Ten Days in Paradise

Day Six

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I didn't find Mike the next morning. When I went to the cafeteria where he would usually be, he wasn't there. I looked for him all over the resort, but I couldn't find him anywhere. And yes, his CRV was also gone.

At first, I told myself, why should I care? So what if he's in the vicinity or not? He had me feeling unwanted and ashamed the other night, so the hell with him, right?

But I felt lonely without him. I actually missed him. Despite the bitterness that I felt against him, I really did.

"He left," Yna said when I asked her where Mike could be. "Around six o'clock. He didn't even eat his breakfast."

I was surprised. And I felt guilty. Was it about me? I asked myself. Is he avoiding me?

"Do you have any idea where he went?" I asked again.

Yna just shook her head. "I have no idea. But it's the sixth of the month. It's a special date for him. He usually disappears in the morning and returns late in the evening."

I squirmed. I found that idea rather strange. "What's so special about the sixth of the month?"

Yna smiled, then shook her head before replying. "It sounds crazy, but it's their monthsary."

"Monthsary? With whom?"

"With Ate Jules."

I froze with what she said. I was surprised and confused at the same time. That Jules again? I told myself. He's celebrating monthsary with that woman that he'd lost many years ago? Is he insane?

I didn't have an answer to those questions, of course,

"Oh, well," I sighed. "They say true love never dies. But it does sound crazy..."

"He really loves her," Yna added.

"Jules is one lucky girl."

"I guess Kuya Mike will never love another woman, at least not like the way he loves Ate Jules."

I frowned. "I believe he will. Just give it time..."

She grinned at me. "You like him, don't you?"

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned as well. "I wouldn't stay here this long if I don't. There are actually other places in this country that's worth seeing. I could very well be in Boracay or Palawan. Let's just say I decided to stay here because he's here."

"So how long will you stay here?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. I guess it'll be up to him."

.

Honestly, I felt jealous about Mike's love for Jules. I also felt hopeless, since it appeared that Mike would never like me no matter what I did.

Wanting to let my emotions pass, I decided to get out of the resort and go somewhere else. Maybe a walk around the town of Botolan would be good. So I took a jeepney that would bring me to the town proper and got off in front of the elementary school, which was actually within the block along with the town hall, the market, the Catholic Church, the town hospital, and many more establishments.