Dela Cuesta Series #2: Captured By You [COMPLETED]

Kabanata VII

"And now she is rumored to be dating this event's photographer, Khielve."
My smile automatically fades away.

Nakita ko sa 'di kalayuan si Khielve na hawak ang dlsr niya at abala na kumukuha ng mga candid photos ng mga modelo.

"Khielve!" It's confirmed. Vlaire threw herself to him. He just chuckled and placed his arms on his waist.

Mabilis kong iniwas ang tingin sa kanila dahil sa 'di maipaliwanag na sakit sa dibdib ko na napakapamilyar.
"James!" Nalipat sa amin ang atensyon ng mga taong naroon. Ibinaba ko naman ang aking ulo nang 'di ako tuluyang mapansin ni Khielve ngunit huli na yata dahil pati ang mga mata niya ay naagaw ng pagtawag ni Miss Marina kay Sir James na ngayon ay nakangiti nang naglalakad palapit sa amin.

Kagaya ng nakaraan ay nasa mga braso niya ang nag-iisa niyang anak habang nilalaro ito ng kanyang asawa na abala rin sa pagpapatawa rito.

Huminto muna ang pamilya sa kanyang pinsan na naghihintay rin sa kanya na may ngiti habang nasa tabi pa rin nito si Vlaire na may ngiti rin sa labi.

"Ang ganda talaga ng accesories mo!" she exclaimed. Pinilit kong ibaling sa kanya ang aking atensyon. Her eyes were now glued on the accessory she was holding.

It was a design from T'boli. It was a bracelet painted brown with ethnic designs that was drew using black ink.

"Models! Gathers up here! " Marina once again called the attention of the models.

They gracefully walked towards us with their white robes and heels. Sa tindig pa lang at confidence ay alam ko na may ibubuga na sila. I suddenly felt the urge to pursue my initial dream with Khielve... But I guess I'll pursue it with the different photographer and him being with different model as well.

Before stepping towards us, Vlaire kissed Khielve on the cheeks. May sinabi pa ito dito na nakapagpatango sa binata. They laughed a bit as she waving her hands and walking towards us.

Nakabalandra na sa lamesa sa kanilang harapan ang mga accessories na ginawa ko. I felt proud for myself as I saw how their eyes gave emphasizes and compliments of my artwork.

"Who made this?" a girl with a ponytail asked. She was wearing a pink robe that matches her slender legs. Sa pangbaba naman ay kulay cream na clog shoes ang kanyang suot.

Marina looked and pointed me proudly. Nagulat naman ako nang bigla itong umangkla sa aking braso at ineksamin ang aking mukha.

"Woah! " she excitedly exclaimed. "You are a designer? " She flipped my hair and chuckled. "You can even passed as a model!"

"A-ah, " I'm just overwhelmed. She chuckled and slapped my arms prankly.

"Sorry, masyado akong fc." She beamed.  Not minding the models who were now busy choosing their accessories.

"I'm Riva." She extented her arms to shake.

I smiled and accepted it. "Kelsie."

Her eyes were twinkling making me chuckle. "You really designed all of them? You are talented... " she said. "And beautiful. "

"Naku, 'di lang naman ako ang gumawa ng mga yan. My friends helped to finished all of that para makaabot ngayong araw. "

"Saan ka naman nakakakuha ng mga beads like that? " she asked again. "Kasi ang gaganda nila and medyo complicated yung mga shapes. "

"I made it by myself, " nahihiya kong ani. Medyo nakakahiya pala na may maka-appreciate ng ginawa mo.

Mas lalong nagningning ang mga mata niya at pumalakpak ng isang beses. "That's it!" Pinasok niya ang kanyang kamay sa suot niyang robe na nakapagpalaki ng mata ko sa gulat.  Wala s'yang pakielam kung may makakita.

Inilabas niya ang isang maliit na pouch na naroon saka kumuha ng isang calling card. She smiled whilst looking at me. "That's our company's calling card." My eyes widen in shock as I saw the name printed on it. "You can give it a try."

"Riva, 'di ba nakakahiya? " I don't want to burden anyone.  Gusto ko kung may maabot man ako ay dahil iyon sa pinaghirapan ko, hindi sa tulong ng kahit sino.

She held my hand and gently carresed it. "What are you ashamed of? Its just a calling card. I won't pull some strings if that's what you want."

Tinignan ko ang calling card na ibinigay niya saka mabilis na tumango sa kanya habang nakangiti.  "Thank you."

She returned my smile and glance at the coordinator who was busy calling their attention. "I can't wait to see you in Manila."

She waved her hand as she walked away on me.

Nang masiguro ko na 'di na siya nakatingin ay iginala ko ang aking mata sa paligid at sa huling parte ng backstage kung saan ko siya nakita ngunit wala ng bakas niya.

"Looking for someone? " the huskiness of his voice filled my ears.

Agad akong bumaling kung saan ko banda nadinig ang boses ngunit ang kanyang labi ang sumalubong sa akin.

My eyes widen in shocked as I felt how my heart drummed. Nahanap ko agad ang kanyang dibdib at itutulak ko na na sana ngunit mabilis niya itong nahawakan ng parehas niyang mga kamay.

He encircled my arms on his nape as his lips were continuously brushing mine. "I miss you," he said between our kisses.

A single tear escaped from my eyes before closing it and answered his kisses.

For the last time Kelsie.

His tongue knocked on my lips that I am willingly open for him. My heart was clenching together with the butterflies that flies on my stomach. I felt how he gently held my waist and his other hand was carressing my cheeks.

Inilayo ko ang aking labi sa kanya na pinipilit niyang hinahabol ngunit mabilis kong kinalas ang aking braso na nasa kanyang batok. Hindi ako tuluyang makalayo dahil na rin sa parehong mga braso niya na nakalingkis sa aking bewang.

My eyes were glued on his arms that was fixed on my waist whilst trying to pulled myself out. "L-let me go, " I said.  Patuloy pa rin sa pagpupumiglas sa hawak n'ya.

He remained still kaya wala akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ibaling ang mga mata ko sa kanya. His hooded eyes were shouting of unknown mixture of love and loneliness.

"You still love me. "Iniwas ko ang mga mata ko sa kanya saka dahan-dahan din na bumitaw sa mga braso niya na nakakapit pa rin sa akin. "You still do. "

Yes, I love you.  No, I still... Gustung-gusto kong isatinig ngunit alam kong hindi na maaari.

Sa kakarampot na liwanag na mula sa stage sa harapan ay maaninag ko pa rin ang mga mata niya na puno ng pagtatanong at pangamba. His arms may be massive but I can feel how weak they were that I used to escape from his hugs.

Inayos ko ang aking sarili saka palihim na humugot ng malalim na hininga saka sinalubong ang mga mata niya. I smirked. "How sure are you?" I sarcastically asked.

His jaw clenched and his hands formed into fist. "You answered my kisses!" he exclaimed like he was stating the obvious. He even reached for my hand for the second time but I threw his hands out.

I shrugged my shoulders and brought my arms in front of my chest. "It was just a kiss. "

"No, it's not."

"Well, I don't give a damn if you don't believe me... " I walked towards him and gently touch his cheeks with a smirk. "But for me it was just a plain boring kiss. " I said before giving him a peck as my feet started to move.

***
To be continued...