~~~
The van parked in front of the hotel, we just arrived after having dinner at Mama's Grill. I stepped out to approach the front desk to get our room key, the lounge is still full of guests having coffee. I yawned.
An intern handed me the room key, I thanked her before taking it in my hands. The boys also took their key before going to their room, and after that, we did the same too.
I sat on the bed to fix my things, Vry turned the TV on while Theia went in the bathroom to change. The staff offered room cleaning service before we even left, so our room is cleaner than how it was earlier.
[Sapient University, donates to the children of Pure Hearts Orphanage from their successful fundraiser program.] The news report says, I guess they have successfully transferred the funds. We all clapped in the room to celebrate. It's everybody's success.
"Congratulations Sav!" Ameelya claps, I gave her a small smile. I felt so accomplished because of this, all of the hard work and efforts paid off. "Congrats to us guys!"
"We deserve this vacation so much," Ven says and she's right, we deserve this! It has been a stressful journey, and now this weeklong trip in Siargao is such a breather! "and we deserve this wonderful victory!"
"Should we celebrate?" Vrylle asked, she looks down on her watch to check the time. It's still early, the lounge is still open and the café too. I could really use some coffee. "Let's go. I hope the guys are still awake..."
I took my jacket and placed both of my hands in the pockets, the breeze of the wind is very cold. Venylie locked the room as we got out, we walked together to the café. I'm right, there's still a lot of people here.
We were all busy looking for a table while Amee's on the counter ordering us coffee and desserts, then familiar faces caught my attention! I waved at them to get their attention, the boys are in the café. They didn't even invite us!
"Are we not welcome to join?" Theia rolled her eyes when we all are finally seated on the round table. The boys just looked at us in shock. I think they have their own plans.
"We didn't invite you since we thought all of you are asleep." Korics says before sipping on his cup. I looked at him, and we both exchange glares. I smiled slightly, thinking about what happened earlier in dinner.
After the incident near the restroom, after what Korics said to that guy. He just left with an annoyed look on his face, then he dragged me back to our table and the others were left confused. I was also left confused, because of what he said...
Amee came back with our orders and we all started to drink coffee while chatting about the occasion. It's a simple celebration just to acknowledge the small victory we had, it feels nice to know you've done something to help other people. Especially children.
Everyone was just laughing the entire time, until I noticed Kor holding his chest with a little pain in his expression. I placed my hand on his back.
"Are you alright?!" I asked, but he just smiled and nodded before excusing himself to go to the bathroom.
What was that about?
I felt worried, so I ran to the bathroom to check on him. There wasn't any line so I stood there, waiting for him and I'd casually knock on the door if I notice he's gone quiet.
"What's happening in there?!" I asked, he won't respond. I knocked on the door a little more louder now, and finally... he responded.
"I'm okay." He says, I don't believe him! I won't believe him... not until he opens the door and I could see him being okay. "Maybe it's a heartburn. Acid reflux, I'll be fine."
"Come out?" I requested, it took him a while before opening the door. He looked okay, I just wondered if he also feels okay. "Are you sure you're okay? I could buy you medicine, I think there's a pharmacy near the—"
"I'm okay. Let's go back to the table." He grabs my hand to lead us back to the table, I still felt worried about him. He won't let me help him though, which I find very annoying. I just wanted to take care of him. "Don't worry about me. It's normal, it happens a lot."
Happens... a lot?
He stayed silent now, he would just laugh and look at everyone. I felt worried about him, I think he's really going through pain, I left to go to the nearest drugstore. I'm sure there's one, I want to buy him medicine.
When I got back, they're still in the café. I tapped his shoulder and gave him the cellophane containing the medicine for his case. I looked at him intently, I know he wants to refuse but I also know he's aware that I won't stop staring at him unless he drinks it.
"Okay, you win." He goes to the counter to ask for a glass of water, I smiled in satisfaction. I was only doing it for him, I wouldn't want him to silently suffer there while looking at us.
He worries me a lot, I always want to look after him because I don't want him to get hurt. I wanted to protect him the way he protects me. I care for him too much. I just want to assure his well-being.
I flopped on the bed when we got back in the room. I felt so much exhaustion! They didn't want to sleep yet, Vrylle's still watching TV. Venylie and Theia are busy playing mobile games.
Amee sat beside me, I looked at her and raised my brow. What does she want? She giggles, while resting her head on my pillow.
"Oh? What do you want?" I asked her, she smirks and whispered...
"What happened earlier?" She says, I got confused. Did she seriously just approach me to gossip? "When we were having dinner? When you went to the restroom!"
"Oh. A weirdo approached me and started pulling my hand. He was asking for my name and I didn't know why." She listens carefully. "Good thing Kor saw us, he went there and came to rescue me!"
"Your knight in shining armor!" She exclaimed. I rolled my eyes at her, she's turning my life into a fairytale! It's not a fairytale though. "Okay, bye girl I just wanted to know."
She runs back to their bed and started to scroll through her phone, I was the only one not holding a phone! I couldn't wait to go home and get my phone fixed.
"Oh gosh!" Venylie says, she started jumping around so we all huddled around her. "Look, I think I accidentally found Nycho's Instagram account!"
"What's his username?" Vrylle asked.
"VNJ" Venylie showed us. We all looked at each other before trying to figure out what VNJ means. "Yes, VNJ. 1,829 followers, 182 following, 30 posts."
"Why VNJ?" Ameelya asked. "Vern Nycho... what does J mean?"
"I don't know too. What is Gaeb's username, Triz?" Theia asked Amee. "I don't know his IG account."
"Hmm, let me check." She grabs her phone. "Oh, G_angelo_F."
"F? And in Nycho's account it's J?" Ven says, which made us all think. It made me think too, it suddenly confused all of us. "Let's not jump to conclusions guys, maybe the letter J means something else."
After gossiping about a few things, we all went to sleep. I fell asleep immediately because I got so tired after the entire day we've had.
The sun came up, another day, another reason to keep on going. I ran outside to walk in the shore, the waves are still calm and the sunlight reflected on the waters. I sat on the sand, as I admired every bit of it.
I walked around to pick some seashells up, there's a lot of it around the beach. This would make great decorations for my DIY picture frame! I can't wait to go home and start making crafts again, and start writing again, and continue a new chapter with him...
The girls are still asleep, I was the only one walking in the beach. Some tourists are already swimming and sunbathing, I smiled at the sight of little kids building sandcastles. I approached them.
"Hi." I said, they all waved at me. They seem to be very friendly kids. They have a dog with them too. "I like your sandcastle."
"Thank you." The kid smiled with so much joy in her face, I sat on the sand so I could talk with them a little more. "What's your name?"
"I'm Savelle." I laughed a bit. "What's your name?"
"I'm Raffa, and this is my cousin, Cora." She says, and I smiled before pointing at their dog. "Oh, and this is our dog. His name is Fudge."
"I have a dog named Nugget." I said. I started to miss Nugget, my parents, and even school. No matter how tiring it gets, I still miss all of those.
"Where is he?"
"I left him in Zamboanga." I said. "I'm only here for vacation. I'm with my friends."
"I hope you come back here next time." The kid named Cora said. "Bring Nugget with you! Fudge would love to meet him!"
"I will." I said, I looked over at the lounge and I could see Korics, Gaeb and Theia walk towards the café where we usually eat breakfast. "I think I have to go. It's breakfast time, you kids should eat too! Bye."
"Bye, miss Savelle!" They waved as I slowly walk away from them.
I sat on the chair beside Kor, we all ate breakfast with the staff. We have gotten closer ever since we stayed in this hotel, even with Gaeb, Nycho and Kyve.
"Where did you go?" Korics asked. I pointed to the beach, he nodded while slicing his pancake. "I thought you went swimming."
"I didn't." I shook my head. "I was just talking to some kids making sandcastles and I also picked some seashells up. For decorations."
After having breakfast, we all went to the beach and sat on the sand. Forming a circle, the boys were busy building sandcastles. I was looking around, in hopes to see those kids again.
"Mine looks way nicer than yours." Kyve teased Gaeb, they're building sandcastles and turning it into an intense competition. "Stop trying. You're always going to lose."
"You wish!" He says. "Hah! I won, look! Mine's bigger this time."
I just shook my head before standing up to walk around the beach, suddenly Korics came running towards me and putting his arm around my shoulder. I smiled.
"Are you okay now?" I asked him, and he nodded. "Did you drink your medicine?"
"Yes, I did." He says. "So stop worrying okay?"
I sat on a rock to rest my legs, my smile widened when I saw Raffa, Cora and Fudge walking towards me. Kor was just confused! I waved at them.
"Who are those?" He pointed at them.
"My friends."
He just shrugged and waved at them too. I smiled and offered them to sit beside me, the rock's big enough for us and Kor was just standing so it's fine.
"Hi miss Savelle!" Cora waved at me. I patted Fudge's head. They're eating ice cream, isn't it a little too early to eat ice cream? "Who is that?"
Raffa pointed at Korics, I just laughed and started to introduce them to each other. "Kor, this is Raffa, Cora and their pet dog, Fudge. I met them earlier this morning. Kids, this is Korics, he's with me here. It's our vacation."
"Your boyfriend is handsome, miss Savelle." Cora said, referring to Korics. I laughed before there was complete silence, Korics and I just stared at each other silently.
Your boyfriend is handsome, miss Savelle.
"Yes, yes he is." I bluntly said, staring at Korics whilst the sun shined upon us.
~~~