c5

Staying away from Rain was tough. Nasanay na kasi si Hope na lagi itong nasa tabi niya at nakaalalay. Kung bakit naman kasi bigla itong nagbago.

"Sandamukal na naman ang mukha mo. Hope, may mga guests tayo. Hindi maganda ang ganyang mukha. Malas sa negosyo." Myca told her, ito talagang kaibigan niya, hindi man lang siya mapabayaan sa trip niya.

"I missed him," amin niya.

"Ano ba kasi talagang nangyari sa inyo?"

"Hindi ko rin alam. He just asked me to stay away."

"Hindi kaya may problema siya?"

"I really have no idea."

"Sige, don't worry. I'll find a way para makausap siya." Nginitian siya ni Myca. "Now fix that face. Ang pangit tingnan!"

She laughed. Myca knows how to make her feel better.

*****

"Hi! Hope, right?" Bati sa kanya ng guest nilang taga Maynila.

"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" She put on a radiant smile sabay bawi ng tingin mula kina Cindy at Rain na magkatulong sa pagbaba ng mga gulay.

Ang sabi sa kanya ni Cindy, nililigawan na ito ni Rain. Tinanong pa siya nito kung okay lang na sagutin na nito ang binata. Anong sasabihin niya? Syempre oo, okay lang. Kahit ang totoo, nasasaktan siya. Sino ba naman siya para hadlangan ang kaligayahan ng mga ito?

"Gusto kong ikutin ang resort, can you accompany me?" Nakangiting tanong nito. "By the way I'm Kevin-"

"Mr. Kevin Tiu."

"Great, you already know me."

"It's my job to know, Sir."

"Just call me Kevin," nakangiti nitong saad. "Tingin ko naman hindi nagkakalayo ang edad natin. Ilang taon ka na?"

"Twenty-three, and you?" Nag-umpisa silang maglakad-lakad. Kevin wanted a walk by the beach. Kapag hindi naman sila busy, pwede silang maki-interact sa guests.

"Twenty-six," he answered and on he went to discuss his life and why he was there in San Gabriel. "Fixed marriage. Can you believe that?----" bla bla bla

Hope was doing her best to listen. Pero nadi-distract siya ng couple na naglalakad-naghaharutan din sa tabing dagat. Sina Rain at Cindy.

"I mean, I don't like Fiona!"

"What's the reason behind the fixed marriage?" She managed to ask nang madaan sa harapan nila sina Rain, tumingin ito sa kanya pero parang tagusan lang.

"A stupid promise made by our parents!"

"Oh..."

A little later, nag-aya na siyang umalis na sila doon at humingi na rin ng paumanhin sa 'pagkapagod' niya. She took him to the pavilion para makakain na ito sa buffet meals na promo ng Myca's.

"You're not going to eat?"

"No. I just had my lunch."

"Then let's go somewhere else. I will feel bad na kumakain ako tapos ikaw hindi."

"No. Really, Kevin. I'm fine. You should eat first before we continue with the tour. Besides, time to clean the rooms of the guests who already checked out. I'll be back in an hour."

"Don't you want to just go out instead?"

"I have a job to do."

"Okay. See you later then..."

Kevin was nice and obviously naghahanap lang ng kausap. She shouldn't be rude. Pero hindi na niya kayang makipag-usap pa habang nagpupuyos sa selos ang kalooban niya.

Tumingin siya sa suot na wristwatch. She barely have an hour para linisin ang mga kwarto bago magpacheck in ng bagong mga guests.

She hurriedly went to the first room.

"I'm going to take care of here," said Rain na naunahan na pala siya, madilim ang mukha nito.

"O-okay." Umalis siya at pumunta sa sunod na kwarto na mabigat ang loob.

Bakit gano'n sa kanya si Rain? Hindi pa ba sapat na pinalayo siya nito? Bakit kailangan pa siya nitong supladuhan?

"Can we talk?"

Mula sa pag-aalis ng bedsheet ay napaangat ng tingin si Hope sa nagsalitang si Rain.

He was by the door. Hindi na madilim ang mukha nito bagamat seryoso pa rin.

"Oo naman." She smiled, magaang ang loob na ipinagpatuloy niya ang ginagawa after urging him to say his piece.

"Nanliligaw ba sa 'yo ang tsinito na 'yon?"

"Hindi ah."

"Bakit kayo magkasama?"

"Gusto lang ng makakausap no'ng tao. Porke ba magkasama nanliligaw na agad?"

"Ganun ba mga gusto mo, Hope? Mga mayaman at taga lungsod?"

"What?!" Biglang uminit ang ulo niya, hinuhusgahan ba siya ni Rain? Akala pa naman niya makikipagbati ito kaya siya kinakausap.

"You're always around guys like Mr. Tiu."

"What are you trying to tell me?" Nasasaktang tanong niya.

"You want a rich boyfriend," diretsahang sabi nito and it felt like a stab in her heart.

"Do you think I'm that shallow?" Naiiyak niyang tanong, hearing it from Rain was too much.

"Hindi ba? Tell me, what is it with rich guys that you do not see in me?" Lumapit ito sa kanya, too close while grabbing her hand and raising it to his chest. "Tell me why despite the fact that you do not like me, I still can't get you out of my head and out of here." Itinuro nito ang ulo at dibdib gamit ang libreng kamay nito.

"R-Rain..." natunaw ang galit niya, she could see pain in his eyes.

"I'm so jealous. D*mn it! I couldn't like anyone here, Hope, especially you! I don't want to like you. I don't want to have this obligation to stay here for anyone! I am so confused. I couldn't fall in love... But you---" he released her and frustratingly raked his fingers through his hair. "You ruined everything!"

"Rain--" hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin pero sigurado siyang masaya siya. Nakalimutan na nga niyang inakusahan siya nito kanina. In fact, 'di na rin niya napansin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga ibang sinabi nito. "You're in love with me?" Hindi niya mapigilang mapangiti.

He almost looked at her with regret and Hope wished he wouldn't take back what he said.

"Pathetic, right?" Rain finally asked.

"According to one of the 24 brain facts - It's funny how you can tell if someone likes someone else, but not if someone likes you." She smiled at him na napa-quote pa. 

"What do you mean?" Confused na tanong nito. Hope giggled at his clueless cute face.

"I like you too!"

"Really?" Hindi ito makapaniwala.

"Yes," tumango pa siya, ang landi lang. But she could just care less. This is her happiness on the line. Papakipot pa ba?

"But I don't like you."

"What?!" Nabura ang lahat ng ngiti at kalandian niya.

"I love you," he held her hand. "Let's go." Hinila siya nito palabas sa kwartong nililinis nila.

"Hey! Wait! I love you too! But where are we going?"

"Sa bahay n'yo."

"Bakit?"

"Ipapaalam ko sa kapatid mo na liligawan kita."

"Liligawan?" She felt flattered but didn't think it was necessary. "Sinasagot na kita, Rain!"

Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at hinarap siya bago masuyong ikinulong sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya.

"Hope Ferreira." He looked at her in the eye. "Let me do it properly. I don't like shortcuts. For now, ipapaalam kita sa ate mo. Liligawan kita. Saka mo ako sasagutin. Okay?" Pinisil nito ang magkabila niyang pisngi pagkatapos.

"Aray," reklamo niya pero nakangiti. "Whatever you say, Rain Sanchez. Basta, sinasagot na kita!"

****

HOPE was the happiest. Napaka-sweet ni Rain.

Two months of courting at pumayag na rin ito na sagutin niya ito. Nakakatawa how he insisted na 'wag muna niya itong sagutin agad. Pumayag na rin siya so she could experience how to be courted the Rain's way.

It was worth it. Since ate lang niya ang pamilya niya, sinigurado nito na alam ng kapatid niya na nililigawan siya nito.

Napakabait at magalang ng boyfriend niya. Never din itong nagtake advantage. Just a kiss in her cheek, a hug at hawak sa kamay, and all in respectful manner.

For some time, their relationship was just so perfect. Hanggang sa napansin niya na lagi itong may iniisip. Again, napansin lang niya. Rain never told her na may bumabagabag dito. Tuwing kasama niya ito he would try to focus on her but whenever she sees him alone, he looked really troubled.

"Hey," nadatnan niya si Rain sa swing na may malalim na namang iniisip.

"Hopie..." as expected agad itong ngumiti sa kanya, hopie was his endearment to her. Ayaw nga niya dahil tunog hopia but he insisted it was cute. So okay fine, sige na lang.

"What are you doing here?" Tinabihan niya ito.

"Nagpapahinga," he answered.

"What are you thinking?" Ipinatong niya ang kamay sa kamay nito.

"You?" Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya. "I'm thinking about you, Hopie... I'm thinking about how to make you happy..."

"I'm happy." Tiningnan niya ito sa mata and as she always dreaded to see lately, he didn't seem very happy. May ibang nasa mga mata nito. Was it fear? Fear of what?

"I mean very very happy." He pinched her cheek.

"Whatever you do makes me happy," she assured.

Hope was already overwhelmed at how Rain would try to tell her every time how much he loves her. He was getting weird at how eager he wanted to make her feel loved and special.

*****

"Where are we going?" Nakablindfold si Hope pero alam niyang nasa tabing dagat sila dahil sa buhanging nasa paanan niya.

"We're going on a date."

"Come on, Rain... Take this blindfold off."

"Eager much? We're near."

Ilang saglit pa'y tumigil na sila. Pumwesto sa likuran niya si Rain para alisin ang blindfold niya. Dahan-dahan and the anticipation was killing her.

"Happy fifth monthsary, Hopie," he whispered nang matanggal ang takip niya sa mata.

She didn't open her eyes at once as Rain hugged her. She just enjoyed that moment first with the sound of the waves filling the silence.

"I love you everyday, Rain," sagot niya. "Happy monthsary, too."

"I love you too, Hopie... Come on?"

When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see a lovely candle lit dinner set up for two where the waves kissed the shore. May mga munting yellow lights sa paligid niyon na mula sa mga kandilang nakakulong sa salaming lalagyan.

There were loose petals in the white skirted table and tiffany chair. May white drapes din to finish the romantic setup.

"Rain!" She was speechless.

"Take your sandals off," yumuko ito para alisin ang pansapin niya sa paa. "Mababasa."

"Hey, you should've told me para naman nakapag-ayos ako," saka niya rin lang narealize how exceptionally gorgeous her date was. Nakaputing pants ito at puti ring polo na bahagyang nakabukas ang unang dalawang butones sa itaas. Rain was just too handsome. Physical attributes pa lang iyon. In the inside, he was just as amazing.

"No need," sabi nito na bahagya namang pinasadahan ng tingin ang suot niyang uniform niya sa Myca's which was a knee length white and pink dress. "You look perfect." Ipinaghila siya nito ng upuan.

"Thank you," she felt the cold seawater under her feet.

"How do you find it?" Tanong nito pagkapwesto nito sa harapan niya.

"Wonderful..."

"Let's ask for the food?"

"Sure."

Natawa siya when it was the resort's owner herself who came in for their service. Myca was wearing her teasing smile when she opened the red wine bottle and half-filled their glasses.

"Appetizer will be served in a while," iniwanan sila nito saglit but not without winking at Hope first.

"How were you able to connive with my friend, huh?"

"Alam mo namang botong-boto sa akin ang kaibigan mo. Besides, para sabihin ko sa'yo, this is not free. Two months worth of salary, Hopie..." He grinned.

"You're kidding me."

"Actually, Myca wanted to do this for free," amin nito. "I just refused. Kaso in the end, hindi siya naubusan ng kondisyon. She didn't want me to use the place kung hindi siya ang magseserve. So there, kaya siya ang personal waitress natin ngayon."

"That's funny."

The whole dinner, they just talked about random things. Mga plano, mga pangarap.

"Are you done yet?" Tanong ni Rain nang patapos na sila sa dessert.

"Almost... why?"

"Because I want to ask you for a dance..." Tumayo ito at inilahad ang palad sa kanya.

"Wait." Uminom muna siya at nagpunas ng bibig at kamay tapos ay tumayo para pagbigyan ito ng sayaw. "We don't have a music."

Hindi ito sumagot bagkus ay nag-umpisa itong kumanta nang mahina... It's Mariah Carey's Thank God I Found You, Rain's rendition.

I would give up everything

Before I'd separate myself from you

After so much suffering

I finally found unvarnished truth

I was all by myself for the longest time

So cold inside

And the hurt from the heartache would not subside

I felt like dying

Until you saved my life

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you

My every wish and every dream

Somehow became reality

When you brought the sunlight

Completed my whole life

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

'Cause baby, I'm so thankful I found you🎶

Hope felt her tears welled up her eyes... Rain was actually singing a song. And it's a very beautiful song...

"Hopie," tumigil ito, they stopped dancing as well. "I want to tell you something..."

"What is it?"

"I love you so much..."

"I know."

"My life was so messed up before I met you, Hope... I really am thankful to God that I found you when I was just so confused."

Sumubsob siya sa dibdib ni Rain at hinayaan lang itong magsalita.

"I don't know what's going to happen to me if I'll lose you. Hopie, I'm scared of leaving you. But I have to---"

Sukat doon ay napatingin siya sa binata.

"What are you saying?" May bumangong kakaibang kaba sa dibdib niya. "Aalis ka?"

"Babalik ako agad," he assured but Hope found that empty.

"Where are you going?" Nag-umpisa siyang magpanic.

"I need to fix something in Manila. It's important. I really need to do it the soonest time."

"You're from Manila? I thought---"

"Yes. I'm sorry If I lied. But I promise you I'm gonna come back for you. And- don't give me that look- I'm not a married man."

"It's not that." She's already fighting a sob. "Can I come with you?"

"I'm sorry but you can't come with me. But I want you to promise to wait for me---" bigla itong lumuhod sa harapan niya kesehodang mabasa ang pantalon into. "Hope Ferreira," he pulled out a ring from his polo's pocket. "Will you promise to wait for me and marry me when I come back?"

"Do you really have to ask me that?" Tumulo na ang luha niya. "Oo naman Rain..."

"I love you, Hope." Isinuot nito sa kanya ang singsing, tumayo at kinabig siya para sa isang mahigpit na yakap.

"I love you too. Hihintayin kita..."

"Babalik ako. Pangako..."

Masaya siya sa proposal nito pero natatakot din. Hope could swear that something was wrong and Rain's not telling her kung ano iyon.

*****

THE next day, inihatid niya ito sa sakayan. And that was the last time na nakita niya si Rain.