Igniting a Heartbeat

 

You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you

Can't take my eyes off of you Joseph Vincent
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"Grabe, ang gara naman ng pa-birthday party ni ate Karina."

 

 

 

Naka-ngangang sambit ni Ryujin habang nililibot ang mga mata sa paligid. We nodded, agreeing. There's no doubt indeed that the place screams extravagant.

 

 

 

Merong mahigit kumulang limampu't na lamesa ang naka-palibot sa paligid, covered with a red and gold tablecloth. Along with it ay may mga nakasabit na fairy lights sa bawat puno that serves as the only illuminating lights of the area, giving it some sort of a fairtytale look.

 

 

 

Then, there's also a bunch of ballons scattered on the ground kaya tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga bisitang chikiting ni Rina.

 

 

 

If you're wondering, sa garden ng mansyon nila Rina gaganapin ang party celebration niya. They chose the place because it was really spacious here.

 

 

 

And when I say really spacious– I meant, really really spacious na minsan ay kina-kailangan pang sumakay ng golf cart kung gusto mo maglibot-libot sa area.

 

 

 

I know because I've been here everyday for the past week, watering the plants as part of my "Parentals Panliligaw 101" agenda. Kaya, imagine my struggle sa pandidilig ng walang katapusang halaman nila Tita and Titalola.

 

 

 

At first, hindi ko talaga in-expect na ganito pala kalaki ang garden nila dahil kung alam ko lang, edi sana, hindi ko na ito idinala sa mga plano ko. I'm kidding, nag-enjoy naman ako sa pagda-drive ng golf cart kaya okay na rin haha.

 

 

 

Also, sumasama din ang dalawang magandang ginang sakin kaya mas masaya lang everytime.

 

 

 

They're fun to be with. Parang dalawang Karina na pinagbiyak sa ugali, salita at kilos and I'm really thankful that they raised Karina like them yet still got the freedom to have her own personality and values in life. 

 

 

 

But while doing so, syempre, hindi ko rin ma-iwasan na ma-insecure sa sarili. I knew Rina was rich, but I didn't know that she was this rich, rich. Kaya, medyo nanliit talaga ako sa sarili ko 'non kasi sino ba naman ako diba?

 

 

 

Eh, isang hamak na grade 12 senior high school student lang naman ako na nagta-trabaho para mabayaran ang mga utang ng magulang niya. Completely different from Karina's state of living that it made me wonder kung babagay ba talaga ako para sa katulad niya. 

 

 

 

If I was worth it. 

 

 

 

But before I could dwell on my own insecurities, the two lovely ladies are too quick to assure me. Saying that whatever financial status or whatever status I have doesn't change the fact that I'm still a good human being with a good heart.

 

 

 

Na matalino ako, may magandang prinsipyo sa buhay and most importantly, may paninindigan. That I was definitely going places.

 

 

 

They said that they don't need someone with a lot money, or someone na may magandang estado nga sa buhay, pero sahol naman pagdating sa ugali.

 

 

 

And I quote, "What's the use of possesing those kind of things if you're a ing trash?" (Titalola, 2021).

 

 

 

All they want is someone with a good intentions, isang taong magma-mahal ng tapat at totoo para sa anak't apo nila. At isang taong alam nilang aalagan ng mabuti si Rina.

 

 

 

And that's me. I'm that 'isang tao', their chosen one.

 

 

 

Char! Maka-chosen one, chosen one naman kasi itong sila Tita. Parang isasalba ko na ang buong mundo. But I do gonna admit, their assurance really helped in boosting my confidence.

 

 

 

Mas guminhawa din ang pakiramdam ko kasi they are fully entrusting Rina to me ng walang pag-alinlangan. That's all I ever wanted simula nung ligawan ko sila.

 

 

 

In return, ipinangako ko sa sarili ko at sakanila na kahit kailan, hinding-hindi nila pagsisisihan ang desisyong ginawa nila. That I will do my best. For myself, for them, and most especially, for my Rina.

 

 

 

Onwards to the party. Hindi pa ito nagsisimula dahil madaming guest pa ang wala. Kaya heto kami ngayon, naka-upo lang sa designated table namin.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, I haven't catch a single glimpse of Karina pagkatapos naming kumalas sa pagkaka-yakap kanina. Inaya kasi siya nila Tita at Titalola to come with them para bumati ng mga bisita.

 

 

 

Gusto pa sana nila akong isama but I refused kasi nakakahiya naman, jusko. Pero bago 'yun ay nag-request muna sila na mag-picture taking.

 

 

 

Karina and I happily obliged, of course.

 

 

 

We took some solo pics with the two lovely ladies, then solo pic naman namin ni Rina, tas nag-group photo din kami which reminds me na ipopost ko pa pala ito mamaya sa instagram account ko hehe.

 

 

 

My Queen with her two lovely Queens. Sounds about right.

 

 

 

Feeling curious, I also roamed my eyes around the entire vicinity, and the first thing I saw was Nanay Haney and her team na busy sa pagsi-set-up ng mga putahe sa mahabang mesa na nakaatas sakanila.

 

 

 

It looks a lot. Pero sana, may Lumpia Shanghai.

 

 

 

Around sa corner ng lamesa naman ay may isang desserts bar. Kumpleto din ito mag-mula sa pastry, cakes, candies, down to chocolates. Plus, there's even a beer machine jusko.

 

 

 

Siguro buffet style ang handaan nila.

 

 

 

"Sa tingin mo, may Lumpia Shanghai kaya?" Seryosong tanong ni Ryujin kaya napatawa kami. Nakatingin din pala ito sa may food area. "Kung wala, uwi na lang tayo."

 

 

 

Hinampas naman agad siya ni Yuna sa braso, completely disagreeing. "Arte mo. Makiki-kain ka na nga'lang eh. At isa pa, sayang 'yung mga dinala kong supot dito kung uuwi lang tayo, gago."

 

 

 

Ryujin dramatically gasped when she heard that, covering using her hands. Ang oa naman nito.

 

 

 

"Luh, bastos! Anong supot ka diyan!?" She finally stated in accusing manner kaya hinampas siya ulit ni Yuna.

 

 

 

"Bobo! Plastic kasi!"

 

 

 

"Pwede mo namang sabihing plastic!" 

 

 

 

"Madudumi lang talaga mga utak niyo!" We laughed when she feign a sulk. "Aarte niyo. Huwag kayong magtatangkang humingi sakin ng supot ha. Hinding-hindi ko kayo bibigyan."

 

 

 

"Sayo na 'yang supot mo. Kahit isaksak mo pa sa baga mo. Atsaka, akala mo ikaw lang ang may dala? Syempre, ako din no! Pinalaki kaya akong girl scout." Ang loko, inilabas pa talaga ang mga makululay na plastic sa bulsa niya.

 

 

 

"Uyy, pahingi ako maya Ryu ha."

 

 

 

"Ulol, walang hingian dito, Ningning! Ang yaman-yaman mo tas wala kang pambili ng plastic?"

 

 

 

"Ang damot mo ha! Maubusan ka sana ng pagkain mamaya para wala ka nang maiuwi na gago ka."

 

 

 

"Luh! Walang ganyanan! Baka ma-manifest mo yan, gago! Bawiin mo sinabi mo dali!"

 

 

 

Chaeryoung laughed loudly and that gathered their attention. Then she looked at them with disgust. "Plastic talaga? Mga cheapipay kayo. Sana tina-pperware niyo man lang. Kagaya nito."

 

 

 

Natahimik pa kami 'nung una as she proudly showed us the Tupperwares she brought pero nang makita namin ang disenyo nito, tumawa kami ng malakas.

 

 

 

Toy Story at Frozen lang naman kasi ang design.

 

 

 

"Tangina, Chaeryoung! Ninakaw mo ba 'yan sa mga kapatid mo? Hindi kana nahiya!"

 

 

 

"Ulul! Hindi no! Hihiramin ko sana ang mga Tupperwares ni mama kanina. Eh ang kaso, nagmala-super saiyan na agad ito sakin bago pako makakuha. Kaya eto ang ending." Natatawa niyang saad, lifting the lunchboxes.

 

 

 

"Awe, kawawa ka naman. Hindi pinahiram ng tupperwares ng mama niya. I think dasurb." Asar ni Yuna.

 

 

 

"Kumpara naman sa mga dala niyong bad for the environment! Go Green tayo dito!"

 

 

 

"Edi ikaw na green-minded."

 

 

 

I only shook my head at them, chuckling. Parang hindi mayayaman kung umasta. But that's what I love about them.

 

 

 

"Babe, hati tayo diyan ha." Lia took Chaeryoung's attention atsaka nagpacute. "Nakalimutan ko kasi magdala kanina."

 

 

 

"Luh bhe, walang hatian dito." Sa halip na macute-an, Chaeryeong instead kaya matic namang napasimangot ang jowa niya. "De joke lang. Sayo na'tong si Elsa. Smile ka na diyan hehe."

 

 

 

"Ewan ko sayo." Tinalikuran siya ni Lia kaya ayun, suyo time. Pero wow ha. First time ko silang makitang ganyan. Tupperware lang pala ang katapat.

 

 

 

"Iwanan mo na 'yan, Lia! Let it go! Let it go!" Udyok ng dalawang bugok.

 

 

 

"Tumahimik nga kayong dalawa diyan!" Singhal nito sa dalawa bago bumaling ulit kay Lia at sabay na nag-puppy eyes at pout.

 

 

 

We grimaced. Pangit pala kapag nakita mong nagpapa-cute ang mga kaibigan mo sa mga jowa nila. Kadiri.

 

 

 

"Disgusting shet ka, Ryeong." Ryujin uttered at tinakpan pa talaga ang mga mata. Pero dedma lang muna si Chaeryeong.

 

 

 

"Love, joke lang naman 'yun. Tingin kana sakin, please. Promise, sayo na 'tong Frozen tupperware. Ang cute-cute mo din kanina. Legit."

 

 

 

We laughed. Hinayaan na lang muna namin sila na magsuyuan sa gilid.

 

 

 

"Ikaw Dahon? May dala ka din bang sisidlan o hihingi ka din ng plastic?" Yuna asked and I smirked.

 

 

 

"Syempre, may dala din akong sariling tupperware. Ako pa ba." Mayabang kong sabat. "In fact, kanina, ibinigay ko na ang mga ito kay Titalola para ma-reservan na agad nila ako." I continued, smiling smugly.

 

 

 

"Luh, ang daya! May favoritism! Hindi pwede yan! Porket botong-boto sila Tita sayo, ganyan ka na kayabang?" I laughed at their series of replies and shrugged.

 

 

 

"Ako pa ba? Eh si Winter Leafy Reyes lang naman 'to no." I responded, conceitedly kaya napairap silang lahat.

 

 

 

"Ang yabang!" Sabay-sabay nilang wika kaya napatawa ako.

 

 

 

But soon enough, my eyes finally captured the most beautiful woman that managed to make my heart beats so fast without even trying. Mapalayo o malapit man, she still got the same effect on me.

 

 

 

Karina Ellyse Riego.

 

 

 

The birthday girl. My woman. My Karina.

 

 

 

I smiled. She was still with her Mom and Mommylola, greeting the other guests na kadadating lang. I also caught kuya Jaemin tagging along with another guy na nakahawak sa waist nito.

 

 

 

Must be his boyfriend.

 

 

 

I bit my lips as I felt that familiar embarrassment creeping up on me again. Sa tanang buhay ko, hindi ko inakala na I was gonna get hit with these sudden waves of jealousy. Especially that moment when I saw her laughing with another man.

 

 

 

My initial response was to snatch her away at ikulong siya sa mga bisig ko. But I won't do that. Trapping someone in your hold just because you're jealous doesn't sound right to me.

 

 

 

Instead, I want her to feel safe, secured and free with my embrace. Because I know that in that way, it will make our bind even more stronger and firmer.

 

 

 

And that her assurance was also one of the reasons why.

 

 

 

At isa pa, I'll let our baby Ellyse Leafy Junior do the dirty deed instead. Na-ready at na-seminar ko na din kasi itong anak namin na protectahan ang mommy niya against possible threats na pwedeng dumapo– hence, those annoying flirty bastards. 

 

 

 

Matic kagat sa bayag.

 

 

 

Pero syempre joke lang 'yun. As if namang papayag ako na may dumapong langaw kahit ni isa sa mag-ina ko no.

 

 

 

Karina noticed that I was looking at her kaya tumalikod siya sa mga kina-kausap atsaka humarap sa gawi ko, catching me right on the act. She shot her brows upwards, teasing me for getting caught before throwing me a wink.

 

 

 

I chuckled. She's so cute. Tangina.

 

 

 

At dahil ayaw kong magpatalo ngayon, I also did the same thing and I grinned from ear to ear when she bit her lip and coyly looked away. Her ears and cheeks were turning red and it's a reaction that I always found really really cute.

 

 

 

She went back to look at me again for the second time, scrunching her nose which I only returned with a smile. But our little moment was cut off nang tinawag na ulit ang pansin niya.

 

 

 

She shot me an apologetic look but I only shook my head while mouthing "okay lang." I will have her all to myself naman mamaya.

 

 

 

Habang nakatalikod, it almost gave me a perfect view of her body. And honestly, I can't stop looking at her ever since kanina pa.

 

 

 

I mean, who wouldn't, right?

 

 

 

Not when she looks so goddamn beautiful and y in her red strappy dress.

 

 

 

Itinukod ko ang isang siko sa lamesa, propping my
chin up in my hands as I hummed in full admiration.

 

 

 

The dress really did an amazing job on highlighting her y curves in all the right places. Not to mention, the necklace around her neck which made her even more attractive in my eyes.

 

 

 

Pangalawa, kitang-kita din kung gaano kaputi at kakinis ang kanyang balat, making her look like she was glowing even on an evening night. Walang panama ang mga fairy lights sa paligid.

 

 

 

Samahan pa ng maha-habang buhok niya that was perfectly cascading down around her back. And lastly, don't even get me started on the small slit ng dress niya sa may bandang hita, displaying just how smooth those long legs are. I wonder what if feels to ran my hands in those.

 

 

 

I bit my lips. Okay, I think I was staring– and fantasizing long enough.

 

 

 

I forced myself to look away which was so damn hard kasi every minute ay mapapatingin ka talaga sakanya. But I guess this is the price I have to pay for having such a hot and beautiful girl.

 

 

 

Nakaka-proud, of course. But at the same time, it's frustrating. Lalo na sa isang 19 year old na katulad ko whose curiosity, hormones and desires are slowly unlocking one by one because of her.

 

 

 

But then again, I know that it's bound to happen. Natural, kasi gustong-gusto ko 'yung tao eh. And I also admit that I'm starting to get curious na about sa