The Calm After the Storm (Northern Trail Series #1)

Chapter 33

Serena's POV,

He didn't say anything. Tanging lagaslas ng tubig at simoy lamang ng hangin ang namamayani sa pagitan naming dalawa. I want to get away from him but I know I don't have the strength to do so. I feel so trapped like I'm in a quicksand. The more I struggle to get away, the more I sink in.

Seth and I remained in that position. Ayoko syang tingnan dahil alam kong mababalewala lang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko. Itatapon ko lahat ng aral na natutunan ko sa loob ng limang taon.

I waited for a few moments before his hold loosened a bit.. until he finally let go of me. I take that as an opportunity to walk away.

Halos tulala ako nang makabalik sa sariling cabin. My mind is too exhausted to even overthink. Ilang oras akong nakatitig sa kawalan bago ako tuluyang dinalaw ng antok.

Maaga ulit akong nagising para sa trabaho. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagod at puyat. It was evident with the black thing under my eyes. Ni hindi ko na maalala kung anong oras ba ako nakatulog kagabi.

I get up from my bed and take a quick bath. Pagkatapos kong magbihis ng aking uniform ay lumapit ako sa kalendaryo at nilagyan ng pulang marka ang ika-pitong araw ng paglalakbay. Sixteen more days before this cruise.. ends.

"Oh man, we had over 90 covers, two 12-tops, a bunch of four-tops, tons of VIPs. Argh!"

"Lobster, duck and beef tenderloin should be ready within a minute!"

"Pick up. Table twelve."

The waiters are now yelling asking for the dishes, and cooks are responding in the same tone. I just ignored the kitchen noise. Habang tumatagal ay nasasanay na rin ako. Yelling and shouting is a daily basis in the galley. Hindi naman kasi madali ang trabaho dito pero kailangan mo pa ring magdali. Yeah. I know. It's madness. But all disagreements that happen here are left out when everyone meet at the crew bar to relax. Parang walang nangyari.

After preparing the breakfast, I went with some kitchen crews to organized the fresh supplies that arrived from the port.

"Ang ganda talaga dito sa Boracay no? Parang ang sarap lang magpaiwan." ani Leila nang makababa kami sa port.

As usual, after our shift, Leila and I explore the port of Boracay. We took some pictures and bought some souvenirs too. I really need this as a divertion from what happened last night. It was draining all my energy. Ayoko talagang isipin ang bagay na iyon dahil parang nagdadalawang isip na ako sa mga desisyon ko na sigurado naman talaga ako. Oo. Magulo na talaga ang utak ko.

I was busy looking on the keychain in a souvenir shop when Leila speaks.

"I heard Captain Jansen is dating one of the VIP passenger, si Miranda Ynares. Iyong celebrity model? Ang sabi, they were seen last night having dinner together with her family. Ang ganda lang non! Bagay na bagay sila ni Captain no? What do you think?" kinikilig na tugon ni Leila.

My lips parted. I was about to speak but I felt a huge lump on my throat. Pakiramdam ko naninikip ang dibdib ko sa sinabi ni Leila. So what, Serena? Wala ka na don, okay? He's handsome and he's successful. Of course, woman like Miranda Ynares is a perfect match for him. She's pretty. I think pretty is even an understatement. I can't help but feel... envy.

"Oo nga. Bagay sila..." I said in a small voice and just busied myself in the keychains.

"Imagine how perfect their offsprings will look like? The epitome of perfection." she said with so much enthusiasm. She literally looks like a die hard fan right now.

I crossed my arms and look at Leila in disbelief. I bit my lip and shook my head. Chill, Serena. She doesn't know a thing about your past. She's just stating a fact. May point naman sya..