Life comes crashing down like waves, but it will never hit you the same way twice. The force may vary, and in the end, it could either make you stronger or leave you vulnerable to being washed away.

"Putspa, Dominique. Nakakairita naman 'yang pinapakinggan mo? We're about to have the best time of our life sa Baler, pero nakukuha mo pa ring sumenti?" 

"What the fuck, Daia? Ano gusto mong gawin ko? Listen to your fucking Taylor Swift playlist?" he countered which doesn't amuse her, but made her even mad about him. "Paulit-ulit ka na lang, e."

Daia gets her ass up from the chair, but Alleah held on her arm not allowing her to come to her boyfriend.

"Don't you dare put Taylor Swift in this conversation! She doesn't deserve those words from you. She's a goddess and no one should belittle her."

"Huh? What the fuck?" Dominique's face fell in confusion as to what his sister argued with him. "Can't you just sit your ass back in its place? God, I wish you didn't come along with us."

Kennard cleared his throat while driving, getting everyone's attention in the car. "She may be your sister, but she's my girlfriend. You should learn to like Taylor Swift. You know what, I've already had my favorites. Blank Space topped it all."

"That's so basic, Kenny," komento ni Cara. "I'm sure Daia played more than just Blank Space." Mariiin namang pinapanood ni Daia ang sagutan nila. She was waiting for what her boyfriend would say, but for beginners, it would always be their answer, plus Shake It Off.

"Well, I like Dress," dagdag pa nito. "That's my top 2. Don't ask me more. I'm all good."

"That's fine by me," sagot ni Daia. "Hopefully you can learn from that, Kuya."

Napangisi na lang din naman si Dominique at saka isinuot ang headphone para sarilihin ang pinapakinggang podcast. They've been on the road for a few hours already, and everyone hasn't been in a good mood.

"Let's stop by some gas station. We'll only have two lines left," sabi ni Kenny matapos tingnan ang fuel gauge. 

"And might as well grab some snacks," dagdag pa ni Cara. "Ikaw ba, Alleah? May gusto kang bilhin? Or whatever?"

"I think I'll go for the restroom," simpleng sagot ni Alleah, ang nag-iisang single sa magkakaibigan.

"It'll be ten minutes away," ani Kenny. "I hope you can still hold it, Ley."

"Don't worry, Kenny, I can," nakangiti nitong sagot.

It took them more than ten minutes before they arrived at the closest gas station. Habang abala naman si Kenny sa pagpapa-fill ng gas sa sasakyan ay tumungo naman ang apat papasok sa convenience store. Sabik na sabik si Cara at Daia na pumili ng mga snack para sa biyahe nila papuntang Aurora.

"This is my treat, guys," sabi pa ni Daia sa mga kaibigan nito. "Get what you want, but don't get everything! Kayo pagbabayarin ko niyan," babala pa nito.

"I'll just look for the restroom," pagpapaalam ni Alleah.

"Wala ka bang bibilhin, Ley?" tanong ni Daia.

"You know what I want naman. 'Yon lang sa akin."

"Alright! I got it. Enjoy your pee-pee time, girl."

Natawa si Alleah nang tumungo sa restroom habang abala ang tatlo sa pamimili. They've been planning to do this for a long time, and now that they've got to put this plan out for real, they wouldn't waste any second to make this adventure once in a lifetime.

It took them a while before they got all the things they wanted. Daia paid for them and she's pissed off at her brother as he was the only one who had gone mad in getting all the expensive items. Binayaran pa rin naman niya ito, but he made it known that he has to do something for her in return. Tinawanan lang siya ng kapatid niya na akala'y nagbibiro lang.

Lumabas sila ng convenience at bumalik sa sasakyan kung saan naghihintay na sina Alleah at Kenny. Nadatnan nilang seryosong nag-uusap ang dalawa. Naningkit ang mata ni Daia.

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo? Mukhang seryoso, a," panimula pa nito nang makasakay sa loob ng sasakyan. "Spill!"

"Wala naman, babe," sagot ni Kenny sa girlfriend nito. "Someone just came to us asking about some place, pero hindi namin sigurado ni Alleah kung tama ba 'yong lugar na sinabi namin. Hindi naman tayo lokal dito para magsabi ng direksyon, e."

"Oh okay," tipid pang sagot ni Daia. "Anyway, I've got you anenergy drink and some donuts."

"Is it Bavarian?" tanong ni Kenny, his eyes even lit up knowing about it.

"Napaka-basic mo talaga, Kenny," sabat pa ni Cara.

"What do you mean?" he scrunched his face. "Whatever, Car. Do what you do. Say what you want."

"Corny ng boyfriend mo, Dey."

Natawa naman si Daia. "Well, welcome to my life!"

"Did you get mine, Dey?" tanong naman ni Alleah.

"Of course, Ley! Here you go." Inabot nito ang isang balot ng marshmallow at lychee drink. "I still think this is a weird craving, Ley. But I know you're just as sweet as these snacks. It's my treat."

"Daia's treating us because she wanted us to do something for her. Tama ako, 'di ba?" sabi ni Dominique na ikinasimangot ng kapatid nito. "Well, start the car back up, boy. Baler's waiting for us."

"Turn that T-Swift song, boyfie!" excited na sabi ni Daia kay Kenny.

And they were about to stop him, but they were too late when Kenny played the song on his playlist. . . I stay out too late.

"Fuck!!!" iritadong sigaw ni Dominique.

"Welcome to my life!" Hagikgik pa ni Daia. "This is gonna be an amazing trip ever!"

And on the other side, Alleah leaned her head by the window, murmuring the words. . . I hope so.