Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

Sweet Pacific Breezes

Uncle Bruce is a respectable police major of the Costa de Marina police station. Not only is he famous for being a gentleman and handsome, my Uncle was also known for being an advocate of the Marine life. I guess our family genes are acting up everytime we set foot on any bodies of water. Uncle Bruce used to tell me that my grandparents were also advocates of marine life. Thus, explanations weren't really needed as to why I have also fallen in love with the ocean.

"What are you still waiting for, Cleo? Akala ko ba ay gusto mong bumisita?" Uncle Bruce peered at me under the scorching heat of the sun. Mula sa kaniyang nalilitong mukha, inilipat ko ang tingin sa malaking sign board kung saan nakalagay ang 'AquaCare Clinic.' The sign board was painted in ocean blue and white, with a cartoon image of marine fishes which seems to be a part of a marketing strategy.

"Uncle, I wanted to visit pero hindi ko naman po sinabing kailangan niyo akong samahan. As you can see, I can travel on my own."

Tumabi ako sa kaniya na ngayon ay nasa harapan na ng glass door ng clinic. Uncle Bruce stood up like the respectable cop that he is. Suot niya ang kulay asul na uniporme at nakaipit naman sa pagitan ng kaniyang tagiliran at braso ang kaniyang asul na cap. He didn't look like a casual visitor with his uniform. Talagang gusto niya akong samahan bago siya sumalang sa trabaho. He said that he was curious about the dolphin since it is an endangered specie.

"May itinatago ka ba sa akin? You don't usually complain whenever I go with you to some of your trips."

"I don't complain because you paid for all the travel fees," I reminded him. Ginawaran niya lamang ako nang mahinanh tawa bago niya itinulak ang pinto ng clinic.

"Good morning, Sir! Mag-i-inquire po ba kayo?" The male receptionist said when my Uncle approached his table. Yumukod naman si Uncle at bumati pabalik.

"We're just here to visit the dolphin. Ang sabi ng pamangkin ko ay rito raw dinala ang dolphin."

I bend my body slightly to the right and waved at the receptionist. Hindi naman niya kasi ako makikita agad dahil matangkad si Uncle. Mukhang nagulat pa ang receptionist dahil nagpakita ako. I'm sure he hasn't forgotten about me. Sa ganda kong ito,  kahit makakalimutin ka, hinding-hindi mo agad ako makakalimutan.

My Monaco bloodline is strong enough to influence my beauty. People would often stare at me, wondering if I had a foreign blood. Kahit naman hindi ako kilala ng tao, madali nilang masasabi na hindi ako ipinanganak sa Pilipinas. My father was a pure Filipino, while my mother was a pure Monegasque.

"I-ikaw pala 'yan, Ma'am!" the receptionist stuttered. Pasimple kong binaba ang tingin sa kaniyang name plate bago ko ibinalik ang tingin sa kaniyang mukha.

"Nice to see you again, Ricky," I greeted cutely. Nakita kong namula ang kaniyang mukha bago siya nag-iwas ng tingin. I giggled in my thoughts. Nahuli ko pang nagtaas ng kilay sa akin si Uncle.

Umalis ako sa likuran ni Uncle at mas lumapit pa sa desk ni Ricky.

"Uh, Ma'am, bilin po kasi ni Doc na hindi po pwedeng bisitahin ang dolphin," agad niyang sabi kahit wala pa naman akong nasasambit.

My brows furrowed. "Why is that? Titingnan ko lang kung maayos ang lagay niya rito."

Tinagpo ni Ricky ang naiirita kong tingin. Agad din naman siyang nagbaba ng tingin na para bang takot na baka may malaman ako. In fact, he looked conflicted. Either he was afraid of his boss or he was afraid of me. Mukha naman kasing madali lang siyang takutin. Or maybe, he was charmed by my looks that even if I ask for a little favor, he would definitely do it for me.