Clarriese Zyah's POV
"Hey! Wake up!" I uttered in a loud tone, deliberately disturbing his sleep. It was already 6:30 in the morning but he was still lying on the bed. He is an early bird. He usually got up at 5. "Come one, lalaki!" I pulled his hand, forcing him to rise up. "We are going somewhere!"
I just stared at him while he slowly opened his eyes, recovering from his sleep. So, this is how he looks when he got up every morning. He just woke up but still looked so fine, handsome. His gestures rubbing his eyes appeared adorable to me. He looked like a child sulking because his sleep was disturbed.
I am sorry, Dale. I just really need to do this. It is still for you. 
"Fix yourself first," I said and was about to stand up but Dale held my hand stopping me midway.
"Where are we going?" he asked, still in a sleepy tone. He already had enough sleep but look at him, he is still sleepy!
"Are you still mad about what happened yesterday?" I asked.
He just nodded. "That was too much for me to handle," he replied, down-spirited. 
I couldn't blame himself for feeling this way. Nobody couldn't accept the truth that was revealed yesterday. It was quite complicated and cruel. It even made me confused at first. 
"That's why we need to let them out!" I announced.
"What?"
"We will be going for a trip." I smiled. "Maybe this can help you to ease your mind."
"You planned this, woman?"
"Of course. Let me help you lessen the burden inside your heart," I said happily. "Grandma allowed me!" I added.
"Wait? You called her grandma?"
I smiled timidly and looked down. "What? She told me to call her that way!"
"Did she say that you are lovely?" he asked in a serious manner.
I nodded. "Hmm."
"That you'll be her favorite granddaughter?"
"Oh."
"That you'll be-"
"Wait. Wait!" I interrupted him. "Why asked me that?"
He raised his head and met my eyes. "She's certain that you will, definitely, will be my wife."
I patted his shoulder. "What are you saying?!" I stood up hastily. "Hurry up! We are leaving at 7:30!" I told him as I stormed out of that room . 
"What? It's just an hour away!"
"Exactly! So better hurry up now!"
When I left that room, I leaned on the wall and touched my chest. I could feel my heart beating fast. 
"She's certain that you will, definitely, will be my wife."
The words that just came out his mouth just a moment ago bombarded my head! It keeps repeating in my mind, louder and louder, making my heart beat crazily. What has gotten into me? Do I need to respond this way? Isn't it too much?
"Don't bring your car!" I announced when we were about to leave.
"What? How we are go-"
"We are going by bus, lalaki!" 
He paused. "What? Bus?"
I laughed at the way he reacted to what I said. I held his wrist and pulled him with me. "Let's go!"
He doesn't have any choice but to follow me. He was dragging himself while we were going to the bus terminal. I am aware how reluctant he was to go but I can't just let him be mad and that hatred devoured him again. He would lock himself up if we don't do something fun.
"Where are we really going, woman?" he asked when we sat in the back seats of the bus. 
"We are going nearby, Riem. You know that!"
"Yeah. Yeah. I know that place," he replied while hugging his backpack on his lap.
"Woman?" I heard someone calling me and tapping my shoulder. 
I slowly opened my eyes and realized that we were already at the Riem bus terminal. When I glanced at my wrist, it showed that we were on board for almost 4 hours. 
"Let's go," he said and stood up first. He helped me to carry my bag. 
We first went to the place where we are going to stay. Since Riem is not that big, there are no hotels here. When I did my research about this place last night, it's not bad. There are homestays for our shelter. It won't be a problem since there is someone accommodating us. One of the reasons why I chose this place for our trip is because of the picturesque beaches around the town. According to some reviews of travelers that had been  here, they all said that their stay was worth it and memorable. They never regret choosing this place and if they have a chance in the future, they'll surely come again.
I know that Dale won't have any problem because he isn't that picky. I remember back when we were in the province, he enjoyed the peaceful ambiance of the place. I saw how he admired nature back then. He is a person who loves tranquility after all.
"Are we staying here?" Dale couldn't believe it when I told him that we are going to stay in that kind of place. 
I giggled. "There aren't any five star hotel here, you know!"
"But. . . " he struggled and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "But, I've never been in this kind of place, woman."
"That's why we are here! You are here now!"
"Are you playing with me, woman?" he asked, casting me with serious glares.
Rather than giving him a response, I walked forward, leaving him from behind. I went closer to the hut and called the woman who was sitting at the entrance door. From her looks, I can say that she is younger than me. She looked so gentle and adorable.  
"Good morning!" I greeted her, calling her attention.
She noticed me and stood up. "Good morning. Are you Miss Zyah?"
"Yes, I am. I was the one who called last night."
"I already arranged everything, Miss Zyah. If you want to change something, please do tell me," she said while rubbing her hands. 
"So, can we go in now?"
She nodded lively.. "Yes, you can!"
After hearing her response, I looked back to Dale. "We can now go in, Dale."
He nodded and started pulling our suitcases inside the house. 
I didn't follow him inside. There's something holding me back. I could tell that the woman I talked to was showing some uncomfortable behavior. From the way she rubbed her hands, she looked so anxious. 
"Ahm. What's your name?" I started.
She looked at me and then bowed down. "My name is Mara."
"Mara. . . " I uttered her name softly. "Can I ask you something?" 
"E-eh. S-sure," she replied, stuttering.
"Are you alright?" I let her face me and meet my stares. "Why did you look so afraid?"
"Hmm?" I waited for her response when she went quiet.
"I am fine. . . " she started. "It's just that I met a violent customer yesterday. They didn't like the food I prepared for them so they vent their anger to me," she said, eyes on the ground. "Honestly, I am still afraid, even now."
"Huh? Why? What is there to be afraid of?" I inquired.
"Because, the two of you, you both look like from elite families, given with that expensive appearance. That sir who came with you is so serious and you even looked like a princess. I am still traumatized from what happened yesterday," she said emotionally. 
I moved closer to her and comforted her. "You don't need to be afraid. That won't happen. I left gentle pats on her back. "About him?" I raised my head and looked inside where Dale is right now. "He might appear serious outside but is actually soft."
"Really, Miss Zyah?"
I smiled and nodded. "Hmm. That's just the way he is. He is kind, Mara."
Finally, she can smile now without worries. "Miss Zyah, thank you."
"Ah? For what?"
"You were the first customer I ever had who asked me how I am doing."
I smiled at her. "It's nothing. You know, our stay here won't be worthwhile if we know that you are having some problems."
She let out a chuckle. "Thank you. I meant it." 
A moment later, she looked at me, analyzing my features. "Miss Zyah. . . " she uttered while staring at me. "OMG!" She covered her mouth with her hand. 
"Yes?" I asked. I was curious why she looked so shocked.
"You are really Miss Zyah? And that guy who came with you was Mr. Dale?" she asked, startled.
"Ow? How do you know that?" 
"I am an avid fan of Inkwell. Never in my life I thought that I could see you both in person!" she exclaimed. Her face was blushing and she looked like she was about to cry. "I never missed any release of Inkwell. When the news spread that you plagiarized, I never believed it. One of my friends even got mad at me for I am defending you."
I couldn't hold my tears back. "Really? Lemme hug you, Mara. I appreciate your support."
Someone out there believed me when I expected there would be no one.
Dale Daniel's POV
Honestly speaking, I really don't want to left my condo. I just want to lay on my bed without talking to anyone. I felt so broke. I am d*mn mad. After so many years, I finally saw my mother. But it turned out that she was the mother of Ledger, the one who sabotaged my company and tried to harm my woman. They are mother and son. That Ledger was my brother, half-brother. He was the reason for my mom and dad's estrangement. Knowing that truth, it hurts like hell. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I want to drown myself until I can't feel anything anymore. I want to feel numb about everything. But. . . 
When I saw her smiling as I opened my eyes in a new morning, I just wanted to rest in her embrace. When she told me that we are going on a trip, I just couldn't bring myself to decline. Before, it was too easy for me to reject someone but with her, I am being a coward. Knowing that she planned it well, how can I refuse to do that? 
After I put our suitcase inside the room, I noticed that she didn't follow me. When I checked her out, I saw her talking to the woman outside. They looked like they were in a serious discussion. The way she pinned her gaze on the lady before her, she looked so concerned. Her gentle taps on the lady's shoulder brought her smile back. Today, I am convinced that she is really good at it. Touching people's hearts. 
I looked around the stay house and it's not bad. It may appear small but somehow, it gives me a feeling of comfort. 
"Let's go!" 
"Where?" I asked her. 
"Let's explore the town!" she said loudly, full of excitement.
First day, we explored the town. We strolled down the streets. We went to an antique's store. We also visited some flower plants. We played bubbles at the park. When we got tired, we rested at one of the pavements at the park with an ice cream in our hands. She was leaning her head on my shoulder while we were both mesmerized by the aesthetic ambiance because of the setting sun. 
"Dale, don't rush yourself to accept everything. It may take some time but surely you will."
The next day, we joined the local community and entertained the homeless childs. We gave them food. We sing melodies and dance for them. They rhythm was lively and everyone were smiling. The smile on their faces were something that is indeed valuable. As I look at them, there is feeling alive within my heart that I couldn't even tell what it was. It just drives me to have fun with them, to jump with them. I have that feeling that I wanted to cry but I am smiling actually. 
The group also prepared some games for them where they really enjoyed themselves a lot. Of course, upon joining them while I am with my woman made me embrace the happiness of that moment.
"Look at the smile of those kids, Dale. Lovely, isn't it? They are facing struggles in life more than us but look how genuine their smile is."
The next day arrived. We woke up early in the morning and joined the program about our Mother Earth. We gathered together and did the tree planting. We also did the clean and green program where we collected garbage around the island. Before we finished up our day, Zyah persuaded me to attend the session "Green Paint". In that exercise we are given a blank canvas where we need to draw something about our environment. I enjoyed doing the activity. Zyah was being naughty and smudged the paint on my face. I did the same to her. We were both messed up when we finished our painting. We, ourselves, became a painting too. Look, our faces, hairs and clothes were covered with pigments.
"Life is really colorful if you just look at the beauty of it. Do you agree with me, lalaki?"
We spent every day meaningful. Every morning, she was filled with excitement for what we are doing next. On everything we do, she was with her smile, a captivating smile. During these days I spent with her in this small town, I know within me that I felt great. The burden inside my chest gradually faded away. Zyah taught me something about life. Let joy inhabit your heart and forgiveness will follow. Above all, she always, everyday, told me that we should learn to forgive because He forgives us first. 
"Dale, did you bring your camera?" she asked.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Have you seen any of that activities online, taking photos of strangers? Let's do that one!" Excitement ruled her gazes.
Since she urged me, we wandered around to search for our subject.
"Look! That man in black!" she pointed to the man wearing earphones in front of us. "He is handsome!"
"Wait, woman?" I looked at her with my eyebrows meeting each other. "Did you just say that he is handsome?"
She snickered and fondled my arms. "Don't be jealous, oh? You are still my man."
We approached that man and told him our agenda. Gladly, he accepted it with a light heart. 
After that, we looked around for our next subject. It was Zyah who did the move when she saw her target.
"Hey, can we take some photos of you?" She approached the woman with wavy hair and brown skin. 
The woman let out an uneasy smile. She couldn't bring herself to meet Zyah's eyes. "Pictures? You know, I am not confident with my body. I am not white, I am brown."
Zyah smiled at her. "What's wrong with being brown? You know, we are all unique from others. Someone out there may be white, brown or even black but we need to embrace our diversity. You are unique because no one else can be you. It's not about the colors of our skin, it's about our heart learning to accept who we really are and understanding that we are different from them so they are from us."
While looking at her, I couldn't help but to admire her more. She is definitely the woman I am looking for. The woman who made my heart beats for her name. She made me fall in love without realizing it. I just wake up every morning with a thought of seeing her wearing a veil walking towards me and wearing a ring on her hand. 
"We all have our own beauty. It's just that some of them can't be seen by our naked eyes. Some of them could only be seen by our hearts. That began when we fully embraced their imperfections. When we began to appreciate who they really are and not looking for something that they don't have. Like you, my heart knows you, Dale. You don't need to fully change yourself, change everything just for me. Just let me hold your hand, while you are facing those weaknesses. Let's together embrace our own flaws and scars." 
After the long day, we are now sitting at the seashore, gazing at the golden rays of the sun reflected at the ocean. The surrounding is undoubtedly ethereal. It made me want to spend the rest of my life here. It's so peaceful here. 
"It is beautiful, isn't it?" she asked, enthralled by the scenery. 
"Yeah," I agreed while staring at her. "My woman is so beautiful, both inside and outside."
She shoved away the strands of hair covering her face and turned her attention to me. "What are you saying, lalaki?"
"I am saying that you have a beautiful heart. I felt better when I was with you."
She valiantly held my gaze. We both didn't let out a world. We are just there, staring at each other. Letting our heart grasp our feelings. 
I found myself unconsciously leaning forward, closer to her. There's a force that brings me nearer to her. While I am an inch away from her, I glanced at her lips affectionately. I just realized that I already sealed her lips with mine before I could utter a phrase. When mine touched hers, she closed her eyes. Her lips were soft and warm, slightly parted, making a way for me. 
While her heartbeats collided with mine, I admitted that I am really into her. Finally, I found the woman who made my heart feel love and long for her. 
Zy, I love you and I always do.