Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Breaking the Rocks

"Did you enjoy your stay at Adina's?" tanong sa akin ni Exodus nang magsimula na siyang mag-drive. Katatapos lang ng misa at kabababa lang din ni Adina mula sa sasakyan. Now, Exodus and I are heading towards Pueblo to buy some stuff at the mall.

"Yeah. Gusto ko nga sanang mag-extend pero baka ma-miss mo ako?" I raised a brow and grinned at him. He was busy driving but he managed to look at me.

"Now, now, don't do that to me, honey. Alam mo namang totoo 'yan." He chuckled lowly as if teasing me too. Kita ko ang ngisi sa kaniyang labi habang nagmamaneho.

"Can I go back there next week? Ah, nevermind. You know what? I'll definitely visit her every week." Humalukipkip ako at tumingin sa unahan. Kita pa rin sa gilid ng daan ang malawak na dagat.

"You like the view there more? Ayaw mo ba sa bahay? It's just the same. I don't see any difference." Nahimigan ko sa tono niya ang kalituhan.  For sure men won't spot the difference. It's natural for them to say that things are the same when truthfully it's not.

"It's not the same. I always see you there. Si Manang Bella and Manong Jobel. Palaging kayo lang."

"Ayaw mo ba sa amin?"

"No. What I mean is, maganda roon kasi araw-araw iba-ibang tao ang makikita ko. It's like a breathe of fresh air everyday," I explained to him so he can get what I am trying to point out.

Nasulyapan ko naman ang pagtango niya. Gusto ko pa siyang makita kaya tuluyan ko na siyang tiningnan. His driving slowed down. Kita kong parang nag-iisip siya. I watched him closely as he pursed his lips while almost thinking deeply. His brows meeting in the middle as if ready for a duel.

Pagkaraan ay nagsalita siya. "Do you want to live there? It's close to the site. Pwede tayong bumili--

"Woah, what?" I stopped him as I felt flabbergasted with his ideas. Napalakas pa ang boses ko dahilan para tumingin siya sa akin. His eyes then went back in front.

"What?" He chuckled. "You liked it there and it's better for you. Malapit sa site. You want to see other people--

"But I didn't say that we need to transfer or you need to buy a house or whatsoever!" Napatawa ako. "God, Exodus!" I exclaimed.

"So ayaw mo?" Wow, now he's tempting me. But I won't. It's peaceful in his place. Hindi ko naman sinabing pangit doon. I just stated my idea that I like it there in the Costa.

Umiling ako. "I like it there in your place. No need for you to buy a house or for us to transfer."

He just replied okay as if he was convinced with my answer. Minsan talaga iniisip ko nagpapapansin lang itong si Exodus para makulit niya ako.  Simpleng usapan at parang gusto pa niyang patagalin.

Hindi ko alam bakit nakatulog ako habang nagda-drive siya. Ever since we talked about Costa, he drove slowly. Kaya siguro nakatulugan ko ang biyahe dahil hindi ako sanay sa bagal ng pagmamaneho niya. He woke me up when he already parked the car at the back of the mall.

"Maraming tao?" I asked when I noticed that the parking lot was almost full.

"It's Sunday. Mas marami talaga ang pumupunta sa mall kapag weekends."

"Why?" I asked.

"Just some family activities, like in some malls."

Napatango ako. My lips formed an 'o'. "So it's normal na punuan lagi ang mall kapag weekends?" Tinanguan ako ni Exodus.

"Alam mo palang punuan ngayon so bakit ngayon tayo bibili ng gamit?"

"We're both busy during weekdays. Wala na tayong time para pumunta dito. You were with Adina yesterday so we couldn't go. You wanted to visit her so I think it's better na ngayon na lang tayo mamimili," he explained as we walked inside the mall. Inusisa kaming dalawa kahit na may scanner naman. The guards nodded at Exodus as soon as we passed at the entrance.