COMPROMISE
2036 Words
I never craved attention, until I tasted yours.
***Sasi***
*********
My heart beats so loud that I think it will come out of my mouth at any moment. What should I do?
Should I leave? Should I stay and pretend as if nothing happened?
Neither of us moved an inch, nor utter any words. I felt that Mr. Raki was feeling awkward as well. Who wouldn’t? After I moaned like a cat in heat, who in their sane mind would ignore the slip? Never in my entire life, I’ve been exposed to anything s****l and never experienced attraction towards opposite s*x or any gender at that. I have never been attracted to anyone, not even Luke, so I am completely clueless as to why my mind and my body reacted this way around him. Also, I have no intention to cater these thoughts or whatsoever.
But what should I do now?
Turn around and bid him to continue….
my inner demon urged at me as she twirls her hair suggestively.
God! Why would I f*****g do that?
Over my dead body!
I decided to stand up and ask him to leave but before I could do that, another knock on the door broke the deafening silence in the room and Lin called out from the outside.
“Miss Sasi..it’s me Lin.”
I hurriedly stood up never glancing at the man behind me. I couldn’t look at him after the embarrassment that my feet flew on its own towards the door and opened it slightly.
“Miss Sasi, my mom asked if you want to join my family in going to the plaza to watch the parades and the program. Today is the city’s founding anniversary so there will be an event later this afternoon until the evening. Would you like to join us?”
She asked.
"I don't think the idea suits me. I'm sorry to turn down the invitation but I'm not really a sociable person. I might just cause a scene."
I said courteously.
“Oh come on Miss, you deserve a break. Besides, no one might recognize you there.”
Daniels suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Freshly showered with a white tank top and cotton shorts on. He glanced inside my room that I decided to completely get out and close the door behind me. I don’t want to give them something to think about if they saw Mr. Raki in my room.
But you are staying in one room stupid!
“We will have a short tour of the island before we proceed to the plaza, Miss. I guarantee you will enjoy the beauty of Batanes. This is one of the premier tourist spots in the Philippines. Besides, it's not every day that you can visit our country, right?"
Lin said in enthusiasm.
“Yeah, exactly. This is a tourist destination, what if someone out there recognized me?”
I asked, still anxious about the idea.
“Nah, that’s just a 1% probability of occurrence. Also, what are we here for if we cannot protect you. Right?”
Jose’ joined in our little discussion outside my room and I find it really weird that we are discussing this matter this way. He was wearing a yellow t-shirt with a printed slice of pizza at the front.
"But still-"
“Oh, come on, Miss. We want you to enjoy it at least. You have been locked inside your room for a week. I’m starting to think that you are afraid of us. I mean, are you?”
Daniels’ eyes widened upon realization.
“No!..no I am not. It's just that-“
“Hey, why are you bullying her? Has anyone seen Captain?”
Jiro walked towards us carrying a laptop. He was wearing a black hoodie shirt, grey jogging pants, and a pair of earphones on his neck.
“We are not bullying her. We are just inviting her for a tour around the island. Don’t you wanna join us?”
Daniels explained.
“Oh, no thanks. I’ll pass.”
“Ugh, you f*****g loner. No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”
Jose’ chuckled.
“And who among you has a girlfriend?”
Mr. Raki suddenly came out the door on his side of the room and walked closer to us. He might have used the adjacent door to get through. It would have been very uncomfortable if he got out of my door instead.
“I do have a girlfriend.”
Jose’ replied defensively.
“Cocinero, a one-night stand is not considered a girlfriend. Quit your pompous ass. Anyway, what is this about?”
He glared at Jose’ and the latter just grinned toothily then scratched the back of his head.
“Mister, my mom wanted to ask if Miss Sasi wanted to join us today. We are planning to visit the plaza for the festival.”
“Oh, about that, she already asked me. And yes. I called your parents, and they approve.”
He suddenly looked at me and when our eyes met, the scene a while ago instantly replayed in my mind. He seemed to recall as well when his hazel brown eyes became darker for a split second, but it vanished just as fast. I blinked ferociously to regain myself and looked down in discomfort.
“Wow, so that’s it. We have the go signal. I bet we will enjoy this ride.”
Daniels exclaimed in excitement.
“But our Missy hasn't agreed just yet.”
The way he said “Our” made me blush so hard that I castigated myself for having an inappropriate reaction.
It feels like I am a precious piece of artifact that needs to be protected. And it warms my heart to know that someone who was not family, really wanted to protect me. It’s very trivial but I never realize these things would affect me in any way.
“What do you say, señorita?”
Everyone looked at me expectantly. Their eyes sparkled like in the animation of pleading dogs and I have no choice but to nod in agreement.
“Okay, it’s settled then, see you every one after about an hour?”
Lin said.
Daniels hooked up Jose’ and Jiro by their necks while I quickly turned around and entered my room.
What the hell am I gonna do?
Will I be okay among the crowd? Why did my parents agree to this knowing that I have a phobia with crowded places?
Shall I give them a call?
But come to think of it, this situation could benefit my well-being at some point. I could use some time to relax and stop worrying about things I cannot control. Besides, I have my security team with me, and Mr. Raki will protect me…
My thoughts floated into the humiliating position I was in earlier, and I screamed internally at myself for being so gullible.
An hour later, I went out of the Villa with everyone gathered outside. The boys are all wearing a paired T-shirt in different hues of blues and greens and camouflage-patterned cargo shorts in the same colors as the shirt.
“Is that a uniform?”
I can’t contain myself but to ask in curiosity. It looks good on them though, they looked like cartoon characters from Teletubbies, the army edition.
“Ugh, actually no señorita. We bought it together at the same time somewhere at the airport. Looks cool right?”
Daniels explained and I chuckled but nodded otherwise.
I chose to wear a pair of comfy Jenim Jeans cotton jogger pants and a sweater in gray and pink colors. It's perfect for the windy weather. A Nike slipper for my feet and I’m good to go. Nothing beats comfort. A black aviator shade on my head is my only accessory, the same shade that Mr. Raki gave me on the plane. My face is bare and without any trace of makeup on. I only applied sunblock, moisturizing cream and a dab of lip balm.
A wrangler jeep suddenly stopped in front of us, loading Mr. Raki and Lin. My eyes instantly landed on his profile, and I must admit he looked dashing.
I scanned his attire from the white Skecher sneakers to the white cargo shorts, and the moss green Calvin Klein cotton hoodie shirt. Unconsciously, my eyes traveled higher to his face, to the trimmed jawlines, thin lips, majestic nose, and his eyes that were looking back at me.
I interlocked with his warm gaze and his lips twitched up in a grin that I had to roll my eyes before looking away to hide my yet another embarrassing moment with him..
Having caught checking on him is disgraceful
Why do I always embarrass myself around him?
But I must admit, his presence brings familiar shivers to my bones as I feel the hot blood sweep all over my face
“Hey cap, you cheater, you said we will wear the uniform.”
Daniels bickered at him.
“What uniform?”
“This.”
Jose’ replied pointing at their colorful attires.
“Yeah, it’s not fair that you look the best among us..you’ll get all the girl’s attention.”
Mr. Raki didn’t answer but glared at Daniels who had the latter chuckling and shaking his head.
I find it odd that he didn’t answer, is that really his reason for dressing up today? To pick up girls. Is that why they urged me to join Lin’s family? So that they could go hunt some slut?
Yeah right, if I didn’t go with them, no one could leave the house.
Huh, boys will always be boys.
But he’s a man... not a boy..the satan inside me murmured..
I can see that!
Fuck! Where are these thoughts coming from?
"Aow, where did you find a wrangler? I thought we're gonna ride...what's that again? Haban haban?"
I asked, trying to redirect my attention which had Lin and the boys laughing together..
"It's habal habal Miss. Anyway, Mr. Raki rented this jeep for our convenience while touring the island. So, shall we?"
Lin and I sat at the back as she explained to me everything about the tourist spots, a digital camera swinging on her neck, while Daniels drove the wrangler. Mr. Raki sat at the passenger’s side while Jose’ and the frowning Jiro sat behind us.
Our first stop was the 66-ft Basco Lighthouse. The view from the tower was magnificent! I could almost see half of the island in its soft blanket of green grass. The ocean, the wind, the weather, and the blue sky were just perfect. I felt my body slowly relaxing.
We next visited a church, a Japanese tunnel, then we traveled thru what they call the Vayang rolling hills. It was a paved road along with the rolling, seemingly endless hills that were covered with short green grass.
I am enjoying the soft wind on my face and grazing livestock when suddenly, a piece of soft country music is played in the built-in stereo.
I recognized the song by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
It’s titled Happy Anywhere, one of my songs to go to when I am stressed.
I've always been a rolling stone
With a reckless streak
Yeah, the grass never gets too grown
Underneath my feet
The city lights, southern stars
No such thing as gone too far
For the first time in years, my face broke into a vibrant smile.
I feel giddy, happy…content.
This is what I am always craving.
This kind of calmness.
No crowds of fans.
Away from the flashes of the camera.
I rested my head on the back of the passenger's seat where Mr. Raki is sitting.
and I closed my eyes, inhaling the familiar Rosemary, Lavender, and Minty scent of his cologne.
I'm running wide open
I was born with my feet in motion
But since I met you, I swear
I could be happy anywhere
Any mapped-out location
You're always my destination
You're the only thing that I'm chained to.
I could be happy anywhere
I could be happy anywhere with you.
Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.
...to be continued.
- Writer
