Chain of Restrictions

Kabanata 19

Twisted

Maaga kaming nagising para di masayang ang araw. It's 7:02 am in the morning, napagkasunduan naming magbihis para maligo. Kaya I opened my luggage to look for my swim wear. Napailing na lang ako when it was all rash guards. Wala man lang shorts or anything I can possibly wear as panligo.

"What is it, Dana? Bakit di ka pa nagbibihis? We're wasting time here, bish." Pouting I looked at Dahlia na nakasuot na nang light blue two piece. Habang si Mika naman ay nakasuot nang dark blue na two piece at nag-apply na lang ng sunblock sa katawan.

"What is that? Rash Guards? Are you kidding me?" Di naman ako makasagot kay Dahlia. I can't tell her that maybe Hugh packed this with Manang.

"But since we need to go na. I'll just let you borrow mine. Don't worry they're new ones." She said and went to her bag. Bumalik siya sa akin na may dalang red na two piece.

"Since it's your birthday. You can use my red one." She then pushed me towards the CR. Nagbihis naman agad ako. I checked myself on the mirror. I looked nice naman. Nagmamadali akong naglagay ng sunblock. At agad akong lumabas sa cr but when I thought about Hugh's reaction. Kinuha ko ang cover-up kimono ko and immediately went out.

Sabay kaming lahat lumabas sa Villa namin at sumakay sa nakaparadang golf cart. Si Kreia na lang ang hindi pa sumasakay, deciding where to ride between the two golf carts.

"Kreia, dito ka." I called her out para sumakay sa golf cart namin nina Mika at Dahlia. But it was like she didn't hear me and went to ride Nicholette's. Oh, okay.

We all gathered in the pool area. My eyes then fall on Hugh who's sitting on the poolside lounger. He's wearing his swimming shorts and a white sleeveless shirt. When his eyes caught mine, he immediately stood up. His eyes then checked what I'm wearing, which is still covered with my cover up. 'Di pa niya nakikita ang suot ko sa loob.

"Hi, Dana." Carter greeted me cheekly at lumapit sa akin. I smiled at him and greeted him too. I saw how his smile slowly faded when he saw the bracelet that I'm wearing. Iniwas ko ang aking tingin at lumapit ako kay Hugh na agad ibinaling sa akin ang tingin mula kay sa aking likuran.

"Guys since maaga pa naman, kain muna tayo." Mika said. We all agreed and went to the resort's restaurant.

After eating we then went walking para madigest ang kinain namin. It was around 8 when we decided to take a dip. Sa pool lang muna.

"B-Bish. Shocks! Ang lamig!" Nanginginig na saad ni Dahlia as she walks out from the 6 ft. pool where Mika ay chill lang na nag pa lutaw-lutaw sa tubig, also with Katalina.

Carter and Kreia are just on the lounger, sun bathing katabi ng kiddy pool. Habang si Karsyn at Nicholette naman ay masayang nagtatampisaw sa kiddy pool, mismo.

Wait, what are they doing over there?

"Talaga?" I mindlessly removed my cover up at nilagay ito sa malapit na lounger. Excited akong naglakad papuntang pool.

"Danaleigh." Isang matigas na tono ang tumawag sa aking pangalan dahilan ng pagkatigil ng aking paa sa pagdapo sa tubig ng pool.

Napakagat labi ako when I knew who it was. With a cute smile I looked at him. I felt my legs turn into jelly, naka tiim bagang na nakatingin sa akin with his dark expression.

"H-Hugh. Hehe." Nginitian ko siya but he only just turned and walked away.

"Hala ka." Napatingin ako kay Mika, who's now sitting on the edge of the pool. Katalina is confused with Mika's remark.

"Why is my babe, angry?" Nagtataka din si Dahlia as she watches Hugh's back. Napakamot ako sa aking ulo at agad na sinundan si Hugh. I quickly grabbed my cover up and wear it.

"Hugh!" Tawag ko sa kanya. But he just ignored me as he continued walking. Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa malayo kami sa aking mga kaibigan.

I have a plan but will this work?

I gathered all of my courage. I clenched both of my fists. I stopped walking as I was about to call him a name that will be the first time.

"B-Baby!" Nakapikit kong saad.

When I didn't hear his footsteps, dahan-dahan ko itong binuksan. Mahina akong napatili when his face is so close to mine! Nawala ang balance ko sa aking paa and was about to fall onto the ground when he caught me with his right hand on my back. He then pulled me back on my stance. Ramdam ko ang bilis ng t***k ng aking puso. Mas lalong nadepina ang init sa aking pisngi.

"Why are you wearing this, baby? The moment you removed your cover up, that one guy on the lounger was looking at your butt!" Napapikit naman ako when he angrily voiced out his problem. Ramdam ko ang kanyang pagkainis sa kanyang mapag-angking hawak sa aking bewang. Bumaling ang kanyang tingin sa tanaw kong balikat dahil sa pagkakalihis ng aking cover up, na ngayon ay nasa siko na.

"I'm sorry, okay?" I encircled both of my arms at the back of his neck. I saw him gulp, an idea then went up to me.

He opened his mouth about to talk when I tiptoed and quickly kissed him on his left cheek and moved to the right to also kiss his right cheek too. His lips parted with what I did.

Unti-unting napalitan ang galit niyang ekspresyon with a pleased one. I even saw his ears turned red.

"Is that supposed to be an apology? When I think of it, it's not that bad. Keep being a bad girl, so that I'll keep on receiving these apology kisses." Natatawang saad niya as he pulls me closer to him, hugging me.

His eyes met mine, I saw how it quickly flicks down from my face, and went back to me. Titingin na sana ako sa tinignan niya when he stopped hugging me and at inayos sa pagkakasuot ang aking cover up at hinila ako palakad.

"Swim here, Karsyn!" Sigaw ni Kreia as she swims far away from the shore. We are currently here on the beach. Ang ganda ng dagat, like sobra! Blue pristine waters and white sands! Dama na rin namin ang init mula sa sikat ng araw.

"Malalim na dyan, eh!" Natatakot na saad ni Karsyn as she wears a life jacket that she got from an employee.

"Naku, girl! It's just below my boobs! Look!" Dahlia who's swimming with Kreia. Karsyn then walked towards them, checking every step for possible holes that can make her drown. I saw Carter from a far away distance wearing goggles as he swam under.

I went to them after I felt the right temperature of the sea. Not too hot, and not too cold.

"Come on, Kars." I hold her left hand and gently pulls her into the depths of the sea. She relievely sighed ng kaya niya lang pala ang lalim. Napatingin ako kay Kreia, I smiled at her, but she gave me a quick and small smile.

Did I make her angry or something? Well, at least she gave me a smile though.

I botherdly swimmed towards Mika who's quietly swimming.

"Hey." I greeted her as I floated beside her.

"I notice that you're blooming lately. Dahil ba yan sa couple bracelet?" Nang-aasar na saad niya. Agad napalitan ang aking mood when she opens up about Hugh.

"He actually likes me too, Mika." Masayang bahagi ko. Totally forgotten about Kreia.

"It was really obvious though. Pero para ka kasing internet ng Pinas. Mabagal na nga loading pa." Mahina akong tumawa. Was that really obvious?

When I looked back. It really does. The way he looks at me, the way he treats me, and how he made me confused with his words.

"Look at him right now. Even with the sun's bright rays. He's still looking out for you." Napatingin naman ako kay Hugh who's wearing his shades as he intimidatingly stands on the shore, both hands on his shorts pocket.

When he saw me looking at him, he leaned his head to the left. He looks quite lonely there. I gestured for him to come. I don't think he got me because he suddenly turns his back.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata when from a distance. Hugh sexily removes his white sleeveless making his back flex, leaving him with his swimming shorts.

Narinig ko naman ang malakas na pagtili ni Dahlia nang pagharap ni Hugh ay tila nasilaw kami when his abs reflected the sun's bright light!

When did he have a visible six pack?! And damn it, he looks so hot!

He studly walks towards the water, nakakunot ang noo dahil sa sinag ng araw. Napansin ko ang mga babae sa dalampasigan na kanina ay pa agaw-agaw lang ang tingin, ngayon ay mapangahas nang napatitig.

Hanggang tingin lang kayo. Akin na kasi yan.

Nang nasa parte na sya kung saan pwede ng lumangoy. He swiftly dove onto the waters. At sa isang iglap ay nasa harapan ko na siya. Kita ko sa gilid ng aking mata ang tahimik na pag-alis ni Mika sa aking tabi. Giving us privacy. Mahina niya namang tinulak si Dahlia na magbabalak sanang lumapit kay Hugh.

"Hey, baby." Quite heaving he greeted.

The muscle on his arms aggressively contracted when he combed his hair with his fingers. Tumulo ang tubig alat sa kanyang buhok na dumaloy sa kanyang dibdib pababa.

"H-Hey." I felt his left hand on my waist, holding me. Ramdam ko na naman ang mabilis na pagtibok ng aking puso sa nangyari.

"Wanna ride a jet ski?" He randomly asks. Mabilis akong tumango. Ngumiti siya at inayos ang aking buhok. I heard the loud sound coming from the jet ski.

"I knew you would agree, so I rent it beforehand." May limang jetski ang pumarada malapit sa amin.

"A jetski? Hell, yeah!" Masayang sigaw ni Dahlia. Nakita ko naman ang panginginig ni Karsyn sa nakita habang si Nicholette naman ay masayang napatalon.

"I'll ride with Katalina!" Masayang saad ni Nicholette as she went to Katalina's side.

"Karsyn will ride with me." May ibang kislap ang mga mata ni Dahlia at inakbayan si Karsyn.

"H-Hey! Mukha mo pa lang reckless driver ka na! Wag na!" Takot na saad ni Karsyn as she tries to remove Dahlia's arm.

"I'll ride solo." Lahat kami napatingin kay Mika as she cooly walks towards the jetski, without wearing the life jacket. She maneuvered it and she sprangs away.

Wow, she's an expert.

"O-Okay... I'll just ride with Carter." Nilingon ni Kreia si Carter, tumango naman ito.

So it's set.

"Wear the life jacket, baby." He said warningly when he saw I just set aside mine. Sulking, I wore it.

Siya ang unang umangkas sa jet ski at agad naman akong tinulongang umahon mula sa tubig pasakay sa kanyang likod. I then felt the jetski vibrate when he started the engine. Bigla akong napakapit ng mahigpit sa kanyang bewang when he expertly maneuvered the jetski at pinaharurot. I bit my lip when I felt his abs on my hold.

"Baby, hold on me tight." I didn't reply at niyakap na lang ng maigi ang kanyang bewang. We rode through the small waves of the sea, dama namin ang malakas na hangin. Masaya akong napatili when he roughly turned almost making us seem almost falling onto the waters. From far away, my eyes catch an empty jet ski where Carter and Kreia are swimming just near it.

I happily waved at Mika who's expertly riding with the waves. Nakita namin sina Dahlia na may Karsyn na nagsisigaw-sigaw. We then raced towards a large rock at umikot doon. Malakas akong napatawa ng dahil sa biglang liko ni Dahlia, Karsyn fell off the jetski and into the water. Nicholette and Katalina then arrived at tumalon sa dagat, masayang sinamahan si Karsyn sa dagat.

It was really fun lalo na't all of us seem to enjoy this so much.

Hugh calmly drove, also feeling the nice air and just being together. I tightened my hug on him as I leaned my face on his back, a happy and contented smile on my lips. I felt him looking at me, checking what I'm doing.

"Are you enjoying it, baby?" He asks, voice muffle because of the strong air.

I happily nodded as I placed my jaw on his left shoulder. Nilingon ko ang kanyang leeg ng naamoy ko doon ang kanyang mabangong pabango. With a swift glimpse, he saw me, he found it as a chance to place a quick kiss on my forehead. I felt my heart flutter by what he did. It was just a simple kiss but I really appreciate it.

"So nice..." Masayang saad ni Katalina habang nakatingin sa madilim ng langit kung saan kitang-kita ang mga naggagandahang bituin. Katatapos lang naming magbihis at kumain. We're currently sitting around a bonfire that were set on the sand. Maganda din ang simoy ng hangin. 

"Yeah." May masayang ngiting saad ko habang nakatingin kay Hugh na nakahiga sa aking paa.

"How about we play a game? Truth or Dare pero may twist. The twist will be the Truth will be the Dare as the Dare will be the Truth. So for example, If you choose Dare which is the Truth, magbibigay ako ng Dare, like any dare, and you will give us the reason why you did it with that person. And as for the Truth which will be the Dare, I will choose a name in this circle, of course, and ask you kung ano ang gusto mong gawin sa kanya. Do you guys get it?" Dahlia excitedly explains the mechanics of her twisted Truth or Dare pero sige. I made Hugh sit up properly as the game starts.

"Since ako ang may pasimuno ako na lang ang magsisimula. Kreia, ikaw na magtanong katabi kita eh." Dahlia then faced Kreia.

"Sige. Truth or Dare?" Kreia asks as she faces Dahlia.

"Dare!" Mabilis na sagot ni Dahlia.

"Okay I dare you to slap someone here." Kreia jokingly asks, pero nagulat siya ng tumayo si Dahlia at mahinang sinampal si Katalina sa mukha. Lahat kami ay napatigil.

"I-I was just j-joking." Gulat na wika niya kay Dahlia. Parang walang ginawa si Dahlia at bumalik sa kanyang pwesto.

"I slapped her because we had a f*****g past." Napatingin naman kami kay Katalina who rolled her eyes at Dahlia.

'Yang past ba na yan ay ang dahilan kung bakit para kayong aso't pusa?

"Katalina, Truth or Dare." Tanong ni Dahlia.

"Dare din." Tumango si Dahlia at nag-isip ng pwedeng i-dare.

"I dare you to call someone on your contact list and put it on a speaker, it must be a male." Masayang saad ni Dahlia. I saw Katalina's evil smile as she got her phone and dialed someone.

"Hi, Katalina!" The voice was very deep and quite charming, but it's tone is very friendly. Nagtaka ako ng parang nagulat si Dahlia at pinipigilan ang mataranta. It was like she knew the guy who's on the other line.

"Hi! Uhm, may nagpapa-kamusta lang kasi sa kapatid mo, kaya ako napatawag." Katalina with a smirk looked straight on Dahlia.

"Oh really? Sino?" Takang tanong nang nasa kabilang linya. But before Katalina could reply mabilis na inagaw ni Dahlia ang telepono mula kay Katalina at tinapos ang tawag.

What the heck is happening here? Sino ba yan?

"Tinawagan ko siya, parang miss mo kasi eh." Nang-iinis na wika ni Katalina.

"Tsk, you got it wrong." Dahlia replied and returned Katalina's phone by letting her catch it. The game went on and thank God napalitan ang tensyon.

"Anong gusto mong gawin kay Carter, Kreia?" Tanong ni Nicholette because it was just her turn kanina.

Nahihiyang tumayo si Kreia mula sa kanyang pwesto at lumapit kay Carter. Nakita ko naman ang pamumula ng pisngi ni Kreia when she encircled her arms at Carter's back for a hug. Carter also gladly receives and returns her hug.

Napuno naman ng maingay na kantyaw ang paligid. Sumali din ako, pero agad ding napatigil when Carter's eyes met mine. I saw Kreia smilingly look at Carter only to see him looking at me. Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin when I saw a familiar emotion that passed through Kreia's eyes.

Alam na alam ko yan, dahil naramdaman ko din yan.

"I hugged him because he's my friend." Kreia with a smile, pero kita ko ang pagkabigo sa kanyang mga mata at bumalik sa kanyang pwesto. She happily nods when Katalina asks her if she's okay.

"Dana. Truth or Dare?" Tanong ni Carter na umagaw sa aking pansin.

"Truth." I answered as my thoughts are still filled with Kreia.

Does Kreia like Carter?

And does Carter like me?

"Anong gusto mong gawin sa Kuya mo?" May kung anong kislap sa kanyang mga mata ng tanungin niya ako nun. Napatingin naman ako kay Hugh and saw him watching me, anticipating my move. Napalunok ako at hinanda ang sarili sa gagawin.

Mula sa pagkakaupo ay lumuhod ako sa aking pwesto. I then looked at Hugh's beautiful gray orbs that I like so much.

This will be crazy.

Lahat ay napasinghap when with closed eyes, hinawakan ko ang mukha ni Hugh at hinila para halikan ang kanyang labi. Dinig na dinig ko ang malakas na t***k ng aking puso sa tahimik na gabi.

Napatigil si Hugh sa biglaan kong ginawa but when he recovered he placed both of his arms on my back and returns the kiss. I felt him move his lips, I don't really know how to kiss but I followed him. Our kiss lasted almost 15 seconds, I then pulled away when I felt him gently bite my lower lips. It was really causing a different vibe.

Nanghihina ang aking mga tuhod na umupo ako sa buhangin.

With all the courage that's left of me, I confessed.

"Hugh is my boyfriend."

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sshandi