We decided to watch the sunset on the shore while walking and holding each other's hand. I let the cold water soak my feet as we walk in the fine sand. The wind keeps on blowing my hair and I like that, it makes me breathe freely. I think it was perfectly planned for us because the people here who's strolling around are not as many as I thought they would be. No one actually pays attention to Silas and I even when we splash the water on each other. Para kaming mga bata na nakatikim ng kalayaan.
Nang dumilim ay naupo na lang kami sa pangpang at nanuod ng bituin sa langit habang nakikinig sa hampas ng alon. There was a silence between us but it never bothers me, especially when I'm with him. There's a part of me that is healing when he's around. We talked about the constellations that we can see above, even the planets… we bicker about our strands before, like the most random thing that we can think about such as which subject is the hardest: mathematics or geography. Then we will laugh at ourselves after realizing how stupid our topic is. Then we'll fall in silence again, and after a long silence we'll talk about life again.
“Remember when I asked you about your favorite country?” he suddenly asked me when we're walking back to our hotel.
I nodded, “Yeah, what about it?”
“Why do you like the Netherlands?” I was taken aback because I can't say the real reason…
I thought a bit, but then gave him a shrug, “I don't know, Love… it's beautiful and peaceful, I want that.” I answered. Half-baked.
“Do you want to move there?” he asked again.
I shook my head, “I never want to leave, Silas… I just wanna escape.”
He nodded and he quickly understood what I meant, maybe he did not… but part of my answer was true.
Nang makabalik kami sa room namin ay agad kaming naligo at naghanda para matulog na, we have separate beds because we want to be more comfortable when we're sleeping. And, it's my mom's request. Okay lang daw ang isang kwarto pero magkahiwalay na kama. Alam ko ring kahit hindi ibilin ni Mama ‘yon ay iyon pa rin ang gagawin ni Silas. My other half knows how to respect my space, he knows how to handle me and my shit. The way he never complains and understood me. That's why I'm also trying to give him back the love and respect that he deserves.
“Miko, call Tita and Mirae before you sleep.” he said while fixing his bed.
Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya dahil baka naghihintay ng tawag si Mama kahit sinabi niyang sulitin ko ang mga araw na kasama ko si Silas sa bakasyon na ‘to.
When Mama answered her phone, she was already on her bed with Mirae.
“Hi, ate!” Mirae giggles and waves her hands.
“Are you okay there, Mirae? Did you help Mama?”
“Yes po, I folded our clothes!” she answered while plastering her big smile, it even grew wider when Silas waved at her.
“Hi, Tita Mama! Hi, bunso!” he greeted my two girlies, I saw Mama smiled at him and it melted me once again.
Mama loves Silas as much as she loves me, and I'm glad Silas experienced it again with my mom. This man has nothing but a good man, and I would give up my life just to protect him.
“Sabi nang mag-enjoy kayong dalawa riyan at ‘wag kaming alalahanin.” Mama jokingly scolded us that made me pointed at Silas to blame.
He glared at me but I just raised my brow to tease him more.
“Ayan, Ma, si Silas…” paninisi ko kay Silas.
He chuckled and scratches his brow shyly, “Baka po kasi mag-alala kayo sa anak niyo, ayoko naman po no'n. We're enjoying po, don't worry, Tita!” he handled it lightly.
Mas napangiti ako, Silas isn't just respectful… he's also mindful. I love him so much.
Nakipag-kwentuhan muna kami saglit kila Mama bago patayin ang tawag dahil kailangan na matulog ni Mirae na may pasok kinabukasan. We also decided to sleep early since we'll stroll tomorrow. He rented a motorcycle for our road trip and visited the lighthouses here. I also played my playlist of his songs. He grunted after hearing his voice but I just laughed at his reaction. There are times that he doesn't want to hear his own voice while singing.
The next day, hindi pa man sumisikat ang araw ay nagsimula na kaming magmotor dahil gusto namin manuod ng pagsikat ng araw sa mismong lighthouse. He let me drive since he taught me how to months ago. I carefully drove the motorcycle in the wide road while feeling the cold air that hugs my body.
“I love being your passenger prince.” he whispered in my ear that earned giggles from me.
“I love driving for you.” I answered. He groaned and I could picture his cheeks turning into a cherry tomato.
I really love his flustered cheeks, it makes him cuter.
It was still dark when we reached the first lighthouse, so we placed the blanket on the ground and decided to eat our breakfast there. We shared in my coffee and enjoyed the sandwiches we made before we went here. Magaan ang hangin at malamig.
The whole place is ours to enjoy. I guess we're the only ones who taught about sunrise date here. Usually, we would choose sunset than sunrise, but there's also something in sunrise that captivates us with its beauty.
For me, sunrises are the ones that tells me that I'm still alive— not simply existing, but alive. The sun rays that hits my face is like a kiss of another time to spend with the people I love. The sunsets are the sign that I've been brave after a long day— that no matter how tiring the day is, I finished it bravely.
“I am looking forward to another escape with you, Miko.” he mumbles while keeping his eyes on the sun that's peeking in the clouds.
I caressed his hand, “Ako rin. Running away for a while doesn't mean we're weak and coward— it is somehow an escape and rest from the reality that we're tired.”
He glanced over, “I belong where you are, Miko. You're my escape and my rest.”
I smiled and nodded before resting my forehead on his forehead. We closed our eyes and let our silence talk to each other. I love this kind of silence with him, the connection of my soul to his, is something I can't explain but I can feel. I know to myself that I belong to him, too— that whenever my heart may take me, I know my soul is tangled with him.
“The first time you asked me to dance with you, I foresee the future, love.” he said, I opened my eyes but his eyes remained closed.
I started to caress his cheeks, the sun started to kiss his cheeks and it's turning red because of it.
“I saw my future with you. Living in our home, dancing in our living room while listening to our favorite song.” he continued.
I took a deep breath, “I don't want to have kids…” I said.
He nodded, “I know, you told me that once.” he chuckled, “Then let's have dogs and cats, you choose.”
I pouted, “I want bunnies. The same bunny you gave me,”
He let out a small laugh, “We'll adopt bunnies.”
“Can we dance again?” he said before offering his hand to me. “This time, ako naman ang mag-aalok.”
Walang pag-aalinlangan na humawak ako sa kamay niya. Marahan niya akong hinila at niyapos sa bewang. This time, we don't have any music that's playing on our phone: just the waves, the wind, our breathing, the birds, and his voice.
