Game Plan (COMPLETE)

EPILOGUE

The waves were gentler here. They didn't crash, just curled toward the shore like they, too, were tired but happy. The ocean itself sounded like it was breathing... just like us.

Casting the sky in gold and orange was the setting sun, clearly could be seen behind the edge of the sea.

I heard their voices, so I turned to look at all of them. On my left, I saw Mae, Kathleen, Hailey, Dea, Shane, Ace, and Thal taking pictures—even coaxing Arrie to pose for the camera.

Farther down the shore, I spotted Max, Marcus, Ian, and Santi just messing around in the sea.

Yago, on the other hand, seemed to be craving peace; he was lying beside Nash on one of the many sun loungers. There was music lingering in the air—the bluetooth speaker that we brought down here.

This might be the most peaceful birthday I've ever had.

"Hoy, birthday boy!" Mae called me. Technically, my birthday's still tomorrow, but I still looked. "Picturan mo kami!"

"Tigas mo talaga, 'no? 'Yung nagbayad pa talaga ng resort inutusan mo?" Max was near them, probably done swimming with Santi and the others.

"Alangan namang sa iyo, eh tabingi ka rin mag-picture! Parang si Marcus ampota."

"Ako na." I walked nearer and got the camera out of Mae's hand. After minutes and lots of retakes, they were finally content. I thought my sideline job as a photographer was done, but I heard Thal speak.

"Ate Arrie, p'wede ba picture tayo, please?"

"Wow, fan behavior," pang-aasar ni Marcus.

"Talaga lang! Palagi ko siya pinapanood, hoy! Halos mag-wala nga ako nung nalaman ko na naka-training niyo siya, eh wala pa ako sa team no'n!"

I couldn't help but smile. Too think that there were times that Arrie thought there was something between Thal and I when in reality... baka ako pa nga dapat ang kabahan. Thal seemed to be in awe of Arrie so much.

After their photos were taken, I didn't let go of the camera. I took one photo of Arrie while she was looking at the sea.

Another one while she was fixing her hair.

Then, I called the girl of my dreams. "Arrie."

The exact moment she turned her head, I took another photo. Through the lens, I saw her start walking toward me. I swear the sun slowed down just to catch her in that light.

"Do I look dumb there?" was the first thing she asked.

I chuckled—what kind of question was that? I always found her beautiful, no matter how she looked or from what angle I saw her.

"Let me see the photo." She even pouted slightly. Come on, how could I resist that?

I trapped her in between my arms, and now we were both facing the vast sea. I rested my head on her right shoulder, also peeking at the camera.

I took a photo of the scenery in front of us first before opening the gallery. Then I pressed the button to go back to the previous picture—the one where I'd captured her face at the exact moment I called her.

In the photo, her lips were slightly parted. Her eyes kept their gentle almond shape. Her hair was being blown slightly by the wind. She was wearing something that she called a... a bankini? A tankini? Something like that in black, and a beige long skirt.

I peaked her face, "See? Very, very pretty."

Her head turned slightly toward me, and now our faces were just inches apart.