Drowned by the Waves (Tagalog)

Chapter 3

The school ended with me being with them. Buong araw ko silang kasama. They never left my side kahit na nalaman nilang galing ako sa mga Luzano. At kahit na hindi ako ganoong ka-friendly sa kanila.

“Young miss, it’s almost dinner time.” I heard the maid said. Napatingin naman ako sa wall clock sa taas ng pinto ng kwarto. It’s almost seven in the evening kaya siguro sila nagtawag na.

“I’ll go down a bit,” I said then, fixed my things. I reviewed it as soon as I returned from school.

I fixed myself before I decided to go down. I can’t let mother see me being careless. Mother always wants us to look presentable even if we’re just in our house.

Hindi kasi namin alam kung kalian biglang may bibisitang client. That’s why it became a rule. But no one ever know what is the consequence because no one never tried to disobey them.

“I heard you’re dealing with the case of Senator Loyola. You need to win it, son. He’s somewhat an acquaintance to me. But never mention my name. I can’t let our name be tainted by some lowkey creature,” I heard my father say. Mukhang may case na naming hawak si Kuya.

Dumiretso na ako pababa ng dining room. Mukhang matagal pa bago bumaba sila si Kuya dahil busy sila. I know Kuya can win it, he will do whatever it takes to win every case given by our father. Of course, we can’t let them be disappointed with us.

“You’re early. You should’ve called your father and brother. Are they busy?” mother asked as soon as I sit beside her. Kami pa lang ni mama ang nandito ngayon, mukhang busy na naman sila.

“I heard them talking about Kuya’s case; that’s why I didn’t call them.” She nodded then returned to eating her appetizer. The appetizer is the first one to be served then, the main course, and then dessert.

Lumapit naman sa pwesto ko ang mga maid at naglagay ng tubig, juice and the appetizer. Lumayo din naman sila pagkatapos.

“Any news about school?” she asked. Nilunok ko muna ang kinakain ko bago sumagot sa kaniya.

“Nothing new, mother. Just the same as before. They only introduce the subjects then give us the syllabus,” I said. She nodded.

“Do you find your course easy or hard?” she asked. But I know she’s expecting me to say easy because hard will never be an option for her.

“It seems easy mother. Some topics that we’re going to discuss is already discussed by my tutor,” I said then drink some water. Lumapit naman sa amin yung mga maid at kinuha ang plato namin. Pagkatapos ay nilapag nila ang main course.

“Good,” she said, nodding. Father came with my siblings. Since they were already late, the maid only served them the main course.

“It’s been so long since we became complete huh,” mother said, smiling. Napangiti naman sila.

“Works always interfere,” Ate said shrugging. Her hair still in bun right now. Mukhang kagagaling niya lang sa hospital. Tumango naman sila Kuya doon. Right, they’ve been busy lately kahit ka-ga-graduate lang nila.

“Years later, our daughter will be like that too,” father blurted, eyeing at me. I got shocked in the meantime but, I didn’t let it show.

“I’ll surely find time, father,” I said, smiling.

“You surely should, dear.” Mother said. Tumango lang ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. There’s nothing worth to say so, I better shut my mouth.

Natapos ang dinner ng puro trabaho lang nila ang pinag-uusapan. They didn’t bother to ask me since there’s nothing interesting about it.

“GOOD MORNING!” Rico shouted happily.

Ngumiti naman ako at bumati din. “Good morning.”

“Ang aga mo, Scy. Buti na lang pala napaaga ako ng pasok,” he smiled.

“I don’t want to encounter so many students again so, I decided to go as early as possible,” I shrugged. Masyadong madaming chismosa sa school kaya ayoko ng magpa-late.

And besides, Father had a business out of the country that’s why I get up early.

“Right. Famous ka nga pala,” he pouted. Napangiti naman ako.

“My family is, not me.”

“Sus. Ganoon din naman ‘yon. Your family’s wealth will also be yours,” he shrugged.

“Not in ours. If you’re not qualified, you’ll get nothing. That’s why I need to work hard so, that my efforts will be paid soon.” Napalingon naman siya sa akin.

“Ang strict naman pala ng family niyo,” he sighed. Tumango naman ako. No one knows how strict my family can be. Sobrang nakakasakal pero masasanay ka na din pagtagal.

“Hey.” I heard someone say. Napalingon naman kami doon. We’re currently walking to our room.

“Eos!” ngiti niyang bati. Tumango naman si Eos sa kaniya.

“Nasaan ang kuya mo? Ang aga mo ata,” nagtataka niyang tanong kay Rico. Oo nga, I didn’t see Leander around.

“Busy si Kuya. May tournament sila ng volleyball. Kaya napaaga din ako dahil kailangan niya magpractice,” tumango naman si Eos. Nagulat naman ako dahil doon.

He’s a volleyball player huh? Mostly kasi ng kilala kong lalaki basketball ang hilig.

“He’s a volleyball player?” I asked. Tumango naman sila.

“Yup. Bata pa lang si Kuya ng nahilig doon. Kaya hanggang ngayong college dala niya pa din,” that’s great!

“How about you? Do you have any sports that you play?” I asked.

“What are you doing?” I asked Eos as I felt his hands. Napalingon naman ako doon at nakitang malapit na sa kamay ko ang mga kamay niya.

“Your hands, please.”

“What with my hands, princess? Gusto mo bang mag-holding hands tayo? Mabilis but, I like that idea,” he smirked. Lalo naman akong napairap sa sinabi niya. Ang kapal talaga ng apog ng lalaking ito.

“Kayong dalawa! Respeto sa single. Aminin niyo nga, kayo na ba?” I didn’t bother to hide my horror because of his question.

Paano naman magiging kami? Excuse me!

“Excuse me! Hindi ako papatol sa stranger,” I said, annoyed. I heard Eos’ groans because of that.

“Ouch! Magiging tayo din, princess. I swear,” he said teasing me. Napairap naman ako at naglakad na.

“Ang kire mo, Eos.” I heard Rico shouted then, laughed. Napakunot naman ang noo ko.

“Kire? What’s that?” nagtataka kong tanong. Napatawa naman si Eos dahil sa tanong kom

“That means, I love you, princess.” He said smirking. Napairap naman ako, kahit hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yon. Hindi ako naniniwalang iyon ang meaning noon.

“Tsk. Ano nga?” I said irritated. Ang ayoko sa lahat ay yung nagtatanong ako pero hindi ako sinasagot ng ayos.

“It’s like malandi. Flirt.” I heard Rico said. Mukhang narinig niya ‘yung tanong ko. Napatango naman ako.

Iyon lang pala, ang dami pang ikot ng lalaking ito.

“I love you? Tsk. Liar.” I whispered to myself. Naramadaman ko namang mas lumapit ang katawan niya sa akin. He even squeezed my waist.

“I’m not,” he whispered. I felt my cheeks heat because of that. He heard me. Umirap naman ako.

“Is Leander going to attend the class?” I asked, making a new topic.

“Ang alam ko, oo. Why?” nagtatakang tanong ni Rico. Pati si Eos nakakunot noong nakatingin sa akin.

“I just wonder. You didn’t answer my question, do you have any sport’s that you play?” I asked.

Nakangiting umiling sa akin si Rico. “I can’t. Asthmatic.”

Napangiwi naman ako dahil doon. Asthma is really a b***h. Napakakontrabida.

“I’m a tennis player before. But my mother stopped me because of my asthma. Si Eos, swimmer ‘yan!” pag-iiba niya ng topic.

Napalingon naman ako kay Eos dahil doon. He’s smiling proudly, magyayabang na naman ang isang ito.

“Well,” he boasted. I told you, that’s too typical for boys like him.

“Tsk. Buti hindi nalulunod ‘yan.” I rolled my eyes.

He pursed his lips because of that.

“Nope. Eos is the best swimmer in this school; in the whole La Puerte, to be exact.” He laughed. I faked my shock, teasing him.

“Oh really? How come I didn’t hear anything about him?” I teased. Tumawa naman si Rico sa sinabi ko.

“You’re really clueless about the outside world, princess. You need to explore,” he said, pouting. Napairap naman ako.

I admit it. I’ve been locked up in the house ever since. Lalabas lang ako kapag may mga business party na kailangan attend-an.

“Kayang-kaya kong sisirin lahat, princess. Kahit puso mo kayang kaya kong abutin gaano man kalalim,” he teased.

I felt my cheeks flush again. Dami niyang alam, sheesh.

“Tsk. Let’s go to the room. We’ll be late,” irap kong aya sa kanila.

Tumawa naman sila at sumunod na sa akin. Tumabi naman sa akin si Eos habang nasa tabi niya si Rico. We’re practically owning the hallway dahil sa pwesto namin. Kung nandito si Leander wala na silang madadaan.