She's A Gangster Princess

CHAPTER 13: HOLD

I opened my eyes with a grimace, due to the noise and loud voices. My head is hurting from lack of sleep, yet I can't sleep because of the disruption.

I extended my hand to get my turban on the floor and shockingly went my gaze up when I saw a leg in maong jeans, and there I found Lance sleeping comfortably beside me with my travel pillow in his shoulder.

Chesca is asleep in the backseat, next to Margaux, who is reading a classic book, while Claire and Isabelle argue in front. They are undoubtedly the reason of my sleep disturbance.

Since I can't get to sleep back, I just put my headset and played a music from my Spotify. I tapped the window glass and leaned my head while slowly humming on to the beat of the music. Napalingon na lang ako nang maramdaman ko na may kumulbit sa akin. Inalis ko ang headset sa aking tenga para marinig ang sinasabi n'ya.

"If you want some chips, you can get some in front. It's in a red bag." I smiled at Margaux and saw that she's reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

"You like classic novels?"

"Honestly, no. It's my first time reading, and I found it interesting, so I gave it a try."

"You certainly have good taste; his stories were great."

"Yes, I think so too. Na-bored ako kanina kaya nang mapadaan sa bookstore ay nagpa-tigil muna ako para makabili ng books."

Nagpatuloy lang kami sa pagkukwentuhan at hindi ko na naituloy ang pakikinig sa music. This is the first time we've had such a long conversation. Madalas ay nakakapag-usap lang kami dahil sa mga saglit na side comments, o di kaya naman ay kapag may kailangan na itanong.

But a long and casual talk like this, ngayon pa lang. I never knew that she's good at handling conversation, aminado naman ako na hindi ako magaling sa pakikisama, but with her approach, I feel so comfortable.

"You know what, I think we should bond more. I like your company." Sabi ko sa kan’ya at inabot ang chips na itinuro n'ya kanina at nagbukas ng isa. Binigyan ko rin s'ya isang pack ng chips na tinanggap n'ya naman.

"Ano ka ba Nadz, syempre naman. We can use this vacation para mas makapag-bonding tayo."

"Sana all like ang company no? Siguro hindi tayo masarap kasama. Diba Claire?" Natawa kami ni Margaux dahil sa sinabi ni Isabelle. They always seem to find a way to make a witty remark. Minsan nga ay hindi ko na kailangan na makinig ng music to ease my boredom because they are enough entertainment. Their jokes are funny and they are easy to be with.

"Hindi naman sa ganon, it's just that first time namin ni Margaux na magkasama ng matagal. You two always make me laugh, so there's no need to feel jealous."

"Aww that's why I love you Nadz." Sinenyasan ko naman sila na huwag maingay dahil nakita ko na bahagyang nagigising si Chesca. I know that she's tired from the event at medyo nagi-guilty pa ako dahil hindi ko natapos panoodin ang event. So I volunteer to answer the expenses for this vacation as a celebration for her achievement. Since the very start, alam ko naman na s'ya ang mananalo. She's brilliant and confident, plus she's Chesca, so I'm confident she'll nail it.

Natatanaw ko na ang dagat at sa kanang bahagi naman ay kitang kita ang mga naglalakihang bulubundukin. We're on a one-way road with spectacular scenery of beaches and lush forests. I suddenly remembered something.

To calm myself, I pinched my hand and took a deep breath. I don't want to be like this all the time, so I tried to appear normal so they wouldn't notice anything was wrong.

I put on my headphones and played a music to keep my mind from wandering but I held my breath, when I felt the familiar cold hands touched mine.

"You're fidgeting. May nangyari ba?" Napalingon ako kay Lance dahil sa sinabi n'ya. I never knew that he is already awake. Akala ko ay natutulog pa s'ya. I stared at his hand, which was now holding mine. It's cold and rough, but my heart feels warm.

Muli ko s'yang tiningnan sa mga mata at marahang inalis ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak n'ya. Mukha naman s'yang nagulat sa ginawa ko dahil kaagad n'yang itinago ang sariling kamay sa likod.

I shook my head to his question. "Nothing. Ahm, kailangan ko lang magbanyo."

"Oh that, malapit na naman tayo kaya konting tiis na lang. Hindi mo na ba mapigilan? Do you want me to ask Tyler to stop over so you can use a bathroom?"

Gusto kong matawa sa reaksyon n'ya. I'm simply making an excuse, and he seems to believe it. He look so problematic samantalang hindi ko naman talaga kailangan na magbanyo.

"No, don't bother. Malapit na naman tayo, pagdating na lang natin sa cabin ako gagamit ng banyo."

"Okay. If you need anything, just tell me okay?"

"Juice"

Napakunot ako ng noo dahil mukha na naman s'yang gulat na gulat. He even blinked his eyes multiple times na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

"You mean, me?" He said stuttering. Ngayon ay ako naman ang nagulat.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. Ano bang sinasabi n'ya? "I'm asking for a juice, sabi mo if I need anything, sabihin ko lang sayo."

"Juice, you mean drinks?" Tumango lang ako at lihim na napangiti. Nahihiya n'yang kinamot ang batok at inabot ang juice na nasa unahan n'ya.

"Grabe ka Lance, rinig na rinig namin yung juice tapos ikaw. Hahahahha ano bang narinig mo? You?" Nagtawanan sina Isabelle at Claire sa unahan habang si Margaux ay hinampas ng book na hawak si Lance.

"Assuming ka?"

"I heard it wrong, okay?"

"Dude, you're busted."

Hindi ko na sila pinansin nang magsimula na silang asarin si Lance. Kahit papanoo ay nawala ang kakaibang nararamdaman ko kanina, I am more calm now and my breathing are even.

"Guys, nandito na tayo, hintayin lang natin sina Stephen at Xander bago tumuloy sa loob."

Sumilip ako sa labas at tanaw na tanaw ang magandang dagat na nag-kulay kahel na dahil sa papalubog na araw. It's already kissing the mountain top and about to bid goodbye yet it still shine blindingly beautiful.

"Ang ganda diba?" I said mindlessly that I regretted afterwards when I heard Lance.

"Oo, ang ganda mo." Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang sinabi n'ya at muli na lamang tumanaw sa labas. I don't know what to say and it seems that the words just slip out on his mouth.

"Nadz, nandito na yung dalawa. Dalhin na natin ang gamit sa loob."

"Okay, gisingin ko lang si Chesca."

"Huwag na, bubuhatin ko na lang s'ya." I was out of words dahil sa sinabi ni Stephen. Ibinigay n'ya ang dalang bag kay Tyler at kaagad na binuhat si Chesca.

Hindi na ako nagsalita at inayos ko na ang gamit ko.

"Be careful guys, may bridge tayo na madadaanan." Nang matanaw ko ang bridge na tinutukoy nila ay kaagad kong inayos ang bitbit kong basket.

Huminto ako saglit at inilgay ang ilang gamit sa loob ng backpack na dala ko, para ang basket na lang na may laman na pagkain ang aking bibitbitin. Tatayo na sana ako nang muli kong maramdaman ang malamig na kamay na humawak sa akin. He's holding my arms, guiding me to stand.

Hindi ko maalis ang tingin ko sa kan'ya.

"You do like to hold me, huh?" I said out of nowhere.