Escaping Strings

Chapter 17: Island (Part 2)

“My gosh, Matt. Look at your cousin... he seems so not gay at all. He's also hot and... they look good together,” bulong ko kay Matt habang nakayakap sa kaniya.

“Shh, marinig ka nila,” natatawang sabi niya. “You really are a fan of the both of them, aren't you?”

I look at him, “Of course, I am. Bagay sila, babe!” I said while I am shaking him.

Mukhang napalakas yata 'yung pagkakasabi ko. Oops, my bad.

“Hindi kayo ang pinag-uusapan namin,” I rapidly said when we saw them staring at us.

“Defensive?“ sabi ni Jacob at humarap na sa dagat.

“Wala naman kaming sinasabi.” He didn't look as he drive through the water.

“Told ya,” Matt said as he followed.

“Hey, wait up!” I yelled. “Akala ko ba kayo ang sasama? Tsk!”

“Dalian mong mag-drive, Matty!” sigaw ni Jacob. “Napag-iiwanan na kayo oh.”

“Hey, dahan-dahan, Jacob! Baka mahulog ako!” Diane also yelled.

“Ang arte? Ang higpit na nga ng yakap mo sa abs ko eh. Baka bumaba 'yan ah,” Jac chuckled.

“What?” Diane tries to absorb it first, “Bastos!”

Jac burst out laughing.

“Baka iba na ang puntahan niyan ah...,” Matthew teased. “Ingat kayo sa pag-drive. Baka may mahulog.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sa pag-drive ng mga ganiyang usapan niyo at baka sa isa't isa'y mahulog kayo.” We laugh as Matt takeover their post.

“Daya niyo!” Diane shouted.

We stop on one of the isolated part of the island.

“Panglao Island pa ba ito, babe?” I asked and he just laughed.

“Let's witness the calming view for a while.” Hinila niya ako sa isang malaking bato para maupo.

“See that?” turo niya sa isang yacht sa 'di kalayuan. “That's where we'll do one of our babies.”

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at napanganga. Ibang klase talagang mag-isip ang isang ito.

“Babies? Dami ah.” I then laugh and see how his lips form a smile.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at pinagmasdan ang karagatan. 'Yung idea na magme-meet ang mga mata niyong parehong masaya, nakatatakot. Small talks like this with him feels strange to me.

“Ano na naman 'yang mga ngitian mong 'yan?”

“The way you say it.... Pumapayag ka na?” he asked.

“Ano bang sinabi ko?” I ask back innocently.

“Come on, babe, the last thing you said. And you even chuckled. Does it mean that you're—”

“Natawa lang ako. Wait,” pagharap ko sa kaniya. “Hinuhuli mo ba ako?”

“Maybe.” He giggled before stealing a kiss from me.

Napakurap na lang ako sa ginawa niya. He is sooo! Tama na nga ang landi, nai-in love na ako sa... sa dagat!

“Tsk, tara na nga at sunset na. Mean mo talaga.” I hold his hand and pull him through where the boat is.

My God, the sun is setting! Gusto ko sanang panoorin muna kaso nga lang baka hindi na kami makabalik sa resort nang buhay dahil sa malapit nang magdilim. Lalo lang akong mababaliw sa gitna ng dagat kung nagkataon. Dilim ng tubig. Ugg! Goosebumps.