Zayn's POV

I was suppose to take a bus to Vigan earlier, but my brother didn't wake me up on time. This was supposed to be my vacation for myself because it's been very stressful lately. There's a lot on my plate right now and I want to relax before I face all of my problems again.

Kakain sana ako sa Mcdo ng almusal kaso nakita ko ang bus na papunta sa Vigan. Kaya wala akong choice kung hindi sumakay na lang. Kanina rin may napansin akong anghel na babae. She looked so gorgeous, fair skin, kissable lips, long hair. 

Bigla naman tuloy pumasok sa utak ko na baka siya na ang leading lady ng buhay ko. Pero tinanggal ko agad 'yon dahil hindi naman kami magka-kilala. Napaka cliche din naman ung tatawagin ko 'tong love at first sight dahil ang labo na makita ko siya at makausap.

Sumakay ako sa bus, "May bakante pa po ba?" tanong ko sa driver at tumango naman siya. Kahit wala akong ticket nagbigay na lang ako ng bayad sa driver. When I walked towards the end of the bus I locked eyes with the girl that I saw earlier.

She was also looking at me with her curious eyes. What is she thinking? Does she find me attractive or something?

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" I asked.

She opened her mouth about to say something but someone covered it, it must be her friend. "No, the seat is not taken. Sit next to our friend!" the girl said enthusiastically. I smiled before sitting next to her. 

I saw how she sniffed me, do I smell bad? Or maybe the smell of my perfume bothers her? Wait, what do I care? I don't have to care. She's a stranger.

Should I open a conversation with her? Ah, fuck it. "Hi," I said and she turned to me to met up with my gaze. She stared and I slightly chuckled. She has pretty eyes, eyes that I'm willing to look at every single day. 

"Zayn, you are?" I introduced myself.

"Caitlyn." tipid niyang sagot. 

Caitlyn, what a cute name. It suits her. "Nice to meet you, Caitlyn." I gave her a warm smile pero hindi niya na ako pinansin at nagsuot ng headset at ipinikit ang kanyang mata.

We were an hour away from Vigan when I felt her having a hard time sleeping, di siya mapakali. Umayos ako ng upo at dahan dahang isinandal ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. At doon siya natigil sa kagagalaw. 

Nang tumigil ang bus biglang nagsalita ang isa sa mga kaibigan niya, "Zayn, wag ka muna gumalaw. Picturan ko lang kayo para asarin mamaya si Caitlyn." tumango naman ako and acted normal. 

"Ayon, thank you!" she said and I smiled. Tsaka nila ginising si Caitlyn at nagulat pa ito na nakasandal siya sa balikat ko. Nakita ko ang pagmula ng kanyang pisngi bago tumayo at madaling kinuha ang kanyang gamit bago lumabas. 

"Excuse me, can I get her number?" tanong ko sa kaibigan niya at nagtinginan pa silang lahat bago tumango at ibinigay sa akin.

"Good luck sa love life niyo!" the other girl said.

Agad naman akong natawa, that Caitlyn girl is something different. I like her.

When I settled in my hotel nagpahinga muna ako at naligo bago kong mapagdesisyonan na umalis. Hindi ko pa alam kung saan nga lang ako pupunta. 

I was walking when I saw Caitlyn na nagmamadaling maglakad abala sa bag niya kaya di niya ako napansin. Nabangga niya ako at nagulat siya ng ako ang makita niya.

"What are you doing here?" puno ng pagtataka na tanong niya.

I raised a brow, "Uhm, this is my hotel? Hindi lang naman ikaw ang pwedeng magstay at a 5 star hotel ah?" I said casually and she looked pissed at natawa ako sa itsura niya.

Tinalikuran ko siya pero narinig kong bumulong siya, "yabang mo." and my lips form an amused smile.

"Excuse me girl from the bus that slept on my shoulders..." paninimula ko at naging flustered siya bago tumaas ang kilay niya. "Anong sabi mo?" she asked and my grin grew wider. 

"Bakit? Natulog ka sa balikat ko ng halos dalawang oras, nangalay nga ako pero nagreklamo ba ako? I let you sleep stupid." akmang sasampalin niya na ako pero nagsalita ako. "If you slap me, you owe me a kiss next time we see each other." I said in a serious tone. Natahimik naman siya and she looked cute.

Ramdam ko rin na tinititigan kami ng mga kaibigan niya but I just rolled with what's happening. "B-bakit mo ako hahalikan? I'll file a case of sexual harassment!" she shouted and I licked the bottom of my lip.

"You're talking to a law student Caitlyn. You don't have evidence, and I'm sure that your 4 witness would stand by my side considering they're watching us like we're on a drama show." sambit ko at inirapan niya naman ako, ano 'to? Suko agad? 

I walked towards her and fixed the hair covering her face, "Don't go out calling people mayabang Caitlyn. Hindi mo ako kilala, wala kang karapatan na sabihan ako ng ganun." she laughed sarcastically. 

"Hindi naman kita kailangan kilalanin." she told me at hindi ko na pinansin at tinalikuran na siya. "See you when I see you." When I walked out of the scene I looked back at her at nakita ko na pinagkakantsawan na siya ng mga kaibigan niya.

Oh, Caitlyn. I would love to know you more. 

After eating dinner napadaan ako sa plaza at nakita ko na naman si Caitlyn, she was taking pictures of herself at nagtaka naman ako bakit wala ang mga kaibigan niya? Bigla ko naman naalala ang sagutang nangyari sa amin kanina. 

Dahan dahang akong lumapit sa kanya at tinapik ang balikat, inis niya akong nilingon at tinaasan ng kilay. I chuckled with her reaction, ano kaya ang trope ng storya namin? Enemies to lovers? Woah.

"Where are your friends? Bakit ka magisa?" tanong ko pero hindi niya ako pinansin at itinuon ang atensyon sa kanya cellphone. I sighed before forcing her to look at me, "hey."

"I'm sorry if I offended you someway earlier." I apologized at mukhang hindi niya ineexpect na magsorry ako. Hindi naman mahirap sabihin 'yon eh. 'Di rin naman ako yung tipo ng tao na mataas ang pride.

"Nagkalesa mga kaibigan ko, dalawa lang per kalesa so I decided not to ride one." she told me at napaisip naman ako. I can take her. I pulled her without saying a word.

"Kuya magkano po kalesa?" I asked.

"150 lang hijo." I smiled before helping Caitlyn get up at sumunod naman ako. Magkadikit kami ngayon but I can't feel any tension which was weird but I like it.

She was taking pictures at hinahangin ang buhok niya so I fixed it at medyo nagulat pa siya dahil nakaramdam siya ng hawak malapit sa leeg niya. I took her phone and took photos of her, pero mukhang natulala lang siya.

You gorgeous human being. "Smile, Caitlyn. You're the prettiest when you smile." I said casually not thinking about the words that have escaped my mouth.

We were enjoying getting a tour around the whole plaza, and for the first time ever... I saw Caitlyn smiling genuinely. She's enjoying herself, and my heart can't stop trying to make her happy even though we met as enemies.

When the ride finished I saw disappointment on Caitlyn's eyes. She looked like she wanted to ride one again. I helped her get down at nandito kami ngayon sa Cale Crisologo. 

The man offered to take pictures of us and we were so close, I almost thought that she's my girlfriend. We were walking back when her phone rang, "Hello? ....I rode with Zayn. Details to follow, let's meet up sa hotel na lang." it must be one of her friends.

"Sabay na tayo pumunta sa hotel? Or may pupuntahan ka pa?" I asked and she just shook her head.

Pagbalik namin sa hotel ay ako ang hinatid niya dahil ang sabi niya nasa third floor pa ang kanila. I opened the door thinking if I should invite her but when I look at her, she looked like she wants to tell me something pero nahihiya siya.

"Uhm, thank you for riding a kalesa with me." she said and I smiled. Nakita ko naman na tinitigan niya ako. I think I know what can make her weak... my smile.

"Thank you for your time." I winked at her. Isasara ko na sana ang pintuan nang may maisip akong sabihin sa kanya. I shyly looked at her and scratch the back of my head.

I kissed her hand, "I know we don't know each other a lot, but you're very most likely a great woman and I would kill to have someone like you." I told her before closing the door. 

Tumalon naman ako sa kama at ngumiti mag-isa. Day one was amazing.

----

Hindi naman ako makatulog and it's half pass midnight so I decided to go out sa balcony, I saw how beautiful the cold moon was. 

Habang nakatingala ay nahagip ng mata ko si Caitlyn. Damn, kahit saan ata ako tumingin si Caitlyn nahahagip ng mata ko ah. Who would've thought that I would get so invested over a girl whom I met on a bus?

She was staring at the moon while I was staring at her. She looked so calm, pero tulala ata siya so I called her name.

"Caitlyn!" napatingin naman siya sa likod at walang tao doon kaya naman tumingin siya sa baba at nagtama ang mata namin. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin and I also gave her a warm smile.

I took out my phone and dialed her number at nagtaka naman siya at kinuha ang cellphone niyang nagring. 

"Hey." I greeted her.

"P-paano mo nakuha number ko?" she stuttered. 

"Guess how," I replied.

"Those shitheads!" she cursed her friend at natawa naman ako sa kanya.

"You can't sleep, can you?" I asked her and she took a few seconds before answering. "Nope, ikaw din siguro 'no?" she asked and I hummed as a reply.

"Let's go for a walk, I know you're also bored." aya ko sa kanya habang kinukuha ang wallet at susi ko at umakyat na agad sa hotel room nila. Nasa labas na akong nakahintay at nang buksan niya ng pinto nagulat siya.

"PUTANGINA-"

"Quiet Caitlyn, people are sleeping." I hushed her. "Kanina ka pa nangugulat eh! First you knew my number and second you came up here without you knowing my room number. Minsan naiisip ko na lang na stalker ka eh." walang tigil na sabi ko, hindi ko naman siya pinansin at naglakad na paalis. 

We were walking at the quiet streets of Vigan City at napansin ko namang parang nilalamig siya dahil pinagkikiskis niya ang dalawa niyang kamay. I stopped and removed my jacket to give it to her.

Nakita kong nagdadalwang isip siya kung kukunin o hindi pero ang ending kinuha niya pa rin. "Wear it, your hands are freezing cold and you're shivering." I told her at sinuot niya na ang jacket ko. 

"You look good in my jacket," I complimented her and she just rolled her eyes. "You can keep it it looks better on you than me." I held her hand at nagulat naman siya, I should've asked her first. I looked at her and she met up with my glance and I tried holding her hand again and this time hindi siya bumitaw.

"I'll hold your hand, you're freezing." palusot ko, gusto ko lang talaga hawakan kamay niya.

I took photos of her because she's too pretty to not get her photos taken. Pagkatapos ng katahimikan ay bigla siyang nagsalita, "We seem close despite the fact that we're completely strangers." bigla naman akong nasaktan. She still sees me as a stranger.

"You still consider me as a stranger, Caitlyn?" I asked and she slightly nodded. "We barely even know each other, we both just know our first names and we have nothing to base of a friendship right now." 

I faced her and gave her my hand, "Zayn Landon Domingo, you are?" she gave me a warm smile before shaking my hand. "Caitlyn Nicole Flores."

We talked about simple things and I may say that it's fun. Having this romantic walk with her is so calming. Parang lahat ng stress at problema ko nakakalimutan ko tuwing nakakasama ko siya.

"Are you single?"

Natawa ako sa tinanong niya, hindi naman sa assumero ako pero is she interested in me? "Why do you wanna know, Caitlyn?" 

"I'm curious okay, a man like you looks like a walking heartbreak." she said and I don't know if I should be offended or take it as a compliment.

"For the record hindi ako marunong sumakit ng isang tao sa relationship. They're the ones who breaks me. I consider myself single though I;m in a complicated relationship right now with someone." I told her at tumango tango. Complicated situation with my shitty ex.

I also concluded that she was single so we're on the same level. Hindi ko lang alam kung parehas intention namin, I want her to be mine. But does she want me to be hers? I asked her why she is single at napaisip naman siya.

"I actually don't know. I can't commit, I don't know how to love someone and I am very dishonest in a relationship. I don't know how to open up because I'm afraid they'll judge me. I keep all my thoughts and emotions to myself until I get filled up and just explode. I am a mess, and I think I don't deserve love because I think I can't give off the love they'll give me."

I was silent, thinking of what I should tell her.

"The moon can never breathe, but it can take our breath away with the beauty of its cold, arid orb." I told her, it was a famous quote that I have read.

"Munia Khan, it's a quote of hers and I might say you are very relatable in that quote. You keep your thoughts to yourself, making you hard to breathe, you have a cold beauty but is warm when you're happy." after that she turned red and I really wanted to pinch her cheeks pero baka masaktan siya.

Muli akong nakaisip ng sasabihin sa kanya, "You took my breath away the moment I laid eyes on you. Would it be bad if I tell you that even though we've only met for two days? Would you be uncomfortable when I tell you that I may or may not like you? To like someone because of a shallow connection?"

Bigla naman siyang natulala at feeling ko naoverwhelm siya. Shit! I told you Zayn, dapat hindi ka umamin! Tanga tanga.

"I'm sorry, Caitlyn. I shouldn't have told you that, you must think I'm weird I uh-" hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko ng bigla siyang lumapit at binigyan ako ng halik. Well, it was kinda a kiss.

We were both shock and I didn't know what to say, it was very unexpected! "Caitlyn I-" bigla naman siyang tumakbo palayo at nahubad pa ang isang tsinelas niya. I just laughed before picking it up at naglakad na papunta sa hotel.

Damn, Caitlyn. You're really something.

----

The next day was fun, I spend time with Caitlyn and her friends. Masaya talaga silang kasama kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit lagi silang magkakasama tuwing magta-travel. 

We were eating when I received a text with Lianne, my ex. Agad naman kumunot noo ko, what the fuck?

Lianne: your dad is mad that you broke up with me

Zayn: the fuck do i care? you cheated, remember that.

Agad kong tinago ang cellphone ko nang lumapit sa akin si Caitlyn. "Hey are you okay?" I looked at her before answering, "of course Caitlyn.".

Umabot na ang gabi and we watched the dancing fountain and I recorded our every moment together. 

"Babalik ka na ba sa bahay niyo bukas?" tanong niya at tumaas naman ang isang kilay ko. What is she planning?

"Yeah, that's the plan. Why?" she gave me a warm smile.

"Can you extend it for 3 more days? Come with us to Pagudpud." she invited me pero nagdadalawang isip ako. Baka kasi ayaw akong pasamahin ng mga kaibigan niya. 

"Are you sure? Your friends might not want me there." hindi niya ako pinansin at lumingon kay Azaleah.

"Would you mind if I take my boyfriend with me sa Pagudpud?" she asked casually, I know it was a joke but it felt good hearing those words that escape from her mouth. "No not at all. Take Zayn with us para hindi ka naman malungkot." 

"See? They wouldn't mind." ngumiti siya sa akin, and I can't turn her down. I want her to be happy and I think she would be happy if i tag along. I smiled before nodding. "Okay, I'll come with my girlfriend." I winked.

I looked directly to her eyes, I can feel the tension between us and the urge to kiss her. I slowly leaned in and I gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Tastes better than cherries."

I was about to talk when I heard my phone rang, it was my aunt from Arizona. I excused myself and hurried to walk back to the hotel.

"Landon.. si Zara.. she died. She was shot by a lunatic; and your mother.. she's in critical condition." the moment I heard the news I became weak. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. 

Tumulo na ang mga luha ko at naglakad ako papunta sa elevator para pumunta sa bar sa rooftop. Drink to numb the pain, I guess. 

I drank until I was tipsy, I lost track of the time and how much I have already drank. I was about to drink another shot when I felt someone's presence. I looked up to met up with someone's gaze and when everything became clear, nakita ko si Caitlyn.

She hugged me and at first I was only looking behind her before I hugged her tight. A hug telling her that I don't want to lose her like I've lost everyone else. "What happened, Zayn?" she asked. 

Nang hindi ako makasagot pinilit niya akong tumingin sa kanya, "Tough times are here for a reason, you'll overcome everything, my love." she told me and somehow it comforted me and also bothered me. Kasi 'yan ang tawagan ng ex ko.

"Don't call me love, It's the call sign me and my ex fiancee had..." I told her with a soft voice, thinking about what we should call each other instead. She was about to leave when I held  her wrist, "... call me bab," that's the first thing I've thought of.

"My sister died, my mom has a severe medical condition." I told her. Natahimik naman siya. I explained to her why I can't just visit them in Arizona and she nodded understanding what I have said. I drank another shot.

"last na yan ha. I don't want you to get dehydrated." pinunasan niya ang pawis sa noo ko, what a sweet girlfriend. Wait, is she my girlfriend na?

"Keep going, bab. You'll reach your dreams, and I believe in everything you do." there I smiled. I'm so lucky that our paths have crossed, Caitlyn.

Nasa elevator na kami at tinititigan ang isa't isa hanggang sa hindi ko na napigilan at hinalikan siya. A long one. After the kiss I spoke, "Do you know that I like you, Caitlyn? I know this is a really fucked up question but it has been running on my mind since tonight. I want you to be my girlfriend and from that we'll take it slow."

She then was shock but kissed me on the cheeks.

I woke up with a head ache but good thing she bought me aspirin. 

"What.. exactly are we?" she was hesitant to ask, I looked at her with a blank expression.  "What do you think?" I asked back hoping her answer is the same with mine.

"You're mine, I'm yours..?"

I then nodded, "then that's what we are, bab."

We are currently riding a 4x4 truck and I am having fun."You seem to be enjoying yourself." she said.

 "Every moment would be fun if it's with you, bab." after that hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Hindi naman sa aminado ako na kinikilig ako pero parang ganon na nga.

"Why do you like me, Zayn?" she suddenly asked and I sighed.

"If only I can give you my eyes to show you how beautiful you are and what I've seen in you, Caitlyn." I answered her and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "How about you, why do you like me?"

"To be honest, I don't know. But you're just unique. At alam kong sa libo libong duda, ikaw lang ang magiging tanging tiyak sa akin." 

----

We were already at pagudpud and the girls are enjoying theirselves. "Bro, alagaan mo si Caitlyn ha. Kaibigan ko yan simula noong maging kami ni Azaleah, which was 2 years ago. Wag mo sasaktan ah, kung hindi papatayin ka namin." banta ni Luca sa akin and I chuckled before nodding. Nagiihaw kami ngayon ng pagkain.

"Promise, I won't hurt her." bihira ako gumawa ng pangako dahil minsan hindi ko natutupad. Pero I made a promise.

"Caitlyn hubarin mo naman na yung cover up pati shorts mo!" sigaw ni Yuzu at nakuha nito ang atensyon ko. My eyes locked up with hers kaya ibinaba ko ang hawak kong plato at lumapit sa kanya. I held her wrist and lifted her cover up at hinubad ko rin ang shorts niya. 

"Ayon naman pala, kailangan lang palang si Zayn ang maghubad ano? Wala lang kamay teh?" I laughed with what Yuki said.

When we dipped into the sea hinila ko naman siya papunta sa malalim na part, kanina pa din siyang umaaray dahil nakakatapak siya ng mga bato. Tawa naman ako ng tawa sa kanya. Hinampas niya naman ang dibdib ko bago lumayo. 

Patay, susuyuin ko na tuloy. "Don ka nga, ang pangit mo, lumayo ka."

I laughed, "Sige na, sorry na po. Halika na sa akin." Lumapit naman ako sa kanya at binuhat siya pabalik sa mababaw. I gave her a kiss on the forehead before hugging her. 

"3 days feels like a year already, mahal." I whispered she wrapped her arms around me and agreed. "I don't want to lose you like I've lost everyone else. Mawala na ang lahat wag lang ikaw, Caitlyn." I told her as I buried my face on her neck.

"Don't worry Landon, I value you more than anything right now because you made me feel some sort of sparks whenever our eyes lock and our body collides. I also don't want to lose you. I choose you out of everything."

Pagkasabi niya non ay tiningnan ko siya sa mata. 

"Caitlyn, mahal na ata kita."