"Guys! excuse me dadaan ang maganda" sambit ni Keily habang sumisingit sa mga tao papunta samin, andito kami sa labas ng univ ngayon inaantay si Lance para magpahatid.

"Oh bakit naman ngayon ka lang bruha ka? iiwan ka na namin kung hindi lang natatagalan si Lance maglabas ng pick-up niya" sagot ni Ella.

"To naman! mag 3rd year na ng med school di ka parin kumakalma, parang laging may dalaw e" pagrereklamo ni Keily nang makaabot samin na pawis na pawis.

"Oo nga malapit na mag end tong 2nd year pero parang sing bangis parin nung first day, pota consistent" sagot ni Ella.

Napatingin nalang kami nang marinig namin yung busina ni Lance at naglakad na papasok sa sasakyan niya, ako sa passenger's seat tapos sina Ella at Keil sa likod, nakasanayan na naming posisyon.

"Oh where'd you come from Keil? we were supposed to leave you" Lance joked.

"Oo lahat naman iniiwan ako" pagtatampo na sagot ni Keily.

"Aba aba kailan ka ba nagka love life ha?" singit kong pangasar.

The three of us laughed but Keily just pouted.

"Hoy may nagbigay sakin ng flowers nung graduation diba" pangangatwiran niya.

Naalala kong galing kay Jake yun, I just smiled but immediately faced the road.

Lanced looked at me like he's wondering why my mood suddenly changed.

"Everything good?" he asked softly.

I nodded smiling.

"Huy mga bakla, nga pala wala ba tayong get away ngayong bakasyon? last vacation kasi mga drawing lang, baka gusto niyo na magtayo ng art museum niyan?" tanong ni Ella.

"Good idea, ako na curator" binatukan ni Ella sa Lance sa sagot niya.

"Hmm I think may idea ako, kasi yung pinsan ko nakapag book sa thailand this summer, new trend daw yun! ano G?!" masayang pagsuggest ni Keily.

"Sure!" sagot ni Ella at napa thumbs up si Lance.

I furrowed my brows.

"Ano ka ba wala akong pera pang Thailand!" pagrereklamo ko.

"Hey, don't worry sagot ko na" Lance said.

I looked at him obviously surprised.

"Yun naman talaga! shet aylabyu na Lance!" sigaw ni Ella.

He just rolled his eyes.

"Huh? bakit mo naman sasagutin?" bakit naman siya magvovolunteer ng ganun? laking gastos kaya nun.

"Para sagutin mo na din ako" he looked at me smirking.

Nagulat ako sa sagot niya.

"Hoy! iba pala gusto! foul bro!" pagsingit ni Ella.

"Naniwala naman kayo, I wasn't even courting her, and why should I?" he answered grinning.

"Umayos ka iho baka mapano ka sa kamao ko" Ella jokingly threatened him which made him laugh.

I was just sitting there still surprised with his words, napaka harot kasi talaga nitong lalakeng to pero lagi nalang akong caught off guard.

"How about La Union?" Keily suggested which made me look at her.

"What? malapit, tipid, mas hindi nakakapagod, yun lang less pogi means less chance of making landi" she fretted.

"Hayup yun talaga e!" pagrereklamo ni Ella.

"But yea, La Union sounds good, may ipon ako para jan" I looked at Lance waiting for his answer.

"Hmm sounds good to me too.. I mean do I even have a choice? gagamitin niyo lang naman ako para may sasakyan" he joked.

"Ay sa true lang! so set na ha?!" minata ako ni Ella.

"Yes Els, di mo ko kailangan tarayan" I rolled my eyes at her.

"Kasi naman nung andito pa si Ali di nagtatawag magbibeach pala tapos-" siniko siya ni Keily who saw how my expression changed in the mention of her name.

"Ay.. sorry naman, hurt lang ako" she sat back.

I smiled before leaning sa bintana.

I heard Lance sighed loudly but I just shrugged it off as the whole ride turned silent.

"Don't worry, your secret's still safe with me" Lance said before driving away sa pagkababa niya sakin sa gate ng apartment.

I smiled remembering when he first asked me about Ali.

~~~~

Lance: "Who's Ali?"

I got surprised with his sudden question.

Sophia: "An old friend"

Lance: "Friend as in?"

Sophia: "Yeah"

Lance: "Oh, sorry I just hear her name from Ella all the time, di ko lang nakalimutan when she mentioned her again kanina when you fainted"

Sophia: "Don't be sorry, but what did she say?"

Lance: "That if Ali's still here, she'd kick the hell out of her and Keily because they didn't took care of you well"

I smiled, she would, absolutely.

Sophia: "Ahh"

Lance: "Ahhwhole new world?"

Lance: "Ahhken ka nalang?"

Lance: "Ahhkala ko ikaw ay aken?"

I laughed sa sunod sunod na reply niya. I'm just relieved hindi ako nalungkot right after the thought of Ali, which was all the time, before.

~~~~

I was sleeping when my phone rang, I reached for it and saw it's Keily calling.

"Gurl!? nasa gate nako ng apartment mo! bat di ka sumasagot?!"

I looked at the time, it's just 4 am, my eyes hurt sa liwanag ng phone ko.

"Wait lang, bat kasi angaga mo?" I asked her sleepily.

"Anong angaga?! 5 am usapan te ikaw ba si flash para 4:59 nalang gumising?" my ear hurt sa lakas ng boses ng babaeng to.

I just opened the door bago dumeretso ng gate and opened it with my spare key.

"Ano bayan Sophia look at your outfit naman! nakapajama ka pa sisikat na yung araw" Keily complained as she walked pass me straight to my room.

She's wearing a yellow tank top and white high waist short, nakabalabal lang siya ng black and white flannel shirt since malamig pa sa labas.

"Ano naman ngayon kung sisikat na yung araw at nakapajama ako? lulubog ba siya ulit pag nalaman niya?" I groaned whole scratching my head pabalik sa kwarto ko.

I was about to lay down again when Keily pulled my shirt and pushed me papuntang banyo.

"Ano bang balak mo gurl, sige na go go maligo ka na ako na pipili ng damit mo go!" she shouted before closing the bathroom door from outside, napilitan nalang akong maligo kahit antok na antok na ako.

"Soph! anong gusto mong mapakitang skin? leg or abdomen?!" I heard Keily shout habang nagbubuhos ako.

"Wala! yung walang skin!" I answered.

I went out the bathroom in a towel and immediately saw a ton of outfit selection sa kama ko.

"What the f Keil! angdami naman!" pagrereklamo ko kay Keily na nakatayo sa may gilid ng kama habang nakapamewang.

"Shhh! there will never be enough clothes para sa babae" she shushed me before pointing sa mga damit.

"This one features a light blue tube top and white ruffled knee skirt.." she started to explain.

"And this is a low-cut olive green patterned shirt paired with white criss-crossed shorts.."

Kumunot ang noo ko habang tinitingnan yung mga damit, parang hinain ko na lahat lahat nito e.

"Look! this one's cute, a pastel pink ruffled sleeve dress!" she showed it to me.

"Hmm that is cute" I answered.

"Yes!! and may slit!" she showed me the side slit and I immediately regret that I thought it was cute.

"Okay binabawi ko na"

"What?! jusko Sophia Hannah napapagod ako ha" she groaned sa inis.

"Keil alam mo naman ayokong nagpapakita ng balat no" I reasoned.

"Fine, but please.. can we go with this red wrap dress? sige na may white flowers pa oh" she begged.

I sighed.

"Fine"

"Omg yes! okay put this on ichecheck ko yung mga inimpake mo" I rolled my eyes before putting on the dress she handed me.

It is cute, it really hugs my body shape kahit hindi sobrang fit. I started to blow dry my hair and putting on light make up.

"What?!" nagulat ako nang sumigaw si Keily.

"Bakit?!" I asked concerned.

"Where are your freaking swimsuits?!" she waved both her hands up and down pointing to my travel bag.

"Tch! Keil! tumataba na ako ayoko magswim suit, I don't feel like it"

"Oh heck no, good thing I brought three extra bikinis, hayy thank God, don't worry kabibili ko lang nun last week" she rolled her eyes before closing up my bag and sitting sa kama.

"Di ko parin susuotin yan" I continued fixing my make up when we heard Lance's car honking sa labas.

"Omg omg! ayan na silaaa! hnggg I'll get everything sa kotse na Soph you finish your thing" Keily said before taking our bags.

Napagusapan kasing dito nalang kami ni Keily susunduin after sunduin ni Lance si Ella since magkalapit yung bahay nila and malayo yung kay Keily.

I grabbed my water bottle and filled it before putting my phone on my tassel bag and locking the door behind me and sumakay na sa passenger's seat.

"Hey bitch, ready to go to the beach?" Ella greeted from the back seat.

She's in a white tube top and sky blue mermaid skirt.

I smiled at her before looking at Lance.

He's wearing a loose white button up and black knee shorts revealing his toned legs and calf.

"Baka matunaw ako" he teased.

I looked up at him with a disgusted expression.

"Ice cream ka ba kase"

He looked at me smirking.

"No, but you bet I'm sweet"

"Shut up Lance pakboy ka talaga" pagirap ni Ella bago chineck yung phone niya.

I just smiled with their silliness.

It's been four hours, and finally we reached our destination, nakailang tulog at gising din ako.

"Arghh, God angsarap talaga sa beach!" Keily said as she stretched when she out of the car.

"Lance! tulungan mo ako dito sa likod!" rinig kong sigaw ni Ella while Lance was about to help me get out of the car.

"Tss" he said before running to help Ella.

Bumaba na rin ako and went to them to help with our baggages.

3 days lang naman kami pero parang dinala na ni Keily at Ella yung buong bahay nila.

"What the hell is in this?!" Lance complained as he carried Ella's bag.

"Buhay mo Lance kaya wag kang nagrereklamo kung ayaw mong ikaw na susunod na laman niyan" Ella answered.

Lance just scoffed before putting it down and walking to the registration area.

He came back to us sa kotse after he was done talking with the staff.

"I have the key to our cabana, carry your own bags already, pagod na ako"

I was about to take mine when he suddenly snatched it from my hand and proceeded to walk to our cabana.

"Hoy akala ko ba carry your own bags! favoritism kang hayop ka!" Ella shouted but he just walked away not looking back.

I shook my head and went to Ella.

"Here, ako nalang tutulong sayo, Keily balikan nalang natin yung isa mo pang bag mamaya" I offered.

"Hala! naman kasi e! sige na nga" nagreklamo si Keily but still sumunod nalang since wala naman kaming magawa.

"Anginit talaga sa Pilipinas" I wiped my sweat before sitting down sa kama, tatlo yung kama dalawang queen sized tapos isang single bed. Nasa single bed ako sa tabi ng aircon nagpapalamig.

Tinanggal na nila Ella at Keily yung suot nila above their outfit revealing their toned bodies.

"Good God girls wala manlang pasabe" Lance groaned and face away from them, nakaharap na siya sakin ngayon.

"Arte mo!" tinapon ni Ella sakanya yung brown cardigan na suot niya kanina kaya agad niya tong tinanggal sa mukha niya.

"Ew!" apakaarte naman kalalakeng tao.

"Una na kami guys! Lance sumunod ka with your camera okay?" Keily said opening the door.

Ella just looked at me suspiciously and looked at Lance na nakatalikod parin sakanila, still facing me.

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes at her, dumi ng isip e.

"Sunod agad ha" she said.

I just nodded.

"Finally" Lance said before taking off his button up revealing his abs.

I was too shocked to look away.

He walked closer to me.

Hanggang nasa harap ko na siya, topless.

He moved closer seemingly reaching for something still looking at me.

I looked up to him nervously, he was too close so I leaned back para hindi kami magkadikit.

"Ah!" I nearly fell on my back sa kama when he catched me kaya ngayon he's on top of me with arms under my body and the other arm leaning sa kama.

His face was too close to mine I can feel his breath.

I quickly pushed him lightly and stood up fixing my dress.

"Uh.. sorry, lalakasan ko lang sana yung air con" he put his hand on his nape awkwardly.

"Uhm, yea.. no no it's fine, napaatras lang ako" I smiled trying to get out of the situation.

"Hmm" he just hummed and nodded.

He went to the bathroom kaya nakahinga ako ng maayos and plopped down sa kama.

"What in the hell Soph!" I groaned before rubbing my face sa unan.

"What are you doing?" angbilis naman niyang magbihis.

I looked at Lance, he's now wearing a gray trunk shorts ang white muscle tee highlighting his biceps.

"Oh.. uhm nothing" I reasoned before sitting up.

"Sunod na tayo, baka magalit na sila" he said before opening the door and walking out.

"Yea, let's go" I fixed my dress and hair before putting on my slip on and lumabas na ng cabana.

Lance has his camera na nakasabit sa leeg niya, he seemed to be fixing it while waiting for me na lumabas.

"Okay next, dito dito sa may tabi na tree, omg ay wait! dito nalang pala under sa may rock.." napapakamot nalang sa ulo si Lance sa mga demands ni Keily magpapapicture.

Tapos na kasi si Ella so she just went walking with me sa may shore.

"So kamusta na?" Ella suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

"You know, hindi kita nakakausap ng seryoso palagi, hindi parin tayo nakapagusap ng maayos about your break up with Ali before.. so... kamusta?"

I sighed before smiling bitterly. Tears again formed sa gilid ng mata ko.

"I'm sorry Els.."

"Bakit ka sakin nagsosorry?" she looked at me still walking.

"Ali's your friend too"

"And so are you" she answered.

"Why didn't you try and contact her again after you broke up with Jake, if hanggang ngayon halata namang mahal mo parin siya" she seriously asked.

"I don't know.." I truly don't, I really wanted to, sobra. I craved for her everyday until now. But she just seems to grow so well without me I don't know if it's a good thing kung guguluhin ko pa siya.

"I know you did hurt each other, pero why not try again when you know things aren't done yet?"

Tears started falling, I love her still, I know. Damn everyone knows.

Ella hugged me.

"Stop the tears Soph.. please stand up for yourself again. And if you still can, try to try again" she said.

"Thank you Ella.. for being there kahit you knew that I was wrong" simula't simula palang they knew what I did, but they stood with me and let me try to correct it.

"I'm sorry I failed na itama lahat.." I added.

"Hush, Ali wouldn't want you blaming everything on yourself, get up and get out there. Be happy while you can, choose what will make you happy again.."

Bumitaw siya sa yakap before tucking my hair on my ear and holding my hands.

"I understand everything Soph, things happen for a reason. Fix what you need to fix for you to finally step forward, even though it requires a big step back"

I smiled and nodded at her sniffling.

We laughed softly and decided to walk back to Keily and Lance.

"Balik na tayo? baka nilunod na ni Lance si Keily sa kaartehan niya"

"Yeah, we probably should" I smiled.

We finished having lunch and now Ella and Keily are sleeping on one bed while I'm laying down sa kabila in my pair white satin pajamas.

It's 2:36 pm and the sun is too hot outside saka nag lolow tide na rin kaya nagdecide kaming magnight swim nalang mamaya with bonfire.

Lance went outside kanina pa, to snap some shots daw muna, mahilig talaga siya sa photography, marami siyang camera sa condo niya and may mga shots na rin siyang naibenta.

Ginawa na nga siyang private photographer ng dalawang to e.

I was checking my phone when the door opened and in came Lance wearing his sunglasses and black bucket hat.

"Oh bakit naman nakahubad ka?" I asked him, kanina lang nakadamit nakatopless nanaman.

"Wala, just fishing for chicks sa labas" he answered before putting down his cam sa may bedside table ko kasama ng hat at glasses niya.

"I'll take a shower before resting" he said as he entered the bathroom.

I yawned, nakakapagod bumiyahe e. I was supposed to lie down and try to sleep when I saw Lance's camera. Matingnan nga shots niya.

Some were candid of poeple sa beach, the water, waves mga corals fishes and a lot are the skies and trees and his feet in the sand. I smiled seeing how passionate he is in what he's doing.

Then lumabas yung mga photos nila Ella at Keily, I laughed at it. Mga feeling model e pasandal pa nga sa puno hahaha.

May pahiga pa sa buhangin Keily ibang iba, natatawa lang ako sa bawat swipe ko sa pictures.

Until I saw mine, nagulat ako that I almost dropped the cam. Hindi naman ako nagpapicture kanina.

These were taken as candid shots, of me smiling, laughing, walking with Ella. Kahit kumakain ng lunch.

I didn't know how to feel, I was clueless he was taking these kanina.

I put the cam down sa side table still shocked, humiga nalang ako ang tried to sleep para mawala yun sa isip ko.

"Soph" I woke up to Lance's soft voice, I slowly opened my eyes at napabaligwas ako at napaupo bigla when I saw na halos wala pang two inches yung layo ng mukha namin.

"Wh-why?" he got startled.

I looked around and saw Ella and Keily na napatigil sa pagbibihis na mukhang gulat din.

"Argh" I held my head, angsakit namang magising at tumayo bigla e.

"What's wrong Soph?" Lance asked worriedly.

"Huy gurl okay ka lang?" tanong ni Ella.

"Y-yeah, nagulat lang" I slowly stood up and checked my phone.

It's already 6:48 pm, kaya pala madilim na and naka on na lahat ng lights. Napasarap nanaman yung tulog ko.

"Get up and get ready, we're having dinner sa beach" Lance said habang sinusuot yung beige short sleeve polo niya and keeping it open since naka white tee siya sa loob and black shorts.

"Work it gurl! gutom na ako" Keily groaned.

Nagbihis na ako into a simple yellow cropped tee and shorts bago sinuot yung white jacket ko, malamig na kasi yung hangin sa labas.

"Ano ba yan hindi ko nagamit yung swim suit ko ngayon, gabi na wala nang makakakita sa sexy kong katawan" Keily pouted while we were having dinner.

"Good" Lance answered.

"Ang KJ mo talaga!" she complained.

"May dalawang araw ka pa para lumandi Keil don't worry" singit ni Ella bago sumubo ng lobster meat.

"By the way I reserved a trip to the next island bukas, better prepare your things later maaga daw bukas e" Lance said which earned a high pitch na tili kina Ella at Keily.

I just smiled at their excitement and looked at Lance before smiling so he just smiled back.

After dinner naglibot muna silang tatlo to take pictures again while nagpaiwan lang ako sa bonfire next to the shore, I needed some time to think sa mga sinabi ni Ella kanina.

I can hear the waves crashing the shore as the moon lit up the surroundings.

The light reflecting from the ocean was beautiful, naalala ko noon with Ali. We would watch the sun set until moonlight sa dagat sa Batangas, we would go surfing and things pag trip namin.

She taught me a lot of things I know I wouldn't even have tried if it wasn't for her.

Fishing, surfing, stargazing somewhere peaceful, waiting for the sun to set every day just to thank God for another day.

She made me the person I am today, whenever I fell she was there to guide me back up. She'd tell me she can't do anything else but to push me to help myself, that she didn't want me to be dependent to her.

She always pushed me to do better for myself and my dreams, hindi niya ako iniwan she was always by my side.

Hindi niya hinayaang mawalan ako ng liwanag when everything was dark around me, she never catched me from my back cause she didn't want me to feel like there's no down moments in life.

But she never let me waste a day to try and get back up again.

I'm getting teary eyed again as I was sitting sa buhangin hugging my knees.

Malamig yung hangin and it doesn't fail to make me feel sadder.

If I hadn't hurt in the first place, I shouldn't have let her go.

Nagulat ako when someone sat beside me.

"Thinking about something" si Lance.

"Hmm, yeah.. the good old days" I answered.

He fixed his position and looked at where I was looking, sa dagat, sa kalangitan.. sa nakaraan.

"Is it something? or someone?" I looked at him and smirked.

"She was everything.."

"I think she still is" he answered.

I looked at the fire infront of us and sighed.

"We were burning with endless sparks" I remembered everything about Ali, about out relationship.

How she makes me calm always, like she's there to protect me from anything, everything.

Her arms that gave me the feeling of home, her eyes that talked to my soul everytime.

Her lips.. her soft lips that made mine want to just crash it with hers.

"I kinda want to know more of this Ali.." he looked at me smiling softly.

"It seems like she took really good care of you"

"She did. She did really well.." I smiled bitterly.

"I loved everything she is. The way her eyes twinkle when I say I love her.."

I started to dig into my most treasured memories.

"The way her lips curls up showing her dimples when she's curious, when she licks it because she's trying to focus.."

"Her furrowed brows when she's too into what she's doing, especially gaming" I chuckled.

Lance was still looking at me, listening. It feels good to have someone want to know the person that built me up.

"The way she plays with my nose cutely everynight, when she flawlessly slays the piano when she plays it.. the way she hits the notes effortlessly when she sings me lullabies"

".. the way she smiles at me and say 'I'm so glad I'm yours'" I looked at Lance in the eye.

"I miss her Lance.." a tear suddenly feel on my cheek.

Lance just put my head on his shoulder.

"Don't cry, I'm here"

"I too had to give up something one time, something I thought I couldn't live without"

I listened to his every word, it's not everytime that he opens up.

"Mom and dad was a happy couple, until they had me.." he chuckled bitterly.

"Dad always felt bad pag si mommy ang gumagasto sakin, I wouldn't deny na mas mayaman yung mother side ko.. but it made dad feel useless"

"That's why he would hit her, his pride and ego became more important.."

He sighed loudly.

"It came to a point when he'd hit mom everynight, hard that she would need to see the doctor the next day.."

Is that why they left the Philippines?

"Until my birthday, when dad gifted me with my favorite perfume. Family came and dad felt so little with my maternal grandparent's treatment.."

"So that night he beat mom up, until there was blood everywhere, all I could do was cry sa gilid ng kama ko hearing all of it"

"Then the following week I found out we were flying to Seattle, and hindi kasama si dad.. I was so young hindi ko pa naintindihan lahat. Until I grew up"

"Until now, bumabawi na si dad, well yun ang sabi niya. He thinks paying for my studies will make up for all the years he wasn't there"

"I had to give up my life with a family, here in my home country so we could start anew, me and my mom"

"Dad also didn't want me to be a doctor, he said he's afraid I'd turn out like my mom.. a money greedy person who only thinks of themself"

"But I already lost too much to give him this, it's what I want. Not like mom, but more like myself. A doctor, who isn't in it for the money"

"I-I'm sorry Lance.." I sit up and looked at him.

"It's all done Soph, I can't keep having the past pull me from what I have now" he replied with a small smile.

Then I thought baka ako rin.. is letting go again a choice?

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"Nothing.. just things"

"Yeah, me too.. I'm thinking about 'things'" he smiled at me before tucking my hair in my ear and wiping my tears.

He held my cheek with his left hand and moved closer.

"I like you Sophia" he whispered.

I was taken aback by his words.

He moved closer, and closer slowly tilting his face.

I closed my eyes as I felt his lips touch mine.

In a hitch of a second he closed the gap between us and kissed me.

It was passionate and slow. Like he was conveying his love, his true nature and self.

I felt he moved his position facing me, still into the kiss.

I felt a shiver down my spine as I kissed him back. His other hand then held my waist.

Then I felt his tounge slowly entering my mouth so I gave him the permission to do so.

I was too into the kiss that I forgot everything around, the wave, the sky, the fire.. I was happy and settled.

His warm feeling engulfed me with calm and stopped the storms.

Neither wanted to pull out, so we kissed in the middle of everything. In the height of the moon, the ocean's view.

He turned his head and so did I, I was giving in to his every move. He caressed my cheek and started to deepen the kiss. I went with all his movements just letting things go by.

He slowly pushed me and held my head safely until I was laying in the sand and he was on top of me.

"Hmm" he moaned in between our kiss.

"Please let me love you, Sophia.."

~~~~~~~

uwu :/