Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 30

Kabanata 30

Sweet Pacific Breezes

I stared at the television while the image of Ira on TV was flashed on the screen. The news about Ira's rescue and release was already airing in National TV, and just like as promised, pinakita nila ang news isang linggo matapos pakawalan si Ira. Pinangangambahan ko kasi na baka mahuli ulit si Ira at masaktan, but Isidore told me that the local authorities are trying to monitor the sea areas, as well as the islands next to Marina.

My anxiety about Ira's safety was slowly melting. Isa pa, ayaw kong dagdagan ang aking stress.

Napatingin ako sa inilapag na gatas ni Isidore sa aking harapan. It's a morning on a weekday and we're just trying to relax before we go to work. Alas nuebe pa naman ang pasok namin kaya alam kong mapapanuod ko pa naman ang news. I miss Ira already and the pictures of her on my phone isn't enough to make me not miss her. Seeing her again on TV made me go back in time where I was just feeding her, guiding her to swim and giving her the care she needed. Parang doon ko nakikita ang sarili na inaalagaan din ang sarili kong anak.

"The breakfast is ready in five minutes. Mamaya ka na lang ba maliligo?" Isidore asked. Tumingala ako sa kaniya. He had already showered while I still wore my overnight pajamas. Sabay rin kami kaninang lumabas, he had his morning jog while I savored the view of the sea on my morning walk. Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob pero tinamad lang akong gumalaw para maligo.

Tumango ako. My feet were aching and I don't know why. Kaya nga ayaw ko sanang pumasok sa trabaho pero ayaw ko namang abusuhin iyon. And my stomach's not that heavy for me to gain an aching feet after a few walks. Ni hindi nga ako tumagal doon ng isang oras.

Umupo si Isidore sa tabi ko. He glanced at the tv before his eyes made its way to my feet. Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa akin.

"Give me your feet. Alam kong kanina mo pa minamasahe iyan."

"It's fine."

"It's not fine. Come on," banayad na aniya at mas lumapit pa sa akin. He glanced at my feet once more. Gumalaw ako pero hindi tuluyan. I inched closer to the edge of the couch but he stopped my legs from moving.

Dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang aking mga paa. I had no choice but to shift my body so that I was facing him. He subtly plopped both of my feet to his lap. Medyo inilayo niya sa akin ang sarili para mas mailagay niya ang aking mga paa sa kaniyang kandungan. I almost closed my eyes when his warm fingers slightly pinched my toes.

"Are you uncomfortable?" tanong niya sa akin habang malambot niyang pinipiga ang aking paa. The pain was almost relieving, as if all of the vessels in my body could breathe.

"Hmm? It's okay."

I felt him shifted again, this time, he was slightly facing me and almost accommodating my feet and lower legs. His other hand travelled at the back of my lower legs, pressing the muscle that caused me to almost moan in satisfaction.

"Ah," I winced slightly when he put some pressure on my tendon. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. His eyes held caution and he loosened his hold on my ankle.

"Sorry, masakit ba?" he asked carefully. Tumango ako. Hindi naman siya sobrang masakit, nagulat lang ako dahil masyado niyang pinisil. He must have been lost in his thoughts.

He's been busy. Palagay ko ay mas maraming tumatawag sa kaniya nitong nakaraang araw. He barely had time to look away from his computer and to relax. I didn't want to ask but what could those calls probably about? Ang pagkakaalam ko kasi ay kumukuha siya ng program, like a masteral program, and then he had the research which was adjoint to MAW. But now that I seem to have the chance to ask him, I wanted to just stay silent and admire him from this distance.