The Ocean's Promise

Chapter 2

It was nearly 12 midnight nung nakarating kami doon. The house was still bright with all the lights on. Di mo aakalaing hating gabi na. Everyone was still awake including the house helpers.

"Nako Mi.." Niko felt worried. "Pati sila Manang pinuyat mo?"

"Ano ka ba, hijo!" Natatawang sabi ng matanda. "Naghanda talaga kami at baka gutom kayo!"

They guided us to the dining table. We were not hungry but I don't want to refuse lalo nat naghanda sila.

They told me stories about their family. About Niko of course and many more.

"Niko you should tour Agatha around tomorrow, okay?" Bilin ng Mommy niya.

"It's okay, Tita.." nahihiya kong sabi. "I've been here a few times already.."

"Talaga?" She sound surprised.

"Opo.." i nodded and smiled.

They don't know me that much that's why I understand her suprised response.

"Akala ko all this time you grew up from the states." Lahad niya.

"No, Mi.." Niko replied. "She just went abroad 6 years ago.."

"Oh!" She sounded attentive. "Well, it's good you'll be here the coming days!" Masaya niyang sabi. "I'm excited to het to know you more.."

Nagkwentuhan pa sila habang nakikinig lamang ako. I smiled as I learned more about them. Late na nung nagpasya kaming matulog. I think it was already 3am when we went up. Magkahiwalay ang kwarto namin ni Niko. Even in the states, we didn't share the same apartment.

Hinatid muna ako ni Niko sa kwarto bago pumunta sa kwarto niya. He kissed my cheek softly and said our good nights.

Nagising nalamang ako kinabukasan sa masamang panahon. I glanced on time and it was already 1pm. Masyado atang napasarap ang tulog ko? Hindi manlang ako ginising ni Niko. Or is he alseep still?

Nagkibit balikat nalamang ako. I rushed to the cr to take a bath and quickly dressed up. Malamig ang panahon kaya nagsuot nalamang ako ng jacket pagkalabas ng kwarto.

"Nako, Ma'am.. mamasyal ka ba?" Naabutan ako ni Manang na palabas ng veranda.

"Hindi po.." nahihiya kong sabi at ngumiti.

"Masama ang panahon ngayon. Sayang at hindi kayo makakaligo sa dagat."

I glanced at the sea in front of me. Nasa tabing dagat ang beach house nila Niko. It was a few meter away from the shore line.

Totoong masama ang panahon. Madalim ang langit. Malakas ang ulan at hangin din. Ang alon ay maingay na humanampas sa dalampasigan at natatanaw ko ang malalaking alon kahit sa malayo.

It took me back to a familiar day. It was too familiar.

"Ma! Ma!" I said panicking.

Malakas ang ulan at hangin. Tumatakbo ako pabalik sa villa namin. It was my adrenaline rush that made me forget that it was thundering outside too.

"Ma!" I cried as I knocked on the door.

Mabilis na binuksan ni Mama ang pinto. Her facial expression changed when she saw me crying.

"A-anong nangyari?" Nangaalala niyang tanong.

"The boat ma!" I cried more.

I was wet. My hair scattered all over my face. I managed to swim. I not a fast swimmer but damn! I managed to swim going to the shore to get some help.

"I lost them, Ma!" Umiiyak kong sabi. "Anton and Aki! They're still there! I can't find them! The waves!" Halos di na maka hinga sa sobrang pagiyak. "My son!" Patuloy ang pagiyak ko. Nanginginig na sa takot.

Di ko namalayan na tumutulo na pala ang luha ko habang naka tanaw sa dagat.

I gasped as I heard Niko call me from far behind. I quickly wiped my tears. Sumingot pa muli ako bago tuluyang harapin siya.

"Aweee.." he pouted at me then looked at the sea. "Sayang.. the weather is bad." Then he hugged me. "Gusto ko pa naman mag fishing.."

Agad akong napa layo sakanya. "I-I don't like f-fishing.." mabilis kong sabi. Panay din ang iling ko.

"Why?" Napahawak siya sa magkabilang balikat ko. Nagaalalang tinignan ako.

"A-ayoko lang.." I swallowed hard

"Hmm.." umangat bigla ang labi niya. "Di ka marunong lumangoy noh?" Tukso niya.

But to me, it was more than just that.

"Anton!" I shouted out as I struggled to swim through the rough waves. "Aki!" I shouted more.

Panay ang linga linga ko kahit impossibleng may makita ako. Masyadong malakas ang ulan at alon. Kahit ang hangin ay malakas na halos di ko na mabuksan ang mata ko dahil sa hapdi.

"Please, Lord!!" Naiiyak ko nang sabi. I tried bery hard to swim. Kahit nakakalunok na ako ng tubig dagat. I navigated my way to the shore. I don't know how long it took me.

Panay ang ubo ko nung pasalampak akong napahiga saglit sa mabatong buhangin. I almost died!

I knew it was a bad idea to go fishing. But Anton was excited to teach Aki how to fish. He waited for Aki to be big enough before he can take him to fishing. Of course I had to see my son learn from his Dad.

Naisip kong madalim ang langit pero dahil sa excitement ng anak ko binalewala ko ang possibleng pagbugso ng ulan. It was stupid of me. Anton assured me that it won't rain. We have days here in Batangas before na ganito din pero hindi naman natutuloy ang ulan. Kaya nakumbinse din ako ng asawa na magpatuloy.

Sumakay kami sa di kalakihang bangka. Anton's family owned several fishing boats. Kaya magaling din si Anton mangisda. He wanted to teach Aki too at a young age.

But I never thought that things would turn up that way.

"Ibalik mo sa akin ang asawa at anak ko!" Malakas kong sigaw sa dagat habang umiiyak.

It was a week after their death. Hindi ako umalis ng resort. I stayed in the exact same villa. I refused to believe the sea took away my loved ones. Umaasa akong sa pag gising ko ay matatanaw ko ang mag-ama kong mahimbing ang tulog sa aking tabi. But everytime I wake up, my heart would always break. I would always shout at the sea. Umulan o umaraw lagi kong sinusumbat ang pagkuha niya sa mga mahal ko.

"Promise me you'll bring them back!" I shouted desperately. "Kahit hindi ngayon! Please! Ibalik mo lang sila!" I cried more.

"Tama na, Agatha..." inalo ako ni Mommy. She's now under the rain with me. "We can't bring them back anymore.." I can feel her crying too.

"Ahhhh!!!!" I shouted desperately at the sea. "Fuck this life!!"

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