“She’s my best friend in Canada. We separated when I returned to the Philippines.“ said Dylan.
“You mean separated? You have a relationship with her?” Belle asked.
Dylan shook his head and glanced at Gaby. “When we returned to the Philippines, I could not say goodbye to her,” said Dylan.
Gaby was looking at the sea. She didn’t seem interested in what they were talking about.
“Why? What happened?” Belle asked curiously.
“Because Granddad had a heart attack and was hospitalized, Daddy was in a hurry to get home because of the news,” Dylan explained. “And because it happened suddenly, I never have time to say goodbye to Gaby.”
Gaby never said a word. She looked quietly at the ocean. “So you have never returned to Canada?” asked Riki.
Dylan nodded. “I never came back. After Grandpa died, Dad took care of everything he left behind. Even Aunt Yvonne didn’t make it back to Canada.“
“So that’s Gaby?” Sasha said in disbelief. “The woman you’re crazy about in Canada?”
Of course, Sasha knows what happened when he got home from the Philippines, and even then, she helps him search on social media.
“We couldn’t find her on social media, could we, Dylan?” says Sasha. “Do you have any social media accounts, Gaby?“
Gaby turned to them and nodded. “I had it before, but it’s not active anymore. My account is closed, and I didn’t create a new one.” Gaby said.
“Why couldn’t Dylan get in touch with you? Did you change the number?“ Belle asked.
“We moved into a new home,” Gaby said plainly.
“That’s too much! But anyway, there’s always a second chance, isn’t there? Perhaps here, in the Philippines, you’ll stay together.“ said Ashlee.
Dylan glanced at Gaby. He noticed she was wiping a tear off her cheek. It was like something was pinching his heart.
‘Gaby!’ Dylan thought.
Gaby and Dylan talked about getting together at the playground near their village in Toronto. He sends her there because he has something important to say. A call confused them. Their grandfather rushed to the hospital while meeting with the board of directors. It was the day he was supposed to meet with Gaby on the playground. He couldn’t call Gaby and say goodbye because his dad took a private plane so that they could go back to the country and catch his grandfather alive.
When they reached the Philippines, his grandfather died a few hours later. Everyone was busy and sad, and he only remembered the girl when he saw the news on CNN Canadian television. It was a major accident, which included Clark’s girlfriend.
He tried to call her at home and over the phone, but we couldn’t reach her. The same goes for her parents and brother. He also looked on social media for a few days, but there weren’t any.
That was five years ago. Dylan never expected to meet Gaby until she heard from Sasha that she had a new roommate, Gabrielle Shin Johnson. At first, he did not believe it, even though he felt anxious. He was wondering how to face Gaby. They hadn’t met for a long time.
He only confirmed it when he saw the girl in the apartment while she was walking down the stairs, followed by Ashlee. She didn’t notice him at first because he was sitting on the sofa on the side. When he saw her familiar face, it was as if his heart had stopped beating. He was nervous when the girl turned to him, and it shocked her to see him. He just smiled to hide the excitement and joy he felt.
“Will you stop that drama? Listening to that is so annoying. It’s time for a swim.“ said Clark.
Clark and Riki immediately got up, and without a word, they lifted Matt, then ran fast and dumped him in the water.
Everybody laughed. Matt stood up straight away. “Man, that hurts! It’s so shallow!“ Matt complains.
“Is that so? Riki, let’s go!“ said Clark.
So Dylan, Riki, and Clark quickly ran into Matt and took him back. Matt got lost. Soon they threw it in depth once, laughing, and rushed back.
-
While everyone was playing, Gaby was looking at them. She smiled and laughed at their jesters as well. The boys tossed even Sasha, Ashlee, and Belle.
She can’t look away from Clark. He’s handsome, especially when he smiles. It thrilled Gaby to bits while watching him.
She never noticed that Dylan was already by her side. “Do you think you are exempt?” Dylan said.
Gaby turned towards Dylan. She noticed his smile was different, so she was about to run, but he immediately picked her up. Dylan ran closer to the water and threw her away.
When she came up, everyone was laughing. They are all already in the water and are having fun.
-
“You alright?” Dylan said, smiling.
“That’s unfair, Dylan. Thank you for not breaking my bones.” Gaby said.
They were both in the water. Dylan meant to isolate Gaby from their friends so that he and Gaby could be alone and talk to each other. He missed his first love so much.
Belle’s cry distracted them. Everyone laughed. Gaby looked back at Dylan and smiled as he looked over at her.
“Why are you smiling?” Gaby said.
“Nothing. You’re still exquisite.“ says Dylan.
“Liar,” Gaby said.
“It’s true. Your beauty is effortless.“ said Dylan.
“Tell me more. I’ll go catch the compliments now.” Gaby said.
Dylan chuckled. “You do not believe my words!”
“Of course, why would I believe in a heartthrob like you?” said Gaby.
“Why? Because I’m not lying,” said Dylan.
Gaby smiled but didn’t say a thing. “I’ve missed you,” said Dylan. “You better believe I missed you because I’m not lying.”
Gaby said nothing, just looking at Dylan. After a while, the waves got more potent because they were far away from the shore where the group was. Dylan noticed that Gaby felt terrified. Her feet could no longer reach the sand under the water.
“Why?” Dylan asked.
“I- I’m scared, Dylan,” said Gaby.
“You know how to swim, right, Gab? You’re a swimmer.“ said Dylan.
“D-Dylan, take me to shore if you please!” said Gaby.
He stared at her. Her face was serious and scared. “Relax, Gab! I will bring you back to shore.“ said Dylan.
Gaby nodded, and it surprised Dylan when Gaby hugged him tightly. He couldn’t believe it. In his memory, Gaby loves water. She is a professional swimmer, and she even takes part in competitions in Canada.
‘What happened to you, Gaby?’ Dylan thought.
-
“All right, there seems to be a love team in the group,” Riki chuckled.
They were all watching Dylan and Gaby in the deep water. Gaby hugs Dylan, and Dylan swims back.
“They look great together,” said Ashlee.
“They are the living proof of the saying Love is sweeter the second time around,” said Matt.
Clark wasn’t talking. He was looking at both, and he had something to feel in his chest. He couldn’t figure it out.
“Hey, are you coming?” Matt asked.
Clark ignored Matt. He got out of the water and went back to the hut. “What happened?” Matt asked.
He sat in the hut facing friends still in the water. Others approached Dylan and Gaby as they reached the shore.
Clark picked up a bottle of beer and opened it. He cannot understand himself. That evening, the woman did not put Clark to sleep. When he heard her voice singing once, he felt something and thought about it for a long time. And now he got a punch in his heart when he saw the two hugs. He has not entirely understood. He could not say he was jealous or attracted to Gaby because he had known her for almost a month. They’re not close either, and they seldom talk.
Clark thinks it all started the night she put an ice pack on his lip and stared at him. His heart seemed to jump. He looked like a high schooler, thrilled that his crush stared at him. Gaby doesn’t know him well, and he knows that their first encounter was at the university, but his heart seems to say that he has known her for some time. He closed his eyes and gasped for air.
‘Clark, what’s going on with you?‘ Clark thought.
“Is there something wrong with you?”
His eyes widened. Gaby stood in front of him, all wet, and she stared at him. Gaby took junk food and tried to open it, but she couldn’t because she had a slippery hand.
“Damn it!” Gaby said softly.
It surprised him to see how cute she was, and he laughed. He picked up the junk food that the woman was holding.
“Leave it to me!” said Clark.
Gaby looked at Clark as he grabbed her junk food and opened it. She couldn’t believe it. He was smiling. Later, she looked at him, and he handed her the junk food.
“T-thank you,” said Gaby. “Think about it. You also have a soft side.”
Gaby sat down on the other side of the table and ate some junk food. “Look at you. After I help you, you are still complaining. Aren’t you grateful even a bit?“ said Clark.
“You are naughty. Did the volcano erupt when you were born?“ Gaby joked again and laughed.
Clark turned to her, staring at her, so she felt embarrassed and stopped laughing.
“You like?” Gaby asked
Clark took some junk food that was just on the table. They didn’t talk to Clark for a few minutes.
“You don’t want to swim anymore?” Clark suddenly asked Gaby.
“I’m getting tired,” Gaby said.
“You didn’t swim,” said Clark.
“My body is changing. I couldn’t breathe while in the water.“ said Gaby.
Clark didn’t speak. He just laughed while looking at Gaby. It hit the woman.
“What’s funny?” Gaby asked.
“You’re still embarrassed to say you don’t know how to swim?” said Clark.
She blushed. Clark laughed even harder, so Gaby pouted her lips. “Seriously, is that funny?” she whispered.
It surprised her when Clark squeezed her nose. “You’re cute!” Clark says, smiling.
Gaby was stunned, and so did Clark realize what he had done. Suddenly, he stood up and left the beer on the table. It ran back into the water and messed with friends.
“What’s with him? He pinched my nose.“ Gaby said while rubbing her nose.
She stared at Clark in the distance.
—
“What did you and Gaby talk about?” Dylan asked as Clark approached them in the water
Dylan saw the two had been talking earlier, and Gaby laughed while Clark was silent. Clark later pinched the girl’s nose and bolted away.
Clark smiled. “Why are you jealous?”
Dylan laughed. “Quite.”
It surprised Dylan when Clark bowed to him while laughing. “Geez, what’s with Clark?” Sasha asked
“He’s laughing. And a genuine laugh.“ said Belle.
Sasha, Belle, Ashlee, Matt, and Riki stare at Dylan and Clark, wading in the water. “Has he moved on after five years of being grouch?” Ashlee asked the companions.
The group just laughed at what Ashlee said.
They stayed by the beach until nightfall. The gang enjoyed the night with their antics and quarrels. It’s been a while since they made such bonds. Sweethearts have another member, so their vacation is memorable. Now they surround the bonfire the heartthrobs had prepared earlier. They were sitting on the body of the gigantic tree on which they placed it. They were all drinking, except Gaby. Along with Gaby are Dylan and Sasha. On the other side are Ashlee, Belle, Riki, and Matt. Clark was sitting alone on the sand with only the lining of his shirt. Clark even played with fire with a stick he had picked up earlier. “What happened to you, Clark? You got a splendid aura.“ said Sasha. “Yes, your smile looks excellent. Not fake in fairness.“ Belle added. Clark smiled with two hands over his head. “What do you suppose I’m not human?” he smiled. “Let it go. It’s good, and you’re smiling. At least it won’t frighten us!“ Gaby said, laughing. “What’s your point?” asked Clark. “That you’re
Gaby flipped through the bottle and stopped at Clark. It surprised everyone and silenced them. Later on, Matt smiles at Clark. Before Matt could get the salt, Clark had preceded him. The group teased him. “Oh, come on!” said Riki. “Are you excited, Clark?” “Shut up, Riki!” said Clark, annoyed. Everyone is laughing. Gaby blushed. “Can Gaby just pass? She doesn’t drink alcohol?” Dylan replied with no smile. “Geez, Dylan. You’re just jealous, so you want Gaby to pass,” said Riki. Dylan took the slipper and tossed it to Riki, and everybody laughed. “Is that OK with you, Gab? You never drink beer, do you?” said Dylan. Gaby smiled. “It’s OK.” Gaby approached Clark, and he was looking at her with seriousness. Gaby was jumpy again. She couldn’t understand. Gaby immediately drank the contents of the shot glass. She could manage but frown to taste, so everyone laughed except Dylan, who was looking. Then she swallowed the lemon wedge and approached Clark’s neck with her lip. Clark couldn’
Gaby woke up early. No matter how wakeful she was, she used to wake up early. She left the house and went joyfully toward the beach. She took a deep breath and drew near the water, where her foot was wet. The saltwater was warm, so her body relaxed. “Thank you, Lord!” she cried out. “Whooohoooo!” Gaby opens wide her two arms and lets the air envelop her entire body. It was the most relaxing since she went back to the Philippines. In Canada, she was right at home; sometimes they would walk to get some air. But she prefers it here. It’s all-natural when she’s here. She feels better. “Thank you, Lord! Wake me up again tomorrow!” She shouted again, then laughed as if there was no tomorrow. Gaby was so happy. She could not do so in their apartment. She can only wake up her housemates. But on the beach, she can shout as loudly as possible. Gaby was so grateful and extremely happy. Clark just got into a bath. He woke up early because he couldn’t sleep after drinking last night. His roomm
“Can I just ask? If you don’t want to tell stories.” Gaby said.Gaby stopped again and faced him. She waited for him, and then they walked together again.“Tss, you are an annoyance!” he said as he looked out to sea, smiling.Clark purposely turned away to avoid seeing his uncontrollable smile. But unbeknownst to him, Gaby heard her weak laugh, so Gaby smiled again.“Do you have a girlfriend?” Gaby asked.“You were suddenly interested in my love life?” he asked. “You’re into me, aren’t you?”Gaby frowned at him. It’s the reason his heart jumped again. ‘It’s bad. She frowns, but she’s still beautiful. She’s an angel. There’s nothing ugly about her!’“Like? I’m just asking a question, but your thinking is so advanced. Haven’t you ever realized that you can’t just have something to talk about?” Gaby shook her head.Clark said nothing about it. Gaby doesn’t like other girls. She doesn’t care about him romantically. She might be in love with Dylan. They were close. It would be no surprise i
After breakfast, they went all the way to Sasha’s ranch. Gaby was so happy to see the big barn. They breed other animals, such as pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, cows, turkeys, and pigeons. They never lost their smile as they watched Gaby. “Gaby is adorable, Dylan. She’s like a kid. Is she the way she is?” Belle asked. “Yeah, Gaby is a cheerful person. She can easily appreciate things, no matter how small or big. It’s one thing I liked about her,” says Dylan. “So, you’ve been in love with Gaby ever since?” Sasha asked. Dylan said nothing, smiled at them, and looked at Gaby. “You’re such a cutie, Gaby. You are like a child!” said Ashlee, laughing at her gaze. Her smile was beautiful, and her body was vivacious compared to when they met her for the first time. “I’m sorry, guys. Do I seem like a fool? I’ve never done this before and can’t hide my excitement. This is a dream that has become a reality. Thanks, Sasha!” Gaby said, squeezing her friend into her arms. Sasha giggled and hug
Dylan and Clark just set eyes on Gaby, who was impressed by what she did. When she fell into the water, they waited for her to float, but a few seconds later, Gaby did not come up. “Oh my, where is she?” Ashlee asked. Everybody was trying to find Gaby. She’s not been back up since she fell in the water. It’s been nearly thirty seconds. Gaby leaned on the rock and breathed deeply. She grabbed her chest. When she realized her friends were worried, she climbed the rock and relaxed. She took a deep breath before she said a word. “Are you looking for me?” Gaby said, smiling. Everyone turned around and didn’t respond right away. Gaby swam a long way despite falling across from them. “Hell, you’re so different, Gaby. Are you some angel?” Matt shouted. Everyone swam quickly toward Gaby, and even though she was confused, she swam closer to them. “You’re back!” said Dylan when he got closer to her. “You’re great! You’re a swimmer, don’t you?” Matt asked. “She is a swimmer and participa
Upon arriving at the ranch, Sasha’s staff immediately greeted them. Women are still getting help. Dylan and Gaby are behind. Clark couldn’t explain how he felt when he saw the girl leaning on Dylan’s relaxed body. The staff there supported them, and the older man greeted them at the villa. It surprised them that they made the meal for them—fresh seafood such as crab, shrimp, grilled fish, and large squid. There is fresh fruit as well. They set up a boodle fight. The staff had lunch with them. That was quite a pleasant lunch. After eating, they agreed to spend time at the beach. They also brought beer in the cooler and junk food. Clark showed up at the beach within the hour. It surprised him when Gaby was with Belle playing on the beach. Gaby’s having the time of her life like she’s never had a problem. He also couldn’t figure himself out. He couldn’t think about why he kissed Gaby. All he knew was that he just wanted to pay her back for her prank to keep him from going up twice in
Dylan stopped laughing while hearing a telephone ring. He looked for it and found it under the shawl Gaby had left on the chair. He took it. When he gets up from the phone, he sees the name on the screen. “Guys, wait for a second. I’ll answer the call,” said Dylan. “Who is that?” Sasha asked “Oh, Gaby’s father…” said Dylan. “Gaby’s father calls you? You are the man, Dylan!” said Matt. “Crazy! Gaby left her phone. I’ll pick it up. It might be important. She’s not here yet!” said Dylan. Dylan was entirely away from the group when Gaby’s phone stopped ringing. He will return to the group when he rings again, and the name of Gaby’s father appears. He answered it immediately. “Hello, baby, how are you doing? Did you always take your meds? Do you enjoy your vacation?” Gaby’s daddy asked in succession. “H- hello, Tito. I’m sorry. Gaby left her phone on the table. She just left for a while,” said Dylan. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Dylan heard the guy laugh. “Anyway, who are you?” “This is Dylan