Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6

Care

"Anong ibig sabihin ng sinabi niya?" Tikhim ni Vanna.

I lifted my arms and started stretching. Slowly, I lowered my body to feel the sensation in my buttocks, legs, and feet.

"Ibig sabihin ba, naglayas siya dahil nagrerebelde siya or something?"

"I don't think that's it," Si Kodiak naman.

His voice faded immediately when I closed my eyes—trying to focus and help myself to settle.

The truth is, River's answer bothered me all night. I even asked Atticus about it, but he told me that I should not force River to open up or tell me anything about him that's against his will. He told me that I should respect River's privacy at all cost.

"Wala pa ba si Ma'am PE?" Maingay si Maven, nakahiga sa gym floor. Kahit nakalayo siya sa amin

Sinulyapan ko si River na katabi niya roon. He doesn't have any hand accessories right now, maybe because he's advised not to wear them during our PE class. Magiging sabagal nga naman ang mga ito. Inayos ni River ang buhok at uniporme niya.

The white and dark blue color combination of our PE uniform suits his fair, unblemished skin. Its length and its fit looked like it was altered for him.

Tinaas-baba ni River ang kamay niya para sa isang warm up exercise. Making the illusion that he's lifting something from his chest and up above his head. Kitang-kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya habang ginagawa iyon. Hindi maipagkakailang matangkad siya.

Magkakasing tangkad sila nina Kodiak at Maven at halos pare-parehas ang kutis. Mapuputi at makikinis. Iyon nga lang, River's built is lean. Medyo payat siya kung ikukumpara kay Kodiak at Maven na suki ng gym dahil mga athletes.

Now I wonder if River knows any sports other than skating? Does he play basketball too? Baka makasundo niya 'tong sina Kodiak kapag nagkataon.

"Pre!"

Lumapit si Maven kay River dahilan para matigil siya sa ginagawa. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa kanila at hindi namamalayang medyo napapaisip ako ng malalim tungkol kay River.

Sumulyap sandali si River sa akin bago nakangiting bumaling kay Maven. I pouted and went back to what I'm doing, but I can't help but to glance at them from time to time. Somehow, watching River and Maven talk to each other comforted me in a way. I don't know why, but it did.

"Tama na pagtitig," Bulong ni Kodiak sa gilid ko. Mabilis ko tuloy iniwas ang tingin kay River.

"Titig?" I glared at Kodiak. He defensively lifted his hands in the air and smiled cutely at me.

"Tinutunaw lang?"

"I hate you! I was just thinking about something."

"Really? Kailangan nakatingin kay River?"

Tinampal ko ang braso niya. "Shh! Ang ingay mo!"

"So you're checking him out, Lei?"

"No! Uh... I-iyong accessories niya lang."

"Ah, ano? May nagbago ba? He's still attractive, right?"

Ngumuso ako. There's no doubt.

Pagdating ni Ma'am Sherry, inexplain niya lang ang mga patakaran niya dahil siya ang substitute teacher namin para sa PE. Nag leave kasi si Ma'am Mariano dahil ikakasal na siya. Si Ma'am Sherry naman ay hindi nagtuturo sa SHS, talagang sa JHS lang pero dahil kami lang naman ang tuturuan niya, pumayag na siya.