MY NAME IS DALE

My Name is Dale: Chapter 28

Unfortunately, we have only one room to share but with two single beds. I
forgot to inform the dean‟s secretary that my camera man this time is a
male. I tried to get a room for him but he said, it‟s okay if it‟s okay for me to
stay in one room. I didn‟t bother to change anyway. After all, we‟re good
friends. We share same past. And I‟m kind of comfortable with him now.
We set up our luggage and materials for the presentations. We lately
realized it‟s a bit dim outside and we‟re both hungry. As soon as we decided
to eat our dinner outside, the dean‟s secretary called me that the dinner is
ready. We just both laugh at each other that or pockets were saved.
Someone from the hotel staff escorted us towards a sea view where we will
have our dinner. I just wear simple make up and dress. On the other hand,
he just wears a plain white polo shirt paired with jeans.
“Oh, it‟s a good set up!” I said to myself with full of amazement.
“Anything is good to you as long as it involves a beach.” He tried to tease
me.
We arrived early I guess. There are still empty seats in our front and side.
But the secretary is already there. She just informed us that for a short
while, the dean will arrive. So, we just build a rapport with the other
speakers of the seminars. I discovered that some of them were my
company‟s business partners. It flatters me more. Dilann is also having a
good conversation with the other guys in the table.
We‟re too busy that we didn‟t notice the dean‟s arrival in the table. She‟s
quite formal but sociable. But, what concerns me more is the man standing
beside him. It‟s Dylan wearing blue polo shirt and knee jeans. He‟s a bit
formal as well.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen.” The dean finally greeted.
“Good evening madam.” We all replied to her greetings.
“I am Ms. Elaine Perez. The newly appointed dean of the campus after Mrs.
Yap retired from her position. This is my Associate Professor II, Mr. Dylan
Maures, my next in command whenever I‟m on an out of town trip. Thank
you for accepting my invitation. It‟s a great help for the university.”
He just bowed after their dean introduced him. There, we enjoyed our
dinner. Everybody was talking about the seminar preparations for
tomorrow when suddenly Ms. Perez noticed me in the table.
“Ms. Dale? I thought you would be alone in this trip. I didn‟t know you‟re
with someone. Is he your assistant?” Ms. Perez asked.
I want to say yes but I‟m thinking of Dilann‟s position in the company and
everyone knows him in the table. When I‟m about to answer, Dilann
answered those questions for me.
“Ms. Perez, I‟m Dilann Suarez, the CEO of the GOODGIRLREADS
COMPANY. But, I‟m here as Dale‟s assistant for this event.” Dilann initiated to introduce himself.
I was speechless with Dilann. I think I‟m not the only one who got
speechless but all of them in the table including Dylan and Ms. Perez.
“A CEO? You‟re too humble young man to be someone‟s assistant.” One of
the quite aged speakers in the table uttered.
“Yes, he is!” Ms. Perez finally replied.
“So, would you like me to arrange a room for you? I thought Dale would be
bringing Lain, her secretary so my secretary also booked one room for
them.” She explained.
“No need madam. We‟ve talk about it already and we decided to stay in one
room. We‟re friends after all.” He said.
“Is it really okay, Dale?” Ms. Perez finally confirmed.
“Yes, madam. I trusted him that much to stay in my room. After all, we need
to prepare tonight the materials for tomorrow.” I finally say.
I‟m a bit shy honestly but I tried to hide it. Dylan on the other side of the
table is looking intently to me. I tried to act professionally in front of
everyone. It‟s been seven years already.
We finished our dinner earlier at 8:00 so we decided to walk for a bit in the
sand bar. It‟s low tide that‟s why most of the guests spend some time in the
sandbar.
“This reminds me of the beach we often visited back then. I wonder if it‟s
still there or got renovated.” Out of nowhere, he began to have a
conversation.
“Dale? May I ask something?” he started.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“That Dylan introduced to us during our dinner, is it him?” he asked.
I want to answer no. But I decided to say the truth. After all, he‟s my friend.
“Yes, it‟s him. The one I‟ve been talking to you back then.” I said.
“Oh, Its better I‟m here in this trip. At least you have someone to talk to
personally.” He said.
“What do you mean Dilann?” I asked.
“Are you comfortable with him? I‟m sure you‟re still not.” He said.
“How do you know? You‟re not me.”
“Well, at least I can see it in your expression earlier when they asked you
about me.” He said while staring at me.
I was speechless. I didn‟t know even how much I tried to hide my emotion
as my expression speaks for me.
“Is it too obvious?” I just asked.
“Quite.” He replied.
He became silent for a while. I don‟t know what he is thinking right now. I
couldn‟t read his mind unlike before. We had a moment of silence together,
just watching the sea at its calmness and the moon at its lowest peak. When
I‟m about to get up, he grabs my left hand and hugs me. I don‟t know but at
this moment, I needed him the most. His comfort is what I‟ve been longing
for those times I feel so lost and abandoned. How I wish he‟s with me five years ago. Even though, I‟m still happy having him now. It‟s better he arrived late than what I expected. If not, I couldn‟t say to myself that I
became stronger through time.
“Don‟t worry Dale, you have me now. You can assure that.” He simply said
while hugging me tightly. I didn‟t feel any awkwardness. Instead, I felt his
sincerity. I felt his love which is indescribable. I felt his presence as a
brother who could protect me to anyone even to myself. I could feel his
loyalty as a friend. But, there‟s one feeling that I can‟t explain.
“Thank you.” I simply replied.
When it‟s about ten o‟clock, we decided to go back to our room. He took a
shower while I check my emails. When it‟s about midnight, we decided to take a rest after we finished arranging the needed materials for tomorrow.