Kissing the Agony (Agony Series #1)

Chapter 15: Between the Sky and Sea

The hum of the engine buzzed beneath my feet, steady and low, but all I could really hear was the water—lapping, crashing, folding into itself. Samal shimmered in the distance like a mirage, the island slowly coming into focus as the boat cut across the morning sea.

He said that he just wanted to be with me, even without having sex or anything physical. He just wants my presence... close to him.

Matapos namin mag-usap sa kwarto ay nagising si Dorothy. Kunot ang noo nang makita kaming dalawa. She must feel that our conversation was so tense... she just went inside the bathroom after excusing herself.

"Okay, kung anong gusto mong mangyari. Pera mo naman 'yon," sagot ko sa kanya dahil ano pa bang sasabihin ko? Mukha naman siyang hindi magpapatalo.

I suggested a refund, because his offer was crazy. No one in the right mind would do that. Sinulyapan ko siya na ngayon ay may multo ng ngiti sa mga labi.

I scoffed.

Akala ko ba matalino 'to? Bakit parang hindi naman?

Kaya nang ayain niya akong pumunta sa Samal, wala na akong nagawa dahil bayad naman 'yon. Sasamahan ko lang naman siya, makakapag bakasyon pa ako ng totoo.

Tahimik akong nakaupo sa bangka, kung saan kaming dalawa lang ni Cyrus ang nakasakay, pati na rin ang dalawang namamahala at nagmamaniubra ng bangka.

Cyrus and I are facing each other but I don't want to make eye contact, so I just looked around and appreciated the beauty of the island.

The water was impossibly clear, like melted glass tinted in turquoise. It shimmered under the sun, playful and endless, with each ripple catching the light like little stars on the surface. I let my fingers trail over the edge, touching the sea like it could wash away all the things I couldn't say out loud.

"Careful there, Rhian."

I turned to him only to see him not even looking at me. His lips were in a grim line and his brows were furrowed.

I sighed.

"Hindi naman ako mahuhulog," sambit ko.

This time, he looked at me. He raised his eyebrow at me, as if doubting what I said.

"Uh-huh..." He nodded slowly.

Ngumuso ako at nagkibikit balikat. Ipinagpatuloy ko lang ang sightseeing na ginagawa.

Dahil sa alon ng tubig ay minsan, nagugulo ang bangka na sinasakyan namin. I am so close to Cyrus, the reason why sometimes, when there are unruly waves, his knees bump into mine.

I don't know why but I can feel some sort of electricity everytime our skin touches.

Hindi naman siguro ako tigang?

I looked at Cyrus again and caught him watching the horizon. Halos mahulog ako sa bangka nang biglang nagtama ang tingin namin!

He caught me staring at him! Nakakahiya!

E ano naman, Rhian? Siya naman itong may gustong makasama ka, 'di ba?

I sighed at my own thoughts. I can't believe he's starting to make me feel nervous! Akala ko ba matapang ako? At ako ang dominant sa aming dalawa?!

I busied myself with the scenery, too. But sometimes, I can feel him watching me... and I would get flustered because of it!

Moments after, we finally reached the island. It was a painful and long boat ride! Damn it!

Medyo tanghali na rin noong umalis kami sa hotel, kaya hindi na rin ako nagtaka na tanghali na mismo nang makarating kami sa isla.

Some people guided us to one of the nipa huts. Hindi na ako nagulat. I already assumed that Cyrus had this trip planned, and that I don't need to worry about anything else.