#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 12: COMPLICATED
EMBER'S POV
Pinigilan kong matawa nang makita ko kung paanong mamilog ang mga mata nina Trace, Lucienne, at Domino habang nakatingin sa magandang tanawin na sumalubong sa amin. They look like little puppies on their first adventure.
Maaga kaming dumating sa private resort na nirekomenda ni Mireia na puntahan namin. Sayang nga lang at hindi sila makakasama ni Axel. May fashion event kasi ang babae na pupuntahan sa ibang bansa at si Axel naman ay nagpaiwan sa Dagger para asikasuhin ang mga kliyente nila dahil lahat ng iba pa niyang mga kapatid ay sasama sa outing.
I doubt Trace's older brothers wanted to come on the beach outing just because they wanted to get some sun. Sigurado kasi ako na sumama lang sila dahil sa mga asawa nila. Sina Coal at Domino malabo ring magpaiwan. Nauna pa nga ata silang maghanda kesa sa mga sister-in-law nila. I know they are all busy, but I guess when it comes to the Dawson wives, they always have time. Saka marami silang empleyado kaya hindi raw problema kung mawala sila ng isang araw.
Si Luna naman ay kailangan na pumunta ng New York para sa trabaho niya kaya hindi rin siya makakasama.
"I have bad news."
Napalingon kami sa nagsalitang si Lia. Her face is showing disappointment, but for some reason, there's a glint in her eyes that seems to tell me that something is up. Sa tabi niya ay naroon ang asawa niya na blangko ang ekspresyon.
"Nagkaroon ng problema sa booking. Kulang tayo ng isang kuwarto at may problema rin sa dapat ay gagamitin na kuwarto nila Coal at Domino dahil wala ng kuwarto na may dalawang kama. They only have two rooms with queen size beds," paliwanag ng babae.
We booked six rooms. The three rooms are for the couples, and the other three are for me, Trace, and Coal and Domino, who were supposed to share a room.
"That's okay. For sure hindi ko naman makakatabi si Kuya Coal," nakangising sabi ni Domino. "Sa kama ng iba 'yan matutulog."
Coal didn't deny what he said, and instead the man just shrugged as if in agreement. Lia turned to me, and her lips jutted as if she were carrying the burden of the world. No wonder even the broodiest Dawson is weak for her.
"I-It's okay, Lia," I told her with a small smile. "Maybe they have an extra mattress."
"Wala na raw."
Kumunot ang noo ko na imbis si Lia ang sumagot ay si Lucienne ang siyang nagsalita. Ngumiti siya at nag-peace sign. "Feeling ko iyon ang sasabihin ni Lia. Sa mga romantic movie at libro lagi talagang nauubusan ng kuwarto at kama—"
Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang takpan ng asawa niya ang bibig niya at inilayo siya sa amin.
"I'll ask for the extra mattress," Trace said before Lia can speak. Nagtingan ang magkakapatid pati na sina Lia at Belaya sa sinabi ng lalaki pero hindi na iyon napansin ni Trace na bumaling sa akin. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"I'm not."
Hindi lang siya ang nagulat sa sinabi ko kundi maging ako na hindi sinasadiyang sabihin iyon. But it was the truth. I slept beside him when we were in Colombia, and he was a gentleman about it. He never tried to cross any lines, and he stayed on his side of the bed all night. Ako nga itong yumayakap sa kaniya kapag nakakatulog ako.
"That's... great" Lia clasped her hands together when Trace and I both looked at her. "Pwede na raw nating ipasok ang mga gamit natin sa mga kuwarto. Gun will give you your keycards."
Nang ma-i-distribute ang mga keycard ay nag kaniya-kaniya na kami sa pagpunta sa mga kuwarto na nakatalaga sa amin. Magkakalapit lang naman iyon kaya walang problema.
Trace and I didn't have the chance to feel awkward at the sight of the beautiful room and the huge bed because the women called for me. Dala ang cover-up at ang phone ko na lumabas ulit ako ng kuwarto para sundan sina Lia at Lucienne na dumiretso sa kuwarto na tutuluyan nila Belaya.
Wala na si Pierce sa kuwarto at tanging ang aktres na lang ang nandoon. Sa kama ay nakalatag ang mga nakabalot na kahon na kaagad nilapitan ng excited na si Lucienne.
"Nagpadala ng mga regalo si Mireia para sa tropang munchkins. Guilty 'yon kasi hindi siya makakasama," paliwanag ni Belaya na tumingin sa akin. "You're part of the tropang munchkins by the way. Sina Luna at Mireia lang ang hindi dahil mga higante sila."
"At ako ang pinakamatangkad," pagmamalaki ni Lucienne na hawak na ang kahon na mukhang may pangalan niya dahil binubuksan niya na iyon. " Grabe ng schedule ni Mireia ngayon no? Parang wala na siyang pahinga. Thorn said that Axel's been getting moodier and moodier every time she needs to be away."
Tumango-tango si Lia. "Sabi nga rin ni Gun. They told Axel that he could go with her when he can. Kahit iyong mga kuya ilag sa isang 'yon kapag mainit ng ulo eh. I kept sending food, but I don't think anything can lift Axel's mood when Mireia's not around."
"May nakatalo rin sa pagkain," natatawang sabi ni Belaya.
They didn't seem to mind that I just stayed quiet while listening to them. It's not because I still feel awkward around them. Parang imposible kasi ang bagay na iyon pagdating sa kanila.
I'm comfortable just listening and laughing with them, and they also got used to my personality. Hindi naman kasi talaga ako palaimik. Maliban kapag si Trace ang kausap ko. He has a way to make me talk like it's the most natural thing.
"Hala ang cute!"
Napangiti ako nang makita ko ang swimsuit na inilabas ni Lucienne mula sa kahon. It's a one-piece swimsuit with an ombre color. Naghahalo ang pink at blue niyon. The straps on the shoulders are ruffles, giving the swimwear a cutesy vibes. On the other hand, the deep crisscross pattern on the chest area gave it a mature feel.
Nang balingan ko ang iba pang babae ay nakita kong nailabas na rin nila ang sa kanila. Belaya's swimsuit is a white one-shoulder single piece swimsuit. It's pretty modest, except it has no back. Ang kay Lia naman ay deep red string bikini.
"Mireia's going to get me into trouble," Lia said with a laugh.
"Rawr." Inangat pa ni Lucienne ang kamay at kumalmot. "Mukhang malapit na namang maging kawawa si Trace."
Natawa ang mga babae pero nang mapansin ni Lia ang pagtataka ko ay naiiling na ngumiti siya at pagkatapos ay inabutan ako ng kahon. "Gun and I are trying for baby number three. Si Trace ang paboritong paglihian naming mga sister-in-law niya."
Belaya who is currently on her first pregnancy nodded as if confirming this.
Nagbaba ako ng mga mata sa kahon na hawak ko at sinimulan kong buksan iyon. "He's handsome like his brothers. The baby would look really cute kung magiging kamukha niya kasi napaglihian siya."
I felt someone sit beside me on the couch, and when I looked up, I saw Lucienne giving me a serious look. Ipinatong niya ang isa niyang kamay sa balikat ko habang ang isa ay nakataas sa harapan ng mukha ko.
"Say it with me, Ember. Si. Trace. Ay. Hindi. Pogi."
I wanted to laugh when she moved her hand in a way as if she were trying to hypnotize me. I decided to just press my lips together so I wouldn't need to say anything.
"She's choosing not to talk than to lie," Lia said while chuckling.
Inangat ko ang balikat ko at ibinagsak ko iyon nang nagtatanong na tinignan ako ni Lucienne. Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Ano kayang ginawa ng isang 'yon at parang masyado siyang sinususwerte ngayon?"
"Baka pagod na si Lord sa kakahiling niya," sabi ni Belaya.
Ngumuso lang si Lucienne bilang sagot bago niya tinuro ang kahon na hawak ko. I gave it to her so that she could finish opening it for me. Mukha kasing nag e-enjoy siyang magbukas ng regalo.
"Don't worry. Mireia won't give you something that will take you too much out of your comfort zone unless she knows you're up for it," Belaya said with a comforting smile. "If you don't like it, hindi sasama ang loob no'n kung susuotin mo kung ano ang dala mo."
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag sa kanila na ang dala ko na pang-swimming ay sportsbra at short lang na suot ko na ngayon sa ilalim ng damit ko. I don't own a single swimsuit. May swimming pool sa mansyon pero hindi naman nagagamit iyon. If I have free time, I would rather be with my pets or go on a hike around the ranch.
Iniladlad ni Lucienne ang swimsuit. It's a black one-piece swimsuit. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil mukhang plain at desente naman iyon.
"Hmm." Lumingon ako kay Lia nang marinig ko siya pero nakangiting umiling lang siya. "I think I saw something similar pero hindi ako sigurado. Why don't you try it on? I'll come with you. Sa loob na lang ako ng shower stall magbibihis."
"Dito na lang kami ni Belaya," sabi ni Lucienne.
Sabay na pumasok kami ni Lia ng bathroom at gaya ng sinabi niya ay sa shower stall siya nagbihis para hindi kami magkakitaan.
The moment I stepped on the swimsuit and stretched it up so that I could pull it on my shoulders, I realized that it doesn't look the way it does when it's not worn.
It's simple, but the plunge is deep. As in deep. The neckline stopped just above my navel. Tanging manipis na silver strap lang ang nagkakabit sa magkabila no'n na bahagi. It's probably not as revealing as most swimsuits are, but you really can't call it conservative either.
"That's what I thought."
I turned to Lia, and for a moment, I thought of what Lucienne said and she was right. Mukhang magkakaroon na ng kasunod ang kambal nila ni Gun.
"I think I have a similar swimsuit. Don't worry. It will stay unmoving. When the water hits you, it will cling to you," she said.
"It's... it's not too much?"
"Not at all. Kung kasama natin si Mireia, makikita mo kung ano ang totoong revealing." Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ako sa braso para magawa naming humarap sa malaking salamin. "You're a beautiful woman. There's nothing wrong with showing it at nasa beach naman tayo. Those Dawson men won't disrespect you, and they also won't let anyone do so."
I gave her a small smile that she returned. Bago kami lumabas ay sinuot ko muna ang cover-up ko. When we entered the room again, we saw that Belaya and Lucienne already changed into their new swimsuits. Kasalukuyang may kausap ang dalawang babae sa cellphone na hawak ni Lucienne.
"Oh here she is!" Lucienne looked at me. "Kilala mo si Damian Salazar di ba?"
Sandaling kumunot ang noo ko. Pamilyar ang pangalan niya sa akin.
"He's the president's son, and a friend of mine," paliwanag ni Lia. "Well, technically, kaibigan na namin siyang lahat. He's also the official babysitter of Lucienne's children. Sa kaniya naiwan ngayon si Cookie at IC."
Kumaway ako nang iharap sa akin ni Lucienne ang phone. Kita sa screen niyon ang lalaki at bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makilala ko siya.
"I presented an award to you before," Damian Salazar said when he saw my reaction. "It's nice to meet you again. Congratulations on your win in Colombia."
Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya at pagkatapos niyon ay muling iniharap sa kaniya ni Lucienne ang cellphone habang kinakamusta ang mga anak niya.
"Saan nga pala naiwan ang kambal?" tanong ko kay Lia.
"They are with Belaya's parents. They kind of everyone's grandparents by this point. Minsan kahit sila Cookie ay bumibisita rin sa kanila."
"They're practicing," Belaya said and put a hand on her abdomen. "Second apo pa lang nila kasi ito. I think they also miss having little ones back home. Sa dami ba naman kasi naming magkakapatid tapos lahat kami matatanda na ngayon."
"Second?" Ang alam ko kasi ay unang anak pa lang nila ni Pierce ang dinadala niya.
Marahang hinimas ni Belaya ang tiyan niya. "Arctic's the first one," she said, pertaining to Pierce's first child. Bago pa sila magkakilala ay may anak na kasi ang lalaki sa ex niyon.
They really have a different kind of family. Wala ng mga magulang ang mga Dawson, at ganoon din sina Lucienne at Mireia. And if I'm basing it on Lia's story, her parents weren't much of a parent either. They only have Belaya's parents and each other. Sa kabila niyon ay kita ang tatag nila bilang isang pamilya. They don't have any prejudice. They just love and take care of those that they love.
"It's party time!" Lucienne said cheerfully when her call ended. "Kapag wala ang babies, pwede ng maglaro ang mommies!"
Napatawa ako nang sabay pa na nag-side to side sila ni Belaya habang pumapalakpak-palakpak at umiimbay ang mga ulo.
"Let's go at mukhang excited na ang dalawang 'yan," sabi ni Lia.
Nauna na kaming lumabas ni Lia habang nakasunod sa amin ang dalawa. We found the men waiting outside already. Mukhang nag-uusap sila habang nakatingin sa magandang view. Tanging sina Coal at Domino lang ang nawawala na baka nauna na sa pool area. Baka ibang view ang pinagkakaabalahang tignan.
"Hmm."
I looked at the woman beside me, and I saw Lia's looking at something with narrowed eyes. Her "hmm" is different than the ones she said back in the room. Nang sundan ko ang tingin niya ay nakita kong may dalawang kababaihan na ngayon ay nakatingin sa direksyon nina Gun at Pierce.
"Excuse me," I heard Belaya said. Tumabi ako at pinadaan ko siya. Nakita kong dumiretso siya sa kinaroroonan ni Pierce at halos kasunod niya lang si Lia na papunta naman sa asawa niya.
"Mga selosa talaga," sabi ni Lucienne na ikinawit ang braso sa akin. "Wala namang nag-e-exist sa mga lalaking iyan maliban sa mga asawa nila—"
Hindi niya natapos ang asabihin nang may isang babae ang lumapit kay Thorn na para bang may itatanong. Kumawala si Lucienne sa akin at dadaigin pa niya ang bilis nila Belaya kanina dahil kaagad siyang nakarating sa tabi ng lalaki. It was surprising that she managed to stop before she barreled onto the other woman, given how fast she was going. She didn't need to worry about it. The way her husband is eyeing her new swimsuit, I bet Lia's not the only one who'll have baby number three.
Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Trace at nakita ko na may kausap siya na dalawang babae na tatalunin ang suot ko na swimsuit. Trace was pointing at something while the woman kept on nodding, though it didn't look like they were absorbing any words. I notice one of them step closer to him, and Trace moves back as if it's his body's natural reaction to keep a certain distance.
Sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi ng lalaki nang mamataan niya ako. His lips are still moving as if he's still talking. Bumaling siya saglit sa dalawang babae at mukhang nagpaalam dahil muli siyang umatras.
The women's eyes followed him, and I saw their disappointed expressions when they saw him walking towards me.
"Ready?" tanong niya sa akin nang makalapit siya.
Tumango ako at wala sa sariling inabot ko ang kamay niyang inilahad niya sa akin. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa direksyon ng mga babae. "Anong kailangan nila?"
"They're asking for directions."
"Papunta saan?"
"Sa golf club daw. I saw it on the way here so I told them where to find it."
Mag go-golf sila ng naka bikini? I doubt that. I really can't blame them, though. Trace is, in every sense, the definition of a hot guy. They didn't know if he was taken or not, so it wasn't wrong of them to take a shot.
Wait. He is single.
"Gusto mo silang samahan?" tanong ko.
I tried to keep my question as nonchalant as possible, even when my temple suddenly started throbbing as if I were about to have a migraine.
"Hindi ako mahilig mag golf," sagot niya.
"Eh kung hindi golf ang pupuntahan nila? Sabi mo kanina sa byahe gusto mo na mag jet ski. What if they want to go jet skiing?"
Trace's forehead knotted when he looked down to stare at me. I kept my face blank, and it wouldn't have shown other people anything, if not for the fact that it was Trace standing in front of me. He could read me like an open book.
The corner of his lips tipped up. "Then I hope they enjoy themselves."
"Eh ikaw?"
"Siyempre mag-e-enjoy din ako." Inabot niya ang dulo ng nakaladlad ko na buhok. "Ikaw ang kasama ko eh."
Naglaho ang pagpintig sa sentido ko at sa halip ay napalitan iyon nang pag-iinit ng magkabila kong mga pisngi.
Di kalayuan sa amin ay nakita kong naglalakad na ang mga kasama namin paalis. The Dawson wives looked back, and when they saw us, they shared looks with each other, but they didn't stop walking and instead, they just waved at us.
"Ember?"
"What?" I grumbled, not meeting Trace's eyes.
"I'm sorry if I did something that you don't like."
Damn it. He's really not going to make putting a distance between us easy for me. Napapabuntong-hininga na tiningala ko siya. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"But I—"
"Di ba sabi mo noon, you won't intentionally be rude to people just for me. I agree with you. Wala kang ginawang mali."
Inangat niya ang kamay niya at idinampi niya iyon sa pisngi ko. Dumagundong ang dibdib ko nang lumapat ang hinlalaki niya sandali sa mga labi ko. "Then why are you pouting?"
"I'm not..." I sighed again. "It was nothing. It's just that... you're single. It's not like we are together. I'm not blind so I can see that we obviously care about each other... but we're not exactly together. I don't know what we are."
"Do you want to know?"
"No."
Lumawak ang ngiti niya sa mabilis kong naging pagsagot. I'm giving him mixed signals, and I hate myself for it. But I'm being honest with him. We are in a place where everything is complicated. I can decide on things to make it less complicated, but it's like I'm a ball of fear.
I've never been in a relationship, and I don't know if I'm ready for that. Even if it's with him. It's like I'm tangled in a web, and I'm just slowly trying to set myself free from it.
"Then when you're ready to know, you can ask me and I'll tell you," Trace told me.
"But—"
"You don't need to worry about me. Sanay akong maghintay. I'll patiently wait outside of the tower until you're ready to come out."
Despite what his words are doing to me, I couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh at his reference of our conversation before about my favorite Disney princess. "Anong sasabihin ko sa'yo no'n? Hey, you can climb up my hair now?"
"How about just, 'Kiss me, Trace. You win.', hmm?"
I probably looked like a fish out of the water while I stood there gaping at him. Mabuti na lang talaga at narinig ko ang pagtawag sa amin kung hindi ay baka nanatili akong tulala sa kinatatayuan ko.
"I won't kiss you, but you should know that I have no intention of losing this time. This time, the prize is not just a kiss. I also plan to win your heart." That's what he said to me back at the ranch. Iyong unang araw na nagkita kami ulit pagkatapos naming maghiwalay sa bar kung saan kami unang nagkakilala.
I heard Trace chuckle as he reached for my hand and took it. Hawak iyon na iginaya niya na ako pasunod sa mga kasama naming naghihintay na sa amin.
"Lumayo ka nga ng kaunti kay, Ember," utos ni Lucienne kay Trace.
"Bakit?" tanong ng lalaki.
"Baka may pag-asa pa na mawala ang bisa ng gayuma."
Nagtawanan ang mga nakarinig sa kaniya habang si Trace ay masama ang tingin na dinutdot ang noo niya. He didn't stop her when she took my hand in hers and led me to the pool, where her husband was waiting.
Hinubad ko ang cover-up ko at ipinatong ko iyon sa lounge chair na malapit sa akin. My back is on Trace, and I didn't have the chance to turn to him either. Nang makalapit kami kay Thorn ay sandaling bumitaw ang babae sa akin nang isinuot sa kaniya ng asawa ang salbabida na may ulo ng unicorn. She took my hand again and pulled me along to walk down the steps of the pool stairs. Mababaw lang naman siguro.
"Paranoid lang iyang si Bossing," paliwanag ni Lucienne na inginuso ang salbabida niya. "And it's cute."
I gave her a nervous laugh, but I stayed close to her. It was the right decision. Dahil nang makababa kami sa hagdanan ay napagtanto ko na hindi mababaw ang pool. Mababaw siguro sa mga nasa normal range ang height. I'm not as small as Lia, but I'm not tall either.
Mukhang mali rin ang binabaan namin dahil nasa may side kami kung saan walang ibang tao. There are kids on the other side, and they don't look like they are drowning.
Napakapit ako sa salbabida ni Lucienne at hinayaan niya lang naman ako. Mukhang akala niya ay nakikisabay lang talaga ako sa floater niya. Tumingin ako sa ibaba ko at sinubukan ko na tumingkayad pero wala pa rin akong maabot na kahit na ano.
"Ember?"
Nag-angat ako ng mukha kay Lucienne. She probably said something I didn't hear. "H-Ha?"
"Ang sabi ko hindi mo kailangang mag-alala sa mga babae na lumapit kay Trace kanina. They're not like that. Those brothers are decent men that this world should have more of. Mga walking green flag. Kahit si Coal. That man has slept with many women, but he never plays with a woman's heart. Alam nila kung anong pinasok nila pagdating sa kaniya."
"I'm not worried."
I wasn't. Not really. The only thing that annoyed me awhile ago was the fact that I knew Trace was single and he had every right to see other women if he wanted to. And the thought of that was what bothered me. But I saw how he acted with those women, and he kept a respectful distance.
"Trace dated a lot. Sinabi niya na sa'yo di ba?" Nang tumango ako ay nagpatuloy siya, "He always wanted a serious relationship. Sadiyang malas lang talaga siya at lagi siyang sawi. Pero kahit gano'n hindi iyon mananakit o mambabastos ng babae."
"I know," I murmured.
Lucienne has always been the cat to Trace's dog. They always argue. Pero ngayon ay seryoso ang paraan ng pakikipag-usap niya na para bang ayaw niyang isipin ko na makagagawa ng bagay na hindi tama si Trace.
"Pero naniniwala pa rin ako na nagayuma ka."
We both erupted in laughter at her words. It was just my bad luck that at the same time, I felt someone bump into me, and I let go of the floatie by accident. Huli na para makakapit ako sa salbabida. I sank like a rock in water, and because my mouth was open, water immediately filled me.
I didn't want to panic, but it was like an instinctive response of my body that wanted to get out of the water.
Nakita ko si Lucienne na lumusot pailalim sa salbabida niya at akmang aabutin ako pero may mga braso na kumawit sa bewang niya at hinila siya palayo. Thank, God. I heard the stories of people drowning while trying to save others. I don't want that to happen.
It wasn't even a second after she was yanked away that I felt someone pull me up as well.
I coughed out water as a burning sensation rushed inside me the moment air returned to my body. Sa kabila ng nanlalabong paningin dahil sa pagkahilam sa tubig ay nakita ko na si Domino ang siyang humila sa akin.
"Is she okay?" Coal worriedly asked.
Hindi pa man ako nagtatagal sa mga bisig ni Domino ay naramdaman kong may pamilyar na mga braso ang pumalibot sa akin. Iniyakap ko sa balikat ni Trace ang mga braso ko at sumubsob ako sa leeg niya. He gently rubbed my back as I continued coughing. I heard him utter a curse under his breath as he hugged me tighter.
Nanginginig na inangat ko ang ulo ko ng bahagya para magawa kong makapagsalita, "I... I forgot to tell you that I don't know how to swim."
He didn't say anything, but I can hear the loud thudding inside his chest as if he had run a marathon.
"Idol Ember, sorry." Nakasandal pa rin kay Trace na nilingon ko si Domino. He looked really guilty. "Kuya Coal and I were messing around. Hindi kita napansin agad."
"I-It's okay. You didn't know."
They probably thought I was just swimming or something. Hindi din naman aakalain na hindi ako marunong lumangoy dahil ang lakas ng loob ko na sumama kay Lucienne.
"Bossing Thorn kapag hindi mo ako binitawan kakagatin kita!"
We all turned to Lucienne, and we saw her husband sigh and let her go. Lumangoy siya papunta sa amin habang hila-hila sa isang kamay ang unicorn floatie niya. When she stopped in front of us, I was surprised when tears filled her eyes.
"Tinakot mo ko!" Masama ang tingin na ibinigay niya sa direksyon ni Domino at Coal na guilting napakamot sa mga ulo. Lumapit si Thorn pero nanatiling emosyonal ang babae. "Gagawin ko kayong isda na hindi marunong lumangoy sa story ko! Bakit ba kasi kayo nagtutulakan? Sino na namang malas na babae ang pinag-iinteresan niyo? I'm going to tell her of your attempted murder just now!"
The two look chastised, and when I turned to look at Trace, I saw that he was also glowering at the two of them.
"It's okay. I'm okay." Sa kabila ng panginginig na bahagya ng humuhupa ay nginitian ko si Lucienne. "Kasalanan ko talaga kasi hindi ko naman sinabi sa inyo. It was stupid of me." I looked at Domino and Coal. "I'm sorry."
They both apologized again, still looking guilty. Lucienne was right about them. They are decent people. One look at them and you'll see their tough exterior, but when you get to know them you'll realize that they are all soft and gentle inside.
"Sa'yo na 'tong salbabida ko," sumisinghot na sabi ni Lucienne. "If you drown again, Trace will tie himself to a shark to volunteer to be food for the fishies."
I cough again but this time it's because I was laughing. "I'm really okay."
"Take this," she said, nudging me with the floatie.
Tinignan ko ang salbabida pero hindi ako kumilos para kunin iyon. Sa halip ay parang may sariling buhay ang mga braso ko na mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap ng mga iyon sa balikat ni Trace.
"I'm good," I repeated softly.
Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ni Lucienne sa akin at kay Trace. Her eyes cleared, and he looked up at her husband as if asking for confirmation. Thorn nodded, and she sighed. Kinipkip niya sa kaniya ang floatie bago niya tinignan sina Domino at Coal. "Hindi ko kayo papahiramin. Hindi ko kayo bati."
"Nag-order ako ng Batangas Lomi. The resort allowed it," Domino strangely said.
Tumango si Lucienne. "Okay. Bati na tayo."
The woman looked at Coal, and the latter sighed, "Checkout whatever is in your cart—"
"Okay! Hay. Kailan ba tayo nag-away di ba? Super close tayo eh."
Nangingiting sinundan ko sila ng tingin nang magsimula silang lumangoy palayo. Thorn followed his wife, but not before he looked straight into my eyes and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. He was worried too. They are really such great people.
My eyes went to the other side of the pool, and I saw the others giving me troubled looks. I decided to give them a wave to show them I'm okay.
Gustuhin ko man na pumunta sa kanila ay hindi ko iyon magagawa dahil naglakad si Trace palayo. Since I'm using him like a human floatie, where he goes I go to. Dinala niya ako sa dulo ng pool kung saan tanaw ang dagat. Inangat niya ako hanggang sa nakaupo na ako sa gutter habang siya ay nasa baba pa rin.
I watched him brush his hair up, and it was then that I noticed that he didn't even get the chance to take off his shirt. He just jumped in the pool fully clothed the moment he saw me drowning.
Nakatukod sa gutter ang mga siko niya habang hindi gumagalaw na nakayuko lang siya.
"Trace?" Nang hindi siya sumagot ay hinawakan ko ang balikat niya. "Are you... are you okay?"
When he looked up at me, I saw that his eyes are darker than the normal. "Damn it, Ember."
He didn't sound angry at me. He sounded like I scared the hell out of him.
"It won't happen again," I said to him softly.
"Of course it won't."
Bago ko pa mapigilan ang sarili ko ay inabot ko ang buhok niya at marahang pinadaan ko roon ang mga daliri ko. I placed it on top of his chest after, then I whispered to him, "I'm sorry I worried you."
We stayed like that for awhile. Until the burning feeling in my chest lessened and his heart beat slowed down to a normal pace.
As if seeing me for the first time, Trace's eyes, which were beginning to lighten, became dark again when his gaze dropped to what I'm wearing. Muling bumalik ang init na nararamdaman ko pero sa pagkakataon na ito ay ang mukha ko na ang tila umaapoy.
Trace and I—what we are—it's complicated. But being with him, seeing him like this, and him being who he is, the tangles are unraveling and slowly getting less complicated.
"Damn it, princess," Trace rasped out.
He didn't sound angry. He didn't sound scared like he did moments ago.
I wasn't drowning... but we are drowning. Together. In something that is larger than the water around us, greater than the infinite ocean.
Not being saved... and maybe, not ever wanting to be saved.
_________________________End of Chapter 12.