Winning Hurricane

XXXII - Titanium Dioxide

"Half. Let's do it half kung ayaw mong buo." He insisted. Napaikot ang mata ko bago umiling.

"No, everything's settled, Cane."

I just can't believe we're at the middle of the road, Cy being the driver, and hindi kami mag-kasundo ni Cane. Kanina ko pa ine-explain sa kanya na nabayaran na ng parents ko ang 80% ng gastos while sa ipon ko galing ang natitira. Tita Carol fixed everything we needed kagabi, hanggang Sunday lang kami ng umaga—as per Tita's advise since bitin daw if hanggang Satrurday lang, all we have to do now is to just peacefully board the plane.

He suggested na mag roadtrip na lamang kami which is mas mura, sobrang sumakit talaga ang ulo niya ng sabihin ko na sa Amanpulo kami pupunta. He's not prepare, I can't blame him tho. If malaman ko na gagastusan niya ako papunta sa Amanpulo hindi din ako sasama. I would even suggest to just stay in the condo, but I really wanted to go there and spend some private time with him. Literal na private. Walang friends na tatawag at mang-uudlot ng dates, just us in a private island.

"If you really want then bring me in Venice next time kapag kasal na tayo." I spurted out, unable to even process what I just said.

And he shut up.

All of us fell silent, nakita ko na naman yong maliit na ngiti niya na pigil na pigill lumawak. I rolled my eyes bago humarap sa labas. Ramdam ko ang init ng pisngi ko. I'm not even looking at Cy, pero damang dama ko na ang mapanukso niyang ngiti.

"Baka pagkatapos ng trip na'to, ninong na ako."

"Shut up."

They both chuckled, geez, mas lalo lang napaikot ang mata ko.

"You heard that dude, she proposed to me." he told Cy with pride.

"Magpapatahi na ako ng barong." Cy answered.

Cane turned to look at me, nasa passenger seat kasi siya. Hindi mawala wala ang lawak ng ngiti niya. "Iipon na ako para sa Venice natin."

That's how the whole ride goes. Hindi ko alam pano sila papatahimikin so hindi ko na lamang sila pinatulan at nag headset na lamang, I can still hear their laughs tho. When I glanced at Cane, he's happily vibing with Cy. And that made me smile.

It really didn't take us that long. Cane finally dropped the topic about hatian, nang makasakay kami ng private plane may ilan kaming kasabay na puro foreigner. When we finally arrived, sinalubong kami ng staff.

The air was totally hot.

But the excitement and joy surging inside me was untamable. I am finally here, one of my dream beach in the world. Si Dad lamang talaga ang nakakaalam non, I remembered when he promised me na dadalhin niya kami dito and since then ginusto ko na talaga marating ang Amanpulo. I always asked him when I was in elementary if tutuloy ba kami dito, college came and I gave it up. They were both so busy.. but I am finally here because of them.

"Tita Carol booked us one casita." I told him nang makasakay kami sa golf cart.

"You love it here," he stated. He fished out his camera and took a video of us. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his.

Hindi pa kami natagal dito but I already felt so relax.

"You really look so happy."

"I am, love." I answered.

**

When they said Amanpulo's one of the best, they are not exaggerating. I think, kulang ang word na best sa ganda—I don't even know if 'ganda' was the right term but the whole place was so breathtaking.