Katalina
The meal was sumptuous and the white wine made me feel fly.
“What else would you like to do?” Huracio asked as we made our way out of the restaurant.
“I don’t know. Maybe go to the movies?” I replied.
He twitched his nose and shook his head. “You just finished eating lunch, Kitty.”
“…”
Yeah. So?
I gave him a quizzical look since I didn’t understand why he said the obvious.
“Let’s take a walk on the beach.”
“Okay.” I blinked, realizing that it’s normal to take a walk after eating.
We returned to the room to find some beach wears, already prepared. I instantly knew he had more plans but was trying to lure me into it.
He wore a sky-blue, caribbean shirt with flowers and coconut tree motifs, while I got a yellow, three-piece-suit with a long boyfriend jacket.
The beach was bustling as the tourist season flows into mid-Autumn when the air is too chilly for people to hang around the beach.
He held my hand and we moved away from the crowded area until we got to a rocky, quiet area.
“Can you climb that rock?” He pointed to an elevation that looked like a small hill.
Though I do my share of exercise, I have never gone mountain climbing. Not even indoor. Therefore, asking me to climb a jagged hill right after having lunch is too much in my book. I wanted to refuse since he was asking and not telling. But when I looked into his eyes, I could see the eagerness. He wanted me to say yes.
Swallowing, I nodded and headed for the foot of the rock. Once there, I stopped and looked up. The rock was like maybe nine feet. It was almost whitewashed and the body was rough.
“Well?” I heard Huracio behind me.
I eyed the several dents on the rock. Some were big enough to hook my toes, but most of those were not close to each other.
“There is something up there. If you can make it up, I will give you a surprise.” He encouraged me.
He removed his flip flops and started climbing. I watched as he placed one big toe after the other in those dents and started moving upward.
“Come on.” He turned around and encouraged me with a smile.
There is no escaping this Katalina. Just do it.
“Okay.” I huffed, slipped out of my flip flops too, and started following his actions. The rock was hot to the touch, but it was bearable.
It isn’t that I have no idea how to climb, but I have not climbed anything other than a bed in years. Having to do it all of a sudden made me feel disoriented.
Huracio got up before me. He stood at the edge and watched me slowly make my way up with a satisfied smile on his face.
Once he could reach me, he threw out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.
The moment I stepped on the hilltop, my jaws dropped.
Right there, on the other side was a sign post with red lights strolling in and out, saying ‘I Love You, Kitty.’
My heart trembled, and my skin tingled as goosebumps surged out all over my body.
There was an archway that was covered with exquisite flower arrangements. There were a bunch of colorful balloons in love shapes on each side of the archway.
“What’s this?” I asked in a trembling voice.
Just then, music broke out from behind us. I turned around and found two men at the foot of the hill. One had a flute, and the other had a guitar. They started playing a popular love song. The harmony was psychogenic, stirring my soul to the point of moving me to tears.
I felt Huracio’s hand as it slipped round my waist. He gently pulled me to his side and held me in his embrace. With him leading, we started swaying to the music. Feeling his kiss on my head, I shivered. Sniffing, I tried to calm down. I leaned into him and closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me.
Just before the music came to an end, Huracio led me to the setup and said.
“Read it, Kitty.”
“I-I Love you Kitty.” I whimpered in a trembling voice.
He cupped my face in his hands and gazed into my flooded eyes.
“It’s true, Kitty. I love you, and I want to be with you forever.”
“Huracioooo!” I wailed and buried my face in his chest. He held me as shivers went through my body. I couldn’t stop quivering or weeping.
“I know we didn’t meet the right way, and you have many reasons not to believe me. But you are the woman for me, Kitty. I truly love you, and I am going to spend the rest of my life proving it to you. I promise.”
“I love you too, Huracio. I love you so much!” I wailed into his chest.
I have no idea how long we stayed on that hilltop. I was in a daze all through. Huracio loves me. He loves me. He fucking loves me!!!
After some time, I took some pictures. I sat down in-between his legs. We faced the sea, watching as waves after waves crashed against the rocks. In the distance, we could see surfers and boats, playing around on the open sea. It was the first time Huracio and I would be this close without tearing at each other’s clothes. He has endless energy, and I am always willing to serve. But tonight, we just enjoyed each other’s scent and warmth. It was so peaceful. The best part of it was that he would intermittently whisper the words into my ears. “I love you Kitty.”
God, the thrills that went through me each time he said it. I have never felt so settled in my life.
Getting down was easy as one side of the rocky hill was sloppy and easy to navigate. When we returned to the hotel, I was still in a daze and just kept clinging to him, letting him plant small kisses all over my face.
I just couldn’t believe it. On our way home, I leaned into him, held tightly to his arms, scared that it was a dream. I would wake up and the moment would be gone. I couldn’t bear to let that happen, but I had no idea how to stop it from happening.
Before going to bed that night, I sent pictures to Emilia. When she saw them, she was thrilled.
“I knew it!” She replied to my texts in capital letters.
“You did? But you never said anything.”