Erudite: The Intelligent

Chapter 13

It's been two days since my encounter with the kid and that rude man, I moved my island-to-island trip today since I was not in the mood after that encounter plus my company's facing some problems that are getting out of hand, and I was fixing all of those yesterday. 

But my excitement died down when I didn't saw any fishermen on the low land. 

Naglakad ako palapit sa isang may katandaang babaeng nagbebenta ng mga souvenirs upang mag-tanong.

"Ah araw kasi talaga ng pangingisda ngayon, lagi naman silang nangingisda pero ngayon kasi ang araw para sa maraming hulihan. Bakit pupunta ka ba sa kabilang isla?" sagot niya.

"Yes..." Dammit. So unlucky.

The woman looked around the place after hearing my answer. 

The old lady's face brightened after a few seconds, "Oh saglit lang, nandito na nga pala siya. Ramzes, hijo halika rito!" she shouted.

My brows furrowed as I followed her gazed. I gasped when I saw the familiar face and built of a man walking towards our direction, but he isn't looking at us. He's walking while fixing something... it's a bottle, I think it has gas inside.

I was brought back in reality when I heard the old lady spoke, "Ramzes, mag island to island daw itong si neng, libre ka ba ngayon?" she asked.

Oh f**k. 

The guy glanced at me coldly before he raised his left brow. "Hmm. Libre po, Manang..." he said deeply.

"No!" I shouted after hearing his answer. I hissed when I finally realized what I did.

I faked a cough, "I changed my mind! I won’t go!"

The old lady's face saddened. I was struck by guilt when I saw her expression. One thing I noticed about these islanders is they really like the tourist to tour around their island. I was a about to speak when the man cut me off.

"Stop wasting other people's time and get on the boat already." he said while looking at me darkly.

My eyes widen after I heard him. What the hell is his problem? 

Looks like the woman didn't hear this rude man's reply because she's so clueless with the happenings.

"What!?" I asked almost shouting.

"Just hop on." he said.

I looked at the lady, giving her a small smile before saying 'thank you'.

I walked heavily towards the direction of his boat, I didn't wait for him to pull out a wooden stair, I soaked my feet into the water before climbing up on his boat, I even stomped my right feet when I sat on it.

"But I want to go, Daddy!" 

My attention was caught when I heard the familiar small voice of a kid.

"Stop, River. Go to Manang now." the man demanded.

The kid's happy face died down after hearing his dad. I faked a cough to get their attention... and I did.

Both of them looked at me, "Your kid can join us, I don't mind." I said while looking at kid.

The cute kid's face brightened after hearing my words.

The man sighed heavily before lifting his kid and placing it inside the boat, I immediately moved when the kid suddenly stand, the boat's rocking! He might fall!

I held the kid's chubby arms, he stepped so he could sit in front of me.

"Wear it." the rude man said.

It's a vest, as much as I want to wear it, my pride's eating me up again. 

"Do I need to?" dammit Lucky, of course you need to.

His forehead knotted before saying, "Of course, unless you want to drown and die." he stated.

Fuck, right. I harshly grabbed the vest from his grasp before wearing it.

Kumuha siya ng isang maliit na vest at pinasuot 'yon sa batang nasa harapan ko.

After that he started to push the boat before hopping on.

He started to pull the string of the boat's engine. I can even see the muscles in his arms flexing when he is pulling the string forcefully.

The boat started to move, and he walked towards his child's direction.

"Lock it." he suddenly said.

My forehead knotted. Is he talking to me?

He stared at me for a second, I was so clueless.

He shook his head before walking towards my way, blocking the view of his kid.

I gripped on the side of the boat when he moved his face closer to mine.

I was so shocked with his sudden moved that I even forgot to breathe.

After a few seconds I heard a series of clicking sound then he moved away.

I looked away to hide my red face from them.

Damn. What was that?

I scolded myself when I felt my heartbeat, it is unusual, very unusual. But the thing I hated the most is my body's response. Why do I feel so hot... all of sudden?