This is one of the best sleeps I've ever had since I was 6. I looked up to the white-colored ceiling and smiled. It's still dark outside dahil alas kwatro pa ng umaga.

Vina called me yesterday saying we should bond today. Sinabi nyang gusto nyang mag-unwind because she feels more pressure now. Gaya ng nakagawian, we will go to our favorite place.

I told her na dadaanan ko sya para sabay na kaming pumunta. Knowing her, mabagal rin syang kumilos.

Nakababa na ako ng taxi at kita ko na ang mataas na palapag ng condo na tinutuluyan ni Vina. Manong guard knew me because I sometimes visited her on weekends.

I called her on the phone when I reached her floor.

"So glad you're already here, Eli." Vina hugged me when she opened the door.

"Nandito si Mommy, pasok ka muna. Kunin ko lang bag ko." She smiled and turned her back. Nag-alala naman ako para sa kanya. I know what's happening.

As soon as I stepped near onto their doorstep, I could already hear her Mom's voice.

Tumanggi na akong pumasok at naghintay na lang sa labas ng pintuan nya.

"-why don't you be like my friend's children? Running for Magna or Summa. Vina! Be responsible for your gra-" Napahinto naman si Tita Jane ng makita ako.

"-Oh. Or be like Eli, Vina!" My heart suddenly stopped beating when I heard her Mother's unending comparison.

"Don't be hardheaded-"

"Mom! Please stop comparing me to others." Vina said and dragged me away from her Mother. Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag ng makalabas kami at makasakay na ng taxi.

"Ang aga ni Tita Jane ha." I said and we laughed again.

She was very open to me about her family. She would always talk about how irritated she was whenever her mom talked about her academic status and compared it to others.

Nakarating kami sa favorite place namin. Ang mga stalls ng kainan kaharap ng tabing-dagat. Maaga pa pero bukas na sila.

We sat on the bench, facing the beach. Bitbit ang mga binili namin na ipinatong sa maliit na mesa sa harap.

Nakakatawang isipin na ito ang paborito naming lugar. Pero ni minsan ay hindi kami lumapit sa dagat. At kahit kailan ay hindi muling nakalapat ang mga paa namin dito.

"Thank you, Eli." She mumbled and ate the sinangag we bought.

"I didn't do anything, Vin."

"Your presence is already a life-savior, Eli." I smiled at her.

"Did you forget? You saved me, Vin. The dark night and stars witnessed it." I told her. She hold my hand trying to stop her tears.

"Nakakasawa na rin minsan si Mommy. Nasasaktan ako, Eli." she started crying. I put my sinangag down and hug her.

"It's okay to feel the pain, Vin. It's okay not to be okay, remember? Words are hurtful and you can't ignore if it's too much."

"A-alam mo yung sakit pag lagi kang nacocompare?" She tried to wipe her tears.

"Maybe I don't, but I know how hurt the pain was, Vin. Iba-iba man ang napagdaanan natin."

"Eli, Mommy won't mind if I get hurt. She won't mind as long as she gets what she wants. I can't understand her."

"I don't know what she thinks, Vin. Maybe she just wants the best for you. But tell her what you feel. If you're not ready, I'm just here." Napangiti sya sa sinabi ko.

"That's why I love you, El. Thanks."  I nodded at her.

We've been silent for a long time. I felt at peace watching the sun rise. Vina was sitting beside me as if nothing happened. She was the only person who knew about my past. And she was the sister that I never had.

"Do you feel better now?" Vina looked at me and nodded.

"How 'bout you?" Napatingin naman ako sa kanya.

"I'm good. I think I'm better now."

"Glad that you're happy, Eli. Isa sa mga bagay na hinihiling ko ay maging masaya ka. I think Ivar became a big part of what you are now." Napatango naman ako sa sinabi nya.

"He's really nice, Vin. He's clever, masungit rin minsan sa iba pero ayos lang. That's him, he's like that. He's sweet kahit di halata." I smiled at that thought. Napalingon naman ako nang marinig ko ang tawa ni Vina.

"What?" I asked her and frowned.

"Are you inlove for real, Eli? You sounded like one!" She screamed and I can't help but to pinch her and she continued laughing.

"Oh. Am I?" I curiously asked her.

"Yes! How can you not know? May effect na pala sayo ang baby mo!" Balik na tanong nya sa akin.

"I didn't know. I was indenial at first. Didn't I said before that I will just go with the flow?" I looked back at the beach. Its getting more clearer now.

"Right. Make it clear with him, Eli. Don't just go with the flow now. Lalo pa't may feelings ka na pala sa kanya!"

"I can't ask him just like that, Vin! It's inappropriate! And hindi ko alam kung nasaan sya." Napangisi naman sya sa sagot ko.

"Don't worry, Eli. Destiny's been doing their work now." She said and look at our back. Rav was there, wearing his white shirt and beige short. Mukhang kakagaling lang sa pagtakbo.

"Ivar!" Vina screamed and called him. Nagulat naman ako at sinubukan pang takpan ang bibig nya. Rav looked at our side and saw us. What a perfect timing.

Rav held my hand and nodded at Vina. "What are you doing here, by?" He asked me.

"We're just having our bonding moment, Rav." I said and looked at Vina.

"Oh. Did I bother?" I was just about to answer but Vina interrupted me.

"No. Of course not. Actually Ivar, may pupuntahan pa talaga ako. I'm glad nakita ka namin dito. So iiwanan ko na si Eli sayo, okay?" Vina said and suddenly pulled me into a hug.

"This is the time, El. Ask him now or forever kang clueless." She whispered and giggled. She bid her goodbye and left. I sighed at what she did today.

"You're going somewhere?" He asked, still not removing his hands on mine. I shake my head in response.

"Good. Let's go to my car, by. I will treat you somewhere." He added and smile.

By saying somewhere, I somehow assume that we will go to his favorite overlooking views and vice versa. But where we are now seems different. He brought me to a floating cottage.

"Are you afraid?" He curiously asked me.
He was about to step on the ladder when I stopped walking. Yes, I've been to the beach many times, but I haven't stepped my feet near the water since my last attempt years ago.

He squeezed my hand and hold it tightly.

"Don't worry. I got you, by." He said and guide me.

"It's not that bad, right?" He asked as soon as we sat down. I nodded and smiled. The foods are already here. Just a typical food for breakfast. Kahit na natapos na akong kumain kanina ay isinubo ko parin ang pagkain. I think I need a lot of enery and courage today.

Natapos na kaming kumain. Kinuha na rin ng mga staff ang pinaghain sa amin. Hindi pa rin kami bumababa sa cottage. Rav looked so fresh in his shirt. He was looking at me kanina pa. He wasn't saying anything and it's creeping me out!

I took a deep breathe and sighed. I looked back at him and met his brown eyes.

"Rav." I called him. He wasn't saying anything and still looking at me.

"Do you somehow-" I can't continue what I'm supposed to ask. He was intently staring at me. What's his problem? Does he know?

"Somehow what, by?" He whispered.

"Do you somehow fall in love with me?" I bluntly asked. So glad I didn't stutter. Hindi ko naman alam kung bakit nabigla si Rav sa tanong ko. Maybe he didn't expect that type of question. He stiffened and didn't dare to move.

Oh.