Kairo's POV

"Happy birthday, Dad!"

It was 12 midnight of October 8 at kasama ko ngayon si Luna. Mom and Dad Ashler already visited my Dad's grave. We all went here together but since gusto ko pa salubungin ang birthday ni Daddy nang eksakto, nagpaiwan kaming dalawa ni Luna to greet him.

After I said my wishes for him and my prayer, umuwi na rin kami sa bahay. Maaga kasi kami aalis bukas para magsimba at diretso sa eroplano to go to Vigan. I need some rest too because I'm driving also.

Luna will spend the night in our house dahil sabi ni Mommy kailangan daw maaga. At dahil doon, sa tabi ko siya matutulog. I mean, it's not like our first time sleeping in the same bed.

Don't get me wrong. We literally just sleep. Like what I've said, she's like a sister to me.

Pagkarating namin sa bahay ay nasa sala pa sila Jordyn at Hiara, probably waiting for us. Kumunot ang noo ni Jordyn nang makitang kasama ko si Luna at nakaakbay pa ako sa kanya... Masama ba?

Ayaw kong mag-assume pero feeling ko nagseselos siya. Uupo pa sana ako sa sala pero hinila na ako agad ni Luna para umakyat sa kwarto. Nang makarating, I flashed my grin at her at binatukan niya lang ako.

"Come on, hindi lang ako ang nakapansin na parang naiirita siya sa presensya mo o 'di kaya dahil magkasama tayo," I said while laughing.

She rolled her eyes on me before just jumping on the bed, covering herself with the bedsheets. I wanted to sleep as well, but there was a sudden urge to sing myself to sleep. Kinanta ko ang unang pumasok sa utak ko.

"Nitong umaga lang, pagka-lambing lambing ng 'yong mga matang hayop kung tumingin," I sighed, remembering our faded little memories together. I have moved on already. But why am I feeling this way?

"Nitong umaga lang, pagka-galing galing ng 'yong sumpang walang aawat sa atin," I continued.

Naramdaman kong tumingin sa akin si Luna dahil gumalaw ang kama. I had my eyes shut para kapag napagod ako kumanta ay diretso tulog na lang ako, "O 'kay bilis namang maglaho ng pag-ibig mo sinta, daig mo pa'ng isang kisapmata..."

I eventually stopped because I felt some tears that fell down on the side of my cheeks. Maybe just happy tears? I'm happy for her because she found her happiness in another person.

"You'll always be with me, right?" she asked me while looking at the rising sun. I held her tight before kissing her on her temple. "I'll always stay, no matter what happens."

"Isn't watching the sunset or sunrise getting tiring?" she asked after a long silence.

"The sky will always be my gift to you."

That was the last thing I saw when my alarm went off, it was a dream. But I wouldn't consider it as one, because it was a flashback of one of my faint memories of me and her together.

"Kairo, gising na!" sigaw ni Luna kaya napatayo na ako agad. Paano, ang lakas kasi ng bibig!

I quickly took a shower since tapos naman na magready si Luna. Siguro 4 pa lang gising na 'to. Babawi to ng tulog sa kotse, pustahan. After showering, I wore a simple white graphic tee with a black jacket layered on top and gray denim jeans.

Simple pero gwapo pa rin ako, of course.

"Masyado naman yatang malakas ang dating mo, uy! Nasa kabilang kwarto lang 'yung ex mo, baka ma-fall ulit sa'yo," Luna laughed.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. Binitbit ko ang isang maliit na maleta ni Luna at isang duffle bag ko, it's a two day and one night trip kaya naman may dala kaming gamit. We went downstairs to place our things at the sala and eat breakfast.

Surprisingly, they are all in the dining room, eating. Nasalubong ko ang mata ni Jordyn pero agad niya din inilipat 'yon kay Luna bago umiwas. I also took a look at Luna, she's wearing a black crop top and black jogger pants together with her long red cardigan and white shoes. She's stunning.

"Eat your breakfast. We have a long way to go," Mom reminded.

We ate our meals and waited at the sala for Mom and Dad to officially say that we're leaving. Mabuti na lang at narito ngayon ang mga helpers namin kaya naman hindi na kailangan pa mag-ayos ng bahay bago makaalis.

"Are we all gonna ride in the van?" Dad asked.

Nagkatinginan ang lahat at tumango sa kaniya except for me.

"I'll bring my car, Dad. Luna will ride with me," I said. "I'll leave the car at the airport so that when we arrive back, I can drive her home."

I felt everyone's stare at me but I just didn't care. Ayaw ko makisama sa van, things will just get awkward and it'll just be harder to move comfortably.

"Alright," Dad agreed.

Maya maya lang, we got out of the house to start loading the vehicles with our stuff. Since kakaunti lang naman ang gamit namin ni Luna, natapos kaagad kami. She went inside the car but I stayed outside to look for the other vehicle's situation.

For whatever reason, my eyes landed on Jordyn. She's zoning out, staring at my car. Eventually, our eyes met. I raised my brow at her to ask if there's something wrong but she just avoided my eyes.

When everything's settled, we have already started our trip. Pupunta muna ulit kami sa puntod ni Daddy to again greet him a happy birthday. And then, we'll go to church.

"Dapat nag-van na lang din tayo, nagpaka-pagod ka pa," reklamo ni Luna.

"And then what? Get into an awkward situation? No thanks," I countered.

After almost an hour of Luna being just busy on her phone and me being so busy focusing on the road, we finally arrived at Dad's grave. The sun was just about to rise.

"Happy birthday, Eli, bro!" Dad Ashler greeted. "46 years old ka na, 'tol! Sana nag-iinom tayo ngayon, hindi ba? Lugi sa'yo e, nanguna kaagad!"

Hinampas ni Mom sa dibdib si Dad Ashler at sumandal roon bago bumati, "Happy birthday, Eli."

They both suddenly looked at me kaya naman napataas ang kilay ko. Dad gestured for me to come closer to them so I did. Inakbayan niya naman ako.

"Dude, look at Kai, he's all grown up now," He said. "Pero olats din sa pag-ibig. Mana sa'yo!"

I heard how Mom, Luna and Hiara laughed.

"Dad naman!" pagrereklamo ko. "Gagalingan ko na lang next time, Dad Elliot. Mas magaling pa rito kay Dad Ash. Magugulat kayong lahat."

Tinawanan naman ako ni Dad Ashler bago guluhin ang buhok ko.

"But jokes aside. Happy birthday, Dad," I let out a warm smile. "We missed you. If only you know how we wish you were here with us, celebrating your birthday."

After a while, Mom led a prayer. Luna, Jordyn and Hiara also greeted my Dad a happy birthday in heaven. Nag-usap usap pa kami saglit tungkol sa tatay ko at nagtawanan pa nang konti bago magdesisyon na dumiretso na ng simbahan.

When we arrived, the mass exactly started. We're all sitting beside each other, listening to the sermon. After the mass, we all drove to the airport to go to the place we're meant to stay in..

Vigan!

It is going to be a fun experience kasi after such a long time, finally we're going to escape Manila. Masaya sana pero baka mailang lang ako dahil nandito yung ex ko. Kung nilegal ko lang sana kasi si Jordyn edi sana siya yung katabi ko ngayon sa flight.

Luna took pictures of the view from the plane and took pictures of me. We eventually arrived at Vigan and we checked into the hotel. Me and Luna have our own room and Hiara and Jordyn were with Mom and Dad. May extra room kasi sa hotel room nila Mommy kaya doon na lang sila magsstay.

I placed down our things in the cabinet at humiga ako diretso sa kama. Luna just threw me a pillow before pulling me up. "Get up dummy, we have to go get lunch!" sabi niya sa akin at wala na akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod na lang sa kanya. Bumaba kami sa lugar kung saan may buffet and nakita ko sila Dad na nakaupo na sa isang table.

Kumakain na rin sila ng pagkain kaya niyaya ko na si Luna na kumuha ng pagkain sa buffet. Magkatabi kami ni Luna and 'di niya mahiwa nang maayos yung steak kaya I did it for her. But while doing that I can feel Jordyn's stabbing glares.

I had to stop slicing Luna's steak and meet Jordyn's eyes but when I did, she immediately looked away and smiled at Hiara. Ano 'bang problema niya? Kung nagseselos siya, lumapit siya sa akin at hihiwain ko rin yung steak niya or ipahiwa niya sa girlfriend niya. Tsk.

"Saan niyo gustong pumunta?" tanong ni mommy sa amin at nagkibit balikat lang ako.

I'll just go wherever they want to go. Basta kasama ko pamilya ko okay na ang lahat. Hindi rin sumagot si Jordyn at Hiara dahil busy silang kumain.

"I know a place po, Tita. Sa hidden garden po," sabi ni Luna.

Agad naman sinearch ni Mommy yung lugar at napagdesisyonan na doon na kami pupunta. After eating, we took a quick shower because the weather is so hot. Pero mas hot pa rin ako syempre.

Ngayon, wala na akong choice kung hindi ang sumabay sa kanila sa van. Alangan naman na magrent pa kami ng isa pang kotse eh dagdag gastos lang iyon? Besides, 'di na papayag si Mommy no'n.

We drove off to the hidden garden and it took us 45 minutes to get there. It was also 45 minutes of suffering because the silence was so loud. I think me and Jordyn will soon have to tell them that we were past lovers in order to get that heavy atmosphere out of the way.

We took pictures around the vicinity and I let them do their own things. I also took Luna's photos at nang tingnan niya ang mga kuha ko sa kanya na-amaze siya.

"Alam mo, Kairo? Ang swerte ng magiging girlfriend mo! Ang galing mo mag-picture!" She praised me and I just smiled before sitting down at a swing.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warm breeze. Nagtaka naman ako nang biglang bumigat ang duyan but I didn't bother opening my eyes, I think it was Luna lang so I didn't care, but after a few seconds nag-iba ang amoy ng hangin.

And it was a familiar scent. Kaya kaagad kong binuksan ang aking mga mata at nakita ko si Jordyn sa tabi ko. I immediately fixed my sitting position and looked at her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. She looked at the swaying leaves from the trees.

"Ikaw ba may ari nito?" pabalang niyang sagot.

I just scoffed before flashing a grin. Huh, it's like we're back into square one? But I'm sure I can keep up with your facade, Jordyn.

"Girlfriend mo ba si, Luna?" she asked me and I changed my expression to an i-don't-care one.

"Why do you care?" I asked in a monotone. I just don't get her and the purpose of the question. Wala naman na dapat siyang pakialam ah? She sighed before composing herself and turned to me.

"I care because she's my ex-girlfriend!" she raised her voice.

Ex-girlfriend niya si.. Luna?! Now, everything made sense, kung bakit siya ganoon umakto dati kapag nababanggit ko ang pangalan ni Luna. I froze, trying to process what she just said but I just turned away para hindi niya mapansin ang gulat at realization ko.

"Well you could have considered remembering me before you dated my sister," I countered.

She was stunned, not expecting that I would say that. I don't care about any bullshits anymore, I want to tell her anything that comes up on my mind first and not sugarcoat any of it.

"Are you afraid to fall in love again?" she asked.

"I'm afraid of being the only one that falls while the other one just pretends," I weakly smiled at tumayo na. I think she was about to say something but got interrupted.

Nagulat kami nang biglang sumigaw si Hiara, "Kuya! Anong ginagawa niyo dito? Baka agawin mo girlfriend ko ah!"

I scoffed before walking, "As if I'll like your girlfriend."

Iniwan ko silang nakaupo roon at hinanap na sila Luna. I saw them buying souvenirs at doon na ako maghintay sa kanila. After a few more minutes, nasa sasakyan na kami ulit papunta sa Plaza to buy food to bring home sa Manila and other souvenirs pa.

"Manonood ba tayo ng dancing fountain?" tanong ni daddy.

"I'm tired and want to sleep, kayo na lang una na ako sa hotel." I told them at sumabay naman sa akin si Luna. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga sinabi ni Jordyn sa akin. She is her ex, but I don't have time to argue though I am gonna have to clarify it sa kanya.

"Jordyn's your ex?" I asked at nagulat naman siya but that didn't last long.

"She told you huh? You know Kairo I'm not dumb, she still clearly is in love you," Luna told me which made me scoff.

"Did she even really love me? Hindi ko na alam ang paniniwalaan ko, pre," sagot ko sa kanya. "And if she really is in love with me, e 'di parang ginagago niya lang 'yung kapatid ko?"

"Kai, at some point, I think that you and Jordyn should talk to Hiara," Luna inserted. "Kasi sa ngayon. Pareho niyo siyang ginagago by hiding the truth."

Bumuntong hininga na lang ako at umiling bago pumasok sa CR at nagbihis ng pantulog. Hindi na rin naman ako kakain mamaya ng dinner sa dining hall and if ever na magutom ako I can just order room service.

Nakahiga na ako sa kama nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Luna was about to answer the door when I stopped her.

"A girl should never answer a door at night, ako na." I told her bago tumayo at tiningnan ang peephole ng pinto. I look over to see Hiara and Jordyn standing at the opposite side of the door.

PInagbuksan ko sila ng pinto at nagdire-diretso sila, hawak ni Hiara ang kamay ni Jordyn papunta sa sofa. Lumabas naman ng kwarto si Luna na naka tank top at pajama habang nagtatali ng buhok at nagulat pa siya nang makita yung dalawa sa hotel room namin.

Nakita ko naman si Jordyn na tiningnan ang kabuoan ni Luna bago ibaling ang tingin sa akin. Kung hindi lang talaga sila ng kapatid ko iisipin ko na nagseselos siya kay Luna eh.

"Gabi na oh, bakit pa kayo nagpunta dito?" tanong ko bago lumapit sa kanila at umupo sa kabilang side ng sofa, tinabihan naman ako ni Luna.

"We bought 2 bottles of soju, inom tayo!" excited na sabi sa amin ni Hiara at agad ko naman siya tiningnan ng masama. "Nagpaalam ka kala mommy? Lagi na lang ganyan gusto mo, hindi yan healthy." panenermon ko sa kanya bago pitikin ang noo. Umaray naman siya at nagsumbong kay Jordyn at tinawanan lang siya nito.

Ngayon ko lang ulit nakita ang ngiti niya, nakakalunod pa rin.

I also observed her, she was wearing a satin tank top and dolphin shorts. She was indeed sexy and gorgeous, but I still have to suck up the fact that I don't own her anymore though.

"Do you wanna drink?" I whispered to Luna and she nodded. "Sayang naman ang aya uminom 'di ba? Besides, I don't mind drinking with your sister and Jordyn." she smiled and I don't know if it was a sarcastic smile or not.

We did our opening shot before we took turns, nagusap rin kami tungkol sa iba't ibang bagay bagay. We are mostly awkward pero okay lang naman din dahil we were all kinda vulnerable because of the booze.

"Ilan mga ex niyo?" tanong ni Hiara.

"Isa."

"Isa."

Sabay naming sabi ni Luna at pinagtinginan kami ni Hiara at ngumisi. "Don't tell me ex mo si-" before she could even finish I cut her off.

"No. Kilala ko ex ni Luna at hindi ako 'yon."

"Ikaw Jordyn, ilan ex mo?" tanong ni Luna sa kanya and she smiled before answering. "Uhm I've gotten into two relationships, but I consider the other one as puppy love and the other is..." Tumigil siya at biglang tumingin sa akin at agad iniwas ang tingin.

We finished drinking at hinatid ko yung dalawa sa hotel room nila mommy bago kami natulog ni Luna.

We woke up at exactly 7 am to eat breakfast at hall and after that naligo kami to get ready. Ang alam ko we plan on going to a nearby beach. If I'm not mistaken, Sta. Catalina beach.

We don't plan on swimming but we plan on taking pictures and just chill.

Pumunta na kami sa hotel room nila at nakita ko na naka-pambahay pa rin sila. Nagtakaka naman kami ni Luna. Lumabas rin si Jordyn at Hiara na nakabihis na and my eyes shot to Jordyn's body. Damn she's... stunning. Fuck!

I thought I'm over you. Damn it!

She was wearing a red backless one piece and on top is a see through mesh cover up shirt.

"Mga anak, your mom is having a really hard time with your future sibling at kailangan niya ng pahinga. Kayo na lang pumunta roon. Kairo alagaan mo sila ha, 'wag kayong mag-away." bilin ni daddy at tumango ako.

We drove off to the beach and when we arrived there agad kami nag-ayos ng gamit sa kubo at inayos ang ihawan. We then changed into our swimming suits for pictures before I started cooking food. The girls were chilling sun bathing pero bago pa sila tuluyang umitim inaya ko na sila kumain ng lunch.

After eating we chilled for a bit at umalis saglit si Hiara para bumili ng snack sa labas at si Luna naman ay nagpunta sa cr. Me and Jordyn were left sitting on the beach, this is not the first time we spent time like this; but I'm hoping that this would be the last.

"Kailan mo balak ipaalam sa kapatid ko na ex mo 'ko?" tanong ko sa kanya and she stared at my eyes. Her mysterious pretty eyes that I want to look at every single moment.

"Kailan mo ba gusto?"

I scoffed, "'Di ba ikaw yung girlfriend niya? Labas ako sa relasyon niyo kaya ikaw ang magdedesisyon niyan." I told her and she nodded.

"When I'm ready to look over the view of the sun. I'll tell her." I didn't know what she meant by that but whatever decision makes her happy I'll roll with that.

Nasa harapan ko si Jordyn dahil lumapit siya para mabasa ang kanyang paa ng mga along humahampas sa dalampasigan.

I took out my phone and took a photo of her silhouette. Lowkey wishing that you'll be wrapped around my arms in no time.

I shrugged those thoughts off my head dahil dumating na si Luna and Hiara. We four walked towards the rock formation and sat down there to watch the sunset. Medyo malayo kami sa isa't isa, nasa kabilang parte sila at kami ay nasa malapit sa tubig.

I look over to them at nakasandal ang ulo ni Jordyn sa balikat ni Hiara. "This is proof that not every ending is bad, love." Hiara said and napansin ko na ang ngiti ni Jordyn ay dahan dahang napawi siguro may naalala.

"The sunset is the saddest light here, and for some reason, we get caught up in the reality of the descending darkness rather than the hope of a rising morning." Jordyn replied.

Her words are really something, come to think of it naalala ko ang mga podcasts ni Jordyn. Last time I heard of one of her episodes it was a month after we had broken up. I unfollowed her because I can't stand the thought of listening to how her day went as if nothing happened between us.

We got bored at the beach at napagdesisyonan na umalis na pabalik sa hotel. I was too tired to function so Jordyn offered to drive. I was about to say no pero pinilit niya kami. "Fine, but I'll take shotgun, you stay in the back seat Hiara." I glared at her at tumango naman siya sa akin.

Simulang umandar ang kotse at agad ako nakatulog, nagising na lang ako sa tapik ni Jordyn sa akin na nandito na kami. I just got out of the car and took Luna's things paakyat sa hotel room. I didn't bother taking Jordyn and Hiara to their hotel room.

Bukas ng hapon naman kasi ang flight pabalik ng Manila kaya magpapahinga na ako ngayon. That's why I slept the night.

"Stop thinking about me, babe. We're long over." Jordyn said before getting on top of me. Nagulat naman ako sa ginawa niya.

"Why are you doing this, Jordyn? You have a girlfriend." I told her and she flashed a grin before holding my hand. "Says who? What are you talking about, hmm?" she asked and I tried pinching myself pero wala akong nararamdaman.

"I know you still love me, Eugenio." she was about to lean in for a kiss pero- nagising ako bigla sa tapik ni Luna.

"Binabangungot ka ata, Kairo." sambit niya sa akin bago ako iwan sa kwarto mag-isa. It was past 10 am at wala na kaming planong pumunta pa sa kung saan. 3pm kasi ang flight and we need an hour to ride to the airport. We're leaving before lunch.

I took a quick shower and wore simple black sweat shorts, white graphic t-shirt and a jacket. I then packed my things before locking the hotel room and went to our parents' hotel room. Hinintay na lang namin sila matapos sa pag gayak bago mag-check out.

We then arrived at the airport and ate lunch only for me to sit in front of Hiara and Jordyn na hindi man lang maipaghiwalay ang kanilang mga balat. It's bothering me.

" Get a room next time. Can't you see that we're in a public place? Napaka PDA niyo naman," napailing ako matapos tignan nang masama ang dalawa.

"Sabihin mo, inggit ka lang." bumelat pa si Hiara at di ko na lang siya pinansin.

Lumipas ang ilang oras at nakalapag na kami ulit at nasa Manila na. I took Luna home before going back to the house. At laking gulat ko nang makita si Lola na nandoon at nakaupo sa sala.

"Welcome back, Kairo Eugenio. Are you ready to take full responsibility for Eugenio's cuisine branches and other businesses?" she asked and I shrugged.

Right, more things I should focus on rather than remembering those stolen moments of me and my ex.