On Finding Chance

Part 2 - Chapter 27

The brunch place made the entire hullabaloo this morning worth it. It is an open kitchen in the middle of five huge nipa huts. Inside each of them are three bamboo-made coffee tables with banana leaves on top, a bunch of cushions placed as chairs and different colorful drawings made by children are hung on the wall. The loud chatting of four young women suddenly changes into whispers when they notice Dylan sitting across me. They are totally checking him out which means they are also checking me out. Uh! This is making me uncomfortable. Why is this guy such a chick magnet?

After ordering our food, he notices my silence and asks if I am alright. "A bit conscious", I reply. He raises his eyebrow in question.

"Uhm...those girls are checking you out, dude."

"What did you just call me?"

"Uhm...dude?"

He does that captivating smirk again. Oh gosh! I can feel my cheeks blush. "Dude. I like it", he beams. Now it is my turn to raise an eyebrow. "I think you are in love with me", he exclaims.

"Excuse me?" I say in protest. He laughs and I join in.

"Dude. You used to call me that. I hated it (which is precisely why you kept on calling me that) and I missed hearing it, DUDE", he says, emphasizing on the last word.

If I called him dude, what did he call me? I have not even asked him this question and he already responds in his high and proud voice, "Langga...but only on days like this". OMG! His creepy psychic power works again. Worse, the flirty ladies have shot me with their I-HATE-HER looks. Tsss, whatever! *evil laugh*

"Tell me honestly, you can read minds, right?"

"Only yours", he teases.

"What do you mean by days like this, anyway?"

"On days when I want to tease you but still be sweet, I call you langga."

"What about on days not like this?"

"Let's see. On normal days, it's Madie or Alex. But mostly Alex because I am the only one who calls you that. Madie (in this particular tone) when I am pissed. And on special occasions, it's Madison Alexandra"

Madison Alexandra. I love how my name rolls out of his mouth.

"Did I also have different names for you?"

"You made this whole mess. Try to guess.", he teases once more.

"Okay. Give me a minute...Hmmmm...Dylan on normal days. Dude when I am teasing you. Dylan Sebastian when I am mad?"

"Wrong! You call me dude or Seb on normal days. Sebseb when you are trying to be extra sweet or mostly when you want something. Dylan for when you are annoyed. And Dylan Sebastian when you are totally mad at me."

He remembers everything about us, even the tiniest details. There is no doubt about what he feels for me. He loves me. Despite the years we have been separated, his love is crystal clear.

"Alex?"

Like a reflex, I look up. My memories might have forgotten him but my body and subconscious surely did not.

He smiles. A smile as innocent as a child's and my heart somersaults inside me.

After finishing our brunch of buttered shrimp, chili crab, tortang talong with egg, mais con yelo and buko pandan, we head back to the beach and instantly try wakeboarding. Stepping on the board and holding on the handle while the Jet Ski circles its way through the sea gives me an intense adrenaline rush. It is the same feeling when the roller coaster swiftly enters the loop and it is freaking epic. Downside though is I will need dozens of Salonpas tomorrow. My body is aching everywhere.

After the instant workout, it is time for a more relaxed activity, parasailing. I want to go alone but my boyfriend-for-a-day insists that we go together. Clingy much?

The feeling of flying is priceless. I close my eyes for a minute and imagine Tony Stark taking me for a ride in his favorite red iron suit. Dylan stops my fantasy and whispers, "You checked two on your bucket list today". This gets me totally flabbergasted. Does he know my bucket list? I cannot even remember mine. And is he doing this all for me? Something is certainly not right but I let it pass for now.

Last on our itinerary is island hopping. We are a few feet away from reaching the final island and a blanket, picnic basket and mini speaker is already visible from this distance. Dylan obviously prepared for our date. When we set foot on the beach, the sun is just about to retire and we stand in total awe as the sky changes from light blue to orange to dark blue. The cool sea breeze gently kisses my cheeks. The sound of waves is music to my ears. Dylan's hand is intertwined with mine as we wait for the moon to conclude the exquisite day. I inhale and take in the magnificence of this moment. But something inside me hinders me from being fully happy. A small voice is whispering that terrible things will happen soon. Law of equivalent exchange. Feeling overjoyed will eventually lead to being devastated. I try to erase the thought. Not today please. Not today. I want to remember this as what it is - PERFECT.