Adam and Savannah enjoyed each other's company. They laughed, they ate, drank, then laughed again.
You’re a good listener Adam and easy to talk with.... I am sure you could be a great boyfriend or even a husband. Don’t forget to send me an email when you’re getting married. She will be so lucky to have you.
Thank you Savannah, appreciate that coming from you!
Remember Adam, communication is very important in any relationship. You can communicate well, coming from your heart. I can feel your sincerity. I will pray that you can meet someone that you deserve. You’re a good person.
Sav, your patronizing me huh!
No, Adam.... I am expressing my opinion and thoughts about you.
This is very memorable for me Sav... I will always cherish the moments of our 14-hour trip.
Same here Adam... I will not forget you! You made my trip so easy and comfortable. The real truth about why I don’t go home very often is because the 14 hour trip was so boring and unproductive, but this time, it's different. I met a special friend.
Adam was so happy to hear those words from Savannah....
Adam’s POV
I am so happy sitting beside you Sav. It is obvious that we speak the same language and we are on the same wavelength. I enjoyed every moment with you. I hope there are another 10 more hours for this trip, but we will deplane in the next two hours. I would like to kiss your lips and hug you tight.
Then, the captain announces that the big bird will land in an hour.
So this is it, Adam, we have to say goodbye. Maybe we can bump into each other someday.
No, I don’t want to say goodbye. Let’s say... see you again. Here’s my number in California and my local number here. This is my email. Please communicate with me, I beg you.
I will, Adam. Here’s mine. My cellphone and email address.
They hugged each other and said... see you soon! Take care and don’t forget to keep in touch.
Adam was so sad, he is having separation anxiety now.
I have to see you very very soon Savannah. I will not let you go.
The trip to Tarlac was smooth but his mind is somewhere else.
Welcome home, my dear brother!
Thanks, Susan. I am ready to open the next chapter of my life, dear sister! I found her.
Wow..that was fast! But I am happy for you.
How do I get to CN province, Susan?
CN province? If I remember it right, Uncle A*i is the commanding officer of that province.
You’re kidding me!
No, I’m not!
He is still working?
Yes, he is. He chose to work. He was so attached to his career as the tiger of Asia. He loves his work so much that he forgets his private life. He hasn’t gotten married since Aunt Lillian died. You know the story of their lives.
I looked upon him when I was a child and until now, how he carried his military career and, at the same time, took care of his family in spite of the complications of their union. He told me in the past that he killed his heart.
After Aunt Lillian died, I prayed so hard for him to find the love of his life. He deserved to be happy. I admired him on how he handled his family, Susan said. Let me call him tomorrow and see if I can make an arrangement for you.
Forget about calling him, I think I am going to surprise him instead. How’s that?
I think that’s a good idea, Susan said. But before your trip to CN province, let me organize a welcome party for you. I will invite our relatives.
Relatives and friends of the de la Lucca's are overjoyed to see Adam. It's been a while, almost 10 years since he visited the plantation. His childhood friend Rahul has three children and is married to his childhood sweetheart. Adam's classmate and was his girlfriend when he was in their teen was there to welcome him. Shirley is a special education teacher. She is happily married and has 2 children. It seems that his childhood friends are happy with their lives in the city. He felt that he was the only one who had painfully experienced marriage.
You have to find your true love, Adam, Rahul said.
I think I have already found her already buddy!
Whoa! I am glad Adam. You deserve to be happy. I am offering a toast to you and to your newfound love! Rahul exclaimed.
Savannah’s trip to CN province is another hour on the plane. Excitement and mixed emotions are setting in. Will they be able to recognize me or will I may be able to recognize them? It was sunny but a little bit windy in CN province when Savannah arrived. She was met by her friends, had the prelim lunch, said hello to one another. It was a sumptuous lunch, happy moments, and picture taking. They agreed to meet again at dinner time. Meantime, Savannah checked in at Bella’s bed and breakfast for 20 days. Her plan is to walk on the beach every morning, do some writing, take pictures and will visit the famous butterfly farm in the area. CN province was an old community even before the discovery of the Philippines by Magellan in 1521. The early settlers were believed to be direct descendants of the group of datus who escaped from the court of Brunei (Borneo) to evade the enmity of a ruling rajah. In 1571, Juan de Salcedo a
Early morning before the sunrise, Savannah was walking on the beachfront, enjoying the breeze and the walk. It was refreshing. Unbeknownst to her, a tall guy wearing a ray ban was watching her. After an hour, she received a text message that her friend Allan was running late. Then, she was approached by an unknown guy. Good Morning Mam, We would like to invite you for a cup of coffee in our tent. Thank you but no thanks! I am waiting for my friend to pick me up to have breakfast. Maybe, while waiting, my boss can share coffee with you. He is the commander in chief of this province and a 5-star general. Savannah was irritated..... Tell your boss, even if he is a 10-star general, I will not have coffee with him. We are being hospitable to you Mam. Please don't shut us up! The tall guy wearing a Ray Ban was approaching them. What is going on here? I am inviting her for a coffee, Sir! I overheard
While Ari and Savannah were in the middle of the ballroom, a tall guy from the entrance of the ballroom was watching them dance. He felt a dagger was thrown into his heart. It was hard to watch them dance the way Ari held Savannah in an intimate position. He had difficulty breathing. He went out for a while and breathed, then after 20 minutes he went back and whispered something to the person guarding the entrance of the hall. The guard went to Ari and whispered something. That time, Ari and Savannah were now seated at the table.Let him in and join us here at our table. Ben, please add another chair beside me. My nephew is here.A tall guy is walking to the table with a wide smile and hugs Ari.Hi Uncle Ari, It's been a while.Yes, it's been a while...good to see you, Adam.Hey, Adam, it's you! Why are you here?Yes Sav, it's me! How are you?I am fine Adam... Thank you!Did you know each other? Ari was surprised.
Meanwhile, a military officer was watching from a distance and recognized Savannah. He waited until the General and Savannah were back, seated on the table, then he approached Sav.Hi Ms. Sav, I hoped you would remember me. We are neighbors. You’re my sister Ann’s friend.Ohh Yes, I remember you Cris, my neighbor? And we are friends on Facebook, right! Savannah said.Who can forget a childhood neighbor who stole my brother’s heart? Cris jokingly said.You’re funny! Edna here?No, unfortunately, she missed seeing you. Her mother is in the hospital. She needs to attend to her.Sorry to hear that. What happened?She slipped into the bathroom, her hips were dislocated.Is she okay now? Savannah askedShe will be. Let’s have a chat later to catch up. Cris said.Why not now Cris? Sav responded.May I be excused for a while. I need to talk to Cris alone.Ari said, Sure.... Cris,
You told me, Allan, she’s a childhood friend. Tell me something about her, Ari asked.Sav belongs to a big family. Her father has 10 siblings and 8 of them migrated to the US. When we were in high school, she was one of the beauties we had. She's always wearing stateside tops and shoes. Tall, beautiful, and smart. She was one of the most active students in extracurricular activities in our class. Though she was shy at that time, she gained a lot of friends. Her family was very protective of her. She can't attend parties, no weekend movies except she goes with her family. I don’t know if it's tough for her, but it seems that she’s good at coping with her father’s strict guidelines. She turned out to be okay. She is a good person, decent, and focuses on what she does. She doesn’t play around.While Allan and Ari are whispering, Savannah is brought back by Cris.General... As promised, I am returning Sav to you, without any scrat
Yes Cris! I have been waiting for her to come home. Now she's back! This is my only chance to marry my true love.Cris was so stunned but he did not show it to General Ari. He was so worried now about Sav.Let’s go back. Dinner will be served in a minute. This is confidential, Cris.Sure, General, you can count on me.As soon as they get back to their individual table, dinner is served.When the plates were served, Ari was so attentive to Savannah’s plate, he cut the steak into little pieces then turned to her, now eat, it's ready. You have to drink coffee, not wine, since you have a low tolerance to alcohol.Thank you, Ari. I can do that you know. And I can handle at least 2 shots of red or white wine, so I can take care of my heart, Savannah said.No, avoid alcohol, please. There’s more options to take care of your heart. Just accept me and I will take care of you, not only your heart!Everyone was stu
We have time tomorrow, right Sav, how about lunch?I can’t Adam, I have to be in L county to see my relatives. I should be back late afternoon or early evening.I will go with you, Ari interrupted.Ari, I have not told my relatives that I have guests, they might be surprised and intimidated that I am bringing in a General. I will rent a car. I will be okay Ari.I will go with you, no but this time.Adam can go with us, Allan and Mary too. So, while you’re with your relatives, I have them with me. How’s that? I am making it easy for you Sav.Allan and Mary were looking at Sav, giving her a hint to say Yes….Okay, you win.We will contact Stanley to accommodate us at their restaurant while waiting for you Sav, Allan said.Who is Stanley? Ari asksSavannah's cousin and a restaurant owner. A good friend of ours and a classmate in school.Hey Allan, please order my favorite d
I saw her when she was only 15 years old. She belongs to their school’s model platoon that competes in D county. I was a young Lieutenant at that time just got married. You know the story, Adam, about my marriage.If I was single then, I will pursue her. I cannot forget that face.After 10 years, I saw her again, working in the government office in the city. I was then 1-star general. I can't take off my eyes on her. I would like to hug her so bad. She was then married and with 2 kids. Both of us are married. A friend from Tarlac who was their regional director noticed my staring...he whispered to me, she's married.Adam is listening attentively to Ari while drinking Vodka.Does she know you?No, she doesn’t know me.When I was promoted to 3-star general, I was assigned to D county. Her house is only 5 miles away from my office. Every afternoon, I will drove and pass by her house. Sometimes, she was tending her orchids collection