DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

10

I groaned.

Nakatulog ako dahil sa ingay ni Solenn. I was too focused on blocking her in my mind, I didn't know I already drifted to sleep. Nakita ko rin siyang natutulog sa gilid ko. At nang magising ako ay nagising na din siya.

And since I already feel energized, I invited her to go downstairs. Pumayag siya. Naligo muna kami at nagbihis ng panibagong damit bago tuluyang bumaba. Nakasalubong namin si Eric sa baba. Ang sabi niya'y naghahanda daw sila para sa isang bonfire mamaya. Sumama kami sa kanya patungo sa isang malaking cabana sa may dulo ng resort.

I saw them, almost complete. Even Helena's there, resting in one of the hammock attached between two trees. The others are taking a dip. The only missing is Javier, Rhys, and Axel. The cabana's big enough to accomodate us all. May malaking lamesa sa gitna ay ang mga upuan ay konektado dahil nakapalibot iyon. There are also wooden sun loungers on the right side.

''Bonfire's allowed here?'' I asked, there are beach resorts that doesn't allow such thing.

Solenn nodded. ''Dito lang sa part na 'to. Medyo malayo na sa mga panauhin.''

We sat on the loungers. We watched as the men prepared the bonfire. They also set up a grilling station. Kinalaunan, tumulong din si Solenn sa mga ginagawa nila. Habang nanatili akong nakaupo doon. Pinagmasdan ko na lamang ang dagat sa harapan. Hindi ko napansin na muli akong nakatulog.

Nagising lamang nang marinig ang tawanan sa malayo. I titled my head to look at my right, and saw the two couple having fun while grilling something. Panay tili ang mga babae dahil mukhang inaasar nila Fredd at Axel.

I looked at the hammock, I couldn't see Helena anymore there. She's probably with Javier.

My eyes went back to the sea. I saw how the sky already calmed it sunshine. Maaliwalas na, hindi na mainit. Medyo lumalamig na rin ang hangin. Mukhang matagal akong nakatulog dito. I wonder where's Solenn.

My phone suddenly rang. Kinapa ko iyon sa aking gilid. Ngunit nang makuha iyon ay wala namang tawag o text. Kumunot ang noo ko.

''Hello, yes?''

Lumingon ako sa kaliwa nang marinig ang isang malalim na boses. I gasped when I saw the person who's occupying the lounger just beside mine. He's holding a phone near his ear. Sa kanya iyong tumunog?

''Helena...'' he breathed out. ''Okay, let's talk. I'll be there.''

Nagkatinginan kami. He looked away, his jaw clenching. He suddenly stood up, silently walking away. Like a warrior retreating from a war.

He always leave my side. I really don't like watching him do that. But I can't do anything about it anyway. I can't stop him. All I can do is watch him walk away from me.

''How's your wounds?''

My eyes averted from Javier's back to the man who appeared from nowhere but now, standing beside me. I looked up to see Rhys Alexander, gazing at me with such tender eyes.

Javier and Rhys... they're cousins but they do really differ from each other.

''It's just small scratches, nothing to worry about.'' I smiled at him, patting the small space in my chair. Umusod ako para mas lalong lumaki ang espasyo. ''You can sit down here.''

''Is it okay?''

''Yeah.''

He nodded. Kasabay ng pag-upo niya, inabot niya sa'kin ang isang baso ng juice. Hindi ko napansin na may hawak pala siya. Tinanggap ko iyon.

''I checked on you. But no one's answering my knocks on your room.'' he said. ''I saw my sister outside, so I figured out you'd be here as well.''

''Hmm.'' I can only mumbled since I was drinking the juice he gave me. Tinapos ko na ang pag-inom dahil mukhang natatawa na siya sa itsura ko. ''Masarap pala siya.''