The Art of Loving You

Chapter 7: This Particular Red-Headed Guy

Huminga ako ng malalim, pumikit, at pinakiramdaman ang init.
 
"Put more firewood, Ethan!" sigaw ni ate Afhro. We smiled at her cuteness. She's shouting yet her voice is still so soft.
 
"Why are you calling me Ethan?!" sabi ni kuya Cairo pabalik. He's older than me, so that's the right thing to do. 
 
"Oooh~" sabay-sabay na huni nila Ayana but it just sounds like plain teasing. I didn't get it so I just watched. Nakapalibot kami ngayon sa bonfire at sinusubukang 'wag kagatin ng mga lamok.
 
"What?" reklamo ni kuya Cairo. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
 
"Sinasabi ko sa'yo Cairo, ha! Alam mong linalamok ako dito e," she rolled her eyes.
 
"Kasalanan ko bang kinakagat ka ng mga kauri mo?" 
 
Napatigil kaming lahat sa ginagawa namin. He fiddled with the stick and poked the firewood to put it in place.
 
"Anong sinabi mo!?" tumayo na si ate Afhro.
 
"Sabi ko lamok ka!" asar nya pa. Anong inabot nya? Malamang batok.
 
"Hoy! Wait, don't bite! Are you trying to prove me right?" asar nya pa ulit. Soon enough they were out of sight. Naghabulan ng parang mga bata. 
 
Jax rolled his eyes and said, "Kids."
 
"Did you just call ate Afhro a kid?!" Anna exclaimed.
 
Nagkatinginan kami ni Ayana dahil may bago na namang away. Maddox stared at the fire, his gray orbs filled with nothing. I unconsciously stared at him for a minute pero naramdaman ko ang tingin sa akin ni Ayana.
 
"Cheers."
 
We clinked cookie packages. 
 
Soon enough, we were all minding our own businesses. It wasn't until midnight that we gathered around the campfire again. 
 
Nagsabit ng dambuhalang white screen sila Jax at Maddox sa puno. A few moments later, they turned a projector on and we were watching a movie. 
 
May kuryente sa dalawang coaster at doon nalang sana kami matutulog pero wala daw thrill. In the end, we still slept inside it. Hiwalay ang girls at boys, of course. Kuya Cairo insisted, after all.
 
Second day of camping, pangalawa akong nagising pero bumalik si ate Afhro sa tulog. She said models need their sleep.
 
Bukang liwayway ay naghahalungkat na ako ng mga bagay sa coaster. I set up the barbeque grill and the marinated pork. The air was chilly and the fresh air smelled so nice.
 
Hikab ni Jax ang unang narinig ko nang nag-aayos ako ng mga gamit. I grabbed a bag of chips and gobbled a bunch of them. Umupo ako sa bonfire na patay na ngayon at tumulala.
 
Jax sat across my seat. He yawned again at stretched. His sweater rode up, exposing his lean but very toned stomach. Hindi ko masyadong binigyan pansin iyon at kumain lang.
 
Jax stood up and when he came back he was already holding a can of iced coffee. 
 
"What time did we sleep again?"
 
"I think around 4 am," sagot ko sa kanya.
 
"Hmm, okay," sabi nya, halata ang pagod sa boses. "I want toast with hazelnut spread and peanut butter."
 
"Okay."
 
Sumubo ulit ako ng chitchirya pero napatigil ng makita ang tingin nya sa akin. Humikab ako. Kamusta na kaya si Mama?
 
"What?" tanong ko.
 
"I want toast."
 
I sighed. "And let me guess, you want me to make them?"
 
He nodded innocently. Kumurap sya at tinignan lang ako. Bumuntong-hininga ako at pinilit tumayo. Ginawan ko sya ng toast at nagtusta na din ng tinapay para sa iba pa. We could just microwave it inside the coaster later.
 
Hinawi ni Jax ang magulo niyang buhok na mukhang mga itim na alon. His chocolate eyes shone in the morning light as he gave out another yawn. He leaned backwards and he stretched his long legs. 
 
"Criasha," he called me. "Anong gagawin mo, kung wala kang choice sa buhay mo?"
 
I cleared my throat and ate more chips. Inaantok na kaming dalawa ni Jax. Kanina pa kami nakatulala lang dito.
 
"There's always a choice, Jax," sagot ko.
 
Mukhang frustrated ay hinawi nya ulit sa dalawa niyang kamay ang buhok nya. "B-But, I just told you. You won't have any choice."
 
I stared at him. Sinubukan ko siyang pag-aralan at mukhang seryoso nga sya. Inilapag ko ang pagkain ko at nagsalita, "Drop me a scenario."
 
Bumuka ang bibig nya pero sumarado ulit. He hesitated, and I gave him time.
 
"Like... not having a choice to what degree you can take, not having a choice to do what actions to take in front of a large crowd. Bawal sumimangot, bawal magsalita ng iisang pagkakamali. And not being able to marry who you want to marry."
 
I was silent for a second. He's definitely talking about him and Anna. Siguro lahat talaga ng tao may mga problema. Mayaman man o hindi.
 
"Take what degree you want, say what you want but in a polite and moderate way, of course. Your face is yours so make the facial expression that you want," simple 'kong saad at dinampot ulit ang pagkain ko. Ba't ko ba ito ibinaba?
 
"I told you," he sighed, seemingly stressed. "What if you can't?"
 
"You can. You're just making excuses," marahan kong sabi.
 
"Hindi ko kaya! Who will pay for my tuition?" he reasoned. Hindi ko sya masisisi. He's probably suffering, though, I won't know the pain.
 
"Ikaw."
 
Natahimik sya. 
 
His dashing face fell in a deep thinking trance and he bit his lip, thinking. Bumuka ang labi nya ngunit inunahan ko na sya.
 
"Kaya mo, Jax."
 
His troubled brown eyes met mine. Now I feel like a friend. I smiled and stood up. Sinindihan ko ang grill at nag-ihaw na. 
 
"What about the marriage?" tinabihan nya ulit ako. This time, incredibly close. We're shoulder to shoulder. Damn Jax's morning thoughts.
 
"Don't marry."
 
"I'll be disowned!" He whisper-yelled. I rolled my eyes and turned my head when I thought I saw someone by the woods.
 
"Kelan ba yung kasal? This year na ba?" inikot ko ang mga stick ng barbeque at inabot sa kanya ang pamaypay, now wary of my surroundings. "Magpaypay ka."
 
I think nakakita ako ng multo...
 
"No. Maybe in two years," malakas niyang bulong at pinaypayan ang sarili nya. His fluffy hair flew in directions amd I just watched. Napanganga ako, mangha.
 
"I mean paypayan mo yung uling para magbaga, Jax!" Malakas ko na ding bulong. "At bakit tayo bumubulong?!"
 
Linapit nya pa ang mukha nya sa akin. "Baka marinig ako ni Anna o Ayana. Maaga pa para mabatukan. At sagutin mo yung tanong ko!"
 
"Huwag masyadong malakas didikit yung uling sa barbeque. Gusto mo ba ng uling flavored na barbeque?" saway ko sa kanya. Para akong nanay na nagbabawal ng bata. Haynako, Jax.
 
"Damn it, Criasha. Just answer me, baby," he cursed.
 
"Edi mag-ipon ka para makapagsimula ng sarili mong negosyo. Tapos kapag tinakwil ka, edi may pera ka!" I argued. "At hindi ako sanggol!"
 
"Aish," maktol nya. "You make it sound so easy."
 
"Well..." I grinned and laughed.
 
"Ang tagal kasi nilang gumising e. Tayo unang nagising?" tanong ko dahil wala na kaming mapagusapan. Ayos lang naman kahit wala, it's comfortable. But I wanted to make small talk.
 
"What do you mean? Maddox woke up way earlier than any of us," taka niyang sabi. Kailangan ko pa sya tingalain dahil sa tangkad nya. Just like Maddox. Sana wag ma-sprain leeg ko sa kanila.
 
"I didn't see him, kanina pa ako gising, bago pa magka-ilaw."
 
We stared at each other, confused.
 
"Asan na iyon, kung ganoon?" kunot-nuo na tanong ni Jax.
 
We were both weirded out that's why we just decided that we'll wake the others up, eat, bond, and wait for Maddox. Pero bago iyon, mag-iihaw muna kami.
 
"Where's the marshmallows?" ikot ni Jax sa tabi ko at naghalungkat ng paperbags.
 
"Sa loob ng coaster namin," I answered.
 
He groaned. "Sasapakin ako nila Ayana kapag pumasok ako doon."
 
Hindi ko sya pinansin at nag-ihaw nalang. Humiga sya sa built-in wood bench ng camping grounds. Pinabayaan ko lang sya. It's impossible how gorgeous he could look with no effort at all. If I had that talent I would have pursued modelling because it has a decent pay.
 
"Criasha," tawag nya sa akin. "I want marshmallows!"
 
"Edi kumuha ka," simple 'kong sabi sa kanya.
 
"Criasha," ani nya, seryoso ang mukha ng lapitan nya akong muli. His icy smell invaded my senses. "You're my... friend, right?"
 
Kumurap ako at linubayan muna ang ginagawa ko. I looked up to him and let myself think for a moment. "I am, why?"
 
"If I need your help, you would help me, am I right?" he leaned down a bit kaya nakapag-pahinga ng kaonti ang leeg ko sa kakatingala. By the end of this trip, my head would just fall off my neck.
 
"Sure," sagot ko. I had a feeling that this is about his life pressures. "Just to set things straight..." dagdag ko. "I won't help you about shady stuff. 'Wag mong iisiping tawagan ako sa mga ganyang bagay, titilapon ka papuntang Malabon."
 
Jax's laugh made me smile. He threw his head back in a loud laugh and I just shook my head. Napakababaw talaga ng kaligayan.
 
"Creed!" sabay kaming napatingin ni Jax sa likod namin. Out came kuya Cairo with his adorable bed hair. "Layuan mo si Criasha, masyado kang malapit."
 
"Good morning," bati ko sa kanya ng sumingit sya sa gitna namin ni Jax.
 
Kuya Cairo smiled and greeted me back. "Why are you cooking this? Let Jax do it, let's eat breakfast nalang," He grabbed my arm and made me sit on the bonfire chairs. He still looks sleepy but he grabbed a cold coffee and gave me one. I said my thanks.
 
"You're overprotective, Cairo. And ate Afhro... will castrate you," pagalit nya.
 
"Mag-ihaw ka nalang dyan, Jack Xolair," sambit niya at uminom ng kape. "Speaking of Afhro, is she still asleep?"
 
Umikot ulit ang tingin ko at mas yinakap ang jacket sa katawan ko ng parang may makita ulit akong taong nakamasid. Tao nga ba talaga iyon? I shivered. Where is Maddox anyways?
 
"She was dead asleep when I left the trailer," sagot ko nalang at pinagmasdan si Jax na magmura ng mapaso sya ng baga. I helped him because he was clumsy.
 
"Can you take pictures of her drooling, Criasha?" Kuya Cairo's eyes has an evil glint to it. Halatang pagti-tripan nya si ate Afhro.
 
"Creepy," I pretended to cringe and gave him a look. 
 
"Cairo, you're forgetting that that's my sister you're talking about..." kuya Cairo's mouth parted and said we misunderstood it. 
 
Ilang minuto makalipas ay nagising na silang lahat at kumain na kami. Hindi ko mapigilang hanapin si Maddox. Napagusapan na din namin sya kanina habang kumakain. Magdidilim na at lahat kami ay may plano pang gawin.
 
"Can you reach Maddox?" nagsalita si ate Afhro, nag-aalala na yata.
 
"No. Sinubukan ko pero unreachable daw. I'm still trying, wait," ani ni Anna. Lahat sila ay naglabas ng phone maliban sa akin. 
 
"I could look for Maddox," prisenta ko. Kung tama ako ay nandito lang sa gubat iyon dahil wala namang nawawalang sasakyan at walang sasakyan or tao dito dahil private property. At kailangan ko din siyaang kausapin.
 
"I'd go with you," sambit ni Ayana. Tumango ako at tumayo agad sya.
 
"Stay here, Ayana. Sila Jax na ang paghanapin natin."
 
In the end, kami ni Jax ang naghiwalay para maghanap. Kuya Cairo tried to join but piningot sya ni ate Afhro. 
 
Huni ng ibon ang una 'kong narinig. Lulubog na ang araw mga ilang minuto mula ngayon. Naglakad lang ako at nag-isip. Kung ano ang ginagawa ng nanay ko, kung makakaalis ba kami sa kahirapan, kung ano ang iisipin nila Ayana kapag nalaman nilang mahirap ako, at kung nasaan si Maddox.
 
Napatalon ako ng biglaang kumidlat. Bakit ba kasi sya umaalis ng ganoon kaaga tapos hindi man lang sya nagpapaalam?
 
"Maddox!" I screamed.
 
Nang matanto ko na mali na magsi-sigaw ako ay nanahimk agad ako.
 
"Baka may lumapit sa aking hayop," mahina kong bulong sa sarili ko. Huminga ako ng malalim at naghanap pa. Nagbukas na din ako ng flashlight. Linalamig na yinakap ko ang sarili ko at tinutukan ng flashlight ang paligid ko. Ang dilim na! Nasaan na ba kasi si Maddox?
 
Kinapa ko ang bulsa ko para kuhanin ang cellphone ko. I tapped everywhere but I found nothing. Natigilan ako. Wala akong phone, at... nawawala yata ako. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Mas mabuti pa na tumigil ako. Baka mas mawala akokapag nagpatuloy pa ako.
 
I shivered, remembering my nights with my mother, stuck in dark alleys. Sinubukan kong kumalma at umupo sa may puno. Mahahanap din naman nila ako, di'ba? Lumunok ako at tumingin sa mga bituin sa langit.
 
I'll be fine.
 
Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras ang lumipas doon. Magmamadaling araw na sa wrist watch ko at gutom na gutom na ako. Itinulog ko ang gutom ko at hindi ko napigilang umiyak sa takot. Papayamanin ko pa si Mama. Sinong mag-aalaga sa kanya kung wala ako?
 
Mababaw ang tulog ko ng gabi na iyon. Dumilat ako pagkaraan ng ilang oras, madilim pa din. That was when I heard footsteps. Nahanap na ba nila ako?
 
"Teka!" pigil ko sa lalaking tumakbo palagpas sa akin. Natigilan ako ng may kutsilyo siyang tinutok sa akin. 
 
Hindi ko alam kung magagalak ba ako na tao sya at hindi multo. It was dark but I saw his hair color when the moonlight shone on it. Hindi ako gumalaw at ng makita niyang nakataas ang kamay ko ay ibinaba nya ang hawak niyang kutsilyo.
 
He ran, as if he knew this forest. And together with him was his unique red mane flying across the wind as he ran away from me.