KSM 1: lateral

51

Sol.

I run as fast as i can to Rhythm when he came to my sight. The moon and light posts lit up the lonely and quiet street i'm taking into.

I hugged him as tight as i can and feel warthm immediately. "I missed you." i whispered to his ears.

He chuckled and replied, "We just parted hours ago, but i miss you, too." Rhythm brushed the sweat on my forehead and placed a peck of kiss.

He held my hand as he smiles at me. "Takas tayo." saad nya. Tumawa naman ako saka tumango.

We rode using the bicycle away the Ams Hills. We were laughing and telling stories with no destination at all but it brought us in a plaza with night food stands and other things.

This is the first time i learned about this place because I've never escape this far. We parked our bikes on the side walk with waves of people all over the place.

Rhythm and i were holding each others hand skipping from one store to another.

"I've never tried that one." i pointed at the barbecue stand.

Lumapit si Rhythm doon habang dala ako. "Gusto mo subukan lahat?" tanong nya sakin.

"Sure." masayang sagot ko. They all look delicious and the smell of it while on the flames are inviting.

"Tig-dalawa po sa lahat." sabi ni Rhythm.

"But i didn't bring money."

"It's okay. Libre ko to para na din sa ginawa mo kay Harmony kanina." he smiled at me. We waited there 'til our foods are all cooked.

"Bili tayo ng ice cream or cold drinks." sabi ko kay Rhythm, tumango naman sya at dinala ako sa lalaking may ice cream cart.

"Dalawang 10 pesos po." sabi ni Rhy kay manong bago sya nagbaling ng tingin sakin. "That's called dirty ice cream pero di talaga sya madumi, masarap pa." saad nya sakin.

Napa-ohh ako saka tumango, pagkatanggap namin ng ice cream ay nagbayad na si Rhythm bago kami pumunta sa isang damuhan malayo ng kaunti sa plaza.

Nilapag ni Rhythm ang plastic ng barbecue sa damo at kinain ang ice cream na hawak. "Thank you for bringing me here, Rhy." i said.

Rhythm ruffle my hair. "Wala pa yan, di pa tapos ang pyesta." sagot nya

"You mean, there's still more?" i asked. He immediately nodded.

Naubos na namin yung ice cream at sinimulan na agad kain yung barbeque. "Ito din tikman mo." nilapit ni Rhythm ang hawak nya sa aking bibig, i already know it's name and it's call betamax.

Agad ko itong kinagatan at nanuot agad ang lasa nito sa aking bibig. "Hm. It's also good." tumatango-tango pa ako habang nanguya.

"Did you know that is made of pig's blood." biglang sabi ni Rhythm.

"Ugh." tinawanan ni Rhythm ang aking reaksyon dahil agad kong niluwa ang laman ng aking bibig.

"I really hate blood, not that i fear them but its look...is quite making me feel uneasy." i said still sticking out my tongue, Rhythm continues to laugh at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Teka lang, ibibili kita ng tubig." tumayo sya at pinagpag ang kanyang pants.

I nodded at him so he leaves me. I faced the horizon. The moon is reflecting on the small waves of river that is making noises, i also hear crickets.

Ilang minuto kong hinintay si Rhythm bago ko naramdaman ang presensya nya. Naupo ulit sya sa tabi ko binigay sa akin ang isang bottled water na binuksan nya.

I reached it and was about to drink into when the fireworks occupies the darkness and lighen up the sky. They were colorful and bright.

Inconspicuously the warm hand of Rhythm touch over mine and i smiled when he intertwined it. I place my head over his shoulder.

"Sabi sayo meron pa akong surpresa sayo eh." bulong nya pagkatapos ng huling firework na umilaw.

"I'm so happy, Rhythm."

"Ako din, makasama ka lang, madinig ka lang, makita ka lang. Pagdating sayo, Sola, wala na akong hihilingin pang iba dahil ikaw ay sobra sobra na." pinakatitigan nya ang aking mga mata.

"Happy fiesta, Rhy." i smiled.

Hindi agad sumagot si Rhythm at tinitigan pang maigi ang buong mukha ko na parang kinakabisa ang bawat kanto at anggulo.

"I'm so happy to celebrate this fiesta with you, Sola." mahinang bigkas nya at unti unting nilalapit sa akin ang kanyang mukha bago tuluyang sakupin ang aking labi.

My first escape, and first ever kiss with the first man who makes my heart race.