They heard Rich's voice as the three of them entered the main gate. "Thank God you guys are back! I've been waiting here forever. Where have you guys been? My nap just gave me a headache, I guess."

"I just read by the beach. Where have you two been? Mara looked at Josh and Jang.

"Josh loves fishing, and we went around asking how we can go fishing here," said Jang.

Josh excitedly shared what they learned from talking to the guys in the fishing boats.
"The guys in the dock were nice, and if we get the chance, they will bring us with them."

Mara felt excited for Josh. "That is cool! You can go with them since you are already here. So you can feel the difference."

Josh's face lighted up as she stared at Mara. "You think so, too? That is what I'm telling Jang! For experience. But Jang doesn't want to join me." Josh sounded disappointed.

Rich gave a funny comment. "Not my cup of tea, Josh! I'm a mermaid, but I can't stay under the sun for too long!"

Seeing the disappointment on Josh's face, Mara volunteered. "I can join you since I haven't gone fishing. So I will be glad to come! Anytime!"

Rich started brushing Mara's hair with a fork. "Okay, Princess Ariel! Go with Josh. But for now, let us prepare for dinner because Ursula is growling inside my stomach!"

They all laughed. Mara and Rich prepared the table while Josh and Jang readied the drinks. The four enjoyed a dinner of seafood, vegetables, and fruits. After dinner, they all sat around the fireplace. Rich brought out something.

"I have brought Jenga for us to play with. I usually do naked Jenga, which I am an expert on, but we will make tonight a wholesome one. We don't want to be overwhelmed with you macho guys around! Besides, Mara is old-fashioned!" Rich said excitedly.

Mara crackled. "Hahaha! You bet!"

Rich explained the game rules. "We will make it truth or dare, Jenga. It will also be one way for us to know each other more. Agree?"

And all shouted yes to the truth or dare Jenga game.

***

"What an interesting start! Jang and my expert level seem to match up. As expected, my girlfriend here is so out of the Jenga world!" Rich was clapping his hands since he and Jang were leading the game.

"Mara, truth or dare?" Jang asked.

"I'm honest, so that I will go for the truth. But who is going to ask the question?" Answered Mara.

Rich wanted Mara to loosen up. "Well, since we are just four here, all the three will ask one question each. Just for fun, girlfriend!"

Mara was trying to object. "Is that fair? Okay, even if I disagree."

But Rich wouldn't take no for an answer. "Let me be the first girlfriend! Since you came here 3yrs ago, when did you realize that you already moved on?"

"Seriously, Rich?" Mara exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm serious, like emergency room serious!" shouted Rich.

Mara, not wanting to spoil the moment, started talking. "Last New Year's Eve. I was alone in my apartment. Ever since I came here every New Year's eve, I always cry myself to sleep. You know why. But it was the first time that I didn't feel like crying. I got through the countdown with no tears at all. It even surprised me because when I sat and watched the countdown on tv, I didn't feel as sad and angry as before, even after the clock struck midnight. I remembered it, but I didn't cry at all."

"Congrats, best friend! I am so proud of you!" Rich said as he hugged Mara tightly.

Mara looked at Jang. "Who is going to ask me a question next? Beware! Hahaha Jang your turn."

"Out of curiosity, what were you trying to move on from? So you can pass," asked Jang.

Mara paused, then Rich dared her. "If you have moved on, girlfriend, you should be able to answer that!"

Mara smiled shyly and answered Jang. "I had heartbreak on New Year's eve. Big time! My ex-fiance broadcasted it on national tv."

"Elaborate on that, girlfriend!" Rich shouted again.

"Are you drunk now, Rich? I feel you are putting me on the spot, huh?! It's Josh's turn to ask questions now." asked Mara. 

"It is my turn now to ask. Why did you say it was big-time?" Josh asked as she looked at Mara.

"He was my boyfriend for 5yrs from when he was trying out his luck in the business. We were already together. That New Year's eve, we were on our 2nd yr as an engaged couple. So it's like our 7th year of being together. He dumped me on national tv during the countdown celebration. Quite a show, right?" Mara said, sounding embarrassing. 

Rich puts up his beer can and offers Mara a beer. "You should drink, girlfriend! We should drink to your moving on!"

"No need for that best friend. I don't drink anymore," said Mara.

Mara faced Josh and gave him another can of beer. "That is why you guys can drink more. Since you are also drinking for me. And I'm used to being the sane one when Rich is drinking."

Josh and Jang's laughter surrounded them.

"Rich, it's our turn to ask you questions! Josh and I are curious. How long since you last been to Korea?" asked Jang.

Rich counted mentally and shouted. "Twenty years ago! I left Korea 20 yrs ago. But I still know the language."

"What Korean movies or shows have you watched and when?" Josh asked.

"I have watched none since 20 yrs ago. Oh, except for Crazy Rich Asians!" replied Rich.

"Where have you been all the past 20 yrs, best friend? Why didn't you get the chance to watch any at all for 20 yrs?" Mara teased Rich.

Rich told his life story. "Seriously, my dad was strict since we moved to the Philippines. He banned everything about Korea except speaking the language because of my mom. My maternal grandparents didn't support my parent's marriage. Maybe my father can't take it anymore! We packed our things, and he said I'm returning to the Philippines! Where my life is waiting!" (Rich started humming to a Filipino song)

Mara started laughing as she knew Josh was taking his dialogue from a song. "Hahaha!"

"How do you find your vacation so far?" Mara asked Jang.

"Enjoyable!" said Jang.

"Stop being competitive, Josh. It should be your turn to be asked questions." Jang started moving the table for Josh to lose.

"Ah, I thought I had it! Bring on your questions!" said Josh.

"Do you work out regularly? You know my beki mind is curious!" asked Rich as he looked at Josh.

"You crazy one!" reacted Mara. 

"Yes, I do; it's like one of my stress relievers," Josh replied to Rich.

"Those stresses have done you good, my Josh!" Rich reacted with his funny expression.

Mara turned to Jang. "It's your turn to ask Josh. I am still thinking about what question to ask him."

"Okay, Josh, what do you want to achieve on this vacation?" Jang asked.

"At first, I want to be away from the work environment. But now, I want to be carefree and live simple and unplanned. I want to experience an ordinary life." answered Josh. 

Mara immediately responded. "Well, I can guarantee you carefree and unplanned. I don't know about being normal with Rich being with us!" And her laughter echoed.

The four of them agreed unanimously with laughter.

"What is your question about Josh's girlfriend?" Rich turned to Mara and winked.

Mara looked as if she was thinking of a tricky question. "Um... what do I ask? Oh yes, I'm curious about these guys. So this will be my question for both Josh and Jang. How come you traveled without your girlfriends/wives?"

Rich got curious and looked straight into Josh's eyes. He wanted very much to hear what Josh's answer would be.

Josh shyly answered. "I am not in a relationship right now. But maybe if I have someone, I would always consider having her go with me on travel like this."

"Perfect answer, candidate no. 3!" said Rich while clapping.

They continued with the game while laughing and making fun of each other.

Mara whispered to Rich. "Best friend, I don't know if you feel it, but Josh is like a pandora's box. Whenever he answers a question he likes, he gives out a piece of himself. Like that feeling when you are unboxing a package."

"He is quite a gift, girlfriend! I love unboxing!" Rich joked.

Mara replied, laughing. "You are getting wasted, Rich!"

***