Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikaanim na Kabanata

Kabanata 6

Stupid name

My eyes were wandering around as the boat was nearing the island. Malinaw ang tubig, kitang - kita ang ganda ng ilalim ng dagat. It was the second time I've been here in Alibijaban, and I was excited as much as the first time.

Teryo was with me and he paid for the whole trip. Hindi naman iyon libre, babayaran ko rin ang lalaki. He was too trusting, he didn't even question me. Siguro naawa rin ito sa estado ko noong nauna kaming nagkita.

Hinayaan kong tangayin ng hangin ang buhok ko. It felt like a main character moment, well, I have always been the main character. At kahit kontrabida ang ganap ko, mas minamahal pa rin ng tao ang karakter ko sa mga pelikula.

Sumalok ako ng tubig dagat. I let the waves run through my hand, it gave me satisfaction for some reason.

"What?" I asked Teryo. Kanina ko pa siyang nahuhuling nakatingin sa akin. "Alam kong maganda ako..."

"I can look, mayroon akong mata," sagot niyang sarkastiko.

Lumipat ang tingin ko sa bangkero. We are already near the shore. "P'wede bang itigil ang bangka? Gusto ko lang lumangoy sa parteng ito." They glanced at Teryo before nodding their head.

I excitedly took off my shirt. Hinubad ko rin ang suot na pang-ibaba. Tumalon ako sa sa dagat.

"Careful!" rinig kong pahabol ni Teryo bago ako lumubog sa tubig.

Lumangoy ako palibot sa bangka, sinulit ko ang bawat dampi ng tubig sa aking katawan. I enjoyed myself so much in the water and let myself float while facing the sunlight.

Bukod sa matinding sikat ng araw, tanaw ko rin sa gilid ng aking mata ang mapagmatyag na titig ni Teryo. Nanunuot ang titig na iyon sa aking balat.

An instant smirk formed my lips. Hinayaan akong anurin ako ng alon palayo. Nang makalayo ako ng ilang distansya, umakto akong hindi ko magawang igalaw ang aking binti.

"Shit!" I squealed with terror. "Oh, gosh! I can't feel my legs!"

Lumubog ako sa ilalim ng tubig para mas makatotohanan ang pag-arte ko. I kept resurfacing trying to glimpse at Teryo's panicked face, but I couldn't see it every time my head was out of the water.

The next thing I felt was the hand gently lifting me up. Ipinulupot ko ang aking kamay sa kanyang batok, sumandal ako sa kanyang dibdib. Hinayaan ko siyang hilahin ako hanggang tuluyan kaming makarating sa bangka.

I could feel the fast beating of his heart. Rinig ko ang pintig ng kanyang dibdib.

I let out a small laugh. Tumingin ako sa kanya. "It's a prank, Teryo. I was just joking around."

His worried expression changed. Hindi ko mabasa ang kanyang mukha. Unti - unti siyang lumayo sa akin.

"Where's the funny part?" seryoso niyang tanong.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Can't you see I'm laughing? Just means it was funny."

"Funny to you. Tumatawa ba ako? Do I look amused?"

Pinagmasdan ko siyang mabuti. There was no hint of smile nor amusement on his expression.

"Are you worried?" I smirked. "You're such a killjoy,"

"Ang stupid ng tanong," bulong niyang nahagip ng pandinig ko. "Of course, I was worried. Sino bang hindi? I heard your scream. You were in distress. Hindi ko matatanggap na sa maaksidente ka habang nasa poder ko. It wasn't fucking funny."