Crossing Borders

14

Angelica Tolentino

Napakagat ako ng labi habang nakatitig sa tatlong pares ng two-piece bikinis na nakapatong sa bed ko. I love dipping on waters so I always made sure I bring some swimsuits with me.

I'm contemplating between this red wrap-around string bikini or this nude triangle bikini. Napatigil ako nang pumasok sa isipan ko ang mukha ni kuya. I don't even understand why but I'm trying to consider how he looked at me with how I choose what I wear.

Kinuha ko iyong red na bikini at isinuot iyon. I looked at the huge body mirror opposite my bed and checked myself out.

Not bad.

My breasts are quite full so the small fabric could barely hold all of it together. Doon lang na part medyo hindi okay but overall, I love how it looked on me. Tinali ko muna iyong mahaba kong buhok bago lumabas ng kwarto. Naglagay na din ako ng sunscreen at nagsuot muna ng cover up.

Kuya and I met at the small hut just outside the villa. Nakita ko na naman siyang may kausap sa cellphone. He's becoming busy ulit.

"Send me a copy of that today. I'll talk to you again later. Thanks."

Ibinaba niya ang tawag at hinarap ako. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Wala naman siyang sinabi at tinalikuran na ako pagkatapos n'on.

Tumigil ako nang tumigil din siya sa paglalakad at hinarap ako. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa bag ko kaya napatingin din ako doon.

"Give that to me," ang utos niya.

"Huh?"

"Ako na ang magbibitbit."

Umiling ako at nahihiyang ngumite. "It's fine magaan lang naman."

"Angelica." He's using that commanding voice on me again. I sighed.

"I'm not crippled, kuya."

"I did not say you are. I just asked for your bag. I placed my things inside as well. Hindi ba't may mga pagkain din diyan?"

Marahan akong napatango bago sumuko. Mabigat naman talaga pero ayoko namang maging pabigat sa kaniya. This is the least I can do around here. Wala naman akong trabaho.

His legs are longer than mine kaya mas nauuna siyang maglakad kumpara sa akin. Tahimik akong nagmamasid sa paligid at paminsan-minsan ding kumukuha ng mga larawan.

I'm in love with this place.

The pristine water shined like crystals beneath the scorching heat from the sun. The place was very peaceful. Tanging ingay mula sa alon ng dagat at mga hayop lang ang maririnig mo.

"You really love this place, don't you?"

Ibinaba ko ang hawak-hawak na cellphone at lumingon kay kuya na ngayon ay nakamasid na sa akin. I gulped hard when I saw his tall stature from afar. I couldn't help but admire how the sunray kisses his ripped arms. It's not helping that he's wearing a sleeveless shirt.

I unconsciously raised my phone and took a picture of him.

"You can't just take someone's photo without asking their permission."