Stars and Monsoon Skies (Sky Series 2)

17th Verse

"Do you wanna swim?" Tanong ni Archer habang inaalalayan ako pasakay sa bangka.

Ginising ako ni Archer na may dala dalang breakfast tray kaninang umaga at kumain kami sa loob ng kwarto ko. After eating we decided to go down the lake at lumibot gamit ang bangka. 

I pouted. "Ayaw ko. Wala akong dalang swimsuit." Suot ko ang high waist denim shorts at ang white Gucci shirt na regalo ni Lexi sa 'kin noong nakaraang birthday ko. Wala akong dala na rash guard or kahit one pice man lang pang-swimming dahil hindi ko naman ini-expect na rito ako dadalhin ni Archer. We were on his province which was only about an hour or two away from Manila -- if you fly by helicopter. 

Nilagyan niya ng sapin ang upuan ko bago ako tuluyang pinaupo sa bangka. Then he took the paddles from the back before he sat across from me. Nagtatama ang tuhod namin dahil maliit lang ang bangka. Wala rin iotng pangbalanse sa magkabilang gilid. Malinis at napakalinaw ng tubig ng lake at kitang kita na halos ang ilalim nito kaya naman nakaka-tempt magswimming.

"I forgot to tell you to bring one. Sorry, I was just excited to spend the weekend with you." He said apologetically.

"Okay lang 'yon, ano ka ba." I smiled at him, watching his arms flex as he row the boat using the paddles.

His knees kept bumping on mine as he moved. And I became hyperaware of him.

Medyo lumalayo na kami sa dock at steady lang ang paggalaw ng bangka dahil mukhang expert na si Archer magpaandar nito. Pero ang kapit ko sa gilid ng bangka ay mahigpit dahil takot ako na baka bigla kaming tumaob.

"You can swim using those clothes. Or you can just remove it." He smirked, watching my reaction.

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses, iniisip kung tama ba ang narinig ko. But the smile on his face told me it was.

"Hoy! Ang manyak mo!" Sabi ko at tinakpan ang dibdib ko.

Biglang umalog ang bangka dahil tumawa siya ng malakas. The paddles almost slip from his hands when he put his hand on his belly. "I can't believe you still think I'm a pervert." He said in between laughs.

My brow furrowed a little. "Still?"

Tumango siya at nakangiti pa rin.

"We've been through a lot of things, Jules." He said fondly at tinuloy niya ang ang pagsasagwan. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta pero hindi ko na makita ang rest house nila sa kabilang dulo. Mukhang malayo layo na ang narating namin.

"Nakarating na ba ako rito...dati?" Tanong ko.

He nodded but did not elaborate so I asked further.

"Kailan?"

He shrugged. "When we were young, your father renovated our rest house at hindi ka pumayag na hindi ka niya isama rito. That was your first time, at naulit na ng naulit 'yon."

Napakagat ako sa labi ko dahil kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko maalala 'yon.

"How do you handle this situation? I mean, sa 'tin dalawa ikaw lang ang nakakaalala. Hindi ka ba napapagod?"

He stopped rowing and place the paddles in between us. "I won't ever get tired of you, Jules. I'm willing to wait."

I wanted to ask him why but I think I already know the reason behind it.