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She likes pretty things. She likes the flowers as it blooms in her neighbor's garden. She likes the colorful butterflies as it swarm near the flowers. She likes the sky as it change colors during sunsets. She likes the sea as the wave dances before her.
Sometimes, she would find herself staring, mesmerized, fascinated and lost. She likes pretty things. She wanted it so bad to the point she hated it. She hated the fact that she couldn't come closer, she couldn't go nearer, she couldn't grasp it nor bring herself to risk a step.
Because if she would.
She might ruin it.
"Come on! Hindi naman masyadong malamig!" The guy shouted while both feet were soaked on the sea, kicking and splashing the water towards her.
"Stop!" Saway niya sa lalaki. Ngunit hindi pa rin tumitigil sa paghampas ito sanhi ng pagpunta ng tubig sa kaniya. Agad siyang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa buhangin nang tuluyang maramdaman ang tubig-alat sa balat niya.
"Jesus Uno! Ano ba? Nababasa na ako!" Sigaw niya. Napahinga siya ng maluwag nang tumigil ang lalaki, umahon ito at tumayo sa tabi niya.
"Lumayo ka sakin," banta niya nang maramdamang basa ang lalaki sa tabi niya.
The guy laughed beside him. She doesn't know but his laugh sounded like the waves of the sea. It was soothing, calming and genuine... so beautiful.
"Ba't ayaw mong pumunta? Ang ganda kaya ng dagat."
She shrugged. "Wala akong pamalit at ayaw kong lamigin mamaya!"
"Loosen up a bit. I swear, you are missing a lot." Narinig niya ang malalim na buntong hininga ng katabi. "Sometimes, you just need to relax. Stop thinking too much. Stop predicting what will happen next. I mean stop stressing yourself on the things you don't have control."
Her lips formed into a curve. "How would I do that? Give me advice, genius."
The guy shrugged, "I guess, drop the worry and start living. Go with the flow, stop opposing it."
The blue sky had turned into orange as the big sun starts descending. Its rays were all over the place, some went near the sea, some collapased against the chartreuse leaves of the tree and some went to kiss her face. It was so warm against her skin. It made her closed her eyes, to savor the moment.
"You look good with sunset," the guy whispered.
She opened her eyes and met his gaze.
"Yet just like the sunset, you're distant."
--
Blob of sweat formed on Lyca's forhead as she opens her eyes gasping for air. She was breathing harshly, shoulders heaved heavily and heart about to burst against her chest. Lyca's been having these weird scenarios every night. Days of playing it on her head in loop, with blurred faces, hazy backgrounds and unclear voices, but now... it was different.
