We're halfway to the story! 15 chapters left!💖
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Kabanata 15
"Hey, Winter, won't you even go and say goodbye to him?" Marahang hinaplos ni Ate Summer ang buhok ko pero nanatili akong tulala habang nakahiga sa kama, namumugto ang mata.
"W-What for?" My voice broke.
"A goodluck, atleast say something. He's worried, hindi daw ma-contact ang phone mo kaya tumawag sa akin. He said he'll fly to Mindanao with the troop today and he wanted to atleast hear your voice."
I sniffed, sumulyap ako kay Ate at nakita ko ang concern sa mga mata n'ya dahil sa pag-iyak ko. She assisted me to sit, humawak sa akin kamay at hinanap ang mata ko.
"Talk to him, Win..."
"A-Ayoko." Umiling ako. "I'm afraid I can't get to talk to him again if I d-did that, gusto ko, babalik s'ya rito sa akin na maayos tsaka ako kakausapin. Ayokong sa phone." I cried.
"He'll be safe, Winter." Aniya at hinaplos ang buhok ko.
"H-How can you say that, Ate? He's a soldier and will go to a war! What am I supposed to do? I can't sleep thinking he'll be in trouble! Paano kapag nasugatan s'ya, k-kung mapahamak s'ya? Kung hindi na s'ya b-bumalik sa'kin?"
"That was his task to do, Winter. Wala tayong magagawa, iyon ang trabaho n'ya." Marahang sabi n'ya.
"But he never told me that! We met and we both liked each other and we clicked! Kaya hindi na namin pinatagal ang panliligaw, sinagot ko and now...he's telling me he's a soldier and will go to a war? Kung kailan aalis na s'ya?" I said, hysterical.
"He looks like a strong man to me, Win. He won't get hurt that easily."
"K-Kahit na!" Hinawi ko ang luha ko. "We're together for almost three days pero ganito na? What am I supposed to do?"
"Pray and trust in him," She said softly, calming me down. "I believe he can do it, Win. I really do, why don't you talk to him?"
Umiling ako, kagat-kagat ang labi.
"W-What for? I-Iiwan n'ya rin naman ako. He's my first boyfriend yet he's hurting me like this!"
My sister's phone rang, nagkatinginan kami at nakita kong sumulyap s'ya sa kanyang phone at suminghap. She lifted her phone, showing me the caller and I shook my head.
"A-Ayoko..."
But my sister was persistent, walang pagdadalawang-isip na sinagot n'ya ang tawag at sumulyap sa akin.
"Hey, morning!" She greeted the caller. "Si Winter?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko at umiling sa kanya pero ngumisi lang s'ya sa akin.
"Yeah, she's here. Kakausapin ka na raw." Aniya at inabot sa akin ang phone kaya sumimangot ako pero tumango lang s'ya sa akin.
"It's gonna be alright," She murmured at nanginginig na inabot ko ang telepono at dinala sa tenga ko.
"Winter," A husky, tired voice greeted me. I sniffed, kumuyom ang kamay ko sa kumot at pinakinggan ang boses n'ya.
"Hey, baby..." Bulong n'ya roon. "Come on, talk to me."
Hindi ako kaagad sumagot. Kinagat ko lang ang labi ko at patuloy na umiyak.
"How are you? I missed you." Malumanay nitong sabi.
"I-I fucking hate you," I gritted my teeth and said that.
"I know..." He breathe on the other line. "I know you hate me, baby. I'm sorry." He said in a low voice.
"W-Why do you have to go? P-Pwede bang h'wag na?" Bulong ko.
"I want to but I can't, I have a responsibility to the country." Bulong n'ya.
My tears fell more, napahikbi na ako at suminghap.
"K-Kahit para sa akin? M-Magagalit ako sa'yo!" I sulked.
He sighed.
"I can't, I'm sorry, baby. I can't abandon my troop."
"B-But I'll be mad at you! Makikipag-break ako sa'yo!" I exclaimed and cried more, pinisil naman ni Ate ang kamay ko, pinapakalma ako.
"Then I promise to be back and make it up to you," He whispered. "But please, Winter, baby. Don't give up on me now."
Hindi ako umimik, patuloy na humihikbi at umiiling.
"I-I don't like your work...risking your life for that! Paano naman ako?" Iyak ko. "P-Paano kapag may masamang nangyari sa'yo tapos iwan mo ako?! Wala namang ganun!"
He sighed again, mukhang pagod at malungkot.
"I love you, Winter." Bulong n'ya sa telepono. "I love you, I promise to be back for you, safe and unharmed."
"M-Magbreak na tayo." I sniffed. "A-Ayoko na sa'yo."
"I love you," He sighed. "Please...don't break up with me. I promise to get back to you, always, safe. Please be my inspiration now, my determination to live."
"E-Edi bumalik ka dito." I murmured. "L-Let's break up now and come back here to get me back! Tuparin mo ang pangako mo and go back here!"
I heard his loud gasp.
"Baby..." He murmured.
"Don't baby me, you jerk! Let's break up and you come back here, safe, and get me back! Hindi kita sasagutin kung may galos ka!" I exclaimed.
"I love you, Winter." Bulong n'ya. "I promise to be back,"
"Then you should! P-Pagbalik mo dito, d-dapat may full body checking kung may galos ka!" I cried and I heard his soft chuckle on the other line.
"Alright," His deep voice said. "I love you. Can I hear you say it too?"
"No! You come back here and hear it yourself. Basta, you'll come back here and take me back. Hindi ako papayag na tayo ulit pag nagkagalos ka! I have to do a full body checking--"
"Love you, Winter. Just tell me you wanted to see me naked." Tumawa s'ya.
"I hate you!" I exclaimed. "But I do, actually." Tumikhim ako.
"Basta, come back here! Kapag may galos kahit 'yang matambok mong pwet, hindi kita sasagutin!"
He laughed on the other line, kinagat ko naman ang labi ko at marahang yumakap sa Ate ko na nakangiti na sa akin.
"Okay, baby. I love you." He whispered. "I promise I will be back. I'll protect you."
Wala ako sa sarili habang inaayos ang buhok, Ate Linda informed me about Macarena's arrival and I immediately fixed myself to meet her.
Wearing on my lose shirt, cream shorts and slippers, I slipped out of the hallway.
Inaantok pa ako dahil sa late na ako nakatulog kakaiyak kagabi.
How foolish huh, Winter Andromeda. How stupid to assume again and again.
Tulala ako habang naglalakad pero halos matulos sa kinatatayuan nang matanto kung sino nanaman ang nakasalubong ko.
I saw his eyes flickered when he saw me, mabilis naman akong umiwas ng tingin at lumihis ng daan pero halos mapatalon nang tawagin n'ya ako.
"Winter..." He called.
I froze but then shifted my gaze at him and smiled.
"Yes?" I asked.
His forehead creased, nakita kong napatitig s'ya sa mata ko, tila hinahanap ang mali ss akin.
"What is it, Mr. Alcantara?" I asked him.
He gulped, napakurap at umayos ng tayo.
"About yesterday," He said. Umayos ako ng tayo at parang wala lang na sumulyap sa kanya.
"What about it?" I asked.
"I was totally drunk that night and I thought...I was only dreaming. I'm sorry if," His jaw clenched and looked at me, apologizing. "I denied we kissed. I went to Caspian yesterday and asked him about it--"
"Wala na 'yun," Mahina akong tumawa at tinignan s'ya. "You're right, we're both drunk. Baka nananaginip lang talaga o nadala sa inumin."
"No..." He closed his eyes tightly and tried holding me but I took a step back. "Let me explain, Winter."
"That's not a big deal, Mr. Alcantara." I murmured. I may looked good now but my heart is breaking right now.
"Please, Winter..." His licked his lip and saw the desperation on his eyes. "Let me explain, I'm sorry, please."
"I get it, okay? H'wag na nang magpaliwanag. We're totally cool." I said.
"I don't believe you," He retorted. "Let me explain my side, please? You weren't alright and I am not too, the words I said--"
"We flirted like two consenting adults and because we're drunk." Mahinahon kong sabi. "And you said it yourself, kung hindi ka lasing, the last thing you'd do is to flirt with me."
His mouth parted, I saw how pain and regret crossed his eyes.
"Winter, I just..." He murmured.
"This talk is non-sense," I shook my head.
"Magpapaliwanag ako," He said firmly. "I promise... I denied it because I forgot it, I only have a glimpse and I thought it was just a dream."
"There's no use of explaining, Mr. Alcantara." Mahinahon kong sabi. "Naliwanagan na ako, okay?"
"I-I'm sorry..." He sighed desperately and ruined his hair. "I'm an asshole, I know. Please, I'm sorry, Winter."
"Sana ganun lang kadaling umayos kapag nagsabi ng sorry." I smiled bitterly at him. "Yung tipong nabaril ka tapos lalagyan lang ng band aid magaling na."
His mouth parted, punong-puno ng kung anong emosyon ang mata.
He looks frustated and angry and I don't know.
"I-I'll make it up to you," He breathe. "I'm sorry... I just..."
"No worries," I shrugged. "Tapos na 'yun, Mr. Alcantara."
"Warrion," He said, frustated again. "Call me that again."
"I'm a job to you and the contract has ended. Atleast, call you that so we're all professional." Ngiti ko. "Excuse me but I have a guest to attend."
He called me pero diretso na akong umalis, diretso pa ang lakad pero nang marating ang hagdan ay nanghina ang tuhod kaya napakapit ako sa hawakan.
I closed my eyes tightly and gasped.
Bakit nasasaktan ka pa rin, huh? Ang tanga-tanga mo! Palagi ka nalang umiiyak sa lalaking iyan!
Lumabas ako ng pool area at nang makita kong nakaupo sa sun lounger si Macarena ay tumulo na ang luha ko at lumapit sa kanya.
She smiled when she saw me, akala ata ay maganda ang mood ko pero nang makita akong umiiyak ay nawala ang ngiti n'ya at mabilis na tumayo.
"Win--" I hugged her and she gasped.
"A-Ang sakit, Elena." I gasped. "Ang s-sakit!"
"Shit! Anong nangyari?" Her voice shook and hugged me back tightly. "What happened, Winter?"
I sniffed and cried softly on her shoulder. Tahimik lang naman s'yang yakap ako at hinaplos ang aking likuran.
"It's gonna be alright, dito lang ako." Bulong n'ya.
Inalalayan n'ya ako paupo sa lounger at hinayaan ko s'yang punasan ang luha ko.
I sobbed.
"I-Is it about Warrion?" She said. "I'm sorry, Winter, nung nakaraan kasi tumawag s'ya kung saang bar ka nung tinakasan mo. I only told him kasi sabi n'ya...babantayan ka."
I shook my head and looked at her, tinutulungan s'yang punasan ang luha ko.
"I-I think I love him," Singhap ko at mahinang umiyak.
"Oh my God..." Her mouth parted. "W-What should we do?"
"I-I don't want to love him anymore." I shook my head. "A-Ayoko na... H-Hindi naman ako na-inform na ganito pala kasakit."
Hindi s'ya umimik kaagad, marahan lang ang kanyang tingin sa akin, pinagmamasdan ang mukha ko.
She sighed.
"Kasalanan ko 'to e," Ngumiwi s'ya. "Kung hindi lang sana kita shinip kay Major."
"W-Wala kang kasalanan," I sniffed. "Ito may kasalanan." I pointed my heart.
"Win..." Bulong n'ya sa hangin.
"I-I'm gonna be alright, Elena. Kaya ko 'to, ako pa ba?" I smiled a bit and stared at her.
"I'll help you!" Aniya. "Ano bang gusto mo? Another date? May kasunod pa 'yung listahan natin--"
"No..." I shook my head and lowered my head. "Ayoko na pilitin, maybe love isn't just for me."
"Win," She sighed. "I-I'm sorry kung palagi kitang pinu-push sa mga boys, hmm? I just want you to be finally happy. I want you to overcome your fears and pain, kaya naisip kong baka kapag nahanap mo na 'yung taong para sa'yo ay magiging okay na..."
"Thank you, Elena. For always thinking about me." Marahang sabi ko at pinisil ang kamay n'ya. "I think I'll be fine in time, by myself. I realized I don't need a man to make me feel fine for now, what I need is myself. I need to forgive myself in time."
"In order to do that, you have to face those who was involved in your past." Aniya.
I nodded slowly, playing with my fingers.
"M-Makakaya ko 'yan, someday. Sa ngayon, takot akong makakita ng taong may alam ng lahat ng nangyari, I was just..."
"Kaya mo 'yan!" She cheered. "Kapag ready ka na, you can open up to me, you know that, right? Take a vacation, Winter. Enjoy for now and clear your mind."
I nodded, hugging her.
Like what my doctor said, I still can't open up to her...or to my parents about my situation. They thought I was all good after I had sessions for my therapy but I really am not fine at all.
I haven't told them about my lost memories, the memories the trauma blocked from me. A week or two prior to the incident, hindi ko na alam ang nangyari. Wala ako sa sarili ng ilang buwan, paulit-ulit na naalala ang nangyari sa amin ng Ate na ngayon ay hindi ko na mahagilap ang nangyari bago 'yun.
I didn't even know how we got to the military site that time, to volunteer and help the soldiers.
I did have dreams and glimpses pero hindi ako sigurado kung totoo 'yun o ginagawa lamang ng utak ko.
Nakaalis na si Macarena pero nakanguso ako habang nag-aantay ng confirmation sa sinend kong request para sa bakasyon na gusto ko.
Nagpaalam naman ako sa Mommy at Daddy at pumayag naman sila, confirmation lang ang kailangan ko sa Casa Amara para makapunta Lost Island! Sana ma-approve!
Sumisimsim ako ng juice at nakaupo roon dahil katatapos ko lang mag-swimming at nag-aantay ng confirmation na sinend ko thirty minutes ago.
"Tagal..." Reklamo ko nang mainip at suminghap.
I froze when I saw Warrion went out of our mansion and walked towards me. Mabuti nalang at nakashades ako at hindi kita ang mata ko.
He stood infront of me, blocking the sunlight touching my skin kaya ngumiwi ako at sumulyap.
"What?" I raised my brow.
"Hindi ka ba naiinitan?" He asked.
"Hindi," I said. "Anong ginagawa mo? Umalis ka d'yan, you're blocking the sunlight!"
Hindi s'ya umimik, nagtaka pa ako nang ayusin n'ya ang payong na tabon roon at hinarang sa akin kaya napasinghap ako.
His muscle clenched a bit with his moves. Ngumuso ako sa pagtataka roon sa ginagawa n'ya.
"Ano nanamang pakulo mo, huh?" I asked.
Hindi s'ya umimik, the jerk even fixed my seat kaya napasinghap ako.
"What?" I exclaimed.
"Nothing, just go and relax." Aniya at tinanggal ko ang shades at sumulyap sa kanya. "Okay ka lang o may amats ka?"
His eyes shifted to mine, nakita kong natigilan s'ya nang makita ang mata ko at nang matantong nangangalumata pa pala ako kakaiyak ay tumikhim ako at binalik ang shades sa mata ko.
"Fuck," He cursed and tried reaching for my glasses pero lumayo ako sa kanya at ngumuso.
"Go away, Mr. Alcantara. Sinisira mo ang mood ko."
"I won't disturb you," He sighed. "I'm sorry again, Winter."
"Whatever," I murmured and looked away to check my phone.
Tahimik s'yang umupo sa sun lounger katabi ko, saglit akong sumulyap sa kanya na parang tangang nakaupo roon pero nakaharap sa akin, nakatitig.
"What's your problem?" I said and looked at him.
"Babantayan lang kita, I won't disturb you." Maamong sabi n'ya.
"By staring at me like that? Go away, ayokong nandito ka." Taboy ko.
"I won't...talk to you. Dito lang ako." He said.
Hindi na ako sumagot, sumulyap ako sa phone ko at nirefresh ang email ko.
"What's that?" Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang nasa tabi ko na si Alcantara at nakasilip sa phone ko kaya tinulak ko ang noo n'ya at umayos ng upo.
"Pwede ba?" I hissed. "Tantanan mo ako, parang-awa."
"Babakasyon ka?" Mahinang sabi n'ya pero di ko s'ya sinagot.
"None of your business, go away." I murmured and pushed him. Muli s'yang umupo sa lounger sa tabi ko ay sumulyap lang.
I refreshed my emails again after a few minutes and glance at Warrion. I saw him typing something on his phone, looking serious.
Napairap ako sa hangin at tinanggal ang shades ko, I crossed my legs and sipped on my juice until my phone rang for a notification.
I jumped in shock, mabilis kong inabot ang phone ko at bumilis ang tibok ng puso dahil sa gulat sa nakita at ki-nlick ang email.
Good day,
Thank you for taking interest in visiting The Lost Island. I am sending you this email as a confirmation that you are granted with your request.
As a sign of gratitude for taking interest, I am giving you (2) two free tickets to the island where you can bring a friend, love ones or a family member to enjoy the island with you.
Welcome to the island where the love that was once lost was found again.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Prince Caspian M. Alcantara
CEO, Casa Amara Chain and Hotels Inc.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs. "I am grated! For free!"
I was seriously happy! Malaki ang ngisi ko at napasulyap bigla kay Warrion na nakatingin lang sa akin, may tagong ngiti.
Nang magkatinginan kami ay umirap ako sa kanya at umayos ng upo para pumormal.
"Who should I bring?" I murmured softly, hindi na mapakali.
May tumikhim sa tabi ko, nang sumulyap ako roon ay nakita kong maliit na tinataas ni Warrion ang kamay n'ya kaya ngumiwi ako at sumulyap sa phone ko.
"Anyway, kaya ko na pala mag-isa." Bulong ko sa hangin, nagpaparinig at nang sumulyap ako sa tabi ko ay umawang ang labi nito.
I smiled a little, napansin kong gigil s'yang nagtype ulit sa phone at maya-maya pa'y tumunog ang phone ko.
Good day,
You are hereby granted, and will be accompanied by your personal tour guide, Warrion Adelram Alcantara to make your stay better.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Prince Caspian M. Alcantara
CEO, Casa Amara Chain and Hotels Inc.
"What the fuck?" I murmured, napatayo ako at sumulyap kay Warrion na nangingiti roon.
Bakit ko ba kinalimutang magkapatid ang dalawang 'to?!
"Anong drama mo, huh, Alcantara?"
"What?" Inosenteng sumulyap s'ya sa akin at ngumuso.
"Anong what?" I gasped and stomped my feet. "I hate you! Aalis akong mag-isa!"
Wala akong pakialam sa'yo, Alcantara!
Inubos ko ang araw ko kakaayos ng damit na dadalhin sa maleta para sa isla. I charged my go pro, cameras and phone for aesthetic photos of the island!
Bahala ka d'yan, Warrion Adelram! Lelang mo, panot!
The next day, I was overly excited, madaling araw palang ay gising na ako. Ibinalita ko na sa pamilya at kaibigan ang paglarga ko sa isla at na-eexcite sila para sa akin.
Buhat ko pababa ang maleta ko papunta sa may gate at malaki pa ang ngiti nang makita ang driver.
"Morning, Kuya! Musta ang sasakyan? Tara na?" I said excitedly pero napakamot lang ng ulo ang driver at sumulyap sa akin.
"Ah eh, Ma'am. Pasensya na pero nasiraan 'yung sasakyan." My mouth parted.
"What? How is that possible? Yung ibang sasakyan? My car?"
"Wala pong gasolina, Ma'am." Aniya at napakurap ako.
"H-Huh? Paano 'yun? E, ang family car?" Gulat kong sabi.
"Dala po nila Senator sa Manila," Sabi n'ya at nasapo ko ang noo at napasulyap sa orasan ko.
I am freaking late kung magtatagal ako!
"W-What should we do? I mean... I'll be really late! Mayroon bang pwedeng sakyan na mabilis lang papuntang Casa?" I asked.
"Ay, Ma'am." Ani ng guard roon na sumulyap sa amin. "May mga tricycle pong pwede diretso sa Casa, pwedeng magpa-special." Aniya.
Ay bet ko 'yan! Magpapa-special sa tricyle para ma-feel ko naman na special ako!
"Okay...Okay!" I nodded. "Can you call me one? I really have to go."
"Sige po," Nagmamadaling lumabas ang guard at ang driver at lumapit naman sa akin si Ate Linda at inabutan ako ng Zest-o.
"O, Ma'am Winter, pabaon ko sa'yo." Aniya at natawa ako at kinuha iyon sa kanya.
"Thanks, Ate!" I said. Binuksan ko ang Zest-o at uminom roon bago lumingon sa paligid. "Nakita mo si Alcantara?"
"O, si Sir Warrion?" Aniya. "Ay, hindi po e, maaga ata umalis."
I nodded and grinned.
Makakaalis akong mag-isa!
"Ma'am, may tricycle na." Silip sa akin ng guard kaya ngumisi ako at excited na tumango.
"Bye, Ate!" Tuwang-tuwa kong sabi kay Ate Linda bago hinila ang maleta ko palabas ng bahay.
I saw a familiar tricycle infront, ngumuso ako nang makitang nilagay ng guard papasok roon ang maleta ko at sumulyap ako sa phone dahil nagtext ang Mommy.
"Ma'am, sakay na po kayo." The guard said.
I nodded, hinayaan silang pumasok na sa loob at nag-angat lang ng tingin nang matapos lang magtext.
Sumimsim ako ng juice.
"Let's go," I froze.
Nabuga ko ang iniinom. Halos mapaatras ako sa kinatatayuan nang makita si Warrion na nakatayo roon sa tabi ng tricycle!
He was wearing a white shirt, maong pants and boots! May twalya pa sa balikat n'ya at halos mawalan ako ng malay sa nakita.
"W-What the hell..." I murmured. "W-What are you?!"
"Driver?" He asked, confused and touched my forearm.
"H-Huh?" Pinagmasdan ko ang outfit n'ya.
"Come on, we'll be late." Aniya at marahan akong hinila.
"A-Anong..." Umawang ang labi kong muli at suminghap, hindi makapaniwala. "N-No way."
"Y-You don't like it?" Aniya at napakurap roon.
"H-Huh?" Gulong sabi ko. Lumayo ako sa kanya at akmang kukunin ang maleta ko. "M-Maglalakad na lang ako!"
He blinked like a kid, confused. Napahawak s'ya sa batok at at mahinang napamura.
"Fuck Caspian!" He murmured at marahas akong napalunok at hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan s'ya at ang tricycle sa tabi n'ya.
"A-Anong kinalaman dito ni Caspian?"
"He said this is effective to get a woman back!" He gasped, his jaw clenched. "Fuck it! Nakakahiya!"
Bigla akong natawa, ngumuso naman s'ya at halos sumabog ang pula sa mukha. He cursed again and closed his eyes tightly.
"What the hell!" I laughed harder.
"And now you're turned off," Ngumiwi s'ya at umigting ang panga, namumula ang pisngi at tenga.