Chapter 24

Oh, so, this is Jovial Island? I didn't know this is such a good place to relax. First-time ko rito and I feel like I'm gonna keep on coming back here. Ang sarap ng hangin, so refreshing indeed.

"Hoy!"

"Don't hoy me," I complained, but Hillary just give no damn at all. "Why are you here?" I asked. I sat at the sand and she does the same.

"Tama bang iwan mo 'ko ro'n? Gusto mo talagang paglamayan 'yong puso ko. Tayo-tayo na nga lang magkakampi iniwan mo pa ako," she replied.

I smiled after hearing what she'd said, "sorry, I didn't know they were there," I said.

"Tss, lumipat sila sa cottage na pinipwestuhan ko nang makitang umalis ka nang 'di raw ako magmukhang loner, kaya ayon nagmukha naman akong chaperone," she burst out again.

"Chill," I said, trying to hide my laughter.

"Happy birthday ulit," she greeted me for nth time.

"Thank you," I smiled, "let's enjoy the view," I added.

"Sa'n?" she looked at me, "ito?" she pointed my face.

This time, natawa na talaga ako, "crazy," I uttered out of myself.

She just smiled before she focused herself in the real view-the beautiful sea, of course.

"Aren't you hungry?" tanong ko bigla.

"Hindi pa naman, pero ang tagal ng parents mo, ha, sa'n ba sila nagpacatering? Tagal dumating," she said. Napakareklamador ng babaeng 'to.

"Baka may dinaanan pa," I replied.

She just nodded. Suddenly, she tap my arm, "18 ka na, Sky, makukulong ka na kaya dapat magpakabait ka na," she said, smiling.

Magpakabait? Hindi pa ba ako mabait?

"Mabait naman ako, ah," I uttered.

"Sa'kin hindi," she seriously said.

"Ano?"

"Hindi mo pa ako nalilibre, eh."

"Tss. Iyon lang pala. Then, I'll treat you starting from now."

She laughed and mutters, "joke lang oy!"

As if joke 'yon. Nagpaparinig lang talaga siya. Tsk, tsk.

"Hey, Guys, let's swim!" from behind, we heard Sun said. He's now topless, no wonder Hillary didn't even blink for once. Veia is just wearing a silky short and a sleeveless shirt-she's conservative, that's why.

"You're drooling," I whispered. And, thankfully, she awakens.

She stood up. And, I just realized halos pareho sila ng suot ni Veia. Conservative din siguro 'to. "T-Tara, Sky," she's talking to me, but her eyes were glued on my twin.

"Tara, Hillary!" Veia said as she grabbed Hillary through the sea water.

"Twin," Sun uttered.

He suddenly became muted and he's just staring at-Hillary. "Sun, bakit?" I asked.

"H-Ha? Nothing, tara na, let's follow them," he then started walking. Ang weird ni Sun, ha.

***

Nang dumating sina Mom and Dad agad na kaming umahon. Sakto rin 'yong pagdating nila dahil gutom na kami. Nagpunta muna akong banyo para magpalit. It's not good for me na matuyo 'yong damit ko.

"Oh," nagulat ako nang makita si Hillary sa labas ng banyo. "What are you doing here?" tanong ko.

"Sinisilipan kita," she replied and my brows knitted immediately. "Tss, 'yong parents mo pinasundan ka, baka raw hindi mo na alam ang pabalik do'n sa cottage," she said.

"Ha? We're just in one area, hindi naman siguro ako malilito kung asan kayo."

"Iyon na nga, but your parents insisted. Bet yata nila ako para sa'yo, Sky," she said it, seriously!

"Don't mind them," 'yan na lang 'yong nasabi ko. Hindi ko alam kung pagsisisihan ko bang inimbita ko si Hillary ngayon o hindi, eh. Tsk! "let's go," inaya ko na siya, pero napatigil ako nang tumigil siya sa paglalakad dahil may lalaking biglang sumulpot sa kung saan.

"Gold," he uttered again, staring straight at Hillary. "I knew it was you. I've been staring at you earlier," he added. The guy is smiling, but Hillary's giving no expression at all. "Anything to say, Gold? Didn't you miss your best friend?"

B-Best friend? Don't tell me ito 'yong Clarkson?

"Let's go, Sky," Hillary grabbed me, but this guy blocked the way.

"So, this is your boyfriend?" he asked.

I was about to respond, but Hillary speaks, "who the hell are you?"

Oh, sh*t! Everything's so intense!

"Come on, Gold, I'm Clarkson, your best friend. Aw, you forgot me? I am so hurt," and he acted like he's really in pain.

"Move. I'm not interested with your dramas," Hillary said.

"Grabe, Gold, nagkaboyfriend ka lang kinalimutan mo na ako?" where did this man get his guts to smile and talk with Hillary like he didn't do a thing that hurts her so much?!

"Don't let the evil inside of me went out," it seems like she's giving a warning. Damn!

"Woah! Relax! You've gotten so cool, Gold. Dati inaapak-apakan ka lang, but now, may evil inside ka na. Wow! Sino nagturo sa'yo, ito?" he pointed me, smirking! "Eh, kanina pa nga 'yan tahimik, eh. Bakla yata 'yan."

"Watch your words, man," I uttered.

"Oh, nagsasalita ka pala," he then laughs. 'Pag ako napuno uuwi 'to at magsusumbong sa Nanay niya!

"Stop the sh*t. We're not here to waste our time for a useless person like you," Hillary said and grabbed me again, but this sh*t man grabbed her.

"Talk to me, Gold," seriousness can be seen on his face.

"Talk to your as*," Hillary replied.

"Gold!" she grabbed her closer to him.

"Sh*t! You're hurting me, Clarkson...again," nangingilid na 'yong luha ni Hillary. Damn! Sapilitan ko na sanang aalisin 'yong kamay ng lalaking 'to na nakawakan sa braso niya, pero nauna na siyang ialis 'yon.

"We're not yet done, Gold," kunot-noong sabi niya saka ito tuluyang umalis.

Hillary's still staring at his back, then she said, "Clarkson Martin..."

D-Did I hear it right? M-Martin?

"...cousin of Lucas Martin, both are indeed evils," she continued.

So, sh*t. What the hell is going on? Those two are cousins and Hillary knew it. Ha! What's next? Pareho nilang paglalaruan si Hillary? Damn, man! Never will it happen.