Gravity

Chapter One

Jhoanna

I've been wanting to escape my life in Manila, away from all the stress, be it in work or be it with my mom. So when she decided na palayasin na ko, I just knew I had to go somewhere. Somewhere far from all the drama life has been throwing me. I asked a month-long leave from my Manager which she gladly approve just because she's kind like that. Then I booked my ticket.

So here I am now, inside the tricycle that Mang Ely rented to pick me up from the Caticlan airport. I found a place from the internet that I could rent during my stay here in Boracay and Mang Ely is the caretaker. I only saw the house from the pictures in OLX and based on what I saw, the place is just perfect for me and my so called "soul searching".

It took us almost an hour to get to the house. During the ride, I was already thinking na sobrang layo ko pala sa bayan. Paano pag may gusto kong bilin? Why didn't I even think of that??? But when we arrived in our destination, I already forgot my dilemma. As soon as the tricycle stopped, I alighted and ran to the glorious beach in front of me.

Grabe, ang ganda. This is exactly what I needed. Peace. Serenity. Buti na lang maaga ang flight ko. Ang taas ng sikat ng araw.

"Magandang umaga po, Maám Jhoana?" I turned around and saw a man, maybe in his late 50s. It looks like he just ran a long way dahil medyo hinihingal pa sya at pawis na pawis. Ang init pa naman ngayon. "Ako po pala si Ely, yung namahala sa pagpapa-renta netong bahay." He extended his hand offering a shake which I gladly accepted.

"Magandang umaga din po. Jho na lang po ang itawag nyo sakin. Tsaka wag nyo na po ako i-po, mas matanda naman po kayo sakin." I smiled. He just laughed.

"Oo nga naman. Halika at ipapakita ko sayo yung tutuluyan mo." He helped me with my luggage. Medyo nag-aalangan pa nga ako na ibigay sa kanya yung maleta kasi naawa ako sa kanya dahil hinihingal pa sya. I followed him through the gate of the house. It is the same house na nakita ko sa pictures. Buti na lang, legit to. Tinakot kasi ako ng mga officemate ko na baka daw scam lang ito. Nagdeposit pa naman na ako. The house is really simple but it is really beautiful and welcoming. Parang hindi ka matatakot kahit na mag-isa ka lang. It looks like it was made for travelers na mag-isa lang talaga. Sabi ni Mang Ely puro soloist daw talaga ang nagrerent dito. It's good na kumpleto na rin yung mga gamit. Parang bahay mo na talaga, kumbaga. Inexplain naman ni Mang Ely kung saan ko makikita yung mga kailangan ko. Buti na lang din naunahan nya nang bumili ng mga pagkain. Malayo daw kasi talaga dito yung bilihan.

"Kapag may kailangan ka, pwede mo ako itext dun sa number ko. Medyo may kalayuan din kasi ang bahay namin dito pero kaya namang lakarin. Wala din masyado bahay sa lugar na to. Nilimitahan lang din kasi yung mga nagpagawa dahil gusto i-preserve yung beach. O sya, mauna na ko at may trabaho pa ako." I just nodded and thanked him for all his help. Then I started unpacking my things. One-month din akong mag-stay dito kaya medyo madami akong gamit na dinala. I still can't believe that I've done this. It's my first time to travel solo. One item off my bucket list, it is.

I decided to take a quick shower after unpacking. After all, it's hot outside and I was sweaty already. When I said quick, meaning 5 minutes. I'm so excited to go outside and admire the beach! Hehe. I generously put sunblock all over my body coz I'm praning like that. I donned my sun dress after, grabbed my camera and went outside. I started to walk and admire the beauty of this creation. How can something be this perfect? I walked and walked until I reached the world's most gorgeous spot, well, at least for me. It is a cliff where you can see ang kabuuan ng beach na to. I can't even put it into words. This is love at first sight! This really perfect! I wanna live here forever!

"FREEDOOOOOOOOM!", I shouted, thinking that I am alone.

"You're escaping, then, huh?"

I turned around and was initially blinded by the sunlight. After adjusting, my eyes landed on her. She is standing a few feet away from me, smiling. Her dress and her hair is being blown the wind.

"Hi! I'm Bea! And you are?"