Beneath the Summer Sky

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

How I wish na panaginip lang ito ngunit hindi. DJ is outside and asking me to open the door. I facepalm and run my fingers through my hair. I'm trying to think of any reason or alibi pero walang pumapasok sa utak ko.

Ilang sandali lang ay naging tahimik na sa labas, perhaps DJ left already? But I was wrong. Few minutes passed, and I panicked when the doorknob suddenly moved and clicked. When it opens, isang lalaking hinihingal na parang sumali sa karera ang bumungad sa akin. Mas naging magulo ang buhok niya, but still good looking man wearing just a plain white shirt and grey sweatpants. I swallowed hard when I saw his huge bulge, bakat na bakat ito sa pants niya.

“W-What are you doing here? ‘Di ba dapat matutulog ka na?” saad ko na halata ang kaba sa boses. Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa akin without breaking his gaze on me, ilang hakbang din paatras ang ginawa ko. Nasagi ko ang bedframe dahilan upang maupo ako sa kama.

He knelt down in front of me and took both of my hands and kissed the back of it gently. “Totoo ba ‘yung sinabi mo kanina?” I looked at his eyes, it was full of anticipation and hopeful that I will tell him the truth.

Iniwasan ko siya ng tingin at napalunok. Paano ko ba i-co-construct ng maayos ang sasabihin ko?

Hinawakan niya ang aking baba at igawi ang aking mukha sa kanya. “Alam kong masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari, nasa healing stage ka pa nang pumasok ako sa buhay mo. I confessed about my feelings but I won’t force you to answer me back immediately. Maghihintay ako kung kailan handa ka na, Rica.” He smiled and stood up, he leaned forward and kissed my temple. “Matulog ka na. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I just nodded, hinaplos pa ni DJ ang aking pisngi bago tumayo. When I heard the door close, napabuga ako ng hangin.

I was staring at the door after DJ left for almost a minute now. Pagkatapos ay nahiga ako at ngayo’y nasa kisame na ako nakatingin. Chance na ‘yon, Rica.

Hindi ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabi dahil sa kakaisip, but I still made sure to prepare. I just put on light make-up and wear a spaghetti strap lace maxi dress with a ruffle hemline, inilugay ko na lang din ang aking mid length na buhok.

Nakarinig ako ng katok mula sa labas matapos kong suotin ang aking cross strap low heel sandals. I reached for the door and opened it.

“Hi,” tipid niyang bati sa akin at pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. “You’re so gorgeous, Rica. What a sight to behold.” dugtong niya.

I smiled shyly, feeling an overflowing of emotion that made my cheeks turn red and sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Thank you, DJ.” Looking at him, he is the embodiment of everything I never knew I needed—steady, kind, and thoughtful in ways that catch me off guard. I feel myself falling for him more with each passing moment, drawn to the warmth he radiates and the way he makes me feel like I truly matter.

“Huwag mo naman akong tingnan ng ganyan, baka iisipin kong totoo talaga ang sinabi mo kagabi.” He scratched the back of his head.

Tumawa lang ako ng mahina and an idea struck my mind. “Paano kung totoo nga? Anong gagawin mo?” I teased, he look flustered. Nilapitan ko siya at hinawakan ang kanyang kanang kamay. “Shall we?” I continued and smiled sheepishly.

We went on the private dock again, akala ko nung una ay mag s-sunset cruise kami ulit ngunit hindi pa naman sunset until may isang cruising yacht ang huminto sa harapan namin.

Inilahad ni DJ ang kanyang kanang kamay sa akin, “Let’s go?”

I still can’t believe what I’m seeing, but I nodded as an answer. I reached for his hand and we went inside the yacht.

“W-Walang driver?” tanong ko ng napagtanto kong kami lang dalawa ang nasakay.

Inakbayan niya ako at taas noong sumagot. “I’m here.”

Napaawang ang aking bibig sa narinig, “Weh?”

“I’m not lying, Rica. Trust me, you’ll be safe with me.” saad niya dahilan upang uminit na naman ang aking pisngi.

Pinatunayan niya nga sa akin na marunong siya magmaneho ng yate at huminto kami sa may kalagitnaan ng dagat. Lumabas kami sa cockpit at nagtungo sa dinette.

“Woah!” bulalas ko ng matanaw ang nakahandang almusal.

May sinangag, tortang talong, tomato and onion salad, scrambled egg, longganisa, at maling. May nakahain ding mangga na naka-sliced na at water melon sa gilid. Talagang pinaghandaan niya ito.

“Do you like it?” he asked and smiled at me gently.

Tumango ako ng mabilis at sinuklian din siya ng ngiti. “This is just so amazing to experience, DJ. Sobra na ‘tong ginagawa mo para sa akin. Hindi ko nga inaasahan na darating ang araw na mangyari ito—akala ko kasi nakalimutan mo na.”

He reached for my right hand and squeezed it, “There’s no way I would forget. At hindi ito sobra, Rica—you deserve more than this. I only want to make you happy, to show you how much you mean to me.”

As his words sank in, I felt a warmth spreading through my chest, a mix of joy and disbelief. My heart fluttered, and I could feel my cheeks blushing again. It had been so long since someone made me feel this important, valued, like I was truly worth the effort. I looked down, trying to hide my smile, but I knew he could see the happiness in my eyes.

“Thank you, DJ. Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano kita mapasasalamatan,” I murmured softly, my voice almost breaking.

Naramdaman kong umusog siya ng kaunti palapit sa akin. He held my chin and gently lifted my face, then stroked my cheek softly as I looked at him.

He gazed at me, his thumb tracing small, gentle circles on my cheek. "Rica," he began softly, his voice barely a whisper, "you don’t have to thank me for any of this. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat if it means I get to see you smile like that." He paused, his eyes searching mine. "All I want is for you to feel as special as you are to me."

I took a deep, shaky breath, feeling DJ’s hand warm against my cheek. My heart raced, every beat urging me to say the words I’d been holding back.

“DJ,” I started, my voice barely a whisper, “I don’t think I ever expected this… to feel this way again. After everything, I thought maybe love wasn’t for me.” I looked straight into his eyes, meeting his patient, unwavering gaze. “But with you, it’s like… like I’m seeing love differently. You make me feel safe and happy in a way I didn’t know I needed.”

He stayed silent, his gaze holding that calm, steady warmth—just waiting. And I realized it had been two weeks that he’d been waiting. It was a short time, really, but it felt like years had passed as he quietly hoped I’d find my way here. My heart fluttered.

“I think…” I whispered, my voice catching, “I think I’m falling for you.”

A soft smile spread across his face, and his hand, so gentle, brushed a stray strand of hair from my face.

“I’ve waited for you, Rica,” he murmured, his voice quiet but steady. “I told myself I’d wait as long as it took for you to be ready. Knowing that you feel the same…” His voice softened even further, and his gaze searched mine. “It’s more than I could have ever asked for.”

My heart felt so full that I didn’t trust myself to speak. I found myself leaning toward him, closing the small space between us, and he met me halfway.

Our lips met in a soft, tender kiss, filled with all the words we hadn’t yet spoken. In that moment, everything felt right—the fears, the doubts, they melted away, replaced by a warmth that spread from my chest and wrapped around us both.

When we finally pulled back, I looked at him, feeling that strange, exhilarating peace that only he could give me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, a soft smile tugging at my lips. “For being here, for waiting… for showing me that love could feel like this.”

His thumb gently brushed my cheek, and he gave me a look so full of promise it took my breath away.

“I’ll never give you a reason to doubt this, Rica,” he said softly. “This is just the beginning.”

And as I looked at him, I knew—this was something I was ready for. With him, I could let love in again.