LOVE-NAT, isang makulit na love story! ♥ [2 of 2]

Chapter 55-2. Fifty Shades of Pepita!

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hala. Gusto ko munang mag-SORRY sa sobrang tagal ng pagka-WALA ko... at sa long over due ko na UPDATE. Omg. I am realllly, really, really SORRY guys. Buhay pa naman ako despite my hectic schedule. Nga pala, naka-PASA ako sa entrance exam ko dito sa North Pole. Hahaha. Kaya ito, babalik na ulit ako sa school. Kaya ayun... hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa ng love-nat dahil dito. I hope you guys understand. Pasensya na po talaga for the SLOW and TURTLE-LIKE updates. I'm really sorry. Anyhow. I hope you'll enjoy this update. Bonggang-bongga na toh!!! HAHAHA. Prepare for a Sef-Ellie overload chapter.

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Love-Nat, isang makulit na lovestory!
by: Elliedelights

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Chapter 55-2. Fifty Shades of Pepita!!
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Siguro nga, may rason ang lahat ng bagay sa mundo. May dahilan kung bakit nangyayari ang mga bagay-bagay sa buhay ng isang tao. Sa totoo lang matagal na din naging palaisipan kay Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan ang ilang pangyayari sa buhay niya, especially the things that concern a certain Miguel Josef Monteverde.



Ano kaya talaga ang dahilan kung bakit sarado yung girl's cr nung mga panahong tinotopak ang maselan niyang tiyan... kung bakit hindi niya napansin na nandoon pa pala si Sef sa pinaka dulong cubicle bago niya sinarado ang pinto at naglabas ng sama ng loob sa mundo?? (Refer to Chapter 01. Boy's CR.) Kung bakit sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Dios, laging pinagtatagpo ang landas nilang dalawa???



Sa hinaba-haba ng takbo ng makulit na lovestory na ito - kung lovestory nga bang matatawag - ngayon lang talaga naliwanagan si Ellie.



Isa lang ang dahilan... at NGAYON lang nabigyang linaw ang lahat... as in NGAYON lang!!!



Opo mga kaibigan! Mas malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw... at di hamak na mas malinaw pa sa lyrics ng bagong kanta ni Psy!!! Matapos ang makapigil hininga na version nila Sef at Japo ng Pinoy Henyo... isa lang ang napatunayan ni Ellie... ANAKSHUTANG ANIMALES MGA KAIBIGAN, MATINDI PALA TALAGA ANG GAYUMA NG POTCHI NG ISANG ELEONOR MALICSI DIMACULANGAN!!! At ang masaklap... NALANGHAP NGA ATA LAHAT NI SEF NUNG NASA BOY'S CR SILA NUN. Hahaha.



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Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan



Ilang beses ko na din talaga ini-imagine... ilang beses ko na ding pinaulit-ulit sa isip ko... Parang isang eksena lang sa pelikula na romance-comedy lang ang tema. Para talagang scripted... parang fake... parang... parang... teka... HUWEYT!!! TAYM PERS NGA MUNA MGA KAIBIGAN!!! PARANG... PARANG SUMASAKIT NA ATA ITONG ULO KO EH!!!



MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, ANO SA TINGIN MO ANG DAPAT KONG ISUOT???



Anakshutang animales!!!



Naka-ilang palit na ko ng damit, mula sa iba't ibang koleksyon ko ng mga t-shirt hanggang sa mga pare-parehong itsura ng mga pantalon ko... hanggang yung magulo kong kwarto eh MAS lalo pang gumulo dahil parang pinasabog lang yung cabinet ko. Nagkalat ang LAHAT ng damit ko, pati na din yung mga tinatago-tago kong mga sapatos na kahit kelan eh hindi ko aakalaing pagiintresan ko pa ulit isuot eh naka tilapon lahat sa lapag. Para lang akong naglalaro ng manikin, only I was the barbie doll. Pares dito, pares doon. Palit dito, palit doon. Punyemas!!! Eh si Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde lang naman ang kikitain ko ngayon?!?!?! Grrrrr...



Lechugas ka Elyonor!!! Ano bang nangyayari sayoooo??? Parang labag na ata sa prinsipyo mo yang ginagawa mong page-effort sa pagbibihis??? Dios ko po, sa tanan ng buhay ko... NGAYON lang ako namublema sa kung anong dapat kong isuot!!! Parang nagsisisi na nga ako't hindi ako nakikinig sa mga usapang FASHION nila Sara noon. Hahahaha.



Teka nga... Saglit... saglit... Ikaw ba talaga si Eleonor??!?!?! Yung Ellie na WALANG pakialam sa mundo? Yung Ellie na masayang-masaya na laging naka tsinelas lang eh naghahanap ng magarang kasuotan ngayon???



BOOOM!!! Natapakan nanaman yung pride ko.



NAKSHUTAAAAA!!! Hindi ako sweet na tao, alam niyo yan. Hindi ako yung tipong thoughtful or ano pa man. Following my heart doesn't mean na maging MALAMBOT na ang puso ng isang ELYONOR!!! At wala akong balak mag-bago dahil lang sa gagung toh!!! Hmp. Inis kong binitawan yung namumukod-tanging DRESS na meron ako. Punyemas, parang kulang na lang ata mag-GOWN ako eh!!! Hahaha. Paker. Eh kahit ano namang isuot mo teh, hindi naman na magbabago yang itsura mo di mo pa rin magiging kamukha si Julia Barreto nuh!!! AMPFUFU YAN.



I shook my head and gritted my teeth in self-loathing. I grabbed my favorite gray sleeveless shirt and quickly wore it before I changed my mind again. Tapos hinablot ko yung pantalon ko na butas-butas yung sa may tuhod... uy, wag kayo DESIGN yun ah!!! Haha. I huffed and frowned at myself as I studied my reflection for the thousandth time already.



"Manahimik ka na Ellie!!! Tama na yan!!!" I scolded myself through the mirror. Anakshuta, nababaliw na ata ako!!! Well, sa toto lang... hindi na ko nagtataka... hindi ito ang unang beses na kinakausap ko ang sarili ko. Minsan nga naiisip ko, baka nga malapit na akong maging suki sa mental!!! Lintek talaga yang Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde na yan oh!!! NAKAKAINIS!!! NAKAKAINIS!!! NAKAKAINIS!!! Kung bakit para kong nasasapian ng kung ano pag tungkol SIYA na ang pinaguusapan!!!! At higit sa lahat, bakit naman kasi siya bigla-biglang sumasagot ng OO ng wala man lang pasubali. "Argh." Kung maka-OO naman kasi siya wagas eh. Sana nagbigay man lang siya ng babala. Sana may warning. Hindi yung binibigla niya ko ng ganun, aba hindi ako prepared... hindi yata niya alam na masamang nabibigla ang puso ko!!!



"HUWAW." Em-Em suddenly walked in my room, her eyes scanning the mess. "Pumasok ba si Ondoy dito? Parang binagyo lang ah?"



I felt my cheeks slightly burned hot. Tae yan, nahiya ako bigla na nahuli ako ng kapatid kong namumublema sa isusuot kong damit.



"YEHESSS NAMAN." She suddenly jested, grinning foolishly at me. "Nagpapaganda na siya para kay Kuya Sef. Hahaha."



"Nimales." I hissed under my breathe. "Hinanap ko lang tong paborito kong sleeveless, akala ko kasi nawawala nuh!" I tried to make an alibi.



"Wooooshooo." Em-Em made the I-don't-believe-you expression. "Naku Ate, wag ka ng mahiya. Natural lang yan. Late bloomer ka kasi eh, kaya late kang nagdadalaga. Haha."



"Pakyu."



"Hahahaha." She then laughed so hard. "Alam mo Ate Ellie, naga-ayos ka na din naman... lubus-lubusin mo na." She went towards my drawer. Actually, itong drawer na toh eh ginagamit din ni Em-Em, pinaglalagyan din niya ng mga kung anu-anong gamit niya. She pulled out a small green pouch. "Oh, ito!" She raised a red L'OREAL lipstick. "Try mo dali."



I blinked and suddenly found myself gaping. Napanganga na lang ako sa kapatid ko eh. Pano ba naman mga kaibigan, tinalo pa ko ng bruha!!! Ni isang make-up nga eh WALA ako eh... siya naka-L'OREAL pa??? Punyemas!!! Haha. Kahit kelan talaga itong bunsong kapatid ko oh!!!



She excitedly went towards me but I stepped back. "A-ayoko nga!!! O-okay na ko!!!"



A minute or so... biglang... "ATE ELLIEEEEEE!!!" It was my brother who yelled so damn loud from downstairs. "SUNDO MO NANDITO NA!!!!"



Ba-dump!!! Ba-dump!!!



WAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! Anjan na siya!!! Anjan na siya!!! I suddenly panicked and started to scramble up. Lintek na yan!!! IMBA TALAGA EPEKTO NI SEF SAKIN!!! KAINIS!!! Hahaha. I quickly grabbed the door knob at handa ng lumipad pababa but the moment I stepped out my room, napansin kong... WALA PA PALA AKONG SUOT NA SAPATOS!!! Nakshutaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!



Bumalik ulit ako sa loob at si Em-Em nasa may kama ko tawa na ng tawa habang pinanonood ako. I dug through the pile of clothes in my room, nagliparan ang mga t-shirt at pantalon as I tried to look for a decent pair of socks. Dapat talaga magtsi-tsinelas na lang ako... kaso lang nagbago ulit isip ko kaya nag-rubber shoes na lang ako. Hehe.



"Hahahahaha." Em-Em continued to rock in fits of laugher. "Ibang klase ka pala talagang main-love Ate Ellie!!! Parang... Hahamakin ang lahat, MAKITA ka lamang."



I frowned at her after I'm done with my shoes. I grabbed the door knob for the second time and before I leave I turned around to my sister with a devious stare. "Ahhh. Hahamakin pala ah?" I repeated with sarcasm. "Linisin mo yang kwarto ko." I seethed dangerously at her. "Pag hindi, baka makatikim ka ng sasuwela de kamao
na si listo el de gato sa gulpihang de kontodo!!!" Wahahahahaha. Talagang ni-rap ko yung linya mula sa Yes Yes Show ng Parokya??? Amp yan.



I almost laughed when I saw the petrified look on my sister's face. "ANOOOOOOOOOO?!?!" I heard her scream but I already shut the door and went running downstairs. HAHAHA. Napaka buti ko talagang ATE. Bakit ba? Ganyan mag-disiplina ng kapatid. BUWAHAHAHAHA.



By the time I stepped out the gate, parang pabilis ng pabilis yung tibok ng puso ko... Lechugas, diba? Parang araw-araw ko naman ng nakikita ang gagung toh, pero HINDI pa rin masanay-sanay itong puso ko. Lagi na lang may dramang ganito? Di na nag-sawa!!!



Parang bigla akong nawalan ng hangin sa lungs when I saw Sef's familiar figure. Napalunok ako at parang hindi ko alam kung papano lalapit sakanya. Naka-SHADES ang loko habang cool na cool na nakasandal sa Pajero niya na siyang naka-park mismo sa tapat ng bahay namin kaya kailangan ko pang tumawid sa kabilang side. He was wearing a plain white polo and I noticed na mahilig talaga siyang hindi nagbobotones nung first-three bottons kaya naka-expose nanaman yung chest niya!!! He was looking over his shoulder, both hands in his pockets, while watching some kids play piko.



Dios ko po Lord... ITO PO BA TALAGA YUNG LALAKING NAGAYUMA SA AMOY NG POTCHI KO?!?!?!?! HAHAHAHA. MY GOSH, TEYNK YU PO TALAGA!!! :)



Napa-tayo siya ng maayos when he noticed me approach. "I thought you're going to take forever." He then smiled, teasing.



Kita niyo toh, NAKAPANG-ASAR NANAMAN!!! "Tss." I made an irritated expression towards him. "Feeling mo naman Mr. Monteverde. Ano namang dahilan para mag-tagal ako sa pagbibihis? Kaw lang naman tong kikitain ko. Hmp." I tried to shove him away para buksan na yung pintuan sa passenger's seat.



He chuckled with slight amusement as he stepped aside to let me in, tapos sinara na niya ito't sumakay na din tuloy sa driver's seat.



Matapos ang mga insidente kahapon sa birthday party ni Noel... yung mismong laro nila Japo at Sef ng Pinoy Henyo... hindi ko ulit matignan ng diretso sa mata si Sef. And I knew, he was feeling unsure as well. Para bang hindi din niya alam kung papano lalapit o papano ko kakausapin. There was slight tension between us, and I could perfectly remember the way my heart wouldn't stop beating so damn loud against my chest that I have no effin' idea how to make a casual conversation with him... tapos si Sef naman naramdaman kong parang kinakabahan din ang loko, like he wasn't feeling at ease... but good thing Japo, AJ and Borge managed to lighten the mood between us hanggang sa nagbabangayan, nagaasaran at nag-aaway na ulit kaming dalawa. And even when he drove me home, hindi na namin muli pinagusapan pa yung laro nilang yun. Okay na ko dun. Masaya naman talaga ako ng hindi pinaguusapan eh. Natatakot akong magtanong, siya parang takot namang sumagot. I would like to think that maybe, na-pressure lang si Sef sa mga oras na yun... masyado naman kasing INTENSE makapag-tanong si Japo eh. Hahaha.



Pagka-start ni Sef nung makina ng Pajero, he was just about to step on the gas when he froze and turned to my direction. Dahil sa suot-suot niyang shades, hindi tuloy ako sigurado kung AKO ba yung tinititigan niya. Nagtataka tuloy akong napalingon sakanya. A small, growing smile suddenly lighted up his face and to my surprise bigla na niyang tinanggal yung shades niya as if to get a better look at... ME?!



My cheeks started to heat up again. "B-bakit?" I asked nervously when I realized that he was looking intently on my lips. IS HE... IS HE GOING TO KISS ME?!?!?! WAAAHHH... LORD!!! KUNG GAWIN MAN NIYA YUN, HINDING-HINDI KO PO SIYA PIPIGILAN PRAMISSSS!!! HAHAHA.



"Are you... ?" The more he stared longer, the more his smile was turning into a wide, sexy grin. "Are you... wearing... lipstick?"



Nabingi ata ako.



I literally STOPPED breathing.



HUWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT?!?!



DAHAN-DAHANG NAMILOG NG BONGGANG-BONGGA ANG MGA MATA KO. ANAKSHUTA!!! ELYONORRRRRR!!! PWEDE KA NG PAKALBO BUKAS!!!



I quickly slammed the back of my hand against my lips to cover it and to also cover the redness that was dominating my cheeks. PAKERRRR EM-EM!!! Hindi lang talaga sasuwela-de-kamao-na-si-listo-el-de-gato-sa-gulpihang-de-kontodo ang matitikman mo mamaya!!!! SHEEEEEEETTTT!!!



"Ah, excuse me lang!!!" I tried to regain myself as I slowly removed my hand. "Sadyang NATURAL kasi yan nuh!!! Kissable lips lang talaga ko." Lintek na yan Ellie!!! Grabeeee.... Maloloka na ata talaga ako!!! GUSTO KO NA LANG MANGISAY SA KINAUUPUAN KO NGAYON EH!!! Wahahahaha. TOINKS.



Sef's smile disappeared as his stare at me intensified, like I was on fire or something. "Well," He then looked away, his face was still serious. "Your kissable lips are making it difficult for me to concentrate."



OH MAY GULAY!!! I had to gasp. Pakerrrr. Parang ang sarap tuloy kumanta ng - ♪♪'DIS GIRL IS ON FAYERRRRR!!! DIS GIRL IS ON FAYERRRRRR!!! SHE'S WALKING ON FAYERRRRRR!!!' ♪♪



Konti na lang talaga mga kaibigan malapit ko ng ibenta ang amoy ng potchi ko at baka sakaling maging kasing yaman na ako ni Pepito Manaloto in an instant. Ipagtanong-tanong niyo na lang po sa Divisoria, GAYUMA NI ELLIE. WAHAHAHAHAHA. Anakshuta yan.







Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung saan ang punta naming dalawa ngayon. Basta lang tumawag ang loko-lokong ito kanina at sinabing susunduin niya ko. Hindi na siya nagtanong kung pwede ba ko o hindi, basta dineclare na lang niya na susunduin niya ko. Ni hindi na nga niya ko pinagsalita eh, basta bigla na lang din niya akong binabaan ng phone. Hmp. Kung hindi ko lang mahal ang anakshutang animales na toh eh, matagal ko na tong pinakain sa shark!!! Haha.



Maya-maya, matapos ang isang oras at kalahating pakakaupo ko sa Pajero ng magaling na lalaking toh...



"SEEEEFFFF!!!" I cried in protest as I tried to pull away. He was holding my hand and he was trying to pull me with him. Oh diba? Ito ang makabagong HOLDING HANDS!!! Hahahaha. Sweet namin nuh? Andito lang naman kami sa gitna ng Shangri-la Plaza naghahaltakang dalawa. He was pulling me to enter an extravagant store... he just told me few minutes ago na ibibili daw niya ako ng dress, kasi isasama daw niya ako sa graduation ceremony niya next week. Di ba nga? Gra-graduate na tong loko-lokong toh?!?!



"This is not negotiable, Ellie!" Sef hissed angrily. Sobrang lakas niya, yung sapatos ko nagmistulang roller blades eh as he continued to pull me inside. Ang maganda dito sa Shangri-la, hindi ito parang SM na halos wala kang mapuntahan dahil sa sobrang dami ng tao. Dito sa Shang, kahit mag-laro pa kaming dalawa ng bowling eh ayos na ayos lang kasi naman WALA talagang gaanong tao.



"SABING DITO TAYO EEEEEEEHHH!!!" I tried with all my might to pull him back, but to no avail. Dun ko naman kasi siya hinahatak sa mas cheap na store, balak ko kasi ako magbabayad ng damit ko nuh. Haha. Itong lalaking toh, dapat maturuan ko toh ng leksyon sa pagiging KURIPOT eh.



Sa totoo lang masaya ko sakanya't gra-graduate na siya kahit na ni minsan, sa tinagal-tagal ng pagkakakilala naming dalawa, eh NEVER ko pa talaga siyang nakitang nag-aral. Ni humawak nga ata ng BALLPEN eh ni hindi ko siya nasilayan. Haha. Ayoko lang talaga na mag-pabili ng mamahaling damit sakanya nuh!!! Magagawan ko naman ng paraan yun eh!!! Yuck Ellie, pride talaga pag umiral. Haha.



I'm aware that the Monteverde clan are going to be there - namely sila Tita Yolly at balita ko inimbitahan din ni Sef sila Kuya Matt at Miss Elena. Dapat kasama din ang lolo niya, kaso nga lang hindi na daw makakauwi kasi hindi pa tapos yung business trip nito. Iniisip ko pa lang na kasama si Tita Yolly parang nanliliit na ko... but at least andun si Miss Elena so I'm pretty sure I'll be alright. Atsaka... gusto ko talaga makitang mag-marcha itong gagung toh!!! Hehehehe. PROUD GIRLFRIEND KUNWARI ANG PEG KO!!! Chos! WAHAHAHAHAHA. Tengeneng Ellie umayos ka nga, hindi bagay!!! Girlfriend ka jan!! PWE!!! Never ka ngang tinawag na girlfriend niyang lokong yan eh!!!



"Ellie." Sef muttered my name and we both suddenly stopped from all the pulling and fighting. "Papasok lang tayo dito, okay?" He sounded as if he's talking to a four year old girl. "Please?" He looked me straight in the eye, kaya bigla akong napalunok.



"Tss." I hissed. Pakerrrr!!! "Bahala ka nga." I fumed in surrender. Sef beamed a smile at me but he didn't let go of my hand as we marched along the branded stores in Shang. I was still reluctant to follow him, pero wala na kong nagawa especially when he gently intertwined his hand with mine. Pasalamat na lang ako kasi nauuna siyang maglakad sakin and he was just dragging me along with him, dahil dun hindi niya napansin kung gaano namula ang mga pisngi ko.



Anashuta Ellie!!! Hahaha. Maghunus tili ka teh. Easy lang. Keri mo yan!!!



I idly brushed my hands across the set of clothes hanging on the rack. I didn't really care about the design or the fabric, all I was looking at were the large amount of numbers printed on the price tags. Anakshuta naman presyo ng mga damit dito. Ano ba tong mga toh? Gawa sa ginto???



Nasa store kami ni Ralph Lauren, I was just waiting for him while he tried a few clothes I personally picked for him. Nakakainis nga ee, sa dami-rami ng damit niya... sasabihin niya saking wala pa rin siyang isusuot para sa Graduation niya.



Hindi ko talaga sineryoso yung pag-pili nung mga damit, bara-bara lang akong dumampot sa mga naka-hanger doon and angrily shoved it at him. At ngayon higit five minutes na siyang nasa loob... dinaig pa ko kung mag-sukat!! GAWD!!



"Hm," I finally heard the door opened from the fitting room. "Ellie, hindi ba masyadong masikip?"



Marahan akong lumingon para tignan siya... only to find myself staring at him na akala mo isa siyang Hollywood Star na nakatayo sa harapan ko!! T-teka lang Ellie... YUNG LAWAY MO!!! YUNG LAWAY MO!!! TUMUTULO NA!!! Hahahahaha.



He was wearing this exquisitely brown tweed suit. It was a complete set of a chocolate-colored tux made with utmost sophistication from a rich fabric. Punyemassssss!!! He looked like George Clooney when he was still his age, handsome and breathtaking.



Ba-dump!!



Lintek!! AKO BA TALAGA PUMILI NG DAMIT NA YAN?!?!



PATAY KA ELEONOR!!!!! Oo, alam ko... patay talaga... Feeling ko tuloy he's a walking CHOCOLATE BAR!!! Sweet and ravishingly delicious. Wahahahaha. Pakagat nga!!! TOINKS!



"Uh--" I stammered, looking tensely away. "Ah - hindi pala maganda. D-di bagay sayo!!!"



He gave me that sexy look again, "Are you sure?" He asked, smirking teasingly. "Yung sa tingin mo kanina parang bagay naman?"



I glared at him and before I knew it he was beside me, nakiki-tingin na din doon sa mga naka-hanger na mga damit. I tensed even more when I felt his hand brushed with mine. SHEEEEEETTT!!!



"Well, ano pa ba maganda dito?" He was asking while studying every tuxedo displayed on the rack.



Napalunok ako, my eyes GLUED on him. Opo. SAKANYA LANG. Pakiwari ko kasi pwedeng-pwede na niyang palitan yung PICTURE nung lalaking model na naka-drawing dun sa pader nung store. Grabeeeeee... Grabe lang talaga!!!



After a while Sef froze and looked down on me with that oh-so-sexy smirk of his. "Hm," He rested his arm on the rack and neared his face to me, "Kala ko ba hindi bagay?" He asked in a voice that made me shiver.



I was suddenly conscious that I have been staring at him. PAKERRRR ELLIE!!! I quickly looked away and grabbed the first set of tuxedo from the rack. "Uh..." I hurriedly raised the clothes in between us, completely blocking his close face from my view. "Tss. Wag ka nga Sef!!! Ito, ito. T-try mo na lang."



"Hah." I heard him chuckled. Kinuha niya yung damit na inabot ko sakanya and he obediently retreated back in the fitting room.



WOOOOOOOH!!! Napa-exhale tuloy ako ng wala sa oras!!! PUNYEMASSSSSS!!! Parang biglang uminit sa loob nung mall ah!!! Hahaha. SHEEET ELLIE!!!



Distraction please... I need to distract myself... Paker yung si Sef!!! KAIRITA!!! Kung bakit naman kasi sinalo niyang lahat ang ka-sexyhan sa mundo!!! Dinaig talaga ang taglay na ka-sexyhan ni John Lloyd Cruz ko!!! MAAAAYYYY GAWD!!! Hahaha. Dios mio Ellie, tama bang i-compare kay Lloydie? Para mo na ding pinag-compare ang alien (Si Sef) sa isang Adonis (syempre si Papa Lloydie yun! Haha.) AMP!



I walked around that shop, and noticed the glass box by the cashier - mejo malayo-layo na sa may fitting room. Naka-display doon yung ilang watches at accessories. Napatingin ako dun, sumagi na kasi sa isip ko na this time, yung matino na ang ireregalo ko kay Sef. I was actually thinking about giving him a watch. Oo, kasi diba nasira ko yung relos na bigay sakanya ni Lianne nung nasa bahay kami ni Tita Yolly sa Antipolo? Remember nung kamuntikan na akong malunod at mabura sa planet earth??? Haha. Alam kong marami na siyang koleksyon ng mga relos, nung nakaraang pasko Bea even gave him a watch. Yung Raymond Weil. Pero... I really want to give him one, too. Siguro ako na magtatalon sa tuwa pag nakita kong suot niya yung ibibigay kong relos sa kanya!!! HAHAHA.



I stared at the collection of watches... punyemasssss ang ma-mahal naman!!! Tss. I quickly whirled around to walk away when -- "Good afternoon ma'am!" Can I help you with anything?" Biglang lumapit sa akin yung saleslady.



I was about to shake my head para sabihing ayos lang but she was already shuffling through the sea of clothes, dun sa mga pang-babae na section. "Ito po." She said, handing me a beautiful, expensive red dress. "Try niyo pong isukat. This is included in our new arrivals. Kararating lang po niyan kaninang umaga." Sobrang energetic ni Ate, parang ang pagbebenta at ang pagse-salestalk eh sisiw na sisiw lang sakanya.



"Naku ate, hindi po ako yung bumibili. Yung--" I tried to reject the dress pero minsan may mga tipo ng saleslady na soooobrang aggressive sa pagbebenta. She forcefully gave me the dress and with all professionalism, she smiled at me and gestured towards the fitting room. Yung bang WALA na kong ibang CHOICE!!! Punyemassss!!!



I hesitantly entered the cubicle next to where Sef was. Maluwag sa loob yung fitting room, at gawa sa salamin yung tatlong pader nito. Unfortunately, walang pintuan dito, yung makapal at mabigat na asul na kurtina lamang ang nagsisilbing pasukan at labasan mula dito.



Napabuntong hininga ako habang tinititigan ang TATLONG ELLIE na nasa harap, kaliwa at kanan ko. "Paker ka talaga." I muttered towards my reflection. Tinignan ko yung dress, actually more like gown, na inabot sakin nung makulit na saleslady. I studied it for a while, ran my hand through its soft, velvety silk. It was elegant, at mahaba ito, tipong cover buong legs ko. Alam ko, wala talaga akong kamalay-malay sa FASHION pero ito? Itong damit na toh eh alam kong MAGANDA... at saksakan din ng GANDA NG PRESYO!!! Hahaha. Tinry ko ilagay sa harap ko para makita kung babagay ba... then I roughly shook my head. ANAKSHUTA ELLIE!!! KILABUTAN KA NGA TEH!!!



Sinabit ko na lang yung damit sa may hangeran. I pouted my lips and made a duck face habang pinagmamasdan ulit ang sarili ko sa salamin. Hmmm... Nagiisip ako kung pano ko lulusutan yung saleslady... Kunwari na lang sinukat ko... tapos sasabihin ko MASIKIP. Hahaha. Lechugas ka tlga Elyonor!!!



I was just about to go out when I heard Sef spoke. "Oh Ellie...?" He was probably looking for me.



"Uh Sir," Sagot naman nung saleslady. "Nasa fitting room po si ma'am, may sinusukat lang." I heard her heels clonking against the wooden floor. "Naku sir bagay na bagay po sa inyo yan!" The saleslady then squealed with infatuation. "Good choice, that's one of our best-seller and it's the perfect pair para sa sinusukat ni ma'am na dress." HUWAW NAMAN SI ATE!!! BONGGA TALAGA KUNG MAKAPAG SALES-TALK!!! SIYA NA!!! SIYA NA TALAGA!!!



I reached for the dress again para lumakad na papalabas, pero pag tinamaan ka nga naman ng kabaliwan oh!!! Perfect pair sa suot ni Sef??? I grinned, wala namang mawawala kung susubukan kong isuot toh diba??? Atsaka, wala namang makakakita eh. Atsaka hello Ellie, higit 8k yan, ngayon ka lang makakapag-suot ng gown na ganyan ang halaga!!! At least masabi mo man lang na dumapo yang tela sa balat mo!!! Hahaha. Tignan nga natin kung bagay sakin ang naka-gown!!! Mukhang mala-Anne Curtis ang magiging peg nito ah. Chos! Hahaha. Gaga ka talaga Ellie!!! Eh try lang, tatanggalin ko din agad. Di ko naman irarampa palabas eh.



I started to strip off my clothes and carefully put on the red gown. For a moment I was lost inside it, sheeeet, hindi ko makita yung butas para sa mga kamay ko. Lintek na yan, nangangain pala ng tanga tong damit na toh eh!!! Haha. After a while I finally managed to free myself and found myself staring with amazement at my own reflection. Kahit na hindi ko pa talaga totally naisusuot ng maayos kasi de-zipper yung likuran kaya hindi ko maisara kaya hindi talaga maayos yung fitting... Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, I was clad in the most beautiful gown I have ever seen. Syempre hindi ako sigurado kung bagay ba sakin o hindi, seeing I AM only my own spectator.



"Pwedeeee," I nodded at myself, tamang tuksuhin ang sarili??? Haha.



"Ellie?!" Bigla nanaman akong nag-panic when I heard Sef's voice just right outside the curtain. ANAKSHUTAAAAAA!!! "Are you done?"



"Ah... Sheet. Sheet." I whispered in panic. "Sandali lang, a-ano kasi... t-teka lang!!! Magpapalit na ko..." I yelled louder than I intended to. Sheeeeeet!!! PANO KO BA HUHUBARIN TOHHHH???? Grrrr... Nakakahiya ka Elyonor!!! Isipin pa ni Sef nagpapabili ka talaga sakanya ng damit!!! Ang lakas nanaman ng paghampas ng puso ko sa dibdib ko. Nakshutang animales!!! Si ATE naman kasi eh, kung makapag-benta WAGAS eh.



"Hold on." Sef said. "Di mo man lang papakita sakin?!"



"WAG KA NA!" I screamed kahit na KURTINA lang yung namamagitan saming dalawa. I tried to pull myself out the dress but to no avail. Hindi ko parin matanggal-tanggal itong linshak na gown!!! Tae naman kasi eh, SINUKAT-SUKAT mo pa!!! GRRRR... "MASIKIP. HINDI KASYA!!!" Or better yet, HINDI BAGAY!!! Kaya as if naman magpapakita ko ng nakaganito sakanya nuh!!!



"That's it." He declared. "I'm going in."



"ANO?!" I felt my heart was screaming inside my chest. Pero wala na akong nagawa...



Hindi talaga nag-biro si Sef. He literally entered the cubicle, hawi-hawi yung kurtina. Parang slow motion pa nga eh coz I was facing the mirror when he stepped inside. I was still trapped in that ridiculous red gown. Nagkatinginan kami sa salamin, my lips were trembling like the VERY FIRST TIME I SAW HIM IN THE BOY'S CR... I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST walking in behind me. Sef had that unreadable look on his face as he stared back at me through the mirror.



"ANAKSHUTA!!! SEF!!!" I barked, scolding him. I couldn't turn around to face him, so I chose to yell at him through the mirror.



I noticed the way his jaw hardened and the way his eyes flashed those serious stare at me. Hindi ko alam kung anong nasa isip niya but one thing was for sure - he wasn't smiling. Wala ng sali-salita he gently reached for my back and slowly... gently... zipped the dress close. He was careful... very careful not to touch his skin against mine.



The gown, finally closed, looked perfect. The straps were no longer falling off my shoulders and it embraced my waist firmly. I have to admit it looked as if it was tailored just for me.



I wasn't aware that I was holding my breathe, that my heart had probably stopped beating... that the skin at my back was having a tingling, funny sensation even though he wasn't touching it at all...



Napalunok ako. Napalunok ako ng BONGGANG-BONGGA!!! OH SHEET ELLIE!!! ANO TOH?!?!?! There was something unexplainable in the air... it was just the two of us in that now-small cubicle and the spark in Sef's eyes were different... It's as if he wanted to kiss me, and more.



I finally whirled around to face him, I was going to push him out the cubicle - well, that was my plan. But he didn't give me much time to do it for he reached for the nape of my neck, his touch felt ice pricking through my skin, then he pressed his lips against mine.



ANAKSHUTAAAA ELLIEEEEE!!! ANAKSHUTA LANG TALAGA!!! PAKERRRRRRR!!!



His kiss started out slow... teasing, and unimaginably sweet... until I felt his other hand on my waist, pulling me closer to him. I tried to kiss him back, to return the same passion, but I was hesitant, scared because there was something intense about all this.. until I was pressed against the mirror, my hands on both side of his cheeks... MY MIND WAS SOMEHOW UTTERLY BLANK... I have no idea what I was - or WE were - doing in that cubicle...



BAGABOOM!!! BAGABOOM!!!



That was how LOUD and fast my heart rate was going... it was different, coz it felt like I was under a spell that was frightening me to the core...



Sa tagal ng pagkakakilala ko kay SEF, NGAYON lang ako na-takot ng ganito!!! I felt my hands suddenly turned cold and they trembled as I let go of his cheeks. I had the impulse to press my hands on my chest for it wouldn't STOP from beating so damn loud. My head... my heart... they felt like EXPLODING!!!



Siguro nga, sa ganitong pagkakataon... SINO BA NAMAN AKO PARA TUMANGGI SA TUKSONG ITO??? LALO NA SA ISANG MIGUEL JOSEF UY MONTEVERDE??? He's too tempting... too perfect, too irresistible... too everything... and what's worse? I AM EFFIN' IN LOVE WITH HIM!



Aaminin ko sa inyo. Sa panahon na kung saan liberated na lahat ng tao, na hindi na BAGO ang ganitong eksena... na halos sa lahat ng palabas at nobelang napapanood at nababasa natin eh, meron at merong isang eksena na ganito ang pangyayari... Pero IBA pala pag IKAW na mismo yung nandoon... yung ikaw na mismo yung nasa sitwasyon na yun. Nakaka-bobo. Nakaka-tanga... at higit sa lahat, NAKAKATAKOT!!! Sheeet!!! ELYONORRRRR!!! PUNYEMASSSSSS!!!



PAGKAKATAON MO NA YAN!!! LUBOS-LUBUSIN MO NA TEH!!! WAHAHAHAHAHA. Pero... I won't lie. Oo, exciting... It was a mixture of danger, pleasure and curiosity... Pero... wala eh, nanguna pa din yung TAKOT... YUNG KABA... and I know myself better than anyone... THIS ISN'T MY KIND OF GAME. Takot akong TAMAAN ng kidlat mula sa langit!!!



Sef pulled away... his nose nuzzling my forehead... HE KNEW. HE FELT IT. I was turning pale... and EVERY HUMANLY PART OF ME WAS TREMBLING WITH FEAR.



"Ma'am???" SHEEET!!! SI ATENG SALESLADY!!! "I guess nagustuhan niyo po yung gown? Kung hindi po kasya, meron pa po kaming ibang available sizes."



Ako na, ako na talaga ang ON FAYEEEERRRR!!! Hahaha. Oh diba? C'mon everybody, sing with me... ♪♪'DIS GIRL IS ON FAYERRRRR!!! DIS GIRL IS ON FAYERRRRRR!!! SHE'S WALKING ON FAYERRRRRR!!!' ♪♪



"Ma'am?" Tanong pa ulit ni Ateng Saleslady.



"Uh--" I tried to answer, kahit yung boses ko nanginginig eh.



Sef leveled his eyes with mine. By this time, he had his hand resting on the mirror. Seryosong-seryoso yung itsura niya. "She's NOT going to get it." Biglang sagot ni Sef. His breathe fanning against my cheek and I could hear the evident anger in his voice that I shuddered.



GALIT BA SIYA???



I tried to breathe. I tried to stay calm, but I knew I can't hide the fact that I LOOK LIKE HELL and that I FEEL LIKE SHIT!!! I noticed him gritting his teeth. I think Sef was angry to himself than to me.



Sef stepped away. "Sorry." He muttered so gently. "Did I... did I scare you?" He wasn't looking at me. Napalunok ako. PUCHA. SCARE??? SCARE??? AKALA KO HULING ARAW NA NG MASASAYANG ARAW KO SA MUNDO!!! He exhaled sharply, massaging his forehead and blocking his face from my view. "Don't wear that dress. Don't tempt me any further than this Ellie..."



"T-tempt?" I stuttered. "EH SINO BA NAGSABI SAYONG PUMASOK KA DITOOOOOOOOOO?!?!" I screamed angrily at him. Yung lahat ng namuong emosyon sa dibdib ko bigla kong naisigaw sa maliit na cubicle na yun!!!



He gave a soft chuckle yet he still looked like a small boy being scolded who willingly accepted his mistake. He exhaled again. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, really."



I looked down. Na-guilty naman ako bigla... PUNYEMAS NA GAYUMA YAN OH!!! ANG TINDI TALAGA!!! HAHAHAHA.



"Hoy, Mr. Monterverde!!!" Dinuro ko siya. "Mabuti na ngayon pa lang magkalinawan na tayo. Bago mo ituloy yang mga pagnanasa mo sakin, pakasalan mo muna ko nuh!!!"



He blinked and before I knew it, he started laughing so hard. "HAHAHAHAHA. That." I glared at him. "That is the most original marriage proposal that I heard. HAHAHAHA." Anong PROPOSAL?!?!?! Namula yung tenga ko habang patuloy ako sa pag-simangot sakanya. ABA, ANONG NAKAKATAWA SA SINABI KO?!?!?!?! SERYOSO KO NUH!!! Aba, KORNI na kung KORNI... at lalong hindi ako nagmamalinis!!! HINDI KO TALAGA KAYANG... He stopped laughing. To my surprise, he then gently brushed his thumb across my cheek as if I'm something fragile... something he's afraid to break. I blushed. PAKERRRR!!! Pag ganito naman, parang... SIGE NA NGA... OKAY NA KONG MAG-KASALA!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. JOWK. TOINKS!!!



"I am just," He breathed, looking straight in my eyes. I felt his gaze piercing through my soul. "... so... damn in love with you, Ms. Dimaculangan."



BAGABOOM!!! BAGABOOM!!!



In fairness. Nag-level up ang pag-tibok ng puso ko!!! Yung dating mahiyaing Ba-dump, Ba-dump eh parang isang MALAKAS NA EXPLOSION na ngayon!!! HAHAHAHAHA.



BAGABOOM!!! BAGABOOM!!!



"Huh?" I gasped. My eyes widening in disbelief. OH MY GAS PULGAS!!! ANO NGA ULIT SINABI NIYA?!?!?!?! ANO DAW??? I could feel my heart bursting with mixture of uncontrollable emotions!!! I felt a sudden surge of electricity that ran through my veins. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! OH SHEEET!!! PWEDE NA BANG MANGISAY???? AS IN NOW NA??!?!?!?!



"Haha." He smirked, probably laughing at my expression right now. "Sabi ko, mahal kita." He said it as if it's something ORDINARY, like it WASN'T A SECRET he has to keep forever. And there was something about his tone that tells me that he's waiting for an answer...



Ano nga ulit yung dapat isagot pag sinabihan ka ng I LOVE YOU?!?!?! Ahhh --- Alam ko na!!! "Th- Thank You." I stuttered, my mind completely BLANK!!! Hindi ko na nakita yung naging reaksyon niya as I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. OH LORD, HINDI KO KAYA!!! HINDI KO KAYANG TIGNAN SIYA!!! MATUTUNAW AKO!!! FEELING KO SASABOG YUNG DIBDIB KO!!!



He chuckled with amusement before he completely backed away from me. Hindi pa rin ako makatingin sakanya. "I'll wait for you outside." He smirked and walked out the cubicle.



Napasandal ako lalo doon sa salamin. ANAKSHUTAAA ELLIE!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! HAHAHAHA. I gave my cheeks continues taps as if to tell myself that it's about time to WAKE up!!! Na baka PANAGINIP lang ang lahat ng toh!!!



Na-blangko talaga yung isip ko... ngayon alam ko na pakiramdam ng nasa ALAPAAP!!! HAHAHAHAHA. Sinasabi ko na nga ba eh, in love sa akin yang gagung yan eh. WAHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI.



I couldn't help myself from GRINNING so darn wide. Para kong tangang mag-isa doon sa loob nung cubicle. And for once, hinayaan kong mangisay ako sa kilig!!! WAHAHAHA. BONGGA KA TEH!!!



Pero teka lang... HUWEYT!!!



SAGLIT!!!



TAYM PERS!!!



O_O



ANAKSHUTANG ANIMALES ELEONOR MALICSI DIMACULANGAN!!! KELAN PA NAGING THANK YOU ANG SAGOT SA I LOVE YOU?!?!?!?!?!?!



PAKEEERRRRRR!!!





To be continued.