Naging ganoon rin ang mga sumunod na araw. Tuwing umaga ay bababa ako sa cafe kung saan may naka-reserve nang table para sa akin. Icen was busy with work. Mahahabang oras ang inilalaan niya sa pamamalakad ng hotel sa araw-araw. And yet, he always made sure my breakfast was waiting when I went down to the café. Every day, my table was reserved, and it felt like a quiet little ritual I'd grown to anticipate—my morning coffee, the sun streaming through the window, and the faint thought that he'd arranged this small moment of peace for me. Kung minsan ay pati dinner ganoon, lalo kung hindi niya ako masasabayan.
Icen would spend most of his days working. Nasa bakasyon pa rin kasi si Oxygen na katuwang nito sa pamamalakad ng hotel. He was completely immersed in his responsibilities at the hotel and various meetings that pulled him across Cebu. But despite his busy schedule, he always managed to find time to share a meal with me, whether it was lunch or dinner, whichever he could squeeze in. Ilang beses ko naman nang sinabi sa kaniya na hindi niya ako kailangan sabayan. Baka kasi naaawa lang siya sa akin na mag-isa ako, hindi naman dapat. Pero para bang importante sa kaniya na sa isang araw ay may kahit isang beses na sabay kaming kakain. And it was never hurried, never just a formality. He'd join me with that same easy smile, somehow making me feel like there was nowhere else he'd rather be in that moment. Our conversations grew longer, marami kaming napapag-usapan ni Icen. Kung anu-ano lang pero kadalasan ay puro tawanan. It was as if we were in our own little world for just an hour or two each day.
And while he was off handling his day-to-day responsibilities, he found small ways to keep me entertained. He'd arrange little activities for me—things he thought I'd enjoy. Kagaya na lamang noong isang araw, he set up a private paddleboarding lesson, just a quiet glide along the shore as I watched the sea sparkle under the sun. Kahapon naman, he'd arranged for a relaxing beach yoga session with an instructor who guided me through slow, meditative movements right on the sand. At lahat ng gagawin niya ay nakakatulong sa akin.
There was nothing elaborate, nothing as intense as that first dive we'd done together. But each activity felt personal, like he understood the exact balance of excitement and peace I needed on this trip. It was thoughtful in a way that spoke volumes, making me realize just how observant he was, how well he was beginning to understand me. And with each passing day, I found myself looking forward to the moments we'd spend together, even if they were short. Even if I shouldn't.
Ganoon ang nagging takbo ng unang linggo ko rito sa hotel. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay nakakaramdam ako ng kapanatagan na hindi ko inaasahan. I couldn't deny that his attention added a special layer to my vacation. There was an ease to it, a naturalness that made everything feel lighter, more enjoyable, like I was truly able to relax for the first time in a long while. It was hard to ignore how he'd somehow woven himself into my days, and a part of me wondered just how I'd gotten so used to it, so quickly.
Sabado ng gabi nang dalhin ako ni Icen sa bar right after dinner. Sinabi ko kasi sa kaniya na gusto ko rin ma-experience ang beach party na nakita ko noong nakaraan with the bonfire and music blaring across the sand.
Inalalayan ako ni Icen na makaupo sa isa sa mga stool sa bar, siya naman ay nanatiling nakatayo sa tabi ko. The place was packed, and the pulsing energy of the crowd seemed to close in, making his proximity feel oddly grounding. I could smell the faint mix of his cologne and the salt in the air. Bawat kilos niya tuloy ay ramdam na ramdam ko. He leaned over, his arm brushing against mine, tinawag niya ang bartender upang umorder ng inumin.
"We'll start with something light," he said, glancing at me with a smirk, as if challenging me to object.
Napaikot ang aking mga mata. "Light? I thought we were here for the 'beach party experience.' Go big or go home, right?"
