From Danny:

Douglas, I attached the file here for your itinerary, ha? Just like what we've talked about, roundtrip ticket na rin 'yan, and you don't have to worry about paying me back for it.

When I confirmed to Danny on Tuesday night that I'll be going with his plan, naisip ko na wala namang mawawala. I went with the plan kahit wala namang kasiguraduhan para sa akin. Danny was thinking spontaneously about it that it might result in better things. Well, I hope it would come out what we're both hoping for.

I book myself a flight on Wednesday afternoon even though he said he'll carry it for me, but I don't want to make him pay for it. Everything was rushed so had to pack all of what I needed to Manila. Wala pa rin akong masyadong ideya kung anong gagawin ko. I tried listing in my head all the things I wanted to talk to Cory about when we were bound to meet. Ang daming pwedeng mangyari.

She could push me away or we get to talk; the latter part is where I am leaning the most.

Danny knew about my arrival and said he'll pick me up when I arrived in Manila. The flight would be quick they said. Manila isn't new to me, I'm not afraid, but I'm scared of the purpose of my visit there.

It doesn't take us long when we arrived at the airport. I cannot stay too long here in Manila so I'll be back in Coron after three days. Puno pa rin ng kaba ang dibdib ko. Walang ideya so Cory na nandito ako sa Manila ngayon at ang isa sa mga pasimuno nito ay si Danny. I'm not sure how we will carry this one out, but I guess he already had a plan for it.

As I'm finding my way out of the airport, tinext ko na si Danny. Mabilis naman siyang nag-reply sa akin dahil naghihintay na siya sa akin sa arrival area. We're on Terminal 3 and I saw him immediately, as he was the one who had my name on a piece of bond paper. As I came to meet him, napansin ko rin ang isa pa nitong kasama na lalaki.

"Hi, Douglas!" pagbati nito sa akin.

"Hi, Danny!" Niyakap ko naman ito biglang pagbati.

He quickly parted away and turned to the guy next to him. "This is my boyfriend, Lukas."

"Nice to meet you, Lukas. I'm Douglas." Pakikipagkamay ko.

"Nice to meet you, too!" sagot nito.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked. "How are we going to proceed with it?"

"Cory's back at her condo as of this moment, naka-day off siya until tomorrow," paliwanag nito. "She doesn't have any idea na kinausap kita at niyaya kitang pumunta ng Manila. She'll be surprised when she saw you tomorrow, pero for now. Let's get you settle muna sa hotel mo or have you eaten na ba?"

"Not yet, actually." Napakamot ako sa ulo. "I was thinking to eat here when I arrived."

"Then let's go to some resto muna bago ka pumunta sa hotel mo so we can usap na rin to what will happen tomorrow."

"Sure thing! Would be fine for me."

I followed them both as we're heading out of the airport. Ang una ko lang napansin nang makita itong boyfriend ni Danny ay parang familiar siya sa akin. Hindi ko lang maisip kung saan ko nakita, but some people who are we passing by, some people had to do a second look at him. I was wondering if he was some kind of celebrity or whatnot. 

Danny has good taste.

When we reached the parking lot, binuksan nila ang trunk ng sasakyan at nilagay ko ro'n ang bag ko. Hindi ako nag-empake ng maraming damit dahil ilang araw lang din naman ang itatagal ko rito sa Maynila. Wala pang kasiguraduhan kung anong magiging kalalabasan nito. Pumasok kami sa loob ng sasakyan. Si Lukas ang magmamaneho habang umupo sa tabi niya si Danny at ako naman ang nasa likod.

They were thinking about where to eat. Tinanong din nila ako kung saan ko gusto kumain, I just said whatever they decided on, I would go for it. Hindi na rin naman kami lumayo. We got into a resto na malapit lang din sa hotel na tutuluyan ko.

Three of us walked inside and a staff attended us to a table. We ordered some food and said it was Lukas' treat so he said I should pick whatever I want. Hindi naman ako gutom na gutom kaya isang appetizer, main dish, at dessert. Lukas didn't argue with what I ordered so I think it was fine on him.

"Matanong ko lang," simula ko. "Nagtataka kasi ako kanina habang nasa airport tayo, napapatingin sa 'yo 'yong mga tao. 'Yong iba nakatutok pa 'yong phone sa 'yo."

"He's a celebrity," sagot ni Danny. "Taray, 'di ba."

"Make sense! You've got the looks and all. Swerte ni Danny."

"Swerte ko talaga." Ngisi pa niya. "Anyway, habang naghihintay tayo, let's start with the plan na dahil the event is happening tomorrow na. The event will happen by morning, so before she arrives, dapat nando'n ka na. Hindi mo naman kailangan magpakita agad. Tease her. Surprise her. It's her bitthday tomorrow, make it special."

I grinned. "I'll try my best... but I've got a feeling she'll just push me away."

He sighed. "Naku, 'wag kang nega. I'll be with her tomorrow, so 'wag kang kabahan."

"You, too, Lukas? You'll be there?"

He shook his head "Unfortunately, I won't be going. I have an audition happening tomorrow so I can't miss it."

"That's alright. Ace that audition. You'll make it!"

"Thanks, man."

"But let's go back to Cory, why do you think I need to be there?" I asked Danny.

"I think for the past few months, Cory tried to put what happened in Palawan in the dark, but because she is working on this project and you are a vital part of it, she couldn't just trash it out of her. Lagi ka niyang nababanggit sa akin out of nowhere."

"Baka naman wala lang 'yon?"

"I don't think so... she wouldn't be wearing that pearl necklace you gave kung wala lang 'yon, 'di ba?"

"I'm still wondering... I'm just confused."

"She could be, too," aniya. "At kung makakapag-usap kayong dalawa tomorrow and if you both settle it down and talk through it, either there could be a closer between the two of you or it could end at that moment. As in done na. But you're here na naman so it means you also wanted it."

"Yeah... I wanted to talk to her, but I'm just afraid she wouldn't talk to me."

"She will... I promise she will..." He grinned as if those smiles meant something.

When our foodserved, we devoured it while talking about some random stuff. May mga plinano pa si Danny na takutin ko raw si Cory bukas. I thought it would be funny, too, so I'll do it just to add some excitement to surprising her.

After eating and planning tomorrow's event, hinatid naman nila ako sa hotel ko. Malapit lang din naman kaya hindi na nag-init ang pwet ko sa sasakyan. I told them to stay in the meantime, but Lukas said he had to go somewhere else so they can't stay. It was okay for me as I also needed to get some rest.

I waited to kill the hour until the morning came. Maaga akong nagising. Danny sent me the location of the event which was the orphanage, medyo may kalayuan nga lang pero kakayanin. 

Every minute and hour, Danny and I are updating each other kung nasa saan na kami. I arrived early at the orphanage kung saan nakilala ko ang mga staff do'n. When I told them I was here for Cory, they were surprised at agad nila siyang hinanap sa akin. I just told them she'll be arriving soon at na-traffic lang. Pagrarason ko lang.

After an hour, Danny and Cory arrived at the location. Nakisalamuha ako sa ibang tao para hindi niya agad ako makita. Punong-puno ng kaba ang dibdib ko dahil hindi ko naman alam kung anong mangyayari ngayong araw. I was just hoping for the better outcome.

When I saw her, I tried to hide myself so she wouldn't find me. Tumatalikod kaagad ako kapag mapalilingon siya sa direksyon. Nang magsimula rin ang event, we're all around the area and I saw her there. From afar, I was looking at her thinking of all the things I could say to her.

At the time she was looking around, her eyes landed to where I am. I quickly move away and there she was so confused, arguing with herself, if she saw me or if it was just a fragment of her imagination.

I could talk to her right away from that moment, pero hindi ko pa kaya.

When it's about time to eat, naghanap ng pwesto ang bawat isa at pumwesto ako malayo-layo sa kanya so she wouldn't see me. Sa puntong ito, she might be guessing if I was really here or not. I saw her left their table and headed inside the house and then Danny called me out telling me to follow her inside.

Nag-aalangan pa ako sa totoo lang, but I am here already. Hindi ko na 'to pwedeng atrasan pa.

Binulong ni Danny sa akin nang mapadaan ako sa table nila sa restroom to pumunta. I didn't know where it was, but later on, we found each other and she was looking at me like I am a ghost.

"Do... Douglas..." She uttered. Pumikit-pikit pa ito dahil baka namamalikta lang siya sa nakita niya.

I was just standing and putting a smile on my face.

"You must be a ghost..."

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanya at hinawakan ko ang paligid ng mata niya at ibinuka ko iyon.

"Ayan. Hindi ka namamalikmata o kung ano man. I'm here, Cory."

"Ha? Pero... paano? How did you fly here?"

"I save up," sagot ko. "It took me months to save up, but I made it anyway."

I don't know what to say as I'm lost for words. It seems like she was surprised to see me. Far from what I'd imagine she will react.

"Wala bang yakap diyan?" I smiled extending my arms to her. "Sige, ako na lang ang lalapit. Baka gwapong-gwapo ka pa rin sa akin at nabato sa kakisigan ko."

I came closer to her and hugged her tightly. Hindi niya binalik sa akin ang yakap ko. I noticed that. Maybe she didn't like it. So, I slowly parted away from her.

"Pero..."

"That." Tinuro ni Douglas ang suot kong kwintas. "I'm happy you're still wearing it, pero gaya nga ng sabi ko sa kwintas na 'yan. I'll find you and I've promised that. I did that and now we're here... I'm sorry it took me too long, but I hope we can finally work it out now."

She wasn't talking, but her eyes speaks a lot.

"Are you not happy to see me?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, it's not that. I was just shocked. I'm not expecting this..."

"And I'm sorry to come in here unattended, pero invited naman ako so don't worry. But do you forgive me now, Cory? Are we over that situation?"

"I don't have to forgive you. Hindi naman ako galit sa 'yo. Things are just complicated for me at that time. I didn't hate you o kung ano man. But I'm always thinking about you... but I know you have Hayley now—"

"No," I interrupted whatever she'll say. "Hindi nga. Hayley and I aren't a thing. Well, she expressed her feelings to me pero hindi mutual ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. She's like a little sister to me. She just makes it a little awkward for both of us there, but we remained good friends. But just like what you said, I'm always thinking about you, too... that's why I saved up buying a plane ticket just to get here."

"Did you buy yourself a round-trip ticket?"

I nodded. "Yup. Three days lang naman."

"But you could've asked your father naman."

"I know I can, but I also know I have to work hard for it so I'll know along the way na hindi sayang itong ginagawa ko. Maybe it's just three weeks, but for me, it feels like years... and I've missed you a lot. I just don't have enough courage to message you since I felt I will be ignored..."

Her eyes flinched when I said those words. "Well... I kinda stalked you rin for months, so quits?"

I laughed. "Hindi mo naman ako ex para i-stalk mo. But good thing, you didn't block me at nakikita mo pa rin ang katawan ko."

"Bwisit ka. Hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa rin nagbabago."

"Hindi naman ako nagbago," aniko. "I'm still the Douglas you knew pero kung gusto mo na akong tawaging Aferton, that's fine. Pero mas maganda pa ring pakinggang maging misis kita."

"Tse. Babanat ka na naman, e."

"But we can still work it out, right?"

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Maybe... maybe we can. After all this time, I'm still thinking about you."

"Same, same... but you also have to know they are still waiting for you... they wanted to know you and meet you. And when I told them about you and what we did together, they are happy... they are, Cory..."

"We'll see... maybe I can also work it out."

"I'm looking forward to that and I'm sure they are." Ngiti at kindat  ko pa sa kanya. "So, natuloy ka na ba ng Jeju sa South Korea?"

Umiling ito. "No. Napunta iyon sa ibang travel blogger. Ipadadala nila ako sa New South Wales sa Australia. I think that's better."

"Oh... so you're leaving... sa ibang bansa?" I queried.

She nodded. "Yeah... And I think this December ang punta ko ro'n since summer sa Australia no'ng time na 'yon at maraming bukas na tourist spot. You can join me if you want..."

Umiling ako. "Malayo na 'yon. Wala akong alam sa Australia. Maligaw pa kita ro'n."

"Well... you don't have to tour me around, let's explore there like what we did back in Palawan. We're seeking the wonders of Palawan together. That could be a good thing and maybe a lot of things could change along the way... ano, go ka ba?"

Napahawak ako sa baywang ko at hinaplos ko ang ibaba ng labi ko at iniisip kung tama bang gawin 'yon.

"Alam mo namang hindi ako umaatras sa mga ganyan, so, let's go. I'll come with you sa Australia! Pero... kailan ang balak mong bumalik ng Palawan?"

She shrugged off. "Hindi ko alam... let's see that."

"Ayos 'yan, babe—ay sorry, wala naman tayong label."

She laughed. "Mangligaw ka kasi baka magkaroon pa ng label."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "Wait, are you serious? Hindi ka ba nagjo-joke?"

"Ewan ko. Anong sa tingin mo? Pag-isipan mo muna at iihi muna ako."

Mabilis siyang pumasok ng banyo. Naisip ko nang gawi ang takutin siya kaya muli akong nagtago. But when she stepped out of the restroom and saw her deeply saddened that she didn't find me around, I walked behind he and covered eyes from behind.

"Are you ready to take over the world with me?"

I just couldn't resist her.

She removed my hands from her eyes and turned around to see me. She hit me on my arm which surprised me.

"Para saan naman 'yon?" taka kong tanong habang hinihimas ang balikat ko.

"Akala ko nababaliw na ako na nakikita kita out of nowhere. Bwisit ka talaga."

"And that's how you define a person who's crazy in love..." I giggled and embraced her. "Happy birthday, babe... pwede ka kitang pakasalan..."

Imbis na thank you ang makuha ko sa kanya ay kinurot niya ang braso ko.

"Para saan ulit 'yon?" I pouted asking.

"Well... naninigurado lang na nandito ka talaga..."

"I'm real, I'm here... I came back for you... let's make it work. You are the kind of wonder I cannot let go..." I left traces of kisses on her hair.

When she left the island of Palawan, I thought that would be the end for both of us... but I was wrong. She was also thinking of me. She waited for me. I guess, it's about time to start a new journey with me.

I'm not sure how well it goes, but I'm sure it's going to be an incredible one.

***