Chapter 5

"Miss Alindra.."

Yves is looking at me almost indifferently. I equalled the way he looks at me. Tinaas ko ang kilay at bahagyang lumapit sa kanilang lamesa pero umiling lang siya.

Seriously?

"'Wag kang mahiya! Halika, maraming pagkain!" aya sa akin no'ng Regina.

I was shocked when I saw her but what do I expect? Her boyfriend, Yves is here. Malamang ay nandito rin siya. She even held my hand!

Is she even naturally nice or she's just acting that she is?

I awkwardly smiled when she gave me a plate and some foods. "No, thank you. Ako na. I can manage.."

I smiled a little to assure her kahit pa gusto ko na siyang ikutan ng mata. I don't know why I'm irritated. She's not even doing something wrong yet.

I just put some rice on my plate and seafoods. I'm a bit uncomfortable, they're looking at me while I'm preparing for my foods!

"Maraming foods, Alindra. Don't be shy, kumain ka lang diyan."

I looked and nodded at Vander. Nang maupo ako, nawala ang tawanan nila at nagsimula na lang kumain. Marami silang nakapalibot sa akin. I awkwardly ate my shrimp because of that.

"Sir Vander, nasaan ho si sir Iver? Tapos na kayong mag-surf?" rinig kong tanong ni Yves.

May hawak siyang palayok at doon kumakain. Nakakamay.

Wait, sir?

"Nauna nang umuwi ng mansion. You didn't see him? He waited for you. I told you, dapat mag-aral ka ring mag-surf," Vander stated while still grinning.

"Hindi naman din ho ako makakapag-surf. Busy sa rancho.."

"Nako, Vander! Busy talaga sa rancho niyo 'yang si Yves Marcus! Araw-araw ba namang hatid-sundo si Regina sa Fuego!"

"That's true! Hindi na nga raw halos umuwi sa bahay nila sa Grittonia si Yves dahil nasa Fuego palagi. Hindi ba, Regina?" sabi pa ng babaeng umiinom ng buko juice sa tabi ni Tobias.

Napakurap ang mata ko sa narinig at tumigil sandali sa pagkain. I looked at Regina who's standing beside the table. She's not looking but I know she heard what the girl said. The redness on her face is so visible!

Hindi ko na lang gustong pansinin pa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nairita.

"Tumigil nga kayo. Nakakahiya sa kanila," Regina told them but smiling a little.

Nang tumingin ako sa hilera nina Yves, nag-uusap na sila ni Vander.

I was peacefully eating when I suddenly noticed a girl that is staring at me. I looked away fastly when she saw me, looking at her, too. Sa harapan ay naririnig ko pa rin ang usapan nila pero hindi ko na lang pinansin.

When I looked away, I was a bit surprised to see Yves that is looking at me now. It seems like he was waiting for me to look at him. Nagtaas ako ng kilay. I thought he would shake his head again and look away but he didn't.

"Pwede ba kitang makausap saglit, miss Alindra?"

Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko. "I'm still eating, Yves. Hindi ba makakapaghintay 'yang sasabihin mo?"

He sat down straight as he looked at me directly. He even sighed.

"Sige, mamaya na lang," he said and nodded.

Lumingon naman ako kay Vander nang may tinanong siya. "You know him, Alindra?"

I just nodded and smiled to stop him from asking further questions. Nang muli akong lumingon sa harapan ay nakita kong nakatingin sa akin si Regina na hindi ko maintindihan ang mukha.

"Maggie, tingin ka nang tingin kay Alindra kanina pa. Is there a problem?" Rocco said that caught my attention.

Tumingin naman ako sa tinawag ni Rocco na Maggie. She was the one who's looking at me a while ago!

"I noticed it, too, miss. May problema ba?" sabi ko habang nakatingin sa babae.

"W-Wala, Rocs." Umiwas ng tingin ang babae sa akin saka bumaling kay Rocco. "Pamilyar lang ang mukha niya. Hawig ni Mr. Alesso Rivera.."

"Rivera? As in the owner of The Golden West? They're rich!" another girl reacted with Maggie's statement.

"Well, that is because she's the daughter of Mr. Rivera, Mags! You know? The anak sa labas? Siya 'yon!"

I looked away when they mentioned it again. Mas mabuti pang kumain na lang kaysa makinig sa usapan nila.

"Stop it, girls. It's inappropriate. 'Wag niyong pag-usapan ang tungkol diyan," Vander told them although I saw that he was a bit surprised too with what he just heard about me.

Ngumisi naman ako nang hilaw. "No. It's fine, Vander. Gusto kong malaman ng mga tao rito na hindi ako apektado sa mga sinasabi nila.."

"Hindi ka naman talaga dapat maapektuhan," sabi ng babaeng katabi ni Tobias. "Your family is filthy rich! Unang kita ko pa lang sa 'yo, alam ko na kaagad na mayaman ka! Ano naman kung anak ka sa labas?"

"Yeah, so what kung anak ako sa labas?" I said after I bit my apple. "Excuse me, mauuna na ako.."

Bago pa ako makaalis ay narinig ko pa ang mga sinasabi nila.

"The problem here is that she is a Rivera. There's nothing wrong about being an illegitimate child but.. you know, Vander? About the Riveras and your family?"

I just shrugged my shoulders as I finally walked away. I shouldn't care anymore. Kaya umalis na ako kahit dapat pa akong magpaalam kay Vander.

"Hindi diyan ang daan.."

Kumunot ang noo ko nang lumingon ako at nakita si Yves. I noticed that he's wearing a white muscle shirt now paired with faded baggy pants.

I don't want him here! I think he's now judging me because of what he heard. But I don't want to be concerned about it anymore.

Walang mangyayari kung iisipin ko. Wala naman akong pakialam.

"What?" I asked him.

"Sabi ko, hindi diyan ang daan papuntang Grittonia---"

My forehead creased even more. "Bakit? Hindi ba 'to Puricia Grittonia?"

I don't know why I panicked a bit when he shook his head and came near me. Napaatras ako sa ginawa niya.

"Nasa boundary tayo ng Fuego at Grittonia," he told me. "May kalayuan ang resort niyo rito. Kung gusto mo.. pwede naman kitang ihatid."

I immediately shook my head. "Hindi na. I'll just call our driver para sunduin ako."

I was about to call our driver when I realized that I didn't bring my phone or even my purse with me! My eyes widened and quickly turned my back at Yves.

"Ano? Natawagan mo na ba?" he asked me but I didn't look at him.

"Y-Yeah.. papunta na ang sundo ko.."

"Paano ka makakatawag? Wala kang dalang phone, miss Alindra."

"What the freak?! You startled me!" naiiritang sabi ko. I thought he was gone beside me!

He made his body moved swiftly and he's now in front of me. He blocked the view of the seascape that I was looking a moment ago. Naiirita ko pa rin siyang tiningnan.

Seriously? Bakit ba siya nandito?

Hindi ko siya kinibo. I just walked away from him to see the crashing waves.

"Ihahatid na lang kita kung wala kang sundo, miss Alindra," he said after a moment.

I sighed and looked at him. "Bakit ba ang kulit mo? You don't have to bring me home. May mga driver naman ako.."

"Pero nasaan sila ngayon?"

"Fine, Yves! Ihatid mo ako! Or maybe I should call you kuya Yves!" naiirita kong sabi sa kaniya at iniwanan siya sa kinatatayuan niya.

"Hindi mo na ako kailangang galangin."

I rolled my eyes. "Hindi mo na rin ako kailangang ihatid pa.."

I walked faster than him but he walked fast too that he managed to be in front of me in an instant. He was fast! Masyado akong malayo sa kaniya kanina!

"Hindi mo alam ang daan. Hindi ka dapat nauuna," sabi niya nang lingunin ako.

I rolled my eyes sideward. I'm irritated but I admit it, I'm not familiar here so I'll really be needing his help. I have no choice but to be with this guy that I don't even know why he's getting into my nerves despite of his help last time!

"We'll just walk? According to you, malayo ang resort dito. I'm not gonna---"

"I'm sorry, natagalan ako. Kinuha ko pa si Brandon.."

I trailed off when Vander suddenly came. He was riding on a horse. Sa sobrang pagkabigla ko ay kaagad akong lumapit sa kaniya.

"Vander!"

Bumaba naman siya at sinalubong ako. He towered over me.

"I can't take you home. May kukuhanin pa ako sa rancho. Si Yves na lang muna ang maghahatid sa 'yo," Vander told me with a smile.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa narinig. I thought he already saved me from this guy behind me!

I turned around to look at Yves. He's looking at us while playing the rope on his hands. I deeply sighed.

"Is it fine with you, Alindra? I brought you here. Dapat ako ang maghatid sa 'yo pero---"

I cut him off. "No, no. It's okay. Gusto ko rin naman nang umuwi.."

I also have no choice.

I smiled softly and looked at Yves. Nakalahad na ang kamay niya sa akin - handa nang alalayan ako sa pagsakay sa kabayo.

Nanginginig kong tinanggap ang kamay niya. When I'm already on top of the horse, he smoothly moved his body behind me.

"Thanks for inviting me for lunch, Vander," I said and smiled. He also smiled and nodded.

May pinag-usapan pa sila sandali bago patakbuhin ni Yves ang kabayo. Nakita ko pang kumaway si Vander sa amin.

While we're on a ride, I can't help but to be uncomfortable. Yves is just so close to me. He's just behind me! There's nothing wrong but I'm not really comfortable with it.

Mas komportable pa ako kanina kay Vander..

"Miss Alindra, 'wag muna kayong gumalaw," Yves suddenly whispered.

Nagulat ako nang paglingon ko, sobrang lapit niya sa akin. His forehead is creased right now at para bang nahihirapan siyang patakbuhin ang kabayo dahil sa likot ko.

"Move, Yves! Masyado kang malapit sa akin!" naiirita kong sabi sa kaniya.

"Mahuhulog ka kung hindi ako malapit sa 'yo.."

"But I'm not comfortable!"

I even felt his breath on my nape because of his closeness. I think he's using this chance to be this close to me!

But Alindra, he has a girlfriend! You're just assuming things!

Natigilan ako nang unti-unting tumigil ang kabayo. Nilingon ko siya nang nakakunot ang noo ko.

"Sige. Anong gusto mong gawin ko?" he said in a serious tone. "Kung hindi ako ganito kalapit sa 'yo, pwede kang mahulog. Kung ititigil ko naman ang kabayo, hindi ka makakauwi. Anong gagawin ko, miss Alindra?"

I stiffened with his words. I want to wring his neck now! I hate him!

Sa sobrang irita ko ay nasuntok ko ang kabayo. Because of the sudden movement of the horse, I lost my balance. I turned my back to look at Yves only to see him on the ground! I didn't know that he fell!

I didn't hesitate when I jumped to help him. Kahit naiirita ako sa kaniya, kailangan ko pa rin siyang tulungan. Tinulungan naman din niya ako last time.

"S-Salamat," he said while his face was crumpled.

Pinagpagan niya ang damit dahil narumihan nang mahulog siya sa lupa.

"Salamat din pala dahil hindi mo sinabi sa parents mo ang nangyari no'ng nakaraan.."

I stopped for a moment when he said that but I was still able to answer him. "I-It's no big deal. You saved me last time so.. yeah..."

Kahit ang sama-sama ng loob ko sa nangyari noong nakaraan, sige. Hindi na iyon big deal kahit pa muntikan na akong mamatay!

He nodded and smiled after that. My eyes widened when I saw blood on his arm. It's probably because of the twigs beside him!

"Yves, you're bleeding!"

I checked his arm but he just winced in pain. Kaagad naman akong umiwas.

"May malapit na ilog dito. Kung makakapaghintay ka, huhugasan ko muna 'tong sugat ko."

He was about to walk away when I held the hem of his shirt. "You will leave me here? Baka may wild animals dito! 'Wag mo akong iwan!"

Tinitigan niya ako nang ilang sandali at maya-maya, ngumisi siya.

I followed him when he started to walk. He's not talking so do I. Ramdam kong iniinda niya ang sugat sa kaniyang braso. I wonder kung anong iisipin ng Regina na iyon sa akin kapag nalaman niya ang nangyari.

She'll surely hate me. But do I even care?

At bakit ba kanina ko pa iniisip 'yon?

Dumaan kami sa gubat. Yves even almost carry me but I just refused. He has wounds. Kasalanan ko pa kung dudugo pa iyon lalo.

"Mag-ingat ka, baka madapa ka.."

I just rolled my eyes and didn't say a word.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, narating na namin ang sinasabi ni Yves na ilog. My eyes widened in amusement while looking at the clear water. Seriously? Wala bang hindi magandang place dito sa Grittonia? Or any part of Liraya?

"Diyan ka muna. Saglit lang 'to," sabi ni Yves na nahihirapang kumapit sa mga bato.

I looked at him while he's cleaning his wounds. The water suddenly became red because of his blood. Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang hubarin niya ang kaniyang top.

I didn't look away. I just stared at his body that is almost wet now.

"Bakit ka nakatingin?" Muntik na akong mahulog sa bato na inuupuan ko nang magtanong siya.

"Nothing," I replied and smirked. "'Wag kang mag-assume na na-a-attract ako sa katawan mo kaya ko tinitingnan. I've seen a lot of men's bodies in Manila. Way even better than yours."

"I am not assuming things, miss Alindra.."

My eyes widened a bit with what I heard from him. Diretso siyang nakapagsalita ng English!

Oh well, it's not a big deal though. Nagulat lang ako!

Nang makabawi ako ay tiningnan ko uli siya. "Baka natatakot ka lang na makita tayo ng girlfriend mo sa ganitong situation? She'll be jealous for sure." I smirked as I play with my hair.

"Girlfriend? Wala akong girlfriend kaya wala ring magseselos," sabi niyang nakatingin sa akin habang naghuhugas ng kaniyang braso.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Napatayo pa ako bigla.

"W-Wala? But who's that Regina? She's your girlfriend, right?"

His brows are furrowed while looking at me. Binabasa niya pa rin ang sugat saka paminsan-minsang pinipiga ang dugo niya sa braso.

"Si Regina.. kababata ko siya at may gusto siya sa akin."

And so?

My forehead creased even more. "What? Then why are you bringing her home sa Fuego if she isn't your girlfriend?"

I suddenly became confused. Halata naman sa usapan nila kanina na girlfriend niya iyong Regina! He's just lying!

"Hindi na ba siya pwedeng ihatid kahit hindi naman kami?" seryoso niyang tanong sa akin, nakakunot pa rin ang noo. "Bakit ikaw? Hindi naman kita girlfriend pero ihahatid kita ngayon.."

I just rolled my eyes and turned my back at him. "Ang dami mong sinasabi. Let's go!"

"Nagseselos ka lang yata, miss Alindra..."

My eyes grew wider and looked at him again. I became irritated when I saw him smirking at me!

"And why would I be jealous? Oh my God, sino ka ba? Umuwi na nga tayo! Kanina ka pa diyan!" I shouted but he just smirked even more.

Naiirita na tuloy ako!

"Ikaw lang ang uuwi," sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin nang diretso. "Halika na.."

I screamed in so much anger when he walked away from me. He didn't even wait for me!

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng pwedeng magpatakbo ng kabayo, siya pa ang inutusan ni Vander na maghatid sa akin!

I hate you, Yves and the locals here! So freaking much!

. . .

I promised to myself that I won't go outside again after what happened but I just found myself at the seashore again. Pinapahiya ako ng mga tao rito. I'm just pretending that I'm not really affected at all even when I want to teach them a lesson.

But at the second thought, I would just waste my time and effort if I ever did it last time.

Dapat hindi na ako magpadala sa sinasabi ng ibang tao tungkol sa akin.

I just entertained myself by staring at the waves. Kahit mainit ang araw, malakas naman ang ihip ng hangin. Hindi ganoon kasakit sa balat ang init.

Nagulat na lang ako nang biglang mag-ring ang phone. Dad is calling. I immediately answered the call.

"Hello, Dad?"

"Maghahanap ako ng homeschool instructor mo. Or if you want to, ikaw na lang ang humanap. What do you think?" sagot naman ni Dad sa kabilang linya.

I almost forgot about it!

"Kayo na lang po ang humanap, Dad since I don't know anyone in this place. Baka may kakilala ka rin.."

My forehead creased when I suddenly saw some shadows that are nearing me. Mas lalo pang kumunot ang noo ko dahil para yatang lumiliit ang mundo naming dalawa ni Yves dahil nakita ko na naman siya!

The heck!

"Anong ginagawa ng lalaking 'yan dito?" I asked to myself.

"Hello, anak. Are you still there? Sino 'yan?"

My eyes widened when I heard Dad's voice. Hindi pa pala patay ang tawag!

"N-Nothing, Dad. Mamaya na lang po tayo mag-usap. Bye.."

Inis kong hinarap ulit ang papalapit na si Yves. But I stopped when many flowers rained on me.

"What the freak? Anong kalokohan 'to?!"

I tried to shove the flowers away from me but they were so many! Parang hindi nawawala!

"Tama na, mga bata!" Boses ni Yves ang narinig ko kaya mas lalo akong nairita.

"Sabi mo, Kuya Yves, ibigay namin sa kaniya," sabi ng isang batang babae habang nakaturo sa akin.

Yves chuckled. "Hindi ko naman sinabing ibato niyo sa kaniya." Tumingin siya sa akin bigla. My brow raised while looking at him. "Walang ibang meaning 'yan. Pasasalamat lang 'yan. Saka sorry na rin sa mga nasabi sa 'yo ng mga tao---"

"Why are you doing this, Yves? Seriously?" naiirita kong tanong sa kaniya. "You don't need to do this. At bakit ka hihingi ng sorry para lang sa mga locals dito? Are you their spokesman?"

Umirap ako kahit binibigyan pa rin ng mga bata ng flowers. I don't care!

"Hindi mo.. na-appreciate?"

I smirked. "No. Walang kwenta! It's so cheap and corny!"

I rolled my eyes again and turned my back at them. I started to walk away. I know it's rude but the people here are even more rude than me!

"Pasensya ka na.."

... ... ...