When I met new people, it was easy for me to hang around with them, and quickly became friends after a few drinks and chitchat. I'm not sure how this is different from those days I went to the clubs and get drunk with my friends. This just feels out of my hands or maybe there are a lot of things going on around at the moment for me.

I walked inside the room where Austin went in. The room was wide enough for two beds, it has great ventilation as there is a sliding door passing through to the balcony. The wall are painted cream and next to the beds are wall-mounted cabinets and a desk on each corner. 

He placed my suitcases on the left side of the room where there is a bed but no sheets for the bed and pillows.

"This side is yours," he said, pointing at it. "It got no pillow sheets and comforter yet, you might have to ask Marina for that."

"Yeah, I will... thanks..."

"No problem," he said and smiled at me. Though he shifted his attention away from me. I felt a little awkward in his presence and I'm not sure why. "If you need something, just call Marina downstairs..."

I nodded when he said that, but I had to call him before he left.

"Uhm..." I couldn't say his name out loud even though it was already planted at the back of my head. "You don't mind I'll stay here for a few days, right?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry, I don't mind... just make yourself feel at home. Marina loves hosting travelers on the island..."

"Oh, that's nice... thanks..."

He smiled at me and then walked out of the room after that. As soon as he vanished from my sight, muli akong napabitaw nang malalim na hininga. I really had different things to do in mind when I thought I'll be going to Palawan, but I'm just a stranger to this island and don't know what to do... or even start what needs to be done.

I stood up and find myself walking towards where the balcony is. Binuksan ko ang sliding door and the wind quickly gained entry and somehow made the room a little bit cooler. The balcony is smaller, it could fit one chair facing each other and could fit four people if we were all standing next to each other. The railing was made out of stone and what I like about it was the fresh air brushing into my face.

I tried calling Cory, but she wasn't picking it up. I feel like she was with Douglas at this moment and all her attention was put on him. Hindi naman ako 'yong jowa niya so she doesn't have to put up with me everytime.

I vowed once I came to the island, I'll keep myself away from social media and just use my phone for texts and calls to family and friends. I started deleting the apps I had on my phone, especially the gay dating app I thought could help me to cope, but not really. It just makes the situation worst for me.

Looking outside, the house stood just across the street. There were other houses nearby and I think mostly are for rentals. I have little to no idea about Siargao. I only knew that this island are being flocked by foreigners and local celebrities who decided to live on the island and get out of the spotlight. Maybe this island has its own way to make people, a tourist like me, could make this place home.

I don't know how to picture myself with that, but Cory did exchange her life back in the city to live on the island. It would be just a matter of where I stand in life right now.

Am I moving on or was just looking for a sanctuary to get out of what happened to me?

"Knock, knock," someone came calling inside the room. Napatingin naman kaagad ako kung sino iyon and it was Marina. I smiled when I saw her. She was carrying bed sheets and pillowcases in her arms as she walked in. "Austin called me and said you needed something to cover your bed. I've got new bed sheets and pillowcases for you."

She handed it over to me, and I extended my hand to get it from her. She was nice to me even though I came barging into her home only knowing about it upon my arrival. Nakahihiya sa kanya, but the way she treated me makes my heart melt.

"You're so nice to me, I don't deserve this."

"Ano ka ba! Don't mind it," aniya, she was too kind to me. Never felt that from someone else these past few days.

She started helping me put the bed sheets and the pillowcases together.

"I didn't know Austin would call you to grab all of these," I told her. "I just thought I could spend a moment here first then I'll call you later since you were with Keegan and I don't want to disturb you guys."

"You're fine," she said. "Keegan's in our room now and told him to rest in the meantime. He's been traveling for more than twenty hours. He comes from Ireland."

"Oh, that's why..."

"The red hair?" she questioned, chuckling. Tumango naman ako sa kanya. "Bet that would be your guess. Many would guess he's British, but he's Irish... the red hair always gives it away for him. He was also telling me how did you guys meet on the plane? Did you really book a flight here instead of Palawan?"

Napangiwi naman ako saka ko kinumpirma ng isang tango. "Yeah... it was a long story how it happened, but I was drunk when I booked that flight. I just went on and here I am... trying to find my way here in Siargao."

"You'll find your way here," she said. "The island isn't big enough to get yourself lost... and there's a lot of people around. I feel like I know most of the people here in our municipality alone. If you have heard it already, this place seems to be a shelter for AFAMs is what they said. Funny, right?"

I chuckled. "Well... isn't it?'

Marina laughed. "It is!"

We both laughed at it and feel like we wouldn't be able to finish what we were doing, but we did eventually.

"You can rest for now, if you want. I'll call you for lunch or if you want, you can stroll outside and get back here before lunch because before the night comes, I think it's a must for you to see what people come to see here in Siargao..."

"Oh, I love that! Can't wait."

"I am, too! Keegan's been wanting to see witness that again," she said. "Alright, I'm gonna leave for you now... if you need me, just call me, alright?"

I nodded. "Alright, thanks again..."

She smiled and left the room.

Marina is a kind of person I would like to befriend with. She's nice, kind, and I could vibe with her easily. Hindi niya ako tiningnan na para bang aagawin ko 'yong afam niyang jowa where most people would think that right away. She trusted everyone under the roof of her home. She put her trust in me not knowing who am I, but just being kind and giving me a place to stay.

I should start thinking that booking a flight to Siargao isn't a mistake after all. This might open my eyes to new opportunities and other things that could help me move forward.

My luggage is sitting in the corner and I don't have the energy to tidy everything up for now. Maybe I could need some rest for now. I won't be staying here for too long. Nakahihiya kay Marina. Nagmagandang loob na siya dahil sa favor ng jowa niya and I wouldn't take it for granted. 

I lay down on the bed. Ipinasada ko ang palad ko sa kama. The sheet was nice and comfy. The bed was an extra comfort for me. I may be far away from my friends and I'm all alone by myself, but I'm a grown-ass man, I would live a day.

I woke up the next moment hearing Marina's voice calling us downstairs. I swung my legs from the bed to the floor and stood up. I looked at the time on my phone and it was fifteen minutes before noon. I walked out of the room and as I went down the stairs, I could already smell some feisty foods.

Idinala kaagad ako sa dining area where I found Marina and his boyfriend, Keegan, preparing the table. Dumating na rin sina Bradley, Kady, and Xander. Sinabihan naman kami ni Marina na maupo na habang inihahanda nila ang pagkain sa mesa.

"So, where's Austin?" she asked. "Was he in the room with you, Danny?"

I shook my head. "No, he wasn't there."

"He could be somewhere else now..." Kady commented. "Looking for a girl to love..."

And a moment later, Xander said, "and speaking of... Austin..."

Napatingin kami lahat sa kanya kung saan dinaluhan niya kami sa dining area. He was smiling nd scratching his head while the others are making assumptions of where he went.

I like his smile, but I don't think he likes me. He was way too cold when we had a conversation earlier so I don't think we'll be friends at the end of this day.

He sat next to Kady, who was across from me. Marina cooked her specialties. As Keegan's back on the island, she cooked grilled pusit, fried fish, and his favorite Filipino dish, Pork Sinigang. She said even before Keegan arrived, he was already requesting her to cook these foods for him and she did it like magic.

"Are you eating seafood ba, Danny?" tanong ni Marina sa akin.

"Of course!" I said. "I eat everything!"

"Perfect!" she said. "Austin could learn something from you because..."

"He's a picky eater," pagpatutuloy naman ni Kady. 

"First of all, in my defense, I'm allergic to seafood that's why I'm not a picky eater... I'm just picking what's best for my health. I hope that makes sense."

"Sure, Austin! That's why I've got Pork Sinigan for you, too!"

"Love it, Marina," he said, chuckling. "Let's all eat and quit picking on me."

They laughed at what he said and everyone started eating like they hadn't eaten before. Tahimik lang ako kumain, but I ended up the one eating the most. Natuwa sila sa akin dahil hindi raw halata na malakas ako kumain. Kahit malalaking tao sila kumpara sa akin, mahina silang kumain and I think they only did one rice, one bowl of soup, and pinch from the pusit and they're full already. I think that's why they also maintain their fit bodies. 

I don't know how they could when Marina serves irresistible dishes. Good thing, they got me.

After lunch, nagpresenta ako na maghugas ng mga pinagkainan namin. They didn't want me to do it since kabago-bago ko lang at wala pa akong isang araw rito sa Siargao, but I insisted. Pumayag si Marina, but she didn't want me to do it alone so he put Austin with me washing the dishes.

When we were at the kitchen sink, I was finding a way to break the ice between us. Ang worst pa nito ay magka-roommate kaming dalawa pero nagkaiilangan pa.

I cleared my throat. "Sorry if you were doing these with me," I said, wincing.

"Nah, it's okay... I've also been doing these when I got here. Don't worry...."

"Oh, okay..."

Natapos namin ang paghuhugas nang wala kaming naging matinong pag-uusap. Muntik pa kaming makabasag ng pinggan dahil nanginginig ang kamay ko nang iabot niya sa akin ang plato. Hiyang-hiya ako sa kanya kaya nagmadali akong umalis ng kitchen ng matapos kaming dalawa.

Tutungo sana ako sa kwarto, but Austin could also go there so I tried going outside and found a metal swing sitting at the corner of the backyard. Medyo tirik ang araw pero may lilim naman ang duyan kaya walang problema sa akin.

If there are things that I wanted to keep myself out, that would be the trouble I could get into. Ayoko nang madawit pa sa mga bagay na sa bandang huli ay ako ang masasaktan at masisisi. 

Siargao could be a place for me to re-do everything I did in life. Hard to imagine, but I could give it a try.

***

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