Be Mine

9

Carlos woke up even before the sun has risen. The house is still quiet and he decided to walk by the beach to wait for his favorite time of the day. He sat by the shore waiting for the sun to rise and absorb the energy that the sun brings. Some of the locals passed by and greeted him good morning. He saw some boats coming up by the shore, coming from their fishing trip that night. After a few more minutes, he stood up, took a deep breath - inhaling all the good vibes that the sun and ocean are bringing towards him. He turned around when he saw his childhood friend, Kiko, running towards his direction.

"Caloy!"

He smiles as he waits for him to reach his side, "Kiko! Musta na?!"

They walk side by side along the shore going to the direction of his house.

"Bakit di ka nagsabi na uuwi ka?", asks Kiko.

"Tatay ba kita?"

"Hindi. Pero di ba ako boyfriend mo?", while making pa-cute towards him.

Carlos shoves him a bit to the water, "Gago. Puro ka talaga kalokohan!"

Kiko laughs at him, "pero seryoso nga, bakit umuwi ka?"

"Bawal ba?"

"Hindi naman, Pards! Nakakapagtaka lang na nandito ka."

Carlos shakes his head, "Binisita ko lang naman sila Mama atsaka nagdala na rin ako ng mga gamot niya para di na nila utusan si Christian."

Kiko nodded at his reply, "Sabi ko naman kasi sa Papa mo, ako na lang ang sabihan pag may kailangan sa bayan! Nandiyan naman yung tricycle ni Kuya."

"Marunong ka na mag motor?", he looks at Kiko.

"Hindi. Si Kuya uutusan ko."

"Tarantado ka talaga.", as he chuckles at his friend's joke.

"Pero seryoso, Pards.. Nandito lang ako para kila Mang Jaime. Alam mo naman na tinuturing ko na silang parang mga magulang ko at ikaw ang aking peyborit brother."

Carlos chuckles again, "Salamat, pards. Hayaan mo, sa susunod na uwi ko, bigyan kita ng pasalubong."

"Uy! Gusto ko yan. Chicks ba yan?"

"Sisiw ang gusto mong pasalubong?"

"Tingnan mo to! Ako daw 'tong gago. Pards, gusto ko na mag-asawa. Hanap mo naman ako sa Maynila."

"Sa Maynila pa? Eh ang daming dalaga dito sa atin.. kumusta na pala kayo ni Brenda?", Carlos saw how Kiko's face changed at his teasing, "Sagutin mo na kasi, Pards para pwede ka na mag-asawa. Tagal ka ng nililigawan nun eh."

"Sa tingin mo nakakatawa 'yang joke mo?"

"Hindi naman kasi ako nagbibiro. Crush na crush ka nun eh."

"Ewan ko sa'yo..", Kiko answers him as they are getting near Catherine's Garden Resort, the family-owned business.

"Anyway, bisitahin ko na rin yung resort bago ako umuwi. Baka pinapabayaan mo!"

"Hoy! For your information, hindi ako ganun na supervisor.", Kiko answers back.

Kiko is one of Carlos' trusted friends ever since he was young, he didn't finish his studies but he is very hardworking and very ma-diskarte. He started working for the resort's housekeeping staff until he became the supervisor of the housekeeping department and eventually be the eye of Carlos ever since he went to Manila.

Catherine's Garden Resort is one of the known resorts in their area. It is a cozy space for tourists,  only accommodating a maximum of 30 guests at a time. They really kept it that way despite the other resorts expanding their businesses. Mama Corazon wanted to make sure that the guests are well taken care of and always believed that quality service is better than anything else.