Beautiful Lie (Completed)

Not Quite A Stage Kiss

Napakurap ito. “Sana hindi na ngayon,” nangunot ang noo nito. “Why?”

Hindi niya inaalis ang tingin dito pero may nasasagap pa rin ang peripheral niya. “Kanina pa nakatingin dito si Charmaine. How about another mind game for her bago tayo umalis?”

He arched a brow. “Aalis na tayo? Saan tayo pupunya?”

Ipinatong niya ang isang braso sa balikat nito at inabot ang buhok ni Kino. “Uuwi na. Ihahatid mo ako. Kailangan kong gumising ng maaga bukas dahil may sasalihan kaming fun run ng housemates ko.”

“Oh,” he pursed his lips.

She had the sudden urge to bite it, but she bit her tongue instead. “One last little game,” inihawak niya ang isang kamay sa bicep nito at inilapit ang mukha, tumitindi ang kaba.

“Wow, Lara, you’re sure?” his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Are we going to kiss?”

Napalunok siya. “Kunwari lang, lapit ka pa,” marahang hinila niya ang ulo nito.

“Gaano kalapit, at paano ‘yung kunwari lang?” his hand began caressing her back, as another went to her waist.

“Kunwari as in stage kiss! Akala ko ba, nag-teatro ka nu'ng college?”

He smiled sheepishly. “Wala naman akong lead role. Writer at director ako noon,”

Gigil na sinabunutan niya ito. “Kino! Paano ‘yan?”

Mahinang natawa ito. “Totohanin na lang kasi…”

She stared at him, he stared back.

She narrowed her eyes in challenge, his gaze dropped to her lips.

Then he inched even closer, until their breaths mingled and their mouths are just a couple of centimeters away.

Her neck, her cheeks felt hot. “D-don't do it unless you mean it, Kino…”

He pulled her body closer, until there was no space left between. “I mean it, and I’ve wanted to kiss you since we met,” he whispered, before he gently brushed his lips over hers, testing.

She didn’t say anything more, or made another move. He pressed his warm, soft lips against hers again, and she felt her stomach dip.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa braso nito, dumiin ang mga daliri niya sa buhok nito, at segundo lang ang lumipas bago siya tumugon.

Their lips slid against each other, gently and sweetly, like all first kisses should.

Her heart warmed as she saw Kino close his eyes, and the kiss deepened as she did the same.

His hand on her waist went to her neck and through her hair, held her head as his mouth pried hers open, tasted her tongue, teasing and twisting until she was a mass of delicious sensations.

She never wanted it to end.

Kino kissed her as if he didn’t want to stop either. But she was losing her breath and a rational part of her brain reminded her that even if they were in a secluded corner, the bar was still a public place.

“Wait,” she gasped. “We n-need to stop,” inilayo niya ang mukha at tiningnan si Kino, na namumungay ang mga matang nakatitig din sa kanya. “Kailangan na nating umalis, Kino.” Nakagat niya ang labi. “Kailangan kong umuwi,”

Napakurap ito. “Uh, okay,” huminga ito ng malalim.

“Okay,” bahagyang ngumiti siya bago isinuklay ang mga daliri sa maikling buhok. “Ano'ng itsura ko?” dinampian niya ng panyo ang paligid ng labi at ganoon din ang ginawa kay Kino na nalagyan ng lipstick niya.

“Maganda. Lagi naman,” he searched her eyes. “You don’t regret this, do you?”

Umiling siya. “No, I-I like you,” napalunok siya. “Pero… masyadong mabilis,” dumerecho siya ng upo, inayos ang damit hago hinayaang alalayan siya ni Kino patayo hawak ang kamay niya. Inilapit nito ang mukha.

“I understand, pero magkikita tayo ulit, okay? No more lies this time.”

“No more mind games,” sang-ayon niya.

Kino smiled. Parang natunaw ang puso niya sa ngiting iyon. Pinisil nito ang kamay niya at lumapit sa grupo nina Charmaine para magpaalam. Makahulugan ang tingin sa kanila ng babae, bago sila itinuro sa mga bagong dating.

At humigpit ang hawak niya sa kasama nang mamukhaan ang isa sa mga iyon, na kaklase din daw ni Kino noong high school. A guy named Claude na nagtatrabaho din sa senado, at kaibigan din ng ex niya. Isang beses lang niya itong nakita sa isang event pero mahirap kalimutan ang kayabangan nito.

“This is Lara, Kino's girl. Gaano katagal na nga kayo?” parang nang-iinis na tanong ni Charmaine.

“Six months,” sagot ni Kino.

Napatitig siya dito, bago tumingin sa mga bagong dating at tumango. Parang hindi naman siya naalala ni Claude.

Relieved na huminga siya ng malalim nang makalayo sa grupo. Tahimik lang siya habang nasa elevator at nang palabas sila sa building.

Kino just watched her quietly, but he caught her hand again once they’re back on the road.

“Talk to me, Lara,” mahinang sabi nito, may pakiusap sa boses.

Napasandal siya at napapikit. “Ang gulo ng buhay ko, Kino. Ang dumi ng umpisa natin,” malungkot na sagot niya. “I can’t keep lying to people. Aayusin ko muna ito, then we'll start again.”