Two bus rides, one ferry ride, a trek through a mountain pass, and a banca ride got us to a deserted sand bar.
"Ang layo naman ng paradise, uwi na lang tayo," I murmured as I squatted on the fine white sand. Tirik ang araw at malakas ang hangin. May ilang isla sa di kalayuan ang makikita.
"Do we swim?" Si Yellow na nakapamewang at nakasimangot na rin sa di kalayuan.
"He'll be here any minute." Ali said as he walked to the edge of the sand bar. The water lapped at his shoes.
A white speedboat came into view. Buti na lang din kasi nakakapaso na ang init at wala man lang ni isang punong masisilungan dito sa sand bar.
"Just in time." He walked over to the speedboat and pulled the ladder down.
"Kuya." Nakipag-fist bump siya sa lalaking nagmamaneho ng speedboat.
"Akala ko bukas ka pa dadating."
"Nah. We had it rough but it's okay now." Binalingan niya kami. "Let's go."
Naunang umakyat si Yellow at sumunod ako.
"You!" Itinuro niya ang guwapong lalaking tinawag na kuya ni Ali. "Camera guy."
"Hey!" He grinned. "Long time, no see."
"You know each other?" Ali asked.
"We've met." Yellow said but didn't elaborate. She took a seat on the speedboat. Alistair gave me a hand and I climbed inside the boat. He guided me to sit.
"This is my kuya, Alejandro Zabala," he introduced us. Alejandro Zabala looked handsome in a rugged way. His hair is bleached and stood up in spikes. He also had a tattoo that covered his entire left arm. He had a devil-may-care air around him.
"Andro lang." He extended his hand and I shook it.
"This is Maria."
"Oh, THE Maria." He tightened his hold and gave me a wink before releasing my hand. Ano kayang ibig niyang sabihin?
"And you've met Yellow."
Andro grinned as he took her hand next. "Yellow?"
"Just Yelle," she said.
I felt Ali put his arm around my shoulder.
"Ready?" Andro asked to no one in particular. The engine roared to life.
***
I wrinkled my nose as we opened the hatch of the Bird. Kinailangan pa naming bumili ng bagong lupa at magtayo ng temporary warehouse para lang sa high-profile asset na ipinasa ni Jaguar.
"Eww..." Trixie murmured. Amoy panis na ihi na si Tiu. Tulog na tulog siya habang nakasako na ulo lang ang nakalabas at nakabusal ang bibig. "Kaya mo bang buhatin 'yan Icen?"
"Luh siya, siyempre hinde. Kaya nga nandito si Edge para tulungan tayo."
Pagkasabi n'on ay lumapit si Edge at binuhusan ng tubig si Tiu para gisingin. Nagpapasag si Tiu at isa-isa kaming tinignan nang masama. Kung nakakapatay lang ang tingin baka nasunog na kami. I have to admit, it could be intimidating if only he didn't have duct tape to cover his mouth and he didn't look like he rolled in a quagmire.
"Ewww..." Pinagpag ni Trixie ang kamay niyang natalsikan.
"Sus, dapat si Shan na lang isinama ko."
ESTÁS LEYENDO
Star-Crossed ~ An ISITL Novel (On-Going)
AcciónAlistair Damien Zabala lives a double life filled with danger. Maria Lee has lived all her life being controlled by her family. Their meeting was unexpected, yet inevitable. An ISITL short dedicated to all the Ali-shippers. Warning: Will contain vio...
