Loving You

Kabanata 5.2

PARAÍSO 2/3

WE were welcomed by the warm wind, the moment we arrived at our beach house in Paraíso. Ang kreamang butil ng pinong buhangin ay mistulang kumikislap s pagtama ng araw rito. Ang bughaw na tubig ng tabing-dagat ay nagsimulang lumikha ng maliit na alon na animo'y kumakaway sa akin. But the sun's heat is exceptionally hot today even though the sun was about to set.

Tahimik akong huminga ng malalim at pinagmasdan ang paligid. I have never felt this relaxed for a long time. Ang beach house ay nababalutan ng kulay na maputlang dilaw. Ang pader sa itaas ay gawa sa kahoy, samantalang ang sa baba'y gawa sa semento. Ang bahay ay naka-angat sa lupa upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng buhangin doon.

"O paano na 'yan, hija, mauuna na ako. Marami pa akong aasikasuhin. Maraming salamat sa muling pagbisita." pamamaalam ni Mang Canor. He hurried down the stairs to meet the other guests of the resort.

I kept staring at the beauty of the beach while remembering the times I was still with ate Caren. "Ate, I'm here." I whispered to wind, hoping it would reach the lonely soul of my sister. Suddenly, I felt a cold breeze around me. Maybe, ate was delighted that I am here.

"Is he Mang Ano's brother?" Peter asked me. It was only at that moment that I lost sight of the beach.

I looked up at him and answered him yes. I left the porch and went inside carrying my belongings. I felt like Peter followed me when I heard heavy footsteps walking inside against the wooden floor.

He approached me and scratched his nape, perhaps asking where his room was going to be. "Carmen, where can I rest?" I'm right.

I guided him upstairs, because the second floor has two rooms, and into the room on the right. Originally, it was my room and the other is for my parents. But for now, I decided that I'll use ate Caren's because I miss her. Iginiya ko siya pataas—dahil dalawa ang mga kwarto roon—at papasok sa silid sa gawing kanan ng bahay. Ang kwartong iyon ang dating tinutuluyan ko, ngunit napagdesisyonan kong sa saglitang bakasyong ito'y kay ate Caren muna ang gagamitin ko.

On the ceiling of the room is a calligraphy of the name Cherry, my nickname. I sketched it while my sister polished it. On the walls are big hand-drawn and painted monstera leaves. I was amazed that Mang Canor managed to keep my room clean. It still looks exactly the same as when I last visited it.

Iniwan ko at puma-ibaba. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ni ate at namangha sa ikalawang pagkakataon. Ang mga pader nito'y kakikitaan ng pekeng climbing vines at mga halaman. Ang kabilang dulo nitong kwarto ay nakakonekta sa banyo na puwedeng magamit sa labas. Para itong Jack and Jill bathroom, ngunit hindi pinaghahatian ng dalawang kwarto.

Inayos ko ang mga gamit ko at isa-isang ipinasok sa aparador. Inilabas ko ang papel kung saan ko sinulat ang mga ideyang naisip ko habang nasa byahe kami.

My list looked messy because I had so many erasures. Ni isa sa mga 'yon ay walang ambag si Peter. Pambihira! Sana iniwan ko na lang siya doon sa kausap niya!

After taking a short shower, I went upstairs and knocked on the door of the room where he was staying. The name Carmen is written on the door. When he did not answer, I opened the door and went inside. And it was a bad idea!