Under the same sky

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Heartbeat

Just like what I asked about Dark, he did teaches me how to swim. Simula sa araw na tinawag ko siya sa una niyang pangalan ay hindi ko na siya magawang tawaging Wayne. I like saying his first name, it was attractive as hell.

"Try to relax your mind and started waving your legs Jean"

Dark said it in a serious tone. It was the second day he teaches me how to swim but I still failed to learn. Minsan nga ay nahihiya nalang ako dahil parang nauubos na ang pasensya nito.

The first thing he teach to me is how to float. Iyon ang gusto kong unahin niya dahil palagi nalang akong nalulunod. I always feel like my life was destined to end with the ocean's will.

"Wag kang magpabigat, it won't help you float"

Sinunod ko ang mga sinabi niya. Sinubukan niya akong bitawan kaya ginawa ko ang lahat para makalutang. Dahan dahan kong iwinagayway ang aking mga paa at hindi ko rin masyadong binigatan ang katawan ko.

I guess it worked.

"Good. Don't pressure yourself next time parang pinipilit mo yung sarili mo. Relax and do it normally." 

I let out heavy sigh before doing it again. Iniwas ko muna ang mga pangamba sa aking isip bago sinumulang gawin uli iyon.

I guess this time, I did it.

"Better. Now let me teach you how to swim underwater. Stay here and watch me"

Lumangoy na ito kaya pinagmasdan ko siya. Just like what he said, I remain still, trying my best not to sink.

He showed me how he swim. Now I know how he manage to swim even in the deep ocean. He was just like waving his hands upwards and sidewards. I have watched a lot of people doing swimming tutorial but seeing him right now made me understand it better.

He surfaced from the water and faced me. "Your turn"

I was nervous hearing those. It feels like I was being back to a coward me. Kaya ko ba? I don't know.

"Do it, stop being nervous" his sparkling eyes convinced me. Huminga ako ng malalim bago ginawa iyon. If only it wasn't my fear, I wouldn't have been doing this. But I have to overcome this. By doing this, they can't do the same thing I used to fear. Hindi na nila uli ako mapagbantaan ng ganon ganon lang. I would let them realize how hard I work just to aim this thing.

Katulad ng ginawa ni Dark ay ginaya ko siya. I started waving my feet  and move my hands just like I'm catching something.

I guess I managed.

Pagkatapos ko iyong gawin ay pumaibabaw na ako at hinarap si Dark. He was impressed, nakikita ko iyon sa emosyon niya.

"You're not a bad swimmer Jean. Everyone can swim, some just believed they can't and you're one of them"

Ngumiti ako. It didn't sounds like a compliment but I know he was proud. I somehow felt like he give me joy  that touched my soul.

We spent the whole day of practicing. Ang bawat payo niya sinusunod ko. Kahit papaano ay may natutunan naman ako. I may not be the best swimmer but at least now, I can swim.

With the hours I spent together with him, parang nagiging kumportable na ako sa kanya. Little by little, we're improving our relationship. Now he's showing me half of his personality and that made me thought it wasn't him whom I met last time.

Nung sumapit ang hapon ay napag-isipan na naming umuwi. Nasa malapit na bahagi lang kami ng Isla nag practice pero gumamit padin kami ng bangka dahil nasa may malalim na bahagi kami pumunta.