Leaves

Chapter One: Sunrise

CHAPTER ONE

What will you do if you wake up in a stranger's bed, in an unfamiliar house and on an unknown island?

Would you believe if I tell you, that's exactly what's happening to me?

Nagising ako sa tilaok ng manok at sa preskong simoy ng hangin. It took me a while to appreciate kasi hinding-hindi ko naranasan 'to sa Manila.

I opened my eyes and I saw hanging pots of different plants in the walls made up of bamboo. At the same time that the scent of aloe vera gel fills my nose. There's a white curtain tied in the middle before a massive open window parallel to the bed where I'm lying. From here, the sun rays are beaming and greeting me a peaceful morning.

I am completely aware of the situation I am in and the weirdest thing about it was that I am not in any way, freaking out. Instead, I am in awe.

It feels like I am living a scene from a movie. Though, I'm still wearing the same shirt that I had before, hindi ko na suot 'yung hoodie, facemask and sunglasses ko.

That's when it striked me.

Shit.

Whoever brought me here might have recognized me and it will be so much for my bittersweet escape.

"Uy, gising ka na pala!"

"-Oh my God!"

Literal na napabalikwas ako nung may lalaking pumasok sa kwarto. For a moment, I wasn't so secure anymore. But then, his charming smile calmed my nerves in an instant. Tama ba yon, Marydale?

"Sorry nagulat ba kita?" He asked shyly, blushing a little. Hindi ako sure kung blush ba talaga 'yon o sadyang mapula lang 'yung pisngi niya.

Napatingin ako sa dala niya. He's holding a plate of pudding in his one hand and cup of coffee on the other. Napatagal yata ako ng titig sa pudding kaya lumapit siya para alukin ako.

"Breakfast?"

Bigla akong tinamaan ng hiya. Tinulungan niya na nga ako tapos pinatuloy pa ako dito sa bahay nila. And here I am thinking that he'll only ruin my plans.

Iniwas ko 'yung tingin sa pudding at umiling. "Okay lang, salamat."

But my stomach disagreed.

Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon lang nagwala ng ganito 'yung sikmura ko. Napapikit ako sa hiya. I could tell that he's supressing his laughter.

He placed the plate on the bedside table.

"Kumain ka na, hindi naman kita ija-judge."

After few minutes of battling with my pride, kumuha na din ako ng pudding and I'm more than glad that I did. Hindi ko alam kung sobrang sarap ba talaga nung pudding o sadyang gutom lang ako. Nakalimutan ko na kung kailan ako huling kumain.

I'm used to people watching me eat but he's making me feel uneasy. Ngayong malapitan, mas napansin ko 'yung features ng mukha niya. He has thick eyebrows, high cheeck bones and deepset eyes. He looks like a few years younger than me, though. Gwapo siya, artistahin actually pang-good boy image.

Napansin niya yatang nakatitig ako sa mukha niya bigla siyang napangiti. Dahilan para mabulunan ako sa kahihiyan.

"Uy, ayos ka lang ba?"

His kind words made me choke even more.

Now, I am more than convinced that he's the one who helped me when I passed out on the port last night.

He gave me his cup of coffee and I took a sip from it before I choke myself to death.

"Why?" I wanted to get straight to the point but that's the only thing that I could come up with.

Halata 'yung kalituhan niya sa tanong ko.

I tried to phrase and rephrase a proper question in my head.

"Bakit mo ako tinulungan?" It still sounded like I'm ungrateful but I wanted to know.

He is still confused.

"I mean, bakit mo ako dinala dito? Bakit ang bait mo sakin? Bakit mo ako tinutulungan?"

"Kasi kailangan mo ng tulong?" He said, as if it is the most obvious answer.

I still don't get it. He must have recognized me. He must have wanted something in return. For all I know, he might have told everyone that I am here.

"But, do you know me?"

"Well-" He paused. Every second of anticipation is a build up on my heartbeat. "Techinically, ngayon lang kita nakilala."

I knew it already. He recognized me. He wanted- wait. What did he said?

"Okay, no. Hindi kita kilala, pero nakita kitang nahimatay sa port kaya tinulungan kita. I'm sorry kung ayaw mo ng tulong pero that's what you need."

Hearing his answer, I don't know how to explain what I felt. Relief must have been the closest, I guess.

"So, hindi mo talaga ako kilala?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "Wait, dapat ba kilala kita?"

"No!" Hindi ko na napansin na napataas na 'yung boses ko. "No, dapat talaga hindi mo ako kilala. I mean, ayos lang na hindi. Normal lang 'yon." I'm talking gibberish but I don't care.

I might have sound conceited but if he doesn't know me, there's a higher chance that the other people in this town doesn't know as well, and my bittersweet escape is still on.

He's probably wondering why a grin is plastered on my face.

"So, sino ka ba talaga?"

"Maymay..." That name hasn't escaped my lips for years now. Lahat ng tao Marydale ang tawag sa akin. Si mama lang ang tumatawag sa'kin ng Maymay. "I'm Maymay."

I didn't know why I offered my hand for a handshake. Do people still do this?

"Okay, Maymay. I'm Edward."

But then, he accepted it. His hands were warm againsts mine.

Well, that was awkward.

"So, bago ka lang dito sa Hillcrest?"

Hillcrest pala 'yung pangalan nitong lugar. I've never heard it before just like I've never been here.

"Parang ganun na nga, wala pa rin akong matutuluyan. Pwede mo akong tulungan maghanap?" Since makapal na naman mukha ko, sinasagad ko lang. Tutal, hindi niya naman daw ako kilala.

"Sure, akong bahala."

He showed his charming smile once again. I felt a pinch in my heart, it hurts in a good way.

END OF CHAPTER ONE