Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Almost

Natauhan ako at 'agad lumayo kay Triton. Wide-eyed, his hand traveled to his lips, touching the traces of the lip gloss that I left. I'm aware that everyone's watching us but I couldn't look at him properly. I know... pulang-pula na ang mukha ko ngayon. And my heart's still racing as I'm nervous and... wonderstruck.

"I-Isla..." Then he started to hiccup. I mustered up the courage to meet his gaze and he instantly blushed.

I breathed heavily, avoiding his eyes. "Please don't take it personally. It's not that I just randomly kiss anyone on the lips. I-It's our tradition..."

Well, I don't kiss my brother or my cousins on their lips! Why did I sound so defensive? Did I have to explain it to him?

"Alam ko at ayos lang... Hindi ko lang inaakala na sa 'yo ko pala ibibigay 'yung first kiss ko..." he said softly.

I shut my eyes tightly as I felt the heat in my cheeks. "You're my first kiss, too."

Matapang kong inangat ang tingin ko sa kanya at gamit ang mapungay niyang mga mata'y titig na titig siya sa aking mukha. How much his Adam's apple protruded means that he's affected as much as I do. He tried so hard not to hiccup again, but it went on and on. Then I bit my lower lip, unconsciously looking at his. How shameless can I get? Staring at his lips after what I did?

"Malamang nakita ng parents mo 'yon. After all, it was your first kiss..." he chuckled to break the ice.

I'm also aware of it. Kaibigan lang naman ang turing ko sa kanya, pero bakit...

"I know they'd be cool about it. They can't scold me on New Year's Day! But if they want to, bukas na nila gagawin 'yon!" I laughed with him, but I feel like I'm dying inside.

I kept on swaying, wanting to run to my room at this very moment. Kinapa ko ang mainit kong mga pisngi kahit na malamig ang panahon. I made a quick skim through the surroundings and saw that my parents aren't watching us anymore. The guests are doing their own thing as well as if nothing happened.

"I-I need to go to the bathroom..." I excused myself without the intention of returning.

"Isla, saglit!" narinig ko si Triton, pero dire-diretso lang ang lakad ko papasok sa bahay.

Sa kamamadali ko ay nabangga ko pa ang papalabas na si Adam na mukha namang walang kaalam-alam.

Pinigilan niya ako. "Ate, you look flushed! What's wrong? Oh! Can you get me some water, please?"

"Fine..." I looked away. "But why didn't you get it when you were inside the house?"

"I forgot. Sorry!" he said cheekily as he followed me.

Pagkatapos kong painumin ng tubig ang kapatid ko ay umakyat na ako sa kwarto. I threw myself in bed, not giving a hoot that I'm still wearing my heels. I just find myself ridiculous! What's the point of hiding in here? Who am I running away from? As I said, it's no big deal! It's just a kiss. It was my decision.

"But if it wasn't Triton, would I still kiss a man? Or a stranger, in particular?"

I'd kiss anyone available at the time... Oo, gano'n nga. Nagkataon lang talaga na si Triton ang naroon.

It's five o'clock and I started the day with a few rounds at the rink. I practiced my routine for the short program—perfectly executing the jumps. I can't do Triple Axels for now, though. Inconsistent kasi iyon, ayon kay Coach Joaquin.