y

many people on the train, buses, and jeeps. Together, we climbed the stairs to ge

lked. I interviewed Jasper as if

lanning to

plan to travel a

you took should be avia

eaper,” Jasper said, laugh

two of us. When we got our tickets, we rushed onto the platform to wait for t

er said, then squeezed his biceps. I laughed at what he did. “You’r

oft because it’s ju

hard. I guess you wan

in the middle of a crowd. Soon after, I pulled away f

I? My muscles are hard so that no f

me a man hugged me in the middle of a crowd.

e raised his left hand. “I’m just comfortable with you and....” he lowered his hand and dire

ity personnel and the senior travelers tra

just a friendly hug. But okay, I wo

And this man still has

oaching train. Jasper immediatel

are you doi

hard to get in. Ju

continues to push the passengers inside the train until we hear the door signaling that the door is about to close. And because there was a crowd between us, Jasper pulled me with a

He was tall and had to look down to make

He was tall, and I thought he was ab

how did you do that?”

ds him. I was not the only one amazed, but also the other passengers and even t

hat. Hold my hard biceps.” He said with a sly grin. I held

It’s hard,” I said,

hat’s hard on me...” Jasper

d another hard “thing” comes out of your mou

movement of the train, all the passengers also move. Jasper held tightly to the handrail and behind me while I hugge

e train will be my fa

asper. “Can you, Jasper, don’t put me through thos

rowned when I caught

one who likes me?” he even stre

n who smell ar

oves! I smell like a baby. Y

n’t smell like a baby. You smell l

hievously replied to my joke. “Ouch!” he felt my fing

ing at me, watching me. I had goosebumps. I turned around and couldn’t tell who was staring at me. I immediately stroked my neck with one hand. It was the same

rush hour, Jasper and I sat side by side inside the tricycle. The tricycle quickly filled up, so even though the two of them were cramped inside, I barely moved forward, and only

sardine stuffed into a

ome cute in your eyes. Does that me

ill crash

ez, do you think I’l

u ask if I’m still alive before we

; the tricycle stopped in front of our house. Jas

, Kuya!” s

allowed by the HOA (Homeowners Association) to prevent

our gate. My granny came out and greeted

and my granddaugh

ve been keeping a

o,” I said,

“Come on, have di

will come home, and he w

Okay, if yo

going to kiss me?” Jasper joked wh

oot. Anyway,

e!” Jasper sai

ange that night, but I couldn't tell. I felt she was pleased but couldn’

to my room. I dropped my things on

, this fee

nt. Putting my back on the bed gave me a nice a

! Hel

the water gradually washed away ou

I’m sc

eper into the water in the car, I panicked. I kept hitting the car window and pulling the door handle re

going

suddenly touched my mouth. Air comes in through my mouth, and some

h, I need

few seconds and pressed

wake up

open my eyes. I could barely see the

As I combed my hair with my fingers, I thought I didn’t

dream