Solving the Puzzle (GL)

18

18: Softened

Nagising ako na nakahiga na dito sa higaan. Pero mas nagulat akong nasa tabi ko si Serenity. I’m sure I fell asleep on the sofa, how did I get here? Nilipat ba niya ako?

I giggled when there's a pillow between us.

I stretched my arms. It's already morning. I slowly got up and slightly opened the curtains. The sun is up.

Tumingin ako kay Serenity and she's still fast asleep. Inayos ko na muna ang sarili ko sa banyo at agad akong lumabas nang may biglang kumatok sa pinto.

I quickly opened it.

“Miss Juliette?”

A staff.

“Pinapabigay po ni Miss Walter,” sabi niya at agad ko namang tinanggap ang lahat ng shopping bags.

“Salamat po,” sagot ko.

Agad ko itong ipinatong sa lamesa at tinignan ang mga pwede kong masuot. Maybe I should take a shower first tapos libutin ko ang Villa, baka mamaya bumalik na kami ng Alvarez.

Paano kung magpaiwan nalang ako dito? I bought another phone to access my savings account. Find a place to stay.

But how about school?

Worth it pa ba?

I took a shower and changed my clothes then I just tied my hair to a bun.

Pagkalabas ko ay gising na si Serenity at naglalaro lang siya ng rubiks habang may suot pa rin na glasses.

“Good morning,” sabi ko.

“Morning,” sagot niya.

“Ahh…may sira na ba mata mo?” I asked. “Amm your glasses are for reading or you have a prescription?”

“Ah…I have a prescription,” she said and I’m shy to ask my follow-up question.

“Pwede bang…lumabas?” tanong ko.

“Of course, they're on the beach already.”

Ngumiti ako at lumabas na agad.

Tahimik dito sa loob hanggang sa paglabas ko. I also want to see the beach kaya pumunta rin ako doon.

“Good morning little girl.” Agad akong lumayo sa kanya.  It's Hazel.

“Hey!”

Napalingon ako kay Eight and dang she's also hot. Wait! Ano sinabi ko? My gosh! Kasi naman she looks good on her swim dress.

“How’s your sleep?”

“Okay lang,” sagot ko.

Mahimbing naman tulog ko kahit matagal akong nakatulog.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla kong inilibot ang tingin ko. Hinahanap ko ba si Solaris?

“Swim with me,” sabi niya bigla.

“Ha? ah wag na masakit pa rin paa ko,” sagot ko.

“Oh shoot. I forgot. Kumain ka na ba?”

Umiling ako bilang sagot ko.

“You want to eat with me?”

Ngumiti lang ako bilang sagot. She held my hand and we walked together.

“Let's eat first tapos libot tayo,” sabi niya.

Hinayaan ko lang siyang ipagsiklop ang mga daliri namin.

“How was your sleep?” She asked.

“Okay naman,” sagot ko.

“Oh I have something to give you,” sabi niya nang makarating kami sa poolside pavilion.