As expected, Cory panicked as soon as she woke up.

Before that even happened, I woke up around five in the morning and spend some time on the balcony where we got a nice view of the sunrise. She slept around three at dawn, she was trying so hard to comply and finish with what her boss' is requesting on her. 

The fact that she left her laptop back at our hotel which was two hours away from where we are now doesn't help her much, she wouldn't believe it when she woke up. When the clock hits six, I decided to leave the room and look for something to eat for our breakfast. I looked for some food places around and there aren't much open at this time yet so I could only find the nearest fast food place so I just went with it and buy food for two.

Napadaan ako sa isang pasalubong store and they were just putting everything up. Literal na kabubukas pa lang nila. When I noticed the shirts and other stuff they are selling, I thought I should go buy some.

Pinuntahan ko iyon at nagtanong.

"How much for this one?" I asked for the shirt that says I love Palawan.

"350," sagot nito sa akin. "Pero dalawang shirt na 'yan. Isang pangbabae at panlalaki. Couple's shirt 'yan. May ka-couple ka ba? Mura na 'yang for two shirts. Kunin mo na ba, pogi?"

Napakamot naman ako sa ulo ko. "I badly needed a new shirt so, sige po... kunin ko na po."

"Thank you, pogi!"

"May underwear din po ba kayong tinitinda?"

"Meron naman... halika..."

Tinuro niya ako sa loob ng tindahan niya at pinakita niya sa akin iyong mga underwear na meron sila. I'm not sure what size Cory is, but I get what I think will fit on her.

"Turista ka ba rito, pogi?" tanong nito sa akin. "Mukha kang foreigner."

"Naka-based po ako sa Coron," sagot ko. "But I'm half foreigner... thank you po!"

I went back to the hotel around seven and found her straight-up panicking. She was dreading how she missed sending her article to her boss and then found out an email has been sent to her boss. At that moment, she was questioning everything until I told her I was the one who send her article to her boss which was a surprise that I finished her work.

She read the whole article and I was feeling a little worried since she might not like it and that I'm putting her job on the low. But she said it was great and I feel much better when she said that. I did a great job there, but still dreading what would be her boss' feedback on it.

While she was still concerned about it, I handed over the food for her, and not so long when her phone started ringing. She put it on speaker and we were both listening to what her boss' say and we both gasped when she admitted she liked it. 

Cory and I are both smiling so wide throughout their conversation. Obviously, she still couldn't believe that her boss liked it. I'm not sure if it was because of the way I continued what she wrote or because of the great collaboration there.

"This article will go live by 10 AM. Please do send me some pictures para i-include pala sa article. Any pictures na sa tingin mo'y maganda. Babalikan kita right after the article has been posted. Alright, Cory?"

"Yes, ma'am, thank you po!"

"Sure, mamaya na lang ulit!"

Cory couldn't stop herself and quickly jumped on me and hugged me so tightly. This would be the first time I saw her so happy and excited. When I told her that her work was approved because she did it, she said because I contributed to it as well and I couldn't be happier with that.

We wait until ten for the article to live on the website and when it do, she was scared and nervous. I was there to calm her down and make her feel good that everything will be going alright.

While waiting I showed her the shirt I bought and the underwear. She was shocked that I get to buy her some underwear, but she took it from me as I said both of us needed it. I told her to take a bath first as we'll be leaving the hotel at noon.

Cory's phone sitting on the bedside when it started ringing. I called Cory out but she wasn't responding to me and when I checked who it was calling, it was her boss.

I'm not sure if I should just let her miss the call, but let's cut to the chase, I answered the call.

"Hello?" bungad ko.

"Uh... is this Cory? I'm sorry... nagkamali ata ako ng tawag."

"No, no. This is her number. I just answered it since she's in the shower right now. You can call later if you want."

"I see... I will... but, can I know who this is?"

"Douglas," sagot ko. "I'm with Cory. I'm touring her around Palawan. We met back in Coron... I feel like I'm saying a lot of things now, but yeah... that's me if ever she mentioned my name to you before."

"No, she didn't yet, but glad to talk to you..." she said. "I feel like I've got some questions, would you mind answering them?"

"Cool! I don't mind."

"Do you think Cory would be able to showcase what's more in Palawan? I liked the article she wrote. What do you think?"

"She has more to offer, believe me, Ma'am..."

"Hm... sure... I believe she will, with your help?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Okay... I'll call later... thanks."

"Thanks, ma'am."

When she dropped the call, a moment later, Cory stepped out of the bathroom and it was my turn to take a shower. Just before I finished, I heard she was talking to someone else over the phone so when I stepped out of the bathroom, she was already talking to her boss.

The article went live and she was cracking so nervously it was so visible on her face and then later on, her boss' saying they'll be extending her stay in Palawan for another two weeks. It was good to hear and I'm not sure if the conversation I did with her changed her mind, but if it did, I'm happy it did.

Hindi naman dahil sa nakalilibre ng bakasyon, there's more to it now... and I can't wait to unveil those things with Cory.

We left the hotel room with Cory worried about how she will carry out a ten-episode series for this project. I mean I could totally help her with it as she could feature a lot of good things.

If she could only feature herself, that's the kind of wonder that the world needs to see. Pero 'wag na lang. Baka marami pa akong makaagaw. I'll be selfish for this one. I'll gatekeep this one-of-a-kind wonder.

When we're in the middle of discussing everything and where to go, the topic points back to me.

"Sa tingin mo ano-ano pwede kong gawin sa vlog na 'yon?" tanong nito sa akin.

"Narinig ko naman 'yong pinag-usapan niyo kanina at sa tingin ko, marami kang magagawa. Ten episodes lang, 'no?" I asked and she nodded. "That's enough to feature what you wanted to feature. Pero alam mo 'yong mas maganda, punta tayo ng Cuyo. Mas maganda ro'n."

"Eh!" Angal pa nito. Cute talaga nito umangal. Kulang na lang maging asawa na. "'Yan ka na naman, e. I'm asking seriously tapos babanatan mo na naman ako. Hindi naman ako kinikilig kaya 'wag kang assuming, okay? Crush mo ba ako, ha?!"

I laughed. "Kapag sinabi ko bang oo, anong gagawin mo?"

"Just like what they normally do, lumalayo sa taong umaamin ng feelings."

I pressed his lips together, nodding. "Okay, okay. So, it's not mutual?"

"Ah, so crush mo nga ako? How so? Anong nagustuhan mo sa akin?"

"Yieee!" I gushed. "Gusto ring malaman!" pang-aasar ko pa sa kanya.

"Seryoso kasi!" angal pa nito at may pagbabanta pa ng paniniko sa akin.

I took a deep breath before I answered her.

"Okay, I must admit, I like you..." 

And I'm not sure what was her reaction when I said those words, she was just looking straight at me. I couldn't tell in her eyes. 

"You're a determined, fierce, outstanding I must say, a kind of woman... your personality is a total package. Iyon nga lang, they have to bear your moody side." I pointed my finger to her nose, giggling.

She shoves her hands off her face. "Grabe ka, all that compliments and you still find a way para asarin ako, 'no? Ang galing."

"Pero totoo... na-love at first sight ata ako sa 'yo."

"Itsura mo, Douglas. 'Wag mo akong niloloko. 'Wag kang gagaya kay Derek."

"Why would I be like him?" I questioned, raising a brow. "I grew up believing that it's not right to hurt a woman's feelings. It just doesn't sit right with me. It feels like I'm hurting my own mother with that kind of action."

"May kapatid ka ba?"

I shook his head. "Wala. Bakit mo naman natanong?"

She shrugged off. "Wala lang. Natanong ko lang din."

I chuckled. "'Yan, ha! Natututo ka na sa akin."

"Hindi nga, seryoso na talaga. Why of all people, bakit mo ako magugustuhan? Dahil ba 'yon sa CPR na ginawa ko sa 'yo? Does that aroused you?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya at inalis ko ang pagkaaakbay sa kanya dahil kung ano-ano rin pala ang tumatakbo sa isipan nito. 

 "I really didn't think about that until you said that..." I put my finger on my lip and then shook my head. "But I never thought of that. I know that wasn't sexual, you're trying to save me there so... I guess you just cared too much for me."

"Hindi ko na talaga alam kung saan pupunta 'tong usapan natin. Ginugulo mo lang ang utak mo."

"Ginugulo ko kasi may gusto ka sa akin or gumugulo na dahil nalilito ka na sa narararamdaman mo?"

Bumagsak ang balikat niya saka siya ako hinarap at hinawakan ang magkabilang balikat. 

"Bago ka magsalita, hindi ko gustong hawakan 'yang balikat mo. That's just to remind na... I'm in Palawan dahil sa trabaho ko and you offered your help so I grabbed the opportunity. You're a good man, I know and you know that Douglas... but don't invest something in me. It's not worth it. We just knew each other for a week and I'll be here for another two weeks or so, but that doesn't mean anything... but thank you for your help though. I really appreciate you and your kindness."

I don't know what to feel when she said those words. She patted me on my shoulder while I'm looking straight into her face. Maybe she was right and I shouldn't assume anything and after all, we're both strangers and tourists to where we are going.

After that, we decided to go to our first place, Baker's Hill, and the next one would be Mintra's Ranch. I didn't bother myself with what she said to me earlier and acted like nothing happened.

I've got to know a bit of her, and I would like her to know what life I had... and what was in Cuyo.

Maybe... maybe she'll find what she was looking for there. I might be wrong, but she can stay in our house and get married. It's still a win-win situation.

Well, I could only hope for it.

(The full article written by Cory and Douglas is available to read in The Book of Travels; SWIP section.)

***