I feel the weight of Migo's head over my shoulders. He's sleeping deeply and snoring. I lean my head over his and close my eyes. Somehow, the feel of the wind and the gentle sunshine peeking through the leaves is relaxing.

The day the shark bit me during our second challenge, the weapon that I used against it was brought back to me by Bagwis. He was apologetic. He was blaming himself that a woman was wounded even with one of his hunters with me. More so, that the same woman saved his hunter despite being untrained. I'm not sure about saving Laki, though. I was the one saved by him, not the other way around. He's the one who guided Migo to throw the spear into the shark's body. It's not me. The best I did was to weaken the shark.

When Bagwis gave back the sword that I grew attached to, he said it was the least he could do as a sign of repentance. He even volunteered himself to help me around Hiraya because my leg prohibits me from doing so. That made me laugh. He was too serious that it all seemed humorous. I rejected the proposal, of course. Imagine being led around by someone as huge as Bagwis? That would place too much attention on me. No, it would be too awkward of a situation.

The truth is, I do not know that being bitten by a shark would gain me this much favor from Hirayan hunters. I do not know what kind of code they act on. Curiously, I ask for a copy of it. But Bagwis said that it's an unwritten code, and that ended our conversation.

According to Isagani, the shark, which Laki had taken back to the village, is so rare that the Kalahay workgroup is thrilled to create new dishes out of it. There won't be any feasts this time, though. They will preserve the flesh for later consumption, especially when there will be visitors in a few days.

On a pleasant note, Isagani informed us that the Rajah will give us access to the library. It will also be the Rajah who will guide us to the library himself. But that will be after the visitors are settled on the island. And somehow, despite that humiliating rejection and that awkward hiding, I am looking forward to the meeting.

Still, I can not forget his warning about not showing my body to anyone. Even without a logical reason, I trust him and so, when the Babaylan asked for a full body checkup, I refused profusely. In the end, they only examined my leg injuries.

Soon enough, I doze off into sleep. When a light touch grazes my cheeks, I open my eyes, expecting to see Migo. Instead, I see Rajah Sinagtala's smiling face. "Come back to me," he whispers.

I bolt upright from my dream, but I hit my head on Migo's forehead. I groan in pain. He's trying to wake me up. I realize I am sleeping with my head on his lap. I didn't know when and how I change into that position.

"Sorry," I say, massaging my head.

"Damn, you've got a hard head," he says, crouching over with his head in his hand.

I smile and Migo smile back. It's all he needed to forgive me. Gratefully, he did not ask what I was dreaming about. I don't want to tell him, but I don't enjoy lying to him either.

"Come, let's return inside," he says and extends his hands to me. "It's getting hot."

We are in the Babaylan's area where he chooses a special area for relaxation. It's in the middle of the morning and we have nothing to do but to recuperate.

I accept his offer and reach for his hand. He pulls me up and winds his arms around my waist to support me. While we are making our way inside, my mind is on the Rajah. Aian mentions that the expected guests would be around ten women. The rest would be soldiers, guards and leaders from the Mainland.

When we make the curve, we come face to face with Renz. I remember they brought Cielo to the Babaylan's residence because of food poisoning while they were testing for parts of the shark that are safe to consume.

Renz frowns as he regards Migo's hands around my waist. "What is this? You're together now?" he asks.

I flinch and start to get away from Migo, but Migo only tightens his arms around me. "What's it to you?" he asks.

I sigh and massage my head. Migo never liked Renz, and since we broke up, he's not making any effort to hide it.

"We are not together," I answer. "I hope you can see my useless leg."

Renz's eyes shift to my legs, but he didn't acknowledge it. Instead, he asks, "Where is Aian?"

"Why?" I ask.

"In a few days, there will be feasts for the Mainland visitors. The security will be tight on the visitor's rooms so even Cielo will be hard-pressed to take a peek."

I blink. So Aian has been talking to them to learn how Hirayan people live on the island?

"You should start thinking about getting a place outside the Babaylan's residence," Renz says. "So, you two can take a step forward in your relationship and do everything you want all day. Everything," he emphasizes.

My blood goes up in my head. I am getting annoyed at his insinuations! I didn't know that he thinks Migo was someone that could be my lover! He is my best friend, for God's sake! Of course, I won't do that.

Suddenly, Migo pulls me to him, caresses my cheek, and places a quick kiss on my forehead. Then he looks back at Renz and asks, "Like this? Or do you mean more than that? Should we do it in front of you?"

Renz glares at both of us and, like a child, he runs away from us.

When Renz is out of earshot, I reach for my forehead and wipe it. "You sure like to annoy him," I say.

"And you should have lied about our relationship. To agitate him, you should have told him that we are together!"

"Why? There's no need for that."

Migo sighs. "Are you, perhaps, hoping that he'd come back to you?"

I hesitate. "I don't..." and pause. I try not to meet his gaze. Am I really hoping for something like that to happen?

Migo smirks. "Left on their own. What do you think they do all day?" I have no answer for him so he continues, "Stare at each other?"

I glare at him. Migo's smile widens. "Oh! So you know! But you still want him back?!"

"Just shut up!"

Migo shrugs his shoulders while I continue to glower at him.

"Excuse me," a soft voice says. "Jade, can I talk to you?"

It's Cielo. Seems like she's better now. She still looks pale, but she doesn't seem in pain.

"What?!" Migo hollers at her.

Cielo takes a step back. She looks at me as if asking for my help.

I press on Migo's arm to calm him. "Will it take long?" I ask.

Truth be told, I don't want to talk to her. Just her face alone irks me. But somehow, after that shark bite, or rather, that near-death experience, I think that maybe, in the future, I will be able to forgive her. Not today, though.

"How are you?" she asks tentatively.

"Can you get straight to the point?" I say instead.

Cielo hesitates. She looks at Migo and then at me. "I need to ask for a favor."

I snort. A favor from someone she stole from? How shameless can this girl be?!

She might have sensed my dissatisfaction because she takes another step back and crosses her arms as if protecting herself from something.

Then she meets my eyes and asks, "Can you please not take Renz from me?"

I open my mouth in disbelief. The insolence of this girl! That's why she's in a defensive stance! She knew the favor will get me angry! If I am not injured, I swear I could have pulled all her pretty hair! I could have made her bleed! I will scratch her face to the point that no other person can look at her face and say she's a f*cking angel!

"Even without Renz, you still have both Aian," she continues and glances at Migo. "and him. If you also take Renz from me, I will be alone, in this place. Do you imagine being alone here?"

She reaches for my hand, but I slap hers away. "Please, I will do anything you ask me to. Just please, don't take him away from me."

She's begging me. Me, who is the one she hurts the most by seducing Renz? I bite my lips in frustration. Yes, I can imagine it. Without Aian and Migo, I could have died on my first day here. Still, is that enough reason for me to give him up? Am I too selfish in her perspective? I—I stop myself from thinking. Instead, I say, "I don't wanna see your face ever again."

Then asks Migo for support to get me out of this blasted place.

But Cielo calls after me, "Please, promise me! Please!" To beg me like this, is she also at the end of her straw?

I turn to face her and say, "No, I cannot promise you that."

Then I left. Serves her right! But when I close the door behind me and I sit on the side of my bed, I start to think again. If I am in Cielo's shoes, what will I do? Instead of answering my own question, I cover my face and weep.