HINDI alam ni Rhodel kung magiging masaya o malungkot sa nabalitaan mula kay Clark. Kalalabas lang niya ng computer shop at hindi malaman kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon. Ibinalita kasi ng kaibigan sa e-mail na palagi na raw nag-aaway ang kanyang mga magulang. His mother wanted to stop the agreement but unfortunately his father would not. Ayaw raw nitong mapahiya sa kumpadre. He knew his dad so well. Hinding-hindi ito papayag na mabahiran ng kahihiyan ang pamilya.
Pero kahit na ganoon, hindi pa rin niya mapigilang mag-alala para sa mga magulang. His parents never fought before. Well, at least not in front of him. Kung sakaling may tampuhan ang mga ito, sigurado siyang mapag-uusapan iyon nang mahinahon at masinsinan.
Napabuntong-hininga si Rhodel. Kung iuurong lang sana ng dad niya ang kasunduan sa kumpadre nito, hindi sana sila magkakagulo. Hindi sana niya maiisipang maglayas.
The thought of his parents made his heart ache. He missed them, of course. But he was not going home just yet, not until his father finally put a stop to this stupid arranged marriage.
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RHODEL walked inside the house and found Cris in the living room, a book on her lap and a popsicle on her hand. She was flipping through the pages of the book without even glancing up at him. Kagagaling lang niya sa computer shop nina Kuya Bruno at ang akala niya ay natutulog ang dalaga sa kuwarto nito. Day off ni Cris at hindi nito naisipang umalis ng bahay. It was not that he wanted her out; rather, he wanted her to be there with him.
Sa wakas ay nag-angat ng tingin si Cris sa kanya, saka ngumiti. Inilagay nito ang librong binabasa sa coffee table at tumayo.
“Wala ba akong ganyan?” sabi niyang inginuso ang popsicle nang lampasan siya nito.
Pumihit ang dalaga at nahihiyang ngumiti. “Sorry. Akala ko kasi ayaw mo. Saka umalis ka kaya isa na lang ang binili ko.”
“But I’m here now.”
“Para ka namang bata. Oh, eto!” Inilahad ni Cris sa kanya ang kamay na may hawak na popsicle.
Napadako ang tingin ni Rhodel sa hawak ng dalaga at may naisip siyang ideya. Pigil ang ngising dumukwang siya at isinubo ang natitirang popsicle nang hindi kinukuha ang stick.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Cris at umawang ang bibig. Muntik na siyang matawa habang tumutuwid ng tayo.
“Kinain mo lahat!” bulalas ng dalaga. She looked upset that he took the entire popsicle into his mouth.
“Oh, do you want some?”
“Nagtira ka naman sana kahit—–”
He silenced her with his mouth. Alam ni Rhodel na nagulat si Cris dahil sa singhap na kumawala sa bibig nito. But he did not allow her to protest; instead, he cupped the back of her neck with his hand and tilted her head. At first, Cris mouth remained closed but he coaxed her to open her mouth a little wider and she finally did, almost reluctantly. A strangled groan escaped his throat when his tounge slid past her cold lips. The matcha mousse-flavored popsicle tasted even better from her mouth.
Using his tounge, he pushed a chunk of the flavored ice from his mouth to hers. Mukhang hindi rin iyon inaasahan ng dalaga dahil napasinghap uli ito.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes. Her face was flushed, he noticed. Parang gusto tuloy niyang gawin uli iyon. Too bad, wala nang popsicle sa kanyang bibig. Napansin din ni Rhodel na nabitawan pala ni Cris ang stick dahil nasa sahig na iyon malapit sa paa nito. She blinked twice; it was as though she was trying to comprehend what just happened. She was awfully shocked, he was sure.
(Cute 😚), he thought. He then tapped the tip of her nose before sliding past her with an amused grin on his lips.
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CRIS like Rhodel big-time, no doubt about that. What she thought was just a mild fascination with him at first had grown into a full-blown attraction even before she could hold her hands up and say “stop.” Iyon lang naman ang naiisip niyang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya mapakali at parang kinikilig pa kapag nakikita si Rhodel o di kaya’y may ginagawa itong nagpapabilis sa tibok ng kanyang puso.
Kagaya na lang ng halik na iyon. Oh, God. Parang gusto niyang matunaw.
It was the weirdest kiss ever, and yet, it was exciting, not to mention a little sensual. Never in her life did she imagine ever doing something like that with anyone. It was totally unexpected. Ni hindi nga niya nagawang itulak ito palayo. At hanggang ngayon, malakas pa rin ang tibok ng kanyang puso.
“Damn, heart. Calm down, will you?” anas ni Cris. Kinagat niya nang mariin ang ibabang labi upang hindi mapatili. Nasa kabilang kwarto lang si Rhodel at siguradong maririnig nito ang tili niya. But damn, hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili. Kumuha siya ng unan at itinakip sa mukha, saka tumili.
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“WOW, BILIB na talaga ako sayo. Hindi basta-basta pinahihiram ni Kuya Borj ang sasakyan niya pero ikaw, nagawa mong pahiramin ka niya. Ano bang ginawa mo? Pinakain mo ba ng isang buong lechon?” nakataas ang isang kilay na tanong ni Cris. Nakahalukipkip siya at amused na nakangiti.
Totoo ang kanyang sinabi. Ni hindi pinahihiram ni Kuya Borj sina Kuya Indong at Kuya Bruno ng sasakyan. Pero agad na pumayag nang si Rhodel ang nanghiram.
Ano bang mahika ang meron si Rhodel?
“That means he trusts me,” simpleng sagot nito. Nakataas ang isang sulok ng mga labi nito na nagpalambot ng kanyang mga tuhod.
Tahimik na tumikhim si Cris. “Eh, san ba talaga tayo pupunta? Hindi mo naman siguro ako balak gahasain at patayin sa ibang lugar, no?”
Sumimangot si Rhodel. “Wow, your distrust is highly insulting, Miss Cris.”
Her stifled laugh turned into a sheepish grin. It was meant to be a joke, of course, but Rhodel’s reaction was epic. Kagabi pa kasi siya tanong nang tanong kung saan siya balak dalhin pero puro “you’ll see” lang ang sagot nito.
“Just trust me, okay? Hindi naman Kita ipapahamak, eh,” sabi nito.
Mariin niyang pinaglapat ang mga labi habang inaalis ang pagkakahalukipkip. “Oo na, hindi na ako magtatanong. Basta siguruhin mo lang na safe tong pupuntahan natin.”
A joyous smile appeared on Rhodel’s lips again. “Of course. Ako pa.”
Lumulan na si Cris sa pickup truck matapos ilagay ang backpack sa backseat. Seconds later, Rhodel slid into the drivers seat. She immediately buckled her seat belt and Rhodel did the same. Tahimik lang siya habang nagmamaneho ang binata. She noticed they drove outside the city and were heading to the east.
“Wait!” bulalas niya na napaigtad kay Rhodel. “Alam mo ba talaga itong ginagawa mo? You’re new here. At sigurado akong hindi mo pa alam ang mga lugar dito.”
He flashed a smile. “This place were heading to is just ten kilometers away from the city, according to Google. Lucky me, alam ni Kuya Borj ang lugar na to kaya ginawan niya ako ng sketch map. At isa pa, we can always ask for directions.”
Noon lang niya napansin ang isang papel na nasa dashboard. Kinuha niya iyon at tinignan. “Catanico Falls?” bulalas niya sa nanlalaking mga mata.
“Yup!” sagot ni Rhodel habang nakatingin pa rin sa daan.
“Hindi ko alam na may ganitong falls dito,” natatawang sabi ni Cris.
Rhodel laughed, too, as he spared her a glance. “Tell me, where are you from, exactly?” he asked playfully.
“Hindi lang talaga ako adventurous na tao, no.”
Several minutes later, narating na nila ang barangay kung saan matatagpuan ang nasabing talon. They asked for further directions in order to reach the waterfall. Rhodel told her that the parking space was limited. Only six vehicles could be accommodated, umaasa si Cris na hindi masyadong matao. At nakahinga siya nang maluwag dahil meron lang dalawang sasakyan sa parking space.
“This is perfect,” sambit ni Rhodel habang bumababa ng sasakyan.
Kinuha ni Cris ang backpack sa backseat at ganoon din ang ginawa ng binata.
“Oh, eto.” He tossed her a small bottle and she caught it with her hands.
“Ano to?” tanong niya, sabay tingin sa hawak.
...

“Insect repellent. Trust me, you’ll need it,” sabi ni Rhodel na hinagod ng tingin ang kanyang mga hita. He did not do it in a perverted way, but it was enough to make her squirm. She fought the urge to look at her legs. She was wearing denim shorts. They were not too short, but still……
Rhodel was looking through the trees waiting for her to finish putting insect repellent on her legs and arms. Para itong bata excited na makakita na ng falls. Well, excited din naman siya kaya nga nagmamadali siya.
“So, shall we go?” mayamaya ay yaya ni Cris.
Ngumiti si Rhodel at tumango.
May maliit na daanan naman patungo sa Catanico Falls. She was thankful Rhodel brought along a bug repellent because they were walking through a forest. Soon enough nakakita na sila ng picnic huts. It was a breath-taking sight, indeed, and they could hear the sounds of the water. The place was concealed by huge boulders and covered with ferns and moss.
“Wow, this is definitely a perfect place for a summer getaway.” Masuyong ngumiti si Rhodel sa kanya na ginantihan naman niya. Sang-ayon siya sa sinabi nito.
After deciding which picnic hut they should rent, they started to have lunch early since it was already eleven-fifteen. Rhodel thought it would be more convenient if they brought their own food and he was right. Nagdala sila ng isang lechon manok at pancit Canton na in-order pa ng binata sa isang restaurant sa siyudad. Meron din silang kanin at tubig. Talagang pinaghandaan ni Rhodel ang getaway na iyon.
Pagkatapos kumain ay nagyaya na si Rhodel na maligo. Mabuti na lang at may isang matandang babae na caretaker sa lugar at nag-alok na babantayan ang kanilang mga gamit.
Rhodel immediately jumped into the pool while Cris sat on the boulder for a moment. He resurfaced after a few seconds and looked at her. “Ah! The water feels good. Come, you should join me.”
“Uhm…..”
Lumangoy si Rhodel patungo sa malaking bato na kinauupuan niya at tumitig sa kanya. “Come on, take my hand.” Inalahad nito ang palad.
Saglit na tinitigan ni Cris ang kamay ng binata. Alam niyang alam nito kung ano ang nasa isip niya.
“I’m here. You’re safe with me,” sabi nitong hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa kanya. Hindi na nito kailangan pang sabihin iyon dahil ilang beses na niyang naramdamang ligtas siya kapag si Rhodel ang kasama.
After a few seconds, she finally took his hand and slowly dropped herself into the water beside him. Whe she resurfaced, Rhodel was smiling at her. Hawak pa rin ang kanyang kamay.
“Don’t let go,” bulong ni Cris.
“I won’t,” bulong din nito.
Habang hawak pa rin ang kanyang kamay, iginaya siya ni Rhodel patungo sa tubig na umaagos mula sa ibabaw. Noon lang din niya nabatid ang lamig ng tubig. Medyo nanginginig man ay hinayaan ni Cris ang binata na dalhin siya sa ilalim ng bumabagsak na tubig. Napasinghap siya nang bumagsak ang malamig na tubig sa kanyang kabuuan. Pero hindi niya maitatangging masarap iyon sa pakiramdam. Binitawan ni Rhodel ang kanyang kamay ngunit hindi lumayo sa kanya. Nakakagulat na hindi na siya natatakot ngayon. Rhodel used both hands to push back his hair away from his face. He looked sinfully gorgeous with that wet hair of his. Pakiramdam tuloy ni Cris ay hindi siya makahinga.
“Feels good, right?”
Tumango siya. “M-magin-naw-lang,” sagot niya sa nanginginig na mga labi na ikinatawa ng binata.
“You know how to swim, right?”
“Oo naman. Bakit?”
“How about a race?”
“That’s not fair! Oo, marunong nga akong lumangoy pero hindi naman talaga ako expert.”
“Well, ako rin naman ———” His words were cut off by a sudden splash of water on his face. Bago pa man mapagtanto ni Rhodel na kagagawan niya iyon, dali-dali na siyang lumangoy palayo sa binata. But he was quicker; he immediately got hold of her ankle.
She wriggled and he let her go only to pin her against the pool’s edge. “You’re one hell of a wicked lady.” His eyes were sparkling with sheer amusement.
Ngumisi siya. “Sorry, hindi ko lang talaga mapigilan ang sarili ko.”
“Hmmm. Pasalamat ka at may mga tao sa paligid dahil kung wala ay baka hinalikan na kita,” mahinang sabi nito, sabay kindat.
Biglang nawala ang ngiti ni Cris. She suddenly had goosebumps. Her heart leapt into her throat and began beating like a victory drum. Her chest warmed up, feeling like a radioactive level of heat, traversing up her cheeks. Mabuti na lang at tumalikod na si Rhodel at lumangoy palayo. The last thing she wanted was for him to know his words affected her so damn, much.
Soon enough, they enjoyed the water along with the other tourists. Hindi na nila namalayan ang oras hanggang sa napagod na kakalangoy. Mag-aalas-tres na ng hapon nang magyaya na siyang umuwi. Na sinang-ayunan naman ng binata. Dahil may toilet facility naman ang lugar, madali lang ang magbihis ng tuyong damit. Pinauna siya ni Rhodel upang bantayan siya sa labas.
Mayamaya ay naglalakad na sila pabalik sa sasakyan. Dalawa na lang ang sasakyan na naroon kabilang ang sa kanila. Inilagay uli ni Cris sa backseat ang kanyang bag. Kinuha na rin niya ang bag ni Rhodel upang ilagay rin doon. Nang matapos ay isinara na niya ang pinto at pumihit para lang magulat dahil nakatayo si Rhodel sa likuran niya at napakalapit nito sa kanya.
Napaatras siya ngunit napalunok nang maramdaman ang kotse sa kanyang likod.
(“Pasalamat ka at may mga tao sa paligid dahil kung wala ay baka hinalikan na kita.”) Bigla niyang naalala ang sinabi nito. Sila lang ang naroon, maliban na lang sa mga ibon sa paligid.
“Cris?” anas ni Rhodel habang titig na titig sa kanyang mga mata.
Napalunok siya at hindi rin maalis ang mga mata sa binata.
“Hmm?” Pumiyok pa siya kahit na iyon lang ang lumabas sa bibig. Much to her surprise, he cupped her cheek with one hand. Rhodel tipped his head and slowly lowered his lips to hers. Cris instinctively closed her eyes as she felt everything spin in a kaleidoscope of color as their lips finally connected. She remembered their popsicle kiss and she could not contain the moan slipping out of her lips. Halos hindi niya makaya ang epekto ng halik ni Rhodel. Awtomatikong ipinulupot niya ang mga braso sa leeg ng binata at hinayaan ang sariling matunaw sa halik na pinagsasaluhan nila.
Rhodel’s hands found their way to her waist and she flinched but neither of them stopped the kiss. Instead, he inched closer. Or maybe it was her who pulled him close. Hindi siya sigurado. Basta ang alam niya, nakalalasing ang halik nito. Wala pa sana siyang balak huminto, kung hindi lang sa isang mabalahibong bagay na pumulupot sa kanyang paa.
She immediately broke the kiss, shrieked and jumped at him. With quick reflexes, he instantly caught her in his arms.
“What the ——-” naiinis na anas ni Rhodel.
Hindi sigurado si Cris kung ang pagkainis ng binata ay dahil sa pinutol niya ang halik o sa makabasag-eardrum na tili niya.
“What’s wrong?” tanong nito, sa pagkakataong iyon ay sa garalgal na tinig.
Bago pa man makasagot si Cris, may biglang nag- “meow” sa kung saan. Sabay silang napatingin sa baba. May isang puting pusa malapit sa paa ni Rhodel na nakatingin sa kanila.
Nahihiyang isinubsob niya ang mukha sa dibdib ng binata. She suddenly felt stupid. Tumawa nang marahan si Rhodel habang ibinababa siya.
“Relax, it’s just a cat.”
Kahit hindi nakatingin, alam ni Cris na nakangisi si Rhodel.
Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi habang nag-aangat ng tingin sa binata. “A-akala ko kasi ano, uhm….”
Rhodel laughed softly as he cupped her face. “You’re really adorable, Cris. Don’t you know that?” sabi nito at hinalikan siyang muli sa mga labi bago pa man luminaw ang kanyang utak sa halik na nangyari kanina lang. Ngunit sandali lang ang halik na iyon. Rhodel finally walked towards the driver’s seat and Cris sighed. She noticed the cat staring at her as she opened the car door. She glowered at it.