"Hey, calm down Louise, hindi ka tatakasan ng mga gamit mo." Sam said with a slight chuckle as he watch me pack my things and put them in my luggage. I rolled my eyes, not even taking a glance or glare at him and just continue to pack my things. 

"Do you need any help?" he ask, sitting at the edge of the bed, who knows what he's doing but I'm sure he's just watching me. 

I shake my head and just continue packing, "I don't need your help, mind your own business." I sternly said with a blank face. 

I hear him chuckle loudly this time, this mother fucker, laughing at my situation.

"I'm done minding my own business--"

"Kasi nga hindi mo agad sinabi! Plus hindi mo agad ako inakit na umuwi! Edi sana kanina pa ako nakapag impake para sa trip natin sa Palawan. But no, kagabi pa pala sinabi sa 'yo ng mga magulang natin pero hindi mo sinabi sa akin, and now, hindi mo ako sinabihan na uuwi kana pala para mag-impake. I could have ditched my classes! Twenty-five nalang kami sa class, nasa holiday vacation na and iba." I cut him off, glaring at him like I'm eating him alive in my thoughts while he have the guts to laugh out loud, throwing his head back and clutching his stomach. 

"Okay, geez, calm down, that's why I'm offering you help, and also 6am pa naman bukas ang alis natin, don't be too stressed about it." he said and I once again rolled my eyes  before putting my attention back to my luggage and clothes. 

He remain sitting or laying down on bed, I don't know, I didn't even look at him, his face annoys me. 

When I'm done packing everything even my shoes, I stood up from the floor and dusted the back of my short. When I look at the bed, Sam is no longer to be found. I sigh and made my way out of the bedroom. That's when I see him by the kitchen, cooking dinner. 

"Do we have ice cream and brownies?" I ask, leaning by the kitchen island. He lift his head up and look at me before nodding. 

"Yes, I bought some incase you crave for it again due to periods." he said and I rolled my eyes before making my way to the fridge. 

"Kahit wala akong dalaw, nag c-crave ako ng ganito." I said when I pull the vanilla ice cream and brownies out of the fridge. 

"Louise, let's have dinner first." Kakapatong ko palang ng mga pagkain sa lamesa nang sabihin ito ni Sam. 

I took a very deep breath, shutting my eyes while gripping on the spoon. 

"A minute, tapos na 'to." Dagdag pa niya, binuksan ko ang mata ko and flash a fake smile. 

"Okay, after dinner." I said before walking back to the fridge and putting the foods back inside. 

I sat on the chair, calming myself down as I feel hungry and mad at the same time. Sam didn't lie about the minute cause after I sat down, he place the plate with our dinner in front of me. He remove his apron and sat across me and we dig in. We ate silently, no one uttering any word, I also ate fast than before cause I badly want to eat the desserts. And once I finish all the food on my plate, I stood up and rush to the fridge to get the brownies and ice cream back. 

"I know that would brighten up your mood, nakasimangot ka habang kumakain." Sam said as he watch me devour the sweets. 

"It's heaven, Sam. You don't understand." I said while stuffing my mouth with the ice cream. He giggled, "Sure I don't." 

The next day, I woke up by 4:30am, I took a shower first before changing into casual clothes. When I the kitchen, Sam is almost done cooking, he's still in his pajamas and haven't took a shower yet. 

We ate breakfast quick since we might get late on our flight. While he showers, I put all the dishes in the dishwasher and wait for it to finish to dry it and put it back to where it belongs. Gladly, before the clock strikes 6am, we have already reached the airport and peacefully sat on our seats. 

"Since when are they in Palawan?" I ask Sam, staring outside the window. 

"December 18, that's what mom told me." he replied, I turn to look at him and he look back at me. 

"Sleepy?" he ask and I nod, 

"The flight is just an hour, you can still take a nap though." he said and I nod before closing my eyes and drifting at peace. 

I woke up when he tapped my shoulder and I know the plane have landed. I grab my belongings and we are soon out of the plane, getting our luggage and calling a taxi to bring us to the resort. 

"Ate!!" I immediately hear Theo's voice once we arrived at the resort. Sam snatched the luggage from my hands so I can open my arms freely and hug my brother. 

"Ang tangkad mo na! You're almost the same height as Sam!" I said, cupping both sides of his cheeks. 

He giggled, "I'm also strong ate! I joined the volleyball team sa school." he said and my eyes widened, a gasp escaping my lips. 

"That's great! I wish I can watch you play. Tell ate when you have a game and I'll try, okay?" I softly said and he cutely nods, he run away from me but I saw him enter a house-like structure made out of cogon and bamboo. 

"I guess that's what mom told me." I said and Sam nods before we follow Theo. 

"You're here!! I'm glad you two made it on time!" Tita Julieta gave Sam and I a kiss on our cheeks. 

"Your bedroom is not here." she said when she saw the luggage, me and Sam look at each other confusedly. 

"We rented a room for you two, medyo malayo sa amin to give you two some privacy." Tita said, giving us a teasing smile which made my lips part from each other. 

This is gonna be a long holiday. 

By the evening, we celebrated by midnight for the Noche Buena, I was happy at first, until I remember how I used to suffer in pain when I was younger during this season. I sat quietly beside Sam while they started getting foods for themselves. I thought at first I was just remembering those moments. Until my hands starts fidgeting and I have the feel that I might cry any moment. 

I'm having anxiety attacks, I gulp and want to get away from the dining table until I felt Sam's finger tab my hand. 

"Are you okay?" he ask, I look at him and shake my head, "I feel anxious." I said and his lips parted, 

"Do you want to go back sa bedroom?" he ask and I shrug, "I just want to get out of here." I replied and he nods. 

"Mom, we're going to eat by our bedroom." he said and my eyes slightly widened before looking at him them at our parents. 

"Oh, why?" Tita Julieta asked, Sam faked a sick expression, "I'm feeling bad right now, siguro ay jet lag, sa kwarto nalang kami kakain." he said and the elders nod, bago kami umalis ay ikinuha ako ng Sam ng pagkain at saka kami ay bumalik ng kwarto. 

Sam is eating, watching me as I sat on the bed, hugging both of my knees. 

"What's wrong, Louise?" he softly ask, I look at his and take a dee breath, "Just some... memories, traumatic ones. I hate them, they give me so much hard time when I remember them." I said with a shaky breath. 

"What can I do to help you?" he ask softly once again, I turn my head to look at him, 

"Just stay there, stay here in the room, don't leave me." I said and he nods, from the table, he eat his dinner while I slowly lay down on the bed until I fell asleep. I woke up by 2am, I was surprised to see Sam watching something from his laptop. As I my fee touches the cold floor Sam looked at me. 

"Hungry?" he ask and I shyly nod, he reached for my food that have another plate on top to cover it. He stood up and hand it to me. 

"Do you want me to heat them up?" he ask and I shake my head, "No, I'm fine, thank you Sam." I replied and he gave me a smile. 

"No worries," he said, I sat on the bed as I eat while Sam sat back on the chair, watching me eat. 

"I was so worried about you, you don't look good kanina and I don't know what to do." he said, his elbow on the table while his head is resting on his hands. 

"On times like that, do nothing and say nothing, just don't leave me alone." I replied and he hum, 

"Have your boyfriend seen you like this before?" he ask and I pause for a second before shrugging, 

"There was this one time, I was feeling anxious sa mall, sabi ko sa kaniya kumain muna kami, it's funny kasi we just ate that time but he still brought me to the nearest cafe as he saw me pale. So maybe yes, he have seen me like this before." I replied and he nods, 

"What's your plan on New Year?" he ask, I lift my head up and look at him, "Diba aalis tayo by December 28? I will celebrate New Year sa Tagkawayan with him and his father." I replied and he slowly nod his head. 

"Kailan ka babalik sa Manila? Cause after I send you sa Tagkawayan, babalik ako ng Manila." he said and I shrug, "Not sure yet, maybe by January 2." I replied before taking a bite of my chicken. 

"Okay, things are set na." he said before standing up from his chair and making his way to the bed, laying down on my side. 

"Let's watch a movie after you ate, masama ang matulog ng bagong kain." he said, eyes closed while both of his arms at behind his head, I chuckled and nod as I find his position funny. 

When I finished eating, Sam work on the movies we're going to watch. I lay down on the bed and wait for the movie to start. He turn the lights off as the movies starts. I was glad that I was able to make it to the end of the movie. As the movie ends, the sun is already up. 

Our parents planned to go island hopping, but since me and Sam stayed up so late, we end up not going with them and just slept the whole day inside the hotel room. 

By 3PM, me and Sam are eating by the restaurants near by, they arrived from their island hopping.

"Ate!!" Theo came running at me, holding a bag full of seashells. 

"Look ate! Ang gaganda nila!" he said, showing me the bag of seashells. 

I gasped and reach for the bag to look at the shells, "Some are even alive! Are those crabs I'm seeing?!" I exclaimed as I see a moving grab inside the plastic bag full of shells and sea water. 

Theo giggled, "Yes ate, ang cute nga po nila eh." he said, I honestly feels a little disgusted since the crabs looks... hideous and doesn't look pleasing. 

I hand Theo the plastic back, "Here, take a shower na, you smell like ocean." I said and Theo giggled before running with his little sea creature friends. 

"I remember, you said you wanted to have a cat?" Sam asked, looking by the beach in front us. 

I took a  deep breath, "I realized that I may not be able to take good care of the cat, both of us are busy at school. Next time nalang, when I am no longer a student." I replied and he hum, 

"Okay, understandable, I hope you get to do that soon. Do you really like cats?" he ask, not sparing a glance at me. 

I shrug, "I don't know, maybe, both of us are silent type, always like to sleep and eat, sassy too." I replied and that's when he chuckled. He faced me and remove the strands of hair on my face which made me flinch a little. 

"Both cute too, let's go, bumalik na tayo sa kwarto." he said before turning his back by the beach and walking away. 

The next day, me and Sam go with them to another island hopping. At first I thought it's just a normal and few hours island hopping until I saw Sam with a tent. I found out that we're spending a night there. 

"Aren't you gonna swim?" Sam sat beside me by the beach, it's now 4 in the afternoon and I'm watching my little brother play with other teenagers same as his age play. 

I shake my head, "Nope, I don't have plans to swim. I'm not a fan of beaches." I said and he hum, 

"How about snacks?" he ask again and I shake my head. "I miss my boyfriend. I miss his warmth, his presence, though I just had a talk with him kanina, mabilis lang cause mom called me. I want to see him again." I said, staring at the beach. 

"You really love him, don't you?" he ask and I slowly nod. 

"Sobra, his presence does a very big job on calming me down and relieving my stress. Before I really find love stupid, but as I grow older and as I fall for him deeper, I became a cheesy person too. A slave of love." I said and I hear him chuckle, 

"Sana all, I hope I get to be that in love too." he said and that's when I face him. 

"Do you like girls that are talkative, caring, as in really caring, you might find me caring but I know someone that really cares about people around her." I said and he slightly squints his eyes and tilt his head. 

"Are you giving me a reto?" he ask and I shrug, "Maybe, if you're interested." I said, 

He smiled, "Name?" he ask, 

"Alejandra Ivette Elazar, she's in Massachusetts actually, doon siya nag-aaral." I said and he chuckled, 

"I'll look her name up on social medias. Thanks by the way." he said and I just gave him a smile. 

By dinner, our families ate together. Of course me and Sam stayed quiet. Pero hindi maiiwasan ang mga tanong ni tita Julieta katulad ng kamusta kami, kung nagkakasundo ba kami, or if there's a progress in our relationship. Me and Sam handled the questions so well. 

"You enjoyed our stay naman here diba?" Sam ask, once again watching me pack, it's now the evening of 27, we will be flying back to Manila by tomorrow. 

I nod, "So much, it's so peaceful here." I said, not glancing at him. When I finished packing, we immediately go to sleep. 

An hour later, I woke up and had the urge to use the bathroom to pee. I didn't bother turning on the lights so the bedroom don't get bright as well. 

As I got back to the bedroom, I saw Sam caressing the space on the bed where I sleep. 

"Gising ka rin?" I ask that caught his attention, even though it's dark, I saw him smile. 

"Nagising lang, pero matutulog na rin." He said before hugging his pillows and closing his eyes. 

Kinabukasan ay sa airport na kami nag-almusal, maagap din ang flight namin kaya maagap kami nakarating ng Manila. Ibinaba lang namin sa condo nag mga luggage bago naman ako inihatid ni Sam sa Tagkawayan. 

"What if matulog ka muna sa bahay niyo?" I asked when we arrived in front of the house. 

He yawned but shake his head, "I'm good, mas gusto ko na matulog sa condo." he said and I slowly nod, 

"Sure, sabi mo eh, mag-iingat ka lang sa pagmamaneho." I said, he flash a soft smile and nod. 

"Of course  I will, you too, take care." he said and I smile at him. He waved a goodbye before getting back inside his car. 

What time is it? 4pm? Gosh, halos buong araw kami na bumabyahe ni Sam. 

I ended up sleeping after I changed my clothes. Sleeping on my old bed feels odd but of course, still comfortable as ever. 

I had a good 10 hours of sleep, it still feels not enough but I got hungry. While eating my breakfast by the garden, I watch as the sun rises. After finishing my food, I went back inside the house and lay down on the sofa. 

"Hello? Ali how are you?" I asked, it's been a while since we last talked. 

[I'm good, holiday was okay. How about you?] she asked back, her voice sounds so tired and dull, doesn't sound the same as it was before. 

"I'm good too, did you received any gift this Christmas?" I ask in an excited tone, I'm trying to brighten up the mood. 

[Mhmm, yes, a designer bag, kaso matapos ibigay sa akin ay pinangaralan ako. Nawala rin 'yong saya agad.] she said and my smile dropped. 

[Plus I miss my mama and papa--] Naputol ang pagsasalita niya but I did hear a noise from the other line. 

[I need to go na, nauutusan lang, take care, love you.] she said with a rush, before I could even say goodbye, she ended the call. 

I just decided to check on the gifts I prepared for Inin and tito Ray. I had to wait for hours to visit them, hindi ko pa sinasabi kay Inin na andito na ako. I want it to be surprised. 

When the clock strike 4pm, I started changing into casual clothes and make sure I look good. Before 5PM, I left the house with dad's car that he usually let me borrow. 

"Inin!!" I squealed when I stepped out of the car, his head immediately peaked out and a wide smile both prints on our face before he rush towards me and I immediately pull him in a hug. 

"Grabe 'yong stress ko sa school, kahit vacation bino-bother pa rin nila ako. Alisin mo stress ko." I said behind his ears while hugging him. 

He giggled, "Syempre, ako na 'to, ang tagapagpaalis ng stress mo." he said, I pull away from the hug and smiled. 

"Help me with the things I brought, may regalo ako para sa inyo." I said before facing my back at him to face the car. 

"Ayan ka nanaman sa regalo mo." he said, when I open the car door, bunch of grocery gifts is seen on the chairs. 

"You said tito doesn't want material gifts kasi hindi niyo madadala kapag naglilipat kayo, so I bought foods instead!!" I excitedly said, Inin faced me with a wide smile. 

"Grabe kana talaga, Lory, lagi mo nalang kami ibinibili ng mga bagay-bagay ni papa, nakakahiya na." he said before reaching out for the biggest box. 

"Grabe kana talaga Inin, lagi mo nalang 'yan sinasabi kapag may regalo ako." I mocked him which made the both of us burst out laughing. 

Pagpasok ko ng tinirhan nila ay agad akong binati ni tito, "Merry Christmas Lory! Miss na miss kana niyan ni Inin, laging naka-abang sa labas." he said with a wide smile, I can't help but to smile as well as I sit down. 

"Merry Christmas din po, ganiyan po talaga 'yang anak niyo, di ako matiis." I joked which made tito laugh. 

The eco bag I'm holding contains cooked foods that I asked the maids to make for us. Us three ate together as tito ask questions about our school and how was Inin in the city. 

"Naku tito, 'yang anak niyo ang gulo daw ng apartment nila sabi ng mga ka-boardmate." Sumbong ko kay tito, 

"Luh, hindi 'man pa! Ako nga taga linis ng banyo namin tuwing Sabado at Miyerkules." Inin exclaimed which made me and tito burst out laughing. 

"Banyo lang nililinis mo?" Tito ask and Inin shake his head, "Naglalaba din ako, kahit damit nila ha! Mga bastos na 'yon, pati brief ako naglalaba! Pero sila naman tagalinis ng buong apartment tuwing Linggo." he said which made me and tito fall even more into laughter. 

"So hindi ka nga naglilinis?" I ask while tearing up. 

Inin look at me and pouted, "Nagwawalis din naman ako, hindi nga lang ako kasama sa general cleaning nilang tuwing Linggo." he said, pouting, I chuckled and shake my head before taking a bite of my chicken. 

"Ay siya nga pala Lory, kailan pala ang birthday mo? Si Inin nag-iipon para sa birthday mo--"

"Pa naman ehh! Hindi na tuloy surprise!" Inin whined, tito's eyes widened but it was obvious that he was teasing his son. While Inin and tito are bickering, I sat there. 

"We will celebrate my birthday together?" I ask and Inin and tito stopped bickering, 

Inin pick up his fork and slightly play with his spaghetti, "Kung wala kang ibang balak, baka kasi maghanda kayo or lumabas kayo ng pamilya niyo." he said and I immediately shake my head. 

"Wala pa kaming pinaplano, pero we can celebrate it together! Clear ko na agad mga gagawin ko sa February 14!" I excitedly said, gosh I'm going to celebrate my birthday! For once, I feel excited about that date. 

"February 14 pala birthday mo? Sakto, araw ng mga puso, hindi lang pala celebration ang binabalak mo, anak. Date na rin pala, dapat pogi ka sa araw na 'yon, ha." Tito joked which made the three of us chuckle.