#LGS2chapter16 #LGS2Lights #LaGrilla

FEBRUARY 13, 2004. Friday. Mamayang gabi na ang Valentine's Ball. Kasabay ni Hermosa sa paglilibot sa university ang bise-presidente niya sa student council na si Destiny. They were making sure that all the posters were put up on the bulletin boards all over the campus.

Hermosa stood two inches taller than Destiny, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. Simpleng orange lipstick at pulbos lang ang inilagay ni Mosa sa kaniyang mukha na may pagka-suplada ang dating.

"So, finally," baling sa kaniya ni Destiny na cute ang height at may makinis na morenang balat, "everything is set for the Valentine's Ball tonight."

Tipid na ngiti lang ang ibinigay niya sa kasama. "Thank you for giving your best para sa event na ito. I trust you, guys. I know you will help me make this party . . . unforgettable."

"Oo naman, no!?" mahinang tawa ng bise-presidente bago nangibabaw ang concern sa mga mata nito. "Anyways, magiging date mo pa ba si Claude sa Valentine's Ball?"

Natigilan si Hermosa sa paglalakad. "Oo naman! What makes you ask that question? Boyfriend ko siya, so, obviously, he will be my date for the ball."

"Wala naman," kibit-balikat nito. "Madalang na lang namin kasi kayo makitang magkasama. Alam mo ba na nagiging topic na kayo sa buong school? Lalo na 'yong pagharang sa'yo ni Claude nitong nakaraan—"

Kumawala ang isang pagak na tawa mula sa kaniyang mga labi. "Naiintriga ang buong school sa amin these past few days? E, 'di perfect! Kung gano'n sila kainteresado na makasagap ng latest tsismis about us, mas maeengganyo silang pumunta sa Valentine's Ball! And in return, I'll make sure na mas magiging usap-usapan kami lalo sa party!"

Lalong nag-alala si Destiny. "Why naman?"

Hindi malaman ni Mosa kung excited ba ang kasama niya na makasagap ng tsismis o kung nag-aalala ba talaga ito sa kung ano ang gagawin nila ni Claude sa party. Because at this point in her life, she could not tell anymore who truly cares for her and who were just hanging around her like snakes. . . .

Napailing-iling na lang si Mosa. "I like you, Destiny, but I won't ruin the surprise for you."

***

MAAGANG pinauwi ang mga estudyante para makapaghanda para sa Valentine's Ball.

Alas-singko na ng hapon ay nasa loob pa ng bahay si Mosa. Inaayusan siya ng buhok ni Bridgette nang katukin ng katulong sa kaniyang kuwarto.

May dumating daw na bisita.

Pagdating ni Mosa sa sala ng bahay nila, tumambad sa kaniya si Claude. He stood tall with his messed jet-black hair, dark purple slacks, and a white button-down shirt. Tiyak niyang sa mismong party na nito isusuot ang purple blazer ng suit nito.

Claude was holding a bouquet of roses. Dahan-dahan itong lumapit sa kaniya at inabot ang mga bulaklak.

"Mosa . . ." Claude spoke so tenderly, it almost squeezed her heart.

Napapikit na lang siya bago yumuko nang bahagya para amuyin ang bungkos ng mga bulaklak. Naghalo ang pink at pulang kulay ng mga talulot niyon.

"Why are you here?" she asked. "Didn't I tell you that you can't pick me up tonight? I don't want the helmet and the motorcycle ride to ruin my hair."

"Yes, but I can't wait to see you tonight so I thought I'll drop by this early. I want to be the first to see you before the other guys feast their eyes on your beauty."

Walang-emosyon na nag-angat siya ng tingin sa lalaki. "What am I? Some prize to you? Kaya gusto mo, ikaw ang makauna?"

"Hey . . ." Marahan itong humaplos sa pisngi ni Mosa. "Don't take being a 'prize' too negatively, because that's what you are, babe. A precious prize. Noong sinagot mo kasi ako, feeling ko, naka-jackpot ako."

She narrowed her eyes at him. Iba siguro ang nagagawa ng panlalamig sa taong minamahal mo. Ang mga matatamis na salita nito na kinakikiligan mo noon ay nagiging mga korning banat na.

Then, she gave the flowers a stare.

Mosa felt her hands tremble lightly, as if they itched and begged to be freed from her control. Because if ever she would let her hands decide, they could have probably flown on their own and landed twice on Claude's cheeks. Probably, have a little smack on his head using this bouquet of flowers as well!

Kaya lang, hindi iyon ang gusto niyang mangyari. She wanted to keep her silence and plot the best payback to him, to that Freya . . . and probably to Curtis, too. Hindi pa nga lang siya nakapagdedesisyon kung ano ang gagawin sa magaling niyang best friend na piniling manahimik tungkol sa panloloko sa kaniya ng dalawa sa mga taong malapit sa kaniya. Ang mga pangyayari kasi nitong nakaraan ay mas sumasang-ayon sa pagkakaroon niya ng pagkakataon na makaganti sa dalawang ahas sa buhay niya.

Hermosa always knew how to take control of her feelings in front of people. Kaya nga may utak siya, 'di ba? Para gamitin iyon. Upang hindi siya lamunin ng sariling emosyon. Ngayong napagplanuhan na niya ang mga gagawin, hindi niya p'wedeng hayaan na masira lang iyon ng kan'yang emosyon na nagpupumilit kumawala at mga kamay na gustong makapanakit.

So, while her eyes stared daggers at her boyfriend, her lips curved seductively. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood. Since tonight's the night that I've been waiting for . . ." she replied, making sure she was still speaking straight, ". . . and now that you are here, I forgive you, babe."

Nagliwanag ang mukha ng lalaki at walang ano-anong niyakap siya nito nang mahigpit.

"Babe," tila naiiyak pa ito habang hinahalik-halikan siya sa kaniyang sentido. "Oh, thank you, babe, for still being my date tonight."

Napapikit siya nang mariin habang nakangiti. Naaapektuhan pa rin siya sa mga ginagawa ni Claude, pero hindi siya tanga para magpatangay sa mga paghalik at pagyakap nito. Hindi por que mahal pa rin niya ito ay magpapakita na siya ng kahinaan o magpapairal ng katangahan. Dahil sa kabila ng pagmamahal para dito na natitira sa kaniyang dibdib, sinasakal naman ito ng kaniyang pagkamuhi at ng labis na sakit na kaniyang nararamdaman.

That video was enough reason for her to dump Claude . . .

. . . but she chose revenge.

***

THE tickets for the Valentine's Ball were sold-out. Punong-puno na ng mga tao ang gymnasium at nasa gitna nito ang mga estudyante na medyo wild na kung sumayaw. Hindi sila pinahintulutan ng eskuwelahan na mag-alak sa party pero may mga dumating na lasing na. May posibilidad din na may mga pasaway na nagpuslit ng alak, kaya iyon ang tinututukan ng student council at ng mga estudyanteng mas piniling mag-marshall para sa event. Hanggang maaari ay hindi muna nila ipinapaalam ang problemang ito sa kanilang student council advisor na isang guro, sa mga school guard, at sa mangilan-ngilan na admin staff na kasama nila sa event. Kung kaya naman kasi nilang pigilan ang pag-escalate ng bilang ng mga estudyanteng magulo o nalalasing ay sasarilinin na lamang muna nila ang maliit na problemang ito.

Nagkalat ang mga pink at pulang balloons sa paligid, may mga rose petals din at rainbow confettis. Strobe lights roamed and shot everywhere, reflecting against the big sparkling disco ball hanging at the center of the gymnasium. Malakas ang volume ng sound system na nagpapatugtog ng masiglang kanta at may makulay na visual effects ng Windows Media Player na ipinalalabas ng projector na nakatutok sa pader sa right wing ng gymnasium.

https://youtu.be/NDonh28AY3I

Nakakawit ang braso ni Mosa sa braso ni Claude habang nakikipagsiksikan sa ilang mga nagsasayawan sa gitna ng gymnasium. Claude leaned his head close to her but Mosa could not make out the words that he was saying.

As they managed to escape the grip of the tight crowd, Mosa's eyes caught someone familiar.

Freya.

Just like what Freya planned, she wore her daring design—a black tube dress with cuts on her hips, torso, and sides of her thighs. The cuts on the chest was heart-shaped, showing a peek of Freya's cleavage. Pinakulot nito ang maikling buhok at pinapula ang mga labi. She looked pretty, alright, but instead of being de-esteemed or intimidated by that, it only made Mosa feel more competitive. Ano ba kasi ang dapat na ika-insecure niya? She was already ravishing in her glittery purple bodycon dress with a V-neckline covered by the crossover upon her chest of her two-pleated chiffon short sleeves, and a tight pencil skirt. The purple little roses on the waistline gave her look a touch of romanticism to fit the Valentine's theme. Ang unat niyang buhok ay makintab, maitim, at may headband braids na may dalawang maliit na purple rose pins. Nagbigay ang buhok niya ng maaliwalas na silhouette sa gilid ng kaniyang mukha at sa likuran ng kaniyang mga balikat. Maganda ang pagkaka-makeup sa kaniya ni Bridgette at tila palubog na araw ang pagkakakahel ng kaniyang mga labi.

When Mosa stole a glace at Claude on her left, she caught his eyes widen in shock at the very sight of Freya. Mosa just rolled her eyes, but as her eyes lowered to her right their emotions shifted into a misty shade of dark brown. It instantly stung her to Claude look at Freya that way it didn't matter anymore if his shock was a positive or a negative feedback at all.

Nang makalapit kay Freya ay nagtaas-noo si Mosa at isinantabi muna ang kaniyang nabiyak na puso.

"How's the party?" masiglang bati ni Mosa kay Freya nang magkaharap na sila. Ni hindi na niya nagawang makipagbeso rito dahil sa kinikimkim niyang pandidiri para sa babae.

She noted her friend's surprised look toward her dress, followed by a smile that seemed like she was holding back a laugh. Napaangat pa ang isa nitong kilay nang dumako na ang tingin nito kay Claude na naka-brushup ang buhok at nakasuot ng purple suit na may puting polo sa ilalim. On his chest pocket, there was a red blooming rose that served as a design.

Mabilis na binalingan ni Mosa ng tingin ang lalaki. Napayuko lang si Claude bago nag-landing ang mga mata nito sa kaniyang mukha. She smiled at him then returned her eyes to Freya who was looking at Claude again.

"Enjoying the view?" usig niya rito dahil kulang na lang ay maglaway na ito katititig sa kaniyang boyfriend.

Gulat na napatitig ang babae sa kaniya. It was now her turn to laugh at Freya dryly, mockingly.

"I mean, the decors and the balloons—the whole party!" she laughed.

Naka-recover na ito sa wakas mula sa gulat. "It's great! I love it!"

"She's allowed to enter the party in that?" Claude spoke to her ear, as if he didn't want Freya to hear him.

Inirapan niya ito. "Why? Getting protective of her now? Wanna cover up her body before other guys feast on her with their eyes?"

"What?" lapit nito ng mukha sa kaniya. Halatang hindi siya narinig nito dahil sa lakas ng musika.

Hinarap niya ang lalaki at binitiwan sa braso. "Ang sabi ko, baka nilalamig siya. Balutin mo ng blazer mo!"

His eyes narrowed suspiciously at her. "Are you jealous?"

Tinawanan niya ang lalaki at nilingon si Freya na tila nangingisi habang pinanonood sila. "Claude is wondering kung bakit pinapasok ka sa party na iyan ang suot mo, Freya. I told him, he's right. At baka lamigin ka kaya ipahiram niya muna ang blazer niya sa 'yo!"

"No . . . No . . ." nalilitong kaway ni Freya ng isang kamay habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanila in Claude. "I can't cover up. I need people to see my dress! I also need to take pictures of this for the project. Remember?"

"Yeah!" she nodded. "Where is your date nga pala, Freya?"

"Well . . ." Inilibot nito ang mga mata sa paligid bago hinablot ang isang lalaki na tila napadaan lang sa kanila.

"There you are!" kawit ni Freya ng sariling braso sa braso ng lalaki. "You're just in time! Mosa is asking who's my date tonight! I think she forgot that I already told her that you asked me out for tonight!"

Inihilig ni Mosa ang ulo at napatitig sa date ni Freya—si Curtis.

For a moment, their eyes met. Like a light to a disco ball, her beauty reflected against his brown orbs that were currently as dark as the night.

Curtis seemed to hold his breath for a while as his eyes tried to take in the very image of her, like a camera taking a shot of its subject. And Mosa stayed still, as if waiting for the photo taking to be done with. As soon as he was done saving her picture at the storage of his mind, Curtis cleared his throat and gave her a polite, smileless nod. Then, his stole a cautious glimpse at Claude.

Hawak ng dalawang kamay ni Curtis ang professional camera nito. He looked neat in his glittery white-grey three piece suit with a black bow. Naka-side sweep ang maalon nitong buhok.

"Uh—Hi," he greeted them awkwardly.

"Hi, Curtis," ngisi lang niya rito. "I thought, hindi tuloy ang pagiging magka-date n'yo ni Freya? What happened?"

"Uh, well . . ." Nilingon nito si Freya na pinanlalakihan na ito ng mga mata.

"It's also not nice to leave your date alone!" matalim niyang titig dito habang nakangiti pa rin.

"You know me!" He looked uncomfortable. Siguro, dahil nakadiin ang gilid ng dibdib ni Freya sa braso nito na yakap ng dalaga. "I-I . . . Uh . . . I suddenly leave to take some pictures. Nagpaalam naman ako na aalis . . ."

Napailing na lang si Mosa sa isip-isip niya. 'Mr. Obvious will always be Mr. Obvious talaga.' "Well, why don't you take our picture?" yakap ni Mosa sa baywang ni Claude kaya tila wala nang choice si Curtis kundi ang kunan sila ng litrato.

Umatras nang bahagya si Curtis para makahanap ng maayos na distansiya sa pagkuha ng litrato. Sinabayan naman ito ni Freya sa paglayo sa kanila. Si Claude naman ay nakangiti at payakap na umakbay sa kaniya ang isa nitong braso. He tucked his free hand under the ends of his blazer, inside his slacks' pocket. As her head leaned against his chest, she felt Claude lean to her direction as well.

For a moment, her heart crushed, because this might be the very last photo that she would be having with Claude.

This might be the very last time that she would be able to get this close to him.

This might be the very last time that she would smile at his presence.

Then, Mosa looked at Curtis.

Her mind knew that after this night, this might be the last time that Curtis could take photos of her. But for some reason, she could strongly feel that idea being surrounded by doubts and uncertainty. Her mind would just get cloudy when it came to Curtis. Una, hindi siya makapag-isip kung paano makapaghihiganti sa pananahimik nito tungkol sa mga nanloloko sa kaniya. Ngayon naman, hindi niya ma-imagine kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng pagkakaibigan nila pagkatapos ng gabing ito.

"One . . ." bilang ni Curtis habang nakatutok sa kanila ang camera nito. "Two . . ."

Pagkasabi nito ng 'three' at kasabay ng pag-flash ng camera nito, tumingkayad na si Mosa para siilin ng halik sa mga labi si Claude.

'Eat that, Freya. Eat that!'

Tinagalan niya ang paghalik kay Claude at nakangisi na binitiwan ito.

Bakas naman ang gulat sa mga mata ni Claude. Sa sobrang gulat, naiwan itong nakaawang ang mga labi kahit nilapitan na sila ni Curtis para ipakita sa kanila ang screen ng camera nito.

As Mosa happily checked the photo, she saw Curtis at the side of her eye. He seemed to be staring at her meaningfully, as if something crushed inside him as he smiled at her softly. "Kailan kita kukunan ng picture? Iyong para sa portfolio mo?"

"Ako na ang bahalang maghanap sa 'yo mamaya kapag magpi-picture-taking na tayo, okay?" She shrugged and kept her eyes on her photo with Claude.

Curtis just quietly nodded.

Habang nakatitig sa litrato nila na hinahalikan niya ito at gulat naman ang nasa mga mata ng lalaki, lumalalim nang lumalalim ang pagkakabaon ng isang malaking punyal sa kaniyang dibdib. This sweet photo was supposed to make a young woman like her smile, but no . . . it stirred a painful emotion in her chest. Because starting tonight, their last kiss would only be seen in an old photo, never to manifest in reality ever again. When she realized that she was already stroking the screen lovingly, she felt something prick her fingers. Mabilis niyang inalis ang mga daliri mula sa pagkakahagod sa larawan nila ni Claude.

"Thank you, Curtis," nakangiting lingon ni Mosa rito sabay balik sa camera nito.

Pagkatapos ay kay Freya naman siya tumingin. Nasa likuran ito ng lalaki, tila nakakita ng multo dahil nakaawang ang mga labi nito habang magkasalubong ang mga kilay.

"You seemed upset. Sorry for borrowing your date," she smirked.

"My date?"

"Curtis, right?" paalala niya rito.

Napakurap ito at nilingon ang katabing si Curtis. "Y-Yeah . . ."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Ewan pero habang tumatagal ang pagkakatingin niya sa dalawa ay lalong nadudurog ang kaniyang puso.

'Ano ba ang nagawa ko? Ano ba ang masama kong nagawa sa inyo para lokohin ako nang ganito?'

"Let's dance, babe!" masiglang hila ni Mosa kay Claude para iwanan ang dalawa.

Habang hinihila ni Mosa si Claude sa kamay papunta sa mga nagsasayawan, lumapit ang isang hindi katangkarang babae sa operator ng sound system at image projector para iabot dito ang isang compact disk.

"What song? At pang-ilan siya rito?" tanong ng operator sa babaeng na naka-swing dress na pula at may masquerade mask na pula rin at may glitters.

"Slamming on the door. Press 'one,'" sagot nito, pilyang nakangisi ang mapulang mga labi. "Don't worry. Iisa lang naman ang lamang kanta ng CD na 'yan. It's a music video that my friend dedicates to a special someone. Pa-play na lang daw hanggang sa ending."

"A Valentine's proposal? An anniversary video?"

The girl with a thick, voluminous beehive hairstyle just shrugged. "I can't tell. Hindi naman puwedeng mauna ka pa doon sa isu-surprise na makaalam niyan, no?!"

"Just making sure. Alam ko kasi ang trip n'yong mga kabataan ngayon, e!" nangingiting tanggap nito sa CD na naka-clear case pa.

"Paki-play na lang. Please. Byeee!" At mabilis na tumalikod at tumakbo paalis ang babaeng naka-swing dress.

Nag-thumbs up na lang ang operator bago isinalpak ang compact disk sa laptop sa harapan nito. He put its content on queue in the media player's playlist so that he would not forget about it. Hindi kasi nito ini-play agad ang video dahil itse-tsek muna nito ang nilalaman niyon. Then, he hurriedly left the sound system area briefly to use the restroom. He would be using the men's restroom, so he was hoping that the line wouldn't be that long.

***

NAKAHAWAK ang mga kamay ni Claude sa baywang ni Mosa habang sumasayaw sila sa mabagal na saliw ng isang love song. She could feel Claude's eyes trying to catch her gaze. How Mosa wished she could stare back into his eyes, because everytime she would glimpse at them, there was something soulful and deep in the way he looked at her, but she could not.

'Pa'no mo nagagawa 'yan, Claude? How can you look at me in the eye as if you have never cheated on me?'

"Babe," he pressed his forehead against hers, then angled his head to bring his lips close to her left ear. "Why don't you look me in the eye?"

She just laughed lowly to conceal how tense she was while stealing small glances from him.

"Come on, babe. Bati na tayo, 'di ba?"

"Oo nga." Inilayo niya ang mukha rito nang bahagya para matingnan ito sa mga mata. "So why are you so bothered?"

"Nananahimik ka kasi," alanganin nitong ngiti. "Why don't we get to our seats first and talk?"

"No. I don't wanna talk." Kinabahan siya bigla. She needed to come up with an idea on how to keep Claude here in the middle of the dance area with her.

"We have to talk. You seem uneasy. You're not acting like your usual self. Ang akala ko kasi kanina, mag-iikot muna tayo para hanapin kung sino ang mga pasaway sa party. Pero pagkatapos nating masalubong sina Curtis, bigla kang nagyayang sumayaw rito imbes na asikasuhin ang SC duties mo."

Mosa smirked at Claude mischievously. She carefully pulled down each sleeve of her dress, revealing its sexy thin straps and the teasing V-neckline. The sleeves dropped over her skirt as short polonaise's parted in the middle so they would keep the rose detail on the waistline exposed.

Claude smiled at her playfully as he pulled her close by the waist. His lips tenderly ran on the side of her jaw as his other hand rubbed on her arm up to her exposed shoulder.

"Mosa . . . what is this? Taking me by surprise to tease me?" malambing nitong sambit sa tapat ng kaniyang tainga.

Mosa had no time to react or savor Claude's distractedness. Lumakas na kasi ang kabog sa dibdib niya nang marinig ang pagtatapos ng love song na pinapatugtog sa sound system.

Suddenly, the colorful strobe lights died down, bathing the whole area in pitch darkness. The lone light left in the gymnasium was only coming from the the wall on the right wing of the area.

As Mosa turned to the restless, swimming pattern of lights emitted by the projector, her face glowed with recall. Muli niyang naalala ang lahat ng masasakit niyang nadiskubre nitong nakaraan.

Then, the playful visual effects was replaced by a bedroom light and an image of two people entering a room. Mas lalo pang dumagundong ang tibok ng puso ni Mosa nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na ungol.

Katulad ng iba pang mga estudyante na nasa party na ito, napatitig siya sa ipinapalabas na video. No matter how improper it was to look or how lewd the images were, none of them were able to wince away at the scandalous revelation playing before their eyes.

Kahit ilang beses na niyang napanood ang video, nakararamdam pa rin ng pagkagimbal at pagkahilakbot si Mosa kapag nakikita ang pagtatalik nina Claude at Freya. Taliwas sa unang panood niya sa video, nagsimula na agad ito sa pagsasaksakan ng dalawa sa pinto ng kuwarto ni Freya. Mabilis itong napunta sa tuluyang paghuhubad ng mga ito bago itinuloy ang pagtatalik sa ibabaw ng kama ng babae.

"Oh, Claude! You are really so fucking hot!"

"Shut up, Freya! Let's just get this done."

"Ohhh, I'll make you cum, alright! You nasty little tiger, so impatient to fuck me, hmm?"

Nangibabaw ang mga bulong-bulongan sa paligid bago naisipan ng operator na tanggalin itigil ang pagpe-play ng video at tanggalin ang pagkakasalang ng CD sa laptop nito.

It was too late for Mosa to realize that tears were already rolling down her cheeks. She slowly turned her head, only to meet Claude's horrified stare.

https://youtu.be/c824FF6iJcA

"How dare you have the audacity to look horrified!" she could not help blurting at him fiercely. "Ikaw ang nasa video! Ano at bakit ang hitsura mo? Ikaw iyan! Mga pinaggagagawa mo iyan! Ikaw pa itong nagulat sa mga nakita mo!?"

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ng lalaki. Tila mabubuwal ito kung hindi lang mabilis na nahawakan siya sa magkabilang-braso. Nanunuyong hinagod nito ang kaniyang mga braso at pilit na inilalapit siya ng lalaki rito.

"Babe, let's get away from here. I will explain—"

Sa wakas, nang dahil sa video, nabuhay na muli ang galit na nadarama ni Mosa para patikimin ng malutong na sampal ang lalaki. Ang sampal na iyon ang dahilan kaya pinagtitinginan na sila ng mga estudyante na nasa paligid nila.

"Fuck you!" she shrieked, loud enough for it to echo on the four-walls of the gymnasium.

***

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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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