Oslob is such a sleepy town.

Sa totoo lang, wala talaga akong alam sa lugar na 'to-at least nothing more than the blogs I'd read about this.

But one thing was for sure about this little town: tahimik dito at sobrang nakaka-relax. A perfect place for a good unwinding.

Sakto pa malapit lang sa tinuluyan namin ang mismong whale shark site. A good ten minute walk lang so we were able to go there really early-and by early I meant six o clock early. Mahirap na kasing masabayan ng tourists. Hassle.

Several locals accommodated us. This was what I liked about the place too. The people were generally nice and genuinely hospitable. Pagkatapos naming magbayad, tinuro na sa 'min ang do's and don't's ng lugar. So we need to maintain a 4 meter distance pala. Hm. That's okay with me.

We boarded the boat with grins on our faces.

In seconds, nakita ko na ang defining feature ng mga sharks. Yep, those triangle fins. The whale sharks were swimming toward us.

Nagbuhos ng food si manong para lumapit ang mga whale sharks. On cue, their mouths opened to suck the food in. Like vacuum cleaners.

I stared at these sea creatures in awe.

Later on, binigyan na kami ng signal na pwede nang bumaba sa tubig. Nagpaunahan ang boys. One by one, they plunged into the water, laughing. I made sure na malayo ang mga sharks nang bumaba ako.

As if sensing my fear, nagbuhos ulit ng food si manong. Naglapitan ang mga whale sharks sa direction ko.

I shrieked and clung on the boat like it was my lifeline.

Four meters away daw. Hala. Bakit parang ang lapit na nila? I could even feel some of them right behind me, although most were swimming below.

The laughter of my bros tore throughout the place. They were swimming in the waters already.

"Javee, tara!" Kuya Andrei called.

"Sayang yung experience kung yayakap ka lang d'yan!" Kuya Travis added.

Hindi ko sila sinagot. Tumawa lang ako because I really looked so lame right now. Sa'n napunta ang tapang mo, Javee? Extreme pa more?

"'Wag mo masyado igalaw ang paa mo. Baka isipin nilang pagkain yung bubbles."

Nalintikan na. Lalo lang akong tinakot ni manong.

Soon enough, I adapted sa situation. Nag-subside na yung kaba ko kaya nakalangoy na rin ako kasama sina Kuya. It was hella fun. Lalo na kapag nagbibiruan ang mga kolokoy.

Suddenly, I felt one of them swim near me. I swam my way back to the boat for safety, laughing like crazy. Ang mga mapang-asar pang sina manong, patuloy na nagbibigay ng pagkain kaya lalong dumarami ang mga lumalapit sa 'min.

My smile was wide everytime I'd look down to check on the gentle giants. They were breathtaking to look at. Sobra. Nakakaaliw na maranasan 'to. Imagine enjoying the sea with the most enormous marine creature in the world. It felt fucking awesome.

Kuya Chris and Kuya Paul swam toward me.

"Tara," they said.

"Baka ma-suck in ako," sabi ko sabay tawa ulit.

"Pwede ba 'yon?" sabi ni Kuya Paul.

Kuya Chris smiled. "Dito ka sa 'kin."

He pulled me close to him. Nakakapit lang ako sa kanya all throughout the experience. Pero syempre that didn't stop me from enjoying every second.

Ang sarap kaya sa feeling na lumangoy kasama sila. To explore God's gift at its best. Habang nandito ako, watching them, I couldn't help but think about how much I was missing out until now. Ang dami palang blessings sa mundo, we were just too caught up with everything else to pay these little miracles their much-deserved attention. Masyado na tayong mareklamo, mahiling. Hindi na natin napapansin na napakaswerte pala natin. And these babies made me realize that.

The world is one very puzzling thing. Akalain n'yo 'yon. This adventure was very sudden, out of the blue pero pakiramdam ko, 'di na lang 'to para ma-satisfy ang crave namin for extremes. This experience was feeding my soul. Ang inspiring.

Sad to say, thirty minutes lang kami doon. Nang makapagpatuyo kami, realization sank in. Six-thirty pa lang.

"Aga pa," I said. "Ayoko pang umuwi."

"Sa'n n'yo ba gusto? Pwede tayong mag-Sumilon," Kuya Travis replied.

"O diretso tayong Siquijor," Kuya Andrei offered.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang mabilis. "Siquijor! Maganda daw yung Salagdoong 'di ba?"

"Pwede. Nando'n din yung Cambugahay," sabi ni Kuya Onyx. "Pero puntahan na rin natin yung Tumalog."

"Wait lang," I told them. "'Di ba tayo mahihirapan bumili ng tickets kung magsi-Siquijor pa?"

Since magpupunta pa kami ng Dumaguete and from there sasakay ng ferry papuntang Siquijor. We can't take the Larena route. 'Di swak sa schedule, I think.

"Para saan pang pinsan mo 'ko?" mayabang na sagot ni Kuya Nick.

Habang nag-aayos, he made some calls. Apparently, he had connections anywhere and everywhere. Perks of being a working man, huh?

"So it's settled. Tumalog muna a?" Kuya Jacob declared.

We hired a habal-habal to get there. The ride uphill to the falls was a bit scary but the view on the right made up for it. Nagbayad kami saglit and then papasok ng falls mismo, naglakad pa nang konti pababa.

I could hear the cascading sound of tiny droplets from where we were. Excitement rushed forth inside me. Hoshet.

A few minutes of walking down and I was rewarded with a very breathtaking sight.

Holy wow.

Sobrang ganda ng Tumalog falls. I didn't think even our camera could capture its real beauty.

Hinubad ko ulit ang T-shirt ko para hindi mabasa. Then naglakad ako papunta sa ilalim ng falls. The feeling of having hundreds of tiny drops falling over you felt like heaven.

Pumikit ako. Inangat ko na rin ang mga kamay ko para damdamin yung experience.

"Feel na feel, a?" Gian's deep voice floated over.

I opened my eyes and grinned wide. "Ikaw din naman."

My brothers and cousins were under the falls, too. Tinanggal na rin nila ang mga shirts nila.

We took many shots there. In-enjoy namin ng kalahating oras ang falls before kami bumalik na sa Tan-awan. It was around seven-thirty in the morning and we needed to prepare for Siquijor kung gusto namin magawa yung day trip.

Bumalik kami sa bahay para magpalit into dry clothes. Then we packed our things and paid our home accommodation.

Papuntang Siquijor, magpupunta pa kami ng Liloan. To get there, we decided to leave our vehicles and take the bus na lang.

Since experience na rin naman, susulitin na namin. We'd do it the backpack travelers' way.

The bus ride was quick. From Liloan, we took a craft ride to Sibulan, trike to Dumaguete and then finally, a ferry ride to Siquijor.

Thanks to Kuya Nick's awesome connection powers, hindi naman kami nahirapan bumili ng tickets. (Magaling din kasi yung ports. Their schedules were really fit for travelers with varying scheds.)

We reached Siquijor at around ten na. May pinahiram na SUV sa 'min ang kakilala ni Kuya Nick kaya 'di na namin kailangan pang mag-hire ng tricycles. He also served as our tour guide for today.

While on our way to the first stop, which is St. Francis Assisi Church, Kuya Jacob's phone suddenly rang.

Maingay at nagkakagulo yung ibang boys kaya 'di nila masyadong pinansin. But I was sitting beside Kuya and I saw who the caller was.

Giselle Esquivel

Kuya didn't talk much. Nakikinig lang siya. And what surprised me was the play of emotions on his face.

His expression was soft for a time habang nakikinig lang siya. Then it turned cold and grave. Then into pity.

I, of course, was naturally curious but it felt like an intimate moment so I looked away. Bukod sa rude ang makinig, ayoko rin na mag-butt in sa affairs niya lalo na mukhang seryoso pa 'yon.

To distract myself, I updated my Twitter status.

Javee @JamieAnnav • 1s

Still on the road with the boys

There was a flood of favorites and replies na 'di ko muna binasa. Nag-scan muna ako sa newsfeed ko.

I saw a photo of the girls while they were at a KTV and then I scrolled down again.

An interesting conversation caught my eye. It was a conversation between Christelle and Justin in reply to Racel's tweet.

Fuck. Naalala ko na naman ang usapan kagabi.

RCG @RacelCGutierez • 1d

Geared up for next week

💬 789 🔁 881 🤍 13589

Justin J @JJMercedez • 1d

↪️ Replying to @RacelCGutierez

Inspired na inspired bro

🤍 2381

Christelle @Christelle_Sophia • 1d

↪️ Replying to @JJMercedez @RacelCGutierez

I think I know the reason why ;) Gna be hard but I support u

🤍 118

Justin J @JJMercedez • 1d

↪️ Replying to @Christelle_Sophia @RacelCGutierez

Ako din. #1 nyo ko

🤍 1892

RCG @RacelCGutierez • 1d

↪️ Replying to @JJMercedez @Christelle_Sophia

Don't jinx it

🤍 4781

My heart drummed hard. Could it be?

I furiously shook my head.

No, don't assume. Number one rule 'yan. 'Di bale nang maging manhid, 'wag lang assuming. Because assuming things will lead to expectations and expectations will lead to disappointment. If I don't wanna get hurt, I can't jump to any conclusions.

As simple as that.

***

We stopped by the church to check it out. Saglit lang since naghahabol din kami ng oras.

Hanggang three lang kasi kami dito dahil three-forty ang ride namin pabalik ng Dumaguete. We wanted to take our time in beach bumming sana so everything would have to be quick and fast.

After St. Francis of Assisi Church, dumaan kami sa Capilay Spring Park along the main highway ng San Juan. Kinuhanan ko lang ng picture 'yon bago kami dumiretso sa puno ng balete dito.

It was the oldest tree in the island, and I heard it was centuries-old. Looking at it sorta crept me out.

Maganda naman. Siguro dahil sa massive root system and somehow eerie outline niya kaya nabuo ang mga myths attributed to it. Besides the fact na there's a clean spring flowing from under it. Sabi ni manong tour guide, 'di rin daw nila alam kung saan galing yung tubig but it could heal daw according to some accounts.

I didn't know if that was true but it both amazed and freaked me out.

The tree was huge pala. Its canopy covered the pool na galing sa spring, giving us a fresh and calming atmosphere. What's cooler was malinis yung pool with matching small fishes swimming in it. Instant foot spa lang ang peg.

We hung around there for a while, enjoying the cool breeze habang nakikipagkwentuhan kami kay manong tour guide tungkol sa scary stuff surrounding the balete tree.

"Wag ka masyadong dumikit sa puno, p're. Mukha kang kapre," I heard Gian tell Kuya Onyx.

Naghagalpakan kami sa tawa.

Kuya Onyx just flashed his chinito eye smile and laughed with us. Wala, chill boy e.

"Sayang, flight na natin mamaya. We could've gone to Camiguin o Negros pa," sabi ni Kuya Chris with regret in his tone.

"Grabe kayo. Sulit na sulit na nga 'to," sagot ko naman.

Kuya Travis chuckled. "'Di bale. Sa susunod, planuhin na natin nang maayos."

"'Wag nang magplano," sabi ni Kuya Paul. "Mas natutuloy kapag hindi."

True, that.

After the tree, we ambled toward the Cambugahay Falls na. We had to endure one hundred seventy steps before we could reach the place. Okay naman yung pababa. Yung paakyat lang ang mahirap dito.

Anyway, I heard a lot of good raves about this place, na maganda nga daw ang tubig dito. And now I could confirm it for myself.

When I saw the falls, my jaw dropped. The waters were turquoise and the area was wide, peaceful, and calming. We had it all to ourselves pa!

Tapos it's multi-tiered. We checked the higher sections pero sa lowest kami nag-stay. I didn't pass up the chance to try the swing and jump into the water.

Woohoo!

The boys took turns in trying out the vine swings. Hinayaan ko na silang magpakabaliw do'n at ninamnam ko na lang yung feels ng mystical falls.

Mathev let out a boyish laugh when he swung and plunged straight into the water-then as if noticing me, lumangoy siya papunta sa 'kin with that wicked, mischievous grin he was known for. His skin was glistening while the water droplets were falling from his hair. Namumula na siya kakabilad sa araw.

"Parang ayoko nang bumalik ng Manila," he said.

"If only pwede kaso bawal naman."

"We should go back here. Or kahit hindi dito. We should do this again."

"Basta 'wag kayong magsama ng girls n'yo, okay lang."

He tipped his head and barked a laugh. "When did we do that?" Tinitigan niya akong mabuti. "Selos ka lang yata."

I laughed and pushed him away but he swam back toward me again. I watched the rest of the boys play around and enjoy themselves. Now, Gian was back on the swing, screaming like profanities at Kuya Jacob na tawa nang tawa.

Watching them, bigla akong may naalala.

"Mathe, may tanong pala ako." I faced my cousin whose eyes were closed right now. He seemed so relaxed, his muscles at ease.

"Shoot."

"What's the story between Kuya Jacob and Giselle?"

This time, his eyes shot open to look at me curiously.

"Why are you asking?"

"Wala. Parang iba lang si Kuya sa kanya. Parang may something."

Mathev shrugged. Bumaling siya sa mga pinsan namin.

"Iba naman talaga si Giselle. Sa lahat ng naging babae ni Jacob, 'yan na ang pinakasineryoso niya."

Nagtawanan ang mga pinsan namin sa kabilang dako. Nilingon ko sila. Kasalukuyan nilang nilulunod si Kuya Paul. Ngumisi ako habang titig na titig kung pano lumaban si Kuya sa kanila.

"Tapos iniwan lang siya ni Kuya?" I asked after a second.

"Medyo. Sa dulo. I think Jacob really did like her at first, but Giselle wanted more from him. Masyado nang nagiging seryoso, and you know your brother. 'Yon. Naghiwalay sila."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Silence hang over us habang iniintindi ko ang sinabi niya.

So, gano'n pala. The girl expected more from Kuya than he was willing to give. Pero if they broke up, bakit tumatawag pa yung girl? Okay, scratch that. Bakit may soft expression si Kuya habang kausap niya yung Giselle? She must mean something to him. Something. Hindi siya gano'n sa ibang mga babae niya. I'd know. I'd seen a few of them.

"Nagkabalikan ba sila?" I voiced out.

"Ang alam ko hindi na," Mathev said in an indefinite tone. "Binabalikan yata siya pero ayaw na ni Jacob."

I frowned a bit. "Ang bad boy ni Kuya."

Mathev's deep chuckle reached my ears, then he ruffled my hair.

"Sa totoo lang, siya nga lang ang nagustuhan nang ganito ni Jacob. Ayaw na niyang balikan para makahanap na daw nang matino. Give your brother some credit."

That echoed in my mind. If that's the case, then this girl must really mean something if Kuya did that. He's a casanova. Yes, he loves his women but he's also a possessive jerk. Habang gusto niya pa ang babae, he'll never let her go-unless mainip siya or the girl reached his limits. He's an ass like that.

I didn't think that's the case here. So maybe he really cared for Giselle?

My eyes went over to Mathev.

"He shouldn't have dated her in the first place. What you're doing to girls, it's wrong."

He shrugged. "It's not like they're not aware. From the start, klaro naman ang lahat."

"I just wish you'd get serious with someone for once."

"Hoy, tama na moment n'yo. Lika na!" sigaw ni Gian.

Nagkatinginan lang kami ni Mathev, sabay tawa. For our last stop, we went to our main target: Salagdoong Beach. The waters here were just as surreal. For real. Crystal clear at bluish-green din ang kulay. Tapos kumpleto rin sila ng facilities. May mga rooms for those people who want to stay the night.

We stayed on the right side of the beach dahil na rin sa pristine finer sands on that side. Kahit na mataas na ang sikat ng araw, ayos lang. I could use some tan. And to be honest, so did my brothers.

We beach bummed for the rest of the time. Sa haba ng oras na nilagi namin do'n, ang dami naming napagkwentuhan. Kahit na matagal ko na silang kilala, I still learned a few more things about them. Like kay Kuya Travis. Alam ko na madalas din siyang mag-travel in his spare time but never would I guess na nagdi-drifting din pala siya sa Clark 'pag may oras siya.

Kuya Nick and Kuya Chris were the same, too. For Kuya Andrei naman, I heard a lot about his travel adventures-about his friends too, like Steel and his other friends na rin. Angelo included.

I was even surprised to know that the boys knew about that dork. And they approved of him, which made me happy. What's not to like anyway? Nakakatuwa talaga na kasundong-kasundo ng kumag na 'yon ang mga kuya ko.

We were laughing the whole time we were there lalo na nang magkayayaan sa cliff diving site.

We climbed up the walkway to see the full view of the place and then headed to the ledges to try the cliff diving.

Ginawa namin 'yon nang paulit ulit hanggang sa magsawa na kami. So we stayed in the waters na lang to mess around.

"Dapat bumalik tayo dito. Kasama ang tropa," Gian told us.

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko, contemplating. Tapos tumingala ako. Yeah. I think I should bring the girls and Lhyle here. Magugustuhan nila dito.

Siniko ko si Mathev. "Mathe, you should bring Constello here."

Nag-angat ng kilay ang pinsan ko. "Aba. May natipuhan ka yata sa mga 'yon, a?"

Kuya Jacob's eyes darted to me. He grinned. "Sino ba do'n? Matitino naman mga 'yon. Pwede."

The other boys voiced their agreement.

I lifted a brow in disbelief. "Really? You're not being overprotective?"

"Ako? Overprotective? Kailan?" Kuya Jacob denied with a smirk.

"Baka si Dash 'yan, a?" pasok ni Mathev. "Wag na do'n. May fiancée na 'yon."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Fiancée? "How? Isn't he what, like nineteen years old?"

"Yeah. Chinese traditions and all," sabi ni Kuya Paul. "Mataas great wall do'n."

"Ayos lang. Mabait naman, e. At mukhang gusto niya din."

I jumped at the opportunity and teased them. "Buti pa siya marunong mag-commit 'no? Great guy. E kayo?"

Tumawa sila at binato ako ng tubig. Tapos lalo akong tinukso sa vocalist na 'yon.

"Teka nga. Baka si Dash nga 'yan, a?" Kuya Onyx said, tumatawa. "Gusto mo 'yon? Nadali ka ba ng boses non, a?"

The boys were suddenly all around me, interested. Kahit sina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris, nakangiti nang mapanukso.

"Who's this Dash Lim?" tanong ni Kuya Travis?

"Si Dash. Vocalist ng Constello," sagot sa kanila ni Kuya Nick.

"Uy. May crush na si Javee sa wakas!" tukso ni Gian.

Napangiwi ako. 'Yan. Ganyan sila. Overprotective pero matindi naman kung manukso. Tapos kapag kinagat mo naman, magiging mas protective pa sila. They could be really odd sometimes. The duality was driving me crazy.

"So gusto mo nga?" tanong ni Kuya Nick.

"Hindi nga! Paulit ulit naman, Kuya?"

"Denial ka lang yata."

My cheeks were beginning to grow hot. Shit. Nahihiya ako kay Mathev.

Napatingin ako sa pinsan ko. Tutok na tutok siya sa 'kin at pinag-aaralan ang bawat reaksyon ko. Of course I didn't like Dash Lim! Pero nahihiya ako na baka iba ang isipin niya.

"Oh, fuck," Kuya Jacob said with a chortle. "I think you like him. At sa may fiancée pa talaga?"

"Hindi ko nga siya gusto, okay?" I denied vehemently.

"Hindi raw, o. Baka naman iba ang gusto," dagdag pa ni Kuya Chris. "Sino naman?"

At lalo pa nila akong tinanong. I wanted to tell them-that yes, I was crushing on someone right now. Pero sa oras na sinabi ko 'yon, they'll kill me!

No.

They would kill him for it!

"Baka si Luis. Siya ba?" sawsaw ni Mathev. "Mas gusto mo gitarista?"

"Ah, si Luis ba? Ayos din 'yon. Kasundo namin," gatong pa ni Gian.

"What?" Natawa ako. "What the hell? 'Di ko nga kilala personally 'yon."

"Why do you want Constello around, kung wala ka palang gusto?"

Great! Now even Kuya Andrei was joining the fun fest.

"They're cool kasi. Masama ba?" Namumula ako, probably, but I still couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Natatawa ako sa kanila.

"Umamin ka na kasi. May type ka sa mga 'yon."

"Wala nga," pilit ko.

Kuya Paul grinned at me. "Bagay kayo ni Luis. Walang girlfriend 'yon at matino. Pasado na."

"Oh 'yon pala e," Kuya Nick said, waggling his brows. "Gusto mo ba 'yon? Lakad ka namin, gusto mo?"

"Ako pa talaga manliligaw?"

"E 'di inamin mo ngang gusto mo!"

Pabiro akong umirap at binato sila nang binato ng tubig. Matagal bago humupa ang panunukso nila pero huminto rin 'yon nang mapunta na kina Kuya Paul at Denise ang usapan.

Kinausap ko si Mathev then, telling him it wasn't true. Tumango lang siya at nakisali sa harutan ng boys. Hindi ko na rin masyado inisip. I knew they were joking. Kasi pustahan, if ever I did tell them na gusto ko nga yung Dash at Luis, agad din naman silang magiging protective. Tss.

Nagkagulo kami sa tubig. All this time, pakiramdam ko tuloy mayroon kaming sariling mundo. It's like we were in our own little paradise, a haven away from the realities of the world.

Parang ayoko na ngang bumalik.

But just like all else, we eventually had to go back to reality. It was nearing three so we started packing up.

We drove back to the port and rode the craft for Dumaguete. Then we took a jeep for Sibulan, rode another ferry for Liloan and finally, a bus ride back to Oslob.

Grabe. Nakakapagod ang ginawa naming pagbyahe pero not once did I feel dizzy. I enjoyed our trip. Ito nga yata yung first time na sumakay sa bus at jeep 'tong boys, e.

Nang makabalik kami sa Oslob para sa mga sasakyan namin, halos pagabi na. Nag-dinner kami at nagpahinga saglit. Then we'll hit the road again back to Cebu City naman.

"Pa'no pala yung mga sasakyan pagdating ng airport?" I asked them after taking a drink.

"Hihintayin tayo ng bodyguards do'n. Sila na bahala iuwi 'yan," Kuya Onyx answered.

"Sasama ba pabalik ng Manila sina Tita Jackie?"

"Yup. May business meeting sila."

Tahimik ang naging dinner namin. Wala na. Mga pagod na talaga. Pero nakangiti pa rin naman kami, nabawasan na lang talaga yung harutan. Kumbaga, we were already coming down from the peak of euphoria. Pababa na yung adrenaline rush.

After kumain, bumalik na kami sa sasakyan.

"Sa likod ako, Kuya. Gusto ko matulog," I said nang pasakay na sila ng sasakyan.

Kuya Andrei smiled and switched places with me.

Pagpasok ko sa loob, nginitian ako ni Kuya Jacob. He looked helluva tired, too. Naro'n pa rin ang ngisi sa labi niya pero halatang antok na antok na ang mga mata niya.

Tumawa ako. "Sleep, apeshit."

"You sleep, too."

He pulled me in his arm, and before I knew it, I ended up falling asleep in his shoulder.

Malalim na ang gabi nang makarating kami ng Cebu. Kumain lang ulit kami at tumambay sa isang cafe habang hinihintay ang oras.

Only when our parents texted us did we push through to the airport.

Grabe. Kapag naalala ko ang mga ginawa namin, hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti. Natatawa na lang ako sa kalokohan namin. Danasan lang naman kasi ang nasa plano. Sino bang mag-aakala na makakaabot kami ng Siquijor?

"Enjoyed the trip?" Dad asked nang makita kami.

"Sobra," sagot namin.

"Mukhang ang layo ng narating n'yo?" Tito Osen asked.

"If you only know, Tito," sagot ko.

Sa sobrang pagod, tulog kaming magpipinsan sa buong byahe pabalik ng Maynila. But the exhaustion was super worth it. Every second was super uber worth it.

Dagdag na ito sa mga memories na, for sure, babalik-balikan ko. I really loved this family so much. I couldn't even form a word to explain how deep I really loved them.

They were so irreplaceable and damn invaluable to me.

Totoo. I was truly blessed to have them.

Truly blessed to be a De Villa.