Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

Breaking the Rocks

I kept on reminding myself that I need to be civil towards Exodus once my parents arrive here in Marina. Last week was the most awkward week we ever got. Kung sa ilang linggong pagsasama namin ay malimit na kaming nag-uusap, mas lalong lumala pagkatapos ng halik na iyon.

We barely talk. He also find excuses to not talk to me or drop me off to work. Kapag kakain naman ay nagpapadala na lamang siya ng pagkain kay Manang Bella at sasabihing may kailangan siyang tapusin. I didn't have a problem with it but I'm still bothered.

Why was he so affected? Nakakabastos ba noong sinabi kong pinagbigyan ko lang siya sa gusto niya?

I admit I lied about that part. Pero ayaw ko rin namang sabihing nagustuhan ko 'yong halik. Yes, I liked the kiss but it doesn't mean that I like him. Maybe, I was attracted at that time or maybe, I was just trying to get rid of that sexual tension. Although, it bothered me a lot that we did not talk more after that. Parang iniiwasan niya ako kahit wala namang dahilan para iwasan ako.

I wasn't even looking for ways to talk to him because in the first place, I wasn't deliberately ignoring him. If he wants to talk, then we'll talk. Even if I insist the talk, he was keen on steering clear from me.

Now, I found myself stuck with him in his car. We're already driving to the airport where we will pick up my parents. Tumawag sa akin kahapon sina Mommy na pupunta sila sa Marina at mananatili nang iilang araw. They wished to explore the province kahit na kagagaling palang naman nila sa galaan sa ibang bansa.

I breathed hard. Malaki ang kotse ni Exodus pero pakiramdam ko ay masikip at kinakapos ako sa hangin. I glanced at him. He was driving at his usual pace. Ni hindi nga ako tinatapunan ng tingin simula nang magkita kami kaninang umaga. He did not even sleep on our bed the past few days. Alam ko iyon kasi nagigising ako ng alas dose at hindi ko siya nakikita sa aming kwarto. Whenever I go down to check on him, kitang-kita kong bukas ang ilaw sa kaniyang opisina. I figured he was sleeping there for days just to avoid me. I feel like I am a germ or a virus to him that he needed to avoid.

Tapos ngayong magkasama kami ay hindi niya naman ako kinakausap. What do we even have to talk about? How good the weather is? How excited I am to have my parents here?

In the end, all I did was just clear my throat. Nang makarating kami sa airport ay naghintay lang kami sa labas dahil hindi na kami pwedeng pumasok. Nasa labas ng sasakyan si Exodus habang nanatili na lang ako sa loob dahil mainit na.

Kahit 'yong init kaya niyang tiisin, ano? At bakit ba ayaw niya akong kausapin?!

I looked out the window when I noticed that Exodus was gone on his spot. Nakita ko na lang na papalapit na siya sa mga magulang ko na may dalang dalawang maleta. Mom was wearing a cute beach hat, a floral polo and white shorts. Hindi naman halatang turista sila, ano? Ang porma nilang dalawa ay parang ready ng maligo sa dagat.

I went out of the car to approach them. My mother's eyes widened upon seeing me.

"Muriel, look at you, anak!" Mom hugged me tight. Her lavender scent invaded my nose as I buried my face on her neck.

"How was your flight?" agad kong tanong nang mahiwalay sa kaniyang yakap. Napansin kong nauna na sina Daddy at Exodus sa sasakyan hila-hila ang mga dala nina Mommy.

Dad was quick to wave at me while they put the luggages at the back of the car. Kumapit naman ako kay Mommy at nagsimula na kaming lumapit sa kotse. I let Mommy inside the back seat. Pumunta ako sa aking pwesto kanina at naghintay na matapos sina Exodus. Mom had a lot to say while waiting for the two. Nang matapos naman ay agad niyang kinausap ang aking asawa.