You're Worth the Wait...

Amirah! Amirah! Amirah! shouted Jane that came rushing from the distance. She is panting and exhausted from running down the mountain slopes of Matukad island, a municipality on the Caramoan Peninsula, in the Philippines. that is known as a gateway to the beaches, limestone cliffs and caves of Caramoan National Park. Boats run from Gota Beach to islands like tiny Lahos, where the beach, between two rock clusters, disappears during high tide. Matukad Island has a tropical forest and hidden lagoon. Farther offshore, Bagieng Island offers two long, sandy beaches.Amirah and Jane were childhood friends that grew in this beautiful island with few population where people are almost knowing each other from elderly to little ones. "What's happening to you?" " Why are you panting? " "Is someone chasing after you?" "And why are you shouting? Ha? Tell me! "replied Amirah while smirking and shrugging her shoulders while her two hands holding her waistline. Amirah stand indignantly looking at annoying Jane trying to catch her breath from running and shouting. "Tell me now, what happened to you?" "You act as if you ùhave seen a ghost!, "Have you seen one? asked Amirah "Crazy, I don't, it's much more than that! replied Jane. " I have seen Zeph, he's in town now,"said Jane with eyes wide-opened for Amirah to believe. Amirah just shrugged her shoulders for disapproval. "Hmmm," said Amirah uninterestedly and she went back to her boat. Amirah love snorkeling, mountain climbing,hiking, swimming,diving and fishing. She had lived in the seashore in her teenage years and that made her different from other women at her age. Jane, on the other hand is so girly. She loves romantic books,radio plays, cooking and household chores. Amirah is good in everything she does. She excels in her class and an achiever. She is a famous singer in her hometown. She sings during school programs, baranggay activities and church-related events. Many people are admiring her for being beautiful,loving and caring daughter of her beloved parents, namely Ramon and Zenith. Both of her parents were retired teachers. She is the eldest among five siblings with a three-years gap from each other. In her early years,she learned to manage the house and take care of her little siblings. Life is tough in the province. Only few people can have a good income from the sea and port. Not all residents had electricity and portable water to drink compared to the big cities of Manila. Almost all the people in town are suffering from poverty and malnutrition. They are just working to have food on the table in a daily basis. The only thing they wake up is for them to earn for a day living. Though Amirah's parents were both teachers, their life are just the same with the people in their neighborhood because of her parents retirement. They can't work. They are both paralyzed. Amirah stands as the breadwinner in the family as she was employed as a cruise ship stewardees in a famous shipping line named Marina in Manila that is travelling locally and internationally. "You have to go home now,Jane." "Don't waste your time by gossiping around and spreading that nonsense story", said Amirah annoyingly. Amirah went on her way and started pushing her boat to the sea. It was past three in the afternoon. Men from their place at around this time usually prepare for fishing. While the women on the other hand are preparing dinner but for Amirah, it was a very good time to snorkel and dive in the cold water to release her stress during the day.Jane went on after her. " You have to believe me, I'm telling you the truth. I saw Joseph." He was looking at me like he wanted to asked something but I never gave him the chance to come near me and speak". Listen,Amirah!,he's still quite the catch! Looking so handsome and manly.He had changed a lot. He isnt the spoiled-brat Zeph anymore. " You have to see him,my friend! said Jane insistingly. " I am not interested," shouted Amirah." I don't need anything from him and I'm done with him long time back. " Look, I have my good life now, it's smooth sailing. No hassle, no commitment, no string attached. " I am happy," Amirah persisted. Listen Amirah, I saw your pain, anger, heartbreaks, stress,failures and problems before but that didn't justify the fact that you had moved on." I can feel that you still love him, you are still wanting him",said Jane seriously. " I am Amirah Franchesca Del Mundo, and nobody can stop me from being me. I am happy! My life is smooth sailing, no commitment, no relationship, no strings attached. This is the life that I've always wanted, annoyingly replied by Amirah. " I dont need anyone in my life, I will do everything that i want, this is me." I dont need anyone,even you if you keep on insisting,"Amirah added while sailing into the sea. away from the seashore...to Jane. Jane was shocked on what she heard, Did she just lost a friend? Did she hear it correctly? Am i not needed? What did I do? Jane hurried back to home. Sobbing and annoyed on herself of why she told Amirah those things. Amirah sailed hurriedly to her favorite snorkeling spot where the most beautiful and colorful fishes are seen. Diving towards them eases the heaviness of her heart from this pain that this instilled emotions suppresssed in years. I had not been thinking about that pain for a long time until today", murmured Amirah to herself. " Why does she have to remind me of that?" Is she not affected of the traumatic things that happened to me? "I will not go through that moments anymore". I had enough of it.Enough of the pain, fear and anguish.Give yourself a break, Amirah! Amirah keep on thinking of the things while swimming. Her thinking brought her to the caves where she rest for a while and laid her head in the cave's wall for a while. " I saw Jane, I know that she saw me. I can't forget how she looked like before. For sure she knew where Amirah is.I must talk to her. I'm sure that she's the one whom I saw." Jane thought of a way to get back with Amirah. She doesn't want to lose her bestfriend, the one she cherished the most.