AUTHOR'S NOTE: My, my...it's been a long time since I haven't updated this fan fiction. Due to a hectic schedule, concerning our upcoming mock defense for our thesis, I wasn't able to add a chapter for this story. Yeah...I've been into stressful weeks, alright! Hahaha! Now, now, here's the latest chapter! HOPE YOU'LL LIKE THIS, FOLKS! I'll keep you updated once I have the time! Oh, by the way, don't forget to leave your comments! Thus, ENJOY READING!


It's already three in the morning.

"So much for these pills…I still can't sleep."

She sighed. This is not good. I can't sleep.

Philippines set aside the sleeping pills she's taking almost a week from now. She had been under a lot of stress. Facing those concerns to further improve her homeland had caused her to experience sleepless nights. While sitting beside her bed in her room, she decided to take a stroll outside to the gardens. She took out her white coat and a medium-sized bag, and then went out of the room.

Outside the Palace, the nation walked slowly facing the dim-lighted Pasig River. She smiled a bit, savoring the cool breeze touching her skin. Her body shivered a bit.

God, how can I sleep tonight?

She looked for a place to sit. Luckily she had found a bench not far from her. She sat still and stared at those blinking lights through the dark horizon. She sighed with a sad expression upon her face.

I missed my hut. My sister. The fresh air and my garden. Oh…this is sad. What am I thinking?

Gradually, her thoughts guided her into a different dimension-a new picture which she hasn't thought that she'll think of that night. She took out a notebook and a flashlight from her bag.

She opened the pages of that notebook, and then turned on her flashlight. Looking at those sketches made her heart felt light. She wouldn't have thought that looking at those drawings made her smile somehow, easing her homesickness. She giggled every time she saw sketches of herself in different angles.

"So much for the effort." she said.

Apparently, while looking at the leaves of that notebook, she suddenly stopped. She gazed her eyes on the banks of the river as if she remembered something from that place. In a while, fragments of that place took her thoughts slowly:

That morning-the first day when he arrived at her home and those times when he chased her by the banks of that body of clear water, was worth remembering. Two weeks of unforgettable moments, probably, sure was euphoric for the nation's mind. Small fights, intense arguments, and even sweet moments-those things were sure great memories for her. Those times when she took good care of that proud country when he was ill was memorable. She had even shared those memories with him just like old times when they first met.

And, the most remarkable thing that she wouldn't forget-that first kiss with him by the river banks. That kiss was unexpected and unintentional. However, she had found it captivating, as if a spell has been bound to her by that kiss. She felt a little intoxicated while recalling those memories. Then, a pink hue appeared on her face.

NO! What is wrong with me?

She touched her face and closed her eyes. Suddenly, she remembered the face of that country that she's been with for two weeks. Those emerald green eyes glancing at her in secret, that sandy blonde hair adding brightness into her sight, that fair complexion she has been wanted to have, and that tall, well-built body in its perfect place. She was thinking of that good-looking countenance of a gentleman standing in front of her door looking at her, way back in her mind.

The most beautiful thing she remembered was that cunning smile from him every time he teases her. That smile was enthralling. She can almost see him sitting at the breakfast table, sipping his cup of earl grey tea not far from her seat.

My God, I'm thinking many things. Daydreaming?

Was she daydreaming? Maybe yes. Maybe no. She was thinking of something else. Something she wouldn't expect of herself to think about. She began to giggle to herself. With her eyes a bit moistened with tears, she took out a deep breath and said to herself.

Diyos ko, ano po bang nangyayari sa akin? (God, what is happening to me?)


FLASHBACK:

"Now, what are we going to have for dinner? Let's see...uhmmm...good heavens! There's too many on the menu!"

"Hey, Sis! Need help?"

"No thanks, Manila. I can do this."

"Whatever you say. Just call me if you need help, OK?"

"Yeah! Thanks!"

Philippines was browsing on her big cookbook when all of a sudden,

"Anything I can do?"

"Oh, I haven't notice that you're here."

"As a matter of fact, I got curious when I saw you, scanning through the pages of that cookbook."

"Oh, this? Honestly, I don't know what will we have for dinner."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"May I take a look for a while?"

"Sure."

It turns out that the two decided to go for tinola (chicken ginger stew) and rellenong bangus for dinner.

After a few hours...

"Jesus! What the hell happened to the fish?"

"Oh, Sis! Ask him!"

"Now...what have you done? You just burned the fish, you jerk!"

"What? I'm just doing what you told me to do!"

"Wait! I told you to grill this but not as exaggerated as this looks right now!"

"Ate! Ate! Yung sinaing natin! (Sis! Sis! The rice!)"

"Damn! I forgot that bloody rice!"

"Stop that, jerk! God, what am I going to do with you?"

At the table...

"Oh, at least the stew is alright."

"Thank you for your appreciation. In fact, I made it."

"Oh, you do. How come that you weren't able to grill the fish the way it is?"

"Damn! Do I have to say it again? I just did what you told me!"

"You overcooked it."

"(whispers) Rubbish! This is nonsense."

"Well...cut this thing out, you two. Let's enjoy the food alright?"

"Yes."

"Tsk."


The lady nation laughed secretly as she scan the pages of the notebook.

That jerk!

Every time she cooks food for the three of them during those weeks at the hut, she wouldn't forget to call him to be her "assistant chef". However, it looks like that the gentleman hasn't learned. She considered him as a horrible assistant during those times. She will giggle to herself, hiding her smile as she looks at him, gasping in pain as he cuts himself with a knife or his hand touched a hot cooking pot. She can clearly remember each happening in her mind.

She never noticed that a half hour has passed.

I can't sleep.

She was still on her seat. She was smiling.

God, I miss that jerk.

What did she thought of just that moment made her shocked.

What did I said? Is this for real? Am I missing...t-that...

She slapped her face more hard. Though she complained that her slap was a little painful, she couldn't help herself but to think that fact-she is missing him.

W-what am I thinking?


FLASHBACK:

"What are you playing?" (Listening to the piano)

"Oh...I know that you know this song..."

"Wait...I know that song..."

"You can use the drums if you want..."

"Why, thank you."

Two voices blended together in a song. The piano sounded so beautiful, and drum beats accompanying it, filled the entire atmosphere with an upbeat mood. The song goes with a manner such as this:

Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly
He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker he just do what he please

He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football
He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola
He say "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me

As the song changes, the tempo turned slowly, thus entering a somewhat moderate song:

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I'll say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

Oh please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
And please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
I'll let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

While the song progresses, he suddenly stopped.

"Wait for a moment, please."

"Alright."

As he came back, he had a stereo in his hands and a collection of DVDs all inside a bag.

"Now...what are you going to do, jerk?"

"Well...let's rock and roll, baby!"

The whole hut was filled with that famous 1960 band songs. The scene was lively. After a few minutes, everything became slow. Sweet.

Without the slightest hesitation, the whole aura was filled with that sweet music. He stood up and reached for her hand.

"Hey...what are you doing?"

"Since, this is one of my favorites and you actually opened this whole thing up, may I have this dance?"

"Hah! Really?"

"I mean it, bird!"

"Quit with that word! Alright, alright!"

The music sounded sweet...yes it surely was. Every line filled the whole place:

Oh! Darling, please believe me
I'll never do you no harm
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm

Oh! Darling, if you leave me
I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I beg you
Don't ever leave me alone

Their talk goes on as they held each others hands; his one hand holding her waist and hers are finely tangled with his.

"I've never seen you like this sentimental...if you call this as such."

"Oh...I always listen to these songs when I'm alone. I get used to this."

"So...you're alone in your home?"

"Apparently, yes, I am. But, I don't mind being alone. To be honest, I used to live my life on my own, even when I was young."

"You don't feel sad, do you?"

The music keeps on playing:

When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well you know I nearly fell down and died

"(Sighs) Sometimes. Seeing myself waking up each day all alone, until I go home and go to bed...I am always alone. I feel tired doing that usual routine, but I got used to it."

"Oh, I see...have you ever thought of settling down with...something or...someone?"

Oh! Darling, if you leave me
I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm

The music filled their moods and feelings as they talk. They stared at each other closely, their countenances facing towards one another.

"W-well...I am not certain about that matter. However...it's just that..."

"That...what?"

"Well, I-I...uhmm..."

That look in his eyes caught her attention. She knew it. She had found the answer. She leaned herself closer to him and whispered to his ear.

"It's alright if you don't want to say it."

"It's not like that at all...it just that..."

"No...I think this is the time that you have to feel that you have company."

The music echoed more loudly than ever. The night was cool and the breeze touched them both. However, they felt warm in each others company. They were silent for a long time. And still, the music keeps on playing.

When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well you know I nearly fell down and died

"Is it alright if I hug you? It's quite cold out here, you know."

"Well...go ahead."

The music has come to its finale. They ended up hugging one another, smiling and enjoying their dance together. The moon shone brightly and the mood was sweet and slow:

Oh! Darling, please believe me
I'll never let you down
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm