EVERYTHING’s set. Ace called Agustin last night para sunduin sila ni Sahara sa Inn. The plan – tutuloy sila sa airport at lilipad patungong Boracay. He called their hotel, booked a room and probably from there, they could arrange another flight to Palawan or wherever because he’s sure that his Tito Ricky would do everything to find Sahara – and if he discovered that she’s with him, he’s dead.
“Come on, let’s have some breakfast first while waiting for Agustin,” bulong niya sa tainga ni Sahara.
Tumango ito nang bahagya at ngumiti. Hawak-kamay silang magkatabing naupo sa bar ng Inn. Ipinatong niya ang mga gamit ni Sahara sa ibabaw ng bar counter at iayos niya ang pagkaka-sukbit ng knapsack sa kanyang balikat. Good thing that the entire place was still operating despite what happened. Maaliwalas na ang kalangitan, na parang walang nangyari. Alas siyete pa lamang ng umaga pero abalang-abala na ang lahat ng tauhan ng establisyimento sa paglilinis at pag-aayos ng mga gamit na nasira ng bagyo. May mga nabasag na salamin sa ilang bahagi ng bintana, mga upuan at mesa na natangay ng hangin, mga kurtina at dekorasyon na nakakalat sa iba’t-ibang parte ng lugar. Pinasok rin ng tubig ang mabababang bahagi ng Inn at katakut-takot ang nagkalat na mga dahon at nagbagsakang sanga mula sa mga puno. Ace never thought that the typhoon was able to cause such damage.
Marami-rami na ring tao roon – ang iba’y tulad nila na nag-aalmusal samantalang ang iba naman ay abala sa kani-kanilang cellphones. Ilang sandali lamang ay dumating na ang waiter dala ang kanilang almusal. Pinasalamatan niya ito at nginitian bago ito tuluyang umalis.
“Are we sure about this?” tanong ni Sahara. Halata sa mga mata nito ang pag-aalala.
“We’ll be fine, Sahara. I promise.” He reached her hand on the table and squeezed it.
“Pero siguradong hahanapin tayo ni…Ricky. Paano kapag nalaman niya na magkasama tayo?”
“Kaya nga we need to leave now.” Tumayo si Ace sa kinauupuan at inilapit ang upuan sa tabi ni Sahara. Inakbayan niya ito at hinalikan sa pingi. “Don’t worry too much. Once we’re out of here, we’re safe.”
She nooded. “Ace, paano ang trabaho natin…ang magazine mo?”
That is something he overlooked but he won’t let it hinder their plans. Not now. He had planned everything about his career when they eventually run off – he would still manage ‘The Gents’, hold meetings online and just request Agustin to do all the administrative tasks. He also has the option to retire early. He’s certain that his father won’t approve of it, but he’d deal with that problem later. The important thing at the moment is Sahara, and be with her no matter what.
But how about Sahara?
“Do you want to continue your modeling?” tanong niya.
Alanganin itong tumango pero agad ring umiling. “Hindi na siguro muna mahalaga ‘yon sa ngayon. P’wede ko namang balikan ‘yon kapag naayos na natin ang lahat, right?”
“Babalik ka sa pagmo-model, I promise you that.”
She smiled and gave him a tight hug. Bibigyan pa sana niya ito ng halik sa labi pero biglang nag-ring ang kanyang cellphone.
“Oh, excuse me, it’s the office. Wait for me, okay? I’ll be right back.” he said after looking at his phone. He kissed Sahara on the forehead before standing up. Lumayo siya nang bahagya at nagtungo sa may pool area para tanggapin ang tawag.
It was Agustin, informing him that he’s stuck in traffic. May mga kalsada pa raw na lubog sa tubig at kinailangan nitong maghanap ng ibang ruta. It could take him about an hour or so before reaching their location so they have to stay there for a while.
Sa kabila ng pag-aalala, hindi mapigilan ni Ace ang ngiti nang bumalik siya sa restaurant. Today’s the day. It’s going to be the start of a new life for him and Sahara and he promised himself to make it perfect for both of them.
And as he entered the restaurant and saw the most important woman in his life right now, he can say that his life is complete. Sahara was sitting at the bar, chatting with the bartender while having breakfast. At hindi pa man siya lumalapit rito ay lumingon na ito sa direksiyon niya na para bang naramdaman nito ang kanyang presensiya. Patakbo niya itong nilapitan at agad na hinapit ang baywang nito at hinalikan ang malambot nitong mga labi.
Ah, he can get used to this, kissing her every morning, or every minute of every day. With Sahara by his side, holding him close, he felt like he could do anything.
She gave him a startled look before gently pushing him away.
“What’s wrong?” taka niyang tanong.
“We have a problem,” mahina nitong sabi.
Naguguluhang sinundan niya ng tingin si Sahara nang muli ibinaling ang atensiyon kay Lucing. Sahara was acting differently from last night, as if she didn’t know him.
What’s happening? Did she change her mind already?
At hindi nagtagal ay nasagot ang kanyang katanungan nang makita niyang palapit si Architect Ricardo Aguas. Suot nito ang paborito nitong itim na sumbrero na tinernuhan ng itim na polo shirt at itim na maong. Nilalaru-laro pa nito sa mga daliri ang susi ng kotse nito habang palapit sa kanila.
“Ace! What a coincidence! What are you doing here?” nakangiti nitong bati sa kanya. Tinabihan siya nito at tinapik ang kanyang balikat.
“I-I was here for the photoshoot yesterday…we…I got stranded…” He was not able to move. Alanganin siyang ngumiti at kinamayan ito.
“Oh, is that so? Same as Sahara. And I supposed to be here last night, pero unpassable lahat ng daan papunta rito so we had to go back to Manila. Sinubukan naming umakyat uli kagabi pero kaninang umaga lang talaga humupa ang baha at nalinis ang daan but I was so worried that I had to force Mang Julio to drive to be able to get here this morning.”
Tumangu-tango siya at ngumiti-ngiti. Nang muli lingunin niya si Sahara ay nakita niyang tahimik lang itong nakamasid sa pag-uusap nila ng kanyang Tito Ricky.
“Anyway, may dala ka bang sasakyan? Sumabay ka na sa amin pababa ng Manila.”
“No, thanks, Tito Ricky. Tinawagan ko na si Agustin and he said he’s on his way.”
“I see. So, we’ll go ahead, Ace.” Kinuha nito ang gamit ni Sahara at inakbayan ang dalaga. “ Stay safe. Ikumusta mo na lang ako sa father mo, okay?”
“Okay, Tito. Ingat kayo.”
Pinanood na lang ni Ace ang paglabas nina Sahara sa Inn at pagsakay ng mga ito sa kotse. Sahara didn’t even look back.
Nanatiling nakatayo si Ace sa may entrada ng Inn kahit matagal nang nakalayo ang sasakyan ng kanyang Tito Ricky. It was like a dream and he didn’t want to believe it. They just had the perfect time last night and he already planned everything for them but now…
He’s got to do something. Hindi siya papayag na basta na lang mawala sa kanya si Sahara habang buhay. He’s willing to give up everything and fight for their love.