Another Romance

Chapter 16- Open Hearts

"nabusog ka ba?" Faight asked Lance as they walk beside the beach after having lunch

"oo, sobra... ang sarap mo palang magluto?"

"Hindi naman, gutom ka lang talaga"

His ripped jeans folded up to his knees, as his feet following her footsteps. He walks behind her, watching the way her hips sway her hair being blown by the sea air.

"mahilig ka sa beach?"

"uhm..oo, nakakalma ang dagat para sa akin. Nung bata pa ako naaalala ko lagi akong dinadala ni Dad sa beach kaya kita mo kutis ko ang kutim" she giggles" ikaw ba? Diba marine engineer ka?"

He took a deep breath and pan his eyes towards the open sea

"by profession yes, pero by passion Hindi eh"

"ba...bakit? Teka okay lang na Hindi mo sabihin promise okay lang"

"my dad's dream. He wanted me to achieve his dreams. Nakuha niya naman yun Kay Sam, my older brother. Maging doctor siya and he was so proud of him. But my brother failed him when he married the girl he's not in favor of. So for my Dad, my brother is a failure lalo na kasi the girl came from the clan he despise."

"is he always like that? Strict?"

"strict yes, but unreasonable? Hindi. It started when my Mom died. He just lost his sanity when he realized he cannot control death, that he cannot save mom. When mom died? Lahat Parang gusto niya ng hawakan buhay ni Kuya pati buhay ko"

"so sinunod mo nalang gusto niya?"

"at first gusto ko, ginusto ko ang pagmamarino, pero nung nasa barko ako kahit gaano kalawak ang dagat yun at yun lang ang makikita mo. Then something tells me, called me out na Hindi talaga yon ang para sa akin" " my Dad was so mad at me, Parang double yung gamit niya sa akin kaysa Kay Sam. Hindi ko lang daw siya nabigo, I betrayed him as well" "he said ano daw ba mararating ko sa pagiging isang pintor o iskultor, malakas lang daw loob ko kasi isa akong haciendero ha ha ha" "my Dad so weird... He's my number one fan when it comes to my artwork turned out to be my most number one hater"

"pero bakit ang cold mo Kay Doc Sam?"

"don't get me wrong, I don't hate Sam... He just wanted me to move on"

"move on? From what?"

"from, everything" "you see Faight, i disappointed many, hurt many dahil lang nilalaban ko ang gusto ko"

"mali ba yun? To fight for what you wanted?"

"pag may mga nasasaktan kana"

Faight wanted to know more, but it seems like, it will take a lot of courage for Lance to open his heart and his past to her.

"anyway, so why beach? I mean, why do you love it?"

"yung buhangin sa tabi ng dagat, Parang mga problema ng tao... kinakain nahihigop ng alon, unti unting nawawala. May mga bakas may naiiwan pero nakakasigurado kang lilipas din yan"

Lance looked down on his feet and smiled because of Faight's subtle reminder.

"tama naman"

There's a moment of silence between them. They felt the cold afternoon breeze of the sea, reasoning in their minds hoping in their hearts.

"alright let's go home! Pasok pa bukas"

The group decided to pack up and go home.

"uhm, Faight?"

"yes Lance?"

"okay lang ba kung sa akin kana sumabay?"

"ha, ano"

"teacher Faight sa kanya kana sumabay medyo out of the way ang apartment mo sa mga bahay namin eh" Lannie said signaling others to agree

"oo nga naman Faight, tsaka pagod na kami gusto ko bang humiga sa kama ko"

"ha, Hindi ba nakakahiya Lance? Lagi mo nalang ako hinahatid"

"Hindi syempre... Sana may ipapakita ako sayo"

"talaga?"

"oo, ano?"

"go!"