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

24

24

Reality

Today is our 7th day here in Singapore. Maaga pa rin kaming gumising ni Xenon para mag-ayos at dumiretso sa airport. We still have time to spare kaya umikot kami.

The Jewel Changi Airport is utterly huge and gorgeous. Naikot namin ni Xenon mula terminal 1 hanggang 4. That's how bored we were.

May mga shuttle naman para mabilis ang travel. It was a fun experience.

But I still couldn't get a hold of proper joy.

Pakiramdam ko, palaging may pumipigil sa akin para tuluyang maging masaya.

Hindi ko magawang sumaya ngayon. Sa nalaman ko kahapon? Gusto ko na lang sumuko.

I don't know if Xenon took notice of my mood being off. Wala siyang sinabi. Kanina pa naman siya nakangiti.

Nang makasakay kami sa eroplano, tahimik lang kami ni Xenon. He fell asleep beside me. Ako nama'y nagmumuni-muni lang habang nakatingin sa bintana.

Until now, I didn't bother telling Xenon about the text last night.

I was too tired to even care. Nag-aalala naman ako, pero hindi ko maiwasan na mawalan ng pakialam.

I'm just too fed up with the threats.

I'm too tired that all I want is to enjoy what I have in life.

Kung ano man ang problema, tsaka ko na haharapin kapag nagpakita na sa akin.

What's the use of getting scared when the source of fear is not even clear? Puro paramdam lang. It's too indirect.

Did they think that I'll get scared of their threats? Damn right.

But will I let the fear eat me up from the inside? No.

I'm scared of all the people that may get involved with me. For myself? I don't really give a damn.

I've been through so much. But with Xenon always comforting me every time I doubt everything, it gives me hope that maybe someday... I can get through this. That someday... I can have my own happy and peaceful life as well.

Far from all the chaos and mess. Far from the anger I feel deep within.

Away from all thoughts of revenge.

Pero kailan?

When we arrived at home, here in Isla del Tesoro, I think Xenon already took notice of the changes in my mood.

"Are you okay? Does the message still bother you?" Xenon asked.

I wanna ask him what message. Kung ang galing ba kay Ruce o sa unknown ang tinutukoy niya. Pero hindi naman alam ni Xenon ang pangalawa, so I assumed he was pertaining to the message sent by Ruce.

"No. I'm fine." Umiling ako.

"Parang hindi." Aniya.

We were both sitting in the living room. Kakabigay lang namin ng mga uwi kayna Tito at Tita at sa iba pang mga kapamilya ni Xenon. Good thing we brought some gifts for the workers as well.

The gift I got for Ruce and Lolo, pinasuyo ko na lang na ipadala.

I sighed when I met with Xenon's eyes.

"There's no problem... Really..."

Saglit na nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin. Tinatantiya kung totoo ba ang sinasabi ko o hindi.

"This doesn't feel nor look like you are fine. You look bothered by something. Ang mga message ba? Iyong galing kay Ruce? Or..." He cocked his head. Looking at me carefully. "Are there more threats? May nag message na naman ba sa 'yo?"