The Gap Between Us

Chapter 4

Blame

"Can I dance with... you?"

I didn't know if it was because of the alcohol consuming my whole being or the intense heat coming from his body that my mind stopped working,

Unti unti akong tumango. It seemed to be a permission to him as he started moving himself at my back. Tila mabibingi ako sa lakas ng kabog sa loob ng aking dibdib kasabay na ng panibagong tugtugan ng banda,

It was a sexy song. Napapikit ako nang mas kinabig niya 'ko palapit sa mainit niyang katawan. His hand seemed to be an expert as he perfectly held my curves in the right places.

I bit my lips and promised myself to enjoy the night. And so, I danced.

But the guy behind me shocked my being with the next thing he did, he hugged me and placed his chin on my shoulder while swaying our bodies together. I can feel my cheeks burning with heat as his breathing was heavily felt by me.

We both look like idiots in the sea of people grinding and rocking their bodies sensually.

His hold was firm but gentle in a way that my heart was pacing at a normal speed. Forgetting all the inhibitions inside me. This is just for tonight, I told myself.

Just for tonight.

Sobrang galaw at likot ng mga taong nakikisayaw sa ugong ng musikang likha ng nasa gitna ngunit hindi ako kailanman naipit o natalisod man lang. The guy from behind protected me with all his might and it felt safe.

I feel safe.

Malamig ang simoy na dala ng hangin ngunit walang negatibong anuman ang pumapasok sa'king isip. Walang epekto ang lamig nito dahil sa init na hatid ng yakap na nadarama.

Ilang kanta ang dumaan. Ilang beses na pagpalit ng posisyon at galaw ng mga nakapaligid ngunit hindi niya 'ko pinakawalan at pinanatili ang posisyon naming dalawa.

Napatigil lamang kaming dalawa nang pareho na kaming basang basa sa pawis. Patuloy pa rin ang tugtog at sayawan ng mga tao ngunit kapwa na kami huminto. He suddenly switched his position and faced me,

It wasn't a surprise when I saw Elias staring at me. Nagtataka na rin ako sa'king sarili dahil 'di ko magawang matakot man lang o mailang sa taong hindi naman lubusang kilala.

Muli kong naikagat ang pang-ibabang labi nang hindi niya man lang inalis ang pagkatitig sa'kin. I could feel his heavy breathing as he protruded his lips and avoided my eyes, "Baby, p-please stop biting your lips,"

My eyelids felt droopy as the alcohol continued to consume me. Muntik pa'kong mawalan ng balanse kung hindi lamang ako hawak ni Elias. Pansin ko ang muling pagtitig niya kahit nanlalabo na ang paningin,

"Quit s-staring," I bit the insides of my cheek when my voice sounded slurry. Pumungay ang malalim na mga mata ni Elias at dahan dahang tumaas ang isang kamay upang abutin ang aking pisngi. He wiped my sweat with a handkerchief that came from nowhere.

Inilagay niya rin ang ilang takas na buhok na tumatabing sa'king pawisang mukha sa likod ng aking tenga, "Ang ganda mo." My heart hammered at his sudden statement as heat once again started to cover my face.

Still, I stared back at him with the same intensity. His eyes were a natural shade of brown. Malalim at tila nanghihipnotismo sa mga may balak titigan siya. Nakakadala rin ang bawat pagpikit niya dahil sa makapal at mahahaba niyang pilik mata. Ramdam ko ang marahang paggalaw ng kaniyang ulo, tila nagdadalawang isip pa sa gagawin niya.

It was surprisingly odd that I couldn't even bring myself to move my face away.

His face continued nearing mine until it stopped just a few inches away from my lips, "Sorry, but I've already waited this long," he whispered but I knew I heard it right.

Hindi ko na nagawang iproseso pa sa'king utak ang sinabi niya nang maglapat ang mga labi naming dalawa,

His kisses were soft and gentle. It was light feathery kisses that felt as if he was treating me like a fragile glass. Mababaw ngunit ramdam ang init at galak. Mahina ngunit ramdam ang parehong pagnanais at pananabik.

Sa ilalim ng maliwanag na buwan at langit na napapaligiran ng mga bituing kumikinang, ang mga labi nami'y nagdikit at napag-isa.

The feeling was surreal and new. It was invading my mind and soul. Tila nakalutang sa sarap ng pakiramdam. Tinakasan ng tamang pag-iisip at paggalaw.

His tongue was almost entering my mouth when I had the courage to push him hard. Nanlalaki ang aking mga mata at tila binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa panginginig ng katawan,

Mabilis ang pagtaas baba ng aking dibdib. What am I doing?

Ngunit sa muling pag-angat ng aking ulo, alam kong nalunod na'ko sa lalim ng kaniyang pagtitig.

My fisted hand aggressively landed his shoulders. I grabbed his collar as I was breathing heavily, napapikit siya at tila hinahanda na ang sarili sa inaasahang sampal mula sa'kin.

Ipinikit ko na rin ang parehong mata at muling humugot ng malalim na hininga kasabay ng pagbunot ng lakas ng loob,

My free hand immediately grabbed his nape and eagerly pulled his face down to crash my lips on his again.

I know. I'll just blame this on the alcohol later.

❤️