Wrath of the Blazing Sun (Isla del Tesoro #3)

07

07

Changes

"Did you enjoy your food, Flaire? Masarap 'di ba?" Tanong ni Xenon nang matapos kumain. We were both standing outside the kainan.

Tumango ako kasi tama naman siya. Ang sarap ng pagkain even if the environment is a bit crowded.

And smells... Really greasy.

"Let's go, Flaire. Dun tayo sa sakayan,"

"Ng?"

"Tricycle."

Saglit akong nagulat. Tricycle? With this type of outfit I'm wearing? Tsaka isa pa... Ang laki ni Xenon! Kasya ba kami?

"Hey, Xenon... Would we fit in a tricycle together?"

"Kung hindi, don ako sa likod..." He tapped my head gently.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "I'm not a kid! When you do that, I'll look like one."

"Pano naman?" Mapang-asar niyang sabi. I saw how his smile reached his eyes. Humalukipkip pa siya habang hinihintay ang sagot ko.

Patuloy ko siyang pinanliitan ng mata habang nakahalukipkip din. "Well, you're too tall and big compared to me. Para kang Kuya ko... No, like Ruce!"

"Talaga?" Nangingisi niyang sabi. "'Yung pinsan mo?"

I nodded. "But you smile more. You express yourself better than my... Cousin," Bumagsak ang tingin ko kasabay ng buntong hininga.

Xenon looked confused with my reaction.

"Bat bigla kang nalungkot?"

I pursed my lips before shaking my head. "I just can't help but get sad sa tuwing naiisip kong mas malaki pa ang tsansa na ikasal si Ruce sa baril kaysa sa babae."

"What?" Gulat at amused na sabi ni Xenon.

"Don't tell him I mentioned this ha!" Pinandilatan ko si Xenon. "I mean, he prefers guns better than girls-- I mean, people!" I sighed again.

Muling hinaplos ni Xenon ang ulo ko. "Alam mo, kaya na ng pinsan mo ang sarili niya. If he doesn't like it, let him be. Although baka mamaya ay magbago pa ang isip niya. For now, you should think of yourself more."

"Pero-"

"Flaire, don't stress yourself by thinking about the future. Just let life flow and choose the best decision for each situation." Ngumiti siya bago kumindat. "Oh 'di ba? Rhyming pa."

Inirapan ko siya bago sumang-ayon ng tango. "Fine. Tama ka naman,"

"Sungit," Sambit niya at akmang pipisilin ang pisngi ko ngunit naunahan ko nang sipatin ang kamay niya.

"Ikaw ha! Don't touch my face, Xenon!" I threatened him. "Dumi-dumi ng kamay mo! Did you even clean your hands? Yuck!"

"Ito naman! Judger!" Ngumuso siya. "Malinis naman kamay ko ah!"

"Okay e 'di malinis! But don't touch my face!"

"I like teasing you." Nang-aasar niyang sabi.

"Well, I don't! Baka nakakalimutan mo na halos kakakilala lang natin? Wala pang dalawang araw ha!" And to think that Lolo and Ruce asked me to be nice to him? How can I when he's like this?!

Imbes na maapektuhan sa sinabi ko ay mas lalo pang natuwa si Xenon Ashenbert. "Really? Wala pang dalawang araw? Why does it feel like I've been with you for such a long time?"

What does he mean by that? Kakakilala ko lang sa kaniya.

Sinipat ko siya ng tingin bago tumalikod at maglakad papalayo. "Ewan ko sa 'yo. Talk to yourself, not me! You're really stressing me out. Kung ano-ano lumalabas sa bibig mo-" I was so busy talking and squinting my eyes that I didn't realize na may parating na tricycle sa gilid ng bangketa.