For the past weeks, Cory and I have been spending much time together since when we arrived in Sydney. We also got to spend our first new year together—no kiss, we're both wholesome in welcoming the new year that day.

It wasn't even a year since we'd known each other, but it felt like we'd known each other for decades and the relationship we had seemed like wasn't just friendship. Well, I wouldn't push Cory to the idea of being my girlfriend since it was still her decision and I respect that. If she wants to remain friends with me, I'll accept that—but who would like to remain just friends? Can't imagine myself.

"Can't you believe it? We'll be leaving tomorrow and thinking we'll be going back to normal things we do. Ugh." She grunted rolling her eyes.

"Then let's make this day an unforgettable one," I suggested. "What if we should go to Bondi Beach again and spend the day there?"

"Pwede naman... we haven't been able to swim there since we got here so I guess, it's time?"

"Let's do it!" I excitedly said.

We packed some stuff and brought it with us to the beach. We haven't been able to spend much time on Bondi Beach since the time we got to interview Valerio, after that, we went to places so we could see what Sydney could offer to us.

For the past weeks, Cory and I went to some art galleries in which we believe we spend most of the admiring everything there. There were a few museums she highlighted during our visits so she would like to write about them. 

We weren't able to record since at some places, we couldn't record, but we could take pictures and that's all of it.

At night, Cory and I seek out some bars that offer one-of-a-kind drinks. We don't drink often, but when there's something we couldn't reject because it might take us a long time again to be back here so we took our chances even though the next days we had bad hangovers.

We didn't miss exploring Sydney Opera House which we believe is the popular tourist spot in the state. We got a chance to enter the premises and watched a performance inside. It was one of the impulsive decisions we did because it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ticket was a little expensive, but the experience was immaculate.

After trying not to spend much, we couldn't get away with it when we booked ourselves to go on a ferry ride that passes iconic spots such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Most of the people who got on the ferry are locals. Mabibilang lang din ata sa paligid kung ilan ang foreigners—or maybe they were locals, we don't have an idea really.

But most days, locals save the day for us. Kapag naliligaw na ako kami at ayaw naming sumakay ng rideshare app dahil medyo mahal, we'll just commute. Nagsasali't salitan na lang kami ni Cory asking local where to go to this place and there. 

We also got the chance to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is my favorite of them all. Cory was holding on to me so much she wasn't letting me go. Baka raw kasi gawin ko 'yong ginawa ko sa El Nido na mag-cliff diving. It was restricted to do here and I don't intend to do it, but she was holding me tightly eyeing me not to do anything stupid.

Up there was majestic. We could stay up there forever and admire the place every single time. I won't close my eyes as if blinking is a crime or you'll miss everything in life. If there would be a chance to do it again, I would go up there and see it one more time.

When visiting those spots, Cory and I don't want to miss tasting popular resto's unique dishes. We're both so delighted that we've got a chance to taste everything we would like to eat. Truly, it was one for the books.

We also went to some gardens, zoos, boutiques, and more bars. When I found out about Cockatoo Island, I was intrigued by it and suggested it to Cory and hoping she would like it. I didn't let her search on Google what the place was as she might freak it so as we rode on a ferry getting there and found out the history from the tour guide, she almost freak out and wanted to get off the island.

It was one of the moments I couldn't forget. I enjoyed our time there, but she didn't like it. Hearing that the island was set to be a jail before and probably some ghosts living on the island right now, she wouldn't step a foot back on it.

There was one day we allotted for hiking. It was tiring how we get there. Mas malayo pa sa Mt. Tapyas ng Palawan. But on our way up, I didn't hear any complaints from Cory. I was so proud of that so when we reach the top, we thought we did the right decision on going here since from up there, we can see the horizon. That was the Royal National Park where we also ended up sighting whales.

Just like what we did there, we took time in Horby Lighthouse where we spend an hour waiting for sunset to come. I would admit that this is much different from what sunset we can see in Palawan, or maybe because it was special for both of us that's why we thought of that.

There are still many places we went to and people we got to meet and all those days have passed and we're almost at the end of our OZ journey.

Cory and I arrived at Bondi Beach and look for some spots to leave our belongings. We almost had a hard time looking for spots since medyo marami-raming tao sa beach ngayon. It was still summer and people are flocking to the beach so they could refresh themselves and get a tan.

When we found a spot, Cory places a blanket on the sand and put some heavy stuff on each corner so it wouldn't fly away by the wind. I removed my shirt and pull my pants down leaving only on my board shorts. Cory did the same thing, she removed her clothes and only leave herself with her two-piece swimsuit.

"Quit staring at me, Mister Alejandria," she scolded. 

I chuckled. "Well, how couldn't I? I admire your confidence and... look at you! You're so gorgeous."

She smiled lopsided showing she already knew that.

"Let's go!" I called her and run towards the water.

When I got into the water, I quickly thought of something so when she joined me. I play it off for quite a few minutes until some waves come crashing through us and told both of us should dive our heads down so the impact would hurt us less. We did... and I didn't come up right after.

I could hold my breath for a few minutes and as I watched down under, Cory was already back on the surface. I slowly let the water float my body on the surface and later on, someone came rushing in my direction and quickly overturn me as I was face down and when she did, I saw Cory's face.

"Douglas!" she shouted and was ready to call for help.

But then I giggled as she wrapped her arms around me. I opened up my eyes and saw her shocked. Her mouth left wide open as she was trying to process what was happening and then hit me on my chest then push me away.

"That's not funny!" she shouted as she turned her back on me and walked away.

"Cory!" pagtawag ko sa kanya.

Hinabol ko naman siya habang natatawa-tawa pa rin ako. Nang maabutan ko siya, I grabbed her hand which she quickly jerked it away.

"That's not funny!" pag-uulit pa nito sa akin. She looked at me so mad and pointed her finger on my face.

"I was just joking!"

"And do you think that joke was funny?" she blurted. "For pete's sake, Douglas! I still had the trauma before when you almost died from jumping off of that cliff! This isn't funny and shouldn't have done it!"

"Hey, hey, I'm sorry..."

"I wish you could've thought that before doing that to me," she said. "If you think that would be okay for me, not it's not. I wouldn't get over the fact that you almost die and I wouldn't get over pass it. If you think playing dead is some kind of joke, it's not funny more."

"It's not what I intended to do, remember how you met me?"

"Even so," she said. "If you want someone to save and kiss you, or whatever, it's not the kind of joke I would take lightly after what happened. Thanks for ruining this day, Douglas. Umuwi ka mag-isa mo."

Cory went back to the shore, I followed her there and she packed up her stuff leaving mine on the sand. I picked up my mind and followed her wishing her forgiveness. Hindi na niya ako pinapansin. Pagbalik din namin sa hotel ay hindi niya ako kinikibo kahit na paulit-ulit ko siyang tinatawag. When I tried tickling her on her side, she'll get mad at me.

At dinner, she went down by herself and didn't call me. I followed her down to the resto and joined her on the table, but quickly go to the next table. Napabitaw na lamang ako nang malalim na hininga. Realizing what I did was wrong surely hurt her feelings. I didn't even think about the trauma she went through. It's been months and I've moved on from it. Cory yet still remembered it vividly.

At night, I greeted her good night and she didn't respond to me. When the morning came as we prepared to leave to go to the airport, she wasn't still speaking to me.

I tried many times to convince her to talk to me, but she wasn't listening to me.

When we're at the airport waiting for the boarding of our flight, I place my hand on top of her hand, but she slides hers away from mine.

"Hey, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to do that to you. I didn't realize what it might cause you, so I regretted what I did there. Could you please talk to me and say something?"

She looked at me and said, "good for you."

"I'm apologizing and I hope you could forgive me, Cory. 

She didn't respond to me when our flight has been called on for boarding. I let out deep sighed thought what I did was enough to get her back, but I guess I have a lot to work on. When we settled inside the plane, the next seat to her was vacant so when we took off, she move to the vacant seat and put her stuff between us.

Putting on her eye masks and earplugs, she doesn't want to be bothered. I guess, I'll just have to wait until we landed back in Manila. Another twelve hours of flight is about to come. We'll have a connecting flight in Singapore and then straight to Manila after.

I didn't want this trip of us in Australia to end this way, but I guess, things happened when you don't think enough of the results. It was my fault, and hopefully, she'll forgive me by then.

How awful to end our Australia visit that way, but thanks for the experience... we'll be back. For sure. Or maybe just one of us if she wouldn't forgive me anymore. I guess.

***