Miara's Mistakes

(177) August 24, 2020

Beach

Miara woke up later than usual. Nang magising siya ay una niyang hinanap si Primo, saka na lang din natandaan na umalis ito kaninang madaling araw.

She could still remember how tired and sleepy she felt earlier when Primo woke her up. Kahit parang nahihilo dahil sa antok ay pinilit niyang pakinggan ang sinasabi ng lalaki.

He said that his mom has an urgent request and he needs to be the one who must do it.

Miara went out to the balcony in Primo's room. Kitang-kita sa kalayuan na naglalaro ang mga pinsan ni Primo. May kaniya-kaniyang hose sila at binabasa ang isa't isa.

At kahit sa malayo ay kitang-kita niya kung paano naghahabulan sina Tommy at Ciara. Nang maabot ni Ciara ang kapatid ay agad niya itong sinabunutan.

Si Mav naman ay kitang-kita ang pagfi-flex ng biceps habang binabasa siya ng tubig ni Fico at si Atien ang taga-video. He was shaking his head as the water flowed down his hair, giving a dramatic effect.

Natawa na lang si Miara dahil sa nakikita. She also couldn't help but think that Mav resembles Johnny Bravo—small head and bulky body.

Miara showered quickly and when she went out of the bathroom, there was a breakfast tray on the bedside table. Then she went out of the house and walked for a few minutes to reach Primo's cousins.

Nakaupo na sila ngayon sa damuhan at may kaniya-kaniyang tuwalya. They all greeted Miara enthusiastically. It's either they have no idea about what happened or they're too good at pretending. Or maybe they don't care about it at all.

Maya-maya ay nagsilabasan na ang mga katulong at may dala-dalang mga lamesa, silya, at pagkain. Iba't ibang putahe ang hinanda dahil ang paborito ng isa ay kinaaayawan naman ng isa. O 'di kaya'y allergic ang isa sa kanila.

May mga fresh fruits din na hinain katabi ng isang juicer. Hindi alam ni Miara kung paano nila mauubos ang mga pagkain. May dalawang klase ng pasta, dalawang klase ng rice, may beef, chicken, pork, seafood, at iilang desserts din.

Hindi na ito ang unang beses na kumain si Miara kasama nila ngunit nagugulat pa rin siya minsan sa dami ng mga hinahanda nila. Ang pang-araw-araw nilang pagkain ay pang-birthday party na ng iba.

After eating, they had an inflatable pool set. Malaki iyon at kasya silang lahat nang hindi nabubunggo sa isa't isa. They could do laps in the pool and it's the biggest inflatable one Miara has ever seen.

Pero imbes na maligo ay nanatili lang si Miara sa sun lounger, pinagmamasdan ang mga naliligo. From time-to-time, she would take a picture and send it to Primo.

"Ang tahimik mo," puna ni Mav at umupo sa katabing silya. He was looking at a distance while drying his hair with a towel.

"I need some calm and peace..."

Napatingin si Mav sa kaniya. "Oh, I'm sorry... maingay ba kami? Nah, maingay talaga—"

"Hindi! Hindi!" Mabilis na sagot ni Miara. She doesn't want Mav to have the wrong idea. And even if she finds them noisy, she has no right to complain since she's only a visitor. "Ibig kong sabihin ay ayaw ko munang pag-usapan. Gusto kong makapag-isip-isip."

Napatango naman si Mav at bumalik na naman ang malayo nitong tingin. "Would it make you feel better if I tell you that I have one that's worse?"

Miara wants to pretend that she's unsure about what Mav is talking about. But she also knows that she doesn't have to think and ask twice. Alam niya kung ano ang tinutukoy ni Mav.

Miara chuckled while shaking her head. "Thank you... but no, not really comforting."

She turned to Mav and saw him shrug. "At least I tried..."