Never Again

Chapter 7

"Finally!"

Nakangiti akong napailing-iling dahil sa reaksyon ni Jelai. She's too cute, it's as if it's her first time to be in a beach.

"Bilisan mo, Sy! Magpipictorial tayo!" Hinila ako ni Carla, I almost stumbled on the sand. I smiled secretly because of how the sand gave my foot a comfort.

My Grandma once lived near a beach and we come to her house often. Naalala ko na halos nasa dagat nalang ako buong maghapon. The sea and the warm sand are giving me so much comfort that my family failed to give. Sadly, they sold that house a long time ago. Kaya ngayon ay ang ganda sa feeling na malapit ako ulit sa dati kong gusto— ang dagat.

"Okay guys!" Pumalakpak si Sir Doque para makuha ang aming mga atensyon. He's the co-adviser of our council. "Nakapili na naman ata kayo ng rommates hindi ba? Three is to Three lang! bawal ang boys sa girls quarters, understand?"

The three of us looked at each other knowingly, we all laughed silently. Inside Jokes feat friends are the best.

"Ngi, bawal po?" Lianne pouted and linked her arms around her boyfriend's— si Ken.

Everyone laughed in unison, couples are not excempted!

"Can't wait to sunbathe..." Jelai whispered to herself na narinig ko rin, I couldn't help but agree to her. I also can't wait to get myself a perfectly gorgeous tan.

Sir Doque oriented us first before entering the main resort about the rules and whatnots. Some officers are sneekily delinquints so it's badly needed. Buddy system is also a must. Nevertheless, this whole situation is going to be a blast!

"Ugh, this is life!" Jelai settled herself on her bed, the satisfaction on her face was already a sign that the bed is a five star. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Carla at napaungol siya dahil sa lambot ng kama. Our cabin is located near the shore, which is sooo good. At saka pa, tag-iisa kami ng kama, we have our own personal space. We loved it.

I opened the glass door and I was right, the breeze was comforting! I want to live here forever. Isinasayaw ng hangin ang kurtina, napapikit ako at nilanghap ang simoy nito. The waves are a music to my ears, it's calling me.

"Sayang dahil hindi tayo magtatagal dito," Carla spoke with a sigh. Napatango rin kami ni Jelai sa kaniyang sinabi. We all decided to treat and satisfy ourselves this weekend, kasi next week ay intramurals na at talagang magiging busy kaming lahat. By just thinking of it makes me shudder. Why did I even ran as a President anyway?

After we changed our attires into bikinis, dumeretso na kami sa restaurant ng resort. It's already lunch time so doon kami kakain. Ang plano raw sa gabi ay sa dalampasigan kami, set up a bonfire and smores. The usual. I wore my cardigan and sunnies all the way there.

"Wow! ang bagay ng kulay na 'yan sayo, Pres!" Niña exclaimed while checking my bikini. Oh yes, I chose the pastel brown. Sabi rin ni mama gusto niya ito at bagay sa aking kutis.

"Ang ganda rin ng color orange mo, Carla!" Nangingiti na puri ni Ron. I turned and see Carla's flushed reaction. Asar ang inabot nilang dalawa galing sa grupo, including sir Doque. Nakaugalian na rin naming asarin ang dalawa. They're the council's sweethearts, though pang-aasar lang. At saka, bagaya naman talaga silang dalawa.

Sir Doque gave us a decision after eating our lunch. It's either we rest in our cabins or enjoy ourselves at the beach. Of course we all came here to enjoy— not to prison ourselves in our beds— kaya nagpaligsahan kaming pumunta sa dagat.

It was really fun seeing them enjoying each other's company and the shimmering waters from the ocean. Most days lagi kaming stress at busy. It's good to see this playful side of them.

"Hindi ka pa ba maliligo? Si Ron at Carla ayun na..." Natatawang sambit ni Jelai.

I took off my sunnies and faced her. Nakahiga ako ngayon sa buhangin, getting my self a tan. "I'll just stay here, magpapatan ako—"

"Oh come on!" She laughed hysterically. Para na ata siyang magkaka-asthma sa ganitong lagay. "We all know you don't get a tan. Sunburn ang abot mo, girl. Maligo ka nalang!"

"Gaga ka!" I shoved her away from me, her irritating loopsided grin was showing. Oo na, Oo na. Sunburn lagi ang abot ko. Pero malay natin hindi ba?

I watched as Jelai interrupted Carla and Ron. Mabuti at ipinaghiwalay niya ang dalawa. They almost killed each other. Parang aso at pusa.

Umupo na ako ng maayos at ipinagpag ang aking kamay na puno ng buhangin, I want to take a quick dip. The ocean was seducing me.

Tatayo na sana ako nang may makita akong pamilyar na mukha. My forehead furrowed in disbelief, what is he doing here? He was holding a barbeque while talking to a kid, kamukhang-kamukha niya ang bata. I presume it's his brother or nephew.

He's not that far away from me.

"Sy! Hali ka!" Narinig kong pagtatawag ni Carla. Because of that, Mat looked at her direction then to me. Mabuti nalang at nakasunnies ako, kung hindi baka kanina pa niya nakita ang panlalaki ng aking mga mata.

Oh good lords. He has biceps!

I saw him bit his lower lip. That made me conscious. This is the first time he saw me in bikinis. He was also wearing a swimming trunk and a white sando, ang sexy niya sa ganoon.

He squinted his eyes, I bet nagdadalawang isip siya kung ako ba ito or hindi. His nephew tugged his arms that made his attention to me to die down. Doon na ako nakahinga nang maluwag.

"Good Lord..." I trailed off, my hands were slightly shaking. "Hintay lang!" Sigaw ko pabalik kay Carla at nagmamadaling pumunta sa kanilang direksyon.

Ang ayos naman ng timing. They were also here. Now, I am having second thoughts if maeenjoy ba ako rito o hindi, he just occupied my mind.

***

"Are you sure hindi ka magpapasama?" Jelai asked again, making sure if I just picked the right decision. "Girl, buddy system nga 'di ba?" she reminded me again.

I breathed out and nodded. "Of course, I know that. At saka ang layo natin galing kina sir, hindi nila ako makikita." I crossed my fingers from behind. I am not that sure, hindi rin naman ata ako ibubuking ng ilang officers pag nakikita nila ako.

"President ka pa naman, bahala ka!" Sinabuyan ako ni Carla ng tubig.

Shaking my head, I started making my way towards our cabin. Kukunin ko lang ang GoPro ko. I might post a video in my channel, kahit nabubulok na iyon.

"Symphony!"

Without having second thoughts, I immediately turned my head and see his face. I was disgustingly smiling like wtf is wrong with me? "Hey?"

"With the Student Council?" Tumingin-tingin siya sa paligid, looking for my co-officers.

I pursed my lips. "Hmm," Tumango-tango ako. "Bakit mo ako tinawag?" Gusto mo akong makasama— Oh my subconsious mind is playing with me again.

"Want to eat ice cream?" He awkwardly lifted his lips. A point for him though, his outfit suits him. Ganiyan nalang kaya ang susuotin niya araw-araw? What am I thinking...

"Sure, I guess?" Hindi ko nalang muna kukunin ang camera.

Nagsimula siyang maglakad, sinundan ko siya na nakahalukipkip.

"Bakit pala kayo nandito? What a coincidence naman..." I started the conversation.

"We usually do this once a month. Just for fun and a small reunion with my parents' friends," He answered calmly. "Ginagawa niyo rin ba 'to lagi?"

I shrugged. "Minsan pag kaya sa time. Blessed kami ng adviser dahil pinagbibigyan kami," Yes, hindi namin maiimagine kung wala si sir Doque. "At saka malapit na rin ang Intrams... may sports ka bang sinalihan?"

If he's not a journalist anymore, then he'd be free for the whole day. Unless may sinalihan siyang sport.

Isinilid ni Mat ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang bulsa. He kept his one meter distance from me. We've known each other for weeks and here he is, still not getting close to me. This simple gesture is making me more comfortable to be with him.

Mat slowly shook his head, smiling. "I suck in sports. Maybe I'll just help you the whole week?" I observed the flowers beside the pathways first before answering him. Naalala ko na naman si Cha. Ugh, the way they hugged each other is making me cringe.

"Hindi mo sasamahan si Cha? I heard she's joining the pageant. She needs more support." Itinikom ko kaagad ang aking bibig, kung ano-ano nalang ang lumalabas!

"What are you saying?" Nag-ngising aso si Mat at tumigil sa paglalakad. "Ayaw mo akong kasama? You want me to be with Cha?" Hindi ko makita ang pagkadismayado sa kaniyang mukha, he is enjoying this!

My lips twitched. "Yes, mas bagay naman kayong dalawa—"

"Weh? bagay kami?" Nagkunwari siyang nagulat para mas lalo akong inisin. "Nagseselos ka ba?"

I rolled my eyes and if I could kick him right now, ginawa ko na. Too bad I am wearing a bikini. The nerve of this guy!

"I am not! Hindi naman kita type para pagselosan kayo!"

"You're being too defensive, you know..."

"At saka bagay naman kayo. She's tall, tanned, and a so filipina-like lady..." Why did I sound so bitter?

He walked closer, nagulat ako nang panandalian nang ginulo niya ang aking buhok. "Mas bagay tayo, you can hear my heart beat. You completely fit in my arms," Kikiligin na sana ako kaso inilagay niya sa aking ulo ang kaniyang buong braso. "And of course, arm holder kita!"

"Nakakainis ka talaga!" Malakas ko siyang tinulak at akmang itatapon ang aking tsinelas sa kaniyang pagmumukha nang may magsalita. I almost choked by seeing her hourglass body, it was Cha.

"Mat, are you okay?" worry was evident in her eyes. It's too obvious she wants to touch him, however her both hands were occupied by foods.

"C-Cha?" Mat's voice wavered. Nagpalipat-lipat ang kaniyang tingin sa akin at kay Charlotte.

"Hinanap ka ni Papa, picture daw tayo!" She glanced at me, arching her brows, she asked me. "Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?" Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang aking katawan. I don't know why I was insulted of what she said. It was almost sarcastic.

"It's a public resort, I am welcome." I countered.

"I see, una lang kami ni Mat. My parents were looking for him." Nginitian niya ako.

I hate him.

"No, ako ang uuna." Giit ko at nagsimula nang maglakad pabalik sa aming cabin. Nakakabanas. She always ruin the day! and the fact that Mat always follow her whims... dang.

I heard him calling my name pero hindi na ako lumingon pabalik.

***

"Kanina pa 'yan..."

"Nagseselos at—"

"Can you guys please shut up?" I interrupted their whispers behind my back. Humalukipkip ako at ipinagpatuloy ang pagtatanaw kay Mat at Cha na magkatabi sa terrace. They were caught in the moment. They looked so close. Hindi siya ganiyan makaasta sa akin.

"Magkaibigan lang sila, Sy. Ano ka ba? Mas maganda ka pa!" Jelai encouraged me. I wasn't feeling any better.

"Oo nga, basta half talaga maganda!" Gatong ni Carla.

I didn't open my mouth for a couple of minutes and just listened to our Sir Doque's heartwarming stories. It's already dark, and as promised, nagbonfire kami rito sa dalampasigan. With our smores and goofy smiles.

I sighed and traced the stars as if it's near. Nakahiga na ako ngayon sa buhangin. Everyone's doing the same too. It's really serene. The moon was mesmerizing.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

He sat beside me, his scent travelled to my nose. He always shows up.

"I thought kasama mo si Cha? ano ang ginagawa mo rito?" I yawned and scratched my eyes. Naramdaman ko naman ang paghiga niya sa aking tabi.

"She's asleep..." He whispered, he slightly lifted my head and slipped his left arm under it. Now I am using his arm as a pillow.

"S-So ngayon nandito ka na sa akin? kasi tulog siya?"

"My family and hers are bestfriends, Sy. Same goes to us. We've been friends since time immemorial, simula bata pa. Please don't forget I am courting you, you're the one I am pursuing..."

I felt a lump in my throat. My heart started to race as if there's a marathon, I am hoping it's not going to explode. Oh God... this feeling is so foreign, and I adored that feeling.

He started humming, para akong hinehele.

Bumigat ang talukap ng aking mga mata, the last thing I remembered was that I was sleeping on his arms, under a thousand stars, and us.