Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Breaking the Rocks

On my third day in Marina, the weather was cloudy and I wasn't in the mood to go out. Ang plano sana ay pupunta kami ni Exodus sa Pueblo para mamasyal kaya lang ay mukhang uulan kaya pinagpaliban na namin.

I spent the day just looking out at the vast ocean. Malakas ang hampas ng alon dala na rin sa malakas na ihip ng hangin. I tried to read some weather news online and they said that it will rain in this area. The weather was sunny and bright in Manila according to the source.

Bumuntong hininga ako. Wala akong choice kung hindi ang maligo na lamang sa pool dahil mukhang delikado sa dagat. I don't know if this part right in front of Exodus' house is shallow. Hindi ko pa naman nasusubukang lumapit kahit na nakatatlong araw na ako rito. Pagod na pagod ako kahapon sa pamamasyal namin sa Campo Razzo. We also roamed around the central market in Sierra Marina for some fruits and snacks. Buti nga at nakabili dahil kung hindi, pagsasawaan naming dalawa ni Exodus ang sea foods na nasa ref at iilang karne.

I heard footsteps from behind. I slightly craned my neck to see Exodus walking towards my seat. Tumayo siya sa gilid ko.

"Are you planning to swim?" he implored.

"Sa pool."

"What do you want for lunch?"

"Kahit ano." I shrugged. I am not a picky eater. Basta't masarap ay pwede na. I don't also have any allergies when it comes to food that's why I could freely eat what I want.

"I asked Manang Bella to cook laswa. That's a vegetable dish by the way," imporma niya na tinanguan ko. I am not familiar with it but hearing the word vegetables, I had to agree. I needed some nutrients right now.

"May idadagdag ka pa?" aniya pa.

Ngumuso ako at napatingala na sa kaniya na nakadungaw sa akin. "Piniritong isda? Is it a good pair with lasha?"

"It's laswa, honey. Las-wa," dinahan-dahan niya ang pagbigkas at mukhang painsulto pa. I scowled at him.

"Say it again," he teased as he tap his finger on my nose. Agad kong hinawi ang kaniyang kamay at may masama ng tingin sa kaniya.

"Las-wa, Muriel. Not lasha, okay?" He enunciated, trying to emphasize the word as if I am a child. Tumayo ako sa inis sa kaniya. Kahit kailan talaga di ko natatagalan ang asungot na'to. His eyes were mischievous and his grin, like a goofy dog.

"Maliligo na 'ko," I announced.

"Is that an invitation?" He smirked and crossed his arms.

Pinaningkitan ko lamang siya ng mata at umiwas na para makaalis doon sa pinagtatambayan kong terrace. I heard him chuckled teasingly. Hindi ko na lamang pinansin at dire-diretso ako sa aming kwarto.

I removed my clothes and put it in the basket. Kumuha ako ng puting roba at nagpalit muna ng suot na bikini. I now realized that it's not Landon who packed my clothes. It was his wife, Ayana. I am sure my cousin wouldn't want to touch any of my things especially my undergarments. Kinumpirma ko na ang lahat ng nandoon sa bagahe ay mga gamit ko at walang inihalong bago. Nagkanda sobra-sobra pa nga kahit na isang linggo lang naman kami dito.

I went out of our room wearing the robe. Sumilip muna ako sa terrace upang matingnan kung nandoon pa ba si Exodus pero ni anino niya ay hindi ko nakita. I just shrugged. Baka nandoon sa kusina at sinamahan na si Manang Bella sa pagluluto. Or maybe he is in his office. Kapag wala naman kaming pag-uusapan pa ay roon siya pumupunta at tatambay ng iilang oras. Hindi ko nga naaabutan ang paghiga niya sa kama namin. I never even felt his presence even when I am asleep. I'm too haughty to even asked if he sleeps beside me. Baka sabihin niyang naghihintay akong tabihan niya, which by the way, wasn't on my bucket list.