See You Soon, Love

Chapter 15

15

I went to Cebu the next day to meet with my client. It's a woman in her early 30's at nagulat pa nang nalamang ako ng may-ari ng Treecup.

"I saw your pictures sa mga feature magazines pero hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ganito ka pa ka bata." That's what she said.

Siya na sana ang luluwas ng Manila pero nag offer ako na ako na ang pupunta dito para ma check ko rin ang apat na branches dito sa Cebu.

We're done visiting her proposed site and it's near an intersection and there's a subdivision nearby. Kapag talaga may gustong mag franchise, I want to visit the place myself and hire people to do the feasibility study as well. We decided to have lunch habang nag s-sign ng agreement.

I still have three days left kaya sa pangalawang araw ko sa Cebu ay binisita ko ang ilang branches at hindi pa makapaniwala ang ibang staff na nakikita nila ako sa personal. Some asked for a photo with me and I gave them that.

On my third day, I planned on staying in a beach hotel in Mactan dahil malapit lang iyon sa airport and I don't want to travel by land anymore. Kaya gabi palang ng Thursday ay nag book na ako ng room for two days.

Napagod ako kakabisita sa mga cafe kanina so decided to book a spa at nakatulog hanggang tanghali ng sumunod na araw.

Tsaka lang ako lumabas ng hotel room ko nang naghapon at hindi na masakit sa balat ang tama ng sinag ng araw.

I am wearing my burgundy bikini. It was peaceful. May outdoor pool sa hotel pero mas gusto kong tumingin sa dagat.

I'm drinking my pineapple juice habang nakaupo sa isang sun lounger under a hut. Tinanggal ko ang flat sunglasses ko dahil hindi na makita ang araw dahil sa nakatabong mga ulap.

I decided to have a quick dip kaya tumayo na ako at naglakad patungo sa dagat. Napahinto lang nang may dumaan sa harap ko at napatingin sa akin kaya napasulyap rin ako sa kanya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

"Ali?" He said.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at matagal siyang tinitigan. I think it's because of the busy days kaya hindi ko agad siya nakilala. Unti-unting nanlaki ang mata ko nang napagtanto.

"Oh my god! Franco!"

It's been three years since I last saw him!

"Grabe. Hindi mo na ako nakikilala. Nice to see you here." Ngiti niya.

"Nice to see you too! Vacation?"

"Yeah. You're with someone?"

"Nope. I'm alone. Napabisita lang. Ikaw? You're with someone?" I asked, pertaining to someone particular.

His girlfriend. Are they still together?

He nodded. "I'm with my friends. Wanna join us?"

Oh. With his friends. Gusto ko pa namang ma meet yung girlfriend niya. The reason why I didn't agree with our engagement three years ago. Because he asked me that favor. Na kaming dalawa ang tumanggi, para both sides ang ayaw. Dahil may girlfriend siya.

As much as I want to join him to catch up, gusto ko munang maligo sa dagat lalo na't wala ng init.

"Maybe later, Franco."

"Oh. May beach pub sa malapit. Join us later! Nandito rin yung ibang classmates natin sa high school."

Yes. We were classmates back in high school kaya pala sobrang familiar niya talaga. He's from Mindanao too.

"Sure!"

"Can I get your number then? So I can text you."

I gave him my number para wala ng problema at naligo na ako pagkatapos. I took a short deep by myself and it was overall peaceful. Marami silang ibang activities gaya ng snorkeling and parasailing pero wala na akong oras so maybe next time.