika nito na pilit kinukuha ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak niya.

"Mas lalo kitang gustong halikan 'pag ganyan ka. Kaparehas ka pa rin ng dati, well, ofcourse, except for your hair..." hinaplos niya ang buhok nito na nakatali sa likod at pinadaloy ang daliri sa exposed na batok nito.

She gasped. "L-let me out..." this time, mahina na ang boses nito, trying to supress whatever emotion she has.

He ignored her and continued playing his fingertips on her shoulder, "And your red dress, it suits you."

Napalunok ito at napapikit. Sinamantala niya ang pagkakataon na iyon upang sakuping muli ang tila nag-aanyayang nakaawang na mga labi nito. He gently touched her chin and guide her to open her mouth, from which, she allowed, and he indulged! He started kissing her gently to express what he wanted to show her for the past years. Her trembling lips quickly learned how to respond. She slowly put her arms around him as if she was drowning.

God! Please don't tempt me or I will take her right here, right now! anas ng isip niya.

Naging mapusok ang mga halik niya and even Khel couldn't resist! He doesn’t want this moment to end! His lips has its own mind that it started kissing her nape and her shoulder, then whispered softly in her ear. "I love you, Michaella. I have loved you from the moment I saw you at the Cafe!"

Khel opened her eyes and looked directly at him. Tila natulig ito sa sinabi niya. Ipinikit nito ng mariin ang mata at pagkuwa'y umiling. "This is wrong. P-papaano... papaano 'yong babae?" alangan nitong tanong.

"Sinong babae?" nakakunot-noong balik-tanong niya.

"Nakita kita kanina," she sighed then continued, "sa mall, sa may stage, nakita ko kayo. Lalapitan sana kita pero -"

"That was my sister, Avy. She had exhibit at the mall earlier today before I went to the bar," sumilay na ang malapad na ngiti sa labi niya. "Ganyan ka pala magselos, ang cute!" dagdag niya then kissed the temple of her nose.

Kumalas ito sa pagkakayakap then sat properly.

"I wanted to clarify something before I explain myself," umpisa niya, "Were you waiting for me for the past 3 years?"

She blushed. It's enough, that answered his question. He lifted her face and looked at her passionately. "I was a coward, stupid and dumb," umpisa niya. "I was hiding from you dahil noong nagtapat ako sa iyo, wala kang sinabi kundi sorry. Naramdaman ko na may pagtingin ka rin sa akin but that was not enough to give me the assurance that you will choose me over your bestfriend. Natakot ako na i-reject mo ako twice. I went away to somehow forget. Bumalik ako sa inyo after your graduation just to have a glimpse of you. I tried my best not to run after you. Sobrang hirap, you don't have any idea how I controlled myself na yakapin at halikan ka 'cos you were just right in front of me," he sighed then embraced her. "After that, I convinced myself that you are better off without me. I buried myself at work para lang kahit paano malimutan ka. But I couldn't. I tried meeting other girls but nobody can even come near your place in my heart. Everytime na luluwas ako ng Manila, dumadaan ako sa inyo, sometimes waiting for you until early morning, hoping na makita ka kahit saglit lang, but I never got to see you again, even for a second," he confessed.

She kept silent while weeping.

"Please say something, Mahal ko. Magalit ka, saktan mo ako, gawin mo kahit anong gusto mo, but please, say something!" anas niya dahil nasasaktan siya sa ginagawang pananahimik nito.

Nagtaas ito ng tingin sa kanya then touched his face. "I thought my forever faded when you suddenly disappear. All this time, I wanted to tell you na mahal din kita. I waited for you hoping that you will come back. I changed, physically, para kung bumalik ka, you'll like me more. I was heartbroken noong makita kita na may kasamang iba," then she began to sob.

"I loved you for who you are, and I still do. Don't worry, our forever starts from here and now, Mahal ko. We wasted 3 years of our lives dahil sa maling akala," kinabig niya ito at muling ginawaran ng matamis na halik.