Just like earlier, I bathed first and he let me borrow another set of his clothes. And just like what he said earlier, he promised not to hog my space and entrap me with his large physique as we sleep.

Pero nang magising kami pagkabukas ay hindi niya natupad ang pangako. If it wasn't for his arms that were tightly wrapped around me, I would've fallen to the floor already.

"Should I be sorry?"

Natatawa akong napailing sa kaniya. Kung magso-sorry nga siya, sigurado naman akong hindi iyon bukal sa kaniyang loob. He seems to be enjoying it when he wakes up with the both of us so close to each other as if we're glued.

Late na kaming nagising kaya buti na lang at after lunch pa iyong call time namin. We went island hopping and tried different water sports.

"Cara mia, we're going scuba diving," Iouis announced happily.

I pointed to myself with an exhausted sigh. Akala ko tapos na kami ngayong araw. "Pati ako?"

"It's optional," sagot niya at ginulo ang basa kong buhok.

Nandito kami ngayon sa parang floating bar na nasa gitna ng karagatan. Dito kami dinala ng isang speedboat para sa water activities. Ngunit ngayong may isa pang gagawin ang ibang mga kasamahan, mukhang aalis na kami rito.

Kami lang ni Lacey ang hindi sasama sa scuba diving ngunit sasama pa rin kami sa bangka. A speedboat brought us from the floating bar to the other boat. It was similar to the one we rode during our island hopping.

Habang nagscu-scuba diving sila, nanatili lang kami ni Lacey sa bangka. Kami ang tagakuha ng mga litrato at video para sa mga kasamahan.

Nang nakapag-dive na ang mga kasamahan ay saka lang kami ni Lacey  bumalik sa loob ng bangka para makapagpahinga. Nakaidlip pa ako at nagising lang nang marinig ang ingay ng mga kasama.

"Gising ka na," Iouis pointed out with a smile.

Magkatabi kaming dalawa at nakaakbay siya sa akin habang nakahilig ang ulo ko sa kaniyang balikat. Pareho kaming basa pero dahil nanatili ako sa barko ay may parte na sa damit ko na natuyo na.

I nodded while stretching my arms. "Oo, napagod ako."

Pabalik na kami at malapit na sa beachfront. Nang makadaong ang bangka ay isa ako sa pinakaunang umalis. Gustong-gusto ko nang maligo at magpahinga. Malagkit pa naman sa katawan ang tubig-dagat.

"Wait, Cara..." Iouis held my arms. Kung hindi niya iyon ginawa ay malamang tumakbo na ako papunta sa kwarto. "I have something for you."

Nang makita sina Frankie at Lacey na nagpapaunahan papasok ng hotel namin ay napanguso ako. Sigurado akong ako ang pinakahuling makakagamit ng banyo namin. Napakatagal pa naman ni Frankie maligo.

"You can use my bathroom," Iouis said with an apologetic smile. "This can wait but I got too excited so..." he trailed off. Kanina ay mukhang excited nga siya pero ngayon ay parang nagsisisi na.

"Okay lang... go on," I encouraged him and reached for his shoulder to caress it. Sandali pa siyang napapikit bago may kinuha mula sa kaniyang bulsa.

"We went to a much deeper diving spot and I got this..." he bit his lower lip while waving the small Ziplock in front of me.

I held his hand to stop him from waving it back and forth. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang laman ng Ziplock dahil nakakahilo ang ginagawa niya.

He smiled sheepishly before taking whatever it is out of the plastic. It was a small circular object, looking even smaller now that it's in his palm... it's a pearl!

"It's for you, Cara," namamaos niyang sambit. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ngunit nanatili lang siyang nakangiti.

I didn't know how to respond. I mean... he just told me that he got a pearl for me. And it's no ordinary pearl. He got it for me! He didn't buy it. He got it. Siya ang kumuha at sumisid sa karagatan... para sa akin.

"Woah." I was suddenly at loss for words and that was all that I can muster.

I shakily took the pearl from his palm. I'm not sure if the shaking is caused by the sudden gust of wind that made me shiver... or the fact that someone got me pearl.

I held the pearl with two of my fingers and placed it in front of my eyes. My eyes should be focused on the pearl in front of me, but my attention was now on Iouis who was smiling ear-to-ear. He looks like a happy kid who got a star from his teacher.

Kagat-kagat niya ang labi habang naghihintay sa sasabihin ko. He was looking expectantly.

But instead of using words, I hugged him instead. Niyakap niya ako pabalik at mas mahigpit iyon. It was a tight hug but still comforting. Doon ko ulit naramdaman ang pagod at gusto ko na lang magpahinga sa bisig niya.

"I have to take this first, Cara mia... I'll have it made as a pendant," Iouis said while still embracing me.

Tumango ako at hindi rin kinalas ang yakap. Umalis lang kami sa dalampasigan nang umihip ulit ang hangin at gininaw ako. My lips shivered and it made Iouis laugh the whole time we were walking to his room.

Iouis and I planned to have dinner at the beachfront and rest afterwards. Ngunit ang first half lang ng plano namin ang natupad dahil habang naglalakad-lakad kami sa dalampasigan pagkatapos kumain ay nagkayayaan sila na mag-bar ulit.

Iouis looked like he wanted to go so I went with him. Sumama rin naman kasi sina Frankie at Lacey.

Past ten na kaming nakarating sa bar dahil nilakad lang namin papunta sa kabilang station. Si Iouis ang napagdiskitahan ng mga kasama at siya ang pinabayad ng mga inumin.

Iouis was too generous and spent thirty thousand on the first round of drinks. Mamahalin din kasi ang mga taste ng mga kasama, lalo na si Dante na isang bote talaga ang pinabili at sinolo pa!

Kahit pa si Iouis ang nagbayad, hindi pa rin siya nakatakas sa mga shots. Ako mismo ay pagod na pero sobrang lively ng buong bar kaya parang biglang lumaho ang antok ko. At isa pa, aalis na kami bukas kaya susulitin ko na lang 'to.

Iouis and I bought our own drinks. At first, cocktails lang ngunit noong kalaunan ay hindi na masikmura ni Iouis ang iba't ibang flavors ng margarita na pinapainom ko sa kaniya at bumili na ng beer.

Hindi ko na nabilang kung ilang bote ang naubos namin. It didn't help that the bartender kept on suggesting more drinks to us that we got curious and bought whatever drink it is that he's talking about. Pati iyong mga order ng mga katabi namin sa bar counter ay binili ko rin dahil sa curiosity.

"Why are you just sitting there? You're so boring!" I looked up to Dante who has Frankie and Lacey on each of his side. May kaniya-kaniya silang mga bote ng inumin at mukhang tinamaan na.

I glared at Dante at stood up. Hinawakan ko si Iouis sa kamay at hinila siya papuntang dance floor. I heard Dante cheer for us while I only smirked.

The dance floor was too tiny for the amount of people that are dancing. At dahil sa sobrang sikip ay unti-unti akong nakaramdam ng init... or maybe it's the after-effect of drinking too much... I don't know... basta gusto kong sumayaw kasama si Iouis.

Most of the songs are David Guetta's and Chris Brown's so it was easy to sing along. Nakakatuwa rin dahil kahit hindi namin kakilala ang ibang mga nagsasayawan ay parang magbarkadahan kami.

Pinaypayan ko ang sarili habang patuloy sa pagkanta. Iouis took his handkerchief and used it to wipe my whole face. The girl dancing beside me paused when she saw Iouis fixing my hair. Napanguso ito bago lumapit kay Iouis.

"Kuya, ako rin... punasan mo 'ko please..." nagkatinginan kami ni Iouis at sabay na natawa. The girl looks older than the both of us but she still called Iouis "kuya".

Patuloy ako sa pagsayaw habang naestatwa naman ang dalawa sa tabi ko. They were both looking at me.

"Ate, hayaan mo na! I don't have a panyo with me here kasi! Hindi ko naman aagawin!" Anang babae at natatawa na rin.

Huli ko na lang napagtanto kung bakit sila nakatingin sa akin. They were both waiting for my go signal.

"Punasan mo kung gusto mo," I told Iouis in a high voice. Sobrang lakas ng speakers at parang hindi na ako makarinig nang maayos.

"But I don't like her!" Iouis answered while crinkling his nose. Napangiwi rin ito at mukhang ayaw talagang gawin ang request ng babae. "But she looks like my sister!"

I laughed because of what he said. He looks problematic. Napakamot pa siya ng ulo bago nakangiwing tiningnan ang babae.

Naawa ako sa kanilang dalawa kaya kinuha ko na lang ang panyo ni Iouis at tinupi iyon sa kabilang side na hindi nagamit. Saka ko lang pinunasan ang babae.

"Ate, I think I'm gonna puke!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa narinig. Gusto ko lang naman sumayaw pero bakit parang naging tagabantay na ako rito?!

I turned to Iouis. I don't want the girl to puke on me, but I also don't want to leave the dance floor.

I pouted at his direction. Napanguso siya at napasinghal pero hindi naman umangal. I didn't have to say anything since he already got my message.

Iouis guided the girl out of the crowd. My eyes followed them until they disappeared into another crowd.

Iouis really is a gentleman, huh? Akala ko sa akin lang pero mukhang nasa kaniya talaga ang katangiang iyon.

But I guess it's good to know that he's not being a "gentleman" to me just for a show.

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko tungkol kay Iouis nang nagpatugtog ng bagong kanta. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is now playing and it's one of the best remixes I heard.

While singing my heart out loud, I found myself with Frankie, Lacey, and Izarra. One of them handed me a drink and I gladly accepted it.

Sandali pa akong na-disappoint nang bumago ang kanta. The DJ didn't finish the whole song and it's Rihanna's S&M that's now playing.

I think the drinks I had tonight is the most that I ever had. Hindi ako nalalasing pero ngayon, nararamdaman ko na ang sarili na natatamaan... pero kaya ko pa naman! I'm just tipsy, that's all...

"'Cause I may be bad but I'm perfectly good at it..." I raised a hand up while singing.

Ang kamay ko na may hawak na bote ang siyang itinaas ko. I used my other free hand to comb my hair before sliding it down to my neck... and then to my chest, and even lower to my waist. I did all of it while sensually swaying my hips.

Frankie was also dancing but it was hiphop. Pareho sila ni Izarra. Si Lacey naman, nakatayo lang sa gilid at ang ulo lang ang ginagalaw.

Natuwa ako sa ginawa kaya inulit ko iyon. I brought my hand from my hair, down to my waist as I continued swaying my hips. And as I danced, my eyes searched through the crowd for Iouis.

And there he was, his striped long-sleeves polo now looking ruffled. The first two buttons are open and the sleeves are folded up to his elbows.

Magulo ang buhok at may ibang strands na nakatabon sa kaniyang mata. Nakangisi siya habang nakasandal sa bar counter.

Alam kong sa akin siya nakatingin kaya lalo akong naganahan. Hindi ko alam pero natutuwa ako tuwing tinutukso ko siya. Pumapatol kasi at ayaw magpatalo!

While looking at him, I licked my lips. He mirrored my move and that's when I confirmed that he is, indeed, looking at me.

I winked at him with a smirk. Gamit ang hintuturo ay tinawag ko siya palapit. Naputol lang ang tinginan namin nang tinapik siya ng bartender.

Iouis took the bottled water and made his way towards me. Nang makarating siya sa harapan ko ay nabuksan niya na ang tubig.

"Drink this."

I didn't have to be told twice. I drank half of the water but Iouis shook his head. Hindi siya umimik hanggang naubos ko ang isang bote ng tubig.

He placed the empty bottle on the nearby table before encircling his arms on my waist. "You are such a tease, Maldevaron..."

"You think it's effective, Euro?" I asked back, but this time, in a sensual tone.

Imbes na sagutin ako ay hinawakan niya lang ang magkabilang baywang ko at saka ako pinaharap sa kaniya. He bent his head a bit and leaned forward.

I saw a smirk form on lips as his face neared mine. Pinikit ko ang mga mata at hinintay siya. But instead of feeling his lips on mine, it was a tickling sensation that I felt.

"I don't know, Maldevaron... why don't you tell me," he whispered with equal intensity of sensuality. His lips are already touching my ear and it's sending me to the edge!

Bago pa ako makapag-react ay nilayo niya na ang mukha sa akin ngunit dikit na dikit naman ang mga katawan namin. I'm not sure if it was the alcohol or Shakira's Hips Don't Lie that made Iouis do what he is doing but... damn!

He's dancing! No! I don't think this can be considered as dancing. But if it is, then it's under the dirty dancing sub-category.

Iouis swayed his hips, doing a body roll while grinding his body against mine. Kahit nanlalaki ang mga mata dahil sa gulat ay sinabayan ko siya.

He pulled me closer to him until we were hugging. Habang nasa ganoong posisyon ay gumagalaw ang mga baywang namin.

I suddenly felt even hotter. Pawis na pawis ako ngunit nararamdaman ko naman ang lamig sa balat ko.

"Tell me now, Cara... is the dancing effective?" He whispered in my ear as I felt his hand on my back, pushing me even closer. "Because basing on the guys who are looking at you, the answer is yes..." his voice was husky and his tone hard.

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to admit that his effect on me is profound.

May mga nagtutulakan na sa dance floor, buti na lang at mabilis gumalaw si Iouis kaya nahatak niya ako palayo. Dumating din si Dante at binigyan kami ng tig-iisang bottled water.

Dante placed an arm around Iouis' shoulder. Humingi pa siya ng permiso sa akin na hihiramin niya raw muna si Iouis.

Ako naman, hinanap muna ang dalawang kaibigan. Nang makita silang dalawa na nakaupo sa may 'di kalayuan, saka lang ako lumabas ng bar. Gusto ko munang magpahangin dahil ang sikip talaga sa loob.

The bar was situated at the beach front. Kaya noong lumabas ako ay dumiretso ako sa may mga coconut trees at doon sumandal. Nadatnan ko pa si Benjamin na may kahalikan.

I don't mind, actually, but the two still stopped. Nang makaalis ang babae ay lumapit sa akin si Benjamin habang pinupunasan ang sariling bibig.

"So you and Iouis, huh? Who's next? Dante?" Tumaas ang kilay ko dahil sa narinig habang patuloy na inisa-isa ni Benjamin ang mga pangalan ng mga ka-block nila. "You have a thing for lawyers?"

Lalayo na sana ako dahil ayaw kong makipagtalo sa lasing. It's also not safe because I'm drunk too. Baka magsigawan at magsabunutan pa kami ni Benjamin. The alcohol might make me impulsive and unpredictable.

Ilang hakbang pa lang ang layo ko kay Benjamin ay hinatak niya ako pabalik. Galit ko siyang hinarap.

"What is this about?" I hissed.

"We kissed, Cara! It was the best kiss!"

Literal na napanganga ako dahil sa narinig. Hindi ko siya maintindihan. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala na natatandaan niya pa iyon!

At kahit pa nagkahalikan kami, ano naman ngayon? We both had a drink that time! Alam naman naming pareho na wala naman iyong kahulugan!

"This is the problem with you girls! Just because you have the looks, it doesn't mean that you can toy with boys!"

I rolled my eyes at him. What a dramatic man! Buti na lang at hindi ganito si Iouis!

"I just saw you kissing with another girl!" He is such a hypocrite! Pero hindi... hindi ako papatol... Benjamin is not like this on a normal basis. Lasing lang talaga siya.

I called a bouncer and asked him to help Benjamin. Timing din at nakita ko si Iouis na palabas ng bar habang nakaakbay sina Lacey at Frankie sa kaniya. The two look half-asleep but they were still smirking and laughing animatedly.

Lumapit ako sa kanila at saka tinulungan si Iouis. Tama nga ako at parang tulog na ang dalawa ngunit patawa-tawa pa rin.

Sinusundot-sundot na ni Frankie ang pisngi ni Iouis habang si Lacey naman ay iniisa-isa ang buhok ni Iouis. Tanging ngiwi at "aw!" lang ang magawa ng isa.

"I'm gonna bring them back to the hotel first, then I'll come back for you," ani Iouis. He looks like he's struggling but I don't think he is. He looks at ease... parang sanay na siya.

"Huh? Why?" Hindi niya ako isasama? Hindi naman ako makikiakbay, ah! I can still walk unlike my friends.

It was his turn to give me the confused look. He tilted his head questioningly. "You're not partying anymore? I'll come back for you, and then we'll go back to the hotel together... whenever you want."

Now I get it. Although my world seems to be spinning right now, I managed to come near him. I smiled appreciatively at him.

"Ikaw? Ayaw mo nang mag-party?"

"It depends..." He shrugged. "If you're in the party then yes. If you're not there... then I do't see the point of staying."

I rolled my eyes at him. I was about to playfully slap his shoulder but Frankie did it for me.

"Ang landi mo!"

"Bolero!"

Sabay na nagsalita sina Frankie at Lacey. Napailing-iling na lang kami ni Iouis.

I already knew that walking back to the hotel would take time. But now that we're helping the two walk, the time it took us to arrive doubled.

At some point, Frankie and Lacey stopped holding on to us and insisted that they could walk on their own. It was less work for me and Iouis, but the two are easily distracted. Naglalakad nga sila pero pagewang-gewang naman at kung ano-ano ang nakikita.

Iouis probably got impatient and carried the two of them on his shoulders. Mukha tuloy siyang kumakarga ng dalawang sako ng bigas. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano niya nakaya ang dalawa.

"Ah... fuck..." Iouis groaned and stretched his arms.

The two were now sleeping soundly. Bago-bago lang ay nagpupumiglas sila dahil ayaw nilang umalis sa balikat ni Iouis. Frankie even tried to climb back on his shoulder.

While Iouis was struggling, I was laughing at the side. Gusto ko rin sanang tumulong pero aniya na kaya niya na raw. Just like earlier, he looks at ease. Sanay na talaga siguro siya dahil may mga kapatid din siyang babae.

"Will they be okay here?" He asked worriedly while looking at me. Now he doesn't look drunk.

Tumango ako at iginiya na siya palabas. I already helped the two wash their faces and change their clothes. Nakumutan ko na rin ang dalawa at mahimbing na ang tulog.

Instead of going inside his room, we went to the beachfront. Nakatayo lang kami roon habang pinagmamasdan ang karagatan.

"Iouis," I called.

Nang magkaharap kami ay ipinalibot ko ang mga braso sa kaniyang leeg. Mas inilapit ko ang mukha sa kaniya, tama lang na magkadikit ang aming mga ilong pero may distansya pa rin sa pagitan ng mga labi namin.

"Tayo na?" I asked.

Based on how we've been acting lately, I think it's safe to assume that we're together now... or I don't know... he never asked!

"But I'm still—"

Alam ko na ang sasabihin niya kaya inunahan ko na. "Ligawan mo 'ko araw-araw!" I suggested with a pompous shrug.

He was about to speak but I reached for his lips again. He pulled away, gasping for air. His hand was cupping the side of my face as his gaze met mine.

"Let's go back to your room."

His serious and calculating eyes remained on me. And in a slow and almost-dramatic way, he nodded.