Hauntingly Beautiful

03

But I should be afraid, scared, and shiver in fear. Because Rivo is Rivo. No matter how sweet his lips taste, it'll be bittersweet eventually. 

The night ended with us joining at the mouth and hip as if we were melting into each other. But the story behind our shared kisses and touch is more complex than one of a carefree rendezvous. Before we fell into this position, we forgot what thick tension keeps from pulling us away for years that passed.

"Adira!" 

Napalingon agad ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Kakapasok ko lang sa malaking ballroom. Italian designs ang built ng lugar. Nagtataasan ang pundasyon at magarbo ang nakaukit na moldings. Parang nasa isang pasilyo ka ng hari't reyna. 

Ang buong hall naman ay naglalaro ang kulay krema, puti, ginto at pilak na kulay. Masasabing napaka elegante ng lugar. Maraming lamesa ang nagkalat, at sa dulong bahagi, katapat ng malaking pintong pinasukan ko ay may entablado. Hindi ko masasabing simple ang theme ng party, dahil ang gara sa paningin. Pero hindi rin naman ito tulad ng ibang nakapalibot ang bulaklak na halos hindi niyo na makita ang isa't isa. Tanging nagninipisang tela at kumikintab na upuan lang ang masasabi kong may disenyo. 

"Adira!" Muling pagtawag ni Rime ng nakangiti. Kumakaway kaway siya kaya naman napapasulyap ang iba sa kanila. Lumalabas ang biloy niya sa malapad na pagkakangiti. "Adira Suezet!" Inulit niya. 

Kagat labi akong naglakad papunta sa kanila. Pinanatili kong walang ekspresyon ang mukha dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko maintindihan ang kabog ng puso ko. 

Nasa gitnang bahagi sila ng hall. Hindi. Ang lamesa talaga nila ang nasa gitna, sa unahan ay meron pang dalawang nakahilerang mesa, pero medyo may kalayuan ang pagitan sa amin. 

Umupo ako sa bakanteng upuan, may bakante rin naman sa kanang bahagi ko ngunit sa kaliwa ay katabi ko na si Euro. Agad niyang inakbayan ang sandalan ng upuan ko. Lumapit siya ng bahagya upang makipag bulungan. "I thought you're not coming?" Andun ang gulat sa boses niya. 

I sighed. "Dad forced me, you know him," I replied with the same intensity in my tone. Whispering. 

"That's good. We'll be worried less now that you're with us, mi amore," he gave me his signature sweet smile with his dimples showing.

I ruffled his hair gently and glided my hands down to his shoulder. He sighed lightly and traced my hand on his, he held it enough to remove it and place it on the table. We didn't talk after. The silenced beamed us. The place was full of indistinct chatter yet all of my friends were silent.

"Rain Bu, the prince of Bu Dynasty. I didn't expect to see you here." Sabay kaming napa-angat ng tinging sa bagong dating. 

Agad na nagunahan ang amoy ng menthol at tabacco sa hangin ng makalapit siya, ang paningin ay nasa kaibigan kong si Rime. Lumapit ito sa kaniya, nang hindi man lang kami tinapunan ng tingin.

He looked like in his early 30s, with a visible beard from his jaw to his chin. His suit speaks his place in the hall. It seems like he can own this place if he wants to, but if Forelli and Carson don't exist. He has a strong Italian gene dominating his facial structures and body build.

The latter stood up proud though baffled. He bowed his head, only his head while the man did a half-body bow. "Rivo is my friend." He shook hands with him.

The man smiled. "Yes, Sigñore. I can see it. And who are you with?" Saka niya lang kami tiningnan ng paisa-isa. Nahugot ko ang hininga nang huli itong tumama sa akin.

"The daughter of Forelli. You're gorgeous and the photos didn't give you enough justice, huh," he smiled coyly.

Justice. That's the name of my mom and why do I feel like everyone's mocking it?