Kabanata 26
I WATCHED THE waves as they washed upon the shore, carrying grains of white sand with them before retreating back again. Inangat ko ang tingin. Ang langit ay nag-aagaw ng kahel at dilaw sa kalangitan, tanda ng papalubog na araw, sa malayo ay tila apoy na nagsasayaw.
Napabaling ako kay Vioxx at nakagat ang labi. Sumulyap ako sa kamay niya at nakita ang sarili na unti-unting inaabot ang kamay niya kaya napalingon siya sa akin.
"Linisin natin ulit mamaya," I said, referring to his hand.
Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa kamay niyang hawak ko bago unti-unting tumango. He didn't pull away, hinayaan akong hawakan iyon.
"L-Lulubog na ang araw... do you think they're looking for us?" I asked.
"No," he said, his gaze lingering a little bit longer on our hands before he turned his gaze back to the setting sun. "There were a lot of engineers there. Warren was there, too."
"Warren," I murmured. Bigla siyang lumingon sa akin.
His forehead creased. Ang kaninang relax na mukha ay muling naging iritado, nagsalubong pa ang kilay.
"What?" I asked, noticing his expression.
"Bakit? Crush mo?" he spat.
I burst out laughing. Mas sumimangot siya. His lips firmed, halatang kaunting tulak na lang ay magagalit na naman, kaya pinisil ko ang ilong niya at bahagya siyang itinulak.
I shook my head. "I was just about to ask. Bellboy si Warren, 'di ba? How is he here? He was wearing a white hard hat earlier! Don't tell me he's a nobody."
"Wala 'yon." Ngiwi niya. "Wala nang hard hat kaya 'yon ang sinuot."
"Weh?" I narrowed my eyes. "Madami pa kaya, I've seen it!"
"Why are you interested anyway? Crush mo 'yon? Hindi naman ka-gwapuhan," reklamo niya sabay iwas ng tingin.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Ano nga, Engineer?" I asked.
"What did you call me?" seryoso niyang tanong.
"Engineer?"
His lips protruded as he moistened them before brushing his hair frustratedly.
"Makatawag ng daddy tapos hindi paninindigan," may sama ng loob pa niyang reklamo.
I smiled wickedly. He glared. I shook my head and leaned against him.
"So... who is Warren, daddy?" I teased.
I felt his body stiffen.
"Kasi sabi no'ng nakaraan bellboy tapos—"
"Say it again," he demanded, turning to me, his eyes filled with renewed motivation.
"Si Warren kamo, bellboy—"
"No. Call me that again," he demanded eagerly.
"Uhm, Engineer?"
"Serafine..." he warned but it only made me more excited.
"Hmm... daddy?" I said sultrily. He closed his eyes, his jaw clenched.
Mas natawa ako sa pamumula niya.
"You're blushing again, daddy!" I giggled. "Kagaya kanina, pero natulala ka lang. So, as I was saying... who's Warren?"
He looked at me with resignation. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you kill the atmosphere," he muttered sarcastically.
"I was just asking about Warren! I'm not killing the vibe! Ikaw kamo ang overthinker!"
BINABASA MO ANG
Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
General Fiction[REVISED EDITION, 2026] Lost Island Series #4: Dancing With Fire "A love that risked everything, knowing it might leave ashes behind, yet choosing to burn anyway." Money. For Serafine Veronica Mendez, money is everything. A self-proclaimed rich ki...
