Shipwrecked Hearts

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"Baby?" I repeated. I was too shocked to say anything. Somehow, the idea of having a baby is starting to sink in—am I ready to be a good parent? I mean, I don't wanna end up like my parents who just sees me as an asset. I don't want my child to feel like that. Suddenly, the responsibilities that I must do started to kick in.

"Yes." Ngumiti si Maximo, "well, we'll know in time." Nagulat ako nang dumapo ang kan'yang palad sa aking t'yan. "But you got to say, I feel the father instincts telling me there is someone here." He caressed my womb. "Hmm, how about let's go somewhere private?" Tumayo na siya at nilahad ang kamay, kusa ko naman itong tinanggap. Naglakad kami paalis sa hall, nang nasa labas na kami ay agad kaming sinalubong ng malamig na simoy ng hangin.

The hallway was dimly lit by the torches attached towards the round pillars. There were no windows, it was simply the open air. The corridor felt serene and calm.

Maximo and I walked, we didn't talk. Hinayaan ko lang na igiya niya ako papunta sa kan'yang gusto. Naglakad kami pataas sa hagdan sa dulo, constantly climbing the round stairs, hanggang sa huling hakbang. That's when I realized we were already at the palace's watchtower.

From this point of view, I can see the entire island in its 360 degrees. I gazed at the ocean and the lighthouse that I've never noticed before. Now come to think of it, there were four lighthouses in the island—North, East, West, and South. It must be to guide the pirates at night, to tell them that they've reached home.

"Beautiful, right?"

"Yes."

"This is my second favorite spot." Maximo said, "of course, the first was the abandoned patio at the cliff." He said, he took my arm and directed it towards the patio from afar, I can't see it though. But I am sure that is where he was pointing at. "You can see everything here. It's like you are at the top of the world."

"You built such an amazing place."

"And this amazing place is our home." Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Maximo na dumapo sa aking balikat. Sinandal ko ang aking ulo sa gilid ng kan'yang katawan, I can feel his chin resting on my head. "Anong gusto mong anak? Babae o lalake?"

"Both." He answered.

I smiled. "If I'm really pregnant, do you want our baby to be a boy or a girl?"

"It doesn't matter to me if our baby will be a he or a she. I just want us to make a lot of babies and make a one big family." I don't know if Maximo was just kidding or what, but somehow, it made me smile.

"Hmm, anong pangalan naman ang gusto mo para sa anak natin?"

Tila nag-isip nang malalim si Maximo, he stayed quiet as if contemplating and considering all the possible names. "I can't think of a name, all I can think of is Akira." Maximo said exasparatedly.

Ngumiti naman ako at saka siya sinundot sa kan'yang tagiliran.

"I wish we can stay like this forever." I sighed.

"I wish." Maximo repeated with a deep sigh. And from that moment, I knew why he heaved out such a heavy breath, because that wish will never come true.

~~~

Nagising ako nang tumalon-talon si Mermaid sa kama dahilan upang umalon-alon ang matres. Umungol naman ako, hindi ko magawang mainis sa bata! Sa halip, natutuwa pa ako sa kan'yang ginawa. Normally, nagagalit ako kapag iniistorbo ako sa aking pagtulog. Minsan ko nang masigawan si Lola Asuncion noong bata pa ako. But of course, I'm no longer a child.

"Ate, gising na!"

"5 minutes more." I whined.

"Ate Kira! Gising na! Gising na! Hoy, ate!" Hinila ni Mermaid ang aking kumot, "kailangan mo nang bumangon para maligo. Nakahanda na 'yong susuotin mo ngayon pati 'yong pagliguan mo."

Dahil mapilit ang bata ay bumangon ako kahit na labag sa loob. Nagtampo akong tumungo sa banyo at nagmadaling maligo, pagkatapos ay binuksan ko ang wardrobe at isinuot ang pirate suit—this time, the sapphire tuxedo served as a dress as well. Then leather boots that slid their way up to the bottom of my knees. It was quite hot, if you ask.

"Si Kuya Alexander po pumili nyan." Sabi ni Mermaid habang inaayos ko ang suit. Tinignan ko ang aking sarili sa salamin. Well, his taste is beyond amazing. It was extraordinary, actually. "Siya naman po pumipili lahat ng isusuot mo." Dagdag niya.

Ngumiti naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni Mermaid. Well, I won't argue on that. Maximo really has a taste. I mean, he chose me. He has the best taste. I smirked. Nothing can come between us—as long as his taste is great. I added.

"Ate Kira, punta ka sa dining hall. Okay? Naghihintay si Kuya Alexander doon. Sabay daw kayong mag-almusal tapos magpupulong po kayong mga nasa order, hindi ko alam basta order iyon." I thanked Mermaid for briefing me with information and asked her to join us but she declined saying she's eaten already. Nagpaalam naman siya para pumunta raw sa maid's headquarters.

Naglakad ako sa pasilyo. Bawat hakbang ko ay katumbas ng pag-alingawngaw ng tahimik na koridor. Pumasok ako sa dining hall, nakita ko naman si Maximo na nakaupo sa kabisera ng pahabang mesa. May tatlong kasambahay ang nakatayo sa likuran niya. Yumuko silang lahat sa akin, ngumiti naman ako sa kanila at saka umupo sa tabi ni Maximo.

He clapped his hand, pagkatapos ay bumukas ang pinto sa gilid na nagkokonekta sa kusina. May halos sampung pumasok sa silid bitbit ang mga pagkain. Nilapag nila ang lahat ng potahe sa mesa. The aroma of each food combined. Halos maglaway naman ako.

"Let's eat!" I smiled. Akmang kukunin ko ang kanin nang unahan ako ni Maximo, he then poured the exact amount of rice I wanted to eat on my plate.

"More?" He asked.

Umiling naman ako. "Thank you."

"Anything for my queen." He smiled. Ramdam ko naman ang pamumula ko, halatang kilig na kilig din ang mga kasambahay na nagbabantay sa gilid.

Nang tapos na kaming kumain ni Maximo ay tumayo na kami at lumabas, hinayaan namin ang mga kasambahay na iligpit ang lahat ng nasa mesa. Tumungo kami ni Maximo sa conference room ng palasyo. Sinalubong naman kami ng pirate council at mga matataas na pirata—the high captains known as squadron leaders. Kaming dalawa na lang ni Maximo ang kulang.