A Thousand Second Chances

Kabanata 3

Reminiscence

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was like a soothing melody, blending perfectly with the soft rustling of palm trees swaying with the wind. The scent of saltwater filled the air, and the golden sand felt warm beneath my bare feet. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself absorb the serenity of this place—this perfect moment with him.

Huey and I were celebrating our anniversary at the beach, just the two of us, away from the noise of the city, away from the responsibilities we momentarily left behind. A special day deserved a special place, and this was exactly what we needed.

“Ang tahimik mo,” Huey teased as he stood beside me, his fingers brushing against mine. “Are you daydreaming again?”

Napatawa ako at iniling ang ulo ko. “No, I’m just… appreciating everything. Ang ganda dito, Huey.”

He smiled, that familiar dimple on his left cheek appearing. “I knew you’d love it.”

Tumingala ako sa kanya. The way his eyes softened whenever he looked at me made my heart flutter, just like it did the first time we met. I could never get used to that look—the kind that made me feel like I was the only girl in his world.

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “I still remember our first anniversary,” he chuckled. “Nag-panic ako kasi I didn’t know what to get you, tapos umiyak ka kasi akala mo nakalimutan ko.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Tumigil ka nga, Love. Don’t remind me! I was so dramatic!”

He pulled my hands away and held them in his, his thumbs rubbing gentle circles on my skin. “You weren’t dramatic. You just cared too much, and I love that about you.”

I sighed, feeling the warmth of his touch. “But look at us now. Hindi na ako demanding, hindi na rin ako selosa…”

Huey snorted. “Hmm… Debatable.”

I playfully hit his arm, making him laugh. “Kidding, kidding!” He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. “You’re still the same Love, but even better. Mas mature, mas patient…”

“Mas maganda,” I added, winking.

He chuckled, his forehead resting against mine. “Definitely. Always.”

For a moment, we just stood there, listening to the waves, feeling the warmth of each other’s presence. It was amazing how time flew so fast, yet every moment with him still felt like a beautiful first.

“Come with me,” he suddenly said, pulling me by the hand.

“Ha? Saan tayo pupunta?”

He didn’t answer, just led me along the shoreline. The water was cool as it touched our feet, and the sky had started turning into shades of pink and orange—a perfect sunset.

“Okay, stop,” he said, facing me. “Close your eyes.”

I raised a brow at him. “Huey, may pinagpaplanuhan ka na naman.”

“Trust me.” I sighed and closed my eyes, a smile playing on my lips.

Palagi naman akong nagtitiwala sa kaniya.

A few seconds later, I felt something soft against my skin—his fingers gently grazing my neck as he carefully fastened something around it.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

I blinked and looked down, my fingers instinctively reaching up to touch the delicate seashell necklace resting against my collarbone. The shells were small and smooth, strung together with a thin yet sturdy cord.

“Wow…” I whispered, tracing the shells with my fingertips. It felt warm, as if it carried a piece of him.

“I made it myself,” he said proudly, his eyes gleaming. “Para may something ka na lagi mong dala, kahit wala ako.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. “Love… This is beautiful.”

He grinned. “Like you.”

I rolled my eyes at his cheesiness, but deep inside, my heart was melting. I pulled him into a tight hug, my chin resting on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I murmured.

His arms wrapped around me, holding me as if he never wanted to let go. “Anything for you.”

We stayed like that for a while, just basking in the warmth of our love. This was home. This was happiness.

“Mahal ko,” Huey said softly, stopping in his tracks.

“Hm?” I turned to him, only to see him looking at me with that same look.

The look that always made me weak in the knees.

“I love you.” His voice was steady, filled with sincerity. “I love you, palagi.”

I smiled, feeling my chest tighten with emotion. “I love you, Love. So much.”

He cupped my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “Thank you for loving me, for choosing me every day.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, but they were happy tears. “Thank you for never giving up on me.”

And as the moon rose above the ocean, under the stars and the whispering waves, Huey kissed me—soft, slow, and filled with love.

This was our moment.