14

Sun

"Are you courting her?" Diretsong tanong ni Tita Genesis isang araw kay Xenon habang sabay kaming nag-aagahan.

Halos mabilaukan ako sa pagkain pero si Xenon ay mabilis na tumango. "Yes, Mom. I like her. I'm courting her. Matagal ko na pong nasabi sa Lolo niya at kay Ruce."

"What? You didn't even tell us?" Gulat na tanong ni Tito Rom.

"Dad? Hindi po ba halata?" Xenon asked genuinely, looking shocked.

Napahampas ako sa noo ko. "Xenon... Are you really saying that?"

"What? I thought they already knew from my actions, Flaire."

"Goodness! Ang batang ito talaga!" Napahawak sa sentido si Tita Genesis.

"I'm sorry Ma. Akala ko kasi halata na po masyado..." Xenon shyly smiled to his mom.

"Seriously? Or are you too focused on Ruby?" Sabat ni Tito Rom. "Just tell us if he's bothering you too much, Ruby. We'll chain him immediately."

"Dad!" Sita ni Xenon. "Inaaway mo na naman ako!"

Tito Rom shrugged. "It's just hard to think na magugustuhan ka ni Ruby, son. Sorry but that's the truth."

Natawa ako nang makita ang bagsak na mukha ni Xenon. It was funny to me. My family is backing Xenon up against me and his family is backing me up against him. It's just so ironic and entertaining.

"Oh well, as long as you don't force yourself on her." Huminga ng malalim si Tita Genesis bago ako nginitian. "I'm happy that you're enjoying your stay here. Pero mukhang masyadong sumaya ang inutusan kong magbantay sa 'yo at heto't niligawan ka pa. Tell me if there's any problem, okay Ruby? We'll kick his ass if he annoys you too much." She said pertaining to Xenon.

I nodded and gave her a small smile. I can kick his ass Tita, don't worry. I wanted to add that but I was too embarrassed to do so.

When they both left, naiwan kaming dalawa ni Xenon na tulala. I was busy thinking about the possibilities if I ever rejected him. For Xenon though, I have no idea what's going on in his mind. He's just too sparkly to think of. Nakakasilaw.

"Xenon, what if I reject you? Would they be mad?" Wala sa sarili kong tanong.

Nagulat ako ng hawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ko at inilapit sa kaniya. He was looking at me directly.

"Bat sila Mama ang inaalala mo? If you reject me, syempre ako ang magagalit, Flaire." Ngumuso siya. "Sila ba ang nanliligaw? Mas concern ka pa sa kanila kaysa sa akin?" OA niyang sabi.

Inirapan ko siya bago tinanggal ang hawak sa pisngi ko. "Ikaw talaga! Curious lang ako."

"Kayna Mama? Paano naman ako?" Kawawa niyang sabi.

Napahawak ako sa sentido. "You're such a drama queen." Asar ko sa kaniya.

He acted shocked and hurt. May pahawak pa sa dibdib niya na akala mo'y aping-api talaga. "Anong drama queen?! Ikaw talaga, Flaire! Lagi mo akong inaasar. Hindi mo na ba ako gusto? Sabihin mo nga sa akin, may iba ka na bang natitipuhan? Paano naman ako? Nahulog na sa 'yo?"

Natawa ako sa arte niya. I think the last one was a song I heard somewhere. Itong lalaking 'to talaga! Pansin ko na sa pamilya nila, siya talaga ang sobrang kulit! Natatangi!

"Xenon, maagang puputi ang buhok ko sa 'yo."

"Ako ang magtatanggal basta bigyan mo ako limang piso kada puting buhok." Humalakhak siya at binatukan ko naman. He immediately frowned and pouted.

"Para akong nag-aalaga ng bata..."

"Sweetie lang..."

"Bata kasi!"

"Sweetie mo nga!"

"Gosh!" Pinisil ko ang pisngi niya. "Ang kulit mo. Ikaw ba ang sun personified? Grabe!"

"Sun ng buhay mo, Flaire. Ayaw mo?" Asar niya pa.

Umirap ako. Hay nako!

And so, days passed again. Sa buong pananalagi ko sa Isla del Tesoro, peace was never available whenever I'm with Xenon. At dahil lagi ko siyang kasama, you could assume that I never get any peace that I want.

But weirdly enough, even if I don't get peace because of how energetic and annoying he is, he still makes me comfortable and... peaceful. Ang gulo pero ganon. But I'll never tell him that of course. He'll tease me forever and I won't hear the end of it knowing his personality.

"May laro ka ngayon?" Tanong ko. Tumango siya. "Sa usual court?" He nodded again. "Bat kailangan ako kasama?"

I saw how his face fell at tiningnan ako na parang hindi makapaniwala. "Seryoso? Hindi mo gets?"

"Magtatanong ba ako kung gets ko?" Irap ko.

"Syempre, gusto ko magpapansin sa iyo."

"Lagi naman kitang pinapansin, ah?"

"Gusto kong ma-amaze ka sa'kin kaya gagalingan ko." Hikayat pa niya.

"Hindi ako naa-amaze sa 'yo kahit anong gawin mo. Siguro kapag tahimik ka oo, dun lang ako maa-amaze."

"Nubayan!" Napakamot siya sa batok.

"Sorry, kung tumatalab sa iba ang mga galaw mo. Pwes, sa akin, hindi." I gave him a smug look.

Inirapan niya ako kaya hindi sinasadyang napangiti ako. What's with him? So sassy!

"Flaire, Flaire, Flaire. Kailangan ba kita mapapa-oo?"

"Kapag naging uto-uto ako."

"Bat lagi mo akong inaaway?"

"Bat lagi kang kaaway-away?" Bawi ko at halos mapasabunot siya sa buhok niya.

Humalakhak ako.

In the end, he won. Sumama ako nang magbasketball siya. His friends kept on teasing me lalo na sina Lau dahil daw pumayag ako na manligaw siya.

I was drained the whole time. Xenon kept on flaunting his skills. I mean, yes, magaling naman siya maglaro. But with me there, talagang nagpasikat ang loko!

When the whole game ended I was too tired instead of him. Dapat siya ang pagod kasi siya ang naglaro but the whole time, he asked if I could cheer for him so I did. Sa lahat yata nang nagccheer don, ako ang pinakawalang energy.

I remained seated as I kept on shouting, "Go Xenon!" In the most boring way. Kaya habang papauwi, patuloy ang pang-aasar niya sa akin.

"Flaire, do you know na pwede kang manalo bilang most unenergetic cheerer ever?"

"Xenon, do you know na pwede kang manalo ng isang malakas na sapak mula sa akin kung hindi mo ako titigilan?"

"Sus! So violent as ever!" Asar niya. I rolled my eyes. "Pero na-amaze ka ba sa akin? Galing ko 'no! Kahit sobrang nanghihina na ako kakaturo at flying kiss sa 'yo tas 'di mo naman pinapansin. Winiwisik mo pa palayo!"

"I can never keep up with your energy..." Ani ko.

"Tulungan kita, want mo?"

"No thanks!" Him and his maharot ways!

Habang nag-uusap ay may nadaanan kaming pastry shop. Xenon asked the driver if we can stop to buy something and so he did. He said his thanks before opening the door para bumaba.

Gulo ko siyang tiningnan. "Ano bibilhin mo?"

"Ano ba nabibili sa pastry shop?" Barumbado niyang sagot pabalik.

I rolled my eyes before reaching his hair para masabunot. The driver laughed at us kaya napanguso si Xenon.

"I was asking properly!"

"Oo na, oo na." Natatawa niyang sabi, surrendering. "Ano ba bibilhin mo?"

Umiling ako. "Tss, wala. Dalian mo ha!" I said and urged him to walk away already.

He was laughing outside the car kaya ako na mismo ang nagsara. Whenever we're around other people, they'd always laugh at how me and Xenon argue. Madalas, iniisip nila na nag-aaway kami. But that's just us normally. That's how we treat each other. Para sa amin, that's us raw.

And we are very comedic as they say.

Ilang minuto kaming maghintay kay Xenon. I saw him running excited towards the car with a paper bag in his hand. Because of that, naisipan kong i-lock ang pinto.

I was laughing as he tried to open the door. Nakakunot na ang noo. He was telling something and knocking the window. Akmang bubuksan ni Kuya ang pinto but I said no.

"Kuya, huwag mo pong buksan."

"Nako ma'am baka mainis si Sir."

"Hindi po iyan." Tawa ko.

Saglit pa bago ko binuksan ang pinto. Pumasok si Xenon at busangot ang mukha.

"Bat mo sinara?" Nguso niya. "Kuya, ikaw din. Panig ka kay Flaire?"

"Nako Sir, sabi niya hindi ka naman po maiinis."

"Oo Kuya, hindi po ako naiinis." Humarap siya sa akin na halata ang pagkabadtrip. "Natutuwa po ako na nilock ni Flaire ang pinto."

Natawa ako sa arte niya. Pero bumagsak ang tingin ko sa paper bag na dala.

"Ano binili mo?"

"Secret. Nilock mo pinto e."

"Dali na. Ano nga?"

"Oh, buksan mo." He gave me the bag and I opened it.

I wasn't expecting to see a box of oreo cheesecake. Medyo naguilty tuloy ako kaya dahan-dahan ko siyang tiningnan. "Akin ba 'to?"

"Hindi. Siguro akin, ako kasi bumili e." Sarkastiko niyang sagot.

I frowned at him. "Ano nga? Hindi mo naman paborito 'to."

"Ikaw talaga! Grabe ka! Iyan sa 'yo tas sa ilalim may isa pang box ng cake, iyon naman akin. Grabe ka talaga, Flaire. Hindi ka man lang maging grateful sa 'kin tas balak mo pa akong awayin. Ayaw mo nun? Lagi kang nasa isip ko kahit gutom ako dahil sa laro?"

Pabiro kong pinisil ang pisngi niya. So so hyper! "Yes. Thank you! Okay na?"

"Hmm... Hindi ko ramdam ang sincereness. Pwede bang may kasamang kiss kaysa pisil sa pisngi ko? Masakit kasi."

"Ang harot mo. Tumatapang ka na ah. Let me remind you about Ruce? And Lolo? Do you really want our men to shoot you?"

"Nakabantay ba sila rito sa 'yo?" Napalunok siya.

"Not sure anymore. Magaling naman ako magtago." I joked.

Halos mamutla siya. "Uy, 'di nga?"

"Sana hindi! Kaya ko naman sarili ko." Umirap ako bago kinuha ang box ng cake na paborito ko at sinimulang kumain.

I gave him the paper bag kung saan natira na lang ay 'yong binili niya. Nagtaka pa ako dahil may kinakalikot siya sa loob no'n. I then realized that he also bought something for Kuya driver. He gave it to him and received his thanks. Ako naman, nanatiling tahimik habang kinakain ang cake papauwi.

When I was finished, inabutan pa niya ako ng water jug niya.

"Ew, no thanks. May laway mo na 'yan." Maarte kong sabi but I was only teasing him.

Gusto ko na namang tumawa nang malakas when I saw how his face contorted in disbelief. "Grabe ka talaga, Flaire! Ibang level ang pang-aaway mo sa akin! Magsusumbong ako talaga!"

"Oh really? Saan?"

"Sa hukuman ng mga pusong marupok na inaabuso!"

I burst out laughing. "What the freak, Xenon? You and your jokes!"

"Bentang-benta naman sa 'yo, 'di ba?"

Instead of answering, kinuha ko na lang ang jug niya at uminom doon. Afterwards, I gave an answer. "Kahit bentang-benta sa akin, hindi ko bibilhin."

"See!" Nanlaki ang mata niya at tinuro pa ako. "Sinasakyan mo pa ang jokes ko!"

"What do you expect? Kung laging ikaw ang kasama, hindi malabong masanay."

His answer was his obvious pout. Huminga ako ng malalim bago tinakpan ang mukha niya gamit ang kamay ko.

"Flaire!" Angal niya.

"Your face is annoying." Tinatakpan ko pa rin mukha niya.

"Flaire!" Ulit pa niya. "Stop covering my face with your hand!"

"Tiisin mo," Nang-aasar kong sabi.

Patuloy siyang umangal na animo'y bata. I sighed. This is a normal scene everyday. Ano pa bang bago? With him, it's like I'm always taking care of a child. A very sassy child.

"Gusto mo bumisita sa tatlong isla?" He asked one morning habang hinihintay ako sa hagdan.

I looked at him doubtedly. "Why? Wala ka bang pasok?" And started walking downstairs.

Sinundan niya ako. He was very lively na pasilip-silip pa sa magkabilang balikat ko. "Wala. Ikaw? Alam ko wala kaya huwag mo na akong tanggihan."

"Tatanggi ako-" I said when I reached the end of the stairs pero bumungad sa akin ang mukha niyang nagmamakaawa.

"Please?"

Damn it. "Fine." Irap ko bago tumuloy sa dining at kumain.

He was super excited about the trip. He told me to prepare immediately. I acted cool and made him think that I wasn't looking forward to this trip but in all honesty, I was also very excited.

Hindi ko pa naiikot ang 3 neighbouring islands at mukhang ito na nga ang chance na sinasabi niya noon.

Before afternoon came, nakaalis na kami. I only packed lightly since Xenon said that hindi naman siguro kami aabot ng sobra sa isang araw doon. Plus, mas mahihirapan lang daw ako kaya I accepted his point.

We're currently riding a boat from Arenas de Cristal to the first island which is Isla del Amor.

I was wearing a red bikini with a balabal. Xenon was only in his swim trunks and a white muscle shirt. Dahil maaraw, I wore my sunglasses. However, Xenon was fine without it. He actually looks cool as he gazes at the horizon in front of me as we sit down. I could see how his nose scrunched as his forehead creased from the sunlight.

The wind blew through my hair so I had to tie it up. Rinig ko ang tunog ng makina ng bangka. So this is what island life is. I understand why people would rather stay here than be in the city.

Xenon suggested that we can use their yacht but I got jealous of the people only going there by boat. That's why I suggested na ganun na lang din para maranasan ko. Hindi naman siya umapila. And good thing because I know that this was a good decision.

"Why Island of Love? Isn't that too corny?" Tanong ko.

Xenon chuckled at my words. Napakunot ang noo ko. "Flaire..."

"What? Totoo naman ah? Ang corny. Don't tell me that there's some weird myth na lahat ng pumunta rito ay magkakatuluyan?" Sarkastiko kong sabi. I got shocked for real when he nodded. "Totoo?! How corny is the one who decided this?!"

"Grabe ka sa Lolo ko," Xenon chuckled. "Pero ang galing mo pala manghula, huh?"

"Is that why you brought me here? To see if the myth works?"

"Yeah." He honestly replied. Akala ko ay itatanggi niya but Xenon being Xenon. He likes honesty so much even when it hurts. "Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan."

"Pano kung ayaw ko sa 'yo?"

"Hindi pa rin ba tayo tapos sa argument na 'yan?" Nakanguso niyang sabi na tinawanan ko lang.

"Hindi," Irap ko.

"Andaya mo naman."

"Ang madaya ay 'yung mga taong corrupt sa gobyerno." I blurted out.

He smiled. "I never thought you're into politics?"

"Not really since greedy people make me wanna vomit. But whenever I know that something is wrong, I know how to stand up for it."

"Naks naman. Never thought you had it in you." He said like he was talking to a kid and even proudly tapped my head.

I glared at him and he only chuckled.

Nang makababa kami sa isla, I wanted to gouge my eye out. Bakit ba andaming couple rito? It irks me! Alam ko namang wala silang ginagawa sa akin but their existence and public display of affection is so annoying!

"Flaire, calm down. Parang mabubulagta ang lahat dito dahil sa tingin mo," I felt Xenon's hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down.

Instead of doing what he said, inungasan ko siya. He looked at me amazed and chuckled.

"Huwag ka nang mainggit, andito naman ako." He said again habang sinasabayan ako ng lakad.

I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Really? Kung ganun, pwede ka nang umalis."

He acted mad because of what I said kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Tara na nga, swimming na. Gusto mo ba dito or sa lagoon?"

"Lagoon?" Gulo kong tanong. "Bukod sa beach?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Each island has a lagoon within. Bukod pa sa mismong beach. Doon, walang isda. So if you're scared of that... It's better there."

"Hindi ako takot sa isda."

"Wala naman ako sinabi. Good for you." Natawa siya.

In the end, I chose the beach rather than the lagoon. Ang sabi ko kay Xenon, mamaya na lang ang lagoon.

"Should I swim quickly para malibot natin ang mga isla?" I asked as we were both swimming in the beach.

Umiling siya. "No. Take your time. I can wait,"

"Seryoso? If I were you, I'd be bored. Mas pipiliin kong iwan ka."

"Ouch! Flaire! You're hurting me! Buti na lang ay hindi ikaw ako." Ngumuso siya bago lumangoy papailalim.

The sea water hurts my eyes. But I still managed to do my best so I could follow him. He showed me a lot of pretty corals under. May mga nakita akong isda na makukulay. There were also groups of fish and I was so amazed! But from time to time, kinailangan naming umakyat ng langoy para kumuha ng hangin. I'm glad that we're both familiar with swimming.

"Does your eyes hurt?" Tanong niya.

I shook my head. "Ayos lang."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yep." I said.

Kinalaunan ay lumipat kami sa lagoon. I jumped in first and he followed. Pati iyong sinabi niyang pagsulat sa bato ng pangalan namin bilang marka na napuntahan namin ito na gawa-gawa lang ng Kuya niya ay ginawa namin. I was laughing as we did that.

Ganon ang naging routine namin sa mga susunod pang isla. Bukod doon, may mga konting food stall pa roon na sustainable kaya hindi nakakasakit sa kalikasan at mapapansin mong talagang malinis ang paligid.

"Pagod ka na ba?" Xenon asked when we're both just chilling here in Isla de la Felicidad.

Umiling ako.

"Bat ka nakasimangot? This is the island of happiness, Flaire. Smile naman d'yan!"

"Hindi ba pwedeng pagod lang?"

"Akala ko hindi? Umiling ka ah? Sinungaling talaga 'to!"

I just made a funny face for him since I was too tired to answer.

Sa Isla de Esperanza ay ganun din ang naging tanong niya. After we swam, we ate for a bit and rested a bit. Naglatag kami sa buhangin para upuan.

"Bat mukha kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa? This is the island of hope, sweetie. Try mo pagaanin ang pakiramdam mo. Have hope!" He said like he was some advertiser trying to scam someone.

Umingos ako. "With you around, there's no hope."

"Ouch naman?"

"Gamutin mo kung masakit."

"Ouch times 2!"

"Times 5 mo na para 10. Perfect score." I replied jokingly.

He pouted again before nearing me and fixing my balabal. Natulos ako sa pagkaka-upo. I didn't expect that.

"Malamig ba?" He asked.

Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil sa gulat kaya nang marealize na masyado siyang malapit ay agad akong napatango. "Y-Yeah. Malapit na ang gabi. The wind's getting wilder..."

"Uwi na tayo? O pwede pa tayong kumain pagdating sa dalampasigan."

I nodded. "Kain muna tayo pagdating sa Arenas bago umuwi..."

He smiled at my answer before helping me clean out the stuff we brought.

The whole day was spent nicely with him. It was draining dahil bukod sa activities na ginawa namin, I also had to deal with him. Pero sa mga panahon na naglagi ako sa Isla del Tesoro kasama siya, I could say that I'm slowly really and sincerely falling for him.

I couldn't help but look at his back as he walk in front of me para gabayan ako makasakay sa bangka.

"Thank you," I said when we got on the boat and headed towards the land.

"Welcome." He smiled cutely.

I can't help but wonder.

If I met him earlier, would I still pursue with my revenge? Because in all honesty, nakakalimutan ko na ang tungkol doon. If I could stay here forever, I would. Handa akong kalimutan ang buhay ko sa Maynila kapalit ng kasama siya rito sa Isla.

Unti-unti ko ng hindi naaalala ang pakiramdam ng puno ng galit ang puso. I know it's all because of him. Everything about Odds, my enemies, and other goals... It was replaced by his warmth.

I'm not losing myself. This is different. This is me changing for the better.

This wrath of mine... Is slowly losing its fuel. It's all because of this sun I'm with. Xenon.

"Xenon," I called him. "Have you realized that you're the sun personified? You're so energetic and bright..." I said softly.

His hair was getting blown by the wind. I smirked secretly. He's handsome. But I won't tell. Magyayabang na naman siya.

"Hmm? Huwag mo naman akong binibigla agad, Flaire. Hindi pa ako ready kiligin."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "But really. You are one."

"Talaga? Tingin mo?" He asked surprised and I nodded. "But for me... You're the