After You [Completed Story]

Chapter 5

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! I just want to endorse, lol endorse my new story 'Wireless Connection'. It took me months before I had a time editing this story because I was busy at school. I am happy that this storywas read by others now and not just by myself. Again, thank you!

~Clang

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Waves cannot just be found in the oceans. It can also be found in a someone's smile that can drown a person at the same time. A priceless wave that can never be equal to any amount of money.

That's the smile I see right now in Nico.

"Alam mo na pala," lumingon ako sa katabi kong komportableng nakahiga sa beach mat habang pinagmamasdan namin ang away ni Nico at V Roy sa dalampisagan.

Hindi naman talaga sila nag-aaway. Isip bata lang naman silang nagtatapunan ng tubig dagat sa isa't isa.

"Yes, that Norie is her sister and she died at the age of 12," sabi ko naman saka sumisimsim ng buko juice.

"Yun lang?" napabangon si Hera.

"Oo, it was too painful for him to talk about everything. I think little by little is enough. At least now, I know, and I'm sure Nico will be comfortable sharing his life story to me." I admit na nabitin ako sa kwento ni Nico but I don't want to see him cry so much last night.

"Tara na! Samahan na natin sila maligo," anyaya ni Hera para maiba ang mood.

"Go ahead. I am allergic to salt water."

"Talaga?!? Ang saklap naman niyan! Oh sige, diyan ka lang ha punta na ako sa dalawang isip bata."

I envy people who can freely swim in the sea. Of all allergies existing in this world, I've got the sea. My skin easily gets irritated. I discovered it when we had a vacation in Hawaii.

Minutes later, I noticed V Roy walking towards my direction. He grabbed his towel on the small bench and put it around his neck.

"Gusto mo maligo?" he asked.

"I have allergies."

"Ang tanong ko kung gusto mo maligo hindi kung bakit ka hindi naliligo," he clarified with a playfull smile in his face.

"Of course. Gusto ko kaso bawal." Who wouln't love to swim?

"Sa tubig-dagat pero may alam akong lugar na pwede kang maligo at the same parang nasa dagat ka naliligo," he offered his hand at me para tulungan akong tumayo. "Let's go?"

Pinag-aaralan ko muna ang mukha niya kung pinagtitripan niya lang ako or ano.

"Uy, nangangalay na kamay ko."

Wala naman masama kung papayag ako di ba? I'm really craving for a swim. Sayang naman ng two piece kong suot. My scars maybe exposed but I don't care. In a short period of time, I just want to feel sexy and confident about my physical self. The countless scars in me were because of medications and operation became an art of my body.

"Okay."

Tumayo ako mag-isa.

"Tsk. Sayang effort ko," rinig ko ang mahinang bulong ni V Roy sa sarili.

"Sinabi ko bang mag-effort ka?"

"Hindi naman kasi hinihingi yung effort –"

"Alam mo naman pala, eh ba't nagrereklam—"

"Pero dapat in-aapreciate."

Sinundan ko si V. Napansin kong medyo nakakalayo na rin kami sa kanila. Isang pader ng mga halaman ang bumungad saamin. Pinaghiwalay ni V ang mga halaman at pumasok siya roon kaya sumunod naman ako sa kanya.