"I'm fine, Lev.""No. Dito ka lang," he said as he tucked me in bed.Nang malaman ko na I am on my period, I got so embarrassed. Nakakahiya ka talaga, Kaia! Ang oa ko pa kanina. Sobrang dramatic that I blurted out things that I shouldn't have. I'm in my room right now and Lev is currently taking care of me. Medyo oa lang yung act of service niya."I'm not sick, okay? Nireregla lang ako.""You are still sick. Nakikita ko sa internet kung gaano kasakit yan. Period cramps hurts like heart attack daw. Hindi lang puson yung masakit, pati na rin yung lower back, legs, even your chest feels heavy and swollen."Napakurap ako. Andami naman niyang alam. "How did you know?""Come on, Kaia. I live with my sisters and my mom. Of course I know these things." He said in a matter of fact tone."Okay, let's say they are true. Pero hindi naman all the time sumasakit yung katawan ko. Well maybe nasanay na ako," I shrug my shoulders."That's why I'm here with you in case you need me," he said. "Anyway, d
"I wish I could bring you to different places," bulong ni Lev sa akin. "Lev, watching a movie is perfect," Sabi ko at itinaas yung pagkain na binili namin kanina. "Besides, my comfort foods are here with me. Contented na ako sa ganito."Yes, ang sabi kanina at maghahanap ng makakain but we ended up watching a movie. Yun lang din naman gagawin namin sa bahay if we stayed. We'd watch a movie and yun na. Watching a movie on the big screen is better, you know.Katabi ko si Lev sa right habang nasa left naman si Kali. Sitting beside her is Sebastian, of course. I brought tons of food to eat. Fries, popcorn, coke. May dala pa akong biscuits. I don't crave but I found foods comforting when I'm on my period."What's the movie all about?" Bulong ni Lev."You'll see."I only saw the trailer of the movie on one of the apps online. It got my interest kaya I suggested to them na ito ang panunuorin. Buti nalang they all agreed. After we watched the movie, I told them na punta muna kami sa booksto
KALI'S POV"Let's talk later, okay?" Sabi ni Lev kay Kaia. Nakauwi na kami ng bahay. Kaia seems to be feeling off kaya umuwi na kami. I can't blame her though. She's on her period and I get that a lot. Pero mukhang ayaw niya munang makausap si Lev. I read the atmosphere kaya ako na ang umalalay sa kanya hanggang sa pag-uwi. We may be apart for so long but I can still read her like an open book."Later," Kaia said tiredly. Ngumiti siya mang matipid bago isinara yung pinto.I still felt Lev's presence behind me. Nasa labas kami ng pinto sa silid ni Kaia. She doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. Gusto niya daw muna mapag-isa. She must be having cramps.Huminga ako nang malalim bago nagpasyang harapin si Lev. Yes, I still feel the same way. How can I move on kung palagi ko siyang nakikita? He's staying in our house for a few days maybe. Nakatingin lang siya sa pintuan na para bang gusto niyang sumugod sa loob to make sure Kaia is fine. "May nasabi ka ba sa kanya?" I hesistantly ask
I pulled away to get some air but it seems like I couldn't get enough. I pulled him back again but this time, he kissed me back. I couldn't hold back as he slowly laid me back to bed and went on top of me. I grab his hair as he deepen the kiss. I can feel his weight on top of me and that didn't bother me.Bumaba ang kanyang halik mula sa labi hanggang sa aking leeg. A soft moan escaped my lips as I called his name. "Lev..."I am panting with anticipation and excitement. Binabaliw niya yung buo kong sistema. My heart is beating faster than I could imagine. Nakakaadik yung mga labi niya sa katawan ko. I felt his teeth dug into my skin kaya napadaing ako. "Fvck, Lev..."He's sucking the skin on my neck. It hurts but it feels good. Bumibilis yung paghinga ko kasabay yung tibok ng puso ko. I bit my lower lip as I felt a tingling sensation from my core. What is this thing? All I want was to feel his lips on mine again but this surpass my desires. This man is making me crazy!Bumalik yung mg
"Is she here yet?" Tanong ko kay Kali nang makababa na.She awkwardy shook her head. "Nasa labas. She's parking the car."Iwinaksi ko yung ilang na tugon niya. I'd be awkward too. I mean, I feel awkward din. Kaya lang ayokong maging ilang sa harap ng lahat. Especially that I am meeting Auntie for the first time in a while. Hindi kasi ako yung tipo na inaabangan yung tao pagdating sa bahay. Well, if I were like that, she won't even acknowledge my presence. Kaya I never did it. Nakatira nga kami sa iisang bubong pero kadalasan lang kaming nagkikita.Naramdaman ko nalang yung mga kamay ni Lev sa beywang ko, niyakap niya ako patalikod. "Hey, babe."Napailing nalang ako. Magkasabay naman kaming bumaba. Why is he so extra?"Alam ba ng Auntie niyo na dito kami natutulog?" Tanong ni Sebastian. "Isn't she a little conservative?"Nagkatinginan kami ni Kali. Oh no. Hindi pala kami nakapagpaalam kay Auntie na dito yung dalawa natutulog. Biglaan kasi yung pag-uwi ni Auntie at hindi na kami nag-aba
"Himala ata at gusto mong sumama," sabi ni Auntie habang nakaupo sa passenger's seat. Nasa back seat kaming dalawa ni Kali at may driver naman kami. Medyo marami-rami din yung dala naming gamit kasi hindi namin alam kung hanggang kailan kami mananatili sa resort na yun. "I wouldn't miss this for the world, Auntie!" Kali exclaimed.Kaninang umaga maaga na siyang gumising para makapaghanda. Me, on the other hand, isn't excited pero maaga din akong gumising para maghanda. The urge of arriving at the venue feels like a necessity. Kailangan kong makarating dun before Lev does. Who knows kung ano yung gagawin niya before I arrive?"Oh, I know you wouldn't miss this for the world, dear," tumawa nang mahina si Auntie. "I'm talking about Kaia. She's not usually this giddy about a gathering.""Hmm. Change of heart?" Sagot ko.Umiling siya. "I don't think it's a change of heart. I feel like it's something else."I scoffed. "Think whatever you want to think, Auntie.""Well, I think it's because
A soft kiss began on my neck, the touch of his lips and the aroma of his cologne stirring my senses. Oh how much I love everything about him. His lips on my skin puts me in turmoil. I want to feel his body to mine even more! The distance that kept us apart became a factor on how much we want each other right now.My eyes closed as the kiss moved its way up to my earlobes, my breathing becoming more and more shallow. "Lev..."His lips pressed against mine, our tongues entwining as we kissed passionately. His hands moved down my body to my waist, his touch setting off a wave of pleasure throughout my entire body. I can feel that he is hesitant to touch me everywhere. But I want him to touch me. I want him to feel me.Hinawakan ko yung kamay niya at inilagay sa itaas ng aking dibdib. Napahinto siya sa paghalik at tiningnan ako habang napakurap."Kaia--""Shut up," pagpigil ko sa kanya at hinila siya at hinalikan sa labi.I guided his hand on now to massage my breast. His hand was stiff
"Lev! I missed you so much!""Becca! You're here!"Kumalas sa yakap yung babae kay Lev at nakangiting hinarap siya. "Look at you! You look so handsome!""And you too," sagot ni Lev.Uhm. Hello? I stared at the both of them with knitted brows. What is this? Bakit hinahayaan lang ni Lev na yakapin siya nang ganyan in front of a lot of people? I know who Rebecca is but I don't know who she is in Lev's life. This thing that they did to me is downright insulting!"Kaia," Kali whispered. "Are you okay?""I'm good." I cleared my throat para makuha atensyon ni Lev.Lev's eyes met mine kaya all of the sudden, bigla niya akong naalala. Wow."Oh! Right. Becca, I'd like you to meet--" Naputol yung sasabihin ni Lev nang biglang nagsalita yung MC."Ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce to you, the hostess for tonight's event!" He announced."Teka lang. That can wait," Sabi ni Rebecca at hinila si Lev papalayo sa amin."But wait--"Nakakunot yung noo kong sinundan sila ng tingin. At hindi pa talag
I stared at myself in front of the mirror. I refuse to let a single drop of tear ruined my make up. Today is the day, the day when Lev is going to wed. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako pumayag na pumunta. I told myself that I would never attend his wedding. Kaya nga ako nangabilang-bansa kasi umiiwas ako. But he crossed borders just to see me. Just to invite me to his wedding.Minsan naisip ko na may galit ba siya sa akin. Does he want me to suffer? Or did he assumed that I was okay with this, that I moved on? Does it look like that?Pero kahit pa anong pagkamuhi ko sa mga nangyayari, I still invited myself to be hurt. Talagang sumang-ayon akong dumalo. For what, Kaia? For respect? For you not to look pitiful?"Are you ready?" Tanong ni Kali sa akin.Mapait akong ngumiti. "Yeah.""Tara na!"Kali's invited as well. Akala ko pa nga pipigilan ako ni Kali. But no. She's supportive on my decisions. Hindi ko alam kung saan yung kasal kasi I didn't bother looking at the invitation. Kali knows.Mari
Four months later, I busied myself. I went to Italy to follow my dreams. This time, hindi tumutol si Auntie. She supported me together with Kali. Masaya ako kasi ito lang naman ang hinihiling ko sa kanya, to support me. It took a lot of obstacles just to get here and it is all worth it.Sabay na kami ni Kali pumunta ng Europe. She have a project within the area at sakto namang papunta ako dito. We stayed in the same apartment and supported each other. Si Auntie naman ay naiwan sa Pinas. I told her that she should start meeting men. She will not stay young forever."Kaia, I'll go ahead. Baka hindi agad ako makauwi mamaya so kumain ka nalang nang wala ako," paalam ni Kali."Okay, Kali. Mag-ingat ka!" I waved my hand at her."Bye!"She then closed the door behind her. Naiwan na naman akong mag-isa. Tapos na kasi yung class ko sa morning and so I have the afternoon all for myself. Napalingon ako sa bag ko ang something was peeking from the inside. Lumapit ako dito at kinuha yun. Napahint
"C-Come join us!" Utal na aya ni Kali at agad tumayo. "Kukuha lang ako ng extra plates.""Maraming salamat," ngiti ni Ms. Santos. "Pero kasi, basa kami. Nakakahiya namang umupo sa chairs niyo na parang mga basang sisiw."I blinked twice, realizing that it must be freezing for them. Fully airconditioned pa naman yung bahay. "I'm sorry for that," sabi ko at dali-daling lumapit sa AC para hinaan ito."We only have three rooms in the house," sabi ni Auntie."Okay lang. Pwede naman kaming matulog sa sala, diba?" Sagot ni Ms. Santos."No," iling ni Auntie. "I won't allow you to sleep in the living room.""You can stay in my room," presenta ko. Napalingon silang lahat sa akin. "My room is spacious enough to cater all of you. Doon nalang ako makikishare kay Kali."Tumaas ang kilay ng dalawang kapatid ni Lev. Nakangiti naman sa akin si Ms. Santos as if she's very thankful of what I've said. Si Lev naman ay napatingin sa akin na puno ng paghanga sa mga mata. What? Just because they hurt me doe
"Auntie, we need to go," sabi ni Kali.Hindi ako makagalaw. I can't seem to function well now that I saw him. Mas lalo ko nang hindi maintindihan yung nararamdaman ko. Masaya ba ako kasi nakita ko siya? Malungkot ba ako kasi alam kong hindi ko siya malalapitan. Fück!"Go? Saan?" Tanong ni Auntie habang nakahiga pa rin sa sofa. She seems really tired. Sobrang comfy na kasi ng pagkahiga niya at naabutan pa naming nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata. When she's in this state, hindi dapat namin siya dinidisturbo pero dahil sa pagmamadali, hindi na iyon naisip ni Kali. She wants us to go back home."Uwi na tayo," sagot ni Kali.Kumunot yung noo ni Auntie at napaupo, hinarap kaming dalawa. "Umuwi? Bakit? Hindi niyo ba nagustuhan yung lugar? May mga pupuntahan pa tayo bukas. It's part of the itinerary."Umiling si Kali. "The place is good, Auntie. It's one of the most beautiful places that I've been to. Pero kailangan na talaga nating umalis.""Why?" She asked. "I thought you liked it here?""We
"Are you alone?" Tanong niya.Ilang segundo din akong nakatitig sa kanya. Ano ang ginagawa niya dito? Does she needs anything from me? Wala akong maibibigay sa kanya so why is she here? "I'm sorry," iling ko. "I'm with my Auntie today. Why? May kailangan ka ba?""I wanna talk to you. It will be quick, I promise," sabi niya.Kumunot yung noo ko. "Ano?""May I take this seat?" She asked.Kahit hindi ako sigurado kung ano ang pag-uusapan namin, iginaya ko sa kanya yung bakanteng upuan na nasa harap namin. "Go ahead.""Thank you," sabi niya bago umupo. "Before we start I would like to say how beautiful you are today--""Ano po yung pag-uusapan natin?" I asked, cutting her words. She's not here to compliment me, is she? Napansin niya siguro yung pagkawalang gana ko kaya she compliments me first. Hindi niya ba ako kilala? Hindi ba nakarating sa kanya yung mga rumors kung anong klaseng tao ako? I am a snob, unfriendly, unapproachable, and definitely a person who doesn't beat around the bus
We heard the gates open. Halos magkasabay kaming napalingon dito. I heard the wheels making impact on the pebbles outside of the house. Si Auntie."Quick! Pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo!" Pagmamadali ni Kali sa akin.As I was told, I ran upstairs before Auntie could get in. Dali-dali pa akong nagbihis ng pambahay at winasak yung buhok. I immediately went to bed and covered myself with the comforter."Nasaan si Kaia? Alam kong wala siya dito!" I could hear Auntie's voice echoing in the hallways."N-Nasa silid niya lang po!" Sagot ni Kali."I am not a fool, Kali. Narinig ko na magkasama sila ng batang Laurier at nagtanan pa raw. Kaya pala you two are becoming suspiscious." Sabi ni Auntie."Nagsasabi po kami ng totoo!" Kali insisted. "Hindi pa rin niya ginalaw yung pagkain niya. Hindi din namin nakitang lumabas ng silid kaya imposibleng nakipagtanan yun.""Siguro hindi niyo napansin o di kaya'y alam niyo pero nagbubulag-bulagan lang kayo." Auntie paused. "Kapag wala si Kaia pagkabukas ko ng
"A-Ano?""Hindi na naabutan ni Lev si Mommy and it is all because of you! Grabe! Ang lupet mo no? You ruined my brother's reputation and where were you when everyone was bullying him? Wala! Nagtago ka at sarili mo lang yung iniisip mo!" She shouted.I was left in shock. People were bullying him? Hindi ko 'yan alam! Damn! What happened while I was gone? Was it really my fault? Yes, it was. Kung hindi sana ako gumawa ng tanginang ruse na ito edi sana hindi kami nagkilala ni Lev. I wouldn't have to ruin his life. He told me that we should runaway. Pumayag naman ako kasi siya naman kasama ko. He mentioned how his family started disowning him and I didn't know the deeper meaning of that. Bobo mo, Kaia! Hindi mo man lang naitanong sa kanya kung kumusta siya. Siguro tama mga kapatid niya— that you only think about yourself. "Nasaan si Lev?" I asked. "Is he okay?""Lev? You think papayagan ka naming makipagkita sa kanya? Sa lahat ng ginawa mo?" The other sibling scoffed."Alam mo na may ma
"What?!" Nagising ako dahil sa boses ni Lev. Unti-unti kong minulat ang aking mga mata at nakitang umaga na pala. Siguro nasa 9 am na. But what made Lev shout like that?Napalingon ako sa kanya and he's already standing. Nasa tenga niya yung phone niya. He's talking to someone and I can tell that something is wrong. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo at pakurap-kurap na din yung mga mata niya. It seems like he's in a hurry. Dali-dali niya din kasing isinuot yung lower niya na nasa sahig."I'm coming."Binaba niya yung tawag at dali-daling nagbihis."Lev? What's going on?" I asked.Napalingon siya sa akin at pilit ngumti. "I'm sorry, baby, but we need to go.""Go? Where?""I'll explain while we're on the way. Magbihis ka na at ihanda yung mga gamit mo." Sabi niya at pumasok sa banyo.Naguguluhan man ay ginawa ko yung utos niya. Pumasok na din ako sa banyo para maghilamos at magsipilyo. After that, I prepared my things. Buti nalang hindi ko inilabas lahat ng gamit ko sa bag. It took me a few mi
How am I feeling? I am devoured by jealousy. Paano nagawa ni Lev na talikuran ako only to face the other woman? Lasing siya, Kaia. Hindi niya alam ang kanyang ginagawa.Pero sabi nila, you are most honest when you are drunk. What is this, Lev?"Nagkagusto ka sa akin?" Tanong ni Patty na halata namang namumula na. Ewan ko ba kung sa alak o dahil sa biglaang pag-amin.Lev nodded. "Oo. Well we were young and I had to admit how I admire you."Huh! In-explain pa talaga!"Ano?" Tumawa si Patty. "Dahan-dahan lang, Lev. Hindi kita maintindihan.""Wala!" Iling ni Lev. "Ano lang. Hinahangaan kita noon. Ang bait mo kasi sa akin at minsan lang ako makakita nang babaeng lulusong sa ilalim ng araw. Walang kaarte-arte."Hindi ko mapigilan ang sariling ikompara sa kanya. Maarte ako. Ayokong naiinitan at mas lalong ayokong amoy-araw ako. I was raised to be prim and proper and adventures like what they did when they were young don't interest me. Napaisip tuloy ako. Iyan ba ang mga tipo ni Lev? Yung hi