Eighteen

Chapter 23

"You should've asked for artificial bait instead of the real deal. Kanina mo pa nililingon 'yang mga bulate na parang may kasalanan sila sa 'yo," Anais said, his brows creasing amusedly at me.

"Akala ko kasi patay ang ibibigay. Pero maraming isda ba ang nauuto sa hindi totoong pain? It is better to have authentic worms. I want to enjoy the extremity of fishing," I said, looking at his profile. Tiningnan ko nang panghuling beses ang mga gumagalaw na uod sa itim na timba.

I had never seen this many worms in my whole life; it was making my skin crawl. I shook the feeling off and followed behind Anais when he started at the fishing shop's exit door. He carried the pail in one hand, flexing his biceps. Again, I was no pervert; I just could not help but notice since he was wearing a black sleeveless shirt.

This fishing shop was just beside the hotel. It was kind of small, so it had seemed furtive the first time we had arrived. The completeness of this resort in every water activity constantly amazed me.

I have been to many resorts, but I did not enjoy it as much as this one. Since I was not fond of outings, I lacked the experience in these things. I was happy to finally be open to new experiences. At least, I was not too late. Masaya rin pala.

Surprise was plastered on Hide's face when she saw us entering the villa together. Siya lang ang tao dahil sumama si Aliana kay Dominic, at si Prince naman ay namamangka na sa parte ng dagat na malapit sa lago.

For our sixth day, we had planned to finally explore the lagoon. Nasa tabi lang kasi ng lago ang pinamimingwitan nila ng mga isda. Nauna na rin si Kuya kasama si Catherine dahil hindi kayang sumabay ni Hide kasama ang kapatid ko. Catherine had not wanted to wait any longer.

Pansin ko lang nitong mga nakaraang araw, hindi nagpapansinan sina Kuya at Hide na para bang estranghero sila sa isa't isa. Masama ba ang naging kahihinatnat ng pag-amin ni Hide? Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin natatanong ang tungkol doon. Mukhang hindi rin komportable di Hide na pag-usapan. Bigla na lang akong nalungkot sa mga namumuong kaisipan.

"Akala ko nakaalis ka na," sabi ni Hide kay Anais at binitbit ang mga pamingwit na nakasandal sa pader.

"I bumped into Camille at the fishing store. Sabay na lang tayo," ani Anais.

Tumango roon si Hide at inayos ang bucket hat na nasa ulo niya. Nauna siyang lumabas. Also, these past few days, she had not been teasing me with Anais despite she had seen us most of the time together. I bet she was also busy dealing with her own personal crisis, which I had no ideas about.

Aalis na rin sana ako nang may naramdaman akong diniin sa ulo ko. My vision was blocked by the thing that had just been placed on top of my head. Medyo diniin iyon ni Anais kaya umabot hanggang ilong ko ang sombrero. His large hand left its temperature over my head as I tinkered with the bucket hat over my head; I felt like a kid.

"Ta'?" Pinanliitan ko ng mga mata si Anais bago ako sumunod sa likod niya.

He rented a crystal kayak, enough to fit the three of us. Usually, a guide would accompany us, but Anais seemed to be well-acquainted with the kayak. Sa dulo si Hide habang ako naman nasa gitna at nasa harapan si Anais.

"Hindi ba tayo lulubog sa bigat niyang mga pain, Anais?" si Hide na mukhang natatakot sa mga bulate.

"No worries. Don't think about 'em, Hide. I've them secured," he said. The worms were actually sitting between his legs. Ako nga sana ang magbabantay noon, pero sinabi niya na siya na lang. I had silently thanked him for that.

Nakuha ng mga malalaking bato-bato mula sa may kalayuan ang atensyon ko. Napansin ko lang na ang lagoon na tinutukoy nina Anais ay iyong kalebel lang ng dagat pero naiiba dahil may pumapalibot doon na pilapil ng buhangin na siyang nag-iiba noon sa malawak na karagatan.