BARAKUDA: A LOVE UNTOLD (Chapter III)

We arrived 2 hours later in Club Punta Fuego at Nasugbu, Batangas on his brand new blue Lexus car. I am wearing a long high-slit baby blue off-shoulder floral dress with my white strappy sandals. Metis also made me wear a white halo of daisies atop my waist-length ash blonde curls. Metis is dressed with that navy blue coat , Grey flannel trousers, brown boat shoes and a pair of stylish Michael Kors' sleek, sophisticated black metal aviators. It’s just so unfortunate that I will miss my gym class , however I’m really anticipating what will happen today. He promised, anyway.

“Ata, are you okay?” Metis inquired when we were about to enter the resort.

“Yeah. Always.”

“Shall we?” He offered his hand and looked at me intently.

Tinignan ko lang ang kamay niya. Parang may nag-iba sa kanya. Nakadrugs yata. Sweet siya ngayon at parang concerned eh dati, okay lang, sakto lang na magkaibigan.

“Haha! Anyare sa iyo? Hindi ako sanay. Shall we ka diyan. I hate drugs! Pakihuli po to Mr. President” sabay halakhak at hampos sa kanyang balikat.

“ Bakit? Di ba pwede? Di ba ikaw ang date ko ngayon Ata” Lumapit siya sa akin.

“Ata, look, I know this might sound weird and shocking, or this might make you feel uncomfortable or this might ruin our friendship, but I guess, this is the right time to tell you that ….”

Palapitpa siya nang palapit hanggang napasandal ako sa dingding.

“Metis, I don’t want to hear the rest of it please. Look, your friends are waiting.”

“I’ve been holding this for so long…”

He took one step closer. I pushed him away but he gripped my arms until I can no longer move. He moved closer and closer, closer and closer until our noses almost touched. I was desperate. In one single swift moment, I kicked his groin as hard as I can!

“Fuck Ata! Fuck you! I fuckingly love you and it’s fucking crazy to feel this way to someone who is fuckingly a bitch!” He shouted lying on the ground while holding those forsaken testicles.

“And you have a fucked up way of expressing your love! Console those useless balls!  They’re fucking tiny!” I shouted and walked away.

Alam mo iyong feeling na nabackstab ka ng friend mo! Ganoon iyon multiplied by 10! Kulang pa nga iyong flying kick ko sa kanya, kung di lang ako nakadress, wrinestling ko na. Tae pala siya eh! Out of all people, siya pang kaibigan ko iyong magaattempt sa akin ng ganoon. And nagconfess siya out of the blue! Mali lahat! Sana naman romantic iyong pagkakasabi at iyong place. And I never did imagine myself to be in a relationship with Metis. It’s awkward. Business partner slash friend turned boyfriend? Oo, he has everything. He is smart, lean and successful but there are things that we cannot learn.

 “Teka nasaan na ba ako?”

Out there, only meters away is the vast ocean, alive with constant motion.   The white sand crunch beneath my sandals and the waves lap in their steady rhythm, frigid and laced with sea-foam. I can taste the salty air and feel it caress my face. The sun's rays peacefully float, resting on the warm waters. Timid clouds are rarely exposed, leaving the sky to beam blue.  Soothing, a gentle sea breeze rustles through my hair. I took a step into the water. The waves crashed in and over the hem of my dress, soaking it like a rag. I took another step, and another, never taking my eyes off the empty horizon where sea meets sky. The sea is calling me.

“Hey! Are you out of your mind?!!”

“Rape! Rape! Somebody help me!” I shouted as this stranger carried me back to the shore on his shoulders.

“ Bring me down! I said bring me down!”

With all the strength I got, I tugged his hair. He lost his footing and I fell on a hard chest. Opening my mouth, I was ready to scream the living shit out of myself.

I looked up and there he was, up close and personal with his brown eyes glaring at me.

“Let me go,” I pleaded.

He grabbed my waist and looked intently into my eyes. “If you want to commit suicide, don’t do it here! Find any other place except here!”

Suicide? What is he talking about? And why does he look familiar.

“DINUGUAN!” we both uttered simultaneously.

“It’s you!” he exclaimed.

“Get off me! Why do I always end up falling for you?” I stood up and brushed the dust off my hair and dress.

“So you have fallen for me Ata?” he teased.

“Pathetic,” I murmured.

He laughed.

“Crazy,” I sighed.

“You haven’t changed at all, Ata.”

Silence. “What are you doing here? Why do you plan on killing yourself? Maybe, I can help. ”

“I AM NOT HERE TO COMMIT SUICIDE, MISTER.  And I don’t need help from a total stranger.”

“I thought we’re friends.”

“You thought wrong.”

“Are you always angry and grumpy?”

“Yes. Got any problem?”

“Did you come here alone?”

“Are you planning to kidnap me?”

“Yes, I’m playing kidnapper today.”

“Seriously, Red?” I said with utmost sarcasm.

“Gotcha! See, we’re not total strangers. You remember my name.” he sounded amused.

“I’m referring to the sky. It turned red. Don’t assume unless otherwise stated.” I rebutted.

He laughed again as if I cracked a joke.

“What’s funny, care to share, huh?!” while rolling my eyes.

“You’re cute.”

RED’S POV

The wind blew. It was a nice, warm breeze. .  It is  like the classic shots from the movies - rippling, almost in slow motion.

She looked at me just as the brightest ray hit her eyes, which are normally a very standard brown, but in that split second they were the brightest gold, and I just wanted to tell her I really like her. I knew I am into her her the moment I saw her first time. It was instant. I was completely mesmerized by her beauty and personality. She is crazy, spontaneous and there’s something about her that keeps me wanting more.

“Cute is for dogs,” she replied while pouting her lips. I so wanted to kiss those.

“Red, how do I go home?” she timidly asked.

“How did you come here?” I carefully inquired.

“It’s a pretty long story. Where’s the nearest bus terminal?”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to ride in the bus for another two hours. There’s a problem in their system, I’ve heard it over the radio before I came here and saved you from drowning yourself.”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t have suicidal tendencies?”

“Chill! I’m kidding.”

“So, I have to wait here for another two hours? How about car for rent? I will pay double.”

“None.”

“Come on. It’s as if we’re in a secluded island!”she snapped. She snatched her phone from her pouch and threw it back.

“You can’t call your boyfriend?”

“This is the worst day of my life” she said in dismay.  She sat on the shore and rested her chin on her knees. She looked resigned and frustrated.

“Do you want to come over?”

Silence.

I sat beside her.

“We cook the best seafood paella.”

The waves crushing.. 

She stared at me. Then it hit me. I have fallen for her.

“Red, I want ice cream.” She smiled. It was the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life.

I stood up and offered my slightly quivering hand.

"Come with me, Ata." 

Her eyes fixed upon me, she moved in close, holding onto my hand.