Maaga na rin kaming natulog kasi napagod din talaga kami sa mga nangyari. But I was startled nung gumalaw si Gwen. She wasn't moving too much, pero ewan ko, nagising ako. I checked on Gwen and she's still soundly asleep. I checked my watch at nakita ko na it's almost sunrise.
At dahil nasa dagat naman kami, naisip ko na maganda mag-jogging by the beach since sabi nila maganda raw yun sa lungs. I changed my clothes tapos I made my way to the beach front.
The moon was still out and sobrang laki ng buwan na akala mo sobrang lapit lang niya. I was close to the shore when I saw someone sitting by the water. It was quite dark kaya hindi ko rin agad nakilala, but as I moved closer, I finally realized who it was.
"You're up early, Mikha Lim." sabi ko sa kanya.
Halatang nagulat siya and she almost jumped. I chuckled. I just realized how creepy what I did was.
"Ate Stranger, you just gave me a heart attack." sabi ni Miks nung lumingon siya sa 'kin.
I was stunned for a few seconds cause she looked different. She was wearing glasses and her hair was tied in a bun. She looked like she hasn't slept kaya bigla tuloy akong nag-alala.
"Huy, did you sleep?" I asked her.
"I did. Relax. I just woke up a few minutes ago."
"Nagising ka ba ni Shee?"
"No naman. I just wanted some quiet time." sabi niya.
"Ay sorry." mabilis na sagot ko.
"No, it's fine. You're also up early, did you sleep well?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Mag-jogging lang sana ako." sagot ko sa kanya. "Do you want to walk with me instead?"
She nodded tapos tumayo na rin siya.
I took off my shoes at hinawakan ko na lang habang naglalakad kami ni Mikha. There was a light breeze at ang tahimik ng dagat and the moon was slowly disappearing from view dahil nagsisimula na rin lumiwanag.
"How are you, Mikha Lim?"
"I've been better."
"Is something still bothering you?"
"No naman na. I guess your payong thing worked well." sabi ni Mikha. I smiled.
"You? How are you?"
"I've had better days din."
"You look like something's bothering you. Are you okay? You look like you haven't slept in months."
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Don't overwork yourself, Ate Stranger. I'm not always around."
"Bakit? May difference ba if you're around or not?"
"Oo naman. If I'm around, I can take care of you."
"As if naman magpapa-alaga ako sa'yo."
"Hindi naman yun hinihingi." sabi niya. "And I want to take care of you."
"You don't need to, Mikha Lim. I'm fine. I'm a strong, independent woman. I can take care of myself."
She chuckled.
"Okay, strong, independent woman. You can be all that and still be taken care of. Well?"
"Anong well?"
"Will you let me take care of you?"
I think I was caught off guard with Mikha's question na hindi ko rin alam paano siya sasagutin. We were both just looking at each other and the only response I gave her was a smile. She also just smiled back.
I was stunned at how different Mikha looked under this light. The sun was behind her, slowly rising, and the sea playfully touching our toes. Her smile made my heart stop for a second.
I've always been curious what her eyes are like. She's always worn these contact lenses that she kept changing every time. I never saw her wear glasses, kaya hindi ko alam ano talaga ang itsura ng mga mata niya.
But today, she left her contact lenses and I saw her eyes finally. They were beautiful. Her eyes were vibrant. It was so vibrant that it almost looks as if it is glowing. When she looked at me, I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.
I know I get asked by this question a lot and for the multiple times that they did, I never really had an answer, but I guess, today I am sure. If I am to be asked if I like Mikha, I can now say it with certainty...
I do.
