The Flame

The Flame- Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Naked

Adventure. Life is like that. You shouldn't stay at where you are, always. You have to wander and see the bigger picture of everything you see. You have to widen the world you know. You have to be better than what you were before.

Adventure, that is what I am doing right now. Tall green grasses, matatayog na mga iba-ibang puno na mas nagpapaganda ng tanawin, different rock sizes and the cold breeze that makes the temperature better despite the heat from the sun that's shining so bright.

The ambiance that makes me feel at peace, the serenity and the comfort. Things that are far from the cruel reality of the city life. Far from the reality that I have been running away from; my marriage.

In a slow pace, I walked to the falls that was my destination for the trip I had, alone. When I saw the falls, my pacing changed. From a slow pace, I went straight to the falls, half-running.

Nang marating ko na ang talon, agad akong napangiti. I looked at the water and saw my reflection in the water. Napakaganda! Perfect!

After that very long treck, nakaabot din ako! I immediately took my shoes off and started unpacking my bag.

I was too busy taking my things out from my bag nang biglang may tumikhim sa aking likuran.

OH MY GOSH! WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?

"Staring is rude, actually." a guy- I mean.. a man.. a man with an Adonis look is standing in front of me... NAKED!

Well, not actually naked but he's only wearing his underwear! Not even a cycling shorts at that but only his briefs. What the!

"Why are you naked?" gulantang kong taming.

"Not actually naked, Miss. I have my briefs on, you know." he smirked. I looked away. Bakit ba ngayon ko lang naisip na alisin ang paningin ko mula sa kanya?

"Whatever. But could you please wear anything?" I asked, annoyed.

"Gosh! I thought I'd find peace with this adventure!" I murmured.

"This isn't a private falls, is it? So technically, everyone can have access through it, right?" he asked me, amused by my irritated look.

"A'right, I'll be going then." I stood up and started to pack my things again.

"No, you shouldn't do that. Ang layo na ng nilakad mo. You can stay, I'd go far from you, anyway. Doon ako sa ilog, ikaw dito sa talon. Just don't leave. I can compromise. " napatitig ako sa kanyang mukha habang nagsasalita siya.

I can't really deny his gorgeous look. He has this Hispanic features; well-defined jaw, thick eyebrows, a bit protruding lips, matangos at manipis na ilong, long eyelashes, high cheekbone and his very expressive eyes. Iyong tipong kapag tinitingnan ka niya ay talagang mangangatog ang binti mo. Ang puti pa ng mga ngipin! Model ba ito ng toothpaste? At ang ganda ng ngiti, nakakawala sa tamang pag-iisip. Ang sarap tumili pag ngumiti na siya!

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko sa mga niisip ko. Cassandra Nicholai Saldivar, ano ba? Nakakaloka ka ha! Wag mo na siyang pagpantasyahan.

"How's that for a deal, Miss?" seryosong tanong

"Alright. Ang layo na din naman ng nilakad ko, so okay. Thanks by the way." I'm sincere with my "thanks" to him, you know.

"Matt Gabriel De Los Santos is the name. You are?" inilahad niya ang kanyang kamay, I accepted it. "Cassandra Nicholai Saldivar, nice to meet you Mr. De Los Santos."

Hmm.. Gab? Bry? Matt? Ano ba magandang itawag sa kanya?

"You can call me Matt or whatever name you wanna call me." binabasa niya ba isip ko?

"Hmm.. can I call you Bry, then?" his forehead creased, "Well, Bry for Gabriel.. Briel, change 'i' to 'y'... but if you don't want it... ahmm M-matt then, I'll call you Matt." the hell, did I just stutter?

"Bry." he put his finger in his chin, like he's trying to figure out the name I wanna call him, "Bry then, I like it."

"Oh, okay." I tried not to sound surprised by his approval.

"Yeah, okay. See you around, Nix." wait, did he just made a nickname for me, too? Okay, it's just a nickname. Nix.. I like it.