Heart of Thirst

00

Prologue

"Where are you going?" tanong ng pinsan kong si Max, halatang curious kung saan ako pupunta.

"Lalabas lang saglit," malamig kong sagot.

Ngayong gabi, plinano talaga nilang dalhin ang mga bisita namin sa sikat na floating bar sa Palawan. I didn't live here long because I grew up in Manila, but whenever my parents decided to vacation here, I always got excited. There was something about Palawan that resonated with me deeply.

I love how the sound of the sea and the heat from the sun always makes me calm. If I were given a chance to choose where I wanted to spend my childhood days, I would probably choose this place.

Ang katahimikan at kabagalan ng buhay dito ay napakalayo sa kaguluhan ng Maynila. Bukod sa hilig ko ang lumangoy, tahimik din ang buhay dito. Ang simpleng pamumuhay at mas mabagal na takbo ng oras ay isang malalim na pahinga mula sa kaguluhan ng siyudad.

"I'll come with him," narinig kong sabi ni Karen, isa sa mga bisita at kaibigan.

I didn't wait for her and just headed straight to the dance floor. The dance floor of this bar is outside, where you can jump into the sea to feel the cold water on a night like this. The ambiance was electrifying, with the rhythmic beats of music and the gentle lapping of the waves creating a unique, almost magical atmosphere.

Wala sa plano ko ang maligo. Binabad ko na ang sarili ko sa dagat kanina kaya hindi ko na naisip pang lumangoy lalo na't malamig ang simoy ng hangin. The night was beautiful, and the stars above seemed to dance to the music as well.

"Al," Karen called. I didn't look back. "Aldrius, wait for me." Her voice was a mix of impatience and concern, but I was lost in my thoughts.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang marating ko ang malamig na sahig ng dance floor. Malakas ang music galing sa sound system at hindi naman ganoon karami ang taong sumasayaw. I took a glass from a passing waiter and went to one side to watch the people there. The bar's lights cast a soft glow over the scene, creating an enchanting view.

I felt Karen's presence beside me. She followed me despite me being obviously cold.

"Are you ignoring me?" tanong nito, halatang naiinis.

I sighed. "Bumalik ka na sa loob." Nilagok ko ang lamang alak ng basong kinuha ko kanina.

"You're ignoring me, Al."

"I'm not ignoring you."

"So bakit ka umalis sa loob?"

Ang paningin ko ay nasa mga tao sa harapan ko. Napako ito sa isang babae na tumatawa habang may kausap na pamilyar sa akin. Tumaas ang kilay ko nang makilala ko ang babae na kausap niya.

Belle Salazar. I know her because she's an actress. Last night, we watched her newly released movie.

"Do you want another drink?" tanong ni Karen, pilit na kinukuha ang aking atensyon.

My gaze returned to the woman earlier. She kept smiling at the person she was talking to, and another woman approached them, causing her to laugh again.

"Stella!" sabi ng babaeng nasa tabi niya. Nang lingunin niya iyon, napagtanto kong siya ang tinawag ng babae.

Stella is her name.

"Nakikinig ka ba sa akin?" narinig ko ang naiinis na boses ng katabi ko.

I turned to her. "I'm sorry, what is it?" My distraction was evident, at nakaramdam ako ng konting guilt sa pag-ignora sa kaniya. Bakit pa kasi siya sumunod? Ayaw ko naman siyang kausap.

She sighed heavily before rolling her eyes. "Ang sabi ko gusto mo pa ba ng isang maiinom?"

I looked at the glass I was holding. "Hindi na, salamat."

"When are you going back to Manila?" she asked again, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Hindi ko pa alam, baka rito kami magpalipas ng bagong taon. Kayo?"

"I don't know either, maybe we'll go back at the same time as you?" she replied, her voice trailing off as she sensed my distraction.

'May sasabihin pa sana siya pero dumating na ang mga pinsan ko. "Al, aren't you going to swim?" Matt asked, his tone playful.

I shook my head. "I'm not interested."

Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa harapan ay nahuli kong nakatingin sa akin ang babae kanina. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows inclined slightly as she saw me staring at her. I maintained my serious face while stifling a smile. There was something about her... that intrigued me. Maybe it's her smile. I don't know.

Hindi ko inalis ang paningin sa kaniya kahit na naririnig ko ang pagtawag sa akin ng mga pinsan ko. I followed her with my eyes, watching her every move. I lost sight of her when the crowd suddenly thickened, causing her to disappear from my view.

I heard a scream. It pierced through the music and chatter, sending a chill down my spine.

"Oh my, sorry!" sigaw ng isang babae.

I looked and saw her looking into the sea. I looked into the water and saw the woman I was watching earlier fall in.

I remembered her outfit; she wasn't wearing a bikini or any clothes for swimming. Tumalon ba siya... o natulak?

When a few seconds passed and she still didn't resurface, fear and panic filled my heart. Memories of the past came flooding back, memories I had tried so hard to forget. I saw in front of me the image of a drowning kid. I closed my eyes tightly.

Damn it! Sa lahat ng oras na babalik ang trahedyang iyon, bakit ngayon pa?!

I didn't hesitate. I took my cell phone out of my pocket and threw it roughly to Matt, who caught it immediately. They were all shocked when I jumped into the sea. I searched for her in that deep ocean, the cold-water biting into my skin.

I saw her with her eyes closed, like she didn't care about dying at all. Like she didn't care about drowning at that moment. Her peaceful face scared me even more, so I quickly wrapped my arm around her waist. The weight of her unconscious body against mine was terrifying.

I tried my best to save her. I tried my best not to fail, again. The water was dark and cold, and every second felt like an eternity.

I was almost frozen when I saw her red face after surfacing. I laid her on the grass and quickly gave her air. The people started panicking and left the dance floor one by one to come to us below. Their murmurs and whispers created a chaotic background.

"Please, wake up... please..." I uttered. "Stella!" My voice was desperate, filled with a fear I hadn't felt in years.

I repeatedly gave her air, my hands trembling. I felt relieved when I heard her cough. I couldn't help but hug her tightly, tears welling up in my eyes. In that hug, another memory returned to me. But it's different now.

Because I saved her.