Summer Rain

Chapter X

Pero kinabukasan, walang sagot akong nakuha sa kanya.

Mario snuggled a hangover and stayed inside their room for the rest of the day. Keno was giving him shit all about it. In my case, I decided to enjoy the beach with Annie.

"Gracie, hindi pa makakababa si Mario." Startled, binaba ko ang librong binabasa ko.

It's Keno sitting beside my lounge chair on the beach.

"Akala ko naman kung sino. Wag ka ngang nanggugulat." Paksi ko rito.

Tatawa-tawa naman ito habang inilagay sa isang tabi ang towel ni Annie at nahiga sa lounge chair.

Tamang-tama naman na nagswi-swimming ang bunso kong kapatid kasama nang ibang kaedad namin.

Hindi ko napigilang mapatingin sa katawan ng binata. Paano ba naman kasi eh wala itong t-shirt at makikita ang iba't ibang tatoos nya sa dibdib at tagiliran.

"Don't check me out. What you see is the same as Mario's except the tattoos."

Hindi ko alam na napapansin pala niyang nakatitig ako. Isinisi ko lahat sa suot niyang sunglasses.

Inirapan ko naman ito at itinuon na ang aking pansin sa pahina ng binabasa kong libro.

" As if."

" You've seen him and he's built. I bet you've seen more than what you bargained for."

Namula ang aking mga pisngi sa ipinupunto niya.

I was aware kung ano'ng mga pinanggagagawa namin ni Mario but Keno putting that in my face is making me blush.

With Mario, I did things that I haven't done before.

" Don't act like you're still a virgin." he bluntly said.

He's being an asshole and I don't know what I've done to make him act that way. Hindi naman ganito ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya.

"Well, the way I act is none of your business. Virgin or not, what is it to you?" I replied. I don't want to be provoked and ruin this vacation.

Nagkibit balikat na lamang ito.

Ilang minuto ring nanahimik si Keno and it's getting uncomfortable. Isa pa, meron pang mga katanungan sa isip ko ang hindi nasasagot.

"May sasabihin dapat si Mario sa akin kagabi na pinigilan mo. Ano ba yun?"

Ibinaba ko ang binabasa kong libro and gave him my full attention.

"It's something that he should tell you, princess. You could go to our room and ask him that. Mag-isa lang naman siya dun and I promise not to disturb you two."

Tinanggal niya ang sunglasses at kumindat pa.

The nerve!

"You're an asshole." I whisper-yelled.

"An asshole maybe, but a kind one. Don't you agree?"

Napailing na lamang ako at tumayo na. Tama nga namang puntahan ko si Mario sa kwarto nito. Isa pa, mag-aalas singko na.

I was wearing a knitted pant coverall and  a bikini top.

Habang binabaybay ko ang mahabang pasilyo ng hotel, iniisip ko kung ano ang mga sasabihin ko sa binata.

Any excuse why I am going into his room.

Your cousin put the idea in my head. Or pwede rin namang concerned ako sayo - - - which is true.

The naughtier part of my brain has something else to say. Sabihin mong you want to be alone with him.

Tama nga talaga ang sabi nila na kapag masyado kang nakulong sa isip mo ay mababaliw kang talaga.