As they embraced the island's enchanting beauty, the salty air made Rose sneeze, triggering her allergies. The sun's intense rays threatened to scorch their skin, but the slowly drifting clouds unveiled the clear late-morning sky. The weather was sweltering, and the suffocating humidity drenched their bodies in sweat. Excitement surged as Henry leaped onto the powdery white sand, followed by the rest of the group, in awe of the island's breathtaking scenery.
"The Little Boracay of Zambales, they called it, and now I can see why," Vanessa remarked, her attire a mix of dark shades, a snug sleeveless shirt, and floral shorts. The gusty wind nearly carried away her buri hat.
"This place is simply stunning! Let's explore, guys!" Argel urged, striding purposefully on the powdery sand.
"An ideal spot for camping and spending the night," Henry agreed.
"You're right, Henry! We'll have an unforgettable night, a true paradise here on Potipot Island!" Argel exclaimed, showcasing his dance moves before landing softly on the ground.
Interrupting the excitement, Rose cleared her throat, her voice tinged with sadness. "As much as I would love to stay with you until tomorrow, I cannot. My allergies are acting up, my nose is red, and the medication I took is making me drowsy. On top of that, my parents don't know I'm here." She hesitated, aware that leaving after her friends had made this journey for her would be unfair. Deep down, she thought about her parents' worry in her absence.
"Don't be a buzzkill, Rose. We're here to enjoy your company! We've all longed for this gathering, and we've traveled more than four hours just to be with you," Vanessa reassured her, sensing Rose's guilt. Rose pondered for a moment, torn between her friends and her family's expectations.
"Alright, I'll stay until 5 p.m. I'll call my parents, let them know I'm with you, and that I'll return by then," Rose agreed, willing to compromise.
Mercy interjected firmly, "No, Rose. You must stay with us until tomorrow morning."
"Guys, I urge you to understand. My parents are unaware of my departure from the hotel. I left a note in our room, but I didn't ask for their permission. I simply requested that I'll return before lunch," Rose explained, her determination evident as she hoped her friends would empathize. Lourdes exchanged a meaningful glance with Mercy, silently hatching a plan.
"I have a suggestion," proposed Lourdes, "Let Karl, as Rose's boyfriend, decide whether she stays overnight or returns to the hotel by 5 p.m."
Karl's surprise was palpable as he heard Lourdes' suggestion.
"Why me?" Karl asked, his face reddening with embarrassment.
"Because you're her boyfriend! It only makes sense," Lourdes responded, seeking the group's approval.
"Yeah!" The group unanimously chimed in.
Breaking into a smile, Karl met Rose's eyes and said, "Actually, I believe Rose should make her own decision. But know that whatever you choose, Rose, we're with you," he declared, his affection for his girlfriend evident.
"No, Karl, it shouldn't be that way. It's your decision," Lourdes teased playfully, her giggle filled with mischief. Agnes, lost in thought and observing the activities along the shoreline, initially failed to grasp the unfolding conversation.
"Huh? What's happening?" Agnes asked, her confusion apparent.
"My, Agnes! We're having such a great time, but it seems your mind is elsewhere," Mercy remarked, laughing.
Vanessa shot a stern look at Lourdes, signaling an end to the mockery. Rose felt a pang of sympathy for Agnes and couldn't bear to witness her discomfort.
"Lourdes suggested that Karl should determine whether I stay overnight or return to the hotel. Agnes, we value your opinion. What do you think?" Rose requested, looking expectantly at her friend. Caught off guard, Agnes struggled to find the right words, tears welling in her eyes. Sensing the tension, Vanessa swiftly intervened, pulling Lourdes aside.
"What on earth do you think you're doing?" she whispered indignantly.
"I haven't done anything wrong," Lourdes retorted, maintaining her mocking smile. Overwhelmed, Rose stepped closer to them, watching Agnes struggle to speak.
"Enough, everyone! I alone must decide what's best for me. It's my life, my choices. If staying here overnight benefits the group, I will do so. But let's end this argument," Rose proclaimed, her tone full of conviction. Silence settled over the group as Vanessa released Lourdes's arm.
"I'm sorry, everyone," Agnes stammered, her voice trembling. "Please excuse me. I need to catch some fresh air." Without uttering another word, she hastened towards the sheltering embrace of the island's trees. Henry shared an inquisitive look with Argel as they silently questioned one another. Vanessa followed Agnes into the wooded refuge, determined to offer solace to her distraught friend. Karl and Rose exchanged a meaningful glance, understanding that their immediate priority was to support their best friend. Meanwhile, the rest of the group engaged in various conversations, providing their unsolicited commentary on Agnes's behavior.
"What is going on with Agnes?" Rose inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I don't know," Karl responded, sadness tinged his voice. "She's been acting strangely lately."
"I feel awful for her. Whatever she's going through, we should try to help," Rose said, her worry evident in her tone.
"Me too," Karl agreed, tenderly holding Rose's hand and gently kissing it. "I'm grateful you decided to join us," he whispered, while enveloping her in a passionate kiss that deepened their connection.
"Alright, everyone, let's unload our belongings and find a picturesque spot to camp for the night," Chantelle suggested. The group sprang into action, retrieving their gear from the boat and eagerly scouting for the perfect location on the island. Karl chuckled quietly to himself, realizing why Chantelle had earned the nickname "The Police."
Later that day, Karl, Argel, and Henry busied themselves setting up the tents under the trees, while Mercy and Lourdes took charge of preparing lunch. Vanessa and Rose, on the other hand, were getting ready for the campfire activities scheduled for later that evening. Only Agnes was absent, as she wasn't feeling well.
After the cooking was completed, the group of friends promptly gathered for lunch. Agnes joined them, partaking in the meal, yet maintaining an air of quiet pensiveness. At times, she would surreptitiously steal glances at Karl, only to quickly avert her gaze whenever their eyes met. Unbeknownst to Agnes, Vanessa also fixed her gaze upon her, revealing her disapproval of her friend's actions.
Rose and Karl sat contentedly side by side, exuding an aura of happiness and tenderness. Their connection was palpable. Meanwhile, Agnes, though present, wrestled with lingering feelings of sadness, making a conscious effort to conceal her emotions from the rest of the group as she engaged in conversation and enjoyed the meal.
After having lunch, Rose bid farewell to her friends, informing them of her plan to head to the beach first in order to call her parents who were staying at a hotel. It occurred to her that they might have already seen the message she left on the table in their room. Due to the limited network signal in their vicinity, Rose needed to find a suitable spot to make her call. She decided not to ask her boyfriend to accompany her, as he had fallen asleep inside their tent that they had set up earlier. Vanessa and Agnes were nowhere in sight, most likely already taking a dip in the chilly sea.
The small island was bustling with people. Rose's friends were correct in describing it as a stunning place. However, the steady influx of visitors might gradually lead to its deterioration. The surroundings were tainted by the presence of litter irresponsibly left behind by those who had visited. Leftover food items either floated in the sea or scattered like fine powder on the pristine white sand. A group of young people played music at a high volume, while others engaged in excessive and rowdy behavior due to intoxication.
Children could be seen running around, engaged in lively games of tag. Some played beach volleyball, utilizing a worn-out net strung between two bamboo poles buried near the shoreline.
Rose's stride halted abruptly as she believed she saw a dark figure floating up from the ocean. A cold shiver passed through her body, gradually intensifying her fear. She stood rooted to the spot, only for the figure to vanish suddenly when someone passed by in front of her.
Rose's gaze remained fixated on the spot where she had seen the figure. She questioned whether it was her mind playing tricks on her or if what she saw was indeed real. Maybe her imagination had been sparked by the previous night's unsettling experience during their journey to the hotel.
Once she confirmed that no figure was present, Rose resumed walking along the beach, determined to find a stronger network signal. It was at this moment that she began experiencing an itchy sensation in her nose, occasionally leading to sneezing. She realized that her allergy to the sea breeze was acting up once again.