Sleep, My Love

Chapter 22

"Kamusta kayo?"

Nakikipagvideo call ako ngayon kina Lila at Kairos using my laptop. It was late evening. Wala naman na kaming ginagawa.

I was wearing an oversized lavender sweatshirt and a pair of black leggings. Nakatali ang buhok ko into a loose ponytail and a pair of reading glasses perched on my nose.

[ Friendly naman ang mga taga siargao, madali lang sila iapproach. ] Sagot ni Lila. Nasa beachside bungalow siya. Behind her, there are fairy lights. Nakasuot na lang din siya ng maluwag at comfortable tank top tapos pair of patterned pajama shorts.

"May nakamolmol ka?" Tanong ko.

I saw her reaction on the screen. Her eyes widened and she dramatically gasped.

[ Ang casual naman ng tanong mo, Astria! Paano kung may iniinom ako, edi nabuga ko sa laptop ko! Kaloka ka! ]

Kairos raised a brow. [ Ang daming sinabi pero hindi tinanggi. ]

Lila cleared her throat. [ Uh.. meron! Meron talaga. Ako pa ba? Pero hindi na importante 'yon. Ayoko pag usapan. Basta ayon nga, pumunta kami sa gen luna para mag party tapos nag surf at nag unwind kami sa north, malapit sa pacifico beach. ]

"May siargao curse ka na ba?" I teased her.

Sumingkit ang mga mata niya at inayos ang buhok niyang nakalugay. Medyo sleepy na ang expression niya pero kinakaya pa niyang dumaldal.

[ Hindi ko masasabing meron pero 50/50. Gusto ko pa mag stay dito nang matagal pero gusto ko rin umalis at umuwi na dahil namimiss ko kayo! ]

"I miss you too," I replied before looking at Kairos. "Ikaw, Kai? Ano ginawa niyo sa Palawan?"

Sumandal siya sa upuan niya at nag isip. Nasa small cabin sila at 'yung kwarto niya ay dimly lit ng bedside lamp. Nakasuot na lang siya ng plain white T-shirt at pajama pants. His hair is slightly damp since he just took a shower.

He held his chin with his fingers. [ Palawan was something else. Nakahanap kami ng perfect hidden spot ni Cassieca... you know, away from everyone. ]

Napataas ang kilay ni Lila. [ Ano naman ginawa niyong dalawa, aber? ]

Kairos grinned before looking at his side, his sharp jawline was exposed.

[ Let's just say we explored all the local... attractions. ] He uttered without looking at us, still grinning.

"Bakit parang kakaiba na 'yan?" I suspected him.

[ Iba ineexplore nyan!] Bulgar ni Lila.

Kairos chuckled, bitting his lower lip. He raised his hands in surrender. [ Nothing ah.. we just made sure to... fully enjoy ourselves. It definitely brought us closer together. ]

Lila made a disgusted face. [ Just say you had sex, asshole! ]

Kairos burst into laughter, covering his face with his hand. Natawa rin ako bago inayos ang salamin na suot ko. Sinulit talaga ng tropa namin ang bakasyon niya.

[ E ikaw, Astria? Ano naman ganap sa 'yo dyan? ] Baling sa akin ni Lila at tinuro pa ako sa screen. [ Mukhang may gusto kang i-chika! ]

I sighed. "Okay lang ako sa trabaho.. tapos nakausap ko rin si Rylan. I let him explain what happened with Eloise."

Lila leaned forward, curious. [ Oh? Ano sinabi niya?"

I took a deep breath. "He said he was just trying to protect me."

Kairos frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. [ Protect you? How exactly? ]

"Nung araw na 'yon, gusto niya lang ipatake down 'yung tweet ni Eloise dahil naiipit ako. Kinausap niya pero ayaw pa rin. Hanggang sa nakita natin sila at hinalikan siya ni Eloise. He didn't have a chance to tell me earlier because I didn't let him explain his side. I pushed him away."