(A/N: Maagang update today because virtual graduation namin later! Wish me luck na may 'with honors' title si author para double updat5. Chariz. Joke lang, I think walang may 'with honors' title this year emz. 🥲)

I woke up from my peaceful slumber when someone shook my body for me to wake up.

"Ano ba..."

"Cole, get up. Wake up kana. We need to get ready, call time today is eight am tapos we're going to have breakfast pa."

"Ano ba." I said with a drag in my tone na parang naiirita na. "Natutulog pa, eh. 'Nan mo, oh... Tsk."

"Anong ano ba, Nicolette? Nagsisimula kana naman, ah. Get up. Get up, we'll be late already."

"Ate Pat, five minutes!" I said, still with eyes closed. "Shocks..."

Napagod talaga ako sa ganap kahapon kahit na nakatulog naman ako kahit konte lang.

"No, Nicolette, get up." Janine Patricia commanded. "Pag labas ko ng banyo later dapat you're up na. Dapat you have your clothes ready na, you're things for today, and what-not." I just groaned in response.

Wala, I just followed her. Mahirap na, baka ako pa ang dahilan ng pagkalate namin.

I didn't get off the bed yet. What I did was I fished for my phone on the night stand and opened it.

3 New notification from Mama

13 New notification from Mar(celine)

2 New notification from Auntie R1sa

I opened auntie's first. Nangangamusta lang so I replied back. Next was Mars' who was just spamming me messages and 'getting mad' for not telling me that I'll be away for a trip. Also, we've talked 'bout it narin since we talked last night. Kaya nga ako puyat, eh.

Eh sa hindi ko nga rin knows nun, eh.

Lastly, I opened mama's messages. She's sharing a room with ate Aiks and Ate Jill while kami naman dalawa ni ate Pat here sa room na'to. Ok narin yung si ate Pat roommate ko. Nagkakasundo naman kami ng slight. She doesn't say anything to what I do. I can talk pa kay Mars sa phone kahit na late na. Well, the room that the three is occupying is bigger naman kaysa saamin. Kasya na nga rin sama kaming lima rito, eh.

From: Mama

5:55 am

From: Mama

5:58 am

From: Mama

6:33 am

I looked at the time. 6:48 am. Okay pa, kaya 'to. I won't take too long nalang sa pag-shower since I took a hot-bath naman last night when we got back from our Cebu exploration 1.0, eh.

୨୧

We're now on our way to the first stop. Kaya naman pala napaka-early namin today. First stop is sobrang layo naman pala. Oslob, Cebu. Where we can watch the Whales in a near distance and swim with them. But, we need to get there in time; specifically before noon ends because that's when you can catch them because that is the time na dumadagsa sila for food.

I've only ever seen a Whale from a picture and never in person. I bet they're really big as what I've read about them.

I'm sure I'll enjoy this first stop.

At dahil nga malayo pa ang lalakbayin namin, I got to take a power nap kanina. I'm sitting beside no one right at the moment. I'm occupying the very back of the van kase. Ako lang mag-isa. Ate Jill and mama are sitting behind the driver's seat while ate Aika and ate Pat are sitting in front of my seat.

"Sa susunod na habang buhay..." I sang along with the song playing on my headphones. "Sabaok."

"Anong sabaok 'yang sinasabi mo, Colit?" I heard a murmur but didn't mind it nalang kase I didn't hear it naman. Baka they're talking about something. "Colit!"

"Cole, ate Aika's calling you." I saw ate Pat turn to me as she spoke. At kahit hindi narinig ang sinabi niya, I was stil able to read her lips.

I quickly put off my headphones. "Yes, po, ate Aiks?" Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga. "Sorry, I didn't hear you."

"Sam, anak, hinaan mo 'yang music mo. Baka magka-problem pa 'yang tainga mo dahil jaan." I heard mama say from the front hushly since ate Jill was sleeping.

"Mama, mahina naman po ang music ko. It's just that, it's a noise-cancelling headphones. Don't worry po." I answered mama first. "What were you saying po kanina, te Aiks?"

"Nothing. Natawa lang ako sa pa-sabaok mo jaan after mo kinanta ang isang line." She softly chuckled as she turned to me. "You go back to listening na. Or take a nap, again, Cole, your ate Pat said kanina na matagal ka rawng natulog kagabe. Nanood ka na naman ba ng pelikula?"

I looked at ate Pat who was now showing her tongue teasingly. Forget about what I said earlier. She's not a good roomie. Hng, snitch.

Thank God that she didn't tell them that I talked to Mars.

I just chuckled mentally and did the same also. Bleh ka rin, ate.

୨୧

Meron o wala mang 'with honors' title later, I'll update parin ng isa pang chapter. Have a great day!

Good luck to me, too, for my virtual ceremony later. Stay safe kayo and God bless!

-ms. banana 🍌