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Sunset

After touring me in Tiempo Dorado and feeling the bitterness and cruelty of the world by the life of the farmers, we went on our way to Amor Verdadero. Sabi ni Xenon sa akin ay isang syudad din iyon sa Isla del Tesoro bukod pa sa Sea Feliz.

Kanina rin ay natanaw namin mula sa Tiempo Dorado ang mga gubat na tinatawag na Naturaleza Fresca. I changed my mind and decided not to tour around that anymore. I mean, I don't think it's necessary anymore since puro puno lang. And going in there in my outfit, I'd look horrible and stupid.

"You know, we might be caught by the night. Baka kailanganin nating mag-check in sa hotel..." Xenon muttered as we rode on the train papuntang Amor Verdadero.

"What!? Wala akong dalang extra na damit!"

"That's why I'm sorry. 'Di ko nasabi. But you know... Might lang naman. Baka kayanin pa rin ng oras natin."

"Dapat kayanin! I will not sleep in the same clothes, thank you very much!" Sarkastiko kong ani.

"Mamaya pa naman lulubog ang araw, I think we can do it." Tumango-tango siya sa sarili niya.

I sighed. "We still have time. We can do it. We have to," Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

Napakamot siya sa batok at ngumiti ng alinlangan.

Hmp!

"Isn't it amazing? Touring around here..." Pukaw ni Xenon sa atensyon ko nang makababa kami mula sa tren.

I focused on him. He was looking around. "Anong hinahanap mo?"

"Kung san ka pwede igala..."

"You'll make me happy if miraculously, there's a shooting range here. Or better yet, a fight. I wanna fight, Xenon."

"Uh... Kung dadalhin kita sa ganun, ako ang malalagot kayna Papa kaya huwag na. At pangalawa, lalong bawal kitang mailagay sa away-"

"Boring!" Winisik ko ang kamay sa harapan niya. I showed him how bored I was with him rejecting my ideas. Ngumuso siya.

"I know how strong you are."

"Really?" I raised a brow and my lips formed a smirk. "Want me to try it on you?"

Umiling siya at pinag-krus ang mga braso sa dibdib. "Ate, huwag po."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Weirdo,"

He laughed. "Based on your personality, you really are strong-strong."

"How so?"

"Well, nakwento mo na kanina na... You know, you don't really behave."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But then again, if I wanna leave this island immediately, I have to show Lolo that I'm behaving already."

"Really?"

Saglit akong natigil at napagtanto ang sinabi. Shoot! Did I just revealed my plan?! Akma ko sanang babawiin ang sinabi ko ng ngumiti si Xenon at tinaas ang palad sa akin.

"Don't worry, I won't tell." He assured me. "Want me to help?"

Umingos ako. "How would you help me?"

"You know... Make sure that you're really behaved..."

Nagbuhol ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.

Honestly, why do I feel like I've known him for so long? Huminga ako ng malalim. Hindi ko na binalak pang bumanat ng sagot sa sinabi niya. If I do that, for sure, mapupunta na naman sa kung saan ang usapan namin. Instead, I grabbed his arm and pulled him somewhere.

Buti na lang ay may naaninag akong tindahan. It was a cake shop. Have I mentioned that I'm really drawn to a specific cake...

"May oreo cheesecake po kayo?" Tanong ko agad ng makapasok at lumapit sa cashier.

Xenon was standing behind me. Mukhang gulat pa dahil dinala ko siya rito. Hindi ko pinansin ang nagtatanong niyang mukha at nag-focus sa babaeng pinagtanungan.

"Yes, meron po."

"Great! Can I have 2 slices, please?"

"Sure." Nginitian ako ng babae.

I grinned and pointed at Xenon. "Siya ang magbabayad," I muttered before pushing Xenon closer to the cashier.

"Ano?" Gulo niyang sabi.

"I ordered, you pay."

Napakamot siya sa batok bago naglabas ng pitaka. I was watching him intently as he asked the cashier the price. "How much?"

"For 2 slices... It'll be..."

Xenon handed her the money and faced me beside him. "You ordered 2 slices for us? How sweet. Akala ko naman ay pinagbayad mo ako tapos hindi mo rin ako in-orderan-"

"What're you talking about?" Putol ko sa sinasabi niya habang nakakunot ang noo. Napatigil siya at saglit ding kumunot ang noo. "I didn't order 2 for me and you. Para sa akin lang 'yan."

"What-"

"If you want some, you should've ordered for yourself then." I shrugged before finding a table to sit on while waiting.

"Rude..." I heard him whispering things from the back.

"Not my fault, stupid." I rolled my eyes before settling myself down on a chair.

"Flaire, that's not very nice of you to say." I heard Xenon whispering from behind me but I didn't took notice anymore. Nanatili siya doong nakatayo sa may cashier habang ako ay nandito na sa lamesa.

Habang naghihintay, inayos ko ang damit na suot. I feel a bit sticky since the weather here is a bit hot. Gosh, why did I even wear this flashy outfit again? Sa ganitong init, it's even better to just wear a swimsuit to ease the heat.

Few minutes later, Xenon came and sat down on the chair in front of me. Dala niya sa isang tray ang order kong cake. Hindi naman sa may pakialam ako sa kaniya pero nagtataka ako dahil walang dagdag na order. He didn't really bought some for himself?

"Wala kang in-order?" Nasabi ko bigla ng hindi nakakapag-isip ng mabuti. Palihim pa akong nagulat at babaguhin sana ang topic ng magsalita siya.

"Papanoorin na lang kita kumain."

"That's creepy." My face contorted at what he said.

Napailing-iling siya. "I'm still full, don't worry."

"I'm not worried. Why would I be worried about you?"

"Because... I paid for your needs?" Malambing niyang sabi.

I raised a brow. "As you should. You are now my personal mode of payment."

"Ouch... 'Yun lang?"

"At bakit? Me talking to you is already such a privilege-"

"How about friends?"

"I don't make friends with..." I eyed him from head to toe and shook my head, hindi ko na tinuloy pa ang sasabihin.

"But aren't we close now?"

"Luh, guni-guni mo lang 'yan." I started eating my cake slices.

"Tell your parents that I'm a big fan of their work." Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang magsalita ng Ingles.

"Pinagsasasabi mo d'yan? Can you not make disturb to me while I'm eating?" Maarte kong sabi.

Natatawa siyang tumango-tango sa sinabi ko at pinagsiklop ang kamay sa lamesa bago ako masinsinang pinanood nang may ngiti sa labi.

It felt awkward kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. However, I did not point it out further. It was a bit embarrassing for him to watch me as I ate. But I'm Flaire Ruby Gresham. Why would I be shy of a Xenon Regal Ashenbert? Why would I?

Well, after I ate, dinala niya ako kung saan-saan. He roamed me around hidden places. An example would be a village full of old spanish houses. Ang sabi niya sa akin, may mga nakatira pa naman daw dito. Medyo mahigpit lang sa turista dahil nga sinusubukang i-preserve. But since he does have privileges, nakapasok kami.

Doon ko lang napagtanto na marami pa lang tagong diyamante sa Isla del Tesoro. Places that are too beautiful and kept in private to be taken care of and guarded.

Bukod don, nagulat ako ng idaan niya pa ako sa isang zoo. I didn't expect it at all! Akala ko ay matutuwa na ako ngunit nabawi ang lahat ng iyon nang sabihin niyang...

"Look Flaire, you look like a squirrel. Tingnan mo kung pano sila kumain. Ganyan ka rin kanina sa cake mo!" Humalakhak siya.

I gazed at the squirrel. Namula ang pisngi ko nang mapagtantong tama siya. But since I don't wanna admit it, hinampas ko siya sa braso para ipakitang hindi ako natutuwa sa biro niya.

"Pack it up, Ashenbert. You're not that funny to be a clown! Corny jokes!"

Patuloy siyang tumawa na akala mo'y mawawalan ng hininga. Hindi pa doon nagtapos ang pang-aasar niya sa akin. Ang akala ko ay tour lang 'to, hindi ko alam na may kasama pa lang clown!

"Flaire, kung ang moon ay buwan, bakit araw ang sun?" Isang tanong na naman niyang walang kwenta.

Pagod ko siyang tiningnan. "Xenon, bukod sa paa kong nahihirapan, mukhang pati ang ulo ko masisiraan dahil sa pinagsasasabi mo."

"Aren't I great? Don't I make you happy? Isang tawa naman d'yan oh!"

Nginitian ko siya ng pilit. Ngumuso ang loko na akala mo'y inaway ng kung ano.

When he finished touring me in Amor Verdadero, diretso kami agad sa Cuídate Bien. We didn't waste any more of our time dahil pareho naming ayaw abutan masyado ng gabi. Cuídate Bien is almost the same as Amor Verdadero. Although I have to say, each cities do have their own hidden possessions.

Sa Cuídate Bien, nalaman kong may mga lugar na naging barracks ng mga sundalo noong panahon ng Espanyol. Bukod don, dinala ako ni Xenon sa isang lugar kung saan makikita mo talaga ang mga baril na tumatagos sa bawat building na makikita, lalo pa't halos mga bahay-kubo ang iba. Kakaunti lamang ang gawa pa sa bato. It feel surreal to witness things like this in person.

Akala ko'y sa Maynila lang ganto. Hindi ko alam na pati rito... may bahid pa rin ng kasaysayan.

"The sun is going to come down soon. Sakto, malapit na tayo sa Arenas de Cristal. Maganda ang sunset doon." Xenon muttered as he rested his head on the back of his seat. Mariin siyang pumikit.

Kasalukuyan kaming nakasakay ulit sa tren. We immediately finished the tour in Cuídate Bien. Nakakatuwa na kahit naiirita ako sa mga lumalabas sa bibig ni Xenon ay may mga natututunan naman ako.

Who would've thought that it'll all come down to the beautiful scene? I can't wait to see the sunset!

Saglit na bumagsak ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Nakahalukipkip ako ngayon habang yakap ang bag ko. Xenon still has his eyes closed. I sighed. Wala bang girlfriend ang isang 'to? O kahit taong natitipuhan niya? Guys like him would definitely get girls easily. Girls like the cold ones but some of us like the sunny variety too...

Was he tired? Halata naman. Napailing-iling ako. I looked away when he started squirming to find a more comfortable position as he sat.

"Flaire?"

"What? Are you going to say a stupid joke again?"

"Ganon ba ang tingin mo sa akin? Hindi naman laging joke ang sinasabi ko..." Nakapikit pa rin niyang sabi.

I raised a brow habang nakatingin sa kaniyang nakapikit. "Ay hindi ba? Bukod sa jokes, ano pang mga lumalabas sa bibig mo?"

"Mga bagay na magpapasaya sa 'yo." He smirked when his eyes were still closed.

And damn it for making me feel things! He looked cool!

"Whatever,"

"But I'm serious this time."

"Then say it agad. Andami mong commercial,"

"Suotin mo jacket mo ha." Biglang banggit niya ay unti-unting dinilat ang mata.

Our eyes met. "A-At bakit?"

"Malamig."

"Fine, you got a point there." Ani ko at sinuot na ang jacket.

"You know it also gets windy on the beach at night. So you better hang on tight..."

"Okay-"

"...To me." He grinned.

I frowned. Mukhang concern siya kung bakit biglang naging disappointed ang mukha ko. "Okay na e. Tas bigla ka na namang magjojoke ng ganyan... Seriously..."

"'Seriously, why are you so hot?' Ganon ba ang idudugtong mo?" Walang point na naman niyang sabi.

Umiling ako. "Seriously... bakit ikaw pa ang naantas sa akin?"

"Baka meant to be? Sweetie..."

"Yuck." Umarte akong tila nasusuka sa sinabi niya.

"Sweetie, buntis ka agad? Ang bilis naman, wala pa akong ginagawa-"

"Shut up! Shut down! Shut it!" Naghihisterya kong sabi at halos takpan na ang bibig niya. "'Yang bibig mo, nakakahiya!" Pinandilatan ko siya habang nakatikip pa rin ang kamay sa bibig.

He didn't say anything. Nakatingin lang sa akin. Akala ko naman ay hindi na siya sasagot o gagawa ng kung ano ngunit nagulat ako nang halikan niya ang palad ko.

Mabilis ko tuloy na inilayo sa kaniya ang kamay ko.

"Wow, lasang... oreo cheesecake." Natatawa niyang sabi habang nang-aasar akong kinindatan.

I glared at him. If only looks can kill...

Kanina pa bagsak ang lokong 'to.

Nang makita niyang bagsak na bagsak ang itsura ko, lalo pa siyang natuwa. Parang ewan din e.

Ilang saglit pa ay narating na rin namin ang Arenas de Cristal. Pababa na kami ng tren nang magulat ako dahil kinuha ni Xenon ang bag na dala ko.

"Hey, give it back!"

"Ayoko, ako ang magdadala nito."

"Bakit?! Akin 'yan!"

Tinaas niya ang hawak sa bag ko kaya hindi ko maabot. I tried jumping but he calmly pat my head to keep me in place. Bahagya pa siyang yumuko para tingnan ako ng masinsinan.

"Pagod ka na 'di ba? Kanina pa tayo umiikot at naglalakad. Let me do this. Ang gagawin mo lang ay tumingin sa kalawakan at mag-enjoy..."

Gusto ko siyang samaan ng tingin pero hindi ko magawa. Why? Because I know that he's sincere.

"Xenon... Akin na..." Mahina kong sabi.

Umiling siya at binigyan na naman ako ng isang matamis na ngiti. "Sweetie, huwag na makulit. Remember your plan? Behave."

I bit my lower lip. Xenon Ashenbert, I will sue you for doing something so ridiculous!

Umayos na siya ng tayo. He pointed at a direction kaya sinundan ko iyon ng tingin.

"Malawak ang himpapawid. Malamig ang hangin. This is a good time to let go of everything... even for a while. Huwag kang matakot magpahinga at sumaya. The sky is free for you to admire. The sea is tantalizing, waiting for you to dive deep and drown in it's mystery. Life is beautiful, Flaire. It may have some limits that make it a bit boring but God has put those limitations to protect us all. Because he know... that we, humans, are stupid and only does things for our own selfish gain."

His words hit me like a truck. Talaga bang galit iyon sa kaniya? He was joking and always funny. It's so weird to witness him say these things.

But his last sentence gave me a full blow in the gut.

"Xenon..."

"Yes?"

"What would you do if someone important to you is willing to throw away their life just for something that was taken from them?"

"You mean..."

"They know they'll get hurt but they're still stupid enough to proceed because of the desire for blood."

"Then..." Huminga siya ng malalim. "I'll support them."

Napatitig ako sa kaniya. "Really? Even if they're stupid and ready to die for a dream?"

"I'll support them in a way that they won't hurt themselves, Flaire. Kung kailangang higpitan, gagawin ko. But you know, it depends on the situation."

"How so?"

He gave me a small smile before patting my head. "Time will tell."


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