A Trip With Danger

Leon texted me that Jason took off with Melinda and couldn't be contacted and the girls requested for a side trip so we will be meeting them for dinner at the resort.

Meanwhile, Gregory and I were busy indulging ourselves with the view at the seaside road. There were coco and palm trees lining along the street. The loud crash of sea waves; salty and fresh breeze; and the animal sounds echoing in this empty road cured my homesickness.

"I like it here," he finally broke the silence.

"Nice, right? Thirty-five years ago, this was just an empty virgin island until Dad bought it. Aside from the fact that he saw some business potential in this place, he fell in love with this too. Some people from the other islands started living here after Dad put up an exclusive resort here. This is where I grew up too after my parents separated."

"Wait, so you were an island girl?" Gregory asked, seemed surprise."You don't look like one."

"Oh, yeah? I left the island ten years ago when I started college at fifteen after dad died. I came back here for vacation at least twice a year."

"Sorry to hear about your dad. College at fifteen? That's incredible."

"No, it's not. I was robbed with my youth. I couldn't even enjoy college at MIT since I was too young. I was homeschooled before since I was smart beyond my years. Mum made me took a test which I passed and had me advance to college. Seriously, it was the worst years of my life which is not the case for the rest like you and Jason."

"Yeah, my university days were the best. I met Jason, had my last taste of freedom."

"Speaking of taste, we should be having our lunch by now."

Along the road, I saw an old man walking carrying a pole on his shoulder with two large baskets full of coconuts on both ends. An ache formed in my heart since he was too old to be doing such hard labor.

I made Gregory stop the car and I went down.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Gregory called out.

The old man stopped on his tracks when he saw me. He was as confused as Gregory, who was now out of the truck. My eyes lit up when I recognized the old man.

"Grandpa Jack?" I ran to his side. He put down his pole and cleaned his hands since I was reaching out for it to bring close on my forehead, a local practice of the islanders to respect the elders. "It's me, Missy!"

The old man looked up to me and smiled at the recognition. "Ah, Missy! You're back! We missed you here!"

I hugged the old man whose back was already bending forward due to old age. "I missed you too. Wait! What are you doing? Ain't this too hard for you already?" pointing to the two baskets of coconuts.

"Ah, I have already retired many years back but uhm, you know, my body misses this. I might get sick more if I stayed at the house the whole day. Who's this foreign looking man with you?" Grandpa Jack was referring to Gregory.

"Ah, this is Gregory, a family friend. Gregory, this is Grandpa Jack, a coconut expert slash landscape artist." I bumped Gregory's elbow. I signaled him to get Grandpa's hand and bring it to his forehead. He did it awkwardly but Grandpa Jack smiled at his innocence.

"Are you going home?" I asked Grandpa Jack.

"Ah, yes. My truck was parked over there. Ah, wait, it is almost lunchtime. Why won't the both of you come to our house and eat? Your Grandma Ani will be thrilled to see you."

I looked at Gregory and he shrugged. "Is it okay though?" he asked. "Yeah, it's better not to turn down a humble invitation." I whispered.

"Ah, 'kay, kids. Follow my truck." Grandpa bent down to pick up his pole. Gregory immediately stepped in to do it himself. "Grandpa, I'll do it." Gregory offered.

"Ah, if you insist, young man. Thank you."

Gregory bent down, placed the pole on his shoulder and he almost stumbled when he finally stood.

"Hey, are you okay?" I checked on him since he wasn't used to this.

He smirked. "Missy," mimicking my nickname, "I have carried heavier weights than this. I just need a little adjustment," he proudly stated.

"Oh, yeah?" I raised my eyebrows at him as he struggling to keep his balance.

"How did Grandpa carry this in his state?" He asked as we walk together behind Grandpa.

"Well, he grew up doing this. A lifetime of experience did."

"It sure isn't easy."

I looked at him and beads of sweat formed at his forehead.

"Wait, you're sweating already?" I teased him.

"It's the heat, Missy," he laughed as he struggled. "I can't let an old man beat me."

My boisterous laugh echoed on the empty street. Luckily, Grandpa Jack was a few feet away from us and probably didn't hear our banter.

"Wait, I got to take a photo of this," I took out my phone. "I can't wait to tell everyone that a Lee-Warren can't keep up with an old man."

"Oh, come on. That's unfair," he retorted. I started snapping him photos and I watched him keeping it cool under pressure. "In all fairness, you're a like a hot coco man here," I said as I review his photos.

"Oh, yeah? You think I'm hot?" I was taken aback by his remark.

"You're just so full of yourself," I replied. "You think you're still cool?" I started to poke him at his side that he wriggled much and some coconuts fell to the ground. Grandpa Jack shook his head, laughing as he leaned on his truck.

I started picking up the fallen coconuts. Gregory made it to the back of the truck and transferred the baskets. Grandpa Jack told us to drive after him.

"You think you can get away with it?" Gregory warned as we walked back to the truck. Then, out of the blue, he trapped me under his arm and poked my side too. I felt like a melting ice cream. I writhed as he tickled me and tried to run away. He just found my weakest spot.

"Gregory, stop it!" I tried to slap his hand away. Suddenly, it felt like we were in a romantic movie: chasing each other around like lovers; everything becomes light yellow; moving in slow motion; and our laughter sounds like were in love and happy. I managed to get away from Gregory hiding behind the truck. In that moment, a mix of giddiness and cringe fought inside me. God, that was so cheesy but a part of me actually loved every minute of it. Why was I doing that to myself?

He was still laughing and planned to run after me but Grandpa Jack honked his truck. "You lovebirds have to eat. Let's go," he shouted and drove away.

Lovebirds? Is that what we looked like? Why did my ears warm up upon hearing it? I tried to hide my smile.

But then Gregory just shook his head. "Crazy old man. Now, let's get you up, KID."

In a second, my little fantasy world was shattered. Kid? Did he think of me as a child? I remembered when he said he didn't want to be a brother to me. He actually wanted me to be his lover. But he was drunk then. So, what was that? A sibling moment?

Gregory felt that I was surprisingly quiet after that "sibling moment". I felt bullshit.

"Anything wrong?" he asked, agitated.

I smiled at him like nothing happened. "Yeah, I am just starving."

"Guess what? I am too."

Yeah, right. I hope you felt what I felt too.

Grandpa Jack's house is a two-story stone house at the foot of a hill with coconut trees around.

When we walked inside, we were at awe by its amazing interior. Wood furniture matched the brownish stone wall. They have this tiny fireplace and small chandelier in the living room. The last time I went here, it was just a hut. Grandpa Jack led us to the open patio on the side of the house overlooking the sea. Grandma Ani almost dropped the dish when she saw me.

"Ah, Missy!" She called as she put down the dish and took off her gloves. I ran to her and reached for her hand too. "Ah, I thought Jack here was kidding when he called me you're coming over. We missed you here at Del Carmen. Look at you, you've grown beautifully." She had me twirl around like she always do to me when I was younger. Grandpa Jack and Grandma Ani were like real grandparents to me as I lived here in the island. "Ah, who's this charming young man with you? Your boyfriend?"

Gregory smiled and reached for her hand. He was a fast-learner. "Hi, I'm Gregory. A friend of Jason and Artemis."

"Ah, so, not a boyfriend?" Grandma Ani unabashedly asked.

I faked a laugh and led Grandma away from Gregory. "Wait, I didn't get my answer yet."

I tried to say no but no words came out of my mouth.

"Ah, let them eat first, dear," Grandpa Jack called.

Grandma Ani prepared a feast for us. Everything was local food. I was worried that Gregory might not like it. "Gregory, will you be okay?" I whispered. "I'll be fine. I've eaten a lot of local foods already and so far, I'm loving it." He whispered back. Then a hand slid through my back and rubbed it. A reassuring gesture of Gregory but it just made me shiver. I could never get used the way Gregory behaved around me. His actions can be easily misinterpreted.

We enjoyed the meal, especially Gregory. He tried all the dishes and couldn't stop praising Grandma Ani's cooking skills. Now, Grandma Ani adored him.

"Ah, Missy, you got yourself a great man," she said as I helped her with the dishes.

"Grandma Ani, he isn't my MAN. He's just a friend," I corrected her, feeling a little hurt.

"Ah, well, but are the both of you getting there? I mean, you two looked better together," Grandma Ani teases as she bumped my hip.

"I don't think so. I mean, he is Jason's best friend."

"Ah, so what? Your grandpa Jack is my brother's friend too."

"But Grandpa was in love with YOU," I said trying to imply a fact.

Grandma Ani just let out a sigh. "Ah, but, do you like him?"

Trying to dodge her blatant question, I replied, "My point is, in the end, no matter how good the both of you look together if you don't feel the same way with each other, it's still nothing, Grandma Ani."

"Ah, you didn't answer my question dear," she said impatiently. "If I was your age, I would definitely go out with him."

"Stop it, Grandma. That's not gonna happen," I said half-heartedly.

"What's not gonna happen?" Gregory announced as he emerged out from the dining room. Grandma and I jumped at his sudden appearance.

Grandma Ani turned to him and asked. "Ah, Gregory, dear, would you go out with a girl like my Artemis, here?"

I almost dropped the plate as I heard her. "Grandma Ani!" I complained. "Stop. I'm so sorry, Greg---"

"Yeah, definitely," he answered without batting an eye then he smiled at us.

"Ah, good answer, young man. See, Artemis, Gregory here has an excellent taste in women," Grandma Ani remarked as she rinsed the last plate.

I shook my head at them. "But I don't think that's gonna happen," I said emotionless.

"What made you so sure about that?" Gregory was challenging me.

Wait? I thought he saw of me as a kid then he was thinking differently this time. Gregory changes his mind like how a girl changes clothes, as Katy Perry once said.