Kabanata 51
Family
Nasa gitna namin ni Johansson si Lauren, she's eating her favorite seafood while Johansson accompany her. I talk to some of my relatives na mukhang hindi parin makapaniwala sa nakikita. Ate Xena and Kuya Carreon is a story that haven't been tackled yet here we are again with another story but I'm kinda surprised that some of the elders haven't been talked about it. They're civil with Johansson and they always talk about business.
Surprisingly, the island here has clear blue water and whiter sand. The hotel here is pretty nice, isolated and peaceful.
Nagkayayaan na lumangoy pagkatapos kumain ng labas, the elders stay since they prefer chatting under the shade of a nipa hut. We were oriented beforehand that we will go island hopping after this kaya lahat kami ay may dalang pamalit.
"What a beautiful sight, right?" Tumabi sa akin si Nick sa nilatag kong sarong. Tinutukoy niya si Johansson at Lauren na masayang lumalangoy sa dagat. Ngumisi ako bilang sagot.
"I've known Zeeyan for years but I've never seen him this happy, even happier when you two were dating."
"He was angry at me." Naalala ko iyong mga sinabi niya sa akin, na idadala niya ako sa altar kapag umalis ulit kami. Nag-init ang mukha ko at mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin kay Nick na nakatitig sa akin.
"Who wouldn't be angry anyway? No offense but he has the complete right to know about Lauren but I can't blame you because of all the situations happening in the past." Tumango ako, it is somehow my fault for not confronting Johansson, for not considering him while I was pregnant with Lauren. I can imagine him leaving his family to be with me in France, to take care of me and our daughter.
I heard Lauren's giggles from afar, Johansson is teaching her how to float. She isn't afraid of the sea, mukhang pinalakas ni Johansson ang loob niya. I took my phone out and capture them. Nakangiti ako habang ginagawa ko iyong home screen ng aking phone.
"What does it feel like to have a family?" Out of nowhere na tanong ni Nick, napatingin ako sakaniya. Hoping that it was a joke based on his gender but seriousness is marked on his face.
"It was wonderful, Nick. To have them is like having everything that the world can give." Ngumiti siya at niyakap ang tuhod.
"I sometimes consider being straight, I mean..." nag-iwas siya ng tingin nang saktong dumaan si Karlie sa harap namin.
"Oh anong ginagawa niyo dito? Ang boring niyo naman!"
"Aalis na ako, maiwan ko na kayo." Nagulat si Nick sa sinabi ko, akmang proprotesta siya pero mabilis akong nakalayo. Iniwan ko ang coverup ko sakanila.
"Hindi pa tayo tapos mag-usap!" Pahabol ni Nick nang hindi pa ako tuluyan nakakalayo
"Mamaya natin pag-uusapan!"
"Anong pinaguusapan niyo? Share mo naman ako!" I don't know what's with Nick's mind, is he pressured or jealous of having a family? Or Karlie pushed him to think that way? Nevertheless, I will embrace and respect his decision.
Our loud conversion divert attention of the people swimming, I didn't care much of it but when I saw Johansson's eyes on my body, I suddenly what to go back to Nick and continue our talk.
Lauren is saying something and he just nod, not taking his eyes off of me. Parang gusto ko tuloy tumakbo papunta sa dagat hanggang sa matabunan ng tubig ang buong katawan ko.
"Ang sexy ng best friend ko! Naglalaway na yung isa dyan oh!" biglang sumigaw si Maxxine at gusto ko na lang kainin ako ng buhangin. Tinignan ko siya ng masama at humalakhak lang siya.
