When I head back to send the van back to my titos' house, I've got great news from them that he's getting in a good condition and might eventually be discharged as soon as possible. That was actually kind of nerve-wracking to hear knowing that someone's life might be in danger and knowing that it is one of your relatives. And I hated that feeling.

But everything's all too well now, so let's get back to work.

Usually, whenever I go to, some people would advise me to bring my motor. Mas maayos daw at mabilis akong makararating sa paroroonan ko. Ang tanong makakatawid kaya ng dagat 'yan? At dahil doon, unti-unti ko rin na-realize, bakit nga ba hindi na lang motorboat ang binili ko?

Anyway, that's something I should look forward. Baka makatawid pa akong hanggang Maynila kapag nagkataon.

I went to work after lunch. As soon as I get on the island, I checked our schedule for the activities today. Hindi gano'n karami katulad nitong mga nakaraang linggo. The stormy weather doesn't really help, but I guess these tourists who are coming in on the island have booked their tickets a long time ago kaya no choice sila kung hindi ipagpatuloy. Rebooking it on another date might be a good day, but won't be the same. At saka, people already filed their leave ahead of time, so why not push it through?

Habang hinihintay ko ang mga darating na turista ay sinuri ko muna ang paligid ng isla lalo na sa tabing dagat. Sa mga susunod na oras ay darating na iyon at ayoko namang magkaroon ng problema kapag nakatapak sila sa isla.

While walking down the shore, I found nothing harmful. It was clean and maintained. Kapag may nakikita rin kasi kaming turistang walang pakialam sa kapaligiran nila, agad naming sinisita. Kung hindi sila mapagsasabihan, they would do it again. 

After almost thirty minutes of walking down the shore, I decided to sit on the sand. The little waves coming from the shore hit my feet. The water is so clean, it is very transparent. My skin started to wrinkle. Tumingala ako sa langit. Hindi gano'n katirik ang araw. Makulimlim, pero sa tingin ko ay hindi na uulan.

I decided then to lay down on the shore so I could get a tan. Habang wala pa ang mga turista, this would be a good time to have some time for myself. I closed my eyes, and just feel the relaxing waves hitting my body.

Sarap ng buhay.

Just a few moments later, I was so confused, yet trying to understand the situation. Someone came on top of me, open my mouth with her hand, and tried blowing air inside my mouth. I was just looking straight at her face and how she panicked with what she was doing. 

She looked so familiar though. 

And then our eyes met, with so much shock from her, she withdrew herself away from me.

"Matamang salamat," I murmured. Which isn't necessary for her to do, but I appreciate the gesture. (Thank you.)

We were looking at each other until she started punching me and throwing some sand on me and straight to my face. 

"Bwisit ka! Bwisit ka!" sigaw nito at patuloy pa rin niya akong sinasabuyan ng buhangin. Ano bang nagawa ko rito sa babaeng ito? Siya na nga ang nagnakaw ng halik sa akin, siya pa 'tong may ganang magalit. Mga babae nga naman, o.

"Pagtadeng!" sigaw ko at saka ko patuloy na iniilaan ang bawat hampas at bugaw niya ng buhangin. (Stop!)

"Grabe ka! Harassment 'yon!" sigaw nito sa akin, saka mabilis itong tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod sa harapan ko.

"Hala?! Paanong harassment 'yon?" gulong-gulo nitong tugon ko sa kanya. Dahan-dahan din naman akong tumayo at hinanapa ng balanse ko. Tiningnan naman niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at pansin kong tumigil ang tingin niya sa gitnang parte ng katawan ko.

Sinubukan kong maglakad palapit sa kanya, but she immediately raised her hand stoppin me to come near her.

"Diyan ka lang. 'Wag kang lalapit! Sisigaw ako rito," pananakot pa nito sa akin.

"Nagtataka lang ako? Pa'nong harassment ang ginawa ko? You're the one who kissed me there," tanong ko sa kanya. Itinuro ko pa sa kanya iyong pwesto kung saan ako maayos na nakahiga kanina. "I was just laying down there... you came—"

"Stop. Stop! But you didn't say anything. Hindi ka humihinga kanina and so I stepped in to help you!"

Ang hirap naman paliwanagan ng babaeng, 'to. Saan ba nanggaling, 'to? Pero kaya ko pala siya namumukhaan ay dahil natatandaan ko kung saan ko siya nakita at nakilala.

"Corentienne, right?"

"'Wag mong ibahin ang usapa—" Natigilan siya nang ma-realize niyang banggitin ko ang pangalan niya. Bakas na bakas sa mukha niya ang pagtataka. "Teka! Bakit mo alam pangalan ko?!"

"O, ma'am, kalma ka lang! Hindi mo ba ako natatandaan?" Kindat ko pa sa kanya sabay pasada ng daliri sa bibig ko.

Kumusot ang mukha niya sa sinabi ko hangga't unti-unti niya ring na-realize kung sino ako. Naningkit pa ang mata niya masigurado lang na hindi ako ibang tao. Itinaas pa nito ang kanyang kamay sa hangin. Akala ko makikipag-kamay o apir sa akin, pero mukhang may sinisiyasat siya.

"Ikaw nga! Douglas?" masigasig nitong tugon.

"Naks naman, ma'am! Naalala mo pa? Ka-remember-remember talaga ako, 'no?" Ngisi ko pa.

Inirapan niya ako. Mali ata iyong nasabi ko. Hindi ata effective sa kanya. Kailangan ko na ata mag-isip ng mga panibagong banat. Mukhang hindi papatok sa babaeng 'to 'yong mga sasabihin ko, e. Mukhang immune na.

"So, anong ginagawa mo rito sa Discovery Island, ma'am? Bored ka na ba sa hotel mo? If you don't know, the hotel you've been staying with ay isa sa mga kilalang hotel and resort dito sa Coron. You are in a best accommodation," tanong ko pa.

"Hindi ko naman tinatanong," pabalang nitong sagot sa akin.

Sungit.

"Mabuti na 'yong alam mo, ma'am!" Ngiti ko pa.

"Okay. Sige."

After that, she completely ignored me and focus on herself on her phone. I was just watching her, trying to guess what she was trying to do. Mukhang mabait naman siya. Maganda, pero masungi lang.

"So... are you on a vacation, ma'am?" muli kong pagtawag ng pansin. And then she kept on ignoring me. I think she was just busy taking pictures of the beach around. Hirap na hirap din naman siya. "I can help," pagpresenta ko. "If you want a picture with the view, I can take a shot for you."

"No, thank you," tipid at masungit niyang sagot sa akin.

"Ah, okay... anything I can do?"

Umiling ito. "Nothing, thank you."

"Doggy!"

Pagkatawag sa akin ng kasamahan ko sa trabaho, bigla na lamang humalahak ng tawa itong babaeng kaharap ko. Anong nakakatawa ro'n? Sinagot ko 'yong kasamahan ko at saka siya bumalik sa cabin. Tiningnan ko naman itong babae at nginitian ko pa.

"Puta, Doggy? Arf ark ka, boy?" Halakhak pa niya.

Bumagsak ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya. "Grabe ka naman sa akin, ma'am. Nickname ko lang ang Doggy... wala naman atang masama ro'n?"

And yet she kept on laughing at me. She tried to compose herself for a moment until she was ready to speak up again.

"Sorry if I offended you... first time ko lang kasing makarinig na ginawang nickname ng tao ang Doggy... and obviously hindi ka naman aso..." pagrarason pa nito sa akin.

So, I tried to ride with her humor. "Arf arf." Tatango-tango ko pang sagot saka ko siya nginisihan. "I accept your apology... but the kiss—"

"Okay, bye!" she immediately cut me off and walked away.

 Napakamot na lamang ako nang ulo nang panoorin ko siyang maglakad palayo. But I still insist on following her. I kept asking her about some random stuff which she kept ignoring. But then she keeps reasoning with me so when I caught her taking pictures of herself with the view, I go in her direction and insist on taking them for her which she gave up eventually and follow my directions for the good quality.

When she snatch her phone back from my hand, she received a call from someone else and there I gave her some space. Bumalik ako sa cabin upang i-check ang oras dahil base sa schedule ko ay mga paparating na turista ngayon.

Habang nag-aayos ako nang masusuot ko ay pumasok si Ankol ng cabin.

"Uy, Doggy! Mukhang close kayo no'ng turista kanina, a? Magkakilala ba kayo?" tanong nito sa akin.

Natawa ako saka ako umiling. "Kilala ko lang dahil siya 'yong sinundo ko kaninang umaga sa airport no'ng inutusan ako nina tita na magsundo. Siya 'yon kaya natatandaan ko."

"Kaya naman pala, e," dagdag pa nito. "Parang ilang taon na kayong magkakilala sa sobrang lapit niyo kanina, e."

Muli akong natawa nang maalala ko iyong nangyari kanina. "E, pa'no ba naman? Nahiga lang ako kanina sa do'n sa may tabing-dagat, nagulat ko bigla na lang siyang lumapit sa akin. Hinalikan niya ako, pero ang dahilan niyaC-ni-PR niya raw ako."

Natawa naman si Ankol sa sinabi ko, pero may halong pangangantyaw na.

"Naks! Panalo ka ro'n, Doggy, ha! Nakabingwit ka pa ng turista."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Hindi naman sa gano'n, Ankol. Mukhang may attitude rin 'yon, e."

Mas lalong natawa si Ankol. "E, ang mabuti, malawak-lawak ang Palawan. Baka sa makalawa hindi mo na makita 'yan. Lapitan mo na. Suyuin mo na. Baka kailangan din ng tulong mo."

Napakibit balikat din naman ako sa sinabi ni Ankol. Bago pa ako tuluyang lumabas at hintayin ang mga turista ay nakatanggap ako ng message galing kay Hayley.

From: Hayley

Hello??? Anong ginagawa mo? Hindi na ako nirereplyan, a! Seen na lang?

Hindi ko rin agad na-replayan ang message ni Hayley ang paparating na motor ng bangka. When I left the cabin, I saw them at the mini port and jumping down the boat safely. I went to them and they were so giddy upon meeting them.

I welcomed them to the island and told them a few things that they should be aware of. When I was showing them the diving center, I saw Miss Corentienne sitting on a log looking in our direction and I don't know for how long. So, I wave my hand at her, inviting her to join us in our activity.

I'm not sure if she wanted it, but she didn't respond to me so that's a complete rejection coming from her. So, I continued assisting my guests and told them to board the boat where we would go on a spot for free diving.

As I guide them in, someone called my attention. I look at where that was coming from and I saw her running in my direction. That somehow gave a smile on my face, and I hope she didn't notice that, but I just acted like I have no idea who she was calling.

"Ako ba 'yong tinwag mong arf-arf?" naguguluhan kong tanong sa kanya.

"Yup! Ayaw mo ba?" she sounds so confident.

Napakamot ako sa ulo ko. "Meron naman akong pangalan... Douglas, remember? Pwede mo naman din akong tawaging baby. Short, sweet, and easy to remember. Ginawa mo naman akong aso, e."

I'm not sure how that came right out of my mouth, but I must say that's a good catch, right?

She scrunched her face. "Ay, hindi ba? Akala ko pa naman. But anyway, hindi rin kita tatawaging baby so 'wag kang mag-assume. Let me just call you arf-arf."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Sige, Quarantine. Ikaw bahala," I said, felt defeated.

"Excuse me? Anong tinawag mo sa akin?" mataray nitong tanong sa akin.

I rose my brow. "Quarantine? 'Di ba 'yon ang pangalan mo? It suits you rin."

"Adik ka! Corentienne ang pangalan ko. Hindi Quarantine. Adik ka ba?"

Tumango ako at sumang-ayon sa pangunguwestiyon niya. "Pwede rin... 'wag kang mag-alala. I'll take you on a moderation para hindi ako ma-overdose." Her eyes squinted. Thought it was a good joke. "But your name sounds like it naman so... I think it's okay?"

"I have a name—"

"I do, too." Pagtaas ko pa kamay. "If you agreed to call me love, then I'll call you mine."

"Alam mo, ang lakas ng trip mo. May gusto—"

"Ka sa akin?" Pagpapatuloy ko pa sa sinabi niya na may kasamang malapad na ngiti sa labi. "Naku. Ito naman. Umamin ka kaagad. Dapat nagpakipot ka muna sa akin. Okay lang naman sa akin na suyuin ka araw-araw, e. Bumigay ka kaagad sa charms ko." 

Kinindatan ko pa siya.

But she showed no reactions. Her face looks so bland. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi siya natutuwa sa mga pinagsasabi ko. But it was just an icebreaker, but I guess it's not working. But it's still kind of a funny thing, right?

"So, Quarantine?"

"Isa pa."

"Quarantine."

"Ulitin mo pa," nanggigigil niyang usal. Kulang na lang ay mamuo ang kamao niya.

I winced. "Quaran—"

Ilang beses na hampas sa braso ang inabot ko sa kanya. 

"Hindi Quarantine ang pangalan ko. Don't make something fun out of my name. Hindi iyon nakatatawa."

"Oooh..." I swooned. "And then it's okay for you to make fun of mine?"

Tumango ako. "Yup."

"I see..." I muttered, nodding my head. "This is nice. What a conversation. Okay. See you around."

If this is the kind of conversation I have to deal with, maybe it's not really worth it. And I have some guests to attend to. I turned away from her, but to my surprise, with a quick response, she called my attention.

I smirked. Sabi na nga ba, e. Hindi niya rin ako matitiis. Magsusungit pa kasi, e.

But I know no one would resist my charms.

"Wait," she called. "Lingunin mo naman ako."

She even grabbed me on my arm just to make me turn to face her. So, I did. I look at her, but I'm also a little surprised when our faces were so close to each other. It is almost like there's no gap between our faces.

"Kiss?" I smirked.

But then, she immediately pushed me away. "Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo. Ba't ko namna gagawin 'yon sa 'yo?"

My forehead creased. "Uh... you just did that earlier. Do you want me to show you how you did it?"

She shook her head. "No. Hindi. Ayoko! Ginugulo mo lang ako, e."

"Okay, okay," I said, crossing my arms. But I found her eyes scanning my arms. What else has she been trying to look at? Pakiramdam ko, lahat na tinitigan niya. "Aside from kiss, ano pang kailangan mo sa akin? I can be your boyfriend if you want."

She rolled her eyes at me. I was just suggesting, I mean it could be a good thing. Siya na lang manghihinayang kung hindi niya tatanggapin 'yon.

"Hindi ko kailangan ng boyfriend ngayon."

"Pero may kailangan ka," I told her which I believe she does. "Aaminin na 'yan!" I cheered her up, trying to get to her.

"Oo na, aamin na ako."

"Okay, I love you na." I widely open my arms so I could give her a hug.

She stepped back before I could even embrace her with my arms. "No. Hindi love ko ang kailangan mo. So... hindi ka lang driver 'no?"

"Hm..." I hummed, caressing my chin. "Bakit mo naman natanong? Curious ka sa life ko, 'no?"

"Hindi. 'Wag ka masyadong assuming. Trabaho ang ipinunta ko rito so don't assume anything beyond that. Paalala ko lang sa 'yo, we just met. Ang hangin-hangin mo na kaagad. Anyway, anong gagawin niyo ngayon?"

"And why are you interested?" I asked.

She shrugged off. "Sabi ko nga, I'm here for a job and it's my job to know what interesting things to do here in Palawan."

"Oh, so you're a researcher?" I questioned her.

She shook her head. "Not really... but I'm a travel blogger. I write articles about a place for travel promotion."

"That's why you're here in Palawan? You write to exploit the island?"

"Exploit?!" tumaas ang tono ng boses niya. Did I say something wrong? "Baliw ka. Hindi naman gano'n ang trabaho ko. Masyado mo namang minamasama ang pagiging blogger ko. If I don't need you, I wouldn't even come at you."

"Hm... so kailangan mo nga ako? Tell me, baka pwede kitang matulungan."

"Okay... anong activity ang gagawin niyo ngayon? And kanina, I've asked you kung driver ka tapos makikita kita ngayon. Ano nga ba talagang trabaho mo?"

"Secret, walang clue!" sagot ko.

"Bwisit ka."

"Doggy! Dito ka na, aalis na!" tawag ni Ankol sa akin na sumampa na sa bangka. Sinenyasan ko lamang ito na sasamahan ko na sila sa bangka sa isang saglit.

I shifted my attention back to Miss Corentienne. "I need to go now. You can stay here if you want. Mabilis lang din naman ang gagawin namin. Kung makapaghihintay ka lang, it's up to you."

"Pwede bang sumama sa inyo?" tanong niya.

My brow raised. "You want to do the same activities they will do?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi naman. Sasama lang ako. Manonood. Hihingin ang reaksyon nila. That's enough. Pumayag ka na. Niloko mo ako kanina so this is your payment."

"Sure, wala namang problema 'yon sa akin. Just get yourself a vest and you'll be good. Tara na," pag-assist ko pa sa kanya.

She immediately did what I order her to do and finally join me and the rest in the boat. Oh, well, this would be an interesting afternoon—but I must say, this day is very unexpected... and what could happen next?

This crazy island experience... and this new tourist who's trying to exploit our island and said in a good way, but sure... she could be a nice person and trying to have free admission for this diving activity.

Scammer? We'll see.

***

Share your thoughts about this chapter and tag me on twitter --> @imjacobxoxo with the hashtag #PalawanATBD2. Thank you and see you next chapter!