Nostalgic Deception #1: Above The Waves

Kabanata 2

Hestia’s POV

Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong unahin. My life or my family? Aish! Seryoso kong binalingan nang tingin ang mala adonis na piratang hanggang ngayo'y nakatitig ng diretso sa aking mga mata.

"Come to think of it, how would you save your family if you won't save your life first?" The Adonis suddenly asked. I was shocked when he asked me the same question built on my mind. I know how to handle such a situation like this--pero bakit ngayon ay natameme ako? Walang ideyang pumapasok sa isipan ko, basta ang alam ko lamang ay gusto kong makaligtas pati na rin ang pamilya ko.

"There are some situations that will make you choose between redeeming other persons and securing your own safety, Mr. Pirate," taas-noong sagot ko sa kaniya kahit na alam ko sa sariling naguguluhan din ako.

Would I be able to sacrifice my own life for my family? Kaya ko ba? I was known for being too self-conceited and selfish, everything that matters to me is no other than myself. Pero ngayon, it's my family's life that's in danger.

"Not at all mi-" i know it's rude, but I had to cut his words right away so he would know how to call me.

"Hestia Selene Jones, Mr. Pirate," magalang na ipinakilala ko sa kaniya ang sarili. I was amazed when I saw a small curve that suddenly formed on his lips--he's smirking!

"Caspian Nikolai Morgan," he smirked at me but his eyes were still serious and deep. "the Captain of Nevis Crew,” dugtong niya.

I noticed a glimpse of admiration from his emerald green-colored eyes when I formally offered my right hand at him.

"Well, then," I stood properly and sincerely smiled at him. There's no point for me to be afraid right now, all I need is to respect and appreciate him. If it wasn't because of him--my body might already be floating on this deep sea at this moment. "...it's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Morgan," and thankfully he accepted the hand I offered and gently shook it. Seriously? A pirate with a smooth surfaced hand? Great! I can't see any flaws from him.

"I'll take that as an approval of your participation in my crew, little Jones," kaagad na sumama ang timpla ng mukha ko nang marinig ko ang katagang “little”.

Do I look like a child? Ngunit ang pagbigkas niya ng “little Jones” ay hindi ko maipagkakailang ang sarap pakinggan—oh shoot! I need to stop these thoughts right away.

"Captain, we need to move now! Another ship is on its way," kaagad akong napabaling ng tingin doon sa nagsalita patungo sa kaniyang tinitignan. He is holding a handheld brass telescope that is used for navigation--napaayos ako ng tayo at mariing tumingin sa adonis na nakatayo sa aking harapan. Hindi man lang naalis sa akin ang tingin niya mula kanina kaya't bahagya akong nailang.

He just smirked at me before leading me into his ship. Sobrang laki ng bapor na ginagamit nila kumpara sa ibang boke na dinadala ng ibang mandarain, maging sa pagsakay ko sa kaniyang barko ay inalalayan niya ako kung kaya't napangisi na lamang ako nang muling magtama ang paningin naming dalawa.

"Raise the black Jack!" I wasn't surprised when I heard a loud command from the corner of deck.

The captain took in charge in operating the ship when the pirate's flag was raised, I was racked when a man stood in front of me. A pirate from Morgan's crew, of course.

"Look what we've got here," he uttered. I faked a smile at him. "A beautiful young lady."

"What name do we have there?" my brow raised at his question.

"Hestia," tanging sagot ko rito sa pagaakalang tatantanan niya na ako. Ngunit laking gulat ko sa sunod-sunod niyang tanong at pangungulit sa akin. Oh gosh! This man should learn how to keep quiet. I was about to open my mouth when a deep voice interrupted.

"Avast ye, Hulyano!" kaagad akong napatingin kay Captain Morgan na tiim na ang bagang habang nakatingin sa piratang kumakausap sa akin. Avast ye? Wtf?

"Calm down, captain.” So, itong piratang nasa harapan ko ay si Hulyano? What kind of name was that? "I won't steal your woman,” I noticed how Hulyano smirked playfully. Nang aasar.

"Blimey!" halatang nagulat si Morgan dahil sa inusal ni Hulyano. What am I even doing in between the two of them? Ghad!

I slowly pulled my right foot--then the left one. Akmang aalis na ako upang tumakas patungo sa bedroom na nasa ibaba ngunit kaagad akong napatigil at maayos na napatayo.

"Surprised, ey?" nahimigan ko ang pang aasar mula sa boses ni Hulyano. The captain was heavily breathing when I turned my gaze at him.

I walked towards the forecastle desk mast and sat on its wood. Nakahalumbabang tumingin na lang ako sa paligid ko. Dala nang pagka-mainipin ko ay tumayo akong muli kalaunan at bahagya kong inilabas ag kalahating parte ng katawan ko upang pagmasdan ang tubig ng dagat.

I can't help but to smile whenever I remember the happy moments I had in a water. Kapag nagkakaroon kami ng hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mga magulang ko ay sa tubig ko inilalabas ang sama ng loob ko. I'm a swimmer, after all my mom and dad and also Artemis are waiting for me. I promise, I'll get you back.

I wiped away my tears ng manumbalik sa aking isipan kung paano ako naging walang kwenta noong sinalubong kami ng mga pirate, wala akong nagawa noong mga oras na isinuko ng mga magulang ko ang buhay nila para sa akin. W-wait?! Artemis! Artemis wasn't caught! Where could she be?

"Artemis?" mabilis na lumingon ako kay Captain Morgan at tumakbo patungo sa kaniya.

"Captain, my sister is on that cruise!" I exclaimed. Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin ngunit binawi niya rin kaagad iyon.

"Your statement is impossible, little Jones,” he shook his head and focused on his compass again. No!

"She wasn't captured by those greedy pirates!" muling umiling sa akin si Captain Morgan kaya't napailing na lamang ako.

It's because of my stupidity, I was too focused on how would I be able to save myself during the time those pirates went to our cruise and took my family. Ang tanga ko dahil nakalimutan ko si Artemis--hindi ko siya nakitang kasama nila Mommy kanina noong tinangay sila ng mga piratang walang awa.

"Captain Morgan, please!" I almost kneeled just to beg at him.

"We checked every corners, decks and rooms of your cruise. The cruise only had you on it Jones," umiling na lamang ako dahil nawalan na naman ako ng pag-asa.

"My sister has to be there, Captain Morgan! I haven't seen her on the hands of those greedy—" I forgot that I'm talking to a captain for a second. Not until I heard a familiar voice behind me once again.

"She's the one you're looking for, isn't she?" kaagad akong napalingon kay Hulyano na kalmado lamang na nakatingin sa akin habang may isang batang babae na nakahiga sa kaniyang mga bisig. My tears rushed down on my cheeks when I realized that he's holding the girl I'm looking for.

"A-artemis," I ran the distance between Hulyano and me. Kaagad kong kinuha mula sa kaniyang pagkakahawak ang kapatid ko at dali-dali ko itong niyakap.

"It's her," I whispered. Sapat lamang iyon upang marinig ni Hulyano. I smiled at him and mouthed 'thank you' which made him smile back at me.

"Ghad! I'm sorry, Artemis. I'm sorry," I let my tears run down while I am busy hugging my little sister. The little Jones.

Sandali kong pinagmasdan ang aking paligid hanggang sa isang bagay na nagmumula sa malayong distansya ang nakapukaw sa aking atensyon. Another one!

"Pirate ship coming from 68 degree North West!" kaagad na naalerto ang mga piratang may kaniya-kaniyang ginagawa at tumingin sa direksyong sinambit ko.

"Not a time for joke, young lady," kaagad akong napatingin sa isang piratang nagsalita. Kunot noong tinitigan ko siya sandali habang marahan kong inaayos ang pagkakahiga ng kapatid ko sa aking mga bisig.

"You may use your monocular, Mr. Pirate," mariing sambit ko dito at muli kong binalingan ang direksyong iyon.

Lumingon ako sa gawi ni Captain Morgan and I noticed his deep stares at me. Ghad! He should just focus on the coming pirates instead of wasting his time on looking at me. Muli na akong bumaling sa direksyon ng mga piratang paparating ngunit laking gulat ko nang mawala sila roon. Mabilis na iginala ko ang aking paningin sa iba't ibang direksyon ngunit walang senyales ng mga pirata. Where could they be?!

"No signs of pirates!" kaagad na kumulo ang dugo ko nang marinig ko ang sinambit ng isang pirata mula sa pangkat ni Captain Morgan. So they aren't as alerted as I've thought?

Muli kong iginala ang aking paningin at nahagip ng mga mata ko ang unti-unting pag angat ng barkong hinahanap ko mula sa ilalim ng dagat. What are they?

"They're under the sea! 78 degree from West," sambit ko sakanilang lahat.

"Pirate ship spotted, Captain!" sambit ng piratang nakakapit sa crow's nest. Kaagad akong napangisi nang mapasinghap ang mga pirata at tumingin sa akin.

"Freebooters on the way!" sambit ni Hulyano at nakangising umiling.

"You have the vision," kaagad akong nanigas nang maramdaman ko ang mainit na hininga ni Captain Morgan mula sa aking tainga. Kaunting galaw ko lamang ay maaaring magtama ang mga labi namin. Geez!

"I am the vision itself, Captain Morgan," I smirked at him and swiftly carried my sister properly.

Akmang tatalikod na sana ako ngunit kaagad akong hinatak ni Captain paharap sa kaniya at maingat na kinuha mula sa aking mga bisig ang kapatid ko. Tututol pa sana ako ngunit kaagad akong napatikom nang sumilay ang totoong ngiti mula sa kaniyang mga labi.

"Let me guide you to your room," at nauna na siyang maglakad buhat-buhat ang kapatid ko patungo sa baba ng deck.

"Thank you, Captain Morgan," nakangiting bulong ko. He saved my life and my sister.