Unmasking The Waves Deception (Published Under Flutter Fic)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

THE pristine water is crashing the shores and I loved watching it.

We were sitting side by side with nothing but comfortable silence. Sa likod namin ay ang pinaglumaang barko. I watched the waves reach my toes before leaving again, nanghahalina para lumapit ako't makipaglaro sa kanila.

Sumulyap ako kay Wave na nakatitig sa dagat, walang-imik.

Ang serious naman talaga, opo.

I slowly crawled even closer to him and cleared my throat.

When he glanced my way, I smiled and offered him the pack of gummy bears he had given earlier.

"You like?" I offered. "Uhm, this is my happy pill. Kapag malungkot ako kakain lang ako ng gummies tapos happy na ako. I am hoping na ikaw din."

Natigilan siya.

"Could I? Baka kulang pa sa 'yo 'yan?" I rolled my eyes and smacked him. His laughter echoed and avoided my palm.

"Kidding..."

"Hmp! 'Di naman ako gano'n katakaw sa iniisip mo! Nagkataon lang na gutom na gutom talaga ko! Alam mo bang rare lang akong mamigay ng gummies ko? Kung ayaw mo, e 'di h'wag–"

"Feed me?" He asked and leaned in closer.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I nodded. Kumuha ako ng gummy at inilapit sa labi niya. My breath quickened when I saw his pearly white teeth biting it before smiling.

I gave him my favorite one. Blue.

I waited patiently, watching his reaction as the taste spread in his mouth. Tumango siya, mukhang nasasarapan. Tumalon ang puso ko.

"Are you happy now?" I asked.

"Hindi naman ako malungkot," mahinang sagot niya.

"I knew you're sad," I said. "Your smile didn't reach your eyes. Don't fool me, Wave."

He moistened his lip, pushed his hair back before placing his palms in the sand again for support as he arched his body a little to relax.

"Life's never good to me, anyway," he mumbled and closed his eyes. The passing breeze ruffled his hair in a distracting manner, the strands he pushed back with his fingers deranged again.

"How can you say that?" I asked curiously. "You were everyone's favorite, Wave."

"Hmm, does it mean instant happiness? Fame would never make me happy," he whispered. "Sobrang sikip minsan, nahihirapan na akong makahinga. I'm scared the media would ruin everything that's already ruined."

Mas nagsalubong ang kilay ko. I understand his sentiments. That's how my family was too but his last words made me curious.

"Huh?"

Nagmulat siya't mapungay akong pinagmasdan.

"My life's not like those typical celebrities, Zire." I saw a glint of sadness on his eyes. "If they have it great then I had it worst."

"Why? How so?" I asked but realized I'm being nosy. "If you mind, ayos lang kung hindi mo sabihin..."

"I have a lots of secrets, Zire," he mumbled. "Baka kapag nalaman mo, miski ikaw hindi na ako matignan."

"How can you say that?" My forehead creased. "Ako ba ikaw?"

"I'll never know." He chuckled. "Mahirap...mahirap magsabi. It's difficult to reopen closing wounds. I might lose more things."

May mabigat na dumagan sa puso ko.

"Wave, 'di ba sabi ko sa 'yo, gusto kong makipagkaibigan? Accept me, tapos promise, p'wede mo akong mapagkatiwalaan."