FLASHBACK
"That's so predictable and dramatic!" Kuya exclaimed then rubbed his chin thinking for better ideas.
"Wait, why do all my ideas seem ugly to you?" My hands are already crossed on my chest because he didn't agree almost all of my suggestions except for the first one I mentioned that our first meeting should be at Aunt Maureen's cake shop. What is he looking for?
"This is not teleserye little sissy, we should you know, chill." My eyes followed his every move from walking back and forth until he circled behind me and grabbed both of my shoulders.
"Since you already set the reunion better yet, we will give them an excellent show." I felt like I drank a gallon of my own saliva when he suddenly leaned on my neck and pointed at the paper that he sketched last night. I can feel his warm breath on my neck while he's explaining what will happen in the reunion. Partially, I was listening to him, but the rest passed from one ear to the other because of my abnormal palpitations.
"Much better, right?" Uncomfortably, I moved a bit to shift on my seat, but my eyes caught a glimpse of his lips, and a memory of him kissing me that night flashed back in my mind again. When I couldn't take the uncomfortable feeling inside, I stood and headed to the kitchen to drink water.
After I calmed myself down, I immediately returned to the living room so that we could continue planning. I smiled at him a little and he sat on the sofa holding his phone and showed me the horror house where we will carry out the plan. Compared to my previous suggestions, I am convinced that his ideas are way more exciting and less dramatic. I was attentive in his discussion about all the smallest details of the plan from the start on how I will meet Jacob in Tita Maurene's cake shop until the horror both, but I snapped out of it when he suddenly asked me with challenging eyes, "Do you know how to kiss?"
It took me a long time to answer him and my throat felt dry when I saw his lips move while his eyes estimated my answer.
"If not, I'll teach-" My eyes widened so I cut him off quickly.
"OF COURSE I KNOW HOW!" I snapped, unable to look directly at him. I bit my lip when he secretly smirked and continued planning. I was even more amazed at how quickly he sketched a new set up for the next scene of the horror booth and that was the pool scene which was my favorite of all. Initially, that's what we had planned and tomorrow we will fly home to CDO to bring the plan to life. Finally, what I have longed for will come true.
END OF FLASHBACK
I couldn't stop smiling when I remembered everything we went through since we met again while we were waiting for Jia to arrive because Marc was going to return the horses to the owner. Marc and I had a merrienda here under the pine tree and we were enjoying the wide view in front of us. The entirety of Mount Kitanglad that we climbed yesterday is clearly visible here, it is also gradually covered by thick fog.
"I'm sorry for kissing you when I was drunk... that night." I spit out the sweet potato I was eating after hearing from him what I didn't expect to hear.
"WHAT? SO YOU REMEMBER... ALL OF THAT?!" I hit him in shock and annoyance. He was able to hide it from me for a long time and I even forgave him because I thought he didn't remember anything because he was so drunk. Then he remembered everything that happened! I wasn't satisfied yet and I punched his chest.
"Ouch! It hurts!" He complained but I had no intention of stopping so I stood up and was about to pinch his side because he's so annoying but, before I could reach him, he already ran away. I tried to chase him but he ran so fast that I signaled a timeout for him to stop as soon as he got away from me. I was chasing my breath, my hands on my bent knees, and he ran back to me. When he stretched out his hand to help me, I quickly grabbed his thumb and lifted it up and went around behind him twisting it.
"Hey! I'm sorry!" He groaned in pain and patted my arm with one hand. He patted me a few times before I let him go. I crossed my hand over my chest again and raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'm sorry I was drunk and I was scared because I didn't want to face your anger okay. Sorry na please. PEACE!" He rubbed his nape and pursed his lips trying to think of something to forgive him.
"Knock knock." He smiled like a puppy and placed his hands under his jaw trying to look cute which is a bit effective to me, but I restrained myself so that I won't look obvious.
"Who's there?" I didn't feel like answering him and we started walking back to the pine tree we sheltered earlier.
"I love you!" His gaze was drowning me but I tried to resist it and I raised my eyebrows asking him, "I love you who?"
I blinked when he held my hand and kissed it without taking his gaze as deep as the sea, "You don't need to ask because you are my love."
We stared deeply for a long time and we both craned our neck up to the sky when big tears fell from the sky. He quickly grabbed my wrist and together we ran back to where we left our things earlier. We caught our breath when we arrived at the pine tree and we both huddled together for shelter. Fortunately, the horses were sheltered near the pine tree so we wouldn't have to move them because my friends weren't there yet.
"Where are they? Why are they taking so long?" I said softly because I was slowly feeling the cold on my left shoulder that was wet from the rain. I rubbed my palm together and blew warm air on it then rubbed it against my shoulder. Obviously, we can't go home yet in this weather condition and of course, we can't take the 4 horses back home especially that I am the only one who can ride a horse. I heaved a problematic sigh and hugged myself, the cold slowly made every cell of my body shiver.
"Jess, are you okay?" I shook my head as I moved closer to him because my feet were already wet from the rain. I rubbed my shoulders harder to warm myself, but it wasn't enough. I can feel my lips and toes trembling. Apparently, it's getting darker and no signs of my friends yet. No texts and even calls. I distanced myself away from Marc when I felt his warm breath on my shoulder and his back was getting wetter because of me. Now I'm afraid that he's going to catch a cold.
"Marc, come here, you're soaking wet." He shook his head and gave me a thumbs up but I was more worried when he turned pale and was shivering from the cold. I can't let him get sick. I have to think of a way. I immediately put my palm on his forehead to check his temperature. I was surprised when I felt fire burning. He slowly closed his eyes and leaned on my shoulder.
I felt every breath he takes and his obvious tired eyes, and it makes me wonder what I should do just to repay everything he did for me. The rain still hasn't stopped and still no signs of my friends. It's getting colder and the surroundings are getting darker. I looked at him sleeping soundly on my shoulder. He's cute and I found myself unconsciously tracing his face that made him wake up when I stroked his cheeks. He's shivering in cold, his lips were flaking, and in the last minute, I knew what I could do.
"Take off your shirt." His spirit woke up at my command and gaped while covering himself like a woman.
"WHAT? Are you serious?" He stammered and I looked at him seriously because I wasn't really joking. This is real survival tips. I don't think he was convinced and just leaned against the tree so I led him to take off the two layers I was wearing and left my shirt on.
"Hey! What are you planning to do? I thought I'd wait, why does it seem so fast?" He covered his eyes worriedly even though he saw my shirt and because the rain keep pouring, he hugged himself.
"I want to warm you up." He coughed at what I said and because I think he really has no plans to follow my order because of his lingering dirty thoughts. I really want to burst out laughing because his reaction is so priceless.
"Are we really going to do it here at the pine tree Jess? Can't we go home first anyway-" I directly cut him off by locking him in my tightest hug. My palm assisted his head on my shooulders sharing my heat. Eventually, he stopped talking and encircled his arms around my waist tightening the hug.
"I'm not a pervert tss, unlike you who stole my first kiss." I rolled my eyes when I remembered that memory again.
"So, I'm your first ki-ss?" He unlocked himself from my hug and I cringed when he moved his brows up and down playfully. It's unfair because he probably kissed a lot of girls already while he's sailing at work, and he got my first that easily. I huffed in disgust, but he just returned a smile of success and pulled me back locking me in his arms. For the countless time, I found myself safe in his arms like an infant cradled by his warmth, secured, and away from harm. Little by little, I slowly closed my eyes while the rain never stopped pouring.
"Captain, you need to rest." I moved my head sideways upon hearing a familiar voice, I think it's Jia. Thankfully, they're here. It's good that they came but why do I feel like I'm lying comfortably in bed and I don't have anyone to hug anymore? I slowly moved my fingers finding something then I caught someone's hand.
"Jess? How are you feeling?" They all approached me when I opened my eyes because of the blinding light. Jia repeated his question then took the wet towel that was on my forehead so I wondered if something had happened to me. I forced myself to get up despite the weight I felt. Earlier, I was fine. I was fine, but Marc was burning with fever, so why am I lying down and being taken care of by them?
I nodded to them and my eyes widened as Marc hugged me without warning in front of my friends. I couldn't move immediately and my friends' eyes automatically shifted to look away.
"Get well okay, your Dad was so worried. He wants us to go home early in the morning," he almost whispered and I nodded as a response. I saw Marz bit her lower lip and Jia gave me a meaningful look. I bet tonight will be a long storytelling time.
"Rest and sleep well. Good night." Marc looked at me with worried eyes before leaving me and my friends inside the room. He said goodbye to my friends and looked at me one last time before finally leaving and closing the bedroom door. My friends couldn't help but come and shake me with excitement. They bombarded me with a lot of questions about us, especially Marz and Jia. Hazel is just chill but I'm sure she's more excited to listen than the other two.
"Are the two of you, TOGETHER?" Jia directly asked me wearing her silly smile.
"No," I immediately denied and their smiles faded.
"So I still have a chance?" Hazel hit Marz hard which raised the gay's eyebrows.
"Do you really wanna try?" Hazel replied and was about to attack Marz again but Marz raised his two hands surrendering and they sat down to listen to me.
"It's not like that, I don't think there are other options." Marz simply hissed, causing Hazel to hit him again.
"So what's your status? #Complicated, #Getting to know more each other? My gosh move on guys!" I scratched my head at Jia's question and before answering what they have been waiting for a long time, what exactly are we? I am not sure but is it important?
"YES IT'S IMPORTANT!" I stepped back when they really shouted at me like Mom. Wow! Did they just read my mind?
"Well, we confessed our feelings to each other and..." I was hesitant to tell the story because I didn't know if they would agree or criticize my decision.
"AND?" I was more nervous with their hopeful faces that couldn't wait for my answer.
"I asked him if he can wait," I answered with my head down, but instead of being disappointed with me, they surprisingly hugged me tightly. We stayed like that for a while then we pulled away and smiled full of approval.
"Whatever your decision, we are happy and we will support you." Hazel held my hands, and we exchanged a warm eye contact that only friends can do not to mention that we are blood related.
"Knowing Captain, he's the type to reassure us. He's so caring and if you only saw him earlier, how restless he was when you didn't wake up, he almost fly to CDO to take you to the hospital ." Jia supported and we all looked in Marz's direction waiting for his comments.
He rolled his eyes before finally speaking, "Jess, if the two are happy then go for it but if you don't stay together, don't forget me." The three of us laughed at his last allude. He might not be the overly dramatic friend, but he never failed to be unique in loving me in his own way. That is his way of telling how he respects my decision and pledging to protect me from heartache. Sometimes, he's biphasic when it comes to boys but I know him so well and he values ​​our friendship more than any hottest dudes and the same goes for the twins, similar yet in different ways. That's why I love them so much.
The next day, we woke up early before dawn as per instruction by Dad. He flooded me with calls and a long litany of why I got sick, how I had a fever, what I ate, what I did, and blah blah blah. Yes, when Dad is worried, he chants a long spell before finally letting me go and get inside the van. Beside me is Marc who constantly checked my temperature like my personal nurse and they're all treating me like a baby even the driver and the bodyguard because for sure they will have a long report and explanation in every smallest detail that happened in the three days that we spent in Lirongan.
During the whole trip, I fell asleep and refuse to take any medicine because I've been trained by Mommy that whenever I get sick, I must see a doctor first and will not take any paracetamol that is not prescribed by our doctor except for water and bed rest, that's the only thing I can do. Since I only slept, ate, and drank water during the entire travel, delays were inevitable because we were constantly stopping to pee and buy mineral water. Aside from that, Marc took good care of me which adds up that his fever surprisingly passed away like cooking instant noodles. Well, my friends take turns like nurses in rotational shift even though I told them that I'm okay. In the end, I let them take care of me.
We arrived at the house at noon and I could barely get my foot out of the van when it opened and a tall man stood out to me wearing the familiar white polo shirt I had given him for his birthday. He paired it with denim pants and then in one hand, he had a bouquet of various flowers that I can't name them all because just seeing him makes me feel like my fever will get worse and I'm going to be admitted in the hospital.
"Why are you here Jacob?" Hazel asked him coldly. Good thing she was the first one to get out of the van after seeing me flustered by his sudden appearance. I was not expecting him to greet me when I arrive home especially in this condition.
"Jess, we need to talk."