Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 14

We are currently in a clothes boutique here in the main place. There are lots of varieties of clothes we could choose from. And also, it is not that expensive.

"How about this one? Do you want this?"

Nilingon ko siya. He was showing me the simple ruffle mint green blouse. Dinikit niya pa iyon para tingnan kung bagay ba sa akin.

I lifted my eyebrow. "This is definitely not my style, Montepalma."

"But it looks so good on you."

"No!" I hissed. Nilayo ko iyong hawak niyang blouse. "It's too girly. I'm not that type of girl, Hansen."

"What's your style then?" he asked.

"I want something cool and goofy," I replied. Naglalakad ako para tumingin ng magagandang damit. "My style is something with leather jacket and some stuff."

He pouted his lips. "Yeah, like what you are wearing right now."

"Yeah. Tsaka huwag kang sunod nang sunod sa akin. Find your own clothes too!"

I am trying to shoo him away from me. He is like a dog that keeps following me around. Kasi kuha siya nang kuha tapos gusto niya pasuot sa akin.

"I'm dead serious when I told you that I want us to have matching clothes," he told me.

I halted from my tracks. Oh… he is dead serious about that thing. Binibigyan ko siya ng masamang tingin. Bakit niya naman gusto na matching kami ng suot? Baka mapagkamalan kami na magka relasyon dahil sa gusto niya!

Oh my goodness. Really?

Bakit ba ako bothered kung mapag kamalan kaming may relasyon? Dapat wala ako pakielam sa iniisip ng iba kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na magkaibigan lang naman kami ni Hansen. I will never let him cross the line. He will stay as my partner for he meantime and a friend. Suddenly I wanted to hit my head against the wall. Ayaw ko ng ganito na iniisip. Lalo na sa kaniya.

He is a freaking playboy!

"How about these oversized t-shirts?" he requested.

Tiningnan ko iyong damit na tinutukoy niya. Maayos naman iyon. A plan words in the center of the t-shirt. Ngumisi siya sa akin at habang lumalapit para akbayan na naman ako.

"Come on… give this day to me, Ivory. Let's have a matching t-shirts!" he insisted. Hinarap niya ako halos ilang inches na lang ang pagitan sa amin dalawa. "It's cool! Please?"

I squinted my eyes. "Fine!"

He throw his fist in the air. Halatang ang saya saya niya kasi mukha siya nanalo sa lotto. Umirap ako sa hangin at tinanggal ang pagkaka-akbay sa akin.

"Thank you, Ivory! Let's go try these t-shirts!"

Tinutulak niya na ako papunta sa fitting room para subukan suotin iyong oversized t-shirt na napili niya. Napaungol ako sa inis. Ang kulit talaga ni Hansen ngayon. He is acting different right now!

Tinulak niya ako loob ng fitting room at sinubukan ko na suotin iyong t-shirt. Habang sinusuot ko iyon ay pinagmamasdan ko mabuti iyong sarili ko sa salamin. Hindi ko akalain na marami na rin pala nagbago sa akin. I look so mature. My eyes drifted on the words that is etched on the oversized t-shirts.

"I'm your muse?"

I read that aloud. Kaya lumabas na ako sa fitting room. Nakita ko si Hansen na naka krus ang kamay tila naiinip sa kakahintay sa akin. Binasa ko iyong nakalagay sa t-shirt niya.

Napakurap ako habang nare-realize kung bakit matching kami ngayon.

'I could be your painter.'

'and I'm your muse'

"You're so cheesy, Montepalma!"

Humalakhak siya. "At least we are matchy-matchy, huh? Tara babayaran ko na."

He paid for our new matchy oversized t-shirts. Hanggang sa napadpad naman kami sa isang beach. Mabuti na lang hindi pa namin nasusuot iyong bagong binili namin. Para naman kahit papaano meron kami pamalit.

I punched his shoulder. "Let's take a dip, loser!"

Nakita ko na sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Napangisi na lang ako at tinanggal ang leather jacket. Tinatanggal ko ang boots, pants, at leather jacket para hindi mabasa. Halos mahulog ang panga niya nang matira na lang sa akin ang white blouse at black lacy panty.

"Why? We are at the beach!" I snapped.

"D-Don't just strip in front of me, Ivory! I'm a ma—"

I cut him off. "And you get boner whenever I strip? Yeah, I could see it from here. It's bulging in your maong pants."

"You cunning witch!" he barked.

Humalakhak ako at tumakbo na papunta sa dagat. Sobrang guminhawa na ang pakiramdam ko nang maramdaman ko kung gaano kalamig ang dagat. Medyo nahihirapan lang ako kasi medyo malakas ang alon pero nakakaya ko naman labanan.

Napansin ko na naglalakad na si Hansen palapit sa akin. He was not wearing any clothes on his upper body. His ripped body is very visible in my naked eye. My eyes drifted on how firm his abs went down to his legs. I really admire men that have firm muscles in their thighs and legs. He was angrily walking towards me wearing only his black boxer.

Damn.

Is he not shy exposing his huge bulge in the center of his boxer?

“Aren’t you going to hide that?” I pointed out.

Hindi niya pinansin iyong sinabi ko kundi lumusong siya agad sa tubig dagat. Nanliit ang mata ko hudyat hinahanap siya sa tubig kaso hindi ko siya makita. Nasa malalim ako na parte kaya sinusubukan ko umikot para hanapin siya.

Marunong ba lumangoy ang isang iyon?

Tumili ako nang may humatak sa paanan ko. Hanggang sa nakita ko si Hansen na nakangisi at niyakap ako sa ilalim ng dagat. Mabuti na lang nagawa ko kumawala sa piling niya. Umahon ako at halos habulin ko ang hininga ko. Hindi ako handa kaya kaunti lang na hangin ang hinanda ko! Sobrang sama ng tingin ko kay Hansen. Tapos ang alat pa ang dagat! Ang sakit pa sa mata.

“I hate you so much!” I hissed.

Tinawanan niya lang ako at pumwesto siya sa likuran ko. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nagagawa niya ako lapitan ng ganito kalapit. I felt his sneaky arms trying to crawl on my waist. Until I felt my bareback against his chiseled chest. I could also feel his erect groin against my butt cheeks!

“This is what affects me whenever you strip Ivory,” he whispered.

My heart hammered inside my chest. Do I really have an effect on him? Or maybe… he was just trying to flirt with me. I really couldn’t tell if he was telling the truth or whatever. But his embrace got tighter as if he didn't want me to let go in the sea.

I gulped. “W-What are you doing?”

“Let’s stay like this for a while. Let me hold you this close, Ivory.”

I hate myself because my system wouldn’t let my brain speak. My whole body wanted to protest but deep down… I have this other side that his embrace made me feel safe. While my eyelids are shutting down, my heart is pounding so hard. Why do I suddenly feel like I am not in a prison? Why?

As my feet were swaying to keep myself floating in the sea, his strong arms squeezed me. He rested his chin above my shoulder blade. Although the sea is very cold, Hansen is sharing with me his warmth. His strong masculine body serves as my heat despite the cold surrounding my whole body.

In a split second, the sea becomes calm and at ease. However my whole body melts between his embrace as if I am made for him. I didn’t have the guts to push him away… because a part of me wanted to be hugged. I wanted this.

No need to say something… our body already speaks. I looked over my shoulder and I saw him feel so comfortable holding me between his arms. His eyes are so majestic and beautiful. Those pitch black eyes… screaming for desire and passion. His slender fingers are kneading against my skin— as if he doesn’t want me to let go.

“Are you comfortable?” he questioned.

His voice is so deep and husky. The hairs from all parts of my skin are rising. Lips quivering, I manage to speak something.

“Super…” Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. “Keep hugging me from behind. Don’t let go of me.”

He licked his lips. “Baby… I won’t ever let you go. You are already part of my life even though we have been together for almost two months.”

Ngayon ko lang narealize na gano’n na kami katagal magkasama kahit ba ilang buwan pa lang. Still shocking how days become months so fast. His voice is like a lullaby playing in my ears for the first time. He doesn’t sound so annoying or irritating to me. It soothes me a little bit.

Dumating na ang hapon ay napag-isipan na namin maglakad papunta sa rest house namin. May hawak na kami na paperbag from Mcdonalds. Ang dami nga namin binili kaya excited na ako kainin lahat ito sa roof.

I heard him chuckle. “Are you sure you are going to finish these?”

“Of course!” I beamed. I playfully smack his biceps. “If you only knew that I am dying to eat Mcdonalds for how many months. The last time I ate this was probably last year.”

“Damn… ang tagal na pala no’n. Good thing we are able to buy everything that you craved for.”

“Thank you so much, Hansen. For real,” I said sincerely. Halos yakapin ko na iyong dalawang paperbag habang nakangiti sa kaniya. “Hindi ko maalala kung kailan ako naging masaya pero dahil sa araw na ito ay sobrang saya ko na. I’m really grateful to meet you.”

His expression brightened. “Wow. Dapat pala bilhan kita palagi ng Mcdonalds para mabait ka sa akin.”

“Bakit hindi ba ako mabait sa’yo, huh?” Napanguso ako sa tabi niya. Nag kunyari na nag-iisip siya sa tabi ko. “Grabe ka naman sa akin! Am I that awful to you? I am just being tough on you so you could learn how to fight. Gano’n ako tinuruan ni Papa!”

“So, you’re using your father’s method of teaching me?” He showed me his lopsided smile. Nakapamulsa na siya ngayon habang diretsyo ang tingin na. “I also wondered if your father approved of me.”

My eyebrow furrowed. “Why do you need his approval?”

Hindi siya nagsalita. Yumuko siya habang tinatago ang ngiti mula sa akin. Umirap ako sa hangin. Pero deep inside… natatawa rin naman ako sa kaniya. Hanggang sa nakarating na kami sa tapat ng resthouse. Napalunok ako habang inaalala iyong mga panahon na kasama ko pa sila rito.

“We’re here in my resthouse. Dito kami tumitira kapag magbabakasyon,” I told him.

Pinanood ko siya pagmasdan ang resthouse namin. Panigurado na marumi ang bahay kasi ilang taon din kami nakakabisita rito. Lumapit ako sa mga vases at binasag ko. Namilog ang mata niya sa ginawa ko. Minsan tinatago ni Papa iyong spare key sa loob ng vase. Kinuha ko iyong susi habang pinapaikot ito sa daliri ko.

“Buksan ko muna. Panigurado na magulo sa loob dahil ngayon lang ulit ako nakabisita.”

His lips curved up. “Don’t worry… ayos lang kung magulo o hindi. As long as you’re with me, it doesn’t matter anymore. Besides, if you want… we could clean this house for you.”

I eyed him seriously. “You don’t have to do that for me. Sobra sobra na ginawa mo para sa akin ngay—”

“Hush, baby,” he interrupted. “I haven’t given you the whole world. Like I said… you are important to me now.”

I blinked at him briefly. I awkwardly gave him a small smile. Tumalikod na ako kasi hindi ko na kaya dahil halos mabingi ako sa pagtibok ng puso ko. Binuksan ko na iyong pintuan at bumungad sa akin ang kadiliman. I turned the lights on and I saw our living room.

Kung ano ang iniwan namin ay gano’n pa rin ang itsura niya. Dahan-dahan umukit ang malungkot na ngiti sa labi ko. Iniimagine ko na nagluluto si Mama sa kusina para sa amin ni Papa. Habang kami naman ni Papa ay nagt-training sa bakuran. My chest is drowning from the sad memories lingering in my mind.

“Ivory, you’re gonna be fine. I’m here,” he cooed.

I swallow the lump in my throat. I thought that I am brave enough to face the past. When I used to hide from Marseille, I really thought I was fine because I didn’t think of them anymore. The needle is slowly poking my heart as I realize that I haven’t moved on at all. That I am still grieving and still in despair because of what happened.

“T-Thank you, Hansen. For being here with me…” I croaked. Halos magtubig ang mga mata ko. “It made me realize that I don’t have someone to help me… I don’t have a family anymore.”

He held my shoulder gently. “You’re not alone. I am here for you. We’re partners and we’re friends. You can treat me as your family.”

I shook my head. Dapat sinusulit ko itong freedom na binigay sa amin ni Vivian. Kaya hinarap ko siya at nagpanggap na masaya. Mukhang nagtaka siya sa inakto pero nakuha naman niya ang gusto ko parating.

Ayaw ko maging malungkot ngayon.

“We should eat our Mcdonalds. Baka hindi na siya mainit.”

He watched how I acted differently. As if he knew that I am faking the smile I am showing him. Kaya hinatak ko na siya paakyat sa kwarto ko. Nang makarating na kami sa dalawang palapag, binuksan ko na iyong kwarto ko. As usual, hindi talaga halata na babae ang may-ari ng kuwarto.

“H-How can we eat on the roof?” he questioned.

But his eyes are still surveying my whole room. He was spinning in slow motion to see every corner of my room. My room is colored white and blue. There are posters of bands that were my favorite years ago until now. Even the action movies of posters are on the wall.

Until his eyes found my picture on top of the side table. My eyes grew bigger when I realized that I hated my face before. The heat is rushing to my cheeks that turn into a crimson red.

“Don’t look at my pictures, Hansen,” I hissed.

“Why can’t I?” Kinuha niya iyong frame at matagal siya napatitig doon. “You look so beautiful here.”

I rolled my eyes. “Enough with your pambobola, Hansen! Give me my picture!”

Laking gulat ko nang kunin niya mismo ang litrato ko mula sa picture frame. Halos takpan ko ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan. Kinuha niya iyong picture ko nung eight years old ako. Meron akong braces noon!

“I’ll keep this souvenir for me,” he snickered. Binulsa niya iyong picture ko habang nakangisi sa akin. “Now, show me the way on how we could eat on the rooftop.”

I sharpened my gaze at him. “Why are you keeping my picture?”

His tongue grazed his lips slowly. He crossed his arms over his chest while looking at me now seriously. Mas lalo ko siya sinamaan ng tingin. Baka kasi kung saan saan niya ilagay iyong picture ko nung bata pa ako!

“This picture will remind me how I should treat you…”