Chapter 20: Thrice the Love

"Hay naku magka-ayos na kaya sila Sab at Kiko?" Aya put down the comb on the side table as she joined me on top of her bunk. "Pupunta daw sila ni Kiko sa Echo Valley. Feeling mo okay na kaya sila after nila maiwan dito kanina buong umaga?"

I pulled her to sit on my lap and hugged her. Hindi yata ako magsasawang yakapin si Aya kahit araw-araw kami halos magkasama at katabi ko pa matulog kagabi. Shit, pano kaya sa pasukan? Ma-mi-miss ko ng todo ang Goddess ko.

"Prince?" she cupped my cheeks, "Anong iniisip mo?"

I sighed,"Wala. Maaayos din nila Sab yung problema nila. Tiwala lang." I tried to smile at her.

"Hmmm... sana nga kasi ayokong nag-aaway sila. Love ko kaya yung dalawang yun and if one of them gets hurt, then I'll feel really bad."

"Goddess pag pasukan na feeling ko ma-mi-miss talaga kita," I murmured softly, "Ma-mi-miss mo ba 'ko?"

"Syempre. Pero tatawagan saka i-te-text naman natin ang isa't-isa di ba?" she smiled up at me, "Saka yung weekends exclusive na natin yun."

"Kahit na," Hindi ko alam kung bakit feel kong magmaktol, "Iba pa rin yung nayayakap kita."

"Grabe ikaw na sweet," she kissed my chin, "dadaan ako sa apartment mo bago umuwi gusto mo?"

"Ako ang lalake, ako na lang pupunta sa inyo." I kissed the top of her head, "transfer ka na next sem baby," I whined at her, "gusto ko kasama kita araw-araw."

"Nyak! Sige planuhin natin kung saan course ako lilipat. Hindi ko rin naman kasi choice yung BehSci. Help mo 'ko maglakad ng papers." She slipped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "Prince ko."

"Mmm... love ako talaga ng Goddess ko," I kissed the top of her head.

"Hmmm... ang bango mo naman," she buried her nose on my collarbone. "ang init, ang sarap."

"Baby, puwede na ba kong mag-second base sa'yo?" I asked softly while stroking her damp hair. Try lang naman, malay mo makalusot?

"Puwede bang ako ang mauna sa second base?" she countered. What?

"Ha?" Tama ba yung narinig ko? Shet, may biglang nabuhay!

"Testingin lang natin," Pulang-pula siya.

"Paano?" Teka, teka anong balak ng baby ko?

"Dito yung second base di ba?" she placed her small hands on my chest. "Touch and kiss?" I nodded.

"Wag mo 'kong panggigigilan ha," she looked seriously at my eyes as her hands started to move. I sucked in a breath as she started caressing my chest. Tangna, ito ba yung feeling nang ginagawa ko sa kanya?

She licked her lips as she shifted further on my lap, "Prince hindi ko alam yung ginagawa ko..." she warned breathlessly. "Wag ka mag-expect masyado, okay?" I shook my head.

"Tulungan kita?" I cupped her cheek and she grinned at me.

"Wag na. Gusto ko mag-explore," she bit her lower lip as she pulled off my scarf and placed it on the side table. "G-ginawanaba'tonangexmo?" she spoke in a rush.

"Never. Hindi nila 'to ginawa. Ikaw lang." I answered her truthfully. Sa lahat ng naging girlfriend ko, kay Aya lang ako naging ganito mapagbigay. Si Bettina, prom night bumigay agad. Si Mel, nasa classroom pa lang parang gusto na 'kong hubaran. Kahit kailan hindi pa ako tinanggihan ng mga naging partner ko. Yung tipong tignan ko lang alam na nila pag gusto ko.

She started unzipping my jacket and I helped her slip it off my shoulders. She leaned on my shoulders as she kissed me languidly, stroking my chest. Gusto kong hapitin yung balakang niya at pagbaliktarin yung pwesto namin but I just fisted the sheets. I moaned at the onslaught of feelings that her soft kisses evoked.

Ito na talaga yung sinasabi nilang pagkakaiba ng mahal mo at ng libog mo lang.

She withdrew and I opened my lids. I didn't even realize that I closed my eyes. Shet, Prince ikaw yung lalaki pero parang helpless ka na sa girlfriend mo.

"Wow," her lips formed an 'O', "ganun pala yung effect ko sa'yo?" she slid her fingers around my nape and closed the gap between our bodies. I felt her kissing the underside of my jaw.

"Shet Aya," I moaned and slid my hands inside her shirt. Hindi ko na kayang umupo lang at walang gawin. Hinagod ko ang kanyang likod habang pinag-dadaiti ang aming katawan. Nakakabaliw yung sensasyon na hindi ko magawang pigilan ang reaksyon ko sa mga halik niya. I felt her tug at the bottom of my shirt and I helped her pull it off and chuck it to land in a heap somewhere. I caught her chuckling at me.

"Bakit?" kunot-noo kong tanong sa kanya.

"Wala," she smiled, "Grabe, ikaw na excited." She hissed when her hands made contact with my chest.

"Gusto mong malaman kung 'ano' ang mas excited?" I whispered huskily at her as I pulled her down firmly on top of me.

"Hala, Prince..." her eyes widened, "kaya mo pa ba? Gusto mo na ba mag-banyo?" 'Tangna, comedy.

I couldn't help but laugh at her worried expression, "Okay lang ako. Ituloy mo na." I pulled her hips harder against mine, reveling in the contact even though there are layers of clothes between us. It was her turn to moan and I realized that this is affecting her as much as it does me. Her hands made sweeping passes around my shoulders down to my arms, then finally on my chest.

"Mmm..." she left a soft kiss in the middle of my chest. I feel like my heart literally skipped. She placed her hands where my heart is beating so loud, I wonder if she could hear it. I saw a slow smile steal away into her face.

"Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso mo," she murmured softly, wonderingly. "Kinakabahan ka?"

I shook my head, "Hindi baby, excited lang yung puso ko kasi nagse-second base ka sa kanya."

She grinned and placed a wet kiss over my chest, right where my heart is, "Love kita, wag ka masyado excited baka magka-heart-attack ka." I couldn't stop the laughter from bubbling up my throat.

"Goddess, kakaiba ka talaga," I pulled her up and captured her lips. She didn't protest but just let me lead our kiss. I slowly rocked myself against her, "Aya wag kang mag-panic baby," I moaned, "I'm close." I bit my lower lip as I sped up against her.

Nanlalaki ang matang napatitig siya sa akin habang kapwa namin habol ang aming mga hininga. I kissed her forehead.

"Okay ka lang... normal lang yan," I whimpered as I felt myself start to stiffen. Almost. "Aya sandali lang..." I disentangled from her and ran to the bathroom to finish up.

When I returned she was sitting on her bed waiting for me, "Okay ka na?" I sat down and pulled her to sit on my lap.

"Thank you Goddess," I kissed her cheek and she giggled softly.

"You're welcome. Ang cute pala ng mukha mo pag nag-pa-panic."

I frowned at her, "Cute pala ha, sige pag ako naman... tignan natin kung sino ang mas cute." I pinched her nose.

She looked up and smiled at me, "I love you Prince ko."

---------------------

"Kiko sigurado ka bang tutuloy pa tayo? Padilim na kaya." Napakapit ako sa braso ni Kiko kasi naman nakakatindig-balahibo yung daan papuntang Echo Valley. Bakit naman kasi kailangang sa sementeryo pa, wala bang mas scenic na route?

"Wag kasi kung anu-anong ini-imagine mo Sab. Saka andito lang ako, di kita iiwan," he patted my hand.

"Kiko alalayan mo ko baka madapa ako ha," I buried my face on his arm. Hindi ko na kasi talaga kaya yung feeling. Parang any minute may biglang bubuka dun sa mga nitso at hahablutin yung paa ko. Tuwing lilingon ako, feeling ko may nakatingin sa amin.

"Grabe ang hilig mo nga sa horror pero duwag ka naman," he laughed, "O libre chansing ka pa sa'ken."

"Peste ka rin no? Sige palalagpasin ko yan ngayon kasi baka iwan mo ko dito pero lagot ka talaga sa akin." I threatened him softly. He put his arm around me and I immediately felt calmer. In fairness kay Kiko, di na ulit siya nang-asar. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong meron sa mga braso niya pero napapakalma niya ako kahit gaano ako ka-hyper na tao.

"Uy Sab dito na tayo," he nudged me and I peeked out to see a vast open clearing facing the cliffs. A ravine cut down to form a deep valley. The bottom is covered with towering pine trees. Several wooden coffins dotted the jagged stone walls. Iginiya ako ni Kiko para maupo malapit sa bingit ng bangin. May ilang mga ibang turista na nagpapakuha rin ng litrato at sumisigaw dun sa clearing.

"Kiko baka mahulog tayo," sumilip ako sa bangin. Syete, wrong move. Bigla akong nahilo. "Kiko ayoko na, balik na tayo."

"Dito na nga tayo eh, tara gawin na natin yung tradisyon," he patted my head, "sige ka, mamaya may sasama sa'yong espiritu pabalik sa Maynila."

"Oo na nga sige na, eto na nga po," I pouted at him. "Mauna ka muna."

He grinned at me before facing the open clearing, "FRANCIS CHRISTOPHER VILLANUEVA LOVES SABRINA ALTHEA ARROYO!"

HOLY CRAP! Ilang beses umalingawngaw yung sinigaw niya at hiyang-hiya ako lalo na't nakita kong nakangiti sa amin yung mga ibang tao.

He grinned down at me. "Ikaw naman."

"What the heck, Kiko?" Seriously? Gusto niya sumigaw ako pagkatapos niyang ideklara sa buong Sagada na mahal niya ko? Humaygahd kang tao ka, anong meron sa hangin ng Sagada at ganyan ka katapang ngayon?

"O ano na Sab?" he wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve, "kala ko susunod ka?" he pouted at me. 'Langya talaga 'tong si Villanueva natututo na rin yatang magpa-cute kay Prince.

"Hindi mo naman kailangang sagutin yung sinigaw ko eh. Statement yun hindi tanong," he smiled softly at me, "gusto ko lang sabihin kasi ang tagal na dito sa dibdib ko."

"Kiko..." Hala, ano ba 'tong nararamdaman ko? Parang gusto ko na namang i-hug si Kiko.

"Sige na wag mo nang pigilan yan. Eto, di ako titingin," he turned his face the other way. Napangiti ako kasi sobrang kilala niya ako.

I buried my face at his side. "Kiko?"

"Hmmm....?"

"Sana ma-in-love na 'ko sa'yo," I whispered against his jacket, "alam ko naman kasing masarap ka magmahal."

-------------------------

"Do you know what day is it today?" he whispered as he touched his forehead to mine.

"July 7th?" I smiled up at him, "Bakit?"

"It's Tanabata," he lifted his face and cupped my cheeks, "when it rains then it's a promise kept."

"Ha?" Ano daw? He sat down beside me on the stone bench outside my cabin.

" 'Haven't you heard of the tale? Grabe, ikaw yung hopeless romantic pero di mo matandaan." He shook his head and nudged me.

"Ang alam ko sa Tanabata maglalagay kayo ng wishes sa papel tapos ikakabit sa bamboo." I pulled my feet up and hugged my knees. Bumababa na ang temperatura at kumakalat na yung fog sa paligid. Literal na makikita sa di kalayuan yung bumababang clouds sa gilid ng bundok. Hala, pang-horror movie ang atmosphere!

"Well, aside from that, tonight, when it rains, the river in the sky will let the lovers Altair and Vega meet."

"Wow..." I looked at him. "Do you think it will rain?" I looked up at the sky. The sun had set moments ago and the sky is a little overcast.

"I hope so," he crossed his arms over his chest. "Listen Maria," he began and I looked at him. He was still staring at the sky, as if lost in thought.

"Maria, if it rains tonight, let's meet again after a month."

"Ha? Ali?" Anong ibig niyang sabihin?

"Do you believe in fate?" he looked at me. His bangs obscured half of his face and the deepening shadows have plunged more than half of him in stark relief against the darkness. Too many secrets... too much complication.

"I used to believe in fate. Kaso naka-set na yung future ko Ali." I tried to smile but I choked on his name. I felt him gather me in his arms.

"It's time to believe again." He whispered to my ear as the first drops of rain started to fall.

---------------------------

A/N:

Thanks to all the people who have added this to their Reading Lists. I cannot thank you enough for the warm response on "It Started in the Library". Sa lahat ng fans nina Aya at Prince, Ali at Ria, at Kiko at Sab... thank you from the bottom of my heart!

PS: Hinabol ko talagang ma-post ang chapter na ito to commemorate "Tanabata" which is the "Seventh day of the seventh month" ngayong July 7, 2014. Wala hopeless romantic si ate XD

-AlaraChan