Disclaimer: This story is only about 12 chapters long so don't expect much character, relationship development.

I haven't been romantic for the past five years or so. I'd call myself a realist. But, let me be romantic here in Wattpad again. Whatever you read in this story, don't let it cloud your mind and your decisions so that you end up romanticizing everything in life. Ilang taon na akong hindi romantic but I never said I don't have hazy thoughts of running away with a stranger, leaving my old life and starting anew. Bla bla bla. You've been warned... hahahaha

Gusto kong sabihin na hindi ko namalayan na malapit na pala kami sa Batanes. Sadly, that's not the case. Sure, I'd known the flight from Manila to Basco would take an hour and twenty minutes. What I didn't anticipate was the stomachache that would overtake me, halfway through the journey.

Yes, I know there's a lavatory inside the plane. But you see, to go there, I'd have to annoy my seatmate by asking her to stand up. Then I'd have to walk down the aisle, in plain sight of everyone in the vicinity. I hate getting attention.

A few minutes later, I was ready to push the other passengers to vacate the plane faster but I didn't want to make a fuss. Siguradong namumutla na ako at pinagpapawisan na nang malamig. I really don't want to let all and sundry know that I am almost ready to shit my lacy white Cosabella undies but it's getting too difficult to... well, keep it in.

I'm betting it's from the anxiety of traveling alone. Dapat yata sinama ko si... Papa? Pero ano ako, Grade 4 student?

I started to sprint as soon as I stepped down from the plane. Wala na akong pakialam kung ano'ng sabihin ng ibang tao, ang prayoridad ko na lang ay makahanap ng kubeta!

🌄

I washed my hands thoroughly and then wiped my face with my ever-ready facial tissues. Pawis na pawis na ako kaya minabuti ko na itali ang mahabang buhok kahit mas gusto ko talagang nakalugay lamang 'yon para medyo matakpan ang mukha ko. Charles always hated it when I did that. He said it's a shame I don't tie up my hair more often so everyone could see my pretty doll-like face.

Paglabas ko sa CR ng maliit na airport ng Basco ay luminga-linga na ako kaagad para hanapin ang tricycle driver na kinontrata ko.

Ang sabi sa Facebook account niya ay mahusay na driver at tour guide si Israel Salvador. Maraming magandang komento sa serbisyo niya. "Mabait, magalang at higit sa lahat tapat sa oras." Tantiya ko sa litrato niya, siguro ay kaedad niya ang tatay ko na nasa singkuwenta na rin kaya siya talaga ang napili ko. Sana hindi siya pala-kuwento...

Tapat daw sa oras pero bakit hindi ko siya makita ngayon? I was only in the toilet for about ten minutes. Don't tell me, he's grown impatient and left already? Nakapagpadala na ako ng bayad 'no! At saka saan ako pupunta kung sakaling wala ngang sumundo sa'kin?

A tall guy walked towards me but I turned away. He's wearing a simple white shirt and has a cap on but he looks taller than Mang Israel seems to be from his pictures on Facebook.

"Ma'am? Kayo po ba si Ms. Mary Vashti del Rosario?"

I was about to tell him that I already have a driver when I heard him say my full name.

"Maeve. Call me Maeve instead," I immediately corrected him although it was said in a hesitant voice.

I detest my first name. Goodness knows what my parents were thinking when they chose to curse me with it.

"Tara na po," he said and gestured towards what obviously is his tricycle.

"Wait," I raised my hand to stop him. "You're not Mang Israel. I definitely booked and paid Mang Israel Salvador. Hindi ikaw 'yon." Mahiyain ako, hindi tanga.

"Ako rin po si Israel Salvador. The second. Tawagin niyo na lang po akong Eli para hindi kayo malito," he explained patiently in a quiet voice.

Nagmukha tuloy akong toddler na nagmamaktol.

"Woah. Stop right there, mister. Paano ko naman masisiguro na hindi mo 'ko niloloko? Nasaan na si Mang Israel?" I tried to sound brave and no-nonsense but my voice squeaked like a timid teenager.

"Umuwi sila Nanay at Tatay sa Sabtang."

"Oh no, no, no. That's not good enough for me. I need proof. Malay ko ba kung modus operandi mo 'to para... para i-scam ako!" I shook my finger at him, but my heart was beating fast in my chest. This is what I get for attempting to be independent!

He seemed really annoyed at me for being difficult but merely exhaled heavily as he removed his cap and sunglasses.

Ang... ang pogi niya. Hindi 'yon halata kanina dahil tinted ang salamin niya pero ngayon... kitang-kita ang guwapo niyang mukha na medyo hawig kay... kay Paulo Avelino.

He coughed a little when he noticed me gawking.

"Saglit lang, Ma'am," he muttered and took out his phone from his pocket.

I began to scan the people around us. Siguro naman tutulungan nila ako kung hihingi ako ng saklolo 'di ba?

"What are you doing? Don't tell me tatawag ka kuno kay Mang Israel. Kahit sino naman puwedeng magpang—"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko dapat dahil itinapat niya na sa mukha ko ang hawak na cellphone.

He showed me a family photo. There, beside this guy stood Israel Salvador— the one I recognized. Now I can see the resemblance between them although I think he looks more like his mother who's also in the picture. Maganda rin ang babaeng kapatid niya.

"Naniniwala na po ba kayo, Ma'am?"

Mukhang napahaba yata ang paginspeksyon ko sa litratong hawak niya kanina at natawa pa siya nang kaunti.

Huminga ako nang malalim. I guess I'm safe for now.

No need to panic, Maeve.