~~~
It felt right. I have been holding back for so long and now that I grabbed the opportunity to tell him what I feel, I just went along with it... throwing away all of my fears and my doubts. This is my momentum, this is the time where I chose to be honest to myself. I really did change, I learned a lot.
Korics sat there, his lips parted in shock while listening to me. I covered my face with both of my hands, all of the words I have said syncing in now.
The both of us are still in the van, and the silence is deafening. He didn't say anything, not even a word. It's getting dull inside so I just sighed and opened the door, ready to go out. I wouldn't want things to ruin my mood.
As I ran towards them, everybody was already having fun and I could get a glimpse of Kyve teaching the girls how to surf. Nycho and Gaeb were talking near the water. I walked as fast as I could because things between me and Kor are getting awkward.
It makes me want to regret saying all of those. Was I too fast? I just shrugged and ran towards them. Korics was still following me but I tried my best to avoid him, I was not ready to hear what he has to say.
"What took you both so long?" Theia asked. I looked down while trying to approach Kyve for assistance. He made me chose a surfboard. "Hmm, why the long face? Did something bad happen?"
"I said some stuff." I started, I chose a surfboard and I waited for Kyve to finish teaching Amee and Venylie. "It was a wrong move. I guess he's still not ready to hear those. I thought it was time."
"Well, whatever it is.. just give it some time." She says before she tapped on my shoulder. I shut my eyes close for a few seconds and as I open them, Korics' in front of me now. "Oh, I'll leave you guys alone. You guys talk about it okay?"
"You're avoiding me, aren't you?" He asked. I shut my eyes, could this get any awkward? Or am I the only one making it awkward? "I knew it. You didn't even wait for me to respond, you just ran away. I must admit, it was quite funny."
I stood there firmly, tightening my grip on my hands whilst I held it as a fist. I exhaled, before looking at him intently watching how his normal expression shifts to an amused look. I held his arm, before slowly dragging him somewhere else.
"Let's talk elsewhere."
We found a spot farther away from the tourists and the group who are busy surfing and clearly, they don't notice our absence. Korics sits on a painted rock, I stood in front of him, gathering the nerves to even talk to him regarding my bluntness.
"If you want to tell me something... staring blankly and staying silent won't help you know?" He makes this hiss sound before shaking his head at me. "Spill. It's getting late, you won't want to miss the waves."
"Okay, whatever!" My legs were shaking while I pushed myself to spit every word out. "You may have gotten a little startled after I said all of those in the van. I should have been more careful and... well, slow because it was too much to handle or was it? I don't even know anymore Korics you're just confusing me and—"
"—And are you done now?" He asks, he shook his head before standing closer to me, he holds my hand and lightly squeezes it. "You're the one who's stressing yourself out. I told you to take care, you have nothing to worry about Sav. You know me well, you know I speak of the truth. What I said, is all true. What I feel for you, it's true. I hope that assures you."
He didn't let go of my hand, he leads the way towards everyone while still holding my hand. I couldn't even move properly because I was still busy processing what he said. I'm also feeling the butterflies and the way my heart's fluttering.
The waves are still strong, Kyve taught me how to surf. He took time to teach me the basics, just enough for me to learn how to balance on the surfboard. I fell countless times, but it was alright. It's my first time, I considered that. Even the girls had a hard time. It's only Gaeb and Nycho acting all natural since they already know how to surf.
"I should've just stayed in the hotel and surfed the internet instead. This is tiring." Venylie says while pouting, looking very exhausted. "Kidding. Thank you, Kyve. Also you Gaeb, and Nycho."
"Thank you, too." Nycho says while smiling at us. He looks at the view in Cloud 9. It's breathtaking, everything about it was beautiful. "Thanks for letting me in your group, guess I found new friends."
"Anyone is welcome." Theia says. We all shook our heads to agree. It's nice having Gaeb, Nycho and Kyve as our friends, because these friendships were all unexpected. I guess destiny's on my side in the current days, I wonder if it would stay this way. "So, any dinner plans?"
The girls and I headed to the restroom to change into our dry clothes and prepare our things so we could go back to the hotel and get some rest. The boys are also preparing while Kyve's already in the van.
"Is everyone all set?" We all checked our stuff, the bags, the clothes, the gadgets and since non of them are missing, we're all ready to head back and rest. "We should grab dinner first."
"Any suggestions?" Vrylle asked, she's busy searching up famous restaurants and food houses near or around Siargao that we could try. We've been eating to much seafood in the hotel, we wanted to taste something new for a change. "Perhaps, a simple diner around?"
"Mama's Grill?" Gaeb suggested. We all agreed since Kyve told us before that Mama's Grill is known for their best-tasting barbecues. They also served other grilled specials and drinks. "Okay, it's settled. Mama's Grill, here we come."
Kyve drove us, it wasn't a long drive but we didn't arrive much earlier too. We all got so tired that we took advantage of the drive and slept there to ease our exhaustion. Let's consider this payback, I rested my head on Kor's to sleep. He didn't mind.
"Enjoying much?" He whispers while bringing his face closer to my head, and just a few seconds his head's already resting on my head. We stayed that way, until we arrived at Mama's Grill. "Anyways, we still haven't discussed about us."
"Us?"
"Yes, us. We never had a clearer discussion about us." He says, what is he even talking about? I shrugged, still resting my head on his shoulder. "What's the score between us?"
"I don't understand." I gulped. I know what he's talking about, I just think it's not the right place to talk about those things. I wanted to say that my feelings are pure and that I love him... but there are too many people in the van. "I refuse to understand."
"Oh come on. It's written all over your face." He laughs. Obviously, I'm dumb enough to lie this poorly. It's embarrassing actually, he's even teasing me about it. "Let's talk about it once you're ready. I'm not in a hurry, we have a lot of time."
"Just say yes already!" Vrylle interrupted, ah what did I expect? Of course she's listening, she's seated at the back and we're loud enough to be heard. "Oh, sorry. Was I too loud?"
"Yes." Korics and I said in sync.
Kyve parked in the spot closest to the entrance, it's a nice place and it looks very simple. The aroma of the grilled specialties welcomed us, the place is packed with people. There are a lot of tourists, good thing Kyve managed to get us a table.
"Take lots of photos Vry!" I said, I didn't have a phone so I just asked Vry to take photos so she could send them to me once I have mine repaired of if it's too damaged then I'll get a new one. "Too bad I don't have a working phone."
"You should've told me earlier, Savelle." Nycho says, I looked at him. He's seated in front of me and Korics, he's in between Vry and Gaeb. "We could've gotten in fixed for you."
"It's alright. You had to rest, you're all drunk as hell." We laughed. In fact, I was the only one who got better sleep since they all slept late because of the boys. "Our room's a complete disaster. Vry and Amee fell asleep on the floor."
Last night, when everyone's still in the lounge and continuously drank even if they could barely see a vivid surrounding, I was fast asleep. It's very chaotic, but in the midst of that chaos. I slept at ease because of Kor.
We ordered food, and waited for it to be served. I can't wait to try their dishes, and I can't wait to go back to the hotel either. I really want to sleep now, I'm half awake. My face lit up when I saw the waiter walking towards us.
"Here are your orders." He says. "Just approach the cashier if you need anything. We also serve drinks, and we sell souvenirs."
After that, we ate dinner and chatted for a while. Everyone's busy talking and I didn't want to disturb them so I just looked around the place trying to keep myself awake and attentive.
I watched my friends having fun, I smiled to myself thinking about how this vacation helped us to build a stronger bond and welcome new friendships. Then I realized, Siargao made me brave!
Slowly, step-by-step I became more vocal about my feelings. In all aspects, specially to Korics. Ever since we became closer, I knew my feelings for him would eventually grow more and more, who wouldn't?! He's just too much to ignore.
I never really acknowledge my feelings before, given that I was trying to protect a friendship. Having those feelings felt like I was betraying my friendship, not in a million years would I imagine myself confessing to him because I oath to keep it a secret until I felt none of it.
But, surprise! In just a flick, a lot of things have happened in Siargao and it's not even a week yet! All of the bottled emotions and kept feelings dauntlessly came out. I'm lucky enough to have his feelings mutual with mine. I became stronger.
A stronger version of me... means that I'm not afraid to risk anymore. Luck is still on my side.
I stood up so everyone looked at me. "Carry on. I'll just excuse myself to go to the restroom."
There's a line in the restroom?! I really need to pee, I'm the fifth one in the row and I can't hold it in much longer! It made me afraid that I might accidentally... The line's moving!
After a few minutes of patiently waiting and also stopping myself from urinating while waiting in line... it's finally my turn! I ran immediately, and after doing my business inside, I washed my hands.
Just when I was about to go back to our table, a guy... probably near my age blocked my way. I looked at him intently before shifting towards the other way, but he still chased after me.
"Do I know you?" I asked. He had this weird smile on his face, I couldn't even look at him directly because it felt... unusual. "Please, let me pass."
"What's your name?" He asks like how a typical five-year-old would if trying to pursue a friendship. "May I get to know you, miss?"
"Let me pass." I said. I have no time for you! I was about to rush away but he stopped me by holding onto my wrist. I struggled to help myself. I couldn't shout too because I'm scared it might cause a ruckus. "Let go of me, please."
"Not unless you give me your name." He says, what a creep! I did my best and exerted all of my force just to grab myself and run towards our table to tell my friends but he overpowered me. "Miss."
"Let go of her." Korics suddenly appears and says that to him in a threateningly calm voice. I felt relieved when I saw him there, good thing he noticed! "Let go of her..."
"Who are you?" The guys asks. "Stay away. This is just a friendly conversation."
"I said, let go of her." Korics says. "You won't want to get in trouble so if I were you, I'd let her go."
"Ah shit. Who the heck are you anyway?!" The creepy guy furiously says. He looked very provoked, as if Korics was very repulsive for him.
"Let go of my girlfriend."
~~~