A Summer to Forever

20

We arrived at Tali beach in less than 40 minutes because of the smooth traffic on the way. Sam knew a friend who had a beach house in Tali, so he made arrangements for us to be able to chill at his friend's house.

It was the perfect beach house that was just about the size of a 2 bedroom bungalow that had a pool and jacuzzi outdoor. The beach was literally a few steps away from the backyard.

"Wow, perfect beach house!" Patty couldn't help it.

"Nice one, bro," RJ gave Sam a fist bump.

"Pero guys, I think kailangan natin bumili ng food for supplies. Wala tayong dala and empty itong ref," Sam showed us the empty refrigerator. "Ako na lang bibili, malapit lang naman 'yung palengke, eh. Ano gusto niyo?"

"Nice, may ihawan pala sila," I pointed the griller outside by the poolside.

We mentally listed down what we wanted to eat for the day. It was mostly for grilling as nobody wanted to cook something saucy or soup-y.

"Bro, samahan na kita," RJ offered.

"Dito ka lang, bro, para may kasama 'yung mga babae. Kaya ko na mag-isa," my cousin then left for the market.

-----

"Ano naman ang plano mo sa buhay?"

Patty was embarrassing me by asking RJ questions that my parents would likely ask him if ever they meet him. A simple getting to know conversation turned into something like this. But RJ seems to be entertained as he was laughing most of the time.

"Plano kong maka-graduate from college, of course. But after that, I still don't know what I really want to do. Gusto ng parents ko tumulong ako sa business, pero I don't think it's for me."

"Why not?" Patty asked.

"Dati sumasama ako sa office and I tried helping them out with clerical work. I observed the employees and I found it boring. Ayokong makulong sa isang cubicle ng 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for the rest of my life."

"Ah, pareho pala kayo ni Maine," she nudged me. "Ayaw din niya ng routines. Gusto niya laging may something na bago."

RJ looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.

"Anyway, may girlfriend ka?" She continued asking again.

"Wala pa naman."

"May naging girlfriend ka na? Ilan? How long did you last and kailan last mo?"

He laughed. "Teka lang, mahina kalaban." He paused and looked at me. "I had 2 relationships before. Both in high school. 'Yung una, first year, then 'yung last was in 3rd year up to college na."

"Akala ko high school lang?" I asked.

"Well, we started to be together around 4th quarter during our junior year. Then it lasted until 2nd year of college."

"Ang tagal, ha?" Patty added.

"Yeah," RJ chuckled. "Pero wala 'yun, both of us weren't really sure with our feelings. And medyo demanding kasi si Ria."

"Ah, Ria." Patty mentioned.

"Sorry," RJ chuckled. "Sobrang selosa din nun kaya sobrang dyahe lang."