Kabanata 16
1207 Words
Rafael
"She's doing alright, Kreige. Don't worry about her," I said as I spoke to Kreige Ducani over the phone.
Kanina ko pa hinahanap si Caya. She wasn't in her cabin and wasn't responding to my chats, too. Yayayain ko pa naman sanang manood sa mini theater ng barko. I heard they're gonna show a classic romance film I'm sure she's going to like. Kaya lang kanina ko pa pinadadalahan ng chat, hindi naman sumasagot.
I've been searching the ship for thirty minutes. Napuntahan ko na rin ang casino, ang library, pati na ang resto pero wala talaga. Saan ba nagsuot 'yon?
I sighed. "Sa susunod kakabitan ko ng lobo nang makita ko kaagad. Bakit kasi ang liit-liit ang hirap tuloy makita," I murmured. Completely forgetting that Kreige was still on the line.
"Were you talking to me?" Kreige asked.
"Hmm?" I stopped in front of the gift shop. "Oh, no no. I uh, I was talking to someone else. Anyway, I'm gonna call you back."
"Alright. Keep an eye on Caya."
I smirked. Oh, don't worry. I'm doing more than keeping an eye on her.
Pinatay ko ang tawag at ibinulsa ang phone ko. I then went inside the gift shop and checked the stuff they have on display. Maybe I can get something for Caya? Our cruise is about to be over. I'm wondering if I can give her a souvenir.
Huminto ako sa section ng accessories nang mapansin ang tila pares na bracelet. I picked up a pair and checked it closely. Lumapit naman ang staff nang may ngiti sa labi.
"That is a magnetic bracelet, Sir. It symbolizes connection between the pair. Black for the guy and white for the girl. Yin and Yang. The magnet pendants on each will connect if the bracelets are close to each other," said the staff in an obvious Chinese accent.
"It connects, huh?"
I licked my lower lip when I thought about something naughty. Hmm, maybe we can wear it so whenever we're having s*x, we'll entwine our fingers and the magnets will connect.
"Cute." I smirked. "I'll get this, thank you."
Ngumiti ang staff saka na kinuha ang bracelets nang maibalot sa maliit na paperbag. I paid for it with my card then went out of the gift shop to continue searching for Caya.
Now I'm more excited to find her. Nagbago na pala ang isip ko. I'd take her to my cabin instead so we can try our bracelets.
I put the bracelets in my pockets and start whistling while I search for Caya. Umakyat ako sa second highest view deck pero wala pa rin siya. Aalis na sana ako ro'n nang mapatingin sa highest deck.
There, I saw her talking to Captain Guevarra. Para akong naestatwa sa kinatatayuan ko. I couldn't even take my eyes off of them for a minute as my mind started going against me.
What are they talking about? Inaayos na ba nila ang relasyon nila? Hindi ba talaga ako nagtagumpay na iligtas siya mula sa relasyong posible lang makasakit sa kanya?
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat as I looked away. Why the f**k do I even care? Naa-attach na ba ako sa babaeng 'yon?
Hindi pwede.
I sighed and walked away to go to the bar area that's on the same deck. Kung ayaw niyang makinig at gusto pa rin niyang makipagrelasyon sa lalakeng iyon, fine. Buhay naman niya 'yon. Isa pa, nakikinabang din naman ako sa nangyayari sa amin. I get satisfied whenever we're doing the deed. Hindi na rin ako talo kahit hindi ako pakinggan.
After all, who the f**k am I even to lecture her about love and relationship when I've got a bad reputation?
"Hey, handsome. Wanna join us?" a blondie in a cute summer outfit asked.
Ayaw ko sana kaso kung gusto kong hindi maisip na magkausap na naman ngayon si Caya at Captain Guevarra, pumayag ako. We went to the view area with our beers. They talked to me and shoot me questions which I answered casually.
Maya-maya ay aksidente akong napatingin sa itaas na view deck. There, I saw Caya staring at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang naging pagbigat ng dibdib ko nang nakipagtitigan na ako sa kanya. Mas lalo pang tumindi noong umiwas na siya ng tingin at umalis.
"Rafael, you should join us in my cabin. We're gonna have an insane party," the blondie said. I forgot her name and I don't think I'd like to remember it anyway.
Tinungga ko ang bote at inubos ang laman, umaasang mapapawi ng alak ang bigat ng dibdib ko pero hindi. Even my head kept on telling me to come see Caya. Sinubukan ko namang labanan pero sa huli, natagpuan ko pa rin ang sarili kong nagpapaalam sa mga babae para lang puntahan si Caya.
A part of me knows that I'm letting myself take another path that I'd surely regret but . . . I can't help it. She's . . . like a magnet I can't stay away from no matter how hard I convince myself that I should maintain our distance.
Humugot ako ng hininga't akmang kakatok na sa pinto ng cabin niya nang biglang bumukas 'yon. Caya looked surprised to see me. Napaawang pa ang mga labi niya habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin.
"R-Rafael?" she called.
I swallowed. "Where are you going?"
She looked away for a moment. "Sa . . . cabin sana ni Astrid. B-Baka kasi . . . magdala ka ng . . . b-babae sa cabin mo." Tila nahihiya niya akong sinulyapan. "A-Ayaw kong marinig."
I scoffed. Kung bakit, hindi ko rin alam. Basta natawa ako at . . . nawala ang bigat sa dibdib ko.
God, what the hell is happening to me?
Sumimangot siya. "Huwag mo nga akong tawanan diyan eh sa ayaw ko ngang marinig na may umuungol ng pangalan mo, eh."
I licked my lower lip then smirked. Maya-maya ay kinuha ko sa bulsa ko ang bracelet at isinuot ang akin bago ko inilagay sa braso niya ang kanya.
"You won't be hearing another girl moaning my name, Caya. Even when you're too stubborn to listen to me when I said you should leave that boyfriend of yours."
Humugot siya ng hininga. Maya-maya ay inayos niya ang kwelyo ng polo ko na para bang tinitingnan niya kung may mantsa ng lipstick doon o sa leeg ko.
"H-Hindi ko naman sinabing bawal," she said. Parang nahihiya pa dahil bahagyang namula ang pisngi.
"Right. You didn't say that, but our f***s are great so I don't think I need another bed partner while on this cruise." I sighed. "Wanna f**k or you'd rather watch Pride and Prejudice with me?"
Caya's lips slowly formed a shy smile. "Watch Mr. Darcy with you . . ."
"Then let's go before we run out of seats."
I entwined our fingers and watched the bracelets connect, and as I walked towards the elevator with our hands holding each other, I felt the kind of warmth in my heart I know might kill me someday.
The warmth you feel when you're starting to see someone more than just a f**k buddy . .
- Writer
