Chapter 10

Even though he's not closer to me, I could feel his stares drilling through me. But I have decided to do something I've never done before—obviously!

Iniwan ko si Ale sa spot namin sa beach at mag-isa akong bumalik sa room namin. Hingal na hingal naman ang ending ko, but all is well for me nang maisuot ko nang maayos ang swimsuit ko.

Before I could leave the room, I stared at myself in front of the mirror and see how I really look.

I slide my hands on my huge-veiny belly. For months I have been insecure about the stretch marks on my belly. I know it is normal, but upon my pregnancy, I somehow lose my confidence and this would be the first time for me to flaunt it, not just in front of the mirror, but in the eyes of many. Weird, but I have to face this fear.

I wore a hot red string swimsuit. I've bought it two months ago I thought I could have a break to go to the beach, but I chickened out so I didn't go through the idea.

Napahugot na lamang ako nang malalim na buntonghininga at nginitian ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. I've found women on social media posting their pregnant bodies and how proud they are with it. I haven't posted anything online since I've been keeping this pregnancy for so long and I don't wanna to make an issue—especially sa mga marites sa Pinas.

Tuluyan akong lumabas ng kwarto at saka tumungo sa spot kung saan naghihintay si Ale sa akin. He instantly saw me so he was shocked to see what I did. His mouth dropped down upon amused.

"Oh, don't let the fly get into your big mouth, Ale," I commented as soon as I get closer to him.

Natawa na lang din siya at napailing. "No, I mean. Wow. I didn't expect this from you. You surprised me."

Napangisi naman ako. "You're not the only Ale who can show your beach body here. Remember, my name is Jacinta Alessa."

He laughed, nodding his head. "Alright, you win! God, you are amazing and b-beautiful. I haven't seen this side of you before."

A lopsided grin formed on my lips. "And there's so much more you haven't seen from me."

"I bet that," he said. "So... are you going to swim? Or you're just going to make me compliment you all the time?"

"I know you can do both," I chuckled. "Join me there. Take some photos of me."

He creased his forehead. "Are you sure?"

I smiled. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

Pumunta kaming dalawa ni Ale sa dagat kung saan magpapakuha ako ng litrato—hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ba ginagawa. Siguro magpapapansin lang kay Fabio at kung may pakialam nga ba talaga siya?

I saw many people had their heads turned as they saw my belly so big, but I didn't care. Kung ano man ang tingin nila sa malaki kong tiyan, wala na sila ro'n. If some of these women are looking at men like I did something wrong—well, it was wrong not to use any protection or whatnot, and I could've prevented this from happening, but at any time or so, this is going to happen.

And I'm already living it.

While we're in the middle of our business, natatanaw ko naman si Fabio na tumayo mula sa pagkahihilata sa sun lounger at naglakad papalapit sa amin. Malayo pa rin naman ang distansya—he was just looking at us far away, but clearly, he's watching over us.

"Don't look back, but he's watching us over here," sabi ko kay Ale.

Napangisi nama si Ale at bahagyang napailing. "He really wanted you back, 'no?"

I shrugged off, and showed a sly smile. "I'm not sure with that... could be it or the other way. I don't know what he's trying to do."

"I guess he was just fascinated by the fact that you're pregnant and he's the father of your child," Ale said.

"I hope not..." I muttered.

He continued taking photos of me. Alalay kung alalay niya rin naman ako dahil feeling ko ma-out of balance ako out of nowhere. But just a moment after, we found him swimming nearby us. Natigilan na lang ako saka ko siya pinanood and it looks like he's not minding us, but to be honest, I know he's just trying to eavesdrop on me and Ale's conversation.

Natatawa na lang si Ale kasi alam niyang nagpapapansin lang din si Fabio sa hindi kalayuan sa amin. He even whistles to denote his presence around. Hindi na lang din namin siya pinapansin. Tumigil lang kami ni Ale saglit sa pagpipicture dahil biglang pinulikat ang paa.

I couldn't even move from where I stood at bakas sa mukha ko ang sakit. Ale came to me and asked if we should go back to the shore and I should just rest there, but I let him make us stay for quite a moment until the pain goes away. But of course, Fabio wouldn't like to miss out on the chance to get his way on us.

"Che succede qui?" he asked. His forehead creased, looking at me worriedly. (What's going on in here?)

"So che ci stai ascoltando," pabulong kong sagot. (I know you know, you've been listening to us.)

"Does your leg hurt?" he asked. Pero hindi ko siya sinagot.

"She has a cramp," Ale answered Fabio. "But I think she'll be fine."

Nilingon ni Fabio si Alejandro. "Yes, she will, but it's not safe when she's in the water. Let me get you back to the shore."

Before I could even protest, binuhat na niya ako nang dahan-dahan. Hindi rin naman siyang nagmadaling maglakad dahil iyong alon ay bigla-bigla ring hahampas sa likuran namin. He was very caring and soft while we headed back to my spot. When I tapped him to put me on ground, hindi niya ako basta-basta binaba kung hindi inalalayan pa niya ako.

"Grazi..." mahinang tugon ko.

"I love how you are right now, just don't get into the water again and risk your life and the baby, alright?"

I looked sideway at Ale and he was just looking at both of us. Isang tango na lang din ang ibinigay ko kay Fabio bago ito bumalik sa pwesto niya kanina.

Bahagya namang natawa si Ale nang makalayo na ito sa amin.

"I think he's just trying to get your attention," he commented.

"I know... but let's just leave him alone. If he's really trying to be included in my life and as the father of my baby, then I'll let him. I'm not that selfish... because you know... I cannot handle it all alone."

"I can help you," Ale said. "Even without your baby yet, I am already helping you so what's the point, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and I owe it a lot to you. You helped me in every way. Let's just enjoy our time on the beach and forget about Fabrizio."

Nang umupo ako sa mat na inilatag ni Ale ay nakaramdam naman ako ng gutom. Ale quickly left to find some food, but not that long when someone came into me with a tray on his hands. Hindi ito si Fabio.

"Signorina, lei si chiama Jacinta, vero?" tanong nito sa akin. (Miss, your name is Jacinta, am I right?)

Tumango naman ako sa kanya kahit hindi ko gets kung bakit. Basta inabot na lang niya sa akin iyong footed pilsner glass na sabi niya ay pineapple juice—a refresher drink. I even consult if this contained alcohol since I don't drink in my current state, but then he told me that they knew that because the one who paid requested a non-alcoholic drink. A slice of pizza on the side with some small bites of fresh fruits.

I know in my gut that it was Fabio. Napakapa agad ako sa sarili ko kung may nilagay bang device itong si Fabio para marinig niya kung ano iyong pinag-usapan namin ni Ale. As I couldn't help my hunger, I devoured the food regardless if it came from Fabio.

Not that long when Ale came back and saw the food I was eating. May hawak din siyang pagkain na binili niya for us, pero agad siyang napatanong kung saan nanggaling itong kinakain ko. When I told him that it could be come from Fabio, hindi na siya nagbigay ng komento. He still gave me the food he bought and he ate his part.

"Where did you meet him?" Ale asked out of nowhere.

I glanced at him, not really wanting to bring back the past and talk about it. "Huh?"

"Fabio," he muttered. "Did you meet him online or whatever?"

Pasimple akong humugot ng hininga saka ito pinakawalan. "No... I actually met him in one of the high-end clubs back in the Philippines. I was there with friends, they've invited me... and then next to our table where Fabio and his local friends are—or much better to call as business allies. You cannot enter that club unless you are a member which membership costs I believe half a million... not sure. I was just lucky I've got a friend who was a member there."

"So, as they were sitting next to your table. They are the ones who approached you?" he questioned.

I swallowed and shook my head. "No... I tripped in front of them."

"What?" he scoffed chuckling.

"Ay, no! Don't laugh at me, Ale," I said, giggling. "And yeah, he saw me and helped me get up. I was limping from wearing high heels so when he asked me where should I go, I told him I'll go to the restroom and he let me hold on to his arm as we got there. When I'm done, I was surprised he was still waiting for me outside and asked if I'm alright... and I told him I'm already good and I can walk on my own. And I thought we would be done at that point when he invited me to go to the dance floor where we both intimately got to know each other."

"Oh... I see... so he just take advantage of you and leave you alone?"

Umiling ako sa tanong ni Ale. "No... he was actually sweet, gentle, and kind that night... and I thought what happened in the club that night would be the end of it. But no, we actually dated romantically which leads to this..." pagyuko ko at hinawakan ang tiyan ko. "I just hated him because after what happened to us, he left without saying a word. He didn't even try explaining himself. Kung hindi ko pa ini-stalk ang mga social media account niya, hindi ko pa malalaman na masaya na siya sa buhay niya na wala ako—"

"Alright, I didn't understand what you said there," ani Ale saka ko lang na-realize na hindi niya nga naintindihan ang pinagsasabi ko. Natawa na lamang ako. "Speak in English so I could understand you, okay?"

I chuckled, nodding. "Anyway, he's happy and dated nameless women forgetting about what we have before. So basically, when he's in the Philippines, I was his girl and when he travels to another country, there was another woman."

Napailing na lamang si Ale sa mga kuwento ko at tinungga niya iyong baso ng iced tea na binili niya.

"And do you still trust him after what he did?" he asked. Hind ako nakasagot sa diretsyong tanong nito sa akin. "You don't have to push yourself for him. You are your own person and your baby. You don't owe anything to him, alright?"

Tumango na lamang ako sa sinabi niya.

"Do you wanna change and take some rest now?" Muli akong tumango saka niya ako inalalayang makatayo para bumalik sa room namin.

Ale's right... he's always right and I don't doubt it. But he also, I am my own person and I know if Fabio's around with this baby, he could help me a lot. I just hope I was thinking consciously right or else I'm just being delusional for thinking of having a good life.

#BirthOfLiesInSicily #BOLISChapter10 #WTS9