DM #3: Sage Madriaga

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Rejection

I wasn't able to pull myself together. I felt so nervous and occupied for some reason. Kung wala si Ate Serenity sa yate, siguradong hindi ko maigagalaw ang sarili sa kinatatayuan.

She's the one who helped me to pull myself together. Everyone was having their good time, while I was there sitting on a yacht, alone.

"Serenity, alam mo bang ilan ang babe ni Declan dati?!"

Nilingon ko ang umalingawngaw na boses ni Trent. He's with Ryland who's currently laughing because of what they saw below the waters.

Kuryoso ako pero agad napunan nang marinig ang sunod-sunod na mura ni Kuya Declan sa tubig. Nagtawanan ang dalawa at naglakad patungo sa harapan ng yate, tahimik na inilalayo ang sarili sa ginawa.

I pursed my lips and stood up on the other side of the yacht. Niyuko ko ang asul na dagat na kumikislap dahil sa sikat ng araw.

I wonder how I can dive deep when it's obviously dark below. I can swim, but only in a shallow part. Hindi ko maisip na magtungo sa malalim dahil sa takot na baka hindi na makaahon pa.

Titig na titig ako sa dagat nang mapasinghap nang may biglang umahon sa tinitignan ko.

I saw how he combed his wet hair before he opened his eyes. Natigilan ako nang bigla niya akong tiningala, tila may alam na dito ako nakapwesto.

Umawang ang kanyang labi, may gustong sabihin pero hindi tinuloy. Umayos ako sa pagkakatayo pero nananatili pa rin sa kinatatayuan.

We stared for a long time, unable to speak anything until Ate Serenity called me. I pursed my lips and turned back, leaving him alone.

I want to greet him, but I don't have an idea how to say it properly. I'm so occupied that I can't even trust myself from talking. Baka mali pa ang masabi ko.

I was with Serenity the whole time. Hindi niya ako kailanman hinayaan na matahimik at mag-isa. She knew that I'm not always into talking, but somehow it's relieving to know that she's just avoiding me to be in an out of place whenever they're laughing.

I knew my brother's friends, almost all of it. I knew Ryland and Trent because of an event that I attended with Mama before. On the other hand, I knew Lucian because of the reason that he owned yachts and cruise ships. Lahat ng yate na mayroon kami ay nanggaling sa kanya. He took of care everything.

Sa tatlong magkakapatid na Velarde, siya pa lang ang nakikita ko ng personal sa ilang events na napupuntahan kada taon.

Even for a short moment, I was able to forget the things I'm worried about because of their laughter whenever Ryland joke around.

Hindi magkandamayaw ang tawa ni Ate Serenity. She looked so happy that it made me happy too because there's already a baby inside her. If she's happy, I'm certain that the baby is happy too.

We're sitting on a u-shaped sofa that is placed in front of the yacht.

Pinanood ko ang dahan-dahang pagbaba ng araw sa harapan. Tahimik na silang lahat, tila binigay ang pagkakataon na iyon para tanawin ang kulay kahel na langit.

Because of the silence, I was able to think more. If ever I will get the courage that I need, I will confess to him. If I have the chance that I will be with him, just for a moment, I will grab it.

I glanced at my brother who's currently whispering words to Ate Serenity. I smiled secretly and looked away. Pero sumakto ang tingin ko kay Trent na diring-diri sa sitwasyon na nasa tabi ko.