The thing about life is you never know when one misstep can lead your life astray.

-100  Days My Prince

✈️| T H E N – 2012 |✈️

Dalawang linggo na mula ng University day namin. Hindi pa rin ako masiyadong pinapansin ng mga kaibigan ko, lalo na si Felix.

"Hindi ka ba susunduin ni Seth, Andy?" tanong ni Mimay.

"No. Alam mo naman, graduating. Busy 'yun sa thesis nila ng group niya," sagot ko.

"Convenient," komento naman ni Felix. I stiffened at what he said and faced him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, convenient for you that Seth's busy. Hindi ka niya mapuntahan dito. Hindi rin niya alam ang mga ginagawa mo," diretsong sagot ni Felix.

"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo," I said defensively even though my stomach clenched with the tension.

Hilaw siyang tumawa at umirap pa sakin.

"Hay Andy. 'Wag ka na nga magkunwari."

"Felix, tama na," awat ni Mimay.

"Anong tama na, Mimay. Pasalamat nga siya wala tayong sinasabi kay Seth eh. Pero sana, siya mismo, mahiya sa ginagawa niya!"

Napikon na rin ako sa pananalita ni Felix lalo na sa tawa niya.

"What do you mean?"

"O, andiyan na pala ang sundo mo," the mockery in Felix's voice couldn't be ignored so I looked behind me expecting to find Seth but it was Andrei that I saw.

"Sige na, Andy. Umalis na kayo," pangtataboy ni Felix, hindi na ako tinitingnan.

Guilt crept in my heart. Sabihin ko man na magkaibigan lang kami ni Andrei, walang magkaibigan na nanunuod ng sine na sila lang habang magkahawak ang kamay. I'm a cheater. I'm cheating on Seth. It's only a matter of time before all of these blow up in my face.

✈️| N O W- 2018 |✈️

The other side of the lake was more tranquil because few tourists choose to stay there. Mas marami sa mga turista ang nagiikot na para magpakuha ng litrato sa iba pang mga atraksiyon ng Pocheon Art Valley.

"Seth, puwede bang umupo muna tayo rito?"

He nodded and obliged quietly.

"Kamusta na ang mga kaibigan mo? Sina Mimay at Felix?" he asked.

"Felix is now a public school teacher. Si Mimay naman, nasa US na. She's a full-time mom. Do you remember Ruby Rose? She's also married. Nandito rin siya sa Korea."

"Ikaw, kelan ka mag-aasawa?" he asked teasingly.

I laughed a bit too loud to mask the awkwardness I felt.

"Pag nagkaboyfriend na ako. Pero seryoso, single ako kaya..." I trailed off and looked away towards the lake again. I want to let him know that I don't have a boyfriend but neither did I want it to seem like I'm throwing myself all over him.

"Sa ganda mong 'yan?" dagdag pangaasar niya pa.

I hit his shoulder playfully and laughed with him. We've only been together for a couple of hours but I already feel at ease. Well, as at ease as I can be under the circumstances. Seth had always that ability— to make other feels comfortable around him.

✈️

Herb Island is technically not an island. When I looked it up online, google said that it's a "playful park offering an eclectic array of themed attractions, plus cafes & a souvenir shop".

According to visitkorea.or.kr, "It is comprised of a pink wish tunnel, sparkling buildings, Santa Village, photo zone and other twinkling places for visitors to enjoy."

Doon din daw nag-shoot ng ilang scenes ang Kdrama na Oh My Venus. Since I haven't seen that series, I wasn't really interested in the place.

"That area is where the restaurants are located," our tour guide said and gestured towards our right. He then proceeded to give us maps of the place and advised us to be back in the bus in two and a half hour's time.

"Ang iksi naman," komento ko.

"Kain na muna tayo?"

I assented to Seth's suggestion and we headed towards Athens hall restaurant.

"Isn't this a bit too fancy?" I asked, eyeing the other guests. "Mukha silang mga rich mom sa mga Kdrama tapos aalokin ka nila ng malaking pera para layuan ang mga anak nila. 'Yung mga ahjoomah," dagdag ko pabulong.

Seth laughed and touched my waist lightly to usher me to a seat.

"Don't worry about it. My treat. It's the least I can do for not taking better care of you," Seth said as the waiter approached us.

We had Herbs Beef Sirloin Steak, Herbs Grilled Short Rib Patties Steak and pizza.

"Grabe! Busog na busog ako!" reklamo ko paglabas namin.

"Kaya nga, tamang-tama para maglakad-lakad tayo rito."

It was twilight already and the magical electric lights transformed the whole place into a veritable wonderland.

We trailed the other tourists languidly, not bothering to take photos. We spoke about our lives after we parted ways in college. The thing is even though we were good friends before we became a couple, Seth and I never really got to meet each other's families although we lasted a whole year. Nevertheless, we told each other about them before and somehow, catching up with the news don't seem so weird now.

"Hindi na kami nagkikita ni Tricia mula nang lumipat sila sa Manila."

"May baby na sila ng asawa niya. Last year lang. Halos sabay sila ng Ate ko nagkaroon ng anak."

"Ahhh... parang kailan lang, no? Pero parang ang tagal na rin at the same time," I commented half wistfully. Kung hindi kami nag-break dati, baka pati kami may anak na rin sana ngayon.

✈️| T H E N – 2012 |✈️

My phone vibrated inside my pocket but I chose to ignore it instead. Pinilit ko ang sarili na mag-concentrate sa pinapanood namin na sine pero hindi ko maipagkaila na distracted na ako.

"Andy, nilalamig ka ba?" tanong ni Andrei sabay akbay sakin.

"Yeah... actually I think I need to go to the toilet. Stay here. Babalik din ako agad," I said without emotion. Kanina lang ay kilig na kilig ako nang inakbayan niya ako...

I didn't need to check my phone to realize it was Seth that was calling me. Ayoko magsinungaling kung nasaan ako kaya hindi ko na sinagot.

I splashed cold water on my face and looked at myself reflected on the mirror.

Gusto ko man isisi 'to kay Andrei, alam ko na ako talaga ang may kasalanan dahil hindi niya naman ako pinilit na sumama sa kaniya.

Magi-isang buwan na mula nang matapos ang pageant pero nagkikita pa rin kami ni Andrei. Sabay na kami kumain halos araw-araw. Hindi niya man ako naihahatid sa bahay, naglalakad naman siya kasama ko hanggang sa sakayan ng jeep.

Halos lahat nga yata ng kakilala namin, ang pagkakaalam ay kami na.

Ano ba ang ginagawa ko? Bakit ko ginagawa kay Seth 'to? He doesn't deserve this. He's a good guy.