The Next Stage (COMPLETED)

THIRTY FIVE: Message

Julia

"Ano, tara na?" Tanong ni Zach. Nandito kami sa table kung saan kami kumain ng breakfast kanina.

And we're already done with swimming. Ang saya lang sa feeling.

Because both of us had freedom that we deserve. Yun bang, free from our families, studies, friends, and of course...free from our problems.

Ang refreshing lang sa pakiramdam. It feels so good spending time with the one you love the most. Yung nagtatawanan lang kayo, nag-aasaran, yung hindi niyo iniisip yung mga problema niyo, yung sini-savour niyo lang yung moment niyo together.

"Wait." Tawag ko kay Zach nung nakita kong tatayo siya. I'm still wearing my swimsuit but thank God, meron akong bathrobe to keep myself warm---because the athmosphere is cold.

"Hmm?" Tanong niya. I held his hand first before I smiled and said, "You know how many times ko ng sinabi 'to but, thank you. Thank you for this. It's a pleasure for me to have a vacation with you like this. I feel beyond blessed, Zach."

"Anything to make you happy, Julia." Then he smiled at me, then hugged me very tight, even if we're both wet dahil halos kakaahon lang namin.

"Tara na?" He asked. I laughed before I answered okay.

Kasi naman, we never expected this weather kaya hindi siya nakapagdala ng shirt or something to keep him warm. But nalang, may provided na towel yung staffs dito but I think it's not enough to lessen the chill that Zach feels.

"Are you okay?" Tanong ko, forcing myself not to laugh. Nanginginig kasi yung labi ni Zach, but he's acting like he's totally fine.

"Yeah. A little bit cold pero, kaya naman." Sagot niya. Kaya ayun, tumawa na 'ko. Buti naman in-admit na niya and sinabi na niya sakin na nilalamig na siya...kanina pa.

Nung makarating na kami sa room namin, kaagad akong humiga sa kama kahit basa pa 'ko, wala 'kong pakialam. I just feel exhausted dahil sa pag sswimming na ginawa ko.

Ngayon lang kasi ulit ako nakapagswimming. Syempre nung nasa Batangas nga kami, may nangyaring hindi inaasahan, so wala.

Tsaka hindi rin naman kami nag oouting kasi tatlo lang naman kami. Yung family naman ni Kim, nasa abroad and yung ibang relatives namin lalo na sa side ni papa, medyo hindi kami ganon ka intact.

"Hindi ka pa maliligo?" Tanong ni Zach sakin, habang nanonood ng tv.

Mayroon din kasing tv rito aside sa living room. Ayun nga lang, mas malaki yung tv sa sala.

"Ikaw muna, dahil kanina ka pa nilalamig." Sagot ko. He's now wearing a bathrobe na color white, may shirt narin siya sa loob nun.

"Okay. Malay ko bang sobrang lamig pala dito, lalo na kapag galing kang swimming pool." Sabi niya sabay napailing. Pinatay narin niya yung tv at dumiretso sa luggage niya para kumuha ng damit.

"Hahaha. Poor you." I said. Hay, Zach.

Binuksan ko yung tv nung makapasok na siya sa bathroom. Hmm, ano kayang magandang panoorin?

Nag lipat-lipat ako ng channel pero wala akong makitang maganda. Naalala ko na nandito pala kami sa Hongkong, wala sa Pilipinas. Kaya walang matino.

Pinatay ko nalang yung tv kasi wini-waste ko lang yung time ko. Puro kasi Chinese channels yung nandoon and meron din namang international channels, pero more on sports naman so I have no choice.