Adora

Chapter 1

LEONARDO

"YES, yes, 'nay. I will go home early. And then I'll take a leave tomorrow. Yes po, hindi ako magtatrabaho. Sasamahan ko kayo diyan sa bahay." I chuckled as I heard my mother shrieked in excitement. Narinig ko rin ang boses ni tatay sa kabilang linya. "C'mon. Don't you believe me? Mangingisda tayo bukas lahat. It's Saturday, anyway."

[Okay, okay. Ingat diyan, Leon---hello, kuya! Babye!]

"Bye." I smiled as I clicked my airpod to end the call. Mas pinabilisan ko pa ang motor ko. Nasa highway pa naman ako, at wala sa bayan. I could speed up here.

As I heard its roaring engine, I reached my destination. San Pascual. It's like a small village of fishermen, near to the bounty and large Pacific Ocean. May mga dumadaong din ditong barko at dito kami palagi sumasakay papuntang ibang bansa. It's where I work as well.

Ipinarada ko ang motor ko sa gilid. I took out the keys and put it in my pocket. Pagkatapos ay tinanggal ko ang helmet ko at ginulo ang buhok. Malakas na humangin hanggang sa marinig at makita ko ang malakas na pag-hampas ng alon.

"H-hi, sir, good morning!"

"Good morning, sir Leon!"

I smiled at the women who are also working here. I gave them a short nod. "Good morning din po. I just have to check and then I'll leave. Babalik na lang po kami bukas dito ni tatay."

"S-sige po!"

Nagtutulukan pa ang mga ito at mahinang tumitili. I just shook my head mentally. For pete's sake, I'm just 20 years old. At first, it was my father, then now, me? I don't get women here. Sa tuwing kinakausap ko sila ay nagkakahiyaan pa. Am I not welcome here? Do I look weird?

"Leon, hijo!"

Nagliwanag ang mukha ko at kumaway. "Lo! Nandito po pala kayo." I ran towards him as I took his hand. Nag-mano ako. "What brought you here in Friday afternoon? Bibisita po ba kayo sa bahay? Nandoon sina tatay at nanay."

Umiling siya at tinapik ang likuran ko. "Wala. Napabisita lang ako at gusto kong makalanghap ng hangin. Tsaka dadating na rin ang tito mo mamaya. Dadaong na ang barko niya mamayang gabi."

I nodded. "Oh. That's why. Well, I need to take my leave now, 'lo. It's nice to see you here. May gagawin pa po kasi ako. Ingat po kayo!"

"Ingat din, Leon." He smiled back.

Tumalikod na ako at naglakad paalis. I greet some men with a nod and a smile and they would do the same. Hapon na at malapit na mag-alas kuwatro pero tirik na tirik pa rin ang araw. I took my sunglasses from the pocket of my polo and wore it. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglilibot.

I crossed some wooden planks formed as a bridge, and ahead of me, is now the ocean itself. May mga bangka sa gilid at nagbubuhat ang mga kalalakihan ng mga balde-baldeng isda. Tinutulungan ko ang iba, lalo na ang mga matatanda, kahit kadalasan ay tumatanggi sila.

"Kuya,"

I turned around only to see Sam. Matipid akong ngumiti rito at linapitan siya. We fist bump. "Kumusta? Lilipad ka na ba?"

"Hmm," Nakapamulsa siya at tumingin sa malayo. "Do you think I'm a weird Adorian, dalhe? Hindi ako malapit sa tubig. Halos lahat kayo nahihilo sa eroplano pero ako gusto ko pang magpalipad ng isa. You all have marks, but I don't have any. You all look father's children but I'm not---argh!"

Dahil mas matangkad pa rin ako kaysa sa kaniya, ay agad ko siyang yinakap sa leeg at ginulo ang buhok niya. "Samuel, Samuel. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Napakadrama mo na naman! Sasakalin na talaga kita. What the hell are you even saying? Of course, you're our brother, of course, you're tatay and nanay's child, and of course, you're a goddamn Adorian!"