T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 13

Salt breeze greeted me once again, with a familiar burning feeling on the skin from the touch of the sun's rays. The swaying of palm branches were in sync with each blow of the warm wind, and each gush of leaves harmonized with the crashing of waves by the shore. It was the sound of a typical beach vacation, but unfortunately, we weren't here to join the guests.

Venice was in her polka red dress and yellow-framed tinted glasses, paired with sandals. She led the way to our designated areas where we will do our tasks. They were clearly taking advantage of me, so they assigned me to splash some colors on the lifeless, dull, and stinky concrete walls. It would've been easily the death of me if I would be doing all of this all alone, but thank goodness, they recruited some of the best mural painters in the town.

"You can take pictures so you can draft some designs today," Venice suggested, as she held a clipboard of papers. "And guys, don't worry about the paints and everything. We have sponsors to provide you the materials that you need. Right, sir Gelo?"

Psh. Sir Gelo. Sir Gelo. Puro na lang sir Gelo. Why is she addressing him sir as if he's twenty years older than us here?

"Yes. Aside from the materials, we will make sure everyone is given snacks and meals. Ayos ba?" he confirmed.

Dapat lang.

They sent us to a reserved cottage to gather and brainstorm on the designs we will be painting on the concrete walls. Our team also received a new notice that someone wants their two-storey store to be painted as well. Quite challenging, but I was amazed how quick were the others here. I was able to present mine too. Glad I brought my iPad with me.

"Wow, no joke nga talaga skills mo, sir Ike," Venice wide-eyed, observing from behind.

"Thanks," I simply replied.

All of a sudden, he appeared out of nowhere. "Of course. Back in high school, parati 'yang nanalo sa art contests," he added.

I didn't respond right after he spoke. Instead, I remained focused on my iPad as I stroke colors on the virtual canvas with my pen. Go talk to someone else, not me.

Lunch came, and the meals were served. Just typical packed meals, but they promised us better meals on the day this project will be completed. They better should. This isn't homework you can just finish in a day.

After taking the meals, some of us resumed the tasks, while some just decided to splash some water under the heat. I turned to see the other cottage where I immediately recognized his nape. He's busy typing on his laptop.

Meanwhile, a head slowly moved behind his figure. It was Venice, who had just caught me looking at them. I went back to my drawing and continued painting on my screen.

It didn't take long when she came over to us. "Kumusta kayo? If may kailangan kayo or concerns, tell us immediately para ma-entertain namin kayo. Okay?" she asked, and turned to me. "Ikaw, sir Ike?"

I quickly shook my head.

"Okay," she said before going back to their cottage.

Geez, she's really weird. Nahawa ata siya ng kanyang amo.

Later, I heard some noises from a group of friends heading towards the other cottage. When I took a look, I gasped, wide-eyed, and hid my face behind my iPad. This can't be.

A laugh from Sheena has crippled a panic in me. I rushed, hiding my face under my unbuttoned polo shirt, and went out of the cottage. I headed to the bathroom, and right when I took the vacant cubicle, I was able to sigh in relief. That was close.

If they ever find out I'm here, my name will take over that group chat again. Sheena will stir rumors, knowing how chaotic that girl is.

"Sir Ike? Andyan po ba kayo?" Venice's voice echoed in the room.

Really? Did she just follow me all the way here?

I didn't dare to answer her. I will stay here until his friends leave.

But, the question is: how will I know?

Just after I heard her footsteps leaving, I went out of the cubicle and called her. "Psst! Venice!"

She looked back and sighed in relief. "Andyan ka lan—"

"Sshh!" I shushed her. "Sabi mo kanina, sabi lang kami sa'yo if may concern kami. Pwes, may concern na ako ngayon."

I pointed to their cottage. "Ayaw kong makita nila ako na andito sa project ni Raiver. Kita mo 'yang babae na parang leader nila?"

"Yes," she whispered back. "She's giving that bad girl energy."

"Right. And, just to let you know, she's been bullying me ever since high school pa kami. I want you to go over there and tell him to never tell them about me being here. Understood?"

"Copy," she nodded and rushed back to their cottage.

I stayed for a while and hid. Other guests were even curious why I was standing here, but I didn't mind them anymore. And goodness, it didn't take long as I sighted their group already leaving the place. I waited until I couldn't see any of them anymore, before I finally decided to—

"Tago ka, sir Ike!" Venice appeared again, but this time, she's panicking.

She hid me behind her, and just before I could speak, I heard some voices heading towards us. It's them.

"Oh, Venice, right? Ba't andito ka bigla?" a question I'm pretty sure was coming from Sheena.

"Wala, hehe," she replied.

"Sino 'yang nagtatago sa likod mo?" Another one asked from her circle.

"Ah, friend ko lang po. Su-sumusuka! Yes! Sumusuka! He needs some space," she lied.

There, I quickly acted like I was vomiting. "Bwue! Ubweh!"

"Ah, okay. Sige, mauna na kami," she said, before they finally left the place.

Venice then wiped the sweat off her head. "Muntikan na, sir Ike!" she sighed.

"Thanks. Balik na tayo doon."

We went back to the cottages, greeted with questions. My colleagues were asking what happened, but Venice answered those for me. We resumed like nothing happened, but I caught someone looking back at me from the other cottage.

Finally, the sun was about to sink into the wide ocean, with its final show of rays that glowed the skies golden. The breeze was becoming colder, matching the calming sound of the waves. The last hours of comfort embraced my body, with waters enveloping my bare feet and a scenic view that, somehow, emptied my exhausted mind.

"You did great," a voice coming from my side uttered, breaking the silence I sought since this morning.

As usual, I didn't dare to look back, but this time, I wasn't feeling annoyed. Rather, I was feeling too timid to reply. And so, between us was an awkward silence.

"Let's go home," he sighed, before he headed first back to the van.

That was the only moment I looked back at him. As he took each step on his way, a familiar feeling arose from death; it wasn't as strong as I felt before, but I still remember how it broke me into pieces.