We arrived 2 hours
later in Club Punta Fuego at Nasugbu, Batangas on his brand new blue Lexus car.
I am wearing a long high-slit baby blue off-shoulder floral dress with my white
strappy sandals. Metis also made me wear a white halo of daisies atop my
waist-length ash blonde curls. Metis is dressed with that navy blue coat , Grey
flannel trousers, brown boat shoes and a pair of stylish Michael Kors' sleek,
sophisticated black metal aviators. It’s just so unfortunate that I will miss
my gym class , however I’m really anticipating what will happen today. He
promised, anyway.
“Ata, are you okay?” Metis inquired when we were about to enter the
resort.
“Yeah. Always.”
“Shall
we?”
He offered his hand and looked at me intently.
Tinignan ko lang ang
kamay niya. Parang may nag-iba sa kanya. Nakadrugs yata. Sweet siya ngayon at
parang concerned eh dati, okay lang, sakto lang na magkaibigan.
“Haha!
Anyare sa iyo? Hindi ako sanay. Shall we ka diyan. I hate drugs! Pakihuli po to
Mr. President” sabay halakhak at hampos sa kanyang
balikat.
“
Bakit? Di ba pwede? Di ba ikaw ang date ko ngayon Ata” Lumapit
siya sa akin.
“Ata,
look, I know this might sound weird and shocking, or this might make you feel
uncomfortable or this might ruin our friendship, but I guess, this is the right
time to tell you that ….”
Palapitpa siya nang
palapit hanggang napasandal ako sa dingding.
“Metis,
I don’t want to hear the rest of it please. Look, your friends are waiting.”
“I’ve
been holding this for so long…”
He took one step
closer. I pushed him away but he gripped my arms until I can no longer move. He
moved closer and closer, closer and closer until our noses almost touched. I
was desperate. In one single swift moment, I kicked his groin as hard as I can!
“Fuck
Ata! Fuck you! I fuckingly love you and it’s fucking crazy to feel this way to
someone who is fuckingly a bitch!” He shouted lying on the
ground while holding those forsaken testicles.
“And
you have a fucked up way of expressing your love! Console those useless balls! They’re fucking tiny!” I
shouted and walked away.
Alam mo iyong feeling
na nabackstab ka ng friend mo! Ganoon iyon multiplied by 10! Kulang pa nga
iyong flying kick ko sa kanya, kung di lang ako nakadress, wrinestling ko na.
Tae pala siya eh! Out of all people, siya pang kaibigan ko iyong magaattempt sa
akin ng ganoon. And nagconfess siya out of the blue! Mali lahat! Sana naman
romantic iyong pagkakasabi at iyong place. And I never did imagine myself to be
in a relationship with Metis. It’s awkward. Business partner slash friend turned
boyfriend? Oo, he has everything. He is smart, lean and successful but there
are things that we cannot learn.
“Teka nasaan na ba ako?”
Out there, only meters
away is the vast ocean, alive with constant motion. The white sand crunch beneath my sandals and
the waves lap in their steady rhythm, frigid and laced with sea-foam. I can
taste the salty air and feel it caress my face. The sun's rays peacefully
float, resting on the warm waters. Timid clouds are rarely exposed, leaving the
sky to beam blue. Soothing, a gentle sea
breeze rustles through my hair. I took a step into the water. The waves crashed
in and over the hem of my dress, soaking it like a rag. I took another step,
and another, never taking my eyes off the empty horizon where sea meets sky.
The sea is calling me.
“Hey! Are you out of
your mind?!!”
“Rape! Rape! Somebody
help me!” I shouted as this stranger carried me back to the shore on his
shoulders.
“ Bring me down! I said
bring me down!”
With all the strength I
got, I tugged his hair. He lost his footing and I fell on a hard chest. Opening
my mouth, I was ready to scream the living shit out of myself.
I looked up and there
he was, up close and personal with his brown eyes glaring at me.
“Let me go,” I pleaded.
He grabbed my waist and
looked intently into my eyes. “If you
want to commit suicide, don’t do it here! Find any other place except here!”
Suicide? What is he
talking about? And why does he look familiar.
“DINUGUAN!” we both
uttered simultaneously.
“It’s you!” he
exclaimed.
“Get off me! Why do I
always end up falling for you?” I stood up and brushed the dust off my hair and
dress.
“So you have fallen for
me Ata?” he teased.
“Pathetic,” I murmured.
He laughed.
“Crazy,” I sighed.
“You haven’t changed at
all, Ata.”
Silence. “What are you
doing here? Why do you plan on killing yourself? Maybe, I can help. ”
“I AM NOT HERE TO
COMMIT SUICIDE, MISTER. And I don’t need
help from a total stranger.”
“I thought we’re friends.”
“You thought wrong.”
“Are you always angry
and grumpy?”
“Yes. Got any problem?”
“Did you come here
alone?”
“Are you planning to
kidnap me?”
“Yes, I’m playing
kidnapper today.”
“Seriously, Red?” I
said with utmost sarcasm.
“Gotcha! See, we’re not
total strangers. You remember my name.” he sounded amused.
“I’m referring to the
sky. It turned red. Don’t assume unless otherwise stated.” I rebutted.
He laughed again as if
I cracked a joke.
“What’s funny, care to
share, huh?!” while rolling my eyes.
“You’re cute.”
RED’S
POV
The wind blew. It was a
nice, warm breeze. . It is like the classic shots from the movies -
rippling, almost in slow motion.
She looked at me just as the brightest ray hit her eyes, which are
normally a very standard brown, but in that split second they were the
brightest gold, and I just wanted to tell her I really like her. I knew I am
into her her the moment I saw her first time. It was instant. I was completely
mesmerized by her beauty and personality. She is crazy, spontaneous and there’s
something about her that keeps me wanting more.
“Cute is for dogs,” she replied while pouting her lips. I so wanted to
kiss those.
“Red, how do I go home?” she timidly asked.
“How did you come here?” I carefully inquired.
“It’s a pretty long story. Where’s the nearest bus terminal?”
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to ride in the bus for another two hours.
There’s a problem in their system, I’ve heard it over the radio before I came
here and saved you from drowning yourself.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t have suicidal
tendencies?”
“Chill! I’m kidding.”
“So, I have to wait here for another two hours? How about car for rent?
I will pay double.”
“None.”
“Come on. It’s as if we’re in a secluded island!”she snapped. She
snatched her phone from her pouch and threw it back.
“You can’t call your boyfriend?”
“This is the worst day of my life” she said in dismay. She sat on the shore and rested her chin on
her knees. She looked resigned and frustrated.
“Do you want to come over?”
Silence.
I sat beside her.
“We cook the best seafood paella.”
The waves crushing..
She stared at me. Then it hit me. I have fallen for her.
“Red, I want ice cream.”
She smiled. It was the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life.
I stood up and offered
my slightly quivering hand.
"Come with me, Ata."
Her eyes fixed upon me,
she moved in close, holding onto my hand.
