NABIGLA si Kira nang bumalik sa harap niya si Iris at tila mayroon itong ekspresyong pinakita na tila ba'y maya't maya ay may masamang mangyayari.
"Don't be too confident, Kira." Saad nito, "You don't know the real reason why he dated you. Don't think you're that special, Aivan's brother even hates you." Dagdag na wika nito.
Kira wanted to piss Iris the hell out. "So? Kinakailangan ko ba ng approval ng kapatid niya?" Seryosong wika ni Kira. She stepped a bit forward to Iris and Kira gritted her teeth, "You're on their good side, but remember your role, Iris -" Kira stopped for a moment then she smirked, "you're just their childhood friend. You're special to them as a friend, and would you think that my Aivan would think of you as a woman, when in fact he only sees you as a mere childhood friend and what's better? He also sees you as his sibling!"
Napansin ni Kira ang pagkuyom ng kamao ni Iris at bakas ang pamumula ng mukha nito dahil sa galit na nararamdaman nito sa kanya.
She saw how Iris calmed herself down before she started talking once again.
"And what made you think that you're also special to him?" Panimulang tanong ni Iris sa kanya, "The only girl she loved was Krisza. He only dated you because of your look is the same with her and both of you are similar to each other. You're like Krisza's replica, but the difference is — Krisza's stupid and she's too soft hearted unlike you, I was too harsh to judge you from being like Krisza." Iris compared.
She resembles his deceased girlfriend?
"Wala namang patutunguhan 'tong usapan natin, Iris." Nakayukong saad ni Kira. "Alam mo na pala ang mahal lang ni Aivan ay si Krisza, his dead girlfriend, but... why do you keep on pushing yourself as if you have a chance?" Nakangising wika ni Kira at tinalikuran si Iris at bago siya maglakad paalis ay biglaang may isinigaw si Iris.
"He's just using you, Kira! Huwag mong masyadong isipin na mahal ka niya! He loves you because for him, you're Krisza! He doesn't love a girl named Kira, rather he loves a girl named Krisza and it happens that she looks like you!"
Napabuntong hininga si Kira at patagong nagtagis ang bagang. "So what if he's using me? So what if he doesn't love me?" Mahinang wika ni Kira. "You're just jealous to the fact that even you're around enticing him to the years he grieved - hindi ka niya pinatulan. Common sense nalang ang kailangan para malaman mo kung bakit hindi ka niya pinatulan." Pagkasabi no'n ni Kira ay kaagad siyang naglalakad papalayo kay Iris.
She doesn't want to sleep yet, Kira wants to wander around and be at peace for the very moment.
Umupo si Kira sa isang malaking bato na malapit sa tabing-dagat at napatitig sa liwanag ng buwan.
Kira remebered what Iris just told her. People keep on telling that Kira really looks like someone they know. Maybe it's just a coincidence to have someone they think she looked like.
Wala namang epekto ang sinabi sa kanya ni Iris dahil una sa lahat, kaya lang naman sila nagkaroon ng relasyon dahil lang iyon sa blackmail na ginawa ni Aivan sa kanya.
She wants to stay in this country and be hidden until the day she dies. Ayaw niya nang bumalik sa kamay ng nga mapagmalupit niyang magulang dahil nawawala ang karapatan niyang maging malaya sa mga bagay na gusto niya.
Is it really that hard to have a rich family? She never thought that that her own parents caused her to be this miserable. They took her happiness away because they were too protective of her and it suffocates her.
Kira's also worried for Marta. It's weird for her to ask her for a distance. Why can't she call her? It's weird for her to say things like that. They haven't been in contact for almost half a year now and she can't tell anyone what she's really feeling, she's having trouble looking out for her hidden emotion.
Dumagdag pa sa problema niya si Aivan at hindi alam ni Kira kung paano ba niya aayusin ang koneksyon niya kay Aivan. She's afraid that she'll have to stay with him forever because he's the only person who has the power to bring her back to Italy.
She's also afraid that she'll feel something that she shouldn't feel. Aivan's slowly entering her system and she doesn't know how to respond to it anymore. When in fact, Kira knowd that he's a poison to her.
She can't compete with someone's already dead.
Nabigla si Kira nang makaramdam siya ng kung anong tela na tumakip sa kanya. It caused her to stand up and there she saw Chaun. When she saw him, she sighed and she sat again on the rock.
"Ikaw lang pala." Mahinang saad ni Kira at ibinalik ang pagtingin sa dagat. Hinawakan ni Kira ang parang scarf na binigay sa kanya ni Chaun. "Thanks for this." Pasasalamat niya.
Chaun stood beside her, "You look sad, Kira. Is there anything wrong?" Chaun asked her sincerely.
Kira took a short glance at Chaun and she smiled sadly, "I don't want to say yes." Panimula ni Kira at bumuntong hininga. "I'm just worried and I just found myself overthinking."
Umupo si Chaun sa tabi niya at pareho nilang tinignan ang dalampasigan. "If it's about Aivan, don't worry about it. He's not good at expressing his feelings lately."
"I still remember how I first met him when I arrived here." Kira started, "He's the first mean person I met in this country. The first time I saw him, he asked me why am I alive!" Natatawang wika ni Kira at nilingon niya si Chaun. "Do I really resemble her deceased girlfriend?"
Nakita ni Kira kung paano natigilan si Chaun sa tanong niya. Bakas sa mukha ni Chaun ang pagiging 'di komportable sa tanong niya.
"I'm sorry, it was so insensitive of me to ask about it." Napayuko si Kira at ngumiti. "I'm just curious –"
"You resemble her Kira." Sagot nito. "Even the small things — everything that Aivan sees that is related to Krisza, he always overreact."
Kira clearly remembers the day that they both have this deal of being together. He wants her for a reason and that is because she resembles his deceased girlfriend. So, I'm just being used? The things he did was because for her was because she looks like Krisza.
Chaun's phone suddenly rang, "I'll just answer this." Chaun excused himself and he jumped down from the rock.
"Kira." Chaun called her out.
"Would you like to go with me at the beach's restaurant? Our colleagues are having their late snacks there." Pagtatanong nito sa kanya.
Umiling si Kira, "No. I'll skip." Sagot niya, "You can go there first. Babalik na rin ako sa cabin ko, may pupuntahan lang ako saglit."
Chaun sighed and gave her a nod. "Okay, see you tomorrow, then." Pagkasabi ni Chaun no'n ay kaagad itong umalis at nang makita ni Kira na nakaalis na ito, kaagad siyang bumaba at dumeretso sa beach beverage bar.
Ramdam ni Kira ang lamig ng hangin at gayon din ang presko ng hangin. It felt really cold and it caused her to salivate for a cup of coffee. She'll have it before she go back to her cabin.
Pagkapasok na pagkapasok ni Kira sa Beverage Bar, nabigla nalang siya nang may humila sa kanya at niyakap siya.
She was shocked on what just happened and she doesn't know who the person was.
She kept on pushing him and Kira can't get away from him. She stopped pushing the person when she knows the person's familiar scent.
Kira sighed and she gently pushed him, "Ricci, didn't I make everything clear yesterday?" Kira mumbled without even looking at him straight in the eyes.
"Kira, please..." Ricci begged. "I can't give you up. I was forced to stay away from you and finally, here I am taking the chance to get you back. Please... just give me a chance to prove myself again..." He added.
"Let bygones be bygones, Ricci. I already moved on and you should too." Mahinang wika ni Kira at mas dumistansya pa kay Ricci at napatingin sa paligid. "Please don't hug me like that again. My colleagues might see me and misunderstand me for cheating."
"I can't let go just like that Kira. I didn't want that to happen and I'm really sorry for it. Kira, you know how much I love you —"
Nabigla nalang si Kira nang biglang bumulagta si Ricci sa buhanginan at kitang-kita ni Kira ang dugo na nagmumula sa labi nito. Napatingin si Kira sa salarin at nakita niya si Aivan na walang ni-isang bakas na emosyon sa mukha nito.
Nabigla si Kira nang tumayo si Ricci at sinugod ng sapak si Aivan. Tumama ang kamao ni Ricci sa pisngi ni Aivan ngunit hindi ito natumba.
"Ricci!" Sigaw ni Kira dito at pilit na inilakayo si Ricci kay Aivan. People started whispering and she knows that they got the crowd's attention. Aivan did not punch him back, but Kira saw how he looked at Ricci as if he's going to murder him.
"Love? You call leaving as love? Are you dumb?" Aivan said emphasizing the word dumb. "You can't love her and you can't chase her because she's mine. You had your chance, but it ended as your bad luck. Stop pestering her or I'll punch you to death." Aivan possessively stated.
"She's not even your wife! I can have her if I want to. I was there first before you, I was there when she suffered! Do you think that the love she once had for me will be drained completely by an asshole like you?" Sagot pabalik ni Ricci kay Aivan.
Nararamdaman ni Kira na balak nitong sapakin si Ricci dahil sa sinabi niya. She immediately stopped Aivan and she pulled him away from the place.
All she wanted was coffee to relax her, but why did it ended up like this? Dinala niya pabalik si Aivan sa puwesto ng mga cabin.
She sighed and she looked at Aivan's face as she gently caressed it. Nakita niya na nagkaroon ng pasa ito sa kaliwang pisngi and she saw how he winced when she gently caressed it. She was about to wipe the blood from the side of his lips when he suddenly pushed her hand away.
"Why are you with him? I thought I already made it clear to you that you're mine, you're under my property. I own you." He possessively stated. "Do you still love him? Just tell me! So I can send both of you back to Italy —"
Kira already had enough of overthinking, sadness and she already had enough of being desolated. She stopped Aivan from talking by hugging him and Kira knew that it made him froze.
Kira's really confused. Earlier, when she had a talk with Iris — she's sure that she doesn't care anything about Aivan. How come she's acting like this in front of him after hearing what happened? Is it pity? Or is it for another reason?
Kira finally understands him now. She finally understands his attitude and it is normal for him to feel those emotion because he grieved for too long and he blamed himself for it. Even if Kira doesn't know what really happened to him and his deceased girlfriend, she's not that heartless.
"I won't consider this as blackmailing anymore, Aivan." Kira whispered but it was enough for him to hear. "I understand you and all I want to ask from you is try to open things for me and don't isolate what you really feel. It'll only leave me confused."
Kira was shocked when Aivan hugged her back and it really got her.
Hindi niya papaniwalaan ang sinabi ni Iris sa kanya. Alam na ni Kira sa sarili niya ang nararamdamam niya at hindi niya alam kung kailan pa ito nagsimula. But, this isn't the right time to tell him about it. She'll only believe Aivan, for now...
It's been only three hours and there she finally made a concrete decision for herself.
When Kira felt shy, she immdeiately broke the hug and she looked at Aivan face and she teasingly poked his bruise that caused him to bawled lightly in pain.
"Ouch!"
Mahinang natawa si Kira. "If I'm right, may clinic dito diba?" Kira asked and he didn't even bother to answer her. "Fine, hahanapin ko nalang mag-isa yung clinic. Kailangan na nating gamutin 'yan dahil baka ako ang pag-initan ng kapatid mo 'pag nakita niya 'yan." Wika ni Kira at akmang hihilain niya si Aivan nang pigilan siya nito.
"I have my medical kit on my cabin." He said to her without looking at her straightly in the eyes. "Treat it by yourself. You caused me to get bruised." He added harshly at her but instead of getting offended by it, Kira laughed on what he just said and followed his lead.
Nagtaka si Kira nang mapansin niya na ang puwesto ng cabin ni Aivan ay sa tabi lang ng cabin niya, she was dumbfounded.
She saw Aivan entered the cabin and she snickered on her way inside his cabin. She saw him sitting on the side of his bed with the medical kit open. He's already waiting for her to treat his wound. He looks like a wounded puppy, how cute.
Kira sat beside him and she saw how he handed her the medical kit. "Hurry up, don't waste my time." He said haughtily.
Kira chuckled and she opened the ointment from the medical kit. "Paano koo gagamutin ang sugat mo kung hindi ka nakaharap sa akin?" Kira teased.
He faced her unwillingly, but his eyes didn't land on her. "Here? Happy?" He said with annoyance in his voice. Kira smelled the familiar scent of alcohol. Did he drink?
Kira applied the ointment on his bruise and she can see how he reacted from the sting that made her smile. "Are you drunk? You reek of alcohol. What made you drink, Doc? Are you burning your liver?" Kira asked at him by teasing him.
"I'm not drunk and I'm not burning my liver." Sagot nito pabalik sa kanya.
After Kira finished apply oinment on his bruise, she immedaitely closed the medical kit and she snickered at Aivan. "Did your brother really invited you here or maybe, you went here with hidden agenda?" Kira asked.
"Bakit ang dami mong tanong?" Aivan asked, annoyed. "Should I be the one asking you something?"
Mahinang natawa si Kira at umayos ng upo, "Go ahead, then. Ask me what you want to ask." She said.
"Why is he here?"
Kira pretended to be naïve. "What? Who's he?"
Aivan tsked in annoyance. "I'm not joking, Kira. Don't test me."
Kira pretend to get sad and she frowned. "I'm not joking either! Who's he? I don't understand you, Aivan." Deep inside Kira, she's laughing her guts out.
Aivan sighed and he stood up. "I'm asking why the stupid ex-fiance of yours is here! Did you invite him here? What if your colleagues see you with him and they will think you're cheating on me and they'll pity me and it'll ruin my pride as a man! I thought I already made things clear that —"
Hindi pinatuloy ni Kira ang sinabi ni Aivan dahil natawa siya sa ginawanv reaksyon nito at natigil ang pagsasalita ni Aivan dahil sa tawa niya.
"What's funny?" He asked with irritation.
"Bakit galit ka?" Kira smiled and she stood up and looked at him in his face. She can see emotions in his eyes now, unlike those days she's not that close to him. "I don't know why he's here and if you're thinking I'm cheating — why would you call it cheating if we don't have any label to begin with?"
"You're my lover, Kira! Don't you call that a label?"
Mahinang natawa si Kira at tinapik si Aivan sa balikat. "Don't get irritated. I'm just teasing you!" Kira said and she bawled in laughter. "You're really something, Aivan. Really something!" Dagdag niya at mas lalo pang natawa.
"How dare you tease me like that, Kira." Anito na ikinatigil ni Kira sa pagtawa.
She stucked out her tongue and teased him one last time. "Bakit? Napikon ka ba, Doc —"
Hindi naituloy ni Kira ang sinabi niya nang bigla siya nitong higitin palapit at hinalikan sa labi. It totally made her stop talking and she was shocked! Teasing him is a very bad idea!
He broke the kiss and henpicked her up like a sack and he opened the door and he putted her down outside. He closed the door leaving her dumbfounded in what just happened. She touched her lips and looked at the door he just closed.
What a cold hearted man!
NAGISING si Kira dahil sa sinag ng araw na tumama sa mga mata niya. She stretched her arms and she yawned.
She had the best sleep! She never knew she can sleep that comfortable last night and she doesn't even know why.
Kira looked around her room and she screamed out of shock. Nabigla siya dahil nakita niyang umiinom ng kape si Aivan sa loob ng cabin niya at hawak-hawak pa nito ang schedule paper na binigay sa kanila ng mga katrabaho niyo.
Kira held her chest and she took a sigh. "Isn't it a bit too early to shock me like this? What if I have a heart problem? Baka patay na ako!"
"Don't worry, you don't have one."
Kira gave him a glare. "What are you doing here soo early in the morning? And how did you even get in here?" Kira asked him as she went up from bed.
"To wake you up and have breakfast." Sabi nito at tumayo, "Hurry up and wash up. I'm hungry. I'll wait for you outside." He bossily said.
Lumabas nga ito sa cabin niya at si Kira naman ay napabunting hininga. That man's imperious!
Mabilisan lang ang pagligo na ginawa ni Kira dahil nakakahiya naman sa doktor na 'yon kapag paghihintayin niya ito ng matagal.
Gumaganti pa nga ata ito dahil sa ginawa niyang pang-aasar kagabi. Natigilan si Kira nang may maalala sa nangyari kagabi. She felt her cheeks getting hot because of shyness. Kira subconsciously held her lips and she bit her lower lip.
Kira shook her head and pinched herself. "I should stop daydreaming..." Mahinang wika niya at kaagad na nagtungo palabas ng cabin niya.
Tila napataas ang kilay ni Kira nang makita si Iris na kinakausap si Aivan na mukhang bagot na bagot dahil sa paghihintay sa kanya.
Iris did what she just said last night. Well, ayaw niya namang magpaka patay malisya dahil sa sinabi nito. If Iris thinks she won't bite what she just said to her, well she's wrong.
Kaagad na bumaba si Kira mula sa cabin niya at kaagad na ngumiti papunta kay Aivan at kaagad na kumapit sa braso nito.
"I'm ready, let's go —" prenteng napatingin si Kira kay Iris at nagpanggap na kakakita niya lang rito. "Oh, Iris, ikaw pala. Good morning!" Kira greeted her with a smile.
"Oh, it's you. Good morning." Halos walang ganang bati ni Iris sa kanya.
"Kira and I will head to the restaurant for breakfast, gusto mo na bang sumabay, Iris?" Aivan asked Iris.
Kira saw Iris took a glance at her before answering Aivan. "Oh, sure, Aivan." Anito.
"Well then, let's go." Wika ni Aivan.
Kira walked her way inside the restaurant while she's clinging at Aivan like a goddamn octopus. She wants to irritate the hell out of Iris.
Pagkapasok na pagkapasok nila nang restaurant ay kaagad niyang nakita si Chaun at Sir Aiden na nasa iisang lamesa at nandoon na rin ang mga katrabaho niya na nakaupo na hinihintay nalang na maihanda ang almusal.
"Iris, sit here with us." Tawag ng boss niya kay Iris.
"Goodmorning, 'Den and C!" Bati ni Iris kay Chaun at Sir Aiden at kaagad itong umupo sa upuang nireserba ng mga ito.
"Good morning, Aivan." Bati ni Chaun kay Aivan, "Goodmorning to you too, Kira." Bati naman sa kanya ni Chaun.
Ngumiti si Kira kay Chaun. "Good morning to you too, Chaun and Sir Aiden." Bati naman ni Kira. Hindi siya pinansin ng boss niya at tila ba parang wala itong narinig. Magkapatid nga talaga sila ni Aivan.
Nakita ni Kira ang tila pagngiti ni Chaun sa kanya at panay pa ang pagtaas nito ng kilay tila nang-aasar. Miski ang mga katrabaho niya ay pinag-uusapan siya at hindi niya alam kung bakit. Sila Anna at Mika naman ay panay ang pagngiti ng malaki sa kanya at parang kilig na kilig ang mga ito.
Huli na nang maalala ni Kira na nakakapit pala siya sa braso ni Aivan. Kaagad siyang bumitaw at nilagay ang kamay sa likod at umakto na para bang wakang nangyari. Pero hindi pumayag si Aivan sa ginawa niya dahil kaagad siyang hinigit nito beywang at dinala sa lamesa na pang-dalawang tao lang.
Hindi nalalayo ang lamesa niya sa lamesa nila Chaun at kila Anna. Kira saw Aivan's hostile look and she doesn't even know what's with him this time.
"What's up?" Kira asked. "What's with that hostile look?"
Kira was about to look at the direction Aivan was looking when he suddenly cupped her face and it made her lips to pout. "Hey!" Kira stated. "Let my face go!" Kira demanded.
"You look like a fish."
Nainis si Kira sa sinabi nito at hindi pa rin nito pinapakawalan ang mukha niya. "Is that an insult?" Inis na saad niya, "Let my face go or else —"
Aivan smirked and he leaned in closer. "Or else what?" Aivan asked.
Nag-iwas ng tingin si Kira at nahihiya na siya sa lapit nila ni Aivan. Is this considered as public display of attraction or public display of pissing me off?
Hindi rin nagtagal ay pinakawalan din ni Aivan ang mukha niya at napansin niya ang pagtingin ng nga katrabaho niya sa kanya na tila ba kilig na kilig sa nakita nila.
Do they even know that she got insylted by this cold hearted weird man? Naiinis na tinignan ni Kira si Aivan na pangisi-ngisi lang sa kanya.
"Weirdo." Bulong ni Kira at sinadya niyang marinig iyon ni Aivan.
"Who's a weirdo, Ms. Chua?" Auvan whispered and Kira was shocked when he suddenly mentioned her true last name.
Umiling-iling si Kira at natawa. "No, I'm the weirdo." Sapiliting wika ni Kira at nginitian si Aivan. "It's Chiumenti, dear." Maamong bulong niya.
The breakfast was served to everyone. There was plenty of choices to eat and Kira can't decide which to eat.
The whole breakfast, Aivan was silent so is she. So she can call it a peaceful breakfast.
After their so-called peaceful breakfast, they all went out and Aivan had to take an important call so she went out with Chaun.
"Did something happened last night? It looks like you two were more close than the usual out of the blue." Chaun asked in a teasing manner, "Has Aivan tamed you?"
"What the hell? What kind of question is that, Chaun! Nothinv happened between me and Aivan last night, what made you think things like that —"
"Chill, Kira. You got my question wrong." Natatawang saad nito. "I didn't mean it in 'that' way. I was just asking the normal way."
Kira bit her lower lip and she felt her cheeks heating. What was she thinking? "No, I'm not pertaining to that!" Kira denied. "I mean, why would Aivan tame me? I'm not a dog!" Inis na saad ni Kira.
"Kira! Chaun!" Anna called them out.
"What's up?" Chaun asked.
Inabutan silang dalawa ni Anna ng asul na bandana at nagtataka nilang tinignan ito.
"What's with this?" Kira asked and she looked at the bandana.
"Duo kayo sa next activity." Anito, "We'll be having another activity today, it's called canoeing and we'll be racing for a certain distance." Anna explained.
"Great." Chaun said and he looked at ger, "Ang suwerte ko naman, Kura at ako ang partner mo!" Chaun bragged.
"Yabang." Kira hissed.
Mahinang natawa si Anna sa inakto jilabg dalawa. "Both of you can change into your swimwears." Wika ni Anna sa kanila.
"Can I join?"
Kira and Chaun looked at the person behind them and there they saw Aivan.
"Oo naman, Doc!" Anna cheerfully said. "I'll go and check if there's someone who doesn't have a partner yet —"
"I want Kira to be my partner." Putol ni Aivan kay Anna.
"Of course! You want your girlfriend to be your partner, what a slow person am I." Wika ni Anna at kinuha anv bandana na hawak ni Chaun at binigay 'yon kay Aivan.
"Looks like someone's possessive." Bulong na wika ni Chaun kay Aivan.
"Why, can't I?" Masungit na sagot ni Aivan kay Chaun na ikinatawa nito.
"Hey, Anna. I don't want to change my partner." Nakangusong wika ni Chaun kay Anna.
Tinaasan ni Anna ng kilay si Chaun at hinila ito. "I'll find you another partner. Let's go!" Wika ni Anna at tuluyang hinila si Chaun.
Mahinang natawa si Kira sa nakita, Chaun was Joshua's partner. She saw how Chaun objects and it's the same with Joshua! How childish!
"Hey, Aivan! Let me be Kira's partner! Ako ang nauna sa'yo!" Sigaw ni Chaun kay Aivan.
"I can't stop laughing, my stomach hurts!" Wika ni Kira habang pilit na tinitigil ang pagtawa.
Inakbayan siya bigla ni Aivan, "Sorry, I can't! She's mine!" Sigaw ni Aivan pabalik na ikinatahimik ni Kira.
She was taken aback by what he just said to Chaun. She lowered her head trying to hide her face. She knows that her face will start to heat up again and her heartbeat's not normal. She's moved.
"Uhm, I'll just get change into my swimwear." Paalam ni Kira kay Aivan. Tanging tango lamang ang naisagot sa kanya.
Kaagad na nagtungo si Kira sa cabin niya at naghanap ng pupuwedeng suoting pang-langoy.
"Where's my rashguard?" Pabulong na saad ni Kira habang hinahalughog ang gamit niya. She can't find the swim wear she bought.
Nakita niya lang ang itim na shorts na panglangoy pero wala ang rash guard niya, hindi niya alam kung nadala niya ba ito o hindi. Sayang naman ang pinambili biya kung hindi niya magagamit ang rashguard na 'yon.
She heard several knocks on her door, Kira stood up and there she saw Mika with Anna wearing their swimsuits and thwy are ready for the said activity.
"The activity's about to start, Kira." Anunsiyo ni Mika at tinignan siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. "Why aren't you in your swimwear?" Kira asked.
Napakamot ng ulo si Kira at bumuntong hininga. "I forgot to bring my rashguard. Wala akong nadala na panglangoy bukod sa shorts na kapares ng rashguard ko."
"You can't swim without your swimwear, Kira." Mika said.
Umiling si Kira, "I think my shirt is fine. I'll just change my shorts —"
"No!" Mika objected. "Wait for me here. May kukunin lang ako, mabilis lang 'to!" Pagkasabi ni Mika no'n ay kaagad itong tumakbo palabas ng cabin niya.
Pumasok muna si Anna sa loob ng cabin niya, Kira sighed and she picked her swimming shorts up. "I'll just change my short. I'll be fast." Paalam ni Kira at kaagad na nagtungo sa banyo para palitan ang shorts na suot niya at hinayaan nalang ang tshirt na suot-suot niya kanina.
Pagkalabas ni Kira ng banyo, nabigla siya nang makita niya si Mika na hingal na hingal at may dala-dalang maliit na paperbag.
Ibinigay nito iyon sa kanya. "Borrow this first." Wika nito at tinulak siya papasok sa banyo. "Hurry up!" Dagdag nito at sinara ni Mika ang pintuan.
Nagtatakang tinignan ni Kira ang paper bag na inabot sa kanya ni Mika. Kinuha niya ang laman nito at halos lumuwa ang mga nata niya dahil sa nakita. It's a swimsuit. Kira can't wear this!
Napahawak si Kira sa parte kung saan siya mayroong tattoo. She still have the tattoo and she can't stand seeing the tattoo. Hindi niya pa napapatanggal ito.
Nakaranig siya ng katok mula sa labas. "Hurry up, Kira! If you won't go out after a minute, I'll make sure you'll wear that!" Sigaw ni Mika.
Kira doesn't have any choice but to wear the swimsuit Mika lend her. She only wore the top of the swimsuit and she just used her swimming shorts instead of the bikini bottom.
Kira felt a bit conservative on how she looked, hindi naman ganoon kasagwa tignan pero hindi siya sanay. Kira thought that it'll be just a short time of wearing this, so it's fine. Kira also removed her necklace and kept it on the purse she have inside the bathroom where she stores some of her stuff.
Lumabas si Kira ng banyo at narinig niya ang impit na tili ni Anna at ni Mika. "Looks good on you, Kira!" Anna complimented her and both of them high-fived. Tinali ni Anna ang asul na bandana sa braso niya at napangiti. "Done! Let's go!"
Hinawakan ni Mika ang kamay niya at kaagad siyang hinila palabas ng cabin. Kira can't help but to feel conscious on how she looks. People are looking at her and she can't help but to cover herself up a bit.
Nang makarating na sila kung saan ang puwesto ng bawat grupo at napansin din nila na naka-set up na ang mga gagamitin para sa canoeing nila.
Kaagad siyang dinala ng magkaibigan sa puwesto nila Aivan at Chaun na nag-uusap kasama si Iris at ang iba pang kasali sa laro.
Kira looked at Iris getting too close at Aivan and she can't help but to admire how Iris looked with her swimsuit with confidence.
"We're complete!" Anna announced that caught everyone's attention.
They started looking at her and Kira can't help but to cover herself a bit.
"Wow! Kira! You look great in that!" Chaun compkimented her and Kira just replied with a smile.
Natigilan si Kira nang tanggalin ni Aivan ang suot nitong polo. He's only wearing his boardshorts now. Lumapit si Aivan sa kanya at pinasuot ang polo na kakatanggal lang nito sa kanya.
Kira heard her colleagues whispering and squealing.
"So sweet!"
"I'm jealous!"
Lumapit si Chaun at tinapik sa braso si Aivan. "Oh, so protective of you, Aivan."
"Shut up and give me a life vest." Aivan demanded. Sinunod ni Chaun ang inutos ni Aivan at kaagad na inabutan ito ng life vest.
Isinuot din sa kanya ni Aivan ang life vest at nabigla ito nang lumapit ito sa kanya at bumulong. "What's with that outfit?" Aivan asked, whispering.
Kira gulped and she let out a short laughter while looking at her colleagues that are whispering. "I forgot my rashguard and Mika lend me one of her swimwear." Sagot ni Kira pabalik ngunit pabulong.
"Stop that act." Malamig na wika ng boss niya na nasa gilid lang. "Let's start the activity."
"Someone's bitter." Bulong ni Chaun sa kanya at natawa.
Kira saw how Aivan pushed Chaun away and Aivan held her and went to their canoe. "Do you know how to canoe?" Aivan asked.
Kaagad na umiling si Kira. "No, I don't." She answered honestly. "I don't like any water sports. I can't swim and I'm afraid to go into the depths of water." Kira added.
Aivan sighed and gave her a hand. "Well, you're lucky to have me as a partner." Aivan bragged.
"I'm not asking." Kira said and she made face.
Binawi ni Aivan ang kamay niya at naunang sumakay sa canoe. "Get in yourself then." Wika nito at akmang sasakay na mag-isa sa canoe nang bigla nitong ugain ang ang canoe na naging rason para mawala siya sa balanse.
"Ah!" Kira screamed and she prepared herself for a fall in the water when she heard a man chuckle. Iminulat niya ang nga mata niya at nakita na ang tumatawa pala ay si Aivan.
Hawak-hawak nito ang kamay niya at nasa canoe pa rin siya. "See? You're really lucky." anito.
Napairap nalang si Kira at umupo. Aivan's in her front and she's at his back to do the paddle from the back while Aivan will do the paddle from the front.
"Explain me what I'll do." Masungit na wika ni Kira.
"Just follow my lead and do what I say." Saad nito at nakarinig nalang sila ng pito mula sa likod. Nakita nilang dalawa na nakahanda na rin ang iba para sa karera at nasa kabilang gilid nila si Chaun at ang iba pa niyang katrabaho ay handa na sa pakikipag karera.
Hindi alam ni Kira ang gagawin niya nang marinig niya ang pangalawang pito na ibig sabihin ay nagsimula na ang karera. Kira looked at her colleagues confused and doesn't know where to do the paddle.
"I'm unlucky to have you." Reklamo ni Aivan.
Binigyan ng masamang tingin ni Kira si Aivan at binasa ng tubig mula sa dagat. "Sino ba naman kasi may sabi na ako gawin mong partner, ha?" Inis na saad ni Kira at pinilit na gawin ang dapat gawin hangga't sa makakaya niya.
THE activity ended an hour ago and they all went for a swim and Kira still can't move on on Aivan's reaction when he didn't have any idea that they would go at the wrong the direction.
Medyo may kalayuan sila sa puwesto na pinaglalanguyan ng mga kasama niya at nasa may badang tahimik silang puwesto ng dagat.
Suot-suot pa rin ni Kira ang polo ni Aivan at nakaupo siya ngayon sa may buhanginan kasama ang binata na nakikipag-usap kay Iris.
She doesn't even know if Iris knows the word space!
Iris took a glance at her and smirked. "I'll just go for a swim." Iris removed her saring and she walked her way on the beach when Aivan suddenly stood up while his phone was ringing.
"I'll be back. I'll just take this call." Paalam ni Aivan sa kanya.
Tinignan niya lang ito at inirapan. "Don't come back." Mahinang bulong ni Kira.
"What are you murmuring about, Kira?" Pagtatanong ni Aivan sa kanya.
Painosenteng ngumiti si Kira, "Wala, wala. I didn't even say anything." Sabi niya at tuluyang umalis si Aivan para sagutin ang tawag.
Bakit pa kasi ito nagpunta dito kung marami naman pala itong gagawin sa hospital.
Nabigla si Kira nang sumigaw si Iris. "Help! Help!" Panay ang sigaw nito kaya napatayo si Kira at nakita niya na nalulunod ito.
Kira felt numb and she doesn't know what to do. She looked around and there was no one to help her and the other's were too far away from her.
Kira can clearly see that Iris can't hold anymore. Kira removed the polo she has and rushed to get Iris with the salbabida life jacket beside her. Kira can't breathe anymore and she finally reached Iris and she made her wear the life jacket.
Iris was saved from the drowning and Kira was shocked when Iris pushed her away, "Wht a pity. I didn't know you're this stupid." Iris said and tsked before she left her there. Kira can't breathe, she's afraid.
Kira started to panic and she started to shout for her. "Help! Help!" She's slowly losing her oxygen.
How did it came to this point? All she wanted to do was to save Iris, and it was all part of her scheme. How come this would cause her death?
"Help, help —" Kira can't hold her breathe anymore and she can't get herself up.
She's slowly starting to blacken out due to lack of oxygen. She's slowly losing her senses and she's afraid to die!
Aivan, help me...