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
Just because of not having me, he tried to kill himself, and that is not acceptable!“I was just rebelling because I know I can swim, but... the sea was dark and so deep—”Kinwelyuhan ko siya at hinarap ko siya sakin. His eyes widened at it. Nahihibang na ba siya? Dapat hindi niya ginawa iyon!“What the fuck are you thinking, River?! Why the hell did you do that? Paano kung natuluyan ka?” inis kong singhal sa kaniya.Hinawakan niya ang parehong kamay ko na nakahawak sa kaniya.“Now, you're worried.” Parang natuwa pa siyang nag-alala ako! Nasisiraan na yata talaga siya. Kahit hindi maging kami, dapat hindi niya ‘yon ginawa!Dahil sa panlalambot, napaupo ako sa buhanginan.River hugged me and rested his forehead on my shoulders. May kakaiba mang pakiramdam na dulot iyon ay hindi pa rin noon napawi ang iritasyon at galit ko sa nalaman.He shouldn't have tried to do that! He sho
My brows furrowed when I saw him smile. Bakit siya ngumingiti riyan? Ayos lang sa kaniya na sa kabila ng lahat, nagawa kong magmahal ng iba? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa naging reaksyon niya.How can he smile when we both know that he's hurt? How can he still manage to still love me even if he's hurting so much?!My lips parted and a tear escape from my eyes, hindi makapaniwalang nagagawa pa rin niyang ngumiti.“I love you, Sandra,” he said. This is fucking insane. I can’t believe him!“Are you serious, River? Bakit ang martyr mo?” inis kong tanong sa kaniya.Naiirita ako dahil hindi siya dapat ganito! There are other women better than me! Someone better than me! Iyong kaya siyang pantayan kaya hindi siya dapat ganito sakin!I didn't choose him, and I loved another man! I feel so guilty about it. Habang si River... walang ibang ginawa kundi ang mahalin ako!“Hmm, I wish I had a good answer for that,&rd
“Excuse me?”“What? I know it... hindi mo na kailangang magpanggap,” she said.“Do you think River hires an escort?” tanong ko. My back was still firm as her eyes widened a bit.It was just the start, but she seems scared already.“I didn't say that!” she nearly shouted.Damn it, her voice is really high! It can break glasses!“Hmm, what you said seems like it.”“Bitch! Kung ano ka man ni River, siguro tuwang tuwa ka? Just a reminder... he's not serious. Kaya kung ano man kayo, hanggang doon na lang. It's just something physical so don't fall, okay?” He smiled and held my hand. Halos mapatawa ako sa narinig mula sa kaniya.If I am her, I would be really ashamed.“Well, at least he's attracted to me, right? Did you even attract him? Kahit isang beses lang?” I asked her.Her eyes widened.“I'm not like you!”