Atonement

v

Lianne sips from her wine glass as she gazes into the vast expanse of sea across from her casita. She's leaning against the open sliding glass door adjacent to the king-size bed,  completely immersed in her thought. 

"Hoy Lianne, akala mo hindi ko napapansin ha.You've been trying to disregard my existence here. " Her musings are abruptly cut short by that one familiar voice that has been following her around all day, persistent and insinuating.

She heaves an exasperated sigh and looks daggers at her companion. "What do you want?"

"So, hindi mo pa nga i-memessage si Benjamin?"

It's the umpteenth time Vivian has mentioned his name. She cannot tell if it's intentionally  done out of mockery or just concern. Either way, it's getting so repetitive and annoying that she just can't help but roll her eyes.

"Bawal ang pikon dito. Kapag naiinis ibig sabihin may feelings pa daw!" Vivian knows how to push her buttons, but too bad because Lianne is skilled in the art of feigning ignorance.

"Mamaya na lang," she says impassively. 

"Okay. Mabilis naman ako kausap. Anyways, labas na lang tayo kung ganun. Let's explore this beautiful place!" They now stand side by side while facing the ocean. Their countenances are the complete opposite of each other. Lianne's stoic expression contrasts with Vivian's gleeful one.

"When do you think I will have the opportunity to do this again once we get back? Wala. "

Lianne fixes her gaze on her friend. "Hindi ka ba hinahanap ng mga anak mo? You've been bugging me nonstop. Why not sleep here, too, so we'll be inseparable all the time? That way you'll finally satiate your hunger for gossips."

"Wow ha, Lianne. Salamat naman sa pag appreciate mo sa akin. Bwisit ka rin talaga minsan."

She's not in the mood for a kind response, so instead of answering, she just returns her attention to the view in front of her.

"Anyways, malalaki na yung mga yun. Mga binatilyo pa. Sa tingin mo gusto nilang nakabuntot ako sa kanila lagi? I just want to relax, Lianne."

"Ask the others. I'm not in the mood."  Also, there are a few people she's still trying to avoid.  She sulkily downs her last bit of wine. She wants more, but it's too early to start getting drunk.

"Baka maburyong ka dito. Tara na pasyal tayo." 

"Ayoko. I might bump into Jihan accidentally. It could ruin everything."

"So magtatago ka lang dito for the whole week?"

"Ewan ko kay Jamie. He said he had a plan. I'll just wait."

"Naku eh paano naman yang plan na yan magmomove forward eh hindi mo pa nga maitext."

"I'll do it later. It's too early. Baka busy pa siya."

"Sus, saan naman magiging busy yung tao. Kaya nga nandito sa Amanpulo para mag relax di ba?"

Lianne briefly shuts her eyes. She inhales the refreshing ocean air in an effort to calm her mind. She then turns away and puts the wine glass on the coffee table. Vivian closes the sliding door and follows suit.

"Remind me why I'm friends with you again?"

"Ewan. Hindi ko na rin maalala teh," her friend says nonchalantly. 

 Lianne lets her body fall into the mattress, her feet dangling over the edge. She stays still, her right hand resting on her stomach and her left arm covering her eyes. 

Vivian stands at the foot of the bed and nudges her legs to gain her attention. They look at each other. Vivian wiggles her eyebrows, smirking. 

"I don't feel good, Viv. I haven't had a proper sleep ever since I came here," she groans tiredly.