Embracing the Wind (Formentera Series #2)

Prologue

"Yes! That's perfect, babe! You've got a perfect face and body, huh? One more time! Put your fingers on your lips and bring me a fierce pose!"

I did what I was told. I put my fingers on my lips as I looked at the camera. Aster clapped her hands when she's finally satisfied. "Okay! Let's take a break!" she said as if she's really my photographer. I chuckled.

I smiled at the staffs and went to Aster. She was busy looking at my photos. I sat down beside her. "Are they good?" I asked.

"These are..." She seriously looked at me.

I bit my lips. "Aren't they good?" I lowered my voice.

"These photos are perfect! Ganda mo, marecakes!" Mahina niya akong siniko kaya nagpakawala ako nang mahinang pagtawa.

"You shouldn't be here. Bakit nandito ka?" Binuksan ko ang bottled water at tinignan siya. She was still busy.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I was bored. Kasi naman! Palagi na lang akong nakakulong sa bahay. Gumraduate na ako't lahat wala pa rin akong jowa. Teh! Napag-iiwan na ako. Walang nanliligaw! Ubusan ng hotdog kaya dapat bilisan ang paghahanap!" She rested her back on the back of the chair.

"Kailan ka pa nahumaling sa pagkakaroon ng boyfriend?"

She rolled her eyes. "Bawal mag jowa, teh? Gusto ko lang ng jowa, e."

I just shook my head. "Are you busy, As?"

"Inangyan. Parang tunog pwet talaga ang tawag mo sa'kin, Yen," she said without giving me a look.

Natawa ako nang malakas dahil sa sinabi niya. "Sorry na. Ano ba kasing pinagkakaabalahan mo?"

"Itong mga followers ko sa Instagram. Parang mga boang. Nag pa-question and answer kasi ako tapos may isa rito na nagtanong. Ang kalat kasi ng tanong nakakahiya naman 'tong followers ko, hindi ko kayang sagutin 'to," problemadong sambit niya.

"What's her question?"

"Morning sex or late night sex?"

I arched my eyebrow. May mga ngiti sa labi niya. Aster is my friend. Alam kong gusto niya ang tanong na iyon. "And what's your answer?"

She wore her Retro Squared sunglasses like a savage queen as she said, "Every hour."

I chuckled. "You and your jokes." I shook my head.

"Sa true lang, marecakes. NBSB nga ako, e, 'di ba sobrang tumal ng buhay. Malapit na nga bahayan ng sapot 'tong petchay ko." She pouted her lips.

Napailing na lang ako. "Why don't you get a boyfriend then?" I asked.

She heaved a heavy sigh and punched the air. Para bang bigla siyang napikon. "Parang tanga 'to! Yen, 'di ka ba nakikinig? Tatampalin na kita. Kailangan ulit-ulit? Walang nanliligaw, teh!" She then rolled her eyes.

I chuckled again. "Edi ikaw ang manligaw?" I suggested.

She looked at me again with her sparkling eyes. "Owemji, Yen! Nag-iisip ka na! Oo nga 'no? Ako na lang kaya ang lumandi sa mga lalaki?"

My brows wiggled. "It's not flirting, Aster. You have no suitors so why don't you just court the one you like?" I clarified.

Mahina niya akong hinampas. "Pareho na rin 'yon! Osya, lalarga na me. Wiz pa lafang ma. Lalafang muna akis ng hotdog, okeh? Mag pose ka na ro'n!" She stood up and kissed my cheeks.

I stood up and waved my hands at her. Nang tuluyan siyang makalabas ay siyang pagdating ng totoong photographer ko.

"Shucks! I'm sorry, I'm late, Yen!" There was nervousness in her eyes so I smiled.