Kabanata 20

Umuwi ako nang nakapatay ang lahat ng ilaw. I sighed before switching on the lights, at agad na bumungad sa akin si Ate Flora kasama ang ilang helpers. They were hiding but immediately showed up when the lights were lit.

"Congrats, Ma'am Philo!" they greeted, plastering joyful smiles on their faces.

May hawak na cake si Ate Flora. It was not branded because the border frosting didn't even look newly made. Yet, I consider it to be surreal moment, lumapit siya sa akin para ipakita ang nakalagay dito na dedication.

We are proud of you,
Ma'am Philomena!

"Thank you po," I accepted the cake, trying not to let my emotions get to me."Tara po sa kitchen, kain po tayo."

We went to the dirty kitchen and I sliced the cake. Ang ilan sa kanila ay kanina pa pala natatakam sa cake, hinihintay lang akong dumating.

"Sa isang bakery lang namin nabili 'yung cake, Ma'am Philo. Pasensya na kung hindi kasing sarap nung ginagawa mo," Ate Flora says. Agad akong umiling.

"This is already too much, Ate Flora. Salamat po talaga..."

I wasn't expecting anything. Sa lahat ng tao, I should be the one who knows how expectation hurts. Mas magaan ang buhay kung wala tayong inaasahan sa iba o kahit sa sarili natin.

Sandali kaming nagusap at kinamusta lang nila ako. I didn't ask about Mommy or Daddy because I know I will ruin the mood. Ang mahalaga ay kahit papaano may masaya pala para sa akin sa bahay na ito.

Pumunta na ako sa kwarto ako matapos maubos ang cake. I thanked them once again as I left for my room. I decided to take a hot bath first before going to bed. Habang pinupunasan ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko na nabasa, I saw how my pillows were dry, it would remain that way because I won't cry tonight.

Kinabukasan, naabutan ko si Mommy at Daddy sa hapagkainan. It was Sunday, mamaya ay magsisimba kami kaya naman maaga sila. I don't know where they went last night, pero ayoko na rin tanungin. Masasaktan lang ako kapag nalaman ko na mas mahalaga pa 'yung recognition ko kumpara sa pinuntahan nila.

"May pupuntahan po ako," I told them as I ate our breakfast. Hindi umimik si Mommy at patuloy lang na umiinom ng kape si Daddy.

Hindi ko sinabi kung anong oras ako uuwi. Sobra akong nagtatampo. Bakit gano'n? Sila na nga 'yung hindi ako sinipot kahapon, sila pa ang galit? Should I always be the one who kept on understanding their side?

Bakit hindi naman nila ako subukan pakinggan? Kapag matanda ka lang ba talaga magiging mahalaga ang opinyon mo?

After eating breakfast, dumaan lang kami sa church para sa isang misa at umuwi rin. Hindi na rin ako nag-atubili na kausapin sila. I really have no energy for that anymore.

I have a week to prepare for Iscalade's birthday. Pero hinanda ko na agad ang mga damit na susuotin ko. I'm conservative when it comes to my outfit. It was an overnight so I decided to pick at least three outfits and one swimwear, dahil mukhang swimming party 'yata 'yon.

✿✿✿

"I can't wait to have my own car already," Iscalade groaned in the shotgun seat.

Hinatid pa kasi kami ni Kuya Cal papunta sa resort na nirentahan nila para sa party ni Iscalade. It was a private owned resort, at hindi masyadong lalabas ng Manila dahil ayaw din naman nilang lumayo masyado.

"Trust me, it's not that fun to be an adult," Kuya Cal retorted. "Mas masaya pa rin kapag may nagaalaga pa sa'yo. When you reached the age of adulthood, people expect that you can do things on your own and it can get overwhelming."

Nakasilip ako kay Iscalade sa rear mirror. He looks bored while his eyes are on the road. Nagitla lang ako nang magtama ang mga mata namin dahil tiningnan niya rin ako sa rear mirror, he smiled in a way that it reached his eyes.

Nakarating kami sa resort na wala pang araw, papasikat pa lamang. Mas gusto kasi ni Kuya Cal na mag-roadtrip nang hindi pa mainit kaya madaling araw kami umalis.

Pumunta kami sa receptionist's desk, inaalam kung anong room number ang napunta sa amin dahil meron palang designated rooms para sa lahat ng guests.

I roamed around my eyes as I feel the breeze of the wind coming from the waves. I was wearing a turtleneck long sleeves shirt underneath my strapless knee length dress, pero nanunuot sa aking balat ang lamig.

Akala ko pool party ang pipiliin ni Iscalade. Pero nagulat ako na malapit pala sa isang dagat ang napili niyang resort. I have always preferred the smell of salt from the sea over the chlorine of swimming pools.

"Here's your keys," Iscalade handed me a set of keys. "I invited Paulene, kaso hindi 'yata pinayagan? Siya dapat 'yung room mate mo..."

"Ah, mukha nga po..." I cleared my throat. "Hindi naman talaga kami pinapayagan sa ganito..."

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko at minabuting kunin ang bag para pumunta na sa aking kwarto. The resort was really nice, it offered a minimalistic interior design. Kahit ang hallways ng kwarto ay naka-air conditioned.

I plopped to the bed, still feeling drowsy. Ang lambot ng kama na ito, lumulubog ang katawan ko.

Tiningnan ko ang malaking bintana, I opened up the curtain blinds and saw the oceanic paradise. Alam ko naman na sa loob ng mismong resort ay merong indoor pool pero mas gusto ko talaga ang karagatan.

Maaga pa naman kaya naisipan ko na matulog muna. I woke up around lunch time, at nang tingnan ko muli ang karagatan ay may mga nakita na akong pamilyar na mukha. Ade was wearing a hawaiian polo at may kausap na agad na babae. Cae was building a sand castle together with Sach. Si Sarathiel ay nakahiga sa isang sun lounger at nakatakip ang braso sa kanyang mukha.

I decided to go towards them, gusto ko sana magpalit kaso tatlo nga lang pala ang dala ko na damit. I washed my face to erase the drowsy feeling before finally going to their place.

"Hi Philo," umangat ang tingin sa akin ni Cae. "Kanina ka pa?"

My feet felt ticklish, hindi masakit sa paa ang bawat tapak ko sa buhangin. I want to collect seashells but I'm not sure if there's any.

"Yes po," I responded curtly.

"Kain ka muna, nagb-barbeque na sila roon. Pero kung ayaw mo sa usok, pwede ka naman dito." suhestiyon ni Cae. Tahimik lang si Sach na tinatapos ang sand castle na ginawa nila.

"Si Sarathiel?" a pretty girl asked, she was wearing a cropped polo shirt. "Tulog na naman ba?"

"May bago ba roon, Czanne?" Cae chuckled. "Palipatin mo na lang sa kwarto niya."

"Okay," tumango si Czanne. "Lapitan ko lang, subukan kong gisingin."

Nakita ko na sinundan ito ng tingin ni Sach, tumigil siya sa paglagay ng buhangin para sa sand castle nila.

"Alam na ba niya?" Sach asked, vaguely.

"They're friends, Sach..."

"The two of them can't be just friends..." Sach shrugged. "You don't fall for your friends, Cae."

Hindi ko naiintindihan ang pinaguusapan nila kaya naman lumapit ako sa mga long table na nakahanda. Baka kasi may matulong ako.

"Hi! Kaklase ka ba ni Iscalade?" tanong sa akin ng isang babae.

"Hindi po."

"Ah, kamaganak?"

I abruptly shook my head.

"Edi ano ka niya?" the girl arched an eyebrow. "Inaayos ko kasi 'yung list of guests para mamaya sa surprise para sa kanya."

"He's my bestfriend po."

"What?" the girl's mouth dropped. "Seryoso ka ba?"

We weren't classmates. Hindi ko alam bakit para siyang nabigla sa sinagot ko. May sinulat lang siya sa hawak niyang clipboard saka iniwan na ako nang tuluyan.

May mga namukhaan ako na kaklase ni Iscalade sa STEM 1 pero mas marami ang hindi ko kakilala. My respect for Iscalade escalated, ang dami niyang kaibigan at halata naman na gusto siya ng mga ito. I saw him talking with a group of people from afar.

Sinubukan kong lapitan at napansin na mukhang pinagtatawanan nila si Iscalade, who looked flustered but still kept on grinning at them.

"Akala namin limot mo na kami e," halakhak nung isa.

"Pwede ba 'yon?"

"Well, we did transfer to another school. At isa kami sa rason kung bakit ano..."

"That's all in the past, we can't keep on dwelling on it. At saka, masaya naman ako ngayon." Iscalade responded, smoothly.

"Kaya nga, babawi kami sa'yo ngayon."

Ngumisi ang kausap ni Iscalade at sumipol. May lumabas na grupo ng mga tao na may malaking cake na hatak-hatak gamit ng isang cart.

Kumakanta sila ng Happy Birthday song habang nilalapit ang malaking cake sa harap ni Iscalade. It was a synthetic cake, sobrang kintab nito sa malayuan kaya halata agad.

"Blow the cake!" sigaw nila. Iscalade chuckled and move forward to blow the fake candles, but was taken aback when someone came out of the cake.

He was face to face, an inch apart from the girl who was grinning at him. My lips parted upon recognizing her.

It was Caitlyn, she was wearing a halter top and denim shorts. Kitang-kita ang morena niyang balat, she was more on the fair side of morena. Her hair had highlights on it, pumantay ito sa kanyang kutis.

"Surprise!" she chortled, dinamayan naman ito ng mga hiyawan galing sa mga kaibigan ni Iscalade.

"Happy Birthday, Iscalade!" she greeted and removed herself from the synthetic cake.

"Thanks," Iscalade smiled, dryly. Tinulungan niya si Caitlyn na umalis mula roon sa pwesto niya.

"Muling ibalik! Ang tamis ng pag-ibig!" the crowd started teasing them, nagpatugtog pa nga sila at may kanta na galing sa speaker.

"Walang ibabalik, oy." Halakhak ni Iscalade at binitawan na ang kamay ni Cait nang makaalis na ito.

Agad na dumapo ang tingin niya sa akin. His eyebrows furrowed and he was mouthing something. Pero hindi ko marinig dahil sa pangangatyaw sa kanila. I pointed towards my ear and shook my head, indicating that I can't hear him.

Buong araw ay puro lang sila asaran tungkol kay Caitlyn at Iscalade. Some were singing in the karaoke. Ang iba naman ay babad na agad sa dagat, although some girls preferred to be on the indoor pool. May harang kasi ang indoor pool kaya naman hindi masakit sa balat ang sinag ng araw.

"You're not gonna swim?" lumapit sa akin si Czanne, tinabihan niya ako sa sun loungers. I look at her swimwear, she was wearing a blue plain one piece swimsuit.

Agad naman akong napalunok. Honestly, all of the girls here have good figures. Nahihiya rin ako tumingin sa mga lalaki kahit 'yung iba ay naka-sando at trunks naman. That's why I'm hiding here, in this small corner.

"Mamaya pa po..."

"Are you okay? Baka gusto mong samahan kita magpalit?"

"Okay lang po ako," lumingon ako sa kanya. "Kayo po? Baka gusto niyo na lumangoy?"

"Well, dapat..." bumuntong hininga siya. "Kaso tulog pa si Sarathiel. Sabay na sana kaming dalawa. "

"Papalubog na ang araw, Czanne..." Sach strides towards us. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin. He was half naked, of course! Lalangoy, Philo!

Parang may nakabara sa aking lalamunan. Pati ba si Iscalade? I shook my head to erase the thoughts.

"I'll wait for Sarathiel..."

"Hindi na 'yata 'yon lalangoy. Baka mamayang gabi na o kaya bukas nang umaga..."

"Edi gano'ng oras din ako lalangoy..." Czanne didn't budge, patuloy siyang nakayuko.

Sachael sighed, bakas sa kanyang tono ang inis. Nagulat ako nang marinig ang tunog ng galaw ng upuan.

"Sach! Hoy! Ibaba mo ako!" pagpupumiglas ni Czanne.

My eyes veered towards their direction. Binuhat pala siya ni Sach at mukhang dadalhin sa dagat. Nalaglag ang panga ko nang ibagsak siya ni Sach sa tubig. Ngayon ay nagtatawanan na sila.

I wanna swim too.

My knees retreated, I was hugging them now. Gusto ko talaga ang lamig galing sa mga alon ng dagat, the saltiness of the sea comes along with the wind. Baka mamaya ay maligo na rin ako, kapag wala na masyadong tao.

When it was already night, mas naging kalmado na ang lahat. Except for the dining area, mas umingay sila sa parteng 'yon dahil magkakaroon 'yata ng inuman. Of course, they made sure that only those who are legal and allowed to drink are entertained. Sa mga hindi pa, bumalik na sila sa mga kwarto nila o kaya'y nasa karaoke at kumakanta.

I went towards the women's shower area. Balak ko kasi magpalit na dahil lalangoy na ako. Narinig ko ang ilang usapan ng mga babae habang nagbibihis ako. Nasa loob ako ng isa sa mga cubicles.

"May dala raw na babae si Iscalade?"

"Baka kaibigan o kaklase? Patay na patay 'yon kay Caitlyn..."

"Best friend daw e."

"Oh, 'yon naman pala. Kaibigan nga lang."

"Iscalade have a lot of friends, pero wala siyang tinuturing na best friend. Ang fishy no'n!"

"Di naman maganda 'yung dala niyang babae. Parang nerd?"

Bumunghalit sila ng tawanan. May narinig akong tunog ng mga hakbang papalapit sa aming direksyon. Natigilan ako dahil narinig ko ang hikbi galing sa bagong pasok na babae.

"Cait! Hala, bakit ka umiiyak?"

"No, it's nothing..." she blubbed. "Nag-away lang kami ni Iscalade."

"What? That's impossible, he's head over heels when it comes to you..."

"I think he's making me jealous over someone. At sa inis ko, I told him I'll do the same. I feel awful, he was so angry."

"Maybe, that's how you'll win him over again. Baka kapag nakita niyang pwede kang maagaw ng mga kaibigan niya, maybe he'll come back to you?" suhestiyon ng isa sa mga kausap ni Cait.

"Boys do tend to like the chase!" dagdag pa nung isa.

I shook my head. If I love someone, why would I do something to make them feel jealous? That's childish. Aren't security and assurance, the best things you can offer when it comes to loving?

"You think so?" Caitlyn uttered, unti-unting napapawi ang maliliit na pagsinok niya.

"Of course! Cait, boys are..." nawala na ang boses nila. They're probably outside now.

Lumabas na rin ako, I look at myself in the huge mirror infront of me. I was wearing a one piece ruffled bikini, puti ito at may mga maliliit na sunflowers na design. Medyo pang bata kumpara sa mga swimsuits nila.

My lips formed into a quick pout. My body was petite, it wasn't voluptuous or even curvy. I didn't also have any body parts that I can flaunt, not that I'm complaining.

I went towards the seashore, pinapakiramdaman ang lamig ng tubig kung kakayanin ko ba sakaling lumangoy ako.

Nilubog ko na ang katawan ko at agad na nag-floating. I really love how the water kiss my skin. The current of the waves are calming too.

"Ayan na 'yung inaabangan mo," I heard someone chuckling.

Umahon ako para lumingon sa ingay na narinig ko. Iscalade and his friends were watching me. Agad akong namula nang makita ang reaksyon ni Iscalade. Malapit lang sila sa pwesto ko.

His mouth was agape and he look stunned. Nakaakbay si Ade sa kanya at tinatawanan siya ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Pray for Iscalade," Ade guffawed.

A rosy tint appeared on Iscalade's face as he diverted his eyes from me. Nakarinig pa ako ng ilang mura galing sa kanya.

"Hi po..." I greeted and went towards them. Nakalubog naman ang kalahati ng mga katawan namin kaya di ko nakikita kung ano ba...

"Di ka nilalamig?" Iscalade cleared his throat, hindi pa rin makatingin sa akin.

"Aahon na kami, Lade. Ikaw ba? Syempre hindi..." Halakhak ni Ade at niyaya ang mga kaibigan nila na umalis na.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang lumangoy? You prefer night swimming?" tanong ni Iscalade nang makalapit ako sa kanya. He really was blushing. Umabot ito hanggang sa leeg niya.

"Nahihiya kasi ako kanina..." I confessed. "Ikaw po ba?"

"Lumangoy ako kanina, niyaya lang nila ako kaya..." he swallowed hard.

I look at his broad shoulders, I've always known he had a body far more mature than most of the boys at his age. Ang alam ko bukod sa mahilig siya sa basketball ay may gym session sila ni Ade.

"Iscalade!" may tumawag sa kanya. Pareho kaming lumingon at nakitang si Caitlyn ito. She was looking for Iscalade.

My mouth gaped at her, I thought she was only pretty but her body is well toned as well. The perfect abdomen and her chest is also gifted. Her two piece swimsuit fitted well in her body. Ayoko na tuloy tumingin sa katawan ko.

"Philo, hawak ka sa balikat ko." Iscalade whispered to my ears, softly. "Magtatago tayo."

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pareho kaming lumubog. I close my eyes so it won't, ilang segundo lang ay naramdaman ko ang mahinang paghila sa akin ni Iscalade papunta sa isang lugar.

Umahon kami at agad akong kumuha ng hininga. I opened my eyes and saw Iscalade looking at me, the water was trickling down his face. His hair was damp and he looked lovely under the shine of the moonlight. Lalong nadepina ang kanyang perpektong panga at matangos na ilong.

"W-wala kang salamin?" he stammered.

"Lulutang po 'yung salamin ko..."

"Ah, oo n-nga..." his adam's apple moved.

He shook his head to remove some water from his hair. I laughed when it hit my face and splashed water to him in return.

We decided to swim together, hanggang sa mapagod na ako dahil sobrang lumalamig na ang tubig. Pareho kaming pumunta sa nilagyan ko ng tuwalya. I wrapped myself with a towel and noticed that Iscalade didn't have any so I gave him my spare towel.

Namumula ako dahil parang kasalanan tingnan ang katawan niya. I coughed a little as I divert my attention — his hair was still damp, kaya kumuha ng isa pang tuwalya para tulungan siyang maging tuyo ito.

I softly placed the towel on his head and brush the towel against his hair. Agad na umangat ang tingin niya sa akin, he looked at me as I help him dried his hair.

"Pulang-pula si Iscalade, akala ko pa naman naka-two piece 'yung crush niya." Halakhak ni Ade habang papalapit sa amin.

Sinundan siya ni Sach at Cae na iba na ang damit ngayon. Agad na ngumiti sa akin si Cae at tumango naman si Sach. Sarathiel on the other hand, had his hands on the pockets of his sweat jacket. Mukhang kagigising lang dahil magulo pa ang buhok.

"Hindi ka lalangoy, Sarathiel?" tanong ni Iscalade, habang mukhang basang sisiw na nilapagan ko ng tuwalya sa ulo.

"Bukas na..." Sarathiel yawned.

"Wala kasi si Zafirah e, siguro babad din siya sa tubig kung nandito lang 'yon. Baka nga hindi na umahon basta ba si Zafirah kasama niya." Sach snickered. Sarathiel scoffed at his remark.

"Ang ganda mo, Philo." Ade mumbled. "Ganyan pala itsura mo kapag walang salamin?"

My cheeks flushed at his compliment. I still look the same. I don't really know the difference.

"Maganda n-naman talaga si Philo," Iscalade licked his lips. "K-kapag walang s-salamin."

"Bakit ka muna nauutal?" Sarathiel grinned. Sinundan naman ito ng 'Oohs' galing sa mga kaibigan niya.

"M-malamang, ang l-lamig kaya..." Iscalade diverted his gaze.

✿✿✿

Nasa kwarto na ako ngayon, I was preparing my bed when someone knock on my door. Agad ko itong sinilip kung sino at nakitang grupo ito ng mga babae.

Caitlyn was with them.

I decided to open the door since it's just girls. Bumungad ang mga mukha nila na nakangiti.

"Hi! Pwede ba namin hiramin 'yung foam saka 'yung mga unan? Wala ka namang room mate 'di ba?" tanong nung isang babae.

"Sige lang po," I agreed. They barged inside the room and lifted the foam. Kinuha rin nila ang mga unan nito.

"Hey Philomena," Caitlyn called me. I was startled because she was too close, ramdam ko ang pagiging awkward ng ugnayan namin.

"Pwede ko bang kunin 'yung isang unan mo?" she asked, sweetly.

My heart palpitated, I can't sleep with only one pillow. Nahihirapan akong makatulog kapag isa lang. Hindi pa nakatulong na sa ibang lugar ito kaya naman medyo naga-alinlangan akong magbigay ng sagot sa kanya.

"Sige po..." I sighed. I don't wanna look greedy. Agad na lumawak ang ngiti niya at kinuha ang mga unan sa kama ko. Nagtira siya ng isa lang.

"Thanks, Philomena!" Caitlyn smiled, her gaze went towards my phone on the side table.

"Someone is calling you..." she snooped over my phone.

"Huwag mo na lang po pansinin..."

"Hm? It's almost a hundred times..." she shrugged off. "Possessive boyfriend?"

"Hindi po," I gulped.

Binatuhan niya lang ako nang isa pang tingin bago siya sumama sa mga babaing kasama niya.

I breathed out. Tiningnan ko ang phone ko.

144 missed calls
235 messages

Napapikit ako dahil alam ko naman kanino ito galing. I was startled when Iscalade knocked on my door, kahit bukas naman ito. I let him in and his eyebrows were furrowed.

"May nangyari ba? I was informed that they took the foam and your pillows..."

"Wala naman po, and it's okay. Ako lang naman mag-isa —"

My phone vibrated. Parehong lumipad ang tingin namin dito. Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko.

"Your phone is ringing." Iscalade stated. "Baka importante, sagutin mo."

"No —"

"It might be an emergency..." sinilip ito ni Iscalade. "It's your Mom."

Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko at nahihirapan akong maghanap ng rason para huwag niya itong pakialaman.

"I'll get it for you."

"Huwag —" it was too late. Napindot na niya ang loudspeak.

"Philomena! Where the hell are you?! No'ng sinabi mong aalis ka, hindi mo sinabi kung anong oras ka uuwi! It's already almost midnight! Anong balak mong babae ka?!"

I saw shock registered on Iscalade's face.

"Balak mo bang maglayas?! Dalhin mo na lahat ng gamit mo rito! You impudent child! Wala ka talagang modo! Saan mo natutunan 'yan?! Hindi ka naman namin tinuruan maglayas!"

I balled my fists. Patuloy lang akong nakayuko. I'm sorry, but I really wanted to go. At hanggang ngayon ay nagtatampo pa rin ako sa kanila.

"Philo..." Iscalade called me, softly but at the same time he sounded betrayed. "Nagpaalam ka ba talaga?"

I looked at him, straight in his eyes. I saw how disappointment was written all over his face.

"Tumakas ka?" he asked, weakly.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜