Since Nikka won't be able to come back here anytime soon, I have taken over her position as per the management's advise. So ngayon, kahit ayaw kong maging country head, I have no many choice. Kaya naman naging busy ako these days kasi nga sa akin na muna naiwan lahat. Isa pa, I need to take a leave this weekend. Pinilit kasi ako ng asawa ko. Sabagay, ilang buwan din naman kaming hindi nakakalabas. Hindi rin kasi madalas na nagkakasabay ang mga oras namin.
"Ma'am Carleen, anjan na po yung sundo nyo."
I smiled at Ofel.
"Salamat Ofel. Baba na ako. Umuwi ka na din."
"Hi Ma'am Carleen, buti naabutan po kita."
"Oh, Joanne, bakit?"
"Yung next International Office Visit, kailan po tayo magcacast?"
"Ay, oonga. Ah, pag-usapan natin yan pagbalik ko. Maginitial selection ka na, lets decide next week."
"Sige po Ma'am."
I smiled at Joanne.
"Thank you Joanne ha."
"Your welcome Ma'am, and happy anniversary po sa inyo ni Sir Raz."
Natigilan ako.
"Sht. Oonga pala, wedding anniversary namin sa sabado kaya sya nagaayang mag out of town."
"Nakalimutan mo Ma'am?"
"Naku Oo! Naku! Buti at naipaalala mo."
Joanne just laughed.
"Parehas po talaga kayo ni Ma'am Nikka. Sige po Ma'am Carleen. Uuna na po ako."
"Thank you talaga Joanne."
"Enjoy po Ma'am! Ako na po bahala dito."
Haii naku, buti na lang talaga at naipaalala sa kin ni Joanne, kundi, mahihirapan na naman akong suyuin ang asawa ko. I went down to the lobby and meet my husband patiently waiting for me.
"Hi Mahal, naka uniform ka pa ah." bati ko and kissed him
"Saan ba tayo pupunta bukas? Hindi ba tayo magbabaon?"
He laughed.
"Wag na mahal! Mag grocery na lang tayo pag balik natin."
I looked at him.
"Saan ba tayo bukas Mahal?"
"Basta mageeroplano tayo!"
I just rolled my eyes on him.
We sleep and rest early that night. Maaga daw kasi ang flight namin. Hindi ko talaga alam kung saan ang plano ng asawa ko. He was even the one who packed my things.
"Batanes huh."
He just smiled cheekily.
"Akala ko ba, sa second anniv natin pupuntahan yun?"
"Alam mo kung anong araw meron ngayon?"
"Oo naman, first anniversary natin. Happy anniversary Mahal."
He smiled and hugged me.
"Akala ko ako lang makakaalala."
"Judgemental ka dun sa part na yun."
"Ano bang gagawin natin at dun pa tayo sa Batanes pupunta?"
"Dun natin gagawin si baby. Para sa second anniv natin, sa bahay na lang tayong tatlo."
Hinampas ko na lamang sya pero sa totoo lang, kinakabahan ako. Sabi sa huling bisita ko kay Doc Marge, kailangan ko pa ring ituloy ang mga medications at kasama dun ang pills. Kung gusto na ni Raz magka-anak, mas lalong gusto ko kaya lang hindi pa panahon para doon.
Sinubukan kong alisin muna ang mga ito sa isip ko para maenjoy namin ang bakasyong ito. I want to give Raz the whole of me on these days.
Batanes really is a living paradise. Lahat ng makikita mo sa paligid ay siguradong nakakaamaze.
After sumptous meal, we joined a local tour group. And Raz being Raz have been so clingy. Never as in never nya ako hinayaan magisa. He was sticking to me like a tarsier. Kahit sa CR andoon sa may pinto.
"Mahal, may problema ka ba?"
"Narinig ko yung mga kasama natin, mga German yun."
"Ano naman?"
"Eh! Baka agawin ka nila."
"Ay! Baliw ka, bakit naman ako magpapa-agaw? Haii Azrael, mahal kita okay?"
"Pero nakatingin sila sa'yo eh."
I just laughed and kissed him swiftly.
"Napakaseloso mo ha! Ikaw lang, pangako."
"Mahal na mahal na mahal kita Carleen. Kahit anong mangyari, yan ang palagi mong tatandaan."
Raz held my hand, this time a little relaxed na. We were able to take thousands of picturesque photos. My Azrael seemed really happy. Hindi lang labi nya ang nakangiti sa mga litrato, maging mga mata nya.
We went back to Basco the following day and prepared to North of Batanes. We visited the PAG ASA station, and enjoyed the hike in the hills, after hills after hills. And again, Raz was effin' tired so I let him rest since we have another tour the following day.
The boat ride to Itbayat the following day is not that fun. Para kaming dinuduyan ng alon. But it was rewarding as you've reached Philippines'last frontier. The hills and the cliff gives you endless peace. Ang sarap sa feeling na parang wala kaming pinagdaanan papunta dito.
I was at awe watching the sunset. And Raz hugged me from the back.
"Ang ganda ano Mahal?"
"Sobra."
Hinampas ko na lamang si Raz dahil sa akin sya nakatingin.
"Sobrang ganda mo Mahal, at sobrang mahal ko. Happy Birthday Mahal."
"Mahal din kita Raz, sobra. Salamat and Happy 1st Anniversary."
"Let's always remember this day Mahal, let's always be this happy."
I will never forget this.
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