"Any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again." -Homer, The Iliad

I just woke up from my nap and immediately looked around the cabin only to find myself alone. Nasaan kaya si Sarah? Before ako maka idlip eh nandito lang yun eh, sinamahan niya ako dito dahil bigla akong nakaramdam ng konting hilo.

Although nainis ako ng slight sa isa niya namang pa surprise but I hate to admit it na sobrang nagustuhan ko yung ginawa niya - taking me to her personal favorite vacation place, according to her. Sabi pa niya, a piece of her was left in that beautiful place. Maybe it was really a special place para sa kanya.

After fixing myself I went out to look for her. At swerte ko naman na nakasalubong ko ang isang crew member.

"Buonasera Signorina!" He bowed a little bit while greeting me with a ready smile.

I smiled in return then asked him about the whereabouts of Sarah.

"I am looking for Sarah. Do you know where I can find her?"

"Si. You go straight from here, in the far end take a left turn then you'll see a stairs just go your way all the way up. You'll find her up there." He answered.

"Gratzie!"

.

.

.

"Umiinom kang mag isa at hindi man lang nagyaya." Bungad ko sa babaeng kanina ko pa hinahanap. Nadatnan ko siyang mag isang umiinom dito sa Sun deck habang nakatingin sa kawalan at malalim ang iniisip.

Agad naman niya akong nilingon at pasimpleng ngumiti. "Tulog na tulog ka kasi kaya wala akong kainuman."

Lumapit ako sa kanya at tinuon din ang attention sa kung saan siya nakatingin kanina.

"This is beautiful!" Namamangha kong sabi.

The place is extraordinary - sandy coves, big rock highlands, crystal clear water, rich marine life all served right before me with the perfection of serenity.

There was a proud smile on her face. She's really pleased na nagustuhan ko ang place na ito. "Welcome to La Maddalena Archipelago! Located in the province of Sassari in the Northern part of Sardinia. My favorite summer destination in the world. I hope you'll love this place as much as I do."

"We'll find out later. So what now, Sarah?"

"Here." Sabay abot ng glass of wine sa akin.

"A Welcome drink from Sardinia."

"Thank you." I took a small sip from the glass and ghed it's so delicious on the palate.

"Shall we?" Sabay lahad ng mga palad niya.

"Hell, yes! Kanina pa nangangati ang mga paa ko para gumala." Sagot ko naman.

"We're just right on time. Mag sisimula pa lang ang saya all over the island. We will get to enjoy their lively culture later. So ano tarah na?" Buong saya niyang sabi sabay hila sa akin pababa ng hagdan.

I raised an eyebrow. "Too excited huh? I wonder what you are up to this time..." I asked pryingly.

She immediately cut me off.

"Enough with that. Magsasaya lang tayo, ano kaba." Sabay kindat and then we went off.

.

.

.

She's now driving this "tender", yacht tender or simply tender daw ang tawag sa ganitong klaseng boat usually ginagamit to provide service or support to a bigger private yacht or chartered yacht.

Hindi siya nagsama ng crew to accompany us. Kaya niya naman daw and besides she's familiar with the place plus around the area lang naman kami. Since we board this boat ay tahimik lamang si Sarah. I can't read through her eyes kung ano ang nararamdaman niya because they're blocked by a pair of aviators. Napano kaya tong babaeng to? Ni hindi man lang ako pinapansin. Anong paandar na naman ito Sarah Garcia!

Sa sobrang busy ko kakaisip kung bakit hindi niya ako kinikibo, di ko na malayang huminto na pala kami sa isang maliit na floating dock.

"Halika na, andito na tayo." finally since we left the yacht ngayon nalang siya nagsalita ulit.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

"Yes, I'm all good." mahina niyang sagot.

Kahit alam kong hindi siya totally okay ay pinalagpas ko nalang yun. Mamaya ko nalang siya kakausapin about it.

"Tarah?" Sabay abot ng nakalahad niyang kamay sa akin. And this time napansin ko na may daladala pala siyang isang bouquet of greeny peonies. Para kanino kaya to?

Habang tahimik kaming naglalakad sa floating bridge ay nasisilayan ko na ang isang classical na stone villa which stood so proudly at isang malaking club house. But then before kami tuluyang makapasok sa mismong lugar ay napatigil ako when it has a sign na "End of Public area. Private Beach beyond this point. No trespassing."

"Sarah, teka, sure kaba dito? Ayaw ko pong makulong." Natatakot kong turo sa sign.

Tumawa siya ng malakas as if it was a joke.

Nakakainis naman to siya.

"Tanch, it will be fine. Trust me. If mahuhuli tayo, dalawa naman tayong makukulong." Nakangiti niyang sabi.

"Whatever! Siguraduhin mo lang talaga." pagsusungit ko.

"Worth the prison ang ganda ng lugar dito. Trust me. Bagal mo naman, natatakot ka pang pumasok. So paano ba yan mauuna na ako sayo para wala kanang choice kundi ang sumunod." And with that mabilis siyang tumakbo papasok sa loob ng private beach.

Eh sa dahil wala rin naman akong magawa ay sumunod na lang din ako sa kanya.

Hay naku Sarah Garcia! You will be the death of me.

|

Well...

Breathtaking. The place is a paradise perse, fine white sand, perfectly cut trees, open air pavilions, a huge garden which are all planted with different types of peonies. Small villas are scattered nearby the beach front and there is a playground also. It must be really a private property - no traces of other people. Naku! Trespassing na talaga kami ni Sarah. Hanapin mo na yun Tanch at yayain mo ng bumalik. Jusko Italian prison ang ending natin ngayon.

I forced myself to forgo from appreciating this beauty because we need to leave ASAP.

"Sarah!" Malakas kong sigaw.

"In here, Tanch." Pabalik niyang sigaw.

Agad kong sinundan ang boses niya only to find her in the middle of the vast garden and standing before a headstone while she laid the flowers that she brought with her a while ago.

It's been awhile since I was back here but still it feels the same. I could still see her happy face every time we spent summer here. Her big laugh still sounds the whole place. Ghad! I miss her everyday.

"...Sarah!" I heard the madding voice of Tanch.

I'm sure as hell that she is really pissed off because she thought that we are trespassing on this property, little did she know that we are not.

"In here, Tanch." I answered.

In a span of seconds she joins me in this beautiful garden.

"Welcome to Jheelena's Point. And I would like you to meet my sister, Jheelena." Masaya kong pagpapakilala sa kanya sa kapatid ko.

"Oh! Hi Ate Jheelena. Pasensya na po ha kung nagsungit ako dito sa paraiso niyo. Si Sarah po kasi hindi sinabi na sa inyo po pala to. Akala ko tuloy trespassing kami." Pagsusumbong naman niya sa ate ko.

"Naku Ate. Gusto ko lang naman po siyang supresahin. Gaya ng kung paano mo ako sinusurpresa dito noon. Nga pala Ate si Tanch po pala."

I looked at the most beautiful girl on my side.

"Diba Ate, I told you before na babalik lang ako dito kapag masaya na ako ulit just like how the way you wanted, and eto na ako ngayon, nandito na ulit dahil sa kanya. Siya po si Tanchellie ang taong nagpapasaya sa akin ngayon." I wiped a tear before I grabbed Tanch's hand and placed it on my heart.

"I know you're smiling up there is heaven kasi finally I have some reason to live a beautiful life. I can only hope that you are here to celebrate this with me and Tanch but I know and I can feel that you're with us in spirit."

Tanch gave me the most beautiful smile while she hugged me in a tight embrace but immediately let go as I heard her say. "Don't worry po Ate, ako na ang bahala kay Sarah. I promise to take care of her and to love her until all eternity."

And with that, my face drew a beautiful smile.

"As much as we want to stay longer but we got a visitor, so I have to tour her around and besides we will be back later in the evening Ate. Until later dearest."

"It's my pleasure to finally meet you Ate. We have to go now, kapatid mo po kasi andaming alam." Pagpapaalam niya muna kay Ate before she meet my gaze.

"Saan mo ba talaga ako dadalhin?" curious niyang tanong.

I smiled brightly at her. "There." I said while pointing to the other island just about 500 meters away from here. "Doon tayo pupunta. Dati kasi, this place was once open for the public until she passed away. The family decided to keep it for ourselves to protect the island because this is the place that we've been the happiest when she was still with us. So when it was closed we decided to make the other island - open for other people."

"Oh!! Kaya pala sabi mo napakaspecial sayo ng lugar na ito."

"Yes. Because this place was the happy place of my sister. Tarah na?"

She only nodded and then she locked her hands with mine as walked again through the floating dock.

Jheleena's Beach Garden and Golf Club

"I hope you're loving not only the place but the rich and lively culture they have here." I heard Sarah say while I was busy watching the people around dancing and singing. Sarah was right all along, the festive and fun are just getting started.

"Yeah! Loving it is an understatement. Thank you for bringing me here." I answered brightly.

She gave me a heart warming smile.

"A warm welcome from Giardino e Spiaggia di Jheleena internationally known as Jheleena's Beach Garden and Golf Club." She said while looking around as if she was looking for someone.

In my case, I feel so warm and alive today just by seeing genuine smiles and happy faces - a carefree kind of life. They're dancing and singing with all their heart, using their traditional instruments, really such an amazing culture and people.

While my attention was anywhere but in the crowd, to my surprise a handsome little boy showed up in front of me. "For you Signorina, I was asked to give it to you. She said that she's grateful to have you here with her. Anyway, it was her other way of telling you how much she loves you, believe me." He said as he gave me a bouquet of dried flowers and left me with a wink, such a charmer for such a young age. No wonder where he learned it from.

I turned my gaze to the beautiful Sarah who is now smiling proudly because I was caught off guard again with her surprises.

"For me? From you?" I asked about the flowers.

She shook her head. "Hindi kaya." She fiercely denied.

"Weh? Sa mukha mo ngayon maniniwala kaya ako na hindi sayo galing to?"

She just burst out laughing as if nakakatawa yung sinasabi ko.

Agad naman niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at biglang sumeryoso ang mukha. "Dance with me, Tanch?"

"Hindi ako marunong!" Pagtatangi ko.

"Ako din naman. Sasabay lang tayo sa kanila, besides they don't judge kung hindi tama ginagawa natin. Tarah na."

I only smiled at agad kong tinanggap ang nakalahad niyang kamay. Bahala na.

And with that we join the festivity in the island.

(Imagine niyo nalang pinag gagawa ni Edward at Bella when they visit Rio noong nakisaya din sila sa locals doon.)

Nakipagsayaw at nakisaya kami sa lahat. Kahit hindi kami maalam ni Sarah eh nakisabay lamang kami sa kanila. Dito ko napatunayan na sa likod ng isang formidable at firm na CEO ay ito pala talaga ang totoong Sarah - masayahin, makatao, at napaka sweet.

Ngayon nalang ata ako naging masaya ulit. I never imagined traveling and living like a local in a foreign land could be so fun. Before when I traveled I only used to visit the tourist spot at yung mga sikat na pasyalan. Yes, I visited historical landmarks that are part of their culture but it is really different when you get to enjoy and experience the culture first hand.

"Diba sobrang saya?" Nakangiting tanong sa akin ni Sarah.

"Sobra. Ngayon lang ata ako nagenjoy ng ganito sa isang overseas trip ko. Next time if magvavacation ka, isama mo na ako lagi." Buong sayang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yeah sure. There's so much more to see in this beautiful country. Next time we will go to the North to visit the mountains." Naeexcite niyang tugon.

"Not a fan of mountains but we'll see baka mabago mo rin ang isip ko." I said while grinning.

"Di talaga halata sa sobrang saya mo today. Sabi ko naman sayo, mag eenjoy at magugustuhan mo talaga dito. We can get to enjoy ourselves with the locals and we can also opt to have alone time together. Di gaya sa Sorrento, Positano, all the way down to Amalfi na sobrang crowded kahit nasa private villa kana annoying parin dahil sa ingay." Proud na proud niyang salaysayin.

"Wow! We can opt to have some alone time... together.. exciting naman nun babe." I while throwing a seductive smile.

"Para kang sira. Are you hungry? Kain muna tayo o di kaya lakad lakad muna tayo along the beachline." Pag aanyaya niya.

"Hindi pa naman ako gutom. Why don't we hit the beach. Such a shame if hindi ko maranasang magtampisaw sa napakagandang dagat ng Sardinia."

"Yes boss. Anything that you want, we will do it right away." Mapangasar niyang sabi.

Agad naman kaming umalis mula doon sayawan at naglalakad patungo sa dalampasigan.

"Do you come here often?" I initiated the talk, sobrang tahimik niya na naman kasi.

"Yes, everytime that I get the chance to. Kung gaano ako kadalas sa Sorrento-Amalfi ganoon din ako kadalas dito noon. Hindi pa ito open sa public, it used to be a family holiday destination. Madami lang tao dito if the owner chooses to bring a few friends or if may occasion na dito hinahanda." Pagkukwento niya.

"Tapos gaya ng sabi mo earlier binuksan lang to when you sister passed away?"

She nodded a little. "Ou, we decided to open it to the public kasi yung dating resort which is yung Jheleena's Pointe ay isasara na namin because it was my sister's favorite island, she's been the happiest sa resort na yun. Kaya, we want to protect and preserve it, along with the memories we had with her on that island."

Habang patuloy kami sa paglalakad eh dumaan kami sa gilid ng isang napakalaking golf course.

"Wow! Such a huge golf course! Do you play?" Nakangiti kong tanong sa kanya, baka we share the same kind of love for this sport if nagkataon.

But...

Nadisappoint ako sa sagot niya.

"No, I don't play golf but I know a little. My sister loves golf and she is the one who designed this golf course. But we can still play, and maybe I can beat you in that hole." She said smiling.

"Malulungkot na sana ako noong sinabi mong hindi ka naglalaro. Promise mo yan ha? Don't you know that I really love this sport, kasi dito lang naman ako magaling."

"Nasa isip ko na nga yun eh, given that you're sir Ariston's daughter. You're dad is a great golfer nakakasabayan namin siya noon ni Dad. Kaya hindi na ako magtataka if you are the best in it." Pagpapaliwanag niyang sagot.

"Hmmm. So you've heard about me from my dad before?" Curious kong tanong sa kanya.

She shook her head. "Uhm no. I didn't know anything about Sir Ariston's children, not even your brother."

I smiled at her. Pareho lang din pala kaming walang idea sa existence ng isa't isa, until fate made a way para magkakilala kami.

"We share the same, though I've read your name several times in the magazine or on the internet. The Elusive CEO as they commonly called you in the industry."

Bigla siyang tumawa as if sobrang amused siya sa sinabi ko about her.

"Ui bakit?" Interesado kong tanong.

"Sorry about that. I just really find it funny when they named me as the elusive one." Natatawa parin niyang sagot.

"Why? Aren't you really elusive? I heard from my brother na lahat daw ng pinapadate sayo ay hindi mo sinisipot." Medyo nahihiya kong sabi.

"Yeah, totoo nga na hindi ko sinisipot, because why on earth would I? I don't want to waste my time or the guy's time when I know for a fact that I don't do romance at that time. So I simply gave them the impression that I am not interested and I don't want anything to do with it." Mahaba niyang pagpapaliwanag.

"Still, you're elusive." I really insist.

"I beg to disagree." She denied.

"Just admit it. Wala namang mawawala." Panghihikayat ko sa kanya.

"No, As it appears to me, the elusive butterfly has finally been caught. It's just a matter of time." She said as she gave me a heart warming smile.

Tanch! Na caught off guard ka dun ah. Hindi nga daw kasi siya elusive kasi nabihag mo na daw siya.

My head wanted to scream in her declaration. I am sure I am as red as tomatoes right now and it is because of this woman and her smooth tongue who really knows what to say to a woman.

"Oh nanahimik ka jan? Wag kang masyadong kiligin babe, ako lang to." She said winking.

"Kakainis to. Bilisan mo nga jan." Kunwaring naiinis kong sabi para tigilan niya ako. But deep inside me, I could feel the sincerity and the truthfulness sa sinabi niya kaya ako kinikilig ng ganito.

Here we are walking hand in hand dito sa dalampasigan. Masayang nagkukwentuhan about real life talks and sweet nothings. Kahit matagal na kaming palakad lakad lang but it seems like hindi kami tinatamaan ng pagod.

I just find it really amazing and likewise contradicting, you promise to hold her hand in everywhere that she might go. For instance, at the beginning of the romance, you don't feel any ounce of exhaustion even if you have to walk together for a thousand miles. But later on in the relationship, when you are asked to come with her in the grocery store it feels like "Oh, just do it alone, i'm rather tired."

I just realized that sometimes, relationships fail because we also fail to be consistent with our promises or because we simply forget things.

Perhaps, there is only one rule, and it is this, to love a woman is to take care of her until the end of time, make her your priority, and what it means by that is you don't need to be happy all the time, you don't love a woman because you want to be happy, you can only love a woman because you want her in your life.

"You're smiling like an idiot." Tanch dragged me out of my reverie.

"Pardon, I just realized something." I told her.

"Do you want to share?" Paguusisa niya.

"Well, I just realized that you will perhaps fall for three types of person in the course of your adult life. One who is strong and another who is weak. The third is the one who simply chooses to love you..."

"Someone like me." I admit with the love I have for her in my heart.

"Addddjjdkkdjdksksksks. Sarah!"

"Alam kong cheesy but it is the truth." Seryoso kong sagot sa kanya.

She deeply stares at me pero agad din siyang bumitaw noong sinabayan ko na siya sa pagtitig niya sa akin.

Akala ko kaya siya bumitaw eh dahil naiilang na siya but it seems not.

"Babe, kung saan saan tayo nakaabot eh mdy nagseset up pala dito ng wedding. Baka maka abala tayo, dito nalang tayo."

I turn my back and in fact may nagpepreprepare nga for a wedding. They're setting the makeshift altar and the isle.

"Yeah. Sige dito nalang tayo." Pag agree ko kay Tanch.

"I will just play with the hermit crabs and the sands. Do you want to come?" She invites me in.