THEN, SUDDENLY

Kabanata 4

Beach

"Thanks for doing this for my daughter Tasha" Narinig kong sabi ni mommy kay Tasha habang pababa ako ng hagdanan.

"Ofcourse Tita, she's my bestfriend and I miss her. She needs a break din po also, nararamdaman kong she's not completely healed. Puro na lang pag-aaral at trabaho ginagawa niya. I mean it's not a bad thing po, at least she can move forward kahit ganun ang nangyari." -Tasha

"I know, we felt the same way also. Alam natin kung gaano kasakit ang pinagdaanan ng anak ko." -Mommy

"Let's go? I'm ready."

Napalingon sa akin si mommy at Tasha. Si daddy ay nasa office doing some work na dapat ay ako na ang gumagawa ngayon. Though I want this break also. I feel like after two years ngayon lang ulit ako mag eenjoy sa buhay ko. It's been a long time.

"Yes! OMG! I'm so excited." Niyakap ako ni Tasha "Tita mauuna na po kami" -Tasha

"Okay. You girls take care and enjoy!" -Mommy

Niyakap ako ni mommy "Enjoy Xams. I want to see those happy pictures, okay? I want you happy! I love you."

"I'm happy mommy but sure I'll send you happy pictures when we get there. I love you mom."

We kissed her goodbye at umalis na kami!

Mabilis lang ang naging byahe namin papuntang EL Nido! The whole trip kitang-kita ko ang excitement sa bestfriend ko. Masaya ako na nakikitang masaya ang mga taong mahal ko.

Tasha booked us in The Cove El Nido. The place got me hooked. It's so freaking beautiful. The cozy hotel room, the crystal clear beautiful beach, the mountains. Damn, it's so beautiful.

I am a nature lover. Lahat ng taong malapit sa akin, alam kung gaano ko kamahal ang nature. Specially, the beach. It makes me feel calm and relax. Everyone loves the feeling of being calm and relax. I'm sure, I will enjoy the stay.

"This is beautiful. Thanks Tasha." Habang tinitignan ko ang nakakahalinang dagat mula sa veranda ng aming room.

"You're welcome. I knew it. You will like it here. Parehas kaya tayo ng taste." Kumapit siya sa braso ko at ipinatong ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ko.

"Gusto ko lang malaman mo na, nandito lang ako para sayo. Whatever it is, I'm ready to listen." -Tasha

Nginitian ko lang siya. Nagligpit na kami ng mga gamit at naghanda para bumaba at kumain ng lunch. Tasha make our itinerary for this trip, siya na ang bahala sa lahat. I'm glad, I have a best friend like her.

"Wala pa tayong masyadong activity for today since it's our first day here. Pahinga na lang muna tayo. Tomorrow, island hopping including lagoons, caves, beaches. Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Sumizo Island, 7 Commando Island, Cudugnon Cave and etc. Basta marami yun at feeling ko hindi natin magagawa ng isang araw yun. I'll send you the itinerary. Sa ngayon bumaba na muna tayo at kumain kasi nagugutom na ako." -Tasha

"I'll just follow what you want gaya ng sabi mo parehas naman tayo ng taste!"

"I know right! Let's go?" -Tasha

The resort offers a buffet for breakfast. Iba-ibang cuisine. Since lunch na, pumunta kami sa isang seafood restaurant, dito lang din sa resort na tinutuluyan namin. We ordered Crispy Calamari and Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp for the appetizers. Tasha and I both like Cream of Crab Soup kaya umorder din kami nun. I ordered Grilled Mediterranean Salmon for my main course while Tasha got Seafood Casserole.

We're enjoying the food and catching up at the same time.

"Hey, excuse me. Can you take a picture of us?" Sabi ni Tasha sa dumaang waiter.

"Sure ma'am." Sagot ng waiter at inabot na ni Tasha ang kanyang cellphone.

"1...2...3...smile" bilang ng waiter

Ngumiti kami sa camera.

"Dito din please, thank you." Sabay abot ko sa cellphone ko sa waiter.

"Sure ma'am, no problem." Inabot niya yung cellphone ko sakanya "1...2...3... smile!"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome po. Enjoy your stay."

Nagpasalamat kami sa mabait na waiter.

"Hashtag best friends time! I posted on my Instagram! Binuksan mon a ba ulit account mo?" -Talia

"Not yet. Gagawa na lang ako ng bago."

"Okay! Add mo ko ha, para ma tag kita sa mga pictures natin." -Talia

Tumango ako.

We ordered Creme brulee for a dessert! Again, parehas na naman naming favorite yun ni Tasha! Sabi ko nga marami kaming pagkakaparehas!

Pagkatapos naming kumain. Bumalik na kami sa room namin at nagpahinga. Nanuod kami ng Twilight, we're both Twilight fan. Kaya kahit pa ulit-ulit naming panuorin, okay lang! After ng first part ng movie, nakatulog na si Tasha! Kaya pinatay ko na yung TV at pumuntang veranda.