The Promise Of Sagada

XII

XII

I shut my eyes and felt the cold and refreshing air. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the promise of adventure. I giggled when the clear water touched my hands. The sun glinted off the crystal-clear water, revealing a vibrant underwater world teeming with life.It was as if the ocean itself was a giant, shimmering jewel, its depths holding secrets waiting to be discovered.

Inikot ko ang mata ko sa paligid, then I focus on my foot and sa buhangin na inaapakan ko. The white sand beaches stretched as far as the eye could see, fringed by swaying palm trees that whispered secrets to the gentle breeze.The air hummed with the sound of cicadas and the distant cries of seabirds, a symphony of nature that filled my soul with peace.

"Mamaaa, kanina ka pa dyan." I was taken back in reality when I heard Jerome's voice. He's raising my eyebrow while looking at me. Tuwang-tuwa ako na tumakbo sa buhanginan papunta sa kanya. When I stopped in front of him, I saw him frowning. "Hindi mo man lang ako hinintay," he said using his nagtatampo na tone, but with my warm hug and bright smile, his frown vanished. He's now a happy baby like me.

I jump in excitement while Jerome holds my hands at maingat akong hinihila pasunod sa kanya. I remembered yesterday, we decided to have a vacation. Ewan ko rito kay Jerome; he told me he wants na umuwi sa Pilipinas by next week, so this is our last vacation. But our last vacation is so worth it! We're now here in the beautiful place of Kerami Island. Ang tubig dito daig pa ang crystal clear sa linaw, when we're on the way here in this island, I can clearly see the fish na nag sw-swim. I can also see some corals. Kahit hindi ka na sumisid, you will see what's under the water.

When we got to the small rental house here, kaagad na muna akong pinaupo ni Jerome sa kama. I just watched him na may kunin sa bag niya; my eyebrows drew together when I saw him holding a lotion-a sunscreen. Tinitigan ko lang siyang hawakan ang braso ko, then he gently put some lotion on my arms, then rubbed it on my arms. "Ang tirik ng araw mama, tapos nagbabad ka ron. Sige ka iitim ka, always put sunscreen on mama." Pagsesermonan niya sakin dahilan para mahina akong mapatawa.

"Papaa, mukha ba akong bata sayo?" I asked while looking at him. He's now done putting lotion on my arms; now he's putting lotion on my both legs. "No, but you are my baby mama." I avoided his gaze when I felt my cheeks heat up. Mahina kong tinapik ang balikat niya then cutely glared at him, but he just chuckled.

"I remember, I'm the one who applies this to your body, papa." I suddenly remember, every summer, nagbabakasyon kaming dalawa. We always swim every summer, then he always forgets to apply sunscreen, kaya parang bata ko siyang laging sinusundo sa pool at nilalagyan ng sunscreen, but look at us now; he's now the one who's putting sunscreen on mine.

"Hindi ka ba mag s-swim suit mama?" He suddenly asked; maybe he noticed my outfit. I'm just wearing a black shirt and shorts, "not comfortable, papa." He smiled at me like he's approving of my response, my conservative baby.

Kaagad ko nang hinila si Jerome papuntang beach, I saw a lot of tourists here in the island kaya napasimangot ako. "Tara na swimming mama." I giggled nang buhatin ako, he's running towards the water at mahina akong binaba ron pero wala lang issang segundo ay napayakap ako sa kanya pabalik. "Papa malamig!" Pagrereklamo ko habang yakapa-yakap niya, Jerome continue to carry me habang lumulusong siya sa tubig. I giggled when I saw his feet under the water, the water is really clear!

"Papa, karera tayo po, paunahan po makarating sa dulo nito." Kunot noo lang ang binigay sakin ni Jerome, syempre baka patay na kami bago namin marating dulo nito.

I can't help but to smile while enjoying every moment with my love. Wala kaming ginawa kung hindi magbasaan dalawa. Nagwiwisikan kami ng tubig, pagkatapos ay magagalit ako pag nalunod niya ako ng tubig, kasi grabe siyang mang wisik nakakalunod! Ang ginawa namin ay maglaro, magagalit ako, susuyin niya ako, at maglaro ulit.