The Immortal Blood [Taglish Version]

CHAPTER 8 - FAIRY TALE

Jade Cardwell

PAGDATING ng gabi, hindi ako dinadalaw ng antok dahil sa kakaisip kay Raphael Lancaster. Tinawagan ko si Ninong George para sabihin kung anong nangyari.

"OMG! May fairy tale sa real life!" sigaw ni Ninong George sa phone.

"Fairy tale? Eh binibigyan niya nga ko ng deadline! It is like I am dealing with notorious dictator!"

"Anak, wag ka masyado choosy! We are talking about Raphael Lancaster here. The Raphael that you have been dreaming of since the start of the semester. Just say yes at bahala na kung anong mangyayari."

Alam ko kung bakit ako pinagtutulakan ako ni Ninong George kay Raphael. Siguro dahil alam niya na malungkot ang buhay ko at nagkaroon lang ng excitement nang dumating si Raphael.

"Ninong, bakit ako? Tingin mo laro lang ang lahat kay Raphael? Parang isang dare?"

"Raphael is a model student and is far from being a bully. Your parents passed away last year. I don't think he will intentionally hurt you. Isa lang ang naiisip ko na dahilan. He probably likes you kaya ka niya gustong maging girlfriend."

"Ang daming magandang babae sa school. Hindi naman ako kagandahan. May makapal ako na salamin at braces, sino ang magkakagusto sa akin?"

"You are beautiful, anak. Siguro nga nerdy ka, pero maganda ka. Even Geoff Barwicke kid knows that. You are smart. You have a voluptuous body hiding in those loose outfits of yours. You are a talented pianist and drummer. May mabuti kang puso lalo na sa mga aso."

"Para kasing napipilitan lang siya at hindi niya gusto ang ginagawa niya."

"Jade, malay mo nalaman ni Raphael na you are sponsoring an adoption shelter for homeless dogs. Come on. Don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on your splendid attributes."

"Salamat sa pambobola sa akin, pero I will probably say no. Malalagay lang ako sa alanganin kapag naging boyfriend ko ang isang Raphael Lancaster."

"Your choice, anak, but your lost."

The next day, bumalik ako sa greenhouse para sabihin kay Raphael ang decision ko. It will be a dream come true na maging official girlfriend ng isang Raphael Lancaster, pero alam ko na magkakaroon lang ng komplikasyon kapag naging kami,

Pagdating ko sa greenhouse, nandoon na si Raphael na nakasandal sa glasswall. Binati ko siya agad para hindi awkward.

"Hey, Raphael," nakangiti ko na bati sa kanya.

"I believe you are here to reveal your decision."

"Raphael, I know that you are a nice guy, a gorgeous one for that matter, but I can't be your girlfriend."

"Are you sure you have thought this over, Ms. Cardwell?"

"Sigurado ko, Raphael. I mean, I like you. You are like Mr. Perfect. Sinong babae ang hindi magkaka gusto sa'yo?"

"Eh bakit ayaw mo maging girlfriend ko? Are you afraid of me?" taas kilay na tanong niya sa akin.

Yes, I am afraid of you. I am afraid to discover how much I can do just for you!

"Raphael, my decision is final. Ayoko lang ng gulo. Sana maintindihan mo," nakatungo kong sagot sa kanya.

Naramdaman ko na dahan dahan na lumapit sa akin si Raphael. I don't want to look at his eyes dahil baka malaman niya na hesitant ako. Ayoko na makita niya na half hearted lang ang pag reject ko sa kanya.

"I don't understand, Jade. Why are you saying no when you know that your heart is clearly saying yes?" bulong ni Raphael.

My eyes widened when he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. We are too close at hindi ako makahinga ng maayos kapag ganito kami kalapit sa isa't isa.

"It is not my problem anymore kung iba ang iniisip mo. My determination is absolute," I said as I raised my chin.

"You are not a good liar, Jade," he answered as he smiled cunningly

I was about to answer him back, but he swiftly cupped my face and he gently sank his lips into mine.

What the hell! Why is Raphael kissing me?

This is my first kiss and it is supposed to be perfect, but I felt totally betrayed in what he did. Gusto niya ko halikan para mapatunayan na gusto ko siya. Dahil alam niya na magbabago ang desisyon ko kapag ginawa niya 'yon. Pinaglalaruan lang ako ni Raphael. He is playing my heart in his hands as if everything is just a game to him.

Sa sobrang kahihiyan ko, my hand instinctively slapped his face. I caught him off guard, yet he did not even flinched. Gusto ko mag sorry sa kanya dahil nasaktan ko siya, but I was so furious that he ruined my first kiss.

"You are vicious, love. We do not need to resort to violence," another devious smile appeared on his lips.

He forcefully pulled me closer to him and grabbed my hair. Rough, yet very precise not to hurt me. Lahat ng traces ng gentleness kay Raphael ay tila naglaho dahil sa halik na 'yon. I tried to fight back, however, Raphael was too determined. Within seconds, I was lost within his arms.

From his harsh kiss, it transformed into a passionate kiss. I was amazed that I was responding to his kisses in no time. My sheer happiness was overflowing with every stroke of his soft lips.

Shit, bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko? Mahal na yata agad si Raphael?

Sabi ng iba, malalaman mo daw na umiibig ka kapag naramdaman mo ang sinasabi nilang spark. Para sa akin, this more than a spark. I think I was electrified and I never felt more alive.

Tila tumigil ang mundo ko nang maghiwalay ang labi namin ni Raphael. How I wish that I can kiss him until tomorrow.

"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon?" tanong ko sabay yuko ng ulo.

I don't know how I can face him after our intense kiss. Ayaw ko pa kunwari, pero gustong gusto ko naman pala.

Nagulat na lang ako nang hinablot niya uli ang bewang ko palapit sa kanya. Our foreheads are almost touching dahil sa sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa.

"I want to take care of you. I want you to be safe. And most of all, I want you to be my girlfriend. Alam ko na hindi ka papayag, pero alam mo na din siguro na I don't take no for an answer."

"Pero bakit ako?"

I can't seem to find the right question. Naguguluhan ako sa mga nangyayari. Kahit ang labi ko ay tila nanginginig pagkatapos ng aming steamy kiss.

"I already told you that I like you. And stop asking why," he said as he kissed my forehead.

"Raphael, isang dakilang nerd lang ako, samantalang ikaw ay parang isang prinsipe sa kung saang kaharian. Magkaiba ang mundo na ginagalawan natin. Dapat alam mo na din 'yan."

Akala ko ay magagalit si Raphael, pero humalakhak lang siya sa sinabi ko. Mukhang nag-eenjoy siya sa confusion state ko.

"Kung isa akong prinsipe, will you be my princess then, Jade Cardwell?"

I looked at his spectacular pair of brown eyes. Kahit sino ay malulunod sa kanyang magandang mata. Hindi ako nagsalita, pero tumango lang ako. I have to admit, I want to be with Raphael. I want to be happy with him.

Niyakap lang ako ni Raphael, and this time, I hugged him back. In his arms, I felt safe and satisfied.

"Can I kiss you now without going Bruce Lee on me?" tanong niya sa akin.

I just smiled at him and grabbed his neck. I reached for his lips and kissed him like my life depends on it. Para akong nasa fairy tale, pero sana walang ending. Wala na akong mahihiling pa sa piling ni Raphael.

If this is not love, then I do not know what I am feeling right now.