Danielle and I enjoyed every moment of our lives without any recourse for anybody, anywhere, anything that could stop us from becoming lovers. We had done so many nights together, exploring our most precious gift from heaven. The remnants of our past didn't hinder an inch for which Danielle played her part so well. And, even my soul didn't bother to collide with my greedy ambition from wanting it.
Both of us developed something beautiful within our hearts, according to the dictates of our minds. For each of us, there's some kind of understanding that we wouldn't have to be spoken about, our actions were the prime movers of our future.
We were together all the time and found ourselves at the rooftop bar of the hotel. She held my hands, squeezed them tightly on the table, and said, "Marc, I like this moment so much, with you, having dinner in the Skylight. Bar. It reminds me, when I first saw you, for the first time I felt very different from myself. I knew too well, deep in my heart that it's you."
I looked at her face releasing my hands while solemnly sipping my liquor, then, put it slowly on the table. I pretend to be surprised by what she said; suddenly I held Danielle's soft hands at once and kissed her, "I love you dear so much, you're so beautiful." And, I edged a little toward Danielle's seat and whisper, "Can I dance with you sweet?"
Danielle's looked at me with love in her eyes. She loved the way I treated her as a woman, "Yes my love, yes I am yours."
We clutched each other hands, kissed, and danced to the tune of the sweet-soft music. I held her tightly to my body without much ado and moved our bodies in unison with feelings of contentment.
"Love, your parents know about this matter? I mean between the two of us?" I whispered in her ear, while I clasped her body to mine tightly.
"Yes my love, they approved everything I wanted in my own life. Actually, they're very understanding; opened my own bank accounts provide my own condominium, and I mean everything, okay?"
I nodded slowly and started to kiss her again, but now on her lips, for a few minutes, to which she's responding positively. She's happy all throughout the night with me. I was glad that my actions magnetized her heart and mind. So, I played along because she's my investment for sure!
Around three in the morning, we left the Skylight Bar and proceeded to my new fully furnished apartment which Danielle gave to me last week. I was happy with my clandestine motives that resulted positively. I was doing more than what I could muster to make her love me totally. I knew my worth, and I will do it correctly this time. Unlike in the past, I totally damaged myself for my ambitions without applying a strategy; a continuous way of using my brain for the good of my goals in life. Now, I need another one, a luxury car!
I said, "Good night my love," while kissing her. She left thinking that everything's true, not a scene in the movie. For me, it's just a drama of my life, also a scene, in my dream.
I fingered my apartment keys in my bag; open the steel gate, and the front door and put on the light. I spotted Ayah Isabel sleeping on a sofa. I hurriedly woke her up and kissed her. I noticed the wetness of her face and eyes, "What happened to you? Why are you crying? Something's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing's wrong Marc," Ayah said trying to hide her feelings.
"Okay then, wipe your face and tell me why you are here," I pretended that I was not alarmed and sat beside her.....and hugged her.
"I observed that your grade's totally going down because you're not attending classes these past few days. How's your, I mean Danielle?" she said while looking through my eyes which made me stand upright suddenly.
"Ayah, we agreed not to talk about this matter. All you have to do is to trust me with this. I know what I am doing. Okay, starting tomorrow I'll attend my classes. Are you alright?"
"Yes, love...I'm okay." she nodded without looking at me. "Around six in the morning, I will be back in my boarding house because my cousin visited me yesterday. My co-boarders were watching about my activities. I hated them for that... and I thought that this is the best time that I could spend a night with you. Marc, I love you as always, I want your dream to be fulfilled...without any problems on your side."
What I heard from Ayah triggered my emotions to respond, to caress her, kissed her with passion. Still kissing I carried her in my arms going to the bathroom, opened the door, switched the faucet, and continue exploring her body. The water continued to cool our bodies. I undressed her completely lying on the bathroom floor. I stood up, took off my shirt and pants...everything. I closed the shower's faucet. She was looking at me while I was doing this and glanced at her. I loved the feeling so much when a woman was looking at me intently while I am naked. It turned me on.
The night was washed away by my passion for exploring Ayah Isabel. The ecstasy that I felt when I'm aroused gives me the feeling of heavenly excitement, and, I kissed her coming from my heart, "Happy love?" I asked her. She looked at me, nodded, and said while still holding my face, "Very...very much... Marco."
After a few minutes, I told Ayah Isabel to get dressed. It's nearly six in the morning, time for her to go home. I asked her to go with her outside the apartment but she refused. "Keep the extra keys of my apartment and don't bother yourself, that we're separated right now. I am only doing what I think is right for me and you. I know your situation, but, as of now, do not divulge this to anybody, even Edward Ramirez. And please, don't give much attention to my relationship with Danielle," I said feeling guilty inside and out. I kissed her before she left and she said while holding my face, "Yes Marc, I know that I promised to you my love, you're the only one in my heart."
Ayah left me; took a taxi cab to go to her boarding house. As she was leaving, I looked at her walking outside. I walked towards my bed thinking, "Tomorrow's another day."
XXX
In the University hallway, lots of students were clamoring about the tuition fee increased by the school administration. Almost everyone I saw got disgusted with what was happening to this private school. I heard them giving their own version and ways how to make a move against the management. Our school was a private one, run by Catholic Missionaries. The teaching's superb and of quality, as some alumni told the newcomers. It didn't bother me at all because the fact, that I had no right to ask and know what it was like, to be the brightest student in our department. I hated Chemistry, but since I started taking up Chemistry, it was fine for me, that's it. For extracurricular activities, I extended my extra effort to be with my colleagues. My academic grades suffered a lot and I had to be with the school's system for the development of my studies.
Ayah Isabel helped me with my assignments, projects, and other school requirements. She knew my situation with Danielle Gustilo and was really bothered about it. I couldn't manage my time as a student, and got bored easily, and tired. Even though how much I tried to concentrate on my studies, I've got hooked on my school activities and my relationships. Daniele Gustilo gave me everything that I want and my life seemed so great.
One day, Ayah sent a note to me that we had to meet at the canteen for some important matter. I readily went to her at the canteen, but I wondered what will be this meeting all about. When I arrived, I saw her sitting alone. I grabbed a chair and looked at her with a serious face.
"Marc, how are you?" Ayah started to talk first studying my face.
"I'm fine, thank you. What is this important thing we have to discuss?" I asked her in a whisper tone.
"Marc, last night, I think it over a hundred times about our situation; you, Danielle, and me. I'm afraid that it gives you some bad karma in the future. You know, instead of aiming for something good and big, it'll turn out bad as what you expected?"
I hesitated for a while and said with an angry tone raising my hand, "Don't bother about it, okay? Trust me, don't bother with this matter!"
Even though she knew about my agitation, she was determined to tell me something, "Marc, last night, Edward called me about your rendezvous with Danielle. He said that it's not proper to lie about your situation with me. And, he's not approved of what you're doing with Danielle and me. Please, Marc, it's only friendly advice."XXX
"Okay, it's okay. What more...what he said to you?" I asked her in a higher tone. "He said to try to visit him at the Riviera Café & Restaurant."I lowered my voice, "Okay Ayah, thank you. How's your life in the boarding house? How's your family?""In my boarding house... it's quite problematic but I can manage. And my family...they're fine.""Take care always Ayah." I started to leave when I remembered something inside my pocket, "By the way, take these drugs and read the prescription first before taking the pill, I think you knew this...." Ayah looked at me squarely, smiled, and said, "Okay love, bye!"The next day I visited Edward Ramirez at the restaurant where he's working. He excused himself from his duty asking his Manager to have a day off instead. We got a taxi cab going to One Springfield Complex, a beautiful night spot outside the city. We played bowling for about an hour and seated ourselves in a restaurant in an open place. I ordered a case of beer, sliced cucumber, and
We arrived early at the Golden Dragon Restaurant located in front of Bacolod City Hall. It's located in the heart of the city, five minutes ride from our place. The ambiance is totally Chinese; the intricate golden dragon motif with a red background, the music, the waitress uniform, and the lantern hang beautifully in each partition with silk curtains as a facade. The aroma of Chinese food triggered my voracious appetite. I composed myself and gazed at Ayah Isabel walking separately from me. She's nervous, I thought, but she's calm, calmer than me. We are seated at the corner of the restaurant so that I can see who's coming inside the restaurant. I ordered two glasses of coca-cola soft drinks for a start and we waited.Danielle Gustilo came ten minutes past eleven in the morning. She's wearing a sleeveless red dress that suits her milky white skin, and a red leather clutch bag that blends with our environment. She looked at me first, then, shifted to Ayah Isabel, then sit down in fron
Let me tell you what I worked for temporarily...where I started my first job...for the past months after my graduation. An amazing story indeed!I am a Chemistry graduate, right? But I was accepted as an extra news reporter for the newly founded TV station. At the end of my shift one Monday morning, Arthur Jimenez, the sports director at News TV 717, said, "Marco, this Friday night there's a boxing championship fight in the Paglaum Astrodome. You've been bugging me for a break, so here's your chance. Today, around noon, I need you to get me a three-minute interview with Billy the Kid. If you do a good job, that interview will be fed to all TV stations locally and nationwide. Getting to be heard countrywide amounts to decent exposure, wouldn't you agree?"How could I not? Man, talk about excitement! After some time, I had finally landed a weekend-only, graveyard shift job at what, with a great payment check. Hopefully, this job would provide opportunities to climb further up the ladder
Even Lydia Leynes, a beautiful lady from the north of Negros Occidental became my live-in partner, which gave me terrible problems with my job. I was out of the job instantly; I was totally broke when things got better which brought hope to my life.Edward was the one I enjoyed being with, for it gave me the freedom to reveal something deep down in my heart. He was there for me to listen to whatever I wanted to say, whatever I wanted to do with my life at the moment. He suggested working again in the restaurant. I hesitated at first, but my hopeless situation told me to accept the job.I felt down and out I missed her...them...her...XXXDanielle's father invited me to the Sugarlandia Hotel to talk about his daughter's status in life. I went directly to the place, asked for information on the counter, and sat in the lounge. I felt some doubts within me, that I couldn't explain. Is it I am afraid, afraid of what? Fear..? Fear of rejection? Or I was not ready to meet him face to face?M
I saw Edward approaching where I stood, pulling my arm, and taking me to our table."Hey Marco Fernando, what are you doing? People are looking at you. Behave my friend okay?"I only nodded and started to pour a shot of tequila, with salt and sliced lemon, and three slices of beef steak. Then, I ate the kinilaw and gulped a bowl of soup. I was satisfied and contented that I asked Edward to order more."What? Slowly, Marco, I'm not rich enough to order for more...""Hey...hey Edward my best friend...next week, I'm rich...a rich man!! We will paint the town red!! We'll go shopping, swimming, drinking...until the end of the world!!!...and...and..we'll buy everything...as in anything!!! I shouted."Hey, Marco!! Stop it...stop!! What's your problem, my friend?" Edward angrily asked. "What happened to you? Are you crazy? You don't have money in your pocket... Okay, let's go!"" Joel, bill please...how much?""One thousand and five hundred pesos sir," Joel answered."Here, two thousand pesos
I edged a little to clear the monotonous tone of the atmosphere glanced at Ayah Isabel, started to taste my coffee, put a little sugar, and tasted it. I looked around again, seated comfortably ready for any issue that befalls me. I saw Mr. Gonzales scrutinize me by the way he looked into my eyes. He started the conversation, "Marco, I have been able to raise my children the proper way of conduct with themselves ever since they're young, three of them. We loved them...truly, that we gave the best of everything to them. Now, I must tell this personally, what Bryan said to us. That you and Ayah are living in without the sanctity of marriage...do you truly love my daughter?" His question made me squirm and uncomfortable.Again, I glanced at Ayah Isabel but she was not looking at me. I can see tears falling down her cheeks. "Yes, yes I do Mr. Gonzales," I said quickly without hesitation."Since you loved each other, I decided that your marriage be consummated at once. We will organize this
"Okay, stay there for a while; I'll check the surroundings first." I headed to move slowly at first, inspecting the nearby place if it was safe for us. The scorching sun bit my flesh like a scorpion's sting. I went back to where Ayah's waiting told her to move fast and held her left hand towards the rocky side of the beach. We took off our clothes totally, our naked bodies shone in the light of the sun like gems. We washed our clothes and underwear, tightly squeezed it, and spread it open on the boulder. We remained in the water for a few minutes, waited for our clothes to dry, and dressed up. Ayah and I looked for any residents along the shore or anybody who can help us. But, nothing...no one...it's a remote area. I looked at Ayah Isabel and said sarcastically, "Ayah, you're wearing heels? We're going to walk for a few kilometers away...look at you?""Yes, my feet hurt while running in the fields....," while grimacing her face."Give it to me." She handed her heels, I looked for a st
I bought two tickets going to Bacolod City and asked Ayah to come along to the opened shop, trading some ready-made lady's dresses and shoes."Which one do you like? I think that one with a flowery design, do you like it?""Yes Marc, I love that one. By the way, where did you get this money?""Remember the money your parents gave to us, I put some in my wallet. Okay then, get it and change your dress at the fitting room, over there and I'll select shoes that suit you."We finished buying things for Ayah; bought some food delicacies and went onto the bus. I selected the rear seats for us both. I embraced Ayah to rest on my left arm and she falls asleep. A few minutes later, sleep kept on bugging my nerves that I started to close my eyes. But suddenly, my vision focused on a man standing near the ticket booth. He's the man from the chapel! I closed my eyes again, and spotted him, to be sure. Yes, it's him!I hastily edged down the seat with Ayah to cover us from a man's view. I woke her