Episode 23

Pearl

"Akin na nga 'yang mga gamit niyo! Naging kargador pa nga!"

Sky was continuously blabbering about the work he was given when he's assigned to take our things in and out of the van. Sangre and him kept on fighting and shouting, even though it's just 6 AM in the morning.

"Napaka-reklamador mo! 'Yan na nga lang pakinabang mo!" Patuloy na nagbangayan si Sangre at Sky samantalang pupungas-pungas pa ang mga mata ni Portia at Shreya. Si Luna at Cedi naman ay tahimik lang sa isang gilid habang kami ni Val ay... tahimik lang din.

Just like that... our vacation to Aurora begins.

"Hyacinth, are you sure you're okay with this? I mean we can postpone this trip and you can just focus on Tito Randy," suhestiyon ni Shreya but I shook my head before giving a little smile.

"It's okay. Si Tita na rin mismo ang nagsabi kaya don't worry. Tatawagan ko naman sila 'pag nakarating na tayo sa Baler."

Shreya rented a whole 10-seater Hi-Ace van from their security company. They own a lot of businesses so it's not a big deal to just rent a small van.

I hugged myself in cold since hindi pa sumisikat ang araw at madilim pa. We chose to travel nang madilim pa, para maaga kaming makakarating sa Baler, Aurora since that is more or less 6 hours land travel.

"Are you cold?" Valentine asked before removing his jacket and placing it on my shoulders. "Thank you," I told him and gave a sweet smile. It is his birthday tomorrow. I want to give him a gift that he will treasure and remember whenever he sees me.

The driver told us that we can now enter the van since it's cool already. Valentine was on the window seat while I am beside him, chilling from the coldness of the aircon.

"'Yung mga mag-jowa magtabi-tabi! 'Yung mga iniwan, tara inuman sa likod!" I just rolled my eyes at what Sangre said. Until now, she's still bitter about her break-up with her boyfriend. Ngayon ko lang ata siya nakitang naapektuhan sa mga ganyan.

"Ikaw lang naman 'yan, Gre! 'Wag mo kaming idamay!" sabay na sigaw ni Portia at Sky pero minura lang sila ni Sangre at 'wag na raw basag-trip.

"Lulublob ko kayo mamaya sa dagat," banta ni Sangre kaya nagtawanan nalang kami.

As usual, my friends told me to seat beside Valentine since he's my "responsibility" for the trip. Sila ang nag-imbita tapos ako ang aattend sa bisita? Ang galing.

"Ang lamig talaga." I rubbed my arms with my hands the moment I've entered the van. Kaming dalawa kasi ni Val ang nasa second row. Si Shreya ay nasa shotgun seat while Luna and Cedi were behind us. Si Sangre, Portia at Sky, na patuloy sa pag-iingay, ay nasa pinakalikod kasama ng mga gamit.

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong inakbayan ni Valentine at pinasandal ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. I stiffened with his touch that I think he noticed it. "Val..." I whispered in shame. I bet that my face looked like a ripe tomato right now.

"Sleep. Yayakapin na lang kita para 'di ka lamigin." Hindi na ako naka-amba pa dahil bigla niya nalang pinasandal ulit ang ulo ko sa balikat niya.

I smiled a little, medyo kinikilig sa simpleng galawan ni Val. I didn't know that he can be this sweet. Hindi ganito ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya. I guess sometimes, you don't really need to judge a book by its cover.

Pipikit na sana ako kaso biglang binuksan nila Portia ang speaker sa likod at sinabayan ang kanta. "Gusto kong magpakalasing... dahil wala ka na!" Pinikit ko na lang ng mariin ang mga mata ko para pilitin ang sarili ko matulog. Rinig ko pa rin kasi ang halakhakan ng mga kaibigan ko sa likod.

I think I slept for almost five hours soundly. Hindi ko namalayang malapit na pala kami. I've been so tired these past few days, taking care of Tito Randy. Madalas kaming may routine nila Tita and Rylie dahil may sarili rin naman kaming mga inaasikaso.

Nagising ako na nakasandal na rin ang ulo ni Valentine sa ulo ko at sa tingin ko ay tulog na rin siya sa mabagal niyang paghinga. Napangiti naman ako dahil ngayon ko lang siya nakikitang natutulog. He's cute.

"O kay bilis namang maglaho ng pag-ibig mo sinta! Daig mo pa'ng isang kisapmata!" Nagulat ako nang biglang napadilat si Valentine dahil sa lakas ng pagkakanta nila Sangre at Portia sa likod. Sila lang ang gising at amoy alak na.

"You're awake? I'm sorry for sleeping," sabi ni Val before cracking his neck left and right. I saw his jaw clenching while doing that, the reason why I touched it. I was then amazed when my hand passed over it and I can feel some little stubbles in it.

"What are you doing?" Valentine said with his ever-low baritone voice that's like music to my ears. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito na ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya. I just find it fascinating that I can now admit to myself that I like this man beside me.

"Elar—" he couldn't continue what he was about to say when my friends sang again at the back. "Ayayay ayayay ang pag-ibig! 'Pag pumasok sa puso ay maligalig!" Sabay tawa nang malakas. I told them to keep their voices low dahil baka magising din sila Luna at Cedi sa likod.

"Kayo kasi may jowa. Edi sana halls!" Sangre said with a shouting voice that makes me want to cover my ears in irritation. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin.

After an hour of more noise at the back, pinahinaan na ang aircon at binuksan na lang namin ang bintana to breathe fresh air. Dahil nasa tabi ni Val ang bintana, pinasiksik niya pa ako sa tabi niya, making our bodies feel the heat of each other.

Ngumiti ako nang makita ko na ang dagat mula sa kalayuan. We're heading to a glamping site in Aurora wherein there is a tent rented in front of the beach. The tents there were big and well-maintained like a hotel room.

Shreya said that we need to wait for her signal first upon entering the Sands and Stars Resort. Siya kasi ang nag-book ng tents kaya nasa kanya ang vouchers and other essentials.

"Fresh air na rin leche! Ang baho ni Sky sa likod eh!" Portia said before laughing and teasing Sky while getting the bags.

Simpleng black knapsack lang ang dala naming dalawa ni Val since we'll only stay here for 3 days. We've just brought extra plastics for the wet swimsuits we'll wear, in case we'll swim at the beach.

Nang tawagin na kami ni Shreya sa may attending room ng resort ay agad nagmadali ang mga kaibigan ko. Para silang mga hayop na nakawala sa hawla.

"Wait! Let's picture muna! Sangre, bitiwan mo 'yung sands! Portia, mamaya ka na magpakabasa! Sky, I'll tell Mom that you're such a nuisance!" pagalit ni Shreya dahil hindi matupad ang kanina niya pa hinihinging picture.

Shreya loved taking pictures more than ever and posting it on her Instagram account. She may pass to be a supermodel in the future but she took the course of Photography because it was her passion.

Before she could even shout another word, winisikan na siya ni Sky ng tubig-dagat at tumama 'yun sa mismong mata niya. Natawa nalang kaming lahat nang napaiyak si Shreya pero tawa parin ng tawa ang kambal niya.

"Are you enjoying?" Valentine asked before going beside me and holding my waist firmly from behind. For some reason, hindi na ako na-a-awkward-an in his little gestures like that.

"Yes..." It's almost a whisper so I quickly got out from his hold because of shame. The side of Val's lips rose up as if he was enjoying my reaction. "What's the matter, baby?" he asked while still smirking.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin dahil nahihiya na talaga ako kaya dumiretso na ako sa tents para mag-ayos ng gamit. Nakita kong nasa loob ng isang tent sila Luna at Cedi at nagsasarili. Bahala sila sa buhay nila,

Napag-usapan na namin kagabi na magsasama-sama kaming mga babae samantalang si Sky, Val at Cedi ay mag-se-stay naman sa kabila. I just got my swimwear from my bag before heading to the nearest restroom to change.

I just wore a simple red bikini that perfectly fits my body shape. Buti nalang ay nagagawa ko pang mag-jogging nung nakaraan kaya maayos naman ang katawan ko. I just wore a long and thin see-through na puting pampatong sa two-piece ko.

After I applied a sunscreen and all the essential stuffs ay dumiretso na agad ako sa dagat kung saan naglalaro ang mga kaibigan ko.

I saw Sangre just throwing her shirt somewhere and exposing her bikini underneath it since she has a body to flaunt. Sabagay, siya nga naman ang pinaka-sexy sa'ming lima.

Dumiretso agad ako sa tent para ilagay ang mga damit na pinagbihisan ko. I saw Sky, Cedi and Val, setting up the area where we will cook barbecue later while Luna is preparing the ingredients.

Imbis na lumubog sa dagat, dumiretso ako sa direksyon ni Luna para tulungan siya. "Luna, patulong." I smiled at her but she only gave me furrowed eyebrows in response. "Saan kita tutulungan?" tanong niya. Lutang na naman.

Tinawanan ko na lang siya before putting some meat on the stick. Hindi pa ako nakakatagal ay naramdaman ko na agad na parang may nakatitig sa'kin mula sa malapit.

I lifted my head to check if it was really him and I was right. Valentine with his beach polo shirt, while wearing aviators, is the hottest scene I've ever seen. His biceps flexes, sa tuwing pinapaypayan ang niluluto ang barbecue.

"Waw! Ang sarap naman niyan!" putol ni Sangre sa mahalay kong pag-iisip nang makita niya ang barbecue sticks na ginagawa naming ni Luna. "Gusto ko rin niyan," she added.

"Wow! Tropa ko 'yan! Sexy naman natin mareng Hyacinth!" pang-aasar ni Sky kaya himampas ko ang braso niya dahil sa kalokohan niya. "Ouch! Biceps ko!" reklamo niya, the reason why I rolled my eyes.

Naramdaman ko na naman ang titig ni Val kahit naka shades siya. Napalunok na lang ako nang mariin bago ipagpatuloy ang niluluto. Why does he look mad?

After we've had lunch, nag-swimming muna kami sabay-sabay pero nagpaiwan si Cedi at Luna dahil sila na raw ang magliligpit ng pinagkainan. Gusto ko na rin sanang lumangoy kaso nakaupo lang si Val sa isang folding chair in front of the beach. His brows were knitted and his lips are pointed like he had a big problem in mind.

I joyfully marched my way towards him to invite him to swim. But he remained silent even if I was standing in front of him. "Let's swim?" Anyaya ko pero hindi niya ako tinitingnan.

I sat on the other chair beside him. "Ayaw mo lumangoy?" I asked. Ano bang problema niya? Is it because of... my outfit or... Sky?

"Ayaw," he said like a snob. 

I just rolled my eyes before standing and removing the thin jacket around me so I can swim now. Nilapag ko 'yun sa katabi niyang upuan but my eyes caught his brown eyes that stared darkly at me.

"What are you doing?" He coolly asked. "I'm going to swim? Sabi mo ayaw mo. Edi sasama na lang ako kila Sky," I didn't smile while saying that pero tuwang-tuwa na ako sa utak ko. 

Hindi ko na siya hinintay sumagot at dali-daling tumakbo papunta sa dagat. I joined my friends there who was having fun while swimming. Panandalian kong nakalimutan ang problema na iniwan ko sa Maynila because of this vacation. That's right, I should enjoy.

"Omg! So swerte sis! Look at fafa Val's abs! Ah, Hya! I hope everyone!" Shreya shrieked while looking behind me. Agad-agad akong lumingon at ganun nalang ang gulat ko when I saw Val marching towards our position, topless while showcasing his eight-pack abs.

"Hya! Dun kami sa malayo ah! Tawagin mo kami 'pag tapos na kayong magharutan ni Val!" Portia said and they swam to other side of the beach.

My heart beat fast when Valentine now started swimming towards my direction. Nasa may bandang malalim na kasi ako since I know how to swim. Nakita ko ang mabilis niyang paglangoy and not just a few minutes, he was already in front of me.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka lalangoy?" I asked him while grinning but deep inside, my legs are starting to weaken with his dark stares. Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa'kin kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan.

He didn't answer my question and instead, he started swimming on the deeper part of the ocean. Nag-dive siya sa ilalim and I think he knows how to swim kaya hindi ko nalang siya pinansin.

I think it was about thirty minutes when I've decided to stop swimming. Aahon na sana ako kaso saka ko lang napansin na wala pa rin si Val. Tiningnan ko ang parte ng dagat na malalim at wala siya ro'n! Tiningnan ko rin ang direksyon ng mga kaibigan ko pero wala rin siya!

"Val? Val! Val, where are you?" I asked, panicking a bit. Paano kung nalunod na pala siya?! "Val! Where are you?! I am certainly not up for pranks!" Sabi ko before diving to the deep part of the sea where I last saw him.

Kahit mahapdi sa mata, I tried opening my eyes under the saltwater just to find him. Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko at natatakot na 'ko dahil baka nalunod na nga talaga siya.

Umahon ako para humigop ulit ng hangin before diving again. Oh my goodness, Valentine! One day, you will cause me a heart attack!

I continued searching for another 15 minutes but Valentine is nowhere to be found! Umangat na ulit ako para sana sabihan na ang mga kaibigan ko na nawawala si Valentine, but before I could do it, someone pulled my feet lightly.

Nilingon ko 'yun habang nakaahon na and I started to burst in tears when I saw Valentine smiling while holding a clam in his hand. His smile faded when he saw that I am crying.

"Hey, Elara... What happened? Hey..." hinawakan niya ang mga braso ko ng marahan pero inalis ko lang 'yun para punasan ang mga luha ko. Ang hapdi na ng mata ko kakahanap ko sa kanya kanina tapos ganiyan lang siya ngayon. I hate him! I hate him!

"Hey... talk to me. What happened?" He still asked with concern in his eyes. Agad kong tinampal ang dibdib niya sa inis. How dare him ask that question when he was the sole reason of my misery earlier!

"Ikaw! Nakakainis ka! Hinahanap kita kanina pa! Tapos... tapos... ngayon aahon ka tapos itatanong  mo sa'kin kung anong problema?! Eh, kung lunurin na kaya talaga kita?" I said while still crying. Masyado akong nag-alala kanina. I don't know why he did that!

Napaawang ang labi niya sa gulat dahil sa sinabi ko before smiling a bit. "Come here, baby," umiwas ako sa kanya but he caught me with his arms and enveloped me on a warm hug. "Bitiwan mo 'ko! Ang hapdi pa ng mata ko! Nakakainis ka!" I said while getting out of his hold.

"I'm just getting a... clam... Damn, you're too cute, Elara," He said softly while brushing the wet strands of my hair. "Anong paki ko!" asik ko sa kanya while now getting away from his hug but he just locked me tighter. He chuckled at my reaction.

"I was getting a clam for you..." He said before removing his wrapped arms around me and showing the clam he got earlier. "Ano namang gagawin ko riyan sa kabibeng 'yan?" pagtataray ko, still not moving on with his sudden disappearance earlier.

He licked his lower lip before continuing. "I told you that I'm courting you last time. This is my first time courting someone because I'm used that girls flock over me... but you're different. You hated my name, you hated my existence. Hindi ko alam kung kailan, basta isang araw, I just want you."

Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya, lalo na nang nagsimula na siyang maglakad papalapit sa'kin habang nakalubog pa rin kami sa dagat.

"Elara..." he held my hand and I felt electricity flowing through my veins, the moment our hands touched.

Bigla niyang kinuha ang clam na hawak niya at binuksan ito. I got shocked and fascinated at the same time, when I saw a precious pearl inside it. Napatakip ko ang isang kamay ko sa bibig ko. He looked like he's proposing.

He smiled before getting the pearl from the clam and giving it to me. "This is yours now," he said before closing the gap between us by giving me soft kisses. I stiffened with his soothing kisses but after some time, I got used to it.

He held my waist firmly from behind and kissed me deeper. Hindi ko alam kung pa'no humalik but because of him, I think I started knowing it bit by bit.

Hinihingal kaming naghiwalay sa paghalik at isinandal ang noo sa isa't isa. "Thank you..." I said faintly. "For the pearl, I mean..." I chuckled.

"Oh no, Baby. That's not for free," he said while still holding my waist firmly. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. "Huh? Anong kapalit?"

Tinanggal niya ang pagkakadikit ng noo namin bago tiningnan ako ng mariin. His dark brown hooded eyes that resembled the serenity of the waves and beautiful sunset by the seashore, is the most precious pair of jewels I have ever seen.

Kahit wala na ang perlas na binigay niya, basta sa'kin lang nakatuon ang mga tingin niya ay ayos na sa'kin.

"Ano? Ano nga'ng kapalit?" He sighed heavily before giving a little smile.

"Be my girlfriend, Elara."

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#ACM23

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