Shipped Towards You

Alone Together

Gaz's POV

"'Sup?" Tanong ko kay King pagpasok ko ng kwarto.

"Good."

"Why'd you do that?" Tanong ko habang inaayos ang pag-upo.

"What?"

"Risking your life just to save her."

He smiled. "She's amazing, isn't she? I think I picked the right bet now. What'd you think?"

"Enough with that, King. Mga pirata na tayo. We'll only put someone else's life at risk."

"You can always try."

"Bakit mo ba ako nirereto sa kung kani-kanino!?" Naiinis kong sabi rito.

Natawa ito at tinapik ako sa aking braso. "Your reason for sailing has taken two years of your life. Pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin tayong balita, ni wala tayong clue nasaan sila. Don't you think it's time for you to find your own happiness?"

"Magiging masaya lang ako kung maihihiganti ko si ate. Pag nagawa ko 'yon, tyaka ko pa lang pwedeng isipin ang sarili ko."

"Don't be too hard to yourself, Gaz."

"I'm doing this not just for my sister. You know damn well how suffocating my life was with my dad." Tumango lamang ito bilang sagot. "Sige na! May gagawin pa ako." Sabi ko kasabay ng pagtayo.

"Gaz, wait."

"Ano nanaman?"

"Don't you really have... even a tiny feeling for her?" Seryosong tanong nito.

"Wag mo na ipilit King at..."

"No... I'm asking you because... I might get in the scene."

"What do you mean?"

He chuckled, "Tsk. Don't play dumb, Gaz. You know exactly what I mean."

Hindi ko alam kung paano sasagutin ang sinabi ni King. Bigla akong nakaramdam na para bang may mahalagang bagay na kukunin sa akin. But I can't be swayed by my emotions.

"Well, that'll work for me. She's annoying, nothing special." Sagot ko na lamang dito bago binuksan ang pinto at tuluyang umalis.

Dumiretsyo ako sa puno kung saan ko kikitain si Asè.

I saw her caressing the bandage where she got bruised. I don't know why it pains me to see it.

"Now, tell me." Bungad ko rito pagdating ko, showing no emotions.

"I heard you're sailing out alone tonight." I know she'll know about it. King has such a big mouth.

"What does that have to do with our deal?"

"Bring me with you."

"What? No! Pabigat ka lang sa gagawin ko."

"I promise I won't!"

"NO! Ganyan ka ba kadesperada?" Pasigaw kong nasabi rito dahil sa pagka-irita. I, too, was shocked with my words.

Her watery eyes stirred a sense of guilt within me. Kita ko ang gulat at pagkapahiya sa mga mata nito. In a second, she ran away, leaving me with a heavy heart. It was a strange feeling I never felt for someone other than my family and close friends.

----

Asè didn't show up, despite knowing the fact that I'll be leaving for a week tonight. It must've hurt that much. On the other hand, it's for the better.

"Akala ko ay maliit na bangka lang ang gagamitin ko?" Tanong ko kay Zath matapos nitong ipakita ang bangkang gagamitin.

"You will need a proper place to sleep. Isa pa, baka umulan. Mabuti na yung safe ang mga bibilhin mo pati na rin ikaw. Wag kang mag-alala, walang bayad 'yan. Someone offered it for free. Siguro dahil tumulong tayo sa pagpapaalis ng mga pirata kahapon."