"Taga saan ka Miss?" A guy in the entrance asked. He is wearing a t-shirt with a face of our municipal mayor printed in it, he seems old because of his white hair. Beside him was the two men, who I think they are much younger than him,wearing a violet polo. They maybe as old as my dad, around forty.
Your address is the most prior question being asked when you'll swim here. When you are native or living in this town you can swim here for free, no need to pay any penny. But when you're a tourist you have to pay around fifty pesos, not that expensive though.
"Boss girlfriend ko po, taga Tavera" Nathan came from nowhere and answered before I can even open my mouth to speak
The three men in the table cheered and even gave a high-five to Nathan.
"Ikaw ba yung anak ni Dok at ni Boss Rod Iha?" The man in the t-shirt asked
'Boss' is the way how people in Pakil approach each other, especially the older citizen. While people here call my mom either Dok, because she's a surgeon or Miss U.
"Yes po"
"Sabi na eh. Kamukang kamuka mo ang Mama mo. Mas matangkad nga lang sya sayo ng kaunti"
I smiled. Mom is a gorgeous woman, and to be compared with her is really a great honor. She's the muse of this town during her younger years. Suki si Mama ng mga beauty pageant noon.
"Salamat po" I sincerely said
"Boss saglit lang ha, hatid ko lang" si Nathan
Tinanguhan nalang si Nathan ng tatlong lalaki na naroon.
Today was the start of Nathan's summer job. And to show my support as a girlfriend, I visited him. Woah, how supportive am I?
We walked into the cottage and put my bag there.
"Lalangoy ka?" His eyes traveled from my head to toe
"Ano sa palagay mo ang gagawin ko dito sa swimming pool? Mag s-skating?" I said sarcastically
Umakto syang pipitikin ang noo ko pero hindi naman itinuloy, sa halip ay isiningit nalang nya ang ilang takas na buhok sa aking tenga.
"Kailangan kong magtrabaho para sa future natin, ayoko sanang iwan ka dito ng mag isa kaso kailangan kasi mahal" biro nya na akala mo ay mag asawa na kami at sya ay lilipad patungong ibang bansa. But the truth is, he's just going back on the ticket outlet, which is just meters away from my cottage. I can still clearly saw him from here since there's a window in there. Oh what a dramatic man.
He also act like he's wiping his cheeks to removed his 'imaginary' tears off it.
"Sumulat ka madalas mahal, ako'y mangungulila sa iyo at labis na malulumbay ang aking puso kapag hindi ka na muling pumarito." I play along with his drama, I even used some deep Filipino words to sound like we are on a classical theatre.
Ngiting ngiti lang sya sa sinabi ko tsaka malumanay na umiiling-iling.
"Ang ganda mo lagi, nakakainis" bulong nya, pero dahil sa maliit na distansya namin ay narinig ko pa rin 'yon
He scratched the back of his head and looked away.
"Dun ka na nga. Baka masisante ka pa sa unang araw mo. Violation 'yan, you must not flirt during working hours" I said in a feisty tone
"Tsk. Walang working working hours 'pag ikaw" he winked at me after that, ako ay mabilis na syang itinulak papunta doon sa pwesto nya. Mukang wala kasi talaga syang planong umalis.
Peach and brown are the dominant color of this place. From walls to the tiles, everything has a touch of such shade.
I looked up and the blue sky compliment the place even more. I breathed in.
This province is really peaceful and solemn.
Turumba is not a typical public swimming pool. Ang pinagkaiba nito sa napakaraming swimming pool dito sa Pakil ay sa bukal nanggagaling ang tubig dito. The ground of the pool isn't made of tiles, batuhan ang ilalim nito. Water is also cold any moment of the day since it's a running water. There's also a belief that water in this pool can heal? I'm not sure about that one though.
I removed my t-shirt and stretched a bit. Inilibot ko ang paningin tsaka muling huminga ng malalim. The cold wind wrapped around me, bigla akong napaisip kung liligo ba talaga ako. It's summer already but the wind feels like still from December.
I was positioning myself for a dive when someone grab my waist, I almost jumped out of shocked.
"Ba't ka naghubad?" his baritone voice made me stiffed
Bumaling ako ng tingin sa kanya tsaka bahagyang lumayo sa tabi ng swimming pool.
"Ha? Hubad ba ako?" Nagtatakang tanong ko rin habang naka kunot ang noo
I'm wearing a yellow sando and maong short. Anong nakahubad dito? Kanina bago umalis ay isinuot ko na ito para hindi na hassle sa pagbibihis kapag narito na.
"Suot mo 'yon..." He irritably said and pointed my t-shirt at the cottage
"Bakit ba?"
"Tsk, ba't ka kasi nakaganyan? Mag t-shirt ka nalang" he said with full authority
"Tsk, ba't ka kasi nandito? Doon ka nalang" I copied his tone
He massaged his forehead then quickly walked into the cottage. Busangot ang muka syang naglakad pabalik sakin dala ang t-shirt ko.
"Andami daming tao..." he murmured
"Mamaya maagaw ka pa sakin" he said in a low voice
Tila problemadong problemado sya sa kung ano.
"Ayaw kong mag t-shirt" I teased him more. Kahit ang totoo ay naiisip ko na ngang mag t-shirt dahil umiinit na rin at masakit na sa balat ang sinag ng araw.
He groaned, iritadong kumamot rin sya sa likurang bahagi ng kanyang ulo tsaka naka ngusong tumingin sakin.
"Babe...sige na.."
"Mag t-shirt ka na" he pleaded
Hindi ko na napigilang matawa dahil sa sinabi nya. He looked like a kid, pleading someone to do him a favor.
My laugh irritate him more. His ears turned red, umiismid na rin sya sa'kin.
"Bakit mo ba ako gustong mag t-shirt?" I teased him again
"Bakit ba ayaw mong mag t-shirt?" He countered my question. I guess irritation is already filling him?
"Kasi susuotin ko pa 'yan mamaya..." I lied
"Tsk.." He looked at me irritably
"May t-shirt akong dala yun ang suotin mo mamaya...sige na"
"Hindi ako makapagtatrabaho ng ayos 'pag ganyan suot mo, baka buong oras nalang akong nakatitig sa'yo" he said honestly
He hand me my t-shirt, with his pleading eyes I accepted it eventually.
I stayed in the pool for just two hours. Nathan regularly checked me and asked if I want anything but I'm just saying no all the time. It was around lunch when I went home, di ko na inabala si Nathan na ihatid ako nagpasundo nalang ako kay Manong.
Days passed and that's what I'm doing everyday. I don't have any matters that can make me busy so I always end up on his workplace, visiting him.
"Dad! Gramdma!" I exclaimed
Grandma is at her wheelchair already though she can still walk but maybe they just don't want her to get tired? Her body is not yet responding on the treatments and dialysis. So she just decided to went here and spend here her last days.
Pain crossed my chest with that thought, but I immediately hide it by my smile. I don't want her to think that I'm pitying her.
I run towards Grandma and hugged her tight, she did the same.
Daddy is intently surveying me.
"What is it Dad? You're weird" puna ko
My Grandma laughed on what I'd said.
"That's how my princess will greet me huh?" He said with the purpose of hitting my conscience
Nakanguso akong lumapit sa kanya tsaka niyakap din sya sa paraan ng pagyakap ko kay Grandma.
I miss him.
"Are you single now Princess?" He seriously asked
"Dad..."
"You're still with that player?" He seemed surprised
"He's not a player Dad!" I yelled and detached myself from him
"He play basketball... therefore he's a player" he said innocently
I rolled my eyes. I know exactly what he meant by his first question. He don't like Nathan for me kaya ganyan ang mga sinasabi nya. He's always labelling Nathan as 'player' when in fact Nathan didn't even cheated on me even once. We never even argue about girls or third party on his side.
"I told you Hon, Nathan is good boy. He's good for our daughter" Mom convincingly said
I smiled proudly at Dad after Mom defended my boyfriend.
If he's just going to know Nathan, for sure he will like him too, just like how Mom voted for him.
But he never gave Nathan any chance eversince!
"Why don't you invite your boyfriend for dinner apo?" Grandma suggested
"Uhm..." Nagpalipat lipat ang tingin ko kay Mommy at Daddy. But when Mom smiled I just agreed on what Grandma said.
I texted Nathan and he said yes right away.
"Nandito Daddy mo?" Nathan whispered uncomfortably
We're at our sala waiting for my parents and Grandma to go down. Bakit ang tagal nila?
"Hmmm yeah, upstair taking a bath" I answered
Nathan is wearing a simple white t-shirt with a tribal printed design in it. He partnered it with a sweat pants.
A typical teenager outfit.
"Nathan iho" Grandma called Nathan as she reached the last step on our stair
Nathan smiled and quickly went to Grandma. Nagmano sya doon tsaka inalalayan papunta sa lamesang kakainan namin. I followed them right away.
"You're such a gentleman iho, Madela is surely proud of you" she compliment my boyfriend after she sat on her chair, Nathan just smiled at her. Grandma is voting for Nathan too.
Grandma knew Nathan eversince, aside from being my boyfriend she also knew her Mom. Madalas kasing nagsisimba si Grandma tuwing nandito sya sa Pakil and that's how she met Tita Madela.
"Grandma why don't you want continue the dialysis?" I asked
She smiled weakly at my question.
"Apo I already experienced the best of life...wala naman na akong gusto pang maranasan kaya ang natitirang mga araw ko.." she smiled again at me, trying to comfort me 'cause she's aware that I'm a crybaby when this matter is the subject
I tried to smile at her but I think the pain is still vivid in my eyes. I think I will never get comfortable with this matter.
"I want to spend it here, in my hometown...ayokong ang mga apparatus sa hospital ang huli kong makikita bago ako mawala" she joked the last part but it's not funny to me
I pout and gently walked to her seat.
She embraced me as I sat on her lap. I'm not putting all my weight on her since she's already weak and I know she can't handle me anymore the way she does before.
"Don't be sad apo...we will all reached this point of life" she pat my shoulder and hugged me tight
"You're really my favourite granddaughter. The sweetest and the most loving one"
That melt my heart. My eyes heated so I just hugged her more and buried my face on her neck. I'm trying so hard not to cry since Nathan is just infront of us. I don't want to be emotional.
"You miss your Grandma that much Nami ha" Mom voice made me stand
She's with Dad walking towards the table. I noticed how Nathan shifted on his seat uncomfortably. He's nervous everytime Dad is around.
I gave Grandma a forehead kiss before going back on my seat.
"Good evening po Tita...Tito" Nathan said as my parents reached our dining table
Nagmano sya kay mommy at gano'n rin sana ang gagawin kay Daddy pero mabilis nalang na tumango si Daddy at naupo sa pwesto nya.
That irritates me. Is that hard to put up his hand and let Nathan? Na magmano? O kaya ay tapikin man lang nya ang balikat?
I can't really understand my Dad. He's hating Nathan for what?
Manang Flor immediately prepare the food as we all sat.
Si Grandma ang nasa pinaka dulo ng lamesa. Dad is on her right side while Nathan is on her left.
"Anong strand ang pinili mo...Nathan?" Dad asked in the middle of our dinner
"STEM po Tito" Nathan answered quickly
"What course will you pursue in college?"
"Engineering po..."
"Oh I thought you will spend your life span playing basketball" he joked, he even laugh after he said those
Everyone became uncomfortable on what Dad had said. It's not funny! His humor is insulting!
My blood boiled and I irritatedly looked at him. Mom cleared her throat to get my attention, she knew exactly what's playing inside my head. Gusto kong sabihan si Daddy!
"Hon..." She said, inunahan na ako sa pagsasalita
"It's a joke Hon, you all just didn't get it" he said innocently
I looked at Nathan and he just smile at me, as if he's assuring me that he's fine. I feel embarrassed! His family never do this on me, they're all welcoming and kind. I can't even remember that they made me feel uncomfortable.
I just drink the water beside my plate and sighed deeply.
Damn.
We continue eating peacefully after that. The ghost-silence stayed throughout our dinner. No one dared to talk after what Dad has told.
He's a vibe wrecker! I hate how he treat Nathan. He's my Dad but...damn him!
@_namiii
I'm sorry.
I chatted Nathan immediately as I reached my room. We didn't talk before he leave since it's getting late. I just bid goodbye and he left eventually. Dad and Mom is also with me as I say bye so it's gonna be really awkward if I apologize on him infront of my Dad.
@prime_nathan
Saan?
@_namiii
Earlier, kay Dad.
@prime_nathan
Wala 'yon. Magiging boto din sakin ang Dad mo. I love you, matulog kana gabi na rin. Stop thinking about that, ayos lang ako.
@_namiii
Sorry pa rin :<
@prime_nathan
Okay nga lang. Saan saan pa at ihahatid ka rin nya sakin sa altar😳 HAHAHAHHA i love you
I rolled my eyes and smile a bit. He still managed to joke around, while I'm here worrying about him big time. I don't want Nathan to think that he's not welcome in my family, gusto ko maging komportable sya sa pamilya ko kagaya ng pagiging komportable ko sa pamilya nya.
But somehow his reply calmed me. Akala ko talaga ay sobrang na-offend sya. But thank God he understand.
@_namiii
Tse HAHAHAHAHA btw di ako makakapunta sayo bukas kasi mag eenroll ako, Grandma will come with me.
@prime_nathan
Okay. Ingat kayo, chat mo nalang ako pag nakauwi na kayo😘
Such a flirt Nathan! I laughed at myself. I don't usually use emojis while chatting with him, I somehow find it corny and jejemon. Lol
"You alright Grandma?" I asked
"Yes apo, I'm just thirsty"
"Bili lang po ako ng water"
Grandma just nodded.
I immediately went outside to buy some water. We're at my school. Maaga kasi ang naging registration for senior high, Mom and Dad are somehow busy kaya si Grandma nalang ang isinama ko.
"Hi Girl" the stranger says,offering a friendly smile, but I find it quite weird.
He's wearing a niké sweater paired with a pants that has the same logo. It's literally summer! Hindi ba sya naiinitan?
His features are way too soft. I mean his lashes are long and curly, those are even longer than mine. The light brown shade of his eyes appeared to be more visible because of his thick black brows.
At sobrang clearskin nya! He's glowing literally. Parang tumatalbog lang ang liwanag ng araw sa kanya. His nose is proud and on point.
But what's weird about him is he's wearing a little...liptint?
"Are you talking with me?" I asked as I realized that I've been staring at him for quite long,
"Yes girl, tayo lang ang tao dito no." Mataray na sabi nya
"Uhm.. why?" I asked shyly
Bakit parang may kasalanan ako?
"Wala lang ang ganda mo lang kasi kaya sayo ako magtatanong" umakto syang may tinabig na buhok sa balikat nya
He's way of talking is weird!
I stared at him and tried to figure him out. What the hell is he up to? He's talking with me as if we know each other.
"Uh okay...what is it?" Tanong ko nalang
"I'll enroll at this school, where am I going to inquire?"
"Uhm..just follow me. I'm also in the same line as yours" I smiled awkwardly
"Okay girl! Ang ganda mo 'no. Siguro kung lalaki ako nagkagusto na agad ako sayo" He said bluntly
That made me stop. I let my eyes travel on him and stop at his face.
Is he not a... boy?
Confusion is written all over my face when I faced him.
"You mean...?" Hindi ko madugtungan ang sasabihin, paano kung mali ang naiisip ko? I'm going to insult him for sure.
"Di ba obvious?" He asked mockingly
"I'm gay girl, gay as in bakla" he said directly
Nahihiya nalang akong tumango tsaka muling naglakad. He's laughing a little, don't know if it's because of my reaction or he's literally laughing at me. But I just shrugged and continue walking.
That's why he has a little liptint on his lips. But it's really not that obvious. His actions are still manly and his voice is so deep.
I handed the bottle of water to Grandma as we reached her. We waited patiently for our turn then after almost 20 minutes of waiting I'm finally enrolled.
"Bye Nadine, bye Grandma" pagpapaalam sa amin ni Roxford
Roxford is his name but he told me to just call him Rox or Roxy. Depende raw sa trip ko.
While waiting earlier he keep on talking with Grandma, mabilis tuloy silang nagkapalagayan ng loob at sinabi nga ni Grandma na 'Grandma' na rin ang itawag sa kanya ni Rox.
Wow close agad!
Well, upon listening in their conversation I can say that he has great socializing skill, he knew how to read a person. He's funny but he also know his limit. It's easy for him to brought up a topic that is enjoyable and relatable, even I was laughing earlier on his jokes.
"Bye Rox" I said shyly
"Girl I'm gonna pester you on August, ikaw lang ang kakilala ko dito. Be prepared!" He said as if he's warning me
Well surprisingly we're classmates pala. ABM din ang strand na kinuha nya, dahil magkasunod lang kami ay sa iisang section kami napunta.
That made me happy too atleast I already have one acquaintance at August, most of my classmates during high school transferred on other schools, yung mga nanatili naman sa school ay hindi ABM ang kinuha.
Grandma and I bid our goodbyes and left eventually.