Chapter 32

Bennett and I stroll around the community. Pinabayaan nga kami no'ng tourist guide namin kanina. Everytime I look at Bennett, lagi siyang nakangiti at feeling ko deep inside, isang malaking fulfilment 'yon na makita siyang gano'n kasaya. From what he has been through, I guess he deserves this kind of happiness. Gano'n din ang naramdaman ko nang makakilala kami ng mga local at kung ano ang sinabi nila sa amin at pina-experience.

May isang grupo pa kaming nilapitan dahil tinawag nila kami kasi may ipatitikim daw silang pagkain na sa Batanes lamang namin matitikman. Ito iyong Uvud balls na gawa sa finely-grated corn mula sa trunk ng banana at hinaluan pa ito ng pork and some added beef, at tinatadtad na isda. At first, hesitant kaming dalawa ni Bennett, but because we don't want to offend them to their culture, we tried, and over time na nakukuha namin iyong lasa at umaayon na rin sa panlasa namin. It was very good though.

Tinanong din nila kung anong ginagawa namin sa Batanes, we only said we're here for a short break and to celebrate Bennett's birthday. Binati naman nila siya at nang pabiro kong sinabi na artista siya, hindi naman sila magkamayaw na magpakuha ng litrato gamit ang phone ni Bennett. Natatawa na lamang ako sa reaksyon ni Bennett dahil gusto na niyang umalis pero nakikisama lamang siya dahil ayaw niyang maka-offend kaya naki-ride na siya sa kalokohan ko.

After getting along with the community, we spend strolling more down to Naidi Hills all the way to Vayang rolling hill just to see the very beautiful landscape of Batanes. There was so much green to anywhere we look. Cows can found anywhere and there it was, the breath taking view of the Pacific Ocean. We spend more than half an hour there just to appreciate the beauty in it.

We even lay down on the grass as it's clean and the air is just so fresh. Ang sarap manirahan. Kung maaari lamang na mangyari na after I graduate ay rito manirahan because who wouldn't want some peace in their life? Lalo na 'yong ganitong kagandang view. I would spend much of my day looking at the vast ocean. I couldn't ask for more. This is the best place for me.

Before we could go on our next trip sa Valugan Boulder Beach, we had our lunch first sa Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant. Bennett told me that our lunch for today is already pre-ordered so I may like it or not, he already paid for it. Good thing, I wasn't allergic to sea foods kaya super na-enjoy ko ang lunch naming dalawa. Nahihiya na lang din ako sa kanya kasi todo picture, kain, at halakhak na lang ako sa paligid niya habang siya 'yong gumagastos. He even planned we should pursue 'yong pagpunta sa Itbatan bukas ng maaga. Ewan ko kung anong sumagi sa isip niya pero nasa sa kanya ulit ang desisyon, magpahahatak lang ulit ako.

But now we're already heading to our next destination. Mabilis lang din naman ang magiging biyahe namin. It will only take us ten to fifteen minutes at mararating na namin ang unang beach na mapupuntahan ko rito sa Batanes. Though we won't be able to have a swim there dahil medyo pantay ang lupain at malakas ang hangin kaya hindi pinapayagang lumangoy.

Hindi rin naman katagalan ay nakarating kami sa Valugan Boulder Beach ay hindi ako makapaniwala. The view is even more breathtaking. I was only smiling the whole time because that's the only thing I can do, to appreciate the beauty.

From the little waves meeting the shore and hearing how the splashes of water makes your mind a little more relax. Napupuno ng bato ang paligid. Kung ang karamihan ng mga beach ay napaliligiran ng mga white sand o kung ano pa mang klase ng buhangin, this one filled with so much rocks na hindi dahilan para hindi ma-appreciate ang beauty. Malinis ang paligid at sariwa ang amoy ng hangin. If we could just swim, I would run to it and that'll be fun for us, though because we respect the rules and we're only a tourist here at 'wag magaling, we just strolled around made some rock formations.

Naaliw kaming dalawa ni Bennett sa pagpatong-patong ng mga makikinis na bato. Though kanina muntik akong madulas dahil sa maling pagkatatapak ko sa batuhan, mabuti na lang ay agad akong nasalo ni Bennett which makes me feel so glad dahil kung hindi, bagok ang ulo ko kapag nagkataon.

"Can I keep this rock?" tanong ko kay Bennett. Handa na akong itago 'yong sa hand bag ko kasi sobrang kinis. Pang-remembrance lang sana."

"No. You can't keep it."

I frowned. "Bakit naman? Ang damot, a!"

He smirked. "I wasn't the one who's asking you not to, but it's the rules, Sel."

"Ah..." Napangiwi na lamang ako nang sabihin niya iyon sa akin. "So, bawal?"

He nodded. "Yup. You can't keep it. Or they'll have you fine for it and I can't pay for that, Sel."

"Ay! Hindi na nga, e. Echos ka talaga, Bennett!" Binato ko pa 'yong bato palayo sa akin para hindi na ako ma-attract pa.

Natawa na lang din naman si Bennett at saka niya pinicturan ang ginawa niyang rock formation. After took shots of his creation, ni-request pa nitong sumama ako sa shot at hindi man lang niya ako inabisuhan kung mag-ready na ba ako pero saglit lang din ay binalik na niya ang phone niya sa bulsa. Hindi man lang din niya pinakita sa akin kung anong hitsura ko ro'n. Nag-thumbs na lang siya sa akin at sinabing okay na.

Pipilitin ko pa sana siya pero may ibang pumasok sa isipan ko na gusto kong sabihin sa kanya. Tumahimik naman kaming dalawa na tila pagaspas na lamang ng malalaking alon ang naririnig namin at ang malalakas na bugso ng hangin. Nakaupo lamang kami sa batuhan at pinapanood ang tanawin nang ipasok ko na ang usapan na sa tingin ko'y agad niyang tatanggihang pag-usapan.

"Bennett... ano..."

"Yeah?" he muttered

"'Wag ka magagalit ka?"

He then looked at me, raising a brow, with that kind of look, parang kinu-kwestiyon na niya talaga ako. I really don't know how to say this to him, but I'll come clean to him. I don't know what he really felt after the situation with Cinema so I'm not sure if this is right.

"Bakit? Umutot ka?"

I laughed so hard when he asked that. Natawa rin naman siya sa tanong niya. Bahagya ko siyang sinuntok sa balikat niya kasi panira ng moment. I know he's just trying to make the situation light pero sobrang tense na ako sa loob-loob ko.

"Hindi! Kadiri ka! Aaminin naman ako if ever!" Halakhak ko pa.

"Yeah, I thought so. You just farted last night."

"Hoy! Hindi kaya, imbento ka!" I glared at him pero mukhang wala namang effect sa kanya.

"Whatever. What are you gonna tell to me now?"

"Yesterday... ano..."

"Yesterday, what?"

I took a deep breath. "I... I talked with Cinema after the competition."

He heaved out a deep sigh and then rest his back using his arms. Napailing na lamang ito na para bang disappointed sa sinabi ko. Na isang malaking killer moment ang binitawan kong mga salita. Hindi ko alam kung itutuloy ko pa ba 'yong sasabihin ko sa kanya kasi kung hindi siya komportable pag-usapan 'yon, hindi ko na lang din itutuloy.

"I'm sorry if I just drop the bomb there... hindi ko naman sinasadya..." aniko at wala pa rin siyang komento sa sinasabi ko. Malayo ang tingin niya sa dagat na nasa harapan naming dalawa. He's just picking up small pebbles then throwing it to the shore. I literally feel so embarrassed dahil pagiging travel companion na nga lang niya ang ginagawa ko, kung ano-ano pang sinasabi ko. "I shouldn't have said that..."

"Let's just walk... and not to talk about her anymore, alright?"

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya bilang pagsang-ayon sa kagustuhan niya. We were just having fun and I did a great job of ruining it. I thought that it won't be a good idea, pero pinush ko pa rin 'cause I thought I would learn something from what happened. Hindi naman sa umaasa ako. I just really thought he might tell a thing or two.

We continued strolling by the beach. We're not talking and I'm walking behind him. Hindi na rin naman nagtagal ay umalis na kami at tumungo kami sa isang popular store dito sa Batanes, ang Honesty Store.

It took us an hour when we finally arrived at the place. Hindi ko nilabas ang phone ko. Hindi ako nagpicture-picture at sinunsundan ko na lang din naman si Bennett. Pinasok naman namin ang Honesty Store and just like what we've expected, walang nagbabantay ro'n. Self-service lamang at honesty ang kailangan. Mabilis lang din naman kami at hindi nagtagal. May inabot na lamang si Bennett sa akin nang makabalik kami sa sasakyan. Isang piraso ng candy at keychain. Kinain ko naman 'yong candy habang nilagay ko sa may zipper ng hand bag ko ang keychain na binigay niya sa akin.

We thought we'll be going back to our hotel na when Bennett asked for our last trip today. After half an hour of the ride, we reached the Rakuh A Payaman which is popular for tourists as well at mas kilala bilang tawag na Marlboro Hills dito sa Mahatao. It's like what Naidi Hills dahil sa dulo ng kalupaan ay matatanaw ang dagat. Mas madamo at malinis ang paligid. Napaliligiran rin ng mga baka, kalabaw, at maging kabayo ang kapaligiran. It's just a perfect view like as if we can reach the sky from where we are standing. Ang dagat sa aming harapan at tila iangat lamang namin ang kamay namin ay parang maaabot na namin ang mga ulap. It's peaceful and calming.

"Do you want to take a picture?" tanong sa akin ni Bennett nang lumapit sa akin.

"Hindi, okay lang naman..." Ngiti ko pa.

"No. You're going to take your pictures here. I know you've missed your chance back at the Honesty Store." He handed over his phone so I could take pictures of myself and the view. Alam niya kasing puno na ang gallery ng phone ko. He previously owns this phone na gamit ko kaya alam niya. Bumalik naman ang sigla ko kaya todo picture na muli kaming dalawa ni Bennett.

"Dali na! Pang-profile picture mo lang o kaya story, or post mo sa IG mo. Instant likes kaagad 'to, pustahan!"

He shook his head. "Hindi na."

"Dali na kasi! One time lang!" pagpupumilit ko pa sa kanya at sa huli ay bumigay naman siya sa kagustuhan ko. He then pose for me and I take a few shots of him. At dahil may signal kami, I immediately make him posted it online at aabangan namin mamaya kung ilan ang makukuha niyang likes from his almost million followers. Mukhang tatalunin niya pa 'yong instant big star na si Cosette no'ng nasa France pa siya, mukhang may papalit na kay Cashel Corprew, a!

Nang medyo humupa naman ang saya naming dalawa, umupo kaming dalawa sa damo at muli naming pinanood ang aming view ngayon. Though we're on the east side of Batanes kaya hindi namin mapapanood ang sunset, we can watch it the next day naman dahil itutuloy nga ni Bennett ang plano na pumunta kami sa Itbatan which we would be able to see Taiwan there if the day's so clear.

"I'm sorry for my response earlier, Sel. That was rude of me."

Napabuntonghininga na lang din naman ako. "Ayos lang... sorry rin kasi hindi ko naman gustong ipamukha sa 'yo 'yon... gusto ko lang din naman i-share sa 'yo 'yong napag-usapan namin and if that's okay with you."

"I don't think it's necessary," he said. "She already sends me a handful message and I've read all of it. I just never responded to her, but we're over now and I'm moving forward. I couldn't control the situation so it's best for me not to stick around. She should be thankful that I'm happy now after what she had done to me. I found my peace..."

"And 'yong ang Batanes?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Napangisi naman siya at umiling. He shifted his head and looked at my eyes with so much intent. "What would I tell if it's you, Sel, huh?" I was left dumbfounded when he mentioned that. Wala agad akong na-react at binatuhan niya kaagad ng tawa kaya inisip kong nagbibiro lang siya. "I wonder what would Archie think if he finds out that I also like you?"

And then I had to break it with a laugh as well. "Joke ka rin 'no?"

"Do you think I'm joking, Sel?"

"Huh?" Muli akong natameme. Walang maisagot. "Bennett, 'wag ka na magbiro."

He then took a deep breath and I can sense a bit of disappointment with that gesture. "I hope so... but this is my life. If it's not worst, it wouldn't also be the best. But what do you think, Sel? If Archie's not dating you, would you let me? You know... I'm single and you're still are. Setting aside everything we've been through individually, is there a possibility? Do you like me?"

Para akong masasamid sa tanong niya. Iniwas ko na lamang ang tingin ko sa kanya. Ramdam ko ang mabibilis kong pagbitaw ng hininga at alam kong napapansin niya rin 'yon.

"Would this change what's going in on your head now?" he questioned. I look at him and he's reaching his hand on my face and leaning closer to me. Just a quick moment, our lips met together and that only lasts for a few seconds and then it parted with our eyes looking at each other. "What does it says now?"

Napalunok na lamang ako ng laway ko. Sobra-sobra ang kabog sa dibdib ko at hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong isasagot sa kanya. Tumayo na lamang si Bennett at kinuha niya ang kamay ko para alalayan niya akong tumayo.

"Maybe before we left this Island... you already have the answer for me." Iyon ang kanyang binitawan na para bang pini-pressure niya ako sa isasagot ko sa kanya. I've been dating Archie and I like him as a person, but not to the point that I'm totally in love with him, but with Bennett, it's different and that kiss only made my mind tangled. "Let's go now and have some dinner."

Hindi na niya binitawan ang kamay ko hanggang sa makabalik kami sa sasakyan. I was shocked and I still couldn't believe what just happened between us. Isang malaking kahiwagaan iyon para sa akin.

Did Bennett just confess his feelings for me?

To a twenty five minute ride ay narating namin ang isang restaurant kung saan kami magdinner ni Bennett. Tinatawag itong Vunong Dinette at malapit-lapit lang din ito sa Basco Airport at ilang kilometro lang din ang layo sa hotel na tinutuluyan namin.

From what happened earlier, Bennett didn't seem to mind the gesture he did to me. He kissed me na para bang walang malisya iyon para sa akin. Na normal lang sa kanya ang pag-amin ng feelings niya. I'm not sure if he's just playing with me dahil nga MVP siya o baka naman totoo iyong pinapakita niya sa akin ngayon.

Tahimik lang din ako. They served us a Authentic Ivatan cuisine. Hindi ko lang mabigkas kung kung anong tawag sa mga ito pero sobrang sarap na ipina-take out ko pa iyong hindi namin naubos para makain namin pagbalik sa hotel incase na sapian kami ng gutom.

Sa pagbalik din namin ng hotel at naghahanda na sa pagtulog, Bennett still has no other words to say about what he did. Nawe-weirduhan na ako sa kanya dahil hindi na naalis ang ngiti sa labi niya. Nang matutulog na kaming dalawa ay nakaharap ito sa akin kaya naman tinalikuran ko siya.

Saglit lang din ay naramdaman ko ang pagkalabit niya kaya naman dahan-dahan ko siyang hinarap.

"Ano 'yon?"

Umiling naman siya. "Nothing... I just wanna say good night."

"Oh... okay... good night din."

"Yeah... and thank you for making my day today."

Hindi ko alam kung sino ang bumuo ng araw ngayon. Ako na nakatanggap ng halik niya o siya na hinalikan ako. But if Archie knew about this, hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon niya so I better shut up kung anong nangyari sa amin dito sa Batanes.

Nagtulog-tulogan na lang din naman ako and a moment after, I checked him and he's sleeping so hard. Humihilik pa ito kaya confirm na comfirm na tulog na tulog na siya. Sa dami ba naman ng pinuntahan namin kanina, sinong hindi mapapagod?

I tried checking my phone. Binuksan ko ang naghuhumangos na signal ng data ko. I check Bennett's post from earlier and then I giggled when I found out he gained almost two hundred fifty thousand likes from that single post. Marami ring comment na ang gwapo-gwapo raw ni Bennett at sinayang daw siya ni Cinema. Though I've noticed that he's not following Cinema anymore, she still does.

Upon checking back the comments, I've noticed Archie's comment, That's a great place, bud! Hope you enjoy and take care of my Isel!

My Isel... hopefully he won't find out that his best friend kissed me or there will be a storm coming when he finds out about that. But, hopefully not. But today was a wonderful day, I couldn't ask for more. Like I had the best travel buddy.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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