Beneath the Summer Sky

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

“Love the view?” he asked, wrapping his strong arms around my waist. I leaned back against him, feeling his warmth.

Holding onto his hands around my waist, I replied, “Since I got close to you, and now that we’re together, I’ve come to love watching sunsets with you.”

Umihip ang malamig na hangin, at naaamoy ko ang bango ng dagat. The yacht swayed gently beneath us, the rhythm of the waves steady as we stood on the deck, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

His embrace tightened as he rested his chin on my shoulder, and together we watched the sun sink lower on the horizon, casting golden hues over the water. With a soft murmur, he whispered, “It feels perfect, doesn’t it? Just us, the sea, and the sunset—and seeing you in my shirt. It fits you perfectly.” His voice was laced with a seductive edge, and a flutter stirred in my stomach as he spoke, sending shivers across my skin.

Grabe! Ganito ba talaga ‘to kapag inlove? Feeling ko parang kamatis na ang pisngi ko dahil sa pamumula.

Tinalikuran ko ang paglubog ng araw at hinarap ang lalaking nagbigay sa akin ng pag-asang umibig muli. Smiling, I teased, “Maybe this shirt was meant for me all along?” I tugged playfully at the hem, reminding him of how we’d spent the afternoon talking and swimming until the sunset caught us.

Marahan niyang pinisil ang aking ilong, “You know, it’s really hard being this close to you.” His gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there as if he was holding something back.

A playful smile spread across my face, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I tilted my head slightly to the side, making my eyes twinkle with curiosity. “Oh? And why is that?”

His eyes darkened a shade, his voice lowering with an intensity that sent my heart into a race. “Because it’s hard to resist the thoughts that keep filling my mind—the ones where I can’t help but imagine being even closer to you.”

Stunned by his words, the heat in my cheeks intensifies. But just as quickly, he pulled back slightly, taking my hands in his. “Pumasok na tayo? Gumagabi na rin, maghanda na tayo para makabalik sa resort,” he said with a gentle smile, his voice back to its usual warmth.

Tumango ako at magkahawak kami ng kamay na pumasok sa cockpit. While I was busy arranging some stuff, I heard DJ cursed a word.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, “may problema ba, love?”

“H-Hindi umaandar ang yate. Naubusan ata tayo ng gasolina,” aniya. Nakakunot na ang kanyang noo at medyo natataranta na siya.

Nilapitan ko siya at tinapik ang balikat niya, kahit ako ay medyo natatakot na rin dahil nasa kalagitnaan kami ng dagat. But I stayed calm so he would not worry about me.

“Just wait here, okay? Tatawagin ko muna si Kuya Gerson.” He added. Tinutukoy niya ang isa sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan niyang staff na nag-ha-handle ng kanyang mga yate. Nasa late 30s na siya sa pagkakaalam ko.

Ilang sandali lang ay bumalik na si DJ, at mas lalo akong nabahala nang mapansin kong mas halata na ang pagka-stress niya.

“Natawagan mo na si Kuya Gerson?”

Huminga siya ng malalim bago ako lapitan, “Yes. Humingi siya ng pasensya dahil hindi niya ito in-inspection muna bago ko gamitin. Wala siya sa kanyang tamang pag-iisip dahil kabuwanan na ng asawa niya at ngayong gabi nga ay dinala na niya sa ospital dahil manganganak na.”

“I see…” Tumango-tango ako. “So, ibig bang sabihin?”

He pulled me into a tight hug and I could smell his vanilla scent.

“I’m sorry, love. Magpapalipas muna tayo ng gabi dito dahil bukas pa tayo maasikaso ni Kuya Gerson.”

Marahan kong hinagod ang kanyang likod bago siya tinignan. “It’s okay, love. As long as I’m with you, alam kong safe tayo.”

Ngumiti siya at napansin kong nahimasmasan na siya ng konti.

***

Bumalik ako sa deck pagkatapos naming mag dinner ni DJ. He said he will freshen up at aayusin ang tulugan namin. Tahimik ang paligid, the moon shines brightly together with the stars in the night sky.

I found a love for me

Oh, darling, just dive right in

and follow my lead

Lumingon ako sa aking likuran ng marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses na kumakanta. He was smiling while looking at me, he was holding his guitar and continued playing it.

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone

waitin' for me

Dahan-dahan naming nilapitan ang isa’t isa habang siya ay kumakanta hanggang sa magkatapat na kami.

I have faith in what I see,

now I know I have met

An angel in person, and she looks perfect

Though I don't deserve this,

you look perfect tonight

As if there’s a gravity that pulls me into him, I hugged him tightly. "Thank you, DJ. You have such an amazing voice, maswerte ako dahil isa ako sa nakarinig ng maganda mong boses." sabi ko. Humiwalay kami sa pagka kayakap at pinunasan niya ang aking luha na dumaloy sa aking pisngi.

"Ako dapat ang magpasalamat, Rica." saad niya. “Hindi mo lang alam kung paano mo binigyan ulit ng kulay ang mundo ko.” Patuloy pa rin ang pagbuhos ng luha ko. I'm so happy, my heart is full.

Inilapag niya ang gitara sa paanan namin. He cupped my face and looked straight into my eyes, parang napunta ang mga tala sa kanyang mga mata dahil sa kislap nito habang tinititigan ako. Inch by inch, he is leaning slowly, moving closer and under the moonlight, we shared a tender kiss that felt like time itself had paused, leaving only the sound of the gentle waves and the soft rustle of the night breeze around us.

"I don't want this night to end.." bulong niya sa akin, he pressed his forehead against mine.

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Me too."

"Kailangan mo ba talagang bumalik ng Metro this weekend?" Halata sa boses niya ang lungkot. "Mami-miss kita ng sobra."

He hugged me again and buried his face on the crook of my neck. Biglang uminit ang pakiramdam ko, nag sitayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan. Ramdam ko ang paghinga niya sa batok ko at naaamoy ko rin ang alak sa kanya. Konti lang naman ang ininom namin kanina, siguro ay muli siyang uminom upang magkaroon ng lakas ng loob para gawin ito?

"A-ang clingy naman ng boyfriend ko, syempre kailangan ko magtrabaho. Ang dami kong bayarin since nalalapit na naman ang mga due dates." I laughed awkwardly.

"Since boyfriend mo na ako, hindi mo na kailangan mag-alala tungkol sa mga bayarin mo. Gusto kong tumulong,” kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap at may kinuha sa wallet niya. “So here—gamitin mo na ‘tong credit card ko para bayaran ang mga kailangan mo."

I looked at him while raising my right brow and hit his left arm. "Hoy! Ang yabang! Porket CEO ka, mag t-take advantage na ako? Hindi ako ganon no! Ayokong isipin mo na pera mo lang ang habol ko sayo."

He pinched my nose. "Ouch!" daing ko.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Tumawa siya at hinawakan ang magkabila kong kamay. "Wala naman akong sinabi na ganon, ah. I just want you to know that I support you, not just emotionally but also practically.."

Napangiti ako. Muli ay nagkatitigan kami, hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi gamit ang kanang kamay niya.

He sighed. "I'm gonna miss you big time." He pouted playfully and asked, "You’re going to miss me too?"

I nodded, smiling softly. "I will..."

A familiar tight knot formed in my stomach as DJ’s face slowly approached mine, his gaze lingering on my lips. His usually sleepy eyes were now heavy with intent, fixed entirely on me. Heart pounding, I closed my eyes, and in the next moment, I felt his lips softly press against mine.