Chapter Text
"Huy."
A hand started to pat at Ragatha's shoulder gently to get her attention. "Rags, sama ka?"
(Rags, are you coming with us?)
The girl being asked was idly doodling horses at the back of her notebook. These were her family's horses back in the province where they had their own farm. She missed riding out with them.
"Huh?" She replied, looking up from her drawings. "Sama... saan?"
(Coming with you... where?)
"Roadtrip! May promo sila ngayon, o," Ragatha's friend with a bobcut said, turning her laptop screen to face her.
(On a roadtrip! They have a promo right now, look.)
Sure enough, when she looked, a post about a roundtrip package going to Siquijor and back for five people written in capslock and accompanied by a mediocrely edited picture of a boat on neon blue water with bubbly font spelling out "Barkada Promo."
(Friend Promo)
"Edi boat trip, tanga," another voice from behind her said. "Mag-ro-roro tayo. Ano ka, magdridrive sa tubig?"
(Then it's called a boat trip, dumbass. We're taking the ferry. What, are you gonna drive underwater?)
"Tapos excuse mo niyan pag na-late, 'Ay, nagbanggaan kasi kami ng mga dugong, sorry, beh.'" The person came up from behind Ragatha and went off to her side, putting a hand down to support himself as he leaned forward to send a teasing grin at her friend holding the laptop.
(And if you end up being late, your excuse would be something like, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, a bunch of manatees ended up crashing into my car.)
Ragatha can't help but roll her good eye at his antics. Of course, leave it to him to lay down a masterful ragebait towards Pomni.
"Tangina mo talaga, Jax," her friend being teased answered back at the tall purple bunny. She had her eyes squinted, her striking pinwheel irises sending him a narrowed glare. "Siguraduhin mong naka-lock bintana mo mamayang gabi. Di ko maga-guaranteeng buhay ka pa bukas kung hindi."
(Oh, fuck you, Jax. Lock up your windows later. I can't guarantee you'd still be alive by tomorrow if you don't.)
Jax's smile widens even more. "Oh, hoho, nagsalita ang pandak." He flicks Pomni's forehead with his free hand. "Sige subukan mo. Di mo nga abot sarili mong aircon, magsasabi ka pa ng ganyan."
(Says the shortstack. I'd like to see you try. You can barely even reach your on your own AC.)
Ragatha took her notebook and smacked it against Jax's chest, sending him a glare.
"Huy, ba't naman ganyan, Barbie?" He asked, raising a hand to his chest where she had her notebook pinned.
(Aw, why would you do that, Barbie?)
"'Wag ka nga. Nangiimbita na nga lang si Pomni, makiki-sasa ka pa," Ragatha replied, snatching back her notebook from his chest.
(Stop it. Pomni's just inviting me, you don't have to be an ass about it.)
Jax steps back from the table and raises his hands in surrender. "'Sus, eto namang si Barbie, o, di ma-joke."
(Oh come, on, you can't take a joke?)
He put a finger to his chin, closing his eyes with a shake of his head. "Ako na nga nag-suggest ng idea para sa hangout na'to tapos ako pa binubully."
(I was the one who suggested the hangout in the first place, and I'm the one getting bullied?)
"Anong ikaw? Ako nakakita ng post!" Pomni interrupted, pointing to herself.
(What do you mean you suggested it? I'm the one who saw the post!)
"Ikaw ang nakakita," he agreed with a nod. He then opened one eye and stuck a thumb out to point to himself. "Ako yung nagsabing punta tayo."
(You were the one to see it, true, but I'm the one who said we should go.)
"You said it as a joke!"
"Nag-agree ka naman. So, technically, idea ko siya."
(You agreed, so technically, it's my idea.)
Ragatha sighed, taking a glance at the laptop.
Siquijor, huh?
An island of myth and mystery. She's been there once. She ended up passing out most of the day trip anyway. She was a kid, and kids can only expend so much energy.
She looked back at her two companions still bickering, this time about something completely.
It took her around three times of telling them to cut it out until she finally said curtly, "Isa." The two grew silent, both looking at Ragatha.
(One.)
"I'll come with," She finally replied to the invitation. "May itinerary na ba?"
(Do you have an itinerary already?)
Pomni squealed excitedly, "Wala pa. Magpapatulong ako sa'yo, actually."
(None yet. I was gonna ask you for help, actually.)
"Wow, pero sa'ken hinde?"
(Wow, but you didn't wanna ask me for help?)
Both girls looked at the purple rabbit with disinterested faces.
"Ikaw? Helping?? Sa itinerary?" Ragatha asked, unamused.
(You? Helping?? With the itinerary?)
The rabbit ended up sitting down beside Ragatha and leaning against her, hooking one of his arms around her shoulders and one of his hands perched on his puffed out chest. "Diba kayo naman nagsasabing dapat magambag ako sa planning minsan?"
(Aren't you guys the ones always telling me to help in the planning some time?)
The doll ignored the sudden warm feeling in her stomach upon her neck being contact with the rabbit's arm fur.
Pomni rolled her eyes, looking at Ragatha expectantly, wanting her to be the one to respond to the rabbit's pleas.
Ragatha could feel his breath against her neck as he pleaded. "Sige na, Barbie."
(Come on, please, Barbie.)
He was cute like this. She wished he was like this more often. That would benefit everyone a lot more.
The doll relented. "Oo na."
(Fine, yes.)
"Hehe, yehey. You won't regret it."
Ragatha blinked as he took the laptop from Pomni's hands, earning a "Hey!" from the jester, and placed it infront of Ragatha with the Notion app open.
She sighed again, letting her hands position themselves on the keyboard. She always ends up doing most of the work in planning anyway.
-
Pomni, Ragatha, and Jax, along with their other two friends, Gangle and Zooble, get settled in their shared Airbnb after a long ferry ride.
Surprisingly, Jax did end up helping quite significantly with the planning by communicating with the fixer who was behind the promo post they all saw. He also was quick to relay any destination requests and schedule adjustments between both them and the fixer.
Ragatha was left dumbfounded when all she had to worry about was the budget accounting, most of which was already handled by Pomni, food, and nightlife. This was easier to plan for than most of their trips as this was just a two-day trip. They decided they didn't need to spend too long out.
First up in their itinerary was a trip to the island's iconic hidden waterfall and swimming in its waters. While the rest got ready, Jax had to stay outside and lounge at the BnB's porch. It had a pretty view of the island's beach, so he was surely not going to be bored wasn't he?
Ragatha stepped out to join him, having already quickly changed into the clothes she planned to walk in. She had worn her bikini underneath the clothes she traveled in and simply stripped them off, opting to wear a scarf wrap around her waist, and a thin crop top. Anything more and she would have just ended up suffocating due to the hot and humid climate of the island. She was surprised to see just how restless the bunny was.
"Ganun ka ba ka-excited na halos mapapatalon ka na ata over the porch?" Ragatha teased while also being slightly concerned over this behavior. She barely got to see him this restless.
(Are you that excited that you look like you're about to jump over the porch?)
His foot that was tapping incessantly stopped upon hearing her voice and he tensed momentarily before shrugging, "Parang bata naman tingin mo saken, Barbie."
(You think me a child, Barbie.)
He turned towards her with a smirk, the said smirk falling upon seeing her attire. He swallowed, and for a moment, a conflicted expression crossed his mind.
He coughed before looking away, refocusing his eyes on the scenery. "I'm just making sure we're all on time, walang malalate, tapos walang maiiwan."
(Just making sure no one's late and no one gets left behind.)
She walked towards the railings and leaned on them with her back towards the scenery, letting herself feel the humid warmth on her plush skin. She could taste the salt in the air if she tried hard enough.
It was quiet between them for a while, the sound of distant waves from the beach and the wind playing with the chimes the only thing filling the space.
Ragatha had her eye closed. Jax's eyes landed on her form for a while and only spoke when he looked away once more. "You look better now na naka-move out ka."
(You look better now that you've gotten to move out.)
Ragatha's eye opened slightly to look at him. He looked quite handsome in his beach fit. Trunks and a Hawaiian print shirt that was unbuttoned. It was uncharacteristically free-spirited compared to how emotionally closed off he was.
"Your tita treating you well? Wala namang bad blood or anything?" He fiddled with his hands. It made Ragatha's brows furrow slightly. He really has been restless. Even during their ferry ride.
(Your aunt treating you well? No bad blood or anything?)
Ragatha hummed in response. "Yeah. Nakakagulat nga na magkapatid sila nina mama."
(Yeah. It's really surprising how mom and her are siblings.)
She pushed herself off the railing and took a seat next to the rabbit, now focusing her eye on the view.
Ragatha wanted to continue talking, maybe ask him how he's been, but she somehow felt that would just end up warranting a bad reaction. Jax didn't like talking about himself. So instead, she decided to thank him.
"Thank you, ah," she said, glancing at him for a moment. "For taking the initiative sa pagplan with the fixer."
(Thanks for taking initiative in communicating with the fixer, by the way.)
She hears him chuckle. "It's no problem, Rags. Told ya I would help, diba?"
It was silent again. Zooble ended up joining them. Ragatha curiously watched as Jax gave their companion an inconspicuous round container. She met his gaze for a moment, and before she could ask what it was, Pomni and Gangle came out all ready.
The trek to the waterfall took about an hour and a half. A guide took them through the island's tropical forest. Ragatha felt a strange sense of familiarity as they walked on the path addled with dead leaves. Trees towered over them and every once in a while, the silhouette of birds flying between treetops.
Even as they were shaded from the sun. It was hot. Sweat dripped from her chin, and some coated the expanse of her exposed skin. The occasional cool breeze felt wonderful against the warm surface of her arms and legs.
Ragatha took a moment to sip from her metal canister, eyeing the group in much the same state as her. She could practically feel the heat radiating off of Jax's fur even though he stood about a yard away from her.
Despite the heat, Jax looked less bothered than any of them.
There was a bit of sweat on his brow. Ragatha could not resist reaching out to wipe it away just as it threatened to drip into his eye. The rabbit stilled, his face in between her hands.
When she was done, she gave him a nod before moving past him.
Jax stayed where he was as he watched her trek ahead. He shook his head. He had things planned for them. Best not to be absentminded now.
By the time they reached the waterfall, it was midday. The trees gave way to a plunge pool, and cliffs surrounded the water. It was a very pretty sight. Everyone couldn’t wait to take a dip.
Apparently the one who could wait least was Pomni, as she kicked off her slippers and took off towards one of the cliffs. Jax followed close, shrugging his shirt off in the process, and that left Ragatha, Zooble, and Gangle to plan where to leave their things.
Pomni’s voice rang out just as Ragatha took off her skirt wrap. “Tatalon na’ko!”
(I’m bout’ta jump!)
Her plans for a graceful jump into the water were thwarted as Jax pushed her off the cliff unceremoniously.
He was doubled over, his laugh echoing in the little cove they were in. Pomni surfaced from the water and shot him a middle finger. “Tangina mo!”
(Fuck you!)
Ragatha giggled at her friends’ antics. She told Gangle and Zooble she was headed up the cliff herself before heading up the rocky surface, tying up her mane as best she can in a ponytail.
When she reached the cliff, Jax was still there, looking down at the water.
“Ba’t andito ka pa? Di ka pa tatalon?” Ragatha asked, causing him to turn around and face her.
(Why are you still here? Aren’t you gonna jump?)
He looked a little surprised to see her but his expression quickly morphed into one of his signature grins.
“Inaantay lang kita, Barbie,” he said with a wink. “Baka sakaling kailangan mong tulong tumalon.”
(I was just waiting for you. Figured you might need a bit of help jumping.)
Ragatha rolled her good eye at him. “‘Sus, anong hintay? Nagulat ka nga nung nakita mong umakyat ako, eh.” She approached him, nearing the edge of the cliff Pomni jumped off- well, was pushed off of just moments ago. “Di mo siguro ako ineexpect na gusto ko ding tumalon, noh?”
(Lol, waiting? You were surprised to even see me up here. You probably weren’t expecting me to want to dive, didn’t you?)
Jax shrugged. “I mean, di ko inexpect na ikaw yung type na nagclicliff-dive. You don’t strike me as an adrenaline junkie.”
(I mean, I didn’t expect for you to be the type to cliff-dive.)
Scoffing, Ragatha crossed her arms. “Di mo lang ako naiisip na someone who enjoys doing fun things. Ganun ka lang kasi.”
(You just don’t see me as someone who enjoys doing fun things. You’re just like that.)
Jax laughed heartily, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “Hay… sorry, Barbie. Pero kasi, can you blame me?” He pointed at her chest. “At least FUN-ny ka.”
(But like, can you blame me? At least you’re FUN-ny.)
She shrugged him off her shoulders and looked over the edge. It was quite a drop. She’d never done this, even in an indoor pool setting.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. Jax looked at her attempt to calm herself and chuckled.
Ragatha knew Jax was right. She did need help jumping.
She opened her eyes, ready to eat her pride and ask him for help, but was greeted with his hand outstretched towards her.
His eyes were uncharacteristically kind. She blinked to make sure she wasn’t seeing things, and true enough, he was there, still with a hand outstretched and eyes so kind you’d think he was a saint.
No.
There weren’t any saints among them.
There sure as hell wasn’t any here in Siquijor.
Saints would know better than to go here.
Ragatha took his hand and they looked at the water below them together.
“Wooh, let’s go Rags! You can do it!” She heard Pomni shout from below.
“Go Raggy!” she heard Gangle cheer.
“I’m gonna count us down, ha?”
She looked at Jax. She must’ve looked so hesitant, because his stare softened even more.
The doll nodded and Jax gave her hand a light squeeze.
“Wag kang mag-alala,” he said, giving their joint hands a shake. “Kasama mo ‘ko. I’ll make sure na ‘di ka malulunod.”
(Don’t worry, I got you. I’ll make sure you won’t drown.)
“Okay?” He squeezed her hand once more.
Ragatha nodded again. “Okay.”
They walked a few feet back before stopping.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
Ragatha took a deep breath in and slowly let it out as Jax counted down.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
The doll’s hearing blurred out all sounds except for her breathing and Jax's laughter as they ran off the cliff and jumped into the dark water, her hand still in hers.
Cold enveloped Ragatha’s senses. She opened her eye, vision blurry from the water, and saw herself sinking further down from the surface until she eventually stopped, suspended freely.
It was stagnant for a while.
All she could see were different plants and rock edges everywhere.
Jax wasn’t with her. She was troubled with the thought for a while but realized it wasn’t too bad. She liked the feeling of the water on her sunkissed skin.
Then her lungs started to burn.
Her eye widened, and accidentally let a few bubbles out through her mouth.
Fuck.
She started to swim towards the light above.
She had the urge to inhale. Her arms and legs could only give her so much propulsion.
Just as she felt herself give into the need to inhale, she felt a hand grasp onto her wrist and pull her up.
She surfaced and quickly gasped for whatever air she could to desperately fill her lungs.
Jax’s laugh reached her ears once more. “Sabi ko sa’yo di kita papalunod, diba?”
(Told ya I wouldn’t let you drown.)
Ragatha coughed a bit and heaved, recovering from her slight panic. She looked at the bunny swimming right beside her and decided to pinch at one of his ears.
“Aray, huy! What was that for?”
Ragatha sent a splash of water his way.
“Ack- hoy!”
She wadded over to the more shallow part of the water, passing by Pomni who gave her a thumbs up, and continued nearer to where Gangle and Zooble were situated, only half their bodies submerged.
Jax had followed. “Barbie, ano ba?”
(Barbie, what gives?)
“Bumalik ka do’n, Jax. Enjoyin mo na lang magswimming at magcliff-dive,” Ragatha replied, getting out of the water.
(Go back, Jax. Just keep enjoying your swim and your cliff-diving.)
“Rags, sorry na-”
She turned around and raised her voice slightly. “Sabi ko bumalik ka na lang do’n.”
(I said go back.)
Jax didn’t push any longer, letting Ragatha turn back and watching her approach their things.
Ragatha’s mind was a whirlwind. She was continuously beating herself up, asking herself why in the world she would even trust Jax to follow through with his word in the first place.
She wrapped her scarf-skirt around her waist and sat right next to their things, opting to just watch her friends from a distance.
She sighed, seeing Jax go back to the deeper edge of the pool, nearing the waterfall. She furrowed her brows.
Jax did say he would make sure she wouldn’t drown, and he stayed true to that. But, she couldn’t help but feel betrayed.
She looked down at her hands curled up at her thighs.
He let go of her hand when they hit the water. He shouldn't have done that. What if he didn’t find her hand? He shouldn't have let go.
He told her he was with her.
“Kasama mo ‘ko.”
So why’d he let go?
-
When they got out of the forest, it was sunset. Their next plan was to go have dinner then attend a little party by the beach. Although, Ragatha only now noticed the discrepancy. She didn’t remember arranging this part too well.There was almost an hour unaccounted for in their prospective schedule between their dinner time and the party. Was this intended?
“Hey, Jax,” she called out to Jax. He was staring at the wonderful sunset along with the rest of them.
His response was immediate, though, approaching her when he gestured for him to come.
“May isang oras na agwat between dinner and the party. Kala ko diretso na tayo sa party after? May plano pa bang magpahinga muna sa Bnb?” Ragatha asked in quick succession.
Suddenly, Jax’s expression turned cheeky and looked to the side.
“Ah… Oo nga pala,” he said, bringing a hand to his neck.
(Ah… right.)
“Plano ko sanang surprise siya, pero… based sa reaction mo sa pag-cliff dive kanina, baka i-call off ko na lang.”
(I was planning for it to be a surprise, but... based on your reaction during our cliff-diving, I might just call it off.)
Ragatha’s brows knit together in alarm and confusion.
-
“Magmomotor tayo?” The doll asked, confused at the proposed activity.
(We’re going to be riding motorcycles?)
Jax nodded. “Ya, ilang beses siyang namemention sa ilang mga travel blog. May choice na umangkas, pero pinili ko yung tayo magdridrive.”
(Ya, I keep seeing these in travel blogs. There’s a choice to have locals drive for us while we ride at the back, but I chose the one where we’re gonna get to drive.)
“G ako,” Zooble replied, their voice lethargic.
(I’m game.)
Gangle looked at her partner worryingly. “Nuh-uh. Sabi mo kanina pa masakit ulo mo tapos pagod ka pa. Di ka makakadrive nang gan’to.”
(You said you’ve had a headache since a while ago, plus you’re tired. You won’t get to drive in this state.)
“Gangle’s right, Zooble,” Ragatha supplied. “Masyadong delikado kung magmomotor ka sa ganyang lagay. Pahinga ka muna. Susunduin ka na lang namin para sa party.”
(It’s too dangerous for you to drive in this state. You should rest. We’ll fetch you for the party.)
Zooble groaned in protest but made no additional complaints. They would’ve really liked to go on a motorbike ride with Gangle along the coastline.
“Samahan ko siya,” Gangle replied with a small smile.
(I’ll accompany them.)
Ragatha sighed, “You sure?”
The girl still in a sundress nodded.
“Okay,” the doll nodded back. “Balikan namin kayo para sa party.”
(We’ll be back to fetch you for the party.)
“Ikaw, Pom?” Ragatha now asked the smaller woman who was in the process of shrugging a cardigan on.
(How about you, Pom?)
“Hmm? Ay, of course. Tagal ko na ding di nakakapagmotor,” the jester replied excitedly.
(Hmm? Oh, of course. It’s been a while since I last rode a motorbike.)
“Oh,” Ragatha replied. She forgot that almost everyone in her friend group drove motorcycles.
“Ikaw, Rags?”
(And you, Rags?)
“Ah…” She fiddled with her fingers. “I don’t… di ako marunong???”
(Ah… I don’t… I don’t know how to drive?)
“Ay,” Pomni grimaced. “Oo nga pala.”
(Ay, right.)
“Not a problem. Tatlo lang naman pinareserve ko, so inexpect ko talagang may mag-aangkas s’atin,” Jax interjected, swinging open the door to the outside of their lodging.
“But I guess dalawa lang magagamit natin ngayon.”
(Not a problem. I only reserved three bikes anyway, so I expected there’d be some of us riding with others. But I guess we’ll just be using two now.)
Ragatha felt her face warm up in embarrassment.
The three headed out and Jax led their group to a hut where a bunch of locals were. The girls watched as he shook hands with a guy and then proceeded to ask them to follow him.
A little bit more walking led them to a small parking lot behind a sari-sari store where a bunch of bikes were parked.
Pomni was really hyped when they let her ride on her motorbike. It was like seeing a kid receive her own bike for the first time.
Ragatha smiled at the sight, enjoying her friend coo when she revved the engine. A voice from behind her made her jump slightly.
“Sakay na, Barbie.”
(Get on, Barbie.)
She turned around to see Jax already on his own bike. Her eye widened blinked a couple of times and as she realized the implication of his statement.
He was telling her to ride with him.
“Ano?” He asked upon seeing her expression. “Masyado maliit bike ni Pomni para mag-angkas. Kung mas malaki pa ‘yan, ‘di na niya mamamaneho.”
(What? Pomni’s bike is too small to let a passenger on. If it were any bigger, she wouldn’t be able to drive it.)
Ragatha nodded in understanding. Right. Pomni wanted to drive a motorbike. It made sense she would drive one appropriate to her height.
She approached Jax and swung a leg over the bike, making sure she had her foot positioned on the foot rest before letting her weight rest fully on the bike. She thanked herself for choosing to go with a loose romper rather than jeans. It gave her a little more mobility.
Thank god she was used to riding as a passenger. It saved her from any more humiliation.
Jax chuckled as he saw her clutch onto the back of her seat.
“Sure ka d’yan, Barbie? Pwede ka namang humawak sa’kin.” He revved his bike, satisfied with the loud rumble of its engine.
(You sure with that, Barbie? You know you can hold onto me.)
Ragatha answered with a nervous laugh, “H-ah, it’s okay. Sanay naman na ako pag nagboobook ng motor- AAAAH! HAYOP KA!”
(It’s okay. I’m used to riding like this when I book a motor- AAA! YOU JACKASS!)
Without any warning, Jax revved forward and took off, making Ragatha scramble to hold onto his shoulder and waist.
“Wala tayong helmet! Gago ka ba?”
(We aren’t even using helmets! Are you nuts?)
Jax just answered with a laugh.