Beneath the Summer Sky

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

This is my last day here in the resort before going home. I’m gonna miss this place. I’m gonna miss his company. DJ made sure that I will enjoy and create beautiful memories. Pinuntahan namin muli ang private beach kung saan siya umamin sa akin, at first we got awkward, lalo na ako. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya pakikitunguhan, ngunit ginawa niya ang makakaya niya para hindi kami magkaroon ng awkwardness sa isa’t isa, and I’m grateful for that.

Tonight, DJ and I will be going to Sunset Lounge and Bahari Bar. Bago man makabalik ng Metro, magpakalasing muna ako, tutal sa hapon pa naman ang alis ko. Ayos lang magka-hangover.

“Woah! Ang ganda naman dito.” pagpuri ko nang marating namin ang lounge. The atmosphere is tranquil and perfect for unwinding.

Ngumiti lang si DJ sabay kamot sa may batok niya.”’Di naman, sakto lang.”

I raised my eyebrow, “Sakto lang? Humble mo naman masyado.” Pareho kaming natawa. “You really hit the jackpot in placing the resort here. It’s a paradise, if I may say. Gaya dito, this place is surrounded by panoramic glass walls that offer a 180-degree view of the sea and horizon and it is slightly elevated on the cliff, so you feel like you’re floating above the water.” I paused. “But one thing I observe, mahilig ka sa sunset.” I flash a warm smile.

Tinignan niya ako ng seryoso at hinawakan ang aking kamay. Pagkatapos ay iginiya niya ako sa glass wall, the sun is starting to set and the sky turns into brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple, reflecting on the calm ocean.

He looked at the view outside, then turned his gaze at me again. “Sunset brings a sense of closure, doesn’t it? It reminds us that even the most beautiful days can end unexpectedly, just like love sometimes does. But with every sunset, there’s a promise of a new dawn. Just as the night gives way to light, every ending can lead to a fresh start. You’re stronger than you realize, and this is just the beginning of a brighter chapter.”

I felt a lump in my throat as his words washed over me, a mixture of sadness and hope.

He gently squeezed my hand and placed his left hand on my cheek. “You are beautiful just the way you are, Rica. You don’t need to please a person for him or her to like you. True love sees you for who you are, imperfections and all. Remember, it’s the light in your heart that matters most. The right person will cherish that light and never try to dim it.”

His gaze held mine, filled with sincerity and warmth. I could feel the walls I had built around my heart starting to crumble, and for the first time in a while, I felt a flicker of hope igniting within me. Maybe this was the beginning of healing, not just from the heartbreak, but from learning to love myself again.

Nagkatitigan kami, at bumaba ang tingin niya sa aking labi. Hindi na magkamayaw ang pintig ng aking dibdib. I can’t even hear the people talking around me due to my uncontrollable heartbeat. Para bang nag-slow motion na din ang mga tao sa paligid.

Unti-unting lumalapit ang kanyang mukha sa akin at ‘di ko na napigilan ang pumikit, anticipating his kiss. In an instance, I felt his lips gently press against mine.

Parang isang milyong boltahe ng kuryente ang dumaloy sa buong katawan ko, napakapit ako sa batok niya.

His tongue was exploring and searching for entrance, hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Sa loob ng limang taon, ni minsan ay hindi ko ito naranasan kay Enzo. Marahil kaya siya naghanap ng iba—dahil sa tuwing gusto niyang may mangyari sa amin, lagi ko siyang pinipigilan. Making out was never something I considered, but this one? Bakit parang ang tamis ng sandaling ito, at tila tama ang lahat?

When he got an opportunity, he slid his tongue in my mouth and played with mine. I got drunk by what he was doing even though I still didn’t drink anything yet.

We were lost for a moment but I was the one who pulled away.

"I-I'm sorry, Rica, hindi ko na-napigilan.” he presses his forehead against mine, his voice is hoarse.

Bahagya akong tumikhim, “A-Ayos lang, punta muna akong rest room.”

Nagmadali akong maglakad at nang marating ko ang CR ay lumapit ako sa may lababo at tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. A shade of red was visible all over my face. My right hand reached my lips and suddenly what happened earlier flashes back in my mind. Tama ba ‘tong nararamdaman ko?

Mariin akong umiling at pumasok sa isang cubicle. Narinig ko ang dalawang kababaihan na kakapasok pa lang at nagkwekwentuhan.

“Huy, beh… nakita ko si Ms. Madieson kanina sa lobby.”

“Nakita ko nga rin siya kanina. Grabe, mas lalo siyang gumanda at sumeksi. She really embodied the model vibe, effortlessly chic.”

“Kapag natatamaan siya ng sinag ng araw, kumikislap ang balat niya.”

They both chuckled and continued talking.

“Sa tingin mo ba nandito siya para kay boss?”

My eyebrows suddenly twitched, I stood up and sorted myself. I leaned closer to the cubicle door for me to listen carefully.

“Siguro? Alam mo naman si boss, bumibigay agad kapag nasa paligid si Ms. Madieson.”

“Tama na nga ang chismis baka hinahanap na tayo, tara na.”

I heard the door open and they walked out. Tahimik na muli ang paligid, ngunit biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. ‘Yong boss ba na tinutukoy nila ay si DJ? Kung siya man ‘yon, bakit niya sinabi na espesyal ako sa kanya kung may Madieson na pala siya?

Lumabas na ako ng cubicle at huminga ng malalim bago maghugas ng kamay saka lumabas ng restroom. Pabalik na ako sa pwesto namin kanina ni DJ nang makita kong may kasama siyang babae at kinakausap ito. She has a wavy bob cut deep, rich burgundy red hair color.

Nakapulupot ang kamay niya sa braso ni DJ, her gaze is playful and flirty towards him. If my suspicion is correct she is Madieson.

I didn’t find the strength and courage to approach them. Tumalikod ako sa kanila at naglakad patungo sa Bahari Bar. It is a relaxed, beachside bar with a thatched roof and bamboo furniture. It’s located directly on the sand, just steps from the water.

I ordered their signature drink which is the ‘Bantayan Sunset’, it is a mix of mango, passion fruit, and vodka. Umupo ako sa bar stool at nagsimulang uminom. I noticed a droplet on the bar counter. I thought my drink had spilled but it was a tear coming from my eye flowing down my cheeks. Gaga ka talaga, Rica. Nagpakatanga ka na naman!

I need a love that grows

I don't want it unless I know

But with each passin' hour,

someone, somehow

Will be there, ready to share

I scoff and sniffed after hearing someone singing that line. Hinanap ko kung saan ‘yon nanggagaling at nakita ko ang isang babae na kumakanta sa ‘di kalayuan. Um-order pa ako ng ilang shot ng alak at tinuloy ang pakikinig.

I need a love that's strong

I'm so tired of being alone

But will my lonely heart play the part

Of the fool again, before I begin?

Naramdaman kong nag-vibrate ang phone ko. Pagtingin ko kung sino ang tumatawag ay agad ko itong in-off. Pagkatapos mo 'don sa modelo, ako naman ang haharutin mo?! Ano ka gold? Tangina naman! Ano ba kasi ang meron sila na wala ako?! Lagi na lang akong nabibiktima ng manloloko.

Foolish heart, hear me calling

Stop before you start falling

Foolish heart, heed my warning

You've been wrong before,

don't be wrong anymore

Nasa moving on stage pa lang ako pero pinapasok ko na siya sa buhay ko. Tapos ganito lang ang gagawin niya?

‘Di ko na alam kung ilang oras na akong umiinom, nanlalabo na ang aking paningin. I turn my head and face the calm sea, gusto kong maligo upang mahimasmasan. Tatayo na sana ako ngunit bigla akong nakaramdam ng hilo, buti na lang at agad na may humawak sa akin.

When I saw his face, I let out a bitter laugh and pushed him with all the strength I had left.

“Bakit mo 'ko pinuntahan dito? You’re with Madieson, ‘di ba?” Kumunot naman ang kanyang noo, nagmamaang-maangan pa. “Don’t play your cards with me, DJ. Tanga ako sa pag-ibig pero hindi ako bulag. Alam kong may iba ka."

Tinabig ko ang kamay niya na nakahawak sa aking baywang, muntik pa akong ma-out of balance dahil sa kalasingan ko.

Muli niya akong inalalay, "Lasing ka na, dalhin na kita sa tinutuluyan mo." ma-awtoridad niyang saad.

Nagpupumiglas ako. "Ayoko sayo! Ayoko sumama sa isa ring manloloko!"

Hindi niya ako pinakinggan, he carried me in his arms at ‘di nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa villa. Pumasok kami at pagkasara niya ng pintuan ay ibinaba niya ako, inambahan ko siya agad ng sampal ngunit nahawakan niya ang aking kamay at kinabig ako palapit sa kanya.