06

Crazy Xenon

Hanggang ngayon ay ramdam ko pa rin ang pagod mula sa nasaksihan ko kanina kayna Radon at Geleil. Those 13 years old kids are very hyper and full of guts. I like the little girl a lot.

But now, I need to divert my attention to the person beside me.

"What should I pack for this tour of yours, Mr. Ashenbert?" Tanong ko kay Xenon habang nakasandal sa railings ng hagdanan. He was beside me.

"Whatever you want to. It's gonna be a long ride. Do you wanna commute or not?"

"What is better?" Why am I asking him? Ako mismo, ayokong nagco-commute!

He shrugged. "Kung saan ka komportable."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "I hate commuting but do you think it's better?"

"Faster, oo. Pero... kung ayaw mo, ayos lang. Don't force yourself on things you don't like, Flaire."

Tumango ako. Tama siya.

"Okay, let's commute then!"

"What?" Gulat niyang sabi. "Akala ko ba ayaw mo?"

"If not, then when? I should try things out!" Tama. Hindi pwedeng manatili ako sa isang bagay kung pwede ko namang alamin ang lahat.

Wait, what the heck is happening to me? Hindi ako 'to!

"But..."

I smirked at him. "It's really fine, Xenon." It's not fine, Flaire. Anong nangyayari sa 'yo?

Nanatili ang titig niya sa akin. Halatang hindi sigurado kung dapat ba niyang sundin ang desisyon ko. I raised a brow at him.

"Maninigas ka na lang ba d'yan?" Pukaw ko sa atensyon niya. I snapped my fingers.

"Hindi, soft ako e." Aniya ng makabawi.

My face fell. Pinagsasabi nito?

"Is that a joke?"

"Obvious ba?"

"Kaya nga ako nagtatanong. Hindi kasi," Sagot ko.

"Ngayon alam mo na." Ngumisi siya.

"Weirdo."

"What did you say?" Marahan niyang sabi.

"Wala!"

"Do I look weird?"

"Halata ba?"

"Hindi. Kaya nga nagtatanong ako." He innocently raised his brows.

Pagod ko siyang tiningnan. Hanggang saan aabot ang walang kwenta naming usapan?

He smiled at me despite my reaction. Bumuntong hininga ako bago tumalikod at umakyat sa kwarto. I heard him chuckling downstairs. Ramdam ko ang titig niya hanggang sa makapasok ako ng kwarto.

Ilang minuto bago ako natapos mag-ayos. I'm sporting a white sleeveless crop top with a red leather jacket hovering over it. For my lower body, I chose red mom jeans and black chunky sole shoes for my feet. And since I am a dramatic gorgeous person, I also got thick black rectangle sunglasses plus a designer bag pack in the shade black too.

As I walk downstairs, I saw Xenon sitting in the living room. He's still wearing the clothes he had from earlier. When he saw me, his lips parted for a bit. Hindi rin nakatakas sa mata ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya.

He stood up. Sinalubong niya ako ng makalapit sa kaniya.

"Am I too pretty?" Mayabang kong tanong.

"Yeah."

Nagulat ako sa sinagot niya.

"Talaga?"

"Yeah but... 'Yan suot mo?" Tanong niya na mukhang naguguluhan.

"Duh! Suot ko na nga e,"

"Baka mainitan ka."

"At least maganda ang outfit ko." I answered. "Ako naman ang maiinitan, hindi ikaw."

"Sabagay, maganda ka naman. Kaya mo 'yan," He was staring at me from top to bottom while saying that to actually convince himself na huwag na akong kontrahin.

I smirked. Good. Ayokong kinokontra ako lalo na sa gusto kong suotin.

"Ikaw... 'yan na suot mo?" Tanong ko naman.

He nodded.

"You won't change?" Usisa ko pa.

A smile slowly curved on his lips. "I'm good with my outfit. Kaso baka... magmukha akong bodyguard mo,"

"It's not my fault that I outshine you." I said with full confidence.

He chuckled. "Should I choose better clothes next time?"

"Huwag na. Gwapo ka naman. Kahit basahan, bagay sa 'yo."

"Is that a compliment or...?" Aniya.

I shrugged. "Kung ano sa tingin mo?"

"I'll take that as a compliment then."

Saglit na katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin. Ako ang bumasag nito ng may maalala.

"May pera ka ba d'yan?"

His brows furrowed. "Oo, bat?"

"Good. I don't have that much money with me."

"I'll pay for what you need."

"Babayaran na lang kita pagbalik ko sa Manila..."

"Kahit huwag na."

I glanced at him. Nakakunot ang noo ko. Is he serious? "Weh? Are you for real? Masyado ka yatang mabait."

"I don't really mind sharing my money..."

"You give me a sugar daddy vibe." Diretso kong sabi.

He looked shock. Hindi niya yata inaasahan na masasabi ko 'yon nang hindi nahihiya. Well, what a bummer for you Sir, pero wala akong hiya.

"R-Really? I-I just... wanna be nice,"

I shrugged. "Oh well. Not that it matters. As long as you pay for what I need. Thanks by the way,"

Tumango siya kahit na bahagyang nakatulala nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Did I stunned him that much?

"Let's go?" I asked to get him out of his reverie.

Nang hindi umimik si Xenon ay ako na mismo ang pumisil sa pisngi niya. I did that to get his attention. He was taller than me kaya kailangan ko pang tumingkayad.

"Hey," Sambit ko. "Wake up. Tara na?"

"O-Oo... Tara..." Aniya.

Nauna siyang maglakad. Mukha pa ring wala sa sarili. I stared at his back for a while before walking to catch up to him.

"Ayos ka lang?" Tanong ko nang makasabay sa lakad niya.

"Yeah..."

"Saan tayo pupunta?"

"Saan..." He trailed off.

Kumunot na naman ang noo ko. "So saan?"

"Saan?"

"Pupunta."

"San pupunta?"

"Oo, san nga?" Ulit ko pa.

"Pupunta-"

"Xenon! Wake up nga!" I pinched his arm.

Napaka-lutang naman ng lalaking 'to. Kanina pa siya ganyan!

"Y-Yes. Oo, gising na ako. Saan? San pupunta?" Dire-diretso niyang sabi habang hinahaplos ang brasong kinurot ko.

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga?"

"Oo naman," His eyes met mine. He gave me a smile... An awkward one.

"You don't look fine to me."

He sighed before massaging his temple. "Sorry. Nagulat lang ako kasi... Ngayon lang ako nasabihan ng... ng..."

"Sugar daddy?"

"Shhhhh!" Mabilis niyang tinakpan ang bibig ko.

My eyes widened at his movement. Agad kong tinampal ang kamay niyang nakatabon sa bibig ko. My makeup! My makeup!

"Sorry! Sorry! Kasi naman..." He scratched the back of his head.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "You might've ruined my makeup!"

"May make up ka?" Gulat niyang sabi.

"Hindi ba halata?"

"Hindi..."

"It was only light makeup but still! Ugh! Boys!" Arte ko pa bago inayos ang sarili.

"Sorry... Sorry talaga..."

I sighed before glancing back at him again. "Tara na nga. Forget about it, it's fine. The next time you do that, I'll break your hand talaga."

"You will?"

"I just said that I will!"

"Sorry ulit," He gave me a smile.

"Anyway, san ba tayo pupunta? Kanina pa ako nagtatanong, Xenon." Paalala ko sa kaniya.

Kanina pa kami paikot-ikot ng pinag-uusapan. Konti na lang, iiwan ko na siya!

"You'll see," He reached for my hand and pulled me as he walked. My forehead creased when we neared a golf cart.

"Para saan 'yan?" I asked as he guided me to sit inside. Mabilis siyang umikot at umupo sa may manibela.

"You see, our land is very big. Walking from the mansion up to the gate would melt you immediately." Aniya bago pinaandar ang cart.

"You use this every time?"

"Yup. Lalo na kapag umiikot sa mga lugar dito sa Villa Ashenbert. It's a way to ease out the journey."

"Sabagay..." I nodded as my eyes roamed around the big land they own.

"What about you? How's your life in Manila?"

Oh, so we're getting to know each other now?

"Messy. That word sums it all up."

"Why messy?"

"I'm not a behaved teenager if you want to know."

Saglit siyang natahimik ngunit nagsalita ulit habang pinapaandar ang cart palapit sa gate. "You like playing with boys? Is that the kind of 'not behaved' you're talking about?"

"No. I... fight a lot."

"Verbal? With girls?"

"No. I fight with fists against... groups of you know, bad people."

"Oh, so para kang superhero?"

I didn't expect to chuckle at what he said. "Nah... But I wish I were treated as one."

"Wait. So... you're like a superhero undercover as a villain?"

I shook my head. "Kung ano-anong sinasabi mo. Why not just explain things about the island? Let's stop talking about my messy life for now. It's not really pleasant."

He nodded immediately and gave me a smile. As if he has no judgment against what he found out about me. "Alright. But... whatever life you have, I hope that someday, you'll reach your goal. Mahirap magpanggap na masama kahit na kabutihan lang ang hangad mo. Kaso nga lang, fighting physically against bad people by yourself is dangerous. Why not ask for help?"

"Not my cup of tea. I wanna handle everything on my own."

I heard him took a deep breath before talking again. "Our land is called Villa Ashenbert. Sa sobrang laki, kayang tapatan ang laki ng Sea Feliz, the capital of Isla del Tesoro."

I secretly smiled when I noticed what he did. He just changed the topic to avoid making me uncomfortable.

"How is your land that big? Whenever I think about how rich your family is... nakakalula." Sabi ko. And to think that they're richer than us...

"My grandfather... Yvos Ashenbert is the founder of this island." He explained. "He's from a British descent. But when he found this island, it was during the Spanish colonization era."

"You got a lot of business?"

"The Ashenbert Empire was from my grandfather and the Sanchez Group of Companies was from my grandma. It's a complicated story but my father, Rom, is the second child but is now handling the Ashenbert Empire since my Tito Ross, the first born of the Ashenbert, preferred to handle SGOC instead of the Ashenbert Empire so it was given to my Dad."

"Buti naman hindi pinag-aawayan lupain niyo?"

Xenon laughed at what I said. "Do you watch too many dramas?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi naman. Madalas ko lang napapansin na pinag-aawayan ng magkakapatid ang mga lupain ng magulang nila."

He shook his head. "Our family has more than what we need. So as much as possible, there's no 'agawan' happening. Plus, our land is so big. Big enough to feed greedy people."

"Your family is interesting."

"Yeah... But my older brother, Zennon, is handling the Resort Hotel of the Ashenbert. It's like his main office here. Hindi pa kasi niya minamana ang pagiging Mayor ng Isla del Tesoro."

"Mayor?!" Gulat kong sabi. "Sa sobrang yaman niyo, Mayor pa?!"

"Yeah... My Dad is the Mayor here too, kaya..."

"Damn! What about you? Ano minamana niyong magkapatid?"

"We have a lot of business so we try to help as much as we can. But my brother mainly handles them."

"What a peaceful family."

He smiled. "I know right."

Hindi ko namalayan ngunit nakarating na kami sa gate. Xenon went out of the cart first before coming to my side and helping me get down. Parehas kami ngayong nakatayo sa labas ng malaking gate ng lupain nila.

"So... ano na?" Tanong ko.

"Train, jeep, or tricycle?" Bigla niyang tanong.

"Ano maganda?"

"Ikaw."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Alam ko na maganda ako. Ang ibig kong sabihin, ano maganda sa tatlong binaggit mo."

He laughed before answering. "Train? Mas mabilis."

"Then let's go for it."

Tumango siya bago inabot ulit ang braso ko. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa train station na malapit sa lupain nila. It was only a few minutes walk.

"Firstly, Tiempo Dorado is where the fields are. Mostly bukid. Pangalawa, nasa Naturaleza Fresca ang mga gubat. Pangatlo, ang kahabaan ng Arenas de Cristal na puro beach." Xenon explained as he shows me the map of Isla del Tesoro.

It was from a brochure for tourists. Nakita ko lang kanina habang bumibili kami ng ticket para sa tren. Kaya syempre, bilang baguhan dito, kinuha ko na. And now, he's explaining it to me. Magkatabi kaming parehas na nakaupo sa loob ng tren.

"What about these? The three cities?" Turo ko sa mapa.

"The first city is Sea Feliz. Nabanggit ko na kanina 'to, it's the capital of Isla del Tesoro. Katabi lang ng Villa Ashenbert. 'Yung dalawa pang city ay ang Cuídate Bien at Amor Verdadero. Mas malapit ang Cuídate Bien sa Sea Feliz at mas malayo ang Amor Verdadero."

"And this?" I pointed at the 3 neighbouring islands.

"Isla del Amor, mostly couples go there. Next are Isla de la Felicidad and Isla de Esperanza. Whenever people want to go island hopping, 'yan ang pinupuntahan nila. Each island has a lagoon for people to swim if they prefer that better than the open waters."

"That's nice..."

"Gusto mo subukan?"

"Next time?"

He smiled and nodded.

Patuloy ang pagkwento niya tungkol sa isla.

"You know you can get a rock then write your name on it tapos itapon mo sa lagoon."

"What? Hindi ba illegal 'yon?"

"Nah, it's only for remembrance. Tsaka..."

"Tsaka?"

"Paniniwala lang ng Kuya ko 'yun. Kaya wala masyadong nakakaalam." Tumawa siya.

I looked at him. Hindi ako makapaniwalang natatawa ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

I was never like this back home.

"Let's visit Sea Feliz first, gusto ko ipakita sa 'yo school ko."

"Anong gagawin ko sa school mo?"

"Para kapag na-miss mo ako... Alam mo kung nasaan ang school ko. Sabihin mo lang pangalan mo tapos banggitin mo na miss mo si Xenon Ashenbert. Papayagan ka don."

I squinted my eyes at him. "Nevermind. As if gagawin ko 'yon,"

"Hindi ka sure."

"Sure ako. 'Di kita mami-miss 'no."

"Baka naman kasi ako pa ang pumunta sa 'yo kaysa na ikaw ang bumisita sa akin?"

"What're you saying?" Tanong kong naguguluhan.

"Wala!" He smirked.

Loko 'to.

We were both busy as he explained the map to me. I was solely focused on him talking so I got shocked when he surprisingly stood up.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kung bakit siya tumayo. Until I saw an old lady standing while riding the train. Xenon approached her and offered his seat. Nung una ay nahiya pa ang matanda ngunit kinalaunan ay pumayag dahil halata namang hindi papayag si Xenon na hindi tanggapin ng matanda ang offer niya.

Xenon smiled at the lady as she sat beside me. Bahagya pa siyang ngumiti nang mapansing nakatingin ako. I felt awkward since people don't really smile sincerely towards me. I tried to reply her move with a smile but I knew it came out so weird. Para akong naeempatcho.

I looked away after that. I glanced at Xenon. He was standing in front of me as he held onto the grab handle.

When he noticed me staring, he smirked at me and raised a brow as if he was so proud of himself.

Napailing ako sa galaw niya at palihim na nangiti.

Doon ko lang napansin na kanina pa kami pinagtitinginan ng mga tao. Nung una, akala ko ay dahil sa ginawa ni Xenon kung bakit kami nakakakuha ng atensyon. When I realized that even as time passes, may mga sumusulyap pa rin sa kaniya, I knew something was up.

Bukod sa malakas ang dating niya, I remembered how famous their family is.

"Buti na lang nag-tren tayo ngayon! Malay ko bang makikita natin siya rito? Swerteee!!" I heard whispers from the crowd.

"Mukhang may kasama? The girl in red? Girlfriend ni Xenon?"

"Baka naman kaibigan lang."

"Ganda ah!"

I smirked to myself. Of course, maganda talaga ako. But please don't misunderstood me as his girlfriend. Very kadiri naman.

"Flaire," Xenon softly called me.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Why?"

"Malapit na tayong bumaba," Banggit niya.

I gave him a nod as a reply. Umayos siya ng tayo.

I kept on staring at him. Xenon Ashenbert is always a happy person. Laging nginingitian ang mga taong nakapaligid sa kaniya. He's also funny by existence. Bukod sa mga jokes niyang hindi naman benta (minsan lang) sa akin.

When we reached our target station, bumaba na kami ng tren. Xenon guided me as we walked towards his school. Ang sabi niya, malapit lang naman daw kaya pumayag ako.

"Xenon," Sambit ko habang nakahawak sa laylayan ng damit niya.

"Oh?"

"Don't you feel awkward whenever people stare at you?" Hindi ko napigilang itanong.

Kanina pa kasi siya pinagtitinginan. If I was him, I'd give death stares to those who kept on doing that to me. Pero siya, puro ngiti.

"Growing up, nakasanayan na lang... So I don't really mind."

"But what if there are instances na... sumosobra na sa limitations? 'Yung pagiging curious nila, I mean."

"Well..." Huminga siya ng malalim. "I can just talk to them properly. Instead of getting into fights, you know?" Nakangiti niyang sagot.

Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa lapag ng dahil sa sinabi niya. It hit me right in the gut.

Magkaibang-magkaiba kami. He can always talk properly to settle an argument. Habang ako, kahit anong usap, mas pinipili lagi ng kapalaran ko ang pakikipaglaban.

What concerns me the most is that... Ngayon, mukha akong nawawalang bata. Lalo pa at nakaalalay sa akin si Xenon. This is not the Flaire from Manila. The Flaire I know is... Is...

Wait! Bakit Flaire ang tawag ko sa sarili ko?! I don't use that but because of him... Ngayon ko lang napansin na mas nasasanay na ako sa ganong pangalan ko!

But yes, the Flaire-- Ruby-- er, whatever my name is... The me that I know is not like this! I am very independent by myself. Pero ngayon? Bakit ganto?

"Flaire, masakit ba tiyan mo? Your face looks crumpled."

Nagulat ako sa biglang pagsasalita ni Xenon. Mabilis akong umiling. "Nah... I'm fine. Just... thinking..."

"About?"

"Things." I averted from his gaze.

He nodded dismissively. He immediately got what I mean. Yes, Xenon. It's something private. I can't share with you.

"Andito na tayo," Sambit bigla ni Xenon kaya napaayos ako ng tayo at agad binitiwan ang pagkakahawak sa damit niya.

"This is your school?"

Tumango siya. Parehas kaming nakatayo ngayon sa labas ng gate.

"Ang laki 'di ba? Kung sana pinayagan ka ng Lolo mong mag-aral muna rito... E 'di baka magkaklase na tayo,"

"No way!" Mabilis kong iling. "I won't be staying here that long kaya hindi kailangan na lumipat pa ako ng eskwelahan. And as if... I'd want you as my classmate!"

"Luh, I feel offended. Grabe ka naman, Flaire. Diretso masyado?"

"Well... n-not my fault that maybe you'd want me as your classmate. Tsaka please, I won't be able to handle you being my classmate." Thinking about it gives me the creeps.

Siya? Kaklase ko? No way talaga! Nako!

He just chuckled despite how offensive my words came out as.

"I just find it interesting kung kaklase kita. But oh well, sabagay, aalis ka rin naman agad." He shrugged before glancing at me.

"Why are you staring at me?" Tanong ko nang makaramdam ng ilang.

Xenon shook his head. "Everything about you screams red. Your dark eyes with a little tint of red, your red hair, your outfit... everything..." Aniya habang pinapalibutan ako ng tingin.

Nagdikit ang kilay ko. "And? Is there a problem?"

"You look..."

"Out of place? I know. Hindi naman ako sanay sa lugar niyo-"

"Gorgeous kasi, Flaire. Gorgeous! Ito naman, lagi kasing nangunguna." Mahina niyang pinisil niya ang ilong ko.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Agad kong sinipat ang kamay niya. "Xenon!" Sita ko. "Don't do that! Tsaka kanina mo pa pinupuna ang kagandahan ko.