Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

11

"Mayroon. Para kang ube, babe," sagot niya, nang-aasar.

Napalabi ako at humawak sa panga ko. "Okay lang. Mawawala naman siguro 'to this week. I have no shoots naman for a movie nor commercial." Napasapo ako sa noo ko nang may naalala. "But I do have a home photoshoot for a brand. Oh no!"

"Makeup na lang. Maliit lang naman. Hindi halata. Maganda ka pa rin," pampalubag loob niya sa 'kin.

Tumawa na lang ako sa pambobola niya. "Do you want another burger?" I raised my hand, hoping to get the waiter's attention. The burger was delicious. I already had one earlier, as well as Marco.

"Ayaw." Sumikop siya ng iilang french fries sa kamay niya bago lumipat doon sa duyan.

"What do you want then? Paubos na ang fries. You want more?"

"I'm good, thanks." He smiled.

Pakiramdam ko magtatagal pa kami rito sa coffee shop. I have no complains. I like it here, love, actually. Ang mapayapa. The way the palm trees dance with the wind, the soft murmurs of the people blending with the sound of the waves, the picturesque view. Everything here was a sight for sore eyes.

When the waiter came near, I told him my order. Nag-order din ako ng chicken lollipops, fries, and coke. Aayaw-ayaw lang naman 'tong isa pero kapag may pagkain na sa harapan, nauna pang kumain sa lahat!

"I ordered chicken lollipops and fries for you," I informed Marco when the waiter left. "Alam ko naman kasing pabebe ka lang."

"Mak, tugtug ka mamaya?" A tall chinito man approached Maki kaya hindi siya nakasagot sa akin. There was another man behind him.

My gaze drew to the sea. It was already past noon and low tide na. The weather was so perfect. I'm planning to sunbathe after this, get a tan maybe.

There were still some surfers out there, mostly short boarders. Sabi ni Marco, hindi raw pwede ang mga longboarders kapag low tide kasi delikado saka baka masira ang surfboard. He explained it earlier, along with lots of surfing related things. Curious kasi ako.

"Hindi, Jace," sagot ni Marco. Sumulyap ako sa kaniya at nakitang nakahiga na siya sa duyan, both his hands behind his head. "Tutugtog naman si Donny."

"Tinatamad akong tumugtog mamayang gabi, bro! Galing kasing tour!" The man who was on the back chuckled.

"Palusot. Tamad ka naman araw-araw," the other man fired, turning to me. He pointed the chair in front of me. "Is this seat taken, Miss?"

"No, you can get it if you want," I replied with a smile, getting my glass of water to drink a little because my throat felt dry.

"I'm Jace." He suddenly sat down instead of pulling the chair to where Marco was.

"I'm Donny!" pakilala naman noong isa. They were both smiling brightly. Mukhang kambal yata. "You are?"

"Ica. Nice to meet you." I looked at Marco for rescue but he was just arching a brow, waiting for what I was going to do next.

"You're on a vacation?" Jace asked me. I nodded carefully. "Have you gone surfing? Snorkeling? Island hopping? Land tour? If you want to do those things, you can book our services. We have a shop right around the corner!"

Natigilan ako saglit bago natawa, nakahinga nang maluwag. Damn, I should stop overthinking sometimes with stranger's intentions! But I'll give it to the locals, puro sila masisipag.

"Ako ang bahala sa kaniya," Marco suddenly interfered. He stepped out of the hammock and walked towards me, brushing his hair through his fingers.

"Bro naman. Humanap ka ng kliyente mo. Nauna kami," pabulong na reklamo ni Donny sa kaniya.