Dare to Dream

The plane touches down as we finally reach the destination. Outside the window rays of sunshine and water surround every direction.

“I can’t believe I’m here.” I mumble to myself.

“Believe babes! Welcome to paradise or…” Tina wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Welcome to The Philippines!! The birth country our families are from!! The both of us gather our luggage and head off the plane as we search around for our other friend Kathryn.

“Where did Kath say she was going to meet us?” I question

“She said she was gonna meet us in front of TSA so she should be-“ A loud shout bellows from the other end of the airport.

“TINA!!! DANI!!! Over here HEY!!!” Kath’s over by the front entrance waving to us. I sprint over to my friend and grab her in a hug.

“Oh my gosh!! I laugh as I sway her back and forth in the embrace I hold her in. I let go of her as I feel my phone buzz.

“I’m excited to see you soon my love.” I feel my eyebrows raise in question.

“What do you mean soon? You’re at work. Aren’t you?” I quickly send him a text and put my phone back in my pocket.

“And who was that Miss Dani girl?” Kath smirks over at me. She doesn’t know I’m dating her older brother.

“Just my mom checking that we landed.” I replied quickly. It wasn’t a lie mom did check in on me since the 3 of us will be living at my Lola’s place for the next month while we are in the Philippines. Kathryn and Tina I’ve known since we were in elementary school and our dream has always been to learn about our culture and find inspiration for our dreams. Mine is to be an author, Kath a producer and songwriter, and Tina an artist but all of us haven’t been having inspiration lately and decided it’s time to take a trip to the Philippines.

“What time is your cousin coming to get us? Tina asks as we head to the front entrance of the airport.

I reach for my phone in my back pocket.

“I’m in the navy blue Toyota. When you walk out of the airport I’ll be on the left.” I tell them the text that my cousin Eric sent to me. When we walked out the hot humid air hit us immediately. I look to the left and there’s the navy blue Toyota. But my breath catches as I abruptly stop. Leaning against my cousin's Toyota is my boyfriend, Kath’s older brother, Dylan. A smile break out of me as I sprint towards him. My arms warp around his neck as he lifts me off the ground and spins me around.

“What are you doing here?” I mean I’m not disappointed I’m so happy you’re here.” I tell him.

“Babes did you really think he thought of this himself.” Katy smirks at me again.

“He told me months ago and wanted to surprise you and he will be with us the whole month.” She smiles at me.

“Honestly I’m happy you’re together. Still a little annoyed you didn’t tell me but he explained why and I get it.” I grab her and pull her into a hug.

“Thank you Kath! And I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.” “It’s okay.” She says. “Come on let head to your Lola’s place. We are going to have the time of our lives.”

We arrived at my Lola’s place about 20 minutes later. I grab my stuff and settle into my old room.

A knock sounds at my door. Dylan is leaning against the door frame. He walks over in slow strides and grabs my hand. “I wanna take some place that will give you inspiration in your writing.” A brow lifts on my face. Where are you taking me mahal? His head faces the sky as a laugh escapes him.

“That…mahal is a secret.” He says his arms warp around my waist as he pulls me closer.

“Dress in your nice dress. I know you bought it and then I’ll be waiting for you downstairs. His thumbs proceed to rub slow circles on my waist. “We will head out on your first adventure in the Philippines.” He says is nose rubbing against my jaw. His lips are inches from my mouth. The heat from his breath fanning my face.

“Alright out kuya.” Dylan and I separate from each other seeing Kath and Tina at my door way.

“We need to help your Nobya. Get ready so get out Kuya we have work to do.” Dylan releases me as he backs away his hand still holding my fingers.

“I will see you later my love.” He says

“See you soon Mahal.” I reply.

About 2 - 3 hours later Tina and Kath are putting the finishing touches on my makeup and outfits.

“And there.” Kath says “All right your done babes.”

“Oh my gosh you look gorgeous.” Tina announces. I turn in my heels to see myself in the mirror. My earlier black hair that was wavy from the earlier humidity is now straight. My make up is natural the way I like it lip stick, mascara, but when I look at my eyes I have eyeshadow on and I normally do but this makes my hazel eyes pop.

“Come on Dani!!!” Tina motions. I walk to the end of the hallway and head down the stairs. I grab hold of the handrail as I feel my heels click ain’t the wooden stairs. At the end of the steps I see my boyfriend waiting in his dark pants and a nice white button down dress shirt.

“You clean up nice.” I say to him.

“You too, gorgeous.” He says as he takes my hand and twirls me around.

“Are you ready to go?” He asks. I nod my head as he grabs the keys to my cousin’s car and we head out the door.

The drive felt like at least an hour, but I don’t know because I fell asleep half way through the drive. I look around and all I see is the ocean and sand.

“Dyl, where are we?” I asked, looking around.

“Do you trust me?” He asks me as he reaches for my hand and places kisses on my knuckles.

“Of course.” I said to him,

“Follow me.” He says and takes my hand and leads me towards the beach. I pull him to a stop.

“Let me take off my heels. It’s more comfortable for me that way.” I said to him, I take them off as he reaches to hold them for me. We walk for a few more blocks until we come upon a beautiful spot as the sun begins to dip beyond the horizon. Behind me is a cute restaurant.

“When we were little, what was your number one dream?” He asked me.

“I always wanted to be a writer and start a bookstore in the Philippines.” I said.

“Right so what if I tell you...this.” He gestures to the cute restaurant.

“Is yours.” He says. He bits his lip to stop himself from breaking out into a smile.

“This restaurant…is mine.” I ask him.

“It used to be a restaurant but now it could be your bookstore.” He says as he fishes out of his pocket keys to the restaurant. He drops them into my hand.

“This is now yours. This place is now yours and now you have the opportunity to live here with your family and maybe stay in the Philippines with me and not just for the last month of summer.” I throw myself at him as he lifts me off the ground.

“Do you know how much I love you, Mahal?” I ask him

“My love, I love you more than words or actions can ever describe.” He says as cups my face and pulls me in for a kiss. I separate and laugh as I pull him in for a hug.

“Hey guys.” I separate and see Tina, Lath and my family wave from the porch of the restaurant.

I’m so excited for the summer.” I tell Dylan.

“Mahal kita, my love. I’m excited for this summer too.”