In Time (Twist of Fate Series #1)

Thirty

"Seraysta Island is so beautiful," I commented as I saw the island. We're getting near there.

Nagkaroon ng voluntarily community service ang kakilala kong taga Taranquil City at napag-isipan kong sumama sa kanya. Nakasakay kami sa isang bangka na pang island hopping. Islets were visible from here and they were everywhere. The sound of gushing waves were loud but it made my mind calm.

Okay na sana. Maayos na ako dahil simula noong nagkita kami ni Matmat no'n sa mall at noong tinanong niya kung single daw ba ang may-ari ng A-Mora Boutique ay inirapan ko lang siya. Umalis din naman siya kaagad.

Ngayon... Hindi ko na talaga alam. Kasama rin siya. Nasa iisang bangka kami. Kami ni Matmat. Little did I know the he had also known Xean, the one who told me about this community service thing. Xean is a cook. He will cook for everyone who lives in the baranggay. One more thing, he was the one organized this volunteer program.

Of course, of course, Matmat loves to go as a volunteer especially in this kind of situation that he is now a certified pedia. Even before, he would always go on community services. Xean told me that Matmat will give children and adults free checkups.

Seraysta Island has only one small baranggay which they called Kundiman. Baranggay Kundiman, Seraysta Island.

When we arrived there, some people greeted us and they introduced their names. Sila raw ang tagapamahala ng lugar at nagpapasalamat sila sa aming pagpunta. We shook hands and gave each other a warm embrace.

My eyes met Matmat's genuine smile to them. He almost caught me looking at him. No. I meant... I was just... glancing at him.

Nag-stay muna kami sa isang maliit na bed and breakfast. Ang sabi ng receptionist nila ay two person per room daw. Si Xean na ang hinila ko but he refused.

"Shokla ka, sis, hindi tayo talo," he said in disgusting voice and playfully rolled his eyes. Ito talagang Xean na 'to! Nasa front desk kami at narinig iyon ng babae. Siya lang ang kilala ko maliban kay Matmat! Akala ko ba na-settle na ang pags-stay-han namin?

Iilan lang kaming volunteers na na-recruit ni Xean. Tatlo kaming babae at tatlo rin na lalaki. Mukhang close 'yong dalawang babae kaya sila na yata ang roommate. Mukhang may nahila na rin si Xean na kasama.

I gulped when I realized that Matmat and I are the only ones without roommate. Shit, huwag mong sabihin-- "Ma'am and Sir, comportable po ba kayo na magsama in one room? Packed na po kasi kami at tatlong room lang po ang naka-reserve para sa inyo."

I inwardly cursed. Walang kasalanan si Xean dito pero first time in my life na gusto kong manggulpi ng tao. Apat dapat kaming babae at dalawang lalaki. Edi pair na sana 'yon. Kaya lang, may nag-back out dahil sa schedule nito kaya si Matmat ang pumalit sa posisyon ng umalis.

"Wala na bang available room, Miss? Okay lang kahit magbayad ako," Matmat asked in a soft voice. Psh, ngiti-ngiti naman 'yong babae! Kahit napangiti niya ang babae ay wala na itong room na maibigay sa kanya.

Bandang huli, inasar tuloy ako ni Xean. Habang naglalakad papunta sa designated room namin, which is, magkakatabi lang din, tumabi siya sa akin, siniko ako. "Galingan mo, huh," he whispered.

I gave him a deadly glare. "Andito tayo para mag-volunteer, Xean. Ihagis kita riyan sa dagat, eh!" I hissed.

He tsked. "Ikaw na 'tong binibigyan ng hot reward, eh," makahulugang aniya. "See? You're in the same room with that hot doctor." He giggled and swayed my arms.

"We went here to help, Xean, not to flirt with our roommate!" I hissed.

"Helping din naman ginagawa ko, ah. I'm helping you." Then, he gave me a mischievous smirk.