Chapter 12 - The Flying Cinderella

Steffanie was preparing her studio for today's painting session with her model, Prince Gareth. Nasa kalagitnaan siya ng pagtitimpla ng mga pintura nang mag-ring ang kanyang cellphone. Tiningnan niya muna ang LCD bago sagutin ito. It was Sofia.

Bakit kaya ito napatawag? Without any hesitations, she answered the call.

"Hello," she said as she continued her task.

"Hoy Esteffania!!!" the shrieking voice of her best friend rummaged her eardrum.

"Bakit ka ba sumisigaw?"

"Ano iyong nababalitaan ko na naman sa grapevine?" pagtatalak nito sa kanya.

"Ano naman bang tsismis iyan?"

"It is not gossip. It is a fact. Maraming nakakita."

"Ng alin nga?" nalilito na siya sa sinasabi ng kaibigan.

"How dare you?! Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sa akin," pakunwaring pagtatampo nito.

"Ang alin ba ang hindi ko sinasabi sa yo?" itinigil na muna niya ang kanyang ginagawa. This issue, whatever it may be, needed her undivided attention. May kutob siyang may kinalaman siya rito kaya ganoon na lang ang pagtatalak ng kaibagan.

"Gosh, Steff! Kailan ka pa naging denial queen?"

"Ano bang idedeny ko? Please do not talk in circles, we are going nowhere."

She heard a sigh from the other side of the phone.

"Sige, I'll be frank with you. Is there something going on between you and Prince Gareth?"

Mistulang umurong ang dila niya sa narinig. Was that rumor from Sofia's grapevine about that?

"Define something going on..." she said

"Hey there Missy. You very well know what the hell I am talking about... So, ano nga ang meron kayo?"

Siya naman ngayon ang nagbigay ng buntong hininga. Napatanong din siya sa kanyang sarili. Ano nga ba talaga ang mayroon sa kanilang dalawa?

She wanted to squeeze her brains for some answers, but it gave none. All she knew was that they were both comfortable with each other. That there was this undeniable chemistry between them. That somehow, they have what they call, spark. Muli niyang kinapa ang sarili. Was she falling for this man? That she didn't know. She had never been in love her whole life.

"Honestly, hindi ko rin alam," she said.

"Anong hindi mo alam? Eh, dun sa engagement party raw todo sayaw kayo sa dance floor. Tapos may kissing scene pa. Tell me Steff. I am dying to know."

Ipinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. Ngayon lang rumihistro sa kanyang isipan ang mga naganap noong gabing iyon. Just how many people saw that dance? Just how many people saw that kiss?

"So... Did it really happen?"

Nagdalawang isip muna siya bago tuluyang sumagot. "Yup, Sofia. It indeed happened. "

She heard Sofia gasp. "Oh-em-gee! Steff! Why did you do that?"

"Hindi ko rin alam. It just happened."

"Steff... Steff... Concerned lang ako sa yo bilang kaibigan mo. But of all the man out there, bakit si Prince Gareth pa. Pwede namang iba diyan sa tabi-tabi. Royalties are really all a pain in the ass, you know."

Muling siyang napapapikit. Isa lang ang daloy ng kanyang isipan. Marahil ang mas tamang salita ay, isa lang ang laman ng kanyang isipan. It was the same man who haunted him day and night.

"So what are you going to do now?"

Kasabay nito ang pagkatok sa kanyang pinto. Alam niya sa kanyang sarili na si Gareth ito. He was just in time for their first painting session.

Marahan niyang pinag-isipan ang sinabi ni Sofia. Ano nga ba ang gagawin niya? Should she bank on this unknown feelings? Or would she rather let go at this early stage?

"I am telling you, Steff. This will not be good for you," Sofia continued.

The knocking on the door still persisted.

Huminga siya ng malalim. And with that, she finally gambled everything she had on a single choice.

"I'll talk to you later Sofia," ibinaba niya ang tawag sa kanyang cellphone saka binuksan ang kanyang pinto para kay Prince Gareth.

Gareth silently stood at Steff's door. Nasa studio na siya ng dalaga. This was their first painting session. Hindi pa rin niya alam kung paanong napasubo siya rito. She just saw red when he heard that Tristan would be a willing model for Steff, a nude one for that matter. So without any preliminaries or even thinking of the possible consequences, he volunteered himself. He and his big mouth.

Kaya ngayon, naririto siya upang panindigan ang kanyang mga sinabi kay Steff.

Shit! Pero kinakabahan pa rin siya. This was his first time doing this kind of thing. By his count, never in his life had he taken off his clothes for a woman unless they fuck. And this session was not for fucking. This session was for Steffanie, for him to fulfil his word.

His thoughts suddenly brought him to the beauty of the woman who was just a door away from him. She was indeed beautiful, far more gorgeous than any woman that he had encounter. And by hell of it, he met and bedded women of all shapes and colors.

It would definitely a lie if he said that he only wanted to be friends with her. He desired her. He lusted for her. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, his libido also skyrocketed. He wanted to crush her in his arms. And night after night, he wondered how it would feel to be inside her, to explore her femininity. And because his sexual frustrations were all vexed up, he even tried to put matters on his own hands. But his pride refused to act like a horny teenager. So he just opted to take a long cold shower.

He didn't know why but to him, Steff was special. She was not like some other girl that he met and desired. He knew that once they fuck, it will not only be a casual sex, he knew that it will be special. Iyon na lamang ang pinanghahawakan niya. He should take one step at a time. Steffanie was like a porcelain doll, very beautiful but fragile. And for now, making her happy was his priority. Again, he didn't know why but every time he saw her smile, he cannot help himself but to burst with happiness as well, lalo na kung siya ang dahilan ng mga ngiti nito. He knew that Steff was one of a kind. He knew that he should take care of her no matter what.

He felt himself grew hard at flow of his thoughts. Damn it! At this rate, baka lapain na niya ito pagkabukas pa lang nito ng pinto. He felt like a wild primate full of primeval desires. He needed to compose himself. He breathed in, then breathed out. Down boy... Down Boy...

But when his efforts were nothing but useless, he just knocked the door continuously. Tang-ina, bahala na.

It took her quite a few minutes to open the door. And when she did, it was as if heaven itself came down to earth. She was very pretty in simple tees with her hair tied back. Mas umaliwalas ang mukha nito.

"Good day, Prince Gareth." She then gave her most beautiful smile.

He was speechless, beyond words. Just a simple smile from her and he was totally captivated.

"Let's go in?" yaya nito sa kanya.

Doon lamang siya muling natauhan. Para siyang tangang nakatitig lamang dito.

Pinagmasdan niyang maiigi ang paligid nang makapasok na siya sa studio ng dalaga. It was spacious. Nagkalat sa loob nito ang iba't ibang mga painting. Ang iba sa mga ito ay tapos na samantalang ang iba ay nasa proseso pa lang ng paggawa.

He tried looking at art pieces. They were all beautiful. He may not be an art aficionado, but he definitely had a good eye to quality art. Punong-puno ng mga emosyon ang bawat likhang sining na kanyang nakikita. She was really good at her craft. He was really glad that he got a glimpse on this side of her. Ang silid na ito ang sariling mundo ni Steffanie. This was her domain.

"Can we get started?" tanong nito.

Nahigit niya ang kanyang hiningi. Shit! This is it. No more running away now.

"Is there something bothering you?" she innocently asked.

Damn it! Her innocent face did no good in his system. Mabuti na lamang at nakajeans at trench coat siya. His massive hard-on could be easily be concealed. But what about later? When he will be required to be in his birthday suit. Shit! He did not what he would do? What would be the reaction of Steff? Kung alam lang nito ang nangyayaring digmaan sa kalooban niya.

"Nothing, sweetheart. It is just that ngayon ko lang gagawin ito," he honestly confessed, deliberately leaving out his raging lust over her.

She sighed in relief. "That's good. Akala ko naman magbaback-out ka na."

He was seriously contemplating that.

He inhaled sharply, might as well be over with this. "So, what do I do? Do I strip here?"

She suddenly looked down. Her face started to become red. Double Shit! Her blushing face was definitely begging him to maul her.

"Nope, not yet. Not today. I just want to get your facial features right. Today, portrait lang tayo. This will not take a while."

He sighed in relief. Mabuti na lang at mayroon pa siyang ilang araw para makapaghanda.

She guided her to large stool. Doon naman siya umupo.

"Just sit here. I will be seating opposite you. "

"Can I move?"

"Yep. Pero huwag sana masyado, just remain seated."

Kumuha naman ito ng sariling upuan. Kinuha muna nito ang isang sketch pad at lapis saka umupo sa kinuhang upuan.

She started to scribble something on the paper. Then she stared at his face, analysing every corner of it, memorising every curve and features. Their eyes suddenly met. Her icy blue eyes screamed of something that he took as desire. But he dared not to assume. This was still Steffanie.

"Prince Gareth—"

"I told you just to call me Gareth."

Bumuntong hininga ito, "Gareth, can I ask you something?"

"Fire away."

"What is the color of your eyes? The real color of it. I am curious, wala kasi sa color palette ko nyan, so I can mix up something to at least match its colors."

Marahan siyang nag-isip. He just knew that it's brown or amber nothing more. "I think it's amber. But my sister, Leylah knows the real color. I'll ask her for you."

"Talagang iisa lang ang mata ninyong magkakapatid?"

"You may say that, but again. My sister said that iba't iba raw kami ng shades. But it is hardly noticeable. It is what we call as the Pendragon eyes."

He liked talking petty things to her. Their casual conversations meant that they were progressing. Before, Steff was just aloof at her. At least now, they could casually talk.

"But yours is way prettier, sweetheart," he said.

Muli siya nitong tinitigan. She just gave him a view to her eyes, to the window of her soul. Nakita niya ang paglatay ng kaunting lungkot dito. Ngunit mabilis din itong nawala.

"As you already know, my eyes became a blessing and a curse. It may not be now, but sooner or later, I will be completely blind."

"I am sorry." There he goes again. Opening up a fresh wound like an expert asshole.

"Nope. Don't be sorry. I already accepted that part of my life. Kaya ngayon, heto ako, always appreciating the colors of life."

He felt the sincerity in her voice. She was very optimistic, always viewing things in her multi-colored glasses.

"Why did you take fine arts?"

"Kagaya nga ng sabi ko, I love colors. This way, bawat klase ng kulay sa mundo maaalala ko. By time that I am blind, I'll remember each and every one of them. Though my vision may be clouded with complete darkness, my imagination will be a spectrum of colors." Nagpatuloy lamang ito sa ginagawa.

"Ikaw, why did you take Medicine?"

"It's the one thing that I truly excel in. And besides, His Highness wants me to be an engineer. So just to rub it off his ass, I took up Biology when I went out of the palace. Mabuti na lang at hindi nakialam ang palasyo. Soon after that, I wanted to try Veterinary Medicine. Gagamitin ko sana iyon para sa bakahan ko sa Lyonese. But once again, I was stuck here."

She was just attentively listening as she drew more and more lines in her sketchpad.

"So any plans of continuing Vet Med? I heard that you are pursuing General Medicine na at UP?"

"So you've been snooping about me, Steff?" he mischievously said.

Nawala ng panandalian ang konsentrasyon nito. She suddenly blushed to the roots of her hair once more. She really found her blushing face cute and arousing.

"Hindi, ah," she defensively said.

"You become the talk of the town ever since you came at UP. Everybody talks about you. I just heard that from someone."

She was now looking intently at her sketch, refusing to even give him a look. Again, she found it very cute.

She suddenly stopped scribbling. Then slowly, she looked at him.

"But I know that you'll excel on that field. I just know that you would. Simula nang magkakilala tayo, all you did was take care of me. Alam kong magiging mahusay kang doktor," she seriously said.

He was touched by those simple words. For the first time in his life, somebody had faith on him. Somebody believed in him.

She smiled for him once more. "Are you thinking of any specialization?"

Then he just looked at her, cherishing her very beautiful smile. Realization struck to him. He wanted that smile to never fade away. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to do everything in his powers for this woman. He made his resolve.

"I just found it now, baby," he said seriously.

"Found what?" she wondered.

"I will become an optalmologist. And no matter what happens, I will find a cure for you."

It was a great morning Steffanie. Maganda ang gising niya. Bakit nga ba hindi? What happened to her and Gareth yesterday was something that she did not expected. She was happy. Kahit na nga ba nagbibiro lamang ito, she was still happy.

Mabilis siyang nag-almusal at saka naligo, may pupuntahan kasi sila ni Gareth ngayong araw. It was a Sunday kaya pinagbigyan na niya ito. Isa pa, dahil dito may pag-asa na siyang nakikita para sa kanyang exhibit. Sa wakas, magkakaroon na rin ng mukha ang mga paintings niya.

She was brushing her teeth when she received a text message from Gareth.

Pick you up at 9, sweetheart. Wear something adventurous. We are going for a thrill ride.

Naguluhan siya sa nais nitong sabihin, pero isinawalang bahala na lang niya ito. She knew Gareth had that innate penchant to arrange very surprising itineraries.

She wore a tight fitting jogging pants and a sports bra. She topped it with a loose fitting shirt. Nagpony-tail din siya at nagsuot ng kanyang running shows.

She went to see herself in the mirror. Is this adventurous enough?

Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang sarili mula ulo hanggang paa. Her long blonde hair suddenly felt very heavy and uncomfortable. Ano kaya kung pagupitan na niya ito?

She was in the middle of that thought when her phone rang again. She was half-expecting that it would Gareth, but it was Sofia instead. Sinagot niya ito.

"Hello there." Tiningnan niya ng relo, quarter to nine na. Fifteen minutes na lang at dadarating na si Gareth.

"Anong hello, hello ka dyan."

"Anong meron? Why so cranky so early in the morning?"

She heard a loud yawn from the other line. And something tells her that it was not Sofia. "Who are you calling this early in the morning?"it was a man's voice.

"Tse! Matulog ka na nga ulit! Mind your own business," came another shrieking voice of her best friend.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"Please don't ask. Ayokong lalong masira ang araw ko."

And ask she did not. It seemed that Sofia had a rough night with someone. And that someone was fairly obvious. The newly engaged couple were being this kinky as early as now. Nagulat siya sa dinaloy ng kanyang isipan. How can she think of such sensual things to her friend?

"Steff? Still there?"

"Yep, loud and clear. Bakit ka napatawag?"

"Is it true?" tanong nito.

"Ang alin naman?"

"I just read a text message from one of my trusted source at the grapevine. Prince Gareth suddenly sought mentorship from Doctor Williams, from the Optalmology department. Mukhang magpapalit ng field of specialization si Gareth. Umamin ka, may kinalaman ka ba dito?" tudyo ni Sofia.

She was frozen in her seat. Sineryoso talaga nito ang sinabi kahapon. She was all but happy to hear that. Hindi niya alam kung paano pakikitunguhan ang walang patid na paglundag ng kanyang puso. She wanted to see Gareth right now. She wanted be with him. She wanted to be with that someone who just gone an extra mile for her.

"I'll call you later, Sofia."

Ibinaba na niya ang tawag sa kanyang cellphone. Nagririgodon na ang kanyang puso. Excited na siyang makita ang binata. So with a rejoicing heart, she packed her bag alongside the light breakfast that she made earlier.

Gareth was intently looking at Sofia as she savoured her sandwich. Kasalukuyang nasa Camelot Sky Park sila upang ipa-experience niya rito and isa sa pinakapaborito niyang sports, ang sky diving.

She nearly jumped to the seat of his car when he said that they will be sky diving today. Her eyes turned aqua blue as it mirrored both fear and excitement.

Minabuti niyang kumain na lang muna sila bago sumalang sa jet. This way, he could easily release her tensions. Pinagpatuloy lang niya ang pagtitig dito. He will never get tired of looking at her. Every passing second, he discovered something new to her. May nunal pala ito sa likod ng kanang tainga nito. May mga pekas din likod ng batok nito. What else was she hiding underneath those clothes?

He felt his manhood stirred at the thought. Damn! There it goes again.

Hindi na siya nasanay sa reksyon ng kanyang katawan kapag kasama niya si Steff. It was always like this, his testosterone were working non-stop.

"Is there something in my face?" tanong nito.

"Nope, I just love looking at your face."

She turned red once more. He just loved how easily she blushed at his slightest innuendos.

"Why aren't you eating?" tanong nito.

Ipinakita niya ang balat ng kanyang pinagkainang sandwich, "I already devoured it, earlier. Got a little hungry earlier. Where did you buy that? Ang sarap eh." Totoo naman. Masarap namang talaga. Sa katunayan, gusto pa nga niya.

"I made that."

"Really? I did not know that you are good also in the kitchen." He was truly shocked. She saw Steff as a free spirit, not a domesticated type of woman.

"Well, years of living alone paid off. I guess I do not have any choice but to be good at this, otherwise, wala akong kakainin."

"Can you cook for me, sweetheart?"

Namilog ang mga mata nito saka siya muling binigyan ng isang matamis na ngiti.

"Sure thing."

"Just remember what the instructor told you. Do not fret. Huwag malikot. You'll be attached behind me. I'll do all the navigation."

Tumungo na lamang ito sa kanya.

"Let's go?"

He led her to the hangar kung saan naroroon ang isang maliit na jet. He could feel her shake. Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay nito. It was cold and sweaty.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Humigit ito ng hininga. "I think I am not okay."

Hinarap niya ito. Her face was now full of fear. He cupped her face. It was very easy to do so, napakaliit lang kasi ng mukha nito.

"Think about you childish dream, sweetheart. Think about the moment when you dreamed to touch the sky. This will be the completion of that dream."

Huminga ito ng malalim. She looked him in the eyes.

"I'm still afraid, Gareth."

He was disturbed by her trembling voice. Nasi niyang ibsan ito. So in a split moment, his lips touched hers. It only lasted a second but that chaste kiss did what it was supposed to do. It invigorated her. The shock of the moment overlapped her fears.

Nanginginig na talaga si Steffanie sa loob ng jet. Kasalukuyan na itong lumilipad sa ere. Any moment from now, tatawagin na sila ng trainer. She will be strapped behind Gareth. Then they will jump free fall.

Kasalukuyang hawak niya ang kamay ni Gareth. She was drawing strength from him. Oh-my... Hindi niya alam kung anong naisip niya't sumama siya rito.

She remembered the moment when she told him of her dreams to touch the sky and see things from above. Hindi naman niya inakalang siseryosohin nito ang sinabi niya.

"Your, highness. We are now at the right altitude. Please prepare yourself."

And that was the queue that they were all waiting for.

Tumayo ito. "Let's go sweetheart."

She still couldn't find the strength that she needed to stand. He reached out for her. Agad naman niyang kiunha ang mga kamay nito.

"Everything will be alright, sweetheart."

"But—"

"Shh... Do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"Then, there is no need to worry."

Trust. She reminded herself. Huminga siya ng malalim.

"Tara na't nang matapos na."

The crew secured her behind Gareth. At dahil malayo ang tangkad nito kumpara sa kanya. Gareth was in a squatting position while she is being tightly strapped.

When everything was secured, including their parachutes, they went over to the door of the plane.

The wind is blowing fiercely on her face. She inhaled sharply. This is it.

"Ready, sweetheart?"

"Not really."

Tumawa muna ito ng malakas.

"On the count of three."

"Three..." she hugged him tightly from behind.

"Two..." she closed her eyes shut.

"One..."

She took in a mouthful of air as she felt their feet moved away from the solid platform.

She heard Gareth screamed in total abandon. She too did the same. They were now freefalling in a velocity where the wind just screamed past your body.

She opened her eyes just to see this perfect moment when time ceased to exist, when all she could feel was this strange sensation of total freedom.

Biglang bumagal ang kanilang pagbagsak. Nabuksan nap ala ni Gareth ang kanilang parachute. They were now gliding through the winds. She reached out for the cloud next to her. It disintegrated with her touch.

"Look at this beauty Steff! Look!" Gareth shouted.

And without any hesitations, she followed his words. It was indeed a beauty. She was in awe at magnificence of the canvass in front of her, They were now looking at the beautiful mountain range of suburban Camelot. She drank in the scenery. From the modern structures carefully laid beneath them up to the great blue sky, it was all captured inside her head. It was incredible.

Gareth carefully manuevered the canopy to their landing spot. Hindi na niya namalayang uniti-unti na pala silang bumababa. The moment their feet touched the ground she felt another part of her life was complete. And again, it was because of this man.

Agad nilang tinanggal ang strap na nagkakabit sa kanila. He also removed the chute. Gareth was now looking at her, devouring her with unspoken words. And with that, she now concluded that she was indeed in love of this man.

With all of her heart poured out, she went for him and gave him a tight embrace that reflects all of her feelings for this man. His body felt warm. It felt good being inside of his arms.

Marahan nitong inalis ang kanyang pagkakayakap. She looked him in the eyes. His amber eyes were now smoldering with passion. Then he kissed her fervently. His tongue darted the insides of her mouth, exploring every bit of it in a circular motion. The ardor of his kiss left her no choice but to respond. She tried to mimic what he did. She tried to equal his passion. She wanted to express her own passion over this man. She did what her instincts told her. Nakipagsabayan siya rito. She fought his fire with her own. This moment was definitely magical, a state of temporal stasis for the two of them.

They stopped after a few minutes, both of them are catching their breaths.

"That was beautiful, sweetheart."

She could see the adoration in his eyes. Sasagot pa sana siya nang may tumakbong lalaki patungo sa kanila.

"Your highness!" sigaw nito.

Parehong napukaw ang kanilang atensiyon.

"What is it, Clarence?" tanong nito.

"It's Princess Anya, she's in the hospital right now. May nangyari sa kanya."

Nakita niya ang paglatay ng pag-aalala sa mukha nito.

"Sige, nasaan siya ngayon? Pupuntahan ko siya paghatid ko kay Steff."

She gave him an understanding smile. "Don't worry about me. I can manage by myself. Puntahan mo na lang muna ang kapatid mo."

"Are you sure?"

Tumango na lang siya.

Agad namang tumakbo ito palayo sa kanya kasama ang lalaking dumating kani-kanina lamang.

Steffanie was now walking away from the Camelot Sky Park. Walang nakaparadang mga taxi roon. Madalas kasi ng mga pumupunta roon ay mga private na sasakyan. But apparently, Gareth rented the whole place for today kaya sila lamang ang tao. She found such actions very sweet though.

She did not want to burden Gareth anymore kaya sinabi niyang kaya niyang umuwing mag-isa. But that slip of the tongue actually cost her. Wala tuloy siyang masakyan. At isa pa, tama na ang ginawa nito para sa kanya ngayong araw. She did not want to cause him more inconvenience. Ang mahalaga ay mapuntahan agad nito ang kapatid nang hindi siya iniintindi.

She was still floating in cloud nine. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng in-love. She felt inspired and invigorated.

She was now near at the main road when she saw two men approaching at her. Kinutuban siya ng hindi maganda ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin siya. Baka napaparanoid lang siya. Tumawid siya sa kabilang bahagi ng daan ngunit tumawid rin ang mga ito. She tried going back but two men were coming at her in that direction. Nagsimula na siyang magpanic ngunit nabuhayan siya ng loob nang makita ang isang taxi na paparating. Agad niya itong pinara. Tumigil naman sa harap niya ang taxi.

Bumukas ang pinto nito at iniluwa ang isang malaking tao. Huli na nang marealize niya na may maling nagaganap. The man got a hold of her already.

"Tulong!" she shouted.

Wala ring nangyari sa kanyang sigaw. Nilamon lang ito ng paligid. Wala kasing masyadong dumadaan. Ang apat na taong sumusunod sa kanya ay dali-daling pinuntahan siya. Humugot ang isa ng panyo mula sa bulsa nito.

"What are you gonna do to me?" she shouted.

"Please, let me go!" sinabi niya habang nagpupumiglas.

She was already sobbing. Mariing itinakip ng isa sa mga lalaki ang panyo sa kanyang ilong. Walang pang ilang Segundo ay nakaramdam na siya ng pagkahilo. And with every sparing second, she became incoherent as she blacked out.