The Crimson Flames

Capitolo 10

 "Excuse me, where have you been?" Maarteng kompronta ni Amber habang tinanggal niya ang kanyang specs. Samantalang ako ay hinahabol pa rin ang hininga dahil muntik na nila akong maiwan. Bigla naman akong natauhan sa ginawa kong pangiiwan kay Rocco kanina at hindi ako makapaniwalang nasabi ko ang mga salitang lumabas sa bibg ko. I guess nagbalik na ag dating temi na hindi naghahabol sa taong wala namang gusto sa kanya.

I didn't really saw Rocco's expression when I turned my back at him because I don't want to be marupok anymore.

"Diyan lang," I answered. Napahawak ako sa tuhod ko at bahagyang kinakalma ang sarili dahil pagkatapos kong talikuran si Rocco kanina ay nakita kong paalis na ang aking mga kaibigan. I concentrated my thoughts at the horizon, ilang oras na lang at lulubog na ang araw doon ko dapat ituon ang pansin ko. I'm excited!

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa shore at ang iba naming mga kaibigan ay naghahanda upang masimulan ang ibang watersports. The boys will play water polo while the other girls will proceed to snorkeling. Kami naman ni Amber na hindi marunong lumangoy ay nasa tabing dagat habang pinagmamasdan ang mga alon.

Since hindi kami makakalangoy ay nag desisyon kaming magpalipas na lang ng oras sa dalampasigan. We changed our bikinis and took advantage of the majestic view of the beach. Nagpost na rin kami sa Fotogram with a caption na "Sweet and Salty". Amber and I wore a brown matching bikinis. May mga pictures rin kami with Zach, at kalaunan ay iniwan na rin namin dahil sa activity nila.

I saw Rocco helping the girls to put on their full-face mask like nothing happened between us a while ago.

"Ikaw na ba si Mr. Right? Ikaw na ba love of my life?" Kanta ni Amber na ikinainis ko. Masyado na bang halata yung mga pag-aagaw tingin ko kay Rocco? Ugh! I just raised my middle finger as my response.

Amber and I decided to join them in the yatch but we will not be snorkling with them because first of all we don't even know how to swim. Hindi ako takot malunod kung may suot akong life jacket pero kung lalangoy kami sa malalim na parte ng dagat ay masmabuting dito na lang ako. Malay ko ba kung may biglang umatake sa amin na pating o 'di kaya ay shokoy.

"So, tell me, what happened?" Amber asked while holding a glass of champagne. Her gaze is at the sea enjoying the view.

"I don't know," I sipped at my glass. "Maybe he doest like me at all. I weighed all the possibilities and I came up with, uh.... Telling him that im different from the other girls he flirted with. If he doesn't want me then ok, I'll gladly accept the rejection."

"What if gusto ka niya?"

"Your question started with 'what if', Amber. I will not play a game without a guarantee of winning," I should only play if I know I can win the game.

"What if's states the possibilities of losing but also winning. If you will not play you will be a loser without even doing anything. It's better to lose while trying at least you will never regret at the end. Stop being a coward Temi," she tapped my shoulder. She really knows me, huh? This is why I don't engage myself in any relationship, I'm scared of trying. I'm scared of being left behind after the storm, because I know no one can stay by my side forever.