Balisang-balisa si Ashley nang gabing iyon. It was three days ago since the night at the Horizon Café at hindi na niya ulit nakasama si Yexel, literally. Tanging sulyap at matipid na mga ngiti na lang ang kanilang pinagsasaluhan sa tuwing magkakasalubong sila. Naging demand sa Horizon Café si Yexel, and with that he barely had time to have a sit and chat with her.
Not that she wanted to be with him so bad. Namimiss niya lang ang panahon na nagkasama at nagkausap sila ni Yexel nung unang umaga niya sa barko. Then the memories of the night that he sung flooded her mind.
Bumalikwas siya ng bangon at sinulyapan niya ang mga kaibigan na mahimbing na natutulog sa kani-kanilang deck. Napapangiti na lamang siya.
Dinala siya ng kanyang mga paa sa front part ng barko. The magnificent view of the moon gives her some fresh air. Kahit kalian ay hindi siya magsasawa sa ganoong pangitain. Maybe that was the reason why she loved travelling on the sea so much.
She missed her family. Ang tawa ni Lenlie, her father’s gnarling, ang pasesermon ng Mama niya tuwing umaga, at ang mga bangayan nilang magkakapatid kung sino ang hahawak ng remote control ng TV. Through out that day, yamot na yamot siya dahil sa hindi malamang dahilan at ngayon ay hindi siya makatulog. Peste naman!
Nawala siya sa kanyang pagmumuni-muni nang may tumikhim sa likod niya at halos kumaripas siya ng takbo dahil sa pagwawala ng kanyang puso. There, that man who has the prettiest pair of eyes and sexiest smile that set her heart in an unfamiliar commotion was standing right in front of her. She didn’t know what to do. Kapag minamalas ka nga naman talaga, oo. Hay, naku!
Alex can’t sleep. Tomorrow will be his last day onboard. Bababa na siya dahil masyado na niyang nalilibanan ang operasyon ng kanyang negosyo. Nakarating siya harap na bahagi ng barko. As an artist, he found the place so romantic. Ideal for couples iyon. The romantic ambiance was brought by the elegant moon beam reflected to the Earth.
He suppressed a smile when she saw Ashley. It’s no denying that the girl leaves a mark on his life.
Ashley. It’s you again. Tumikhim siya upang maagaw ang atensiyon ni nito.
Lumingon si Ashley and he was star strucked. Literally, natigilan siya dahil sa maamong mukha ni Ashley. She was so sweet and soft. She was pretty. Hell! Right there and then, he could gather her in his arms and kiss her.
For a long time, they stood there locked with each other’s eyes. Unang nag-iwas ng tingin si Ashley. Hindi na talaga niya maawat ang kanyang puso sa pagrigodon at baka ano pa ang magawa niya. Yexel show no protest in her actions at unti-unti nang lumapit sa kanya.
Yexel was now an inch away from her face. Hindi niya maintindihan ang ginawang iyon ng lalaki. He just stared at her. Though, it felt so nice for Ashley. He was as if looking at her like she was the only woman that exists in the world, like the only woman he ever need in his life despite the short term acquaintance.
To her utter surprise, Yexel closed the remaining distance between them, gather her in his strong lean arms, and kissed her passionately like it was the only thing that he need in his whole being. It was intimate, passionate, and lovely. Napapikit si Ashley nang mag-sink in na sa isip niya ang nangyayari at buong pusong tumugon siya ng halik.
Natapos ang halikan na pareho silang humihingal. It was her first kiss and she was a bit heady with the feeling. While Yexel was smiling lovingly at Ashley without a trace of regret in his eyes.
“Ashley.” Basag ni Yexel sa katahimikan.
“H-hmm.” Nagulantang sagot ni Ashley.
For a moment they were speechless. Yexel just hugged Ashley tight with the trace of security. Then, their eyes were locked with each other once again. It’s as if their hearts and eyes have spoken all the words that their mouth can’t provide.
With the moon beaming above them, isa iyon sa pinakamagandang pangyayaring nangyari sa buhay ni Ashley. Pangyayaring hindi niya makakalimutan at dadalhin niya sa habang-buhay.
“Ashley, alam kong naguguluhan ka sa mga pangyayari,” Mahinang tugon ni Yexel. “But, as much as I want to stay here with you, I can’t and it cannot be. May responsibilidad tayong kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin. One thing I’m sure, I love you. I really do.”
Nagulat si Ashley sa mga narining niya. Ano ulit? Mahal niya ako? Sino? Ako?
Magsasalita na sana siya nang magsalita ulit si Yexel.
“I’m waiting for the right one. But, I’m hoping it’s you. ‘Till we meet again, Ash.”
‘Yun lang at tumalikod na ito. Naglalalakad na ito palayo nang mapagtanto ni Ashley ang lahat ng mga sinabi nito. It was too late for her to say something for him, though.
Despite without having to say something for him, Ashley still keep what Yexel had said.
I’m waiting for the right one. But, I’m hoping it’s you. ‘Till we meet again, Ash.
Keep repeating on her mind like a mantra.
