February 29

First day - morning

The boat's driver said that the boat ride to Cagbalete Island fr­om Mauban's port was around 30-45 minutes. All throughout the ride walang ibang ginawa ang lalaking katabi niya kundi ang bwisitin at inisin siya. Her face instantly heated when she remembered how that rude god stole her first kiss and how she weirdly reacted. Yes, that was her first kiss. In her many years of living, she never had any romantic nor sexual encounters with the opposite sex. Rather, she would just prefer staying at home and binge watch game of thrones, suits and some korean dramas (which suddenly reminded her that this guy had a kpop style inspired boxers.

"Babe, why are you blushing?" I suddenly frowned upon seeing his face near mine.

"I am not. So stop shitting on me."

"Are you thinking of lewd things? Why would you think of those kinds of things when I am just here with you? You can touch me body you know." He said while smirking and giving me that i-know-what-you-are-thinking hand sign. What's worse is that he suddenly held my hand and gave it a chaste kiss.

"What the hell is you're problem?!" I hissed after pulling my hand away from him and directly stared at his face with all seriousness.

In all fairness, his rugged style makes him so handsome in my eyes. Too handsome. And a little bit of anything, in all forms and sizes – tangible or intangible, is never a wise choice. I wished I can be as prude as a young child and just enjoy this whole bizarre thing but I just cannot.

I am finishing high school this year and already planned to take up a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies which I will then use as a pre-requisite to enroll for law school. Being with someone and fiddling with feelings increases a person's emotion leaving no room for highly important things in life, like studying and gaining recognition. At least, that is what I ought things to be. I am that kind weird human species (Yes, species with that 's' because my science teacher said that it does not have any plural or singular form so might as well use it as is) which is one of the reasons why I took this short vacation, to lessen that particular weirdness (which may be shortly explained as an indifference of actions toward the society's norms) .

"Are you okay? You suddenly spaced out."

"I'm fine. Just don't mind me mister–" I diverted my attention to the vast openness since I actually forgot his name and gawked at how the color of the sea suddenly turned light blue. I actually did not have my hopes up as I thought that it would be the same as that of the port's.

"Molteus. My name is Molteus. I thought you're intelligent. It hasn't even been a day but you already forgot my name." I looked at him regrettably as I saw a streak of pain pass by his eyes. Unabashed, he quickly smiled as if nothing happened.

Not minding him, I stared at the island. The island that may probably solve my problem– if I can actually call this a problem. I just hoped that after this 7 day trip, things would be in their proper places again (just as how my doctor said it).

My inner spirits slowly uplifted and rejoiced as the boat came nearer to the shore. The pristine waters are very majestic that I think it would only need little treatment in order for it to become drinkable. Young natives welcomed us with joy as they thought we would have a lot of baggage which they can carry to our exact destination in exchange for some money. I just sighed upon thinking of possibilities that could happen if they were brought up in a middle class family. There would be no more pitying and no more underage labor.

The bagger quickly pulled the wooden ladder underneath the chair and placed it unto the front of the boat while the driver threw the rope to one of the young natives for it to be anchored properly. "Boy, pa-sabit naman!"

A smile sprawled on my face as I saw the white sand encircling the whole island. At first glance I estimated around 300-400 people living in this hidden gem away from the city. I turned around from the view and reached for my bag but only saw his tent beside me. I looked up to him and saw my bag on his back while his own bag was hanging in front of his body.

"Ikaw nalang magdala nung tent ko since that's the lightest baggage we have."

"Okay." His expression quickly altered as if he was expecting another response from me.

"Ser, Mam, pwede na po kayo bumaba. Hawak nalang po kayo sa kamay ko." The driver's sudden scream made him broke off his stare from me as he descended the boat without even touching the hand of the driver. I stood up while grabbing the tent and walked to tip of the boat with an unsure expression as I found out that the wave was reaching the tip of the wooden ladder.

My feet would get wet either ways but I cannot afford for them to see it naked. Not my toe nails. I had a habit of picking on the nails on my feet when I get anxious about something. Before I could even reach the hand of the driver, I found myself floating as the rude god lifted me up and held me by the waist as he bought me to the cemented part of the barangay hall in front of the part where the boat docked. He picked up the bags which he placed on the ground before carrying me and when he had the two bags in place, he held my hand.

"Tara na." He then flashed that gorgeous smile of his showing his perfect set of molars. That made me wonder if he has ever modeled for a toothpaste brand before because if I were a talent scout, I would pay him loads of money for immortalizing the importance of having a nice set and invariably brushing your teeth.

I let him held my hand as I felt slightly guilty for doing bad acts to him since this morning and because I felt safe and contented when I am near him.

"May hotel ba dito or maybe an inn? I don't have any sleeping set with me." I asked him as we walked into the small alley between the houses.

"You won't appreciate the sea if you stay in a hotel. My tent is good for 2-3 persons, you'll be staying with me. You think I would leave you alone in this place full of unfamiliarity? Not in any way Missus." I felt him squeeze my hand as he said those words that instantly stirred up raw hormones inside me.

I stared at him as I spouted the first thing that came into my mind. "If something bad happens to me, you and your family will be going down with me. You do realize that I am not just some woman right?"

"Nothing will happen to you as long as you are in my proximity babe. If something happens to you? No. We might happen." Halting my steps, I raised my brow as I heard him mumble something after.

"And yes, you are not just some woman.
You are a girl.
Still a girl, my lady.

My one and only girl."