At The Sunrise

Chapter 4

"You take care of my daughter, Zach. At mag-enjoy kayo sa inyong honeymoon." tugon ng ama ni Yvonne.

"Sure, I will Pa." sagot nito habang nakaakbay sa kanya.

"At sana pagbalik niyo, may aasahan na kaming apo." excited namang saad ng ina ni Zach.

"Well, don't you think it's too early, Ma?" sagot ni Zach sa ina nito.

"We're not getting any younger,hijo. So were definitely hoping na makikita pa namin ang maliliit na Yvonne at Zach." sagot naman ng mama niya na agad niyang ikina-guilty.

Hindi na siya umimik pa hanggang sa tawagin na ang kanilang flight at nagpaalam ang mga ito. Inalalayan naman siya ni Zach hanggang sa maka pwesto sila ng upuan.

"Don't feel bad sa sinabi nila, Yvonne." pukaw sa kanya ni Zach. Marahil nahalata nito ang guilt na nararamdaman niya.

"It's not easy, Zach. Nasasaktan pa rin ako sa tuwing umaasa silang magiging masaya tayong pamilya. And I thought, after the annulment, they will all feel bad." malungkot na sagot niya rito.

"They will understand, Yvonne. We're no longer young people. By the time we are 35, they will see that we will make our own decision. At wala silang magagawa. So stop overthinking, ok? You get some sleep." aniya at hinalikan siya sa noo.

Kinilig naman siya sa gesture nito pero ayaw niya itong bigyan ng meaning. He did that so she would feel better. She closed her eyes and dreamed of what could her life be if she would not have gotten married.

"Hey, sleepy head. Wake up."

Nagising si Yvonne sa pag gising ni Zach. She felt asleep in his arms. Agad siyang nag ayos ng upo at kinalma ang sarili.

"Are we there, yet?" casual niyang tanong rito.

"We're landing."

"Good. I can't wait to get a warm and nice rest."

"Well, mukha namang komportable ka kanina. And you look beautiful when you are sleeping." anito na ikinapula ng kanyang pisngi.

"Why do you make it a hobby to tease me, Mr. Valeria?"

"Because I like seeing you blush, Mrs, Valeria." nakangiting sagot nito.

Hindi na niya ito kinausap pa. Ilang minuto lang ay lumapag na ang eroplano. Inalalayan naman siya ni Zach sa pagbaba at pagdadala ng kanilang mga gamit. May sundo sila na exclusive service ng kanilang hotel na agad rin naman nilang nakita.

Hindi na sila nag-usap pa ni Zach. Naging busy kasi ito sa phone. Tumawag siya sa kanyang secretary para kumustahin ang mga negosyo. Hindi rin naman kalayuan ang hotel na agad nilang narating in 30 minutes.

"Don't you wanna have your own room, Zach?" tanong niya rito matapos mailapag ang kanilang mga gamit.

"Fully-booked sila dahil summer. Pero tatawagan tayo ng receptionist kapag may bakante na. For the mean time, sa living room nalang ako. Or if you'd like, I can sleep beside you."

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Tigilan mo nga yang kakabiro sa'kin ng ganyan. We agreed on casual terms between the both of us. Let's not go beyond that." paalala niya rito.

"You know, I'm a man Yvonne. It takes a lot of courage to do what you asked me to do. And the fact that my wife is gorgeous and hot, it's even harder for me."

"Problema mo na yun, Mr. Valeria. And honestly, I don't really care about your manly needs. If you sleep around with another women, bahala ka. Just don't mess things up and don't mess with me." dire-diretso niyang litanya rito.

She could feel his ego insulted and the she could see the quick pang of hurt in his eyes. Or so she thought.

"Fine. Lalabas lang ako. Would you like anything to eat?" sagot nito sa malamig na boses.

"No, I'll just stay here. I'm too tired to roam around."

"Ok. I'll take the keys with me. Call me if you need anything." saad nito at agad lumabas ng kwarto.

She felt an instant relief. Ayaw niyang laging may awkward moment sa kanila ni Zach. Mas lalo siyang nahihirapang pakisamahan ito. She knows nagbibiro ito pero ayaw niyang sanayin si Zach na masyadong bastusin siya. She wants it casual as possible.

Agad nag-ayos ng mga gamit si Yvonne. Ayaw niyang pakialaman ang mga gamit ni Zach kaya hinayaan niya lang ito sa isang sulok ng kwarto. Agad siyang naligo at nagbihis para matulog. Alas 8 na ng gabi. Nasa top floor sila ng hotel kaya maganda ang view. She could see the clear sky and the moon glowing so bright. The cold see breeze embraces her nang buksan niya ang mga bintana. There are parties in every part of the island but none of them catches her attention. She is too tired to entertain the night. So she decided to get her rest.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Valeria."

Narinig ni Yvonne na may nagsalita and she could feel someone kissing her forehead. But she is too tired to open her eyes. It feels like a voice in her dreams. She wanted to know what it was but she does not have a courage to even a muscle. She is too tired and too comfortable. And so she drifted back to dreams.