Isla Velarde #1: Raging Waves

WAVES 6

Chapter 6
***

Dilat na dilat ang mata ni Hanna habang nakatingin sa kisame ng tinutuluyan niyang kuwarto. Paulit-ulit kasi sa isipan niya ang sinabi ni Shiruo noon sa lawa.

He’s really serious when he said those, that she couldn’t even had the chance to crack a joke. He’s willing to be the father on his own accord. Walang nagsabi na maging ama siya ng dinadala niya. He decided it for himself.

Ngumiti lang si Hanna nang oras na iyon at natigil ang kanilang usapan. They sat on the picnic blanket and ate in silence until Shiruo said that it’s time for them to swim.

Hanna was thankful that it didn’t went awkward between them. It was casual and Shiruo never let the mood become sour.

“Ayos lang ba sa iyo na iba ang maging tatay mo?” kausap niya sa anak habang hinihimas ang tiyan na nagsisimula pa lang ang umbok.

She personally don’t know Shiruo but the first time she laid her eyes on his tantalizing brown eyes, Hanna felt home somehow. Even if those eyes doesn’t seem happy like the way his lips curve, she never saw something skeptical in him except that she was unsure of what she will become in his embrace.

“Hanna, are you ready?”

Nilingon ni Hanna ang pinto bago siya bumangon at nag-ayos ng sarili. Kanina pa siya nakadamit ng maayos para sa check up niya ngunit nahiga siya sandali para ipahinga ang sarili. Nakararamdam na naman kasi siya ng antok.

Instead of opening the door, Hanna went to see herself in the full length mirror to confirm if she looks good or if there’s a dirt on her face.

“Hays! Ano ba ito? Hindi ka naman ganito, Hanna. Bakit ba conscious ka na kung ano ang hitsura mo dahil nariyan lang sa pintuan si Shiruo?”

Umiling-iling siya saka hindi na nagdalawang-isip na buksan ang pinto.

She put up a good smile when she opened the door so that Shiruo won’t suspect that she’s becoming stiff around him.

“Sorry medyo natagalan, inayos ko pa kasi ang strap ng bra ko.”

Without hesitating, Shiruo looked down to see how round her breasts are. Kahit matagal na nang makita niya iyon ay pansin niyang tila lumaki ang dibdib nito.

Realizing what she just said, Hanna turned around and Shiruo did the same too when he realized he’s staring so much.

“Le-Let’s go. Fatima would scold us if we’re late.” Nauna nang naglakad si Shiruo patungo sa pantalan at sumunod naman sa kaniya si Hanna.

They are using a small boat that the Velarde uses whenever they go to Luningning, the nearest barangay in the island. Hanna haven’t seen their underground dock yet where their yachts are anchored.

Nawala ang antok ni Hanna nang makasakay na sila sa maliit na bangka. Her experience in her hometown might not be that good but she misses Santa Rosa and their rich ocean and land.

“You’re not seasick, are you?” he asked when they are already at the dock of Barangay Luningning.

“I grew up in an island, Shiruo. Sanay na ako sa dagat at pagsakay ng bangka.”

“All right, let’s go.” Inilahad ni Shiruo ang kamay para alalayan siya sa pagbaba. Hindi naman tumanggi si Hanna na hawakan ang kamay niya.

‘Gosh! Ang init ng kamay niya.’ Ngumiti lang si Hanna para hindi siya mahalata ni Shiruo.

Halos isang linggo na ang nakalipas nang manirahan siya kasama ang lalaki at simula sa lawa ay hindi na mawala-wala sa isipan niya ang huli nitong sinabi tungkol sa pagiging ama niya sa bata.