FORTUITOUS

10| Breath of Freedom in the Arms of a Stranger

FRIGATE

"Next time, moan my name." The vixen giggled while picking up her hoody. Mabilisang sinuot n'ya ang damit n'ya at itinali ang mahaba at maalon n'yang buhok. She tapped my cheek then she snatched wet wipes from the travel bag on the front seat.

I was dumbfounded, watching her clean me up. She looks serious while wiping my buddy down there. Nang matapos s'ya ay tumingala s'ya sa akin at binigyan ako ng matamis na ngiti. "Call me Sari." She winked then she reached for my boxers and pants on the floor of the car. Lumakdang s'ya papunta sa bandang harapan ng sasakyan at pumwesto sa driver's seat.

I was still high with my orgasm when I put on my boxers and pants. By the time I was done making myself presentable enough, the car's already moving.

"I'll be having a vacation, sama ka?" Sari casually asked.

Our eyes met through the rear mirror. The playful spark on her eyes was there as usual.

"Sure." I replied.

Mukhang nagulat s'ya sa isinagot ko. Maging ako ay nagulat din. Pero alam ko na mas mabuti na sumama sa baliw na babae na 'to kaysa ang magmukmok mag-isa.

I know that I am being depressed. And I am damn scared that I might be suicidal if I was left alone. And the fucking sexual attraction I share with this woman is driving me more insane that I already am! Maybe this is a good idea to have a little break from my usual self.

"Great!" Sari giggled. "Do you have anything to get in your room before we leave this place?"

Itinuro ko sa kanya ang daan papunta sa hotel na tinutuluyan ko. Nag-checkout ako matapos makuha ang backpack na dala ko.

"Ako na ang magmamaneho." I declared when I got back from the reception desk.

Sari beamed at me. Ibinaba n'ya ang magazine na binabasa n'ya sa waiting area at patalon na tumayo. She handed me the car keys then used her hands to gesture me to lead the way.

I deposited my bag on the backseat. Sari did the same for her travel bag. Kinuha n'ya 'yon mula sa passenger seat at inilipat sa likod. Matapos maisara ang pinto ng sasakyan ay tumuro si Sari sa isang convenience store.

"I think we need you to have some coffee first." Sari suggested. "And I need lots of chips for the long drive. I want to visit Burias Island first. Then Ticao Island. I am always an island girl."

Parang ibang tao na ang kasama ko. This girl is childish, playful and full of life. Malayo sa babaeng kahalikan ko.

Napasunod na lang ako kay Sari nang lumakad na s'ya papasok sa convenience store. I sighed while pouring myself a cup of coffee. Tatanungin ko sana s'ya kung gusto n'ya din ba pero nakita ko na s'ya na kumuha ng chocolate drink sa ref.

Napapangiwi na lang ako sa dami ng mga junk foods na kinukuha n'ya. She's not even checking for the nutrition facts. I am a doctor and I know that she'll slowly poison herself with those foods. Pero mas alam ko na hindi naman s'ya makikinig sa akin kahit pa pagsabihan ko s'ya.

Nang mapuno na ang baso ko ay kinuha ko na iyon sa machine at pumila na sa counter. It was now occupied with Sari's chips. Bumalik pa ang magaling na babae sa mga shelves para kumuha pa ng mga pagkain.

"Jeez! You should at least have a shopping basket here." Sari complained while picking up chocolates from the shelf. Her arms were now full.

I sighed then I went to her. I offered to carry some of her items.

"Thanks, Doc!" She beamed. "I would use my hoodie for an alternate basket but I don't have a bra."

I gasped then she giggled. She's really crazy.

I paid for Sari's six large bags of chips, chocolates, candies, and other unhealthy foods.

"I think you're forgetting something." I raised a brow on the little imp.

From licking her ice cream she looked up at me. Her eyes widened. "Oh! You're right." She gave me that innocent giggle then went back on the counter.

My jaw dropped when she asked for a rim of cigarette. "Water, Sari! Water!"

Mukhang naguluhan s'ya na tumingin sa akin. "Okay. No need to shout. If you need water, you can say it nicely." She rolled her eyes.

Hilarious!

This girl's craziness is a better way to clear the alcohol in my mind than a cup of coffee. Hindi na masakit ang ulo ko dahil sa pag-inom. Masakit na ang ulo ko dahil sa babae na 'to!

Now I have my doubts if it's right to go on a trip with her.

I kept my mouth shut the whole drive. Wala pa akong tulog pero hindi ako makaramdam ng antok dahil sa lakas ng patugtog ni Sari.

Her music were full of 'fuck', 'bitch', 'cock', 'vagina', and all of those explicit words. And she's singing on all of them while munching on her chips or puffing her sticks.

Napapangiwi na ako sa kanya. If my sister ever be like her, baka mas gustuhin ko na lang na sa loob ng institusyon si Hannah. This woman beside me spells trouble. She's be the death of her parents.

I took a deep breath. Mabuti na lang at presko ang hangin dito sa probinsya. Sa kasamaang palad, sinisira iyon ng usok ng sigarilyo ni Sari,

I have to not be judgmental with this woman. She's keeping me sane. And she's young. It's her way of enjoying her prime years and I should respect that.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"Twenty two!" She replied after tuning her music down. "And you?"

"Thirty three." I grimaced. I feel like a cradle snatcher.

"You're old." Sari teased then laughed her ass off.

I smirked. "You can't expect a twenty two year old man to be a doctor."

"You have a point there." Sari giggled. "And you look younger. Kuya Trey looks older than you pa nga."

I smirked. I felt a familiar pain. But I remembered something.

"I met you once." I took a quick glance at her. "You're Trey's cousin. The one who bid for the painting on the auction."

She proudly smirked. "Yeah. I wanted to help Castiel but I don't want to feed Cal's ego. The painting was not even good!"

"Your name's Selene." I looked at her suspiciously.

She shot a brow on me. "My name's Selene Rosario. I only let family and close friends to call me 'Selene'. To others, I am 'Sari'."

I fell silent.

She's right. We're strangers to each other.

Is it wise to come with her? Now that my mind's clear with the cloud of lust, I can think again. Am I really going on a vacation with this stranger?

"I don't want to be called Selene." The woman murmured. She lit another stick then looked out the window. The sun was starting to rise. "It's suffocating."

I remembered how she cried the other night. And I felt that.

We're both broken. She's masking her wounds with her crazy antics and playful giggles. But inside her, she's broken. As broken as me.

"Then don't call me Doc." I sighed.

After few moment of silence, Selene clutched my arm.

"Then let's call each other... honey." She wiggled her brows on me.

I looked ahead of the road.

For this trip, I'll throw the usual me. I'll throw the skin of a respectable doctor, and I just want to embrace my freedom.

And this extraordinary woman will be my breath of freedom.

"Okay, honey." I chuckled.

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February 16, 2020