Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 09- Sea Diving

I puffed my cheeks and let out an infuriated sigh. My blood's boiling right now with the way he answered me, but the stinging pain in my feet made me choose to pursed my lips into a thin line. It hurt so much that if I speak another word, I might cry.

He stopped to look at me intently. It is as if he just found out something I've hidden. Napalunok ako at humakbang paatras nang lumapit siya sa akin. After that, he knelt down. I froze for a moment. Hindi ko inexpect na iyon ang gagawin niya.

Oh, God! What was he thinking?!

I looked around and exhaled as a sign of relief. He’s not going to propose.

Wait.

OF COURSE NOT! WHAT WAS I THINKING???!

As soon as his fingers met my lower leg, I felt the sparks from his fingers travel down my skin, making my tiny body hair curl up on a sunny day, and without me knowing, he took off my shoe.

Ang kaninang mas mainit pa sa tanghaling tapat na ulo kay ay parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I'm sure as hell, I’ll have severe headache later.

Because then I saw my foot—bleeding, BADLY. Tiningala niya ko. “Oh gosh! It will leave a scar right?”

I can't have a scar! I need to call my dermatologist as soon as I get home!

“Just a scratch.” Pagkibit-balikat niya.

Oh no! What if it gets infected… oh please! I don't even want to think about it!

“Ashh… will I die?” naibulalas ko dahil hindi ko na kinaya pa ang frustration. Napatingala siya sa akin nang nakakunot ang noo. Bahagya ring nakabuka ang ang bibig niya at ang mata ay halos nakapikit na marahil ay nasisilaw siya sa liwanag, o maaari ring sa ganda ko. So, it will kill me?

“Malayo sa bituka,” sabi niya at tumalikod habang nakaupo parin siya. Tinapik niya ang balikat niya. “I’ll carry you,” he offered.

Tumingin ako sa paligid. Wala nang masyadong tao pero hindi parin ako dapat magpakampante kahit halos isang tao lang ang makakita sa akin sa ganoong posisyon. What would the people say if they saw me being carried by an unknown man?  Even if he's my bodyguard… it is easy for the media to twist the story. The last time I got the headline for talking with my prof in the office. The news says we were having an affair. Mostly, the News was Amy's doing, I know because I saw her eavesdropping on us when I was fixing my schedule to be the same as Gracia and Bessie. Of course, it is proven false, but still, my professor was forced to resign and has his life ruined, all thanks to my ‘loving’ Mom.

“I-i still can’t, you know,” sabi ko nalang at hinugot mula sa kanya ang heels ko. Halos maiyak ako nang muli kong suotin yon. Nakaluhod parin siya sa harap ko. Nag-iigting ang mga panga at madilim na ang mukha.

“Then just take that thing off,” suggest niya kaya agad akong napailing. Barefoot in public? That's a big NO.

Tumayo siya at tumalikod na sa akin. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad papuntang parking.

“Pain is beauty,” I recited out of nowhere while limping.

Namalayan ko nalang ay nasa parking na kami kaharap ang malaking kulay itim niyang motor.

Oh no! I can't ride that!

Isinuot niya bigla sa akin ang helmet niya at hinigpitan ang strap noon sa baba dahil medyo maluwang pa sa akin. “The only daughter of Mr. Ishioka won't wear that,” tukoy niya sa helmet.

Bahagya akong napangiti. Tama siya. No one would notice me while wearing this helmet. But how will I ride that bike wearing this dress?

Nahigit ko ang paghinga ko nang hubarin niya ang coat niya at lumapit siya sa akin. Hindi ako gumalaw dahil sa lapit ng mukha niya sa akin ay baka kaunting galaw ko lang ay magtama ang pisngi namin. Itali niya iyon sa bewang ko. Nakatakip na ngayon ang coat niya sa harapan ko. Pagkatapos ay sumakay na siya ng motor niya.