"Welcome to Panglao, Bohol! Please enjoy your stay."

"Silas, can you also get my luggage? I have to pee." Tumango naman siya sa akin bago ako umalis at iwan sa kaniya ang hand carry bags ko.

He was very patient when it came to me. This was our third location, nagpunta kami last week sa Sagada, and it was the best experience too! Siguro sa lahat ng pupuntahan namin, aapaw lang 'yong saya ko.

I feel an overwhelming sense of happiness that fills me up every time we spend time together. Being with him just feels so right, like we were meant to experience all these things together. Every moment spent in his company is a moment that I cherish and hold near.

Kaya ko ipakita mga kahinaan ko sa harap niya.

I can't help but smile from ear to ear. Tuwing iniisip ko ang mga na-experience na namin together. Whether we're exploring new places or just sitting quietly together, it always feels like the perfect moment.

The way he looks at me, the sound of his voice, the touch of his hand... It all makes my heart skip a beat. I can't help but feel grateful for every second we spend together.

Hindi ko nga alam kung ano talaga nararamdaman ko sa kaniya. This was the first time a person was ever this close to me. Ngayon lang ako nagpapasok ng tao sa buhay ko kahit alam kong malaki ang posibilidad na may mangyayaring masama sa amin.

Even so... In this chaotic world, I feel like I've found my anchor in Silas. It's as if he grounds me and gives me a sense of purpose.

Dahan dahan niya na ring binubuksan ang puso sa akin.

"Are we going to swim in Hinagdanan cave?" I asked him and he shook his head. Hindi pa kasi kami pumupunta roon sa hotel namin dahil two pa ang check in. It's currently ten in the morning.

Nakapunta na kami roon sa watch tower that was made out of coral stones and egg whites. Sobrang na-amaze nga ako sa mga gumawa noon. Paano nila nagawa kaya iyon?

Saka itong Bohol daw ay dating dagat lang. Bigla na lang lumutang ang isla and here we are.

Silas just rented a four seater car for today para raw may mapag-lagyan ang gamit namin habang nag-iikot kami.

"Gusto mo ba lumangoy? Malalim yata roon e," Silas told me and I smiled. "Alam ko naman na takot kang malunod."

"Let's just take pictures in there," I told him at nag-agree naman siya. We paid for our entrance fees, and they told us that there would be a guide and it's our discretion kung magkano ang ibibigay naming tip sa kanila.

"I see a beautiful couple. Hello, Ma'am, Sir... My name is Richard, today I will tour you around Hinagdanan cave." Pagpapakilala nito sa amin at tumango naman kami. "Hubarin po natin ang sunglasses dahil medyo madilim po ang cave. Dahan dahan din po tayo sa hagdanan dahil madulas po."

Noong nandoon na kami sa loob ng cave, agad ako namangha sa ganda ng tubig. It was crystal blue! Sayang hindi kami magsswimming.

Our guide offered us to take our pictures at pumayag lang kami. Magaling naman siya kumuha ng litrato. Tapos kinuhanan din kami ng solo pictures. Tinuruan pa kami kung paano mag-pose! Kaya noong natapos na kami, I gave him three hundred pesos.

Gumagawa rin kasi siya ng witty jokes! Ang cool nga e.

"What do you want to do next?" Tanong ni Silas sa akin habang sinusuot ang kaniyang seat belt. Nagkibit balikat naman ako bago kunin ang aking cellphone bago mag search kung ano ang puwede pang gawin para mag-sayang ng oras.

"Let's eat lunch?" I asked. "Let's go to the bee farm," I told him and he started the engine and we drove away.

"Ano gagawin natin pagdating sa hotel?"

"Ewan. We should probably sleep, tapos maglakad tayo mamayang gabi roon sa Alona beach. Is that fine with you?" I asked him and agreed again. Napansin ko na tuwing bagong lapag kami, lagi siyang pagod.

Kaya nga ang saya ko lagi tuwing ganito siya kasi I can decide for us. Pero sigurado ako bukas siya na naman ang taga desisyon. Okay lang naman sa akin, siya naman kasi nagbabayad e.

Kung tutuusin para siyang sugar daddy pero hindi daddy... Sugar lang kasi hindi siya mukhang daddy.

Dumating na ang order namin kaya pinicturan muna namin ito.

Habang ineenjoy namin ang pagkain, I can't help but be captivated by the stunning view in front of me. The deep blue ocean stretches out as far as the eye can see, and the gentle breeze carries the salty scent of the sea, refreshing my senses. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore is soothing, and the subtle chirping of the birds in the background adds to the calming atmosphere.

"Have you ever wondered what's beyond what we see?"

Nilingon ko naman si Silas na nakatitig na sa akin. Bigla ko naman naramdaman na ang puso ko ay tumitibok na nang mabilis. Agad naman ako umiling sa kaniya at tinuon ang atensyon sa pagkain.

"It's probably more bodies of water," sagot ko.

I can feel my worries and stresses slowly melting away in this passing moment. It's as if the beauty of this scene is washing over me, cleansing my mind of any negativity. I take a deep breath, relishing in the tranquility of the moment, and savor the flavors of my meal, each bite a burst of deliciousness.

It's moments like these that remind me of the simple joys in life, the ones that we often take for granted. I'll hold onto this memory and let it guide me through any rough patches that may come my way.

Pumunta na kami sa hotel namin and asked if we could do an early check in at buti na lang pumayag ang hotel. They took our stuff to our hotel room at kami naman ay nag-ikot muna sa area.

Sobrang laki ng pool! Excited akong mag-chill dito bukas.

Tatlong araw lang kasi kami rito dahil marami pa kaming pupuntahan. We're also planning to paint on our next destination kasi may motivation na ako para turuan siya.

He makes me happy.

Sooner or later I might just paint his portrait.

When we arrived at the hotel room, we again picked our own beds before fixing our essential items like the clothes that we would be using later if we decided to take a walk.

"Clementine, matutulog muna ako. Do you plan on going out ba?" Silas asked me the moment he laid on the bed. Umiling naman ako sa kaniya.

"I'll also take a rest. Alarm ako bago mag five?" Tumango naman siya sa akin before we both dozed off to sleep. Mabilis lang ang oras at narinig ko na ang iyak ng aking cellphone.

I heard Silas groan but I stood up immediately and picked up my clothes that I will be wearing when we take a walk in Alona beach.

Nagsuot lang ako ng white tank top, and a low waisted denim shorts kaya medyo kita ang aking tiyan. I don't usually like wearing revealing clothes but since I'm already risking some money, and changing my lifestyle e 'di subukan ko na.

Dati si Mommy pinipilit ako magsuot ng mga gano'n kasi ang ganda raw ng hugis ng katawan ko tapos hindi ko raw ginagamit ng maayos. Mahiyain ako e! Bakit ba?

Paglabas ko ng CR, naka black polo na si Silas at siyempre it was again unbuttoned. Gustong gusto niya talaga na kita 'yong katawan niya e para mang-akit ng babae!

"Libre ko ngayon pagkain natin," I told him nakita ko naman ang gulat sa kaniyang mga mata. "Ayaw mo ba? Ngayon lang 'to."

"Gusto! Para naman may pahinga wallet ko aba!" He laughed before getting his phone from the bedside table. Nakita ko naman na hindi niya talaga dinala ang wallet niya dahil binalik niya ito sa bag niya.

It was a three minute walk to the beach. Pagpasok namin sa isang street, sobrang dami nang kainan na inaalok kami. It all looks tasty! Mukhang worth it naman gumastos dito.

We decided to chill first by the beach and watch the sunset. "Tara swimming tayo," aya ni Silas pero agad naman ako umiling sa kaniya.

"Sa pool na lang. Mahirap tanggalin buhangin sa katawan e," sambit ko sa kaniya at tumango naman siya sa akin at nagulat ako noong hinubad niya 'yong polo niya at inabot sa akin. Napansin ko naman agad ang mga mata ng taong nakapaligid sa amin.

Agad napunta sa katawan ni Silas!

But I can't blame them. Sobrang toned ba naman noong abs niya. Kaunti na nga lang itatanong ko na sa kaniya workout routine niya e.

Kinuha ko naman 'yong cellphone ni Silas at ginamit para mag picture. Naalala ko tuloy 'yong sinabi niya sa akin na ibibigay niya raw ito sa akin kapag nakabili na siya ng bagong cellphone rito. Siyempre hindi ako tatanggi sa grasya!

Good as new pa nga 'tong iPhone 13 pro max niya e. Bakit siya bibili ng bago?

"Clemetine! Picturan mo 'ko," narinig kong sabi niya sa akin at tinapat ko naman sa kaniya ang camera. He did goofy poses kaya natawa naman ako sa kaniya. Nakita ko naman sa frame that there were two girls approaching him.

Mukhang may tinanong ito sa kaniya. Ngumiti naman si Silas sa kanila at tumango naman 'yong babae. Tinuro no'ng isa pang babae 'yong cellphone niya pero kumamot naman si Silas sa kaniyang batok bago ituro ang direksyon ko. Nagtaka naman ako noong nilingon ako noong dalawang babae bago maglakad paalis.

After a few seconds, lumapit naman si Silas sa akin. "Ano naman sinabi mo roon sa kanila?"

"Gusto nila ng picture. Sabi ko magseselos ka," he chuckled before reaching for his phone. We took a few selfies before we decided to take a stroll and look for more restaurants.

Nakita naman namin ang isang stall kung saan gumagawa sila ng henna tattoo. Agad ko naman hinila roon si Silas.

"Let's get one!" I told him. "Kuya magkano po isang tattoo?"

"Isang daan lang po, Ma'am."

Agad naman ako umupo sa upuan doon at tumayo lang si Silas sa tabi ko. "Ano naman ipapalagay natin? Matching tattoos ba gusto mo?" He asked at napaisip naman ako.

"Puwede naman!" Sagot ko.

He took a chair and sat on it before looking through his phone, "Ayaw ko noong mga corny na sun and moon tattoos, ah."

I pouted, iyon pa naman ang nasa isip ko! Pero tama naman siya. Sobrang common na noon e. "Ah alam ko na!"

I gaze down at the intricate henna tattoo on my wrist, the words always with you stand out in bold, elegant letters. Parehas namin pinalagay iyon sa aming pulsuhan para madali lang makita.

I feel a sense of warmth and comfort, knowing that wherever we go and whatever we do, we will always have each other. Well... At least for now. Hindi naman kami habang buhay ganito e. We'll both eventually part ways when the time comes.

The permanence of the tattoo is not lost on me, even though it will eventually fade away. It serves as a reminder that we won't always be there through thick and thin. We're nothing but mere strangers that always feel a shallow connection that neither of us can explain.

As I run my fingers gently over the delicate lines of the tattoo, I can't help but feel grateful for Silas. Siya ang taong nakapag-kumbinsi sa akin na kailangan kong mag-enjoy sa buhay dahil sayang naman kung mabubulok lang ako sa bahay.

We decided to eat at an Italian restaurant. I ordered a carbonara pasta while he ordered pesto. Tinikman pa rin naman namin ang putahe ng isa't isa while talking.

We drank a bottle of light beer before we went back to the hotel.

"Swimming tayo? Walang tao ngayon sa pool."

Tumango naman ako sa kaniya. He said he'll wait for me there dahil hindi na niya kailangan mag-palit ng damit.

I was contemplating whether I should wear shorts and a shirt or wear a black halter top one piece. I chose the latter. Sigurado naman akong wala siyang paki kapag nakita niya akong nagsuot ng ganito.

Pero siyempre hindi ko kayang maglakad sa labas ng hotel room nang naka ganito lang so I wore a kimono.

Noong nandoon nakarating na 'ko sa pool area, my eyes locked onto Silas already gliding through the water. He moved with an effortless grace that made my heart skip a beat. My mind raced with a flurry of thoughts, and one in particular caught me off guard—how it would feel to be trapped in between his strong, muscular arms as we swam into the cold water.

I shook my head, trying to banish the thought from my mind, but it persisted. I couldn't help but imagine the sensation of his powerful arms wrapped around me, holding me close as we floated in the cool water. Hindi ko na talaga alam ang nangyayari sa akin!

Baka horny lang ako? Hindi e! Ngayon lang 'to nangyari sa akin e ilang beses naman na kaming nagsswimming nang magkasama. What the hell?

The idea was both exhilarating and terrifying, and I found myself torn between wanting to experience it and wanting to run away.

Watching Silas swim, I realized how much he intimidated me. He was so confident and self-assured, while I still struggled with insecurities and doubts. But at the same time, I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his presence.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk to the edge of the pool. Hinubad ko naman na ang cover up ko at dahan dahang bumaba ng hagdan.

Silas looked up at me with a welcoming smile, and I felt my nerves begin to ease. Nawala agad ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi noong nakita niya kung ano ang suot ko. I swear I saw his face becoming red.

Right... First time niya akong nakitang magsuot nang ganito. Kapag kasi magsusuot ako ng one piece or two piece lagi ring may cover up.

Nakita ko naman ang kaniyang pilyong mga ngiti bago lumubog sa tubig at lumangoy patungo sa akin. Nagulat ako noong may humawak sa aking bewang bago ako dalhin sa gitnang bahagi ng pool.

"Huwag mo 'ko hawakan diyan, Silas!" Sambit ko habang tumatawa. Nakikiliti kasi ako.

Dahan dahan niya naman akong binaba kaya napilitan kaming tumingin sa mga mata ng isa't isa.

At doon ko naramdaman ang muling pagbilis ng tibok ng aking puso. Naramdaman ko ulit ang hawak niya sa aking bewang. "Bagay sa 'yo iyang suot mo..." He whispered.

"T-talaga?" I stuttered. Sobra sobra ang kaba ko ngayon! Kaunti na lang mabibingi na ako sa tibok ng aking puso, pucha.

"You should wear one of those more often..." He said softly before tucking the strands of hair covering my face in my ear. "Bilhan pa kita ng maraming ganiyan."

I bit my lip to hide my smile before turning my head away from his gaze. Feeling ko kasi matutunaw na ako! Silas, ano ba 'tong ginagawa mo sa akin?

He held my chin and slowly moved my head towards his direction again. Binuhat niya naman ang aking mga binti at pinulupot sa kaniyang bewang. Nakahawak naman ako ngayon sa kaniyang mga balikat bilang suporta.

He already angled his face towards my lips, and I did too. Our lips were less than an inch apart...When we heard footsteps approaching.

Agad naman kami bumitiw sa isa't isa. Ramdam ko naman ang init ng aking pisngi. Putangina! Pangalawang beses na kaming napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon. Siguro ayaw talaga kami pag-halikin ng mundo.

Hindi na lang kami ang nandito sa pool kaya nahiya na ako. I was about to get out of the pool when he held my wrist.

"Stay with me," he said.

I pursed my lips before nodding. I watched him swim laps for an hour before we decided to go back to our hotel room.

We should probably break the tension between us already. Kaso baka maging fuck buddies kami bigla! Travel buddies na nga kani magiging fuck buddies pa? Ayaw ko no'n!

Baka pumayag siya ta's sabihin niya no strings attached. Bobo pa naman ako sa gano'n! Baka ma-in love lang ako sa kaniya. Delikado na...

"So ano ginagawa ng motor na 'yan dito?"

Nasa labas na kami ng hotel namin at nakita ko na lang na may motor sa harapan ko at si Silas ang nagddrive.

"Ayaw ko na mag drive ng kotse. Nakakapagod! Kaya ito na lang. Para na rin maka-langhap tayo ng fresh air habang pumupunta sa kung saan," sagot niya sa akin. Tumango naman ako bago kunin ang helmet na hawak niya.

"First stop, chocolate hills!" Hiyaw niya bago paandarin ang motor.

It was almost a two-hour ride papunta roon. Ang maganda nga rito sa Bohol ay walang traffic! Kaya sobrang sarap siguro nag drive rito kung marunong lang ako.

Magpaturo kaya ako kay Silas mag-motor? Kaso baka mabangga ko lang 'yon kaya 'wag na.

"Ang taas naman ng aakyatin! Ayaw ko mapagod," reklamo ko kay Silas noong nakita namin ang pagka-rami na hagdang aakyatin namin para makapunta sa viewing deck.

"Come on, Rose. Sayang ang punta kung hindi susulitin," hinila naman niya ako kaya napilitan na akong magsimulang umakyat. Hingal na hingal naman ako noong nasa tuktok na kami but let me tell you... It was fucking worth it because we got to see over a hundred chocolate hills in front of us.

"Sobrang ganda!"

Nagpahinga muna kami at inenjoy ang malakas na hanging humahampas sa aming mukha. Ang susunod na pinuntahan namin ay ang tarsier sanctuary.

Kaunti na lang ang nakita namin doon because they are endangered already. Pero ang cute nila! We even saw one open its eyes. Nocturnal kasi sila kaya madalas tulog tuwing umaga.

The last destination we went to was mirrors of the world. It's a place kung saan may mga breathtaking panoramic views surrounding landscapes of famous buildings across the world.

May statue of liberty, the famous merlion, eiffel tower, golden gate bridge, big ben, rio de janeiro, at sobrang dami pang iba!

"Para kang nag-travel na rin sa ibang bansa! At least masasabi ko na sa ibang tao na nakapunta na ako sa New York, o 'di kaya Paris!" Sambit ko kay Silas at narinig ko naman ang kaniyang tawa.

"Why settle for that kung puwede ka naman talaga pumunta roon sa original na lugar?" Tanong niya.

"Ayan ang hirap sa inyong mayayaman e. Akala niyo gano'n lang kadali ang buhay," I rolled my eyes. "Let me remind you, Silas... Mayaman ka, mahirap ako. Ilang beses ko ba 'yon ipapaalala sa iyo?"

"E 'di dadalhin kita sa New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, at London. Saan mo pa gusto?"

I chuckled, "Diyan na ako hindi papayag. Mahal 'yon, Silas. Magiging triple na ang gastos doon at kakainin na ako ng konsensya ko kapag hinayaan kitang ilibre ako sa mga gano'n."

Noong lumabas na kami roon, akala ko diretso uwi na kami sa hotel room nang pumunta kami sa isang bakanteng lote.

Malaki ito at hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa namin dito.

"Gusto mo turuan kitang mag-motor? Sigurado naman akong fast learner ka," he offered at agad naman ako tumalon out of excitement bago tumango.

"Okay. Just don't crash the motorcycle, ayaw kitang masaktan o makitang may sugat," he told me before giving me the keys. Wow, sa akin siya nag-aalala at hindi sa motor na nirentahan niya?

When I straddled the motorcycle, my heart was pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. Nakatayo si Silas sa gilid ko, patiently explaining the controls and reassuring me that I could do this. I don't know why he had so much confidence in me! It was intimidating, but I knew that I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me.

Noong naintindihan ko na ang mga dapat kong gawin... Sinusian ko na ito. Umangkas naman siya sa likod ko. Wrong move niya 'ata iyon dahil kapag may magawa akong mali, parehas kaming madadali. Sabi ni Silas isipin ko lang na parang nag-ba-bike lang ako. As I began to move, I felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Am I doing it right?" I asked.

"Yes, you're doing great. Keep it up."

The wind whipped through my hair, and I felt a sense of freedom and power that I had never experienced before. But at the same time, I was acutely aware of the danger and risk involved in riding a motorcycle. Kinakabahan ako na baka sumemplang ako at mabali ang buto but I was surprisingly doing good kaya medyo binilisan ko ang andar.

Silas's voice in my ear provided a good grip on what I was doing, guiding me through each turn and maneuver. I trusted him completely, and his calm, reassuring presence gave me the courage to push through the things that were making me feel nervous and afraid.

"Sabi sa iyo madali mo lang 'to matututunan e!" Rinig kong sambit niya sa akin habang nakahawak sa aking bewang.

As we rode, I found myself becoming more and more comfortable on the motorcycle. I began to understand the subtle nuances of the machine, and I felt a growing sense of confidence in my abilities.

Noong tumigil na kami, my breath was unsteady. Maybe it was from the adrenaline rush or that I wanted more.

"You did it! I'm proud of you," he smiled before giving me a thumbs up.

Ngayong nakatitig na naman kami sa isa't isa... Bigla na namang bumagal ang galaw sa paligid namin na tila kaming dalawa lang ang naririto sa mundo.

I knew we had the urge to kiss each other again.

At alam ko ngayon na ang tamang oras para roon. Since I am already risking s lot of things why not do this already?

Wala namang mawawala sa amin.

I take a deep breath and lean in. Silas meets me halfway, and our lips touch. It's everything I've ever dreamed of and more. His lips were soft and warm. And he was gentle to me.

I close my eyes to savor the moment, knowing that this is something I'll never forget. That this would probably change the way we treat each other.

When we finally pull away, I open my eyes and look into Silas's. He's smiling, and there's something in his eyes that I've never seen before.

"That was..." I start, but I can't find the words.

"The kiss I've been waiting for a long time," Silas says, finishing my sentence. I bit my lip and stifled a small smile.

Oh, Silas. You don't know how much you make me feel at ease right now.