Warning: This chapter contains matured scenes. Read at your own risk.

Chapter 45

"Sa'n ka ba pupunta, Lenn? Bihis na bihis ka ah?" Erica said while she's sitting on the corner of my bed. Pinapanood niya akong maghanda ng bag na dadalhin.

"Don't be nosy. Just help me!"

"Anong itutulong ko sa 'yo?" tanong naman niya nang nakakunot ang noo.

I rolled my eyes. "Help me pack my things!"

I don't know why I'm panicking. Gusto kong tanungin si Yves kung ano ang sinasabi niya pero hindi ko na siya ma-contact. Yes. The caller earlier was surely Yves Marcus Antonio and I really can't understand what he was trying to say.

Kung saan ba dapat ko siyang kitain, hindi ko alam. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang sinasabi niyang, "kapag nakaka-alala ka na."

I'm really confused that's why I asked Erica to come over here to help me pack my things. Pero hindi ko alam kung anong mayro'n sa utak niya at hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya.

"Magtatanan na ba kayo ni Sir?"

My eyes widened a bit because of Erica's question. I feel like my cheeks turned red because of that. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya at tumalikod.

"W-What the freak are you saying? Hindi naman siya ang pupuntahan ko, Erica," sabi ko habang kunwaring inaayos ang suot na denim jacket.

I saw on the mirror's reflection that Erica stood up and came closer to me. Pinaharap naman niya ako sa kaniya.

"Hoy, hindi mo ako maloloko." Ngumisi pa siya. "Alam kong magkikita kayo ni Sir!"

I rolled my eyes again at her. Umiwas ulit ako sa kaniya at bumuntong-hininga. Inayos ko na lang ang bag na dadalhin.

"He called me earlier. Sabi niya.. magkita raw kami kung saan kami unang nagkita," I said as I remembered how he said those words to me.

Erica faced me. "Saan ba kayo unang nagkita?"

"Sa bar.."

I suddenly remembered the time that he called and followed me when we were at the bar. I really don't know why he was there and he already knew me kahit pa talagang hindi pa kami nagkikita. But then again, I also remembered what he told me a few hours ago.

"Wait, Erica. Just stay here. May pupuntahan lang ako."

"Teka, gaga ka! Sarado pa ang bar! Maaga pa!"

I hurriedly went outside my room and I didn't mind Erica anymore. I didn't also bring my bag with me.

"Manong, pakihatid ako sa building nina Mohan El Vierro. Please, hurry up," sabi ko kaagad sa driver nang makita ko.

He opened the car's door for me. "Sige po. Sakay na po kayo, Ma'am."

Kaagad naman siyang nag-drive papunta sa address na binigay ko. It's apparently my condo's address and I just told him that it's Mohan's so he won't tell about this to my mother. I don't want her to hear about this especially now that she's not that strict anymore. Not unless, Yves is involved.

"Thanks, Manong," I told him and quickly got out of the car after few minutes of waiting.

Umakyat na kaagad ako sa floor namin para makita si Yves. But I didn't even see him.. even his shadows, I didn't also see.

Where is he? Am I too late? Umalis ba siya?

"Hi, Ate. Are you looking for Kuyang Pogi?"

I almost jumped when someone spoke behind me. I turned around and I saw Yani – the little girl who always wears pink and licking a lollipop. It's a miracle that she's not wearing pink today. She wears a yellow dress instead.

Tumango naman ako sa kaniya. "Yes. Where is he?"

"He's.."

She paused for a while – probably trying to remember something.

"He left po kanina with a very big bag," she even described how big his bag was.

"He didn't tell you kung saan siya pupunta?"

Umiling naman siya. "But I think, he'll go on a vacation."

"H-How did you say so?"

She just shrugged her shoulders and ran away from me. Hindi ko na alam kung saan siya nagpunta. I glanced at Yves' unit again. There's really no sign that he's inside. I took a deep breath. I guess, he really left the city. Just like what Yani told me, he'll probably have his vacation since we're still on a break.

The problem is.. I don't know where he is right now.

Ang gulo niya! He told me that we'll meet! Pero umalis naman siya! At hindi niya sinabi kung saan kami magkikita!

Damn it!

I decided to just go at the rooftop. The moderately strong wind welcomed me. Memories suddenly came inside my mind. Memories that Yves and I are here – having fun and talking to each other. Umikot ako sa rooftop at mas lalo ko pang naalala kung paano kami nag-uusap dito kapag masama ang loob ko sa kaniya.

He would hug and kiss me. He would whisper how he cares for me. He would offer his shoulders for me to lean on.

All of those memories are still fresh inside my mind. I will keep those memories in my heart forever. I will still cherish it even after days, years even decades.

Mahal na mahal ko si Yves.

I stopped from reminiscing when I felt a strong wind. I also saw a helipad. After couple of minutes, a helicopter finally landed on the helipad. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang biglang lumabas doon si Mohan El Vierro. He immediately went closer to me when he saw me.

Tumingala naman ako sa matangkad na si Mohan. His face is almost shining because of sunlight. I don't know why he's here.

"Sumama ka sa akin. I'll take you to Puricia Grittonia.."

Kaagad namang kumunot ang noo ko dahil doon. "Huh? Why? To your province? Anong gagawin ko ro'n?"

He smirked. "Malalaman mo kapag nakarating na tayo ro'n. Helicopter ni Lolo ang gagamitin natin para mas mabilis tayong makarating doon."

I took a glance at the helicopter and looked at him. "A-Are you sure?"

"Yes. I told you, gagawa ako ng paraan para hindi matuloy ang plano nila sa atin," he told me as he brushed up his hair. Hinihipan ng hangin ang medyo mahaba niyang buhok.

Inalalayan naman niya akong pumasok sa loob ng helicopter kahit hindi ko pa talaga alam kung bakit kami pupunta sa kanilang probinsya. I'm trusting him but there's still a part of me that is still hesitating. But instead of doubting him, I just looked at the scenery through the window.

"45 minutes pa ang biyahe, Alindra. Pwede namang matulog ka muna.."

Nilingon ko naman si Mohan na tumitingin sa kaniyang phone. "I'm fine. Hindi pa naman ako inaantok.."

"Alright..."

I can't wait anymore. I want us to land on their province immediately. I've been hearing a lot of things about it. That place also sounds and looks familiar when I searched it on the internet before. I probably went there before when I was younger that's why it's very familiar. Ang alam ko lang ay doon ang probinsya nina Dad. At nandoon din ang iilang resorts at restaurants namin.

. . .

I opened my eyes when sun rays hit my face. I didn't know that I took a nap. I rubbed my eyes as I saw Mohan who's already outside the helicopter. Halos mapatalon ako dahil doon.

"Bumaba ka na diyan. Someone's waiting for you.."

Kumunot naman kaagad ang noo ko. "Sino?"

I didn't mind his answer anymore when I saw the view. Hindi gaanong maputi ang mga buhangin pero pinong-pino ang mga butil nito. The sea water is as blue as the sky. I could almost see myself in water because of its clarity. While I'm seeing the horizon – I suddenly felt calm and peace.

"So this is Puricia Grittonia?"

"Oo, Alindra," sagot naman ni Mohan sa tabi ko.

The wind blew hard suddenly after that. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko nang sumakit 'yon. Pagkatapos ay may narinig akong mga boses na masakit sa pandinig. I'm also seeing vague images but they became clear eventually.

Tumingin ako sa paligid at mas lalo pang sumakit ang ulo ko. I closed my eyes intently and when I opened my eyes again, I don't know why I suddenly thought about Yves' words again earlier.

"Balikan mo ako kapag nakaka-alala ka na. Puntahan mo ako kung saan tayo unang nagkita.."

"What's happening?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong ni Mohan.

"Yves." I paused for a while and looked around. "Yves.. where are you?"

I walked closer to the shore. My shoes immediately became wet when waves touched my feet. Umikot ang mata ko sa paligid pero hindi ko nakita si Yves.

"Yves!"

"Puntahan mo na si Yves Marcus sa kanila, Alindra. Kanina ka pa niya hinihintay."

Napalingon kaagad ako kay Mohan nang magsalita siya. I forgot that he's still behind me.

"Just so you know, kahapon ko lang nalaman na si Yves pala ang boyfriend mo nang makita ko siya sa Manila. Nang malaman ko, umisip kaagad ako ng paraan. Yves is one of my friends here and I want to help the both of you," he told me while looking at my eyes, almost not blinking. "I'm not just doing this for my own good but also for my friend's happiness. Don't worry, no one's gonna know about this. Wala akong pagsasabihan.."

Nagulat naman ako sa narinig pero kaagad nakabawi. "A-Are you sure?"

Tumango naman siya. I just thanked him and ran quickly after that. My eyes are searching for Yves. I can now see the sun that is about to set but I still haven't seen him yet.

"Yves! Yves! Nasaan ka?"

Lumingon-lingon pa ako sa paligid para hanapin si Yves pero kahit saan ako tumingin – hindi ko siya makita. I cried hard when I finally got tired after few minutes of searching for him. I finally remembered him again! After couple of years! At ngayong naaalala ko na ulit siya, hindi ko naman siya makita!

My tears fell and as the wind blew, someone suddenly blocked the horizon that I was staring at a while ago.

"Bakit ka umiiyak?"

Umangat ang tingin ko at nakita ko si Yves sa harapan ko. Without uttering any word, I rushed to hug him tight. I'm hugging him in a way that he'll never let go of my grip anymore. 'Yong yakap ng pangungulila. Yakap na sabik na sabik siyang makita at makasama.

I missed hugging him like this. I missed him. A lot.

"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, ngayon lang kita naalala ulit," umiiyak na sabi ko. "I didn't know what happened, Yves at nawala ka sa alaala ko no'ng mga nakaraang taon. I'm sorry.."

I looked up at him while still hugging him. "K-Kaya pala.. familiar ka sa akin no'ng una pa lang kasi matagal na pala talaga kitang kilala. Sorry, I didn't know what happened. Ngayon ko lang naalala lahat simula nang makarating ulit ako rito.."

He lightly touched my lower lip with his thumb as he say, "you don't have to be sorry. Wala kang kasalanan sa nangyari. Hindi mo ginusto 'yon. Walang may gusto sa nangyari.."

"But because of what happened, I---"

I stopped from talking when the rain suddenly poured. Umangat ang tingin ko sa langit at napansin kong madilim na pala. I got busy crying and hugging Yves that's why I didn't notice that it's already dark here.

"Halika, sumilong muna tayo," bulong ni Yves sa akin.

Nagmamadali kaming pumasok sa loob ng isang kweba. Because of what we did – I suddenly remembered that few years ago, we were stranded inside a cave because of a typhoon.

Nagulat naman ako nang hubarin ni Yves ang kaniyang plain white shirt. Pinatong niya 'yon sa balikat ko.

"It's cold, Yves! Paano ka?" tinanong ko naman siya. He's now making a bonfire in between us.

"Ayos lang ako. 'Wag mo akong intindihin," malambing na sagot niya sa akin. He also smiled a bit.

I just nodded and looked away after I saw his half-naked body. Although it's now cold because of the rain, I suddenly felt that my face heated up for a moment.

"Uh, how was your life these past few years?" I randomly asked. Hindi pa rin ako tumitingin sa kaniya.

I don't know why I felt awkwardness when I saw his body kahit pa talagang marami na akong nakitang ganoon before. Oh, maybe he's really way different from all those men.

"I was fine during those years, my love. Don't worry." I was shocked after he said those words and when he came to me and kissed the back of my hand. "How about you? I'm sorry that I became distant to you a few months ago. Ayaw kong ipilit sa 'yo ang sarili ko kahit gustong-gusto na kitang lapitan at makasama. Hindi ko pwedeng.. pilitin ka na maalala ako dahil lang sa pangungulila ko sa 'yo.."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang may tumulong luha sa mata niya habang halos yakap na niya ang mga kamay ko.

"Y-Yves.."

"Nalungkot ako nang malaman kong nawalan ka ng alaala. The memories that you had here before vanished in an instant.. including your memories with me. Nalungkot ako. Pero sobra akong nalungkot nang malaman kong estudyante kita sa university kung saan ako nagtatrabaho," sabi niya habang diretsong nakatingin sa akin. "Even if I don't want to, I have to avoid you. Pero habang nilalayuan kita, mas lalo ka namang lumalapit sa akin.."

"Hey, don't cry," sabi ko sa kaniya kahit umiiyak na naman ulit ako. Ngayon ko pa lang siya nakitang lumuha.

He's not sobbing or creating any sound but it's still painful for me. Seeing him in tears is like stabbing me to death.

"Patawarin mo ako kung hindi ko magawang ipakita sa 'yo na mahal na mahal kita noon. I admit that I became coward. I had no hopes for us just because you still haven't remembered me that time. I'm sorry, Alindra.."

I didn't hesitate anymore when I kissed him right on his lips. Slowly but full of love. Hinawakan niya ang mukha kong basang-basa na rin ng luha katulad ng kaniya.

I missed kissing him like this. I missed kissing him passionately like there's no tomorrow anymore.

I deepened our kisses more as I got closer to him. My hands are now slightly shaking while holding him tightly. Kinikiliti ako ng malambot niyang labi habang hinahalikan ako. His lips are just so soft that it can bring me to heaven.

His kisses went down on my jaw down to my neck but he didn't focus on that. Mas bumaba pa ang halik niya sa dibdib ko. I moaned when he touched them lightly. Even with my clothes on, I can still feel the warmth of his both hands.

I didn't wait for him to remove my clothes anymore and I just did it by myself. Mas lalo kong naramdaman ang lamig pero nang lumapit siya sa akin, biglang parang naglaho ang lamig sa paligid.

"I love you," he whispered as he planted kisses on my chest, neck and shoulders. Almost every part of my body.

Bumalik siya sa labi ko at hindi niya 'yon tinigilan. He's kissing me, I kissed him back and slightly bit the corner of his lips – making him groan a bit.

Malamig ang hinihigaan ko dahil nararamdaman ko ang pag-agos ng tubig pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin. Instead of covering myself when he got closer, I spread my legs even wider as I welcomed him.

He's now touching my breasts again and kissing them. I almost cried when he gave me a different sensation while he's doing it. He also removed his pants after that. Niyakap ko naman ang katawan niya nang umibabaw sa akin.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang init ng katawan niya ngayon.

His thing is now almost inside me and teasing my sensitivity. Muntik ko nang hilahin ang buhok niya dahil doon. Before he pulled himself closer, I just realized that we will do it now. I will have it with him now.

While the rain is still pouring and the waves are crashing – Yves and I are here inside the cave – making love to each other. I don't care about what happened the past few days or weeks. I don't care about tomorrow. I don't care about the future anymore as I only care about what's happening to us now.

And I just found myself screaming for his name endlessly.

... ... ...