PAINT ME NAKED (Free Phillian Zodiac)

39 - Lovely Curves

"Why didn't you tell me who you truly are from the get-go, Calley? Why the lies?" Phillian asked in a tender voice after the heat subsided.

           They have just finished making love, their bodies were still connected, his face still buried between her neck and shoulder, and his hands were still gripping her hips.

           Napatitig siya sa madilim na kisame habang patuloy sa mahinang paghugot ng paghinga. Naupos na ang mga kandila at ang tanging liwanag na tumatanglaw roon ay mula sa nakabukas na ilaw sa banyo.

            Her body was still tender and now Phillian wants answers.

           Humugot siya nang malalim na paghinga bago sumagot. "To be completely honest with you, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ibang pangalan ang ipinakilala ko sa'yo noong nagising ako matapos mong matagpuan sa dagat. Bago ko pa naipaliwanag nang husto ang sitwasyon ko'y nagpakilala na ako bilang Caty Monsera, at hindi ko na nagawang bawiin pa."

            "Who is Caty Monsera?"

            "My mother's maiden name."

            Naramdaman niya sa kaniyang balat ang banayad na paghugot nito ng paghinga.

           "You've been here for more than two weeks and you had many chances to speak about the truth..." Surprisingly, there was no accusation in Phillian's voice.

           "Ilang beses kong pinlanong sabihin sa'yo, pero sa tuwing gagawin ko na'y bigla akong naduduwag o kung hindi man ay naiistorbo tayo. Pero ngayong gabi ay nakahanda na rin sana akong magsabi ng totoo, pero naunahan mo ako. How, Phill?"

           "Nelly heard you. Ang sabi niya sa akin ay ibang pangalan ang ipinakilala mo roon sa healthcare center."

           "Oh. At inisip niyang..."

           "Inisip niyang niloloko mo lang ako at hindi ka nagsasabi ng totoo dahil wala kang balak manatili." Phillian raised his head and looked her in the eye. "Ang sabi mo'y balak mo nang sabihn sa akin ang totoo ngayong gabi kung hindi lang kita inunahan. Bakit ngayong gabi lang?"

           She smiled softly, her fingers gently touched his face. "Because I've spoken to my Ninong Lito and asked him to have all my stuff transferred here. Dahil gusto kong manatili rito... kasama ka. Pero bago ko gawin iyon ay kailangan kong sabihin muna sa'yo ang totoo. That I am Calley El Mundo. I am Tasty Cake. I am that woman who..." She trailed off.

           "The woman who I admired for so long," dugtong ni Phillian sabay ngiti. Kinuha nito ang kamay niyang humahaplos sa mukha nito at hinalikan ang likod ng kaniyang palad nang hindi humihiwalay ang mga mata mula kaniya. "Calley El Mundo became the woman of my dreams. She's the epitome of perfection for me, and she became my yardstick for a suitable bride. She's my first love—and for so many years she stayed in my heart and mind. When I met you, and when I started having these feelings for you, I've decided to let go of Calley's memories and give all of me to you. I never thought... that I am letting go of the old memories to make new ones with the same woman."

           Everything he said touched her heart. Ramdam niya ang sincerity sa tinig nito, ang emosyon, ang pananabik. At sa labis na sayang naramdaman niya na madinig ang mga salitang iyon ay nag-ulap ang kaniyang mga mata at nanikip ang kaniyang lalamunan.

           She was too overwhelmed to even speak a single word!

           At nang wala siyang naging tugon ay muling nagsalita si Phillian. "That morning, ten years ago... Why did you leave without saying goodbye, Calley?"