1 Now

It's 4:30 in the morning, and I'm already up for the big day. As soon as I open my eyes, I walk towards the window and look outside, and all I see is nothing, I can't tell the ocean from the sky at this time, but I can feel the soft wind blowing like a sweet kiss, that touches my face. The waves aren't here yet, but It's like I hear them calling me, like they have been waiting for this day, that I step foot on this place again. About hours later, I can see people coming, finishing the decorations for the wedding, checking up on the flowers, lights and all other stuff. Everyone is so busy fixing themselves and I too am so busy with my look. Of course I have to be at my handsomest, for I will walk her in the aisle, I can imagine how happy she would be at that moment they'll share their vows. Finally, her dream of marrying the man that she loves is coming true on this special place.

As soon as I finish taking a bath, dress up with a white v-neck shirt and a pair of brown short, I walk to the other room and find my dad and Tita Angela having some breakfast.

"good morning!" sabi ko in a happy mood.

" hey, good morning Calex, come join us, wait I'll get you a plate." Tumayo si tita to get a plate and I sit beside dad and see these foods on the table, na sobrang sarap and I can't wait to eat them all, na miss ko tong mga pagkain na ito, paksiw na shrimp for breakfast is my favorite thing and I think tita personally ordered this for me.

" sige, thanks tita, where is Eunice dad?" turns my head sideways to eye the presence of my not-so-little-anymore sister, but I can't see her here.

" ayon, pumunta sa tabing dagat, mag sa-sun bathing daw siya" dad put his poker face upon spitting the word sun bathing coz we all know that Eunice hates the sun, kasi she does not want to get tanned. I remember one day, we went to the beach, I was in the water most of the time when we were there, but si Eunice, well, as far as i can remember, mga around 5-10 minutes lang siya nka lublob sa dagat tapos umahon agad kasi daw sobrang init baka mangitim yung face niya and when she called me to eat something, dala dala niya ang kanyang pink polka-dot umbrella. And upon seeing her walked towards me with her umbrella on, i was like, "what the cow? umbrella? Really Eunice?". Yeah, that's my sister.

" ah ganun ba? That's a first." I say and i stretch my arm to get a piece of shrimp while dad is busy reading the newspaper.

"It has been a while calex, It's good to be back right?" dad says while folding up the newspaper.

"Yeah" I say chewing the shrimp.

"here you go." Tita angie comes back and hands me the plate.

" thanks tita, eh si Eunice po, tapos na bang kumain?"

" tapos na" she replies.

" eh bakit parang ang dami pang pagkain dito? "

" well, she had two slices of bread, fresh fruits and milk, at alam mo naman yang kapatid mo she's on a diet daw" says tita.

"diet? Eh ang payat payat na nga niya" I mouth.

"sinabi mo pa!" dad agrees.

Habang kumakain ako bigla akong napatigill ng naririnig ko na ang mga hampas ng alon, at ewan ko ba, hindi ko maintindihan bigla ko na lang nararamdaman ang saya at lungkot at the same time. napa tungaga tuloy ako habang hawak ang baso and then suddenly I hear Eunice shouting from the seashore.

" Dad! Daddy! Hali ka dito... I found baby turtles, bilis! " dad and I look outside the window and Eunice raises her hand holding the baby turtle para ipakita sa amin.

"kuya o tignan mo!" she raises it higher so that we can have a closer look at it. The baby turtle is wiggling its claws and it is so cute.

" wait, pupunta na ako dyan. Hon, can I have my sunglasses?" sigaw ni dad ky tita na so excited to go to the shore.

"andito ako sa cr, ikaw na lang kumuha nilagay ko sa may drawer."

" ah, di bale na lang." sabay pagkuha ni daddy sa tsinelas niya.

" Calex, ayaw mong sumama?"

" sige lang Dad, mauna ka na, hindi pa ako tapos kumakain eh." I say.

" sige, punta mo na ako duon, honey sumunod ka ha?" he taps my shoulder before siya tumakbo papunta kay Eunice

"sige hon, susunod ako" shouts tita angie.

Nakatingin lang ako kay daddy na sobrang excited pababa sa hagdan and then later on si tita sumunod na rin sa kanya. Sure they're having fun with the turtles and I see daddy is teasing tita Angie. They are a perfect family for me and I thank God for them, I realised na life is too short to waste on things that are foolish, and not appreciate the little things that somehow bring greater joy in our hearts.

Tapos na akong kumain and since wala naman akong magawa dito sa kwarto, I decided to get some fresh air malapit sa may mga malalaking bato. I sit on the rock under the shade of a talisay tree, and just enjoying the view. I look up in the sky and I see the sun is up and the sky is blue, warmth of sunlight touches the blue waters, I see the calmness and beauty of the ocean. I really wanted to go the shore but I think can't go there yet, because I'm afraid that from the moment the ripples and waves creep up into my feet, tears will be shed again for they remind me of the woman that I made vows right on this very same place. Yes, I was once married and up until now I'm still wearing my wedding ring. It was 5 years ago when I married her, but the memories of her is still so fresh and I wanted it to stay like this forever, I don't want to forget and I think I won't forget. So how did it happen? Whom did I marry? I will tell you everything.

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