Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

28

"No, thanks," sabi ko at umiling pa.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to die."

"Oh, come on," disappointed niyang sabi. "Trust me, you won't die. Nandito naman ako, eh." I raised a brow at him. "What?" he asked, arrogantly.

"I don't trust you," I joked. I earned a glare from him because of that. Natawa ako at tinapunan siya ng tubig. Hinarang naman niya ang braso para hindi siya tamaan n'on sa mata.

"Should I be hurt?" He smiled sarcastically and brushed his hair backwards. It was a little bit wet now.

I shrugged. "Go there na. Bye." I immediately paddled to where Raya and Cali was. Hindi na ako ginulo ni Echo at pumunta roon sa kabila.

"Sana all naman kausap ang ex sa umaga," pang-aasar ni Raya bago ngumisi sa akin. She sat on her board and arranged her yellow tube top since it was falling a bit.

"Yeah, but I don't work with him." I smiled sweetly, teasing her.

"Sobrang nakakatawa naman ng comeback mo," sarkastikong sabi niya at tinapakan ang likod ng board ko kaya umangat ito. Napasigaw ako at humawak sa gilid ng board ko, sinusubukang mag balance para hindi mahulog.

"Affected?" I teased. She rolled her eyes and removed her feet. Umayos naman ako ng upo. "Sakit nang kanina," I said, referring to what happened to her earlier.

"Sumabit iyong leash sa fin kaya ako nahulog. Pero keri lang naman. Parang tumama lang naman iyong ulo ko sa pader, eh," she sounded sarcastic again.

Cali joined our converstion when she was done with her ride. We were all sitting on the board, waiting for a wave to come our way. I eyed a wave from afar. I immediately turned my board and look back a bit, waiting for the perfect timing.

"Go, Esme!" Cali cheered.

I lay on my board and started paddling. Nilakasan ko nang kaunti ang pag-paddle nang naramdaman na tatama na ang alon sa board ko. I successfully managed to time it and stood up when the waves hit the back of the board. I did a simple carve to the left tapos binalik ko sa right. Nag cross-step ako at bumalik lang agad noong medyo tumabingi ang board.

Humiga ako ulit at nakangiting nag-paddle pabalik. Nakakuha si Cali ng alon kaya siya naman ang chineer namin. Iyong tatlo naman, halatang nag-eenjoy roon sa malalaking alon sa kabila. I didn't know how long we were surfing, but when I felt my arms hurting a bit, nag-aya na akong umalis.

"Yes, please. My arms hurt already. Hindi na ako sanay," sabi ni Cali. Inaya rin namin si Raya at pumayag ito, mukhang napagod na rin.

We waited for a wave for our last ride. Sabay silang dalawa nag-paddle para makuha iyong wave. Napailing naman ako at hindi nakisabay dahil paniguradong magkakabangaan lang kami. Bahala sila riyan sa party wave nila.

Nag simula naman akong mag-paddle nang may sumunod na alon. I stood up before turning it a bit to the right and crossed step before doing a carve to the left.

"Shit!" My head snapped to the other side and saw Echo approaching my way.

He did a cutback para hindi ako matamaan. Hindi nga ako natamaan pero natalsikan naman ako ng tubig dahil sa lakas ng cutback niya. I lost my balance because of that and fell on my board, going straight into the water harshly.

Umahon ako, medyo umuubo pa. I swam towards my board. I saw Echo laughing just a few meters away from me. Nakasakay na siya ngayon sa board at nagpa-paddle palapit sa 'kin.

"You okay?" he asked, still laughing. I glared at him. Tumikhim siya para matabunan ang tawa pero kita pa rin ang multo ng ngiti sa labi niya. "Sorry. I didn't see you."