It Started With A Lie

--Chapter Two--

KANINA PA napapansin ni Xandria ang dalawang babaeng panay ang lingon sa kanya. Nakaupo ang mga ito sa isang beach mat sa lilim ng isang makulay na beach umbrella habang siya naman ay nasa isang hammock at nagbabasa. She's guessing that both women are in their early twenties. Ang isa ay nakasuot ng kulay pink na bikini top at naka tapis ng sarong samanatlang ang isa namay naka two-piece swim suit na pinatungan ng orange na beach cover-up.

Mangilan-ngilan ang mga turistang paroot-parito at may iilan ring nagbibilad sa ilalaim ng araw. Patapos na kai ang summer season kaya't hindi ganoon karami ang guest ng resort.

Noong una'y hindi niya masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin ang dalawa. Engrossed na engrossed siya sa kanyang binabasa ngunit nabulabog siya nga malakas na nagtawanan ang mga ito. She glanced at them and caught them looking at her direction ngunit mabilis na umiwas ng mga tingin ng mahuli niya. She ignored it and returned to her book. Ngunit maya-maya pa'y muli na namang nagtawanan ang mga ito.

'Are they laughing at me?' she wondered. 'Nah, maybe not. They don't even look familiar.'

She threw another glance on the two womens direction at huling-huli niya ng ismiran siya ng babaeng naka-orange cover up. May ibinulong ito sa kasama bago ang mga ito naghagikhikan. Now it's confirmed, these women are laughing at her.

She closed her book and sit-up on the hammock. "Okay, that's kinda rude. Ba't nyo ako pinagtatawanan?" she deliberately asked them.

"What made you think that we are laughing at you?" mataray na balik-tanong sa kanya ng babaeng carrots (LoL, the one in the orange cover-up).

"Hmm," aniya, tapping her finger on her chin. "Because you made it obvious? And because I am not stupid not to notice?" she told them.

"You are mistaken," mabilis na wika ng babaeng naka pink bikini.

"Really? From where I'm sitting, you're acting otherwise."

" Actually, you're right," mataray na sagot sa kanya ni carrot-girl. "Is it true that you're Rayven's wife?" nanghahamong tanong nito.

Natigilan siya. "Who?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang babae. "Yesterday, at the hotel lobby, you told Charlotte that you're Rayven's wife. Seeing your expression now, halatang nag sisinungaling ka," akusa ni pink bikini.

'Damn this Rayven man! Sino ba 'yon at big deal sa mga kababaihang ito kung mag-asawa siya?' But of course, she wouldn't explain to these women na hindi naman totoo yung sinabi niya sa lobby at ginawa niya lang iyon for the sake of her new found friends na sina Laila at Carl. "So you know Charlotte?" sinubukan niyang ibahin ang usapan.

Muling nagkatinginan ang dalawa bago sumagot sa kanya. Are they asking permission from each other sa mga sasabihin nila?

"Who doesn't know Charlotte? She is a princess, always present in gatherings, very wealthy. Her father is a business tycoon."

"Ahh, so both of you are spying on me on behalf of Charlotte?" No wonder na hindi rin maganda nag vibes niya sa dalawang ito, mga alipores pala ang mga ito ni Carlota.

"We just want to know kung totoong asawa ka nga ng boyfriend ni Charlotte. "

"Hmmm.." Xandria tapped her chin again. That's her mannerism, especially if something naughty is crossing her mind. "Well, tell your princess, na yes, I am her boyfriend's wife. Also tell her I have some dirty little secret." She stood and moved closer to the two women. She shared on their beach mat, sitting crossed legged at inakbayan ang mga ito. "You may also tell your princess, that once I get annoyed or pissed with my husband's girlfriend, I hide their bodies in a closet. Believe me, I am really good at it."