Caged [RWS #1]

CHAPTER 41: HOLDING HANDS

Clio's POV

Kagagaling namin sa last tourist spot na pinuntahan namin which is the Seabreeze Kiteclub. We enjoyed that experience so much, hindi lang kami basta nanood ng mga nagka-kite surf but we are able to experience it with help of professional kite surfers.

Hyacinth and I are slowly getting along. Hindi na ito mailap sa'kin unlike before. Hindi ko nalang din pinapansin si Rocco sa mga pagpapapansin niya kay Vianca para hindi masira ang araw ko. At hindi na rin nagsusungit sa'kin si Vianca gaya kahapon. Sa madaling salita, sobrang ganda na ng araw ko pero mukhang masisira pa sa pagdating ni Nova Lazaro.

"Found yah," Nova Lazaro chimed in. I was talking to Vianca about Hyacinth. Nakatambay kami sa dalampasigan ng General Luna beach nang bigla itong sumulpot.

Vianca's stares lingered. Sa tingin palang, halatang may naiisip na ito. I can't deny, kasalanan ko dahil sinabi kong nags-stay ako sa General Luna. Sana hindi ko nalang sinabi.

"Hey," pilit akong ngumiti.

"Hi, I'm Nova. You're one of her friends, right?" Bumaling ito kay Vianca na agad nawala ang kunot ng noo.

Vianca faked a smile. "Vianca here. Nice meeting you." She projected another fake smile. Kung hindi mo siya lubusang kilala, you'll think that smile was genuine.

Ngumiti si Nova kay Vianca bago bumaling sa'kin. "We heard maraming bars here so my friends and I are going out tonight. Would you wanna join us?"

Tumingin ako kay Vianca na nagtaas ng kilay. "I can't," I answered Nova. "I have my daughter with me and a married woman shouldn't go out without her wife's permission." Wika ko na nanggaling din mismo kay Vianca.

Nova leaned closer to me and whispered to my ears. "I know your secret, Clio. The wedding only to cover up for Cora.. and everything." I was taken aback kaya hindi agad ako nakagalaw. Nova gave me a playful smirk.

Narinig ko nalang ang pagmartsa ni Vianca paalis. Mabilis ang lakad niya kaya pinanood ko nalang hanggang makalapit siya sa pwesto ni Hyacinth at Rocco. Mukha nanaman silang pamilya.

"Who cares?" I hissed. "Hindi ako sasama." Saad ko saka siya tinalikuran at mabilis na nilapitan ang tatlo.

Wala akong pake kung magsumbong pa siya kay Mr. Lazaro. Magre-resign na rin naman ako. I'm free to do what I want. Hindi na ulit ako magiging sunod-sunuran kahit kanino.

"How many minutes 'til I see the sunset?" Tanong ni Hyacinth, naka-ready na ulit ang camera niya.

"Just a few more minutes, honey," Vianca sweetly answered as she join Hyacinth who's sitting in a cloth in the white sand.

Nasa ilalim kami ng palm tree. Ang gandang pagmasdan ng karagatan mula rito. The sun's ray is reflecting through the crystal-clear water. The waves are wild, creating a loud sound as it meets the seashore.

"It's amazing to think that the waves never stopped chasing the shore. Like it's its own dream come true once it flowed right through the sands, but once happened, a huge disaster will strike and shore will be left in catastrophic state. Neither of the two liked what happened but the shore had to face all the consequences, alone." Bulong ko sa hangin habang naglalakbay ang aking isip.

Will another disaster be worth it? Willing pa kayang mag-take risk ang shore, to let the wave meet her once again kahit posibleng mauwi ulit sa trahedya?

"What a sad ending.." rinig kong bulong ni Vianca kahit nakaupo ito sa tabi ni Hyacinth.

"It's not an ending yet.." kontra ko. Umupo ako sa buhangin, sa tabi ni Vianca. Niyakap ko ang tuhod ko habang gumuguhit sa buhangin.