Forced

Chapter 10: Souvenir

It was April, the month of Summer. Their parents decided to take them on a private resort which was owned by Kyler's Parents, for a break and also for them to unwind before their Graduation. They're about to enter Senior Highschool this June, time ran so fast as they didn't imagine. Sa mahigit walong buwan nanatiling matatag ang pagkakaibigan nila Gneiss, Kyler, Kian and Niana. Para ng magkakapatid ang apat, hindi sila mapaghiwalay. Madalas na magkapares sa galaan ay si Niana at Kyler si Gneiss naman at Kian. Nalaman din ng mga magulang nila Kian ang isa pala sa mga ka-sosyo nila sa Jewelry Business ay ang mismong Tatay ni Niana. Seems like they're actually destined to meet her. The connection is really strong.

"Since malalaki naman na kayo, Gneiss and Niana will stay on one room, while Kyler and Kian as the same." habilin ni Kerisha, Ang mommy ni Kyler.

"Yes, and Gneiss as what I've told you, bawal kang kumain ng seafoods, malayo ang ospital roon." Ruby, added.

"And, Niana your Dad told me, you shouldn't stay on water too much madalas ka raw atakehin ng lamig." she faced Niana, she just nodded as a response.

"For Kian and Kyler, Walang maghahanap ng babae mga binata na kayo, at alam ko 'yan dahil naging ganiyan ako noon." Kian's Dad, uttered. Making them all laughed.

"So, there's nothing to talk about let's go." their parents announced.

Their drivers opened the long white van's door, placed their things and stuffs at the back, Gneiss and Kian are sitted beside each other. Kyler and Niana also does the same. Kyler helped Niana in buckling her seatbelt, 'cause her force ain't enough to make it fully done. Gneiss put her headphones on, playing punk and metal music, and started reading a book. Kian is also busy playing on his phone. Actually texting someone. It's —Saphhire, they've been doing it for a long period of time.

Sa buong biyahe, palihim na ninanakawan ni Gneiss ng tingin si Kian, nakangiti ito habang nag-ta-type sa cellphone, making Gneiss anxious and sad. She don't understand while she's feeling this way, recently. Ipinagkibit-balikat na lamang niya ito at bumalik sa pagbabasa kahit nawala na siya sa concentration, she can't figure out what is it really about. That's bothering her, wholesome and hard time.

Their arrival became heartwarming and opulent indeed, para lang naman silang trinato na ambassadors ng mismo nilang mga empleyado, making them feel very happy and well-endowed. Dumiretso kaagad ang lahat sa kanilang mga rooms of course they're also escorted. They all parted ways, ang mga parents nila ay nagtungo na sa kani-kanilang businesses nagkaayaan naman si Kyler at Kian na maglaro ng online games. Si Gneiss naman at Niana ay nagdesisyon na magpahinga muna bago mag-swimming mamaya.

"Ma'ams, dito po ang room ninyo. Kumpleto na ang lahat, if you're in need of something just call us ahead." one of the employee politely said.

"Sure thing! Thank you po." Niana giggled, siya talaga ang pinaka-excited sa lahat.

"Thank you, Ms." pagtugon naman ni Gneiss, tumango lang ang babae at saka ngumiti. Kaagad na humilata sa malambot na kama si Gneiss pagkatapos, tinakpan niya ng unan ang kaniyang mukha at humugot ng malalalim na hininga. Narinig naman niya ang pag-lock ni Niana sa seradura ng pintuan.

"Are you okay?" sunod na tanong ni Niana, umupo ito sa gilid ng kama tinabihan at hinarap ang kaniyang kaibigan.

"Not really." matipid na sagot nito, she removed the pillow that covered to her face.

"Why? What's bothering you?" she followed up, Niana started to bit her nails again, well, that's her mannerism.

"I don't know, it's— arghh! Just never mind. We're here to enjoy." she responded. Umupo na rin ito at nagsimulang tanggalin ang rubber shoes, tumulad rin sa kaniya si Niana.

"I have something to ask you Niana, let's just take it hypothetically no personal issues involved. Do you understand me?" she aforementioned.

"Okay, just go on." Niana swayed her hand as a sign of approval.

"What if, Kyler is feeling something—like infatuation towards someone the fact that, you're a friend a very closed friend. And then, you started to became jealous— I mean, is jealous a proper term, for that? What's that feeling all about?" she straightly said, Niana can't stop nodding her head, thinking deeply and carefully.

She countenanced Gneiss directly. "Maybe you're  just jealous because he might divert his attention on that person, or maybe because — you're actually falling or definitely had fallen in love with him."

Something made her have a concussion after hearing that answer from Niana, an idea came across her mind hitting her brain very hard, that she could feel concussion currently.

"Thank you, it's pretty helpful." she smiled faintly. She's actually conceiving the ideas right now, it's either Niana is right or she didn't get her point therefore, she was wrong. But, one thing she's sure about is, Niana pointed something very accurate, she just couldn't accept it was absolutely authentic.

"You know what? You're just overthinking, let's go out and find something interesting for you to forget about that." she convinced Gneiss.

"Tama ka, halika na." inakay niya si Niana at isinuot ang magkaparehas nilang floppy pink slippers wearing their hats and sweater to protect them from the heat.

Nagtungo sila sa isang shop, medyo catchy kasi ang itsura ng harapan ng shop kaya nahikayat sila, the curtains are made up of seashells, making it produce a very beautiful sound when the air goes through it. The chairs are made up of wood with a twist of broken seashells on it, there's is also a big sculpture of a fish on the inside, a lot of tourists are taking pictures on it. The whole place was an epitome of pacifying aura and elevating vibe.

"Hello? You sell souvenirs here right?" pagtatanong ni Gneiss. Naupo sila sa harapan.

"Yes, Ma'am. And how may I help you?" sagot ng lalaki. Nasa middle age ito at halatang may lahing foreigner height pa lang at skin obvious na.

"May souvenir ba kayo rito na available for bff's?" sunod na tanong nito.

"Yes, Ma'am and you can take a look inside, we have different kind of stuffs that's suits you both." he explained.

Iginaya nito ang kamay niya sa loob, napakalawak pala ito sa mas malapitan. Bago pa makaalis sa upuan si Gneiss ay may bigla na lamang dumampi na malambot sa kaliwang pisngi niya.

It's Kian who kissed her furiously and unexpectedly, she was bounded with a shocked reaction.

She slowly turned his face towards him, and then boom, she saw him smiling widely, with that sparkling and irresistible eyes.

"It's a souvenir, my Sunny." ngumiti ito.

Hindi nakasagot si Gneiss at pinakiramdaman na lang ang tibok ng kaniyang puso. Napakabilis at mahirap pigilan.

"Sapphire is here!" Kyler shouted from afar, he waved his hands pointing at Sapphire who's on her flashy summer outfit right now. Nasaksihan ni Gneiss ang biglang paglipat ng tingin ni Kian rito. Hindi niya akalaing mararamdaman niya ang pagkirot ng kaniyang puso.