CONCERN
4062 Words
"It was stupidity to feel concerned but it was way more stupid to act that way."
***Sasi***
**********
The quick lunch was done with the boys chattering about a lot of things, mostly manly matters which I didn’t join in.
I just enjoyed the soft breeze fanning my face and the sweet chirping of the birds while seated comfortably on the blanket. Daniels and Jiro started to clean our leftovers I didn't notice when did I start to zone out and fall asleep.
I just woke up when Mr. Raki gently shook my shoulder to wake me.
His smiling face greeted me as I opened my eyes. I blinked a couple of times and for a moment I was mesmerized, his hazel brown eyes shining brightly in the afternoon sun, his straight nose and soft-looking lips looking down on me. I gulp in thirst.
Such a fine specimen of a man, isn’t he?
Eimy murmured in my mind, and I couldn’t agree more.
While waking up from my drowsy state, and noticed that I am lying on my side while my head was on his lap.
When the hell did, I get here?
I quickly sat up and stood wobbly while Mr. Raki holds my arm to support me.
"Where are we?"
I asked mindlessly looking around and realized that we are still at the summit. The others are preparing to descend. They are already packing their things back into their bags.
"We are going back now. You slept after having lunch and you looked tired, so I asked them to stay here for a while."
He explained and I blushed in embarrassment.
He must have thought of me as weak. Compared to Nami, who was laughing loudly with her friends, I must have looked pathetic.
“Don’t think too much about it, it’s okay to sleep on a hiking trip. I have done it a couple of times before.”
He murmured as he stood up and started to gather our bags.
I’m carrying a sling bag over my chest while Daniels gets to carry the small backpack, I quickly packed for myself.
“Hey, Miss Sasi, want to change your shirt? Want to join me?”
Nami suddenly came up to me and offered.
Why? Do I smell from the sweat?
My eyes widened and smelled myself.
“No, it’s not that I am just asking in case you wanted to change your T-shirt because I am changing.”
She chuckled upon realizing what I was thinking.
“Ah yeah sure, and please, just Sasi. No need to get so formal.”
I replied and smiled back then took my bag from Daniels. I’m praying that I have packed a usable shirt in there.
“Where are you going?”
Mr. Raki held me by the arm which I brushed off gently.
“We will just do some girly things.”
I winked at him then followed Nami.
She guided me towards a narrow trail away from the others and I looked back to three sets of eyes following us. I signaled them that I will be okay and to look away which they did eventually. I smiled down to myself.
“This is your first time hiking, isn’t it?”
Nami asked when we stopped somewhere the boys couldn’t see us.
“Yes, it is. How did you know?”
“Body language, I guess. Anyway, is Raki single?”
Oh, she’s fishing… I get it. And they are on a first-name basis! I see..
“Hmm, yes I guess. Why? Are you interested in ‘my’ bodyguard?”
I accentuated the word MY to let her know that I am not taking anything or anyone that might distract my security from their job. I have no idea if he’s single or not but judging that he didn’t have anyone to call secretly, he must be single.
“He’s your bodyguard?!”
She asked with eyes wide with shock.
“Yes, why? He didn’t tell you?”
I asked equally bewildered.
“Oh, my. No, he told me he was your brother. And that Daniels and Jiro are his friends. I’m sorry this is such a surprise.”
She laughed at that and it's annoying to my ear. I wonder why I hated everything about this woman.
“I have no idea why he would say that but yes, he’s my bodyguard. Three of them actually.”
I said blankly while changing my shirt into a black loose-fitting hoodie shirt.
It irritates me that he passed me as his sister just to flirt with this cooked-shrimp-looking girl.
“You must be a big-time to have security like that. I couldn’t imagine myself being under such restraint. What are you? A millionaire’s daughter who is in danger?”
She asked jokingly.
“Yes.”
I answered unblinkingly.
It’s not necessary but somehow, I want her to know where she stands. That I am not a girl to mess with and my guards not to be flirted upon.
“Oh, really?!”
Again, she’s shocked.
“Neh, I’m kidding. By the way, why did you ask?”
“Well, I am just curious..and never mind. Shall we head back? It looks like it will rain soon.”
She smiled awkwardly and looked up at the sky.
“Okay.”
I nodded and followed her back. Whatever she was thinking about, I have no idea and I don’t have any plans on digging up any further. She must have thought of me as a spoiled brat b***h, and I wouldn’t even care.
Our group started to trek back down to the foot of the mountain. The wind also started to blow a little harder, and I saw some dark clouds formation above.
"We better hurry up, or else we might get trapped in the rain. The rocks would get more slippery when wet."
Nami warned us as she goes ahead of us. She didn’t even throw a glance over Mr. Raki and I smiled triumphantly.
“What happened?”
The bastard asked me as we descend. Daniels getting my bag back.
“What happened to what?”
I asked back innocently.
“Nami, she seems different.”
“Nothing. Just me finding out you passed me as your sister just to flirt with her and she, finding out you’re my bodyguard instead.”
I snapped at him.
“Why did you do that? Lady, you just blasted our cover.”
He replied with gritted teeth. We were walking slower among the rest of the guys so they probably weren’t hearing us bickering like a couple.
“Cover my ass. You just wanted to flirt!”
“You are mistaken.”
He snapped back at me which have me looking back at him that I slipped on a rock and would've fallen face-first if he wasn't fast enough to catch me.
His arms instantly encircled my waist, and my hands flew towards his shoulders to get a steady grip. His breath fans my cheek and I was flushed for a while as I get my breathing back to normal. The erratic beating of my heart is disarmingly awful.
This is not good!
"Steady, are you okay?"
He asked softly, looking at my strained face.
“What happened?”
Daniels and Jiro rushed towards us, and I immediately pushed him away from me.
“Nothing, I just slipped I said.”
I replied not even looking up at them. I’m sure my cheeks are blushing like crimson right now and it’s embarrassing.
“Are you okay?”
Daniels asked again and I nodded.
“Yes, you may go ahead. I’m fine.”
We continued our way in a slower pace as I was afraid to slip again. The bastard secured my every step and even held my hand to support me.
“By the way, Mr. Raki, are you single?”
I remembered to ask him the important details.
“Why do you ask? And drop the Mister please, you’re making me sound so old.”
He replied while holding my elbow as I took a leap over some rocks.
“Well, Nami is curious and so am I- No, I mean she’s curious so I’m asking.”
I crouched my eyes and bit my lip at the sudden slip of my tongue.
Fuck! I am not curious!
“Hmm, really? Well, to answer that..Yes, I am single.”
He chuckled softly as he lifted a branch over my head.
“Why don’t you just tell her that you are available then? Why tell her I’m your sister?”
I asked rolling my eyes that had him laughing.
“Dear, that was our cover to protect you. But I see you blew it as if it was nothing.”
I was silent for a while after that.
Then after some time, I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I asked.
“Do….do you like her?”
I know it is not my business but there’s something deep within me that wanted to know no matter what. As if that single information would cost my life.
“I do. She’s sweet and kind.”
He said shortly but to my ear, that was like a bomb blasting in full. I stopped in my tracks due to the disappointment that I felt. It’s like a needle that slowly stabbing me in the chest.
Damn! Why am I feeling like this?
He stopped as well looking at me in wonder.
“Hey, I mean I like her as a person. Not in any way romantic or what. She’s kind enough to give us a free tour like this.”
He explained and yet I stayed silent looking up at him, thinking to myself why this is so important to me.
Why am I asking trivial things in the middle of the forest? Honestly, I felt stupid.
“Never mind me.”
I said walking ahead in irritation. I am annoyed at myself for acting inappropriately.
I am glad that he didn’t talk anymore after that.
I didn’t realize we were left behind by the group.
We were just exiting the forest when I spot a white snake heading fast towards us, I got surprised and screamed at Raki who was walking ahead.
"Mister! I mean.. a SNAKE!"
"Huh? Where?"
"There!! There!! Look ahead, you stupid!."
I pointed at the snake in panic.
He looked down and saw the snake that was no more than a meter long, its body an inch in diameter and was crawling towards us fast. Raki got surprised and instantly acts on reflex, he kicked the snake to divert it away from us. But the kick was a wrong move, instead of flying away, the snake crawled up his leg and it happened so fast I just saw the bastard fell down on the ground, bottom first and was obviously in pain.
"f**k!"
He grunts and I knew right away that he was bitten..
Oh god, what should I do?
"What happened? Are you bitten?"
I saw the snake slithering away in a distance.
"Ah, y-yes..I-I think I am."
I can see his pain through his gritted teeth and pulsating veins in his temple. His face now turning red.
"What??! You, stupid..Where is it? Show me..what should I do?"
I was panicking really hard and my hands started to tremble.
"Relax, it's just a snake bite."
"Relax?? What if it's venomous? We're 2 hours away from the city dammit!"
Should I call the others? I took out my phone to call Daniels or Jiro but the damn thing has no signal.
“You stupid moron. Why do you have to kick it in the first place? We should’ve run.”
He takes out an army knife from his pocket and started to unbuckle his pants.
"W-what are you doing? Why are you getting naked??"
"I will squeeze out the venom."
He said calmly as if it was just an ant bite.
"Squeeze out? So it’s venomous?? s**t!."
Yeah, I watched too many movies and this is the moment the protagonist dies.
What the f**k should I do?!
...to be continued.
"It was stupidity to feel concerned but it was way more stupid to act that way."
***Sasi***
**********
The quick lunch was done with the boys chattering about a lot of things, mostly manly matters which I didn’t join in.
I just enjoyed the soft breeze fanning my face and the sweet chirping of the birds while seated comfortably on the blanket. Daniels and Jiro started to clean our leftovers I didn't notice when did I start to zone out and fall asleep.
I just woke up when Mr. Raki gently shook my shoulder to wake me.
His smiling face greeted me as I opened my eyes. I blinked a couple of times and for a moment I was mesmerized, his hazel brown eyes shining brightly in the afternoon sun, his straight nose and soft-looking lips looking down on me. I gulp in thirst.
Such a fine specimen of a man, isn’t he?
Eimy murmured in my mind, and I couldn’t agree more.
While waking up from my drowsy state, and noticed that I am lying on my side while my head was on his lap.
When the hell did, I get here?
I quickly sat up and stood wobbly while Mr. Raki holds my arm to support me.
"Where are we?"
I asked mindlessly looking around and realized that we are still at the summit. The others are preparing to descend. They are already packing their things back into their bags.
"We are going back now. You slept after having lunch and you looked tired, so I asked them to stay here for a while."
He explained and I blushed in embarrassment.
He must have thought of me as weak. Compared to Nami, who was laughing loudly with her friends, I must have looked pathetic.
“Don’t think too much about it, it’s okay to sleep on a hiking trip. I have done it a couple of times before.”
He murmured as he stood up and started to gather our bags.
I’m carrying a sling bag over my chest while Daniels gets to carry the small backpack, I quickly packed for myself.
“Hey, Miss Sasi, want to change your shirt? Want to join me?”
Nami suddenly came up to me and offered.
Why? Do I smell from the sweat?
My eyes widened and smelled myself.
“No, it’s not that I am just asking in case you wanted to change your T-shirt because I am changing.”
She chuckled upon realizing what I was thinking.
“Ah yeah sure, and please, just Sasi. No need to get so formal.”
I replied and smiled back then took my bag from Daniels. I’m praying that I have packed a usable shirt in there.
“Where are you going?”
Mr. Raki held me by the arm which I brushed off gently.
“We will just do some girly things.”
I winked at him then followed Nami.
She guided me towards a narrow trail away from the others and I looked back to three sets of eyes following us. I signaled them that I will be okay and to look away which they did eventually. I smiled down to myself.
“This is your first time hiking, isn’t it?”
Nami asked when we stopped somewhere the boys couldn’t see us.
“Yes, it is. How did you know?”
“Body language, I guess. Anyway, is Raki single?”
Oh, she’s fishing… I get it. And they are on a first-name basis! I see..
“Hmm, yes I guess. Why? Are you interested in ‘my’ bodyguard?”
I accentuated the word MY to let her know that I am not taking anything or anyone that might distract my security from their job. I have no idea if he’s single or not but judging that he didn’t have anyone to call secretly, he must be single.
“He’s your bodyguard?!”
She asked with eyes wide with shock.
“Yes, why? He didn’t tell you?”
I asked equally bewildered.
“Oh, my. No, he told me he was your brother. And that Daniels and Jiro are his friends. I’m sorry this is such a surprise.”
She laughed at that and it's annoying to my ear. I wonder why I hated everything about this woman.
“I have no idea why he would say that but yes, he’s my bodyguard. Three of them actually.”
I said blankly while changing my shirt into a black loose-fitting hoodie shirt.
It irritates me that he passed me as his sister just to flirt with this cooked-shrimp-looking girl.
“You must be a big-time to have security like that. I couldn’t imagine myself being under such restraint. What are you? A millionaire’s daughter who is in danger?”
She asked jokingly.
“Yes.”
I answered unblinkingly.
It’s not necessary but somehow, I want her to know where she stands. That I am not a girl to mess with and my guards not to be flirted upon.
“Oh, really?!”
Again, she’s shocked.
“Neh, I’m kidding. By the way, why did you ask?”
“Well, I am just curious..and never mind. Shall we head back? It looks like it will rain soon.”
She smiled awkwardly and looked up at the sky.
“Okay.”
I nodded and followed her back. Whatever she was thinking about, I have no idea and I don’t have any plans on digging up any further. She must have thought of me as a spoiled brat b***h, and I wouldn’t even care.
Our group started to trek back down to the foot of the mountain. The wind also started to blow a little harder, and I saw some dark clouds formation above.
"We better hurry up, or else we might get trapped in the rain. The rocks would get more slippery when wet."
Nami warned us as she goes ahead of us. She didn’t even throw a glance over Mr. Raki and I smiled triumphantly.
“What happened?”
The bastard asked me as we descend. Daniels getting my bag back.
“What happened to what?”
I asked back innocently.
“Nami, she seems different.”
“Nothing. Just me finding out you passed me as your sister just to flirt with her and she, finding out you’re my bodyguard instead.”
I snapped at him.
“Why did you do that? Lady, you just blasted our cover.”
He replied with gritted teeth. We were walking slower among the rest of the guys so they probably weren’t hearing us bickering like a couple.
“Cover my ass. You just wanted to flirt!”
“You are mistaken.”
He snapped back at me which have me looking back at him that I slipped on a rock and would've fallen face-first if he wasn't fast enough to catch me.
His arms instantly encircled my waist, and my hands flew towards his shoulders to get a steady grip. His breath fans my cheek and I was flushed for a while as I get my breathing back to normal. The erratic beating of my heart is disarmingly awful.
This is not good!
"Steady, are you okay?"
He asked softly, looking at my strained face.
“What happened?”
Daniels and Jiro rushed towards us, and I immediately pushed him away from me.
“Nothing, I just slipped I said.”
I replied not even looking up at them. I’m sure my cheeks are blushing like crimson right now and it’s embarrassing.
“Are you okay?”
Daniels asked again and I nodded.
“Yes, you may go ahead. I’m fine.”
We continued our way in a slower pace as I was afraid to slip again. The bastard secured my every step and even held my hand to support me.
“By the way, Mr. Raki, are you single?”
I remembered to ask him the important details.
“Why do you ask? And drop the Mister please, you’re making me sound so old.”
He replied while holding my elbow as I took a leap over some rocks.
“Well, Nami is curious and so am I- No, I mean she’s curious so I’m asking.”
I crouched my eyes and bit my lip at the sudden slip of my tongue.
Fuck! I am not curious!
“Hmm, really? Well, to answer that..Yes, I am single.”
He chuckled softly as he lifted a branch over my head.
“Why don’t you just tell her that you are available then? Why tell her I’m your sister?”
I asked rolling my eyes that had him laughing.
“Dear, that was our cover to protect you. But I see you blew it as if it was nothing.”
I was silent for a while after that.
Then after some time, I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I asked.
“Do….do you like her?”
I know it is not my business but there’s something deep within me that wanted to know no matter what. As if that single information would cost my life.
“I do. She’s sweet and kind.”
He said shortly but to my ear, that was like a bomb blasting in full. I stopped in my tracks due to the disappointment that I felt. It’s like a needle that slowly stabbing me in the chest.
Damn! Why am I feeling like this?
He stopped as well looking at me in wonder.
“Hey, I mean I like her as a person. Not in any way romantic or what. She’s kind enough to give us a free tour like this.”
He explained and yet I stayed silent looking up at him, thinking to myself why this is so important to me.
Why am I asking trivial things in the middle of the forest? Honestly, I felt stupid.
“Never mind me.”
I said walking ahead in irritation. I am annoyed at myself for acting inappropriately.
I am glad that he didn’t talk anymore after that.
I didn’t realize we were left behind by the group.
We were just exiting the forest when I spot a white snake heading fast towards us, I got surprised and screamed at Raki who was walking ahead.
"Mister! I mean.. a SNAKE!"
"Huh? Where?"
"There!! There!! Look ahead, you stupid!."
I pointed at the snake in panic.
He looked down and saw the snake that was no more than a meter long, its body an inch in diameter and was crawling towards us fast. Raki got surprised and instantly acts on reflex, he kicked the snake to divert it away from us. But the kick was a wrong move, instead of flying away, the snake crawled up his leg and it happened so fast I just saw the bastard fell down on the ground, bottom first and was obviously in pain.
"f**k!"
He grunts and I knew right away that he was bitten..
Oh god, what should I do?
"What happened? Are you bitten?"
I saw the snake slithering away in a distance.
"Ah, y-yes..I-I think I am."
I can see his pain through his gritted teeth and pulsating veins in his temple. His face now turning red.
"What??! You, stupid..Where is it? Show me..what should I do?"
I was panicking really hard and my hands started to tremble.
"Relax, it's just a snake bite."
"Relax?? What if it's venomous? We're 2 hours away from the city dammit!"
Should I call the others? I took out my phone to call Daniels or Jiro but the damn thing has no signal.
“You stupid moron. Why do you have to kick it in the first place? We should’ve run.”
He takes out an army knife from his pocket and started to unbuckle his pants.
"W-what are you doing? Why are you getting naked??"
"I will squeeze out the venom."
He said calmly as if it was just an ant bite.
"Squeeze out? So it’s venomous?? s**t!."
Yeah, I watched too many movies and this is the moment the protagonist dies.
What the f**k should I do?!
...to be continued.
- Writer
