Spring of Amor

CHAPTER 6

"Eya, Raven, magsipag-handa na kayo at maraming turista ang magsisipag-datingan ngayon,"

Sabado ngayon at gaya ng sabi ni lola, marami ang turistang bibisita sa isla. She informed us yesterday and we volunteered to help her. My grandparents basically owned the cottages here. And for sure we're going to be busy for today.

Pumunta na kami ni Raven sa area kung saan nagpapa-rent ang mga tourists for cottages. I wore a simple maxi dress to match todays agenda. The length of my brown hair was above my shoulders so I didn't bother to do anything much about it. However, I used liptint on my cheeks and lips to give some color on my face. Maputi ako kaya kinailangan ko iyon.

Lola didn't lie when she said that many people will come here. Hell, sunod-sunod ang guests. Hindi naman mahirap ang ginagawa namin but I'm overwhelmed. Marami pala talaga ang pumupunta rito.

"So many people." ani Raven

"So many people, so many money!" I encouraged him.

Patuloy ang pagtanggap namin ng tourists. Walang humpay din ang ngiti ni Raven. Kailangan iyon eh. May mga kababaihan na nga ang nagbalak na kuhain ang number niya at dahil si Raven siya, binigay niya iyon kung kani-kanino. He usually can get ladies because of his charms and the way he talks. I wonder, may sineryoso na kaya 'to?

"You're a playboy," sambit ko matapos niya muling ibigay ang kanyang number sa babaeng guest. Lahat na lang pinapatos!

"They asked for my number. I gave it." Raven stated.

"Can't you turn them down?" I hate people playing with others feelings. And eventually, my cousin do that.

"Sila ang unang lumapit. Sayang ang blessing, Shiveya." Pinangliitan niya ako ng mata at ngumiti ng maloko.

I rolled my eyes on him. Tinuon ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa mga taong dumarating. Pagsapit ng alas-dose ng hapon, tinawag na kami ni lolo for lunch break.

"O siya, inimbitahan ko nga pala sila Isagani sa kaarawan ko," ani lolo.

Matapos nilang malaman na sila Isagani ang nagligtas sa amin, walang tigil ang pag-imbita nina lolo at lolo sa kanila. Ayaw daw kasi nila Isagani ng kahit anong kapalit kaya naman parati nila iniimbita sa bahay ang mga ito at hindi na nagawang tumanggi. Naging kaibigan na nga ni Raven ang mga iyon! May isang beses pa na ako ang nagluto ng hapunan dahil iyon daw ang gusto nila. And guess what? Adobo nanaman! Tila wagas ang kahibangan ni Isagani sa ulam na iyon!

"Eya, pwede bang ikaw ang magluto ng handa ko?" Napatingin ako sa sinabi ni lolo, bakas ang gulat sa aking mukha.

"Adobong baboy lang naman apo, hindi lahat." Dagdag pa niya at sabay humalakhak.

"Bakit po ako lo?" Tanong ko. Bakit nga ba ako?

"Nagustuhan ko ang luto mo noong nakaraan. Akalain mong magiging paborito ko iyon!" Sagot ni lolo at sabay na pilit tumawa.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I don't think that was the reason.

"Sige po." Sumang-ayon na lang ako dahil kaarawan naman iyon ni lolo. That day is his special day. Who am I to refuse?

We came back to the reservation area after lunch. Nakita ko pa si Bon at Jade na tumutulong sa isang matandang babae maglatag ng kanyang mga paninda. They're wearing swimwear. Maraming tao ah? Bakit ngayon pa nila naisipan mag-swimming?

"Raven!" Jade called my cousin. He and Bon went to our place then asked Raven about something.

"I'm not sure if my grandparents will allow me," Raven shrugged.

My brows furrowed after hearing what he said. Where are they going? "Hi Eya, pupunta kami sa club sa Martes baka gusto mo sumama?" Bon stated.

"Anong gagawin?" Tanong ko dahil hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa mga ganon.

"Magdadasal?" He sarcastically replied.

"You're funny," I gave him a fake smile.

Sometimes, they really get into my nerves but of course I let that happen because they're our heroes. I wonder, nasaan si Isagani?

"Biro lang! Inimbitahan kasi kami ng kaibigan namin. Birthday niya kaya party-party na!" Sambit ni Bon sabay tumalon-talon habang nakataas ang mga kamay as if he was really partying.

"Not sure," Raven was right. There's a possibility that our grandparents won't allow us. Also, I'm not really into parties and clubs.

"O sige, basta sabihan niyo lang kami kapag sasama kayo." He smiled before walking away.

"Nasaan yung isa nilang kambal?" Tanong ko kay Raven matapos umalis nina Bon at Jade.

"Why? Do you miss Isagani?"

"What? No! I'm just curious okay? They're usually together kaya," I defended.

Damn, I regretted that I asked that question. Knowing my silly cousin hindi na ako titigilan niyan.

"Come on, aminin mo na. You have a crush on Isagani noh?" See?! He's annoying!

"If you won't stop, I'll put crumpled paper inside your mouth." I threatened him.

"You're so obvious Eya. You often ask if Isagani's not around. Like when he didn't show up to our dinner! Hindi ka na rin kumain noon!"

Well, that's true hindi talaga ako bumaba noon at sinabing busog na ako. I don't know why. It's just that, it's boring when he's not around, kahit hindi naman kami masyadong nag-uusap. There's something in me na gusto kng nakikita ang mukha niya. I feel satisfied everytime I see him. Was there something wrong with that? I don't know what that is also!

Hindi ko na pinansin si Raven at pumunta sa fruitshake stall para bumili ng maiinom. I'm thirsty! I heard masarap sila gumawa ng fruitshake.

"Hi Miss, can I take a picture with you?" A random guy suddenly asked.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "No." I said with no emotion.

I saw how his face look amused. He's with other guy. They're tall and good looking but I don't talk to strangers in that way. Nakita ko ang paglapat ng ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

"Do you live here? Judging by your looks, I bet you're not," He stated.

"None of your business," I said then turned my back on him.

"Can I get your number then?" Pagpupumilit pa niya.

"No. Please leave me alone, thanks."

"Come on Miss, Don't be choosy. Number lang naman," At hindi na siya tumigil.

"I don't like sharing my personal informations to strangers, sorry." I nicely informed him. Ayoko ng gulo.

He did not looked convince. Instead, he held my wrist. "You're playing hard to get. If you give your number to me now----" Natigilan siya ng may humila sa akin dahilan para ako ay kanyang mabitawan.

"Sinabi ng ayaw diba?" I looked at Isagani who is now holding my hand. His eyes look dark as if he's ready to give this man to the shark in the ocean.

"Not your business bro, go away," The annoying guy look so pissed.

"Hindi ka ba nakaka-intindi? The woman already said no." Isagani's voice was calm but his eyes remained dark.

"Tama na yan, alis na tayo rito." Sambit ko bago pa mabuo ang gulo.

Isagani turned his eyes on me, still holding my hand. Hinila ko siya papalayo sana roon ngunit bigla na lang siyang sinapak nung lalaki. Hinawakan niya ang kanyang kaliwang pisngi kung saan tumama ang kamao ng lalaki bago niya iyon binawian ng isang malakas na suntok kaya't ito ay nahulog sa tubig. Marami ng tao ang napapatingin sa gawi namin!

"Asshole!" the guy who fell stated.

"Mess with her again and I fucking swear, you and satan will meet in hell." Isagani said before pulling me away.