Love whatever is left of yourself and find it in you to start all over again.
r.m.drake
It was 4 in the morning when I arrived at the aiport, a couple of hours early for my flight. I took a deep breath before entering the departure area. Am I really doing this? Arg no turning back Beatriz, you need this. I just shook off my thoughts, baka magbago pa ang isip ko.
I saw a coffee shop and decided to buy White Chocolate Mocha and a sausage roll. Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng gutom. I wasn't able to eat dinner kasi last night since I need to finish all the reports for my quick escape.
I just settled near the designated departure gate. I put my earpods on to calm myself, I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time. This would be my first time to travel alone. A much needed vacation to relax and to find myself again. Hay never did I imagine myself that I'll be doing this so called soul searching. Honestly, at first, I just made fun on this hanapin ang sarili thing. How come people lose their own self. But here I am now, waiting for my flight going to somewhere that no one knows me. Hoping that my stay there would help me to meditate and let me decide on something that would make me feel better. Sobrang hirap ng may dinadala araw araw.
I started eating my sausage roll and took a sip of my coffee. I sighed as I heared the intromusic of the next song. I closed my eyes as I listened intently to Paul Klein's voice.
How'd you fail to mention that you might be moving in four months to London?
Now our days are numbered
Should I try, I wonder
Wait, how far is London?
I need my current location
To be your current location
Fly back to me
I need my current location
To be your current location
Fly back to me
Fly back to me
"Fly back to me", I whispered.
I was taken aback when someone screeched. "Oh my, I am really sorry", I didn't notice na nabitawan ko na pala ang hawak kong coffee at natapon sa katabi ko. I immediately got my hanky to wipe his leg, he was just wearing shorts kaya direct sa skin nya. Pero bago ko pa man maipunas yung hanky ko, nahawakan nya na agad ang kamay ko. Kaya naman napaangat ako ng tingin. And for the very first time, our eyes met.
"Miss, you don't have to do that", he said on a very calm voice.
"B—but, I spi—spilled my coffee o—on you". Arg Beatriz, why are you stuttering.
He just smiled at me, "Okay lang, I can do it by myself naman."
Nakatingin pa din kami sa isa't isa, I just noticed, ang ganda ng mga mata nya. Hay naku ano ba yang mga napapansin mo, Bea. Kaya nagbawi agad ako ng tingin pati na din ang kamay ko na kanina nya pa hawak.
I looked again at his leg, it was a bit reddish. I panicked as I realized "Ahhh my coffee is hot, I'm so sorry. We need to put some ointment to lessen the pain and para hindi na din mamaga". I stood up and tried to pull him up, "Come on, I'll bring you to the clinic." But he remained seated.
"Miss, calm down. You don't have to worry, it's not that mainit naman. I just need to clean this up, I have medicine kit with me. Ako na maglalagay ng ointment, meron naman ako dito", he smiled after his statement. "I guess you better pick up your phone first, kanina pa ata may natawag sa iyo."
I looked at my phone na nasa lap ko, 98 missed calls and 114 messages. All those unanswered calls and messages were all came from someone that I was avoiding for a week now. Manhid ka ba talaga, haven't you get it, iniiwasan kita. You are the main reason why I badly needed this me time. I shook off my thoughts and look again to the man beside me. Oh oh, nasaan na sya? I looked around but I can't find him. Hindi man lang ako nakapagsorry ng maayos. I was about to stand when I heard the announcement of my flight.
"Good morning passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Cebu Pacific flight DG 6041 to Busuanga. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately five minutes time. Thank you."
I remained seated, patiently waiting na baka bumalik sya. I really want to apologize to him properly. But five minutes have passed, walang kahit anino nya akong nakita. Buti na lang he's a nice guy, baka kung sa iba yun, inaway na ako. I sighed as I stood up, Stop thinking of Mr.Coffee na Beatriz, focus on your vacation. In a few minutes, you'll be leaving the city na - iwan mo na din muna lahat ng negative thoughts, you'll be in paradise in an hour - refresh your mind and look forward that everything will be fine after this.
Luckily, a window seat for me. I got my phone with me, earpods, poetry book and wear my neck pillow before I put my shoulder bag inside the overhead bin. It will only take an hour and 15 mins to Busuanga. Honestly, I don't have any planned activities yet, I'll be staying for 5 days naman so I guess I have alot of time to explore the beauty of Coron.
I was shocked when I saw a familiar guy approaching my seat. He put his things first inside the overhead bin before he sat beside me. Hindi nya ata ako napansin.
"Ammm hi", I shyly smiled at him, shocked evident to his face when he looked at me, then smiled back.
"Hello", he said.
"H—how's your leg? I am really sorry, I haven't got the chance to apologize to you properly." Oh oh, I stuttered a little.
He chuckled, "Okay lang talaga, look oh, hindi na sya mapula". I nodded as I look at his leg.
"Ammm", I looked at him again. "Kanina pa tayo nag uusap pero we don't even know each other pa", he said while smiling.
He offered his hand and looked intently to my eyes, "I'm Ferdinand Ravena III".
I accepted his hand and smiled, "Isabel Beatriz de Leon, Bea for short." Arg you really have beautiful eyes.
"You can call me Thirdy".
We went back to reality when the plane engine started. Agad nagbitaw ang aming mga kamay at nagbawi ng tingin sa isa't isa. Wew, what was that Bea, a minute of holding his hand and staring contest, oh oh.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the Fasten Seat Belt sign." In a few minutes, the plane will take-off.
I fasten my seat belt as instructed by the crew. I glanced at him and he was doing the same thing. The crew continued to give information about our flight and short safety demonstration. No one dared to speak between the two of us after that awkward staring contest.
"Cabin crew, please take your seats for take-off." The plane will depart in a minute.
I signed of the cross. I started feeling nervous, since I have fear on take-offs. I always travel naman but I am really scared pag mag take-off na ang plane, hindi na ko nasanay. Usually, Mom, Dad, Kuya or any of my friends will hold my hand para mawala ang takot ko. How would I survive this? I just closed my eyes as the plane take-off. Oh, Lord please help me.
Then I felt someone hold my hands, sa sobrang takot ko, I even lean on him. "Shhhhh I'm just here, don't be scared", I heard him say, his other hand caressing my head. After a few seconds, I found myself in his arms, ingat na ingat sa pagyakap sa akin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign."
I tried my best to calm myself as I heard the announcement. Arg Beatriz nakakahiya, okay na yung humawak sa kamay, bakit yumakap ka pa. Naramdaman nya atang kumakalma na ako, unti unti nya akong pinakawalan sa bisig nya.
"You feeling better na?", he sounded a bit worried. "You were shaking na kasi kanina, I'm sorry if I held your hands and if I h—,".
I cut him off. "I'm okay na," I said on a very soft voice, hiyang hiya ako sakanya. "Thank you so much and I'm really sorry, takot lang talaga ako pag nag take off ang plane," I smiled shyly.
"I see," he mumbled.
Naramdaman ko naman ang bahagyang pag alog ng eroplano, I immediately closed my eyes and gripped the armchair. What the heck is happening, natatakot na naman ako.
I shook my thoughts as I heard him laughing. I slowly opened my eyes and I saw him suppressing his laugh. I creased my eyebrows and mouthed "What?"
"It's just a turbulence, it's normal," he explained, still laughing.
Aba, loko to ah, ayaw pa din tumigil sa kakatawa. "You're making fun of me," I said as I rolled my eyes. Nagseryoso na din ako ng face.
He stopped and I saw a sudden change on his facial expression. "I am sorry," he said. He's cute pa din on his serious face. Arg Beatriz, ano ba yan.
I tried to suppressed my laugh but I failed. It's his turn to look at me with question on his face. "I was just joking, your face tho, parang napagalitan na ba—," he cut me off.
"Ahhh ganoon pala ah," and started poking me. At syempre gumanti ako, kaya pareho na kaming tawa ng tawa.
"Enough na kasi," I said while holding my tummy, ang sakit na kasi kakatawa. He stopped immediately and sighed. "Ang lalim naman nun ah."
He looked at me and said, "I can't remember when was the last time I laugh that hard." Sadness evident to his face.
"Me, too." I said, almost a whisper.
Natahimik kami pareho. I looked at the window, clouds were the only visible now. Then his last words echoed to me, I can't remember when was the last time I laugh that hard. I smiled bitterly, naalala ko sya. Kailangan muna kitang kalimutan, kahit ngayon lang.
I glanced at the guy beside me, mukhang malalim din ang kanyang iniisip. Ano kaya ang dahilan kung bakit sya malungkot? "Pogi ko ba?" I felt my face turned red, he caught me staring at him.
"Mukha mo," and I heard him laugh again. Mas naging light na ang atmosphere.
"I guess, you're on a solo travel too." I nodded as a response. "Let's enjoy our stay in Coron." That's the last thing I remembered as I fell into sleep.
I felt someone tap my shoulder "Hey, wake up na." I slowly opened my eyes and saw him smiling, "We're here na."
I looked around and most of the passengers were already out. I smiled at him, "Sorry I fell asleep earlier."
"No problem," he said as he took out our things from the overhead bin. He offered his hand for me to stand. Oh what a gentleman.
While waiting for our baggage in the carousel, I checked my phone and saw a message from unknown number.
Good morning Ms. de Leon. We are so sorry to inform you that your hotel booking has been cancelled due to unexpected circumtances. We'll surely give 100% refund. Sorry for the inconvenience.
-Hotel Management
I sighed after I read the message. What the heck. Arg. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"My hotel booking has been cancelled," sadness evident to my voice.
"Hey, cheer up." he smiled at me. "You can stay naman sa hotel ko."
"Thank you for the offer, but I can look for another hotel naman" I tried to smile to convince him that I'm okay.
"It's peak season, for sure most of the hotels are fully-booked." Napaisip naman ako. He's right, baka wala na ko mapagstayan. He's nice naman at magaan ang loob ko sakanya. "If you want, you can send my picture and copy of ID to your family for your safety."
"Baliw," I said and we both laughed.
"So I assumed, you'll go with me na," he wiggled his eyebrows. Pacute neto.
"Oo na, I'll pay half of the price na lang ng accommodation mo." He just smirked and got our things.
A hotel staff was waiting for us at the arrival area. He guided us to hotel shuttle and after we settled our things, the car immediately leave the airport.
After 20 minutes of car ride, we reached our destination. Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel. The staffs were waiting for us at the lobby. As we entered the modern inspired foyer, they greeted us in unison "Welcome to Coron, Mr. & Mrs. Ravena." I heard him chuckled. I was about to protest when I felt his arm around my shoulder and said "Thank you for the warm welcome." I gave them a faked smile as I thanked them. Lagot ka saken mamaya.
A hotel staff assisted us to our room and left immediately after discussing some house rules. My eyes roamed and I was amazed on the design of the room. A king size bed, mini sala and bar, separate shower and bathtub, balcony and a sea view Panorama Suite, it's perfect. Lumapit ako sa glass wall at kitang kita mula dito ang karagatan. Ang ganda, napangiti na lamang ako.
I heard his foot steps and I looked at him with sungit face. "Loko ka ah, why you didn't correct them? Mr. & Mrs. ka dyan."
He just laughed as he approached me, "They don't mind naman eh." Ang kolokoy talaga neto.
We sat at the sofa, me at the right corner most of the sofa and him at the left most part, in short magkalayo kami. But still I can sense that both of us were tired na due to our early flight. "It's already 8:30 in the morning, are you famish na?"
He shook his head and answered, "No, I'm full pa."
"Actually, me too," I said and smiled at him.
"Are you sure? I can order for you naman sa restaurant sa baba, pa-room service na lang natin." He said and about to picked up the phone.
I immediately grab his arm para pigilan sya, "No need na. I just asked you lang kasi para sana if ever I'll start making bawi to you na, treat ko na yung breakfast."
"Bawi? Hindi na kailangan." Umiling iling sya habang nakangiti.
I moved to his side and started poking his belly. "Pero gusto kong bumawi, I caused you trouble kanina and then you let me stay pa to your hotel," I said while smiling, hindi pa din ako tumitigil sa pag sundot sa tyan nya.
He was laughing so hard again, Mas pogi sya pagnatawa at masaya. Oh oh, ano ba yan Beatriz.
"Tama na please, sakit na ng tyan ko." I stopped at umayos na ng upo.
"Gusto mo talagang bumawi?" He said and smiled playfully.
I looked into his eyes and smiled "Of course, anything Thirdy." That was the first time I mentioned his name.
I saw a big smile on his face and looked intently into my eyes, "Beatriz" my heartbeat skipped as I heard him calling my name. He paused for a second before saying these words "Can you be my girlfriend, for the rest of our stay here in Coron?"