The dinner traditional set by Morriah's father got all their guests together for a quick gathering. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Morriah dahil maayos niyang nasimulan ito. She was already expecting na hindi masisiyahan ang mga guest nito at mas pagtutuunan pa nila ng pansin ang ibang bagay. She wasn't hoping  that it would come out as same as what her parents did before, but at least to do it in his honor was enough for her.

Iyon lang naman ang gusto niyang panghawakan.

"How long did the renovation last for?" tanong ng isang guest kay Morriah.

"It took us six months to finish everything. Well, we struggled financially that's why it took us that long. If you happen to ask if we have rentals, we sold all our motorcycles to support our renovation. It was a big problem for us along the way as I was the only one who managed to keep my parent's business alive because I have no one else right now. . ."

Hindi naman naiwasang mapatingin ni Alleah kay Rik na nakatabi lamang niya. Napatingin si Rik sa kanya at napangiti. He knew what does her look meant at him. Agad namang iniwas ni Alleah ang tingin sa lalaking foreigner.

"But I hope everyone enjoyed their dinner. We tried our best to make this night special for everybody," Morriah said.

Lahat naman ng guests ay natuwa dahil free dinner na rin para sa kanila 'yon. Hindi pa ubos ang ilan sa mga inihain kaya sinusubukang ubusin iyon ng ilang imbitado sa dinner. 

"Hindi ko na kaya," saad ni Daia. "Busog na busog na ako. Gusto ko na lang uminom."

"Huy, kalma ka lang," awat pa ni Cara sa kanya.

"I heard someone said uminom there," sabi pa ni Morriah kaya nagulat si Daia nang kunin ang atensyon nito. "Yes! So, I was just saying earlier. This wouldn't be just a dinner where we all eat and talk, but a time where we can have more fun and mingle with each other! We have free drinks for everyone in the bar. You can grab a glass or a couple if you'd like. If you want to avail our specialty drinks, you're allowed to do so. One thing that I wanted to do upon renovation was make this place like a party hostel—"

"I like what you've done to the hotel, I must say," Rik interjected. "The last time I stayed here, no offense to your father of course, it was good, but it wasn't as lightier and gloomier now. I think what you did here was great. Good job, ba—Morriah."

"Thanks, Rik. Where are you staying right now though?"

"Would you want me to transfer here?" he queried. "Do you still have a room for me?"

Ilang beses na napapikit ng mata si Morriah. "Uh, ano. . . We've got rooms naman. . ."

Rik chuckled. "It's alright. I want to stay here. Seemed lovely. I was staying in a hostel. It wasn't as good as this place, but you know, I only needed a place to sleep so I don't mind. I can transfer here if Morriah would like to have me as her guest."

Morriah swallowed and felt like she was trapped in this situation. "Ah, of course! You're free. Whatever you want."

Napansin naman ng lima ang pag-uusap nila ni Morriah at Rik. They knew something was going on there. Hindi naman nila gustong mangialam dahil buhay nila 'yon, but it was interesting to find someone like them.

Nang matapos ang dinner ay isa-isa nang tumayo ang mga guest sa dining table at pumunta sa bar counter para kunin ang mga free drinks. They all got mojito and a loud party music played making the bar area so alive. Nag-grupo naman ang limang magkakaibigan. Nanguna si Daia na kunin ang baso ng mojito, pero agad naman siyang binalalaan ng kapatid nito na isang baso lang dahil baka maulit na naman ang nangyari kagabi.

Sumang-ayon din naman si Kenny. Wala namang problema sa kanya ang bantayan si Daia, but if she got drunk again, she wouldn't be able to enjoy the night once again.

"May kwento ako," panimula ni Alleah at tinawag ang atensyon ng mga magkakaibigan. Pumwesto naman sila sa isang tabi. "May na-find out akong chika about them."

"About who?" takang tanong pa ni Cara. "Chismos ka na ngayon, Ley, ha?"

"Hayaan mo siya, Car. Mas bet ko nga magbigay ng chismis 'tong si Ley, malaman." Tawa pa ni Daia.

"Pero wait before you start," ani Cara. "Hindi naman 'yan tungkol kay Mando or what?"

Napakunot naman ang noo ni Alleah. 

"Bakit naman napasok sa usapan si Mando?" takang tanong ni Dom.

"Nakita ko lang kasi kanina nag-notif sa phone ni Ley. Kala niya siguro hindi ko makikita, e."

"Wala 'yon," mabilis pang depensa ni Alleah. "Nagkamali lang ng pindot 'yon. Anyway, hindi naman tungkol kay Armand ang sasabihin ko. It's about. . . Rik and Morriah," bulong pa nito sa pagbanggit ng pangalan nila.

"Oooh," Kenny swooned. "Parang alam ko na 'to. May idea na ako."

Siniko naman ni Daia si Kenny. "Bakit may alam ka na hindi ko alam, huh?"

Napakibit balikat na lang din naman si Kenny. "Well, hindi naman sure kung same ba sa sasabihin ni Ley 'yon. Let's just hear what she would say and stop asking anything muna. Katabi siya ni Rik and I found them talking earlier. Baka may ini-spill nga sa kanya 'yon. Dapat ako katabi ni Rik, e, Ako nag-imbita ro'n, e. Gusto ko pa naman matutuong mag-surf board. Baka libre pa sa kanya."

"Ang daming sinabi?" angal pa ni Cara. "Makikinig kami kay Ley o sayo, Kenny?"

"Shh! Shh! Stop na," pag-awat pa ni Daia. "Go on, Ley. Unahan mo na sila magkwento at baka mapurnada na naman 'yang chika mo sa amin, pero kwento mo rin sa amin ba't naglike si Mando sa 'yo."

Napasinghal at irap ng mata si Alleah. "Whatever. I was talking to Rik earlier kasi feeling may something silang dalawa ni Morriah. I was right."

"Mag-jowa sila," panghuhula pa ni Daia.

"Mag-ex?" tanong ni Dom.

Alleah scrunched her nose. "Medyo close, pero hindi. Rik told me Morriah was his ex-fiancee."

Napasinghap naman silang apat sa kwento ng kaibigan nila.

"Did I just invite Morriah's ex-fiancee?" Kenny said. Napalunok pa ito ng laway dahil sa tingin niya ay siya ang may kasalanan kung bakit pumunta si Rik sa dinner party. "I need to talk to them. Hindi ko naman alam?"

"Walang may alam, okay?" paglilinaw ni Alleah. "Hindi naman natin alam na mag-ex silang dalawa. It doesn't look like they were in a relationship before no'ng makita natin sila. It seemed like Morriah was having the best time of her life while Rik is the same. Mukhang hindi sila affected sa breakup na nangyari noon."

"I think we should lessen our voices," suhestiyon pa ni Cara. "We don't want the owner of this hotel found out na pinag-uusapan natin sila. Let's just keep it down low. . . But look, Morriah pulled Rik. Mukhang mag-iisip. Huwag kayong tumingin. Mahahalata naman tayo, mga loko-loko kayo."

Hindi pa rin naman napigilan ng lima na silipin kung anong nangyayari at nakita nga nila na naglakad patungo sa isang corner ang dalawa.

Rik was smiling, holding a glass of regular mojito in his hand, standing next to Morriah.

"How are you?" he asked, searching her face. Hindi kasi tinitingnan ni Morriah ito sa mukha at iniiwasang magkaroon ng eye to eye contact. "It's been a while, right?"

"Since when did you come?" Iniangat ni Morriah ang tingin niya kay Rik. Saglit lamang niyang tiningnan sa mata at itinuon na sa kilay, labi, at ilong nito na para bang ineeksamina niya.

"Here? Or in the Philippines? I came to the Philippines three days ago. I just got to Baler yesterday. I met those five guests of yours along the way. Just the gas station where most travelers spent halfway here. I know you know that. We've been there before."

"Ah, yes," tipid na sagot ni Morriah at saka ito tumango. "Until when are you planning to stay?"

Napakibit balikat naman si Rik. "I don't know. I told you, with everyone around, the Philippines was my last destination for my backpacking journey. We could've done it together, you know? But anyway, I don't have any plans yet. I could stay as long as I wanted. I could go to El Nido, Coron, or Siargao. Love those places."

"You should go there. You'll end up getting bored here," Morriah said.

Napangisi naman si Rik. "Are you making me get out of Baler as soon as possible? I still want to catch up with you though."

"Should there be something to catch up?"

"I think there is," Rik said, his tone went serious. "I think I need to know why we have to end it when we were so in love with each other. It wasn't fair to me when you had to end our relationship. You made my heart so broken, Mo."

Hindi nagsalita si Morriah. Napabitaw pa ito nang malalim na hininga at saka humalukipkip

"I wasn't able to contact you when I found out your parents died. I'm sorry I wasn't there with you. It must've been hard for you."

"It's okay. . . I'm alright now. . ."

"Are you sure?" he queried. "You should have a drink, too."

Inabot naman ni Rik ang glass ng mojito kay Morriah. Hindi pa sana tatanggapin ng dalaga ang inumin pero kinuha niya ito at saka uminom. She only took a few sips before she hand it over to Rik.

"'Wag mo akong nilalasing," ani Morriah.

Natawa na lang din si Rik. "I hope not. Are you still mad at me?"

Hindi sumagot si Morriah.

"I guess, so?" Rik said. "If you're still mad at me and while I'm still at Baler, I will try to make it up to you. Or maybe, if you're looking for a new staff, I can work for you. I think I need to get a job. I'm already getting out of money."

"Good for you."

Rik chuckled. "It's not a good thing, Mo. If that would be the case, I have to fly back to the Netherlands and it might take me a while before I could go back here.'

"Then that's better."

"Oh, Mo," he uttered. He sipped on his glass. "When those kids told me to go to the Casa Casillas for the dinner party, I knew what would happen at that point. But I hesitated to come."

Morriah looked to see his eyes. "Why?"

He shrugged off. "Because I might learn you won't like to be around me or you don't want to seem me at all. I still tried my luck though and now we're talking. . . Just like we used to be."

"Ewan ko sa 'yo," Morriah uttered. "I need to check on the other guests. Go find yourself someone to talk to now because I won't be available to you all day."

"Let me work for you," Rik insisted. "Whatever you would like me to do."

Morriah's eyes squinted but didn't give him any response. Umalis na lamang si Morriah sa tabi ni Rik at nilapitan ang ibang guests para tanungin ang mga ito. Nang mahilig ang ulo ni Rik papunta sa limang magkakaibigan ay nahuli niyang nakatingin ito sa kanya. Bahagya itong natawa dahil sa isip niya ay alam na kung bakit nakatingin ang mga ito. Lumapit naman siya sa kanila at umakto na parang normal ang lima.

"Hey, guys," pagbati pa ni Rik.

"Hey, Rik!" pagbati rin naman ni Kenny. "We thought you wouldn't come."

Rik smirked. "Well, I can't miss a good party. Thank you for inviting me though. I think you would see me around even more."

"Did you and Morriah got back together?" tanong pa ni Daia na ikinagulat ng apa nitong kaibigan. Dominique covered his sister's mouth with his hand. 

Rik laughed, shaking his head. "No. We didn't get back, but thanks for the thought. It seemed like that would be impossible to happen now."

"Hm. . ." Napatingin naman silang anim sa lalaking lumapit sa kanila. Si Willimar iyon at tiningnan naman nang mariin ang lalaking foreigner. "Are we good now?"

"If you say so," Rik said, taking his hand for a handshake. "Or else you'll be found knockout once again."

They all laughed aside from Willimar who took offense from it. Ininom na lamang niya ng isang inuman ang lamang alkohol at umalis para tumungo sa bar counter. Natanaw naman ni Morriah si Rik kasama ang limang magkakaibigan. She wasn't prepared for this day to come, pero sa loob ng isang taon na hindi sila nagkita, she knew at the deepest root of her heart, Rik was still there and was never gone.

***