#LGS2Shot #LGS2chapter10 #LaGrilla2

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WALANG katao-tao sa tailor shop pagdating nina Mosa at Curtis dito. Mabuti at nilinis na ito ng binabayaran ng nanay ni Mosa para magtao rito, kaya pagse-setup na lang ng photoshoot area ang kanilang inasikaso. Inipon nila ang kanilang mga gamit sa ibabaw ng glass display counter. Ang mga bag naman nila at ang hindi kailangang mga gamit ay naiwan sa kotseng nakaparada sa labas. Binabantayan ang sasakyan ng driver ni Curtis na naiwan sa loob nito.

Within those minutes of setting up the area, Curtis forgot the gap that romance established between him and Mosa. It was like the good old days when they just hanged out, oblivious to all the cares and worries in the world. Walang magagalit na boyfriend kapag naging masyado silang malambing sa isa't isa. Walang maiilang, dahil walang inililihim na pagtingin sa isa. . . .

The energy they shared was robust and coordinated, quick like flashes and snapshots. Minsan siyang umakbay kay Mosa habang itinuturo ang magkabilang sulok ng pader at ipinapaliwanag ang naiisip niyang background para sa photoshoot. Mosa would slightly squint her eyes while in deep focus, brainstorming in just a few seconds before making up her mind. It didn't take her long to accept most of Curtis' suggestions since from the very beginning, it was as if they could read each other's minds. Some of his ideas that made her happy made her hug him briefly with her arms around his waist or give him a proud pat on the chest before nodding her head.

Magkatulong nilang ini-layer ang iba't ibang kulay ng tela pasampay sa curtain rod, alinsunod sa magiging sequence ng kanilang photoshoot. Si Mosa na mismo ang nag-setup ng dalawang camera tripods ni Curtis habang siya naman ay isa-isang ni-recheck ang gagamiting camera. He made sure that the film was in place for his point-and-shoot film camera, and that there was enough space in the memory card of his digicam. Dalawang camera ang kaniyang gagamitin dahil nagsuhestiyon siya na mag-video record ng behind-the-scene footage ng photoshoot. Maglalagay kasi sila ng ilang snapshots nito sa ipapasang portfolio ni Mosa para lagyan ng unique at personal touch ang project nito.

Once they were done setting up, Curtis stood behind the tripod of his film camera. Sinilip niya ang viewfinder nito at inayos ang pagkakaanggulo ng tripod para maiharap sa direksiyon na gusto niya. Tahimik naman siyang pinanood ni Mosa hanggang sa matapos.

Minutes later, he turned to her. "Ready na ang lahat."

"Not yet," maliit na ngiti ng dalaga sa kaniya. Kakaangat lang nito ng tingin sa kaniya mula sa pagbabasa sa text message sa cell phone nito. "Wala pa rito ang makeup artist ko. But don't worry. Malapit na siya rito."

"Oh . . ." gulat niyang saad sa mahinang boses.

Nagtatakang inihilig ni Mosa ang ulo. "Bakit gan'yan ang reaksiyon mo?"

Napalunok siya. "W-Wala," iling niya. "Makeup artist?"

Ang dalaga naman ang nagulat. "A, sorry! I forgot to tell you, I asked Bridgette to come here!"

"Bridgette?"

Mosa nodded her head. "Yup. Classmate ko siya sa Business Stat, at ang galing niyang mag-makeup kaya in-invite ko rito sa photoshoot!"

"Magaling ka rin naman mag-makeup," nag-aalinlangan niyang ngiti.

"I know, right?" Mosa waved a hand, playing coy while a proud smile was lurking behind her glowing face. "But Bridgette? She does it so well! No wonder, patay na patay ang mga boys sa kaniya."

"Plural na ang 'boys' kaya dapat wala nang 'mga,'" ngisi niya rito.

"Shush! Basta gets mo na 'yon!" natatawang sagot ni Mosa sa kaniya bago sumilip sa wristwatch nito. "Oh, well! Kapag bihis na ako't wala pa siya, I'll call her. For now, I have to get dressed!" At nagmamadaling nagtungo sa pinakaloob na silid ng tailor shop si Mosa. Ayon sa dalaga, roon nito itinatago ang mga dinisenyo nitong damit.

Curtis took in a deep breath. He inspected his cameras again, but his focus was somewhere deep in his thoughts. Pinapagalitan niya ang sarili dahil wala siyang karapatang manghinayang kung hindi niya masosolo sa gabing ito si Mosa. This was her photoshoot. She planned this, so she had all the right to invite someone else to collaborate aside from him, such as Bridgette.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay narinig niya ang boses ni Mosa mula sa silid.

"Best!"

Tinanaw muna niya ang doorway patungo sa silid na iyon bago muling narinig ang pagtawag ng dalaga.

"Best!"

"Bakit?" iwan niya sa mga gamit para puntahan ito.

Habang naglalakad siya ay sumagot ito. "Help me! Dali!"

Napalunok siya nang tuluyan nang nilipad ang critical thinking niya sa kung saan. Ang tanging naiwan na naglalaro sa kaniyang isipan ay ang paulit-ulit na dasal na sana ay hindi matinding tulong ang kailanganin ni Mosa mula sa kaniya. He would rather be not needed by her if that would mean she was safe and happy.

Nilagpasan niya ang dalawang sewing machine at walang pag-aatubiling itinulak ang pinto ng stockroom. Gulat na napasinghap siya nang bumungad ang hubad na likod ni Mosa sa kaniya.

She worriedly looked at him over her shoulder. "Best!"

He blinked and zoomed out his vision to take in her whole image.

'Thank God, she's not completely naked!' mangiyak-ngiyak niyang isip.

The stockroom was dimly lit by a yellow light bulb at the center of its ceiling. Maayos na nakasalansan sa bawat sulok nito ang mga mannequin, ilang kahon, at ilang rolyo ng tela. May isang wall-length shelf na puno ng mga nakaplastik pa na mga sinulid.

Nakalabas ang likod ni Mosa dahil bukas ang zipper ng purple dress na suot nito. With her long black hair swept over her shoulder, she was grasping the neckline with one hand while her other hand was trying to reach something on her lower back—the zipper's silver pull.

"Zip it up for me, please, best," she squeaked sheepishly.

Curtis let out a groan.

He was ready to help Mosa, anytime, but this situation felt like he was getting into the most brainwrecking test of all seasons.

Napailing siya para itago ang paulit-ulit na paglunok. Ewan kung ano ang nakakauhaw sa nakalabas na likuran ng dalaga. How dare he picture himself dragging his lips from between the dimples of her lower back up to its deep valley? Circling between her shoulder blades and gliding across her shoulders? How dare he envision his lips pressing hard against her nape before breathing on her skin warmly as he call her name?

Why was seeing those parts of her body made him feel that she completely already bared herself to him? That she was baring too much and he didn't deserve to see these parts of her. As if it wasn't enough that she shared her friendship and personality, her true being, as his best friend?

"Ay, ngayon pa ba tayo mag-iinarte? Curtis, tanda mo ba, noong mga bata pa tayo—"

"E, bata pa tayo no'n, e!" maktol niya sabay salubong sa nagmamakaawang tingin ni Mosa.

"O, bakit? Ano naman ang pinagkaiba ngayon?" panlalaki nito ng mga mata sa kaniya bago siya pinaningkitan ng mga mata. She gave him an accusing look and spoke in a teasing tone. "You're not attracted to me, are you?"

Napailing na naman siya para itago ang mukha niya dahil sa sobrang kahihiyan na nararamdaman. 'Shit! Iyon na nga ang problema, e!'

"Dalian mo na!" angil na ng dalaga sa kaniya. Hindi man lang nito hinintay ang sagot niya, masyadong may kumpiyansa talaga ito sa paniniwalang wala siyang gusto rito.

"Oo na! Ito na!"

Nagmamadaling lumapit siya sa likuran nito at hinawakan agad ang zipper pull. Pag-angat niya ng tingin ay natigagal siya saglit dahil nasalubong niya ang mga mata ni Mosa. She was still looking at him over her shoulder, an underlook from her eyes.

He felt shot to the heart by her penetrating gaze that sharply pierced like the edges of a rough diamond.

Naeeskandalong pinanlakihan siya nito ng mga mata. "What?"

"Ano'ng 'what?' Isara mo na! Dali!" naiinip na kulit nito sa kaniya.

"O, e, 'di humarap ka ro'n!" aniya sa nananaway na tono.

Napalabi lang si Mosa bago sinunod ang utos niya.

Curtis tugged up the zipper pull but it wouldn't budge. "Dumeretso ka ng tayo."

Mosa straightened her body, deepening the curves of her waist, the valley of her smooth back, and its dimples. Dahil sa pagtuwid ng pagkakatayo ng dalaga, nahila siya ng kilos nito palapit dito. He held his breath when he found his lips a few inchest higher, yet closer, to her nape. He raised his chin a little bit to quietly distance.

Curtis swallowed and gave the zipper another upward pull.

It wouldn't budge on his first try. On his second try, he grunted low followed by his third pull. He grunted and took a fourth pull.

"Can you check kung may sumabit sa zipper? Because I swear, this dress fits me just perfectly. Baka sa pagkakasuot ko kanina, sumabit sa tela or what 'yong zipper," Mosa explained breathily.

He noticed the strangeness of her breathing. "This dress fits you perfectly? Then why are you holding your breath?"

"I'm just hoping it'll help, Curtis," irap nito sa kaniya na nasulyapan niya.

Nagulat siya nang itulak siya ng puwitan nito. "Hoy, ano na!?"

"Shi—" He gritted and swallowed back his curse before he explained while swallowing. "Ano ba naman 'yan, Mosa? Natamaan mo 'yong ano ko!"

Napahiyang nanlaki ang mga mata nito at napabalik agad sa harap ang tingin. "That did not happen, Curtis!"

"Did not happen? E, ikaw itong namuwit!"

"Eew! Huwag mo nang i-remind!" tila nandidiring nagpapapadyak ito.

"Maka-eew! Tanda mo ba, noong mga bata pa tayo—" he mockingly mimicked how she spoke the last sentence earlier.

"Isara mo na kasi!"

Curtis refocused on the task, but it was hard when he could see the bulge that just formed on his pants. Nabubuwisit siya sa sarili dahil sa epektong ito ng dalaga sa kaniya. She was already taken, but his body really lacked manners. It couldn't even respect the fact that it shouldn't be yearning for his best friend, for his brother's girlfriend!

He took in a deep breath, let his mind and heart take over than his body. Both his heart and mind respected Mosa.

Curtis saw his fingers shake as he hurriedly pulled up the zipper.

"Be gentle, Curtis! Baka masira mo 'yong zipper!" gulat na lingon nito sa kaniya.

Napatigil siya sa paghila. He gave Mosa an 'are you kidding me right now?' kind of look.

"Oh, my gosh!" malakas na singhap ng kung sino. Then, it was followed by the speaker's teasing voice. "Be gentle nga naman! Mahirap na ang ma-stuck!"

Gulat na napalingon sila Curtis sa nakatayo sa bukas na pinto. They were greeted by Bridgette's huge teasing smirk.

Pinanlakihan ni Mosa ng mga mata si Bridgette. "Shush! Ang tagal mo kasi, e! Come over here! Zip my dress!"

The young woman threw her head back and let out a boisterous laugh. For some reason, she sounded like a laughing goddess—there was power in her loud voice and yet, she was melodious at the same time.

Nang ibalik ni Bridgette ang tingin sa kanila ay pinaunat ng nakaloloko nitong ngisi ang mapula nitong mga labi. Her long, thick wavy hair bobbed along to the beat followed by the swinging of her hips as she approached them, making an ordinary school uniform look like a runway fashion item on her. Magaan na tinampal pa nito ang kamay niya na kalahati pa lang ng zipper ang naisasara. Napanganga pa siya nang bungguin ng balakang nito ang balakang niya para mapalayo siya at humalili ito sa kaniyang puwesto.

"Boys, out!" walang-lingon na utos ni Bridgette habang itinataas ang zipper ng dress ni Mosa.

He released a mix of groan and sigh as he outstretched his arms and looked up to the ceiling. "Thank you!"

Marahan siyang lumakad palabas ng stockroom kung saan nakatambak ang ilang mannequin, shelf ng mga sinulid at tela, at ilang kahon. Isinara na rin niya ang pinto nito bago siya bumalik sa kaniyang mga camera.

Pagkabalik sa main shop ng patahian ay inilupaypay ni Curtis ang kaniyang mga braso sa ibabaw ng glass display counter table. Dito na siya naghabol ng hininga habang paulit-ulit na nagpapabalik-balik sa kaniyang isip ang likuran ni Mosa. His imaginations kept replaying, his lips brushing against the smooth skin of her lower back . . . moving up and up until he reached her nape. Then his lips would slide to the side of her neck, and higher to her jaw . . .

Curtis stood straight and shook his head.

He was so angry at himself! So angry!

Hindi niya dapat pinag-iisipan ng ganito si Mosa! Hindi!

'So lewd! So disrespectful! So foolish!'

Umakyat ang dugo sa kaniyang ulo kaya galit na natampal niya ang sarili. Napaawang ang kaniyang mga labi at nanlaki ang mga mata sa gulat.

"Ang sakit no'n, a!" bulong niya sa sarili.

But the steamy fragments of his imagination persisted at the back of his mind! Sasampalin pa sana niya uli ang sarili nang mauliningang palapit na sa puwesto niya ang masiglang boses ng dalawang dalaga. Masayang nagtatawanan ang mga ito habang nag-uusap.

Kabadong nilingon niya sina Mosa at Bridgette. His worried expression was replaced by an open-mouthed surprise when he saw how stunning she looked in her purple dress.

In a dress that he couldn't tell about anyone yet, because he promised that it would remain a top secret until the Valentine's Ball. . . .

His stunned expression became a bored kind of 'fed-up' look when he finally realized what they were talking about.

"Hay, naku, Bridgette! Matatawa ka talaga kung nakita mo lang si Curtis kanina! Kulang na lang, maihi sa pantalon niya nang dahil lang sa zipper!" bulalas ni Mosa bago sila sabay na tumawa ni Bridgette.

"So, bakit ang hirap isara ng dress mo?" tanong niya para hindi na siya pag-usapan ng dalawa. Naiinis siya sa kaniyang sarili dahil naging isa siyang katatawanan dahil sa pagkatuliro niya kanina sa stockroom. Ni hindi siya makatingin nang deretso sa mga dalaga, lalo na kay Mosa. He was still feeling guilty for fantasizing himself kissing her back, nape, and shoulders. Yet, he chose to act as composed as he could. "Don't you need some last minute alterations before our photoshoot?"

Dahil seryoso siya, sumeryoso na rin ang dalawang babae. Gayunman, may bahid pa rin ng magaan na ngiti sa mga labi ng mga ito.

Mosa answered to him in a light manner. "There's no need. Just like what I suspected, kumagat iyong zipper sa tela."

His eyes narrowed as he murmured suspiciously, "No. It did not."

Bridgette waved a hand. "Photographer ka pero ang labo ng mga mata mo. At huwag mong idahilan na dahil dim 'yong ilaw sa stockroom kaya hindi mo nakita. Saan ka ba kasi nakatingin kanina, Curtis?"

Mosa caught on the spicy thing that Bridgette was trying to insinuate with her subtle accusation. Kaya magaang tinampal nito sa kamay ang kasama at sinaway. "Shush, Bridgette! Hindi gan'yan si Curtis, no? I think, he's really reluctant to pull up my zipper earlier, kasi naiilang siya, okay?"

"Pero bakit maiilang kung walang malisya?"

"May boyfriend na si Mosa, Bridgette," mariin niyang wika kaya gulat na napatingin ang dalawa sa kaniya.

It must be the weight of the graveness in his voice, the dark expression on his face, and the coldness of his steely gaze that caught them both off guard.

"Huwag mo siyang itulad sa iyo. Don't give her any ideas that other boys aside from her boyfriend might want her and that there are more possibilities to explore."

Tumalim agad ang mga mata ni Bridgette sa kaniya. "I was just teasing, Curtis."

"Probably, for you it's a funny joke, because you don't take relationships seriously. But for me, it's not. It's not a good joke, Bridgette Santillan."

"Please, don't fight." Hinarap muna ni Mosa si Bridgette. "Hayaan mo na siya, Bridge. Kuya niya ang boyfriend ko kaya gan'yan talaga ang magiging reaksiyon niya sa joke mo. As your friend, I know you're just kidding, but Curtis doesn't know—"

Bridgette's jaw dropped. "Boyfriend mo pa rin 'yong Claude—"

Hindi naman inaasahan ni Curtis na magsasalita si Bridgette kaya nasabayan niya ito sa pagsasalita. "You know she's not kidding," mabigat niyang wika kay Mosa na may kalakip na matiim na titig. What he stated pulled their eyes and full attention toward him. "Ang pakilala mo kanina, kaklase mo lang siya sa Business Stat, so I doubt you know her as much as a friend would. Kaya nga sinasaway mo siya kanina, 'di ba? Ipinagtatanggol mo pa ako at sinasabing hindi ako katulad ng iniisip niya."

Bridgette just threw her hands on her hips and smirked sarcastically while side-eyeing to her far left. Halatang nagpipigil lang itong barahin siya o kontrahin ang kaniyang mga sinasabi.

Meanwhile, Mosa closed her eyes briefly, took in a deep breath, then shifted her glance between the both of them. "Let's just let this slide, okay? Time is running. Let's finish this photoshoot, shall we?"

Nagpalitan ng naninimbang na tingin sina Bridgette at Curtis.

***

PAGKATAPOS magbihis ni Mosa ay nilagyan na ito ng makeup ni Bridgette. Curtis watched them patiently and would swiftly look away when Bridgette would give a side-glance to his direction.

Hindi niya alam kung ano ba ang meron sa playgirl na iyon at panay ang bigay sa kaniya ng nagdududang tingin. At first, she seemed to be teasing him by pairing him with MOsa, but after the confrontation earlier, Bridgette looked at him with suspicion instead of playfulness.

Eventually, Curtis decided to get busy by taking videos of Mosa's makeup session. Nasa screen ng camera kadalasan ang kaniyang tingin. Minsan ay iniikot niya ang silid para kuhanan ng video ang photoshoot area at ang mga gamit na naka-setup. Bahala na si Mosa na mamili kung alin sa mga video clip ang gusto nitong gamitin para sa behind-the-scenes footage ng proyekto nito. She wanted a unique portfolio presentation so, he would help her get it.

Once the ladies were done with the makeup, Curtis paused from what he was doing. He watched as Mosa walked slowly to the photoshoot area. He wanted to smile, but his lips hang on this open-mouthed starstruck reaction.

Mosa would definitely shine on the upcoming Valentine's Ball.

***

IPINAGPILITAN ni Bridgette na sumabay na lang si Mosa ng uwi rito. Kaya naman nang matagumpay na naitaboy ng dalaga si Curtis at ang drayber nito, mabilis silang pumuwesto sa back seat ng kotse ng bago niyang kaibigan.

"I've come home with Curtis since we're highschool, Bridgette. Alam ko na wala kang tiwala sa mga boys, pero huwag kang mag-alala. He's safe."

"I insist, girl. I also doubt that he's safe," taas-noong saad ni Bridgette habang tinatanaw bintana sa harap ng sasakyan. Makikita rin na mag-isa lang na nakaupo sa harapan ang drayber nito.

Inayos ni Mosa ang pagkakakandong sa kaniyang bag. "I've known him for years, Bridgette. Sa 'yo nga ako dapat kabahan. Kasi, oo, ilang taon na kitang nagiging classmate sa ilang subject, pero tama si Curtis. Hindi pa tayo magkaibigan."

Napangiti nang malaki si Bridgette bago malakas na tumawa. There was something regal about the way she laughed, making her sound graceful despite how loud she was. Then, she looked at her over her shoulder with a grin.

"I think, you already know my reputation, girl. I'm a playgirl."

Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay. Nagtataka siya kung ano ang kinalaman ng pagiging playgirl nito sa kanilang pinag-uusapan.

"And," Bridgette continued, "as a playgirl, you only approach your target when you know that you already got them wrapped around your fingers. You just approach them to, let's say, close the deal."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, alam ko agad kung may gusto ba ang isang lalaki sa isang babae o wala."

"And?"

"And that Curtis? He's not very safe, girl. Iyong mga tinginan niyang iyon sa 'yo habang kinukuhanan ka ng litrato?" She scoffed with a smile. "Girl, may tinatagong gigil 'yon sa 'yo!"

"Gigil!?" naeeskandalo niyang bulalas. Napaatras pa siya palayo kay Bridgette. "Umayos ka nga! You're talking about my best friend! Six years na kaming mag-BFF ni Curtis!"

"Oh, yeah? At sa six years na iyon, wala kang nahalata? Girl, mas manhid ka pa na-anaesthesia!"

"Dahil wala naman talaga siyang gusto sa akin! At mas matindi ka! Gigil talaga?"

"I swear! That's how intense it is! He doesn't have the heart-shaped puppy eyes, like those cutie-patootie, clueless basketball boys who are after me! Girl, saludo ako sa pagpipigil niya noong nakasama mo siya sa stockroom, but don't test his control! Mag-ingat ka!" Ibinalik na ni Bridgette ang tingin sa harap.

Kinakabahang napatitig sa kawalan si Mosa. She was having a hard time to process everything, because first of all, she didn't notice any of the things that Bridgette claimed to have observed from Curtis. Earlier, Curtis just looked like his normal self! Awkward at times, then serious. He would only crack one of those awkward jokes when they were alone. That's it. That's Curtis in a nutshell!

"Malabo iyang sinasabi mo, Bridgette, kasi boyfriend ko si Clause. Hindi naman siguro tataluhin ni Curtis ang kuya niya. Kita mo naman, nagalit siya noong tinutukso mo siya sa akin."

"Oh, about that!" singhap ni Bridgette sabay lingon uli sa kaniya. "I am really sorry for pairing you with him! I thought, wala na kayo ni Claude at malagkit ang tingin sa 'yo nang nakangangang Curtis na 'yon, kaya tinukso ko kayo."

"Wala na ni Claude?" salubong ng mga kilay niya. "Hindi, no! What made you assume such a thing?"

Bridgette shrugged. "Oh, it's just because, this is the second night in a row na hinihintay siya no'ng Freya na matapos ang basketball practice." She nonchalantly returned her eyes to the front. "You know me, tambay ng basketball court sa school dahil baka mamatay ang basketball boys kapag hindi nasilayan ang ganda ko."

While Bridgette was casually checking her nude pink manicured nails, Mosa found herself frozen in her seat as if something shot her heart so deeply that it hurts. Chills ran all over her body as if it was death enveloping her because of what she just heard.

"But who knows? Maybe it's just some group project or something, right, Mosa?" lingon sa kaniya ni Bridgette. Nang hindi siya nakasagot, pailalim siyang tinitigan ng dalaga habang may misteyosong ngiti sa mga labi. "But if I hear that a girl keeps waiting on my boyfriend after his every basketball practice? I won't take it very lightly. Dahil katulad nga ng sinabi mo, wala akong tiwala sa boys." 

***

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IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAT
La Grilla Series #2
Copyright: 2024
R-18, General Fiction, Sexy Romance, Drama

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