Mizpah: Jillian

Chapter 9

I wiped my mouth using a tissue paper. Tapos na kaming kumain at nagpapahinga muna kami saglit. I'm so full. The food here was extraordinary.

Uminom ako ng tubig at tinignan si Vaughn.

"Can you keep this trip a secret? You know, I lied to Chad just to be with you," I said.

Umangat ang isang kilay niya.

"Pwede mo naman akong tanggihan kagabi at sumama kay Chad ngayon."

I gulped. Shit. He does have a point. Well, huli na ang lahat. Kasama ko na siya ngayon.

"Pero bakit mo ako niyaya knowing that I already had plans with Chad? Sinabihan na kita na pupunta kami ni Chad dito, hindi ba?" sagot ko pabalik.

He leaned closer to me while staring at me.

"Pero nandito ka. Kasama ko."

I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever," I said while avoiding his eyes.

He chuckled.

At nakuha niya pa talagang tumawa. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone mula sa bag ko. I opened it and took a picture of the beach from here.

When I was satisfied of how great the pictures turned out, I handed my phone to him.

"Take a photo of me," I said.

Tinanggap niya ang cellphone ko at itinutok sa akin. Inilayo niya ng kaunti ang sarili niya. I smiled for the photo.

"Isa pa," he said.

I was still smiling, waiting for him to finish. Pero nagulat ako nang may tinititigan siya mula sa cellphone ko at may pinindot kaya't agad nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko.

"Are you done?" I asked.

Tinignan niya ako at ibinalik sa akin ang cellphone ko. I saw the picture that he took and was shocked. The picture he took was great. He's amazing.

"Thanks," I said.

"The picture of the beach you took earlier was great." He sipped his drink while looking at me.

He saw that? Kaya pala parang may tinitignan siya sa cellphone ko kanina.

"Thank you," I smiled.

Ibinaba niya ang kanyang tingin sa inumin niya na hawak niya.

"Nakita kong mayroon kang picture ni Chad," he said.

Nakita din niya 'yon?

"Yeah. That was taken when we were at the Botanical Garden."

Hindi na siya nagsalita at itinuon nalang ang tingin sa dagat. Kinuha niya ang kanyang DSLR mula sa kanyang backpack at in-assemble ang mga lens nito.

"Punta na tayo doon. Iwanan nalang natin ang gamit natin kay Rocco," he suggested.

Napatingin ako sa dagat at nakitang wala na masyadong tao doon. Sumang-ayon ako kay Vaughn pero nagpaalam muna ako sa kanya na magbihis muna ako ng panligo.

Naghanap ako ng cr at pumunta doon. I wore my black bikini top only. I decided na magshorts nalang. Inilugay ko na ang buhok ko na ngayon ay kumulot na. Nag-ayos din ako ng kaunti bago lumabas sa cr.

Agad kong nakita si Vaughn na pinipicturan 'yung paligid. He looked so serious. Ganyan din ba siya pagkinukuhanan ng litrato ang model sa agency nila?

Naglakad na ako palapit sa kanya.

"We should go leave our bags to Rocco now," I said.

Napatingin siya sa akin or should I say, sa dibdib ko. His adam's apple went up and down. Bumaling ulit ang tingin niya sa akin at naunang naglakad papunta sa stall ni Rocco. Agad naman akong sumunod sa kanya.

"Rocco, iiwan muna namin ang aming mga bag sa'yo," Vaughn said.

"No problem, bro."

Ibinigay na naming dalawa ang aming bag kay Rocco at nagpaalam na. We started walking towards the beach and my heart screams in excitement. Medyo matagal na rin akong hindi nakapunta at nakaligo ng dagat.

I walked towards the beach and felt my feet around the crystal clear waters. This felt so nice. I turned my gaze to Vaughn that was still taking pictures.

Naglalakad ako hanggang ang tubig ay nasa bewang ko na at lumangoy na papunta sa mas malalim. I know how to swim so going deeper won't be a problem.

After I swim, bumalik na ako sa mas mababaw at hinanap si Vaughn. Nakita ko kaagad si Vaughn na patuloy parin sa pagpi-picture. He must really like photography.

Umahon na ako at naglakad patungo sa kanya.

"Vaughn, hindi ka pa ba lalangoy?" I asked.

Tumingin siya sa akin at tumigil muna sa ginagawa niya.

"Hintayin mo ako. Iiwan ko muna 'tong camera ko kay Rocco."

Tumango ako. Umalis na siya papunta sa food park.

Habang naghihintay ako, umupo muna ako sa buhangin at inilibot ang tingin sa dagat. I remember when our family had a vacation in boracay. I was in third year high school that time. It was the time when my Dad didn't cheat and my mom didn't leave.

We were so happy. My family was perfect that time. But just like what they say, no family is perfect. My Dad cheat and my mom left. Cale and I only have each other. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakaya ni Cale ang pangyayari dahil ako mismo ay napagod na.

I'm tired of everything and I think I needed a break. I needed this. That's why I left. I never experienced being happy or excited after the two of them broke up. All I felt was anger and it's slowly consuming me.

"Okay ka lang?"

Vaughn sat beside me. We looked at each other.

"I'm fine. I'm just admiring the scenery," I answered.

Ibinalik ko ulit ang tingin sa dagat. Tumayo si Vaughn at tinignan ako.

"Tara na," sabi niya.

He offered his hand to me. I grabbed his hand and stood up. When I touched his hand, I felt a strange feeling inside me at parang may dumaloy na kuryente sa akin. I wonder if ako lang ba ang nakaramdam nito.

Bumitaw din kami sa isa't-isa and  we went to the water and started swimming and diving.

Umahon ako sa pagsisid at nakita ko sa aking harap si Vaughn. He stared at me. Water was dripping from his hair, down to his nose, and to his chin.

I got swayed by the large wave but Vaughn held my waist and pulled closer to him.

The water was comforting. The sun wasn't too harsh. And Vaughn is right in front of me, holding my waist. I really think that this is the most beautiful feeling ever.

"You're beautiful, Jillian."

My heart was rapidly beating. Halos wala akong magalaw na parte sa aking katawan. I felt like my soul went outside my body. Is this really true? Am I not dreaming?

He's looking at me intently. His stares were so intense that I looked away. Hindi ko kaya.

"W-What are you saying?" I forced myself to laugh.

Agad siyang bumitaw sa pagkahawak sa aking bewang.

"Bakit? Gusto mo pang marinig?" He chuckled.

Agad nawala ang pilit na ngiti sa labi ko.

He teased me! I'm sure of it! Akala ko pa naman ay seryoso siya kanina pero pinagtripan niya lang pala ako. Muntik na talaga akong madala.

"I know I'm beautiful! I'm always aware of that, Vaughn. Kaya't huwag mo akong pag-tripan," I said defensively.

"Seryoso talaga ako sa sinabi ko kanina," he said now, seriously.

"Really, huh?" I asked in a sarcastic manner.

Tumawa ulit siya at lumangoy palayo sa akin.

I thought you were cold and serious but seeing how you laugh in front of me, made me forget my impression about you.