Aspen's POV

 

 

Spending summer at home alone is what I call a vacation

 

We always go out, may pasok man o wala. Bakasyon man o hindi. I feel like, umuuwi na lang ako sa condo ko para matulog. 

 

My friends are social butterflies, especially Cyan. She likes going out a lot. Arryn just goes with the flow, while I'm the only one who doesn't like interacting with lots of people. I find it unnecessary. I can interact with Cyan and Arryn anytime, so why bother?

 

“Ma, today is the only day I can spend my time alone in my condo, we have been going out for like 3 weeks straight! I need to rest.” I'm talking with my Mother on the phone. She wants me to have a social life so bad. 

 

“Alicyan asked for my permission to let you join them for a 3-day trip.” She replied 

 

“I don't want to go.” 

 

“Then you will attend our business trip-” 

 

“Fine! I'll go with Arryn and Cyan.” I cut her off

 

I can sense her joy right now.

 

I was about to watch my new favorite series when the bedroom door opened.

 

“So I heard na pumayag kang sumama sa 3-day trip natin?” Bumungad si Cyan at agad na tumalon sa kama ko

 

Sumunod naman si Arryn na may malapad na ngiti

 

“I was forced.” 

 

Cyan rolled her eyes saka kinuha ang remote sa kamay ko

 

“Mag bihis ka na. Ready na ang sasakyan natin sa labas.” Aniya saka ako hinila patayo

 

Tumulong pa si Arryn kaya wala na akong nagawa

 

Hindi na ako umalma dahil kahit ano namang gawin ko ay hindi ko rin naman sila mapipigilan.

 

 

Tamad akong nakatingin sa bintana ng sasakyan namin habang pinapanood ang mga nadadaanan namin

 

“Our flight is at 3 pm and we have 1 hour left. Are you guys hungry already? Pwede tayong mag drive thru sa near na fast food chain.” Cyan suggested

 

Tumango na lang ako at hindi na umimik pa

 

As usual, Cyan ordered one taro smoothie with lasagna for me. 

 

Some people may think that I'm very strict about setting my boundaries, which is true. These two friends of mine are the only ones I can trust aside from my parents.

 

I don't really care about those who are bad mouthing me saying I'm mean or whatsoever. I just don't want to waste my energy on those people who are not important to me. I chose to talk less because I'm more focused on observing my surroundings. I thank my friends for understanding me even though they think I'm kinda weird. 

 

I remember one time when Cyan and Arryn fought. They asked me to choose between one of them. And since I rarely talk, I just walk out. They ended up reconciling.

 

 

“We are here at the airport, guys! I'm excited!” 

 

Bumaba kami sa sasakyan habang si Cyan naman ay nakuha pang kumuha ng mga litrato kahit malapit na ang flight namin

 

Hindi ko talaga alam kung saan kami pupunta, actually. Pero ang sabi ni Arryn, iba't-ibang lugar daw ang pupuntahan namin para sa tatlong araw na trip namin. 

 

Ang naalala ko lang na unang pupuntahan namin ay nasa bahagi ng central visayas. siquijor or something, I forgot.

 

An hour had passed, and we finally landed at our destination. Ilang minuto rin ang byahe bago kami nakarating sa resort na pansamantala naming tutuluyan para sa isang araw. 

 

“A trip won't be a trip if we don't swim! Kaya let's go na!” Si Cyan

 

“Cy! Let me take a picture of you!” Ani naman ni Arryn

 

Dalawa lang silang lumusong sa dagat habang ako'y nanonood lamang sa kanila. I don't really like taking pictures. Hindi naman ako makakalimutin kaya hindi ko malilimutan ang mga mangyayari sa araw na ito kahit pa hindi ko kunan ng litrato.

 

Alam nilang dalawa na hindi ko hilig maligo sa dagat o sa kung saan pa man. Hindi ko naman ikamamatay na maligo kasama ang maraming tao pero hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ayaw ko. 

 

 

Nang mapagod ang dalawa ay sabay-sabay na kaming umakyat sa room namin para umorder na ng makakain dahil nagdidilim na rin. 

 

“Puro candid photos lang ni Aspen ang nandito! Pa-pogi talaga!” Biro ni Cyan

 

“Post mo sa IG niya!” Suhestiyon naman ni Arryn

 

Inilingan ko lang silang dalawa at sinimulan ng kumain.  

 

“Hay, Aspen. Paano ka na lang kung wala kami? Lonely forever? I don't think anyone would have the guts to talk to you.” Si Arryn

 

Sinimangutan ko lang siya dahil totoo naman

 

Ayos lang naman sa akin. At least buong araw lang akong tulog sa condo ko kung gano'n. sinasayang ang buhay sa pag higa lang magdamag

 

“Since gabi na rin naman, gawin na natin ang tradition natin!”

 

“We're still eating, Cyan.” Sagot ko

 

Naging tradisyon na nila gabi-gabi ang ‘Night tittle-tattle.’ o kung ano man ang tawag nila ro'n. 

 

“There are rumors na may diwata raw sa huling pupuntahan natin!” Tila excited na sambit ni Cyan

 

Agad naman na kumunot ang noo namin ni Arryn

 

“Fairy tale lang?” Si Arryn

 

“I don't know! Th