The Captain's Only Sea (Cavanaugh #3)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Helped

"Sa pangatlo'ng araw ka na lang siguro pumunta ng Madrid, Ms. Vargas. Hindi mo ba talaga kaya? Masakit ang balakang at pang-upo mo? Malubha ba 'yong pagkakabagsak mo sa sahig? Magpatingin ka na lang kaya sa medical facility?"

Agad akong pinuntahan dito sa cabin ni Mrs. Siguenza nang hindi ako pumunta sa mess hall para sumabay sa kanilang mag-almusal.

Maagang umalis si Daumier para magtrabaho. Alas singko pa lang ay bumangon na siya kanina, naligo at nagbihis. The ship was nearing the port. Kailangan siya sa bridge para sa ligtas na pag-dock ng barko.

Daumier had no idea when he left that I was physically suffering and could not even stand on my own without feeling the muscle aches. He was not able to ask me because I was still asleep when he went to work.

Who would not get muscle pain after what I did last night? Kalahating oras ng pagkaldag na dalawang minuto lang natitigil? Hindi na nga ako kumakaldag no'n. Napapatalbog lang talaga ng kusa ang puwet ko dahil sa dinidikdik niyang kamay roon.

I sighed, feeling tired as the erotic scene replayed in the back of my mind.

"Hindi na po, Mrs. Siguenza. Exercise lang po ang gamot nito," it took me half a minute before I said that response.

"Sa susunod mag-ingat na. May ibang parte talaga ng deck na madulas," payo nito.

Kung alam niya lang talaga. I have to make stories to cover up the truth.

"Mag-se-send na lang po ako ng message kapag maayos na po ako. Hahabol po ako sa Madrid," magalang kong salita.

"Oo, kasi talagang isa ka sa mga importante'ng tao na a-attend."

Mrs. Siguenza excused herself after. Marami pa raw siyang aasikasuhin sa pag-alis nila.

Aleshien then appeared by the door. Care and concern was etched on her pretty fresh face.

"Kalei? Ayos ka lang ba talaga?"

"Oo."

"Magpagaling ka ah? Humabol ka sa amin," pumasok siya at nilapitan ang kama kung saan ako kasalukuyang nakahilata. "Ang sabi ay hindi na rin daw makakasama si Captain Cavanaugh sa Madrid dahil may aasikasuhin lang daw siya rito sa barko at baka ay hahabol lang din."

Hindi ako naniniwalang may aasikasuhin pa siya. The moment KV Ocean safely docked? His duties lessen. Narinig niya na siguro ang kalagayan ko kaya ay ayaw niya na lang din pumunta.

"Gano'n?" sabi ko na lang na parang walang ideya.

"Oo, at nga pala! May panibagong naghihintay na malaking project sa atin pagbalik natin sa Pinas!" she was grinning already with those sparkling excitement in her eyes.

"Ano'ng project?"

Nagkibit balikat siya. "Wala pa'ng sinabi. Pero bibigyan tayo ng isang buwan na pahinga. Hindi pa kasama roon 'yong usap-usapang ten-day voyage sa cruise ship ng mga Gantuangco. At para makauwi raw din tayo sa probinsiya natin. Pagbalik sa Manila ay saka na sila magpapa-meeting."

Minutes later. The other members of the diving team visited me in this private cabin too. Joining Aleshien. Asking how I was. Brought me my breakfast too.

Joana was with them, but she was silent. Nasa loob pala ang kulo niya.

I told them all the same and only answer. That I was okay and it was nothing severe. Perhaps after two days, I would gain my strength again and these muscle aches would be gone.

They did not stay that long. They were busy packing some of their belongings for their leave to Madrid. Might as well buy new clothes at the nearest store. Iyong panlakad. Wala kasi kaming masyadong dala'ng gamit na panlakad.