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 type ng reply, magsesnd nalang mamaya kapag nagka-signal na ako. Buti na lang nasa tubig pa 'yung mga kasama ko.

I typed 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.