Crossroads – Chapter 11

Chapter 11
‘Stranded’

Maya and Richard returned to the house more than an hour before the agreed pick-up time with Captain Ventura and Captain Corpuz. They walked through the garden with Maya’s arms around Richard’s waist.

“I feel energized, my love, after that lovely nap. I slept like a baby, in your arms.” Maya said, smiling at Richard. “Thank you. Now, I understand why you like that spot of all the places in this beautiful island.”

“We can always go back here and stay longer, especially there.” Richard hugged Maya and kissed her forehead. “It was also very nice to sleep, with you in my arms, Honeybun.”

The two of them, shared giddy smiles, just very happy the way their ‘first date’ turned out.

“Sayang, hindi tayo nakapag-swimming at nakapag-snorkel. Feeling ko, magaganda ang coral reefs sa lugar na ito, kasi, malapit lang din dito ang Apo Reef.” Maya remarked. She loves swimming and snorkeling. She also would like to take a scuba-diving course.

“Sabagay, wala rin naman pala akong dalang swimsuit and snorkeling gear dahil sa sobrang surprise mo sa akin, Babe. But I like your surprise very much kahit wala akong nabitbit, maliban sa sarili ko.” Maya smiled. “Talagang dinidibdib mo ang panliligaw sa akin, ha.”

“Siyempre naman, Honeybun.” Richard said. “Baka mabawi pa ang matamis mong oo. Kaya nga, heto handa kong akyatin ang pitong bundok para sa iyo. Tawirin ang lahat ng ilog at sungkitin ang mga bituin para sa iyo.”

“Ha, ha, ha, Mr. Lim. Hinahanap na nung hiniraman mo ng lines ang mga linya niya. Sabi niya kasi, itinapon na raw niya ang mga iyan sa sobrang corny, pinulot mo pa!” Maya laughed and teased Richard. “I never thought you had that in you, Babe. Makata ka pala, with a slight American twang.”

“Effective ba? Kung hindi, maghahanap pa ako ng ibang lines online, courtesy ni Mr. Google.” Richard grinned. “Kailangan kasi sure na sure ako na wala ka nang kawala Ms. Dela Rosa.”

“Babe, huwag kang mag-aalala, hindi ako tatakas. Wala rin naman akong balak tumakbo, pero kailangan kong makita na magsibak ka ng kahoy at mag-igib ng tubig.” Maya teased Richard.

“Ha, kailangan pa ba iyon, Honeybun? Electric at gas na ang lahat ng gamit ngayon sa kitchen. Tapos, you know may faucet na rin. Kung wala namang tubig sa gripo, we can just buy mineral water sa supermarket o magparasyon.” Richard said, pretending to be serious, in deep thoughts, and analyzing Maya’s challenge to him . “But for you, I will do it. Sabihin mo lang kung nasaan ang palakol at pang-igib. Para sa pagsuyo ko sa iyo, gagawin ko ang lahat.”

Maya laughed. “Ikaw talaga, Babe. Hindi ka nauubusan ng supply ng pang-counter sa akin. Halika na nga, let’s go and freshen up bago dumating ang sundo natin.”

They continued walking along the path, hand in hand, laughing and teasing each other outrageously.

“Sir Richard, Sir Richard! Mawalang-galang na po. Kanina pa po tumutunog itong cellphone na naiwan niyo sa veranda. Katutunog lang po ulit, kaya nagdesisyon na akong hanapin na kayo.” A middle-aged guy, rushed towards them from the direction of the house, when they rounded a corner, holding Richard’s cellphone.

“Ganoon po ba, Manong Benito. Salamat po. Tatawagan ko na lang po iyong tumatawag. Maya, this is Manong Benito.” Richard introduced the caretaker to Maya. “Manong Benito, si Maya po, nobya ko.”

“Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala, Ma’am Maya.”  Manong Benito offered Maya a shy, friendly smile.

“Ganoon din po ako, Manong Benito.” Maya liked the caretaker. “Maraming salamat po pala sa inihanda niyong lunch sa amin ni Richard. Ang sarap po, lalo na ang mga seafood. Fresh na fresh.”

“Wala pong anuman, Ma’am Maya. Basta para kay Sir Richard. Pagkalaki-laki po ng utang na loob ng pamilya namin sa kanya.” Manong Benito said.

“Naku, wala po iyon Manong. Basta para sa inyo ni Manang at sa mga anak niyo.” Richard simply said.

“Sir, nang dahil po sa inyo, nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang dalawa naming anak at maganda na ang kanilang mga buhay. Para po sa aming mga magulang dito sa probinsya, iyon lang po ang matinding hangarin namin sa buhay, ang maisaayos ang mga anak namin.”

Richard smiled at Manong Benito. “Mabubuti po kayong tao ni Manang Linda at saka matatalino ang mga anak nito. Okay na po iyon sa akin. Para ko na rin kayong pamilya rito.”

The caretaker smiled at his boss. “Salamat po ulit, Sir at di pa rin po ako magsasawang sabihin iyan. Sige po, mauuna na ako at kailangan ko lang i-check iyong generator natin dito sa isla.”

Maya looked at Richard with so much love. “My generous, humble, and kindhearted, Babe.” Then she kissed him lightly on the lips.

Richard smiled at Maya, caressed her lower lip. “I just gave back a bit, Honeybun. They are good people. Masikap, masinop sa buhay, very trustworthy at saka sobrang loyal sa family namin. Enough na nga, I’m getting embarassed na. Teka tawagan ko lang si Captain Ventura, siya pala ang tumatawag and 10 na ang missed calls niya.”

“Yes, Captain Ventura?” Richard said, when the pilot picked up his call.

“Sir Richard, I just want you to know that Captain Corpuz and I might be delayed in picking you and Ms. Maya. We are still in Manila. Hindi kami makalipad kasi kanina pa masama ang panahon dito. It’s been raining the whole afternoon.” The pilot told Richard.

“Oh, ganoon ba.” Richard said. “No worries. Maya and I are okay here. Maganda naman ang weather dito. Make sure lang na it is safe na for you to fly when you leave Manila. Kung hindi talaga kaya, and medyo alanganin ka, don’t. We can manage here. Keep me updated, please.”

“Yes, Sir Richard. I will.” Captain Ventura assured Richard. “Hopefully, in the next hour, it will be okay na ang weather kasi ang tagal na rin namang umuulan.”

Richard said goodbye to the pilot.

“My love, we can’t leave yet. Hindi kasi makalipad sina Captain Ventura from Manila. Sobrang maulan daw doon.” He told Maya.

“Oh! Mabuti rito maganda ang panahon! Good thing na rin they delayed na lang the pick-up kasi mas importante na safe silang lumipad.”

“Now, we have some time to swim and snorkel a bit.” Richard said.

“Naku, paano? Wala naman tayong dalang damit and gear.” Maya asked.

“Hmmm, actually, part iyan talaga ng surprise ko for you today. Remember the suitcase that Captain Corpuz handed to me? Swimming clothes and a change of clothes for you and me ang laman noon. Plus snorkeling gears.” Richard said.

“I forgot about it earlier. Saka, when I remembered, we were in the hammock na, and mas gusto ko naman iyon kaysa mag-snorkel. I preferred you in my arms.” He said, smiling.

Maya smiled sweetly at Richard. “Pero grabeng planning talaga ang ginawa mo rito sa most memorable ‘first date’ natin, Babe ha. Thank you and I love you.” Maya said, feeling very happy and touched at Richard’s gesture.

“Let’s go, have a swim na, kahit one hour lang.” Richard put his hand on Maya’s back, propelling her inside the house. ‘If ever naman, makikita natin kung parating na sina Captain Ventura.”

When they entered the house, a middle-aged woman greeted them. “Magandang hapon po, Sir Richard, Ma’am.”

“Hello po, Manang Linda. Magandang hapon din po.” Richard smiled at Manang Linda. “Maya, ito si Manang Linda, asawa niya si Manong Benito, para ko na silang mga magulang dito kasi dito ako parating pumupunta dati kapag gusto kong mag-unwind o to let out steam. Mga 20 years na namin silang caretaker dito sa isla. Tama, Manang, di ba?”

“Opo, Sir Richard.” Then she smiled at Maya. “Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala Ma’am Maya. Ngayon nga lang po pumunta si Sir Richard dito ng may kasamang nobya.” Manang unintentionally revealed, and Maya’s heart skipped a beat. “Sige po, maiwan ko muna kayo at nang maipaghanda ko kayo ng merienda.”

Manang Linda excused herself and went to the kitchen. She is glad that her Sir Richard finally brought a girlfriend here. First time, talaga. Private talaga kasi para sa Sir niya ang lugar na ito. Mukhang mabait pa at ang ganda ng nobya ng Sir, Manang thought. Parang in love na in love nga ito. Masaya siya para rito.

“What she said is true, Maya. I haven’t brought anyone here, except you.” He admitted, gazing at Maya lovingly. “Para ko kasi itong sanctuary and I promised myself that I will only bring here the woman I love very much, the most precious person in my life.”

“Oh, Babe! Grabe ka nang magpakilig ha.” Maya touched Richard’s arm and caressed it. “Sobra, sobra, sobrang memorable na talaga ng araw na ito.”

“Like I have said, earlier. Anything for you, Honeybun.” Richard kissed the tip of Maya’s nose. “Halika na nga. Nandoon sa sala iyong suitcase kanina.”

The suitcase was no longer in the living room, so Richard and Maya went to the bedroom that Richard usually uses when he stays here. It was on the side of the bed. Richard opened it and handed Maya a shopping bag.

“I hope that is okay. I just asked my secretary Liza to get that for you. I just described you to her.” Richard said.

“Hmmm, and how did you describe me to your secretary, Babe.” Maya teased.

“Well, I told her you are very beautiful. Mas maganda ka pa kaysa kay Megan Young. Then I told her, for size, that you are on the sexy side, tall and slim.” Richard said, smiling, remembering hearing his secretary sighed after he was finished describing Maya. She remarked that he must be in love. Richard laughed and said yes. Liza is also a friend, so he didn’t mind her commenting on his personal life.

“O bakit ka napapangiti, Babe.” Maya asked, as she started opening the shopping bag.”Saka salamat sa description ha. Todo-build pala ako. Hindi naman ako mas maganda kay Megan Young, kasing ganda lang.” Maya joked.

“Silly!” Richard laughed. “Mas maganda ka kaya. No arguments there. Saka for a man in love, siyempre wala naman talagang mas gaganda pa sa kanya kundi ang minamahal niya. My secretary also remarked about me being so in love with you. She said she sensed it by the way I described you. Napangiti ako kasi naalala ko ang remark ni Liza when I asked her to buy you the swimsuit.”

“Babe, awwwww, talagang unlimited supply na iyang pampakilig na iyan. Sabi nga ni Cris, colonies of ants na ang nasa paligid. Thank you.”

Maya smiled at Ricky and looked at the swimsuit she got out of the bag. Richard on the other hand, took out another shopping bag from the suitcase.

“Ekkkk, Babe.” She shrieked. “I don’t think I can wear this!!!”

Richard looked up, in time to see Maya waving a skimpy two-piece swimsuit at him. Richard smiled at her reaction and Liza’s mischievousness. “Patingin nga. Come here.”

Maya gave him the little pieces of clothing. Parang retaso lang ang dating sa liliit!

“Yes, it is on the skimpy side. But I think you can wear it naman. Tayong dalawa lang naman ang nandito, saka sina Manong at Manang. I don’t think they will check on us or look. Promise, I will not stare….” He smiled and teased her, “much!”….

“Ricky!!!!” Maya protested, then smiled, realizing she is making a bit of a fuss. Confidence lang ang kailangan diyan, Maya Dela Rosa, she told herself, kaya mo iyang suutin. “Sus, halika na nga. Kasi naman sobra yata ang description mo sa secretary mo. Baka ang description mo sa akin, pang-cover ng FHM.” Maya teased.

“Honeybun, I will not do that. Cross my heart, cub scout at boy scout ako noong maliit at gentleman naman ng lumaki na.” Richard said, smiling.

They both laughed, finding humor in the situation.

Maya changed into the swimsuit. It fitted her perfectly. In fairness to Richard’s secretary, she chose well, in terms of size and comfort. Iyon nga lang, skimpier ang suit and very revealing than what she normally wear na medyo on the conservative and sporty side.

When she finished checking what she was wearing,  Maya went out of the room that Richard earlier brought her, when she asked where she could change. She went looking for him. He was not in his room so she went down.

Maya found him on the lower veranda, gazing at the sea, holding their snorkeling gears, waiting for her. She gulped when she noticed what he was wearing. The swim shorts was not that revealing but it hugged his lower body perfectly.

“Wow”, was all she managed to say to herself. Not only her boyfriend is very handsome, he is very well-built, and has a body to die for. She felt like swooning. Daig pa ng Babe niya ang mga actor at model na rumarampa sa mga underwear show!

Richard heard Maya made a sound. He turned, with a smile on his face that got frozen when he saw her standing by the door leading to the veranda. His breath got caught in his throat.

Richard gaped and was speechless for several seconds. His girlfriend is so beautiful and very sexy. Those long legs and curvaceous body! It elicited a reaction in him, which he immediately tried to control. He does not want Maya to feel uncomfortable. Her near-transparent wrap, revealed, more than hid, her beautiful shape.

“Wow.” He uttered. Then told himself, Richard, you need all the control you can master to survive this swimming trip. “You are very beautiful and very sexy, Honeybun! I like Liza’s taste na pala.” He said, teasing Maya a bit.

Maya blushed. “Babe, don’t look at me like that. Nako-conscious ako.”

“Honeybun, I can’t help it. You are so beautiful and very sexy talaga.” He replied. “But I promised to be a gentleman so I will stop. Let’s go.”

Richard held Maya’s hand as they walk towards the water. They went a bit farther than the house. Richard told Maya that it is the best place to snorkel, and he was right. They swam side by side and marveled at the beauty they saw underwater.

When they got tired, they just swam near the shore. Despite Richard’s promise to have more control, he was not able to resist kissing Maya passionately, when they were emerging from the water. She also kissed him back.

“Honeybun, I think we need to stop. I’m having difficulty controlling myself.” Richard said, his voice thick with desire.

Maya was also having difficulty controlling her body’s response to Richard’s kiss and touch. “Me too. Let’s go take a quick dip again, and go back to the house to shower and change. Baka dumating na rin ang sundo natin.”

They swam playfully for several minutes, dunking each other, then hugging and kissing a bit when they can’t help, but give in, to the intense emotions they were feeling.

Maya and Richard were smiling at each other, as they walked back to the house , marked by short stops to share, quick, sweet kisses along the way, just very happy the way their day turned out, even with the delay in their return to Manila.

“Babe, this is the best day talaga. I love you.” Maya said.

“I agree, my love.” Richard said, cupping Maya’s face. “I love you, too.”

They shared one more kiss before they went inside the house, fingers interlaced.

 

Note: Doube treat, abot pa, sa ‘third monthsary’ ng My Sunflower World. Thank you for the support and appreciation my co-adiks! 🙂 🙂 🙂