Divagate (ICS #2)

Prologue

Prologue

Tahimik ang biyahe ko papuntang Marcelo. Wala pa halos ng tao na makikita sa labas dahil napakaaga pa. Minabuti kong ganitong oras magbiyahe para makarating ng maaga sa resort.

Marami akong kailangang asikasuhin at ayusin lalo na't nagsabi si Lolo na bibisita siya rito. Paniguradong lahat ng mga kamag-anak namin ay sasama kapag nagsabi na si Lolo. It would probably be another huge banquet for the Valmontes, kaya kailangan kong siguraduhing magiging pulido ang plano tungkol sa partyng ito.

Kaya naman nang makarating ako sa resort, nagpatawag ako ng meeting kasama ang head ng mga staffs ko rito. We discussed the overview of the simple event, sinali ko na ang titirhang mga villa nila at ang menu na ihahain.

"The event is set next week, tentative schedules are on Friday and Saturday. I will just inform you on our next meeting, alright? Adjourned."

Mabilis ang naging takbo ng araw ko. Dahil na rin siguro marami akong pinagkakaabalahan. Napansin ko na lang na may iilang missed calls na pala ako. I silenced my phone because of my meetings so I did not have the time to check it throughout the day. Nagbuntong-hininga ako nang makita kung sino ang tumatawag.

"Yes, Evalou?"

I instantly heard her groan out of protest. "Anong 'Evalou', Jae? We've been at this for years! Call me Louisse!"

I sat at a rattan chair near the shore, facing the sea. Wala na akong masabi kaya tumawa na lang akong mahina sa sinabi ni Evalou.

"What is it, Louisse?" I said as my eyes remained serious looking at the sea.

I remembered her. She loved this view.

"Bakit 'di mo pinipick-up ang tawag ko? Kanina pa ako tumatawag, ah?"

"I was busy earlier. I had a lot of meetings and you know the usual here in the resort..." I replied. I want to surf, but the sea is so calm today. The wind was blowing very lightly. Ang sarap magpahinga.

"Don't overdo yourself with work diyan sa resot, okay?" Paalala ni Evalou.

"Yep."

"Anyways, I never get the chance to visit you resort. Madalas umuuwi kami jan, two days at most na. I hope we could stay longer para mabisita ko ang resort mo. What's the name again?"

I chuckled. Lagi niya na lang iyang sinasabi, pero ang totoo alam niya naman na kung ano ang pangalan.

"Louisson Beach Resort..." I drawled, leaning my back slowly on my chair.

Once again, remembering her as I said that name.

"Ah, right! How could I forget? You named it after me!" Tuwang tuwa ang boses niya mula sa kabilang linya.

"I didn't, alright." Depensa ko.

I named it after her. It was the name she made for the two of us. For the little shell we found on the sea. She made it as our remembrance. And now, I can't stop thinking about her... again.

"Sus! Huwag ka na magsinungaling sa akin. Alam ko namang sinunod mo lang naman iyon sa pangalan ko!" She laughed. But I couldn't laugh with Evalou.

Because I remember her. And the shittiest time when I only got to listen to her voice on the phone, before she left. I never even got the chance to tell her... my apologies, before she went away. I clenched my fist as I started to remember more of her... more of me, in the past... remember more of us. And the way we were before.

"I really didn't name if after you, you know that Evalou." I couldn't hide the tension in my voice.

I named it after Louie. I followed her name even after she left.