The next day …The entourage and the newly wedded couple went back to Manila. Somehow, Hugh and Sheila did not go with them. Instead, Hugh asked his uncle for a car and a driver so they could spend their time efficiently.
Two days countdown was ticking. They went to Baguio City and visited Mount Mayon in the Bicol Region. Then they went back to Manila that very day the typhoon devastated the wedding venue but they were not affected. The storm chose to cause havoc only at the coastlines.
As expected, his flight was canceled, so they had more days to enjoy together. They went to movies, ate out, took pictures with faces looking like bunnies with whiskers, and spent time knowing each other more.
Sheila learned that Hugh loved chocolate ice cream with root beer because of the bubbles left under his nose after drinking, leaving a funny mustache on his face. Hugh heard from Sheila she gave up ballet because she lost to a girl in an audition for the main cast of the "Nutcracker" when she was eight. They laughed together after she ended her tale tiptoeing with her high heeled shoes.
Both of them found out they loved noodles and all kinds of fish roasted on coals.
Sheila, then, showed her photos on her phone and asked Hugh for his, but he refused. Telling her he did not have any pictures inside She did not know, there was only one in there, her image taken by Riley in France.
Out of annoyance, she s.n.a.t.c.hed the phone from his hand but missed to crack the number code, making her more frustrated. As a lover, Hugh gave in but secretly deleted the picture first.
When Sheila opened his gallery, "nothing in here? Aw, come on, the great surgeon Lucien doesn"t keep pictures with friends or family. So odd." She said, teasing him for his lack of sociability.
"I warned you. I"m not the type."
"Fine. Let"s fill this photo gallery of yours with our memories." So they took selfies together using their phones. They made funny faces to make the images memorable, as suggested by Sheila.
On the last day, they played rides, like roller coasters and others, in an amus.e.m.e.nt park. How much time they had left were all spent on each other and even wished for it to last longer. If only they could stretch time but they knew it was only their wishful thinking.
After the flight ban was lifted, Sheila sent Hugh to the airport. None of the cousins went to give the two some privacy. At first, Sheila insisted they join them but the cousins glanced at Hugh and saw him shaking his head. So the cousins found some excuses for not going. Sheila did not notice their true reason yet.
Somehow, later, Sheila realized the truth of the matter but kept it to herself. She was even grateful for them. The thought of her crying upon his departure was a possibility and felt awkwardly ashamed to show it to them.
At the airport …
It was almost time for boarding when they arrived, so Hugh checked in right away but he did not go in first. He stalled to be with Sheila for the last time at the lobby.
Sheila could not think of anything more. She wanted to go with him but knew she could not. She wanted to cry and ask him not to go but didn"t say it. Hugh felt the same way. The separation became harder by the minute.
"I"ll send a message when I arrive in France. Remember, I"ll be back. I promise you. Wait for me." Hugh said while holding her hands in front of him. Then he added, "I wish I could put my arms around you and take you away with me." At last, Hugh said his heart out loud.
"I wish you could, too," Sheila said, her eyes getting misty.
"Close your eyes and pretend I am. Pretend your head"s on my shoulder, and my arms are wrapped around you," said Hugh.
She shut her eyes and did as he instructed. Caught in the fantasy, she could almost feel his fragrant aftershave cologne closed to her, could feel the comfort of his broad chest against her head.
In effect, she said romantic words with closed eyes. "I think I"m in love you, Lucien."
Suddenly, Hugh"s lips were on hers, pressing with thirst and agony of leaving her. She felt dizzy, caught in the moment and longing for more. Then she felt her lips grew cold. She opened her eyes and saw his back walking into the boarding area. His name resounded in the airport public address system, the boarding time had come.
She bit her lower lip and softly said, "I"ll wait for you."