The Chronicles: Unending

Kabanata 1

"Are you sure you really want to settle down here?" I smiled and just nod at Dominick.

"Yes. You know how much I love this place right?" Sagot ko habang inaayos ang mga gamit ko. Dominick is my boyfriend who's now trying to convince me to go back to the city.

"Yes. Pero love ang layo nito sa city." Nilapag ko ang hinahawakan kong flower vase at nilapitan si Dominick. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"We talked already diba? And its just 4 hours drive love. Hindi naman ganon kalayo. Diba you promised me to support my business?" Tumango naman sya at hinapit ako papalapit sakanya.

I am ready to claim his lips for a kiss ng may biglang tumikhim kaya pariho kaming napalingon ni Dominick. And there we saw my best friend Roxy.

"Ang langgam naman. Nakaka sana all." Natawa nalang kami pareho ni Dominick at bumalik na sa ginagawa namin.

Tomorrow is the opening of my resort and I am so excited. Matagal ko ng pinag planohan at pinag ipunan ito. I renovated and cleaned our rest house and make it a beautiful resort.

Elias Garden Resort I don't know what comes to my mind but I named my resort to the person who saved my life many years ago.

Pinag talunan pa namin ni Dominick ang pangalan ng resort pero dahil saakin ito at hindi ko sya hinayaang magka share ay wala syang nagawa. I want this resort to be mine alone.

Handa akong malugi wag lang itong mapunta sa iba. I can close it anytime if I want to. Suportado rin naman ako ni Mommy at Daddy.

"Mga anak kumain muna kayo ng meryenda." Magiliw na sabi ni Manay saamin. Manay is my Nanny since birth.

She's old na and yet she always insist to take care of me. Kahit na sabihin ko sakanya na dapat na syang magpa hinga at ako na ang bahala sakanya.

"Manay the best talaka itong puto cheese mo."

"Ay nako Roxy. Specialty ko iyan at paborito rin iyan ni Juanna." Nakangiti lang akong nakikinig kay Manay at Roxy habang inaasikaso si Dominick.

I gave him food and drink before I get for myself. It should always be like this. Him before me.

Alam kong nag tatampo pa sya saakin dahil pinili kong umuwi sa probinsya para lang sa resort na ito samantalang ang ganda ng trabaho na meron ako sa syudad.

I worked as a Manager in a well known bank but I chose to quit because I really want to start my own business which is my own resort.

And I am happy because even though Dominick doesn't like my decision he's still supporting me.

"You can stay here. Babalik naman kayo bukas malapit ng mag gabi delikado na sa daan." I am trying to convince Roxy to stay for tonight but she said she can't because my inaanak her daughter Rhian is waiting for her.

"I really want to but you know Rhian. She can't sleep without me."

"It's okay love. Ako na mag hahatid kay Roxy and tomorrow dadaanan ko narin sila." Tumango nalang ako.

I kissed him goodbye at tinanaw ko nalang ang kotse nya na papalayo na saakin. Nang masiguro kong nakaalis na sila ay saka ako pumasok. Everything is settled and ready for tomorrow's event.

Before I went to my room I decided to roam around. It's already ten in the evening but I can't sleep. May be because I am so excited for the opening tomorrow.

Sa pag lalakad ko ay nakarating ako sa dalampasigan. Malalaki na ang alon at ang sarap pakinggan ng bawat pag hampas nito sa dalampasigan. Everytime I am close to the sea I always feel calm and relaxed.

Noong nag aaral paako ay hindi ko nakakaligtaang bumisita rito isang beses sa isang buwan. At ngayon ay dito na talaga ako titira.

Naupo ako sa buhangin habang nakatingin sa dagat. Ang daming mga bituin sa langit, ang ganda ng panahon. Nakakawala ng problema at pangamba. Idagdag pa ang sariwang hangin na dumadampi saakin.

I could always choose this kind of life than my life in the city.

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata para mas maramdaman pa ang lamig ng hangin at ang musika ng alon. I was in deep thought when I heard a voice.

"Juanna" I opened my eyes and stand abruptly. Sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko as I look around to see who owns that voice.

"E.. Elias?" I uttered. I am so sure that it was him. But where is he? That voice was from a man and I know it was from Elias.

I begun to run to find him but I couldn't find him. Sobrang layo na ng narating ko na halos hindi na sakop ng resort pero wala parin akong nakitang Elias.

"Juanna anak. Bakit ka tumatakbo?" Napalingon ako at nag aalalang na mukha ni Manay ang nakita ko.

"Manay I heard Elias he called my name. Manay he called me." Masayang masayang sabi ko kay Manay.

"Bukas muna hanapin si Elias anak masyado ng gabi. May gagawin ka pa bukas." Tumango nalang ako kay Manay at wala ng nagawa pa ng hawakan nya ang kamay ko at dalhin sa cabin na tinutuloyan ko.

Pagka pasok ko sa kwarto ko ay agad kong kinuha ang kwentas na binigay ni Elias saakin. And as expected nagliliwanag na naman ito.

This is not the first time that I heard him calling me. Everytime I went here he always make sure that I can feel his presence but sadly he didn't show up.

But I know someday I'll see him again to formally thank him for saving me.

"Magkikita rin tayo Elias." At alam kong malapit ng mangyari iyon.

- - -

"Yes put that here and that one over there. Clara please check the food Please." I was busy instructing my workers when an arm wrapped around my waist.

"Relax love you look stress." Automatic na napangiti ako ng marinig ko ang boses ni Dominick.

"Kanina pa kayo?"

"Medyo. I am watching you from a far. You look amazing instructing them." Natatawang hinarap ko sya at inayos ang nagusot nyang kwelyo pero may nakita akong kulay pula na nasa ibabang leeg nya.

Nang hawakan ko iyon ay parang napapasong lumayo sya saakin. "What is that?" Of course I know what is that I just want to confirm and to know something more.

"A.. allergy love I ate shrimp when I got home."

Mag tatanong pa sana ako kaso biglang narinig ko ang boses ni Rhian na tumatakbo papalapit saakin.

"Ninang." Agad kong kinarga si Rhian at pinugpog ng halik ang inaaanak ko. She's now five years old.

"Ang makulet na bata andito na. Nasaan si Mommy mo?"

"Nandoon po may kausap na guy. Siguro po bagong Daddy ko nanaman. Hello po Tito."

I took a deep breath and walked away. Karga ko parin si Rhian at nararamdaman ko ang pag sunod ni Dominick saamin.

I know that he's doing something behind my back. And I am trying so hard not to ruin my day. I can deal with him later. For now I'll focus on my business.

Binigay ko si Rhian kay Roxy and I keep myself busy just to avoid Dominick who keeps on bugging me.

But so far my opening was smooth. And goes according to my plan.

"How about the Dj? Is he here?"

"Looking for me?" I turned around only to see Yohan my childhood friend. "What? Na gwapohan ka nanaman saakin?" As usual makapal parin ang mukha ng kababata kong ito.

"So you're the Dj?"

"Anna may party? Pinatulog ko na si Rhian kasama si Manay." Hyper na hyper na sabi ni Roxy.

"Hello beautiful lady. May I know your name?" Tinitigan lang ni Roxy si Yohan at hindi sinagot na ikinatawa ko naman. Hindi pa nakontento si Roxy, iniwan nya pa si Yohan.

"Looks like your charm doesn't affect my best friend." Tawang tawa na iniwan ko si Yohan habang umaaktong nag daramdam dahil hindi sya pinansin ni Roxy.

Alas nuebe ng gabi ng mag simula ang party. Everyone is enjoying the music while I was just busy looking around until I saw Roxy and Dominick talking.

I walk slowly to them and before I could get closer Roxy slap Dominick and that's when I ran towards them.

"What's going on?" Nag aalalang tanong ko.

"Nothing love. It's nothing serious." Napakunot noo naman ako habang nag papalipat lipat ang tingin ko kay Roxy at Domnick.

"Nothing? Really Domnick?" Nang uuyam na sabi ni Roxy na mas pinag taka ko.

"Why did you slap him? Can you two say something." Sinubokan ni Domnick na hilahin ang kamay ko palayo kay Roxy pero maagap na nahawakan ni Roxy ang kabilang kamay ko.

"Let her go Roxy."

"Until when are you going to cheat Domnick?" Walang kurap na sabi ni Roxy.

Agad akong napalingon kay Domnick na ngayon ay nag mamakaawa ng nakatingin saakin. Nagtatanong ang mga mata kong nakatitig sakanya. I know something is wrong but I didn't know that I will know it this fast.

"Love I.. I really don't know what she's talking about. She just want to destroy us. She.. she even tried to seduce me last night love please believe me."

"Ako? Wag mong baliktarin ang kwento tarantado. Anna I tell you, this guy tried to do a move towards me last night. And now he wants to sleep with me that's why I slap him."

I really don't know what to feel. We dated for two years I thought I can settle down with Domnick but I guess I am wrong.

"Let me go Roxy." Roxy slowly let go of my hand and as soon as I feel that I automatically slap Dominick. Mabuti nalang ay medyo malayo kami sa mga tao at masyadong maingay ang music kaya walang nakakarinig saamin.

"Really you believe that slut?"

"Abat gago pala talaga." Ready na sana akong sapakin si Domnick kaso pinigilan ako ni Roxy.

If I have someone who can trust my life with aside from my parents its Roxy. That's why I will never doubted her.

"Wag mo ng patulan yan. Madudumihan ka lang. Umalis kana nga gago hindi kana invited block listed kana rin putangina mo."

"You'll regret this Juanna I will make sure you will regret this night."

"Regret mo mukha mong puro libag. Alis. Umalis kana." Pinag sisipa ni Roxy si Domnick hanggang sa mawala ito sa harap namin.

Sabay naman kaming napa buntong hininga at napatingin sa isat-isa. A tear escape from my eye and she immediately wiped it.

"Kaylan mo pa nalaman?"

"Last week nakita ko sya kasama yong workmate mo dati. I confronted him pero sinubokan nya pang lumandi saakin akala nya ata hindi ako loyal sayo." Napangiti lang ako at yumakap kay Roxy.

"Thank you Roxy."

"Ikaw pa ba? Hanggat nabubuhay ako walang makakapanakit sayo." We both laugh and decided to join the party.

Nakisali narin. Ako sa sayawan at inuman. Single narin naman ako at wala ng relasyong iniingatan might as well enjoy my new found freedom.

Pero habang nasa gitna kami ng sayawan ay biglang namatay ang tugtog ng musika at napalitan ng bulong bulongan ng mga tao.

Parang biglang tumigil ang pag ikot ng mundo ng makita kong nag lalakad ang isang matipunong lalaki papalapit saakin.

Habang papalapit sya ay mas naaninag ko ang kanyang mukha. Matangos ang kanyang ilong, mapupula ang kanya mga labi, mahahabang pilik mata at higit sa lahat ang mapupungay nyang kulay asul na mga mata.

Sobrang namamangha ako sa kanya na hindi ko na namalayang nakatayo na pala sya sa harap ko.

"Matagal na kitang hinihintay Juanna."

I slowly dropped my jaw as I realized who is he.

"Elias?"

"Ako nga."

Hindi paman ako nakakapag react ay hindi ko na namalayan ang sunod nyang ginawa.

He put his hand on my nape and pulled me closer to his body. And the next thing I know is, he already claimed my lips and I willingly answered him.

My God, I am now kissing Elias.