Tough & Classy

Chapter 43

Chapter 43: "Things end. People change. And you know what? Life goes on."

I looked down and swallowed hard, second-guessing my insane and spontaneous idea of cliff diving. It was something I never thought I would even dare try. But here I am, standing on the edge of the cliff, trying to brave it out. 

You can do this, Claire. You need to conquer your fear. Just one jump.

One day, I was just watching some random youtube videos when I came across this vlog which showed some extreme stuff such as cliff diving. All at once, I found myself going to Siargao alone without any plans at all.

"Ma'am, ready na po ba kayo?"

I took a deep breath and nodded at my tour guide. Nakiusap ako na kunan niya ako ng video. I want this moment to be recorded. Bigla akong napapikit ng tumingin sa ibaba. Bigla akong nalula. My knees turned jelly.

"I can do this!" 

I took a few steps back, took a deep breath, then ran towards the edge of the cliff. As I jumped off at last, I screamed at the top of my lungs. For a while, I felt like I was flying in the air until my body hit the water. I quickly swam to the surface and gasped. 

"I did it! Oh my God! I did it!" 

I raised my hands, laughing and feeling so damned proud of myself for having conquered my fear. I let my body float in the water with a big smile on my face. 

The next few days were spent on surfing. It wasn't a piece of cake, I must say. I kept on falling off, but it didn't stop me from trying again and again. My skin got tanned because of it. 

"What? Asan ka?" 

"I'm in Siargao, Shiloh." Nagpapahangin ako sa terrace ng hotel room ko ng mag-videocall sila ni Nathalia.

Their eyes widened when I told them what I had been doing in Siargao. They called me crazy. They got even more surprised when I told them that I was alone. 

"Iyan ba ang nagagawa ng pagiging single? Nagiging matapang?" ani Shiloh.

I just chuckled. We were just talking about some random stuff until Nathalia suddenly mentioned their department head. 

"Nakakakilig sa kagwapuhan yung bagong department head namin. Complete package siya, te. Mayaman, gentleman, sobrang bait, at gwapo! Perfect jowain!" 

"Jowain mo na," I said.

"Hindi ako papasa dun! Pero feeling ko perfect siya sa'yo," she said, looking at me expectantly. "I swear pogi talaga yung boss ko. Hindi ako mapapahiya sa'yo!"

"Ang tagal mo na daw walang jowa! Ilang months ka ng tigang. Baka lang gusto mo ng bagong boylet!" nakangising sabi ni Shiloh. "Na-sight ko na yung boss niya. Pogi nga naman. Pero siyempre mas bongacious yung kagwapuhan ni ex."

"Alam ko mahirap pantayan yung ex mo. Pero uy pogi din naman yung boss ko. Jowable din naman. Besides, don't you think it's time for you to start dating again? Matagal-tagal ka na rin naman ng single."

"Is it matagal na ba? It hasn't even been a year."

"Ewan ko diyan kay Nathalia. Excited masyado na magkajowa ka ulit. Kung ako lang, team Chester pa din ako."

Nathalia rolled her eyes. "Wala na nga diba? It's time for her to move on and be happy again."

I raised my hand to stop them. "Hold up." They both looked at me. "First and foremost, I am happy. And no, I am not faking it. I do, as a matter of fact, enjoy every moment of being single."