They watched the sunrise in the east together. They were sitting in the gazebo they had visited the day before. The waves were calm that morning, and the cool breeze brushed against Azora’s skin. Lamech, his brows furrowed, gazed into the distance, thinking about the doctor’s words and occasionally glancing at Azora.
When the surroundings were fully illuminated and the sun had risen high, Lamech invited Azora to return to the resort for breakfast. As they walked along the shoreline, Lamech noticed something in the distance that made him stop.
Azora, who had also stopped, glanced at him. “Lamech?” she asked.
Lamech’s brows knitted together as he watched a woman clad only in undergarments approaching their direction with a camera. Although he couldn’t see her face, he knew it was Clara, the woman who had taken photos of him and Azora and was Sena’s guardian. His jaw tightened. Was this reporter following them?
He took Azora’s hand and smiled slightly at her. Just then, Clara stopped in front of them and looked up at him. She raised her eyebrows and glanced between him and Azora. She lowered her camera and frowned.
“Are you following me?” she asked irritably.
Lamech’s eyes narrowed. “That should be my question.”
“What? I just wanted a stress-free vacation here in Santander, but here you are, showing up suddenly! Now tell me you’re not following me!”
Lamech’s frown deepened. He shook his head at her shouting and pulled Azora past Clara.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!” Clara shouted after them.
But he didn’t look back. He continued back to the resort with Azora, who had been silent the whole time. When they reached the small dining area, he turned to her. She was already zoning out. This confirmed what Hana had said about what triggers Azora’s symptoms.
He cupped her cheeks and caught her gaze. After a moment, she came back to herself and asked what had happened, to which he only smiled.
He pulled out a chair for Azora. Not long after, the waiter served their food. Just then, Clara entered the dining area, now wearing a robe.
Lamech and Clara’s eyes met. Clara rolled her eyes while Lamech frowned. Why did he keep running into her wherever he went?
He didn’t mind seeing Clara frequently, but he didn’t trust the camera she was holding. She might take photos of him and Azora without his knowledge. Reporters were like that, and he knew this from his interactions with them during his time in the trial court.
“Lamech?” Azora’s voice snapped him out of his deep thoughts.
He looked at her and smiled. “Just eat,” he said, glancing occasionally at Clara.
Clara sat at a table across from theirs, so Lamech could see her whenever he looked past Azora. Azora seemed to notice this and turned around. He couldn’t stop her in time and closed his eyes in frustration.
“Are you interested in that girl?” Azora asked. Her voice was unchanged, making him more anxious. He couldn’t predict the impact on Azora’s mental health.
“No,” he immediately denied.
“Really?” Azora shook her head, picked up the coconut juice, and took a sip. “I thought you liked her. I was going to set you up with her.”
Lamech raised an eyebrow at that. “You know her?”
Azora’s brows knitted together. She glared at him, making him sit up straight. What? Did he say something wrong?
“I thought you’re not interested in that girl,” she said flatly.
“No, I’m not interested.” He chuckled. “What are you thinking?”
“That men will always be men. The same species as other boys out there who like virtually attractive girls,” she said, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.
Lamech frowned and laughed. “Where do you get those weird stereotypes, huh?” He picked up the serving spoon and placed two large shrimp on Azora’s plate. “Stop thinking ridiculous ideas. It’s not good for you.”
“I can’t help it,” she admitted. Azora sighed and looked away. “They left me behind… for girls and for other things they deemed more important than me.”
“I’m still here,” he said, holding her hand on the table.
Azora looked at his hand holding hers. “Soon, you’ll leave me too.”
“Azora,” he admonished. “I will not leave you, okay?”
Azora withdrew her hand and looked down. She smiled sadly. “That’s what they said, but see? I was left alone by the same people who promised me. Don’t say those words or, better yet, don’t promise me at all.”
Lamech fell silent at Azora’s words. He could see the sadness in her eyes. How deep was the pit she had fallen into that even he didn’t know what to say or do to lighten her mood?
Not knowing what else to say, he contented himself with holding Azora’s hand and occasionally squeezing it. They continued eating, but when he noticed Clara standing up, he looked at her. She glanced at him before quickly leaving the dining area. Lamech’s brows furrowed deeply. Did she do something he wouldn’t like?
He hadn’t noticed he had fallen into deep thought. He only returned to reality when Azora called him. She asked what was wrong, but he shook his head and continued eating.
After breakfast, they went to the small library recently built by the beach resort owner. Most of the books there were Tagalog romance novels, so Azora eagerly searched for a good book. Soon, she was seated in front of the tea table, reading intently, oblivious to her surroundings.
Lamech sat across from her, looking out at the vast ocean. The water sparkled under the sun. He guessed it was around ten in the morning. When he looked at Azora, she was still engrossed in her book. He leaned back in his chair.
At that moment, he saw Clara enter the library out of the corner of his eye. Their eyes met, and his brows furrowed. He suspected she was following him. Clara looked away and pretended to look for a book on the shelf.
Lamech glanced at Azora before standing up and pulling Clara behind a tall bookshelf where Azora couldn’t see them.
“Are you following us?” he asked in a low voice, his brow furrowed and staring intently at Clara. Her expression didn’t change.
“Don’t accuse me of your own doing.”
He laughed derisively and tightly grabbed Clara’s wrist, raising it. She was holding her camera. “Are you spying on us? Who paid you?”
“What are you talking about?” she asked irritably. She yanked her hand away and hung the camera strap around her neck.
She sneered at him and was about to step away, but he quickly cornered her. “Just tell me who paid you, and I’ll pay you three times as much.”
She glared at him and then laughed derisively. “I am not for sale, Mr. Lepanto. Let go, or I’ll kick you where the sun doesn’t shine,” she threatened.
Lamech’s eyes narrowed at her. When he didn’t let go, she suddenly kneed him between the legs. Lamech gasped and clutched the spot. His teeth clenched in pain as sweat beaded on his forehead.
Clara sneered and pushed him. Lamech stumbled back and knelt in pain.
“Serves you right,” Clara said, smirking at him before walking away.
Lamech bowed his head and held the ground. The noise of his knees hitting the floor and his occasional deep breaths caught Azora’s attention.
She put down her book and looked around. “Lamech?” she called.
“I’m here,” he said in a low voice.
The librarian had been watching him since Clara kneed him but gestured for her to stay quiet and not approach. He didn’t want Azora to know he had been talking to another woman, fearing what she might think.
He managed to stand up and smiled at Azora when she saw him. She raised an eyebrow at him as she approached. “You’re sweating,” Azora said.
He discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. “It’s nothing.” He put his arm around Azora and led her back to their table.
Azora handed him the book she had been reading, but she shook her head. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” He smiled.
Azora didn’t ask any more questions. She took the book he handed her and sat back down in her chair. He excused himself to get some fresh air outside. Azora told him not to stay outside too long. He smiled but the smile faded as he turned away.
He could still feel the pain between his legs. When he looked at the librarian, she was smirking at him, but he knew it was partly teasing. Due to the policy of maintaining silence in the library, the librarian had an excuse not to ask if he was okay. He didn’t think about it anymore and went outside the small library.
He went to the shade of a coconut tree a few meters from the beach. He leaned against the tree, crossing his arms as he looked out at the vast ocean. He planned to stay there until the pain subsided. His teeth clenched again in irritation.
First Sena, and now her sister Clara. What was it with these two women? His brow furrowed.
He took his cellphone from his pocket and connected to the wifi. He knew the password as it was provided at reception. Once online, he researched Clara and Sena. But there wasn’t much information, except that they were daughters of a local supermarket owner and Clara worked for a local publication.
“I think I didn’t kick you
hard enough,” said a voice. He looked towards it and saw Clara, arms crossed and glaring at him. “You’re suspecting me of being a spy, yet here you are, searching my life on the internet? Might as well ask me personally than look for false information on your small phone.”
He put his phone away. “Are you here to admit it?”
“Admit what?” She sneered. “I’m here to enjoy this beach, but when I saw you on the shore, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed for not sending your picture back to my superior. At least, I could get a higher bonus this Christmas.”
“If money is the reason you’re here, then I’m willing to pay you.”
“No need. I don’t need or want your money.”
“Then why are you following us around?” he asked.
“Following you?” Clara laughed. “I should be the one asking you that. Why are you following me? I’ve been here since yesterday!”
His brows furrowed, and he looked away. “What do you want?”
“Another scoop.”
He glared at Clara but then his expression softened. “Look, Miss Clara, I know you’re doing this for a living. But I don’t want people to know we are here in Santander. I thought we agreed on this when I deleted that image from your camera.”
“Really?” She rolled her eyes at him. “You just deleted my shot without my permission. Is that right, huh?”
“I had to do that.”
She stared at him sharply before walking away. He watched her go and shook his head. When would Clara leave him alone?
He spent a few more hours under the coconut tree before inviting Azora to lunch. Afterward, they went back to their hotel room to rest. He planned to swim in the sea with Azora at five in the afternoon. It wouldn’t be good for Azora to swim too early when the water was cold. At least in the afternoon, the water would still be warm before it cooled down at night.
Soon, it was afternoon. Azora changed into a t-shirt and shorts while Lamech wore swimming trunks. He noticed Azora’s cheeks blush when she glanced at him. He smiled, but he didn’t tease her.
They walked hand-in-hand to the beach. The sun was low, and the sky was orange. A few birds flew over the waves.
They stepped into the water, and Azora gasped at the coldness. Lamech laughed. He picked her up and ran towards the deeper part of the sea.
“Lamech!” Azora screamed, clutching his shoulders tightly. She hit his bare chest. “Put me down!” she shouted.
The water reached his chest, and he set Azora down. Noticing that the water was up to her lips, Azora quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
He smiled playfully at her. “I put you down.”
Azora pouted. “You’re annoying!”
He laughed. He placed his hands on her lower back and neck. “Are you cold?” he asked.
“Hmmm…” Azora squinted her eyes. “Kind of.”
He smiled and pulled her closer. “Better?”
Azora smiled too. “I can’t enjoy the sea if you hold me like this.”
“Take a deep breath,” he instructed.
Azora took a deep breath, and he submerged himself with her underwater. Azora’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. A few bubbles escaped from her mouth, and soon she ran out of air. Her nails dug into his shoulders.
In that moment, he kissed her, letting his air flow into her. It was their first underwater kiss.
After a few moments, he hugged Azora and surfaced. They both gasped for air and stared at each other. Azora hugged him, and he wrapped his arms around her.
Azora smiled. Before she could speak, he heard a click from the shore. He turned and saw Clara with her camera, the lens pointed at them.
Lamech blinked and quickly set Azora down. He swam back to the shore as Clara ran away. His lips tightened, and he chased after her. He caught her behind a small cottage.
“Let me go!” Clara shouted, struggling in his grip.
He quickly grabbed the camera and looked for the photos. But he couldn’t find what he was looking for, and Clara was too aggressive. She jumped on him, and he fell to the sand with her on top of him.
She laughed when she retrieved the camera from him. She smirked mockingly. “What now, Mr. Lepanto?”
He was about to grab the camera again when Clara caught both his hands and placed the camera out of his reach. She brought her face close to his, making him stop.
“Such a lousy guy. You even left Ms. Briones in the sea.”
He pushed Clara aside and quickly stood up. He looked at the camera but didn’t wrestle with her again and ran back to the sea.
He had left Azora!
His heart pounded as he thought about the possibility of Azora zoning out in the middle of the sea. He cursed himself repeatedly. Why did he leave Azora in the sea?
He saw Azora in the deeper part of the sea. He quickly waded in and swam towards her, his anxiety increasing as a large wave formed in the distance.
“Azora!” he shouted, taking larger steps. “Azora!” he called.
But she seemed to be zoning out, not responding or moving. The water was up to her lips, and if the large wave hit her, she would be in danger.
“Azora! Azora!”
His breathing became heavier, and a sharp pain formed in his chest. He shouldn’t have left Azora. He shouldn’t have!
Just as the large wave hit Azora, he reached her and hugged her. He covered her nose and mouth, and they both went underwater. He struggled against the current, lifting Azora above the water while trying to stand.
He took a breath and quickly headed for the shore. He laid Azora down and tried to catch her gaze, but she didn’t regain consciousness.
He brought his ear close to her nose but didn’t feel any breath. He quickly performed CPR. Soon, she coughed. He turned her to her side and gently patted her back.