Kabanata 17:

Serenade

"May kapitbahay kang sobrang hot. Your panty will get wet talaga at the first glance. Mukhang hindi seryoso. You have to come home na virgin na parin,"

I recalled Marky's reminder. It hit me again.

I was on the couch, curling my body, shaming, and swearing my stupidity while palming my face with both hands.

I was carried out by the place, his words, and risqué demeanor.

Buhay pa naman ako! Virginity lang nawala sa akin. My value didn't rely on that.

Forgetting it was the brightest and the easiest solution I could think of.

I looked out to the window. The twinkling stars in the dark night was

Aside from the slumping of waves of the sea there were hurried whispers and footsteps in my balcony. Palihim akong sumilip sa peephole.

"Ok na ba? Ayusin mo iyan, Leo. Do I look good enough?"

Masunuring inayos naman ni Leo ang kwelyo ni Devon. Sinusuklay-suklay pa ni Mikey ang buhok niya. He was polishing his hair like he could see his own reflection on it.

"You're not good enough. Kumatok nalang kaya tayo?"

Nakahulukip-kip na mungkahi ni Rafael.

"Buang. Madaut ang surprise. (Baliw. Masisira ang sopresa)" Donatello sprayed Rafael's face with perfume.

Nakailag si Donatello sa sapak ni Raf. Hinabol ni Raf si Donatello palabas ng bulkanahe nang tumakbo ito at sinabuyan ng buhangin gamit ang kanyang paa.

"Pagpuyo mo...basin makit-an mo ni, ate gwapa. (Magsitigil kayo. . . baka makita kayo ni ate ganda)" pabulong na babala ni Mikey.

Dumura ito sa buhok ni Devon na walang kamalay-malay na dapat ay hair- polisher ang ilagay.

"Sugdi na boss, gigutom nako. (Simulan mo na boss. Gutom na ako) Kaya mo 'yan, boss. Sundin mo lang mga payo ko,"

Binigyan niya pa ng shoulder massage si Devon.

"Shut up, pangag. Wala kang ambag," Devon jerked his head, telling them to get back to their positions.

I didn't get out ahead. I listened to his voice, and the strum of his guitar. My feet were starting to get cold.

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off of you

You'd be like Heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off of you

The ninja turtles were swaying their bodies suavely wearing their white polo's, red pants, handkerchief tied around their collars, and wide brimmed straw hat on their heads.

When I cracked the door to open, Devon hoisted his chin, showing the sharpness of his jaw, and the protuberance of his Adams apple. Binalot ko ang night robe sa aking sarili. Sinalubong ako ng lamig na hangin na nanggaling sa dalampasigan.

Sumandal ako sa gilid ng door frame. Pinagsalungat ko ang aking mga braso sa itaas ng aking dibdib.

Pardon the way that I stare

He winked graciously under his cowboy hat. Nakasuot siya ng mustard jeans with 1960s bell-bottoms with a studded belt and white long sleeves rolled up to his elbow.

There's nothin' else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak

He sang his heart out with eyes closed. The cadence in his voice matched the fidelity of his soul. It was pinching my heart how dedicated he looked. Malamig, mahinahon, at medyo may pagka-alto. The quality of his voice was beautiful.

There are no words left to speak

But if you feel like I feel

Please let me know that it's real

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off of you

I love you, baby

I was lost in his voice, and his eye gestures that made me feel special.

He looked dashing, charming, and manly.

I couldn't withstand the overwhelming feeling of being serenaded.

It was 1967's Can't take my eyes from you by Frankie Valli. The song might be exaggerating. But somehow, he made it modern by his own version.

The felonious criminal inside my chest was spanking my red hollow muscular organ.

And if it's quite alright

I need you, baby

To warm the lonely night

I love you, baby

Trust in me when I say

Oh, pretty baby

Don't bring me down, I pray

Oh, pretty baby

Now that I've found you, stay

And let me love you, baby

The loudness of his voice lowered. He took cautious steps towards me to not havoc the moment.

"Let me love you, baby, let me love you," He prolonged in the sweetest way possible, plucking the cords to end. He strapped his guitar over his broad shoulder.

He sauntered to me closer until few inches separated us. "We can pretend that it didn't happen, but you can't deny that fact it would not leave in your mind and skin. I think this is obvious Eirene that I have good and more than neighbor intentions. I want to make it up to you. I'm sorry for raising my voice this morning."

I could sense his fear and anxiety. His eyes on me and held my hand gently, "Give me time to prove myself to you."

We would be wasting time if I would not give my answer right away. A specific doubt assailed me that he was making it for a blur intention.

"Yes, or Yes?"

"Yes, or yes!" bulyaw ni Mikey. "Yes na 'yan ate. Nag-iisa lang 'yan si boss. Walang kapareha," panghihimok ulit niya saka kumagat ng balat ng litson na nakahain sa kabilang balkonahe.

I didn't realize they transferred to the other house that fast.

"Shut up. You're distracting her."

Devon must have prepared the foods the entire day. May letson, may mga kakanin, pruta, at ibang lutong bahay.

Require ba talaga na may handaan tuwing nanghaharana? Mga bulaklak lang naman ang dinadala ng mga manliligaw noon.

"Gurang na kasi," salungat ni Donatello.

"Ang kapal din ng mukha," puna ni Rafael.

A scowl etched on Devon's face.

"Gusto ka talaga ni boss, ate. Alam mo bang pumunta pa iyan sa simbahan para manghingi ng payo kay Father," Leo consolidated a proof, and he put a bowl of grapes on the table.

Devon closed his eyes tautly, weaving our hands together.

Sumeryoso at dumilim ang mukha niya dahil sa mga pinagsasabi nila.

"Hindi kasi siya makatulog ng maayos. Talo pa ang broken-hearted. Wala pa naman kayong label," pasumbong na sabi ni Rafael.

"Sana ganito palagi. Para madaming pagkain. Kaya keep it up boss," Mickey raised a thumps-up at him.

Nanghihikayat ang mga mukha ng ninja turtles. Ibang-iba naman ang mga salita na lumalabas sa kanilang mga bibig.

They were supposed to support him, and not to discourage him.

I reverted my eyes to Devon, witnessing his hypnotizing browns boring my black orbs.

"Ang sarap tahiin ng mga bunganga nila. Don't mind them Eirene. Just focus on me, focus on your decision,"

He fondled the back of my hand. "But I can give you more time if you want."

The feeling I felt was so intense that I found myself blushing. He was expecting a positive answer. He had the hopeful smile. I took the smallest time to process.

The deepest part of me wanted to experience what does it feel to be in relationship? Why does everyone couldn't live without it?

If we make things upright together, it will lead to something serious.

The question, can I risk something I have not been experience before? Well, how would I know If I wouldn't gamble? Yes. I will trust him. Why not risk for once?

It was the irrevocable decision.

"Yes..." sagot ko sa mahinang boses.

"Louder please..." he requested sweetly.

"Yes!" I chortled.

Sinaklaw niya ang aking beywang at hinawakan ang aking mukha para makapatak ng mga matatamis na halik. His kisses altered to something fiery.

The moment was romantically perfect. Napapikit ako at hinigpitan ang aking kapit sa manggas ng kanyang polo.

I felt his breath against my face. He smelled like beer. It was surfeiting me with his intoxicated tongue. Our lips were dancing to the wave of affection. It was sending fire to my senses.

"Sana all!" hiyaw nila Michaelangelo, Donatello, at Leo.

"Kaluod ninyo!" maasim na komento ni Rafael.

I was pulled back to consciousness when the three ninja turtles were clapping and cheering. We needed to stop from going too far. We both let go awkwardly.

Ang laswa mo, Eirene! Sa harapan pa talaga nila?

He laced his arms around me.

"Mga tarantadong gago!" Devon hollered.

Magaan kong hinampas ang braso niya. Hindi ko kayang mapigilan ang ngiti na gumuguhit sa aking mukha. Napakagaan naman sa pakiramdam.

"Magsiuwian na nga kayo. Pagkain lang naman ang habol niyo dito," pagtataboy niya.

Palihim niyang hina-halikan ang buhok ko.

"Ay sus, iyong iyo na si ate ganda, o!" Mickey teased him.

"Medyo bakakon 'yang si boss ate. Kaya mag-ingat ka," Leo honestly warned.

"What does bakakon mean?" I asked, curiously.

May kumurot na pangamba sa aking dibdib. Kung kaya't dumistansya ako ng kauti kay Devon.

Sa loob ng nakatikom niyang mapupulang labi, alam na alam kong nakatagis ang mga ngipin niya.

Hindi niya ako binitiwan. Dumoble lalo ang kahinahunan ng kanyang kamay sa aking beywang.

"Sinungaling," sabad ni Rafael.

Devon hurled the pot of flower to the other bungalow. Nanlaki ang aking mata dahil sa ginawa niya. They sprinted inside his house as if they were rattling rats.

Matalim kong kinurot ang pulpusan ni Devon kung saan kitang kita ang mga ugat patungo sa kanyang kamay. Hindi maipinta ang mukha niya.

He swept my feet instantly, and smirked seductively. Binalot ko kaagad ang mga binti sa kanyang matigas na baywang. Muntik pa akong mahulog. Sinintas ko ang mga braso ko sa kanyang leeg.

The door from the next door squeaked, and a cautious face of Mickey poked. He crawled to the table and snatched a bowl of fruits. Nanunudyo ang tawa ni Mickey nang makita ang posisyon namin bago niya sinara ang pintuan.

"I like this position. You, riding me," Devon buzzed in my earlobe.

"Put me down, Devon," I patted his shoulder.

Binaba niya ako. Kinagat niya ang kanyang pang ibabang labi. Sabik na sabik ulit siyang halikan ako. Nagsimula na naman ang marubdob na karera sa ilalim ng aking dibdib.

"What are you thinking? I want to know. Don't take it seriously they are too young to understand us."

"Us?"

Walang kamalay-malay kong tugon. Lunod na lunod na sa kanyang mga mapupungay na mga mata.

"Ikaw at ako. You and me,"

He kissed my forehead, and he inserted a stem of rose without the thorns at the rear of my ear.

"Matulog ka na babe," He kissed my nose. "Sogni d'oro...(Sweet dreams)" He stole a peck on my lips.

"I'm expecting a good morning kiss tomorrow." bulong niya.

Isang kampanteng ngiti ang pinakawalan niya. I felt too weightless that any time soon I'll be swaying with the wind.

Periedot Spiels