Chapter 7

/LEOX ACHERON/

It was another sunny day when morning came. I woke up with a headache—good thing I had brought some pain relievers with me when I came here. However, it wasn't the headache that bothered me. In fact, it was bearable, though I still took medicine before it get worse.

What bothered me the most were the last words I asked Dal before he went home yesterday. Although I was under the influence of alcohol, I still remembered everything. I still remembered the urge that pushed me to kiss him. Fortunately, I stopped midway and asked him some stupid question instead.

"Fuck!" I shouted, slamming the papers I was holding onto the table. From my peripheral view, I saw Kim and Jeric looking at me. I turned to face them and raised a brow.

"What?" I asked.

"Kailan ka naging pikonin?" Tanong ni Kim na halata sa mga mata nito ang pagtataka habang nakatingin sa akin.

"It's just a minor problem in your company, boss. Wala namang problema na hindi nasusolusyunan," Jeric added.

"It wasn't a minor problem... it was a total internal turbulence that I couldn't prevent. One wrong move, and I'd be fucked up," I mumbled in a lower voice.

"Ha?" Sabay na tanong nang dalawa.

I shoved the papers in front of them and didn't bother explaining. I tried not to entertain any thoughts of him or even imagining his pretty face, because I can't focus on the papers I am reading at the moment. Kailangan ko itong tapusin, lalo na at hindi pa ako pwedeng umalis ng Lindenvale.

The truth was, the reporters were going crazy trying to find out my whereabouts. Alam kong marami sa kanila ang nagtatambay sa harapan ng kumpanya at ng bahay ko, naghihintay na umuwi ako.

I tried to finish reading all the reports as well as addressing the problem in my company as early as possible since I hadn't personally visited the elders in this little town yet. I wanted to give them presents as a symbol of gratitude for taking care of me.

Actually, kanina may elders na nagbigay sa akin ng isda at meron ding nagbigay sa akin ng mga gulay. Nagpasalamat naman ako sa kanila and promised I'd pay a visit to the Elders Association Office. Lindenvale was just a small community, and most of them knew me because of my mother. They were so kind and accomodating. Presensiya pa lang nila ay alam mo nang mapagkakatiwalaan mo sila.

Nang matapos na ako, nagpatulong ako kina Kim at Jeric na ilabas ang pinabili ko sa kanila noong isang araw at ipasok sa kotse.

"Woah! Magpapatayo ka ba ng diving center dito, Leox?" tanong ni Jeric habang may dalang diving equipment.

"I'm giving the elders some equipment they don't have as a gift for making my stay here in the community safe. They kept me here and never spread any news to the reporters."

Tumango naman siya sa sinabi ko bilang pagsang-ayon. But hearing what Jeric said about a diving center... I guess it was an idea. It would surely provide some people with a living, especially since this community has beautiful corals and marine species.

Sa pagkakatanda ko noon, bawal silang kumuha ng mga maliliit na isda, at may limit din kung ilan lang ang pwede nilang kuning isda at mga lamang dagat.

They wanted to preserve the beauty of underwater views as well as the species living there. I wonder why Lindenvale is so underrated from both local and foreign tourists. I tried diving here when I was a kid, together with my mother and her friends, and if I'm not mistaken, they have an underwater cave.

Thinking back to the past made me smile again.

"Sasama ba si Mister Lubomir?" biglang tanong ni Kim na nakatingin sa aking gawi.

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Hindi ko siya nasabihan kahapon dahil nawala sa isipan ko. Hindi ko naman alam kung nasaan ang bahay niya at wala rin akong number niya.

"Isama mo, bos!" sigaw ni Jeric.

Nakakunot ang noo ko nang tiningnan ko silang dalawa. I remembered them talking about Dal's issue back when I was still in the shoot for my latest film.

"You two probably forgot about his issue," I said, but I didn't put any meaning behind it. I was just reminding them in case they forgot.

"Nood ka kasi ng balita nang sa ganon ay aware ka sa mga nangyayari sa bansa," may pang-aasar sa tuno ng boses ni Kim, kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"The latest update of the issue was that the girl had allegedly tried commit suicide because of him, but fans found a picture of her on a date with an unknown guy. Based on the photo leaked by a fan, she looked so refreshed and happy... there was no hint of sadness on her face."

Napaisip naman kaagad ako. If Dal was really like what the girl claimed, then why did I feel safe yesterday? I mean, I didn't sense any danger in his presence. Besides, I have a feeling that he's into men. I could see it in his eyes. I know those kinds of emotions. I know one if I see one—and Dal likes men.

I wanted to see him.

Shit! I'm going nuts!

"Let's go!" bigla kong sigaw, at agad namang sumunod ang dalawa dahil sa gulat.

Hindi lang mga diving materials and dala ko para sa elders. I also bought some life jackets, buoys, and some rash guards. We went there by car since we had a lot of stuff with us.

Pagdating namin, agad kaming  sinalubong  ng isang elder at nakangiting inalalayan kami.

Their office was huge. The roof was made of nipa, with bamboo walls and flooring. Pictures hung on every wall. Malaki ang buong opisina, ngunit hindi na ako naglibot pa at nanatili na lamang sa labas. Sa labas din kasi ng opisina naroroon ang iilang equipment. Napansin ko rin na may silong ito at may iilang pahabang bamboo chairs.

As I stared at those chairs, I saw a familiar face standing while watching the paints being hung on the walls. He was wearing a white polo shirt, thin enough that I could see those delicate, fair skin underneath. His cargo short  complemented the polo quite well. I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

A minute ago, I was just thinking about him, and now he's here in front of me.

"Hoy, Leox!"

"Leox!"

"H-Huh?"

I looked at the people surrounding me. Ahh! The hell, I forgot where I am.

"Naku, salamat, ijo. Hindi mo naman kailangang mag-donate. Iyong mama mo nagbigay din noong huling buwan ng mga gamit at pagkain," wika ni Ginang Hernosa na siyang leader ng Elder's Association.

Bata pa lang ako, malapit na sa pamilya namin si Ginang Hernosa. Siya palagi ang kasama ni Mama noon sa pamamalengke at pagbili ng isda sa mga bangkero.

"Pasasalamat ko po ito sa inyo dahil naging matiwasay ang pananatili ko rito sa Lindenvale," nakangiti kong sabi. Hinawakan ako ni Ginang Hernosa sa dalawang kamay at malapad na ngumiti.

"Sa totoo lang, ijo, malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa inyo ng mama mo dahil kahit na hindi na kayo rito nakatira, palagi pa rin kayong nagdo-donate rito sa association."

Marunong naman kaming lumingon sa pinanggalingan namin. They once helped us, and now it's our turn to help them.

Naging mahaba ang usapan namin ng mga elders, lalo na at may iilan na pumunta sa EAO dahil sa akin. Mabuti na rin na nagdala ako ng pagkain para sa kanila.

When everything was settled, I went to the open-spaced basement of the office and look for Dal. Hindi ko na siya nakita kanina dahil naging abala na ako sa pakikipag-usap sa mga tao.

Pagdating ko roon, wala nang tao bukod sa iilang tagarito na inaayos ang mga dala namin. Kaya wala na akong ibang choice kundi ang magtanong.

"Excuse me po, nasaan po iyong lalaking naka-puting polo na narito kanina?" magalang kong tanong.

Nagkatinginan pa sila bago sabay na itinuro ang isang direksyon na alam kong patungo sa dalampasigan. Kaagad akong nagpasalamat sa kanila at naglakad na patungo roon.

May nabanggit kanina si Ginang Hernosa na meron ding taga-siyudad na bumalik dito. I was thinking about Dal, pero sabi ni Ginang Hernosa na taga-rito raw ang pamilya nito. I am not quite sure if Dal is a native here, because if he is, then why have I never met him before?

Pagdating ko sa dalampasigan, agad kong nakita si Dal na nakatayo habang panay kuha ng litrato sa dagat. Since it was a sunny day, the view of the vast ocean looks like a moving painting on a big canvas. It was as if diamonds were glistening above the salty waters.

"Wow... such a breathtaking view," I said between a soft exhale.

Dal didn't look at my side. He continued taking photos, and I let him because he looked like someone who had just found happiness for the first time. He was engrossed in what he was doing. I even saw a smile on his lips.

So before he could notice my presence, I pulled out my phone from my pocket and took a picture of him.

What the hell am I doing?

I feel like I went back to my teens. Ghad!

"Ahem!" tawag ko sa atensyon niya dahil mukhang hindi pa niya alam na nasa gilid lang niya ako.

Dal glanced at me for a second, then went back to taking photos, like he didn't see me at all. Or maybe... he's just not interested in me.

"Good morning!" magiliw kong bati kahit deadma niya ang presensya ko.

"Good morning."

His voice was soft and calm and when he turned to look at me again, I was caught off guard by his blue eyes that seemed glowing under the sun.  

"Stay still. Don't smile. Keep that look."

It was too sudden for me to even move a muscle. Masyadong mabilis ang pagkakasabi niya kaya wala na akong magawa kundi sundin ito. I was wondering at first why he said that, but seeing him holding his camera again, I had a guess he was going to take a picture of me.

I heard three shutter sounds, and after that, he put down the camera, enough for him to check the pictures he just taken.

"Impromptu," bulalas ko at lumapit sa kanya. "Patingin."

Inilapit niya sa akin ang camera at pinakita ang  kuha niya.

"You took a picture of me last time, right?" I asked, stating a fact.

Dal looked back at the scenery in front of us, not minding my question. Then, he started to speak, and I tried to listen.

"We're just like the ocean... full of mysteries and wonders. Many adore it's magnificent view, how it glistens under the sun's rays and moonlight. But it also has its dark sides. Those big waves that could turn a whole ship and a sudden whirlpools that come out of nowhere."

While speaking, Dal's gaze remained fixed on the ocean. His eyes were full of questions I couldn't name. But I wanted to know. I wanted to hear them. I wanted to ask.

"Every beautiful thing has its own darkness and secrets," I interjected.

He looked at me, and slowly, his lips twitched up into a small smile.

"There is always beauty in every rough edge."

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa mga mata niyang halo-halo ang emosyong ipinapakita. I don't know what he meant by what he was saying, but if he feels like his life is too ugly to live with, I am willing to be by his side, taking every chance to look for the beauty in it.

I could be a friend and help him find his way again. I could be the help he needed.

For some reason, I don't want to see his face full of sadness. I want to see those eyes filled with spirit.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm saying all this to you. We only met yesterday."

Tila bumalik siya sa kasalukuyan at natauhan. Ang kaninang lungkot na nakita ko sa mga mata niya ay nawala at napalitan ng kakaibang kislap. Gusto kong panatilihin ang saya na nakikita ko sa mga mata niya ngayon. Gusto kong walang halong iba ang emosyon na pinapakita niya, puro kasiyahan lang.

Can I do that?

"Lindenvale is a beautiful community. Aside from the ocean, they also have underwater caves and a waterfall. If you're looking for a serene place, Lindenvale even have it's own little mountains. You can stay there for a day, and nobody's gonna bother you."

Isa-isa kong sinabi sa kanya ang mga pwede niyang gawin dito sa lugar. It would also help him forget all the negative energy surrounding him.

"Alam ko na ang mga iyan, at nakita kita kanina na nagbibigay ng mga diving equipment sa elders. Pero kahit anong ganda ng view at kahit anong pang-aaliw ang gawin ko, kung mag-isa lang ako, wala rin itong kwenta."

Well, he's right. Doing all those activities is more fun if you're with someone.

"Well, as you can see, I am a celebrity with an issue. I am also looking for something that could make me forget all the chaos. It just so happens that I'm alone," parinig ko sa kanya. "Why not we both do those activities? I mean, let's do those activities together. Sabi mo nga, di ba, na boring kung mag-isa ka lang?"

A slow smile formed on my lips, and I winked at him. I was basically offering myself as his company for all those activities. Hindi na niya kailangan maghanap pa ng makakasama.

"Sigurado ka ba riyan?"

"Do you wanna try diving right now?" nakangiti kong tanong na may halong panghahamon.

"Why?"

"Hmm... let's say... I like being with you."

- B M -