Stone

Chapter XVI: The First

Kahel

THE FIRST—ang mga unang beses. Karamihan sa mga tao ay maganda ang kanilang alaala noong unang beses nilang nasubukan ang maraming bagay. Pero marahil ay mayroon ding kagaya ko na ang ilan sa mga unang karanasan na puno ng takot. Karanasang ayaw ko nang ulitin pa dahil baka parehas lang ang kahahantungan.

I woke up next to him. His familiar sleeping pose na nakadapa, using his huge arms as his pillow. His back was like a fine sculpture, and that darn perfect face was so angelic like a baby as he made those silent snoring.

Napangiti siyang bigla.

"I know you're looking at me, Kahel."

Badtrip!

Bigla niyang binuksan ang mga mata niya na tila nakikipaglaro ng tagu-taguan.

Agad naman akong napapikit.

I was trying my best to hold back my laughter. Suddenly, I could feel his fingers slowly touching my skin.

"Ngingiti na 'yan," pag-asar ni gago.

He slightly pulled a side of my lips upward while moving closer.

I tried my best not to move.

"So, tulog ka?"

Muntik na akong tumango.

Then I could feel him inching nearer. His muscular body was moving slowly as he tried to transfer his head on my pillow.

"I'll kiss you," he said

Tangina!

I could smell him now. That familiar musk on his skin and the fragrant shampoo he's been using.

Ramdam ko na ang pagsalubong ng mga kilay ko.

"I'm really gonna kiss you, Kahel."

Buwiset!

His breath is now brushing my cheeks. Getting closer. Engulfing. Suffocating— but in an exciting way.

Naghintay ako.

One second became two, three. Hanggang sa maramdaman ko na lumayo saglit ang katawan niya. Naaninag ko na tila hinaharangan niya ang sinag ng araw mula sa bintana.

I opened my eyes. Mabagal, gaya ng pagsikat ng bukang-liwayway sa bakuran namin.

"Hi there!"

He was there. Still a few inches from me. Nakatungkod siya sa kaniyang kamay habang natatawa sa itsura ko.

"Good morning, mahal."

Then he gave me a kiss on the cheek. Mabilis. Iyong halik na pang-high school. It was a smack, just a few inches from my lips. Then he gave me a big smile. Tila para siyang anghel habang nagliliwanag ang kaniyang ulo sa sinag ng araw mula sa kaniyang likod.

"Morning, Drake," maangas kong tugon.

"Oh, come on! Drake-basis pa rin?"

"Oo, gago. Umayos ka at may pasok pa tayo."

I moved so fast. Umalis ako sa kama at iniwan siyang nakatitig sa akin mula sa likod.

Naka-shorts lamang ako. Kinuha ko ang sando ko mula sa ibaba ng kama at muli siyang nilingon.

Tangina!

He was topless. May takip na puting kumot ang kalahati ng katawan niya. Bumaba siya sa kama at tumayo sa gilid nito hanggang sa mahulog ang nakabalot sa kaniyang kumot.

"Ungas! Wala kang suot?"

Tinawanan niya lang ako. His thing was dangling, dingling, ding-dong!