Mere Words

Chapter 19

"Hold on tightly!" Zareth shouted. Maingay na kasi ang makina ng jet ski.

Malayo na sa amin sina Kuya. Nakakagulat na makitang hindi sila nag-aaway ni Ate Stella. They were all smiled pa nga. Sabagay, there's no room for them to fight on that jet ski. Nasa kabilang parte naman sina Clydinne, habang si Juris ay tili nang tili. Nakakatuwa. Nakakatawa.

"Gretchen, hold on to me or you'll fall!"

Napabalik ako nang tingin sa malapad na likod ni Zareth.

Namula ang mukha ko. Tingin pa lang sa hubad niyang likod, nakakakaba na!

Stop thinking dirty, Laurie!

Dahan-dahan ay ipinalibot ko ang mga kamay sa kaniya. I felt him stiffened. Bakit ba kasi siya naka-topless?!

"Hold me tightly!" sigaw niya ulit na nahimigan ko ng pagkatuwa. "Just don't put your hands lower than I allowed you, or else." 'Di niya dinugtungan ang sinabi at humalakhak. His chuckles are like those of the actors in hollywood movies... so husky, yet pleasing to hear.

The hell, Laurie?!

Tinampal ko siya sa balikat. I don't know if it was for his naughtiness, or it was supposed to be for me? Ni hindi ko alam kung saan ko nahugot ang lakas na loob para gawin iyon. This is bad!

Sabog ang buhok ko dahil sa lakas ng hangin. I wanted to shout out loud like Juris. Pero nahihiya ako kay Zareth. Kaya tanging pagpigil hininga ang nagagawa ko. Until-

"Yaaaaaa!"

Nahigit ko nang biglaan si Zareth palapit sa akin. Biglang bilisan ba naman! Makapigil hininga na nga, e.

"Zareth naman!" I cried, but not with tears, just out of fear and a knock of excitement. However, the brute just chuckled in return. Tuwang-tuwa sa pagwawala ko.

"Go on, Gretchen! Shout all you want!"

"Ayoko na!"

Zareth being a jerk, he even drove faster. Grabeng kapit na ang ginawa ko! Itinago ko rin ang mukha sa likod niya at pumikit. Nalulula na ang sa mabilis na takbo.

Muli akong dumilat nang marinig ang sigaw ni Kuya Geoffe.

"Hoy Zareth, chansing ka ha!"

"Kuya!" I cried, hoping for a help.

"Loosen up, Gretch! I trust Zareth, he won't let you fall!" ang tanging naging tugon ni Kuya Geoffe sa paghingi ko ng tulong, pagkatapos ay lumarga palayo sa amin nang may nakakalokong ngiti.

Maybe he's right. I think I should set aside the fear and trust Zareth. Wala naman siguro siyang plano na patayin ako, 'di ba?

"Don't let go, Gretch!" sigaw ni Zareth nang may pagka-alarma. Siguro ay naramdaman ang marahang pagbitaw ng kanang kamay ko.

"Woooooh!" I shouted as I raised my hand in the air.

Kailangan lang palang maging matapang minsan.
We have to take risk in order to experience this kind of excitement and joy. It was amazing!

"Gretchen!"

Zareth slowed when I let go and raised my both hands in the air. Grabe, ang saya!

"Drive, Zareth! Don't worry, I won't fall!" sigaw ko sa kanang t'inga niya. I was more confident now around him. Probably it's just because of the moment.

Zareth stopped. I was about to express my disfavor when he caught me off guard. He reached for my right arm and put it around his firm abdomen.

"You can raise your left hand in the air while still clinging on me. We have to be sure," paalala niya.