#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER EIGHT: US

COAL'S POV

The smile that spread on Circe's lips when I walked inside the house is something that I would trade my soul for. And when my daughter's voice calling me reached me and the replica of his mother's smile could be seen on her face, I would have traded my life for it right there and then.

Kaise waved at me as if we hadn't seen each other for a long time. Ilang oras lang akong nawala dahil nag set up ako ng security system sa Sand Dollar. The owner, Carson, and I talked during Kaise's party, and he told me that he's been looking for one. I offered to help since I know that Kaise and Circe usually go to his restaurant.

Kumikinang ang mga mata na lumapit sa akin si Circe habang karga si Kaise. "Hi."

"Hello—"

"You're right on time."

Sa pagtataka ko ay basta na lang niyang inilipat sa akin si Kaise na kaagad namang sumama sa akin. Distracted by her beautiful smile, I just noticed that she's wearing light makeup and that her hair is neatly pulled back away from her face. She's also wearing a simple midnight blue dress that seems casual, except it's a skin-tight one that doesn't hide any of her curves.

"I prepared her clothes for the night, and I already set up her baby vids so you can just play them if you want to watch them. Nakahanda na rin ang pagkain ni Kaise na iinit mo na lang. Nakapagluto na rin ako ng para sa'yo. If you want cookies, you know where to get them. Huwag mo na nga lang bigyan ang bulinggit na 'yan dahil nakakain na siya. I don't want to deprive her of the good things in life, a.k.a. chocolate, but I try to limit it since she's still a baby."

Tinuro ng bata ang sarili. "Babi Sese."

"Yes, you are my babi Sese." Kinintalan ni Circe ng halik ang tuktok ng batana napahagikhik bago siya muling bumaling sa akin. "You have my number kaya kung may problema tawagan mo lang ako. Nakadikit din sa fridge ang number ni Tala though I doubt makakasagot siya since busy 'yon sa competition at iba ang oras nila kesa sa atin, may number din ng Sand Dollar, and Levi's coffee shop."

"You're going somewhere?" I asked.

"Yeah—"

"Det."

Parehas kaming napatingin kay Kaise. My eyes returned to Circe, and I forced myself to bury the rage that had started to bubble out of me. Anger that is not directed at her but at the man she's about to meet. Maybe I should warn my brothers, just in case they need to bail me out of prison.

It's irrational. It's not like we have a relationship. Something that she casually likes to remind me of. But she's mine. Even if she's the only one who doesn't know that fact.

"You have a date?" I asked, my words coming out barely above a whisper.

The expression on her face didn't change. "Yup."

My brothers used to tell me that I had a black heart. Sometimes they just straight-up tell me that I don't have any. I didn't mind then because I knew they were just teasing me about my dating reputation and didn't mean anything more to it.

But now I think they might be right, but in a way that they didn't think of. If they only knew. how many scenarios of torture I just came up with in a single minute for the poor, unsuspecting guy that has the guts to lay his eyes on Circe.

This is my fault. I wanted to take everything slow because I didn't want to scare Circe away. I was also focusing on Kaise since I missed the first two years of her life.

I was moving slowly. Too slow. It's time to rectify that.

"Are you okay?" Napakurap ako at nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Circe. She looks worried as she studies me. "If you're not ready, it's okay. I can call someone to babysit Kaise. May tinatawagan naman talaga ako kapag kailangan kong lumabas na hindi siya kasama. I just thought that maybe you want to spend some time alone with her—"

"We're okay." Kaise will be fine. It's only been more than a week, but I watched how she took care of our daughter. It became easier to learn and help her when I moved here to stay in their guestroom. Aside from that, the awkwardness when I first met Kaise didn't last long. She's a great kid who rarely cries and is easy to entertain. I'm the one who's not okay. Not of taking care of my daughter, but of letting her mother meet with some bloke that I want to tie on a rock and throw in the ocean. "But do you really need to go?"

"Well... I can reschedule." Nag-aalangan na nagbaba siya ng tingin sa suot. "But I'm already dressed."

Reschedule. That didn't make anything better. She's still going to see him, even if it's not today. "Hindi ba kami pwedeng sumama?" I sounded like a pathetic kid who wanted to tag along with an adult, but I didn't care. "Para makilala niya rin si Kaise? At ako. Since I'm her dad."

Nakatitig lang siya sa akin na para bang nahihiwagaan siya sa sinasabi ko. "I mean... most of them already know her."

He already met my daughter? Wait... "Them?"

"Yeah. My yoga buddies." Napapakamot sa ulo na nagkibit siya ng balikat. "I can introduce you to them some other time. Bringing you and Kaise today defeats the purpose of a Me Date."

"Me Date?"

"Like a Me Day. Minsan nag su-surf ako, at minsan naman minemeet ko ang yoga buddies ko sa coffee shop. We just hang out there at nagpapalit na lang kami ng damit kapag tapos na kami at dumiretso kami sa yoga session namin. Once a week, when I'm not too busy, I usually take myself out on a date." She tapped Kaise's nose, her eyes shining with love for our daughter. "I need to give myself a break too so that I can take care of her more."

This is why you need to take a breath first before jumping to conclusions, asshole. Ipinaskil ko ang ngiti ko sa mga labi ko. "We'll be fine here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You don't need to worry. Kung may problema tatawagan kita agad."

"That's great, then. I'll introduce them to you some other time. O kaya dadalin ko kayo ni Kaise sa yoga session namin minsan. I know most of them since I've been attending yoga with them since last year, pero minsan may mga tourist din kaming nakakasama. You met the instructor at Kaise's birthday party."

I remember. Some guy she's trying to pair with Tala, but his attention kept fleeting back to her. Also, that coffee guy.

"We're good," I reassured her.

Nakangiting tinguhan niya ako bago niya kinuha ang bag niya na nakapatong sa coffee table. Isinukbit niya iyon sa balikat niya bago muling lumapit sa amin ni Kaise.

Circe kissed Kaise's chubby cheeks. "Be good to Daddy Shark, Babi."

Inabot siya ni Kaise at inilapit niya rin ang mukha sa bata. Our daughter gave her a kiss too. "Bye bye!"

Before Circe could move, I leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. I held her eyes as I straightened back, noting the surprise that flashed in her eyes. "Go have fun, babe."

Fuck slow. I'm going to do it the Dawson's way.

CIRCE'S POV

"Earth to Circe!"

Napakurap ako at napatingin ako kay Alina na siyang nagsalita. I eyed the other women we were with, and when I saw all of them looking at me, I cleared my throat and reached for my coffee. Kape ko na lumamig na dahil kanina pa naglalakbay ang utak ko.

I slept with the man, for goodness sake. Simpleng halik lang sa pisngi nagkakaganito na ako?

"Okay ka lang girl?" tanong ni Nika.

Tinapunan ko ng maliit na ngiti ang babae. "Okay lang. May iniisip lang ako."

"Si Sese ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Julie. "May sakit? Okay lang naman kung i-reschedule na lang natin 'to para makauwi ka na. Kawawa naman si baby pating."

"No. Kaise's fine." Ang daddy pating niya ang iniisip ko.

Naglaho ang pag-aalala sa ekspresyon ni Julie. Gumuhit sa mga labi niya ang nanunudyong ngiti. "Kung hindi ang baby, mukhang alam ko na kung ano ang dahilan at parang lumilipad sa alapaap ang utak mo."

Hindi na ako nagtataka na alam nila ang tungkol kay Coal. Kung sa lugar nga na mas malaki ang populasyon ay parang may lightning speed ang balita, hindi na nakakapagtaka na gano'n din dito.

"Kailan ba namin makikilala 'yan? Balita namin ang gwapo raw. Pati na ang mga kapatid." Kinikilig na hinampas ni Alina si Nika sa balikat at parehas na kinikilig na napahagikhik sila. "Baka naman pwede mo kaming ireto."

"Isa na lang sa mga kapatid niya ang hindi pa kasal," sabi ko sa babae. "Gusto niyo bang masira ang friendship niyong dalawa kapag nag-agawan pa kayo?"

Alina and Nika have been friends since they were toddlers. Magkaibigan ang mga nanay nila at magkapitbahay din kaya lumaki talaga sila na magkasama.

"Para hindi masira ang friendship niyo sa akin na lang." Tinapiktapik ni Julie ang dibdib. "Willing akong mag-sacrifice para hindi kayo magkasira."

The two met Julie when the latter had her OJT here in Siargao. When she finished her undergrad, she moved here to Siargao to fulfill her dream of becoming an island girl, in her own words, and also to work in one of the hotels here. Since maraming turista ay mas marami ang naging demand para sa trabaho kaya mabilis nakahanap si Julie.

"Pwede naman kaming mag-share kaya hindi mo kailangang mag-sacrifice. Akin kapag MWF at Sunday. Kay Nika kapag TTHS."

Pinaningkitan ng mga mata ni Nika si Alina sa sinabi ng babae. "Ang daya mo. Bakit tatlong araw lang sa akin?"

"First come, first served."

Napailing na lang si Julie. "Kung magsalita kayo parang mga wala kayong manliligaw na kilig na kilig kayo kapag tinatawagan kayo." Nginuso niya ang dalawa pa namin na kasama. "Share the blessings."

Napaubo si Rebecca at sunod-sunod siya na umiling. "Pass muna ako sa mga ganiyan."

"I agree," sabi ni Corine. "Ako may boyfriend na kaya pass talaga. Pero itong isang 'to? Huwag na lang muna. Masalimuot ang pinagdaanan niyan sa pag-ibig."

Corine and Reb are the new additions to the Yogi Babes. A year ago, nagbakasyon si Corine dito sa Siargao at naengganyo na sumali sa session ng beach yoga. Katulad ng dahilan nina Julie, Nika, at Alina, pati na ni Tala kung bakit niya ako kinaladkad para mag sign up, nahikayat din si Corine nang makita niya ang instructor na nagtuturo ng yoga. Ashton doesn't need a flyer to advertise his business. His body is enough of an advertisement.

Most women came for the view of the beauty of a male specimen, most of them also left after just one session because Ashton's beach yoga is like hell on Earth while you're in class, and heaven when you're done with it. He doesn't hold back when it comes to teaching. To say it's difficult is an understatement.

The Yogi Babes were formed because we were one of the few that stayed because of the workout itself.

Marami pa rin namang ibang umaattend ng session, pero kami talaga ang mga nagkasundo. Corine seems to like the yoga and our company enough that she comes back whenever she has the time. Now she even brought her friend with her, Rebecca.

"I've sworn off men for now," Rebecca said.

"Ay bakit— aray!" Napanguso si Alina nang kurutin siya sa tagiliran ni Julie. "Nagtatanong lang naman."

"Gago kasi ang ex niyan. Sobrang babaero. Ewan ko ba sa isang 'to at bigay nang bigay ng chance," sagot ni Corine na pinaikot ang mga mata. "Galante ka masyado sa second chance. Sabi ko naman kasi sa'yo sasamahan kitang mag-enroll sa Kumon di ba? Para maturuan ka uling magbilang at malaman mo na ang ibig sabihin ng second ay two at hindi infinite number."

Ikinubli ko ang tawa ko sa pag-ubo. Mabuti na lang at mukhang sanay na si Rebecca sa kaibigan niya dahil tinawanan niya lang din ang sinabi ng babae.

"Bakit mo nga ba pinatawad nang paulit-ulit?" tanong ni Nika.

"Ano pa ba ang kadalasang dahilan at nagpapakatanga ang mga tao?" Bumuntong-hininga si Rebecca bago niya sinagot ang sariling tanong. "Siyempre pag-ibig."

Napapalatak si Julie. "Kaya mas enjoy akong mag-window shopping eh. Kapag nabili mo na kasi at may commitment na, doon na nagiging komplikado." Nangalumbaba ang babae. "Kapag ako nagkaroon ng jowa gusto ko ako ang first girlfriend. Ayoko ng dagdag stress. Mapaparanoid na ako kakaisip sa mga aaligid sa kaniya tapos iisipin ko pa kapag may hindi siya maka-move on na ex? No thanks."

Sumimsim muna ako sa iniinom bago ako nagkomento. "Alam ko kung saan mo mahahanap ang dream guy mo."

"Saan?"

"Sa mga nagsesemenaryo."

Napuno ng tawanan ang kinaroroonan namin. I gave Levi an apologetic look when his gaze went to us. Nangingiting nag thumbs up lang siya bago binalingan ang bago niyang customer na nasa harapan niya.

"O kaya iyong bagong graduate ng elementary para siguradong wala pang naging girlfriend." Tumingin sa kisame si Alina na parang nag-iisip. "Kaso matagal pa bago kayo magkakakilala kasi sure akong ipapakulong ka ng magulang no'n kung lalapitan mo kaagad."

"Ang sasama niyo," paghihimutok ni Julie. "Nangangarap lang 'yung tao."

Binalingan ako ni Nika. "Ikaw ba Circe? Selosa ka rin ba?"

I didn't answer instantly. It wasn't something I really thought much of. Even with what happened before. "Hmm. I don't think I am. May trust issues siguro, oo. Minsan hindi maiiwasan na magkaroon given that my last relationship didn't end well." It was a cliche. A story that has been told a lot of times. But it hurt just the same. "Pero selos? Parang hindi naman lalo na kung past girlfriend ang pinag-uusapan. Everyone has different lives, and we all have our own ways to live and enjoy them. For me, it just seems unfair to judge someone based on their past. We're all looking for someone, and sometimes for others, it takes a hundred before they find their one." When I remembered something that I hadn't thought of in a while, the grip I had on my coffee cup became tighter. "Pero kung 'yung past talagang nanggugulo sa present at hinayaan lang ng boyfriend mo? Ibang usapan na 'yon."

"Anong difference?" napapaisip na tanong ni Alina.

"If I blame my significant other because he has a past where he met a lot of people, it would be unfair to him. It's not like he can erase or change it. If it doesn't affect our relationship, why would I need to make it a problem? But if his past became a character of the present and he willingly let that person participate and he entertained her motives, then there's an issue."

"On that note, will you let your boyfriend be friends on social media with their ex?" Corine asked.

The other women immediately answered "no", while Alina and I answered "maybe".

"Nagkaroon ako ng boyfriend noon na kaibigan pa rin niya ang ex niya. Nagkaroon kami ng ibang problema kaya kami nag-break pero hindi naging problema 'yung ex niya," paliwanag ni Alina.

"Ikaw Circe?" tanong ni Corine.

"Depende sa ex. Kung 'yung ex halata mong nagpaparamdam at gustong manggulo, then it's something that should be discussed. Hindi naman mahirap mag-unfriend. He doesn't need to block the person. I-unfriend niya lang. Just a way to define his stand, which is supposed to be with me."

"Kaso may iba na nagiging dahilan pa ng away 'yan," sabi ni Nika. "Ayaw i-unfriend kasi ang childish daw, paranoid, at kung ano-ano pa."

What Nika said brought back familiar memories. "Kung hindi naman kasi nanggugulo, go lang. Just like I've said, it's not a problem if the past is in the past. Kahit friends pa sila sa social media kung nanahimik naman na ang nakaraan eh di okay lang. But if he's going to invalidate my feelings for something as simple as unfriending a person that is becoming the root of our problem because that person is doing things to ruin the peace in our relationship, how could I even count on him on the bigger issues?"

Malakas na napabuntong-hininga si Rebecca na kanina ay tahimik lang na nakikinig sa amin. "Sana talaga kesa gumastos ako sa pagbili ng tissue dahil sa kakaiyak ko, ipinangpunta ko na lang dito sa Siargao. Eh di sana nakilala ko kaagad kayo at nahimasmasan ako ng mas maaga."

Our laughter resonated around the place again. We stayed for awhile, drinking coffee and eating Isla Brew's famous cookies. After we're done hanging out, we change our clothes, and then we head straight to Ashton's beach yoga session to burn out the calories.

Yoga is supposed to relax the mind and body. Where you let go of all your worries. Ashton does it in such a way that your mind can't think of anything except your body, which is screaming in agony.

It's like a boot camp, but in a yoga way. It's also high-intensity, unlike the usual yoga classes. A combination of heaven and hell is the best description.

"He's so hot, but I can't help but hate him whenever we do this," Alina whispered. She wasn't trying to be quiet. She was just out of breath. "Then, when we're done, I could objectify him again."

"He's easy to hate when he's trying to kill us," I whispered back.

"Bakit nga natin ulit ginagawa 'to?" tanong ni Rebecca na sobrang pula na ang mukha. "Pumunta ako ng Siargao para maka-move on pero bakit parang pinarurusahan ako? Why do I feel like I'm dying when I do yoga for a living?"

I would have laughed if I wasn't out of breath myself. She has an aerial yoga studio in Manila.

"Mamaya lang makakalimutan mo na ang ex mo," sabi ni Alina na katulad namin ay pawisan na. "Mas gugustuhin mo ng patayin si Ashton kesa sa kaniya sa buong durasyon ng session."

Julie and Nika couldn't speak anymore. Parehas masama ang tingin nila kay Ashton na kalmadong umiikot lang habang inuutusan kami sa mga posisyon na gusto niyang gawin namin. He's been immune to our death glares for a long time. After all, once we're done, we're back to being friendly with him again. The workout felt like torture, but once you're done, you are more relaxed than when you started.

An hour and a half later, we were all sitting down on our mats while drinking the refreshments Ashton always give out after his class.

"Dadating din pala ang araw na hindi ko na kayang pantayan ang energy ng mga kabataan ngayon," sabi ni Nika na nginuso ang kinaroroonan ni Ashton. Kasalukuyan siyang pinagkukumpulan ng mga kababaihan na naka survive sa klase niya. "Ang hirap sigurong maging boyfriend niyan. Lagi kang papagurin."

Ngumisi si Alina. "Depende sa paraan niya para pagurin ako."

Napatawa ako at hinayaan ko na lang silang magbangayan. Everyone has a crush on Ashton because no one can deny that he's really good to look at. His body looks like it holds so much promise of a night of fun.

Pero ewan ko ba. Hindi ko siya nakikita sa paraan kung paano siya makita ng iba. Maybe because you know someone who has a greater body and you've already experienced the kind of promise he's willing to give.

"Tara. May natitira pa akong energy. Ihaharap kita sa gwapo para makalimutan mo na ang ex mo," sabi ni Corine at itinayo si Rebecca. Walang nagawa ang huli nang kaladkarin siya ng babae palapit sa kumpulan nila Ashton.

"Sabi na eh." Napalingon kami kay Nika na siyang nagsalita. "Hindi ako sure kanina kasi pakiramdam ko kasama na ni Ariel under the sea ang kaluluwa ko pero parang nakita ko ang present mo."

Napakunot ang noo ko nang lahat sila ay napabaling sa akin nang makita nilang sa akin direktang nakatingin si Nika. "Ha? Present? Regalo?"

Ngumisi ang babae. "Pwede rin." Tumuro siya bago muling nagsalita, "Hindi ko kilala 'yung lalaki pero si Sese kilala ko."

Sinundan ko ang direksyon na tinuturo niya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko na di kalayuan sa amin ay nakaupo sa buhanginan si Coal na kandong ang anak namin. They're both wearing sunglasses, except Coal's were black and Kaise's were blue shark sunglasses.

"Mukhang sinusundo ka na," kinikilig na sabi ni Alina.

I waved my hand in the direction of the duo. Tinuro ako ni Coal kay Kaise at katulad ng nakakagawian niya ay pinangkaway niya ang kamay ng bata sa akin. "Gusto niyong ipakilala ko kayo?"

"Nang ganito ang itsura namin?" Itinuro ni Nika ang mukha niya. "Mukha kaming racoon na hinabol ng may rabies na daga."

I chuckled. "Hindi naman."

"Kami na lang ang dadalaw sa inyo. Kapag mukha na kaming disente. Para naman hindi siya magdalawang-isip na ireto kami sa kapatid niya," sabi ni Alina.

"Akala ko ba may manliligaw na kayo?" tanong ko.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Nika bago sabay din silang nagsalita. "Options, options, options!"

Tinawanan ko na lang sila at inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko. Dala ang mga iyon na nagpaalam na ako sa kanila at pagkatapos ay naglakad ako sa kinaroroonan nila Coal. Ichachat ko na lang sila Corine tutal mukhang busy sila kay Ashton.

I saw Coal stand up while carrying Kaise. It looks like my Me Date is over.

Kadalasan ay nakakauwi ako bago matulog si Kaise. Pagkatapos kasi ng yoga session ay nagshashower lang ako sa public shower at dumidiresto ako ng Sand Dollar o hindi kaya ay nagsusurfing ako.

But for some reason, I don't mind the fact that they're crashing my Me Date. In fact... I love that I will get to spend the rest of the day with them.

Me Date turns into Us Date.

__________________________End of Chapter 8.