I nodded and got off Hero's car. He didn't leave immediately. I think he was watching me bring myself to a small hut where people flocked getting away from scorching sunrays. That's when I heard his car's engine running and saw it leaving.

People turned to me suspiciously when I joined them. I only have my cellphone and a wallet with me. No backpack like almost everybody has on their backs. I guess there were two groups of tourists who were scheduled today to go to the island. Ang isang grupo ay tila isang pamilya at ang isa naman ay puro kabataan.

I asked people if they could allow me to cut the line first which means easing my way to get to the personnel to discuss my request for entry. No one protested and I feel too shy to admit it, but I think they are not at all aware that in my mind I'm desperately thinking of my attempts to bargain. If I should pay so much to get there today, I am willing to pay for the price.

"Sir, wala po akong reservation sa islands pero kailangang-kailangan ko po talagang makapunta doon ngayon," I pleaded

The personnel squinted his eyes while looking at me. "Naku, Maam. Pasensya na po. Hindi ko po kayo mapagbibigyan sa kahilingan niyo. Dapat po talagang may reservation muna," paumahin niya.

"Pero, Sir," I pressed my hands together, almost begging. "Napakaimportante po nitong pakay ko. Kahit po magbayad po ako ng malaki po ngayon, willing po ako magbayad. Sige na po, please," saka tumulo ang mga luha ko.

Napakamot siya sa ulo. "Sorry, Maam. Hindi naman po ito madadala sa pera, eh. Reservation po talaga muna ang kailangan niyo, Maam." Now, I feel guilty for being arrogant. I thought money can buy the protocols. They're strict and it's making me sick.

I attempted to make more excuses, but the personnel just kept shaking his head.

I heard noises of the people behind me and they seemed annoyed about me taking shortcuts on my way there when they waited for centuries to get reservations online. I didn't expect it to be such a blood and sweat to get your feet to Isla Rosa.

Now, I stepped aside after thanking the personnel. The screening continued. 'Yong mga cleared ay nagsiupo muna habang hinihintay ang kanilang mga kasama. I remained standing despite being shooed away by some other people who I think guarding the port. Wala daw akong papeles na naipapakitang may booking akong ginawa or what. Unless I have the vouchers or whatever documents they insist I should show to them, then they'll permit my entry. Eh, ang kaso, wala nga talaga. I reasoned out that I don't need these documents because I'll just be quick and shortly after, I will head back to Buenvenida. Pero sabi nila, hindi daw ganoon. Scheduled lahat ang biyahe kaya hindi rin basta-bastang nakakabalik sa main land.

A moment later, the girls started chattering and some of them even giggled. They were all looking behind me like they saw something peculiar. To kill my curiosity, I turned back and saw the reason behind girls' dreamily sighs.

It was Brent, wearing blue polo shirt and black plants His hair looks clean and is slicked back. He tugged his wayfarer free from the pocket of his shirt, flipped his arm out and shoved the glasses to the top of his head. Kulang nalang magtilian ang mga babaeng hindi kalayuan sa akin.

"Magandang umaga, Sir Brent," salubong sa kanya ng isang bantay. "Mga 10 minutes lang po na paghihintay at aalis na po ang bangka."

Tumango si Brent. "Sige po, Manong."

He was offered a seat and he sat on it. Diretso ang tingin niya sa dagat at tila malalim ang iniisip. He rested a hand on his lap. He brought his free hand to his chin and rubbed it gently.

Bakit itong si Brent ay hindi hiningian ng kung anu-ano? Does this mean he made a reservation too? Pero bakit hindi na siya pumila at tinanung-tanong pa? The officers seemed to know him pretty well.

His eyes went to my direction and he immediately sat up straight like he didn't, in his wildest dreams, expect to see me here. I raised my hand and waved at him.

Luminga-linga siya sa paligid at iniwan ang upuan. Nagmamadali siyang lumapit sa akin. May bahid ng pagtatakang nagtinginan ang mga tauhan sa port.

"Zac?" he said, looking surprised. "Bakit ka nandito? Pupunta ka rin ba ng isla?" Nilingon niya ang mga tao sa kanyang likod na ngayo'y pinagtitinginan kami. "Kasama mo ba sila?"

I shook my head. "Hindi. Actually, pumunta lang talaga ako dito ngayon pero wala akong booking," mahina kong sabi.

"Huh?" pagtataka niya. "Ano bang gagawin mo sa isla?" His eyes scanned me from head to toe. "And, you don't look like you're going on a weekend getaway. Wala ka man lang bitbit na bag."

I noticed that he's carrying a bag on his back.

"K-kasi Brent..." napamasahe ako sa aking batok at mabilis na nag-isip, "...I need to see someone and he's currently in that island."

I took a deep breath after saying it. I saw the girls looking at me furiously. I didn't know how I infuriated them but as I returned my gaze to Brent, I realized what they think I snatched away from them.

Lihim akong napatawa.

Brent pouted his lips while looking at me as if reading my thoughts.

"Sino?" he curiously asked.

"Marcus," I replied. I should stop being secretive now. It doesn't help anymore.

He gaped his mouth while nodding at my response. He seemed to have understood everything when all I spewed out was just a single name.

He turned his head. It looks like the personnel is done with the screening and the guests were all given stickers on their shirts. Kailangan daw iyon upon arrival.

"Sir, aalis na po tayo. Ready na po ang bangka," sabi sa kanya ng personnel. It looked like everybody has passed the screening and will eventually reach the island in no time. Wala nga talagang magiging problema kapag pinaghandaan.

Brent went to me and held my arm as we walked.

"She's with me," mahinahong sabi nito sa personnel at tumingin sa akin. Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Brent. He just shrugged his shoulders when he saw my questioning look.

"Okay po, Sir," ani personnel at biglang yumuko sa harap ko, "Pasensya na po, Maam."

I gave him the personnel a dismissive wave. "Naku, Sir. Hindi niyo kailangang humingi ng pasensya."

Humingi ito ng paumanhin at naunang umalis. Hindi na ito nagtanong pa sa akin kagaya ng ginawa niya kanina sa ibang guests. Iginiya kami ng isang bantay doon sa bangkang sasakyan namin. It was just a small boat enough to hold about 30 passengers.

"Thank you," I said softly when we both found our seats. "But, how is it even possible that I didn't get screened?"

Brent brought his finger up to his lips. "Shhh."

Now, I was told to shut up. It's just an easy thing to do since I didn't have to explain things further to him anymore especially about Marcus. I looked around and saw the same people staring at us. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba pinupukulan ng tingin o si Brent. Hindi ko nalang pinansin dahil mas importante ang pakay ko sa isla.

The 30-minute boat ride made me utterly speechless of the beauty this group of islands offers. The giant rock formation will make you look back and stare at them for so long. I didn't realize it was just all I need to calm the turmoil inside me that was beginning to spread like a wildfire. Napuno ng sariwang hangin ang aking baga kaya naman magaan ang aking pakiramdam kahit takot talaga akong sumakay sa maliit na bangka.

The pink sand beach greeted us when we finally arrived at Isla Rosa. It looks private and expensive. The sand was indeed pink! Noon, hindi talaga ako naniniwalang mala-rosas ang buhangin dito. But, now, my eyes have seen it! I feel so delighted to finally set foot on this beautiful island that I only heard from people. Hindi ko naman inakalang mapupuntahan ko ito ngayon mismo.

Going back to my purpose for coming here, I need to see Marcus now and return to the main land before this day ends. I have no time to bask under the sun and wait until he sees me.

The guests were ushered by the hotel employees.

Dulce Hotel. If I'm not mistaken, this is owned by the family of Marcus. And, maybe the reason why he's here is to look after it, or whatever. I don't know. I can only guess. Parang balik normal na siya. Tuloy lang ang trabaho kahit may mga nawaglit na alala. Dapat ganoon naman talaga, diba? Pagkatapos madapa, kailangang tumayo ulit.

Ito lang ang nag-iisang hotel sa buong isla at sa hindi naman kalayuan ay mga cabins para siguro may ibang choice din ang ibang guests kung saan nila gustong mag-stay habang nananatili rito. Si Brent naman ay sinalubong ng isang lalake at nag-usap lang sila saglit. Nakita ko pang tumango-tango ang lalake sa mga sinasabi ni Brent bago niya kami igiya papasok ng hotel. Si Brent din ang kumausap sa receptionist. I didn't even ask him why he's here. Basta't ang alam ko ay tinulungan niya akong makaabot dito.

"You need to wait until later this afternoon just to meet him," he said and glanced at his wristwatch. "Siguro maghintay ka nalang muna sa kwarto at magpahinga hanggang matapos ang meeting."

I cocked my head to the side. "Will you be in that meeting too?"

He nodded. "Yes, they hired me as the engineer for hotel's renovation."

"I got you your own room." He handed me the room keys. "Don't even think of paying me for this and the boat ride. It was all on me. Okay?"

"Brent..." banggit ko sa pangalan niya. "Bakit mo ito ginagawa?"

"Siguro ito 'yong role ka sa buhay mo. Ang maging tulay sa happiness mo," nakangising sabi niya. "I was serious about you, Zac. I thought I just needed extra efforts to show you that I'm capable of making you happy and complete..." mahina niyang sabi, bahagyang nakayuko, "...but now as I see how eager you are to see this person, I think I have lost the game. I feel that I needed to do something for you because I want you to be truly happy. In the first place, that was my main purpose of pursuing you, but I gave on up that. Your happiness is in him."

He raised his head and looked at me. "I am willing to help you get your happiness even if I am not the reason."

I took his hand and wrapped it with my both hands. "I'm sorry, Brent," nakaramdam ako ng hiya. "Alam ko at nararamdaman kong may nakalaan sa'yo. You are a good person. You'll definitely find your happiness soon," madamdaming sabi ko. "You don't need to chase that happiness because it will find its way in you in the moment you least expect it to come."

"Wow. Coming from you, huh?" ngisi-ngising sabi niya. "Huwag daw habulin pero heto siya ngayon sa isla."

Mahina ko siyang sinuntok sa balikat. "Ano ba? Panira ka!" biro ko. May pagka- Hero talaga ang isang 'to. ang galing ding mang-asar, eh.

Tumawa ito. "Okay. Just stay in your room or maybe, relax at the beach."

"I'll be fine. Just go ahead. Huwag mo akong alalahanin dito," sabi ko, nakangiti. "Maraming salamat, Brent."

Dumiretso ako ng kwarto. The room was more than just fine. It was splendid! I don't think this hotel needs renovation. Parang kakagawa pa lang naman, at ipaparenovate agad?

I sprawled out on bed. It's already 11 o'clock and I suddenly feel hungry from thinking too much. Just recalling what happened before I reached this place was giving me headache. And, whose absurd idea it was? It was all mine. Hindi ko naman itinatanggi. I'm quite impulsive at times when making decision.

I went outside to get some fresh seafoods. May kainan doon na pipili ka lang ng gusto mong lamang-dagat at ipapaluto sa kanila. Then after maybe 30 minutes of waiting, seafood is then served to fill you and satisfy your cravings.

Parang ako lang doon ang nag-iisang kumakain. Halos lahat ng kasama kong kumakain doon ay magpamilya or magkaparehas.

I just focused on my grilled squids and buttered shrimps. Binawi ko sa pagkain ang gutom na nadarama at ang kabang unti-unti na namang lumulukob sa akin.

I stared at the hotel. Saan ba siya diyan ngayon? At, ano kaya ang magiging reaksyon kapag nakita ako?

I should have asked for Brent's number so I should know when the meeting ends and so I can go home later this afternoon after I rest my case.

Pagkatapos kumain ay kinuha ko ang cellphone at binuksan. Walang messages doon. I shoved it inside the pocket of my denim dress and walked slowly until I reached the seashore. Pansamantala ko munang hinubad ang suot kong slip on at iniwan sa tabi. The sand feels smooth on my feet when I played with it.

Mayamaya ay umupo ako sa buhanginan habang nakatuko ang dalawang palad sa magkabilang gilid. I just stared at the sea for only God knows how long. Dahil nga limitado lamang ang mga tao sa isla kaya kaunti rin ang makikita mong naliligo sa dagat. The clouds slowly spread out warm colors which means the sun was about to set. I got my phone and took photos of clouds turning orange and red from the distance.

I opened my Instagram account. My last post was 4 years ago and it was a picture of me holding Kio when he turned 1 year old. I posted the picture I just took with caption, "This sight is wonderful, isn't it?"

May mangilan-ngilang kumukuha din ng litrato ng ulap at dagat. Anyone can't get enough of the breathtaking sight.

I looked at the clouds again before standing up. Pinagpag ko ang buhanging nadikit sa suot ko at sa binti ko. I bent down to get my wallet and my phone and walked back to the hotel. Siguro sa pagkakataong ito ay makikita ko na si Marcus.

My phone beeped and saw a notification in my Instagram account. Tumigil ako saglit sa paglalakad para tingnan kung ano iyon.

notmarcusaurelius commented: @aziekio You're more wonderful than that.