Ocean of Feathers

45 - RMS Olympic (1911)

The short story is dedicated to Rogelyn Janio. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

Chapter 45

Nagising ako sa ingay ng mga batang naglalaro ng volleyball hindi kalayuan. I wished I could be as happy as them.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa duyan sa ilalim ng isang puno, pero ang mga dahon at sanga nito ay hindi nagawang takpan ang buong katawan ko mula sa sinag ng araw.

I tried to raise my left hand to block the sunlight against my face, but there's something about the light... trying to infiltrate me... my soul... my heart. I smiled bitterly.

Ilang taon na ba akong nagtatago sa liwanag? Kailan ako magkakaroon ng lakas ng loob na lumabas mula sa dilim at muling makaramdam ng buhay?

How could I possibly to that? Kung ang lalaking nagmimistulang aking liwanag ay matagal nang hinila pailalim sa kadiliman?

Could he just drag me with him?

"Rogelyn..."

Hindi lang iisang beses kong naririnig ang boses niyang tumatawag sa akin. Pero sa tuwing lilingon ako sa paligid, tanging hangin ang sumasalubong sa akin.

I stood up, placed my book on my hammock and took few steps away from the shade of the tree.

"There you go, baby..."

Bulong muli sa akin ni Ben na sana ay totoo. My footsteps were slow in the beginning, but it went fast as soon as I saw someone standing in front of the ocean with his hands in his pockets.

Am I hallucinating again?

But I could see him clearly. The way he stood, the way his hair danced with the hair, his favorite shirt...

"Ben... baby..."

Tumulo na ang luha ko kasabay nang mabilis kong pagtakbo patungo sa dagat. Natigil sa paglalaro ng volleyball ang mga bata nang basta na lang akong dumaan sa gitna ng court nila.

But I was too pre-occupied by the man who's coming closer on my sight. I extended my hand to grab him.

"Ben..."

When I was about to reach him, he slowly turned his face on me. I was smiling at him, but he looked so sad...

"Baby... palayain mo na ako. Find someone better... someone that I will love you more than I did... be happy without me..."

Those were the last time I heard his voice, all I felt right now was my chest that about to explode. Sobrang sikip nito na parang mamamatay na ako.

"Miss! Miss! Please... wake up! Wake up!" ilang beses akong nakaramdam ng pwersa sa dibdib ko.

Someone's pumping my body with intense pressure, my mouth opened, and I felt the sudden air.

Marahas akong napabangon kasabay ng pag-ubo ko ng tubig.

"Oh my god! She's alive!" I heard a man's voice.

Pero mas namayani ang palakpakan ng mga mata na kasalukuyang nakapaligid sa akin at sa lalaking nakaluhod habang pinagmamasdan ako.

"I saw that! I saw that in sleeping beauty! The Prince kissed the princess! And she woke up! Tapos nikasal sila!" kumakamot na napapailing ang lalaki sa sinabi ng mga bata.

"W-What happened?" tanong ko.

"You were drowning, I think I saved you?"

"Thanks..."

Nagsimula na akong tumayo at ayusin ang sarili ko. The stranger gasped and looked at me in disbelief.

"That's all?" I looked at him unwillingly.

"Should I pay you? Give me your complete name. I'll send you a check."

"Huh? Seriously?"

"What else? Ano ba ang gusto mo?"

He shrugged. "Maybe a date?"

My eyebrows creased, sasagot na sana ako kanya nang marinig ko ang sigaw ng isang bata.

"Look! Nibitawan niya ang balloon niya." Itinuro ng batang lalaki ang isang batang babae na malapit sa dagat.

She was staring at the white balloon flying in the air. Kumakaway pa nga ito.

"You are free now, Mister! She's now in the good hands!"