Along the Shore (Samal Island Series #1: COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 5: Not Now

Not Now

Nagising ako sa ingay ni Naomi sa labas. I checked my phone and it's still 6AM in the morning.

It's too early and I'm still sleepy. I tried to sleep more but the noise outside my room is too much.

The heck!

Padarag akong bumangon at hindi na inalintana kung may ano man sa mukha ko at kung buhaghag man ang aking buhok.

I'm fuming mad because I really want to sleep more but Naomi is too loud to bear.

"Paulo! Ano ba? I said I'm staying here!" Dinig kong sigaw ni Naomi nang palabas na ako ng kwarto.

Nasa sofa na sila ngayon at nakita ko ang frustrated na pagmumukha ni Paulo Almore, pinsan ni Naomi.

"Ano bang nangyayari dito? Ang aga-aga nangbubulabog kayo ng tulog! And why are you here, Pau? What's happening here?!" I hastily went down from the stairs and faced the two.

"I'm sorry, Mariana. Inutusan lang ako ni Tita Beatrice na pauwiin si Naomi. Her dad was rushed in the hospital last night. But she insisted on staying here." Paulo sighed frustratingly.

I don't know about the family conflict Naomi has because she doesn't usually open up about them but I can sense that there's a tension between her and her family.

"What happened to Tito Carver? Okay na daw ba?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko habang umuupo sa aming sofa at hinarap si Paulo.

Hinayaan ko na lang na mag dabog si Naomi. Well, you can't tamed her, anyway.

"He's fine now. Masyadong stress lang yata kay tumaas ang blood pressure. Tita Beatrice didn't bother to call you because she knows you can't force Naomi to leave. That's why I'm here, but I guess I'll be leaving alone." Paulo said while staring darkly at Naomi na umiirap sa kawalan.

Biglang tumayo si Naomi at padabog na umakyat sa guest room. I sighed and looked at Paulo.

"I'll try to convince her, Pau. Don't worry. I may be alone here but I can roam around the beach naman para hindi ako ma bored." I said assuring him and he nodded.

"Dito ka na mag breakfast, kakausapin ko lang 'yon." I said before heading back upstairs to talk to Naomi.

I knocked at her room and slowly open the door. I saw her putting all her clothes on her small luggage from the closet. May kausap siya sa phone habang nagliligpit ng kanyang mga damit.

"Yes, Ma. Uuwi po ako. I'll be leaving with Paulo." She highed heavily.

Tinulungan ko siyang mag ligpit at hinyaan naman niya ako. I didn't want to listen to their call but I can't help it.

"I know, Ma. I'm sorry. Uuwi po ako ngayon. I'm packing already. Don't worry." She said and stood up.

Tumayo na rin ako at hinintay na matapos ang kanilang pag-uusap ni Tita Beatrice.

The call ended and I saw that her jaw clenched.

"Are you okay? Spill it." Sabi ko at tinabihan na siyang umupo sa kama.

"I'm fine. Sorry but I'll leave with Paulo today. Dad's admitted in the hospital and Mom is worried." Malumanay na sambit niya pero nakikita ko parin and galit sa kanyang mga mata.

I sighed and nodded.

"It's okay. I'm actually here because I want you to go to your dad. I'm one call away, Naomi." Sabi ko habang naglahad ng kamay sa kanya para sa yakap.

She hugged me tighter. We remained like that for a couple of minutes without talking. Hinayaan ko na at baka ayaw niya lang talagang pag-usapan kung ano man ang bumabagabag sa kanya ngayon.