Chapter 10 - Under the Stars

"Steff. Alam mo girl, medyo may tampo ako sa yo," wika ni Sofia habang sinusukatan ito ng damit.

They were both inside the IMPERIO boutique, trying out some outfits for Sofia's engagement party.

"Why? What did I do?" she answered while sipping freshly brewed ice tea. She was looking around the boutique. She was intrigued by the different art displays. The place was full of great dresses

"Nagkukunwari ka pa. The grape vine knows everything. Anong nangyari sa date nyo ni Prince Gareth?"

"Nothing awesome. We just talked."

One particular painting caught her attention. It was a painting of blue petals, all of which seemed to be dancing in the calm air of the night, illuminating the light of the moon. She could feel the sorrow of the artist as he painted this masterpiece. It was as if all the petals were mourning for the loss of someone really important. It was a visual elegy.

"This is the 'Tears of the Dancing Petals' by Count Vladimir Einsbern."

Nagulat siya sa tinig na nagmula sa likuran niya. It was from Valerie, the owner of the shop. Napatingin siya rito. Valerie was intently looking at the painting.

"He painted this fifteen years ago when his wife died."

He had heard of that artist before from one of her class. Apparently, that person was one of the movers during Pendragon's renaissance period some decades ago.

"But unfortunately this is just a repro," Valerie said.

True enough. Napansin niya iyon nang mariin niya itong tinitigan. The paint used and the stoke techniques were all modern. But she had to admit it, this was a very good imitation of the original.

"And I am guessing that you were the one who did this?" she asked.

"Good guess Miss Steffanie."

She led her towards the different paintings around her boutique. Most of them were replica of Einsbern's works while some were originals from local modern artists. She told her about the story of each painting. Her mind made a mental conclusion. Valerie was no art aficionado, she was an artist herself. She made a local museum curator a run for his money. She was good in explaining every bit of details to each painting. This had just inspired her to finish her collection.

Binalikan na nila si Sofia na noo'y tapos nang masukatan.

"I thought you forgot about me," wika ni Sofia.

"I am just giving Miss Steff an educational tour in my shop. She seems to like paintings."

"I actually do, I am painter myself. I am a fine arts student at the University of Pendragon."

Nakita niya ang pagliwanag ng mukha ni Valerie.

"Good to hear that Steff. It is a first time for me to encounter a customer who has eyes on true art."

Iniabot naman nito sa kanila ni Sofia ang isang brochure. Dahan-dahan niyang binuklat ang mga pahina nito. It was full of beautiful sketches of a woman's dress and gowns.

She flipped the page one by one. Only to be fully captivated by what she saw. It was a walking piece of art, each of which were like a canvass full of interesting artworks.

"Wow Val. Your creations are all beautiful. Wala akong maipintas ni isa man," komento ni Sofia.

"I thought you only sell men's clothes?" she asked.

Umupo ito sa tabi nila. "I do specialized in Men's apparel, but it doesn't mean that I can't create women's clothes. I am still a woman after all."

"You know, you should start doing this for real. Grabe! Ang gaganda talaga."

"Well... I actually thought of that. But I prefer male clients more. The money is easy. Ayoko ng masyadong maarte. You know how us women handle clothes, we cannot simply be contended. Men on the other hand, basta may mapili okay na. No second thoughts, no hang-ups. Bayad na agad."

"You are such a shrewd business woman Val."

Sa makailang punat nila ni Sofia sa shop nito ay nakapalagayang loob na nila ang babae.

"So what kind of paintings are you doing right now Steff?" tanong nito.

"Actually, right now, I am doing Alpha Male themed paintings. It is for my final exhibit."

"Quite creative. If there is anything I can do to help, just ask. Nandiyan ang stock ko ng mga coats and apparels, I can lend it to you if you need it."

Napangiti siya sa narinig. "Thank you."

Nakita niyang hindi maalis ang nakakalokong ngiti ni Sofia.

"What's up with you?" tanong niya rito.

"Wala. I just thought of your Alpha Male," Sofia mischievously said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Steffanie, I am your best friend. As in B-E-S-T. I know you even better that you know yourself. And I know that there is something that you are not telling me."

Here they go again. Hindi niya makuha ang gusto nitong palabasin. Hindi na lang niya sinagot ito. There was no point on arguing with Sofia.

"Oh siya, ikaw naman Steff," Valerie interjected.

"What do you mean?"

"Go and stand there and have your measurements," Valerie answered.

"Ano na naman ba ang nangyayari?"

"Sa lagay ba naman na ako lang ang maganda sa gabing iyon. Dapat pati ikaw magandang maganda rin. 'Di ba nga, you are my best friend. B-E-S-T."

Tumayo na lamang siya at sumunod dito. Again, there was no point in arguing with Sofia. When she made up her mind, it is final. But nevertheless, she was very touched to the thoughtfulness of her friend.

The assistant did what she was told to do. Kinuha nito saka tinala sa maliit na notebook ang kanyang measurements.

Valerie looked at her sizes. "You have a model worthy measurements, Steff. I have the perfect outfit for you."

Hindi na niya napansin ang paglapit ni Valerie at Sofia. Both women were eyeing speculative look on her.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Ano namang ginawa ko?"

"I guess you need to prepare yourself. You have to go," wika ni Valerie.

Just what was happening? She could not put piece and piece together. She was confused.

Then Sofia playfully pointed the glass windows, the one with the mannequin displays, the one that gave the view of the outside surroundings.

She immediately looked, only to be caught off guard of what she saw. There, in front of the shop stood the towering presence of Gareth. Under the bright street lights, she could make out his very masculine form. He was leaning nonchalantly on the hood of his car, with his hands in his pockets and his legs crossed at the ankles.

"Nothing awesome. We just talked pala ah," Sofia mocked her.

"Oh siya sige na Steff. Your Alpha Male is here to fetch you. Go now!"

Ipinagtulakan na ng mga ito siya palabas ng boutique. There were so many things that crossed her mind as she went out of the shop.

Gareth was never the stalker type. Girls just came flying at him. He was a chick magnet. But this was different, he had this urge to see Steff once more. Ilang araw na rin silang hindi nagkikita. He was expecting that she'll contact him after their date. But she did not.

He was expecting that she'll approach him in the campus. But she did not. When it came down to Steff, everything was a contradiction. She was different. He knew that very well.

So with this aching need for attention from her, he used all of his connections just to know her whereabouts.

Si Arthur ang nagsabing kasama ito ni Sofia sa IMPERIO nang mga oras na 'yon. With this information, he immediately drove to Catalina Avenue where he was expecting to see her.

And here he was, standing in front of IMPERIO, watching as the ethereal form of Staffanie came to him. His body's reaction remained the same. He was actually getting used to it. Every time he saw her, his body just came alive with an upstream of desire.

"What are you doing here?" came her voice of perfect pitch.

"I came to see you, sweetheart."

"What for?"

"You'll soon see."

He lead her into his car. "Shall we?"

Agad naman itong tumalima. She entered the car without any questions while he followed.

He started the engine and drove through the busy streets of Camelot. Tahimik lang ito sa kanyang tabi. Probably calculating his every move, but he was prepared, he actually thought of something before coming to her. And he had to thank his genius of a sister for that.

"Where are we going?" finally she asked in the midst of their self-imposed silence.

"You'll soon see. But before that, I assume that you want to have dinner?" It was still nine o'clock in the evening. They still have a few hours to shed off.

He kept his eyes on the road. He very well knew that he will be distracted if he merited himself a good look at her. Because god forgave him, he was deeply allured by her beauty.

"Okay, but nothing fancy though."

Tiningnan niya ang side mirror. He could make out of the familiar sedan that had been following them. Lulan nito ang kanyang Chevalier at mga body guards.

"Okay, it is your call then. Where do you want to eat?"

Waring nag-isip muna ito bago sumagot. "Well... I know of a small diner that serves very delicious traditional Pendragonian Dish."

She instructed him of the way. Agad naman silang nakarating dito. It was a small diner located just about outside the border line of Camelot. The place was small and quite very out of place looking compared to the different restaurants in the heart of the capital city.

"Good evening po," bati ni Steffanie sa taong nakatayo sa pinto. It was a woman in her mid-forties.

"Oh, Miss Steff. Buti't napadaan ka. Medyo matagal na rin noong huli kang magawi sa amin."

Steff gave a genuine smile to the woman. Somehow, he felt jealous. He wanted to evoke that genuine smile from her. He wanted to make her happy. Ngunit naputol ang kanyang pag-iisip nang hilahin siya nito papasok sa loob.

She led him in a small table. The place was empty. Tanging sila lamang ang naroroon. He was curious kung anong uri ng pagkain ang inihahanda dito.

Isang waitress ang lumapit sa kanila. "Miss Steff, nice to see you. What do you want to eat then? The usual?"

"I think I should ask my companion first."

Lumingon naman ito sa kanya. He saw shock passed her eyes. Agad naman itong nag-bow sa kanya.

"I'm sorry Your Highness. Hindi ko po agad kayo nakilala," she said while still bowing at him.

Steff eyed him very cautiously as if telling him to keep a low profile.

"You don't need to that. Please, get up. I don't want to create any scenes."

Agad naman itong tumalima. "Can... I get your order then?"

"What's on the menu?" he inquired.

"Pardon His Highness Lily. Pero bago lang siya sa ganitong lugar. Can you give us a list of your treats for the day?"

Mabilis nitong tinahak ang daan patungo sa kusina.

"Just what is this place?"

"It is a place that is probably unknown to people of your status. But for us commoners, it is our regular place to sumptuously eat without reservations."

He was curious. He had never encountered a place like this before, even from the days when he was out of the palace to explore the world. He never tried to lurk in this kind of places. Somehow, it spelled danger for him.

Bumalik na ang waitress kasama ang babaeng nasa entrada kanina.

"Sorry Miss Steff, I just want to verify."

He could feel the excitement in her voice as she looked at him.

Her face lit up with excitement, "Ang Kamahalan nga. Naku! Miss Steff, hindi ka man lang nagpasabi na kasama mo ang mahal na Prinsipe. Eh 'di sana'y mas nakapaghanda kami."

"Oo nga Miss. Ang akala ko nga kanina ay ang kasama mo ay ang anak ng Duke, yung palagi mong kasama. But it was the prince after all."

It was fun listening to them. Dahil kahit papaano ay nagkakaroon siya ng overview sa buhay ni Steff. Palagi pala itong nandito kasama ang isang anak ng Duke. Malamang ay si Sofia iyon. These two were really tight as a knot.

Inabot ng waitress sa kanya ang papel, ngunit bago niya basahin, he asked something from the woman, "Hey Lily, can you do me a favour? Outside, you'll see a black car. My Chevalier and body guards are there. Offer them the same menu."

Sumunod naman ito sa kanya.

He finally read the menu. Almost all of the food there was unknown to him.

"Care to help me with this, sweetheart?"

She leaned close to him to have a glimpse on the menu. Immediately, her scent assaulted his nostrils. She smelled of sweet floral fragrance, like a fresh freesia on a lazy spring day.

May itunuro siya sa papel, Nilasing na Hipon. "This is good."

"This is also very tasty as well." Diningding na may Bagnet.

She was definitely serious when she said traditional Pendragonian Dish. This type of food can be rampantly tasted on Avalon, Pendragon's root.

"What do you prefer?" he asked.

"This is my all time favorite, Sinigang na Baboy."

"Then, Sinigang na baboy it is."

Tianawag muli nito ang waitress, "Lily, well have Sinigang na Baboy good for two. Isang platong kanin din at isang order ng inihaw na liempo. We'll have halo-halo for dessert."

In no time at all, their table was full of delicious looking food. Biglang kumalam ang kanyang sikmura. They all smelled good.

"Let's eat?" yaya nito sa kanya.

One bite was all it took to win him over. This sumptuous food was even more delicious than what posh restaurants served. The sour taste of the broth complimented the rice. It was haven for his stomach and for his eyes. Habang kumakain kasi ay panakaw niyang sinusulyapan si Steffanie. She ate with gusto just like him. Ibang-iba ito kumpara noong unang date nila. She barely touched her food that time.

"Masarap talaga ang pagkain," he commented.

A contented look was painted on her face.

Ilang minute pa at naubos na nila ang kanilang pagkain. This time, they were feasting on their dessert. The halo-halo. It was full of sweet confections, red bean paste, coconut jelly, taro, and it was topped with very fine shards of ice.

"I bet this is a complete and new experience for you," she commented.

"Yup, it is something new. Thank you for your recommendations."

"You are welcome."

"But I need to ask you something," wika niya sa pagitan ng mga pagsubo.

She just looked at him, her icy blue eyes did the asking.

"During our first date, you barely ate. Samantalang ngayon, you practically ate everything."

Unexpectedly, she let out a silent laughter. Her face now lit up with undeniable hilarity.

"Grabe ka! Hindi kaya. Ikaw ang umubos. Sinaid mo pa nga ang sabaw."

He was happy to see this side of her. Palagi na lamang kasi lungkot ang nagbabanaag niya rito. He watch her laugh and not grew tired of it.

"Honestly, I was intimidated by the place. It was a lap of luxury. Tapos, napaka tataas pa ng presyo ng mga pagakain roon. Unlike this place. Everything comes in a very reasonable price."

Napansin niya ang naiwang ube sa gilid ng labi nito. On instinct, he wiped it away using his thumb. It was a mistake on his part. Because when their skin touched, volts of electricity suddenly flowed.

Their eyes met. Hers spoke of uncertainty. He let himself drown in their undeniable chemistry. Agad niyang inilapit ang mukha rito. Then in a second, their lips met. It was only a chaste a kiss. A kiss that lasted only for a second or so. But that particular millisecond seemed to span a life time. It was a marvellous feeling for him.

They both slowly moved away from each other, comfortably returning to their seats. Iniwas nito ang tingin sa kanya. She was now red as a tomato, quite a contradiction to her icy blue eyes.

"There is no sense of denying what's happening between us. It is inevitable. You know I want you and somehow, I could feel that you want me, too. But rest assured that nothing will happen unless you personally want it. It is your call, sweetheart. I want it to come from you. That you desire to be finally consumed by this burning fire between us."

Steffanie was still quiet inside Gareth's car. Wala siyang maisip na sabihin rito matapos ang halik na pinagsaluhan nilang dalawa. She was literally speechless.

She could still remember his voice echoing in her head, that you desire to be finally consumed by this fire between us.

She felt hot all over. His words sent flashes of unknown sensations to her body. Pagkatapos nilang kumain at dumiretso na sila sa kanilang pupuntahan. She still didn't know where they were going. All she knew was that they passing through dark places.

"What's in your head right now, sweetheart?" he said while his eyes were still on the road.

She let out a sigh, "Nothing important really. Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

She checked her cellphone. It was near midnight. Where would they go? Saan siya nito dadalhin?

Marahan itong nagpreno. She looked at the place outside but her night blindness hindered her to see anything. It was just plain dark.

Agad itong lumabas sa kotse at binuksan ang pintong nasa tabi niya. She stepped out of the car. Her sandaled feet could feel the grasses. The surroundings smelled of nature. Even the evening breeze felt fresh against her skin.

Iginiya siya nito patungo sa harap ng kotse. At least, kait papaano ay may nakikita siya sa bahaging iyon dahil sa headlights ng sasakyan.

"Stay here."

Nakita niya itong may kinuhang kung ano sa loob ng sasakyan. A few seconds later, he laid out a mat. Niyaya nitong maupo siya roon kasama ito.

Just what is this man up to? She thought.

Agad naman siyang nagparaya. Naupo siya katabi nito. He was now holding a transparent plastic with some drawings on it.

"What is that?" tanong niya.

"My sister gave this to me. It's a map, a star map. You just sit there and wait, sweet heart."

Mukhang alam na niya ang gagawin nito. She wanted to stop him but he seemed very determined. She wanted to say that it's useless, but she just did not have any courage to do so.

Dahan-dahan itong tumayo at nagtungo sa sasakyan. He turned the headlights off. Her world became very dark wala siyang makita. In normal circumstances, she would be scared. But somehow, with Gareth at her side, she felt secured. Hinayaan na lamang niya ito. She felt him sit near her.

"We are at the Onyx Forest. Sabi ng kapatid ko, tonight, there will be a meteor shower at the eastern hemisphere and that it will be very visible from this place."

His voice gave comfort in her heart. That somehow, despite the darkness, there was still a pigment of hope that she could cling to.

"Any moment from now," he said.

Kahit na alam na niya ang mangyayari, tumingala pa rin siya sa direksyon ng kalangitan. Umaasa pa siya na kahit papaano ay may maaninaw sa kanya. But just like any other night, it was the moon that she only saw. It was the only heavenly body bright enough for her to see.

Magkaganoon man, she still felt happy. Gareth was at it again. He gave Ash to her and now, he set out to fulfil one of her dreams again. Sabi nga nila, it is the thought that counts.

She held his hand. It was very easy to find. She squeezed it to convey how much she appreciated everything that he did.

Gareth was amazed by the meteor shower. The glowing lights were free falling like rain drops. It was beautiful. Minsan lang siyang makasaksi ng ganitong pangyayari and he was glad that he did. He prepared this moment for her, for Steffanie.

He asked her brainiac of a sister, Princess Leylah, about something like this earlier today. And with all of his luck, she informed him that there will be a meteor shower this evening. Agad namang gumana ang kanyang utak. That was the time that he finally decided to look for Steff.

And now, here they were, together under the bright moonlight, watching how the heavens laid out this beautiful canvass in front of them. He looked at Steff. She was intensely looking at him. Ang mga mata nito'y puno ng tuwa at panghihinayang.

"Aren't those beautiful, sweetheart? This is for you," turan niya sa kalangitan.

She gave out a smile that made her look like a goddess. She was radiating under the moonlight. Her skin was glistening like expensive porcelain. And her eyes articulated all of her unspoken words of wonder. She was indeed a deity. A tear suddenly flowed from her eyes.

"What's the matter?" Nabaghan siya sa iginagawi nito.

"Thank you. I really appreciate everything. I really do." Tears were now freefalling from her eyes. She couldn't contain her sobs anymore.

"But I am night blind. I am sick. My eyes are failing me. Right now, all I see is the moon. Everything is dark for me."

Her words were piercing violently in his heart. How could he be so stupid? Alam niya ang sakit nito. Doctor Flyheight told him. She had a failing retina. Of Course, she would be night blind! He wanted to kick himself. He suddenly felt stupid, as if years of stay in med school didn't do him any good.

He enveloped her in a tight embrace. She was so delicate. So soft. So warm.

"Shh... baby I am sorry. I was careless." Sinabi niya sa naghihirap niyang kalooban.

"It's not your fault. Ganito na talaga ako noon pa naman. I dreamed to see the stars but never in my life have I seen it in its true likeness. Thank you for trying."

Muli pa ring tumutulo ang luha nito. His insides were now constricting of unspoken agony.

"I'm sorry. Don't cry anymore, sweetheart. Don't be sad."

"I am not sad. It is from that. I am happy. Truly happy. This is the first time that someone went out of their way to this for me. Salamat talaga. I really appreciate everything."

He rained feather kisses on her temples, on her cheeks and on her hand. Tonight, he vowed to make Steffanie happy every day. He hated seeing her lonely. He knew that he was walking on an unfamiliar path. He never felt like this towards anyone. Only her.