Fated 08: Non-Stop Bickering

Athena’s P.O.V.

“How dare you?” I growled as I pushed him back to the pool.

That was when I remembered that he was one of the best swimming athletes in school. I haven’t watched any swimming competition in St. Augustine’s Academy yet, I had only seen his face on some posters.

Napahawak tuloy ako sa ulo ko. Hindi na sakit dala ng trangkaso ‘yong nararamdaman ko ngayon kung hindi sakit na ng katangahan. The thought of him being drowned still lingered in my mind. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong gagawin ko kanina. I worried so much about him, then… I would have found out later that he was only acting and pretending?

Shit! Ang tanga mo, Athena! Masyado kang nataranta! How did you let yourself be fooled by someone like him?

This time, tumatawa na siya habang lumalangoy sa pool. He was even doing different kinds of strokes such as butterfly, front crawl and backstrokes just to catch my attention. I must say that whatever he does involve rhythmic and coordinated movements of all his major body parts.

Damn you, Cristoff! Enjoy that happiness… because I won’t let this day pass without getting even!

“Helena, sorry na! Malay ko ba na sa katarantahan mo eh nakalimutan mong swimmer pala ako? Halos lahat ng swimming posters sa school ay may mukha ko!” Binigyan niya ako ng ngiting nakakaloko. Nagso-sorry nga siya, but at the same time… nang-aasar naman!

I stomped off my feet dahil bwisit na bwisit ako sa kanya. “Wala akong pakialam kung swimmer ka! Pero bakit kailangan mong magpanggap na hindi ka marunong lumangoy? Bakit kailangan mong umarte na nalulunod ka na? Malamang, sasagipin kita. Nandito ka sa pamamahay namin and we will be the one in charge of anything that will happen to you! Alam mo namang may trangkaso ako, but what did you do? You made me jump to the pool!” malat na sigaw ko.

“Hindi ko naman sinabing tumalon ka tsaka malay ko ba na ayaw mo pala akong mamatay? Pero kung ikaw naman ang palaging magsi-CPR sa akin eh parang gusto ko na lang din magpakalunod nang paulit-ulit.” Alam kong namula ang mga pisngi ko nang dahil sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Nanlalamig ko na lang na piniga ‘yong basa kong damit.

After a few minutes, he climbed at the side of the pool. He took off his uniform as well as his inner T-shirt. I could now see that he was half naked as droplets of water continued dripping all over his body and I just couldn’t take my eyes off him. I must admit, my focus to wring my wet clothes suddenly left me.

In fairness for a sixteen-year old guy — he was already having firm muscles and six-pack abs. Though his body was not yet fully enhanced, I must admit that he was quite a head turner and once you saw him, you wouldn’t even believe that he was only sixteen. And when he jerked his head to brush his hair up, it felt like everything abruptly moved in slow motion until…

“Enjoying the view?” he asked that suddenly made me aware of what was going on. I then blinked for a few times.

Shit! Did I just drool on him? No. He’s my rival and I hated him most of the time!

“You wish! Enjoy the pool, you have to clean that later. I’ll go ahead because I need to dry myself. If my fever gets worst, it is all your fault! Hmp!” Pumasok na ako sa loob ng mansion at umakyat sa kuwarto ko. I needed to escape my flushing cheeks from him as fast as I could. Mahirap na, baka lalo pang lumaki ang ulo niya!

Pagkapasok ko sa kuwarto, I didn’t know why but I suddenly smiled reminiscing all the things that happened today. I even placed my fingers on my lips while feeling the incredible sound of my heartbeats. The sensation was tingling and I just couldn’t get away with it.

It feels good. Of course, not the kiss. Actually, it wasn’t even a kiss. It was only a CPR. What I mean is, it feels good to be with him!

Wait, what did I say? What is wrong with me?

I held my chest as I was feeling something inside me that I couldn’t totally explain. Racing pulses made me light-headed that I couldn’t think straight anymore. This feeling was so new to me and I guessed, I didn’t know how to deal with this one.

Am I being bipolar?

David’s P.O.V.

Mabuti na lang talaga at Physical Education ‘yong panghapon naming subject at may dala akong pamalit. Sa totoo lang ay wala naman talaga akong balak maligo sa swimming pool nila, masyado lang talagang pikon si Helena para itulak ako. I think, she must control her temper next time.

But in all fairness, I just loved to tease her! Akalain ko ba namang sa kaunting acting ko lang eh nakalimutan na niyang ako ‘yong number one swimmer sa school? Mahirap ding magpigil ng hangin sa ilalim ng tubig ha! Aahon na sana ako eh kaso tumalon ba naman siya sa pool eh may trangkaso nga siya? Pasaway talaga!

But I must admit, I took advantage of what she did when I realized that she would be doing CPR to me after a few seconds of acting lifeless. So, I continued pretending that I was still unconscious. I just didn’t know why but I was really fascinated by the taste of her lips. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang gusto ko siyang halikan nang paulit-ulit. Nagsimula ang lahat nang ‘yon nang aksidente kaming magkahalikan at ngayon nga’y parang naging adik na ako sa mga labi niya.

What’s with her? Am I getting bewitched?

Just the sound of her voice calling me ‘Cristoff’ already sent shivers down my spine. How much more when she was near to me? Lalo na kanina, kulang na lang ay pagsawain ko ang mga mata ko habang natutulog siya. I was not getting used to be called Cristoff as no one had ever called me that nickname, but I wanted to declare from now on that only Helena had the right to call me that endearment.

Their mansion was really gigantic that even though she already toured me around, I still needed a maid’s assistance or else I would be lost. Nakakahiya rin namang maglibot mag-isa rito. ‘Yong CR nga nila, mas malaki pa kahit na triplehin ko pa ang kuwarto ko. Tapos napakalinis pa, pwede ka nang matulog sa lapag.

Pagkatapos ko ngang maligo at magpalit ng damit ay dumiretso na ako sa living room nila, dito ko na lang siya hihintayin. Tahimik lang akong nakaupo sa sofa nang mahagip ng paningin ko ang isang malaking picture frame.

Nilapitan ko ‘yon at seryosong tinitigan. It was a full-of-life canvas. Her father was wearing a black suit and tie. He was proudly seated with his cleft chin up, while Helena was smiling at her back. Her arms were wrapped on his neck and she looked very sympathetic. With a flower crown on her head, she was also wearing glasses while her green eyes seemed to be looking at me.

I focused on looking at her eyes and suddenly, I became uncomfortable. I felt that there was something wrong. I just couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was.

Is this Athena? Helena’s dead twin sister? My eyebrows furrowed as I silently asked myself.

This would never be Helena! I was sure of it because even though they had the same green eyes, I could tell that there was still a big difference. Helena used to capture my heart everytime we were having an eye-to-eye contact, but I didn’t feel the same thing with the girl in this photograph.

It was the same feeling while I was browsing photos from Helena’s Famebook account — where I didn’t feel any connection at all. But why was it that the dead Athena’s account captured me most, the same way as Helena used to capture me in reality? And if this was Athena, why would her father display this instead of Helena’s photo with him?

I was confused. Is there something about Helena that I have to dig deeper?

“Kanina ka pa—” bungad ni Helena sa pinto ng sala… na natigilan din nang makitang nakatayo ako sa tapat ng malaking picture frame nilang mag-ama.

“Is that you, Helena?” I asked her while pointing at the picture.

“Y-Yes, why?” she asked while sitting on the sofa.

“Hmm… wala naman,” tugon ko.

Well, I wasn’t able to see that Athena in person so maybe… I was only hallucinating. It was too impossible and there was no point that her father would display the photo of her dead daughter instead of the one who survived the accident.

Scratch your thoughts, David! You’re just overthinking things!

“I’m glad na may dala kang pamalit. Sayang, I will let you borrow some of my clothes pa naman kung wala kang dala,” nakangiti ngunit sarkastikong sabi niya.

Mapag-trip-an nga ulit ‘tong si Helena. “You forgot na PE Class ang afternoon nating subject, malamang I have my spare clothes. Tsaka masyado ka na ba talagang makakalimutin? You are too young to become senile. O baka naman sinadya mo talagang itulak ako sa pool dahil ine-expect mong wala akong dalang pamalit, at matutuwa ka pa na makitang rumarampa ako nang nakahubad? Umamin ka na, Helena. Gusto mo lang makita ‘yong abs ko eh…” sabay ngisi ko sa kanya. Ngising alam kong kaaasaran na naman niya.

“Excuse me? For your information, Cristoff… I had seen a lot of half-naked boys sa dati kong school lalo na kapag may mga swimming competition and I must say, walang-wala ‘yong katawan mo sa kanila. Abs na ba ang tawag mo sa kung anong meron ka? It doesn’t even reach half of my criteria!” she snapped. She was trying her best na magtaray, pero halata namang pinipigilan niya lang ang tumawa.

Oops, that strikes my ego! Ayaw talagang magpatalo ng babaeng ito.

“Talaga lang ha? Kaya pala halos maglaway ka na sa’kin kanina, parang first time mong makakita ng katawan ng lalaki eh!” tumatawang buwelta ko.

Mukhang napipikon na naman siya kung kaya’t binato niya ako ng unan. Naging mabilis naman ako sa pagsalo nito bago ito dumapo sa aking mukha.

“Ha-ha, asa ka naman! Nagha-hallucinate ka ba, Cristoff? Mukhang ikaw yata ‘tong may sakit sa ating dalawa eh. Daig mo pa ‘yong nagdedeliryo dahil kung ano-ano nang lumalabas diyan sa bibig mo! I won’t see myself drooling on you even in my dreams! Magpa-check up ka kaya muna bago ka umuwi…”

Nginisian ko lang siya. “I love how you tease me with your rosy-white cheeks.”

“And I always hated you for being so annoying!” she responded with her eyes rolling.

We enjoyed teasing each other until time passed by. No one had surrendered but Helena had always been easily angered. Kung hindi siya nambabato ng unan ay nanghahampas naman siya.

It was almost dinner time when we heard an alarm which signaled us that her father already parked his car at their garage. Sa sobrang asaran naming dalawa ay hindi na namin narinig ang pagbukas at pagsara ng malaki nilang gate.

Teka, bakit parang nalungkot ako nang ma-realize kong kailangan ko na ring umuwi?

“Hi, Dad!” Helena kissed her father’s cheek while I only bowed my head as a sign of respect.

“How’s my girl? Parang wala ka nang sakit ha? Mukhang magaling ‘ata ‘yong personal nurse mo ha…” inakbayan nito si Helena sabay tingin sa akin..

“Dad, I don’t need a personal nurse in the first place. I can take care of myself even though I’m sick,” she said as she glared at me.

“So how are you, young man? Did my daughter show her bratty attitude while I’m not around?” Her father suddenly asked me. Aminado rin pala siya na pasaway ang anak niya.

Yes, Sir. If only you knew what she did a while ago. I wanted to say but I chose otherwise.

“No, Sir. She behaved so much and she drank her medicine on time,” I exaggerated the word behaved and I just wanted to laugh upon seeing how Helena gritted her teeth. It looked like she was ready to murder me right away. “Since you’re already here, Sir… I think, I’ll better go.” I politely said.

“No, just stay here. And what did I tell you this morning? Call me Tito… right, David?” He smiled and I just shyly nodded. “Anyway, magbibihis lang ako at ipahahanda ko na ang dining table. Dito ka na mag-dinner and I will not accept ‘no’ for an answer. Just a minute,” sabi niya bago niya hinalikan sa noo si Helena at iwan kaming dalawa ng anak niya.

“I hated the idea that you would be joining us for dinner, but since Daddy insisted that you should eat with us… I guessed, I don’t have any other choice!” Helena glared at me right after her father went out of the living room. “You’re lucky that I didn’t tell him that I jumped into the pool because of you!”

“Teka, hindi ba’t ikaw naman ‘yong tumulak sa akin? Bakit parang ako pa ‘yong may kasalanan ngayon?” natatawang sabi ko sa kanya. She only rolled her eyes on me — and I must admit that it was her very cute mannerism.

A few minutes went by and the maids had already setup the dining table. Then, we started to eat. I awkwardly noticed that they were not praying before eating but I didn’t mind that anymore. I just prayed on my mind. Maybe, rich people doesn’t need to be thankful for their blessings? I wasn’t sure.

Helena’s father was at the head of the table, while the two of us were facing each other. Helena was on his left side while I was on his right.

Grabe, ang daming pagkain! Nauubos kaya nila lahat nang ’to? Akala ko kanina, tapos nang maglagay ng mga pagkain sa mesa ang mga katulong nila… pero hindi pa pala.

Their long mahogany table was full of different viands, fruits and desserts. Everything was mouth-watering and it looked like the setup was more than a fiesta. There was chopsuey, chicken adobo, kare-kare, beef steak, fish fillet, shrimp sinigang and crispy pata. I didn’t even know the term of other viands and I couldn’t remember when was the last time I was able to eat such… or if I were able to eat such.

I then noticed that Helena’s plate only had a half cup of rice and beef steak, that was why I exerted an effort to reach her plate and place some vegetables for her to eat.

“Cristoff, ano ba? Hindi ako kumakain ng gulay!” Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko. Akmang ibabalik niya ‘yong gulay sa pinagkuhaan ko nang pigilan ko siya.

“Alam mo, Helena… dapat kang kumain n’yan kasi maganda sa katawan mo ‘yan. Tingnan mo, ang payat-payat mo! Kaya ka siguro madaling magkasakit kasi hindi ka kumakain ng gulay. Tsaka para mabilis ka na talagang gumaling at makapasok ka na bukas sa school.” I said because I wanted her to realize some sense.

“David is right, Helena. There’s nothing wrong with eating vegetables,” her father agreed as if he was in favor of what I did. For that, I held my head up high. Malamang, asar-talo na naman itong si Helena.

“But, Dad?” She tried to argue but her father’s response left her with no other choice.

“Don’t waste your food, Helena.” Mr. Delgado brought a closure to her daughter’s objection.

She closed her eyes as she ate the cauliflower and brocolli, chewed and swallowed them. After that, she drank a lot of water — maybe because the taste of vegetables was still rooting on her tongue.

After a few moments, I decided to go home. Gusto pa nga sana akong ipahatid ng Daddy niya sa driver nilang si Mang Carding, pero ako na lang din ‘yong tumanggi. I already ate my dinner in their house. Having their driver to drive me home would be too much.

Hinatid naman ako ni Helena sa labas ng gate nila. “Ako na lang ‘yong magpi-print ng report natin, Cristoff. Papasok na rin naman ako bukas.”

“Sige. Pero kapag hindi ka pumasok bukas, pupuntahan na lang ulit kita rito. Kahit ako na lang ‘yong mag-submit ng proposal natin kay Mrs. Cheng bukas, para naman makapagpahinga ka pa nang maayos.” I smiled at her.

“Okay then. I hate to say this to you but I think, I should. Ingat ka sa daan. Hmm, ingat ka pag-uwi…” seryosong sabi niya.

I was caught off guard because I wasn’t expecting that she would say those words. I looked at her and said, “Thanks for the concern. I promise, I’ll take care of myself… for you,” then I winked at her, trying to hide the feeling of butterflies in my stomach.

“What are you talking about and who’s concern? Mukha mo, masyado kang assuming. Sana pala ay hindi ko na lang sinabi. Tsk, you better go and leave at baka hindi kita matantiya, masipa lang kita!” Tumalikod na siya at papasok na sana sa loob ng gate nila nang lapitan ko siya sabay binulungan…

“By the way, I forgot to mention this earlier… nice pair of two-piece!”

I caught her shoulders somewhat trembled. She was clearly blushing when she faced me pero bago pa niya ako tuluyang masipa ay mabilis na akong nakatakbo, pinagpatuloy ang paglalakad nang paatras habang nakangising kumakaway sa kanya palayo.

And now, I could no longer erase the smile she brought on my face when I realized something…

Damn it, she’s really pretty!