Please, Forget me Not

CHAPTER 24

"Why are you wearing a dress?" Zach asked after looking at me from head to toe when I went out of the bathroom. Napatingin naman ako sa suot ko bago siya pinangunutan ng noo.

"You said we're going out on a date that's why I dress like this. Tsaka hindi mo naman sinabi kung saan tayo pupunta kaya wala akong idea kung ano’ng dapat kong suotin. Bakit, panget ba? Wait, magpapalit lang ako." I immediately walked towards his closet to grab something to wear.

Dito na niya kasi ako pinag-stay sa kwarto niya. Ayaw ko ngang pumayag noong una kasi baka kung ano ang isipin sa akin ng kamag-anak niya pero sila na mismo ang nagtulak sa akin dito sa kwarto niya dahil wala na rin daw available na guest room kasi na-occupy na nina tita, tito, at Aly 'yong dalawang room. 

"Hindi naman sa panget ‘yang suot mo. To be honest, it suits you well. Kaya lang hindi siya bagay sa pupuntahan natin. You should wear something like trouser or jeans so you can move freely and comfortable."

I turned to him and raised my brow.

"Where are we going ba?" He stood up from bed, smiling, and walked towards me. He stopped a few inches away from me and leaned in to whisper in my left ear.

"Secret." He moved his face away and stared at me for a few seconds. "You'll find out later." He then kissed me on the cheeks in one swift motion before he backed away. Napahawak ako sa parte ng pisngi ko na hinalikan niya.

"What was that for?" I asked, stupefied.

"That was my good morning kiss. Can you give me one, too?" He playfully tapped his cheek when he leaned down and tilted his head to one side asking for a kiss. Bahagya akong natigilan at nakaramdam ng biglaang pag-init ng pisngi dahil sa sinabi niya. Ang aga naman niyang manlandi. Hindi pa ako ready!

Tumikhim ako para hindi niya mahalata na medyo kinilig ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay habang nakahalukipkip.

"Sigurado ka ba talagang ako ang first girlfriend mo, ha?"

"Why?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

"Because you know how to flirt well."

"Then that means it affects you."

"No, wala kaya!" I said in a high voice, sounding so defensive. He chuckled.

"Kaiah, you don't have to be shy with me. I'm your boyfriend now and I'll flirt with you every chance I get."

"Tse! Maligo ka na para makapabihis ako rito."

"Yes, Ma'am," humahalaklak na sagot niya at pumasok na sa banyo. I shook my head a few times while biting my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. I'm still not used to his playful side, but I'd love to see it every day.

Sinunod ko naman ‘yong sinabi niya na magsuot ng komportableng damit. I wore mom jeans paired with a nude sweater and white sneakers. I tied my hair in a bun with a few strands left hanging on my face and put a light makeup.

"Saan nga tayo pupunta?" tanong ko ulit nang makasakay na kami sa sasakyan niya. Pinaandar niya muna iyon bago ako lingunin.

"You'll know later. I know you'll love that place. It's perfect for someone like you who loves photography. And I want to bring you there before you go back."

"Okay." I nodded and looked outside the window. Hindi ko na siya pinilit dahil mukhang gusto niya ako i-surprise, e.

Habang nasa biyahe, nag-uusap lang kami tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi pa namin alam tungkol sa isa't isa. Hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayan na nakahinto na pala ang sasakyan niya dahil masyado akong nawili sa usapan namin.

May naririnig akong malakas na pagbagsak ng tubig at nang lumabas kami ng sasakyan ay mas lumakas pa iyon. Biglang nanlaki ang mata ko nang ma-realize kung saan niya ako dinala.

"Niagara Falls. Oh, my God!" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko nang makita kung saan nagmumula ang malakas na tunog ng pagbagsak ng tubig.

"Just like what I expected," ani Zach sa tabi ko kaya napalingon ako sa kan’ya at naabutan ko siyang nakatingin sa akin ng may ngiti sa labi.

I smiled back at him when he took a step towards me, held my hand, and gently pulled me toward the falls.

While walking, I can't help myself but smile while watching our hands hugging each other. Dati nagde-daydream lang ako, ngayon totoo na. Oh, God, what did I do in my past life to become this lucky in this lifetime?

I looked away when he tilted his head towards me. I focused my gaze on the falls in front of me when we reached the railings of the view deck.

Thoughts of going here never crossed my mind when I flew here to Canada to surprise him. I'm glad Zach brought me here.

Seeing Niagara Falls right before my eyes is so surreal. But being with him, witnessing how beautiful this nature is together while holding each other's hand is a feeling that is beyond explainable. No words could describe how happy I am.

I scoot towards him and lean my head against his chest. He let go of my hand and held my waist instead. I hugged him, my eyes still on the falls in front of us.

"It's so beautiful..." I whispered but enough for him to hear.

"Yeah, it is..." he said as I felt his gaze look down on me. My face flushed. I know this scene. I always see this in movies. I consider it cliché but being the one in that exact situation, it feels so romantic.

I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling but when he placed a kiss on the top of my head, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

"Do you want me to take pictures of you?" he asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence.

"I would love to." I handed him my camera and fixed myself. I turned my back on the falls as I faced him. He backed away a little to fit the falls on the camera and started taking photos of me. After five shots, someone came over and talked to him.

"Hey, dude! What brought you here? Are you with Vesinica?" rinig kong tanong no’ng lalaki.

"No, I'm not." Disappointment crossed over the guy's face. My brows arched.

"So, who are you with?" he asked as his gaze turned to me before it went back to Zach, waiting for his answer.

"I'm with my girlfriend." Sinenyasan ako ni Zach na lumapit sa kanila.

"Oh, you're on a date," the guy said playfully and looked at me from head to toe when I reached them. After checking me out, he smiled at me.

"Bryce, this is my girlfriend, Khyrss. Khyrss this is Bryce, a friend," Zach said, introducing us to each other.

"Nice to meet you," he uttered as he stretched his hand in front of me.

"Nice to meet you too." I shook hands with him.

"I never knew you have such a beautiful girlfriend." He turned to Zach as he let go of my hand.

"Now you know." Zach chuckled.

"I never saw you before." Curiosity was written over Bryce's face when he looked at me again. "I don't think we attended the same university. Where are you from?"

"Philippines," I answered.

"Oh," he said in amusement. "So, you're the reason why Zach never tried to flirt back when girls threw themselves to him, huh. You've got yourself such a loyal boyfriend." He winked at me. "Well, if I've got myself such a beautiful girlfriend like you, I would also do the same." He shrugged.

"That's way impossible," Zach mumbled.

"Yeah, it is, if my girlfriend is not Vesinica." He chuckled.

Oh, so he likes Vesinica.

"I saw you taking photos of her a while ago... Do you want me to take photos of you together?" He offered. "That's the least I can do after disturbing your date."

Pumayag naman kami at iniabot sa kan’ya ‘yong camera. After a few shots, he bid his goodbye.

We stayed here for almost thirty minutes before we decided to eat lunch in Clifton Hill. He took me to Kelsey's because he wanted me to taste his favorite food here.

"When are we going home?" tanong ko pagkatapos naming kumain.

"Later...Why?" he asked.

"Can we stay until eight? No... seven will do. I just want to see the falls filled with lights. I heard it looks more beautiful at night."

"Of course." He smiled at me. "Since we still have five hours before that, let me give you a tour here in Clifton hill. They have a lot of fun-filled activities here. Come on." He held my hand again as we made our way outside the restaurant.

First, we went to their wax museum where I saw wax figures of some of my favorite characters from different Hollywood movies and favorite singers. Some of them looked insanely real but most of them looked fake which is so creepy.

Next, we went to the largest video arcades in Clifton hill which is the Great Canadian Midway where we enjoyed the wild west coaster and the ghost blasters. We also won prizes from different arcades which we decided to give to Sophie when we went back home.

We also visited their Strike! Rock and Bowl. It's an adult bar with a rock n' roll-themed 10-pin bowling alley. We ordered drinks and settled ourselves to the table provided inside.

"No!" I shook my head when he challenged me to go bowling with him.

"Why? You just have to throw the ball and hit all the pins on the other end then you will win," he explained.

"Yeah, sounds easy but it's hard to do. And besides, we know who'll win." I rolled my eyes at him and sipped on my drinks.

"Come on. You'll never know unless you try. How about I'll teach you first then we go play after?" I stared at him for a few seconds before I sighed.

"Fine."

"I promise you will have fun," he said, smiling.

"So, what's the prize for the winner?" I asked as we walked towards the bowling alley.

"That depends on the winner." I nodded.

He started teaching me the basics. He made it clear to me that I can do whatever approach I want since we're just playing it for fun and no need to be serious about the rules.

For the body posture, he stood behind me. I stiffened.

"Relax..." He breathed out near my neck. I felt sudden goosebumps.

"In the stance position, you should lean forward about 10-15 degrees upper-body tilt and flex your knees..." Nang magsimula na siyang turuan ako ay ikinalma ko ang sarili ko at sinunod 'yong mga sinasabi niya. "Keep your head steady with your chin above shoulder level to help you maintain good overall balance and stare ahead towards your target," he said slowly while guiding my head at the position he was saying.

"Next is how you hold the ball. It is important to hold the ball in the correct position..."

After almost ten minutes, he finished explaining to me all the basics I need to keep in mind from body posture, how I hold the ball, how I release it, and my aim. While teaching me all of those, I can't help but admire him because he was like an instructor.

"Okay, you try it first before we proceed to our game." Iniabot niya sa akin ‘yong bola na medyo may kabigatan. "Remember you have to be relaxed, upright, and balanced. Okay?" I nodded at him. "You can do it, baby." I felt myself blushing, so I looked away.

Baby.

I calmed myself first before I positioned myself to execute all of the things he taught me until I finally released the ball from my grip. I closed my eyes, afraid to see his effort of teaching me put to waste, but I immediately snapped it open when I heard the sound of the pins being hit by the ball.

My eyes widened when all of them fell. I turned to Zach.

"Oh, my God! Did you see that?"

"Yeah, it was perfect!" he said, amusement visible on his face. “Fast learner, huh?”

"Let's start our game then." I giggled.

"Can't wait to beat me?" His mouth curved into a smile when I nodded like a kid.

When we started our game, I was so confident that I'd win but when I released the ball from my hand, I knew I'm going to lose since it slipped from my grip while I'm still calculating the angle and my aim.

I frowned when I only hit two pins. I watched his ball roll in the alley silently praying for it to hit only two just like mine, but it did hit all of them. I sighed. I should have known better not to play with him. He's an expert. I wonder how often he plays bowling here.

"Congratulations, you win," I mumbled half-heartedly. "What do you want for your prize?" He grinned at me.

"Hundred kisses from you before you go back to the Philippines." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

My eyes widened as I felt my face flush down to my neck. "Are you s-serious?"

"Yes." He smirked at me.

"No way!"

"Yes, way!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

I glared at him, but his smile never left his face, so I sighed. Zach and his playful side. Tsk.

"Is that what you really want?" He nodded. "Okay."

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at walang pasabing hinalikan siya sa pisngi. Natigilan naman siya dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa ko.

"Seryoso ka ba na gagawin mo ‘yong hiniling ko?" he asked, surprised.

"You asked for it, so yeah." I nodded nonchalantly.

"I was just kidding. You don't have to."

"No, it's fine. You deserve it anyway for bringing me here." I smiled at him and pulled him towards our table.

"Wait for me here. Pupunta lang akong cr."

"Do you know where it is?"

"Yes, I saw it on our way here. I'll be fine." Paninigurado ko sa kaniya bago ako naglakad palayo.

When I reached the exit door, I walked towards the convenience store and looked for their sweets section. A smile formed on my lips when I saw the chocolate I'm here for.

Kisses!

I bought two bags of kisses before I headed back to him.

I spotted him on his phone while I'm walking towards him. I sat across from him.

"I have something for you," I said, ignoring the pizza on the table, and smiled sweetly at him.

"What is it?" he asked so I handed him what I just bought. Taka niya akong tiningnan bago binuksan ‘yong iniiabot ko sa kaniyang paper bag. I put my elbows above the table and rested my chin on my hand as I waited for his reaction.

"Kisses?" I nodded my head at him, biting my lips trying to stifle my laugh.

"You said you want a hundred kisses, and you don't specify what kisses you want exactly, so I thought that maybe you're referring to chocolate kisses." I shrugged my shoulders. "Don't you want it?"

He frowned after realizing what I had just done. I burst out in laughter after seeing his reaction.

"I love it," he said sarcastically. "Thank you for this."

I wiped the tears I got from laughing too much before answering him.

"Always welcome, baby," I teased, trying not to laugh again.

Tahimik lang siya habang kinakain namin ‘yong pagkaing binili niya hanggang sa maubos namin ‘yon. Hindi nagtagal ay napagdesisyunan naming umalis na.

I smiled instead of frowning when he didn't hold my hand when we started walking. He's pissed.

I laughed to myself.

I reached over and circled my arms around his arms while we made our way towards the exit.

He was so quiet the whole time we're walking. I don't even know where our next destination is. We are just walking around.

"Are you mad at me?" I tried to break the silence.

"No, I'm not. Why would I?" he answered, not bothering to look at me.

"Then why are you so quiet? Is this about the chocolate I gave you? Isn't that what you want?" I looked down on my feet to hide my smile.

He stopped on his track and so did I.

"You're enjoying this too much, huh?" masungit na aniya pero hindi ako nagpatinag.

"Huh?" I tilted my head while staring at him, playing innocent.

"Huh?" he mimicked.

I bit my lips to stop myself from laughing, but I immediately regretted it when he lowered his gaze to my lips.

"You know exactly what I want but you decided to play with me," he said, his eyes not leaving my lips.

"I'm sor—" He cut me off with a kiss. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa ginawa niya dahil nasa gitna kami ng daan at ang daming tao sa paligid!

"You don't have to apologize. If you don't want to kiss me, then I'll kiss you instead." He smirked, satisfied with my reaction. Look how the tables have turned.

He looked at his wristwatch. "Let's go, it's almost six." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at marahang hinila palabas papunta sa kotse niya.

I remained silent until we reached Skylon Tower, a famous observation deck near Niagara Falls.

He bought tickets for us so we could get in a glass elevator to reach the top of the 775 feet-high tower.

Halos kalahating oras kaming naghintay bago nakasakay sa elevator dahil sa haba ng pila ng mga taong gusto ring umakyat sa taas.

After a few minute ride, we reached the revolving dining room with a glass wall that overlooks the whole city including the falls. The waiter ushered us towards the two-seater dining table near the glass wall and after we took our seats, he handed us the menu.

For the starters, I ordered salad "framboise" and tender calamari rings while Zach ordered Mediterranean seafood chowder. For the main course, I chose filet mignon "Bearnaise" partnered with Hillebrand Trius Merlot wine while he chose grilled fresh salmon filet paired with Jackson Triggs Sauvignon Blanc wine.

When the waiter left, I roamed my eyes around the huge dining room before I settled my eyes on the city below us. Nasa kabilang side pa kami ng tower kaya hindi pa Niagara Falls 'yong view sa baba. Good thing, it's a revolving restaurant. We just have to wait until we reach the other side of the tower to watch the nightly illumination of the falls that haven't started yet.

"We still have to wait ten minutes for the illumination," Zach said as if he heard what's on my mind.

"I can't wait!" I beamed.

We just talked about how many times he’s been here until the waiter brought our dinner and we started eating.

"Oh, my God, Zach! The illumination is now happening!" I screamed in excitement as I stared at the falls filled with neon colors below us.

It was so f*cking beautiful.

The illumination of falls looks perfect as if it is the true color of the water. I can't believe I'm sitting here and witnessing this breathtaking view right in front of me with the person I love.

After a few minutes of just staring and admiring the light show, lumingon ako sa kan’ya at nahuli ko siyang nakatitig sa akin habang nakangiti. Kitang-kita ko sa ekspresyon ng mukha niya na masaya siya dahil nag-eenjoy ako sa date namin ngayon.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I mumbled, overwhelmed with happiness.

Hinawakan niya ‘yong kamay kong nakapatong sa lamesa bago siya nagsalita. “Anything for you, my love….”

Ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa kan’ya pero wala akong mahagilap na salita. No words can express my emotions right now knowing how much Zach loves me. Grabe, sobrang worth it ‘yong paghihintay naming dalawa sa isa’t isa.

I realized that I shouldn't waste this moment to have memories with him here. So, I looked for my phone in my bag only to realize that I left it in the car with my camera.

"Do you have your phone with you?" I asked Zach and he immediately handed his phone to me. I smiled as I grabbed it from his hand.

"Let's take a photo." I opened his phone and the smile on my face faded when I saw his lock screen. It was a photo of me, smiling with chocolates all over my face. I know I should be happy because I'm his lock screen, but I couldn't bring myself to be happy, not with this picture of me.

"Where did you get this picture?" tanong ko sa kan’ya dahil wala akong matandaan na may ganito akong picture.

"You took that using my phone." He shrugged. My forehead creased.

"Huh? Kailan? And why did you use it as your lock screen? God, I looked so ugly here."

"No, I didn't. You were the one who set that as my lock screen because you said you looked cute in that picture.”

What? I did it? When?

"Too drunk to remember, huh?" He chuckled.

"Oh, God." Feeling embarrassed, I covered my face with my palms. By the mere mention of me being drunk, I think I've got an idea when it happened. Sabi niya siya ang sumundo sa akin noong nag-inom ako kasama ang mga kaibigan ko last week kaya hindi imposibleng ako nga ang may gawa noon.

"Why didn't you change it then?"

"I agree with you. You looked cute there."

"No, I'm not," I argued. I was about to change it when he snatched his phone from me.

"You can't change it. My phone, my rules." He smirked at me.

"Pero picture ko ‘yan and I refuse to permit you to use that. Give it back to me." I stretched my hand in front of him. He shook his head.

“No, I love it.”

"Zach." I gave him a warning tone, but he completely ignored it. Instead, he leaned over.

"You want us to take a photo, right?" His right hand was holding the camera in front of us.

I looked away.

"Kaiah, look at the camera." I sighed before looking at the camera.

"Good girl. Okay, one, two, three, smile!" He said before pressing the capture button, but instead of smiling, I frowned. He took another shot again but I'm still frowning.

"You don't want to smile, huh?" I shoot him a glare.

"I won't smile unless you change your lock screen," I said firmly. He shook his head.

"I can make you smile without doing that," he boasted confidently.

I doubt it. Nothing could make me smile. Not now that I'm starting to get annoyed with him.

He then snaked his arms around me as he started counting.

"One, two, three, I love you," he uttered and kissed my cheeks. I ate my words when I automatically smiled after he said those three words. He took that chance to press the capture button.

I felt my whole face reddened.

Cheater!

"Gotcha." He winked at me before he stared at his phone. He fell silent. He was just looking at it for more than five minutes now. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Is there something wrong with the photo?"

He shook his head and turned his gaze towards me.

"I just love your smile here. It looked different from your normal smile. I mean, you've got a naturally beautiful smile but this one..." He trailed off and shifted his gaze on his phone again before he continued.

"I think it was your most beautiful smile that I have ever seen."