XII

I shut my eyes and felt the cold and refreshing air. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the promise of adventure. I giggled when the clear water touched my hands. The sun glinted off the crystal-clear water, revealing a vibrant underwater world teeming with life.It was as if the ocean itself was a giant, shimmering jewel, its depths holding secrets waiting to be discovered.

Inikot ko ang mata ko sa paligid, then I focus on my foot and sa buhangin na inaapakan ko. The white sand beaches stretched as far as the eye could see, fringed by swaying palm trees that whispered secrets to the gentle breeze.The air hummed with the sound of cicadas and the distant cries of seabirds, a symphony of nature that filled my soul with peace.

"Mamaaa, kanina ka pa dyan." I was taken back in reality when I heard Jerome's voice. He's raising my eyebrow while looking at me. Tuwang-tuwa ako na tumakbo sa buhanginan papunta sa kanya. When I stopped in front of him, I saw him frowning. "Hindi mo man lang ako hinintay," he said using his nagtatampo na tone, but with my warm hug and bright smile, his frown vanished. He's now a happy baby like me.

I jump in excitement while Jerome holds my hands at maingat akong hinihila pasunod sa kanya. I remembered yesterday, we decided to have a vacation. Ewan ko rito kay Jerome; he told me he wants na umuwi sa Pilipinas by next week, so this is our last vacation. But our last vacation is so worth it! We're now here in the beautiful place of Kerami Island. Ang tubig dito daig pa ang crystal clear sa linaw, when we're on the way here in this island, I can clearly see the fish na nag sw-swim. I can also see some corals. Kahit hindi ka na sumisid, you will see what's under the water.

When we got to the small rental house here, kaagad na muna akong pinaupo ni Jerome sa kama. I just watched him na may kunin sa bag niya; my eyebrows drew together when I saw him holding a lotion-a sunscreen. Tinitigan ko lang siyang hawakan ang braso ko, then he gently put some lotion on my arms, then rubbed it on my arms. "Ang tirik ng araw mama, tapos nagbabad ka ron. Sige ka iitim ka, always put sunscreen on mama." Pagsesermonan niya sakin dahilan para mahina akong mapatawa.

"Papaa, mukha ba akong bata sayo?" I asked while looking at him. He's now done putting lotion on my arms; now he's putting lotion on my both legs. "No, but you are my baby mama." I avoided his gaze when I felt my cheeks heat up. Mahina kong tinapik ang balikat niya then cutely glared at him, but he just chuckled.

"I remember, I'm the one who applies this to your body, papa." I suddenly remember, every summer, nagbabakasyon kaming dalawa. We always swim every summer, then he always forgets to apply sunscreen, kaya parang bata ko siyang laging sinusundo sa pool at nilalagyan ng sunscreen, but look at us now; he's now the one who's putting sunscreen on mine.

"Hindi ka ba mag s-swim suit mama?" He suddenly asked; maybe he noticed my outfit. I'm just wearing a black shirt and shorts, "not comfortable, papa." He smiled at me like he's approving of my response, my conservative baby.

Kaagad ko nang hinila si Jerome papuntang beach, I saw a lot of tourists here in the island kaya napasimangot ako. "Tara na swimming mama." I giggled nang buhatin ako, he's running towards the water at mahina akong binaba ron pero wala lang issang segundo ay napayakap ako sa kanya pabalik. "Papa malamig!" Pagrereklamo ko habang yakapa-yakap niya, Jerome continue to carry me habang lumulusong siya sa tubig. I giggled when I saw his feet under the water, the water is really clear!

"Papa, karera tayo po, paunahan po makarating sa dulo nito." Kunot noo lang ang binigay sakin ni Jerome, syempre baka patay na kami bago namin marating dulo nito.

I can't help but to smile while enjoying every moment with my love. Wala kaming ginawa kung hindi magbasaan dalawa. Nagwiwisikan kami ng tubig, pagkatapos ay magagalit ako pag nalunod niya ako ng tubig, kasi grabe siyang mang wisik nakakalunod! Ang ginawa namin ay maglaro, magagalit ako, susuyin niya ako, at maglaro ulit.

We enjoy swimming; kahit nasa mababaw lang kami, we even run in the water like we're in the romantic movie. "Papa, game po habulin mo ako. Lights, camera, action!" Nilubog ko ang sarili ko sa tubig, then umangat ako at sumayaw sayaw ng konti. "Marimar, awww." I copied Marimar's voice. I saw Jerome chuckle while watching me. I giggled when he started to run towards me, but I keep running, kahit ang hirap tumakbo sa tubig.

"Habol po papa, ikaw po si fulgoso." He stops running, then I see him frown, kaya ako na ang lumapit sa kanya, matampuhin ang baby. "Sorry na po, hindi ko kasi maalala pangalan ng partner ni marimar ih." Pag papaliwanag ko, but he just smiled at me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Huli na kita mama, where's my kiss? Ako nanalo eh." Mahina akong napatawa, then press my lips to his lips. He smiled at me and hugged me tight.

When we are bored at swimming, the next thing we do is build a castle together. "Look papa, may small pala ako!" I smiled at him, showing my small toy shovel. I bought a set of sand castle makers; may mga iba't-ibang uri ng nga pang hukay, tapos iba't-ibang uri pa ng pang mold kaya na e-excite talaga ako.

"Hindi naman mukhang castle yan." Pagrereklamo ko nang makita ang tawa ni papa; he also looked at my castle, then he laughed. "Same as yours, love, love." Kaagad ko siyang sinamaan nang tingin, but he just laughs on me. "Kidding, it's beautiful, mama," he said while looking at me proudly. I feel my cheeks hot again, kaya hindi ko na siya pinansin.

"Ganda nung castle, dyan ba tayo titira reyna ko?" Napanguso ako at nahihiyang tumango. "Opo, maganda kasi gawa ko mana sakin," I said, but Jerome just chuckled at me. "Cutie mo mama, I love you po."

We spent our days exploring the island's hidden coves and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. The coral reefs were a kaleidoscope of colors, teeming with fish of every imaginable hue.Schools of neon-colored fish darted through the coral, while graceful sea turtles glided effortlessly through the water, their ancient presence a reminder of the island's timeless beauty. We enjoy and appreciate the beauty of this island; basta kapag palagi siyang kasama, everything is beautiful.

When night came, we decided to do stargazing. I giggled while appreciating the beautiful sky. Above, the night sky, a vast canvas of velvety black, was dotted with a million twinkling stars, each one a beacon of wonder."Papa, may shooting star!" I told Jerome, who's also looking at the sky. I excitedly closed my eyes and made a wish.

"Ang wish ko sana maging asawa ko na si Jerome Fortel!"

When I open my eyes, Jerome is now staring at me with a wide smile on his face. "That's also my wish, mama, Hays." I also smiled widely, knowing I had the same wish. Sana mangyari, finger cross!

"Hmm, mama, this is just random." Napatingin ako sa kanya; he's now avoiding my gaze; maybe he's having second thoughts if he should tell me. "Three years ago, mama, on our fifth anniversary." I saw the pain in his eyes saying those; napayuko na lang ako. Our fifth anniversary is the most painful anniversary we had; that was the last time we saw each other.

"Mag pro-propose na dapat ako non. That time matutupad ko na sana yung pinangako ko na papakasalan na kita." I bite my lower lips, trying not to sob sa nalaman ko. I remember when our first anniversary ends, he always promises me that he will marry me kaagad, na bibili na siya ng singsing because he's really sure na ako na ang para sa kanya. Ganon din naman ako siguro ako sa kanya.

"Everything became a mess, papa. But when those things did not happen, wala tayo ngayon dito. We'll just stay to each other without growing." He painfully smiled at me; I know he knows that.

"Masaya ako ngayon mama, that I can hold you like this again." He intertwined our fingers together, then squeezed my hands gently to explain why I smiled, sobrang saya ko rin. "Mama, I promised that when I have a chance, na mapasakin ka ulit gagawin ko 'to..." I looked at him, and he stared at me intensely at dahan-dahan niya akong inangat patayo sa buhanginan.

"I love you with all my heart, mama."

When he said those words, napatingin ako bigla sa kaulapan, I saw a beautiful fireworks suddenly explode. My eyes twinkled when I saw different colors of fireworks. Sunod-sunod ang pagsabog nito. I smiled widely then looked at Jerome, but my smile faded off when I saw Jerome kneeling his left leg in front of me.

"Mamaa, I promised to myself to do this. I will not let you again. I want to take this chance, mama para tuluyan ka na talagang maging akin, mahal na mahal kita," he said while staring at my eyes. My eyes became teary while looking at him. Nakita ko ang pagkuha niya ng kung ano sa bulsa niya. I bite my lower lips when he finally reveals what it is; it's a box, and when he opens it, naglalaman yon ng isang singsing. It was a ring that engraved his name.

"Ashley Realonzo, will you marry me?" I shut my eyes closed, as I remembered when we started. I remember our happiest moment when we were together, how I smiled when I'm talking to him. I love this man so much. This time, I will now marry someone I love.

"Yes, Jerome. I want to marry you, papa."

_____

Kerama island