Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"Oh my God, are you kidding me? Tell me kaagad if you're bluffing, ha! Kasi super..." G covered her parting mouth and stared at me shockingly.
"I-It's true, G," my cheeks heated up. "Why naman ako magloko, b-but secret only—"
"Oh my God, crush ka ni basher?!" she screamed loudly.
I screamed in shock, too. Rose from my seat to cover her mouth and looked around, only to froze on the spot upon seeing the boys looking our way with their eyes so wide I think it's gonna fall out of their eye socket.
"Ano..." slowly, a grin escaped Romeo's lips.
"H-Huh, no..." I removed my palm away from G's mouth while she's screaming quietly. "Wrong 'yong na-hear n'yo! I-I mean—"
"Hindi na torpe si basher!" Owen exclaimed loudly and I was shocked when Ian and Romeo made a high-five, my cousin even hopped towards her laughing husband to pull his hair out of excitement.
Oh my God, Gabriela! Calm down!
"Pa'no 'yan? Edi ako na ang panalo?" Lucian laughed and placed his arms around his wife's shoulder, checking something on his pocket—a notebook—then showed it to them.
"Oh, sinabi ko na sa inyo, 'di ba? 'Di na niya matitiis aamin na," Lucian smirked, "oh, ako ang winner. Bayad-bayad din pag may time!"
"Singilan time, yehey!" G exclaimed and clapped her hand while the three: Ian, Owen and Romeo are too stunned to speak.
They tried getting away but Lucian and G's on the door, they couldn't escape.
"Cap!" Owen whined after some moment, "p'wede pass—"
"Huh! Pinagbigyan na kita sa bente mo no'ng nakaraan, 'di ko na mapapalagpas ang ang twenty-five pesos!" he lifted his hand and out of nowhere, a ballpen appeared as he walked towards them to make singil.
"Cap!" Romeo called, too. "Sampu lang 'yong akin—"
"Pambili ko 'yan ng souvenir sa binyag ni Magnus, manahimik ka, Romeo." He snapped then showed his hand again the three ended up taking their wallets and whining their way out.
Oh, they have utang?!
"What pa? What pa?" G hopped towards me for more questions but Lucian caught her and shook his head.
"Careful, baby. Stop hopping too much, gusto mo bang maalog ang ulo ng anak natin?" he asked. That's when G stopped and pouted.
"Oh, sorry, Luci." She smiled adorably, "okay, I'll walk mabagal na like a princess..." she then took a small hem of her dress to walk like a princess, I giggled.
G is super adorable!
When she reached me, I helped her to settle down. While the boys are busy paying their debts, G kept on asking me the details and I only told her the necessary things. Like what happened why he got sick or so, and then his confession that he liked more than what I can offer.
We ended up screaming a little and slapping each other's arms.
"Oh, I'm so proud! My Gab-Gab is dalaga na!" she sniffed, "and basher's human na!"
"Hmm?" it made me confuse, "why? Is Seb animal ba?"
"Yeah, duh?" she rolled her eyes while chuckling, "and you have the wrong accent it should be animal. Like hard ang pagkakasabi, not soft."
"Animal!" I said with conviction, she nodded happily.
"Yes, correct ka d'yan. I'm so proud, you're learning so much na!" she brushed my hair a little and while looking at her, I realized we could pass as siblings.
Though, our faces are different, we have the same skin color, freckles on the cheek and ginger red hair. Hers was slightly curly on the tips while mine was completely curly, pero not in a sabog way, ah? It's cute naman. I love my hair because I could fix it the way I like it. The only thing that differs is our eye color, she has amber-colored eyes while I got a pair of blue ones.
G's a direct descendant of the first-born Romanov kaya siya talaga ang first in line sa crown, while me, we're cousins kaya when she decided not to take it anymore and live a simple life here in the ship, the responsibility was passed to me.
"But...can we keep this a secret first, G?" I asked.
"Hmm?" her forehead creased, "why?"
"K-Kasi..." my cheeks heated up, "S-Seb and I haven't talk much about it yet and maybe he'll be shy? If he found out I told you already? I don't w-wanna tell you this early pero kasi I'm so kinikilig I wanna get this off my chest."
"Si Baste? Shy?" she grinned, "that brute had never been shy, he's so boastful, you know? When I got first in the ship, he bullied me almost immediately! Huh, buti na lang I'm a strong girl, I bullied him back. Hindi siya papalag kay G!"
"You're super good na mag-Tagalog!" I put my palms on my cheek, "I'm super inggit!"
"You'll learn more, you're magaling na nga, eh!" she grinned and touched my hair again. "And you're a fast learner, sa bagay, what would you expect with Romanovs? We're not just pretty girls, we're super smart din. You are great na nga kasi you can understand Tagalog sentences!"
"Well, a bit?" I smiled, "there are a few na I can't understand pero I think it's okay lang kasi ang important, na-understand ko siya."
"Yeah, tama! Anyway, what happened? Did you have fun? Na-receive mo ba 'yong gift ko for you? Did you paint your nails?"
"I received it but I didn't color my nails." I smiled, "I colored Seb's."
"What?!" her eyes widened and laughed. "OMG, you did? He let you? What did he say?"
"Hmm, I colored it while he's sleeping. He's sick kasi, right? Tapos he gave me some books to read but I'm not in the mood reading so I colored his nails instead. He wasn't mad naman. He even said it's pretty and he liked it."
"Really?" she gasped, "what kulay?"
"The bright pink one!" I grinned, "he's got pretty nails kaya I decided to put some butterflies and glitters, too."
"Did he still have it? Or bura na?"
"I'm not sigurado?" I shrugged, "maybe? I'm just bored kasi kaya I colored his kuko. That's all." I smiled happily.
"Kung nandito siguro si Baste dumugo na ilong niya sa usapan n'yo," Lucian appeared from nowhere, I smiled. He sat in front of us while still holding his small notebook.
"Where is he, Lucian?" I asked.
"May pinagawa lang ako doon sa baba," he chuckled, "why, your majesty? You missed him already?" he smirked.
"O-Oh my..." I covered my mouth. G screamed again. "W-Why ka naman...why ko naman mami-miss? Super crazy ka, Lucian!" I exclaimed, smacked his arm and covered my face, embarrassed.
He laughed loudly while G's kilig screams filled my ear.
"Ahh! I'm super kinikilig, Luci! OMG! OMG—"
"Ano ba 'yang tiling 'yan, terrorista? Akala ko nagle-labor ka na!" everyone stopped upon hearing the voice.
I parted my fingers and took a peek in between the gaps to see him. He's sporting his usual white uniform, his palms inside his slacks. Still looking so handsome.
Tang ina you talaga, Seb!
Everyone became so quiet his forehead creased, "oh? Anong mayro'n? Ang tatahimik n'yo minaligno na ba kayo—"
"Mamaya ka pa dapat, ah? Tapos mo na 'yong pinagawa ko? Bilis mo, hmm...bakit? Miss mo na rin siya?" Lucian asked loudly, slowly moving away kaya Seb saw me, his eyes widened in fraction and cleared his throat.
"U-Uy..." he mumbled and brushed his hair quickly, moistening his lips.
"Yieee...kilig betlog!" Romeo screamed loudly.
"Tang ina mo," Seb hissed but Ian pushed him towards us.
"Ano ba..." he hissed but it sounded so gentle. "H'wag mo nga 'kong itulak, para kang tanga..."
"Anak ng gagong...pabebe pa!" Lucian hissed. I felt G stood from sitting beside me, I slowly lowered my palm to look at Seb blushing profusely while staring at me. I gave him a shy smile.
"Lapitan mo na, yieee!" Owen then kicked his butt that he almost raced towards me, lost his balance and tripped.
I gasped in shock, thought he's gonna fall but he exactly reached me, crouched while placing his palm on the couch where I was sitting and towered me.
"Bakit n'yo ko tinutulak? Close ba tayo?!" he even hissed at the boys but his voice and the annoyed look on his face vanished when our eyes met.
Now he's above me, crouching to see me seated like a kitten. My heart raced dramatically I couldn't quite catch my breath.
"M-Morning, Gabriela," he greeted me with his sexy black eyes. I gulped harshly and did my best not to stutter as I flashed a sweet smile.
"Good morning, Seb," I answered back.
The silence was deafening as we stared at each other for a brief moment, still unmoving.
"Ganda ng umaga 'no?" he suddenly asked. I nodded.
"Uhm, y-yeah..."
"Kasing ganda mo," he uttered seriously while staring at me.
Screams filled the room. My cheeks blushed so hard that even Seb mirrored my expression.
"Fuck..." he mumbled under his breath, fell to sit beside me while I was frozen at the sight I've seen. It was shocking.
"Sana all na naman ba?!" Owen exclaimed.
Kinakalampag ni Owen and Romeo ang chairs. Ian was laughing so hard he's tapping the wall like a weirdo while G's screaming her lungs out, hyperventilating.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! I think I'm mahihimatay!" G exclaimed and pretended to faint, Lucian who's almost losing his breath while laughing caught her instantly.
I cleared my throat, still stunned. I glanced at Seb and he's looking at me, too. We both smiled at each other awkwardly.
"H-Hi..." I mumbled quietly since everyone in the room is still dying out of laughter.
"Hi," he cleared his throat and licked his lips. "Kumain ka na?"
"H-Hmm..." I nodded, "t-thanks for the chocolates, I-I heard it's from you?"
"Well..." he pursed his lips and nodded, "nagustuhan mo ba? Sorry, 'di ko kasi alam anong gusto mo kaya 'yong magandang shape na lang binili ko. Iba-iba ata flavor 'non?"
"Yeah, it's super masarap. Super yummy." I smiled shyly, "I like those chocolates."
"Free ako mamayang hapon, gusto mong umikot-ikot?" he asked.
Calm down, Gab! Calm down!
"S-Sure..." I smiled shyly but before he could even answer me back, the boys appeared again, pulled him up and raised his hand.
"Binata na si Baste! Binata na!" they screamed and Seb frowned when they messed with his hair. He tried moving away but they are so persistent.
"Ay naks, color fenk with butterflies ang nails! Bumigay ka na rin?!" Owen exclaimed and my eyes widened upon realizing he didn't remove the nail polish off his fingers.
I didn't have the time to talk to Seb more that morning because the boys cornered him. It was supposed to be a secret but right now, I realized it's okay to not keep it any further.
They're happy for us...I'm happy for myself.
"Dapat super pretty ka sa first date mo," G giggled while she's coloring my nails with a light pink nail polish.
"Date?" I asked, tilting my head. "What's a date, G?"
"Hmm?" she asked but then chuckle a little.
"Date is what they call when a girl goes out to hang out with a man, lalo na if you like that certain person and you're going out with them." She explained.
"Ahh..." I nodded, watching her. "You think he's gonna like my outfit for today? I don't have much bonggang dresses, and it's my first date."
"Any dress suits you, Gab-Gab." She assured me, "and mean lang si basher but he wasn't super choosy. Arte naman niya, 'no? Lucky na nga siya because he's got a chance to date you! If only he knew princes and dukes lined up just to meet you in Italy."
I sighed, "G? Would be okay if I do this? I mean, I'm a princess and if Seb would find out..."
"You're stressing yourself again, Gab." She looked at me gently, "you went here to relax and have fun and don't worry, I promise, if this works out for you and him. I'll do my best and try to make a way."
"Cathalina..." I called.
"I love you, Gab-Gab. You're the sister I never had." She patted my cheek, "I'll help you, I promise. Just...enjoy for now, okay? I want nothing but the best for you."
I wore a white, fitted long dress. It hugged my shape perfectly, highlighting my waist. The few strands of my hair are tied on the back with some falling down my back. G made sure to highlight my bangs too and made me wear some jewelries to match my outfit.
I smiled knowingly, amazed how simple yet utterly great I looked for today. I have pearls on my neck and some pretty necklace, I also wore the bracelet I made to match my outfit and took a white mini purse.
"There..." G giggled, smiling widely. She even made me pose near the balcony of my room with the view of the massive yet astonishing ocean to take a photo on her polaroid camera.
"Here..." she handed it to me, "this is new. I bought this for you, use this well for your date, okay?"
"G..." I called and bit my lip. "I'm really okay—"
"Take it. Memories could be store in our minds but nothing is wrong to place it in photographs, too, right?" she smiled sweetly, hugging me. "Be happy today, enjoy the ship, Gab-Gab."
"Thank you, G."
"You're super ganda pa naman today kaya dapat always happy ka." She cupped my cheek.
"Yeah," I chuckled. "I'm super pakyu—"
"Gab?!" she gasped loudly at me, "why ka..."
"Why? It's maganda, right?" I answered, "it meant two things, you said before. It can be praise for maganda or pretty and if you're annoyed you'll say pakyu too but with this." I showed her my middle finger. She laughed awkwardly and nodded.
"R-Right..." she mumbled and blinked, "s-super smart talaga natin, Gab. P-Pero don't say it in the palace or in front of Nana, okay? She'll spank us both!"
She left after a while of staying with me to sleep. My nephew inside her tummy is always so sleepy and she's always like that, too.
I stayed inside my room to prep and make sure I'm looking great for today. I stayed first near the balcony overlooking the see and smiled knowingly upon the sight of the Brooklyn Bridge from the distance.
G told me we would go out one of these days to explore New York.
The sound of the door bell made my heart pound harshly. I was never this nervous before but maybe because this is my first time, I felt like floating in mid-air, almost running towards the door and opened it almost immediately we both jumped in shock when our eyes met.
"H-Hey!" I called to ease the awkward air, smiling.
He was stunned for a while but his eyes landed back to the clothes I'm wearing up to my face. The amusement was still there as he handsomely shot his brow up to look at me.
"Bihis na bihis ka, little mermaid, ah." He commented, "saan party, teh?"
"Why?" I hid back my smile, "is it pangit?"
"Huh? Hindi, sino nagsabing pangit?" his forehead creased and looked at me again, "namamaligno na naman ako ng sirena, anong pabango mo? Gayuma, ano?" he accused.
"Why would I have gayuma with me?" I pouted, "just admit I'm super maganda you can't take your eyes off me."
"Hoy, feeling nitong babaeng 'to..." he stopped and eyed me ridiculously, I raised my brow.
"Why? No ba?" I crossed my arms on my chest, "if no edi h'wag na tayo mag-go out. I'll sleep na lang—"
"Joke lang, 'di naman mabiro 'tong sirenang 'to." He immediately stopped me, I smiled sweetly.
"Okay, should we go out now?" I asked and he cleared his throat before offering his arms for me.
"May I?" he asked and with my heart almost bursting inside my chest, I put my arms on his.
He locked the door for the both of us. I can smell his manly perfume as we walked and caught his eyes when I noticed him watching me secretly.
"Why ka naman always staring at me?" I asked, "am I that too pretty you can't resist? This is little mermaid in human form, you know?"
He tsk-ed. "Yabang mo ngayon Gabriela, ah?" he tilted his head to watch me closely, "pero sa bagay, little mermaid nga kaso medyo nadamay sa sabog ng dinamita."
"Hey!" I exclaimed loudly. He grinned at me evilly.
I was about to fight with him again when we heard a few whistles from the distance.
"Yieeee..." we both lifted our gazes, seeing the boys and my cousin grinning on the next floor up, watching us.
"Mga gago!" Seb exclaimed loudly.
"Mga gago..." I mimicked him loudly. Seb turned his head to me exaggeratedly. I didn't mind it and smiled to the people above instead, waving my hand.
G giggled, she waved her hand more at me.
"Enjoy, guys! Hey, basher, take care of my cousin, okay? If not i-push kita sa ship tapos pakain kita sa shark!" she threatened.
"Oo na, chaka doll." Seb answered loudly.
"Ganda mo, Gab-Gab!" Owen called, my cheeks heated as I flash a small smile.
"Thank you!" I answered shyly, "tang ina ka rin!"
I felt Seb's stares again so I take a look at him, only to see him sulking.
"What?" I asked.
"Akala ko ba ako lang ang tang ina rito, Gabriela?" he asked seriously, I pouted and smacked his arm.
"Everyone is tang ina naman, but ikaw ang super tang ina because maitim ang budhi mo." I answered him. His eyes softened and nodded, lifting his face up with a boasting smile.
"Hear that? Ako pinaka tang ina rito, okay?" he announced loudly. The boys laughed and clapped their hands.
"Pogi mo naman, Daddy Sebastian, p'wede pa-kiss?!" Lucian asked loudly. I stifled a laugh.
"Hoy, Cap!" he hissed loudly, "h'wag! 'Yong kiss para lang sa prinsesa ko..." he then glanced my way.
It definitely made me freeze. I lowered my head to hide my embarrassment but they are so loud and teasing the guests are looking at us.
"Ay, OMG! Master Baste lang sakalam!" Owen whistled.
"Ay, sorry, sorry..." Lucian said, "'di ko lang mapigilan ang gwapo mo kasi, koya." He even said loudly.
"Hey, boys! Don't bully Baste so much. Don't bash him, okay?" G hissed, everyone stopped.
"Ayan ang gusto ko sa 'yo, terrorista, eh!" Seb exclaimed, "sige, dahil d'yan 'di kita aawayin buong araw bukas—"
"Don't bash Baste too much. He'll be hurt too, you know?Tao rin naman siya, 'di lang halata..." G finished her sentence and I bit back my laugher when Seb's face crumpled.
"Anak ka ng...nanggigigil na talaga ko. Tara dito, terrorista! Cap, akin na 'yang chaka doll mong asawa nang mabusalan!" he hissed but G laughed more, hiding behind her husband to seek protection.
"Pakyu..." Seb hissed loudly and I mimicked him, raising my middle finger.
"Pakyu everyone!" I answered back and I was stunned when Seb almost screamed, pulled my hand down and bowed.
"Sorry...sorry, Ma'am..." he mumbled and when I followed my gaze, I was shocked upon seeing a glaring mother covering the eyes of the little girl.
"This generation!" the mother hissed, rolled her eyes at me and walked out.
"Saan mo na naman natutunan 'yan, babae?" Seb asked and before I could answer, he shook his head and opened my palm, suddenly filling the gaps of my fingers with his.
"Seb?"
"Ang kulit-kulit mo, Gabriela," he stared at me seriously, his lips lifting for a sly smile.
"Ay, may ka-holding hands na si Baste. Ako kaya, when?" Owen exclaimed more. "Hope everybody!"
When we left, the boys are still chanting and teasing. I was smiling while I'm walking with Seb around the ship, silently praising his looks.
We went first to the mini carousel inside the ship, I was giggling in happiness when he informed me we'll ride one first. He left me to buy tickets for the both of us so I watched him for the distance, silently admiring him.
He's wearing a gray turtle neck top now, he covered it up with a black suit complimenting his black slacks and white sneakers. His hair's messy, the strands are covering his forehead.
He's like a prince...an evil prince, actually.
He showed me the tickets when he got back, offered his hand again and like a kid, I almost hopped.
"Careful, Gabriela," he reminded, gently lifting my waist up until I'm seated at the back of the horse. I looked around, smiling.
"Where would you sit, Seb?" I asked and he shrugged, stood beside the horse I'm riding inside and held the metal in front.
"Nah, 'di naman ako bata," he answered and it confused me. I looked around, only to see kids with their parents kaya napa-O ang mouth ko.
"T-Then is it okay na we're here?" I asked, realizing some are staring at us. "Is it for kids pala, why naman..."
"Tss, hayaan mo sila. Kasama mo 'ko, sinong mangdya-judge d'yan sa prinsesa ko sasapakin ko."
My heart skipped. I took a glance at Seb and I fisted my palm to suppress my inner kilig when I saw him glaring at the boys watching us from outside.
"Humawak ka sa kamay ko, Gab," he said, referring to his hand on the metal and I followed and placed my hand on it.
"Usog ka kaunti sa 'kin para matakpan ko 'yang hita mo," he uttered again kaya I moved a little, smiling when he slowly covered his body for my legs not to be seen because of my hitching dress.
"There, okay na?" I asked but he didn't answer. He remained throwing an attitude to the boys outside watching us shamelessly kaya I was nagtataka.
"Sige, tingin pa. Pagdudukutin ko 'yang mata n'yo, eh." He then hissed quietly.
I didn't have the chance to ask him about it because the carousel move. I was amazed and smiling widely while lifting my other hand.
"Wow!" I exclaimed, "ang happy pala here! It's my first time!"
I screamed. Seb chuckled, he watched me as I enjoyed the ride and when we finished the first and I requested another, he granted it until we're on the fifth time and he's whining he's already dizzy but I care less.
"Wow, it's maganda pala here!" I told him and he nodded.
"Maganda nga," he mumbled, looking a bit disoriented na while staring at me. "Sa sobrang ganda umiikot na 'yong barko."
"Thank you for taking me here, Seb! Where tayo next na iikot?" I asked and he shrugged.
"Wala, dito lang tayo."
"Huh? Why?"
"'Di ba sabi ko ikot-ikot tayo? Ito na 'yon, iikot tayo sa carousel hanggang sa mahilo ka rin para quits." He answered then grinned. I pouted and smacked his shoulder.
"You're being mean na naman! I don't want na mag-carousel, go na tayo sa next." I announced, jumped out of the horse but gasped when I realized the world's spinning na rin.
"Oh my gosh, I'm dizzy na rin! We're quits!" I exclaimed and we left the carousel laughing and disoriented. We almost bumped to the wall nearby but nag-laugh lang kami kasi it's super crazy.
When he offered to buy me an ice cream, I was so happy. I rarely eat foods like this, not just it's because it's prohibited, my stylists wanted me to always maintain my figure so I would look good for the inauguration and for men to like me kaya seeing Seb doing this for me, I was grateful.
"Can you put some sprinkles, please?" he said when he caught me eyeing the small colorful inside the container. "Ano pang gusto mo?"
"I want chocolate on top, too." I answered and he asked the stall for it again. We strolled around the massive ship and when he said he'd claim the tickets he bought for the show we're watching tonight, I let him.
I sat on the bench, waiting for him while looking around when I caught a small flower shop nearby. I stood, walked closer to take a look around.
"Hello, madame, what are the flowers are you looking for?" the florist asked.
"Uhm, no." I answered and smiled, "I'm just taking a look around."
He then let me strolled around the shop while I'm tasting my ice cream, the florist was so kind enough to tell me about the meaning of every flower inside the shop that I can't help but ask when I saw a familiar one.
"This is a succulent, right?" I asked and pointed the familiar plant Seb gave me.
"Yes, Madame. This means unconditional and timeless love." He answered.
"R-Really?" my eyes widened.
"Yes, Madame. Why? Did someone give you this?" he asked, referring to it and I nodded, smiling. "Wow, that man must be in love with you."
My cheeks heated, "you think so?"
"Yes," he smiled, "oh, I only have one buyer for that plant this week. It's a very handsome gentleman."
He told stories but my mind was stuck to the succulents and it's meaning. Did he buy this with this in mind?
"Sorry, matagal." Seb was still catching his breath when he came back.
"It's okay," I smiled, "what took you so long, anyway?"
"Ah, naubos kasi kaagad 'yong pwestong maganda sana para mas makita natin kaya nag-antay ako kaso..." he sighed, "I tried talking to the buyers so I could trade tickets but...I'm sorry, I should've followed Cap's suggestion to book tickets in advance."
He looked disappointed so I caught his hand. He stopped and looked at me.
"It's not important, what's mahalaga is the person you're with, right?" I asked, seeing how his eyes softened. "No matter how far you are to the show, what matters is the person you're closer with."
He sighed. I smiled cutely when he pinched my cheek and smirked.
"Ang kulit mo, kung 'di ka lang maganda ngayon kinagat ko na 'yang pisngi mo." His lips pursed.
"Then bite it, oh!" I moved my cheek to let him bite it.
"Ah-huh, hinahamon mo ba 'ko?" he asked. I nodded.
"Yep, I'm challenging you to—" he gave me a quick peck on the cheek. I was stoned on the ground.
With my wide eyes, I looked at his direction and he's looking away now, his cheeks painted with red.
"You—"
"Unahan tayo do'n!" he suddenly exclaimed, not looking at me at all. He ran without warning and I was still gasping when I ran after him.
"Come back here, you kiss stealer!" I exclaimed loudly, smacking his nape when I reached him. He almost fell on the floor.
Like what he said, we got a seat a bit farther to the stage. This is an open area but to have a better look, you could buy a ticket. Medyo maraming people inside and as I looked around, I noticed a pool below with some wires above.
"Seb, what is this show called?" I asked.
He sat beside me, I took the foods he bought from him so he could settle down.
"Aqua theater ang tawag sa lugar ba 'to," he pointed the pool. "You could see professionals later with tricks and exhibitions, maganda 'yon."
"Wow..." I gasped, "then, can I see a mermaid, too?"
"Hmm," he smirked at me, "that's their theme for this month. Hope you enjoy it."
I was never been this excited. Before the show started, I took photos with my polaroid camera and lifted it in the air.
"Seb...picture!" I called.
"Ayoko nga, camera shy ako." He answered but when he saw the camera, he moved closer and showed a peace sign. I mimicked him and grinned widely in the camera.
I took the film after. Seb leaned on me while waiting for it so when I moved my face up, I met his. Our nose touched briefly and it made me nervous so I looked down to the film again.
"Nakita kita kanina habang nakapila ako pumasok kang flower shop," he suddenly opened up.
"Uhm, yeah. I just got bored a bit so I looked around. I saw the plant you gave me, it's succulent, right?"
"Yes, ganda 'no?" he chuckled, "'di ako marunong tumingin ng bulaklak, eh. Feeling ko common na lahat kaya no'ng nakita ko 'yon nagustuhan ko."
"You chose it because...?"
"Cute," he answered. "Maliit tapos makulay, sabi ko siguradong magugustuhan no'ng prinsesang mahilig sa maraming kulay."
Oh, so it wasn't because of the meaning? I smiled wider.
Of course, Gab. That's Sebastian. What's new?
"Nakakatakot naman 'yang tingin na 'yan, little mermaid. Bakit? Na-fall ka na naman sa akin?" he asked boastfully.
"Huh? Why naman ako mag-fall if hindi me nag-jump?" I asked back and the silly look on his face vanished.
His shoulder fell. He covered his face to scream quietly then eyed me again like nothing happened.
"Mas slow pa nga sa internet sa Pilipinas," he sighed exasperatedly. "Manuod na lang tayo, sirena. Ang cute mo sana kaso slow." He tapped my cheek and pinched it again.
"Baka naman mag-expand ang cheek ko, ah?!" I hissed but ended up smiling sweetly.
I frowned. Seb is so weird. Really.
When the show started, it was intense. I was watching with my full focus on the stunts, amazed by the way they twirled in the air, dance in the wire and jumped.
"Ahh!" I screamed loudly when the dancer played with fire. "O-Oh my God, it's masakit?!"
Sebastian chuckled on my ear. The people around glanced at me. I didn't care less and continued watching the fire in the air.
"OMG." I covered my eyes, "OMG, aren't they getting burnt?! Oh my Gosh, Ate! Don't—" I screamed again and immediately buried my face on Seb's chest.
"Shit..." Seb laughed more and touched my back. "Kumalma ka nga, Gabriela. Lalabas na ngala-ngala mo."
"They're playing with fire, Seb!" I hissed, "is it safe? Oh my God, is there ambulance here?"
"Mayro'n s'yempre pero sanay na 'yan sila," he laughed. "they could play with it just fine, they're doing that for years."
"But it's still scary!" I exclaimed in horror, "me nga before I got burnt while cooking a porridge, what if pa kung you played with fire? It's masakit. Here lang ako sa chest mo, habang 'di pa finish. Tell me, ah?!"
He stopped for a bit but then his breathing relaxed and touched my back.
"Alright, you could lean more." He whispered. He held my hand and wrapped it on his waist.
"Para 'di ka matakot ikot mo 'yong kamay mo sa baywang ko, nakakabawas 'yan." He urged and I tightened my hug on his side waist, still hiding my face on his chest to not see the scary stunts the performers are doing.
I heard the host announcing the new stunts kaya I moved my head to see but Seb pushed me back on his chest.
"May apoy pa ulit, Gab," he whispered. "D'yan ka lang muna." He leaned more so I could rest my head.
And I let him. I kept on asking if the stunt's done but we went on a full fifteen-minute round of him saying it still isn't done so I remained burying my face on his chest but of course, I liked it too.
It made me realize how his heart beats, it mirrored mine.
The show was amazing and scary at the same time. I admire the performer's stunts and bravery for doing such dangerous acts kaya I kept on talking about it while Seb's walking me back to my room.
We are side by side. Since it's late at night, only a few people stayed outside and you could hear the serene splash of waves to the side of the ship.
It was so cold, the wind blew my hair and before I could even hug myself, I felt a cloth on my shoulder, shielding me from the cold.
I checked what is it, smiling upon realizing it was Seb's coat. When I looked at him, he's now wearing only his gray turtle neck long sleeve top.
"Better?" he asked.
I fixed the coat and nodded, "a little." I mumbled.
He then lifted his hand, placed his arms on my shoulder and pulled me closer to his body.
"How 'bout this, princess? Still cold?" he asked and I stopped my smile from escaping, lifting my other hand so I could place it on his waist.
"Better..." I answered with a smile.
I caught the ghost smile on his lips and to hide my hyperventilating heart, I opened some topics for us while walking.
"They're very great, 'no?" I started, "I saw the swimming performers and it's super astig! They aced the mermaid part, they swam like one! It's really my dream to become a sirena, you know?"
He chuckled a little.
"Gusto mong matuto?" he asked. I nodded.
"Yup," I answered and pointed the barricade near the ocean, "can we stay there for a while, Seb? I wanna watch the sea."
He agreed. We walked toward the barricade and I rested my back on it, lifting my face to continue talking but stopped when he placed his arms in different side on my body, caging me on it.
"Why so?" he asked, looking at me with his liquid black eyes. "Daming pangarap bakit sirena ang gusto mo?"
"Kasi I love little mermaid!" I chuckled, "I am not allowed to have a story book before, or to read and watch any romantic movies. She burned all story books for me, I only saved one. The Little Mermaid."
His eyes softened.
"Why, hmm?" he lifted his finger to place my hair behind my ear. "Why aren't you allowed?"
"Because..." I hesitated for a while, "because uhm, like G, I lived in a palace. You know they're noble people and we should remain prim and proper. I often sneak in pa to the house maid's room so I could watch some nakakakilig movies but my mother found out, she fired the maid and I wasn't allowed to go near their quarters again."
He sighed.
"It's tiring living in other people's expectation, right?" he asked. I nodded.
"Kaya Seb, what I feel for you was the same. I'm naïve with love, too, but the way my heart reacts to you is...I don't know. Magical? It might be the same feeling Ariel felt upon seeing Prince Eric."
"I'm no prince, little mermaid." He chuckled, crouching more to see my face.
"It doesn't matter, I'm no p-princess either." Bitter taste spread my mouth. "Kaya I'm wishing na lang na I could be little mermaid kaso I can't kasi I can't swim right."
"I can teach you," he offered. "Turuan kita lumangoy para 'di na langoy dikya."
I glared and smacked him. He laughed and pinched my nose.
"Bakit? Ayaw mo?"
"You just recovered from fever, Seb." I hissed. "I don't want you to get sick again."
"Nah, nasaksak nan ga ako dahil para sa pinsan mong chaka doll, kayang-kaya kong lagnatin para sa 'yo." He tilted his head, "basta ba, alagaan mo ako?"
"Crazy ka ba? Why would you hurt yourself for me?" I reached for his cheek. He sighed and closed his eyes.
"Ganito pala feeling 'no?" he whispered, smiling briefly.
"Feeling of?" I asked.
"Love..." he whispered, opening his eyes to stare at me. "Nakakatanga, the old Sebastian would curse the hell out of me if he knew I'd be like this."
"Like what?" I bit my inner cheek.
"Baliw," he chuckled, "baliw na baliw sa 'yo."
I felt how my heart made a hard leap. I caught a glimpse of his smiling red lips. My throat dried up. Curiously, I tiptoed a bit to press a kiss on his lips but seeing him wide-eyed because of it, the embarrassment swallowed me.
"Sorry," I retreated, "I-I don't know how to kiss..." I tried leaving but he caged me back on his arms, towering me until our eyes locked.
"Me either," he swallowed and crouched. "How 'bout we try and learn from each other, hmm, princess?" he hummed, claiming my lips for a kiss.
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