Chapter 16

“Hindi naman masama ang loob mo?”

I rolled my eyes while Yves and I are walking. Nasa likuran ko siya. I'm walking fast so he can't follow me but he still did it!

Iniwan na nga namin si Sonya sa dalampasigan dahil sa pagkainis ko kay Yves. Ang gulo-gulo niya!

“Don't talk to me,” I said, almost a whisper. I can imagine my face right now. Salubong na salubong siguro ang mga kilay ko dahil sa lalaking 'to!

“'Wag ka nang mag-inarte.” Nakangisi siyang humarap sa akin. “May pupuntahan tayo..”

“What—Ano ba?!”

Halos lumuwa ang mga mata ko nang hilahin ako ni Yves saka siya tumakbo. I have no choice but to run, too! Kung hindi ako tatakbo, baka mabali ang buto ko!

I heard that he's laughing. My eyes blinked many times while I'm hearing his laughter. This is the very first time that I hear that sound from him without even forcing it. May kakaiba sa mga tawa niya ngayon na parang wala siyang problema.

Hinayaan ko lang na hilahin niya ako kahit nagrereklamo pa ako no'ng una. Hindi na ako nagtanong kung saan niya ako dadalhin. My mind and my heart are cooperating right now that I don't even have to worry no more. Even if there's still a possibility that he'll take an advantage while we're together. I'm just so young, while he's still a man and...

Hindi ko na gustong isipin pa ang naiisip ko. I don't know why.

I shove all the negative thoughts away as I just want to relax my mind right now. Nagpadala na lang ako sa paghila ni Yves at sa marahang pagdampi ng hangin sa balat ko.

Hindi ko namalayang tumigil na pala kami sa pagtakbo. It's good that I didn't even feel any tiredness even if we ran and walked so fast.

“Ito na 'yon?”

Inikot ko ang mata sa paligid. Nasa gubat kami pero kakaunti lang ang mga puno. I can still hear the waves from where we're standing right now. I think the shore is just somewhat near from us.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang umakyat si Yves sa malaking puno — only to realize that it's not just an ordinary tree. It's a treehouse that looks so old!

“I'll climb up there? Hindi ko kaya!” I said when he gestured to follow him.

Nakita kong umiling na lang siya bago kumapit sa isang sanga roon. To my surprise, he effortlessly carried me and I'm now inside the treehouse! I can't believe that he did that! May kalakihan ang puno pero hindi naman gaano kataas! Pero kahit na! He pulled up my body without even exerting his full force!

Hindi ko na lang pinansin iyon at tiningnan na lang ang kabuoan ng treehouse. It's so obvious that it's built many years ago based on the appearance of the materials that scattered around the place. Marami ring mga tuyong dahon na halatang wala halos pumupunta rito para maglinis pero halata pa rin naman ang kagandahan sa loob.

“Let's go. Baka trespassing na ‘to,” I told Yves even if I still want to look inside. Mamaya ay mahuli pa kami sa loob.

Humakbang si Yves papasok. “Matagal nang wala ang may-ari nito. Dito kami madalas pumunta ng mga kaibigan ko noon..”

I rolled my eyes at him as an answer. He finally came inside now so do I. Malakas ang hangin sa labas kaya sinundan ko na lang si Yves. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang makakita ng piano na gawa sa kahoy. It looks antique because of its structure and design. Ang ganda ng piano at mukhang ito lang ang talagang iniingatan dito.

Umupo ako saka sinubukang tugtugin ang piano. I closed my eyes as I pressed the keys and feel every second of playing it. I suddenly missed doing this. Sa mansion kasi ay wala ang piano ko at nandoon lang sa Manila. I haven't played piano yet for about two months already.

“Pwede ko bang subukan?”

I opened my eyes when Yves spoke. I saw that he's in front of me. Ang malalalim niyang mga mata ay ngayo'y mapungay habang nakatingin sa akin. I just nodded my head as I have no energy to disagree anymore.

Tumayo ako saka hinayaan siyang tugtugin ang piano. Tumalikod ako nang magsimula siya sa ginagawa. I just came closer to the window to feel the air more. Dinama ko ang malakas na hangin, ang ingay ng alon at mga dahon.. kasama na ang pagtugtog ni Yves sa piano. I didn't know that he plays well. I'm also hearing the classical piece that I always love to play on the piano.

It is Canon in D of Johann Pachelbel. My most favorite piece.

Wala na akong pakialam sa mga ibang tunog na naririnig. It's as if my ears.. my heart only accepts the sound that Yves is making right now. It's making me more bewildered.

Gusto ko na lang matapos kaagad ang ginagawa niya para matigil na rin 'tong kakaiba kong nararamdaman. I just entertained myself by looking outside. In this way, I won't be able to focus on the sound that I'm hearing right now. Gustong-gusto kong hindi na marinig kahit hindi naman masama ang tunog.

It's making me calm but puzzled at the same time.

The sound suddenly began to be indistinct after a few moments. Nilingon ko si Yves. Nagulat naman ako nang palapit na siya sa likuran ko.

I panicked a little when he's finally on my side. Ngayon ay dalawa na kaming nakatanaw sa labas. Pero hindi ko na kayang tumingin pa roon katulad ng ginagawa ko kanina.

“Ipipilit mo pa rin ba?”

Nilingon ko siya nang nakakunot ang noo. “Ang alin?”

“Ang sa amin ni Regina..”

I took a deep breath after I averted my eyes at him. Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot. Hindi ko alam sa sarili ko!

“If you don't want to, then I won't force you," kalmado ko pang sabi sa kaniya. “I just don't understand you. Kung gusto mo si Regina, you should date her.. pursue her! Hindi 'yong ikaw ang naghihintay sa kaniya! You should do the first move!”

Nakita ko ang pagngisi niya nang lumingon ako. “Akala ko ba hindi mo na ipipilit?”

I rolled my eyes. “Hindi na nga! I'm just saying!”

Aalis sana ako sa harapan niya nang hawakan niya ang buhok ko sa itaas. I looked at him while my brows are slightly furrowed. I don't know what he's doing not until he showed me a leaf that I think, got stuck in my hair when the wind blew hard a moment ago.

“Magulo na ang buhok mo..”

Instead of fixing my hair when I heard that from Yves, I stared at him and his smiling eyes. Masyado siyang masaya ngayon na parang may mali na. I'm not used that he's smiling like this! He doesn't usually smile before!

Nagkatinginan kami nang ilang saglit bago nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya. At bago ako umiwas ng tingin. I can't believe that we stared at each other for a long minute.

“Kumusta ka naman? Ang pamilya mo? Si Mr. Alesso?”

I wearily looked at him. “Why are you like that?”

“Anong ganito?” sabi niya nang nakakunot ang noo.

“Like that! First, you'll act like you don't care at all then eventually, you'll show an interest! Nakakainis!”

Honestly, I don't really know where I'm coming from. I just wanted to say that to him so he knows what I'm thinking.

“Mukha bang wala akong pakialam sa ‘yo, Alindra?” tanong niya habang hawak ang siko ko nang subukan kong umalis ulit sa harapan niya. “Mukha bang hindi ako interesado?”

Hindi ako nakasagot sa kaniya. Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin. I don't even know what to say! Ngayon, hindi ko alam kung bakit anong mayro'n at naguguluhan ako!

“Answer me 'cause I need to know...”

Napalunok ako nang marinig ko siya ulit magsalita ng diretsong English. Tinitigan niya pa ako nang balingan ko ulit siya ng tingin.

“Yves Marcus! Nandiyan ka pala!”

My eyes widened when I saw a group of people in front of us. Lima sila. Tatlong babae saka dalawang lalaki. They are looking up at us at naabutan nila kaming halos magkayakap!

“Siya ba 'yong Alindra Rivera?” rinig ko pang sabi ng isang babae. “Namumula ang pisngi niya..”

Tinago ko ang mukha sa hiya nang marinig iyon. Umalis ako sa pagkakahawak ni Yves. One wrong move and I nearly fell! Good thing that Yves held my waist!

“Bitiwan mo ako. Uuwi na ako,” mariin kong bulong sa kaniya.

“Ihahatid kita,” sabi niya bago bumaling sa grupo. “Pinakita ko lang kay Miss Alindra ang treehouse. Saan kayo?”

“Dito rin sana kaso baka busy kayo sa loob,” the guy with a tanned skin said and chuckled. Tumawa rin ang mga kasama nito.

Tumawa rin si Yves. “Hindi. Uuwi na rin kami..”

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang bigla akong buhatin ni Yves at tumalon pababa! Again, he did it effortlessly and because of that, I screamed loudly!

Unggoy ba ang lalaking ito?

“Sandali, Yves! Sa susunod na araw, sumama kayo sa amin! Pupunta kami sa lagoon!” Nakita kong kumapit pa ang babae sa braso ni Yves kahit buhat niya pa ako.

“You should come, too, Miss Alindra! Masaya ‘yon!” the girl said with a chinky eyes. Halatang may sinasabi sa buhay dahil sa pananamit.

Sapilitan akong kumawala sa pagbuhat ni Yves bago nagsalita, “I'm sorry. I have other plans this week..”

They all expressed their disappointments after I bid goodbye. Narinig kong nagpaalam na rin si Yves sa mga kaibigan niya at sumunod sa akin.

Habang naglalakad kami pauwi, hindi na umiimik si Yves. I didn't ask or complain about it anymore. I became suddenly tired as if I came from a long ride. Too tired that I have no energy to speak and even to recognize this strange feeling that I have at this moment.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

. . .

I'm just staring blankly at the TV screen while I'm talking to my Dad over the phone. Rachel is in front of me — sitting on one of the bean bags and searching for movies to watch.

“Yes, Dad,” I answered when he asked if I'll sleep in Rachel's place for tonight.

“You should've called your Mom too, anak. Para malaman din niya. Baka mag-alala ‘yon. Nalaman niya nang nawala ka no'ng nakaraan..”

Bigla akong nawalan ng gana nang marinig iyon kay Dad.

“Ikaw na lang po ang magsabi sa kaniya. We'll sleep now. Goodnight..”

“Alright. Kung may kailangan ka, tumawag ka lang...”

I sighed when the call has already ended. Hinarap ko na lang ang TV screen na ngayon ay naka-flash na ang isang movie poster.

“So?” nakangising si Rachel ang lumapit sa akin. “Kumusta? What happened earlier? Magkuwento ka naman!”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Nothing special happened, Rach and I have no story to be told.”

She keeps on pestering me about this. Nakita niya kasing hinatid ako ni Yves sa mismong hotel kung nasaan sila nag-s-stay. At kanina niya pa ako inaasar!

“Oh, so nag-e-expect ka na may special na mangyayari? Gano'n?”

“No! It's not like that! Manood na nga lang tayo!”

Naririnig ko pang nagrereklamo si Rachel sa tabi ko. Pinipilit niya pa rin akong magkuwento sa nangyari kanina. Maybe she's really thinking that I like Yves romantically and worse than that — she's assuming that there's something going on between the two of us! When in fact, hindi naman namin gusto ang isa't-isa!

I just chose to watch the movie that Rachel suggested earlier. But my mind seems to be clouded with so many thoughts right now and up until now, I'm still bothered to the feelings that I had when I was with Yves. Pakiramdam na.. hindi ko pa naramdaman noon. Or maybe I've already felt it before but I just ignored it.

Hindi ko naman alam kung ano 'to at naguguluhan na ako! Ni hindi ko nga maintindihan ang sarili ko!

I just want to let out these unknown feelings of mine!

“Do you have any chips here? Or kahit popcorn?” I asked Rachel. Baka kahit papaano mas malibang ako kung may kinakain.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang tawagin ko pa ulit si Rachel pero hindi siya sumagot. When I sat down beside her to check her, I shook my head when I saw that she's already sleeping.

She's probably tired. Maybe she roamed around earlier when I was gone with Yves.

And.. why do I keep on remembering about that guy? Seriously?

Nawalan na ako ng gana manood kaya pinatay ko na lang ang TV. Napahiga ako sa bed at doon ko naramdaman ang pagod. My forehead creased when I heard my phone ringing. I thought it's my Mom but I saw an unregistered number.

Sinagot ko naman ang tawag. “Hello? Who's this?”

Wala akong narinig kundi ang malalim na paghinga sa kabilang linya. It's like I'm talking to a ghost. I'm about to end the call when I heard something.

“Sasama ako bukas sa outing ng mga kaibigan ko. Gusto kong makita mo rin ang lagoon. Susunduin kita bukas ng umaga kung pwede ka..”

My eyes became bigger when I realized that I'm talking to Yves. But before I could even react, he already ended the call!

“Bastos! hate you!”

I looked at my phone as I saved his number. Where did he get my number? From Leandro?

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako habang tinititigan ang screen ng aking phone. Nagulat naman ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto pagkatapos ng ilang katok.

“Tulog na si Rachel?” Rachel's older brother asked. Tumango lang ako. “Hindi ko nasabi sa kaniya. We have an emergency. Kailangan naming sunduin bukas sa airport ang parents namin..”

“Sige.. uh, I'll just tell it to her kapag nagising siya.”

I saw him nodded and smiled. “Thanks. You need extra pillow or something?”

Umiling naman ako. ”There are a lot in here. 'Wag na. Thank you..”

He said goodnight to me before he finally closed the door. I just smiled a little. Napatingin naman ako sa kaibigan kong natutulog na. It's somehow making me feel sad knowing that she'll leave tomorrow morning. We didn't even have the chance to wander the island together!

Maybe next time with Erica and Milan..

. . .

“Maybe next week or next month, pupunta uli kami ni Kuya Ry dito. I love it here! Saka marami pa akong hindi na-t-try!” sabi ni Rachel nang makaakyat sa kanilang speedboat.

It's obvious that she's sad because of the news that I told her earlier this morning. Ayaw niya pa ngang maniwala at sumunod. She even called her parents for confirmation.

“We can try next week. Maybe next month, nasa Manila na ako. I don't wanna stay any longer..”

Nalungkot ang mukha niya sa sinabi ako. She knows my problem and she comforted me last time. Just like me, she couldn't believe it. Hindi niya aakalaing magagawa pang magloko ni Mom even she already has Alesso Santiago Rivera on her side.

“Ingat ka rito! I promise, babalik ako kaagad!”

I really hate dramas and farewells so I just waved my hand and didn't utter any word anymore. Nagpaalam din sa akin ang Kuya ni Rachel bago tuluyang paandarin ang speedboat. Kumakaway pa si Rachel sa akin hanggang makalayo sila.

I deeply sighed when I can't see them anymore. Pakiramdam ko nawalan ako ng kakampi. Si Rachel lang ang tanging kaibigan ko rito sa isla sa mga nagdaang araw pero umalis kaagad siya. She didn't stay longer when I needed her but I understand her situation.

It's just.. I'm now lonely and have no friends.

Or should I consider Yves as a friend of mine? How about Sonya? She helped me last time..

Muli akong bumuntong-hininga habang tinatanaw ang dagat. I hugged myself tight when I felt the cold breeze that touched my skin for a while. It's almost 9 in the morning but I'm still here at the shore. Ayaw ko munang umuwi sa mansion.

“Nakalimutan mo ba ang usapan natin?”

Nagulat ako nang biglang lumapit sa akin si Yves na nasa likuran ko pala. His eyes darkened when I looked at him.

“W-What are you saying?”

Pagod siyang tumingin sa akin. “Pumunta ako sa hotel, wala ka. Pumunta rin ako sa inyo at hinanap kita kay Sonya. Hindi niya raw alam kung nasaan ka. Tumawag ako kagabi. Sabi ko susunduin kita---”

“Wait!” I said, cutting him off. “Hindi ko alam na ngayon ‘yon at nawala sa isip ko! I'm sorry, alright? I forgot about it!”

I saw how his muscles got tensed. Maybe he's mad and he's just holding back his feelings.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya nang hindi siya umimik. Umiwas lang siya ng tingin sa akin. What's the problem of this boy?

Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Nakakunot pa ang noo. He's obviously mad or upset! Nagdadalawang-isip ako sa sasabihin!

I let out a sigh. "Pwede pa naman tayong humabol, right?”

I smirked when his face lightened up after I said that. Iyon lang pala ang sagot sa pagsusungit na naman niya. He immediately took my hand and pull it without saying any single word.

Hinayaan ko na lang siya sa ginagawa niya. Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang tumigil siya sa tapat ng bahay nila.

“What are we doing here?”

“May kukuhanin lang ako sa loob..”

Patingin-tingin ako sa loob ng bahay. I'm trying to look for his grandma.

“Nasaan ang Lola mo? Can I see her?” tanong ko bago pa siya makapasok nang tuluyan.

Umiling siya. “Unfortunately, bawal pa. Kailangan pang magpahinga ni Lola...”

I nodded slowly as I watched him enter their house. Napahinga ako nang malalim. After I asked my Dad a favor to pay the hospital bills and their other necessities, I didn't have any news from them anymore. Nagkulong lang ako sa mansion matapos kong makita ulit si Mom. Kaya ngayong nasa tapat ako ng bahay nina Yves, gusto kong makita si Lola.

I hope she'll be fully healed soon..

“Sa lagoon tayo pupunta, right? Your friends told us yesterday,” sabi ko kaagad nang makita kong palabas na si Yves. “Is that far from---”

“Siya ba, Alindra? Siya ba?”

I froze while standing when I heard that from a very familiar voice. I slowly turned around to check who it is. Parang may sumabog naman sa dibdib ko nang makita ko mismo sa harapan ko si Minerva Salvatierra-Rivera.

... ... ...