TRG ~ XLIV
***
Freesia
I've never had so much fun as this in my entire life! This vacation is simply splendid and extraordinary!
I know that big part of it is because of my companions. And of course my boyfriend who made this vacation possible. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, I don't think I'll ever experience this. I am a sociable person but I'm not that outgoing. Marami rin akong issues sa sarili ko na minsan ay hindi ko maintindihan. Kung kaya't hindi ako nakakapag-unwind ng ganito.
I don't think there's someone else who can understand me better than Apollo. Siya ang nag-aayos ng mga gamit ko sa unit, since he doesn't like mess, siya rin ang nagpapa-alala ng mga bagay na minsan ay nakaka-limutan ko. And he understand my moods. I guess he also made a way to reconcile me with my family.
"Never thought there are so many wonderful beaches here in the Philippines."
"How would you know? You're too busy strolling in bikini in those beaches outside the country." Priam smirked at our cousin Soffia.
Inirapan lang siya ng huli. "Am I talking to you, jerk?" Her brows are as usual, raised.
"Well, it's really more fun in the Philippines." Komento naman ni Simone.
Kanina pa 'yan nagpapapansin kay Soffia but got nothing. I guess Soffia finally realized my cousin's dirty skills. She doesn't want anything to do with it.
We were riding the 42M Steel yacht, owned by my boyfriend. Hindi lang ako nalula, sobrang na-shock pa nang malaman ko ang tungkol sa yate niya! Buti nga hindi ako nahimatay eh.
I'm glad the weather didn't disappoint us. It's such a clear day, the waves are tamed and the sky is in its blue grandeur. The sun is up and shining its glory.
I love the feel of the heat of the sun kissing my face as well as the sea breeze as it reaches my skin. It makes me feel calm.
At nakakadagdag pa sa ganda ng panahon ay ang tuluyang pagsilay ko sa dashboard abs ni Apollo! My gosh! His hotness is to die for! Finally my dreams has been answered! Sobrang nakakagigil ang kagwapuhan at kakisigan niya. Pero behave muna ako kasi marami kaming kasama.
Kakagaling lang namin sa Siquijor. First, we went to Romblon because it's the nearest. We have a local as our tour guide. Romblon have fine and white sands, too. Maganda rin doong magtampisaw.
Siquijor is said to be a bewitched island. Well, it really is bewitching with its pristine blue waters and beautiful beaches. We only tour the island. We were about to trek to see some of their famous falls but my companions never stopped complaining. Ano pa nga ba ang aasahan ko? Some of them are whiny brats and some are idiots. Kaya namasyal na lamang kami at namili ng mga local products.
I guess I'll be coming back here to discover more of the island.
Sinubukan naman ng mga lalaki ang ilang diving spots ng isla and I guess they enjoyed it.
Halos isang buong maghapon kaming namasyal and I can't help but grow tired. Pero ang sabi nila ay may pa-bonfire pa raw sa resort kaya baka hindi pa muna ako makapag-papahinga.
Nang dumungka ang yate sa baybayin ay agad akong napangiti. Inalalayan ako ni Apollo sa pagbaba maging ang kanyang kapatid.
I walked barefooted feeling the fine sand and the sea water. It tickles but it made me feel warm. Nakapaa lang ako. Ang iba gaya ni Artemis, Soffia, Venice, Lily at Tanya ay naka-flip flops.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!" Soffia suddenly exclaimed.
Halata ang saya niya sa mukha. I stared at her confused. Sumobra naman yata ang pagka-excite niyang makarating dito? Does she want to rest? Kahit na si Lily at Tanya maging si Artemis ay mukhang hindi mapakali. What's going on?
When we entered the villa, it's kind of quiet. Well, it's really serene here but I can see some locals and employees here yesterday. They're just romaing around and keeping up with our demands. They have a good service here kahit na private resort ito. And I don't think I have to wonder since Apollo owns it. He's good in managing.
Kakaunti lang daw ang pinapayagan niyang pumunta rito. His family members, some friends and relatives. He said he doesn't want to lose the serenity and beauty of this place.
Anyway, nasaan na kaya 'yong ibang staffs dito? May iba akong nakikita pero tila nagmamadali sila. Hindi ko na sila pinansin at pumasok na lang sa kwarto namin. There's a queen size bed inside. Dalawa kami ni Soffia na natutulog dito. Gusto pa nga niyang mag-solo at sinabi pang tumabi na lang ako kay Apollo pero iningusan ko lang siya.
Ewan ko roon sa bf ko, nagka-allergy na yata sa akin. Ayaw yatang mapag-isa kami sa isang kwarto. Nagka-phobia nga kaya siya sa ginawa ko noon nang malasing ako?
**
After taking a bath, bumaba na ako kasama si Soffia. Kakain daw muna kami ng meryenda sa baba. It's only 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The sun's heat is still radiating.
"They prepared grilled seafoods for dinner." Apollo informed us.
"Yes!" Artemis blurted.
"Not for you, Temi.." Naningkit ang mata nito sa kapatid. "I asked them to prepare something else for you."
His sister pouted in defiance.
"Why is that?"
"She have allergies with seafoods.."
He sat beside me. Napakunot-noo ako nang maramdaman na hindi siya mapakali. Hindi ko iyon nakikita sa mukha niya pero nasa galaw niya. He's playing with my fingers absentmindedly.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked him worriedly.
He heavily sighed and I became more anxious with his actions.
"Uy, Apollo. Kailangan ka raw doon." Soffia said.
Huh? Kailangan saan?
"I just need to prepare something." Kimi ang ngiti niyang paalam sa akin.
He kissed my cheeks bago umalis. Hinatid ko siya ng tingin sa kanyang pag-alis. There's really something off with him. I just can't pinpoint..
"May problema lang yata sa isang cottage." Soffia explained nonchalantly.
"Bakit mo alam?"
"Eh sa alam ko, paki mo ba?" Inis niyang sagot sa akin.
I pouted at her. Suplada pa rin talaga.
"Huwag ka ngang clingy! Babalik din naman 'yon!"
"Soffia.." Babala rito ni Dazzel.
He's been silent throughout this whole vacation. Paminsan-minsan lang siya kung magsalita. He's my friend so I invited him. Siguro nga'y nagkagusto siya sa akin noon but I don't think he still feels the same way.
Nakatanggap din si Dazzel ng irap mula sa pinsan ko.
"Come on, Freesh, pasyal muna tayo." Imbita sa akin ni Lily Jane at Tanya kaya sumama na lang ako.
"Can I join?"
Nagulat ako sa biglaang tanong ni Venice but I smiled at her nang makabawi.
"Of course."
Ilang minuto kaming naglalakad lang sa buhangin nang magpasya ang dalawang umalis. Ewan ko ba sa mga iyon. Mag-iimbita tapos iiwanan din ako. We strolled more and we found this big wood so we decided to sit there.
I never thought a time like this would come that I'll be able to stroll and talk with Venice peacefully. But I really find her a good person when we had our talk during my dinner with Apollo's family.
"Hi.."
She approached me when I was alone.
"Hi, din.. Happy birthday."
Naguguluhang tumingin siya sa akin. Her beautiful face looks so confused.
"It's not my birthday." She said, puzzled.
"Ah, hindi ba?" I asked nonchalantly. I even shrugged. "Akala ko kasi birthday mo, naka-red ka kasi. Parang naka-red ka rin last time, ah? Favorite color mo?"
Lalo kong nakita na mas naguluhan pa siya sa akin. She didn't think I could talk casually at her. Mamaya sumabog utak niya sa dami ng question mark ako pa ang mananagot!
Then suddenly she smiled. She shooked her head while gracefully taking a seat in front of me. Her small smile turned to a hard laugh.
It's hilarious to see! She doesn't look like a supermodel while laughing! Nawala na lahat ng poise niya!
Hala ka, nabaliw na rin yata 'to.
"Hoy, okay ka lang?" I worriedly asked her after some time.
Alam mo 'yon, baka kasi nahanginan lang.
She stopped laughing and her eyes became stern.
Unti-unti akong ginapangan ng kaba. Aba, baka sabunutan ako ng bruhang ito! Well, hindi naman ako magpapa-api 'no! Kung gusto niya ng away, aba'y sino ako para hindi siya pagbigyan?
"Now I finally understood why he loves you."
"Huh?" I look quizzical as I stared at her.
Akala ko aawayin niya ako.
"Do you know that I've never seen him laugh like that?"
Ah, para pala sa trivia ang usapang ito..
But I respect her and since she approached me without any ill intention then I'm good. I'll listen to her. Baka ito na ang kasagutan sa mga tanong ko tungkol sa kanila na ayaw sagutin ni Apollo. Tinatamad kasi iyon magkwento.
"Even his parents are wondering about his actions. You can see it in their faces. He's always unsmiling but I know he's kind. That must be the reason why I was drawn to him. I also want to see if I'll be able to change him, to make him a carefree person."
"But you should never push a person to change.. It's like taking his own free will." Saad ko sa mababang boses.
I don't know why I'm suddenly feeling sad for her.
"I know that now. I realized it when I saw him with you." She breathed heavily. "He can be as carefree as he wants to be if he's with you. He's affectionate. He can be caring. He can smile, he can talk a lot. I never thought he can be like that."
"Hindi naman, ang tipid pa rin naman niyang magsalita." Hindi ko maiwasang um-ekstra sa sinasabi niya.
She gave me a little smile. "But he talks eventhough you're not asking. He never does that when we're together."
"He's also a good son. He abides whatever his father wants him to do. I know that he agreed on our engagement because of his parents. He doesn't want to disappoint them."
"Pero 'di ba childhood friends kayo?"
Ayoko ngang sabihing childhood sweetheart. Ako lang ang sweetheart ni Apollo 'no.
Tumango siya. "Yes. And maybe that's the reason why he agreed with the engagement. Unlike other men, Avee have never been attaracted to a girl."
"Weh?"
Gulat ako roon, ah? Sino namang lalaki ang hindi magkakagusto sa mga babae? That's pretty ridiculous. Aba, kahit babae nga ako naa-appreciate ko ang ganda nitong si Venice. Slightly dyosa siya, ako 'yong pinaka-dyosa.
Napailing na natatawa siya sa reaksiyon ko.
"Nah. It's true. I never heard him saying someone is beautiful. Or he just don't say it? He's not a sweet talker. He's never been involve with a woman. That's why I fell in love with him. He's a one woman man. He's one in a million."
Tumango ako sa sinabi niya. I agree. You'll never find someone like him or if there is, they're rare. Endangered species. Mas marami ngayon ang fuckboy. Nagkalat sila. Epidemic na nga yata, eh.
***
-myishi_chan