It's funny how not everything you want to happen will turn out the way you want it to. 

Dalawang linggo akong nagplano para sa biyahe ko papuntang Sagada ngayong buwan ng Marso. Alam kong kailangan ko ito dahil halos buong araw akong gising at walang ginawa kundi mag-aral no'ng nakaraang buwan para sa board exam. Though my blood, sweat and tears were all worth it when I finally got "MD" attached to my name.

It wasn't easy convincing Mama to go on a trip to Sagada. She thought it would be better if I worked immediately, but I begged to differ. Kagagaling ko lang sa stress, stress na naman uli? 

After 12 hours, nakarating ako sa inn na tutuluyan ko sa Sagada. On my first day, I decided to rest first before exploring. Mayroon pa naman akong apat na araw para gumala. Hiniga ko ang aking sarili sa kama ng aking kwarto. Maliit lang ito; good for two persons. Wala kasi silang single room kaya ito ang na-book ko.

I felt myself drifting to sleep but the loud chatters from outside interrupted it. Based on the low pitch of their voice, I guessed they were men. I couldn't figure out how many of them were, but I assumed it wouldn't exceed three. 

Frustrated, I yanked myself up to see who had disrupted my sleep. Mukhang hindi sila titigil.

Gusto ko lang naman matulog.

No'ng malapit na ako sa pintuan ay natanto kong nasa tapat na sila ng aking kwarto dahil mas lumakas ang kanilang ingay. Binuksan ko ito, handang pagsabihan sila. Ngunit bigla akong natulala sa dalawang taong sumalubong sa 'king mga mata.

A tall, foreign man stood in front of me, a camera in his hands. His friend's head popped out from his back. It baffled me how he caught my attention most even when dressed casually. He had deep blue irises which weirdly resembled someone I knew from childhood.

"Stop hiding your eyes. I love them," I told K, brushing the bangs off his face. 

"Thank you..." he mumbled, face flushed.

I lightly shook my head, realizing I was reminiscing the past I had forgotten. Muntikan ko pa makalimutan ang rason kung bakit ko binuksan ang pinto. 

"Kindly keep your voice down," I told them calmly but eventually faded as I received a grin from him. Ano'ng nakakatawa? 

Nagsabi ako ng mahinang 'thanks' bago isara ang pinto. Mabuti na lang at hindi na sila muli nag-ingay matapos no'n. Rinig ko ang kanilang paglakad palayo sa harap ng aking kwarto. 

Bumalik na ako sa 'king paghiga ngunit nakarinig ako ng katok sa 'king pinto. 

Groaning, I stood up again and walked towards the door, unconsciously pulling the knob harder than I was supposed to. As I opened the door, I saw nothing. I looked around, checking to see if there was someone in the hall, only for my eyes to find the hypnotizing blue that allured me earlier. I noticed a trace of his snicker while his friend was trying to hide back in the room beside me. 

Pinaglalaruan ba nila ako?

The day ended and fortunately, I got the rest I needed. I woke up early to visit the famous tourist spots here in Sagada. On the second day of my vacation, I planned to meet my tour guide. Kinakailangan kasi nito kung balak mong gumala sa labas ng town center. 

Umalis na ako ng kwarto, dala-dala ang aking gamit matapos magbihis. Bago ko kitain ang aking guide ay kumain ako ng almusal sa loob ng inn dahil mayroong silang free breakfast na binibigay rito. Sulit din dahil ang sasarap ng hinain nilang pagkain.

Hindi ko dinamihan ang aking pag-kain para makaalis nang maaga at para hindi mabigla ang aking tiyan kung sakaling mahaba ang aming lalakarin. Isa pa'y kailangan ko ring maglakad patungo sa meeting place namin.

Nakalabas na ako nang makatanggap ako ng text mula kay Claire, ang aking guide. 

Hello po! Hihintayin ko na lang po kayo sa meeting place. Paalala ko lang po na may kasama po kayong dalawa pa. Last minute po kasi silang nagsabi, e, ako na lang po ang available na guide. I hope that's okay po.

May kasamang dalawa? Okay lang naman 'yon sa 'kin. I just hoped they were approachable so I could have someone to socialize with.

After replying to her text, I started walking. I had the place on my phone so I wouldn't get lost on my way, but minutes later, I found it useless. Nawawala yata ako dahil paulit-ulit lang ang aking nadadaanan. 

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad matapos sabihan si Claire na baka ako'y magiging late. Nakakahiyang sabihin na nawawala ako. Baka siya pa ang pumunta sa 'kin. 

Sa aking paglilibot, may narinig akong pamilyar na boses sa aking kanan. 

"Seaton, I think I'm lost. I've been circling the town for minutes," rinig kong sabi niya. Pagtapos ng ilang hakbang ay nakita ko na kung kanino nanggaling iyon. Nakita ko na naman siya.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang magtapo muli ang mata ko sa lalaking nakasalubong ko kahapon. Ending the call, his mouth formed an 'o' as he realized where he'd seen me. 

"Oh! I know you! You're the girl from yesterday," he stated, pointing a finger at me. Yeah, the one you pulled pranks with. Very mature. "You seem lost," he added. 

"I could say the same to you," I retorted, earning the same grin he gave me yesterday. Is he mocking me? O sadyang mahilig lang siyang ngumiti? 

"Where are you headed to?" he asked, disregarding my remark. Not having the energy to speak, I showed him the location on my phone, his eyes slightly widening. "I'm headed the same way. Come on, we'll search together."

I raised a brow in suspicion. It looked like he read my mind as he continued, "My name's Kelvin," while extending his hand. I briefly shook it as I introduced my name.

"That's not enough for me to earn my trust, Mister," I said, crossing my arms.

"How 'bout this, you know Claire? She's my guide, too. If that info helps..."

So siya 'yong sinabi ni Claire na isa kong kasama? I bet his friend is the other. Just nice. 

The moment he disrupted my sleep the other day was when I knew my trip wouldn't be as peaceful as I thought. From his endless chatters, while we were finding Claire, I could tell.

Our first stop was at Sumaguing Cave. To be honest, I wasn't that adventurous to explore a cave, but I thought, the experience was once in a lifetime. Despite the daunting first impression I had, I enjoyed it to my surprise. The different shapes the rocks formed captivated me the most. 

It would've been perfect if it wasn't for Kelvin clinging to me like a leech. Not only that day, but the following day too.

I was woken up by the sound of his knocks and his vexing smile. Everywhere I went, he was there, telling me stories that go from one ear and out to the other. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw niyang sumama sa kanyang kaibigan. I asked him what his intentions were, but all I got was an excuse. "We have the same guide. Why not stick around with each other?" he said which I did not believe, even a bit. Ang sabihin niya, mahilig lang siyang mang-asar ng iba. 

On my third day, we visited Bomod-ok Falls. Ito ang pinakahinihintay ko sa trip na 'to dahil first time kong makakita ng talon. The pictures of the falls I saw on the Internet had me jumping in excitement, and it sure did not disappoint me when we got there. 

Matapos kong kumuha ng litrato ay lumangoy na ako. Gusto ko sanang kumuha ng litrato na kasama ko ang talon sa 'king likod, ngunit wala namang kukuha nito para sa 'kin. Ang malas lang dahil nakalimutan ko pa dalhin ang tripod ko. 

Or wait... 

I shook my head in disbelief. I did not just think of Blue Eyes taking my picture, only because I always see him with his camera. No. A big no-no. 

Biglang naghiyawan ang iilang babaeng kasama namin. Napatingin ako kung saan galing ang ingay at nakita kong nasa itaas sina Kelvin at Seaton, nagtatanggal ng kanilang pantaas.

They jumped off the edge, the water splashing towards us. Kelvin brushed his hair back as he got out of the water, not realizing he was dangerously close to me. I'd be lying if he didn't make my mouth gape open with the view he just gave us.

Oh God. You are not attracted to him, Madeleine! Amerikano lang siya kaya pogi!

"Well, hello there Miss Madeleine," he greeted, wearing that signature grin of his. Not knowing how to respond, I splashed water straight on his face and got off the falls, undoubtedly my face tinged with red. 

I wasn't sure what that fall had that made me view Kelvin differently. Was it when he saved a little kid from drowning without missing a beat? Or the time he helped me find my necklace that got lost while I was swimming? He refused to leave the place when I told him it holds a lot of memories of when I was young, given the fact a childhood friend of mine back in the States gave it. A friend that until now, I've been searching.

Maybe he wasn't that bad if he wasn't talking. 

It was the last day of my vacation. The same day we went up Marlboro Hills. The walk up the hills was quiet, considering Kelvin wasn't with us. Despite that, I didn't find it to be peaceful. It was as if something was missing. Was I that used to his presence that his absence made me feel empty? 

Sensing someone was at my back, I stopped in my tracks. "Kelvin's already at the top, don't worry," I heard Seaton say, a smirk plastered on his lips. "You've been looking left and right, Madeleine."

As he passed by me, I heave out a sigh, feeling relieved. I didn't want to fool myself further into thinking I wasn't affected by him. Especially when I saw his back as we arrived, my insides jumbling with feelings I couldn't determine. Was it like? Attraction? A mix of both?

Seaton called for a girl which I assumed was someone he knew based on how she reacted. The empty space beside Kelvin drew me in, making me succumb to the temptation of getting closer to him. It's funny how my feelings turned from irritation to this.

"It's weird that you're quiet," I pointed out as I sat next to him, bringing my knees to my chest. His head faced mine, flashing me a weak smile. Okay lang ba siya?

"You don't remember me, do you?" he asked, leaving me bewildered. I wasn't sure what he was talking about until he pulled out a necklace that had been hiding inside his shirt. My eyes widen in shock as I noticed it was identical to the one I had. 

"This necklace will help me find you in the future," K said as he put the jewelry around my neck. "Until then, keep this with you."

"You're K?" Kaya pala familiar ang mukha niya sa 'kin. Sa mata pa lang, dapat nakilala ko na siya. How could I forget those eyes I used to adore the most? 

He shrugged his shoulders. "I thought if I teased you for days, you'd tell." 

Summer was supposed to be blue like the ocean, but mine turned into different shades of red when I met Kelvin. Initially, it was like a flame, as if I was burnt in annoyance. Silly enough, it burgeoned into a shade of rose, turning into nothing but like. Attraction. Or a mix of both.

And who knows? Maybe one day, if destiny brings us together again, it would be something more.