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.
I woke up early that morning, napatingin ako sa labas at mataas na ang sinag ng araw. I couldn’t actually remember how, but I know that I had a great sleep last night. When River warmed my hands, I felt comfortable. Napatitig ako sa aking kama at naalala ang nangyari kagabi. It was all still unbelievable and fascinating.My head still hurts because of alcohol, but I know that I have to get up. Pero kahit masakit iyon, mas lumalamang pa rin ang alaala ng pag-uusap namin kagabi. My head might hurt, but my heart feels so light.Napapikit ako nang mariin at nagulo ko ang aking buhok. The feeling was relieving, almost telling me that I should be happy about this. Subalit, patuloy pa rin akong dinadalaw ng konsensya ko patungkol sa amin ni Damien.Pero wala na nga pala kami ni Damien, niloko niya nga pala ako. I love River. But it just feels so... not right.I mean, parang hindi ako nagiging patas kay River.Sa halip na mamroblema lalo, inayos ko n