Chain of Restrictions

Kabanata 20

Words

I heard them dramatically gasped. I bit my tongue as I was cautious and afraid to continue. But I felt Hugh's hold on my left hand and lightly squeezed it, letting me know that he's with me right now.

Kahit hindi sabihin ni Hugh, I know that he wants our relationship to be public, especially to our friends.

"We've been secretly dating for almost a month now." Nakayukong saad ko. Sa sobrang katahimikan, ang langitngit lang ng gabi ang madidinig sa paligid.

"So that explains your bracelets? It's a couple bracelet? Not a sibling thing?" Dahlia asks full of confusion in the middle of the silence.

"We like each other more than a sibling would, Dahlia. I'm sorry for not telling you guys." Naagaw ang pansin ko when Carter stood up and walked away. I saw Kreia quietly followed.

Nawala sila sa aking paningin when Dahlia held my jaw and made me look at her. Aangal sana si Hugh when I squeeze his hand, telling him no.

"b***h! How dare you?!" Napapikit ako when Dahlia angrily utter kasama na rin ang mahinang pisik ng kanyang laway sa aking mukha.

"How dare you keep secrets from us?!" Unti-unti kong dinilat ang aking mata when I heard something wrong.

Mali ba ang pagkakadinig ko?

"W-What?" Di siguradong tanong ko. Napaigik ako ng kinurot niya ang aking tagiliran. Mahina lang naman but it still hurts because of her long nails!

"May jowa ka? And you only told us now?! Okay lang naman sa amin, 'di naman talaga kayo magkadugo ni babe so there's no problem with it. But the problem here is, you guys are having lovey-dovey on us, in secret!" Dahlia hysterically said. Napatingin naman ako sa iba ko pang kaibigan. I saw them nodding their heads in agreement.

"Ikaw!" Tumayo si Karsyn at lumapit sa amin, she slightly pushed Hugh away. But when she saw him holding my hand, she sat down and roughly unclasped it.

Akala ko ba okay lang?

"Doon ka muna, Vaughn. 'Wag kang magulo." Karsyn said in an irritated tone.

Vaughn chuckled jovially and stands up. But before he left, he leaned down a bit and kissed my forehead. I felt myself blushed with his sudden move as I watched him arrogantly leaves.

"Ay, iba!" Natatawa na sabi ni Katalina. Nang lubos nang malayo si Hugh, nagulat ako ng mabilis silang nagsilapit sa akin.

"Ikaw'ng bruha ka! Kamusta... masarap ba?" Nicholette seriously said at first but then a crazy smile brokes on her lips. Their faces are very close to mine, they made a small circle around me. Nahihiya naman akong napatawa.

"Ayaw pang sabihin. Girl, you just kiss the guy in front of us!" Mahina akong hinampas ni Karsyn sa balikat.

"A-Ano..."

"Ano?" Nag-aabang na saad nila.

"May karapatan ako eh." Mahinang saad ko, pinipigilan ang ngiting gustong kumawala.

Malakas silang napatili sa aking sinabi. I saw Mika at the back looking at us with a proud smile on her lips. Like, she's saying that I did a great job telling them.

"Grabe yung ginawa mo ha! Live mukbang din yon!" Katalina as she gleefully claps her hands.

"Sagutin mo yung tanong ko, masarap ba?" Balik na tanong ni Nicholette. Tikom ang bibig na mahina akong napatango.

Malakas akong tumawa when they all pushed me down on the sand at kinikilig nila akong pinagpapalo gamit ang kanilang kamay.

After I shared what happened about Hugh and I. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, they are supportive of us. Mas kinikilig pa nga sila kesa sa akin. And I loved that they gave us their full love and support as a couple.

"So guys, gusto niyo bang pumunta sa Kawasan Falls? Actually, malapit lang siya sa resort." Katalina opened up habang nasa restaurant ng resort.

It's already 8:40, almost 9. Matagal din kaming nagising dahil ginawa namin sa dalampasigan kagabi, at mas lalo na nung pagbalik namin sa Villa. It was another portion of question and answer.

"Sure?! Of course!" Mabilis na sagot ni Nicholette.

Agad kaming nagbihis pagbalik namin sa Villa. I wore a black shorts and a white shirt. Katalina also instructed that we wore a shoes that is not slippery. Tas sumakay kami sa Van ng resort at hinatid kami sa lokasyon ng waterfalls. We brought bags with us, one for our food, and one for our clothes.

Pagdating namin sa daanan ay may nakalagay na malaking signage that says 'This Way to Kawasan Waterfalls'. Pero di pala pwede makapasok ang Van kaya need namin mag momotor. But before that we spotted the entrance desk about halfway to the falls from where the Van drops us off. Kailangan namin isulat ang aming pangalan at nasyonalismo. Pinasuot din kami ng pulang life jacket at pula ring helmet, but it will be optional if huhubarin namin o susuotin. May parte daw kasi ng falls na needed magsuot talaga for our safety.

Si Katalina at Nicholette, Kreia at Carter, si Karsyn at Dahlia, sa iisang motor. As for Mika she decided na mag-solo ride.

Unang umandar ang motor ni Mika. Sumunod ang motor na may sakay na sina Karsyn at Dahlia, then Nicholette and Katalina. Sasakay kami ni Hugh sa iisang motor, siya sa harapan habang ako sa hulihan.

"Baby, your hand." Di ko alam kung para saan pero I gave him my left hand as my right hand is situated at the back of my seat, holding. Nagulat ako ng mahigpit niya itong hinawakan. Napangiti ako sa kanyang ginawa.

"Ako na ang unang sasakay, Kreia." Napunta ang tingin ko sa aking tabi where Carter is facing Kreia. Parang nahiya naman si Kreia but she nodded. Nakaramdam ako ng kilig para kay Kreia ng hinawakan ni Carter dalawa niyang kamay at niyapos sa bewang nito. Di ko na alam ang sunod na nangyari dahil umandar na ang motor namin paalis.

The ride was a rough one, really. Small passage where the motors can only get through and it was really bumpy because of the unpaved road. Pero hindi ako na bahala na baka mahulog ako kasi everytime the road becomes super bumpy, I can feel Hugh's tight grip and pull towards his back, preventing me from falling off.

Pagdating namin ay agad kaming bumaba sa motor dahil isang maliit na daanan lamang ang meron. From here, it would be a 3 minute walk papuntang falls. Hugh is being a gentleman dahil Inalalayan talaga niya ako sa aking dinaraanan.

Agad na bumungad sa amin ang maraming bato-bato, unang naglakad si Katalina, guiding us to the right way. Nadaanan namin ang isang river which is crystal clear and just as beautiful as the falls themselves.

May nakita din akong isang grupo ng magka-barkada na nakasunod lang sa amin. Pero may isang lalaki ang nahagip ng aking atensyon.

Siya yung lalaki sa intrams! Yung gwapong nakipag partner kay Karsyn?

Nakita kong 'di pa napapansin ni Karsyn ang binata. I'll just tell her later.

Naramdaman ko ang hawak ni Hugh sa aking bewang nang sa kaiisip ay muntikan akong matisod. Mahina naman akong napamura. Humawak ako sa kanyang braso at muli kaming naglakad.

Not far from us ay narinig ko na ang malakas na lagaslas ng tubig ng falls. Nasa itaas kami ng falls and its either bababa kami sa gilid o di kaya ay tatalon mismo sa tubig.

The water is a clear turquoise and is very beautiful! Agad na naghanda ang mga kaibigan ko para tumalon sa 20 feet na falls.

Ang lakas ng loob!

"You'll jump?" Tanong ni Hugh as he tightens the strap of my life jacket. Mabilis akong tumango.

"Sabay tayo?" I cutely asked as I also checked for the strap of his life jacket at ang kanyang helmet.

"Hello? May singles po dito, kung di niyo po alam." Napatigil kami ni Hugh sa aming ginagawa at nilingon si Dahlia na nagpaparinig. Mahina naman siyang pinalo ni Karsyn na kanina pa nene-nerbyos at nababahala sa pagtalon.

Speaking of Kars. Nilapitan ko siya and told her about who I saw. Mabilis niya namang nilingon ang aking likuran tiningnan kung nasaan. I saw how her eyes widely opened at the facade of the person.

"Kailangan ko mag pakitang gilas, Dana!" Nagpapanic na saad niya. Natawa naman ako at mahina siyang kinirot sa tagiliran.

"Show him how you own the falls, girl." Natatawa pero seryosong saad ko. Agad siyang tumango, nawala ang nerbyos at pursigidong naghanda. Nahagip ng aking tingin si Carter na mabilis na iniwas ang tingin.

Malakas ang loob na tumalon sina Mika at Dahlia with her underwater camera. Agad umahon si Dahlia at nagtitili as she complained on how cold the water is. Habang si Mika naman ay tahimik na umahon and even swam away. Di dinama ang lamig. Sabay naman tumalon sina Katalina at Nicholette habang malakas na sumisigaw. Kami na ni Hugh ang susunod.

Humawak ako sa kamay ni Hugh at sabay kaming tumalon. Agad kong naramdaman ang sobrang lamig ng tubig! Mabilis akong umahon ako at nanginginig na kumapit kay Hugh. He finds it so funny that he was laughing so hard. Naiinis ko naman siyang pinalo sa likod.

I'm not kidding! Sobrang lamig talaga!

"My baby is cold? How cute." Natatawa at nangiinis na sabi niya as he combed my drenched hair that's covering my face. When my body finally adjusted with the temperature. Malakas na ang loob kong magtalon-talon at lumangoy. It was very fun because it was also a hike at the same time. We also took some photos since Katalina also brought her waterproof camera.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata when I saw Karsyn and the guy are now holding each others hands as they jump off the cliff.

What the? Close na sila agad?

Natanggal ang pansin ko sa kanila when I felt Hugh's hands on the sides of my waist at pinaharap ako sa kanya.

"Let's swim under the falls." Magulo at basa ang kanyang buhok, water drips on his face.

Damn. Is he a greek god, or something?

Inayos niya ang buhok ko ring magulo at kinuha ang aking pangtali na nasa aking pulso. He gathers my hair and tied it. Napangiti ako sa kanyang ginawa. Inayos ko din ang kanyang magulong buhok.

"Let's go?" Maayos niyang tinali ang aking buhok. Sanay siyang tinatali ang buhok ko, because since we were little, he really doesn't like it when my hair covers my face.

Sabay kaming lumangoy ni Hugh papunta sa ilalim ng lagaslas ng falls. Masaya akong napatili when the cold water hits my face. Itinaas ko ang aking kamay at sinalo ang tubig.

"Dana!" Napalingon ako sa pasigaw na tumawag. It was Nicholette na nasa nirentahan naming cottage.

"Kain na!" I shouted 'okay'. Malayo kasi kami sa kanila. Lilingon sana ako kay Hugh when I felt him kissed my cheek at mabilis na lumayo sa akin. Di ko mapigilang mapangiti sa kanyang ginawa.

Pinapakilig talaga ako nito!

I was about to say something when someone splashed water on us. Paglingon ko, it was Katalina and Dahlia who's playfully splashing water on each other.

Napatigil sila ng makita nila kami ni Hugh. Imbes na mainis, malakas akong napatawa at lumaban din sa wisikan ng tubig. I splashed waters on the both of them. Narinig kong mahinang napatawa si Hugh sa ginawa ko.

"Let's watch the sunset! 'Di naman talaga natin makikita ng buo, it will be just like a glimpse. How's that?" Katalina said habang nagpapalit na kami ng tuyo na damit sa cr.

"That will be nice." Mika as she combs her hair.

"Hoy, Kars! What's with you and that guy? Nakita ko kung gaano kayo ka sweet. What's the score?" Tanong ni Nicholette kay Karsyn. Napatigil si Karsyn sa pagtupi ng basang damit at kita sa kanyang mga mukha ang pamumula.

Oo nga naman.

"N-Nothing. We're just friends." Karsyn replied at nagpatuloy sa pagtupi.

"Nothing daw. Tas magkaholding hands." Nicholette as she stands beside Karsyn, malakas naman siyang tumawa.

"Ikaw nga dyan, yung ml bebe mo, tas yung sa skating rink. Dami mo ngang bebe eh." Karsyn retorts and laughed when Nicholette turns her back and act like she didn't ask her first. Masikreto din tong mga to ah.

Pinuntahan namin ang sinabi ni Katalina. And wow. Kahit di namin talaga siya makita it was really a sight to behold. Beautiful orange that's somewhat mixed with a soft shade of yellow. We took a groufie using Dahlia's small camera that's connected with a selfie stick. It was around 7 pm when we got back to the resort.

We are now having our dinner sa restaurant ng resort. Di ko mapigilang macurious sa kung ano ang ginagawa ni Karsyn. Humagikgik ito as she reads something on her phone. Nagkatinginan naman kami nina Dahlia at Katalina. Aamba sanang titingin si Nicholette when Karsyn acts like a spy and immediately turns her phone away.

Nasa dugo talaga namin ang pagiging chismosa.

Natapos kami sa pagkain at naglalakad na pabalik sa Villa. When Hugh holds my right hand making me stopped on my path. Napansin ng aking kaibigan ang pagtigil namin.

"Can I borrow her for a moment?" Hugh asks towards the girls. Para nila akong pinagkakanulo when they all nodded their heads, di man lang pinag-isipan. Hay nako.

"Go babe, she's all yours." Kinikilig na wika ni Dahlia. A smile went to his lips as he nodded cutely. Nilingon niya ako, signaling me let's go. Di sinasadyang napadaan ang aking tingin kay Carter at nakita siyang nakatitig.

"Hoy, wag kayong gagawa ng illegal!" Nang-aasar na saad ni Katalina habang naglalakad kami paalis.

"I'm not... sure 'bout that." Hugh cockily replied as he looks back. Mas lalong uminit ang aking mukha sa kanyang tugon. He placed his right arm on my shoulder at iginiya ako sa pupuntahan.

We quietly walk hanggang sa napunta kami sa dalampasigan. Nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan when he quietly sats down on the sand, staring at the sky. Napatingin naman ako kung anong meron. When he didn't say anything, tumabi ako sa kanyang tabi and also watch the night sky with him.

The night is very peaceful. I watched how the waves hit the shore, leaving traces as it backs away and leaves.

"Leigh... baby." He sweetly called my name. Nilingon ko siya at nagulat ako sa kanyang ginawa.

Eyes wide opened, his lips softly touched mine. And as I remembered, this will be our third kiss!

His eyes are closed as he kissed me softly. Ginaya ko ang paraan ng kanyang paghalik. 'Di ko mapigilang madala as his lips slowly moves with mine. I encircled my arms around his neck as both of his arms were securing its hold on my back.

"Hugh..." I mindlessly called his name as he stopped kissing me. He gave out a loving smile as he watched me still in daze.

He stood ups and move to my back. I watched how both of his legs fixed its position beside mine. I then felt him hugging me at the back. Hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga kamay at mahina itong hinaplos, kung saan dama ko ang kanyang mga mumunting buhok sa braso.

I leaned my back on him. I felt him sighed softly. Mahina kong hinaplos ang kanyang braso, I enjoyed pulling some strands of it, waiting for any reaction from him.

"Baby, that hurts." His tone is slightly hoarse as he whispered near my ear. I chuckled and still continued playing with it. He stops my hand where the bracelet is at, by holding it.

Hinawakan niya ang aking pulso at hinawakan ang bracelet gamit ang kanyang kaliwang kamay, where his bracelet is also at. I felt him gently kiss the side of my left temple habang ang kanyang ulo ay nasa aking kaliwang balikat.

"I love you." He passionately whispered in my ear.

Tila tumigil ang lahat sa akin. Ang nadidinig ko lang ay ang malakas na pagpintig ng aking puso. Nagrarambulan naman ang mga paruparo sa aking tiyan.

He what?

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sshandi