Hiding Behind the Lenses (Arte del Amor #3)

Chapter 22

There's gossip circulating in the campus, saying that their dearest Nikolai Mijares is now taken. Everyone's saying that his long-time bestfriend, Anika Dungca, is the one he's been seeing for quite some time now.

Saan nila galing 'yon? Ang tanga naman nila.

I know it isn't true but it bothers me to the highest level.

Labis ang pagka-kunot ng noo ko habang binabasa ang conversation ng mga kaklase ko sa group chat ng section namin.

Don't they have anything else to talk about? I wonder how boring their lives are that they resort to gossiping about other people.

"Well, I guess you're in a relationship. That's too bad." I raised my eyebrows to intimidate him. I looked back to watch his reaction.

Nikolai pursed his lips. He's obviously bothered by what I just said. He knows what's going on.

It's making me somewhat uneasy. The gossip. Kahit alam ko na hindi totoo ay medyo mapait sa pakiramdam na may ibang tao silang naiisip na karelasyon ni Nikolai.

He tightened his embrace around me. We're at their studio, and no one else is here because the three other guys are busy. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks when I felt his chin rest on my shoulder.

Nikolai likes touch. I know that now after a few months of being with him. He's all about being close to me in one way or another as long as there is physical contact.

Right now, he's on the couch while I'm seated on the carpet and he's hugging me from behind. He's too close that I could even feel his breath. I am not complaining though.

I pouted because I'm not supposed to be pleased with him right now.

"I'm in a relationship, yeah."

"With Anika, apparently." I rolled my eyes even though he wouldn't see it.

"You're my girlfriend."

Pumikit ako nang mariin dahil sa pagpipigil ng kilig. What the actual heck? Ang simple niyang magsalita ng mga bagay na sobrang nakakahiya kung ako ang magsasabi! I'd be a blushing mess if I were him!

But me? Nikolai's girlfriend?

Yes, I am! And I sometimes scream to my pillow whenever it randomly sinks in.

I just can't believe that after everything I've done and failed to do, we still arrived here.

Life in Manila was definitely worth leaving if it means getting to be this happy with Nikolai.

Pinaharap niya ako sa kaniya bago inalalayang umangat. Ako naman ngayon ang nakayakap sa kaniya pero tinago ko ang mukha ko sa gilid ng ulo niya para hindi makita ang pamumula ko.

I feel him caressing the back of my head, "I want to tell them, Lumi."

"You know we can't."

Naramdaman ko ang marahan niyang pagtango. "We can't, and I won't do it without your consent. Don't worry, I'm just saying that I want to tell them. That's all."

He agreed to that before committing to this. I'm not sure if I'm in the right place to be the one setting a condition, but it is what it is. I just can't make it public. At least, not yet.

It's a terrifying world out there and who knows how the media and public would react? Ngayon pa lang nga si Nikolai na sikat sa UGA, malaking issue nang magkaroon ng kasintahan, paano pa kung lumabas na sa UGA iyon at nalaman na ako pala ang girlfriend? Paano kung dahil sa akin ay madamay si Nikolai sa magulong industriya na kinabibilangan ko?