I was sleeping comfortably when I felt someone move beside me.
Naalimpungatan ako lalo na noong naramdaman kong may humawak ng aking balakang. I slowly opened my eyes and nearly had a heart attack.
“Oh shit,” mahinang sambit ko. My head hurts from last night, and I can't remember what happened!
Sino ito? Sino siya? Bakit ako nandito?
I looked under the sheets and was shocked when I saw that I'm naked, and I'm fucking sore!
What the hell happened? Bwisit, Sandra! Napakatanga mo!
Dahan-dahan kong tinanggal ang kaniyang kamay mula sa pagkakayakap niya sa ‘kin. I stared at him and tried my best to visualize if I met him before. Pero hindi ko talaga maalala.
Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kaniya para matingnan siyang mabuti. But when he moved, I immediately went off the bed and hid.
I am one shy bitch who just got wild last night, but can't face a man! Anong tawag doon? Malanding medyo mahiyain?
Damn it, I should get out of here!
Sinubukan kong tumayo pero halos hindi na ako makalakad dahil sa sakit ng aking pagkababae.
Nagmadali akong nagbihis ako at nagsapatos. It was a blessing that he's still not awake. Bumuntonghininga ako at akmang kukunin ang purse ko.
Wait, should I say goodbye? Should I say sorry or what?
How do people handle one-night stands?
Napapikit ako nang mariin dahil sa katangahan ko. Bahala na, aalis na ako!
I shut the door real quick and almost ran to the elevator.
While on the elevator, Guilt ate me when I realized that I'm not pure anymore. And I gave it to someone at the bar! Damn, it was unsafe! Paniguradong hindi ako papanagutan noon kung mabuntis niya ako.
Napahilot ako sa aking sentido. Gosh, this is insane. I was so mad at Damien because of what he did pero hindi ko akalain na magagawa ko ito!
Hiwalay man kami, hindi pa rin dapat!
“Do you deliver upstairs?” I asked the staff of the coffee shop of the condominium.
“Yes, ma'am. Dapat tumawag na lang kayo para hindi na kayo bumaba,” aniya.
I smiled at her. “Isang Americano at Club Sandwich. Pahatid na lang.”
“Room and floor po?” tanong niya.
My lips parted. I closed my eyes and tried to remember it!
"Sa room three hundred two, sa 5th floor,” sabi ko.
“Kay Sir Lennox po?”
Sinong Lennox?
“Huh?”
“Iyon pong gwapo, Ma'am! Iyong matikas at medyo mahaba ang buhok po?”
“Ah, oo yata,” sabi ko dahil hindi ko naman alam kung tama nga.
“Siya po iyong kasama ninyo kagabi—”
“Kung nakita mo kami ay siya nga iyon,” I cut her off. “Give this food and this note to him, alright?”
“S-Sige po.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her before I paid.
Pumara ako kaagad ng taxi papaalis. I shouldn't tell anyone about this!
My phone beeped because of Vincent's text that I should hurry up because I need to inspect the aircraft.
Oh shit!
“Where have you been? Saan ka natulog, Sandra?” tanong ni Jeanne nang makapunta ako sa apartment niya.
“Uhm, sa bahay! Kuya Angelo saw me, and we went home,” I said. But she didn't buy my reasons as she looked at me directly.
“Sabi ni Aubree ay hindi ka raw doon natulog dahil maaga ang alis mo ngayon. Hindi ko na lang sinabing narito ang sasakyan mo. Steve said that he saw you kissing someone last night— oh my gosh, is that a hickey?” tumaas ang boses niya at galit na tiningnan ang leeg ko.
I immediately covered my neck in shock. Damn it, I didn't know that I have a hickey!
“What? No, namantal lang iyan.”
“Namantal? Chikinini iyan, Sandra! What the hell did you do?” tanong niya.
Napanguso ako at napaiwas ng tingin.
“It was... a mistake.”
“Yes, it was! Anong iniisip mo, ha?”
Napatungo ako at naalala ang dahilan kung bakit ko nagawa iyon. Kung ano ang nagtulak sa aking gawin iyon. Mali iyon alam ko.
“I'm not judging you, Sandra. Pero kung ginawa mo ito dahil gusto mong gantihan si Damien, 'pwes mali ito! You shouldn't have done that just because you wanted him to feel the same! Don't be blinded by pain. Hindi ikaw ito, Sandra.” Jeanne hugged me.
I cried at her and hugged her back. Humihingi ng sorry sa pagkakamaling nagawa ko. Mga ilang minuto kami na ganoon bago ako kumalas sa yakap.
“You used a condom, right?” she asked.
Napakurap ako at umiling.
“W-What? Paano kung mabuntis ka?”
“H-He pulled it out. I'm sure of it.”
“It is still unsafe! Damn, sana ay hindi ka mabuntis!” aniya.
I sighed. Nagpaalam ako sa kay Jeanne na maliligo na at aalis na para sa flight mamaya. I wore a buttondown long sleeve and slacks. She bid goodbye and promised not to tell anyone na ipinagpasalamat ko naman.
Habang nagmamaneho ay inaalala ko ang nangyari.
Paano nga kung mabuntis ako?
I'm sure that a guy like him wouldn't accept a child. Pero kasalanan niya! He didn't use condoms!
Fuck it.
Napatingin ako sa aking cellphone nang makitang tumatawag si Damien. Napairap ako subalit kalaunan ay nilamon ng kaba.
Bwisit, bakit ba sabay-sabay ang problema? Gusto ko lang namang magtrabaho at magmahal pero nakakasawa ang nangyayari. Hindi ko yata kakayanin.
“Mabuti na lang at dumating ka na, Sandra! Kanina ka pa naming hinihintay!” Vincent greeted me when I showed up.
“Why? Is something wrong?” I asked.
“Akin na ang luggage mo, at ipapadala na sa yacht papunta roon,” aniya.
My brows furrowed as I opened the trunk to get my luggage bag and a backpack.
“Bakit sa yate? I thought it's a plane?” tanong ko.
“The luggage and Mr. Costales' men are gonna travel through their yacht. Si Mr. Costales ay ililipad mo,” he said.
I nodded and looked at the open field with a runway.
“Miguel, take Captain Alcantara's luggage to the yacht,” Biglang nagtunog lalaki si Vincent nang utusan ang alalay.
“Yes, sir. Akin na po, Captain,” he said.
“Here, I'll take the backpack with me.”
He nodded and carefully took my luggage to the yacht. Nilingon ko si Vincent bago nagpaalam na titingan ang aircraft na papaliparin.
My brows furrowed when I realized that it was a Cessna 172. Kakaunti lang ba ang magiging tao dito?
Or was it just Mr.Costales?
I inspected the aircraft, and it was okay. Later on, I saw a group of people coming near the aircraft. Hindi na ako bumaba pa at naghanda na lang sa pagpalalipad. It should be like that.
Pagdating ng VIP ay diretso lipad na. The greetings or whatever will be after. I work like that.
Inayos ko ang mga kailangang ayusin sa controls, nang maramdaman ko ang pagbukas ng pinto.
“Captain Alcantara?” a man asked.
I smiled at him before I nodded. Nakipagkamay siya sa akin bago siya naupo sa likuran ko.
“My name is David, Mr.Costales’ bodyguard. He will be here in a few moments,” he said.
Ngumiti naman ako at tumango. I looked at the man approaching us. He's with a girl, huh?
“Holy Shit,” I cursed. Halos mahila ko ang control wheel dahil sa pagkabigla ko nang makita kung sino ang papalapit.
I took my glasses off. Pinunasan ko iyon bago isinuot ulit. Is this fucking serious, or am I hallucinating?
Napasinghap ako at napapikit ng mariin. My heart was beating so fast at kumbinsido na akong kahit anong oras ay aatakihin ako sa puso!
Sumulyap ulit ako at papalapit na sila. He was holding the waist of the girl, and it disgusts me.
Umasim ang pakiramdaman ko sa nasaksihan. Naisip kong baka fiancee niya rin iyon, and he just cheated on her. With me!
Napailing ako sa naisip. Maybe it was just also his fling. Pero damn, ano iyon? Isang babae kada araw?
Oh my god, what if he has STD?
Napaawang ang bibig ko at naisip na siguro ay dapat akong kumuha ng test. Who knows if I got STD from him, right?
Nang muli akong sumulyap ay nakita kong nakatingin siya sa akin habang nakangisi. So his name is Lennox Costales?
And I'm gonna fucking pilot his aircraft and be with him every time?
No, Sandra. Magkikita lang kayo kung magpapalipad ka!
My lips parted when I remembered someone.
'Lennox Costales...'
Natigilan ako nang misip kung sino talaga siya. Kaya pala pamilyar ang kaniyang hitsura at pangalan!
But...no, that can't be. Hindi siya ganito noon. He looks sweet and—
“Captain, let's go?” the man named David said.
I nodded and saw Lennox still smirking at me. Tumingin ako roon sa babae na nakataas ang kilay sa akin.
Great, I'm the dirty girl now.
Napangiwi ako nang tumingin sa labas. I started the engine and got ready to take off. I was known for flying and considered a professional, but I am fucking trembling.
This sucks!
Nang nasa ere na ay maayos naman ang focus ko. Even with a clouded mind, I can't believe that I can fly this and answer the tower.
Halos magdugo na ang labi ko sa pagkagat. Hindi ako mapakali at kung pwede ko lang pabilisin ang takbo ng aircraft ay gagawin ko!
It was an hour of flight until we landed on a runway. Napangiti na lang ako nang makita ang ganda ng dagat na tanaw sa paglanding namin.
This will be a great stress reliever!
Not with this man.
When we landed and parked the aircraft successfully, bumaba na kami kaagad. Sinadya kong magpahuli sa pagbaba dahil ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko.
Oh, right! Ihahatid ko pa si Alejandro Samaniego pabalik!
Nang makababa ako ay nagkaharap kaming dalawa. I thought, realizing that he was the man I got wild with last night was very shocking, but I didn't know that there will be more shocking than that!
“Captain Alcantara, this is Mr.River Lennox Costales,” pakilala ni David sa kasama.
My jaw dropped when I realized that my suspicions are correct!
River... it's River Lennox Costales!
Bakit hindi ko agad naisip iyon?!
The guy I accidentally had a one-night stand with was the one I'm with here at Kalibo! And now, you're telling me that he is my past suitor?
Is this some sort of show or something?
“R-River? I-Ikaw pala? A-Ang laki ng ipinagbago mo, ah.” I tried to sound friendly but I know I sound so ridiculous!
Tiningnan ko si David na may mga kausap at ganoon din iyong babaeng kasama niya. Kaya magkaharap na kami ngayon.
His brows furrowed. Hindi ko talaga siya nakilala kaagad. In college, he looks so soft and kind but now, he looks so rough!
Siya ba talaga iyan?
Maybe he's still that playful River that everyone knows? Nagbago lang ang features.
“I prefer Mr. Costales, Captain Alcantara. We should keep formality and be professional with each other,” he said with his brows furrowed, and with an arrogant stare.
In shock at what he said, my mouth dropped.
Ang yabang! Parang hindi nakiusap noon kay Mama at Kuya na liligawan ako, ah?
My lips twitched as I nodded at him
“I'm sorry, Mr.Costales, I was just shocked to realize that you're...my schoolmate,” I said.
He smirked and nodded. “You should've realized that last night,” he said, which made my face heat.
“Anyway, on the next flight...sa akin ka ‘di ba?” he asked.
Umiling naman ako. Thank god, I am not piloting yours.
“No, kay Mr. Samaniego po ako magpipiloto,” sabi ko.
His brows furrowed more. Kalaunan ay umiling siya habang nakangisi. Dumako ang mata niya sa leeg ko at sa sobrang hiya ay tinakpan ko ang tinitingnan niya.
“Hindi, ang alam ko sa akin ka. I have a mark on you,” he said, pertaining to my hickey.
“You have one on me too.” He smirked before turning his back to walk away.
Nang makalayo siya ay halos manlambot ang aking tuhod at muntik nang mapaupo. Oh God, what the hell is happening?!
Naglakad ako papunta sa may malapit na desk ng nurse. We're actually in a Charity event as I realized it. This is a company with an event on its ground.“May I help you, ma'am?” tanong ng nurse.“Paki-check naman po blood pressure ko,” pakiusap ko sa kanila. Their eyes widened, but they nodded and followed what I said.Bumuntonghininga ako at naupo sa harap habang kinakabit nila ang apparatus sa akin. I don't actually really know. Pakiramdam ko ay nanlalambot ako.Tumaas yata ang dugo ko, o nawalan ako ng dugo dahil sa kahihiyan. I also bought a cold bottle of water just to put in my hickey.“Miss, anong meron dito?” tanong ko sa kaniya.“Charity event po ni President Costales para sa mga bata ng Kalibo. Kayo po ‘yong piloto, ‘di po ba?” she asked.I smiled and nodded at her. I looked around the huge company and saw the name ‘Costales Shipbuilding Corporation.&rsq
Naitulak ko siya palayo kaya tumawa naman siya. How did I even forget that he's like this!Mukha nga lang pala siyang mabait pero hindi!“You don't know what happened, so shut up. Aalis na ako. There are a lot of hotels out there. Hindi ako matutulog dito,” I told him.Hinila ko ang aking maleta papalayo roon subalit nagsalita siya bigla.“All the hotels are fully booked, Sandra.” Kumunot ang aking noo at nilingon ko siya.“What? It's not even holiday!” singhal ko sa kaniya.“But I told them to say that they are fully booked, so you can't do anything but stay here.”I glared at him and rolled my eyes. He must be fucking kidding me!“What the hell?”He smirked at me. Humalukipkip siya habang nakatingin sa akin.“You can't do anything, Sandra. You'll stay here for the month.” Hinila niya ang aking maleta at walang kahirap-hirap na inangat iyon p
Lumabas ako ng bahay niya kanina pagkatapos kong magbihis para maglangoy. The ocean was calming and hit differently. Kung hindi pa ako napagod ay hindi pa ako aahon para maupo sa sun lounger.“Hi, Captain!” tawag sakin ni Xyrene na naka off shoulder floral dress. I smiled at her, naupo siya sa aking tabi habang hawak ang floppy hat na suot para pigilang lumipad.“Hello,” I casually greeted her.“How is your stay at Sir River's house? Mabait ba siya sa ‘yo? Gentleman?” she asked.Nagulat ako at napatingin sa kaniya. Ano kaya ni River ang isang ito at bakit grabe kung makadikit? I’m sure, she’s more than a secretary“Uh, he's casual, and yeah, kind,” I said.“Wag kang magpapadala sa mga banat noon. I know him very well, kahit itanong mo pa kay David! He’s a womanizer,” she said.I stared at her awkwardly as I continued wiping the water from my skin.
He breathed heavily and then smirked without humor. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko bago sunod-sunod na umiling na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa nangyayari.“Yeah, right, what the fuck am I doing?”Tumayo ako sa couch kaya tiningala niya ako. I bit my lip and tried my best to stare at him kahit pa alam kong hindi ko naman kaya.“I'll get my things and book a hotel now. Thank you for the stay, Mr. Costales,” I casually said.He stood up in front of me, and what he replied broke my heart even if I didn't want it to.“Alright, Captain Alcantara, take your clothes and book a room. My secretary will just call you if we need you.” Pumasok siya sa kaniyang kwarto.Bumuntonghininga ako at napatungo. He may be here to comfort me or something, but what he is doing is more dangerous.Nanghihina akong pumasok sa kwartong inilaan niya para sakin. Gusto ko pa sanang maligo at magbihis pero gustong gusto ko nan
“Goodnight, Darling,” River said as he opened the gate for me.“Good night, salamat sa paghatid,” nakangiting sabi ko. He held my hand and kissed the back of it and smiled back.“Anything for you,” aniya.Bumukas ang pinto kaya napatingin kami roon. Lumabas doon si Kuya Angelo kaya napatawa kaming pareho.“I'll go ahead, baka mapatay na ako ng Kuya mo,” pamamaalam ni River. Tumango ako at kumaway sa kaniya. It was romantic. Ilang buwan ang nakalipas na halos siya na ang parati kong kasama. Hindi ko pa siya sinasagot dahil sa pagtugon namin sa kagustuhan ni Kuya.But we know we're a thing. Sagot na lang ang kulang at opisyal na kami. Halos kalat na nga sa buong department ang panliligaw niya sakin. River was famous of course and... I don't know if I am, pero marami rin pala ang may kilala sakin.I was so
“Thank you,” pasalamat ko sa staff nang makuha ko ang surfboard na nirentahan ko.I quickly welcomed the waves. Mahigit ilang taon ko na ring hindi nagagawa ito kaya hindi ako sigurado kung marunong pa ba ako.The waves aren't that wild, so, it made me enjoyed surfing. Marami rin na surfers ang nakakatuwang panoorin dahil sa paulit-ulit nilang pagbagsak at pagtayo muli.Nakikipagsapalaran ako sa alon nang makita ko si River na nakikipagtawanan sa babaeng kasama niya. He was at the balcony of his house with a girl beside him. Sumulyap siya sakin subalit saglit lang iyon.Kaagad akong inatake ng kaba at hindi namalayan ang paparating na alon kaya natumba ako sa pagkakatayo at nahulog sa dagat.Shit!The sea was deep. It was clear but since I'm far from the shore, hindi gaanong malinaw iyon at hindi ko maabot ang ilalim!Sa bawat subok kong maglangoy patungo sa ibabaw ay hinahampas ako ng alon pabalik sa baba. May ibang surfe
“Come on, don't be shy. Eat all you can because the bill is ours!” anunsyo noong si Farina. Napaangat ako ng tingin. I realized that I was thinking too much about everything. Isang buwan lang naman ako rito at pagbalik ay hindi ko na makikitang muli si River. “Kain ka, Sandra.” Inabot sakin ni David ang kanin kaya nakangiti kong tinanggap iyon. When I got the rice, I observed everyone and smiled when I saw them eating with their hands. Hindi rin matawaran ang kwentuhan nila at komportableng komportable. Everyone has their own share of the story, except for River and me who are both silent at parehong nagpapakiramdaman. Para kaming mga tanga rito na hindi nagkikibuan. Oh, ako nga lang pala. I’m the only one who feels awkward and stupid because River is fucking busy with Farina. Letse. “Chicken?” tanong ni Xyrene. Itinago ko ang gulat at tumango na lang. Akmang kukuhanin ko iyon pero ipinaglagay niya na ako sa aking plato. She’s
“Why didn't you chose me?” tanong ni River sa akin. Everyone looked at me and waited for my answer.But I know, I cannot answer him in a situation like this. Gusto ko mang sagutin ang tanong niya, hindi ko kaya ngayon.So, instead of answering, I did the counterpart of the game.“Body shot,” nakangiting sabi ko. Napanganga ang lahat at parang nanlumo nang maisip na hindi ko sasagutin iyon.“Sige, Captain! Pili ka na,” sambit ni Xyrene.“Pwedeng sa ibang tourists, ah? Kahit hindi lang dito sa table,” Farina said.Ngumiti ako at tumango. Sinulyapan ko si River na masama ang tingin sakin pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Luminga-linga ako sa paligid at nag-isip kung sinong pwedeng biktimahin ng body shot.“I'll go with that man over there.” Itinuro ko ang isang lalaking nagsasayaw sa ‘di kalayuan. He looks so playful and that’s better than men in corporate attire.