Cruise In Paradise

CHAPTER 8

Hindi naman sya nakatulog agad pero maaga parin syang nagising. She applied a cold mask para mawala ang eyebags nya at hindi halatang kulang sya sa tulog. Masyado yata syang excited sa date nila ni Ruther.

Oh no! It's not even a date!

Balak nya sanang magpahatid nalang ng breakfast pero naisip nyang maglakad lakad nalang at mag jogging. Natigilan sya ng pag bukas nya ng pinto ay makitang nakatayo sa labas si Ruther in his work out outfit.

"Hi, good morning."

"Hey, good morning din."

"Napadaan kasi ako dito, yayayain sana kitang mag breakfast. May pupuntahan ka ba?"

"Yeah, balak ko sanang mag jogging."

"Great! That's my plan too. Can i join you?"

"Sure!"

Matapos nilang tumakbo ay niyaya pa sya nitong mag gym. Pumayag naman sya kahit ang totoo ay hindi sya mahilig mag work out. Tamad kasi sya kaya walking and running lang ang ginagawa nya, well aside from jumping rope and hula hoop sometimes. Mabuti nalang nga at di sya tabain kahit malakas syang kumain. Mahilig kasi syang uminom ng tea. Tea tea is life.Tinulungan sya ni Ruther ng mga basic work out sa gym ng sabihin nya ditong first time nya. Dalawang oras din silang nagpapawis saka sya nito niyayang mag almusal.

"Ayos din ah, lamon after work out." Natatawang saad nya kay Ruther ng dumating ang order nila.

"Hindi ko akalain na hindi ka mahilig mag gym at magana kang kumain pero ang sexy mo padin."

"I know right. I'm so bless that my body has a good metabolism. Ikaw siguro tambay sa gym lagi?"

"Not really. I had my own gym at home but at least three times a week i tried to work out. By the way, since this cruise will tour in Southern Caribbean, our first stop is in St. Maarten.

"I'm excited."

"Have you tried free diving?"

"Not yet. I'm scared."

"I'll go with you if you like or let's just do scuba diving."

"Sure! Just save me when i get drown."

"I won't let you, don't worry."

"I'll count on that."

Matapos nilang mag breakfast ay bumalik na sila sa kanya kanya nilang kwarto at naligo. Sisimulan na kasi nilang mag ikot at subukan lahat ng amenities ng barko. They play golf and billiards at syempre tinuruan din sya nito dahil first time nya din. They stroll some shops, resto and even watch movie in mini theater. Sa buong araw na paglilibot nila ay marami din silang napag usapan at medyo nakilala na nila ang isat isa. Kinabukasan ay maaga sya nitong sinundo dahil nakadaong na sila at ngayon sila mag iikot sa St. Maarten. They choose to take a strawl to Philipsburg. It takes them ten to twenty minutes to get to the heart of the colorful town of Philipsburg located one mile away from the pier. They did a scenic walk on around then go sightseeing and a little shopping on the waterfront street a block behind the boardwalk. She enjoys buying some beautiful jewelry and have a free taste of a exotic rum drinks made from rare guava berries in one of the most popular places on the Dutch side, the Guava Berry Liquor Emporium. Rum is not the only reason to visit this emporium, but also to learn the colonial history of the town. They made a quick tour in the island using ATV. They did the Flying Dutchman zip line course at the Rockland Estate which is located in historic Emilio Wilson Estate. They enjoy the rich history behind this old plantation estate. Then take a ride on the famous sky ride, a chairlift suspended from a flight cable hundreds of feet above the ground. The lift takes them on a relaxing and scenic ride up the mountain. They visit the Butterfly farm where they reserve hosts over 100 species of butterflies from everywhere in the world. And lastly, they go to the most popular beach on St. Maarten, Orient beach. The beach sure lives up to this praise and doesn't disappoint. Graced with a long stretch of white powdery sand beach and crystal clear blue waters, Orient beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Hindi mawala ang mga ngiti nya sa labi sa buong araw na mga ginawa nila.

"Thank you, Ruther."

"For what?"

"For accompanying me. Sobrang saya ko sa first destination ng cruise na ito. Kahit nakakapagod ang mga ginawa natin pero sulit naman."

"I'm glad you had fun."

Matapos nilang mag dinner ay bumalik na sya agad sa kwarto nya para magpahinga at i ready ang katawan para sa next tour nila. Their second destination is at St. Kitts. The island is kissed by the Caribbean seas and blessed with lush mountain backdrops. This backdrop boasts of incredible vistas, making the island a haven of tranquility and natural beauty. They start at Port Zante mall where there are plenty of open-air shopping stalls. This beautiful port has plenty of cruise friendly facilities. All designed in pastel-colored buildings that host pretty eateries and glamorous retail stores. They stroll in Basseterre, it features cathedrals, a courthouse, and older buildings that have stunning architectural designs. Some interesting attractions include the "Circus" clock tower and independence square. The monument at the center of the circus resembles London's Piccadilly circus and bears a clock tower with a water fountain, heritage site, other monuments, breweries, craft markets, eateries, and pubs. They visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. It was built in the 17th century and lies a top of an 800-foot hill that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. The British design skills and the African Slaves workmanship is evident in the fortress. Dubbed as the Gibraltar of the Caribbean on the welcoming fountain at the port, it's easy to see why. This fort is the most preserved fort in the Caribbean, still retaining its original look and hence properly bestowed a world heritage site honor by UNESCO. Then they hop on the brightly colored train for an adventure of a lifetime. The train follows the scenic old railway trail that functioned as the main transportation for sugar during the island's sugar manufacturing days. The railway was built between 1912 and 1926 to transport sugarcane. The train has now become a top tourist attraction. The ride takes 3 hours to cover the 30-mile journey that offers the most magnificent sightseeing in St. Kitts. They stay at Cockleshell Beach and enjoy their cold lime drink. Bird Watching is fun too, they saw some of the beautiful species which includes frigate bird, grey kingbird, red-tailed hawk, and brown pelican. They are also lucky enough to get a view of a group of rare turtles who show up from the islands Atlantic coast to lay some eggs.

"Hmm ang sarap ng pagkain nila dito."

Hindi nya napigilang saad ng matikman ang mga order nila sa Palm Court Gardens and Restaurant.

"I knew you would love it here."

"Ang dami mong alam, have you been here before?"

"Yeah, that's why this place is kinda familiar."

"Wow! Jet setter ah."

"You can say that. I just love exploring to different countries."

"Me too."

On their third destination they go to Antigua. Their first stop on the tour is at the Dow Hill Interpretation Center, The Blockhouse, Shirley Heights, where they have some of the best views of the English Harbor from almost 500 feet above sea level. Then lastly at Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO Heritage site with several original and restored buildings from the 18th and 19th century. They visit some shops, a museum, restaurant, and bar where they enjoy the Dockyard's signature Rum Punch made with the island's 151 proof rum. When they get back to their ship before night time, they just freshen up and take a bath to attend a party held at the upper deck. She chooses to wear a fitted Balmain chain strap black long dress with high slit in her left side legs. She puts a like make up and her hair in a messy bun.

"Wow! You look so gorgeous." Saad ni Ruther ng sunduin sya nito. He's wearing aglen plaid wool martini fit suit from Dolce & Gabbana.

"And you look dashing tonight."

"Then we're perfect together."

Natawa nalang sya sa sinabi nito at tinanggap na ang kamay nito sa pag alalay sa kanya. Madami ng tao pag akyat nila, some are dancing while others are just talking while drinking. Some approach them at kinausap naman nila ng mayos. She's enjoying her drinks when a group of girls invite her to dance with them on the dance floor na agad naman nyang pinaunlakan. She can see Ruther is smiling at her while she teases him to dance too but he just shakes his head. But when he saw a guy come closer to her, nakita nyang bigla nalang tumayo ito at lumapit sa kanya sabay palibot ng mga kamay sa katawan nya.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mong sumayaw?"

"Yeah."

"Then why are you here?"

"Coz some parasites are about to touch and dance with you."

"Parasites who?"

"Some guys."

"Like you?"

"I'm not like them."

"Really?"

"Yep!"

Sa dami ng naka usap nila kanina ay napadami nadin ang inom nya kaya medyo tipsy na sya. Mabuti nalang at maalaga at handang umalalay sa kanya si Ruther. Madaling araw na ng maisipan nilang lumayo sa iba at magpunta sa sa bow part.

"Wow! Ang daming star. Ang gaganda nila."

"Yeah, so beautiful." Saad nito kaya napatingin sya sa binata na sa kanya nakatingin at hindi sa taas.

"Oh, look!" Saad nya sabay turo bandang taas sa likod nito. "It's a shooting star, let’s make a wish." Agad syang pumikit at ginawa ang madalas na ginagawa nya tuwing nakakakita ng ganun kahit nung bata pa sya na turo ng yaya nya. Nang magmulat sya ng mga mata ay nasa harap na nya si Ruther at ang lapit nito sa kanya.

"Did you make a wish?"

"I don't need to."

"Why not?"

"I don't believe in that."

"Grabe ka naman."

"If you really want something, you just do everything to have it not just wish."

"Pwede din naman both."

Tumawa lang ito sa kanya kaya sinimangutan nya at lumapit sa bulo ng bow at sumigaw.

"Hello, I'm the queen of the world." Rinig nyang tumawa si Ruther na nasa likod nya.

"Your drunk."

"Nope! I'm not." Sagot nya sabay dipa ng mga kamay at ginaya ang famous pose ni Rose on front of the ship sa titanic movie sabay kanta. “Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on. Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on.” Todo kanta pa sya ng biglang lumapit sa kanya si Ruther at hinawakan ang bewang nya kaya mas lalong feel na feel nya ang pag kanta.

“You're here, there's nothing I fear

And I know that my heart will go on. We'll stay forever this way. You are safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on.

“We're gonna make it baby. Trust me." Bigla saad ni Ruther ng tumigil sya sa pag kanta.

"I trust you!"

Ilang segundo ang lumipas saka sabay silang nagtawanan ni Ruther sa ginawa nila. Halos sumakit ang tyan nya sa kakatawa sa kalokohan nila.

"You like that movie?" Tanong nito ng mahimasmasan sya sa kakatawa. Kanina pa kasi ito huminto at nakatingin nalang sa kanya.

"Yeah, who never loves Titanic?”

"You're the romantic type then."

"Yes. I can’t remember how many times I cried watching that movie."

"And why?"

"Because I love their love story, but i dont like the ending. I want a happy ending in every story i read and movie I watch."

"You know reality is so different from story or movies."

"Yeah, but still, I believe that there is always a happy ever after." She told him then she tip toe and pinch his nose. "Don't be pessimistic."

Tumawa lang ito sa kanya saka hinuli ang mga kamay nya. Lalayo na sana sya ng bigla nitong sakupin ang mga labi nya. Mabilis syang nawala sa katinuan dahil sa mga halik nito na agad nyang tinugon. Sabik at mapusok silang naghalikan. Mas lalo pa nitong inilapit ang katawan nya kaya ramdam nya kung gaano katigas ang katawan nito na lalong nagpa init sa nararamdaman nya kahit na malamig naman ang hangin sa paligid. Hinabol pa ni Ruther ang mga labi nya ng itulak nya ito upang pakawalan sya at makalanghap ng hangin.

"I know your drunk but i want you so much i kopela mou." He said while he stares at her full of lust. Imbes na sagutin ito ay sya na mismo ang muling humalik dito.