Territorial Men 11: Luke Fuentes

CHAPTER 2 (SPG)

CHAPTER TWO

KATULAD ng parolang matibay na nakatayo sa kalayuan, malalaman ang tapang ng isang tao kung nakaya na nitong tumindig mag-isa sa gitna ng dilim nang walang takot na nadama. Para sa mga mandaragat, mahalaga ang parola bilang gabay sa malawak na karimlan. Hindi niya alam kung ang ibang tao ba ay gano'n din ang turing sa kahanga-hangang tore ng liwanag at gabay sa kalayuan.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Bella Xaria said while watching the lighthouse.

The darkness of the sky made the crescent moon and stars like the master of the night. The sounds of the calm waves and the way the salty breeze embraced her were very relaxing.

"It is."

"I remember a boy that I've met when I was ten..."

Zakia sipped on her wine. To hear someone's story always interested her, especially if that someone was a part of her life. Like Xaria Villamor.

"What 'bout him?"

"He reminds me of a lighthouse."

"That sounds romantic..."

A small smile formed on Xaria's lips.

"I didn't care about the use of a lighthouse before, but when he told me the importance of it, I started to realize that I was too insensitive of my surroundings."

"Your family used to travel the world by air and sea. To know that you didn't care about the lighthouse is ridiculous, Xaria." Zakia chuckled.

"I know." Her friend laughed softly. "But I was just ten that time. I was too young to give a damn about everything around me."

"Understandable. So, what did you learn from that mysterious boy?"

Xaria was glowing beautifully in her royal blue silk dress with high slit.

"The lighthouse is like a strong person. Despite standing alone, it remained steady and intact. It serves as a guide to the sailors, a protector of the people and the land nearby."

"Like a fearless person who's still willing to help despite the danger in the dark," Zakia muttered as she realized that's what she wanted to be—a brave one.

"Yes. People only recognize the brave person after the catastrophe without knowing what they had been through before they became one."

It was a meaningful conversation with Bella Xaria.

The night went on until Mallory dared them to do a game before going to their cabin to sleep. Ang ibang bisita ay nagpahinga na ang iba naman ay naroon pa rin at nagsasaya sa pormal na paraan—kwentuhan, tawanan, at mabagal na sayawan.

Apat sila sa isang lamesa. Zakia had a couple shots of tequila already. She's not a drinker. Her tolerance was weak when it comes to alcohol. Kaya nga kapag nagpupunta sila sa club or bar, moderate lang ang alak na iniinom nilang magkapatid.

"Just a simple truth and dare. We don't need to be scandalous here. Nakakahiya sa ibang bisita., Mallory told them.

"Just one round. I'm kinda sleepy already." Chandra massaged her temple sleepily.

"Crush ko talaga si Brenth," pag-amin ni Mallory at ngumisi.

Brenth is Xaria's brother. He has a twin, Branth. Naroon din ang dalawa kaya lang ay abala sa pakikipag-usap sa mga bisitang negosyante. Nakilala na ito nina Chandra noong mga unang buwan na naging magkaibigan sila ni Xaria. Kanina ay kaswal lang silang nagbatian.

"Crush? He's like our brother, Mallory," Chandra said as if having a crush on Brenth Villamor was funny to think the fact that he's older than them.

"Why not? I like that kind of man. Silent and serious."