AN OLD man went out from a small hut and approached them with a big smile and an old lady followed after.
"Maayong buntag, ma'am ug sir." Magandang umaga, ma'am at sir. Both of them greeted them and shook their hands.
"Maayong buntag pud." Magandang umaga din. Champ's jaw dropped when he heard his wife greet them in bisaya.
He mouthed her 'how?' but Jeva just winked at him and gave him a smile.
"Ali mo ma'am, sir. Sulod mo." - Halika po kayo ma'am, sir. Pasok po kayo. The old lady said as she gestured her hand pointing at the small hut.
The old man reaches his hand to get their baggage but Champ gently pulls them away.
"Ako na po, manong. Mabigat po kasi itong mga dala namin." - magalang na sabi niya sa matandang lalaki.
"Okay lang po, sir. Trabaho ko po yun." - nag-insist itong kunin ang kanilang gamit kaya naman hinayaan nalang sya ni Champ. "Tsaka tawagin mo nalang akong Manong Kabo." - bahagyang yumuko sa kanya ang matandang lalaki na nakangiti. Ngumiti din si Champ sa matandang lalaki.
"Tawagin nyo na rin akong, Manang Minda." - magiliw na saad ng matandang babae.
"Halika kayo, pasok." - sabi ni Manong Kabo. The couple couple's smile is very welcoming.
Nagtataka man ay sumunod sila sa dalawang matanda at pinaupo sila sa mag kabilang upuan na gawa sa kawayan na may mesa sa gitna na gawa rin sa kawayan.
"Pasensya na kayo at maliit lang itong bahay namin." - sabi ni Manang Minda.
"Walay problema, manang. Okay ra gyud kaayo." - Jeva assured the couple while Champ confusedly looked at her. Thinking why she was so expert in talking bisaya.
"Haayy, salamat kabalo ka magbisaya, langga. Dili ra kaayo mi maglisud." - pagpapasalamat na may halong pagbibiro na saad ni Mang Kabo kay Jeva dahil hindi na ito mahihirapan sa pakikipagkomunikasyon sa kanila.
Jeva laughed while Champ remained clueless about what they're talking about.
"Ing ana gyud na si sir, ma'am?" - Ganyan po ba talaga si sir, ma'am? Pabulong na tanong ni Manang Minda kay Jeva na dahilan para matawa siya.
"Pabay-e na siya manang. Maot man gud na siya maong gatabon-tabon sa iyang nawong." - Hayaan niyo po siya manang. Pangit kasi yan kaya nagtatakip ng mukha. Natatawang sabi ni Jeva bago tiningnan ang asawa na suot pa rin ang face mask nito pero nakababa na ang hood ng kanyang black jacket.
Champ glared at Jeva. "Are you talking about me?"
Manang Minda stilled because of his cold voice while Jeva smiled and just shrugged her shoulders.
Champ took off his mask. Namangha naman ang dalawang matanda. Hindi naman pala ito pangit gaya ng sinabi ng babae. Punong-puno ng paghanga ang tingin ng dalawang matanda sa lalaki na ikinasimangot ni Jeva.
Palagi talaga akong na-a-out-of-place basta kasama siya. Jeva sulked while Champ smirked when he saw his wife's reaction.
"Dili man diay maot, ma'am. Mura mag dili pinoy kay gwapo kaayo." Hindi naman po pala pangit, ma'am. Parang hindi pinoy sa sobrang gwapo. - comment ni Manong Kabo na parang nabakla ng makita ang mukha ng asawa niya.
Mas lalong napabusangot si Jeva sa komento ng matanda ay siya namang ikinangisi lalo ng lalaki. Hindi man niya masyadong naintindihan ang sinabi ng matanda pero alam niya pinupuri siya nito.
Jeva tssed. "Hindi naman po talaga siya Pilipino." - she rolled her eyes. "Tsaka, Jeva na lang po ang itawag niyo sa akin." - she changed the topic.
"You can call me Vlad." - sabad ni Champ. Jeva rolled her eyes on him. Natawa naman ang lalaki sa asawa dahil may pagkachildish talaga ang asawa niya.
Champ only wants Jeva to call him by his second name so is Jeva. It's as if their second name is for each other's use only.
"Sige po, ma'am Jeva." - tumingin si Manong Kabo sa babae. "... sir Vlad." Sabay lipat ng tingin kay Champ.
"Sir Vlad, pamilyar po yung mukha niyo. Parang nakita ko na po kayo sa kung saan pero hindi ko lang maalala." - Manong Kabo said which makes Champ stilled and alarmed.
"Hay naku manong, marami talagang kamukha ang asawa ko. Common kasi ang mukha nyan." - biro ni Jeva sa matanda but she's also pissing Champ who's now glaring at her.
He can't accept the word that she said. He is sure and confident that his face is unique but at the same time, he was also relieved when the old man nodded and seemed to believe Jeva's words.
"Sa lahat ng palusot yun talaga?" - he whispered to Jeva.
"Magpasalamat ka na lang tsaka, totoo naman." - Jeva whispered to him which makes Champ pulled a face.
"Anyways," - she returned her gaze to the old man. "...cut the ma'am, Manong." - nakangiting sabi ni Jeva at iniba ang topic. Hindi kasi siya sanay na tinatawag na ma'am.
Champ nods. "Yeah, we should cut the formality. Wag niyo na rin po akong tawaging sir. Afterall, we're not your bosses." - he said politely.
Speaking of bosses, Jeva remembered scolding the owner/s of the resort because they weren't able to fix the road. For sure, they're rich. Afterall, the Kims will not let them go to places that are cheap. Kims like luxury things.
"Boss man po o hindi, nasanay na po kaming tumawag ng sir tsaka ma'am sa ibang tao. Isa pa po, kami po yung caretaker ng resort. Marami po kami nakakasalamuhang mga turista." - paliwanag ni Manong Kabo.
"Caretaker? Bakit po? Nasaan po ba yung may ari ng resort?" - tanong ni Jeva. "How irresponsible. Kaya pala hindi napapaayos ang daan papunta dito." - she groaned.
Natatawa na lang si Champ sa kanya. Dahil siya itong sumasakit ang likod dahil ang baba ng bubong ng tricycle tapos itong babae pa ang siyang malakas na magreklamo. Ang liit liit naman niya.
Bigla namang pumasok si Manang Minda mula sa kusina kumuha pala ito ng makakain kaya biglang nawala. Natatawa naman ito habang nakahawak ang dalawang kamay sa tray na may lamang pagkain.
Nagtataka naman si Jeva dahil pati si Manong Kabo ay nagpipigil rin ng tawa.
"Why? What's funny?" - naguguluhan niyang tanong habang si Champ naman ay halos mawalan na ng hininga dahil sa kakatawa.
Hinampas niya ang balikat ni Champ. "Tumigil ka dyan!" - she said while gritting her teeth. "Ano baaaa! Tumigil ka nga!" - pinaghahampas niya si Champ dahil ayaw talaga nitong tumigil.
"Kayong dalawa ng may ari ang papagalitan ko at itatali ko sa bangka! Nakakainis ka!"
"Pfft..." - Champ covers his mouth with both hands.
Napakamot naman po si Manang Minda. "Ah, eh. Ma'm, paano niyo po matatali ang sarili niyo?"
"Ha? Bakit ko naman itatali ang sarili ko? Tanga ba ako?" - napakamot lalo si Manang Minda sa kanyang ulo pati rin si Manong Kabo.
"Kamot po kayo ng kamot sa ulo, may kuto po ba kayo?" - inosenteng tanong sa dalawang matanda na para namang nahiya sa ikinilos nila.
Jeva looked at her husband who's face was already red. He is biting his lips suppressing himself to laugh harder.
"Problema mo?" - she raised her brow at him.
Natatawang itinuro niya ang babae. "You're so dense."
"Wow! Really, ha?"- she mocked at him. "Bakit naman ako dense?" - mataray na tanong sa lalaki.
"Kasi po ma'am, kayo po ang may ari ng Jecha Island Resort." - mahinang sambit ni Manang Minda.
"Eh, sa atin naman pala yung resort. Bakit hindi natin pinaayos yung daan? Bakit hindi mo pinaayos?" - hinampas niya ang balikat ni Champ. "Marami ka namang pera! Pinahirapan mo pa tayo. Eh, kung itali ko na lang kaya ta---" her eyes grew wider and stopped while her hand covered her mouth when she realized what she was talking.
Nakangiwing tumingin sa kanya si Champ habang hinihimas ang braso na pinaghahampas ng asawa.
"You..." duro ni Jeva kay Champ.
"What?" - he hissed.
"Why d-didn't you tell me? H-how?" - she was really puzzled because of the information she got. "May pa 'we're not your bosses' ka pang nalalaman kanina. Tapos alam mo naman pala." - she scowled after she mimicked what Champ said a while ago.
She was tricked. Gusto niyang umiyak because she was so clueless. Tingin niya pinaglalaruan lang sya ng asawa niya.
"Don't cry..." - Champ shushed her. "I just wanted to surprise you. I'll explain when we'll get there."
Jeva was shocked again. "Hindi pa ba dito yun?"
Champ shook his head. "It was an island resort. Sasakay pa tayo ng pump boat papunta roon."
"Eh, ano pang ginagawa natin dito? Arat na!" - she immediately stood up and grabbed Champ's arm.
Champ held her hand and make her sit again. "Let's eat first. Sayang naman itong inihanda ni Manang Minda."
With that, they start eating together with the old couple. Noong una ay ayaw pa nitong sumabay sa kanila pero they insisted kaya walang magawa ang dalawa.
"Masarap po yung luto niyo, Manang." - Champ complimented old lady who gave him a sweet smile after thanking him.
"Pwede niyo po bang turuan ang asawa ko para hindi niya po kami malason?" - he joked, natawa naman ang dalawang matanda habang si Jeva ay pinapatay na siya gamit ang mga tingin nito.
"Wow! Hiyang-hiya. Kala mo naman marunong magluto. Gusto mo ba hindi kita lulutuan ng pasta?" - she threatened him.
"Uyyy. Walang ganyanan. Joke lang po yun, manang. Masarap naman pong magluto ang asawa ko." - he cringed with his last sentence.
Jeva gave him an 'ako-pa-ba-look'. Champ tsked. Why is she so dense? Naalog ba utak niya kasabay ng pag-alog-alog ng tricycle kanina? Napailing na lang si Champ dahil sa asawa.
MATAPOS NILANG kumain ay marami pa silang pinag usapan. Jeva and Champ were enjoying the old couple's company. Hindi na nila malayan ang oras. It's already noon. At dumating sila sa lugar ng 8:00 am.
Ilang minuto lang matapos tulungan ni Jeva na maghugas ng plato si manang Minda ay inihatid sila ni Manong Kabo sa isla gamit ang pump boat.
Ayaw pa sana ni Manang Minda na patulungin siya dahil nakakahiya naman na ang babaeng boss niya ay tinulungan siyang maghugas ng plato but, Jeva insisted.
Her attitude gives warmth to the old lady's heart. Such a good lady. Manang Minda and Manong Kanor also wanted to have a daughter pero hindi sila pinagpala.
While on their way to the island, Jeva is enjoying herself with the sea breeze while her hands are playing with the water.
"Jeva, stop that. You might fall." - sabi ni Champ na parang tuko dahil mahigpit itong nakahawak sa poste ng pump boat kung saan karugtong ang atip nito para hindi mainitan ang mga pasahero.
"Ikaw yung kumapit ng maigi dyan. Baka mahulog ka." - she teased him. She never thought that someone like Champ is afraid of riding a pump boat.
Champ tssed while rolling his eyes at mas lalong humigpitan ang pagkapit sa poste.
"Takot na takot ka nga dyan, umaattitude ka pa." - she teased him more but Champ chose not to hear.
AFTER twenty minutes ride, they reached the island. Jeva and Champ went down.
It feels refreshing when the water touches their feet so with the breeze touches their skin.
Jeva closed her eyes and hummed as she felt the vibes.
"Ma'am, Sir, hanggang dito lang po ako." - sabi ni Mang Kabo kaya naman agad napadilat si Jeva at tumingin sa matanda. Naibaba na pala nito ang kanilang mga gamit.
"Pero manong, sino po ang makakasama namin dito?" - curious na tanong ni Jeva. I hope, wala. She silently prayed. She wanted to take this opportunity to make her husband fall in love with her.
"Wala po, ma'am." - sagot ni Manong Kabo.
Yes! Nagdiriwang ang loob-loob niya nang may isang panira na naghihysterical at nagtatanong ng kung ano-ano sa matanda.
"What?! Bakit kami lang?! Wala bang multo dito or something? Wala pang nakakatakot na---" hinampas ni Jeva ang braso ng lalaki.
"Ano ba?! Nakakarami ka na ha?!"
"Sinisigawan mo ako?!"
"No!!"
"Anong no?! Sumisigaw ka nga dyan eh!"
"Sumisigaw ka rin kasi!"
"Ambobo mo!"
"Ang talino mo, doc." - he mocked at her.
"Naman." - proud na sagot ni Jeva while Champ rolled his eyes.
"Pero, seryoso manong wala bang---"
"Shut up, sweetheart. Napakamatatakutin mo naman. Kung may mangyari man. Yun ay ang may mangyayari sa 'tin." - agad namang tinakpan ni Champ ang bibig ni Jeva dahil umaandar na naman ang pagkabalahura ng bibig nito.
Jeva held his wrist and pushed it away. "Totoo naman ah? Ano ba sa tingin mo ang gagawin natin dito? Magja-jack 'n poy? Tsaka mag asawa naman tayo bakit ka ba nahihiya?"
Napatanga naman si Champ sa mga pinagsasabi nito habang si Manong Kabo naman ay naiiling habang natatawa sa kanilang dalawa.
"Kung may kailangan po kayo sir. May telepono po sa loob ng bahay. Tawagan niyo nalang po kami. Saka, ayaw po namin kayong isturbohin mukhang maha-honeymoon po kayo ni ma'am."
Jeva smiled inwardly. "Tama ka po manong. Honeymoon po namin ngayon." - she pouts and then, looked at Champ. "Buti pa itong si manong marunong makiramdam. Ikaw dyan, manhid! Hmp!!" - tinalikuran niya ang dalawa at naunang naglakad papunta sa isang beach house.
"DALHIN MO YANG MGA GAMIT NATIN!" - she shouted without looking back.
"Hindi po ba buntis si ma'am, sir? Kaya po siya ganun?" - biglang nabilaukan naman si Champ dahil sa sinabi ng matanda.
"Ay, sorry po sir. Sobrang personal po ata ng tanong ko." - agad namang umiling si Champ.
"Okay lang po, manong." - he politely said.
"Tulungan ko na po kayong ipasok ang mga gamit niyo." - Manong Kabo offered.
"Okay na po ako manong. Kaya ko na po. Mauna na po kayo. Sobrang tirik na po ng araw." - he said.
"Pero--"
"Sige na, manong. I am a still young man malakas ang mga buto ko. Kayang-kaya ko na po ito." - he assured the old man. Nakakahiya rin kasing pagbuhatin pa niya ito.
When Champ reaches the house. He roamed his eyes around. The house really has a beachy vibe. A mixture of wood and cement and it has woody and cream colors. Masarap sa mata. Sobrang refreshing.
He was confused when no one was around.
Where that hell did she go? He sighed. Pinaglihi ata sa kabute ang asawa niya. Bigla-biglang nawawala tapos bigla-bigla ring susulpot gaya ngayon.
"Hoy panget na talong!"- she called him as she entered from the back door. Here we go again with talong thing. Napailing na lang si Champ.
"What is it, duckling?" - ganti niya.
"So, we're back to duckling ha?" - she raised her brow at him.
"You called me talong first."
Jeva tsked. "Anyways, I took a little walk around. And, I found something but before that I have something to ask."
Champ nods. "Go on."
"Do you have a chopper?" - the latter's brow creased because of her question.
"Yeah."
"Ang tanga mo naman. May nakita akong helipad dun!" - she pointed pointing finger outside the house. "Hindi na nasa tayo bumiyahe na parang nakasakay sa roller coaster!" - she let out a frustrated breath.
"Ikaw ang may sabi na sumakay tayo ng tricycle tapos nakita ko naman na masaya ka habang nasa bahay." - he scratch his nape.
"Masaya?! Oo, masaya ako noong una pero sa huli nasaktan na ako." - she faked a sob. "Look," hinawakan niya ang kanyang ulo. "..may bukol."
Agad namang lumapit sa kanya si Champ at chineck ang kanyang ulo. May bukol nga ito.
Shit! "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na may helipad dito." - Champ is blaming himself now because of being so unreliable. "Kanina ko lang din nalaman, before we headed to the airport, I called grandma and she said it was supposed to be a surprise. At tsaka kung chopper ang gagamitin naman natin edi, maliligaw tayo dahil pareho tayong walang alam kung saan ito."
Something knocks on Jeva's head, what she said was overboard.
"I'm sorry." - he said with his head down.
Jeva examined her husband's face. He was feeling distress, like he regrets something.
"I'm sorry too. Akala ko kasi matagal mo ng alam." - Jeva said and she regrets calling her husband tanga.
Champ gave her a faint smile. "It's okay, sweetheart." - actually, it wasn't really okay for him. Nagagalit siya sa sarili niya dahil sa pagiging unreliable niya kaya nabukol ang asawa niya.
"Sorry, nabukol ka pa tuloy."
Natawa si Jeva sa asawa niya. "Haha. Para kang ewan. Hindi naman ikaw ang nagbigay ng bukol sa 'kin."
"Kahit na."
"It's fine." - she assured him and looked around and a pick box captured her eyes.
"Ano to?" - she came near it and opened the box. She blushed when she saw what's inside.
Lumapit sa kanya si Champ. "Ano yan?" - tanong nito bago sinilip kung ano ang laman. Agad namang nanuyo ang kanyang lalamunan sa nakita.
It is a red lacy lingerie with a red silk robe.
"Ang daya naman ni grandma. Bakit ikaw lang meron?" - Champ tries to lighten up the environment bigla kasi itong uminit.
"Ha? Bakit? Gusto mo rin pa ng lingerie? Gusto mo sayo nalang?" - inosenteng saad ni Jeva.
"What the hell?! Are you serious? The heck!" - agad na nitong iniwan si Jeva at pumasok sa kwarto dala-dala ang kanilang mga bagahe.
She pouted and scratch her head. "Akala ko ba gusto niya rin ng lingerie. Bat nagalit yun?"
Sa lahat ata ng may pinakamaruming bibig si Jeva ang pinakadense.
Jeva immediately followed her husband bringing the box with her. "Kung gusto niya. Sa kanya na lang to. May lingerie naman akong dala." - she grinned. She's really planning on seducing her husband. Seduce lang talaga, walang totnakan.
The beach house has only one room. Parang ginawa lang talaga para sa kanila. There are other huts outside. Siguro doon nila pinapatuloy ang mga turista.
When she entered the room, she saw Champ sleeping on the bed.
She sat on the side of the bed after putting the box on the vanity table she looked intently on his face. She secretly smiled. How lucky she is that she's able to see him like this.
She lay down on the bed when Champ placed his head on her chest while his arm was wrapped on her waist. She smiled, again. She never thought that a primetime drama king would be this clingy.
She sighed. Did he also do this to other girls? Naiinis siya kapag naiisip yun. She wanted her husband to hug her, only her. No other women. But with his career, that is very impossible.
Nalungkot ulit si Jeva, aside from her family and friends, Champ is still a single man in the eyes of other people.
She sighs as she brushes her hands on his hair. Without knowing that Champ is still awake and happens to hear her sighed.
What is her problem? Was it Shylane again? Or was it me? He asked himself. At mas lalong hinigpitang ang pagkakayakap sa bewang ng babae.
He smiled when he heard her sing while she brushed her fingers on his hair. And thought that the song is for him.
I will always love you
I will always stay true
There's no one who love
You like I do
"I love you." - she said right after she finished singing the song before closing her eyes to sleep.