Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

PROLOGUE

I spent a few good minutes sitting in the sand, reflecting with my own thoughts. I used to do this when I still lived here in the island. It gave me such comfort.

I saw an old couple slow dancing in the middle of the beach early this morning. It made me smile how they stared at each other's eyes with pure love. I'd pay millions to have that type of love. But love was priceless, so I'd rather wait for it than pay and get the wrong one.

I remember that night... It was unforgettable.

The night he randomly asked me to slow dance with him in the middle of the beach. We bursted out laughing at how awkward we both were. We were nowhere good, especially him. Dancing was not his forte.

"Palagi na lang ikaw. Kailan ba magiging hindi? Kulang na lang ipinta mo mukha mo sa mga mata ko dahil ikaw lang nakikita ko," inis na bulong ko sa hangin at tinamaan muli ang noo ko.

"You're hitting your forehead. Is that a good sign or no?" Sasy arrived and sat beside me on the sand. "Kamusta iyong date? Finally na ba? Teka, mabango ba? Pogi? Mukha bang nag-toothbrush naman?"

"Sasy!" Cali laughed lightly.

"Priorities, duh!"

Cali shook her head and turned to me. "How's your date, Esme? Did it go well?" Ang saya-saya niya pagkatanong noon.

"It went fine. We had breakfast at the coffee shop nearby. We had a nice talk. Got to know each other a little. He's a nice guy," I replied, smiling a bit.

Cali smiled, a bit meaningful. "Hindi pa rin, 'no?"

"Siya pa rin," mahinang amin ko. "Siya pa rin talaga. Hanggang ngayon. Siya pa rin. Fuck."

"Shit, paano na?!" Sasy exaggeratedly covered her mouth.

Kumawala ang tawa sa labi ko. "Tons of blind dates set up by Raya just doesn't seem to work for me. Focus on myself na lang muna ako. Self-love." I raised my index finger as if telling a fact.

Cali nodded in approval. "Right choice! Join my club! Mga self-love lang. I mean, who needs a man?"

"Sis, wala lang nagmamahal sa atin kaya self-love na lang. Wala tayong choice," pambabara ni Sasy.

"Romantically true." I nodded, rolling my eyes.

Bakit ko ba pinipilit na walain siya sa isipan ko? Sa kada layo ko, mas lumalapit lang ako. Para kaming naghihilahan. At nagpapatianod lang ako papunta sa kaniya.

Mayroon lang kasi akong hindi maintidihan. Nakita ko siya. I recently saw him in the mall. Before that, I saw him countless of times, too. But my friends denied he was here.

Kada lingon ko, kahit saan, siya ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko alam kung pinagloloko ako ng utak ko o nagsisinungaling lang ang mga tao sa akin kapag tinatanong ko sila ng totoo.

Pero bakit sila nagsisinungaling?

Ako naman iyong umalis.

"Esme! Nandito na ako! Sorry, late! May inasikaso pa, eh." Marco gave me tight hug. We were at some newly opened club to have a mini celebration for the opening of my second café.

"Thank you for coming! I know you're busy!" masayang sabi ko at niyakap siya pabalik.

As if my feet grew some vines, I couldn't move a bit when I caught a glimpse of a familiar face from afar. He suddenly got lost in the ocean of people. I shook my head and set aside whatever feelings rose inside of me.

My friends were having a conversation. I was just listening, but not really understanding anything they say. I scanned the club, holding my glass filled with juice. I didn't want to get drunk so I had to wash the alcohol out of my body.