The Last Rule

Chapter 15 - Goodluck

"This spot is better than the others. Is this the last one?" tanong ni Kuya Calli sa kasama naming bangkero. Local siya rito sa isla, dating mangingisda, pero ngayon ay trabahador na ni Lolo sa Casa. This was our fourth stop in the middle of the sea. Kuya Calli's goal was to find a perfect spot for scuba diving na pwedeng puntahan ng mga clients, and I think this is the one he's been looking for.

Silang dalawa lang ni Kuya Astro ang sumisisid kasama si Kuya Ruben, kilala din siya bilang local diver dito sa lugar nila. Alam niya ang bawat sulok ng dagat, kung saan ang may magagandang corals at kung saan ligtas sumisid.

Habang sila ay nasa ilalim ng tubig, ako naman ay nasa boat lang, tahimik, gamit ang cellphone ko. Mabuti na lang at may signal pa rin dito. The whole time, binabasa ko ang mga sinend ni Dos kanina. He sent many pictures and videos kasama ang mga teammates niya, lahat sila nagkakagulo, sumasayaw, nagsisigawan. Typical, boys.

He sent a video kung saan nasa bahay sila nila Dos. The boys were dancing like maniacs while he sang Versace on the Floor by Bruno Mars. I wanted to laugh sa kalokohan nila, but I was too focused or let me say - shocked, by his voice. It was my first time hearing him sing. Alam kong hindi siya baritone type, pero hearing his soft, husky tone hit those high notes left me in awe. Tatlong beses kong pinanood 'yung video bago ako nag isip ng irereply. Buti na lang nasa tubig pa 'yung mga kasama ko.

I tried to type a reply, but I couldn't bring myself to compliment his singing. Alam kong aasarin niya lang ako. So instead, I sent him a photo of the sea. Again.

After diving, pumunta naman kami sa karatig isla, just a fifteen-minute boat ride from the Casa. Maliit lang ito, mga half-hectare, pero napakaganda. Puro puno, may maliit na restaurant sa gitna na branch din ni Mama. The place looked peaceful, perfect for a quick escape or for pictures.

Under the trees were wooden chairs and tables, and on the right side stood a rock formation na maakyat mo lang kapag sa isla ka dumaan. The path was made of rough, jagged stones forming a natural bridge. Hindi ito malapitan ng bangka dahil sa ragasa ng alon, kaya kailangan talaga akyatin.

Sumama ako paakyat. Madulas ang mga bato kaya kailangan dahan-dahan. I took off my slippers halfway, barefoot climbing felt risky but thrilling.

"Should we put something na aakyatan? It may cause some accident," I suggested when we reached the top. The view was breathtaking, the horizon melting into orange and blue hues. For once, I didn't just stare; I took a picture and uploaded it right away to my story.

Going down was harder, but Kuya helped me. We stayed on the island longer and decided to eat lunch there. The restaurant wasn't open yet, but the staff were already inside, setting up. Mabuti na lang at nagbaon kami.

"Seafoods again?" I groaned when I saw the food. Kuya Calli laughed.

"Mom prepared a bento for you. Kaya wag ka nang magreklamo." He handed me a lunchbox.

I opened it excitedly! Korean-style fried chicken, gimbap, and rice.

"Such a baby," sabi ni Kuya Astro nang makita ang ngiti ko.

"So what? I'm a baby," I rolled my eyes.

"Babies don't dress like that. You should be in your diaper."

"Whatever, loser!"

We started eating, and I remembered to take a picture of my food. I sent it to Dos, and he replied with a photo of their lunch, it was a boodle fight style. I couldn't help but laugh when he sent another picture of Yan and Jacky both with their mouths open, sabay subo. I secretly took a picture of Kuya Calli and Kuya Astro doing the same.

"What are you doing?" Kuya Calli asked. I swiftly turned my phone off. Both of them looked at me suspiciously. Buti pa si Kuya Ruben, tahimik lang sa gilid and walang pakialam sa ginagawa ko.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" tanong ni Kuya Astro.

"Wala!" I answered too fast. How could he even think that? Kainis talaga.

After lunch, we headed to the sandbar. The white sand shimmered under the sun, and again, perfect for pictures. Kuya Calli suggested building a bridge papunta sa malalim na parte ng tubig for inflatables.

We returned to the Casa by sunset. Kuya Astro wanted to swim at the beach, but Kuya Calli and I went straight to the hotel. Sa lobby, nadatnan namin sina Mama at Papa.

"Where's Astro?" tanong ni Papa. Pero pareho silang napatingin sa akin.

"Sweetheart, you look great!" sabi ni Mama, approaching me with a hug. She even removed my cover-up.

"It doesn't look great at all," Papa muttered, brows furrowed.

"Hon, it's fine. It's normal to wear like that 'pag nasa beach," Mama defended. This time I tried to look around. Nasaan bakasi si Tita Den? She should be here right now, defending me from her Kuya.

"It's not normal for me, and it will never be normal for my daughter to wear that," Papa said sternly. "And you allowed her?" he turned to Kuya Calli.

"I told her, Dad, but Tita Den—"

"Hey, stop," Mama interrupted. "It's fine. Kasama naman niya mga kapatid niya."

"What's happening here?" came Lola's voice. She walked in with Tita Den. Thank God.

"Mama, look at our Princess. Isn't she stunning?" Mama greeted.

"Hija, you're so dalaga na," Lola said, giving me a soft beso.

"Stop being so overly protective, Kuya," Tita Den cut in, arms crossed.

"Baka ikaw na naman ang pasimuno niyan, Dennisse."

"Anong kinakatakot mo, Kuya? Do you want her to wear pajamas at the beach?"

"We should be thankful wala pang tao ngayon. Paano kung may mang-bastos sa kanya?" Papa argued.

"Will you liet it happen? Hahayaan mo bang mabastos siya?" Ang taray talaga.

"Exactly the reason kung bakit hindi ko siya pinagsusuot ng ganyan." The elder argued.

"That's your way of protecting her?" sagot ni Tita Den. "I've been wearing bikinis since I was fourteen, and no one dared to disrespect me."

"Because your aura's different. Mataray ka, Dennisse."

Tita's glare could kill. "Everyone!" she shouted. All the staff turned to her. "Sino mang tumingin ng malagkit sa pamangkin ko, tatanggalan ko ng mata!"

Before I could react, hinila na ako ni Tita palabas.

That night at dinner, Lolo asked about everyone's progress. The restaurant looked finished, clean, elegant, complete with interiors. It was steak night, and I loved every bite.

Dad and Lolo talked about operations, while the rest reported updates. Lola said that her agenda went fine. She even invited the city mayor for the opening and they agreed to promote the Casa in their tourism department. Mama said the restaurant will open soon, kahit 'yong maliit na cafe sa isla. Mga ingredients nalang ang kulang na idedeliver palang bukas. 

Tito Dex confirmed the hotel was complete, and Tita Den announced the gym and spa were ready. Mga alak nalang ang kulang sa Bar, to be delivered tomorrow.

When it was our turn, Kuya Calli reported about the snorkeling and scuba diving spots, and my idea for the rock formation steps. Lolo's secretary was instructed to order inflatables immediately.

Dinner ended with smiles and laughter. For once, Lolo looked genuinely proud and I loved that. I silently wished he'd always look at me that way.

Later, I showered and went straight to bed, too tired to move. I checked my phone one last time. Our last chat was before dinner, and he said they were going to drink and even sent a photo of the table, with Bret beside him. He hadn't messaged since.

Curious, I opened his story.

It was a clip of him playing basketball, jumping high, dunking the ball, and hanging from the ring while cheers echoed in the background.

And his caption was,

"Ni-goodluck ni idol ☀️"

I know that I sent him a goodluck message kanina, but it doesn't matter. I don't want to think about it anymore. 

My heart sank. I didn't even know why.