Ellaine's Escapade (COMPLETED)

Chapter Nine

I slept on the shore. Madaling araw na ang gisingin ako ng isa sa mga mangingisdang nakakita sa akin. I shook the sand particles off my body before returning to the cabin Royce rented for us.

After what happened last night, I feel a lot better. Although my eyes are sore, I feel like I've lost a handful of burdens. For the first time in years, I felt free.

Pagdating ko sa cabin ay wala na si Royce at maging ang mga gamit niya. Mabuti naman, I told myself. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin sakaling makita ko siya ulit dito. I packed my things as well. Siguro ay aalis na rin ako rito mamayang gabi o bukas ng umaga.

I took a bath first then changed into comfortable clothes. That's when I noticed, I was still wearing Gio's polo that I borrowed yesterday. Kumusta kaya siya? Hindi naman kaya malala ang nangyari sa kaniya?

Nagsuntukan sila kahapon ni Royce, and I know for a fact na malakas sumuntok si Royce. Hindi naman sa sinasaktan niya ako noon, pero boxing ang isa sa mga kinahihiligan niya noong bago kami nagkakilala at ilang beses na rin siyang nananali. I heaved a sigh as I applied the moisturizing lotion on my leg. Sana ay okay lang si Gio.

I took my wallet with me and went out. I was craving for grilled seafood kaya pumunta ako sa mga nagbebenta at nag-iihaw na nakakalat lang dito sa isla. As soon as I received what I ordered, I devoured everything on my plate. Ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman ang gutom at naalalang hindi pala ako nakakain kagabi nang dahil sa pag-eeskandalo ng butihin kong ex-boyfriend.

After eating, I decided to get some drinks. Just so I could celebrate being single again. I deserve a good drink after every bullshit that happened to me. Pumunta ako sa lugar kung saan kami unang nagkakilala ni Gio. And luckily, I found him drinking.

I still owe that guy an apology for dragging him into my mess. Nakaupo siya sa isa sa mga stool doon at tahimik na umiinom. I sat beside him and ordered a drink for myself.

"Hey," I called, imitating him the first time we met.

Bumaling siya sa akin at ngumiti. Putok ang labi niya at may sugat sa pisngi. "Hi."

"Can I offer you a drink?"

"I just had some," he said, showing a shot glass in his hand.

"So... are you expecting someone?"

Tumawa siya kaya natawa na rin ako. "So, what happened last night."

I showed him my hand and then pointed at my ring finger where my engagement ring used to be before I threw it earlier. "Hindi na ako engaged!"

There was a small smile on his lips. "Good for you."

"Good for me, I guess? Listen, I am so sorry for what Royce did last night."

"It's all good. You don't have to say sorry for what he did. Mabuti naman at hindi na ka nagpaloko."

"I almost gave in when he cried,  but I stayed strong... I had to. Ikaw, kumusta?"

"You ask as if we have not seen each other for years." He chuckled. "But I'm fine. Damn, your ex can really throw some punches."

Tumawa ako at hinimas ang pisngi niyang may sugat. "Does it hurt?"

A sly smile stretched across his lips. "Kiss it so I'd feel better."

I made a face at him then pushed his face away. "Ew!"

"Wow, as if you are so disgusted at me?!"

Tinawanan ko siya bago sinagot. "Tigilan mo nga 'yan kagagaling ko lang sa hiwalayan, nilalandi mo na kaagad ako."

"I mean, we both know that I am so much better than him, right? Puwede na 'yan."

"Shut up. Wala 'yan sa plano."

Nag-order na siya ng isang buong bote ng alak at lumipat kami sa isang mesa para doon na mag-usap habang nag-iinuman. "What's your plan, then?" he asked.

"Uuwi ako bukas."

"Already? Ang bilis mo naman rito?"

I laughed at his statement. "Wala na rin naman akong gagawin rito. Besides, Royce was the reason why I came here in the first place."

"After that?"

"Maybe I'll take a break from work? Magta-travel muna siguro ako. You know, hanapi ko muna ang inner peace?"

"So, wala na talagang chance na iuwi kita sa Italy next week?" he joke again.

"I'm not ready for new relationships, Gio. I don't think I will be ready soon. As much as possible, I want to give myself the love it deserves. The love that has been deprived for years."

"Too bad," he replied.

Mariin ko siyang tiningnan. Walang bakas ng paglalaro ang mababasa sa mukha niya. "Seryoso ka ba sa alok mong isama ako sa Italy?"

He nodded. "My Nonna told me to find a woman I can spend the rest of my life with. For years, hinahanap ko ang ideal woman ko, but I guess you were busy being miserable."

Pabiro kong sinuntok ang braso niya. "Gago ka. Pero on a serious note, hindi pa tayo gaanong magkakilala, Gio. Maybe it's best if we stayed like that."

"But what about our little secret?"

"What happened here, stays here. I enjoyed my time with you, I am not going to deny that. Pero hanggang doon lang talaga tayo puwede, Gio."

He nodded. "I understand. Maybe I'll tell Nonna that it's not yet time."

"Don't pressure yourself into love. That's one thing I've learned."

He laughed along with me. "I won't. I don't wanna be miserable like beautiful Ellaine here."

We quietly drank before I opened another conversation.

"Pagbalik mo sa Italy, ano'ng plano mo?"

Itinaas niya ang dalawang balikat niya. "I'm not so sure about that. Maybe I'll focus on my growth as well. I'll take care of my Nonna, that's for sure."

"Good luck with your life, Gio. I hope you can find what you are looking for."

He nodded. "And I wish you the best. I hope you find your inner peace."

Tumayo ako at niyakap siya nang mahigpit sabay halik sa pisngi niya. "Thank you for spending time with me. And for making me realize my worth. You treated me better than him. Ngayon, alam ko na ang mga red flags na dapat iwasan kung sakaling papasok ulit ako saisang realsyon."

"Hey, call me when you're ready," he joked, then rubbed my back. "Don't let men treat you badly, Ellaine. Don't put yourself in that situation again."

Nang dahil sa sinabi niya, na-trigger na naman ang mga luha ko. A tear fell when I bid him goodbye. Thank you, Gio, for being my escapade.