Imee's Point of View

"Imee, wake up. We're here." I groaned when I felt someone's tapping me softly on my shoulder.

I slowly opened my eyes, Xydelle's face was all I could see. He's smiling at me. I roamed my eyes inside the car, wala na yung mga kasamahan namin maging yung mga gamit namin.

"Nauna na sila sa villa." Saad nito even though I am not asking him. Napatango na lang ako sa kanya. He even helped me get up.

Sabay kaming lumabas ng van at dumiretso kami sa loob ng beach resort. The pristine beach, having the sunset's reflection on it welcomed us. 5:00 PM na nga pala ng hapon. Instead of heading to our suite, dumiretso ako sa dagat. Just by having the chance to see how beautiful the sun is while setting down below the horizon is very relaxing. I can even feel the cold air touches my bare skin.

"You liked it?" Naramdaman ko sa tabi ko si Xydelle. Tumango ako nang hindi lumilingon sa kanya.

Lumapit ako sa dagat. I love the feeling of how the breezy air is hugging my whole system. With my eyes being locked on the sunset's reflection, naramdaman kong may yumakap sa likod ko na siyang nagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"I don't want you to catch a cold." He said using his sweet voice, still hugging me from behind. "Let's go? It's getting dark. You can enjoy the sea tomorrow."

Pagkarating namin sa villa, kaagad akong nagshower. Isang room lang ang kinuha nila para sa mga girls, ganun din sa boys pero tig-iisa kami ng kama. Our rooms were adjacent to each other. Nalaman ko ring pag-aari nila Alice itong resort kaya siguro hindi na nila pinoproblema si Alice bago kami bumiyahe.

We ate our dinner in the cottage. After taking our dinner, we headed to our suite to take some rest.

Kinabukasan, maaga kaming nagising dahil excited ang mga kasama ko. Well, I feel the same way but not as excited as they are. Sinundo na rin kami ng mga boys at kumain muna kami ng breakfast.

"We need to enjoy guys. It's our first day here." Masiglang saad ni Irish.

We wasted our time in doing different water activities. 12 o'clock na ng tanghali nung bumalik kami sa cottage which is malapit lang sa suite namin. Nagpalit lang kami saglit and then we ate our lunch together.

Nag-stay lang kami sa cottage while watching other tourists busy enjoying the sea. 3:00 PM when Alice suggested to have our picnic and everyone agreed. Mukhang masaya naman, so why not try it?

The three of us girls went back to our suite and then we took a half-bath bago namin enjoyin ang dagat. I had my gray rash guard. Lalabas na sana ako sa suite namin but Alice and Irish stopped me when they saw me.

"You're going to swim wearing that?" They asked and they even eyed me.

"Uh, yeah?" Patanong kong sagot.

"Duh? Beach ito Imee. Beach." Irish rolled her eyes.

I narrowed my eyes on her. What's wrong with wearing rash guard? Lalabas na sana ako pero hinila ako nung dalawa paupo sa kama.

"What are you? A kid? Here. Change your clothes." Nilapag nila yung black two piece sa harap ko.

"No."

"Yes."

"You can't let me wear something I don't." I stated but they pushed me inside the comfort room. "What the hell Irish?"

"Hindi ka namin palalabasin hangga't hindi mo suot yan." She threw me that piece of clothing. She even stuck out her tongue on me at narinig ko pa ang paglock nila sa CR. The hell with them both!

"Imee, bilisan mo!" Kinalabog nito ang pintuan.

It's been 20 minutes since they locked me here. I should be enjoying the beach now if it weren't because of them. Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang isuot yun. Damn this clothing.

"Waaah! Ang sexy mo!" Nakangiting saad ni Irish nang lumabas ako. I gave her fiery look. Good thing Alice handed me a color peach see through and maong short.

"Let's go!" Hinila na nila ako palabas at dumiretso sa cottage namin.

Boys are still busy from what they are doing. Nag-iihaw sila. The sea is already inviting me since yesterday so maybe I could accept its invitation now. Naglakad na ako papunta sa dagat pero hinila na naman ako ni Irish.

"What again this time?"

"Get off that see through and maong shorts."

"No."

"Okay. We will not let you swim." Kontra ni Alice. What's the problem with this two?

I eyed them but they eyed me back. Damn it. Hinubad ko sa harap nila yung see through at maong short na suot ko and I threw it against them. They are pissing the hell out of me.

"Happy?" I asked sarcastically.

"Perfect! Go on!" Pinagtabuyan na ako nung dalawa pero hinarang naman ako ni Xydelle.

Damn it. Ano bang problema ng mga taong ito? Can't I just swim peacefully? Why are they even bothering me?

"You're not going to swim wearing that." Magkasalubong ang kilay ni Xydelle na tinitigan ako. Sasagot na sana ako pero inunahan ako ni Irish.

"Of course, she's going to swim wearing that."

"No fucking way!"

"Yes fucking way!"

"No---"

Napailing na nilampasan ko silang lahat. What is all the fuss about? Hindi ko na sila pinakinggan pa. I went to the sea and started moving through the water. Hindi naman na masyadong maaraw kaya mas lalo akong nawiwili sa paglangoy.

"Hi Miss." Someone greeted from behind when I settled off the sea. Tinignan ko lang ang mga ito. "Wala kang kasama?" Tanong naman nung isa pa.

"Stating the very obvious."

"Pwede bang makuha ang number mo Miss?"

"Go and find someone to flirt." I huffed. Pagkatapos kong sabihin yun, lumangoy ulit ako kaso naramdaman ko yung pagsunod nila sa akin.

"Miss, sige na." Hindi ako sumagot. Patuloy pa rin ako sa paglangoy at patuloy lang rin sila sa pagsunod sa akin.

"Miss, dali na."

"Just fucking disappear." Nagtitimping saad ko and I noticed other people looking in our direction.

"Miss---"

"What's wrong here baby?" Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon sa likod namin at nakita ko si Xydelle na papalapit sa direksyon namin.

Hindi ko sana siya papansinin but his left hand that snaked around my waist caught me.

"Nothing baby." I answered. Maybe this could help me get rid of this guys in front me.

"What do you need?" Seryosong tanong ni Xydelle sa kanila.

"Nothing." Kaagad ding umalis yung tatlo kaya kaming dalawa na lang ni Xydelle ang naiwan. His hand was still on my waist. Does he has plan of not letting me go?

"Wala ba silang ginawa sayo?" Tumango lang ako sa kanya. Wala sa sariling nagpaalam ako dahil nauuhaw ako. Para akong natuyuan ng lalamunan.

"Ang bilis mo ah?" Tanong ni Alice.

"I'm thirsty." Sagot ko. "How about you? Aren't you going to swim?" Tanong ko habang kinakain yung isang stick ng barbecue na kinuha ko.

"Mamaya. Uubusin ko lang to." Sagot ni Irish. They are also eating barbecue.

After that, I planned on going back but I saw Xydelle talking to some other girl. That girl kissed him on his cheek and Xydelle was smiling happily.

That guy just called me baby ealier and now, he's talking to... Shit. Why am I thinking that?

"Oh? Akala ko ba lalangoy ka ulit?" Salubong nila sa akin nang bumalik ulit ako sa cottage at kinuha ang mga gamit ko.

"That was minutes ago. I already changed my mind." I didn't bother listen to whatever they are going to say. I went back directly inside our room.

***

Xydelle's Point of View

Matapos kaming magkamustahan ni Andrea, which is anak ng Tito ko, bumalik na ako sa cottage dahil hindi na bumalik si Imee sa dagat.

"Where's Imee?"

"Bumalik sa suite. Nawalan yata ng gana." Sagot ni Alice.

"Nagselos kamo." Singit naman ni Irish.

"Kasi naman bro, hindi pa kayo, nambababae ka na agad." Sabat naman ni Zephyr.

"Stick to one lang kasi dapat bro." Pagsasalita rin ni Aris.

"What?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanila. I am just asking where Imee is. Kung anu-ano na yung mga sinasabi nila.

"Ewan ko sa inyong dalawa! Ang labo niyo! Bagay nga talaga kayo!" I do not know what Irish is talking about.

Umalis na lang ako roon. Pupuntahan ko na lang siguro si Imee sa kwarto nila. Nakailang katok na ako simula nung makarating ako sa kwarto nila kaso walang nagsasalita sa loob kaya kusa na akong pumasok.

"Imee?" I called her name pero walang sumasagot.

Dumiretso na lang ako sa kwarto nila. Narinig ko yung lagaslas ng shower sa CR, malamang naliligo yun kaya naupo na lang ako roon sa isang kama. After 30 minutes, narinig ko yung pagbukas ng pinto kaya napatingin ako sa kanya pero kaagad ko ring iniwas ang tingin ko nung makitang pang-loob lang ang suot niya. Just... shit naman.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"I'm looking for you." Sagot ko nang hindi pa rin tumitingin sa kanya.

I fucking saw her wearing two piece earlier pero iba ngayon dahil kaming dalawa lang ang nandito sa kwartong ito.

Tangina! Lalaki pa rin ako!

Sa halip na sagutin niya ako, dumiretso lang siya sa harap ng malaking salamin at nagsuklay which is nasa harapan lang ng kamang inupuan ko. Now I can see her whole body.

Doesn't she feel awkward having me here while she's only wearing that fucking piece of clothing? Wala ba siyang pakialam man lang? Babae ba talaga siya o ano?

"Magsuot ka nga ng damit." Medyo pasigaw kong utos.

"Why don't you just go out first?" Binigyan lang ako nito ng walang pakialam na tingin. Sa inis ko, tumayo ako at hinubad ang suot kong T-shirt at isinuot yun sa kanya.

"Huwag na huwag kang lalangoy ng nakaganyan!" Pinasadahan lang ako nito ng tingin but I saw how she turned her gaze when she saw me wearing nothing on my top.

I smirked. Naapektuhan siya? Siguro naman alam niyang naapektuhan din ako dahil sa ginagawa niya.

"Why are you still here? Your girl must be looking for you now." Nagkatitigan kaming pareho sa salamin at napangisi na lang ako sa iniasta niya.

Ngayon, alam ko na kung ano yung tinutukoy ng mga kaibigan namin kanina. I don't fucking want to assume things but she's giving me reasons to.

"Are you jealous?" I smirked nung magtama na naman ang tingin namin sa salamin.

"You wish. Get out Xydelle."

"Baby, I'm sorry."

"Don't baby me Xydelle." Sigaw niya sa akin kasabay ng pagbato niya ng suklay, buti na lang naiwasan ko.

Tangina, lalaki ako pero bakit kinikilig ako ng ganito?

"Sorry na nga kasi baby." Malambing kong saad sa kanya. Just want to tease her

"Get out." I saw how she's having a hard time in controlling herself. Kulang na lang kasi ay umusok yung ilong niya kaya natatawa na lang akong lumabas sa kwarto nila.

"You're the only person I want to be my girl. Nothing to worry about baby!" I wink at her bago lumabas sa kwartong iyon ng nakangiti. Imee. Imee. Imee. Such a stubborn girl.

***

Imee's Point of View

I didn't bother changing my clothes. Hinayaan kong yung damit ni Xydelle ang suot ko. Naghanap lang ako ng short. Matapos kong magsuklay, I decided to just stay inside. His T-shirt is big but I didn't bother changing it.

Mag-aalas otso na nung pumasok si Irish sa kwarto. Tinawag niya lang ako para sa dinner namin. As I went out, the people here are teasing me when they saw me using Xydelle's shirt. Nothing's big deal on it. These people, ang lawak nilang mag-isip.

"Kumusta naman yung pagwowalk-out mo nung makitang may kasamang ibang babae si Xydelle?" Tanong ni Irish pagkabalik namin sa kwarto.

"I did not walk-out. I just changed my mind." I uttered. Aren't they done on teasing me?

"Really? Eh kanina nga atat na atat kang lumangoy e." Sarkastikong saad ni Alice.

"Will you just please shut up? If you're thinking that I am jealous, well I am not." Giit ko sa kanila.

"We're not asking about jealousy Imee. Tinatanong ka lang namin kung bakit ka nagwalk-out." Sabat ni Irish tsaka ito ngumiti ng nakakakaloko. What? I know that's what they are trying to point out. Pero hindi na lang ako sumagot. "Oh ano? Tameme naman ang peg mo ngayon? Sus! Napaghahalataan ka masyado best friend." Mapang-asar na sabi ni Irish.

"What now?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Tumabi si Irish sa right side ko, si Alice naman sa left side ko at sabay nila akong inakbayan.

"Alam mo Imee, kung may nararamdaman ka na kay Xydelle, aminin mo na." said Alice.

"True. Hindi yung magwowalk-out ka bigla. In denial ka girl? May nararamdaman ka na sa tao pero hindi mo maamin d'yan!" Sabay turo ni Irish sa may bandang puso ko. Napailing ako sa mga sinasabi nila.

"I don't like him."

"Is it because you already love him?" tanong ni Irish sa akin.

What? Love? From where is she getting that idea?

Nahiga na lang ako sa kama kaso mukha ni Xydelle ang nakikita ko nung ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko. Damn. That guy is confusing me.

I woke up early. The girls were still sleeping. Binuksan ko yung sliding door at pumunta roon sa balcony. From where I am standing, I can clearly see the sea. Yesterday, I witnessed how the sun set down. Now, I am witnessing how the sun rises.

"Good morning." Napunta ang tingin ko sa taong nagsalita. It was Xydelle. Since our rooms were adjacent to each other, there's only a little space and a railings na nagsisilbing barrier sa amin.

"Take a bath. May pupuntahan tayo. Just wear any comfy clothes." He said. Hindi ko man alam kung saan pero tumango ako sa kanya. I did what I'm supposed to do and wear something comfortable before I went out.

"Where are we off to?"

"You'll know later." He winks at me tapos hinawakan niya yung kamay ko. Nagpadala na lang ako sa paghila niya sa akin.

Nang makalapit kami sa dagat, may nakaabang ng maliit na bangka sa amin tapos isang lalaki. Maybe the one who will manipulate the boat.

Mahigit isang oras yata bago huminto yung bangka sa mabatong bahagi ng dagat. Malayong-malayo na siya sa hotel. Tinulungan akong makababa ni Xydelle sa bangka tsaka kami iniwan nung lalaki.

"Where are?" I asked. Hinawakan niya ulit ang kamay ko at tinutulungan niya ako sa paglalakad sa malalaking tipak ng bato.

"Just wait and see." Tanging sagot lang nito.

Patuloy pa rin kami sa paglalakad hanggang sa namalayan kong parang batis na yung nilalakaran namin. May naririnig din akong malakas na lagaslas ng tubig. Umikot pa ulit kami sa makipot at mabatong daanan hanggang sa bumungad sa harapan ko ang isang mataas na water falls.

"We're here." He announced.

Lumapit ako roon sa parang sapa na kung saan doon rumaragasa ang mga tubig galing sa talon. It's beautiful here.

"I know magugustuhan mo 'to kaya dinala kita rito." Saad ni Xydelle. I just nod at him.

The falls is very clear. We stayed there for almost an hour. Sinabuyan pa nga ako ni Xydelle but I glared him. We don't have extra shirts. Kung meron man, I wouldn't mind since the falls is really tempting. Quarter to ten na nang makabalik kami sa cottage. Nandoon na rin yung apat pero mukhang kagigising pa lang nila.

"Saan kayo galing?" Tanong ni Zephyr.

"Oo nga, hindi niyo man lang kami ginising." Reklamo nina Irish at Alice.

"Falls." Tipid kong sagot.

"Waaaah! Ang daya niyo naman e." Nakapout na sabi ni Irish. She's really childish. Tss.

After taking our breakfast, we started doing different activities again. Well, I guess this outing is really fun. Nung bandang hapon na, nag-impake na kami ng mga gamit namin dahil 8:00 PM ang biyahe namin pabalik sa Manila. When I'm done packing my things, I went to the sea. I sat in a big stone and did nothing but stared at it.

"Alone?" Napatingala ako sa nagsalita. It's Xydelle. He sat beside me.

I didn't regret agreeing their plan to come here. For a short period of time, those things that keep bugging me went away. But I know this is not permanent. After this day, I'm going back to face my reality again.

"Tara, langoy na lang tayo." Bago pa ako makatanggi, binuhat ako bigla ni Xydelle at dinala sa dagat.

"You stupid!" Sinabuyan ko siya ng tubig. We're not in a deep part though. We're just in a breast level to be exact.

"I'm sorry. You look so down earlier. I just want to make you smile." He said that while laughing. Muli ko siyang sinabuyan ng tubig pero mabilis itong lumangoy palayo sa akin.

"You look cute when you're mad." Then he pinched my cheeks when he got me.

"Xydelle!" Reklamo ko pero nakatawa lang ito.

Lalayo na sana ako kaso hinila niya ang kamay ko sabay hapit sa baywang ko hanggang sa bahagya akong mapayakap sa kanya.

"Mamaya na tayo aalis. Let's watch the sunset first." Bulong niya sa tenga ko. Napatingala tuloy ako sa papalubog na araw.

It's good to witness this sun rises in the morning and then it will set down right at this moment. Its reflection is very visible in the sea.

Napatingin ako kay Xydelle. Nakangiti lang ito habang nakatutok ang paningin niya sa papalubog na araw. Guess, he didn't notice me looking at him.

"Xydelle, bakit ganyan ka?" I uttered without realizing what I said. But instead of answering my question, he said something causing my heart to pound so fast.

"You're like a sunset. You may be out of my sight but you will always remain in my heart." My heart beats faster because of what he said.

This guy did a lot of things to me. The care, the concern, the worry, the love and everything. I don't know why of all people, it was me whom he loves.

Tumingin ito sa gawi ko hanggang sa magtama ang tingin naming dalawa. We were just looking at each other. Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo o kung ilang minuto. I can read different emotions on his eyes. It's like he wants to tell me a lot of things.

"If there's one thing you really want to tell me, what is it?" I asked with my eyes still locked into his.

"I love you." He said without blinking his eyes. Naramdaman ko ang mas lalong pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"I love you." I replied. That moment, he blinks his eyes. He seems so shocked. Nagulat na lang ako ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"Y-you said what?"

"You said you love me, then make me yours Xydelle." I don't know where am I getting those words. All I know, it's my heart that speaks for myself.

I felt him cupped my face. Unti-unti niyang inilapit ang mukha niya sa akin. Not knowing what to do, I just closed my eyes and felt his soft lips brushed on mine. That kiss only lasted for about seconds but the message is very clear.

I opened my eyes when he let go of me. Then a big smile forms in his lips.

"Today, with the sunset as the witness, Xydelle Jimenez just marked Denniese Imee Earl as his. You are mine now." With one swift move, he grabs me on my waist and owned my lips.

This guy should know that it's not only myself who love him. It's my heart who beats for him.

"You don't know how happy I am. I love you." He said softly with our foreheads touching each other.

Loving back the person who loves you is not a responsibility, it's a choice. And I choose to love Xydelle back because that's what my heart says. And this sunset is the witness.