Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

11

"Talaga?" Marco leaned and cupped my jaw from behind before planting a light kiss on my lips.

To say that I was stunned was an understatement. What the fuck?! Maki smirked and sat beside me, turning to the boys. I imitated what he did and saw their eyes were wide a little in shock and amusement.

I cleared my throat, getting over the kiss we shared in front of his friends! Hindi naman ako nakikipaghalikan sa harap ng ibang tao unless I'm drunk kasi walang hiya na ako noon! I mean, walang hiya naman talaga ako kahit on sober state but ibang level kapag lasing!

"Geez!" Jace raised his hands, as if backing out. "Pa-lechon na ba ako, bro?"

Marco crumpled a tissue before throwing it at him. "This is Ica, my friend."

"Friend," mariing ulit ni Jace at siniko si Donny sa dibdib. "Friend, ha. Tandaan mo. Friend."

"Friend. Okay, copy." Donny nodded.

"So, Ica. That means you're single?" Jace leaned over the table, smirking at Marco but he was talking to me.

"I guess," nagtatakang sagot ko. "I mean, I am," mas malinaw kong sagot ngayon.

"Aguy!" Jace dramatically held his chest. "Donny, bro, confirmed! Friends nga lang! Maki, shot na natin iyan!"

"Tahimik! Baka mabugbug ka diyan," pagbibiro ni Donny, nakangisi.

"Ang eepal n'yo talaga, 'no?" Marco said with a fake smile. "Magsilayas na nga kayo. Hindi kayo welcome rito."

Hindi ako makasabay dahil iniinda ko ang sakit sa panga ko. Naguguluhan ako lalo nang tumawa ang dalawa sa tapat. Halos magpasalamat ako sa lahat ng santo na kilala ko noong dumating ang waiter, pagod nang intindihin ang nakakalokong tawa ng mga ito.

"Kain tayo," I invited them, gesturing the chicken lollipops and fries. Madami iyon kaya paniguradong magkakasya iyon sa kanilang tatlo. If not, I can just order. Fast naman ang service nila rito.

"Akala ko ba akin iyan?" Marco squinted his eyes at me.

"You can share. Ang dami naman niyan."

"True," Donny second the motion, obviously teasing Marco.

Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Maki sa kaniya kaya lumapad ang ngiti ni Donny. I chewed my lips to prevent myself from laughing.

"Pikon," bulong ko kay Maki, nang-aasar din. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "Pero seryoso, kain lang kayo!"

Jace chuckled. "Okay lang, Ica. Aalis naman na kami! Medyo mahal ko rin ang buhay ko!"

"Nice to meet you, friend ni Marco!" Tumawa si Donny at nakipag-apir sa tropa. Kurot sa tiyan ang binalik sa kaniya ni Marco.

After paying, we walked by the beach for a while. "Doon tayo." Tinuro ni Maki iyong kaliwang parte. It was empty since most of the people are on the boardwalk, taking pictures.

May baon akong scarf na pwede kong gamitin for sunbathing. Nilabas ko iyon sa bag ko at binigay kay Marco ang isang dulo para tulungan niya akong maglatag noon. Mahangin kasi. If I'd do it alone, probably lilipad-lipad pa bago ko malatag sa buhangin.

"Palagay, Maki." I showed him my tanning oil bottle. I use that always for sunbathing to get a nice tan, instead of sunburns.

Kinuha ko ang small codal ko sa loob ng bag bago dumapa, resting my chin on my one hand. Binuklat ko ang libro gamit ang isang kamay. May bookmark ako kung saan ako tumigil kaya hindi ako na hirapan.

"Hanggang dagat ba naman mag-aaral ka?" Marco sounded amused as he slid his hands through my back.

"Can't fail," simpleng sagot ko bago hinila ang strap sa likod ko para hindi iyon magkamarka ng araw. "It's a surprise you're not studying right now," dugtong ko.