The Universe and Beyond

Universe 12: To the Beach

ZEN

Before sleeping, I receive a text message from Rozend.

To the beach. Tomorrow.

Humiga ako sa kama bago ako nagreply. It's Saturday tomorrow and I also remembered I said that we can go to the beach this weekend.

Bakit nagmamadali?

I received the reply from him.

I can't afford to waste time.

Saglit akong nag-isip. Well, maybe it's alright to go to the beach since it's summer.

Alright. What time? The beach is an hour away from Serene.

I received another reply.

Let's buy spray paints for your room in the morning and in the afternoon we can go to the beach.

I frown. I look at my unfinished painted wall. The Aurora Borealis is still incomplete. It's been lonely for a long time now. Siguro nga dapat ko na itong tapusin. Gusto ko ring tapusin ang mga nasimulan namin ni Elaine. I want to finally move on from her death. And this is one way of saying goodbye and at the same time retaining her beautiful memories.

Sige. Goodnight, Lolo.

Goodnight, Lola. 

~~~

When I woke up, it's already seven in the morning. Bumaba na ako upang mag-almusal. My Mom is already preparing a breakfast for Josh in the table and she smiles when she sees me.

"Good morning, sweetie," she greeted.

"Good morning, Ma! Good morning, Josh!" bati ko sa kanilang dalawa. Kumuha na rin ako ng plato at tumabi kay Josh upang kumain.

"Ma, bibili kami mamaya ng spray paints ni Rozend. Itutuloy na namin ang pagpipita sa silid ko," saad ko. "And we'll go to the beach in the afternoon. We'll watch the sunset. He needs to finish a painting."

"Ate, tutulong ako sa pagpipinta ng silid mo, okay? Saka gusto ko ring pumunta sa beach pero hindi ngayon," Josh said.

Tumango ako sa kanya. "Next time, Josh."

"Ano'ng oras kayo uuwi?" tanong ni Mama.

"Baka abutin kami ng alas-otso hanggang alas-nuwebe?" hindi siguradong sagot ko. Nagsimula na akong kumain ng bacon at scrambled eggs.

"Okay. Kakausapin ko si Rozend," saad ni Mama.

"Bakit?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Kasi gagabihin kayo ng uwi. And you're a girl and he's a boy," paalala niya sa 'kin.

Namula ang mukha ko. "Ma! Magkaibigan lang kami!"

She chuckles. "I know. That's why I have to remind him."

"Nakakahiya," mahinang saad ko.

"Maiintindihan niya," she said. "Next time let's have a family outing."

Tumango na lang ako. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo. Siguro naman hindi seseryosohin ni Rozend ang mga sasabihin ni Mama. Siguro naman papaalalahanan lang niya si Rozend. Matapos kumain, tumulong ako sa paglilinis ng bahay hanggang sa dumating si Rozend at naligo na ako. And I'm sure my Mom is already talking to him now.

I combed my almost dry long straight silky hair while wearing an off-shoulder orange summer dress with a cycling underneath because I'm sure I'll be the driver today. I tied my hair in a bun. Inilagay ko rin sa isang backpack ang ilang mga damit at tuwalya kung sakali mang maisipan naming maligo sa dagat. I bring some sunscreen lotion, personal hygiene kit, shades and blankets. Inilagay ko rin ang camera sa bag ko. I bring my drawing pad in case an idea pops up in my head.

Nang bumaba ako, tinuturuan na ni Rozend si Josh sa paggigitara. Dumiretso ako sa kusina kung saan ihinahanda na ni Mama ang pagkaing dadalhin namin. "Sabi ni Rozend may lunch ng ipinadala si Rina sa kanya. I just prepared some snacks. Just grab dinner on your way home." Ibinigay niya sa 'kin ang isang lunchbox.

"Text me when you arrive there, sweetie," paalala niya sa 'kin.

"Sige po. Thanks, Ma! Alis na kami ni Rozend," paalam ko. I kissed her on her right cheek.

"Alright. Enjoy," nakangiting saad niya.

Nang lumabas ako sa kusina, tinawag ko na si Rozend. Agad siyang sumunod sa 'kin. We'll buy some spray paints first.

"I'll drive the car to the art supplies, Zen," he said. Nagkibit-balikat ako at iniabot sa kanya ang susi. Napansin ko ang medyo pamumula ng mukha niya at ng mga tainga niya. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko at nagtatanong na tumingin sa kanya.

"Problema? Bakit ka namumula?" tanong ko. Or is it just my imagination? He's tan after all.

"Well, I'm kind of guilty to let you drive in that dress," he honestly answered.

"Oh... It doesn't matter. Akala ko namumula ka dahil sa sinabi ni Mama," pang-aasar ko.

"Well that..." he said. Tumingala siya na parang iniisip kung ano'ng sasabihin. "I assured her that I won't do anything." He turns to me with a shy smile.

Mahina akong tumawa dahil sa itsura niya bago sumakay sa pick up. Rozend drives the pickup to the nearest art supplies store. Bumili kami ng mga art supplies habang ipinapaliwanag ko sa kanya ang mga dapat ipinta sa dingding ng silid ko. We also buy some glow-in-the-dark spray paints. We also buy two gallons of drinking water and some disposable cups.

Before we drive to the beach, we eat our lunch on the back of the pickup, sitting on a blanket while watching the wide field of corn and the birds flying in the clear blue sky and enjoying the shade of the mahogany trees. Nilanghap ko ang sariwang hangin. I feel so alive and free right now.

Natigilan ako nang sumandal sa balikat ko si Rozend habang nakapikit ang mga mata. "Let me sleep for a while," mahinang saad niya.

"Why? Puyat ka?" mahinang tanong ko.

"I'm a little tired," he said.

"Ah... sige," mahinang saad ko. Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang pumayag. Bahagyang bumigat ang ulo niya sa kaliwang balikat ko. I figured that he's already sleeping. I'm a little awkward but maybe he's just really tired so I tried my best to support his head. Minsan hinahawakan ko ang noo niya para hindi mahulog ang ulo niya mula sa balikat ko.

I smiled when I noticed that he's sleeping like a child. He looks innocent when he's sleeping. Unfortunately, I can't take a photo now.

We stayed on that position for almost an hour and my shoulder feels a little sore. He apologetically looks at me when he woke up. Mahina lang akong tumawa sa itsura niya at inayos na ang mga gamit namin sa likod ng pickup. Itiniklop ko na ang blanket at ipinasok sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Matulog ka muna sa biyahe," sabi ko. Iniabot ko sa kanya ang isang bagong blanket. "Gigisingin na lang kita kapag nasa beach na tayo."

Kinumutan niya ang sarili at isinandal niya ang ulo sa gilid ng bintana. "I'm sorry, Zen. I have to sleep."

"No worries," mahinang saad ko pero napansin kong nakatulog na siya. I'm a little amazed that he can sleep immediately just as he closed his eyes. He's cute when he's sleeping like a child.

I start the engine and drive to the beach. I play a light music in the car stereo. I pay the entrance fee on the beach and enter the parking lot area. Tulog pa rin si Rozend. Sobrang pagod ba talaga siya? Well, it's just an hour away so I'm not really sure if I should wake him up or let him sleep for a while. Pero mainit pa naman sa beach dahil alas-dos pa lang ng hapon.

But I suddenly thought of something. Kinuha ko ang camera ko at itinapat kay Rozend. I smiled when I manage to take a photo of him while sleeping.

Pinagmasdan ko siya. Although he's the sun, he's a mysterious one. There are hidden spots that I can't explore. I'm not really sure if I should cross the line and ask him directly. Kasi kung gusto naman niyang mag-open sa 'kin, alam ko namang sasabihin niya.

I set my alarm at 4:30 p.m. because I also think it's best to sleep for a while. Para hindi ako masyadong mapagod sa pagd-drive. I get myself a blanket and cover myself. Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa bintana at ipinikit ang mga mata upang matulog.

***