El Nido #1: His Only Muse

Chapter 25

"I thought you wanted to celebrate at the beach party?"

Ngumuso ako nang sabihin iyon ni Aries. Naglalakad kami ngayon dito sa kahabaan ng Nacpan beach. Madilim na at tanging ang buwan lang ang nag sisilbing liwanag namin.

"Well.. I guess this is celebrating for me." I said then smiled. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang nakatitig na siya sa akin habang nag lalakad. Natauhan ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. "I mean.. this. The beach, the moon, and the silence. I like it." Pagbawi ko. Mahina pa akong tumawa.

I won the pageant. I got the best in swimsuit and evening gown as well. I wasn't inclusded in the Miss photogenic and Best in talent award kasi wala naman akong entry para doon. The prize is fifteen thousand pesos and some gift package from the sponsors. Lahat nang iyon ay iniwan ko kay Vergel nang mag-yaya ang mga kandidata na mag party sa beach.

I was supposed to go with them, pero kasama ko kasi si Aries at hindi ko alam.. hindi maganda sa pakiramdam kapag iniisip ko na makakasama niya iyong mga magagandang kandidata. Not that I'm insecure, I just want this moment to be for the two of us alone.

Napabuntong ako nang mapagtanto ang nararamdaman. The answer I gave earlier was like a confession of my feelings for him. I will be a fool for denying it, so I just gave in. Forget about Larce; The only thing that bothers me now is Aries' thoughts about it. I'm sure he got the message. That's why I want to know his side, too.

"What you said earlier.." natigilan ako nang banggitin niya iyon.

We both stopped walking and I felt my hands cold. I know I'm expecting this, but now that he's confronting me about it, para akong batang nahuli na nangongopya sa klase.

"Hmm?" I asked.

I faced him with a brave façade. It really dark because I could not see his features, but his eyes is evident no matter the shade hides it.

I waited for him, anticipating. Umiling siya at bumuntong hininga kaya kinabahan ako. "Nothing." Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko habang nakatingala sa kaniya. "Just know that if I was asked the same question, I'd answer the same while looking at you, too."

Napaawang ang labi ko at hindi maipinta ang tuwa na dumaan sa mga mata ko. He was serious, but gentle. I could not measure the amount of electricity that rushed through my insides. I felt so alive that even the darkness could not hide the smile that flashed on my lips.

Humakbang ako palapit sa kaniya at dahan-dahang inangat ang kamay ko. His eyes dropped on it when I tried reaching for his shoulders. Bago ko pa siya mayakap, ay naunahan niya na ako.

His large and firm hands found their way quickly to the small of my back. He pulled me through that and I instantly felt his body against my front. I smiled wider when he crouched a bit so I could reach him. We hugged each other in front of the crashing waves, over the fine sand, and under the moonlight.

"Congratulations," he whispered on my neck.

I nodded while still smiling. "Thank you.."

Nang mag harap kaming muli, ay hindi pa rin bumitaw ang mga kamay namin. My hands are still locked on his nape and his hands are caressing my back. Nagtagpo ang mga mata naming at kapwa naming hinayaan ang katahimikan na mamutawi.

"So you like me?" I asked, amused.

He looked at my lips. "Do I look just infatuated?" he asked, urging.