CALLEA lighted the candles at the tomb of her great grandparents – Grandpa Leandro and Grandma Celesta in the underground cemetery of Nagcarlan, Laguna. Her ancestors had the chance to be buried at the historic underground cemetery that was made for old rich families of Nagcarlan. She closed her eyes and offered a prayer.
She left the church right after the mass. She religiously visited her ancestor's burial place especially her Grandma Celesta whom she had a strong connection even if she didn't get to meet her. And she loved the feel of the history of the underground cemetery. It was built in 1845 by Franciscan friars and the underground crypt where she was in was made for friars, prominent town citizens, and elite Catholic families. And according to her grandfather, it was an honor that his parents were buried there.
She heard a rustle. It was as if someone was standing beside her. Her breath hitched. She was not a scared rat and she was not afraid of ghosts although she hasn't seen one. But there was always a first time since there were talks of ghost sightings in the crypt.
She slowly opened her eyes. She found Deive standing beside her instead and was also praying. She couldn't take her eyes off his face while his eyes were still shut. He looked so peaceful. While she started beating wildly. Her hand automatically lifted to touch his face but he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at her. She suddenly clasped her hands in front of her, closed her eyes, and pretended to pray. She would also pretend that he didn't catch her.
It was his turn to stare at her. Her heart was beating painfully now because she was holding her breath. Waiting for him to look away from her. Waiting for his next move. After a few minutes, his eyes were still looking intently at her. Why didn't he just leave her in peace? She counted to ten and let out her breath. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he was smiling.
"I've been looking for you. You just disappeared after the mass. I thought you went home without me," he said and fixed her veil. Callea was seated at the old churchwomen on the front pew. While he was seated with Lindsye's family a few rows at the back on the other side of the church. She was sure that Lindsye didn't want to let him go. Callea didn't care eitherway.
Callea stepped back because she thought he would remove her veil. It was a knee-jerk reaction. "How did you know I am here?"
"The sacristan said that you go down here after every mass."
"I like it here because it is quiet. I could talk to the people who are important to me. My great grandparents who were gone, my parents and even my friend," she uttered. "Why are you here? You should be with Lindsye."
"How about my Callea?"
She gave him a sharp look. "I am not yours!"
She was a bit pissed off because her heart was clapping with joy and the giddy feeling came rushing. She castigated herself. She should not be carried away by that single word when he was obviously enjoying Lindsye's company.
"I met Lindsye in a party before we even met. She saw me at the mall when I met up with Keiran to bring me the stuff I need to fight the ghosts of Villa Celesta. She knows that we are engaged."
She shrugged her shoulder. "It doesn't matter. It looks like she wants to get her hooks on you. So, you like her?"
"I was just being polite to her. I wanted to bring you with me when she introduced me to your parents but you were in a hurry to get inside the church. You left me alone," Deive said in a voice laced with pain. As if it was Callea's fault for leaving him.
"I thought I was doing you a favor. Sure, we are getting married soon but you are free to like someone else. I won't stop you. Just be discreet."
But he was not fazed. "Your church dress looked good on you. And it fits the place perfectly because this church has been standing here for centuries. Our ancestors were wearing the same dress. I should have worn a Barong Tagalog or a camisa chino so we are a pair.
"They would think we are both crazy. People might stay away from you."
"What's wrong with being nationalistic? And I don't care if they call us a crazy couple," he said with a laugh then caressed her face. "After all, you will be my bride."
Callea sighed and felt the familiar heaviness on her chest. "Deive, you can't shape me into the woman you want. This is me. If you can't accept me, you'd better talk to your grandfather now. Tell him that you want another woman as a bride. Someone like Lindsye. I am sure you can present her to your grandfather without a problem. I can pretend to a point but you can't force me to someone I am not. You can't let me face the crowd and let them butcher me like what they did to me last time."
"Callea, I must admit that I was shocked when I learned about your weird preference. I don't know how to handle a woman who prefers to be an introvert who prefers to look like a white lady and has bats as pets. I prefer to be the envy of my friends because the woman in my arms is attractive and they would wish they were me. Where I don't explain to people their eccentric tastes. And I tried to transform you into that woman because I thought it is best for you... for us. But I was wrong. I should have respected your identity."
"Deive, I can't blame you if you don't like me. = It is human nature. We like what's pleasing to our eyes. We are afraid of the dark. We hate ugly things. And I understand if you don't want to marry me."
He shook his head. "No! I still want to marry you."
"You don't really have to. I will talk to my grandfather about the mansion. I am not deserving to marry you or some other guy. I am destined to be alone." Fake or not, who would want to marry a weirdo like her?
"No! We are in this together," he insisted and grasped her hand. "I am fine if you want to walk around the house with a bloody dress or with your prosthetics looking like a zombie. I won't be ashamed to be with you. I can put on a costume if you want..."
"Your grandfather will disown you if you do that." But she appreciated that he was trying to compromise with her. He was trying to adjust to her lifestyle and was even willing to relate to her. It means that he really wants to marry her. "Deive, if your grandfather will come here, I am willing to look neat and pretty in front of him. You know that I could pull it off. I just want to do it in front of strangers. I-It scares me."
"I won't force you to be beautiful if you don't want to. You can do whatever pleases you. I understand, you can't pretend forever. It would be worse if my grandfather finds out that you are just pretending, right?"
"Aren't you doing me a good favor?" He was already sacrificing a lot for her. "What do you want in return?"
He lifted her veil and looked her in the eye. He didn't let the veil go. "I want you to smile for me. Even if you look like a vampire or a zombie, just smile for me."
"That's all? You just want me to smile?"
He nodded. "Yes." He tipped her chin with his finger. "Starting now."
The corner of her lips slowly lifted. Her muscles strained because his face was near hers. They were sharing the veil. She felt like they were getting married and he lifted the veil to kiss her. She gulped and stared at his lips.
He wet his lips and crossed the distance between them. He kissed her leisurely as if he was taking his time. A fierce hunger awakened inside her. As if kissing him something she had been wanting all her life. Their differences vanished. It was just the two of them melting together as one. She wanted to remain inside that cocoon and remain locked in the kiss.
She heard someone cleared his throat. Callea was startled. She cut-off the kiss and jumped away from Deive. When she looked in the direction of the intruder, the priest was standing at the entrance of the crypt. "We have visitors, kids." And his eyes were reprimanding them. Callea blushed. They were too old to caught like two teenagers making out.
Then she heard some tourists walking down the stairs. She couldn't look straight into Deive's eyes. He carefully let out of the veil and let it cover his face. But she caught a glimpse of his mischievous smile.
"I am sorry, Father," she and Deive said together then left the crypt. Imagine if other people caught them together. She might prefer to hide inside one of the apartment tombs.
"Wow! Her dress is beautiful," said the old man who looked like the head of the tourists. "Is she the tourist guide?"
The priest signaled her to come forward. She must make amends after she was caught making out with Deive. Of all places, in an underground cemetery. Deive squeezed her hand. "I will wait for you here."