Once The Light Fades ✅

Chapter 17 | A New Day

ZIA

Huminga ako ng malalim habang nakaabang sa pinto ng kwarto ni Hunter. Pinapasok na ako ni Tita May sa bahay nila at itinuro kung saan ang kwarto ni Hunter, sobrang late na raw nakauwi si Hunter kaya puyat.

Hindi ko na lang nasabing kasalanan ko yata kung bakit siya napuyat. We talked a lot last night, nilabas ko talaga lahat ng saloobin ko sa kanya. He just took everything and just listened.

Wala akong narinig na reklamo sa kanya. Kaya siguro mag-uumaga na ako natapos sa pagku-kwento tsaka ko na-realize na wala siyang tulog.

Tanghali ko na naisipan puntahan siya sa bahay nila.

Ang laki ng ngiti ni Mom nang sabihin kong gusto kong dalawin si Hunter, pero si Dad nakasimangot.

Hunter is someone I think that I would like to try to get to know, he's someone na mapagkakatiwalaan ko kahit na saglit ko pa lang nakikilala. May spark. May chemistry. And I can't deny myself this once in a lifetime chance, kahit panandalian lang. Kahit hindi sigurado ang future, parang ako lang.

I run my fingers on my hair a few times and shake the nerves off.

"Hindi bubukas 'yang pinto kung tititigan mo lang."

Napatili ako pagtingin ko sa kanan at napaatras naman si Jay.

"Sh*t! Sorry! Nagulat ba kita?"

I put a hand up to my chest and I try to calm my breath, "Oh my God!"

Napasandal ako sa pinto ni Hunter nang bigla itong bumukas, I fall backwards, and I fall right into his arms.

He's squinting at mukhang bagong gising and he's shirtless again.

I blush furiously as I try to regain my balance, "Hey. Good morning. Este, Good afternoon. Ano ba hapon na natutulog pa!"

Ang lakas ng tawa ni Jay, "'Wag ka mag-alala, 'di ka n'ya naintindihan, pero yung pamumula mo baka mahulaan."

Sumandal si Hunter sa hamba ng pinto n'ya habang kinukusot ang mata, "What time is it?"

Jay chuckles, "It's time to put on a shirt, cuz. You've got a visitor."

Sumilip ako sa mukha ni Hunter and he just gives me a lazy smile. He pulls at my arm, "Stop flirting with my visitor, Jay. You've got work to do."

Hinatak ako papasok ng kwarto ni Hunter and I hear Jay yell, "I wasn't flirting!"

Hunter sits on the bed and I can clearly see his tanned, shirtless body. I turn around and face the open window, "So, what's the plan for today?"

He doesn't answer, at paglingon ko nakahiga ulit siya sa kama at nakapikit. Matindi ang pinaglalaban sa antok.

I sigh and push at his arm, "Hoy. Gising."

He murmurs something unintelligible.

I push at his leg, "Hoy Hunter. Ikaw nag-offer sa akin tapos tutulugan mo lang ako?"

He puts the pillow on top of his face and murmurs, "sleep."

I push the glasses up my nose and walk towards the door, "Fine. I'll ask Jay to teach me to swim then."

Hindi ako nakarating sa pinto nang bigla n'ya akong hatakin sa baywang, "Wait."

I chuckle as I face him pero namatay ang tawa ko nang nakita siyang nakatitig sa akin.

He squints and taps on my cheek, "I like your smile, let's keep it on there shall we?"

Binawi ko ang ngiti ko and I pretend to act serious.

He chuckles, "But I've watched too many Pinoy romcoms to know that it's not proper for a lady to be in a boy's room while he's shirtless. So, I need you to leave so I can take a shower."

I bite the inside of my cheek.

He rolls his eyes and turns me around, pushes me out the door.

"I'll see you in five minutes."

Nakangiti pa rin ako habang bumababa ng hagdanan.

#

I look around the pool at nakapamaywang habang nakatabi kay Hunter na parang tawang-tawa sa tinitingnan namin.

We're in a pool sa kalapit na beach resort para maturuan ako ni Hunter mag-swim. Pero hindi kami sa adult pool nakaharap kundi sa kiddie pool.

I face him, "Are you kidding me?"

He shakes his head, "No. This is how you learn."

Takot ako sa malalim na pool, but I'm pretty sure hindi ito ang tamang paraan kung paano ako matuto. Wala yata akong napanood na movie or tv series kung saan tinuruan ang bida mag-swim sa kiddie pool.

I shake my head and start to walk away when Hunter takes my hand, "Alright. I'm kidding."

I face him brows furrowed, "This is embarrassing enough, don't you think? You really need to make fun of me?"

He turns serious, "Sorry. You're right. It's a bad joke."

I roll my eyes.

Hinatak n'ya na ako papunta sa adult pool na fortunately walang masyadong tao.

He points to my clothes as he takes off his shirt, "I think you need to put on a swimsuit."

I look around. Hindi naman siguro kailangan naka-swimsuit.

He sighs, "There's a sign right there."

He points to his right and syempre I can't see anything.

I shrug, "I can just tell them I didn't see the sign. I mean, technically I really did not see the sign."

He chuckles, "Dark humor. Nice."

Then he jumps into the pool, "C'mon the water's nice."

I whisper, "People are going to look at me."

He sighs, "No, but people will start looking at you when the lifeguard asks you to leave the pool because you're not properly dressed."

I look around and bite my lip. Lahat naman ng tao dito naka-swimsuit and my swimsuit isn't showing a whole lot, it's a one-piece pin-up style swimsuit Mom got for me.

Huminga ako nang malalim at inalis ang dress ko, I put it on a lounge chair near the pool. Pagharap ko sa pool, Hunter is giving me a once over and smiles, "Now, get your butt in the pool so we can start the lessons."

+++

20201220