Chapter 29

I deactivated all of my social media accounts before we go to the beach. Si Rasha lang ang nakaaalam no'n dahil siya ang unang nakakita ng mga post patungkol sa akin. Good thing some of my brothers haven't noticed it yet and I don't want to put them into this situation since wala naman silang kinalaman.

"This is the last week of our training, Thesia." Bumuga nang malalim na hininga si Kuya Emmett. "We should do our best."

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya. I tried to be positive and act as nothing happened, but I feel like whatever's happening affecting me. Naalala ko iyong sinabi sa akin ni Rasha na I shouldn't let it get into my nerves but it's happening and I can't get it off my head.

When we get to meet all the other trainees, they were so excited to do the final assessment since everyone is looking forward to officially becoming a lifeguard. Who doesn't want that kind of job, right?

Teka... ako lang ata.

Valerio wouldn't be here with me to guide, teach, or mentor me. Telling me all the necessary things I need to do to pass the assessment. Last week, he made it sure that I am going to pass the assessment. He did everything he could for me and if I failed, it's like I'm also failing him and I don't want that to happen.

I cannot see Valerio's face disappointed in me again.

"Hey, Aesthesia!" Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. Si Alexis iyon at ang laki ng ngiti nitong lumapit sa akin. "Finally! We get to do the final assessment together! You impressed for the past few weeks. You were doing so great. You're such a determined girl—I mean, woman!"

We both laughed when she corrected herself.

"No, that's fine. Yeah, I'm also happy to join everyone else on the final training. I don't have much experience as many of you guys are, but I'm going to do my best."

"Yeah, that's the spirit!"

I barely even talk in the next few moments. Tinitingnan ko lang sila at nakikinig sa mga pinag-uusapan nila. They could be talking about me and I'm not aware of that.

Saglit lang nang biglang may nag-bump sa gilid ko at nang tingnan koi yon ay inangat ko ang tingin ko. Si Robbie lang pala.

"How are you doing, Thesia?" he asked.

"I'm actually nervous." I winced.

He creased his forehead. "That doesn't seem like you are. What are you nervous about?" Hindi ako sumagot sa tanong niya. "Hm... whatever you're thinking of right now, I know you'll do it." Tinapik nito ang balikat ko. "We'll all do this together. You got us here."

"Thanks, Rob. I appreciate your kind words."

"Not a problem."

"What is happening here?" Biglang pagpasok ni Kuya Emmett sa pagitan naming dalawa ni Robbie. "Are you hitting up my sister, Robbie?"

His eyes widened and immediately shook his head. Though Robbie's older than him and look so terrified to my brother. "No, I'm not, Emmett. Your sister is a sweet and kind person. I'm not hitting up on her, we're just friends. Right, Thesia?"

I smirked and nodded. "Yeah, we're just friends."

"See?" Robbie said as he got the same answer from me. "I'm sure you should be asking that to someone else and not on me."

Naningkit ang mata ni Kuya Emmett. Hindi ito nagbigay ng komento kung hindi ay sinundan din namin ng tingin ang direksyong tintingnan niya. Tumama ang mata ko kung nasaan si Valerio. Nakatayo siya sa labas ng tower at nakasuot ng deep sunglass.

"Is that the person you were talking about, Rob?" Kuya Emmett questioned.

"Oh... I didn't mention any name so..." He raised his hands telling me he's not gonna say anything about it and he looks so funny with his reaction.

Kinawayan pa ni Kuya Emmett si Valerio. Kumaway rin naman ito pabalik.

"And why are you glaring at me?" kuya asked.

"You're done, kuya. You're done."

"What did I do?!" he wondered. "Is it because I was right?"

"I'm not going to confirm or deny anything."

Kuya Emmett just laughed it off. Alam naman niya kung anong nangyari these past few weeks. Sumalo si Valerio sa Christmas eve dinner namin. We spend the new year's together and nagkaroon pa ng family hang-out which I didn't expect. His assumptions are clear, but I don't think we'll ever go to that point.

Ang hirap kapag ang daming pumapasok sa isip ko ngayon.

Nang dumating si Brendan, nagsimula na rin kami sa aming final assessment. We were partnered with someone else. Naging buddy system ito upang mabantayan din ang kilos ng bawat isa.

I was partnered with someone I'm not close to, but I'm trying my best to get in touch with him since he's very accommodating and got an athletic body so I think he could be a great help for me.

So far, no one noticed or asked me about anything on social media. That backfire instantly on me and I hated the feeling of it. If I just told them, hindi na sana ito mangyayari ngayon. Back then, I still had that in mind, but I completely change the course of the plan. I don't have to pick Valerio as my subject—it doesn't have to be.

Throughout the week, we have to list all the things we do. For example, we saw someone choking on a piece of apple they took a bite of and didn't chew, we'll note it and say what kind of response we did. At the end of the assessment, Brendan will check all the stuff that occurred during the assessment.

It may or may not affect our standing on the training, but it will surely does something to it. Kaya kailangan kong seryosohin ang bagay na 'to or else, pinili ko lang talagang mag-fail. I'm at the point na nasa dulo na ako ng bagay na pinasok ko na wala namang kasiguraduhan, kahit hindi pa malinaw sa akin kung anong tatahakin ko matapos nila, kailangan ko pa ring ilaban ito hanggang dulo.

Mag-fail man o hindi, at least I tried.

In the first few hours, there's nothing very alarming we have encountered. Mostly, we encountered people asking for directions or the safe spots they could swim—which is good.

"You know, Aesthesia, we never really had a chance to talk to each other for the past few weeks of our training."

"Yeah, we kinda do, but I think you shared the same sentiments to everyone."

"Nah, that's alright. You've been doing great. We all see that."

"Thanks, I appreciate that Shaun. I know most of you also have heard a lot about me because of my brother."

He chuckled, nodding his head. "Yeah, some funny stuff he said."

Naningkit at nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "What did you say? What did my brother told to anyone, huh?" I crossed my arms, raising my brow.

Agad naman siyang umiling. "Not really funny," pagrarason pa nito.

"Pisting yawa ka," bulong ko pa. Hindi naman niya narinig iyon kaya mas better.

"I also have to say something, Aestthesia." Namintig ang tainga ko sa panimula niya. It could be bad or not, I literally have my heart skipped a beat because of it. Nanatili na lang din naman akong kalmado dhil ayokong ipahalata sa kanya na may itinatago ako—which is not a secret in the world of social media.

"We should be working, Shaun. Weren't supposed to be talking stuff around."

"This would be quick," pangungulit pa niya. "I'm not sure if this is true or not. Someone just told me about this earlier that he saw you and Valerio in Sydney just this new year. How is that true?"

Umiling ako just to deny it. "No. That's not true. I was with my family that day so I don't think he's seeing it right."

"Hm..." he hummed, suddenly thinking of something.

"Okay. Why do you ask that?"

He shrugged off. "No, nothing. I guess curiosity. But maybe what I've been hearing from others is true. Possibly."

My forehead creases when he mentioned that. "And do you mind telling me?"

"If you're not the girl who he was with that day, then they were right. Valerio is dating someone else which I don't think is a big deal."

"True. And if that's true on my part, you would've heard it from my brother, bright?"

Napatango-tango na lamang siya sa sinabi ko. "Yeah, you're right. Emmett's a loudmouth. Let's just forget about it and continue what we're doing. They might catch us slouching."

"I'll be pointing that it was your fault."

He laughed at what I said. Shaun is just as my age. He is the total opposite of Valerio. He's kinda short, maybe an inch taller than m, but he really had a good fit so he's pretty good for keeping his body in a good condition. His hair is black and messy most of the time—he just lets the wind brushes his soft hair which is very attractive on him. Though he's not my type and I'm not after pursuing someone at this training.

Later in the afternoon ay mas lalong uminit at dinagsa ang beach ng mga lokal o mapa-turista man. I don't know if it's a good thing that we haven't been able to encounter serious situations that needed immediate attention. Some who came to us were having a huge problem with their sunburned skin which also could go serious if it wasn't attended to.

We reminded those people to wear sunscreen and shed under their umbrella because the heat is too much for some time.

Mayamaya lamang ay biglang may tumawag ng pangalan ko. Sabay pa kaming napalingon ni Shaun dahil baka kasamahan namin iyon pero hindi pala. Nakita namin ang isang babae na naka-two piece at kumakaway na lumapit sa amin.

"You're Aesthesia, right?" she asked. "You wouldn't look at me if it wasn't you." She giggled.

"Do you know each other?" tanong ni Shaun.

"Oh, no. I'm sorry, I don't know you, but have we met before?" tanong ko sa babae. Nginitian ko pa ito dahil mukhang sweet naman ang kanyang personality.

"No, we don't," she said. "This would be the first time, I must say and you're actually pretty. But is it really true?"

"Hmmm?"

"Some people saying you're a liar and all. I don't know where that is coming from."

"Don't believe anything you've read on social media. It's not true."

"Oh, okay. You're good. I don't believe them either. Can we take a picture?"

"I'm currently at work, I apologize."

"This would be quick," pamimilit pa niya. Pinulupot pa niya ang braso niya sa braso ko at itinaas ang camera at nagsimulang pindutin ang camera. Ilang shots pa ang ginawa niya saka ako bahagyang lumayo sa kanya. "I'll tag you..."

"You don't—"

"Oh, did you delete your account?" she asked. Hindi ko pa rn naman ito sinagot. "Oh, well, I'll still post it anyway. Thank you and see you around!"

She hurriedly get back to her friends and told something about me. I know at that moment, they looked at me kaya naman mabilis kong hinigit ang kamay ni Shaun at naglakad kami palayo sa kanila.

"What just happened, Aesthesia?" Shaun asked, but I didn't bother answering his question. "Oh, well, let's just keep the beach safe for everyone."

After an hour, Shaun and I went back to the tower. Saktong-sakto pa na pagkarating namin, may babaeng kinausap si Valerio na kaaalis lang din. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Shaun dahil kanina lamang ay pinag-uusapan namin iyon.

"And I guess they were right... he's dating."

But that girl he was with on Sydney was me. Sino naman kaya iyong babaeng kausap niya? Hindi ko namukhaan dahil mabilis din itong tumalikod at naglakad palayo. Maybe she's just friend or maybe it is true that he's dating her?

"You two," Valerio said, pointing at us. "I saw you both earlier taking pictures with some of the people there. What's going on?"

Tinuro naman ako ni Shaun. "She has a fan there... I don't know. It's not my fault, sir."

Napangisi naman ito. "I'm just kidding. Do whatever you have to do. If you need some help, reach out to us. You've got your own radio, right?"

Tumango si Shaun.

"Good. Now, go."

Bago pa kami umalis, nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa ni Valerio. I know these past few days weren't that great for us, but I hope he forgave me about that. I'm not pursuing the interview anymore.

Valerio was the first one who took his glances away from me. Whatever might happen to both of us, I hope we could remain friends and whoever he is dating with, I hope he'll be happy. She'll be lucky because of him.

The golden boy of Bondi.

***

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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