Chapter 9: AB Island (Arrival)

We're given fifteen minutes to prepare for our match. Pinipilit pa rin ako ni Gray na huwag na lang kaming maglaban. He keeps on saying that he doesn't want to fight with girls dahil likas na mas malakas daw ang mga lalaki kaysa mga babae.

"You're not physically fit like me, look at your body. Ang payat mo, unlike me, I'm a man of muscles." Inirapan ko siya at natawa lang ito. "But Amber, I really can't do this."

"Alam mo bang sa gyera pinapatay lahat kahit mapa-babae o lalaki?," tanong ko kanya.

"Yeah, I know that, but this is different from a war," sagot naman nito. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Takot ka lang talagang matalo," wika ko. Duh! Si Gray, siya na yata ang pinakamayabang na lalaki sa balat ng lupa at isang napakalaking gasgas sa ego nito na matalo ng babae.

"Of course not! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm just concerned about you?"

Really?! Concerned eh? I'm getting pissed. Mahina ba ang tingin nito sa akin? Malakas naman ako, I may look fragile but I can fight. Binato ko siya ng hawak kong mineral water na nangangalahati pa lamang ang laman. I threw it with force. Nakailag siya at nagtatakang tiningnan ako.

"Hey, what was that for?," tanong niya at napatayo na nang sunod kong inihagis sa kanya ang arnis sa tabi ko. Umilag naman siya at tiningnan ako ng masama. "Amber, stop it!"

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. I kicked him but he managed to block it. Sinipa ko siya ulit at this time ay natamaan siya sa braso. Pinagpag niya ang alikabok na dumapo sa braso niya mula sa sapatos ko, but I kicked him again at muli siyang natamaan.

"Amber, isa!"

I ignored him and assaulted him with my hands. He blocked it again ngunit sinipa ko siya ulit.

"Hey, the battle is not starting yet," wika niya at umatras.

Nakapalibot naman ang mga classmates namin sa amin. They might be wondering bakit nagsisimula na kami ni Gray. Nah, I don't care, as long as marealize ni Gray na kaya ko rin namang makipaglaban sa kanya. I kicked him again but this time ay nahawakan niya ang paa ko but I made a way to let go at nasipa siya sa may tenga gamit ang isa kong paa.

"Aray ha! Ano ka ba!," he said ngunit nginitian ko lang siya. I grabbed his arms and twisted it but he managed to pull me. Magaan lang ako kaya madali niya akong nabuhat causing me to let go in twisting his arms. Great. He's starting to fight back.

Sinipa ko siya nang maraming beses ngunit nailagan niya lahat ng iyon. I began throwing punches ngunit nakaiwas siya. I kicked him again and he grabbed my legs at natumba ako. Hindi naman ako nagpatinag, tumayo ako at hinila siya sa braso, and gave him a knifehand. I pushed his arms to his back but he held my neck kaya nabitawan ko siya. This time ay siya na naman ang sumipa at ako naman ang umilag but his last kick hit me in the stomach. I groaned in pain ngunit sandali lang iyon. I strike him using my hands at natamaan siya sa balikat. Kumapit ako sa balikat niya at paulit-ulit na sinipa siya sa tiyan. Nang makabawi siya ay gumanti siya and he's so fast na hindi ko mabilang kung ilan ang sipa nito. Natamaan ako ng ilan but I blocked some too. I held his arms to twist it again but he held me first. Hinila ko ang braso niya at niyakap iyon upang hindi siya makawala. I pinned his arms on his back. Natulak naman niya ako kaya nakawala siya. He pulled my arms and this time, he's the one pinning my arms on my back, he twisted it a little and I groaned in pain. I found a way para mabitawan niya, I kicked his knee hard at nabitawan niya ako.

Maingay ang mga kaklase naming nasa gilid. Most of them are cheering for Gray and who cares? Yeah, syempre they're into cheering Gray than Amber the Nerd, right?

Hinila ako ni Gray ngunit nakaiwas ako. He kicked fast but I blocked them all using my hands ngunit may mga pagkakataon talaga na natatamaan ako but it's not that painful. I grabbed his right arm and twisted it again, he mumbled a curse then made a move to switch our positions. This time, siya na naman ang nakahawak sa braso ko while I'm groaning in pain. Muli kong sinipa ang tuhod niya but he managed to avoid it.

"No, not this time, masakit 'yun ah!," nakangiting wika nito.

"Really? How about this?," tanong ko at siniko siya sa mukha at nabitawan niya ako. He held his jaw ngunit sinalakay ko siya ng sipa. He blocked all of those but when I used my right leg, dumapo iyon sa mukha niya at dumugo ang gilid ng labi niya.

Pinunasan niya ang gilid ng labi niya. He licked his blood at ngumisi sa akin. "You'll pay for this witch," he said smiling and began kicking me again.Umilag ako at nang pagod na akong umilag, pinatid ko siya since isang paa lang ang nakasuporta sa kanya dahil nga sumisipa siya. Napatid naman siya but he pulled me causing me to fall together with him. Inipit niya ako ng braso siya at narinig na namin ang pito ni Miss Saderna.

"Okay that's enough," wika niya at pinaglayo kami ni Gray. Gray stood up first and he helped me stand up at pinagpag ko naman ang sarili ko.

"Masyado kayong excited na magsimula," natatawang komento ni Miss Saderna. "You're not in the karate training floor at dito talaga sa concrete floor? I bet you'll feel the body pain later. Masakit bumagsak sa sahig." Hindi talaga kami doon sa training floor dahil biglaan naman talaga ito. It's to provoke Gray to fight back. "Amber, Gray, you're both good but you're not listening to me at hindi kayo sumunod sa tamang proseso. It's dangerous to fight on the concrete floor, paano na lang kung nabagok 'yang mga ulo niyo?" Napayuko kaming dalawa ni Gray at humingi ng despensa.

"Don't do it again, okay?"

"Yes Ma'am," magkapanabay naming wika ni Gray.

Nang ibinaling na ni Miss Saderna sa iba ang atensyon ay sabay kaming napatawa ni Gray.

"Hey, that was great. Alam kong pinipigilan mo talaga ang sarili mong kalabanin ako, it was nice though," wika ko kay Gray. Umiinom ito ng tubig at sinaid ang laman niyon.

"But really, I don't want to do it to a girl not unless she's so evil," he said half-jokingly.

"Hey, your lower lip is bleeding," wika ko. Hinawakan niya iyon and he groaned.

"Aww, I told you to pay for this," he said and smirked. Natawa lang ako at tumayo.

"I'll be right back, just wait here," tumayo na ako at pumunta ng CR ng gym kung nasaan ang first aid kit. Nakaupo pa rin siya Gray doon nang bumalik ako. Inilapag ko ang dala-dala sa upuan at sinimulang lagyan ng alcohol ang bulak. I saw his face became pale. Wait, takot siya sa alcohol?

Nang ididiin ko na sana sa mukha niya ang bulak ay napaatras siya. "Oh no, not alcohol please," he said. Confirmed!

Nakakatawa lang isipin. He's acting cool and strong ngunit tumitiklop din pala sa alcohol. "It's to disinfect your wound, duh," idiniin ko na ng tuluyan iyon sa gilid ng labi niya and I saw him winced in pain.

"Aray!" Napalakas yata ang boses nito kung kaya't napalingon sa amin ang mga kaklase namin. Nilingon naman ni Gray ang paligid nang mapansin niya na naging uneasy ako dahil sa mga nakatingin. "Hey, what are you all looking at? Gusto niyo bang magkaganito rin?" he asked our classmates na nakatingin sa amin at tinuro ang sugat. Nagkunwari ang lahat na walang narinig at ibinaling ang tingin sa iba.

"Aray, ano ba! Dahan-dahan kasi. I don't deserve this. How dare you ruin my handsome face!" wika nito and he pouted upon pointing his face.natawa lang ako sa sinabi nito at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. Natapos ang PE namin at kahit pagod, we had so much fun. We really enjoyed this day as we showcase our skills.

Alas tres pa lang ng hapon ay sinundo na kami ng van ni Sir Arman, na maghahatid sa amin sa isla na pag-aari ni Sir arman. Seryoso nga ito sa sinasabi nitong reward sa amin. Bumalik na ito sa London ngunit hindi nito kinalimutan ang reward sa amin.

Ilang oras din kaming lulan ng van hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang port. Sinalubong kami ng dalawang babae at kinuha ang mga gamit namin. They guided us in a small yacht. What the fudge! He's lending us his yacht? Kahit maliit lang iyon, it was very luxurious.

"What the hell! He's incridibly rich," narinig kong mura ni Gray.

Dinala kami ng yate sa isang tourist island. The water was blue at maputi ang buhangin. It was very beautiful island. May mga maliliit na cottages naman sa gilid. On the right side of the island ay ang mga hotel at restaurant na maaring tuluyan ng mga guests. Marahil iyon ang sinasabi ni Sir Arman na tourist island near his private island.

Hindi nagtagal ay tanaw na namin ang pribadong isla na pagmamay-ari ni Sir Arman. It was a small island ngunit napakaganda niyon. His resthouse was medium size at humanga ako sa exterior design. Hindi iyon basta-basta.

"This is AB Island. Ang tugon sa amin ni Mr. Arman ay ihatid kayo dito at sunduin sa linggo ng hapon. May nakahanda na boat with engine in case nais niyong pumunta sa kalapit na tourist island," wika ng isang babae. Inabot niya sa amin ang dalawang credit card. "This is for anything you want to buy. Enjoy your stay. There were stocks of food also sa loob. Just feel free to use them."

Nagpasalamat kami ni Gray at hinintay na makaalis na sila bago kami pumasok sa loob ng rest house. Nang makapasok na kami sa loob ay mas lalo akong namangha. It was made of concrete and bamboo. Napakaganda ng desenyo ng resthouse.

"Sir Arman thought we're lovers," wika ni Gray.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?"

Naupo siya sa naroon na rocking chair. "First, he let us stay in his private island na tayo lamang dalawa. Second, look around, the ambiance is very romantic. There were flowers and candles everywhere," wika nito.

I raised my brow at him. "It doesn't explain anything. Marahil ay mahilig lang talaga siya sa ganitong mga bagay," wika ko at inamoy ang isang bulaklak.

"Basing from the size of the house, isa lang ang kwarto na narito. And I bet, there are even petals on the bed," wika niya.

I glared at him at hinanap ang silid. I roam my gaze upon the house. May tatlong pintuan. Una kong binuksan ang pinto sa kaliwa. It was the CR and bathroom. Sunod ko namang binuksan ang nasa gitna. It was leading to a small pear-shape pool and a Jacuzzi. The last door was the bedroom at tama nga si Gray, there were rose petals scattered on the bed! God! Ano bang akala ni Sir Arman sa amin, maghohoneymoon?

"'I told you," wika ni Gray mula sa likuran ko at pumasok na sa loob. He threw himself into the bed.

"Hey! Ako ang matutulog diyan sa kama mamayang gabi."

"No way," sagot naman nito. What the hell! Anong ibig niyang sabihin magtatabi kami!? NO WAY din!

"There's no way na magtatabi tayo sa iisang kama!," I hissed at him.

Bumangon siya mula sa pagkahiga at naupo. "Right. Kaya doon ka sa rocking chair," wika nito at tinuro ang rocking chair.

NO WAY! NO AS IN NO! AYAW KO! AYAW KONG MATULOG SA ROCKING CHAIR! "Ayaw ko nga! Kung gusto mo, ikaw ang matulog doon," wika ko.

He crossed his arms. "Asa ka! Hindi ako makakatulog kapag nakaupo!," he said. Oh! What should we do? Wala pa namang sofa doon. There were chairs ngunit hinding-hindi ako matutulog sa upuan!

"Kung gentleman ka, you will let me sleep on the bed!"

He smirked at me. "I thought you believe in gender equality."

"Hindi ako matutulog sa kama!"

"Then we have to share the bed. At huwag kang mag-alala, hindi kita pagsasamantalahan, baka nga ikaw pa ang manamantala sa akin." Hindi ko maiwasang taasan siya ng kilay dahil sa sinabi niya. "Tsk, let's divide the bed later. It's still early. Let's go to the tourist island nearby," wika niya at sumang-ayon ako sa sinabi niya.

Maingay ang paligid nang marating namin ang tourist island.

"I'll have a drink at the bar, huwag kang masyadong lalayo," wika ni Gray bago umalis at pumunta sa bar.

Nilibot ko naman ang paligid. There were couples in the side, kissing! Umalis na ako doon at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. I saw a mini-bar sa gilid. It was just a little counter at mga beach umbrella naman ang sa gilid. Pumunta ako roon at umorder ng lime juice. Habang hinihintay ko ang order ko ay may lumapit na lalaki sa akin. He's good-looking at maganda ang pangangatawan.

"The night is so lovely to be spent alone. Let me guess, nag-away kayo ng boyfriend mo ano?," he said in a friendly tone nang makalapit siya sa akin.

I laughed at him. Mukha naman itong friendly. "Wrong guess. I don't have a boyfriend."

"Oh, I missed that one? How about this, you're stuck in an unrequitted love?"

"Wrong guess too."

Napakamot naman ito sa ulo habang nakangiti. "Oh, I guess I'm not good in guessing. Hey, I'm Cooler, the cool guy," he said at inilahad ang palad.

Natatawang tinanggap ko ang palad nito. "Amber."

Dumating na ang order ko. Inilapag iyon ng bartender sa tapat ko.

"Oh, hi Amber. Do you mind if I sit beside you?," tanong nito. Umiling ako at nakangiting umupo ito at umorder din ng drinks.

"So, Amber. Hmm, let me guess again, you're 15 or 16 years old?"

"Nope. I'm 17, turning 18 this year," wika ko. I really enjoy talking with Cooler, he keeps on guessing ngunit kahit isa ay wala pang tama sa panghuhula nito.

"I really suck in guessing eh? And you're 17? You look younger than your age," natatawang wika nito. "For the last time, let me guess, you're on this island with your family and staying at that hotel, right?," wika niya at tinuro ang malapit na hotel.

"Eeeenk! Mali ka na naman. I'm with my classmate and I'm staying at a private island over there," wika ko sa kanya. Napakamot naman ito sa ulo at natawa na rin.

"I'm no good at it," he said as he leaned on his back.

"My turn. Ako na naman ang manghuhula tungkol sayo," wika ko. He smiled at tumango.

"Okay, go ahead."

"You're on this island for a day or two. You're 18 years old and a basketball player. You're staying at Lux Hotel and you just had your spicy crab dinner. Tama ba?"

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata nito. "Wow, how do you know that? Don't tell me stalker ka?," he said and chuckled.

Natawa naman ako sasinabi nito. "Simple. I figured out that you've been here for a day or two based on your skin. You're tanning but some of your skin's color is not the same. Halimbawa nalang ay dito," I raised his wrist. Iba ang kulay niyon sa balat nito. "Maybe this is because you're wearing a watch."

"Right," he said. "How about the other guessing?"

"You're 18 years old. You look 18 and I confirmed it when you ordered vodka as you're drink. They don't serve liquor to minors' pero marahil ay nagawi ka na dito, the bartender already knew wthat you're already 18. Tungkol naman sa pagiging basketball player mo, well aside for having a well-built body na marahil nakuha mo sa paglalaro, nang nakipagkamay ka sa akin kanina, you have callous all over your palm which indicates you used to hold ball," paliwanag ko naman. Hindi siya mukhang kargador kaya malamang bola ang madalas na hinahawakan nito.

Cooler clapped his hands. "You're amazing Amber. How about the last two? I hope I don't smell like crabs that's why you figured it out," natatawang wika nito at huminga sa palad at inamoy iyon.

"Of course you don't smell. Ah, about it, I saw a keychain with the label Lux Hotel on your waist. Inipit mo ang susi ng kwarto mo sa gilid shorts mo since your boardshorts don't have a pocket. I guessed that you just have your spicy dinner based on your ears. Namumula ang tenga mo nang dumating ka kanina. You're also swallowing air through your mouth, tanda na kumain ka ng maanghang. I figured out that it's the spicy crab since I saw the written specialty for tonight in the nearby restaurant," wika ko sa kanya.

"I don't know what to say," wika niya na tila ba lubusang namangha.

"Let's have our dinner Amber."

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