Alexies POV
Nagising ako dahil sa mahinang tapik na tumatama sa hita ko. I open my eyes at nakita ko ang mahal ko na nakatitig saakin.
"Good morning" bati ko sa kanya.
"Morning" agad akong umupo at agad napahawak sa ulo ko.
"You okay?" She asks and I shake my head.
"Masakit" I say.
"Deserve" yun lang ang sinabi nya.
"Imbis na mag pahinga ka, nag-inom ka pa. Alam mong lasing ka diba? Tapos uminom ka pa. Now, you're complaining that your head is aching" sermon naman n'ya, ang ganda naman ng almusal ko.
"Minsan lang naman kami magkita-" she cuts my words by using her glare.
"Hindi pwedeng kinabukasan? Don't you dare drink again" banta n'ya and I pouted.
"Bakit?" I ask.
"Your hands are naughty, kung saan-saan napunta" inis n'yang sabi and I pressed my lips together.
"Crystal, gising na ba-" Mom bragged to our room.
"Yes, Tita" she says.
"Mag almusal na kayo, your Lola cooked Sopas para sainyo ng mga pinsan mo" I nodded.
"Hindi kasi muna nag pahinga, alam ba pagod at lasing pa tapos nag-inom ka pa. Umayos ka" sabi ni Mommy, na-sermonan na ako nung isa tapos sinermonan pa ako ni Mommy.
"Mommy, na-sermonan na ako" I pouted.
"Dapat lang, kumain ka na doon at uminom ng gamot. Na kay Crystal yung gamot" agad naman s'yang lumabas.
"Ako na kukuha ng almusal, dito nalang tayo kumain. Gawin mo muna 'yang requirements mo sa school" I say, nakita ko kasing papatayin n'ya na yung laptop n'ya.
"Sure, I'll wait you here" she says at agad naman ako lumabas ng kubo. Agad akong pumunta sa bahay ni Lola at nakita ko ang mga pinsan ko na pare-parehong nakahiga sa sofa at yung iba ay nasa sahig.
"Uncle" tawag ko sa isa kong Tito.
"Jusko kayong mga bata kayo, pati ako napagalitan ni Mama at ni Ate Christene" sabi nya and I chuckle.
"Hayaan mo na Uncle, minsan lang naman 'yan" natatawang sambit ko and he shakes his head.
"Si Mommy po?" Tanong ko and he pointed at the kitchen.
Agad naman akong pumunta sa kitchen at nakita kong kumakain sila.
"Good morning" bati ko sa kanila, wala dito ang iba kong mga Tito at Tita. Wala pa yung isang nakaka-bwiset na walang ibang gawin kun'di purihin ang anak n'ya at i-bash ang iba.
"Si Crystal?" Tanong ni Mommy.
"May kailangan po tapusin, ihahatid ko nalang yung pagkain n'ya. Doon na kami kakain" I say and she nodded.
"Tumawag ka ng isa mong pinsan para tulungan ka dalhin ito" she says and I nodded. Agad akong bumalik sa may sala para tawagin si Baho.
"Hoy" hinampas ko naman hita nya at agad s'yang nagising.
"Alexies naman" reklamo n'ya.
"Tulungan mo ako" I say at hindi ko na s'ya hinayaang magsalita dahil mag-rereklamo lang naman sya.
"Mommy" bungad ko sa kanya and she's putting the food at the food tray.
"The pandesal already ate by your cousin. Baka dumaan ulit yung nagbebenta" she says and I nodded.
"Hoy Baho, patulong" tawag ko sa pinsan ko and he get the 2 coffee, while I'm holding the tray.
Lumabas na kami at pumunta sa kubo. Agad ko namang pinatong yung pagkain namin sa may lamesa dito sa balcony.
"May peanut butter ka tapos walang kang pandesal?" Takang tanong nitong pinsan ko.
"Baka dumaan yung nagbebenta, si Tita pa rin ba yung gumagawa ng peanut butter?" I ask, si Tita kasi ang kilala rito na magaling at masarap gumawa ng peanut butter. Pero mas masarap ang peanut na natikman ko mula kay-charot.
"Oo, mas masarap pag walang label diba" he asks and I nodded. Sa lahat kasi ng peanut butter, yung walang label ang pinakamasarap.
"Kaya pala gustong-gusto mo" he chuckles and I furrowed my brows.
"Na?" I ask, pero tumawa lang sya.
"Alexies" agad namang lumabas si Lei na naka fitted top with her PJ's.
"Ganda" sabi ng katabi ko kaya siniko ko s'ya agad.
"Umayos ka, baka mabulag kita at hindi ka na makakita habang buhay" banta ko sa kanya.
"D'yan ka na nga" inis na sabi nito tsaka umalis sa tabi ko.
"Kain na tayo, mahal ko" masayang bati ko sa kanya at inayos ang uupuan nya. Agad ko naman s'yang pinagsilbihan. S'yempre, mamahalin, papakasalan, pagsisilbihan, at hindi pagsasawaan.
"Bili lang ako ng pandesal" I say and she furrowed her brows.
"Basta masarap yun" she nodded.
Agad naman akong lumabas ng gate, sobrang lapit lang ng kubo sa may gate kaya kitang-kita ko s'ya rito mula sa labas. Agad akong kumaway sa kanya and she just nodded. Kahit naka PJ's sya na Sofia The First ang hot n'ya pa rin.
"Boss!" Tawag ko sa lalaking naka bike.
"Ano yun boss?" He asks.
"Pabili naman, 50 pesos" I say tsaka ako kumuha ng 50 sa wallet ko.
"Sige boss" he says and I nodded. Tintitigan ko lang s'ya maglagay ng tinapay sa may supot.
"May kamukha" I say and he looks at me.
"Kilala mo ba si Jake? Yung anak ni Aling Melda, d'yan sa may kanto?" Tanong ko sa kanya, naging kalaro ko rin kasi si Jake noon.
"Kapatid ko po yun" he says and I nodded.
"Kaya pala, pogi kayo pareho" I say and he got blush. Napansin ko na naka-sando sya at kita rin ang muscles nya. Ang bata n'ya pa pero may muscles na sya.
"May pandesal ka din ba?" Tanong ko sa kanya at binigay yung supot.
"Ayan ho" he says and I pressed my lips together.
"I mean, sa may tummy mo" I pointed at his stomach and he chuckles.
"Bilhin ko din" I say and he chuckles tsaka ako lumingon kay Lei na sobrang sama ng tingin saakin.
"Joke lang" I say and he nodded.
"Alis na po ako" agad s'yang sumakay sa bike nya.
"Paki-kamusta nalang ako sa kuya mo, sabihin mo andito ako" na-miss ko na rin kalaro ng pogs at text yun tuwing umaga hanggang hapon.
"Salamat po" he says tsaka sya umalis. Papasok na sana ako pero may biglang tumawag saakin.
"Alexies!?" Agad kong nilingon ito at nakita ko si Missy, isa sa kababata ko.
"Missy!" Agad ko syang niyakap and I kissed her cheeks many times.
"Grabe pagka-miss" she chuckles and I didn't break our hugs.
"Kailan ka dumating?" She asks.
"Kahapon lang" I say and she nodded.
"Ay, kaibigan ko pala" she look at her friend na nasa likod nya.
"Andrea, Kisha, and Sheena," she says and we shake hands.
"Alexies" pagpapakilala ko, ang ganda naman nila.
"Alexies!" Narinig kong sigaw mula sa kubo.
"Mamaya nalang ulit, kakain lang ako" I say and Missy hugs me again.
Agad naman ako bumalik sa kubo and I saw Lei didn't even look at me.
"Eto na" I say and she continues eating.
"I'll put a peanut butter" agad naman akong kumuha ng isang pandesal at hinati sa gitna, tsaka ko ito nilagyan ng peanut butter.
"Here," I say and she just glared at me.
"Why?" I ask, grabe naman s'ya makatingin.
"Why don't you go with Missy or with that Pandesal Boy?" She asks and my mouth gapes.
"Huh?" Tanong ko and she rolled her eyes.
"Do you have pandesal? In your tummy, can I buy it" she's copying my voice.
"I miss you Missy" she copies again.
"Then go with her, it's too early to flirt" she rolled her eyes.
"Missy is my best friend" I defend myself.
"You kissed her more than 20 times and you hugged her for almost 5 minutes" I heavily sighed.
"Sayo na yan" inis n'yang sabi tsaka ako iniwan mag-isa sa balcony.
"Hala, what happened?" I keep processing and waiting to sink in that scene.
Natapos na ako kumain at hindi na bumalik si Ma'am, ano kaya nangyari sa kanya. Agad naman akong pumasok sa bahay ni Lola, dumeretso ako sa kitchen para hugasan yung pinagkainan ko. Napansin ko na kasama nila Mommy si Lei na nasa labas, kita kasi rito sa bintana ang labas, masyado s'yang seryoso kung tumingin saakin.
Matapos akong maghugas ay balak kong lapitan s'ya pero agad namang sumulpot yung bwiset kong pinsan.
"Liligo kami sa talon, sumama ka" he says and I furrowed my brows.
"Sino kasama?" Tanong ko, mukhang masaya yun tapos pwede kong isama si Ma'am.
"Tayong mag p-pinsan" he says and I nodded.
"Ano oras?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"Ngayon, masaya maligo ngayon doon" he says and I nodded.
"Paalam lang ako, intayin nyo nalang ako mag-aayos pa ako ng gamit" he thumbs up tsaka lumabas ng kitchen.
Pumunta ako sa labas para tawagin si Ma'am. They're talking some oldie things.
"Mom" lahat sila at tumingin saakin.
"Yes?" She stares at me.
"We're going to the falls," I say and she nodded.
"Mahal, sama ka?" I look at Ms. Lavigne who's widened her eyes and her nose is getting red.
"Manang-mana sa tatay, sobrang bilis" nagtatawang sabi ni Uncle.
"I'm fine, I need to do something," she says and I pouted.
"Anak, sumama ka na. Pumunta ka rito para mag bakasyon, hayaan mo muna 'yan" masayang sabi ni Mommy.
"You can't say 'no'" I say and she sighed.
"Tita, I need to rush those grades," she says and Mommy nodded.
"Maybe next time" she added and I nodded.
"It's fine" I smile and she just rolled her eyes.
Problema nun?
"Alexies!" Tawag ni Chris na may dalang bag.
"Tagal mo naman" he says and I rolled my eyes.
"Isasama ko sana si Crystal, ayaw n'ya eh" I say.
"Hatid mo sila Ricardo" utos ni Lola kay Daddy.
"Inaya ko si Missy, sasama daw sya" he says and I smile at him. Mag sasalita sana ako pero biglang may nagsalita.
"I'll come, I'll just need to get some clothes. See you later po" she says and she stands up. She glared at me and rolled her eyes after, agad naman s'yang nag lakad papunta sa kubo.
"Bilis naman mag bago ng isip n'ya" I say and Mommy shakes her head while smirking.
"You want some Jelly Ace?" Mom asks and I furrowed my brows.
"Alexies! Prepare your own clothes, oh gosh. Do you want me to prepare it for you!?" Ang lakas ng sigaw nya.
"Amazona" natatawang sambit nila Tito.
"Sumunod ka na, baka sugudin ka ng Mahal mo" natatawang sabi nila and I shake my head.
"Tuwing loving time nalang ba nagiging boss ang Alcantara dito?" Sambit ni Uncle. Lahat ng kapatid ni Daddy ay puro lalaki, lahat din naman under.
"D'yan na nga po kayo, baka bugahan na ako ng apoy" sabi ko tsaka ako pumunta ng kubo.
Nakarating na ako sa kubo at kumuha na ako ng mga gamit na gagamitin ko mamaya. Kaunti lamang ang mga dala ko kaya balak kong ilagay ito sa bag ni Lei para naman isang bag lang ang dala namin.
"Can I put this inside?" Tinitignan n'ya lang ako ng mga ilang minuto tsaka s'ya tumango.
Tapos na kami mag-ayos ay nasa labas na kami ng bahay, ang mga pinsan ko ay ready na din. Inaantay nalang namin si Daddy para ihatid kami, medyo malayo rin kasi iyon sa bahay ni Lola.
"Tabi muna kayo" sabi ni Daddy at agad n'yang pinaandar ang van na nasa loob. Matapos n'yang malabas ang sasakyan ay sabay-sabay pumasok ang mga pinsan ko, nag uunahan sa binta ang mga siraulo.
"Missy!" Kaway ko kay Missy. Sabi rin pala ng mga pinsan ko na sinama na nila ang mga kaibigan ni Missy para daw mas masaya.
"Tabi tayo" she says and I look at Lei, who's looking at me without any emotions.
"Pumasok na kayo" utos ni Dad and I nodded.
"Lei" I call her and ask her to go inside.
"Lei huh?" She rolled her eyes and go inside the van.
"Kasya pa sa likod yung tatlo" sabi naman no Chris. Agad naman akong umupo sa tabi ng mahal ko. She just looking at her phone. Nagulat naman ako ng biglang tumabi si Missy saakin.
"Ayos na ba?" Tanong ni Daddy.
"Yes, captain!" Sigaw ng mga pinsan ko and I chuckles. Dad started driving, while this girl beside me was busy on her phone.
"Na-miss ko sobra, yung bonding since we were child" Missy says and I smile. I remember na sobrang close namin sa isa't-isa, lahat yata ng naranasan ko dito sa probinsya ay naranasan n'ya.
"Remember that we're climbing trees just to get some fruits" I chuckles and she nodded.
"Nahulog ka pa nga" natatawang sambit n'ya.
"Mababa lang naman" sabi ko and ahe chuckles.
"Yung muntik ka na matusok, remember muntik ka ulit mahulog buti nalang nahawakan kita kung hindi ramdam mo ang tusok to your butt" I pouted while she's laughing.
"She's pooping at the grass," she says and I laugh.
"Tagal na nun" sabi ko sa kanya.
"Missy, do you remember when Alexies being chased by a cow" Tanong ni Chris and Missy nodded.
"She's wearing a red shirt kasi that day, tapos we're playing bahay-bahayan diba tapos biglang may cow na lumapit then she's being chased by that cow" I rolled my eyes, halos sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko noon. Yung cow kasi may horn tapos ang bilis pa tumakbo.
"Nagiging si flash nga bigla yan" sambit ni Cheska.
"Hoy napakasama n'yo naman" angal ko sa kanila.
"Remember that you always presented to be Missy's wife because you like her" biglang salita ni Anna, s'ya ang pinaka bata sa aming mag pipinsan.
"Ni-hindi nga nakikipag palit ng position, ayaw n'yo ba dating maging tatay ako" natatawang sambit ni Chris.
"Hindi"
"Yuck"
"Kadiri"
"Tama ka na" lahat yan ay reklamo ng mga iba kong pinsan habang yung iba ay natawa nalang.
"Actually she courts me that day but she just left already before I'm giving my yes" I pressed my lips together and I saw how Lei holds her phone tightly.
"Can you give me my bag?" Bigla namang nagsalita ang nasa tabi ko at biglang tumahimik ang buong van.
"Here," I say and she started opening the bag and then get her glasses.
"You're into girls na pala dati" sambit ni Cheska.
"Do you still like her?" Tanong naman ng isang kaibigan ni Missy na si Kisha.
"I don't know, maybe" natatawang sabi nya. Agad naman akong lumingon kay Lei na sinandal ang ulo sa window.
"Can you guys stop already? It's from the past" I say and they nodded.
"Stop teasing Ate Alexies na, she's courting someone already and she's in love with that girl" buti pa itong si Amie.
"Nililigawan at Niligawan parehong katabi" natatawang sabi ni Chris.
"Tito?" Agad nagsalita si Lei.
"Yes?" Agad na sagot ni Daddy.
"Can you stop the van for a minute?" she says and I look at her confusedly.
"Sure, why?" Tanong ni Daddy at agad itong gumilid tsaka tumigil.
"I need some sleep, I can't sleep here," she says.
"Excuse me" marahas naman n'ya akong binangga tsaka lumabas ng van at pumasok sa may passenger seat.
Agad naman akong lumingon may Chris at sinamaan ko lang s'ya ng tingin. Lumingon ako kay Lei and she's leaning her head on the window.
"I'm going to hold the bag," I say but she didn't respond. She just put some earphones on her ear.
"Sasapakin kita mamaya" sabi ko kay Chris and I glared at him.
Nakarating na kami sa falls at mas nauna ngang bumaba si Ma'am. She's not in the mood, I feel it. Agad akong bumaba at tumabi sa kanya.
"I'm going to hold the bag" she didn't look at me and she just throw the bag at me, buti nalang nasalo ko agad, medyo mabigat lang.
"Tawagan mo nalang ako Alexies para masundo ko kayo, enjoy" Dad says and I wave at him.
"Wait" he gets his wallet and gives some money to me.
"Pang gastos nyo" he says and I hug him.
"Drive safe, love you" I kiss his cheeks.
Sinimulan naming maglakad, medyo gubat kasi ang dadaanan, nasa unahan ko si Lei and she's following my cousin.
"Hey" I hold her hand and she just continues walking.
"Hindi ko naman kasalanan" I pouted and she put on her earphones.
Ang taas naman ng pride.
"Sorry na" I pull her left earphone and she just looks at me.
"Hoy, mauna nga kayo" utos ko sa mga pinsan ko na nasa likod.
"Maka-hoy ka naman" agad silang naglakad papuntang una.
"Suyo well" natatawang sambit ni Amie and I rolled my eyes.
"Sorry na" I pouted and keep clinging to her shoulder.
"Give me your attention, please" I puppy eyes and she just sighed.
"Mahal" I say pero wala pa ding effect.
I hug her which makes her stop walking, I crooked my head on her neck and started kissing it.
"I'm sorry" I kiss it again and she didn't move.
"Papansinin mo ako o may gagawin tayo dito sa damuhan?" I ask and she slap my shoulder that makes me chuckles.
"Control your hormones bitch" she says and she pushed me pero nakayakap pa rin ako.
"You're sexy today, why are you wearing high waist shorts and an oversize shirt?" I ask.
"Why? Is it bawal?" I shake my head.
"No, it's cute. You can wear whatever you want, I won't mind, just be careful" I say and she nodded.
"Are we cool?" I ask and pouted.
"I don't know," she says.
"Are you jealous?" I ask and she pushed me.
"What? Whatever" inis na sabi n'ya and I chuckle.
"Ano? Maglalambingan nalang kayo d'yan? Respeto sa single" sambit ni Cheska.
"Pag-uwi na Alexies, bonding muna" natatawang sabi ni Chris.
"Hindi pa tayo tapos, lintik ka" I say while pointed at him.
Nakarating na kami sa falls at medyo madami ang taong naliligo at nag lalaba rito. Sobrang linis ng tubig, lalo na at napapaligiran ito ng mawalak na palayan, kitang-kita rin ang isang bundok.
"It's so pretty" sabi ng katabi ko. I wrapped my hand around her wait
"Alexies, dito!" Kaway ng mga pinsan ko. May mga kubo rin kasi dito, parang cottage pero libre lang ito.
"Tara doon" I say. Inalalayan ko naman si Lei na bumaba dahil medyo mabato rin dito, baka kasi madisgrasya s'ya.
Nakarating kami sa simpleng kubo at binaba ko sa may upuan ang bag n'ya.
"Tara" aya ng pinsan ko and I smile.
"Samahan ko muna" I say.
"What do you want to do?" I ask and she put her glasses in her hands.
"I want to take a picture," she says and I nodded.
"Tara" I hold her hands at hinila s'ya palabas sa kubo.
Agad naman kaming pumwesto sa tapat ng bundok. She wear her glasses and started posing, kahit sobrang simple n'ya ang ganda talaga.
"Ready," I say and started clicking the camera from her phone.
"One more, mahal" I say and she does another pose.
I take many picture of her, I started taking a selfie with her, buti nalang hindi mag-rereklamo ito.
"I'll take a photo of you," she says and she gets her phone. Pumwesto ako kung saan s'ya naka pwesto kanina. I just smile and do some hand signs.
"Cute" she says and I hug her from the back.
"Let's buy some food," she says and I nodded.
May nakita kaming nag titinda ng pizza dito, the cheap one. There's a chicken stall too. Namiss ko tuloy si Kelly bigla.
"Get 7 boxes of pizza" utos n'ya and I pressed my lips together.
"Seryoso?" I ask and she furrowed her brows.
"Am I joking?" She asks and I shake my head.
"I'll buy some chicken," she says and I nodded.
"Mami-miss kita" I say and she rolled her eyes.
"Magkatabi lang yung stall" she says and I chuckles.
Nakabili na ako ng Pizza and she's holding the paper bag with the chicken inside.
"Let's go" she says
Agad ko namang inalalayan s'ya pababa habang dumadaan sa bato. Nakarating na kami sa kubo and my cousins and friends are all wet.
"Here" I say and put the food on the table. Dapat kukuha na sila pero pinigilan ko.
"Lei bought that, what will you say?" I ask and they pressed their lips together.
"Thank you Ma'am" sambit nila, hindi nila alam na professor ko ito. Ayaw kasi ipaalam ni Lei.
"Welcome" yun lang ang sinabi nya and she put her phone bag in her bag.
"Hindi ba mawawala 'to?" She asked and I shake my head.
"Tara Alexies" aya ni Missy and I nodded.
"Dito ka lang?" I ask and nodded.
"I'll swim later, go with them," she says and I look at her.
"Don't get jealous" I say and she furrowed her brows.
"The fuck" she mumbles and I chuckle.
I remove my shirt, I'm using my Calvin Klein sports bra, nagamit ko na rin ang collection ko. I look at Ms. Lavigne who's staring at my body.
"Hey?" Tawag ko sa kanya but she didn't answer.
"Calm your hormones" I whisper and she slaps my shoulder.
Hindi aga ako dumertso sa tubig, balak ko sana pumwesto sa taas para tatalon ako.
"Where are you going?" She asks and I pointed at the upper part of the falls.
"I'll jump" she furrowed her brows.
"Take a video" I stole a kiss on her lips and I chuckles because she was stunned.
Agad akong umakyat sa taas, nandoon din si Chris, tatalon din yata s'ya.
"Una ka" sabi n'ya and I shake my head.
"Ikaw nauna eh, bilisan mo" I say and bigla s'yang tumalon. Sinundan ko naman s'ya ng tingin.
Ang taas.
I look at Lei, who's seriously looking at me. I waved at her and I saw her sigh.
"Take a video!" I yelled and she get her phone, I think she was filming already.
"Go Alexies!" Sigaw ng mga pinsan ko na nasa baba.
I started jumping, I place my thumb and pointer finger on my mouse. I feel the water hit my body. I'm already at the water. Balak kong hindi muna lumutang. Malalim pero kaya naman, madali lang naman mag langoy basta marunong ka.
"Alexies!" May tumawag saakin, hindi ko namalayan na 3 minutes na akong nakalubog.
"Hi" bigla akong lumutang at nakita kong nasa tubig na si Lei. I look at her eyes, she's worried.
"Fuck you!" Sigaw n'ya at agad s'yang umahon.
"Lah" yun lang ang nasabi ko at lumapit ako sa mga pinsan ko.
"Gago ka" naramdaman ko naman ang pagtama ng knuckles ng Cheska sa ulo ko.
"Akala namin nalunod ka" nag aalalang baling ni Chris.
"Ok ka lang?" Tanong ng iba kong mga pinsan.
"Muntik na masira ni Ate Crystal yung phone nya, ibinato n'ya buti nalang masalo nila Missy" Amie says and I look at Crystal who's wiping her body.
"Kakabati n'yo lang, away na naman" agad na umiling si Chris.
Umahon naman ako and I fix my hair. I go beside Lei, and she's on her phone. I leaned my head on her shoulder pero wala na namang effect sa kanya.
"I didn't mean to make you worried, I'm just testing how my breath long last," I say and she glared at me.
"Pangalawang suyo ko na 'to sayo ngayon araw, sorry na" I wrapped my hands around her waist.
"Mahal" she didn't look at me.
"Alexies" tawag ni Chris and I look at him.
"May puno ng mangga doon, sama ka?" He asks and I look at Lei.
"Kuha n'yo nalang ako" I refuse, mas uunahin ko suyuin ito kesa kumuha ng mangga kahit nag c-crave ako, tsaka wala ring mag babantay ng mga gamit namin dito.
I wipe my hands on the towel to make them dry. I grab some pizza and eat it, nagutom ako kakasuyo sa kanya. I grab some chicken and give it to her. She just stares at the chicken.
"Eat" utos ko and she just furrowed her brows.
"Just eat, lagi nalang galit" I say and she grabs the chicken.
"Because you always making me mad," she says and I chuckle.
"Sorry na, try this" I feed her with the pizza.
I grab some chicken and eat it. Hindi sa panglalait ah pero mas masarap talaga yung tintinda nila Kelly, then the sauce is really good. Pag balik ko nga ay o-order agad ako ng lima.
Naka ilang minuto kaming kumakain dito, medyo kinakausap nya na rin ako pero kailangan pang pilitin. Hindi ko naman sya masisisi, kahit ako ba naman kung s'ya yung tumalon ay hindi umahon ng ilang minuto mag-aalala don ako nang sobra.
"We're back" sigaw ng mga pinsan ko at nilagay nila yung nakuha nilang mangga sa lamesa.
"Buti pinayagan kayo?" Takang tanong ko, hindi naman kasi kami masyadong kilala rito.
"Si Missy ang pass namin, s'ya kumausap" natatawang sambit ni Chris.
"Do you have the knife?" I ask, agad namang kinuha ni Chris ang swiss knife nya.
Madami rin silang nakuhang mangga, sobra pa nga saamin. Lahat sila ay binabalatan na ang mangga. Agad naman akong kumuha ng dalawa para saamin ni Lei.
"Pahiram" I say.
"Tapusin ko lang" sabi ni Missy, agad akong lumapit sa kanya at inantay na matapos.
"Let's jump together later," she says and I nodded.
"Sige ba, mamaya pagtapos natin dito" I say and she nodded. She handed me the knife and I started peeling the mango.
Natapos na ako mag balat, agad akong lumapit kay Lei and I give her the mango. She just stare at my hand and didn't move, she didn't get the mango.
"Why?" I ask.
"I'm not eating some sour fruit," she says and I pressed my lips together.
"Why? Are you allergic?" I ask and she shakes her head.
"I'm not into sour fruits and foods," she says and I nodded.
"Ganun ba, sayang naman. Sige, wait lang" I say and she furrowed her brows.
"Why?" She asks.
"I'll give it to Missy, she likes mango para hindi na rin s'ya mapagod mag balat-" She cut my words.
"Now, I'm into sour fruit. Don't start" she glared at me and get the mango at of my hand.
"Oh gosh, it so fucking sour" natatawa ako sa itsura n'ya.
"May asin naman kasi" agad akong napa-iling.
"I'll prefer strawberry than this," she says, ang daming salita pero kakainin din naman.
"Missy, ayos lang?" Tanong ko kay Missy na nag-thumbs up.
"Oh, hindi naman daw maasim eh" sabi ko and she glared at me.
"Then bite it" she says and age feed me by her mango. I bite it at halos hindi ko mapinta ang reaksyon ng mukha ko.
Maasim nga.
"See?" She rolled her eyes and started eating it.
"You can stop eating that," I say.
"If I stop, you'll go to that Missy again" she glared and I shake my head.
"Ikaw lang naman ang mahal ko" I say and I think the cat got her tongue. Hindi nakapag salita.
"Baka maging Rudolph ka" she slaps my thighs and I chuckle.
"You look so cute when your nose is getting red," I say.
"Whatever" she rolled her eyes, hindi ba s'ya napapagod kaka-irap saakin.
"Don't get jealous-" agad naman s'yang nagsalita.
"I'm not jealous" she emphasizes.
"Ikaw lang yung mahal ko, mamahalin, at pipiliin araw-araw. Walang ibang babae rito maliban kay Mommy at sayo. I'm sorry if I am making you feel that way, and sorry for being insensitive. I won't do it again, I love you" I say and she stared at me. She's biting her lips. I was startled when she hug me.
"Don't get tired at me" hindi ko alam kung daan nanggaling iyon at kung ano ang meron kung bakit n'ya sinabi iyo.
"I promise, I won't get tired, especially to you. I'll wait, I won't push you to the things that you're not ready" I kiss her hair while she's hugging me.
"Let's swim," I say and she nodded. She put her phone on her back and remove the towel on her back.
Agad ko naman s'yang inalalayan papunta sa tubig, baka kasi madulas. Nauna s'yang lumangoy at tumalon naman ako tsaka lumangoy papunta sa kanya.
"Can you swim there?" Turo ko sa pinakamalalim.
"No, I can swim if my feet can touch the rock" she says and I nodded. Balak ko pa naman s'ya ayain na mag racing kami.
"Laro tayo!" Sabi ko sa kanila at agad silang lumapit saamin.
"Habulan, ako taya" I say at agad silang lumayo saakin. Agad kong naabot si Chris dahil mukhang nasa processing stage pa ang utak n'ya. 2mb nalang siguro ang space.
"Taya ka na" agad akong lumapit kay Lei.
"Madaya!" Sigaw ni Chris tsaka s'ya lumapit saakin.
"Walang balikan" I say.
"Napaka daya talaga" angal nito. Lumapit pa rin s'ya saakin, agad naman n'yang inabot ang katabi ko.
"Taya si Crystal!" Agad naman akong lumayo sa kanya. Lahat kami ay napunta sa malalim habang si Crystal ay nasa medyo mababaw.
"Chase us," I say and she was about to swim to our place. Hindi nga pala s'ya marunong.
"D'yan ka lang" pigil ko sa kanya tsaka ako lumapit.
"Tayain mo ko" I say and I hold her wrist to hold my shoulder.
"Wag kang aalis sa mababaw" I kiss her lips tsaka ako nag langoy papunta sa mga pinsan ko.
"May exception" sambit ni Cheska habang lumalangoy palayo.
"Sige langoy" I say at agad namang sinundan ito.
"Alexies!" Nasa dulo na kami at wala na s'yang tatakbuhan.
"Taya" agad kong hinampas nang mahina ang braso n'ya at nag langoy palayo.
Lumapit ako kay Lei na tumatawa. She's happy, and I'm happy with that.
"Look at him" she pointed at Chris who was being chased by Cheska.
"Teka lang!" Agad namang nag langoy palayo si Chris.
"Don't stare" she says and she throws some water on my face.
"I love seeing you like that," I say and she furrowed her brows.
"Like what?" Tanong n'ya.
"Happy, I like it no, I love it," I say and she smiles at me.
"Then thank you for making me," she says at agad na may humampas saakin.
"Taya" agad na lumangoy pabalik si Chris sa malalim.
"Ang daya!" Sigaw ko, ako kasi ang pinupuro nila.
"Bye" agad na lumangoy palayo si Crystal saakin habang tumatawa.
"Don't come!" Sigaw n'ya and she started pushing and throwing the water.
"I'm going to chase you" I say at agad namang s'yang lumipat ng pwesto.
"Don't, I can't chase everyone" she says and I shake my head.
"Not an exception anymore," I say and I kiss her lips.
"Taya" I say and I smirk.
"Madaya!" Sigaw n'ya.
"Ok, everyone. Once na si Crystal ang taya, let's stay sa mababaw.
"Para fair!" Sigaw ng isa kong pinsan. Unfair kasi kung lahat kami marunong lumangoy tapos s'ya hindi.
"Sa kabilang side ka muna mahal" I say and she nodded.
"Ok na ba?" Lahat kani ay nasa mababaw na, medyo malawak din naman ang part ng mababaw rito kaya pwedeng makalangoy.
"Ok na mahal, chase us na" I say at agad s'yang lumangoy papunta saamin. Mabilis s'ya lumangoy pero takot s'ya pag hindi n'ya naabot ang ilalim.
"Taya!" Sigaw ni Crystal, nataya n'ya si Amie.
"Amie!" Sigaw ni Missy at agad na tumago sa likod ko. Hindi ako makaalis sa pwesto ko dahil mahihirapan ako lumangoy.
"Taya" natatawang sambit ni Amie saakin.
"Taya" hampas ko sa kamay ni Missy. Kumakapit pa, ayan taya tuloy.
Agad akong lumangoy sa pwesto ni Lei. Malayo ang pwesto ng mga kaibigan at pinsan ko. Kami lang ni Lei ang malapit sa kanya.
"I'll protect you" humarang naman ako sa unahan ni Crystal.
"Madaya!" Sigaw ni Missy at agad pumuntan sa pwesto ng mga kaibigan n'ya.
Natapos na kami sa laro at lahat kami ay pagod. Napag desisyonan namin na mag babad nalang muna bago umuwi, yung iba naman ay nag papalit ng damit. Crystal is hugging me, her hands are on my nape while my hands are on her waist.
"It's so fun," she says and I smile. Her smile didn't fade after the game.
"It's my first time playing that game, sobrang saya. First time having this kind of feeling" she says and I fix her hair.
"I'm glad" yun lang ang nasabi ko, I can't talk too much because her beautiful face is distracting me.
"Thank you, I want to feel this kind of bonding. Thank you for making me feel this, I'm so happy" I kiss her lips which makes her quiet.
"I promise that I will do everything that makes you happy and everything you want to feel. I'll do everything for you, my love, as long as you're happy" I say and she smiles at me.
"I love you," I say and she just stares.
"No need to answer that, I'll wait for your response" I say and hug her for a minute. Maya-maya siguro ay uuwi na kami. Sa loob ng isang linggong ito, I will make her the happiest person.
I promise.