20

Beautiful Eyes

Agad kaming bumalik sa Isla del Tesoro pagkatapos.

Even if we were able to get back quietly, along with Xenon's assurance na may mga nakabantay din sa amin na handa kaming ipagtanggol, I was still doubtful.

It was not enough to stop me from all the theories I was bound to come up with.

Who could be the main culprit out of all? Maraming may galit sa akin. Most likely dahil palagi akong nangengealam sa tuwing may sinasaktan sila.

Some hate me because they're jealous of me. Although I can't blame them. Kung ako rin, maiinggit sa sarili ko.

But the last thing I had to finish in Manila before I left was connected to Odds.

Andami kong ginawang masama sa buhay ko para lang maabot ang mga kailangan ko. Who would've thought that fighting constantly would prepare for this time of unknown?

Siguro, kung noong hindi pa ako malakas at bigla akong umatake kayna Odds, I wouldn't have any chance of meeting Xenon at all.

'Cause my life could've been cut short.

Thank goodness for all my stubbornness.

It kept me alive.

But until when?

However, months passed and I could say that yes... Maybe... This is good. For now.

Walang masyadong nanggugulo.

Wala pa siguro?

But from time to time, I do receive threats via text. Ilang beses ko ng binlock ang number, pero pursigido at nagpapalit din ang sender.

We tried to track it down. But I guess... Masyadong magaling magtago. Even if we had the finest equipment, kung desperado ang isang tao, it'll still be hard to identify them.

Sa tuwing nangyayari ang ganon, Xenon would comfort me and tell me nothing wrong would happen. Hindi niya raw hahayaan.

I do cry to him. Not because I'm worried about myself. But because I'm worried about him.

What do I care if I hurt myself? What more do I have to lose?

Maybe, if I was the same as before, wala talaga akong pake. Bukod kayna Ruce at Lolo, lahat na naman ay kinuha nila sa akin. This ruthless world gave me no chance to have a loving environment. However, despite the sharp edges of the world threatening to cut me down, at least I still have Ruce and Lolo.

But now... In addition, I have Xenon.

It feels weird to care for someone like this. Especially since I grew up in a tough environment. Most of the time, even if we cry, we do it secretly. Siguro naman lahat. But this life forced me to do that every time. 'Coz I had no choice.

"Hi Ruby, how are you?" I was sitting alone dito sa may beachside nang madaan si Tita Genesis.

I immediately stood up and bowed at her. She smiled. Naka simpleng beach dress at sunglasses si Tita. Her hair was braided cutely.

"I'm fine po. Uh... San po kayo pupunta?"

"Just hanging around... I'm waiting for Rom."

"I see..."

"Ikaw, why are you here alone? How about Xenon?" She said and sat on the lounge beside mine kaya ginaya ko na rin siya. Umupo rin ako.

"We were together at breakfast. He told me to wait for him, may kinuha lang po siya sa kwarto niya. He was taking too long kaya dito po muna ako..."

Tita Genesis smiled and nodded before gazing at the horizon.

The rays of the sun shine perfectly against the rough waves.

Instead of feeling too hot due to the raging blaze, we had aid thanks to the shade of the palm trees around. Other than that, the winds blew softly against my hair. I could feel them kiss my skin, also protecting me from the harsh danger of the sun.

Although... How could a sun defend itself from another sun?

"Flaire! Ma!" A shout from afar caught my attention.

Pareho kaming lumingon ni Tita Genesis. We saw Xenon and Tito Rom walking towards us. Xenon was already running and Tito was calmly walking.

Mabilis na umupo si Xenon sa tabi ko.

"Dito ka pa talaga pumunta, anlayo!" Reklamo ni Xenon paglapit sa akin kaya natawa ako. Pati si Tita.

"This kid..." Sabi ni Tito Rom nang makalapit kay Tita. "Sabi ko hintayin mo ako. Pero tumakbo ka."

"Sorry, Dad. You're too slow!"

"Aba!"

We all laughed.

Minutes passed and after a few chats... Tito and Tita decided to go. I pleaded with them to stay for more but Xenon and his unstoppable mouth really did wonders in getting on our nerves.

"Shh, let them. We'll be alone. I'll have you for myself."

I glared at him and he smiled sheepishly at my attempt to scare him.

Even Tito and Tita were glaring at Xenon before sighing and shaking their heads.

"Should we make a bet?" I heard Tita. They were standing a few meters away from us. Nakaupo pa rin kami ni Xenon. He was sitting beside me.

"About what?"

"That... Sooner or later, Ruby's gonna break up with Xenon? For her sanity's sake."

Lahat kami natawa. Bukod sa katabi kong nakabusangot na. Halatang hindi natutuwa sa mga naririnig niya.

"Whatever, Mom! Shoo na po!" Xenon intervened.

Tito and Tita lazily waved their hands as they walked away, completely vanishing from our sight.

"Sa totoo lang, a parent should be supportive of their child. Pero bakit sina Mama, kulang na lang, siraan ako sa 'yo?" He was pouting as he hug my side.

"Bukod sa supportiveness, isn't honesty the best policy?"

He frowned at my joke.

Saglit kaming natahimik. Although, my body is a little bit bothered by how Xenon tightened his hug on me. Ilang buwan na kami pero hanggang ngayon, nanghihina pa rin ako sa mga hawak niya.

"We have nothing to do today..." He pointed out.

"Your birthday's coming soon." Ani ko.

"Out of the blue?" He chuckled.

"'Yan lang naisip ko."

"How about we go on a date today?"

"Saan?"

Hinarap niya ako sa kaniya.

Xenon glanced at my face before smiling. "Kahit saan? Mall? Food park? You name it."

"Lakad tayo sa Arenas?" I suggested.

"Paano kapag napagod ka?"

"Bubuhatin mo naman ako, 'di ba?"

He smirked. "How are you so sure?"

I shrugged. A smug look on my face. "Well, first of all, let's start with my name. I'm Flaire Ruby Gresham. Have you heard of me? Balita ko, patay na patay sa akin si Xenon Ashenbert. That's why, I'm confident that he'll do his best to appease my pleas in a heartbeat... Especially if I let out a cry."

He looked at me. Obviously amused of what I said. At obvious rin namang hindi siya makatanggi. Kasi... Totoo.

His lips parted and eventually broke out a laugh. "Wow! Ang galing mo naman manghula? Bakit tama?"

"I know right?" I jokingly said.

Xenon had no other choice. Iiling-iling siya habang tumatawa. Good thing we both put on sunscreen earlier. It'd be a horror to not put some in this blazing heat.

"Wait, kuha lang akong payong." He said before immediately running up the rock stairs. Saglit lang ay nakabalik na siya.

Nilakad namin ang baybayin ng Arenas de Cristal mula sa property ng mga Ashenbert. When we reach the border towards the public property, binuksan ang harang.

"Damn, that's cool. Hanggang tubig, may harang?" I said.

Xenon nodded. He was the one holding the umbrella for the both of us. His other hand was holding mine. "Yeah... Mahirap na, may ibang hindi mapakali."

"You know... This is going to be a long walk, right?" Sambit ko.

Natawa siya. "You suggested this. Who am I to say no?"

"Basta bubuhatin mo ako."

His laughter roared more. "Oo na. Sige, panalo ka na."

My gaze stayed on him. I love how his hair danced with the breeze. I love the way his hand felt as he held my hand like it was fragile. I love the way he smiles and the sunshine he radiates. Which is a hundred times better than the sunshine the sun gives that sculpts his face.

"If you stare at me like that, I may have to pull you somewhere hidden." He teased me.

I showed him my tongue. "Funny, but not so funny. You're really corny."

"Don't provoke me though," Mayabang niyang sabi. "Hihilahin talaga kita."

"Just to kiss me? Are you that famished? Adik na adik sa labi ko?"

"Flaire, who am I kidding? Sa ating dalawa... Have you forgotten? Mas adik ka kaysa sa akin. And that's not something to be taken lightly." Ngumisi siya. It's a sign. This is not going to end up in my favor. "To think that I'm head over heels for you... And at the same time, you're more head over heels for me... Kamusta naman? Sino ba sa atin ang mananalo?" Humalakhak siya.

I smiled at him. "If you don't want your body drifting along the waters, I suggest you keep it shut, Xenon."

He looked terrified for a second and then proceeds to immediately hugging me afterwards. Kahit na may hawak na payong. "Joke lang, Flaire! Huwag ka na magalit. Biro lang. Hmm? 'Wag kang gumanon, nakakatakot e."

"I don't look scary." I acted like a fool.

"Nakakatakot kaya! At mas nakakatakot kasi baka payagan lang kitang gawin iyon!"

"Then you're... stupid?"

"Alam ko." Frustrated niyang sabi bago humiwalay. "Tara na nga. Para tayong tanga."

"Ikaw lang."

Tumawa siya. "Oo na, oo. Ako lang ang mukhang tanga. Tara,"

We walked along the stalls. Humakbang pa kami sa harang. There were also many people.

"Andaming bagong tindahan ah?"

"Yeah. Mas dinamihan pa nina Papa para raw mas mataas ang chance nung iba na magkaroon ng kita,"

"Libre ba ang lugar nila rito? Shouldn't there be a fee?" Curious kong tanong.

"It's free. Although there should be a fee, my Dad tries his best to give the people the best life. Hindi naman kailangan laging perahan lahat. Bukod sa sila rin naman ang nakatira at nag-aalaga sa isla, I think it's just fair, hmm?" Xenon said.

I agreed with his statement.

Umupo kami sa isa sa mga upuan don. We got our own table. May mga food stalls at tindahan ng kung ano-anong merchandise.

"There's takoyaki, Flaire." Sabi ni Xenon habang nakaupo kami. There were tents above to protect us from the sun and rain showers.

"Gusto mo?" I asked him.

"Oo, ikaw? Tikman mo, masarap."

"I haven't tried one. Sabi nila, mabaho."

"Huwat?" He looked shocked and a bit offended which resulted in his funny face.

Natawa ako. "Sige sige, titikman ko na lang. Don't do that face, you're funny."

"Sorry, nagulat lang. Takoyaki is the best, depende sa nagluluto." Aniya bago nagpaalam at bumili.

I waited for him as I sat. Pinapanood ko ang likod niya habang sinisilip kung paano siya makipag-usap sa food stall. Xenon was all smiles. Pati ang mga taong kausap niya.

Several people were stealing glances from him. I smiled.

That's an angel right there.

Always bringing smiles wherever he goes. Pati ang mga tao, nadadamay sa pagngiti.

Nang makabalik, nginitian ko rin siya. He ordered a 12 piece takoyaki for both of us. Original flavor ata.

"Xenon, bat gumagalaw?" I asked him about the flake looking things.

"I don't recall. Basta masarap," Tumawa siya.

I bit my lower lip to hide a big smile from him. He sat beside me.

Inabot ko ang chopstick bago kumuha ng isang takoyaki. I was about to eat it whole in my mouth but Xenon suddenly stopped my arm. Avoiding me to fully consume the food.

"Teka!" He said, alarmed.

"Bakit? You scared me." My other free hand rested on my chest. Comforting the sudden feeling that surged.

"Mainit iyan! Huwag mo kainin agad..." He slowly guided my hand to put the chopsticks down. "Hipan mo muna..."

He said to me pero siya ang gumawa. I stared at him while he was busy fanning my food to cool.

"You're like my guardian." Wala sa sarili kong sabi.

His head turned toward my direction. "Ano?"

"Thank you for taking care of me." Sabi ko bigla. "I could've burned my tongue."

"I could kiss your pain away after but I prefer you avoiding any possibility of hurting yourself. It's a hard sacrifice but it's worth it. I could still kiss you in other circumstances." He grinned.

I showed him my bored face. Obviously, not in the mood for any of his kayabangan.

"If I let you." I replied with a grin as well this time.

"If you could endure me. That is." Sagot niya pabalik. There was a ghost of victory in his smile. I frowned.

"Whatever."

"See? You surrender. There's no need for debate every time. You love our kisses. More than me. And that's something to not be taken lightly." He barked a laugh.

"You're making it look like me surpassing your likeness is big. Bakit, ganon mo ba ako kagusto?"

He nodded. I was taken back by his honesty. I will never get used to that.

"I really like you. Wait no, how about love? Yes, I love you, Flaire. Don't get scared and run away. I'll be sad."

"H-How could you say that so casually?"

"If I didn't had the potential to love you, why would I bother court you? E 'di sasayangin ko lang oras mo? Nope. I'm here to stay. Whether you like it or not. Pang habang buhay na 'to. Hindi ba kita nasabihan?" Tumawa siya.

"Oh my gosh wait... We went from eating takoyaki to talking about this. Hindi ba pwedeng kumain muna ako? I haven't started eating yet. Ikaw din! Malamig na ba ang takoyaki? I really need to taste it first before hearing more." Sabi ko, obviously, nagpapanic na ako!

"Yeah, malamig na. Here. Open your mouth." He said before slowly guiding the takoyaki in my mouth. "You know... When men court someone they like, it should be because they are a hundred percent sure. If you say that you like someone and want to court them because of sudden feelings or infatuation when you're not sure at all... Then it's better to not bother them at all. Mas maigi ng sigurado hindi ba? I don't know. It's only my opinion." He shrugged like he just didn't give me a TED talk.

After swallowing the takoyaki, I lightly slapped his arm. He stopped. Hindi niya natuloy ang pagsubo sa takoyaki niya.

"Bakit? Gusto mo pa ba? Ito oh." He was about to give me the takoyaki in his chopsticks but I shook my head.

"Seriously, your brain is very spontaneous. We were just eating tas bigla mo akong binigyan ng TED talk."

He laughed when he realized my argument. "Did I amaze you that much? Don't I deserve a kiss?"

"Kiss mo mukha mo." I grinned. "But I like your opinion though. It's good to know that I am in a relationship with someone who has a good mindset."

"Right, right?" Mayabang niyang sabi, agreeing with what I said. He even pushed my shoulders repeatedly as he teased me more because of what I said.

"Yeah, the only downside is that you're crazy."

"Ikaw din naman ah? Win-win lang."

"But you know Xenon, may mga babae na kapag nililigawan, even if they like the person, they tend to push them away." I said as I opened my mouth, waiting for him to give me another takoyaki.

He laughed when he immediately realized what I did before putting a takoyaki in my mouth. "Cute mo,"

"Alam ko. But let's go back to my point." I said.

He hummed, quietly waiting for more of what I'm gonna say.

"I don't know why but pansin ko lang, girls get pressured especially if they have different priorities in life."

"How so? Explain it to me, sweetie." Malambing niyang sabi habang sumusubo ng takoyaki. Mariing nakatingin sa akin.

I bit my lower lip to stop the kilig. I could feel my cheeks heat. The way Xenon said that, it melted my insides. Damn it! I gazed at the beach.

"Madalas, the boys tend to say that they'll wait. Even if how long. Pero, most girls get suffocated by that. May ibang natutuwa at may ibang hindi. Girls are different from one another. Even if they like the person, they are scared to commit. Scared of everything that can hurt them unknowingly so mas mabuting masaktan na sila ng mas maaga bago sa relasyon..."

"Iba-iba ang pananaw ng bawat tao, Flaire. Kahit sa mga lalaki. Kapag nanliligaw, dapat handa pa ring masaktan. Kasi hindi natin alam, bawat oras, nagbabago ang isip natin. We can hurt someone else or ourselves but in the end, the choice should give you peace. Kung hindi ganun ang ibinibigay at naguguluhan o nahihirapan, mas mabuting tigilan na lang. Kahit sakit ang kapalit, mas mabuti nang masaktan kaysa paulit-ulit na mananatili sa walang kasiguraduhan." I heard sigh.

"Don't you think we're lucky?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. He found my eyes before I could look for his.

There was something at the back of my chair. Bago pa ako lumingon, naramdaman ko na ang haplos ng kamay niya sa balikat ko. He looked territorial with his stance. It does not fit his sunshine personality.

"We are... Very lucky." He said with emphasis.

I pursed my lips. "Other people have it hard for them. Maraming problema at kung ano-ano pa. Pero tayo... ganito lang."

"Flaire, anong ganito lang?" His voice was concerned. "We all have problems. Kahit sinong tao, meron. Depende na lang sa pinagdadaanan at estado sa buhay kung gaano kahirap. Sweetie, please don't invalidate our hardships just because someone else has it harder. All of us has the right to feel the pain and complain about it."

His body moved closer to me. Ramdam ko ang unti-unti niyang pagyakap sa akin sa tagiliran ko. "But yeah, we're lucky. And we're grateful for that. I'm grateful that I can have you with no one interfering. Dahil sa oras na may umepal sa ating dalawa at balaking agawin ka... Dear Flaire, can you always stay by my side to calm me down? 'Coz I for sure cannot limit what I can do if that happens without you."

"What are you saying?" I nervously laughed. Dahil kahit mukhang nagbibiro si Xenon, alam kong seryoso siya sa mga sinabi niya. They say that those who are kinder are more scary when angry. Compared to those who are always stoic. "Bakit mo naman naisip na ako ang aagawin? When in fact... Girls fall beneath your feet..."

He chuckled at what I said and tightened the hug. "You don't know, don't you?"

"Ang alin?"

"Kung pwede ko lang ipahiram sa 'yo mga mata ko para makita mo sarili mo..." He whispered. "Pero hindi pwede. Bukod sa mabubuking mo kung gaano ako kabaliw sa 'yo, kung hindi pa halata iyon..." He added which made me laugh. "At... kailangan ko rin na makita ka. If not, I'll go crazy."

"Nababaliw ka na. Alam kong matagal na, pero lumalala ka na ngayon." I kissed his cheeks.

"Ikaw may kasalanan e." He replied like a child.

"Do I overpower you too much?" I put my hands against my chest, batting my eyelashes at him.

Lumayo siya sa akin, muntik nang mawalan ng hininga sa kakatawa.

"Opo. Sobrang hina ko pagdating sa 'yo. Isa pa ngang beautiful eyes?" Asar niya.

Ngumuso ako na lalo niyang ikinatawa. He kissed my lips again before hugging me so tight that I could feel his unending love.

Oh please, I could get used to this forever.