Will You Go Out With Us? (Sharky and the Giants)

Chapter 18: Swimming Lessons

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CHERRY

Just to be safe, I wore a swimsuit then covered it with a shirt and a pair of shorts. I took a deep breath and went out to meet him—whoever he is.

Kada hakbang ko papalapit sa pool area, sinasabayan ito ng malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

Bakit ako kinakabahan, eh date naman talaga 'tong whole thing na 'to? I composed myself and continued to walk.

And then there he was, dipping his legs in the pool while waiting for me.

"You're here, Cherry."

"Ikaw pala... Joon."

"Ha-ha, why do you not look happy?" Bumelat siya.

"W-What? I am!" sagot ko sabay ngiti nang malaki.

"Haha! Ang cute mo talaga! Kaya nagkakagulo kami dahil sa 'yo, eh."

Nag-init ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. I'm sure he was just joking.

I went to the edge of the pool and sat beside him. "So, ano'ng pagmi-meetingan natin dito, Mr. Joon Villamontano? Bakit mo naman ako pinatawag?"

"Well, I have three reasons." He suddenly dived into the pool. Ang ganda ng form niya when he dived. It was kinda sexy, to be honest.

"First reason, I wanted to say sorry."

"Huh, sorry? Bakit, ano'ng ginawa mo? May hidden camera ba sa kuwarto ko?" I narrowed my suspicious eyes at him.

"Ha-ha! Wala po, Ma'am." He smiled at me.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na sobrang cute at guwapo pala talaga ni Joon, lalo na kapag ngumingiti siya.

Lumalabas ang dimples niya at maganda rin ng mga ngipin niya.

Para akong nanonood ng commercial at nasa TV screen ang kausap ko. Puwedeng-puwede siyang maging model. And girls would surely buy whatever he's selling.

"I wanted to say sorry, becayse I felt responsible for everything that happened. Ako 'yong host ng bakasyong 'to, pero sa tatlong araw na narito tayo ay puro mga kamalasan ang mga nangyari. Ewan ko ba, isa yata sa 'min ay may balat sa puwit."

Tila ako nasamid do'n sa sinabi niya. He had no idea na ako actually 'yong may balat sa puwit. Huhu, sorry naman. I was just born this way.

"And that's why, 'yong second reason ko ay..."

Nagulat ako sa sunod niyang ginawa. He bowed down and offered his hand towards me, like a Prince Charming inviting me to a dance. "I want to make it up to you."

"A-Ano'ng balak mo?" I was so sure I was blushing really hard.

"I'll teach you how to swim. Para naman next time, kung may mangyari mang hindi inaasahan ay mas prepared ka na."

I smiled, stood up, and removed my shirt and my shorts. Napatingin ako kay Joon at napansing nakanganga siya at medyo namumula.

"I-Is there a problem?" nahihiya kong tanong habang ako rin ay namumula.

"Wala naman... suot mo kasi 'yong swimsuit na pinili ko para sa 'yo."

"Sorry! Wala kasi akong masyadong dalang swimsuit. Hindi naman ako mahilig pumunta sa beach, kaya ito lang ang choice ko."

He chuckled softly and immersed himself deeper in the pool. "No, it's okay! Kahit araw-arawin mo pa 'yang suotin, ayos lang sa akin."

"You!" I splashed him with some water.

"Ha-ha! Ano miss, tara?"

I took his hand and joined him in the pool. He caught me inside his arms, and our faces were really close. We both blushed and looked away.

He cleared his throat and started to instruct me. "So, first thing you need to do is lie down."

"What?" I gave him a suspicious look.

"I'll hold you from below."

"F-From below? Hoy, Joon! Gusto mong masapak?"

"FYI Cherry, I also used to be a varsity of the swimming team. Ako ang pinakamagaling lumangoy sa 'min. Pero pagdating sa basketball, aminado akong talo ako kay Kyle."

Medyo may naramdaman akong kabig sa dibdib nang banggitin niya si Kyle.

"Why, Cherry? Is there a problem?" He raised a brow, but his smile didn't fade.

"Wala. Fine. Ito, dadapa na ako. I frickin' trust you not to do anything weird, Joon." Siningkitan ko siya ng mga mata.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll behave po."

Inalalayan na niya ako. Hmm, it didn't seem so bad after all. He taught me how to paddle, how my arms should move, and the proper breathing techniques. Unti-unti niya na rin akong binitawan. Hindi pa rin madali, pero kahit papaano ay nakukuha ko na 'yong technique.

"Thank you, Joon. I think I'm getting the hang of it."

He smiled. And it was a sincere one. "Anything for you, Cherry."

Grabe talaga 'yong ngiti ni Joon! Pang-toothpaste commercial, eh.

"Oh, by the way..." pahabol niya. "I haven't told you the third reason yet."

Ngayon ko lang din naalala. "Oo nga pala. Ano nga ba?"

"The third reason is..." Bigla niyang nilapit 'yong mukha niya sa akin. It was really quick, that's why I didn't have any chance to respond. "I'm curious, I wanna find out... how he would react."

We didn't kiss, but our noses slightly touched. Saka lang nag-sink in sa akin 'yong sinabi niya.

"He? Sinong 'he' ang tinutukoy mo?"

Joon looked over my shoulder, staring at something while smiling.

I turned around to see what he's looking at.

And it wasn't something... It was someone.

"K-Kyle?" I uttered his name out of surprise.

Lumundag ang puso ko bigla nang makita kong nakatayo si Kyle mga ilang metro ang layo mula sa amin.

The Green Giants captain sighed. "Why do I always witness you flirting around?"

"Ha? Who, me?" Sabay turo ko sa sarili ko.

Ano raw, flirting around? Teka, tinutukoy niya ba 'yong naabutan niyang magka-holding hands kami ni Denz sa may beach?

Bigla akong inakbayan ni Joon. "What's wrong with flirting around? Last time I checked, single naman si Cherry."

I looked at Kyle. Waiting for what he'll say.

"I never said anything about it being wrong. Wala akong pakialam kahit mag-Tinder hunting siya ng mga kapwa niya Shark." He was being as grumpy as ever.

"Hoy!" singhal ko.

Bakit gano'n? Wala raw siyang pakialam... but why did his face look annoyed?

"I went here to look for some peace and quiet. I guess I'll just go back to my room and rest," paliwanag niya.

"Haha. Don't you wanna join us here in the pool, Kyle?"

My heart skipped when Joon invited him to join us.

"No thanks, baka makagat pa 'ko ng pating." He then started to walk away, completely leaving me alone with Joon.

Nainis ako sa sinabi niyang pang-asar, pero bakit...

Bakit mas naiinis ako dahil umalis siya?

Oh no, Cherry... what is happening to you?

#WillYouGoOutWithUs

#WYGOWU

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