The restaurant he took me to for lunch served native Ivatan dishes to complete the Batanes experience.

"Magandang araw po Ma'am! Masarap po ang inihaw na isda, Ma'am. Flying fish po 'yong isda. Puwede rin po ikilaw imbis na ihawin 'yon. Uvud, Ma'am, subukan niyo rin. May ensaladang talong din po at saka—"

"Hold up. Nalilito po ako sa mga binanggit niyo," I mumbled but held a palm up in irritation. Sana hinintay niya na lang ako na tawagin siya.

"Pinky, ako na ang bahala kay Ma'am."

Lumapit si Eli sa'kin at tumayo sa gilid ko habang binabasa ko ang mga nakasulat sa menu.

"So, what can you recommend? I want the yummiest dish but I'm on a diet so maybe the eggplant? Ano sa tingin mo?" I perused the list of available dishes for a few seconds more before I realized he didn't answer my question so I looked up at his face.

There was a disapproving lilt to this mouth. The little frown made his mouth look sexier but it still suggested disapproval so... wait. What? Sexy? Where did that come from, Maeve?

I gulped and shook myself inwardly.

"Ano'ng problema? May nasabi ba 'ko?" I asked.

"Ma'am, alam ko na customer ka, pero sana po ayusin mo ang pananalita mo. Huwag po sanang masyadong suplada," mahinahon niyang paliwanag.

"Excuse me?"

I cannot believe it. My tricycle driver is actually lecturing me! It took all of my composure to swallow down a biting retort and lower down my voice. I might be shy but it doesn't mean I'm not... well suplada! Oo na, suplada na ako.

"Set A ang orderin niyo," he said before walking away from me and joining the other drivers by their own table.

🌄

Ilang minuto na buhat nang nakarating kami sa PAGASA Weather Station pero hindi pa rin siya umiimik. Hindi rin naman siya masalitang tao. Pero kanina ay nagbibigay pa siya ng kaunting mga detalye sa mga lugar na pinuntahan namin pero ngayon wala na talaga.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy kailangan ko na mag-sorry. Ba't ako magso-sorry eh siya rin naman nagsuplado sa'kin.

PAGASA Weather Station is built on top of a hill that afforded a view of the surrounding cliffs, and rolling hills that are actually pretty common in Batanes. We can also see the dozing Mt. Iraya.

The thing is, the little scene that happened between us sort of ruined the landscape for me. One of the downsides of being an introvert is that we overthink so even though most people would just ignore the awkwardness, I'm not wired to think that way.

Eli was outside, patiently waiting for me to finish sight-seeing, leaning against the low stone-encrusted wall.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy pa.

"Sorry, about earlier," I said but didn't look at him. Although I meant the apology, I didn't really relish saying it.

"Ma'am, wala pong problema," he replied easily and offered a smile. Damn, this tricycle driver does not only have a handsome face and sexy mouth, he also has a mysterious, brooding smile. Sana all, 'di ba?

I nodded and looked towards the scenery before us but actually going over his form in my head. Maganda rin naman ang hubog ng katawan niya, may mga maskulo sa lahat ng tamang bahagi... damn, sinuwerte yata ako sa tour guide na ito.

"Hindi ako taga-siyudad."

"Tara na po ba?"

Sabay kaming nagsalita kaya nagkatinginan kami at napatawa na lang.

"Taga Visayas ako— sa Trestiza. Pero maliit lang ang bayan namin kaya hindi mo siguro alam 'yon," I continued.

"Nakapunta na ako roon. May resort na—."

"Huh?"

Mukhang nadulas lang yata siya sa nabanggit kaya biglang hindi niya na dinugtungan. He clammed up and just reminded me it's time for us to move on.

I wouldn't label him as an introvert like me. I've seen him being friendly with the locals and he can say a lot when he wants to. Siguro hindi lang siya madaldal o 'di kaya ayaw niya lang magkuwento ng personal na mga detalye tungkol sa kaniya.

It doesn't matter of course. Hindi naman ako curious sa kaniya, 'no.

🌄

By the time we finished with Vayang Rolling Hills and Chadpidan Boulder Beach, I was a bit tired already. Kaya lang ay sayang naman kung maaga akong babalik sa hotel kaya dinamihan ko na lang ang pag-inom ng tubig para na rin hindi ako ma-dehydrate.

My exhaustion fell away when we got to Naidi Hills though. Nandoon ang Basco Lighthouse at ang Bunker Café na sa tingin ko ay ang mga pinakakilalang spots dito sa Batanes.

Hindi na kami nakapasok sa café dahil masyado akong na-excite na akyatin ang lighthouse.

The view from the top may be lonely but it sure is remarkable. Green hills only receded to where the powerful cliffs and the waves of the open sea took over. I leaned across the banisters a bit and inhaled deeply, closing my eyes. Siguro ay ganito ang pakiramdam ng mga ibon, ano? Malaya at matiwasay. Charles, ito rin ba ang naramdaman mo? Palagay ko hindi.

I almost teared up but Eli suddenly pulled me away from the banisters.

"Ma'am, mag-ingat ka," paalala niya. Panira naman ang isang 'to ng moment eh.

Pagbaba namin mula sa parola ay pinilit niya na akong kuhanan ng litrato. Ang KJ ko raw kung pumunta ako ng Batanes at wala naman akong iuuwi na litrato. Wala naman talaga akong balak na...

"Ma'am, ngumiti ka naman. Ang ganda-ganda niyo pero lagi kayong nakasimangot."

I automatically smiled when he said that as I stood in front of the closed café's doors. Alam niya na mapapangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Psh!

"Isa pa, Ma'am. Tsaka lakihan niyo pa ang ngiti niyo. Baka sabihin ng mga kaibigan niyo sa Facebook, hindi kay nag-enjoy rito."

"Hindi ako active sa Facebook," I informed him but did what he told me anyway.

Maganda nga naman kasi ang background ko. The beautiful blue hued doors are very pleasing to the eye— especially in combination with the vibrant colors of the landscape all around us.

"Eli, uwi na tayo..." I whispered as we went back to where we were parked.

"Pagod ka na? Isa na lang, Ma'am. Sayang naman," he said gently and I nodded my assent.

I silently marveled at the old-world beauty of Tukon Church or Mt. Carmel Chapel. Buti na lang tumuloy kami. Mas akma ngang tawagin itong Mt. Carmel Chapel dahil mistulang kapilya lang ito sa liit. Gawa ito sa kaparehang disenyo na usong-uso sa buong Batanes.

Its old wooden doors were framed with the most delicate looking vines that bloomed light lavender flowers. The chapel was open although there wasn't anyone aside from us, and the light from the setting sun filled the place, outlining the stained-glass windows prettily. Parang ayoko nang umalis.

The thing with beautiful things and places is that they evoke a sadness so strange and so innate in you. I slowly sat down on one of the many pews that faced the altar and silent wept.

Isang taon bago ako nakarating dito. Isang taon na akong nagluluksa para kay Charles pero masakit pa rin ang pagkamatay niya. Isang taon ko nang pinipilit maging maayos ulit ang pakiramdam ko pero parang hindi ko talaga kaya.