"Worry? For what?" I turn to him, furrowing my eyebrows.
"For someone seeing you with a bikini. To be honest I despise it also. He said, and continued. "Women are precious, like a pearl. They are supposed to be covered. They don't need to show the whole world their beauty. Especially you," He looked at me genuinely.
I smiled. Wow, I didn't expect that. Then he smirked, "I should be the only one who will see that." He winked at me, then it was followed by my hand meeting his face. He groaned in pain.
I scrunch my nose in disgust. "Eww, that's perverted, Mister. I'm doing it for myself. Because I don't want to." I retorted.
"Then let us change Snow if that's what you want, Luke." Hannah piped in. "Oh brother, I know you want to see it." Hannah winked at Luke, then dragged me out of the pool, with Emma tailing behind.
"Nooooo! My Snow! Her beaaaautyyyy!" Luke yelled in so much anguish like he's in a soap opera, his hands held out. There was nothing I could do but look at him in sympathy.
I shot a glare at the two girls. "What are you up to this time? Did I say it clearly already? I. Don't. Want. To. Wear. A. Bikini." I emphasized every word. "Now, let me enjoy my first night here. Can I? Thank you." I casually brushed off Hannah's grip to my arms.
Then a drop of water came from the sky. I looked up, then exclaimed, "Oh would you look at that?" I pointed at the sky, "Geez, the sky was clear just this morning, and now it's raining?"
My plan worked. The two also looked up. At this point, I bolted and ran back towards the pool. "Hey!" They called out.
"I escaped!" I exclaimed as soon as I arrived. They were splashing water like kids, with the rain slowly getting harder. "Let me join in!" I dived and splashed a lot of water on Dax and Leroy and also Luke.
Eion was just at the corner so I splashed him. I grinned in satisfaction when it reached his stone-cold face. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and also joined in, splashing a lot of water that I coughed. I glared at him.
"You started it. I just ended it, you flat-chested girl."
"What did you say?"
"I said, you flat-chested girl. That's why you don't wear a bikini."
Oh. So that's it? Now he'd done it.
You know what? I better change then. I feel like there's a strong wind here. Eion, get your mouth from dropping when you see me...
"Emma, Hannah," I called out. "I changed my mind. Let's do it."
"Wow, would you look at that!" Leroy said. Dax wolf-whistled. I smirked. I looked at Eion straight. He was silent, just staring at me. I felt like looking at the ground but I stood my ground. He challenged me! I better win.
Luke was muttering to himself in dismay with words like "beauty" and "cover". I understand him. And I don't like this. But that robot did it.
Then we played. Splashing some water again. I sense someone from my back.
"I was right, flat-chested girl." He smirked. I huffed.
"But why did you gaped at me earlier then?"
There was a hint of blush to his face. "I-I was gaping because you look so hideous. Can't you cover that up?" He threw a towel on my face.
Okay. I'm done. I'm done for today. Please, I can't even with this guy! I decided to go on an adventure early in the morning
. Besides, I can't sleep that well, especially in a different place other than my own home. It's a disease I have, which is kind of tiring on time.
I took my phone, taking a few pictures of the view. The rich white sand, the tall coconut trees at a distance, and the oh so blue sea. I also took a few selfies for mom and Nathan to see.
From afar, there was a large boat. It was simple, made from wood. An old man wearing a straw hat set that boat, arranging the net and checking something.
"Magandang Umaga," He greeted me when he saw me. He smiled politely, removing his straw heart from his head.
I offered a small smile, "Magandang umaga po." I greeted him. I seemed to get used to it as a few staff came to greet me, and tell me what to reply to.
"Foreigner? Baka ito na yung sinasabinng anak ko." (Foreigner? Maybe she's the one my son was talking about.)
I looked at him in confusion, "Hm?" I hummed.
"Uhm...can you...speak Filipino?" He asked.
I shook my head, pouting at this. "Not really. Sorry."
He nodded in understanding. "I'm..can't speak English so so well too." He fumbled, looking away and concentrating on his net.
So maybe he can't really speak English. I nodded back. Eion had warned me about it...I guess he's right.
I looked at what he was doing. "What are you doing to that, po?" I pointed at the nets.
"Ah ito ba?" He holds out the net for me to see. "Aba. Mangingisda ako, I mean, I'm fishing! Morning, early, fish." He answered. I nodded at that. "Can I touch it?"
He shook his head yes. Hesitating for a while, I touched the net, the boat, and drew back my hand instantly. Is it really okay for him? I looked at the old man, he was smiling gently at me, motioning for me to go on and don't be shy. I smiled back and continued.
I don't know why, but the atmosphere here is so warm and nice, they always smile. I like it. It's so fresh. It's so new.
There were letterings and words printed elegantly on the sides of the boat. I read it. Slahra.
"Slahra?"
"Pangalan ng asawa ko." The old man spoke up from behind me. I turned around to look at him. Then he stopped, and muttered, "I mean, that’s my wife’s...name."
"That's pretty.." I trailed off. Slahra..."I like it."
"She's dead. " He continued. I gawked. Die? I swallowed, frowning at this. "Then, is fishing your only work?"
"T-This is...only." He answered. "That's why I have to work hard!" He grinned, showcasing his yellow teeth. His wrinkles were very visible, especially now that he's smiling.
His skin was so dark, surely from his work. And I noticed, his wrinkled hands, his palms, were so rough from working so hard.
One thing I learned about Filipinos is that they are very hardworking. I can't help but admire him.
Through his clothes, I can see that he only can provide for his three meals. But even through that, he was still happy, content even to his life, I can see it. I realized how fortunate I am. I have everything I need, I can eat even 5 times a day, and have my wants.
Then I stopped. Did he say early to fish right? Maybe I'm disturbing him..."Oh, sorry, sir. Maybe I'm disturbing you."
He shook his head. "No no no." Giving me a thumbs up, he pointed at his boat, "This. Okay."
"Snow!"
I turned around, faking a shocked face to see him here. Of course. I smiled sheepishly, "Hey, Eion."
Eion made his way towards us. "Where in the hell are you always heading to? Did I say that I shouldn't come anywhere alone? Stick to the group? Psh, not even lasting for a day and you're not obeying."