The Last Vessel

1: The Capital

THE SUN has been a total nightmare since the moment we landed. It's not the kind of heat people would want for sunbathing and tanning. The air was heavy, sticky, and scorching. My skin's burning up. God, was it always this hot? We've only been here for three days, yet my patience is already at its limit.

While waiting for the traffic lights, I opened my mini fan, which, let's be honest, was pretty much useless. I'm sweating like a pig, and my carefully styled hair is wilting in this oppressive heat. Not to mention, the sunscreen on my face has basically evaporated. Ugh! I didn't spend thousands on skincare products just to have them roast in this blazing sun.

"This is insane," I complained, adjusting my sunglasses. "What in the free trial of hell is this?"

Gus gave me a pointed look, clearly unamused. "Ratee, the world doesn't revolve around your comfort level. We're here to experience something new, not just lounge around in a spa."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's get back before we get skin cancer." If I'd known it would be this hot, I should've brought my UV protection umbrella.

"You're being overdramatic," Gus retorted, his voice laced with irritation. "You've barely left the hotel since we got here. Maybe if you actually engaged with the culture instead of hiding from it, you'd enjoy yourself more."

"I'd rather be stuck in the hotel than be a roasted chicken under this sun," I shot back. "Why did you even pick this place anyway? Europe has way cooler spots. Spain, for instance!"

Or we could've gone to Paris or Italy. The places there were much more Instagrammable. If only they had chosen wisely, we would've already been eating a baguette in a relaxing, elegant coffee shop.

But they chose Bangkok. So, yeah, it is what it is.

It's not like I have a say anyway. It's the twins' birthday, and Dad sponsored an out-of-the-country trip for a month. The place? It's the twins' choice, of course. But why Thailand? Why? My God.

Nonetheless, I heard from Gus that products and goods are very affordable here. Not to mention that the locals are welcoming towards tourists. Well, that was according to the twins' experience so far. Me? I had fun binge-watching Korean dramas in the hotel room.

Speaking of which, we could've gone to South Korea! But okay, it is what it is.

"Ratee, you're missing the point," Cass interjected, her voice gentle but firm. She patted my head, but I immediately pushed her hand away. She's gonna ruin my curls! "We're here to learn and see the world differently, not just through a screen."

"Yeah, right," I muttered, wishing I could trade places with someone lounging in an air-conditioned room somewhere. I would honestly sell my soul for an air-conditioned room right now! Okay, maybe not.

"And what exactly are you complaining about?" Gus raised an eyebrow, his tone sarcastic. "The heat in Manila isn't that different from here. Or did you forget that part?"

He's right, though. The heat in our hometown was way worse; it was almost regulated by Satan himself. Well, maybe if they hadn't dragged me out of the hotel and forced me to join them, I wouldn't be such a party pooper.

"Sure, but back home I'm not exactly roaming around in the middle of the day, fighting the sun like some kind of gladiator," I shot back, wiping sweat from my forehead.

Cass gave me a soft glance, her voice soothing. "We're just trying to make the most of our trip, Ratee. It's not every day we get to explore a place like Bangkok."

"Yeah, well, I'd be just as happy exploring from the comfort of my air-conditioned room," I grumbled, glancing longingly at the distant hotel.

"And aren't you supposed to enjoy this trip?" Gus asked, a hint of teasing in his voice. "You're a Tourism student, after all. You should be more excited about seeing new places."