His Punishment Page 7

  He wasn’t moving away though. He continued to savage and punish Tara’s lips as he continued to kiss her angrily. The space between their cars is not helping at all. Their bodies are pressed so close together and James is now trying to touch her legs and squeezing her thighs as he continues to force his tongue inside her mouth.

  She tried to talk and say stop. But even before she could utter the word, he took the advantage of the little opening in her mouth and plunged his tongue inside hers. He was pressing the back of her neck with his other hand and pushing it to his face. He was sucking her breath out and she is in tears.

  Trying very hard to push James away seemed hopeless. James’ hands are moving up from her thighs to her hips and gripping them. She can feel James’ body pressing harder to hers as she continued her objection.

  He was a six foot one inch bulk and what does she expect a five feet and six inches tall like her can do against it?

  She can feel something hard in her stomach this time. She struggles with all the might she could gather as she knows that what she’s feeling is James’ manhood growing hard.

  James is scanning her body with his free hand. It is now trying to get inside her shirt and she is trying to pull her shirt down as he tries to pull it up to reach her flat stomach. His greedy hands are moving so fast and strong and she can feel his hand on top of her left breast squeezing it tightly. She is so shocked at what James is doing and continues to weep.

  His other hand now goes up to her face to cup her cheeks, but he stops and moves away from her when he felt her face is wet. He looked at her intently and saw her crying. He looked at her a few more seconds as he tried to catch his breath and then he finally left her flushed face and swollen lips.

  He went inside his car and moved it. Tara immediately rode her car when she saw the space was enough and drove home still in tears, not looking back from where she left.

  Chapter 5

  “You’re coming over tonight?” Lyn asked.

  “Okay, I will wait for you,” she said again before hanging up.

  She was excited. She dressed up and tried putting on some light make up. The intercom in her room disturbed her.

  “Yep?” she answered.

  “Ma’am Tara is outside. She doesn’t want to come up, she just said it’s something important.” Lyn’s house helper said through the intercom.

  Lyn ended the conversation and headed downstairs swiftly. Never did Tara do anything like that. She’s just usually barging in her room without her knowing. Their families have been very close since they had become best friends in high school. They are like extended families and they have never been shy with each other’s parents at all.

  “Hon?” she asked when she saw Tara and her swollen eyes. “What happened?”

  “Nothing, I’m just not well.” She shrugged and felt guilty for lying to her best friend.

  “Pool?” she asked hoping for Tara to stay a bit, she was so alarmed at how she looked when she saw her at the living room. There is something definitely wrong and she is desperate to find out.

  “Okay.”

  They walked silently to the swimming pool area at the back of the house while Lyn’s arms are at Tara’s shoulders.

  “Come on, what’s wrong hon?” Lyn asked when they sat on the chairs that they use for sunbathing.

  “Nothing really. I’m just tired and I haven’t slept much because of my project.” She shrugged again.

  Tara did not tell Lyn about her paired assignment with James. Her best friend is a worrier and she doesn’t want to worry her. Much more than that, she didn’t know about her trip to Samal last Friday. Now, she doesn’t know how to start telling her about what happened this afternoon.

  “Would you like some strawberry ice cream?” she asked her best friend who’s still looking as gloomy as dark clouds in a storm.

  “I’d love that!” Tara said smiling. Whatever mood they are having, strawberry ice cream had always been perfect.

  Lyn hurriedly stood up and went to the kitchen leaving Tara lying down in the pool bench, her eyes closed.

  “Hi,” she heard a guy’s voice that’s a bit familiar.

  She stood up and turned around and was so surprised to see Christian standing there.

  “H-Hi,” she stammered as she looked through him checking if James was with him. What is he doing here? Did James send him to apologize?

  “I’m looking for Lyn,” he said as if answering her soundless questions.

  “Lyn?” Tara asked.

  “You’re already here!” Tara heard Lyn say as she walks back to her with two ice cream cones in her hands.

  “Hey!” Christian called out to Lyn and moved to kiss her cheek.

  “Wha….?” Tara’s voice trailed and she swallowed the remaining words in her throat. She didn’t know what to say. Are they? When did? How did?

  Christian and Lyn had been seeing each other secretly. Lyn purposely did not tell Tara about it. She might get her hopes up again with James once she finds out that her best friend is dating James’ best friend.

  Lyn doesn’t want to hurt Tara with her little secret, but she doesn’t want her best friend to get hurt a bit more if she will continue hoping that she and James can be together through Christian. Plus of course, they are just starting this dating relationship, she still doesn’t know how it will turn out.

  “I know you got a lot of questions hon.” Lyn said sitting down at the bench where she was a while ago. Her hand is guiding Christian’s hand to follow her to the bench.

  He sits beside her and their hands have not parted since. Tara was in awe.

  “Tara, this is Christian. Christian this is Tara.”

  “I know Lyn. You know what I want to know.” Tara pointed out and now impatient.

  “Okay, here goes . . . the day you left for Samal . . .”

  “You know?” Tara cut Lyn off.

  “Yes. That day I went to your classroom to look for you. I saw Christian and I asked him where you are.” Lyn continued.

  “So, all the while I was so guilty for not telling you about the assignment and you knew all along?” Tara asked.

  “Sorry but yes. I was waiting for you to tell me what happened in Samal. You were just there for the night so I figured it was bad.” Lyn presumed.

  “Actually no, James and I patched things up there.” Tara said.

  “Really? Then why is he mad at you when he got back? He said it was your fault that he broke up with Rhea.” Christian butted in.

  “That’s what I don’t get too. I mean, we did the assignment, we agreed to be friends and then I left early the next day.”

  “He said he caught Rhea.” Christian said.

  “Yeah, he told me this morning at the veranda. Something like Rhea had sex with a stranger the night we were doing the assignment,” Tara said touching her temples. She’s having a headache from all this. Now, she has more headache seeing Christian and Lyn together.

  “What? That bitch!” Lyn gasped as she heard her story.

  “Well, he said if you never came for the project and if you never took his time, then Rhea wouldn’t have gotten angry at him and fucked someone else,” Christian explained his best friend’s side.

  “But it’s not my fault he had a slut of a girl friend!” Tara said exasperatedly. She had been trying to say that over and over the whole day.

  “Yeah, I know. But you know James. He never listened to any of us about Rhea. We have been telling him that we sense something about her, but he won’t budge. He feels he is deeply fallen for her. But in reality, I think it’s just the amazing sex. That girl is a pro!” Christian admits.

  “Babe!” Lyn said covering her mouth.

  “Sorry babe, but that’s just how I see it.” He apologized to her and kissed her on the lips.

  “Urgh!” Tara exclaimed. “Quit kissing while I’m here. Pleeeease!!!”

  “Sorry hon.” Lyn blushed.

  “Now tell me, after Friday . . . what happened? How did all t
his start?” Tara asked changing the topic.

  “Well, after he told me you’re going to Samal, I asked for his number so I would get some news about you and James. I gave him my number too.” Lyn shyly said.

  “I texted him that same night asking but he said he didn’t know anything yet as James didn’t message him. And then we just talked and then we enjoyed our conversation, then before we hang up he asked me out.” Lyn explains.

  “Then?” Tara asked urging Lyn to go on.

  “We went out the following day.” Lyn ended her story.

  “So you guys are dating now?” Tara was amazed.

  “If that’s okay, actually I had this feeling you might not want to share your ‘honey’ with me,” Christian eyes her like a child asking for candy.

  She laughed a little. “I’m a jealous person actually. I’m not sure about the sharing thing,” Tara said jokingly.

  Lyn sensed Tara is now lightening up. She didn’t see the pain in her eyes anymore and she feels that she is happy for her and Christian.

  Christian laughed at Tara. “You know I really think you’re a cool person Tara. You seem quite like Lyn’s identical twin. I don’t understand why James can’t see that in you.”

  Tara remembered James and she had to ask, “James knows about the two of you already?”

  “NO!” they both said in unison. They both sounded so startled at the question.

  “Please don’t tell him.” Lyn said.

  “Why don’t you want him to know?” she asked puzzled.

  “Just don’t tell him hon.”

  “Well, as if, I can. He’s mad at me again!” Tara said.

  “Yes please, don’t tell him.” Christian pleaded.

  “I said I don’t have access to say,” Tara said irritated. “He stopped talking to me civilly.”

  She suddenly remembered what happened this afternoon at the parking lot and felt sad again. She touched her lips then she felt the pain in her heart.

  “Tara?” Lyn asked holding her hand. She looked worried.

  “I’m okay Lyn.” She shrugged. It’s not the right moment to tell. It’s a good night for my best friend.

  “Anyway, I won’t go to school tomorrow that’s why I came here,” she continued.

  “Why?” Lyn asked.

  “Uhm, I need to do some stuff for Boracay.” She lied to her again.

  “Can you do me a favor and drop our project in Mr. Torres’ pigeon hole tomorrow morning?” Tara continued handing the envelope to her. “The deadline is three pm tomorrow, please make sure the report is there before that time.”

  “Sure, no problem,” she answered.

  “Now, I’ll head out.” She told the love birds.

  “Thanks Tara.” Christian said extending his hand for Tara to shake.

  “Just take care of her. She’s my best girl. Don’t be like James.” Tara warned him.

  “I promise.” Christian said hugging Lyn.

  Tara saw her best friend happy with a guy for the first time and she can’t help but be happy too. Everybody deserves love and happiness.

  “Bye!” she kissed her in the cheek then looked at Christian. “Hey, don’t get jealous, it’s just a friendly kiss.” She turned after patting his shoulder.

  ***

  James keeps glancing over at Tara’s seat. It has been since Thursday noon since he last saw her. He doesn’t understand himself why he’s looking for her. He doesn’t know if he wants to apologize or he wants to kiss her again.

  The kiss was fierce but he was surprised to feel himself aroused while kissing her and it bothered him to see her crying when he did so. Of course she would you brutal jerk! He glanced again for the hundredth time he thought.

  “Dude? You looking for her?” Christian nudged James at the elbow.

  “What?” he looked at Christian.

  “Tara.” His best friend points his lips at the empty seat.

  “Hell, no!” James grunted.

  He heard Christian chuckle.

  “You miss her dude.” Christian continued bantering him.

  “Quit it!” he referred to his best friends’ teasing.

  “Then why do you keep looking?” Christian asked.

  “I’m just wondering if she passed our project.” James said nonchalantly.

  “Fool me!” Christian said knowingly.

  “Really!” James convinces Christian.

  “Fine! Fool yourself!” Christian smiled.

  They both remain silent and tried to focus on the lecture. James is actually just staring on the board. He can’t understand a single word his prof is talking about. He was thinking about what happened in the parking lot.

  He was surprised at what he did. Yet he can’t hide the fact that he enjoyed kissing and feeling her. It was what he wanted ever since they talked at Samal. Her lips were full and soft. He knew it would feel that way, but he cringed at the thought of how he found out.

  When he let her go, he instantly felt that he missed her body and her lips already. He went inside his car when he felt her crying. He was so ashamed of himself for what he did. When he moved the car, he concluded that he had to apologize, but as soon as he made a little space for her to get in, she zoomed away.

  Now that he has not seen her for a few days already, he is missing her. He still wanted to apologize, but not with as much eagerness as on that day. For the first time, he was basked in uncertainty.

  He glanced one more time on her empty seat and heard a soft chuckle from Christian. He slapped his own forehead as if it could clear it from his confusion.

  ***

  Tara went back to school on Wednesday. She felt brand new. A few days at Boracay Island made her think. She had her early orientation which was not due until a month and a half from now.

  She went to her professors to check what she has missed and there was not much, aside from the midterm exams coming up next week. She made sure she gathered all the papers that she missed from her three days leave from classes. It’s good she’s doing well with her remaining subjects.

  She entered the classroom and found James’ eyes lit up when he saw her. She just looked at him for a bit and went to her seat.

  It is the first time she didn’t greet or smile at James. She sat back to her chair and skimmed through the printed materials she got from her Profs. She can feel James’ eyes still intently looking at her but she didn’t turn to face them. She pretended she’s busy.

  She already found a new parking area which was a bit far from school, the farther the better. At least there is no chance she would see James somewhere near it.

  “Tara,” she heard James beside her.

  She just looked up and didn’t say a word.

  “Can we talk?” He asked.

  “I’m a bit busy now catching up on what I’ve missed.” She said looking back to her papers.

  “Just a few minutes before class starts,” he urged again.

  “Next time.” She answered not looking at him.

  James felt the brush off and went back to his seat. He felt hurt and miserable. He waited so long to see her again. He was so determined to apologize for the way he acted the last time she went to school.

  For the entire period Tara never glanced at James. The class was over in no time and she went out of the classroom to go to the library and study.

  It’s another U-break and Lyn is out on a secret date with Christian. Tara didn’t want to eat at the mall as she might accidentally bump into James. And that is the last thing she wanted at the moment.

  A week after the midterm exams, there were Legislative Assembly representatives going around the campus and distributing flyers on the upcoming graduation ball. Of course all graduating students and their dates are invited to it.

  It will be held in Imperial Manila two weeks from today. The LA Reps are busy sending out the invitations to every classroom and asking who are coming. When it was their turn to enter Tara’s class, everybody was so excited about it. Except her. She has no dat
e. And she has no intentions on bringing someone.

  But then her eyes lit up when she remembered Lyn and Christian. Since their relationship is still a secret, she thought she’d just bring Lyn to the Grad Ball with her. Christian is also graduating with her and she feels it’s impossible that he would bring a date with him aside from her best friend. But she was sure Christian would not ask her yet because they are still mum about their relationship.

  The perfect plan was formed in her mind. She went out of the class and dialed.

  “Hon, where you at?” Tara said once Lyn answered her call. She knew she is with Christian at the moment as he isn’t in their class.

  “We didn’t go to the mall as other kids might see us there. We’re just in a restaurant nearby,” she said.

  “Oh, would you mind if I’ll be third wheel today? Just for today. I have a very brilliant plan for you and Christian for Grad Ball.” Tara told her.

  “Hmmm… naturally I would say no, but I want to hear your idea. Come spring up.” Lyn invited her and gave her address to where they are.

  ***

  “Hon, here are your key cards.” Tara handed them to Lyn.

  Tara’s parents are members of this hotel so they have perks and one of those is discounts on the published room Rates. She booked the suite for her and Lyn. Her plan is to go to the ball with her.

  Christian is still hesitant about her plan. Tara thought that she could talk to him during the ball and somehow “introduce” Lyn to him and he can have a couple dances with her so it won’t be too obvious. The point is they will get a chance to be together at Christian’s graduation ball.

  Of course the suite reserved for Tara and Lyn comes with the plan. The suite has two bedrooms. The lovers now officially going steady could have their privacy in the other room. Tara’s only note is to keep it down for her to not hear any sound.

  Christian already told his friends including James of course that he is checking in at the hotel so they won’t ask him to go out somewhere or stay too late at the bar afterwards. Tara and Lyn also had plans of taking a few shots after the party to celebrate her upcoming graduation in two weeks.

  “Miss, can you keep the keycard for someone? His name is Christian Aquino and he will be here in an hour to get the keys from you.” Tara heard Lyn say as she hands the keycard to the girl at the reception.