Chapter 2: I'm Sorry
The Stranger Guy was surprised when he saw Zee crying and attempting to hug him.
I was taken aback when she hugged me. I was not expecting this. "Did she... Did she really understood every word I have said a while ago? Or she was just trying to pretend to get this close to me?" ~curious~
Stranger Guy: Mmmmmm… Excuse me. ~removing Zee's arms around him~ Are you okay?
Zee: Yes. ~But she could feel her whole body in pain.~
Stranger Guy: Did you..... ~then someone knocks.~ Ah never mind.
The stranger guy opened the door to check who it was and saw the doctor. He welcomed him with a smile.
Doctor: Kamusta pakiramdam mo?
Zee: Masakit po buong katawan ko doc. ~sabay pasimpleng pahid ng luha~
Doctor: Other than that, may masakit pa ba sa iyo?
Zee: Meron doc yung puso ko. ~sabay tingin sa kanya na may mukhang asado~
Doctor: Oh, napatignan na ba yang puso mo? ~smiles~
Zee: Hindi pa nga po doc. Mukhang may iba pang ginagamot na puso. ~smiles~
Doctor: ~laughs~ sana puso mo naman ang gamutin niya sa susunod. ~smiles~ Maiba tayo iha, may masakit pa ba sa iyo maliban sa puso mo?
Zee: Wala naman na po doc. Ay meron pala! Gutom na ako. ~touches her tummy and smiled at the doctor. Then everyone in the room laughs.~
Doctor: Sige, I will be discharging you this afternoon. But if you feel any unusual symptoms you can always go back to our clinic.
Zee: Noted doc. ~smiled back~
Doctor: For pain you can drink OTC ibuprofen. ~smiles~
Zee: Yes po. ~smiles~
The doctor then turned to the stranger guy who was standing on the left side of the clinic bed.
Doctor: You have to look after your girlfriend. Women would always want their man to look after them. ~smile~
Stranger Guy: Uh.. uhm… Yes. ~smiles and nods at the doctor.~
Zee: ~looking at the stranger guy as he answers the doctor. Kinikilig!~ Thank you doc.
***Her POV; I was discharged from the hospital. My whole body was in pain, literally in pain. As I was changing my clothes I was thinking about what he said earlier. "Ang swerte ng babaeng yun. Kainis! Sana ako na lang" ~in Basha's voice and gestures from the movie One More Chance~ I hit my right elbow on the wall and shouted "Aray!"
Stranger Guy: Are you okay? ~ sounded worried~
Zee: Ah.. uhhh yes! ~Kahit na sakit na sakit buong katawan ko, para sayo okay lang ako.~
The stranger Guy and Zee got out of the clinic half past 5 in the afternoon. When he heard her stomach growling and she just smiled shyly. ~kahiya! OMG!~ The hotel was 3 blocks away from the community clinic so they started walking. The stranger guy then asked Zee a favor.
Stranger Guy: I have a favor to ask.
Zee: What?
Stranger Guy: Can you not tell anyone what happened today?
Zee: Sure. ~smiling and nodding!
Stranger Guy: Thank you. ~looks satisfied with her answer.~
Zee: If I may ask, how did you end up going here? I mean why did you choose this island? ~curious~
Stranger Guy: I just saw it on the internet. And it was highly recommended by travel vloggers. So I got curious and went here.
Zee: Oh really. Like without any knowledge about the city you just went here? ~Intrimitida look and tone~
Stranger Guy: Yes. I needed this to heal myself and relax.
Zee: Heal yourself? ~trying to look for physical wounds~
Stranger Guy: What are you doing?
Zee: Trying to find your wounds. ~pasimple din eh diba~
Stranger Guy: ~stopped walking and said~ I mean to heal myself emotionally.
Zee: Oh heal. You should try joining recollections. It satisfies and calms the soul and eventually heals your emotional distress.
Stranger Guy: ~pretending as if he didn't hear what she just said~ I'm here to heal myself.
Zee: Heal ka diyan parang kanina lang may pa-take me back take me back ka pa sa kausap mo. Kutusan kita diyan eh! Hmpft!
Stranger Guy: Are you saying something?
Zee: Yes. You made the right choice. ~plastic na smile~ Let's hurry coz I'm really hungry.
***His POV; My first day on this island was a disaster. First, her drowning incident earlier. Second, I still do not have clues as to where I should find her.Third, I was thinking that I might get stuck here for another day or even a week. I really don't know where I should start. She left me with no clue. As if she doesn't want to be found anymore. I was thankful that someone like her at least.... ~the stranger guy looked at Zee while walking as she walks slowly beside her and whispered~ "I'm relieved that you're safe." ~he sighs.~
It was past 6:00 o'clock in the evening when they arrived at the hotel.
Zee: Let's meet after an hour at the rooftop.
Stranger Guy: Nah. I'm passing. I'm not really hungry but thank you for inviting me. ~smiles~
Zee: Okay. Rest well. ~akala ko pwede pa humirit ng ilang oras na landi eh.~
***Her POV; I was at the rooftop eating my favourite chopsuey, lomi and beef with broccoli. My dinner will never be complete without my own version of iced coffee. Yung 3 in 1 lang naman yun na nilagyan ng yelo tapos ansaya mo na. I asked the manager if I could use their speakers and he said yes.
I played Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins. My first day on the island and a lot of things has already happened. Yung muntikan ko pang ikamatay. Mamaru ako eh.
While eating, the hotel staff and I decided to have a bucket of beer and of course videoke night it is. Saya diba! Bibirit ako mamaya! Pak!
The manager was singing Through the Fire while I talked to the Kuya Bong (the cook).
Me: Kuya, ilang years ka na cook dito sa hotel?
Kuya Bong: Mag-4 years na ako diri.
Me: May plano ka po bang mag-kadto sa Maynila?
Kuya Bong: Naku wala. Mas nami ang pangabuhi diri sa Romblon kaysa sa Maynila.
Me: Kung sabagay kuya tama ka diyan. Ang tahimik din kasi dito malayong malayo sa ingay sa Manila.
Receptionist/ Asst. Cook/ Tunay na Babae: Oo mam, tawhay ang pangabuhi diri. Barato ang baligya diri.
Me: ~nodding~
Manager/Tour Guide/Di Babae: Uy mam, kilala mo ba siya? ~pointing at the stranger guy on the right side of the patio making dutdot his phone.~
Me: Hindi. Sino ba yan?
Manager/Tour Guide/Di Babae: Di ko man kilala pero ang gwapo noh. Mukhang artista at ang kinis ng balat. Ang sarap!
Me: Gwapo nga kaso... ~natigilan~
Manager/Tour Guide/Di Babae: Kaso ano mam? ~waiting for my answer~
Me: Ah wala. Gwapo lang siya.
***His POV; I was already at the rooftop and internet signal is still not good. "No one warns me that internet is difficult in this island." ~deep sighs~ as I was busy trying to find a good spot for a good internet connection I can't help myself but to get curious about what they are doing. "Filipinos are really happy people." ~he smiled~ as I was watching them party, I saw her staring at me again trying to read my mind? And watch my every move.
***Her POV; We continued to drink and party until 1:00 AM and the stranger guy was still on the same spot for an hour not sure how long he has been standing there, holding his phone and trying to find the perfect spot to connect to his mobile internet.
Me: Internet connection in this island is slow. Better be patient our dear "Boy Sawi." ~smile teasingly~
Aguy! He looks really worried. Does he badly need an internet connection to talk to someone? Then I entered my favourite videoke song "Sumayaw Sumunod." While singing and dancing I invited the stranger guy to join us through hand gesture and he immediately raised his right hand trying to say NO! However, I don't take no for an answer so I walked towards him and smiled and took his mobile and hold his hand trying to drag him to join us.
Me: Come on man! Just one bottle okay.
Stranger Guy: Stop! Give it back! ~in his annoying voice~
Me: No! Just once. Okay?
Stranger Guy: I said NO!!!! ~took his mobil back~
Me: Fine! Edi wag mo! Bahala ka diyan! ~I was a little irritated so I told him~ you told me you're here to heal yourself. But why do you look so miserable? ~then I turned my back on him and continued partying with the staff.~
***His POV; "Why is she so pushy?" She's annoying. There's really no hope that I can get a better internet connection tonight. Then I caugt myself staring at them. "Should I join them?" ~hesitating~
The stranger guy decided to just give up on what he is doing and tried to join the staff and Zee as they party.
***His POV; I sat beside the cook and he immediately gave me a bottle of beer which I took and drank. They were all hospitable and funny. Talking to them was never difficult.
The staff are getting drunk and leaving Zee and the stranger guy the rooftop.
***Her POV; And there was a saying "malakas ang loob kapag nakainom." Out of the blue I asked him,
Me: Do you love her?
Stranger Guy: Sorry, what?
Me: Do you love her?
Stranger Guy: Yes!
Me: Then how much do you love her?
Stranger Guy: I love her so much ~looking at me as if trying to convince me to believe him~
Me: If you love her then why can't you respect her decision when she broke up with you?
Stranger Guy: ~annoyed~ because I need her. I want her. I love her.
Me: ~laughs~ any guy can say that.
Stranger Guy: But not all men mean it!
Me: Then can you give up everything because of love?
Stranger Guy: Yes!
Me: Are you sure?
Stranger Guy: Yesssssss! What answer do you really want from me?
Me: ~smiling~ you know one thing I learned from my past relationship was that, people can't always have things they love and want both at the same time. If you say you're ready to give up everything.... You must have really loved her. But I am wondering, if you love her that much then why are you here in this faraway island in the Philippines and drinking beer with me?
Stranger Guy: ..................... ~look away instantly~
Me: I don't think you're ready to give up everything. You love her yes and I don't question that but to be able for that someone to love you back, he or she must see that you love yourself too. Do you love yourself? (Super mean ko when I said it to him.)
And then there was silence. The stranger guy really looked offended of what Zee said. Zee stood up from her seat.
Zee: I'm taking my leave first.
The stranger guy did not move even a bit.
***His POV; "of course I love myself. That is why I am capable of loving someone." ~angry and irritated~ "how could I not love myself? That woman is really annoying." ~sigh~
The stranger guy left madly left the rooftop a few minutes after Zee. His eyebrows met and he's biting his lips. He saw Zee was about to enter her room as he passed by her.
***Her POV; I was opening my door when I heard heavy footsteps. I know it was his and I don't know if I can look straight to him. I know I offended him with my words but I was just trying to make him realize reality.
Me: I'm sorry! ~looking at him~
He stopped right in front of his door for a few seconds but he never said anything.
***Her POV; he left me feeling guilty the whole night. (Shokot akes nung binagsak ang door.) "Pero sana okay na siya bukas."
***His POV; I banged my door. I want her to know I was offended but "Oh shoot! I don't really mean to do that. Am I being childish?" I went straight to the bathroom to freshen up. As I lay in my bed and stares at the ceiling of my room I could imagine her talking to me again. Her words... her words that hurts me. "I guess she was right. I have poured my love for her that I almost forgot to love myself. I feel stupid for not realizing that."
***Her POV; "I never thought that I will meet him here." ~while watching the videos and photos I took.~ "Is he really here to relax? Mukha kasing hindi." I turned off the lights and lay down on my bed. "Lord, hindi ko alam ang reason bakit pinagtagpo mo kami dito. Napaka-saya ko po pero bakit parang kabaliktaran ang nararamdaman niya? Lord, please grant whatever his heart desires and I'll be the first person na magiging Masaya for him. Lord, isama niyo na din po akong pagalingin kasi ansakit ng katawan ko talaga. Amen!"
***His POV; "am I being too harsh on her? Argh! I should say ``sorry."
The stranger guy attempted to knock on Zee's door to say sorry but even before he reached her doorstep he turned around and went back into his room. "Maybe I should do it tomorrow."