The Captain's Only Sea (Cavanaugh #4)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Found

My mind was in panic that moment he asked why my chest felt so soft. It was because of the fabric of my baby bra, not because I have the large breasts.

Bakit natataranta akong makapag-isip ng idadahilan? Dahil ba sa ayaw kong malaman niya ang totoo?

Kasi paano nga kung malaman niya? Baka hindi niya na ako kakausapin, kakaibiganin? Lalapitan? Kagaya ng ibang babae sa school. He was snob and cold to them, oftentimes rude, and sometimes harsh.

So what? Ano naman kung gano'n nga ang gagawin niya? Why did I care so much? Is it because I was starting to get fond of this little friendship we shared? That I was afraid it might turn into sea foam? Die. Decaying algal matter that wash ashore brought by waves.

That was in our science lesson I could relate. I did listen in class. Most especially when the teacher tells advance and extra knowledge.

Again, thinking about one of my problems, engaging myself with Daumier. Dahil takot akong mawala ang pagkakaibigan na 'yon? Kung sakaling malalaman niyang babae nga ako?

Wala na akong ibang naidahilan at mabuti ay hindi naman halata sa ekspresyon ko na hindi na ako mapakali sa kung ano man ang maisasagot ko.

Sinabi ko na lang na dahil 'yon sa suot kong jacket niya. Makapal naman kasi iyon. Kapani-paniwala rin naman. Besides, my chest was flat. It would grow soon. I hoped so, or not.

At first he was not convinced of my reason. I thought he would not gonna buy it. But eventually, he nodded that removed some thorns that prickled in my chest. I was in relief.

Naniwala na siguro siya. Kasi hindi rin naman halata na may pambabae'ng dibdib ako. Kapani-paniwala rin iyong rason ko at baka nga ay iniisip niya nang guni-guni niya lang iyon. Dahil kagagaling niya lang din namang nahulog sa bangka at basang-basa siya.

Binigay ko sa kaniya ang suot kong jacket na pag-aari niya dahil wala siyang suot na pang-itaas. Kailangan niya kasing hubarin iyon dahil basa at baka ay magkasakit pa siya kapag natuyuan siya. Tinanggap niya rin naman ang sarili niyang jacket na kanina ay pinahiram niya sa akin.

May rason nga naman talaga kung bakit sinuot ko na lang 'yong jacket niya kanina. Kung hindi ko tinanggap 'yon at hindi siya mapilit ay baka nabasa na rin ito. Buong gabi siyang magtitiis sa lamig kung sakali.

Hindi na kami nakatulog pagkatapos at pinili na lamang pagmasdan ang angking mahiwagang kagandahan ng gabi sa kalagitnaan ng laot. It seemed romantic that I had seen in movies, if only we're couples.

I was sitting on the side seat of the small boat with my chin resting on the gunwale of the boat. My body was positioned sideward. One hand was down, touching the dark sea waters in slow, repeated back and forth movement.

Daumier was comfortable on the seat of the opposite side with his arms spread, and resting on the top capping corner of the boat. His body was like being crucified because of his position but in a sitting situation. Directly facing my side-viewed body.

We did not have any watch. He was not wearing his wristwatch. Ang sabi niya ay sinusuot niya lang iyon kapag may lakad o pasok.

Yeah, even the time. Nothing was really useful or helpful in this situation we're stuck in. Wala kaming kaalam-alam kung ano'ng oras na at ilang oras na ang lumipas. Madilim pa rin naman ang paligid pero iyong buwan ay unti-unti'ng bumababa sa kasalungat nitong direksyon kung saan ito umangat kanina. I was in my reverie whilst Daumier was spacing out.

That was all we did to let the time come and pass by.

Unsure of the time that we spent here, maybe an hour surfed along with the soft waves, Daumier started singing some sort of a western, vikings or pirate song as he drummed one palm on the boat.