Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikatlong Kabanata

Kabanata 3

Teryo & Michelle

The falls was a majestic sight.

We went to Banaba falls to see such exquisite beauty. Isa ito sa mga pinuntahan kong tanawin sa San Andres. I had fun with the island and the hills. It was a group of five people with me on the tour. Hindi ko kilala ang mga ito at wala akong balak kilalanin sila.

I removed the thin clothing covering my sexy body as I plunged myself into the water. Hindi ko pinansin ang ilang matang nakatingin sa gawi ko. I could feel the stares, but I chose to ignore them. Hindi naman bago sa akin ang ganoong senaryo.

It wasn't my concern. Andito ako para layuan ang magulong buhay sa siyudad. It was one of the best decisions I had so far in life --- away from the glamour city of toxicity.

Malaya ako. Malaya kong nagagawa ang mga bagay na gusto ko ng walang panghuhusga ng media at mga taong wala namang alam sa buhay ko. I enjoyed the cold water touching my bare skin.

For the first time in awhile, I was stress-free.

The group stayed near the falls to camp for the whole night. I was with a group of friends and our tour guide. Tatlong lalaking magkakaibigan kasama ang isang girlfriend ng mga ito.

They tried to talk to me several times, but I didn't really entertain their intentions. I was never in the mood to make friends with anyone especially on my vacation.

Hindi pa ako sigurado kung kailan ako babalik ng siyudad... o kung may balak pa akong bumalik. Sa ngayon, kontento ako sa kapayapaang natatamasa ko. Nobody recognized me with my new look.

Nagpahid ako ng lotion sa loob ng tent para makaiwas sa lamok at ibang insektong nangangagat. I brought my own tent. Nabili ko lang iyon sa night market. It was mura. Everything here is so mura, unlike sa siyudad.

Lumabas ako ng tent upang magpahangin. I walked near the falls. Rinig ko ang pagbagsak ng tubig, lumapit ako rito at naupo sa batuhan. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

The group was already having dinner when I came back to the camp site. Hindi naman nagtaka ang tour guide, nagpaalam ako rito. Tinawag ako ng isa sa mga lalaking sumabay sa pagkain pero tinanggihan ko ang paanyaya.

I wasn't hungry. Tinanggihan ko ang paanyaya at pumasok ng mag-isa sa tent ko. My body was sore from swimming all day. Sulit naman ang pagod ko. Instead of spending my time outside with them in the bonfire, I decided to sleep.

Nagising akong nauuhaw. Walang laman ang tumbler na nasa tent ko. The party seemed to die down. Mukhang tulog na ang mga kasama ko sa camp. Hinanap ko ang phone ko para tingnan ang oras.

It was already late at night. Bumangon ako dala ang tumbler upang kumuha ng maiinom, iniwan ko na ang phone sa loob.

Nadatnan kong nakasalampak sa table si Mang Bayani, ang tour guide ng aming grupo. Napataas naman ang kilay ko. Iniwan nila ang matanda sa labas ng tent. The outside was cold, I wanted to hug myself.

Hinayaan ko ang lalaki. Like I could carry a grown ass man on my own? I rolled my eyes. I can't, obviously.

I let the water grace my throat. Nakarinig ako ng kaluskos hindi kalayuan, sinundan ko iyon ng aking paningin. Kinagat ko ang aking labi.

Well, curiosity kills the cat and characters who are nosy dies first in a movie. I played such characters in some of my movies, I'm the main character there. Hindi ako basta - bastang mamatay sa movies na pinagbidahan ko. I don't have that unrealistic unlimited life in real life.