We are officially free from Senior High. The ceremony just ended and now, everyone is just busy taking pictures. Everyone is happy and rejoicing. I couldn't blame them though. Kahit ako masayang-masaya. Another certificate added to Mama's hall of fame.
"Anak, I'm so proud of you!" I turned to my mom whose eyes are filled with tears of joy. She hugged me so tight that I felt my internal organs breaking. I turned to my dad who was also brimming with joy and pride.
"Pa, Ma, Phin," we turned to Madi who called us. Oo, magkapatid kami ni Madi. Accelerated ang babaeng yun kaya magkaclassmates kami. Matalino siya pero of course, mas matalino ako. Not bragging, just saying the truth. "Picture tayo sa stage. I'll have Cally take our picture."
We followed her and took some pictures on stage. Pahirapan nga lang kasi ang rami ring gustong magpicture doon. After that, we headed towards the parking lot. I brought my car with me and Madi decided to ride with my parents. We decided to celebrate this milestone at Henan. It's a famous resort here in Bohol. A simple dinner with them and as our parent's gift, we decided to stay there for 3 days. I messaged the gang about it in our group chat and told them about our mini vacation. They said they'll be checking in tomorrow to join us.
We arrived at the resort shortly after an hour of driving. I got Madi and I's bags in the compartment and made sure to lock my car before joining my parents and my sister in the lobby. We checked in and we were ushered to our rooms. We got 3 rooms all in all, one for my parents, one for Madi and one for me. I dropped by Madi's room first to drop her bags before heading to my room. Once I settled down, I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I remembered what Madi said to me almost 2 weeks ago. Happy. Asan na kaya siya ngayon? Odds are we would see each other any time soon. She doesn't look like a tourist either since she works at Fred's Book Café so the chances of seeing her here is very small.
I was brought back to reality when my phone rang. It was Madi.
"Madi? What's wrong?" I got up and started to walk towards the door.
"Magdidinner na daw tayo. Labas ka na sa room mo," she said. I heard a door open and close afterwards. I guess she's already in the hall and is already heading towards the restaurant.
"You could've just approached me in my room. Nagsayang ka pa ng load," I said while getting my room keys and checking if everything was on its right place before opening the door and closing it. I turned the knob one more time if I was able to lock it and headed towards the restaurant.
"Yeah pero sayang naman yung load ko if di ko gagamitin diba? Might as well put it into use," she said in a matter-of-fact of tone.
"Sabihin mo lang na tamad ka. And bakit nagpaload ka pa eh wala ka namang katawagan?" I asked as I pressed the "down" button of the elevator. I waited for the elevator door to open.
"Eh pake mo ba? Pera ko naman ginamit ko and for your information, kasalanan niyo ni Papa kung bakit wala pa akong katawagan ngayon! You're so strict kasi eh," she ranted which made me laugh. The elevevator door opened moments after so I told Madi I had to drop the call since walang signal sa loob ng elevator hatch. When the elevator arrived at the ground floor, I headed immediately towards the restaurant so that we could finally have our dinner.
Dinner went by pretty fast. We talked about our plans for the future, kung anong course ang kukunin namin ni Madi for college and if saan. Madi decided to get Nursing while I decided to get Medical Technology. Madi plans on pursuing this course at De La Salle University if ever she passes while I plan on studying at the Ateneo De Manila University. My parents supported both our plans though they were sad with the fact that both their children will leave home.
After dinner, mom and dad decided to go back to their rooms because they have this show they want to catch up while Madi went back to her room because she wants to binge watch all 4 seasons of Lucifer. Is she not yet done with that show?
I decided to stay and walk the beach for a while. Alona beach is alive during the night. Live bands. Fire dancers. The Alona beach is indeed alive. Different kind of people flocked the beach. Merong magjowa. May magbabarkada. Meron namang mag-isa, maybe to enjoy the night by themselves. What I can say is that each person here holds a story.
I continued to stroll the bay and after a few minutes, I decided to head back. Just as I was about to turn around, I heard a familiar voice amidst the noise.
"Ikaw na sad?" (Ikaw nanaman?)
I faced the person who owns that voice and I met her eyes. The eyes that always pulls me into the abyss every time I stared into it. Every time I stare into it, I feel like I'm drowning in her hazel eyes. What pulled me back to reality are her fingers when she snapped them in front of my face.
"Sorry, what was that you said?" I asked, confused on what I should do. This is the first time that I got to engage with her in a conversation.
"I said, ikaw nanaman? Lagi na lang tayo nagkikita," she laughed. I also laughed when I realized that what she said is actually true. We often meet at places and times we least expect it.
"Yeah, well wala naman akong problema doon. As long as I get to see you," I said. I didn't mean to make it sound like I'm flirting with her. I am sincerely happy to see her again.
"Asus! Nambola pa," she laughed. "Wala ka bang ginagawa?" she asked. I shook my head. I was actually heading back to the resort when I saw you. "Let's talk by the sea, shall we?" she said and smiled.
"Wala ka bang ibang kasama?" I asked her as we settled down on the sand.
"Meron. Kasama ko sila Kuya Choi pero nag-iinuman sila doon sa resto kung saan kami nag-gig for tonight. Hindi ako pwedeng malasing kasi walang magdadrive pauwi," she explained as she stared unto the sea.
"Akala ko hobby mo lang yung pagbabanda. Turns out work mo rin pala yun," I said. I drew random patterns and shapes on the sand.
"Kailangan, eh. But I also enjoy what I'm doing," she said and looked at me. We continued chatting, talking about random stuffs like our favorites, dreams and other stuff. We would've continued all night long if it weren't for the ringing sound of her phone. She excused herself and walked a few distances away to have some privacy. After a few minutes, she walked back to me.
"Nag-enjoy ako ngayong gabi. I had so much fun," she said as she reached out her hand to help me stand up. I took it at tumayo habang nagpapagpag ng mga buhangin na nakadikit sa shorts ko. Now that I'm closer to her, I could see our height difference. I'm 5'11 and she's around 5'2 or 5'3.
"No need to thank me I also enjoyed it," I said with a smile.
"Sadly, I have to go na. Gusto na kasing umuwi nila Kuya Choi eh and we still have another gig tomorrow, this time sa ibang municipality naman. Kaya we have to leave early tomorrow," she looked at her watch, "I mean mamaya pala. It's already 1 in the morning," she laughed and I joined her. Her laugh is a memory that should be treasured.
"Well," she continued, "una na ako. Balik ka na sa room mo baka mapagtripan ka pa," she said and started walking away while I was left standing there.
"Wait!" I called out and she turned to me.
"Anong full name mo? P-para ma search ko s-sa F-Facebook," I hesitantly asked while scratching my nape. Ngayon pa ba ako matotorpe when we already talked all evening?
"Hahaha, you really are funny," wala namang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko, "just search Happy Montreal," and with one, final smile, she walked away.
I was left standing there as I watch her figure retreat back into the sea of people. Who would've thought we would meet at such unexpected place?
