The Guitar Princess

     PAREHO kaming nagutom ni Croisx noong humupa na ang init sa aming mga katawan. I told him to order food since we were both exhausted.

Naligo na rin ako at nagpalit ng damit na sa kanya galing dahil ayaw niya ako paalisin. Akala mo naman talaga, napakalayo ng unit ko sa kanya. I'm wearing one of his shirts and his Calvin Klein boxer shorts.

Inutusan ko siyang kuhanan ako ng tubig sa kusina dahil nauhaw ako sa ginawa ko sa kanya. Habang hinihintay siya ay kinuha ko ang phone ko at binuksan ang Instagram.

Nagulat ako nang bumungad sa akin ang post ni Croisx, he posted my picture again! Then, on my notifications, nakita kong nag-reply siya sa story ko.

Holy.croisx replied to your story: Pretty

I posted two photos from my photoshoot three days ago. That's what Croisx posted on his account but from his perspective. I didn't know he took a snapshot of me that time.

Halos maduling ako nang matakluban ang aking paningin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napaayos ng upo sa kama nang makitang nasa harapan ko na pala si Croisx. Bitbit ang dalawang box ng pizza, isang box ng buffalo chicken at isang box ng corn dogs.

Aligaga akong tinulungan siya sa pag-aayos ng mga pagkain. Nilapag namin sa coffee table ang mga pagkain at nang matapos, lumabas ulit siya para kuhanin ang mga drinks na naiwan niya.

When he returned, he was carrying two sodas and a glass of water in his hands. Akala ko uupo na siya pagkatapos ilapag ang mga drinks pero mabilis siyang lumapit sa kanyang study table at may kinuha doon.

My eyes sparkled when I spotted the jar he was holding. It was another belle jar with two red roses made in legos!

"For you, babe." he offered me the flower.

A wide smile appeared on my lips as I raised my gaze on him.

"Wow! You assembled another flower?! This is the third flower, huh? The first one was the sunflower, then the daisy. Now you're giving me red roses."

"Yes. . ." He says, pulling his bottom lip between his lips.

"Thank you for this," I raised the belle jar with a wide smile on my face.

Then I pulled the fabric of his shirt and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Mukhang hindi siya nagulat nang gawin ko 'yon. He just looked at me with a hint of smile on his lips, so I gave him another kiss.

At first he's not responding, but when I encircled my arms on his shoulder, locking it onto his nape, he finally responded. He smiled against my lips before we pulled away from each other.

I couldn't help but poke his cheeks. "You're now an expert on kissing, huh?"

He immediately turned red as he hid his face in his hands. Napailing ako at natawa sa reaksyon niya. He removed his hand from his face and looked at me sheepishly.

I saw him gulped. "Because you're a great tutor," mahinang sagot niya.

Hindi ako nagsalita at matunog na lamang akong ngumisi.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain. Nagkukwentuhan kami habang kumakain. I already explained why am I in the restaurant, and why I am having a dinner with Charles.

Nang natahimik siya para uminom,  kumilos ako para buksan ang isa pang kahon ng pagkain.

Seeing the appearance of the corndog made me bite my bottom lip. The corndog is loaded with ketchup and mustard.

Suddenly, my mind filled with dirty thoughts about him.

I suddenly remember how he moans so loud, whimpers and growls whenever I suck him deeper and faster. Pakiramdam ko, ako na ang pinakamagaling na babae sa buong mundo.

I felt my cheeks steering because of my dirty thoughts. I shake my head, shooing the erotic images in my head.

"I like hotdogs, but yours is my favorite." My intrusive thoughts won, which made him choke his own food.

I bit my bottom lip upon seeing his reaction. Napainom ulit siya sa inumin niya saka namumulang napailing. He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at me in embarrassment.

"You're too bold," he stated.

"Nah, I'm into Italian," I retort.

He met my gaze and smiled softly.

"I'm Half Italian," he stated a fact.

I grinned and lean to pinched his cheek. "Oh. Ecco perché sei delizioso!"

He bit his bottom lip and immediately looked away, blushing. Natawa ako saka sinundot ang pisngi niya kaya tumingin ulit siya sa akin.

"You know what? I really thought you would have jerked off before." He suddenly coughed in embarrassment. I looked at him and witnessed his face get even redder. "But you obviously haven't. I understand that you're a virgin. But some virgins do masturbate, you know?"

He immediately looked at me with wide eyes and shook his head repeatedly. My jaw dropped in astonishment.

"You didn't try to touch or pleasured yourself? Even once?" Manghang tanong ko sa kanya.

Croisx glances at the floor, avoiding my gaze. "I-I don't. . ." He croaked, wanted to say more, but he brushed it away.

His face went bright red, and I could tell he felt uncomfortable with our topic.

"It's okay. You don't have to explain."

He instantly looked at me. I tapped his hand that was resting on his lap and smiled. His eyes were so calm that I could sleep comfortably in them.

"I'm not going to judge you, Croisx. Masturbation is normal. Even girls do it when they want to. It's totally normal. Don't be afraid to show the real you. I like how innocent you are. I'd never judge you for being less educated about sex, okay?" I guaranteed.

I hate it when people judge girls for things they don't mind, yet they're praising boys for doing it. For example, masturbation or being educated about sex. If a woman masturbates, some people think girls who masturbate is a slut or loose. This kind of conception from stupid people irked me.

They make women feel dirty and ashamed for masturbating even if it was normal. I fucking hated it. It was so normalised for boys but never for girls.

"Really? Women does it too?" He asked in pure curiosity.

I nodded. "Yes. And it's totally healthy and normal." I clarify with a smile on my face.

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko nang hawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko at hinatak ako palapit. Tumama tuloy ang pisngi ko sa dibdib niya. He immediatelty locked his arms around my waist.

"Do you hear that?" mahinang tanong niya.

Rinig na rinig ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso niya. Napalayo kaagad ako sa kanya at napaurong mula sa pagkakaupo. The atmosphere between us abruptly became gauche.

"M-May sakit ka na 'ata, eh!" I coughed and looked away.

I saw him shook his head. "No, babe." he retorts. "But you make my dopamine levels go all silly."

Three days had passed since the burning confrontation between me and Croisx. My relationship with him is still ongoing. It's been a month since we became 'in a relationship'.

Hindi pa rin kasi tumitigil ang stalker ko sa pagpapadala ng mga kung ano-anong litrato at pananakot sa akin. I should have hired a bodyguard but it would just be a stir of chaos if my family learned about my obsessed stalker.

I better Just keep this to myself.  .  .

The routine set-up for me was more on the cardio circuit and legs for today. My drill ended with a 10-minute cycle on the elliptical machine.

My eyes flew to the full-size mirror as I chugged on my water jug. I am wearing a crisscross-back black yoga romper. I paired it with my newest workout shoes, which I bought last time. I completed the look with a high ponytail.

Nang matapos uminom ay nagscroll ako sa Instagram bago dumiretso sa shower room. My lips parted when I saw Dustin's story.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I continued reading the article about my cousin, Dwight.

He got featured in Asia's magazine about bachelors who's starting to make name in the business industry. He got the whole page of his interview and another page for his photo. I never imagined Dwight getting featured in a magazine because he's an elusive and private person.

When I decided to take a shower, I hid my phone in the locker where my things stuffed, then hung my towel on my shoulder before entering the shower area.

After fifteen minutes, lumabas na ako sa shower area habang pinupunasan ang basa kong buhok. I took a gum on the pocket of my bag and chewed it.

However, I almost spit out the food in my mouth when I saw the person coming out from the shower in the male's shower room.

He was wearing a black compression shirt and black sweatpants. Mamasa-masa pa ang kanyang buhok na pinupunasan niya gamit ang maliit na tuwalya. His body grew bigger particularly in his biceps. His fair skin turns slightly bronze, like he's been hitting the beach.

"Shit— Dwight?!" I blurted out.

"Khrizanta?" He looked stunned, seeing me in front of him. "I didn't see you come earlier." He approached me and kissed me on the cheek.

My smile widened. "So do I! I thought you don't go to the gym anymore!"

He just smirked, lowering the towel he was holding before combing his hair. "I have an hour of free time from work. Do you want to grab something with me?"

My eyes gleamed as I nodded repeatedly. "Sure! Para bago ako dumiretso sa clinic ni Tita Hannah, nakakain na ako."

I have an appointment at my dentist before lunch. My dentist was my aunt— Hazel's Mom. She has her own dental clinic.

"Cleaning day?" he drawled.

"Yup. I'm having clear aligners today!"

His forehead knotted. "But you had it before? After you had your braces off?" nagtatanong ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. "Hehe," I giggled awkwardly.

Napailing na lang si Dwight nang maintindihan ang naging sagot ko. I had braces way back in high school. After I had it off me, my dentist told me to wear a retainer, but it always irritates my poor gums. So I didn't always wear it until I noticed my tooth slightly move back.

Kumain nga kami ni Dwight malapit lang sa gym. Dito rin kami kumain noon ni Shawn noong nagkita kami ulit. While eating, we're catching up on the new things about our life. 

Syempre hindi ko pinalagpas ang pagtatanong sa kanyang love life. I could see that he's already moved on from Ariella. Oh, baka nagpapanggap lang siya. It's formidable to read his mind since he has this massive and hard shell of a mask.

Hindi ko na siya kinulit at baka mainis pa sa akin. Ang hirap pa naman suyuin ng isang 'to!

"Anyway, come to the Halloween Party on Sunday!" I chirped, segueing the party.

"Where?" he replied tersely.

"Just like before. Sa Poblacion. You can free your time naman, diba? You are the President of your own company. You can easily do that, right? Saka, you have a secretary, right?" sunod-sunod ang mga tanong ko.

"I'm still hiring," he replied flatly.

"Babae?"

He drastically rolled his eyes. "Lalaki, Khrizanta." Masungit niyang sabi.

I scoffed. "Kaya hindi ka nagkakagirlfriend, 'eh!" Inirapan ko siya.

"I don't need a girlfriend, Khriz," he stated with vigour.

I nodded mockingly. "Kakainin mo rin 'yang sinabi mo, D. Kita mo si Dustin?  He seems in love. . . Guess with whom? With his best friend!"

His eyebrows almost formed a straight line. "He's in love with his best friend?" he asked in curiosity.

"Oo nga! Kailan ka ba naging chismoso, ha?!" I mocked.

My eyes narrowed, looking at him suspiciously. Hindi na siya sumagot at napainom na lang sa kanyang kape. He stilled for a moment, looking like he was thinking deeply about something that might drown me if I tried dipping into it.

I grunted. "So ano? Punta ka ba o pupunta ka? Dustin will come! May anak pa 'yon ah! Si Duke at Hazel, pupunta rin. Minsan na lang tayo makompleto, 'oh!"

He tilts his head as he looks at me over his glass. "Fine. I'll free my schedule on that day," he surrendered.

A wide smile appeared on my lips upon hearing his answer. Yes, I won!

Pagkatapos namin kumain ni Dwight ay sinamahan pa niya ako sa clinic ni Tita Hannah. Nagpacleaning na rin siya kahit wala siyang appointment. For the first time, he used his privilege as the dentist's nephew and as the oldest son of the vice president of the Philippines.

Doon natapos ang pagsasama namin ni Dwight. We bid each other goodbye before parting ways.

Bago bumalik sa Silvermoon tower, dumiretso na muna ako sa hypermarket. Bumalik ako sa unit na may bitbit na tatlong plastic bag nang grocery. Naubos na kasi ang mga stocks ko. Dinamihan ko na rin ang mga gulay at prutas dahil next month, fashion show na nang bench. I need to stay fit.

I opened the door of my unit, but one of the plastic bags slipped down on my hand, so I leaned down to pick it up. An unexpected hand grabbed the plastic bag from me, which surprised me.

Paglingon ko ay nakita ko ang bulto ni Croisx. Nakasuot 'to ng isang white hoodie at khaki trousers. Halatang kagagaling lang sa school dahil sa suot na ID Lace at backpack.

"Croisx!" I blurted out.

"Hi babe, how's your day?" he asked in a gentle way.

I pushed the door wide open as I started entering. "I'm good. What's up?"

Sumunod siya sa akin papasok sa aking unit. Pagdating sa kusina, he helped me organized my groceries. Noong matapos ay dumiretso ako sa kwarto para ibalik ang ginamit kong gym bag. Nakasunod pa rin sa akin Croisx hanggang sa makapagpalit ako ng damit.

I told him he could wait for me in the living room, but he insisted on following me around.

When I glanced at him, he was sitting obediently on the edge of my bed, looking around my bedroom. 

"What are you thinking about?" Hinawakan ko ang baba niya, dahilan upang mapatingala siya sa akin.

Instead of answering, he pointed something at the corner of my room. "Do you play guitar?" he asked in curiosity.

Sinundan ko ang direksyon nang tinuturo niya at maingay na ngumiti. I sauntered towards the direction of my pink guitar and hang the strap on my shoulder, walking back to the bed.

I sat and positioned the bottom curve of the guitar on my inner right thigh as I held the frets.

"Well, yes. The guitar was a present from my dad. Want to hear me play something?"

He immediately nodded.

"Sure!" He replied lively. "Your dad taught you how to play guitar?" he asked in curiosity.

Tumango ako. "My Dad taught me way back in high school. My Dad had a band when he was in college. Nabuo raw 'yon noong high school silang magkakaibigan pero nagsimula silang tumugtog bilang grupo noong college sila."

His midnight gray eyes danced with amusement.

"Will you sing for me too?" he asked like a kid.

I frowned. "Abusado ka, 'ah?!" I jested.

He wrinkled his nose in a manly way which made him cuter than the usual playful smirk.

I bit my bottom lip. "Marunong ako kumanta pero hindi ako magaling. Don't make fun of me if my voice didn't pass your standards."

He nodded in understanding. "I won't judge you, babe." he promised.

I stared at him for a few seconds before I looked away to start strumming the guitar and waited ten seconds before I started singing.

"I can't be your love. Look, it's too trivial for you now. Oh, my life's fallin' apart. Maybe no one will know if I disappear. . ." I started and gradually looked into his eyes.

My heart pounded loudly against my chest as I caught his hawk-like eyes looking at me with adoration and love.

"But I'll pray for you all the time. If I could be by your side, I'll give you all my life, my seasons." I continued.

I wanted to look away, but my eyes were stuck on him. No one ever looked at me that way. Only him. All the kind of love I'd been craving for years was visible in his eyes. Nahihirapan akong mag-iwas ng tingin dahil doon.

"I can't be your love 'cause I'm afraid I'll ruin your life. While the leaves withered away, and grew again, you have gone far away. . . I'll be pushing up daisies. And bring all the chances to here." I sang with all my heart, and close my eyes.

Unti-unti akong nagmulat ng mga mata at sumalubong sa akin ang malamlam niyang mata. We stared at each other for a long time, feeling each other's warmth and solace.

© FM