Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

01

"What a good morning it is."

Hinawi ko ang kurtina at binuksan ang pintuan papunta sa balcony bago tuluyang lumabas. The sun was up and it was a bit hot. Sumandal ako sa railing at tumingin sa kanan, kung saan ang dagat. There were people surfing in the wild waves. I even spotted some friends there.

I didn't know how long I was standing there but when I felt hot, I decide to take a bath. Pagkatapos maligo, I wore my robe and did my skin care routine.

I checked my closet and decided to wear a white sleeveless crop top and white gaucho pants. I wore my shell choker and left my short hair down. I went downstairs when I was satisfied with how I looked.

"Good morning po, Ma'am!"

Nag-uunahan sa pagbati ang mga staff nang nakita ako. Since it's summer, ako ang nagha-handle ng café ng parents ko. We have a house just a few blocks away, but since I'm alone and there's a room upstairs, I decided to stay here. The café had a nice location. It was placed in front of the beach, which made it relaxing.

"Good morning. Welcome to Santahana! May I take your order?" the barista said the script behind the counter.

"One barista please," Sasy, my friend, answered.

"Hayop ka," sagot kaagad ng barista.

"Duty hours, Jericho," I strictly scolded him.

"Sorry, Madam." Echo looked at his watched. "Tapos na 'ko sa shift ko actually. Pwede na akong magmura. Hindi mo ako pwedeng sunugin."

"Excuse me? Sunugin? What do you mean?" I was so confused.

"I-fire. Sisantihin," he replied slowly.

I blinked, trying to understand his sense of humor. "Weirdo," I whispered when he turned around.

"Surf tayo." Ngumiti si Sasy, nakasandal sa counter.

"Next time. I'm still a bit tired." Kakarating ko lang kaninang madaling araw galing Manila kaya hindi muna ako sasama.

"Ay, sige! I'm just waiting for your barista. Ang tagal." She pointed at Jericho. He was still cleaning up the things he used.

"Ingat kayo. I'll eat muna. I'm so hungry talaga." Nag-order ako bago naglakad papunta sa usual table ko.

There were a few people who were silently eating their breakfast. My friends left. A few moments later, my food was in front of me. I ate silently, just like the people around me, while watching the waves.

I was busy sipping my tea when I heard the newscaster on television speak. The volume was a bit high, so I couldn't help but listen. I stopped sipping when a video of our president was played. He was saying something irrelevant.

Napairap kaagad ako kasi ang stupid ng sinabi niya. "Pathetic," I whispered to myself.

Natapos ako sa pag-breakfast ko pero hindi pa rin tapos ang news. Nakapag-edit na ako ng iilang photos, another politician-related news flashed on screen. Oh my god! They were never ending. Buti na lang kahit hindi ako masyado interesado sa politics, aware naman ako.

"Maradjaw na adlaw. Welcome to Santahana." I heard the waitress greet when someone was at the steps of the café.

"Jusko. Ang annoying mo." I turned my head slowly when I heard Sasy's voice again. Nakasunod sa kaniya si Jericho at isa pa naming kaibigan, si Cali. They were soaking wet from their surf sesh. Nilapag nila ang surfboard sa board rack bago tuluyang pumasok ng café. Ang bilis naman nila natapos magsurf.

"Sige na ba. Tulungan mo ako!" pamimilit ni Echo. He was only wearing his shorts, and a gold necklace was hanging on his neck now.

"I can't nga. Wala akong future sa shortboard. Kaya mo iyan. Ikaw pa, pagkamarajaw ra nimo!" Sasy encouraged.