“May problema ka ngayon ‘di ba?” tanong niya. Pero hindi ako nagsalita. “Ramdam ko naman, Maisen, eh. Hindi mo ba kayang sabihin sa ‘kin ‘yung problema mo? Tutulungan naman kita. Pero kung ayaw mo, ayos lang. Sige na. Maghubad ka na. ‘Tapos lumangoy ka na diyan,” sabi pa niyang itinuro ‘yung dagat sa harap namin. “Hindi ako titingin.”
                              

                              
            Tinakpan niya ng kanang kamay ang mga mata niya.
                              

                              
            Napangiti ako bigla. Saka ko tinanggal ang kamay niyang nakatakip sa mga mata niya.
                              

                              
            “Wala na ‘kong problema,” sabi kong diretso ang tingin sa kanya. “Kasi nandiyan ka na.”
                              

                              
            I looked at her as her eyes were set on mine. Those eyes were the very same one that made me fall for her, that made me want to kiss her the night we watched the magical fireworks. But what could be more magical than her eyes? What could bring me to another world and feel less gravity but those stares?
                              

                              
The clear blue sky started to be filled with cotton clouds. The sun was starting to show up. And we remained just like that, letting the sun and the clouds witness us.
                              

                              
I leaned to her, closer and closer as the birds’ chirping started to sound like the song that her music box keeps on chiming. Then I closed my eyes as I drown from those eyes that resemble the deepest dark holes in the universe. I held her cheek and let every passing wind brush my hand. I’ve never believed in fairy tales and kiss that make a perfect ending. But Midori and I were a once a fairy tale, separated by a curse. And there’s no perfect time our tale should continue its magic but now.
                              

                              
            Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na lang na may lumapat sa pisngi ko.
                              

                              
            “Akala mo makaka-chancing ka ha!”
                              

                              
            Nagmulat ako ng mga mata ko para malamang nakatakbo na pala siya papalayo sa ‘kin. Iiling-iling at natatawang napahawak na lang ako sa pisngi kong hinalikan niya.
                              

                              
“Sayang,” bulong ko sa sarili ko. Saka ako tumayo at hinabol siya. “Cheater!”
                              

                              
“Sinong cheater? Hindi ba ikaw diyan ang two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten-timer?” sabi niya habang nagtatakbo palayo sa ‘kin.
                              

                              
“Pero gwapo ako!” natatawang sigaw ko sa kanya habang hinahabol siya.
                              

                              
“Pero maganda ako! Hahabulin mo ba ako kung hindi?”
                              

                              
I laughed at her, and then I ran fast and caught her in my arms. We were laughing freely, cherishing every moment like it was the only one that we would have. Ginawa namin lahat ng mga bagay na pwede naming gawin nang araw na ‘yun. Lahat ng kalokohan, ‘yung mga bagay na hindi namin nagawa noon. Lahat.
                              

                              
            “Wow!” hangang-hangang sabi niya nang matapos namin ‘yung sand castle na ginawa namin. “Ang galing natin, Maisen!”