"Vienne, are you really gonna spend your first day and night sleeping in your room?" They were already having their dinner when my Mom decided to finally call me. Hindi ko naman siya masisi dahil pagdating na pagdating namin dito sa Amanpulo, nagkulong na ako dito sa room para matulog.
But this is exactly the reason why I chose Amanpulo. I wanted to rest and relax. Kung hindi lang ako tinawagan ni Mama ay hindi ko na maiisipan na kailangan ko palang kumain.
"Did you even eat na?"
"Hindi pa po."
"Bababa ka ba or you'll have your dinner there, instead?"
"I'll have it here, Ma. I just really want to sleep and rest for today. Bawi nalang po ako bukas."
After a couple of minutes, my dinner arrived. Kumain ako habang nanonood ng netflix mag-isa. Kung ako lang ang papipiliin ay kaya kong ubusin ang oras ko dito sa kwarto pero masasayang ang mga plinano nila Mama para sa trip na ito.
--
I woke up early to do some yoga. Since I slept the whole day yesterday, I need a little stretching. I heard that there's a facility here where I can do yoga, so I went there to do my yoga peacefully.
I was on my last set when I felt like someone's watching me. Napabuga ako ng hangin nang makita na si Cole lang iyon. He was having his coffee, I think. Akala ko naman kung sino.
"Good morning." He greeted me. Tinanguan ko lang siya before proceeding to my yoga. I did my last head stand before cooling down. Hindi pa rin tapos magkape si Cole nang matapos ako.
"Are you coming to the scuba later?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "My mom would be upset if I don't show up. She planned this trip."
He nodded. "I'll see you later."
--
After all the teachings and guidelines of the scuba diving professional, they made us wear the equipment. It was only me and Cole. My parents and Tita Karen didn't want to come because of Tory.
"I should've slept." I murmured.
"You slept the whole day yesterday."
"Stop missing me so much." I sarcastically told him. He laughed at me.
"Are you scared?"
I shook my head. "No."
"Good, because I can't talk underwater." I rolled my eyes at him.
"I didn't ask for your help."
"You're always welcome, Erica Vienne."
Hindi naman nagtagal ang scuba diving dahil halos lahat ay first timers. The professionals prioritized the safety of everyone. It was really a nice experience. I did not think I would enjoy being underwater, but it was actually relaxing and entertaining. When we got on the boat again, Cole put his towel around my shoulder.
Pinili kong huwag magsalita at hayaan nalang ang towel sa balikat ko. Lalamigin din naman talaga ako pagbalik. Natatanaw ko na yung shore nang balingan ko si Cole.
"Do you drink?" I asked him.
He just raised his eyebrows at me. "Alcohol?" I added, in case he's dumb enough to not get my question.
Amused, he answered me. "I know what you mean. Yes, I do drink."
"Do you want to drink with me?"
Again, his eyebrows raised at me. "Do you drink?"
I scuffed. "Would I ask you to drink with me if I don't?"
He chuckled. "Okay. Sure."
--
"Wow, who broke your heart?" I turned to Cole who just came in the bar. He was wearing his white sweat shorts and a black Adidas hoodie.
"What's with you and sweat shorts?" I couldn't help but ask.
"What do you mean? It's comfortable!" As he settle beside me. "I didn't know we were going hardcore."
I ordered rhum, vodka, tequila, beer, and whiskey. "Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto mo."
"Kaya inorder mo lahat?" I shrugged.
"Low-tol ka ba?" I asked him.
He chuckled and played with his lips. He seems very amused by me at the moment. "Maybe." He answered playfully.
Oh, he should stop talking to me like that.
I opened the bottle of vodka and poured some on my glass. He went for the whiskey. He raised his glass in front of me. "Cheers?"
I rolled my eyes at him. "I can't believe I'm actually drinking with this topnotcher" He said. I just shook my head at him.
An hour passed with us having random topics. Nakalahati ko na ang bote ng vodka at nakalahati niya na rin yung bote ng whiskey niya.
"I have a question." Panimula ko.
He ran his fingers through his hair and licked his lips. "U-huh?"
"Bakit ka magdodoctor?"
He went silent for a moment before answering my question. "Gusto ko lang. Ikaw?"
I shrugged. "Well, I want to have a purpose."
"A purpose." He repeated my words.
"Bata pa lang ako, ang gusto ko lang, mag-aral nang mag-aral." Natatawa kong sabi. "I pointed my vision at the rewards I will get sa pag-aaral nang mabuti."
I sipped my vodka before continuing. Maybe, it's the alcohol that is making me talk so much. Or, maybe it's because he's just Cole.
"I forgot thinking about what I want to do."
"And the first thing that came into your mind was to be a doctor, huh?"
"The challenge is here."
"Why not law?"
I shook my head. To be a lawyer is to be good at expressing things. I am never good at that. "Law is not for everyone." I commented.
"So is Medicine."
"Well, I think Medicine is for me."
He pursed his lips and nodded. Dumaan na naman ang katahimikan sa amin. It was not an awkward silence, thankfully.
"You're red all over."
Tinignan ko ang balat ko at napangisi nang makita na namumula na nga ako. I am pretty sure my face is redder. Tinulak ko ang mukha niya. "Stop checking me out!"
That made him laugh. "You're literally in front of me, Erica Vienne."
"Hmmn..."
"Hmn?"
Pinuno ko ang shot glass ko at ininom bago ako nagsalita ulit. "Who's the girl in your instagram?"
Mukhang nagulat siya sa tinanong ko pero sinagot niya pa rin naman. "Addie."
"Girlfriend?" I don't even know why I'm asking. I just don't want a dead-air, i guess.
"She used to be." My mouth formed an "o" as I nod. "We broke up a year ago."
Tumango ako at nagpatuloy nalang sa pag-inom. Maya-maya ay nagsalita siya. "Aren't you gonna ask why?"
"Are you gonna tell me why?" I challenged him.
"Personal differences." He answered shortly.
I scoffed. Ang showbiz, huh.
"How about you? Do you have a boyfriend?" His question made me laugh.
"Do I look like someone who has a boyfriend?"
"Well, if we're basing it on looks, then yes." His lips rose. "You look like someone who has a boyfriend."
"And why is that?"
"Maganda ka, eh."
Kung meron akong iniinom ay nasisigurado kong masasamid ako sa sinabi niya. With wide eyes, I looked at him. "Dude, are you drunk?"
"Do I have to be drunk to tell you you're beautiful?"
"Nilalandi mo ba ako?" That made him laugh again.
"Woman, chill! Aren't you used to compliments?"
I rolled my eyes at him. Not from you!
--
Okay, the world is fucking spinning and I couldn't see the man I'm drinking with properly anymore.
"You finished a whole ass bottle of vodka. Are you okay?"
His voice sounded blurry too. What is this guy saying? Where is he?
"Hehe..."
Then, I heard a laugh. "You're drunk." I felt his hand on my shoulder.
"Can you still walk?"
Waltz? "No, I don't want to dance!"
"What?" Mas lalong tumawa ang lalaki na naririnig ko. He made me stand.
"Where are you taking me? Where's fucking Cole?" I don't even know if I said that straight.
"I am fucking Cole." Natatawa niyang sabi. "Let's get you to your room. Help yourself, Erica Vienne."
Oh.
It is him.
"Oh, Cole!"
He chuckled. "Yes. Cole."
I laughed for no reason. "Do you know that I had a crush on you when we were little?" He tried to cover my mouth. Is he trying to kidnap me?
"Ssshhh, stop talking."
"Good thing you went away." I continued, anyway. He is now carrying me, I guess. Or am I flying? Am I Princess Jasmine now? Great, Tory would be glad!
"If you didn't... Edi sana... ako yung ex mo ngayon..."
Puta.