Shipwrecked Hearts

4

Kabanata 4

I cherished the elegance of the bouncy queen bed and let the flowery aroma of the silky fabric sooth my nostrils. I can feel the sun peeking through the glass door of the veranda. What a dream it was. Becoming a pirate, meeting this sexy and hunky pirate Maximo who happens to be the king of all pirates, then going to Anarchist Harbor, an ancient island he owns. What a flop.

Ano nga bang klaseng panaginip iyon? It felt so real, especially the overflowing emotions, the adrenaline rush, everything.

Bumangon na ako sa kama, kumunot ang noo ko sapagkat kakaiba ang interior ng kwarto. I don’t remember my cabin in this cruise ship to be this large. Nagulat ako nang may kumatok, tumingin ako sa puting pintuan at kumunot-noo. My room’s door was black, now it’s white?

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang isang babaeng nakasalong, I gasped in horror. “Para kang nakakita ng multo, Ms. Kara.” Ngumiti si Pearl sa akin.

“I-I... I thought everything was a dream.” And if it was, I should have never woken up. That dream felt like the best one, even though my life seemed to be on the line.

“Ganyan talaga kapag naninibago ka pa.” Ngumiti siya sa akin, tumingin ako sa dala-dala niyang cart na may lamang mga pagkain. “I brought you breakfast.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” Tumungo ako sa coffee table at umupo sa sofa, isa-isang nilapag naman ni Pearl ang mga pagkain. Dahil nagugutom na rin naman ako ay nagsimula na akong kumain. “Ikaw? Hindi ka pa kumakain?”

“Hindi pa, Ms. Kara.”

“Mmh, ayaw mong sumabay sa akin?”

Umiling siya. “It is f*******n and against the tradition. Hindi pwedeng makisabay ang housemaid sa kanyang amo sapagkat hindi sila nasa parehong estado ng buhay.” Pagpapaliwanag niya sa akin.

Kumunot ang noo ko. “I beg to disagree. We’re all humans. I don’t see the reason why people try to divide themselves with classes and systems. Aristocrats, middle class, poor. f**k all of it.” Saad ko at saka kumagat sa hotdog. “Come on, Pearl. Sabayan mo akong kumain. Mas nakakaganang kumain kapag may kasama.”

“I gladly decline the offer.”

“I’m not offering you, I’m ordering you.”

Halata ang gulat sa mukha ni Pearl ngunit ngumiti rin siya at tumango, “with pleasure.” Aniya sabay upo sa sofa sa harapan ko.

Ngumiti naman ako at saka kami nagsimulang kumain. “And Pearl, it is only proper that you call me by my name, Kara. Okay?” Sasalungat na naman sana siya nang unahan ko siya, “again, that is an order.”

“Sige po, Kara.”

“And stop using po. I hate formality, let’s just be casual if it’s only the two of us.”

“Sige, Kara.”

I smiled, satisfied. “Better.”

Nang tapos na kaming kumain ay agad na inayos ni Pearl ang mga pinagkainan. Saktong iyon ay bumukas ang pinto, “Pearl.”

Tumingin kaming dalawa sa pintuan at nakita roon si Maximo, Pearl curtsied as a respect. Mabilis namang naglakad paalis si Pearl dala ang cart.

Nang naiwan na lang kaming dadalawa sa aking kwarto ay sinara ni Maximo ang pinto. “You didn’t tell me your father’s a governor.”

“How did you know?”

“Connections.” Simpleng sagot ni Maximo. “There are perks of being me. Remember when I told you I had errands to run? I dealt with my connections.”

“Ang sabihin mo, pinaimbestigahan mo ako. Tell me more about what you found out.”

“Sure.” Ngumisi siya at saka naglakad palapit sa akin, he didn’t even deny my assumption!

I can hear the deep footsteps of his combat boots as he come closer to me. “I found out that you were getting married and you got stood up and that your fiancé is gay. That your family didn’t believe you and chose to send you away, in a cruise ship.”

“You’re like a stalker.”

“It is only proper to know those who are a part of my crew.”

“Since you know me already, it is only nothing but proper to tell me also something about you.” I smirked. “So, captain, tell me something about you.” I challenged.

Tila malalim siyang nag-isip. “What do you wanna know?”

“Anything.”

“I’m the king of all pirates, I own this island, I’m the captain of Renaissance Pirates, my eyes have different colors.”

I did a mental pout, “I already know all those things.”

“And apparently, that’s all I am.” Sagot naman niya sa akin.

Still not satisfied, I continued. “Okay, what about your family?” Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Pearl sa akin kaninang madaling-araw. Ang mga naninirahan dito ay mga nasa matataas na hierarchy, but she did not include Maximo’s family.

I saw Maximo clench his jaw. It seems like I’ve asked something sensitive.

“Okay, don’t mind.” Pagbawi ko.

Ngumiti si Maximo sa akin, “I don’t have a family.” Saad niya. “Anyways, I came here to tell you that we’re about to set sail and raid. Isa kang kapitana ng barko, right?” I nodded. “Let’s see how competent you are as a captain. If you pass my standards with todays’ raid, I’ll make you a squadron leader. And if you don’t pass, let’s not get there.” Ngumisi si Maximo, “starfish, I just want to tell you that the pirate council who keeps the order of the pirate world has decided that you prove yourself worthy today. Don’t disappoint me now.” He whispered to my ears.

Lumunok naman ako dahil sa bawat paghambas ng kanyang mainit na hininga sa aking tainga. “Wait, I don’t get it.”

“They want you to prove yourself and to see how competent you are. Impress me, no, impress us. Use your background with ships and commanding for today. Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you the entire time, to be your guide. As for now, you better go and take a bath. We’ll be sailing in an hour. Marco will come and get you as I will be busy checking Treasure Trove.”

Masyado na naman akong nabigla sa mga nangyayari. Maximo really loves surprising me, don’t he?

“I’m taking my leave, starfish.” Aniya at saka tumalikod para umalis. Nang wala na si Maximo sa kwarto ay tila nag-iba ang aura ng kwarto, it felt like something was missing. I shook the thought away and went to the bathroom. I already saw the lukewarm water in the bathtub waiting to be used, then there were petals of white roses that gave a gardenlike scent.

Naghubad na ako at saka pumasok sa bathtub.

It soothed me and calmed my senses, the smell of the roses quite made me focused and released me from all confusion. When I let the water drench my body, I felt all worries and the words of Maximo sink in into my mind and soul. I wasn’t officially a part of his pirate crew yet. I needed to prove myself worthy. They want to test me.

I smiled to myself. Challenge accepted.

After the nice bath, I did my personal necessities. I brushed my teeth and my hair. Dahil basa pa ito ay wala pa ang kulot na mga dulo nito. My old friends were envious of the natural curly tips of my hair, I kind of got it from my dad, who happens to be a governor, he’s actually gonna be a presidential candidate in the near republican election. Kaya naman sinisiraan kami ng media. That’s why they’re saying I cheated Vanz. Para madungisan ang pangalan ni papa.

Umahon na ako sa bathtub, I took the bathrobe that was stitched with floral designs. Lumabas na ako sa banyo at tumungo sa wardrobe, I opened it and saw a pair of black undies, then a white long sleeve, the fabric was thin as it was almost see-through. Then a weirdly embroidered dark blue tuxedo, along with it was a black leather pants, then dirty brown combat boots.

Sinuot ko iyon at tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. I’m quite surprised Pearl got my measurements right. I smiled at myself at the mirror, this pirate-ish dress is quite complimenting the curves of my body.

Saktong iyon ay bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Marco, I saw him enter through the mirror. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. “Hindi ka ba tinuruang kumatok?”

“If I am to be here and fetch you or whatever, let’s assume once a day. It’d consume 10 seconds just by knocking and waiting for your response. 10 seconds multiplied by 365 days of a year is equals 3,650 seconds wasted, if converted into hours is estimated 61 hours, in days, that’d be 2 days and 5 hours. I don’t like wasting time.”

I rolled my eyes. But I hid a smile, I was quite pleased. So he is a great Mathematician, eh? And here I thought pirates were lumads. Unschooled. Uneducated.

“Ano pa ang tinatayo mo dyan? Let’s go!” Saad niya sabay tingin sa pendant niyang orasan. I rolled my eyes at his back and followed him.

Lumabas na kami sa palasyo, natanaw ko naman mula sa aking pwesto ang buong isla. The ancient buildings were color cream, there were flags, tinanaw ko naman ang karagatan na puno ng mga barko. All of this is owned by Alexander Renaissance. Just how rich and powerful is he? How can the outside world not know of this paradise?

“Lakad.” Halata ang inip sa boses ni Marco.

“Can’t we take our time? Sa lahat ba ng bagay nagmamadali ka?”

“As I said, I don’t like wasting time.”

“There’s a difference between taking your time and wasting your time.” I debated.

He hissed. “Bilisan mong maglakad kung ayaw mong maiwan.” Aniya habang mabilis na naglalakad. I sighed and followed him, nang nasa baba na kami kung saan ang mga bahay ay kakaunti lamang ang mga tao. Perhaps most here are nocturnal. Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Pearl, mas may buhay ang isla tuwing gabi dahil doon nagkakaroon ng mga barter trade.

“This city is called Jolly Roger.” Marco said out of the blue, “though people just say it’s Anarchist Harbor, actually, Anarchist Harbor is simply the name of the island, not the city itself.”

Tumango naman ako. “Well, thank you for educating me.”

He nodded and walked again in his fast pace. Umiling na lang ako. He needs to chill sometimes!

When we were at the port, we were confronted by 10 different men in their pirate suits. Marco faked a cough and all of them stood still. “This lady here is going to be our temporary captain.” They looked at me as if measuring me and judging me. I looked at them the same way too. I found half of them attractive as the other half were a little old, or aging. “Introduce yourself.” Utos ni Marco sa akin.

“I’m Akira Kara.” I smiled.

“That’s it?” Marco frowned.

“Don’t like wasting time.” I said, mimicking him.

He smirked. “Y’all speak your names like your captain!”

“Nick, the Navigator.” Ani ng unang lalaki. Ngumiti ito sa akin. Okay, he’s charming. Too charming.

“Eli, the cook.”

“Charles.” And so on.

“And I’m John Marco Polo, I’ll be your observing you.” Saad ni Marco. “Now that you know your crew’s names, this is...” he pointed the ship in front of me, “Siren Steel.” I get it why it was named like that.

The tip of the ship was decorated with a steel-sculpture of a mermaid. It was beautiful. The ship was mostly of silver, it was shining with the Sun’s kiss. “Say your first order to your crew.”

“Um...” I hesitated, “let’s board on Siren Steel!”

“Aye!” Sigaw nilang lahat at isa-isang umakyat papunta roon.

I nervously heaved a breath and followed. When I was already on board the ship. I couldn’t help but smile, it feels like I already own the ship itself. “This is the ship’s blueprint. Siren Steel is one of the best ship for defense, but is slower than Treasure Trove as it is mostly of steel.” Marco discussed. “Siren Ship is not designed for close combat but is the best ship to use when we’re talking about distance, it is impenetrable with any explosives and cannons.”

“So today, you will serve as the support or defense for Maximo’s raid, this is gonna be crucial as we’re dealing with fully protected cargo ship that carries advanced weaponry.” What?! Okay, isa akong kapitana ng barko pero wala akong background tungkol sa mga battles!

“Okay.” I gulped. “So what’s the battle plan?”

“I’m glad you’re following.” Marco smiled. Tumungo kami sa may mesa kung saan may naka-pin na papel. “This is the plan.” Turo ni Marco sa tatlong barko. “This middle ship is the cargo ship which is our target. This ship on its right side which is the closest is Treasure Trove manned by Maximo and his crew. On the other hand, that ship on the left, which is the farthest is Siren Steel, we will sink the both once it has been looted.”

“How?”

“Are you seriously asking that?” Marco asked in disbelief, tinuro niya ang mga cannons at iba pang explosive ng barko. “Don’t worry, I’m with you. Though I won’t do much work, I’ll be just observing you as instructed by Maximo. But once I see things are getting out of hand, I’ll take charge and you fail by default.”

I nodded, as his words sink in my mind. I came to an unsettling realization. How many are on board that target ship? How many will die at my command?

“Commence mission.” Umupo si Marco sa gilid ng mesa. “Captain, your command?”

I heaved a heavy breath and yelled. “Avast ye! Set sail!”