Chapter 1
Chapter One
Verde Island
It is insane how a brief summer trip can completely alter the dynamics between siblings. Sadyang napakalupit magbiro ng tadhana kapag usaping libog na ang nagsimulang pumasok sa eksena. In just a blink of an eye, my strict moral boundaries entirely collapsed into a dark, unspoken agreement with my younger brother.
Let me tell you how everything changed during that particular weekend.
It was the hot summer of 2024 at our family beach house in coastal Batangas. Katatapos lang ng pandemya kaya sabik ang lahat na bumiyahe at mag-swimming.
I was twenty years old, while my brother Mico was eighteen.
I was currently on a video call with my cousin Wena, explaining why my visit to Cavite had to be cancelled. Masama ang loob kong ibinababa ang aking mga nakaempakeng damit.
Our relatives from my father’s side suddenly arrived for a surprise vacation all the way from Canada. The Pears family wanted to take us to Verde Island here in Batangas and I was incredibly annoyed because I barely knew these overseas cousins.
“Ate Moni, please naman... ’wag ka na kasi umangal!”
Nanggagaling ang sigaw na ’yon mula sa ibaba ng hagdan ng sala. Mico was already waiting downstairs, fully dressed in his summer board shorts. Pawisan na ang gago at halatang excited na siyang umalis ng bahay.
Dahan-dahan akong sumilip pababa mula sa pasilyo ng aking kwarto. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, glaring down at his happy face.
“We don’t even know them, Mico! Bakit kailangan ko pang sumama riyan kung kaya mo naman ang sarili mo? Malaki ka na!” bulyaw ko sa kaniya.
Actually, it was our mother. Mommy Melanie who insisted that I must go to look after Mico. My strict, proper facade was already failing me due to sheer irritation.
“Aba eh, tatlong gabi lang naman kayo roon sa Verde Island, Moni!” Mommy shouted from the kitchen counter while sealing a container of leche flan. Abala naman ang matandang kasambahay namin sa pag-aayos ng mga disposable plates sa loob ng bayong.
“Ang layo ng Canada compared to Cavite! Kung gusto mo, dumeretso ka roon sa pinsan mong si Wena pagkatapos ng bakasyon nitong sa Pears family,” dugtong pa ni Mommy habang nagmamadaling magpunas ng mga kamay sa kaniyang tapis.
Natawa nang malakas si Mico mula sa kaniyang upuan habang nakatingin sa akin.
“Ate, aminin mo na kasi na gusto mo din talaga makita sa personal mga muscles ni Kuya Jake, pinupusuan mo palagi mga gym pictures niya sa Facebook!”
My face burned with immediate embarrassment at his blunt accusation. On the outside, I maintained my strict, unbothered posture while adjusting my glasses.
“Ulol, ikaw ’tong patay na patay kay Jen kaya gustong-gusto mong sumama! Pinsan mo yun tanga, kadiri ka.” Ganti ko sa kaniya upang maiba ang usapan.
Bago pa man makasagot ang kapatid ko ay pumasok na si Mommy sa sala bitbit ang huling piraso ng packed foods.
“Tigilan nyo nga yan, parating na daw sila!” She quickly gathered our weekender bags and lined them up against the mahogany front door.
“Ilabas mo na itong mga gamit sa may gate,” utos ni Mommy sa aming houseboy na agad namang sumunod bitbit ang mabibigat naming bagahe.
Beep! Beep!
Isang malaking puting Toyota Land Cruiser Prado ang biglang huminto sa tapat ng aming gate. The heavy thrum of its engine signaled the official arrival of our overseas relatives.
Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto ng aming beach house upang harapin ang aking tadhana. Sa labas ng sasakyan, nakatayo si Kuya Jake na naka-sleeveless white shirt at board shorts.
He was a twenty-four-year-old, exceptionally tall, and broad-shouldered male with a deeply bronzed complexion. He looked like an absolute gym animal, smelling heavily of expensive imported cologne mixed with the clean sweat of an athlete.
Sa kaniyang likod ay sumunod naman si Jen. She was Kuya Jake’s eighteen-year-old younger sister who was completely laking Canada based on her bold style. Naka-baby pink crop top siya at denim shorts na mas maikli pa yata sa panty ko. She possessed beautiful blonde highlights and was confidently chewing her bubblegum like a Hollywood teenager.
…
The huge SUV moved smoothly along the winding roads as we made our way toward the Batangas port. Tito Tom was confidently handling the steering wheel up front, while Tita Sally occupied the passenger seat beside him.
The rest of us were distributed among the rows behind them, creating a highly volatile mix of bodies. In the far back of the vehicle, Jen took the left side of the third row, while my brother Mico sat on the right. Yaya Cora had aggressively shoved herself right into the middle between them, acting as a human shield to keep the teenagers separated.
That left only the spacious leather bucket chairs of the second row, which were now occupied solely by the two of us. Si Kuya Jake ay nakaupo sa aking kanang gilid magkatabi kami ng walang harang sa pagitan namin, our bare thighs were directly pressing against each other—skin to skin.
Every time the vehicle made a sharp turn, our bodies would slide closer together, deepening the forbidden contact.
Shet, tigas ng muscles ng lalaking ’to - matigas din kaya yung ano nya? My inner carnal imagination was already running wild at the dangerous, uninhibited proximity of his large torso. At habang patuloy ang aming biyahe, biglang lumingon si Tita Sally mula sa front passenger seat na may nakakalokong ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi.
“Dalagang dalaga ka na Monica, eleven years turned you into such a beautiful lady.” Such a sweet gesture from the sister of my mother.
“Do you still remember, nung maliit pa kayo nila Jake ay naliligo pa kayong nakahubo sa ilog!” Sabay tawa ng malakas ni Tita na may paghampas pa sa braso ni Tito Tom.
“Mom! Please, stop it, that’s so inappropriate!” sigaw ni Kuya Jake habang namumula ang kaniyang mukha sa tindi ng kaniyang Canadian accent.
Napanganga ako habang pilit kong iniiwas ang aking paningin.
“Ahh, Tita, ’di ko na po maalala ’yan,” pautal kong sagot, but my cheeks were already burning.
“Oh, come on, Jake, it’s the truth! You even cried when Melanie separated your beds because you wanted to hold her hand all night!” Humalakhak nang malakas si Tito Tom while driving then Jen burst into a loud, obnoxious fit of laughter from the very back row, popping her bubblegum loudly.
“Oh my god, Kuya Jake, you were a literal simp at ten years old!?” panunukso nya sa kuya nya habang sinisipa ang aming upuan mula sa likod.
I kept my head bowed, pretending to adjust my glasses while my heart throbbed heavily against my ribs.
Tangina, bakit kailangang ipagsabi ang mga ganiyang bagay ngayon?
Sa tuwing gumagalaw si Kuya Jake upang sumandal ay mas lalong dumidikit ang kaniyang hubad at mabalahibong braso sa aking balikat, na nagpapadaloy ng matinding kuryente diretso sa aking puson.
Fortunately, the agonizingly awkward car ride finally came to an end when we arrived at the bustling Batangas port. I let out a massive sigh of relief the exact second I stepped out of the Prado, successfully breaking the intense physical contact with Kuya Jake’s body.
But before I could even gather my things, Jen immediately swooped in and locked her arm tightly around mine, kinikilig pa habang nakangiti sa akin.
The outrigger boat ride to Verde Island passed by in a blur of sea sprays, loud engine chugs, and Jen oversharing her dating life in Toronto.
Pagbaba ng angkla ng bangka, yung inis at pagod ko ay naglahong parang bula. The moment my eyes landed on the majestic property waiting for us. Bigla akong na excite at natuwa for the first time today.
Several resort staff members warmly welcomed us at the shore, immediately lifting our weekender bags with polite smiles. They ushered our family toward the heavy wooden gate of an ultra-exclusive residential compound nestled deeply within a towering coconut grove.
Pagbukas ng gate, it revealed a breathtaking private paradise that instantly made my jaw drop. Isang malawak na Bermuda grass front yard ang sumalubong sa amin, napaka-presko sa mata at dahan-dahang sumasayaw sa ilalim ng simoy ng dagat.
Sa kanan ay may tatlong bungalow villa structures made of hardwood and high-end glass panels. Sa kaliwa naman is an organic-shaped swimming pool glistened beautifully under the afternoon sun, its crystal-clear water invitingly still.
On the far end of the property, the vibrant green lawn seamlessly transitioned into a wide stretch of clean, beige sand that directly met the rolling waves of the turquoise ocean.
Oh my! Ang ganda pala dito.
Habang naglalakad kami sa sementadong pathway, lumingon si Tita Sally sa aming apat habang hawak ang kaniyang sun hat.
“Kids! Tom and I will go ahead in the master villa, papahinga lang sandali. So, you kids have that second villa on your own, enjoy!” sigaw ni Tita Sally habang nakakapit sa malapad na braso ng asawa nyang Canadian.
A resort staff then led the four of us directly toward the second villa, explaining its unique, open-concept design. Pagpasok namin sa loob ay tumambad ang isang malaki at airy na kwarto na walang anumang partitions - it featured four single beds lined up side by side, an integrated open lounge area with low sofas, and a common washroom at the back.
Meanwhile, Ate Cora head straight to the third villa to settle down. Doon matatagpuan ang isang maliit na pribadong kwarto, kasama ang isang open kitchen and dining space na may nakadikit na maliit na bar counter.
I stood in the center of our shared open bedroom, my skin tingling as I realized the complete lack of privacy.
Apat na kama sa iisang hilera, walang harang, at magkakatabi kaming matutulog.
I palmed my thighs, my masungit facade barely holding up as the raw, explicit reality of the setup began to brew inside my mind.
Tumakbo agad si Jen papasok sa loob ng kwarto bitbit ang kaniyang backpack. She immediately jumped onto the second bed from the left, throwing the pillows in the air with pure excitement.
“Ate Moni! I’m sleeping right next to you tonight, okay? No boys allowed on this side!”
Napasigaw si Jen habang nakadapa ang kaniyang buong katawan sa malambot na kutson. Napalunok na lang ako sa aking pwesto habang binababa ko ang aking malaking bag sa lapag.
I knew right then that there was absolutely no escape from this chaotic weekend so I decided to change my strict clothing into something more relaxed and comfortable.
Pero dahil open plan ang kwarto I made sure to do it with utmost caution para di ako masilipan masyado. Isinoot ko ang aking fitted white tank top over my cardigan bago ko hinila pahubad ang cardigan.
I adjusted the thin straps carefully, to make sure na secured and malaki kong suso kahit bumabakat ang aking pinkish na utong sa manipis na puting tela. Sinadya kong hindi na mag bra dahil mas masarap sa pakiramdam ang preskong pag-alog ng aking suso.
Nagtago ako sa open flap ng aking luggage bago ko hinubad ang aking skirt para magpalit to a skimpy denim short. Litaw na litaw ang mapuputi kong mga hita hanggang sa pinakadulo ng aking singit. Then nilugay ko ang nakatali kong buhok to complete my transformation.
Pero lahat ng efforts kong hindi masilipan ay biglang nawalan ng saysay nang walang pasabing bigla nalang naghubad ng kanyang pang-itaas si Jen para magpalit into a bikini.
Tumambad ang kaniyang eighteen-year-old na hubad na katawan sa harap namin ni Mico nang walang kaabog-abog.
Her perky, smooth boobs bounced freely in the air, with a soft pinkish nipple that instantly hardened against the cold air. And to add to our surprise, dahan-dahan niyang ibinaba ang kaniyang maikling shorts hanggang sa kaniyang mga sakong upang ipakita ang kaniyang ahit na puke sa harap mismo namin. Ang kinis ng pekpek, fully exposed as she casually slid her feet into a pair of thin pink panties.
Sa kabilang dulo naman, si Kuya Jake ay bigla ring nagtanggal ng kaniyang sando at board shorts na parang wala lang. Hubo’t hubad ang gago, ang macho at lantad na lantad ang kanyang semi-erect na mahabang titi habang kinukuha niya ang kaniyang tuwalya sa tabi.
Mabilis kaming nagkatinginan ni Mico sa gitna ng sala habang nanlalaki ang aming mga mata sa gawi ng mga pinsan namin. A nervous, low giggle escaped our lips as we realized how completely liberated these two were. Ang maghubad at magpalit ng damit nang walang takip sa harap ng mga kamag-anak ay mukhang isang ordinaryong bagay lamang para sa kanila.
Napatulala si Mico sa kaniyang tapat habang halos mabitawan ang kaniyang cellphone sa tindi ng kaniyang gigil sa hubad na likod ni Jen. His whole face flushed into a dark crimson shade as he struggled to swallow his saliva.
Hindi rin ako makahinga sa aking pwesto habang nakatitig sa malaking titi ni Kuya Jake bago niya dahan-dahang ipinalupot ang tuwalya sa kaniyang baywang.
Holy fucking shit! Anong klaseng mga tao ’to? Pero in fairness, ang sasarap nila tignan. May mga K maghubad.
Namasa bigla ang puke ko, kumibot sa loob ng manipis kong panty. Biglang nahuli ni Kuya Jake ang aking mga mata na nakatitig sa mabalahibong guhit sa kaniyang puson. He flashed a slow, deep smirk, grabbed his clothes, and confidently walked straight inside the washroom.
Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas at narinig ko na ang pagbukas ng pinto ng banyo. A freshly showered, dripping-wet Kuya Jake stepped out into the bedroom, towel slung loosely around his neck.
May mga butil pa ng malamig na tubig na dahan-dahang dumadaloy sa kaniyang malapad na dibdib, dahilan upang mas lalong maging katakam-takam ang kaniyang morenong balat.
“Who’s next? The water is perfectly warm,” tanong niya gamit ang kaniyang makapal na Canadian accent habang nakatitig nang malalim sa aking mukha.
“Go ahead, Ate Moni. Para mahimasmasan ka,” pabulong na tawa naman ni Mico mula while he was desperately trying to keep his eyes glued to his phone screen.
Hindi siya makatingin nang diretso sa silid dahil si Jen ay kasalukuyang nakaupo sa harap ng vanity mirror habang nakabukaka nang bahagya ang kaniyang mga hita, kitang kita ang maputi nyang singit at ang bakat ng kaniyang kiki sa manipis na tela ng bikini.
“Thanks,” sagot ko sa kaniya sabay dampot ng aking tuwalya bago ako naglakad patungo sa banyo.
Before stepping inside the bathroom, I caught a full glimpse of my own reflection in the long mirror attached to the door. Sa tindi ng liwanag ng hapon, nagulat ako sa aking sariling anyo dahil ang aking natural na alindog at malulusog na suso ay tuluyan nang bumabakat sa suot kong tank top.
The masungit, proper nerd was entirely gone, replaced by a highly volatile woman whose body was practically begging for attention.
Mabilis akong lumingon sa aking likuran upang tingnan ang kabuuan ng aming kwarto. I saw the towering silhouette of Kuya Jake drying his body, Mico sweating in silence, and Jen provocatively brushing her hair.
Ang aking matinding pagka-irita kanina ay tuluyan nang natunaw at mapalitan ng isang mapangahas na pananabik para sa darating na gabi. Inside a single shared room, four young bodies were now trapped together with absolutely no boundaries.
Isinara ko ang pinto ng banyo sabay lock, habang ang aking kiki ay tuluyan nang nanginginig sa tindi ng libog habang inaalala ko ang malaking titi ng pinsan kong Canadian.
