Feeling lost and questioning her life, Aiah sets off on a solo trip in search of answers. She never expects that this journey will lead her to a deep, meaningful connection that changes her forever.
I'm in the shower pero nakatayo lang ako for good 5 minutes dahil hindi ako makapaniwala sa nabalitaan ko. I slapped my forehead again for the third time. What do you mean she owns this hostel?
Nakakahiya ka Aiah, mangungulit ka na nga lang sa owner pa ng hostel na 'to. Nakakahiya na tuloy lumabas. Wala na, mabubulok ka na lang dito sa room na ito. Nakakahiya!
It was raining heavily, which is good, hindi ko kailangan lumabas ng room. I was reading a book the entire day pero bigla ako nakaramdam ng gutom when the rain finally stopped. I peeked through the door to check if Colet was in the living area.
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When I saw a few people there and no signs of Colet anywhere, I went out of the room and went to the front desk to order coffee and snacks since that's the only thing they serve here.
I'm done with my order. I turned to find a vacant table when someone called me, "Aiah!" I stiffened, but I turned around anyway. "Hi. Halika, dito ka na umupo." Thank God, it was Gwen. "Hey, andito ka pala." I smiled at her and tumabi na ko sa kanya. She's having her merienda too.
"Yes, they'll be having an open mic here mamaya. They'll start setting up in 30 minutes." Open Mic? That's so cool.
"Really? Kakanta ka ba?" Yes, si Colet din." She looked up. "Speaking of the devil." I turned in the same direction she was looking.
It was Colet who just got out of the restroom in the living area. Nice, just nice. Ito yung mga moment na, I wish na kainin na lang ako ng lupa. I put my right hand on my forehead, trying to hide, kasi sobrang nahihiya talaga ako.
She sat down on our table tapos saktong hinatid ng staff yung coffee and bread na inorder ko. I don't know how to act but I try to keep my cool. When I looked at her, I saw her smirking. I feel like she noticed how embarrassed I am. I sat up straight and acted confident.
Gwen cleared her throat, "First time mo ba dito Aiah?" she asked. I turned to her and replied, "Yes, first time ko din talaga magsolo travel."
She nodded, "I see, hindi ka pa ba nakakapaglibot ng island?" Thank you, Gwen, for breaking the awkward silence.
"Hindi pa, I just got here last night and hindi din talaga ako marunong magdrive." She turned towards Colet who's on her phone.
"Tamang-tama, wag kang magalala, Colet will be your new tour guide. Diba?" Siniko niya si Colet. "Binigyan mo pa ako ng trabaho, pero pwede naman. Nagpapabayad ako ha. Wala nang free sa panahon ngayon." Tumaas kilay niya but still on her phone.
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"Ate Colet, saan ko ''to ipupwesto?" Someone approached her, and she stood up to help the guy, who seemed like a disc jockey.
"Sa una lang yan siya masungit. She needs to warm up kasi sa mga tao pero mabait yan." Sabi ni Gwen. She seems nice naman, well, she has helped me a couple of times already. Grump nga lang.
Nagkikwentohan lang kami ni Gwen habang abala naman si Colet and mga staff niya sa pag setup ng lahat ng kailangan for the open mic. I learned through Gwen that they do have a schedule pala on the entire island kung saan yung events/parties every day. So, this event is not only for the hostel itself. It's open for everyone.
Madami nang mga tao dito sa loob ng hostel. Nakakalat lang sa pool and living area. When the open mic finally opened. Colet welcomed everyone and I didn't know she was the first one to sing pala.
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Inabot sa kanya yung acoustic guitar. And she started strumming the guitar. "I wrote this song to serve as a reminder to live life at your own pace. It's okay to take your time." She started singin, "Love..." everyone cheered.
She continued, "I know from my heart, right from the start. You, you did very well. Just be gentle to yourself, when it's hard but you gotta try. Don't be shy I got your back when you want to cry. Don't give up on you. I'm so proud of you."
She has an incredible voice. I was so captivated by her song and the lyrics that I didn't realize tears were streaming down my face. It felt like she was speaking directly to me.
Our eyes met, "Ohh, you did well. You did well." she's smiling at me. Everyone clapped their hands and cheered for her. I wiped my tears and clapped my hands too. I smiled at her, and she smiled at me too.
