Thirty Days Of September

chapter 21: Day 24: Movie Marathon Night

Day 24, after an exhilarating few days in Siargao, day 24 marked a transition as Aaron and Atasha returned to their familiar routine, albeit with a fun twist planned for the evening.

The morning started bright and sunny. As they enjoyed breakfast together, Atasha's demeanor shifted slightly, hinting at something she had to take care of.

"Aaron," she began, looking a bit hesitant, "I have something I need to attend to this morning. It's a little important, but I'll be back in time for dinner. Don't worry!"

"Is everything okay?" Aaron asked, a touch of concern creeping into his voice.

"Yes, everything is fine! Just a little surprise I want to plan for tonight," she replied, a playful smile spreading across her face. "Trust me, you're going to love it."

Curiosity piqued, Aaron nodded. "Alright, I trust you. I'll just relax here and maybe catch up on some reading while you're out."

Atasha stood up, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and grabbed her bag before heading out the door. "See you later! Don't go anywhere!"

As Atasha walked out the door, Aaron called after her, "You'd better not keep me in suspense too long! I'll be counting the minutes until dinner!"

Atasha turned with a playful grin. "Just a little mystery to spice up our evening! Trust me, it'll be worth the wait!" With a wave, she disappeared into the bright morning sun, leaving Aaron feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity.

He settled back into his chair, flipping through the pages of his book but finding it hard to concentrate. The anticipation of Atasha's surprise danced in his mind. "What could it be?" he wondered aloud, a smile creeping onto his face.

As the hours passed, Aaron found himself glancing at the clock more frequently, his imagination running wild with possibilities. Finally, he decided to make the most of his day. He grabbed his camera and headed out to explore some nearby sights, capturing the beauty of the island to share with Atasha later.

When he returned to their accommodation, he noticed the sun beginning to set, casting a warm glow over everything. Just as he finished freshening up, he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Hey, guess who's back?" Atasha chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Aha! The woman of the hour!" Aaron exclaimed, pulling her in for a warm embrace. "You're just in time! I was getting anxious over here!"

"Good! That means I've built up the suspense," she teased, stepping back to reveal a beautifully wrapped box in her hands. "Happy day 24! This is your surprise."

Aaron's eyes widened in surprise. "For me? You didn't have to!"

"Of course I did! Open it!" Atasha encouraged, her enthusiasm infectious.

With eager hands, Aaron unwrapped the gift, revealing a custom-made surfboard adorned with vibrant colors and designs. "Wow! This is amazing!" he exclaimed, running his fingers over the board. "You really got me a surfboard?"

"Now you can surf anytime you want, just like we did in Siargao! I thought it would be a perfect way to keep the memories alive," she explained, her eyes gleaming with joy. "Plus, you'll be ready for our next adventure!"

"This is seriously the best gift ever!" Aaron said, feeling gratitude swell in his heart. "Thank you, Atasha! I can't wait to hit the waves again."

"Good! But first, let's celebrate with dinner. I've made reservations at that beachside restaurant you mentioned!" she replied, her excitement palpable.