The Box

16. beach

"Good evening, Nay, Tay"

"Good evening, Tita, Tito"

"Good evening, Ginabi ata kayo ngayon, ma-traffic ba? Halina kayo at kumain na tayo"

They talked about their day while they ate. "Dumaan pa po kasi kami sa mall. Nag-aaya po kasi si Chuck na mag-beach daw po tayo etong darating na long weekend."

"Ah talaga?"

"Yes po. I've been wanting to go to the beach since I arrived but didn't have the time"

"Tamang-tama, magagamit ko yung shorts na binigay ni Pareng Efren!" Tatay smiled. He rushed to the bedroom to get his new shorts. "O diba? Bagay na bagay pang-beach!" Tatay said as he held the brightly colored shorts on his waist.

"Naks! Ang ganda!" Maia exclaimed. "Pinadala ata nung pamangkin nyang nasa States kaso medyo malaki para sa kanya kaya sa akin nalang binigay"

"At eto po, Nay, binilhan ka rin po namin ng swimsuit" Chuck gave Nanay a paper bag.

"Salamat. Matagal-tagal na rin na hindi tayo nakapunta ng dagat" Nanay said as she took out the swimsuit from the bag. "Ang huli naming punta eh nung bata pa si Meng."

"Oh"

"...mga walo pa lang ata sya nun" Tatay said.

"Na-trauma ata" Nanay added

"Trauma?" Chuck glanced at Maia.

"Nung mga isa o dalawang taon pa lang sya, nag-outing din kami sa dagat. Naglalaro sya sa buhagin nung biglang natabunan sya nung alon..."

"Oh" Chuck said and caressed Maia's shoulder.

"...kaya medyo takot din ako pumunta sa malalim sa swimming pool..."

"Do you know how to swim?"

Maia shook her head. Chuck nodded and gave a reassuring smile. "Okay, I'll make the bookings first thing tomorrow" Chuck said after a few moments.

---

The long weekend finally arrived, and Chuck brought Maia and her family to the resort he had booked them at. He had wanted to book a villa, but these were fully occupied so he got a suite instead at a beach front hotel.

"Ang laki naman nito!" Nanay exclaimed as soon as they entered the room.

"You, Tito, and Maia can take the bedroom" Chuck pointed to the door by the wall.

"Eh ikaw?" Maia asked as she looked around the unit which looked like a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette, dining area, and a living room.