Chapter 31

"I never thought you could be this impulsive," sabi ko sa kanya habang sabay kaming naglalakad sa may airport. Kinuha sa akin ni Lui iyong cabin luggage ko. Pinatong niya doon iyong duffel bag na dala niya at saka siya iyong nagtulak non. 'So boyfriend' was the first thought that popped in my head, but I immediately squashed that thought. I didn't want to be delulu in front of him again!

I mean, I could be denial all I want, but goddamn, obvious naman kahit sa akin na may feelings pa rin ako kay Lui... but I'd seriously smack myself kung hahayaan ko na naman iyong sarili ko na maging tanga sa harapan niya.

He wants me? Work for it.

"What?"

"Bigla ka na lang pupunta dito sa Bali. 'Di mo ba naisip na may work ka?"

"I can work and have fun," sagot niya sa 'kin. "And it's not like I ditched my work. Weekend ngayon."

"So? Hanggang Tuesday pa ako dito. Susundan mo ako dito hanggang Tuesday?"

Instead of answering, he just gave me a shrug. Tsk. Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan. Gets ko pa iyong sa Manila na bigla siyang sumusulpot sa harapan ko, pero lagi naman 'yong after work. Saka 'di ko kasi talaga siya nirereplyan kaya wala siyag choice kundi magpaka-stalker sa akin.

But this?

Following me to another country?

Lui must have lost his goddamned mind.

After we're done with the immigration, palabas na kami ng airport. He was just walking without a care in the world. He's wearing a black cargo shorts na hanggang gitna lang ng legs niya at saka white polo na unbuttoned iyong unang tatlong butones kaya kitang-kita ko iyong silver na kwintas niya.

Ugh.

"Lui," I called nung nasa labas na kami kasi nakita ko na iyong airport transfer ko papunta sa may hotel na ni-rent ko. "Nandito na 'yung sa airport transfer ko. Saan ka magsstay?" I asked him kasi 'di naman ako totally walang konsensya.

Lui was looking around hanggang sa nakita niya na ata kung anuman iyong hinahanap niya. He looked at me.

"Let's go," sabi niya.

Napa-kunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"There's our ride," sagot niya habang naka-turo sa isang lalaki na may hawak ng papel na may naka-sulat na Mr. Lui Valladares.

"I have my ride," sagot ko rin tapos ay tumingin ako doon sa lalaki na may papel na hawak na may naka-sulat na Ms. Italia Hernaez.

Mas lalong napa-kunot iyong noo ko nang makita ko na naglakad si Lui papunta doon. Dala-dala pa rin niya iyong luggage ko. He was talking to the guy tapos napa-tingin sa akin iyong lalaki. After a while, he just nodded. I saw Lui handing what looked like money to the guy.

What...? Nag-abot ba siya ng peso? Or nagpapalit ba siya ng cash? So may cash siya ng Indonesia? If so, why? May balak talaga siyang pumunta sa Bali? Or may dala siya na dollars? Or nagwithdraw ba siya dito na hindi ko napapansin? I have so many questions!

"What was that?" tanong ko nung maka-balik na siya sa harapan ko.

"Sinabi ko lang na 'di ka na sasakay don."

Nanlaki iyong mga mata ko. "What?!"

"Come on. Our ride's waiting," he said, instead, tapos ay nagsimula na naman siyang maglakad. I had to follow him. As if may choice ako dahil kanina pa niya hatak-hatak iyong bag ko!

Kinausap sandali ni Lui iyong lalaki na may hawak nung papel na may pangalan niya. Apparently, this asshole rented a whole fucking private villa and this was the private chauffer service na kasama doon sa rent na binayaran niya.

"Look," he began nung kinuha nung lalaki iyong gamit namin at saka nilagay sa likuran nung van. "The villa has many rooms. It's not like I'm forcing you to share a bed with me."

I scoffed. "Talaga. Kasi ang kapal naman ng mukha mo kung ganon."

"Okay. So, we're in agreement?" sabi niya. Napaawang na lang iyong labi ko. Did he seriously just ignore the other things and just focused on one thing? Like all the other guys, may selective hearing din ba siya?

"I have my hotel."

"Can you cancel it and get a refund?"

"No."

He shrugged. "Next time, get a refundable one," sabi niya sa akin. "Or get a travel insurance."

"Why would I get a refundable one? Kung wala ka rito, doon naman talaga ako pupunta."

"Well, as we learned in Insurance Law, you get an insurance coverage for unforeseen circumstances."

"Unforeseen circumstance my ass... You're basically stalking me at this point."

"We could've avoided this had you unblocked me," sabi niya.

"Why would I? Wala naman tayong pag-uusapan."

Madaling-araw na. Pagod na ako mula sa buong araw na pag-aayos ng mga gagamitin ko sa Bali plus papunta sa airport and all the waiting time then iyong flight namin. Bahala na nga. Bukas ko na lang iisipin iyong gagawin ko sa may hotel. Takasan ko na lang si Lui bukas after ko makuha iyong bag ko.

* * *

Pagdating namin sa villa, ramdam ko na tinitignan ni Lui iyong reaction ko. I pressed my lips together, but damn! Ang ganda nitong villa na kinuha niya. It's a two-story villa na mukhang may dalawang kwarto and private pool sa labas.

"You can have the main bedroom," sabi ni Lui nung maglakad kami papunta sa may kwarto. Shit. Ang ganda naman dito? Naka-tingin pa lang ako sa kama, pero parang ang lambot non. I got inside the room and went to the bathroom. I knew I shouldn't look too much dahil aalis din naman ako bukas, but I couldn't help it! This was probably the best hotel na napuntahan ko. The bathroom was spacious. May his and her counter tapos malaking shower area and a freaking bath tub in the middle.

I felt my face heating up because memories of us in a bathroom began to flood my mind. Tsk.

"Fine," sabi ko sa kanya. I tried to act as nonchalant as possible, but I saw Lui smirking like he knew that I was just impressed. I mean, tao lang naman ako? Saka hindi naman ako mayaman. Comfortable lang pamilya ko, pero 'di naman tipo na kaya kong magbayad ng ganitong luxury villa on a freaking whim. Saka kahit may pera na ako from law, hindi ako basta-basta gumastos lalo na at alam ko na halos mamatay na ako sa kaka-sulat ng pleadings para lang makuha iyong sweldo ko.

Thankfully, umalis na si Lui. I was so tired, but I couldn't sleep without taking a shower and feeling clean. I immediately hopped in the shower. Ginamit ko muna iyong mga toiletries doon kasi may luxury brand—seriously, magkano 'tong villa na 'to? Ma-search nga sa google mamaya.

I took a quick shower dahil antok na talaga ako. Then I wore the fluffy bathrobe and just dried my hair with the towel dahil 'di naman mahaba iyong buhok ko. Paglabas ko ng bathroom, naka-rinig ako ng katok sa pinto.

"What?" I asked and once again, I saw the quick panic in his eyes nung makita na naka-bathrobe lang ako at kaka-ligo ko lang. Why was he acting like a hormonal teenager?

"You can wear this," sabi niya bigla tapos ay inabot sa akin na t-shirt. Napa-tingin ako sa kanya na naka-kunot ang noo. "Pantulog."

I arched my brow. "I told you—I'll sleep naked."

At this point, I was just teasing and annoying him.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

Instead of answering, Lui reached for my hand at saka nilagay doon iyong t-shirt.

"Good night," he said and then closed the door and I heard footsteps walking away. Tss. Parang bata.

* * *

Meron naman akong dalang pantulog, but I couldn't resist the idea of wearing Lui's t-shirt bilang pantulog kaya ginamit ko 'yon. Nung magising ako, agad akong nagpalit nung oversized shirt ko. I didn't bring any shorts with me. I kind of debated kung paano ako lalabas sa kwarto na 'to kasi medyo late na ako nagising dahil sa sobrang pagod.

"Whatever," I uttered to myself after checking my reflection sa salamin sa CR. I was wearing an oversized graphic shirt saka black underwear. Hanggang gitna naman siya ng legs ko. It's not I'm gonna bend over and show Lui my ass.

I just did my usual morning routine. I did my skincare tapos ay nag tinted sunscreen lang ako para sa mukha ko. I didn't plan on wearing any makeup this trip.

"Good mor—"

"Morning," I said nung makita ko si Lui na nasa may table. May naka-arrange na na food doon. "San galing 'yan?" I asked as I sat down. 'Di ko na pinansin iyong reaction ni Lui. At this point, nasasanay na ako. Baka atakihin 'to sa puso mamaya kapag nag-bikini ako.

"Part of the service," he replied and I nodded as I helped myself with the pancakes and the french toast.

"I have a question," I said and he looked at me. "How much 'to per night?" I asked. I did try to look for the price online, but walang naka-lagay... which led me to think na super mahal ng lugar na 'to. Kasi ganon 'yon usually. Takot ako mamili sa mga stores na walang naka-lagay na price tag kasi nakaka-shock iyong presyo nila—at least sa tax bracket ko.

He just shrugged.

"Come on. Curious lang ako."

"It's not that expensive."

"Ugh. Rich kid."

Natawa siya. "The fuck?"

"Come on, seriously, magkano nga?"

"Basta."

"Super mahal, noh?" sabi ko sa kanya, pero humigop lang siya ng kape niya. "Super yaman mo ba? Like... I have questions."

Lui's always been a mystery. In law school, he has a reputation of being a player. In their fraternity, he has some sort of a pull to be able to shut Lance up like this.

But really, sino ba si Lui?

"My family's comfortable."

"Typical rich kid answer."

Hindi siya naka-tingin sa akin. He was lathering butter on his toasted bread and it was like he was consciously looking at that instead of looking at me.

"I don't really know much about my family's business," sabi niya. Napa-kunot ang noo ko.

"How come?"

"Just not interested," he said and then looked at me. His whole expression made me stop asking my question because he looked like he'd literally give me a blank check to get me to stop asking questions.

There was a stretch of silence after that. Tahimik ko na inubos iyong pancake at kape ko. Lui was doing the same. What was with his family that made him so uncomfortable?

"Iyong bag—"

"Saan mo—"

Sabay kaming napa-hinto nung sabay kaming nagsalita. He motioned me to continue speaking.

"Iyong bag ko," I repeated. "My hotel's fully paid for, Lui. I'd rather stay there."

"Bakit hindi dito?" he asked. "Ayaw mo ba dito? If you want privacy, I promise not to disturb you."

"It's not that."

"Then what?" mabilis na sagot niya. "I wouldn't have followed you here kung may kasama ka," he said like he didn't just admit to blatantly following me. "But I read a lot of news about people being sexually assaulted here after partying too hard—or sometimes, they'd get drugged. And I'm not saying that will happen to you, but who knows?"

Parang mabibingi na naman ako sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

"So just please... let's just rest this argument."

I bit the inner part of my lower lip with the way he was staring at me like he was just begging me to stay here with him.

"Fine. Whatever," I said as I grabbed another French toast and stuffed it inside my bed. Lui was just watching me like I was a fucking sitcom episode.

After the breakfast, pumasok na ako sa kwarto. I decided to wear the royal blue string bikini. I decided na magsunbathing. Feeling ko naman babalik din agad ako sa normal kong kulay kasi 'di naman ako halos naaarawan kapag may trabaho.

Sinuot ko na iyong bikini tapos ay sinuot ko na rin iyong white polo for cover up pati baseball cap. May dala akong tote bag at nandon iyong libro ko, sunblock, sunglass, beach mat, and phone ko.

"See you later," sabi ko nung naka-labas ako at nakita ko si Lui na nasa may dining table. Wala na iyong mga plato don. Seriously? May naka-tago ba na mga staff dito kasi parang kahit mag-iwan lang ako ng plato e kukunin agad nila para linisin.

"San ka pupunta?" agad na tanong ni Lui. Naka-bukas iyong laptop niya at parang may work siya na ginagawa.

"Beach. Sunbathe." He immediately closed his laptop. Kumunot ang noo ko. "I checked the maps. Malapit lang 'yong beach dito. Kaya kong maglakad mag-isa."

But it was like he was deaf and decided not to listen to me. I saw how he didn't even look at me habang naglalakad siya papasok sa may kwarto niya. Minsan talaga ang unfair kasi kapag lalaki, ang bilis lang nila matapos sa pag-aayos. Nagpalit lang ng blue na board shorts si Lui saka puting t-shirt. May dala din siyang tote bag at saka pinanood ko na i-shoot niya doon iyong laptop niya saka charger.

"Let's go," he said.

Seryoso ata 'to na babantayan ako...

* * *

"Where are you going?" Lui asked nung tumayo ako. May café kasi dito sa harap ng beach. Hindi naman ako sobrang sama kaya dito ako nag-aya muna para makapagtrabaho pa rin siya. May pakielam naman ako sa career niya. Alam ko rin na kahit weekend, impossible na wala siyang ginagawa. The lawyering never stops ikaw nga nila.

"Don lang," I said, pointing out at the shore. "I told you, magssunbathing ako."

Mabilis akong tumayo at naglakad bago pa siya maka-angal at maka-gawa ng kung anumang explanation kung bakit masama ang sinag ng araw sa balat. I walked hanggang mapunta ako doon sa middle part ng shore. Madami namang nagssunbathing dito. 'Di na ako nahiya kasi puro foreigners naman nandito.

Nilatag ko na iyong beach mat ko. Hindi ko abot iyong likuran ko kaya iyong harap na part ko muna iyong nilagyan ko ng sunblock. Nahiga na ako. Buti na lang 'di pa ganoon kataas iyong sikat ng araw dahil ayoko naman magka-tan line na hugis sunglass.

My eyes were closed as I was enjoying the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves. This... felt so nice.

Naka-higa lang ako hanggang pakiramdam ko ay kailangan ko ng tumalikod naman dahil baka 'di na magpantay iyong kulay ko. I sat down tapos ay napa-tingin ako sa gilid ko. I saw a guy who was sitting a few meters from me looking at me like he wanted to start a conversation.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

"Philippines," I replied.

"My friends are right," he said. Napa-kunot ang noo ko. "That Filipinas are hot."

Did he seriously just hit on me?

I mean, this wasn't the first time a guy has hit on me, pero ito ata iyong super makapal ang mukha na nilandi na agad ako within the first minute of meeting me.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Tali."

He gave a small nod. "Luke," he replied. "Are you with someone?"

Pero bago pa man ako maka-sagot ako may sumagot na para sa 'kin.

"Tali, baby," the voice said... and my heart started to beat like crazy inside my chest.

**

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