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!”
“What happened?” River asked when I entered the house. Pakiramdam ko ay pagod na pagod ako dahil sa pag-uusap namin ni Damien.“Pinauwi ko na. You should also get rest,” I told him. Kanina pa siyang pagod sigurado.Subalit pumungay lang ang kaniyang mata habang nakatitig sakin. It broke my heart to see River’s eyes hurt like that. Ayaw ko na ganoon ang mata niya. Ayaw kong pagod ang hitsura niya. I don’t like seeing him tired, crying, and heartbroken,He may look so rough and hard, but his eyes are very expressive. You can see whatever he's feeling inside him.“Did he ask you back?” he asked.Umiling ako sa kaniya.“No, and I won't get back with him,” I said with finality. Dahil hindi talaga kahit kailan.Tumango si River at saka ngumiti. Nilingon ko naman si Mama nang mapansin kong nakatayo siya sa gilid at nakangiti sa amin.“Naghapunan na ba kayo? Kumain ka na
“Damn it, shit!” I laughed as River cursed loudly. Kanina pa kasi kaming naghahabulan para sa kawawang alimango na pinaglalaruan namin.“Ang lampa naman!” sigaw ko sa kaniya. Ngumiwi siya at naupo sa buhangin. Kanina niya pa kasing inaagaw ang maliit na alimango na ayaw ko namang ibigay sa kaniya.Kaya ang kinahantungan niya ay ang pagkakadapa sa buhangin.“Shit,” he cursed. I'm not supposed to laugh, but I can't help it. Natatawa ako habang lumalapit sa kaniya.Binitawan ko ang alimango at ginamit ang kamay ko pansalok ng tubig para ibuhos sa sugat niya habang tumatawa pa rin.“Kawawa naman si Baby River. Uwaah uwahh!” pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at naupo sa tabi niya. Damn it, this is so funny!“Stop it, Sandra," inis na singhal niya. Napipikon kaya mas lalo lamang akong natawa.Napaka cute naman ng pikon na ilog!“Uwaaah, cry baby. Nakakaawa naman. Masakit ba ang pagkak
“Pasensya na po President at Captain... napakakulit kasi ni Miss Stacey kaya pinilit niyang umakyat rito... w-wala naman silang nakita... ano lang... magkadikit lang kayo,” sabi ni David.Isinuot sakin ni River ang isang bathrobe. Napababa niya na kanina sina Stacey kaya kaming tatlo ang narito sa itaas ngayon.“Bakit ba narito siya?” I asked.“I'm not sure. Let's go inside? Lumalamig na. Dito ka na rin mag-dinner,” River told me.I smiled at him and nodded. Napansin ko si David na problemado pa rin kaya tinanguan ko siya para ipaalam na maayos ang lahat.Pagbaba namin ay matalim na tingin ni Stacey ang sumalubong samin. This spoiled girl needs some manners, eh?“River... pasensya na at nabigla ka namin sa pagpunta namin. Naabala pa namin kayo ni... Miss Alcantara,” Mister Sembrano said while smirking. Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya samin ni River.“What brings you here?&rdquo
Naalimpungatan ako nang marinig ang pagbuhay ng shower. I opened my eyes and stood up to open the blinds of the room.“Good morning, Darling.” Nilingon ko ang bathroom at nakitang lumabas roon si River. My eyes widened and touched my face to see if I still have muta or something! Goodness, Sandra. Nakakahiya, ang dugyot ko pa!Inayos ko ang aking buhok at saka siya muling hinarap habang nakangiti. Pero nagulat ako nang makitang nakatapis lang siya ng tuwalya at basa ang kaniyang buhok.“Good morning,” I replied. Noon lang ako nagtaka kung bakit siya naroon. Did he use my bathroom?“P-Paano ka...” I trailed off. Paano ito nakapunta rito? Naka-lock pa rin naman ang pintuan ko!“Hmm? Your bathroom is connected to mine,” aniya.I nodded at it.“Kaya pala.”“But it's your choice if you want to lock it both or not. Pwede rin namang sabay tayo.” Napangiwi ako bago
Nang makahawak ako sa dulo ng yate ay inihawak ko rin doon ang kamay niya. I quickly sat down to the end of the yacht and Mister Sembrano helped me pull River out.Nang makaahon ay sinalubong kami agad ni David ng tuwalya. River coughed many times and immediately pulled his feet out of the ocean dahil sa takot.River trembled so so I held his hand. It breaks my heart to see him this way. Takot na takot at hindi makahinga.“Take River to the room, please,” I told David.Tumango naman siya. Inalalayan ni David si River na tumayo at makapunta sa kwarto sa itaas.“Oh my goodness! River, are you okay? I'm sorry,” Stacey said.I sighed and took my cover-up. River held my hand tightly while still trembling tapos ay sinamahan ko siya paakyat sa kwarto niya sa yate.Sumunod samin sina Stacey at sinalubong naman kami ng medic.“Make them leave,” River whispered to me.Nagtataka kong nilingon si