Beneath The Clandestine Paradise (Chaotic Series #3)

Kabanata 10

Beneath The Clandestine Paradise

Kabanata 10

"Ano'ng gagawin mo sa Moalboal?"

I folded my bikini top and put it in my duffle bag. Then, I piled up my lotions, sunscreen, cream, and other necessities. I decided to go to Moalboal now, hoping to collect some memories.

"I just want to unwind. I'll only be there for a short while, not a whole week." I said as I zipped up my duffle bag.

"Hindi ako papayag."

My eyes narrowed as I turned to look at Ruiz on my bed.

"Do I need your approval, anyway?"

"I'm going back to L.A in the few next days. Your bodyguard is on leave. I can't leave because there won't be anyone to watch over the site. I'm not going to allow you to go alone."

"Hindi. Ako. Mamamatay." I said emphatically. "Stop overprotecting me. Look," nilahad ko ang isa kong kamay habang nakapameywang. "I've been here for months, back and forth, and we're breathing the same polluted air. Lupa ang tinatapakan ko at hindi langit. I can leave alone without a bodyguard, okay, huh?"

I'm not receiving any threats to my life, so I'm safe. Wala rin naman akong nararamdamang mali sa paligid ko. I can freely go outside without a convoy.

"I'll be with you."

"No! I want to be alone! Naman Ruiz, e! Let me do what I want!"

He heaved a sigh and look defeated now. If we keep arguing about this, I won't even consider his courtship anymore.

"Fine. What time is your flight? I'll take you to the airport."

Ganoon nga ang nangyari. Our argument did not prolong. I left early in the morning, and he drove me to NAIA.

Grim is out. He left yesterday and will be back the next day. I found out that Maura is in Bacolod now since she filed for five days of leave. Her dad is in critical condition, and she went straight to Bacolod.

I arrived in Moalboal, Cebu at seven in the morning. I have the spare key to our old house near the island. Katapat lang ng aming old house ang malayang island ng Moalboal. Ang old house ng magulang ko ay ginawang rest house ni Arivaro. There are rest houses too but most of them were closed.

"Good morning, Ma'am," an old caretaker greeted me. "Matagal na po ang huli niyong bisita rito, Ma'am, ah?"

I was surprised when he still remembers me. Matanda na ang lalaking caretaker at kahit limang taon akong hindi nakabalik dito, tanda niya pa rin ako. He is the caretaker of all the rest houses here.

"Good morning, Kuya," I smiled at the old man. "Bibisita lang po ako rito saglit."

"Sakto, Ma'am, at nalinisan ko na po ang loob. Magtatagal ho ba kayo rito sa rest house niyo?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi, Kuya. Sa susunod, babalik ulit akong Manila. I just really wanted to visit here."

"O siya, sige, Ma'am. Sana mag-enjoy ang panunuloy niyo rito. Mas gumanda ang island natin sa lumipas na taon. Tawagan niyo lang po ako kung may kailangan kayo."

"Okay po. Thank you. Magandang umaga."

"Magandang umaga." The old man nodded at me and smiled.

I inserted the key into the hole and turned it to open the door. Masiyadong tahimik. Siguro dahil walang tao ang mga katabi kong rest house.

A cool breeze entered as I pushed the door open. I dropped my bag on the floor and walked to the kitchen. I placed the groceries I bought earlier on the dining table.