Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 3: UNTIL WHEN?

A/N: I changed the term 'reincarnation' to 'transmigration.' I just found out it's the correct term :)

This should be fine right? Just us... right now?

It shouldn't hurt to try. Kung hindi talaga kaya sa huli, susuko na lang. Pero sa ngayon, gusto ko munang namnamin ang bawat sandali na ito.

I'm already being selfish, just like the original Catherine.

But I just want to risk it all right now.

Love can really make someone foolish.

This shouldn't make me a villainess...

All these anxious thoughts filled my mind as we made our way to one of the balconies that was a bit far from the hall kung saan ginaganap ang party.

In here, the light from the two warm colored wall lamps illuminated us. Ang tanging pumapaligid lang sa amin ay ang mga punong bahagyang nasisinagan ng buwan at sumasayaw sa ihip ng malamig at malamyos na hangin.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya nang bigla niyang ipinatong sa mga balikat ko ang itim na suit jacket niya, leaving him with only his white long sleeve button down undershirt tucked in his slacks, defining his well-built body for a teenager.

I felt my cheeks heated a little when I caught a whiff of his musky cologne.

"It's cold," he let out a chuckle as he went near the railings, "Mukhang lamigin ka pa naman."

Tuluyan na talagang namula ang buong mukha ko sa sinabi niya, "Hindi ka naman siguro nang-aasar," I said, following him.

This time, he laughed as he leaned backwards on the cream marble balustrade railings, hands inside his pockets. Pati kaya siya ay nilalamig kaya itinatago niya ang mga kamay niya?

"Nah, I think it's cute," he watched me lean backwards on the railings beside him too, "And your awkward smile too, haha."

My expression softened, lips curled into a smile, "So you really are teasing me."

"Earlier," he remained facing me, kung kaya't ibinalik ko rin ang mga tingin na ibinibigay niya. Ilang sandali siyang tumahimik, just staring at my eyes, and I used this opportunity to observe his eyes to the fullest, having this fear that this might be the last chance I'll ever have.

Pansin kong lumambot ang mga tingin niya. Ang isang maliit na ngiti ay nanatili sa mga labi niya. If I'm not mistaken, there is even a hint of... amusement in his expression right now?

But why?

When he diverted his gaze somewhere else, I still remained looking at his side profile, etching all his features on the corner of my mind. Just for me to remember anytime, as long as I'm able to.

"When I saw you by the entrance," he continued, "You looked..."

I smiled, "Awkward?"

Damn. I didn't know he saw me before I saw him.

"You looked like you didn't want to be here," he said, "I mean, I'm kind of sure you're not the only one who doesn't want to be here. Meron din diyang iba. The only difference is, you were being obvious about it. Why is that?"

Oh, he wasn't just looking at me. He was observing me, again.

My little heart can't take this any longer.

Inilipat ko ang tingin sa kung saan siya nakatingin, sa harap namin pareho. Sa daan pabalik sa hallway kung saan kami nanggaling. Sa kawalan.

I don't want to answer that. I don't want to answer his question.

"You know," my hands tightened on his suit, "When you just met someone, you're supposed to ask them questions like where do they study or what hobbies do they do. The basic 'get to know' questions."

My breathing hitched when I felt his hand slightly touched my back. Tanging ang mga damit lang namin ang nakaharang. Hindi ko nga alam kung sadya niya ba 'yon pero masyado na akong delusyonal kung iisipin kong ganoon nga.

"Right," he agreed, gently throwing his head down.

Umayos siya ng tayo. And I was a bit scared that I turned him off with what I just said. I was a bit scared he was already preparing to go back.

But, no. He carefully walked to my front, facing me, while looking at me straight in the eyes. His hands remained on himself as he stood there, putting me in between him and the railings.

I swallowed the lump on my throat when I saw how bright his blue eyes are. His eyes that I find more beautiful than the night sky.

And there it was, the warm and sincere feelings building up inside of me. Urging me to fall into his arms and feel his cheeks against my hands. To have this desire to trace his beauty, to his eyes that could make me feel like I've reached the most brightest star out there.

"So, Catherine..." my name rolled out of his tongue in a low and gentle tone, like a sweet melody.

I laughed a little, eyes squinting out of unforgiving happiness, "Yes, Ivan?"

"May I know what your favorite color is?" nahalata ko sa boses niya na nagbibiro siya kaya muli akong natawa.

I couldn't explain how great I was feeling when I heard him laugh as well. He had the most beautiful laugh. I could listen to it on repeat like how I'd listen to my favorite song.

"Red and white," I answered, "How about you?"

I saw how his eyes moved down to my burgundy colored dress before looking up again, "Red..."

"And white?" I teased him na sinakyan niya naman.

"Red and white," he repeated.

We both stopped when we heard the faint sounds of the orchestra playing from the hall where the party is happening. The melodic tunes of instruments like the violin still reached where we are, kahit na malayo na kami.

Akala ko gugustuhin niya nang bumalik para manood o sumayaw sa hall kaya umayos na rin ako ng tayo. But I was quite taken aback with his next question...

"D-do you know how to dance?"

I quickly raised my eyes at him, but he was looking away. Cheeks slightly flushed, as if he was embarrased.

He cleared his throat bago kaagad na sinundan ang sinabi, "What I meant to say is, can we dance?"

"Or... wait. Can I ask you for a dance?"

"Or was it... may I take this dance?"

I stopped him already by taking his hand that was being fiddly as it reached out to me. Kung kaya't napatingin siya sa kamay niyang hinawakan ko sabay sa akin.

I gave him my loveliest smile, "I'd love to."

Maybe... just maybe...

But I don't know.

Hindi ko sigurado kung hanggang saan ito.

But tonight, as I placed my left hand on his shoulder, his right hand held my waist and both of our other free hand grasped each other, dancing to the faint music of the orchestra in the distance while staring into each other's eyes...

I would just want to forget everything, even if it's just for a short while.

And after the party, we exchanged formalities for the last time before we parted ways.

I should've said I liked him that night but I didn't want to sound weird.

So days passed, and we never talked again.