We were chilling by the beach. The waves were perfect. And it was not that hot. I sipped my buko juice and laid on the chair.
“Here’s your buko juice again maam.”
“Thanks, Mario, is it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I have a question. Take a seat.”
“But ma’am, I’m on duty.”
“Nevermind that. I’ll talk to Eion about it if he fires you.”
“But-” He sighed, “Fine po.” Bahala na si Batman.”
That morning, I was busy chatting with Mario. I somehow… forced him to spill the beans and Eion’s secret, one of my plans and checklists to do.
“I remember that time when my dad took me to teach me how to run that boat, and I took Eion with me since we can’t be separated. We got back scolded by Uncle Adam saying Eion this and that, and he can’t swim so we-
I stopped sipping, “Wait wait wait. So you are saying he can’t swim?”
Mario’s eyes got wide. “Shit.” He cursed under his breath.
I smirked at his reaction. “Are you sure about it?”
He looked lost, looking around him but then surrendered and nodded his head yes. “Yes, ma’am. Gosh, Sir Eion will kill me.”
Raising my hand, I patted him and giggled. “He won’t.”
When there were not that many people, and it was in the afternoon where the waves were too big, I situated myself to the deep part. I mean, I can swim but not that perfectly especially to the deep parts, if you know what I mean.
The waves were too big. I swam for a while and went towards where Eion is not too far but enough for him to hear me.
Time to begin my action. I did a few swims and turns. But then, when I tried to fake drowning, it really happened. I slipped on a few small stones with the waves dragging me down. I yelped, reaching out to grab for something. My breath was hitching.
“H-help.” I managed to croak out.
Before I knew it there were arms grabbing my neck. I coughed some water when I was in the sand.
I managed to catch a sight of Eion’s head running back to the villa. I rested for a while. When I can get up, I followed him.
“Eion?” I knocked.
Silence. But there was coughing.
“Eion?” I called out again.
“Stay away.” was all I heard from him.
“From what?”
“Stay away. Just away…” He trailed off. I opened the door and I was greeted with him lying on his bed, sweating as his lips went pale. “Can you get my medicine?” He requested.
I nodded, looking around. “From where?”
“Damn it.” He cursed, groaning in pain again before replying, “The small pocket in my bag.”
I did as he said and gave him his medicine. He sat upright to drink it and went back on lying on his back.
I cleared my throat, wanting to start a conversation, “So you can swim after all? I thought….”
He glared at me. “So you planned it, didn’t you?”
I faked an innocent-victim face. “What are you talking about?”
He stopped, staring at me dead in the eye. “If I say I have a heart disease would you believe me?”
Heart disease?
Wait a minute. I stopped in my tracks at that.
“What heart disease…” I eye him nervously to see if he’s joking. But then he had this smile so I guess he is. I chuckled nervously at that. “Oh, Eion, your jokes are really like you… so deadly…”
He’s really joking, right? Right…
*****
That night, I went to talk to Mario again.
“Do you miss my handsomeness maam?”
I grinned at him. He seemed happy about seeing me. Then he froze, “Wait, I saw what you did maam! You shouldn’t have! Oh goodness!” He ruffled his hair in panic. “Patay kang bata ka.”
“What did you say?” I asked. I just cast it aside, “Nevermind that, I thought Eion can’t swim? And he acted strange earlier… he said something about heart disease?”
Mario’s eyes bulged out of its sockets, he almost choked at this. “Wow, hehe, I never knew he was now a joker.”
“I know right?” I punched him lightly on his shoulder. I looked behind us if he was in danger or his manager was present. Spotting him nowhere to be seen, I grinned and turned back to Mario. “Can we eat some… mangoes with that fish sauce-bagoong and Durian while we talk?”
“Sure, ma’am.” He agreed. I raised my hand to high-five him. Good boy.
It’s now our third day, which means tomorrow is the last. Right now, Eion is nowhere, I was curious so I asked Luke and according to him, Eion was managing the business and having meetings here and there.
And these days I have been finding myself having fun with Mario.
“Mario!” I called out when spotting him from a distance. He was in his casual clothes so I guess he is now on his day off.
“Hello Maam Snow! Kamusta na po?”
He also taught me a few phrases here. “Okay lang naman.” I replied. It was now becoming our greeting with each other. Kamusta na po means How are you…
I looked down and saw children clutching Mario’s legs tightly, shyly staring up at me. I think they are about 5 to 10 years old. A smile instantly broke out of my face “Who are these kids?” I asked, suddenly remembering my little brother Nathan back home.
“They are my nephews and nieces,” Marion answered. “Perfect maam Snow because we’re about to play. Wanna join?”
“Of course, you don’t have to ask me that.” I beamed. “Hi kids! I am Snow. Snow Waterstrings.”
Mario looked at them. “Ate Snow. Ate Snow tawag nyo sakanya, okay?” (Ate Snow. Ate Snow should be the name you’ll call her okay?”)
“Okay!” They all agreed and now releases their grip to Mario.
“Now, pakilala na kayo kay Ate Snow para makasimula na tayo. English ha para maintindihan nya.” Mario urged the children. I stopped him, “English? It’s okay. I should be the one who should be adjusting so it’d be fine for them to speak Tagalog.”
Mario just shrugged and said, “Okay let’s start.”
“Hi! My-my name is… Mark.” A kid who’s the smallest started stuttering. I smiled at him to which he blushed. Awe, so cute!
“Ako naman po si Beatrice. Bea for short!” A little girl came next. She introduced herself proudly and with elegance. Hmm… I could see this girl growing to be like Hannah.
“And I’m Angelo. Seven years old!” A little boy exclaimed, showing me his 5 fingers. I giggled at that.
“Ate Snow ang ganda mo po at gusto po kita!” (Ate Snow you’re so pretty and I like you!) I looked at the child behind me, clutching my heart in shock as he yelled at me.
Mario’s eyes widened and scolded the kid. He looked at me apologetically. I mouthed him ‘It’s fine’. Besides, I didn’t really understand that except the ganda part which means pretty. “Thank you!” And you are?”
“Jeremy! Jeremy po! Can I have your number?”