A piece of the past...

With her father now in prison, Troy thought Dannie would start to recover.

But two weeks after her father was arrested and sent to prison for child abuse, he noticed that Dannie was getting worse. She looked unkempt compared to her usual clean and tidy self. And she barely fought back to his banters.

"What do you think is wrong with her?" he asked Miguel and Lee.

"Her father's gone to prison, right?" Lee asked.

"Maybe they are still adjusting. The man worked for their food," said Miguel.

"Her mother doesn't work?" Troy asked.

Lee shrugged. "We don't know a lot about Danica."

They later confirmed that Dannie was having money problems after eavesdropping in Jackie and George's conversation.

But with everything he had heard and with how Dannie was acting in class, Troy couldn't help but think that something else was happening with her. He just couldn't point it out.

PRESENT DAY

"Bored" was not enough a word to picture what I was feeling that time.

It was not summer season so there were not a lot of sexy vics and gals around. I could even count with my tires the number of vehicles that caught my attention over the past two days or so of my stay on the island.

I was missing a lot of action in Bacolod. The wedding was on its way and I knew the bride and groom would be going around town meeting a lot of interesting people. And I needed something fun and fresh even for just a while.

Dannie baby and Troy seemed to have forgotten that they had driven me to this freaking island. When would we go out of the resort and tour the place? The last time I was here, Jordan and Georgie were having some push-and-pull issues of their own that they forgot the island had more things to offer than kissing and fighting. I couldn't even close my headlights and remember what had happened the last time I was here because it was a total failure. Jordan was a big failure that time and I prayed Troy would not follow his example.

*****

After their dinner at the seashore, the air around them had somehow relaxed. Dannie was glad that Troy was back to his old self and thankful that he chose to forget about what he found out about her past. If he was still bothered, he never showed.

"What do you want to do?" she asked him the following day. They just had breakfast at the Filipino restaurant in the resort and Troy was playing with his camera again.

He mumbled something which she did not catch.

"What?"

He looked up and looked at her with a blank expression. "What?"

She gave out a sigh and slouched in her chair. "This was your plan, remember? Don't you have any plans for today?"

"Why? Are you getting bored?"

"No, but I'd like to know if you have any plans so I'll know what I can do today."

"Should everything be planned for you?"

She stared at him for a time before answering, "I like to be organized. So?" When he continued to tweak his camera instead of answering her question, she prodded, "Troy." When he continued to ignore her she kicked him under the table as she called, "Brady!"

"Ow! What? What?" he asked with irritation.

"What's the plan?"

He placed his precious camera on the table and leaned back in his chair. "You're so impatient. Why don't you just relax in your seat and enjoy this moment? Enjoy the view," he finally said, waving one arm toward the open blue-green shore. "Breath them all in before you lock yourself in that convent."

She opened her mouth to argue but he held up his hand to stop her.

"I know, that was a strike. But you can't deny I'm right. This might be the last moment you'll ever get to enjoy something like this."

She inhaled a lungful of the ocean air, containing the remarks she wanted to throw at him, and calmed herself. "I just want to know what your plans are for today. I was hoping you have a lot, considering you took me here to change my mind."

He opened his mouth in feigned wonderment. "Wow. You actually reminded me of my persona agenda. Now I get the feeling that you unconsciously want me to really execute my plans."

Did she? Dannie shook her head. She had made her decision and she'd stick to it. She was going back to the convent.

*****

When I saw them coming toward me, I did not have that much hope. These people had the tendency to just go to where I was and have a talk, a fight or some sort of romantic moment like kissing and making out. Them coming toward me could not easily mean they were going to take me out for a drive.

Hey, my tires are developing ARTIRETIS here! Care to give me some exercise? I told them as they came near.

But hope started rising when I noticed Dannie baby carrying her bag and Troy freaking Brady's excited steps.

Okay, so we are going somewhere, right? You're driving me around, right?

And the answer was in Troy's hand. My keys!

He opened the door for Dannie and climbed behind my wheel after. I tell you, I didn't mind his weight at all. I was so eager to spin my wheels to even care about how Troy's size was crowding my front seat. As a matter of fact, I had long ignored it.

I am so excited! Where are we going? Huh, where?

Before my question was answered, Troy's phone rang. He gave a frustrated sigh as he tapped the screen and said, "What, Jackie?"

"You're on speaker. Where are you guys?" Jackie's voice boomed through the speaker.

"We're just about to go out to tour the island," Troy answered. "Danica's here."

"Good. Dannie, you have to go home. The wedding's not happening without you, remember?"

"I suggest you go home as soon as you can," Georgie's voice added.

"They are just cramming," Dean added somewhere. "Go and enjoy yourselves."

"Thanks, man!" Troy answered with a grin. "Did you hear that, boys?"

"We were not talking to you," Jackie's voice snapped. "Dannie, are you all right?"

"Yes," Dannie baby answered. "I thought you told me to stay away for a while."

"Well, yes, we did. But now you can go home. We need you here."

"And we need you to fit your dress again," Georgie added. "Troy, take her home."

"Why the hell would I do that? The wedding's still two weeks away. And it's not like Danica's the one going down the aisle, right? We'll go home on time, don't worry."

"We always worry! She's with you! Who wouldn't worry?!" Jackie cried out.

"Hey, you know me! I keep my promises!" Troy said in defense.

"You promised you'd go online last time the clan had a battle and you didn't," Dean spoke.

I saw Dannie baby roll her eyes.

"I was driving! Did you put me back? How could you kick me out of the clan?"

"What the hell! Stop talking about COC!" Georgie cried out. "Jordan! The water's boiling! I'll throw that stupid iPad if you don't take your hands off it this instant!" she added, her voice fading away.

"Hey, Troy, did you hear us? Take Dannie home," Jackie said over the commotion.

"Hearing you guys right now makes us want to stay here," Dannie finally said. "Can't you guys fight over something more adult-worthy?"

"Jackie, let's go," Dean said from somewhere. "We'll be late!"

"Troy! Did you hear me?"

"Yes. And I will disobey. We'll be home in time, but not anytime soon, okay?"

"Dannie!" Jackie cried out desperately.

"Jackie, come on!" Dean's voice called out.

"I am walking toward you!" Jackie shouted at him. "Dannie, did you hear me? Just go home. We need your help."

"Goodbye, Jackie," Troy said dryly.

"She's okay, right? Dannie, you're doing fine, right? You're not hurt?"

"I am very healthy, Jackie," Dannie answered.

"Good. But you guys need to go home and-"

Troy ended the call before Jackie finished. He threw his phone on the dashboard and started my engine. "Now, let's put that behind us and enjoy this day, shall we?"

"I have always wondered why I am surrounded by friends with different personalities," Dannie said as Troy guided me out of my parking space.

"Birds that flock together may have the same feathers but not the same minds, Danica," Troy explained. "Imagine walking inside a library and find all the books are the same. That is one, boring, library stay, I tell you."

"Whatever library you're in, it's always boring for," Dannie replied with a snort.

"It was a metaphor, okay?"

"I know, okay? I just found it ironic that you thought of a library. I cannot even think of a single moment you've been into one without sleeping."

"Hey, I liked the library in college!"

"Yeah? You mean you liked the lounge where you, Lee and Miguel used to sleep in."

"We were taking naps to refresh our minds."

"Yeah, right. You almost did not make it to the graduation."

"That's because of that stupid teacher. Remember? His wife left him and everyone in class suffered."

"And you always find something or someone to blame. That makes it easier, doesn't it?"

"What? Putting the blame on someone else? Of course, if that person did something wrong. Why? Don't tell me you've never blamed someone about something before." He threw her a look which turned her look into something I didn't like.

Really, guys? Come on, we just started our drive and the two of you are about to start fighting? How the hell did your conversation evolve to this? Can't a car have a break here?!Not brake like brake, but break, okay? Can't I have that?

Troy must have heard me because he sighed and fell silent. I knew Dannie baby was trying to keep her cool and she was doing so with so much effort. I could see her jaws clenching with her internal struggles.

Troy my boy, you're not doing this right.

*****

"Just one time, Danica. You'll regret not doing it if you don't do it now."

Dannie swallowed, looking at the water below. She shook her head. "No. I don't think I can dive on that, much more swing on that thing." She pointed at the balete string hanging above the waterfall.

"Come on, it's easy. And you've seen that child do that, right? It's nothing compared to the cliff dive in Salagdoong."

"And I am not doing that cliff dive as well. No, I just can't. You do it. I'll take your picture."

"No, I'll do it after you do it."

She looked at him pleadingly. "Troy, please. I can't."

He braced his hands on his hips and contemplated. "Okay. Here's the plan. I do it first. Then I'll wait in the water to catch you."

She was already shaking her head.

"Danica, you've never done something like this in your life. Do you really want to miss this one?"

"I can live with it."

"But it will haunt you. Trust me, it will."

She looked at him with desperation. And he looked at her pleadingly.

"Please, just once. I won't force you to do the cliff diving. Just this one."

She looked at the balete string again and swallowed. The two children had swung on that thing without any effort earlier. Maybe she could do it. She started to waver.

"Danica, come on."

She returned her gaze to Troy. "But no cliff diving?"

His smile widened. "Promise. If you do the Tarzan Jump, you can pass the cliff dive."

Dannie was still hesitant. She was not sure how she'd do it. Though the waterfall was just about five meters high, it was still a good distance fall. It's better than the cliff, she thought.

"Just so you know, we are not leaving until you make a decision. Tarzan Jump or the cliff," Troy uttered beside her.

"Fine! I'll swing and jump!"

Troy jumped on his feet and ran to where the balete branch was hanging. "Okay, I'll do it. Then I'll jump in the water and wait for you there. Don't worry, I'll catch you, okay?" he shouted over his shoulder.

"Just get it over with!"

And he did just that without hesitation. He grabbed the end of the branch and took off from the boulder not far from the waterfall and jumped. He held on to the branch as it swung him forward. When he reached the middle of the water below the waterfall, just as when the branch started to swing back to where he came from, Troy let go and dove into the rushing water. Dannie held her breath for a moment, waiting for him to emerge out of the water. And when he did, she felt a great sense of relief.

"Come on! You can do it!" His arm was waving, urging her to go to the boulder. His white shirt was floating in the water, pulled up by the current. "The water's not that deep. My feet are touching the ground!" he added, showing her he was telling the truth by holding his arms above his head. "Danica, come on! It's this or the cliff!"

She squared her shoulders and started walking.

"That's it. Just do it. I'll catch you. Just make sure you let go at the right time."

"Shut up, Brady!" she shouted at him as she took off her sandals and grabbed the moving balete branch.

"Come on!"

"How do I do this?"

"Hold on time and jump! Let go before you swing back!"

Her legs were shaking as she climbed the boulder. Her hands found the rubber wrapped around the balete branch, probably tied by someone for that very purpose. She hesitated a lot of times and she was thankful Troy was not being such a pain by keeping his mouth shut.

"You can do it!" he said when she decided it was now or never.

Dannie shouted over her lungs before she closed her eyes and jumped off the boulder. Her hands closed tighter around the branch as she felt her weight starting to drag her down. She could feel the wind rushing through her ears. She could hear the rush of the water below and Troy's words of "LET GO NOW!"

And she did. Without seeing anything, she had let him guide her.

The next thing she knew, she splashed into the water and she was under. And the pressure pushed her back up.

She felt Troy's strong hands catching her arms, guiding her to where there was less current. When she opened her eyes, she was beaming to the ears. The adrenaline rush was still running like crazy all over her body that she was almost shivering.

"See? It wasn't that bad, was it?" Troy's voice said above her.

Dannie lifted her head and realized that he was standing too close. His arm was around her and his other hand was holding her cheek. He wiped the water off her eyes and face in one downward motion, his smile blinding her. Then his hand went back to brush her wet hair off her face.

"It wasn't that bad, was it?" he repeated, his voice lower than before.

Dannie gulped, nodding. Her smile started to fade as she lost herself in his eyes. She had let him guide her during the jump. She was blind to all the elements, yet she trusted his voice. It was just a simple thing yet it bothered her. But as his gaze grew gentler and his arm held her closer, she didn't push away. She realized she was not afraid. The fear that should have been there whenever another man would get this close to her was not present. There was only the sense of wonder as she kept her eyes locked in his gaze.

And then his face drew nearer, down toward hers.

She knew she should have refracted away from him, from that moment, but she found herself waiting. And the wait was rewarded with his lips touching hers lightly, gently.

A burst of different reactions and feelings erupted within her. It was new to her. It was the strangest feeling. And it didn't hurt like she had expected it. She could feel everything in that moment and it didn't hurt.

For the first time in her life, she had let herself be kissed.