Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3: Out of Place

"Oh? Kuya?" Bakas sa boses ko ang bahagyang pagkagulat nang magkasalubong kami ni Kuya matapos kong buksan ang pinto ng kwarto ko.

"Are you off to somewhere?" He asked.

He's wearing a gray tee and a black short. Napangisi ako.

"Twinnie!" I exclaimed as I stood beside him to show him our clothes' colors.

Ginulo lamang nito ang buhok ko.

"Come with us. We're staying up late at night. Boatings and bonfires. I'm sure you'd love to explore the sea," anito at umikot upang hawakan ang beywang ko.

Sabay kaming lumabas ng kwarto ko ngunit nauna akong maglakad dala ang aking camera.

"What's up with the cleavage?" Hindi ko inaasahan ang tanong na iyon at hindi ko inaasahang nandito na naman sa living room ang dalawang peste.

"Uh I mean...I think you forgot to wear your bra," she added and casually holds Caio's arm.

"Ngayong naka bra kalang, may sinabi ako?" Taas-kilay na tanong ko.

"Okay. Cool it off. We're having fun tonight, aren't we?" Kuya Nico butts in.

Napa "tsk" ako at napailing-iling. She's creating reasons for me to dislike her.

"Even got tattoos..." Narinig ko pang bulong niya nang dumaan ako sa harapan niya.

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin pa. It's not a big deal.

She's talking about my tattoo on my upper-right chest, ευτυχία. A Greek word that meant "happiness."

That's what my Greek boyfriend told me as he tattooed me a year ago. This is actually just for a dare, but I've been loving this since.

"Is Dad aware of that tattoo?" Mahinang tanong ni Kuya Nico sa akin.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Is he concerned that Daddy might scold me if he finds out? Ofcourse, he doesn't know about this. I'm not really hiding my tattoo from him. It's juts, he have not seen this yet. Or maybe, he has but he doesn't make a big fuss out of it.

"Hindi ko alam. Maybe... It's been a year since I got this," sagot ko.

"Don't you think he'll get mad at you? Having tats at 17?" Muling tanong niya.

My lips protruded. Hindi ko alam ang sagot kaya nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako.

Hindi naman siya nagalit sa mga piercings ko sa tainga. Those are just piercings, why would he get mad? That goes the same for tattoos, I guess.

As we went out of our wrought iron gate, village houses in a closer look for the second time gave a strange feeling of amazement. People were busy with their different businesses.

There's a group of middle-aged women or in their 30s who were happily talking about something. They were all sitting in a hut where there are no walls.

At the shore not far from us were children running and some are swimming at the sea. Makikita rin sa karagatan ang mga bangkang pumapalaot, mga taong tumatambay lang sa tabi ng dagat at nagmamasid sa paligid, mayroong naglalaba sa isang parte kung saan may waterpump.

Outside our house is a wide view of the people's lives here. Kahit maliit na parte lang ito ng barangay, still I could picture and tell how's the life here. Payak ang pamumuhay nila.

"Hindi ka maliligo?" Tanong sa akin ni Kiya Nico.

I just fully realized that we're now here in a hut. There are quite a lot of wall-less huts near the shore. I assume these huts are where people spend their free time the most.

"Depende. Maliligo ba kayo?" Tanong ko pabalik kay Kuya.

His friends are now in a group talking to a fisherman who seems to be conditioning his pumpboat. Napatingin sa direksyon ko si Caio. Binalik ko ag tingin kay Kuya.

"Do you feel at ease?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong niya.

"Why such question?"

He leaned closer to me and whispered.

"Pinagtitinginan ka ng mga tao, Lath."

My brows arched on their own upon hearing him. Nang hindi masyadong nagpapahalata, nilibot kong muli ang tingin sa paligid. My eyes really met many pair of eyes. Indeed, they were observing me.

I shrugged.

"Why won't I? I'm pretty much used to attention," nakangising sabi ko.

Nagkibit-balikat si Kuya Nico.

"Sigurado ka ha? Tell me if you don't feel comfortable."

Tumango ako sa kanya sabay ngiti. I'm honestly not feeling any uneasiness. I'm completely fine. Wala akon nakikitang dahilan para kabahan o kung ano man. He just probability thinks I'm not used to this kind of attention. Or maybe he thinks I'll be culture shocked.

"The boat is ready, Nic. Pero sabi ni Tito Mario, he can only carry 4 if we want to go in the middle." Caio came walking towards us and began to speak as he reaches nearby.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapatingin sa kanya.

"Then, shall we get another boat?"

"Two more. We need three."

"Hindi ba pwedeng lima yung dalhin ng isa?"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay nang tumingin sa akin si Cai habang nag-uusap sila ni Kuya.

"Has she puts sunscreen?" He asked.

Lumingon si Kuya Nico sa akin.

"Do I need to? The sun is setting," sabi ko kay Kuya.

"But atleast you should. We're going in the middle of the sea," Cai answered so I turned to him.

"Don't worry. I have." Sabi ko nalang.

Pero, naglagay naman talaga ako ng sunscreen matapos maligo kanina.

"Okay."

Then, they went back to where they stopped. I rolled my eyes. Naglakad nalang ako patungo sa upuang kahoy sa bandang gilid ng kamalig at naupo. I positioned my camera infront of my face and gets it ready to take a few pictures.

Closing one eye, I focused the camera on Nico and Cai who's talking. I don't care about what angles I'm getting. I just wanted to take pictures.

Nang makuhanan ko si Caio na nakatingin sa camera habang kausap pa rin si Kuya, iniwas ko iyon. Instead, I captured the sky-blue ocean that reflects the sky.

A much better view.

"Akala niya gwapo siya para kuhaan ko, huh?" Bulong ko sa sarili habang patuloy sa pagkuha ng kung ano-anong pwedeng kuhaan.

I zoomed the camera to a huge tree on top of a mountain range. Napakalayo na no'n dito pero ang ganda pa rin ng view.

"Wow. A pretty huge tree..." I exclaimed and clicked the shutter.

"That's a century tree over there," someone with a familiar voice said.

"Oh really? That's amazing..." I said and put down the camera.

Hindi na ako nagulat pa kung sino ang nasa harap ko. Caio. He's looking at the tree when I looked at him. Lumingon din ito kaagad sa akin.

"The boats are now ready," he smiled.

I tilted my head and scanned his face.

Why do I feel like he's trying to pull a kind, gentleman, and soft-boy vibe when his facial features say otherwise? Or it's just his features doesn't reflect his attitude?

"Hm? So, we're going?" Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo.

"Hindi kaya mababasa 'tong camera ko?"

"If you'll take good care of that..." he answered but paused for a moment.

"Why would you ask? It's a waterproof one."

Sarkastiko akong napangiti.

I know. Nagloloko lang naman ako nag kaunti. See? He's not very kind at all. He's annoying and seems to be someone who has a bad sense of humor or doesn't have humor at all.

"Sino kasama natin sa bangka? I mean, ko?"

"Ako."

"At?"

Nagsimula na kaming maglakad patungo sa kanila ni Kuya.

"Ako lang."

I suddenly stopped walking after hearing his reply.

Napalingon ako sa kanya, salubong ang kilay.

"Huh? I heard the boat could carry 4 excluding the fisherman?" I asked, confused.

"The other two boats are smaller. It cannot carry 4," simpleng sagot niya.

"Then, wouldn't it be good if your girlfriend goes with you and I'll go with the other group? Or maybe Kuya and I will go together?" Nagtataka pa ring tanong ko.

Why does it have to be me and him?

"She's not my girlfriend, Latti."

"Nah, whatever. I'm trying to say here is—"

"Susunod ba kayo o hindi?" Nicolai's shout echoed from the sea.

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Caio sa kanya.

My eyes widened to see them sailing already. The fisherman in the boat near them is pulling something and the motor was heard. Nauna na ang isang grupo. Apat sila ang naroon na walang kasamang mangingisda. Habang tatlo rin sina Kuya. Kasama niya ang dalawang babae kabilang ang babae niya.

"What the fuck, Nicolai?!" Bulalas ko at tumakbo patungo sa dalampasigan.

Nicolai only laughed at me, and the motor started. I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"Let's go, Lath. Do you have a choice?"

"Yes, asshole! I could choose not to join anymore," naiinis na sagot ko ngunit naglakad rin patungo sa bangkang gagamitin namin.

Caio followed me as he laughs. He held my hand and helped me riding the boat. Then, his hand transferred to my bare waists as I stand on the boat and try to settle myself.

Halos mapaigtad ako sa kakaibang kiliting naramdaman. Gosh, this stupid skin of mine. Why is it even reacting that way?

"You good?" Caio asked.

"I guess?"

Sumakay na rin si Caio.

"We're ready to go na, Manong," nakangiting sabi ko sa mangingisda.

"Sige, Ma'am. Ingat kayo."

My brows knitted. Lalong nagtaka ako nang umalis siya at tinulak ang bangka upang makalaot na nang maayos.

"Wait, sino magdadala ng bangka, Manong?"

"Si Sir Zach, Ma'am. Marunong ho 'yan." Sabi nito at tumango pa.

"Zach?" Tanong ko sabay lingon kay Caio na may hinihila na nagyong lubid.

The motor started loudly.

"Zachario short for Caio, Miss." He said againts the loud noice of the motor.

I gritted my teeth and immediately reached him to punch his chest.

"What?" Natatawang tanong nito.

"Gago ka! Di mo sinabing tayong dalawa lang!" Malakas na sigaw ko dahil baka hindi niya marinig sa ingay ng bangka.

I was not sitting properly so I suddenly lost my balance when the boat speeds up.

Bigla akong napaupo sa hita niya.

Sinubukan kong tumayo kaagad ngunit hinila niya akon pabalik gamit ang isang kamay. Habang ang isa niyang kamay ay nakahawak sa maliit na kawayan na sa tingin ko ay kumo-control sa takbo ng bangka.

"Stay still o mahuhulog ka," he said calmly.

Tinulungan niya akong makaupo nang maayos sa tabi niya.

"Hindi niyo man lang sinabi ni Kuya sa akin ang plano niyo. You're being inconsiderate, do you know that?!" Sigaw ko sa kanya.

"I'm sorry. The other girls are being impatient," sabi nito, nakatingin sa harapan.

I eyed at him intently. Naniningkit ang mga mata ko sa inis sa kanya.

He turned to me and shot a brow. His stares then dropped to my chest. My heart raced suddenly, and I felt my cheeks burning not because of the sunlight.

Before a short clicking sound of his tongue, he swiftly took off his shirt and threw it to my face.

"What the fuck—"

"Cover your chest, it's not good to expose it under the sun," anito.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko.

Should I wear this? Or should I just use this as a towel?

I didn't bother asking him. Sinuot ko na lamang iyon.

The smell of his perfume didn't escape my nostrils. It smells outrageously expensive and sexy. I bit my lower lip as I enjoyed the smell of his shirt.

Damn. He smells nice. I wonder how it would feel if I smelled his skin.

Fvck this. I'm losing my senses now.

"You're supposed to be enjoying the view, not my shirt." Tila bumalik ako sa katinuan ko nang marinig ko siya.

"Excuse me? I am not enjoying your shirt. I could even tell that you have a bad taste of perfume," pagsisinungaling ko.

My eyes dropped to his abdomen.

Oh sh!t. Halos maglaway ako nang makita ko ang matigas niyang dibdib at abs. Napalunok ako at kaagad umiwas ng tingin.

Saying that I'm not attracted to abs is a big lie. Alam kong iyon ang una kong magugustuhan sa isang lalaki kahit noon pa ako sa States. Who wouldn't like fit men?

"I wonder, between us, who are you fooling?" He smirked.

Kaya lang...ginagalit naman ako ng lalalking 'to.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa nakaaasar niyang mukha. Tumingin ako sa tabing-dagat na malayo na mula dito sa amin sa gitna ng dagat.

Screw this. I just realized it's scary to think that we're on the middle of the sea, and many feet above the seafloor. But the view of the village is worth it. Plus the mountain ranges on the west is mesmerizing.

Here, I could have a closer look with the mountains. From the shorelines, it seems like the mountains are kissing the sea. But the view here is different. It looks like a well-created masterpiece placed in a huge canvas infront of us when we look to the west.

Kinuha ko ang camera kong nakasabit lang sa leeg ko. I decided to take pictures of the view.

As I begin taking photos, a muscular arm snaked on my waists and hold me tightly.

I didn't protest. Alam ko naman na alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa niya. He'll be responsible for whatever may happen to me. There's a chance that I'd lose my balance if he won't do it.

"You're such a great bodyguard. Magkano ba sweldo mo kay Dad?" I asked as I continue taking photos. May halong sarkasmo pa ang unang pangungusap na sinabi ko.

"Just a lifetime of happiness," he answered jokingly. Or is he really joking?

"Gold bars?" I asked again.

Wow. Where will we get those gold bars?

"Much expensive than that."

Pinagloloko yata ako nito eh.

"Wala katalagang kwenta kausap," naiinis na sabi ko.

"What? I was telling the truth."

A sound of a near motor came from behind us. It accelerated so it went ahead of us.

"Enjoying, man?!" A guy shouted while laughing with another guy. Siya yata ang nagdadala ng bangka nila.

Habang ang mukha naman ni Emy ay halos hindi mabati. Masakit ang tingin niya sa akin. Gano'n din ang babaeng katabi niya.

I understand. Who wouldn't be mad seeing your boyfriend with another girl. Not to mention, the girl is far more beautiful than you.

Hindi ko naman pakana 'to. Bakit ako ang aawayin niya?

"What's their names?" Tanong ko kay Caio.

Kinuhaan ko rin sila ng litrato kahit na papalayo na ang bangka nila sa amin.

"The one shouted was Valdemar. Rocco is who's sitting with Emerald. Next to Emy is Anabelle," sagot nito.

He then pushed the bamboo he was holding, and we started speeding up in the much middle of the sea.

My eyes widened as butterflies on my stomach went wild. Napahawak ako sa gilid ng bangka.

Napansin siguro ni Cai ang biglang pagtaranta ko kaya mas hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa beywang ko.

I bit my lip.

"It's alright. We're very safe," he assured me. Tumango ako at sinubukang pakalmahin ang sarili at ayusin ang paghinga.

As our boat slowly sails, we heard a series of blats, chirps, then clicks. Kaagad kong hinanap ang pinanggalingan ng tunog.

"Over there, Lath," Cai said as he gently pushed my shoulder to the south.

I gasped and almost stood up in astonishment as I see the dolphins swimming and surfacing out of the water.

"Oh my God! I must take pictures," nagmamadaling sabi ko at dali-daling kinuhaan iyon ng litrato.

My heart races as I kept watching them swimming away. It made my heart flutters seeing such moment.

"Hindi ka ba nagb-boating sa America?" Cai asked as soon as I calmed down.

Lumiko ang bangka at ngayon ay patungo naman sa silangan.

"I don't usually go to beaches. Honestly, it's not my thing—"

"Cause you like clubs, don't you?"

Hindi ako sumagot.

The crystal-clear water approaching us caught my attention. It seems to be shallower in that area. Hinanda ko na lamang ang sarili at camera.

The three boats stopped right in the middle, not too near each other. Inabala ko ang sarili sa pagkukuha ng mga pictures. There's a river that meets the sea here. Instead of dealing with Emerald's deadly stares from the other boat, I chose to enjoy the view.

Kita ko rin ang simpleng pag-uusap ng dalawang babaeng kasama ni Kuya sa isang bangka habang ang tingin ay nasa akin rin.

Tumalon sa tubig sina Kuya kasama sina Valdemar at Rocco matapos nilang patayin ang motor.

"Please, don't tell me you're going down too?" Lumingon ako kay Cai. I don't want him to leave me here.

It might be shallow but it's still many feet surpassing my height. What if there are sharks here?

"I'll stay," aniya at tuluyan nang pinatay ang motor.

I made a glance towards the four girls. Nagkakatinginan na sila, tila may pinagkakasunduan.

I licked my lips. They seemed to dislike me. Or much more than the feeling of dislike.