I went to my Lola's province and it was one of the beautiful places I've ever seen. My relatives welcomed me pagkalapit ko sa kanila, "Lhea!" All of them shouted my name while waving their hands. I gave them a shy smile and went straight to them.

         "Naku, ito na ba ang anak ni kuya Wilson? Napakagwapa naman pala talaga, mas maganda sa personal keysa sa Picture," said the strange woman. I'll guess, she's one of my Aunties, kamukha niya kasi si Dad.

         "Ako pala si tita Lorna mo, at ito si mama ang lola nimo," Tita Lorna introduced herself and to the old woman standing next to her. I smiled back at them and do the Pilipino tradition-ang pagmamano.

         "Mano po." I grabbed my Lola's hand and it was pretty obvious that she's very old based on her own skin. "Pagpalain ka sa Ginoo," she whispered. I'm not sure if she could barely see me but I still showed her my best smile to emphasize that I am glad that I met her too.

         "Junior, dalhin mo mga gamit ni ate nimo ha," said my Auntie Lorna. Then a young boy came to me and took my maleta and my backpack, he is too skinny but have a big brown eyes, para tuloy naka-contact lenses siya, in fairnesa ang cute ng mga mata niya, but I refused to give my backpack sa kaniya. "Its okay, ako na magdala ng back pack ko, thank you." Hinayaan ko sa kaniya ang maleta ko, hindi naman masyadong mabigat iyon at nagpasyang ako na lang magbibit-bit sa backpack ko. Then the boy looked at me, na para bang hindi niya naintindihan ang mga sinabi ko. I couldn't see any reaction to his face. I wonder, maybe hindi niya ako na-gets, kasi hindi talaga siya nakakaintindi ng tagalog. That was when tita Lorna spoke to that boy using their own mother tongue that obviously, ako naman ang hindi makaintindi, hindi pa kasi ako marunong magbisaya e. And then the boy just nodded and leave my backpack alone. Mukhang nakuha niya ang gusto kong mangyari.

         "Tara na Hija, naghihintay na ang pagkain sa bahay. Naku, marami na ang may gustong makilala ka," Tita Lorna exclaimed.

        "Hmmn okay po." I followed them hanggang sa makarating kami sa terminal ng mga tricycle. Actually, I was expecting that a private car will pick us. But unfortunately, we just ride to a kind of tricycle that was really look fantastic. Iba kasi ang disenyo nito sa manila, kaya nakakaignorante lang.

          I regrets nothing, the places were so beautiful, the air was so refreshing compared to manila. There were carabaos, horses and goats walked along with us. They were all awesome. I grabbed my DSLR on my backpack and took some photos of them. The place was so fascinating, the people here were very kind, polite and charming too. They were giving me a big smile whenever I rolled my camera to them. Its seems like, sanay na sila sa harap ng camera, no wonder, because this place was one of the recommended places sa mga turista especially if you wanted to have an unforgettable vacation. And maybe sanay na silang kinukuhaan ng camera dahil puntahan naman talaga ito ng mga turista. Actually they were the main topics when it comes to the most generous people and most beautiful places all around the Philippines.

           And finally, we reached to my old Dad's house. Where he grew up, where half of the memories of his life happened here. It wasn't actually gorgeous compared to our house in manila. The age of this house was also pretty obvious, I quite sure na hindi pa ito nakararanas ng anumang uri ng pintura, dahil bakas pa rin ang matitibay na kawayan na ginamit sa buong bahay. It has a second floor, every materials were made up of woods, bamboo and whatsoever kinds of nature's product. There were also plenty of different flowers on the backyards. I heard that Lola really loves plants and flowers and I was really amazed that she kept it all very well. We were also sorrounded by many houses, sooner or later, magiging kapit-bahay ko na rin sila. Another group of people welcomed us, helped us with my stuff.
While the other kapit-bahay looked at me na para bang may superstar na dumating--- haha kidding aside. Basta, I can sense na ako ang usap-usapan nila.

          "Halika Hija, pasok."

***

            My first day here was done, I was kinda tired but worth it. I've just met some of my unknown relatives and some family friends sa side ni Dad. Nahiga ako sa kama, I mean sa kutson. Its not soft unlike sa bed ko sa bahay namin and I'll be honest, I already missed my life in manila. I stood up and took my laptop out my bag and there was something terrible happened. My laptop was not working. I don't know what was the matter but I was quite sure na gumagana pa ito noong sumakay ako ng barko but now I don't know why my laptop is acting like this. "Shit! Tell me its not happening!" Unwillingly napalakas ako sa mga sinabi ko and suddenly there was a voice outside my room, asking me kung ano na raw ang nangyari sa akin at napasigaw ako. "Ha? Wa-wala po, I'm okay po tita, salamat po, don't mind me po."

            "Ah sige, kapag may kailangan ka. Tawag ka lang, nasa baba lang ako."

           "Sige po, salamat po tita." I went back to my bed and checked my phone instead. I wonder if I could survive here, no internet, weak in signal and sadly, my laptop was acting broken.

            The next morning, Auntie Lorna asked me kung gusto ko raw maggala sa may seashore. And out of my excitement I said yes. Actually the seashore was just located few steps from our backyard, so no wonder most of the people here, ang trabaho ay mangingisda, karaniwan sa mga bangka nila ay maliliit lang pero mayroon din naman mga naglalakihan bukod pa sa mga barko.

           "I'm ready!" My camera was ready and my outfit for that day was perfect for my instagram updates. So I put my sunglasses on, walked around the seashore and took some photos of those heartbreaking views and those beautiful things na nasa buhangin that came out from the sea dahil sa mga alon. There were shells, crabs, starfish and even weird sticks and stones, hindi ko pinaglapas kuhaan ng magandang anggulo. There were some guys din na naglalakad bitbit ang mga isdang nahuli nila. I also took some photos of them and those unfamiliar fish they caught.

           And then tinawag ako ni Auntie Lorna, so I went there where they were standing. She was with my cousin Lyna, and si Junior na nagbibit ng mga gamit ko kahapon and with the unknown guy. I never saw him yesterday or maybe hindi ko lang napansin. Saan ko nga ba siya nakita? Ewan, hindi ko na maalala.

           "Gusto mong sumakay ng banka? May mga dakong corals doon, gwapa man picturan." Auntie tried to speak in tagalog, pero di niya maiwasan na mahaluan pa rin ng bisaya. Good thing I could understand bisaya but gamay lang, by the way gamay means konti lang. Out of my ignorance I said yes again. So the guy who was with them was the guy who owned the banca at siya rin magmamaniobra nito. Sagot na ni Auntie ang panggasolina at pambayad kay kuya but the guy refused to be paid, ilibre na lamang daw siya ng balot doon sa lugar na huli naming papasyalan, "Deal!"

           OMG! The place was so wonderful, the seawater was very clear. You can visibly see the corals and fish below. We went also in the big corals that my Auntie kept mentioning since we arrived the boat. And it was one of the majestic creation that I've ever saw. Sadly I can't take the best shot because my camera was not made for underwater shots-nakakapanghinayang tuloy.

          "Bawi ka na lang sa susunod," said my Auntie. After sa corals, we also went to a place they called boulevard. A place where people used to spend their free time. They have here 'turo-turo', restaurant, souvenirs and other extra curriculum activities that makes people entertained. My Auntie decided to stay on the banca, so my cousin Lyna, si kuya lang ang kasama kong bumaba ng banca to buy foods. Above the knee ang tubig na nilalakaran namin on the way sa road kung saan makakabili ka ng makakain doon nga sa boulevard na tinutukoy nila. You need to climb up the stairs pa sa dike just to reach there. Malumot na 'yong hangdanan kaya naman inalalayan ako ni kuya at baka madulas ako. Palibhasa sanay na si Lyna kaya she doesn't need some help, nauna na siya and left us- Sometimes Lyna is so weird, it would be harder for me to make some quality time with her. I guess, she's not interested in girly stuff the way I do.

            But I feel weird when kuya grabbed my hand while assisting me to climb up on the stairs, so I pull my hand back and climb up on my own. I ignored the strange feelings and acted like there's nothing happened.

           Afterwards, we decided to go home. As we go further towards the water, a big wave hit our boat and it was like I was facing my own death. So I hold tighter on the edge of the boat and trying to create an over reacting voice. "Sa-saan galing 'yong alon?" I was frightened asked them.

         "Sa barko, may dumaang barko kanina dili mo nakita?" Auntie Lorna answered me. Yes, I saw a big boat kanina but I never thought na aabot sa amin 'yong alon sa layo niyon. And suddenly, I saw another big boat, "Hala baka sagasaan tayo!" worriedly I shouted but they just laughed at me. "Malabo! Ang layu-layo niyan sa'tin ayy," explained my Auntie. And then I calmed myself as I heard that but there was another husky voice that suddenly speak out of nothing, "At saka, hindi sila sumasagasa ng magaganda, tulad, 'wag ka mag-alala."

           We were all stares sa kung sino ang nagsalita and all eyes were focused kay kuya na nagsasagwan. He looked at the other parts of the sea, he got shy after what he just said. Then they all laughed so I laughed too kunware natutuwa ako sa biro niya- tsss bolero!

           At hindi pa talaga siya nakuntento dahil may naidagdag pa siya, "Saka huwag ka kabahan, andito naman ako. Marunong akong lumangoy. "

           Haha, I know how to swim too kuya, I wanna tell it to him but I chose to remain silent. Assuming I heard nothing. After that saka ko na lang siya napansin. His face, his looks and his body, wait? Not bad for having a good shape, he got abs and muscle. Oh did I ever mentioned that he was topless since we got in this boat. Shocks, what is happening to me? Kanina naman ay wala akong pakealam sa kaniya ah. I don't even bother that he was topless kanina. But now, all I wanna do is to stare on his abs, No! can I touch it? Can I feel it? Shut up Lhea, what are you thinking? There's a great battle happening inside my mind until another voice picked up my attention, "Lhea, di ka pa bababa?" Lyna prankly asked me. What? We're already in the beach? How come I didn't notice that? This is weird, very weird.

***

          It was 8 o'clock in the evening when we reached into our house. Another long day yet I was overwhelmed to witness those things. I'm full, so i decided to sleep early. Bad news, again, my laptop still not working. Good news, I got a very special message. Saying, "I miss you hun. Kanina pa kita tinatawagan pero ang hirap mong makontak. Call me when you received this." I tried to reply, but my signal was not favored to me. So I have no choice but to sleep. On the same night, I got a nightmare. Someone was trying to lock me in a dark and small room. I actually had fears on those thing kaya nagising ako at hindi na natulog on the following hours till morning. Kaya pakiwari ko, bangag ako when I went down to take some breakfast. I saw my Auntie preparing my breakfast, "Good morning!" she said.

           I smiled at her and said thank you. While I was having my breakfast, I saw him-- the guy with us last night. Ngingitian ko sana siya to start my friendship with him but he just walks away and never look at my direction- ang suplado ha! What's wrong with him? Kagabi naman ay nakikipagtawanan pa siya ah, he was really weirdo. Never mind! I continued my breakfast then got blushed when I saw who texted me. OMG! Its Sebastian, my love of my life. He was supposed to be here with me kaya lang, he was busy on his work. But he promised me na susunod siya after ng seminar nila. "Call me after an hour," I replied.

***

          I stayed on the terrace where ther was a strong signal. Talking on the phone to someone that is close to my heart. "My Laptop is broken, and I have no idea why," I cried to him. Suddenly, a familiar presence from the ground got my attention. Again, it was the suplado guy last night. He was busy on something and I don't care. So I turned my back ahere I could not see him and keep talking instead to Sebastian. Geez, everytime I talked to baste, he always makes my day complete. By the way! I love to call him on that name, Gosh!

         And days continues to pass, and I couldn't find any hope when my laptop will be back to its normal. Since it was weak in connection,
we often talks- me and Sebastian. I couldn't help myself but to miss him more. Until my simcard got weird too, it got damage for no reason and it makes me feel more irritated, I couldn't reached him anymore. So I ended depressed and bored.

         This was how I treat my boring moments, I rather stay on my room all day long than to go outside and mingle to other unfamiliar person. I will take my phone and play my all installed games- I've actually reached my highest score for the fifth times. That was my routines on those following days. Wake up late, eat late breakfast, stay on the room, take a bath, play my android games, eat lunch, take a nap, take dinner and then sleep again.

          "Insan, Ali ka sa amin, sa tabing dagat."Lyna asks me one afternoon while i was having my lunch. Wow! That was new, actually we never talked like this before. Simply because she was weird and a silent type so I never dare to get in touch with her. Not because I hate her but because I just don't want to be rude to across to her boundaries. This time I said yes, maybe this was a good way to build friendship with her. So we went to seashore, collecting some shells, star-fish and crabs. Taking selfies and groufies with them. Until a male voice caught our attention, Uhrg! It was him again- the moody guy. He talked to Lyna and speak on their mother tongue that until now I couldn't understand. I wonder what they are talking about. I can smell beers, and noticed that he was drunk, Uhrg! I hate drunk people.

           "Insan, gusto mo raw ba magbanca?" Lyna asked me. And then I began to think twice, should I come or not? But the guy said something that makes my mind to decide, "Pero kung ayaw mo naman, di naman kita pipilitin miss." I don't know what was wrong with me and I chose to it was like I won't gonna let him to change his mind. My final decision is to be with him. There's a strange feeling that I want to spend my time with him.

           "Oo naman bakit hindi? Tas isama natin sina Auntie at Lola." I told them and gave them my sweet smile. Lyna smiled back at me.

           "Ako na tatawag sa kanila," the guy volunteered himself and walked away from us. Minutes later, he came back with my Auntie and Lola. So we went to the ocean again, that time he was so much talkative. Maybe because he got drunk. He was acting like a real tour guide, keep explaining the things we didn't asks. Malala pa siya kay Auntie. He's really weirdo. Later on, we found out that day was a very special day for him, it was his birthday. Oh that's why, that's why he got drunk. He said that he can't invited his own classmate, because he has nothing to treat them. Oh, so he's studying, he study on what? I wanna ask him too how old is he? But of course I can't, who am I to ask that. And I don't wanna gave him a wrong signal that I am interested on him. "Pila na imong edad, dong," Finally my Auntie asked him kaya no need for me to ask. "Disinuebe," he answered.

            What? Seriously? He was just a nineteen years old? But he looks like a man now, he got a perfect body for a man.  I hate the fact that I am older than him cause I am turning 23 this october. Our age distance was a kind of awkward if ever we will enter into a relationship. Hold on! What am I thinking? I wasn't being fair to Sebastian— I am really sorry hun. Uhrg! I hate my mind now,  It tempts me to be obsessed on something that shouldn't belongs to me. Forgive me baste, please forgive me, you better change your thinking Lhea.

            Okay here were our position, Lyna sitting on the last part of the boat, followed by Auntie then Lola and me on the way to him. He was sitting on the front of the banca. We're not using the motor, he was just rowing the boat by all his strength. I was facing to my relatives and he was on my back, a ruler away from me. I chose this posistion because I can't stare at him for long. I don't wanna look on to his eyes, I don't wanna see his face and I don't wanna make a wrong move to focus on his hot body-- oh yes, he was topless again. Nasasanay na nga ang mga mata ko na makita siyang topless. But despite of my avoiding, I can still smell him, his natural scents, though he smell beers, there was still unexplaineable scents that makes my mind crazy.  To the point I wanna see him face to face, I wanna stare him, I wanna touch him, I wanna feel him. And I wanna— "Ahhh!"

***

"Lhea! Lhea! Sus Ginoo, dalhin na natin siya sa hospital."

I heard small voices histerically saying those line. What was actually happened?

I slowly opened my eyes and then, there was a blurred face that was very close to me, too much close to my face. Did that person just kissed me?

Until I realized, nalunod pala ako.

"Lhea, unsa pakiramdam nimo? Ayos ka lang? Gusto nimo dalhin ka namin sa hospital?"

Everything becomes clear, I can see those familiar faces staring at me.

I sat with the help of my cousin Lyna, I was thinking, thinking as deep as the ocean.

Suddenly it touches my sensitive thoughts and then I cried.
I was about to die, I was about to lose my life, I was about to leave my family and I was about to leave Baste broken and alone.

"Shh tahan na." My Auntie tried to calm me.

"Buti na lang, andyan si Dodong. Tinulungan ka niya makarating dito sa pangpang. At siya din ang nagligtas sayo." She explained.

I gazed upon him, but he was about to leave us.
Lyna helped me to stand up and we began walking and then suddenly I just felt a pain on my foot. I can't walk and because of that, Lyna and I fell on the ground.

No one is capable to lift me up and bring me to our house, Auntie can't do that, even Lola and Lyna except... except for him.

They automatically look and stare at him like they were asking 'Excuse me, but we need your help'
He's now looking straight to our direction, I am sure, he witnessed my clumsiness earlier.

I want to refuse on that idea, but who am I to do that, duh! I really need some help.

I slowly put my head down, feeling like I was a lost kid and doesn't know what to do. I don't know what to react. I can barely hear his step coming closer to me. I feel nervous in every step he takes.

Each moment becomes slow. He sat on my front, "Okay lang ba?" he asked.

Anong tanong iyan! Malamang, kailangan kita. Buhatin mo na ako para makauwi na ako. If only I can tell this to him but I just nod my head.

He grabbed me and lifted me up.

Oh my! H-his warm body waking up all my senses. He makes my heartbeat fast. Another strange feeling with him, I feel safe in his arm. Is it normal?

I don't know if I will also hook my another arm to his neck. It would be kinda awkward for me. So I just let my left arm remains on my ribs. I'm a little bit nervous, hoping he doesn't feel my heartbeat.

Nahihiya ako, dahil I know how heavy I am. Si baste nga, nagrereklamo everytime I will ask him na buhatin ako.

Suddenly, there's a strange gravity that pulls my attention to focus on his lips. I'm trying to avoid to look at it but I can't. I stared on it. Wishing to touch it with my own lips.

Wait? He did kissed me kanina, right?
He's the one who helped to be revived. He did touched my lips using his own? Oh no! He kissed me!

"Teka wag kang malikot, baka bumagsak tayo," he reminded me. Shocks, di ko napigilan ang sarili ko.

"Huwag mo masyadong ipahalatang kinikilig ka," he added and then he smiled and look on the other direction.

"Shut up! Ibaba mo nga ako, ayoko sayo!" I shouted as I move both of my hands and feet.

"Ayoko ko nga, di
na kita pakakawalan ngayong na sa akin ka na." meaningfully he declares.

What? ano bang pinagsasabi ng lalaking ito.

"Ano bang trip mo!" I asked. But he remains silent so do I.

Time became so slow between us.
He kept walking same as the others.

Nakakapagod din pa lang magpabuhat, it seems like I got tired for something and not just for having an argument with him.

Bigla akong inantok.

I wanna sleep.

Can I atleast take a nap while I'm on his arms?

***