Visions of the Sea

Chapter 11

(Now Playing: Ikot – Over October)

*** Once Upon A December ***

I don't know what I'm doing here.

The girls were super tired when we got to Nairobi's house and they went immediately to bed. I, however, had an escapade last night but then, I also got back before it gets even later.

I had no memory after falling asleep beside Valerian ngunit sigurado ako na siya ang dahilan kung bakit nakabalik ako sa bahay ni Robi.

We woke up early this morning and Nairobi dropped us off at our houses one by one to change clothes since we borrowed hers when we slept there. Maaga akong nakapagtapos sa pag-aayos at nakatawag na rin ang aking ina para kamustahin ako.

Everything's fine. They didn't know about what happened and I'm released from my disconcerting thoughts.

But I wasn't content with me and Valerian last night.

The guilt has yet to wash away and I feel stupid that this happened because of me. I want to make up for it so I went to a cake shop here in Sta. Caro to buy him a blueberry cheesecake as a present.

Now I'm standing in front of their door, contemplating on whether I should knock and face him or knock then leave the cake on their doorstep.

It would be rude to just leave it there especially in this blazing tropical weather.

"Kahit kailan talaga, Thylane. Minsan may paninindigan ka, minsan wala rin. Your parents taught you manners. Display it," I curse myself, holding the box on my hands.

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna knock.

I said we're okay and I mean it. This is only the icing on top.

Pressing my fisted hands on the elegant wooden door with a tiny bit of force, I wait. I keep wiggling my legs and chewing my lip anxiously.

Not a moment later, it swings open and Valerian peeks out from the inside in his baseball uniform. He is dashing. This is a new sight of him. I haven't seen him this way before.

His hair is damp. A hint of woody smell of his shampoo mixed with a fresh scent of body wash and the aromatic manly notes of his perfume enter my nose that completely sends me into a temporary hypnosis. His usual chilly eyes are substituted with astonishment when he sees me standing in front of him at 7 in the morning.

"Hey," he says in a rather soft tone.

I get that he wasn't expecting me.

I didn't expect me either.

"Hey, good morning. I bought you this," I raise my hands to show him the box and give a faint smile.

Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa box at seryoso itong pinagmasdan. The door is wide open but I don't think I can stay unless he invites me in. Tinignan ko rin siya ng maigi.

It's the typical baseball jersey with their school's colors and Creon Sphalerites embossed in front. It's white with dark blue and red stripes. His also wearing a semi-tight white pants and his jersey is tucked in.

"Still thinking about last night?" his voice brings me back to my senses.

I have to admit, I am ashamed. No point in hiding it. He sees right through me anyway.

I give in and sigh. My shoulders fall.

"Yeah. I guess so. I wanted to say 'thank you' as well and you've probably had enough of my expression of gratitude by this point but every time I say it to you, I mean it," gumala ang tingin ko sa likuran niya dahil hindi ko siya maharap sa mata ng maayos.