Kristine Series 18, One Wish (UNEDITED) (COMPLETED)

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ALAS-dos na ng hapon nang makarating sa Calapan ang yate ni Karl. At dahil hindi naman para sa malaking yate ang pribadong daungan nina Lora, nanatiling nakaangkla sa laot ang yate. Tinulungan siya ni Karl na ibaba sa speedboat ang camera. "I don't want anyone on sight, George!" bilin niya rito na nakangiting sumaludo. "I only want to take the ship's picture! Please ask the captain to sail slowly to the northwest!"

"I left instructions, siren," ani Karl na tinapik siya sa braso. His hand would have lingered kung hindi nito narinig na tumikhim si Tiya Lagring. "He knows what to do." He started the engine at ilang sandali pa'y mabilis nang tumakbo ang speedboat patungo sa daungan nila. Kasabay rin ng unti-unting pagtataas ng anchor.

Pagdating sa daungan ay iniwan na sila ni Tiya Lagring at nauna na itong umuwi. Halos hindi narinig ni Lora ang sinasabi ng tiyahin na huwag magtagal at umuwi na kaagad. She was so excited, both with the camera and the chance to take the ship's picture.

"Hey, relax," amused na sabi ni Karl at tinulungan siyang ayusin ang tripod sa malalaking tabla ng pantalan.

"The ship might move farther, Karl, at baka hindi ko makuhanan nang tama..." aniya. Then loaded the camera with a high speed color film, which Karl provided.

Bago siya sumilip sa camera ay muli niyang tinanaw ang karagatan. Gusto niyang matiyak na walang makaaabala sa pagkuha niya ng litrato sa yate. And she had the view of the sun balanced on the edge of a shimmering magenta sea. The whole world had turned burning gold and shade of purple.

Pagkatapos ay ibinaling niya ang paningin sa yateng dahan-dahang naglalayag. She caught her breath. The sailing ship was sweeping before the wind tulad sa isang higanteng uwak.

She rushed to the camera, intent on the image that was forming her mind. Soon the ship would fly across the incandescent eye of the sun.

She zeroed in the autofocus lens on the sailing ship. Napakasensitibo ng long lens, kailangang ibalanseng mabuti sa rifle holder. But using the camera was a piece of cake.

She took one picture... two... three. The ship was breathtaking, endlessly poised on the edge of creation as it cut the burning wake of the sun. Tuluyan na niyang nakalimutan na nasa likuran niya si Karl, tahimik na nakaupo sa kahoy sa pantalan, and was watching her intently. Admiration and wonder in his eyes.

Paulit-ulit, walang sawa sa pagkuha ng litrato si Lora. Sa bawat paggalaw ng yate sa kanyang mabagal na paglalayag... sa mahinang pag-ikot na marahil ay ang bilin ni Karl sa kapitan na gawin.

There was only one roll of film at hindi niya akalaing malapit nang maubos iyon. Nang makita niyang lima na lang ang natitira sa film ay huminto siya. Slowly, she turned to Karl. Tinitigan niya ito nang matiim na tila noon lamang nakita.

"Hey, bakit ganyan kang makatingin? Nalimutan mo ba talagang narito lang ako and was surprised to see me here?" he asked, a slight sarcasm in his voice.

Lora's heart hesitated for a moment. Pagkuwa'y humugot ng malalim na paghinga at inipon ang lahat ng lakas ng loob at lumapit dito. Then she started unbutonning his T-shirt.

"What are you doing?" manghang tanong nito.

"Taking off your shirt. Help me, malapit nang mawala ang araw."

Karl blinked. Then relaxed beneath Lora's hand. Puno ng anticipation ang ngiting sumungaw sa mga labi. Gumanti ng ngiti si Lora, a serene smile of a sorceress. Pagkatapos ay inihagis ang shirt ni Karl sa damuhan. Tumalikod at kinuha ang camera sa tripod.

"Hindi ka pa tapos," ani Karl, grinning like a pirate. "I still have my pants on."

"It would make you look like a buccaneer at magandang contrast sa pantalan. Doon ka sa may haligi ng pantalan, Karl." Itinuro niya ang haliging kahoy na nakaharang ay natanggal na sa pagkapako. "Work on the wood."

Nagbuga ng hangin si Karl sa pagkadismaya. "Lora, I am not a very good subject—" He stopped when he saw her eyes begging. He sighed and followed her instructions.

Nagmadaling kumuha ng larawan si Lora. Kailangang naroon pa ang bahagyang araw. Nakatalungko si Karl sa pantalan, like a god in the center of a golden cataract of light. Karl held his breath and watched her with intense, dark eyes, habang nagsisikap siyang humanap ng magandang anggulo.

Subalit bago maubos ni Lora ang huling shot ay kumilos sa kinauupuan si Karl at hinapit ang mga binti niya at hinila siya. Tumawa si Lora at nagpaubaya. She was laughing as she let herself slide down his body and ended up sitting on his lap.

She smiled and lean on her shoulder. Unti-unti nang nawawala ang araw at nakadarama na siya ng pagod at pangangawit ng mga kamay at leeg.

"'Akala ko'y hindi ka na matatapos. Are you okay?" Karl asked gently. Inalis ang camera sa kamay niya at ibinaba iyon sa kahoy.

"Tired but ecstatic. I couldn't wait to run to my darkroom." Her tired eyes gazed at him and she said softly. "Thank you, Karl. I'll give you a copy of all the pictures I took, hope you'll—" she lowered down her eyes "—appreciate it." May insekyuridad sa tinig niya sa huling sinabi. Karl placed a finger under her chin and raised it to him. "I'm pretty sure you've made a very good shot, siren." Then he planted her mouth the gentlest kiss he had ever given to a woman. 

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