Seasons

Never Sleep With A Heavy Heart (Flashback V)

Anntonia's POV:

"You know there's a term here in the Philippines; I can't remember it exactly. Translate mo nga, Janina." Samantha, who was sitting on the high stool near the window, said to her best friend.
 

I do not have any idea why they're here, but the moment I went back from the buffet area, their table was empty. I didn't bother to take out food and ask where they were because that confrontation between me and Max made me super drained. 
 

So I decided to walk back to my hotel room, and when I was a few doors away, I saw their group of friends standing in front of my door.
 

And here they are, saying that they want to hang out with me because they know that I am heading to Thailand pretty soon. They bought snacks and sweets. Samantha also has her comforter with her. 
 

They are actually fun to be with. They've been here for more or less 45 minutes, and they made my room extra loud and chaotic, with, of course, Samantha being the leader of it all.
 

Everything is going okay, but not this one.
 

I can't even look at Michelle, who was sitting at the edge of my bed. I feel shy.
 

"Shoot." Janina responded to Sam. I didn't even realize I was zoning out again.
 

"What's "don't leave" in Tagalog nga?" Samantha asked Janina, who was sitting beside me.
 

"Huwag kang aalis."
 

"Hu-wag kang a..alis..?" I unconsciously copied.
 

Samantha smiled widely, and Janina covered her mouth while looking at me. "Adorable!!" Rhian commented, and she clapped her hands for me. Michelle even looked at me proudly while smiling.
 

"Can you say it again, pretty please?" Samantha walked towards us and jumped on my bed. "One more. Last na!"
 

"I forgot. What is it again?" I innocently asked.
 

"Nah, okay. Let's do this differently. Say "hindi ako aalis" instead," Janina suggested, and Samantha got more excited. They're like parents who were trying to teach their baby to speak.
 

"Uhm, I'll try. Why did it become a Tagalog class all of a sudden?" I chuckled. "Hindi ako.. a-aalis. Did I get that right?"
 

The group was looking at me sweetly, as if they were teaching me intently.

"Okay! That was an assurance that you're not leaving." Janina commented, and Samantha nodded in agreement.
 

After the little talks and silly banter, the group decided to walk around the beach. I was not in the shape to join with them, but I don't want to let them down either. 
 

As we were walking, we were joined by another three people who were chitchatting with the group. It seems like all of them are well-known personalities just like Max.
 

"Hey, may I know what you do for a living if it's okay? I'm just curious. Seems like your circle is full of actresses."
 

Samantha laughed at me and tugged me closer. "Well, not all of us are in the field of the acting industry. Me, I am a businesswoman, but known to be a beauty queen. Janina is a content creator and brand ambassador. Well, it's the three of them who are actresses. Especially Max and Rhian, because if you'll ask me, Michelle is more of a beauty queen."
 

"Really?"
 

"Yeah. She competed internationally too for Miss World."
 

"Wow."