"Anna?"

I continue to fail to get words out my mouth. She's standing right in front of me, hands inches away from the same cloth I'm holding, and still I feel the heat and cold eat me at the same time.

I gulped as she raised her brows waiting for me to respond. Ano? hindi ba siya sure na ako to?

"Ah.. are you alright?" puta, walang pinagbago sa napakaganda mong boses.

"Sam!!" rinig ko nalang ang boses ni Ella sa likod ko at napalingon kaming pareho sa direksyon nila.

Keily and Ella were excitedly walking to us with all our luggages.

"Oh buti nakarating kayong buhay" she remarked smiling. Dang this bullshit, angganda niya parin ngumiti.

A lot of things were happening, even around us, but nothing deemed more important then her sight. In a white loose button shirt and tan colored ankle pants, na kahit naka slip on lang siya sobrang presentable niya parin.

The moon shines just right on her shoulder length hair, that seemed to have turned lighter and more compared to waves than straight. Things have definitely changed.

But nothing seemed to be more familiar than her gleaming eyes of hazel; how they speak of a dozen truth and passion.

Have I always been this dumb to not notice how good her skin is looking, alagang may bebe ata yun e. I smiled sadly.

"Bat naman parang nakamute ka jan Sophia? hello?" Ella waved her hand on my face as I was left looking at them with awe.

"Ano ba?" I pushed her hand away and fixed my self.

"Shet namiss kitang tanga ka!" lumapit na si Ella kay Sam, and to no surprise of course she looked uncomfortable as the two hugged her. She bit her lip in awkwardness, I've always known how she never wanted skinship but still lets our friends do their thing.

"Hnggg bango parin ah" Keily commented which made me lose my smile. Ano daw? mabango? aba nangiinggit batong hayop na to?

"Soph, baka gusto mo namang magparamdam? naiwan ka sa Pilipinas teh?" I saw Ali pin her head down and giggled sa sabi ni Ella.

Shit, mapapahamak tayo nito, angsarap niya lang panoorin.

"Aray!" I got startled when I felt someone tug my hair from behind kaya hinarap ko na agad kung sino ito.

"Ano ba nama-" napatigil ako when I saw her.

"Bri!!" I jumped to hug her.

"In the flesh bitches!!" sumunod na kaming dinaganan nina Ella at Keily hanggang sa matumba kaming apat habang nagtatawanan.

I decided to stand up first bago sila tulungang tumayo.

I laughed habang pinapagpag ang damit ko at of course yung scarf ko. I suddenly saw Ali beside with hands on her pockets silently laughing at us, then and there I felt like hinihigop ako ng black hole. Walang hiyang tadhana.

"Tumayo na kayo angiingay niyo! nakakahiya!" I then saw someone looking at us seriously standing almost 5 meters away beside a car.

"Ah- I'm really sorry, I had to bring him down here for safety" napalingon ako kay Ali na biglang nagexplain, napansin niya atang nakita ko yung lalake from afar.

"Ahhh body guard?" I replied.

"You can call him that, he's pretty much all around" I just formed my mouth into an 'o' and smiled at her. She's really that high now huh.

"Bat naman hindi mo sinasagot chat kong bata ka!?" Ella asked Bri.

"Duh, shempre surprise oh kami sumundo sainyo, diba Sam? gandang idea nga niya to e-"

"Ah oo, ano the driver backed out last minute so we had to go fetch you" Ali cut her off as she was explaining.

"Ha? wala namang nangyaring back out-"

"You know what? it's getting late, I'm sure pagod kayong lahat" I'm sure I saw a glimpse of an eye warning from Ali to Bri, and I know Bri, she's definitely teasing her.

"Ay alam niyo oo, pagod ako, angsakit ng ulo ko talaga Sam, lalo na sayo Sophia, hindi ka kakain hayop ka hanggang mabayaran mo yung ginasto mo sa premium plane food" singit ni Ella.

"Omg can we eat still? may bukas pa bang kainan guys? I want to make gala na agad" Keily insisted.

"Bet ko yan Keil" pag suporta ni Bri.

"I mean, are you guys sure? di kayo pagod? Anna? do you want to eat first?" ha? napaturo ako sa sarili. This is as awkward as it can get.

"Oy, Anna daw, kain ka daw teh?" pangasar ni Ella nakataas pa ang kilay.

"Uhm yeah sure, sige" I tried to act cool and smiled. Tumango nalang si Ali.

I was about to take my bag nang maunahan niya akong hawakan yung handle nito kaya binawi ko agad yung kamay ko at kunyaring kumamot sa batok.

She just smiled at me and went on at kinuha pa yung isang bag before rolling them out to the car.

"Tara? I know a good place" sabi niya bago nagpatuloy sa paglakad.

Okay shit. It's been fucking minutes ngayon lang ako nakahinga, kailangan ko na atang umuwi baka ikamatay ko to.

"Uyyy kilig siyaaa, tanga lang? engaged yan teh ha" pangiinis pa ni Ella kaya napailing nalang ako bago sumunod sakanila.

"Ay! sino si Kuya? pogi oh, kahit naka black shirt lang hngg" Keily commented as we neared the guy beside the car.

"I heard from Ali he's a body guard" I replied.

"Ay may ganon? bakit may death threats ba?" pagaalala niya.

"Sira anong alam ko? pareho tayong kararating lang oh" I commented pero it sure gave me chills thinking maybe meron nga.

"Mga baliw walang death threats, hindi naman talaga dapat kasama si kuya mo guard, pinagpilitan ata ni fiancée" Bri then spoke beside us.

"Ah protective" Keily said. Mukha namang mahal nga siya, kung ako rin naman gusto kong safe si Ali- shit! I mentally slapped my self, ano bang isip to.

"Hmm, medj. Magsstart palang kasi ng business meeting investors you know yung mga ganung bagay" Bri replied unbothered.

"Buti nakahanap siya ng time magbakasyon" I said.

"Shempre lakas ka sakanya e" I furrowed my brows and looked at Bri.

"Ano? bat ako?" I asked confused.

"Lakas rin ng kutob kong miss nako ni Ella kaya chichikahin ko na muna siya" she then escaped from us.

"Ano daw?" napakibit balikat nalang si Keily as we reached the car.

"Ah guys si Matt, you don't got to worry about him, he doesn't bite" Ali winked at him smilling habang pinapakilala niya samin si kuya guard, meanwhile he did not even bulge and just smiled shyly before heading to the driver's seat.

"Ay shet beh, papi" Keily whispered.

Fine, he has such a perfect bod pero makatarungan naman yun noh guard siya e.

"Pwede mine nalang po hngg" maarteng bulong ni Keily.

"Huy umayos ka nga ikaw isisilid ko sa trunk" I threatened her.

"Akin na yung gamit niyo!" I heard Ella shout from the back of the car ay they were loading our bags.

"Saglit naman madam, nagnanasa pako ih"

"Apaka dugyot mo Keily, umuwi ka na nga!" I commented.

"Hng! to naman! sige pang breakfast nalang, rawr" aba. Hinila ko na palayo tong babaeng to bago lapain si Matt nang buhay.

Nasa passenger's seat na si Ali at kami ang magkatabi ni Keily sa next row of seats while nasa likod sina Ella at Bri.

"You guys okay with local cuisine?" biglaang tanong ni Ali.

"Ah e ayaw ko e" Keily replied.

I looked at her confused.

"Gusto ko yung local- driver mo ehe" she then added.

"Puta ano? nakakahiya San Pedro" banat ni Ella sa likod habang natatawa si Bri.

Ali just scoffed.

"I'm pretty much used to girls flocking over Matt kahit san kami mapunta" she said smiling.

"Pero okay na kami kahit saan Ali, ikaw naman may alam dito" I said na nagpatahimik ng lahat.

"Uyy uma- Ali" I heard Bri whispered from the back kaya lumingon ako agad sakanila and caught them just giggling.

Akma ko nang kukurutin si Bri but Ella protected her, like always pucha. I just rolled my eyes on them.

"Let's take the usual Matt" I heard Ali commanded kaya nagstart nang umandar yung sasakyan.

"By the way, I'm sorry my fiancée's not gonna be able to come till the day after tomorrow, she had scheduled shoots before this" ah oo pala si ateng fiancé, muntik ko nang makalimutan.

Shoots? kala ko ba lawyer? may pa shooting? bongga.

"It' s all good Sammy, ingat siya pakisabi" Ella replied with a smile.

I looked back at them and saw Ella na minamata mata ako.

"Ano nanaman?" I whispered.

She just stuck her tongue out, ugh childish piece of shit.

"The place is a bit far from the airport kaya rest na muna kayo" Ali then told us. I decided na sumandal nalang muna sa bintana. I can see passing lights as we leave the city, it's such a beautiful night.

"Huy Soph" I didn't realize na nakaidlip ako as Keily was already waking me up softly before telling na andito na kami.

I immediately reapplied my balm as the wind was getting pretty dry outside. I stretched as I got down the car, the breeze is certainly more refreshing outside main land.

"This snack bar has been here for the longest time, first time I went sa lugar na to sikat na sila" nagulat ako nang tumabi sakin si Ali.

"Ah ganun ba? kailan ka ba unang nakarating dito?" I asked.

She looked at me smiling, shit masyado bang chismosa ang dating.

"Three years ago, for a business meeting" she replied.

"Ah, takes you places talaga noh? business" I replied.

"Hmm well, I guess so. Tara?" sagot niya bago ako inayang tumuloy na.

"Wala pa tayong ilang oras dito mauubusan ka na ng storage sa phone Ella e" I intruded as I saw them taking pictures for the hundredth time now.

"Tumahimik ka nga, KJ edi bili nalang ng bagong phone" aba angyabang.

"Wow yaman" I regarded.

"Duh ikaw magbabayad may utang ka sakin noh, di ko makakalimutan yung ginawa mo" I laughed.

"Hahaha galing ko talaga, naenjoy niyo rin naman yung wine noh" totoo naman di ko naman sila kinalimutang orderan.

"Boró na páro tis parangelíes sas?" bigla nalang may nagsalita sa tabi naming waiter, kala ko ba snack bar sosyal naman here.

"Boreíte na mas dósete chróno?, we'd like to talk it out" Ali replied with as perfect diction which got me looking in awe while halatang naguguluhan lang sila Ella.

"Entáxei" umalis na muna yung waiter and Ali faced us.

"Nudaw?" Ella asked.

"Pili na muna kayo" Ali chuckled kaya tumingin nalang kami sa menu pero wala parin akong maintindihan.

Hinila ko si Keily palapit bago bumulong.

"Keil, ano to? wala bang picture?" nilakihan ko siya ng mata.

"Ano daw? pwedeng hatdog nalang?" pagloloko ni Bri.

Ali laughed at us and started explaining yung laman ng menu. Her every word sounded like she really knew how things go around here, almost like a local.

"So? ano nang gusto niyo?" hindi ko manlang napansin na tapos na siya magexplain wala pa akong naiintindihan and I'm too shy to ask her again.

Tinawag na ni Ali yung waiter before looking at me while I'm still trying to think, nahihiya na rin ako sa tingin ni Ali waiting for my word.

"Uhm-" I gulped.

"You can go first" she said.

"Ah? ako?"

I looked at the other na umiwas ng tingin nahihiya ring umorder.

"Ahm.."

Ali chuckled.

"I should go first then" nakahinga ako ng konti.

"Éna kolokythokefádes, éna piáto souvláki kai fysiká o baklavás sas parakaloúme" she said.

"Wow kala ko ba di ka gutom?" Bri commented.

"Oh, samin nang dalawa ni Sophia yun" Ali replied which left them fake coughing, and Bri hiding back a sly smile at me.

I opened my mouth to talk back but as soon as I saw Ali just smiling at me telling me to not mind them, pumirmi nalang ako.

"So? kayo naman umorder, nangaasar kayo ha. Goodluck" Ali smirked at them teasingly as I laughed at them.

She's just as goofy, sadista sa salita ni Ella. I smiled as I look at her crossing her arms looking at the three who's panickingly going over their menus.

"Ah- ena, I mean ano this one- you know?" Keily desperately tried to point out kay kuya waiter while all of us were pushing back laughs.

"Would you like me to explain the menu ma'am?" the waiter suddenly asked.

We were left dumbfounded when he spoke perfect english.

"Wha-, how?" Ella stuttered.

They all looked at Ali who's cluching her stomach while laughing.

"What the hell Buenavista?!" she demanded at her.

"What? I didn't say you had to order in Greek" Ali defended which made me laugh with her sa katangahan nilang tatlo.

"Aba putang-" binato ni Ella yung hand bag niya kay Ali as she caught it and still couldn't stop laughing at them.

"Hayup na yan, makakabawi din kami" Bri then said before shyly ordering. Finally, we're gonna be able to eat after all.

The rest is history that night. The food was absolute bomb, Ali's taste never failed to amaze me.

Nakahiga na kami resting, Keily beside me is already sleeping soundly but I couldn't sleep kaya tinuloy ko na muna mag ayos ng gamit.

Pagkatapos ay bumaba muna ako to get my other luggage at iakyat na to when I noticed a light sa may living room.

The house we're staying in was a rented one called Villa Daria, a cozy four-bedroom home in white and soft blue palette with wood accents. It gives the best view of the vast ocean from uphill, away from the bustling city noise, sobrang nakakawala lang ng stess dito.

Bumaba na ako and made my way to our luggages when I heard a voice.

"Yes, and please cancel this week's meetings. I've already talked to dad about it" Ali was in front of her laptop, in a call sitting sa may sofa looking tired.

I watched her as she seemed to be focused sa ginagawa niya when she suddenly noticed me na nakatayo sa gilid.

"Oh, sorry nagising ba kita?" she dropped her call.

"Ha? ah no, iaakyat ko lang yung natitira naming gamit" I answered.

"Let me help" she instantly stood up and went to me to help.

"Sigurado ka? kaya ko naman" I asked her muna, mukhang busy siya e.

"That? it's just an urgent call I had to take, matutulog na rin ako after. Ikaw rin, I'm guessing nakakapagod parin ang biyahe from the Philippines kahit lagi kang tulog" she smiled habang binuhat na yung isa pang luggage habang buhat ko naman yung isa paakyat.

I smiled back, she still knew how I travel.

"Hahaha yeah, wala paring nagbago-"

"I mean sa ano, sa mga ginagawa ko pag may biyahe" I smiled awkwardly.

She chuckled.

"Take a rest, kahit saglit lang. I'll make sure tomorrow's light para hindi kayo mabigla" she said bago ibaba na yung luggage sa may kwarto namin ni Keily at umalis, closing the door behind her.

"Ugh! I seriously need to stop talking around her" I piched my self.

Humiga na ulit ako sa kama, tulog na rin naman sina Ella at Bri sa kabilang kwarto so I tried to close my eyes when I suddenly heard a whisper.

I opened my eyes only to see Keily looking at me directly.

"Ay anak ng butiki!" napaatras ako sa gulat.

"Huyyy shh ka lang baka magising sila" tinakpan niya yung bunganga ko kaya tinanggal ko to agad.

"Tanga ka ba? ginulat mo ako noh" I whispered back.

"Hindi kaya, magugulatin ka lang talaga" she answered.

"E bakit ba kasi gising ka bigla?" I asked.

"Samahan moko"

"Ano? saan? ala una na ng gabi Keil" inangat ko na yung kumot sa katawan ko.

"Baka gising pa si Matt, ackkk" she softly squealed.

"Jusko Keily ihuhulog kitang first floor" pagbabanta ko.

"Okay lang, nasa first floor naman yung single room niya noh hnggg" she added.

"Aba sige halika iuntog kita sa pintuan niya para pagkamalan kang may masamang balak at barilin ka na" I pulled her ear kaya napa mahinang tili nalang siya.

"Sakit naman ih" reklamo niya.

"Mas masakit mabaril, matulog ka na" I turned around to face the other way after commanding her.

"Fine sige, konting support lang naman hmp" pagtatampo niya.

"Ewan ko sayo, goodnight" that was the last thing I remember before I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up at the sound na narinig ko coming from downstairs and saw Keily still soundly asleep kaya nag cr na muna ako bago bumaba.

Dumeretso na ako sa kitchen pass the last set of luggages to drink water when I saw someone fussing over sa my stove area all dressed.

"Ang aga mo na pala magising Bri ha" I drank my water before facing her.

"Hi" I almost spat it all out as I saw someone else facing back at me, shit akala ko si Bri. Who? she's so familiar.

White shirt tucked in denim jeans and black coat, my memory is not working right at all. It can't be.

"Wh- hi? a-are you perhaps?.."

She smiled reaching out her hand.

"Justice, Sam's fiancée"

~~~~~~~

uwu :/