I was sitting on the beach, looking at my cousins who enjoy making sand castle.
"Hey." I look at the direction where someone greeted me. I smiled at him as he sits beside me. "They do love the beach." smiling while looking at my cousins.
Binalik ko yung tingin ko sa mga pinsan ko. "Yes, ewan ko nga kung bakit gustong-gusto nila ang lugar na ito." I said, habang pinapanood ko na ang sunset, leaning on his shoulder.
"Bakit ka ba magtataka? You yourself love staying in the beach. You find it comforting and stuffs." I smiled on what he said.
Silence filled the air, but it's not awkward tho. I love this scenario of ours.
"I know what you are thinking." he said, and even tho I don't look up, I know he is smiling. "You want to reminisce."
I looked at him. "Are you a furtune teller?" I ask, and he laugh as a response.
"I don't need to be a furtune teller, Rachelle." he said, and kiss me on the forehead. I just smiled and lean back on his shoulder. "I so know you, sweetie."
"Peaceful..." I said in nowhere.
"It's on the beach where we first met."
FLASHBACK
"Rachelle?" napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. "You are Rachelle, right?" I look at him, observing. He's about my age, 9 years old, handsome, a little bit taller than me, and good looking.
"Uhm, yeah? Why?" I ask. Mom thought me not to talk to a complete stranger, and obviously I'm disobeying what she said.
"I'm Steven Alexander." he extended his hands, and it took a minute for me to accept it.
"Rachelle Mae." shaking his hand and smiled.
"Can we be friends?" I was buffering on what he said. I don't even know what to response. "Uhm, I was looking at you since kanina, yung pagdating nyu dito. But I can't go near you kasi you are busy talking with your cousins. So can we be friends?"
"Yes, sure. Why not." I said, after my soul come back to my body.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Loading ka nga nu'n eh." he said while laughing, natawa nalang ako.
"My mom thought me not to talk to a complete stranger you know."
"Oh really? Then why did you talked to me?" napa-upo ako ng maayos, raising a brow.
"Then we can't be like this. 15 years of knowing each other." he pinched me on the cheek and embrace me. I push him away. Mood swings.
"Dali naman mag tampo ng Rachelle Mae ko." he said hugging me from the back.
"Stop that Steven Alexander. Yuck. Kadiri."
"Sorry na. I was just kidding." he said, kissing me on the top of my head.
Hindi ko din natiis, I lie on his arms, watching my cousins still making a sand castle.
"From that day on, whenever my family celebrates a special occasion, you are always invited." he started again, I snuggle close to his neck, smelling the scent of his perfume.
"Same as my family to yours." I said, almost whispering. "It was your birthday when you first invited me."
"That was the most embarassing yet the most unforgettable birthday I ever had."
FLASHBACK
"Hija, glad you are here! I thought you can't come." Tita greeted me with a warm hug.
We break the hug. "I can't afford to miss Alexander's birthday, Tita. Special sa akin yung mokong na 'yon." Tita just laugh. "Where is he?"
"Steven is there. Go and join him. I think ikaw lang hinihintay niya." she said, pointing towards a direction.
I excused myself kasi nag-uusap na sila nina Mommy. Lumapit ako ng tahimik kay Alexander, with his back as my view. He is watching the sunset alone. Nabored na siguro 'toh sa kahihintay sa akin, we usually do that together. Bonding time namin 'yan. Ng maka-abot na ako sa kanya. I hear him murmur, but I didn't catched up the words he said.
"Happy Birthday Steven Alexander!" I greeted him, tumingin naman siya sa likuran, with a wide smile on his face. Mabilis siyang tumayo and hug me, a tight one.
"I'm glad you are here." he said while he break the hug.
The party started at 5 PM. Happy Birthday song, foods, and games.
"Maaaaae!" his cousin called me. "I'm glad you are here! Kanina ko pa dapat toh sasabihin sayo, kaso I can't find time. Kasi yung insan ko, hindi ka maiwan-iwan." I looked at Alexander, who is right beside me.
"What do you care? She's my bestfriend."
"Bestfriend? Are you even sure of that? Or you are just denying it?" Patty said, natawa naman ako.
"Bestfriend lang naman talaga ah." I said.
"Para sa'yo. Eh para sa kanya?" Patty smiled mischievously. "Oh well, I gotta go. My cousin's giving me a death glare. Mamamatay na ako pag di ako umalis." then she left, laughing.
END OF FLASHBACK
He kissed me on the top of my head again, hugging me tighter, I snuggle more on his neck.
"You really smell good." I said.
"I know, stop reminding me." then he laughs, I just smiled.
"Ang yabang!" naubo ako bigla, agad namang tinapik ni Alexander yung likod ko.
"You okay?" he said, cupping my face. Checking me, face worried. I just nod, and hug him so tight, I feel like crying. "Mae..." he started and I cried.
"I'll be missing you Steven Alexander..." tears run off my cheeks. "I... I..."
He break the hug. "Shhh. Please... I hate seeing you cry..." he said, wiping my tears. "That is not gonna happen. So please." I calmed myself down, crying out loud turns to sobbing. He just hug me, and I lay there in his chest, both watching the sunset.
