"Matagal pa ba tayo? Ang sakit na ng likod ko!" reklamo ko kay Azaleah. Agad naman niyang isinuot ang kanyang earphones. Kanina pa kasi kami nasa bus, simula alas tres ng umaga hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin namin nakikita ang arc ng Ilocos Sur. 

It's currently 7:23 in the morning at inip na inip na ako. "We could've just got a flight to ilocos eh di sana nandoon na tayo in just an hour." mataray kong sabi bago ipagkrus ang mga braso ko. Narinig ko namang bumulong yung girlfriend ni Yuzu sa kanya.

"Yuki said she wants to experience riding a bus here in the Philippines dahil ibang iba daw yung bus dito compared sa Japan." Yuzu told me and I just rolled my eyes. Paano kasi 'tong dalawa kong kaibigan laking Japan. Ang hirap makipag-sabayan sa kanila.

We love traveling together, we've been to many countries like Korea, Thailand, Japan and Iceland. But we decided to explore our own country this month since we haven't really gone to many places here. We figured we should appreciate our country first by exploring every single corner of it before traveling elsewhere.

We plan on going to Puerto Galera and El Nido next 2 weeks after our trip sa Ilocos Sur and Norte. "Babe can you pass me the water?" Luca told Azaleah at agad naman akong gumawa ng nandidiring mukha. Paano kasi dati kaming trio pero naging lima kami dahil nagkaroon ng mga lovers yung dalawa.

Hindi naman ako naiinggit sa kanila, naiirita lang because I have to deal with their PDA everytime we travel. Pero hindi pa rin maiiwasan na mainggit ako dahil who wouldn't want someone to hold, kiss and hug anytime? And I hate being the all around third wheel everytime they plan dates. I hold their stuff, I take pictures of them and etc. Pero binabayaran naman nila ako doon so all goods pa rin naman.

"Ayan ka na naman sa mukha mo," sabi sa akin ni Luca at tumawa naman sina Yuki at Yuzu. "Alam mo, just go get yourself a boyfriend. Para hindi ka nale-left out sa amin. We won't always be there when you need us sometimes because we too have our lives in a relationship." sambit sa akin ni Azaleah and I just scoffed. We've been friends for more than 13 years so di ko na kailangan i-worry yon.

Sapat na sila sa akin. I don't need a boyfriend because I think it's time consuming and a little bit over rated. Feeling ko sa una lang yan masaya eh. I've experienced being in a relationship but the thing is there was no love. The break up ended with a, "Isa lang naman tanong ko para magpatuloy tayo, mahal mo ba ako?" and with that silence, I already knew it was a good thing that we ended it.

It's fun being single and living life the fullest. I get to spend money on myself, don't have to worry about buying monthsary and anniversary gifts. Don't have to plan dates, and don't need to be shitty sweet in a relationship just because it's what they want.

"I don't have time for that." I said in a monotone before scrolling through my phone.

Sa aming lima, yung pamilya ko ang pinaka nakaka-angat ang buhay. We have 3 real estate company that's why I already have a stable and fixed income. By that I don't have to worry about money. Sugar mommy ako nung apat eh hays.

Mayroong stop over yung bus namin sa isang gas station na may mcdo kaya we decided that we're going to eat first because we are super hungry. Hindi kami masyadong nagprepare ng food kasi doon namin plano kumain at bumili na lang. The bus is going to give us 45 minutes to do what we want here.

Nang makalabas ako ng bus agad akong naginat. Dude my back hurts so fucking bad. I brushed my hair with my fingertips before fixing my shades. Mainit kasi beh, ayaw kong ma-damage eye sight ko. And luckily I put on SPF lotion para di ako umitim. Ayaw kong masira ang porcelain skin ko duh.

We went to McDonald's and I ordered pancakes and fries, and they did the same. The total price was 789 pesos and we split that to 3 and I took their cash and just paid for it using my credit card. Wala akong cash eh.

We took pictures first before eating. "Alam mo beh, feeling ko Ilocos ang magbibigay sayo ng bebe loves." sabi sa akin ni Yuzu and I just made a face. "I agree, many people fall in love in the famous Vigan City." her girlfriend agreed.

I don't know how to fall in love.

Hindi ko alam yung feeling, at wala akong planong alamin ang feeling na 'yon.

Takot ako, nakakatakot yung pagibig na 'yan. Maraming taong nasisira, nababaliw sa pagibig na 'yan. They risk everything, give everything to their love until there's nothing left for themselves. You're going to be selfless when it comes to love.

Just by the thought of it, makes me not want to commit anymore. Besides if I ever get a boyfriend now, I want him to be my last.

"Kung makakahanap edi gora." sabi ko sa kanila at lahat sila natahimik tila nagulat ata sa sinabi ko.

"Payag ka na? I mean, you're ready?" tanong ni Azaleah and I smiled weakly, "Maybe. But I don't want to rush things." I told them at bigla namang pumalakpak si Luca and he said, "Pagdating natin sa hotel papainom ako!" he said excitingly and I just laughed it off.

After eating we've gone outside and took pictures near some trees. Of course ako yung walang partner, I took pictures sa kanila using my phone kasi ako yung may latest iPhone hehe. Perks of being single talaga. They also took my pictures kasi sayang naman kagandahan ko kung di rin naman makukuhanan ng picture.

Sayang nga lang wala akong masesendan ng mga photos ko. Pero okay lang yon, save for future purposes.

Pagka-balik namin ng bus ay umupo na ulit kami. Not to mention na ako lang yung walang katabi, vacant yung seat next to me at pinapatong ko lang doon yung handbag ko.

"Need mo na talaga ng jowabells. Ang lungkot ng itsura mo dyan oh, kanina pa kita tinitingnan." sabi sa akin ni Yuzu at nainis ako bigla.

"Doon na lang sa Vigan maghanap, it's not like may gwapo, maputi, matangkad at mabangong lalaking susulpot bigla sa bus!" sabi ko at sakto may biglang pumigil sa bus sa pagsara ng pinto, there I saw a figure that was accurate to what I said earlier. What the fuck?

Lumingon ako sa mga kaibigan ko at ang tataas ng ngiti ng mga gago! Luca was wiggling his eyebrows while Yuki was giving me her look. The look na mapang-asar.

Onti-onting lumapit yung lalaki sa direksyon namin at parang may mali. Bakit slowmo siya maglakad? Or baka imagination ko lang 'yon? O sadyang tanga lang siya maglakad?

Tumigil siya sa harap ko, "Excuse me is this seat taken?" tanong niya at sasagot na sana ako ng oo pero tinakpan ni Yuzu bibig ko. "No, the seat is not taken. Sit next to our friend!" Azaleah encouraged the guy and I glared at her. Ang lakas manlaglag talaga ng mga kaibigan ko tangina.

Why would I let a stranger sit next to me? What the heck!

He sat down next to me and I immediately smelled his perfume, Dior. Ang bango niya, and mukhang mayaman din! Pero anong pake ko? Isang beses lang naman kami magkikita, and it's now. It's not like magkikita kami bigla sa Vigan or somewhere.

"Hi," he said and I turned to him and met up with his eyes. Bigla akong natulala, nakakalunod naman ata 'tong mga mata niya. "Zayn, you are?" inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa harap ko and I had double thoughts whether or not should I shake his hands and introduce myself.

Nakita ko naman na nakatingin sa akin mga kaibigan ko at alam kong magagalit sila if nireject ko na agad 'tong lalaki.

"Caitlyn."

"Nice to meet you, Caitlyn."

***

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story contains mature content involving strong language, sexual content and other mature themes that are not suitable for ages below 18. If you are a minor, read at your own risk.

Typographical, grammatical errors ahead. I will surely edit this once I have time.

©2022 rikkaaeynnaa_