“A SECRET is something concealed, known only to us or selectively shared with those we entrust with our confidence.”

 ***

The sun was already blazing as they arrived at the crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo in just under two hours.

Although it was only around nine in the morning, the heat had become unbearable. Luckily, they had chosen to wear sweaters, a choice that drew puzzled looks from other hikers who typically donned T-shirts.

However, for Senthie, and perhaps Jimhuesh, the option of sweating profusely seemed far more preferable to the threat of sunburn. They even brought umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun’s relentless rays, as if they considered the sun a formidable adversary to be reckoned with.

The hike proved to be quite manageable, ideal for beginners. The trail, thankfully, lacked steep inclines, sparing them from the exertion of battling gravity, although it had grown dustier since their 4X4 jeep ride earlier.

Nevertheless, the sweat and dust were a small price to pay for the stunning reward that awaited them. The lake, a mesmerizing emerald green, owed its color to rain just two days prior. This replenished the water, preventing it from stagnation and the grayish hue it could assume during the sunnier months.

Jimhuesh kindly offered to take a photo of Senthie, leaving her grateful for a tangible memory from this memorable day - a picture captured by him, with the magnificent backdrop perfectly framing her. The photograph turned out splendidly, as he had gone the extra mile, ascending to higher ground to ensure both her and the breathtaking view behind her could fit into a single, unforgettable shot.

They eventually decided to make their way back after capturing ample pictures of the lake, including a few selfies.

Despite Senthie’s delight with the entire adventure, the physical exertion had taken its toll. So, she decided that their next date should be more relaxed.

As Jimhuesh drove themselves back to the GMC building, she turned to him and proposed, “How about a movie date next Sunday? Does that sound good to you?”

He shifted his attention to her. “Sure, that works for me,” he replied with a smile, then redirected his focus to the road, shrugging. “Anything you choose will be just fine.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “You mentioned your love for adventures, and I enjoy them too. But Sunday happens to be the day I’m moving back to my house, so I’d prefer something that requires low energy.”

His eyes widened as he inquired, “You’ll have my mom’s gown ready by next week?”

“Absolutely. Your mom is such a pleasure to work with, and she provided such clear instructions about her preferences. I sketched out five designs initially, intending to do five more, but she already chose one from the first batch, which really streamlined the process.” She let out a relieved sigh. “Her gown is already halfway there. I can’t wait to see her wearing it once it’s completed!”

He beamed at her. “I’ve always said you’re amazing.”

Taken aback by Jimhuesh’s compliment, Senthie felt her heart skip a beat, yet her face maintained composure, betraying little of her internal whirlwind. Inside, she was practically screaming. Could he have meant what he said? The way he phrased it seemed more like a compliment about her as a person, not just her skills as a fashion designer.

She shifted her gaze out of the window, attempting a silent squeal but failing, resulting in an inadvertent squeak escaping her throat. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly covered her mouth.

He asked, “Are you okay?”

In a moment of embarrassment, she shut her eyes briefly. Slowly, she turned to him, her response accompanied by a nervous and awkward laugh. “O-of course, why wouldn’t I be? I was just humming loudly in my head, but my throat decided it wanted to hum out loud instead.”

He chuckled, responding with an okay. The way he said it might have suggested he found her a bit peculiar, but Senthie didn’t mind. She knew it wasn’t entirely untrue; she was aware of her quirks, and she also realized that what she had just said made little sense.

“You know what,” she began, “since you’ve shared a secret with me . . . I’ll confide in you too, so it’s fair, and we can consider it even.”

He turned to her with wide eyes and an amused smirk. “Works for me. I’m all ears.”

“Well . . . here’s one for you. My father was the one who named me Rinana, and . . . Gomez was his last name. I changed my full name for a fresh start, where I no longer had to be reminded of my father. Did you know that, at one point, I cut my hair short, like a man’s? It happened in high school during a rebellious phase.”

He chuckled, a look of eager anticipation in his eyes. “A rebellious stage? Now you’ve got my full attention. I’m curious to learn more about Rinana.”

She laughed, recalling that period with a sense of amusement. Whenever she thought about her past self, it was hard not to crack up. “Looking back, I realized I was quite the wild one. My father adored my long hair, so, I decided to chop it off. It was like I was determined to change everything he held dear.”

Jimhuesh inquired further, “What happened to your father? If you don’t mind me asking. . . .”

“He left and never returned,” she answered with a genuine smile. Unlike when she was known as Rinana Gomez, she harbored the hatred, disgust, and bittersweet love she once felt for her father. Now, as Senthie Salvador, she felt only indifference toward the man who had broken his promise to her eighteen years ago. Her past emotions had faded away, including her sentimental side. She couldn’t get attached to anything.

“I’m sorry to hear that . . . but you seem to be doing well now, am I right?”

She chuckled. “Absolutely. Just look at my hair, it’s long again! Although, when it comes to my name, I’ve stuck with the new one, Senthie Salvador.”

“What’s the story behind your name? And is the surname Salvador from your mother’s side?” His glances shifted toward her whenever the opportunity arose. They were now in Alabang but found themselves halted by traffic. He turned to her with a slight smile. “I hope it’s all right to ask you these questions.”

She smiled. “No worries. Plus, I won’t answer if I don’t feel like it.” She sighed, gazing out the window at the sky. “Honestly, I’m not a sentimental person. If someone gives me a gift, I’ll appreciate it, but I won’t cling to it forever.” After a brief pause, she continued, “I mean, if it’s something that serves no purpose anymore, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw it. That’s just how I am. Perhaps, that’s why I wanted a name that’s the opposite of me. Now, I’m sentimental because of my name. I’m Senthie.” She laughed. “Isn’t that amusing?”

He chuckled. “That’s unexpected. The more I get to know you, the more intriguing it becomes. What about your last name?”

The traffic finally began to move, and they were now just ten minutes away from reaching the GMC building.

Senthie had initial reservations about answering Jimhuesh’s question, but she summoned the courage and decided to place her trust in him. He appeared to be a decent person, and she believed he wouldn’t go around sharing this information with others.

With a gulp, she began, “It’s from my mother’s husband. I adopted her late husband’s surname. You probably know Walter Salva--”

He cut her off, his eyes widening as he turned to look at her. “You’re related to him?”

She nodded. “Yes, he’s my half-brother.”

“Wow, I never expected you and Walter to be siblings, as sharing the same surname is common even among people who aren’t related by blood,” he uttered, shaking his head. “I’m not sure what to say . . . but I do have more questions.”

She chuckled. “Sometimes, it’s better to just not say anything.”

 ~

“You’re already heading back? I thought you said you’d be gone for three weeks?” Cecilia remarked on the other end of the line.

Senthie replied, “That was my estimate, but it turned out to only take two weeks. You don’t sound thrilled about me returning. Don’t you want me to come home?”

She laughed. “You’re overthinking it, bes. By the way, are you planning to come straight to the store?”

“No, I’ll wait until tomorrow to do that. Is everything going well there?”

“Yes, don’t worry about a thing.”

Senthie ended the call and placed the last shirt in her suitcase. All her belongings were now neatly packed, and she was prepared to leave GMC.

Her second date with Jimhuesh was scheduled for this evening, but they had agreed to meet at the cinema instead of him picking her up. She needed to take her car and her luggage, so there was no need for him to be a gentleman in this instance.

 ~

An hour later, Jennifer, the CEO of GMC, arrived to see Senthie and the completed gown.

“I rushed over as soon as I saw your message. Is my gown ready?” she asked, her eyes brimming with excitement as she eagerly took hold of Senthie’s hands.

“Yes, Ms. Jenny. It’s ready for you to try on. I truly hope you’ll love it,” she replied politely, her warm smile never fading. She led the way to the studio room and unveiled the mannequin wearing the finished masterpiece.

“Oh, my,” Jennifer murmured as she approached the mannequin. Her fingers delicately traced the black velvet fabric and then the intricate golden patterns adorning the lower waist as she circled it. “This is absolutely breathtaking! I’m certain that everyone at Asia’s CEO Awards won’t be able to take their eyes off me while I’m in this. I’ll try it on now. Could you assist me?”

A few minutes later, she stood before the mirror, wearing the gown. Senthie felt a sense of nervous anticipation as she awaited Jennifer’s feedback.

“This is . . . perfect!” she exclaimed with sheer delight. She slowly turned around, striking poses in front of the full-body mirror.

The gown’s skirt featured slits on both sides, revealing both of her legs elegantly. It boasted long sleeves, with one shoulder featuring a puff sleeve while the other remained off-shoulder. Golden patterns adorned the gown, stretching from the right shoulder across the top of the sleeve to the left side. The skirt gracefully touched the floor without being too long to cause any inconvenience. Its hem also bore golden patterns that formed a Toblerone shape, beautifully complementing the V-shaped pattern on the waist, creating an illusion that made the wearer appear taller, slimmer, and undeniably alluring.

“Thank you so much, Ms. Jenny. I’m genuinely thrilled to hear that,” Senthie said, beaming. Her heart still raced, and she could hardly believe that she was the one behind the gown Jennifer was now wearing. It had turned out even more stunning than she had ever envisioned. Despite Jennifer likely being in her late forties, the gown seemed to have shaved a decade off her appearance.

She turned to Senthie; her face radiant. “You truly deserve that praise, dear. And, by the way, I’m delighted that you’re dating my son.”

Senthie’s eyes widened, her forehead furrowing in surprise. She let out a nervous laugh. “What do you mean, Ms. Jenny?”

She playfully nudged her with her elbow. “Don’t play innocent, dear. I know you’re dating my son.”

Senthie vigorously shook her head. “No, Ms. Jenny, it’s not what you think. We’re not in that kind of relationship.”

“Hmm? But you two were on a date last Sunday, weren’t you?” she asked playfully, then added, “please don’t let Jim know I had someone tailing him, okay? He’d be upset with me, and I wouldn’t want that. So, let’s keep this between us. I was just curious why he seemed so happy these past few days, and now I understand why. Thank you, Ms. Salvador.”