The waves were gentler here. They didn't crash, just curled toward the shore like they, too, were tired but happy. The ocean itself sounded like it was breathing... just like us.
Casting the sky in gold and orange was the setting sun, clearly could be seen behind the edge of the sea.
I heard their voices, so I turned to look at all of them. On my left, I saw Mae, Kathleen, Hailey, Dea, Shane, Ace, and Thal taking pictures—even coaxing Arrie to pose for the camera.
Farther down the shore, I spotted Max, Marcus, Ian, and Santi just messing around in the sea.
Yago, on the other hand, seemed to be craving peace; he was lying beside Nash on one of the many sun loungers. There was music lingering in the air—the bluetooth speaker that we brought down here.
This might be the most peaceful birthday I've ever had.
"Hoy, birthday boy!" Mae called me. Technically, my birthday's still tomorrow, but I still looked. "Picturan mo kami!"
"Tigas mo talaga, 'no? 'Yung nagbayad pa talaga ng resort inutusan mo?" Max was near them, probably done swimming with Santi and the others.
"Alangan namang sa iyo, eh tabingi ka rin mag-picture! Parang si Marcus ampota."
"Ako na." I walked nearer and got the camera out of Mae's hand. After minutes and lots of retakes, they were finally content. I thought my sideline job as a photographer was done, but I heard Thal speak.
"Ate Arrie, p'wede ba picture tayo, please?"
"Wow, fan behavior," pang-aasar ni Marcus.
"Talaga lang! Palagi ko siya pinapanood, hoy! Halos mag-wala nga ako nung nalaman ko na naka-training niyo siya, eh wala pa ako sa team no'n!"
I couldn't help but smile. Too think that there were times that Arrie thought there was something between Thal and I when in reality... baka ako pa nga dapat ang kabahan. Thal seemed to be in awe of Arrie so much.
After their photos were taken, I didn't let go of the camera. I took one photo of Arrie while she was looking at the sea.
Another one while she was fixing her hair.
Then, I called the girl of my dreams. "Arrie."
The exact moment she turned her head, I took another photo. Through the lens, I saw her start walking toward me. I swear the sun slowed down just to catch her in that light.
"Do I look dumb there?" was the first thing she asked.
I chuckled—what kind of question was that? I always found her beautiful, no matter how she looked or from what angle I saw her.
"Let me see the photo." She even pouted slightly. Come on, how could I resist that?
I trapped her in between my arms, and now we were both facing the vast sea. I rested my head on her right shoulder, also peeking at the camera.
I took a photo of the scenery in front of us first before opening the gallery. Then I pressed the button to go back to the previous picture—the one where I'd captured her face at the exact moment I called her.
In the photo, her lips were slightly parted. Her eyes kept their gentle almond shape. Her hair was being blown slightly by the wind. She was wearing something that she called a... a bankini? A tankini? Something like that in black, and a beige long skirt.
I peaked her face, "See? Very, very pretty."
Her head turned slightly toward me, and now our faces were just inches apart.
I couldn't resist. I gave her a quick kiss—just a peck.
Surprise was written all over her face. "Ven!" She started throwing her hands on my chest.
I was laughing like crazy! "What, why?! Ganti lang! You stole a kiss from me too, last week!"
"Gago, ano daw?!" Marcus reacted, eyes wide open. Nasa bandang likod namin sila at akala ko naman ay wala silang pakialam sa amin. "Kiss?!"
Yago whistled a teasing tone, now smirking.
Santi also reacted, "The crazier part is... Arrie kissed you first?!"
I looked at Arrie with a grin so wide I knew he would be annoyed. I was right. She rolled her eyes at all of us. "Can you all stop?"
"No way! I'm gonna tease you for life—oh shit," Santi yelped, breaking into a full-on sprint as Arrie lunged at him. She caught up quickly, grabbed a fistful of his hair, and gave it a sharp tug—just enough to make him stumble and yelp louder.
I was smiling at the sight, while the rest were laughing their asses off, some even collapsing onto the sand.
After dinner, we decided to go to a nearby dive bar. It was mainly Santi's idea, obviously. The bar had an old, weathered exterior, with strings of fairy lights flickering above the entrance. Inside, the dim glow of neon beer signs lit up the room, and the faint sound of the ocean breeze mixed with music playing from different speakers.
We squeezed in through the crowded entrance, greeted by the chill of the sea air mixing with the warmth of the bar. Santi immediately made his way to the counter, slapping a hand on the surface as he called for drinks.
Arrie leaned against the bar, glancing around, clearly not expecting that we'd end up here. The rest of us found a small table, the others were laughing as we settled in, and soon the clink of bottles and the sound of easy conversation filled the air.
It wasn't long before someone started a game of darts, and Santi, of course, couldn't resist showing off his skills.
My hands never left Arrie—on her waist, her shoulders, her thigh, or even holding her hand. She didn't seem to mind it though. After everyone downed their drinks, we decided to go back to the resort. I drove them back and they all ran back to our suite when I finished parking the car.
What the hell?
I followed them, not even trying to run. There's no danger nor a football, why would I run?
Our door was locked. I knocked once and it quickly opened.
"Happy birthday to you..." they all sang. Some were holding their phones and cameras up, some were singing and clapping... and Arrie was at the front of them all, holding the cake that served as the only source of light in the suite.
It was in the color white and gold—also gold candles that laid the numbers twenty-one.
"Happy birthday, happy birthday... Happy birthday to you,"
"Blow, blow, blow!" Kathleen urged me.
Marcus interrupted, "Huy, baka ibang blow iyan ah."
I shook my head as they all got Marcus' joke. I stepped closer to Arrie and closed my eyes for a few seconds to wish.
I wish... I get to keep this. This feeling of content, the love of my family and friends, this peace, and her.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw wasn't the cake—it was Arrie. She wasn't cheering like the others; she was just... looking at me.
Soft smile. Quiet eyes.
Like she knew exactly what I wished for.
I blew the candles and they all cheered. They were greeting me again as they each gave me their gifts and took photos. After that, my eyes searched for her... and I saw her walking toward where our private pool was.
She was seated on one side of the rattan loveseat, as if she knew that I would follow her, so she left a space for me.
When I sat beside her, she turned slightly so she was facing me. Her eyes searched mine for a moment, then I felt her fingers find my hand, gentle caresses were the next thing I felt. Slow, careful strokes across my knuckles, like she was memorizing the shape of it.
"Do you feel older?" She asked, again, looking deep in my eyes.
I grinned. "A little."
"No big party. No loud music. Muntik pa nga na walang cake, if only we hadn't bought one."
"I don't need any of that," I said, then I removed my hand from her touch. I saw that her brows were about to furrow, until I pulled her closer, her back against my chest, and placed my hand around her waist. "This... this is enough."
She gazed at me, head turning to my direction, and something about her gaze made my heart ache in the best way. Like it remembered how far we'd come to get here.
Like it knew the boy I used to be—the one who would've pushed this moment aside or taken it for granted—and the one I'd become.
She picked up my hand once again, thumb brushing over my knuckles.
"Happy birthday, Ven," she whispered, her gaze falling to our now intertwined hands.
Then she let go. I was about to protest when I felt something slide from her hand to my wrist.
I peeked over her shoulder and rested my chin there.
It was a bracelet—with a small football pendant.
"I have the exact same one," she said, lifting her right hand to show me the matching bracelet. "I bought that when you told me you liked me back... but I never had the courage to give it to you. I was scared you might think it was too much... that I was too much."
"I'm sorry you ever had to feel that," I murmured, trailing soft kisses from her shoulder to her jaw, then to her cheek. "You kept it all these years?"
"Yeah. I almost threw it away, though... when I saw you at my first UAAP game. I thought I was annoyed at you that day."
"You thought?" I raised a brow.
She chuckled. "Yeah. I wanted to be mad that you had the audacity to show up... but deep down, I was glad. Because I'd been wishing to see you. To feel your support."
The bracelet on my wrist felt light, but it carried so much.
Regret, time, and love.
I looked at her—and she was already staring at me. I cupped her face gently and kissed her, slow and deep.
Maybe this wasn't about starting over.
Maybe it was about continuing—finally, from the place we left off.
Now, there was no play to run, also no move to anticipate. No pressure, no clock ticking down. Just this—me, her, our friends, family, and this life.
Love didn't need a perfect strategy after all, because maybe this was the game plan: to choose each other, again and again, no matter how many seasons passed.
THE END.