Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1: Panggugulo

Damn this body clock. I was not supposed to wake as early as this given that I still have a hangover. Nagpuyat pa ako kagabi.

I rolled in my bed once more, trying to force myself to go back to sleep. I pulled the sheets angrily after realizing my sleepiness faded. Napahawak ako sa noo ko.

My head feels like watermelon. I felt a pain in my stomach. It feels like something is burning my intestines and crumpling them.

I get up slowly and took a sit. Naked. That is how I sleep. If not naked, then only wearing a lingerie.

I pulled a blanket and covered my body. Medyo nakaramdam na ako ng lamig ngunit nasanay na rin naman ako. Huminga ako ng malalim. Ilang minuto muna akong pumikit habang nakaupo lang sa kama.

Sa huli, tuluyan na akong tumayo at naglakad patungo sa bintana. As soon as I pulled the heavy curtains to the side, my room brightened with the morning sun.

Ngunit, kaagad na kumunot ang noo ko. Is the sunlight at sunrise different here?

“Oh—finally. You're awake.” Napalingon ako sa pinto nang may biglang bumukas nito.

“Mom?”

“Come downstairs already. You haven't eaten breakfast nor lunch yet.”

Kumunot ang noo ko. I looked for the wall clock and shocked to see that it was almost 2 in the afternoon.

How did my body clock failed this time?

“It's 2?!” Bulalas ko. My stomach growled as I exclaimed.

Mom let out a soft laugh.

“That dragon needs rice...” anito at sinarado ang pinto habang umaatras palabas.

I frowned and immediately complained loudly.

“Mom! I am not eating rice! It's Monday!”

“Yes, you are, honey...you should thrice a day every week...” her voice gets little as she speaks for she's walking away.

Thinking of dealing with the problem later, I decided to pull a robe and wear it. My stomach couldn't take this hunger any longer.

As I was walking down the spiral staircase, I couldn't help but to wander my eyes around the house. Brown, caramel, and white are the dominant shades that could be seen all over the house. This is a very tropical style with glass walls revealing the well-cared garden outside and the presence of sea from not very far.

The ambiance whispers relaxation and calmness. I felt warmth in my heart as I thought of a what if. What if I grew up here?

Laughters and giggles were heard down the living room. Iilang hakbang nalang at mararating ko na iyon. Namataan ko ang isang grupo na ang mga suot at itsura ay tila naghahanda sa pagligo sa dagat.

A girl in a racer back bra and denim short shorts captured my attention.

"Who is she?" Tanong ko sa sarili. Siguro ay isa sa mga kamag-anak namin kaya ganon nalang ka ingay dito sa loob.

Her hands were tightly wrapped around a man's arm while her head keeps moving back and fort as she laugh.

"Latti?" They all stopped. Sabay silang napalingon sa kinatatayuan ko.

Nico's face looked so stunned. I was about to smile at him when I saw who's beside him. An island girl who's also clinging on his arms.

Clingy.

I guess, that'll be my first impression of girls here. Tiningnan ko siya mula sa ulo hanggang paa. Her eyes dropped on the floor and pushed herself back, trying to hide behind Nicolai.

"Ew," I simply said and walked out.

What kind of games is he playing now? Para siyang highschool na namimingwit lang ng kung sinong babaeng available.

Biglang may humawak sa balikat ko at pinaikot ako paharap sa kanya.

"Wow! Ikaw ba talaga 'yan?!" Nicolai bursted and pulled me for a hug.

I don't know if he's just showing off or not. He's really this sweet sometimes but to think na last two weeks lang kami nagkita sa States?

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I pushed him jokingly and gave him a confused look.

I heard a series of "Woah" from his back. I rolled my eyes.

"You're not throwing a homecoming party, are you?"

Seryoso ba'to? Pinaglalaruan ba nito ako? Alam niyang galit na galit si Dad sa akin. Alam niyang dahil sa kagaguhan ko kung bakit ako dito sa Pilipinas.

"Are you serious?"

He laughed and tapped my shoulder.

Pinatong niya ang braso sa balikat ko at umikot paharap sa mga kasama niya.

"Latisha, my baby sister—"

"You're kidding, right?" I mocked. Baby sister, my ass.

"Hi, Latti!" The girl I noticed first earlier greeted wih a cheeky smile.

I accidentally turned my gaze to the guy beside him. Tan-skinned, might be fishing whole day. But his other features disagrees. With his roman nose, horizontally-narrowed honey eyes, flat thick brows, pushback hair...and not to mention his gym-pampered body...He must not come from a lower class family.

"Do I know you?" Even I was shocked of how rude it sound but I didn't take it back.

"I've heard a lot about immature young girls in the States who cares about nothing but partying."

My eyes narrowed. Who the hell is this guy?

"What you mean, Cai?" Natatawang tanong ni Kuya sa kanya.

Habang ang iba nilang kasama ay tahimik lang at kaswal na nakaupo sa sofa, itong isang lalaking 'to ay kung sino kung umasta. His girl is not even that pretty.

"I don't think one of them is your sister..." May halo ng sarkasmong sagot nito.

"I don't think I care about what you think. Sino ka ba?" Mataray na sabi ko.

"Good. You can speak the language," he smiled cockily.

Marahang natawa  ang iba sa kanila. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tinatawanan. Ako ba o ang sinabi niya. I know that I looked so pissed right now.

"I don't have time for cheap islanders." Kaagad ko silang tinalikuran mabilis na naglakad.

"Suit yourself, sis! You'll be living with these islanders!" Pahabol na sigaw ni Nico at nagtawanan sila.

Bullshit. Who says I'm living here? I am sure that Daddy could fix everything and I can freely go back to America.

The weather is hot here and so is my head. Kumukulo ang dugo ko sa komento ng lalaking iyon. Who does he think he is? And that girl calling me Latti? Another "ew." Bagay nga sila.

"This is dried fish, Miss. And hot cooked rice. This one is called 'laswa'. It's a soup," the maid explained what's on the table.

Am I really eating this?

"Get me a ham—"

"Pero-uh...But, Miss...your Mom told us na...na you can't have food others...you can't uh..."

Napapikit ako sa natatarantang katulong.

"Nasaan si Mommy?"

Namilog ang mga mata nito ngunit kaagad ring umayos ng mukha.

"Ay..." rinig ko pang bulong niya.

"Nasa garden niya siguro, Miss. Gusto niyo po bang tawagin ko?"

"No. Hindi na. Just take this food away and prepare me ham sandwich. I'm not taking any of these. I don't have appetite for these." Kalmado at dire-diretsong sabi ko.

Natigilan siya. Tila muling nataranta kung ano ang gagawin. I rolled my eyes and stood up.

"If you can't do such simple job, I can do it for myself," I smiled sarcastically.

Kinuha ko ang pinggan ng kanin sa mesa at tinungo ang lababo.

"Pero, Miss...sinabi ni—"

"Shut up and move back! I'll handle things later. Hindi ako kakain ng ganito. Okay?" Iritadong sabi ko.

Sinubukan niyang harangan ang daan ko ngunit umatras rin nang agad nakaramdam ng takot.

As I was about to put the plate in the sink, a huge hand suddenly stopped my wrists.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata. Naniningkit ang mga mata kong tumingin sa kanyang mga mata; ang kanyang makakapal na kilay ay halos dumikit na sa pagsalubong.

"This is not how maids are treated here," marahan ngunit tila nangsesermon na aniya.

Gamit ang isa pang kamay, kinuha niya ang plato saka tinalikuran ako. Binalik niya iyon sa mesa.

"What do you think you are doing?" Naiinis na tanong ko.

"Eat. A lot of people out there are starving and here you are, wasting—"

"Excuse me?! Mabubusog ba sila o makakakain ba sila kung hindi ko itatapon ang mga 'yan?!"

He crossed his arms on his chest and eyed me intently.

His tight plain white shirt is revealing how fit he is. Plus his skin complexion makes him look sexier...yet, I've met men even hotter than him. I shouldn't be bothered nor amazed.

"I'm trying to tell you to be grateful," he said then pulled the chair I was using lately and gestured me to sit.

I scoffed. I slightly turned my head, avoiding his stares. This man is unbelievable.

"Why don't you just get that food and give it to those who you think needs it?" Pahina ang boses na sabi ko.

Ang sarap magsabunot ng sarili dahil sa sobrang inis. Halos padabog pa akong naglakad patungo sa hapag at umupo sa upuan. He was just observing me while standing beside my chair. I have no choice. I would rather eat these than to let him hear my growling stomach.

"Who do you think you are." Pabulong na sabi ko habang kinukuha ang kutasara at tinidor.

"Good girl. I'll see you at the shore?" Nanunuksong aniya at umayos ng tayo; hinahanda ang sarili para umalis.

"Get fucking lost." I said.

He just chuckled and turned his back to leave.

He just gave me another reason why I shouldn't stay here for long. Bakit ba ang pakialamero nito? Sino ba talaga 'to sa akala niya?

I must tell Mom about this. What a nuisance!