The Woman: INDEBTED

KABANATA 2

Note: See photo attached for the map of Nuevo Valencia province. 

Kabanata 2: Pulse

Napilitan akong pakisamahan si Brent, the childish Capt. Fernandez. Although, it was clear between us, sadyang napaka-pushy ng ama nito at nakumbinsi nito si Mommy, instead of Lolo, na bigyan ng pagkakataon ang anak. On normal occasions, I would say no. But because I have something to finish, pinagbigyan ko si Mommy.

Sa isang floating restaurant ako sa bandang norte dinala ni Brent. This is part of Arguelles municipality. As expected, it only offers seafood and cold beverages, nothing else.

"I'd like a serve of baby squid in olive oil at isang cucumber juice," I muttered my order.

"Calamansi juice sa akin. Dagdagan na rin ng king crab at talaba, please," si Brent.

The scenery somehow reminded me of my past. I used to stay on an island with some housemaids and security. Out of boredom, nagpagawa ako ng floating cottage doon. It was where I spent most of my days, thinking of what lies ahead of me.

"I hope nagustuhan mo ang scene dito. Hindi ko mabasa ang mukha mo kaya sana sabihin mo sa akin," Brent's animated voice broke the silence between us.

"It's good," I appreciate the scenery, but I don't like the emotions it evoked in me.

Floating with no direction, iyon ang naging buhay ko sa mga nakaraang taon. After I saved myself from drowning amidst a sea of regrets and sadness, I remained afloat and stucked. I don't have any idea if I'll be able to leave that island. I don't have any idea if I'll ever get to see my friends again... Val, Audrey, Dynna, and Dale. And I don't have any idea if my clock will start ticking once again someday.

"Anyway, I'll be going back to the camp to attend to my duties tomorrow. Baka sa susunod na buwan na tayo magkita ulit. I guess, 3-4 dates will do, and then we'll tell our parents na hindi talaga nagwork out," Brent interrupted my thoughts.

"Okay. I have no problem with that."

"Since nandito na rin naman tayo, let's just have fun. Get to know each other kahit hanggang friends lang tayo," sabi ni Brent sa pabirong tono. Hindi naman ako ganoon kadamot sa ngiti kaya ngumiti ako sa sinabi niya.

"So why did you choose that path?"

"Grabe. Napakapersonal naman agad! Pero sige sasagutin kita. Gusto ng daddy eh."

"And what do you want?" For a second, I thought I saw sadness in his eyes.

"I want to be a painter. Gusto ko nga magtravel sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng mundo at ipinta lahat ng memorable na lugar na napuntahan ko," kumikislap ang mata ni Brent habang sinasabi iyon.

Here with me is another living manifestation that people from the military are trained to obey and obey and obey.

"Then why don't you paint? Why don't you travel? There's no happiness in exceeding the expectations of others."

"Then how about you? Alam kung labag sa loob mo ang makipagdate sa akin. Why did you say yes? Bakit hinahayaan mong diktahan ka ng Mommy mo?" he fired back.

"Because something is at stake," makahulugang sagot ko.

"There's the answer to your question," anito at binigyan niya ako ng ngiting hindi abot sa mata.

Pagkatapos kumain, napagpasyahan namin na magpunta ng mall. Ang layo nga ng naging byahe namin dahil bumalik kami sa syudad. Wala naman kasing mall sa pinuntahan namin. The biggest establishment they have is a one-storey supermarket.