CHAPTER 8

"Sa wakas... peaceful place, peaceful life"

I inhaled deeply before exhaling it. I squeezed my eyes shut and savour the fresh air. I stared at the beautiful scenery, the sun is shining through the water. Sunrise.

Nakarating na ako sa Bora, I'm standing in front of my cabin while looking at the shore. It was nice, it's peaceful. Sa tingin ko nahanap ko na ang isang maliit na bagay na nawawala sa buhay ko.

Inalis ko ang shades ko at pinakatitigan ang dagat. Parang nalimutan ko sandali ang sakit na nararamdaman ko bago ako nakarating dito. Parang wala na akong iniisip pang iba kundi ang I enjoy ang magandang tanawin sa harapan ko.

I needed to handle mom's company but maybe I should handle myself first? I'll let Xander–my boybest– handle it for now. He's an hotelier anyways.

He's nice, and kinda idiotic? Kasi ayaw hindian ang mga magulang eh, even his marriage is forcible but he didn't give a shit about it. 

Kung ako yun baka naglayas na ako sa bahay dahil arrange ang marriage ko.

"Thanks Lara, I owe you for making me stay here for awhile"

Incall ako with Lara, she owns this so I should thanks her.

[No worries, just enjoy and be happy. Need mo na talaga mag move on girl]

I laughed a bit before ending the call. Kailangan ko na ngang mag enjoy sa buhay ko, noon ay puro lang ako trabaho at bahay. When Andrew came in my life I did enjoy every things that are romantic but not these peaceful, I always had a vacation but I'm always with someone. Mapa kaibigan man o pamilya.

I just sighed and get inside my cabin. I want to rest, nakakapagod din ang byahe. Mamaya na siguro ako mage-enjoy kasama ang mga alon, gusto ko ding pumunta sa Island of Hope na malapit dito. I am a member of that Island, maybe because my friend owns that?

I slept and woke up when it's 10:30AM already. Dumating ako dito kanina ng madaling araw, hinintay ko na lang ang sunrise bago nagpahinga.

I wore my simplest swim suit, my body curve showed up. I stared at my face in the mirror. My skin is white and pale, I have an almond shape eyes, my small but pointed nose matched with my heart-shape face. How can he leave and cheat this gorgeous beautiful woman?

Kaya ko talagang buhatin ang lamesa.

Nagsuot ako ng simpleng dress para matakpan ang katawan ko kahit konti, I was planning to have my lunch. May restaurant naman dito na halos seafoods and niluluto. I was fond of seafoods lalo na sa shrimp and crabs.

Pumunta ako sa loob ng restaurant, it was private so I can barely seen a costumers. Hindi naman gaano karami ang tao sa loob, halatang mayayaman pa ang narito. I was used in 'not a proper eater' kahit na mayaman ako, well not literally. My parents are wealthy not me.

I always used my bare hands whenever I ate seafoods, hindi naman ako nandidiri. Kasama ko ngang kumain mga batang taga lansangan hindi ako nandidiri eto pa kaya?

"May I take your order miss?" I smiled widely at the waitress.

"I want a crabs egg benedict, grill squid uhmm... maybe two sticks? and a winter milkshake"

I looked at her and saw how her cheeks turned into a crimson red, I chuckled lightly.

"Malaki ba ang crabs niyo?" I asked softly.

"Yes po miss..."

"Two of it please"

"Y-yun lang po ba miss?" She asked and I nodded.

Umalis na din siya pagkatapos kunin ang order ko. Hindi naman masyadong marami ang in-order ko, gutom lang talaga ako dahil sa byahe. I wasn't used to eat inside the plane, parang ang weird lang kasi ng feeling. But when I was really hungry, kumain na lang talaga ako kahit nasusuka ko lang yun sa huli.

I was eating heartily when I saw a familiar couple.

I thought matatahimik na ako, why the fuck does tadhana want to slap on my face? Na talagang wala na? That I need to unlove him because he was own by someone else? I don't have any insecurities towards my sister but I'm not that perfect, everyone has insecurities. And I feel so insecure seeing them right now.

My mouth agape and I felt my tears in my eyes again. I lowered my head and blinked numerous times. I shouldn't show them how I get affected easily. Bakit ba naman kasi sa napakaraming lugar na pwedeng puntahan nila bakit dito pa?

I just ignore them and continued eating. I was distracted because they were two seats away from me but I remain my posture up.

Tumayo na kaagad ako ng matapos kumain, pumunta na lang ako sa malapad na swimming pool. Lumilipad ang damit at buhok ko dahil sa lakas ng hangin it feels so refreshing.

I looked away when I saw Charm and Drew again. Tadhana sucks, ang sarap niya tirisin.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at saka tumungo na lamang sa cabin ko para kumuha ng towel, hinubad ko ang dress ko at naiwan ang swim suit na suot ko.

Gusto kong ipakita sa kanila kung sino ang niloko nila.

Lumabas ako at saka tumungo ulit sa swimming pool, I saw how Drew stared at me but I ignore it. I felt so uncomfortable by his stares but I chose not to gave attention for it.

May tumitingin sa akin pero hindi ko na lang pinag-tutuunan ng pansin. I dive and swim until I get exhausted. Tama bang umiyak habang lumalangoy? I thought staying here would be good for me, guess I was wrong.

Drew was staring at me, I can see at my peripheral view. I looked at him and our eyes met. He looked shocked but he looked away. I saw how Charmee glared at me, jealous huh?

Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at saka pumunta sa tabing dagat, siguro bukas na lang ako sa umaga pumunta sa Island of Hope. Maggagabi na din kasi, wala naman akong planong matulog dun pero okay lang naman din. Lalo na at may bahay ang kaibigan ko dun.

I was staring at the sea when someone sat beside me, nagulat ako ng makita ang kapatid ni Raine. Hindi ko pa naman kasi alam ang pangalan niya, malay ko bang makikita ko siya dito?

"Alone?" He asked.

I smiled at him and nodded, kumportable naman ako kapag siya ang kasama ko kaya okay lang siguro kung makipag-usap ako sa kanila.

"So... what are you doing here? Having a vacation?"

"Yeah... I wanted to visit an island too"

Thinking about Island of Hope makes me smile, that Island gave me a lot of reason to live longer.

"Is that... Island of Hope?" He curiously asked and I nodded. "Oh... member?"

"Yeah, my friend owns that Island"

"Woah, lucky. So you're friends with the owner of Fantasy Island too?"

I almost choke with my own saliva with his question, I was a little embarrassed to answer. Kasi... parang iba naman ang tingin niya kung sasabihin ko diba?

"Uhmm..." I looked away and he just chuckled.

"Alam ko na ang sagot, don't worry I won't judge. Not everyone wanted to go there just for the fantasy they needed"

Tumango tango ako. "Yeah, pumupunta lang naman ako dun para bumisita... not literally sleeping in there. Parang ang weird lang"

He chuckled. Why does it sounded so cute whenever he chuckle?

"For us mens... it's not weird, I think it more turning on"

I looked away. Gosh, walang filter bunganga Neto. "Maybe"

I stood up when the sun already goes down. Natahimik pala kami ng ilang oras, ni hindi ko napansin ang oras. Masyado atang malalim ang iniisip ko, ni hindi ko na napansin ang kapatid ni Raine sa tabi ko.

"Uhmm... I needed to go" Nahihiyang ani ko.

Ang gwapo niya naman kasi, tapos nakatitig pa siya sakin. Sinong hindi maiilang? Kung hindi ko lang nakita si Andrew at siya ang una kong nakita baka inakit ko na siya.

"You'll go to Island of Hope?" He suddenly asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, bukas pa yun eh. Why?"

He scratch the side of his neck, para siyang nahihiya. "Saan ka sasakay?"

I suddenly think about that. Maybe I can ask Lara for a yatch, or maybe a speed boat? Malapit lang naman kasi yun dito, ba it maybe yatch is better. Gusto ko din may makasama.

"Sa yate ng kaibigan ko, why?"

He looked away, I can see his nose turning into crimson red. "I was planning to go too, c-can I come?"

Natawa ako sa kaniya, he's cute damn. "Of course, may kasama ka ba?"

He shook his head. "Pumunta ang mga kaibigan ko sa Fantasy Island, you know..."

I chuckled again. "Yeah mens, bakit hindi ka sumama sa kanila?"

"Because Island of Hope is more beautiful than Fantasy Island, I want to visit too"

I nodded and then offered my hand. "Nicole Ann Buentrago, hindi ko pa napapakilala ang sarili ko ng maayos"

He looked at my hands and smiled. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at saka tumingin sa akin, he sensually licked his lip. Napatingin ako doon pero napa-iwas kaagad ako ng tingin doon. "Schyrell Parrocha"

"Woah... Sky and Raine, nice"

Inalis ko ang kamay ko sa kamay niya at saka ngumiti ng matamis. "Papahinga lang ako sandali, it's nice seeing you Sky"

He just smiled. I turn my back at him and go to my cabin, I felt so exhausted. Wala naman akong ginawa kundi ang maligo at maligo lang, I wanted to visit Island of Hope and enjoy the Island. It was the best when it comes to surfing, sa Fantasy Island ay the best ang falls nila. I was lucky to enjoy the scenery up there, kaunti lang kasi ang nakakapunta dun. It was a private area.

It was calming but for now I think I wanted to get wasted and just rest until tomorrow.

I rested until 7PM on the evening already. This beach has a bar, not that big but enough for the people here.

I heard there's a party, it's a party for welcoming an owner. Nagtataka nga ako kung sino yun eh, as far as I remember Lara was the only owner of this property.

Invited naman ang lahat kaya dadalo na lang ako, and besides Lara will be there too I'm sure of that.

I wore a simple cocktail dress, I was fond with this kind of dresses. Halos cocktail dresses na nga lang ang laman ng closet ko.

I get my clutch bag and wore my flat sandals. Umalis na din ako sa cabin ko at dumeretso doon, I wasn't even shock when I saw some models and actresses here. This beach is well known here in the Philippines, masyado kasing maganda at pati na rin ang ambience ng hotels nila ang ganda.

"Oh my! Nicole!" I looked at Joyce. She's one of my friends but not that closest.

"Hi Joyce, you're here"

She rolled her eyes on me. "Of course, I wanted to rest with my witty life you know? Gosh, media is stressing me out these days"

Joyce is an actress too, she's one of the outstanding actresses. But when it comes to modelling Kry is always the one. Ang ganda kasi ng katawan eh.

"Sinabi mo pa" Natawa ako ng kaunti, lalo na ngayong may issue na naman tungkol kay Kry. Bakit kasi sila nangenge-alam sa buhay ng ibang tao? Anong makukuha nila? Center of attraction?

"Oh... is that Charmee? What is she doing here with Drew?"

Joyce knows about our relationship. I just don't know how to explain. "Honeymoon" I simply said.

She almost choke and dropped her wine. I chuckled because of that, her eyes is widening while looking at me. "What the... diba kayo ang nasa relasyon niyan!? What the hell!?"

"Hinaan mo boses mo" Natatawang ani ko sabay tingin sa mga taong nasa paligid at tahimik na humingi ng tawad. I sighed and smiled at her. "Madaming nangyari, but I'm okay now"

She shook her head and looked at me with disbelief. "I can't believe you, after seeing them like that sasabihin mong okay lang? Are you insane, Nicole? Well maybe you are"

Natawa ako ng paikutin na naman niya ang mata niya. She's bitchy sometimes pero mabait naman talaga siya.

"Well I need to go, I have a lot to entertain"

She bid her goodbye before turning her back on me.

The party started and I was happy as hell, masyadong nakaka-aliw ang party nila. I was laughing my ass off because the staff here was freaking funny.

Napansin kong may umupo sa tabi ko at nakita kong si Sky yun. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Napahawak ako ng marahan sa dibdib ko ng tumibok ito ng malakas.

What the hell is wrong with my heart?

I awkwardly smiled at him again before turning my gaze at the front. My smile faded when I saw Drew holding a mic, he was talking with the band.

"Iaalay ko ang kantang ito sa pinaka importanteng babae sa buhay ko" He started to strum the guitar while roaming his eyes and then he met mine. "I love you baby, always"

He looked away and started singing the song. It was our favorite song, he always sang it to me whenever I feel so lonely. I'm at the verge to cry but I chose not to, I looked at Charm and I saw her looking lovingly at Drew.

I looked away from the intense stare of Andrew. I know that song is for me, but I just can't help looking at Charm. Kahit naman galit ako dahil niloko nila ako, hindi parin mawala sa isip ko ang pag-aalala. She's sick.

Kahit hindi ko gusto ang ginagawa ni Andrew feeling ko niloloko ko si Charmee, wala naman akong ginagawa kaya bakit ganito ang iniisip ko?

Natapos ang kanta at napa-iwas ako ng tingin ng muling tumingin sa direksyon ko si Andrew. Inalis ko ang luhang tumulo sa mata ko at saka tumayo.

But someone grab my wrist and pulled me closer to it's body.

"Cry... I won't ask. Just let your tears come out"

Napaiyak ako sa braso ni Sky, I felt comfortable. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako umiiyak sa harap niya, nakakahiya.

"Good evening everyone"

Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko at napatingin sa unahan. Then I saw my bestfriend, Xander holding my friend hand. What the hell is happening with Lara and Xander?

"I just wanted to introduce to you..." Xander looked at Lara. "My wife"

My eyes widened and gasped when I heard about their relationship. What the hell!? Kasal na sila!? Bakit ang daming surpresa sa gabing to!?

Damn Lara, I fucking hate you for not inviting me to your wedding.

"Hey baby, stop crying. You looked like a cry baby"

I curiously looked at him but he just grab my wrist and pulled me somewhere. He let me sat on the sand and we both look at the moon.

"Is he your ex?" Sky suddenly asked.

I was still stunned because he called me baby, my heart beats furiously after he said that. Hindi ko alam pero parang kinilig ako sa sinabi niya, why did he call me like that anyway? To make me fell better?

I looked away when I remembered Drew, it's not a coincidence right? I mean, maybe he knew that I was here and he really sang our favorite song. Or maybe I was just hallucinating? Baka para yun kay Charm, hindi naman ako magtataka kung magkakagusto siya sa kapatid ko. And, why would he sang it for me? We're over, but he still love me. I do too, but we're still over.

"Yeah..." I answered in a low voice.

His face is stoic, hindi katulad kanina na malambot. What happened to him? Actually, I was glad he was there for me. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko pagkatapos kong marinig ang kanta at ang pasabog nina Lara.

Baka gumawa na ako ng eksena, lalo na at hindi ako inimbitahan ng dalawa sa kasal nila. I should confront them, pinilit ba silang ipakasal? I should known that. Lara's parents are controllable, even Xander's. Hindi ko lang alam kung paano nila pakikisamahan ang isa't isa.

"He's an idiot... really idiot" He whispered. Malapit ko ng hindi marinig ang huling sinabi niya sa sobrang hina ng boses niya.

"I deserve more am I right?"

He looked at me seriously. "You deserve better... more than better, he's an asshole for letting you go. He's lucky to have you but he still let you go, now I have the chance... I'll grab it"