Beneath the Summer Sky

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

"Tara breakfast tayo?" agap niyang aya sa akin nang iwan na kami ni Ate Oli.

"Ha?" Nagdadalawang isip ako kung oo o hindi ang isasagot ko. Pero wala naman na siguro akong magagawa dahil siya na ang magiging guide ko dito sa resort. Tumango na lang ako bahagyang ngumiti.

He led me the way and we went to Isla Azul. According to him, this is the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant. It is located on a terrace overlooking the ocean. The structure is elegant, with high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that can be opened to let in the sea breeze.

Nang maupo kami sa naka-reserved na mesa ay medyo naiilang ako sa pa-VIP treatment. Pinagtitinginan tuloy kami ng mga staff at ng ibang mga guest na kumakain sa resto.

“I’m sure you will like the food here. This restaurant specializes in fusion cuisine, blending Filipino flavors with Mediterranean and Asian influences.” nakangiti niyang saad sa akin. Tumango lang ako, still feeling the gaze of every staff member passing by around us.

Tahimik lang ako hanggang sa dumating ang in-order namin. Siguro napapansin niyang kanina pa ako hindi nagsasalita kaya nagtanong na siya, “Okay ka lang, Rica? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang pagkain o may masakit ba sayo? Masama pakiramdam mo?”

I put down the spoon and fork on the side of the plate. Pinasadahan ko ulit ng tingin ang paligid at muling itinuon ang atensyon sa kanya. “Pinagtitinginan tayo ng mga staff mo, baka iniisip nila na girlfriend mo ako.”

Kinuha ko ang isang baso na may laman na tubig at akmang iinumin ito ngunit muntik na akong mabilaukan ng marinig ang sinagot niya sa akin.

“Ayaw mo ba?” he said and a smirk forms on his lips when he looks at me.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay, “Huh? Sabog ka ba?”

Tumawa siya ng malakas dahilan upang lingunin kami ng mga tao. I glared at him at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagkain.

“What can you say?” he asked after a moment of silence, not minding the people around us.

I crossed my arms in front of me, “In fairness, the food is delicious.”

He looked delighted and proud, “See? Sabi ko sayo, eh.”

Nagkwento pa siya ng mga bagay na nandito sa resort, kahit alam ko na ‘yon dahil nabanggit na rin sa akin ni Ate Oli ay nakinig pa rin ako sa kanya.

***

The days went by so fast, puno ng adventure at kasiyahan ang naramdaman ko habang nandirito. DJ showed me the Spa and Wellness Center and we got to do yoga in an outdoor pavilion facing the sea. The center also has a meditation garden with small fountains and stone pathways.

I also got to enjoy the infinity pool and we did some island adventures and activities. Hindi nagkulang sa pag-aasikaso sa akin si DJ, in that span of days I got to know him more.

Nalaman ko na namatayan siya ng kakambal, ni hindi man lang niya ito nasilayan. According to him, namatay ang kapatid niya noong baby pa sila, ang mom naman niya ay naka-base na sa Amerika ngayon at may pamilya ng iba. Nagkahiwalay ang parents niya noong nasa grade school pa siya. Sabi niya rin sa akin kaya siya nagtayo ng resort dito, eh, dahil dito raw siya at ang kapatid niya ipinanganak.

It serves as a way for him to stay connected to his twin and the place where they were both born, as if building the resort was his way of keeping the memory of his sibling alive while also creating something meaningful in their hometown.

“Babalik ka na ng Metro this weekend?” tanong niya nang makabalik na kami sa private dock after ma-experience ang sunset cruise.

Tumango ako, “As much as I want to stay here longer, alipin ako ng salapi, kailangan ko pa rin magtrabaho.” Kaswal kong sagot, tumawa naman siya. I examined his face, as if there’s something he wanted to say but he was hesitating. “May gusto ka bang sabihin?”

Napunta ang kamay niya sa likod ng ulo niya at napakamot, I notice his ears slowly turning a shade of red.

“I-I promised you that we will visit the Sunset Lounge and Bahari Bar tomorrow but there’s this place that I usually go to. My staff doesn't have any idea about this place. G-gusto sana kitang dalhin doon ngayon, kung okay lang sayo?”

I felt a tight knot on my stomach, umiwas ako sa kanyang titig dahil ramdam ko na nag-iinit ang aking pisngi.

“Okay lang naman, but can we have dinner first? Medyo nagugutom na ako.” nahihiya kong pahayag.

“Sure, let’s go.”

Pagkatapos namin kumain ay dinala na niya agad ako sa nasabi niyang lugar. We are approaching a secluded part of the island, may napansin akong napakagarang bahay. Mala-palasyo ang itsura, I wonder who’s the owner of that house?

Dinaanan lang namin ‘yon at na-distract ako dahil naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni DJ sa aking kamay. The place is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with pathways lined with palm trees, bougainvillea, and native ferns. A private, sandy path leads from the house directly to a quiet stretch of beach.

“Wow!” bulalas ko. May bonfire sa ‘di kalayuan at sa tapat nito ay may lounge chair at blanket. May nakikita rin akong telescope sa gilid.

DJ didn’t let go of my hand and led me the way to the blanket that was already placed on the sand, may picnic basket na rin doon.

“Paano mo nagawa ‘to?” ‘di ko pa rin mapigilan ang mamangha sa nakikita ko.

He shyly smile, “Bago tayo mag cruise, nagmamadali akong ihanda ‘to. Pasensya na, simple lang.”

“What are you talking about? It’s perfect!” Kinuha ko ang telescope, “So, are we going to stargazing?” I excitedly asked.

Matamis siyang ngumiti at tumango. Salitan kami sa paggamit ng telescope, sakto at full moon. I love to watch it every time, it feels like I’m drifting into a different world, one where everything is calm and time slows down, letting me savor the beauty of the night sky.

He handed me a glass of wine after we finished stargazing, “Nag-enjoy ka ba?”

“Sobra!” Saad ko at bumaling sa kanya. “Thank you for making my vacation special.”

“Because you’re special, Rica,” sabi niya na walang bahid ng pag-aalinlangan sa boses, habang tinititigan ako ng diretso, para bang bawat salita ay totoo at mula sa puso. Nagsimula na namang mag-init ang aking pisngi. He reached for my left hand that was on my lap, and took a deep breath. “I know, ngayon na lang ulit tayo nagkita at ilang araw pa lang tayong magkasama but I just want you to know how special you are to me.”

Natigilan ako sa narinig ko, biglang bumilis ang t***k ng aking puso.

"Don't worry, I'm not pressuring you. Alam ko naman na you're still mending your broken heart, and please huwag mong isipin na I’m taking advantage of you dahil hindi mo ako maalala. It's just that maybe we can make a new memories together.” he added.

Umupo ako ng tuwid. “Y-You’re not saying that dahil lang sa epekto ng alak, di ba?” I awkwardly smiled. “Baka nagbubulag-bulagan ka lang… I am no match with the other woman na nakilala mo na. I have a plump body, DJ. I’m not sexy. Isa pa, you’re a CEO. Wala akong laban sa status mo—”

"Ayan ka na naman, eh. ‘Di ba sabi ko sayo huwag mong ibaba ang tingin mo sa sarili? Ano naman ngayon kung CEO ako? You don't have to change for me or anyone else, stick to who you are."

I felt the sincerity in his words, but I don’t wanna bet again.

“Bukod sa akin, ilang babae na ang sinabihan mo ng ganyan?”

He was taken aback, perhaps he didn’t anticipate what I said. He grinned and tilted his head, “Wala pa akong dinala na babae dito bukod sayo, Rica.”

That shut my mouth, “Sorry, DJ. It takes time to heal. Natatakot ako na baka matulad na lang ulit sa nangyari sa amin ng ex ko. I admit, I feel strange everytime you’re around. But this strange feeling is comforting, I am me when I’m with you. Pero gusto ko lang mag-ingat ngayon, sana maintindihan mo.”

He gently squeezed my hand. “Naiintindihan ko, kaya ko naman maghintay kung kailan handa ka na. I’m just glad we’re on the same page.”

Mula sa aking kamay ay dumapo sa aking pisngi ang kanyang palad at hinaplos ito. It took seconds, and he planted a quick kiss on my forehead. The sound of gentle waves enhances the experience, making it feel both magical and serene.