That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 49

Nagising ako dahil sa sinag ng araw na lumalagos sa pagitan ng mga kurtina. Then it all came back to me—after Gabriel and I talked last night, we went for a walk beside the lake.

The cool breeze from the water had been calming, and the silence between us was comforting. We didn't need to say much. Just being together in that peaceful setting was enough to help ease the tension from everything that had happened. Gabriel held my hand the entire time, his thumb gently rubbing the back of my hand as we walked along the shoreline.

Nang bumalik kami sa cabin, parehas kaming pagod pero gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko.

Napalingon ako sa pinto nang bumukas iyon at iniluwa si Gabriel. Nakasuot siya ng itim na tank top at sweatshorts, bakas na bakas ang hubog ng katawan niya. Agad din akong napaiwas ng tingin nang tumama ang tingin ko sa sweatshorts niya. Bakat iyong nasa ibaba. It's fucking huge!

"Good morning, love," he smiled as he walked towards the bed. "How's your sleep?"

"G-good morning," sabi ko habang nagpapanggap na nag-aayos ng kumot. "Sa'n ka ba nanggaling? Bakit pawis na pawis ka? Why are you even wearing that kind of shorts outside?"

Gabriel innocently looked down there.

"Oh, I jogged and worked out while you were still sleeping," he sat on the edge of the bed. "And, besides, they can only take a glance on it, love. All yours."

"Ewan ko sa'yo," I simply rolled my eyes. "Maligo ka na nga. Ang lagkit mo na."

Gabriel chuckled at my reaction. His laugh echoed softly in the whole room. There were no days that me and Gabriel banter like this, kahit nga noong una ko siyang nakita sa mall, inis na inis na ako sa kanya. Pero mas malala nga lang ngayon kasi ipinaglalaban niya na yung sa kanya. He knows how to get me.

"Alright, my short-tempered baby. I'll shower," he said as he grabbed a towel from the cabinet. "You can join me if you want."

"No, thanks. Matatagalan lang tayo."

Gabriel grinned this time, as if agreeing to me. He winked at me before heading towards the shower. Huminga naman ako nang malalim saka pabagsak na humiga sa kama.

Leaning back on the bed, I let my thoughts wander to how our relationship had changed over time. From the first time we met, when I couldn't stand his cocky attitude, to now, where I found myself cherishing every moment with him even his teasing. Despite the ups and downs, Gabriel had a way of making me feel seen and cared for, and I realized that I wouldn't trade that for anything.

This whole trip had been a whirlwind of emotions, but moments like these made me feel like everything would be okay.

As I listened to the sound of the shower running, I found myself smiling. Maybe I didn't need to know all the reasons behind this getaway. Siguro nga sapat na nandito ako kasama si Gabriel. Siguro sapat na ang sandaling ito.

Ipinikit ko ang mata ko at hinayaan na tamaan ako ng sinag ng araw. This was where I wanted to be—right here, right now, with him.

Pagkatapos kong maghilamos at mag-toothbrush, napatingin ako sa salamin. May mga bakas ng pagod pa rin sa mukha ko, pero ramdam ko rin ang kakaibang ginhawa na hatid ng simpleng bakasyon na ito. This place, this moment with Gabriel—it was exactly what I needed.

Umupo ako muli sa kama at tumingin sa paligid. Maliit lang ang cabin, pero sapat na para sa aming dalawa. May mga malalaking bintanang nagpapapasok ng natural na liwanag, at may mga simpleng dekorasyon na nagbibigay ng mainit at welcoming na pakiramdam.

Maraming puwedeng gawin dito—hiking, boating, o kahit simpleng magpahinga lang sa tabi ng lawa.

Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng banyo, at lumabas si Gabriel, basa pa ang buhok at nakatapis lang ng tuwalya. Nakatitig siya sa akin, at hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti nang makita ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.