Chapter 19

"They even tried to use their money against me!" nagtiim-bagang si Mama. "Hindi na sila nahiya!"

"Anong sinabi mo, Ma'am?" tanong ni Prof. Cheng sa kaniya. Nasa faculty room ako ngayon at kumakain ng pananghalian. My mother is retelling her conversation with the Serrano's to her curious peers. Naikuwento na niya ito sa akin kagabi nang makauwi ako ng bahay. Maging ako ay hindi ko nagustuhan ang inasta ng mayor.

"Of course I declined. That was sexual harassment, for God's sake! I just can't accept the money and pull out the case I filed against. Let the mayor fight with me." Matapang niyang wika.

I glanced at my mother once again. She is no longer the timid wife I used to remember when my father is still alive. She's grown into a strong woman who will do anything to protect her family. Maybe the fact that my father passed away forced her to grow her own fangs and ensure that I grow up well-protected even with my father's absence. I couldn't love her more for that.

"Sigurado akong hindi na siya iboboto ng mga tao sa susunod na election kapag nalaman nila ang eskandalo na ito..." umiling-iling pa si Prof. Cheng at nagpatuloy na sa pag-kain.

---

Laking pasasalamat ko at semestral break namin nang umandar na ang imbestigasyon para sa kaso. My science professor, Sage, and some of my classmates were interviewed. Sa totoo lang ay hindi ako komportable lalo na't pinagtitinginan ako ng mga fourth years noong kumalat ang balita. I also feel bad for Cassie. Alam kong damay siya ngayon sa kalokohan ng kaniyang kapatid.

"Mal..."

I blinked and snapped myself out of my thoughts. During the first few days of our break, I busied myself with the investigation. Ngayon lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag. Nakulong si Lysander nang mahigit isang linggo pero napiyansahan din naman siya ng kaniyang pamilya. Inilipat na din siya sa ibang paaralan pero ang balita'y wala pa ring tumatanggap sa kaniya hanggang ngayon.

I lifted my head and saw Sage drying his hair off with a small black towel. Si Aaric ay tahimik na lumalangoy sa falls habang ako nama'y nakaupo lang sa isang malaking bato kung saan namin inilagay ang aming mga gamit nang dumating kami dito kanina.

"Yeah?" I smiled at him. Kinuha ni Sage ang bag sa tabi ko and replaced it with himself. Gusto ko mang umusog ay mahuhulog na ako kaya hinayaan ko na lamang siya kahit na abot-abot na naman ang tahip ng puso ko. Isa talaga ito sa mga hindi ko maintindihan gayong ang tagal ko nang kilala si Sage. Why am I still acting like this around him?

"We're going back to Makati tomorrow," anunsiyo na.

My heart sank inside of my chest. Nawala na ang kilig na nararamdaman ko at mabilis na napalitan ng lungkot.

"Bukas?" pinilit kong huwag ipahalata ang disappointment at lungkot sa aking boses pero sa palagay ko'y hindi rin epektibo. My voice even broke a little, damn it.

"Yeah." He shrugged. "Don't worry, we're going to be back after a while. Siguro bago matapos ang semestral break..."

"Oh," I said, sounding more relieved than I should've be. Namula ang mukha ko sa aking inakto. Sana naman ay hindi niya mapansin ito.

"What do you want for a gift?" tanong niya sa akin.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "A gift?"

"Yeah. You've never been to anywhere but this place and Davao, right?"

Tumango-tango ako.

"So... is there anything you want me to give you?"

Saglit akong nag-isip pero walang pumapasok sa aking isipan. "Wala eh," pag-amin ko. Sage looked rather shocked as if he was expecting me to demand anything from him. "Wala akong gusto."

"Are you sure?"

Itinagilid ko ang aking ulo. "Wala talaga..."

Pinalaki ako ni Mama na kontento sa kung anong mayroon ako kaya naman wala akong maisip na gustong regalo. Ang mga libro naman na binabasa ko ay pinag-iipunan ko talaga at binibili kapag sinasama ako ni Mama papunta sa Davao. The bookstores here in Governor Generoso provides a limited range of genre but there are many undiscovered gems here. Ito ang isa sa mga gustong-gusto ko sa lugar na ito.

Mayamaya pa ay umahon na din si Aaric mula sa falls. He grinned at me and snatched a towel to dry his body off. Dapat ay mamalengke lang ako kanina pero sinamahan na nila ako sa terminal at dumiretso kami dito pagkatapos. Both the boys promised to bring me home in late afternoon para hindi ako mapagalitan ni Mama.

"It's quite boring if I just have Sage's constant scowling face around..." sabi pa ni Aaric kanina. "Mabuti na yung sumama ka para mahimashimasan naman itong pinsan ko." sabay tawa pa niya.

Sa tuwing naaalala ko ang sinabi ni Aaric ay nag-iinit ang pisngi ko. He's starting to tease the two of us together. Napansin ko ding bahagya na siyang dumidistansiya sa akin. He does not wrap his arms around my shoulders or jokingly tried to kiss my cheeks goodbye.

Tumayo ako mula sa batong kinauupuan at nag-inat saglit. I'm going to take a dip once again and then I'm going home. Inalis ko ang nakabalot na towel sa aking katawan at naglakad papunta sa falls. I heard Sage's footsteps following me from behind but ignored him and jump straight to the water.

Nanginig ulit ang buong katawan ko sa lamig. The October's cool air must've something to do with it. I swam deeper and when I surfaced, nakita ko si Sage na nakaupo na sa maliit na balsa at pinagmamasdan ako. Inikot ko ang aking paningin at nakita si Aaric a natutulog na sa ilalim ng puno tabi kung saan nila itinali ang kanilang mga kabayo.

I swam towards Sage's direction and hoisted myself up into the raft. It wobbled a little and Sage was quick enough to grabbed my waist before I fall into the water once again.

"Thanks." I grinned then I tapped the bamboo raft. "Nagiging marupok na ang balsa na ito. Ang tagal na rin simula noong ginawa namin ito..."

"You did this?" he cocked an eyebrow at me.

I giggled. "Yeah. Noong mga bata pa lang kami ni Leon..." I explained.

"That explains the poor durability..." he muttered under his breath. Imbes na magalit ay natawa ako. Gusto ko sanang tanungin kung nagseselos ba siya pero wala akong lakas ng loob. I don't want to assume things, especially when it comes to Sage. He may not speak of Jasmine anymore but that doesn't mean that she doesn't exist anymore. Anuman ang nangyari sa kanilang dalawa, hindi ko na ito tinanong pa. It's his private life, after all.

Malakas ang lagaslas ng tubig sa likuran namin. The raft moves forward every now and then. Si Aaric ay mahimbing na ang tulog sa ilalim ng puno. Hindi na maputik ang paligid di gaya noong unang beses kaming nagpunta rito.

"What did you say to Leon?" tanong ni Sage sa akin pagkalipas ng ilang minuto.

The smile on my mouth melted when I remembered him. Last month, I asked him to stop courting me already. Hindi pa ito alam ni Mama hanggang ngayon but it's better it he stops as early as possible bago pa kami magkasakita dalawa.

"I told him that I could only see him as a friend..." I said quietly. "Wala talaga. I couldn't see myself having a relationship with Leon."

"And?" he prodded.

"Well, he's not mad. But he's hurt. He stopped talking to me last month."

"That explains why I see him often with Isabella Avanzado..." he said.

"Magkaibigan lang sila." Depensa ko naman. "Leon never had a relationship ever since he broke up with Serenity."

"Really?" he didn't sound convinced either.

I shrugged. "Yun ang palaging sinasabi ni Leon sa akin,"

Sage stared at me for a while before he shook his head as if he thought of something ridiculous.

"What?" I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Nothing... It's just that, you're too gullible for your own good. Paano mo mapoprotektahan ang sarili mo when you step inside the real world?"

Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi. Yes, a lot of people say they could easily fool someone like me. But it's not really my fault, isn't it? I have faith in people and I believe on what they say, especially if they are close to me.

"I don't think I need to protect myself, Sage." wika ko. "I'm not going anywhere. Dito lang ako. I'm not the kind of person who'll enter such chaotic world."

"Yeah, you should remain here." Nagtiim bagang siya. "Boys in cities will surely go crazy if they see someone like you."

I nudged him using my elbow. "Are you saying I'm pretty?" I even blinked my eyes to tease him.

Sinamaan lang ako ng tingin ni Sage. "Shut up, Mal..." then he chuckled lightly. "You're crazy."

"Hindi eh, paminsan-minsan lang ito..." the raft wobbled again when I moved closer and nudge him again. "Compliments from Your Majesty is rare. So... am I pretty?" gusto kong tumawa pero pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili ko lalo na nang kumunot ang kaniyang noo.

"When did you become so narcissistic—"

"Aw, C'mon Sage!" I moaned. "You've already said I'm pretty—"

"Are you going to shut up or I'm going to kiss you?"

Mas lalong lumapad ang ngisi ko at inasar pa siya lalo. "Ayiee, si Sage—"

My eyes widen when he suddenly pulled me closer to him and covered my mouth hungrily. Nanigas ang buong katawan ko sa kinauupuan. Sage's other hand went to my thick curls and balled a fist on it, bringing me closer. How can his lips feel so cold and warm at the same time? My eyes fluttered close at the new sensation. Sage swung his other leg on mine and pinned me down, his mouth hungrily exploring mine. I gasped. Especially when he started nibbling my lower lips. Walang ibang pumapasok sa isipan ko kung hindi ang mainit na labi ni Sage sa akin.

We were both panting when he pulled away. Titig na titig siya sa akin. Bahagya pang nakaawang ang mga labi ko.

"Goddamit..." he cursed under his breath and kissed me again. Wala na akong pakialam kung nasa ibabaw kami ng gumagalaw na balsa o baka biglang magising si Aaric sa may di kalayuan. He brushed his lips against mine. "I can't get enough of you..." he murmured on my lips before kissing me again.

I closed my eyes again and wrapped my arms around his neck. Itinukod ni Sage ang isa niyang kamay sa gilid ng aking ulo at patuloy akong siniil ng halik. When he tried to deepened the kiss, the raft tugged downward because of our weight and before we knew it, we both fell into the water.

A strangled cry tore from my throat, providing access to the rush of fresh water inside. I immediately surface. Napaubo ako nang ilang beses.

"Mallory!" hinapit ni Sage ang aking beywang at inilapit ako sa kaniya. "Are you okay?" nag-aalala niyang tanong.

"F-Fine..." nanginginig ang mga labi kong sagot sa kaniya.

"Fuck, I'm sorry." He said and swam to the surface all the while dragging me with him. Buti nalang hindi ko nainom ang tubig na pumasok sa aking bibig. Umubo lang ako nang ilang beses dahilan upang magising si Aaric mula sa kaniyang tinutulugan.

"Anong nangyari sa inyo?" nagtataka niyang tanong.

Uminit ang pisngi ko sa tanong niya. It was just an innocent question pero nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Sage. I was the first to drop my gaze and stared at the ground, biting down my lower lips hard.

"Wala..." sagot ni Sage. "Pack up, Aaric. Ihahatid na natin si Mallory pauwi."

"Okay." Nagtatakang wika ni Aaric at bumangon na mula sa pagkakahiga. Sage walked towards the erected stone and grabbed a towel. Ibinalot niya ito sa katawan ko. I murmured a thanks and awkwardly stood there while the boys wrapped everything up.

Kagaya nang dati ay nakasakay pa rin ako sa kabayo ni Sage. Pigil ang bawat hininga ko habang pauwi kami. Wala siyang imik sa aking likuran pero ramdam ko ang mabibigat niyang hininga. Nang malapit na kami sa amin ay nagulat ako nang tahakin ni Sage ang daanan patungo sa bahay namin. Even Aaric protested.

"Christian! What the heck are you doing?"

But Sage ignored him. Kinabahan ako nang makita ko si Mama na nakapameywang na sa patio namin. She doesn't look so thrilled to see me with Sage. Marahas na dumapo sa towel na nakabalot sa aking katawan ang kaniyang mga mata. She pursed her lips and tapped her foot impatiently at the floor.

I swallowed hard.

Binalingan ko si Sage. Wala pa rin siyang sinabi. Inalalayan niya lang ako pababa at prenteng naglakad patungo sa amin. Even Aaric followed the two of us.

"Care to explain, young woman?" my mother's stern voice demanded.

"Uh... a-ano..." nauutal kong wika. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin!

"We invited Mallory to the falls with us, Ma'am." Sagot naman ni Sage. Pinaningkitan siya ni Mama ng mata.

"Nagpunta kayo sa talon? Gamit lang ang mga kabayo na yan?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Sagot ni Sage.

"Mallory, get inside your room now." She said as her lips tugged downward in a scowl. "I need to have a word with this young man."

"Pero, Ma—"

"Mallory Rose!"

I bit my lower lips and glanced at him helplessly. Pero parang wala lang sa kaniya. I couldn't sense fear or intimidation from him kumpara kay Aaric na parang gusto nan tumakbo palayo mula kay Mama.

"It's okay, Mal..." Sage said softly. "In fact, I really wanted to talk to your mother about something."

"What is it?" my mother demanded.

"I want to court your daughter, Ma'am." Diretso niyang wika. Nalaglag ang panga naming dalawa ni Aaric sa kaniyang sinabi. "Please give me your permission."