Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

PATRICIA'S POV (Last day)

"Hindi ka na bumalik kagabi. Nadatnan ka na namin na tulog!"

Kagigising ko lang at napapahikab pa habang kaharap si Jess.

"I-Inaantok na kasi ako kaya hindi na ako nakabalik..." pagsisinungaling ko.

Kahit ang totoo, sinunod ko ang sinabi ni Callum. Hindi na tuloy ako nakapag-paalam sa kanila.

"Hinahanap ka tuloy ni Jaime kagabi, pinuntahan ka! Ang dami mo kasing ininom!"

I sighed. Jaime was worried.

"Hindi na rin naman bumalik kagabi sila Callum kagabi kaya inubos lang namin yung mga natirang alak at nagpahinga na rin,"

I frowned. "Sila C-Callum?"

"Oo! Pag alis mo ay umalis din sila ni Bella! Lasing na raw si Bella kaya nagpahatid na!"

My chest throbbed so fast again. I remembered again what happened last night. Everything he said. How he held me. Even the k-kiss...

I swallowed and took a deep breath. His eyes that scream anxious last night... I can't forget.

"By the way, medyo nainis ka ba kay Bella kagabi? Kasi ako, oo!"

Jess crossed her arms irritated.

"Bakit naman ako magagalit?"

Wala naman talagang dapat ikagalit doon. I feel that we just have different views on other things.

"Feeling ko kasi nagpapapansin siya. Siguro nga alam niya ang past niyo ni Callum! Ano bang akala niya? She's better than you? In her face!" "Stop it, Jess" saway ko. "Don't be exaggerated,"

Maybe that wasn't Bella's intention.

"Ganoon din ang napansin ko kagabi," ani Rica na lumabas sa banyo. "Maybe she noticed the way Callum looked at Patricia..."

"Rica...congrats pala ulit," nginitian ko siya.

Umupo si Rica sa kama at si Jess naman ang pumasok sa banyo.

"What's your plan, Pat?" tanong niya kaya nagtaka ako.

"About what?"

She sighed. "I know what happened last night. He talked to you didn't he?"

My eyes widened.

Umangat ang labi niya sa reaksyon ko. B-Bakit niya alam? Nakita niya kami kagabi? Don't tell me...even the kiss?

"Hindi ko nakita," aniya. "But I feel it! Sinundan ka niya ng tingin kagabi, e! Ano, nag-usap ba kayo? Ano'ng sinabi niya?"

Umiling ako. "Wala, Rica. Wala naman kaming dapat pag-usapan..."

Tumayo na lang ako at humanap ng damit na isusuot. This is our last day here so I wore my knee-length floral dress that has a thin strap and lower chest part so my cleavage is visible. "Wow, ang sexy mo, doc!"

Sumipol si Jess at natawa naman si Rica nang madatnan ako sa couch na nakaupo. Hinihintay ko sila para kumain ng breakfast.

Tumayo ako at napangiti dahil pareho kaming tatlo ng dress.

"Ang blooming naman," ngumisi si Rica at pinasadahan ako ng tingin.

Umiling na lang ako dahil alam kong papunta na rin sa pang-aasar ang saasabihin nila. Nakalabas kami sa room at nasa elevator na ay hindi parin ako tinitigilan nila Jess.

"Single ka ba, doc?" Jess asked. "May irereto sana ako sayo! Guwapong businessman!"

Sabay silang humalakhak ni Rica kaya napairap ako. I hate them!

"Eh, paano si Jaime? Na'ko, guwapo rin 'yon at malakas ang laban!' segunda ni Rica, namula ang pisngi ko. "Kaya siguro hindi nakatiis si Callum kagabi at pinuntahan ka! Natatakot na maagawan!" "Oo nga! Good catch si doc! Puro green flag, ang sweet!" pang-aasar ni Jess.

"Damn, you girls, stop it!" I spat. "He's my friend!"

Nakalabas na kami ng hotel at naglalakad na papunta roon sa restaurant. Pansin ko na marami na ang naliligo ngayon sa dagat.

"Sigurado ka bang friend lang ang tingin niya sayo, Pat?" si Jess. "Iba yung tingin niya sayo, e! Kahit yung pag hawak niya sayo...may laman,"

"Just stop that imaginations of yours, Jess!"

Pati ba naman ang mga pag-alalay sa'kin ni Jaime na napakaliit na bagay ay may meaning pa sa kanya? I can't believe her!

Nang makarating kami sa restaurant, naroon na sila Jaime, Tyrone at Kelvin na naghihintay. Nag salubong ang mata namin ni Jaime, nginitian niya agad ako.

"Marimar, ikaw ba yan?" bungad ni Kelvin. "Ang fresh naman ni doktora!"

Umismid ako bago umupo sa tabi ni Jaime. "Ako lang 'to..."

"Jaime, paano ka pa nakakahinga kung ganyan palagi kaganda ang nakikita mo roon sa Amerika!" tukso ni Kelvin.

Muntik na ako'ng masamid. "Kelvin, ano 'ba!"

Nanlalaki ang mata kong bumaling kay Jaime. Nakakahiya!

"That's enough. Let's just eat," Tyrone scolded when the food arrived.

"They didn't know that I'm always drowning..." Jaime whispered.

Our eyes met and he immediately looked away, his ears redden.

Bigla ak❜ong kinabahan. Drowning? Anong ibig niya'ng sabihin?

Biglang dumating si Austine para sumabay kumain pero hindi niya kasama sila Callum. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

"Last day na natin kaya susulitin ko na! Maraming pogi!" umirit si Kelvin.

"Oo nga! Ibabalandra ko ang hour glass body ko!"

Napangiwi ako kay Jess. Si Austine ay napapailing na lang.

"I went to your room last night, you fell asleep," Jaime suddenly uttered beside me.

I stopped eating.

I looked at him apologetically. "Uh, y-yeah. Sorry, I didn't inform you..."

"It's fine. Are you feeling good now?" he asked softly.

I bit my lip and nodded at him. I feel guilty again.

Nang matapos kumain ay nag pasya kami na mag lakad sa tabing dagat. Wala kaming pakialam kung mataas ang araw. Marami rin ang naliligo, ang iba ay nag su-surf. "I want to try surfing!" Jess said with envy.

"I know how to surf. Gusto mo turuan kita, babe?"

Napasinghap ako nang mag yakapan na si Jess at Austine sa harap namin.

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"Mga PDA!" Kelvin hissed.

Nauna ang dalawang bumalik sa hotel para magpalit. Ako, si Jaime at Kelvin naman ay nanatiling nakaupo sa buhanginan at nilalanghap ang sariwang hangin. It's really peaceful here. Watching trees are refreshing. "Have you tried surfing, Pat? Jaime?" Kelvin asked. "Paturo na rin tayo!"

Natawa ako nang hilahin niya ako patayo. Hinila ko na rin si Jaime at bumalik nga kami sa hotel para magpalit. Nakasabay pa namin si Tyrone at Rica habang si Austine at Jess ay palabas na. Jess already in her black bikini.

Pinili kong isuot ang white two piece ko. I just wear a see through dress and turned my hair into messy bun. Naunang lumabas si Rica sa room kaya ako na lang ang naiwan. Bigla kasing tumawag si mommy at nangangamusta kaya si Jaime ay pinauna ko na rin.

When mommy and I finished talking, I also went out.

Naaninag ko agad sila sa malayo na may hawak na surf board. Palapit na ako roon nang may marinig ako'ng boses sa likuran.

"How was your feeling? Any headache?"

I saw Callum alone...wearing a white board short and button-down shirt. I immediately got nervous when our eyes met. The wind blew his hair as he walked closer. Nahigit ko ang hininga nang mapagtanto kung gaano siya kakisig. His face is really an eye catcher. Kahit sinong babae ay mapapalingon sa kanya.

Nang makarating siya sa harap ko ay mabilis ako'ng tumalikod. Lalakad na ako palayo pero hinila niya ang braso ko.

"I keep coming closer but you keep moving away," namamaos niya'ng sabi. "I just want to know if you're feeling well. You've drink too much last night so I was worried-"

"I'm fine. I can walk properly and I will try surfing later," I said straightly. "Okay na ba?"

Umawang ang labi niya nang bawiin ko ang braso ko.

I saw his eyes watched me intently from head to toe. I was a bit conscious.

"Until when will you avoid me, then?" he asked harshly. "Why don't we talked properly-"

"And what we're going to talk?"

Iritado na ako.

Bumuga siya ng hangin at masuyong hinawakan ulit ang braso ko. "Let's talk about us, Patricia. Please, I want to tell you everything you've missed in seven years..." Suminghap ako at lumayo. Hindi ko siya kayang titigan.

"We don't need to talk anymore. I don't want to waste my time on you-"

"And to whom you want to waste your time with?" his face darkened. "To Jaime?"

I saw a completely disgust on his face.

"He's out of this! Mayroon ka ng Bella kaya pwede-"

"Fuck, I don't! Ikaw ang meron ako kaya babawiin kita! Please, let's talk-"

"Ayaw ko nga!"

Para ako'ng bata na mabilis lumakad palayo sa kanya. Nakasimangot ako lalo na ng marinig ko ang pagtawag niya sa'kin. Hindi ko na siya nilingon at lumapit na lang ako kila Kelvin. Sinalubong ako ni Jaime. His smile disappeared when he saw my frowning face.

"Why are you frowning?" he asked softly.

Umiling agad ako at ngumiti. "W-Wala. Ano, marunong ka na ba mag surf?" pag-iiba ko sa usapan.

"Well, yeah. Marunong naman ako nito, ikaw? Tara, turuan kita,"

Hinila niya ako palapit kila Jess. Lihim pa ako'ng napalingon sa puwesto ni Callum kanina pero nanlaki ang mata ko dahil nandoon parin siya at masama ang tingin sa kamay namin ni Jaime! "Damn, babe!" I heard Austine cursed when Jess fell off the surf board.

Agad niya itong kinuha sa dagat. Bumaling naman ako kay Jaime kahit ang isip ko ay si Callum parin. Mabilis parin ang tibok ng puso ko.

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"You need to focus here. Just stood your legs firmly..." Jaime's teaching.

I postured my body on the surf board as what Jaime said. Pinilit kong mag focus sa itinuturo niya dahil gusto kong makasabay kila Tyrone na nag su-surf na roon.

"Just do the balancing together with the waves. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes..." nangangamba kong sabi.

Jaime helped me carry the surf board into the sea. Jess and Rica's screams make me thrilled.

"Are you ready?" ani Jaime at inalalayan ako na sumampa sa surf board. "Careful..."

Jaime is already topless now. I can see his broad shoulders closely. Kaya naman pala ang ibang turista ay napapatigil ang tingin.

When the waves coming, I slowly slide my body on the surf board before meeting them. My first and second attempt was failed. I keep falling to the surf board and ended up helping by Jaime but it was enjoying though. "Yes, Pat!" I heard Jaime shout when I stood properly on the surf board.

Tuwang-tuwa ako at ilang beses pang umulit. Nag sabay pa kami ni Jaime pero mas nauna ako'ng nahulog sa board kaya nagpahulog rin siya para hawakan ako.

"Guys, smile!"

Jaime and I automatically smiled at Kelvin's camera. Jaime is holding my waist. Mukha kaming basang sisiw.

"Sa inggit 'yata ako mamamatay..." ani Kelvin.

Pansin kong nakaupo na lang sila Jess sa buhangin at pinanonood kami. Napagod na siguro sila. Pinalutang ko ulit ang surf board ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Bella. "Come on, Callum! Let's try!"

Hinihila ni Bella si Callum palapit hawak ang surf board. I was amazed by Bella's body. She's flaunting it in a red two piece. While Callum... only wearing short boards now. His toned abs was exposed. I can't breathe properly when I saw him watching me!

"Gusto mo umahon na tayo?" bulong ni Jaime.

"N-No, let's continue..."

Kumalabog na naman ang puso ko nang maramdaman ang presensya ni Callum malapit sa'kin. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sariling hindi lumingon sa kanila.

I saw Bella trying her hard to position herself correctly but she just fell. Tumawa siya kasabay nang pag pulupot ng braso ni Callum sa baywang niya.

I looked away.

Nag focus kami ni Jaime sa pag su-surf. Hindi ko na sila pinansin pero sila talaga ang lumalapit samin. I just found Callum behind me, holding his board. I got annoyed with his stare so I rolled my eyes on him. Hindi ba siya nahihiya na kasama niya si Bella pero balandra ang pagtitig niya sa'kin!

Lumangoy ako palapit kay Jaime at sa tabi niya pumwesto.

"Oh my gosh!" na-out balance pero nagawa ko parin na maabutan si Jaime.

"Let's go back..." Jaime said.

Hanggang kili-kili ko ang tubig nang humiga ako sa board. Mas nauna nga lang si Jaime sa'kin dahil nag-iingat pa ako. My board followed the wave so I slowly stood up and heard my friends clapping. "You're so good!" I heard Jaime.

Nag angat ako ng tingin sa kanila pero bigla ako'ng nahulog sa gulat nang makita si Callum.

I was already cursing in my mind. Umahon ako at kakapit sana sa board pero may kamay na humapit sa baywang ko. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita si Callum.

"Pat..." Jaime came and extended his hand but when he saw Callum's hand on me, he moved away.

"Ako na," Callum said in a deep voice.

Masama niya'ng tinignan si Jaime bago bumaling sa'kin.

Nanigas ako.

Parang may kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan ko sa pag hawak niya. Our eyes meet and I see longing there that makes my heart beat so fast.