Ocean of Feathers

22 - SS United States

The short story that will be posted here will be dedicated to Ma. Ellaiza Nicole Gauring. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

22 – SS UNITED STATES

Nicole Gauring, sa sandaling marinig ang pangalang ito isa lamang ang lalabas sa bibig nang nakararami.

Perpekto.

My name flaunts the perfectness, from my family background, my early achievements and my covered traits that have been circulating around this damn society.

Dahil anak ako ng isang sikat ng negosyante at politiko, kailangang pino, kalkulado at tama ang lahat ng ikinikilos ko.

I should live with lies under the dim white lights.

I can't choose my friends, my hobbies, parties to enjoy and even speak freely with my mind. I was like a staged daughter, trying to be prayed for bigger fish for power and authority.

"Nicole, tomorrow you'll be meeting your soon to be boyfriend." I nodded.

Sinabi na sa akin ni Mama nitong nakaraang linggo na may kailangan akong kilalanin, hindi na ako nagulat nang sabihin nilang magiging nobyo ko ito.

My life is boring, myself is damn boring and everything about me is boring.

I was waiting near our poolside when I heard the few steps from my back. I know it's him. My boyfriend.

"Hi?"

Hindi ako lumingon sa kanya, I waited for him to sit on the free chair beside me. Hindi naman ako naghintay dahil naupo na nga ito sa tabi ko.

"You are?"

"Nicole, and you?" nang sandaling lumingon ako sa kanya agad tumama sa aking mga mata ang pamilyar na nunal sa tungki ng ilong niya.

I've never seen him before but why looking at him right now gives me nostalgic feeling?

"Justine,"

I was still looking at his face when he claimed my hand and gave me his light kiss on it. I felt the sudden heat on my face while looking at his handsome face.

"H-Have we met before?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko.

"Hundred of years ago?" kumunot ang noo ko bago siya tumawa sa akin.

"I'm not kidding, have we met before?" umiling siya sa akin. "Sa panahong ito, ngayon pa lang."

"What do you mean?"

"Wala pa bang batang babae na dumadalaw sa'yo?"

"Hindi ko naiintindihan ang sinasabi mo, anong batang babae?" saglit niya akong tinitigan bago siya tumanaw sa pool.

"She's really starting to fade away—wala pa siya sa kalahati."

"Excuse me, Justine—but I really can't understand you."

Hindi ito sumagot sa akin sa halip ay tumayo ito at hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong kamay. I shouted at the top of lungs before we finally swallowed by the cold water.

Humihingal ako at ilang beses nagpaulan nang mura kay Justine na tawa nang tawa habang pilit kong gustong umangat sa tubig.

But when I finally opened my eyes to see the whole view—what the?

"What the hell?! Where are we?!"

Kasalukuyan kaming lumulutang sa gitna nang asul na dagat habang nakatigil ang isang napakalaking barko.

I saw a little girl sitting near the railing while she's busy holding his straw hat with the wind blowing her long hair.

"W-Where are we? What's going on Justine?"

To my horror, I saw different set of dress all over my body. Kahit si Justine ay ganito pa rin.

"This is the day that we first met, you tried to drown yourself but I saved you. So now," he held my face with his eyes full of love.

"Let me drown you with my kisses." 

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VentreCanard