I could punch Eli for not telling me outright that I'd have a very hard time keeping my skirt down because of the strong winds.

I would have been able to appreciate the glorious view from Chawa View Deck more if I was not holding on to my dress so as not to afford Eli and two other small groups of tourists a view of my legs, long and slender they might be.

"Eli! Paano ako bababa?" I asked him furiously referring to the stone steps leading to the water. Not that I want to particularly go all the way down, but it's nice to know I am able to if I am inclined to do so!

He shook his head but I detected the naughty grin that he tried to keep at bay. He's actually enjoying my predicament!

"Hubarin mo muna ang jacket mo," he advised and actually held my skirt for me as I could hardly hold it and remove the jacket at the same time.

He used both hands to carefully wrap my skirt around my legs so I wouldn't be exposed and the position felt so intimate that I had to concentrate on taking off the damn jacket.

Siguradong walang isang minuto ang tinagal ng posisyon namin na 'yun pero parang dama ko ang bawat segundo. Nang sa wakas ay natanggal ko na, ay kinuha niya ito sakin para siya mismo ang magtali sa baywang ko.

I'm not sure I've been this close to someone since Charles... It feels weird but natural at the same time.

When I wrapped my arms around myself, he realized I was chilled by the strong winds that was also prone to keep me off balance in moments when it blew too hard.

"'Yan kasi, gusto mo pang ipakita 'yang likod mo," he whispered and wrapped an arm around me, guiding me down the steps. The winds still chilled me but the warmth from his body went straight to my abdomen.

Kung ibang tao siguro, iisipin ko na tsansing na 'yung pag akbay ni Eli pero... hindi ko alam eh. There's just something in his demeanor, in the careful way he talks, in the neutral tone of his voice that half makes me want him to put more... meaning to what he is doing.

"Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong niya habang patuloy pa rin kami sa pagbaba.

"Yeah..." I whispered back. I caught a whiff of his scent too- citrus with woody notes. He definitely smells good.

"Vashti, tumingin ka sa nilalakaran natin at baka magkamali ka sa pag apak."

I feel myself reddening because he could only mean that he's caught me clearly sniffing him, right?

🌄

Tahimik lang ako hanggang sa dumating kami sa Tayid Lighthouse na mas nagustuhan ko kaysa sa una naming pinuntahan sa Basco.

Aside from Eli and I, there was only a Japanese couple and their tour guide and they soon left us alone too. Strangely enough, I didn't see any caretaker and thus I realized we were literally alone at the place.

"Dito muna tayo ah, ayos lang ba?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

He only nodded and let me sit quietly on the very doorstep of the stone hut connected to the lighthouse.

I'm a lively person. I've always been talkative to my few friends even though I hate crowds and strangers. More than anything though, I prefer solitude. Si Charles lang ang nakapasok sa pribado kong kaharian.

He was my childhood bestfriend who became my first boyfriend by the time we were sophomores in college. Pareho kaming nagtapos sa kursong Accountancy. We planned on getting married when we both turn twenty-three.

Kasama sa plano namin ang pumunta rito sa Batanes. Sa totoo lang ako naman talaga ang may gusto na pumunta rito eh. Pangarap ko talaga makarating dito simula nang nabasa ko ang tungkol sa Batanes sa isang magazine.

Pero bakit mag-isa ako ngayon? Bakit nga ba, Charles? Bakit? Bakit?

"Vashti..."

I opened my eyes, half-dreaming I was seeing my fiancé's face but it was only Eli.

"Nakatulog ka yata. Ayos ka lang ba?"

"I'm fine."

"Eli... bakit ka umalis ng Batanes? Kasi kung ako ang papipiliin, gusto kong dito na manirahan."

He stoically stared at the horizon and was silent for a long time that I gave up on hearing his reply.

"Gusto ni Eloisa na lumuwas ng Maynila."

I felt a strange pang and was surprised at my odd feelings upon hearing his reply.

"Eloisa?"

"She was my wife."

"Was?"

"She died six months ago, Vashti..."