Bound to Fall Apart

Chapter 02

"May plano po ba kayo ngayong araw, Miss? Ano po ang gusto niyong gawin?" Aria asked as we arrived at the swimming pool.

"Wala naman. Sa ngayon, gusto ko lang muna mag-swimming dito sa pool. I am unable to swim at the beach. Eunice wouldn't like it if I get too tanned." I sighed. Buti nalang talaga may pool dito sa labas ng condotel para sa mga ayaw mag-swimming sa beach.

I took off my cover-up dress to reveal my red two-piece swimsuit, but I did not remove my shades for my safety.

"I am... not sure why... they are all staring at me." Aria laughed after I whispered to her. "What? You're laughing at me, so what's the big deal? Nahihiya tuloy ako!" Naguguluhan talaga ako kung bakit nakatingin sa 'kin 'yong mga staff. Hindi naman sila marami, konti lang naman talaga ang mga tao rito, pero nakikilala kaya nila ako?

"Hindi sila sanay sa suot mo, Miss. Conservative kasi ang mga tao rito. Ngayon lang siguro sila nakakita ulit ng may nag-swimsuit. Okay lang 'yan, Miss, sexy ka naman! Huwag kang mahiya, pero huwag ka rin masyadong magpapahalata. Alam mo na."

Kumain muna kami ni Aria ng breakfast bago ako mag-ready sa paglangoy. Since I'm going to swim, I took off my shades for a while. I'll just put it on again when I get up. I ignored their stares and began swimming as if the pool belongs to me. Wala naman kasi ibang lumalangoy kundi ako lang.

Tumambay muna ako sa gilid ng pool. Umupo lang saglit sa taas para mag-picture. I took a picture of the pool that can be used in my story and fleet. I was about to post it to my Instagram story when I saw a half-naked man about to dive in the frame. "Who's this?" Photobomber!

"Ay, sorry!" He panicked. May lalaking umahon sa area kung nasaan ako! Siya 'yong nasa picture! Sa may paanan ko siya umahon pagkatapos niyang lumangoy. When I knew who the man was, my eyes widened. "Parang familiar ka," he said as he examined my face. I was about to get up when he grabbed my arms and stopped me. "Aalis ka na naman?"

"Let go of me," mahinahon kong sabi sa kanya pero hindi pa rin niya ako binibitawan. Ayokong gumawa ng eksena rito. I'm trying to avoid calling the attention of the people around us. "I said let me go."

"Gusto lang kitang makausap." Seryoso ang tingin niya sa 'kin. And he refuses to let go of my arm!

"Okay, fine! But can we..." When he noticed that our position was awkward, he let go of my hand instantly. Phew! "There you have it! Now is the time to talk!"

"Parang nakita na kita." Sabi niya agad pagkatapos umahon at tumabi sa kinauupuan ko.

"Of course. Yesterday. The mini photo shoot." I responded in a casual manner.

"Oo! Pero hindi e, parang... parang hindi 'yon ang unang beses na nakita kita. Na-confirm ko lang ngayong nakita kita ng hindi sinasadya, at wala pang shades!"

That's when I remembered that I took my shades off earlier! I quickly avoided my gaze. Malayo 'yong table namin ni Aria kaya hindi ko mahihingi agad sa kanya 'yong shades ko. "Just tell me what you want," diretsang sabi ko sa kanya.