Can't find way out ASHA

Big

Oh my gosh, girl! This is it, pancit! Wednesday na, and today, magsisimula na ang love story ko with Jino! Kilig overload! I woke up super early, mga 4:30 AM, just to make sure na maayos lahat ng gamit ko. Syempre, this is the trip of a lifetime! Malas na kung hindi ako magmukhang prepared, diba.

I packed all the essentials: makeup, outfits, accessories, at lahat ng 'pampa-cute' para sa Jino agenda. I'm wearing my white sneakers, denim jumper, and a baby pink polo shirt with strawberry patterns underneath. Kawaii vibes, ‘di ba? Pero yung ponytail ko, Diyos ko, maliit lang kasi short hair ako! Medyo sablay pero laban pa rin, girl.

Si Joana naman, naabutan akong hyper na nagpe-prepare pa rin sa kwarto namin.

"Aga-aga, girl! Ready ka na sa Palawan love story mo?"

"Oo naman, girl! Gagalingan ko ‘tong awrahan!"

"Shala! Sige, bahala ka. Pero call mo ako pagdating mo, ha!"

"Of course! Wish me luck!"

"Puwede bang pasalubong ko, pogi na may abs?"

With a laugh, I headed to the meeting place.
Behold, there’s Kyle, in his usual playboy-vibes attire. As expected. Also spotted: Ate Kim and Kuya Arthur, standing by the van and the car. But where is he? My heart nearly stopped when Jino, my very own K-drama leading man, appeared like he was walking in slow motion.

As Jino approached, it was like the whole world slowed down for a moment—hala, Lord! He looked effortlessly handsome in slightly loose dark jeans, white sneakers, and a perfectly fitted navy blue button-up shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms. His silver watch gleamed subtly in the sunlight, and those glasses—girl, those glasses!—gave him a sharp, sophisticated edge. His tousled hair added to the "I woke up like this" vibe, making my heart flip-flop like crazy.

"I’ll drive the van. The luggage goes in here. Two can ride with me."

"Oh, crap! I forgot my driver’s license!"

"You always do. I’ll drive the car. Kyle, you ride with Kuya Arthur and give him the hotel directions."

There I was, standing like a lost child in the middle of their conversation, unsure whether to jump in or not.

"I’ll ride the van, too. I’ll manage the luggage." Hala?! Ate Kim paano ako?

"Hah?! So paano ako?"

in the most casual way possible "You’ll ride with me."

I screamed internally. This is real life, Asha! Keep calm! BE COOL!

"O-Okay, sir!"

As Kuya Arthur, Kyle, and Ate Kim headed to the van, Jino turned toward me.

"You gonna stand there all day?"

"Oh! Sorry, sir! Coming, sir!"

I got in the car, but wow, the air in here felt different—like, really different. The ride that should’ve been fun felt awkward, and I couldn’t even breathe properly. Girl, this is harder than it looks!

Jino clear his throat "You good?" He glanced at me briefly before looking back at the road.

"Oh! Yes, sir! I’m very, very good!" What did I just say? Kakahiya!

I swear I saw him hide a chuckle with a cough.

"Just relax, I don’t bite."

Asha: nodding aggressively "Yes! You don’t bite. Hahaha!" Smooth, Asha. Real smooth.