Wind and Sail

Chapter 39

“Good morning po,” bati ni Sxan sa Ate ko.

“Ay, hello, good morning din sa iyo. Aalis na ba kayo? Teka tatawagin ko lang si Dayn, maupo ka muna riyan ha?” sabi niya.

Ang hindi niya alam ay pababa na ako nang hagdan kaya noong paakyat siya ay nagkasalubong kami.

“Oh, she’s here na pala,” she said. Maaga rin daw siyang gumising para ihatid ako, sinabi ko naman kay Ate na hindi na iyon kailangan pero she insisted. Maybe perhaps she wants to see Sxan.

Noong nakita ako ni Sxan ay tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. Kinuha niya ang bag na bitbit ko.

Ngumiti siya sa akin. Sinungitan ko siya ng tingin.

“Ganda mo naman,” sabi niya sa akin sa harap ni Ate. Nanlaki ang mata ni Ate at kinagat ang labi.

Marahan ko siyang hinampas sa braso. “Lakas mo, no? Hindi kaba nahihiya? Sa harap pa talaga ni Ate,” mahinang sabi ko sa kaniya.

“Bakit? Totoo naman, ah?” sagot pa niya. Siniko ko siya sa tagiliran. Nakita ko ang mahinang pagtawa ni Ate. Iiling-iling si Ate na umalis, nagpunta siya sa kitchen.

“Aray ko naman, inaano ba kita?” mahina niyang tanong habang tumatawa.

I narrowed my eyes and walked faster. Dala-dala ko pa ang sneakers kong puti at hindi ko pa iyon nasusuot kaya sa sofa ako dumiretso. I am wearing a sleeveless white summer dress that goes below the knee. It has flower cutoffs, and the hem of the dress is lace. Perfect for summer and picnic vibes.

“Akina,” sabi niya sabay hablot ng sapatos na nasa tabi ko.

“Ako na,” iniwas ko ang paa ko noong hahawakan niya na iyon para isuot ang sapatos. Tumikhim siya at umangat ang tingin sa akin.

“Sige, tig-isa nalang tayo, pati ba naman ‘to mahal ko pag-aawayan na’tin?” iiiling-iling niyang sabi.

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. What the f**k? Napakagago niya talaga. Agad ko siyang sinipa sa tuhod niya kaya napabalikwas siya nang kaunti.

“Mahal naman?! Baka makita tayo ng mga anak na’tin, sige ka,”

“Tangina ka,” madiin kong mura sa kaniya at sunod-sunod siyang sinipa. He shielded himself with a throw pillow.

“Hindi na, sorry na sorry na,” he said, laughing.

“Tigil-tigilan mo ‘ko Sxan, ha? Kung gusto mo pang sikatan ng araw.”

Inabot niya sa akin ang sapatos ko, maluwag na ang pagkakasintas noon. Ako na ang nagsuot ng sapatos sa sarili ko.

Maya-maya ay nakita ko si Ate na lumabas ng kitchen na may dalang paperbag.

“Hey, bring this para may makakain kayo habang nasa byahe.” Inabot niya kay Sxan ang bag.

“Salamat po,” sabi niya. Sinilip niya ang bag at kinuha ang bag ko. “Okay ka na? Let’s go, daanan na’tin si Clarene,” he said.

“Akala ko ako ang huli ninyong dadaanan. Oh sige, tara na.” Tumayo na ako at naglakad palabas.

Binuksan niya ang trunk ng sasakyan at inilagay ang mga gamit ko. Wrangler nga ang dinala niya.

“Mag-iingat kayo sa daan, ha?” Ate said.

Isinara na ni Sxan ang trunk. Tumabi siya sa akin at binuksan ang pinto.

“Opo, iuuwi ko po siya nang buhay,” sagot niya na ikinatawa ni Ate.

“Tara na,” aya ko sa kaniya. Tumango siya sa akin at nagpaalam na kay Ate.

Pumasok na siya sa sasakyan, he started the engine and stared at me for good minute while waiting for the car to get heated.

“What?” I asked.

“Wala,” sagot niya at umiwas ng tingin. He put his hand on the steering wheel and the other on the car gear. He pressed the accelerator and we drove out of the village to Kingston Condo where Clarene lives.

“Can you call Clarene and tell her we’re near?” he asked.

I nodded and took my phone out of my bag.

“Hey, we’re pulling up in front, where are you?” I asked on the phone.

“I’m in the lobby. Wait, I’ll go out,” she answered.

We’re pulling up the driveway when I saw her in front looking around for us. She’s wearing a yellow mini dress and a lace up gladiator.

Noong nakita niya na paparating na kami ay pumasok siya sa loob ulit. Huminto kami sa harap mismo ng entrance. Lumabas si Sxan para tulungan si Clarene sa mga dala niya. Dalawang gym bag ang dala niya at isang backpack.

“Haluuuu!” bati niya pagkabukas ng pinto sa backseat.

“Bilis! Pasok na,” I said.

Binilisan niya ang pagpasok at umupo na sa upuan. Hinubad niya ang gladiators niya at itinaas ang paa sa upuan.

“Nagbreakfast na kayo?” she asked.

“Hindi pa, may pinadala si Ate, tingnan mo nga kung ano. Andiyan sa baba,” turo ko sa kaniya. Inangat niy ang paper bag at binuksan.

“Bestie, how did your Ate manage to do this in a very short time?” tanong niya. Inilabas niya ang Tupperware at binuksan.

“Vietnamese spring rolls?” I asked. Tumango siya bilang sagot.

“And chocolates?” sabi niya sabay labas ng sampung bars ng chocolate.

“What the… si Ate talaga, oh.” Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at nag-type ng message sa kaniya.

Ako:

Thanks sa food. Kailan mo to ginawa?

Ate replied quickly.

Ate:

Yesterday afternoon. Natira lang ‘yan kaya pinadala ko na. Saan na kayo?

Bumalik na si Sxan sa loob at nagdrive na siya. Sumulyap siya sa rearview mirror, nilalantakan n ani Clarene ang spring rolls.

Kinuha ko ang Tupperware sa kaniya. Kumuha ako ng isa at inabot kay Sxan habang nagd-drive. Lumingon siya sa akin at sa hawak kong pagkain. Ngumiti ang gago at saka isinubo.

Umubo si Clarene sa likod.

“What the f**k? Am I watching a movie?” she blurted.

Sxan and I just laughed.

“Matulog muna kayo, it’s fine. I’ll wake you two up kapag nasa stopover na tayo to have a real breakfast,” Sxan said. Nasa expressway na kami ngayon.

Tumutugtog sa Stereo ang We and Us ni Moira dela Torre. Subtle lang ang sound kaya medyo nakakaantok din.

Mga kalahating oras ang lumipas noong lingunin ko si Clarene sa backseat. Mahimbing siyang natutulog at nakahiga dahil solo naman niya ang buong upuan sa backseat.

“Sleep muna, hindi ko naman kayo ililigaw,” sabi ni Sxan. I glanced at him and shook my head.

“Nah, I’m not sleepy.” Actually, I am. But I’m not going to leave you awake all alone while we’re sleeping our ass off.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at tumango.

“Ikaw ba?” I asked.

“No, of course not. Ako ang driver niyo, I can’t sleep,” he answered.

“Yeah, dapat lang, no.” I chuckled.

“Dumaan ka ba ng den kahapon?” he asked.

“No, may dinaanan akong iba then umuwi na rin agad. Why?”

“Wala naman.”

“Hey,” tawag ko sa kaniya.

“Yes?” sagot niya, sa daan pa rin nakatingin.

Inangat ko ang paa ko at nag-indian sit. Akala ko ay pupunahin niya iyon pero hinayaan niya lang.

Tumungo ako sa kaniya. “When did you learn to drive?” I asked.

“Fifteen ata, why?”

“Oh, really? Ang aga naman pala,”

“Hindi kaya, I think that’s the right age to learn. Ikaw ba?”

“Fifteen din.

He chuckled. “Oh, pareho lang naman pala tayo. Who taught you?” he asked.

“A friend.”

Tumingin siya sa akin at tumaas ang kilay. “A friend?” ulit niya.

Tumango ako. It was Luke. Tinuruan niya ako noon na magdrive ng manual na Corolla.

“You have other friends?” tanong niya na para bang hindi makapaniwala na may kaibigan ako.

“Yes. Why is that a surprise for you?”

“Ikaw? For real? May nakatiis na ibang nilalang sa ugali mo?” tanong niya.

“Hoy, nang-iinsulto ka ba, ha?!”

“Ayan na naman po sila, away ulit.” Lumingon kaming pareho kay Clarene na nagsalita. Nagising ata siya ngunit bumalik ulit sa tulog.

“Did that come as an insult?” Sxan said, nang-aasar pa talaga siya.

“Ewan ko sa iyo,” singhal ko at umayos nang pagkakaupo.

“I was just asking,” he murmured.

“Shut up,” I said.

Nakatingin lang ako sa bintana. Malapit nang lumiwanag. Pinanonood ko lang ang papasikat na araw.

“Dayn,” tawag niya. Hindi ako sumagot.

“Dayn,” tawag niya ulit. Hindi ulit ako umimik, instead kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at nagbukas ng Snapgram.

“Huy, mahal.”

Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na lingunin siya. Tiyak na mang-iinis na naman ito kapag pinansin ko siya noong “Mahal” ang itinawag niya sa akin pero kapag pangalan ko ay hindi.

Kinalabit niya ako.

“Ano ba?!” inis kong sabi. Humarap ako sa kaniya na magkasalubong ang kilay.

“May food pa ba?” he asked.

I felt guilty. Naawa naman ako dahil halos dalawang oras na siyang nagd-drive at nagugutom na pala siya. Inabot ko ang paper bag para tingnan kung may pagkain pa na natira. Binuksan ko an Tupperware at mabuti na mayroon pa itong limang pirasong spring rolls.

“Yeah, do you want some?” mas maayos na ang boses ko kaysa sa kanina na galit. Tumango siya. Kumuha ako ng isa at isinubo iyon sa kaniya.

“Thanks,” he blabbered.

I just nodded. Kinuha ko ang bottled water at binuksan iyon. Nilagyan ko iyon ng straw at inabot sa kaniya.

“Malayo pa ba tayo sa stopover?” tanong ko. Nilingon ko si Clarene, natutulog pa rin ang gaga.

“No, we’re near,” he answered. Tumingin ako sa harap at natanaw ang stopover sign. He pulled up at the parking lot.

“Clarene, wake up. Do you need to go to the bathroom?” gising ko kay Clarene. Dahan-dahan bumukas ang mata niya. Tumayo siya at iginala ang mata.

“Where are we?” tanong niya habang kinukusot ang mata.

Bumaba si Sxan at umikot papunta sa akin. Binuksan niya ang pinto ko at sunod ang pinto ng backseat.

“Malapit na rin tayo sa place, pero I’m not sure kung matatagalan tayo kasi baka traffic,” Sxan answered.

“Okay.” Lumabas si Clarene at nagpaalam na pupunta muna ng bathroom.

“Ikaw?” Sxan asked me.

Umiling ako. “Ikaw? Ako lagi tinatanong mo, e.”

He chuckled. “Nah, let’s go. Magbreakfast muna tayo, just text Clarene kung nasaan tayo.”

Kinuha ko ang sling bag ko at lumabas ng sasakyan. “What do you want to have?” I asked him.

“I’m fine with anything,” he answered.

“Anong klase bang sagot iyan? May pagkain ba na ang name ay I’m fine with anything?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He chuckled. “How about you?”

“Hmmm. I want something heavy. We have a lot of things to do ahead of us.”

“Tingnan mo, ikaw talaga. Tinanong mo pa ako, e.”

“Aba, malay ko ba kung ano gusto mo,” sabi ko at naglakad na. He walked beside me.

“Let’s go to Roger’s then, they have some pretty heavy meals, what do you think?” he suggestes.

I nodded then we proceed to go to Roger’s. Mabuti na lang talaga at mayroon dito. I texted Clarene that we’re here, I asked her what she wanted to order but she said no. She’s going to buy some pancakes then eat it here. I think that’s fine.

I’m at the counter to order and Sxan is standing behind me, still looking at the menu.

“I’m going to have two roasted chickens with rice, can I please have the thigh part? Side dishes of fruits and vegetables, and iced tea,” I said to lady. “What about you?”

“Uhm. I’m going to have one roasted chicken with rice, a side dish of buttered corn, and just water, please.”

I paid our meal, he was insisting to pay for it, but I told him not to bother. We looked for a place to sit, when we saw one, he sat across me.

I’m just brushing my hair with my fingers while looking around the area. Sxan put a hair tie on the table and pushed it to me.

I looked at him what?

“Tie your hair, it’s going to get on your way while eating,” he says.

Kinuha ko iyon at itinali ang buhok ko. The waiter opened the blinds and my eyes narrowed because the sun dazzled straight to my face. He is just looking at me the whole time but suddenly he looked away and I saw him hid his smile. I noticed him bit his lips subtly and his cheeks are red.

“What is it you’re smiling at?” I asked him.

He coughed a little and looked at me. “Nothing, nasisilaw ka ba?” tanong niya.

“Hindi na, nagulat lang talaga ako sa biglang sikat ng araw sa face ko.”

“Yeah, sure, of course.” He rubbed the back of his neck and ran his fingers through his hair.

Goddamn it.

“Hey, guys!”

Thank god, Clarene arrived! She sat beside me and placed a paper bag on the table. She starts taking out the take-out pancakes that she bought. She bought two servings of it with a fruit shake on the side. Mayroon pa siyang dalang plastic bag.

“What’s in there?” Nguso ko sa bag na iyon.

“Oh.” Kinuha niya iyon at ipinatong sa lap niya. Sunod-sunod niyang inilabas ang mga pagkain… “Uhm, just some food to eat while we’re on the road. Your Ate is a life saver. I bought mushroom chicharons, some bread, and few drinks.” —ngunit ibinalik niya rin agad pagkatapos niyang ipakita.

“Wow, that’s really a lot,” Sxan said.

“No, it’s good kaya,” I said. Clarene agrees with me.

Dumating na ang order namin.

“Oh, my god. Now, that is a lot,” Clarene said, pointing out my food. “Looks yum.”

I looked at her and I saw nothing but pure desire, yes, pure desire to eat my food! Gosh, I should’ve known.

Inusod ko ang plato ko sa side ko. “Uh-uh, you chose pancakes. There’s no turning back now,” I said to her. She frowned and proceeded to eat her pancakes.

“We’re here!” Sxan exclaimed.

Agad kong binuksan ang pinto at lumabas. I was welcomed with a cool fresh air. Iginala ko ang mata ko. There’s a big house in front with a lobby, it does looks like a modern farm vibe. Nasa paligid din ang small cottages at may mga houses din pero hindi kasinglaki nitong nasa harap. There are plants and flowers everywhere.

Lumabas na rin ang dalawa sa sasakyan. Si Sxan ay dumiretso sa trunk para ilabas ang mga gamit namin. I am still dazzled by how this place feels very relaxing and warm. Nauna si Sxan na pumasok sa loob, nakita ko na ibinaba niya ang gamit namin sa mahabang upuan. Clarene followed, she’s very excited. Tinawag ako ni Sxan kaya pumasok na rin ako.

The floor is made of wood, and everything is technically wood. All staffs are smiling and very accommodating.

Lumapit ako sa reception. Sxan is talking with them about rooms and etcetera. Nasa likod niya lang ako habang tumitingin-tingin sa paligid.

“Hey, Dayn. We’re all set. I chose a house with two bedrooms with a private pool. How’s that?” he informed me. Clarene is sitting on the chair beside our belongings and taking pictures.

“Sounds good, how about the food?”

“Included na. Let’s go to our place.”

Lumapit kami kay Clarene para sabihin sa kaniya.

Itinaas niya ang camera. “Look here, lovebirds. Smile!” she said then took a picture of us. I wasn’t ready so I don’t know how good I looked on that one. Sxan was smiling, so I bet he looks fine. He does look fine whether he’s smiling or not, but so am I.

Tumayo na siya at ni-guide kami ng staff sa place namin.

“Wow, this looks very…” Clarene said as she looks around the room.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Sxan continued.

There’s a wooden sofa with foam, a nice wooden center table with a flower vase sitting on top, and a tv on the wall. The floor is made of wood as well, I looked at the ceiling, there’s a mini chandelier hanging. There’s no air conditioner, just big-ass windows. Dumiretso ako sa labas, may maliit na pool dito at ang view… gosh, astonishing beauty of the farm. The sunflowers are dancing with the wind. There’s a hammock as well and a set of sofas again.

“Oh, my god. Am I in heaven?” I talked to myself.

“No.” Napatalon ako noong sumagot si Sxan. Nasa tabi ko siya at nakatanaw din sa farm. “Pretty nice, right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I whispered then inhaled the warm and soft air.

“Sure is.” Nilingon ko siya, nakatingin pala siya sa akin kaya nagtama ang paningin namin. Nginitian ko siya at tumingin ulit sa farm. Inakbayan niya ako. Hinawakan ko ang kamay na nakaakbay sa akin at sumandal sa kaniya ng kaunti. We stayed like this for some time.

“Ayusin na muna na’tin ang mga gamit before going out there,” I said, I let go of his hand. Inalis din niya ang braso niya sa balikat ko at tumango sa akin.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ng kwarto namin ni Clarene ay nakita ko siya na nag-aayos ng gamit niya. Umupo ako sa kama at pinanood siya.

“Dayn, are you two a thing?” she suddenly asks.

I shook my head and said nothing.

“What? Answer me, what am I going to do with your head shaking?”

I chuckled. “I don’t know. But I think it’s a no, we’re not a thing,” I answered.

She stopped folding her clothes. “What?” she said with a confused look. “But there’s gotta be something, right?”

“Anong thing pinagsasabi mo diyan? Wala nga ‘diba? Wala.”

“Alam mo, hindi naman ako tanga, Dayn,” she says. “We both know there’s something, you just don’t want to admit it, I mean, didn’t he say anything?”

“I don’t remember anything.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s get this straight, do you like him?” tanong niya.

“I don’t know,” I answered.

“Yes, you know. You like him,” she dictated.

“No, I don’t,” I said.

“Akala ko ba you don’t know? Sige, maglokohan nalang kayong dalawa, parang mga tanga lang,” she said then continued to fold her clothes.

Tumayo na rin ako para ayusin ang mga gamit ko.

May kumatok sa pinto namin.

“Mga babae, tapos na ba kayo? Tara na,” he said.

Isinuot ko ang sunglass ko at binitbit ang sun cap. Si Clarene ay dala-dala ang camera. Lumabas kami ng room namin, si Sxan ay nakaupo at hinihintay kami.

I tapped him on his shoulder.

“Oh, ready na? Let’s go.” Tumayo siya at binuksan ang pinto para makalabas na ang lahat. Clarene locked our door.

Dumiretso kami sa sunflower farm. Inabot ni Clarene ang camera kay Sxan at siya ang ginawa naming photographer. We are having so much fun, pose doon, pose dito. I also noticed him taking candid shots.

“Oh sige, kayo naman dalawa.” Kinuha ni Clarene ang camera kay Sxan at tinulak siya sa akin. “Ayusin niyo ang pose ha!”

Sxan stood beside me and wrapped his arms on my waist and pulled me closer to him. I hope his hand doesn’t feel my stomach rumbling not because of hunger but because of his goddamn swift moves. I pulled myself together and went on with this.

He is looking at the camera and I am looking up at him. He suddenly looked down at me and raised his brow. I smiled then shake my head slowly. I was a bit startled when he brought his face closer to mine while staring directly at my eyes. I chuckled then put my hand on his face and slowly pushed it away. Inilagay niya sa likod ng tainga ko ang iilang takas kong buhok. He caressed my face gently then I felt his lips touched my forehead. He hugged me softly, he is taller than me, my face sits right above his chest so I can hear his heart beats. Damn, it’s thumping so fast and loud as if it’s going to explode or perhaps make its way out of his chest.

“I’m afraid you’ll go tachycardic,” I said, loud enough for him to hear me.

He chuckled then let go of me.