#LGS2Vision #LGS1chapter6 #LaGrilla2

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BINALIK-BALIKAN ni Mosa ang magkasunod na pages ng design sketch ni Freya. One of the designs was for their final project and the other was for the Valentine's Ball. She could not help clucking her tongue softly while trying to figure out how to break it gently to her friend.

Kasalukuyan silang nasa classroom. Nakaalis na si Sir Belmonte kaya mangilan-ngilan na lang silang mga estudyante na natira sa silid. Freya pulled her armchair close to Mosa's and sat there, watching her reaction, waiting for her point-of-view about her design drafts.

"What do you think?" Freya smirked, sitting sideways on her armchair to completely face her.

For some reason, there was something with the way Freya looked at her. There seemed to be something mischievous with her smile while she was giving her that intense underlook. Para bang pinag-aaralan siya nito.

Mahinang napabuga ng hininga si Mosa. Nagkaroon na siya ng lakas ng loob na magpakatotoo sa kaibigan.

"The designs . . ." Isinara niya sa sketchbook nito at tiningnan ito sa mga mata. "They're too daring."

Hindi na idinagdag pa ni Mosa ang isa pang problema sa disenyo ni Freya. Na posibleng hindi ito papasukin sa Valentine's Ball event kapag isinuot nito ang isa sa mga disenyo na kasing daring ng customization na gustong gawin ni Freya sa school uniform nito para sa kanilang final project.

"Why? Aren't we?" maluwag na ngisi nito sa kaniya habang titig na titig sa kaniya. "Aren't we the generation of go-getters? We're bold and ambitious. Ready to bare all our assets just to get what we want?"

Nagbaba si Mosa ng mga mata sa sketchbook ni Freya na hawak pa rin niya ng dalawang mga kamay. "Are we really that generation?"

Inihilig ni Freya ang ulo. Tila interesante ang klase ng pagkakatingin habang nangingiti. "You don't think so?"

Napailing si Mosa. "I don't know. . . . Am I being out of touch with reality?"

"What do you mean?"

She met Freya's eyes again. This time, her friend seemed to look at her as if she was taunting her to say something to her face.

"I . . . I am not invalidating your perspective," kabadong tawa niya. "Ano lang kasi . . . masyadong maraming cuts 'yong designs mo—"

"To show a lot of skin. That's why it's daring, right?" mapanuksong ngisi nito. "Hello, we're college na. Don't tell me, pa-demure pa tayo sa ngalan ng fashion?"

"H-Hindi sa gano'n pero . . . may binabagayang lugar at okasyon ang isang outfit. Kaya nga responsabilidad nating mga fashion designer at stylists na hindi maging overdressed o underdressed ang clients natin." Napatitig siya nang matiim sa kaibigan. "By the way, ginawa mo itong design dahil ang gusto mong i-represent nito ay bold and daring ang henerasyon natin?"

"Yes," mabagal na tumango-tango si Freya.

"I think, I am not the right person to ask about your design, Frey," balik niya sa sketchbook nito. Freya gave her a mysterious smile before taking the sketchbook lazily with one hand. "Kasi, hindi ko gets ang perspective na nais mong iparating sa disenyo mo. Maybe, I'm not the target market, that's why."

"But if you're going to be a fashion designer, your vision shouldn't be boxed into your own beliefs, right?"

"Not if my goal is to have my own branding. I want my designs to carry my brand. And to have a brand, I have to put my own identity into it. Meaning, it should be boxed within all the things that I stand for, all the things that represents me and hope to be found by my target market, the people who can relate to what I stand for, to my vision."

Natigilan si Mosa dahil sa kaniyang mga sinabi. To be honest, she hadn't told this to anyone yet. Not even her boyfriend, Claude, or her best friend, Curtis. This felt like that Eureka moment. It was only at this point when she realized and worded out how she wanted her fashion design career to turn out to be.

Mosa cleared her throat, calmed down, and continued. "In my case, Freya, I have never been a go-getter in my life, ever."

Freya rolled her eyes and laughed. Tumuwid din ito ng pagkakaupo. "Ano'ng hindi go-getter, e, nilahat mo na nga ang pagkuha sa mga biyaya sa mundo?"

Kumunot ang noo niya.

Her friend laughed, as if she was trying to lighten up the vibe in the room. "No! What I mean is, nag-fashion design ka. Plano mong magkaroon ng sariling brand. Sikat at guwapong basketball player ang binoypren mo. SC President ka pa. Now, isn't that a go-getter?"

Mabagal na napailing siya habang napapantastikuhang nakatitig kay Freya. "I'm not a go-getter . . . because I didn't go after all those things to get them."

"So, you're telling me, they just fell right onto your lap?" hindi makapaniwalang tawa ni Freya habang nananaig ang pagkalito sa mga mata.

Nalilito na rin tuloy siya.

"Oo . . ." Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "Ang pagpa-fashion design, sinuggest lang ni Mama, na sinunod ko naman kasi wala pa akong idea kung anong course ba talaga ang kukunin ko sa college. Ang pagiging SC President, kayo ang nag-suggest na i-represent ko sa eleksyon ang Fashion Design and Marketing Department, kaya tumakbo ako. Si Claude . . . hindi naman ako nagpakita ng anumang motibo sa kan'ya. He befriended me, kasi best friend ko si Curtis. Then, eventually, nanligaw siya. Hindi ba, ikaw pa nga ang nagbigay ng number ko sa kan'ya?"

Naglaho agad ang ngiti at pagkaaliwalas sa mukha ni Freya.

Mosa gave her friend a quick reassuring smile. "Hey, don't worry. I'm not upset anymore about you giving him my number. Nag-sorry ka na naman noon, 'di ba?" Then, she went back to their topic. "That's why, I don't think I can contribute anything to your design. I don't understand your vision as much as you do. Ayoko namang makialam din, because I know, you meant well with your design and vision. Kaya ang suggestion ko, maghanap ka ng tao na kapareho mo ng vision o naniniwala sa vision mo. Then, ask for their help on how you can effectively bring your vision to your target market."

Freya seriously stared at her for a few seconds before she lowered and shook her head while laughing. Nag-angat ito ng ulo pagkatapos at pinahupa muna ang malakas nitong pagtawa bago nagsalita.

"That's why I like you, Mosa. You can simply say na napangitan ka sa design ko, but no. You just . . . you just have a way to sound so smart while justifying that you don't like it!"

Napatitig siya sa kaibigan. Parang hindi maganda sa pandinig niya ang mga sinabi nito.

"Oh, sorry. You know that I am not good with words!" Freya waved a hand. "I appreciate your feedback, I really do."

"Hindi ko sinabing pangit ang design mo," mahinahong paglilinaw niya.

Tumawa lang ito at tumayo mula sa kinauupuan. "I know. Mali lang ako ng word choice! Sorry! You know me, not good with words. . . . By the way," Freya bent to give her a quick cheek-to-cheek, "thank you so much for the help, Mosa. I super appreciate it!"

Nag-aalinlangan man ay ngumiti na lang siya. When Freya gently patted her back, she returned the same gesture. "You're always welcome, Freya."

Humiwalay na ito. "I've got to go now. May kailangan pa akong asikasuhin sa condo."

Nagtaka siya. "Uuwi ka? E, may klase pa tayo after lunch, a?"

"Oh, yes, but this can't wait, Mosa," she smirked as she readjusted the way she slung her bag on her shoulder. "I'm expecting someone to come over my condo to fix my leaking problem. Baka bumaha kapag hindi niya nabarahan agad . . . o nasipsip."

"Oh, plumbing problems, you mean?"

Lumapad ang ngisi nito. "My gosh, is that the right term? Thank you for always correcting me. Huwag ka sanang magsasawa."

Sabay silang natawa ng mahina.

"Ano ka ba? Anytime you need help, I'm here, Freya."

Umatras na ito at kumaway. "Got to go now."

She just gave Freya a nod and watched her leave.

***

CURTIS clutched his Canon tight. Kahit nakasabit sa leeg niya ang lanyard nito, kailangan niyang hawakan ang camera para hindi dumuyan dahil sa baba ng pagkakayuko niya habang naglalakad.

Minadali ni Curtis ang kan'yang exam para lang maabutan ang paglabas ni Claude mula sa classroom nito. It was his brother's exam week too, that's why he was glad he caught up with him even if the chances of him leaving the class too early than scheduled was more likely. Nag-squat si Curtis sa likuran ng isang plant box at naghabol ng hininga bago dahan-dahang sumilip mula sa likuran nito.

Natanaw niya si Claude na sukbit sa isang balikat ang pulang knapsack nito. Mag-isa itong naglalakad nang lapitan ng isang tumatakbong babae.

Si Freya.

Curtis didn't react that much. Kilala naman kasi niya si Freya. Kaibigan ito ni Mosa. Naging tulay din ito para makuha ni Claude ang number ng best friend niya na ipinagdamot pa niya noon para sa wala.

Freya smirked at Claude. Sinabayan nito ang paglalakad ng kaniyang kapatid at tiningala ito habang may sinasabi rito. He was too far to hear anything, but based on Claude's irritated facial expression, he assumed that she said nothing of much importance. Normal na naman kasing reaksiyon ni Claude ang iritasyon sa tuwing may kumakausap dito. Hindi tuloy maintindihan ni Curtis kung bakit baliw na baliw rito ang mga basketball fans nito, partikular na ang mga babae at bakla. Kinikilig daw sila sa pagiging suplado nito.

It was a quick chat. Freya waved her hand that was holding her small keypad cell phone, then she sprinted away. Claude's free hand balled into a fist as he walked faster.

Nagmamadaling nagpalipat-lipat si Curtis ng tago sa likuran ng bawat plant box na kaniyang nadadaanan hanggang sa nakikinita na niya kung saan papunta ang kan'yang kapatid—sa canteen.

Curtis curiously checked his wristwatch. '12:15 P.M. na pala!'

Kinalimutan na niya ang pagtatago mula kay Claude. Nagmamadaling dumeretso na rin siya sa canteen.

Naunang pumasok sa canteen si Claude at nang nakapasok na rito si Curtis ay tuluyan nang naglaho na ang kuya niya sa kaniyang paningin. He didn't mind, because he was postponing his plan to spy on his brother at this hour.

Tuwing lunch break kasi ay naghahanap ng sarili niyang mesa si Curtis. Pagkatapos, hinihintay muna niyang humupa ang haba ng pila sa counter. At habang naghihintay ay iniisa-isa na niya ang mga larawan na nakuhanan gamit ang kaniyang camera. Buburahin niya ang mga litrato na hindi na niya kailangan o mga litrato na hindi maayos ang pagkakakuha. Pagkatapos, o-order siya ng hotdog sandwiches at softdrinks. Dadalhin niya ang pagkain sa labas ng unibersidad, sa photo shop na isang tawid lang ang layo mula rito. Habang kinakain ang kaniyang pagkain ay hihintayin niyang ma-print ang mga litratong nakuhanan niya. He could simply transfer the photos in his desktop computer at home, but Curtis had to see how they would look like in print. This was how serious he was with photography.

Sa kaniyang pag-iikot habang naghahanap ng mauupuan, hindi nakaligtas ang isang tagpo sa kaniyang paningin.

Si Mosa.

Si Claude.

Habang ipinaghihila ng kuya niya ang sarili nito ng upuan, nakatingala si Mosa rito. Nakaabang ang dalaga na tabihan ni Claude. Nakaabang na rin sa mesa ang tanghalian ng dalawa. There were two bottles of mineral water, a heavy fried chicken meal for Claude. There was a plate of spaghetti and a small slice of cake for Mosa. He knew what meals they ordered, even if he was too far to clearly see their table, because he knew Mosa. She was consistent about everything—from her meals to her schedules to her love for Claude . . .

Pag-upo ni Claude ay tumungo ito sa mesa. Mosa smiled softly as she gently stroked his hair with her delicate fingers. She wasn't talking, just admiring Claude with her diamond eyes sparkling because of the soft light behind them. Claude's head remained resting on one of his arms atop the table, but he turned it to look at Mosa. He probably said something that made Mosa smile wider. Then she pressed a kiss on her two fingers before touching his brother's lips with those same fingers.

Curtis took in a deep breath and shrugged. "She probably doesn't need my help anymore. Mukhang solved na ang problema niya."

Tumalikod na siya at nakipila sa mga bumibili sa counter. But the thought that those lovebirds were in the same room made him feel more restless.

Curtis hesitated first, but he eventually left the queue.

Nag-iba muna siya ng schedule. Uunahin niya ang magpa-print ng mga litrato.

***
Warning: 🚫
Mention of Sex

CLAUDE could not barely concentrate on his exam. Bukod sa nakokonsensiya siya dahil buong weekend niyang tinanggihan ang pagyayaya ni Mosa ng date, sinaid pa ng Freya na iyon ang lakas niya.

He never met anyone who had such sexual drive as that backstabber. Para bang buong buhay itong natigang at ngayon lang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na mapunan ang pangangailangang panseksuwal nito.

At first, he tried to fuck her lamely so that she would be discouraged to keep up this setup with him. But she took it as an invitation for her to play as the teacher. Feeling expert ito na tinuruan siya kung paano humalik, kung paano umulos . . .

Claude irritably shook his head when the memories began showing up in his mind. Lalo pang nag-init ang ulo niya dahil sa kalagitnaan ng kaniyang paglalakad at pagmumuni-muni ay sumulpot ang hayop sa kaniyang tabi.

"Claude, hi," nang-aakit na bati sa kaniya ni Freya.

He gave her an irritated look. "Ang lakas din naman ng loob mong lapitan ako rito."

"Why not? Gusto mo bang magtaka si Mosa kung bakit iniiwasan kita?"

Ibinalik na lang niya sa harap ang tingin.

"After lunch, dumeretso ka na sa condo ko."

"Put—" Maagap niyang pinigilan ang sarili. He took in a deep, harsh breath before glaring at her. "Na naman?"

"Oo. Naiirita kasi ako sa designs ko. Kailangan ko ng pampa-good mood."

"Seryoso ka? Na naman? Hindi ka pa nakontento nitong weekend?" angil niya sa mababang boses.

Freya rolled her eyes at gave him a side-eye. "Nilalamyaan mo kasi, Claude. E, kung tinitodo-bigay mo na lang ang mga performance mo, e 'di sana, nakokontento ako."

He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Alam kong sinasadya mong tamlayan ang performance mo. Because I've seen how you fucked Mosa."

'Buwisit na babae. Mautak na buwisit!'

"See you later," she smiled and waved her hand that held her tiny cell phone.

Nagpatiuna na ito sa paglakad-takbo hanggang sa tuluyang nawala sa kaniyang paningin.

'Kailangan ko na talagang malaman kung saan niya itinatago ang copies niya ng video namin ni Mosa.'

Once he got inside the canteen, he scanned the place for Mosa. Masyadong maraming tao dahil lunch break ng karamihan sa mga estudyante, pero hindi naman siya nahirapang makita ang dalaga. Paano siya mahihirapan? E, nangingibabaw ang ganda nito?

Hermosa . . . really lives up to her name. Her beauty was there, always. No matter how she dress herself, no matter what kind of facial expressions she wear, she was still beautiful. Nothing could make her look less than beauty itself.

And beauty had a price, they say. Claude was starting to believe that too. Because Hermosa's beauty in and out, which reflected how beautiful her life was, attracted the attention of backstabbers like Freya.

Backstabbers like him.

He didn't want to cheat on her sexually with Freya. But he would do anything for her, for his beautiful Hermosa. He would do the wrong thing too, just to protect her heart and peace of mind.

All he had to do to succeed was to be very careful, and to outsmart her devil 'friend.'

Nakaramdam siya ng panlulumo nang makitang nakangiti si Mosa sa kaniya. Sa wakas ay nakita na siya nito na palapit sa mesang nireserba nito para sa kanilang dalawa. She waved a hand at him excitedly.

Claude managed a tightlipped smile as he neared her.

Matamlay na inokupa niya ang isang upuan at ipinatong sa bakanteng silya sa tabi niya ang kaniyang knapsack. Tumungo muna siya sa mesa. Itinago niya ang mukha dahil kailangan muna niya itong kapalan para maharap ang kan'yang nobya na walang kamalay-malay sa mga nangyayari.

Mosa did not say a word at all. He just felt her blessing him with her soft gaze and featherlight touches that stroked the back of his head, through the threads of his dark, straight hair. Hindi tuloy napigilan ni Claude ang sarili na lingunin ang dalaga kahit nakapatong pa rin sa braso niyang nasa mesa ang kaniyang ulo.

Sinalo agad ng mga mata ni Mosa ang namumungay niyang mga mata.

"Ang ganda mo talaga."

She smiled wider. Then she kissed her two fingers and passed the kiss onto his lips. Marahang ipinikit ni Claude ang mga mata at dinama ang malalambot nitong mga daliri na may kalakip na halik na nakalapat sa kaniyang mga labi.

"Sumakit ba ang ulo mo sa exam?" malumanay nitong tanong sa kaniya.

He just smirked. "Oo."

"O, kumain na tayo kung gano'n. Baka lalong sumakit ang ulo mo kapag sumabay ang gutom."

Tumuwid na siya ng upo at tumingin sa pagkain. Mosa ordered his usual lunch meal—two-piece fried chicken drumstick and three cups of white rice. Ewan kung dahil ba ito sa naghalong stress niya sa exam, pagod na nakuha buong weekend, at iritasyon kay Freya kaya napasimangot siya.

"You should have asked me what to order," mabigat na buntonghininga niya.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo na ba ng fried chicken?" nagtatakang titig nito sa kaniya.

Gumusot lalo ang kaniyang mukha. Naiipon na ang iritasyon sa kaniyang ulo. 'Heavy meals before driving and having sex is a bad idea. She knows that—'

Then his train of thoughts stopped. He was overwhelmed and shocked by a realization.

'Fuck it, Claude. You have no right to be mad at her! She doesn't know that you'll be driving and fucking after lunch—'

Nang bumalik sa kasalukuyan ang kaniyang atensiyon, ipinagpapalit na ni Mosa ng puwesto ang kanilang mga pinggan.

"Sige. Ako na lang dito sa fried chicken. Itong spaghetti, you can eat it. It's lighter."

Napatitig siya sa mukha ng dalaga, sa tila panlalambot ng ekspresyon nito lalo na sa mga mata nito na tila nanubig. Claude could not help gently reaching for the side of her face.

As his thumb gently caressed her cheek, Mosa slowly lifted her eyes on him. Her gaze carried a mix of worry and questions.

Guilt began clutching his heart.

"Kung gusto mo, babawi ako sa 'yo mamaya after school . . ." maamo nitong pahiwatig.

Alam naman niya kung anong klase ng pagbawi ang ipinapahiwatig ng dalaga.

'I . . . I can't do it with you yet, Mosa. Not when I can still feel the stink of that bitch all over my body. . . . Ayokong madikit ka sa katawan na dumikit sa hayop na 'yon. I have to cleanse myself first before touching you again. I . . .' A lot of thoughts ran frantically at the back of his mind, in the speed of light. It was a lot that he could not keep up with the jumble words full of guilt, anger, and hesitations that repressed his desire to have Mosa again . . .

To touch her again.

To kiss her again!

Nagbaba ng tingin si Claude nang bumalik na naman ang atensiyon niya sa nobya. He saw her expectant eyes, waiting for his reply.

"Baby . . . sorry. Hindi ko lang makain ang in-order mo kasi masakit ang sikmura ko."

Lalong napuno ng pag-aalala ang mukha nito. "Kaya pala kanina ka pa matamlay! Tara sa clinic. Humingi tayo ng gamot para pagkakain mo, may maiinom ka—"

Tatayo na sana si Mosa pero maagap na pinigilan niya ito sa braso.

"Baby, we can't leave our food here," aniya bago saglit na sinulyapan ang kanilang mga pagkain.

Mosa scanned their meal then returned her eyes on him. "Si Curtis ang pagbantayin natin. I'll call him. Lunch break din no'n ngayon."

He slowly shook his head and held back his tears. "I guess, I'll just go home."

"Pero may exam ka pa mamaya . . ."

"Valid naman ang excuse ko para mag-halfday, hindi ba?" sumamo niya. Nagsusumamo siya sa dalaga na hayaan na siyang umalis dahil baka hindi na niya kayanin ang pagkadurog na kaniyang nararamdaman.

"Claude . . ."

"I'll manage. Please—"

Mosa released a heavy sigh. "Sige na. Umuwi ka na at ipahinga iyan. Dadaan ako sa condo mo mamaya para dalhan ka ng fruits o . . . anuman ang puwede mong kainin. Magpa-checkup ka sa doktor, please."

"You worry too much for me, baby," he caressed her cheek, looking at her lovingly and torn at the same time. "For everybody . . ."

Inihilig nito ang ulo at binigyan siya ng mapang-unawang tingin. "Siyempre, mag-aalala ako, Claude."

Tumuwid siya ng upo para isukbit ang bag at humalik sa tuktok ng ulo ni Mosa habang tumatayo mula sa kinauupuan. "I'll be fine, baby. Mawawala rin ito mamaya. Susunduin kita."

"Pero kung hindi mo kakayanin, let me know agad. Okay?" nag-aalalang pigil nito sa kaniyang kamay.

Claude placed his other hand atop of her hand the held his'. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "Magte-text ako."

Napipilitang ngumiti ito. Halata naman iyon dahil puno pa rin ng pag-aalala ang maganda nitong mukha. "Sige. I love you."

"I love you too," aniya kasabay ng paninikip ng kan'yang dibdib. It ached because despite the truth in his voice, was the fact that he was being disobedient to the law of those four words. "Wait here, okay? I'll call Curtis for you. Huwag mong piliting ubusin ang pagkain kung hindi mo kaya, si Curtis na ang bahala sa pagkain ko."

Mosa nodded slowly, her sad gaze still lingering on him. "Sige."

Claude immediately turned and left.

***

Read advance and full chapters on Patreon: https://patreon.com/anamarive

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

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