Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 33

Insanity

“Katie, puwesto nga kayo roon ng Papa at Kuya mo sa may welcome sign. Picture-an ko kayo.”

“Ma, pustahan, isang araw pa lang tayo rito ay ubos na ang storage ng phone mo sa kaka-picture.”

“Tama si Katie, hon. Marami pa namang magagandang lugar na mapupuntahan natin mamaya.”

“Kung ayaw niyo, e, ‘di kami na lang ni Kuya Regan.”

May kumalabit sa akin kaya nabalik ako sa huwisyo. “Kuya, pagbigyan mo na nga si Mama para makaalis na tayo rito sa port,” utos sa akin ni Katie. Tumango lang ako at lumapit kay Mama na nasa harap ngayon ng mga makukulay at malalaking letra na una kong nakita noong dumaong kami sa isla.

“Welcome to Isla Carles,” pagbasa ko roon.

Mama extended her hand to me which I gladly took. “Hindi mo pa rin ba nakikita ang hinahanap mo?” she suddenly asked me. Was I too obvious? I was just looking for Treyton and Almira so that I can avoid them if we cross paths again.

“Wala ‘yon, Ma,” I said instead. Hindi ko na dapat pagtuonan ng pansin ang dalawang ‘yon. They came here to have fun and that’s what I should do as well.

Ngumiti lang sa akin si Mama. We did many poses together and when my mother was satisfied with the photos Katie captured, we finally went on our way.

We took a cab to get to our hotel. There was traffic as early as seven in the morning but we still arrived fast. Tanghali pa kami makaka-check in kaya iniwan muna namin doon ang mga dala-dala namin.

Pinagpasa-pasahan namin ngayon ang iniabot sa aming sunblock ni Mama. We needed that to protect our skin for our first agenda on this day which is island-hopping.

“I think I was only eight when we first did that. Parang gusto ko na i-try mag-snorkeling ngayon,” Katie blurted out. “Ikaw, kuya?”

Napatango ako. “Sure. Basta kayo ni Papa ang mauuna para mabago ko pa ang isip ko.” My sister stuck a tongue out at me so I did the same and we both laugh. I actually don’t want to try it but I have to keep myself busy so that I won’t freaking think about Treyton after what transpired earlier because truth be told, he still has the power to bother me. I was just good in hiding and faking it but deep inside, I know that everything he does has an impact and I’m so tired of that.

Gusto ko na lang mawalan ng pake pero ang hirap talaga.

I decided to roam my eyes to distract myself while we’re on our way to the travel agency in charge for our island hopping tour. Nakakita naman ako ng napakaraming shops sa paligid na nagbebenta ng iba’t ibang klase ng palamuti, damit, at pagkain na puwedeng gawing pasalubong.

“When are you going to try that mermaid tail?” tanong ko sa kapatid ko nang makakita ako ng isang shop na nagpaparenta no’n. It was expensive but I knew my sister was going for it nevertheless.

Nang mapalingon ako kay Katie ay nakita kong nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa tuwa. Kulang na lang ay maghugis-puso ang mga iyon. “Bukas pa kuya! But I can’t wait!” Ginulo ko ang buhok niya kaya napalabi siya. My sister will be finally living her childhood dream and I can’t wait to see that.

When the front beach came into view, I relished in the sight of it. Nakapunta na ako rito noon pero namamangha pa rin ako kapag nakikita ang bughaw at mala-kristal na tubig. So many tourists visit this place but the beauty of the island was preserved well. This is really amazing.

Sa loob ng ilang minuto ay nagpatuloy lang kami sa paglalakad sa napakapinong puting buhangin habang nasa ilalim ng lilim ng mga matataas na puno ng niyog. Nang makarating na kami sa istasyon ng travel agency ay nakahanap din kami kaagad ng sarili naming tour guide. The latter oriented us before and after we entered our private boat. Madali lang iyong tandaan kaya nagawa kong isapuso iyon lahat.