"Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always. A promise, like a reward for persisting through life so long alone." - Dante Alighieri

..."Mi sto innamorando di te, Tanchellie."

Ano daw???

Mga salitang hindi ko maintindihan ngunit nagbibigay liyab sa aking puso.

"Sarah? Ano bang ibig sabihin nun?" Sigaw ko sa papalayo niyang anyo.

Aba! Hindi man lang ako nilingon at tuloy tuloy lang sa pagtakbo. Hindi pa naman ako makahabol kasi naka sky high heels ako. Ang daya daya lang talaga!

Sige lang I have all night para tanongin siya about dun. For now, kailangan ko muna siyang sundan na ngayo'y tumatakbo paakyat, going to her hilltop vacation house which I can clearly see right from here. Sobrang ganda neto! Uhh! No! It is an understatement, I really don't have the right word for it. This piece of incredible architecture doesn't fade in background even though it is surrounded with a wild forest of greens. It became part of it literally, it even adds more beauty to the already breathtaking view of the forest. And whoever designed this art must be really so good to come up with this.

Gosh! Nakalimutan ko tuloy ang stairway to heaven paakyat dahil sa kagandahan nito. But for sure, the pain of going up is worth the beauty of the place.

"Brace yourself Tanch, sandamakmak na steps sasagupain mo with your high heels." Sabi ko sa sarili ko.

Jusko! Who would have thought na may kakambal pala ang Filbert Steps Stairs sa SanFo dito sa Pilipinas? Hindi man lang ako nainform! Basta bahala na, one step at a time aabot din ako sa top kahit gaanong kabagal.

"Come on, let's do this, self." I encourage myself.

Sinadya ko talagang iwanan si Tanch so I can cook for our dinner while waiting for her to show up dito sa taas. It was my first time here dito sa treehouse, isa ito sa mga pina dagdag ko dito. I just want my own private place dito sa Villa, because in due time it will be open to the public. Before, this was like a hilltop dining, overlooking the entire place. It is my favorite spot and this time, I want to keep it for myself. And So building this treehouse is a dream come true.

"Kahit naman pala bully tong si Alessandro eh mapagkakatiwalaan pa rin naman pala. He really did great with this one." sabi ko sa sarili ko.

I am already loving it here, this treehouse comes in two floors. The lower floor is mainly rooms and receiving area while the top floor is my kitchen, dining, mini resto bar, entertainment and my own open veranda.

But first thing first, I'll just prepare our dinner...

Grembuile on!

Oh! Before I forget, I walk through the vinyl turntable and will look for something to play.

[plays La Vie En Rose French Version]

"So what's on the menu now, Sarah?" I asked myself.

Well I really don't know what food she loves but for sure no one can resist these Italian dishes that I asked from our butler to prepare for me. But I'll be cooking the main course, the pasta and the vegetable salad. I only asked for the appetizer and the dessert to be prepared by them.

Tuscan Style Rib eye Steak for main course, All'Amatriciana for pasta, Everyday Italian Salad for side dish which could also be a main dish if she prefers vegetables, Pistachio Pizza Pinwheels for appetizers, Tiramisu and Cappuccino Cookie Parfait for dessert. And who would forget the perfect pair for tonight's dishes than the Selection E.V Brut Rose of Pannier that goes really well with this juicy steak with its toasty, robust and muscular mouth feel with a toasted almond finish. Sure talaga akong magugustuhan ni Tanch etong choice of wine ko tonight. Heck! This is rated as one of the best beef wines.

This is really beautiful! Walang duda! This place is special to Sarah, because she spared nothing in this Villa. From the magnificent rustic house, the dock, to the garden and with this one. I didn't know that there is a small vineyard here, which I can clearly see from here.

"Wow! This is way too much!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

There are mainly three huge houses within the entire area. The one from the nearby dock that looks like a tuscan farmhouse. And the two mansions, I must say are breathtaking. This place is an all Italian estate, a mixture of Tuscan Winery Villa that looks directly out to the vineyard while on the other side sits the Neoclassical Mansion with the grand entrance, surrounded by the Immaculate Italian garden. And this garden is different from the one that Sarah showed me a while ago, then I remember, that was the lakeshore garden near by the dock.

" Gheez! This is a multi-million Euros home estate!" I told myself.

After a hundred steps of climbing I am finally here at the heart of the treehouse.

If I thought that I wouldn't be more awestruck, then I must be mistaken.

This treehouse is everybody's dream, not your usual treehouse but this is elegant and sustainable so to speak. Very modern with few touches of classical architecture. Tree trunks have been exchanged for steel columns and leafy canopies for energy-generating roofs.

"Heck! This treehouse could power its own. It's really genius!"

Mahilig pala talaga si Sarah sa mga sustainable! Pro mother earth si ate.

And I, coming from a real-estate company, couldn't help but to appreciate the structure system. Instead of traditional foundation, the structure's root system is manifested as concrete pylons that support the metal stilt securing the treehouse and limiting direct intervention on the grounds and saving on unnecessary pads that would destroy a larger portion of the forest bed.

.

.

.

Agad akong pumasok sa loob at hinanap si Sarah.

Kung gaanong ka ganda ang labas, ganoon din ang loob. It looks like a dark and dashing industrial house, exposed steel structure likened to wooden trunk as wall division. Wow!

"Hello! Sarah? Andito kaba?" sigaw ko sa nakakabibinging katahimikan ng lugar.

I guide myself inside and continue to adore her humble abode. Just about when I reached the end of the hallway, eh may narinig akong ingay galing sa taas. She must be on the second floor.

Dali dali kong tinungo ang stairs pataas so I can join her there.

[La Vie En Rose French/English Played in background]

Nadatnan kong nakatalikod at may ginagawa sa counter table si Sarah while singing and her head is dancing in tune with song. I didn't make myself known, hinayaan ko lang siya sa ginagawa niya while me enjoying my perfect view as I lean on the door.

She looks so hot! I mean, a woman who can cook is sexy, but a woman that can cook and sing and dance at the same time is sexier.

My face broke into a smile while I was busy studying her back. I wasn't aware that I am grinning already. No! I am not daydreaming about her, I am just overwhelmed. I never really thought that I'll be having this dinner with her plus the fact that she prepared and cooked for tonight's menu, mas lalong mapapa hanga ka talaga sa kanya. She is everybody's dream girl or ideal woman - kind, generous, compassionate...

Bakit mo alam? Did you do some checking?

...Duh nalaman ko lang kay Kuya!

Saan na ba ako?

Kind, generous, compassionate, totoo at makataong tao, charming, sweet and of course gorgeous. She may appear distant and reserved but it seems not. Napaka outgoing nga niya, well maybe people tend to judge poorly, because sometimes we sort of act that way. But once you get close with the person they often reveal their inner beauty. And I know this person right before my eyes is one of a kind because Sarah is a beautiful soul...

"Hi there beautiful! You're here na pala? Why you didn't bother to make yourself known, sobrang busy masyado kakatitig?" nakangiting bati niya sa akin.

I smiled in return, sobrang ganda naman ng babaeng to. "It's beautiful in here." I said out of nowhere while my eyes were everywhere but in her lovely face.

"Yeah! Alam kong maganda ako." biglang kindat sabay talikod niya sa akin.

She just caught me staring, silently admitting that I was pertaining to her being beautiful.

Nahiya naman ako ng bahagya.

"Sarah naman eh!"

"You're just in time. Dinner is ready." Sagot niya naman sa akin as she walks8 through the opposite door.

Sinundan ko siya palabas and shookt!

Bless my heart...

Wow! May pa candle light dinner date talaga si Mayora.

I didn't expect this to be a kind of romantic dinner date.

Namangha ako sa paligid. I bet this is her personal paradise...

The front facade of the upper floor of this treehouse is completely open, making it so a part of the surroundings that you can experience the majestic beauty of Caliraya Lake and Mt. Banahaw without really setting a foot outside the comfort of your home.

I tried to distract myself with the magnificent view but my effort was futile since the red flames in my cheeks spread like a wildfire. My heart is full - candlelight dinner date by the infinity pool overlooking the Caliraya Lake in an effervescent night sky all prepared by her. Napaka romantic na nga place plus napaka romantic pa ng taong to. Taking me to her happy place is one thing and to prepare dinner for us is too much. Iilan nalang ang taong ganito...

Don't get me wrong. From my previous experience kasi with my past relationship he can't even decide where we should eat eh ang ipaghanda pa kaya ako ng dinner?

This is actually the first time that someone took the time and effort to make me happy without really demanding it. She just knows her ways...

"Oh ano? Tutunga nga ka na lang ba jan ulit?" pukaw niya sa akin.

"Babe, why so romantic?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Anong romantic ba uy? Gutom kana siguro, halika ka na nga." sabay abot ng kamay ko.

Ipinag hila niya ako ng upuan bago at agad naman akong umupo.

"Thank you." saad ko sa kanya.

She just smiled a little bit. As if na parang nahihiya siya, pero mukha nga. She seems like someone having an internal debate with herself.

"For you." There she said it.

Kaya pala parang hindi mapakali, nahihiya atang iabot sa akin itong mga bulaklak.

"Bloomingdale buttercups for someone like you." She said with a ready smile on her face as she handed me the bouquet of white flowers.

"Wow! May pa bulaklak si Mayora. Thank you for this babe, you really made my night." I told her while I checked the flowers and found a card and about to open it.

"Save it for later, saka mo na basahin please. Not in front of me or else maglalaho ako sa hiya if you do so." Pagmamakaawa niya sa akin habang tinatakpan niya ang mukha niya.

Ngayon mas nacucurious tuloy ako sa kung anong laman nito. Aha! I decided to tease her instead...

20th March 2020

Tanchellie,

I really don't know what to write because words can't seem to describe how I feel about you. Yesterday I would just go with my usual routine but today I can't even keep going without thinking about you...

I stopped from there. Tama nga siya, I should save this for later.

"Let's eat, I'm rather famished." pag iinvite ko sa kanya.

"Hey babe! Wala naman akong binasa, in fact tinitignan ko lang ang penmanship mo." I lied when I noticed na tinatakpan niya parin ang mukha niya sa hiya.

"Talaga lang ha?"

"Yeah, I swear. Ganda nga ng penmanship mo eh." pagpapaliwanag ko sana she would let this go na.

Bakit mo ba kasi siya nilagay sa nakakahiyang situation Tanch? Yan tuloy...

Panenermon ng utak ko.

Okay sorry my bad...

"How many talents do you have? You seem to be an expert in the kitchen?" bungad kong tanong sa kanya after that awkward moment.

Nagkunwari pa siyang nagbibilang before sumagot. "Well, we all do have talents but I would say this one is not a talent, I would rather say it is a skill." pagpapaliwanag niya.

"Bakit naman skill?" I asked in confusion.

"Talent is something you're born with. While skill, on the other hand, is something you acquire through learning that you hone over the years then you became good at it eventually."

"Yeah. Tama nga naman. Sana ako din matuto magluto ng ganitong masasarap na pagkain." saad ko sa kanya.

"You can! You just have to do it, it's a matter of today or one day." pag encourage niya sa akin.

I pouted. "Eh. Wala naman kasing magtuturo sa akin. So how can I diba?"

"May youtube naman but If you really want someone to teach you personally, give me a call, I would gladly help."

Ang sweet naman she's offering to teach me how.

"Talaga? Tuturuan mo ko? Reresibohan ko to ha para if ever I'll ask you to teach me eh hindi mo ako pwedeng hindian." Paninigurado kong tanong sa kanya.

"Yes. Tuturuan kita para ako naman ang ipagluto mo sa susunod. hahaha" Natatawa niyang suggestion.

Magaling din to eh. Tuturuan niya ako para I would return the favor sometime na siya naman ang ipagluto ko.

"What about you? What is your special talent?" She added shortly.

"Uhhhm. I can exactly tell if a food tastes good by just looking at it, and I can say that these are all good." pagpapaliwanag ko naman.

"Talaga? So why don't you try it, so we can prove if that is really your special talent, o baka binobola mo lang ako niyan." She invited cheerfully but not without hinting that I was just bluffing around.

"Ouch! Grabe ka naman." Pagrereact ko na as if sobrang nasaktan.

Tanch ha may kaartehan ka palang nalalaman.

"Sorry po." nakakacute niyang pagpapaumanhin.

"I'll say a prayer muna then we will start our dinner." dagdag niya pa.

We bow down our heads and utter something.

Wow! Mas lalo niya akong pinapahanga...

What makes a woman really beautiful is not about her physical aspect but on her character.

All-in package na talaga tong babaeng to.

I thought to myself while she was busy praying. I'm really sorry Lord if I am not paying attention.

"Okay! Let's enjoy our meal." she announced happily.

"Wow! Andami naman nito babe!" nakakamangha kong saad sa kanya.

Ngayong ko lang napansin na ang dami niya palang hinanda for this dinner. May main course, appetizer, pasta, dessert at vegetables. Mukhang mapaparami tayo tonight.

"Hindi ko kasi na tanong sayo beforehand kung ano ang gusto mo kaya I decided to prepare all of these para atleast may choice ka." she explained apologetically.

"I am overwhelmed and beyond happy na ipaghanda at ipagluto mo ako. So thoughtful of you nga. All of these are appreciated lalo na ang time at effort that you put into it. So sobrang thank you." I snatch her hand while I am reassuring her na lahat ng ito ay gusto at na appreciate ko.

"Sige na, kain na tayo."

"Tarah na at tikman ang luto ni Chef Sarah." nakangiti kong tugon sa kanya.

Agad kong tinikman ang steak and I must say this is to die for...

Ang sarap! Sobra.

"This is heavenly!" I announced.

"Bola ka naman eh! Hindi naman natitikman ang langit!" panunukso niyang sagot.

Wicked smile fitted my face...

Aba masakyan nga itong pinagsasambit niya.

"Talaga? Hindi ka pa natikim ng langit? Gusto mo sabay nating tikman?" I suggested while silently laughing within me.

"Baliw to! Anong langit ba yan? Hindi naman kasi natitikman ang langit eh." Busangot niya sa akin.

Tumatawa lang ako ng malakas. Mahina pala sa ganito lola niyo eh.

"Connection is disrupted ka naman pala eh. Ang hina mo sa mga ganito." natatawa ko pang saad.

"Hay naku! Kung ano ano pa sinasabi mo, let's eat na nga!" pagiiwas niya sa pangaasar ko.

"Eh! Kumakain na nga ako eh and this steak is HEAVENLY!." I added emphasis on the heavenly. "Really, honestly speaking sobrang sarap nga niya talaga. Aside from juicy, it is really tender and yung aroma ng spices is bumalot talaga sa loob ng meat kaya sobrang nagblend ang lasa niya." pagpapaliwanag ko.

Natuwa naman siya sa sinabi ko at napasmile niya. "Truthfully, yun talaga ang gusto ko sa steak na ito. The way they prepare it and the herbs and spices and the kind of meat that they use in this style, kaya sobrang sarap niya. This is one of my personal faves actually." Pagsang ayon niya sa sinabi ko.

"Diba? So ano? I do have a special talent no? And you're a really good cook."

She only managed to nod and we devour the food and enjoy the meal...

"So how was your day?" She asked out of nowhere.

I swallowed my food first bago ko siya sinagot.

"Well, it's uneventful. Nagliligpit at nag ayos lang ako ng gamit because I am moving in to my new office. How about you? Busy running your empire?" Pagbabalik tanong ko naman sa kanya.

"Not that much. It was an easy day in the office, with a few meetings and paperwork. That's why I find time today to be here with you." she answered.

Her answer caught me off guard but at the same time sobrang kinikilig ko.

"Babe, Thank you for bringing me here with you today."

"You're free to come here anytime. Don't worry pag napagawi ako ulit dito, isasama ulit kita."

"Thank you." matipid kong sagot.

Ang sarap kasi ng pagkain plus nagugutom pa ako kaya naka tutok ang attention ko sa pagkain.

"I'm glad nagustuhan mo ang hinanda ko for you. Sulit ang tinakbo ko paakyat dito para maihanda lang yan."

"Kaya nga eh. Ang sama mo kaya, hinayaan mo lang ako dun tas naka heels pa ako at ang hagdanan grabe they are endless." Pagmamaktol ko sa kanya.

She smiled apologetically "Sorry, I just need time para ma prepare ang dinner natin."

"Eh kung sana hinayaan mo akong tulungan ka eh we will both enjoy cooking together sana plus I will learn in the same time." I suggested.

"But you're my guest today, at gusto kong pagsilbihan kita besides I invited you here for you to relax, enjoy the place and to have an authentic Italian dinner." she counter explained.

I didn't answer and instead sighed in resignation.

Seeing the sadness on my face, she offered something that greatly lifted my spirit.

"Why don't we comeback here the next weekend, saka tayo magluluto ng sabay tapos we will do outdoor fun? How's that sounds to you?" she added.

My face broke into a lovely smile. Nakuha ko dun si Sarah. "I would really love that." I answered in full of enthusiasm.

"Ayie! My spoiled baby girl." pang aasar niya.

Hay naku Sarah Joy! Bakit kaba ganyan? hulog na hulog na tuloy ako sayo...

"Oh you're done na?" tanong ko sa kanya when I noticed na niligpit niya na ang spoons niya.

"Yes, I am." sagot niya sabay tango ng ulo niya.

"Really? Hindi ka pa nga nag dessert or pasta, you only had steaks and the salad."

She smiled unapologetically before her face turned serious. "Uhhmm Tanch..."

"Yes?" I answered as I focused on her.

"Uhhmm I don't eat any food that is high in glycemic index - that includes starch, grains, processed goods and the likes. Foods that contain high fructose corn syrup I don't eat them as well." she slightly explained.

"Okay... Are you on a restrictive diet?" curious kong tanong sa kanya while I am still enjoying my food.