Kabanata 7
THE pristine water is crashing the shores and I loved watching it.
We were sitting side by side with nothing but comfortable silence. Sa likod namin ay ang pinaglumaang barko. I watched the waves reach my toes before leaving again, nanghahalina para lumapit ako't makipaglaro sa kanila.
Sumulyap ako kay Wave na nakatitig sa dagat, walang-imik.
Ang serious naman talaga, opo.
I slowly crawled even closer to him and cleared my throat.
When he glanced my way, I smiled and offered him the pack of gummy bears he had given earlier.
"You like?" I offered. "Uhm, this is my happy pill. Kapag malungkot ako kakain lang ako ng gummies tapos happy na ako. I am hoping na ikaw din."
Natigilan siya.
"Could I? Baka kulang pa sa 'yo 'yan?" I rolled my eyes and smacked him. His laughter echoed and avoided my palm.
"Kidding..."
"Hmp! 'Di naman ako gano'n katakaw sa iniisip mo! Nagkataon lang na gutom na gutom talaga ko! Alam mo bang rare lang akong mamigay ng gummies ko? Kung ayaw mo, e 'di h'wag–"
"Feed me?" He asked and leaned in closer.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I nodded. Kumuha ako ng gummy at inilapit sa labi niya. My breath quickened when I saw his pearly white teeth biting it before smiling.
I gave him my favorite one. Blue.
I waited patiently, watching his reaction as the taste spread in his mouth. Tumango siya, mukhang nasasarapan. Tumalon ang puso ko.
"Are you happy now?" I asked.
"Hindi naman ako malungkot," mahinang sagot niya.
"I knew you're sad," I said. "Your smile didn't reach your eyes. Don't fool me, Wave."
He moistened his lip, pushed his hair back before placing his palms in the sand again for support as he arched his body a little to relax.
"Life's never good to me, anyway," he mumbled and closed his eyes. The passing breeze ruffled his hair in a distracting manner, the strands he pushed back with his fingers deranged again.
"How can you say that?" I asked curiously. "You were everyone's favorite, Wave."
"Hmm, does it mean instant happiness? Fame would never make me happy," he whispered. "Sobrang sikip minsan, nahihirapan na akong makahinga. I'm scared the media would ruin everything that's already ruined."
Mas nagsalubong ang kilay ko. I understand his sentiments. That's how my family was too but his last words made me curious.
"Huh?"
Nagmulat siya't mapungay akong pinagmasdan.
"My life's not like those typical celebrities, Zire." I saw a glint of sadness on his eyes. "If they have it great then I had it worst."
"Why? How so?" I asked but realized I'm being nosy. "If you mind, ayos lang kung hindi mo sabihin..."
"I have a lots of secrets, Zire," he mumbled. "Baka kapag nalaman mo, miski ikaw hindi na ako matignan."
"How can you say that?" My forehead creased. "Ako ba ikaw?"
"I'll never know." He chuckled. "Mahirap...mahirap magsabi. It's difficult to reopen closing wounds. I might lose more things."
May mabigat na dumagan sa puso ko.
"Wave, 'di ba sabi ko sa 'yo, gusto kong makipagkaibigan? Accept me, tapos promise, p'wede mo akong mapagkatiwalaan."
Nanliit ang mata niya.
"Friends don't kiss, Zirena." He chuckled. Tila may humalukay sa sikmura ko.
"H-hoy! Ikaw nga ang nag-kiss sa 'kin!"
"Because you're seducing me!" He insisted. "Nanahimik lang ako nilapit-lapit mo 'yang labi mo. You can't expect me to behave if you'll lure me kiss you."
"Lure you? Huh!" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. I shifted my position kaya ngayon ay nakaharap na ako sa kanya at nag-indian seat, humahalukipkip.
"So kapag may gustong magpahalik, hahalikan mo na lang?!" I hissed, annoyed.
His brow shot up, amused.
"Well..." Ngumisi niya. Ewan kung bakit pero nairita ako sa thought na 'yon. I know it was showing in my face. Natawa siya at pinindot ang pisngi ko. "I was just kidding,"
"Playboy ka 'no! Paano kapag may fan na gustong magpa-kiss! Ano hahalikan mo lang?!"
His lips quivered. Napalo ko ang buhangin kaya sumabog iyon kasabay ng tawa niya.
I pouted. I crossed my arms on my chest. Mas aliw na aliw siya.
"Of course not. Why? Are you so jealous, my little clumsy girl?"
Mas nainis lang ako.
"Two years lang agwat natin! Anong little girl?!"
"Ah, so you know my age?" He shot his brow up. "You researched about me, huh?"
"Who didn't know?" Sabat ko. "Of course, you're Wave Nievarez. I heard about you all the time kaya alam ko–"
"Oh," he mused. "I thought you did your research. Sayang, akala ko pa naman crush mo 'ko, since you know, I still remember vividly what you screamed when I ripped my shirt–"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!" I babbled and covered my ear. Mas lumakas ang tawa niya. "Wala akong naririnig!"
He reached for me, trying to remove my palms covering my ear. Sumimangot ako at dahil nga malakas siya'y nahuli niya ang palad ko at pinirmi, ikinukulong sa hawak niya.
I remained glaring. His brown gaze caressed my face as it softened.
"I was kidding. Don't worry, I...only kissed you," he drawled.
Nag-palpitate ang puso ko. Parang lalabas na sa lalamunan ko but I refused to acknowledge it and pointed him out instead.
"Bakit ang rupok mo, Wave?" I snapped. Mas natawa siya, pinakawalan ang kamay ko para hulihin ang tikwas ng buhok para ilagay sa likod ng tainga.
"You were really tempting me kanina, bakit hindi kita hahalikan?"
"Kasi friends tayo!" I hissed.
"No, we're not," he denied.
"Ano'ng hindi? Friends tayo! Friends!" I chanted but he refused to acknowledge it as he watched the untamed waves again, annoying me.
Hinahamon mo ako, ah! After ng lahat ng 'to 'di pa rin kami friends? Saan ako lulugar?
Dumukwang ako sa tabi niya, inaangat ang sarili para matangkaran siya kahot nakaupo kaming dalawa at nakatagilid siya sa akin.
"Kahit anong gawin mo, friends pa rin–" Oxygen got knocked out of my lungs when he shifted his face and because of our proximity, our lips crashed.
My eyes widened. His too but he instantly recovered and parted his mouth a little, aiming for my lower lip to bite it.
Malakas ang naging singhap ko. He pulled away to watch my reaction before giving another soft kiss habang tulala lang ako at tuod.
"You're adorable," he mused.
Nakaawang pa ang labi ay nangatog ang hita ko kaya bumagsak ako paupo sa buhangin, nawawalan ng lakas.
"And...clumsy," he added.
I gawked at him.
"Y-you..."
"Yes, me. I kissed you," he agreed. Napahawak ako sa labi, sa pang-ibabang kinagat niya.
"Bakit mo na naman ako hinalikan?! Hindi na tayo friends niyan! Wala na!" I hissed and blushed profusely.
He watched me with a smug expression. This is fun for him, isn't it?!
"Come on, sit properly. We weren't friends in the first place, anyway,"
"Wave!" I groaned.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you kiss me?!" He gave me a puzzled look and stared at my lips.
"Ayaw mo ba? Sige, ibabalik ko." He lowered his head to claim my lips again kaya napasigaw ako at tinakpan ang mukha ko.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! You're so bastos!" I screamed, ashamed because I'm sure I'm blushing like a spoiled tomato!
"I was just returning the kisses," maang sagot niya, kalmado sa kabila ng paghaharumentado ko.
"Sinasamantala mo ang kahinaan ko!" Pagda-drama ko. Napailing siya at hinawakan ang braso ko, nangingiti.
"Calm down, Zire. I don't wanna be friends with you. Stop nagging and enjoy the view, I love it here when the waves are calm."
I stayed quiet for a moment, processing everything, caressing my lips still with the remnants of his kisses still marked on it. He looked peaceful watching the island's wonder. Unti-unti'y niyakap ko ang hita at tumitig sa alon.
"Madalas ka ba dito, Wavy?" I asked him.
"Hmm," he said. "Honestly, this is our secret hideout in this place."
Natigilan ako at nilingon siya.
"Our?"
"With my cousins," aniya na may ngiti. "Tahimik kasi rito. Hindi rin accessible sa publiko kaya kung may pictures man, kaunti lang.
"Oh..." My lips parted. "I must be lucky to be here?!"
A smile curved on his lips. "You should be."
Mas lumaki ang ngisi ko, tuwang-tuwa. It was an honor to be here! Maganda na ang isla sa parteng pinagdaungan ng yate pero mas gumanda pa iyon dahil sa nakita ko rito!
"Thank you, Wavy!" I cheered. "I hope it's okay, ah? To take videos and pictures? I will feature this in my blog!"
Tumango siya. "Show me the pictures, hmm?"
"Okay!" I beamed. "But don't expect much, ah? 'Di naman ako professional photographer. For fun lang. Tinuruan lang akong tips ng sister ko kasi mas magaling 'yon sa photography!"
He listened to me and I don't feel bad babbling because wala man siyang sinasabi, alam kong nakikinig siya.
"Zire," he called after a moment of silence.
"Bakit?" Nilingon ko siya at natigilan nang mapansing naro'n na naman ang emosyon sa mata niya.
The uncertainty, the fear and questions and I don't know why but I slightly moved and reached for his soft cheek. Hindi siya lumayo at tumitig lang.
"What is it? Tell me," I urged. "I knew you were thinking of something, tell me."
"Can I trust you?" He asked.
My heart jumped, my stomach twisted. I saw the hesitation in his eyes but when I nodded, it vanished. I caressed his hair.
"Of course, you can trust me," I said reassuringly despite my gut wrenching.
He looked like a lost boy, totally different from his usual cold and confident façade. When I looked at him, he knew where he excels, he knew how to demand in the camera, to make people look at him but behind it, there was something else.
I felt like he wanted to be seen but only on the surface. Like the undiscovered waters, known from above but never from what lies within its depths.
"You said you're into travel blogs only, right?" aniya. I nodded.
"Mostly, tapos minsan sa food–"
"Pero masarap sa 'yo lahat," he finished. Natawa ako, nag-init ang mukha pero tumango.
"W-well, yeah. Kaya nga mas expertise ko ang travel kasi kapag dating sa food? Palaging masarap sa 'kin."
His lips curved for a smile. Nang bumaba ang palad ko sa balikat niya'y inabot niya 'yon at pinisil.
"I don't like reporters," he confessed.
I knew it but it still made my stomach churn. I smiled a little despite my insides twisting.
"Why?"
I saw the distant look in his eyes, contemplating if he'd tell me or not.
"I despised them even before. They keep on invading my privacy. They all wanted to dig into my private life to get into their dirty intentions."
The nagging feeling and guilt assaulted my chest. Lumunok ako at 'di nakasagot.
"Ano bang mapapala nila do'n, Zire?" He asked lowly, curiously it stabbed me in the heart.
"I... I didn't know," I said instead. "Ano bang ginagawa nila sa 'yo?"
He smiled bitterly.
"Sometimes, they're attempting to enter my house, nanghaharang ng kotse, nagpapanggap na kung sino para makalapit,"
Tumango ako.
"That's bad," I mumbled. "Breaking and entering?"
"Marami nang nakasuhan si Just," aniya. "But hell they still do all sorts of things to meddle. I'm a public figure, I know, but I have the right for my privacy too, right? Lahat ba ng ginagawa ko dapat alam nila?"
I nodded. I remembered my mother and my sister. Mas bumigat ang pakiramdam ko pero pinalis ko 'yon at tumikhim.
"I'm curious," I said. "Sino ka ba talaga, Wave Nievarez?"
Nakita ko ang gulat sa mata niya pero sinagot ako.
"I'm no one, Zire. Just some model, nothing special," he lamented.
"Is Wave really your name?" I asked.
He nodded and sighed, bahagya niyang inilapit ang kanyang ulo sa akin kaya pinasandal ko siya sa balikat ko.
"I'm Wave, twenty-six. Just like what the press knows. Ikaw? What's your real name?"
"Zirena Nieves Sandejas. Zire-ganda na lang for short," I introduced.
Natawa siya. Ngumuso ako at kinagat ang labi.
"Bagay sa 'yo ang nakangiti at tumatawa. Keep it up."
He tensed, his laughter faded.
"Don't. Bagay sa 'yong masaya. Ikaw, akala ko talaga masungit ka tapos mabait ka naman pala talaga."
"I'm rude, Zire. You know that."
"Hindi, mabait ka nga. Medyo masungit at snob pero p'wede na, sanay naman na ako sa suplada at marami niyang sa bahay." Natawa ako. "You helped me three times now, no'ng nagkasugat ako, tapos no'ng ginamot mo tapos kanina, no'ng natumba ako."
"It's because you're clumsy," he snickered. "Mag-ingat ka nga. Ang daan tinitignan kapag naglalakad, 'di 'yong ginagawang display lang."
My jaw dropped.
"Hey!"
"You better watch your step everytime, h'wag kang makikipagsiksikan sa mga tao. You might slipped or fall, hindi lahat ng oras may sasalo sa 'yo."
"E, nand'yan ka naman, e." I shrugged. "Why not?"
"You can't say that, woman. Baka mas mauna ka pang tumakbo kapag nalaman mo."
Nalaman ang? I didn't ask.
"Try me, then," I challenged. "Tell me what you got then decide. Kung tatakbo ako then I'm a loser, pero kapag hindi, alam mo na?"
He chuckled and messed with my hair. It felt so good. Napapikit ako.
"I wish everyone had the courage to hear me out,"
"Wala ka nang makikitang iba, ako lang ang nag-iisa!" I beamed. "Kaya Wavy, sabihin mo na!"
Nilingon niya 'ko, kumikislap ang mata.
"Okay pero pa-kiss muna?" he requested.
Natulala lang ako.
"Come on, baby, stop blushing like that," he mused.
Mas nag-init ang pisngi ko kaya hinawakan ko iyon at tumungo sa kahihiyan.
"Wave, marupok ako! H'wag mo akong landiin bumibigay ako!"
I felt his hot breath on my ear when he whispered.
"Mas marupok ako,"
Hinarap ko siya at pinanliitan ng mata.
"Pero friends lang tayo, ah?" I asked.
"Friends don't kiss, Sandejas," he snickered.
"Wave nga!" I whined. "Ang tunay na dalagang Filipina, hindi nakikipag-jowaan sa kakakilala pa lang."
"Oh?" Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Pero nagpapahalik?"
"Kasi nga, e!"
"You're different than those other girls out there, "
"At bakit naman?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
"Sila walang sayad, ikaw mayro'n." Tumawa siya. Pinalo ko siya ng paulit-ulit kaya napailing siya habang sinasalo ako. "Joke! Joke lang!"
"I mean, I felt comfortable everytime you're here. I am not usually joking around, natutuwa lang kasi ako sa 'yo. Baka naman may nilagay ka ro'n sa gummy bears mo, ah?"
Bumungisngis ako sa kabila ng naghaharumentadong puso. Hindi ko na napigilan ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya at ako na mismo ang naglapit ng mukha ko sa kanya.
"Yari ako kay Daddy pero sige na nga, dahil mapilit ka, kiss mo na ko," I gave in.
He leaned in, I thought he'd kiss me but it landed on my cheek. It was very warm.
"When can I meet your Dad, then?" he asked lightly. Hiyang-hiya ako.
"H'wag ka kesheng advance mag-isip!" Tumabingi pa ang dila ko. "Yari tayong dalawa kapag nalaman no'n."
"Then...what exactly are we right now?" He asked, rubbing my cheek with his thumb.
"Uh, very bestest friends?" I answered. Nasapo naman niya ang noo.
"You're hopeless, Zire."
"Huh! Kapag nalaman ng Daddy ko na kiniss mo ako at nag take advantage ka sa karupukan ko, mas hopeless ka!"
Nailing na lang siya sa akin at tumayo. Nagtataka man ay sinundan ko siya ng tingin.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Swim," aniya. I gasped when he unbuckled his belt in front of me.
"Oh my God! Ang haba!" I screamed in exaggeration.
His jaw ticked.
"Hmm, mas hahaba pa 'yan kapag alam mo na." Umawang ang labi ko at sinipa siya pero nakaiwas siya at hinatak paalis ang belt niya.
"Maraming mas mahaba sa cabana, gusto mo?" aniya at nang matanggal niya ang shorts ay lumitaw ang swimming trunks niyang suot.
"Parang mas gusto ko 'yong ganyang haba..." I motioned my hand. I laughed and threw his shorts and belt at me. Sinalo ko 'yon.
"You're a pervert, Zirena," aniya bago naglakad para salubungin ang alon.
"I was referring to the belt!" I exclaimed. "Greenminded nito! Sabi ko mahaba 'yong..." He nudged me with a challenging look. "'Yong belt,"
Halos magpiyesta ako at magtawag ng pa-buffet service habang ninanamnam ang katawan ni Wave sa dagat habang naliligo siya.
I was taking photos with my camera, ilang beses kong kinuhaan ng magagandang litrato ang shipwreck, ang rock formation at ang mga creature sa loob but my favorite subject for today is Wave as the waves glided in the crevices of his toned body.
It was too cute na lumalangoy siya kasama ang kanyang kapangalan.
"Wave, what is this place called?" I called his attention.
"Navagio beach," he answered, walking closer to me and blessing me with the sight of his glorious body.
Athletic, with narrow shoulders and long, muscled arms moved like he was still on a runway. He confidently walked towards me and I noticed how the trunks hugged his long legs, like everything he wore was tailored solely for him.
When I began to notice I was holding my breath, I looked away. He sat beside me and I shivered when his hot skin touched my arms.
"What does Navagio mean?" I asked.
"Shipwreck," aniya. "Shipwreck beach."
"Is this still a part of the Lost Island?"
"Yup. This place is actually pretty massive. May mga ibang islets pang kalapit. The center of the Lost Island is this one, the shipwreck or Navagio. Whatever you call it, it's the same."
"Oh, so the Lost Island is this one?" Turo ko sa shipwreck.
Tumango siya sabay turo sa gilid sa may batuhan.
"There is a way up there," turo niya sa taas ng rock formation.
"That's a cliff!"
"Yup." He nodded. "This whole place is called Navagio but the locals referred to this as the Lost Island kaya 'yon na ang mas kilalang tawag."
"Wow... e, 'yong sa may cabana? Lost Island din?"
"Yup, parte iyon at medyo malaki ang isla."
"Wow, alam mo bang sa movies lang ako nakakakita no'ng mga shipwreck?" I asked. "Bakit mayro'n dito, anyway? Matagal na ba 'to? Ilang years?"
"According to some local myths, there are reasons why this ship is here and why this place is called Lost Island and why is that–" He pointed to the sea. "Called the Sea of Thieves."
"Oh," I nodded. "Care to tell me the history?"
"Next time, Zire." He smiled a little and stared at the sky. "We still have a lot of time here... I think?"
"Oh, we definitely have a lot!" I blurted but paused when I remembered something. "Anyway, Wavy? Do you know someone with two-colored eyes here?"
He visibly stiffened. Kumunot ang noo niya at lumalim ang tingin.
"Kasi I met him sa yacht when I got here," I explained. "Mabait! Muntik na kasi 'kong mahulog pero tinulungan niya 'ko. Naalala ko kasi nasabi niya na may tale itong isla at ito-tour niya 'ko kaso naglaho naman! Madaya!"
"He did," aniya, nakatitig.
"Huh? Wave?" I called but he looked away and cleared his throat.
"I don't... know," sagot niya. "Baka bumisita lang din. Guest. Wala akong kilala."
We spent our time taking photos in the beach, inagaw sa akin ni Wave ang camera at wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang magpakuha ng litrato sa isla.
His shots are superb, habang nakaupo ako sa buhangin at tumitingin ng camera ay nakita ko si Wave malapit sa malaking bato at nilalaro ang isang pawikan na lumapit sa kanya.
He was smiling and talking to the animal and of course, I took a photo of him. I bit my lip and called him, sa paglingon niya ay kumuha ako ng litrato kaya nailing siya sa akin at nagsalita.
"Baka puno na ng picture ko ang camera mo,"
"Ayaw mo no'n at may basbas ng kagwapuhan mo rito?" I asked.
"Ibebenta mo sa press 'yan, 'no?" He lamented. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako't lumapit sa kanya para bumaling sa pawikang nilalaro niya.
"Nah, I'll keep it myself," bulong ako at kinuhaan ng litrato ang paa namin kasama ang pawikan sa may buhangin. "But... I'll post this in Instagram, can I?"
"Why?" He asked.
"Pagyayabang ko lang,"
"Alright, just don't post one with my face," aniya. "Baka may makakita sa 'kin, agawan ka. Baka maiyak ka."
My jaw dropped at his audacity.
May yabang pala 'to, e!
He smirked.
"Let's go back, palubog na ang araw,"
While we were taking our things to go back, I glanced at him.
"Thank you, Wavy..."
I saw confusion in his eyes.
"For letting me in your secret place," I continued.
"I trust you with this, Zire," I could hear the vulnerability in his voice. When he offered me his hand, tumakbo ako at kumapit sa kanya.
"We'll go back, hmm?"bulong niya. Tumango ako bago tumingkayad at hinalikan ang pisngi niya.
"Salamat,"
Medyo madilim na nang makarating kami sa pampang. 'Yon na lang ang pagtataka ko nang makitang nasa may dalampasigan sina Edmund, pati na rin ang secretary ni Wave na si Justin.
"Wave!" Justin exclaimed. "Saan ba kayo nanggaling?!"
Napalingon sa akin si Justin at nakitang kunot ang noo niya bago mabilis na ibinalik kay Wave.
"We've been looking for you for an hour now, hindi ba sinabi ko sa 'yo na h'wag kang gagawa ng kahit anong ikakapahamak mo?!"
"I'm safe, Just," Wave answered calmly.
"Safe?! Gabi na, paano kung mapahamak ka r'yan?"
"I'm great you see," ani Wave kaya nagsalita na ako,
"Sorry kung natagalan kami, Just," I apologized. "Ano kasi, kumuha pa ako ng litrato, sorry. Sinamahan niya ako..."
"It's alright, Zire." He breathed. "It's just that..." Napailing siya kay Wave at frustated na sinuklay ang buhok niya. "Ano na namang nagawa mo, Wave?"
"I didn't do anything," Wave said and puffed a breath. "Don't worry, I didn't say or do anything stupid."
Nang lingunin ako ni Just para sa confirmation ay umiling ako sa kanya. I'm sure he only cared for Wave's image.
"Wala, promise." I reassured. "Paanong may sasabihin sa akin 'yan, e, halos hindi nga ako kibuin?" I lied.
Sumulyap sa akin sa Wave bago abutin ang pulsuhan ko. My heart rate spiked again.
"Pagod ka na ba?" Masuyong tanong niya. I nodded. "I'll take you to your room."
"Wave..." Natigil kaming dalawa nang magsalita si Justin. "Ako na ang maghahatid kay Zirena. You can go back to your room and rest, I know you had a long day."
I bit my lip and agreed. I slowly pulled my hand from Wave.
"Ayos lang ako, sige, magpahinga ka muna." I smiled at him. His forehead creased and his jaw clenched.
"Ihahatid kita," pilit niya.
"You're tired, don't worry, ihahatid naman ako ni Edmund..." I pointed to my friend who's been staring at me curiously and Kierra beside him, glaring at me. "Or ni Justin." Nilingon ko ang secretary niya.
Just nodded and went closer to me.
"I'll take her, Wave. Don't worry," Justin said.
Wave just stared at the both of us, his jaw clenching, his eyes void of reaction.
Justin held my arm.
"Tara na, Zire," aniya at akmang hihilahin ako nang magsalita si Wave.
"Don't fucking touch her, Just," ani Wave. Tumikwas ang kilay ni Just.
"Wave, I will just take her–"
"Do you really have to touch her?" He spat annoyingly. Napalunok ako, napabitaw naman si Just sa kamay ko at itinaas ang kamay niya, natatawa.
"O-okay, okay, sorry..." Naguguluhan niyang sagot at sumulyap sa akin.
I shook my head at Justin. Ngumisi naman siya at nabigla ako nang abutin ni Wave ang baywang ko at hinapit ako palapit sa kanya.
"Ihahatid ko siya," he announced.
"Okay, samahan ko pa ba–"
"I know my way back to my room, Justin, 'di ako maliligaw." Mariing sabi niya at sa pagsulyap ko kay Ed ay nanlalaki lang ang mata niya sa asal ni Wave.
"Pero sasamahan ko na lang kayo para sabay na tayong babalik–" Wave raised his hand, stopping Justin.
"For once, Just. Please," he snapped, annoyed. Natawa si Just at namamangha akong tinignan.
"Alright, alright..." Justin looked at me, itinaas ang daliri niya. "Yari ka, Zire. Panagutan mo 'yan."
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. "Huh?"
"Nievarez is fucking whippe–"
"Fuck you," he grunted and pulled me with him away from them.
Habang naglalakad palayo ay binalingan ko si Wave.
"Ano raw sinasabi ni Just?"
"Don't mind that asshole," he dismissed, changing the topic. "Are you hungry? Gusto mo ipagluto kita?"
"You can cook?!" I asked.
He nodded. It amazed me but I was really tired.
"Thank you! But okay lang ba if bukas mo ako ipagluto o kaya sa gabi? I wanted to rest tonight kasi, I'm tired."
"Alright,"
When we got in front of my room, he faced me.
"Thank you for today, Wavy..." I said. His eyes glistened. Bahagya akong napaatras nang dumukwang siya at inilapit sa akin ang kanyang mukha.
"Did you have fun today?" he asked carefully.
"Yes," I whispered. "So much."
"Good." His gaze fell on my lips. "You think I deserve a kiss?"
Nagwala na naman ang puso ko pero 'di ako marupok!
"But we are friends and...we just met?" inosente kong sagot.
Tumaas ang kilay niya.
"Is that so? Then, should I get a kiss from..." Nag-isip siya at nagsalita. "What's her name? Kierra?"
Napawi ang pag-iinarte ko't naging agresibo kaagad. My blood boilded and without a word, cupped his cheek and pulled him close to kiss him hard.
He smiled at my lips but opened his mouth and kissed me back, biting my lower lip like he couldn't get enough.
"Masyado namang selosa," aniya at hinuli ang chin ko para humalik ulit.
Aba, nag-e-enjoy!
"Sige, subukan mo, Nievarez," banta ko, iritado.
Muli siyang nagnakaw ng halik at mas nagtagal iyon at humawak pa siya sa batok ko.
Fuck. I liked this very much. Lumaban ako ng halik at idiniin ang sarili sa kanya.
"Hmm..." he groaned in my mouth, pulling away. "Kidding, baby."
Tinuro ko at dalawang mata ko ng daliri ko at pabalik sa kanya.
"I see you, Wave. Papaanurin kita sa alon kapag ginawa mo 'yan!"
Natawa siya at tumango.
"So possessive,"
"Go, uwi na. Shoo!" He chuckled, tinuro ko naman ang daan paalis sa room ko at naglakad siya ng nakapamulsa, paatras paalis.
Nag-iinit lang ang mukha ko at nang mahuli ang tingin ko ay kumindat sa akin bago tuluyang umalis.
Wave is a freaking flirt!
Hindi ako mapirmi. Para akong bulate na inasinan!
Paulit-ulit kong tina-type ang initial draft ko for my blog pero 'di ko mabuo ang mga salita habang iniisip ang mga kilos ni Wave kanina.
He's a flirt! Does he like me or what?
Isinara ko ang laptop at kinagat ang labi ko at sumigaw. I am stomping my feet, giggling.
Okay, okay, crush ko si Wave! Crush lang! Kasi ano, gwapo siya, macho-gwapito, may six pack, mabait tapos–yummy.
Dali-dali kong tinignan ang mga litrato na inilipat ko sa phone ko at nang makita ang litrato ni Wave na nakatagilid habang nakadukwang na nilalaro ang pawikan sa may dalampasigan habang ang alon ay tumatama sa paa niya. I edited it with my usual filter before writing a caption.
Zirena.Sandejas: "There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away." ― Sarah Kay
Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang wala pang ilang minuto ay inulan na iyon ng reaksyon. I tried writing some more but my head was only revolving around Wave kaya 'di na ako tumuloy.
I ignored Sir Remi's calls and went to get my robe para lumabas at magpahangin na lang sa may dalampasigan.
Naglakad-lakad ako. Nang malapit na ako sa dalampasigan ay lumawak ang ngiti nang mapansin ang isang pamilyar na bulto na nakaupo sa may sun lounger malapit sa poste ng ilaw.
Hawak ang isang kopita ay nakita kong nagmamasid lang siya sa madilim na dagat na naliliwanagan lang ng buwan at mga bituin.
I walked slowly and quietly. He finished his drink and leaned on the bench.
Sa paglapit ko ay walang ingay akong nagtungo sa kanya at naupo sa lounger katabi niya.
He tensed and I grinned when he noticed he had company.
I lifted my hand.
"Surprise!" I cheered as our gazes clashed. I froze.
My mouth parted, naibaba ko ang kamay ko at nagkatitigan kaming dalawa. His eyes glistened with the help of the light post.
His eyes...
My throat dried up when I realized I was looking at his brown eye before it went to his blue ones.