Chapter 6

Today is Saturday, no class, no assignments, nothing to do but to enjoy the weekend and have fun. My bestfriend Astrid and I went on a beach getaway in another town a kilometer and a half away from our place and rented a room good for two days.

I woke up early, five in the morning to be exact and before the sun starts to shine behind the cottony clouds I was already on the seashore. I watch the waves breaking, I went farther out, look down on the clear water and touch the beautiful starfishes with different colors and shapes.

I know as of now, my bestfriend Astrid is still sleeping as I left her in the room. I walked few steps on the water, choose a place where the sand has been smoothened by the waves and where there no rocks. I picked up a flat greyish peebles just like the size of a coin, held it firmly and feel it smoothes. Gathering all my strength I pitched and counted one up to five and the peeble skipped five times on the water. I was about to pick up another peeble when suddenly I heard some footsteps coming toward me, yet I didn't dare look back. Who else is awake at this very early? The steps are moving closer and closer to me. Then a man's voice echoed from behind me.

“Hi...!”

I looked up to see who's talking and was mesmerized with what I saw. A very handsome man standing in front of me having a dark brown eyes, pointed nose, red lips, tall and mestiso, wearing a white shirt and a jogging pants, holding a pair of slippers on his hand. The guy was wearing a very attractive smile and a tantalizing eyes.

I broke the silence, and stood up. “Yeah, sure! After all, I don't own this place so why not?”

“Here for vacation too?” he asked.

“Yeah, weekend getaway.”

“Naglalakad-lakad lang ako and then I saw you, I guess your mind was elsewhere you didn't notice me.” He said but his eyes were focused on me.

“Ganoon ba? May iniisip lang medyo busy lang sa school this past few days.”

Bakit ko nga pala kailangan ipaliwanag ang sarili ko sa isang stranger that I just met. Feeling closed naman yata ako. Jusme!

Now he was scanning me from head to toe. “Why would a pretty girl like you out here alone?” Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi niya, aba'y may pagka-bolero din pala.

“By the way, I'm Jake Andrew and you are--?” Inilahad niya ang kanyang kanang kamay, although Dad always tell me not to trust strangers but still i accepted the handshake. Should I tell him my name? Oh no, don't.

“A--Anna,” I introduced myself and took his hands. Alam ko na mali, I lied about my name and this was the first time I've done it. Pero in fairness magkatunog naman, halos di nalalayo sa name ko. Sheeezz!

Later on, I broke the silence and told him I need to go, that my friend would probably be looking for me.

“Okay, nice meeting you Anna. Hope to see you again,” he smiled showing his perfectly white teeth.

'Nak ng tinapa, and gwapo! Marami din gwapo sa school namin but this guy is so different, napaka-charming and I couldn't help but smile back. “Nice meeting you too. Bye!”

I walked back to the room we rented without looking back at him. Back to our room, Astrid was already waiting for me at the door looking worried. “Hannah, ang aga pa gumagala kana, san ka pala galing?”

“Diyan lang, I went out for a walk sa dalampasigan. Guess what?” I smiled trying to ease the worry she has on her face.

“What the heck happened. Come on, tell me! Why are you blushing?” she asked curiously.

“Well, I just met a guy out there!” I replied as I grab my towel, went to the bathroom and washed my face but she followed me and keep asking.

“No way! How's that possible? Tell me, is he gorgeous?” she asked again.

“Yup”

“Weh, di nga?”

“Go check him out if you want to, maybe you can still see him outside, andon lang sya naglalakad sa labas .”

“Really?”

Astrid then hurriedly ran out of the room. Seryoso pala siya, she really did went out just to check the guy I met earlier just because I told her that the guy was gorgeous? Kaloka din etong best friend ko, hay naku!

I went to the kitchen and made a coffee then sat in a couch then turned on the tv. I was about to take another sip when the door opened and saw Astrid strode in. She sat beside me with a sad look on her face.

“I didn't see him.” Nakasimangot na sabi nito sandy halukipkip sa sofa.

“Oh-uh. Well what can I do?” I tried to convince her to sit down and relax and explained that we're here to have fun. “Why bother yourself about that stranger?” Tinapik ko siya sa balikat saka inaya na kumain.

“But-- I wanna see the one you've met, I'm just curious.”

“Forget about it Astrid! Since when are you so interested about a guy?”

“Ngayon lang, eh kasi it's the first time you meet someone aside from Aaron, Nathan and our schoolmates.”

I know that she's trying to tell me about the arranged marriage I have and she's been reminding me to explore and dont take it seriously. Astrid know everything about it and told me also to not worry, according to her things might change.

“Forget about it, he's just a random guy.”

“Fine!” she mumbled.

"Now let's get ready for breakfast and then go out for swimming we should enjoy this day”, I said at tumayo na para lang tumigil na sya kakatanong.

The Beach resort has a cafeteria and it was not far from our room, just a few steps away. We went there and had our breakfast. While eating I suddenly thought of someone, 'yong kalaro ko when I was young has the same name as the guy I met earlier. Pero baka magkapangalan lang, it's just a coincidence, there are a lot of people with the same names after all.

We were having breakfast when my phone started to ring again. I held it in my hand and put it above the table, I can clearly see the name 'Aaron' on the screen.. After ringing for several minutes I answered it tsaka ni-loudspeaker.

“Hello Hannah, how are you?”

“I'm good, but not anymore! Why are you calling?” I said feeling pissed off. Samantala tawang-tawa naman si Astrid na nasa tabi ko.

“Na miss kita, Hannah!” Napantig ang tenga ko sa sinabi ng tukmol na iyon kaya sa inis ko nasinghalan ko sya.

“If you have nothing else to say, I'm gonna hang up this call now!”

“Bakit ba ang sungit mo. Most girls are attracted to me, pero ikaw--?” Agad ako sumagot para kahit di pa sya tapos sa sinasabi niya.

“Look, Aaron, not every girl likes you. Just because you're rich doesn't mean gugustuhin ka ng lahat—”

“Why?”

“Alam mo ang totoo kasi nyan, you have a really bad attitude, you're annoying, and not to mention you're too bossy. How unlucky the girl who will end up with you", I said not caring if my words hurt him.

“The girl who will be with me will be lucky, Hannah, they get me and my money to buy anything they like.”

I rolled my eyes as he say those words. “Except me.”

“You broke my heart Hannah! Darating din ang araw you will fall on your knees begging my love.”

I scoffed in disbelief. I won't beg him for love. That won't happen.

“Not me--Aaron, but you! You will fall for me more until you can't handle it anymore.” Pagkasabi niyon I ended the call saka nilagay sa silent mode, panira lang sya ng araw, andito kami para magrelax di para mastress.