Ocean's Captured Memories (Isla Series #4)

17

"Hindi nakakatuwa! Hinding-hindi ako matutuwa!"

Everybody was laughing as if it was the last time they'd do that. Meanwhile, Kianu was stressed out as he walked back and forth in front of us.

"Huwag ka kasing mang gago kung ayaw mo ma-gago." Sasy raised her middle finger, rolling her eyes.

"Hindi mo naman surfboard 'yon! Pero 'tong binalibag mo, akin!" Kito raised his surfboard in front of Sasy. It was torn in half.

Nag-prank na naman kasi siya. Nakakita siya ng surfboard na bali na nakalapag sa buhanginan. Kinuha 'yon at pagkabalik ni Sasy galing sa shawarma stall, sabi ni Kito na kaniya raw. Bigla namang kinuha ni Sasy ang board ni Kito at hinampas 'yon sa puno, hindi nagpapatalo.

"Don't act like you're shocked. It's your fault," I told him. Pinandilatan niya ako ng mata, inaakalang kakampi niya ako. I stuck my tongue out.

"Medyo uto-uto kasi si Sasy today," pagbibiro ni Raya habang naglalapag ng sarong niya sa buhanginan.

"Bawi next life, Kito." Maki tapped his shoulder, laughing.

"Palitan mo 'to!" Kito sat in front of Sasy, glaring at her. "Kasalanan mo 'to," pagbintang pa niya. Tumango si Sasy, walang pakialam.

"Nandito na kami!" Jericho's voice was so loud that even when he was still a few meters apart, we heard him. Kasama niya si Esme na mukhang naiilang.

"Nandito ka at siya. Walang kayo," pambabara ni Raya.

Jericho laughed and gave Raya a thumbs up, not getting offended. Nagtanggal siya ng t-shirt at tinapon 'yon sa banig bago hinatak si Kito patayo. They climbed up a tree to get some coconuts.

"Be careful!" I shouted, feeling afraid when Kito's grip loosen on the tree. I saw him closed his eyes for a second before he laughed.

"Ang taas naman pala nito! Scary!" pabirong reklamo niya at nagpatuloy pa rin dahil sanay naman siyang umakyat ng puno.

"Baba. Ako na riyan," seryosong sabi ni Marco nang nadulas na naman ang kamay ni Kito. Hindi nakinig si Kianu. Hindi naman talaga 'yan makikinig.

"Ang tigas ng ulo niyan. 'Wag ka nang umasa." Bumuntong-hininga ako. Inakbayan ako ni Maki at tinapik-tapik ang daliri sa braso ko dahil alam niyang naiinis ako.

Nang nakatapak na sila sa buhangin, doon palang ako nakahinga nang maluwag. Sinermunan kaagad ni Maki si Kito pero hindi naman siya nasindak.

"Cali, can you help me here?" Esme asked me with a smile. Tumango ako at tinanggap ang binigay niyang pangkayod ng buko.

We did the famous refreshing island drink called lamaw. We added some crushed Fita biscuit, condense, and ice along with the coconuts. It tasted so good because the coconuts were sweet today.

"Magpa-check up ka na kaya?" nag-aalalang sabi ko habang nilalagyan ng cotton ball ang ilong ni Kito. His nose out of the blue bled again.

"Okay nga lang ako! Sobrang init naman kasi kanina tapos diretso akong naligo pagkarating natin dito sa bahay," pagrason niya.

Bumaling ako kay Tita Kiara sa kusina. "Tita, oh! Ayaw makinig!" pagsusumbong ko, ginugulo ang buhok ko sa inis.

Tita Ira laughed but it turned into a small smile. "Sa init lang 'yan, nak. Uminom kayo ng maraming tubig tsaka gamot. And always rest," she reminded, sounding a bit weak.

I immediately got worried and approached her. "Okay ka lang po, Tita? Ako na magluluto. Magpahinga ka na muna."

Nagkatinginan si Kito at Tita. Kito looked at her with no emotions on his face. Tita drew her gaze back to  me and gave me the knife before leaving the kitchen.