Crystal Mist

Chapter 9: Stay

Chevelle POV

At first, I thought that this idea is absolutely crazy. I mean, personal nurse? Personal nurse my ass. I was desperately trying to erase all the things that made me reconnect to my damn family pero heto ako ngayon, working as a nurse again, having the career that they deliberately chose for me.

But to be honest, it's really not that bad. That guy isn't so bad at all.

After all, nandito ako ngayon sa Manila, earning lots of money because of him. I'm far, far away from my wretched family.

Not that I would ever admit it out loud but... everyday is kind of fun as well. I'm slowly getting used to him. It's kind of nice, having him around.

Now that we're in Baler, I thought all I was going to do was just to standby. I never thought I have to go with him why he does all these crazy sports. Jetski? Surf? Lumaki ako sa isang medyo mahirap na pamilya so I was never familiarized with any of these.

"Hold on to me. This is going to be fun, I promise." sabi niya sa akin.

Nasa jetski kami ngayon. Nasa harap siya sa manebela habang ako naman ay nasa likod niya. Ever since I got on, I never dared to touch him. Even with our positions, I already feel like he's too close to me.

"Mahuhulog ka sige if ka hahawak sakin." he teased me again.

"Eh, di nalang ako sasakay. Ba't mo ba kasi ako pinilit..." I said sheepishly.

"Para ma-experience mo kasi. Nagje-jetski ako to feel more free and I'd like you to experience that feeling as well." he turned around and smiled at me.

Free, hmm? I wonder what it truly feels like? Is he really saying the truth?

I let my guard down for awhile so he quickly put my arms around his chest, making me embrace him as he turned on his jetski.

"Ahhh!" I said in a surprised tone.

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed as I held him tighter. Takot ako mahulog but at the same, ang saya nga pala talaga.

It's like you're riding in the sea without any worries, feeling the ocean breeze, admiring the scenery.

This kind of feeling is truly... liberating. Ang saya. It feels even better because I feel like I have someone watching my back, someone I could depend on because I'm holding onto him.

"Tapos na. Did you like it?" tanong niya.

I blushed when I realized that hindi ko pa tinatangal ang sarili ko sakanya. Nakakainis because he has his taunting face on. Mangaasar nanaman panigurado to.

"Ako, I especially liked it better than my last rides 'coz you were holding on to me the whole time." he smirked.

Nakakainis... I couldn't help but blush a little. By now, I should get used to all the teasings he says pero 'bat ganito! Tsss.

"Tara, surfing naman." sabi niya sa akin.

For the next days here on Baler, 'yun lang ang ginawa namin buong araw. Tinuruan niya ako mag-surf at mag-jetski at buti nalang, madali naman ako maka-pickup. We were having races and playing with each other like kids.

Whenever he surfs, he takes off his tank shirt and hops right into the beach. For the first time, na-appreciate ko ang looks ng lalaking ito. He really is quite the looker, huh. Parang isang lalaki na galing sa GQ magazine. Ang ganda ng pagka-tan ng kaniyang katawan at ang pagkalagay ng kaniyang mga muscles.

Sa lagay niya, di mo talaga aakalain na may lupus siya. God obviously took his time creating him. I don't believe that He'll take him away so soon. Kaya naman as his personal nurse, I sincerely hope this guy gets better.

He's not that bad...

Sabi niya nga, siya daw ang "nag-save" sa akin noong gabing iyon. The more I think about it for the past few days, maybe he really did.

Maybe there is something in this life that's worth living for. I just didn't realize it back then because I was too absorbed in my family problems. I was too focused on my own pain. I didn't realize that other people have pain of their own too. I didn't realize how self-centered I was for choosing just to pity myself.

I guess, in some ways, while being with him, this guy made me realize that.

"Kanina kapa nakatingin sa'kin, Miss Nurse. Nafa-fall kanaba sa'kin?" he said out of nowhere. Tapos na pala siya mag-surf. Ang bilis.

"As if, no!" I said to him in a maarte way and walked away.

I could hear his low chuckle and footsteps running towards me.

For the first time, I felt truly happy. I feel like it's selfish of me but I wish that we could stay like this forever...