The Virgin Stripper

09

VV

"So ano nga? Kaano-ano mo si Elijah Quinn?" kulit na tanong ni Lea habang naglilinis.

"Gaano ba kakilala si Elijah?" tanong ko. Baka halos lahat ng tao eh alam siya, habang ako, wala akong alam.

"Hindi mo alam? Eh bat parang malapit kayo sa isa't isa?" she gasped.

"Eh, ang hirap ipaliwanag."

"Nag-viral ang isang video niya na kumakanta! Ang sarap sa tainga. Halos 20M ang nagview. Tapos nalaman nalang na anak siya ng sikat na may-ari ng mga hotel at restaurant. Kaya't lalo itong sumikat. I think 4 years ago na yon? Hindi ko sure basta ang galing niya kumanta saka akala ng mga tao ay idol siya, yung mga sikat ngayon. BST ba yon?" she said.

"BTS yon," tumawa ako.

"Ah BTS ba yon. So ano nga, kaano-ano mo siya?"

"Kaibigan ko," I don't know what to answer. Kung gustong sabihin ni Elijah, okay sa akin, pero hindi ko alam kung gusto niya bang sabihin.

"Kaibigan lang? Weh di nga," tukso niya.

"Oo nga."

"Okay okay," bumalik na siya sa kinaroroonan niya.

---

"How's your day?" tanong niya.

"Okay lang. Marami akong nalaman ngayon," I grinned.

"Like what?" he was focused on driving.

"Diba nanliligaw ka? And as a manliligaw, you want to do everything to please that lady."

"Mmhm?" sagot niya, not knowing san papunta ang usapan.

"I heard you have a great soft voice?" Despite his deep and harsh voice, I wanted to hear him sing in a soft, gentle voice.

"Sing? HAHA."

"Please po," I pouted. "A soft and gentle one that would make me fall for you," I grinned.

"I don't have my guitar though. If I'll sing for you, gusto ko with guitar. Pero isa pa lang ang naalala kong kanta."

"Okay lang, asan ba yung gitara mo?"

"Nasa bahay nila mama," sabi niya as I nodded. "Kaya pupunta muna tayo doon."

"Ha? Sa bahay niyo? Pwede ikaw lang? I want to enter your house pero it would be disrespectful if wala yung mga parents mo noh," sabi ko.

"Okay okay. Kukunin ko lang and then uuwi na tayo," tumango ako.

---

"This is the only song I remember for now ha? It's actually one of my favorites."

"Okay," I smiled as he began to strum his guitar. It echoed throughout the room.

"Lagi nalang ganito
Isipan ay gulong gulo
Lagi nalang nabibigo
Ngunit ikaw pa rin sigaw ng puso," he started.

"Dating Tayo," I whispered to myself. Lea wasn't lying. He had a soft, gentle, and angelic voice.

"Ilang liham na ang sinulat sayo
Ilang luha na rin ang natuyo," he continued. His voice was killing my heart. Pati yata si baby nakikilig.

"Kailan kaya muling makakatawang
Hindi ko pinipilit walang lungkot na sumisilip
Kailan kaya muling makakamit
Ang iyong yakap at halik nang hindi sa panaginip
Kailan
Kailan
Kailan ang dating tayo."

I joined him. I knew this song. I vibed this song while I was still at the orphanage. His eyes widened as we both sang together, probably out of shock. While singing, I took the nearest phone, which was Elijah's, and opened the camera. I recorded us singing together since this would be special.

"Kung ano man ang totoo
Isip man ay litong-lito
Handang-handa akong sumalo
Pagkat ikaw pa rin sigaw ng puso.

Ilang awit na ang inalay sayo
Ilang luha na rin ang natuyo.

Kailan kaya muling makakatawang (kailan kaya muling)
Hindi ko pinipilit walang lungkot na sumisilip (kailan kaya)
Kailan kaya muling makakamit (kailan kaya muling)
Ang iyong yakap at halik nang hindi sa panaginip.

Kailan (kailan)
Kailan (kailan)
Kailan (kailan) kailan
Kailan ang dating.

Kailan kaya muling matatamasang
Ikaw ay makasama at sabay tayong kakanta.
Kailan kaya muling mararanasan
Sa pagdilat ng mata ika'y hindi lang ala-ala."

We ended the song.

"Wow! I didn't know you sing very well too," he complimented.

"Mas magaling ka," I smiled and caressed his cheek.

"Don't give me that smile, babe," he said.

"Why?"

"It makes me fall for you more," he said as I giggled.

"Oh, nagre-record pa pala," I reached the phone that was placed on the table.

"I'll keep this safe," iniabot ko sa kanya ang kanyang cellphone kung saan ko nirecord ang pangyayari kanina.

"Are you sleepy?"

"Opo," I grinned.

"Kailangan mo nang magpahinga para sa baby," he placed his muscular hands on my flat belly.