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

Chapter 15

Day two. Still yawning upon arriving at the beach. Although we have just started our work yesterday, it already made me feel like I have to take a longer rest. I haven't fully painted the portion I was assigned to, but it's already tiring. I mean, I had finished piled-up tasks in a single day before, but these concrete walls are different from canvases.

I'm thinking this might be because of the beach itself. Working in an environment where you are supposed to spend your summer vacation and have fun feels weird. Not to mention the hot weather that always greets us here. It's overwhelming, but thank God, I was able to get through yesterday.

I took my brush and palette and all went back to their respective areas. Still in ragged clothes, I resumed brushing strokes on the wall. Thanks to the shade from the towering palm trees, we don't have to suffer from the heat of the scorching sun.

"Baka kailangan mo ng tulong," someone uttered behind me.

I already recognized the voice, so I didn't have to turn to him anymore. "No thanks. I'm good," I said.

I climbed on the step ladder to reach the higher areas of the wall. He then quickly held the ladder, as if it was unstable and needed support. I tried so hard not to look at him and remain my focus, but his presence is distracting me again. I guess I have to call Venice now.

"Venice," I called her.

It didn't take a minute when she popped out of nowhere. "Sir Ike?"

With a slight tilt of my head, she was able to figure out what I meant by it. She sheepishly started to drag him away from me. "Tara na, sir Gelo. 'Di ba, may meeting ka pa po with Mister Lim? How about mag-prepare na po tayo..."

I rolled my eyes as his presence went away. Why does he bother me? The way he's acting makes me feel like I'm the only one he's monitoring among the volunteers. He's getting annoying and annoying day by day. I hope I can still hold my temper if he doesn't stop trying to get my attention—

My phone rang all of a sudden, so I had to climb down the ladder and drop my brush and palette. Just before I could miss it, I swiped my finger on the screen. "Ma? Ba't napatawag kayo?" I asked.

"Uwi ka muna sa bahay. Magpaalam ka at sabihin mo, babalik ka na lang d'yan mamaya," she said.

"Hah? Bakit? Anong meron?"

"Basta. Kailangan mong umuwi ngayon din," she replied authoritatively and ended the call.

There has to be something serious going on at home. Feeling anxious, I headed to Venice and informed her that I have to leave. "Pinapauwi ako ni Mama sa bahay. Don't worry, I'll be back later," I said.

She nodded in return. "Okay, okay. Ingat ka po, sir Ike."

Just when I turned myself away, I caught him peeking from the cottage, and his face had a trace of distress. I rushed to the exit, before he could even approach me. The last time I saw that face was when we brought Mama to the hospital. I don't want him to meddle this time.

When I reached home, I was already panting while having a bad feeling about Mama's call earlier. But, upon hearing some laughter coming from the living area, I was confused. I paced towards the front door that was left opened and what greeted my sight gasped me in surprise.

"No way," I uttered, as I took a warm embrace.

"Surprise!" he giggled.

It was a sigh of relief upon realizing what Mama meant. I was taken aback by his surprise visit. "Bakit ka andito? Tsaka, paano mo nalaman 'yong bahay namin? Sino kasama mo?" I asked, seemingly couldn't contain confusion and joy upon seeing him.

"Trip ko lang. Miss ko na kasi 'yong bestfriend ko," he smiled.

"Seryoso?" I laughed in disbelief. "You came all the way from Cebu to here kasi miss mo 'ko? Tarantado 'to ha. Nagpaalam ka ba kina Tito?"

He scratched his head, trying to look away. "Hindi pa," he answered.

I crossed my arms. "Ano?!"

"Just calm down, okay? I'll tell them now. Just chill."

We went to my room and let him take a rest on my bed. I'm still surprised how Greg was able to come here, even though he hasn't gone to my hometown ever since we met. He later revealed he contacted Mama so he could visit me personally. He could've waited for me to go back, but he really missed me and decided to book a flight. Natatawa na lang ako.

After insisting that he should call his parents immediately, I heard loud scolds from them on the other end. Greg still laughs despite being a sea away from his city. I also promised to his parents to take care of him while he's staying with us. "Alagaan mo 'yan, Icarus. Alam mo naman, pabaya 'yang si Greg sa sarili niya—"

"Ma, kaya ko na sarili ko. Okay? Uuwi rin ako," Greg interfered.

The call ended with a sigh. I shook my head as I stared at him. "'Wag kang pasaway ha? 'Di ka pa naman tagarito, kaya sumunod ka talaga sa akin," I said.

He raised his hand and saluted with a grin. "Aye, aye, captain!"

After he took some rest, we decided to go out and tour him around the city. I took our van and he hopped in excitedly. Back in Cebu, it's him who drives me around their place, but now—unexpectedly— it's already my turn.

We went to the mall and window shopped, before taking him to the newest restaurant I knew. Unlike the past few days, I became much more lively now that he's here. I told him about what's in my hometown, the people, how I lived here before I flew for my studies, my past schools—almost everything. I could see how overwhelming the place is to him, but he just laughs it off. "Mukhang pareho lang naman pala 'to do'n sa Cebu. Medyo maliit nga lang 'yong SM dito. Tapos dalawa lang," he said.

"Anong pareho? Eh 'yong mga jeep d'on, multicab lang dito. Mas malaki mga jeep namin dito no—"

I paused when he suddenly lifted his hand and wiped something off my face. "Ang dumi mo naman kumain," he said.

I winced. "Tignan mo rin kaya 'yang sarili mo sa salamin? Nagkalat 'yong sauce sa pingi mo. Parang kang bata."

He then handed me a tissue. "Punasan mo naman, oh."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Hay naku, nagpapa-baby na naman. 'Di bagay sa'yo," I sneered, as I wiped the ketchup stain off his face.

This is just the typical us whenever we hang out together. Never had dull moments with him and I have enjoyed his company ever since. And, the fact that he took a lot of effort to visit me already speaks much volume of how close we have gone to after all that we've been through.

Right when we went into the van, my sight caught my phone which reminded me of the work I was supposed to resume earlier. It's already eight p.m. in my watch and I sighed in dismay upon seeing missed calls from Venice. I made a promise I will get back there as soon as possible.

"Oh, why are you upset? May problema ba?" Greg asked.

"Babalik pa sana ako do'n sa project kung saan ako nag-volunteer. Kaso, nakalimutan kong magtext tapos ginabihan na ko," I explained.

"Okay lang. May bukas pa naman, 'di ba? Gusto mo, samahan pa kita?" he even suggested.

Then, something came into my mind.