Chapter 2 Thirsty

Chapter 2

Thirsty

Nagswimming kami sa hapong iyon. The shore was rowdy with the boys. Nagwater sports kami. Jet ski, snorkeling at surfing. Nagpaturo si Gio magsurf kaya napasubo na rin akong turuan ang mga kaibigan niya.

Kung may isang sport akong kayang gawin ng maayos, iyon ay ang surfing. It's one of my hobbies everytime I go to the beach. Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na kaya mong sabayan ang alon. It feels like I can tame the waves.

"Kaya pa 'yan!" natatawang encourage ko kay Gio nang wala pang limang segundo ay nawipe out na naman siya.

"Wala ka talagang pag-asa sa surfing, dude!" kantyaw ni Bernard.

"You're so cocky, Bernard. Ni hindi ka nga umabot ng three seconds!" bawi ni Gio.

"Well, at least tanggap kong hindi ako para sa surfing!"

We all laughed. Lumapit si Gio sa akin. He brushed his hair upward. Drops of water were trickling down to his body.

"Sorry, Ma'am. Kahit ano'ng turo mo, ang hirap talaga," halakhak ni Gio.

"Sus! Papogi ka lang kay Leira, e!" kantyaw ng kaibigan niya.

Nagtawanan kami at nagpahinga muna sa dalampasigan habang umiinom ng beer. Sina Nikki at Bernard ay sumubok ulit mag Jet Ski dahil parehong palpak kanina.

"Ang galing mo magsurf. Nagpaturo ka sa isang professional?" ani Gio.

Umiling ako. "Subok lang ako ng subok noon. Tuwing nagpupunta ako ng beach, iyon ang pinagkakaabalahan ko. Then later on, I became good at it."

"Maybe I should try and try, huh?"

"Right. If you just practice, you'll eventually learn it too. Matututunan naman ang lahat ng bagay," sabay lagok sa aking beer.

Tumigil ako sa pag-inom nang may mahagip ang mga mata. Tanaw ko ang pagtigil sa 'di kalayuan ng mga kaibigan ni Adam. Sa tangkad at tikas, nakilala ko agad ang naka puting shirt at board shorts. Greco was facing our direction but I wonder ano o sino ang tinitingnan niya. Hindi kasi makita sa kanyang sunglasses.

Hindi ko alam pero bigla akong naconscious sa suot. I'm still wearing my bandeau dahil iyon lang naman ang takip sa dibdib ko, pero hindi na ako nakashorts ngayon. Just my white bikini bottom.

I am used at wearing bikinis in beach and pool, kahit pa sa pampublikong lugar, pero ang isipin na matitingnan niya ako, I felt a little uncomfortable. I still remembered how he insulted me. Pero... ano naman ngayon? Para sa'kin sakto na ang katawan ko. I don't need bigger boobs or bigger butt! Kung iisipin nga, I think he's attracted with me physically. Dahil kung hindi, why else would he let me kiss him last night?

Right! Eyes on the goal, Aleira. Nagpahalik siya at hindi niya ako nagawang pigilan. That only means one thing! May epekto ako sa kanya!

"Jet Ski ulit tayo, Gio!" aya ni Lincoln.

"Sige ba! Leira, Jet Ski lang kami."

I nodded and stood up after him. Kinuha ko ang cover up at sinuot iyon pero hindi itinali. Everyone was busy kaya naglakad ako papunta kina Greco. The two men with him stopped whatever they talking about and looked at me, napansin na papalapit ako.

Hindi ko nakitaan ng ekspresyon ang mukha ni Greco. I brushed my damp hair with my fingers. I don't know why I find that cold expression sexy in some way. Noon, ayaw ko sa mga lalaking kagaya niya. I want someone with spice, iyong masasabayan ako. I don't give a damn if a man doesn't like me. Pero sa kanya, parang hindi ko matatanggap ang ganoon. I want him so much, I can't accept a "No" as an answer. I will have him. I'll make sure of that.

"Hi! Carver and Lenz, right?" I smiled.

"Yup. Aleira, tama?" ani Lenz sabay ngiti.

Even Carver smiled, too. Kahit paano ay magaan naman pala ang ere ng dalawang ito kung ikukumpara sa kasama nila.

Tumango ako at bumaling kay Greco. Nakita ko ang bahagyang pagpilig niya ng ulo, kaya kahit may glasses ay sigurado akong sa akin siya nakatingin ngayon. The straight line of his lips was very hostile. Para bang pinaparamdam na hindi ako welcome roon.

"Nice to meet you again, Greco," malambing kong sinabi.

"Oh. You know each other?" si Carver, nanliit ang mata sa kaibigan.

I smirked. "We bumped to each other last night. I didn't expect him to be here, actually. Hindi ko alam na kaibigan pala siya ni Adam."

"I don't remember you, though," Greco said coldly.

Pakiramdam ko umusok ang pisngi ko sa hiya sa sinabi niyang 'yon. Wow ha! He doesn't remember me, really?

"Kukuha lang kami ng drinks, Greco. Aleira, excuse us," si Lenz na nakaangat ang sulok ng labi. May sasabihin pa sana si Carver pero hinila na siya ni Lenz.

Hinayaan ko munang makalayo ang dalawa bago nagsalita.

"Don't play dumb with me. Aling parte ba roon ang hindi mo maalala?"

"Bakit hindi ka na lang bumalik doon sa grupo mo? I don't need you here," sabay tingin sa malayo.

"I wonder paano mo naging kaibigan si Adam. He's nice. Carver and Lenz, too. Unlike you na mukhang naligo noong nagpaulan ng kasungitan."

"Why don't you talk to them, instead?" he asked with pure annoyance.

"Why would I? It's you I like."

Tinagilid niya ang ulo. "You confess like that casually, huh? You seemed very experienced."

I smirked and raised a brow.

"If it's about your hook up offer, I already gave you my answer last night. It didn't change."

"I know you liked the kiss last night. Hindi ko alam bakit dinideny mong ayaw mo sa'kin. You don't like me as a person, right. That's okay. But at least accept that you're attracted to me physically."

Tinanggal niya ang sunglasses. His eyes full of menace directed on me. Ang mga matang 'yon ay puno ng prinsipyo at parang gusto akong parusahan.

"I guess you misunderstood it. If I liked the kiss, I should have kissed you back. But I didn't. The only thing that stopped from pushing you was my consideration. I don't want to humiliate anyone in front of the public. Ganoon lang 'yon. Huwag mong bigyan ng kulay."

"Really?" I taunted, throat was flaming for so many hurtful words. Pero imbes na ipalabas iyon, ngumisi ako.

"Kung ganoon, nagkamali lang pala ako ng akala. I thought you're attracted to me somehow. I'm sorry if I mistook it. Hindi naman ako ang tipong namimilit. It's just a harmless offer. But if you don't want it, I won't insist."

Hindi siya nagsalita. His jaw clenched.

"Ayoko namang magkaalitan lang tayo dahil diyan. I'm Dianne's cousin and you're Adam's friend. It's inevitable to not see each other in the future. Maybe we could just forget about it and be civil. What do you think?"

"Do whatever you please," malamig niyang sinabi at tinalikuran ako.

I smiled devilishly while watching him walk away. If sweet tactics won't do, why not attack his ego? After all, diyan naman madaling atakehin ang lalaki. Let's see if he still won't give in after my little play.

I went back to the shore. Bumalik ako sa iniwang sun lounger. Lumapit sa akin si Nikki habang sina Gio ay nasa dagat pa rin.

"What was that about? Nagwalk out, ah? What did you say?"

I shrugged. "Ayaw talaga niya kaya hindi ko na pinilit. That man is too hard."

"Ganoon lang? Titigil ka na?" duda niyang tanong, gulat pero sa tingin ay parang may ibang naiiisip.

"I know you, Leira. You are not the type who would easily give up something you want."

Humalakhak ako at kinuha ang cocktail na nakahanda sa lamesa.

"You think so?"

"Yes. Sa mukha mo pa lang, alam ko ng may ibang binabalak. Mula pagkabata, ganyan ka na lagi sa lahat ng bagay."

I laughed and later on, zoned out with all my thoughts.

Pagkatapos namin doon, dahil sa pagod sa lahat ng ginawa ay nakatulog ako sa kuwarto.

Madilim na sa labas ng magising ako. Bumaba ako para sa dinner. Napagkasunduan namin nila Gio na magba-bar kami ngayong gabi kaya pagkatapos magdinner, bumalik na ako sa kuwarto para maghanda.

I wore a mesh top with black bra underneath and shorts. Naglagay ako ng makapal na eyeliner para mas madepina ang mga mata ko. It also defines the strong character my eyes are sporting. I want it to look always like that. I don't want to look weak.

Mestiza si Mommy kaya matingkad ang maputi kong balat. I also have that strong bone structure in the face, far from those angelic looking girls. I want it that way, though. Those girls appear to be vulnerable and I don't like that. Being raised alone by my mother, I was taught female dominance. Reason why I have that drive and audacity.

Katatapos ko lang mag-ayos sa mukha nang pumasok si Nikki sa aking suite.

"Nasa bar na sila Gio. Ano? Tapos ka na?"

Tumango ako. One more look in the mirror and I'm done. Lumabas na kami roon.

"Nga pala, sabi ni Dianne na maaga kayo bukas dahil may shoot na magaganap kasama ang families. So don't drink too much at baka hindi ka makabangon ng maaga."

"Wala naman talaga akong balak maglasing. Nakakahiya naman kina Dianne at Adam."

Pagpasok namin sa bar ng resort, puro guests lang ng kasal ang mga mukhang nakita ko. The music was booming with the neon lights. Ang artificial smoke sa dancefloor ay lalong nagpa-engganyo sa mga naroon. Nakita namin agad ang grupo nila Gio at Bernard at lumapit.

"The birthday girl is here," ani Gio at hinapit ang baywang ko. "Pasensiya na kung late na itong celebration natin."

I chuckled. "It's okay."

"O, nandito na sila Adam!"

Napalingon ako at nakita ang palapit na si Dianne at Adam. Pero hindi lang sila. Greco was also with them kasama si Carver at Lenz.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Greco. His eyes went down shortly. Sa bilis ay hindi ko na nasundan kung ano ang tiningnan niya. I smiled at him but he didn't.

"How's the resort? Okay lang ba?" ani Dianne.

"Movenpick is a good choice, Dianne. I like their beach," sabi ko at hinawi ang kamay ni Gio para umupo sa sofa.

"Yup!" sang-ayon ni Nikki.

We settled down and ordered more drinks. Katabi ko si Gio at Nikki habang nasa harap ko sina Greco. Carver and Lenz have that friendly vibes, hindi gaya ni Greco na minsan ko lang matanaw na nakangiti kapag may tawanan.

He's too staid, siguro sa edad at estado. Mas pormal pa nga kilos niya kaysa sa'kin. We're also rich and I've went through etiquette lessons, pero hindi ko pa rin talaga magawang effortless na kumilos ng pormal. Pero sa kanya, parang mula pagkabata ay gawain na niya iyon.

"Nga pala, Leira, nagpahatid ako ng invitation kay Evan. Bakit hindi siya pumunta?"

"Kababalik lang kasi niya galing bakasyon. He has a lot of work to do, so he can't be out for days. He told me to send his regards, though," sagot ko kay Dianne.

"Evan doesn't like events such as weddings, you know," ani Bernard. Magkabatch kasi sila ni Evan kaya naging magkaibigan din.

"Anyway, tapos ka ng magcollege, Leira. Does that mean you'll start working? Sa kompanya niyo ba?"

I sipped on my cocktail. Napasulyap ako kay Greco. Leaning on the sofa with his elbow on the armrest, his thick fingers were tapping his glass of scotch while staring at it.

"Mommy wants me to work at Evan's resort for a month or two. For experience raw."

She wants me to gain experience there first before working in our hotels. Hindi kasi ako kilala ng mga empleyado roon. She said it's better to experience the hardships of a normal employee before dealing with a heavier position. Doon daw kasi masusubok kung kaya ko ba ang mas mabigat na responsibilidad.

"Well, that's fine. Nasubukan ko rin ang ganyan dahil kay Tita," sabay tawa ni Dianne.

I laughed. I envy Dianne a bit, though. Kahit kasi ini-encourage sa pamilya nila Mommy ang fixed marriage, she still ended up with the man she loves. Iba kasi ang pananaw ni Tita Aloia. At bukod doon, mayaman ang pamilya ni Adam kaya hindi nagkaproblema. Not that I have someone in mind that I want to marry. But the idea of having the freedom to choose your own path makes me feel envious of her.

"Let's dance!" anunsiyo ko pagkatapos ng pangatlong shot.

Nauna na ang ibang lalaki sa dancefloor, pati si Gio. Tumayo si Nikki. Adam was a bit defiant to let Dianne dance at first, pero sa pangungulit namin ay pumayag din.

Si Bernard, Adam, Greco at ang dalawang lalaki na lang ang naiwang nakaupo.

"How about you, Carver? Lenz?"

Nag-angat sila ng tingin sa'kin. Even Greco looked at me, his eyes were darker.

"I'm fine here," Lenz declined politely.

Carver who looked more playful than the two, smirked at me. "Why not?"

Greco looked at his friend. Hindi ko nakita ang ekspresyon niya. Carver only raised his brow and stood up.

Judging Carver's personality, alam kong siya 'yong tipo ng taong makakasundo ko. He's also handsome but he seemed too playful, that even when he's smiling, he still looked like he's up for something bad. Ramdam ko iyon nang magsayaw kami.

"I know you like Greco," bigla niyang sinabi.

"Paano mo nalaman? He told you?"

"No. Let's just say I can easily read people," tawa niya at hinapit ang baywang ko palapit.

"I wonder how you two met..." he whispered and his hand caressed my waist.

This man is a playboy, nasa isip ko iyon. Sa rami ng mga lalaking nakasalamuha ko, agad ko silang nababasa.

"You're obviously a playgirl. You want to play with him but he's not the type who would do that. Why not play with me, instead?"

Umangat ang sulok ng labi ko. He pulled me more and he crouched, our nose almost touched.

"So, you like me?"

"You're attractive. Who wouldn't?" sabi niya sa aking tainga.

Behind him, tanaw ko ang lamesa nila Adam sa 'di kalayuan. Even with the dim lights, nakita ko ang titig ni Greco sa aming direksiyon.

What are you looking at, huh?

I smirked and put my hands on Carver's nape. Sumabay ako sa wild na music. I'm a party girl and dancing wildly isn't new. Alam kong ganoon si Carver kaya agad ding nakasabay.

Nakita ko ang paglagok ni Greco sa kanyang inumin, nakatitig pa rin.

Pinaikot ako ni Carver at hinapit ulit ang baywang ko mula sa likuran. He chuckled on my ear while dancing.

Ngayon, nakaharap na ako sa direksiyon ni Greco. Nakatitig pa rin siya, at kahit nagtama ang paningin namin ay hindi niya iniwas ang tingin na para bang walang pakialam kahit nahuli ko siyang nakatitig. His eyes were shadowed with a different kind of darkness as he watched me dance.

"So, you're making me a bait here?" Carver whispered, nakita ang tinitingnan ko.

"Greco isn't as easy as you think, I tell you. Wanna make a bet?" hamon niya.

Humarap ako kay Carver. "Right. Halata namang hindi siya easy man. But what's with the bet?"

"If he comes here, then that means he wants you, too. But if he won't, that means you'll sleep with me this night."

Nag-alinlangan ako agad. Kahit kahapon ko pa nakilala si Greco, I immediately knew he's hard to deal with. At idagdag pa kanina. Pinamukha niya sa'kin na wala lang 'yong nangyari kagabi.

And this man, parang sigurado siyang hindi ako ang klase ng babaeng papatulan ni Greco. Kahit ako ay iniisip na medyo imposible nga iyon. If I make a bet with him and fail, that means I'd end up on his bed!

I find him attractive, right. Kaya hindi na rin ako lugi kung siya ang magiging una ko. But can I really do it with him?

Kanina pa kami nagsasayaw, and even with all his advances, wala akong maramdamang kahit ano. I can't even bring myself to think about kissing him. Ibang iba sa naramdaman ko kay Greco kagabi. Or was it the alcohol? Pero ilang beses na akong nalasing pero hindi ko naman iyon naramdaman sa ibang lalaki?

"Deal?" si Carver.

Hindi ako sumagot. He chuckled and moved his head closer. Tinagilid ko ang ulo kaya hindi niya ako nahalikan.

"Come on," Carver laughed.

No. He is not the man for it.

Bahagya ko siyang itinulak. I can't agree on a bet where I'm at disadvantage. There's a greater chance of losing on my side, kaya ba't ako papayag?

"Carver."

Pareho kaming napatingin sa gilid.

My lips parted when Greco's dark eyes met mine. Ngunit sandali lang iyon dahil bumaling siya agad kay Carver at inabot ang isang cellphone.

"You left your phone. Someone is calling," Greco said coldly.

Nakita ko ang pangalan sa screen kaya hindi na ako nagtaka nang nagmamadaling kinuha iyon ni Carver. It's his Dad.

"Aleira, I'll just take this call," he said and quickly left.

I sighed. Akala ko pa naman lumapit si Greco dahil nagwork out ang plano ko. Men are egoistic, so I decided to attack him on that weak spot. Naisip ko kasing kapag ibinaling ko ang atensiyon sa iba pagkatapos kong sabihin na gusto ko siya, maaapakan ang ego niya. I've seen many cases like that, so I tried it on him.

Disappointed and a bit dizzy after all the dancing, aalis na sana ako sa dancefloor. Pero isang higit sa aking siko ay halos sumalpok ako sa dibdib ni Greco.

"What the fuck? Huwag mo naman akong hilahin ng ganoon! Can't you be a little softer?"

I shut up when I saw his very cold eyes.

"Are you that thirsty, you're willing to play with anyone?"

That was insulting. Inalis ko ang kamay niya sa aking siko at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"So? Ano'ng pakialam mo? If I tell you I'm that thirsty and I want to explore men, what is it to you?"

His jaw clenched. Hindi masagot ang mga tanong ko.

"You're friend is nice and he can offer me what I want. Any problem with that? Hmm?"

Halos mapaatras ako sa lamig ng tingin niya. Pero nanatili ako roon.

"Why would that be a problem?"

"Really, huh?"

"Why would I care?" He sounded very pissed.

"Well, if you don't care, keep your opinion in yourself. If I'm thirsty and desperate, it's my problem, isn't it?"

Dahil sa labis na iritasyon ay gusto ko na lang siyang iwan doon. Nagbago na ang isip ko at maghahanap na lang ako ng ibang kahook up! Fuck him if he doesn't want me! Ano ngayon? There are men lining up to fill his place, e 'di bahala siya sa buhay niya!

"I will fuck whoever I want. That's also none of your business, so don't mind it," sabi ko at tumalikod na.

But before I could go further, a strong hand on my waist stopped me. Isang marahas na hila ay napaharap ulit ako kay Greco. And I was too shock to respond when I felt his lips on mine.