Chapter 4
I wake up at exactly six am in the morning and lazily stood up to go to the bathroom. I still close my eyes while picking what clothes I’m going to wear. I yawned and massage my temple. Ganito talaga ako kapag kulang sa tulog, sumasakit ang sentido.
I open the shower and let the water fall to my body. Tamad kong sinabunan ang sarili. Natapos ako ng mga ilang minuto. Lumabas na ako sa banyo at nagbihis ng simpleng summer dress na may sunflower design. This is v-neck and mababa ang cut line ng damit. My cleavage are showing. I partnered it with slippers since we’re at the beach. I just put light make up and let my hair down. My hair is just below my shoulder at kulot ang dulo nito. My hair color is a mix of jet black and ash grey.
When I’m done, narinig ko ang katok sa pintuan. I sprayed my perfume and look at my reflection. I smiled as I open the door.
"Hi Isha! Good morning! So ready ka na?"
I nodded at Neshie at kinuha ang bag kong may laman ng mga damit ko. We didn’t check out and just explain to them where we’ll be going. I look at Neshie, she’s also wearing a backless dress and slippers while Ainah’s wearing a fitted crop top and maong shorts also a pair of slippers.
I wear my cat eye sunglasses and beach hat. I smiled as I look at the sky.
"Isha nagdala ba ka’g bikini? (Nagdala ka ba ng bikini?)" Ainah asked.
I nod. "Oo. Bakit?"
Umiling lang siya at ngumiti. Neshie laugh. I look at her with forehead creased.
"Tinanong niya kasi nag-aalala siyang siya lang ang walang bikini. Masyadong conservative ang gaga. Ayaw pa nga sanang magsuot nitong short at crop top kung ‘di ko lang pinilit." Natatawang aniya at umiling iling pa.
I sighed and averted their gaze. Wala naman sigurong masama kung hindi siya magsuot ng revealing na damit ‘di ba? I mean nothing’s wrong wearing a revealing clothes because we’re in a free world and also I’m not against it because I also wear clothes like that pero kasi wala naman tayong karapatang pilitin ang tao lalong lalo na kung ayaw niya at hindi siya komportable rito, right?
Hindi naman kasi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay masusunod lahat ng gusto ng isang tao. But I just shrugged my thoughts. This is my honest opinion without hate. This is the reason why some people hates me, masyado kasi akong pakealamera sa opinion ng iba. ‘Yan tuloy wala akong naging kaibigan noong college. I’m so thankful right now at nag improve na ang talking and interacting skills ko ngayon.
We ride into a boat until we arrived at the Island. The air is refreshing at nililipad nito ang aming mga buhok at ang aming mga damit. We’re wearing bikini under it so no need to problem the air.
This place is so perfect to unwind. The green coconut trees, the nice sun, the refreshing air, the refreshing sound of the water and lastly the white sand. This is paradise. This is heaven and my haven.
"Ang ganda rito ‘no?" Pagbasag ni Neshie sa katahimikan.
I agreed. "It’s my first time here and hell yeah this is paradise."
She smiled. "This is my third time here pero gustong gusto ko pa ring balikan,"
Hindi ko siya masisisi. Ang ganda naman kasi talaga. Ang refreshing ng hangin. Kung may mabigat kang problema, surely makakalimutan mo ‘yon kapag nandito ka na. This is a perfect place to free and shoo your stress away.
Hinayaan kong silang dalawa ang magasikaso sa pag stay namin dito since sila naman ang maraming alam. They’re from here and I trust them. I roam around the Island and take pictures of the view. I love taking pictures lalong lalo na kong napakaganda ng view.
"Tara na Ish!"
Agad akong tumalima at sumunod sa kanila. Pumasok kami sa isang room na may malaking kama sa gitna. A queen sized bed huh. The things here are completed. My cabinet silang paglalagyan ng mga gamit. May isang cr, coffee table and all.
"So matutulog muna ba tayo o baba para kumain? Nagugutom na ba kayo?" Neshie ask.
"Ahmm..." Nahihiyang sambit ni Ainah at napakamot sa batok.
I laughed and translate what Neshie said. Damn this cutie girl.
"Matulog na muna siguro tayo. Inaantok pa ako eh pero if you guys are hungry then pwede naman kayong mauna ng kumain, don’t mind me."
Neshie shook her head. "No Ish. We won’t let you eat alone. Matutulog na rin muna kami kasi hindi pa naman kami gutom and since kumain kami bago nagpunta rito. How ‘bout you? Did you eat breakfast or nah?"
I shook my head and lay at the bed. "I’m on a diet."
Tumabi silang dalawa sa akin at nagsimula na ring pumikit para matulog. We are all dead tired so we immediately fell asleep.
Nagising ako sa yugyog ng ‘di ko alam kung sino. Kinusot ko ang mata ko at luminga linga. I saw Ainah smiling at me.
"Mata na. Maligo na ta. (Gising na. Maliligo na tayo.)" She said.
I smiled. "Okay ahm magbibihis lang ak—ay..."
"Okay ra uy. Makasabot man kog tagalog, ‘di lang kaayo ko fluent mo-sulti. (Okay lang. Nakakaintindi naman ako ng tagalog, ‘di lang talaga ako fluent magsalita nito.)"
Oh. May ganyan naman talagang tao. Nakakaintindi ng tagalog pero hindi masyadong nagtatagalog. I was like that the first time I entered manila. I understand tagalog but I never tried speaking it because my pronunciation is so, ayoko na lang mag talk.
Nakabihis na siya ng beach short at sando kaya hinintay na lang niya ako sa kama while I’m busy looking for my red two piece bikini. I wear it and look at myself in the mirror. I can clearly see to my eyes that I am contented and happy with what I am right now.
Isha this is the result of all the heartaches and pain you’ve experienced. You are now happy so be contented with what you have.
I forgot my dignity to the point I became desperate to find a guy who will love me. Nakalimutan kong alalahanin ang sinabi ni father sa t’wing sisimba ako. He said “Don’t find the guy, let Jesus give it to you because if he is the one who will give you then trust me, that guys is the right for you.”
I believe in what he said. Kasi katulad na lang ng nangyari sa ‘kin ngayon. I’m the one who find the guy and didn’t wait for the right one for me, the result? He isn’t worthy because he isn’t right for me. We always settle for less. That’s wrong. Always remember that we have our standard and include a man of God in your standard. Kasi sabi ni father, masarap mahalin ang taong marunong magmahal sa diyos at naniniwala sa diyos.
I’m done changing at pinatungan ko lang ‘to ng summer dress na sinuot ko kanina. Tumayo na si Ainah nang makita akong lumabas na sa comfort room.
"Tara?" I ask and she nod.
Neshie’s waiting at the beach and talking to the owner of boat we rent para makalibot sa isla. I brought my waterproof cam so I can take a video or picture under the water. Wala kaming imikan ni Ainah papuntang dalampasigan. I can’t talk to her because I know nahihiya siya sa ‘kin. I can adjust naman pero ayoko siyang piliting makipag-usap sa ‘kin kung ayaw naman talaga niya. That’s not good.
"Hi Isha! This is Kuya Rommel, the owner of the boat," Neshie said as we reach the water.
I smiled at the bangkero. "Hi po Kuya Rommel!"
"Magandang umaga po ma’am." Bati niya sa ‘min.
"Safe naman mag ikot sa buong isla ngayon Kuya Rommel, ano?" I ask.
Naniniguro lang. Safety first before everything. When he nod nag uunahan na kami sa pagsakay sa bangka. May umalalay din naman sa amin sa pagsakay sa bangka kaya walang problema.
The weather is so fine today. Buti na lang at nadala ko ang sunblock and shades ko. Mainit pero natural lang kasi summer na. The water is clear and good. Malamig pero masarap.
I open my camer and started taking pictures. Aside from managing my coffee shop, I also love to take pictures of the nature and this became my hobby.
"Neshie, Ainah!" I called their attention. "1... 2... 3... Smile girls!"
They’re so beautiful. Iba talaga ang ganda ng isang cebuana. That’s understatement I would say. Ibinigay ko sa isang kasama namin ang camera para makuhanan kaming tatlo ng litrato, for remembrance in case the moment we parted our ways. Nag uusap din kami about what we will do tomorrow or the other day.
I’m glad I bump on them kasi kung hindi baka umuwi na lang ako ng Leyte nang ‘di man lang na-enjoy ang Cebu.
Since the water is so clear, I didn’t hesitate to pictures the fish and also hinubad na namin ang mga damit namin to start swimming.
"Kuya pakibantayan na lang po ‘tong mga bag namin ha? Salamat po," Neshie said.
"So tara na?"
Tumango sila kaya tumalon na kami para lumayo. Good thing, I know how to swim. As I swim, I never forget to take pictures. The water is refreshing and relaxing. This is beyond perfect.
I float and close my eyes while thinking. Sabi kasi nila lahat ng saya ay mapapalitan ng pait. You're happy now but later on you’ll eventually experience pain. I don’t want to experience bitterness again. I am now happy, can I stay like this forever?
What will happened to me here in Cebu? Hanggang kailan kaya ako rito?