Summer is about to end.
It’s been two weeks since Miguel received Ash’s parting gift. It’s been 14 days since the last time he stood on a surfboard flying through swells or even touched the waters of his hometown.
He can still recall that day in Cemento Reef when Ash unknowingly cut into his wave knocking him off his board and breaking his board leash. Since then, not a day goes by that they never saw each other. Since then, they’ve gone close. He became Ash's mentor which made the latter a better surfer.
He fell in love with him long before that day though. On Ash’s first night in Baler, he was the one who served his first meal in his province. After that, he secretly watched him practice on baby waves in Sabang Beach every day.
Just like Ash, Miguel was a child of the ocean. He is most happy when he is in the sea. He relishes every moment the waves are under him while he rides the white water to his heart’s content. These past few weeks though, the magic is barely there. He can barely hear the call of his beloved ocean.
He wanted comfort. He needed to be comforted but the ocean selfishly denied him that.
He wanted to be alone. He mounted his scooter and went to his sanctuary...his secret beach. He brought his surfboard due to a force of habit and because he was hoping that the muses of the sea would once again inspire him there.
He parked his scooter at his usual hiding place. He grabbed his board and climbed over the fence. He walked up the hill and felt that there’s not much wind coming from the ocean. Years of experience tells him that no winds means no wave. He didn’t care though and carried on. He just wants some peace and quiet... some alone time with his ocean.
He took his board and stabbed the sand letting it stand while he sat beside it. He looked at his beach. It was so calm and peaceful. Just behind the trees on the left, he can see the small shack he made years ago. Dilapidated and old, the makeshift house was missing a wall. He looked at the horizon. On the left, is a huge rock formation that was sculptured by time and waves. He scanned the vast water. To the right, he can see piles of rocks that were clearly man made. It was created to make a boundary of the beach property.
He surveyed the waters. Something caught his eye just beyond the pile of rocks...
Or someone.
He grabbed his board and for the first time in two weeks, jumped into the ocean.
“Watcha doin’?” Miguel as he slowly paddled towards the floating surfer.
“Waiting for the big one.” He said apparently deep in thought.
“The water is too calm today. You’ll be lucky if you even get a burp.”
“Never underestimate the force of nature.” He answered. “You taught me that.”
They sat on their surfboards side by side quietly. For a long time they just watched the calm sea together.
“I’m sorry I ruined your beach Migs.” Ash said breaking the silence between them.
“It’s okay. No worries.” Miguel answered.
“How’s your girlfriend? Anne, right?” Miguel inquired cautiously. He doesn’t want Ash to be upset again.
“I went out with her a bit but we broke up.” Ash replied.
“Because of me?”
Ash did not reply. His eyes were looking far out the sea. It made Miguel feel bad.
“I’ll talk to her then. Miguel offered. “Where is she staying?”
“I broke it off.” Ash finally answered. “Whenever we’re together, All I can think about is the ocean...”
“... and you.”
“I don’t even get excited when I kiss her.” Ash continued. “I could barely sleep; I couldn't stop thinking about you.”
Ash looked at him. Miguel can see through his eyes a sense of longing. The same yearning he had felt for him. Miguel slowly and steadily held Ash’s shaking hand.
And while the sun slowly succumbs to the horizon, they slowly let their lips touch in a passionate kiss.
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