Chapter 9 - The Subic trip (part 1)

Josh already arrived at her house at 5 a.m., which the sound of a barking dog echoed around the area. Andie’s mom is already awake while Andie is still packing her things and the beverages she prepared that night.

“Drive safely okay and I trust you Josh, so you better keep that,” mom just told Josh before they go.

“Yes mom, you too take care okay and I’ll keep that in mind.” Josh said. Andie kissed her mom and waved goodbye.

“I didn’t have much sleep last night, is it okay if I nap first?” Andie told him while positioning herself to the side facing Josh cuddling a pillow she brought. Josh just tapped her shoulder allowing her to sleep.

“Wake me up if you need something. I put the sodas at the back if you thirst,” she said then sleeps.

Josh looked at her calm face while she sleeps and couldn’t believe himself that he’s finally out with her alone on a vacation. He told himself he’d give Andie the best vacation she could ever have after the stressors that hit her lately.

After almost three hours of travel, Josh woke Andie up and told her that they’re already approaching the zigzag road of Olongapo.

“Wow I really missed this place!” Andie told him while fixing her hair.

She looked around and then they passed the Municipal Hall painted in pink.

“See that hall and that public market over there? We used to go to those places when my friends brought me here some years back.” She told him while pointing at the places.

They already arrived at the rest house. It was in Subic, Zambales 20 minutes after Olongapo proper.

“Hey, this is nice!” she told Josh in admiration “You really developed this amazing thing?” she asked him.

“Yes, what do you think of it?” he asked while waiting what her answer would be.

“Let me check inside,” she said.

Andie inspects the interior of the house and could see that it was elegantly designed. The house has complete amenities and the furnitures looked expensive.

“Come, I’ll send you to your room,” he gently said as they went up to the second floor.

“Are you all right here?” This will be your room, or my room too,” he teased her.

“Don’t even think about it, Josh!” They both laugh.

Josh set her to stay in the American-designed room next to his room.

“You wanna sleep first?” he asked.

“No, I slept already, we can start touring around,” she told him.

“So let’s go? I’ll be your tourist guide today.” He told her.

Josh toured her around the house while explaining every detail of it, its strategic location, the rooms and their story.

The rest house is situated on the beach side, which was slightly elevated with a few large coconut trees within the vicinity surrounded by 4-feet brick red concrete enclosure not high enough to put on view the beach line. It is a two-storey hotel-type house with beige paint covering.

There was a porch at the left side of the house from the main entrance with steel-made chairs and tables painted in white with a beautifully landscaped garden surrounding it.

At the first floor, the living room was surrounded by large glass sliding doors facing the ocean view with white linen curtains swaying through the gentle blow of the wind. It was furnished with a full set home entertainment system mounted on a wooden organizer. The floor was made up of off-white granites. The walls were made up of beige brickwork that complemented the color of the floor and the staircase. There were also different authentic Contemporary French paintings of thousand dollars’ worth mounted on the wall. The large L-shaped old rose sofa was situated perpendicular to the home entertainment system.

On the right side of the house was a recently filtered 4 to 6-foot deep swimming pool with blue whale-formed tiles underneath. The two lounge chairs are positioned near the holding bar of pool.

Inside the house, after the living room comes the straight alley toward the huge dining room with long Narra table and six pairs Narra chairs. Beyond it was a tidy kitchen with complete Japanese utensils and Chinese cooking wares.

And from the living room on the right side is a large granite staircase going up to the second floor with four bedrooms. The first room has Mediterranean motif, adjacent to it is American where Andie is staying, the third is Caribbean style where Josh’s room is, and the biggest room, which is Josh’s brother’s room has Venetian designs.

Andie was amazed by how they’re able to come up with the motifs of each room. She thought the designs of each reflect their personality, their family background and their level of maturity.

“The rooms are pretty far from my imagination,” she told Josh.

“Did you hire professional interior designer for this?” she asked coolly.

“No.”

“Through the years of traveling in and out of the country with my brother, we’ve seen different places, faces, and cultures, but through all those years, this is the only time I’ve spent my life without him,” he sighed while still showing her the view.

“When he agreed to buy this property, I volunteered to design this one for him. He didn’t hesitate. I told him my idea, he was perplexed at first but suddenly he concurred and he thinks I can do better. I told him I will merge different styles from those faces, places, and cultures and put them in this tangible material.”

“Venice was his favorite place so I made his room in an Italian-like appearance so when he comes home to visit, he’ll remember our time in Italy,” he delightfully told her.

Even though Andie wasn’t sure about what he was talking about, she knows there’s something deeper on his statements he was trying to tell her, but she never bothered to ask. She knows in time, he’ll tell her about it. She’s just glad she’s able to recognize the deeper side of him.

“So he hasn’t seen this rest house yet?” she curiously asked.

“No.” “He hasn’t gone home in 2 years already.”

“How old is your brother again?” she asked.

“He’s 29 years old, we’re five years apart.”

“Then that makes you 24?” she asked in hesitation.

“Yes.”

Andie didn’t realize that she only knows a little about him, only those were told by Manang to her, and she didn’t even know what his age was until that time.

“Josh, why is it I don’t see pictures of your brother’s girlfriend or wife around?” she’s curious.

“It’s because he hasn’t married yet. It’s been a while since his girlfriend for 5 years left him for another man,” he told her.

“I’m sorry, I won’t ask anymore and I’ll keep my mouth shut this time,” she told him while making a zipper sign on her lips.

“It’s okay, I won’t tell you any further anyway,” he grinned.

She just raised her brow. Josh wrinkled her hair and pulled her down toward the kitchen.

Lunch is ready. The caretaker’s wife who happens to be the cook prepared a complete meal for them. Josh told her to prepare kare-kare, lechong kawali, bulalo soup, rellenong bangus, enseladang manga with kamatis, rice and a fresh buko juice.

“This is good!” Andie muttered upon seeing the table filled with different dishes.

They sat beside each other like they normally do except on their first real date.

“Lead the prayer, Josh,” she told him.

“Me again? Come on you do it please.” He told her.

“What do you mean, me again?” You haven’t led any meal prayers yet!” she grinned.

He just shrugs his shoulders unwilling to do so.

“Okay, okay I’ll do it,” she told Josh.

In the middle of their meal, Josh then remembered one topic on Andie’s article that when you’re out with someone of opposite gender alone in another place, that can be considered as another type of date; theirs is the same, only it’s a lunch date.

“Andie, why girls don’t accept lunch dates?”

Andie glanced at him in wonder.

“Why do you ask?” she asked him back.

“Just answer it please, why?” he replied.

“Because lunch dates are for those people who only use each other,” she told him.

“Are you sure about that?” his eyes rolled and raised a brow.

“That’s based on the article I read. It says it’s informal to ask someone out over lunch.”

“Example, you’re alone in a restaurant at lunch break, then you saw this pretty girl officemate of yours alone also. As you don’t want her to see you dining alone the same way she does, your first impulse was to call her to sit with you. You’ll talk a little then after your meal you’ll go to your different departments. No connections. No romance. So, that’s just about it. Unlike when you ask a girl out for a dinner, you plan for it, you even dress well, you speak like you’ve been possessed by Shakespeare, then there’s romance and after that you’ll ask for more, so that’s something special. See the difference?” she told him.

He just nods in admiration.

“But you call that a date?” he is curious.

“Why not?” “It’s informal, it doesn’t have to mean it’s something serious.”

He knows she’s right and it just hits him when she explained to him about lunch dates.

“So have you gone out on lunch dates lately?” she straightforwardly asked him.

He was choked and started sipping the buko juice.

“Ha ha ha, did it hit straight to your face?” she sheepishly told him.

He just frowned. They finished lunch and planned to drive inside Subic Bay Freeport.

The SBMA guards on yellow uniforms inspected their vehicle and the passengers. Andie filled out the small entrance pass with their names and the vehicle they’re driving. After doing so, they’re allowed to enter the vicinity.

“SBMA didn’t fail to amuse me, really!” she told Josh.

“Ooppps, intersection, you should stop,” Andie warned Josh while he abruptly stepped on the brake. The traffic personnel almost caught them.

“Gosh I almost forgot!” he told her.

“Ouch that hurts!” Her head was struck. She was pounding her chin through her clasped fist that moment.

“What are you doing?” He was laughing when he saw her.

“Need to make sure I won’t get dumb.”

“You’re a therapist and you believe that?” He still laughs.

Stopping at every intersection even there’s no red light on or no vehicles approaching is a standard traffic rule inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Anyone caught beating the red light or not stopping at each intersection will be given warning signs and on the third attempt will ban you and your vehicle from passing the vicinity.

“Turn right then straight,” she said.

“What’s this place are we going again?” he asked.

“It’s Times Square, let’s check Cosmic Bowling first,” she told him.

“I’ll just buy some soda at Little Caesar’s okay? Meet me there after you parked,” she said.

Josh walks toward her while she sits on the benches outside Little Caesar’s. He brought his digicam with him and started taking snapshots of Andie.

“Stop it Josh, let me pose first,” they both laugh.

They took pictures in different areas outside the Times Square Cinema, while inside the Cosmic Bowling and the other side of the place. Josh was fond of Cosmic Bowling as different colors fused on their clothes.

“So weird, you looked like a neon human,” he told her while laughing. “So are you.” She laughs.

“Let’s go, we need to catch Zoobic Safari,” Josh said.

Josh drives toward the area but it took them so long to locate the place, as the two haven’t been there yet. They’ve reached Upper Cubi at the ruins of Crown Peak Gardens. Shortly after, at the Cubi they passed by Legenda Suites. Andie asked him to pull over first to take some photos. They couldn’t spot anyone around to take their pictures so they set the digicam and placed it on top of the truck’s hood for automatic shots. They were laughing at themselves by how funny they looked while taking their photos.

“Well, next time we’ll bring someone who could take our pictures,” he told her while he chuckles.

“Next time?” she muttered. “He really thinks there’ll still be next time for both of us?” she giggles.

“Come on now Mr. Singson, we’ll be late for Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure.”

Josh paid for the entrance tickets at Zoobic Safari when they arrived at the place. They first checked The Serpentarian where they saw hundreds of snakes confined in a bunker, next is The Savannah followed by The Petting Zoo and then The Tiger Safari where they rode a safari Jeepney with at least an inch open wire mesh covering the window and the door area while on the simulated Safari. The tigers run to and fro the wild while the Jeepney is coursing throughout, as a male guide dangled a live chicken out of the window to feed them. The wild animals would strike the Jeepney, pushing it hard on the side, which excites the Jeepney’s passengers. After their ride on the shuttle, they decided to stop at Ocean Adventure, unfortunately, they weren’t able to catch the whale viewing and whale encounters, so they decided to drive at Triboa Mangrove instead.

“It’s already 5 p.m. when they arrived at Triboa Park. It’s almost time for the bats to come out in group from the cave. They stopped at the long wooden bridge to take pictures of the bats flying in troupes. Next stop is The Boardwalk.

“I didn’t realize how nice the boardwalk turned,” she told him.

They strolled along the stretch of the boardwalk after Josh parked. It’s getting dark. The lights on the pole were already on. Josh held her at the end of the boardwalk to witness the sunset.

“I really love seeing the sunset,” Josh told her.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I’m certain that the sun will shine again tomorrow,” he promptly answered.

Then he put his arm around Andie’s shoulder as they stare at the setting sun.

“Hurry!” Andie said while pulling Josh from the end of the boardwalk toward the area of grilling station. It was already dark.

The grilling station was located near the boardwalk at Waterfront. There’s also some newly opened restaurant and hotel.

“I like that hotdog, what do you like?” she asked him.

“I think I’m craving for isaw,” he told her.

“They don’t sell isaw here silly!” “Hotdog?” she said while handing him the hotdog on stick.

“You want a casino session instead?” she asked him. “No!” he laughs.

“Can you take me to some isaw stand?” he persisted.

“I told you, no isaw here. Are you hungry already, you wanna go back now?” she asked.

“No, no, I told them we’ll not get home early so I think they didn’t prepare for tonight’s meal. Where do you want to eat?” Josh on the look.

“Wherever you want. I just remembered you told me you’re going to be the tourist guide for today,” she chuckled.

“Okay, I think I saw Gerry’s Grill right there,” he said while pointing on the left side direction.

While dining in Gerry’s Grill, they were talking about where they could spend the night for entertainment.

“I heard there’s this one whole street with different bars here,” he hesitantly told her.

“Yes, that’s Magsaysay Drive, you want to go?” she asked.

“Suggest any,” he continued.

“Let’s see which place is not crowded,” said she.

Already 9 p.m. when they arrived Magsaysay Drive from Rizal Ave.

“Try to park at that diner, then we’ll walk,” she told him.

They coursed through the street to check every establishment.

“What are you looking for, don’t you want to enter?” he asked her while she seems like looking for some place.

“I know it was here, the location is here,” she muttered.

“Chatterbox is our favorite hangout before, but I think it’s already closed.” “We only get to spend 30 pesos for food and drinks throughout the night plus you can sing and dance with the cute band members I remember,” she giggles.

He wasn’t paying attention.

“Manong, do you know where Chatterbox is?” Josh asked the cigarette vendor positioned outside the bar’s main entrance.

“Not Chatterbox anymore, it’s Mondeo’s now,” the vendor told him in a weird Zambal accent. “Okay, thanks,” he told the vendor while tapping his shoulder.

“You hear that? Let’s check that Hard Rock over there,” he pulled her on the next bar.

“Is that it?” Josh was shocked. I don’t like the place, it’s crowded,” he continued.

“Really!” We don’t frequent that place before because we think that bar is as expensive as that one in Makati,” she told him.

Let’s go check another bar,” he told her.

“Okay I know some place,” she pulled him.

“Good good, the place isn’t full yet, let’s go!” she said.

“Sam’s Pizza, “ Josh reads as he enters. “This one’s better.”

Sam’s Pizza is one of the fine diners abode Magsaysay Drive. Yuppies from around the city patronized the place for its pleasant ambiance, nice set of foods and beverages, outstanding performers and great crowd.

“Is there any band here?” Josh asked after placing their orders.

“I’m not quite sure this time, I only know a solo performer,” she answered.

“No idea what kind of music either?” he asked again. She just shook her head.

The performer already sat in front and played his piece. That night’s genre was jazz, pop and 80’s. He greeted the crowd and started asking for request that he’ll be singing if it’s on his lineup.

Josh handed the waiter a sheet of napkin for his request as well as Andie’s.

“There’s someone who’d like to request for the song “Believe it or Not” theme song from “The Greatest American Hero,” the performer announced. “Who is Josh?” he asked while searching from the crowd.

Josh hesitantly raised his hand up through Andie’s insistence.

“He wants you to sing your requested song with him, he knows you’re not from here,” Andie teased Josh.

“What, no way!” Andie laughs.

“Unfortunately Josh, we don’t have the lyrics and the keys of your requested song, but you can help us sing with it in a cappella,” the performer declared.

He shook his head in embarrassment while the crowd were clapping their hands and convincing him to sing. Andie pushed him also to sing but he would not stand up. After a few minutes of persuading him, he finally agreed and went to the stage to sing with the performer.

He tested the mic and it echoed too loud which made the people snicker, but still he continued. He asked the performer to back him up if he would forget the lyrics.

“Who are you going to dedicate this song for?” the performer asked Josh.

“The lady sitting over there and for all of you,” pointing at their direction.

Then he started to sing in a cappella. When he’s on the chorus part, the people sang with him and the crowd turned wild.

“Believe it or not I’m walkin’ on air, I never thought I could feel so free, flyin’ away on a wing and a pray’r. Who could it be? Believe it or not, it’s just me,” his song goes.

The people applauded.

After he sang, he came down from the stage and the people stood up to greet him and shook his hand, giving him a thumb’s up.

“I can’t believe you just did that!” Andie told him while patting his back.

“I can’t believe myself either, don’t tell my friends that I messed up here in Subic, okay?” he told Andie. She just laughs.

Andie’s request was now called and she’s nervous that they might not have the piece either so she’s preparing for her call, and if they do, she might have to hide at the comfort room first, she told herself.

“I believe this song is for your partner over there, the brave man Josh,” the performer told them. Andie shook her head and smiled.

Thankfully, they’re able to sing the song “Whenever I Call You Friend” by Alison Krauss and Michael Johnson. He asked for the next performer’s help for the woman part of the song.

“I don’t know that song,” Josh told her.

“Shhhh just listen to it.” Josh turned silent and was trying to catch up with the lyrics of the song.

After the first set, Andie already asked Josh to go home so they can rest. He then drove off toward the rest house.

Andie laughs whenever she remembers Josh’s performance. She would sing part of the song that he did.

“Stop it Andie, it’s not funny,” he told her.

“Why? I’m just singing,” she told him while still laughing.

“You’re making me mad,” he frowned.

“Let me check the radio if your requested song is there,” she teased.

“Stop teasing Andie,” he told her while his face turned serious.

“Okay, okay I’ll stop,” she bursts out to laugh.

The two then laughed endlessly even until they arrive at the rest house.

“Don’t sleep yet, let’s talk first,” Josh told Andie after walking her in her room.

“Okay, I’ll just freshen up,” she told him.

***

“You still up, Andie?” Josh asked while knocking softly on her door.

Andie slightly opened the door and her desire of seeing Josh on his pajamas satisfied her. Josh looked at her also while she’s wearing her Spandex shirt and stretch jogging pants. She went out of her room and then asked Josh to stay in the veranda, afraid that it might suggest awkwardness between the two if she’d allow him to enter the room.

There’s a period of silence when they’re already seated in the couches at the veranda on the second floor. Josh slightly opens the glass sliding door so the air escapes through the gap.

They’re both waiting who would speak first.

“Ah, would you like to eat, let’s go down the kitchen?” Josh finally speaks.

“No, I’m full. Is there anything you’d like us to talk about?” she sheepishly asked.

“Uhmm, I don’t know, what about you?” he turned back at her. She just shook her head.

A minute of silence again. “God, please help me,” Josh whispered.

“You were saying?” she was yawning. “I guess we need to say good night then?” Andie continued.

“Wait!”

“Yes?”

“Ah no, okay, tomorrow perhaps, I guess you’re sleepy.” He told her.

“Night Josh.” “Night Andie.” He then walked her toward her room.

“Man, what’s wrong with me?” he asked himself while knocking his head. “I won’t forgive myself for this night,” he thought to himself then he entered his room.

Andie was also disappointed when she entered her room and jumped on her bed. Josh couldn’t believe himself he actually got tongue-tied in front of her. Another first time for him. Then he reached for his cellphone.

“u stil up?, his text goes.

“yes.”

"I jst want 2 thank u
4 coming wid me
reli aprc8 it.”

“my pleasure, Josh
tnx 4 bringing me
hir…”

“no prob, we can
come hir every wk
if u want 2.”

“r u sure?
i wont say no
2 that :D”

“ok, so
it’s a date?”

“DATE AGAIN? :p” she texted back with all caps telling him his idea is outrageous.

“btw, I reli like
wat u did in sam’s pizza
I didn’t knw u wer
a gr8 singer, hehehe!”

“wat’s with the all caps txt?
en yea, im helluva singer
hahaha”

“andie, r u happy?”

“yes, josh.”

“ok, I’ll c u
in the mrning
gudnyt.”

“nyt josh.”

“i miss you alrdy.” his text goes.

Their conversation ended there. Andie didn’t want to expect anything from him so she stopped.