"Look how beautiful Marinduque is, Ax. I hope you're seeing this with me."
I whispered to myself, habang tinitingnan ang Marinduque mula sa itaas. Ilang minuto lang ang biyahe mula Manila hanggang Marinduque kapag air travel.
Lumapag na ang chopper sa airport at naka-abang na ang mga tauhan ng resort namin. 
"Good morning ma'am, welcome back po!" 
Bati ng isa sa kanila. Ngumiti lang naman ako. Iginaya nila ako sa sasakyan kong golf cart kahit na wala namang golf course dito. Malapit lang naman ang resort sa airport kaya hindi na kailangan mag kotse. 
Nakapila ang lahat ng staff sa entrance ng resort para lang batiin ako. Nginitian at tinanguan ko silang lahat dahil wala pa akong gana makipag-halubilo sa kanila.
Nang makarating sa bahay, hindi ko agad nakita ang lola kaya umakyat na ako sa kwarto at nagpahinga. Para akong walang gana sa lahat ng bagay. Parang mas gusto kong mag-kulong na lang dito. Matapos ang halos dalawang oras, lumabas ako ng kwarto at pumunta sa balkonahe ng bahay para tanawin ang resort. 
That's when I heard a knock on the glass door. When I looked at it, a guy with jet black hair and blue eyes greeted me. He's wearing the resort's uniform. 
"Good morning, ma'am. Pinapatawag na po kayo ni madam Sol." 
Masigla niyang bati. I really don't have the energy to match his, so I just nodded and signalled him to lead the way. Na-gets naman niya agad kaya na una na siya sa paglalakad. 
When we're about to leave, I paused to look at the view once again. Our house is nestled at the top part of the resort. Kaya kitang-kita ang kabuoan nito, well aside sa ilog at falls na nasa gilid ng resort. 
Look, ax, our resort became prettier than before. Do you think I can find peace here?
"Ma'am Kenria?" 
Natapos ang pagmu-muni muni ko dahil muli niya akong tinawag. 
"Ken na lang. And you are?" 
I said casually and smiled at him.
"Aice po, ma'am. As in yelo." 
Bumalik na sa pag-lalakad si Aice matapos niya ngumiti at magpakilala kaya sumunod na ako. As soon as we got down, my lola almost ran to me out of excitement. 
"Lola, dahan dahan naman po baka madulas ka." 
Pag-aalala ko sa kaniya.
"Nako, Kenken ko. Na miss kita apo," 
She hugged me tightly, and I did the same. 
"Hindi na kayo bumibisita ni Kash dito simula nang mawala ang papa niyo." 
I froze for a moment. I didn't know lola would say such remarks and in front of other people too. I didn't know how to react, so I just stood there.
"Ma'am Sol kain na po kayo?" 
Aice probably felt the awkwardness. I looked at him, and he smiled at me. 
"Nako, Lizzy, wag na hindi kumakain ng agahan itong si Ken." 
Lola said to the woman who was about to serve me food. 
"Ano pong gusto niyo ma'am Kenria?" 
Tanong nung babae. She's pretty, halatang may lahi. She has natural brown hair and blue eyes. Nanay yata ni Aice or kamag-anak.
"Ken na lang po. And I just want coffee." 
I answered. She was about to head to the kitchen, but Aice presented to do the job. 
"How do you like your coffee ma'am Ken?" 
Aice joyfully asked. I darted him a few glances since I'm a little uncomfortable by how energetic he is.
"One teaspoon of black coffee, 3 creamer, and 2 sugar." 
I answered. He nodded. 
"Oh and... Can you make me a french toast?" 
I added as he was about to leave.
"That's new. You never really eat breakfast." 
Lola said. 
"I barely ate anything kanina lola. You know I don't eat heavy while travelling. So, I'm starting to get hungry." 
She nodded.
"I'll make the french toast." 
The woman said, and I just said thank you. I pulled out my phone and decided to just check on my social media while waiting. And to also update kuya.
"So how's manila Apo?" 
Lola asked, but I didn't really pay much attention since I'm composing a message to kuya kash.
"Fine, I guess?" 
I coldly replied.
"How are you coping?" 
She once again asked. I really didn't want to confront her because I know she's only concern but, I'm really uncomfortable talking about it. 
"Lola, can we... can we not talk about it?"
I asked nicely. I guess she gets it, and she just smiled and mouthed. Sorry, I just smiled sweetly.
Just minutes later, I got what I wanted for breakfast, and we started eating. 
"Aice, can you show me around? It's been a long time since I've been here. I want to get familiar again." 
I asked aice after eating breakfast. 
"Yes ma'am!" 
He answered joyfully.
"Ganito na lang, Aice just be Ken's personal assistant and bodyguard while she's here. Para hindi na din ako mag-alala kung sino ang kasama niyan." 
Lola suggested. Well, I think that's better too. Ayoko rin na tatawag pa ako ng iba para lang mag utos, at least kung magiging personal assistant ko si aice lagi'ng kasunod ko. Pero bodyguard?
"Pwede'ng pwede po madam Sol!"
Sagot ni Aice na ikinatuwa naman ni lola.
"Seriously, lola, bodyguard? Ano ako anak ng presidente?" 
I answered sarcastically. 
"Apo, you know our family. Madami ang inggit. Lalo'ng lalo na sa resort na 'to at sa company ng daddy mo, ikaw ang magmamana pareho hindi ba? Sigurado ako na ikaw ang ta-targetin nila."
Sa manila nga walang nagtatangka sa akin, dito pa kaya?
"Apo?" 
Pagsi-siguradong tawag sa akin ni lola.
"Sige 'la, if you think that's what is best for me." 
She smiled at me. Nagpa-alam na lang ako para makapag libot na kami ni Aice. Na-una na siya sa pagla-lakad. Kaya nagkaroon ako ng chance titigan siya, kahit likod lang.
Although he's wearing the staff uniform, I can still see his features very well. Sabagay, fitted naman ang uniform nila, and it's hugging his body perfectly. His wide broad shoulders, slim waist, mascular arms, and large hands. His height is probably around 6 feet. And he's good-looking, too. Especially his blue eyes. 
"Good morning, ma'am, Kenria!" 
Napa-hinto kami sa paglalakad dahil may bumati sakin. Lumingon ako sa kaliwa at nakita ko ang dalawang lalaki na naka civilian.
"Are they staff?" 
Tanong ko kay Aice. 
"Ah, opo! Night shift po sila at day off po nila ngayon kaya hindi sila naka uniform. Pa uwi na rin po siguro." 
Sagot niya at bahagyang pumuwesto sa likod ko. Lumapit naman sa amin ang dalawang lalaki. 
"Ako po si Adrian!" 
"Clark po." 
Magkasunod na pakilala nila.
"Ken." 
Casual na pakilala ko at nakipag shake hands ako sa kanila. 
"Are you guys still studying? You all look young to be a regular staff member." 
Baling ko sa dalawa. 
"Yes ma'am, sa MC po kami." 
Sagot ni Adrian. MC is the abbreviation for Mariana College. 
I knew they're too young to be part of the regulars. They're still students. I bet Aice is, too. 
"Oh? That's the same college I'm transferring to." 
"Talaga ma'am? Ngayon po ang first day ng enrollment at passing of requirements kaya po kami nag day off." 
Sagot naman ni clark.
"Is that so?" 
I asked them again.
"Yes, po." 
Sagot ni Adrian. 
"Buti nakakaya niyo? Pagiging working student, I mean." 
"No choice po ma'am." 
Sagit ni Clark.
"Anong oras ba mga shift niyo?" 
"5 pm po ang simula ma'am hanggang 11 po." 
Paliwanag ni Clark. 
"Ikaw Aice, anong shift mo?" 
Muli at tumingala ako kay Aice. Marahil napansin niyang medyo nahihirapan ako pagtingala sa kaniya, kaya unti-unti siyang naglakad papunta sa dalawang lalaki sa harap ko.
"Ngayon pong summer pang-umaga po ako. 7 am to 5 pm po. Pero kapag nag-start na po ang mga klase, baka maging ganon din ang shift ko sa kanila."
I just nodded as a response. Oh! that reminds me.
"Saan ka nag-aaral Aice, are you attending the same college?" 
"Yes ma'am, pero bukas pa po kasi ang day off ko kaya bukas na lang po ako magpapasa ng mga requirements ko. Expected po kasi namin na buong araw ko kayo'ng sasamahan ngayon." 
Paliwanag niya. 
"Well ngayon ko balak mag-enroll, bukas ka pa rin?" 
Tanong ko sa kaniya na may kaunting pang-aasar. 
"Sure ka ba ma'am? Baka pagod pa kayo sa biyahe." 
"Nope, I'm fine. Mas okay yung ma-aga akong makapag-enroll para wala na akong iisipin."
"Sige po ma'am, kung yun po ang gusto niyo."
Sagot naman ni aice.
"Ipalipat mo na ang day off mo ngayong araw." 
Tumango naman siya.
"So, kita na lang po tayo sa campus ma'am?" 
Singit ni Adrian. 
"Bakit sa campus pa? bakit hindi nalang tayo mag-sabay sabay ngayon?" 
"Nasa bahay po kasi mga requirements namin ma'am, kaya uuwi pa po kami." 
Paliwanag ni Clark. 
"Malayo ba bahay niyo?" 
"Diyan lang po ako sa Quatis, tapos si Adrian po sa Ihatub." 
Every place sounds familiar to me. Pero hindi na ako nagsalita. 
"Okay, see you at campus na lang?" 
Tumango sila at agad na umalis para kunin ang mga gamit nila sa staff quarters na nasa gilid lang ng bahay namin.
"Let's go!" 
I said as they went out of the staffs quarters with their stuff.
"Ma'am? ihahatid niyo po kami? Huwag na po ma'am Ken nakakahiya." 
Sagot ni Clack na kumakamot pa sa batok niya.
"Who told you I'm sending you off? Our original plan was to walk around the resort, I merely wanted to see the front gate." 
I casually told them while smiling since I find it hilarious how shy they got. Aice even laughed. Since no one reacted anymore, I led the way.
While we're on our walk, Aice would point out different things and places in our resort. There's new facilities that I'm not familiar with, so it's only natural for me to ask questions about it. But there's also those that's been here for a long time. 
When we got to the entrance, the guard immediately opened the gates, and it revealed the beautiful rice fields. That field is also owned by my family. On the other side are countless mango and santol trees inside a fenced property, which we also own. 
Also, outside our resort is the national road. On our right is a small airport that I never really saw being used. I've only seen it being used when we're using it for our private helicopters. 
"Nagagamit ba iyang airport? I mean aside sa'min." 
Tanong ko sa kanila habang nakatingin sa airport.
"Noon ma'am ginawa 'yan na private flight school. May mga aspiring pilots diyan noon. Dito pa nga sila naka-check in. Hindi ko lang po alam kung bakit wala na ngayon." 
Paliwanag ni Aice. Natahimik naman kami saglit. Dumaan na din and jeep na sasakyan ni Adrian. Nag pa-alam muna siya sa akin bago tuluyang sumakay. Nag simula na rin maglakad si Clark dahil malapit lang daw ang bahay niya. 
"This is the first time I've seen you and your family working for us."
Pag-tutuloy ko sa usapan namin.
"Ako po syempre nag-simula lamang noong nag-18 ako. Sila papa po matagal na dito. Siguro po hindi niyo lang napapansin noon." 
"Siguro nga. May mga kapatid ka ba?" 
"Wala po. Iisang anak lang." 
Tumango na lang ako at hindi na ako sumagot pa. Wala na din naman kasi akong itatanong pa. Humarap na lang ako sa resort namin at tiningnan ang malaking sign sa harapan nito. 
SERENE RESORT
where you can find peace
I can't believe this resort really became a big deal on this island. Such a nostalgic place for our family became memorable to others, too. But what I really can't believe is how it's still striving even after loosing it's core, my dad. 
After our quick walk around the resort, we decided to head back so we could prepare for the enrollment. 
"Ayan na pala kayo, kain na." 
Bati ni lola sa amin ni Aice. 
"Lola, ngayon po kami pupunta ng MC." 
Paalam ko kay lola habang umuupo. 
"Ganon ba? O e paano itong si Aice, bukas pa naman ang day off niyan." 
"Well, since he's now working as my assistant, I'm taking him with me." 
"Mabuti yan para hindi ka maligaw doon. Sige na kumain na muna kayo bago umalis. Aice, Lizzy sumabay na kayo sa'min." 
Pag-anyaya ni lola sa dalawa.
"Hindi na po madam sol, hihintayin nalang po namin si Cenen bago kami kumain." 
Paliwanag ng babaeng kamukha ni Aice.
"Ay nako mamaya pa yoon at may sinundo yon sa balanacan." 
Hindi kona sila hinintay pa at na una na akong kumain. 
"Aice, ikaw na lang ang sumabay sa akin, may pupuntahan tayo." 
I told Aice without glancing at him. 
"Oo nga anak, ikaw na lang ang sumabay at sasamahan mo pa si ma'am Ken." 
Tsaka lang ako napatingin noong nagsalita si Lizzy. So, they're mother and son.
"Sure ka ba ma? Matagal pa si papa." 
"I'll be fine." 
Usapan nilang mag-ina. Umupo na rin agad si Aice sa tabi ko at nag-simulang kumain. 
After our lunch na ligo na agad ako. After taking a bath, I put on light make-up and put my long hair in a bun. I wore fitted white crop top, trousers, and white shoes. Kinuha ko na rin sa maleta ko ang plastic envelope na kinalalagyan ng mga requirements ko. 
Pagkababa ko, naghihintay na si Aice. He's wearing a white t-shirt, an oversized long sleeves button-down polo, fitted denim jeans, and black slip-on shoes. He also has a black jansport backpack. 
"Ma'am dito mo na lang ilagay sa bag ko yung mga gamit mo." 
Pag-aalok niya, ginawa ko naman ang sinabi niya dahil ayaw ko din may dala-dala. 
"Mauna na po kami Lola." 
Pa-alam ko kay lola at humalik ako sa pisngi niya. Nakita ko naman na humalik din sa pisngi ng mama niya si Aice.
"Give me the key." 
Inilahad ko sa kaniya ang palad ko. Tiningnan niya lang ito. 
"No. Ako po ang mag da-drive!" 
Pagmama-tigas niya. 
"As far as I can remember, you're my assistant AND bodyguard, but never my driver. So sit your ass in the shotgun seat and give me the key." 
Wala na siyang nagawa dahil inagaw ko sa kaniya ang susi. Agad akong sumakay at sumunod din naman siya sa'kin.